This is for non-IC posts.

Tony

Could we please get a clue thread and/or plot thread? If this is a written plot, I actually wouldn't mind a summary of what happened before I got on board :)

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #2):

I agree, I usually have some kind of Questions or Reference thread.

As for what's gone on before, hey, I joined after you! In general, I think we won't do a full restart but we'll continue on from London. I haven't read through the adventure (and won't until giving up completely on Masks on Sunday) so I can't really say how things will go or if other changes are needed.

One thing to keep in mind is that as I become more familiar with the adventure sources like the Scotland Yard Inspector and Maloney might have new information to offer or be of further assistance.

You can play 1 or 2 investigators at the same time, if you wish. You can re-create the dropped PCs from Masks as best you can or bring on new ones.

(For example, a reporter from The Scoop could be assigned your case, a CID detective from Scotland Yard could decide not enough is being done officially on the "Egyptian Murders" and so works the case on his own time, a relative or friend of a victim could join the investigation (may or may not be Egyptian themselves), an investigator might know someone in town that can help, etc.)

Considering we don't have access to "Masks", there are 3 options regarding NPCs that I can see:

1) Re-create the current group as best we can, with the other PCs as NPCs or played by the other players, as above. I would appreciate help in this!

2) Retcon away the old NPCs and substitute them for new ones that have "always" been with the group. These will be created by me, the players (with my gratitude) or ripped off from the main rule book. (I'm not proud.)

3) Think of a reason for most of the old PCs to depart, then bring in new NPCs in a logical fashion.

As for the plot or a similar narration, I'll have to look into it. You may as well include your luggage on your character sheet, as it's effectively your belongings now (unless you return to New York). Further, I have to figure out what the deal is with the books some of you were studying.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:16, Thu 22 Sept 2011.

The books were recovered from someone's safe. I think the details were in the Clues thread.

I don't especially enjoy running two PCs simultaneously. It gets awkward. But anyone else who can do so gracefully is of course welcome to do so! Since I saw very little of the other PCs, I don't mind casting them off, as long as Imran and Phil carry over. We could either say they're involved in a side quest, or simply ignore them and I'd be perfectly happy. We may need additional PCs, especially when we get to Africa, but I will leave that fully up to you.

By the by, thank you for doing this :)

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #4):

Multiple PCs will be optional! I would appreciate any and all help in creating NPCs, to be clear.

NPCs will be there to support you, and add capabilities you may lack. For example, you may need at least one dedicated researcher, maybe another person who's handy with a gun, and so on.

My NPCs can sometimes be pushy and have opinions, they often possess knowledge that is valuable and they will try and share whether it's wanted or not. They are not the "mouth of God" and never take for granted they are automatically correct. Like everyone, I have been in many games where the NPCs are mere "sock puppets" for the GM's opinions, preferences and sometimes even prejudices. Of course you can't always get away from that but I do try to mix it up a little.

As for books, I'm looking at the "Studying Books" thread and trying to make sense of it. I think only Cynthia was studying one of the group's books?

Tony

I am present. Thank you.

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #6):

Thank your for joining, the gang's all here!

I've been holding off on recruiting more players until today, because I wanted to give our old Keeper the chance to resume his game. I haven't given the adventure a read-through for the same reason, so I can't get into too many specifics on this game yet.

At the moment I'm also visiting relatives and can't take too much time to post, so I'll try and make it quick.

1) We will start in London going forward, using the same continuity with some exceptions, even possible retonnig some elements.

2) You have therefore already talked to the Librarian, the police, the Penhew Foundation and Maloney at the Scoop. Please be aware that some of these NPCs may have further information to share or be of a little more assistance.

3) At the next game-day most of the former PCs will depart back to New York, not as a retcon but as a minor plot development.

4) Players are allowed to play more than one Investigator but not required. I will add a couple NPCs are seems fitting and justifiable.

5) At this time, NPCs include John-Marc (JM) and his friend/mechanic/co-pilot Karlheinz. JM is going to be taken over by Phil because it just feels weird to play a GMPC.

6) I think I am not as reflexively afraid of firepower as the typical Keeper. I ran Cthulhu Now and Delta Green, for crying out loud! However, retcon the smuggling of BARs and Thompson SMGs might be a bit much.

Tony

We might want to recruit a player to assume Weston or Lampton or Fulty or retain one of them as NPC so that their tome-acquired knowledge is still available. Either that or transfer it to Cynthia.

I'd also like to suggest that we retcon some of the NPC interactions -- Barrington and Malone in particular -- to have them provide more information or offer some on-call help. It would seem more productive than basically replaying those scenes.

I'm willing to take on a secondary PC, if there's a role we feel is needed and we can't recruit for it.

I don't think additional firepower will be necessary in London (at least I hope not), but when we venture into less-civilized climes that could change.

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #8):

1) That's a great point about the hard-won Mythos book-learning by NPCs, as it's something a new NPC or PC won't have had access to.

2) I would prefer that if old NPCs are to continue, current players take them on. That provides better continuity than new players trying to play NPCs that have an established history.

3) Indeed, Insp. Barrington and Malone were the very contacts I was thinking could be of further use. However, I am thinking on ways your paths can intersect, instead of re-running the original conversations as a retcon. Those two could be good rationales to introduce new PCs.

4) At this time, restart will move forward from the dinner (lunch) meeting, with Singh doing a visual recce of the Blue Pyramid Club from outside, then a group recce inside later that night.

Tony

I scrounged around the old game and found some 'book' information

1)The Pnakotic Manuscripts - English translation - 20 Weeks Study
2)Selections De Livre D'Ivon - French commentary on a Latin text - 20 Weeks Study
3)People of the Monolith - English Book (Bound is something that seems to be unnatural. Everyone who picks it up will need to make a Cthulhu Mythos Role.) - 1 Week Study
4)Life as a God - English book (Bound in Human Skin) - 1 Week Study

RF - 4,3
DrPW - 3.4
CH - 2 (Quick read)
HL -1 (Quick read)

Stephen Wooten wants to undertake to study the Pnakotic manuscripts...
Ralph Fruty - I will begin studying "Life as a God" as of Thursday 24th January 1923. I just finished reading "Life of a God" in the first week of the journey. then People of the Monolith.
Dr Weston - I'm going to study People of the Monolith. People of the Monolith  Finished (1week studies) then "Life as a God"
Howard Lampton takes on studying the Pnakotic Manuscripts that Stephen Wooten had started.

OK Break down. - 2 Weeks - In New york before you leave on the trip. (People in Hospital and getting tickets and preparation)
Then you leave on the trip.
Now IFFFFFFF Nothing happens, then you will get a total of 5 weeks off the book reading.

Phil never touches the 'reading' materials.....
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Mon 26 Sept 2011.

In reply to Phil Webley (msg #10):

Thanks for the information, I'll keep those in mind.

At the present time I'm waiting for Cynthia's player to log in before continuing and recruiting new players, although I am reading the adventure. This is because she's obviously pretty fundamental to the story!

Plus, I'd like the player's input on what we've been discussing. Once we get a new investigator or two we can see what capabilities we're lacking, but if any of the old NPCs are played it'll have to be by you guys.

Tony

Sorry!! Been crazy busy, but I'm here now.

I don't really want to play a second PC, but I can take one on if necessary. I'd probably go with the more combat-heavy, so there's no bumping between him and Cynthia. I really didn't get much of a chance to interact with any of the other characters, though, so I probably won't be 'keeping to character' too much with them.

I'm happy to bring on additional players, and now seems like the best opportunity for that.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #12):

1) We have an additional player now, who will be playing a police detective and a reporter for The Scoop. I am okay with 4 players, keeps it simpler for me.

2) No one is required to play another investigator. You are fine to play Cynthia and Cynthia alone!

3) I am going to retcon the Egyptian Murders a little to keep the numbers more plausible. After all, the entire country went completely berserk over the 5 victims of the Whitechapel killer (aka "Jack the Ripper")! 24 cult victims is only The Scoop's estimation and may be an inflated total; as of this time the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) only officially acknowledges three connected victims over 2 years and only unofficially acknowledges the elements of cult rituals, suspected involvement of the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh, etc.

4) At this point old PCs/NPCs are going to be shuffled out of the story, unless someone wants to play one of them. Going once...

Tony

I'll work up Howard Lampton, if he can cover Life as a God (1 week) and People of the Monolith (1 week) as well as being several weeks into the Pnakotic Manuscripts. He might as well have Selections De Livre D'Ivon in his possession as well, if no one else wants it.

I got his 'essential saltes' (character description) from the old game.

I figure he'll mostly stay at the lodgings and read -- he has about a 40-week programme ahead of him.

1)The Pnakotic Manuscripts - English translation - 20 Weeks Study
2)Selections De Livre D'Ivon - French commentary on a Latin text - 20 Weeks Study
3)People of the Monolith - English Book (Bound is something that seems to be unnatural. Everyone who picks it up will need to make a Cthulhu Mythos Role.) - 1 Week Study
4)Life as a God - English book (Bound in Human Skin) - 1 Week Study

Petitioning for the re-roll on EDU, if he's to be any use to us at all.

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #14):

1) Howard Lampton has been added for you.

2) That studying is fine. I will PM you using his name, include there what books he's studied for whatever time is appropriate.

3) Another investigator will be joining the game, a reporter for The Scoop. As Lampton is a correspondent (specialising in Occult stories, I gather) it's possible they may know each other, or of each other.

Tony

1) Sorry, missed the request for EDU re-roll on Lampton. Approved! Any idea on percentile gains? PM me.

2) I will add a doctor NPC with psychoanalysis. God knows you'll need it! [Private to Albert Darlington: If you want to do the honours that would be appreciated, otherwise I'll use the pre-gen from the book.]

3) I will use the optional modifiers for book study time.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:23, Tue 27 Sept 2011.

Group,

1) For the purpose of regaining SAN, I am allowing 1 month's therapy by Dr. Weston  (1D3) plus a relaxing voyage (1D4-1). Cynthia and Imran have recovered SAN to their starting levels, Phil isn't nearly as crazy as he used to be!

2) One retcon regards Phil's attack, it never happened (or some variation, like it was all a dream).

3) Another retcon is the date. The adventure written to be set in 1925 and while this is a minor change, it's enough hard as it is to keep track of details in this sprawling campaign without translating 1923 to 1925, and there's no real point to the other game's change in date (that I can see).

4) Please keep track of the books your character reads on your character sheets.

5) Anyone need to get ahold of the CoC character generation program "Byakhee"? Try:

http://www.yog-sothoth.com/local_links.php?catid=10

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:21, Wed 28 Sept 2011.

Hello everyone, nice to meet you all (again).

I'll be playing Detective Sergeant Albert Darlington of the London Metropolitan CID, and also a dogged tabloid reporter for the Daily Scoop called Molly 'Mungo' Fuller.

[Private to GM: I shall roll up a London-based Doctor of Psychoanalysis NPC to soothe the investigator's frazzled brains]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Wed 28 Sept 2011.