Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

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Laraqua
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Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Britain, November 13th, 1940.
The small village of Appledore, Kent, is on the northern edge of the Romney Marsh and was once a port on the estuary of the River Rother. It sits on the Marsh Link railway line between both Brighton or Hastings and Ashford. The railway station is beyond the Canal, 2 miles from the nucleus of the village. The railway station is quiet, as per usual, and you're one of the few people here to catch a late train to Ashford. Why the late train? The station master, Mr. Albert Eustace, had explained that there was no room on any of the daytime trains so it would have to be this one. Yet there's something off about Mr. Albert Eustace and the sense of wrongness only increases when you attempt to board the train. It wouldn't be so bad if the train were to actually go somewhere. Or if the entire place wasn't lately crowded in by tall fences, barbed wire and a fog that has crept out of nowhere. What on earth is going on? And what does Mr. Albert Eustace have to do with any of it?

Expected Campaign Length: 4th June 2016 - December 2016.
Expected Posting Frequency: Daily (weekends optional).
Player Spots: 4-6.
System: Trail of Cthulhu (Purist). 20 investigative points. 65 general points. If your occupation doesn't easily fit under the accepted categories in the Trail of Cthulhu book, let me know and I'll design something for you.

Style: A creepy investigative survival horror set in a specific location with a few puzzles that need solving. Since the characters are likely to split up (especially considering how small some sections are), each train car (though not compartment) will be in its own thread and players are encouraged not to read the other train cars until you enter them. There will be spoiler buttons showing information which anyone with the right investigative skill may read but you'll need to request spends, typically. Regrettably once your character has died you are out of the game unless there is an abandoned PC or NPC to utilise.
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Mr. Handy »

Welcome back, Laraqua! You probably already know that I definitely want to play in this one!
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Yep, I figured. :)

For some inspiration for those who don't know the era very well....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSD6GG1tkZ4 Modern Documentary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohd7Ll2CqN4 WW2: No Exceptions.
"Compares the "war records" of community-minded women on the home front with those of selfish women who refuse to assist the war effort. Some roll bandages, aid in nursery school operation, hostess at U.S.O. dances, and knit sweaters for servicemen. Other women refuse to "sacrifice" time to these endeavors. Dramatizes possible reactions of "Mrs. Exception" and her cohorts to a sudden air raid on their town."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_HeQKgb6eQ
This one's so cute. Has a song and all.
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by jimjam »

All signed up to play :)
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Let me know what you want to play! Some useful examples would include:

Veterinarian.
Historical Society Volunteer.
Land Girl / Farmer.
Bookhound.
Private Investigator.
Travelling Salesman in antiquities.
Mechanic / Electrician (especially Utilities worker).
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Actually a character like Sarah Carpenter could be a good one for this, Mr. Handy. A sweetheart but practical local nurse being transferred to a larger hospital or some-such, looking for a fresh start.
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Raiko »

Hi Laraqua, welcome back (says me, who's absent just as often as you!).

I'd like to join your game, if that's okay. I'd like to play a village vicar.
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Yep, absolutely! :)
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

http://codex.darkfoundry.com/resources/ ... -creation/ for basic character creation information.

I'm happy to make your sheets for you if you prefer.

ACADEMIC
Accounting
Anthropology
Archaeology
Architecture
Art History
Biology
Cthulhu Mythos
Cryptography
Geology
History
Languages
Law
Library Use
Medicine
Occult
Physics
Theology

INTERPERSONAL
Assess Honesty
Bargain
Bureaucracy
Cop Talk
Credit Rating
Flattery
Interrogation
Intimidation
Oral History
Reassurance
Streetwise

TECHNICAL
Art
Astronomy
Chemistry
Craft
Evidence Collection
Forensics
Locksmith
Outdoorsman
Pharmacy
Photography

GENERAL ABILITIES
Athletics
Conceal
Disguise
Driving
Electrical Repair
Explosives
Filch
Firearms
First Aid
Fleeing
Health
Hypnosis
Mechanical Repair
Piloting
Preparedness
Psychoanalysis
Riding
Sanity
Stability
Scuffling
Sense Trouble
Shadowing
Stealth
Weapons
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Mr. Handy »

Laraqua wrote:Actually a character like Sarah Carpenter could be a good one for this, Mr. Handy. A sweetheart but practical local nurse being transferred to a larger hospital or some-such, looking for a fresh start.
I had thought of playing Irene Carpenter, but the timeline doesn't work for her, as this game takes place before the events of Home Front Mythos (February 1941). However, I can create a new character. Here's what I have so far:

Image

Player: Mr. Handy

Name: Kate Lacey
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Background: Nurse
Drive: Curiosity
Pillars of Sanity:
  • There'll Always Be An England
  • While There's Life, There's Hope
Sources of Stability:
  • Conrad Lacey, father, shopkeeper, WWI veteran, currently in the Home Guard
  • Elizabeth Lacey, mother, fashion designer, currently in the WVS
  • Michael Lacey, brother, in the Royal Navy
  • Jenny Stewart, best friend and fellow nurse
Investigative Abilities:

Academic
Anthropology 1
Bargain 1
*Biology 1
History 1
Languages 2
Library Use 1
*Medicine 2

Interpersonal
*Assess Honesty 2
Bureaucracy 1
Credit Rating 2
Flattery 2
Oral History 1
*Reassurance 3

Technical
Art 1
Chemistry 1
Craft 1
Outdoorsman 1
*Pharmacy 2
Photography 1

General Abilities:
Athletics 8
*First Aid 12
Health 12
Mechanical Repair 3
Preparedness 6
Psychoanalysis 4
Sanity 8
Sense Trouble 3
Stealth 3
Stability 12
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Overlord87 »

Since the Masks game I was playing in died, I was looking forward to join another game, and being a lover of the ToC system, can't miss this one :) will have a character ready in the weekend ;)
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Excellent! It'll be great to have you aboard.

Funnily enough I was just reading that Masks game the other day....
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Ritterton »

As we have shared a couple of notes, I would be interested in playing in this...it was unfortunate that the Masks just faded...as our teams were just getting our strides.
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Raiko »

Game forum created as requested by Laraqua: viewforum.php?f=381

I'll get my investigator sorted out over the weekend. :)

Regarding Masks, I'm about to resume my own new Masks game on here, it's currently right at the end of a short prologue chapter and Chapter One will be beginning this weekend. A couple of the characters were common to both games.

At the moment I haven't heard back from two of the players, so I could potentially take in a couple of refugees from Quartermass' game if my own players don't return. You would be able to fetch your existing characters rather than taking on one of the abandoned investigators from my game.

I do want to give those two missing players a little longer to return first though, so I won't be adding anyone new until after the first major encounter. Dave's already offered several times to join in and I won't go above eight investigators under any circumstances.

I've tried running Masks in here before (with Laraqua, and later with Mr Handy & Dave as well), the game stalled several times, but we had a great time and managed to complete the best part of two chapters. I'm hoping to have learned from my past mistakes this time.
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Raiko's a great Keeper! Can thoroughly recommend.
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Ejstricker »

Hello, I'm playing this game too. Can someone approve my membership so that I can post? :)
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Mr. Handy »

Welcome, Ejstricker! I've validated you, so now you can post on the game boards.
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Ejstricker »

Thanks!
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Laraqua
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Laraqua »

Slight change of plans -- I'll be starting this campaign on the 30th of May but new characters can be introduced up until the 4th of June (at the earliest) when things will happen to close the doors on new investigators, so to speak.
Is it bad that I listen to this about ten times a day?

Oh, also, check out my new blog on roleplaying and running games: http://stwildonroleplaying.blogspot.com/
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Charlie Hagan
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Re: Trail of Cthulhu: The Abandoned Express

Post by Charlie Hagan »

Could I get permission to post on the forum as well please?
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