Hey guys. Sorry I've been AWOL for a while. Had a terrible couple of weeks. After this weekend I'll be back and ready to post daily once more, if you'll have me back. Sorry for holding things up for everyone.

Ha ha, sorry for the confusion! I do that sometimes, grab the wrong name from the drop-down list when I'm GM.



Paul,

Sorry to hear things went south on you! It was a drag not having any info or even a notice. Such are always deeply appreciated! We'll certainly have you back, but
I won't like, a new player was already on warmup to take over Darlington because he's a central element of the investigation, a lynch-pin if you will.

I understand that lack of contact is usually an emotional factor; physically, I was able to find cheap or free internet all over SE Asia, including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, etc., despite appalling poverty and even political oppression.

Otherwise, events should be relatively easy to follow. Darlington's been juggling the questioning of Tewfik while the other investigators have been tossing his warehouse/flat and acting as go-between  for a third group scouring the London archives.

Tony
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:05, Sat 12 Nov 2011.

If you have someone l;ined up to take over DArlington then they can if you've already arranged it. I was absent for a while, I should get to the back of the queue. I could play the character of Molly, bring her more into the frame.

In reply to Albert Darlington (msg #173):

Oh don't sweat it. If you're back in the saddle then that's fine. Someone should play Darlington, and we know you can do him justice!

I'm going in a different direction with that player and might bring him in anyways if you want to continue as Darlington. I've known the guy for years and he's understanding.

Tony

It would be possible! Although Cynthia would probably not know how effective.

I will take this as an IC question asked to Darragh, who's right there and an expert.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg #175):

Sorry about absence, my wife's car became an issue during a batch of 12 hour shifts for me.  And that has been top of my mind for a bit.

We've looked outside of the building, right? There's no possibility of a secret room off a side wall, is there?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #177):

could be a hidden bookcase, stairwell, basement, crawlspace?

Has anyone mapped it to check for hollows?  Probably no time for that though!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #178):

You haven't taken measurements but it's unlikely that the front, rear and side walls have any hidden rooms. It's also unlikely there's any rooms under the building or on the roof, as the floor plans don't show any and there are no doors or means of access. Small compartments are still possible but the walls, floors and ceilings have been examined fairly closely and only the one was found.

Although, without detailed measurements there is no absolute way to be sure!

Tony

Group,

Arrrgh! I hurt my wrist, so short posts from me for a couple days.

Tony

Hello All,

My name is Cymon and I shall be playing a new character called Count Sigismund Báthony (deposed). He is the owner of a small book store in Covent Garden and a fairly new arrival to London. I play with Tony in a couple of other games so am looking forward to getting started. Thanks.

Cymon.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #181):

Group,

The Count is obviously involved with books as a seller or collector (non-Mythos related!). This seems like a natural point of entry for this character, probably someone who talked with Elias Jackson before he cleared out of London. In that case, you are all waiting for a packet of documents and additional information sent from New York by Jonah, so there could be something that directs you to the Count. This could take a couple game days to come into play, unless anyone can think of something better?

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg #182):

It depends on what is under the floorboards!  A copy of a rare book bound in oddly supple leather with disturbing illustrations might cause us to visit a book archivist of some sort.

And... why be a count deposed?  England is lousy with titles that have no money.  Well, unless it adds drama, of course.  Just answered my own question.

Yes you are correct, it more the way he feels then the reality of the situation. The Count will still refer to himself as a Count, but he feels deep resentment for having to leave the country of his birth.

Cymon

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #183):

I should mention that Elias (the murdered author and a friend of Jonah Kensington, JM's friend) was looking for a recently-published but strangely rare book here in London and at Harvard, Dark Sects of Africa. Both the copy from Harvard and the British Museum Reading room were missing when you checked.

Tony

Since Lampton is London-based, might he know Bathory from other research?

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg #186):

Lampton is Baltimore-based, I believe, but could know of him in some academic capacity. Perhaps through Johns-Hopkins? Dr. Weston is based in England but is more of a doctor specialising in criminal insanity.

Tony

Lampton grew up in Baltimore, but... "He returned after two years (in Turkey and Eastern Europe, 1921-1923) to London where he wrote two more books by 1925."

Depending how long Bathory has been in England, he may have met him on his travels or have used Cymon as a resource to confirm details for his last two books.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Sun 20 Nov 2011.

Aha! I agree, that makes a lot of sense.

The group is naturally wrapping things up in the warehouse and returning to the hotel at this point. The Count can commence posting if he doesn't mind waiting in the lobby of the Park Lane. [Private to Count Sigismund Bathony: The post you PMed me was great, simply re-post.]

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:56, Sun 20 Nov 2011.

Of course you don't have to answer, but ... how did we do with the search? Did we generally find what we were supposed to find, or do we need to handle things differently in the future? It would be frustrating to be missing things because we aren't asking the right questions.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #190):

Good questions, I'll answer specifics via PM. [Private to Cynthia Jane Holloway: The items in the box and the mirror were all there was to find in terms of specific items. There were no other hidden compartments or rooms to find. You also made the inference the Quar'an and Egyptian idols seemed to be somewhat out of place beside each other and therefore might not reflect sincere beliefs. All-in-all, a satisfactory effort.]

Generally speaking, that was pretty good! You searched all areas, were specific, and so on. Looking in the walls, floors and ceiling is smart. Things to keep in mind: post a guard or lookout. Examine the furniture for hidden compartments, if there are painting look behind them (there were no wall hangings other than the mirror). Establish lines of communication (like to Darlington via telephone) if possible, also contingencies in case you are attacked or discovered.

Everyone gets a check on the Spot Hidden skill if they actively searched.

Tony

By the by, am I recalling correctly that we don't have anything scheduled for this evening? So perhaps we should begun researching these goodies we collected?

In reply to The Keeper (msg #191):

cool, are you keeping track of such mechanics or us?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #193):

Researching is fine. Are you asking if I can keep track of these efforts? Be glad to.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg #194):

Thanks Tony!

I almost forgot that mechanic!