Investigation of Spire Thor
[Aug 21, 2024]
-Initial Follow-Up involved another interview with the patient Jaem Tesserak, the Spire Thor hiver that Eizen sampled and was discovered to have inert particles in his blood. Located in Spire Thor Level Epsilon Zeta (Levepszet); works at a Las Gun Pack Manufactorum, along with his brother Fex who he lives with.
-Discussion with Jaem yielded knowledge that Doran was scheduled to speak a few levels down in Spire Thor later in the day. He also disclosed that he previously had an illness that had improved into his current state of excellent health.
-Fex had apparently gone missing for the past several hours, and his brother was concerned, given his recent strange behavior. Jaem noted that he might be visiting his friend Madeliene, and/or her romantic partner Medicae Estagon Wheetle, who worked at the clinic. He also showed us a picture of his brother in a group of Spire Thor phenotype individuals, wearing athletic clothes for the game "Furnace Ball." In the picture, Fex was outfitted with a modified blood filtration machine, apparently provided by the clinic that Eizen previously visited.
-Quinten's psychic abilities were somewhat distracted by the sense of psychic cleanliness in the general area.
-Estagon was in possession of an odd card device that had been given to him by Fex. He had no knowledge of the blood filtration machines being equipped in such a manner to any patients of the clinic, and had not seen Fex since the previous day. He indicated that Madeleine could be found at either the local slop house or with a fortune teller that she has been spending time with, Ysme. Locating this woman, of remarkably poor posture, we founds her using cards similar to the one held by Estagon, though these are painted with the Emperor's Tarot. Quinten detected no psychic emanations from her or her customer.
-She was speaking to Madeleine, who was apparently experiencing relationship difficulties, and seeking advice. Verity approached to learn more about the situation, including more intelligence about Fex's possible location (like the others, she had not seen him since the day prior, and confirmed Jaem's mentions that he'd been behaving oddly). She also mentioned that he occasionally went to speak to Preacher Osten.
-The Church was built within retrofitted Legio Cybernetica facility. Preacher Enoch was able to connect with the priest of the Church, and gain further insight into the movements of Fex. We noted that a slot for cards containing written prayers was installed in the altar, with dimensions matching those of the previously noted devices; supposedly this was attached to an incinerator. Behind the church we located prayer booths, one of which had a similar slot installed. The movements of Fex, as well as predicted structural/storage elements of such a facility, indicated that one of these might have a hidden chamber attached.
-Preacher Osten further explained the sentiments of the Spire with regard to Preacher Doran (largely positive), including a particularly zealous follower, an arbites called Solomon (unusual, given that the arbites usually are referred to only by designation codes to remain anonymous to the public. Follow-up with Ysme indicated that some knew Solomon as a priest.
-After confirming that the cards previously encountered were used as a sort of premium prayer card, we requisitioned Estagon's card. Interfacing with the prayer booth's mechanisms had
We obtained the card from Estagon and returned to the prayer booths; the one with the card slot revealed through DNI an entrance into a lower area. This secret hold was entirely dedicated to a Shrine to Preacher Doran, demonstrating massive obsession with Smythe. Eizen recognizes that this is a Cybernetica Dataforge, a holy place of the Mechanicus. Quinten, noting the devices, has a sudden intrusive thought that he should be wearing one of these. He is further able to detect a psychic aura, of a psyker, but additionally involves a "smell" that he oddly recognizes as something from a time-span of several thousands of years ago. It is likely that indicates the presence of something similar to the Nemesis Device.
Kelle decides to leave a note to Solomon, conveying their aligned interests in Preacher Doran's success and a desire to meet with him. She notes some additional items; poetry of litanies to Preacher Doran, and a many times folded letter that clearly contains a code within it, signed by a Brother Gideon. It has been written over in Solomon's handwriting with the words "coward" and "betrayer." Finally, there is a calendar of events marked in correlation with the miracles that occurred. These events seem to have begun a year and a half ago, similar to the time of Preacher Doran's meteoric rise. There are 26 x marks, and roughly 60 circles. There are some circles without x marks, but none of the reverse.
They take the evidence and exit the facility, planning to head to the sermon and capture Solomon. They take the elevator to Thor Level Epsilon Theta, and head to where the event will occur. Quinten scans the area psychically, and senses what he immediately interprets as a "comrade." From a different location, he feels an unrecognizable signature. Eizen determines that this is likely Fex, equipped with the device.
Kelle and Eizen locate Fex, who is already dying of advance cancer and paralyzed, implying that the miracle is presently occurring. The Logis states it may be unlikely that he can save the man, given the vast integration of the tech device into his body. Kelle calls Quinten back to heal the hiver.
Enoch and Verity locate a beggar referring to himself as "Old Saul." They attempt to lure him out of the crowd with deception, but he makes a break for it, and they begin pursuit; the Preacher calls the crowd to assist, and they restrain him long enough for Verity to arrest him and pat him down. Under the massive scarf, a prismatic five pointed star device is embedded, a predicted variant of the Nemesis Device (hereafter referred to as the Momus Device). Solomon uses psychic emanations to free himself, but Major Verity maintains the composure required to remove (at least temporarily) the threat of his warp abilities, and Enoch forcefully immobilizes him.
Quinten attempts to heal Fex upon his arrival; during the process, a power sword gash opens in his side, simultaneously to a wound dealt to Solomon, vastly worsening his condition. The Psyker manages to then deactivate the device through the connection of Nemesis Technology, allowing Logis Eizen to stabilize him. The prisoner and the patient are taken back to Bluehull-92, while Kelle attends to smoothing over matters with the Clerics Regular. The Ambassador manages to calm the crowd enough for Doran's sermon to continue as planned.