Track 12: Crystal Blue Persuasion

[jp1885]

“I’ve found a suitable place to land,” P announces.

“But I think stout boots and some rope is in order: we’ll have to climb across to get to the chap.”

[Mr. Handy]

Liz nods. "I'll have to change out of my diving suit," she says. ""It's not really suited to climbing."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Assuming you want the active player with the highest DEX to go first. Liz DEX = 12d20

Bits of wet ice on the rocks make it too difficult for Liz to make her way to the other side of the small island, although she definitely comes close.

Let's try the inactive player. Zara DEX = 14d20

Sure-footed Zara gives it a try as well, but it's the same old story.

Let's try the servant next. Otto = DEX 9d20

Perhaps sheer bulk is the key to staying on one's feet. In any case, the hulking Otto is sent out to find the person on the other side of the island, and bring him or her back, dead or alive.

STR = 13 + 3 for Strong = 16d20

Faithfully executing his duty, Otto returns with the man last seen going down the strange whirlpool. He is alive, but seems to be in a delirious state, muttering to himself in Russian, with the non-Russian words Repun Kamuy repeated several times.

[jp1885]

"Bravo Otto!" P enthuses.

"Let's get this poor fellow warm and dry while we check him over for injuries."

He fusses over the Russian somewhat, muttering to himself.

"Pepun Kamuy... some sort of Ainu spirit I believe..."

[Mr. Handy]

"That could be," says Liz, trying to recall what she knows of such things as she treats the injured Russian. "I'm glad he was able to survive. I'm curious how he got here from there."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The Russian sailor's physical condition is better than one might expect, with only mild symptoms of hypothermia and some bruises here and there. His mental state is another matter. He appears to be delirious, unaware of those around him, his mutterings in his native tongue mostly taking the form of demands to be taken to an "elder" for the "ceremony."

The investigators are able to correctly identify Repun Kamuy as an Ainu deity of the sea, although what the fellow means by repeating the name is unclear.

The Russians demand to know what is to be done with them, and their companion, who has clearly gone mad.

[Mr. Handy]

"I could try to hypnotise your friend," suggests Liz, "to heal his mind and try to figure out what happened to him. There are no guarantees, though. He may need more help than I can give him. We can still continue on to Hokkaido, and if I can't help him enough, he can get more help there."

[jp1885]

While Liz placates the Russians, P looks at the charts and attempts to plot the route their stricken comrade may have taken from the whirlpool to the islet.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Hypnosis is actually a Spell in this game, which I don't think you have -- correct me if I am wrong. You might find someone with such a Spell, somewhere . . .

Without the practiced skills of a professional mesmerist, Liz's attempts to hypnotize the Russian sailor have little, if any, effect. It seems that the inherent power and experience of one more adept at the art and science of hypnosis would be required to do any better.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

While Liz placates the Russians, P looks at the charts and attempts to plot the route their stricken comrade may have taken from the whirlpool to the islet.

It is immediately obvious that there is no possible way to reach the tiny island from the whirlpool by land, even island-hopping across even smaller bits of rock; the fellow must have traveled by water. This makes it hard to understand why he didn't drown; in his condition, he could not have possibly swum all the way.

[jp1885]

"Most odd..." says P. "How did the fellow get here? Liz, perhaps we should drop the Russians off before they cause a scene, but perhaps you could persuade the chap we just picked up to stay? This warrants further study I'll wager."

[Mr. Handy]

"Looks like we'll have to go back to Hokkaido to find someone who can help," says Liz. "I know people there, so I'll ask around. I could try to convince him to stay if you like. Men usually listen to me, but I don't know if he can be appealed to in his current condition."

I wouldn't know if it's a Spell, but if it is, it's the next one I want to learn.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The fellow is in no condition to resist any suggestion as to where he might be taken, and his compatriots appear to be glad to be rid of him, so they are willing to be dropped off at the port of Wakkanai, where it won't be too difficult to get a lift on some Russian vessel to the nearby island of Sakhalin, which is Soviet territory.

Once settled in Hokkaido, it remains to be seen how best to deal with the confused but co-operative Russian sailor.

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps we can ask at Takara if they know of any local hypnotists," suggests Liz.

[jp1885]

“An excellent suggestion. Meanwhile I will do some research into this Repun Kamuy spirit; find out what makes it tick,” says P.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Contact is made with a local representative of Takara Electronics, who knows something of the investigators, if not everything. She is able to supply the name of a respected hypnotherapist, who, however, is unaware of any of the unusual situations with which the company is involved. The Russian sailor must be handled with great discretion, to avoid any unpleasant International repercussions.

As for Repun Kamuy, aside from the fact that it is said to be a sea deity for the Ainu people who still follow the traditional religion of their ancestors, she knows nothing. She suggests that the investigators attempt to find a group of Ainu who still live in the old-fashioned way, keeping in mind that they have often suffered from discrimination at the hands of ethnic Japanese, not unlike the relationship between American Indians and European Americans.

[Mr. Handy]

"I think we should take the Russian sailor to the hypnotherapist first," says Liz. "Then we should seek out the Ainu. That way, we'll have more questions to ask them once we learn more about what happened to the sailor."

[jp1885]

“Yes, a sensible course of action,” P concurs. “Let us proceed forthwith.”

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The investigators are able to locate a hypnotherapist, who helps people trying to lose weight, stop drinking, stop smoking (for those few whose medical condition makes it advisable to give up such a normal, enjoyable habit) and so forth. She proves to be a lively, friendly type.

"What seems to be this young fellow's problem?" she asks, noting that the Russian sailor seems calm, but a little disoriented, no doubt due to his inability to understand Japanese.

[jp1885]

“The poor chap has been through something of an ordeal, but alas we must compel him to relive them, assuming he will not be too distressed,” says P.

“He only speaks Russian, which might prove something of a hurdle.”