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The waiter is happy to oblige and soon Ted is contentedly munching on a small loaf stuffed with meatballs, sat in the damaged Ford. The rest of the meal passes off with little comment from the others despite the dramatic events that have just unfolded outside. Stevie gets the bill as usual, for which everyone is very grateful, then they all leave the restaurant and clamber back into Ted's cab, the broken glass from the smashed windshield having been brushed up by Ted whilst they were eating.

Where to now folks? asks Ted.

I think the meal at the restaurant was quite early in the evening, perhaps even late afternoon. It's dark outside now due to it being winter but the hospital will be open all day if anyone wants to inquire about Dr. Shine's papers. Admin staff might have finished work for the day though, leaving just medical staff around.

I'd appreciate something brought out to me very much, Ted replies. It's probably best that I stay with the car, considering what just happened.

Much obliged Mr. Barrows, Ted replies. I'll take you to a bank tomorrow. I appreciate your willingness to pay for the damage. And if they think this will scare me off driving you and your friends around, they can think again. If people associated with Danvers Asylum are prepared to do this, then whatever's going on at the asylum deserves to be investigated.

Regarding Stevie's suggestion of involving the authorities, Ted gives his reply. We have the brick thrown, the note wrapped around it, and the make and model of the car, an Oldsmobile Viking, so we could certainly report this crime if you want to, Mr. Barrows - but we would have to spend half a day at the station answering their questions about who might have thrown the brick and why. It might cost you a lot of time.

Stevie and Gene catch a glimpse of the black vehicle, an Oldsmobile Viking, just before it reaches a junction and hangs a left to disappear from view.

Ted is still highly agitated and annoyed but is otherwise unharmed. Those sons of... Ted begins. I'd only just stepped out of the cab for a smoke when those clowns turned up and threw this at my windscreen. Ted hands Stevie the object. I'm fine, he says to Gene. Just a bit shook up, that's all.

The object handed to Stevie is nothing more than a plain old house brick, wrapped in paper with some string tied around it. Stevie easily unties the string and removes the paper, to find a message scrawled on it. The message reads, "If you know what's good for you, stay away from Danvers!"

Outside the restaurant, Stevie sees Ted on the sidewalk. Ted throws a lit cigarette on the ground and takes a few steps towards a black car in the middle of the road but it screeches off before he can get close, the burning rubber of its tires leaving a cloud of smoke in its wake. The windscreen of Ted's Ford is smashed. Ted checks out the Ford and lifts a heavy object from the driver's seat that looks like it's wrapped in paper.

The waiter still looks bemused. I not long in America, signore. I just work in a restaurant. I don't know how I could help you, I'm sorry.

Suddenly there's a sound of smashing glass from outside, followed by Ted's raised voice, just about intelligible through the windows and swing-doors of the restaurant. What the hell! You son of a b##!+!

Non capisco signore, the waiter says, I sorry, I no understand.

Dorothy Spot Hidden 25/12/5: 1d100 ⇒ 58
Horton Spot Hidden 35/17/7: 1d100 ⇒ 93

Nobody spotted anything

The group eat their chosen meals, all of which are excellent, whilst discussing their day. About an hour later everyone has eaten their fill, some feeling a bit tipsy from the wine. The waiter comes over. I hope your meals were to your satisfaction. Would you like anything else?

I guess some people didn't see they could make a roll here If no response later today will roll for them.

Another failed roll vs. Hard difficulty

Gene fails his Spot Hidden roll against Hard difficulty. I checked the rules and most examples of Spot Hidden have all investigators rolling, so the rest of the group can try if they wish.

The waiter writes down Stevie's and the others' orders and scuttles off to the kitchens. The food and drinks take some time to arrive but the wait is worth it as the quality is very good.

I need someone to make a Spot Hidden roll

Sì, signore, the waiter says, then he hurries off to the kitchens. He appears a few moments later with a tray, from which he serves a bottle of chianti, a sauce sample, a basket containing various types of bread roll, a dish of olives, and another of olive oil for the bread. He then locates the wine list on another table and hands it to Stevie before pulling a small notepad and pencil from a pocket. Are you ready to order now, or do you need more time?

That's a failed Idea roll, which according to the rules means you get the clue at some cost. I will have to give some thought to the consequences!

EDIT: Given that Gene has now realised the significance of Salem Hospital, I will ignore the Idea roll as no longer needed. No bad consequences will ensue due to the failed roll!

Not sure how to word this but a previously uncovered clue has some bearing on your current location, or at least its environs. Does this make any sense? If not, I could allow an Idea roll if you wish.

Strange. Don't seem to be able to edit my last post. Just want to point out that the Zippo lighter company wasn't founded until 1932 so it's just a lighter, not a Zippo.

A very Italian-looking waiter greets the group and gestures for them to follow him. They soon find themselves seated at a table for four near the window. A single candle occupies the centre of the table, which the waiter lights with a Zippo lighter before handing them each a menu. Would you care for the wine list? he asks. I can recommend the chianti. Is very nice.

With everyone aboard the Ford, Ted cranks the engine and they head off towards south Salem. Driving west along Jackson St. they reach a T-junction where Ted hangs a left onto Highland Avenue. They pass a large block of buildings with a sign in front of them that reads "Salem Hospital" and a bit further up Ted pulls over next to a building with a pleasant Italian-style decor exterior. Here we are, he says. The Bella Verona.

Alrighty, Ted says. You have anywhere in mind you plan to eat? The Bella Verona near Salem Hospital is nice if you like Italian. A bit pricy but the food's excellent.

Time check: Friday the 8th of February, mid-afternoon.

With Stevie and Dorothy aboard, Ted sets off down the tree-lined gravel road from the Asylum into Danvers, takes a couple of turns, and ends up on the road back to Salem. Not long later he pulls up outside the Salem Paranormal Society, where he finds Horton and Gene waiting. I hope I didn't keep you two waiting too long, he says, as they both clamber into the Ford. Where to next? he says to the whole group. The Inn, or do you have other plans?

Outside the administration block, Stevie and Dorothy soon see the familiar shape of Ted's Model T emerge from the tree-lined gravel road that leads back to Danvers town. He powers the motorcar up to where they are standing and leans out of the window. Hop aboard and I'll take you to the Paranormal Society to pick up your two friends.

Their visit over, the orderlies lead Dorothy and Stevie out of J-wing back through the hospital towards the administration block. The journey back is no less disturbing than before, as the two investigators are confronted with more distressing images. Half way back they see a gowned patient scrawling something on a wall with some chalk. The image is that of an obscene creature, a dragon-like toad with a multitude of eyes. A short time later, they pass another patient drawing an eerily similar creature on a sketchpad.

Patient's sketchpad drawing

Eventually they arrive back in the administration block, where the orderlies take them to Nurse Rathbone. Nurse Rathbone eyes them suspiciously. I hope your meeting with Mr. Croswell was a pleasant one, she says.

Happy New Year everyone. I will try to post more frequently now the holiday period is over.

As Dorothy speaks she hears a girgling noise coming from the sink in the corner of the small room. She pays it no attention but then it occurs again, only louder, and she sees something like a huge reptilian appendage momentarily rise from the sink. The vision lasts a mere fraction of a second. On closer examination there is nothing in the sink but a tiny pool of dirty water far too small to conceal the thing she saw. The surface of the water has an odd blue-grey tint. If she mentions it to Stevie, he saw nothing.

Sanity Check required. If she fails she loses 1 Sanity.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Croswell looks fearful as Dorothy gives her advice but also seems tor recognise that she is right, and he could be in great danger. Very well, he replies. I will try my hardest not to make it easy for them. In the meantime Dorothy, please try to get me out of here.

On his walk around Danvers the previous evening Stevie had gazed at the night sky whilst smoking a cigarette and so it was not hard for him to recall that the waning Moon was no more than a thin silver crescent that night.

crescent moon, evening of 7 Feb.

With a shudder, he realises that the current Lunar Cycle is almost over. The Moon will be just a dark disc in the night sky tonight, then the faint crescent of a New Moon will appear, probably tomorrow night or the next.

New Moon: officially tomorrow evening, Saturday 9 Feb, just before a crescent becomes visible, although by some customs it would be Sunday 10 Feb, when a crescent is actually seen for the first time at the start of a new Lunar Cycle.

Apologies, did not realise there was a question at the end of the last post. Make a Luck roll to see if Dorothy saw the moon in the sky the previous evening, and remembers what it looked like.

Stevie can also test Luck to see if he recalls the phase of the moon the previous night.

Back in Salem...

Hendric has no answers for Horton. I can't think of anyone who might have an interest in the Asylum, I'm sorry. We are a small society and I think I'd know if anyone had such an interest.

Croswell acknowledges Stevie with a brief nod then sits back down on the bed, his head in his hands. Eventually, he looks up again.

You've got to get me out of here! he pleads. There's something... wrong about this place. Have you seen the fear in the eyes of the patients? The way they cower from the orderlies? I sensed something was wrong almost the day I arrived. When I asked to leave, Dr. Berger had me placed here in J-Wing. I heard him saying to Nurse Rathbone, Croswell's in for quite an experience when the sky prepares to welcome the new moon. What the hell does that mean?

Croswell rubs his eyes, evidently tired from all the strain. I befriended another patient before they moved me here; a man by the name of Andy MacBride. He's as touched as the others, yet I suspect he knows what's really going on.

Croswell's eyes light up as he recognises Ms. Crick. Dorothy, you came! he says elatedly. I'm so pleased to see you.

Despite his diminished condition, Croswell's encounter with Dorothy seems to visibly boost his wellbeing, both mental and physical. He rises from the bed, stands up straight with his shoulders back, and faces the orderlies. Are you two going to stand there the whole time? I can assure you, Dorothy and her friend have nothing to fear from me, and I'm sure would appreciate a little privacy. She's come a long way to see me.

Very well, the larger of the two says begrudgingly before turning to Dorothy. We'll be right outside. You have fifteen minutes so make 'em count. I'll have to lock the door on my way out; I hope you understand. With that, the two orderlies leave the room, the larger one locking the door behind them.

Thank God they've gone, Croswell says. We have much to discuss.

Not to my knowledge, Hendric replies. The society's focus is on the paranormal; that is to say, unexplained phenomena. We do visit old buildings and sites dating to the time of the Witch Trials but I don't recall anyone visiting Danvers Asylum, or anyone mentioning a stone disk located within its grounds. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Can I interest you in some more of my research? I've got plenty more photographs to show you - truly amazing stuff!

Meanwhile in Danvers Asylum...

The orderlies finally arrive at a metal door with a grill, a heavy lock, and a rectangular recess in which there's a strip of card. The words "Lawrence Croswell" are typed on the card. The larger of the two orderlies pulls a bunch of keys from a pocket and inserts one into the lock. He turns the key and with a loud clang the door swings open.

Hello Lawrence, the orderly says. I've brought you some visitors! The orderly enters the small room - which turns out to be a dark and dingy padded cell. A simple wooden bed is bolted to the floor in one corner, and there's a small wash basin in another. Sat on the bed is a gown-clad, grey-haired man in his early fifties. Dorothy immediately recognises the man as her author-friend, although he looks scared and frail compared to how he was in previous meetings. The other orderly holds the door open and gestures for Dorothy and Stevie to go inside.

If Dorothy and Stevie enter, the other orderly follows them inside so there are eventually five people inside the small room.

Meanwhile at Danvers Asylum...

The two surly, taciturn orderlies escort Dorothy and Stevie through a series of locked wards filled with listless, gown-clad patients slumped in wooden chairs or shuffling about aimlessly. Now and again a patient catches the eye of one of the orderlies and noticeably recoils in fear. As they go deeper and deeper into the hospital wing the patients look increasingly deranged, some sobbing uncontrollably.

In the last ward before J-Wing, a huge, hulking patient grabs hold of Stevie from behind and slams him hard into a wall shrieking, What do you know? WHAT DO YOU KNOW? The orderlies escorting them quickly intervene, pulling the man off of Stevie and wrestling him to the ground. Within seconds two more orderlies come to their aid and drag the man off into a side room. His hysterical screams can still be heard as they leave the ward and enter J-Wing.

Inside J-Wing their senses are assailed: shrieks and giddy laughter echo down the corridors and there's a stench of urine and faeces in the air that is barely masked by strong cleansing agents. Doors that in previous wards were wooden are now metal, with strong, heavy locks. Some of the gowned patients appear to have physical injuries - a missing finger here, a missing hand there, some even with missing limbs. As they pass a locked, grilled, metal door, Dorothy and Stevie catch a glimpse of a patient inside the small room staring out at them through raw, weeping, empty eye sockets, a deranged grin on his face. Even among the less-afflicted, long scars and gouges pockmark their flesh.

The injuries, the sobbing and the manic laughter cause Dorothy and Stevie considerable distress. They must make a successful Sanity check, with failure resulting in a loss of 1D2 Sanity points.

A stone disk? Hendric says quizzically. No, I don't believe I've heard of such a thing.

Hendric lights the pipe and begins puffing away on it as he speaks. You ask about our correspondence. Well, Mr. Croswell was merely looking for interesting snippets he could use or adapt for one of his many horror stories. Danvers Asylum never came up I'm afraid. In the end, I think the correspondence tailed off because he wasn't finding the snippets sufficiently suitable for his fiction.

As he puffs away, a fog of smoke from the pungent tobacco in his pipe begins to fill the room. If you're interested in such things, I've got some photographs to show you from a recent investigation. Hendric looks around the room before locating a folder. He opens it and a series of photographs spill out, each captioned with a date and time. Look at these, he says, excitedly. I set a camera up on a timer watching this room. See here, the pencil on the floor? It moved right across the room! Gene notices that the times on the photographs are several hours apart, so if the pencil did move it must have been at a snail's pace.

Of course, Hendric replies, Come this way. He leads Horton and Gene up a flight of stairs to a studio over the drug store. The room is lined with shelves stacked with books, the floor space filled with all manner of clutter.

Hendric removes some books and paraphernalia from a pair of chairs opposite a large armchair and dusts the seats down with his hand. Please, sit.

He pulls a pipe from his jacket pocket and begins to fill the bowl with tobacco. So you think Croswell got himself committed to the asylum for his research? That shows dedication!

Larry Croswell the writer?, the man replies as he shakes Gene's hand. Yes, I know him. We corresponded briefly about various paranormal activities in the area but then we lost touch. I suspect his interest in local hauntings must have wained over the years... perhaps replaced by some new fascination. Anyway, my name is Hendric, Roger Hendric. I'm something of a paranormal researcher - a ghost hunter if you like. Are you a believer?

In the meantime, apologies for neglecting Horton and Gene over in Salem...

After pressing the buzzer Horton and Gene wait patiently at the entrance of the Salem Paranormal Society. After what seems like an age, the door is opened by a short, rather unkempt, scholarly looking man. Can I help you?

I think Dorothy's success against Regular difficulty might work now, seeing as it's backed up with some pretty persuasive legal threats from Stevie.

As Dorothy and Stevie exit the door Dr. Berger follows them into the corridor. One moment please. He looks decidedly uncomfortable as he continues. I don't see the need for a law firm to get involved. It's against hospital rules but, on this occasion, I will allow a short visit.

Dr. Berger turns to Nurse Rathbone, who had been standing outside during the meeting. Ms. Rathbone, please have some orderlies escort Ms. Crick and Mr. Barrows to J-Wing for a short, fifteen-minute meeting with Mr. Croswell.

The nurse looks shocked. Sir, do you think that's wise?

Don't worry, Ms. Rathbone, I will take responsibility.

Very well, she replies before turning to face Dorothy and Stevie. This way please.

The pair follow Nurse Rathbone down another corridor until they arrive at an orderlies station, where two large, well-built and intimidating men in hospital uniform rise respectfully from their seats. Ma'am?, they say almost in unison.

Take this lady and gentleman to see patient Lawrence Croswell on J-Wing, She replies. The superintendent has given permission for a short, fifteen-minute visit. Please ensure they come to no harm or you will have the superintendent to answer to.

Yes Ma'am, right away Ma'am, the larger of the men says, naked fear showing in his face. Come with me please, he says to Dorothy and Stevie.

Big scene so will continue in a separate post.

The amphitheater? Dr. Berger says. I'm not sure when the next venue is, and yes, patients do attend when we throw a... performance. Why do you ask?

That was a failed roll against Hard difficulty unless anyone can give me reason to lower the difficulty to Regular (convincing and persuasive argument, any other factors you can think of). If you accept the result then you can push the roll or come back tomorrow with something new to bring to the table - such as Dr. Bellwether. Alternatively you can try some other way of gaining access to J-Wing.

Dorothy has Persuade 65! Worth a roll with some accompanying dialogue I would say.

Referring to the rules: Dr. Berger's Persuade and Psychology are both 50% or higher so trying to persuade him of anything he doesn't believe he should accept would be harder than for an average person. Difficulty is therefore set at Hard. If Dorothy presents a compelling reason for him to relent, I will lower it to Regular.

As Stevie delivers his appeal, he and Dorothy spend a few moments taking in their surroundings. On the walls of the plush-looking office are numerous framed diplomas and certificates attesting to Dr. Berger's evidently extensive credentials in the field of medicine and psychiatry. He's obviously not shy about his accomplishments. Filing cabinets line some of the walls, and on one wall hangs a curious painting depicting what looks like St. George and the Dragon. Most disturbingly however, this version shows the dragon mauling an unhorsed St. George, his eviscerated steed lying some distance away. The painting is particularly detailed and quite gruesome. On another wall there's a framed photograph of a younger, happier-looking Dr. Berger shaking hands in front of the main administration block with a smiling, bespectacled older man. A caption beneath the image reads, "Dr. James Berger takes over Danvers State Asylum from Dr. William Shine."

As Stevie goes on, Dr. Berger's demeanour changes to one of irritation. I'm sorry Mr. Barrows; Ms. Crick, he says, nodding to each in turn. Visiting Mr. Croswell is quite out of the question in his current state. Soon after his arrival he became most... excitable, and was moved to J-Wing for his own safety and the safety of others. J-Wing is reserved for our most violent male patients, for whom visitors are not permitted. I'm sure you will appreciate that we can't put members of the public at any risk.

Law, Medicine, Intimidate or Persuade roll called for.

Nurse Rathbone barely conceals a frown on hearing that Croswell's accounts might be frozen. Seeing a passing orderly, a burly black man in his mid-twenties, she yells over to him. Mr. Carter, take over for me please.

Yes Ma'am, the orderly replies.

I can take you to see Dr. Berger now, Nurse Rathbone says as she rises from the chair. This way please.

Dorothy and Stevie follow the nurse down a corridor to the rear of the foyer and around a corner until she stops at a door. She knocks twice then pushes the door open. I'm sorry to disturb you Dr. Berger but I have a lady and a gentleman with me enquiring about one of our patients, a Mr. Lawrence Croswell.

Very well Nurse Rathbone, send them in, a man says from inside the room. Dorothy and Stevie are ushered inside, where they find a man in an expensive-looking three-piece chequered suit sat behind a large desk. He's in his late-thirties and has straw-like blond hair. He stands to greet them, revealing a tall and thin frame. I'm Dr. Berger, he says. Pleased to meet you. Stevie and Dorothy are struck by the man's piercing green eyes. And you are?

Probably a bunch of goofballs, Ted shouts from the Ford. I'll be back in an hour. With that, he drives off.

Meanwhile in Salem...

Ted pulls up outside a dilapidated row of shop fronts on Essex Street, Salem. This is it, 200 Essex Street, he says. Gene and Horton climb out of the Model T and walk up to a simple black-stained wooden door next to the entrance to a drug store. On the door is a brass plate with the words "Salem Paranormal Society" engraved onto it, and a buzzer.

Nurse Rathbone gives Dorothy a decidedly condescending look as if to say, "don't tell me my job." I assure you Ms. Crick, visitor restrictions are entirely justified in some cases, for the good of the patient, the staff, or indeed the visitor. If you wish to discuss the matter further you will have to take it up with Dr. Berger, the hospital superintendent."

No problem. Enjoy the festivities.

Failing the POW roll means Dorothy doesn't get any feeling of supernatural dread from the place and therefore doesn't lose any Sanity. As far as she is concerned it's just an old hospital.

So did Stevie pass or fail that check? If it's a pass then fingers crossed for Dorothy...

He passed. In this context POW represents a character's susceptibility to "the unseen or magical". In layman's terms Stevie has "bad vibes" about the place.