"Sir, before we leave, is there a library in town? There's something we'd like to look into. Or perhaps a local historian? Anything of the sort, really."
Bradford, UK isn't a very large town. However, there is a small public library and a historical society.
Harry, knowing he hasn't yet done anything of note within England to garner much public favor, asks his fellow rippers if they might nobody who could pull strings and let them get access.
"Perhaps we should start with public records. If there's nothing in the public library, perhaps Tristan can get us an invite to the historical society."
Harry nods, "You make a good point Mr. Jung. We pick up the easier to pursue option first, then focus on the other one if come up with nothing new."
The Rippers spend a good bit of time at the local library, to no avail.
Tristan writes a draft note for £10 to the Bradford Historical Society after sending a few messages back to London getting the appropriate invitations made.
Turns out, the Historical Society has a wealth of knowledge and books stored including a copy of a manuscript dating back to the times of the Roman occupation of the British Isles! Most of their most ancient sources are Anglo-Saxon and Celtic sources dating from the AD500s through 900s but they boast a large amount of books from the Norman Conquest and beyond.
These sources and translations will make translating and reading the tomes found in ITs cave much easier.
The Rippers arrived home yesterday at the Grand Lodge and wrote their reports. Today they find themselves in the Office of Grandmaster Johann van Helsing.
Van Helsing himself isn't present, he and his father haven't been at the Lodge much these past few months. However, one of Van Helsing's secretaries a man named Edward Foucheaux is present and begins speaking in French accented English.
Master Van Helsing has left instructions for you all. and he places folders in each of your hands.
Lord Colburne,
When you first joined our Organization we spoke at length regarding your plans to expand said Organization into the countryside. We believe that time has come. Events outside England are transpiring, of which I will not commit to paper, that require a second Lodge on the Island. We must not "place all our eggs in one basket" as it were. Enclosed is a letter of Charter naming you Master of a new lodge to be named and administrated by you. Good luck. May God have mercy on us all.
Signed,
JVH
Enclosed is an official looking document with the Seal of the Ripper Organization. The document names you Grand Master of a Unnamed Lodge.
Master Singh,
Congratulations and thanks are in order. You have proven yourself to have been a trustworthy ally in the fight against the Darkness. It is my dearest wish that you continue to fight by our side. However, we are founding a new Lodge and requesting a group of Seasoned Soldiers to accompany our new Grand Master.
Signed,
JVH
Enclosed is a clipping dated 2 months ago from an English Newspaper in Calcutta. The headline reads "Bloody Murder in the Streets". The clipping only covers part of the story, but something is killing people in Calcutta, including a minor functionary in the British government.
Dearest Victoria,
We have followed your progress with great joy. Currently we are on mission with Master Van Helsing, we cannot say more. However, please attend to Lord Colburne. He will have need of you in the near future.
Signed,
Max and Liz
Enclosed is also a small handwritten note from Max and Liz's daughter Ellie its written in a small 7 year old handwriting. Dear Vickie, Be well. Luv. Ell
Mister Weiss,
We have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. However, you come to us very highly praised by our French counterparts. It is our fervent wish that you continue your studies here in England under the tutelage of Lord Colburne. We will have need of you. The entire world will.
Signed,
JVH
Dr. Jung,
We've read your published articles on the nature of human psychosis and your theories on the "particular" nature of our own malady. Your keen mind and analysis will prove much needed in the coming days. Please, attend to Lord Colburne and gather as much information as you can on the "affliction" that travels through our Organization.
In all regards,
JVH
Your trip to Eastern Europe was fraught with danger. You traveled to Bucharest at the behest of Johnathan and Mina Harker. Upon arrival you found that the two Masters were not present and your entire trip had been for naught. However, you reconnected with some of your comrades from the East who were "hunting". They requested and received your assistance and several trophies were taken. The Rippertech gained granted the Bucharest Lodge a great boon. However, six weeks ago you received a letter requesting you back to the Grand Lodge. A letter from Johann Van Helsing himself, the acting Grand Master of the entire Rippers Organization.
Mister Bulavin,
I will cut to the chase. Bucharest is not safe. The Harkers are fools to think it is. I respectfully request you return to London. We cannot lose more members at this time. Something is brewing. Upon arrival to the Grand Lodge, please report to Lord Colburne.
Signed,
JVH
Carl opens the folder, reading through the short missive inside. "It seems that we'll be continuing to work together for some time yet," he says, closing the folder again. "I am, as I have been, at your service."
"Quite," Tristan replies, perusing his own letter twice over to ensure he's read it correctly. He finally looks up with a grin, and Ajax even responds to his master's smile, wagging his tail in excitement. "Well, my fine fellows and lady, it would indeed appear we shall remain compatriots for some time. Master Van Helsing has appointed myself to open a new Lodge on the Isle, so as to expand our efforts and further spread our endeavors. 'Eggs in one basket,' indeed, you know." He chuckles and sits down.
"Of course, there's plenty to do in opening such an establishment. I had discussed the matter previously, of course, but after all it was only so much talk, there's planning to be done... I've thought about things a great deal personally, you know, but now to actually see it through..." The old gentleman shakes his head with a smile and looks up at the others. "I would be delighted if all of you would assist in this endeavor."
Victoria smiles when she happens upon the drawing by young Ellie, before closing the letter back up and sliding it into a pocket. "I've been asked to stay with you as well, so I suppose you're stuck with me. I guess we'd better get to work, shouldn't we? They didn't happen to mention where we'd be putting together our new lodge, did they?"
Andrej crumples the paper in one hand, shaking his head at his own stupidity. "Proklyat'ye! I am an idiot! Of course Bucharest is far too close to Mother Russia, and I've been here too long." Memories flooded through his head...the itch on the back of his neck as he walked the gardens around the newly-built Athenaeum, the feeling of being followed through the Lipscani. The Russian approaches his hosts as quickly as he can. "My friends, Grand Master van Helsing has recalled me to London. I'll need a way out of Romania without being seen. If you can get me to Austria so much the better. Bulgaria is too friendly with Russia."
Thus it was that Andrej found himself in the false bottom of a wagon leaving Bucharest. A quick trip west and north across the Southern Carpathians took him to Timisoara, and on to the Kingdom of Hungary. The rest of the journey involved far fewer chances to be caught by Russians, but the Grand Master's words still stayed with him, darkening his mood. What does he mean, "Something is brewing?"
The dust of travel still clinging to his clothes, the Russian entered the London lodge quietly...until he saw his onetime comrades-in-arms. "Ah, Lord Colbourne! Grand Master van Helsing is telling me to be speaking with you. And Gospozha Lawson! I am seeing few new scars...you are perhaps having good story to tell? Herr Doktor Jung, Gospodin Singh. Ha! Is good to be back."
The young magician smiled as he read the letter penned by Van Helsing. He had been hoping for a chance to stay here in England and help out with the society on a more regular basis, and it seemed the man in charge agreed. While it did pain him that his dreams of being on stage was likely to be delayed, he knew that the work he did here would far out do the work he did out there.
He looks up once he spies the Russian man approaching the group, recognizing that it seemed he had history with the others. His hands clasped behind his back as he stood to the side, being respectful to his more experienced peers as they reacquainted with an old friend.
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The letter and its contents left a bittersweet taste in Rasheed's mouth.
The sikh turned to share the news from Calcuta but Andrej arrived, so he folded it to better store it inside the many folds of his clothes. With a wide smile Rasheed walked up to Andrej with open arms "Andrej! Blessed be my eyes!" he exclaimed before briefly hugging the returning ripper "Excuse my manners, but your arrival sheds some light to the otherwise dark news I received. But enough of that, you arrived in the nick of time, Lord Tristan had just made an announcement: a new Lodge will be opened with him as Grand Master. And that reminds me..."
The Lion of Khangra Valley turned to Lord Tristan and started walking with a serious visage. While standing in front of him, Rasheed drew his ceremonial dagger -the one and most important symbol of his faith- and extended it over both palms with a smile while bowing slightly "My blade is yours to command, Grand Master Colburne. May the Truth bless your heart, may your wisdom guide my blade." he almost chanted in a deep voice, and despite apparently being mere words there was power behind them: Rasheed had just pledged his loyalty to Tristan, and he would rather day than betray his word.
The sikh sheathed his dagger again and waited for the rest to take part.
"I believe your customs suggest we celebrate now." he added with a smile.
Victoria grins and Andrej's mention of scars. "We had a bit of an incident, happened to nearly be disemboweled. Our new friend here nearly pissed 'imself when I shot myself up with a dose of morphine. Really, he was white as a sheet." She gives Harry a look and turns back to Andrej. "But we took care of it. It still hurts a bit to move, but I'll survive. I've lived through worse, after all." Victoria adjusts the collar of her shirt, and for a moment one of the horrific scars on her chest is visible. She just shrugs and rolls her shoulders, eager to do something other than sit around.
"So, 'Grand Master Colbourne', what's the first order of business? Where are we heading? We've got to set up shop, don't we?"
Six fresh faced young Rippers from across England arrive at Marsh Shipping. With them come troubling tales...
Hunting: Some nautical creature has slain three sailors. Shall our newly established Lodge send a party of Rippers out searching for the beast?
Investigation: The nearby asylum is still missing several former inmates. Shall our newly established Lodge send a party of Rippers out to find these malefactors and return them to their assigned alienists?
Recruitment: A good Lodge has members. Shall our newly established Lodge send a party of Rippers out recruiting? There are several promising leads...
Research: The tomes found in the "Fairy" cave still require research. Shall our newly established Lodge send a party of Rippers out to the Libraries across England?
Socializing: Rippers should always be aware of their social standing. Sliding down the social ladder means surrendering influence and becoming isolated from potential contacts. The Rippers must take great pains to socialize with those who support their efforts. Attending the right parties can be as important as a day spent training or researching magical lore.
Investigation: Carl and Rasheed lead Justice MacDonald and Skye Duncan
Research: Harry and Tristan lead Skye Duncan and Reggie Wilder
Hunting: Victoria and Andrej lead Jo Owen and Jaime Lott
Nine of Clubs
Four of Diamonds
Seven of Clubs
Ace of Diamonds
Queen of Diamonds
Jack of Clubs
Two of Clubs
Seven of Diamonds
Three of Diamonds
Jack of Spades
King of Hearts
Two of Diamonds
Andrej and Victoria lead Jo Owen and Jaime Lott to the Docks to interview the local fishermen. Will they get good intel?
Cabal: Two of Clubs
Harry and Tristan lead Skye Duncan and Reggie Wilder to a nearby Library. What will their search focus on?
Cabal: Eight of Clubs
Carl and Rasheed lead Justice MacDonald and Skye Duncan to Staithes, their quarry are several escaped inmates that have been spotted in the area. Will they gather the right information leading them to where the inmates are hiding?
Cabal: Eight of Diamonds
Andrej offers firm handclasps to the two novices. "It is being good that you are here." He shrugs. "Gospozha Lawson is good at talking to people. You and I, we can listen and learn, yes?"
Carl takes one of the junior Rippers for back-up, looking for local newspapers, records, or stories that might give them a good starting place to look for the escapees. If Rasheed can secure the assistance of the police, he'll also go over anything they've found as well. Perhaps they have a useful lead.
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Rasheed bids Carl a short farewell, according a meeting place to continue looking together, before taking the other novice with him to the Police Station.
The sikh presents himself and Skye as people willing to help on the search, mentioning his and Carl's hand on the retrieval of immates some time before and casually dropping Lord Tristan's name to ease his efforts.
He tries to talk the Police into sharing the information they har gathered already.
The smells of salt, rotting vegetation, and fish waft in on the sea breeze as the quartet of Rippers approaches the docks. "Once we have introduced ourselves and learned what we can, we may be splitting up to look at what we can find."
While Victoria was never a fisherman, she's spoken to enough of them in her time to know how to get her point across. They were laborers, like her father had been, and she slipped back into the atmosphere of the docks and her old life like she was wrapping herself in a blanket. "Stand back, and listen up," she tells the other Rippers, before waving down one of the fisherman. She starts asking the man about the recent rumors, before moving on to the next man she sees and the next after that, trying to glean a story from them.
Harry asks Skye to accompany him while they split off to search books that might have key information to help decipher and translate the tomes they have discovered. They decided to conduct their search first in an older part of the library, intent on expanding outward from there depending on their luck.
Andrej and Victoria lead Jo Owen and Jaime Lott to the Docks to interview the local fishermen. Victoria interviews local fishermen and finds out where the attack took place, when and a description of the "beast". Most men assume a whale, but Victoria hears descriptions of teeth and claws that no whale has.
Cabal: Two of Clubs
Rippers: Two of Diamonds <----- Ripper Victory
Harry and Tristan lead Shay Mckenzie and Reggie Wilder to a nearby Library. While Tristan visits his contacts in the Historical Society of Bradford, Harry and Skye begin good old fashioned research using the available libraries of London.
Cabal: Eight of Clubs
Rippers: Jack of Clubs <----- Ripper Victory
Carl and Rasheed lead Justice MacDonald and Skye Duncan to Staithes, their quarry are several escaped inmates that have been spotted in the area. Rasheed and Skye head to the local constabulary, while Carl and Justice go the the press. Both leads turn up very little...as if some other force has been erasing the existence of these inmates from records. Rasheed finds Policemen that cannot remember there even being a breakout, while Carl has trouble tracking down old issues of the paper from mere months ago.
Cabal: Eight of Diamonds <-----Cabal Victory
Rippers: Four of Diamonds
Carl: Jack of Spades
Harry: Ten of Clubs
Andrej, Victoria Jo Owen and Jaime Lott now have a scene to examine. The attack occurred near the coastline a few miles from Staithes. The fishermen now avoid that area of coast.
Harry, Tristan, Shay Mckenzie and Reggie Wilder have done months of research and now have a better idea what lay in those tomes. However, they know that a full translation is required to unlock the real power of the tomes. They have a lead, an Irish Priest can speak an old version of Gaelic that is near the dialect used to write the tomes.
Carl, Rasheed, Justice MacDonald and Skye Duncan have trouble tracking leads in Staithes. Perhaps a visit to the asylum is in order?
The quartet makes their way to the attack site, Andrej occasionally wincing as his old wounds pain him. "We are best off splitting up in pairs, but staying close enough to each other to at least hear. If there is cliff here, we are starting at top and looking for strange things in the sea, then going down to beach and looking for tracks. If we are finding nothing, then perhaps we get boat. I am not wanting that."
"I'm not much of a tracker, Andrej, but you can take a look. I'll take Jaime and see if we can get a better view of the area, find anything unusual; we probably shouldn't leave the two rookies alone, right?" She gives the novice Ripper—who's likely older than she is—a wry grin before setting off for the locations of the attacks. "It's a long shot, but it's possible we might be able to see some wreckage, either on the shore or out in the water; if we can find a trace of the boats that were attacked, we might be able to get a better idea of what we're dealing with. Keep a look out for dead animals, too" she says, squinting to look out over the water from the highest ground she can find. "For the same reason as the boats, but if we've got carcasses floating out in the water it could just be killing for the fun of it. Not that that's good news, but it's better than not knowing. No normal animal is just going to leave perfectly good food, but a monster?"
Harry and his fellow novice accompanies follow the Lead of Tristan, and attempt to fan out and locate this old priest so that they might speak with him about their query.
Carl finds himself slightly disturbed at the lack of any information at all from either the news or the constables. He has a sinking feeling that the inmates are being hidden by less than friendly forces. The last thing they need are the police being manipulated. Ultimately, the team decide to head off to the asylum to hunt down leads at the start of the whole mess. Given his professional abilities and reputation, he hopes to gain access to their records or at least talk with their doctors to find more about the escapees. Those with sicknesses of the mind often expressed patterns that could be traced, if you knew how to understand the unhealthy mind.
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"It seems like they vanished the memories that involve them... Their ways are more insidious than I thought, but they can't erase their presence..." says the sikh to their companions. "...Not from those of addled mind that can't tell reality from dream, magic from nightmare."
The Investigation group, shaken by the far reaching hand of their enemies, decide to travel to the root of the problem: the Asylum.
Once there Rasheed bids Carl and Justice a short farewell, and the group splits again.
Rasheed's part of the plan is simple enough: He and Skye will talk with the nurses, doctors and the 'sane-enough-to-be-talked-to' inmates, trying to find any clue about the escapees' activities and behaviour prior to their disappearance.
And if they manage to find those inmates Rasgeed and Carl managed to return before, even better.
Andrej, Victoria Jo Owen and Jaime Lott now have a scene to examine. The attack occurred near the coastline a few miles from Staithes. The fishermen now avoid that area of coast. Andrej and Victoria search around the area. Victoria spots the corpse of a deer that's been savaged. Tracks lead away...
Rippers: Jack of Spades
Cabal: Queen of Hearts <--- Cabal Victory
Harry, Tristan, Shay Mckenzie and Reggie Wilder have done months of research and now have a better idea what lay in those tomes. However, they know that a full translation is required to unlock the real power of the tomes. They have a lead, an Irish Priest can speak an old version of Gaelic that is near the dialect used to write the tomes. Harry leads the Rippers to an old Monastery in Ireland. However, trouble abounds as the ship the Rippers have taken to Ireland is attacked by brigands!
Rippers: Two Clubs
Cabal: Six Clubs <--- Cabal Victory
Carl, Rasheed, Justice MacDonald and Skye Duncan have trouble tracking leads in Staithes. Perhaps a visit to the asylum is in order? Carl and Rasheed enter the Asylum and Carl uses his credentials as an Alienist to gain access to patient records. Clues are uncovered, several of the escaped inmates had ties to local lands including several estates. While these clues are uncovered, the Cabal works swiftly...the Rippers are ambushed on the road back from the asylum.
Rippers: 9 Clubs
Cabal: Ace of Hearts <--- Cabal Victory
Four of Diamonds
Ten of Hearts
Andrej, Victoria Jo Owen and Jaime Lott have examined the location and found a mangled corpse. However, now something stalks them in the wilds. Daylight is fading and tracks lead away from the corpse of the deer...
Cabal:King of Spades
Harry, Tristan, Shay Mckenzie and Reggie Wilder are traveling to meet an old monk in Ireland who speaks an ancient dialect of Gaelic. Unfortunately, their ship is set upon by brigands while crossing the Irish Sea.
Cabal: Four of Hearts
Carl, Rasheed, Justice MacDonald and Skye Duncan have found several leads at the Asylum. Unfortunately something wants these men kept hidden and the Rippers are ambushed on the road back from the asylum.
Cabal: Three of Spades
Andrej mutters Russian curses under his breath as the trail peters out. "Be watchful."
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"Cover Herr Jung!" Rasheed exclaimed towards the Novice Rippers "Don't let them get to him before -" but his words were cut by the first Cabbal member rushing him, weapon in hand.
The sikh dodged to the side, following with a powerful kick to his foe's belly before drawing his blade and slashing at his now exposed neck.
As the head rolled down the ground, the Sikh started moving towards the rest of his enemies, chanting in a deep voice that was quickly reaching a mystical crescendo.
"We are the shield against darkness and its terrors! We know no fear! We carry the sun's blessing of light to battle! We are the blessed ones!"
When the chanting stopped, Rasheed's sword was shining as in bright daylight, engulfed in ghostly golden flames, and the sikh moved from his steady walk to a dash, charging their enemies.
"Gott verdammt." Carl throws himself behind the nearest piece of cover. "I believe it's time to put your training to good use my friends. Cover me." He focuses his mind and unleashes a burst of raw psychic power to knock back the attacking Cabal minions.
Jack of Clubs
Seven of Diamonds
Ten of Clubs
Harry is shocked when he sees the men board the ship, and is attacked by the vicious men and woman in a neighboring vessel. He knows that there is nowhere for them to hide on the open sea, and their vessel was easily a good clip slower then the one coming for them. His mentor Tristan seemed preoccupied with the captain, speaking in hushed but frantic tones, forcing him to act on his own.
Pushed into action, he decides to focus on a fleeting whim and signals his fellows to him. If they're not able to outpace them in an effort to avoid a up close fight, then maybe they'd be able to trick and confuse them instead. If they were to make the pirates think that the people on this vessel were more dangerous then the first seemed they might just have a chance.
He calls for Shay to find any loose heavy objects the crew wouldn't mind loosing while telling Reggie to get some empty barrels. A word is given to the helmsman to turn hard to port on his signal as he waits for his accomplices to finish their task.
Within several minutes he's loading the barrels with a helping of flash powder and a light application of arcane might, and waves his hand for the ship to be turned. Now broadsiding the brigands, he lights the powder within the barrels, his magic artificially enhancing the amount of smoke and helping to launch heavy debris out towards their pursuers.
With a small prayer towards lady luck, he hopes that they buy his bluff and are intimidated into withdrawal.
"Andrej, any ideas? If we can figure out what killed the deer, maybe we can..." Victoria's words trail off as she sees the sun dipping lower. "Sh*t," she mutters. She snaps out her Ripper claws—silver, just because she's expecting something nasty—and looks around. "Work fast, Andrej. I'll keep us covered. You two," she says, gesturing to the novices, "You need to be ready. Weapons out, keep your guard up. It'll be after us, now that the sun's setting. If you figure out what it is, Andrej, let us know. It'll give us a head's up on what we're looking for." Victoria leaves the other man to his work after a moment, stalking the perimeter for signs of their monster.