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Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

Posted by The Keeper of SecretsFor group 0
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 202 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 09:33
  • msg #48

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 47):

"No. No need," says the professor. "My third eye has been fluttering since you walked in. You've pique my curiosity." Closing her schedule book with a snap her attitude turns brusque. "I have a class to teach soon." Rifling through a drawer of her desk she pulls out an old fashioned iron key. "This is to the spare classroom. Make your preparations, just be ready by the witching hour. That will be the best time to reach the other side." Aside from pleasantries, little is said as she shoos you from the room, closing the door behind you.
trahernwithglasses
player, 129 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 12:56
  • msg #49

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 48):

In the corridor, Clarke turned to Mike and asked, "Well, what is our next step? How should we set up the seance?"
trahernwithglasses
player, 130 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Thu 8 Nov 2018
at 11:30
  • msg #50

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 49):

Zoe looked at Clarke and asked, "Don't you know a thing or two about the occult?"

Clarke tried to recall if he had any seance know how.

Roll for Occult: 52: Fail

He had a vague memory of witnessing one, but no comprehension of the fundamentals.
trahernwithglasses
player, 131 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 05:54
  • msg #51

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 50):

Searching his memory even more, Clarke tried to recall the history of the seance. Perhaps something he had heard or read while searching for mysterious artefacts.

Roll for History: 64: Fail

Perhaps, he reasoned, it was the long days or the difficult meeting with the professor, but he failed to recall anything specific.
novissimo
player, 61 posts
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 15:52
  • msg #52

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 51):

While Tobin’s Spirit Guide had promoted the periodic seance fads over the last few decades, Byron had not paid much particular attention to their details, especially as many such rituals had been debunked in the mean time as fraudulent crimes perpetrated by unscrupulous charlatans scamming the bereaved.

Still, he was reasonably sure a genuine method for psychic group paranormal contact was plausible. He tried to recall what he could from his readings over the years.

Occult check rolled 70 using 1d100.
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 203 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 08:03
  • msg #53

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to novissimo (msg # 52):

As far as Byron knew, a seance was fairly simple. They would just need to acquire a spirit board from somewhere. More importantly was the professor's request that they come back at the witching hour, 3am. That left the party with time until Professor LaRae would be ready.
trahernwithglasses
player, 132 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Thu 15 Nov 2018
at 12:38
  • msg #54

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 53):

"Byron," Clarke said as he turned to his bespectacled acquaintance, "you read numerous tomes. Are you aware of these rituals?"
novissimo
player, 62 posts
Fri 16 Nov 2018
at 13:10
  • msg #55

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 54):

As if snapping out of a haze of introverted thought and sloth, Byron perks up at the question.

“Clarke my good fellow, seances are mostly bunk. However there may be a workable method for conducting ectoplasmic entelechy through collective group trance resonance, at a strong enough frequency potentially causing a rift in the parareality ether, as per my recent calculations. This would be a sufficient parameter to establishing contact with nearest supernatural entity. But to channel and focus the geistwave we will need an alphanumeric totem to maintain concentration. We will be in need of a... Spirit Board! And there should be time enough to collect one.”

Now when was it the last time I’d seen a spirit board, Byron thought to himself. Ah, I’d seen some ditzy psych undergrads huddled in groups playing with the faddish things all around campus the last few months.

“Maybe if we patrol the common areas we can find some confused young people fiddling about with the bloody things” Byron suggests.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Fri 16 Nov 2018.
Jrodimus
player, 145 posts
Sat 17 Nov 2018
at 04:07
  • msg #56

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to novissimo (msg # 55):

Mike chuckled and said to Byron, "You always were a hit at parties."

Then Mike remembered the dinner invitation that sat in his jacket pocket. "Oh before I forget again," he pulled it out and showed it to Clarke and Byron, "We've been invited to dinner tonight."
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 204 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Sun 2 Dec 2018
at 07:20
  • msg #57

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 56):

From his breast pocket Mike produces a sheet of heavy vellum. The invitation, written in an elegant looping and slightly slanted script, is to a formal dinner hosted by Abner Wick who the party remembers as the 'Antiquarian' proprietor of Unconsidered Trifles. Slated for later tonight, it will be held at Crawford's Restaurant, the best and most expensive restaurant in Arkham. While all expenses will be paid by the host, it is black tie formal. Below the signature is a wax seal. Pressed into the red wax is the image of an eye encased in a star.
novissimo
player, 63 posts
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 21:22
  • msg #58

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 57):

“Free food?” Byron looked sideways. He tried to remember what he’d done with his dinner jacket. “What’s the catch?”
Jrodimus
player, 146 posts
Mon 31 Dec 2018
at 05:06
  • msg #59

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to novissimo (msg # 58):

Mike scratched his beard thoughtfully. "I'm not sure what the catch is. I don't know Abner that well. But from what I do know from his occasional appearances at the poker game, he doesn't seem to be the type of person to do something that doesn't benefit him in some way."

Could it be about the stone? How would he know about it? Mike thought to himself.

"Clarke," Mike said, "I seem to recall you and Abner know each other to some extent professionally. Do you have any ideas?"
novissimo
player, 64 posts
Wed 30 Jan 2019
at 09:01
  • msg #60

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 59):

Byron felt a flood of self consciousness. He became flush at the prospect of attending a gathering of high society. His lack of social and financial capital had kept him from being able to mingle with the well to-so who often patronize Crawford’s. He had mothballed his formal wear due to lack of use and would have to swallow his pride in being invited to the finest establishment by a petty gambler.

“The evening is coming upon us so perhaps we should leave to prepare?”
trahernwithglasses
player, 133 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 04:01
  • msg #61

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to novissimo (msg # 60):

"Mr. Wick is quite fond of surprises," Clarke said to Mike. "And I have not delivered any to him recently. Your guess would be as good as mine. However, if he is involved in the stone escapades then I suggest we prepare for almost anything. Not all his passions lie with the dead and buried."

Clarke looked down, sadly, at his suit and pondered if there was a tailor in the town that could do something to bring him up to snuff for the event.

Roll of 10: for tailor in town <history>: success

His memory did recollect such a tailor and one who could work quick for a reasonable price when the need demanded it.
Jrodimus
player, 147 posts
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 07:35
  • msg #62

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 61):

Mike nodded as Clarke spoke, "Alright then, I suppose we ought to be prepared for the worst."

He looked at his comrades, "I suppose we're all gonna have to change into something more suitable."
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 205 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 12:53
  • msg #63

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 61):

Clarke
Despite the late hour, the party finds a small mom and pop tailor that still happens to be open. Handing over a few bills, Clarke is able to acquire an ill-fitting double breasted suit jacket. The tailor makes a few slight alterations but the time crunch prohibits a full alteration. As the elderly tailor takes his measurements Clarke tries to recall the last time he had encountered Abner Wick. It had been a small job, recovering an old Wiccan relic that was supposed to have been used in a number of pagan rituals. While he and Abner had a working relationship, Clarke would hesitate to call them close. As with most people, Abner tended to act as if he were above the rest of the world.

Mike
Smoke drifts aimlessly out of the driver-side window as Mike drums his fingers on the truck's dashboard, waiting outside of the small tailor's shop. Having changed into his best suit, he takes another drag from his cigarette. While Abner was known for holding expensive dinners for some of Arkham's finest, Mike had never received an invitation before and Crawford's tended to be a bit out of his price range. The finest dinning establishment in town, Mike figured at least he could get a good meal out of the invitation before they had to deal with the reality of a murderous demonic stone.

Byron
The dangers of a seance depends on the particular spirit being summoned. The closer the ties to those participating, family or loved ones, the more likely it is to comply with requests... Byron's mind ran through all that he knew about summoning spirits. He had never though highly of seances, considering most to be orchestrated by charlatans. But he knew that as with most of the paranormal, there was some truth to the practice. While most of the acrid smoke from Mike's cigarette drifted out the window, the scent of it filled his nostrils as an errant thought crossed his mind: death row inmates are offered a last cigarette before the chair...

Everyone
With a screeching whirl Mike's truck pulls into the empty parking lot of Crawford's restaurant. The restaurant is rather subdued with about only have the windows alight, as Abner has probably reserved the entire establishment. The party approaches the restaurant as the soft sounds of the city fill the night. Before the door stands a large man whose suit jacket and cummerbund seem to be stretched to their limit. A strange cloying odor floats him.

"Invitation" he says in a deep voice that seems to rattle the ground around him...
trahernwithglasses
player, 134 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 13:12
  • msg #64

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 63):

"Ain't no mountain wide enough," Zoe hum-sung to herself. "Wiiiide enough."

Clarke kept a straight face and attempted to adjust his cufflinks. The jacket looked fine, but it felt loose in spots and tight in others. He flexed and shuffled uncomfortably in it. Still, he knew it was the best he could have hoped for from a country tailor.

"Mike," he said, "I think you have that."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 13:14, Thu 31 Jan 2019.
Jrodimus
player, 148 posts
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 14:49
  • msg #65

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 64):

Mike reached into his coat pocket, sizing the large man up. Though he was curious before, seeing the few lights on in the restaurant with the rest in darkness made him a bit nervous.

Every instinct in his gut told him that this could very well be a trap.

He looked into the man's eyes as he handed over the invitation. "There we are, an invitation for the three of us from Mr. Wick himself."
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 206 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 15:06
  • msg #66

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 65):

The large man takes the invitation and looks over it slowly. "Mr. Wick and company will see you inside." The man opens the door and steps aside allowing the party to enter. Inside the restaurant the party hears soft orchestra music without seeing the musicians. Inside they see a large table with an assorted spread of food and drinks with a few waiters and waitresses flirting about. At the head of the table is Abner Wick. "The guests of the hour" he says gesturing expansively. "Please make yourselves at home". Moving around the table he forcefully takes Mike's hand. "Glad to see you outside of our usual gentleman's game". Seeing Clarke's jacket and Byron's ill-suited attire he sniffs but says nothing. "Please make yourselves comfortable".

Aside for the party, the only members at the dinner are the siblings Carla and Hector, who Clarke recognizes from his previous trip to Wick's establishment. Before them are a number of bottles of wine, most empty.

"Please join us" says the Hector gesturing to the empty seats.

"We've been waiting for a bit of entertainment" says Carla.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:12, Thu 31 Jan 2019.
Jrodimus
player, 149 posts
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 15:32
  • msg #67

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 66):

(00:25, Today: Jrodimus rolled 20 using 1d100. Language(Own) Check for slurred speech.)

Mike approached the table, taking note of the bottles and the siblings buzzing with the vibrant energy of those who have imbibed a bit of alcohol. "Well, I hope you two saved some wine for the rest of us." He picked up an empty glass and examined it.

"Mr. Wick, I must admit that I was a bit surprised to receive your invitation. Were you hoping for a poker game tonight? If so, I regret to inform you I left my deck at the Road House."
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 207 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Thu 31 Jan 2019
at 15:40
  • msg #68

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 67):

With a heavy thud Abner takes his seat. "Perhaps you could tell me. It seems you've become the talk of the town. I hear you've visited Charles. Interesting that you've visit my dear friend only at the end of his days." While Abner crosses his heart, it seems as an empty gesture. "Seeing as you haven't visited him in years that can come off as rather strange..."
trahernwithglasses
player, 135 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Sat 2 Feb 2019
at 22:33
  • msg #69

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 68):

Clarke  pulled out his chair and sat down. His stomach churned as he looked at the food. Everything felt wrong. Abner's parties were not simple affairs with a few guests, if he wished for spectacle then 50 people were the minimum requirement for the effort.

"Empty places, empty souls," Zoe said, sitting on the table. She put her left leg on Clarke's shoulder. Her skirt had fallen down just enough that it was seductive, but not revealing. "I bet you'd give a lot to have me back Clarke. Not that old windbag version, just me. Think of all the years we've missed, all the pleasures we couldn't have. If I was back in your life, we could begin again."

Clarke cleared his throat as he heard Abner's taunting words. "Well Mr. Wick, I'm sure you have heard the saying, 'God moves in mysterious ways.' We are just pawns in his game."
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 208 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Sun 3 Feb 2019
at 10:13
  • msg #70

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 69):

Carla snickers behind her hand as Hector mockingly crosses himself. "If you want to hear the void, tell God your hopes and dreams," he says. With a reproachful glare at young man, Abner gestures to the nearby servants who sweep in with a number of covered plates. With a flourish, the lids are removed revealing bloody cuts of nearly raw meat in a light brown sauce. They also put out three chairs, two opposite Abner, and one between Carla and the host.

"Bon Appetit," says Abner as he lifts a fork and knife from the table, the utensils appearing dainty in his large hands. Expertly spearing a hunk of meat, he starts to eat, closing his eyes as he savors the taste. Now that the host had started, Carla and Hector begin to dig in. If it wasn't for the pretense of civility, it almost feels like they would be tearing into the meat in hunger if it hadn't been for the presence of guests.

"I was surprised Charles survived Elizabeth's passing," says Abner around another mouthful as he hands busily work away at his meal. "Shame Jack hasn't been back to visit. I know you were childhood friends of his. He hasn't perhaps contacted you has he?" His eye briefly land on each of you, pausing on Byron the longest, taking in his... casual attire. "I must say, I was surprised the 'gang' had gotten back together without one of their very own." He taps the rim of his wineglass and a servant  jumps forward to refill it. "We shan't be the only ones abiding tonight" he says as another servant steps forward with a bottle of blood-red which he pours into gold inlayed glasses.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:39, Sun 03 Feb 2019.
trahernwithglasses
player, 136 posts
Heirloom Specialist
Mon 4 Feb 2019
at 14:59
  • msg #71

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 70):

Zoe had rolled over, her legs kicking in the air as she ran her finger around the top of Abner's glass. "Three's a lucky number. That's what they say out East."

Clarke took in the chairs. He loathed Abner, as much one could loathe a client who paid the bills. He had no intention of being the main spokesperson for their group. However, that thought had probably crossed everyone else's minds as well. So he took one of the seats sitting opposite his obese patron, hoping that Mike had a better plan than he did.

"You must have unusual friends to need a special reason to reminisce about the old days," Clarke commented as he sat down. He started to help himself to the food on the table. "I am interested in the other guests that will be arriving, anyone we might know?"
The Keeper of Secrets
GM, 209 posts
Harbinger of Doom
Tue 5 Feb 2019
at 14:05
  • msg #72

Tuesday, Evening, June 17th 1924: Who's hungry?

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 71):

Cutting into the meat, Clarke finds that it is cold. Using a knife, he cuts off a sliver of the roast and ate it. It had the taste of a good fully developed veal, not young, but not yet beef. It was not quite like any other mean he had ever tasted.

"I'm afraid this is a private affair," says Abner as he uses a piece of the roast to sop up the brown sauce. "I believe there is something going on in Arkham and that you are at the center of it. Perhaps you can start by telling me why you've taken an interest in Charles Merideth?"
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