Assets and Holdings


The holdings and assets of Stanley Vermis

Very Small Fortune: What remains of the monetary gift from your friend. It's slowly growing larger once more thanks to your investments, but for now, perhaps you had best save up. Will upgrade to Small Fortune by the Fifth

University Connections: You happen to be well acquainted with the staff of your former alma mater, and have perpetual access to its libraries and archives. Besides which, your words will no doubt have slightly more sway when dealing with fellow alumni.
Undertakers Business: You more or less own this particular venture, and the accompanying graveyard they use to house their clients, which brings you a small amount of wealth. At present, thats all it functions to do, but you may find some use for it later.

The associations and favors of Stanley Vermis
Sgt. Mallow: A member of the constabulary who owes you a handful of small favors. You knew that he was modestly corrupt, not enough to cover up a major crime if prompted, but willing to ignore smaller indiscretions in return for financial recompense, or, barring that, aid in his investigations.
 
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Also, I think on turn 5 or later, once our finances get to "small fortune", we should buy a remote house where we can experiment without attracting unwanted attention.
 
Since I noticed a minor tweak that could make a difference, over where to look for;

[X] Dearly Departed V2
-[X] Investigate: The fungus
--[X] It caused our friend to die, see if we can't find out about what it is.
--[X] Start, by having a look at what fungus does in general, and compare notes on what is freely available, in case you can find another lead. And if it's not within university indexes, it's either unheard of, or something else.
--[X] Try to get your hands on his health records, there should be two months of them.
-[X] Reconnect with your acquaintances at the university. Not just to deepen your connection with the university but to also enjoy time with old friends to raise your spirits after the loss of August.
-[X] If need be, talk about things, from cultural interests (eg. Japan, or history.) While keeping an open mind on how your associates are faring in general. Especially, on the medical department.
-[X] Investigate: The tome
--[X] Continue reading the tome, it wouldn't be good to try anything from it until we have at least read the whole thing once or twice.
--[X] The university literature seems to be of good help, continue using it.
---[X] See if looking up on other references that are in Japanese, may offer additional insight on the nature of the tome's contents.
-[X] Investigate: Shigeaki Hinohara
--[X] Look at the Japanese section, in case there's any doctors from that location. If nothing else, it'd be a great place to start, in case he's of note within universities.
---[X] Try to find out about his life and history, and what motivated him.
---[X] See if there are any strange stories associated with him, or maybe the area he lived in.
-[X] Spend some time talking to the undertaker of the business you own, find out about his life, hobbies, interests, etc.
--[X] Keep a discreet ear out for any favors they might need
--[X] At the very least it should cultivate a good employer-employee relationship

Might need a bit of polish, or a bit less clearing on verbosity. But success/result wise, we'd need to be smart, brief and caring. At one end, we have savings we'd need to keep a hold on, until our fortunes grow back.

But on the other end, we could end up with a possible associate who can critique/collaborate in medical issues, which can lead to amateur sleuth tier investigation if handled right (to a Lovecraft tier success rate.) And hey, if it can be sync'd with our current activities (under 'interests'), we can even come up with an extra alibi, in case of... other, interests.

EDIT:

As an additional suggestion, given our 'standing'. The closest I think we might be able, to do in order to Investigate Augusts Death, outside black mail or game of thrones tier headaches. Would be to see on having a 'proxy' deal with additional questioning on the family end, either a possible 'friend of Augusts' (who isn't us), which can lead to sympathies. Or hire an investigator, who might go crazy or such.
 
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Since I noticed a minor tweak that could make a difference, over where to look for;

[X] Dearly Departed V2
-[X] Investigate: The fungus
--[X] It caused our friend to die, see if we can't find out about what it is.
--[X] Start, by having a look at what fungus does in general, and compare notes on what is freely available, in case you can find another lead. And if it's not within university indexes, it's either unheard of, or something else.
--[X] Try to get your hands on his health records, there should be two months of them.
-[X] Reconnect with your acquaintances at the university. Not just to deepen your connection with the university but to also enjoy time with old friends to raise your spirits after the loss of August.
-[X] If need be, talk about things, from cultural interests (eg. Japan, or history.) While keeping an open mind on how your associates are faring in general. Especially, on the medical department.
-[X] Investigate: The tome
--[X] Continue reading the tome, it wouldn't be good to try anything from it until we have at least read the whole thing once or twice.
--[X] The university literature seems to be of good help, continue using it.
---[X] See if looking up on other references that are in Japanese, may offer additional insight on the nature of the tome's contents.
-[X] Investigate: Shigeaki Hinohara
--[X] Look at the Japanese section, in case there's any doctors from that location. If nothing else, it'd be a great place to start, in case he's of note within universities.
---[X] Try to find out about his life and history, and what motivated him.
---[X] See if there are any strange stories associated with him, or maybe the area he lived in.
-[X] Spend some time talking to the undertaker of the business you own, find out about his life, hobbies, interests, etc.
--[X] Keep a discreet ear out for any favors they might need
--[X] At the very least it should cultivate a good employer-employee relationship

Might need a bit of polish, or a bit less clearing on verbosity. But success/result wise, we'd need to be smart, brief and caring. At one end, we have savings we'd need to keep a hold on, until our fortunes grow back.

But on the other end, we could end up with a possible associate who can critique/collaborate in medical issues, which can lead to amateur sleuth tier investigation if handled right (to a Lovecraft tier success rate.) And hey, if it can be sync'd with our current activities (under 'interests'), we can even come up with an extra alibi, in case of... other, interests.

EDIT:

As an additional suggestion, given our 'standing'. The closest I think we might be able, to do in order to Investigate Augusts Death, outside black mail or game of thrones tier headaches. Would be to see on having a 'proxy' deal with additional questioning on the family end, either a possible 'friend of Augusts' (who isn't us), which can lead to sympathies. Or hire an investigator, who might go crazy or such.
Hey should I just change mine for this? Yours did what I was trying to do better and I don't think many people are going to come back to the thread til Jacob posts again.
 
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Hey should I just change mine for this. Yours did what I was trying to do better and I don't think many people are going to come back to the thread til Jacob posts again.
Your choice, really. It's just a matter of me thinking of a little addition on what could be done, since the nature of this quest means that well thought out plans, on how to do a task (ideally, in a simple, and easy to follow manner), will net more chances of success than a "just do it" plan.

Besides, at the end of the day. I'd also throw that before we even have the eventual tragedies, the occult detectives (or templar executors like Delta Green), or even mortal/eldritch threats that we do not know (of) yet.

We have friends. Friends who'd probably be concerned for us, given our recent grief on a possible 'off' friend. Who if we're being secretive (or even so), could still be useful in a sense of connections, or even research buddies. The ones who can easily become insane dealing with some threats so we don't have to, and the bestest could even... move bodies for us.

Or in rambling layman's terms, we'll be super cool, the moment we have our Igor, to make the most best decisions together on how to do our research projects (once we're out of our bunker, and directing our 'buddy' to lightly look at certain errands so we don't waste actions, possibly...)
 
Your choice, really. It's just a matter of me thinking of a little addition on what could be done, since the nature of this quest means that well thought out plans, on how to do a task (ideally, in a simple, and easy to follow manner), will net more chances of success than a "just do it" plan.

Besides, at the end of the day. I'd also throw that before we even have the eventual tragedies, the occult detectives (or templar executors like Delta Green), or even mortal/eldritch threats that we do not know (of) yet.

We have friends. Friends who'd probably be concerned for us, given our recent grief on a possible 'off' friend. Who if we're being secretive (or even so), could still be useful in a sense of connections, or even research buddies. The ones who can easily become insane dealing with some threats so we don't have to, and the bestest could even... move bodies for us.

Or in rambling layman's terms, we'll be super cool, the moment we have our Igor, to make the most best decisions together on how to do our research projects (once we're out of our bunker, and directing our 'buddy' to lightly look at certain errands so we don't waste actions, possibly...)
Well then I will do it, also your right we do need friends and close allies.
 
Well then I will do it, also your right we do need friends and close allies.
I mean, in a business sense, we have the Undertakers, that we could have a shot, professional wise. And if by chance, we have a possible 'idea' (that doesn't end with heart theft), for more... Better reputation with respect for the dead, then hey.

But really, the sooner we have at least some buddies, that we can totally not convert into cultists to the tune of Cultist Simulator, the sooner we can have action slots open, maybe? (Or have actions happen for our interest/benefit.) Problem with that, is unlike money, we need to well, cultivate even more friends, in a possible sense of not being as much a failure of a friend as we we're last time. :p

And also, may want to read that tome to the end, before following it's experiments, under history and such, before we go mad with following a new angle of occult lore.
 
The Fourth
"I have begun to reach the edge of what I can accomplish using cadavers alone. I need living test subjects, and I need them soon. Unfortunately, I don't know where I can find a willing subject: my experiments are offputting enough that any peasant I tried to bribe would almost certainly run straight to the daimyo, and if he knew what I had been doing, I would likely be executed.

I will have to think on this."

-Grave of Black Flowers.




The Fungus

Your methods bring you minimal success, but unlock a Mystery.


There is very little information about what TYPE of fungus caused your friend to die, other than the fact that he (supposedly) picked it up in India, and that its main symptom seemed to be severe respiratory problems and erratic behavior, which your associates in the field of biology inform you is indeed a result certain molds can have upon individuals through the efforts of something known as 'mycotoxins'. Most curious is that what samples were taken of the offending mold were subsequently burned. Almost as if someone didn't want people digging into your friends demise.

Gained Curiosity: The Fungus Problem.



University Friends

Your methods bring you success!


You send out a few letters to your acquaintances from university, hoping to reconnect. A week or so later, you get letters from three of them in turn.

The first letter sender is the esteemed Doctor Marvins, an expert in the field of the mind, who was currently in charge of one of Brickstons various asylums for the deranged. You learn that he is doing exceedingly well, and you start regularly corresponding with him on various topics. While you had never much been interested in human psychology, it WAS a fairly interesting topic to talk about.

The second is one Mr. Litwick. Another associate from back then, he was, last you remembered, studying the venerable field of history. Nowadays, he isn't doing particularly well: He happens to be dealing with some financial troubles, which is making difficult for him to pursue his profession: the study and collection of artifacts of ancient civilizations. Of course, he never says such explicitly, but its easy to infer from his letters.

The third and last is more than a bit surprising: Miss Annabelle. Or, rather, Doctor Annabelle. Doctress Anabelle? How does one refer to a female practitioner of the medical arts?

Regardless, she is doing rather well, making a decent fortune by providing discrete medical assistance to individuals who would rather not let their conditions be known publicly. A fortune she utilizes by funding various charitable causes and movements. You were honestly surprised to learn she had completed her medical degree at all: Brickston University was not a particularly progressive institution. You chalked it up to her parents being wealthy and influential enough to ensure the right hands were greased.

Gained three potential associations!



The Tome

Your methods have brought you failure!


You continue trying to study the book, but run into a sort of roadblock: some of the book is written in an unknown language. Not simply code, but another speech entirely. If you wish to progress, you will need to figure out what language this is. Unfortunately, any attempts to cross reference with other foreign languages has failed: whatever strange tongue Hinohara used, it wasn't one which could be found in the walls of the university.

Gained Mystery: The Language of Corpses.



The Author

Your methods have brought you minimal success!


The universities library has very little on Mr. Hinohara. He was born in the northern part of Japan, served for several years as the personal physician of a local lord, or 'Daimyo'. Interestingly, you did find reference to his manner of execution: He was apparently hacked to bits, and each bodypart hidden across Japan. You questioned why such a brutal method was needed: what had he done to warrant such savagery?

Gained slight knowledge of Shigeaki Hinohara.

There is more to be learned, but not here, and not now: if you wish to gain understanding of the Tome and its Author, first you must make the plunge into the abyss.




Ones Employees

You take time and chat with your newest acquisition. Robert Gray, the undertakers name, is apparently the son of undertakers himself, and was trained extensively in the art of making a cadaver look 'presentable'. A bit ghoulish, but you suppose that no one liked sending their loved ones off looking ugly.

You listen to his woes for a time. They're rather standard: an ill wife, a son who doesn't respect him, etc. Of his many concerns, only one directly is of interest to you: He's interested in purchasing a facility to aid in cremations. He's of the opinion that it would greatly increase the ventures profits.

To be honest, it isn't a bad idea. Something to look into.

Gained idea: Crematoria.



The wheel of time turns, and enters into the season of silence and snow. The city is engulfed in frost and fog.

What shall you undertake?

[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
 
Question, everybody?

How far should we induct people at our current position? Especially when 'warning bell' wise, it 'may' be wise not to grow too curious on the fungus. More so since we might be dangerously close to catching a possible 'adversary' if we're not careful.

But that aside, depending on 'what' our possible research could gather... We could turn Robert Grey, into a 'helper', maybe. Same could be said for associates, but care must be taken, in how we'd induct them, especially when that magical thing called 'madness' strikes.

And we may, or may not want to possibly trace our steps back under the reason/motive of; "may want to exercise a bit", "may want to think by logic, how to avoid being 'covered up' precautiously," and other things.

-

But to be more serious, we 'could' talk one slot for all, but it'd be better to target one slot per 'person'. With a plan under what aspect/angle we'd want to include them in our curiosities, or interests.

And if we're going to consider 'branching', better to get them curious in some minor different thing, that we might be able to 'cross-reference'. Or alternatively, inquire on possible contacts to be had in say; Japan? (If going by a 'head start' curiousity.)

And of course, though we may have an 'idea', we have little funds right now. That'd likely need to build up for a bit... Unless we can hasten when that money builds up, through some scheme or such.

EDIT: There's one more thing we 'could' be doing, if going cheaply under our current connections/contacts. And that's either look for another 'possibly useful' contact (to step one. Possibly with a drink.)

To well, 'curry favor' with Sgt. Mallow. Because if there's nothing else we can do, before making a gamble or guess. May as well cloak ourselves with at least a few more favors; ideally the sort that can interchange with respect and lack of 'interest' by law enforcement.

EDIT: To dodge double posting...
I'll throw some possible highlighted interests in mind here. That may garner clues to curry further favour, say.
Ones Employees

You take time and chat with your newest acquisition. Robert Gray, the undertakers name, is apparently the son of undertakers himself, and was trained extensively in the art of making a cadaver look 'presentable'. A bit ghoulish, but you suppose that no one liked sending their loved ones off looking ugly.

You listen to his woes for a time. They're rather standard: an ill wife, a son who doesn't respect him, etc. Of his many concerns, only one directly is of interest to you: He's interested in purchasing a facility to aid in cremations. He's of the opinion that it would greatly increase the ventures profits.

To be honest, it isn't a bad idea. Something to look into.

Gained idea: Crematoria.
If going cliche; if we have someone who could 'help' (by an assured nudge), the ill wife. Or figure out a social means to curry respect from his son. And other 'ests' (that can be glanced.) Then we'd have a happy helper.

But sadly, that'd be that short term. We'd probably need to have a bit more finance in savings, before we can throw more investment for more profit here.
The first letter sender is the esteemed Doctor Marvins, an expert in the field of the mind, who was currently in charge of one of Brickstons various asylums for the deranged. You learn that he is doing exceedingly well, and you start regularly corresponding with him on various topics. While you had never much been interested in human psychology, it WAS a fairly interesting topic to talk about.
In advance; he 'might' be able to garner some 'mystic' clues from the deranged. Though it'd be more of a rumour gambit on the bad end pile. And probably not something to be too careful of; 'least it be a fate we may share in time.

That aside, depending on how we handle things. We could easily long term, shaft some 'enemies' within an asylum, gain easy therapy on top. And possibly, even a bit of detective work under a 'logic/reason' angle.

Also, we might be able to learn a bit more from chatting with him. Even if it's just about various topics from mental to physical health. It may even indirectly prove a boon to his end, and on our understanding on all aspects human understanding.
The second is one Mr. Litwick. Another associate from back then, he was, last you remembered, studying the venerable field of history. Nowadays, he isn't doing particularly well: He happens to be dealing with some financial troubles, which is making difficult for him to pursue his profession: the study and collection of artifacts of ancient civilizations. Of course, he never says such explicitly, but its easy to infer from his letters.
So, short term. He's in a struggle to pay off his possible dept. If going under an action, 'may' be a good idea to give him an avenue for possible work, if going by Undertaker staffing. But it'd depend on if there's a 'spare helper' needed there.

Medium term, would probably want to figure out how to get his debt sorted out. Before we can start to benefit from his possible mutual interest in the occult. Depending on scale, we might even have a headstart in Japan, and other cultures to venture to. And he 'might' even hold a clue somewhere, on the tongue of the undead, if going a bit more 'off the cuff'.
The third and last is more than a bit surprising: Miss Annabelle. Or, rather, Doctor Annabelle. Doctress Anabelle? How does one refer to a female practitioner of the medical arts?

Regardless, she is doing rather well, making a decent fortune by providing discrete medical assistance to individuals who would rather not let their conditions be known publicly. A fortune she utilizes by funding various charitable causes and movements. You were honestly surprised to learn she had completed her medical degree at all: Brickston University was not a particularly progressive institution. You chalked it up to her parents being wealthy and influential enough to ensure the right hands were greased.

Gained three potential associations!
So, last associate could be pretty damn useful, if befriended right. And depending on aspect, may short term be 'helpful' for Robert Grey, if he has a wife that could benefit from her treatment (though at a possible cost to him, that could be tolerable?)

That, and also discreet, which could be pretty useful in keeping prying eyes peeling us. And a medical interest, that could easily go in sync with our apparent occult research.

Depending on aspects, she might also (at a nudge/push) be able to help out one of our associates short term. Though we'd probably need to term it in such a way that he'd be indebted to her, to help out on some other errands for awhile.

That, and she might also be a possible way to gather more clues on our friends end, on personal issues. When we have say; a family dispute we can't officially get involved in, as we stand right now.
 
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First of all, I am curious about crematorium. Money makes the world go round, and we can tempt at least one of University contacts with enough money. Plus we will be able to burn evidence of our occult activities when need arises.

Otherwise....ehh...keep chipping away at the language and the book?

Also, @jacobplm , you did not update Mysteries And Threats post, and did not upgrade Contacts list either.
Also,
What shall you undertake?

> undertake
:V

Also, from previous update:
You leave the graveyard feeling far worse than before.

For the past is the past, and what has been done cannot be undone.

I am not sure whether we track SAN damage or degree of tiredness, but I think we might want to spend an action on relaxing a bit. it's winter, maybe go celebrate Christmas?
We can mix pleasure with work and invite Grey on Christmas celebration, for example. He should be pleased by us looking into Crematoria.

Tentatively,

[] Plan Money Makes Magic More Miraculous
-[ ] Creamatoria
-- [] Inquire about costs and such, as we don't have much funds at the moment
-[ ] Inroads with Mr Litwick
--[] Show interest in the ancient artifacts, ask about possible artifacts from Japan and India
-[ ] University Library:--[] Learn about Indian mycotoxins
-[ ] University Library--[ ] Learn about Japanese history in general to be able to keep up with Litwick in correspondence
-[ ] Relax
-- [] It's Christmas, have fun! Also, invite Grey (and his family?) for team-building bonding with them


Okay, investment into Crematorium will drain our funds (still non-existent, will likely need to wait until Fifth?), and thus prevent us from financing Litwick. However, potentially he is useful, so we might want to keep correspondence with him up.

Please poke holes in it, I am not terribly sure about the plan.
 
Throwing a sad, but cheap draft. That could do with a bit of an edit, but ideally, won't cost funds, and might fudge favors/interests.

Please check to see how viable this might be, in an ideal world wise. And a realistic take on how this might go, say.

[] Plan Cheap friendly talk for Winter (Prototype Draft)
-[ ] Inroads with Robert Grey.
-- [] On Crematorium, inquire on how much it'd cost to set up. But generally express interest on it as an investment.
--[] On his ill wife. You 'might' know a doctor who could heal her, for a price. But knowing a contact, is better than none. *See if he can use Doctor Annabelle's help.
--[] Indirectly, see if there's a possibility for him to temporary hire an apprentice, of sorts. *See if it's possible to indirectly help Mr Litwick, by temporary linking him to the Undertaker business.*
-[ ] Inroads with Mr Litwick
--[] Show interest in the ancient artifacts, ask about possible artifacts from Japan and India.
--[] Sadly state that you're not at the position to buy anything from him, or help him out much (at the moment.) But you 'might', have some sort of work that could help him out of his situation.
--[] Conclude that one day, you do sincerely wish for him to be 'one heck of an explorer'.
-[ ] Inroads with Dr Marvin
--[] Start, by talking about... your friend in general.
--[] See if you can nudge on talking about the field of the human mind for a bit, it is an interesting subject. And a healthy mind, should be in a healthy body as well.
--[] Depending on subject, mildly see if there's any research you could do that could be useful on his end. Or curiosities he'd like you to look up in.
-[] Inroads with Doctor Annabelle
--[] Check on how she's faring, for such an ambitious doctor.
--[] Say you're working on various things. Some occasional helping in some investigation here, and some minor investment in a business there.
--[] Express interest on the various charities she's been investing in. In the off chance you might be able to lend some sort of knowledgeable support in those fields of interest.
-[] Inroads with Sgt. Mallow
--[] Check on how he's faring. And if there's something you can do to help.
--[] If nothing else, wish him well for Christmas.

It's rough prototype. And current straights means we'd probably be in a 'bah! Humbag' sort of fester. But to be frank, we don't want to burn away all of our savings, right now. With all due respect.


Best to inquire, if at odds end. Either 'what sort of things we can do' to foster associates. Or if risky, see if they can figure out what 'this occult text is?' (At cost of possible SAN damage, or ests.)

EDIT: There's one more thing, but it'd be in hindsight, given the clues from earlier posts. Given her ties...

We 'might', if lucky enough in a nudge on criteria; be able to have Doctor Annabelle, 'investigate' our friends own death, in case of ledgers, or journals. Though it'd likely be at the likely cost of 'potentially' painting a target on her, or having her get free reign on 'what' is in our friend's ledgers, or journals.

And on top of that, it 'may' cost us a favor, or some fortune on top. But there's that in a way. So, something to take into consideration at least...

But by that point, it 'could' fold under the plan over;

--[] Express a minor request, to see if by all chance, Annabelle could potentially gain access to your friends journals. You'll owe her a favor for this...
---[] Mention the reason being, you wanted to at least know what happened to him, but between his death, and the... lack of amicable relationship to his family, due to inheritance. You didn't want to make the inquiry personally.

Ideally, don't mention any hints of strangeness, in case eyes are prying and such. And depending on context and date, it may long term be a dead end anyway; with burying and discarding of 'old' stuff, better in a dumpster bin.

And above all else; discrete she may be; but that doesn't mean our doctor associate would be an investigator, or an asset. At least, not without owing her a favor in turn.
 
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