Tatters of the King - User contributions [en-gb]

Aftermath

2006-10-04T04:07:33Z

219.89.207.51: /* George Withers */

==Nathaniel Browne==

Browne married Francesca a month after Andrew Saunders's memorial service in Scotland. They honeymooned in America where Browne sought out Robert W Chambers. After this meeting Browne decided to try his hand at writing non-supernatural fiction and much like Chambers before him he became a hugely successful, but critically reviled writer of light romances.

His first novel "Love At Sea" told the tale of an author meeting a beautiful woman on an ocean liner to India and was filmed in the mid 1950s with Alec Guinness in the main role.

Browne converted to Catholicism in 1938, having taken that long to convince Francesca to do the same.

Browne and Francesca had 5 children and 12 grandchildren and died in 1980, surrounded by those he loved.

Session 16

2006-10-03T20:26:53Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 2nd October, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 2nd October, 2006==

=== The Upper House - February 1930 ===

[[Image:king.jpg|right]]
The [[King in Yellow]] appears standing beside the gate. He was not seen to pass through it.

The King does not speak, but all hear his words in their minds:

GREETINGS PILGRIMS I AM THE KING IN YELLOW WHICH OF YOU HAS COME TO GUIDE ME?

THE WHITE ACOLYTE WILL BE MY HONOURED SERVANT MY HIGH PRIEST TO CARRY MY GOSPEL TO THE WORLD

===Nathaniel Browne===

Ahead of the others, [[Nathaniel]] stands, awestruck by the power and majesty of the being before him. This is his muse, the very personification of the driving force behind the last year and a half of his life. There seems nothing more important to him than to be the servant of this being, this god, this king. But he remembers. He remembers the deaths of [[Bacon]], [[Edwards]], and [[Quarrie]]. He remembers the grave of [[Frederick Bartlett]], his friend. He remember the horrors which have followed him and his friends across London, across England, across oceans and high mountains. He remembers his dream, the graveyard of the world. At last, finally and overwhelmingly, he remembers [[Francesca]]. His love is a greater thing than his art. His head moves slowly to the left, then to the right in slow, but unmistakable, denial. He passes the test. He will not serve. He will not be the [[White Acolyte]].

===Andrew Saunders===

===George Withers===

Such is the power of the King in Yellow's presence that for a brief moment even [[Withers]] remains transfixed by his majesty and beauty. Of all his friends and companions Withers has always remained the most unaffected and unimpressed by the power of the dream they have been pursuing. Far, far removed from the positive revelry in sensation that Nathaniel Browne has abandoned himself to and distant even from the professional curiosity about those people affected, felt by his close friend Doctor Frederick Bartlett. Frederick. The thought of his friend snaps Withers out of his brief reverie - his dear friend was butchered by one of the servants or heralds or some damn thing serving the creature that stands before him now. How could he have allowed himself, even for a second, to waver in his purpose!. That THING is a threat to every thing he holds dear and there is no damn way that George Withers is going to be the White Acolyte. He'd burn in hell first!

===Umberto===

Session 16

2006-10-03T20:26:02Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 2nd October, 2006 */

Session 16

2006-10-03T03:19:15Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 2nd October, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 2nd October, 2006==

=== The Upper House - February 1930 ===

[[Image:king.jpg|right]]
The [[King in Yellow]] appears standing beside the gate. He was not seen to pass through it.

The King does not speak, but all hear his words in their minds:

GREETINGS PILGRIMS I AM THE KING IN YELLOW WHICH OF YOU HAS COME TO GUIDE ME?

THE WHITE ACOLYTE WILL BE MY HONOURED SERVANT MY HIGH PRIEST TO CARRY MY GOSPEL TO THE WORLD

===Nathaniel Browne===

Ahead of the others, [[Nathaniel]] stands, awestruck by the power and majesty of the being before him. This is his muse, the very personification of the driving force behind the last year and a half of his life. There seems nothing more important in life than to be the servant of this being, this god, this king. But he remembers. He remembers the deaths of [[Bacon]], [[Edwards]], and [[Quarrie]]. He remembers the grave of [[Frederick Bartlett]], his friend. He remember the horrors which have followed him and his friends across London, across England, across oceans and high mountains. He remembers his dream, the graveyard of the world. At last, finally and overwhelmingly, he remembers [[Francesca]]. His love is a greater thing than his art. His head moves slowly to the left, then to the right, in slow but unmistakable denial. He passes the test. He will not serve. He will not be the [[White Acolyte]].

===Andrew Saunders===

===George Withers===

Such is the power of the King in Yellows presence that for a brief moment even Withers remains transfixed by his majesty and beauty. Of all his friends and companions Withers has always remained the most unaffected and unimpressed by the power of this dream they have been pursuing. Far far removed from the positive revelling in sensation that Nathaniel Browne abandoned himself to and distant even from the professional curiosity that his close friend Professor Frederick Bartlett felt for the effects on people that it caused. Frederick. The thought of his friend snaps him out of his brief reverie - his dear friend was butchered by one of the servants or heralds or some damn thing of the creature that stands before him now. How could he have allowed himself, even for a second, to waver in his purpose!. That THING is a threat to every thing he holds dear and there is no damn way that George Withers is going to be the White Acolyte. He'd burn in hell first!

===Umberto===

Session 15

2006-09-27T04:55:39Z

219.89.207.51: /* The Upper House */

==Session Report - Played Monday 25th September, 2006==

=== Thursday February 16th 1930 ===

--''continued''--

[[Image:drakmarnew.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The red cliffs of Drakmar]]
The investigators stand at the threshold of [[Drakmar]], in kingdom of [[Mustang]], the final destination of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s [[Pilgrimage of Grace]].

A quick count shows there are somewhere between 50 and 100 caves spread across the cliffs at heights between 30 and 150 feet about the valley floor. The investigators cross the valley for a closer look. En route they locate the remnants of the Italian expedition’s campsite and nearby a large flat stone stained with a large amount of blood. Though the blood is not fresh, nor is it more than a few weeks old.

Following a trail of blood spots [[Withers]] locates a fresh cairn under which it is assumed a body has been buried. The investigators discuss disturbing the dead, but decide against it.

[[Browne]] and [[Saunders]] climb up to the nearest cave. It is worn smooth as if by centuries of feet and leads to a small chamber whose walls are covered in thousands of tally marks in groups of nine. In the centre of the chamber is a small pile of bones which appear to be mix of birds and human finger bones.

[[Umberto]] thinks he catches a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye and sees a stone falling down the cliff. He climbs to where he thinks it came from and discovers a cave with a narrow crawlspace heading back into the cliff. He thinks better of crawling inside.

Several more caves are explored before night falls. Saunders finds a small pit filled with strips of dried human scalps. Other caves are connected by internal tunnels, but there is no sign of life or of fresh activity, and no further sign of [[Quarrie]] or his companions.

The investigators camp for the night in the first cave they had explored. During the night both [[Browne]] and [[Umberto]] have dreams of bestial savagery which feel like the intrusions of an alien intelligence, but which have none of the terrible beauty of Hastur. Each of them awakens, heart pounding.

=== Friday February 17th 1930 ===

As dawn approaches, Umberto is on watch, and it is he who first hears a disturbing human sobbing sound coming from a cave mouth high above the campsite. Taking his gun and a torch, Umberto climbs to investigate, waking nobody else.

When Saunders wakes up, Umberto is gone. He wakes the others and they hear the sobbing sound. Taking their packs and their weapons they clamber up towards the noise and enter the cave from which it issues. In leads into a tunnel that twists through the rock until a pale glow can be seen in the distance. The sobbing, oddly, is fading, but as it fades the deep slow heartbeat sound heard by [[Browne]] the day before is clearly audible to all.

Nervously the party edges forward as the passage opens up into a large chamber dominated by an archway on the far side which is lit up with a pearly glow. Beyond the arch can be seen the silhouette of a vast immobile bulk, a great squatting buddha with the head of an elephant, over the surface of which smaller creatures scurry. Despite the lack of any clarity in the image it is very disturbing.

There are two other entrances into the chamber and it is through one of these that [[Umberto]] now emerges, being held at spearpoint by a hideous black-skinned humanoid. The creature is a mass of naked muscle, but only 4ft tall. Its bald head is mis-shapen, its features inhuman. Before anyone can react a dozen more of the creatures emerge from the other entrance, and from behind the investigators can be heard many more, who have clearly entered the tunnel that they are using.

[[Image:anza.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Anzalone Transformed]]
The creatures do not speak, but from the archway emerges a man - or rather what remains of a man. Despite his hideous injuries and bizarre deformities, this appears to be [[Anzalone]]. Naked, with his eyes put out, his mouth a drooling, bloody, toothless hole and most horrible of all his nose and ears stretched, ragged and moving on their own in sick parody of the trunk and ears of an elephant.

Moving as one, [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] raise their guns and fire - their decision an instinctive reaction to put an end to Anzalone's obvious misery. Brownes's goes wide but Wither's bullet is true and the ruin that was once Anzalone falls twitching to the floor. The black creatures, clearly having never encountered firearms, swarm over the investigators. Saunders fails to get a shot off, but both Withers and Browne shoot a couple dead before they are disarmed. The creatures show no anger or distress at the deaths of some of their number, and do no violence to the investigators beyond disarming them.

The apparent chief of the creatures goes to Anzalone's corpse and examines it in apparent annoyance, then gives an order in a language that sounds vaguely Tibetan. Umberto is dragged over towards the gate and his hand held out. The chief uses a knife to cut his hand open and then paints a crude Yellow Sign on the wall beside the gate using Umberto's bloody palm.

The light from the gate changes to a pale cold blue, and the shadow of [[Chaugnar Faughn]] (as Umberto will shortly identify it to his companions) disappears.

The helpless investigators are forced through the gate, where a horrible high pitched whistling overwhelms their senses. The time spent travelling through the gate seems simultaneously mere seconds and endless aeons. As the sound fades the investigators find themselves standing in the middle of an endless icy plain under a starlit sky. They are still surrounded by the black humanoids, and there in front of them, with his own retinue of the creatures, stands [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

=== Leng ===

''NB: Whilst in Leng the investigators' watches refuse to keep time in any consistent manner. Within a few hours nobody has any idea how long they have been there, their very sense of time has become unreliable.''

Astonished at the appearance of Westerners, Quarrie is full of questions. He soon discovers the gist of their purpose and how it was they came to be here. He is unsurprised, and not unhappy, to discover that [[Bacon]] and [[Edwards]] are dead, and pleased to find that [[Roby]] reached Carcosa and that his wife and daughter are well.

He answers the investigators' questions, explaing how the black humanoids, who he calls the [[Tcho-Tcho]] worship the elephant god [[Chaugnar Faughn]] and have waited centuries for [[the White Acolyte]] believing that he will bring Chaugnar Faughn to Earth. In truth it was [[the King in Yellow]] who tricked them long ago into believing this, for it is the King that awaits the Acolyte.

He explains how [[Carlo Schippone]], maddened by the dreams of the elephant god, slew Major Delnegro in the night and fled and how [[Anzalone]] was taken by the Tcho-Tcho to be Chaugnar Faughn's companion as had been promised to them long ago. Quarrie regrets the deaths of the rest of his expedition, but believes their sacrifice worthwhile.

He explains that one of the five people here now must be the [[White Acolyte]], though obviously he hopes that he himself will be the one. The Tcho-Tcho are ready to leave now - they are to go to '[[the Upper House]]', the place where the King will come down from [[Aldebaran]] to [[Leng]]. The task of the Acolyte will be to lead him from there to Earth. Rather disturbing idea's occur to each member of the party and most studiously avoid looking in Nathaniel Brownes direction.

Quarrie is erudite, charming and has a pleasant nature, but he is absolutely immovable in his resolve to guide the King to Earth. Bereft of any way back to their homes, the investigators agree to travel with Quarrie, as yet undecided on how to deal with him. As the strange party of humans and Tcho-Tcho starts its trek across the cold wastes of Leng, the investigators start to work on trying to convince Quarrie that what he aims to do is misguided and terribly dangerous. He sees this as a test of faith and sets about trying to convince the others, especially [[Browne]] of the rightness of his cause.

Several hours into the trek across the featureless waste a great flying creature appears in the dstance. As it gets closer its true size and hideous appearance becomes obvious. Even though a couple of the investigators still carry revolvers (the Tcho-Tcho didn't recognise those as weapons and only took longarms) they decide against drawing them now, as the Tcho-Tcho would likely seize them. The monster screeches and dives at the group. Most dive to the ground, but Withers tries to seize a spear from a Tcho-Tcho and as they grapple for the weapon the great alien bird snatches the Tcho-Tcho and flies up with its prey. there is a crunch, a spray of blood and the Tcho-Tcho's severed head falls, striking Withers on the way down.

"Amazing," says Quarrie, "A ''shantak'' bird. this truly must be Leng!"

The Tcho-Tcho chief picks up the severed head and as the group moves on, begins to chew lumps off of it. The humans decide not to look.

The trek continues for hours, and the investigators and Quarrie are exhausted. Saunders is suffering especially badly, having not yet recovered from the trip to Drakmar. Browne realises that they are heading towards a bright star close to the horizon. he points it out to Quarrie and they agree it must be Albebaran. "I feel like I have been travelling toward it for the last year and a half" sighs Browne, "Much longer for me, my friend, much longer..." replies Quarrie. As they continue, it is Browne who first notices that Aldebaran has dipped behind some sort of a structure on the horizon. [[The Upper House]] is, at last, in sight.

=== The Upper House ===

The building is unspectacular. A square structure about 250 yards along a side and 20 yards high with sloping walls and a flat roof. Built of white stone and with a single wide doorway in the middle of the wall that the investigators are approaching.

A ring of plain obelisks surrounds the Upper House at a distance of a few hundred feet and the[[Tcho-Tcho]] do not cross the line of this circle. Quarrie, excited that his destination lies ahead, hurries forward and the investigators follow at once lest Quarrie get far enough ahead to lose them.

The five men enter the structure. The doorway gapes open into a wide corridor whose floor slopes slightly downward and whose walls are painted with images of alien beings in vast cyclopean cities. When they look back, a few tens of feet into the building, the investigators see that instead of the exit, all that lies behind them is an endless stretch of corridor. It is clear that the normal laws and space and time do not apply in this place. [[Browne]] hurries to keep up with [[Quarrie]] while [[Saunders]] and [[Umberto]] whisper to each other conspiratorialy. A faint piping sound can be heard far ahead, and Quarrie heads toward it without hesitation. The others follow.

The Upper House proves to be vast and complex. For hours the investigators and Quarrie wander great halls and vaults with only the light of their flashlights to piece the black. They encounter a great stairway into the earth but give up on its descent after 10 minutes. They decide to always try to move upwards where possible.

They reach a great chasm crossed by a narrow bridge, but, as Browne insists on not crossing, they instead choose to climb the wall behind them by way of a winding stair, only to find that the chamber at the top leads back to the very same bridge and very same stair. Saunders makes a mental note to tell his friend Professor Tolkien about this place.

They camp twice to get rest and to eat and quiet discussions on what to do take place. Both Brown and Withers, although agreeing that Quarrie seems currently unreachable, think that he is still a pleasant, unarmed and non threatening man and do not wish to take precipitate action. Withers although prepared to take drastic measures should there truly be no other option shrinks from the thought of cold blooded murder and hopes that Quarrie, like Roby before him, might finally see something which takes the rose coloured spectacles from his eyes and thus make him willing to lend his skills into preventing what he has until then been working towards. Umberto on the other hand grows more convinced that God has clear instructions for him to prevent what is occurring and works on the undecided Saunders, who is the only person in the party to still have a gun.

It is on the second of these stops that Umberto takes drastic action. He wakes to see Quarrie deep in conversation with Browne, who is finding Malcolm's arguments more and more convincing. Remembering [[Carlo Schippone]]'s account of the use of sorcery to turn the mind of major Delnegro, Umberto realises that Quarrie is more dangerous than he looks. He makes the decision to take an action long delayed.

Umberto requests, and is given, the gun that Saunders is carrying, he stands up, casually walks over to Quarrie and without warning puts a bullet through his brain. Blood and brain matter sprays over Browne, who leaps to his feet, the yellow-signed knife in his hand, and advances on Umberto, before suddenly coming to his senses and dropping the knife. There is a tense standoff as Browne argues that his mind is clear and urges Umberto to surrender his weapon. He realises that Quarrie had been successful in doing that which Crowley had failed to do at Marx's tomb, though the influence has retreated with Quarrie's death.

Despite the shock of Umberto's act the other three do not currently challenge him on it. Withers reclaims the gun, greatly regretting that he didn't have the for thought to do it earlier, but determined to keep it out of the hands of a man he is increasingly believing to be, at the very least, mentally unstable and perhaps a direct threat to the safety of Nathaniel Browne.

The investigators move on, leaving Quarrie's body behind, unburied. Soon they hear the pipes again, and start to feel they are making progress.

Eventually they pass through a chamber they have already seen, but this time there is a stairway up that was not there before. They have been wandering through the Upper House for an indeterminate time, but it could well be 2 or even 3 days. They are exhausted, but this discovery brings new hope.

=== The Plaza of the King ===

The stairs lead up to a broad open plaza under a starlit sky. Aldebaran, low in the sky, reflects from the polished stones. The piping has stopped, but upon the ground is found a set of pipes carved with the likeness of several [[Byakhee]].

On the far side of the plaza stand a pair of ornate pillars, with a great stone lectern next to them. As the investigators look around for a clue about what to do next a figure appears between the pillars. There is no arrival, he is just there, and somehow he always was.

It is a figure like a very tall, very thin man in flowing, tattered yellow robes that move in a non-existent breeze. There is no face visible within his hood. he does not speak but everyone knows who, or what, he is.

[[The King in Yellow]] has stepped down from Aldebaran.

Session 15

2006-09-27T04:52:56Z

219.89.207.51: /* Friday February 17th 1930 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 25th September, 2006==

=== Thursday February 16th 1930 ===

--''continued''--

[[Image:drakmarnew.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The red cliffs of Drakmar]]
The investigators stand at the threshold of [[Drakmar]], in kingdom of [[Mustang]], the final destination of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s [[Pilgrimage of Grace]].

A quick count shows there are somewhere between 50 and 100 caves spread across the cliffs at heights between 30 and 150 feet about the valley floor. The investigators cross the valley for a closer look. En route they locate the remnants of the Italian expedition’s campsite and nearby a large flat stone stained with a large amount of blood. Though the blood is not fresh, nor is it more than a few weeks old.

Following a trail of blood spots [[Withers]] locates a fresh cairn under which it is assumed a body has been buried. The investigators discuss disturbing the dead, but decide against it.

[[Browne]] and [[Saunders]] climb up to the nearest cave. It is worn smooth as if by centuries of feet and leads to a small chamber whose walls are covered in thousands of tally marks in groups of nine. In the centre of the chamber is a small pile of bones which appear to be mix of birds and human finger bones.

[[Umberto]] thinks he catches a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye and sees a stone falling down the cliff. He climbs to where he thinks it came from and discovers a cave with a narrow crawlspace heading back into the cliff. He thinks better of crawling inside.

Several more caves are explored before night falls. Saunders finds a small pit filled with strips of dried human scalps. Other caves are connected by internal tunnels, but there is no sign of life or of fresh activity, and no further sign of [[Quarrie]] or his companions.

The investigators camp for the night in the first cave they had explored. During the night both [[Browne]] and [[Umberto]] have dreams of bestial savagery which feel like the intrusions of an alien intelligence, but which have none of the terrible beauty of Hastur. Each of them awakens, heart pounding.

=== Friday February 17th 1930 ===

As dawn approaches, Umberto is on watch, and it is he who first hears a disturbing human sobbing sound coming from a cave mouth high above the campsite. Taking his gun and a torch, Umberto climbs to investigate, waking nobody else.

When Saunders wakes up, Umberto is gone. He wakes the others and they hear the sobbing sound. Taking their packs and their weapons they clamber up towards the noise and enter the cave from which it issues. In leads into a tunnel that twists through the rock until a pale glow can be seen in the distance. The sobbing, oddly, is fading, but as it fades the deep slow heartbeat sound heard by [[Browne]] the day before is clearly audible to all.

Nervously the party edges forward as the passage opens up into a large chamber dominated by an archway on the far side which is lit up with a pearly glow. Beyond the arch can be seen the silhouette of a vast immobile bulk, a great squatting buddha with the head of an elephant, over the surface of which smaller creatures scurry. Despite the lack of any clarity in the image it is very disturbing.

There are two other entrances into the chamber and it is through one of these that [[Umberto]] now emerges, being held at spearpoint by a hideous black-skinned humanoid. The creature is a mass of naked muscle, but only 4ft tall. Its bald head is mis-shapen, its features inhuman. Before anyone can react a dozen more of the creatures emerge from the other entrance, and from behind the investigators can be heard many more, who have clearly entered the tunnel that they are using.

[[Image:anza.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Anzalone Transformed]]
The creatures do not speak, but from the archway emerges a man - or rather what remains of a man. Despite his hideous injuries and bizarre deformities, this appears to be [[Anzalone]]. Naked, with his eyes put out, his mouth a drooling, bloody, toothless hole and most horrible of all his nose and ears stretched, ragged and moving on their own in sick parody of the trunk and ears of an elephant.

Moving as one, [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] raise their guns and fire - their decision an instinctive reaction to put an end to Anzalone's obvious misery. Brownes's goes wide but Wither's bullet is true and the ruin that was once Anzalone falls twitching to the floor. The black creatures, clearly having never encountered firearms, swarm over the investigators. Saunders fails to get a shot off, but both Withers and Browne shoot a couple dead before they are disarmed. The creatures show no anger or distress at the deaths of some of their number, and do no violence to the investigators beyond disarming them.

The apparent chief of the creatures goes to Anzalone's corpse and examines it in apparent annoyance, then gives an order in a language that sounds vaguely Tibetan. Umberto is dragged over towards the gate and his hand held out. The chief uses a knife to cut his hand open and then paints a crude Yellow Sign on the wall beside the gate using Umberto's bloody palm.

The light from the gate changes to a pale cold blue, and the shadow of [[Chaugnar Faughn]] (as Umberto will shortly identify it to his companions) disappears.

The helpless investigators are forced through the gate, where a horrible high pitched whistling overwhelms their senses. The time spent travelling through the gate seems simultaneously mere seconds and endless aeons. As the sound fades the investigators find themselves standing in the middle of an endless icy plain under a starlit sky. They are still surrounded by the black humanoids, and there in front of them, with his own retinue of the creatures, stands [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

=== Leng ===

''NB: Whilst in Leng the investigators' watches refuse to keep time in any consistent manner. Within a few hours nobody has any idea how long they have been there, their very sense of time has become unreliable.''

Astonished at the appearance of Westerners, Quarrie is full of questions. He soon discovers the gist of their purpose and how it was they came to be here. He is unsurprised, and not unhappy, to discover that [[Bacon]] and [[Edwards]] are dead, and pleased to find that [[Roby]] reached Carcosa and that his wife and daughter are well.

He answers the investigators' questions, explaing how the black humanoids, who he calls the [[Tcho-Tcho]] worship the elephant god [[Chaugnar Faughn]] and have waited centuries for [[the White Acolyte]] believing that he will bring Chaugnar Faughn to Earth. In truth it was [[the King in Yellow]] who tricked them long ago into believing this, for it is the King that awaits the Acolyte.

He explains how [[Carlo Schippone]], maddened by the dreams of the elephant god, slew Major Delnegro in the night and fled and how [[Anzalone]] was taken by the Tcho-Tcho to be Chaugnar Faughn's companion as had been promised to them long ago. Quarrie regrets the deaths of the rest of his expedition, but believes their sacrifice worthwhile.

He explains that one of the five people here now must be the [[White Acolyte]], though obviously he hopes that he himself will be the one. The Tcho-Tcho are ready to leave now - they are to go to '[[the Upper House]]', the place where the King will come down from [[Aldebaran]] to [[Leng]]. The task of the Acolyte will be to lead him from there to Earth. Rather disturbing idea's occur to each member of the party and most studiously avoid looking in Nathaniel Brownes direction.

Quarrie is erudite, charming and has a pleasant nature, but he is absolutely immovable in his resolve to guide the King to Earth. Bereft of any way back to their homes, the investigators agree to travel with Quarrie, as yet undecided on how to deal with him. As the strange party of humans and Tcho-Tcho starts its trek across the cold wastes of Leng, the investigators start to work on trying to convince Quarrie that what he aims to do is misguided and terribly dangerous. He sees this as a test of faith and sets about trying to convince the others, especially [[Browne]] of the rightness of his cause.

Several hours into the trek across the featureless waste a great flying creature appears in the dstance. As it gets closer its true size and hideous appearance becomes obvious. Even though a couple of the investigators still carry revolvers (the Tcho-Tcho didn't recognise those as weapons and only took longarms) they decide against drawing them now, as the Tcho-Tcho would likely seize them. The monster screeches and dives at the group. Most dive to the ground, but Withers tries to seize a spear from a Tcho-Tcho and as they grapple for the weapon the great alien bird snatches the Tcho-Tcho and flies up with its prey. there is a crunch, a spray of blood and the Tcho-Tcho's severed head falls, striking Withers on the way down.

"Amazing," says Quarrie, "A ''shantak'' bird. this truly must be Leng!"

The Tcho-Tcho chief picks up the severed head and as the group moves on, begins to chew lumps off of it. The humans decide not to look.

The trek continues for hours, and the investigators and Quarrie are exhausted. Saunders is suffering especially badly, having not yet recovered from the trip to Drakmar. Browne realises that they are heading towards a bright star close to the horizon. he points it out to Quarrie and they agree it must be Albebaran. "I feel like I have been travelling toward it for the last year and a half" sighs Browne, "Much longer for me, my friend, much longer..." replies Quarrie. As they continue, it is Browne who first notices that Aldebaran has dipped behind some sort of a structure on the horizon. [[The Upper House]] is, at last, in sight.

=== The Upper House ===

The building is unspectacular. A square structure about 250 yards along a side and 20 yards high with sloping walls and a flat roof. Built of white stone and with a single wide doorway in the middle of the wall that the investigators are approaching.

A ring of plain obelisks surrounds the Upper House at a distance of a few hundred feet and the[[Tcho-Tcho]] do not cross the line of this circle. Quarrie, excited that his destination lies ahead, hurries forward and the investigators follow at once lest Quarrie get far enough ahead to lose them.

The five men enter the structure. The doorway gapes open into a wide corridor whose floor slopes slightly downward and whose walls are painted with images of alien beings in vast cyclopean cities. When they look back, a few tens of feet into the building, the investigators see that instead of the exit, all that lies behind them is an endless stretch of corridor. It is clear that the normal laws and space and time do not apply in this place. [[Browne]] hurries to keep up with [[Quarrie]] while [[Saunders]] and [[Umberto]] whisper to each other conspiratorialy. A faint piping sound can be heard far ahead, and Quarrie heads toward it without hesitation. The others follow.

The Upper House proves to be vast and complex. For hours the investigators and Quarrie wander great halls and vaults with only the light of their flashlights to piece the black. They encounter a great stairway into the earth but give up on its descent after 10 minutes. They decide to always try to move upwards where possible.

They reach a great chasm crossed by a narrow bridge, but, as Browne insists on not crossing, they instead choose to climb the wall behind them by way of a winding stair, only to find that the chamber at the top leads back to the very same bridge and very same stair. Saunders makes a mental note to tell his friend Professor Tolkien about this place.

They camp twice to get rest and to eat and quiet discussions on what to do take place. Both Brown and Withers, although agreeing that Quarrie seems currently unreachable, think that he is still a pleasant, unarmed and non threatening man and do not wish to take precipitate action. Withers although prepared to take drastic measures should there truly be no other option shrinks from the thought of cold blooded murder and hopes that Quarrie, like Roby before him, might finally see something which takes the rose coloured spectacles from his eyes and thus make him willing to lend his skills into preventing what he has until then been working towards. Umberto on the other hand grows more convinced that God has clear instructions for him to prevent what is occurring and works on the undecided Saunders, who is the only person in the party to still have a gun.

It is on the second of these stops that Umberto takes drastic action. He wakes to see Quarrie deep in conversation with Browne, who is finding Malcolm's arguments more and more convincing. Remembering [[Carlo Schippone]]'s account of the use of sorcery to turn the mind of major Delnegro, Umberto realises that Quarrie is more dangerous than he looks. He makes the decision to take an action long delayed.

Umberto requests, and is given, the gun that Saunders is carrying, stands up, casually walks over to Quarrie and without warning puts a bullet through his brain. Blood and brain matter sprays over Browne, who leaps to his feet, the yellow-signed knife in his hand, and advances on Umberto, before suddenly coming to his senses and dropping the knife. There is a tense standoff as Browne argues that his mind is clear and urges Umberto to surrender his weapon. He realises that Quarrie had been successful in doing that which Crowley had failed to do at Marx's tomb, though the influence has retreated with Quarrie's death.

Despite the shock of Umberto's act the other three do not currently challenge him on it. Withers reclaims the gun, greatly regretting that he didn't have the for thought to do it earlier, but determined to keep it out of the hands of a man he is increasingly believing to be, at the very least, mentally unstable and perhaps a direct threat to the safety of Nathaniel Browne.

The investigators move on, leaving Quarrie's body behind, unburied. Soon they hear the pipes again, and start to feel they are making progress.

Eventually they pass through a chamber they have already seen, but this time there is a stairway up that was not there before. They have been wandering through the Upper House for an indeterminate time, but it could well be 2 or even 3 days. They are exhausted, but this discovery brings new hope.

=== The Plaza of the King ===

The stairs lead up to a broad open plaza under a starlit sky. Aldebaran, low in the sky, reflects from the polished stones. The piping has stopped, but upon the ground is found a set of pipes carved with the likeness of several [[Byakhee]].

On the far side of the plaza stand a pair of ornate pillars, with a great stone lectern next to them. As the investigators look around for a clue about what to do next a figure appears between the pillars. There is no arrival, he is just there, and somehow he always was.

It is a figure like a very tall, very thin man in flowing, tattered yellow robes that move in a non-existent breeze. There is no face visible within his hood. he does not speak but everyone knows who, or what, he is.

[[The King in Yellow]] has stepped down from Aldebaran.

Session 15

2006-09-27T04:45:52Z

219.89.207.51: /* Leng */

==Session Report - Played Monday 25th September, 2006==

=== Thursday February 16th 1930 ===

--''continued''--

[[Image:drakmarnew.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The red cliffs of Drakmar]]
The investigators stand at the threshold of [[Drakmar]], in kingdom of [[Mustang]], the final destination of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s [[Pilgrimage of Grace]].

A quick count shows there are somewhere between 50 and 100 caves spread across the cliffs at heights between 30 and 150 feet about the valley floor. The investigators cross the valley for a closer look. En route they locate the remnants of the Italian expedition’s campsite and nearby a large flat stone stained with a large amount of blood. Though the blood is not fresh, nor is it more than a few weeks old.

Following a trail of blood spots [[Withers]] locates a fresh cairn under which it is assumed a body has been buried. The investigators discuss disturbing the dead, but decide against it.

[[Browne]] and [[Saunders]] climb up to the nearest cave. It is worn smooth as if by centuries of feet and leads to a small chamber whose walls are covered in thousands of tally marks in groups of nine. In the centre of the chamber is a small pile of bones which appear to be mix of birds and human finger bones.

[[Umberto]] thinks he catches a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye and sees a stone falling down the cliff. He climbs to where he thinks it came from and discovers a cave with a narrow crawlspace heading back into the cliff. He thinks better of crawling inside.

Several more caves are explored before night falls. Saunders finds a small pit filled with strips of dried human scalps. Other caves are connected by internal tunnels, but there is no sign of life or of fresh activity, and no further sign of [[Quarrie]] or his companions.

The investigators camp for the night in the first cave they had explored. During the night both [[Browne]] and [[Umberto]] have dreams of bestial savagery which feel like the intrusions of an alien intelligence, but which have none of the terrible beauty of Hastur. Each of them awakens, heart pounding.

=== Friday February 17th 1930 ===

As dawn approaches, Umberto is on watch, and it is he who first hears a disturbing human sobbing sound coming from a cave mouth high above the campsite. Taking his gun and a torch, Umberto climbs to investigate, waking nobody else.

When Saunders wakes up, Umberto is gone. He wakes the others and they hear the sobbing sound. Taking their packs and their weapons they clamber up towards the noise and enter the cave from which it issues. In leads into a tunnel that twists through the rock until a pale glow can be seen in the distance. The sobbing, oddly, is fading, but as it fades the deep slow heartbeat sound heard by [[Browne]] the day before is clearly audible to all.

Nervously the party edges forward as the passage opens up into a large chamber dominated by an archway on the far side which is lit up with a pearly glow. Beyond the arch can be seen the silhouette of a vast immobile bulk, a great squatting buddha with the head of an elephant, over the surface of which smaller creatures scurry. Despite the lack of any clarity in the image it is very disturbing.

There are two other entrances into the chamber and it is through one of these that [[Umberto]] now emerges, being held at spearpoint by a hideous black-skinned humanoid. The creature is a mass of naked muscle, but only 4ft tall. Its bald head is mis-shapen, its features inhuman. Before anyone can react a dozen more of the creatures emerge from the other entrance, and from behind the investigators can be heard many more, who have clearly entered the tunnel that they are using.

[[Image:anza.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Anzalone Transformed]]
The creatures do not speak, but from the archway emerges a man - or rather what remains of a man. Despite his hideous injuries and bizarre deformities, this appears to be [[Anzalone]]. Naked, with his eyes put out, his mouth a drooling, bloody, toothless hole and most horrible of all his nose and ears stretched, ragged and moving on their own in sick parody of the trunk and ears of an elephant.

Both [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] raise their guns and fire, putting an end to Anzalone's obvious misery. The black creatures, clearly having never encountered firearms, swarm over the investigators. Saunders fails to get a shot off, but both Withers and Browne shoot a couple dead before they are disarmed. The creatures show no anger or distress at the deaths of some of their number, and do no violence to the investigators beyond disarming them.

The apparent chief of the creatures goes to Anzalone's corpse and examines it in apparent annoyance, then gives an order in a language that sounds vaguely Tibetan. Umberto is dragged over towards the gate and his hand held out. The chief uses a knife to cut his hand open and then paints a crude Yellow Sign on the wall beside the gate using Umberto's bloody palm.

The light from the gate changes to a pale cold blue, and the shadow of [[Chaugnar Faughn]] (as Umberto will shortly identify it to his companions) disappears.

The helpless investigators are forced through the gate, where a horrible high pitched whistling overwhelms their senses. The time spent travelling through the gate seems simultaneously mere seconds and endless aeons. As the sound fades the investigators find themselves standing in the middle of an endless icy plain under a starlit sky. They are still surrounded by the black humanoids, and there in front of them, with his own retinue of the creatures, stands [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

=== Leng ===

''NB: Whilst in Leng the investigators' watches refuse to keep time in any consistent manner. Within a few hours nobody has any idea how long they have been there, their very sense of time has become unreliable.''

Astonished at the appearance of Westerners, Quarrie is full of questions. He soon discovers the gist of their purpose and how it was they came to be here. He is unsurprised, and not unhappy, to discover that [[Bacon]] and [[Edwards]] are dead, and pleased to find that [[Roby]] reached Carcosa and that his wife and daughter are well.

He answers the investigators' questions, explaing how the black humanoids, who he calls the [[Tcho-Tcho]] worship the elephant god [[Chaugnar Faughn]] and have waited centuries for [[the White Acolyte]] believing that he will bring Chaugnar Faughn to Earth. In truth it was [[the King in Yellow]] who tricked them long ago into believing this, for it is the King that awaits the Acolyte.

He explains how [[Carlo Schippone]], maddened by the dreams of the elephant god, slew Major Delnegro in the night and fled and how [[Anzalone]] was taken by the Tcho-Tcho to be Chaugnar Faughn's companion as had been promised to them long ago. Quarrie regrets the deaths of the rest of his expedition, but believes their sacrifice worthwhile.

He explains that one of the five people here now must be the [[White Acolyte]], though obviously he hopes that he himself will be the one. The Tcho-Tcho are ready to leave now - they are to go to '[[the Upper House]]', the place where the King will come down from [[Aldebaran]] to [[Leng]]. The task of the Acolyte will be to lead him from there to Earth. Rather disturbing idea's occur to each member of the party and most studiously avoid looking in Nathaniel Brownes direction.

Quarrie is erudite, charming and has a pleasant nature, but he is absolutely immovable in his resolve to guide the King to Earth. Bereft of any way back to their homes, the investigators agree to travel with Quarrie, as yet undecided on how to deal with him. As the strange party of humans and Tcho-Tcho starts its trek across the cold wastes of Leng, the investigators start to work on trying to convince Quarrie that what he aims to do is misguided and terribly dangerous. He sees this as a test of faith and sets about trying to convince the others, especially [[Browne]] of the rightness of his cause.

Several hours into the trek across the featureless waste a great flying creature appears in the dstance. As it gets closer its true size and hideous appearance becomes obvious. Even though a couple of the investigators still carry revolvers (the Tcho-Tcho didn't recognise those as weapons and only took longarms) they decide against drawing them now, as the Tcho-Tcho would likely seize them. The monster screeches and dives at the group. Most dive to the ground, but Withers tries to seize a spear from a Tcho-Tcho and as they grapple for the weapon the great alien bird snatches the Tcho-Tcho and flies up with its prey. there is a crunch, a spray of blood and the Tcho-Tcho's severed head falls, striking Withers on the way down.

"Amazing," says Quarrie, "A ''shantak'' bird. this truly must be Leng!"

The Tcho-Tcho chief picks up the severed head and as the group moves on, begins to chew lumps off of it. The humans decide not to look.

The trek continues for hours, and the investigators and Quarrie are exhausted. Saunders is suffering especially badly, having not yet recovered from the trip to Drakmar. Browne realises that they are heading towards a bright star close to the horizon. he points it out to Quarrie and they agree it must be Albebaran. "I feel like I have been travelling toward it for the last year and a half" sighs Browne, "Much longer for me, my friend, much longer..." replies Quarrie. As they continue, it is Browne who first notices that Aldebaran has dipped behind some sort of a structure on the horizon. [[The Upper House]] is, at last, in sight.

=== The Upper House ===

The building is unspectacular. A square structure about 250 yards along a side and 20 yards high with sloping walls and a flat roof. Built of white stone and with a single wide doorway in the middle of the wall that the investigators are approaching.

A ring of plain obelisks surrounds the Upper House at a distance of a few hundred feet and the[[Tcho-Tcho]] do not cross the line of this circle. Quarrie, excited that his destination lies ahead, hurries forward and the investigators follow at once lest Quarrie get far enough ahead to lose them.

The five men enter the structure. The doorway gapes open into a wide corridor whose floor slopes slightly downward and whose walls are painted with images of alien beings in vast cyclopean cities. When they look back, a few tens of feet into the building, the investigators see that instead of the exit, all that lies behind them is an endless stretch of corridor. It is clear that the normal laws and space and time do not apply in this place. [[Browne]] hurries to keep up with [[Quarrie]] while [[Saunders]] and [[Umberto]] whisper to each other conspiratorialy. A faint piping sound can be heard far ahead, and Quarrie heads toward it without hesitation. The others follow.

The Upper House proves to be vast and complex. For hours the investigators and Quarrie wander great halls and vaults with only the light of their flashlights to piece the black. They encounter a great stairway into the earth but give up on its descent after 10 minutes. They decide to always try to move upwards where possible.

They reach a great chasm crossed by a narrow bridge, but, as Browne insists on not crossing, they instead choose to climb the wall behind them by way of a winding stair, only to find that the chamber at the top leads back to the very same bridge and very same stair. Saunders makes a mental note to tell his friend Professor Tolkien about this place.

They camp twice to get rest and to eat and quiet discussions on what to do take place. Both Brown and Withers, although agreeing that Quarrie seems currently unreachable, think that he is still a pleasant, unarmed and non threatening man and do not wish to take precipitate action. Withers although prepared to take drastic measures should there truly be no other option shrinks from the thought of cold blooded murder and hopes that Quarrie, like Roby before him, might finally see something which takes the rose coloured spectacles from his eyes and thus make him willing to lend his skills into preventing what he has until then been working towards. Umberto on the other hand grows more convinced that God has clear instructions for him to prevent what is occurring and works on the undecided Saunders, who is the only person in the party to still have a gun.

It is on the second of these stops that Umberto takes drastic action. He wakes to see Quarrie deep in conversation with Browne, who is finding Malcolm's arguments more and more convincing. Remembering [[Carlo Schippone]]'s account of the use of sorcery to turn the mind of major Delnegro, Umberto realises that Quarrie is more dangerous than he looks. He makes the decision to take an action long delayed.

Umberto requests, and is given, the gun that Saunders is carrying, stands up, casually walks over to Quarrie and without warning puts a bullet through his brain. Blood and brain matter sprays over Browne, who leaps to his feet, the yellow-signed knife in his hand, and advances on Umberto, before suddenly coming to his senses and dropping the knife. There is a tense standoff as Browne argues that his mind is clear and urges Umberto to surrender his weapon. He realises that Quarrie had been successful in doing that which Crowley had failed to do at Marx's tomb, though the influence has retreated with Quarrie's death.

Despite the shock of Umberto's act the other three do not currently challenge him on it. Withers reclaims the gun, greatly regretting that he didn't have the for thought to do it earlier, but determined to keep it out of the hands of a man he is increasingly believing to be, at the very least, mentally unstable and perhaps a direct threat to the safety of Nathaniel Browne.

The investigators move on, leaving Quarrie's body behind, unburied. Soon they hear the pipes again, and start to feel they are making progress.

Eventually they pass through a chamber they have already seen, but this time there is a stairway up that was not there before. They have been wandering through the Upper House for an indeterminate time, but it could well be 2 or even 3 days. They are exhausted, but this discovery brings new hope.

=== The Plaza of the King ===

The stairs lead up to a broad open plaza under a starlit sky. Aldebaran, low in the sky, reflects from the polished stones. The piping has stopped, but upon the ground is found a set of pipes carved with the likeness of several [[Byakhee]].

On the far side of the plaza stand a pair of ornate pillars, with a great stone lectern next to them. As the investigators look around for a clue about what to do next a figure appears between the pillars. There is no arrival, he is just there, and somehow he always was.

It is a figure like a very tall, very thin man in flowing, tattered yellow robes that move in a non-existent breeze. There is no face visible within his hood. he does not speak but everyone knows who, or what, he is.

[[The King in Yellow]] has stepped down from Aldebaran.

Session 15

2006-09-27T04:42:41Z

219.89.207.51: /* The Upper House */

==Session Report - Played Monday 25th September, 2006==

=== Thursday February 16th 1930 ===

--''continued''--

[[Image:drakmarnew.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The red cliffs of Drakmar]]
The investigators stand at the threshold of [[Drakmar]], in kingdom of [[Mustang]], the final destination of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s [[Pilgrimage of Grace]].

A quick count shows there are somewhere between 50 and 100 caves spread across the cliffs at heights between 30 and 150 feet about the valley floor. The investigators cross the valley for a closer look. En route they locate the remnants of the Italian expedition’s campsite and nearby a large flat stone stained with a large amount of blood. Though the blood is not fresh, nor is it more than a few weeks old.

Following a trail of blood spots [[Withers]] locates a fresh cairn under which it is assumed a body has been buried. The investigators discuss disturbing the dead, but decide against it.

[[Browne]] and [[Saunders]] climb up to the nearest cave. It is worn smooth as if by centuries of feet and leads to a small chamber whose walls are covered in thousands of tally marks in groups of nine. In the centre of the chamber is a small pile of bones which appear to be mix of birds and human finger bones.

[[Umberto]] thinks he catches a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye and sees a stone falling down the cliff. He climbs to where he thinks it came from and discovers a cave with a narrow crawlspace heading back into the cliff. He thinks better of crawling inside.

Several more caves are explored before night falls. Saunders finds a small pit filled with strips of dried human scalps. Other caves are connected by internal tunnels, but there is no sign of life or of fresh activity, and no further sign of [[Quarrie]] or his companions.

The investigators camp for the night in the first cave they had explored. During the night both [[Browne]] and [[Umberto]] have dreams of bestial savagery which feel like the intrusions of an alien intelligence, but which have none of the terrible beauty of Hastur. Each of them awakens, heart pounding.

=== Friday February 17th 1930 ===

As dawn approaches, Umberto is on watch, and it is he who first hears a disturbing human sobbing sound coming from a cave mouth high above the campsite. Taking his gun and a torch, Umberto climbs to investigate, waking nobody else.

When Saunders wakes up, Umberto is gone. He wakes the others and they hear the sobbing sound. Taking their packs and their weapons they clamber up towards the noise and enter the cave from which it issues. In leads into a tunnel that twists through the rock until a pale glow can be seen in the distance. The sobbing, oddly, is fading, but as it fades the deep slow heartbeat sound heard by [[Browne]] the day before is clearly audible to all.

Nervously the party edges forward as the passage opens up into a large chamber dominated by an archway on the far side which is lit up with a pearly glow. Beyond the arch can be seen the silhouette of a vast immobile bulk, a great squatting buddha with the head of an elephant, over the surface of which smaller creatures scurry. Despite the lack of any clarity in the image it is very disturbing.

There are two other entrances into the chamber and it is through one of these that [[Umberto]] now emerges, being held at spearpoint by a hideous black-skinned humanoid. The creature is a mass of naked muscle, but only 4ft tall. Its bald head is mis-shapen, its features inhuman. Before anyone can react a dozen more of the creatures emerge from the other entrance, and from behind the investigators can be heard many more, who have clearly entered the tunnel that they are using.

[[Image:anza.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Anzalone Transformed]]
The creatures do not speak, but from the archway emerges a man - or rather what remains of a man. Despite his hideous injuries and bizarre deformities, this appears to be [[Anzalone]]. Naked, with his eyes put out, his mouth a drooling, bloody, toothless hole and most horrible of all his nose and ears stretched, ragged and moving on their own in sick parody of the trunk and ears of an elephant.

Both [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] raise their guns and fire, putting an end to Anzalone's obvious misery. The black creatures, clearly having never encountered firearms, swarm over the investigators. Saunders fails to get a shot off, but both Withers and Browne shoot a couple dead before they are disarmed. The creatures show no anger or distress at the deaths of some of their number, and do no violence to the investigators beyond disarming them.

The apparent chief of the creatures goes to Anzalone's corpse and examines it in apparent annoyance, then gives an order in a language that sounds vaguely Tibetan. Umberto is dragged over towards the gate and his hand held out. The chief uses a knife to cut his hand open and then paints a crude Yellow Sign on the wall beside the gate using Umberto's bloody palm.

The light from the gate changes to a pale cold blue, and the shadow of [[Chaugnar Faughn]] (as Umberto will shortly identify it to his companions) disappears.

The helpless investigators are forced through the gate, where a horrible high pitched whistling overwhelms their senses. The time spent travelling through the gate seems simultaneously mere seconds and endless aeons. As the sound fades the investigators find themselves standing in the middle of an endless icy plain under a starlit sky. They are still surrounded by the black humanoids, and there in front of them, with his own retinue of the creatures, stands [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

=== Leng ===

''NB: Whilst in Leng the investigators' watches refuse to keep time in any consistent manner. Within a few hours nobody has any idea how long they have been there, their very sense of time has become unreliable.''

Astonished at the appearance of Westerners, Quarrie is full of questions. He soon discovers the gist of their purpose and how it was they came to be here. He is unsurprised, and not unhappy, to discover that [[Bacon]] and [[Edwards]] are dead, and pleased to find that [[Roby]] reached Carcosa and that his wife and daughter are well.

He answers the investigators' questions, explaing how the black humanoids, who he calls the [[Tcho-Tcho]] worship the elephant god [[Chaugnar Faughn]] and have waited centuries for [[the White Acolyte]] believing that he will bring Chaugnar Faughn to Earth. In truth it was [[the King in Yellow]] who tricked them long ago into believing this, for it is the King that awaits the Acolyte.

He explains how [[Carlo Schippone]], maddened by the dreams of the elephant god, slew Major Delnegro in the night and fled and how [[Anzalone]] was taken by the Tcho-Tcho to be Chaugnar Faughn's companion as had been promised to them long ago. Quarrie regrets the deaths of the rest of his expedition, but believes their sacrifice worthwhile.

He explains that one of the five people here now must be the [[White Acolyte]], though obviously he hopes that he himself will be the one. The Tcho-Tcho are ready to leave now - they are to go to '[[the Upper House]]', the place where the King will come down from [[Aldebaran]] to [[Leng]]. The task of the Acolyte will be to lead him from there to Earth.

Quarrie is erudite, charming and has a pleasant nature, but he is absolutely immovable in his resolve to guide the King to Earth. Bereft of any way back to their homes, the investigators agree to travel with Quarrie, as yet undecided on how to deal with him. As the strange party of humans and Tcho-Tcho starts its trek across the cold wastes of Leng, the investigators start to work on trying to convince Quarrie that what he aims to do is misguided and terribly dangerous. He sees this as a test of faith and sets about trying to convince the others, especially [[Browne]] of the rightness of his cause.

Several hours into the trek across the featureless waste a great flying creature appears in the dstance. As it gets closer its true size and hideous appearance becomes obvious. Even though a couple of the investigators still carry revolvers (the Tcho-Tcho didn't recognise those as weapons and only took longarms) they decide against drawing them now, as the Tcho-Tcho would likely seize them. The monster screeches and dives at the group. Most dive to the ground, but Withers tries to seize a spear from a Tcho-Tcho and as they grapple for the weapon the great alien bird snatches the Tcho-Tcho and flies up with its prey. there is a crunch, a spray of blood and the Tcho-Tcho's severed head falls, striking Withers on the way down.

"Amazing," says Quarrie, "A ''shantak'' bird. this truly must be Leng!"

The Tcho-Tcho chief picks up the severed head and as the group moves on, begins to chew lumps off of it. The humans decide not to look.

The trek continues for hours, and the investigators and Quarrie are exhausted. Saunders is suffering especially badly, having not yet recovered from the trip to Drakmar. Browne realises that they are heading towards a bright star close to the horizon. he points it out to Quarrie and they agree it must be Albebaran. "I feel like I have been travelling toward it for the last year and a half" sighs Browne, "Much longer for me, my friend, much longer..." replies Quarrie. As they continue, it is Browne who first notices that Aldebaran has dipped behind some sort of a structure on the horizon. [[The Upper House]] is, at last, in sight.

=== The Upper House ===

The building is unspectacular. A square structure about 250 yards along a side and 20 yards high with sloping walls and a flat roof. Built of white stone and with a single wide doorway in the middle of the wall that the investigators are approaching.

A ring of plain obelisks surrounds the Upper House at a distance of a few hundred feet and the[[Tcho-Tcho]] do not cross the line of this circle. Quarrie, excited that his destination lies ahead, hurries forward and the investigators follow at once lest Quarrie get far enough ahead to lose them.

The five men enter the structure. The doorway gapes open into a wide corridor whose floor slopes slightly downward and whose walls are painted with images of alien beings in vast cyclopean cities. When they look back, a few tens of feet into the building, the investigators see that instead of the exit, all that lies behind them is an endless stretch of corridor. It is clear that the normal laws and space and time do not apply in this place. [[Browne]] hurries to keep up with [[Quarrie]] while [[Saunders]] and [[Umberto]] whisper to each other conspiratorialy. A faint piping sound can be heard far ahead, and Quarrie heads toward it without hesitation. The others follow.

The Upper House proves to be vast and complex. For hours the investigators and Quarrie wander great halls and vaults with only the light of their flashlights to piece the black. They encounter a great stairway into the earth but give up on its descent after 10 minutes. They decide to always try to move upwards where possible.

They reach a great chasm crossed by a narrow bridge, but, as Browne insists on not crossing, they instead choose to climb the wall behind them by way of a winding stair, only to find that the chamber at the top leads back to the very same bridge and very same stair. Saunders makes a mental note to tell his friend Professor Tolkien about this place.

They camp twice to get rest and to eat and quiet discussions on what to do take place. Both Brown and Withers, although agreeing that Quarrie seems currently unreachable, think that he is still a pleasant, unarmed and non threatening man and do not wish to take precipitate action. Withers although prepared to take drastic measures should there truly be no other option shrinks from the thought of cold blooded murder and hopes that Quarrie, like Roby before him, might finally see something which takes the rose coloured spectacles from his eyes and thus make him willing to lend his skills into preventing what he has until then been working towards. Umberto on the other hand grows more convinced that God has clear instructions for him to prevent what is occurring and works on the undecided Saunders, who is the only person in the party to still have a gun.

It is on the second of these stops that Umberto takes drastic action. He wakes to see Quarrie deep in conversation with Browne, who is finding Malcolm's arguments more and more convincing. Remembering [[Carlo Schippone]]'s account of the use of sorcery to turn the mind of major Delnegro, Umberto realises that Quarrie is more dangerous than he looks. He makes the decision to take an action long delayed.

Umberto requests, and is given, the gun that Saunders is carrying, stands up, casually walks over to Quarrie and without warning puts a bullet through his brain. Blood and brain matter sprays over Browne, who leaps to his feet, the yellow-signed knife in his hand, and advances on Umberto, before suddenly coming to his senses and dropping the knife. There is a tense standoff as Browne argues that his mind is clear and urges Umberto to surrender his weapon. He realises that Quarrie had been successful in doing that which Crowley had failed to do at Marx's tomb, though the influence has retreated with Quarrie's death.

Despite the shock of Umberto's act the other three do not currently challenge him on it. Withers reclaims the gun, greatly regretting that he didn't have the for thought to do it earlier, but determined to keep it out of the hands of a man he is increasingly believing to be, at the very least, mentally unstable and perhaps a direct threat to the safety of Nathaniel Browne.

The investigators move on, leaving Quarrie's body behind, unburied. Soon they hear the pipes again, and start to feel they are making progress.

Eventually they pass through a chamber they have already seen, but this time there is a stairway up that was not there before. They have been wandering through the Upper House for an indeterminate time, but it could well be 2 or even 3 days. They are exhausted, but this discovery brings new hope.

=== The Plaza of the King ===

The stairs lead up to a broad open plaza under a starlit sky. Aldebaran, low in the sky, reflects from the polished stones. The piping has stopped, but upon the ground is found a set of pipes carved with the likeness of several [[Byakhee]].

On the far side of the plaza stand a pair of ornate pillars, with a great stone lectern next to them. As the investigators look around for a clue about what to do next a figure appears between the pillars. There is no arrival, he is just there, and somehow he always was.

It is a figure like a very tall, very thin man in flowing, tattered yellow robes that move in a non-existent breeze. There is no face visible within his hood. he does not speak but everyone knows who, or what, he is.

[[The King in Yellow]] has stepped down from Aldebaran.

Session 14

2006-09-23T07:30:30Z

219.89.166.154: /* Saturday February 11th 1930 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 18th September, 2006==

=== Thursday January 19th 1930 ===

The investigators have just 2 days left in Bombay to prepare fully for the long journey North to Mustang. [[Browne]] spends as much time as possible with Francesca, in between equipping for the trek across Nepal.

=== Friday January 20th 1930 ===

A farewell dinner is held at the [[Tullis]] home. Francesca and Patricia do not attend, as Patricia doesn't wish to be around [[Withers]] at the moment. Mr Tullis proves a somewhat curmudgeonly, blustering man. The typical ''sahib'', but the meal is fine.

=== Saturday January 21st 1930 ===

The train to the Northern city of Benares leaves first thing in the morning. All 4 investigators board with the Reverend [[Gore]], who offers to show them around Jabalpur if they wish to break their journey at that city.

The investigators' carriage proves to be occupied by a large Indian family, and only after the conductor has been payed some ''baksheesh'' is the problem solved. The train pulls out of Bombay and begins to head North. the investigators are sharing a 6-bed carriage with The Reverend Gore. [[Siva]] insists on more modest accomodation for himself.

Gore continues to show his great knowledge of India in conversation.

=== Sunday January 22nd 1930 ===

The train continues across India. The land is flat, arid and featureless, punctuated by small poverty-stricken villages characterised by communal reservoirs called ''tanks'', straving dogs and wild monkeys.

In the larger towns the platforms throng with passengers and well-wishers.

=== Monday January 23rd 1930 ===

The Reverend [[Gore]] disembarks in Jabalpur. the investigators turn down his offer of a short stay with him due to the difficulties inherent in getting all of their supplies off the train.

The investigaors are now alone and able to discuss their plans.

=== Tuesday January 24th 1930 ===

The train continues across India. As the train travels North the climate gets steadily warmer

=== Wednesday January 25th 1930 ===

As the train slowly edges its way through the suburbs of the city of Benares it passes a crowd standing near to the tracks. The crowd are chanting angrily and some are gesturing to the train. [[Siva]] says they are chanting 'The King Steps Down'.

Suddenly violence breaks out. Rocks are thrown at the train and one smashes a window and hits [[Withers]] on the head as he rumnmages for his gun. The rioters attack the train en masse just as the train grinds to a complete halt.

Withers fires at a man trying to enter the train through the broken window but misses as [[Umberto]] tries to stop him from killing anyone. In the confusion the maddened rioter enters the carriage, falling to the floor where [[Browne]] swings a foot at the man. The kick is ineffectual and the rioter sinks his teeth into Browne's ankle, driving him away and allowing the madman to leap to his feet and grab [[Saunders]] by the throat. A crack on the back of the skull from Withers' revolver finally puts him out.

Other rioters try to enter the carriage but are driven off just as the train starts to move again. Troops who were travelling at the far end of the train soon arrive to restore order. Apparently those rioters who boarded the train have now calmed down and don't seem to know what happened. Some say a man showed them 'the yellow mark' and they became enraged.

The train moves into the city centre and the investigators disembark. Their attacker is taken away by the soldiers. Siva arranges the movement of the expedition's gear from the train to the platform for the connecting train to the Nepalese border. Despite the chaos of the station Siva proves most capable and nothing more important than the odd box of spoons and trifling items of that nature are lost.

Within 2 hours the investiagtors are on a second, older train, heading North.

=== Thursday January 26th 1930 ===

The train heads North to the border. This train is less comfortable than the Bombay service and the service is less efficient. Siva proves the difference between a pleasant journey and a tiresome one.

=== Friday January 27th 1930 ===

The train arrives at the railhead at Nautanwa. The expedition's gear is removed from the train and placed in storage until a guide and bearers can be found. Yet more ''baksheesh'' is paid to ensure nothing goes missing.

=== Saturday January 28th 1930 ===

In the town a boarding house frequented by Nepalese is located, and with the aid of [[Siva]] a merchant called [[Jigme Rinzing]] is found who is willing to guide the party as far North as Gori Padi where he will find then another guide for the Northern part of Nepal. Rinzing is not planning on leaving for a couple of days, however, which will make for a frustrating delay in this out of the way town.

=== Sunday January 29th 1930 ===

The day is spent in final preparation for the trek. Fresh food is purchased, water-bottles are filled and Nepalese outer garb procured to ease the crossing on the border. At Rinzing's suggestion facial hair is shaved off - very few Nepalese have any - and tea is rubbed into faces to brown them.

=== Monday January 30th 1930 ===

The trek to Drakmar - day 1.

After [[Browne]] manages to negotiate around some last minute concerns about the amount of baggage the Nepalese bearers are expected to carry, the expedition sets off for the border crossing. [[Siva]] agrees to continue with the party, as a translator is required.

Deciding on subterfuge rather than a difficult detour through woods in search of a gap in the border fence, the party almost passes by the customs officers without comment, but [[Saunders]]' pale Scottish complexion raises suspicions and it looks as if the British officer drinking tea in the guardpost may be called upon until Saunders produces a thick wad of rupees to persuade the customs man to look the other way.

Nepal is entered. Crossing the border the party pass through thickly wooded country and stops the night in an inn at the village of Butwal.

=== Tuesday January 31st 1930 ===

Day 2

Today's trek follows a gorge lined with terraced farms and ends at Tansing, a village notable for its fine metalwork.

=== Wednesday February 1st 1930 ===

Day 3

Everyone feels fit and healthy as the day begins, but by mid afternoon the tricky terrain and worsening weather makes for heavy going. It is necessary to camp outside tonight, as no village is nearby. Dreams of the King in Yellow continue to disturb the investigators' sleep.

=== Thursday February 2nd 1930 ===

Day 4

After a tricky morning's travel the expedition reaches the lakeside town of Pokhara, which supports a street bazaar. while exploring the bazaar the investigators meet a trader who sold cooking utensils to another group of Europeans some months earlier. through him they trace the Italian expedition's former guide, Yangser Chumpo.

Yangser needs to be paid to talk, but when he does he shares the following information:

- There were four white men, one spoke Nepalese and Tibetan

- They were going to Drakmar, above the Monastery at [[Te]], near the village of Kag.

- That is not a good place, as the ''chortens'' have fallen and the black ghosts inhabit the caves.

- When he realised that was their destination, Yangser Chumpo told them they must leave, and when they did not, he left them.

- He is sure the ghosts must have taken them

=== Friday February 3rd 1930 ===

Day 5

The ground rises steadily as the investigators trek past several small villages until the reach a place called Rigme, where effigies of a goddess called ''Dhaulitya'' adorn the houses. This intrigues [[Saunders]] who takes many photographs and notes, the villagers in these parts recognise the investigators as westerners, but this deep into Nepal, none of them cares much.

=== Saturday February 4th 1930 ===

Day 6

At 5000ft above sea level the party encounters a narrow rope bridge. [[Nathaniel Browne]], suffering from acute acrophobia, proves quite incapable of crossing it until he requests and is given opium by [[Jigme Rinzing]]. When a second such bridge is reached later, Browne gets a second dose. The others worry that Browne seems used to the evil poppy.

The day ends at the market town of Hille on the main trade route to Tibet.

=== Sunday February 5th 1930 ===

Day 7

By the end of the day the party are 8000ft above sea level and have reached the village of Gora Pani, - [[Jigme Rinzing]]'s final destination, as his home is nearby.

It is just as well that the expedition will be delayed for a day while new help is found, as altitude sickness is beginning to effect some of the party.

=== Monday February 6th 1930 ===

Day 8

The day is spent in Gora Pani. [[Jigme Rinzing]] locates a new guide, a Tibetan called [[Tsewan Pemba]] and hires a new group of 6 bearers, a smaller number than were hitherto being used, which requires some of the heavier items to be traded in the town for food and other necessities.

The day's rest enables everyone to recover from the altitude sickness of the previous day. From here, the Annapurna range fills the Northern horizon.

=== Tuesday February 7th 1930 ===

Day 9

[[Image:kali.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Approaching the Kali Gandaki]]
Today the Kali Gandaki river gorge is reached, a most impressive sight. the day ends at the village of Gasa, where the women threshing grain on the flat roofs of the houses creates whirlwinds of chaff.

=== Wednesday February 8th 1930 ===

Day 10

A day of slow progress, featuring more rope bridges and more opium for [[Browne]]. in Tukatcha, the first ethnically Tibetan village reached, the bearers have to be replaced, but the new ones are willing to go all the way to Kag. The investigators have decided not to talk of Drakmar

=== Thursday February 9th 1930 ===

Day 11

Now travelling 9000ft above sea level, the expedition passes the treeline today and reaches a land of barren rock and wind-eroded caves. Red, black and white-painted ''chortens'' abound and prayer flags blow in the wind like the tatters of the king in yellow. This truly is the Himalaya.

Altitude sickness begins the threaten again, and [[Saunders]] is feeling the effects.

=== Friday February 10th 1930 ===

Day 12

The expedition, growing weary from its long, high trek has a short day's travel. Reaching the village of Jomoson, where the investigators see their first yaks, the espedition rests as [[Tsewan Pemba]] wishes to meet with a man here about the possible marriage of his young daughter.

While exploring the town [[Saunders]] finds that amongst the five buddhas in the local temple is one that is quite clearly the King in Yellow. Though painted white, the statue disturbingly seems to take on a yellow tinge when looked at for more than a few seconds.

The monk in the temple say that the God in Yellow is a god of the sky.

=== Saturday February 11th 1930 ===

[[Image:chortens.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Chortens, Mustang]]
Day 13

At 10,000 feet, with the effects of altitude quite noticable to all, the expedition follows the Kali Gandaki to the town of Kag. Kag looks like a fortress perched on a cliff, its houses built together, surrounding a central square.

In the monastery at Kag, where Pemba has arranged for the Europeans to sleep for the night, a monk gives [[Umberto]] a book which proves to be [[Carlo Schippone]]'s diary ([http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/29_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_1.pdf Part 1],[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/29_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_2.pdf Part 2],[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/29_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_3.pdf Part 3],[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/30_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_1.pdf Translation Part 1], [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/30_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_2.pdf Translation Part 2]), which was brought here from the monastery at Te many weeks ago.

[[Umberto]] reads the diary and tells the tale of the Italian expedition - the use of sorcery to cloud the mind of Major [[Ricardo Delnegro]] - encounters with creatures called 'the Tsotowa' - the religious fervour slowly changing to fear, terror and madness - and in the end Schippone's scribbled ravings about '[[Miri Nigri]]', 'The White Acolyte', murder, blood and monsters. It ends with the phrase 'What have I done?' scrawled over and over again.

That night, as the investigators try to sleep they hear their guide and bearers in animated discussion

=== Sunday February 12th 1930 ===

Day 14

The day's trek reaches the deepest river gorge on earth - 18,000 feet deep, an awesome sight. The party has to leave the river and climb to 11,000 feet. It is bitterly cold. As darkness falls the small village of Tayen is reached.

In Tayen the locals say that there was a European at the monastery up at [[Te]]. The boy who came to the village for food for the lama told of him, and brought his book down to be taken the Kag in search of someone who could read it. According to the boy, the stranger came from Drakmar, where the Guru Rimpoche slew the Ogress Balmo and stained the cliffs with her blood. The ghosts in the caves took his companions.

The boy has not come down for many weeks. the villagers of Tayen think that ghosts, or even Balmo herself, have taken the monks too.

=== Monday February 13th 1930 ===

Day 15

This morning [[Tsewan Pemba]] comes to Withers and says he and his men will go no further. Ghosts and demons lie ahead, and no sane man would walk into that. The bearers are paid off, and they leave.

[[Siva]] now approaches the investigators and says that he is too frightened to go any further, and he begs his friends not to go themselves. Siva reveals he has children, and he won't leave them without a father.

He agrees instead to stay at Tayen and guard the expedition's supplies. he has found a local who wishes to go to the monastery and ask the monks to help his sick son. this man will lead the investigators up there tomorrow if they really must go. Since [[Saunders]] still feels ill from mountain sickness the enforced day of rest is a blessing in disguise.

=== Tuesday February 14th 1930 ===

Day 16

This proves to be the hardest day's travel so far. [[Saunders]] is suffering and the terrain is treacherous. the investigators rope themselves together, which saves [[Umberto]]'s life at one point. Meanwhile their guide, who is at least a decade older than any of them, bounds ahead like a mountain goat.

Eventually the Monastery at [[Te]] comes into view. A boulder-strewn plain lies between the ridge and the building itself. As the investigators crest the ridge, they spot a figure moving in a doorway. Before they can react a shot rings out and their guide, a hundred yards ahead, falls to the ground.

The investigators dive behind boulders for cover as the gunman walks out of the monastery, carbine in hand, and moves forward towards the guide lying on the ground. Faint noise and movement reveal that he is still alive but not likely to remain so unless prompt action is taken. Nathaniel Browne has no weapon and Andrew Saunders' shotgun is usless as the figure is a good 200 yards away. To everyone's surprise, Umberto unwraps a rifle of his own, but, wishing to incapacitate rather than kill and doubting his ability to do so at so long a range, he attempts to close with the unknown assailant while remaining under cover.

Withers is a rather better marksman, and his weapon is military grade, but it's still a tricky shot and his first shot goes awry, startling the shadowed figure who had no inkling of any other armed persons in the vicinity. The gunman moves forward working the gun's action and, having reduced the range, fires another shot in the direction of Withers, but the bullet richochets off the boulder Withers is hiding behind.

Meanwhile Withers carefully aims his rifle. The Captain fires a second, perfect, shot and the gunman falls, a red mist spraying from his head.

The investigators hurry to the two fallen figures. The guide is alive, though badly hurt, but Withers is able to stem the bleeding. The gunman proves to be [[Carlo Schippone]], bearded and apparently suffering the after-effects of frostbite - Withers' shot was instantly fatal.

Withers stays alone outside with the injured guide while the others check out the monastery complex to seek help, or at least to look for something from which to make a stretcher. They find the bodies of the three monks and their servant boy, evidently shot dead at least a month ago by Schippone, and in an unpleasant state.

Outside, Withers catches a glimpse of something moving amongst the rocks on a high ridge. He is glad when the others return and the injured man can be carried into the more defensible surroundings of the monastery. The monastery complex is large enough for the investigators to camp indoors without the smell of the corpses being a problem.

Now the problem of what to do with the injured man is raised. He can't be carried back to Tayen, and nor can he be abandoned here. Its just been decided that someone needs to go back for help when [[Siva]] stumbles out of the darkness. Wracked with guilt at abandoning his friends and employers, he has followed them after all.

The investigators, although worried about the possiblity of danger to Siva being left alone in the monastery, have very few options and ask Siva if he will stay here with the injured man and wait for them for at least 5 days. Siva is glad to be of service - this way he is helping them but does not need to go to [[Drakmar]]. Withers, who is especially concerned after reasoning that the movement he saw high up in the mountains this evening couldn't possibly have been Siva, searches out a defensible room for Siva to remain in.

An uneasy night is spent at Te.

=== Wednesday February 15th 1930 ===

Day 17

[[Image:mustang.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Approaching Drakmar]]
In the morning the investigators leave Siva with Schippone's carbine and enough food to last a week, then head up towards Drakmar.

There is still a lot of climbing to do, and the going is hard in the cold mountain air. The night is spent camped in the open in one of the loneliest, most desolate spots on the planet. That night everyone's recurring dreams reach terrifying, portentous climaxes. [[Nathaniel Browne]] wakes up screaming.

The investigators all reveal that they have dreamed horrible dreams of the King in Yellow, but none shares the details with his fellows just yet - Browne especially seems emphatic that whatever is happening simply 'must' be stopped. The rest of the night is all but sleepless.

=== Thursday February 16th 1930 ===

Day 18

In early afternoon the final ridge is crested and before the investigators lies the astonishing sight of the cliffs of [[Drakmar]]. A plain scattered with fallen [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorten chortens] lies between them and a great expense of red-stained cliffs. The cliffs are riddled with dozens of apparently man-made caves.

This is [[Quarrie]] and [[Anzalone]]'s final destination, the places where legend says that the Guru Rimpoche slew the ogress Balmo. [[Nathaniel Browne]] believes that he can hear, almost below the threshold of human hearing, a deep slow rhythmic thumping, something like a gigantic heartbeat.

---''to be continued''---

Session 14

2006-09-20T05:38:46Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 18th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 18th September, 2006==

=== Thursday January 19th 1930 ===

The investigators have just 2 days left in Bombay to prepare fully for the long journey North to Mustang. [[Browne]] spends as much time as possible with Francesca, in between equipping for the trek across Nepal.

=== Friday January 20th 1930 ===

A farewell dinner is held at the [[Tullis]] home. Francesca and Patricia do not attend, as Patricia doesn't wish to be around [[Withers]] at the moment. Mr Tullis proves a somewhat curmudgeonly, blustering man. The typical ''sahib'', but the meal is fine.

=== Saturday January 21st 1930 ===

The train to the Northern city of Benares leaves first thing in the morning. All 4 investigators board with the Reverend [[Gore]], who offers to show them around Jabalpur if they wish to break their journey at that city.

The investigators' carriage proves to be occupied by a large Indian family, and only after the conductor has been payed some ''baksheesh'' is the problem solved. The train pulls out of Bombay and begins to head North. the investigators are sharing a 6-bed carriage with The Reverend Gore. [[Siva]] insists on more modest accomodation for himself.

Gore continues to show his great knowledge of India in conversation.

=== Sunday January 22nd 1930 ===

The train continues across India. The land is flat, arid and featureless, punctuated by small poverty-stricken villages characterised by communal reservoirs called ''tanks'', straving dogs and wild monkeys.

In the larger towns the platforms throng with passengers and well-wishers.

=== Monday January 23rd 1930 ===

The Reverend [[Gore]] disembarks in Jabalpur. the investigators turn down his offer of a short stay with him due to the difficulties inherent in getting all of their supplies off the train.

The investigaors are now alone and able to discuss their plans.

=== Tuesday January 24th 1930 ===

The train continues across India. As the train travels North the climate gets steadily warmer

=== Wednesday January 25th 1930 ===

As the train slowly edges its way through the suburbs of the city of Benares it passes a crowd standing near to the tracks. The crowd are chanting angrily and some are gesturing to the train. [[Siva]] says they are chanting 'The King Steps Down'.

Suddenly violence breaks out. Rocks are thrown at the train and one smashes a window and hits [[Withers]] on the head as he rumnmages for his gun. The rioters attack the train en masse just as the train grinds to a complete halt.

Withers fires at a man trying to enter the train through the broken window but misses as [[Umberto]] tries to stop him from killing anyone. In the confusion the maddened rioter enters the carriage, falling to the floor where [[Browne]] swings a foot at the man. The kick is ineffectual and the rioter sinks his teeth into Browne's ankle, driving him away and allowing the madman to leap to his feet and grab [[Saunders]] by the throat. A crack on the back of the skull from Withers' revolver finally puts him out.

Other rioters try to enter the carriage but are driven off just as the train starts to move again. Troops who were travelling at the far end of the train soon arrive to restore order. Apparently those rioters who boarded the train have now calmed down and don't seem to know what happened. Some say a man showed them 'the yellow mark' and they became enraged.

The train moves into the city centre and the investigators disembark. Their attacker is taken away by the soldiers. Siva arranges the movement of the expedition's gear from the train to the platform for the connecting train to the Nepalese border. Despite the chaos of the station Siva proves most capable and nothing more important than the odd box of spoons and trifling items of that nature are lost.

Within 2 hours the investiagtors are on a second, older train, heading North.

=== Thursday January 26th 1930 ===

The train heads North to the border. This train is less comfortable than the Bombay service and the service is less efficient. Siva proves the difference between a pleasant journey and a tiresome one.

=== Friday January 27th 1930 ===

The train arrives at the railhead at Nautanwa. The expedition's gear is removed from the train and placed in storage until a guide and bearers can be found. Yet more ''baksheesh'' is paid to ensure nothing goes missing.

=== Saturday January 28th 1930 ===

In the town a boarding house frequented by Nepalese is located, and with the aid of [[Siva]] a merchant called [[Jigme Rinzing]] is found who is willing to guide the party as far North as Gori Padi where he will find then another guide for the Northern part of Nepal. Rinzing is not planning on leaving for a couple of days, however, which will make for a frustrating delay in this out of the way town.

=== Sunday January 29th 1930 ===

The day is spent in final preparation for the trek. Fresh food is purchased, water-bottles are filled and Nepalese outer garb procured to ease the crossing on the border. At Rinzing's suggestion facial hair is shaved off - very few Nepalese have any - and tea is rubbed into faces to brown them.

=== Monday January 30th 1930 ===

The trek to Drakmar - day 1.

After [[Browne]] manages to negotiate around some last minute concerns about the amount of baggage the Nepalese bearers are expected to carry, the expedition sets off for the border crossing. [[Siva]] agrees to continue with the party, as a translator is required.

Deciding on subterfuge rather than a difficult detour through woods in search of a gap in the border fence, the party almost passes by the customs officers without comment, but [[Saunders]]' pale Scottish complexion raises suspicions and it looks as if the British officer drinking tea in the guardpost may be called upon until Saunders produces a thick wad of rupees to persuade the customs man to look the other way.

Nepal is entered. Crossing the border the party pass through thickly wooded country and stops the night in an inn at the village of Butwal.

=== Tuesday January 31st 1930 ===

Day 2

Today's trek follows a gorge lined with terraced farms and ends at Tansing, a village notable for its fine metalwork.

=== Wednesday February 1st 1930 ===

Day 3

Everyone feels fit and healthy as the day begins, but by mid afternoon the tricky terrain and worsening weather makes for heavy going. It is necessary to camp outside tonight, as no village is nearby. Dreams of the King in Yellow continue to disturb the investigators' sleep.

=== Thursday February 2nd 1930 ===

Day 4

After a tricky morning's travel the expedition reaches the lakeside town of Pokhara, which supports a street bazaar. while exploring the bazaar the investigators meet a trader who sold cooking utensils to another group of Europeans some months earlier. through him they trace the Italian expedition's former guide, Yangser Chumpo.

Yangser needs to be paid to talk, but when he does he shares the following information:

- There were four white men, one spoke Nepalese and Tibetan

- They were going to Drakmar, above the Monastery at [[Te]], near the village of Kag.

- That is not a good place, as the ''chortens'' have fallen and the black ghosts inhabit the caves.

- When he realised that was their destination, Yangser Chumpo told them they must leave, and when they did not, he left them.

- He is sure the ghosts must have taken them

=== Friday February 3rd 1930 ===

Day 5

The ground rises steadily as the investigators trek past several small villages until the reach a place called Rigme, where effigies of a goddess called ''Dhaulitya'' adorn the houses. This intrigues [[Saunders]] who takes many photographs and notes, the villagers in these parts recognise the investigators as westerners, but this deep into Nepal, none of them cares much.

=== Saturday February 4th 1930 ===

Day 6

At 5000ft above sea level the party encounters a narrow rope bridge. [[Nathaniel Browne]], suffering from acute acrophobia, proves quite incapable of crossing it until he requests and is given opium by [[Jigme Rinzing]]. When a second such bridge is reached later, Browne gets a second dose. The others worry that Browne seems used to the evil poppy.

The day ends at the market town of Hille on the main trade route to Tibet.

=== Sunday February 5th 1930 ===

Day 7

By the end of the day the party are 8000ft above sea level and have reached the village of Gora Pani, - [[Jigme Rinzing]]'s final destination, as his home is nearby.

It is just as well that the expedition will be delayed for a day while new help is found, as altitude sickness is beginning to effect some of the party.

=== Monday February 6th 1930 ===

Day 8

The day is spent in Gora Pani. [[Jigme Rinzing]] locates a new guide, a Tibetan called [[Tsewan Pemba]] and hires a new group of 6 bearers, a smaller number than were hitherto being used, which requires some of the heavier items to be traded in the town for food and other necessities.

The day's rest enables everyone to recover from the altitude sickness of the previous day. From here, the Annapurna range fills the Northern horizon.

=== Tuesday February 7th 1930 ===

Day 9

[[Image:kali.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Approaching the Kali Gandaki]]
Today the Kali Gandaki river gorge is reached, a most impressive sight. the day ends at the village of Gasa, where the women threshing grain on the flat roofs of the houses creates whirlwinds of chaff.

=== Wednesday February 8th 1930 ===

Day 10

A day of slow progress, featuring more rope bridges and more opium for [[Browne]]. in Tukatcha, the first ethnically Tibetan village reached, the bearers have to be replaced, but the new ones are willing to go all the way to Kag. The investigators have decided not to talk of Drakmar

=== Thursday February 9th 1930 ===

Day 11

Now travelling 9000ft above sea level, the expedition passes the treeline today and reaches a land of barren rock and wind-eroded caves. Red, black and white-painted ''chortens'' abound and prayer flags blow in the wind like the tatters of the king in yellow. This truly is the Himalaya.

Altitude sickness begins the threaten again, and [[Saunders]] is feeling the effects.

=== Friday February 10th 1930 ===

Day 12

The expedition, growing weary from its long, high trek has a short day's travel. Reaching the village of Jomoson, where the investigators see their first yaks, the espedition rests as [[Tsewan Pemba]] wishes to meet with a man here about the possible marriage of his young daughter.

While exploring the town [[Saunders]] finds that amongst the five buddhas in the local temple is one that is quite clearly the King in Yellow. Though painted white, the statue disturbingly seems to take on a yellow tinge when looked at for more than a few seconds.

The monk in the temple say that the God in Yellow is a god of the sky.

=== Saturday February 11th 1930 ===

[[Image:chortens.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Chortens, Mustang]]
Day 13

At 10,000 feet, with the effects of altitude quite noticable to all, the expedition follows the Kali Gandaki to the town of Kag. Kag looks like a fortress perched on a cliff, its houses built together, surrounding a central square.

In the monastery at Kag, where Pemba has arranged for the Europeans to sleep for the night, a monk gives [[Umberto]] a book which proves to be [[Carlo Schippone]]'s diary ([http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/29_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_1.pdf Part 1],[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/29_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_2.pdf Part 2],[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/29_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_3.pdf Part 3],[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/30_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_1.pdf Translation Part 1], [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/30_Carlo_Schippones_Diary_2.pdf Translation Part 2]), which was brought here from the monastery at Te many weeks ago.

[[Umberto]] reads the diary and tells the tale of the Italian expedition - the use of sorcery to cloud the mind of Major [[Ricardo Delnegro]] - encounters with creatures called 'the Tsotowa' - the religious fervour slowly changing to fear, terror and madness - and in the end Schippone's scribbled ravings about 'Miri Nigri', 'The White Acolyte', murder, blood and monsters. It ends with the phrase 'What have I done?' scrawled over and over again.

That night, as the investigators try to sleep they hear their guide and bearers in animated discussion

=== Sunday February 12th 1930 ===

Day 14

The day's trek reaches the deepest river gorge on earth - 18,000 feet deep, an awesome sight. The party has to leave the river and climb to 11,000 feet. It is bitterly cold. As darkness falls the small village of Tayen is reached.

In Tayen the locals say that there was a European at the monastery up at [[Te]]. The boy who came to the village for food for the lama told of him, and brought his book down to be taken the Kag in search of someone who could read it. According to the boy, the stranger came from Drakmar, where the Guru Rimpoche slew the Ogress Balmo and stained the cliffs with her blood. The ghosts in the caves took his companions.

The boy has not come down for many weeks. the villagers of Tayen think that ghosts, or even Balmo herself, have taken the monks too.

=== Monday February 13th 1930 ===

Day 15

This morning [[Tsewan Pemba]] comes to Withers and says he and his men will go no further. Ghosts and demons lie ahead, and no sane man would walk into that. The bearers are paid off, and they leave.

[[Siva]] now approaches the investigators and says that he is too frightened to go any further, and he begs his friends not to go themselves. Siva reveals he has children, and he won't leave them without a father.

He agrees instead to stay at Tayen and guard the expedition's supplies. he has found a local who wishes to go to the monastery and ask the monks to help his sick son. this man will lead the investigators up there tomorrow if they really must go. Since [[Saunders]] still feels ill from mountain sickness the enforced day of rest is a blessing in disguise.

=== Tuesday February 14th 1930 ===

Day 16

This proves to be the hardest day's travel so far. [[Saunders]] is suffering and the terrain is treacherous. the investigators rope themselves together, which saves [[Umberto]]'s life at one point. Meanwhile their guide, who is at least a decade older than any of them, bounds ahead like a mountain goat.

Eventually the Monastery at [[Te]] comes into view. A boulder-strewn plain lies between the ridge and the building itself. As the investigators crest the ridge, they spot a figure moving in a doorway. Before they can react a shot rings out and their guide, a hundred yards ahead, falls to the ground.

The investigators dive behind boulders for cover as the gunman walks out of the monastery, carbine in hand, and moves forward towards the guide lying on the ground. Faint noise and movement reveal that he is still alive but not likely to remain so unless prompt action is taken. Nathaniel Browne has no weapon and Andrew Saunders' shotgun is usless as the figure is a good 250 feet away. Umberto unwraps a rifle, rather a surprise, but it also has rather limited range and he begins to attempt to close the the distance while still remaining under cover. Withers has a rifle with rather better range, although it's still a difficult shot and his first one goes awry, obviously startling the shadowed figure who would have had no idea that there was anyone out there who was armed. He moves forward working the gun's action and fires another shot in the direction of Withers, but distance and cover make the shot all but impossible, and he misses.

Meanwhile Withers is carefully aiming his rifle from behind a boulder. The Captain fires a single, perfect, shot and hits the gunman in the head. A red mist bursts from his skull and he falls.

The investigators hurry to the two fallen figures. The guide is alive, though badly hurt, but Withers is able to stem the bleeding. The gunman proves to be [[Carlo Schippone]], bearded and apparently suffering the after-effects of frostbite - Withers' shot was instantly fatal.

Withers stays alone outside with the injured guide while the others check out the monastery complex to seek help, or at least to look for something from which to make a stretcher. They find the bodies of the three monks and their servant boy, evidently shot dead at least a month ago by Schippone, and in an unpleasant state.

Outside, Withers catches a glimpse of something moving amongst the rocks on a high ridge. He is glad when the others return and the injured man can be carried into the more defensible surroundings of the monastery. The monastery complex is large enough for the investigators to camp indoors without the smell of the corpses being a problem.

Now the problem of what to do with the injured man is raised. He can't be carried back to Tayen, and nor can he be abandoned here. Its just been decided that someone needs to go back for help when [[Siva]] stumbles out of the darkness. Wracked with guilt at abandoning his friends and employers, he has followed them after all.

The investigators, although worried about the possiblity of danger to Siva being left alone in the monastery, have very few options and ask Siva if he will stay here with the injured man and wait for them for at least 5 days. Siva is glad to be of service - this way he is helping them but does not need to go to [[Drakmar]]. Withers, who is especially concerned after reasoning that the movement he saw high up in the mountains this evening couldn't possibly have been Siva, searches out a defensible room for Siva to remain in.

An uneasy night is spent at Te.

=== Wednesday February 15th 1930 ===

Day 17

[[Image:mustang.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Approaching Drakmar]]
In the morning the investigators leave Siva with Schippone's carbine and enough food to last a week, then head up towards Drakmar.

There is still a lot of climbing to do, and the going is hard in the cold mountain air. The night is spent camped in the open in one of the loneliest, most desolate spots on the planet. That night everyone's recurring dreams reach terrifying, portentous climaxes. [[Nathaniel Browne]] wakes up screaming.

The investigators all reveal that they have dreamed horrible dreams of the King in Yellow, but none shares the details with his fellows just yet - Browne especially seems emphatic that whatever is happening simply 'must' be stopped. The rest of the night is all but sleepless.

=== Thursday February 16th 1930 ===

Day 18

In early afternoon the final ridge is crested and before the investigators lies the astonishing sight of the cliffs of [[Drakmar]]. A plain scattered with fallen [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorten chortens] lies between them and a great expense of red-stained cliffs. The cliffs are riddled with dozens of apparently man-made caves.

This is [[Quarrie]] and [[Anzalone]]'s final destination, the places where legend says that the Guru Rimpoche slew the ogress Balmo. [[Nathaniel Browne]] believes that he can hear, almost below the threshold of human hearing, a deep slow rhythmic thumping, something like a gigantic heartbeat.

---''to be continued''---

Session 8

2006-09-18T04:55:30Z

219.89.207.51: /* Leaving Carcosa */

==Session Report - Played Monday 24th July, 2006==

===Monday December 10th - Entering Carcosa===

[[Image:pigmask.jpg|right|200px]]

As the mist billows away the investigators realise that Mullardoch House is no longer visible. Instead, through the archway ahead of them is what appears to be an abandoned Roman villa. From ahead of them comes light and distant music, behind them the buildings are dark and silent, so they head through the archway.

On the other side they see that the villa is now a tall wooden tower with a great fire burning on its peak – like an ancient lighthouse. The archway behind them has changed too, now a simpler, lower building. Deciding that the lighthouse may be important, as it stands where Mulalrdoch House should, they enter its open door to find a bare room containing 4 masks on hooks and the stairs up. The masks are ornare stylised animals: an owl, a pig, an ape and a lion. They take one each and go up to the roof.

On the roof a fire with no apparent fuel course burns in a great brazier. From here they can see the extent of the city, spread along both sides of the Loch, which is now also the Lake of Hali. Twin suns shine palely through the clouds and on the opposite side of the Lake sits a vast palace, from which faint music spills. The decision is made to head for the palace.

Back at ground level the entry gate has changed once more, now its surmounted by a great crystal sculpture of a bird with the head of a horse. [[Saunders]] catches a glimpse of movement, turns are sees two creatures that look like the [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] fly behind a distant spire.

===The Narrow Bridge===

The investigators head into the city, soon locating a high bridge, only a foot wide and without handrails, crossing a deep canal. [[Nathaniel Browne]] starts across, slips and falls into the water. [[Withers]] dives in after him, but by the time [[Bartlett]] and [[Saunders]] reach the edge of the path, neither can be seen. They call for their friends, but hear no reply. Saunders decides to hurry across the bridge, also slips and is only just saved by Bartlett. They decide to find another way across further downstream.

Withers hits the water, resurfaces and realises he cannot see Browne. Treading water he calls for him and hears a distant shout. Steps lead up from the water nearby, so Withers takes them. When he reaches the top the bridge back across the river has changed to something larger and safer, but Withers is alone.

Browne has had a similar experience. After hitting the water he splashed his way to the nearby steps, an shouted up to his friends, but nobody came. Climbing the steps he found himself alone, with an unfamiliar bridge back across the water. Then he heard a gunshots deeper inside the city, and thinking it was his companions, followed the sound.

===Split Up===

[[Browne]] finds himself entering a Roman-style ampitheatre, apparently in use as a theatre. He catches a glimpse of movement, sees a gun aimed from behind a pillar and dives for cover as a flurry of pistol shots come his way. He calls out, and his assailant breaks cover and runs for the exit. It is a portly middle-aged man in a tweed suit and tie. The click of hammer on chamber shows he is out of ammunition. Browne intercepts the man, tries to tackle him and receives a pistol blow to the temple in return.

Browne reels away, dazed, but his assailant, recognising Browne as just a man (and a Brit, at that) calms down and apologises, introducing himself as [[Quentin Spence]]. “Quentin Spence the poet?” asks Browne. The man confirms that this is indeed he. Spence is pleased to be recognised and explains that he’s had enough of this place and was trying to leave. He’d come here at [[Edwards]]’ instructions, being a member of the [[Hastur]] ‘brotherhood’ for some time, but he had seen monsters and horrors here that were more than his bargained for. He explains that Edwards has been attempting to summon [[The King in Yellow]], somehow harnessing repeated performances of the [[play]] for power, but thus far has only succeeded in calling up more [[flying creatures]] and other horrible monstrosities.

At this point Browne notices the legs of a corpse sticking out from behind a piece of scenery, a local in carnival gear and a bird mask, dead from a bullet wound to the head. He turns to find Spence backing slowly towards an exit. Browne advances angrily on Spence demanding that he explain his actions. Spence levels his gun at Browne again, says “I've reloaded it. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to kill him – just let me leave”. Browne continues to advance, telling Spence he can leave, but not with the gun as he fears that Spence cannot be trusted with it. Spence drops the gun and scuttles away. Unfortunately, as Browne suspected, he was bluffing and had not reloaded the gun after all. Browne now wanders the streets of Carcosa alone and unarmed.

Withers soon encounters a group of locals, Carcosan revellers, masked as they all are. One of these locals, a leatherworker named [[Noss]] takes an interest in Withers and offers to be his guide. He can take him to a place where he can be renuited with his companions, or to the lakeside where a boat the the Palace can be procured, or to see the ‘other outsider’, who can be found at the Scultpure Museum. Withers asked about this man and from the description he is given realises that it is probably [[Alexander Roby]], He asks to be taken the the Sculpture Museum.

Crossing the canal through a tunnel, Saunders and Bartlett find themselves in an area of narrow winding residential streets. The catch a distant glimpse of what appears to be [[the Stranger]] from the play, head in his direction and eventually come upon the gardens surrounding the Sculpture Museum, where they encounter Withers and Noss, who have just arrived.

Poor Nathaniel Browne wanders Carcosa alone, unaware of any of this.

===The Sculpture Museum===

[[Noss]] leads the investigators towards the small white building at the centre of a garden full of many fantastic works of sculpture, including a medusa, a perfect simulacrum of a cypress tree standing beside its living twin and, immediately outside the entrance to the building, four creatures like [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] which turn out not to be statues at all, but the real thing, bound here for centuries.

A doorway leads to a concourse and a great stairway leading into the first of a network of great underground galleries. Noss leads the way past two enomrous and beautiful dioarmas of New York City, one current and one futuristic, through a gallery of thousands of whistles from many times and cultures, each similar in its own way to the cult's [[bone whistle]]s and via many other strange sights. In one gallery [[Andrew Saunders]] finds an unfinished clay man that reminds him of [[Nathaniel Browne]]. Eventually they discover a circular study hall.

Once inside, they find Roby, initially napping, but easily wakened and now apparently sane and rational, he greets [[Bartlett]] and is happy to discuss whats happening. He has brought Carcosa to Earth by writing it into being and now he can life here eternally. The city will remain on Earth for 4 more days before it leaves, taken with it all who remain. The rest of the cult are staying in the Palace, where they are enjoying the Queen's hospitality, but Roby wanted some solitude.

Noss tells them that Roby’s friends, lead by [[Edwards]] have been summoning creatures such as the one they saw in the woods - Roby recognises these as the Spawn of Hastur, and that a great flock of flying creatures, which Roby calls [[byakhee]] are also present. Roby realises Edwards is trying to call the King in Yellow, which is impossible in this place (Roby wrote a flaw into the city when he created it) and doing so will bring Hastur in a terrible form that’ll kill everyone. Roby decides to head the Palace to talk to Edwards – the others come with him.

===The Lake of Hali===

Roby leads everyone to the lakeside, where they are pleased to find [[Browne]] at the wharf. Across the Lake the roof of the palace is covered in hundreds of [[byakhee]], but nonetheless they find a boat and start throw across the lake. [[Noss]], unwilling to defile the palace with his presence, bids his farewell and stays ashore.

Halfway across a Spawn surfaces, dives under the boat and knocks it heavily, pitching [[Withers]] and [[Saunders]] into the Lake. They are able to grab onto oars and save themselves, and only [[Bartlett]] gets a clear view as the creature breaks the surface off the stern and dives back into the depths. An hour or so later the boat reaches the crowded palace wharf and the investigators enter the massive and complex Palace of Cassilda.

===In the Palace===

Inside the palace they travel through many halls and corridors, seeing occasional glimpses of revllers under they come across the corpse of a cook, his throat slashed, and [[Withers]] sees [[Coombes]] bloody knife in hand, fleeing the scene.

As the investigators move on through a long gallery, Coombes appears on a balcony high above the party and taunts them. Browne retorts in kind, reminding Coombes of his failure to protect Bacon. It appears that being here has sent Coombes over the edge and he is now using the palace as a private hunting ground.

A few rooms later a young noblewoman, [[Yolanda]] runs straight into [[Withers]]. She apologises but says that a tall man with a knife was chasing her. They here Coombes' footsteps hurrying away down the corridor. Yolanda asked the investigators where they are going, and offers to help them find the terrace where the visitors are performing their play - a play they are performing for the fourth consecutive evening. The investigators realise that time is unreliable here, as it should not yet be dark. The view through the windows, however, shows alien stars in a black sky.

Yolanda leads them to a room overlooking the terrace where [[Edwards]] and his friends are acting out a version of "[[the King in Yellow]]" for an audience of hundreds of strangely silent [[byakhee]]. As a part of the play Edwards is being repeatedly struck with a sword, blood everywhere, but instantly healing his wounds. Roby explains that he’s been able to do the since Springer Mound, and that his seems to like it. [[Saunders]] wants to use the [[Chime of Tezchaptl] to interrupt the play, but Roby says this will bring the byakhee down on them – he is sure that [[Hastur]] is not coming just yet and wants a chance to talk to Edwards.

The investigators agree to wait, and watch as the play concludes and another Spawn is summoned from he waters of the Lake. Yolanda suggests everyone retire to her chambers. By now she's openly flirting with an extremely uncomfortable Withers.

===Tuesday December 11th - Roby's Plans===

[[Alexander Roby]] tells the others to get some rest – he needs to go and see [[Edwards]] alone. He leaves and returns an hour later, furious – Edwards means to go through with it and won’t listen to reason. Roby says he needs to consider the answer. a little later he asks to borrow a revolver, and is given one. [[Bartlett]] is instantly worried by his manner and does not allow him to leave the room.

“Sorry, Bartlett” it’s the only way, and he makes to shoot himself. Roby explains that if he dies, [[Carcosa]] will leave the Earth and Edwards’ plan fail. There follows a tense scene where the investigators talk him out of suicide, which is resolved when they come up with an alternate plan. Roby can have the [[Chime of Tezchaptl]] and try to use that first. If it fails, suicide is still an option.

The rest of the day is spent waiting for the next performance of ‘The King in Yellow’ as Roby reads [[the Turner Codex]] so he can learn the usage of the Chime. As the time comes, Roby tells the investigators they cannot come with him, He’s told [[Yolanda]] how to get them out of Carcosa and he's asked her to take them immediately. If they don’t follow they will be trapped in Carcosa when it leaves Earth. Feeling guilty at leaving him to face his fate alone, but also feeling powerless to do otherwise, the investigators follow Yolanda through the palace to a garden containing a maze – she leads them inside, but Coombes has been following.

===Leaving Carcosa===

Within the maze, Yolanda loses her way and walks into an ambush. She is assaulted by Coombes, but his knife misses grazing the ear of Withers instead as he pulls Yolanda down. As Combes flees he is winged by a shot from [[Withers]], but vanishes into the maze.

At this point the howls of a thousand [[byakhee]] come from the Lake and the city begins to shake – Roby has succeeded. The investigatoirs, realising they have little time, hurry to reach the centre of the maze, where a stone mosaic of the Yellow Sign is found.

[[Browne]] steps onto it and disappears, but [[Yolanda]] reveals she cannot follow. [[Withers]] steps through, then [[Saunders]] and [[Bartlett]] realise that if they go through, Yolanda will be trapped with Coombes. Bartlett, badly shaken, apologises and leaves. Saunders decides to leave her armed and hands his shotgun to Yolanda, as he tries to explain its use, Coombes arrives.

“Hello Andrew” he says, “ready to play with the big boys?” and he throws a knife in front of Saunders. Yolanda is staring at the gun in her hands, with no apparent idea of its function, so a knife fight starts. Unfortunately Coombes is very good, and Saunders isn’t. Saunders feels Coombes' sharp blade enter his side, falls back onto the mosaic and hears the blast of a gunshot just as he passes back into his own world.

===Mullardoch House===

The investigators find themselves in the enclosed kitchen garden of Mullardoch House as Carcosa shimmers and blinks out of existence around them. [[Saunders]] is badly hurt, so [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] enter the house to find a telephone. in the hall they find the hideously burned and twisted corpse of [[Edwards]], hurled back into this world when the energy of the spell was turned back on him by Roby jusing the Chime.

As Browne picks up the phone, Withers sees the corpse start to shift and transform, rising seconds later as a humanoid horror with boneless arms – mathcing the description of the Canal Monster, which they guess must have been [[Lawrence Bacon]], similarly resurrected. Withers fires several revolver shots at the thing with little visible effect and it closes on Browne, who is cornered.

Suddenly [[Bartlett]] rushes in with a garden fork and pins the Edwards thing to the wall. The suckers on the end of its boneless arm engulf the side of the Doctor’s head and half of Bartlett’s face is torn away just as Withers puts a well-aimed rifle bullet straight through its brain.

Edwrads dies, for good this time, his corpse reverted to its former ruin.

Bartlett is saved from the brink of death by Withers’ first aid skills, and help is called for.

That same night, 12 people died of ‘natural causes’ in the nearby hamlet of Cannich.

The investigators have been left with a warning from Roby. Unlike Edwards, Malcolm Quarrie knows what he’s doing. He plans to call the King in Yellow to Earth and must be found, and stopped. With Bartlett and Saunders seriosuly injured and hospitalised, and the authorities in search of explanations, Quarrie will have to wait.

Meanwhile, that very night, a dozen of the villagers' of Cannich die, in an echo of events in [[Clare Melford]]'s 'night of the curse'. There is a [[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/19_Newspaper_Article_on_Events_in_the_Highlands.pdf report]] in the next day's newspaper

The investigators are taken to Inverness, two of them to hospital, two for questioning by the police. Its a long night for everyone.

Session 8

2006-09-18T04:53:54Z

219.89.207.51: /* In the Palace */

==Session Report - Played Monday 24th July, 2006==

===Monday December 10th - Entering Carcosa===

[[Image:pigmask.jpg|right|200px]]

As the mist billows away the investigators realise that Mullardoch House is no longer visible. Instead, through the archway ahead of them is what appears to be an abandoned Roman villa. From ahead of them comes light and distant music, behind them the buildings are dark and silent, so they head through the archway.

On the other side they see that the villa is now a tall wooden tower with a great fire burning on its peak – like an ancient lighthouse. The archway behind them has changed too, now a simpler, lower building. Deciding that the lighthouse may be important, as it stands where Mulalrdoch House should, they enter its open door to find a bare room containing 4 masks on hooks and the stairs up. The masks are ornare stylised animals: an owl, a pig, an ape and a lion. They take one each and go up to the roof.

On the roof a fire with no apparent fuel course burns in a great brazier. From here they can see the extent of the city, spread along both sides of the Loch, which is now also the Lake of Hali. Twin suns shine palely through the clouds and on the opposite side of the Lake sits a vast palace, from which faint music spills. The decision is made to head for the palace.

Back at ground level the entry gate has changed once more, now its surmounted by a great crystal sculpture of a bird with the head of a horse. [[Saunders]] catches a glimpse of movement, turns are sees two creatures that look like the [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] fly behind a distant spire.

===The Narrow Bridge===

The investigators head into the city, soon locating a high bridge, only a foot wide and without handrails, crossing a deep canal. [[Nathaniel Browne]] starts across, slips and falls into the water. [[Withers]] dives in after him, but by the time [[Bartlett]] and [[Saunders]] reach the edge of the path, neither can be seen. They call for their friends, but hear no reply. Saunders decides to hurry across the bridge, also slips and is only just saved by Bartlett. They decide to find another way across further downstream.

Withers hits the water, resurfaces and realises he cannot see Browne. Treading water he calls for him and hears a distant shout. Steps lead up from the water nearby, so Withers takes them. When he reaches the top the bridge back across the river has changed to something larger and safer, but Withers is alone.

Browne has had a similar experience. After hitting the water he splashed his way to the nearby steps, an shouted up to his friends, but nobody came. Climbing the steps he found himself alone, with an unfamiliar bridge back across the water. Then he heard a gunshots deeper inside the city, and thinking it was his companions, followed the sound.

===Split Up===

[[Browne]] finds himself entering a Roman-style ampitheatre, apparently in use as a theatre. He catches a glimpse of movement, sees a gun aimed from behind a pillar and dives for cover as a flurry of pistol shots come his way. He calls out, and his assailant breaks cover and runs for the exit. It is a portly middle-aged man in a tweed suit and tie. The click of hammer on chamber shows he is out of ammunition. Browne intercepts the man, tries to tackle him and receives a pistol blow to the temple in return.

Browne reels away, dazed, but his assailant, recognising Browne as just a man (and a Brit, at that) calms down and apologises, introducing himself as [[Quentin Spence]]. “Quentin Spence the poet?” asks Browne. The man confirms that this is indeed he. Spence is pleased to be recognised and explains that he’s had enough of this place and was trying to leave. He’d come here at [[Edwards]]’ instructions, being a member of the [[Hastur]] ‘brotherhood’ for some time, but he had seen monsters and horrors here that were more than his bargained for. He explains that Edwards has been attempting to summon [[The King in Yellow]], somehow harnessing repeated performances of the [[play]] for power, but thus far has only succeeded in calling up more [[flying creatures]] and other horrible monstrosities.

At this point Browne notices the legs of a corpse sticking out from behind a piece of scenery, a local in carnival gear and a bird mask, dead from a bullet wound to the head. He turns to find Spence backing slowly towards an exit. Browne advances angrily on Spence demanding that he explain his actions. Spence levels his gun at Browne again, says “I've reloaded it. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to kill him – just let me leave”. Browne continues to advance, telling Spence he can leave, but not with the gun as he fears that Spence cannot be trusted with it. Spence drops the gun and scuttles away. Unfortunately, as Browne suspected, he was bluffing and had not reloaded the gun after all. Browne now wanders the streets of Carcosa alone and unarmed.

Withers soon encounters a group of locals, Carcosan revellers, masked as they all are. One of these locals, a leatherworker named [[Noss]] takes an interest in Withers and offers to be his guide. He can take him to a place where he can be renuited with his companions, or to the lakeside where a boat the the Palace can be procured, or to see the ‘other outsider’, who can be found at the Scultpure Museum. Withers asked about this man and from the description he is given realises that it is probably [[Alexander Roby]], He asks to be taken the the Sculpture Museum.

Crossing the canal through a tunnel, Saunders and Bartlett find themselves in an area of narrow winding residential streets. The catch a distant glimpse of what appears to be [[the Stranger]] from the play, head in his direction and eventually come upon the gardens surrounding the Sculpture Museum, where they encounter Withers and Noss, who have just arrived.

Poor Nathaniel Browne wanders Carcosa alone, unaware of any of this.

===The Sculpture Museum===

[[Noss]] leads the investigators towards the small white building at the centre of a garden full of many fantastic works of sculpture, including a medusa, a perfect simulacrum of a cypress tree standing beside its living twin and, immediately outside the entrance to the building, four creatures like [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] which turn out not to be statues at all, but the real thing, bound here for centuries.

A doorway leads to a concourse and a great stairway leading into the first of a network of great underground galleries. Noss leads the way past two enomrous and beautiful dioarmas of New York City, one current and one futuristic, through a gallery of thousands of whistles from many times and cultures, each similar in its own way to the cult's [[bone whistle]]s and via many other strange sights. In one gallery [[Andrew Saunders]] finds an unfinished clay man that reminds him of [[Nathaniel Browne]]. Eventually they discover a circular study hall.

Once inside, they find Roby, initially napping, but easily wakened and now apparently sane and rational, he greets [[Bartlett]] and is happy to discuss whats happening. He has brought Carcosa to Earth by writing it into being and now he can life here eternally. The city will remain on Earth for 4 more days before it leaves, taken with it all who remain. The rest of the cult are staying in the Palace, where they are enjoying the Queen's hospitality, but Roby wanted some solitude.

Noss tells them that Roby’s friends, lead by [[Edwards]] have been summoning creatures such as the one they saw in the woods - Roby recognises these as the Spawn of Hastur, and that a great flock of flying creatures, which Roby calls [[byakhee]] are also present. Roby realises Edwards is trying to call the King in Yellow, which is impossible in this place (Roby wrote a flaw into the city when he created it) and doing so will bring Hastur in a terrible form that’ll kill everyone. Roby decides to head the Palace to talk to Edwards – the others come with him.

===The Lake of Hali===

Roby leads everyone to the lakeside, where they are pleased to find [[Browne]] at the wharf. Across the Lake the roof of the palace is covered in hundreds of [[byakhee]], but nonetheless they find a boat and start throw across the lake. [[Noss]], unwilling to defile the palace with his presence, bids his farewell and stays ashore.

Halfway across a Spawn surfaces, dives under the boat and knocks it heavily, pitching [[Withers]] and [[Saunders]] into the Lake. They are able to grab onto oars and save themselves, and only [[Bartlett]] gets a clear view as the creature breaks the surface off the stern and dives back into the depths. An hour or so later the boat reaches the crowded palace wharf and the investigators enter the massive and complex Palace of Cassilda.

===In the Palace===

Inside the palace they travel through many halls and corridors, seeing occasional glimpses of revllers under they come across the corpse of a cook, his throat slashed, and [[Withers]] sees [[Coombes]] bloody knife in hand, fleeing the scene.

As the investigators move on through a long gallery, Coombes appears on a balcony high above the party and taunts them. Browne retorts in kind, reminding Coombes of his failure to protect Bacon. It appears that being here has sent Coombes over the edge and he is now using the palace as a private hunting ground.

A few rooms later a young noblewoman, [[Yolanda]] runs straight into [[Withers]]. She apologises but says that a tall man with a knife was chasing her. They here Coombes' footsteps hurrying away down the corridor. Yolanda asked the investigators where they are going, and offers to help them find the terrace where the visitors are performing their play - a play they are performing for the fourth consecutive evening. The investigators realise that time is unreliable here, as it should not yet be dark. The view through the windows, however, shows alien stars in a black sky.

Yolanda leads them to a room overlooking the terrace where [[Edwards]] and his friends are acting out a version of "[[the King in Yellow]]" for an audience of hundreds of strangely silent [[byakhee]]. As a part of the play Edwards is being repeatedly struck with a sword, blood everywhere, but instantly healing his wounds. Roby explains that he’s been able to do the since Springer Mound, and that his seems to like it. [[Saunders]] wants to use the [[Chime of Tezchaptl] to interrupt the play, but Roby says this will bring the byakhee down on them – he is sure that [[Hastur]] is not coming just yet and wants a chance to talk to Edwards.

The investigators agree to wait, and watch as the play concludes and another Spawn is summoned from he waters of the Lake. Yolanda suggests everyone retire to her chambers. By now she's openly flirting with an extremely uncomfortable Withers.

===Tuesday December 11th - Roby's Plans===

[[Alexander Roby]] tells the others to get some rest – he needs to go and see [[Edwards]] alone. He leaves and returns an hour later, furious – Edwards means to go through with it and won’t listen to reason. Roby says he needs to consider the answer. a little later he asks to borrow a revolver, and is given one. [[Bartlett]] is instantly worried by his manner and does not allow him to leave the room.

“Sorry, Bartlett” it’s the only way, and he makes to shoot himself. Roby explains that if he dies, [[Carcosa]] will leave the Earth and Edwards’ plan fail. There follows a tense scene where the investigators talk him out of suicide, which is resolved when they come up with an alternate plan. Roby can have the [[Chime of Tezchaptl]] and try to use that first. If it fails, suicide is still an option.

The rest of the day is spent waiting for the next performance of ‘The King in Yellow’ as Roby reads [[the Turner Codex]] so he can learn the usage of the Chime. As the time comes, Roby tells the investigators they cannot come with him, He’s told [[Yolanda]] how to get them out of Carcosa and he's asked her to take them immediately. If they don’t follow they will be trapped in Carcosa when it leaves Earth. Feeling guilty at leaving him to face his fate alone, but also feeling powerless to do otherwise, the investigators follow Yolanda through the palace to a garden containing a maze – she leads them inside, but Coombes has been following.

===Leaving Carcosa===

Within the maze, Yolanda loses her way and walks into an ambush. She is assaulted by Coombes, but his knife misses. As he flees he is winged by a shot from [[Withers]], but vanishes into the maze.

At this point the howls of a thousand [[byakhee]] come from the Lake and the city begins to shake – Roby has succeeded. The investigatoirs, realising they have little time, hurry to reach the centre of the maze, where a stone mosaic of the Yellow Sign is found.

[[Browne]] steps onto it and disappears, but [[Yolanda]] reveals she cannot follow. [[Withers]] steps through, then [[Saunders]] and [[Bartlett]] realise that if they go through, Yolanda will be trapped with Coombes. Bartlett, badly shaken, apologises and leaves. Saunders decides to leave her armed and hands his shotgun to Yolanda, as he tries to explain its use, Coombes arrives.

“Hello Andrew” he says, “ready to play with the big boys?” and he throws a knife in front of Saunders. Yolanda is staring at the gun in her hands, with no apparent idea of its function, so a knife fight starts. Unfortunately Coombes is very good, and Saunders isn’t. Saunders feels Coombes' sharp blade enter his side, falls back onto the mosaic and hears the blast of a gunshot just as he passes back into his own world.

===Mullardoch House===

The investigators find themselves in the enclosed kitchen garden of Mullardoch House as Carcosa shimmers and blinks out of existence around them. [[Saunders]] is badly hurt, so [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] enter the house to find a telephone. in the hall they find the hideously burned and twisted corpse of [[Edwards]], hurled back into this world when the energy of the spell was turned back on him by Roby jusing the Chime.

As Browne picks up the phone, Withers sees the corpse start to shift and transform, rising seconds later as a humanoid horror with boneless arms – mathcing the description of the Canal Monster, which they guess must have been [[Lawrence Bacon]], similarly resurrected. Withers fires several revolver shots at the thing with little visible effect and it closes on Browne, who is cornered.

Suddenly [[Bartlett]] rushes in with a garden fork and pins the Edwards thing to the wall. The suckers on the end of its boneless arm engulf the side of the Doctor’s head and half of Bartlett’s face is torn away just as Withers puts a well-aimed rifle bullet straight through its brain.

Edwrads dies, for good this time, his corpse reverted to its former ruin.

Bartlett is saved from the brink of death by Withers’ first aid skills, and help is called for.

That same night, 12 people died of ‘natural causes’ in the nearby hamlet of Cannich.

The investigators have been left with a warning from Roby. Unlike Edwards, Malcolm Quarrie knows what he’s doing. He plans to call the King in Yellow to Earth and must be found, and stopped. With Bartlett and Saunders seriosuly injured and hospitalised, and the authorities in search of explanations, Quarrie will have to wait.

Meanwhile, that very night, a dozen of the villagers' of Cannich die, in an echo of events in [[Clare Melford]]'s 'night of the curse'. There is a [[http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/19_Newspaper_Article_on_Events_in_the_Highlands.pdf report]] in the next day's newspaper

The investigators are taken to Inverness, two of them to hospital, two for questioning by the police. Its a long night for everyone.

Session 13

2006-09-15T02:04:47Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006==

=== Friday January 12th 1930 ===

The ship steams across the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden. In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause. As the day progresses his friends can see an occasional smile, although he doesn't share the content and evades any questions on it.

At lunch, Mrs [[Tullis]] announces her planned Gilbert and Sullivan recital, "[[William and Arthur]]", and allocates songs to each of the guests. Realising their voices are not strong, the investigators decide to start rehearsing that afternoon, but [[Julian Knight]] does not turn up. The rehearsal is not encouraging.

Francessca, who is getting concerned that her friend Patricia is falling rather heavily for Captain Withers and that she has seen little evidence that he returns the feeling, expresses to Nathaniel that Captain Withers should make his intentions towards her clear. Both Withers and Brown think that it might be better to come from her in a non direct and more face saving way but Francessca is insistent and says that Patricia has recently been badly hurt by a man and that it is important that Captain Withers doesn't behave in a similar fashion.

So later that evening an extremely reluctant and highly embarrased Captain Withers suggests a walk along the deck after dinner. Although he does his best to let her down lightly Patricia reacts badly, seemingly accusing Withers of not liking her because she's too quiet. She doesn't listen to his urgent denials and confessions of already loving another before he meet her and Patricia eventually disolves into tears and runs off into the night to [[Francesca Nicholson]] for comfort.

Also that very evening Francesca declared her love to [[Nathaniel Browne]], who returned the feelings in full.

=== Saturday January 13th 1930 ===

[[Image:Aden.jpg|thumb|300px|The Port at Aden|right]]

In late morning the ship docks at the port of Aden. Passengers go ashore and visit the town. Withers goes into town to try and find some flowers to make up for his rejection of Ms. Berry, but can find none of quality in the dingy town. Browne stays on board as Francesca is comforting Patricia. Although he tries not to, he can't help but feel a little annoyed at Withers for being the reason for his inability to spend time with Francessca. [[Patricia Berry]] is absent from both lunch and dinner, but is witnessed by Nathaniel and Francesca that evening on the dancefloor with [[Julian Knight]], clearly the worse for drink and equally clearly trying to spite [[Withers]]. Francesca advises Nathaniel that anything they try to do will only make things worse, and Nathaniel advises George to stay away from the ballroom.

=== Sunday January 14th 1930 ===

[[Withers]] meets with [[Julian Knight]] and warns him not to mistreat [[Patricia Berry]] or sully her honour. Knight sneers at Withers, saying that it is Withers who has wronged her.

That evening Table 8 dines with the Captain and Knight is sober, charming and a perfect gentleman.

=== Monday January 15th 1930 ===

The investigators speak at length to [[Umberto]] while making plans of what to do when they reach India. They agree to allow him to accompany them on the trail of [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

Once more [[Julian Knight]] dances with [[Patricia Berry]], but he remains sober and is a gentleman throughout the evening.

=== Tuesday January 16th 1930 ===

The last full day aboard the ship, Tuesday ends with the passengers' concert. Each table in the dining room puts on its own show - varying from short melodrama to poetic recitation. Table 8 delivers "[[William and Arthur]]" with great success; Francesca and the two Gentleman solo's shine in particular and receive great applause. [[Withers]] and [[Julian Knight]] engage in a little singing rivalry, a by product of which results in the Medly being more of a success than previously expected. Much champagne is drunk and everyone parties into the night.

=== Wednesday January 17th 1930 ===

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] awake with severe hangovers as the Malabar Coast hoves into view. The ship docks at [[Bombay]] in mid-morning and the passengers disembark.

Mrs [[Tullis]] takes charge of making sure everyone's luggage is gathered and transport arranged to the Taj Mahal hotel, where she has insisted everyone spend their first night (she can get a group discount on this finest of indian hotels).

A dockside photograph of the table 8 crew is arranged. [[Patricia Berry]] looks unhappy, and [[Withers]] is concerned.

A few minutes later, as the table 8 crew says their farewells (thought they plan to meet later for a meal), there is a sudden scream from [[Francesca Nicholson]]. The investigators turn to see her looking down into the water from the dock. "Patricia fell in!" she yells. In seconds Withers has dived into the water and is trying to save Ms Berry, but she fights him and its obvious she intends to drown herself. It's all Withers can do to keep her head above water, but soon [[Saunders]] jumps in to help, and between the two men, Patricia is brought to the steps and safety.

"Why did you do it?", asks Withers.

"It was Julian," she sobs, "what he did to me."

[[Image:taj.jpg|thumb|400px|The Taj Mahal Hotel|right]]

Furious, Withers leaves Patricia with Saunders and rushes up the steps, storming past a confused Browne, to find [[Julian Knight]], who can be seen boarding a taxi. 'Stop right there, you son of a bitch!' Withers yells as he runs after Knight. It looks like Knight may escape, but as the taxi starts out it is cut off by a produce truck. Withers drags the startled Knight out of the taxi and orders him to defend himself. Knight seems in shock but a fist whistling past his ear convinces him that [[Captain Withers]] is in deadly ernest and he engages him back. Mrs Tullis steps in to prevent interference by the local constabulary as the two men spar. The two land a few blows, before Withers ends the fight with a body blow followed by a right cross which drops Knight like a sack of spuds.

As Withers stands over the battered, bleeding diplomat, Miss Berry walks over and, with great courage and all the dignity she can muster, points at Knight and loudly says "That man raped me!"

Knight is arrested. Mrs Tullis assures the group that her connections will ensure that Julian will have great difficulty exercising his diplomatic immunity.

As soon as a doctor has looked at Patricia, and given her a clean bill of health, Withers apologises for his profanity in front of the ladies('Quite reasonable in the circumstances, old boy!') and those without permanent accomodation in the city head for the Taj Mahal hotel accompanied by Mrs Tullis, who smoothes the way at every step.

Session 13

2006-09-15T02:03:00Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006==

=== Friday January 12th 1930 ===

The ship steams across the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden. In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause. As the day progresses his friends can see an occasional smile, although he doesn't share the content and evades any questions on it.

At lunch, Mrs [[Tullis]] announces her planned Gilbert and Sullivan recital, "[[William and Arthur]]", and allocates songs to each of the guests. Realising their voices are not strong, the investigators decide to start rehearsing that afternoon, but [[Julian Knight]] does not turn up. The rehearsal is not encouraging.

Francessca, who is getting concerned that her friend Patricia is falling rather heavily for Captain Withers and that she has seen little evidence that he returns the feeling, expresses to Nathaniel that [[Captain Withers]] should make his intentions towards her clear. Both Withers and Brown think that it might be better to come from her in a non direct and more face saving way but Francessca is insistent and says that Patricia has recently been badly hurt by a man and that it is important that [[Captain Withers]] doesn't behave in a similar fashion.

So later that evening an extremely reluctant and highly embarrased Captain Withers suggests a walk along the deck after dinner. Although he does his best to let her down lightly Patricia reacts badly, seemingly accusing Withers of not liking her because she's too quiet. She doesn't listen to his urgent denials and confessions of already loving another before he meet her and Patricia eventually disolves into tears and runs off into the night to [[Francesca Nicholson]] for comfort.

Also that very evening Francesca declared her love to [[Nathaniel Browne]], who returned the feelings in full.

=== Saturday January 13th 1930 ===

[[Image:Aden.jpg|thumb|300px|The Port at Aden|right]]

In late morning the ship docks at the port of Aden. Passengers go ashore and visit the town. Withers goes into town to try and find some flowers to make up for his rejection of Ms. Berry, but can find none of quality in the dingy town. Browne stays on board as Francesca is comforting Patricia. Although he tries not to, he can't help but feel a little annoyed at Withers for being the reason for his inability to spend time with Francessca. [[Patricia Berry]] is absent from both lunch and dinner, but is witnessed by Nathaniel and Francesca that evening on the dancefloor with [[Julian Knight]], clearly the worse for drink and equally clearly trying to spite [[Withers]]. Francesca advises Nathaniel that anything they try to do will only make things worse, an Nathaniel advises George to stay away from the ballroom.

=== Sunday January 14th 1930 ===

[[Withers]] meets with [[Julian Knight]] and warns him not to mistreat [[Patricia Berry]] or sully her honour. Knight sneers at Withers, saying that it is Withers who has wronged her.

That evening Table 8 dines with the Captain and Knight is sober, charming and a perfect gentleman.

=== Monday January 15th 1930 ===

The investigators speak at length to [[Umberto]] while making plans of what to do when they reach India. They agree to allow him to accompany them on the trail of [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

Once more [[Julian Knight]] dances with [[Patricia Berry]], but he remains sober and is a gentleman throughout the evening.

=== Tuesday January 16th 1930 ===

The last full day aboard the ship, Tuesday ends with the passengers' concert. Each table in the dining room puts on its own show - varying from short melodrama to poetic recitation. Table 8 delivers "[[William and Arthur]]" with great success; Francesca and the two Gentleman solo's shine in particular and receive great applause. [[Withers]] and [[Julian Knight]] engage in a little singing rivalry, a by product of which results in the Medly being more of a success than previously expected. Much champagne is drunk and everyone parties into the night.

=== Wednesday January 17th 1930 ===

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] awake with severe hangovers as the Malabar Coast hoves into view. The ship docks at [[Bombay]] in mid-morning and the passengers disembark.

Mrs [[Tullis]] takes charge of making sure everyone's luggage is gathered and transport arranged to the Taj Mahal hotel, where she has insisted everyone spend their first night (she can get a group discount on this finest of indian hotels).

A dockside photograph of the table 8 crew is arranged. [[Patricia Berry]] looks unhappy, and [[Withers]] is concerned.

A few minutes later, as the table 8 crew says their farewells (thought they plan to meet later for a meal), there is a sudden scream from [[Francesca Nicholson]]. The investigators turn to see her looking down into the water from the dock. "Patricia fell in!" she yells. In seconds Withers has dived into the water and is trying to save Ms Berry, but she fights him and its obvious she intends to drown herself. It's all Withers can do to keep her head above water, but soon [[Saunders]] jumps in to help, and between the two men, Patricia is brought to the steps and safety.

"Why did you do it?", asks Withers.

"It was Julian," she sobs, "what he did to me."

[[Image:taj.jpg|thumb|400px|The Taj Mahal Hotel|right]]

Furious, Withers leaves Patricia with Saunders and rushes up the steps, storming past a confused Browne, to find [[Julian Knight]], who can be seen boarding a taxi. 'Stop right there, you son of a bitch!' Withers yells as he runs after Knight. It looks like Knight may escape, but as the taxi starts out it is cut off by a produce truck. Withers drags the startled Knight out of the taxi and orders him to defend himself. Knight seems in shock but a fist whistling past his ear convinces him that [[Captain Withers]] is in deadly ernest and he engages him back. Mrs Tullis steps in to prevent interference by the local constabulary as the two men spar. The two land a few blows, before Withers ends the fight with a body blow followed by a right cross which drops Knight like a sack of spuds.

As Withers stands over the battered, bleeding diplomat, Miss Berry walks over and, with great courage and all the dignity she can muster, points at Knight and loudly says "That man raped me!"

Knight is arrested. Mrs Tullis assures the group that her connections will ensure that Julian will have great difficulty exercising his diplomatic immunity.

As soon as a doctor has looked at Patricia, and given her a clean bill of health, Withers apologises for his profanity in front of the ladies('Quite reasonable in the circumstances, old boy!') and those without permanent accomodation in the city head for the Taj Mahal hotel accompanied by Mrs Tullis, who smoothes the way at every step.

Session 13

2006-09-15T01:58:14Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006==

=== Friday January 12th 1930 ===

The ship steams across the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden. In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause. As the day progresses his friends can see an occasional smile, although he doesn't share the content and evades any questions on it.

At lunch, Mrs [[Tullis]] announces her planned Gilbert and Sullivan recital, "[[William and Arthur]]", and allocates songs to each of the guests. Realising their voices are not strong, the investigators decide to start rehearsing that afternoon, but [[Julian Knight]] does not turn up. The rehearsal is not encouraging.

Francessca, who is getting concerned that her friend Patricia is falling rather heavily for Captain Withers and that she has seen little evidence that he returns the feeling, expresses to Nathaniel that [Captain Withers]] should make his intentions towards her clear. Both Withers and Brown think that it might be better to come from her in a non direct and more face saving way but Francessca is insistent and says that Patricia has recently been badly hurt by a man and that it is important that Captain Withers doesn't behave in a similar fashion.

So later that evening an extremely reluctant and highly embarrased Captain Withers suggests a walk along the deck after dinner. Although he does his best to let her down lightly Patricia reacts badly, seemly accusing Withers of not likeing her because she's too quiet and not listening to his urgent denails and confessions of already loving another before he meet her. Patrician eventually disolves into tears and runs off into the night to [[Francesca Nicholson]] for comfort.

Also that very evening Francesca declared her love to [[Nathaniel Browne]], who returned the feelings in full.

=== Saturday January 13th 1930 ===

[[Image:Aden.jpg|thumb|300px|The Port at Aden|right]]

In late morning the ship docks at the port of Aden. Passengers go ashore and visit the town. Withers goes into town to try and find some flowers to make up for his rejection of Ms. Berry, but can find none of quality in the dingy town. Browne stays on board as Francesca is comforting Patricia. [[Patricia Berry]] is absent from both lunch and dinner, but is witnessed by Nathaniel and Francesca that evening on the dancefloor with [[Julian Knight]], clearly the worse for drink and equally clearly trying to spite [[Withers]]. Francesca advises Nathaniel that anything they try to do will only make things worse, an Nathaniel advises George to stay away from the ballroom.

=== Sunday January 14th 1930 ===

[[Withers]] meets with [[Julian Knight]] and warns him not to mistreat [[Patricia Berry]] or sully her honour. Knight sneers at Withers, saying that it is Withers who has wronged her.

That evening Table 8 dines with the Captain and Knight is sober, charming and a perfect gentleman.

=== Monday January 15th 1930 ===

The investigators speak at length to [[Umberto]] while making plans of what to do when they reach India. They agree to allow him to accompany them on the trail of [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

Once more [[Julian Knight]] dances with [[Patricia Berry]], but he remains sober and is a gentleman throughout the evening.

=== Tuesday January 16th 1930 ===

The last full day aboard the ship, Tuesday ends with the passengers' concert. Each table in the dining room puts on its own show - varying from short melodrama to poetic recitation. Table 8 delivers "[[William and Arthur]]" with great success. Much champagne is drunk and everyone parties into the night.

=== Wednesday January 17th 1930 ===

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] awake with severe hangovers as the Malabar Coast hoves into view. The ship docks at [[Bombay]] in mid-morning and the passengers disembark.

Mrs [[Tullis]] takes charge of making sure everyone's luggage is gathered and transport arranged to the Taj Mahal hotel, where she has insisted everyone spend their first night (she can get a group discount on this finest of indian hotels).

A dockside photograph of the table 8 crew is arranged. [[Patricia Berry]] looks unhappy, and [[Withers]] is concerned.

A few minutes later, as the table 8 crew says their farewells (thought they plan to meet later for a meal), there is a sudden scream from [[Francesca Nicholson]]. The investigators turn to see her looking down into the water from the dock. "Patricia fell in!" she yells. In seconds Withers has dived into the water and is trying to save Ms Berry, but she fights him and its obvious she intends to drown herself. It's all Withers can do to keep her head above water, but soon [[Saunders]] jumps in to help, and between the two men, Patricia is brought to the steps and safety.

"Why did you do it?", asks Withers.

"It was Julian," she sobs, "what he did to me."

[[Image:taj.jpg|thumb|400px|The Taj Mahal Hotel|right]]

Furious, Withers leaves Patricia with Saunders and rushes up the steps, storming past a confused Browne, to find [[Julian Knight]], who can be seen boarding a taxi. 'Stop right there, you son of a bitch!' Withers yells as he runs after Knight. It looks like Knight may escape, but as the taxi starts out it is cut off by a produce truck. Withers drags Knight out of the taxi and there is a fist fight. Mrs Tullis steps in to prevent interference by the local constabulary as the two men spar. The two land a few blows before Withers ends the fight with a body blow followed by a right cross which drops Knight like a sack of spuds.

As Withers stands over the battered, bleeding diplomat, Miss Berry walks over and, with all the dignity she can muster, points at Knight and loudly says "That man raped me!"

Knight is arrested. Mrs Tullis assures the group that her connections will ensure that Julian will have great difficulty exercising his diplomatic immunity.

As soon as a doctor has looked at Patricia, and given her a clean bill of health, Withers apologises for his profanity ('Quite reasonable in the circumstances, old boy!') and those without permanent accomodation in the city head for the Taj Mahal hotel accompanied by Mrs Tullis, who smoothes the way at every step.

Session 4

2006-09-14T00:41:58Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 29th May, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 29th May, 2006==

===November 9th 1928===

After dinner - the investigators decide what to do next. They have leads to [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Edwards]] and have been told of the 'Nine Teeth' prepared at [[Clare Melford]]. Over port and cigars they make their plans.

[[Withers]] offers to set his private detective the task of checking up on Edwards, Bacon and Quarrie - to see if their current addresses match those given by [[Vincent Tuck]].

The decision is made to drive to [[Clare Melford]] on Saturday.

===November 10th 1928===

In Japan, the Emperor Hirohito is enthroned. In England, the four investigators drive, in Saunders' Cowley, to Suffolk. The day is cold, but clear, with snow on the ground. They stop in Clare for lunch at the Plough Inn before heading into [[Clare Melford]].

In Clare Melford they visit the Railway Inn and meet the landlord, Dick Blair. He only moved to the village in early 1926, so is no help with regards to the events of late 1925, so they start to talk to the locals.

Talking to one of the locals, Saunders and Browne hear of [[Springer Mound]], and another team of archaelogical students who visited it in the pre-war years. They find out that Springer Mound is on the land of [[Harold Jennings]], who has kept a part of his land uncultivated and does not take kindly to strangers.

[[Nathaniel Browne]] asks Blair, the publican, if he remembers anything peculiar happening in the December of 1925, but it turns out that he did not move to the town until some months later. One of the barmaids, however, overhears the conversation and approaches the investigators' table to tell them of 'the night of the curse' on New Year's Eve 1925, when 5 locals (4 elderly and 1 small child) all died of apparently natural causes. None of those who died were in good health, but that they all died in one night is particularly odd. [[Browne]] asks whether any strangers were seen to visit the town on or near that night, but none is remembered.

It is decided that a walk past [[Jennings]]' land on the public footpath is in order. While examining Springer Mound from a distance, the investigators encounter the bellicose Jennings and his large, vicious looking dogs, Henry and Lucas. Jennings is unfriendly and basically warns them off.

[[Nathaniel Browne]] spots two dark shapes circling high above the mound - others look at them through [[Withers]]' binoculars, but the best guess is that they are some kind of bat or large bird.

The group drives to nearby [[Long Melford]] and finds rooms for the night at the Ox Tavern. There they find locals who remember a large bearded man fitting the description of [[Lawrence Bacon]] who stayed in the village with a group of 'well-to-do Londoners' at New Year 1925. These men left the village on the evening of New Year's Eve and did not return. That night five people died in [[Clare Melford]].

===November 11th 1928, Remembrance Sunday===

[[Withers]] has to leave for Windsor first thing on Sunday to be back for the Armistice day ceremonies. he catches the train from Sudbury with [[Bartlett]] and the two men spend their day with Withers' regiment at both the ceremony and the extended drinking session that follows.

In Suffolk, [[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] decide to take a walk to [[Springer Mound]] from the [[Long Melford]] side. Trudging through fresh snow, they climb the hill where they discover a viscous pool of tar-like liquid that smells like rotting fruit.

Browne puts his foot in a hole hidden under the snow and falls heavily, spraining his ankle. The hole proves to be large enough to have held a standing stone. Looking down into the heavily overgrown area on the other side, Saunders sees several large stones lying on their side amongst the bushes and goes down to examine them, leaving Browne to rest.

There are nine stones, each a large granite obelisk of recent manufacture, engraved with lines of poetry, or ritual, in English. Saunders has just noticed a reference to '[[Hastur]]' when an angry [[Harold Jennings]] appears, with his dogs and starts waving his shotgun at Saunders.

As Saunders puts his hands up and tries to explain himself, Jennings fires - either a warning shot or an accidental discharge - and hits one of the stones. Saunders turns and runs. At this point, one of the two [[flying creatures]] seen above the Mound on the previous day, drops like a stone from the sky, straight past Saunders and [[Browne]], and swoops towards Jennings.

[[Image:byakhee.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Harold Jennings]] screams, tries to raise his gun and is hit by a horror beyond imagining. Saunders stops running, turns around, and gets a clear view as the monster rips Jennings' throat out in front of him. Saunders continues his flight towards Browne, shouting 'Run, run!'

The thing that kills Jennings is taller than a man, part insect, part reptile, with huge leathery wings, sharp claws and a head like the skull of a horse, yet filled with knifelike teeth.

As Saunders and Browne flee across the snow, Browne hobbling on his bad ankle, the creature rises into the air, circles once then flies back down in the direction of Jennings' farm. Browne and Saunders make it to the Inn in [[Long Melford]] and immediately ask for a doctor.

They are directed to the local GP, Doctor Elsworth. On [[Saunders]]' frantic insistence Elsworth calls the local constable, PC Smith, who arrives in minutes. Saunders tells him that [[Harold Jennings]] has been attacked, maybe killed, by his own dogs. Smith borrows a shotgun from Elsworth and asks Saunders to direct him to the site of the attack.

On Jennings' land, they locate the corpse of the farmer, and almost immediately hear howls from the barn. Smith hurries towards the noise, but Saunders, who is unarmed, hangs back out of fear. He sees the policeman enter the barn, hears a gunshot, a scream and several indescribable noises - then flees in terror back to the village.

This time the police are called in force. Arriving within half an hour from Sudbury they hurry to the farm and discover the corpses of [[Jennings]] and Smith, as well as those of the two dogs. They conclude that the dogs killed each other after killing Smith, although there is some suspicion that a third animal may have left the scene and is now wandering the countryside.

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] are allowed to leave, and they drive back to London, badly shaken. On arrival they contact their friends and arrange to meet for lunch the next day. That night, both Saunders and Browne dream disturbing dreams.

Meanwhile, high above [[Springer Mound]], two black shapes resume their tireless circling.

===November 12th, 1928===

[[image:dogattack.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]

In the morning, [[Withers]] instructs his private detective, Walsh, to confirm the background information learned about [[Edwards]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Lawrence Bacon]], to check which if any of them remain at their former addresses.

At lunch, [[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] describe the Suffolk horror, and the [[flying creatures]] to their friends. [[Bartlett]] offers Saunders a 'professional session' in the afternoon.

That afternoon Saunders visits the Tavistock Institute and talks to Bartlett. Bartlett ends the interview convinced that Saunders is telling the truth, and shaken by the details that match the dream he had in Herefordshire - the smell of rotten fruit and the nine stone obelisks on [[Springer Mound]].

Meanwhile, [[Withers]] returns to barracks to be confronted by a drunken, incoherent [[Peter Morrison]]. Morrison seems unsure what he wants, and leaves, but Withers realises that he very probably got Withers' card from [[Delia Morrison]] by force.

==Audio Recording==

[http://www.tentaclesandunderpants.info/downloads/viewDownloads.html;jsessionid=1mpexavapatn9?id=12733 Audio Recording of the Fourth Session.]

Session 3

2006-09-14T00:36:06Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006==

===November 6th 1928===

[[Image:londonwinter.gif|right|200pc|thumb|'London, Winter' - Christopher Nevinson 1928]]

This is the date of the Presidential election in the USA. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover Herbert Hoover] wins by a large margin. The BBC is reporting blizzards across Scotland, and London itself wakes up to an unseasonally sharp frost. Its more like January than November. The Met Office is predicting that the snow will move south in the next few days.

[[Saunders]] calls the police to report last night's incident with [[the Tall Man]] and [[Detective Inspector Andrew Taylor]] asks him to come in and make a statement.

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] decide to catch a train to Hereford and visit [[St Agnes Asylum]].

[[Browne]] is looking in bookshops for a copy of [[The Walker by the Lake]] when he is threatened by [[the Tall Man]], who claims responsibility for the murder of [[Frederick Long]].

Saunders gives his statement to Taylor.

Browne calls the police and also visits DI Taylor. He gives a statement during which he informs Taylor of the murder of Long. Taylor phones the Herefordshire police. Browne helps to make an identikit picture of the Tall Man.

Bartlett and Withers are delayed by snow and spend the night in Hereford. Bartlett calls the asylum and is told that the police are limiting access, but Highsmith will be able to talk to him tomorrow.

===November 7th 1928===

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] visit [[St Agnes Asylum]]. They meet Inspector Atkins of the Herefordshire police, an unpleasant and arrogant man who seems to have a problem with army officers and the insane (he strikes Withers as the 'Bad NCO' type). The meeting with [[Highsmith]] is not very fruitful, but Bartlett arranges to have lunch at the Wheatsheaf pub with Nurse [[Price]].

Price meets with Bartlett and Withers and tells them about his discovery of [[Long]]'s body and the circumstances of the murder, which does indeed seem very similar to the [[Cuthbert Yates]] case.

Bartlett and Withers return to London, arriving home very late. London is snowbound.

===November 8th 1928===

[[Browne]] calls [[Bartlett]] to discuss events since Bartlett left town. It is agreed that everyone will meet at Bartlett's home for dinner on Friday.

Withers phones the private detective he hired and learns [[Delia Hartston]]'s last known address - Withers also asks about [[Vincent Tuck]] and is told he's a reasonably good man, except for his drink problem.

Withers sends a telegram ahead to Delia announcing that 'Captain Withers and Doctor Bartlett' wish to visit her tomorrow.

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] visit Tuck at his office in Wapping, ostensibly to have him investigate [[The Tall Man]]. Browne, unaware of exactly why they are seeing Tuck (he thought they were just vistiting any old private eye), unwittingly reveals the connection to [[Alexander Roby]] causing Tuck to become suspicious and defensive. Finally, however, after some cajoling, he agrees to tell them what he knows if they leave him alone.

He tells then that he followed Roby for 3 weeks in November 1925, during which time Roby spent most evenings in the company of [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and a man called [[Edwards]]. He provides addresses and background information for these 3 men.

Tuck seems to be holding things back. He invites Browne and Saunders to the pub, where after several pints he decides to tell them the 'whole truth'. returning to his office, he gives them a typed report, tells them not to read it until they have left, and wishes them goodbye.

[[Vincent Tuck's report]] turns out to describe Lawrence Bacon's apparent use of black magic to kill a vagrant. Its clear that this incident scared Tuck badly, and may have precipitated his heavy drinking.

===November 9th 1928===

[[Delia Hartston]]'s mother calls [[Withers]] to inform him that her daughter is now living in Enfield, is married and is called [[Delia Morrison]]. Withers asks if she can possibly call him. Delia phones shortly after this, and impressed by the credentials of an army Captain and an eminent Doctor agrees to meet them that afternoon at her home.

Delia proves to be beautiful and petite, and to have an apparent bruise under her makeup. Taking into account some pictures on the wall which show Delia almost pulling away from her husband and her desire to not have them in her house when he returns [[Withers]] concludes her husband, [[Peter Morrison]], beats her, a thought which greatly disturbs him.

Asked about [[Alexander Roby]], she explains that they split up over his association with [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Edwards]], who she knew only by their surnames, and never met, and also mentions a fourth man she did meet, a thug called [[Coombes]] who seemed to work for Bacon and who fits the description of [[the Tall Man]].

She gives Withers a copy of Roby's book, '[[The Walker by the Lake]]' and says that shortly before they split, Roby kept talking about 'an event' due to take place in December 1925 in a Suffolk village called [[Clare Melford]], and that 'nine teeth' had been prepared on a hill for this 'event'. The 'teeth' appear to have been standing stones. Barlett and Withers leave but they both leave her a card in case she remembers anything else.

That night, everyone meets at Bartlett's house to discuss what they have learned and to decide on their next steps. Saunders gives Roby's book to [[Browne]].

Thinking about the 'nine teeth' at Clare Melford, Bartlett remembers a dream that he had in [[Weobley]] and, shaken, recounts it; himself walking and a vast, indescribable creature appearing to him within a circle of nine standing stones.

==Audio Recording==

[http://www.tentaclesandunderpants.info/downloads/viewDownloads.html;jsessionid=1mpexavapatn9?id=12733 Audio Recording of the Third Session]

Session 1

2006-09-14T00:19:33Z

219.89.207.51: /* October 17th 1928 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 8th May 2006==

===October 17th 1928===

[[Image:scala.jpg|right]]
[[Doctor Frederick Bartlett]], a research psychologist, is invited by former patient [[Michael Gillen]] to see the premiere of the play [[Carcosa, or The Queen and the Stranger]] at the [[Scala Theatre]] on Charlotte Street, and to make an informal assessment of the mental state of playwright [[Talbot Estus]], Gillen’s companion and housemate. Bartlett offers his second ticket to his friend [[Captain George Withers]], a career army man. Before the performance, while sitting in the bar, they meet [[Andrew Saunders]]. Saunders, a museum curator with a special interest in mythology, is an acquaintance and former patient (after a very strange experience on a train journey) of Doctor Bartlett. Saunders' sister [[Hannah Keith]] is starring in the [[play]], and he has invited his friend [[Nathaniel Browne]], with whom he shared the aforementioned train journey. Nathaniel, an author, is very enthusiastic about seeing this new play by the noted novellist, [[Talbot Estus]].

Watching the [[play]], the PCs observe that the audience is reacting strangely to the performance. Gasps of horror, surprise and even laughter are expressed at points in the performance that seem wholly inappropriate.

During the intermission between the two acts, Nathaniel reveals that the play is affecting him deeply, especially the appearance of the [[Yellow Sign]]. Similarly Andrew admits to being affected, though not as much. Captain Withers seems unimpressed, and Doctor Bartlett seems more interested in the audience's reaction to the play than the play itself. While they are talking, the group overhear a couple talking heatedly about the play, with the woman insisting she saw things which the husband disputes were there at all. Nathaniel is also puzzled that he saw two people get up and leave in the middle of the performance whereas the others saw no such thing.

Many of the patrons do not return for the second act.

The PCs watch the second act during which the emotions of the crowd appear to become more intense, culminating in a near riot at the end of the [[play]]. Some people cry out and others scream. Nathaniel is left crying uncontrollably, while the man on his left punches his wife and grabs Nathaniel. Fortunately Captain Withers, mystified rather than affected by the performance and rendered furious by the assult on the lady, remains clear-headed enough to save Browne from his assailant. Someone sets off the fire alarm and there is a stampede toward the exits before the ushers restore order.

Partly to avoid the police, who have arrived in the wake of the riot, the four companions go to the after-play reception and meet with the cast, who are largely unaware of any untoward incident. [[Browne]] meets [[Talbot Estus]] and discusses the play, which has inspired him, and its meaning with great fervour. [[Saunders]] discovers that his sister, [[Hannah Keith]] has been dreaming of [[Carcosa]] and seems to find the [[play]] disturbing, as does young [[Jean Hewart]]. [[Michael Gillen]] tells [[Doctor Bartlett]] that [[Talbot Estus]] seems to have a fear of the stars, as well as a mania for the [[play]], which he is attempting to novelise.

The reception breaks up after Estus has a heated exchange with the [[Scala Theatre]]'s manager, who is pulling the plug on the production because of the riot. Arrangements are made by the new acquaintances to meet for lunch at the weekend.

===October 18th and 19th 1928===

[[Nathaniel Browne]] dreams several times of playing in a discordant orchestra, with a picture of the [[Yellow Sign]] instead of music. Researching the play’s origins he discovers the works of [[Robert W Chambers]] and that multiple plays of the same name appear to have existed in the past. He starts to write stories featuring elements from the play.

[[Andrew Saunders]] dreams several times of confronting an armed doppelganger of himself in a [[Carcosa]]n Palace, and arranges to see his sister after the lunch with his friends.

[[Captain George Withers]] thinks little of the play until he encounters a landscape of [[Carcosa]] during a regimental function at a gallery.

[[Doctor Frederick Bartlett]] also thinks little of it, but does notice the [[Yellow Sign]] in a piece of London graffiti that says “The King will change London”. He also discusses [[Talbot Estus]] with [[Michael Gillen]], but states there’s little he can do if Estus is unwilling to see him.

===October 20th 1928===

The four new friends meet for lunch at Overton’s Oyster House. The play is discussed. [[Nathaniel Browne]], given a script by [[Talbot Estus]], has discovered that the play as performed does not match the [http://greywolfnz.homeip.net/wiki/attachments/CARCOSA.pdf script] that Estus wrote. [[Andrew Saunders]] agrees to mention this to his sister, [[Hannah Keith]].

At tea, Saunders discovers that both his sister and her husband have identical scripts to Browne's, and claim to have performed the play as written.

Meanwhile, [[Dr Bartlett]] recieves an intriguing letter from an asylum superindendent in Herefordshire…

==Audio Recording==

[http://www.tentaclesandunderpants.info/downloads/viewDownloads.html;jsessionid=1mpexavapatn9?id=12733 Audio Recording of the First Session]

Session 13

2006-09-13T04:06:01Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006==

=== Thursday December 11th 1929 ===

The ship docks for a couple of hours at the port of Suez to pick up and drop off mail, then starts down the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden.

In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause.

Session 12

2006-09-07T05:04:02Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 4th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 4th September, 2006==

''Steve Irwin - R.I.P.''

=== Monday December 31st 1929 ===

[[Image:Bartlett_Tombtstone.png|right]]

Wimbledon Cemetary, the funeral of Doctor Frederick [[Bartlett]]. In the face of some cold stares from Bartlett's family, the investigators retire to a nearby pub and make plans to travel to Nepal. It is decided to book passage on the next available ship, which will be '[[The Viceroy of India]]', a new P&O liner which leaves Southampton on Friday.

It is agreed that to avoid the crossing of the Bay of Biscay, never pleasant at this time of year, the investigators will travel by train to Marseilles and meet the boat there on Sunday.

=== Friday January 5th 1930 ===

The investigators leave England and head to France, taking a train south to the port of Marseilles, where they buy the gear they feel they need for the joirney - walking shoes, packs, alpine rations and survival gear.

=== Saturday January 6th 1930 ===

All 3 investigators experience disturbing dreams containing themes and imagery from the Hastur mythos. All feel the influence of [[the King in Yellow]] is growing.

=== Sunday January 7th 1930 ===

The investigators board [[The Viceroy of India]] for the 11 day voyage to [[Bombay]]. Over the next week and a half they will spend a lot of time with their dining companions on Table 8, who they meet that lunchtime (with the exception of Mr Thomas, who does not appear until dinner).

[[Julian Knight]] - a diplomat returning to India, who implies that he may be some kind of a spy and clearly has an eye for the ladies and a taste for brandy

The Reverend [[Ian Gore]] - a missionary with the British Bible Society, on his way to continue spreading the Word in the interior of India

Mrs [[Henrietta Tullis]] - the matronly wife of the Cultural attache in Bombay, returning from visiting her sick sister and very much the 'mother hen' of the group

[[Stephen Thomas]] - a pudgy, bespectacled man. A minor civil servant taking up a new post in India, Stephen always has his head in a book.

Miss [[Francesca Nicholson]] - a pretty, vivacious typist on her way to visit relatives and see the sub-continent. She knows [[Nathaniel Browne]]'s work and is happy to meet him.

Miss [[Patricia Berry]] - Francesca's quieter, less glamorous friend and travelling companion. from a monied background, she busies herself in voluntary work. Julian Knight immediately latches on to her.

''Note: At this point, Julian Knight is being played by [[Marcus Gustafsson]] and the other players think that Julian is his new character in the campaign.''

By dinner that evening, Francesca has attached herself to Browne as is hanging on his every word, while poor Patricia finds herself the object of Knight's attentions, something that is making her increasingly uncomfortable.

During dinner Saunders sees a swarthy looking man looking into the dining room and was sure he'd seen him before, but could not place him.

At the end of the meal, when it is time for the ship's orchestra to strike up, [[Withers]] notices Knight is ordering a drink and chivalrously steps in, inviting Patricia to be his dance partner for the evening. Thus paired up, Withers and Browne go to the dancefloor, Knight to the bar and [[Andrew Saunders]] wanders off on his own for the evening.

Francesca returns to Nathaniel's stateroom where she discovers a copy of [[Talbot Estus]]'s play amongst Nathaniel's books. Remembering the dedication from '[[Tatters of the King]]' she asks if she can borrow it. Browne agrees.

Late that night, Withers hears Saunders return to his cabin. He wonders quite where his friend has been.

=== Monday January 8th 1930 ===

The ship steams on across the Mediterranean. A game of deck quoits takes place, and [[Henrietta Tullis]] presses the investigators into competing against the reverend [[Gore]]. Withers and Browne encounter [[Francesca Nicholson]] and [[Patricia Berry]] once more, and Patricia is impressed to see Withers win handily.

During the game, [[Saunders]] sees the swarthy stranger once more, but still cannot place him, or catch up with him.

[[Julian Knight]] arrives and tries once more to ingartiate himself with Patricia. while [[Browne]] continues to get on with Francesca like a house on fire.

By dinner, Saunders is constantly looking out for the stranger, and the others are starting to get a little worried about him. During the meal, Mrs Tullis and the Rev Gore box Knight in to stop him from bothering Patricia, and Withers finds himself once more spending time with young Miss Berry, whose reticence and shyness is slowly fading.

After dinner, as the orchestra strikes up, Withers notices Saunders sneaking off, makes up some quickly invented excuse to extricate himself from his dance with Miss Berry and trails him. Saunders passes into an area signposted as for 'Staff only'; Withers (after a brief pause for an internal debate about going into a place that is out of bounds) follows and runs into a lascar seaman. The lascar's raised voice alerts Saunders who emerges from a nearby door with an unreadable look upon his face. Withers sees the name "Head Steward Wilkins" on the door from which Saunders has emerged.

Saunders tells Withers that Wilkins is an old friend and refuses to say any more.

Back in the ballroom, Knight has managed to get Patricia to dance with him, unprotected by Francesca and Nathaniel who have gone for a walk together. When Knight goes for a drink, Withers rescues her and when Knight returns, Mrs Tullis asks him to dance. Knight drains his brandy glass and accepts his fate.

=== Tuesday January 9th 1930 ===

The ship steams into Port Said. Many passengers disembark to explore the ''souk'' and experience some exotic culture.

[[Browne]] spends his time ashore with [[Francesca Nicholson]]. It is obvious to everyone that romance is blossoming.

Back aboard, dinner that evening has an Egyptian theme. Over dinner, [[Julian Knight]] shows another side to his personality, taking a great interest in the investigators and their travels. Soon this becomes a suspicious amount of interest, as if he is trying to find out something specific. The investigators become suspicious.

In the middle of dinner a note is hand-delivered to [[Withers]]. The note requests a meeting at the ship's bow at 10 o'clock that evening, and is signed '[[Aldones]]'. Withers is to come alone.

At the end of dinner, to the great surprise of the investigators, Knight does not attempt to get Patricia to dance, but simply stands up and leaves. The investigators discuss the mysterious note and decide that Withers will go, but Saunders will follow and watch from the shadows.

At the bow, nobody turns up. Withers waits for only a few minutes, then convinced that this is a transparent plot of Knight's decides to return to the ballroom where, at about 5 to 10, Knight had turned up and immediately started to work once more on Patricia's affections.

Just as Withers starts to leave a lascar turns up with another note, requesting a 15 minute delay prior to the meeting. Withers does not buy this and hurries back to the ballroom where, with a bit of help from Francessca, he once more rescues Patricia from Knight. Patricia is starting to greatly like Withers and tells Francesca who in turn tells Nathaniel.

Saunders hangs back near the bow and sees a shadowy figure arrive at 10.15, wait for a minute then slip away. Saunders fails to follow him.

=== Wednesday January 10th 1930 ===

[[Image:Suez.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Suez Canal]]

[[Image:Deck_Cricket.jpg|387px|right|thumb|Saunders and Browne at bat]]

The day is spent travelling through the Suez Canal, a fascinating and unique maritime experience.

At lunch [[Henrietta Tullis]] mentions the traditional end of voyage show at which each table puts on a small act. [[Francesca Nicholson]] happily suggests a performance of part of 'Carcosa: or the Queen and the Stranger', but both [[Withers]] and [[Saunders]] veto this, citing emotional reasons around the death of their 'friend' [[Talbot Estus]]. Instead it is agree to put on a recitation of Gilbert and Sullivan songs.

That afternoon the traditional Port vs Starboard indoor cricket match takes place. All of the investigators take part and perform variously well (and Julian Knight seems to playing as though he is drunk), but it is [[Andrew Saunders]] who shines, very oddly for a Scot. Winning the match virtually single-handedly, Saunders is carried to the bar in triumph!

Returning to his stateroom, [[Browne]] is shocked to find that he has been burgled, [[The Turner Codex]] is gone. Browne accuses [[Julian Knight]] of involvement, citing his recent behaviour and the mysterious notes. Knight is questioned by the Chief Purser and instantly cracks under the slightest pressure, revealing his involvement with a mysterious Italian who offered to get [[Withers]] out of his way in return for all he could learn about the investigators' reasons for travel to India.

Knight also reveals that he was told that a note left for 'Aldones' at the telegraph office could be used to make contact.

It is decided to draft such a note suggesting a midnight meeting somewhere on the ship, and that whoever picks up the note should be identified or even followed if possible.

The note is so drafted, delivered and picked up. The man who picks up the note is identified as [[Umberto]] Zavaroni from stateroom 217.

That evening no dancing follows dinner. Knight stays well away from Patricia and the ladies retire to play cards to allow the men to carry out their business.

Saunders, Withers and a couple of burly crewmen head to the bow while the chief purser and Browne let themselves into the room opposite Zavaroni's and wait.

At 11.45 a man appears at the door to 217, knocks and speaks in Italian. Watching through the peephole, Browne sees him draw a stilleto as Zavaroni's door starts to open.

Browne bursts into the corridor shouting a warning, Zavaroni opens the door. The assassin strikes, glancing a blow off of his target's money-belt. Browne steps out, swings a well placed fist and smashes the attacker's nose back into his face knocking him out cold. The stilleto falls to the ground. A Yellow Sign is embossed on its handle.

''At this point, [[Marcus Gustafsson]] starts to play [[Umberto]] to everyone else's surprise. It is now revealed that Knight was never his player character, but a mere piece of misdirection, and instead he will be playing Umberto.''

It is soon revealed that the now unconscious assassin burgled Browne's cabin and that Umberto has long been a thorn in the side of [[the Brothers of the Yellow Sign]]. He says that 'Zavaroni' is a fake name, but that they can call him 'Umberto'.

The other investigators arrive in time to hear Umberto's tale of following their footsteps for months after his investigation of the activities of the Brotherhood caused him to become aware of their group. A former Vatican investigator, he takes the threat of [[Hastur]] very seriously and hopes they can be allies.

Saunders, Withers and Browne look at each other, in their eyes the unasked question - 'Can we trust this man?'. Browne notices that Umberto wears the symbol of [[The Order of the Sword of St. Jerome]], the Vatican's (surely mythical?) occult investigation arm.

Session 12

2006-09-07T04:50:14Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 4th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 4th September, 2006==

''Steve Irwin - R.I.P.''

=== Monday December 31st 1929 ===

[[Image:Bartlett_Tombtstone.png|right]]

Wimbledon Cemetary, the funeral of Doctor Frederick [[Bartlett]]. In the face of some cold stares from Bartlett's family, the investigators retire to a nearby pub and make plans to travel to Nepal. It is decided to book passage on the next available ship, which will be '[[The Viceroy of India]]', a new P&O liner which leaves Southampton on Friday.

It is agreed that to avoid the crossing of the Bay of Biscay, never pleasant at this time of year, the investigators will travel by train to Marseilles and meet the boat there on Sunday.

=== Friday January 5th 1930 ===

The investigators leave England and head to France, taking a train south to the port of Marseilles, where they buy the gear they feel they need for the joirney - walking shoes, packs, alpine rations and survival gear.

=== Saturday January 6th 1930 ===

All 3 investigators experience disturbing dreams containing themes and imagery from the Hastur mythos. All feel the influence of [[the King in Yellow]] is growing.

=== Sunday January 7th 1930 ===

The investigators board [[The Viceroy of India]] for the 11 day voyage to [[Bombay]]. Over the next week and a half they will spend a lot of time with their dining companions on Table 8, who they meet that lunchtime (with the exception of Mr Thomas, who does not appear until dinner).

[[Julian Knight]] - a diplomat returning to India, who implies that he may be some kind of a spy and clearly has an eye for the ladies and a taste for brandy

The Reverend [[Ian Gore]] - a missionary with the British Bible Society, on his way to continue spreading the Word in the interior of India

Mrs [[Henrietta Tullis]] - the matronly wife of the Cultural attache in Bombay, returning from visiting her sick sister and very much the 'mother hen' of the group

[[Stephen Thomas]] - a pudgy, bespectacled man. A minor civil servant taking up a new post in India, Stephen always has his head in a book.

Miss [[Francesca Nicholson]] - a pretty, vivacious typist on her way to visit relatives and see the sub-continent. She knows [[Nathaniel Browne]]'s work and is happy to meet him.

Miss [[Patricia Berry]] - Francesca's quieter, less glamorous friend and travelling companion. from a monied background, she busies herself in voluntary work. Julian Knight immediately latches on to her.

''Note: At this point, Julian Knight is being played by [[Marcus Gustafsson]] and the other players think that Julian is his new character in the campaign.''

By dinner that evening, Francesca has attached herself to Browne as is hanging on his every word, while poor Patricia finds herself the object of Knight's attentions, something that is making her increasingly uncomfortable.

During dinner Saunders sees a swarthy looking man looking into the dining room and was sure he'd seen him before, but could not place him.

At the end of the meal, when it is time for the ship's orchestra to strike up, [[Withers]] notices Knight is ordering a drink and chivalrously steps in, inviting Patricia to be his dance partner for the evening. Thus paired up, Withers and Browne go to the dancefloor, Knight to the bar and [[Andrew Saunders]] wanders off on his own for the evening.

Francesca returns to Nathaniel's stateroom where she discovers a copy of [[Talbot Estus]]'s play amongst Nathaniel's books. Remembering the dedication from '[[Tatters of the King]]' she asks if she can borrow it. Browne agrees.

Late that night, Withers hears Saunders return to his cabin. He wonders quite where his friend has been.

=== Monday January 8th 1930 ===

The ship steams on across the Mediterranean. A game of deck quoits takes place, and [[Henrietta Tullis]] presses the investigators into competing against the reverend [[Gore]]. Withers and Browne encounter [[Francesca Nicholson]] and [[Patricia Berry]] once more, and Patricia is impressed to see Withers win handily.

During the game, [[Saunders]] sees the swarthy stranger once more, but still cannot place him, or catch up with him.

[[Julian Knight]] arrives and tries once more to ingartiate himself with Patricia. while [[Browne]] continues to get on with Francesca like a house on fire.

By dinner, Saunders is constantly looking out for the stranger, and the others are starting to get a little worried about him. During the meal, Mrs Tullis and the Rev Gore box Knight in to stop him from bothering Patricia, and Withers finds himself once more spending time with young Miss Berry, whose reticence and shyness is slowly fading.

After dinner, as the orchestra strikes up, Withers notices Saunders sneaking off, so decides to follow him. Saunders passes into an area signposted as for 'Staff only'. Withers follows and runs into a lascar seaman. The lascar's raised voice alerts Saunders who emerges from a nearby door with an unreadable look upon his face. Withers sees the name "Head Steward Wilkins" on the door from which Saunders has emerged.

Saunders tells Withers that Wilkins is an old friend and refuses to say any more.

Back in the ballroom, Knight has managed to get Patricia to dance with him, unprotected by Francesca and Nathaniel who have gone for a walk together. When Knight goes for a drink, Withers rescues her and when Knight returns, Mrs Tullis asks him to dance. Knight drains his brandy glass and accepts his fate.

=== Tuesday January 9th 1930 ===

The ship steams into Port Said. Many passengers disembark to explore the ''souk'' and experience some exotic culture.

[[Browne]] spends his time ashore with [[Francesca Nicholson]]. It is obvious to everyone that romance is blossoming.

Back aboard, dinner that evening has an Egyptian theme. Over dinner, [[Julian Knight]] shows another side to his personality, taking a great interest in the investigators and their travels. Soon this becomes a suspicious amount of interest, as if he is trying to find out something specific. The investigators become suspicious.

In the middle of dinner a note is hand-delivered to [[Withers]]. The note requests a meeting at the ship's bow at 10 o'clock that evening, and is signed '[[Aldones]]'. Withers is to come alone.

At the end of dinner, to the great surprise of the investigators, Knight does not attempt to get Patricia to dance, but simply stands up and leaves. The investigators discuss the mysterious note and decide that Withers will go, but Saunders will follow and watch from the shadows.

At the bow, nobody turns up. Withers waits for only a few minutes, then convinced that this is a transparent plot of Knight's decides to return to the ballroom where, at about 5 to 10, Knight had turned up and immediately started to work once more on Patricia's affections.

Just as Withers starts to leave a lascar turns up with another note, requesting a 15 minute delay prior to the meeting. Withers does not buy this and hurries back to the ballroom where once more he waits for his chance and rescues Patricia from Knight. Patricia is starting to greatly like Withers and tells Francesca who in turn tells Nathaniel.

Saunders hangs back near the bow and sees a shadowy figure arrive at 10.15, wait for a minute then slip away. Saunders fails to follow him.

=== Wednesday January 10th 1930 ===

[[Image:Suez.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Suez Canal]]

[[Image:Deck_Cricket.jpg|387px|right|thumb|Saunders and Browne at bat]]

The day is spent travelling through the Suez Canal, a fascinating and unique maritime experience.

At lunch [[Henrietta Tullis]] mentions the traditional end of voyage show at which each table puts on a small act. [[Francesca Nicholson]] happily suggests a performance of part of 'Carcosa: or the Queen and the Stranger', but both [[Withers]] and [[Saunders]] veto this, citing emotional reasons around the death of their 'friend' [[Talbot Estus]]. Instead it is agree to put on a recitation of Gilbert and Sullivan songs.

That afternoon the traditional Port vs Starboard indoor cricket match takes place. All of the investigators take part and perform variously well, but it is [[Andrew Saunders]] who shines, very oddly for a Scot. Winning the match virtually single-handedly, Saunders is carried to the bar in triumph!

Returning to his stateroom, [[Browne]] is shocked to find that he has been burgled, [[The Turner Codex]] is gone. Browne accuses [[Julian Knight]] of involvement, citing his recent behaviour and the mysterious notes. Knight is questioned by the Chief Purser and instantly cracks under the slightest pressure, revealing his involvement with a mysterious Italian who offered to get [[Withers]] out of his way in return for all he could learn about the investigators' reasons for travel to India.

Knight also reveals that he was told that a note left for 'Aldones' at the telegraph office could be used to make contact.

It is decided to draft such a note suggesting a midnight meeting somewhere on the ship, and that whoever picks up the note should be identified or even followed if possible.

The note is so drafted, delivered and picked up. The man who picks up the note is identified as [[Umberto]] Zavaroni from stateroom 217.

That evening no dancing follows dinner. Knight stays well away from Patricia and the ladies retire to play cards to allow the men to carry out their business.

Saunders, Withers and a couple of burly crewmen head to the bow while the chief purser and Browne let themselves into the room opposite Zavaroni's and wait.

At 11.45 a man appears at the door to 217, knocks and speaks in Italian. Watching through the peephole, Browne sees him draw a stilleto as Zavaroni's door starts to open.

Browne bursts into the corridor shouting a warning, Zavaroni opens the door. The assassin strikes, glancing a blow off of his target's money-belt. Browne steps out, swings a fist and smashes the attacker's nose back into his face knocking him out cold. The stilleto falls to the ground. A Yellow Sign is embossed on its handle.

''At this point, [[Marcus Gustafsson]] starts to play [[Umberto]] to everyone else's surprise. It is now revealed that Knight was never his player character, but a mere piece of misdirection, and instead he will be playing Umberto.''

It is soon revealed that the now unconscious assassin burgled Browne's cabin and that Umberto has long been a thorn in the side of [[the Brothers of the Yellow Sign]]. He says that 'Zavaroni' is a fake name, but that they can call him 'Umberto'.

The other investigators arrive in time to hear Umberto's tale of following their footsteps for months after his investigation of the activities of the Brotherhood caused him to become aware of their group. A former Vatican investigator, he takes the threat of [[Hastur]] very seriously and hopes they can be allies.

Saunders, Withers and Browne look at each other, in their eyes the unasked question - 'Can we trust this man?'. Browne notices that Umberto wears the symbol of [[The Order of the Sword of St. Jerome]], the Vatican's (surely mythical?) occult investigation arm.

Henry Lister

2006-09-06T02:08:03Z

219.89.207.51:

[[Image:lister.jpg|right]]

Henry was encountered on the train between Manchester and Inverness. he was carrying a [[bone whistle]] like [[Lawrence Bacon]] owned and was at first tricked, then intimidated to revealing all he know of the planned events at [[Loch Mullardoch]] which amounted to very little.

He had joined [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s occult discussion group in London, which consisted of maybe 20 men, and through that had learned of the being [[Hastur]] whose return to Earth would bring wonder and glory to those who revered him. He was too frightened to attend the attempted summoning of Hastur at [[Springer Mound]] and after hearing that several men had died there he more or less dropped out of Bacon's circle prior to being told to travel to Inverness to attend 'a great and momentous ocassion'. He had prevaricated about going to the extent that he was 4 days late when the investigators encountered him.

Lister was easily dissuaded from attending and left the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle. [[Dr. Bartlett]] believed that Lister suffered from necrophobia and his motive for being in the cult was a desire for eternal life, apparently promised by Bacon.

Session 10

2006-09-06T02:02:34Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 21st August, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 21st August, 2006==

=== Friday December 13th 1929 ===

With [[Saunders]] in Oslo, at a curators' conference on Viking culture, it is left to [[Withers]], [[Bartlett]] and [[Browne]] to go to court to see [[Gresty]]'s appearance before the magistrate.

Gresty turns out to be a scrawny man in his 40s, with protuberant ears, a scraggly beard and bad teeth. He appears contrite, and somewhat agitated in court, pleading guilty to the charge of breaking and entering, but not to assault.

Speaking in a strong West Country accent, Gresty says that he has been having trouble sleeping, and on the night in question was walking the streets in a fit of insomnia when he was struck by an impulse to pray - he can't explain why he did it, but he chose to break into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church%2C_Spitalfields Christ Church, Spitalfields], cutting his hands as he climbed through the window, and that he was kneeling at the altar when he was disturbed by a voice. Turning and fleeing in sudden terror he must have accidentally knocked the verger to the ground.

Gresty appears genuinely sorry, and is fined 2 pounds plus the cost of repairs.

As Gresty leaves the court, Bartlett approaches him and introduces himself. Gresty is thrilled to meet his 'friends', and is most interested to hear that they went to Scotland and witnessed (indeed, caused) the death of [[Montague Edwards]]. He invites them to his local watering hole, The Plough Inn, for a drink and a chat.

Gresty explains that he is a true servant of 'The Goat' sent here from the West Country to infiltrate the worshippers of Hastur, and that he succeeded briliantly. He is proud of his role in the death of [[Lawrence Bacon]], and reveals that as the housemate and drinking partner of [[Coombes]] he was able to learn all of [[Bacon]]'s plans and work against them.

He says also that he has been awaiting the death of his superior in the Shub-Niggurath cult, [[Atkinson]], so that he can return home to inherit the role of leader, and that now that Atkinson is near death he has been summoned.

Realising that the influence of Hastur was once again strong, he decided to act against it by going to a place sacred to the 'British Gods' and calling upon their aid. He chose Christ Church because as one of the churches of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksmoor Nicholas Hawksmoor] it is [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst;jsessionid=GtGQ0hW5bh6yVf231YWQt0SL3l861ZcnGx1XhmPvQSzvJSmnGvYn!-325043583!377065349?a=o&d=5002021737 in reality] a shrine not to 'the carpenter god' but to the true, old gods of Britain.

He sliced his hands open deliberately and called upon 'Shub-Niggurath and Y'Golonac', and was then interrupted by the verger, who he deliberately knocked to the ground in anger and being so interrupted.

At this point, having touched on a personal obsession, Gresty launches into a rambling discourse on Hawksmoor and his churches - going so far as to lead the investigators to Christ Church, where he stands on the pavement outside, excitedly proclaiming his beliefs.

When he calms down, and is offered Bartlett's hip flask, which he drains, Gresty explains that he is about to return to his home at Mercy Hill in the Severn Valley, where 'the woman at Nug's Farm' thinks she is Atkinson's heir, but that he, Wilfred Gresty will inherit.

With this, the now quite inebriated Gresty walks off into the London throng. At last the investigators have a location for the elusive [[Nug's Farm]], and with it [[Hillary Quarrie]].

=== Saturday December 14th 1929 ===

[[Bartlett]] and [[Browne]] have booked an early train to Gloucester, but there is a problem. Despite yesterday's promising lead, there is no sign of Mercy Hill on any modern map of the Severn Valley.

As time is thought to be of the essence it is agreed that [[Browne]] will head at once to the map room of the British Library and scour old maps for the location of Mercy Hill, and will give his friends the map reference by telephone. If Browne cannot locate it, at least the others can ask locally.

Fortunately, by early afternoon Browne has located a set of 1911 military survey maps of the area, and on them he locates not only Mercy Hill, but also Nug's Farm itself! The buildings that make up these settlements are in fact marked, though not identified, on the latest Ordnance Survey maps, which Withers carries, but oddly the local forest, [[Goatswood]] appears to have encroached significantly on them since 1911.

Browne phones the hotel where the others have just arrived and gives them the grid references. They head off to hire a car, but find that nothing is available and end up having to pay a garage owner an exorbitant fee to hire him to drive them to the area in the morning. The only other choice is a daily bus which stops at the village of Clotton, but this does not run at weekends.

=== Sunday December 15th 1929 - Day ===

Its a bitterly cold morning as the car struggles south along the minor road that heads into the [[Goatswood]] region. The driver explains that the people around here keep themselves to themselves and are not well thought of amongst 'decent people', but he's happy to take their money, and asks no questions.

Soon they are passing through grim little villages of ancient cottages, with hardly a sign of people or of commerce. They are dropped off in one of these places, a village called Clotton, which has no pub, no shops and apparently no electricity. The church is a boarded up ruin. The only sign of life is the movement of a curtain, but there is no answer to a knock on that door.

The driver agrees to return, but it must be before dusk, if they are not here when he arrives, he won't wait.

[[Withers]] checks his gun and the 2 men head across country to where [[Nug's Farm]] is marked on their map. They pass over a footbridge and find themselves following a very old footpath across the icy landscape. The region looks like it hasn't progressed in 200 years - farm machinery is horsedrawn, there is no sign of modern achitecture or amenities. Soon the path passes through a small wood that does not appear on the map.

The wood is thick, and strangely warm. A deep thrumming noise, almost below the range of human hearing, is just audible and starts to bring on headaches. Then the investigators spot a bizarre figure watching them through the trees. Humanoid, with a strangely goatlike face and naked from the waist up, the man, if man it truly is, seems at first to be wearing thickly furred trousers, but in the seconds before he disappears into the trees Withers and Bartlett realise that the fur is his, and that his legs are jointed the wrong way, and do not end in feet.

Realising that they have seen what seems to be a Satyr, Withers and Bartlett prepare themselves for the unexpected. Leaving the wood they see in the valley below a small, but well-maintained farm. Somehow this place seems more healthy, more homely than any other structure around here. On the far side of the farm sits the brooding bulk of Goatswood Forest itself, a long spur of the forest cuts the farm off from Mercy Hill to the North, and the hamlet is not visible from here.

The investigators head for the farm, trying their best to look like innocent ramblers out for a country stroll. In the yard of Nug's farm a labourer is working on repairing some tools. He sees the approaching strangers, enters the house and [[Hillary Quarrie]] emerges. The labourer has the inbred, unhealthy, goatlike appearance common to Goatswood locals, and reminiscent of [[Wilfred Gresty]], but Hillary is a normal, quite attractive woman, albeit somewhat dowdily dressed in overalls and boots.

As the investigators draw closer, Hillary whistles and 3 huge [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastiff mastiffs] (Pig, Bull and Walter) emerge from the house and stand by her. Hillary hails the strangers and asks what brings them to this place on such a cold day.

Withers and Bartlett cut straight to the chase, they are here because they seek [[Malcolm Quarrie]], and they were present when Malcolm's former friends brought [[Carcosa]] to Earth. Hillary invites them into the house, but seems more interested in listening than talking. She hears the entire story of the [[Roby]] case and the [[Hastur]] cult, then reveals that she knows almost nothing of these things, and cares little as she is quite confident that her Gods, the British Gods, will protect this land from such alien horrors. She states simply that [[Edwards]] could not have succeeded, for [[Shub-Niggurath]] would not allow it.

She offers the investigators some stew, and they notice, upon the mantle, a [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/21_Photograph_of_Malcolm_Hillary_Sarah.pdf photograph] of Hillary, Malcolm and a baby outside Nug's farm. Before Hillary can tell them anything of real interest her farmhand, Will, calls her outside. Through the window the investigators see that [[Wilfred Gresty]] has arrived, and he has brought with him an entourage, half a dozen local men with the familiar goatlike look, but also 3 or 4 of the half-human creatures seen earlier in the woods.

Its obvious that there is some kind of confrontation going on - Gresty is animated and gesticulates wildly while Hillary is grim-faced and impeturbable. Only a few words can be heard from within the house, but its clear that Gresty is delivering an ultimatum and that Hillary is in no mood to accept. Gresty turns and storms off with his followers and Hillary returns to the house with a look of urgency.

Hillary goes straight to her study and starts bringing papers into the kitchen to burn in the pot-bellied stove. She is ripping pages from a book and shoving them into the flames when she seems to notice the investigators again. They ask what is happening and remind her that they know Gresty. Hillary pauses, calms a little and decides to tell her story. She tells them that she would like very much for them to stay here and aid her tonight, as she thinks she needs help, but that she understands fully if they don't wish to and says they will need to leave before nightfall if this in their choice. First, however, she sits them down and tells them everything.

[[Hillary Quarrie]]'s story is detailed on her page of this wiki, but the upshot of it is that tonight she will be fighting for her life, and the future of the Goatswood cult. Gresty has convinced Atkinson to act against her and she must defeat both of them, or die. She knows where Malcolm is, or at least where he was until recently, and as a sign of good faith she fetches the only 2 letters she has received from her husband since he went to the continent.

The [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/23_Malcolm_Quarries_First_Letter.pdf first letter] was over a year ago, but the [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/24_Malcolm_Quarries_Second_Letter.pdf second letter] is only a few weeks old and gives an address in [[Milan]], Italy, through which Malcolm can be contacted.

The investigators read these letters, consider the situation and agree to stay to aid Hillary. She tells them that she has destroyed '[[The Revelations of Glaaki]]' in the stove so that if Gresty wins he will never have access to the secrets within that book. All they can do for now is sit and wait. Hillary asks them to promise that she will do whatever she asks tonight quickly and without question - otherwise they will be in great danger. They agree, but start to worry exactly what will be expected of them.

Will, the farmhand, turns up with several other men loyal to Hillary. She turns them away saying that she has help enough and that if she is defeated it is best that no other cult members be seen to have stood with her. Will and his friends leave, reluctantly, and the afternoon moves into evening.

=== Sunday December 15th 1929 - Night ===

Night falls. On the far side of the woods, in Mercy Hill, a bonfire is lit, its flickering glow clearly visible from Nug's Farm. Voices are raised in pagan prayer. There are chants and then a scream. Hillary tells Withers and Bartlett that now is the time, and leads them out into the yard, shutting her dogs up in the house. She tells the investigators to go to the henhouse and bring back 2 chickens each, and to hold them by the necks. Withers is perturbed that this means he won't be able to use his gun.

Fetching the chickens is less easy that it seemed, and both investigators get scratched and pecked, but soon they stand behind Hillary looking out towards Goatswood, struggling poultry in hand. They see the wicked curved knife in Hillary's hand and start to worry if this is an entirely appropriate activity for respectable Christian gentlemen.

Something huge stirs and begins crashing its way through the trees towards them. "It's one of Shub-Niggurath's Young." says Hillary, "I can deal with this." She raises her voice and starts to scream out the words of what can only be a spell.

''"Ishnigarrab!"'' she screams, slashing at one of the chickens, tearing it open with her knife, but not yet killing it.

''"Say it! Help me. Say it!"''

Both investigators repeat the word.

''"The Black Mouth!"'', and a second chicken is slashed. ''"Repeat it!"''

This time only Bartlett responds

''"The Black Tongue!"'', and another slash.

Once more, Bartlett responds alone.

''"The Black Lip!"'', and a final slash.

[[Image:darkyoung.jpg|right]]

This time neither investigator responds, for both have seen the vast horror which has emerged from the woods. A great writhing shadow the size of a house, huge trunklike legs supporting a mass of thick writhing tentacles. The stench of the thing is indescribable. For a second it stands still, seemingly transfixed by Hillary's ritual.

''"Ishnigarrab! Utug Xal"'', and Hillary turns and neatly decapitates the chickens held by the stupefied Bartlett, but as she turns to kill Withers' birds she sees that the Captain has dropped them and is instead levelling his rifle at the creature.

''"You fool!"'', she shouts, and darts towards the closest of the two injured chickens.

Withers fires. One shot, two shots, three shots. The only effect they seem to have is to stir the creature from its reverie, and it starts to move forwards towards the farm once more. For Withers time seems to slow down for a few seconds, as he assesses the situation.

Bartlett is staring slack-jawed at the approaching horror. Hillary had caught the third chicken and had hacked its head from its body, and across the farmyard the final hen is fleeing for the henhouse. Suddenly Withers realises what he must do. He turns, levels his rifle, aims for a second and puts a bullet straight through the last chicken, completing the sacrifice.

Shub-Niggurath's Young stops in its tracks. Hillary, exultant, strides towards it, covered in blood from the chickens.

''"You will kill the ones who summoned you, and all who were there with them. Then you will go back to your Mother to draw on her teat!"''

The creature turns and begins to stride back towards Mercy Hill. "You might want to go inside," says Hillary, "you won't want to hear this."

Withers and Bartlett take her advice, heading inside the house and Hillary stands in the yard listening to the screams and crashes coming from beyond the trees as Mercy Hill is destroyed and Gresty, Atkinson and their faction meet their horrible, but well-deserved ends.

=== Monday December 16th 1929 ===

[[Withers]] and [[Bartlett]] wake up in the chairs where they slept the previous night. They both have chicken blood splatters on their skin and clothing. Hillary offers then breakfast and a chance to wash up, then leads them to Clotton to catch the Northbound bus.

She thanks them for their aid and tells them that now the Goatswood Cult is in her hands she will use its power to bring about a new Golden Age for Britain. They have done a great service for their country, though she doubts they truly understand that. She hopes they find Malcolm, for although his plans are unlikely to harm Britain, protected as it is, the rest of the world is not so safe.

Finally, asked if she has a message for her husband, Hillary replies "Just tell him that Sarah is healthy and happy."

The investigators board the nearly empty bus and head back to Gloucester. Shaken by their experience, but carrying with them that which they have sought for over a year, a clear signpost to the location of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]. [[Saunders]] is back in London today, so an evening meeting at Bartlett's house seems apt.

Session 9

2006-09-06T01:50:03Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 7th August, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 7th August, 2006==

''(During this session, almost the entirety of the year 1929 passed by. This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929 link] contains detailed coverage of the news and cultural events of that year)''

=== December 1928 ===

Inverness, the morning after. [[Bartlett]] is hospitalised and sedated, his wife hurries to be by his side. [[Saunders]], though critically hurt, is conscious, and Jennifer and the rest of his family flock to his side.

Meanwhile, [[Browne]] and [[Withers]} more or less intact, use their experience of such things to spin a tale to the Scottish police which convinces them that their attacker was [[Alexander Roby]], who killed [[Edwards]] with some kind of acid then stabbed [[Saunders]] before fleeing. Though there are many holes in the story, it's the best the police have, and the investigators are released.

Local newspapers report the [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/19_Newspaper_Article_on_Events_in_the_Highlands.pdf deaths of a number of villagers] in Cannich on the night that Carcosa vanished

On the 14th, Browne returns to London, where he is inspired to start turning his experiences into short stories. He is joined a couple of days later by Withers. They still want to find [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Wilfred Gresty]].

[[Browne]] sends a letter, by hand, to 'Occult Magazine', offering a book of [[Bacon]]'s to the author of the dead occultist's obituary. The next day he recieves a call from a man claiming to be the writer, and an invitation to meet that evening by [http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/east_karl_marx_tomb.jpg Karl Marx's Tomb] in Highgate Cemetary.

[[Image:marx.jpg|right]]

Browne arrives early, and Withers hides behind a nearby gravestone. It is a chill evening. A middle-aged man arrives and introduces himself, though Browne instantly recognises [[Aleister Crowley]], the self-styled 'wickedest man alive'.

Crowley thought little of Bacon, and is disappointed that the book on offer is merely a copy of '[[Le Roi en Jeune]]' (Browne having a spare one of these and unwilling to risk [[The Turner Codex]]), but he's much more interested in [[Edwards]] and [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and attempts to trade for information. He reveals that Quarrie went to Italy to seek 'Il Fratelli di Signo Giallo' ([[the Brothers of the Yellow Sign]]), a society which performs a version of '[[The King in Yellow]]' annually.

Shortly after this, Browne realises Crowley is attempting to use Mesmerism, or some other form of mental domination on him. When Crowley realises his attempts have failed he says that he must leave, but invites browne to a party he is holding the next week. As he leaves the cemetary, Crowley tells Withers 'you can come out now'.

Browne goes to the party - from which Crowley is sadly absent, and learns many things about the appetites of the rich and bored. He bathes in sin for a few hours, and returns to write more stories.

Over the next week or so, in the run up the Christmas, Withers is busy with duty and Browne with writing, so no further leads are uncovered.

Bartlett wakes from his induced coma, screaming about 'the eyes', and has a nervous breakdown.

Christmas comes. Bartlett is under sedation, Browne at his niece's, Withers is at the Windsor castle celebrations, with the King himself present, and Saunders, though hospitalised, has a family Christmas as far as is possible.

On Hogmanay, Saunders is spirited out of the hospital by his cousin and has so much fun he sets his recovery back by a month.

1928 ends.

===January 1929===

[[Browne]] finishes his book of short stories and submits them to his publisher. With [[Withers]] he visits Tewkesbury, but can trace no living relative of [[Malcolm Quarrie]].

All leads reach dead ends.

===February 1929===

[[Saunders]] is released from hosptal, returns to london and dines with his friends. [[Browne]] is delighted to reveal that his book is to be published!

Withers and [[Delia Hartston]] drift ever closer, still kept apart by social convention.

[[Bartlett]], physically mended (though badly scarred) is transferred to a private hospital in London, and his friends visit him. He starts therapy for his mental injuries, under some of the best care in the world. As a leading doctor quotes "My god, man - this is Doctor Frederick Bartlett of the Tavistock Institute! We can't have him stark raving mad and screaming about eyes!".

Saunders returns to work.

===March 1929===

The Hyades dip below the horizon and with that the influence of [[Hastur]] stops dead. The dreams stop - those artists, like [[Browne]] filled with inspiration based on the Carcosa mythos feel themselves bereft of ideas - though slowly their sane, everyday muses return.

The long cold winter ends.

Browne's book, '[[The Tatters of the King]]' is published, and sells in truckloads to all those whose dreams of Carcosa have just left them. He is a great success, and starts to enjoy this new experience.

[[Bartlett]] is released to the care of his wife. A combination of medication and psychotherapy is slowly returning him to mental health.

===April 1929===

Spring is in full bloom, and, in the absence of further leads, the investiagtors forget about [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Wilfred Gresty]] and enjoy their lives.

===May 1929===

There is talk of a US publication for [[Browne]]'s stories.

===June thru November 1929===

The events of the previous year sink ever further into memory, and the investigators meet less frequently. All seems right with the world until the middle of the month.

On the 17th, the Hyades rise, and the dreams return with a vengance. Both [[Browne]] and [[Saunders]] find their dreams of the previous year extended to dark, disturbing conclusions. Once more [[the Yellow Sign]] and [[the King in Yellow]] start to appear in graffiti, art and whispered rumour.

On October 29th, the American Stock Market crashes dramatically. It seems to mark the end of the good times.

The investigators meet and decide to start looking for clues all over again, but November is a frustrating, fruitless time.

===December 13th 1929===

Suddenly, a breakthrough. The papers [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/20_Newspaper_Article_on_Grestys_Arrest.pdf report] the arrest of a '[[Wilfred Gresty]]' for an assault on a priest in a London Church, and reveal the location and time of his appearance before the magistate, later that very day.

At long last, the game is, once more, afoot!

Session 11

2006-09-06T01:43:50Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 28th August, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 28th August, 2006==

=== Monday December 16th 1929 ===

The investigators meet this evening at Dr. [[Bartlett]]'s house to discuss events in the Severn Valley and what should be done with the information gathered there. [[Saunders]] has arrived back in England that very morning.

The decision is made to visit Milan as quickly as possible in order to be back in London by Christmas.

=== Tuesday December 17th 1929 ===

Tickets and guidebooks are purchased, excuses are made to spouses, bags are packed.

=== Wednesday December 18th 1929 ===

The 8.30am boat-train is caught, via Dover, arriving in Paris in late afternoon. With 4 hours to kill before the sleeper rain leaves for Milan, the investigators walk by the Seine and dine at a pleasant bistro in the shadow of Notre-Dame. The sleeper train leaves for Milan.

=== Thursday December 19th 1929 ===

[[Image:milan1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Central Milan]]

The investigators arrive in [[Milan]] at 7.30am and book into the Hotel des Anglais. The desk clerk arranges an interpreter/guide, and young [[Paolo Tuminardo]] - well-dressed, polite and a fervent member of the Fascist party is introduced.

The investigators tell him they need a guide for the tourist sites later, but for now they need an interpreter to help them with some urgent business. They ask for his aid in finding the shipping office of [[Giuseppe Colombo]] in Milan's ''Navigli'' region and he leads them to a cab and thence into the winding streets of Southern Milan's canal district.

Asking for directions at a small cafe, Tuminardo locates Colombo's office and leads the way inside.

In the office a strange pair of companions sit at a desk above which hangs a version of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" painted from the rear. The two men in the office are a wizened, bald old man with a milky eye and a sour expression and a somewhat effete looking young man with a startlingly sharp nose and long hair.

Tuminardo explains that his friends are looking for [[Malcolm Quarrie]] or [[Thomas Villiers]], at which point the young man stands and introduces himself in a refined English accent as Villiers.

The old man sits silently, scowling. "Don't mind Signor Colombo." says Villiers.

The investigators ask about Quarrie, at which point Villiers happily responds "The official story is that they have gone to Tibet, but in reality they are on a Pilgrimage..."

Colombo explodes into angry, rapid Italian invective. Obviously he understands enough English to realise what Villers is discussing. The old man shouts at Villers, telling him that he should not tell these strangers such things and that the [[King in Yellow]] will crush the likes of them - at least thats what Tuminardo was able to gather from his tirade.

Villiers suggests to the investigators that they accompany him to his studio, he has no idea whats got into Giuseppe, but clearly they have outstayed their welcome. On the way to his studio, a few doors from Colombo's, Villiers explains that he knew Quarrie in London and came to Italy with him when they both broke with their former friends in England.

The investigators dismiss Paolo and tell him to meet them outside later, then enter Villiers' cramped studio. They are surrounded by dark abstract paintings and blank canvasses. Villiers goes to get a bottle of grappa and some glasses and returns to explain the philosophy, or maybe ''theology'' of [[The Brothers of the Yellow Sign]] and the purpose of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s Pilgrimage.

He tells how he and his friends believe that the Christian Trinity is a distorted version of the true Trinity of [[Hastur]] and that Quarrie, along with the university professor [[Roberto Anzalone]] has gone in search of their God. At about this time [[Browne]] notices a page of notes pinned to a blank canvas. Several phrases leap out at him - '[[Springer Mound]]', '[[The King in Yellow]]', '[[Nepal]]' and '[[Drakmar]]'. It seems to be [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/25_Notes_found_in_the_Studio_of_Thomas_Villiers.pdf notes for a planned tryptich]showing the Trinity of Hastur. Browne pockets the paper.

Just as Villiers is about to explain the Pilgrimage in detail he suddenly stops talking. A strange look comes across his face as if he's suddenly realised that he's telling private business to strangers. He says "I just need to get something" and makes for the door.

Before anyone can react, the artist opens the door and cries out "Angel! I bound you and I release you!". He steps out, slams the door shut behind him and a heavy thump comes from the roof.

The investigators look up just as the skylight implodes and a [[byakhee]] crashes down to the floor, almost on top of [[Bartlett]]. Bartlett barely has time to register surprise as the creature tears his stomach open with a single grab of its great claws, spraying gore across the room.

Browne dives for the window, Saunders grabs an easel and Withers picks up a nearby poker and lays into the monster, cracking a perfect blow against its snout, breaking bone and crushing flesh. the byakhee shrieks and with a thundrous flapping of wings flies staight up and out into the night sky.

Outside, Browne gives chase to Villiers, catching him, landing an ineffective blow and then receiving a well-aimed kick to his bad ankle that leaves him writhing as Villiers flees into the night.

Back in the studio the others try to aid Bartlett, but find that he is already dead. The rest of the investigators stand in stunned horror for a few seconds, but still have the presence of mind to search the studio for further clues, though they find none.

The police and an ambulance are called and the investigators explain that their friend was killed by Villiers using some kind of metal implement that they did not see properly. Inspector Materazzi of the Milan police takes them in for questioning and the studio is sealed off as a murder scene.

The police hunt for Villiers, as the prime suspect in Bartlett's murder, and the respectable nature of the investigators is to their advantage, as their story is believed. They explain their presence in the city as a search for Malcolm Quarrie, who they describe as an old friend.

=== Friday December 20th 1929 ===

The day is taken up with further questioning, formal identification of the body, contacting Bartlett's family and the Tavistock Institute and all the other inevitable mess that follows a death by foul means.

That evening [[Thomas Villiers]] is found dead, floating in the canal, an apparent suicide. Materazzi considers the case closed.

=== Saturday December 21th 1929 ===

Saunders decides to take the opportunity to do a little local research with Paolo's aid and visits the university library. While there he remembers that the university funded [[Quarrie]] and [[Anzalone]]'s expedition so he makes a call, presents his credentials from the British Museum and ends up having an afternoon meeting with Dr. Bacci, Anzalone's colleague who tells him what he knows of [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/27_Newspaper_Article_on_the_Departure_of_Italian_Archaeological_Expedition.pdf the planned expedition].

Using information provided by the Englishman, Quarrie, professor Anzalone hopes to discover the lost city of Jiwakhar, former capital of the Southern Tibetan kingdom of Gungthang. Bacci lends an 1845 book about the area to Saunders, and from it, and maps available in the library discovers that Gungthang is immediately North of the little known Nepalese kingdom of [[Mustang]], which was mentioned in [[Villiers]]' notes and which may be the true destination of the '[[Pilgrimage of Grace]]'. The book also mentions '[[Drakmar]]' as being a location within Mustang, but gives no other details.

Bacci says that Anzalone and Quarrie trvelled with [[Carlo Schippone]], a graduate student, and Major [[Ricardo Delnegro]] of the ''Alpini''. Delnegro's involvement is indicative of the Fascist government's desire to be involved in all significant Italian endeavours in order to take its share of the credit.

Bacci believes the expedition will be gone for at least 6 months.

Saunders decides to keep the book and post it back from England.

=== Sunday December 22nd 1929 ===

Italy being a pious nation, not much is open on Sunday. The surviving investigators rest, read, mourn their friend and start planning a trip to Nepal or Tibet - though Nepal will be problematic as the nation is closed to Westerners.

=== Monday December 23nd 1929 ===

The day is spent travelling back to London. Bartlett's coffin is met by relatives when they reach Paris.

=== Tuesday December 24th 1929 ===

The surviving investigators arrive in a snowbound London on the morning of Christmas Eve. They are hardly in the mood for celebration, but they all have at least one or two people they need to buy presents for, and they seperate and agree to meet up again at Bartlett's funeral, which is arranged for New Year's Eve, Monday 31st December, 1929. Bartlett's story will end with the decade.

Session 12

2006-09-06T01:35:49Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 4th September, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 4th September, 2006==

=== Monday December 31st 1929 ===

Wimbledon Cemetary, the funeral of Doctor Frederick [[Bartlett]]. In the face of some cold stares from Bartlett's family, the investigators retire to a nearby pub and make plans to travel to Nepal. It is decided to book passage on the next available ship, which will be '[[The Viceroy of India]]', a new P&O liner which leaves Southampton on Friday.

It is agreed that to avoid the crossing of the Bay of Biscay, never pleasant at this time of year, the investigators will travel by train to Marseilles and meet the boat there on Sunday.

=== Friday January 5th 1930 ===

The investigators leave England and head to France, taking a train south to the port of Marseilles, where they buy the gear they feel they need for the joirney - walking shoes, packs, alpine rations and survival gear.

=== Saturday January 6th 1930 ===

All 3 investigators experience disturbing dreams containing themes and imagery from the Hastur mythos. All feel the influence of [[the King in Yellow]] is growing.

=== Sunday January 7th 1930 ===

The investigators board [[The Viceroy of India]] for the 11 day voyage to [[Bombay]]. Over the next week and a half they will spend a lot of time with their dining companions on Table 8, who they meet that lunchtime (with the excpetion of Mr Thomas, who does not appear until dinner.

[[Julian Knight]] - a diplomat returning to India, who implies that he may be some kind of a spy and clearly has an eye for the ladies and a taste for brandy

The Reverend [[Ian Gore]] - a missionary with the British Bible Society, on his way to continue spreading the Word in the interior of India

Mrs [[Henrietta Tullis]] - the matronly wife of the Cultural attache in Bombay, returning from visiting her sick sister and very much the 'mother hen' of the group

[[Stephen Thomas]] - a pudgy, bespectacled man. A minor civil servant taking up a new post in India, Stephen always has his head in a book.

Miss [[Francesca Nicholson]] - a pretty, vivacious typist on her way to visit relatives and see the sub-continent. She knows [[Nathaniel Browne]]'s work and is happy to meet him.

Miss [[Patricia Berry]] - Francesca's quieter, less glamorous friend and travelling companion. from a monied background, she busies herself in voluntary work. Julian Knight immediately latches on to her.

''Note: At this point, Julian Knight is being played by [[Marcus Gustafsson]] and the other players think that Julian is his new character in the campaign.''

By dinner that evening, Francesca has attached herself to Browne as is hanging on his every word, while poor Patricia finds herself the object of Knight's attentions, something that is making her increasingly uncomfortable. At the end of dinner, when it is time for the ship's orchestra to strike up, Withers notices Knight is ordering a drink and chivalrously sterps in, inviting Patricia to be his dance partner for the evening.

Thus paired up, Withers and Browne go to the dancefloor, Knight to the bar and [[Andrew Saunders]] wanders off on his own for the evening. During dinner Saunders saw a swarthy looking man looking into the dining room and was sure he'd seen him before, but could not place him.

Late that night, Withers hears Saunders return to his cabin. He wonders quite where his friend has been.

=== Monday January 8th 1930 ===

The ship steams on across the Mediterranean.

Session 5

2006-09-05T05:06:43Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 5th June, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 5th June, 2006==

===Tuesday 13th November===

The private detective Walsh contacts [[Withers]] about [[Edwards]] and [[Lawrence Bacon]]. Edwards has long gone from the last known address, leaving no trace. Bacon has run his shop in Islington for several deacdes and is still there. He rarely if ever leaves and the shop is open by appointment only.

[[Nathaniel Browne]] visits [[Talbot Estus]] to return ‘[[Le Roi en Jeune]]’. [[Michael Gillen]] seems to have moved out, and Estus is dishevelled and his apartment is a mess. He has been struggling to make any headway at all on his novel and seems unwell. A passionate discussion on [[The King in Yellow]] ensues, and Browne lends Estus his copy of ‘[[der Wanderer durch den See]]’. Putting two and two together regarding Estus' apparent astrophobia and his own reactions to [[the Springer Mound Monsters]], Browne asks wheteher Estus has seen a similar creature. Estus reveals a dream he has had, of [[Cassilda]]’s palace surrounded by flocks of black flying creatures similar to [[the Springer Mound Monsters]].

Browne leave Estus' apartment somewhat concerned over his mental health. He calls [[Dr. Bartlett]], asking him if he will visit Estus in a professional capacity. Bartlett agrees and asks Browne to arrange a meeting.

===Wednesday 14th November===

[[Image:tolkien.jpg|thumb|Tolkien during the war]]
Withers hears from his private detective about [[Malcolm Quarrie]]. Quarrie left the Royal Society in 1926, apparently to go overseas. The current resident of his former address does not know where but holds some mail for him, including letters from Pembroke College, Oxford.

Withers asks [[Andrew Saunders]] if he can help, as he has a contact at Oxford, and Saunders calls his friend John Tolkien to ask if John can find out anything about Quarrie. Tolkien recalls Quarrie’s name – he was a fellow scholar of Anglo-Saxon who once corresponded with him, as they had a mutual acquaintance. Quarrie wrote a book called ‘[[British Gods]]’ which was a study of Anglo-Saxon deities in the West of England. Tolkien owns a copy and invites Saunders to dinner in Oxford on Saturday.

Saunders also contacts the Archaeology Department at Oxford and locates Professor Hudson, who was on the [[Springer Mound]] dig in 1907, as a graduate student. This dig was nothing more than a training dig organised by a now deceased Professor, and it found nothing of interest. However, when Hudson lists the students on the dig he mentions a ‘Charles Edwards’ who he is sure died at the Somme.

===Thursday 15th November===

[[Bartlett]] calls [[St Agnes Asylum]] to tell [[Dr. Charles Highsmith]] that he will be recommending that [[Alexander Roby]] be released. Highsmith asks Bartlett to attend the release hearing in Hereford on November 30th to speak on Roby's behalf. Bartlett agrees.

===Friday 16th November===

Once again everyone meets for dinner at Bartlett's house to discuss events. The Dover sole is particularly fine.

===Saturday 17th November===

[[Andrew Saunders]] travels to Oxford to meet Professor Tolkien and discuss [[Malcolm Quarrie]]. Tolkien knows little, but is able to give Saunders a copy of '[[British Gods]]'. Tolkien takes Saunders to dinner and they discuss 'Beowulf'.

===Sunday 18th November===

The investigators have a quiet sunday, getting on with their lives. Saunders reads a good chunk of '[[British Gods]]' including mention of a pagan fertility deity known as Shub-Niggurath or the black goat of the woods with a thousand young, who was worshipped in the west country in ancient times.

===Monday 19th November===

[[Browne]] calls [[Talbot Estus]] to try to persuade him to see [[Doctor Bartlett]], but Estus refuses.

[[Saunders]] attempts to trace [[Malcolm Quarrie]] via the Royal Society, but the best he can discover is that Quarrie is believed to have travelled to 'the continent'.

===Tuesday 20th November===

[[Doctor Bartlett]] receives a [http://www.artistmonkey.com/Downloads/12_Wilfred_Grestys_First_Letter.pdf letter] from someone called [[Gresty]]. In the letter, Gresty claims to have been a part of the same group as [[Alexander Roby]], [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]], [[Edwards]] and [[Coombes]], and that the group has split up. He also asks their assistance in dealing with Bacon, who he says will go out on the night of the full moon (November 27th). Gresty says that he will prevent Coombes from being present, and that this will make Bacon easier to handle.

Bartlett and [[Withers]] discuss the letter. Bartlett phones [[Delia Morrison]] about Gresty, but she has never heard of him. He also tells Delia to contact Withers or himself if she thinks of anything that may be helpful.

===Wednesday 21st November===

[[Delia Morrison]] calls [[Withers]], saying she has found something and would like him to visit at six that evening. Withers, wary of any possible 'untowardness' in visiting her alone, invites [[Bartlett]].

When they arrive they find that [[Peter Morrison]] is present and Delia has a black eye. Withers reacts with anger, and Morrison, who has been drinking, challenges him to a fist fight.

Withers and Morrison face off in the front garden, and Withers wins handily, his second and final blow smashing into Morrison's midriff, leaving him gasping on the ground. Delia spits on her helpless husband and says 'if you ever lay a hand on me again, you are dead.' Morrison ends up hospitalised with a ruptured kidney, but the police press no charges as both Bartlett and Delia was witness to Morrison's starting the fight.

Delia apologises to Withers for using him this way as in truth, she has no more information about [[Alexander Roby]]. She bids 'adieu' to him with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

===Thursday 22nd November===

At [[Saunders]]' urging [[Browne]] visits [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s former home and gains mail that was meant for him by posing as a relative. The letters include a couple from his mother in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire which refer to a 'Hillary', who seems to be Quarrie's estranged wife and announce the death of Quarrie's father. In the second letter his mother effectively disowns him and says she is moving away to live with 'Aunt Tessie'. No addresses are included in the letters.

Saunders decides to seek Quarrie in European academia and starts sending off cables to various learned institutions.

Walsh, the private detective, reports to [[Withers]] that there has been no movement of any interest at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop. In the light of the [[Gresty]] letter Withers ends Walsh's employ, deciding it's time to take a personal interest.

Withers gives his sister Anna [[Delia Morrison]]'s address and number and asks Anna to look after Delia.

[[Doctor Bartlett]] finds a disturbing note scribbled in a psychological journal that refers to [[The King in Yellow]], but is unable to locate it a second time.

===Friday 23rd November===

The weekly dinner at [[Doctor Bartlett]]'s house becomes a discussion about the situation with [[Lawrence Bacon]] and the [[Gresty]] letter. After much debate it is agreed that all four investigators will watch, and attempt to follow Bacon on the 27th, and that the police will not be informed in advance.

===Saturday 24th November===

In preparation for Tuesday night, [[Withers]] and [[Browne]] recce the area around Bacon's shop. Browne finds a good hiding place in the gardens of the Royal Fever Hospital, opposite the shop while Withers traces the route to the canal, as described in [[Vincent Tuck's report]].

While wandering the canal area, Withers is very disturbed to encounter a drunken tramp singing [[Cassilda]]'s song from '[[The King in Yellow]]'.

===Sunday 25th November===

A day spent in at church, with family or just quietly at home. [[Withers]] is invited to dine with his sister and finds himself in the awkward situation of sitting opposite [[Delia Hartston]] (who no longer calls herself 'Morrison').

===Monday 26th November===

A day spent at work, reading and writing, is interrupted when [[Browne]] gets a phone call from a barely coherent [[Talbot Estus]]. Estus says "I won't do it, I won't." and asks Browne "who are you, what do you want?".

Concerned, Browne calls [[Bartlett]], reporting that he is very disturbed by Estus' behaviour and fears that he may be a danger to himself or others. The pair arrange to meet at Estus's apartment building. Arriving first, Browne attempts to gain a response from within, but none is forthcoming. Barlett arrives and the two attempt to force entry. While attempting to break down the door (during which Browne re-injures his ankle), a neighbour arrives. He has a spare key and lets them in. Estus is found hanging in his study, an apparent suicide. Browne is shocked and falls backward to the floor.

A suicide note is found which says ''"Did I see my destiny, or did I make it? I know what I must do. Damn Roby and damn his book."'' The remains of [[Der Wanderer durch den See]] burn in the fireplace. Bartlett rings for an ambulance, while Browne, shaken by the entire experience, and realising that just like [[Dr. Lionel Trollope]], Estus apparently forsaw his own death while in possession of the book, starts to rummage through Estus's papers. He finds endless discarded drafts of the start of Estus's novel (it seems he never even settled on a beginning to his ''magnum opus''), and keeps some sheets. He also locates the copy of '[[Le Roi en Jeune]]', which he swiftly pockets.

===Tuesday 27th November===

Despite being shaken by events of the previous night, the investigators meet as planned at 'the Cripple', a pub a few doors down from [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop. At closing time they take positions in the bushes across the street and in an alley at the corner, and wait.

Just before midnight a huge, bearded man leaves the shop. He answers the description of Bacon, except that he is clearly a good 20 years younger than they have been expecting. Nonetheless they follow him, and seem to manage to avoid detection.

Bacon, if this is indeed he, follows the same route that he did when followed by [[Vincent Tuck]]. Once near Regents Canal he starts looking in doorways and alleys. [[Browne]] is closest when he enters an alley, just off the canal path, and starts to chant. A hideous screeching cacophony fills the air, joining with the chant, and the horrific screaming of a human being comes from within. Browne hides in a doorway.

[[Withers]], who is in the open on the canal path, fumbles for his gun. As he does this, the screeching stops and a vagrant staggers from the alley screaming for help from Withers, who he sees. Bacon grabs the vagrant from behind and lifts him up. Withers fires a shot in the air. Bacon hurls his victim against a wall, where his body seems to break apart, and turns to face Withers.

Withers aims at Bacon as Bacon starts shouting 'Coombes, Coombes, where are you man, you're needed!'

[[Saunders]] and [[Bartlett]] close the gap and find themselves behind Withers on the canal path as Bacon, realising Coombes is not there, starts to rush towards Withers, chanting the words "arggan colubra, arggan colubra!". He passes Browne, still hiding in the shadows of the doorway. Browne prepares to attack Bacon from behind, aware that with his ankle still hurting, he is unlikely to be able to outrun him.

Withers fires - the shot seems to hit Bacon but deflect away, hardly slowing him. As he closes on Withers the moonlight clearly shows his raised hands twisting, morphing and turning into the heads of a pair of hissing snakes!

''--- To be continued ---''

==Audio Recording==

[http://www.tentaclesandunderpants.info/downloads/viewDownloads.html;jsessionid=1mpexavapatn9?id=12733 Audio Recording of the Fifth Session]

Session 7

2006-07-20T02:42:13Z

219.89.207.51: /* Monday 10th December */

==Session Report - Played Monday 17th July, 2006==

===Saturday 1st December===

''--- Continued ---''

As the shock of the latest revelations soak in, the investigators begin to discuss their next move. It is agreed that Roby must be located, and that the authorities would not be able to grasp the nature of the threat. Various lines of research are suggested, but no clear strategy is formulated.

Everyone goes home to sleep on it.

===Sunday 2nd December===

The Sunday papers report the discovery of the bodies of 2 vagrants in the area of the Regent Canal, and thoughts initially turn to [[Lawrence Bacon]] and his victim of Tuesday night, but the facts of the story did not fit this idea. Both men had been freshly murdered, and the killing of the second victim apparently witnessed, though details were sketchy.

With all offices and libraries closed, the investigators spend the day with family, or in private study.

===Monday 3rd December===

The "London World" this morning carries a lurid description of 'The Canal Monster', claiming that the witness who saw the second killing described a vaguely humanoid creature that walked with a wet sloshing noise tearing out the tramp's insides. The story was written by a reported called [[Cec Watts]].

[[Withers]], wanting to be sure that neither victim was [[Lawrence Bacon]], while secretly fearing that the killer was, calls the police with a story of a missing friend and visits the Islington police station where investigating officer DI Hodges. Hodges reveals little, and the sketches of the victims faces show non-descript middle-aged men unknown to Withers.

Meanwhile [[Saunders]] follows up [[Edwards]]' application to the British Library and discovers that his references for a reader's ticket were [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and Dr Schwabe of the Saled school of Fine Arts. Saunders contacts Schwabe who has clear memories of Edwards as a young artist who showed talent but no desire for fame, or even success, and who left Slade without completing his degree. He also reveals that as a keen amateur archaeologist it was Schwabe who told Edwards of the 1907 dig at [[Springer Mound]], and showed him slides of the site. He remembers Edwards being very inetrested in the palce, for reasons that were never clear. Schwabe has no idea where Edwards might be.

[[Browne]] calls [[Cec Watts]] at the London Globe with an offer of information about the Canal Killings. They arrange a meeting in a pub the following day.

[[Saunders]] tries to find familiar names in the Tewkesbury phone book. he contacts a couple of W Gresty's only to discover thats its a common name in the region, and neither know a Wilfred.

===Tuesday 4th December===

[[Browne]] meets [[Cec Watts]] in a pub and gives him an edited version of [[Vincent Tuck]]'s statement about [[Lawrence Bacon]], along with Tuck's name, in return for a promise to share information. Browne is hoping that Watts will come to suspect Bacon of the canal murders and will be able to find out more without direwctly involving the investigators. Browne gives Watt a PO Box number to contact him through.

===Wednesday 5th December===

A day spent watching, waiting and worrying. [[Bartlett]] places a small ad in an attempt to contact [[Wilfred Gresty]].

===Thursday 6th December===

The newspapers report the discovery of the body of [[Cec Watts]], found floating the previous day in Regent's Canal, an apparent victim of the Canal Killer.

[[Browne]], knowing he's been seen with Watts, visits the police and spins a tale to DI Hodges inventing an innocent explanation for the contact involving a story that he was writing, Hodges seems to buy the story. As Browne goes to leave, Hodge asks if the name Lawrence Bacon means anything to him. Browne manages to stop any shocked reaction from showing on his face and replies that he doesn't think so. Hodges says that Bacon's address was found of a slip of paper in Watts'possession and lets slip that Bacon's shop was visited by the police and found to have been thoroughly ransacked by unknown hands.

===Friday 7th December===

[[Dr. Highsmith]] phones [[Doctor Bartlett]]. He has been able to talk to [[Lucius Harriwell]], now under close confienment and in a straitjacket, but back at St Agnes. Harriwell told Highsmith a tale of over hearing the Devil talking with [[Alexander Roby]] about leaving with him to 'complete the work', shortly after which Harriwell heard terrible sounds from the next cell. The Devil then entered harriwell's room, covered in blood and deep cuts. he through one of his 'hands' (apparently a knife) to Harriwell and said "seven days for his work, Lucius, then 5 for mine."

Highsmith has told the police that he believes Harriwell met the real murderer, but Atkins is certain Lucius was the asylum killer, and would not listen.

The investigators think that it's possible that [[Edwards]] has taken [[Roby]] back to [[Springer Mound]], and as they have no other current leads jump in their cars and drive to Suffolk as fast as they can. At [[Long Melford]], asking about recent strange acticity in the area they are told of trucks that arrived one evening at Harold Jennings' old farm a week or so after Jennings' died.

The investigators head to Springer Mound and find that the [[Springer Mound monsters]] have gone, as have the nine stones - with evidence of trucks and heavy lifting equipment involved. [[Bartlett]] climbs the mound, smells the tar pit at its summit, has his dream come back to him anew - the smell of rotting fruit so terribly familiar - and insists on leaving.

In [[Clare Melford]], it is discovered that Dick Blair, the pub landlord who came to the village shortly after 'the night of the Curse' suddenly quit just after the trucks visited springer Mound. The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Saturday 8th December===

The BBC and the morning papers report last night's killing of the supposed perpetrator of the Canal Murders by armed police in the railway engineering yard near Kings Cross Station. The details remain sketchy, but the police seem sure the killer is dead, though he has not been named and no picture has been released. The area remains sealed off.

The investigators gather at [[Bartlett]]'s home for lunch, but before he can leave barracks [[Withers]] is visited by [[Delia Hartston]] and his sister. Delia has just received a note from [[Alexander Roby]], asking her to meet him at [[Loch Mullardoch]] near Inverness, scotland, where he will prove that he was 'not chasing the devil'. Delia has no intentions of going, but knows Withers was seeking Roby.

Meanwhile, on the tube train to Wimbledon, [[Browne]] is leafing through 'Occult Magazine', new that morning, and finds an obituary for [[Lawrence Bacon]] written by someone under the pseudonym 'Perdurabo' who clearly knows a lot about Bacon's past. The obituary is strange as Bacon is not officially dead, and useful as it refers to [[Montague Edwards]] as a mutual friend of both Bacon and the writer, and as the self-styled 'Laird of Mullardoch'.

With this new information, and the apparent timeline referred to by [[Lucius Harriwell]] the decision is made to travel as fast as possible to Inverness. A train leaves that afternoon, for an overnight stopover in Manchester and arrival in inverness at 2pm the next day.

The investigators take that train, and spend a snowy night in Manchester.

===Sunday 9th December===

The train heads on Northwards towards Scotland. The investigators encounter a nervous passenger who is absently fiddling with a [[bone whistle]] just like the one they have. The turns out to be Henry Lister, a pathetic excuse for a man whom Withers easily intimidates into telling all he knows.

Lister, who has been terrified of death all his life, joined an occult society that used to meet at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop, because he had been told that Bacon knew the secret of conquering death. The society studied and eventually worshipped a being called [[Hastur]] who they endeavoured to return to Earth to bring about a golden age of art and wonder.

The order, or cult attempted to bring Hastur to earth at [[Springer Mound]], but Lister had backed out of the ceremony and saw nothing. He knows that not everyone returned from suffolk, and that Bacon and [[Edwards]] were changed by the experience, and that [[Malcolm Quarrie]] left the order shortly afterwards.

After Springer Mound the cult began working towards a new end, of which he was told nothing. The great day was approaching, said Bacon, who still held meetings at his shop,though with much reduced frequency and attendance. Finally the members were told to travel to Inverness by December 5th, where they would be opicked up at the station and taken to the place where Hastur would return to Earth.

Lister had dithered and prevaricated for days before finally deciding to travel to Scotland, several days late. However,the meeting with the investigators finally destroys his resolve and he leaves the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle and with it the Hastur cult.

The train arrives in a cold, snowing Inverness at 2pm. Saunders' relatives meet the inevstigators, who have no choice but to endure an afternoon and evening of scottish hospitality. The decision is made to travel to [[Loch Mullardoch]] first thing on Monday morning. Heavy snow falls overnight.

===Monday 10th December===

The investigators drive to the village of Cannich, and beyond down the [[Loch Mullardoch]] road. hey reach a gate marked 'Private Property' and pass through, but soon realise that with the heavy snow on the ground it is unsafe to attempt to take the car the whole way to the loch. They park the car as safely as possible and head towards the loch by foot.

The trees seem to be straining towards the loch, and as they get closer they seem almost to be creaking under some unnatural pressure. After a few miles, the sound of something large crashing through the treetops is heard and a creature somewhat like a living barrage balloon drags itself into view, using long tentacles to pull itself through the trees at treetop height. Its swollen body pulses and glistens. It is utterly alien and [[Bartlett]] thinks it beautiful, he has to be dissuaded from following it.

Shortly after the thing swims away through the air, the investigators encounter a clearing containing one of the monoliths from [[Springer Mound]], its top glistening with the slime of the alien creature.

With mounting trepidation the group trek on towards the loch, eventually cresting a small rise to see before them the dark surface of the water filling the valley ahead and at its near end the somewhat ugly 2 storey white hunting lodge that is Mullardoch House and a pair of snow-covered cars parked outside.

The road dips back downwards, and the loch is out of sight. At this moment a mysterious mist or fog billows up from nowhere, cutting off visibility. They move forward a few steps, and out of the fog, between the investigators and the house, looms a large ornate marble archway that was not there a second ago. As the investigators stare open-mouthed at this wonder, the fog clears as quickly as it came, revealing that Mullardoch House and the investigators now stand in the midst of a vast city of baroque architecture which fills the valley behind them and ahead of them wraps around the shores of what was Loch Mullardoch, but which is now the Lake of Hali.

Somehow each of the investigators knows the name of this place. It is the city of [[Carcosa]], and it has been brought to Earth!

''---to be continued---''

Session 7

2006-07-20T02:38:27Z

219.89.207.51: /* Sunday 9th December */

==Session Report - Played Monday 17th July, 2006==

===Saturday 1st December===

''--- Continued ---''

As the shock of the latest revelations soak in, the investigators begin to discuss their next move. It is agreed that Roby must be located, and that the authorities would not be able to grasp the nature of the threat. Various lines of research are suggested, but no clear strategy is formulated.

Everyone goes home to sleep on it.

===Sunday 2nd December===

The Sunday papers report the discovery of the bodies of 2 vagrants in the area of the Regent Canal, and thoughts initially turn to [[Lawrence Bacon]] and his victim of Tuesday night, but the facts of the story did not fit this idea. Both men had been freshly murdered, and the killing of the second victim apparently witnessed, though details were sketchy.

With all offices and libraries closed, the investigators spend the day with family, or in private study.

===Monday 3rd December===

The "London World" this morning carries a lurid description of 'The Canal Monster', claiming that the witness who saw the second killing described a vaguely humanoid creature that walked with a wet sloshing noise tearing out the tramp's insides. The story was written by a reported called [[Cec Watts]].

[[Withers]], wanting to be sure that neither victim was [[Lawrence Bacon]], while secretly fearing that the killer was, calls the police with a story of a missing friend and visits the Islington police station where investigating officer DI Hodges. Hodges reveals little, and the sketches of the victims faces show non-descript middle-aged men unknown to Withers.

Meanwhile [[Saunders]] follows up [[Edwards]]' application to the British Library and discovers that his references for a reader's ticket were [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and Dr Schwabe of the Saled school of Fine Arts. Saunders contacts Schwabe who has clear memories of Edwards as a young artist who showed talent but no desire for fame, or even success, and who left Slade without completing his degree. He also reveals that as a keen amateur archaeologist it was Schwabe who told Edwards of the 1907 dig at [[Springer Mound]], and showed him slides of the site. He remembers Edwards being very inetrested in the palce, for reasons that were never clear. Schwabe has no idea where Edwards might be.

[[Browne]] calls [[Cec Watts]] at the London Globe with an offer of information about the Canal Killings. They arrange a meeting in a pub the following day.

[[Saunders]] tries to find familiar names in the Tewkesbury phone book. he contacts a couple of W Gresty's only to discover thats its a common name in the region, and neither know a Wilfred.

===Tuesday 4th December===

[[Browne]] meets [[Cec Watts]] in a pub and gives him an edited version of [[Vincent Tuck]]'s statement about [[Lawrence Bacon]], along with Tuck's name, in return for a promise to share information. Browne is hoping that Watts will come to suspect Bacon of the canal murders and will be able to find out more without direwctly involving the investigators. Browne gives Watt a PO Box number to contact him through.

===Wednesday 5th December===

A day spent watching, waiting and worrying. [[Bartlett]] places a small ad in an attempt to contact [[Wilfred Gresty]].

===Thursday 6th December===

The newspapers report the discovery of the body of [[Cec Watts]], found floating the previous day in Regent's Canal, an apparent victim of the Canal Killer.

[[Browne]], knowing he's been seen with Watts, visits the police and spins a tale to DI Hodges inventing an innocent explanation for the contact involving a story that he was writing, Hodges seems to buy the story. As Browne goes to leave, Hodge asks if the name Lawrence Bacon means anything to him. Browne manages to stop any shocked reaction from showing on his face and replies that he doesn't think so. Hodges says that Bacon's address was found of a slip of paper in Watts'possession and lets slip that Bacon's shop was visited by the police and found to have been thoroughly ransacked by unknown hands.

===Friday 7th December===

[[Dr. Highsmith]] phones [[Doctor Bartlett]]. He has been able to talk to [[Lucius Harriwell]], now under close confienment and in a straitjacket, but back at St Agnes. Harriwell told Highsmith a tale of over hearing the Devil talking with [[Alexander Roby]] about leaving with him to 'complete the work', shortly after which Harriwell heard terrible sounds from the next cell. The Devil then entered harriwell's room, covered in blood and deep cuts. he through one of his 'hands' (apparently a knife) to Harriwell and said "seven days for his work, Lucius, then 5 for mine."

Highsmith has told the police that he believes Harriwell met the real murderer, but Atkins is certain Lucius was the asylum killer, and would not listen.

The investigators think that it's possible that [[Edwards]] has taken [[Roby]] back to [[Springer Mound]], and as they have no other current leads jump in their cars and drive to Suffolk as fast as they can. At [[Long Melford]], asking about recent strange acticity in the area they are told of trucks that arrived one evening at Harold Jennings' old farm a week or so after Jennings' died.

The investigators head to Springer Mound and find that the [[Springer Mound monsters]] have gone, as have the nine stones - with evidence of trucks and heavy lifting equipment involved. [[Bartlett]] climbs the mound, smells the tar pit at its summit, has his dream come back to him anew - the smell of rotting fruit so terribly familiar - and insists on leaving.

In [[Clare Melford]], it is discovered that Dick Blair, the pub landlord who came to the village shortly after 'the night of the Curse' suddenly quit just after the trucks visited springer Mound. The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Saturday 8th December===

The BBC and the morning papers report last night's killing of the supposed perpetrator of the Canal Murders by armed police in the railway engineering yard near Kings Cross Station. The details remain sketchy, but the police seem sure the killer is dead, though he has not been named and no picture has been released. The area remains sealed off.

The investigators gather at [[Bartlett]]'s home for lunch, but before he can leave barracks [[Withers]] is visited by [[Delia Hartston]] and his sister. Delia has just received a note from [[Alexander Roby]], asking her to meet him at [[Loch Mullardoch]] near Inverness, scotland, where he will prove that he was 'not chasing the devil'. Delia has no intentions of going, but knows Withers was seeking Roby.

Meanwhile, on the tube train to Wimbledon, [[Browne]] is leafing through 'Occult Magazine', new that morning, and finds an obituary for [[Lawrence Bacon]] written by someone under the pseudonym 'Perdurabo' who clearly knows a lot about Bacon's past. The obituary is strange as Bacon is not officially dead, and useful as it refers to [[Montague Edwards]] as a mutual friend of both Bacon and the writer, and as the self-styled 'Laird of Mullardoch'.

With this new information, and the apparent timeline referred to by [[Lucius Harriwell]] the decision is made to travel as fast as possible to Inverness. A train leaves that afternoon, for an overnight stopover in Manchester and arrival in inverness at 2pm the next day.

The investigators take that train, and spend a snowy night in Manchester.

===Sunday 9th December===

The train heads on Northwards towards Scotland. The investigators encounter a nervous passenger who is absently fiddling with a [[bone whistle]] just like the one they have. The turns out to be Henry Lister, a pathetic excuse for a man whom Withers easily intimidates into telling all he knows.

Lister, who has been terrified of death all his life, joined an occult society that used to meet at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop, because he had been told that Bacon knew the secret of conquering death. The society studied and eventually worshipped a being called [[Hastur]] who they endeavoured to return to Earth to bring about a golden age of art and wonder.

The order, or cult attempted to bring Hastur to earth at [[Springer Mound]], but Lister had backed out of the ceremony and saw nothing. He knows that not everyone returned from suffolk, and that Bacon and [[Edwards]] were changed by the experience, and that [[Malcolm Quarrie]] left the order shortly afterwards.

After Springer Mound the cult began working towards a new end, of which he was told nothing. The great day was approaching, said Bacon, who still held meetings at his shop,though with much reduced frequency and attendance. Finally the members were told to travel to Inverness by December 5th, where they would be opicked up at the station and taken to the place where Hastur would return to Earth.

Lister had dithered and prevaricated for days before finally deciding to travel to Scotland, several days late. However,the meeting with the investigators finally destroys his resolve and he leaves the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle and with it the Hastur cult.

The train arrives in a cold, snowing Inverness at 2pm. Saunders' relatives meet the inevstigators, who have no choice but to endure an afternoon and evening of scottish hospitality. The decision is made to travel to [[Loch Mullardoch]] first thing on Monday morning. Heavy snow falls overnight.

===Monday 10th December===

The investigators drive to the village of Cannich, and beyond down the [[Loch Mullardoch]] road. they reach a gate marked 'Private Property' and pass through, but soon realise that with the eavy snow on the ground it is unsafe to attempt to take the car the whole way to the Loch. They park the car as safely as possible and head towards the loch by foot.

The trees seem to be straining towards the Loch, and as they get closer they seem almost to be creaking under some unnatural pressure. After a few miles, the sound of something large crashing through the treetops is heard and a creature somewhat like a living barrage balloon drags itself into view, using long tentacles to pull inself through the trees at treetop height. Its swollen body pulses and glistens. It is utterly alien and [[Bartlett]] thinks it beautiful. he has to be dissuaded from following it.

Shortly aft the thing swims away through the air, the investigators encounter a clearing conaining one of the monoliths from [[Springer Mound]], its top glistening with the slime of the alien creature.

With mounting trepidation the group trek on towards the loch, eventually cresting a small rise to see before them the dark surface of the water filling the valley ahead and at its near end the somewhat ugly 2 storey white hinting lodge that is Mullardoch House, a pair of snow-covered cars parked outside.

The road dips back downwards, and the Loch is out of sight. At this moment a mysterious mist or fog billows up from nowhere, cutting off visibility. They move forwards a few steps, and out of the fog, between the investigators and the house, looms a large ornate marble archway that was not there a second ago. As the investigators stare open-mouthed at this wonder, the fog clears as quickly as it came, revealing that Mullardoch House and the investigators now stand in the midst of a vast city of baroque architecture which fills the valley behind them and ahead of them wraps around the shores of what was Loch Mullardoch, but which is now the Lake of Hali.

Somehow each of the investigators knows the name of this place. It is the city of [[Carcosa]], and it has been brought to Earth!

''---to be continued---''

Session 7

2006-07-20T02:35:36Z

219.89.207.51: /* Saturday 8th December */

==Session Report - Played Monday 17th July, 2006==

===Saturday 1st December===

''--- Continued ---''

As the shock of the latest revelations soak in, the investigators begin to discuss their next move. It is agreed that Roby must be located, and that the authorities would not be able to grasp the nature of the threat. Various lines of research are suggested, but no clear strategy is formulated.

Everyone goes home to sleep on it.

===Sunday 2nd December===

The Sunday papers report the discovery of the bodies of 2 vagrants in the area of the Regent Canal, and thoughts initially turn to [[Lawrence Bacon]] and his victim of Tuesday night, but the facts of the story did not fit this idea. Both men had been freshly murdered, and the killing of the second victim apparently witnessed, though details were sketchy.

With all offices and libraries closed, the investigators spend the day with family, or in private study.

===Monday 3rd December===

The "London World" this morning carries a lurid description of 'The Canal Monster', claiming that the witness who saw the second killing described a vaguely humanoid creature that walked with a wet sloshing noise tearing out the tramp's insides. The story was written by a reported called [[Cec Watts]].

[[Withers]], wanting to be sure that neither victim was [[Lawrence Bacon]], while secretly fearing that the killer was, calls the police with a story of a missing friend and visits the Islington police station where investigating officer DI Hodges. Hodges reveals little, and the sketches of the victims faces show non-descript middle-aged men unknown to Withers.

Meanwhile [[Saunders]] follows up [[Edwards]]' application to the British Library and discovers that his references for a reader's ticket were [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and Dr Schwabe of the Saled school of Fine Arts. Saunders contacts Schwabe who has clear memories of Edwards as a young artist who showed talent but no desire for fame, or even success, and who left Slade without completing his degree. He also reveals that as a keen amateur archaeologist it was Schwabe who told Edwards of the 1907 dig at [[Springer Mound]], and showed him slides of the site. He remembers Edwards being very inetrested in the palce, for reasons that were never clear. Schwabe has no idea where Edwards might be.

[[Browne]] calls [[Cec Watts]] at the London Globe with an offer of information about the Canal Killings. They arrange a meeting in a pub the following day.

[[Saunders]] tries to find familiar names in the Tewkesbury phone book. he contacts a couple of W Gresty's only to discover thats its a common name in the region, and neither know a Wilfred.

===Tuesday 4th December===

[[Browne]] meets [[Cec Watts]] in a pub and gives him an edited version of [[Vincent Tuck]]'s statement about [[Lawrence Bacon]], along with Tuck's name, in return for a promise to share information. Browne is hoping that Watts will come to suspect Bacon of the canal murders and will be able to find out more without direwctly involving the investigators. Browne gives Watt a PO Box number to contact him through.

===Wednesday 5th December===

A day spent watching, waiting and worrying. [[Bartlett]] places a small ad in an attempt to contact [[Wilfred Gresty]].

===Thursday 6th December===

The newspapers report the discovery of the body of [[Cec Watts]], found floating the previous day in Regent's Canal, an apparent victim of the Canal Killer.

[[Browne]], knowing he's been seen with Watts, visits the police and spins a tale to DI Hodges inventing an innocent explanation for the contact involving a story that he was writing, Hodges seems to buy the story. As Browne goes to leave, Hodge asks if the name Lawrence Bacon means anything to him. Browne manages to stop any shocked reaction from showing on his face and replies that he doesn't think so. Hodges says that Bacon's address was found of a slip of paper in Watts'possession and lets slip that Bacon's shop was visited by the police and found to have been thoroughly ransacked by unknown hands.

===Friday 7th December===

[[Dr. Highsmith]] phones [[Doctor Bartlett]]. He has been able to talk to [[Lucius Harriwell]], now under close confienment and in a straitjacket, but back at St Agnes. Harriwell told Highsmith a tale of over hearing the Devil talking with [[Alexander Roby]] about leaving with him to 'complete the work', shortly after which Harriwell heard terrible sounds from the next cell. The Devil then entered harriwell's room, covered in blood and deep cuts. he through one of his 'hands' (apparently a knife) to Harriwell and said "seven days for his work, Lucius, then 5 for mine."

Highsmith has told the police that he believes Harriwell met the real murderer, but Atkins is certain Lucius was the asylum killer, and would not listen.

The investigators think that it's possible that [[Edwards]] has taken [[Roby]] back to [[Springer Mound]], and as they have no other current leads jump in their cars and drive to Suffolk as fast as they can. At [[Long Melford]], asking about recent strange acticity in the area they are told of trucks that arrived one evening at Harold Jennings' old farm a week or so after Jennings' died.

The investigators head to Springer Mound and find that the [[Springer Mound monsters]] have gone, as have the nine stones - with evidence of trucks and heavy lifting equipment involved. [[Bartlett]] climbs the mound, smells the tar pit at its summit, has his dream come back to him anew - the smell of rotting fruit so terribly familiar - and insists on leaving.

In [[Clare Melford]], it is discovered that Dick Blair, the pub landlord who came to the village shortly after 'the night of the Curse' suddenly quit just after the trucks visited springer Mound. The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Saturday 8th December===

The BBC and the morning papers report last night's killing of the supposed perpetrator of the Canal Murders by armed police in the railway engineering yard near Kings Cross Station. The details remain sketchy, but the police seem sure the killer is dead, though he has not been named and no picture has been released. The area remains sealed off.

The investigators gather at [[Bartlett]]'s home for lunch, but before he can leave barracks [[Withers]] is visited by [[Delia Hartston]] and his sister. Delia has just received a note from [[Alexander Roby]], asking her to meet him at [[Loch Mullardoch]] near Inverness, scotland, where he will prove that he was 'not chasing the devil'. Delia has no intentions of going, but knows Withers was seeking Roby.

Meanwhile, on the tube train to Wimbledon, [[Browne]] is leafing through 'Occult Magazine', new that morning, and finds an obituary for [[Lawrence Bacon]] written by someone under the pseudonym 'Perdurabo' who clearly knows a lot about Bacon's past. The obituary is strange as Bacon is not officially dead, and useful as it refers to [[Montague Edwards]] as a mutual friend of both Bacon and the writer, and as the self-styled 'Laird of Mullardoch'.

With this new information, and the apparent timeline referred to by [[Lucius Harriwell]] the decision is made to travel as fast as possible to Inverness. A train leaves that afternoon, for an overnight stopover in Manchester and arrival in inverness at 2pm the next day.

The investigators take that train, and spend a snowy night in Manchester.

===Sunday 9th December===

The train heads on Northwards towards Scotland. The investigators encounter a nervous passenger who is absently fiddling with a [[bone whistle]] just like the one they have. The turns out to be Henry Lister, a pathetic escuse for a man who is easily intimidated into telling them all he knows.

Lister, who has been terrified of death all his life, joined an occult society that used to meet at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop, because he had been told that Bacon knew the secret of conquering death. The society studied and eventually worshipped a being called [[Hastur]] who they endeavoured to return to Earth to bring about a golden age of art and wonder.

The order, or cult attempted to bring Hastur to earth at [[Springer Mound]], but Lister had backed out of the ceremony and saw nothing. He knows that not everyone returned from suffolk, and that Bacon and [[Edwards]] were changed by the experience, and that [[Malcolm Quarrie]] left the order shortly afterwards.

After Springer Mound the cult began working towards a new end, of which he was told nothing. The great day was approaching, said Bacon, who still held meetings at his shop,though with much reduced frequency and attendance. Finally the members were told to travel to inverness by December 5th, where they would be opicked up at the station and taken to the place where hastur would return to Earth.

Lister had dithered an prevaricated for days before finally deciding to travel to Scotland, several days late. However,the meeting with the investigators finally detroys his resolve and he leaves the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle and with it the hastur cult.

The train arrives in a cold, snowing Inverness at 2pm. Saunders' relatives meet the inevstigators, who have no choice but to endure an afternoon and evening of scottish hospitality. The decision is made to travel to [[Loch Mullardoch]] first thing on Monday morning. heavy snow falls overnight.

===Monday 10th December===

The investigators drive to the village of Cannich, and beyond down the [[Loch Mullardoch]] road. they reach a gate marked 'Private Property' and pass through, but soon realise that with the eavy snow on the ground it is unsafe to attempt to take the car the whole way to the Loch. They park the car as safely as possible and head towards the loch by foot.

The trees seem to be straining towards the Loch, and as they get closer they seem almost to be creaking under some unnatural pressure. After a few miles, the sound of something large crashing through the treetops is heard and a creature somewhat like a living barrage balloon drags itself into view, using long tentacles to pull inself through the trees at treetop height. Its swollen body pulses and glistens. It is utterly alien and [[Bartlett]] thinks it beautiful. he has to be dissuaded from following it.

Shortly aft the thing swims away through the air, the investigators encounter a clearing conaining one of the monoliths from [[Springer Mound]], its top glistening with the slime of the alien creature.

With mounting trepidation the group trek on towards the loch, eventually cresting a small rise to see before them the dark surface of the water filling the valley ahead and at its near end the somewhat ugly 2 storey white hinting lodge that is Mullardoch House, a pair of snow-covered cars parked outside.

The road dips back downwards, and the Loch is out of sight. At this moment a mysterious mist or fog billows up from nowhere, cutting off visibility. They move forwards a few steps, and out of the fog, between the investigators and the house, looms a large ornate marble archway that was not there a second ago. As the investigators stare open-mouthed at this wonder, the fog clears as quickly as it came, revealing that Mullardoch House and the investigators now stand in the midst of a vast city of baroque architecture which fills the valley behind them and ahead of them wraps around the shores of what was Loch Mullardoch, but which is now the Lake of Hali.

Somehow each of the investigators knows the name of this place. It is the city of [[Carcosa]], and it has been brought to Earth!

''---to be continued---''

Session 7

2006-07-20T02:33:30Z

219.89.207.51: /* Friday 7th December */

==Session Report - Played Monday 17th July, 2006==

===Saturday 1st December===

''--- Continued ---''

As the shock of the latest revelations soak in, the investigators begin to discuss their next move. It is agreed that Roby must be located, and that the authorities would not be able to grasp the nature of the threat. Various lines of research are suggested, but no clear strategy is formulated.

Everyone goes home to sleep on it.

===Sunday 2nd December===

The Sunday papers report the discovery of the bodies of 2 vagrants in the area of the Regent Canal, and thoughts initially turn to [[Lawrence Bacon]] and his victim of Tuesday night, but the facts of the story did not fit this idea. Both men had been freshly murdered, and the killing of the second victim apparently witnessed, though details were sketchy.

With all offices and libraries closed, the investigators spend the day with family, or in private study.

===Monday 3rd December===

The "London World" this morning carries a lurid description of 'The Canal Monster', claiming that the witness who saw the second killing described a vaguely humanoid creature that walked with a wet sloshing noise tearing out the tramp's insides. The story was written by a reported called [[Cec Watts]].

[[Withers]], wanting to be sure that neither victim was [[Lawrence Bacon]], while secretly fearing that the killer was, calls the police with a story of a missing friend and visits the Islington police station where investigating officer DI Hodges. Hodges reveals little, and the sketches of the victims faces show non-descript middle-aged men unknown to Withers.

Meanwhile [[Saunders]] follows up [[Edwards]]' application to the British Library and discovers that his references for a reader's ticket were [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and Dr Schwabe of the Saled school of Fine Arts. Saunders contacts Schwabe who has clear memories of Edwards as a young artist who showed talent but no desire for fame, or even success, and who left Slade without completing his degree. He also reveals that as a keen amateur archaeologist it was Schwabe who told Edwards of the 1907 dig at [[Springer Mound]], and showed him slides of the site. He remembers Edwards being very inetrested in the palce, for reasons that were never clear. Schwabe has no idea where Edwards might be.

[[Browne]] calls [[Cec Watts]] at the London Globe with an offer of information about the Canal Killings. They arrange a meeting in a pub the following day.

[[Saunders]] tries to find familiar names in the Tewkesbury phone book. he contacts a couple of W Gresty's only to discover thats its a common name in the region, and neither know a Wilfred.

===Tuesday 4th December===

[[Browne]] meets [[Cec Watts]] in a pub and gives him an edited version of [[Vincent Tuck]]'s statement about [[Lawrence Bacon]], along with Tuck's name, in return for a promise to share information. Browne is hoping that Watts will come to suspect Bacon of the canal murders and will be able to find out more without direwctly involving the investigators. Browne gives Watt a PO Box number to contact him through.

===Wednesday 5th December===

A day spent watching, waiting and worrying. [[Bartlett]] places a small ad in an attempt to contact [[Wilfred Gresty]].

===Thursday 6th December===

The newspapers report the discovery of the body of [[Cec Watts]], found floating the previous day in Regent's Canal, an apparent victim of the Canal Killer.

[[Browne]], knowing he's been seen with Watts, visits the police and spins a tale to DI Hodges inventing an innocent explanation for the contact involving a story that he was writing, Hodges seems to buy the story. As Browne goes to leave, Hodge asks if the name Lawrence Bacon means anything to him. Browne manages to stop any shocked reaction from showing on his face and replies that he doesn't think so. Hodges says that Bacon's address was found of a slip of paper in Watts'possession and lets slip that Bacon's shop was visited by the police and found to have been thoroughly ransacked by unknown hands.

===Friday 7th December===

[[Dr. Highsmith]] phones [[Doctor Bartlett]]. He has been able to talk to [[Lucius Harriwell]], now under close confienment and in a straitjacket, but back at St Agnes. Harriwell told Highsmith a tale of over hearing the Devil talking with [[Alexander Roby]] about leaving with him to 'complete the work', shortly after which Harriwell heard terrible sounds from the next cell. The Devil then entered harriwell's room, covered in blood and deep cuts. he through one of his 'hands' (apparently a knife) to Harriwell and said "seven days for his work, Lucius, then 5 for mine."

Highsmith has told the police that he believes Harriwell met the real murderer, but Atkins is certain Lucius was the asylum killer, and would not listen.

The investigators think that it's possible that [[Edwards]] has taken [[Roby]] back to [[Springer Mound]], and as they have no other current leads jump in their cars and drive to Suffolk as fast as they can. At [[Long Melford]], asking about recent strange acticity in the area they are told of trucks that arrived one evening at Harold Jennings' old farm a week or so after Jennings' died.

The investigators head to Springer Mound and find that the [[Springer Mound monsters]] have gone, as have the nine stones - with evidence of trucks and heavy lifting equipment involved. [[Bartlett]] climbs the mound, smells the tar pit at its summit, has his dream come back to him anew - the smell of rotting fruit so terribly familiar - and insists on leaving.

In [[Clare Melford]], it is discovered that Dick Blair, the pub landlord who came to the village shortly after 'the night of the Curse' suddenly quit just after the trucks visited springer Mound. The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Saturday 8th December===

The BBC and the morning papers report last night's killing of the supposed perpetrator of the Canal Murders by armed police in the railway engineering yard near Kings Cross Station. The details remain sketchy, but the police seem sure the killer is dead, though he has not been named and no picture has been released. The area remains sealed off.

The investigators gather at [[Bartlett]]'s home for lunch, but before he can leave barracks [[Withers]] is visited by [[Delia Hartston]] and his sister. Delia has just received a note from [[Alexander Roby]], asking her to meet him at [[Loch Mullardoch]] near Inverness, scotland, where he will prove that he was 'not chasing the devil'. Delia has no intentions of going, but knows Withers was seeking Roby.

Meanwhile, on the tube train to Wimbledon, [[Browne]] is leafing through 'Occult Magazine', new that morning, and finds an obituary for [[Lawrence Bacon]] written by someone under the pseudonym 'Perdurabo' who clearly knows a lot about Bacon's past. Tyhe obituary is strange as Bacon is not officially dead, and useful as it refers to [[Montague Edwards]] as a mutual friend of both Bacon and the writer, and as the self-styled 'Laird of Mullardoch'.

With this new information, and the apparent timeline referred to by [[Lucius Harriwell]] the decision is made to travel as fast as possible to Inverness. A train leaves that afternoon, for an overnight stopover in Manchester and arrival in inverness at 2pm the next day.

The investigators take that train, and spend a snowy night in Manchester.

The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Sunday 9th December===

The train heads on Northwards towards Scotland. The investigators encounter a nervous passenger who is absently fiddling with a [[bone whistle]] just like the one they have. The turns out to be Henry Lister, a pathetic escuse for a man who is easily intimidated into telling them all he knows.

Lister, who has been terrified of death all his life, joined an occult society that used to meet at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop, because he had been told that Bacon knew the secret of conquering death. The society studied and eventually worshipped a being called [[Hastur]] who they endeavoured to return to Earth to bring about a golden age of art and wonder.

The order, or cult attempted to bring Hastur to earth at [[Springer Mound]], but Lister had backed out of the ceremony and saw nothing. He knows that not everyone returned from suffolk, and that Bacon and [[Edwards]] were changed by the experience, and that [[Malcolm Quarrie]] left the order shortly afterwards.

After Springer Mound the cult began working towards a new end, of which he was told nothing. The great day was approaching, said Bacon, who still held meetings at his shop,though with much reduced frequency and attendance. Finally the members were told to travel to inverness by December 5th, where they would be opicked up at the station and taken to the place where hastur would return to Earth.

Lister had dithered an prevaricated for days before finally deciding to travel to Scotland, several days late. However,the meeting with the investigators finally detroys his resolve and he leaves the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle and with it the hastur cult.

The train arrives in a cold, snowing Inverness at 2pm. Saunders' relatives meet the inevstigators, who have no choice but to endure an afternoon and evening of scottish hospitality. The decision is made to travel to [[Loch Mullardoch]] first thing on Monday morning. heavy snow falls overnight.

===Monday 10th December===

The investigators drive to the village of Cannich, and beyond down the [[Loch Mullardoch]] road. they reach a gate marked 'Private Property' and pass through, but soon realise that with the eavy snow on the ground it is unsafe to attempt to take the car the whole way to the Loch. They park the car as safely as possible and head towards the loch by foot.

The trees seem to be straining towards the Loch, and as they get closer they seem almost to be creaking under some unnatural pressure. After a few miles, the sound of something large crashing through the treetops is heard and a creature somewhat like a living barrage balloon drags itself into view, using long tentacles to pull inself through the trees at treetop height. Its swollen body pulses and glistens. It is utterly alien and [[Bartlett]] thinks it beautiful. he has to be dissuaded from following it.

Shortly aft the thing swims away through the air, the investigators encounter a clearing conaining one of the monoliths from [[Springer Mound]], its top glistening with the slime of the alien creature.

With mounting trepidation the group trek on towards the loch, eventually cresting a small rise to see before them the dark surface of the water filling the valley ahead and at its near end the somewhat ugly 2 storey white hinting lodge that is Mullardoch House, a pair of snow-covered cars parked outside.

The road dips back downwards, and the Loch is out of sight. At this moment a mysterious mist or fog billows up from nowhere, cutting off visibility. They move forwards a few steps, and out of the fog, between the investigators and the house, looms a large ornate marble archway that was not there a second ago. As the investigators stare open-mouthed at this wonder, the fog clears as quickly as it came, revealing that Mullardoch House and the investigators now stand in the midst of a vast city of baroque architecture which fills the valley behind them and ahead of them wraps around the shores of what was Loch Mullardoch, but which is now the Lake of Hali.

Somehow each of the investigators knows the name of this place. It is the city of [[Carcosa]], and it has been brought to Earth!

''---to be continued---''

Session 7

2006-07-20T02:30:06Z

219.89.207.51: /* Thursday 6th December */

==Session Report - Played Monday 17th July, 2006==

===Saturday 1st December===

''--- Continued ---''

As the shock of the latest revelations soak in, the investigators begin to discuss their next move. It is agreed that Roby must be located, and that the authorities would not be able to grasp the nature of the threat. Various lines of research are suggested, but no clear strategy is formulated.

Everyone goes home to sleep on it.

===Sunday 2nd December===

The Sunday papers report the discovery of the bodies of 2 vagrants in the area of the Regent Canal, and thoughts initially turn to [[Lawrence Bacon]] and his victim of Tuesday night, but the facts of the story did not fit this idea. Both men had been freshly murdered, and the killing of the second victim apparently witnessed, though details were sketchy.

With all offices and libraries closed, the investigators spend the day with family, or in private study.

===Monday 3rd December===

The "London World" this morning carries a lurid description of 'The Canal Monster', claiming that the witness who saw the second killing described a vaguely humanoid creature that walked with a wet sloshing noise tearing out the tramp's insides. The story was written by a reported called [[Cec Watts]].

[[Withers]], wanting to be sure that neither victim was [[Lawrence Bacon]], while secretly fearing that the killer was, calls the police with a story of a missing friend and visits the Islington police station where investigating officer DI Hodges. Hodges reveals little, and the sketches of the victims faces show non-descript middle-aged men unknown to Withers.

Meanwhile [[Saunders]] follows up [[Edwards]]' application to the British Library and discovers that his references for a reader's ticket were [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and Dr Schwabe of the Saled school of Fine Arts. Saunders contacts Schwabe who has clear memories of Edwards as a young artist who showed talent but no desire for fame, or even success, and who left Slade without completing his degree. He also reveals that as a keen amateur archaeologist it was Schwabe who told Edwards of the 1907 dig at [[Springer Mound]], and showed him slides of the site. He remembers Edwards being very inetrested in the palce, for reasons that were never clear. Schwabe has no idea where Edwards might be.

[[Browne]] calls [[Cec Watts]] at the London Globe with an offer of information about the Canal Killings. They arrange a meeting in a pub the following day.

[[Saunders]] tries to find familiar names in the Tewkesbury phone book. he contacts a couple of W Gresty's only to discover thats its a common name in the region, and neither know a Wilfred.

===Tuesday 4th December===

[[Browne]] meets [[Cec Watts]] in a pub and gives him an edited version of [[Vincent Tuck]]'s statement about [[Lawrence Bacon]], along with Tuck's name, in return for a promise to share information. Browne is hoping that Watts will come to suspect Bacon of the canal murders and will be able to find out more without direwctly involving the investigators. Browne gives Watt a PO Box number to contact him through.

===Wednesday 5th December===

A day spent watching, waiting and worrying. [[Bartlett]] places a small ad in an attempt to contact [[Wilfred Gresty]].

===Thursday 6th December===

The newspapers report the discovery of the body of [[Cec Watts]], found floating the previous day in Regent's Canal, an apparent victim of the Canal Killer.

[[Browne]], knowing he's been seen with Watts, visits the police and spins a tale to DI Hodges inventing an innocent explanation for the contact involving a story that he was writing, Hodges seems to buy the story. As Browne goes to leave, Hodge asks if the name Lawrence Bacon means anything to him. Browne manages to stop any shocked reaction from showing on his face and replies that he doesn't think so. Hodges says that Bacon's address was found of a slip of paper in Watts'possession and lets slip that Bacon's shop was visited by the police and found to have been thoroughly ransacked by unknown hands.

===Friday 7th December===

[[Dr. Highsmith]] phones [[Doctor Bartlett]]. He has been able to talk to [[Lucius Harriwell]], now under close confienment and in a straitjacket, but back at St Agnes. Harriwell told Highsmith a tale of over hearing the Devil talking with [[Alexander Roby]] about leaving with him to 'complete the work', shortly after which Harriwell heard terrible sounds from the next cell. The Devil then entered harriwell's room, covered in blood and deep cuts. he through one of his 'hands' (apparently a knife) to Harriwell and said "seven days for his work, Lucius, then 5 for mine."

Highsmith has told the police that he believes Harriwell met the real murderer, but Atkins is certain Lucius was the asylum killer, and would not listen.

The investigators become convinced that [[Edwards]] has taken [[Roby]] back to [[Springer Mound]], so they jump in their cars and drive to Suffolk as fast as they can. At [[Long Melford]], asking about recent strange acticity in the area they are told of trucks that arrived one evening at Harold Jennings' old farm a week or so after Jennings' died.

The investigators head to Springer Mound and find that the [[Springer Mound monsters]] have gone, as have the nine stones - with evidence of trucks and heavy lifting equipment involved. [[Bartlett]] climbs the mound, smells the tar pit at its summit, has his dream come back to him anew - the smell of rotting fruit so terribly familiar - and insists on leaving.

In [[Clare Melford]], it is discovered that Dick Blair, the pub landlord who came to the village shortly after 'the night of the Curse' suddenly quit just after the trucks visited springer Mound. The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Saturday 8th December===

The BBC and the morning papers report last night's killing of the supposed perpetrator of the Canal Murders by armed police in the railway engineering yard near Kings Cross Station. The details remain sketchy, but the police seem sure the killer is dead, though he has not been named and no picture has been released. The area remains sealed off.

The investigators gather at [[Bartlett]]'s home for lunch, but before he can leave barracks [[Withers]] is visited by [[Delia Hartston]] and his sister. Delia has just received a note from [[Alexander Roby]], asking her to meet him at [[Loch Mullardoch]] near Inverness, scotland, where he will prove that he was 'not chasing the devil'. Delia has no intentions of going, but knows Withers was seeking Roby.

Meanwhile, on the tube train to Wimbledon, [[Browne]] is leafing through 'Occult Magazine', new that morning, and finds an obituary for [[Lawrence Bacon]] written by someone under the pseudonym 'Perdurabo' who clearly knows a lot about Bacon's past. Tyhe obituary is strange as Bacon is not officially dead, and useful as it refers to [[Montague Edwards]] as a mutual friend of both Bacon and the writer, and as the self-styled 'Laird of Mullardoch'.

With this new information, and the apparent timeline referred to by [[Lucius Harriwell]] the decision is made to travel as fast as possible to Inverness. A train leaves that afternoon, for an overnight stopover in Manchester and arrival in inverness at 2pm the next day.

The investigators take that train, and spend a snowy night in Manchester.

The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Sunday 9th December===

The train heads on Northwards towards Scotland. The investigators encounter a nervous passenger who is absently fiddling with a [[bone whistle]] just like the one they have. The turns out to be Henry Lister, a pathetic escuse for a man who is easily intimidated into telling them all he knows.

Lister, who has been terrified of death all his life, joined an occult society that used to meet at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop, because he had been told that Bacon knew the secret of conquering death. The society studied and eventually worshipped a being called [[Hastur]] who they endeavoured to return to Earth to bring about a golden age of art and wonder.

The order, or cult attempted to bring Hastur to earth at [[Springer Mound]], but Lister had backed out of the ceremony and saw nothing. He knows that not everyone returned from suffolk, and that Bacon and [[Edwards]] were changed by the experience, and that [[Malcolm Quarrie]] left the order shortly afterwards.

After Springer Mound the cult began working towards a new end, of which he was told nothing. The great day was approaching, said Bacon, who still held meetings at his shop,though with much reduced frequency and attendance. Finally the members were told to travel to inverness by December 5th, where they would be opicked up at the station and taken to the place where hastur would return to Earth.

Lister had dithered an prevaricated for days before finally deciding to travel to Scotland, several days late. However,the meeting with the investigators finally detroys his resolve and he leaves the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle and with it the hastur cult.

The train arrives in a cold, snowing Inverness at 2pm. Saunders' relatives meet the inevstigators, who have no choice but to endure an afternoon and evening of scottish hospitality. The decision is made to travel to [[Loch Mullardoch]] first thing on Monday morning. heavy snow falls overnight.

===Monday 10th December===

The investigators drive to the village of Cannich, and beyond down the [[Loch Mullardoch]] road. they reach a gate marked 'Private Property' and pass through, but soon realise that with the eavy snow on the ground it is unsafe to attempt to take the car the whole way to the Loch. They park the car as safely as possible and head towards the loch by foot.

The trees seem to be straining towards the Loch, and as they get closer they seem almost to be creaking under some unnatural pressure. After a few miles, the sound of something large crashing through the treetops is heard and a creature somewhat like a living barrage balloon drags itself into view, using long tentacles to pull inself through the trees at treetop height. Its swollen body pulses and glistens. It is utterly alien and [[Bartlett]] thinks it beautiful. he has to be dissuaded from following it.

Shortly aft the thing swims away through the air, the investigators encounter a clearing conaining one of the monoliths from [[Springer Mound]], its top glistening with the slime of the alien creature.

With mounting trepidation the group trek on towards the loch, eventually cresting a small rise to see before them the dark surface of the water filling the valley ahead and at its near end the somewhat ugly 2 storey white hinting lodge that is Mullardoch House, a pair of snow-covered cars parked outside.

The road dips back downwards, and the Loch is out of sight. At this moment a mysterious mist or fog billows up from nowhere, cutting off visibility. They move forwards a few steps, and out of the fog, between the investigators and the house, looms a large ornate marble archway that was not there a second ago. As the investigators stare open-mouthed at this wonder, the fog clears as quickly as it came, revealing that Mullardoch House and the investigators now stand in the midst of a vast city of baroque architecture which fills the valley behind them and ahead of them wraps around the shores of what was Loch Mullardoch, but which is now the Lake of Hali.

Somehow each of the investigators knows the name of this place. It is the city of [[Carcosa]], and it has been brought to Earth!

''---to be continued---''

Session 7

2006-07-20T02:26:15Z

219.89.207.51: /* Monday 3rd December */

==Session Report - Played Monday 17th July, 2006==

===Saturday 1st December===

''--- Continued ---''

As the shock of the latest revelations soak in, the investigators begin to discuss their next move. It is agreed that Roby must be located, and that the authorities would not be able to grasp the nature of the threat. Various lines of research are suggested, but no clear strategy is formulated.

Everyone goes home to sleep on it.

===Sunday 2nd December===

The Sunday papers report the discovery of the bodies of 2 vagrants in the area of the Regent Canal, and thoughts initially turn to [[Lawrence Bacon]] and his victim of Tuesday night, but the facts of the story did not fit this idea. Both men had been freshly murdered, and the killing of the second victim apparently witnessed, though details were sketchy.

With all offices and libraries closed, the investigators spend the day with family, or in private study.

===Monday 3rd December===

The "London World" this morning carries a lurid description of 'The Canal Monster', claiming that the witness who saw the second killing described a vaguely humanoid creature that walked with a wet sloshing noise tearing out the tramp's insides. The story was written by a reported called [[Cec Watts]].

[[Withers]], wanting to be sure that neither victim was [[Lawrence Bacon]], while secretly fearing that the killer was, calls the police with a story of a missing friend and visits the Islington police station where investigating officer DI Hodges. Hodges reveals little, and the sketches of the victims faces show non-descript middle-aged men unknown to Withers.

Meanwhile [[Saunders]] follows up [[Edwards]]' application to the British Library and discovers that his references for a reader's ticket were [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and Dr Schwabe of the Saled school of Fine Arts. Saunders contacts Schwabe who has clear memories of Edwards as a young artist who showed talent but no desire for fame, or even success, and who left Slade without completing his degree. He also reveals that as a keen amateur archaeologist it was Schwabe who told Edwards of the 1907 dig at [[Springer Mound]], and showed him slides of the site. He remembers Edwards being very inetrested in the palce, for reasons that were never clear. Schwabe has no idea where Edwards might be.

[[Browne]] calls [[Cec Watts]] at the London Globe with an offer of information about the Canal Killings. They arrange a meeting in a pub the following day.

[[Saunders]] tries to find familiar names in the Tewkesbury phone book. he contacts a couple of W Gresty's only to discover thats its a common name in the region, and neither know a Wilfred.

===Tuesday 4th December===

[[Browne]] meets [[Cec Watts]] in a pub and gives him an edited version of [[Vincent Tuck]]'s statement about [[Lawrence Bacon]], along with Tuck's name, in return for a promise to share information. Browne is hoping that Watts will come to suspect Bacon of the canal murders and will be able to find out more without direwctly involving the investigators. Browne gives Watt a PO Box number to contact him through.

===Wednesday 5th December===

A day spent watching, waiting and worrying. [[Bartlett]] places a small ad in an attempt to contact [[Wilfred Gresty]].

===Thursday 6th December===

The newspapers report the discovery of the body of [[Cec Watts]], found floating the previous day in Regent's Canal, an apparent victim of the Canal Killer.

[[Browne]], knowing he's been seen with Watts, visits the police and spins a tale to DI Hodges inventing an innocent explanation for the contact involving a mutual interest in Lawrence Bacon. Hodges seems to buy the story, explaining that Bacon's address was found of a slip of paper in Watts'possession and lets slip that Bacon's shop was visited by the police and found to have been thoroughly ransacked by unknown hands.

===Friday 7th December===

[[Dr. Highsmith]] phones [[Doctor Bartlett]]. He has been able to talk to [[Lucius Harriwell]], now under close confienment and in a straitjacket, but back at St Agnes. Harriwell told Highsmith a tale of over hearing the Devil talking with [[Alexander Roby]] about leaving with him to 'complete the work', shortly after which Harriwell heard terrible sounds from the next cell. The Devil then entered harriwell's room, covered in blood and deep cuts. he through one of his 'hands' (apparently a knife) to Harriwell and said "seven days for his work, Lucius, then 5 for mine."

Highsmith has told the police that he believes Harriwell met the real murderer, but Atkins is certain Lucius was the asylum killer, and would not listen.

The investigators become convinced that [[Edwards]] has taken [[Roby]] back to [[Springer Mound]], so they jump in their cars and drive to Suffolk as fast as they can. At [[Long Melford]], asking about recent strange acticity in the area they are told of trucks that arrived one evening at Harold Jennings' old farm a week or so after Jennings' died.

The investigators head to Springer Mound and find that the [[Springer Mound monsters]] have gone, as have the nine stones - with evidence of trucks and heavy lifting equipment involved. [[Bartlett]] climbs the mound, smells the tar pit at its summit, has his dream come back to him anew - the smell of rotting fruit so terribly familiar - and insists on leaving.

In [[Clare Melford]], it is discovered that Dick Blair, the pub landlord who came to the village shortly after 'the night of the Curse' suddenly quit just after the trucks visited springer Mound. The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Saturday 8th December===

The BBC and the morning papers report last night's killing of the supposed perpetrator of the Canal Murders by armed police in the railway engineering yard near Kings Cross Station. The details remain sketchy, but the police seem sure the killer is dead, though he has not been named and no picture has been released. The area remains sealed off.

The investigators gather at [[Bartlett]]'s home for lunch, but before he can leave barracks [[Withers]] is visited by [[Delia Hartston]] and his sister. Delia has just received a note from [[Alexander Roby]], asking her to meet him at [[Loch Mullardoch]] near Inverness, scotland, where he will prove that he was 'not chasing the devil'. Delia has no intentions of going, but knows Withers was seeking Roby.

Meanwhile, on the tube train to Wimbledon, [[Browne]] is leafing through 'Occult Magazine', new that morning, and finds an obituary for [[Lawrence Bacon]] written by someone under the pseudonym 'Perdurabo' who clearly knows a lot about Bacon's past. Tyhe obituary is strange as Bacon is not officially dead, and useful as it refers to [[Montague Edwards]] as a mutual friend of both Bacon and the writer, and as the self-styled 'Laird of Mullardoch'.

With this new information, and the apparent timeline referred to by [[Lucius Harriwell]] the decision is made to travel as fast as possible to Inverness. A train leaves that afternoon, for an overnight stopover in Manchester and arrival in inverness at 2pm the next day.

The investigators take that train, and spend a snowy night in Manchester.

The investigators return to London, feeling that events are moving on without them.

===Sunday 9th December===

The train heads on Northwards towards Scotland. The investigators encounter a nervous passenger who is absently fiddling with a [[bone whistle]] just like the one they have. The turns out to be Henry Lister, a pathetic escuse for a man who is easily intimidated into telling them all he knows.

Lister, who has been terrified of death all his life, joined an occult society that used to meet at [[Lawrence Bacon]]'s shop, because he had been told that Bacon knew the secret of conquering death. The society studied and eventually worshipped a being called [[Hastur]] who they endeavoured to return to Earth to bring about a golden age of art and wonder.

The order, or cult attempted to bring Hastur to earth at [[Springer Mound]], but Lister had backed out of the ceremony and saw nothing. He knows that not everyone returned from suffolk, and that Bacon and [[Edwards]] were changed by the experience, and that [[Malcolm Quarrie]] left the order shortly afterwards.

After Springer Mound the cult began working towards a new end, of which he was told nothing. The great day was approaching, said Bacon, who still held meetings at his shop,though with much reduced frequency and attendance. Finally the members were told to travel to inverness by December 5th, where they would be opicked up at the station and taken to the place where hastur would return to Earth.

Lister had dithered an prevaricated for days before finally deciding to travel to Scotland, several days late. However,the meeting with the investigators finally detroys his resolve and he leaves the train in the Lake District, abandoning his whistle and with it the hastur cult.

The train arrives in a cold, snowing Inverness at 2pm. Saunders' relatives meet the inevstigators, who have no choice but to endure an afternoon and evening of scottish hospitality. The decision is made to travel to [[Loch Mullardoch]] first thing on Monday morning. heavy snow falls overnight.

===Monday 10th December===

The investigators drive to the village of Cannich, and beyond down the [[Loch Mullardoch]] road. they reach a gate marked 'Private Property' and pass through, but soon realise that with the eavy snow on the ground it is unsafe to attempt to take the car the whole way to the Loch. They park the car as safely as possible and head towards the loch by foot.

The trees seem to be straining towards the Loch, and as they get closer they seem almost to be creaking under some unnatural pressure. After a few miles, the sound of something large crashing through the treetops is heard and a creature somewhat like a living barrage balloon drags itself into view, using long tentacles to pull inself through the trees at treetop height. Its swollen body pulses and glistens. It is utterly alien and [[Bartlett]] thinks it beautiful. he has to be dissuaded from following it.

Shortly aft the thing swims away through the air, the investigators encounter a clearing conaining one of the monoliths from [[Springer Mound]], its top glistening with the slime of the alien creature.

With mounting trepidation the group trek on towards the loch, eventually cresting a small rise to see before them the dark surface of the water filling the valley ahead and at its near end the somewhat ugly 2 storey white hinting lodge that is Mullardoch House, a pair of snow-covered cars parked outside.

The road dips back downwards, and the Loch is out of sight. At this moment a mysterious mist or fog billows up from nowhere, cutting off visibility. They move forwards a few steps, and out of the fog, between the investigators and the house, looms a large ornate marble archway that was not there a second ago. As the investigators stare open-mouthed at this wonder, the fog clears as quickly as it came, revealing that Mullardoch House and the investigators now stand in the midst of a vast city of baroque architecture which fills the valley behind them and ahead of them wraps around the shores of what was Loch Mullardoch, but which is now the Lake of Hali.

Somehow each of the investigators knows the name of this place. It is the city of [[Carcosa]], and it has been brought to Earth!

''---to be continued---''

Session 6

2006-06-26T03:49:33Z

219.89.207.51: /* Thursday 29th November */

==Session Report - Played Monday 12th June, 2006==

===Tuesday 27th November===

''--- Continued ---''

[[Withers]] fires - the shot seems to hit [[Lawrence Bacon]] but deflect away, hardly slowing him. As he closes on Withers the moonlight clearly shows his raised hands twisting, morphing and turning into the heads of a pair of hissing snakes!

Withers keeps shooting as Bacon closes on him, but the occultist hardly flinches. He reaches Withers and starts to flail his snake-arms at the Captain. [[Nathaniel Browne]] thinks better of attacking Bacon and instead goes to look at the remains of the vagrant – he immediately wishes he hadn’t.

[[Dr Bartlett]] hurls his Thermos flask and [[Saunders]] steps in to aid Withers, firimng a shot which rips through Bacon’s coat, scattering the contents of his pocket on the ground and nearly hitting Nathaniel in the process - Andrew begins to think better of firing into a melee with his skill in firearms. The combined brawl/gunfight is hard to follow in the dark night, but another shot rings out and Bacon yells – he’s finally hurt! Withers keeps dodging the snakes, his luck seems almost supernatural, until he realises he’s run out of bullets.

Saunders and Withers start pummelling Bacon, who pulls away from then, steps back, raises his arms to attack and treads on a loose stone on the edge of the canal path – it gives way under his bulk and with a cry of surprise he falls 10 feet to the cold water below, sinks like a stone and does not resurface.

Withers, miraculously unscathed, takes Saunders gun just as Browne hobbles up wielding a piece of wood he found in the alley. Withers empties Andrews remaining bullets revolver into the canal, hoping to hit Bacon if he still lives, but there is no movement or sound from below.

Saunders checks the items that fell from Bacon’s pocket and finds a [[bone whistle]] carved in the likeness of one of [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] and the keys to Bacon’s shop. The investigators immediately decide to search the shop, before Bacon’s friends have a chance to miss him.

Letting themselves into Bacon’s shop, the group soon split up. Browne and Saunders explore Bacon’s personal quarters, while Withers and Bartlett check out the basement, a low, cluttered space from which comes a distinct smell of decay.

In Bacon’s study Browne discovers copies of ‘[[Le Roi en Jeune]]’ and ‘[[der Wanderer durch den See]]’ as well as a book titled ‘[[The Turner Codex]]’ which appears to be a translation of prayers and libations in the name of a being called ‘[[Hastur]]’, and which conatins the full text of the verse that was carved on the stones at [[Clare Melford]].

Saunders finds an intricately engraved chime or bell hanging from a hook. Shortly after he picks this up gunshots sound from downstairs.

As Bartlett and Withers started to try to clear the basement of junk they disrturbed something. There was a scuttling, a snuffling and a scrabbling as a horrible humanoid, dog-faced creature came out of the darkness towards them. Bartlett, who had a clearer view, ran in terror, as Withers fired a shot into the darkness, hitting the creature, which yelped. The unmistakable sound of more creatures coming up from the depths caused Withers to beat a hasty retreat. He initially considered setting fire to the junk in the basement to burn the creatures out, but a moments thought made him realise that these creatures were coming up from the ground beneath the house, most likely from the sewers (a rather disturbing thought!), and any attempt at burning them in their lair would be a true exercise in futility. He met the others coming downstairs and told them to flee.

They ran into the night and return to Browne’s home with the spoils of their conquest of Bacon, and supplying a stiff drink to the extremely shaken Dr Bartlett.

===Wednesday 28th November===

The next day, everyone is somewhat shaken and short of sleep. [[Browne]] decides to look for new accomodation, concerned at the possibility of a vengeful [[Coombes]]. [[Bartlett]] spends the day coming to terms with a new reality, and locks his basement door.

[[Saunders]] hits the books in search of an explanation for what was living beneath Bacons’ house, and finds references to the lore of [[Ghouls]]. He packs his wife off to visit family in Inverness

===Thursday 29th November===

A letter arrives for [[Dr. Bartlett]]. It is from [[Wilfred Gresty]], thanking Bartlett for ‘the murder of Bacon’ and containing intriguing references to [[Hillary Quarrie]], [[Nug’s Farm]] and what appears to be a cult worshipping ‘the Goat’ (maybe [[Shub-Niggurath]]) in the West Country, whose leader, [[Atkinson]] has failed to sleep with Hillary and who Gresty intends to supplant as leader.

Bartlett catches the train to Hereford, for Friday’s release hearing for [[Alexander Roby]]. Although initially intending to be accompanied by Withers, due to recent events he asks him to stay in his house while he is away from home, and protect his wife.

He dines with [[Dr. Highsmith]].

===Friday 30th November===

Session 6

2006-06-26T03:48:02Z

219.89.207.51: /* Thursday 29th November */

==Session Report - Played Monday 12th June, 2006==

===Tuesday 27th November===

''--- Continued ---''

[[Withers]] fires - the shot seems to hit [[Lawrence Bacon]] but deflect away, hardly slowing him. As he closes on Withers the moonlight clearly shows his raised hands twisting, morphing and turning into the heads of a pair of hissing snakes!

Withers keeps shooting as Bacon closes on him, but the occultist hardly flinches. He reaches Withers and starts to flail his snake-arms at the Captain. [[Nathaniel Browne]] thinks better of attacking Bacon and instead goes to look at the remains of the vagrant – he immediately wishes he hadn’t.

[[Dr Bartlett]] hurls his Thermos flask and [[Saunders]] steps in to aid Withers, firimng a shot which rips through Bacon’s coat, scattering the contents of his pocket on the ground and nearly hitting Nathaniel in the process - Andrew begins to think better of firing into a melee with his skill in firearms. The combined brawl/gunfight is hard to follow in the dark night, but another shot rings out and Bacon yells – he’s finally hurt! Withers keeps dodging the snakes, his luck seems almost supernatural, until he realises he’s run out of bullets.

Saunders and Withers start pummelling Bacon, who pulls away from then, steps back, raises his arms to attack and treads on a loose stone on the edge of the canal path – it gives way under his bulk and with a cry of surprise he falls 10 feet to the cold water below, sinks like a stone and does not resurface.

Withers, miraculously unscathed, takes Saunders gun just as Browne hobbles up wielding a piece of wood he found in the alley. Withers empties Andrews remaining bullets revolver into the canal, hoping to hit Bacon if he still lives, but there is no movement or sound from below.

Saunders checks the items that fell from Bacon’s pocket and finds a [[bone whistle]] carved in the likeness of one of [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] and the keys to Bacon’s shop. The investigators immediately decide to search the shop, before Bacon’s friends have a chance to miss him.

Letting themselves into Bacon’s shop, the group soon split up. Browne and Saunders explore Bacon’s personal quarters, while Withers and Bartlett check out the basement, a low, cluttered space from which comes a distinct smell of decay.

In Bacon’s study Browne discovers copies of ‘[[Le Roi en Jeune]]’ and ‘[[der Wanderer durch den See]]’ as well as a book titled ‘[[The Turner Codex]]’ which appears to be a translation of prayers and libations in the name of a being called ‘[[Hastur]]’, and which conatins the full text of the verse that was carved on the stones at [[Clare Melford]].

Saunders finds an intricately engraved chime or bell hanging from a hook. Shortly after he picks this up gunshots sound from downstairs.

As Bartlett and Withers started to try to clear the basement of junk they disrturbed something. There was a scuttling, a snuffling and a scrabbling as a horrible humanoid, dog-faced creature came out of the darkness towards them. Bartlett, who had a clearer view, ran in terror, as Withers fired a shot into the darkness, hitting the creature, which yelped. The unmistakable sound of more creatures coming up from the depths caused Withers to beat a hasty retreat. He initially considered setting fire to the junk in the basement to burn the creatures out, but a moments thought made him realise that these creatures were coming up from the ground beneath the house, most likely from the sewers (a rather disturbing thought!), and any attempt at burning them in their lair would be a true exercise in futility. He met the others coming downstairs and told them to flee.

They ran into the night and return to Browne’s home with the spoils of their conquest of Bacon, and supplying a stiff drink to the extremely shaken Dr Bartlett.

===Wednesday 28th November===

The next day, everyone is somewhat shaken and short of sleep. [[Browne]] decides to look for new accomodation, concerned at the possibility of a vengeful [[Coombes]]. [[Bartlett]] spends the day coming to terms with a new reality, and locks his basement door.

[[Saunders]] hits the books in search of an explanation for what was living beneath Bacons’ house, and finds references to the lore of [[Ghouls]]. He packs his wife off to visit family in Inverness

===Thursday 29th November===

A letter arrives for [[Dr. Bartlett]]. It is from [[Wilfred Gresty]], thanking Bartlett for ‘the murder of Bacon’ and containing intriguing references to [[Hillary Quarrie]], [[Nug’s Farm]] and what appears to be a cult worshipping ‘the Goat’ (maybe [[Shub-Niggurath]]) in the West Country, whose leader, [[Atkinson]] has failed to sleep with Hillary and who Gresty intends to supplant as leader.

Bartlett catches the train to Hereford, for Friday’s release hearing for [[Alexander Roby]]. Although initially intending to be accompanied by Withers, due to the events of last night he asks him to stay in his house while he is away from home, and protect his wife.

He dines with [[Dr. Highsmith]].

===Friday 30th November===

Session 6

2006-06-26T03:43:34Z

219.89.207.51: /* Tuesday 27th November */

==Session Report - Played Monday 12th June, 2006==

===Tuesday 27th November===

''--- Continued ---''

[[Withers]] fires - the shot seems to hit [[Lawrence Bacon]] but deflect away, hardly slowing him. As he closes on Withers the moonlight clearly shows his raised hands twisting, morphing and turning into the heads of a pair of hissing snakes!

Withers keeps shooting as Bacon closes on him, but the occultist hardly flinches. He reaches Withers and starts to flail his snake-arms at the Captain. [[Nathaniel Browne]] thinks better of attacking Bacon and instead goes to look at the remains of the vagrant – he immediately wishes he hadn’t.

[[Dr Bartlett]] hurls his Thermos flask and [[Saunders]] steps in to aid Withers, firimng a shot which rips through Bacon’s coat, scattering the contents of his pocket on the ground and nearly hitting Nathaniel in the process - Andrew begins to think better of firing into a melee with his skill in firearms. The combined brawl/gunfight is hard to follow in the dark night, but another shot rings out and Bacon yells – he’s finally hurt! Withers keeps dodging the snakes, his luck seems almost supernatural, until he realises he’s run out of bullets.

Saunders and Withers start pummelling Bacon, who pulls away from then, steps back, raises his arms to attack and treads on a loose stone on the edge of the canal path – it gives way under his bulk and with a cry of surprise he falls 10 feet to the cold water below, sinks like a stone and does not resurface.

Withers, miraculously unscathed, takes Saunders gun just as Browne hobbles up wielding a piece of wood he found in the alley. Withers empties Andrews remaining bullets revolver into the canal, hoping to hit Bacon if he still lives, but there is no movement or sound from below.

Saunders checks the items that fell from Bacon’s pocket and finds a [[bone whistle]] carved in the likeness of one of [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] and the keys to Bacon’s shop. The investigators immediately decide to search the shop, before Bacon’s friends have a chance to miss him.

Letting themselves into Bacon’s shop, the group soon split up. Browne and Saunders explore Bacon’s personal quarters, while Withers and Bartlett check out the basement, a low, cluttered space from which comes a distinct smell of decay.

In Bacon’s study Browne discovers copies of ‘[[Le Roi en Jeune]]’ and ‘[[der Wanderer durch den See]]’ as well as a book titled ‘[[The Turner Codex]]’ which appears to be a translation of prayers and libations in the name of a being called ‘[[Hastur]]’, and which conatins the full text of the verse that was carved on the stones at [[Clare Melford]].

Saunders finds an intricately engraved chime or bell hanging from a hook. Shortly after he picks this up gunshots sound from downstairs.

As Bartlett and Withers started to try to clear the basement of junk they disrturbed something. There was a scuttling, a snuffling and a scrabbling as a horrible humanoid, dog-faced creature came out of the darkness towards them. Bartlett, who had a clearer view, ran in terror, as Withers fired a shot into the darkness, hitting the creature, which yelped. The unmistakable sound of more creatures coming up from the depths caused Withers to beat a hasty retreat. He initially considered setting fire to the junk in the basement to burn the creatures out, but a moments thought made him realise that these creatures were coming up from the ground beneath the house, most likely from the sewers (a rather disturbing thought!), and any attempt at burning them in their lair would be a true exercise in futility. He met the others coming downstairs and told them to flee.

They ran into the night and return to Browne’s home with the spoils of their conquest of Bacon, and supplying a stiff drink to the extremely shaken Dr Bartlett.

===Wednesday 28th November===

The next day, everyone is somewhat shaken and short of sleep. [[Browne]] decides to look for new accomodation, concerned at the possibility of a vengeful [[Coombes]]. [[Bartlett]] spends the day coming to terms with a new reality, and locks his basement door.

[[Saunders]] hits the books in search of an explanation for what was living beneath Bacons’ house, and finds references to the lore of [[Ghouls]]. He packs his wife off to visit family in Inverness

===Thursday 29th November===

A letter arrives for [[Dr. Bartlett]]. It is from [[Wilfred Gresty]], thanking Bartlett for ‘the murder of Bacon’ and containing intriguing references to [[Hillary Quarrie]], [[Nug’s Farm]] and what appears to be a cult worshipping ‘the Goat’ (maybe [[Shub-Niggurath]]) in the West Country, whose leader, [[Atkinson]] has failed to sleep with Hillary and who Gresty intends to supplant as leader.

Bartlett catches the train to Hereford, for Friday’s release hearing for [[Alexander Roby]]. He dines with [[Dr. Highsmith]].

===Friday 30th November===

Session 6

2006-06-26T03:41:19Z

219.89.207.51: /* Tuesday 27th November */

==Session Report - Played Monday 12th June, 2006==

===Tuesday 27th November===

''--- Continued ---''

[[Withers]] fires - the shot seems to hit [[Lawrence Bacon]] but deflect away, hardly slowing him. As he closes on Withers the moonlight clearly shows his raised hands twisting, morphing and turning into the heads of a pair of hissing snakes!

Withers keeps shooting as Bacon closes on him, but the occultist hardly flinches. He reaches Withers and starts to flail his snake-arms at the Captain. [[Nathaniel Browne]] thinks better of attacking Bacon and instead goes to look at the remains of the vagrant – he immediately wishes he hadn’t.

[[Dr Bartlett]] hurls his Thermos flask and [[Saunders]] steps in to aid Withers, firimng a shot which rips through Bacon’s coat, scattering the contents of his pocket on the ground and nearly hitting Nathaniel in the process - Andrew begins to think better of firing into a melee with his skill in firearms. The combined brawl/gunfight is hard to follow in the dark night, but another shot rings out and Bacon yells – he’s finally hurt! Withers keeps dodging the snakes, his luck seems almost supernatural, until he realises he’s run out of bullets.

Saunders and Withers start pummelling Bacon, who pulls away from then, steps back, raises his arms to attack and treads on a loose stone on the edge of the canal path – it gives way under his bulk and with a cry of surprise he falls 10 feet to the cold water below, sinks like a stone and does not resurface.

Withers, miraculously unscathed, takes Saunders gun just as Browne hobbles up wielding a piece of wood he found in the alley. Withers empties Andrews remaining bullets revolver into the canal, hoping to hit Bacon if he still lives, but there is no movement or sound from below.

Saunders checks the items that fell from Bacon’s pocket and finds a [[bone whistle]] carved in the likeness of one of [[the Springer Mound Monsters]] and the keys to Bacon’s shop. The investigators immediately decide to search the shop, before Bacon’s friends have a chance to miss him.

Letting themselves into Bacon’s shop, the group soon split up. Browne and Saunders explore Bacon’s personal quarters, while Withers and Bartlett check out the basement, a low, cluttered space from which comes a distinct smell of decay.

In Bacon’s study Browne discovers copies of ‘[[Le Roi en Jeune]]’ and ‘[[der Wanderer durch den See]]’ as well as a book titled ‘[[The Turner Codex]]’ which appears to be a translation of prayers and libations in the name of a being called ‘[[Hastur]]’, and which conatins the full text of the verse that was carved on the stones at [[Clare Melford]].

Saunders finds an intricately engraved chime or bell hanging from a hook. Shortly after he picks this up gunshots sound from downstairs.

As Bartlett and Withers started to try to clear the basement of junk they disrturbed something. There was a scuttling, a snuffling and a scrabbling as a horrible humanoid, dog-faced creature came out of the darkness towards them. Bartlett, who had a clearer view ran in terror, as Withers emptied his revolver into the darkness, hitting the creature, which yelped. The unmistakable sound of more creatures coming up from the depths caused Withers to beat a hasty retreat. He initially considered setting fire to the junk in the basement to burn the creatures out, but a moments thought made him realise that these creatures were coming up from the ground beneath the house, most likely from the sewers (a rather disturbing thought!), and any attempt at burning them in their lair would be a true exercise in futility. He met the others coming downstairs and told them to flee.

They ran into the night and return to Browne’s home with the spoils of their conquest of Bacon.

===Wednesday 28th November===

The next day, everyone is somewhat shaken and short of sleep. [[Browne]] decides to look for new accomodation, concerned at the possibility of a vengeful [[Coombes]]. [[Bartlett]] spends the day coming to terms with a new reality, and locks his basement door.

[[Saunders]] hits the books in search of an explanation for what was living beneath Bacons’ house, and finds references to the lore of [[Ghouls]]. He packs his wife off to visit family in Inverness

===Thursday 29th November===

A letter arrives for [[Dr. Bartlett]]. It is from [[Wilfred Gresty]], thanking Bartlett for ‘the murder of Bacon’ and containing intriguing references to [[Hillary Quarrie]], [[Nug’s Farm]] and what appears to be a cult worshipping ‘the Goat’ (maybe [[Shub-Niggurath]]) in the West Country, whose leader, [[Atkinson]] has failed to sleep with Hillary and who Gresty intends to supplant as leader.

Bartlett catches the train to Hereford, for Friday’s release hearing for [[Alexander Roby]]. He dines with [[Dr. Highsmith]].

===Friday 30th November===

Session 6

2006-06-22T04:28:04Z

219.89.207.51: /* Tuesday 27th November */

Captain George Withers

2006-06-01T01:10:18Z

219.89.207.51:

[[Image:40 Inspecteur.jpg|thumb|George Withers|right]]
Captain George Withers is a career soldier. An officer in the Second Battalion of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldstream_Guards Coldstream Guards], he is currently stationed at Victoria barracks, Windsor, a quarter of a mile from the castle. He is a decorated veteran of the Great War, during which he met [[Doctor Frederick Bartlett]].

==Family==

George has one younger sister called Anna who is married to a Mr Albert Newman (a chemist) they have no children and live in London. His parents are both dead. His father dying when he was quite young made George the 'man of the household' and gave him a strong sense of responsibility towards his mother (who died a few years ago) and his younger sister Anna.

==Goals==

Captain Withers seems very proud to be British and it is readily apparent that he has a strong love of King and Empire. He seems to have few ambitions beyond being a good officer and brother and takes his responsibilities seriously.

==Friends==

[[Doctor Frederick Bartlett]]. Who he meet during the war and has remained good friends with.

Major Edward Danby, His commanding officer during the war.

Percy Whiteman, an old school friends who lives on a small farm near Bath

==Secrets==

Now that would be telling!

==Spiritual Home==

[[image:windcast.jpg]]

Windsor Castle

Session 3

2006-05-24T01:21:21Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006==

===November 6th 1928===

This is the date of the Presidential election in the USA. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover Herbert Hoover] wins by a large margin. The BBC is reporting blizzards across Scotland, and London itself wakes up to an unseasonally sharp frost and . Its more like January than November. The Met Office is predicting that the snow will move south in the next few days.

[[Saunders]] calls the police to report last night's incident with [[the Tall Man]] and [[Detective Inspector Andrew Taylor]] asks him to come in and make a statement.

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] decide to catch a train to Hereford and visit [[St Agnes Asylum]].

[[Browne]] is looking in bookshops for a copy of [[The Walker by the Lake]] when he is threatened by [[the Tall Man]], who claims responsibility for the murder of [[Frederick Long]].

Saunders gives his statement to Taylor.

Browne calls the police and also visits DI Taylor. He gives a statement during which he informs Taylor of the murder of Long. Taylor phones the Herefordshire police. Browne helps to make an identikit picture of the Tall Man.

Bartlett and Withers are delayed by snow and spend the night in Hereford. Bartlett calls the asylum and is told that the police are limiting access, but Highsmith will be able to talk to him tomorrow.

===November 7th 1928===

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] visit [[St Agnes Asylum]]. They meet Inspector Atkins of the Herefordshire police, an unpleasant and arrogant man who seems to have a problem with army officers and the insane. The meeting with [[Highsmith]] is not very fruitful, but Bartlett arranges to have lunch at the Wheatsheaf pub with Nurse [[Price]].

Price meets with Bartlett and Withers and tells them about his discovery of Long's body and the circumstances of the murder, which does indeed seem very similar to the [[Cuthbert Yates]] case.

Bartlett and Withers return to London, arriving home very late. London is snowbound.

===November 8th 1928===

[[Browne]] calls [[Bartlett]] to discuss events since Bartlett left town. It is agreed that everyone will meet at Bartlett's home for dinner on Friday.

Withers phones the private detective he hired and learns Delia Hartston's last known address - Withers also asks about [[Vincent Tuck]] and is told he's a reasonably good man, except for his drink problem.

Withers sends a telegram ahead to Delia announcing that 'Captain Withers and Doctor Bartlett' wish to visit her tomorrow.

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] visit Tuck at his office in Wapping. He is suspeicious of their motives, when they mention [[Alexander Roby]], but agrees to tell them what he knows if they leave him alone.

He tells then that he followed Roby for 3 weeks in November 1925, during which time Roby spent most evenings in the company of [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and a man called [[Edwards]]. He provides addresses and background information for these 3 men.

Tuck seems to be holding things back. He invites Browne and Saunders to the pub, where after several pints he decides to tell them the 'whole truth'. returning to his office, he gives them a typed report, tells them not to read it until they have left, and wishes them goodbye.

[[Vincent Tuck's report]] turns out to describe Lawrence Bacon's apparent use of black magic to kill a vagrant. Its clear that this incident scared Tuck badly, and may have precipitated his heavy drinking.

===November 9th 1928===

[[Delia Hartston]]'s mother calls [[Withers]] to inform him that her daughter is now living in Enfield, is married and is called [[Delia Morrison]]. Withers asks if she can possibly call him. Delia phones shortly after this, and impressed by the credentials of an army Captain and an eminent Doctor agrees to meet them that afternoon at her home.

Delia proves to be beautiful and petite, and to have an apparent bruise under her makeup. Taking into account some photo's on the wall which show Delia almost pulling away from her husband and her desire to not have them in her house when he returns [[Withers]] concludes her husband, [[Peter Morrison]], beats her.

Asked about [[Alexander Roby]], she explains that they split up over his association with [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Edwards]], who she knew only by their surnames, and never met, and also mentions a fourth man she did meet, a thug called [[Coombes]] who seemed to work for Bacon and who fits the description of [[the Tall Man]].

She gives Withers a copy of Roby's book, '[[The Walker by the Lake]]' and says that shortly before they split, Roby kept talking about 'an event' due to take place in December 1925 in a Suffolk village called [[Clare Melford]], and that 'nine teeth' had been prepared on a hill for this 'event'. The 'teeth' appear to have been standing stones.

That night, everyone meets at Bartlett's house to discuss what they have learned and to decide on their next steps. Saunders gives Roby's book to [[Browne]].

Thinking about the 'nine teeth' at Clare Melford, Bartlett remembers a dream that he had in [[Weobley]] and, shaken, recounts it; himself walking and a vast, indescribable creature appearing to him within a circle of nine standing stones.

Session 3

2006-05-24T01:20:02Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006==

===November 6th 1928===

This is the date of the Presidential election in the USA. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover Herbert Hoover] wins by a large margin. The BBC is reporting blizzards across Scotland, and London itself wakes up to an unseasonally sharp frost and . Its more like January than November. The Met Office is predicting that the snow will move south in the next few days.

[[Saunders]] calls the police to report last night's incident with [[the Tall Man]] and [[Detective Inspector Andrew Taylor]] asks him to come in and make a statement.

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] decide to catch a train to Hereford and visit [[St Agnes Asylum]].

[[Browne]] is looking in bookshops for a copy of [[The Walker by the Lake]] when he is threatened by [[the Tall Man]], who claims responsibility for the murder of [[Frederick Long]].

Saunders gives his statement to Taylor.

Browne calls the police and also visits DI Taylor. He gives a statement during which he informs Taylor of the murder of Long. Taylor phones the Herefordshire police. Browne helps to make an identikit picture of the Tall Man.

Bartlett and Withers are delayed by snow and spend the night in Hereford. Bartlett calls the asylum and is told that the police are limiting access, but Highsmith will be able to talk to him tomorrow.

===November 7th 1928===

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] visit [[St Agnes Asylum]]. They meet Inspector Atkins of the Herefordshire police, an unpleasant and arrogant man who seems to have a problem with army officers and the insane. The meeting with [[Highsmith]] is not very fruitful, but Bartlett arranges to have lunch at the Wheatsheaf pub with Nurse [[Price]].

Price meets with Bartlett and Withers and tells them about his discovery of Long's body and the circumstances of the murder, which does indeed seem very similar to the [[Cuthbert Yates]] case.

Bartlett and Withers return to London, arriving home very late. London is snowbound.

===November 8th 1928===

[[Browne]] calls [[Bartlett]] to discuss events since Bartlett left town. It is agreed that everyone will meet at Bartlett's home for dinner on Friday.

Withers phones the private detective he hired and learns Delia Hartston's last known address - Withers also asks about [[Vincent Tuck]] and is told he's a reasonably good man, except for his drink problem.

Withers sends a telegram ahead to Delia announcing that 'Captain Withers and Doctor Bartlett' wish to visit her tomorrow.

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] visit Tuck at his office in Wapping. He is suspeicious of their motives, when they mention [[Alexander Roby]], but agrees to tell them what he knows if they leave him alone.

He tells then that he followed Roby for 3 weeks in November 1925, during which time Roby spent most evenings in the company of [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and a man called [[Edwards]]. He provides addresses and background information for these 3 men.

Tuck seems to be holding things back. He invites Browne and Saunders to the pub, where after several pints he decides to tell them the 'whole truth'. returning to his office, he gives them a typed report, tells them not to read it until they have left, and wishes them goodbye.

[[Vincent Tuck's report]] turns out to describe Lawrence Bacon's apparent use of black magic to kill a vagrant. Its clear that this incident scared Tuck badly, and may have precipitated his heavy drinking.

===November 9th 1928===

[[Delia Hartston]]'s mother calls [[Withers]] to inform him that her daughter is now living in Enfield, is married and is called [[Delia Morrison]]. Withers asks if she can possibly call him. Delia phones shortly after this, and impressed by the credentials of an army Captain and an eminent Doctor agrees to meet them that afternoon at her home.

Delia proves to be beautiful and petite, and to have an apparent bruise under her makeup. Taking into account some photo's on the wall which show Delia almost pulling away from her husband and her desire to not have them in her house when he returns [[Withers]] concludes her husband, [[Peter Morrison]], beats her.

Asked about [[Alexander Roby]], she explains that they split up over his association with [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Edwards]], who she knew only by their surnames, and never met, and also mentions a fourth man she did meet, a thug called [[Coombes]] who seemed to work for Bacon and who fits the description of [[the Tall Man]].

She gives Withers a copy of Roby's book, '[[The Walker by the Lake]]' and says that shortly before they split, Roby kept talking about 'an event' due to take place in December 1925 in a Suffolk village called [[Clare Melford]], and that 'nine teeth' had been prepared on a hill for this 'event'. The 'teeth' appear to have been standing stones.

That night, everyone meets at Bartlett's house to discuss what they have learned and to decide on their next steps. Saunders gives Roby's book to [[Browne]].

Thinking about the 'nine teeth' at Clare Melford, Bartlett remembers a dream that he had in[[Weobley]] and, shaken, recounts it; himself walking and a vast, indescribable creature appearing to him within a circle of nine standing stones.

Session 3

2006-05-24T01:14:14Z

219.89.207.51: /* Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006 */

==Session Report - Played Monday 22th May, 2006==

===November 6th 1928===

This is the date of the Presidential election in the USA. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover Herbert Hoover] wins by a large margin. The BBC is reporting blizzards across Scotland, and London itself wakes up to an unseasonally sharp frost and . Its more like January than November. The Met Office is predicting that the snow will move south in the next few days.

[[Saunders]] calls the police to report last night's incident with [[the Tall Man]] and [[Detective Inspector Andrew Taylor]] asks him to come in and make a statement.

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] decide to catch a train to Hereford and visit [[St Agnes Asylum]].

[[Browne]] is looking in bookshops for a copy of [[The Walker by the Lake]] when he is threatened by [[the Tall Man]], who claims responsibility for the murder of [[Frederick Long]].

Saunders gives his statement to Taylor.

Browne calls the police and also visits DI Taylor. He gives a statement during which he informs Taylor of the murder of Long. Taylor phones the Herefordshire police. Browne helps to make an identikit picture of the Tall Man.

Bartlett and Withers are delayed by snow and spend the night in Hereford. Bartlett calls the asylum and is told that the police are limiting access, but Highsmith will be able to talk to him tomorrow.

===November 7th 1928===

[[Bartlett]] and [[Withers]] visit [[St Agnes Asylum]]. They meet Inspector Atkins of the Herefordshire police, an unpleasant and arrogant man who seems to have a problem with army officers and the insane. The meeting with [[Highsmith]] is not very fruitful, but Bartlett arranges to have lunch at the Wheatsheaf pub with Nurse [[Price]].

Price meets with Bartlett and Withers and tells them about his discovery of Long's body and the circumstances of the murder, which does indeed seem very similar to the [[Cuthbert Yates]] case.

Bartlett and Withers return to London, arriving home very late. London is snowbound.

===November 8th 1928===

[[Browne]] calls [[Bartlett]] to discuss events since Bartlett left town. It is agreed that everyone will meet at Bartlett's home for dinner on Friday.

Withers phones the private detective he hired and learns Delia Hartston's last known address - Withers also asks about [[Vincent Tuck]] and is told he's a reasonably good man, except for his drink problem.

Withers sends a telegram ahead to Delia announcing that 'Captain Withers and Doctor Bartlett' wish to visit her tomorrow.

[[Saunders]] and [[Browne]] visit Tuck at his office in Wapping. He is suspeicious of their motives, when they mention [[Alexander Roby]], but agrees to tell them what he knows if they leave him alone.

He tells then that he followed Roby for 3 weeks in November 1925, during which time Roby spent most evenings in the company of [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and a man called [[Edwards]]. He provides addresses and background information for these 3 men.

Tuck seems to be holding things back. He invites Browne and Saunders to the pub, where after several pints he decides to tell them the 'whole truth'. returning to his office, he gives them a typed report, tells them not to read it until they have left, and wishes them goodbye.

[[Vincent Tuck's report]] turns out to describe Lawrence Bacon's apparent use of black magic to kill a vagrant. Its clear that this incident scared Tuck badly, and may have precipitated his heavy drinking.

===November 9th 1928===

[[Delia Hartston]]'s mother calls [[Withers]] to inform him that her daughter is now living in Enfield, is married and is called [[Delia Morrison]]. Withers asks if she can possibly call him. Delia phones shortly after this, and impressed by the credentials of an army Captain and an eminent Doctor agrees to meet them that afternoon at her home.

Delia proves to be beautiful and petite, and to have an apparent bruise under her makeup. Taking into account some photo's on the wall which show Delia almost pulling away from her husband and her desire to not have them in her house when her husband returns [[Withers]] concludes her husband, [[Peter Morrison]], beats her.

Asked about [[Alexander Roby]], she explains that they split up over his association with [[Lawrence Bacon]], [[Malcolm Quarrie]] and [[Edwards]], who she knew only by their surnames, and never met, and also mentions a fourth man she did meet, a thug called [[Coombes]] who seemed to work for Bacon and who fits the description of [[the Tall Man]].

She gives Withers a copy of Roby's book, '[[The Walker by the Lake]]' and says that shortly before they split, Roby kept talking about 'an event' due to take place in December 1925 in a Suffolk village called [[Clare Melford]], and that 'nine teeth' had been prepared on a hill for this 'event'. The 'teeth' appear to have been standing stones.

That night, everyone meets at Bartlett's house to discuss what they have learned and to decide on their next steps. Saunders gives Roby's book to [[Browne]].

On hearing about the 'nine teeth' at Clare Melford, Bartlett is shaken, and recounts the dream he had in [[Weobley]] in which a vast, indescribable creature appeared to him within a circle of nine standing stones.

Nicola Bishop

2006-05-19T04:29:40Z

219.89.207.51:

[[Image:Evil.jpg|thumb|mug shot|left]]

Nicky is a ferocious demon from the planet Earth, who eats Cthulu Old Ones for breakfast.

Captain George Withers

2006-05-14T23:18:38Z

219.89.207.51:

Captain George Withers

2006-05-14T23:16:38Z

219.89.207.51: /* Values */

Captain George Withers is a career soldier. An officer in the Second Battalion of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldstream_Guards Coldstream Guards], he is currently stationed at Victoria barracks, Windsor. He is a veteran of the Great War, during which he met [[Doctor Frederick Bartlett]].

==Family==

George has a younger sister (Anna), married to Albert Newman (Chemist). They both live in London. Parents both dead, father early on, mother rather more recently - George was 'the man of the household' at an early age and has a strong sense of family duty and responsiblity due to this.

==Friends==

[[Doctor Frederick Bartlett]].

Percy Whiteman - old school friend. He currently lives around Bath tending a small farm.

Major Edward Danby, his commanding officer during the war, now a good friend and someone he respects and admires enormously. He resides at the same base.

==Secrets==

[[Captain Withers’ Secrets]]