Chapter One - Arkham Asylum

[Cearlan]

Dr Weedon and Sr O'Neill

Last Thursday morning, two good friends and fellow University, both botany students, Richard Cardigan and Henry Atwater strolled north-west from Arkham to camp along the Miskatonic River in Bowen Woods. They were expected to return on Saturday but failed to do so. Early Sunday morning, Henry Atwater was found wandering along west River Street, in a disturbed state of mind. Police took him to St. Mary's Hospital where he was examined by Dr. Jonathan Weedon and Sr Katherine O'Neill.

Atwater's nearly incoherent ramblings led police to surmise that the campers had been struck by lightning on Friday evening while they slept, something that the good doctor and Sr Katherine reluctantly had to concur with. Having sedated Atwater enough for overnight, he was moved to a ward for observation. This diagnosis however, did not sit well with either of the two medical professionals as there were many things that did not add up with a lightning strike. For example the lack of burns anywhere on Atwaters body.

They agree to see how he is in the morning and as they come on duty, they go straight to the ward where they find him being restrained on the bed, shouting, raving and thrashing about. The diagnosis did not improve through the day and reluctantly, Dr Weedon contacted Dr Hardstrom at the Asylum in order to have him transferred and committed, which happened shortly after the afternoon. However this still did not sit right with either the doctor nor his nurse.


Henry Calamy, Sharon Williams and Jimmy Veccio

Wealthy banker Herbert Cardigan had sent his son to Miskatonic University to study Botany of all things ... well at least his elder brother would follow in the family business. Last Thursday morning, his son, Richard and his friend Henry Atwater set out from Arkham to camp on the bank of the Miskatonic River in Bowen Woods. They were expected to return on Saturday but never arrived. Early Sunday morning, Atwater was found wandering along west River Street, in a disturbed state of mind. Police took him to St. Mary's Hospital where he was examined by Doctors and Herbert want's answers as to what happened and where his son got to.

To this end he has assembled a crack private investigator, one who specialises in missing persons; a local reporter, who better to know the area and where the leads are and his daughter who refused to be left out of the investigation. You are informed that the Atwater boy is now being held in Arkham Asylum after being transferred from St. Mary's


It is now sunday evening and Dr Weedon and Sr O'Neill are free to discuss what they plan to do on Monday morning, as are Sharon, Henry and Jimmy

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm worried about young Mr. Atwater, Doctor," says Sister Katherine O'Neill to Dr. Weedon. "Tomorrow morning I'd like to go down to the asylum and see how he's doing."

[DrPeterson]

Calamy extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and looked at the reporter and the young woman.

"I for one would like to have a look at young Mr. Atwater at the asylum and after that, we might head to the University to see if we can find a few friends and professors of our two young students."

He takes out another cigarette and lights it, inhaling deeply.

"And then, I think we'll probably be putting our hiking boots on."

[corban]

Dr. Weeden leaned forward in his chair, his unlit pipe in his left hand as he spoke to Sister O'Neill

"You are right to be concerned sister. How does a bright, promising young student's mind become wracked like this. Electricity? I find that doubtful. My own research into the effects of electricity on the brain show that whilst it can scramble and sometimes enhance certain sections within the brain it is generally more localized, especially in strengths where it produces no exterior liasions to the skin. Yet something has clearly addled the young mans mind."

He brought the pipe to his mouth and lit it making a soft put-put sound as he puffed out a few clouds of smoke filling the room with a soft, sweet blueberry flavour. He leant back and his eyes half closed as he lost himself briefly in thought and half to the sister and half to himself he said "A night of rest might well do him good and in the morning there may be some improvment perhaps. His friend RIchard Cardigan may be found in the meantime and shed some further light on what occurred. If there is little or no improvement however then our work begins in earnest in exploring this young mans psyche. We will need to find out what made him tick before "the event" and what the event was only then might we be able to fashion some sort of cure to bring him back."

[Priest]

Jimmy smiled, as he rose from his chair, toward the private eye and the young woman who had been introduced as Cynthia Cardigan, but chose to call herself Sharon Williams, "Yeah, and maybe swing by St Mary's. I know a nurse over there she may be able to tell us more"

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, Doctor," replies Sister Katherine. "I shall pray for him tonight. I do not think it could have been a lightning strike. I examined him myself, but there were no burns anywhere on his body. I'm not sure why they thought it was lightning in the first place, exactly. Talking to the young man's friends and family will be helpful in understanding him. It might be an intrusion to call on them at home, but they're bound to visit him at some point. It would be better still if Richard Cardigan is found."

[DrPeterson]

"Excellent, looks like we'll have a full day tomorrow. I suggest we meet at the Asylum at eight and then head to St Mary's and visit the University in the afternoon." He took another long drag and continued, "there's not going to be much use to talking to students before noon."

[Cearlan]

The following morning dawns bright and clear, with some low storm clouds scudding over the waters of the Atlantic. Cold winds blow in from the water, bringing a salt-tang to the air, causing the old-timers to shake their heads and mutter about an impending storm. Barometers read that a distinct drop in pressure also heralds bad weather ahead.

Sr O'Neill and Dr Weedon drive up to the gates of the Asylum in Dr Weedon's car and they are kept waiting there by an officious security guard who refuses them entry.

"Sorry Sir, You do not have an appointment so I am afraid I cannot let you or the lady passenger in. Thems the very orders I got from Dr Hardstrom himself."


As Sharon, Henry and Jimmy approach the asylum they see that another car waiting at the gates with two people sitting in the car. Jimmy groans as he sees the official, self important guard that Jimmy has had the 'good fortune' to deal with before.

Jimmy,He is so full of his own self importance and overzealous application of the pettiest of rules ... but he does have one weakness - he likes to play the numbers game, which is why he tends to be accommodating to those who can grease his palm. Fast-Talk +15%

[Mr. Handy]

"But we know Dr. Hardstrom personally, sir," says Sister Katherine. "Couldn't we speak to him? I'm sure he'd make an exception in our case."

[corban]

"You are to be commended on your dilligence but as the good sister says he knows us personally and I am sure he will make an exception in our case once he knows we are here. Tell him Dr Weedon and Sister O'Neill are here regarding the Atwater boy." Dr Weedon added " I certainly wouldn't want to be in your shoes if he finds out we were here and you turned us away without telling him."

[DrPeterson]

Henry pulls up behind the other car and looks at the goings on, taking a mental note of the car and its registry.

[Priest]

Noting what's happening in front, and seein whose being oficious, Jimmy carefully folds a five dollar bill inside his press card wallet. Without waiting, having recognised Sister O'Neil, he steps up to the security guard. "Morning Henry, I'm sure you remember me" Jimmy smiles his best boyish smile and passes his wallet to the security gaurd.

OOC: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4041260/ Made it, it should have been 55% not 50.

[Cearlan]

"Excuse me a moment Sir, Madam." the officious guard says to Dr Weedon, nodding to both the now angry Doctor and Sr O'Neil. Then Henry Parsons takes the proffered press card and deftly pockets the note from inside.

Dr Weedon and Sr ONeil,Spot hidden roll please

"Why yes Mr Vecchio, I remember you just fine." After a slight pause he adds "Have you come to visit your brother again Sir?" He looks you straight in the eye with a raised eyebrow.

[Priest]

Jimmy nods, "As always, only this time I've brought my ...cousins Henry and Sharon if that's okay?", as he speaks he smiles at the sister riding in the car with the red faced, angry man.

[Mr. Handy]

Katherine can't see anything else of note. She raises an eyebrow at Jimmy's statement. While she doesn't approve of lying, she says nothing yet, waiting to see what happens next.

[corban]

spot hidden:FAIL,Needed 25% rolled [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4043136/]99[/url] PS. Not angry.. trying to use my credit rating to get past the guard

[Cearlan]

Parsons indicates Sr O'Neil and Dr Weedon, "And would these two in the car here be your cousins Mr. V?"

[Priest]

"Possibly", answers Jimmy giving the sisters companion a knowing nod and a broad wink.

[DrPeterson]

Henry lit another cigarette as he watched the scene unfold.

Tell me, Miss Wiliams, how close were you with your brother? Did he write you often? Did he ever tell you about this trip?

[Cearlan]

Henry Parsons considers a moment before opening the gates and ushering the two cars through to the grounds of the asylum. A gravel path leads up to the house and despite the early hour, several 'patients' mill around the gardens, some working under supervision others given more of a free reign. The path meanders through tree lined grounds until you are confronted by an avenue leading direct to the house.

The asylum is home to people with various disorders, ranging from the mild and treatable to severe cases, The person you are both here to see, although the occupants of both cars do not yet realise the other car is here to see the same young man, Henry Atwater.

You both pull up in the car park at the front of the impressive, if neglected facade of the colonial style building. You are conscious of many eyes watching your every move as you all alight your vehicles. This includes a nurse who has a great dislike for Jimmy, who upon locking eyes with him as he got out the car before she turns on her heel and enters the hospital with a loud sniff.