Investigation: Hell and Bach

[OOC Note: The following Document is a report filed by Kakra "Ensoul" Mubarak concerning an investigation mission found within The Secret World Storyline. The report is written from her point of view and should not be taken as a guide or actuality of how the mission takes place within the game itself.]

Investigation Report: "Hell and Bach" Filed 8/25/12 - Kakra "Ensoul" Mubarak

= Initial Investigation = Arrived on the scene at 16:00, area appears to be a low rent motel with basic accommodations. The sign outside appears to be falling apart, but promises premium television channels. The parking lot seems deserted. Nothing else out of the ordinary. Continuing investigation and searching for any survivors. One of the doors is open, a civilian must be still on the premises, moving in to conduct an interview.

Civilian identified himself as "Daniel Bach" and appears to have an unhealthy addiction to prescription medication. Subject made reference to the fact that he was a syndicated writer at one time but is working on a personal investigation for a piece. Bach's mannerisms seem to lean towards profanities and an unhealthy fascination with the occult and beliefs concerning the existence of hell and demons. He states that he is trailing "a dead man" around the world.

"Theodore Wicker", I cannot say I have heard the name personally, but Bach is convinced he was onto something concerning the location of Hell. It seems we have one unstable deluded individual trailing another. This will not end well. Wicker was sighted at this motel in 1987 and stayed in room 13, disappearing soon after. Bach seems to have some deluded belief that this shit hole of a motel contains a door to hell. I honestly wonder whether these people need actual hobbies so they stop chasing down the paranormal. Regardless, I will investigate these claims as I was instructed.

= Bach's "Research" = The contents of Bach's "research" can be found attached to this report. The man is very good at drawing conclusions based on complete fabrications and has a vivid imagination. I can see this being an almost unhealthy obsession with Theodore Wicker and believe that Bach has turned to this dead end fantasy investigation to distract himself from his failing career as a writer. I believe that Daniel Bach may have no family or support structure to sway him away from chasing these flights of fancy. The man could use some psychiatric help.

=Room 13 =

The room seems to be similar to most of low quality motels that I have had the displeasure of staying in when on assignment. The decorations are quite hideous and the bedspread has most likely not been washed in some time. Investigating the room has lead me to discover a journal that appears to have been left by "Theodore Wicker" and graffiti scribbled under the carpet. Probably left by some kids attempting to use a oija board to talk to spirits or pulling a prank on halloween. It is the season after all. Could also be graffiti for all I know honestly. I do not keep up with such practices. The room is a bit warm...I believe the air conditioning unit does not work.

The journal that was left in the room seems to validate my belief that the man was emotionally unstable. He lived in a fantasy world where he was chasing down the belief that hell exists. What could drive a man to this? Investigations into his background will continue as a I follow the leads.

=Top Photograph =

The packet of information, if you can even call it that, loaned to me by Bach has lead me to the sewers near the labyrinth HQ. I am surprised that both Wicker and Bach were able to infiltrate this area without arousing the attention of my superiors. Or maybe they just did not care. I find this whole exercise to be a waste of my talents. The sewer lead to another piece of graffiti, writing on a machine of some sort and another circle. The message reads “NON SUM QUALIS ERAM." I do not know latin.  Noted here if my superiors wish to translate it for future reference.

This all seems like one big hoax. My investigation into Wicker's life has lead me to discover the name Sachrissa mentioned. I believe this may have been a woman dear to Wicker. I am unsure what role she plays in this madness and what caused a historian to turn to chasing down fairy tails instead of valid research.

=Second Photograph =

London this time, a dingy basement under what appears to be a consignment store. The access point under street level gave me the means to enter without arousing suspicion. It seems to be a storeroom of sorts and there is no indication that this location has been used in some time. There is more graffiti, another circle and writing on the ceiling. I cannot translate Latin, I will make note of it if another wishes to translate it. "ORBIS NON SUFFICIT”. I am unsure what these locations have in common other than being easily accessed by civilians and generally secretive, far away from public eye.

Perhaps Wicker was able to delude himself into thinking that just because a location is secretive that it must contain occult properties. Maybe he was just insane and grasping at straws. I am unsure, but it is becoming clear that the man is going to great lengths to live his fantasy of demons and humans living together. I pity him.

Another journal page was recovered. It seems to indicate that Wicker began starving himself in preparation for some sort of exodus or coming enlightenment. This is troubling, the man seems to be losing hold of his own reality. The next location leads to one I am familiar with as I am staying in this establishment for this part of my investigation.

=Tabula Rasa =

I was admitted to the room by the receptionist with no questions asked. It seems to have been vacant since Wicker occupied it. A briefcase was left with a tape recorder. I listened to it. The transcript can be found attached to this report as soon as I type it up. I left the original tapes in the room and requested that it be sealed to prevent other factions from interfering. Wicker seems to have felt that he reached a pinnacle in his research concerning humans and demons. He is convinced of this reality that such beings existed and that we, as people, lived with them. This has clearly driven him mad. A recovered flier seems to indicate that his fantasies were being indulged by a group in the city and people were actually paying to listen to his mad ramblings. I find no reason to track down this lead any longer.

=Conclusion = Both Danial Bach and Theodore Wicker appear to be victims of their own circumstances. Relationship problems, events in their past, or a general lackluster performance in their chosen field of study and work have driven them to turn to a fantastical folktale in order to escape the reality of their situations. Bach has been avoiding his duties as a syndicated writer and turned to drug addiction, fueling his paranoia.

Wicker..I am not sure what to make of him. As the man is not available for questioning I can only believe that this Sachrissa, the woman in his life, must have met a very tragic and untimely end. Possibly a murder, or some sort of situation that forcefully removed her from Wicker's life without a just reason or any cause. Such a traumatic event drove the man to try and escape reality in any way possible and he began to put together a false trail that hell must exist. I believe the man was desperate to try and recover his loved one and was clinging to the only hope he could find that she still existed somewhere. There are no further trails of the man and I must believe that he took his own life or finally succumbed to his abusive fasting and unhealthy practices to "gain enlightenment."

My personal opinion....I believe this is a waste of our resources. Daniel Bach poses no interest to the organization and the 'research' is a red herring concocted from the brain of an addict. Wicker's story is only valuable as a warning to what happens when the proper mourning procedures are not followed and no closure is given. Requesting reassignment as soon as possible.