Chapter 2: Haxan

[bhu]

"We are beseiged in more ways than can be imagined.  I am quite astonished you were able to arrive.  Which means someone besides me wants to know about you."

[RobbyPants]

"You mean that I was protected, or merely allowed to arrive?"

[bhu]

"Allowed."  He turns in his chair

"I am Dr. Thomas Young.  To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking."

[RobbyPants]

"Constable Elizabeth Schumacher: scientist and investigator."

[bhu]

"Ah yes, Pennsylvania's first female constable.  I trust you are finding the job to be rewarding?"

[RobbyPants]

"I've always been inquisitive and liked learning the truth about things. It's how I got into science initially, and later... other truths.

I've found many aspects of the job rewarding. I've done my best to bring science into the job to better find evidence of guilt or innocence. The part of the job I like less is suddenly being in charge of the entire community when my superior was killed. I feel each day we have to review what we thought we knew.

What is your role in this city?"

[bhu]

"Likely the cause of it's death, though I strive to be the opposite.  Now then, what assistance did you need?"

[RobbyPants]

"At this point, information. I wasn't expecting any resources sent back with me. We're so far sustaining our food stores. I'm assuming you have a gunpowder shortage too, and have had to make your own?

Do you know where Washington opened the gate? Do you know of any books here on relevant topics that I could read?"

[bhu]

"We are using alternate resources for powder, questionable though they may be."

"Washington opened the gate in New York in a last act of desperation against the British.  It went badly.  The equations for opening doors and windows are difficult, and one should never assume the instructions in any manuscripts found are truthful.  Conditions can change over time since they were written.  Traps can easily be laid if one is too sloppy to do the proper research.  Doors may be opened that you have no way of closing.  Or perhaps they lead to places you'd rather not open a door to.  Worst of all you may open multiple doors in a single locale and bring destruction down on your head.  That is what Washington has done.  Portals to a dozen realities open at once releasing who knows what.  And worse gaining the attentions of the Enemy.  An Enemy beyond our reach, and whom we could not contend with where it otherwise."

"Does the prisoner remain in his circle?"

[RobbyPants]

"Washington opened the gate in New York in a last act of desperation against the British.  It went badly.  The equations for opening doors and windows are difficult, and one should never assume the instructions in any manuscripts found are truthful.  Conditions can change over time since they were written.  Traps can easily be laid if one is too sloppy to do the proper research.  Doors may be opened that you have no way of closing.  Or perhaps they lead to places you'd rather not open a door to.  Worst of all you may open multiple doors in a single locale and bring destruction down on your head.  That is what Washington has done.  Portals to a dozen realities open at once releasing who knows what.  And worse gaining the attentions of the Enemy.  An Enemy beyond our reach, and whom we could not contend with where it otherwise."

"Is there any hope to close them? We'd still have no shortage of horrors to deal with, but at least it'd stem the flow."

"Does the prisoner remain in his circle?"

"The last I checked on him, yes. He's under the care of only a few men with strict orders to not let him out or let any living thing cross the circle. They have been warned about tricks and manipulation.

Who is he? I knew little of him before this all started and I only trust his answers so much."


Sense Motive on the answer about the prisoner:

Rolled 1d20+10 : 16 + 10, total 26

[RobbyPants]

Incidentally, that roll should be a 20 and not a 26. I had to fix a BBCode mistake from the original post.

[bhu]

"You can only do what Washington did briefly before it all goes to Hell.  It will have had side effects, which could include weakening other doors allowing things to occasionally slip through.  Most of the mass migration will be done, now we just have to worry about stragglers and those who are Outside trying to find their way in."

"Niemand was a man once, the same as we were.  He has simply trod further and longer upon the Path.  He taught all of us the secrets we know until the Sheriff surprised him.  I'm uncertain how as Niemand is well known as a thought thief.  That circle may trap him physically, but not all of his influence.  You'd be better to abandon your homes and move here, but then that leaves him unwatched.  And that is something the world cannot afford."

[RobbyPants]

"Is it possible to find weakened doors and bolster them?

The journey here would be arduous, but it might be for the best. Are there supplies here for the town? Are they able to farm enough to be self-sufficient? For the time being, our town can sustain itself.

Is Niemand a threat because he stands against us (humanity) or just in that he is a wild card with too much power? I do not know much about thought thieves. I'm assuming he can read minds. Can he control them? Is their any way to guard against the reading of thoughts? Can something dense like lead block it? I've known it to work in some applications..."

[bhu]

"Is it possible to find weakened doors and bolster them?

"Yes but it would take much experience, and is suicidal if you don't know whats on the other side.  Doors are best traveled through and then shut behind you."

The journey here would be arduous, but it might be for the best. Are there supplies here for the town? Are they able to farm enough to be self-sufficient? For the time being, our town can sustain itself.

"We are self sufficient due to losses.  Due to rampant fear, I cannot assuer your people would be welcomed due to several incidents.  Trust is in short supply."

Is Niemand a threat because he stands against us (humanity) or just in that he is a wild card with too much power? I do not know much about thought thieves. I'm assuming he can read minds. Can he control them? Is their any way to guard against the reading of thoughts? Can something dense like lead block it? I've known it to work in some applications..."[/color][/font][/size]

"Niemand is a threat in the same manner we are, he simply has far more power and experience.  Those of us who discover the truth of the world are changed by it, and that change increases with time.  But it is rare that we cooperate for long other than against a common foe.  We are little fish, you and I, hiding from bigger fish who would devour us so that we may in turn one day devour them.  There are ways to guard against the stealing of ones mind, but they are difficult to learn.  But learn you must for your own sake.  So far as I know materials are of little use, but I have had to study other things due to my own needs."

[RobbyPants]

"Thank you. I'm not sure there's much more I can learn here, right now. I'll talk to people in the town to see how they feel about travelling here."

If there is nothing else, Elizabeth will try to get room and board for the night, then fly out early in the morning.

OOC: How many days would it take the townsfolk to walk over?

[bhu]

"We can teach you some things you'll need to know.  As for leaving, that may prove difficult.  There are those I have no control over, and they let you come here.  If they let you leave it might be that they follow you."

[RobbyPants]

"Why would they follow?

What can you teach me? I might have some useful skills I can teach you, as well."

[bhu]

"Why would they follow?

"A lone target is an easy target, and despite your unique skills they will all be more advanced than you could face individually, let alone as a group.  You may also lead them to resources they could use, though if they realize Niemand is still around they'll hold back from venturing into your town."

What can you teach me? I might have some useful skills I can teach you, as well."[/color][/font][/size]

"We might be able to teach you some skills you can use to defend yourself from unconventional attacks."

[RobbyPants]

"What would you want from me in return?"

[bhu]

"What would you want from me in return?"

"Shared knowledge.  It might be you have teachable skills we do not have in common here."