merc looking for work

[maxcalvert]

I've recently wrapped up my last assignment. I now find myself free to start a new project. I specialize in protection but have found the best defense is a swift and violent offense. I do the dirty work and don't mind getting wet. completely discreet and reliable. No target too big or small (or weird).
I'm the best at what I do.

[Grace]

Don't expect a warm reception here.

But I don't imagine that's what you're looking for in any case.

Work is to be had here a plenty, despite what some might tell you.

Happy hunting.

[maxcalvert]

Thanks for the reply Nemesis. I've been involved with a nonpaying gig on Long Island. I did some snooping around the Brookhaven National Lab for an old friend. There is something seriously wrong going on in there. I'll be posting updates here because I'm worried and in need of help. My associate did some scouting, by very unconventional means, and ever since she's had the feeling that she was followed and is now being stalked. We know there are entities that can track an astral projection and we take precautions but this is something new and in the employ of the Feds.

[skeptic]

I'd stick to watching baseball.
Then I'd see someone about that delusional paranoia if it doesn't subside on its own.
I always willing to help people out with that.

[mrloucifer]

I specialize in protection but have found the best defense is a swift and violent offense.

A man after me own heart!

[Grace]

Well Maxcalvert,

I think your first mistake was having a friend, old or not.

The second one was taking a non-paying job.

But what's done is done and you need help with your current prediciment it seems. It seems that you already have a fair bit of experience with this sort of stuff where as I am still fairly wet behind the ears. So there isn't a whole lot of help I can offer you. That having been said, I think there are those here who will be able to assist.

And the fact that you have friends and do non-paying gigs may actually help you get that assistance.

[maxcalvert]

Father Mark is a member of the Vatican Intelligence Service. Besides his normal parish duties he is charged with observing, what in his reports he calls, spatial anomaly 16. Growing up we called it Lake Ronkonkoma. Legends say it is haunted by the murdering spririt of a Native American princess and is bottomless. As children we found both rumours to be true. It is a place of power, a nexus point where dragon tracks meet. When the kindly priest gave us a copy of "Worlds Within Worlds" we became forever in his debt. He recently told me that for the past six years scientists from the Brookhaven National Lab have been conducting their own experiments at the lake. It seems like everyone living in the suburbs around the lab have strange stories about the place or the staff that works there. The most publicized was a ufo crash in the nearby Southhaven park. Anyone in the area that finds themself in trouble or desperate, the Werthheim National Wildlife Refuge is a safe zone. For reasons I'll explain later the lab's agents and their minions will NOT enter the refuge. We know some of the research and security measures at BNL are arcane in nature. We know the feds there are in league with diabolic forces. We know the scientists there have access to a particle accelerator that can recreate the conditions that existed a nanosecond after the creation of the universe. What we don't know is, what are they doing?

[Jason Prosek]

Max,

Are you OK? This is Casey Topaz. I saw your "porn star name" and at first

thought it was a coincidence but when I read your post I knew it was you.

What happened? I thought that after all we'd been through that all of us

would have been freinds forever. I still wake up screaming. Who would

understand that but you and the rest of our band? As soon as that

summer ended and we began to feel safe we all went our seperate ways.

What happened? I'm NYPD now. There is a group of us in the department

that have experienced "the weird" either on the job or before they joined.

We've created a network and we monitor this site and others and try to help

when we can. Can we help you? We're not supposed to post on these sites

so lets communicate through Father Mark. I'll never forget how you saved

us or the price you paid to do so.

[maxcalvert]

We didn't remain freinds because we would have been a constant reminder, to each other, of what we'd done and what was done to us. We needed to try to forget because there was alot more horror than heroism. I married Nancy's little sister. She is my "associate" and has the same abilities Nancy did. It must be genetic. My wife's in a coma now. Against my wishes she went astral scouting and hasn't returned. Father Mark is missing. I've been sleeping in the refuge.

That summer when we went to the Poospatuck reservation to stay with that shaman do you remember his stories about the Trickster Raven? The Native American scout for Major Tallmadge during the battle of Fort St. George in 1780? The guide and body guard for President Washington when he toured L.I.? The man (?) that out witted satan in a fishing contest? I'VE TALKED TO HIM. He watches over me as I sleep!

I've learned alot from the lab staff. Project PHOBOS has created a microscopic but stable worm hole. They are receiving radio signals through it from an interdemensional empire. Get this, these aliens can speak English they call it trade language #4. The scientists are trying to create an artificial rift, using a combination of magic and technology, that will allow these aliens to enter our demension. What the hell is a splugorth?

God I miss you guys and thanks for the offer of help. Meet me where Rocky Hanson died 7:00pm Fri.

[Ron Caliburn]

Hang on there max . . . you said your wife is in a coma after using some of her psychic abilities? A poster on here named Eilonwy wound up in a similart state this summer.

I'm wondering if the cases are related.

[skeptic]

Please tell me real medical doctors checked her out?

[maxcalvert]

Hey Casey, I still have Sting. Did I ever tell you that my father bought it at a garage sale for $5? He used it as a machete when we went camping or hunting. I found out it's a bayonet from a 1917 Lee Enfield bolt action rifle. The Enfeild was the main battle rifle for the British army during both world wars. If you can find a bayonet for one buy it; there's a good chance it's enchanted like mine. I guess there was alot more going on during those conflicts than Sister Rose Mary taught us. That five dollar blade saved our lives and has been the tool I've been using to make my living.

In the coming battle I do not think Sting will be a sufficient weapon.

There are various places where caches of enchanted objects are kept. Wealthy private collectors, religious orders, and even a few large corporations have an impressive array of these items. Most don't even know what they have. One of the largest of these collections can be found at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art. The Met had something I need so I took it. Comparing it to Sting is like comparing a howitzer to a pen knife! Thanks for the police scanner!

My wife's astral form and Father Mark are are being kept hostage at the lab. They're being kept alive as insurance in case I prove more resourceful than expected.

The Feds at BNL are monitoring this site so,

To my foes, you have no Idea what is in store for you.
I'm the best at what I do and what I do is destroy evil.
The time for hiding and stalking in the shadows is over.
Like a cyclone of pain and death I will tear your fortress apart.
When I come, if you want to live DO NOT LOOK AT ME!
Avert your eyes because if you gaze upon me you will be destroyed.
I will bring a spear of light into your abyssal pit like an avenging angel.
SHIELDING YOUR EYES AND RETURNING TO ME MY LOVED ONES IS YOUR ONLY CHANCE OF SURVIVING THE COMING STORM.

[Sheyblade]

Well, that was a little dramatic.

[DarKnyht]

:roll:

Well, that was a little dramatic.

I think he might be wound just a little too tight. But then from the sounds of it he just might been under some stress.

Perhaps a good shrink and some anger management classes?

[Natasha]

Too bad skeptic's busy with Glen.

[Shadowstalker]

Could see if Dedunker has some free time? Thou not sure if that would be a good Idea, for several reasons.

[alpha wolf]

I've heard of the splugorth and I think it's
as important that you shut down project phobos as rescue
your wife. If you survive please post all you know about
Trickster Raven.

[alpha wolf]

Max I found your story interesting so I did some research. Click on a topic to see what I discovered.
Southaven park ufo crash
Lake Ronkonkoma
Battle of Fort St. George
Brookhaven National Lab and project PHOBOS
Poospatuck Reservation
Wertheim wildlife refuge
Much rings true but I can not find any info on Trickster Raven.

[maxcalvert]

Yes I'm alive Mr Wolf and trust me project PHOBOS has been shut down. By the way the doctors say my wife and unborn son are going to be fine.

Trickster Raven helped me get that item from the Met and even though he ended up taking it from me once I saved my wife (he claimed that the fetish mask was stolen from him long ago) I still feel I owe him quite a bit.

I don't know much more about him than what I've posted. I can say he's a real wise ass and that he told me I could expect to be contacted by you.

[Lord Shakar]

It is good that Project PHOBOS was shut down. I have dealt many times with Minions of the Splugorth, Nasty fuckers all of them. Slavers to the core as well. You did this realm a great service. They are a threat equal to the Ba'al in my experiences.

[alpha wolf]

One day I saw Raven strip naked and paint himself green.
He put on a hat , one half red and the other blue.
He walked down the road.
When he got to the end he turned himself around,
took his hat and turned it around and proceeded back down the road the way he came.

In the evening, when the farmers from the fields went into the village tavern
they said "Did you see that lunatic with a blue hat?" and others said
"No it was a red hat." When a bar fight breaks out and Raven
is hysterical in the corner I ask him "Why did you do that?"
He said "Spreading strife is my greatest joy."

Do you expect to see him again?
Where did you last see him?
What else did he say about me?
Please post anything you know.
I'm willing to pay handsomely.

[maxcalvert]

I'm now retired. I've been a monster hunter for twenty years and I'll be a father soon. It would take a hell of alot of cash for me to put myself in the middle of a feud between two mysterious supernatural beings. I think the only reason Raven helped me was to get his hands on that mask so I doubt he'll contact me again. He really didn't say anything about you and it sounds like you know more about him than I do.

[alpha wolf]

Private message me with your account info. I'll deposit $50,000. You post anything you know about Raven. Friday, 12:00 noon, you meet me at the southern entrance to the wildlife refuge and show me the last place you saw him and I give you another $50,000.

[maxcalvert]

Everyone on the reservation called him grandpa. We called him the shaman. First he told us Raven's father was not a tribe member. When he asked his mother "who is my father?" she would answer "the spirit of the hungry woods made flesh". She was always given the utmost respect and Raven was treated like a prince by the entire tribe. This was before the Europeans came to Long Island.

Shaman's first story:
Raven's people would build pens and farm trout in the Carmans river. These pens were not visible from the paths along the river. Raven was fishing and throwing his catch into a pen. He was boasting about his fishing prowess when someone appeared. The stranger was richly garbed and handsome but radiated a chilling feeling of evil. The villagers fled leaving Raven alone with the handsome stranger who says "I heard you say no one could out fish you yet I see no catch nearby". "I'm the best trout catcher ever born and I'm willing to prove it" says Raven. After some negotiation they decide to bet on who can catch a fish first. Winner becomes master and loser his slave! Raven knowing where the pen, packed full of hungry trout, is figures he can't lose. When he looks for a worm to bait his bone hook he sees the stranger has commanded all the crawling and slithering creatures to come to him leaving our hero with none. The stranger plucks a fat nightcrawler from the pile of bugs beside him and begins to fish. Knowing his adversary could catch a fish at any moment Raven frantically searches for something to use as bait with no success. Desperate Raven pulls out his knife, cuts off his ear, slices it into pieces and sets his hook with one. The malevolent one's laughter abruptly stops when seconds after his line is in the river Raven pulls out a trout. That's how Raven gains the servitude of a demon prince.

Shaman's second story:
Fort St. George was located at the mouth of the Carmans river. The British soldiers there were very cruel to Raven's people. Raven is a constant thorn in their side. He eventually led Major Tallmadge and his colonial dragoons on a raid of the fort that put an end to English occupation of Long Island. As he's guiding the colonials he makes a deal with the Major. If he can get his men to the fort and back without a loss Raven would get any slaves captured during the raid instead of the standard scout's fee. When they arrive they find the fort well defended and impossible to take without a costly frontal assault. Raven ends up disguising himself as a woman and playing a flute to gain entry to the fort. Ravens music gets the red coats singing, dancing and drinking. Eventually all the Brits are incapacitated and Raven lets in the colonials to only Minor resistance.
On the way back to the boats the Major orders a second even riskier raid to destroy all the British forage on the island. Strategically it will be a much bigger blow to the king's forces than even the taking of the fort and capture of the garrison. There are many mounted soldiers and guard dogs protecting the hay filled barns. Raven tells Tallmadge to hide his men and prisoners and wait for his return. A short time later Raven returns and points to the hay depot fully ablaze. "How did you accomplish this without rousing a single sentry?" Tallmadge asks. Raven just winks leads the colonials to their boats, takes the slaves and makes them all members of his tribe.

Shaman's third story:
After receiving a recommendation from Tallmadge, Raven is hired to escort President Washington's entourage on a tour of Long Island. When they first meet, Washington praises him for his part in the attack of Fort St. George and the following raid on Coram. Raven extolls Washington's military genius saying his brilliance was in knowing that as long as he could hold his army together the British could not win the war. Even being so bold and clever as to letting the Kings forces take the capitol city of Philadelphia in order to keep his troops intact. Washington remarks that the politicians gave him hell for making that decision. It was a form of warfare he had learned from natives like him and that time had proven it to be the correct tactic.
During the tour Raven challenges the first president to an arm wrestling match, then a marksmanship contest and last to a horse race. Washington graciously refuses to participate. One day on the trail the group is set upon by brigands. In the ensuing melee Washington manages to out shoot, out ride and out fight Raven but the bandits are still able to ride off with one of the retinue's women. Raven tells them to make camp for the night. In the morning he returns with the young lady. That's how Raven gained a pledge of debt from George Washington.

Raven looked like a thirtysomething Native American. He's not physically imposing but comes across as very intelligent and is incredibly cunning. The mask we took from the Met enables him to look like anybody he wants or creates a horrible visage that causes anyone that looks upon it to burst into flames! I don't think it's the only magic item he owns. He associates with and/or controls several powerful and evil superatural beings. I don't think he's evil but he doesn't seem to mind utilizing evil if it serves his purpose.
I'll see you Friday.

[Raven the trickster]

Alejandro, mi lobo loco.

Are not these astounding times we find ourselves in?

Man has walked on the moon. They've got robots on mars.

Humans now live to 100 years of age with instant global communication and

infinite information at their fingertips.

What a perfect time and setting as backdrop to our next great adventure.

We need to join forces once more.

Our enemies are gaining power again. I'm sure you've seen the signs.

It's the same group we fought 64 years ago.

This time their organization is smaller and stealthier

but their goals remain the same.

I'm putting a team together, starting with our soldier for hire.

He may not be the best but he is very good at what he does.

I have others in mind I'd like to introduce you to.

I'm hoping you'll join us.

[Grace]

That's all well and good, Mr. Trickster Raven.

But what's the pay like?

[maxcalvert]

Kid, do you really want to get involved with an insane demigod and a werewolf pack leader? To them humans are just pawns, believe me there are easier ways to make a buck. After speaking to them I do believe they know about a great threat to mankind and that's why I'm delaying my retirement. They told me that just like Victor Lazlo supposed in his books, long ago magic energy was much stronger than today. A group known as the Thule society have a theory that if enough people are killed quickly this will flood the ley lines to a point where Earth will return to those days of intense magical energy. This secret society supposedly started both world wars in an attempt to trigger this cataclysm. Today, when an atomic bomb can fit in a brief-case, this group of evil sorceres don't need armies in order to kill millions.

[Grace]

Kid?

Seriously?

You just called me kid?

Patronizing attitude aside, I doubt that many here are exactly as they portray themselves. In the same vein, some are not always as others portray them.

So maybe we're dealing with an insane demi-deity and were-creature pack leader as you say. Or maybe not. And maybe you're the benevelant helper you seem to be.

Or maybe not.

But still, I would be interested in hearing /exactly/ what the potential client wants done. And if it sounds worthwhile, I'll be just as cursious to hear how much they're willing to pay to see it happen.

I'm not taking contracts on my own kind anymore but monsters are still definitely fair game. And surprisingly lucrative.

[Lord Shakar]

Kid, do you really want to get involved with an insane demigod and a werewolf pack leader? To them humans are just pawns, believe me there are easier ways to make a buck. After speaking to them I do believe they know about a great threat to mankind and that's why I'm delaying my retirement. They told me that just like Victor Lazlo supposed in his books, long ago magic energy was much stronger than today. A group known as the Thule society have a theory that if enough people are killed quickly this will flood the ley lines to a point where Earth will return to those days of intense magical energy. This secret society supposedly started both world wars in an attempt to trigger this cataclysm. Today, when an atomic bomb can fit in a brief-case, this group of evil sorceres don't need armies in order to kill millions.

Hmmm This means I may have to step in as well. I do not like it when things threaten this world.

[alpha wolf]

makadewa wagosh,
It was good to finally see you again after all this time.
I spoke to my people and after much debate they have
decided to remain neutral. I, of course, will stand with you.
The bruja did agree to join us. We questioned the "misfits"
and you should've seen how intimidating that bitch can be.
They confirmed your suspicions.
I'm glad you've stopped your mysterious game playing,
if only temporarily.
Alejandro