The year is 1999.You are a new recruit for a private organization known as “The Bureau” which covertly handles the discovery, documentation, research, containment, and—when possible—extermination of anomalies.Although you’ve completed a modest amount of training, this is your first time being sent on a mission. Typically, a senior field operative would accompany you to ensure the job goes smoothly, but a last minute emergency has resulted in you going alone.Currently, it’s 9:00 AM. The sky is grey with clouds. You sit in the back of a car, which you’ve been stuck in for five hours. Having no respect for your sleep, the bureau sent you out from headquarters at 4:00 AM sharp; it’s best to arrive early, they said, so there’s plenty of time to investigate before nightfall. At least they paid for your transportation, even if the driver is dead silent.Time passes slowly. You’re feeling awful bored.What do you do until you arrive at your destination?>Review your mission brief.>Double check your luggage.>Wait, who are you anyway? Maybe you should sort out your identity first.Good to know:>Everyone controls one character together.>If votes are split and actions can be done at the same time, I'll try to combine them.>When rolling is required, the average of everyone’s rolls will be used.>Vaguely SCP-inspired wrt anomalies, investigation (and survival?) focused.>I can’t draw. We’ll have some bullshit images to accompany the text.>Don't expect too terribly much from me.
>>6463921>Review your mission brief.Better safe than sorry.
>>6463921>Review your mission brief.
>>6463921>>Wait, who are you anyway? Maybe you should sort out your identity first.
>>6463924>>6463926>Review your mission brief.Your mission brief sits in your lap, taking the form of a few papers stapled together by the dispatch team this morning:“[BUREAU CASE 18459X-KCM, MISSION BRIEF]You have been assigned to investigate a potentially anomalous meteorological phenomenon in Kettle Creek, Manitoba. An anonymous tip indicates the area has experienced an unusually long snowy season, with the source claiming there has been a “non-stop blizzard” for months.Research indicates the area to be a former mining town. Population is unknown, as the town was de-commissioned in September 1990 and what remains of the community is no longer incorporated with the province.A threat level cannot be estimated. Inclement weather and insufficient technology has prevented the bureau from remotely surveying the scene beforehand, but radar confirms the blizzard’s presence. Transportation to the site will be provided in so far as company vehicles are capable of traveling. Sub-zero temperatures are likely. Pack warm.[OBJECTIVES:]1. [ANOMALY DETECTION:] Observe the environment. Identify the blizzard’s source. Record findings.2. [POPULATION MANAGEMENT:] Maintain cover as an “Environmental Surveyor” if necessary. Do not incite panic in local residents. Likewise, do not reveal the bureau’s involvement with this case. A fake identification card has been provided.3. [THREAT NEUTRALIZATION:] Should the blizzard’s source be identified, find a way to neutralize it if possible. Otherwise:4. [SURVIVE.]”There is, additionally, a yellow post-it note from your trainer stuck on top of everything:“Sorry I can’t be there! Duty calls :P just try your best and you’ll be fine. I believe in you, kid!! Drinks on me when you’re back.”>Now that you know your mission better, it might be time to focus on yourself for a second...
>>6463929>>6463934>Wait, who are you anyway? Maybe you should sort out your identity first.Of course you know who you are. Only an idiot would forget their own identity. Let’s see, you’re some average schmuck working for the bureau, and you’re...What is your gender?>Male.>Female.>Something more daring than that.How old are you?>20s.>30s.>40s.> (... Any older than that is pushing it in this line of work, buddy.)What is your name?>Suggest one.>Leave it to QM.Why do you work this job?>Because you care about the cause to neutralize the threat of anomalies.>Because you need the money pretty badly.>Some other reason, like maybe... (Write in, keep it brief.)Your personality is?>Pleasant but meek.>Determined but brash.>Apathetic but grounded.>Something else, like maybe... (Write in, keep it brief.)We’re creating a character together. Suggestions will be combined into an amalgamate. Fill in your answers but know some parts may be discarded in favor of another anon’s answer.
>>6463942Going to bed now. Didn't realize it was so late. If you suggest stupid bullshit for the character I'll fill it all in myself.
>>6463942>Male>30s>John Doe (not our real name, no one knows that)>Some other reason, like maybe... (A punishment. Did poorly at our last position, got thrown here.)>Determined but brash.
>>6463942>Female>20s>Maggie Lawrence>Because you care about the cause to neutralize the threat of anomalies.>Charming but anxious
>>6463942>Circumcised>40s>Shmiel Schmutz>Because you need money>Abrasive but greedy
>>6463965>>6463942>Support
>>6463954+1
>>6463942>Male>20s>Michael Johnson>Because you care about the cause to neutralize the threat of anomalies.>Determined but brash.
>>6463965Supporting
>>6463954>Support>>6463981Since yours is basically the same, just consolidate it with the above. Don't let the troons win.
>>6463942>Male>20s>John Doe>He likes a good mystery, and any other job was too boring...>Apathetic but grounded.
>>6463954>>6463965>>6463981>>6464066(... That’s right! You know who you are. You’re a woman in your late 20s named Maggie Johnson. Your personality is apathetic but grounded, and perhaps a bit brash. Your first year at the bureau was spent as a research assistant, but a lab accident injured your supervisor and put your job in jeopardy. The bureau gave you two options: termination or department transfer. You stayed because you care about the cause, and now you’re a fresh-faced field operative. It’s a different world than you’re used to. Not so bookish and distant.)Your duffle bag sits beside you. With the mission brief in mind, you figure it’s best to double check your luggage to see if you have everything you need. The bureau made you pack for yourself, so it was your responsibility to ensure you’re adequately equipped. Pulling it into your lap, you open the zipper and peek inside. There’s your fake ‘environmental surveyor’ ID as provided to you by the bureau, of course, and the winter clothes on your back, but there’s also... >... Well, what are some items you packed?>They must fit in an average-sized duffle bag.>Keep the mission in mind. What might we need?>Everyone can suggest items! Let’s pack this bag together.>Stupid suggestions ignored.
>>6464073(Note to self, post id is different on school wifi...)
>>6464073>Headlamp Visibility will be challenging and we will want our hands>.357 magnum revolver, 4-inch barrel, leather shoulder holsterWe want high stopping power and a handgun that will function reliably even with high levels of moisture and very low temperatures that may cause issues for semi-autos. We don't need a snubnose, with a blizzard we will be wearing layers, a big coat, so concealing a bigger gun will be easy and we will need the increased accuracy with bad weather. >Big ass fur-lined parka with a hood and big ass insulated boots Duh >Three road flares >One hundred feet of climbing rope >Four sets of zip-tie handcuffs >Fixed blade single-edged combat/utility knife with a matte black powder coat >Handheld voice recorder for taking notes via audio log which will be needed for our reports and debriefing >Carton of taro flavored Chinese cigarettes that we requisition for most of our assignments since the bureau can actually have them shipped in for agents
>>6464073>Spare clothing>Emergency rations>Map>Pepper spray>Makeup
>>6464073>2-3 packs of stormproof matches. Fire's good.>Thermal imaging googles, in case whatever is causing the blizzard is 'alive'>Portable first aid kit, for any scratches or other injuries we'll get.
>>6464083>>6464092>>6464126>Check inventory.You rummage around the bag to make sure you brought everything. Even if you can’t go back to grab more, checking twice makes you feel more assured. This is your first time in the field, sure, but you’ve heard stories, and you’ve seen these things from behind glass. You know it’s better to be safe than sorry. You have... [INVENTORY:]>Handheld recorder x1>Headlamp x1>Thermal imaging goggles x1>Utility knife x1>Pepper spray x1>Portable first-aid kit x1 (Includes the basics.)>Pack of storm-proof matches x2 (Each pack contains 25 matches for a total of 50.)>Road flare x3>Zip-tie handcuffs x4>Emergency rations x6 (3 meals for 2 days ought to be enough, no?)>Thermos x1* (Current contents: Room temperature water.)>Map of Manitoba x1>Make-up palette x1 (Will this be necessary?)>Change of clothes x1 (Underwear, long sleeve top, heavy pants, etc.)>Approx. ~100 ft climbing ropeSome items are on your person. You pat down your coat pockets and make sure you have it all.[INVENTORY:] (cont.)>Fur-lined parka with a hood x1>“Big ass” insulated boots x1>Revolver with holster x1 (Currently concealed by your coat.)>Carton of Chinese cigarettes x1 (No, it’s fine... I just didn’t expect them to be Chinese.)>Lighter x1* (For the cigarettes.)[ * = Nobody asked for it, consider it a gift from QM]Our inventory is now locked. From this point on, items cannot be spawned from thin air. We only have access to what's currently in our bag; new items must be found over the course of the mission. Didn't pack it? It doesn't exist.>CONT.
>>6464165After checking everything, you feel decently prepared for the mission considering the minimal information available. Your equipment is well packed, and you have a vague idea of what you’ll be facing: cold weather and whatever’s causing it.Your vision drifts back out the window. When the drive began, the sky was a pale shade of blue. With distance it turned grey. Now, it’s nearly white. Snow accumulates on the ground outside. You watch it pass in blurry, clumped-up piles. Flakes stick to the window and melt against the glass, which turns foggy from your breath.It’s hardly even fall; it shouldn’t be this cold yet.The further you’re driven, the rougher the road becomes. Smooth pavement turns to gravel, which the company car barely bumps along. You feel the wheels swerve occasionally, feel the vehicle slowing down and struggling to continue—until it jerks to an abrupt stop.“This is as far as I can take you,” The driver says, breaking his silence. “The snow’s too much for the tires to handle, but the town should be a little ways that way-” His hand motions ahead through the windshield."... Right. Thanks."... You step out of the car, boots crunching against the snow. You’re greeted by a dilapidated sign reading ‘WELCOME TO KETTLE CREEK’.The snowfall isn’t too heavy where you’re standing, but you can see it getting worse in the distance. Through it, you can see the vague outline of buildings. You’re heading into town, obviously, but where first?HEAD TO...>The only building with lights on. There seems to be a sign, but you’re too far to read it.>A small house with smoke billowing out of the chimney but no lights.>The other, seemingly abandoned buildings a little further into town.
>>6464165>No, it’s fine... I just didn’t expect them to be Chinese.Are you Korean or Japanese?
>>6464169>The only building with lights on. There seems to be a sign, but you’re too far to read it.
>>6464169>>The only building with lights on. There seems to be a sign, but you’re too far to read it.>>6464171It's a meme
>>6464169>>The only building with lights on. There seems to be a sign, but you’re too far to read it.
>>6464176>It's a memeI assure you, it's a real country, they all are, actually
>Head to the only building with lights on.Friction makes your footsteps heavy. You pull your coat on tighter as you walk into town, tensing up against the wind. Before too long, you’re close enough to read the building’s sign: ‘WOOL & WILLOW’. Squinting upwards at the worn wooden letters, your eyes land on even smaller text beneath it: ‘bed and breakfast.’Seems this establishment is open despite the storm.You place a gloved hand on the knob and push the front door open, stepping inside. The space that greets you is strangely personal; the ‘lobby’ feels more like a family’s living room. You get a hunch this place is kept open as a habit rather than a real business; frankly, you suspect it’s been a long, long time since their last customer. The front desk is covered in odds and ends. Nobody sits behind it. The decor is messy. Quilts hang on wooden walls alongside paintings and photographs, cups and books sit on most surfaces. Warm, yellow lighting from incandescent bulbs illuminates the space.It’s a bit run down, but it feels cozy in contrast to the snow outside—though, it’s only a little warmer.To your left is a kitchenette area. An old woman stands in front of the counter, her back turned to you.Towards the back, you see an old man adding logs to a wood burning stove. He doesn’t seem to notice you either.NOW WE...>Approach the old woman.>Approach the old man.>Make your presence known to both of them.>(How? What do we say? You can write in your own details to these actions!)
>>6464253>Approach the old man."Chilly, eh? Does it normally get this bad this time of the year?"
>>6464253>Make your presence known to both of them.>*Knock* >"Hey, pardon, but are you open for business?"
>>6464258+1
>>6464253>Make your presence known to both of them.
>>6464253>>Make your presence known to both of them.
>>6464254>>6464258>Make your presence known to both of them.By knocking on the open door no less."Chilly, eh? Does it normally get this bad this time of the year?"
