14 March 2012
Intermission
Unfortunately, there was no 7th Sea role-playing last Friday. Normally, we should play every fortnight. But with half of the players unavailable due to other engagements we had to call it off. I am eager to continue the adventures and hope, nothing will interfere with our next scheduled session. So, be patient; I have to be, too.
07 March 2012
Coc - Gaslight: Things, I did not need to know and did not want to do
On the next day, 11 November 1890 a few minutes to 9 am, I was on my way to Whitehall Place. Breakfast had been adequate, but a bit hasty. I arrived at New Scotland Yard on the first chimes of Big Ben. A constable led me to the designated meeting room. It took a while to get there, so, unfortunately, I entered a few minutes after the hour. But Inspector Fox gave me a look as if I had arrived half an hour late. I got the distinct feeling, he didn't like me.
Besides him, Dr. Burnside, Dr. Laydon, and Mr. Roquefort, also a Sir Jeffrey Hull, her majesty the queen's counsel, and Lady Catherine Kincaid were also attending this meeting. The later being the daughter of the missing Sir Thomas Kincaid. Seeing the queen's counsel here, gave me the impression, that there was a bit more going on, but a simple abduction. I could not have been more right.
First, Dr. Laydon gave his account on the events that had happened at the club yesterday. After going upstairs, the guest had shown Sir Thomas some documents, which had really upset him. Suddenly, four Arabic men had entered the room through the window and overpowered Sir Thomas and his guest. Two of these men had dragged these two out of the window and then had left with their price. The other two Arabs had stayed and the struggle had commenced, which had led the unfortunate killing of Higgins. This was in principle not new to me, except some of the details. But the news, which Inspector Fox and Sir Jeffrey revealed to us, were definitely troubling.
In the last few weeks there had been three murders in the East End. All three victims had been prostitutes. The modus operandi was the same every time. All three bodies had been cut open and an inner organ had been skilfully removed. Hearing the details made me rather indisposed. Maybe the hasty breakfast did its part in it. But nevertheless, I took my leave and left the room for a few minutes to catch some breath and regain my composure.
As I went back inside Dr. Burnside was still looking at photographs of the victims. The police suspected the murderer to be a professional like a butcher. But Dr. Burnside suggested, the murderer could as well be a medical practitioner. The mere thought of it appalled Dr. Laydon. And I had to silently agree with him. Why should a men who swore to save lives do such terrible things.
The other common finding at the places of the murders was even stranger. Crude drawings of the symbol for the Egyptian god Thot had been found on walls near the victims. This was the reason Scotland Yard consulted Sir Thomas Kincaid on these cases. Sir Thomas was well known to be an expert on Egyptian mythology. For the same reason the police suspected a connection of the murders to the "Egyptian League". Its goal is to collect and preserve Egyptian artefacts. Its chairman was none other than Prince Albert Victor the Duke of Clarence. This explained the involvement of Sir Jeffrey Hull, because it was important that the League and by this the Prince himself had to be cleared from any connection to this crimes as quickly as possible.
From Dr. Laydon's accounts on this matter it became clear that there was something wrong with the Prince, that could have had some significance for the case. Due to professional discretion he wouldn't tell as more. Sir Jeffrey offered to get an audience with the prince for Dr. Burnside, Mr. Roquefort and myself.
Up to this point it was all very interesting and, beside the sad nature of the crimes, a fascinating morning. But they really expected me to get personally involved in this. When I pointed out, that I was neither an expert on medicine nor on Egyptian mythology, and that I had nothing to offer for this investigation Inspector Fox took me aside on a word. (players might want to refrain from opening this part, not to spoil possible surprises in the game)
One last thing was discovered by Mr. Roquefort, as he took the dagger, with which Higgins was killed, under closer inspection. He discovered and deciphered some Hieroglyph inscription on the blade. It translated to "There is no peace on the other side of the gate." What ever that meant. He also told us, that the Hieroglyphs could also be regarded as the representation of syllables. In this case the translation would have been: "Ni har lat hotep". He knew he had heard or seen this phrase before, but he was not able to place it.
Because there was nothing more to discuss for the moment, our meeting was adjourned. We agreed to keep Inspector Fox and Sir Jeffrey informed of our findings, as well as Lady Cathrine. After all, it was her father that had been abducted.
I hoped this whole business would be as exciting as it sounded but not as dangerous as is could get. In the end, we were hunting a murderer.
Besides him, Dr. Burnside, Dr. Laydon, and Mr. Roquefort, also a Sir Jeffrey Hull, her majesty the queen's counsel, and Lady Catherine Kincaid were also attending this meeting. The later being the daughter of the missing Sir Thomas Kincaid. Seeing the queen's counsel here, gave me the impression, that there was a bit more going on, but a simple abduction. I could not have been more right.
First, Dr. Laydon gave his account on the events that had happened at the club yesterday. After going upstairs, the guest had shown Sir Thomas some documents, which had really upset him. Suddenly, four Arabic men had entered the room through the window and overpowered Sir Thomas and his guest. Two of these men had dragged these two out of the window and then had left with their price. The other two Arabs had stayed and the struggle had commenced, which had led the unfortunate killing of Higgins. This was in principle not new to me, except some of the details. But the news, which Inspector Fox and Sir Jeffrey revealed to us, were definitely troubling.
In the last few weeks there had been three murders in the East End. All three victims had been prostitutes. The modus operandi was the same every time. All three bodies had been cut open and an inner organ had been skilfully removed. Hearing the details made me rather indisposed. Maybe the hasty breakfast did its part in it. But nevertheless, I took my leave and left the room for a few minutes to catch some breath and regain my composure.
As I went back inside Dr. Burnside was still looking at photographs of the victims. The police suspected the murderer to be a professional like a butcher. But Dr. Burnside suggested, the murderer could as well be a medical practitioner. The mere thought of it appalled Dr. Laydon. And I had to silently agree with him. Why should a men who swore to save lives do such terrible things.
The other common finding at the places of the murders was even stranger. Crude drawings of the symbol for the Egyptian god Thot had been found on walls near the victims. This was the reason Scotland Yard consulted Sir Thomas Kincaid on these cases. Sir Thomas was well known to be an expert on Egyptian mythology. For the same reason the police suspected a connection of the murders to the "Egyptian League". Its goal is to collect and preserve Egyptian artefacts. Its chairman was none other than Prince Albert Victor the Duke of Clarence. This explained the involvement of Sir Jeffrey Hull, because it was important that the League and by this the Prince himself had to be cleared from any connection to this crimes as quickly as possible.
From Dr. Laydon's accounts on this matter it became clear that there was something wrong with the Prince, that could have had some significance for the case. Due to professional discretion he wouldn't tell as more. Sir Jeffrey offered to get an audience with the prince for Dr. Burnside, Mr. Roquefort and myself.
Up to this point it was all very interesting and, beside the sad nature of the crimes, a fascinating morning. But they really expected me to get personally involved in this. When I pointed out, that I was neither an expert on medicine nor on Egyptian mythology, and that I had nothing to offer for this investigation Inspector Fox took me aside on a word. (players might want to refrain from opening this part, not to spoil possible surprises in the game)
One last thing was discovered by Mr. Roquefort, as he took the dagger, with which Higgins was killed, under closer inspection. He discovered and deciphered some Hieroglyph inscription on the blade. It translated to "There is no peace on the other side of the gate." What ever that meant. He also told us, that the Hieroglyphs could also be regarded as the representation of syllables. In this case the translation would have been: "Ni har lat hotep". He knew he had heard or seen this phrase before, but he was not able to place it.
Because there was nothing more to discuss for the moment, our meeting was adjourned. We agreed to keep Inspector Fox and Sir Jeffrey informed of our findings, as well as Lady Cathrine. After all, it was her father that had been abducted.
I hoped this whole business would be as exciting as it sounded but not as dangerous as is could get. In the end, we were hunting a murderer.
05 March 2012
Game Master appreciation day
A day late, but none the less I'd like to thank all the great people out there, who spend hours after hours in developing worlds and adventures for us, the players. I am into role-playing since more than two decades now. And I know, I will be for many years to come, because there is this amazing species called game master.
I thank each and everyone of you. I will certainly never enjoy a gaming session with most you. But knowing, that everywhere I go, I can find a game master, who might be willing to have me as a player, is awesome.
Role-playing is the one thing I did in school which I still do today. This would have been impossible without all the imaginative game masters I had - and still have - the honour to play with.
Thank you very much.
I thank each and everyone of you. I will certainly never enjoy a gaming session with most you. But knowing, that everywhere I go, I can find a game master, who might be willing to have me as a player, is awesome.
Role-playing is the one thing I did in school which I still do today. This would have been impossible without all the imaginative game masters I had - and still have - the honour to play with.
Thank you very much.
CoC - Gaslight: A Monday evening at the club
My name is Richard George Thomas Lumley I am 25 years of age and the second son of Aldred Frederick George Beresford Lumley, the 10th Earl of Scarbrough. Usually I don't do many exciting things. Most of the time I am attending the few family and official duties I have. But this all changed on Monday, 10 November 1890.
After another quiet day in London I went to the Albert's club at 8 pm as usual. On my arrival two other members I haven't seen in a while were also just arriving there. One was Dr. Jasper Burnside a medical practitioner. He was wearing mourning. Maybe whoever had died was the reason for his long absence. The other was Thomas Roquefort an archeologist. As usual he was dressed a little to casual for my taste. But I guess, if one is professionally concerned with places which are rarely spotless clean, making sure one's clothes are clean is more important then having every button in place. From his dark taint I suspect he had been in the more sunnier regions of the empire for the last year. I don't know them both that well, but from what I know they are both renowned experts in their respective fields.
The clubs butler Higgins relived me of my coat an hat and I went into the fireplace room. Sir Thomas Kincaid, a well-respected archeologist, and Dr. Mortimer Laydon, the royal family's personal physician, were sitting in armchairs near the fireplace. They were engaged in what looked like a very serious conversation. Minding my own business I sat down in an armchair at one of the windows. Higgins brought me my pipe, a glass of cherry, and the latest issue of the Times. Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort engaged themselves in a game of chess and a light conversation.
I could not really get myself to concentrate on the reading of the Times, because of the little incident last month. Except for the people involved nobody knows about it, but I think I will leave England for a while. But I haven't even begun to think about whence I should go. So I asked Higgins to bring me one book each about Egypt and India from the library. The book about India was very comprehensive concerning the country, its inhabitants, and the culture. But its style was a little dull. So I switched to the other book. While doing this, I saw Higgins deliver a message to Sir Thomas and Dr. Laydon. They seemed to have a visitor. They followed Higgins to the entrance room and form there upstairs; I guess to one of the secluded rooms.
After a while - I was really taken in by reading the fascinating book about the valley if kings in Egypt - I heard a curious noise from a room above. It sounded like metal on metal or something similar. But that was all. At least for the moment. Shortly afterwards I heard again the same kind of noise. But this time it was followed by a noise that sounded like something heavy hitting the floor. Slightly annoyed and also a little bit concerned about what was happening up there, I stood up to check what was going on upstairs. Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort also stood up, but they must have heard something else, because they where starting to run upstairs. Therefore they were ahead of me when I reached the first floor. What I beheld there was the most horrible sight I had seen in my life so far. The door of the room where the noise must have come from was ajar an I just saw Higgins with something sticking from his chest falling backwards like a tree. A black clad and hooded figure was leaning over him. But being disturbed by the arrival of Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort he cursed (I didn't understand his language, but from the sound of it had to be a curse) and vanished back into the room. Mr. Roquefort drew his revolver and ran into the room while Dr. Burnside attended to Higgins injuries. I myself went into the room next door in search for a weapon. Then I heard two shots from the other room.
I grabbed an old sabre from one of the walls and went out through the window to cut this hooded figure of. But I wasn't fast enough. He was already out of the other window, and down on the roof of the shed inside the courtyard below. I saw him jumping down to the ground and leaving through the side-gate. In hindsight I don't know why, but I jumped down on the shed's roof to follow him. Unfortunately, I missed the spot I was aiming for by a few inches. So, I stumbled on landing and went right over the edge. Fortunately I was able to grab hold of the edge. For a moment I was contemplating my situation and the stupidity of my actions. Going after a villain with an old weapon which I cannot wield in any efficient way. How wise is that?
Reaching the decision to let me fall the last two or three yards to the ground I was grabbed by my wrists from above. It was Mr. Roquefort who must have followed me. With his help I reached the ground safely and sprinted to the side-gate to look for the villain. But in the dense London fog I was unable to see, where he had gone. Mr. Roquefort, who had followed me, had no better luck. So we went back into the courtyard to look for a way back into the club. The only way would have been through the shed, were it not locked with a sturdy pad-lock. We went around the building to the main entrance. We were met there by a few constables of the police force. We were all requested to go into the fireplace room and stay there. Realizing the spoiled nature of my suit, I refused to comply. I let one of the constables deliver a message to my manservant Craig, requesting a clean suit. I waited in one of the secluded rooms for his arrival. An hour later he arrived and I a short while later I was dressed properly again.
I thanked Craig for his quick response at this late hour - it was way past 11 pm - and went at last into the fireplace room, where all the other people were already gathered. Dr. Burnside wasn't in the room, so I sat down with Mr. Roquefort to find out what else had happened upstairs.
The first sad news was that Higgins was dead. The club will never be the same again without him. He was stabbed to the heart with a curious looking dagger. It had a bronze haft with an ibis head as its pommel and a silver blade. On entering the room Mr. Roquefort had seen two hooded figures. One was leaving through the window, the other had shot at him, but had missed. He had returned the favour and had hit his target. The injury must have been minor, because this was the man I had seen moments later jumping down onto the shed. Also in the room they had found Dr. Laydon. He was lying on the floor, unconscious but not seriously injured. Sir Thomas was missing. On the table he and Dr. Burnside had found a small papyrus with a drawing of an ibis. Mr. Roquefort explained the significance of this symbol to me, but I have to admit it was a little bit to elaborate for me at this late hour and after this shocking events. The only thing I could memorize at the time was, that it was the depiction of the Egyptian god Thot, who is associated with wisdom an science.
After waiting for what felt like hours a sleazy looking man who introduced himself as inspector Fox of Scotland Yard began to take our evidence of the events of this evening. Afterwards he had the nerve to ask me to come to a gathering the next morning at 9 am at New Scotland Yard on Whitehall Place. Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort were also invited. They seemed rather eager to attend. Which was perfectly understandable. Mr. Roquefort being an expert in Egyptian history and Dr. Burside making sure that his colleague - and for the moment patient - Dr. Laydon wouldn't over-strain himself. But I? I had no idea, what my contribution to this matter could be. But in the end being an upright citizen and gentleman, I had no choice but to comply and to find out the next morning.
So I went home in a cab not knowing what lay ahead of me.
After another quiet day in London I went to the Albert's club at 8 pm as usual. On my arrival two other members I haven't seen in a while were also just arriving there. One was Dr. Jasper Burnside a medical practitioner. He was wearing mourning. Maybe whoever had died was the reason for his long absence. The other was Thomas Roquefort an archeologist. As usual he was dressed a little to casual for my taste. But I guess, if one is professionally concerned with places which are rarely spotless clean, making sure one's clothes are clean is more important then having every button in place. From his dark taint I suspect he had been in the more sunnier regions of the empire for the last year. I don't know them both that well, but from what I know they are both renowned experts in their respective fields.
The clubs butler Higgins relived me of my coat an hat and I went into the fireplace room. Sir Thomas Kincaid, a well-respected archeologist, and Dr. Mortimer Laydon, the royal family's personal physician, were sitting in armchairs near the fireplace. They were engaged in what looked like a very serious conversation. Minding my own business I sat down in an armchair at one of the windows. Higgins brought me my pipe, a glass of cherry, and the latest issue of the Times. Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort engaged themselves in a game of chess and a light conversation.
I could not really get myself to concentrate on the reading of the Times, because of the little incident last month. Except for the people involved nobody knows about it, but I think I will leave England for a while. But I haven't even begun to think about whence I should go. So I asked Higgins to bring me one book each about Egypt and India from the library. The book about India was very comprehensive concerning the country, its inhabitants, and the culture. But its style was a little dull. So I switched to the other book. While doing this, I saw Higgins deliver a message to Sir Thomas and Dr. Laydon. They seemed to have a visitor. They followed Higgins to the entrance room and form there upstairs; I guess to one of the secluded rooms.
After a while - I was really taken in by reading the fascinating book about the valley if kings in Egypt - I heard a curious noise from a room above. It sounded like metal on metal or something similar. But that was all. At least for the moment. Shortly afterwards I heard again the same kind of noise. But this time it was followed by a noise that sounded like something heavy hitting the floor. Slightly annoyed and also a little bit concerned about what was happening up there, I stood up to check what was going on upstairs. Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort also stood up, but they must have heard something else, because they where starting to run upstairs. Therefore they were ahead of me when I reached the first floor. What I beheld there was the most horrible sight I had seen in my life so far. The door of the room where the noise must have come from was ajar an I just saw Higgins with something sticking from his chest falling backwards like a tree. A black clad and hooded figure was leaning over him. But being disturbed by the arrival of Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort he cursed (I didn't understand his language, but from the sound of it had to be a curse) and vanished back into the room. Mr. Roquefort drew his revolver and ran into the room while Dr. Burnside attended to Higgins injuries. I myself went into the room next door in search for a weapon. Then I heard two shots from the other room.
I grabbed an old sabre from one of the walls and went out through the window to cut this hooded figure of. But I wasn't fast enough. He was already out of the other window, and down on the roof of the shed inside the courtyard below. I saw him jumping down to the ground and leaving through the side-gate. In hindsight I don't know why, but I jumped down on the shed's roof to follow him. Unfortunately, I missed the spot I was aiming for by a few inches. So, I stumbled on landing and went right over the edge. Fortunately I was able to grab hold of the edge. For a moment I was contemplating my situation and the stupidity of my actions. Going after a villain with an old weapon which I cannot wield in any efficient way. How wise is that?
Reaching the decision to let me fall the last two or three yards to the ground I was grabbed by my wrists from above. It was Mr. Roquefort who must have followed me. With his help I reached the ground safely and sprinted to the side-gate to look for the villain. But in the dense London fog I was unable to see, where he had gone. Mr. Roquefort, who had followed me, had no better luck. So we went back into the courtyard to look for a way back into the club. The only way would have been through the shed, were it not locked with a sturdy pad-lock. We went around the building to the main entrance. We were met there by a few constables of the police force. We were all requested to go into the fireplace room and stay there. Realizing the spoiled nature of my suit, I refused to comply. I let one of the constables deliver a message to my manservant Craig, requesting a clean suit. I waited in one of the secluded rooms for his arrival. An hour later he arrived and I a short while later I was dressed properly again.
I thanked Craig for his quick response at this late hour - it was way past 11 pm - and went at last into the fireplace room, where all the other people were already gathered. Dr. Burnside wasn't in the room, so I sat down with Mr. Roquefort to find out what else had happened upstairs.
The first sad news was that Higgins was dead. The club will never be the same again without him. He was stabbed to the heart with a curious looking dagger. It had a bronze haft with an ibis head as its pommel and a silver blade. On entering the room Mr. Roquefort had seen two hooded figures. One was leaving through the window, the other had shot at him, but had missed. He had returned the favour and had hit his target. The injury must have been minor, because this was the man I had seen moments later jumping down onto the shed. Also in the room they had found Dr. Laydon. He was lying on the floor, unconscious but not seriously injured. Sir Thomas was missing. On the table he and Dr. Burnside had found a small papyrus with a drawing of an ibis. Mr. Roquefort explained the significance of this symbol to me, but I have to admit it was a little bit to elaborate for me at this late hour and after this shocking events. The only thing I could memorize at the time was, that it was the depiction of the Egyptian god Thot, who is associated with wisdom an science.
After waiting for what felt like hours a sleazy looking man who introduced himself as inspector Fox of Scotland Yard began to take our evidence of the events of this evening. Afterwards he had the nerve to ask me to come to a gathering the next morning at 9 am at New Scotland Yard on Whitehall Place. Dr. Burside and Mr. Roquefort were also invited. They seemed rather eager to attend. Which was perfectly understandable. Mr. Roquefort being an expert in Egyptian history and Dr. Burside making sure that his colleague - and for the moment patient - Dr. Laydon wouldn't over-strain himself. But I? I had no idea, what my contribution to this matter could be. But in the end being an upright citizen and gentleman, I had no choice but to comply and to find out the next morning.
So I went home in a cab not knowing what lay ahead of me.
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He told me, that he knew about my reputation due to nightly adventures and that my skills to this effect might be useful in the investigation. Oh, bugger! I knew this would backfire on me.
Life as a second son of a noble can be very dull. So, I was looking for some excitement in my life. Hence, I started to break into the homes of rich gentlemen to borrow one or two of their valuables. It was never about actually stealing anything. I always returned the goods as soon as the dust had settled. As I got gradually better at it, private homes began to lose their appeal. They were just too easy to get in. So I started breaking into museums. And last month the unthinkable happened: I got caught while looking for something worth borrowing in the British Museum.
My family was shocked and embarrassed. But due to my father's influence the incident was hushed up under the one condition, that I would refrain myself from doing anything like this again. They also advised me to leave London for a while. Until a few days earlier I hadn't decided to actually go somewhere. If I had only made up my mind earlier! Then I would not have been dragged into this murder business. But what had happened had happened.