//File 0.1 - Helios//

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Jan 17, 2020 9:52 am

Jan 17, 2020 9:52 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

The laboratory building proper was repurposed from a older research facility which Ares used when it expanded its reach into Hong Kong. It served its function well until Ares ploughed significant resources to its R&D flagship behind it, allowing it to dominate the east Asian region in scientific research. The older building was then left to the use of scientific criminology, both the investigative and forensic offices and resources were housed there. Helios noted the labels and signages which indicated various departments such as ballistics, chemical analysis, both wet and dry labs, field testing, legal, amongst others.

"Come." Hong first led Helios through a small chamber near the entrance with clear plexiglass walls, "Standard lab precaution." The chamber was a sanitising apparatus, designed to clean contaminants, airborne agents, chemical residue, and even dirt and grime, effectively disinfecting persons as they entered the facility. Various numbers and words blinked on the displays next to it. "I see you've been out at Lantau. Good place for wild ginseng."

Hong filled Helios in as they walked through a corridor to their destination. "You may have heard of the bug city problem in the 2055, in Chicago, CAS. An infestation of insect spirits in human hosts. Hard to detect, even harder to eradicate. Well it seems Asia has its own equivalent. Tsuen Wan territory has reported ant and beetle colonies. We are familiar with their usual configuration: an insect spirit using a human as host, and consuming the host body in the process. The relationship is parasitic, as far as we know."

They reached a door, and Hong opened it, entering what was both a laboratory which contained a containment area and restraint equipment. Through the clear glass was an insectoid-like creature, strapped to an examination table. It appeared humanoid, but with various insect mutations evident in its appearance. It appeared alive, but sedated.

"We discovered that they might have evolved somewhat. Now it seems the relationship could be symbiotic. Both human and insect have an 'equal' relationship with each other. We think we now have not merely an insect controlling a human, but a human insect. I'm told you have some insight in this matter, as an insect hunter of some sort, and also that your spirit is closely bound to the spider. Let me know what you make of this."

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 17, 2020 8:35 pm

Jan 17, 2020 8:35 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

DeJoker sent a note to BedzoneII

Helios listened intently to what Hong was saying, as most folks simply did not realize that what was being referred to as insect spirits were in actuality not insect spirits at all but completely alien spirits that simply manifested into something that resembled insectoidal were actually not insect spirits at all. As insect spirits such as the bee spirit and the scarab spirit were just the same as the other spirits of this world but, that was the key, these spirits were not of this world in fact their realm was so far removed and alien from this one that no mage had actually ever explored that realm which many agree might be a good thing. Further the intrusion of these alien spirits was exactly the reason spider had chosen to manifest and begin finding agents as her spiritual webs were not enough to stop these spirits since they were finding ways to contact meta-humans and get them to pull them willing across which allowed them to bypass those protective spiritual webs and now they needed to hunted down and exposed so that they could be eradicated. Of course was also proving to be highly difficult.

Now at first glance Helios was looking at a Flesh Form that bizarre mixture of alien spirit and meta-human however that was fairly well documented since the fate filled incident in 2055 that ripped apart the very fabric of the spirit world leaving a gapping hole of nothing. Sure it rectified the current situation to some degree but it mostly just sent it underground since without the presence of magic these alien spirits just went dormant rather than being eradicated as some believe. So what had them so perplexed he eyed the thing shifting his sight to the metaphysical to see what it revealed. Were there actually two spirits here some how merged, as that would truly be some what new and extremely abnormal from what he understood although not outside the realm of possibilities since there were Forms which appeared completely as normal meta-human bodies but only housed one of these alien spirits and since the events of Chicago these alien spirits have been striving for these types of mergers. In doing so perhaps they created an even newer hybrid form.

As he examined the spirit realm he said, "Yes Spider made herself known in response to this incursion in order to help in getting the presence of these alien spirits removed as they do not belong here but I would express that we are not dealing with just normal insect spirits but completely alien spirits that simply manifest insectoid appearances. Perhaps to just add confusion into the mix, hard to say. Now I know that may seem like a rather fine line to make but it is a very necessary one. This is because what they have done thus far may only be scratching the surface of what they could be fully capable of doing. There are believed, by some, to be greater horrors out there but what if these are just the beginning tendrils of those greater horrors. Which is to say what if those most unspeakable horrors begin by extending very small pieces of themselves that simply take the form of these insectoid like spirits and then once they have a strong enough grasp they manifest in much bigger ways. Now while that last bit is mere speculation, it is worth keeping in mind when dealing with these things, which is to say we really do not know the full extent of what it is we are actually dealing with as of yet and perhaps if we are lucky enough we never will."

Last edited January 17, 2020 8:37 pm

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Jan 18, 2020 2:16 pm

Jan 18, 2020 2:16 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

Go ahead and describe as you please with poetic licence. Characterisation-wise whatever Helios thinks and says is fully true as far as he knows it. I'll use the successes of your rolls to affirm how much Helios knows. In this case, your Knowledge (Insects) will contribute to any Perception / Assensing tests about insect spirits by making the roll relevant to the knowledge area. You have 5 hits on Perception, I'll describe what that looks like.

"Interesting theory Mr Zen. We were told you possessed some degree of knowledge in this area." There were two other persons in the room when Helios and Hong arrived. "I am Darius Chan, and this is Kumoi Mizawa." A older-looking bespectacled scientist who had been behind a test equipment station stepped forward, accompanied by an even older white-haired man with small eyes and walked with a limping, almost side-to-side gait. "Come, we can enter so you may have a closer look." Hong keyed in a code, and all four men approached the table with the human insect restrained.

"Without speculating on the metaphysics of the matter, consider the features on this specimen. You are familiar with true form, which are spirits, and flesh form, which are insects with human hosts. This one looks like a flesh form, but with distinct differences." Darius waved Helios forward. Helios, given the chance to examine the body more closely, noted that the bug before him did not seem as if it was mutated from an original human body, as all flesh forms were. Helios had witnessed some of those mutations: human limbs would literally reform into insect appendages, sense organs like eyes would transform into multiple lenses, wings would sprout. This one before them did not bear any sign of metamorphosis. It appeared that it was a hybrid human-insect body, that both co-existed and grew together, inseparable. Perhaps it grew into adulthood from human insect reproduction, or perhaps it was a new evolutionary strain of human, or insect. It was not something Helios had seen before.

Helios' astral perception revealed to him an aura of the body as being both material and spirit. At the same time he understood that the room was hedged from the external astral plane, presumably as a means of protection and defence.

"On the other hand, if Mr Zen wants to discuss metaphysics after he's made his evaluation, I'd be happy to hear his thoughts." Mizawa smiled an inscrutable but friendly smile.

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 20, 2020 5:12 pm

Jan 20, 2020 5:12 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

Okay we have 3 forms True Form, Flesh Form(failed merger), and Good Form -- this last one I am calling the Human Form because to me "Good" does not follow the theme and really to them IMO the best form (or Good Form) would be the True Form

What laid before Helios made no real sense when it came to the Alien Spirits and how they had been operating and this made it a bit disturbing as that would mean some entity was creating/growing Flesh Form look a likes for some as of yet unknown purpose. Still he had been asked to consult on this and so he would do just that. "From my current understanding of what these Alien Spirits are striving for, this would not be a direction they would seem to want to pursue. The Flesh Form is considered inferior to the True Form and not as useful as the Human Form, so I cannot see them wasting efforts into creating a better failed merger. I would see them, instead, pursuing endeavors to create more True and Human Forms. Still that is not to say this is not an attempt to do just that. Were you able to question this individual at all?"

Last edited January 20, 2020 5:13 pm

Jan 21, 2020 11:35 am

Jan 21, 2020 11:35 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

Mizawa nodded at Helios' evaluation. "What you call human form would certainly be a more stable and enduring form, and provide a pure alternative to their true form."

Darius replied to Helios' question, "No there was no chance to communicate with it. We do have some clues as to its origins. See this." The scientist turned the body over. On its back were wings, but on those wings were what was unmistakeably a irezumi, or full back tattoo, that intricately covered the wings and also the down the spine and back. It was common knowledge that the Japanese yakuza bore tattoos like these.

Mizawa spoke up again, responding to Helios' more speculative and metaphysical concerns. "Perhaps the better question isn't what these spirits are striving for, perhaps there are other explanations, other agendas. As much as you have heard from your guide, I have heard from mine. Tell me, does your guide impel you to look further into this?"

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 21, 2020 3:57 pm

Jan 21, 2020 3:57 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

"My question about if you had been able to question it was aimed at seeing if you had any additional information on its source as my thoughts lie in the direction of some purely native element creating these for their own purpose. What that actual purpose is I would not be able to say without further data." Helios glanced at those present and pointed to the hybrid, "Would you mind if I tried to probed its mind, or have you attempted that already?"

Answering Mizawa last question Helios replies, "My guide and I are in one accord, and as such it never needs to compel me. Further I sometimes look into things purely for informational reasons. But to perhaps answer your main question, if there were good indications that this was related to the alien spirits then yes I would pursue this in order to expose it but as I stated I do not currently feel it is so. However, if you would like me to pursue this on your behalf I would not be opposed to doing that. I do not see this kind of meddling as being a good thing, and further it could potentially cause alien spirit issues even if it did not start that way."

Last edited January 21, 2020 10:42 pm

Jan 22, 2020 2:03 pm

Jan 22, 2020 2:03 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

"By all means," Darius motioned for Helios to examine the body as he pleased, even as Mizawa weighed Helios' reply. "Ah, perhaps I misunderstood when you said earlier that Spider revealed itself to you in response to this in order to deal with their presence here."

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 22, 2020 7:04 pm

Jan 22, 2020 7:04 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

Nods a thank you to Darius then replies to Mizawa, "Well it is as I said it is just they do not impel me as I am more than willing to further the purpose to which they contacted me for. It was an agreement we entered into and all things considered I see no reason why I would want to break our agreement. These alien spirits are not at all a good thing to have existing here where they should not be."

Helios then prepares himself just in case as alien influenced minds were never a pretty thing to delve into. The ruin the wreck on someone's psyche was just horrible but then again he was hoping his speculations were true and this was not a true alien influenced individual. Once he was prepared he touch the creatures forehead and stepped inside.

OOC:

If I get any Edge in conjunction with this spell I will use it to enhance the Mind Probe part and/or if needed I may spend a point or two (as that is all I have) but only if it will get me something extra -- if I can do that -- cannot quite remember how to apply Edge

Last edited January 22, 2020 7:11 pm

Rolls

Mind Probe - (13d6)

(3612121232354) = 35

Resist Drain 2 - (13d6)

(5262664614252) = 51

Jan 23, 2020 2:30 pm

Jan 23, 2020 2:30 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

Yes Helios gains 1 Edge in this opposed test, 13d6 vs 9d6. However, it's currently 2 successes vs 4 successes, so it doesn't look like your going to be able to spend sufficient Edge to gain net hits though. I'll proceed to describe the lack of success, unless you think of some other action.

Helios took a moment to focus his thoughts, and delved into the subject's mind. Although the subject was sedated and was not able to consciously resist Helios, the inside of his mind was a different matter. It was a jumble of thoughts, more like scattered neural impulses. Some of them were evidently pure perceptions and responses; others were more recognisably human in characteristics. None were comprehensible.

As Helios completed his scan, Darius observed the disappointment on his expression. "We were unable to glean nor extract any mental information of value either."

Just then, Helios' commlink blipped. It was a message from a runner he used to work with, Missy.

Rolls

Willpower + Logic (vs Mind Probe) - (9d6)

(224155653) = 33

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 23, 2020 11:30 pm

Jan 23, 2020 11:30 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

Okay let me clarify something -- are you indicating that the unconscious mind can resist? Or was that Willpower + Logic roll simply a mechanic for what actually had occurred? Note I am currently assuming that an unconscious mind cannot resist or at least not as good as it could if it were conscious.

Last edited January 23, 2020 11:41 pm

Jan 24, 2020 1:45 am

Jan 24, 2020 1:45 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

Yes that's simply the mechanic for to opposed roll. Mechanically, it isn't the case that unconscious minds automatically grant success to a mind probe. Or another way to read 2 vs 4 successes is to say you detect the thoughts but cannot make sufficient sense of them. I can grant another point of Edge for probing an unconscious mind. But like I said do you have some other option or action I hadn't considered? If so go ahead and declare it, and the story will evolve accordingly.

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 24, 2020 5:13 am

Jan 24, 2020 5:13 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

No we sorted it out -- mechanically speaking the unconscious mind is as difficult to read as the conscious mind -- but for different reasons --- that works fine by me

Even in incomprehensibility there could be clues Helios held up a finger as he closed his eyes to indicate he needed a moment. He then compared some of the incomprehensible imagery with other imagery he had obtained from alien spirit influenced minds to see if there were any similarities. He also compared this with other failed attempts against other minds he had probed to see if there were any similarities there. The difficulty of clearly reading an unconscious mind was basically about the same as clearly reading a conscious mind just for different reasons so not getting a clear reading was no surprise. Still he tried to discern what he could from the limited information he had obtained for within this may lie a clue.

At the specific blip tone that identified the sender, Helios tapped his commlink for later retrieval since letting it pass through to him meant he would be allowing those here direct access to that message and since he did not now what it contained it was better to wait until he was outside to receive said message.

OOC:

I am assuming the blip tone is something like -- You have mail -- but in this case its a message -- also a bit surprised I even received it while inside the facility -- I figured the room I am would have been isolated from such

Also Imagery Comparison Perceptional Memory (Logic 4 + Intuition 5 + Perception 2) + ST-Edge from Eidetic Memory + ST-Edge from Knowledge (Alien Spirits - Bugs) -- spending these to get an extra success. Now if getting another success would be significant (currently 4) and/or needed I could spend the LT-Edge you gave me earlier and one of my base Edge to raise it to 5 successes -- but I am still trying to get a better feel for what successes mean and how Edge is used

Last edited January 24, 2020 5:26 am

Rolls

Imagery Comparison Perceptional Memory (Logic + Intuition) - (11d6)

(15326336313) = 36

Jan 24, 2020 2:48 pm

Jan 24, 2020 2:48 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

OOC:

The room was secure against astral access, but not necessarily against comms.

Let me help with this roll. If you're doing a Memory test, that's Logic 4 + Intuition 5, and your Photographic Memory will give you 1 Edge. This is not a Perception roll, so you don't get to add Perception to it. Your Mind Probe earlier presumably gave you all the 'perception' information you want, ie. the 'imagery', so this roll is simply to see whether Helios remembers these 'imagery' features from previous creatures he's examined before. So the correct roll is 9d6. Since you already rolled 11 dice, I shall just take the first 9. That's 3 successes for now.

[ +- ] Memory and Knowledge Skills

OOC:

For Memory tests, it doesn't say that having the Knowledge skill grants Edge for the test, it simply says having that relevant area of knowledge allows you to make a Memory test. Since you have Knowledge (Insect Spirits), you are allowed to make this Memory test.

Yes, you may use the 1 Edge earlier which you banked, plus the 1 Edge from your Photographic Memory, for a total of 2 Edge, to give you 1 extra success. So right now, you have 4 successes. If you want 5 successes, you'll have to spend both points of your original Edge. But even with 4 successes, I can give you the following.

Helios's mind probe had left him with many images in his head, representing thoughts, perceptions and various impulses, nothing he could make sense of. However, he remembered that he had encountered similar kinds of thoughts and neural patterns in previous insect spirits he had probed before, and also in previous humans. It was for certain that the brain patterns of this creature were identical to both insect spirits and humanoids.

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 24, 2020 11:31 pm

Jan 24, 2020 11:31 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

DeJoker sent a note to BedzoneII

Helios continues conversing in Sperethiel, "Well even within incomprehensibility information can be found, as is the case here. As it appears that we do have a mixture of psyches here. I discerned not only alien spirit mental patterns but also humanoid mental patterns. This we all know is not the case when an alien spirit takes over a humanoid body as the humanoid spirit and its mental aspects are completely consumed by the alien spirit creating a mind that contains only alien spirit mental patterns. This could also be why this mind is so hard to read. So since this does involve alien spirits I would be more than happy to assist you in this matter and give you full credit for any exposure that is obtained."

Jan 25, 2020 1:12 am

Jan 25, 2020 1:12 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

It was Hong who replied next. "I appreciate your earnestness Mr Zen. Jase wasn't wrong when he said you'd be willing to render any assistance you could. We aren't seeking credit here, only answers, to gather enough information to understand what we're dealing with here. We're the poorer forensics cousin of the research facility you saw when arriving here." Hong permitted himself a little joke. "For any credit at all, we'd all have to be working for Ares Research."

Helios noticed that Mizawa's face was the most pensive upon this revelation. "I am concerned as to how they made their way to Hong Kong," he muttered in Japanese as he stared at the tattoo. Darius replied, "Triads and yakuza working together? Impossible."

OOC:

On Discord I thought we were talking about a Perception test. For a Perception test, I would certainly rule that relevant Knowledge gives Edge on such tests. Which is why I granted Edge for your Mind Probe, because you had Knowledge (Insects).
This roll however was a Memory test. For Memory tests, Knowledge grants 'permission' to make the Memory test, without the knowledge, there would be no chance to have the memory.
The number of successes on a Memory test would reveal how much you remember. My interpretation of 4 successes is that Helios remembers very accurately that what he observed corresponds with all his past memories of insect minds and human minds. So he remembers both well and accurately. If he had say only 1 or 2 successes, I would've described it as him remembering perhaps only one instance when he came across something similar. With more and more successes I'd describe the vividness of his memory, fleshing out a number of these memorable encounters.

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 25, 2020 1:26 am

Jan 25, 2020 1:26 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

Helios nods to Hong's comment and says in Sperethiel, "I see, well sometimes if spun correctly I have seen recognition for such discoveries equate to increased funding and respect, neither of which I can really use but I am sure it might help you and your facility which is why made the offer."

To Mizawa's comment, after committing the phrase to memory, Helios said in Sperethiel, "Pardon me Mizawa what did you say?"

Last edited January 25, 2020 8:38 pm

Jan 25, 2020 12:41 pm

Jan 25, 2020 12:41 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

Mizawa had lapsed into his native tongue from force of habit as he was deep in thought. To Helios' clarification he replied, "I was expressing my concern about the activities of the yakuza in Hong Kong, as this creature bears the unmistakeable tattoo of a yak."

"Knight Errant specialists, a tactical arm of the police force, neutralised this creature near Tsuen Wan, which had recently seen a resurgence of ant and beetle insect spirits. Those insect spirits we discovered were of the common variety, familiar to you and to ourselves, and we possessed the appropriate equipment to suppress those. This one was different, and more dangerous. We found no others like it in that incident," explained Darius.

"Our next step will be to contact my counterpart over at Japan's forensics HQ, to alert them." Hong chipped in. "We will send over our findings, and they'll probably want us to ship the specimen back to them for their own investigations."

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 25, 2020 8:44 pm

Jan 25, 2020 8:44 pm

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

"You made a comment that I was wondering if you would expound upon. The normal alien spirits were susceptible to the various tools that are known to affect them adversely but this creature was not affected by those tools or just less affected by them?" Helios found this bit of information to be a rather disturbing detail and not minor in the least regardless of the answer.

Jan 26, 2020 1:04 am

Jan 26, 2020 1:04 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

"There have been a number of methods developed over the years to deal with insect spirits. Project Aegis, for example, owns a strain of astral bacteria to deal with their astral forms. Some spells have also been developed to address either their minds or their physiologies. Certain ammunition have also been known to be more effective. No one wants the Chicago disaster, when then had to resort to a tactical nuke." Darius rattled off a summary of his knowledge, as befitted an experienced scientist.
"The report for this one was that it was resistant, possibly immune. As you can see, we did not manage to kill it like we did the others, but only managed to neutralise it."

DeJoker Inactive forever!

Jan 26, 2020 1:33 am

Jan 26, 2020 1:33 am

Re: //File 0.1 - Helios//

"So it appears that some agent is working on creating a merger that removes the inherent weaknesses while keeping most of the strengths. I do not have to explain to you all just how bad that could end up being as I think we are all quite aware of the consequences if said agent succeeds on reproducing this," Helios points at the bug man, "on a larger scale. Still all of this does not answer the question of why did it come to Hong Kong? Why not just stay in Japan and under the radar?" Helios exams the creature visually again does it appear to be an ant or a beetle or something else hybrid?

OOC:

Do I need to make a roll for that?

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