Vicki's had enough of this writing on the wall.
KayKay?
Ghosts do not have this ability.
Bet that's what mommy tells you.
or told you rather
that sounds familiar...
Might as well go up then.
The hula girl on the shelf starts bouncing, making Vicki go apeshit
I would... strongly suggest holstering your weapon, detective.
Sorry, bit jumpy. It's this house. Something about it ain't right.
She puts away da gun.
My dad had one of those in his car. I wanted to shoot that one too.
Ghost is obviously leading us into a trap, but before going to the end of
rhine hall, we pick up the figurine.
Screws, you say. Good that we have a screwdriver.
Ancient chinese secret.
Better explore the rest of the area first.
The door is slammed the moment we open it.
The hell. Joey could never do shit like this and he was surely a spirit guide with more XP.
The other door will shut at once too, so there's only one way to go.
uh hi
Courage to change the things I can... and wisdom to know the difference.
Doesn't seem like the spirits are particularly amused. Maybe the alcoholic's prayer isn't very useful against non-alcoholics.
That isn't helping!
He sits cross-legged in the middle of a glowing circle. He's chanting quietly to himself.
And the ghosts:
they're fuzzy and indistinct. They stare blankly ahead, barely noticing you are even here.
Um, hello?
Codexia makes everyone's eyes go wide upon first meeting.
Are you... real? Or am I just hallucinating from hunger?
shoulda brought KFC
Golden rule: there is power in names. Never give yours away.
What's going on here?
Well, that's the question, isn't it? I've been here... three days, I think? Didn't think anyone would come.
Nevertheless, we are here. My name is Mandana. This is Vicki Santina.
FFS stop blowing our cover, Bandana
I'm Logan Brown. I... could really use your help.
"Brown", very original.
Does it have to do with those ghosts over there?
Hold on. You... you can SEE them? Like, actually see them?
Insomuch as one can see any lost spirit. They have no human form.
What do you mean, no human form?
Every ghost we've seen looks like grey shapeless blobs.
Shapeless blobs? No, that's not right. I see people. Two women, one man. They're confused and angry, not exactly easy to talk to.
[Intelligence] Let me see if I understand. You can see these spirits, and you can talk to them.
Yeah.
[Intelligence: Critical Success] I see. You are the one KayKay told us about. The Bestower.
Yeah, uh, that's me. You know your stuff.
[Intelligence: Extended Success] You came here to help these three spirits pass on.
That's right. Only things went a bit... wrong.
Wrong?
Auuuuughhh yourself.
Crap.
Shh, just relax. Okay, she's calm. For now. I... kind of need to focus. Can you help me, or what?
Tell us what's going on first.
Later. When I got this under control. But for now? I need to know their names. It's the best way to get through to them. Can you do that? Figure out their names?
You can't ask them yourself?
I've tried. They won't listen to me. Which is why I need their names.
So we go pound the pavement. Just like any other investigation.
I... guess? Whatever it takes. I'd go myself, but I'm kinda trapped.
Got it, we'll be back.
Thanks. Seriously.
Maybe this time we can access these shits.
Hello there.
Not a whole lot of interesting stuff among the garbo.
A post-it note has the words "BUY EARPLUGS" written in very hard, angry letters. Interesting.
There's also a
metal trash can under the desk.
It looks to be full of... ashes.
Jesus, burning documents in a trash can. Could've burnt the whole place down.
Or maybe the resident was just a chain-smoker?
Anyway, guess Eli would be useful here. But since he ain't around, let's move on.
What do we have here.
The faint whiff of old marijuana smoke and this peace sign suggest the inhabitants were hippies.
The left night table has a single drawer. PLUNDER!!
wut
rip, agent Doggett
The other night stand is empty. However,
a framed photo sits on it.
Fkn hippies
Next,
a heavy wooden closet lies against the far wall. Loot!
Huh. Some 70s
reject clothes. A tacky umbrella. An old doll...
Says you, I want that umbrella.
Looking anywhere else in the house gives no results. However, Staten Island XP tells us all we need to do is run around and talk to everyone, everywhere.
'Sup.
Did something happen at the Eddings place?
Smooth. It's not like 15 minutes ago you said you were a cop investigating it.
Not for me to say, sorry. You might be a cop, but you don't work in this district. I probably should keep my mouth shut.
Three people died at the Eddings place. Do you know who they were?
I told you. It's not for me to say.
Come off it, Markus. You and I both know you aren't employed by the police. You're employed by the MTA.
So?
So as far as cops are concerned, you're a private citizen. You can talk to whoever you want.
And I should talk to you because...?
Because you know me. I wouldn't ask you something like this if it wasn't important.
Well, I suppose because it's you...
Right on. Thanks, Markus.
You were right. Three people died - the two owners, Art and Jess Eddings - and a student renting out the spare bedroom. Dana something, I forget her last name. Jess was found stabbed in the back yard. Art killed himself in the garage. Dana was found in the basement, also stabbed. Nobody knows exactly what happened, but folks have been steering clear of that place since.
ZOG, ES LOIKE A MEATGROINDA
Could you tell me about Art and Jess?
They lived here twenty years at least. They're the local artists, EVERYONE knew them. You always see them around the neighborhood. He'd be in that beat-up old car, and she'd be walking that old dog of hers. Come to think of it, nobody knows what happened to the dog. Hopefully she'll turn up.
Well, we know the doge ain't coming back.
What do you know about Dana?
Not much. She was a student, I know that. Needed a cheap place to live. Jess and Art liked having students around. They vibed off youthful energy, they said.
People have been steering clear of the house?
Well, you know. A double murder and a suicide tends to put people off. You wouldn't catch me going in there, I'll tell you that much.
How convenient.
Thanks, see you around.
P sure we have all we need for now.
Speaking of dead people found in the garage and basement... How the fuck do you get into those? There's no staircase leading down here, no storm cellar door outside. Is the sole access REALLY through the garage door ONLY?
I found some names. Dana, Art and Jess.
THERE IS POWER IN NAMES.
You sure? Let's try it. Are those your names? Art? Jess? Dana?
suddenly
things turn spooky!
2spooky4me
What the hell did you just do?
No, no! Please, there's no need for this! Art? Dana? Jess? Just... relax, fellas. Please! Relaxxxx.
the ghost blob morphs from three to one to three again
might and magic 11
Close? That was a poltergeist!
zomg!
Let me guess, that's bad?
You have no idea. A poltergeist forms when spirits are corrupted. It is a perversion. It should... not happen. At least, it should not happen anymore.
Well, it happens now! These ghosts attacked us. They tried to tear KayKay apart! We barely got this circle up in time.
We need to understand what happened here.
Fine. I... think I've got things under control. If you have questions, ask 'em now.
What is that circle you're standing in?
Oh, this? KayKay taught me how to make it. Ghosts can't cross it.
Ghosts as well as any creature of spirit.
You know your stuff.
I have had... experiences... with such things. Which is why I am concerned. Mages expend tremendous amounts of energy to create them. How did you manage it?
Me? I just drew the circle. It was KayKay who turned it on.
This is... unprecedented. You and your spirit guide must be very powerful indeed.
We're just doing our job. One day at a time. Or we would, if we weren't stuck here.
How long have you been here?
Two or three days maybe? I had some energy bars in my pocket. That got me through the worst of it. But yeah, it won't be long before my shoes start looking very tasty.
What happened here?
Like I said, we came here to put these ghosts to rest. Usually it doesn't take much. We talk to them a bit, learn who they are, try and get through to them. But these three? They got violent. Ugly. They went after KayKay. Tried to rip her to shreds, poor kid was terrified.
Kid? Just how old are we talking?
She's ten.
Wanna bet "KayKay" is actually Kendra, the little girl ghost from Blackwell Epiphany?
Jesus. What happened?
We got this circle up. It calmed them down long enough for her to escape. We've been separated ever since. If she comes in here, the ghosts attack her. I leave this circle, the ghosts attack ME. So... you see my dilemma here.
You couldn't call anyone?
All this spiritual energy screws with my phone. But even still, I couldn't bring anyone else in here, it's too dangerous.
... but the circle is keeping them at bay why is it dangerous
Why aren't the ghosts attacking me or my friends?
Because they don't know you're here. Ghosts barely see other people. Only me and KayKay. As long as I don't provoke them, they won't go crazy again.
Why couldn't we see KayKay outside?
She is not a lost spirit, but an aware spirit guide. Different rules apply here.
3rd law of conservation of ectoplasma
KayKay and I are bonded at the soul. Only I can see her, it's the way it's always been.
Have ghosts attacked you before?
No. Ghosts are normally... harmless. Confused and alone, but harmless. Usually I could talk them down. Find some point of connection. Get them to trust me. But these guys? They won't even listen. They just... hate.
You are not alone. Supernatural beings have been getting progressively stronger.
So things are just going to get worse?
I cannot lie. Things will be worse. I am sorry.
Well, one thing at a time. Let's focus on getting me out of here. Then I'll worry about how screwed I am.
We saw a ghost in the East Village the other day.
Yes, and also on Staten Island, but somehow you don't feel like mentioning that.
You did? Is it still there?
I can only assume so.
Well, get me out of here and I'll be happy to check it out for you. It's the least I could do.
How do you usually help a ghost move on?
It... depends. Usually we talk to them. Convince them they're actually dead. Sometimes an object works. Something they're attached to. Something that reminds them of who they are.
So what can we do to help you?
I don't know! With other ghosts, KayKay does most of the talking. Ghosts relate to her more, being a ghost herself. But I'm on my own this time. These three won't listen to me, they're just so... angry. So I hope you guys have some ideas, because I'm out.
My knowledge of lost spirits is minimal, but I have heard Eli speak of them. Poltergeists do not occur naturally. We need to discover how these three died.
An investigation, huh? That I can handle.
Sit tight, Logan. We'll be back.
Believe me, I'm not going anywhere.
We will indeed be back... next time.
Bit of a boran update, but you can prepare yourself for some... developments in the next one