[Nexus] MURDER II: Actual Levels of Murder May Vary

[Rotting Baron]

MURDER

Mysterious Unscrupulous Reconnaissance, Dispatching, Espionage, and Ruination

This relatively young organization’s location is unknown by most, but its members know it to be from two to three kilometers underneath the East Side of Riverside. Specifically, underneath a very normal looking bar. However, it’s said if you either order the exactly correct drink, or are already a member, you will be allowed into the base proper. It is carved straight into the bedrock beneath the bar’s foundation.

MURDER is an establishment for the more illicit and/or gruesome actions that people may wish carried out. Supplies are low, but talent is high. Expect precision out of your contract.

Current Contracts

Spoiler

Riv: Kill or maim.
Ivaz and Zavi Erizo: Sever the life-bond between them. (taken by Sarah Bloodchanter.)
An unnamed group of thespians: Kill.
Eon: Capture or kill. Leave no witnesses.
Magtok: Poison four of his clones.
Sornolu Xar'Cha: Kill.
T'rissylene B'xarenef: Kill.

Rules of Membership

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1. There are three steps to becoming a member of MURDER. The first is an interview with the current leader (the Operative.) Second, a test of the potential member’s worth. It’s rather open-ended, but the leader is encouraged to think of an appropriate test. If both are completed to the current leader’s satisfaction, the final step is simply to fill out a membership form.

2. A member may not attack another member for any reason, inside and outside base premises. Doing so is grounds for immediate, permanent, and irreversible dismissal.

3. Intentionally interfering with a contract is grounds for temporary dismissal, or another appropriate punishment.

4. All members of MURDER must contribute to the organization’s assets somehow. Members aren’t expected to go on every contract, but they will not loiter, either. Making weapons, training with other members, making repairs, etc., are all acceptable. (Note: This rule will be more lax in an absence of contracts.)

5. Revealing any information regarding MURDER, its members, or any contracts, to a non-member, is grounds for immediate dismissal.

6. Members are encouraged to work together to complete a contract. Any member who assists another for such a purpose will be rewarded appropriately.

7. Before making an attempt on a contract, a member must present sufficient information on the target, as well as a sufficient plan for the contract, to the current leader.

8. Dismissed members may appeal to have their dismissal reversed (except in violation of Rule #2.) Success requires such a member to get the current leader’s approval, and for them to complete a contract.
Members who voluntarily left may rejoin at any time, with the current leader‘s approval.

Rules of Contracts

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1. Contracts cannot be made against members of MURDER. That said, you cannot become a member to avoid a contract against you.

2. MURDER reserves the right to reject your contract for any reason. We also reserve the right to not disclose this reason.

3. Contracts are for black ops - capture, theft, interrogation, assassination, and the like. If your contract does not follow this guideline, it will be rejected.

4. Generally, money is not an acceptable payment for a contract (except in very high amounts.) Favors, artifacts, or something of importance to the employer are preferable.

5. Payments must be in advance and in full.

6. Refunds are not given, except upon situations that make the contract impossible to complete.

7. Accepted contracts are active until either completion, or termination by the employer or the current leader.

8. Time limits may not be imposed upon contracts.

9. Making any attempt at espionage will result in the termination of your contract. You will not be informed of this, nor will you be subject to a refund.

Membership Form

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Name:
Age:
Gender:
Species:
Specialization:
Power Source:
Other Important Information:

OOC Notes & Rules

Spoiler

1. Don’t destroy the place or cause something similar (such as a permanent time freeze) unless it‘s part of an epic plot, and you‘ve ran it by me. Damaging the place is perfectly fine, but complete destruction tends to take all fun away from the other players.

2. No godmoding/godmodding. We all make mistakes, but repeated offenses fall under the realm of “not cool.”

3. Please try and keep posts over one or two lines of speech. Description is welcome. One-or-two liners that are mostly inconsequential are okay sometimes, just not all the time.

4. If you want random, lulzy stuff, this is absolutely not the place. Take that crap somewhere else. That said, silliness that is in moderation, well-role played, and considerate of other players, is absolutely welcome.

5. Romance/Fanservice is acceptable here, but always remember to curtain when you get past cuddling.

6. MURDER isn’t readily available knowledge. Most people don’t know of its existence, but anyone who has shady connections or questionable morals will know where it is and how to get there. PC’s shouldn’t have trouble getting to the place.

7. Assassinations are tricky, for IC and OoC reasons. If you want another player’s character dead, I will run it by that player via PM. If they’re okay with it, then all is well. If they’re not, then it’s not happening, and please don’t try again.

8. Until further notice, I will be starting all future MURDER threads. So, when we reach that 50-page mark, I ask that nobody start a new thread. However, helping me with a witty subtitle is more than welcome.

The Building

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There are several hidden cameras and sound recorders in almost every room of MURDER. Can’t be too careful, after all.

(The Front - Ground level)

Spoiler

The front for MURDER is a bar. Surprisingly, this bar has gotten somewhat popular, though nowhere near Trog’s or BDD levels. The bartender is a MURDER employee, and allows people into the base if they know how to get in. The cellar of the tavern also houses the entrance to MURDER - an elevator, called up by the bartender or from below. This elevator travels down exceedingly fast, and in about a minute, any passengers will find themselves at the first floor.

(First Floor - 2 km underground)

Spoiler

Main Room
MURDER’s main room is more of a lobby than anything. It’s the first thing someone will see upon exiting the elevator. It is hexagonal in shape, with a center desk, a few chairs, and no TV. (wot wot?!) There are several sliding doors on each wall, each of them leading to a different room, except the one across from the elevator, which leads to another, similar elevator. That one accesses all the other floors of MURDER.

Briefing Room
This, overall, is about what one might expect from a briefing room. There’s a long, rectangular table, with two dozen comfy chairs laid around it. The center of the table houses a neat and perfectly functional hologram projector, that doubles as a communications device.

The Operative’s Office
Actually the current leader’s office, but as long as the Operative’s leader, it’s his office. There’s a small desk, two chairs, and an empty bookshelf against the back wall. It will presumably contain all of MURDER’s immediate paperwork in the future, but it also hides a secret entrance to the Operative’s personal quarters.

Archives
This room is rather small. It houses four bookshelves, and two computers. This is where all of MURDER’s backlog is stored, including completed contracts, information relevant to said contracts, and all membership forms. It is kept under lock and key at all times.

Quiet Room
Sometimes, a client will want to have a bit of privacy. The Quiet Room is for that. It is completely sealed from the outside, and there is only one surveillance device - a tape recorder. Only two people in MURDER are allowed to access this recorder - the current leader, and whomever is most relevant to the contract (sometimes also the current leader.)

(Second Floor - 2.25 km underground)

Spoiler

(Note: From the second floor down, all rooms and such are connected by hallways, rather than a central room.)

Kitchen
This professional-grade kitchen doubles as a dining room. There’s food, and it varies in tastiness. There are also several tables where people can sit and eat said food, in an area separated from the actual kitchen by a half-wall.

Barracks
As of now, there are thirty rooms in the Barracks, although there seems to be plenty of space to expand and build more rooms in. The rooms are arranged in three rows of ten, with five on each side. Each room is spacious, but clearly built for one person. There’s a bed, a desk, a dresser, and a bathroom with a toilet and sink. Members are allowed to refurbish their room as they desire. Each room’s doors are fitted with a keypad lock. Members are allowed to change the codes for that lock, but must tell the current leader that code.

Recreational Area
First and foremost: This is where the TV is. And it’s a pretty nice TV, too. Other than that, though, this rather spacious room contains several tables that might be used for cards or other such games, a few dartboards, a pool/billiards table, and numerous other items that other people can think of. There’s even a mini-bar! (Empty, right now.) Seems the Operative knew the importance of relaxation when he had the place built.

Showers
Public, and coed. There are cubicles, though, and curtains can be drawn across them by more shy members.

(Third Floor - 2.5 km underground)

Spoiler

Armory
Now with a number of energy-based weapons and a few sets of armor, as well as three conventional firearms and a selection of melee weapons. Members are encouraged to donate any non-personal weapons they either find or buy to the Armory.

Lab
For those members who like a scientific touch to their modus operandi. The lab is available to anyone who wishes to use it. The two main parts are a section for anything tech-related, and a chemist’s counter, mostly for making poisons.

Infirmary
Sometimes, people get injured. When this happens, they're taken to the infirmary. It’s fairly state-of-the-art, with a healthy stock of medical equipment, anti-toxins, and the like.

Training Room
Where members go to train, oddly enough. There are training dummies (most notably, a few Myrs, courtesy of Fade,) a firing range, and an obstacle course. A common method to test potential members is the assault course, a combination of a range and obstacle course.

(Fourth Floor - 2.75 km underground)

Spoiler

Garage
As of now, there are no vehicles in the garage. Members are encouraged to contribute to this. There is a tunnel that leads to the surface, large enough for any conventional vehicle.

Vaults
Storage for payments and collateral. Access is restricted to the current leader, and any who accompany them.

Security Cells
Occasionally, someone is about to be subject to MURDER’s particular brand of interrogation. These people are taken to a Security Cell. They are 15’ square, and contain a single gurney, which a prisoner is usually strapped to. The back wall has all manner of torture instruments attached to it, in a number and variety that would make Jigsaw cry. There are no surveillance devices in these cells, and people on the outside cannot look inside.

Tunnels
There is a network of tunnels branching from the Fourth Floor to the surface, mostly as an emergency exit. Members are issued with a map of the tunnels. They are encouraged to use it, as the tunnels are constructed as a maze, to detract pursuers or infiltrators. If one gets lost in the tunnels, survival will be rather difficult.

Defenses

Spoiler

-There are a few “wrong” drinks to order at the Front. Ordering any one of these will get you into the back of the front, but not into MURDER proper. Instead, you will be interrogated and likely killed. These drinks include the “Lament of Death,” the “House Brew,” and a Black Shadow.

-All entrances, which consist of the Front and all of the escape tunnels, can be sealed at a moment’s notice. The Front’s entrance will just look like a basement wall, and the tunnel entrances will look like the end of a cave.

- The second elevator is only operable by registered members and staff. If someone else tries to use it, the elevator is flooded with mustard gas, then fire.

-The entire base is under constant video and audio surveillance.

-Thanks to Teq's psionic dampener, all psions will find their powers either cancelled entirely, or severely impaired. This is particularly evident in attempts to read minds.

-Because of Fade's "Story Circle," teleportation in and out of the facility is impossible.

Current Assets

Spoiler

Members

Spoiler

The Operative (Founder & current leader) - Rotting Baron
Jane Doe (second-in-command) - Rotting Baron
Jasper Thorn (Investor) - ThirdEmporer
Peter Owersen Warsh - The Alexandrian
Fade - Zefir
Turiel Eseina - bladescape
Teq Vraal - Murkus
Kal'selthezaar - Kid Kris
Lars Malbren - ThirdEmporer
What Pumpkin - Lord Magtok
Sarah Bloodchanter - BladeofOblivion
Rael Kairos - C'nor

Employees

Spoiler

John Doe
John’s the bartender of MURDER’s front. He’s an NPC, playable by anyone. His loyalty to MURDER is unwavering, though, and he never leaves the base. He’s a burly, muscular man, practically covered in tattoos from the neck down.

Weapons

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Firearms
-1 CheyTac Intervention
-1 HK G36K
-1 HK MP7
-5 AK-47s
-3 HK416s
-1 M249
-3 Robinson Arnament XCRs
-1 Vepr
-2 Minebea PM-9s
-1 XM8 Rifle
-2 Mark 14 Enhanced Battle Rifles
-3 FN P90s

-Additional generic weapons to be added later.

Other
-Several energy-based weapons

Completed Contracts

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Marley - Fill three syringes with his blood. Completed by What Pumpkin.

Payments
All payments are stored in the Vaults.

Spoiler

-Two pieces of paper. Burning one will summon a demon to give a free Abyssal Pact (no pledging of your soul.) Stored in a Vault, awaiting completion of a contract.

-A stache of concentrated Time, which makes objects immortal and paralyzes people.

Previous threads

Spoiler

MURDER I: Causing Fear Since About Five Minutes Ago

[BladeofObliviom]

The Box of Doom

A sheet of parchment exits the box once again, this time in a crude font with rather atrocious spelling. It's obviously not the Heart of Iniquity himself writing this, but one of his servants.

Masster sayys AMMEN is fightin for ledershep. E taught yu shud kno.

The Front

Sarah strides back into the bar, looking quite a bit worse for wear. She's not wearing makeup (she never did...), and her hair looks a bit more disheveled than usual. She actually has somehow managed to look even paler than her usual self, and anyone familiar with the usual signs of such would be able to see that she's lost a lot of blood recently. All in all, probably unsurprising.

Anyway, she moves to sit at the bar, giving a subtle gesture to John Doe that she was here on business.

"I'll just have a drink. You know the one."

[Rotting Baron]

[Box o' Doom]

The response, from the Operative this time around, is thus:

Tell your master to give me the results of the conflict.

[The Front]

"I don't think I've got it up here. Go look in the back, I can't leave the bar right now." John says in an actually somewhat subtle method of telling her she's allowed in.

[The Mad Hatter]

The Front

A halfling swaggers inside. He has greasy strands of blond hair, a rather dirty face with a large mole, and a sneer on his mouth with hosts black, rotted teeth. He has three gold teeth. He wears an orange tattered cape, a royal blue tailed petticoat, and a large hat with an orange feather. He strides up to the bar. Oy! Monsieur, M'name is Marciano L'ouvre. The halflings voice quiets down. I'm 'ere t' join MURDER.

Here's an advanced description of Marciano: HERE!

[BladeofObliviom]

[Box o' Doom]

No further response comes through the box.


The Front --> First Floor

Sarah nods and heads into the back, and presumably passes safely down the elevator. Entering the lobby, Sarah confidently heads toward Jane's desk, and asks a few questions.

"Hey, Jane. Are there any new contracts? Perhaps any new leads on older contracts?"

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

"MURDER? I got no idea what you're talking about, buddy." John indicates that Marciano is going to have to try a lot harder to join a secret group of assassins than asking at a bar.

[The Lobby]

"No," Jane replies. "Nothing new. At this point, we're just trying to survive." She looks more closely at the bloodmage, and raises an eyebrow. "You look like crap, Sarah. What happened?"

[The Mad Hatter]

Marciano takes out a nasty looking jagged hunk of metal. The dagger glows blue at the moment. Wha' does a guy 'ave t' do t' get a job aroun' 'ere?! Do I 'ave to kill som'ne else?! Marciano cleans his fingernails with the sharp dagger. I've 'eard abou' ya. I hear a lot 'o' things. Like I said. Who d' I 'ave t' threaten? Marciano glares.

[BladeofObliviom]

[The Lobby]

Sarah looks just a tad dejected about the bad news.

"Eastside's going to the Fade, that's clear enough. I was attacked on the way here. Don't worry, I cleaned up after myself.
On top of that, I don't have a permanent residence and don't have the cash eat very well. It's still better than the Circle Tower, though."

Sarah thinks a moment.

"...Hey, is that contract about separating life-bonds still open?"

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

John is not at all intimidated by the dagger, and only scowls a little. "You threaten anyone here, and I'll throw you out."

[The Lobby]

"The contract is still open, if you want to give it a shot," Jane replies, ignoring the news about Eastside for now. "I'm curious, though. You say you have no permanent residence, but we give you a room here."

[The Mad Hatter]

The Front

I was merely thinkin'! Alrigh'! So. Obviously I 'ave t' prove meself, so, oo' do I 'ave t' kill? Marciano presses a button on the dagger and the blue glow disappears into him. Aaaah, nice drow aura...

[BladeofObliviom]

[The Lobby]

After spending two weeks alone in that room, slowly starving to death and bleeding herself just to stave off the feeling of isolation, Sarah is not very comfortable there. It probably doesn't help that she was imprisoned in a similarly cloistered environment for most of her early life.

"I can't put I finger on it, but something about that room just makes me uneasy. I know it's not rational, but I just can't feel rested there."

Somehow, for an instant, her face manages to become even paler, as a terrible memory from her youth flashes to the forefront. Quickly, with a shake of her head, she banishes it to the back of her mind. No use dwelling on her own pain.

...I apologize, you probably didn't want to hear about my paranoia. Anyway, I think I'll take that contract.

She suddenly seems to remember something.

...Later. AFTER a shower.

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

"You as stupid as you look and sound? You're not killing anyone here. Keep making threats and you'll regret it." John is not very fond of this person, and thinks that the Operative wouldn't want him in the facility at all, much less as a member.

[The Lobby]

Jane seems to understand what Sarah is feeling, though her sympathy is likely just a part of this particular disguise. She honestly does think that the boss's punishment to the blood mage was a bit much, considering she didn't break under interrogation. She doesn't voice any of this, though.

"Go right ahead, Sarah. Just make sure you report your findings to us. And if you desire a new place to stay, let us know. Plenty of empty rooms around here."

[The Mad Hatter]

The Front:

Hah! Marciano starts laughing. I never said I woul' threaten you! Anyways. This place is a bar righ'?

[BladeofObliviom]

The Lobby

Well, Sarah is hardly aware that Jane is a Master of Disguise, or for that matter anything other than a particularly sinister secretary.

Anyway, Sarah does her best to put on a smile and answer.

"Don't worry, I'll report.

Oh, and... ...er... ...thanks. For caring."

You know, it's moments like this that make it clear just how disconnected Sarah is from other people...

Anyway, with that awkward goodbye, Sarah stalks off to the showers, where she shall remain until further notice.

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

"Of course it's a bar. If you're here to order something, then order. Otherwise, get out." John says. He never thought he'd meet someone that made What look sociable. Then again, that guy couldn't talk.

[The Lobby]

Jane responds with nothing more than a small smile and a nod towards Sarah, and then gets back to work on the few papers that are still an issue.

[The Mad Hatter]

The Front

Don't mind if I do! Oy...I haven't seen these driinks before.....Tha's weird... The master kleptomaniac halfling smiles confusedly. His teeth are disgusting...

[Zefir]

[The Front]

Fade enters the bar. He greets John and then heads for the back.

[C'nor]

[Garage]

Rael is here, with an inordinate amount of blood. In non-living containers, fortunately. Which, as it turns out, is going towards filling the lack of vehicles in the garage, as members have been encouraged to do.

The lifeform he's creating, unlike most animal useds for transportation, is ridden in, not on - entry is gained through an opening in the stomach, which can be closed as needed - and is around twice the size of the average APC.

It is entirely covered in titanium scales, which are a foot thick, slightly ovoid, and roughly two feet across, over an additional layer of tough, leathery hide, which is about five feet thick. It has six legs, each of which ends in a five-clawed foot; the claws are approximately the length of a man's arm. Other notable characteristics include a reinforced skull, covered in horns, making it a very good battering ram, extremely thick and durable nictiating membranes over its eyes, the ability to see in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums, and extremely good nightvision capabilities even without the enhanced visual range.

It can be controlled by means of means of manipulating certain organs from the hollow space in the center of it, which holds around six people other than the driver, depending on their size, and how close together they're willing to sit and/or stand. One's surroundings can seen by moving the creature's head; the view from its eyes is replicated on a large section of wall much like a more sophisticated version of a chameleon. The top speed is around a hundred miles an hour, though when going that fast it responds about like you'd expect from something weighing as much as it does.

Once he's finished with it, he heads up to the Lobby.

[Lobby/Main Room]

As long as Jane doesn't appear to be too terribly engrossed in anything, he'll say, on arrival, "Well, there's now a vehicle, of sorts, in the garage... Who would I talk to about making sure it gets fed?"

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

"We have the same drinks you'd find at Trog's or the Den. If you're not happy with it, then take your business somewhere else," John replies.

Fade is allowed through with no problems.

[Lobby]

Jane turned at Rael's question. "Before I say anything else," she started, "why in the world would we need to keep a vehicle fed?"

[C'nor]

[Lobby]

"I'm sure you're well aware that my specialty is creating new forms of life. In this case, the 'vehicle' is technically a creature, just one specifically designed as transportation," he said, shrugging, and looking as though he though that was rather obvious.

[The Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by Rotting Baron

[The Front]

"We have the same drinks you'd find at Trog's or the Den. If you're not happy with it, then take your business somewhere else," John replies.

Fade is allowed through with no problems.

Well...What wines do ya' 'ave m'fren'?

Marciano grins happily before reaching for something in his bag.

[BladeofObliviom]

Lobby

((May or may not be in the same timeline as Rael's conversation.))

A few hours later, Sarah returns here with not-entirely-dry hair, though she otherwise appears generally cleaned up. She seems to have been healing herself too, since her skin has stopped being absurdly pale and she's returned to a healthy sanguine color.

She seems to have washed her clothing as well, and it's abundantly clear that it needed a washing. Especially due to the fact that it seems her outfit is a vibrant red color, and not dark-red-and-black like it has been for some time.

Alright, I'm heading out to do some research. I expect a relatively low probability of violence, and I'll report back when I have news.

[Zefir]

[The Front]

Fade will just go to the elevator heading down.

[Lobby]

Fade comes down and asuming Sarah just leaves hewill met her.

"Hey. There is a contract fitting your skills. It's about twins and their life bound, thought your skills would work there best."

If not other stoped he will just go on and searching for the Operativ.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Lobby]

Sarah, without even stopping, responds with a genuine smile.

"Already on it, Fade."

Unless stopped, the woman continues on to the elevator, before disappearing from the complex and exiting through the front, thanking John on the way out for the "quality of the drink."

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

"Just tell me what wine you want, and I'll tell you if we have it." John gets back to wiping down the bar counter, nodding to Sarah as she leaves.

[Lobby]

"Next question: Where the hell have you been, Rael?" Jane is still looking at Rael, ignoring Fade for right now.

[The Mad Hatter]

Blood wine, essentially red, on the rocks.

[C'nor]

Originally Posted by Rotting Baron

[Lobby]

"Next question: Where the hell have you been, Rael?" Jane is still looking at Rael, ignoring Fade for right now.

"Gathering information. You remember the contract on Riv? I have knowledge of the physical structure and capabilities of several of his creations, which, I assume, will be useful?

Also, just how many people did you send on it? Apparently, there's a full-on raid on the town under his fortress, which is pretty much a useless effort; all it's done has been let him know someone's after him..."

[Zefir]

[Lobby]

Well then he just passes both going to the Operatives door and knocking on it.

[Rotting Baron]

[The Front]

John, utterly baffled at why somebody would want wine with ice, goes ahead and pours the drink anyway, putting it in front of Marciano.

[Lobby]

Fade will be allowed to enter the Operative's office with no trouble.

Jane looks surprised at the news of a full-blown raid, but she really isn't, just playing the part. "We sent two members ad one potential member. I think you need to give a lot more details on this raid, Rael." Really, she should've known those people would screw up somehow. Was nobody in this organization capable of stealth?

[The Mad Hatter]

The Front

Marciano takes out two vials, mixes them, and pours them into the drink, which turns bright green. Marciano asks for a spoon.