Track Four: Light My Fire

[Starspawn338]

"I am certainly not equipped for an outdoor adventure. Shall we meet at the Sospiri for breakfast tomorrow before we are off?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The ever-helpful Big Kahuna can rent the investigators a couple of dune buggies, as long as they're willing to pay through the nose and leave a big deposit. With some crowding, they can all fit into the vehicles, although anything very bulky will probably have to left behind at a Barstow motel after they leave paved roads.

"Try to bring those things back in one piece, OK?"

Asking around, and digging through the morgue at the offices of the Venice Vanguard newspaper, a small weekly, yields a little information about the group. The articles are mostly of the local color type, briefly describing a tiny group of fire worshipers moving into an abandoned building. Despite a few encounters with the fire marshal, they kept to themselves and didn't cause any trouble. They left town when unidentified individuals, apparently objecting to their religious activities, entered the place during one of their ceremonies and trashed the joint. Police failed to track down the vandals.

All of this information is shared among the investigators as they enjoy such things as (frozen) orange juice and (dehydrated) scrambled eggs at Sospiri.

[Mr. Handy]

"Asbestos-lined clothing would make us awfully hot," says Liz, who gladly put down the large deposit for the dune buggies, "but it could save our lives if that chap starts flinging fire at us. We could always put it on when we get there so that we don't overheat on the way. Weapons might be useful too, if we can get some."

[jp1885]

Tony, now attired in the latest in safari suits (pale blue), pokes the scrambled egg with his fork.

"I've left instructions with my man to locate some fireproof clothing and deliver them here. I've no doubt he will rise to occasion admirably. I agree that it's be hard going in the desert wearing such things, but having them to hand will be most useful."

He takes a mouthful of egg, swallowing doubtfully.

"I abhor firearms - too many unsightly bulges," he says through a grimace, "but be all means 'tool-up' as they say in the East End. I've also taken the liberty of ordering a number of portable fire extinguishers."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Thus prepared, the investigators are nearly ready to set out, some in the dune buggies, some in other vehicles they have available, in order to carry all this equipment.

"Gotta know who's drivin' these babies," the Big Kahuna remarks as he hands over the keys. "Insurance and stuff, you know."

After an uneventful drive through the desert, the convoy arrives at Barstow, a modest town with the facilities one expects. A simple but clean motel provides accommodations for all. The question remains: How to determine where to turn off, as the map, hardly drawn in detail, indicated? There are any number of paths, many hardly visible, leading off into the wilderness, where hikers, horseback riders, and dune buggy enthusiasts have made their way.

[jp1885]

Tony will engage the more conservative-looking locals in conversation, asking where the 'hippies and weirdos' all went to. He will explain vaguely how he and his friends are from 'the authorities' and have heeded said local's calls to 'do something about it'.

[SunlessNick]

Meanwhile, Zara will cast her artist's eye over the map and the local landmarks to see which trails seem more likely. (She'll also see which of one seem more well trafficked).

[Mr. Handy]

Liz, now wearing a very short pair of khaki shorts and a white tank top, tries to talk to some of the locals as well, knowing that her charm is her greatest strength.

[Starspawn338]

Lew is dressed casually for the heat. Since he is a good talker, he will also try to glean information from the locals about how exactly they can locate this cult in the middle of the wilderness. Even though he is a bad liar, he will attempt to convince them that he is looking for his son who has run off and joined the cult.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Tony will engage the more conservative-looking locals in conversation, asking where the 'hippies and weirdos' all went to. He will explain vaguely how he and his friends are from 'the authorities' and have heeded said local's calls to 'do something about it'.

Spoiler:

CHA = 13[dice]0[/dice]

Clearly impressed by his dress and manners, a group of retired men at a local diner tell Tony what they know.

"'Bout time the gummint did sumthin' about them creeps. Tried to start one of their so-called 'temples' 'til the sheriff run 'em off. Heard tell they high-tailed it up to old Loco Bill's hideout."

Upon further questioning, the location to Loco Bill's hideout -- actually a small but comfortable home built by an eccentric fellow who made his fortune in the borax business many years ago, abandoned upon his demise -- is described.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Meanwhile, Zara will cast her artist's eye over the map and the local landmarks to see which trails seem more likely. (She'll also see which of one seem more well trafficked).

Spoiler:

INT = 10 + Perception 1 = 11[dice]0[/dice]

Zara's sure eye for detail reveals a vague trail that seems to fit exactly both the story of Loco Bill's hideout and what little can be told from the map; in addition, she is able to tell that it does not get very much traffic at all, but has seen use by a four-wheeled vehicle a day or two ago.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Liz, now wearing a very short pair of khaki shorts and a white tank top, tries to talk to some of the locals as well, knowing that her charm is her greatest strength.

Spoiler:

No roll needed with CHA = 17 + Beautiful (3) + Charming (3) = 23

A group of young men hanging around a gas station whistle and shout as Liz walks by.

"Hey there, li'l darlin'," one remarks. "How's about you and me headin' out to the hoedown tonight? Gonna be a fine time. Plenty of Miller High Life and foot-stompin' for sure. You like Buck Owens? He's a pal o' mine."

"Hell, Earl," another remarks, "you're so full of it you could open up a fertilizer factory. Don't pay him no mind, sweetheart. Lady like you needs a real gentleman like me to escort her around."

Somehow, between all this flirting and competing for her attention, Liz is able to elicit the information that, once you've gone exactly 1.2 miles down the trail to Loco Bill's hideout, you need to turn right at "a big ol' cactus that looks like a scarecrow" to get to the place.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lew is dressed casually for the heat. Since he is a good talker, he will also try to glean information from the locals about how exactly they can locate this cult in the middle of the wilderness. Even though he is a bad liar, he will attempt to convince them that he is looking for his son who has run off and joined the cult.

Spoiler:

Cha = 11; well-spoken (+3) and bad liar (-3) cancel each other out; + 3 for bohemians but - 3 for squares, so let's see who listens to him.[dice]0[/dice]

Most of the people in this rather conservative town refuse to listen to Lew's story, figuring it's some kind of con game. However, there's an old desert rat, in town to pick up some supplies, who has been living like a hermit, just him and his mule Sally, in a shack out near a played-out gold mine that provides him with just barely enough income to survive, who is willing to talk.

"I seen this here young fella, him and some other men and a buncha gals, up at Loco Bill's place. Dagnabit, I sure miss old Bill. Only fella worth a plugged buffalo nickel 'round these parts. Anyhoo, they raise a big old hullabaloo just about every night 'round midnight, with a buncha bonfires and all. Wouldn't have nothin' to do with 'em myself. Hope you find your youngun."

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," Liz says to the young men. "I have a prior engagement today, but perhaps another time." She returns to her friends and compares notes with them. "I think we have enough information to find the place now."

[Rooter]

Carson nods. "Good work. I'd like to stake the place out at midnight and see what they're getting up to."

[jp1885]

"Capital idea old chap - I don't suppose there's much cover around there during the day. We could drive so far in the dune buggies and then sneak up the rest of the way."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that's the best plan," says Liz. "We may also want to dress like they do, so that we might be able to infiltrate."

[Starspawn338]

"Then let's find a cool place to have a pint. Lew says. "We have a bit of time before we need to leave."

[jp1885]

Tony looks aghast at Liz's suggestion.

"You mean feathers, beads and..." he shudders "...tie-dye? If that's the case, then I'll ceratinly join you for a beer Lew!"

[Mr. Handy]

"I know, Tony," says Liz. "It goes against every bit of fashion sense I have, but we all have to make sacrifices. I'll join you in that pint too."