Play@YSDC

Alice meets Isadora and Henry at the University entrance at 9am and takes them to Dr. Henry Armitage’s office.
The Doctor, the university's head librarian, is a respected authority on the occult, but lately he has been withdrawing from university life and concentrating on his studies. What he is precisely studying is unknown to most of his colleagues and students, and he seems to want to keep it that way. What motivated this change?

Entering his office, the three heroes are presented with a serious, weary looking man in his sixties. He has a kind, intelligent face, but his eyes are wary.

“How can I help you?” he says, curious to be receiving someone other than students at this hour.

Meanwhile Balzac, Marlowe and Arthur meet in Arkham to collect supplies. They know that they must be sure to be adequately prepared for what may lay ahead. Firstly, they discuss how they will get to the farmhouse, and what they might need while they are there.

Balzacappears, looking suitably rumpled but otherwise happy.

"Gentlemen, unless anyone has access to a vehicle, I believe we are going to need to hire one or two automobiles for the next few days. I wonder, is there such a facility here in Arkham or would it be quicker to train to Boston, get what we need and return?"

"Other than, as I mentioned yesterday, acquiring firearms, I would suggest we also obtain some flashlights and a medical kit. Does anyone propose to stay at this farm overnight? In that event, camping equipment will also be needed."

"I wonder if there is any equipment we could borrow from the University?"

"Thank you for seeing us, Dr. Armitage," says Alice. "As you may have heard, Professor Putnam passed away yesterday. Before he did, he made a final request of us to finish a task he was never able to complete. In order to do that, we need your permission to look at a restricted book in the library, De Vermis Mysteriis."

"Yes, I heard about Dennis' passing. It saddened me greatly. He told me about you, Alice. He held you in high regard."

He looks concerned. "But what on earth is this task he asked you to do which would require that book? And, who are your friends?"

Henry Glynn

"Dr Armitage, I'm Henry Glynn, author of The Ghastly Chamber, the one about the newly weds trapped in the haunted castle?"

"We're also looking for a book filed under Egyptology and Dead Gods which has information about a small sarcophagus-shaped gold box with Egyptian hieroglyphs, probably from the Middle Kingdom age. We don't really know where to start because your collection in that area is so extensive and impressive."

"The box is about this big." Henry adds, indicating the size with his hands.

Henry looks across at Alice and Isadora uncertainly. He is unsure whether they should trust Dr Armitage enough to show him the item itself.

Rupert Marlow

"I'm sorry I am not much help knowing where to buy things, I haven't been in the country long. I think camping there would be a good idea, we'd need some food if we are going to be there some time. Mr Balzac you mentioned shotguns, if we are to buy firearms I would feel much more at home with a hunting rifle. Is there a general store near-by?"

Rupert looks around him

"I might get myself a map while I am at it"

Balzac nods to Marlowe and Arthur. "Monsieurs, I think a walk to the hardware store first is in order, followed by the grocery store if need be."

"A map is a most excellent idea. In fact, that reminds me of Army days and makes me think a compass and a pair of binoculars would also be a good idea. And a rifle for M. Marlowe, if we can find one. For myself, as I mentioned last night, I am more relying on the noise such firearms make to scare off any dangerous animal. A rifle will do that just as well."

OOC,Hopefully, the three can navigate their way from Miskatonic to the commercial part of town, Arkham being no huge metropolis? Supply run so far tallies as follows: One or two rental vehicles; First aid kit or medical bag; Shotgun; Rifle; Ammunition for same; Map; Compass; Binos; Several flashlights. (If [b]Balzac[/b] spies any type of handgun for sale anywhere, he will buy that too, with ammo.)

"It is good to hear that he thought so highly of me," says Alice. "Our other companion is Mrs. Isadora Carmichael. She's an expert on the occult and knows far more about that aspect of our task than I do. Professor Putnam made a mistake along with his friends in his youth, back in 1882, and as a result one of his friends died. He tasked us with fixing this mistake so that nobody else suffers. I don't fully understand - or believe - it myself. I know he wouldn't make it up, of course. Clearly he believed it. I need a bit more proof before I can, but I will do my best to honor his final wishes."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora just smiles and nods, greeting Doctor Armitage. She has a feeling that her companions are giving away too much information. She should have stressed that the possession of the sarcophagus can be dangerous! She is ready to deny ever seeing the cursed thing. It is good that so far nobody mentioned them actually having this item. Although Glynn's comment about its size might give it away.

If Armitage demands a show-and-tell, Isadora can deny seeing the sarcophagus, and maybe show him the copy of the text, saying that it was all that Professor Putnam gave them.

Henry Armitage
“I’m very sorry Mr. Glynn, I don’t know your work. And I don’t know that much about ancient Egypt, although I do know that small sarcophagi became popular during the XIVth dynasty, if that helps.”

He turns back to Alice. “What kind of mistake Alice? I need to know.”

In Arkham, the others are completing their shopping for the expedition.

Balzac & Marlow & Arthur,Nowadays, all of your characters not being citizens of the US, you wouldn’t be allowed to buy firearms. But I can’t find anything prohibiting you for this period, unfortunately, so go ahead and buy your guns. The same goes for hiring cars; do you have appropriate documentation? Let’s assume you get everything else on your list.

Henry Glynn

"That might narrow things down. Say, maybe I'll drop in later with a copy of my book for you Dr Armitage."

Armitage looks momentarily worried by this information.

"He and his friends were dabbling in the occult," says Alice. "They fancied themselves The Dark Brotherhood. Most of what they tried did nothing, but in the professor's journal he described a ritual they attempted in March 1882. They placed the sarcophagus in a pentagram and threw powder on it and chanted while one of them watched. They were trying to free a spirit they thought was trapped in the sarcophagus, and he believed they succeeded. It could hardly be seen until one of them threw the powder on it, the Dust of Abu-Ghazi or something. They saw this horrible monster, and one of them approached it, it killed him! They thought they might have been able to get rid of it if they reversed the chant, but one of them rubbed out part of the pentagram and it apparently escaped. They thought it was trapped in the house by wards as long as at least one of them lived, but Professor Putnam was the last. It sounds absurd, but he truly believed that he had unleashed this evil and fervently wished it stopped."

OOC,I think the final tally then would be: Two rental vehicles; First aid kit / medical bag; Shotgun (12 gauge double barrel); Rifle (.30 lever action carbine); Ammunition for same; Map; Compass; Binos; Four flashlights; Crowbar.

Handgun?,Was [b]Balzac[/b] able to find a handgun of any description? Something ex-war? Any calibre, revolver or semi-auto, he'll take what he gets in Arkham.

Armitage grows visibly more alarmed as Alice recounts the story.

“And I suppose the incantations are from ‘Di Vermiis Mysteriis’? This is an incredible story Alice, but I believe every word of it. Well well, Dennis certainly had an interesting youth.”

He lapses into an uncomfortable silence, staring into space. “Do you know anything about that book? In English, the title means ‘Mysteries of the Worm’. There is a lot of power in that book, and not much of it good. Apparently, the author, Ludwig Prinn, spent time in Egypt. Actually, he refers to Nephren-ka, the ‘black pharoah’. That’s the likely source of your sarchophagus. Using that book, I can see how an entity might be summoned.”

He suddenly fixes his gaze on Alice. “But how would you know how to use the book? What entity was summoned?”

Balzac,The list is fine, but unfortunately no handguns were to be found :cry:

Henry Glynn

"So you actually believe in such things Dr Armitage?" says Henry, taken aback.

Armitage glares at Henry. "Oh yes, I believe. Peddle all the stories you like Mr. Glynn. Just know this – the reality you presume to know and understand, is just a façade. There are…”

He stops. “I can’t help you any further. Consulting that… book… is out of the question. If you really want advice, forget the whole thing and go back to your daily existence. Don’t meddle with things you obviously don’t understand. Good day everyone.”

He turns back to his desk.

"Please forgive us, Dr. Armitage," says Alice. "It's only natural to be skeptical. How can we be expected to believe something without proof? Have...have you seen proof? Is that why you believe?"

Henry Glynn

Henry gives Alice a look that says he thinks Armitage has been on the hooch, but realising that his scepticism may have cost them his assistance he tries to make amends.

"Gee, Dr Armitage, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just this is all a little hard to take in ..."

Unfortunately, Armitage catches the look which Henry gives Alice. His jaw clenches and his cheeks redden. However, when he speaks, his voice is soft. He talks directly to Alice, ignoring Henry and Isadora.

“The only proof you’ll get is by witnessing the… things, which I’ve seen, and which Dennis obviously saw. Here is my advice – go back to your work, forget all about this.”

He looks at Henry now. “You’ll live longer”.

“Good day to you all. Please leave now, I'm very busy.”

"Thank you for your time, Dr. Armitage," says Alice. "I have no work now that Professor Putnam is dead, other than the final task he set for me, so that is what I must do. Goodbye."

Henry Glynn

"I don't know what's made him so grumpy" Henry says to Alice and Isadora once outside.

"I've a good mind not to bring him a copy of my book after all. Let's hope the others are having a better morning."

Balzac stashes all the purchases in the boot of the first car, other than the map which he keeps handy.

"Back to Miskatonic to collect our colleagues, I think." He drives the first motor and will leave it to one of the others to drive the second over.

The hired motors journey back to Miskatonic. Balzac jumps out to find the others, French cigarette in mouth. "May I suggest un café and something from the bakery before we leave. Does anyone know how long this drive will take?"

"That sounds good to me," says Alice, "I'm afraid we didn't have much luck. The drive should be short. Ross's Corners is just a few miles to the west."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora didn't take part in the conversation with Armitage -- she didn't trust him enough. And things escalated quickly, and now he doesn't trust the investigators either. All he gave them was a little tidbit of information: a reference to Nephren-ka, the ‘black pharoah’. The words send shivers down Isadora's spine.

"We have to keep an open mind," she says, on the margins of the meeting with Armitage. "Keep skepticism low when people talk to us."

She doesn't want to antagonize Glynn and accuse him of ruining everything, though.

"Even if we don't learn hard facts (although I think the librarian could have been a good source), we do learn about the psychology and the mindset of poor Professor Putnam and his 'Brotherhood'."

Henry Glynn

"Good job Dr Balzac" says Henry examining the motors.

"A late breakfast and then off to Ross's Corners to see these ghouls and goblins for ourselves?"

Henry Glynn

When they have finished at the Café Henry helps Alice and Isadora into the car driven by Balzac. He's particularly attentive in seating Alice and then more or less bundles Isadora in. With the ladies seated for the journey he leans in to Balzac:

"Let's stop at Ross's Corners and have a snoop around - see if anyone can tell us anything about the farmhouse and whether there have been any comings and goings. Could be squatters in an old place like that."

Henry jumps into the other vehicle driven by Vivar ready for the off. He turns to Marlowe:

"They got motors like these in England son?"

OOC:   Assuming Vivar has driven car 2 round as Marlowe can't drive ...

Isadora Carmichael

"Yes, let's stop at the village first. We do need some sort of a cover story, because we don't want the locals to panic. Any ideas? Maybe we are just travelling through, stopping for a bite at the local tavern?"

Balzac shrugs in Gallic fashion as he dunks a pastry in his café, getting drops of coffee everywhere. "Should they panic? Two car loads of visitors is surely not so radical even in the more rural parts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

"And I travel to remote locations all the time for my researches. I will tell them I am conducting botanical research for Miskatonic. Not so far from the truth. You can be assisting me or doing research of your own as you like. But stopping at the town seems a good plan. There may be somewhere nice to have lunch?"

Balzac gets out the map to make sure everyone knows where they are going (and gets a coffee ring on it).

"I think we should stick to the truth, or part of it," says Alice. "We are Professor Putnam's friends, and we're there to set his affairs in order."

Balzac salutes Alice with his coffee cup. "I admire the optimism of youth. Very well, Mlle, the truth it is."

Isadora Carmichael

"There is a chance that the locals think that the house is 'haunted', or that it is evil and they avoid it. Even if they don't know any details. Let's stick to the truth - we are friends of Professor Putnam, we are taking care of the house... but let's not talk about the supernatural."

Henry Glynn

"If we don't tell a version of the truth we'd need to cook up a good story for being interested in the house"

Henry holds on tight as Vivar pulls away from the kerb.

Isadora Carmichael

"Maybe we are just cleaning up there, bringing back some personal items of the Professor on behalf of the family. Unpublished manuscripts," says Isadora after some consideration.