#ocase

– Troll Territory War in Wrangell Mountains

CASE LEVEL: Three

POINTS REQUIRED: Three Hundred Fifty 

OVERVIEW:

The Wrangell Mountains are a mountain range located in eastern Alaska. Containing two of North America’s largest dormant volcanos, it is a vast and high-peaking range, located almost entirely within the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve. Unbeknownst to the local no-majs, the mountain range is home to two tribes of mountain trolls, who’ve been locked in a bitter feud with one another for the better part of the last three hundred years. For the majority of the feud, the death toll between the two warring tribes remained at zero. Injuries were inflicted of course, but largely the two tribes restrained themselves from ever actually killing one another. Why the war first started, no troll left alive is certain, all they know is that they are quite mad at the other tribe, and that it was likely the other one’s fault why the war ever began. 

Due to the nature of the very mild feud, MACUSA has left the trolls to war against themselves, seeing no reason to insert itself in this centuries long battle. That all changed though, when suddenly the war shifted from a petty fight over a long forgotten issue, to the tribes beginning to fight over territory boundaries. After a pair of younger trolls were named as heads of the two waring tribes, the war began to amplify with both tribes fighting over a small valley that separated the two peaks the differing tribes called home. The first death in this 300 year long war would then be claimed two weeks ago, when trolls discovered the body of one of their own hastily buried in the snow. With a no-maj village not far from the battle, MACUSA has determined that it finally must intervene in this feud, before any additional trolls or humans lose their lives. 

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

Graul: The leader of the first tribe, both tribes call themselves the “Wrangell Tribe”, so MACUSA has instead labeled this first tribe the “Eastern Wrangell Tribe” due to its location on the easternmost peak of the range. Graul is a young troll at only forty years old, and is the son of the late leader. It was one of Graul’s tribesman that was discovered deceased two weeks ago, hastily buried in the snow on the Eastern side of the valley the tribes are currently warring over. 

Roolock: The leader of the second tribe, known as the “Western Wrangell Tribe” by MACUSA. Roolock is even younger than Graul at thirty-two, and was elected as the leader of the Western Tribe. It is Roolock’s claim that Graul’s own tribesman killed the deceased troll that was discovered, as a way to frame Roolock’s tribe for the crime. 

Lysa Krause: Representative from the Body for Protection of Magical Species. Working as the main liaison between the warring tribes and MACUSA, Lysa will be considered the lead negotiator on the team. Lysa has thirty years of experience working alongside the various mountain troll populations throughout the U.S. It is her hope to help reestablish a recognized territory boundary between the tribes, so that the feud could return to a relatively peaceful state.

CHIEFS’ NOTES:

It is very unlikely we’ll end this centuries long disagreement between the two tribes, but we must give what assistance we can to reestablish what peace had remained between them prior to recent events. We’re only there to help negotiations, so please keep that in mind as you go forward. The last thing we want is to make this war any worse than it has already become. 

- Chief Lin 

Other than the territory dispute, it seems like the case would largely benefit from solving the death of the lone victim to this war. I’d strongly suggest you look into the death further after you make it to Alaska. 

- Deputy Chief Harbird

CASE STATUS: OPEN

– Missing Dragon Hatchlings and Aurors over Costa Rica

CASE LEVEL: Three

POINTS REQUIRED: Three Hundred

OVERVIEW:

Under MACUSA law, the sale and breeding of dragons, including any dragon byproduct such as hide or heartstrings, must be done so by fully licensed breeders and distributors. According to current registries, there are only three licensed dragon sanctuaries in the U.S. and about one dozen licensed distributors. As a result, the price of such items have increasingly sky-rocketed in the last forty years, opening the door for a massive epidemic of dragon smuggling and exploitation. In response, MACUSA has harshened the penalties for such crimes, but has done little else to try to solve the growing issue. As for now, the problems continue to persist, and largely it is the local, often understaffed, auror divisions who are left to deal with these cases.

It was last Thursday evening when a band of aurors out of Eastport, ID, near the Canadian border, were tasked to handle yet another one of these cases. According to case documents, the aurors were to guard the shipment of three Peruvian Vipertooth hatchlings, that were to be delivered to a sanctuary in Peru. The hatchlings had recently been recovered in a smuggling bust along with several other illegally obtained items at the border. Having to work quickly, the local auror division put together a team, and flew out under the cover of night toward the sanctuary. By the following evening it was discovered that the hatchlings had never made it to their delivery point, and the three aurors who were guarding them had completely vanished.

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

Recruit Mohammad Hamidi: One of the three missing aurors. Mohammad had only graduated from the academy five months ago, and was the youngest of the three aurors. It was Mohammad’s role to contact the home division once every three hours, alerting them of his and his teammates progress. According to the local division, they had last heard from Mohammad at 4:00pm and he claimed to be flying above San José, Costa Rica.

Lieutenant Spencer Stewart: The lead auror of the team, Spencer was a Lieutenant in the squad, and considered one of its most respected members. Spencer’s duty was as lookout for the trio, and flew ahead of the team to ensure their safe travel. Spencer’s broom was discovered by local wixen authorities within the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica, over 50 miles northeast from the team’s last communication. This means the squad likely turned back at some point after their last communication.

Corporal June Rawlins: The third and final member of the missing auror team. June was tasked with carrying the precious cargo. Having been with the squad for eleven years, this was June’s fourth high security delivery, and was no stranger to danger out in the field. She had been involved in several ambushes in the past, but came out the victor in each one, all except for this last mission.

CHIEFS’ NOTES:

These dragon hatchings were initially discovered in our jurisdiction, at the Canadian border, so that is why this case has fallen to us rather than the Mountain Squad. The search area to cover is daunting, but we must find these aurors and dragon hatchings, before any more harm may come to them. 

- Chief Lin

It’s not looking too good for these guys at the moment, but hopefully with our help we can try to bring them back home. My advice on this one would be to start at the beginning in Idaho. The only people that should have known about this delivery were the Idaho aurors and the Peruvian dragon sanctuary, which means there possibly could be a mole somewhere. Finding that mole may be our key in finding these three.

- Deputy Chief Harbird

CASE STATUS: OPEN

– Tri-State Thunderbird Smuggling

CASE LEVEL: One

POINTS REQUIRED: One Hundred Forty 

OVERVIEW:

A concern that often arises in Arizona, Thunderbird poaching and smuggling has been on the rise in recent years. Reports have been filed throughout Arizona in the Mountain Time Zone, but have spread through Nevada and in to California as well, all prominant places housing various flocks of Thunderbirds. There has been an increased demand for wands with a Thunderbird feather core, which may be the cause for the increased activity. There have also been various potions breakthroughs that call for other parts of the Thunderbird. 

In the last three months, two Thunderbirds have gone missing from the area surrounding the Thunderbird Conservation Center in Death Valley. It is believed that the center is a new favoured area to find the birds, as many who inhabit the area are in need of extra care and are weaker than their wilder counterparts in other states. An ex-smuggler who has been providing information to MACUSA for several years has suggested a certain group of smugglers who may have had a hand in these disappearances. 

The situation has escalated in the past days, with an interupted attack upon a Thunderbird and the sighting of mysterious figures in the area thought to be hunting them. These smugglers were chased off by those who work at the conservatory, but they did cause injury to several of the magizoologists who intervened in the incident. They seemed rather violent and determined to aquire their prey in this moment, which means that they may be under great pressure to make a delevery of the required product. The sighting has been called in to MACUSA with the demand that measures are taken to ensure the capture of the smugglers should they seek to strike again.

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

Lazlo Marx: an ex-smuggler who has suggested he has knowledge of the smuggling ring that might be involved in the recent disappearances of Thunderbirds in Death Valley.

Corporal Raleigh Vega: The Mountain Squad auror who had been working trafficing cases across Arizona. Vega will be available to provide any assistance or information required to the Pacific Squad aurors working the case.

Stephanie Howard: Stephanie runs the Thunderbird Conservation Center in Death Valley, and is the person who reported seeing mysterious figures and potential smugglers around the center. Stephanie is determined to fight against anyone who threatens the Thunderbird population of the area, with or without auror help.

CHIEFS’ NOTES:

While wand cores are still made from thunderbird feathers, those who supply wandmakers with them must hold a special license. This license requires routine inspections by MACUSA officials to make sure they’re obtaining the feathers humanely, and not over-exhausting the animals involved. This means that should these occurrences have anything to do with illegal wand cores, we may be looking at an even bigger case involving wand counterfeiting. Be careful as you proceed with this case, smuggling rings can be extremely dangerous, no matter how trained of an auror you are. 

- Chief Lin

Thunderbirds can fetch quite the hefty price on the black market, which means you’ll be getting in the way of a good chunk of change for these guys- whoever the hell they are. Like Lin said, be careful out there, and make sure you keep your telekits on you at all times. 

- Deputy Chief Harbird 

CASE STATUS: OPEN

– Missing Ghosts in Bodie

CASE LEVEL: Two

POINTS REQUIRED: Two Hundred Twenty 

OVERVIEW:

At the height of the gold rush Bodie, California was a prospering boom town, home to thousands of miners and their families, who’d all made the treacherous journey across the country in order to find gold out west.  For several decades the town would flourish and grow due to the wealth of gold bouyon mined from the local hills, but by the late 1880s the bottom began to drop for the local mining company. In 1880 the town’s census records would report over 5,000 residents, however in only ten short years the population dropped to just under 800. By 1950 the last residents would vacate the town, and thus all that was left of the once booming Bodie, were the ghosts that inhabited it- both figuratively and literally. 

Today the ghost town of Bodie is a National Historic Landmark, and welcomes thousands of visitors each year, both no-maj and wix alike. To no-maj visitors the ghosts rumored to dwell in Bodie would be a legend that many sought out, but none ever found. For any wixes that travel through the town though, those ghosts were very much a reality. At least ten ghosts have been confirmed by wixes over the years to reside in the town, some being much more social than others. For any wix that walked into the town of Bodie it was a certainty that at least one of the town’s former residents would make themselves known- that is until one month ago. 

The first report of something strange going on with the ghosts of Bodie was by a wixen family in late July. The family of four often visited the historic site, and had become well acquainted with three of the ghosts known to haunt the local church and its grounds. According to the family however, all three ghosts and all others in the town were unable to be found. Similar incidents would be reported by every wix who has frequented the area ever since. With concern growing for the town’s ghosts, MACUSA’s Pacific Squad has been called in to investigate the town to see just what might have befallen its well beloved ghosts. 

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

The Whispering Preacher: One of the three ghosts known to inhabit the church. The Whispering Preacher was known to conduct daily services at the dilapidated house of God, but always in a very hoarse and raspy voice. Rumor is The Whispering Preacher was hanged for one reason or another, and that is the cause of his vocal condition. 

The Wealthy Widow: The second ghost to inhabit the church. The wealthy widow is a frequent resident of the last three pews of the church. Visitors know her for her elaborate black gown and black veil. Despite her attire, she is a fairly happy spirit, and often cheerfully greets those wixes stepping into the church. 

Hoop-Stick Petey: The third spirit of the church. Petey is often found in the small cemetery next to the church. He appears 8-10 years old in age, and is usually running around the headstones of the cemetery, playing with his ghostly hoop and stick. 

The Dutiful Deputy: One of two spirits found in the small prison of the ghost town. The Dutiful Deputy is often found either leaning against one of the posts outside the prison, or inside watching over his prisoner. 

Drunk Tank George: Drunk Tank George can always be found in one of two places- the prison or the saloon across the street. Even though it is impossible for the spirit to get intoxicated, he seems to be in a constant state of inebriation. 

The Rancher’s Daughter: A lone ghost known to walk quietly back and forth between a dilapidated house and the town’s general store. The Rancher’s Daughter doesn’t talk to any wixes, and only seems to communicate with the other resident ghosts. Many wixes wonder if she can even see them, as she has never recognized a non-spirit’s presence.  

Moonshine Murray: The bartender for the town’s saloon. Murray is a very personable ghost, who always tries to talk visitors into staying for a drink- even if the saloon hasn’t been serving living patrons since 1924. 

Red-Lipped Rosie: One of the saloon’s  “ladies of the night”. Red-Lipped Rosie is known as such due to the crimson color of her lips and chin. The red stained handkerchief in her hand reveals to visitors that the crimson color of her lips was likely due to consumption. Red-Lipped Rosie can often be found chatting up Murray at the bar, or walking up towards stamp mill on the hill. 

The Solitary Miner: Located at the off-limits stamp mill, where precious ore was once extracted from rock. The miner is a rarely seen spirit, and the most usually seen of them is their shadowy silhouette from the hillside where the mill sits. Visitors are not allowed to go to the mill, as it’s considered too dangerous due to the building’s unstable roof, and old heavy machinery that still sits inside. 

The Black Hound of Bodie: A black hound that is often seen by The Solitary Miner’s side, or sitting at Red-Lipped Rosie’s feet. The Black Hound is not friendly to mortal visitors, and will growl at any that dare get too close to it. 

CHIEFS’ NOTES:

Ghosts passing on is not an uncommon thing, what is uncommon though is that nine ghosts who have been inhabiting an area for anywhere from 100-150 years all disappearing at once. These ghosts may already be dead, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be harmed, so it’s important we find out what happened to them. 

- Chief Lin 

We are only assuming right now that all nine ghosts are gone. Two of these ghosts, the miner and their dog, are rare sightings anyway. It may be beneficial to check out the off-limits mill, to see if the miner truly has vanished along with the others. 

- Deputy Chief Harbird

CASE STATUS: OPEN

– The Curse of The Banshees 

CASE LEVEL: One

POINTS REQUIRED: One Hundred Twenty 

OVERVIEW:

The Banshees is an all-wix pop/rock group that has been dominating the airwaves for the last three years. Comprised of three founding members, The Banshees have become a worldwide wixen phenomenon during their quick rise to fame, and have sold out concerts from Merlinus City to Cairo. This last weekend, the group of wixes were scheduled to play at The Faerie Circle in Merlinus City, but had to unexpectedly cancel at the last minute, due to what the band’s manager claimed was “an unfortunate food poisoning incident” that hit half the band. 

This would not be the truth, however, as hours before the concert all four founding members were rushed to Abasi General, for various serious afflictions. Josie Hatfield, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, abruptly lost her voice entirely. Melody Cupid, the band’s drummer, would lose control of her hands, after both of her arms went completely numb. Valerie Marrón, the bassist, lost the ability to read music, forgetting completely how to play their instrument even. Just what happened to all three wixes is unclear, although a curse of some kind is what has been widely believed by all three band members and management alike. 

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

Paulo Pyle: The band’s manager. Paulo has been with the band since the wix’s first gig, and has been viewed as a loyal and dedicated manager ever since. According to Paulo, all three wixes seemed to have fallen under the reported curse approximately thirty minutes after they left The Faerie Circle earlier that day for a sound check. 

Gabriel Costanzo: Josie’s ex-boyfriend who was seen around the club during the time of the ill-fated soundcheck. When the local aurors contacted Gabriel he claimed he was only near the building to apologize to Josie for their last argument. The pair are routinely on again and off again, and are well known for their petty squabbles. Realizing just what kind of trouble he may be in, Gabriel unceremoniously showed up to the squad’s headquarters, demanding to allow the auror’s to let him explain himself before they charge him for anything. 

 Fiona Frame: The Faerie Circle’s manager. Fiona was present during the entire sound check, and claims that she saw no one other than The Banshees’ road crew handle any of the instruments. Prior to coming to stage for their sound check, all three Banshees were in the dressing room Frame had set up for them, although Frame insists that no one had been in the room other than herself and the band members prior to the trio going on stage. 

CHIEFS’ NOTES:

Gabriel Costanzo is currently waiting in one of our interview rooms, and seems very eager to talk with us. I don’t mind making him wait a little longer though, so please don’t feel the need to rush to his side. He is the one that showed up here unannounced after all, there’s no need in changing your routine just for him. 

- Chief Lin 

Hmm, it’s interesting that all three have fallen under different curses. Which tells me you might be looking for different cursed objects, rather than just one. That is if a curse even is responsible here, which we still don’t know for sure yet. 

- Deputy Chief Harbird

CASE STATUS: OPEN

– The Appearing Town of White Water

CASE LEVEL: Two

POINTS REQUIRED: One Hundred Seventy 

OVERVIEW:

Two days ago something strange happened in the vast expanse of the Mojave Desert. A town appeared, quite literally out of nowhere. Everything from the paved streets, traffic lights, homes, and the town’s court house all appeared out of nowhere. Stranger still is that the residents of the town seem to be from an entirely different state- and time. When the California Auror Divsion went out to investigate the scene they discovered the town was entirely made up of wixen Sioux tribe members, who’d woken up that morning to discover that it was no longer Feburary of 1998, but rather September of 2021. Their town had also moved several states, originating from the Pine Ridge Reservation out of South Dakota, and moving over 1,000 miles away to the Mojave Desert. 

The home base of the Pine Ridge Reservation’s Auror Division is located in the town, in fact all eighteen aurors of the division arrived with the town except for one- a Marcus Mills who was outside of the city limits the night before, working a case. No one has seemed harmed from the sudden move through space and time in the town, but everyone is at a loss as to just how it happened in the first place. Finding themselves quite out of their depth, the California Division has handed the case over to the Pacific Squad, in hopes they may be able to find out what happened to the town of White Water, and if it could be returned to its correct time and location. 

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

Chief Bradley Tabard: The auror chief for the Pine Ridge Reservation Auror Division. According to Chief Tabard and his own aurors’ investigation, they believe the town “moved” at approximately 12:45am. This is because the town’s power cut off in that moment. The local wixes where able to return power back to their residence’s by use of magic, but even graver issues such lack of access to the town’s main water source has put the residents in a dire situation. 

Auror Captain Talia Shiri: Captain out of the California Auror Division. Captain Shiri was one of the first aurors on the scene not from White Water. Captain Shiri has since been researching the town of White Water and discovered a case file on the town’s disappearance written by members of the Central Auror Squad in 1998. Captain Shiri will go over the case with you in White Water as soon as you’re able. 

Jessica Gonzalez: A teenage resident of White Water. According to Jessica her and five friends had been going for a midnight swim in a local pond the night the town “moved”. Two of her friends, an Alexis Harris and Gabriel Rivers, were reported to have been completely submerged in the water during the time of the incident. Suddenly, Jessica says Alexis and Gabriel were no longer in the water, and the depth of the pond shrunk to no more than four inches. 

CHIEF’S NOTES:

See what you can gather from the case file Captain Shiri currently has. It should be able to tell us just what happened on the other side of this “space-time move” or whatever in the world you want to call it. My hope is that we can return the town back to its time and location, but if we can’t, at the very least we need to figure out how on earth this happened to begin with. 

- Chief Lin

I was going to ask whether we know if the town ever reappeared back in 1998 or not, to tell us if we’re going to be successful on the case now. But I’m getting a headache just trying to figure out the whole space-time continuum madness of it all. 

- Deputy Chief Harbird

CASE STATUS: OPEN