Log:Chaos Reigns, Scene 4

Chaos Reigns 2014/12/04 	 Carpenter Grimm Yameen Chen Cheshire Psyn Randal Duran

4

This area is part of Colonial Bay City, but you wouldn't know it. Woodsy homes, set back away from the roads, are barely noticeable when passing by. Many of the driveways are still gravel or packed dirt. The rural feel of the area has been preserved with simple 2-lane roads cutting through the forested countryside. Various evergreens, birch and even some large oaks grow unfettered in this designated "green acres" section of town. The scattered houses blend into the natural setting, the muted wood tones and angular architecture hidden behind wooded lots. It's peaceful and serene, and wildlife appears to have taken refuge in this natural landscape.

It's not long after the press conference where Detective Carpenter spoke with the media. The question and answer period had been interrupted by a small geometric object...one that spoke in binary. Thankfully, one of the heroes attending the conference was able to translate. It was an emissary of the Lord Antherion, one of the Lords of Order. And it warned of an artifact of great power, the Ataxianate, potentially falling into the hands of their great enemy. It then also let the heroes know where to find Order's agent in this realm, the Cartesian. His address is in Green Acres.

Detective Carpenter accepted the aid of several of the heroes, and he offered to drive out to the address. The borrowed police hovervan glides up to an old home, easily a hundred years old. Perhaps two. There's a gravel driveway leading to the bluish-grey home with bright cyan shutters.

Carpenter settles the van down onto the ground and turns the engine off. "We're here. Not much to look at. I'm surprised he doesn't have an underground base or something in a volcano or whatever. Don't you all have secret lairs?"

The detective chuckles and gets out of the van, straightening his trenchcoat.

Since she was translating, Grimm had volunteered to come along in case more help was needed. But her heart isn't 100% into the task at hand. She just stared out the window the whole trip, biting her thumb. She looks tired, like she didn't sleep at all. "I just have a fixer upper," she replies to Carpenter absently. "He could still have an underground base. Or a basement." She glances over to the building to feel it out.

"All have secrets, Detective Carpenter," Yameen notes, "and I expect that some have lairs, hidden or otherwise. A volcano, however, would be rather impractical for most." She disembarks the vehicle and studies the house. "As well, the unimposing appearance could be quite intentional."

Chen is present in the guise of a K9 unit. She sniffs at the ground and cocks her head to one side to listen.

Psyn arrives about that point herself. She got the message about it and so comes in from above her psychic flight setting her down next to the van.

"Oh, well. Yep, there's a basement. Nothing spectacular," Grimm says as she slides open the van's side door and undoes her seat belt. She slides out of the car and stretches her legs. "Pretty old fashioned place."

Grimm glances about with a thoughtful expression, sliding her hands into her pockets. "Well. Hm. There's some protective spells about. Might not be able to peek inside through the shadows, but won't know unless I try. But...it might trigger something. They said the Cartesian wasn't answering their calls, right?"

Yameen glances to Grimm at the revelation. "Is the home occupied?" She begins to approach the building, though knowledge of any occupants is rather pertinent.

Carpenter nods and walks up to the door. "I think that's correct. There was some problem with their communication to him? Or her?" He takes a moment and then knocks.

Chen trots up to the door beside the detective, ready to leap in the way of any attack made on him.

Psyn does follow up to the door with the others.

There's no immediate answer at the door.

"Nope. Feels empty. But the spells are still active. We might set something off, like a magical alarm. But no one's home." Gabrielle peers a bit more and walks carefully around, trying to figure out if there's any magical traps that could hurt someone, but she can't be sure

Cheshire was out for a stroll and comes across the scene. Seized by curiosity, she wanders over.

The detective tries the door, "Well, we have reason to think he might be in danger, right?" The door...is unlocked. It swings open with a creak to reveal a hallway with an intricate runner carpet on a hardwood floor. There's a room to the right and a staircase up to the left. He pokes his head in, "Hello?"

Chen trots ahead into the hallway. . o O(If there's any traps best if I set them off.) she thinks. Even in K9 form she hasa degree odf skill in security systems, which she puts to use.

Carpenter draws his firearm and steps inside carefully, glancing into the room on the right which is a study, filled with a couple of large bookcases and a full length mirror.

"Perhaps you should allow us to enter first, Detective," Yameen is also suspicious of the unlocked door. It could be nothing, but it is best to be wary now than discover the need for caution when it is too late. She steps inside and ahead of Detective Carpenter, scanning the area before proceeding to the nearest room, which is on the right.

Cheshire walks up behind the detective. Peers in the doorway.

Chen stays close to the detective. She's appointed herself as his bodyguard.

Yameen(#1310PenACcF?)

This figure is feminine and petite, though few other details are readily apparent. A black and gray patterned headscarf (keffiyeh) covers most of her hair, leaving only a few raven strands exposed. The same scarf is also folded across her nose and mouth, leaving only her brown eyes exposed.

The remainder of her clothing speaks of militant activity. A simple black shirt snugly covers her lean frame, tucked into a pair of camouflage patterned pants with a number of cargo pockets. The belt that holds them up also bears numerous small knives. Pairs of gloves and boots complete the ensemble, both in black leather.

Grimm steps inside, sliding her hands in her pockets. She looks rather grungey and casual for being a hero or an investigator. She peers around for evidence of a struggle or clues as to what may have happened. "Reasonable cause to enter the premises," she replies to Detective Carpenter as she looks off into rooms as she walks down the hallway. Even though her eyes are looking one way, she can feel in all the other directions, keeping track of people's movements.

The detective raises a brow, "I have a job to do. I'm not about to sit outside." There doesn't appear to be any sign of struggle, at least nearby. Further in, down at the end of the hallway, is what appears to be a very nice room with plush blue carpeting and antique furniture. A couple of candelabras can be seen in there as well.

Cheshire vanishes and attempts to appear inside one of the open rooms.

Yameen notes the books on the shelves...there are tomes about mathematics, history of mostly a local nature, and the occult.

Grimm starts heading for the mirror, studying it up and down. "Interesting..." she says thoughtfully, then raises her hand and points in Cheshire's general direction of entry, even if it's through walls for her. She doesn't even have to turn her head. "Someone magical just showed up."

Cheshire appears in the room at the end of the hall. It has wall to wall carpeting and antique furniture. But more interestingly, there's a clear silver circle of some kind inlaid into the carpet. The candelabras are at the cardinal directions on the circle.

Cheshire paces around the circle. Pokes inside the circle with her parasol.

Yameen skims the titles on the books, perhaps for some insight as to their collector. She stops at Grimm's comments and inquires, "Magical in what manner, and what is interesting?"

The mirror is bolted to the wall, and stretches from floor to the ten foot ceiling. It has nice sculting around the frame in silver as well.

Grimm reaches out and touches the reflective surface of the mirror. "Mirror Mirror, on the wall..." she sighs at her own reflection, noting the dark circles under her eyes. "The mirror. I can sense magic about it. And the other person? Hmm. A meta who was helpful before. Don't know her too well. But she just showed up." She stares her reflection straight in the eyes and tilts her head, narrowing htem slightly. Accusingly.

Cheshire pops upstairs to look around.

Grimm lets her hand slide down the mirror surface with a soft squealing sound of flesh on glass before putting her hand back in her pocket. "I think it's used for scrying. Or contacting someone. Not quite sure how to activate it. Heheh, maybe it's got a call history?" she muses, then falls silent as she studies it some more.

Upstairs, the rooms are much more mundane. There's a bedroom which is apparently kept incredibly neat. Impeccably so. And then there are a couple of more out-of-place rooms. There's an office with a small tablet computer laying on the desk. There's also a room with a pool table and some board games on shelves. Lastly, there's a room with a treadmill set up.

"Cheshire," Yameen acknowledges Grimm's clarification and provides a name, "who I presume will return shortly after her exploration." She now steps to also study the very large and well-crafted mirror.

The detective moves on to the blue room at the end of the hall, and he pulls the curtain open to look out into the back yard and to let more light into the room.

Grimm searches for the door to the basement area while the others check the other rooms.

Cheshire picks up the tablet and turns it on. While it's booting, she searches the desk for a convenient sticky note with a password or something.

If the mirror is a communications device, which Yameen is inclined believe, she does not know how to operate it or whether it maintains a contacts list. Such is doubtful. After others leave the room, she also exits, calling from the hall, "Did anyone else discover anything of note?"

Grimm finds the door to the basement. There's a light switch...which works. The old knob-and-tube wiring setup can be seen down there.

Cheshire pops back downstairs. Hands the tablet to Yameen.

Chen is unsure for a few moments. She had intended to stay near the detective. But he seems to be safe, and surrounded by heroes anyway. She she moves off, heading out of the house to examine the discrepancy she noticed.

Grimm walks around the basement curiously, staring at the setup. She's not quite familiar with what she's looking at.

"Thank you," Yameen thanks Cheshire and then browses the tablet while continuing through the house. Likely towards the door Grimm stands at.

Chen walks out into the grass of the back yard...and finds a man lying there. His head looks like he might have suffered a wound there and it knocked him out.

Chen runs back into the house and barks poudly. . o O(How hard can this be. These heroes are smart and Lassie can manage 'Timmy's fallen in the well' in two barks and a tail quiver.

Not finding anything of interest down in the basement, Grimm walks back up the basement stairs. She tilts her head towards Chen. "What is it, girl?"

Randal Duran(#1076TOn)

An older man, most likely in his 50s or 60s. His goatee is grey, and his head is completely bald. There's a pair of round-lensed glasses on his face, and he's wearing a nice blue button-down dress shirt with black slacks.

Detective Carpenter(#861TOnp)

Detective Carpenter is a clean shaven young man with a crewcut, making him look like he might be ex-military. He's relatively muscular for a police officer, with the requisite tie and long trenchcoat.

Yameen tucks the table into a pouch for late and turns her attention towards the barking dog.

Chen runs a couple of steps back towards the unconscious man outside, stops and barks at Grimm.

Cheshire pops outside to see what the fuss is.

Those outside manage to spot the man without too much difficulty. The detective comes outside as well, having spotted the commotion.

Grimm follows Chen, then looks up and beyond. "Oh, hey. We got an injured person out here," she says as she shadow steps over to the man and kneels down to look him over without touching him. "Anyone know how to provide medical aid?" She sighs and mutters to herself. "...really should learn how to bandage someone up at least..."

With the attention of a couple of heroes, Chen-Lassie K9 version runs back to the wounded man and barks again.

Cheshire pokes the man gently with her parasol.

Randal groans when he's poked. He slowly starts to move, feeling around for his glasses, which had fallen off. He rolls onto his side and slides his glasses back on.

"Interesting," Yameen comments as she exits with others and notes the fallen man. This would explain why the house was unoccupied. "I can provide some basic first aid. Are you injured?" The latter is a query for the man, of course.

Randal reaches up and touches his head. There's some dried blood on his crown. "Uh...yes, a bit." He looks around at those here and then at the detective. "Detective Carpenter. I suppose I'm lucky you came along."

Carpenter raises a brow, "You know me?"

Randal nods, "By reputation. You've spoken publicly a few times."

Chen sits fuming a little internally. . o O(Someone might have given me a "good girl" and a pat on the head. Ingrates.)

While Grimm asks, "So what happened to you, Mister?", her shadow decides to do its own thing. It takes on the shape of a dog and drops down its front legs and wags its tail, like it's going to playfully pounce on Chen or Chen's shadow. When Grimm half-glances in her shadow's direction, she inhales sharply and gives it a scolding glare. "Behave," she warns it under her breath. The shadow looks up at her, it's wagging tail dropping down between its legs. He shifts closer to her and goes back to mirroring her form and actions.

Randal slowly gets to his feet. He hesitates a bit, "Perhaps we should head back inside."

Carpenter nods and helps Randal up. He looks around a bit warily, wondering if they're being watched. But the feeling seems to pass.

"What's up?" Grimm asks Carpenter as she notices him seeming cautious.

Cheshire unfolds her parasol, rests it on her shoulder, and strolls along with the detective.

The two men start to head back inside. Carpenter says to Grimm, "Not sure. I just get a feeling about things sometimes. It's probably nothing."

Chen heads off to poke around outside, conducting a search to the surroundings.

They move into the plush carpeted room inside...the one with hte view of the back yard. Randal then says, "Did you come out here for a reason? I'm assuming you didn't just happen upon me in my back yard."

Grimm stands about with her hands still jammed in her pockets. "Wait, -your- back yard? This is your place?" she asks as she looks about. "Do you live here alone, or...huh..."

Carpenter nods, "We're looking for someone named 'The Cartesian'. Is that you?"

Randal start to answer Grimm, and then looks at the detective for a long moment before taking a deep breath. "I suppose that particular jig is up. Yes, that's my title."

"There are those who expected to make contact with you," Yameen notes now that the Cartesian is revealed, "and became concerned when they could not."

Grimm's attention snaps back to Randal in surprise, studying him a bit more carefully now.

Randal nods, "I...had a bit of a scuffle. I was attacked by a couple of demons while I was outside. I managed to drive them off, but not without getting clocked in the head as they were leaving."

"Wow. Did you know exactly what they were after? Because if you don't, we might have a clue..." Grimm suggests, but still is watching Randal curiously.

Carpenter nods again, listening. "We were contacted by an...emissary? Who had a message for you. Something about an 'Ataxianate'"

Cheshire listens, absorbing all this wonderful new information.

Randal blinks, "I didn't know what they were after, other than that I was a target. But...I've heard that name before. Can..someone get me my tablet from upstairs?"

Chen stops to watch the squirrels for a few moments. Then she does a second patrol around the house and gardens.

"It's supposed to be this thing that keeps changing. Has the potential to undo reality or something like that. I imagine there's not many things that would fit that description. Did the demons that attacked you look like giant praying mantises?" Grimm inquires.

Randal nods to Grimm, "One of them did, yes." Detective Carpenter heads upstairs to look for the tablet in question, not knowing that a hero already has it in their possession.

Yameen arches a brow. "Demons rarely qualify to most as a scuffle..." She produces the tablet from her clothing and extends it to The Cartesian. "Also, I believe that this is yours."

Randal nods to Yameen, "Thank you." He makes a few swipes on the screen. His code to get into it has to be at least twelve numbers long, based on the movements of his hand. He then starts to do a quick search on it. "I digitized a bunch of my tomes over the years. What's in my study is what's left that I haven't converted yet." It had been two large bookcases worth of books left in there.

Carpenter comes back downstairs, "I couldn't find...oh. Never mind."

Chen can almost feel eyes on the back of her neck. Uneasy, she morphs into a sabre-tooth tiger and completes her patrol, straining her senses for the slightest hint.

Randal smiles, though looking a little weary. "I think I found the reference. I've never seen this Ataxianate. But...the last time it was spotted and documented was in 1890. It looked like a railroad lantern. Prior to that, it's been...let's see...a shield. A sword. A crown. An amulet. Sightings go back to ancient Egypt."

Grimm nods thoughtfully. "Any idea what it does, exactly? The emissary said they needed you to find it before the agents of Chaos do."

Carpenter just listens for the time being.

Randal nods, "It does a couple of things. But at the core, it generates Entropy. It has a natural entropic field that can be increased, causing more entropy to bleed into the world, like a running faucet."

Chen complete a second patrol eventually. She morphs back into a K9 unit and returns to see what is happening in the house.

He continues, "But, at the same time, it can be used to dampen entropy in an area. It's not the primary function of the artifact, but it's a secondary use."

Cheshire tries to follow the conversation, fails.

Grimm nods slowly. "So it can be used both ways. That's interesting. So either side could use it, I suppose."

Randal taps his temple, "In theory, if agents of Chaos got a hold of it, they could open that conduit, and release mass chaos into this plane. What would that mean? Random things would happen everywhere and to everyone. Mutations would happen. Cities would crumble or melt. Nuclear weapons might detonate. Wormholes to other worlds might open. Any number of things."

Randal adds, "And by 'mutations', I don't mean like regular evolution. I mean Joe from the corner store grows a third arm."

Cheshire ponders the utility of of third arms.

Chen thinks. o O (What's wrong with that?)

Grimm's eyes widen at the gravity of the situation. "Holy crap. So then...what does it mean if the Agents of Order get a hold of it?"

Randal takes a deep breath, considering that. "It depends on the agent." He lowers his voice. "I would likely be ordered to use it to further Antherion's cause. But...I don't think I could go through with it, if it means what I think it means..." He pauses for a moment, measuring his words, "I believe, though I have no solid proof to verify this, that I would be ordered to use it to remove all entropy from the world."

Carpenter looks confused, "What would that entail, exactly?"

Randal looks at the detective, "It would mean that everyone who was not an agent of Order would be frozen in time, unchanging. Like a snapshot. For all eternity."

Grimm frowns deeply. "So neither side should have it. Is there a way to destroy this thing?"

Cheshire frowns as well. Speaks without moving her lip. "Given the choice, I'd rather have a third arm."

Randal nods, "In theory, yes. It's possible to destroy it. It would be simpler to just cast it into another dimension, but if we did that, it puts the destination dimension in the same quandry. And there are agents for both sides in most dimensions."

Carpenter lets out a low whistle. "Wow. Okay, so...how do we get rid of it, once we find it?"

Randal checks his notes, "It would likely require taking it to where it was created, and performing a ritual of destruction on it. That would mean taking it to Egypt."

Yameen listens, her frown growing more depth the longer Randal speaks. "Neither option is permittable, much less palatable." Her brow arches at the final comment of destination. "Egypt? That could be arranged."

Grimm frowns a little less and nods. "The ritual may be the best bet. I mean, if we could find a dimension that was dead or that wouldn't be effected...but I can't really think of one off-hand."

Randal nods, "There may be other ways to destroy it, but it will require more research on my part, I think."

Carpenter nods slowly, "Well, if you could look into that, we'd appreciate it. I guess the next step is to find this thing, whatever it is currently."

Grimm nods and looks to the others, then back to Randal. "You may need a guard detail or something while you look into it. Since the demons know where to find you."

Randal smiles slightly, looking amused at the suggestion. "Perhaps."

Cheshire hmmms. "Is there a place this thing is likely to be found? Would be attracted to particularly messy or orderly things?"

Randal shakes his head, "Not really. But...it does generate a field of entropy...of chaos, around it. That might be able to be sensed with magic or some other sufficiently advanced technology. Starguard might have access to something that could do it. I may also be able to cast a spell to achieve the same effect."

Chen thinks. o O (Oh, heck. I know where it is. It's Porter's belt dohicky.)

"Do you have a description of this Ataxianate?" Yameen inquires, "or is it only identifiable by this entropic field?

Randal shakes his head, "As I said, it always looks different. That field is probalby the only way to know for sure."

Grimm chews on her lower lip in thought. "Some of its previous shapes seem to be something one wields or wears. That may be helpful. Find an item someone can wear or wield that registers as entropy..."