In hopes of having some stability in my life and job I have taken a job in Pittsburgh, PA. Taking Ron's advice I am centering my operations on the city and the general outlying area. I extend an offer of help if society members find themselves in the area, but understand that my views probably will prevent most from taking me up on it.
I am going to be spending the next few weeks trying to get a feel for the city again and hopefully get an idea what activity is in the area.
A new job and home.
A new job and home.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
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Ron Caliburn
- Posts: 6915
- Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:09 pm
- Location: Best if you don't know.
It took e a while to establish myself in DC (and will probably take a while to re-establish myself too). Here's some advice I picked up.
1) Geography. Spend a fair bit of time getting the lay of the land before you start active operations. Drive and walk down as many streets as you can. Try to develop an idea for what places in town you could turn to your advantage inf a fight and how to get there from the surrounding areas. This also applies to the social geography as well, learn what kind of people go where to do what.
2) Contacts. Make friendly contacts with a number of differnet people - especially people who see a lot of things. I'd suggest the bums, the hookers, the cops and the cabbies are probably the best for that. You'll also want to try to hook up with the local intellectual / crackpot types - they might have information or resources that could be handy.
3) Legalities. Do the paperwork and get whatever liscences you require to give you the most freedom of movement and action. Concealed Carry permits, Private Investigators permits, Bounty Hunting Liscences . . . if any of these are available, get them. In any case, try to stay on the right side of the law as much as possible.
4) Base of operations. It's important that where you live and work out of have everything you need to fend off an incursion (mortal or otherwise) because, despite your best efforts, eventually something or someone will track you back to where you live.
5) Law Enforcement Officers. You need to be good to these guys, even ones who aren't your contacts. No matter how well you arm yourself, the police will always have you out gunned and out numbered. So wherever possible, don't antagonize them and comply with their requests. They are ultimately on the same side as us, even if they don't have a complete grasp of the situation.
Don't be afraid to take a few months getting all that taken care of before you begin active hunting. I didn't when I first came to DC and it almost ended up a disaster for me. Forunately an FBI agent who needed special help had heard of me, otherwise I probably would have ended up in prison . . . or back in the institution.
1) Geography. Spend a fair bit of time getting the lay of the land before you start active operations. Drive and walk down as many streets as you can. Try to develop an idea for what places in town you could turn to your advantage inf a fight and how to get there from the surrounding areas. This also applies to the social geography as well, learn what kind of people go where to do what.
2) Contacts. Make friendly contacts with a number of differnet people - especially people who see a lot of things. I'd suggest the bums, the hookers, the cops and the cabbies are probably the best for that. You'll also want to try to hook up with the local intellectual / crackpot types - they might have information or resources that could be handy.
3) Legalities. Do the paperwork and get whatever liscences you require to give you the most freedom of movement and action. Concealed Carry permits, Private Investigators permits, Bounty Hunting Liscences . . . if any of these are available, get them. In any case, try to stay on the right side of the law as much as possible.
4) Base of operations. It's important that where you live and work out of have everything you need to fend off an incursion (mortal or otherwise) because, despite your best efforts, eventually something or someone will track you back to where you live.
5) Law Enforcement Officers. You need to be good to these guys, even ones who aren't your contacts. No matter how well you arm yourself, the police will always have you out gunned and out numbered. So wherever possible, don't antagonize them and comply with their requests. They are ultimately on the same side as us, even if they don't have a complete grasp of the situation.
Don't be afraid to take a few months getting all that taken care of before you begin active hunting. I didn't when I first came to DC and it almost ended up a disaster for me. Forunately an FBI agent who needed special help had heard of me, otherwise I probably would have ended up in prison . . . or back in the institution.
I have already applied for the proper licenses. I am trying to make contact with the paranormal/magic community here, but seem to be having some difficulty find people willing to talk. The few that do tell me that it would be best if I did not go around making noise, but if I do to not bring trouble to them.
As for the city, I grew up just outside of the area so I am fairly familiar with the more well known parts of town. I am trying hard to become more familiar with the rest of the city and the boroughs around it.
As for the city, I grew up just outside of the area so I am fairly familiar with the more well known parts of town. I am trying hard to become more familiar with the rest of the city and the boroughs around it.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
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Shang Li
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 1:42 pm
- Location: Nowhere, Everywhere, I am unsure how to explain it
As much as you may dislike those that traffick with "the supernatural", I would strongly reccomend keeping good terms with the local clergy of various faiths, many people feel much more comfortable talking to a clergyman than an investigator - often priests have more pieces of teh puzzle than most give them credit for, and if you are honestly trying to help those they wish to protect they can be teh staunchest of allies.
If you do not befriend them, at least try not to make yourself their enemies - the devout often listen to them, and are more likely to belive their eyes than most. (Many men of the cloth still hold great sway over how people of the same faith in the area view someone.)
If you do not befriend them, at least try not to make yourself their enemies - the devout often listen to them, and are more likely to belive their eyes than most. (Many men of the cloth still hold great sway over how people of the same faith in the area view someone.)
Understanding, is not a thing that comes swiftly, but rather in stages, a journey that once begun, must be seen to it's end.
I think I will stay neutral on the religious front. I am not looking to create enemies of those who believe they are working for good, even if I do not share their belief.
On the exploring front, I believe that there is something wrong here in the city. At daytime everything looks fine, but at night there are parts of town that seem somehow darker than they should be.
On the exploring front, I believe that there is something wrong here in the city. At daytime everything looks fine, but at night there are parts of town that seem somehow darker than they should be.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
