The Eyes of a Stranger
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Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Ann Veronica
"Sergeant Mulverhill!" says Ann Veronica in surprise. "Are you here to help us this time?"
"Sergeant Mulverhill!" says Ann Veronica in surprise. "Are you here to help us this time?"
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Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Suspecting nothing, Gordon breathes a sigh of relief at the arrival of the Sergeant.
"Just in the nick of time! We must disarm this infernal device," he says, knowing the officer will be familiar with the popular term for a timed explosive. We thoughtlessly wipes his hands on his trousers, vaguely bothered by the sticky substance. "And I think there's something important in that cabinet, if you can help me break it open."
"Just in the nick of time! We must disarm this infernal device," he says, knowing the officer will be familiar with the popular term for a timed explosive. We thoughtlessly wipes his hands on his trousers, vaguely bothered by the sticky substance. "And I think there's something important in that cabinet, if you can help me break it open."
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Spoiler:
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
"Yes, it's good to see you," says Diane. "Did you get our message? There's the cube." She points to it.
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
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Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
"But it is you who have helped me," Sergeant Mulverhill replies to Miss Poole. "Perhaps an explanation is in order." So saying, he pulls off one of his gloves and raises his hand. Upon a finger can be seen a gold ring bearing on its face the symbol of a compass and square. "You are probably already aware that John Bidwell was a member of the organization known as the Freemasons, to which I also belong. I confess my recent actions in visiting Bidwell's house and in following you have been at the behest of my society rather than in my work as a police officer. You are no doubt also aware that Bidwell had suffered a mental lapse -- in fact he was found to be totally, savagely insane -- and was until recently confined to Albrooke Asylum.
It was our private belief, among several prominent London Masons, that John Bidwell may have been the murderer Jack the Ripper. The evidence was compelling. The Ripper first struck in August 1888, and ended his bloody career in November, leaving five women dead. John Bidwell had returned from Australia in July of 1888, just prior to the crimes. The murders ended after he entered the asylum in November. In addition, his irrational hatred of women was known to us. We feared the public repercussions if the Ripper were found to be a Freemason.
It was through your discovery of Bidwell's private journal which I confiscated that we were able to learn the truth. Studying the entries it became apparent that Bidwell had alibis for two of the evenings on which murders occurred, and at which dozens of witnesses could corroborate his story. The journal proves Bidwell is not the Ripper. Hence, we owe you thanks for your assistance.
Yet there are questions which remain unanswered," he continues, glancing at the strange sphere and mechanical apparatus. "If Bidwell was not the Ripper then why did he become insane, gibbering about having visited an alien world? Why was he murdered by his butler? Why was he using this gang of Chinese criminals to hide his activities?
I had intercepted your message to Inspector Cleveland from Dr. Campbell at the museum, a fellow Mason, hence I followed you here," he adds at Miss Siddons' question. "What is this cube of which you speak?"
Mr. McKerry:
At that moment Mr. McKerry gives a strangled gasp and collapses to the floor, unmoving. Sergeant Mulverhill rushes to his side. "He's unconscious, not breathing. He's been poisoned. Don't touch that cabinet with your bare hands!"
He attempts to resuscitate the dying man.
Without success.
Everyone in the room:
Professor Powell:
As Professor Powell examines the machine, the sphere on the pedestal suddenly glows brighter.
Downstairs...
As Reverend Somerhayes is talking there comes the sound of a commotion from the doorway. Several police constables with truncheons enter the restaurant, led by Inspector Cleveland and Sergeant Craig. At this, Lee Ho Fook dashes away for the kitchen exit. "After him!" Inspector Cleveland shouts and Sergeant Craig takes off running after Lee Ho Fook.
Recognizing you, Inspector Cleveland walks over. "I received your message, Reverend. What's going on here?"
It was our private belief, among several prominent London Masons, that John Bidwell may have been the murderer Jack the Ripper. The evidence was compelling. The Ripper first struck in August 1888, and ended his bloody career in November, leaving five women dead. John Bidwell had returned from Australia in July of 1888, just prior to the crimes. The murders ended after he entered the asylum in November. In addition, his irrational hatred of women was known to us. We feared the public repercussions if the Ripper were found to be a Freemason.
It was through your discovery of Bidwell's private journal which I confiscated that we were able to learn the truth. Studying the entries it became apparent that Bidwell had alibis for two of the evenings on which murders occurred, and at which dozens of witnesses could corroborate his story. The journal proves Bidwell is not the Ripper. Hence, we owe you thanks for your assistance.
Yet there are questions which remain unanswered," he continues, glancing at the strange sphere and mechanical apparatus. "If Bidwell was not the Ripper then why did he become insane, gibbering about having visited an alien world? Why was he murdered by his butler? Why was he using this gang of Chinese criminals to hide his activities?
I had intercepted your message to Inspector Cleveland from Dr. Campbell at the museum, a fellow Mason, hence I followed you here," he adds at Miss Siddons' question. "What is this cube of which you speak?"
Mr. McKerry:
Spoiler:
He attempts to resuscitate the dying man.
Spoiler:
Everyone in the room:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Downstairs...
As Reverend Somerhayes is talking there comes the sound of a commotion from the doorway. Several police constables with truncheons enter the restaurant, led by Inspector Cleveland and Sergeant Craig. At this, Lee Ho Fook dashes away for the kitchen exit. "After him!" Inspector Cleveland shouts and Sergeant Craig takes off running after Lee Ho Fook.
Recognizing you, Inspector Cleveland walks over. "I received your message, Reverend. What's going on here?"
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Ann Veronica rushes to the stricken McKerry. Loosening his collar, she attempts to help him breathe more easily.
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Spoiler:
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
"It's cobra venom!" calls Diane as she kneels to help Gordon McKerry. "Remember Lee Ho Fook's warning! Don't touch the cabinet with your bare hands, use gloves or something. Perhaps the antidote is inside!"
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
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The Shadow Over Dunwich
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The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
“Message?” mutters Absolom, then as realisation dawns, “Ah yes, message. Quick man the others are above searching some damnable opium den. But beware inspector the stairs are guarded by some huge Chinaman”
Absolom grabs his stick, and quickly draining the last of his tea and bowing politely to his tea companion, points towards the door to the stairs.
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
- Anais Nin
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Everyone in the room:
As the investigators in the office attempt to revive the stricken Mr. McKerry they do not immediately see the figure step out from behind the curtained area next to the shrine.
The Chinese man's physical appearance is nondescript: he wears ordinary clothing and could easily be just another of the common thugs seen earlier. He carries no weapons. Yet something is different about this one. His limbs hang at odd angles and he moves with a jerky gait as if unnacustomed to walking. He makes a continuous strange clicking sound in his throat and his eyes are somehow inhuman, like those of the butler Hanson after Bidwell's murder, or of the Chinese woman in Limehouse, or of Constable Baker, in those fleeting glimpses before they fled.
This man moves to stand next to the machine and with a fumbling hand flicks a series of switches and valves. The machine's activity intensifies; all its dishes swivel and direct toward a single point on the nearby wall. As the humming, steam-spouting device rattles and shudders, the wall begins to shimmer and a hazy tunnel forms in midair, a manifestation not unlike the one you saw in last night's strange "dream".
In the shimmering field's unearthly light you observe a ghostly shadow-image super-imposed over the figure of the Chinese man like an invisible aura revealed: an eyeless, slug-like thing nearly ten feet long.
Mr. McKerry lies on the brink of death...
The strange sphere glows eerily...
The tunnel slowly expands...
Everyone conscious in the room:
Reverend Somerhayes is followed by Inspector Cleveland and a pair of truncheon-wielding constables up the hidden stairs leading to the den. The guard, Guang Lun, appears to have fled along with Lee Ho Fook. The reinforced door stands ajar as those of the customers who are not too intoxicated to move also attempt to escape the police raid. The golden Buddha statue stands in place but having previously been present when the mechanism was discovered the reverend is able to open the concealed door to an astonishing scene. Inspector Cleveland gasps audibly.
Spoiler:
The Chinese man's physical appearance is nondescript: he wears ordinary clothing and could easily be just another of the common thugs seen earlier. He carries no weapons. Yet something is different about this one. His limbs hang at odd angles and he moves with a jerky gait as if unnacustomed to walking. He makes a continuous strange clicking sound in his throat and his eyes are somehow inhuman, like those of the butler Hanson after Bidwell's murder, or of the Chinese woman in Limehouse, or of Constable Baker, in those fleeting glimpses before they fled.
This man moves to stand next to the machine and with a fumbling hand flicks a series of switches and valves. The machine's activity intensifies; all its dishes swivel and direct toward a single point on the nearby wall. As the humming, steam-spouting device rattles and shudders, the wall begins to shimmer and a hazy tunnel forms in midair, a manifestation not unlike the one you saw in last night's strange "dream".
In the shimmering field's unearthly light you observe a ghostly shadow-image super-imposed over the figure of the Chinese man like an invisible aura revealed: an eyeless, slug-like thing nearly ten feet long.
Spoiler:
The strange sphere glows eerily...
The tunnel slowly expands...
Everyone conscious in the room:
Spoiler:
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Spoiler:
Torn between helping Gordon and trying to stop whatever infernal business is going on with the device, he suddenly settles on a course of action which might help both causes at once: he barrels into the Chinese man, choosing his angle in such a way that he tries to crash him into the cabinet in order to try and break it open. He takes care as much as possible to try and avoid contact between the cabinet and his skin.
Spoiler:
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Wheezing heavily with the effort but managing to keep up with the policemen, Absolom, reaches for the hidden switch to open the door. It opens to reveal a sight that not only produces a gasp from the Inspector but one of equal force from Absolom as with horrified eyes he gazes into the room. “Dear God! Make haste Inspector, pray God that you have a gun!!”
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
- Anais Nin
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Ann Veronica
Ann Veronica calls out to Mulverhill. "If you have a weapon Sergeant, you'd best use it!"
Ann Veronica calls out to Mulverhill. "If you have a weapon Sergeant, you'd best use it!"
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Diane has never even played a physician, and she has no idea how to save Gordon. She screams in shock when she sees the shadow.
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Inspector Cleveland pulls out his revolver at Reverend Somerhayes' urging but hesitates as to where he should fire. Sergeant Mulverhill looks on helplessly at Miss Poole's shout as he leans over Mr. McKerry's still form.
Spoiler:
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Ann Veronica
This is the first time for Ann Veronica to see the reality of what they are facing. The completely alien nature of their foe causes this confident and self-assured woman to doubt everything she's ever known. Fighting the presence in her head, she manages to pull herself together. She steps up to the device and raises her foot, stamping down as hard as she can.
This is the first time for Ann Veronica to see the reality of what they are facing. The completely alien nature of their foe causes this confident and self-assured woman to doubt everything she's ever known. Fighting the presence in her head, she manages to pull herself together. She steps up to the device and raises her foot, stamping down as hard as she can.
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Shaking his mind free of the rising chill, Absolom grasps the shoulder of the inspector, noting his apparent confusion over a target for his pistol. “Quick man, the box. Shoot the damned thing!!”
He has no reason other than a hunch that destroying the puzzle box may be the best thing to do.
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
- Anais Nin
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
"Wait, what if the antidote is in the box!" shouts Diane, hurrying to the cabinet presuming the Inspector holds his fire. "You could destroy it! Let me see if I can open it!" She quickly has it open.
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Spoiler:
Re: The Eyes of a Stranger
Miss Siddons succeeds in solving and opening the Chinese puzzle box from the cabinet. Inside, at the center of the ornate box, she discovers a tiny vial of clear liquid marked 'ELIXIR VITI'.
The possessed man struggles against Professor Powell's restraining grip.The man breaks loose and starts toward Miss Poole.He takes only a few steps however when he appears to lose control of his flailing limbs and abruptly collapses to the floor, writhing.
Professor Powell:
Miss Poole kicks out at the machine.
She does a small amount of damage only: the device continues its whirring, steaming activity.
As the machine is struck everyone in the room suddenly feels the hovering, shimmering sphere of Juk-Shabb sending a warning spasm into their mind: you can sense it preparing to lash out in some direction with its ineffable mental energy...
Everyone conscious 1:
Meanwhile at the far end of the expanding tunnel there can now be seen indistinct shapes: huge malevolent alien worm-shapes like those encountered in last night's vision, shuffling toward this world, bent on conquering...
Everyone conscious 2:
The possessed man struggles against Professor Powell's restraining grip.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Professor Powell:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
As the machine is struck everyone in the room suddenly feels the hovering, shimmering sphere of Juk-Shabb sending a warning spasm into their mind: you can sense it preparing to lash out in some direction with its ineffable mental energy...
Everyone conscious 1:
Spoiler:
Everyone conscious 2:
Spoiler:
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