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Post by W.I. Constantine on Dec 3, 2013 1:12:21 GMT -5
It appears we may have a new group that is searching for the same artifacts we are. I do not know what their purpose is, but I can only imagine what their powers might do in the wrong hands. We must find out all we can about this new group chapelofheavenlyguidance.org/index.html -W
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Dec 3, 2013 1:06:59 GMT -5
Pastor Dan Vega... very curious. I certainly hope that no one else comes into contact with dangerous artifacts. His group has always been very secretive.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Dec 1, 2013 16:45:07 GMT -5
After careful review, I believe I have been able to piece together the events that occurred during the investigation, “The Fall of the Minoans.”
It came to my attention that a posting on Shane Tyree's Art Studio page connected to a recently deceased former acquaintance, Professor Charleston Winters. Although he seems to have been a bit of an Indiana Jones, scouring the world for archaeological treasures, his expertise was in the history of Ancient Greece. However, I believe that was a cover story he used as an agent employed by the Esoteric Order of Dagon, who tasked him with finding powerful, ancient artifacts.
At the time of the Facebook posting, his granddaughter, Miss Cassandra Lakatos, was in London, helping to resolve his estate. While packing books in his study, she discovered a piece of an old map. My investigators directed her to search the room in the hopes of finding anything that might be related to her grandfather’s research or the deity Dagon. Soon afterwards, she discovered an envelope in the desk that contained a letter to her from her grandfather, a silver key, and a couple dozen pages torn out of a journal.
Professor Charleston Winters was inordinately fond of puzzles and ciphers and seemed to have a touch of paranoia. The letter indicated that Miss Lakatos needed to use the journal pages to find a box that he hid. The first major clue was a book cipher created from a copy of “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman found in the professor’s library (copyright 1922 from The Modern Student’s Library American Division, Charles Scribner’s Sons; available to investigators at the Google Play store online). Investigators managed to decipher the message, which read “Retrieve box at Silver Key Storage and Security.”
When Miss Lakatos called Silver Key Storage and Security, she was told that the company required copious amounts of paperwork for them to be able to provide her with the unit number. While investigators worked to crack the next clue from the journal pages, someone tried to break into Silver Key Storage and Security. Although nothing was taken, this break-in attempt seemed to indicate that the Esoteric Order of Dagon knew about the box’s location and that Miss Lakatos could be in grave danger. Fortunately, the investigators were able to figure out the answer to a chess-related puzzle involving a famous match that Lord Dunsany played in 1929. After determining which squares on the chessboard related to the each clue given, the investigators then alphabetized the answers (A4, C6, E4, G5) to provide Miss Lakatos the correct unit number (4645) to retrieve the box. Using the silver-colored key from the envelope to open the unit, she found only a single wooden box, carved with ivy leaves and vines.
During her journey home, Miss Lakatos was attacked (fortunately escaping unscathed). When she finally returned to her grandfather’s place, Miss Lakatos found a note on the door: "Hand everything over or else. - The Esoteric Order of Dagon." Concerned for her safety, I urged her and the investigators to turn the box over to me for safekeeping. The field investigators decided to forge ahead, however, in the hopes that something in the box could protect Miss Lakatos. By following a leaf clue on another journal page, investigators were able to determine that the word “DOOM” converted to the number “3442” by matching the numbers 0-9 with the corresponding letters in the alphabet (A=0, B=1, J=9, K=0, L=1, etc.).
Inside the box was another letter to Miss Lakatos, the other half of the map piece, a stunning star sapphire, and a number of mysterious coins. On the back of the map, the following words were written, “He is above. He is below. The stars sleep. He rises. IA. IA. Cthulhu comes.”
The origin of the sapphire is rather questionable - the professor’s research seems to indicate that the gem in question has its origin in Greek legends, beginning with the story of Prometheus. From there, the professor traced the sapphire to a Minoan temple (to Dagon), where it was stolen, allegedly bringing about the destruction of that island when it disappeared. There is a bit of a gap in this supposed history, but Professor Winters seemed to believe that Helen of Troy wore the gem and, after the fall of Troy, it found its way to the Oracle at Delphi. From there, the star sapphire disappears from historical tales. Could Professor Winters have found this theoretically “protective” sapphire during one of his expeditions to Greece? It is possible, I suppose. However, his notes seem to indicate that he was trying to tie this gem to the Star of India sapphire, donated to the Smithsonian by J.P. Morgan. The professor insinuates that the mythical sapphire was switched with a similar gem during a theft in 1964 and the swapped stone was the one returned to the Smithsonian. This is nonsense, of course. I believe he made up this far-fetched theory to increase the value of the gem in his possession. “Named” jewels with interesting origins tend to have a higher value than ordinary gems, and it seems likely that an immoral treasure hunter like him would fabricate these types of tales to boost his profit.
As for the coins, Miss Lakatos had found a picture of one of them in the professor’s belongings with the word “Cursed” written on it. Investigators believe that the coins were from the city of Sarnath, but there is little to indicate proof of that.
Still, the Order of Dagon appears to want these items, and I worry about leaving them in Miss Lakatos’s hands. Although a few investigators agree with me, the majority advised Miss Lakatos to hide the box and protect the contents per her grandfather’s wishes. Miss Lakatos then took the wooden box and its contents to an unknown location, where she plans to remain until she decides where to hide it permanently. While I still don’t agree with my investigators’ recommendation, I must trust that they made the best decision for Miss Lakatos and the artifacts. Fortunately, no harms seems to have come to her yet, as Miss Lakatos recently resurfaced to let investigators know that she is still safe. I can only hope that the Esoteric Order of Dagon doesn’t find Miss Lakatos and that she remains unharmed, wherever she is.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 20, 2013 17:17:08 GMT -5
It seems that some of you have chosen not to keep me informed, and now a woman's life is in danger. I urge you to tell her to send whatever she has found to me for safekeeping.
W.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 18, 2013 21:16:49 GMT -5
I never said he was my friend. I knew the professor a long time ago and believe he was linked to the Order of Dagon. I don't know whether he was a disciple or just worked for them, but he was a very dangerous man.
W.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 18, 2013 12:46:26 GMT -5
No, I was not acquainted with a Mr. Lakatos, but I do believe I knew her grandfather.
You now appear to be on the right track. Please keep me informed if anything interesting turns up in the study.
W.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 18, 2013 11:40:03 GMT -5
Investigators,
I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed in you. A new lead appeared last night on Shane Tyree's Art Studio page and yet not one of you has uncovered it. Ah well, I suppose I must get involved now.
If you choose to join this case, please investigate one of the recent postings on Shane Tyree's Art Studio page. I believe I recognize a connection there to someone from my past.
Good luck,
W.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 17, 2013 1:05:49 GMT -5
It is with a certain melancholy that I find myself writing of the successful return of the artifact simply known as "The Orb" to the Whateley Collection.
Several months ago during a break-in the object was among several items reported stolen. Shortly thereafter whispers of its resurfacing as the prize in a card game of some ill repute came to me. All attempts to reclaim The Orb failed, however several clues made themselves abundantly clear, the foremost of those being that the new possessor of The Orb was not a local resident of our fair state.
Going on what little information I had, I contacted my old friend and colleague, Mr. Seamus McMann of Chicago, formerly of Providence. In my previous experience with him, I had come to know him as an investigator of singular determination.
Even before arriving back in Providence, Mr. McMann reached out to members of the investigative group that has been courageous enough to offer their support to the Whateley Collection. Through correspondence and piecing together bits of facts and hearsay surrounding the case at hand, he was able to ascertain that the primary suspect in the case was one, Mr. Angus Campbell, lead technician for the rock and roll band, ZZ Top.
As confirmed by investigators and witnesses alike, Mr. Campbell's vices were many, but none less so than his appetite for high stakes games of chance. Despite Providence being a respectable community with strict gambling laws and regulations, or maybe in the face of those rules, Mr. Campbell had been a repeat participant in an ongoing illegal poker game being run out of the home formerly home to Mr. Robert Ianiero, an associate of Edward "Eddy" C. Lato a local street tough with connections to organized crime. Thanks to the impressive investigative skills of Mr. Aaron Canney, Mr. McMann found himself on the doorstep of the former Ianiero residence where on the night of November 15, 2013, a repeat performance of the original illicit game was to play out. This time fate was not with Campbell and after a scuffle, The Orb was rested from his control.
The events that happened next are not entirely clear, but it would appear that either succumbing to the stress of the case possibly in combination with a highly toxic psychtropic drug thrown in his face by the fiend, Angus Campbell, that Mr. McMann ran off with the object. It was only through the caring actions of the investigative team's very own Ms. Lisa Kruse that his location was identified and both The Orb and Mr. McMann were found safe at The Curatorium on 197 Wickenden Street.
Unfortunately there was a struggle with Mr. McMann during his rescue that caused us to delve deeper into the cause for his psychosis. Be assured that I will spare no expense to see that this brave soul makes a full recovery. He is currently receiving the very best in psychiatric care at Arkham Sanatorium.
In addition, and due to his heroic actions, I am in the process of establishing a foundation under his name hereafter known as The Seamus McMann Foundation for Wayward Youth. As chairman of the foundation I will ensure that youths who would otherwise drive them towards the wrong side of the law will always have a place to go to channel their creative inclinations.
W.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 14, 2013 21:21:29 GMT -5
Time is quickly winding down until we begin our foray. I would like to get a list of all those who will be accompanying me tonight.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 14, 2013 8:54:53 GMT -5
Ladies and gentlemen,
I cannot thank you enough for your assistance with these dreadful matters. Alas, I must ask you to find the courage to help me see this matter closed.
Several investigators have been lead believe that Dr. Samuel Leif is currently with the late Dr. Simon Rance. Considering the fact that Dr. Rance is resting in his family's mausoleum within Woodlawn Cemetery, I propose we visit Dr. Rance in the hopes of finding Dr. Leif.
We must be very careful as the murderer may be aware of Dr. Leif's hiding place, and there may be more to this missing urn than originally thought. Investigators have discovered connections that point towards Nyarlathotep's involvement. I've done some research in an attempt to connect Nyarlathotep to this case and came across a reference to an urn gifted to Queen Nefertari by an unknown Pharaoh. The short passage I found warns against the drums and piping sounds that emanate from the urn and of a curse to be unleashed when the parts of the thirteen become one.
Any who wish to join me in this venture can meet me here tonight at 10pm est.
Best Wishes,
W.I. Constantine
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 7, 2013 16:47:55 GMT -5
"...And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche "What is an ARG"An ARG (Altered or Alternate Reality Game) is a game played in the real world using all manner of different media. Fake news articles, blog posts, social media accounts, just to name a few. They allow the players to immerse themselves through suspension of belief as they hunt for clues, or take part in fictional events. "How do I participate?"
For this particular ARG all you need to do is reach out to the Mr. Weatherford Constantine. His email is as follows: w.i.constantine@gmail.comExpress your interest in playing, and you will receive your instructions to begin. "How will I know I'm on the right track?"Clues are like leaves. They move, then settle, and sometimes they are buried. But in this case, when you have found something of note. There will be a leaf present. Either textually, or perhaps hidden in an image. Every investigation will reach a point where Mr. Constantine must become involved, or at least his surrogates. So that your progress can be tracked. Feel free to ask for help, and guidance. Just don't expect to always be given the truth. After all what fun would that be? When you have found the goal of an investigation, it will bear a particular symbol. Always the same one, either hidden or plainly visible somewhere in the media in which it has been found. This will both tell the good people helping run the game that the objective has been uncovered (thus unlocking an investigatorial stretch goal) or tell you the date to be watching for The Chosen pledge level to become available. "What's all this about?"This is all tied to the upcoming Kickstarter from Shane Tyree. It will be revealed shortly. In the meantime the preview we've been running is just to show you all how interesting and fun this can be. "What if I am still lost?" In that case dear investigator fear not. Simply email the Whateley House Service Desk for assistance. Our friendly staff will be there, 24/7 to assist you here: whateleyservicedesk@gmail.com
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 7, 2013 2:02:10 GMT -5
Thank you Ryan. Most helpful.
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Post by W.I. Constantine on Nov 7, 2013 1:59:26 GMT -5
My Dear Lucian,
I was wrong. The translation does not read "...He is awakening (rising from sleep)."
It reads rather. "He is awake."
I am off to find a drink, and hopefully sleep.
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