In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 1):

Clarke found himself at a loss. Their lunge from desperate situation to desperate situation had left him on edge. He had forgotten the rest of the world continued apace as if nothing was happening. They had murdered men and witnessed vile things from the abyss, but to everyone else, they were insane. Even if they saved the universe and survived, it was likely they would all be stashed in a small room with padded walls while their ramblings were silenced.

"Begin with the cult," Clarke said. "What was Jack involved with?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 2):

The professor slowly stirs his tea with a small spoon. You notice that he subtly looks about the room to make sure that nobody is eavesdropping. “This area has quite an interesting history of cult activity. According to some sources, a rather unpleasant group was once very active here." Setting down the spoon he takes another sip of the tea. "However, it seems they have come back into vogue as they say and your friend fell in with them. While not much is known about their beliefs they do have some rather... despicable practices. But I do believe that they may be the source of our stone."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:34, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

Weary and fatigued from the violence plagued voyage, the tea warmed Mike's stomach and though he was tired with a slight headache, it did make him feel a little more...normal.

"Do these practices have anything to do with blood?" Mike asked as he filled his cup again from the kettle, steam spiraling upwards.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 4):

The professor pulls a large yellowed book from a satchel bag and begins to thumb through the pages. After a moment he sets the book down and turns it so it can be read:


"A little more than blood I'm afraid," says the professor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:34, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

As he read the passage, Mike absent mindedly pulled a Lucky Strike out and brought it to his lips. He pushed the book over to Clarke so he could get a better look at it and scratched his beard. "Seems about right," he grunted as he lit his cigarette.

Despite the shock of discovering that there was an entire occult underworld that could shift and remake the very fabrics of reality, Mike had learned to more or less believe anything that his friends or their confidants claimed. No matter how fanciful the stories may be, the fact that Mike now had his own stories that would just as easily be dismissed as fanciful or mad.

There is no God here.

"And you believe you found the origins of the stone?" He asked Hiram.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 6):

"I have had the good fortune of locating what I think are the marker stones that lead to this bog. If I am correct then perhaps this may prove to be a way to rid the world of the stone, or a least a step in understanding it." He stops as the waitress approaches with a tray of Lorne sausages. "Thank you dear," says the professor and the girl flashes a brief smile.

The conversation is paused as the food is served. "In fact, I've sent my team to survey the area. They should be back soon. I let them know to meet us in Aberdeen."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:01, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

Mike smiled and thanked the waitress as she set down the plates and he readied himself for the mouth watering meal. The food on the ship  was standard fare, but the smell of the sausage was enough to nearly bring tears to his eyes. He thought of Shelly and the breakfasts she would cook and he suddenly felt homesick.

At least the sausages were as delicious as they smelled. After he swallowed his first bite he asked, "Is there any thing in the history or lore about a magic stone from the bog?"

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 8):

"I believe that these stones act as a conduit between realms. They provide a way for the cult to communicate with their god. And it seems young Jack was able to abscond with one of them." As the food slowly disappears a contented lull falls over the group.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:26, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

Mike leaned back and patted his now full belly considering their situation. Jack was on the lam back in the US while they had somehow found themselves in the belly of the beast it seemed. Worry started to creep into the back of his mind as he realized the danger they were in.

"Wait a moment," he said, leaning forward gravely, "How do we know we're not delivering the stone right to their front door?"

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 10):

"Don't think we haven't had the same concerns my son," says Father Hennessy. "But I think that if our journey across the Atlantic has shown us anything its that the Order will find us. Perhaps it is time to take the fight to them. If we can destroy the stone maybe, just maybe we can eliminate the source of their power."

The professor nods in agreement. "And not to mention the opportunity to finally prove years of rumor and myth to be true."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 11):

Clarke, silent up until this point, found himself uneasy. Monsters from the other side were not the simple-minded fools often depicted in ghost stories. They had their own motivations - often difficult to grasp for his race - but motivations all the same. These drove them to do terrible things to achieve their ends. Proving the myth was real mattered little if the Earth blazed after a portal forced hell's forces onto their shores.

"With all respect, Professor," Clarke said, "we must be on the same page. It is likely we will only obtain a single chance at stopping these individuals. Despite our curiosity, we must be willing to forgo discovering a deeper truth about the universe. The inclination toward knowledge and power is what doomed the souls we are fighting."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 12):

"Of course, of course," says the professor slightly sheepishly waving a hand before his face. "An old intellectual's curiosity is all." Having finished his portion of the mean he pulls out a pipe and begins to pack it with tobacco from a leather pouch. He lights it with a long match and begins to puff on it contently.  "Indeed, the stone is our first priority."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:20, Tue 31 Dec 2019.

Mike leaned back and lit his own cigarette and looked at Clarke meaningfully. "Well I suppose we oughta' check into the inn and then head over to the ruins and see what we can find."

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 14):

"Ah, I thought it would be best to wait for my team to return from their survey," says the professor. They are under strict instruction to report back before night fall. We've tried to ask around with some of the locals but they have been rather... tightlipped. Not hostile mind you but while everyone knows of the bog they don't much seem to want to talk about it." He takes another draw on his pipe. "I thought your skills might be better suited to such a task."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 15):

"I would be more than willing to lend my services if we can find out more information regarding the bog," Clarke said.

He glanced over at Zoe and Lara. He may not have wanted to ask, but he had too. There was no other choice.

"Professor," he hesitated and then pressed on, "I ... I am curious about this stone's effect on the dead. Would it be able to make them come back to this plane? Or are they lost forever?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 16):

The professor pauses, pipe halfway to his mouth and blanches slighting. "It seems you are more familiar with the lore than I thought my boy." With practiced ease he puts out the pipe and again pull a book from his satchel. Unlike the previous tome, this one is in immaculate condition. As the professor opens it you notice that the text is all handwritten in a tight slanted style.

"This is the journal of a late colleague of mine. And before you ask the chap passed peacefully in bed. He believed that instances of the, as he would describe 'occult' could be explained away as mass hysteria. A seemingly unexplained mysterious death turns into a panic, then into a myth that becomes ingrained in the culture."

He places the journal on the table.


Almost like an after thought there is a small footnote scrawled at the bottom of the page: Scott was terribly drunk. Was only willing to speak on the subject of the bog after being plied with alcohol.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:30, Wed 01 Jan 2020.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 17):

"This presents new ... problems.," Clarke said. "Even if we manage to locate this bog, there is a chance it will be overrun by the living dead. Do you know if anyone ventures into the bog in this town? Perhaps there are rituals that may keep the living safe from the mutilated others."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 18):

"As I mentioned before, the locals haven't been very forthcoming. They will do little more then acknowledge the existence of the bog and give a hushed warning before rushing off to some 'forgotten important appointment'." The professor gathers up the journal and returns it to his bag. "That's why I sent out my team. They should be able to give us some accounting of what is out there. I warned them of staying out there at night as well. Best avoid any risks."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 19):

Clarke leaned in. He was curious about what other secrets the Professor kept hidden in his expansive bag but knew it was best not to press his luck. They had used so much of it already.

"Is there anything you would like us to do before your scouting party arrives back?" Clarke asked the Professor. "I know little about Scotland and too much about the desert."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 20):

"The Scotts have always been a cloistered folk despite being part of the Queen's Empire." The professor sits back for a moment. "My advice, don't push too hard. As they say, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Perhaps my team has gone about it the wrong way showing interest. Maybe starting for the mindset of the townsfolk might help?"

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 21):

"I doubt our meagre talents will result in a much better trove of information, but I am sure we can attempt to make some small talk with the locals. What time would you like us to gather back here to listen to the expedition?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 22):

The professor pulls a small watch out of his pocket. He examines the face before waving it away. "Klaus and the rest will be back before nightfall. He has never worried me before." Looking around the table of empty dishes the professor looks both excited and nervous. "So... should I join you or... Stay back and guard the fort as they say?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:35, Wed 01 Jan 2020.

Mike listened to the exchange as he let the breakfast settle in his stomach. He admit to admit, those were some damn fine sausages and his eyes might have been bigger than his stomach. In any case he leisurely smoked his cigarette down to a stub as his companions discussed the issue before putting it out in the ashtray.


"Well the townsfolk likely recognize you now. Perhaps they'd be more comfortable talking to a few out of town bumpkins like ourselves. Do you know any good places to start?"

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 24):

"i recommend the local pub, although that is a bit of rough place. Outside of that I can only think that town officials might have information," says the professor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:25, Wed 01 Jan 2020.

Mike raised his eyebrows, "Well I guess it's not too early for a drink. What'd you say, Clarke?"