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You cannot know anything. Only suspect. This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers. |
The Mansion Massacre was an Assassin mission that took place in 2016.[1]
Chapter introduction[]
- Blood Prints
Dr. Zixuan Long is an archaeologist and researcher, who boasts extensive expertise in the Pieces of Eden. Employed by Abstergo Industries, Dr. Long's fascination with Precursor relics and artifacts led him to discover a Staff of Eden probably belonging to Seth, the Egyptian god of chaos, desert, and storms (whose Isu origins have yet to be studied in any detail). In time, his interest in Seth's mythical figure grew into an obsession, leading him to believe he had been chosen to fulfill a prophecy, and that he would eventually sail across the sky on the Boat of the Sun of Ra to deal with Apophis, the serpent god of darkness and disorder.
Delving deeper into his research, Dr. Long uncovered how the Staff was directly connected to other Pieces of Eden: a set of rings bestowed upon Seth's so-called champions. Accessing secret archives and files, he discovered that two of these rings were already in the Order's possession, kept in the private vault of a high Templar member named Aleksandr Omovich. Dr. Long contacted Omovich to organize a meeting in his villa, with the pretext of showcasing the recently discovered Staff of Seth and illustrating its connections with the two rings in Omovich's custody.
Once there, Dr. Long was able to activate a ring, and by using its powers on an assistant he brought with him, he created his own champion. The assistant underwent an illusory transformation, gained superhuman powers, and carried out a dreadful massacre under the control of the staff wielded by Dr. Long.
Description[]
An odd incident at the private residence of Aleksandr Omovich—Abstergo executive and suspected Templar—has raised alarm within the Brotherhood, prompting the decision to dispatch a Crew of Assassins to investigate. An unknown assailant murdered the mansion's private security guards and several members of the staff. What's most unsettling is the manner in which some of the victims were killed: they were completely exsanguinated.
The PCs are entrusted to carry out the investigations by none other than Gavin Banks, veteran Assassin and former leader of the Brotherhood in England. He tasks them with recovering the surveillance footage from the villa's security systems, in order to find out what really happened.
A message left at a drone drop point recites:
- Dear Assassins,
I trust this message finds you in good health and safety, as its content is of the utmost urgency.
Recent events at the mansion of one Aleksandr Omovich in Holland Park demand immediate investigation. He was an Abstergo high executive, doubtlessly a member of the Order. Given your proximity to the area, your cell has been tasked with this crucial mission.
Disturbing reports refer to a nightmarish incident, with at least nine members of the house staff massacred, an unknown number of private security personnel, and Omovich himself counted among the victims. Even more unsettling is the claim of a homeless man interviewed by local news, who reported to have witnessed "the devil" leaving the villa and flying into the night.
Abstergo's intensive efforts to suppress information about the incident are of the most significant concern. Still, the police arrived before their squads for one time, and cordoned off the place to investigate the crime.
Now, I need you to recover the surveillance footage from the villa's security systems and whatever will help us understand what happened. While you proceed with the investigation, I'll reach your cell's hideout. Meet you there.
P.S.: Exercise caution but act with swiftness, and always remember:
Nothing is true; everything is permitted.
G.B.
Intro[]
- Special
The Assassins must search for clues while evading Police surveillance. The following information can be found depending on their approach:
- The Video: The Police have already collected the footage from the mansion's security system. The Crew's only chance to get it is by stealing or copying it from the evidence repository located in the main hall of the mansion.
- Eyewitness: Rob is a respectable 57 year-old homeless man. Most of the time, he can be found feeding the koi carp in the Holland Park pond, night and day. The night of the assault his curiosity was aroused by the sound of gunshots and by the mansion's alarm. When he got close to the villa, he witnessed something odd:
"A monster emerged from the big house late at night. I called the police, and when they came, they asked if I had filmed something. When I said yes, they took my phone. But they didn't take this..." Rob takes out a pizza box, on which he drew a monstrous face with long, pointed teeth and red eyes—not exactly a realistic likeness...
Key objectives[]
The first goal of the Crew is to access Omovich's residence without getting caught by the Police. There are multiple approaches to achieve this: for example, the PCs could use fake officer badges or forensic investigator disguises to enter by the front door or access the evidence repository area. Alternatively, they could turn the power off and make a swift entry through the rooftop or windows.
A crowd of cynical reporters and morbid onlookers surrounds the crime scene. Your mission is clear: enter the mansion without alerting the Police force guarding the perimeter. The options are many, and the success of the operation rests on your decisions.
Looking at the villa, you note that you need to enter the garden first, then the building itself. The Police cordoned the place off, and Abstergo agents may be among the officers. You better keep your eyes wide open.
- Challenges
- Do Not Cross: The mansion is vast. A big garden surrounds a three-story building comprising dozens of rooms, multiple lounges, bathrooms, attics, and a basement. Several Police officers with dogs and equipped with tasers guard the perimeter (only a few might carry guns). They will stop anyone from entering the garden without a badge or permit. All Stealth checks made to cross the perimeter around the villa require 1 Raise.
- Inside the Villa: Forensic investigators concentrate on their work inside the mansion. All Stealth checks made to move around the villa undetected require 2 Raises.
- Weaknesses
- Spectators (minor): The importance of the owner of the villa has attracted lots of reporters and curious onlookers. Some of the Police officers are indeed busy keeping them away from the crime scene. The PCs can profit form the confusion, for example to plan a diversion allowing them to enter the garden undetected. In this case, the PCs overcome the Do Not Cross Challenge.
Once inside the villa, the PCs' best chance of uncovering what happened within the mansion is to make their way to the evidence repository located in the main hall. There, they can access the mansion's security footage. Most of the surveillance videos have already been transferred to the Police department, but the Crew may still be able to extract useful information from there.
As you explore the villa, you can sense the tension among the forensic investigators. Traces of a horrifying event are evident everywhere. Bloodstains splatter walls and floors, while detectives meticulously collect samples. Here and there, deep claw marks mar the walls and expensive furniture. In the main hall, two police officers stand guard over the evidence repository.
- Challenges
- Copy the Video: The PCs are equipped with the tools they need to make a copy of the video. However, the procedure requires time, and they just can't do it in front of the two Police officers standing guard. Convincing them to leave the room and let the PCs work unwatched is more than problematic. A compelling story may not be enough, even with the proper badge or disguise. Any Social check made to overcome this Challenge requires 2 Raises.
- Steal the Video: Attempting to steal the hardware containing the surveillance video requires a diversion.
- Weaknesses
- Department Transfer (minor): With all the coming and going of officers from different departments, there are too many faces to keep track of for the two Policemen standing guard in the main hall. By successfully pretending to be in charge of transferring the evidence to the Police station, the PCs may be able to get what they want—any Social check made to overcome the Copy the Video or Steal the Video Challenges requires only 1 Raise.
Debrief[]
The video recording sends shivers down your spine. The chilling images would be easy to dismiss as fabricated if you hadn't witnessed the aftermath firsthand. In the footage, a humanoid figure with blood-red eyes and a face twisted in rage mercilessly dispatches innocent staff members and private security guards one by one, using monstrous claws and fangs.
Behind the scenes[]
Notable NPCs[]
Gavin Banks is a former leader of the Assassin Brotherhood. Recently, he's been stationed on the ship Altaïr II, closely monitoring global Assassin operations and maintaining active communication with cells worldwide. Banks possesses the Eagle Vision gift, although it requires concentrated effort to use. Gavin Banks is a natural born leader and a sharp-minded, skilled Assassin.
Sequence Hooks[]
The following hooks can be used to play one or more Sequences occurring prior to the events depicted in [the following sequence] "From Dusk Till Dawn."
- More Questions (Modern Day): The PCs, determined to uncover more about the events that took place at the Omovich mansion, decide to interview one of the surviving staff members, currently under surveillance at St Thomas' Hospital. Upon interrogation, the staff member discloses that a few weeks prior, two new Pieces of Eden were delivered to Omovich on direct orders from the Chief Researcher.
- The Black Cross (Modern Day): As the PCs trail the tracks left by the killer, they encounter a formidable obstacle: the Black Cross, Juhani Otso Berg, intercepts them. This formidable adversary of the Brotherhood isn't here to engage in combat with the Descendants. Instead, he seeks to ascertain whether they are involved in the recent massacre or not.
- London Twilight (Simulation): The PCs investigate the creature captured on the surveillance footage. Their quest leads them back into the Animus, transporting them to a memory block set in London, in the year 1870. Here, they are confronted by a series of gruesome murders, all attributed to a supernatural culprit. The investigation leads them to a Wallachian nobleman, but before the Brotherhood can confront him, he manages to escape.