Chapter 2: Haxan

[bhu]

You get the following days edition, and it seems to be the estate auction of a local German immigrant who was somehow fairly wealthy: one Ottman Metzger.  He is described as a wealthy eccentric.  His last name implies either he or his family were once butchers.  German immigrant tend to get surnames which reflect the family occupation.  He seems like an odd sort for inspiring local interest, as Hessian mercenaries were favored by the British forces.  Not that he's automatically one of them of course, but you hear him spoken well of for a disliiked minority.

Also, both your side and the Haxan clearly knew of the auction already, and are trying to get it made  private.

[RobbyPants]

Will Elizabeth be able to attend? She feels he might have some items of interest.

She tries to ask around about Ottman from various people to see what they knew or thought of him.

If needed: Gather Information = 1d20+6

Rolled 1d20+6 : 12 + 6, total 18

[bhu]

You'll be able to attend as long as it's public.  If it's made private you may need to lean on someone for a favor.  Ottman has a lot of rumors about him.  He came to America with a fortune, not to make one.  No one knows how he made his money, as he was apparently not the brightest of men, and is widely regarded as rude and vulgar.  He had an obsession with rare things, which many thought to be an affectation, an attempt to disguise his 'brutish nature'.  He is accused of various things, such as piracy, incest, murder, kidnapping, perversion, siding with the British, and even being a warlock of some sort.  There are few crimes not laid at his family's feet.  He is survived by a wife, son and daughter, who have reputations just as bad.  They are the Borgia's of Philadelphia.

[RobbyPants]

"I'm wondering if there's any truth to the accusation of him being a warlock. That's the first thing I thought of when you said he collected rare things, given that I found out about the auction in an ally that just had several spells cast into it.

Are his family members just coasting on the family wealth, or do they work?"

[bhu]

"Officially, they have no job, or at least no one admits to employing them.  Unofficially, it's said they will commit any illegal act if the price is right.  Particularly the son and daughter.  I can't tell you much about the auction, other than the higher up's want something that's being sold."

[RobbyPants]

During the next couple days, Elizabeth checks to make sure everyone on her side is okay and tries to listen to rumors to see what information (or misinformation is spreading). She tries to keep an eye out for any activity with the ghouls.

If the auction turns out to be public, she will attend publicly. If not, she will try to sneak in as a rat.

[bhu]

gimme a gather information check

[RobbyPants]

Gather Information = 1d20+6

Rolled 1d20+6 : 9 + 6, total 15

[bhu]

Ottman's son, Ulrich Metzger, is known for attacking women who are on their own.  He often goes into the poorer quarters of the city at night to troll for victims.

[RobbyPants]

Does anyone give any reason for why this is allowed? Is this just an unproven rumor or is it a case of bribes?

Elizabeth's ire is temporarily up, but she wants to actually verify this.

[bhu]

He's a known petty criminal, and lots of crimes are laid at his feet, some of which he's actually done.  But there have been eyewitnesses who came forward about the other things.  The problem was that those witnesses were of 'questionable virtue', and his father was a wealthy man who "contributed to society".  At least the family attorney said so, though you can't find any evidence that he spent his wealth on any one but himself.  There's also the fact that a lot of people seem openly afraid of them.  Were the accusations against them not beyond the pale, you doubt there would be people angry enough to speak up at all.

[RobbyPants]

Elizabeth's interest is piqued, but she's not going to spend a bunch of time spying on him, yet. She'll focus her efforts on making sure the peace is kept over the next few days, keeping an eye out for ghoul or witch activity, and prepare to go to the auction (either as herself or a rat).

[bhu]

You gain the use of your new spell finally.  Things seem tense but peaceful.  The ghouls and the city seem to avoid each other.  The auction comes round and appears to be public.  It mostly appears to be old books, which is odd given the nature of the man you have heard tales of.

[RobbyPants]

Before going to the auction, Elizabeth casts Mental ward, taking four points of ability damage to give herself a +2 bonus.

Are any of the books familiar to her by title/author? Is there anyone she recognizes who is showing an interest? Are people allowed to inspect the books at all before bidding?

[bhu]

Give me a knowledge tmwnmtk check

[RobbyPants]

Rolled 1d20+15 : 7 + 15, total 22

[bhu]

There are many occult or mythological texts, and a few with actual purported spells.  Due to age they are not allowed to be handled.  One book is kept under lock and key, and discussed only in the vaguest of  terms.  You're betting thats the one that holds everyone's interest.

[RobbyPants]

Elizabeth doesn't old any allusions that she'll be able to acquire that book, and even if she did, she figures that'd make her a target. Her intention is to pay attention to who makes offers on the book, who actually buys it, and who else is showing intense interest, even if not openly making bids.

Meanwhile, she'll try to buy a couple of the esoteric texts, ideally at least one with a (maybe) spell or two. She has a Wealth Bonus of 21, so she's hoping to get at least something. Again, she cast Mental Ward prior to coming.

[bhu]

ooc: lemme look up how wealth works again in d20 Modern, and I'll post some quick and dirty rules for the auction over the weekend.

[bhu]

ooc:: the weekend did not go as planned.  Increase your wealth bonus by +2 to reflect ongoing pay.  We'll just have you make wealth checks to place a bet (so to speak) to see if you can afford it.