S2E4: "Who will lead me?"

From the Beginning: 

https://rigglew5totk.blogspot.com/2019/07/part-1-tatters-of-king.html

[Last seen, Mikael was still in Bombay detained by the police for the ship attack.]

Thursday, 17 January: Small creatures, unlike anything they’d ever seen. Jen calls them pygmies standing 3 feet tall, but their hairless black-as-tar skin suggests non-human. Morning sun glints off the Tcho-Tcho’s sharpened teeth as they grin at John while pointing to the cliffs. Fortune they see John as a god and bow to him; otherwise, they could easily swarm and kill all of the humans. Lionel pulls out the picture of Anzalone to show to the creatures: their grin widens as they laugh while pointing to the caves above. “Sounds like we’re supposed to go into that particular cave where Anzalone’s team entered. Grab food, ropes, and climbing gear; leave the rest as too heavy.” John grabs his oxygen backpack but the pygmies rush forward while pointing to the rest of the men. George interprets, “I don’t think their god is supposed to labor.”

S2E3: Across Country and Up a Little Hill Called the Himalaya

[Tony (aka Mikael) was unavailable to play]

Monday, 31 December: Having disembarked the liner Viceroy of India and accepted Mrs. Tullis’ offer to “stay at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel as my guests”, the group is just about to climb into cabs when they are confronted by local police. “Mr. Androvich? Mikael? If you’ll please come with us; there is a matter of assault aboard the ship. Please, hand over your passport.” John tries to intervene, “We’ve already settled this with the ship captain. The stoker compensated. Mikael is under my employment. Our sponsor will pay for his release.” Mikael is led away.

Bombay streets

Siva

Jenny stands at her room balcony overlooking the city, “Oh my, look at the crowded streets. Row upon row of factories belching smoke, throngs of people cramming the streets. It’s like someone kicked an ant-bed and thousands upon millions came pouring out.” A new voice speaks up from the front door having been let in, “Yes, it is a marvelous city isn’t she. We are a loving people of large families and even the children are put to work in those factories. Hello, I am Siva. Mrs. Tullis said you needed a guide? Where would you like to go? Sightseeing?”

S2E2 Chasing Malcolm, Hither and Yond

Friday, 14 December:  Silence at Nugs farm having survived the encounter with Gresty’s summoned horrors. A tourniquet on George’s leg trying to control his ruptured leg artery. John battered and bruised by thumping from the tree (cracked ribs and broken arm). Lionel sporting his own claw marks from the goatmen. Hillary left in total control of her farm, “Tell Malcolm I still love him. How Sarah is safe. Now go find him.”

“We’re not chasing anyone till we get medical care!” So, it’s a long drive back to London. George stretched across the backseat with Jenny monitoring his tourniquet as Lionel drives. John riding shotgun in his own car with Mikael driving… hitting every bump and pothole. John grimacing at each jolt as his broken ribs grind. Mikael comforting him, “U kri like a baby. I geet U dare in one maybe two pieces.”   

Saturday, 15 December: Early morning hours when they pull up to the hospital. [Credit Rating – failure; viewed as lower class] Longer hours waiting to be seen. Finally! “I stitched the artery and stopped the bleeding. No permanent damage as long as you stay off it. Rest and let it heal. As for you, Mr. Roberts, I’ve splinted your broken arm. Not much I can do for your broken ribs. Keep your wrappings tight and try not to bump into anything. It’s going to hurt like hell to breath, but better than the alternative. Take 2 aspirin every hour or laudanum if you can afford it.”

John takes a swig of laudanum before slowly climbing his museum steps. [Persuade – extreme] “Boss, I’ve come across information of some art pieces to add to the Wallace collection. Seems there is another Maiolica plate in Italy up for sale. With your financing, I’d like to take a crew to Italy to secure it.”

Meanwhile, Lionel is in contact with the ‘Thomas Cook’ travel agency. “Ship passage around Spain and thru the Straits of Gibraltar to Italy would take 4 days costing 2 pounds per passenger. But I’d recommend the ‘Simplon Orient Express’ thru Paris and around the Alps to Milan. 2 days and 1 pound per passenger. Give me a day to buy the tickets.”

S2E1 (British Gods): “We Ain’t Out of the Woods Yet”

Player	Max	Brian	Matt	Tony	Bill
Character	Jenny	John	George	Mikael	Lionel
Remarks	Beautiful aspiring actress; killer with her machete. Bout of madness.	340 lb museum curator.	Dockworker searching for fiancé kidnapped by cultists.	Ukrainian dockworker who escaped ‘White Russian’ purge.	Scotland Yard Inspector now involved per ghouls at Bacon’s house.

Lionel’s stoic demeanor was shattered as he stood before the burning…tree. “I thought you told me Carcosa and the ‘King-In-Yellow’ were no more, since the gate collapsed up in Loch Mullardoch?! What the hell did we just encounter?! What the hell is Malcolm Quarrie up to?” Lionel tried to regain his composure as he reached for his pipe, then realized he had sacrificed it to ignite the… tree. Then realization he’d also tossed his flask of scotch at the thing, “God, I could use a drink right now.”

Part 9 Epilogue: Police Reports and Follow-Ups

SCOTLAND YARD POLICE REPORT INVESTIGATOR: Inspector Lionel Taylor              DATE: 3 December, 1928 TITLE: Police Blotter Call #451273; neighborly call regarding foul odor. LOCATION: 112 Liverpool Road, Holloway, North London INITIATING ACTION: Call by Mrs. Gladdis Knight, at 110 Liverpool Road, complaining about foul odor from neighbor’s house. DETECTIVE REPORT: The house belongs to the deceased Mr. Lawrence Bacon, found murdered on 28 November, blocks from his home. I Interviewed Mrs. Knight who reported seeing a large man enter the house over the last 3 days; beginning 2 days after Mr. Bacon’s demise. She’d seen the same man in the company of 4 others back on 27 November: a woman, a larger man, and 2 others she could not describe because of shadows. I entered Mr. Bacon’s house confirming the foul odor coming from the kitchen where I found the most horrid creature gnawing on a human femur. Raising it like a club, it tried to attack me. But 3 bullets quickly felled the thing. I was able to snap a picture of the beast (photo evidence #23) just before the creature began to decompose and turn to dust. I searched the rest of the house, finding dirt tunnels below the kitchen, in the food cellar. Red-beady eyes starred back at me till I fired another 3 rounds. I climbed out of the tunnel and pushed furnishing into it to block their passage. I then climbed out of the cellar and shoved heavy furniture atop the trap door. Upon further investigation, I’ve learned the original large man to be Dr. Oliver Richardson; the psychologist we occasionally hire to assist with profiling serial killers. Last reported by his secretary, Mr. Oliver is on a business trip to Scotland. Upon his return, I will interview him and his known associates to ascertain just what has been going on at the Bacon house. EVIDENCE: Photo #23 (ghoul), one book titled “An Artistic Study of Ghouls” by Walter Pickman. REVIEWED BY:                                                     STATUS:

Part 9: Paradise and Road Kill (You only have to be faster than the slowest)

Sunday, 2 December: The group has made idle conversation with Henry Lister; a cultist and friend of Alexander who wrote the book, Der Wanderer Durch Den See. Lister recognizes the book Oliver holds, “Hey, I actually know that author, Alexander Roby. Going toward Inverness to meet him. He’s one of the group. Maybe I can introduce you. What’d you say your names are?”

And that’s what prompts the team to eliminate Lister, “If he describes meeting us to Coombs or Edwards…”

Monday, 3 December: 1am when the team walks the empty corridor of Lister’s sleeper car. Oliver stops at the car door, “Dad and I will keep watch for the porter. Dad, you go watch at the other door.” The others tip-toe toward Lister’s cabin. The clickity-clack of the rails drowns any noise they make, but John is still on edge when Jenny stoops to pick the lock. “Click.” Jenny steps into the dark room. Moonlight peeks around the shades to reveal the sleeping form.

Jenny grabs the spare pillow and covers the snoring face. She hangs on for a wild bucking ride as Lister struggles for breath. John enters the room to put his 340 pounds atop the pillow. The bucking ride soon ends. George is already opening the window.

John and George struggle to shove the body out the window and into the cold Scottish night, after emptying Lister’s pockets and taking his whistle. “Here’s his Machine-Press ID and a business card for a ‘Glenaffrie Cars’ in Inverness.”

The train wanders thru beautiful countryside but the team is too absorbed in planning to enjoy. “We could be days or weeks ahead of the ceremonial event. If not a full year early. Let’s search for the trucking that delivered the stones. Scout out the lodge and maybe find the stones where the ritual is to be performed. But stay undercover. Jen, maybe you and John can pretend to be a married couple.”

Part 8: Bacon, Ghouls, and a train ride north to Inverness

Wednesday, 21 November: George remembers the search of Evan’s (aka Montague Edward’s) house in Weobley, “The refrigerator was full of Scottish food. I recognized the haggis. Assuming he’s Scottish, maybe we should research that area for the report of the stones transported north.”

21-26 November: Down time to research and practice. “If we’re going to confront Bacon next week, we’d best practice our shooting. Oliver, the way you made Coombs laugh at your wild shots, YOU could use some lessons.” And so, George takes John and Oliver to the range to instruct. [George: Firearms failure 93 versus 90]. Oliver pulls the trigger and the round ricochets back, zinging past their ears. George pushes his instructions [Firearms failure 97 versus 90]: John turns to ask if he grip is correct …”Blam!”… the derringer bullet grazes George’s forearm. “God help us!”

George gives up instructing and uses the rest of the week to dig for information regarding his missing fiancée Emma. John takes Oliver back to the Seven Sister’s Library to research the Scottish link. John fails to find any cult or pagan articles of interest. Oliver searches for historical landmarks similar to Stonehenge; nope. “What about the last name Edwards?” Success! An Edwards’ lineage…Lord of Mullardoch. An estate on the slopes of Loch Mullardoch west of Inverness.

Part 7: Premonitions? Or the Obvious?

Max (aka Jenny) and Brian (aka John) are absent. Denny (aka Bartholomew) drops out of the campaign due to his real-life work.

Monday - Wednesday, 12-14 November: Remembrance Day over, it’s time to get back to real work. Oliver greets his secretary, “’Morning Marge. Hope you and your hubby had a relaxing weekend. So, who’s my first patient?” Breakthrough with some treatments as Oliver actually listens with a hint of belief and understanding of his patients’ worries and fears. And with his lunch hours open, Oliver takes time to research. His trip to the Royal Society to ask about Malcolm Quarrie. “He left years ago.” Another day check at Malcolm’s home at 12 Morten Street. The young couple, “He sold the place back in ’26. Seemed upset and left in a rush. Said something about leaving the island. Yes, he left a few boxes…basement if you’d like to look.” Searching turns up Malcom’s copy of Alex’s book and Quarrie’s own book.

George too finds odd jobs around the docks to help pay his bills. And cash to buy a gun. Of course, AFTER he pays the police bribe for the license to carry.

Oded spends his time reading Der Wanderer Durch Den See, trying to learn a spell. Lunchtime finds him wandering the streets to relax; until his eyes play tricks as he’s drawn to a pipe tobacco ad. Smoke rings rising from the pipe. But these rings coalesce into the yellow sign! Oded pulls his blade to slash the smoke and poster. More earnest to read and research. To the library studying astronomy. Just when does the Taurus constellation reach its zenith? The first week of January.

Dinnertime finds the allies comparing notes at their favorite locale.

Part 6 - That ain’t no Angel!

Max (aka Jenny) and Denny (aka Bartholomew) are absent. New player Matt (aka George) joins us. The Persian finally introduces himself.

Friday, 9 November: John and Oliver gather at the corner diner that has become their favorite locale. Jen bows out as she impatiently waits for the police to release her machete from the evidence locker. Bartholomew cannot be bothered as he has buried himself working on his latest contraption. Thus, it’s John introducing a guest to Oliver, “George was admiring naval artifacts at my museum. Sailor he is. As we chatted, I learned he has interest in cults such as we have stumbled upon. Seems his fiancé witnessed a ceremony and now has disappeared. I suggested he join us. Another strong arm in case we encounter that black cloaked ruffian you keep telling us about. Maybe we can benefit each other.” The dinner turns into hours as John and Oliver backfill the story for George. George offering, “I may be late to the show, but a new set of eyes and ears never hurt. Maybe I’ll find something you overlooked.”

Part 5: Interview of a madman and poor Jenny without her machete; PHEW!

[last minute cancellations by Tony, Denny, and Brian put the weight on Jenny and Oliver. Who couldn’t roll worth a damn!]

Wednesday, 7 November, 1928: Last night was a long night after explaining to the bobbies why Jenny felt she had to defend herself and kill Peter Morrison. Jenny feeling more remorse at having lost her machete (“It was Billy Black’s”) than the fact she had killed…again. Morning couldn’t come soon enough, with a letter delivered from Mr. Grahame Roby authorizing his PI Vincent Tuck to show his files detailing his 1925 research of Alexander’s activities and contacts. But that will have to wait as Oliver calls Dr. Highsmith to announce his coming visit to check on Alex. “Remember, no meds as I want to see him as he’d be released.” But Oliver fails to convince the doctor [failed Persuade 92; failed Push 96]. Dr. H insisting on half-meds. Oliver dejected as he and Jen board the 10:20am train for their trip to St. Agnes asylum. The long 5-hour trip…enough time for Oliver to try enlisting other passengers to support his position on no meds. A long medical summary to his trapped audience, “If you’d but show up at the asylum to support my position. Yes, yes. The steps of St. Agnes asylum.” The passengers saying anything to get the madman out of their face. Them not able to get off the train fast enough when it pulls into the Weobley station near 4pm.

A taxi ride to the Red Lion Pub to secure rooms before heading out to the asylum. But instead, they find Dr. Charles Highsmith and nurse Price waiting in the pub, “I thought it best to talk here first before your visit with patient W.” Oliver surprised, “Had I known you’d be here, I would have told my backers to join us to express their support of no meds.” Oliver doesn’t notice a few of those train passengers stepping into the pub only to quickly turn and exit once they hear and see Oliver, “Oh hell no! That man is insane and should be locked up himself. There’s gotta be other lodging.”

Obviously stressed, Charles offers, “The 2^nd nurse killing just days ago has everyone on edge. I’ve learned you’re a serial-killer profiler for Scotland Yard; I was hoping to get your take on what has been happening.” The details: nurse Frederick Long killed 4 days ago in the kitchen in the middle of the night. The butcher knife recovered. Blood everywhere. Two blood types identified (O and A). Nurse Price confirming there were two blood types identified at nurse Yates’ murder within Lucius’ cell. But Yates was killed in a padded cell with a barred window and locked door. Long was killed in the kitchen with easy access. “Long’s truncheon was still hanging from his belt; he must have known his assailant and thus caught by surprise. The doors were locked which has the police and myself wondering if these could be an inside job. Thus, we’ve ordered the nurses to pair up on shifts.” Oliver and Jen ask more questions without answers.

Part 4 - Alexander’s book and associates

[Denny and Angela could not attend; thus, the absence of Bartholomew and Evie.]

Sunday, 4 November, 1928: As John reads about the stabbing death of Dr. Trollope, Oliver gasps at the description of the attacker, reported by a newspaper boy who witnessed it all, “A tall man, in a long dark coat.” Oliver turns to Jen to remind her, “That sounds like the same man who told us to leave after the murder.” The others at the table stunned, “What murder?!”

Jen talking thru her mouthful of food (as if it was no big deal), “It wasn’t murder; more self-defense as he stabbed me first.” Oliver choking on his food as he tries to explain, “We only went to interview Mr. Talbot Estes; you know, the producer of that Carcosa play. Next thing I know, Jen drops a book, Estes is on his hands-n-knees to pick it up, he screams about Jen taking something, Jen screams in pain, then her machete flashes and Estes has a new grin from ear to ear. And that’s when the man in all black appears at the back door and commands us to leave. I’m sure the same tall man that confronted me at the bar the other night. So, hell yes we ran. And this morning I read how Mr. Estes’ house burnt down last night.”

A lot of discussion before they decide to get Mr. Grahame Roby’s version of his brother’s involvement in the family double-homicide. Oliver drives all to Mr. Roby’s estate surrounded by a tall, spiked metal fence with buzzer speaker at the gate. John steps forward, “We’d like to speak to Mr. Roby about his brother. Tomorrow? No, it’s important we see him now. Appointment?” Jenny tries to bluff their way in. Oliver offers, “This is about the pending release of his brother Alexander.” The magic words that unlock the gate. An elder maid, Ms. Vetch, leads them to the parlor. Soon a gentleman in suit and bowtie appears, “You have 10 minutes before my next appointment. Now what’s this about my brother? So, you’re the expert psychologist; tell me, do you plan to release him? So, you haven’t made a decision yet; let me offer advice.”

Part 3 - What Murder?!

Wednesday, 31 October, 1928: Nothing else to see or learn in Lucius’ cell, they back out of the room. [Group Luck roll: 00] Coming face-to-face with nurse Price!

Oliver rambles before coming up with an excuse, “I…I found the cell unlocked and felt it prudent to check it out.” Nurse Price not believing, “How dare you! I must tell Dr. Highsmith.” John stepping in to save face [Persuade/Intimidate success], “Yes. Do call the doctor and explain how this patient gains access to pencils to pass along to Alex. How he possibly stole your keys to unlock his cell. How a man in a straight-jacket could perform these feats. Or was it oversight by a nurse leaving the cell unlocked?” Now Price rambling, “No. No…no need to get the doctor involved. I’ll speak with nurse Evans who performed the last rounds. No need to mention this incident.” Oliver adding conclusion, “I think it best for us to search Lucius…just in case.” So, they entered the cell, guarded the patient after removing the jacket, and failed to find anything.

Nurse Price looking quite embarrassed and tense as the group meets with Dr. Highsmith. Oliver giving his assessment, “I haven’t made a final conclusion but my initial impression is Mr. Roby is not ready to leave. I’d suggest you wean him off meds before I return for another evaluation. In the meantime, I’d like to speak with Dr. Trollope. You’ve already arranged a meeting with him on the 2^nd? At his own office in London’s Whitechapel district? Thank you.”

It’s been a long day and thus another night in Weobley at the Red Lion Pub. After midnight when a scream down the hall erupts; all rushing to Evie’s room where she sits on the edge of her bed sweating profusely and quite disturbed. John knocking and entering to the smell of rancid fruit yet none visible. “I was walking down a busy street, fumbling with my house key, when it suddenly changed to a small, grotesque, human-like figure. A fetish. Suddenly the streets are gone, the city gone. It’s a flat land with the smell of water in the air, mixed with the sweet smell of rancid fruit. 9 pagan-like stones surround me. Then the people around me blink out of existence; I’m alone. Then suddenly being lifted up for inspection like a child eyeing an insect. An insignificant speck.” Oliver was the last to enter the room and could not smell anything, “I told you not to eat those pickled eggs at the bar. No wonder you dream of that smell. Your belching the source of what John smelled upon entering.”

Part 2 - Asylums on every corner; Life is like a box of nuts.

Saturday, 20 October, 1928: The haunting experience at the seance had Oliver retreating to Hyde Park to seek spiritual guidance from his father who was murdered near the same park bench. [Failed SAN check even with bonus die] His father appeared only to torment him, “Did I raise a crybaby? Face your fears…and quit drooling on yourself. Life is hard; your patients show you that.” So much for self-healing. Oliver decided a trip to seek professional counsel elsewhere. Why not East Anglia where the 1925 deaths occurred. There is an asylum there. Treatment AND research; two birds with one stone. “Ring, ring. Evie, I’ll be out of the office a few days tops. I’ll call if I get held up. But I should easily be back in time for our 29 Oct meeting.”

Evie was planning her own phone call; long distance…Trans-Atlantic…to America. “Yes operator, Boston; Penguin Publishing…. Hello? Yes, I’m trying to get in contact with Mr. Chambers. Author of romance novels? No, I’m looking for the Chambers who translated ‘The King in Yellow’. The same author?! My, what different topics. I know it’s Saturday. Fine, then PLEASE have him telegram me soonest. We saw a play here in London based on his book translation of ‘The King in Yellow’. The audience reacted quite… Well, I was hoping he could tell me the source of his story; his inspiration. Anything to help us solve this dire mystery. By the way, is there an outlet here in London that sells his romance novels?”

Part 1: Tatters of the King

Wednesday, 17 October, 1928: The car rocked awkwardly as John (all 340 lbs) stepped out to make room for the new passengers to climb into the back seats, “Evie, Bartholomew. I am so glad you could join me for this new play. I had a hell of a time convincing Oliver to come socialize. Harder still helping him find a clean shirt. I told him if he drove, I’d get the drinks and snacks. I didn’t tell him those are free with this opening night production tickets my office passed out. It’s an adaptation of a French play now titled ‘Carcosa’ or ‘The Queen and the Stranger’. Here’s the flyer that came with the tickets.”

One thing can be said about Oliver’s 1921 Bentley: with two 300 lb men in the front seats, it has solid traction in this harsh London winter. While Oliver could be considered a slob, he does pamper his car he got for a steal after its wreck. Refurbished with extra strong suspension.

Oliver pulled up to the front of the Scala Theater on Charlotte street and let the valet service park his baby. The three men escorted Evie up the steps and paused to shake the snow off their heavy winter coats before entering the theater lobby where they found a small crowd of fellow patrons. John seemed disappointed, “For an opening night I was expecting more. But then I don’t really know anything about this play. Ah, here’s a program listing the cast.

Now what does everyone want to drink?” A timely question as a waiter approached with a tray of champagne glasses. “Bubblies. Oh Oliver.” Oliver tried to explain, “I’ve never had this before. The bubbles tickled my nose.” Which explained the champagne stains on his once clean shirt [DEX 94].

Character Introductions

	[Denny] Bartholomew Barstow, scientist, egghead, professor.  Gadget maker and weird sciences are my back ground.  I spend most of my time in my physics lab at the University of London where several students seem to always be under foot.
	[Brian] John Roberts, museum curator of the Wallace Collection housed at Hertford House in Manchester Square. A libertine originally from America, he divorced his wife due to infidelity on his part. He has a 10 year old son and intends to live his life to the fullest.  He is also selfish.  He truly appreciates art but cannot produce anything artistic, drawing mostly darker subjects.
	[Bill] Oliver Richardson, parapsychologist at the Chiswick Asylum in the London Borough of Hounslow. Driven to understand what drives the madman, for a madman killed his father who also was an asylum doctor. Too buried in his patients to care for himself. Thus, disheveled with rumpled clothing and food stains on his shirt. Skilled hypnotist using his father’s gold-chain pocket-watch as his focus. Works with the police identifying serial killers.
	[Angela] Evie. mystic artist. I not only draw what I see in reality, but in the mystic world as well!
	[Tony] Oded Fehr. He is a Persian and that is all we know so far.

 

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