In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 26):

"I'm not a liberty to say. The captain will be here in a few..." The First Officer is cut off abruptly as the captain slides open the door and enters the bridge.

"Dismissed," says Captain Smith without actually looking at his first officer.

"But sir?" responds Murdock.

"I said dismissed," barks the captain and for the first time you see true emotion on Murdock's face as a rosy blush fills his cheeks.

"Sir," he says before turning on heel and exiting the bridge.

The captain sighs heavily, finally taking in the party. With a soft snap he unbuckles his pistol from its holster and places in near the wheel of the ship, slightly out of reach.

"A sign of good faith he says," gesturing offhandedly. " I think its time you tell me why you are on my ship..."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 27):

Mike remembered that the Captain and the Padre had a history, and he got the impression that Hennessy trusted Smith well enough. He seemed to be willing to meet them reasonably, so after a moment's hesitation he made a decision.

"Well, as the Padre and I have told you. We have important business to attend to in Scotland. It is fallen on us to get there and find a way to banish some sort of stone from our world somehow." He realized suddenly how ridiculous he sounded. He shrugged and stubbed out his cigarette, "I guess that's the short of it."

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 28):

Clarke opened his mouth to add something, but then realised there was no point to it. Rather, he nodded fervently in agreement and let the silence between them birth what it may.

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 29):

"A stone?" says the captain thoughtfully. "That might explain things. Let me show you something," he says as he gestures to the navigation console which is covered by a thick cloth. Pulling it aside, the captain reveals the ship's compass which is spinning wildly, seeming to start and stop at random.

"It started shortly after we set sail," says the captain quietly. "At first it was just veering off course but now its completely useless. We can still manually navigate but it has slowed are progress greatly. I hadn't used a sextant since the academy."

Silence fills the cabin as you watch one of the ship's most important pieces of equipment malfunction.

"And that's not all." The captain throws the cloth over the compass, breaking its hypnotizing hold on the party. "One of my ensigns has gone missing. And if that isn't bad enough, we can't find a number of passengers listed on the manifest. I don't know if they are missing or behind all of this. I've been honest with the crew but I've sworn them to secrecy so as not to panic the passengers."

"Now I'll ask again: what kind of trouble did you bring on my ship?"

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 30):

Mike scratched his beard as he considered the implications. Though the stone had the power to possess the dead, he was unaware if it would have an effect on the ship's compass. Moreover, he couldn't see how the disappearing ensign or the passengers had anything to do with the stone either. If it was the cult, he imagined that they would want to maintain a low profile. However, that didn't mean there wasn't cause for alarm, since if there was someone committing foul play on board, then they all could be in danger. The implications of someone with evil in their heart getting their hands on the stone was not something he cared to ponder for any length necessary.

Who can we trust?

"To be honest Captain," he began, "we brought an old relic that might have some effect on the compass that we were previously unaware of." He stopped as he gathered his train of thought, "But I doubt it has anything to do with the missing ensign or passengers. However, this is all a concern to everyone on board, including us. Perhaps we can help each other in these matters."

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 31):

The captain exhales, seeming to deflate slightly. "I was hoping you would have some answers. I can't tell if these two events are related or coincidence. We've had people just ship before but never this far out. A swim this far is surely a death sentence. I fear having the crew interrogate the passengers as its sure to only cause suspicion. Perhaps you could ask around and see if any of the passengers have spotted anything unusual or anyone acting strangely. We just can't let the passengers know we are sailing blind."

The captain picks his gun up off the table and holsters it. "I can't offer you the help of my men. They are on edge as is. I've had to issue extra liquor rations to keep them calm." Walking to the door of the cabin he slides it open. Before stepping out he pauses for a moment. "I don't know what you brought on my ship but it's your responsibility." He steps out onto the deck and moves to close the door behind him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:25, Mon 19 Aug 2019.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 32):

As the Captain was closing the door to the bridge Mike held up his hand to stop him, "One request Captain," he sayid, "Would it be possible to see the ensign's quarters and belongings?"

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 33):

The captain pauses at the request. "I suppose it won't cause any harm. The ensign's quarters are below deck, last cabin at the bow of the ship. Just try not to... disturb things. I doubt that will go over well with the crew."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 34):

As the door closed, Clarke turned to Mike and said, "We have to assume this cult is much better connected than we had first thought. Leaving America did not, regrettably, leave them behind."

He patted his jacket. "Padre," he said to the priest, "you are the expert in these ruffians. What telltale signs should we be looking for to know whether the ensign was a victim or a perpetrator?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 35):

"Thank you, Captain," Mike said before Smith took his leave.

He turned to Clarke, "I think you're right. But it doesn't make sense for them to draw attention to themselves here. You'd think that they would want to keep a low profile so they wouldn't rouse the crew's, let alone ours, suspicions."

He leaned against a table and sighed while waiting for Hennessy to answer Clarke's question.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 36):

"The order is never careless, but they are arrogant," says the father. "If they are behind all of this they are bound to have left a calling card to claim their deeds. If we can find that, we will have the proof we need." The father pauses for a moment and he seems to say a silent prayer.

"My bigger concern is the other passengers. If the Order is truly here they have no protection." Worry creases the father's brow. "In such close quarters they will provide the perfect fuel for the evils of the Order. I fear the missing ensign may only be the first."

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 37):

Mike stood up and straightened his jacket, "Well, we should find out what we can. Shall we investigate the ensign's quarters?"

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 38):

Clarke was grateful to have the priest with them, the more the better in these troubling times. However, he wished the padre could be less vague. A calling card? A sign? A symbol? A burned corpse with horns burning? Any of these would have helped.

"You used to love a good mystery," Lara said, tapping her foot. "Stupid fool that you were."

He shot her a look. They both knew times had changed.

"This seems to be the best course of action," Clarke agreed. "Let us make sure we watch out for more inquisitive eyes as well. It is likely they wish to see the audience's response as best as they can."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 39):

The ensign quarters aren't far and as you climb below deck the whipping wind of the ocean disappears. While many of the crew look up suspiciously as you walk by, no one confronts you. It seems the captain put out the word that you were given free access to the quarters.

While many of the door remain shut, one is wide open though pylons have been placed in front of it, an effort that would only deter the honor bound. The room of ensign, the lower of the enlisted officers, its a single occupancy cabin. Most of the belongings seem to be in place. At first glance it simply seems to be a room that has seen little use.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 40):

Clarke looked around the cabin for anything unusual or out of place that indicated foul play.

Roll for spot hidden: 26 - Fail

If the ensign had been murdered or abducted by a lower sea life that dined upon human flesh, Clarke could not see it. However, just to make sure, he ran his hands around the room and searched for any occult markings or indentations that indicated uses of rune magic. The cultists seemed to be operating on blood and materials connected to living things such as trees or plants. Usually no one was careful enough to remove all traces.

Roll for occult: 76 - Fail

Once again, he came up empty. Whether this was because there was nothing, or he had grown too long in the tooth to notice trace elements was anyone's guess.

"You notice anything?" he asked Mike and Byron. He hoped that with them being on the younger side they might spot a detail he had overlooked. If possible, he would prefer not to search the bags. Upsetting the captain and crew by examining every detail had never been a good way to stay alive.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 40):

Mike made a survey of the room, walking in to the ensign's quarters slowly with his hands behind his back and his eyes casting about, looking at the wall, the bed, the footlocker, and cabinet. That's when he notices the floor.

Today: Jrodimus rolled 21 using 1d100.  Spot hidden. Pass

He walked over to the large wooden cabinet and leaned over, his face cast in shadow in the light. "This cabinet has been moved recently," He said as he pointed to the floor to show his friends the trail left from the cabinet being pushed to it's current location.

Today: Jrodimus rolled 3 using 1d100.  strength check. Pass

He leaned down and grips the cabinet from the side and underneath, and with a grunt he lifted the corner easily and moveed it away to reveal a mess of blood and gore. He almost gagged at the sight and smell of it. He dropped the cabinet and stood abruptly, bringing his hand to his mouth and nose to cover the stench. Darkness began to enclose around his vision, and he realizeed that he had stood up too quickly. He leaned against the cabinet to steady himself. After the darkness receded from his eyes, he swallowed a throatful of bile before leaning back down to inspect the gory mess.

Today: Jrodimus rolled 6 using 1d100.  fird aid check. Pass

Though it was hard to make out in the light, he could clearly see an eyeball. But what was strange was the blood that pooled around it. He had seen blood before, but this was different. As if there was some sort of oil in it. But instead of a reflective greasy appearance, it appeared to have small red bulbs. That's when he recognized the smell from the time Shelly had accidentally broke a thermometer from their truck's first aid kit.

"There's mercury everywhere," Mike told the party. He stood and his hands shakily reached for his cigarettes in his pocket. "What do you guys make of this?"

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 41):

Clarke took in the bloody scene and struggled to believe he had missed all of it. Age was not a kind mistress, no matter what those sitting on porch swings might say.

A murder most foul had been committed, that part was certain. Of course. The purpose of the desecration of flesh was the true mystery though and one he wished to discover. Thinking of the mercury, the eyeball, the way it had been hidden, he tried to recollect occult rituals that would've led to such an event.

Roll to remember occult rituals and effects of occult rituals on human experimentation: 4 - pass

An image of a page flashed into focus. It outlined the critical aspects of an event like this - including the why it might have been done.

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 43):

While he can't be sure of the exact ritual that had been performed in this room, Clarke had a fair idea of its purpose. Judging by the fact that the blood stains were able to be covered by a cabinet and there were no signs of the victim being dragged from the room, no blood trails, so therefor victim's blood must have been used as a component in the ritual. The blood and mess the party found must have been where the ensign was initially killed, with the cabinet being moved later to hide the evidence.

On closer inspection Clarke is able to identify another component of the spell. In addition to the mercury Clarke is able to find iron shavings. While he couldn't be sure, that familiar itch in the back of his mind told Clarke all he needed to know: something had been summoned in this room.

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 44):

"I have some unfortunate news," Clarke announced to Byron and Mike. "The Ensign was not murdered, but used. Something vile has been summoned aboard this ship. Therefore we have two villains to find: the monster and the magician."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 45):

The father silently crosses himself and says a prayer. "Let us hope he didn't suffer much."

He sits wearily in a nearby chair and sighs. "What is our next step? We have some... thing loose on the ship, summoned by some unknown magic-user. The longer both are free the more danger the rest of the ship is in. Where should we look first?"

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 46):

"Father," Clarke started, "I do not mean to be impertinent, but we should tell the captain. He should take steps to prepare himself in every way for further loss. Unless, of course, you have cause for us not to do so. After all, there is a chance he may give us further access to tools or staff that we may need for additional follow up."

In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 47):

"While I am sure Captain Smith is competent, I'm not sure this is something he can help with," says the father. "Outside from granting access to restricted areas of the ship, I'm not sure how he would handle the situation. We brought danger to his ship and crew, danger that has already claimed one life." He passes a hand over his brow. "What is to stop him from pulling into the closest port and forcing us to disembark. Or worse yet loading a lifeboat with a week's supply and jettisoning us?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:47, Wed 21 Aug 2019.

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

Mike sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the situation settle into his sternum. He lit the cigarette he had pulled out of its pack and paced away from the gory mess on the floor.

"If the ensign was killed here, then we need to know who else had access to this room and if anyone had seen anyone else enter this room." He took a drag and turned to pace towards another corner away from the gore. "A stranger would certainly be noticed by the crew," He said as smoke curled out of his nose.

"We shouldn't split up, but if we want to cover more ground then we might have to." As an afterthought he crossed back towards the cabinet and opened it to inspect what was inside.

"Maybe the visitor left something else."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Wed 21 Aug 2019.

In reply to Jrodimus (msg # 49):

As soon as Mike opens the door to the cabinet a faint humming noise fill the room, so faint that its quite easy to miss. Inside the cabinet is a metallic disk that is marked with odd symbols with a clear stone at its center. The edges of it seem corroded and a small line of ash surrounds it.

Noticing Mike's pause the father says "Find anything my son?"

In reply to The Keeper of Secrets (msg # 50):

"Huh," Mike grunted in surprise as he looked down at the disk, "I did find something." He took a step back and out of the way so his friends could see into the cabinet as he gestured towards the occult fetish, "So what the hell is it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:51, Wed 21 Aug 2019.