Play@YSDC

8 am, Arkham Advertiser, 14 September 1927,

Alyssa is with Mr Haynes (the editor) and Roberta (another journalist), discussing the edition of the next day. As usual, Mr Haines speaks in a paternal way, like if the others were still learning the job.
- Roberta, I don’t need to explain how important the concert is. This German conductor Furt-something is famous, and everyone of notice will be there: the mayor, the chief of the police, and several of our sponsors. SO DON’T MAKE ANY MISTAKE!
Suddenly, someone opens the door and you see Jimmy entering.
-Boss, there was a robbery in an antiquarian, in Armitage Street.
-Where there any victims?
-I don’t know, it was a kid I know who come to tell me…
-Alyssa, go immediately, and see if it is worth the publishing of an extra.

"Right away, Boss!" says Alyssa enthusiastically. She springs to her feet, grabbing her camera and purse, and races towards the door. "Anyone got an exact address on the shop?" The Advertiser is also on Armitage Street, and thus probably closer to the antiquarian's shop than its rival newspaper, the Gazette. However, Armitage Street stretches all the way across Arkham, and if she picks the wrong direction she risks someone from the Gazette reaching it first and scooping her. Armitage ends about a block and a half to the west, so if nobody has any idea she could at least check in that direction first to see if the shop is that way. If it isn't, she can always double back and run in the other direction. Fortunately, she can run fast and she's wearing comfortable boots rather than heels.

OOC: The Arkham advertiser is in 389 W Armitage Street.

-Well, i think it's near Tilden Arms Hotel at the east, so it's just a couple of blocks, you should be there in less than 10 minutes-says Jimmy.

[OOC: Thanks, I have the Arkham map in front of me now in my rulebook.]



"Thanks, Jimmy!" calls Alyssa. She is already out the door, slinging the camera over her shoulder by its strap. She races east towards the Tilden Arms Hotel, keeping her eyes out for the shop or for anything suspicious.

OOC: Me either!

You suddenly see the shop (nº 193), with the door opened and one police outside. Roll spot hiden.

Alyssa takes out her press pass and holds it in her hand as she rushes towards the shop. When she gets nearer, something catches her eagle eye.

She see another policeman talking with someone inside the shop, but specially that everything is destroyed, like if a tempest had hit the the place.

"Holy cow!" gasps Alyssa when she sees the extent of the destruction. She instinctively raises her camera and takes a few pictures from different angles. This is the sort of thing that has to be seen to be believed! she thinks. Definitely front page material! Then she walks up to the policeman outside and shows him her press pass and a pretty smile. "Hello, Officer," she says. "I'm Miss Alyssa Valentine from the Arkham Advertiser. Would you mind if I ask you and the people inside some questions about what happened here?"

-Well, hum, it's that i have orders to not tell anything. I will just inform my superior.

"All right," says Alyssa. "I'll gladly talk to him instead."

People are gathering and asking with curiosity what happened. The police enters the shop.

"That's what I'm here to find out," says Alyssa while she waits. "After I do, you'll be able to read all about it in the Arkham Advertiser. Did anyone here see anything?"

-I think it was one of those gangs of italians.
-Nay, it must had been the Irish
-What do you know? You weren't here!
-Neither you!

Well, that wasn't very helpful, thinks Alyssa, I'll get more reliable information from the police and the proprietor. She takes out her notebook and a pencil and waits for someone to come back out of the ruined shop, still listening to the crowd just in case anyone says something of interest, as well as trying to hear what the people inside might be saying.

She see then the policeman geting outside with what you suspect, must be a detective; a young and good-looking man. The policeman says something and the other nods.

Alyssa does her best to overhear what the man was saying. She walks up to the detective with a smile.
"Good day, Detective," she says. "I'm Miss Alyssa Valentine from the Arkham Advertiser. I was wondering if I might ask you some questions about what happened here and speak to the proprietor. If we can get the details in the paper quickly, it may help the police by encouraging our readers to come forward if they've seen anything. Do you have any idea who might have done this, or what if anything was stolen?"

The detective says to the policeman to look for anyone who had seen the robbery.
He looks surprise, then says:
-Well, we are still questioning witnesses, and analizing the evidences, but i'm sure that we will make an arrest very quickly. I cannot enter in details as you may imagine, but the damage were huge. And now I cannot say anything more, until the investigation is finished. If the owner of the shop, doesn't mind, you may speak with him.

"Thank you very much, Detective," says Alyssa, taking notes as she speaks. "I'll be out here if he's willing to speak to me - unless it's okay for me to go inside. May I please take some photographs of the shop's interior? I already got some of the outside. Oh, and would you mind if I took a picture of you and your colleague, and got your names?" She has already written down their badge numbers, but this would save some time inquiring about them.

-Well of course! I'm detective Harrigan and this is agent O'Neill- he says smiling.
Then, he makes a serious look for the camera.

Alyssa snaps a picture of the policemen, then jots their names down in her notebook. "Thank you both," she says. "I can't be sure whether or not the editor will choose to put that picture with the article, so I guess you'll just have to read it and see for yourself once it's printed. May I go inside now?"

-Well, be very polite, since the poor man shop has been destroyed...

"Yes, of course I will," says Alyssa. "Thank you again, Detective Harrigan." She waves to him and walks into the shop to talk to the owner.

Go to Percy section.

Alyssa returns to her office at the Arkham Advertiser with an excited look on her face. "Boss, I think you should get the presses ready for that extra edition," she tells Mr. Haynes. "This is big news! That shop looked like a twister had gone through it! Nothing was taken as far as anyone could tell, but the proprietor had brought some of the items to his home previously. When he went to check, a neighbor lady told him that three men had been inside his house: ugly foreign-looking fellows of some sort with big eyes who smelled like fish. Fishermen or sailors would be my guess. They're probably the ones who knocked over his shop, since an old dagger he had purchased recently was missing from his house. I interviewed the police detective and the shop's owner, and I got some good photos of the destruction, both outside and inside the shop. I'll develop them right after I type up the article and hand it off to you. If we can get the extra edition out fast, we'll not only scoop the Gazette, we can also help the police track down the culprits if our readers recognize the descriptions."

-What are you waiting for? Go immediatly to Laurence to print that!

"I'm on it, Boss!" says Alyssa. She hurries to her desk, slides a piece of paper into her typewriter, and pounds out her article. Then she pulls the paper out and rushes it over to Laurence.

OOC: You will be "froze" until you may use a computer again.

The extra is already in the street. Your preparing another article for next day, when, you receive a call.

[OOC: Okay, I'm back!]



"Hello," says Alyssa after she picks up the receiver. "You've reached the Arkham Advertiser. Miss Alyssa Valentine speaking. How may I help you?"

OOC: I'm glad that everything is ok now!

-Is there a reward about the 3 robbers?

[OOC: Thanks! By the way, is the voice on the phone a man or a woman?]



"I would think there must be," says Alyssa carefully. She's sure this person must know something about the robbers, but doesn't want to lose this source of information by giving the impression that there isn't a reward as far as she knows. "Detective Harrigan or Mr. Marmont himself would know the details of any reward. I can contact them and find out. To whom am I speaking, and how can I reach you again?"

It's the voice of a men. Hard to tell the age: he may be 60/70 or younger with lot's of alcool... and it's dificult to understand.

-You a women? Bet you a pretty one. Well, i tell whata know. The 3 ain't folks from here, they are outsiders. Go to Benjamin Hotel, in Main street, i saw them yesterday. I'l be there.

"Thank you, sir," says Alyssa. "And yes, I am pretty. What's your name, and what do you look like so I'll recognize you when I get there?"

-Me? Am Jack. And don worry, i'l recognize you fur sure, there aren't pretty ladies there, ahah!

"Okay, then, Jack," says Alyssa, wondering why this man is trying to be so evasive about his identity. Even though she can't see his face, she feels she has a very good read on his motives. "I'll see you at the Benjamin Hotel soon. Is there anything else you'd like to tell me before I go?"

At the beggining he was interested in money, but now his interests have shift to something more carnal...

I knew there was a reason my instincts were warning me, thinks Alyssa. I'm used to men eyeing me - it kind of goes with the territory - but this guy seems different somehow, maybe even dangerous. I was going to take precautions before going to meet him anyhow, but now I'll be extra careful and alert. "Oh, by the way," she says, "what's the address of the Benjamin Hotel? Are you staying there? If so, I'll need to know what room you're in so the front desk can call you. And you never did tell me your last name."

240 W Main street, near the docks. All you have to ask is by Jack. There is no other there, believe me.

"Okay," says Alyssa. If a source insists on remaining anonymous, there isn't much she can do about that. Still, it might be possible to uncover his identity later with a little digging. "Thank you, Jack. I have a few things to get sorted first. I'll find out about the reward for you, and then I'll stop by. Is there anything else?"

-Nay, just bring me a bottle, ok?

"A bottle of what, exactly?" asks Alyssa. "Any preference? I don't know if I'll be able to find exactly what you're looking for, but I'll see what I can do. If it's alcohol you want, I'm sure I don't need to remind you about Prohibition, but I could bring you some soda or milk easily enough if that's what you'd like."

(Sounds of angry comment)

-Just appear young lady, ok?

[OOC: Is the angry comment coming from Jack, or from someone else in the room with him?]



"All right," says Alyssa. "Let me just make a couple of telephone calls and find out about the reward. Like I said, I'll see what I can do. I'll see you there, Jack. Goodbye." With that, she hangs up the phone. Then she calls Detective Harrigan. This whole thing sounds like a setup, she thinks, but I have to go in order to get the information. I certainly don't have to go alone, though. After I talk to the detective, I'll give Mr. Marmont a call.

OOC: It was from Jack. Everybody else is working in the room.

[OOC: I meant was there someone else with Jack? The comment came from him, so he could have been commenting to someone else with him or to himself. I assume Detective Harrigan was there when I called?]



"Hello, Detective Harrigan?" says Alyssa. "This is Miss Alyssa Valentine from the Arkham Advertiser. I've got a possible new lead on the robbers and I thought you'd like to know about it. I received a telephone call from a man who would only identify himself as 'Jack' asking if there was a reward for information about the robbers, and I think he knows something about them. Do you know if there is a reward and how much it is? He sounded like an old man, maybe sixty or seventy. He did seem very interested in the prospect of money, but I get the sense he has...other desires as well. Once he found out I was a woman - and a pretty one at that - well, I get the impression that he's a dirty old man. He wants me to meet him at the Benjamin Hotel. I can't pass up the chance to find out more, but I know better than to go there unescorted. A policeman in plainclothes would make a good escort, and Jack would never know he's a cop. You could accompany me yourself if you like - oh, unless they put that photo of you in the article, then he'd recognize you for sure." She checks her copy of the paper to see if the photograph she had taken of him was in it. "Anyway, he remarked that he'd know who I was since none of the others at the Benjamin Hotel are pretty. Since the robbers were ugly, that suggests that people from wherever they came from frequent the place, and perhaps even the robbers themselves have been staying there. Jack himself may be from the same place, or he could even be one of the robbers trying to sell out the other two for all I know. There's no honor among thieves, and it's not easy to split one dagger three ways, after all."

OOC: The coment was from Jack, and not from other's voice. And the photo of Detective Harrigan is in the newspaper.
- Well, it may be only someone trying to get easy money. Mr Percy didn't talk about any rewards, and since there wasn't a death or state property stealed, there isn't any oficial reward. Say, your journal, couldn't estabilish some reward by chance? Only of course if the informer is not one of the robbers. I will send a collegue, another detective, he may say he is a fellow journalist.

"Thank you, Detective," says Alyssa. "Those were my thoughts exactly. Good idea about the Advertiser putting up its own reward! I'll have to ask my boss about that. First I'll call Mr. Marmont and let him know the latest, and ask if he wants to offer a reward. Perhaps he ought to come with me to the Benjamin Hotel. That way he can work out the details with Jack. If Jack is as old as he sounds it's doubtful he's one of the robbers, but that doesn't make him a nice person. Still, as long as he has useful information, that's what matters and I'd be happy to see him paid for it. He also wanted me to bring him a bottle, and it's obvious what sort of drink he wants in it. He got angry for a second when I mentioned the difficulties Prohibition presented, then he told me just to appear. I think he'll still be willing to talk to me, though. Some liquor might have helped loosen his tongue, but I can see that the police cannot condone that sort of thing. I hope this pans out. I'll be here at the Advertiser when the other detective arrives. It was nice speaking to you again, Detective Harrigan."

After she says her goodbyes, she calls Percy Marmont.

A man answers:
"Hello, How may I be of service?"

"Hello," says Alyssa. "This is Miss Alyssa Valentine from the Arkham Advertiser. Is Mr. Marmont in?"

You hear some voices speaking and then:
"Hello, this is Marmont".

"Hello, Mr. Marmont," says Alyssa. "This is Miss Alyssa Valentine from the Arkham Advertiser. I may have a lead on the robbers who broke into your shop and home. An elderly-sounding man who would identify himself only as 'Jack' just telephoned me and asked if there is a reward, and I have reason to believe he may have important information. Are you prepared to offer a reward? If there is, I can let him know and he may be more forthcoming. I'm going to go meet him at the Benjamin Hotel shortly. I already have an escort, but you'd be most welcome to come along with us as well and work out the details of any reward with this man personally."

The man listen you, and seem to leave the phone.

"Hello?" says Alyssa. "Mr. Marmont, are you still there?" She waits for him to return.

Long wait.

OC- I don't think Kabuki would mind this intervention as its cut and paste from the Marmount thread. IN fact it might be a good idea if you post to the Marmount thread. But if you like I can cut and paste back and forth.

IC- "Oh yes of course" says Percy, returning to the phone.

"Miss Valentine? myself and a few....er, associates will meet you in the Benjamin Hotel in about forty five minutes. Would that be okay?"

[OOC: Thanks, I had been wondering if that would be all right. I'll go ahead and post in both threads.]



"That would be swell, thanks," says Alyssa. "The address is 240 West Main Street, not far from the docks. I certainly feel a lot better with more people there. Jack had mentioned that he'd like me to bring a bottle, and it's rather obvious he wanted alcohol in it. However, a policeman in plainclothes is going to be coming with us. I'm not sure who he is yet, so I don't know if he'd be willing to look the other way."

[OOC: I'm guessing the phone call is over?]



Once Alyssa gets off the phone with Percy, she goes to see Mr. Haynes. "Boss, I've got a new lead on the robbery," she says, unable to hide her excitement. "An anonymous source who would only identify himself as Jack called to ask if there's a reward for information about the robbers, and I believe he knows something about them. He wants me to meet him at the Benjamin Hotel. I already notified Detective Harrigan, and he's sending a plainclothes police detective here to escort me, posing as another journalist. I also called Mr. Marmont to ask about a reward, and he and some of his associates will meet me at the hotel so they can negotiate the reward directly. It might also be a good idea for the Advertiser to offer a reward as well. Perhaps the paper can match whatever reward Mr. Marmont and his friends put up? That would be good publicity and could lead to increased circulation too."

-That would be fantastic! I'm already seeing the extra: "Advertiser solves mistery". Or "Advertiser helps the police in the fight against crime!".
But he get's suddenly serious and says:
-But Alyssa, you must promiss me, that you will leave all the danger for the police. Even if it is important, it doesn't worth the risk of getting a bullet, ok? With the reward, as long it is reasonable, i don't mind to give some money, it will be a good publicity.

"I'll be careful, I promise," says Alyssa. "Of course I'll leave the danger to the police - that's why they're coming. Thank you for your concern, Boss. Yes, this will be a great opportunity for the Advertiser. Up to what amount will the paper match Mr. Marmont's reward?" She smiles, thrilled at the prospect of helping to solve the crime and pleased that her boss cares so much about her safety.

- Well, 15 dollars seems a good reward for an information, don't you think soo?

"That sounds about right," says Alyssa. "Fifteen dollars, maybe twenty. This Jack is keen for money, and perhaps moreso for a pretty face. He sounded like he was an old man, maybe sixty or seventy. Beyond that I can't tell much more about him, but I think he'll be willing to tell what he knows. Mr. Marmont and company will be at the Benjamin Hotel in about forty minutes, so there should still be plenty of time to get there once the detective arrives."

-Right. Go them with that detective and be extra-careful, ok? I doubt that the antiquarie and his collegues will be of much help; after all, they can be a respectful group, but they don't know nothing about criminals.

"I will take every precaution," says Alyssa to Mr. Haynes. "That's one reason I asked the police to send a man along. I know better than to meet this fellow alone! Thank you again, Boss. It's very kind of you to worry about me." She collects her camera and makes sure it's loaded with a fresh roll of film, then takes her purse with her press pass and notebook inside. Once she's ready, she checks to see if the detective has arrived yet. It kind of makes me feel sorry that I want to get a job at a big city paper, she thinks. Everyone here is so nice, and the boss genuinely cares about my well-being. I really like it here, but I'm sure he'll understand why I have to move on once I make the big time, and at least the Advertiser will be able to brag about how I worked here before I made it big.

She sees a man looking casually. He is of medium size, unshaven, a cigar in the corner of the mouth, and an old hat.
-I'm detective Stuckey, i'm looking for a Miss Allyss-he asks to Jimmy.

"That's me," says Alyssa, striding forward. She smiles and extends her hand. "I'm Miss Alyssa Valentine. After I got off the telephone with Detective Harrigan, I also called Mr. Marmont. He and a few of his associates will be meeting us at the Benjamin Hotel to negotiate the amount of the reward with this Jack fellow. The Advertiser is also prepared to match the reward up to fifteen dollars, possibly twenty. I'm ready to leave any time you are. We can talk further on the way."

-Let's go then.
He exit and in the street opens a door from a car
-After you miss.
-What are those associates suppose to do? Harrigan never told me about other people medling in this affair. And this is a police job, not for a bunch of amateurs.

"Thank you," says Alyssa, sliding into the seat. "I had told Detective Harrigan I was going to invite Mr. Marmont to accompany us, and he had raised no objection at the time. Mr. Marmont said he was bringing these associates right before he hung up, but I don't know who they are. Perhaps they're putting up some or all of the reward money. There did seem to be people with him at his home when I called."

-We will see that. I just hope this informer isn't someone trying to get easy money. Anyway, we arrived.
They had left the fancy zone; this was entering in a complete different city. Old buildings were in ruins, many were destroyed. The Benjamin Hotel wasn't much better, but at least it was open. The few people who were near by, looked at them with suspicion.

"I don't see Mr. Marmont out here," says Alyssa. "Either he's already gone inside, or he hasn't arrived yet. Shall we enter, or would you rather we wait out here for a little to see if he shows up?"

-If the deal was to wait, we will wait some minutes before entering.

A man appears and offers a hand.
- Bon jour,- he says,-my name is Bruno Kirby. I was told that I would meet a lovely woman and an escort, who would have questions for an old, if irratic man. I was further told that they would be seeking the company of a certain antiquarian and have need of some.... ahh... lubrication to help the man speak?

"Thank you," says Alyssa, offering Bruno her hand. "I'm Miss Alyssa Valentine. You must be one of Percy's friends. Has he arrived yet? This gentleman is Mr. Stuckey." She looks at Detective Stuckey. "Would you have any problem with offering something like that to the old fellow?"

Bruno smiles, "Enchanted."

Bruno offers his hand to Detective Stuckey, and says, "It is good that the police are protecting such a lovely lady." Bruno also tries to get a read on the man. Is the policeman an loyal and trusted policeman, or does he read like a crooked cop?

"Mister Marmont is inside with a particular priest. You know him perhaps, yes? I had suggested that he stay outside but he thought that.. well... perhaps you had gone in." Bruno shrugs, as if to say that it was beyond his power to stop a man determined to do a thing, regardless of its consequences.

"As for the bottle, I confess, it was mine." Bruno offers an embarrassed smile," You see, perhaps, that I have had some of it. I am French Canadian by birth, and this whiskey was made before your law was passed. I have not had a drop in many years so I am glad to put it to good use in prosecution of this terrible crime."

"You will probably wish to go inside. I, on the other hand, will remain outside to provide, what is the word... added security. I do not wish to, errhh... alarm the man with my more brutish manners when he anticipates the company of a young, beautiful lady. But should he make an." Bruno offers a look of repugnance, "untoward action or if the situation becomes too dangerous and you feel threatened, let out a little yell and I will be glad to come to your protection. A friend is waiting at the back entrance as well."

"Ahh.. there is one more thing. If you would not mind asking a question? I am looking for one of my crew, a sailor who sold Mr. Marmount a dagger. He has not been seen for quite awhile. Perhaps it is nothing and he is doing.. what sailors do when he is at port. But it would be a comfort to me, my crew and his family, to know if your contact has any information as to his whereabouts."

"Thank you again, Mr. Kirby," says Alyssa. "I appreciate your help. We'll ask this fellow about your crewmate. Could you please tell us his name and what he looks like?"

-In a situation like this we may forget some... procedures. Just give a description of the man.

Bruno smiles at the young lady, who reminds him of some of the pretty brunettes from France.

"Ahh. The sailor? There is not much to say. Portuguese, speaks with an accent, and like most men who fish, smells a bit like fish. We just put in to port and apparently he was hoping to sell this dagger he won in a game of chance. You know how sailors are. Gamble at sea and try to find a good time on land. His name is Miguel De Souza, goes by Miguel, and he's the one who sold the dagger to Mr. Marmount for a little bit of cash to spend as sailors do. Well, since he left this morning we haven't seen him and, with the news in the paper, we're a bit worried he's come to some.." Bruno thinks of the appropriate word.... "hardship among the same people who caused Mr. Marmount such trouble. We've heard rumors that he's met with some trouble."

"Oh, dear," says Alyssa. "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope Miguel is all right and we can locate him. It's a good thing I was wary of this meeting and took precautions, and I really appreciate you looking out for our safety. These men must be desperate if they would go to such lengths. I wonder why they did not simply purchase the dagger from Mr. Marmont. I had suspected before that they might be sailors because they smelled of fish as well, and the fact that the Benjamin Hotel is near the docks bears that out. Perhaps the sailor who lost the dagger to Miguel got a couple of his friends and decided he wanted it back, or he might at least know the dagger's significance and origin and have some ideas about who else might want it. Did Miguel say from whom he had won the dagger? Well, since the others have already entered, I think we should go inside too."

OOC: If you want to enter, go to Percy thread.

Alyssa returns to the offices of the Arkham Advertiser, looking for her boss so she can fill him in on what she's learned and the planned next step of the investigation. It's late afternoon, so he should still be there. There ought to be enough time to write another article and develop her pictures for the evening edition before going through the "morgue," the archives of the newspaper's old issues, for more information.

Mr Handy: Write a small article of maximum of 10 lines about the situation. Then make 2 library rolls to see what you can find of useful (and what is actually Alyssa looking for?).

[OOC: The first roll failed, but the second was a natural 1! That should get some excellent results and more than make up for the initial failure.]



Alyssa sits down at her desk, inserts a piece of paper into her typewriter, and bangs out the following article:
Alyssa includes her photograph of the painting of the knife with the article and submits it to the editor for inclusion in the evening edition. Then she heads to the Advertiser's morgue, where copies of back issues of the newspaper are stored. She looks for any references to Innsmouth, Obed Marsh and the Marsh and Gilman families, and any disappearances associated with Innsmouth. When she finishes at the paper, she heads over to Miskatonic University's excellent library to look for more information on the above subjects and also to find a map of Innsmouth and navigational charts for its harbor. She has spent a lot of time in the library as a student, and continues to find it an invaluable resource while working full time as a reporter. Today is no exception. While she finds little to aid her in the old issues of the Advertiser, she discovers a treasure trove of information at the library.

You don't find anything interesting in your own journal. But you discover something very interesting in the Miskatonic library: a collection of the "Innsmouth Courier Newspaper", whose editor was a certain John Lawrence; the journal existed from 1833 to 1846. Without time to read everything, you concentrate yourself in the last year of the newspaper.
The journal tell a terrible story, so terrible that you would have dificulty to believe it if you hadn't heard already. Here is an example:



The author refers that Obed Marsh and his church promiss good fishing to his followers. But they commit blasfemous rituals with human sacrifices and baby kidnaping that leave you shocked.
After recovering, you get to know that somehow in 12 of August, the police and a group attacked Obed Marsh and his followers (32) near the reef of the devil and arrested them on the acusation of several murders and kidnapping. In the two following weeks, preparations were made for the trial, and other arrests were made. The church of Dagon was closed and everything seemed to get normal. The journal finishes day 24, with a hopeful note, that all proves gathered, the result would be the erradication of the cult. No other edition is available.
There are several familiar names: the Marsh, the Gilliams.

Roll 2d8 for Innsmouth lore.

Alyssa is deeply unsettled by what she has read, and while she learns much, the disturbing nature of the material keeps her from absorbing as much as she might have otherwise. She finds herself admiring John Lawrence, her counterpart from the previous century, and she knows that she's going to be following in his footsteps. But clearly he hadn't succeeded completely, as things had gotten much worse in Innsmouth since 1846, and the cult was now in control of the town. She looks for more information in the library about what ultimately happened to John Lawrence and Obed Marsh after the arrests in 1846 and what happened in Innsmouth in the last eighty years. She also continues her search for maps and charts of Innsmouth.

It's closing time. All you have is a couple of minutes. Do you want to look aditional information about Innsmouth or look for the maps and charts? (you must do one livrary roll).

[OOC: My earlier 1 didn't help? I had already stated I was looking for maps and charts before I made it.]



Alyssa hurriedly looks around some more for maps and charts of Innsmouth, but doesn't have much luck.

You found some charts, but they are all very old. Seems nobody cares to make new maps about the zone.

Realizing that the charts she has found are better than nothing, and that she doesn't have much time left before the library closes, Alyssa takes pictures of all of them with her camera. Then she goes back to the Advertiser to develop the photographs and put a fresh roll of film in her camera.

After some time you develop the photos. It's already night, and your boss is leaving the Advertiser.

"Good night," says Alyssa to her boss as she's on her way out. "The kidnapped sailor's captain and the rest of their crew are going to Innsmouth to try to find him. I'm going to go with them, and I believe Mr. Marmont and his friend the reverend will be coming along as well."

"Thank you, boss," says Alyssa. "I really do appreciate your concern for me, and I'll really miss this place if I ever do get a job at a big city newspaper. But that's not the only reason I want to go. The police already said they cannot do anything. The Arkham police have no jurisdiction in Innsmouth, and the police in Innsmouth are thoroughly corrupt. This man's life is in danger too, and time is of the essence if we're going to save him. And it's not just his life, either. Innsmouth has been a pit of corruption for nearly a century, right in our backyard, and more people will be in danger until it's exposed and stopped. The only way to do that is to go there, uncover the truth, and print it for all to see. That's the reason I became a reporter in the first place. The moment the free press becomes too afraid to cover the news is the moment it ceases to be free. My father went to the trenches during the Great War to show those of us at home what it was like there, and I've inherited some of his courage. I have no illusions about the danger I'm facing, and I know these are ruthless men. I promise I will be careful, and Luke Olsen and his crew will be there to protect me. I won't go anywhere without them. I''ll be sure to stay in touch with you. If for any reason you don't hear from me by the day after tomorrow, you'll know something has gone wrong, and I know I can count on you to send help."

He doesn't seem very convinced, but says:
-Do as you think it is right. But be careful. And take this.
From the desk, he gives you a small gun.
-It's better than nothing. I will make some phone call to know things about Innsmouth

Alyssa reaches under her skirt and tucks the gun into her garter, strapping it to her thigh. She doesn't really know how to use it well, but she hopes that merely having it will be enough. "Thank you again," she says. "I will be careful, and I'll bring this back - along with a great story."

Alyssa shakes her boss's hand and heads for the boat to meet Luke and his crew. She wishes she were as confident as she sounds, but she knows that this is the riskiest thing she's ever done. She resolves to take every possible precaution so that the next headline doesn't read "Girl Reporter Vanishes in Innsmouth."

OOC. Sorry, you will have to wait until Welsh has finished is "interview" with the local mob.

OOC: Ok then.

Go to Alyssa and Bruno thread.

The journal seems busy (as usual) and you see the familiar faces. After all, you didn't leave the place much time ago.

Alyssa leads Hanna inside the Arkham Advertiser, showing her around and identifying the people she knows to her. She heads for the editor's office to fill him in on what she's learned and what she plans to do next, and to see if there are any openings for Hanna.

You enter in your boss office. He seems quite please to see you.

"Good day, sir," says Alyssa. "I'd like you to meet Hanna. She's from Innsmouth, and I've learned a lot of fascinating - and disturbing - things about the town from her. We brought her to Arkham at her request, as it's not safe for her to stay there. She is interested in temporary employment. I also found these in the archives of the Innsmouth Courier." She takes out the sack of papers that she had recovered from the newspaper office. "The paper was shut down in 1846 - violently, and the editor John Lawrence was murdered, along with others. Fortunately, he left a treasure trove of information behind. We also spoke to a few of the other locals who could be trusted and found out more about Innsmouth's history and its present. Not only that, but we've found out what happened to the missing sailor. He managed to escape from his captors, but he's holed up in a building in Innsmouth. They can't get at him yet, but it's only a matter of time. The people who run Innsmouth, primarily the Marsh family, plan to kill him tomorrow night in some horrible ceremony. We're going to go back there tonight and slip him out before they get their hands on him."

Alyssa takes a breath and slows down, the rush of excitement and urgency draining away from her. "Yes, I'm afraid it's all true, sir," she says. She slowly goes over the details of what she has learned. "These papers from the Innsmouth Courier have a lot more information, but it takes hours to read them. They're quite disturbing too." She shivers in spite of herself. "The parts at the end...well, you'll see when you get there, but they were written by a terrified man whose friends were just murdered. It shouldn't be any wonder that he describes the killers as monsters, especially considering the way a lot of people in Innsmouth look. If you want to know more about what's been going on in Innsmouth recently, Hanna knows a good deal. She's lived there all her life."

"That's why I have to go back with his ship's crew tonight," adds Alyssa. "As far as Innsmouth is concerned, we've split town. They won't be expecting us to slip back in after it gets dark. We can rescue their man and be out of there before they even realize it."

-Do not think about that! It's too dangerous to you to return there! I'l make a few calls and I'l try to settle things in another way!.
Your boss seem very concerned.

"But I need to get the story," insists Alyssa. "If we don't expose what's going on in Innsmouth, they'll be able to continue the horrible things they're doing there. And if we don't do that, I won't be safe in Arkham anyway. They've already proven they can snatch someone here, and they'll know who I am if they read our paper. Who are you planning to call, and what other way is there to settle this?"

"That is a good idea," says Alyssa, "but investigations take time, and Manuel doesn't have much left. If we don't rescue him tonight, it'll be too late for him. His testimony will be even more powerful than mine, since these people kidnapped him, and so will Hanna's. She's witnessed far more than I have."

Alyssa smiles. "I'm glad you're coming with us," she says. "Before we leave to meet the crew, we'll need to find a safe place for Hanna to stay. We'll also need to leave a message with someone to send in the cavalry if we're not back by dawn, just in case."

-Don't worry about that I know a place she can stay for some day in security. I'l call a taxi and she will go to that adress. Then I'l make a couple of phones and we will go.

After some minutes, he finishes everything.

"I'll introduce you to the crew of the Larsen when we meet them," says Alyssa. She has taken the opportunity to develop the photographs she took in Innsmouth and to stock up on film while her boss made his preparations. "Anything else you can think of that we should bring with us before we go? Flashlights are a must, I think."

-I have one here, somewhere- you see him him opening a crate near his secretary. It's full of several things: old newspaper, food, a revolver and a flashlight.
-I'm ready, let's go.
Go to the group thread.