Second night. Part 2.

Kane's investigation leads him to question Donovan Crow, his friend. Talks of a mysterious container named "Ghost Box" emerges. Isabelle makes a curious discovery.

I advanced the quest, and now I'll activate a power to appear fully human for a while and have an easier time interacting with my source.
Roll vs Glamour (6). 2, 5. Strong hit. The power is activated sucessfully, without spending blood, and I gain +1 focus.

Alexander Kane - "Pope", for Lina - walks towards the Opium Night Club again. He still has his hood on, just to be safe, but doesn't try as much to hide is features - which are perfectly human, now. He's a lot less unnerving to be around than he was before, as he knocks and deliver's the jacket to Lina.

"Here's the delivery you asked." - says Kane. "Can we talk now?"

And I'll roll to conclude the Elegy vs 9. 8, 2. Strong hit. "Your quest is completed. Mark experience."
Since it was a only a troublesome quest, I'll take 1 exp.
Given the situation, I'll try and forge a Connection with Lina - why not, right? It's good to have informants. She could even become a Mannequinn, if I play my cards right.
Roll vs Heart (5). 1, 5. Weak hit. Connection is made, but there is some complication, which I'm still unsure about. I'll mark Lina as an "informant" for now, and rate her as "troublesome". I'll have chat GPT use UNE to make LIna into a full fledged NPC now.

Lina looks at the jacket in Alexander’s hands, her expression unreadable for a moment. "So, you did it," she says finally, a note of approval creeping into her voice. "I wasn’t sure you’d come through, but here we are." She takes the jacket carefully, draping it over a nearby chair. "You’ve got my attention, Pope. Let’s talk."

"People around here have a way of knowing when to keep their heads down," Lina says, her voice low and thoughtful. "Sometimes it’s just a bad vibe, other times... well, sometimes it’s something worse." She leans against the bar, her sharp eyes meeting Alexander’s. "But you’re asking because you already know this isn’t normal, aren’t you?"

Nice. That's great. That's actually very great. There's a lot of good info there - certainly a lot that isn't useful, but this Nico character who have been talking with Elijah before him dying will certainly be useful.
Let's make some questions to the oracle:
Is Nico a vampire? 50/50. 75. No. Ok, that's interesting.
Do I know how Epitaph operatives usually dress when among humans? Likely. 44. I do. Good. Kane will ask Lina about that.

"I know it's not normal. And I know something happened." - says Alexander. "I just don't know what. Spill it out."

Lina narrows her eyes at Alexander, her posture stiffening slightly as if bracing against his demand. For a moment, she says nothing, the faint hum of the club's lights filling the silence. Then she exhales sharply, relenting just enough to speak. "Alright, Pope. Here’s the truth." Her voice is low, deliberate.

"A couple of nights ago, there was... an incident near the Waterfront. No one knows exactly what, but the regulars here? They’re good at sniffing out when things go sideways. There were whispers—people going missing, strangers asking too many questions, that kind of thing. You combine that with the bad vibe hanging in the air, and it’s enough to clear out a place like this." She shifts her weight, leaning one hand on the bar. "Whatever’s stirring out there? It’s big enough to spook the locals. And that should tell you something."

She fixes him with a pointed look, her tone sharpening. "I don’t have all the answers, Pope. But if you’re smart, you’ll start digging around the docks. That’s where this started—and where you’re likely to find trouble."

Alexander takes out a small notebook from his pocket and jotes down a few lines of information regarding what she just said. "Thanks" - he says.

"Who went missing? How were the strangers asking the questions? Give me the name from someone at the docks" - and then "Pope" described briefly Elijah's appearance to her, and asks if she's seen someone like him.

Lina leans back slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she processes Alexander's barrage of questions. Her tone grows more serious, the playfulness in her demeanor slipping away. "You don’t miss a beat, do you, Pope?" She pauses, tapping her fingers against the bar as she thinks.

"The missing ones? Locals mostly—dock workers, a couple of regulars here at the club. Nothing too out of the ordinary at first, but when more than one person doesn’t show up for work or a drink, people start talking." She tilts her head, considering his second question. "As for the strangers... they weren’t locals, that’s for sure. Word is they were dressed too clean for the docks, asking questions about who comes and goes down there. Not the kind of thing you do unless you’re looking for someone—or something."

When Alexander describes Elijah, Lina’s expression tightens for a moment, her eyes flicking to the side as if weighing whether to share what she knows. "That does ring a bell," she says cautiously. "I saw someone who fits that description a few nights back, near the south end of the docks. He was talking to a guy named Nico—an old-timer who’s been working the boats for years. If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s him."

She leans in slightly, her voice dropping. "But if you’re going down there, be careful. Nico doesn’t like strangers much, and neither does the crowd he runs with."

Nice. That's great. That's actually very great. There's a lot of good info there - certainly a lot that isn't useful, but this Nico character who have been talking with Elijah before him dying will certainly be useful.
Let's make some questions to the oracle:
Is Nico a vampire? 50/50. 75. No. Ok, that's interesting.
Do I know how Epitaph operatives usually dress when among humans? Likely. 44. I do. Good. Kane will ask Lina about that.

Lina listens carefully as Alexander describes the strangers’ clean, understated attire. Her brow furrows slightly, and she crosses her arms, tilting her head as she considers the details. "Yeah, that sounds like them," she says after a moment. "Too polished to be locals, but they didn’t look like tourists, either. They moved like they were here for a reason—like they knew exactly where they needed to be and weren’t wasting time getting there."

Her tone is cautious, her gaze flicking briefly to the side as though weighing how much more to say. "Whoever they are, they didn’t stick around long. They asked their questions, got people spooked, and left. If you’re thinking about chasing that thread, just be careful. People don’t come to the docks looking like that unless they’re ready for trouble."

That's great. Now I know for a fact that Epitaph's Operatives were doing something at the docks, and that Elijah was talking with this Nico character. That's a lot to go on. I'll advance the Elegy.

Alexander Kane left the Opium Night Club with a good feeling. He had a lot of clues in mind now, a lot of ways to conduct that investigation... And, so far, it seemed to him that he was going to be able to do it without drawing too much attention from the Order of the Epitaph.

He slowly made his way towards the docks, hoping to see if Nico was anywhere to be found. Lina said that he would either be by the docks or at the old bait shop just south of Pier 17...

Is Nico working late at the docks? 50/50. 3. Extreme yes, whatever that means.

Kane walked around for a few minutes, before founding Nico. He didn't activate his power to seem perfectly human again - if Nico was talking with Elijah, he would probably make the connection between the two of then, even if he didn't understood it fully.

I'll also activate my Sixth Sense to gauge Nico's feelings and reactions. Roll vs int (7). 7, 3. Weak hit. The power activates sucessfully, but I take -1 blood.

With his Sixth Sense activated, Alexander approaches Nico carefully. "'Evening" - he says. "You Nico? Elijah sent me."

Nico stood near a stack of shipping crates, illuminated by a single flickering dock light. His wiry frame was bent over a clipboard, the cigarette in his mouth glowing faintly as he scribbled notes. The “extreme yes” became clear: not only was Nico working late, but he seemed unusually busy, coordinating something that required his full attention. Several other dockworkers moved about, but none approached him—they clearly respected his space, or perhaps feared interrupting whatever meticulous task he was managing.

As Alexander spoke, Nico’s sharp, weathered eyes darted up, locking onto him. The Sixth Sense revealed a cautious but steady undercurrent of suspicion—Nico was immediately on edge but not yet hostile. Beneath the surface, Alexander could sense Nico’s thoughts were moving quickly, trying to parse the situation and evaluate whether Alexander’s approach was friend, foe, or trouble.

He took the cigarette from his mouth and exhaled a thin stream of smoke, squinting at Alexander through the haze. "Elijah, huh?" His voice was low and gravelly, with the clipped tone of a man who didn’t waste words. "You’re walking into something you might not wanna be part of, kid." He glanced around the docks briefly, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, before giving Alexander a once-over, his gaze lingering on the details that might hint at his real intentions. "What’s he got you sniffing around for now?" His words carried suspicion but also curiosity, as if he were testing Alexander to see how much he really knew.

Considering how Nico presents himself, Kane decides that an honest and direct approach might be best. He'll purposefully let the dock light shine on his face, illuminating the same peculiarities Nico might have seen in Elijah. "Too late to not be a part of it anymore, Nico" - Kane said. "Elijah died yesterday. They offed him. I'm trying to find out what exactly happened, 'cause it isn't making much sense."

I'll try to Secure an Advantage using Int (7), because I'm trying to analyse Nico behavior and use it to my advantage. 9, 10. It's a miss. "On a miss, you fail or your assumptions betray you". I think Nico isn't going to open up so easily...

Nico’s eyes narrow as the dock light catches Alexander’s face, his sharp gaze honing in on the peculiarities that mark him as more than human. The mention of Elijah’s death deepens the lines on his weathered face, but instead of softening him, it seems to harden his resolve. He straightens, his wiry frame radiating a quiet intensity that feels almost like defiance.

"Offed him, huh?" Nico repeats, his tone clipped and disbelieving. "And now you’re here, asking questions like I’m supposed to roll over and spill everything I know?" He steps forward, the faint glow of his cigarette catching in the dark, his movements deliberate and measured. "You think you can waltz in here with your half-truths and your... whatever the hell you are, and expect me to trust you?"

His voice is low, but the tension is unmistakable. "Elijah was a fool for trusting anyone, and if he’s dead, it’s probably because he didn’t know when to shut up." Nico takes a drag from his cigarette, the embers briefly lighting the lines of his face. "If you want me to talk, you’d better come with more than vague stories and empty promises. Otherwise, I’d say you’re wasting both our time."

The miss on your roll has made Nico even more guarded, his suspicion growing rather than diminishing. It’ll likely take a significant effort—or a shift in strategy—to get him to open up.

So Alexander decides to change his strategy. He walks up closer to Nico and whispers in an almost inhumane growl: "Spit out everything you know and I might let you live. Keep making my life harder and you'll join Elijah soon enough, old man." - and he's dead fuckin' serious. He's voice is like steel. Cold steel.

Now we try Compel with Force (5). But we have an ace in our sleeve: a pool of 10 focus just waiting to be used. Let's roll. 3, 6. It would be a weak hit, but let's burn focus and turn it into a Strong Hit: Nico will do what we want, and we will go back to Focus +3.

Nico rubs the back of his neck, the tension clear in his every movement. "He wanted a place to lay low, so I pointed him toward an empty container we keep by Pier 22. Figured it’d buy him some time to sort himself out. But the next day, the word was out—someone had cleaned up shop. No sign of Elijah, no sign of the people who came for him. Just... gone."

He looks back at Alexander, his expression grim. "That’s all I know. Whoever you are, whatever your angle, I’m telling you straight—you don’t want to get dragged into this. It’s bigger than anything I’ve ever seen." His gaze lingers for a moment, equal parts wary and resigned, before he takes a cautious step back, keeping his distance. "So, what’s next?"

"He told you why they were watching him?"

Nico shakes his head slowly, his expression grim. "Not in so many words. He was rattled, though—kept saying something about knowing too much." He pauses, his brow furrowing as he recalls the conversation. "Mentioned some group—didn’t name them outright, but the way he talked about them? It was like they were everywhere, pulling strings."

He shifts uncomfortably, glancing around the docks again before continuing. "Said he’d seen something he wasn’t supposed to. Didn’t go into details, just kept repeating that it was ‘bigger than all of us.’" Nico rubs a hand over his weathered face, clearly uneasy. "I didn’t press him for more. Figured the less I knew, the better."

His sharp eyes flick back to Alexander, measuring him carefully. "You seem like you’ve got more skin in this game than me. So, tell me—why’re you so interested in Elijah’s mess?"

Alexander just ignores NIco's questions. "Elijah told you where he'd seen whatever it is he saw?"

Nico scratches the back of his neck, his eyes darting toward the distant shadows of the docks. "Yeah, Elijah mentioned something. Said he saw someone being taken—late at night, near Pier 22." He exhales sharply, as though the memory unsettles him. "Didn’t know who it was, didn’t know why. Just that it wasn’t normal. People don’t disappear like that unless someone wants them gone."

He meets Alexander’s gaze, his tone growing quieter. "He was spooked, I’ll give him that. Kept saying it was ‘big,’ that he shouldn’t have been there to see it. And yet, he couldn’t help himself—kept going on about it like it was some puzzle he had to solve."

Nico shakes his head, his expression darkening. "If you’re heading to Pier 22, you’d better be ready. Whatever Elijah stumbled into, it’s not the kind of thing you walk away from."

This keeps the focus tight and consistent with Elijah’s established backstory and aligns with the details provided earlier. Let me know if any additional context or adjustments are needed!

"Big?" - Alexander frown. "How so?"

Nico shifts uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing as he glances toward the docks. "Big as in organized," he mutters, his voice low and cautious. "Elijah said it wasn’t some random fight or street scuffle. He saw people who knew what they were doing—moving with purpose, clearing the area like they had a plan. They weren’t amateurs, that’s for damn sure."

He rubs his chin, his expression growing darker. "And the way he talked about it... it wasn’t just a couple of guys grabbing someone off the street. He said there were vehicles involved—vans, maybe—and that the whole thing was over in minutes. Like they’d done it a hundred times before."

Nico exhales sharply, his voice dropping further. "Elijah couldn’t stop thinking about it. Kept saying it felt... too clean, too professional. Like whoever they were, they weren’t just after some random mark. They had a target, and they knew exactly how to get them." He fixes Alexander with a pointed look. "You get what I’m saying? Whatever this was, it wasn’t small-time."

"Yeah..." - and Alexander ponders for a while. "Guy gets taken like that in the middle of the docks, near a Pier you know and reccomend as a lay low location... I ain't buying it that you don't know who he was, Nico." - and kane smiles. With teeth. Like a wolf. "Give. Me. A. Name."

Nico flinches ever so slightly at Alexander’s predatory smile, the sharp edges of the wolf-like grin cutting through his composure. He glances around the docks again, his discomfort growing as he realizes there’s no easy way out of this conversation. For a moment, he seems to weigh his options, but the tension in the air makes the decision for him.

"Alright, alright," he mutters, his voice low and edged with frustration. "The guy’s name was Mateo. He worked the docks—did odd jobs, kept his head down. Not the type to stir trouble." Nico takes a shaky breath, his sharp eyes darting back to Alexander’s. "But I heard whispers, alright? People saying Mateo was in over his head. That he got himself tangled up with the wrong kind of people. That’s all I know."

He steps back slightly, his shoulders tense, the wariness in his posture unmistakable. "I didn’t recommend Pier 22 because of him—it’s just an empty spot no one cares about. I didn’t think Elijah would cross paths with... whatever the hell that was."

Nico’s voice lowers, almost a plea. "You’ve got your name, alright? But if you’re going to dig into this, be careful. Mateo’s not the first guy to vanish around here, and he won’t be the last."

Mateo. A vampire who worked the docks, did odd jobs and kept his head down. Not the type to stir up trouble. That was great - really, really great. Alexander took note of it in his journal, and then stuffed it back into his pocket. "Don't worry, Nico. I don't know you, and you don't know me. We've never met." - Kane says. "Stay safe, all right?"

Nico exhales slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly, though his wary gaze remains locked on Alexander. He nods once, curtly, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Yeah. Sure. You too," he mutters, his voice carrying a faint edge of relief mixed with lingering unease.

He lights another cigarette, the faint glow illuminating the hard lines of his face as he watches Alexander turn to leave. "And, hey," Nico calls after him, his tone quieter now, almost resigned. "If you find out what happened to Mateo... don’t bother coming back to tell me. Some things are better left buried."

The night seems to grow quieter as Alexander walks away, the sounds of the docks fading into the background. Nico stays rooted in place, his silhouette barely visible under the dim light, the ember of his cigarette the only sign of life as the shadows reclaim him.

You know who I think must know something about Mateo? My good friend Donovan "Crow". I'll give him a call and ask him where he's at currently. But before I do that, I'll advance the elegy again - I got a name!

"Downtown District. The beating heart of Santa Maria. A bustling urban center teeming with life and commerce. Skyscrapers cast long shadows on the busy streets below and neon lights illuminate the night as vampires and mortals mingle in the crowded clubs and bars. The district is a melting pot of cultures, with a diverse array of businesses, from high-end boutiques to seedy pawn shops... And Donovan is at the Blue Grove Hotel: an opulent and luxurious 5-star hotel"

Whatever it is that Donovan is doing there, Kane knows better than to ask. He just tells his "frienemy" that he will be arriving in about 40 minutes, and asks him to wait for him at the lobby, cause they have to talk.
I'll roll for a descriptor and let Chat GPT handle the description of Alexander arrival and meeting with Donovan at the lobby.
Descripton: Dimly Colorful
Indoors: The hushed whispers of forgotten conversations.

The Blue Grove Hotel rose like a monolith in Downtown Santa Maria, its glass façade reflecting the kaleidoscope of neon that bathed the streets below. Inside, the opulence was unmistakable—sleek marble floors gleamed beneath dim, multicolored lights cast by an array of stained glass chandeliers. The ambiance was almost surreal, a curious blend of understated luxury and vibrant decadence. The hushed murmur of whispered conversations lingered in the air, as though the walls themselves remembered every secret shared within their confines.

Alexander stepped through the revolving doors, his sharp features partially shadowed by the hood he’d pulled back only moments before. His boots clicked softly against the marble as he surveyed the lobby. Velvet armchairs in rich, muted tones dotted the space, their occupants lost in discreet discussions or silent contemplation. The scent of polished wood and faintly perfumed air teased at his heightened senses.

Near the grand staircase that spiraled toward the upper floors, Donovan “Crow” Mercer leaned casually against a column, his rugged appearance an odd contrast to the polished elegance surrounding him. His leather jacket, well-worn and dusted with faint traces of the city’s grime, stood out among the tailored suits and designer dresses that populated the space. His piercing green eyes caught Alexander’s the moment he entered, a devilish smirk playing at his lips as he straightened and crossed his arms.

"Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite poet in the shadows," Donovan drawled, his voice low and teasing. "What brings you to my little slice of luxury tonight, Kane? You finally taking my advice and treating yourself?"

Alexander’s expression remained stoic as he approached, his steps deliberate and measured. "We need to talk, Crow. And no, I’m not here for the amenities." His voice cut through the ambient whispers like a blade, and the smirk on Donovan’s face deepened as he pushed off the column to meet him.

"You’ve got that look again, like the world’s about to end." Donovan gestured toward a quieter corner of the lobby, where the shadows pooled just enough to give them privacy. "Alright, Kane. Let’s hear it. What kind of trouble are you dragging me into this time?"

_

Seeing Donovan in the Blue Grove was an odd feeling. It was like seeing a bear inside a kitchen, or a puma dancing ballet. It was very odd. Kane himself didn't feel very much at ease there - and seeing Donovan feeling so confortable and, more than confortable, calling the place "his" little slice of luxury was... odd. More than odd. It was intruiguing. Something was up.

"Your slice of luxury?" - Kane asked. "You traded your wolf side for a Shih Tzu side?"

When the conversation moved, however, to more serious matters, Kane said: "Not here. Somewhere private we can talk?"

_

Donovan chuckled at Alexander’s jab, his grin widening into something halfway between amusement and mockery. "Careful there, Kane. Even a Shih Tzu bites if you yank its leash." He adjusted his leather jacket with a nonchalant shrug, his piercing green eyes glinting with mischief. "But yeah, I like to dabble in the finer things now and then. Keeps people guessing. You should try it sometime."

When Alexander shifted the conversation to a more serious tone, Donovan’s smirk faded just enough to signal he understood the gravity of the request. He gave a slow nod and glanced around the lobby, his sharp gaze assessing the room like a predator scanning its surroundings.

"Private, huh? Alright, follow me." Donovan motioned with a subtle tilt of his head, leading Alexander toward a quieter corridor off the main lobby. The path took them to a lounge draped in shadows and soft, ambient lighting. Plush leather chairs and heavy curtains ensured no prying eyes or ears would intrude. Donovan sprawled into one of the chairs, gesturing to another across from him.

"Alright, Kane. Lay it on me. What’s got you prowling my territory tonight?" His tone was casual, but the edge of curiosity was unmistakable, his usual bravado tempered by a flicker of genuine interest.

--

"Guy named Mateo got taken by some odd figures at the docks a few nights back." - Kane says, almost a whisper. "Mateo was one of ours. The guy who saw him get taken blamed in on Epitaph.. started babblinig around.. Ended up dead." - Alexander gave him the cliff notes, just the bare minimum.

"I don't want to drag you too much into it, Crow. Just need to know what you have on Mateo, 'cause I know you knew him, and if you can get me more info. Any reason why he'd be taken? Who was he running with?"

Now I'll make the Gather Information move, with a +1 bonus because I'm using Donovan as an informant. Roll vs 8. 3, 8. Weak hit. THe information provides new insight, but complicates my quest. Envision.
I'll roll for Action and Theme to help me envision. 4, 68. Deceive Guilt.
My gut tells me Mateo had done something. Something bad... Whatever happened to him, he had it coming.
But what did Mateo do? Let's roll. 61, 71, 11. Grow Unearthly Intrigue.
I think Mateo saw something he wasn't supposed to in the docks - some kind of arcane shipment from Olympus, or maybe from the Epitaph Order themselves... And I think maybe he stole it.
By the way, what is Mateo's lineage? Roll 1d5. 3. That's.. Deimos. He was one of the horros. No wonder he kept his head down - surely looked like hell.

Donovan frowned, leaning forward, elbows on his knees, as he pieced together what he knew. "Mateo... yeah, I knew him. Hard to forget someone like that. Deimos through and through—looked like a bad nightmare come to life. But he was smart enough to keep out of sight, kept things quiet. Whatever he got tangled up in, it wasn’t by accident."

He paused, his sharp green eyes flickering with thought. "Here’s the thing, Kane: I’ve heard whispers about some... odd shipments passing through the docks lately. Not the usual contraband, but something... weirder. People don’t talk about it much—just enough to make you wonder. If Mateo saw one of those shipments and decided to help himself to something, well, that’d be enough to put a target on his back."

Donovan tapped a finger on the armrest, his expression grim. "If it’s what I think it is, we’re not just talking about regular smugglers. This is the kind of thing that gets the wrong kind of attention—Olympus-level attention, or worse, Epitaph themselves. Mateo didn’t just stumble into trouble; he walked straight into a lion’s den and poked the beast."

He sighed, leaning back with a resigned shrug. "If you’re digging into this, Kane, tread lightly. Whatever Mateo took, it wasn’t meant to be seen, let alone touched. And if Epitaph’s involved? They’re not gonna let this slide. Whatever guilt Mateo carried, he wasn’t the only one who saw something unearthly."

__

Alexander listened with intent, joting notes down on his journal here and there. Things were moving forward fast - there was a lot of information to be had when you knew who to ask, after all. It was good to have friends.

"Crow..." - Alexander asked, as a thought began forming inside his mind. "Let's assume that Mateo probably stole something. If he did, and they took him - took him, not executed him; he was kidnapped.. They did it because they want it back, whatever it is." - Kane's eyes were shining with a dangerous light.

"Do you think Mateo already cracked? Or maybe.. Maybe if we can find Mateo cache.. We can find whatever it is Epitaph's after?"

_

Donovan leaned back in his chair, his sharp green eyes narrowing as he processed Alexander’s words. He absently ran a hand through his hair, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips despite the gravity of the situation. "You’ve got that look again, Kane. Like you’re about to chase something you know you shouldn’t."

He exhaled slowly, the weight of Alexander’s suggestion hanging in the air. "If they didn’t off him right away, you’re probably right—they want whatever he took. Mateo’s not the kind to crack easy, though. Deimos don’t bend; they either hold their ground or break completely." Donovan tapped a finger on the armrest, his expression thoughtful.

"But a cache? That... that tracks. Mateo was careful, always thinking two steps ahead. If he knew they were coming for him, he’d have stashed whatever it was somewhere safe. Somewhere only he’d know." Donovan’s smirk faded, his tone growing more serious. "Question is, do you really want to go digging for it? If Epitaph—or whoever—wants it bad enough to kidnap Mateo, they’re not gonna stop until they get it back. And if we get in their way..."

He trailed off, letting the implication hang, before finally meeting Alexander’s gaze. "I’ll help you look, Kane. But you’d better have a plan for what to do when you find it."

Donovan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his voice dropping lower. "So, where do we start? Mateo’s usual haunts, or do we try to find someone who knows his moves better than us?"

__

Ok, so I'll mark another advancement in the Elegy. Mateo stole some arcane artifact either from Olympus or from the Epitaph's Order - that's a huge development in our investigation. But we're currently just at three boxes out of ten in the progress track, so this will probably take some time.
Now we're faced with another task: we have to find Mateo's cache, and I think Kane and Crow are doing it together. It's time to sing another Elegy.Ok, so I'll mark another advancement in the Elegy. Mateo stole some arcane artifact either from Olympus or from the Epitaph's Order - that's a huge development in our investigation. But we're currently just at three boxes out of ten in the progress track, so this will probably take some time.
Now we're faced with another task: we have to find Mateo's cache, and I think Kane and Crow are doing it together. It's time to sing another Elegy.

"I already know what we'll do." - Kane answered, very sure of himself. "I have a friend that meddles in the supernatural. Whatever it is, this friend will be able to at least identify it."

"Besides... " - he shrugs a little bit. "If they find us before we find it, we tell them the truth: we were looking for the thing they stole from you, and we just want to give it back." - and Kane smiled, openly, almost, almost joking.

He top his book-of-elegies and wrote down a Haiku:

Hidden in shadows,
A secret Mateo left—
Whispers of his fate.

Under it, he signed with his bloody thumb and offered for Donovan to do the same. There is was - their promise to find Mateo's cache together.

"FInd Mateo's Cache" will be a Dangerous Elegy. Let's roll with heart + 1 because Crow is a connection, so vs 6. 8, 1. A weak hit. I'm determined, but there are more questions than answers. Seems right.

To Donovan, Kane said: "He would not keep something so valuable at his usual haunts" - and Alexander smacked his lips. "Isn't there anyone he trusted? Anyone close to him that you knew about?"

Let's ask the oracle.
Does Donovan knows about someone that Mateo trusts in? I'll rule it as "Very Unlikely". 37. He does not!
What about other places, besides his haven, where Mateo used to hide when things got heated? Does Donovan knows about those? 50/50. 79. He doesn't.

Donovan doesn't seem to know a whole not..

What does DOnovan knows, Oracle?
Descripton: Fortunately Feeble
Clue: Connects to a known rumor or scandal

Donovan sighed, shaking his head, frustration flickering across his face. "If Mateo had anyone he trusted, I didn’t know about them. That guy kept people at arm’s length, even me." He ran a hand through his hair, his expression growing distant. "And as for places he might’ve hidden something like this? I don’t know. His haven was the only spot I ever heard him mention."

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly. "But... there’s one thing." His tone was reluctant, as though he were dredging up a half-forgotten memory. "There’s been talk—rumors, really. People at the docks say there’s a container they call the 'Ghost Box.' Always seems to move, even though no one claims to work it. Sometimes it’s on Pier 22, sometimes it’s out by the far end, where no one ever goes. Mateo mentioned it once, called it a good place to ‘hide from the world.’"

__

Alexander narrowed his eyes, repeating the thing's name: "Ghost box". Maybe it wasn't Mateo's cache per se, but if the Deimos said it was a good place to hide, maybe there was some personal things there. Clues. Or maybe they got be very lucky and even find whatever it was Mateo stole in the Ghost Box.

"All right" - said Kane. "Ghost Box. I'm convinced. How do I find it?"

Does Donovan knows how to find the "Ghost Box" Container? Unlikely. 30. Yes he does!
And how do I do it? 53, 86: Investigate Freedom.
Hmmm.. That's a tough one. It is a moving container, all right, but how will I know it is it?
Let's roll again for a complement: 80, 33. Dream Suffering.

Donovan rubbed his jaw, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "The Ghost Box doesn’t stick around, Kane. That’s the point. It moves because someone—maybe Mateo, maybe someone else—wanted it free, untethered."

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Here’s the trick: it always shows up where no one’s paying attention. At the far end of the docks, away from prying eyes. You’ll know it because it stands out in its plainness—no markings, no codes. But there’s another tell."

Donovan hesitated before continuing, his tone shifting to something darker. "Some of the dockhands say it gives off... a feeling. Uneasy. Like you’re not supposed to be there. The kind of thing that sticks in your mind like a bad dream. Maybe it’s just stories, but if you feel that, Kane, you’ve found it."

He leaned back, smirking faintly. "Then it’s just a matter of opening it. And that? That’s your problem."

That's very interesting, all right. Looking at the time, it's probably around 2AM - which gives me enough time to go back to the docks and look around for this Ghost Box container. That's what Alexander will do. He'll call a cab and make his way to the docks, after thanking Crow for his input.
Is there any surprises? 50/50. 55 - that's a "no", but there's a match. A "no surprises" with a random event. That's odd. Maybe the random event is happening somewhere else. I'll roll on the "random event focus" table.
"NPC action" is the result. "Conceal courage" is the theme. But what is the NPC doing the action? I have 5 NPCs currently, besides Mateo. Let's roll a 1d5: 3. That is Isabelle Grayson. What could she be up to? I'll let ChatGPT write that scene.

In the labyrinthine stacks of Santa Maria’s historical archives, Isabelle Grayson worked by the dim glow of an antique desk lamp. The library was silent save for the occasional creak of old wood and the rustle of pages as she carefully flipped through an ancient tome. Her ink-stained fingers traced faded letters in an unfamiliar script, her brow furrowing in concentration.

Her heart raced, though she showed no outward sign of it. Isabelle had spent years learning how to hide her nerves behind a calm demeanor—a skill she now needed desperately. She had stumbled across something tonight, buried in the footnotes of a seemingly unrelated document. The text made veiled references to "the Order" and "forbidden knowledge safeguarded by the shadows." The implications were chilling, even if she didn’t fully understand them.

Isabelle leaned back in her chair, staring at the tome. She felt the weight of what she had uncovered pressing on her chest. It was the kind of knowledge that could cost her dearly. And yet, she couldn’t let it go. She closed the book and secured it under lock and key in a hidden drawer of her desk. The courage it took to make that decision—to keep digging, despite the risks—remained her closely guarded secret.

As she left the archives for the night, the lingering scent of lavender tea followed her, a small comfort against the storm of questions now swirling in her mind.

That's our random event right there. Isabelle uncovered something she perhaps should not have uncovered in her research. That's very interesting, and we'll probably see how that affects further development at some time.
But, right now... Let's go to the docks.That's our random event right there. Isabelle uncovered something she perhaps should not have uncovered in her research. That's very interesting, and we'll probably see how that affects further development at some time.
But, right now... Let's go to the docks.

Alexander arrived at the docks around 3am. He did not have much time left before sunrise, but it was more than enough time to at least take a good look around and see if he maybe could get lucky and find the Ghost Box. Taking care to avoid any cameras and to keep his hood up, Kane began walking.

"The far end of the docks, where no one is paying attention"... That's what Crow said. So that's where Kane went: to the other side of the docks, where abandoned and broken containers were discarded. He had an uneasy feeling - the walk there took more time than he wanted, and the proximity of sunrise was... unconfortable, to say the least.

Ambience roll: 99. Unmarked door- ways conceal hidden nocturnal activities.

The air was throbbing with the rhytmic, decadent vibrations of an illegal club somewhere nearby, but that wasn't what Kane was after. He was after the Ghost Box. Mysterious, eerie container. Kane closed his eyes and focused on the weird feeling in his gut - Crow said the box made you feel like you should not be there, so he decided to follow that feeling.

Let's roll against intellect to see if Kane find the box. First, let's roll the Secure an Advantage move, because of his strategy. Roll vs 7. 10, 1. +2 Focus for Kane.
Now, roll vs Intellect to find the box: Roll vs 7. 8, 5. Weak hit. You suceed. +1 focus, 1 benefit and 1 cost. The benefit will be advancing the elegy, since I've found the box - and the cost... I'll roll a descriptor and let ChatGPT come up with it. Roll on the "Complication" table, just for kicks: "The objective of a quest is not what you assumed", and now for the action and theme... 80, 10. Dream Secrecy.Let's roll against intellect to see if Kane find the box. First, let's roll the Secure an Advantage move, because of his strategy. Roll vs 7. 10, 1. +2 Focus for Kane.
Now, roll vs Intellect to find the box: Roll vs 7. 8, 5. Weak hit. You suceed. +1 focus, 1 benefit and 1 cost. The benefit will be advancing the elegy, since I've found the box - and the cost... I'll roll a descriptor and let ChatGPT come up with it. Roll on the "Complication" table, just for kicks: "The objective of a quest is not what you assumed", and now for the action and theme... 80, 10. Dream Secrecy.

Alexander’s boots crunched against the uneven gravel near the far end of the docks as he moved past rows of rusted, broken containers. The rhythmic pulse of the nearby club faded into the background, though its vibrations still thrummed faintly in the air. His hood cast his face in shadow, but his sharp eyes scanned every detail. Following the strange, uneasy feeling gnawing at his gut, he navigated deeper into the forgotten corners of the docks.

And then, he saw it: a plain, unmarked container set apart from the others. It wasn’t rusted or broken like the others nearby, but it bore no identifying marks or numbers. Its surface was smooth, as though it had been deliberately maintained despite its seemingly forgotten location. The Ghost Box.

As Kane approached, the unsettling feeling grew stronger. Every instinct told him he shouldn’t be there. The air around the container felt heavy, charged with something unnameable. But Kane wasn’t one to be easily deterred. He stepped closer, his fingers brushing against the cool metal.

The moment he touched the container, a vision flickered through his mind—a strange dreamlike image of shadows moving within the box, shrouded in secrecy. The sensation wasn’t just unease; it was as if the box itself held a memory, a dream of something hidden deep inside. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

But then, the complication struck. As Kane stepped back, something didn’t feel right. This wasn’t just a cache or hiding spot—it was something else entirely. The Ghost Box wasn’t holding what Mateo had stolen; it was concealing something Mateo didn’t want anyone to find. And now, Kane was faced with a choice: open it and unveil the secrecy or walk away, knowing that whatever was hidden might change the entire nature of his quest.

It's obvious that Alexander Kane won't back down now. If his heart could beat, it would be through the roof. I'll assume the container is at least physically unlocked, and just say that Alexander took a momment to clear his mind of those weird images before opening it with caution, his sword at the ready.
I'll roll for Action, Descriptor and Theme.99, 74, 49. Support Serene Fear.
What's inside?

Inside the Ghost Box, the atmosphere was thick, stagnant, and reeked faintly of mildew. Alexander’s eyes scanned the dimly lit container, taking in what was clearly not a cache of arcane treasures or stolen artifacts. Instead, he found a makeshift living space—simple and utilitarian, but unmistakably inhabited recently. A tattered cot was pushed against one wall, its blankets haphazardly draped. Beside it sat a dented metal crate filled with mundane supplies: canned food, water bottles, and an old lantern.

Pinned to the interior walls of the container were faded photographs, some barely visible in the weak light. They depicted blurry faces, dockworkers, and mundane scenes around Santa Maria. But one photo stood out—a grainy image of a group gathered near the docks, their faces obscured. Mateo was unmistakable, standing near the edge, his monstrous Deimos features barely hidden by the shadow of his hood. In his hand was a folded piece of paper, partially visible in the photograph, as though he had been passing it to someone.

Nearby, on a makeshift desk cobbled together from a shipping pallet, lay a few scraps of paper and a map of the docks, marked with circles and notes in a hurried scrawl. The notes didn’t mention an artifact at all. Instead, they referenced schedules, names, and movements—pieces of a puzzle that hinted at something larger. Mateo had uncovered something—a pattern, a connection, something he had been desperate to track.

And now, it was up to Kane to figure out what Mateo had been chasing—and why it had gotten him taken.

Alexander turned on his flashlight, noticing that the uneasy feeling had disappeared as soon as he entered the container - it seemed that the Ghost Box wasn't Mateo's cache, but one of his hiding spots. It made sense.

Kane walked around the room, shining the light on the walls, the papers, the maps... It did seem that whatever Mateo had stolen - if he had stolen something at all - wasn't the main problem: the deimos was elbows deep in some kind of conspiracy. But finding that place had a positive to it: Mateo certainly had slept there a few days, and now Alexander had a place to spend the day too.

I'll make a Gather Information roll to look around and see if I can quickly find information on something that he may have stolen from the Epitaph Order. Rolling vs 7. 1, 4. Strong hit. Nice. "On a strong hit, you discover something helpful and specific. The path you must follow or action you must take to make progress is made clear. Envision what you learn and take +2 focus".
Let's roll our descriptors...100, 13. Hunt betrayal.
And again... 66, 33. Transform suffering.
I will take that as "Alexander must hunt betrayal to transform suffering". However, the quest for Mateo's cache is merely a dangerous one - it should be something almost simple... So I'll consider that this hunter for betrayl to transform suffering will be a consequence of whatever it is that Mateo has stolen.
And whatever it is that he stole, it is located at... 93, 55. The University of Santa Maria. And what is it, actually? I'll roll both at the Magical Item Descriptor table and the Object table from Mythic: 42, 83: Good Soft; 96,73: Useful Personal.
I have absolutely no idea. ChatGPT, give me a short description of what Mateo stole and where he hid it in the University of Santa Maria.

Mateo had stolen a small, soft leather pouch embroidered with faintly glowing silver runes—a seemingly harmless object that radiated a quiet, alluring warmth when held. Its contents? A fragment of silk-like fabric, impossibly smooth to the touch, rumored to carry ancient, arcane properties capable of unraveling hidden truths about the wearer’s soul. The item wasn’t inherently destructive, but in the wrong hands, it could reveal deep, personal secrets—secrets that could destroy alliances and unearth betrayals.

Mateo, aware of its potential danger, had smuggled the pouch into the University of Santa Maria, hiding it within the archives of the philosophy department. He had chosen the spot carefully: a locked cabinet in an unused classroom, tucked beneath piles of dust-covered manuscripts. It wasn’t just the secrecy of the location that made it perfect—it was the fact that the university’s maze-like layout and bureaucratic neglect meant it could remain hidden there indefinitely unless someone knew exactly where to look.

--

Alexander sat in the sofa, looking at the quick scribbled notes where he finally found reference to something Mateo had stolen from the Epitaph Order - a piece of fabric inside a pouch, stolen from one of their late night shipments. Mateo apparently found that the silky fabric could reveal hidden truths - but... how so? And why? And what was the shipment it was a part of? What was the Epitaph Order really doing with those things, and how everything related to the Elijah problem?

"Tomorrow, then." - he muttered to himself, before closing the container from inside. It was time to finally rest.

I'll advance Mateo's cache elegy one more time, since we have it's location and I don't want to spend a lot of time with this. This piece of fabric thing is interesting, and it will be even more interesting to investigate everything Mateo was tracking in the docks. He was unto something - but what it was, only time will tell.