Blood For Trade

Blood For Trade
Active since 2019-12-12
https://www.bloodfortrade.com/
Type	Official
Creators	Alice & Smith & Paradox Interactive
Discovered	2019-12-12

Main Page > List of Investigations > Blood For Trade

You Are Cordially Invited

On 11 December, 2019, an admin on the Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 discord server posted a community update with a P.S. line reading:"p.s We hear there's something going down at https://www.bloodfortrade.com/ hmm... Suspicious."

Going to the above website and clicking the continue button goes to a video of a body bag in the background, with an audio play button for an audio file. Below the play button is an RSVP link linking to an RSVP form(https://bloodfortrade.app.rsvpify.com/)with questions leading to a promotion for a twitch stream:"Meet me during https://www.twitch.tv/outstar stream session (17:00 - 22:00 CET / 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST)"

The following is a transcript of the audio file:

You don't know me, but I know you. Your... kind.
I'm not a... kindred soul, but I am in the know. I know about the societies crawling in the cracks.
I know what you need.

Maybe you're not ready, maybe you're too squeamish for commerce of this... audacity.
But the nights favor the bold
I dare you to RSVP. Tell the other sharks.
This is going to happen with or without you.
The goods are wrapped and ready.
I have something you want, you have something I want.
This can be mutually beneficial.
Think of me as your remora.

In the website's robots.txt file

The contents of robots.txt is usually meant for search engine bots but the file's contents do not match this.

SZ40
Wheel-KH.ITA2.5/8/9
1-43:7.1-47:2.1-51:6
1-53:9.1-59:7.1-37:6
1-61:7.1-41:6.1-31:7
1-29:9.1-26:4.1-23:6

The SZ40 refers to the Lorenz-machine[1], a machine used to encrypt messages during World War II. The following line describes the how the machine should be configured.
Wheel type is "KH" and the input format is ITA2, configured as 5/8/9. The next lines are the positions of the wheels within the Lorenz machine. These lines contain several wheels per line, seperated with a period symbol.

wheel	range	value
1	1-43	7
2	1-47	2
3	1-51	6
4	1-53	9
5	1-59	7
6	1-37	6
7	1-61	7
8	1-41	6
9	1-31	7
10	1-29	9
11	1-26	4
12	1-23	6

This configuration can be used on an online Lorenz machine [2].

Strange Filenames

Coming back to the odd filenames. The MP3 file is being hosted on Cloudfront are not garbled by Cloudfront themselves. The filename of the audio file KBKCKRKCUB9Y.mp3 must have been chosen on purpose.
With the Lorenz machine set to Receive, the text "KBKCKRKCUB9Y" is translated to "SHORTVERSION".
This being the short version implies there is also a longer version.
Set the Lorenz machine to Send and input "LONGVERSION", this is translated to "OY5VEY9E9UT"

Transcript of OY5VEY9E9UT:

(???)
This is exciting and terrifying, like riding a shark by the tail, what will they do.
OK, OK.
* deep breaths *
I am my own law * 3
I know you, it's time we make a deal, I've waited long enough.
I am due, I need, need, NO, fuck no, c'mon no weakness, no fear, do not show the predators fear.
OK, OK, OK
* deep breaths *
- i am my own law * 3
You don't know me, but I know you. Your... kind.
I'm not a... kindred soul, but (I'm in) the know, I know about the societies crawling in the cracks.
I know what you need.

I know things about you that would make a statue of the virgin Mary cry tears of blood.
No, too much, too much.
* deep breaths *
I am my own law * 3
Just know that I know things you don't want out there.

Now that's not a threat, not really, I'm not stupid, not a threat but a promise that getting rid of me is not worth the hassle and agony, especially when working with me can garner such rewards.
He, *giggle* he is dead. He's dead, he's DEAD!
Maybe he overreached, flew too close to the sun, but his clumsy masterpiece lives on, and I control his databases.
Some of you know what that means, the rest of you soon will.
I have something you want.
I'm extending an invitation.
Maybe you're curious, I suggest you RSVP.
Maybe you want to kill me, In which case you should still RSVP.
Spread the word, tell the rest of the sharks.
I have something you want.
You have something I want.
This can be mutually beneficial.
Think of me as your, remora.
And do be careful, suns coming up.

Stream Promotion

In order to promote her stream, Outstar posted a photo of her setup on twitter. In the photo, there can be seen a snippet of a conversation from Tender on her phone. The conversation is with someone usernamed Remora71. The messages go as follows:

The first message from Outstar is illegible.
Remora71: Hehehe! That's just a gimmick for my stream.
Outstar: I know you like Malcolm knew you.
Remora71: No one wants to end up like Malcolm. KNOW your place.
Outstar: Ah (?), My business model is different. I'm right, (illegible) is a new competition to you(r)..."

Trust No More

During the day of the Outstar twitch stream, trustnomore.com came out with a new article titled "Ominous Shadows". In the article there is a link to a recorded conversation between Outstar and Remora in a nightclub.

The transcript is as follows:

Outstar: You're ridiculous. None of us want to go down Malcolm's path. Shouldn't even be talking to you.
Remora: As I wrote in our texts, I'm offering something different than Malcolm, something more tenable.
Outstar: (laughs) They are going to eat you alive.
Remora: Ah, you're right. In that case, you'll get to be the one flushing me out of hiding. But, if you're wrong, well, then you'll get to be the one to lead your kind to a whole new level of trade and prosperity. Either way, you win.
Outstar: I'm listening.
Remora: I need to get the word out to your Kindred. I need your help.
Outstar: (chuckles) Those withdrawals must be getting preeetty bad by now, aren't they?
Remora: (panting) It's - It's fine, just make it happen.
Outstar: What's the magic word then?
Remora: Pllllease?
Outstar: (laughs) Well, alright.

Outstar Twitch Stream

Leading up to the Twitch Stream, a quest appeared on Tender prompting detectives with a fill in the blank titled "Tell Us A Secret":

I 'believe|think|has been told' that 'I|Him|Angela|Malcolm|Outstar' 'did nothing wrong|made a huge mistake'

Additionally, an email from Tender reminded detectives about the stream about to begin. Paradox account users also received an email.

During the Outstar Twitch Stream on Saturday, 14 December, during the first break, Outstar received a call and went off stream. At the same time, the stream turned to the familiar Tender stream page hinting users to go to the Tender App. The Tender App was updated with a new Quest, with a video and a text prompt. The transcript of the video is below:

As we embark on this journey together, we here at Tender ask that you are honest with yourself throughout this experience: do you often find yourself feeling wistful? Has your appetite changed as well as your sleep patterns? Are you looking to channel your feelings into something more? Art is physical form given to the world of the mind. In every piece we see depicted  our greatest emotions such as love, sadness, fear and anger, to broaden your own ability and freshen your mind. It is good to consider how different artists depict similar ideas. The theme is "Embrace". You are to find each on your own with a little guidance. To begin, this greek myth was from the spanish painter Goya, but he used Roman names.

On researching the hint in the final line, Detectives found the painting "Saturn Devouring His Son". Entering this into the text box completed the quest and a new quest opened titled "Why are you here?". This contained a fill in the blanks response page which read:

I 'overcame|destroyed|lusted for' 'a baloon|a bike|a song' with the help of 'my sorrow|a lewd poem|my pain'

During the second break, a new video and prompt appeared. The transcript is below:

Thank you for taking this step with us. Indulging in personal honesty can be quite taxing. But it opens your sleepy mind’s eye. Open it. Gain way to the vast vocabulary of symbols. Gain way to the library of communal consciousness. Kinship is the need to share experiences, positive and negative. You will find that once you master the shared symbolic language, opening the mind of others becomes easier and easier.

It may seem hard to believe, but just think of all the meanings that might lurk and hide beneath a gift. This was very true for Gustav, who was known to create many images of love and intimacy. One of his works is said to be of his love, Emily, and him locked in symbolic embrace. But none can confirm that this painting is a self portrait. Can you at least confirm it’s title?

Upon research, the answer was found to be The Kiss.

During the third break, another quest appeared. Transcript:

Allow your mind the freedom to join us in an exercise. Close your eyes and gather yourself as we cast you away from the comfort of easy answer, and into the mystery and secrets of our origin.

The brothers from Genesis who became the inventor and victim of this violent embrace. Innovators of love and treachery. It was a day of many firsts. This imagery is captured most famously by the Milanese oil painter Crespi.

The answer this time was Cain Killing Abel.

The fourth break led to another quest. Transcript:

It can be hard for your body and mind to function properly when you're stressed. Lack of proper diet, exercise, and sleep will only exacerbate this tension, spiraling into an unhealthy cycle. Tender understands the pressure you are under. Stop. Breathe. Imagine being alone, yet you are not. You are sleeping, but you are not. You cannot move, but nothing is wrong. You are safe in bed, and something is near you. The event horizon weight crushing your lungs does not exist. Remember: this is not real. This is nothing but dreaming. Breathe. Open. Now stop. 

The year is 1781, and the nightmare is over.

The answer was The Nightmare, another painting.

The fifth and final break concluded the last quest on Tender. Transcript:

Stop. Breathe. See the exit sign approaching. We are coming to a close, for now. Together, we’ve crossed the threshold of many singular emotions. Such as fear, desire, anger, and submission. Now, relax. Let our hands turn your mind’s eye upwards to the ceiling of the stratosphere. Gaze and see. Though it is much smaller than you first thought. See our first breath, depicted in an almost touch. The celestial and the earthly, touch. Gross matter awakens to self awareness as human life. All senses balanced as you breathe for the first time. The light fades. Now you breathe. Breathe. Forever after, you grope blindly in the dark without balance. For that almost touch. Good luck, and consider telling us which embrace you desire for your forever.

The answer was The Creation of Adam.

After, there was another follow-up titled "What Should We Do":

I [think | believe] that I should [make a trade with | report] you [when I make up my mind | this week]

At the conclusion of Outstar's stream, a phone call could be heard. It appeared to be one side of a conversation between herself and Remora. Her side of the conversation is as follows:

Do you really want to do this? Once you have their attention there is no going back. Alright (sigh). Way to weave your own noose.