Fr Mason - introductory thread

The Curse of Nineveh is a seven-part campaign for Call of Cthulhu set in London, in the summer of 1925. The investigators find themselves embroiled in the events that surround the return of an expedition from Nineveh and a terrible curse that they brought back with them.

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Fr Mason - introductory thread

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As Fr Mason kneels in prayer, he thinks back to his being escorted to his cabin, the shabby looking crewman's uniform did not seem to fit him properly, which stikes him as odd considering the opulence of the surroundings, or perhaps he was reading too much into things. However his reveries are disturbed by a sudden knock on the door.
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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Father Mason stands up slowly, then reaches the door and opens it.
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As you open the door you see before you the following young man whom you have seen in the house of your close friend Bishop Francis Cartwright.
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"Hello young man - how may I help you?" you hear yourself say.

"Sorry Father, my name is Alfred Prebble. Bishop Cartwright told me that he was arranging for you to attend in his absence tonight. May I come in please so we may talk in a little more privacy." You hear a door open and close farther down the corridor and the young man, who you gauge to be mid twenties glances self consciously towards the sound then looks back to you with profound pain in his eyes.

You know that Bishop Cartwright had been taken ill recently, so maybe that is why you know nothing about this, or is there some other reason?
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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Father Mason looks thoughtfully at the man's face for a second, then gestures him in. A tormented soul, clear as daylight. My dear Francis, what do you have in store for me?

"Please come in, Mr. Prebble", he says.
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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"Thank you for agreeing to come in place of the Bishop. As you know, for I recall seeing you at his residence, I have been seeing the Bishop regularly for some time. It seems to be the case that my very soul is in danger." Alfred hangs his head and stifled a sob. "Sorry father, I aplogise. Bishop Catrwright holds you in the highest regard and insisted that if ever he was unavailable then I was to get in touch with you." Watching your face he says "Please say that he has told you of this. You look more than a little taken aback."
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A little lie, for a good reason. Will I have to ask for forgiveness?, Father Mason thinks wearily. These days, every little thing looked like a test to him. Was this the feeling of being lost? Questions, only more questions.

"Of course he told me about you, son. Tell me, what weighs so heavily on your soul?"
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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"I ... I am not so sure what the Bishop has told you or where to begin really." The young man takes a moment or two in order to collect himself then continues.

"My parents were killed in a terrible accident little over eight months ago. Ever since that terrible time I have been lost in my grief, quite understandably." He gets up from his seat and begins to pace the cabin.

"Even the depths of my grief were not as bad as things were to get. I went in search of some answers - looking for clues in various religions. All I wanted to some reasoning for the horrendous twists and turns of my life." Still pacing he clenches his fists and holds them against his forehead, groaning.

"Sorry Father, I feel that the walls are closing in - can we go up on deck, perhaps the fresh air may help?"
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"I'm very sorry about your loss, son. If I can be of assistance in any way, I'll do my best", Father Mason says while accompanying the young man outside the cabin and towards the deck.
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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As you approach the main deck, you can hear the sounds of the jazz band tuning up their instruments and both see and hear the crew casting off adding to the noise of the boilers taking up the strain and the paddle groaning into life as the boat moves away from the pier with a gentle roll. You check your watch and see that it is 7:45 precisely.

Alfred gestures back upstairs, saying "There might be more seclusion up on the top deck." You pass several guests on the stairs who smile and nod agreeably in your direction. The ladies dressed in their finery whilst the gentlemen are similarly dressed to the nines. The general atmosphere is one of gaiety and merriment tinged with no small amount of anticipation at tonight's entertainment.
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"We are underway at last - well I believe that is the term anyway." "I've been absolutely looking forward to this dah-ling" and "Tally-Ho old chap - let the night begin at last!" are a few of the phrases you can hear interspersed with laughter as you ascend the stairs, laughter that you feel this poor soul you are with cannot be sharing.
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Father Mason sighs. As he feared, he feels out of place. He can almost feel the people staring at him, like he's some strange animal.
Am I becoming paranoid? Must come with the old age, he thinks shaking his head. He's sure Mr. Prebble is not particularly happy, either, so he quickens his pace towards the deck.
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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Although the crowd has thinned out quite considerably, no doubt due to the commencement of the Jazz band's act, the silence between you is broken by a stifled sob from young Alfred Prebble. A few heads turn at the sound, but quickly avert their gazes.

"Soon after my parent's death, I started to seek answers to what life is all about, and m,ore importantly what lies beyond the veil. About six weeks ago I started to get strange letters and postcards, some of which were sent through the normal postal system, others delivered by hand during the night. Now I was not a man of normally of a nervous disposition, but these letters, whilst not quite threatening have left me questioning the survival of my very soul Father Mason."
OOC:   You do not need to roll to see that he is at his wits end and despite what he has said - is living on his nerves - and probably has been for some time.  
"These were the reasons for my frequent visits to the Bishop's residence where I believe I saw you on several occasions." He reaches into his jacket pocket and hands you a note, with a shaking hand.

"As I was leaving tonight, I found this on my front door-mat"
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Father Mason looks at the piece of paper with a perplexed look on his face: "How many of these have you received? Did they all report this same message?"
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"No no Father - they are all different. I just wish I had thought to bring more along to show you. Basically, whomsoever is responsible for these nasty communiques has been slowly and systematically eroding my self worth and belief in any form of afterlife. Although there is no explicit threat to me, it is all insinuated and implied attacks on my faith, which was already at an extremely low ebb."
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Father Mason allows a sad smile to surface for a moment on his lips: To think that out of all the priests in England, this young man would find me... if there's a God, He surely doesn't lack irony , he thinks.

"I can see that this has gone beyond the level of a mere prank, Mr. Prebble. And yet, these are just piece of papers. Their words carry no real weight. Is there something else you're not telling me? And how did this start in the first place?"
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Prebble looks downcast at his feet. "I thought that you may understand Father, certainly the Bishop seemed to think that you and I should meet. I kept putting it off as talking about things such as this to complete strangers is not n easy thing to do. He was supposed to be meeting me on this boat tonight but I understand that he was taken to hospital or some such so elected you in his place. The only thing I have not told you is the content of the other letters, foul things which I in all honesty care not to remember. Enough to say that this is the latest in a long line of missives that are gradually, yet inexorably bringing me low."

Sighing Alfred stands. "Well I suppose we had better see whet this jazz band from America can do Father!"
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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"Be strong, son. A piece of paper can't break your faith, and most certainly can't hurt you. If this is a test from God, it will only make you stronger. Rest now, and enjoy the voyage. No strange letter will find its way on this boat", Father Mason tries to sound reassuring, but his words ring hollow even to his ears.
Persuade roll,http://orokos.com/roll/460848 It is Persuade, right? I haven't found anything like Reassurance. Anyway, roll failed.
Can't show the light of God to anyone else if you yourself can't see it, he thinks, feeling a sudden sadness.

"Go and have fun, son. I'd like to stay here and enjoy the quietness a little while longer", he says while closing his eyes.
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"Yes, you are of course quite right about the fact that a piece of paper cannot break me - but what of the people behind them - dash it all Father Who would be twisted enough to perform such diabolical acts against me and why? I mean I did inherit some monies from my parent's estate, but hardly enough to warrant the harassment I have endured. Please say you'll come down in a little while Father - I could certainly use a friendly face."
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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"I'll be right behind you", Father Mason says, smiling weakly.

He sits in silence for a couple of minutes, listening to the sound of water splashing on the boat. Francis, my friend... did you think I could help myself while helping him? Always the optimist. But I guess I'll trust your judgment, it has always been better than mine. He breathes out, slowly, all the air in his lungs before taking in a deep breath. Then, he stands up and heads towards the sound of the jazz band.
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Re: Fr Mason - introductory thread

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Move to this thread;- viewtopic.php?f=396&t=5884
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