1001 Mummy 2e Plot Hooks

[DontEatRawHagis]

Thought I'd start a new MtC 1001 Plot Hooks thread.

1. The meret awakens to find themselves inside a museum exhibit, during business hours and at least a dozen witnesses.
2. The meret uncovers a medical company draining a dormant mummy for their "stem cells". The company is a front for the mummy's cult, but there is no proof they would have consented to such treatment.
3. A vampire with memories of Irem has been openly talking about it to others. Clearly the vampire has been feeding off of an Arisen, but the question is who and why did they leave the vampire alive?
4. A mummy who has lost their cult and found true love during an Auspicious Descent comes to the meret to help save their love from a grizzly fate.
5. A Relic is being used as a prop for a musician's concert tour.
6. An Immortal has taken a position in the FBI with the strict purpose of "deprogramming" the meret's cult.
7. An abandoned tomb is uncovered within the city, the cult was destroyed decades prior, but the arisen still lays there dormant. But their Relics are unprotected.
8. A police raid on a drug ring lead to the death of dozens of drug dealers and officers, but also a mummified corpse was discovered in the center of the carnage. The truth is likely that the drug ring was an Arisen's Cult and the Arisen's corpse has been taken to the city morgue.
9. Reports of a chimeric monster running amok in the city park has caused cryptozoologists to flock to the city. An Amkhata is likely the cause.
10. An expert team of thieves have robbed the meret's Tombs while they were distracted. A hunter and their crew has claimed responsibility and will return the Relics and Canopic Jars as well as additional Relics they've previously uncovered in exchange for assistance in dealing with a great threat.

[DontEatRawHagis]

11. Arisen encounters an Immortal under good terms, but a memory is triggered showing that in a future they will turn traitor.

[ajf115]

12. The meret have been accused by another of their kind of a grave crime in a prior Descent, but they do not remember it at all. How can they gather evidence to mount a defense when they have no memory of the incident - and what happens if it turns out they are guilty after all?

[ajf115]

13. Arisen have been going missing, and the meret eventually trace the disappearances back to one of their own kind, an unscrupulous Alchemist whose cult have devised a form of the Exudation ritual which allows the Sekhem of one mummy to be drained to feed another's soul. The Alchemist sees this substance as the ultimate manifestation of Dedwen, and seeks to use it to become truly immortal and achieve Apotheosis in this Descent, before they must face the Judges once more. Can the meret bring this blasphemy to an end, and if they can (or if they join the heretic) what will they do with their blasphemous research?

[ajf115]

14. The meret awaken and are tasked by the Judges with hunting down a certain Vessel, as is normal. When they discover it, however, the man in possession of it claims to be a sorcerer, and offers his services in making more Vessels in exchange for his life. Do the Judges wish this man slain out of hand or for his bargain to be accepted, and if the meret do accept, what lengths will they go to to defend their new treasure from others?

[nothri]

15. The immortals known as the Purified are a frustrating mystery to the Arisen and yet paradoxically one of the oldest groups of undying individuals known to the Deathless. Their form of immortality is as close as any to the Arisen's own Rite of Return as the mummies have ever witnessed, and indeed one method of Purification may be based directly on the mummy's own rituals (both the Outer Path of Purification and the Rite of Return originate in the Nile Delta, and both claim to be the secret inspiration behind the Ancient Egyptian obsession with mundane mummification). This faction of Purified often allied with the Arisen in the earliest days, and some Mummies even assisted in granting their servants this form of immortality when other options were unavailable (specifically, it was seen as a fine substitute for a Sadikh when another servant had already been granted that boon). But some Mummies began to compare Purification with the mummy heresy known as Apotheosis, a similar quest to enlighten the soul of a Deathless and break the need to return to Duat and serve the Judges. That decree is ancient and mostly forgotten, but some of mummies that serve the Shepherds recall the mandate and have risen to hunt local Purified in the Nome of the meret. Which side do the Arisen choose?

16. There are other forms of Purification. Perhaps the largest faction of Purified in the world comes from ancient Chinese taoist traditions, stemming from alchemists seeking to imbue their spirit with purfied chi and their flesh with unending life. Chinese history in the real world is filled with numerous historical examples of Dynastic Emperors obsessed with achieving this same divine state by any means necessary, and there are no doubt still more crueler and darker examples of this in the history of the Chronicles. Unfortunately, the Arisen are entangled in this ancient history as well, and not always in the most flattering of ways. The Alchemists Guild especially was fascinated by the far Eastern examples of their ancient arts and through various means and proxies often partnered with Emperors and nobles of the various dynasties of China to learn more. However, as is the way of that guild, the Arisen just as often offered lies and half truths as genuine promises of an immortality serum, and even the most well intentioned of Mummies often failed to create an effective elixir of life (and to be fair, this method of Purification has never been completely reliable even to the most learned of sages). Very unfortunate indeed, because Chinese emperors were never very forgiving of failure as a general rule, and their burial practices tended to involve vast tombs, immense offerings and charms to aid them in the afterlife, and occasionally large numbers of deceased servants or whole armies of Effigies to call upon. If a high chinese official lingered on as a ghost, he would be virtually guaranteed to remain as such for thousands of years armed with innumerable Anchors and loyal servants. And an eternal vendetta against the traitors from the western deserts.

17. On the other hand, many Purified succeeded, and at least some of them were indeed ancient rulers of China. Given the nature of the Shadow as a reflection of the real world, any former Emperor who mastered immortality and gained access to the other side would be treated precisely there as he was in the real world, albeit with servants and court officials of a much more alien nature. In time, as his power grew he would assimilate into the Shadow's hierarchy and become a spirit unto himself. This would seem to be a great boon to any mummy lucky enough to assist said Emperor in achieving their goal, and in some ways it is. However, is it truly an advantage when a powerful, godlike immortal with a mind either completely alien or dangerously mad comes calling at the gates of your tomb eager to repay their ancient debts? Especially when their "gifts" cause a tide of blood and slaughter across the Nome? And what will the jealous Gods of Duat think of this self-proclaimed Emperor of Heaven usurping the time and loyalty of their chosen servants? For that matter, any Purified this powerful no doubts has many rival spirits and perhaps even other Purified as enemies, and they will be more than happy to drag the Arisen into their alien intrigues.

18. He calls himself Dr. Theseus, a wry reference to the Ship of Theseus thought experiment that asks if a vessel that has plied the seas for a long time and been repaired and upgraded so long that none of her timbers are from her original hull can that ship be considered the same one as the original? Theseus likes this question since he himself is almost entirely not made up of his original parts. Theseus is a man who has survived the past 170 years living off the organs and limbs of other people, a hodge podge immortal called a Patchwork Person. The key to his existence is a ticking mechanical devices that keeps his heart beating, running on something more esoteric than electricity (which, given the relationship established between immortals and mummies in the Second Edition, we can safely assume to be Sekhem). The trouble is, his body is constantly breaking down. Every few years another organ needs replacing or another surgery must be performed. Theseus is tired of being in the constant debt of sorcerers and would be Frankensteins just to stay alive. And he has found a solution! While researching the esoteric alchemies that fuel his strange device, Theseus learned of the Arisen and has obtained enough of their secrets to be very, very dangerous. What he finds particularly interesting is the way this ancient rite of return seems to have crafted the immortal's body into a vessel purpose built to contain the flow of Sekhem. Oh yes....and of course, that same function was extended to the organs the ritualists removed from the body and placed in the Canopic Jars. Ancient organs...crafted of impossibly potent magic to stay eternally preserved until the kiss of Sekhem brings them back to life and allows them to work again like new. Theseus already has deep connections to the illicit organ trade. He's even performed a few murders and improptu surgeries on occasion in the name of staying alive. What's a little grave robbing added to the list? The character's canopic jars have become the target of this obsessed man, who intends for his next four surgeries to be his last. He believes that should he replace his current organs with the counterparts of an Arisen's canopic jars that they will make him truly immortal, incorruptible vessels of Sekhem that will never wear out or need replacement. The truth of the matter is whatever the Storyteller likes- they may well simply fail to function completely as one might expect with implanting a long dead organ into a living body. They might make Theseus a unwitting candidate to be a Mummies next body (and if he successfully implants two organs from separate Arisen? Then the lucky doctor might have two ancient, angry souls contesting for his body at the same time!). Perhaps he truly becomes an immortal who will live eternally without need of surgery. If his target turns out to be Deceived, the doctor may even provide the unwitting means for the Shan'iatu to pull their disparate psyches back together in a single body.

[DontEatRawHagis]

19. The Arisen has been dealing with at least two other cults that are trying to stop them. As Memory starts to come back to them, they remember forming one of the cults in order to stop themself from doing something really really bad. Could the other cults have been sent by themself in the past as well?

[DontEatRawHagis]

20. An Arisen runs into an Immortal who accosts them for an overdue rent payment. Ends up in a previous descent the Arisen had rented a room for a couple months, but returned to Duat before paying.

[nothri]

21. This Descent has been particularly difficult on the Mummy. All Arisen must contend to one degree or another with the new era, whether their last Calling was performed a few years, decades, centuries or millennia ago. But the modern world is particularly unforgiving of those ignorant of science and technology. And yet this world has tempting tools available for those willing to master them. This "smart phone" the Arisen's cultists have presented him with has the power to send missives or speak directly to his followers over any distance, guide him through a city as if he were following an expert guide, and even provide instant access to history new and ancient he might require to better achieve the Purpose he has been summoned to fulfill. And yet mastery does not come easily. Just the other day he found himself entering a bleak, bizarre corner of this 'internet', a website filled with strange images mundane and bizarre that he was utterly unable to extricate his device from. He had to ask for assistance from one of his cult, like a child needing his parent to assist in the mess that he had created. The cultist was of course respectful (and to be fair, not suicidal enough) to show his contempt for the shameful incident, but ever since the mummy has sensed a change in his manner. The old creature has lost face among his followers. In his shame he has not drawn any attention to the strange events that have been taking place around him, fearing it is only his imagination. The cryptic messages and phone calls warning him that "they" are coming and not to let "them" inside. The feeling of being watched, of strange distorted faces appearing in computer monitors and TV screens, there and then with a flicker gone. The increasing interest his cultists seem to take in their devices, staring into their phones without typing or speaking...or the habit they seem to have developed of gathering late at night to watch the TV's static. The mummy has always been a somewhat anachronistic, even technophobic entity, but in this particular era it cannot help but think that technology is actively hunting him, however paranoid that may sound.

Indeed, as the saying goes just because you are paranoid does not mean they aren't out to get you. In this case, "they" are a group of accidental body thieves trapped within a sinister website dubbed "Death.com" by those aware of its existence. The full details of this modern form of mind swapping can be found in World of Darkness: Immortals. In brief, the website (whose origins are unknown) displays memories from the minds it draws into itself like any normal streaming service. Spend enough time online and the website draws your mind and soul into the site, where it soon becomes enveloped and perhaps even consumed by the thoughts and feelings of all the others that make up the mental network. Occasionally a mind so trapped can escape back into a new body when the site ensnares a new soul. Even more rarely, sometimes something utterly inhuman escapes instead. Other than this, the website is usually content to be a venus flytrap, drawing in minds that come to it. But the mummy is far more tightly bound to its body than the website can affect, and yet burns far more brightly with Sekhem. The souls of Death.com have therefore become rather more...interested. The mummy has drawn their collective attention like moths are drawn to a flame. But being a conglomeration of minds, many completely insane or bound to a dream like fugue, the response of the website has not been very coherent. Many of the souls are victims, and all desire release. Thus it has sought to both warn the mummy against the dangers of the website (hence the cryptic texts and phone calls) and use the Arisen as a means to escape. It has slowly been insinuating itself into the ranks of the mummy's cult, allowing the most loyal souls access to the first pick amongst the cult ("loyal" meaning minds that are willing and able to access the website again and again and showing it to uncorrupted members of the cult, helping to free their brothers). This scenario can be used to maximize the feelings of anachronism and culture shock a mummy is struggling with upon awakening. In addition, the Arisen must ultimately decide whether to allow the currents inhabitants of his former servants keep their bodies (they are as much victims of this horror of modern technology as anyone else) and what to do about his loyal followers now trapped inside the void of the internet.

[ArcaneArts]

22. The High priest's kid has summoned you up to deal with their bullies. Adulting mixed in with cosmic horror ensues.

[FallenEco]

23: You have been awakened by your own cultists violating your tomb, breaking the sacred geometry and even attempting to throw away Vestiges! It appears some kind of sorcerer has taken over your cult in your absence and they seem ignorant of your kind and Vestiges in general, dismissing them as superstitions.They have demanded access to the Rites your cult has learned and obsessively studied & observed the ones your High Priest has performed. This interloper is trying to steal your secrets as well as your followers.
(Mage crossover intended, but could just be a straight Sorcerer)

[21C Hermit]

24. You awaken after centuries since your last wake… or you think you did. Looks like you just lost your memory of what you did in the last century, because your High Priest (who’s also your Sadikh), who can’t be that old since she’s your previous High Priest’s granddaughter, claims to be your lover. She doesn’t seem to be lying, too.
While still trying to grasp at why in Duat were you dating your own cultist, a fair lady with pure skin that yet reeks with the smell of blood barges in, claiming that she’s your lover.
A few hours later you meet a ‘man’ whose body is not her own. Again, she claims to be your lover.
A day or two later, a high-society gentlewoman contacts you, whose life is stored in a ring. She says it’s her and your engagement ring.
In the name of the Judges, just what was happening with your romantic life, with all these endless appearances of Endless lovers?

[nothri]

22. The High priest's kid has summoned you up to deal with their bullies. Adulting mixed in with cosmic horror ensues.

So sort of Lot 249 in reverse perspective?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5A89sKeMGM&ab_channel=SherlockHolmesStoriesMagpieAudio

[FallenEco]

25: Demonically possessed Lifeless have struck at your cult. You have encountered the unpossessed variant of these blood drinkers before. Reaching out them reveals that normally the tactics these demon-touched blood drinkers are normally applied against them. They have never heard of this "VII" targeting non vampires. But the worst part is that you weren't summoned back to defend your cult. You sent back by your Judge to reclaim the "Old City of your Empire".

[nothri]

26. The renowned Islamic scholar and Egyptologist of the 14th century, Al Maqrizi, once claimed that there was an annual tradition of virgin sacrifice along the Nile to mark the beginning of the flood season. He attributed this practice to the worship of Hapi, a god of the yearly inundation of the Nile and a general lord of fertility and renewal. Modern scholars dispute the existence of these Brides of the Nile (Arous El Nil). But in the Chronicles of Darkness such a grim ritual indeed exists. The Arous El Nil are in fact one of the larger scorpion cults in service to Qerrti, the Double Nile Source. His mandate is to punish those that engage in sexual deviance and perversion. What might offend the bronze age sensibilities of a cosmic horror is anyone's guess. However, the Arous El Nil concern themselves with the inverse of the sins their god punishes, considering virginity sacred and pure and therefore having divine power. Qerrti's name is quite literal- the Iremites like the Egyptians that followed them considered the island of Elephantine near the first cataract of the Nile to be the divine source of the river (the "double nile" refers to the northern and southern portions of Egypt) and believed that the waters flowed up from the underworld through caverns hidden beneath the water. The annual floods came about when Qerrti opened the doors to these hidden chambers and loosed the vital waters upon the land. The Brides were drowned in the river at the start of each year to ensure his favor. The cult still observes that sacrifice in the modern age. According to their own texts, offering a tainted sacrifice or failing to perform the ritual at the appointed hour would result in drought or in a savage flood that would drown whole cities. It is also worth noting that Arous El Nil is a vast cult that does not confines its activities to the Nile Valley alone. The Nile is the mother of all rivers, and the Double Nile Source holds dominion over all great waters. There are sects devoted to his worship along the Amazon, the Yangtze, The Mississippi, the Ganges, the Elbe and a thousand other waters across the continents. Many of them sacrifice their own followers, but many also are content to kidnap children for the ritual as well.