Play@YSDC

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:00 pm**

Since we are, I believe, only waiting for Johnny Wong's final character sheet (and I didn't have any problems with his draft), I'll try to start the IC thread tonight (it's currently my lunchtime, so look for the IC thread in about 10-12 hours).

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:26 am**

Ok, I've started the IC thread, I've also sent a PM to imme detailing what she knows of her friend Jackson Elias.

I'll let things move slowly to give Grafster chance to post Johnny's character sheet, but hopefully we'll get to the 15th of January by the end of this week.

In the meantime, Elizabeth needs to get everyone together, and then you can all decide whether you want to do anything before Mr Elias gets in touch.

I'd just like to say that I've been stunned by how much fun the character creation part was, your characters are all brilliant, and I can't wait for the adventure to really get going.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:38 am**

Woo hoo!

(I'm too excited to get started, so excuse me while I get Andrei going in the OC thread...

)

Andrei is sipping coffee in his upscale New York apartment. He's standing over his desk, where his most recent investment and financial statements are laid out.

The outlook is not good - so far, Andrei has had no luck with any of his business ventures in America.

"If this keeps up for another year, the family fortune will be down the drain", he thinks.

He thinks about Elizabeth, and what would happen to their relationship if we went broke. He could never let that happen. Or at least, he could never let her know.

He feels a headache coming on, and goes to the bathroom for an aspirin.
He changes his mind, pours his coffee down the drain, and makes a scotch instead.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:54 am**

You can post that in the IC thread if you want.

Everyone: It's ok to post what your character is up to before Elizabeth gets in touch, sorry for not making that clear.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:51 am**

Hope you don't mind my inventing a park and a man called Bernard. I just figured that, since it was a prequel and likely doesn't matter, you wouldn't mind. Feel free to chastise me and I can just put him in a nondescript hotel or pub or something.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:01 am**

Don't worry, I'm sure the Russian Twins will be contacted soon enough..

I hope you don't think I'm being a weenie!

As if Andrei is going to have them over for a party with his girlfriend though.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:15 pm**

You don't need to wait for me yet, Elizabeth can join Andrei as soon as Imme likes, and the Twins can meet up at the park.

Imme can move the game onto the morning of the 13th, and then everyone who has an invite can meet at Elizabeth's Manhattan apartment.

I'll keep an eye on things, and post whenever necessary.

Grafster hasn't been in touch yet, but I've PM'd him, and he can begin posting for Johnny as soon as he's online.

EDIT: Grafster PM'd me while I was writing this post, he's busy with wedding plans so Johnny can either join in now, or take advantage of imme's post about his bad leg.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:31 pm**

Say something else in that wonderful Russian of yours.

I took $20 dollars and a few Cubans from your husbands cigar box, he said in silky smooth Russian.

She smiled and kissed him even deeper.

I trust you wont think poorly of me, he continued in his native tongue.

I don't usually do this, but I have to single this out as most excellently done. Whole post.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:31 pm**

"Instant family, just add Maksim" is an awesome line, by the way. I stand impressed.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:43 pm**

I pm'd Raiko about this but I was traveling for the last few days and expected internet access (and time) didn't materialize.

I'll work to minimize occurances like this in the future and give people a proper heads up when that happens.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:46 pm**

Thanks very much, this game is going to be seriously great, I can tell.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:57 pm**

Hey Grafster, no problem.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:01 pm**

Coffee, beware of ever leaving the board. You never know who's going to be let into your apartment ....

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:07 pm**

I've edited my post a bit. Just a heads-up that I've added stuff.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:37 pm**

This is great.

I can tell I'll have to keep an eye on those Rukov twins, Laraqua asked for permission to crash the party, and before I had chance to reply those Russian boys were knocking on Andrei's door. 8)

imme wrote: Coffee, beware of ever leaving the board. You never know who's going to be let into your apartment ....

Poor Andrei.

I'll leave you guys to continue with your night on the town, I'll be sending each of you information about what you know of the Carlyle Expedition before you get to the meeting at Elizabeth's apartment. For the three Russians this won't be anything, as you would really have had to have been in New York or Africa in 1919-20.

You can go into as much detail as you like about the partying tonight, but please try to move things onto the morning meeting within a day or so, so that the others can join you.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:49 pm**

As a sidenote, are we sure the streets of New York were already crowded with cars in the 1920s? Things have probably changed a lot since then.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:00 pm**

Crowded enough.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:03 pm**

May not be typical day-to-day traffic, but 1920 New York traffic jam.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:31 pm**

Night on the town? Russian twins knocking on my door? Wha' happened?!?

Time to read the IC thread I guess!

Andrei's apartment better not be trashed!

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:33 pm**

Night on the town?!? Russian twins at my door?

Andrei's nice tidy apartment better not be trashed!

Time to read the IC thread!

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:36 pm**

Phew! When I read that quote in the OC thread about speaking Russian, and deeply kissing, I thought someone had already advanced on my girl!

I'm paranoid already and we haven't even started! Love it!

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:54 pm**

Oi! I just realised that my character's being too nice compared to Timour. Timour's meant to have to jump to my defence and how's he supposed to do that if I go around being nice to everyone. But you've already got the womaniser vice down pat. Not that I won't be flirtatious, but the whole, being chased with a gun thing because you've slept with a fanatical father's daughter is kinda covered by you.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:15 pm**

Raiko wrote: I'll leave you guys to continue with your night on the town, I'll be sending each of you information about what you know of the Carlyle Expedition before you get to the meeting at Elizabeth's apartment. For the three Russians this won't be anything, as you would really have had to have been in New York or Africa in 1919-20.

You can go into as much detail as you like about the partying tonight, but please try to move things onto the morning meeting within a day or so, so that the others can join you.

I'm happy to move onto the next day (as evidenced by my IC post). We're having a blast, but I don't see why we can't be having a blast once the plot really starts, too. Raiko, let me know when you've sent your PMs, and I'll post something starting the next morning.

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:31 pm**

Timour genuinely likes Andrei and Elizabeth, one in a he's a stiff but I'll get him to open up and have some fun and the other in a she's not stuck up in the least and daddy likes kinda way.

In the morning Timour wakes up in a bed with a Candy on one pillow and a Rose on the other and absolutely no idea what their last names are

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:44 pm**

I think it was good to have a little "night on the town" to establish how the four of us get along. It all went pretty well! Maybe I should be grateful that Maksim didn't a chance to post any more before the night was over

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:46 am**

Maksim, as always, is reserving his judgement. Still, he thinks they're having a good enough time together and is glad to meet with them.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:36 am**

Okay, I'll wait to post something about the telegram until everyone's been briefed by Raiko on what they know about the Carlyle expedition, but there's no reason why people can't show up and start to mingle in the meantime.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:42 am**

I've PM'd all of the non-Russians now, not that anybody knows much, but it is a mystery after all.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:50 am**

Ah, the Russian blood. Able to sleep outside in the middle of January. Probably found it "pleasantly cool", too.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:24 am**

Wow, this is fun. I'm just starting to realise the advantages to RP-ing by post like this:

1) You get the time to compose a bit of writing. Its like a collaborative novel, and fun to read!

2) The Keeper can PM at will, without anyone knowing. No limits to the amount of stuff going on behind the scenes!

3) People can split up without a problem. No players are left waiting around while the Keeper deals with one group. (There's still the problem of players knowing what the other group is up to, but I suppose you could put each group in a seperate, locked Thread or something?)

The only problem I can see is if people stop posting, etc. Hopefully this one continues for a while!

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:58 am**

I wouldn't worry *too* much about a lack of posts. Every time I turn around, there's practically a entire new page up. Does anyone sleep around here?

Being in different parts of the world helps with that, I'm sure.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:25 am**

Posting... so... quickly... can't... keep... up...

Good to see everyone is getting into character so quickly.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:45 am**

coffee demon wrote: 3) People can split up without a problem. No players are left waiting around while the Keeper deals with one group. (There's still the problem of players knowing what the other group is up to, but I suppose you could put each group in a seperate, locked Thread or something?)

This would be interesting. I much prefer playing "in the dark". (i.e. having someone leave the room if their character isn't around). Most of the 'net games I've seen are more of an open style though.

Though a good player can change their actions for some good ironic effect. In other words it's easier for them to announce "I've known Doctor Tratoirstein for years. As a man of honor I am sure he would never betray us." At a cinematically appropriate time -after- you know OOC that he's betraying you.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:23 pm**

I agree with everything above

Now to a serious question- How do we roll skills?

How do you know my brother isn't cheating?

(and most importantly) How do you know the Russians aren't really invading NYC enmasse?

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:53 pm**

Grafster wrote:
coffee demon wrote: 3) People can split up without a problem. No players are left waiting around while the Keeper deals with one group. (There's still the problem of players knowing what the other group is up to, but I suppose you could put each group in a seperate, locked Thread or something?)

This would be interesting. I much prefer playing "in the dark". (i.e. having someone leave the room if their character isn't around). Most of the 'net games I've seen are more of an open style though.

Though a good player can change their actions for some good ironic effect. In other words it's easier for them to announce "I've known Doctor Tratoirstein for years. As a man of honor I am sure he would never betray us." At a cinematically appropriate time -after- you know OOC that he's betraying you.

Ill mostly handle characters splitting up by just tracking them separately in the main IC threads, Ill always include my blue and green location and time stamps in my posts, so I can post responses to several groups of characters in the same thread, and you can easily see which part is for your character. Ive done things that way in my Mountains of Madness campaign and it seems to be working well.

Having said that if the split in the party involves dangerous activities for one group I would be willing to start a separate thread to track this, the example one group could be posting in the main New York IC thread, while a second group post in a special Temple of Cthulhu thread. This would have to rely on an honesty system though as I want to keep all the threads public for the benefit of anyone whos reading the campaign.

This is really up to you guys though, Im happy just to keep all posts in the same thread, at least you can read what the others are doing if your character is inactive. Keeping all posts in the same thread also allows you to co-ordinate your own characters timeline in sync with the others, such as the twins crashing the party. That was very well done with zero input from me, whereas with separate threads time management has to be completely handled by me.

So to be honest I prefer to stick to one main thread per chapter without any special threads, but Ill go with what you guys want.

thewhatchamacallit wrote: I agree with everything above

Now to a serious question- How do we roll skills?

How do you know my brother isn't cheating?

(and most importantly) How do you know the Russians aren't really invading NYC enmasse?

For public dice rolls Ill be using Invisible Castle, it tracks all dice throws by character name, and remembers them forever.

Your dice rolls will be stored on there as [MON] followed by your characters given name, eg [MON]Elizabeth, Ill then include a hyperlink to the relevant dice throw in my post.

I havent made any throws yet for this game, so there arent any to search for. Ive used invisible castle for the dice rolling for my BtMoM game and it works fine (except I cant access Invisible Castle from work).

For secret rolls Ill roll them myself, and keep a record of them all for skill check purposes. Successful rolls will be posted in the OOC thread, failed rolls will probably remain secret.

Im going to post some guidelines in a separate thread shortly that detail this, as well as how Ill handle combat, etc.

Oh, and we know that there isn't a secret Russian invasion of NY, because Nyarlathotep won't stand for any rivals.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:03 pm**

I prefer being able to watch what separate groups are up to. In the same way that people just have to be trusted not to look up the "secret" rolls, players should be trusted to not give their characters knowledge they don't have. PMs provide an excellent means for sneakiness and "surprise! I've actually been a cultist for three chapters now!"

Also, the skill checks, how are you keeping track of those, Raiko? Should we be marking them on our character sheets or leave you to record them?

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:17 pm**

imme wrote: I prefer being able to watch what separate groups are up to. In the same way that people just have to be trusted not to look up the "secret" rolls, players should be trusted to not give their characters knowledge they don't have. PMs provide an excellent means for sneakiness and "surprise! I've actually been a cultist for three chapters now!"

I agree, Ive been enjoying reading all of your posts, so I dont think that you should be deprived (spelt correctly this time

) of reading any of them.

imme wrote: Also, the skill checks, how are you keeping track of those, Raiko? Should we be marking them on our character sheets or leave you to record them?

Ill mark the relevant skill in red on the character sheet, youll usually find out about successful secret rolls anyway. Also all the dice throws on Invisible Castle will be in this style:

[MON]Elizabeth || Chapter 1 Credit Rating(75%) Book a table at the Ritz || 1d100 = 64

So its easy for me to double check my record of successful rolls at the end of each chapter.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:07 pm**

Just read through the General Campaign Information. Eep

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:50 pm**

Hope you don't mind me rolling for myself at that one point. I just assumed that since Caroline had written up how she felt, it'd be simpler for me to just make a roll, see if my character was clever or not (and he wasn't), and then go from there. Is it best to do it like that amongst PCs? Or should we just intuit what we are likely to assume judging on our skills and personality dispositions? Or should we PM you, have you make the roll, wait for you to get back to us and then post - which might mean the conversation is interrupted during the meanwhile by others posting?

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:45 pm**

Laraqua wrote: Hope you don't mind me rolling for myself at that one point. I just assumed that since Caroline had written up how she felt, it'd be simpler for me to just make a roll, see if my character was clever or not (and he wasn't), and then go from there. Is it best to do it like that amongst PCs? Or should we just intuit what we are likely to assume judging on our skills and personality dispositions? Or should we PM you, have you make the roll, wait for you to get back to us and then post - which might mean the conversation is interrupted during the meanwhile by others posting?

Ive got no problem with you making your own rolls to help with a post like that, so long as its amongst PCs. As you say its better than waiting for me to get back to you, especially as I cant roll on invisible castle from work.

Id prefer you not to make your own rolls if youre dealing with NPCs so that I can decide whether to make a public or a secret roll, and obviously you would need to wait for my reply in an interaction with an NPC so it wouldnt speed the game up, but you seem to understand that anyway.

Of course if you want to make a secret roll against another PC

then just PM me.

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:54 pm**

I'm going to assume you only want us to roll against NPCs when the outcome could directly affect the direction the story takes. Timour boozing and womanizing isn't really a required roll because it has no baring on the main plot or side plots you may have planned. Correct?

Posted: **Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:09 pm**

Yes that's right. If you introduce a minor NPC purely to tell your own story (rather than effecting the plot), then you can do whatever you want with them.

I've had absolutely no problems with any posts that anyone has made so far, so just carry on the same way.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:33 am**

Once you've finalised who's going where, I'll move the IC thread on to new locations.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:45 am**

I'll stick with my Bro.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:22 am**

About seperate threads when people split up: (I'm not trying to convince you about this at all, Raiko, just continuing the conversation):

Maybe it wouldn't have to happen all the time, but I could see it being very cool when one group enters a life-threatening situation.

Imagine if half of the group goes to a library, and are split into another thread. The rest of us do something else.

The next day, we still haven't heard from the others. Because we don't know what they're up to, our (the players') imagination can run wild.

And imagine if we go to the library the next day, to find them all beheaded in the basement! oooh, that would be intense! because you would have -no idea- what happened! Of course, our Investigators would always pretend they had no idea, but its a lot easier to imagine when the Players don't know either!

Anyways, I'm not trying to convince, I just think its a cool thing that you can achieve with Play-by-Post, that you can't get with live RP-ing.

Another thing I like about play-by-post is, you can research the 1920's while posting. No wondering if there are phones/coffee purcolators, etc... just look it up on the 'net!

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:26 am**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: Just read through the General Campaign Information. Eep

Yeah, how cool is that? "Chances are good that everyone will die/go insane before the end."

As much I like Andrei, there's nothing better than high potential for death/insanity.

Most DM's I know from other RPG's take it easy on characters, and it drives me mad. What use is it making it to level 6, when the DM helps you out of every situation? I want to survive because i'm lucky/smart.

This is my first CoC game ever, and I'm -thrilled.-

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:11 am**

Short of playing Paranoia, this is probably the right game for you, CD.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:28 am**

I'm a fan in the belief that people should have a chance for their characters to risk the end. I'm also a fan of the fact that not dying is a chance for further agony ... there's ways to punish foolishness that don't include permanent insanity or death, like taking away their beloved NPCs, inflicting yet another insanity, playing on the character's personal issues and torturing the little beggars.

In Demon the Fallen I could have killed two characters. One was a demon, one was a human. Of course the vampires killed the demon, but the human they trapped in a nightmare in her own head for five years, which means that she's very much crazier than before, is very submissive and obsesses a little over her two apparent saviors.

And the greatest thing is, she's under the effects of Dominate from one of them (a form of mind control) and so is technically a double agent for the two NPCs whose goals are just a little clashing against each other and fairly clashing against the group's main goals.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:38 am**

It would be cool if the different sections of secret stuff could be tagged /sblock. So if you want to read the whole story you can but players whose characters aren't privy to info could "opt out".
But that's both board-tech dependent and more of a personal desire.

This is a slightly random question but iis it possible to get an RSS feed of threads somehow?
(Some boards offer that as a feature... it would both lower bandwith pressure on the server and let people who access the forum from work do so in a more.. subtle... manner).

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:38 am**

I'm all for restricting info when your character isn't there (through split-threads for long sections, or spoiler tags for short ones for example) so that what the players know is as close as possible to what their investigators know.

As has been pointed out, it might turn out to be a lot more exciting to not know what happened to the rest of the team, and it'll also mean we'll have to rely on their version of the events, etc. I can only see it improving the overall atmosphere, if that seems manageable for the DM.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:19 pm**

Lots of stuff to get through, please bear with me

Firstly the OOC Stuff:

Player Death / Insanity:

As I said in the general information section this is a very dangerous campaign. It is pretty pulp action horror style though. This means there will be lots of oportunities to fight (you dont have to take all of them though). Some will be easy fights, but due to the fact that this is CoC some may be literally impossible to win (at least through non-magical means).

You need to judge when to fight, when to run and maybe when to surrender. If you choose to always fight to the death, then Im afraid thats what will happen sooner or later.

The pulp nature of the campaign is helpful here though, it should be quite quickly obvious if you are out of your depth, so sanity allowing youll still have time to try and run, or surrender. The pulp thing also means that surrender is more likely to lead to James Bond situations than a bullet in the head. So escape or rescue should always be an option. I've done this in "private threads" in my WFRP forum game and it went well. 8)

As far as insanity goes, you will be allowed to play on with indefinite insanity, so per the 5.5 6th edition rules (youll just be a little loopy), beware though that some of the potential TPK encounters are those famous CoC sanity shattering moments.

I agree with Laraquas points and I run games in the same way myself, but this campaign is what it is. I just thought it was best to warn everyone up front.

Secret Threads:

Im going to go with coffee demons suggestion that if a group enters a potentially dangerous location (real or imaginary) Ill start a separate thread. Please leave me to decide when to do this though. The secret threads wont be locked or restricted in any way though, I trust you all to stay out of threads that you arent aware of (as with the secret dice rolls).

I wont do this every time you split up, because youll split up lots during the campaign, but I will do it quite often so youll never know if the danger is real. Ill also sometimes switch at the last possible moment. For example if the soon to be headless investigators are in that library I way post as normal up until someone notices the door handle turning, then move to a separate thread. Again this is to keep you on your toes.

Id like this campaign to be helpful to other Keepers who want to run Masks so I dont want the threads to become too muddled. Ive found other Keepers online resources very useful both for this game, and for BtMoM so Id like to repay the favour.

Note that it is entirely possible that two (or more) groups of character could end up in entirely different countries, this would of course require totally separate threads for each group (it would also be pretty cool 8)).

Making your own rolls:

If you do this please remember to prefix your characters name with [MON].

ie Maksims rolls should have had [MON]Maksim for the character name, not Maksim.

Please could you also include the chapter and the skill that you think should be used in the note.

ie both Maksims rolls could have included Chapter 1 - (Psychology 70%) in the note.

This will make it much easier for me when Im double checking skill checks at the end of the chapter. Even though there is only one Maksim on invisible castle, there wont be only one Elizabeth or Thomas, and I want all the rolls in the same format.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:24 pm**

Now the IC Stuff:

From your posts Im going to assume this:

The Rukov Twins and Johnny are going to try and meet Erica Carlyle.
Note to the Twins: You can roleplay a reluctance to allow Johnny to come if you like, but he will be quite insistant (as indicated to me by Grafster).

Caroline and Thomas are going to the library, this may as well be the NY Public Library as its both massive and open to the public.

Elizabeth and Andrei will try to meet with Jacksons publisher Jonah Kensington.

Please give me a little time to write up the location change post before you continue, it will hopefully be done in the next hour, otherwise Ill definitely post later today.

None of the groups will be in private threads for now.

Maksims Psychology Roll:

This roll was a success, but as you havent AFAIK discussed it with her, I think that the best Maksim could have learned was Carolines body language towards the different party members. Maybe Decrepit could send you a PM with an indication of this.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:34 pm**

Okay, first of all, what is AFAIK?

Secondly, yeah, it was kinda a spur-of-the-moment thing. The joys of posting during my Cognition and Perception course.

Hehe, in our gaming group, there are a fair few resisted rolls made between the varous party members. Creates the most interesting circumstances on a botch...

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:38 pm**

coffee demon wrote: And imagine if we go to the library the next day, to find them all beheaded in the basement! oooh, that would be intense! because you would have -no idea- what happened! Of course, our Investigators would always pretend they had no idea, but its a lot easier to imagine when the Players don't know either!

Note to self- if coffee demon's group is the one that finds everyone else beheaded in the library make sure you're always in his group.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:11 pm**

Laraqua wrote: Okay, first of all, what is AFAIK?

Secondly, yeah, it was kinda a spur-of-the-moment thing. The joys of posting during my Cognition and Perception course.

Hehe, in our gaming group, there are a fair few resisted rolls made between the varous party members. Creates the most interesting circumstances on a botch...

AFAIK = As Far As I Know, sorry no more forum abbreviations, I promise.

Regarding your roll, no problem, I didn't mean to single you out, but nobody else had made any rolls. It's just to make it easier for me to keep track of lots of PCs in two separate very long adventures.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:17 pm**

If Erica isn't discussed much or at all in the library's records of the Carlyle expedition, Caroline will suggest that she and Thomas split up the research, one looking for information on the expedition itself and the other on Erica specifically, including current activities.

If there's time, Caroline will also try to look up just a bit about Elias as well.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:38 pm**

Timour still has his eyes and ears open searching for danger and anything unusual that might catch his eye.

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:00 pm**

Raiko wrote: For example if the soon to be headless investigators are in that library I way post as normal up until someone notices the door handle turning, then move to a separate thread. Again this is to keep you on your toes.

Awesome idea! Just another way to freak us out a bit...

For what its worth, my money's on Johnny for staying healthy and sane the longest. He's an awesome character!

Posted: **Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:05 pm**

So, according to Thomas, Carlyle died 6 years ago? Maybe we don't know that yet. I guess I'll have to wait until the dinner party.

I don't think his wife would still be "in mourning"... and the armed guards with submachineguns sure is wierd. Maybe she's a rum-runner.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:40 am**

Sorry for the short hold up, I've been much busier than expected today.

I've done all the preparation for posting, but I haven't writen the next IC post yet.

It's very late now so I need to sleep, but I'll post as soon as I get to work, should be in 6-7 hours from now.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:03 am**

He has to go to work to find time to play

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:32 am**

Guess I should stay up late and wait for the post then

Otherwise I'll wake up in the morning, and we'll all be in Tahiti or something.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:05 am**

So I guess Erica Carlyle's a psycho. Sorry about that, guys. Maybe her brother died cuz she cast some crazy voodoo on him for stealing a toy from her when they were kids. Or, maybe she's actually sane, and knows what killed her brother, and is trying to protect herself from it. (It, of course, being the horrific madness inducing thing that we'll get to meet later.)

coffee demon wrote: Otherwise I'll wake up in the morning, and we'll all be in Tahiti or something.

Sorry, I can't help myself: "Ooooh, Tahiti!"

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:45 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: He has to go to work to find time to play

Unfortunately they wanted me to work straight away today

Never mind, I'm back now.

coffee demon wrote: Guess I should stay up late and wait for the post then

Otherwise I'll wake up in the morning, and we'll all be in Tahiti or something.

I hope you didn't stay up too late waiting for me to post

I'll try to keep you out of Tahiti for now though.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:50 pm**

Raiko wrote: The armed gatekeeper seems to take an instant dislike to the good looking Russian adventurer (hes obviously either jealous, or an insane cultist).

Look buddy, I dont know who your talking about, stop wasting my time trying to hustle your way in here.

Get out of here now, or Im callin the cops.

This was the first proper dice roll that I made of the campaign, at it was a fumble, I hope thats not an omen!

You can still use your backup story and tell the gatekeepers that you are researching the book, but youve got off to a bad start, so youll need a very good roll (luckily Maksims persuadion skills are normally excellent)

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:18 pm**

ID Name Rolls Dice Results Note Date
698764 [MON]- Timour 1 1d100 [78] = 78 chapter one, smooth talking the guards outside Carlyle House to let us see Miss Carlyle- Persuasion skill 40% 2006-10-27 06:17:21

Timour looks the guard in the eye and in Russian screams, "Blah-blo-blah-blah!"

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:21 pm**

Well, there go the first three characters.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:41 pm**

Trying to make a distinction between "fast talk" and "persuade":

"Look my friend," he said turning on the charm, "there is no need for all that. We were sent here at the personal request of Elizabeth Downing. So please, just inform your employer that we are here and we'll be able to clear up this whole misunderstanding."

To me this seems more like a "fast talk" attempt, rather than "persuade". "fast talk" involves making up excuses on the spot in "need something to say, quick!" moments, whereas "persuade" involves lengthily reasoning your victim (whether your reasoning has merit or not).

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:47 pm**

Same result either way

My understanding was the word 'Please.'

If you say 'please' its persuasion, if you don't its fast talk

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:37 pm**

What: Since Im still at work please could you make a Luck Roll for Timour and post the result for me.

This is actually a Credit Rating Roll for Elizabeth, but as shes not here its limited by Timours luck which is slightly lower.

You persuade roll failed, but the guard may still recognise Elizabeths name, which may help.

Ps: It probably should have been a fast talk roll, but since it failed anyway it doesnt really matter.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:47 pm**

698833 [MON]Timour rolls 1 1d100 [77] = 77 to avoid having head blown off outside Carlyle House- Chap 1. Unfortunately Timour's Luck skill= 70%

Note to self- take POW at 18 from now on...

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:56 pm**

Note to self- take POW at 18 from now on...

*Next* character.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:03 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: 698833 [MON]Timour rolls 1 1d100 [77] = 77 to avoid having head blown off outside Carlyle House- Chap 1. Unfortunately Timour's Luck skill= 70%

Note to self- take POW at 18 from now on...

Better to get the bad rolls out of the way now.

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:16 pm**

Raiko wrote: Better to get the bad rolls out of the way now.

Amen, brother

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:05 pm**

I made mention in a previous post that Maksim would be driving from now on so that I can better concentrate on our surroundings, assume I parked the car on the street and Maksim and Timour switched places. We'll be driving away at this point while I try to cheer up my broham.

Here's the post;

thewhatchamacallit wrote: Timour looked from the drivers seat at the yard and the house, searching for anything out of place or possibly dangerous beyond the gun toting goons and their leashed-razorblades.

Instinctively he slid his pistol from under his armpit and concealed it on his lap while quietly chambering the first round and making sure the safety was on before returning the .45 automatic to its holster.

Maksim, from now on you drive, he said in Russian, I need to concentrate on our environment as much as possible."

I'll wait for the keeper's judgement as to whether or not we need to roll the cheering up portion.

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:44 am**

Nice post about the "slipping towards the criminal element" there with Maksim, Laraqua! Its cool to have a character on the on edge of doing bad things.

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:35 am**

Well, Maksim needs one vice. Talking pleasantly to strangers, showing a genuine interest in women and helping out homeless people ain't one. I also need something to bring the whole Timour as protector angle... I talk the husbands out of killing him. He protects me as I run from crooks for the car with a bag full of their stuf...

Poor Maksim. I'm so fond of him and he's just going to die and die hard. I think next time I play table-top, I'll bring him back in a new game. Coz Masks isn't a good one to hold faith in keeping your hands on favoured characters, now, is it?

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:14 pm**

After this campaign we'll all have to form a support group just to get by, we'll call it the PDC(Players of Deceased Characters).

We'll sit around in circles and struggle with our pain together.

"I remember Timour, so young and full of life. He just couldn't make that throw check with the stick of dynamite. It's not fair, it's just not fair..."

<group gives sympathetic looks as hugs and tissues are passed around>

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:24 pm**

Sorry I've been quite busy over the last couple of days, I'll be catching up with all my games over the weekend.

So I'll try to post a few times, provided players posting.

PS: Don't be too downbeat about your chances, I'm rather hoping that there won't be any TPK's, and as I like all of your characters I hope that some or all of them will survive (with sanity more or less intact) right to the end.

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:30 pm**

If we care about our characters, maybe we'll be that much more careful..

I personally think deaths/insanity is that much better when characters are well-fleshed out with interesting relationships around them. I can't wait for things to get hairy. But thats just me

Posted: **Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:52 am**

coffee demon wrote: If we care about our characters, maybe we'll be that much more careful..

I personally think deaths/insanity is that much better when characters are well-fleshed out with interesting relationships around them. I can't wait for things to get hairy. But thats just me

Yeah you've already got such well developed relationships between the characters that it should at least make for some good roleplaying if anybody does die.

PS: I've added everyones photos onto the character sheets now, just waiting for a photo of Johnny.

Posted: **Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:57 am**

I agree. With such good connections between characters even dangerous situations, let alone death, will create good role playing. It'll be nice to see characters heroicly jumping to protect those they care about instead of just trying to protect themselves.

Posted: **Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:17 am**

Raiko wrote: PS: I've added everyones photos onto the character sheets now, just waiting for a photo of Johnny.

Guilt guilt guilt...

Seriously I'll be a (bit) more chatty once I've finished my GMAT (Tuesday). I hope the pic and the proper background write up can wait until then.

Posted: **Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:32 am**

imme wrote: I agree. With such good connections between characters even dangerous situations, let alone death, will create good role playing. It'll be nice to see characters heroicly jumping to protect those they care about instead of just trying to protect themselves.

Or if someone -does- just run off to protect themselves, they're going to have to answer for it! Or it'll be a serious revelation towards their character.

Truthfully, I have no idea how Andrei will react. It's like I've heard people say about war/gunfire/crazy emergencies - "You never really know how you're going to react until you're there."

Who knows, maybe this expedition isn't going to be so dangerous though.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:15 am**

Timour thinks they should pull over and see who's following them, but barring that he keeps his gun in its holster but remains alert to danger.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:55 am**

I get the feeling that we're all about to die. Maksim feels the same way. On the other hand, I feel we're more likely to die from his car driving skill - I have rarely seen, either Keeping or Playing, a dice roll under 80%. Technically, one fifth of them should be under that. I'd say about one tenth of them are, but at least when they're low, they're really low.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:04 am**

I'm also getting that "death" feeling from you guys

Roll low! Hopefully see ya at dinner tonight!

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:10 am**

Remember, Coffee, it's your fault if Raiko hides the end of the post and we never know what happened to Johnny and the Russian twins.

And Grafster, nice job with the lighter. Well played.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:26 am**

*shudders*

Well, so long, Maksim. It was good meeting you...

Now, how about an interest historian or actual author getting involved? or someone out walking her dog who notices the accident and calls it in?

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:38 am**

Yeah, that lighter action -was- very cool.

I think Lara. and whatcha. should be a doctor and surgeon who become interested in the case after trying to put the three men back together again. Grafster can be the dentist who was trying to replace all their teeth.

Thats a bit gross.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:53 am**

Hmm... I agree. Maybe I know Caroline Ward and can mention it in passing ... "Oh, what I had to do today was piece together these Russians and Chinaman in a car accident... Oh, you know them? Terribly sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Looks like I've got a plan.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:16 am**

Can someone explain how to link to Invisible Castle using a word in a sentence?

I keep seeing posts where a normal word will also be a link to the Invisible Castle Roll. I haven't done HTML in a loooong time...

Thanks.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:25 am**

[quote="coffee demon"]Can someone explain how to link to Invisible Castle using a word in a sentence?

I keep seeing posts where a normal word will also be a link to the Invisible Castle Roll. I haven't done HTML in a loooong time...

Thanks.[/quote]

Yes it's easy really, I've disabled BBCode on this post so that you can see.

A URL link can either print the link as text, using the format below:

[url]http://www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=228[/url]

Or by starting it [url=put link here], you can have any text you like as the link, like so:

[url=http://www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=228]This is a link to the character sheets[/url]

So for the Invisible Castle links, you take the 'roll id part' and put it inside the [URL=], then follow that with any collection of words that you like:

[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=702542]Maksims Bootleg Reverse Roll[/url]

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:26 am**

Here is the same post with BBCode enabled (ps: I'm writing up the 'bootleg' stuff now)

Yes it's easy really, I've disabled BBCode on this post so that you can see.

A URL link can either print the link as text, using the format below:

http://www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=228

Or by starting it , you can have any text you like as the link, like so:

[url=http://www.callofcthulhu.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=228]This is a link to the character sheets

So for the Invisible Castle links, you take the 'roll id part' and put it inside the , then follow that with any collection of words that you like:

[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=702542]Maksims Bootleg Reverse Roll

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:28 am**

Select the text you want to be a link. Wave your cursor over the URL option in the Post a reply box to get a glimpse of what it should look like. Then click the URL option. there should then be a starting url in brackets and an ending one. Write in after the first url=http://website.com within the brackets.

Like I said, if you wave your cursor over the URL option you'll get a better idea.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:01 am**

I'll continue the story for everyone else at lunchtime, gotta do some work now.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:10 am**

BTW: Since your post mentioned 'corners' and 'driveways' we'll assume that you have re-entered a sub-urban area to Westchester County.

The Carlyle Estate is in a very rural area.

One other thing Coffee Demon, it's Jackson Elias, so he'd be either Jackson or Mr Elias. Of course it could have been Andrei's misunderstanding rather than yours.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:37 am**

Laraqua wrote: "That Doctor Caroline Ward whose heart I will no doubt soon win."

I thought that Maksim was going to loose his chance to Thomas, but looks like he's still "in there."

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:25 pm**

I go to bed for an eight hour nap and when I return we've almost become hamburger. Mind my car dear brother, we don't have enough to repair it

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:48 pm**

I've got quite a lot to post for Elizabeth and Andrei (should get chance a little later). If the rest of you don't mind please carry on chatting IC until the "Prospero House" stuff is finished. Then I'll move the game onto the meeting back at the Downing's Long Island Estate.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:11 pm**

Thanks for the link-help, guys.. I got it now.

Imme, if you want to ask more questions at the Prospero House, go ahead... Andrei figures we can wait until tommorrow when we've sorted things in our head a bit more.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:17 pm**

It's still early in the afternoon for Elizabeth and Andrei, so they have a little time they can spend together if they wish before the evening get-together at Downing House.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:22 pm**

In case I forget to post it IC, whenever Timour is invited to a formal event he leaves any guns locked in the glove box or trunk of his car.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:25 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: In case I forget to post it IC, whenever Timour is invited to a formal event he leaves any guns locked in the glove box or trunk of his car.

Excellent...

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:32 pm**

Raiko wrote: It's still early in the afternoon for Elizabeth and Andrei, so they have a little time they can spend together if they wish before the evening get-together at Downing House.

OK. I'll want to ask Elizabeth a bit about her knowledge of Jackson, and get her impressions on everything so far. Then we can pack and go to the Downing residence early. We'll see. Andrei thinks that time spent with the Downing parents gives him more points with Elizabeth, which might not be the case.

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:45 pm**

Raiko wrote: PS: Don't be too downbeat about your chances, I'm rather hoping that there won't be any TPK's, and as I like all of your characters I hope that some or all of them will survive (with sanity more or less intact) right to the end.

& then...

Raiko wrote: Excellent...

Posted: **Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:49 pm**

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:04 am**

I'll move the game to Downing House when I get to work, I'll post all of the handouts then as well

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:20 am**

*checks clock, considers making a cup of tea and staying up*

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:37 am**

What time is it where you're at, Coffeedemon?

Over here it's 6:08PM. This game tends to make insomniacs of us all.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:40 am**

11:40 pm right now. When I sleep, you all seem to be relaxin' in front of your computers

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:55 am**

Hey, I'm going to a movie night later on tonight. So there'll be less relaxing in front of computer and more being out of the loop. But my character's not really up to much at the moment.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:55 am**

Why not have a forum to list evidence found that isn't on a hand-out or just general facts, such as the armed guards and the tail? A forum we players can post on when we hear something pertinent.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:04 am**

I was considering putting a wiki up on my webpage, but its not something that Ive done before. When I ran this campaign with my players they soon found the shear number of handouts, notes, photos, maps, and other clues a little overwhelming.

So you can start a clue thread if you like, but a wiki might be easier for you to keep organised. What do you think?

BTW: Happy Halloween, shame were not up to a scary bit yet.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:53 pm**

Happy Halloween everyone! My little guy is going to be so surprised when we go out tonight

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:08 pm**

Oh, I forgot to say in case you all what to stick together at night (might be wise once the adventure gets going

), Downing House of course has enough guest rooms for everybody, (on their own, shared, whatever).

Each characters apartment can be assumed to have at least one spare room. Again Elizabeths will have several (all the apartments at the Dakota had between 4 & 20 rooms at that time). There is a grainy seventh floor plan of the Dakota Apartments here.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:11 pm**

Timour calls top bunk!

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:16 pm**

One other thing that I should mention is that the adventure makes it clear that it's harder to find good biographical information through library research prior to World War 2.

So quite a lot of the information about the Carlyle Expedition principles can only be found by finding people who knew them or checking police/military/medical records and things like that.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:57 pm**

He feels a little woozy but manages to do a damn good job hiding it. No one will notice how fragile he feels inside as he projects the aura of the suave, cool and collected professional.

It's a success either way but I reckon this is rather a Psychology roll.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:05 pm**

Agreed.

Now what does conceal do? Is that hiding something on your person?

What would you roll to notice someone stealing a nonchalant peek at something?

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:27 pm**

I always saw psychology as understanding what others are feeling or trying to do whereas persuade was something that dealt with manipulating others' perceptions, beliefs or feelings. Surely if I was putting on an act, I'm trying to persuade others to see me a certain way.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:33 pm**

Ack! All the guests arrive and the hostess is nowhere to be found. My fault for sleeping, I guess.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:45 pm**

Laraqua wrote: I always saw psychology as understanding what others are feeling or trying to do whereas persuade was something that dealt with manipulating others' perceptions, beliefs or feelings. Surely if I was putting on an act, I'm trying to persuade others to see me a certain way.

Persuade is rather the "long version" of fast talk, where you actually expose a point of view and try to convince other people that you're right; but while fast talk involves making things up on the spot for a one-sentence lie (for example), persuade takes actual reasoning (whether it's a good reasoning or a fallacious one) and is lengthier as it involves spending a certain amount of time exposing your viewpoint.

I reckon Psychology should be used for whatever concerns feelings and moods - whether you try to detect them in others, or conceal your own.

Now what does conceal do? Is that hiding something on your person?

What would you roll to notice someone stealing a nonchalant peek at something?

Yes, Conceal involves concealing an item, on your person or in a room for example. The difference with Hide is that Hide involves hiding yourself.

I would roll Spot Hidden for noticing someone stealing a peek.

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:49 pm**

Thanks

You seem to have these rules down pat Wh, why aren't you a keeper?

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:59 pm**

I was a keeper once

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:36 pm**

Remarkably Thomas guessed almost right

My god! He can predict the future, perhaps I should make some sanity rolls

Posted: **Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:45 pm**

Oh well, I still rolled brilliantly.

Shame that wasn't my Dodge or Drive Auto roll or even Persuade the guards roll.

*hangs head*

I roll well to hide my shame but not to do anything impressive.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:59 am**

I was going to post this in the "swearing thread" that Coffee Demon started, but Lee locked it before I could post.

carnage_lee wrote: As fas as I'm concerned 'in character' swearing in the 'game forum' is ok - as long as it's not gratuitous or used to prop up poor or dull writing and is acceptable by the Keeper of the game.

However the Keeper of a game is that Forum's mederator and they are well within their remit to edit any posts to remove offensive words and phrases as they see fit - without recourse or justification.

For my Masks game I'd prefer it if you avoid 'strong' swearing where possible, I'd prefer you to post something like "Andrei curses loudly in Russian" (obviously this isn't an option with all of your characters).

This is because although I personally don't have a problem with strong language, I want the game to be readable to anyone who'd like to read it, and some people are very offended.

There is the potential in Masks for some very explicit content later on, and I've already made the decision to try a leave this to the imagination of the reader, I'll just post enough to stimulate the imagination.

Having said all that, I won't censor players posts in any way, although I will comment OOC if the game starts looking like an episode of Deadwood.

But to go back to Laraqua's point about The Getaway: In my opinion The Shield is just as gritty and adult a TV program as Deadwood, but manages to do it without the explicit language. This means that my wife will watch The Shield, but not Deadwood.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:33 pm**

Andrei takes a hit to the sternum that splits him from groin to neck and sprays blood in a fifteen foot arch that saturates the gathered members in a gory mist of scarlet precipitation.

Staring on in horror the other members can only gawk in shock and revulsion as the Russian's entrails cascade to the cold, stone floor like so much loose butcher's meat.

Andrei in a last, horrific gurgle, gasps, "must...not swear, don't know... who may... read of this...

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:43 pm**

I don't really think anyone can best thewhatchamacallit's response. Ever.

*claps*

But then, that's assuming the Keeper in this campaign will include explicit gore.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:15 pm**

:lol::lol:

Ahh, lets just say anything goes then, so long as it's in character.

The easily offended shouldn't be reading a horror forum anyway.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:31 pm**

Getting back to the game, I'll leave you to chat for now, once the conversation begins to dry up (or goes off track) I'll move time along.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:41 pm**

About the swearing:

I wanted to make sure I wasn't gonna go over the edge when I first asked, but people make a good argument for not swearing at all.

Best to err on the safe side - after all, how many amazing writers have written horror without using swears? Thats just my opinion though.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:07 pm**

Timour still has that BAR in the back of his mind, he speaks with Elizabeth about it as soon as appropriate and insists that if he is to get such a handy weapon that she also allows him to get the proper paperwork to be able to use it in defense of self and others.

I figure she'll have the pull for this with both the local authorities and the state department.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:25 pm**

This one's for Laraqua/Whatcha..

When we first talked about our characters, we said we knew each other because one of you dated, or were engaged to, my sister at one time.

Are we still going with that? Who was the one, Maks? Also, any ideas why the engagement ended?

Just trying to build up more of a history between us, the happy trio

Its cool that we can have an entirely seperate conversation in Russian.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:28 pm**

Where is this @!#!%# swearing thread, anyway? I'm hoping to pick up some new phrases.

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:43 pm**

In "forum guidelines" I asked how much swearing was OK. 8)

Posted: **Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:49 pm**

The one place I didn't look. Thanks. I'll try to limit my use of "sentence enhancers."

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:23 am**

Hint: if anybody wants to be paid by Elizabeth, or have her cover their expenses, they will need to ask her (or at least give her a hint). Although generous, she's not used to the idea of people needing money and has little experience with money matters. Feel free to roleplay this if you like, but you're also welcome to just assume that some financial agreement has been reached.

Not that the Russians aren't amusing, I'm just sayin. 8)

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:34 am**

I'll have dated your sister. It's more amusing if it was Maks because he would have altered her philosophy, started having her question her station in life in relation to others, and all in all, ruined everything as she started talking to staff like real people, questioning what should be assumed as fact, and reading far too much!

Also, you would have had to deal with her crying when Maks slipped into one of his dark and sullen moods. I doubt she would have realised that Maks just does that sometimes, regardless of other people. When he's up, he's up ... and when he's down...

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:11 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: Timour still has that BAR in the back of his mind, he speaks with Elizabeth about it as soon as appropriate and insists that if he is to get such a handy weapon that she also allows him to get the proper paperwork to be able to use it in defense of self and others.

I figure she'll have the pull for this with both the local authorities and the state department.

I looked into this a little to double check my facts.

As it turns out I was wrong to think that the ownership of fully-automatic weapons was regulated at that time. As far as Im aware this is the current (1925) situation in New York State / City.

In New York State, there is virtually no regulation of personal firearms. If you can afford it you can buy it (this means that the Thompson SMGs carried by the chaps at Carlyle House are perfectly legal, although I doubt youd be allowed to just stroll around in public with one).

In New York City, the ownership of concealable weapons (ie pistols) is regulated by the Sullivan Act. This puts the issuing of licences in the hands of the (mostly Irish American) NYPD. Firearms other than pistols (including fully automatic weapons) were still unregulated.

Interestingly this means that while Timour could legally purchase a Tommy gun, neither he nor Maksim are likely to have permits for their handguns, as the NYPD is unlikely to have issued a licence to a Russian immigrant. Elizabeth could easily obtain permits for them though, in the same way her father did for Johnny.

Andreis credit rating is good enough to justify him having a licence.

Regarding the BAR specifically; in 1925 its still in full production as a weapon for the US Military, and wouldnt be available as surplus. So it would still have to be illegally obtained through either theft, or the black market. However as there isnt any requirement for a licence Timour can purchase a different automatic weapon if he wants, the only restriction would be the price (a problem for the Rukovs, but not for Elizabeth). However since you really want a BAR and as the production figures are so high, especially in 1917-18, I'm prepared to reconsider my original ruling and allow Timour to already own a (black market) BAR.

With so many being made, it seems likely that you could easily get hold of one on the black market.

There is a chat on the main Yog-Sothoth forum about automatic weapons here, Ive quoted the part about the BAR below. (Note: I can only read stuff from the Yog-Sothoth forums via goggles cache when Im at work, so Ive only actually read page 2 of that thread)

Cosmoline wrote: "First adopted in 1917, some experimentals were made for the first few months. Production passed 52,000 for WWI. Made by Colt, Marlin-Rockwell and Winchester. Winchester produced 47,123 B.A.R's Production between WWI and WWII was approximately 35,000. WWII saw production of over 177,000 by various manufacturers. "

I don't know of any BAR's being declared surplus during the 1920's. They were state of the art for the time. Clyde Barrow stole his BAR and possibly some grenades from a National Guard Armory in Beaumont. I believe some were sold to the civilian and LE market by Colt, though my Colt SN book doesn't show them actually making any BAR's. It's interesting to note that although the Chicago gangsters and Clyde could have purchased fully automatic firearms without a license or permit, they chose to either steal them in the case of the Barrow gang or buy them on the black market in the case of Capone. With or without an NFA, the criminals do not like leaving a paper trial. In the case of characters, that's worth keeping in mind. If they buy firearms of a set SN through the mail or over the counter, a trail of transactions can be traced from factory to wholesaler to dealer to them if the firearm is located.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:27 pm**

You seem to have mostly finished making plans, apart from a couple of unanswered questions from Elizabeth so if you all try to wrap up the conversation today or tomorrow, Ill move the time along to either the following morning, or the dead of night (you just never know 8)).

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:36 pm**

Maksim doesn't sleep. Promise. So, er, he never gets surprised. Ever.

He also has an Elder Sign tattoed on his back, chest and forehead.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:38 pm**

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:52 pm**

imme wrote: Hint: if anybody wants to be paid by Elizabeth, or have her cover their expenses, they will need to ask her (or at least give her a hint). Although generous, she's not used to the idea of people needing money and has little experience with money matters. Feel free to roleplay this if you like, but you're also welcome to just assume that some financial agreement has been reached.

Not that the Russians aren't amusing, I'm just sayin. 8)

Assume Timour pulls you aside for a quiet moment when Andrei and everyone else are occupied, a five minute conversation where he tells you that he would like a machine gun and any permits you can scrounge u for his hand gun. Also that he and his brother would feel better being in the same building with you until things calm down and your safety can be assured.

Also it should be noted that while the BAR was state of the art at this point the design was almost ten years old.

Edit- When the 'formal' part of the evening ends Timour gets his hand gun and sleeps with it beside his bed.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:23 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: Assume Timour pulls you aside for a quiet moment when Andrei and everyone else are occupied, a five minute conversation where he tells you that he would like a machine gun and any permits you can scrounge u for his hand gun. Also that he and his brother would feel better being in the same building with you until things calm down and your safety can be assured.

Elizabeth would be surprised at the talk of a machine gun, but would refer you to Johnny, who could help you arrange what you need. She may not see the same great impending danger that Timour does, but has no problem with the Russian twins sticking around.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:27 pm**

Good, Timour's being looking for the chance to speak with the bodyguard but couldn't think of anything to have a conversation about, now they have a common ground- violence.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:29 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: Good, Timour's being looking for the chance to speak with the bodyguard but couldn't think of anything to have a conversation about, now they have a common ground- violence.

Violence can really bring people together sometimes.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:31 pm**

Poor Maksim's the odd one out amongst everyone. He's not a professional like the lawyer or doctor. He's no longer rich like Andrei and Elizabeth. He's not violent like Timour or Johnny.

Poor, poor Maksim...

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:43 pm**

Laraqua wrote: Poor Maksim's the odd one out amongst everyone.

He is pretty odd, isn't he?

Raiko, could I (or you) use an Idea roll to see if Elizabeth could come up with an innocuous reason to contact Erica? (I'm looking for something better than, "Hey, I've never met you before, but how about you come over to tea, leave your thugs behind, and tell me all about your brother's ghastly murder?")

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:44 pm**

Well, I think we can move on to the next day.

Me and Lizzie can have a fun day driving around, eh, Andrei?

Edit: Oi! What's wrong with dear old Maksim. Be nice, he's totally going to be the first to die. I mean, he's your escape option. He's the one the Keeper hits first. I'll be the one sitting in the car waiting for you and then when you come out, you'll find my corpse in the car.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:06 pm**

imme wrote:
Laraqua wrote:Poor Maksim's the odd one out amongst everyone.

He is pretty odd, isn't he?

Raiko, could I (or you) use an Idea roll to see if Elizabeth could come up with an innocuous reason to contact Erica? (I'm looking for something better than, "Hey, I've never met you before, but how about you come over to tea, leave your thugs behind, and tell me all about your brother's ghastly murder?")

I'm at work, so please could you roll for me? Copy the result here and I'll try to think of a good reason.

Laraqua wrote: Well, I think we can move on to the next day.

There are one or two unfinished conversation threads to the other characters, eg Caroline, but yes I should be able to advance the clock later today. Whether you make it all the way to morning is another matter.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:09 pm**

I'm just catching up here--it's 8 a.m. where I am, so I'm just now seeing the posts from "last night."

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:12 pm**

Laraqua wrote: Well, I think we can move on to the next day.

Me and Lizzie can have a fun day driving around, eh, Andrei?

Edit: Oi! What's wrong with dear old Maksim. Be nice, he's totally going to be the first to die. I mean, he's your escape option. He's the one the Keeper hits first. I'll be the one sitting in the car waiting for you and then when you come out, you'll find my corpse in the car.

Nonsense, if you're already dead in the car then who do get to outrun later on when it really matters?

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:17 pm**

Raiko wrote:
imme wrote: Raiko, could I (or you) use an Idea roll to see if Elizabeth could come up with an innocuous reason to contact Erica? (I'm looking for something better than, "Hey, I've never met you before, but how about you come over to tea, leave your thugs behind, and tell me all about your brother's ghastly murder?")

I'm at work, so please could you roll for me? Copy the result here and I'll try to think of a good reason.

Chapter 1 - Idea (75%) - trying to think of a reason to contact Erica (1d100=92) Apparently "Hey, come tell me about your brother's ghastly death" is a good excuse afterall.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:18 pm**

If Running's Dex x 5 then you'll be the one left in the dust, my dear brother...

So, we've seen the Rukov brattiness. When do we see their charm? I can't wait to see you schmooze a woman. It'll be good for a laugh with your oh-so-low Persuade rolls.

Sorry, in the mood for a taunt.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:20 pm**

After Caroline gets something of a response to her offer, she'd be happy to talk to Thomas.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:23 pm**

Laraqua wrote: If Running's Dex x 5 then you'll be the one left in the dust, my dear brother...

So, we've seen the Rukov brattiness. When do we see their charm? I can't wait to see you schmooze a woman. It'll be good for a laugh with your oh-so-low Persuade rolls.

Sorry, in the mood for a taunt.

I could comment how that's only if you're not 'accidentally' shot in the leg as I run by, but I'm above that

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:27 pm**

Hmm, frontman, backing away from a fight as the women hop into my car (and Andrei, too, I'll be nice). You rush forward but, damn, looks like that thing might out-run my car if it's hungry enough.

Can you say, pedal to the metal?

You silly thing, you.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:31 pm**

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:01 pm**

imme wrote: Chapter 1 - Idea (75%) - trying to think of a reason to contact Erica (1d100=92) Apparently "Hey, come tell me about your brother's ghastly death" is a good excuse afterall.

Maybe Olivia knows Erica, failing that or finding someone else who knows her I guess Elizabeth is stuck with the above or, "Hey I'm rich too, and I'm having a party. Want to come?"

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:07 pm**

Do what noble women would in Rome, send Timour and Maksim over to her as a gift

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:22 pm**

I say, sir! The very idea!

You must send the Rukov brothers bearing chocolate.

Otherwise, it is entirely indecent.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:30 pm**

We might need a fanfic thread pretty soon.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:03 pm**

If Timour or Maks have a 5 minute conversation with Ellie, Andrei will defintiely notice. He's keeping a close eye on you two, and your dealings with her. He wouldn't hear what you're saying, but probably watch enough to make sure the body language wasn't getting too intimate

I wish he wasn't so jealous and insecure, its a lot of work

But a lot of fun. I wonder if there will be a break-up during the adventure? That would be hilarious.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:59 am**

The night passes without incident (unless Andrei and the Rukovs end up duelling or something

).

Looking around the grounds Johnny see that Downing House could be protected fairly easily if necessary, like the Carlyle estate it is surrounded on three sides by high railings (though not as impressive at the Carlyles). The other side is the shore of Little Neck Bay. (According to Secrets of New York there are Deep Ones in Long Island Sound, but Johnny wouldnt be worrying about that

).

imme: Ive placed Downing House in the Bayside District of Northern Queens on the shore of Little Neck Bay, according to Secrets of New York the district was home only to the mansions of the wealthy at this time, particularly along the shore.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:04 am**

Wondering about me saying "The Chinaman", I'm not sure if thats derogatory or not, but I think its probably closer to what Andrei would call Johnny.

I like the way the Russian Twins stay on the edge of politeness and irritation. Actually, it's Timour that seems to say the wrong things, but Maks who seems like he might go for Elizabeth.

Its cool how there's a certain bond between the three of us... if Andrei wasn't so jealous and sensitive, I'm sure we'd all get along just fine.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:10 am**

"The Chinaman" is probably pretty polite by 1920 standards, Chinese immigrants had no constitutional rights from the 1880s until the 1950s.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:11 am**

Yup, Timour has always been my smokescreen. Everyone suspects him ... and not poor little Maksim Rukov!

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:44 am**

Timour rolls over, kisses Caroline on the cheek and asks how she slept.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:48 am**

You twit.

I pity all those playing female characters.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:48 am**

Caroline pulls out the .32 she's been hiding under her pillow and asks how he got through the double-locked door.

***

Can I assume she'd know the Medical Affairs Board regulations and what would be legitimate reasons for someone to check on Huston's records?

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:52 am**

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:44 am**

coffee demon wrote: I wish he wasn't so jealous and insecure, its a lot of work But a lot of fun. I wonder if there will be a break-up during the adventure? That would be hilarious.

I'll see what I can do.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:52 am**

This is so much fun. So many of us are wrapped up in each other's lives. What would we do without each other, hmm? I can only imagine how this'll turn out.

At the very least, we might get a little gentleness from the Keeper if our character's have enough interesting threads alive that the Keeper wants to see what happens... I've got a sneaking suspicion that interest value does improve a character's odds for survival.

True, interest value in the games I run tend to also lead towards the character's world falling down around their ears (I always wonder how an interesting character will respond) but they tend to live ever so slightly longer, though that might just be because an interesting character invites fates worse than death far more easily than a dull character.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:16 am**

To be perfectly honest I think the odds of 6 people, even educated ones, being remarkably tolerant in the 1920s is low. Discrimination was widespread and (what we would now call) racism prevalent against almost all groups (Id argue its still present in the US today but thats not really germane).
And, as we add in more and more characters, the odds that theyre all so tolerant and visionary as to avoid commonly used language from 80+ years ago that is currently considered offensive or derogatory is vanishingly faint.

Johnny, I have generally decided, does not care much about what people call him. His devotion to the Downings is, in no small part, a reflection of the way he is treated by them. If everyone in the game treats him that way then that part of his character makes less sense.

Given that its tricky to write in-voice and that were all fairly busy Id suggest that you err on the side of being in character even if its something you personally, would be appalled to hear in present day America (or wherever you happen to live).

Personally I expect that Johnny wouldnt think anything of being called Chinaman or oriental and probably thinks of black people as negros. (which, if I understand correctly, was a commonly used term for blacks in the NE during that period)

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:10 pm**

Warhammer: Please could you post the results of your invisible castle rolls here in the OOC thread, or Ill have to wait until I get home to see them

(OOC: Did the newspapers have pictures of the expedition members? Do we know what any of them looked like?)

Yes, there were pictures of the Carlyle Expedition Leaders in the newspapers, Ill post them tonight for you (Im still looking for a suitable photo for one or two of them, I prefer to find a real photo than to use art from the book).

Here is a photo of Hypatia Masters that Id already PMd to imme (as Elizabeth has met Hypatia).

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:26 pm**

Both rolls were successes (unless penalties occurred):

Law (90%) roll to find a legal loophole: 65
Credit rating (75%) roll to use Thomas's reputation: 9

I much prefer real photos as well

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:12 pm**

Laraqua wrote: At the very least, we might get a little gentleness from the Keeper if our character's have enough interesting threads alive that the Keeper wants to see what happens... I've got a sneaking suspicion that interest value does improve a character's odds for survival.

In CoC? It's a nice thought but the premise of the game actually stands in contrast of all that. I like what Raiko said, no die roll fudged and let the chips fall where they may...

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:25 pm**

Note that the following is as per the printed adventure, it may or may not be realistic (and Im not that bothered):

Ok, Thomas knows that direct access to the files of both Carlyles will be virtually impossible, as any available loophole would be contested by Ericas own lawyers, so would be tied up for months or years in the courts.

However as Doctor (and a fashionable one at that) Caroline could gain access to Hustons achieved files, if she shared a common patient, the adventure kind of assumes that the files are boxed up together in storage).

This requires a luck roll (fortunately Carolines patients come from the same circles as Hustons); many of Hustons high class patients were mentioned in the newspaper articles that Thomas found. If the luck roll fails then she can just lie, this would require a successful credit rating or luck roll once she gets to the store.

Unfortunately I think that the presence of a lawyer would probably just make what appears to be routine admin stuff into a bureaucratic confrontation. However if he is required, the successful credit rating roll will help.

thewhatchamacallit wrote:
Laraqua wrote:At the very least, we might get a little gentleness from the Keeper if our character's have enough interesting threads alive that the Keeper wants to see what happens... I've got a sneaking suspicion that interest value does improve a character's odds for survival.

In CoC? It's a nice thought but the premise of the game actually stands in contrast of all that. I like what Raiko said, no die roll fudged and let the chips fall where they may...

I'm a big fan of GRR Martin's Books, heroes die (even those with unresolved story arcs), it's more exciting that way.

I'll use luck rolls a lot to try and help you, but if you get into a fight and your luck runs out you die... sorry

I will miss you though.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:32 pm**

That reminds me when you use luck does it burn away? Can luck be raised through experience?

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:05 pm**

No, as far as I know your luck remains the same unless your POW changes (due to magic mostly).

Note that I'm most likely to use Luck to help with dangerous situations like the 'car scene' earlier, rather than combat (where dodging and parrying already help).

However I'd allow Luck as an alternative sometimes, to sense an ambush maybe.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:08 pm**

Or to help Timour score...

He'll need it.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:09 pm**

At that point the girl gets to test her luck in order to detect an ambush

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:28 pm**

So, Raiko, are you saying that all of Huston's records are together and that having a common patient with Huston might give Caroline an excuse to dip into Huston's files? I'm not quite sure I see how that would be. Maybe it doesn't matter.

I know you said it might not be realistic, but I wasn't even sure what the book's intent was.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:53 pm**

According to the adventure Huston's records are "Carefully boxed, marked and stored at the Medical Affairs Board."

Part of the problem (for the Board) is that there has been extensive debate as to whether his records are even medical in nature. The eventual conclusion was that they are.

The records were put into storage due to Huston dying, rather than Carlyle. However given that they are of dubious medical nature they are kept together, accessable only to the patients, Huston's Heirs, or a doctor with sufficient grounds (or a burglar).

All this would have been mentioned in the newspaper articles that Caroline found yesterday. Due to the legal debate to establish whether they medical or not.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:19 pm**

I'm going to be away until sunday evening. Have fun, with it being the weekend and all, I hope I won't find that loads of things happened while I was gone

Today (in game), Thomas will investigate Jack Brady as planned, first through the library. If he doesn't find anything he'll try to use his credit rating to ask his professional contacts for info.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:45 pm**

No problem, have a good weekend.

If most of you can post over the weekend I'm going to try and get us up the 15th over the weekend, if possible up to the point of going to meet Jackson Elias.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:52 pm**

Thomas may fall behind in the love derby. Out of sight, out of mind ...

I'm still a bit confused about what Caroline actually needs to do, but she does make her Luck roll: http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=709378

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:17 pm**

Decrepit wrote: I'm still a bit confused about what Caroline actually needs to do, but she does make her Luck roll: http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=709378

As she has a patient who was also a patient of Huston, she can go the the Medical Affairs Board offices and ask for permission to look at Huston's records.

This will probably require some paperwork (at the offices), but there shouldn't be any problems because having a common patient masks the wrongdoing.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:51 pm**

Raiko wrote: If most of you can post over the weekend I'm going to try and get us up the 15th over the weekend, if possible up to the point of going to meet Jackson Elias.

Timour extends his hand, "hello, Mr. Elias. I'm Timour Rokov and we're here to escort you to Miss. Downing's
estate."

When suddenly a car squeals around the corner and guns open up on the Timour and the group.

"Get down!" roars the Russian as he returns fire. "You think you can take us?!" he yells and hurls his brother, Maksim at the speedy car.

But unfortuantely his brother doesn't fair so well.

"No!" howls Timour as his brother is squished, "why God?! Why?!"

Emptying his gun as a tear streams down his face, Timour turns to the doctor and points at his car, "if you don't want to wind up like my brother," he says soberly, "then get in and keep your head down."

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:18 pm**

I'm sure Dr. Freud would have something interesting to say about all this, Caroline thinks as she pulls out her revolver, shoots Timour twice, and shouts, "I have done your bidding, O Crawling Chaos! Rescue me from this love quadrangle!"

Thank you. I'll be here all week.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:32 pm**

Timour spends the rest of the day securing the items in his equipment list and purchasing his BAR on the Downing tab. He uses the $40 Andrei gave him to buy Elizabeth a first edition of The Great Gatsby as a thank you gift for allowing him and Maksim this opportunity.

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:34 pm**

thewhatchamacallit wrote: Timour spends the rest of the day securing the items in his equipment list and purchasing his BAR on the Downing tab. He uses the $40 Andrei gave him to buy Elizabeth a first edition of The Great Gatsby as a thank you gift for allowing him and Maksim this opportunity.

You found a way to pick up a BAR?

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:50 pm**

Raiko said I could just re-add it to my equipment (it was removed at the beginning of play) since I'd rather imply he's resourceful when required, Timour purchases a black market model, ammo and a cleaning kit for servicing it in a rougher neighbourhood.

Here's a picture of a 1918 military grade model, with a bipod and 20 round clip (these bad boys were in service right up until the first few years of the vietnam war)-

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:57 pm**

Wow.

Let us know if the rest of the group gets a look at you cleaning that bad boy - I'm sure we'd have an interesting discussion about your plans with it

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:58 pm**

When you need it and don't got, you sing a different tune

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:20 pm**

I guess we're waiting to see how Ellie's phone conversation goes with Mrs. Carlyle - then we can take the rest of the day from there. That might decide where the Russians will go - maybe the brothers will go with me if Mrs. Carlyle doesn't want to meet or somethin'..

Posted: **Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:22 am**

Raiko, since it could take awhile to post a conversation back and forth, here's how Elizabeth's going to approach the call, and you can figure out what to do with it, if you'd like to speed it up:
1) she will NOT, at any point during the call, mention the Expedition or Jackson Elias
2) (assuming Erica is not the one who answers the phone) she will first just introduce herself and ask to speak to Erica. if pressed for the reason of the call, she will say that she's calling to straighten up a confusion from yesterday
3a) If she gets to talk to Erica: she will invite Erica over for tea/lunch/whatever (either at the Downing Estate or her Manhattan apartment, whichever works best). The invitation will come with no reason, but if asked, she will explain that she's trying to build connections between those (rich) families that don't know each other as well and would love to meet with Erica for her opinion/knowledge/help planning an event.
3b) If she doesn't get to talk to Erica: she will leave a message saying she's sorry for any misunderstanding that may have happened yesterday when she sent some friends to visit on her behalf, and has an urgent question for Erica, if she would please call back at her earliest convenience (but will not even hint at the nature of the question).

Posted: **Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:54 am**

posting... too... slowly...

Play@YSDC

OOC: Chapter 1 - NEW YORK, Starts 12th Jan 1925

OOC: Chapter 1 - NEW YORK, Starts 12th Jan 1925

Meanwhile..