Session 12

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.

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 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.

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 hismelf 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.