Play@YSDC

Arkham, Massachusetts. February 15th 1pm.
St. Mary’s Hospital is an austere building located in central Arkham adjacent to Miskatonic University. It serves as a teaching hospital and so is regularly patronized by university staff and their families. On arrival, the information desk in the main lobby directs our heroes to Professor Putnam’s room on the 3rd floor.

Although it is a private room, the six investigators also have to share it with Putnam’s wife and son, so it quickly becomes a little cramped, with no place to sit. Flowers and paintings attempt to cheer the atmosphere, but it is swiftly dispelled by one look at the man laying in bed. Putnam’s illness has caused him to lose a great deal of weight, and his skin is pale and wan. He barely moves, but his eyes remain keen and alert. The sight is a shock to those who know him, and it is painfully obvious that there will be no recovery.

“Thank you all so much for coming” says Putnam in a weak voice. “I truly appreciate it. I’d better make the introductions. I know that some of you already know each other, but it will make things easier.”

He indicates his wife and son. “This is my wife Agnes, my companion for so many wonderful years.” Agnes nods to the investigators silently, a handkerchief pressed to her mouth. She is obviously overcome with grief.

“And this is my son, Bernard”.
Bernard regards everyone with barely disguised hostility. In his early thirties, he is weasel-like in appearance, and those that are familiar with him know him to be selfish and petty, without many endearing qualities. Alice is more than familiar with him – he has attempted to woo her on several occasions, always unsuccessfully. He hasn’t taken her lack of interest in him particularly well. He is very different from his father, and the two were not close. His business interests are dubious, to say the least.

Putnam continues with the introductions. “My dear Isadora! Everybody, Isadora Carmichael is an accomplished artist with whom I have a long association courtesy of the Theosophical Society. You all might be familiar with Henry Glynn; he recently published a successful work of fiction. He is the son of an old colleague and friend of mine, and I am very happy to see him again. Rupert Marlow is a recent graduate of Oxford, possessed of a first-class mind, despite his youth. Ah, my faithful Alice! Alice Stanton, my secretary and one of my finest students. And then we have two outstanding academics: Henri Balzac of the University of Montreal, a specialist in folk botany. And Arthur Vivar, who is rapidly becoming an expert on local pre-history”.

The investigators glance around at each other curiously, eagerly awaiting to hear what purpose has brought them together.

Putnam turns his head to his wife and son. “Agnes, Bernard, I must ask you to leave us now. It’s very important that I talk to these people about a matter which must remain between us”. Agnes tearfully assents but Bernard is more stubborn.

“Father, if it concerns your estate then I must insist on being present” he whines. It is easy to see what his prime motivation in life is.

“No!” cries the Professor, his voice much stronger. “Please leave now!” Bernard decides against any more argument, and with an evil glare exits the room.

Now that they are alone, Putnam begins his story. “The reason I have asked you all here is simple. I need you all to finish something that I and my friends began a long time ago”.

He looks around at the group. “Everything I will tell you is true. I know it sounds fantastic, but you know me to be a rational man, not given to fantasy”.

“As several of you are aware, I have long had an interest in spiritual and occult matters. As an undergraduate at Miskatonic reading anthropology, some of my friends and I began to explore the occult – innocently of course. We were interested in local Indian rites at first – it was our research. But we met an older student named Marion Allen who became something of a figurehead to us, and his interests were a bit more, well, esoteric, shall I say? I’ll explain more.”

He pauses, lost in reverie. “Don’t misunderstand – Marion wasn’t a bad person by any means. He was just, well, out of his depth.”

“Marion, myself and my four other friends clubbed together and bought an old farmhouse a few miles west of Arkham, nearby the hamlet of Ross’s Corners. Very cheap land back then you know.”

He stops again, the effort of all this talking is taking its toll, but he is determined to finish.

“We used it as a base to conduct our research and experiments. It was very quiet, and a good place to conduct séances and the like. But our last experiment…”

His face contorts. “We brought something into this world, something evil.” He winces in pain, his hand involuntarily reaches for his throat. His voice is getting coarser now. He looks as if he might weep.

“We should have expelled it. We could have! But…” he gasps for breath.

“Marion led us in casting a spell which bound the thing to the farmhouse so that it could not leave. But this spell only works as long as the casters live. And now, I am the last. I fear that with my death, the thing will be free”.

Putnam gestures weakly to an innocuous metal box on the nightstand beside the bed.
“Take the box,” he croaks. “All the aid I can offer you lies within. You must find a way to send that thing back to where it came from. You must see that this is done. Do this for me. Please.”

His breath comes in ragged gasps now. “Take the box!”

OOC,I'll let you guys decide who is closer to the nightstand

Alice Stanton listens in wonder as Professor Putnam recounts his tale. She does know him to be rational, and she is sure he sincerely believes what he is saying, even though she finds it hard to believe herself. Still, she is determined to do her part to fulfill his dying request. Stepping over to the nightstand, she reaches for the box to pick it up and open it.

The instant Alice’s hand touches the box, the Professor rears up, choked by a sudden spasm. He coughs and groans, and then coughs out a huge gout of blood and tissue, splattering Alice’s chest and arms. He then falls back unconscious.

The heroes are momentarily shocked into silence by this terrible sight.

OOC,Everyone apart from former army surgeon Henri needs to roll for Insanity - you've probably never seen anything so horrible before. Anyone who fails loses one SAN point!

OOC,Sanity Roll(60): [dice]0[/dice]

Arthur,shocked by the gruesome scene, turns his gaze away for a moment.
Inmediatly afterwards, he grabs Putnam's wrist, trying to check his pulse.
The smell of blood is sickening for him.

Henry turns away in revulsion

Isadora Carmichael

Another haunted house, Isadora thinks. Although, she fears, this might be something completely different. Her reverie is interrupted by the violent gory scene! She averts her eyes...

Sanity 65
[dice]0[/dice]

Recovering composure Henry makes to dab at Miss Stanton with his handkerchief

Alice stays remarkably calm and collected. She rushes over to help Professor Putnam, unconcerned about her own condition. "Thanks, but never mind me," she says, "we have tro help the professor! Quickly, Dr. Balzac! Someone else let the hospital staff know!"

OOC,Sanity roll (current level 65) for seeing [b]Professor Putnam[/b] cough out blood: [dice]0[/dice]

Uttering vile oaths in French, Balzac snatches the unlit Gauloises from the corner of his mouth and flicks the cigarette into a corner of the room.

"Pardon me, ladies and gentlemen, I am a doctor." Balzac deftly elbows his way to the Professor's side.

OOC,[b]Balzac[/b] makes a [i]Medicine[/i] roll to try to resuscitate the Prof or at least determine what just happened. Skill of [b]80%[/b]. [dice]0[/dice]

Leaving room for Dr Balzac to examine the Professor, Arthur listens Alice's advice, and goes outside the room looking for help.

Alice is not a medical professional, but she has some knowledge of first aid and tries to assist Dr. Balzac. However, the professor's condition is beyond her abilities.

OOC,First Aid roll (60% skill) trying to help [b]Professor Putnam[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

Arthur finds some help, and soon the room fills up with doctors and nurses, together with Putnam's wife and son. The investigators are shooed out, and find themselves in the corridor outside, waiting anxiously for news.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora sits in the corridor for a while, covering her eyes with her hand. Then her sadness is overpowered by curiosity. After all, they are here to investigate, so that Professor Putnam can be in peace. She turns to Alice:

"I'm sorry, Miss Stanton... Can I ask you something? Did you, by any chance, experience any... unusual sensations upon touching the box?"

Henry Glynn

"Poor chap" says Henry, "He's obviously losing his mind as well as his body with all this hocus pocus. I feel dreadfully sorry for him."

Arthur sits on the side of a bench, staring at the floor.
"Professor's condition is evident, as Mr Glynn said. I fear he's taking his final breaths"
Rising his gaze, he looks at his newfound companions
"We should try to fulfill his last wishes, before he passes away. Miss Stanton, could you open the metal box?"

"No, Mrs. Carmichael," says Alice, puzzled. "All that happened was that the poor professor coughed up blood on me."

OOC,Was I able to bring the box with me?

With the others crowded around her, Alice opens the box. All wait with bated breath, eager to see what it contains.

Firstly, she takes out an old, yellowed envelope. Opening it and taking out the paper inside, it can be seen that it is a deed to house. The address is on Boone Road, near Ross's Corners. There is also a key, which must be for the front door.

The second item is a small sarcophagus-shaped gold box, obviously of ancient design. It is covered with markings.

Lastly, there is a slim, leather-bound journal in plain black.

OOC,Anyone can roll History or Archaeology to identify the origin of the box.

Henry Glynn

"I can't say I believe much in spells but we can't let the Professor down. I don't see that we need to drag the ladies into this business though. Dr Balzac, Mr Vivar and I can take care of it.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora takes a look at the little golden box, admires the craftsmanship.

History 20%
[dice]0[/dice]

She raises an eyebrow at Henry Glynn's comment.

"Mr. Glynn, I believe the Professor included us ladies for a reason."

"Mesdames et Messieurs, I believe there is a grave danger that we have all just received a dying man's last request. Whether we believe what the Professor said is another matter. We are bound to at least make enquiries. It is a dette d'honneur"

Balzac pulls out a distinctive blue packet of Gauloises and offers them around before lighting up himself and disappearing into an aromatic cloud of Gallic tobacco smoke.

Henry Glynn

Henry accepts a cigarette with a nod of thanks and reaches for the leather bound journal. "Say, what's this, some sort of diary?"

Isadora Carmichael

"This is Egyptian, Middle Kingdom, perhaps," Isadora relays the information about the small golden box.

How many hieroglyphs are on it? Is it possible for Isadora to copy them to her notebook while the others are studying the journal?

"I'll take one, Mr Balzac", says Arthur, rising from his bench. "I wonder what the purpose of this Egyptian item is. We should probably search whatever the professor knew about it in the journal, before opening or manipulating it. Mr Glynn, could you read it?"

Before the heroes can take any further action, the door to Putnam's room opens, and Agnes and Bernard exit. Agnes is weeping with her face buried in her hands. Bernard is attempting to comfort her, although half-heartedly.

"Dennis is dead!" she wails.

Arthur approaches the now-widowed Mrs Putnam, with a sad look on his face
"We're all very sorry for your loss. He was a very dear friend of us. If there's anything we could do for you, you can ask."

OOC:   Arthur will try to position himself in front of Agnes and Bernard, blocking the line of sight between them and Isadora.

"I'm so sorry," says Alice, sobbing. She would have hugged Agnes, but right now she's covered with the professor's blood and doesn't want to get it on her.

OOC,History roll (30% skill) about the box: [dice]0[/dice]

Bernard pumps himself up self-righteously. "What were you all talking about in there?" He glares around at the investigators. "I demand that you tell me!"

OOC:   Arthur - roll for Luck

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora slips the small sarcophagus into her handbag...

Henry Glynn

Henry slips the journal into the pocket of his overcoat and attempts to usher Bernard away from the group. "There, there Bernard. You've had a terrible shock. He was a great man. Perhaps you need a seat? There's a bench over there by the window..."

Although Henry is able to secrete the journal, Bernard's beady eye spys Isadora hiding the sarcophagus. Also, Alice still has the box and the property deed.

"What are those?" he screeches. "That's my father's property! Show it to me!"

Bernard ignores Arthur and walks over to Alice. Before she can react he grabs the deed from her hand. His eyes light up as he begins to read.

"A house!" he cries triumphantly. "By rights this belongs to me! I mean my mother! I'll be taking this. Keep your university junk."

He glares at Alice.

Balzac approaches Agnes Putnam, bowler in hand. "Madam, we all mourn for your loss. And your son may be right that this property belongs to you. However, your late husband, with his last breath, charged me and my colleagues with making certain enquiries regarding this property, to ensure that it is safe. This is now a debt of honour that we owe to his memory. We need the deed for now. Once we have determined the property to be safe, we will return the deed to you of course."

OOC,Could [b]Balzac[/b] try a [i]Persuade[/i] roll?

"Yes, the house is not in a very good state, Mrs. Putnam," says Alice, carefully ignoring Bernard. "It was your husband's dying request that we make it so, and he didn't want you or Bernard to have to concern yourselves."

OOC,[b]Alice[/b] could try too.

Alice knows her reasoning is sound, but the fact that she's covered in the professor's blood probably isn't helping.

OOC,Persuade roll (65% skill) to convince [b]Mrs. Putnam[/b]: [dice]0[/dice] Maybe someone else can have a try?

Henry Glynn

Henry tries to back up Alice and Balzac but his words fail to move Mrs Putnam

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora steps up to the mourning wife and softly puts her hand on her shoulder. She thinks that this moment allows such intimacy (besides, they've met before).

"Please, Mrs. Putnam, let us fulfill the Professor's last wish."

Her voice is shaking - she is shocked by both Putnam's death and Bernard's reaction... So unlike his father.

Persuade 15%
[dice]0[/dice]

Arthur takes a breather...
"Listen, Mrs Putnam. We are here because of Denis. We are here because of what faith Denis had in us, and the faith we have in him. He will not be forgotten by any of us, as he did not forget about us even after all these years. And now, just as he brathed his last, he commanded us with a mission. With one last favour. He gave us one final request, a request with a meaning beyond what you can imagine. Not ust by what he requested, but what this request means to us. It means honor. Honoring our long friendship with Denis. Honoring his memory. Honoring what he believed was the right thing to ask. He called us in his time of need, and now, even after he has passed, we still have a task to complete. Im not aware f he did ask something of you, but if he did, you must understand how much this means to us. He especially asked us to do this because he wanted to keep you away, in affairs that we expect not to be pleasant, at all. He wished no harm to you, and so that's why he made the effort of calling us, to ask something so important of us, that made us travel from our homes to here.
Please, listen to our plea."

ooc,Persuasion roll(30%): [dice]0[/dice]

After being silent for some time, clearly shaken by what has just occurred a pale face Rupert looks up from his shoes

"It must have been important to him, to bring us all together, like this, so near....the end. You must let us help"

Agnes looks momentarily swayed by the heroes’ entreaties, but unfortunately they are to no avail. Bernard sees an advantage, and he takes it.

“Mother dear” he says. “It’s true, you really don’t need to be dealing with such matters right now. Our lawyers need to look over matters of Father’s estate. Let me bring this to their attention. If there is something that these ah… people can help with, then we can contact them later.”

Agnes is too distraught by everything to continue. “Very well Bernard.”

She addresses the group. “Thank you for visiting Dennis. He spoke to me about you all and I know he respected you very much. But I cannot cope with these matters right now. Perhaps we can talk about the property in the future.”

She turns away accompanied by Bernard, who sneers triumphantly at the group, brandishing the deed in his fist. “Goodbye, Alice” he says pointedly.

They return to Putnam’s room, and the door shuts.

Alice,Roll Luck

Henry Glynn

"Well I think I'd like to go somewhere where I can take a look at this without the attention of Putnam Jnr" says Henry, tapping the journal in his pocket

"Well said, Mr Glynn. It seems the apple has fallen very far from the tree, in this case", Said Arthur, shrugging.
"Does anyone know, or even better, have a location were we can discuss these issues with a privacy? We could contact Agnes later, for the details of the professor's funeral. For now i feel she's better left alone, and away from that house's affairs."

Henry Glynn

"Never any privacy at my place" says Henry "Mrs Rourke doesn't believe in it."

Isadora Carmichael

"There is plenty of room and privacy at my house," Isadora begins, but interrupts herself. "...but I live in Boston, right..."

She is lost for a few seconds.

"Somewhere at the university, maybe?"

Rupert Marlow

"Perhaps the university would let us use his office?"

"My thoughts exactly," says Alice. "First, I'd like a bath and a change of clothes, of course. Well, that didn't go so well, but all is not lost."

OOC,Luck roll (65% stat) in the hospital corridor: [dice]0[/dice]

OOC,[b]Alice[/b] has managed to retain the key to the house, [b]Isadora[/b] has the sarchophagus, and [b]Henry[/b] the journal. Reading the journal will take four hours of game time. [b]Henry[/b] must decide if he wants to read it now, or wait until he talks to the others.

The investigators agree to meet at 6.30pm in Putnam’s office. The university will still be open as many professors and students stay late, but it will be quiet enough to talk without interruption. Those who are unfamiliar with it are given directions.
Later they meet at the appointed time. Putnam’s office is a little crowded but Alice manages to squeeze in some extra chairs among the clutter of books, papers and artifacts. She makes tea and coffee and they settle down to talk.

Isadora Carmichael

OOC:   Can Isadora attempt to mechanically copy the hieroglyphs in the downtime?

On the way to the university, Isadora buys a box of cookies to share.

Balzac will have a bit of a browse through the Prof's office, particularly his books and desk, to see if anything jumps out as odd or relevant to his dying request. He is listening to what the others say but has nothing useful to add at the moment.

Rupert will also look around. But is careful not to touch anything, he is more excited to be standing where he is and is trying to take it all in, but also trying to be respectful of the space.

Arthur addresses his newfound partners in research.
"Well, since you are looking around Prof. room, i'll go and check the library for a little bit."

OOC:   Arthur will go to the library and talk to the librarian(if they are available at the time), asking they what books Putnam took, read and returned lately. If successfull, he'll write down the list of books in his journal.Then he'll go back into the office.

"Thank you, Mrs. Carmichael," says Alice, taking one of the cookies when Isadora offers it. "Mr. Glynn, have you had a chance to look through the journal yet?"

"Yes, yes, the journal may be quite interesting," Balzac adds absently as he mooches around, pulling open desk drawers.

Henry Glynn

"Please, call me Henry" says Henry to Alice.

"Yes, the journal, I'm not sure what to make of it. A work of fiction like my own? The record of a delusion? A cover up for some youthful antics gone wrong? But I must admit something about it has disturbed me."

Henry pauses seeming uncertain.

"Perhaps you would permit me to read you some interesting sections?"

"Please do...Henry," says Alice, listening attentively.

Henry Glynn

Henry begins to read:

"April 1881

Our Dark Brotherhood has convened its first meeting! This entry is to let it be known that our Brotherhood consists of the following founding members:

President and founder, Marion Allen

Recording Secretary, Dennis Putnam

Other members are as follows:
Harold Copley,
Crawford Harris,
Cecil Jones,
Robert Menkin

June 1881

I still can’t believe we are actually doing this. Today we finalized the purchase of an old farmhouse outside of Ross’s Corners, a place where Marion suggests we can conduct our “experiments” in private. I have been appointed keeper of records, hence my writing this. We are calling ourselves ‘The Dark Brotherhood’; quite dramatic I think.

This should be a harmless adventure.

The farmhouse purchase is final now. We had represent ourselves as a literary fraternity in order to seal the deal with the broker in Arkham.

It has taken us several weeks but we have cleaned and furnished the old farmhouse. Crawford and Cecil did most of the painting. Robert and I laughed as Marion made such a fuss over carving special warding signs of protection over the wooden doors and windows – all of them. I thought he was going to throttle Robert for laughing at this so much.

July 1881

We arranged for a séance in an effort to contact the deceased former owner of the farmhouse. We placed candles in a circle around us and at the stroke of midnight began to chant some incantation, which Marion swore was authentic. Our efforts were in vain as Harold continued to giggle and Marion grew ever more discontent and impatient with such antics.

September 1881

We have spent the past few weekends at the farmhouse listening to Marion read from his small collection of books on the occult. It has been fascinating, but I almost wish the séance had worked. Cecil said he felt that we have come so far and committed to these investigations so that we should delve a little deeper than we already have. For once Harold did not giggle as much. Marion and I think Marion felt inspired to do more that night as well.

October 1881

All Hallows Eve – We prepared ourselves for a summoning on the darkest day of magick of the year. We inscribed a pentagram inside a circle in chalk on the center of the floor in the living room and lit candles at each point of the pentagram. We all sat cross-legged as Marion attempted, what he said was an old Indian chant used to commune with the spirits of the dead.

A cold breeze blew a shutter door open and blew out half the candles.

We relit them and tried again, but with no success.

February 1882

We may be close this time. Marion writes that he has acquired an artifact, purportedly Egyptian in nature. It is described as a small sarcophagus of gold with a hinged lid"

Henry looks up from the pages: "That's the one the Professor gave us I assume".

He resumes:

"Inside there is a large piece of amber within which is entrapped a specimen of some unknown species of creature. It appears to be an anthropod. Marion is quite excited. The box is bizarrely similar to the description of an occult item found in a reference volume in the Miskatonic University library. I believe he found it under Egyptology and Dead Gods.

This is very promising indeed!

Marion says that in another book, a thick Latin tome titled ‘De Vermis Mysteriis’, is an explanation of some purported powers of the box. More importantly the small animal trapped in the amber is said to contain a friendly spirit and guide to the spirit world.

The Brotherhood is in agreement and we have set a date to conduct a ceremony intended to summon the spirit creature. Saturday night, the 12th March, 1882.

Marion feels confident that this will give us enough time to properly prepare for the ritual using the Latin tome."

Henry pauses and looks around at the others, trying to read their faces.

"There's more. Shall I go on?"

"It's hard to imagine Professor Putnam being involved in something like this," says Alice. "He's always seemed so rational to me, but I never knew him in his younger days, well before I was born. I suppose we'll need to find these books and study them later. Please, continue."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora gasps audibly when Glynn reads about the contents of the Egyptian box. She had the composure to keep it closed.

"Yes, please, do go on!"

Henry Glynn

"March 1882

We began the ceremony as Marion instructed, according to that described in his book De Vermis Mysteriis.

A fire is set in the fireplace and a pentagram chalked on the floor, marked with the appropriate symbols and illuminated by two black tapers placed near the center flanking the piece of amber with its entrapped spirit. The others sit in a circle while I, the designated “watcher” who guards for malevolent spirits, sits in the far corner of the room.

Marion throws a handful of powder in the fire, producing an evil-smelling smoke and damping the flames which now burn a sputtering green and brown. Those seated begin the Latin chant Marion Allan has transcribed from his book.

After nearly two hours I see a trail of smoke circling up from the piece of amber. Its surface seems to be bubbling, melting. Could this be it? Have we finally achieved success? I can see a form-

It is the following day. We have finished with our plans and have sworn a pact to never speak of what happened last night. We have satisfactorily explained the death of Robert, and in some manner the madness of Harold.

The sheriff accepts the explanation of a carriage accident – we planned it well. Robert’s neck was broken in the fall, we told him. Harold struck his head on a rock when the horse’s leg broke and the carriage rolled. Would it be that it was only that. For the rest of us, we will be forever changed of what we experience that night. The thing formed in the center of the pentagram; shapeless, nearly invisible. Its terrible voice should have given us a clue but we were foolish. It spoke, then Marion cast that damned powder, the Dust of Abu-Ghazi he calls it, on the spirit, and that’s when we could see it.

Words cannot describe the faceless thing with a thousand maws. It roiled and bubbled, never fully revealing itself. So terrifying was its aspect that I sat as though frozen to the floor, the pen falling from my nerveless fingers. Cecil and Marion seemed as lifeless as I, while a short, sharp cry issued from Crawford’s mouth. Robert, however, rose to his feet and before anyone could stop him, stepped forward as to embrace our horrible guest. With its arms, or the appendages that seemed most like arms, it took hold of Robert and twisted his head around as though it was a doll’s head. His lifeless corpse was then thrown back in Harold’s lap and that’s when he began that damnable shrieking – the shrieking that hadn’t stopped even after we handed him over to the sheriff’s men.

We still had a chance, apparently. Marion now believes that if we had kept our wits, we could have reversed the chant and eventually forced back the creature to wherever it came from. But Crawford panicked and, in the mistaken belief that it would dispel the creature, reached forward and destroyed part of the pentagram, breaking its effectiveness. Released from that binding symbol, the thing – with a screech that could only have been unholy satisfaction – fled the house, disappearing out the window as a searing, screaming wind of boiling color.

Marion believes that the thing could still be destroyed, or at least dispelled, but none of us who remain have the stomach for such an undertaking. It is believed that the spell we cast inextricably binds the thing to the house and it is true that when we went back a few days later to retrieve our things, we heard it bumping about the attic over our heads. The warding signs so cheerfully carved by Marion Allan during better times – times that seem so long ago – apparently are effective and bar the thing entry except to the attic of the house.

Robert Wenkin, March 1882
Harold Copley, August 1882
Marion Allen, August 1883"

Henry pauses.

"These bits are more recent ..." he explains.

"Crawford Harris, January 1915
Cecil Jones, March 1924

Dennis Putnam

February

I gravely fear that which I and my colleagues have loosed upon this countryside. Nothing of consequence has taken place but with my death the bonds will be broken and the thing then freed to come and go as it pleases. Lives and souls not yet taken lie heavy on my consequence. The method of delivering the thing out of this world is in that accursed house – the translation made by Marion Allen from the horrid De Vermis Mysteriis. I am not strong enough to take the task, but I know of those who perhaps are.

Should they fail me, may God have mercy on my soul."

Henry closes the journal.

Alice listens to the shocking account in stunned silence, not daring to speak until he finished. "I know Professor Putnam wouldn't lie about something like this," she says, "but how can this be? It had to be some sort of nightmare. It couldn't have really happened...could it?"

Isadora Carmichael

"Poor dear Professor Putnam," Isadora says, moved to tears by the last paragraph of the diary. "To think that he had to live his whole life in such terror! The constant feeling of impending doom..."

With trembling hands, she places the golden sarcophagus (now wrapped in a handkerchief) on the table.

"Some parts of this description might be the product of a feverish mind," she says, answering Alice's question. "But I'm afraid in this case the mind makes up these awful images to cover up the original indescribable experience!!"

Henry Glynn

"Ross's Corners? I don't know it. Not far from here I presume?"

"Yes, it's very small, just a few miles to the west," says Alice. "Nothing there but a few farms. Hardly anyone lives there any more."

Balzac continues to search the professor's office but is now double checking the titles of all the texts, looking for this book De Vermis Mysteries.

"As a botanist I can tell you all it would be foolish to assume man has discovered every species of plant and animal on Earth.

It may be that something remained alive, trapped in amber for millennia. The resurrection plant or rose of Jericho - Anastatica - that grows in many parts of the world, famously can lie dormant for years until it gets water. I have one in my office back in Montreal.

Our friend the Professor assumes a supernatural answer, as he would given what he and his friends were apparently doing, but we should start from a scientific perspective.

A logical step would be to visit this farmhouse and assess the situation. But first we should conduct some research here. Perhaps we might look inside the Egyptian box now?"

Henry Glynn

"Very interesting Dr Balzac. You could be on to something."

At this point Henry finally spots the cookies and helps himself.

Despite a thorough search of the books in Putnam’s office, Balzac is unable to find the tomes referred to in the journal.

Isadora meanwhile, unwraps her handkerchief and takes out the sarcophagus. With trembling fingers, she opens it, to reveal…

Nothing.

The little box is empty of all content. It is undecorated, except for some carvings inside the lid. These are obviously not Egyptian though.

OOC,Anyone can make an Occult roll to try and identify the carvings, if you wish.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora takes a closer look at the carvings...

Occult 45%
[dice]0[/dice]

"I've never seen anything like them," says Alice, shaking her head.

OOC,Occult roll (5% base skill) about the carvings: [dice]0[/dice]

Apart from some interesting works relating to the role of trees in in primitive religions, Balzac is unable to see any books relating to the matter in hand.

The carvings inside the lid seem destined to remain a mystery, at least for now.

Henry Glynn

"Perhaps Dr Balzac and I - Mr Vivar too if he is free - could take a walk out to Ross's Corner tomorrow and a have a look at this farmhouse ..."

"Perhaps, Mr Glynn" said Arthur, "But in my opinion, unless Marlowe, Mrs Carmichael, and Miss Stanton need to fulfill other tasks, I think we should all go to the farmhouse. They've proven to know more in these occult affairs than I."
After a brief moment, Arthur looks down.
"That... journal, and the events depicted. They sound foul, and unwordly. I knew of the professors acquaintance with ancient rituals and so, but could never imagine something so... obscure. My interpretation of the events there written dwindles between the lunacy of a madman, or the witness of a dark power. If those writings depict the latter, Im afraid we risk becoming the former. Or worse."

"I would like to try to find those books in the library," says Alice. "I'm sure they have a record of which books he's checked out, and as his secretary I should be able to take a look at it. I know little of the occult anyway."

Isadora Carmichael

"A visit to the house is inevitable and we should all go. But first," she says, the image of the dreadful Corbitt House evoked in her mind, "We need to learn more about this... entity."

Henry Glynn

"If you truly believe the Professor's story Mrs Carmichael we should make haste with our investigations. The fiend may have been running amok since a quarter past One!" says Henry wryly.

OOC:   Is it too late to go to the library now?

Henry Glynn

After a moment Henry adds "We may also need to consider Bernard. I've no doubt he'll be heading out to Ross's Corner at the earliest opportunity."

Rupert moves towards the sarcophagus

"May I take a look at those markings?"
"I can't make anything of it.... if it is true and this feind is now not held to the farm house, is it possible he is not aware of it yet? And has not tried to leave."

Rupert Pauses.

"heh, I'm talking like it is real....."

He looks around the room at everyone

"It can't be real.......can it?"

Henry Glynn

"I'm not sure any of us believe it - but Bernard is real enough."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora considers all things. She would rather not go into another "haunted" house unprepared... But if Bernard Putnam does, and she agrees with her colleagues that he will, he is in grave danger. Professor Putnam would definitely not want his own son fall prey to the otherworldly terror.

"I agree, in this case. Let's make the visit to the house and the recovery of the text our priority."

She decides to react to Rupert's words:

"I've experienced similar entities before."

Henry Glynn

Henry makes a note to ask Mrs Carmichael more about this at some point. Her fancies may provide some good material for his stories. For now he helps himself to a second cookie (they are much better than the dry overbaked ones produced on occassion by Mrs Rourke).

"You're right," says Alice. "I don't know exactly what happened in that house all those years ago, but someone died. That place is dangerous, and the Putnams will be in danger too if they go there. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, not even Bernard. Are we going to leave right away, tonight, or do we go first thing in the morning? The library is still open for another couple of hours."

Balzac lights up yet another pungent French cigarette.

"The possibility must be entertained that something dangerous is in fact in the house, even 50 years later. May I suggest that first thing tomorrow morning, we purchase several shotguns? The noise they make alone is sufficient to scare off virtually any known predator. My plan is a quick visit to the hardware store.

Also, on a more practical note, I am a visitor and alas do not have a vehicle. Do some of you have automobiles?

Mademoiselle Stanton, I am most happy to spend some time this evening at the library researching these matters. Even the newspapers of the time may offer some insight."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora shudders when Balzac mentions shotguns.

"I'm strongly opposed to bringing firearms. I suspect the situation at the house will be very stressful, and the last thing we want is bullets flying everywhere. Besides, supernatural entities adhere to very different rules of existence... Shotguns might not even do damage."

Isadora isn't 100% sure about this last part, though.

"Maybe one shotgun will suffice," she adds.

Isadora is ready to go to the library as well.

Henry Glynn

"I shot tin cans with a hand gun out in Iowa but if I start waving a shotgun around I'd likely kill us all" Henry confesses.

"Let's make our way to the library now."

Miskatonic’s Orne Library is a large 3-storey building containing one of the largest collections of books at any US university, numbering almost 400,000. These range from recent reference works to ancient tomes on obscure and arcane topics, including the occult. They also cover the gamut of subjects taught at Miskatonic, from Anthropology to Zoology, including copies of newspapers, journals and periodicals going back to the first establishment of the New England colonies.

At this time of night and this time of year the library is not much used, but there is always research of a kind vital to someone going on. There are many private, quiet places to read and study nestled among the stacks, and for a person of sensitive disposition, it might seem a little disconcerting, when shadows flicker across your reading lamp, and odd noises disturb the silence.

The reception desk is staffed by Margaret Green, a single woman in her forties who seems to have been working here as long as anyone can remember. She is perfectly at home here, surrounded by books and knowledge; truly a woman who has found her niche. Enquiries as to the collection need to be made through her.

Henry Glynn

As they turn through the doors of the library Henry pulls Alice back.

Alice,[color=#0000FF]"You know Miss Stanton, I don't believe in spells or monsters but what you said back there was right - the cottage could be dangerous. Maybe you'd be safer here in Arkham?"[/color]

Henry,[color=fuchsia]"I thank you for your concern, [b]Mr. Glynn[/b],"[/color] says [b]Alice[/b], [color=fuchsia]"but I owe it to [b]Professor Putnam[/b] to help fulfill his dying request. I don't believe in all that mumbo-jumbo, either, but I am aware of the possible danger."[/color]

Balzac takes a deep, slightly wheezy lungfull of library air. Before heading off, he turns to the others. "I must tell you, I accept that the Almighty is unknowable, but otherwise I believe there is nothing science cannot ultimately explain. Of course, to quote Sherlock Holmes, I have hitherto confined my investigations to this world. But such investigations have confirmed to me that even the fearsome Canadian Ursus Maritimus will be scared off by the sound of a shotgun fired into the air." On that note, Balzac mimes firing a shotgun into the air.

"Whatever the case, I am off to see if I can find any newspaper articles relating to this terrible event from the professor's journal."

OOC,[b]Balzac[/b] will check the library's holdings of old newspapers for any articles relating to the events of March 1882, referred to in the prof's journal.

Newspapers are located in the library basement, and Balzac heads off in that direction. Here the eager researcher can find most national dailies, and others from the local area. Balzac surveys the rows of filing cabinets, wondering where to start.

OOC:   The time is about 7pm now.

Balzac locates the Arkham Gazette, and begins looking through back issues.

Balzac,This will take you about an hour, and you need a Library Use roll

It only takes Balzac twenty minutes to find something. "Triomphe!" he exclaims, brandishing a clipping dated from March 1882.

Balzac,[attachment=0]Arkham Gazette clipping.docx[/attachment]

"M. Marlowe, where is your critical academic analysis? It is independent corroboration of the professor's journal."

OOC,[b]Balzac[/b] will start looking for death notices in the Arkham paper for the professor's friends, based on the dates of their deaths in the journal.

OOC:   For now lets have Balzac and Marlowe searching the newspaper archives. The others characters are upstairs in the main library. If you want your character to join them, write a post for it.

Balzac & Marlowe,Both of you can roll for Library Use, see what else you can find in the time remaining. The lower the score, the more info. Can you roll 1 again?

"Yes you are right. Maybe there are later reports, maybe strange goings on near the house afterwards? Mr Balzac, I will help see what I can find"

Henry Glynn

Meanwhile Henry looks under Egyptology and Dead Gods hoping to stumble upon the volume mentioned in the journal. He doesn't have much to go on but quickly disregards anything that is lending stock rather than reference and anything that looks like it has been in the collection for less than fifty years. He peers across at Margaret Green and wonders if she can be convinced to keep the library open after hours should they need more time.

By 8.30 pm, some more information is found by Balzac and Marlowe. It seems that most of the Dark Brotherhood died of purely natural causes, but there is one article of interest. Marlowe excitedly points it out to Balzac, and they read it with fascination.

Balzac & Marlowe,[attachment=0]Allen clipping.docx[/attachment]

While all of this is going on, Henry is searching for the Egyptian tome. Due to the thousands of books in the Egyptology and Dead Gods section, he is unlikely to find anything in the time remaining before the library closes. He grinds his teeth in frustration.

Henry Glynn

"Miss Green, I don't think we've met? I'm Henry Glynn, the author. Maybe you're familiar with my work? Perhaps you've read The Ghastly Chamber, the one about the newly weds?"

If Margaret seems at all impressed by Henry's approach he will try to persuade her to extend the opening hours so he can continue his research! Who knew there were so many books on dead gods ...

Balzac is very impressed by Marlowe's researches. "Fine work my boy, you have the makings of a universitaire."

"This article though, what does it suggest? Other parties perhaps involved? Hmm."

OOC,There may be no more to be found, but just in case, [b]Balzac's[/b] second roll against his LU of 75% is... [dice]0[/dice]

Alice approaches the desk. "Good evening, Miss Green," she say "I'm Alice Stanton, Professor Putnam's secretary. I'm sorry to say that he passed away this afternoon. Before he did, he made one last request: that I and my colleagues complete some work he was not able to finish himself. I know the name of one of the books he had been using in his research: De Vermis Mysteriis. Can we please get access to it and to a list of other books he has checked out recently?"

OOC,It should still be 7:00 for me, as I haven't started on my research yet.

"There could be any references about such beings in local occult practices, like the rituals of the Misquat tribe?", Arthur mumbled.

ooc,Arthur will try to search any local anthropology or historical books about local rituals and pagan festivals, with particular notice in any supernatural beings like the one described in the journal. Library use(45%): [dice]0[/dice]

Unfortunately, Balzac and Marlowe are unable to find anything else of interest. There doesn’t seem to be anything else in the clipping files. They return to the reception desk before the library is due to close.

Arthur is also unable to find anything relevant to the rituals described in Putnam’s journal, despite searching for over an hour.

“Oh yes Alice, I know you. I was very sorry to hear about the Professor’s passing. He was a kind and decent man” says Miss Green compassionately. “I’ll be happy to help you, but I also have to help prepare some reading lists for next semester right now. It may take some time, so if you don’t mind waiting?”

At around 8.30, Miss Green comes over to Alice. “De Vermis Mysteriis we have, but it’s on a restricted list. To get it you’ll need to talk to Dr. Henry Armitage. He is researching some particular books on the occult at the moment. He’s in his office on weekday mornings.”

She hands Alice a piece of paper. “There’s not many items in this list. As you know, he was sick and often absent recently, so he didn’t withdraw many books.” The items listed are all anthropology or linguistics texts, there is nothing about Egypt or the occult.

She regards Henry curiously as he asks his question.

Henry,Roll Luck

Ms. Green

“No, Mr. Glynn, we haven’t met, but yes, I’ve read your book”.

Henry,Roll Luck again

Ms. Green

“I don’t usually enjoy supernatural stories but I must say I thought you developed a very entertaining and thoughtful plot. Good characterization too. Is there something I can help you with?”

OOC:   Sorry, I was absent for most of the weekend, catching up now...

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora joins Balzac and Marlowe at the catalogs. She records the findings in her notebook, and tries her luck at finding some information as well. Library Use 33%
[dice]0[/dice]

"An Egyptian artifact..."

Shivers run down her spine as she reads the clipping about Marion Allen's death. She pulls her handbag (still housing the sarcophagus) closer to her body. It suddenly feels much-much heavier.

"I think this is no coincidence," she whispers. "The Egyptian artifact must be the... you-know-what."

"Thank you, Miss Green," says Alice, accepting the note. "I'll go see Dr. Armitage first thing in the morning."

Henry Glynn

Henry will explain to Miss Green that they are looking for a book classified under Dead Gods that details the gold box, which he describes. He hopes she will agree to let him keep looking for it after hours, or even better, that her knowledge of the stock is such that she may be able to help him locate the volume.

Miss Green

“I’m sorry Mr. Glynn but we have to close soon. I’m not familiar with such a work. Also, you’re not actually a member of the university, so it’s out of the question. Why don’t you return tomorrow with a staff member to help you?"

"I'm sure Dr. Armitage would be willing to help us with that in the morning," Alice says to Henry.

Shortly before closing time, Balzac will encourage those in his company to wait by the front doors to the library for the rest of the team to appear, with a view to quickly sharing information and making plans for the morrow. Balzac will share about his Gauloises then light one up (throwing his spent match somewhere into the garden).

"Once we're all here, we need to arrange vehicles, and first thing tomorrow, I need to collect some supplies, including a medical kit. Si vis pacem, para bellum."

Henry Glynn

"Perhaps we should split into two groups tomorrow morning? Some of you can collect equipment - go easy on the shotguns - and the rest of us can look up this Dr Armitage and see if he'll help us out at the Library."

"It's late and we've all had a long day. Also I have some work to do. Miss Stanton may I walk you back to your lodgings?"

Isadora Carmichael

"Good idea," says Isadora to Glynn's idea. "I could join the mission to Dr Armitage."

After saying goodnight to the group, she hails a cab and rides back to her hotel. At the counter she asks to prolong her stay for two more days, then calls her husband.

"George, my dear," she says when she gets through to him. "I have very bad news... The Professor passed away today. I was just in time to say a few words to him a last time."

"Turns out, he invited me and a couple of other people to sort through his estate. His scholarly works, his library, to look into his occult studies. It will take some time, so I will have to stay here for a few more days."

Technically, she is not lying. She was indeed asked by the Professor to deal with some of his... work. But Isadora knows, that her husband would object to her engaging in occult investigations and dangerous stuff again.

"Thank you, Mr. Glynn," says Alice, walking with him to the boarding house where she lives.

Henry Glynn

"Please, call me Henry" he insists.

Having walked Alice to her boarding house Henry goes back to his own lodgings. It's unclear if Mrs Rourke is about but he attempts to sneak to his room to avoid her usual questions.

Unfortunately Henry's arrival is overheard and he obliged to partake of some cabbage soup and listen to gossip about the neighbours before he can escape to bed.

OOC:   Let's start a new thread for the next day. So there are two groups - Alice, Henry and Isadora will visit Doctor Armitage to find out about the books, and Balzac will organise supplies. Shall we put Marlowe and Arthur with Balzac - unless there are any objections? Do you have at least two cars? If not, hiring is an option, or the bus to Ross's Corners leaves at just after 10am. I'll leave this thread open for the time being in case anyone wants to add to it. I'll try and get the new thread going tomorrow.

Henry Glynn

Henry returns to his room. He pulls the paper from his typewriter, crumples it into a ball and flings it into a corner. Replacing it with a fresh sheet he begins to type: