The Magnus Archives - The Magnus Protocol 49 - Pipelines

Episode Date: August 28, 2025

CAT2RBC3455-10072011-17062024architecture (hubris) -/- plumbing (historical)Incident Elements:·  ClaustrophobiaTranscripts available at https://rustyquill.com/transcripts/the-magnus-protocol/You can find a complete list of our Kickstarter backers https://rustyquill.com/the-magnus-protocol-supporter-wall/Created by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall  Directed by Alexander J NewallWritten by Alexander J NewallScript Edited with additional material by Jonathan SimsExecutive Producers April Sumner, Alexander J Newall, Jonathan Sims, Dani McDonough, Linn Ci, and Samantha F.G. Hamilton Associate Producers Jordan L. Hawk, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetius d’Raven, and Megan Nice Produced by April SumnerFeaturing (in order of appearance) Anusia Battersby as Gwen BouchardBillie Hindle as Alice DyerTim Fearon as AugustusLowri Ann Davies as Celia RipleyMike Thoms as Brett LarzDialogue Editor – Nico VetteseSound Designer – Meg McKellarMastering Editor - Catherine RinellaMusic by Sam Jones (orchestral mix by Jake Jackson) Art by April Sumner  SFX from Soundly and Freesound: SpliceSound, sweet_niche, SG80_MED1A, Vrymaa as well as previously credited artistsCheck out our merchandise available at https://www.redbubble.com/people/RustyQuill/shop and https://www.teepublic.com/stores/rusty-quillSupport Rusty Quill by purchasing from our Affiliates;DriveThruRPG – DriveThruRPG.comJoin our community:WEBSITE: rustyquill.comFACEBOOK: facebook.com/therustyquillX: @therustyquillEMAIL: [e-mail] The Magnus Protocol is a derivative product of the Magnus Archives, created by Rusty Quill Ltd. and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share alike 4.0 International Licence.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RustyQuil Presents The Magnus Protocol Episode 49 Pipelines It's I'm going to be able to be. I told you, I told you, Celia, you have to knock before...

Yeah, not Celia, not knocking. She in yet. Really, Alice? You disappear to Berlin for weeks, chasing a dangerous lead with no word other than a trail of blurry receipt photos, and that's all you have to see. say? Okay. Hi Gwen. I hate what you're done with the place. Now is she in or not? No. She should be though. Right.

Now what are you... Catch! What is this? A souvenir. Oh. Well thank you Alice. You really should... Don't open it. Put it down. Now. What is it? I don't know. It's from that external Heinrich. And you brought it here? I already tried burning it and throwing it in the Thames, but it just comes back.

What do we use to store this stuff? What stuff? You know, spooky stuff. Haunted dolls, possessed lawnmowers, evil things. You keep saying you're in charge, so what have we got? Alice, we don't store things here. It's a desk job. Seriously? Nothing.

Do we have a safe at least? We need to keep it away from Celia or Jack. I'll see what I can do. I suppose Stark War might have some kind of artefact storage facility or something. Speaking of, how did you find their agent? I mean, he looked the part. Good. But then he pissed off Heinrich and got immediately ripped apart, so two stars?

I'm sorry, what? He was... Killed horribly, yeah? I see. And you didn't think it might be worth mentioning? this at some point? I didn't want to get into it over the phone. Besides, we were busy.

We? Yeah, me and Heinrich, the monster who killed him. We were tracking stuff down about Klaus Schweitzer, the programmer I was talking about, when we ended up, um, what? What? What do you know? Gwen!

You didn't tell me that was his name? Schweitzer? Why does that matter? You know him? You remember when I was asking about what of the old IT star for why? while ago, before everything... Well, before everything. What? I mean, vaguely?

You wanted to know about some random old hire? What was his name? God damn it, Gwen! What? You let me piss off all the way to Germany with killer toys and stassy psychos. Wait, what? And this whole time you already knew what was going on. You could have done something.

No! No, it's not like that. I just... I saw a video of him and Lena where she, well, shot him. I... What? He was begging her to spare him, they struggled, the gun went off. She'd killed him? I mean, it looked like he got away, but she'd shot him in the gut, so... So that's how you did it.

Did what? This whole time, I've had this pathetic little hope that maybe, maybe I was wrong. Maybe you were put in charge because somehow, despite your constant bullshit that the might be something, some secret reason that made you worth promoting. But there isn't. You just looked into some melodramatic soap opera dirt on Lena and ran with it. It wasn't luck. Really? That's what you're taken away from that. Fine. Then how did you find out about it? I was... I was sent it. By who? Freddy? No. Well, sort of. It was Augustus

What? We've been talking, sort of. I'm sorry? He sent me an email with the video attached, and he told me how I could use it. And what? You just believed him? It, some sketchy email from a random voice at a haunted computer tells you to jump,

and you just ask how hard. I'm not an idiot, all right? But it, he knew things, Things that I needed to know and when I had decided I was going to leave He warned me what would happen What are you talking about, Gwen? Sable's Knight

Confidential Property Information Disclosure Form 987-2012 for the benefit of Elric Capital Investments Limited Property address Strand Lane Baths 5 Strand Lane, London. Postcode WC2R2NA. Current owner, National Trust, England, reverted following disputed Bouchard leasehold. Contact information, Chauvene Nloe at Nationaltrust.org.com. Property classification restricted historic site. Year of construction

1612. Number of prior owners, 9 plus. Title deed reference number LN1611360. Occupancy status unoccupied. Primary use of property, historic site. Structural damage, flooding. See attached. Legal disputes or planning issues? Ownership contested by boosted by boosted. Ashard Estate and National Trust. Has the property been the location of any serious criminal activity, including violent crime or unexplained deaths? William Weddle, 1792, Elias Bouchard, 2011, details attached. Has the property been subject to police investigation? Yes, C attached. Has the property undergone professional remediation for biohazards? or contaminants. Pending remediation for human remains. See attached. Any persistent issues with

utility systems? Yes. See attached. Environmental hazards? Yes. Lead piping, lead-based paint. No remediation. Unapproved modifications. Yes. See attached. Existing warranties, guarantees or active insurances? Yes, see attached. Zoning. Historic site, commercial space, mixed use. Access rights, easements or similar? Yes, National Trust covenants and easements including limited public access rights and conservation orders. Outstanding taxes or fees. Yes, see Bouchard Estate dispute. We, the undersigned, a affirm that the information provided in this form is accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge. Signed, Jason Knight and Derek Saville, 209, 2013.

Additional notes or comments. Requested documentation attached per your request with permission of London Met. I hear it's being treated as a mental health incident which makes sense. Let us know if you're looking to invest in an actual Roman site or other health. historic property, and we'll be happy to deal with you directly. Jason. First attachment as follows. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B. at Savilsnight.com

Ray, the Baths 0307, 2011, 1129 a.m. Hey dude, figured I should bounce this into a separate thread now we're settled. I also looped out Sebastian over. Red Elric, no need to bore him with the details. Well done, getting NT to play ball with the lease, even if it is with all those T's and C's. They should be paying me, given all the restoration work. Planning permits are all in, too. I'm guessing Westminster are just glad not to be paying the bills anymore. Either way, you better start calling me Dionysus, because I run a Roman

bathhouse now. If you can be on site tomorrow to let the shaman in, I'd appreciate it. Fair warning, He's not as chill as you would expect, but he won't be any trouble. He's just excited to start testing the convergence. You know what the layline lot are like? Just don't ask about the rock map again, otherwise he'll be fully off on one. T-TYL. Elias. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com. Ray, Ray, the Baths.

0307, 2011. 11.30 a.m. Oh, also, I found someone to test the water. He's not cheap, but he knows what he's talking about. He suggested it might be coming from Hollywood or St. Clement, before I even mention them. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B. at Savilsnight.com.

Ray, Ray, the Baths. 0307, 2011, 1132 a.m. Also, also, if you have anyone on file for Roman restoration work, let me know. I want the best. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com. Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 05-07, 2011, 11.19 a.m. Hey dude, Charmin is totally on board, which is cool.

Apparently it's not quite on the strand line, like I thought, but there's still definitely some energy there. Caesar's well will just have to pick up the slack, right? Seems fair to me for a Roman bath. Loll. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com. Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 06, 2007, 2011, 11.02 a.m. Hey, dude, you might want to update your records.

I tried your Roman ruins guy, but once I told him the job, he just laughed at me. You might want to steer clear of him in future. Luckily, I found a guy online, and he reckons we should be able to do the Bigfoot Ford-Metania renovations, no problem. The marble and stucco won't be as cheap, but it'll be worth it. An ancient Roman bath fully harmonized in central London? That's worth spending a bit of cash on, right? Still no need to loop Sebastian in.

This is all in scope. All going well, six months from now, you won't need that plaque on the wall. People will be able to feel for Spasianic energies, never mind what the great and powerful LCC architect's office say. Speaking of, the water guy should be round today. I'd appreciate it if you could let him in. All going well, he'll be able to finally put that stupid modified system nonsense to rest. anyone with any real spiritual understanding can tell it's a real site of power not just glorified plumbing

and the sooner we can prove it the sooner we can start doing the real work thanks again for your help i did hear you when you said you don't normally deal with stuff after point of sale but this should be the last time promise later's elias Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 0907, 2011, 10.02 a.m. Big news. The water results came back yesterday with slight elevations of nitrate and phosphate. That pretty much proves it's special.

We are so on. I know he mentioned stuff about lead as well, but like, it's a Roman bath. We knew that going in, right? I'm heading in today to take some measurements for the marble people. You should come along, and I can sign those last papers. Cheers, dude. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B. at Savilsnight.com.

Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray. the baths. 10.07, 2011, 06, 03 a.m. I know you said not to message you again, but like, this one's important. So after you left, I figured I'd poke around a bit, soak up the vibes one last time before all the construction work started proper. Anyway, I was feeling the brickwork in the main corridor, and I could feel that buzzing again, like I told you. I could sense all the old Romans still there, just on the other side of the wall, only this time I could like really feel it, you know? And as I got to the blocked door at the end, I don't know why, but I started feeling like if I could just open it, I could join them, like there was some secret door or

something. So I just sort of pushed on it just to see, you never know, right? And then it gave way, and the other side. We always knew there was a whole mess of stuff hidden on the King's College side in the old Norfolk Hotel basement, but this, I went to Pompeii as a kid on a school trip, walked the street, saw the graffiti on the walls,

and mostly, I was disappointed. I didn't feel anything. It was dead. It was all just rocks, old rocks in the shape of a city and its people. The next day, we went to Herculaneum. It's another Roman ruin just down the road and you'd think it would be just the same. But you'd be wrong. It didn't burn like Pompeii. It was buried in a mudslide

and that changes everything. There you could feel it. The streets, the buildings, the people. They were all preserved after all that time completely untouched. They were still there and it was still alive and I could feel it. That's what it felt like. like on the other side of that doorway. The mosaics on the floor, the frescoes, every inch of it was real. You could see it, you could touch it, only I didn't want to. They were all grotesques, strange chimeras of plants, people, and animals. Also tangled up with one another, you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.

A huge, sprawling morass of life in tile. I caught myself, tracing a path along the revealed corridor. Man, to dog, to plant, to fish, to tree, to... Something I couldn't even recognize. Winding paths of transformation, stretching into darkness. I don't even know how far I followed those things in the dark, lulled by the murmur of thousand-year-old conversations. But eventually, I found another door.

A small, non-descript one. at the base of the wall which every monstrous route led to. I wanted to open it, to find another living treasure inside, to pull it out, into the light, and let it shine for everyone to see, to let them feel its power the way I did. But I didn't. I'm not stupid. I didn't have the right gear, and no one knew where I was. That's why I'm going tonight instead.

My phone's charged. I've got a torch, a digital camera. I even borrowed a hard hab from one of the roofers, and if anything happens, you'll know where I am. I'll be going in around seven once all the workers have gone home. No sense freaking them out. I'd appreciate it if you could come, Jason. I wouldn't have got this far without your help.

Call me, if you get this in time, you have my number on file. Wish me luck, dude. If this goes well, you're about to have the biggest win of your career. Elias Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 10.07, 2011, 7.34 p.m. Heading in now, I can feel that buzz again and it's so strong.

And I can definitely hear conversation on the other side of the walls. It must back onto a lecture hall. or something. Going to check the trap door first. My guess is it leads to some kind of hypercourced, but I need to be sure. We've got to have a complete record to shove in all their faces. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com. Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 10-07, 2011, 748. p.m. It's full of pipes, thick lead ones all over the place. I'm trying hard not to disturb them,

but it's getting difficult to move, and it's too hot. There's condensation everywhere, and when I touched one of them, it scalded me. If you get this, I might need some help. I'm struggling here. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B. at Savilsnight.com. Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray. The baths. 107, 2011, 7.54 p.m. You need to answer your phone. I'm stuck.

Got myself wedged between the pipes and they're burning me. No one's answering their phone. I need help. Elias goes hard at hotmail.com to Jason B. at Savilsnight.com. Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 10.07, 2011, 8.01 p.m. The pipes are moving.

I can feel it. They're moving, and they're burning me, Jason. Help! Help me! Elias goes hard at Hotmail.com to Jason B at Savilsnight.com Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, the baths. 10.07, 2011, 8.03 p.m. Help us, hey, holl and grow.

I get up for. Okay, lonely, deluded hippie gets crushed to death. Pretty standard stuff. What am I missing? Elias, he was my uncle. He was the only one who ever listened to. It doesn't matter. The point is, I never knew what happened to him. Augustus showed me. Listen, Gwen. I'm sorry about your uncle, but honestly, it sounds to me like Freddy tricked you into taking Lena out by tugging on your heartstrings and trying to, I don't know, fill that void that your uncle left. You still don't get it.

I liked Elias, but he wasn't a father figure. He wasn't a mentor. He was a cautionary tale. Well, yeah, of what happens if you mess with this stuff. He was a warning of what happens if you don't figure out what's happening. Whatever that dread is, if you touch it like we have, the only way to survive is to master it. Elias was an idiot who let himself get chewed up. I'm not. I'm the one pulling strings now. Gwen, listen, I don't think you've realized... Haven't you got a caseload to catch up on?

I know you're scared of what's been happening. Get out of my office, Alice. You're back? Yeah. Hey Celia. Glad to make it's back in one piece. You'll have to tell you the whole story once I'm caught up. Sure.

Looks like you've been busy without me. without me. No. Well, you know. Sure. Listen, Alice, I'm sorry. Yeah? Yeah. You've every right to be annoyed that I haven't made any progress with the Sam stuff while you've been risking your life chasing Freddy's shadow.

I mean, I won't lie. I was definitely beaved at points. And I'm sorry, I truly am. If I could bring him back, I would. I just... What with doing all the cases on my own and... Gwen and Jack and it's... It's okay. No, it's not. Celia, honestly, it's all right. I was thinking stuff through on the flight back

and hadn't spoken to Gwen just now. I get it. It's not been easy here and you've got a life outside of the shit hole. You've got your own stuff going on and I... I don't want to get in the way of that. Alice. Let me finish. I got this all scripted in my head on the way here

and we haven't got to the two. or reunion part yet. Sorry. I don't blame you for what happened to Sam. None of this awful crap is our fault. And when it comes for you, there's really nothing you can do about it. That said, if you still want to be part of trying to figure out what happened to Sam and how we can get it back, that's great. If not, I understand.

I'm not interested in losing anyone else. We've got to look out for one another, especially, with whatever's happening to Gwen in there. And if that means giving you your space, or not. I'm staying. I promise. I just, I can't really explain me right now.

That's okay. I'm that tired, I'd only forget it anyway. Right, come on then. Let's get back there in stock. cleaning all this mess. Hello, Brett. Hello, Brett. This is Gwendolyn Bouchard of the OIAR. Ah, Miss Bouchard. I was just about to call you. I just heard that your employees returned to the UK. That's correct. I've also been informed that our operative was killed in action.

Correct. It seems to... that your field-trained specialist managed to get himself killed almost immediately by an external, leaving my staff member to complete her work entirely unprotected for the rest of her trip. Yeah, our analysts tell me our operative was murdered by an entity marked by yourselves as you're in-country agent. Is that correct? Yes. Well, firstly, I can only apologize for what's happened. This is, of course, the last thing we wanted as a demonstration of our services.

I should hope not. Of course, we can only operate completely effectively. when provided complete and effective intel. And it's clear to me, the threat level of your in-country contact was misrepresented, hence the suboptimal outcome. Suboptimal? You'd call a dead staff member and an at-risk client sub-optimal. Well, firstly, I'd just like to point out that all our field operatives are actually individually licensed private subcontractors.

And as such, Starkwall Protection Services does not accept any professional liabilities relating to them. Of course you don't. Secondly, according to our reconnaissance reports, your infill staff member actually left the location with the in-country external agent and proceeded to go about their business under no duress, meaning that although the unanticipated fatality was regrettable, it did not compromise your employee safety nor your organization's stated objectives at the time. Are you finished?

Just making sure we're all on the same page, Ms. Bouchard. Then let me make it as clear for you as possible. Based on this laughable performance, the OIAR will not be renewing your contract at this time, and I will instead be lodging a formal complaint. Sorry to hear that, Ms. Bouchard. After all, the OIAR is a valued historic client. I'll have our complaints department get in contact by email

to discuss the matter further with you. But otherwise, I wish you luck finding alternative security arrangements. And if that doesn't work out, you know how to reach us. Goodbye, Brett. Talk to you later, Ms. Boucher. Hi Lena, it's Gwen, I know you told me... The number you have dialed has been disconnected or is no longer in service. We're sorry, the number you have dialed has been disconnected or...

The Magnus Protocol is a podcast distributed by Rusty Quill and licensed under a Creative Commons attribution non-commercial, non-commercial share alike, 4.0 international license. The series is created by Jonathan Sims and Alexander Jane. and directed by Alexander Jane Ewell. This episode was written by Alexander Jane Ewell and edited with additional materials by Jonathan Sims, with vocal edits by Nico Votesay, soundscaping by Meg McKella, and mastering by Catherine Rinella,

with music by Sam Jones. It featured, Billy Hindle as Alice Dyer, Anousia Battersby as Gwen Bouchard. Lowry Ann Davis as Celia Ripley, with additional voices from Tim Ferrown. The Magnus Protocol is produced by April Sumner with executive producers Alexander J. Newell,

Danny McDonough, Lynn C., and Samantha F.G. Hamilton, and associate producers Jordan L. Hawke, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetius de Raven, and Megan Nice. To subscribe, view associated materials, or join our Patreon, visit rusty quill.com.

Rate and review us online, tweet us at the Rusty Quill. Visit us on Facebook or email us at atRustyQuill.com. Thanks for listening.