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==Next victims==
==Next victims==
*Johnson Space Center
*Samuel Smith (NASA)
*Anthony (Assassin)
*Laguna Madre
*Glastonbury Festival
<!--
==For Benefit of All==
|location=[[NASA]] [[Johnson Space Center]], [[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States|USA]]
|date=2016
;Science and History
The Descendants have identified the [[Shard of Eden]] that they saw during the Simulation in [[France]] in 1942: the small, geometric object in [[Heinz Müller]]'s possession was the pommel of the [[Sword of Eden]] that the [[Shields of Mars]] left in the [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|Vault]] beneath the [[Temple of Laran]] in 717 BCE.
Once out of the [[Animus]], the PCs have a little time to rest and consider their discovery before meeting with [[Siegmund Visser|Ziggy]] and to plan their next moves.
''A few hours have passed since the Descendants left the gloomy swamps of ancient [[Rome]]. Ziggy gathers them in the common room; he has found something worthy of their attention. After an in-depth search and triangulation of the data gathered, the technician has found a trace of the pommel in a photograph from [[NASA]]'s [[Johnson Space Center]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]].''
"The bloke in the photo is Dr. [[Samuel Smith (NASA)|Samuel Smith]], a brilliant young engineer with no evident link to our dear [[Nazi Party|Nazi]] Müller or the [[Templars]]. Pretty unexpected if you ask me. However, as you can clearly see, that object he seems to be using as a paperweight on his desk... well, it really looks like our [[Piece of Eden]] fragment to me, dunnit?" As you study the photo, Ziggy hands you an envelope containing plane tickets for the next flight to Houston. "Failure is not an option, lads!"
{{IUNote
|Title=WHAT IF DR SMITH IS A TEMPLAR?
|Text=Dr. Samuel Smith is not connected in any way to the Templars or other agents in pursuit of [[Isu]] artifacts. He is completely unaware of the origin of the pommel or its properties, and he ended up in its possession by pure chance—he works with astromaterials, materials not from our Earth, and found it at an auction for meteorites and objects made of exotic minerals.<br><br>This is his backstory, unless the Reader decides to introduce an intriguing twist: instead of having inherited the Shard of Eden by pure chance, Dr Smith could have been an active participant in the conspiracy or—why not—be the mastermind behind it all, possibly being the actual descendant of Heinz Müller...}}
<tabber>
|-|1 - INFILTRATE THE SPACE CENTER=
Unfortunately for the Descendants, Ziggy stays behind in [[London]] and can only help them remotely. He has booked a room for the PCs in a motel not far from the Johnson Space Center and tickets for an "open house" guided tour of the facility. The Descendants must find the office of Dr. Samuel Smith where the Shard of Eden could be located, and reach it without being discovered.
In the dimly lit room of the cheap motel, you huddle around a small, stained table cluttered with maps, tourist brochures, and the few high-tech gadgets that you could safely get through airport security. The heavy air, with the scent of mildew and stale [[Tobacco|cigarette]] smoke, adds to the clandestine atmosphere that fills the room. Peeking through the tattered, blue curtains, you see the blinking lights of the Johnson Space Center. Your goal is to reach Building 31, where the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science offices are located. Time to make plans, and to make them work.
;Challenges
*''The Guided Tour:'' The PCs can enter the part of the facility that is open to the public as regular visitors during the open house tour at the Johnson Space Center, and wait for the right moment to sneak away from the group in search of Building 31.
*''Security Officers:'' As the characters move deeper into the Space Center, they encounter vigilant security officers stationed throughout the facility.
*''Security System:'' The Johnson Space Center boasts a state-of-the-art security system, including surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and latest-generation alarm systems. Any Stealth check made to remain undetected while moving in restricted access areas requires 1 Raise.
;Weaknesses
*''The Article (minor):'' The PCs might call the Johnson Space Center, posing as journalists from a local newspaper or TV, securing themselves a guest badge and gaining access to buildings that are normally off limits to the public. Therefore, the Descendants overcome the ''Security System'' Challenge and have 1 Free Raise on any Social check made to overcome the ''Security Officers'' Challenge.
*''Employee's Badge (minor):'' If the PCs can steal or fake an employee's badge, they can disguise themselves as workers who would be inconspicuous walking through the Space Center corridors. In this case, the Descendants overcome the ''Security System'' Challenge.
|-|2 - TAKE THE SHARD OF EDEN=
Dr. Samuel Smith's office in Building 31 is a busy workspace befitting a senior employee—which might look slightly in contrast with his relatively young age. Regardless of when the Descendants infiltrate the facility, they will find Dr. Smith working on legitimate NASA projects at his desk.
Looking through the open door into the office, you can see walls lined with tall bookshelves filled with volumes on astromaterials, aerospace engineering, and space exploration. At the center of the room is a spacious desk piled high with neatly stacked research papers, books, an [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] laptop, and a NASA-branded mug filled with steaming black [[coffee]]. And there it is... the Shard of Eden, being used as a paperweight.
;Challenges
*''Knock Knock:'' The Descendants could try to engage in a conversation with Dr. Smith while remaining inconspicuous—maybe in disguise—to try to steal the fragment of the artifact undetected. In this case, to take possession of the Shard of Eden Fragment, the PCs must make at least a Social check to deceive Dr. Smith and a Stealth check to take the artifact without being noticed.
*''Ring Ring:'' The PCs can create a distraction by calling Dr. Smith's office phone and summoning him somewhere else in the complex. In this case, the Descendants can make a Social check to convince him to temporarily leave his office.
*''Over and Out:'' After successfully retrieving the artifact, the PCs must exit the Space Center without raising suspicion or getting caught, before returning to the motel.
;Weaknesses
*''Fire, Fire! (major):'' The PCs could trigger the fire alarm, leading to an evacuation of the facility and allowing them to access Dr. Smith's empty office. In this case, the Crew achieves the Take the Shard of Eden Key Objective. However, by doing this, they automatically trigger the Alarm Setback.
</tabber>
;Dr. Samuel Smith
Dr. Samuel Smith, a brilliant engineer, is the son of a US intelligence agent. He grew up in a household that valued discipline, integrity, and a strong work ethic. Deciding to follow his passion for space exploration, he excelled academically, earning a doctorate from {{Wiki|Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT}} at a remarkably young age and getting his first job at NASA soon after.
==Houston City Shuffle==
|location=[[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States|USA]]
|date=2016
''After the Descendants retrieve the pommel of the [[Excalibur|Sword of Mars]], they return to the motel in preparation for their flight back to [[London]]. It's almost night. Moments before they leave, however, black SUVs arrive at the motel.''
The last light of the day vanishes behind the red horizon as you finish packing. Suddenly, five black SUVs screech into the motel parking lot. Over two dozen [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] agents swarm out of them and begin a coordinated search of the place, ignoring the protestations of the motel manager.
<tabber>
|-|1 - ESCAPE FROM THE ABSTERGO AGENTS=
The Descendants must find a way to evade the Abstergo agents, who are heading towards the PCs' location, kicking down doors. The PCs have but a few moments to grab their belongings—and the [[Shard of Eden]]—and escape before getting captured.
;Challenges
*''Set traps in the room:'' The Descendants can use what they have in the motel room to build a rudimentary trap. Whether it is effective or not, it doesn't matter, so long as it delays the Abstergo agents.
*''Face the agents:'' There are too many agents to overwhelm, but a well-executed attack might lead them into a tactical retreat.
*''Disappearing:'' The PCs must leave their motel room without alerting the nearby agents. Whether they climb through the small bathroom window in the back, onto the structure's roof, or sneak through the shadows, there are so many agents that any Stealth check made to overcome this Challenge requires 1 Raise.
;Weaknesses
*''Blackout (minor):'' A character can try to create a short circuit to cause a blackout, throwing the motel into complete darkness. In this case, every Stealth check made to overcome the ''Disappearing'' and ''Face the Agents'' Challenges has 1 Free Raise.
|-|2 - ACROSS THE BORDER=
[[Anthony (Assassin)|Anthony]], an [[Assassins|Assassin]] who belonged to a local long-defunct Brotherhood [[Assassin cell|cell]], makes an unexpected appearance. He helps the characters escape the motel and reach the [[Mexico|Mexican]] frontier. There's a small plane waiting at a safe aerodrome just beyond the border, near a remote town overlooking the serene [[Laguna Madre]]: a last resort plan that Anthony always kept in working order. There, the PCs can regroup, fly back to [[England]] and safeguard the artifact.
Just as you think you've made it out, you stumble into a couple more Abstergo agents. Clad in dark suits and equipped with earpieces and flashlights, they pull up their automatic weapons and move swiftly to block your path to freedom. Before anybody can move a muscle, a loud "zzzap" fills the air. Both agents collapse to the ground, unconscious. A [[hood]]ed man [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|missing his ring finger]] and dressed in a worn-out Assassin vest stands behind the agents. Strapped to his forearm is a [[Hidden Blade|shock blade]]. He retracts the blade with a quick, calculated move. "I'm Anthony, and I'm a Brother! C'mon, we gotta move quick, those bastards arrived in numbers!" He urgently gestures for you to follow him to a nearby pickup truck.
;Challenges
*''Dusty Pursuit:'' The pickup is going full throttle, but it doesn't take long for a couple of Abstergo SUVs to catch up with them, attempting to ram the PCs' vehicle off the road. The PCs must outmaneuver the agents on the dusty [[Texas]] roads. Given the high speed, any Approach check made to overcome this Challenge requires 1 additional Raise.
*''Aim and Fire:'' Anthony's got some [[firearm]]s in the back of the pickup. The characters can open fire at the approaching vehicles.
*''Pit Stop Heist:'' Since Abstergo might have registered the model, color, and plate of Anthony's pickup, the PCs must make a pit stop to "obtain" a new vehicle. The PCs must get a new car without drawing attention.
;Weaknesses
*''[[Smoke screen bomb|Smoke Bomb]] (minor):'' A PC that has or creates a smoke bomb can throw it on the road to block the pursuers' view. They'll need to find the right materials to create the smokescreen or something similar. This could involve tampering with machinery to release steam or triggering a small chemical explosion. In this case, any Approach check made to overcome the ''Dusty Pursuit'' and ''Aim and Fire'' Challenges have 1 Free Raise.
</tabber>
After hours of intense driving and heart-pounding adrenaline, you, Anthony, and the stolen pommel of the Sword of Mars finally arrive at the secluded aerodrome a few miles across the Mexican border. Anthony tells you he has been waiting for a good excuse to use his escape plan for over a decade, and now it's time. The old rusty plane is waiting in a tiny hangar. With a collective sigh of relief, you abandon the car and get ready to jump onboard. Anthony nods in silent acknowledgment of your success as he tries to start the aircraft's engines. It takes a couple of minutes, but eventually, with the grumble of an old wreck, it sets in motion. "It's alive! Alive!" yells Anthony as he drives to the dark runway.
However, while you take your seats, Anthony gives a worried look back at the empty aerodrome. "They'll come for us... they always do. But we'll be ready, right?" A mixture of excitement and concern settles over the cockpit as the plane starts to accelerate up the runaway, your minds race with questions about the next steps.
With the precious Shard of Eden securely in their grasp, the PCs and Anthony effectively reach out to [[Siegmund Visser|Ziggy]], who promptly arranges their return to the hideout in the [[United Kingdom|UK]]. Initially wary of [[the Crew]]'s newfound partner, Ziggy conducts a series of thorough background checks. Upon finding nothing suspicious, the technician cautiously accepts the unexpected assistance. Continuing with the mission, Ziggy utilizes his expertise to analyze the Shard of Eden and extract valuable information.
"Finally! I'm gathering new data from this fragment you've recovered, and it's proper incredible. I managed to locate the moment when another of your Ancestors crossed paths with the sword. That means we can skip right to that instant. Get ready, you're going to visit Britain in the ninth Century!"
;Anthony the Assassin
Anthony, the last Assassin of a long-defunct Brotherhood cell based in Texas, is a tall and athletic man in his late forties, with a rugged appearance that makes him effortlessly [[Blending|blend]] into a number of environments. He has a strong jawline, long brown hair, and a pair of piercing dark eyes.
Anthony is a double agent, working secretly for Abstergo. Yet, driven by a fervent desire for a world unburdened by the [[Assassin-Templar War|ancient feud]] between Assassins and Templars, he's not loyal to the [[New World Order|Templar cause]] either, and he pursues his own agenda. He has been monitoring the Crew since they landed in Houston, and plans to help them until he gains their trust and eventually exploit the secrets hidden in their genetic memories to take the Sword of Mars for himself, with which he plans to transcend the ancient feud and free the world from the factions perpetuating the clandestine conflict (this will come to pass in Chapter 3, in the Abstergo Raid! Modern Day Sequence).
==Abstergo Raid!==
|location=[[The Stardust|The Stardust Theater]], {{Wiki|Camden Town|Camden Town Market}}, [[London]], [[England]]
|date=2016
''As the PCs finally discover the [[Sword of Eden|sword]]'s whereabouts, [[Anthony (Assassin)|Anthony]] is revealed to be a traitor, and makes off with the pommel. Worse yet, he has revealed the PCs' location to a force of [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] agents, who now descend upon the hideout. The clock is ticking, and the PCs must swiftly escape to catch up with Anthony before he can find the rest of the sword.''
As you emerge from the [[Animus]], [[Siegmund Visser|Ziggy]]'s voice snaps you back to reality, filled with concern and urgency. Ziggy lets out a stream of invectives. "I have bad news... Anthony double-crossed us, and he took the bloody pommel. Abstergo agents are on their way right now, lots of them." Ziggy's eyes are glued to the surveillance screens, which show a swarm of Abstergo operatives converging on the theater.
<tabber>
|-|1 - DOWNLOAD THE DATA AND DESTROY ALL EVIDENCE=
The PCs have to find a way to buy Ziggy some more time, slowing down the arrival of the Abstergo agents.
Ziggy starts tapping away at his workstation, shouting, "Buy me at least 5 minutes, I have to transfer and cancel everything before they arrive!"
;Challenges
*''Set traps at the entrances:'' The PCs can use what they can find in the theater to build a rudimentary trap. Whether it is effective or not, it doesn't really matter, so long as it delays the agents.
*''Face the agents:'' There are too many agents to overwhelm, but a well-executed attack might force them into a tactical retreat to await reinforcements.
;Weaknesses
*''Flammable (major):'' Fire is no joke, and no one wants to rush into a building engulfed by flames, not even the Abstergo agents. Setting the theater on fire will slow the assault significantly, but it will also put the PCs in great danger. Such an action triggers the Smoked Out Setback automatically.
|-|2 - ESCAPE=
The Abstergo agents burst in, fully loaded and ready to open fire. The PCs have to run to a vehicle to escape.
A wave of Abstergo agents storm in with [[Firearm|guns]] blazing, unleashing a hail of bullets. Clearly, their primary objective is not to capture you alive.
;Challenges
*''Run for your life:'' The PCs must find their way to the nearest exit, dodging the agents' bullets.
*''Flashbang:'' As they flee, the PCs see an agent preparing to throw a flashbang grenade. If they manage to deflect the grenade, the Descendants can gain a great advantage, especially if the explosive device ends up in the vicinity of the pursuing agents instead! If the PCs fail their Approach, they must make a Reaction check.
;Weaknesses
*''Communication Disruption (major):'' The PCs might find a way to jam communications between the approaching Abstergo agents. If they do so they can gain a significant tactical advantage, forcing them into a slower and uncoordinated attack.
</tabber>
As you start running, Ziggy pulls some freshly printed tickets out of his pocket: "Let's get out of here, dammit. You have to find that bastard. I do have one last magic trick for ya, lads. I just got you some passes to [[Glastonbury Festival]]. Go to the pyramid stage. Bloody hell! I {{Wiki|Mini Tour (David Bowie)|played}} on that stage something like 16 years ago. I had longer hair, then..."
==Glastonbury Festival==
|location=Vale of [[Avalon]], [[Somerset]], [[England]]
|date=2016
''The journey from [[London]] to [[Glastonbury]] by car takes at least three and a half hours, but that's without factoring in any [[Glastonbury Festival|festival]]-related traffic delays. Upon the PCs' arrival at the site—invariably late into the evening—they are confronted with seemingly never-ending queues. Now, their mission is to navigate through the festival, reach the pyramid stage, find [[Anthony (Assassin)|Anthony]], and prevent the [[Sword of Eden|sword]] from falling into the hands of the [[Templars]].''
You feel an electrifying energy in the air as you stand amidst the vibrant chaos that is Glastonbury Festival. Queues of festival goers snake every which way through the mud. The state of the site is a testament to the wild revelry: discarded food containers, glitter, and confetti scatter the grounds, detritus from the nonstop party atmosphere. Noise envelops you from all directions, with myriad sights and sounds competing for attention at every turn, music reverberating through the fields. Stages of all sizes dot the landscape, each illuminated with dazzling lights. Music pours forth, and vibrant beams of light pierce the night sky, creating an electric, sensory show.
<tabber>
|-|1 - REACH THE PYRAMID=
After a tricky path through the sea of waiting crowds, the PCs begin their final quest for the [[Excalibur|sword]]. Their clue is the pyramid mentioned in [[Amelia Fairchild|Arthur]]'s foresight, which clearly refers to the instantly recognizable Glastonbury Pyramid Stage (see The Round Table Simulation Sequence on page 71). The stage offers a good viewpoint, however, finding Anthony amidst the huge crowd of revelers is a tough challenge.
;Challenges
*''[[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] Agents:'' A few Abstergo agents systematically sweep the festival grounds, hunting for Anthony and the [[Assassins]]. They are on high alert and well-armed, yet the chaotic spirit of Glastonbury acts as a formidable ally, [[Blending|hiding]] those who would prefer to remain unseen. Therefore, any Stealth check made has 1 Free Raise.
*''[[Viewpoint]]:'' Finding somewhere above the chaos of the festival is crucial for spotting Anthony and any Abstergo agents. Any elevated point, like the Pyramid Stage itself, should do.
;Weaknesses
*''Communication Device (minor):'' If the PCs obtain or hack a communication device, they can try to lure the patrols elsewhere, automatically overcoming the ''Abstergo Agents'' Challenge.
From the top of the Pyramid Stage, you perch above the festival grounds. Down below, amidst the crowds, you spot several Abstergo patrols. They move with purpose, systematically pushing their way through the revelers. They don't care much for secrecy... they wear sleek, modern uniforms subtly adorned with the Abstergo logo. But then, your attention is drawn to an odd sight. Less than a mile away in the chaos of the festival, a circle of light abruptly illuminates the sky. After a few moments, the darkness swiftly reclaims the lights. You have the strong feeling that this phenomenon is not part of the spectacle offered by the festival.
|-|2 - FIND A TRAIL AT THE STONE CIRCLE=
Searching for the strange phenomenon, the PCs reach the '[[stone]] ring' described by Arthur's prophetic words. A crowd has gathered there. By asking questions to the onlookers, they can learn that the [[sword]]'s pommel resonated with the stones, showing Anthony the way forward.
Navigating through the festival in search of the location where the lights appeared, you dodge numerous patrols of Abstergo agents. Suddenly, you realize you've arrived at the right place when a group of ancient stones arranged in a circle opens up before you. A silent crowd surrounds the stones; many are discussing the lights seen a few minutes ago, while others are busy aiming their smartphones, waiting for them to appear again.
;Challenges
*''Abstergo Agents:'' A few Abstergo agents arrive on the scene, attracted by the lights. They are asking around to understand what happened and where Anthony has gone.
*''Asking around:'' By inquiring among the onlookers, the PCs can gather valuable insights. Among the crowd, discussions abound about a man wielding something bright, possibly a torch. Some speak of strange images that manifested at the center of the stones. After conversing with several individuals, the PCs come across a guy who claims to have witnessed the event firsthand and even captured the entire occurrence on video: "A man was standing in the center of the stone circle when something in his hands lit up, and along with that, all the stones were covered in strange glowing symbols. Look, I got in on video." The man takes out his {{Wiki|IPhone|A-phone}} and shows you a video of the scene just described. The video continues, however, revealing a hologram materializing at the center of the stone circle. The hologram is clearly a map, showing a path leading to a temple submerged under the [[Avalon]] Marshes near Glastonbury.
;Weaknesses
*''A Lone Wolf (major):'' Amidst the bustling festival, a solitary Abstergo agent stands apart from the revelry close to the stone circle. This agent is trying to find Anthony and relaying his location to their colleagues. He has sophisticated devices equipped with advanced tracking and surveillance capabilities, enabling him to meticulously scan the festival crowds. If the PCs can get their hands on such a device, they can easily find Anthony, obtaining everything needed to achieve this Key Objective.
With the path ahead unveiled, you waste no time traversing the miles that separate you from the Avalon Marshes. The urgency mounts as you race against time to reach the destination before Anthony seizes possession of the sword. In the distant darkness, an inexplicable light appears in the very heart of the marsh. The music from the festival, far behind you, threatens to drown out the faint sounds of bubbling water. Before your eyes, the entrance to an [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|Vault]] emerges from a seemingly ordinary patch of marsh. Water continues to cascade from the vault's entrance, suggesting that it has been recently opened.
|-|3 - STOP ANTHONY AND TAKE THE SWORD=
Anthony is entering the Vault with the pommel in his hand. With that [[Shard of Eden]] in his possession, he is close to claiming Excalibur from the mythical waters of Avalon.
From your vantage point at the top of a staircase slick with water you observe the depths of the Vault. There, at the bottom of the stairs, your eyes lock with Anthony's. In that brief moment, you catch a flicker of astonishment in his eyes, before he swiftly pivots and sprints. Chasing him, you find yourself within a colossal, dimly lit chamber. Atop a raised dais lies Excalibur—the Sword of [[Mars]]—the legendary blade of myth. Around it, streams of water flow from an unseen source within the chamber, creating a moat-like effect. The air is charged with ancient power, and a faint, ghostly mist hovers around the sword, giving it an almost ethereal presence.
;Challenges
*''Chase!:'' The PCs must try to reach Anthony before he can get his hands on Excalibur. Due to his training and favorable position, it is necessary to make at least 2 Approach checks with 1 Raise to reach him. If the PCs fail to do so, he will reach Excalibur first, immediately triggering the In the Wrong Hands Setback.
*''To Kingdom Come:'' The moment of the ultimate showdown has dawned.
;Weaknesses
*''Appeal to the Creed (minor):'' If the PCs call upon [[The Creed|the Assassin's Creed]], they can cause Anthony to have a moment of hesitation. If they do so, the next Approach check made has 1 free Raise.
</tabber>
-->


==Done==
==Done==

Revision as of 06:42, 20 February 2025

Next victims

  • Johnson Space Center
  • Samuel Smith (NASA)
  • Anthony (Assassin)
  • Laguna Madre
  • Glastonbury Festival

Done

Prep

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