GH1: Aerial Photograph

[Albijoe]

I found an aerial photograph of Namok.  What do I do with it?

I've tried talking to everyone in Namok and most of the people in the city where I first found it, which I no longer recall.

I also tried looking in GHWiki with no success.  I know I could always sell it, but reading on some of the other stuff makes me wonder just what it might be used for.

[Erathoniel]

You could use it to start a fire...

[Michael]

Curious, I grepped the GearHead Series directory for "Aerial", and found the reference in "TS_MONK_ItemSearch_PLOT1_Basement.txt", which is a subplot mentioned in "TS_MONK_ItemSearch_STORY.txt".  An explanatory comment in the latter file:

Quoting: TS_MONK_ItemSearch_STORY.txt

% This story will run for 3 days, or until completed by the PC.
% To complete, the PC must go on a relay from town to town
% completing plots at each stop.

The city depicted in the photo is variable, and you must pass an Investigation skill roll to identify it.  (Otherwise it says "It looks like it might be an aerial shot of the Earth.")  So it seems you are being pointed at Namok.

There are two possible end plots for this story, one of which has some impressive looking personal-scale equipment....

You probably could sell the photo -- It doesn't seem to have any purpose except as a clue.

[Albijoe]

... but a clue to WHAT?

I'll look into the plots myself, I guess.  I think I found it apart from the plot, like you can the smuggling ring map.  (For example, the plot started, the pic was there, I picked it up, the plot ended)

[macksting]

Once you've followed the clue in the photograph, nobody will mention it again. Not only is the city in the clue variable, but the next task is, as well.
Therefore, in these mysticism-related missions (because, in anime, mysticism yields awesome equipment!), each task is a leap of faith. You delve for a crystal shard here, an aerial photo there, and occasionally a tomb or stolen artifacts elsewhere. The key is not to be picky. Eventually, you'll stumble upon somebody claiming to know where a library is. There you'll find your destination, and the completion of the mission.

[Michael]

Quoting: Albijoe

... but a clue to WHAT?

That you need to talk to someone in Namok to begin the next Plot element.

Since you say you've done that, you probably talked to the right person and didn't recognize the sign.  Or maybe you hit a time limit on the overall story (the comment said 3 days or until you finish).

I looked into the other plot files in more detail and noticed one other possibility.  Most of the plots involve a reaction check.  Fail it, and the key person will blow you off and you will be unable to continue the story.

Possible blow-off texts:
Archeology plot:
* If the ruins I discovered were an ancient military base, I could get a corporate research grant for sure...
* If I'm really lucky I can write a paper on the ruins that we found.
* So many rusted broken things to catalogue...
Basement plot: (which is the one that gives the photo, but might recur...)
* I've got a huge secret, if only I had someone to share it with...
* My basement may be the key to everything...
* You'd think that all the good stuff around here had already been discovered. I'm hoping that it hasn't been...
Historic Site plot:
* Kids these days don't care about the past...
* Nobody in town wants to get involved...
* It's a shame what's become of the old park...
Stolen Plot:
* There's been a break-in at the museum, but rest assured that the guardians are doing everything we can to catch the thieves.
* I'm investigating some thieves who broke into the museum. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?
Tomb Plot:
* If only I were as handy with a rocket launcher as I am with a pocket calculator...
* Why is it that all of my grad students are weasely little guys? What I need right now is a real man...
* I'll be starting work shortly.

There are also three other possible plots -- one where someone sells you a treasure map and the two possible conclusions.  None of those have reaction checks.