Masks of Nyarlathotep (Inactive)

Game Master Aubster

Kwan's notice roll above was to find somewhere to toss the package.,, vacant lot, sewer opening, behind a walL???

Kwan's notice roll above was to find somewhere to toss the package.,, vacant lot, sewer opening, behind a walL???

Kwan Ho spots a mailing box on a light pole outside the building and shoves the package into it. Black smoke pours out of the mailbox.

Team 2_____________

Jake stood up.
"Mr. Kensington. You should fort up here somehow. Wait for the police. We'll see about this ourselves." He said, gripping his stick tightly.

Oh, I don't know, Father. They're at a publishing house, for Gawd's sake. How much trouble could even Spencer get into?

Hank smiles at the thought as the pair travel though the steadily worsening storm.

"I don't like the sound of that!" Wilson says as he jumps up from his seat and rushes to a window. He scans about for any sign of trouble on the streets.

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Ace
Wild again: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Total: 7

Kwan quickly moves away from the mailbox, and scans for another entrance to the building... Alley, fire escape etc...

1d4 ⇒ 2 Notice
1d6 ⇒ 5 WD

Spencer actually curses under his breath at the sudden loss of light and the noise, and stands quickly. He reaches across his belt for a moment, pauses, and then begins looking around. "Neither do I, Dick," he mutters, moving toward the door with an eye and ear open for trouble.

Notice: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Or not.

"Indeed, my son. Those things must be dreadful boring places." Father Murphy finishes a letter to his Bishop advising him of his current findings, and that he'll be heading to England to persue the matter further.

Just setting up my next character...just in case. =)

Team 2_____________

Jake stood up.
"Mr. Kensington. You should fort up here somehow. Wait for the police. We'll see about this ourselves." He said, gripping his stick tightly.

Kensington stands and walks over to his window and looks out. His first floor office, looks out on an alley. Turning back to Jake he says, Edna and I will wait here Mr. Westfield if you think that's best.

"I don't like the sound of that!" Wilson says as he jumps up from his seat and rushes to a window. He scans about for any sign of trouble on the streets.

[dice=Notice]1d8
[dice=Wild]1d6 Ace
[dice=Wild again]1d6 Total: 7

You join Kensington at the window. The alley appears to be deserted, but it is difficult to tell for sure with the snow falling. There are various piles of miscellaneous materials, trash and trash cans scattered about the alleyway that you can see from the window. It's about 10 feet from the window to the ground below.

Spencer actually curses under his breath at the sudden loss of light and the noise, and stands quickly. He reaches across his belt for a moment, pauses, and then begins looking around. "Neither do I, Dick," he mutters, moving toward the door with an eye and ear open for trouble.

[dice=Notice]1d6
[dice=Wild]1d6
Or not.

As far as Spencer can tell, the hallway outside is devoid of life.

Kwan quickly moves away from the mailbox, and scans for another entrance to the building... Alley, fire escape etc...

1d4 Notice
1d6 WD

From the front, you see another company (Smith & Sons Jewelry) has a separate entryway into the same building as they share the building and have a common interior wall. On the other side of the publisher's entrance, there is an alleyway that leads down the side of the building.

Kwan first scans the alley for any suspicious activity, then runs quickly to the window of the Jewelry store and looks in.

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Stealth, to look in alley
1d6 ⇒ 6 WD Total of 11
1d6 ⇒ 5 XD

1d4 ⇒ 4 Notice, to look in alley Total of 6
1d4 ⇒ 2 XD1
1d6 ⇒ 5 WDn

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Stealth to look in Store Total of 7
1d6 ⇒ 4 WDs

1d4 ⇒ 4 Notice, to look in store Total of 7
1d4 ⇒ 3 XD2
1d6 ⇒ 3 WD2

Fliting from shadow to shadow, Kwan is able to remain unnoticed by the few folk brave enough or foolish enough to venture out in the worsening storm.

Jake, Guthrie, Spencer - what do you do? Are you going to wait in the office or head out of it into the hallway or the alley?

Hank and Murphy...as soon as the publishing house is done, we'll reunite the groups so the insanity can progress.

"I think it might be best if we all clear out of here, Kensington. Grab Jackson's notes and anything else he sent you like receipts. If we got the idea that you had letters from him, his killers may make the connection too."

Worried that danger is at hand, Wilson actually draws his revolver so he's ready trouble. Then he moves to the door to the hall, ready to lead the way as soon as Kensington and his secretary are ready.

About to go outside, Jake paused at Guthrie's comment.
"Yes, I think you're right Guthrie. I bet those guys are the kind to not leave any possible witnesses."
He turned to grin at Guthrie.
"I bet they come in through the back. Shall we exit out the front then?"

Spencer turns around as the others begin moving and talking, and he widens his eyes at Guthrie's revolver. "Dick, you've got a gun? On you?" He looks to Jake, Kensington, and then back to the journalist. "This is serious, isn't it? We're--we're really in danger, aren't we?" He pats his pockets and glances to the front. "My gun and sword are in the car... what I wouldn't give for some hooch..."

With Guthrie, pistol drawn, leading the way the group cautiously eases the door open and begins moving down the hall towards the reception area. The previous sounds of clattering typewriters and conversation has now been replaced by a tomb deep silence. The loss of electricity combined with the fact that there are few windows to let in the fading light from outside has made it difficult to see more than an arms length in front of you.

Behind you, you hear a soft sob from Edna as her courage deserts her. You hear Kensington mumbling what are meant to be soothing words to her but in the silence of the building sound to you like shouts of terror.

A few feet short of exiting the hall into the reception area, you are suddenly face to face with a...delivery man...at least that's your first assumption until you notice the long dagger held in his hand, notice that the dagger drips with blood, notice that his 'uniform' is covered in blood, notice the grin plastered on his face that is so wrong and out of place given the situation. Time seems frozen as he looks at you...What do you to

I believe I'll have another drink from the club car. Want one, Connor?

May I call you Connor? Let me know if not.

Kwan sneaks up behind the man shushing his partners, and readying his knife to throw if necessary.

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Stealth Total of 7
1d6 ⇒ 3 WD

Only if he shows aggression and attacks.

1d8 ⇒ 6 Throw knife
1d6 ⇒ 4 WD

1d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + (3) = 9 Knife damage

Jake threw a grin back at his companions.
"Have I mentioned that Douglas Fairbanks gave this cane to me?"
He twisted his cane and fastdrew a sword blade with a flourish.
"Well fellow-me-lad," He addressed the 'delivery'man; "I'll see your six inches and raise you thirty more!"

With blood already flowing, he sees no reason to hold back.
He lunged forward in a fast Zorro attack.
Fighting: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fighting expl: 6 + 1d6 ⇒ 6 + (6) = 12
Fighting expl expl: 6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ 6 + 6 + (4) = 16
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Damage if hit: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (2) = 4

Well, hell, Jake, I think you just -literally- carved a Z into the guy. =)

"Yes, Hank, another one of those Coca-colas, if you wouldn't mind. Carbonated water is good for the body, you know. And I don't know what they put in it, but something makes that stuff extra tasty. And 'Connor' i just fine. The new, modern, church is all about forming informal relationships so we don't appear so stuffy."

Everyone should check the new post in the discussion session as this is the first combat of the campaign. I'll do my best to explain things as they occur. There's a decent chance I'll make a mistake with the rules...if I do speak up.

Combat Round 1
Initiative I will always draw cards in alphabetical order by character's first name and then the enemies. Groups of the same enemies will have one draw.

Guthrie - 4 Diamonds (D)
Jake - 8 D
Kwan - 2 Hearts (H)
Spencer - 7 Spades (S)
"Delivery Man" - Ace D

Order Delivery man, Jake, Spencer, Guthrie, Kwan

Kwan has the drop on the Delivery Man. Based on his post he is on hold until the Delivery Man makes a hostile move
The.Drop
Sometimes an attacker is able to catch a foe off-guard and gets “the drop” on him. This usually happens at a distance of only a few feet, but other situations may occur (a sniper on a nearby rooftop).
Only the GM can determine when one character has obtained this kind of advantage over another. Usually it’s when the victim is in the classic hostage pose, is completely unaware of the danger, or has been caught unarmed by an armed foe. The attacker is considered on Hold and adds +4 to his attack and damage rolls should he decide to strike.

The rolls
Delivery Man Attack 1d6 ⇒ 2Guthrie has Parry of 2 (1/2 Fighting Skill + 2) so the Attack hits
Damage 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + (4) = 9Additional d4 because of Ace: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Guthrie has Toughness of 5 (1/2 Vigor + 2) so his Attack causes Guthrie to be shaken and take 1 Wound

Kwan normally would have gone last but because of the drop can go anytime after a hostile move. Kwan adds 4 to his Attack and Damage roll - his attack becomes a 10 which is a raise over the target's Parry so his damage does and additional 1d6 1d6 ⇒ 1 which makes his damage 14 which is 2 raises causing 2 wounds. Extras like the Delivery Man are killed by even 1 wound so his target is very dead.

Jake took 2 actions, drawing his sword and attacking, but he has the quick draw feat which eliminates the penalty. His attack score of 16 is 2 raises over the target's Parry so add 2d6 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7 making his Damage 11 which is a raise also causing a Wound which would have killed the Delivery Man if he wasn't already very dead

The Delivery Man lunges with his dagger at the most dangerous looking person, the man with the gun. Guthrie gives a grunt of pain as the dagger buries itself into his gut. Before the crazed looking Delivery Man can complete his disembowelment, his colleagues intervene. Kwan's arm whips forward and his own knife hurtles through the air burying itself at the base of the man's spine killing him instantly. Not to be outdone, Jakes walking stick is revealed to have concealed a sword which Jake pulls with stunning speed and buries it 6 inches into the man's chest. Without his crazy grin ever leaving his face, the Delivery Man drops dead at your feet.

The momentary stillness of the hall is ruptured by a piercing scream from Edna and the sound of a body hitting the ground behind you.

Guthrie take a look at the post about damage effects in the discussion section, and then post what you want to do (spend a Benny or not)

Spencer spins quickly, both turning his head from the all-too-real sight of blood and a corpse, and trying to see if the ominous thud behind them heralds another attacker or a fainting secretary.

Hank shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

Ugh, this is awful! These seats are so uncomfortable! I bet the other group is enjoying cognac and cigars in nice, comfy chairs right about now. Eh, Connor?

"Aye, Hank truly these seats are of the devil. I can't imagine anything worse than having to endure these chairs another hour! Oh, do pass me my cold soda, would you?"

Guthrie take a look at the post about damage effects in the discussion section, and then post what you want to do (spend a Benny or not)

OK, so if I understand correctly - with one wound and being shaken, I can opt to spend a bennie and get a soak roll (vigor check). If I succeed, the wound and shaken status go away. I assume that vigor check can make use of the wild die because that is a check, right?

How often are we going to replenish our 3 bennies?

Wilson's face turns pale and he pulls at the dagger in his belly. Spending a bennie, 2 of 3 left
Soak Roll (vigor): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Soak Roll (wild): 1d6 ⇒ 3

He sighs with relief as he discovers that the dagger has mostly embedded in his coat and only caused a slight slash along his skin - and not a more severe puncture of a vital organ.

Aubster wrote:

Guthrie take a look at the post about damage effects in the discussion section, and then post what you want to do (spend a Benny or not)

OK, so if I understand correctly - with one wound and being shaken, I can opt to spend a bennie and get a soak roll (vigor check). If I succeed, the wound and shaken status go away. I assume that vigor check can make use of the wild die because that is a check, right?

How often are we going to replenish our 3 bennies?

Wilson's face turns pale and he pulls at the dagger in his belly. Spending a bennie, 2 of 3 left
[dice=Soak Roll (vigor)]1d6
[dice=Soak Roll (wild)]1d6

He sighs with relief as he discovers that the dagger has mostly embedded in his coat and only caused a slight slash along his skin - and not a more severe puncture of a vital organ.

You understand it exactly right. So Guthrie is neither wounded or shaken, but you only have 2 Bennies left.

Investigators get 3 Bennies per session...for face to face play a session is pretty easy to figure...for a PBM it's more subjective but I can say that you're not at the end of the session but you are about 1/2 way done.

Onwards

Spencer spins around in response to the scream behind him and sees a white-faced Edna looking down at Kensington. He just collapsed, she says starting to sob. I don't understand why you killed that man, she says to Jake as in the dim lighting she couldn't see clearly what happened. Please don't hurt me, she pleads to the big man holding a bloody sword.

"Calm down, Edna. He was just saving me from the worst of this." Wilson says as he shows her the assailant's knife. "Even so, he got me a little bit and it smarts."

He stoops down to check out the collapsed publisher. "Now, what's going on with Kensington? He doesn't have a heart condition, does he?"

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Calm down, Edna. He was just saving me from the worst of this." Wilson says as he shows her the assailant's knife. "Even so, he got me a little bit and it smarts."

He stoops down to check out the collapsed publisher. "Now, what's going on with Kensington? He doesn't have a heart condition, does he?"

[dice=Notice]1d8
[dice=Wild]1d6

Calming her down would be an application of Persuasion skill. You could also use Intimidation if you just want to make her be quiet and do what she's told. If you have the Medical skill it's obvious what's going on with Kensington. If you have Knowledge Medical you can use that skill to diagnose (but not treat) poor Kensington. You can make a Common Knowledge roll (using Smarts) to make a layman's diagnosis

Bending down, you notice that Kensington is breathing and you don't see any obvious wounds. Edna just stares at the knife in your hand with wild-eyed fright as she slowly backs away from the investigators.

Spencer looks between Jake and Guthrie, and down at the body of Kensington on the floor. Since he doesn't know much of anything about medicine, he takes a breath and decides to take care of what he can. The young writer approaches the secretary and guides her back into the office to take a seat. "It's okay, miss. Quite a fright to have something like that happen, I'm sure Jonah just wasn't sure what to make of it all. Your name is Edna? I had a great-aunt with that name, very pretty, but she was quite a gab..." He continues to chat idly, hoping to soothe the young woman and calm her down.

Persuasion: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Ace: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Ace: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Wild: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Total of 11.

Kwan retrieves his knife, then points out to the street where the black smoke is bellowing from the mailbox "Smoke"! re replies simply. "We should go".

He gives a quick glance around looking for another way out of the alley.

1d4 ⇒ 2 Notice
1d6 ⇒ 5 WD Total of 5

Spencer looks between Jake and Guthrie, and down at the body of Kensington on the floor. Since he doesn't know much of anything about medicine, he takes a breath and decides to take care of what he can. The young writer approaches the secretary and guides her back into the office to take a seat. "It's okay, miss. Quite a fright to have something like that happen, I'm sure Jonah just wasn't sure what to make of it all. Your name is Edna? I had a great-aunt with that name, very pretty, but she was quite a gab..." He continues to chat idly, hoping to soothe the young woman and calm her down.

[dice=Persuasion]1d4+2 [dice=Ace]1d4 [dice=Ace]1d4
[dice=Wild]1d6+2
Total of 11.

You can see the tension drain out of Edna as she listens to the smooth-tongued writer. She dabs her eyes with a hanky pulled from a pocket and manages to force a smile. Thank you Mr. Collin. I've heard nice things about you from some of the writers that pass in and out of here. What's going on? Why did your friend stab that man? Shouldn't we get the police?. She looks at you hopefully, to reassure her and give her an explanation.

Kwan retrieves his knife, then points out to the street where the black smoke is bellowing from the mailbox "Smoke"! re replies simply. "We should go".

He gives a quick glance around looking for another way out of the alley.

1d4 Notice
1d6 WD Total of 5

Just to clarify, I assumed that Kwan had come back inside the building since the others are in the hall that opens into the reception area which leads then to the street. If Kwan is in the alley that's fine...the situation then would be that Kwan is still watching the newspaper vendor crouch in the alley as he hasn't made a hostile move. He's just watching further down the alley. Inside the building, the delivery man would still be dead due to Jake stabbing him with his sword. If Kwan did come into the building then the situation is as described before. Just let me know which one he did. :)

My bad. For some reason I thought they had come into the alley, and the newspaper guy was the one attacking. Kwan would not leave the man clutching a dagger to go inside, so just use the attack on the guy outside.

Kwan joins the group inside after pushing the man's body behind a trash can. He will search him for clues before leaving him. "There is much smoke outside which will draw attention". "There was also a man crouching in the alley outside".

Jake hastily wiped his blade on the false delivery man and resheathed his blade.
"Let's get to the car, quick!"
He went to the front door, opened it and went through it onto the sidewalk. He looked around for more attackers.
Perception: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Wild: 1d4 ⇒ 1

My bad. For some reason I thought they had come into the alley, and the newspaper guy was the one attacking. Kwan would not leave the man clutching a dagger to go inside, so just use the attack on the guy outside.

Kwan joins the group inside after pushing the man's body behind a trash can. He will search him for clues before leaving him. "There is much smoke outside which will draw attention". "There was also a man crouching in the alley outside".

You find a handwritten note in his pocket. Unfortunately you can't read the language. There's also a picture that's been cut out of the newspaper showing Kensington accepting an award from another man. Kensington's face has been circled in red ink.

Jake hastily wiped his blade on the false delivery man and resheathed his blade.

"Let's get to the car, quick!"
He went to the front door, opened it and went through it onto the sidewalk. He looked around for more attackers.
[dice=Perception]1d4

In the dim light, both Kwan and Jake almost miss seeing what's behind the receptionist's desk and likely wish they had missed it as they see the body of the receptionist sprawled in a large pool of blood.

Jake hastily wiped his blade on the false delivery man and resheathed his blade.

"Let's get to the car, quick!"
He went to the front door, opened it and went through it onto the sidewalk. He looked around for more attackers.
[dice=Perception]1d4

Don't forget that you get to a roll a Wild Die on skill checks...it doesn't matter this time though as Kwan has eliminated any attackers.

Spencer looks over his shoulder at Jake's call and smiles again to the secretary. "I can't be sure what's going on, miss, but Jake was only acting in defense of the rest of us. That man was probably linked to the mess with Jackson, and that means we're all in danger if we stay here. I promise you we'll alert the authorities when we can, but right now we need to get going. Do you mind riding with me?" He takes her hand and begins leading her out to the exit quickly. "And can someone help me get Mister Kensington up?"

Persuasion: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Wild: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
On the Secretary.

Kensington comes to as you work to get him up and while woozy is able to walk on his enough to get to the car. Neither he nor Edna notice the dead receptionist. He asks that you drop the two of them at the police precinct. After speaking with Edna he tells you, I don't really understand what's going on but after seeing that sick smile on that man's face I do know that there's something really bad happening. Jackson trusted you and that's good enough for me. Edna and I will cover for you all so you don't get tangled up in any police issues. If you need anything let me know. With that, he hands over the file and leads Edna into the station.

Group 1 and Group 2 are reunited in the speakeasy.

Jake jumped up to greet the fliers.
"Mr. Harrison! Mr. Murphy! Boy are you a sight for sore eyes! You'll never believe what happened to us when we visited the Publishers house..."

Hang on, Jake. First I have to tell you about how we had to make a rough landing due to a storm. There I was, flying fast and low...

Assuming Jake can get a word in edgewise (you may need to spend a Bennie for that, since Hank is talking about Bessie), Hank exclaims,

Sainte merde! Pardon my french, Padre. Sounds like you had a rough time of it. Well, I'm impressed, boys.

Hank recounts (with Fr. Murphy's help) what they learned in Cambridge.

So...where do we go from here? Sounds like it might be a good time to get out of town for a while.

"Maybe. Erica Carlyle's place is outside of the city. Kensington thought she might be a useful source of information. We could try to get an interview with her, meanwhile staying away from the trouble here."

"Jackson did mention something about Emerson Imports in Harlem, too. I'd suggest checking things out there too, but that might be dangerous considering he was dead soon after going to see someone there."

At Guthrie's statements, Fr. Murphy sighs vigorously into his fortifying brandy. "Those are good points each. Are...are we going to split up again?"

Guys, we have a short window before the police start asking questions. I'd rather have strength in numbers going to Harlem. What say we all go there first and make it quick?

Connor nods at Hank's suggestion. "Do we," he lowers his voice. The story that blood has been shed by his friends still has his humors up, and he knows not to trust everyone in the Sweet Doomed Angel. "Do we know exactly what we're going to ask this...this Mr. N'Kwayne? From the notes he seems important, but do we suspect he is part of the cult, or has knowledge of Africa, or...?" He leave the sentence unfinished and orders a fortified wine.

He once asked what it was fortified with. "Is it vitamins or carbonated water or something healthy--"

"Brandy." was the bartender's answer.