Washington National Cathedral; Thursday October 13th 2016
Using their various connections, the funds left by Sarapheen, and a good deal of Robor's personal resources, the quorum outfitted itself with a surveillance van, tools and hardware, a few kevlar vests, two tasers, and a dozen military tear gas grenades with gasmasks.
Sarapheen had also delivered on her promise to grant them Imbued Items, giving the Saint a sword and Emend a ring, both of which had the ability to sway peoples' emotions, as manipulated by the wielder.
To Robor, Sarapheen gave a sword, imbued with the power to call up an invisible shield of protective force; while Beats received a pair of ancient cestus, that could bring bad luck on those who opposed him.
Following that, the quorum took the surveillance van and spent two days staking out the High Oaks Castle property in Great Falls Virginia.
Useful intel gleaned, was that the property was about fifty acres overlooking the Potomac River, with a fenced in area around the castle about five acres on each side that also included a helipad. A paved road ran through a manned gatehouse in the fence and up to the estate, while a dirt power-line access road ran along the wooded back side of the property near the river. A small gate in the fence was also located there, but was locked and the area overgrown enough that only quads could get through it - or those on foot.
Immediately behind the castle was a fancy garden, statuary, and pond with free ranging white geese. There did not appear to be any guard dogs however.
Cameras watched over the main gatehouse, the helipad, and the front and back of the castle itself, though there were no cameras at the back gate. It was unclear what sort of cameras might be used inside the house itself.
As for security, Jack Eaton Jr. had the services of Talon Securities Corp; composed of an eight man security detail that rotated every twelve hours. At 0600 and 1800 hours, a large black tactical van would drive through the gatehouse, up to the estate, and then dislodge the next shift - collecting the previous and driving back out again.
Observing the transfers, revealed that each detail was comprised of a Leader, a Sniper, a Tech Op, and four grunts, and a Greeter. They wore kevlar vests and carried FN PS90 tactical weapons, except for the Tech Op, greeter, and Sniper. The Tech Op and greeter both carried large tablet computers and had .45 caliber sidearms, while the Sniper had both a Barret .50 cal and a FN FNAR 308.
The sniper always set up on the tower overlook, while two grunts were stationed outside - one on the porch and one on the porch overlook above. The greeter was the guy manning the gatehouse and the movements of the rest (inside), were not known.
Jack Eaton Jr. meanwhile, would frequently come in and out on the helicopter that sat out on the helipad. He had a manservant that piloted the copter and almost never left his side. Mama Kark on the other hand, was not seen at all during the stakeout - though dim lights and shadows could occasionally be seen moving in the attic dormers late at night.
Additionally, a Maid service also visited the estate each day, from 0800 to 1600 hours; while a Chef came in at 0700 to 0900 and then again from 1600 to 1800.
Following the stakeout, everyone met back at Saint's meeting room in the underbelly of the Washington National Cathedral. Up to this point, no magic had been employed in the information gathering expedition, aside from Sarapheen having used Shifting the Odds on the surveillance van, to improve the chances of it getting through the stakeout unseen.
While the stakeout was going on, Emend and Robor successfully negotiated a private dinner meeting with Jack Eaton Jr. at the castle, set for Monday the 17th, 6:00 pm - thanks to Emend's ring and Robor's family connections.
Unfortunately, both Emend and Robor had to name-drop to secure the meeting, so there might be the possibility of Sympathetic Connection, should Mama Kark get wind and start using spells against them.
"Well, that gives you tomorrow and the weekend to plan your assault," Sarapheen remarked. "I feel it is going to be quite the challenge for you, but with the element of surprise and if you can avoid engaging them all at once, I think you have a decent chance of pulling it off."
"I am worried however," she continued, "about the potential demonic guardians that Mama Kark can bring to bear..."
