Sapere aude (Imperial Russian Mythos Organization Quest)

Fyodor rubbed at the short-cropped stubble on his face as he looked out the carriage window, scowling at the otherwise magnificent artifice which lined the street of the now-dead Tsar's monument to his own ego. Men and women walked the stress, the former in western dress instead of kaftans and the latter showing exposed hair and gallivanting in public! If this was what the world of the west was like, it could damn well keep it!

"Adrik, boy," the aging man spoke, calling to his son on the other side of the carriage. The youth, entranced by the wealth and wonders of St. Petersburg, snapped out of his stupor and turned to his father. "Pay attention whelp, I have cut my beard and donned this, this-suit," he slapped at the fabric of his jacket, "to see you and your sister to your new residence. You will at least pay me the respect I deserve."

The son bowed his head, a deep nod. "I am sorry, father. I was distracted, forgive me."

The older man gave a dismissive grunt and stared his son down with eyes that were nearly three-quarters of a century old.

"You will watch your sister, Faina, in my place," Fyodor stated with a scowl. "I will not die in a place like this-"

"Father, please, you are not-" Adrik began.

"Silence!" The old man roared, slamming his cane on the floor of the carriage, only to devolve into a coughing fit a moment later, his hand coming away with blood. Absently, he smeared the fluid on his clothing, resolving to burn the damned things once his short stay in this forsaken place was finished.

"Father..."

"I am not finished," he stated roughly, spitting red-tinged saliva out. "I will return to the estate by the end of the week. Your cousin will see to my funeral with the church. You are to stay and ensure your sister does not become a western whore."

Adrik's eyes flickered out the window to where the other carriage trailed behind them, his sister and a maid with the curtains drawn tight. In isolation from the world, as the old customs dictated.

"You will find your sister an acceptable husband," Fyodor ordered sternly, and his son knew without any doubt what the term 'acceptable' meant. "I have made my peace with the learning you and she must acquire in this new empire our land has become, but I will not see you or she devolve into the vile casualness which has gripped so many of Russia's ancient bloodlines."

"Of course not, father," Adrik nodded again, his expression serious, "I will see to it that your will is done."

The older man grunted again, and the remainder of the ride was silent.

Adrik watched as his father oversaw the movement of their luggage, stopping to inspect several pieces of art and furniture that had been shipped the many verstas from their home estate. His father thought it would give his children some moral grounding to be surrounded by ancient iconography of the orthodox church and the accumulated age of their family's belongings.

Early in the evening, their father retired, leaving the siblings alone with the few household servants their miser of a family head had doled out for.

"You're sure the creature will take him?" Adrik asked in a low voice, the oil lamp casting long shadows across the room.

Faina nodded. "It was a shame to lose it, we could have learned so much, but... yes. It is growing inside him like a tumor. He will not last out the year."

Adrik sighed heavily in relief. "Good. Good."

"Have you received word form the others?" Faina asked as she poured herself a bowl of soup. It was poor meat, acquired on short notice. Perhaps once she knew the lay of this city she would find a stupid boy who thought her an easy target for his advances. The butchery would aide her in further understanding the human condition... and provide meat aplenty for their consumption.

Waste not, want not.

"Gustavus has sent word in the usual means. He has already acquired property in the city and will be arriving within the month," Adrik stated, rising to pour himself a bowl as well.

"Demitri? Leonid?" Faina pressed.

"Demitri will not arrive for some months," Adrik replied. "His merchantry has called him away. Leonid was actually the first to show himself. He has purchased a small home in the countryside." Adrik sighed as he took his soup. "It will be a relief when the old man is gone and you can help me with the correspondence. Deciphering the code for those long hours makes my eyes hurt."

Faina chuckled. "I do hope he leaves within the week. If all goes well, we should be able to schedule a meeting soon..."

"We will have to exhume our artifacts first," Adrik reminded her, looking at the great cabinet he had commissioned after the two of them had found the crypt. The hidden compartments were masterfully constructed, but intentionally difficult to open and close on short notice.

"Yes, yes," Faina nodded impatiently. "It will be thrilling to finally see the artifacts the others have in their possession."

"Indeed," Adrik nodded, his mind already considering the offerings their fellow researchers had mentioned.

(CHOOSE TWO THREE{+1 BACKGROUND} – IMMEDIATE RESEARCH TREES OPEN)

[ ] Fragmented Manuscripts – Cryptid Research
[ ] Broken Stone Tablets – Fundaments of Theurgy
[ ] Frozen Human Remains – Medical Research
[ ] Natural Samples Collection – Alchemical Study
[ ] Pages of the Necronomicon – First Principles of Astrology
[ ] Engraved Copper Plates – First Principles of Mythos Hermetics
[ ] Ancient Map Fragments – Unlock Expedition Targets
[ ] Clay Cylinders – Basics of Mentalism
[ ] Tattooed Human Skins – ???
[ ] Golden Ornaments – Increased Wealth (May be taken up to twice.)
[ ] Golden Ornaments II – Increased Wealth II

ONE HOUR MORATORIUM! DO NOT VOTE FOR ONE HOUR!

No plans, approval voting is in effect. Vote for as many as you like, top three will win.