Karl Green
First Post
Lo, thus, as prostrate, "In the dust I write
My heart's deep languor and my soul's sad tears."
Yet why evoke the spectres of black night
To blot the sunshine of exultant years?
Why disinter dead faith from mouldering hidden?
Why break the seals of mute despair unbidden,
And wail life's discords into careless ears?
Because a cold rage seizes one at whiles
To show the bitter old and wrinkled truth
Stripped naked of all vesture that beguiles,
False dreams, false hopes, false masks and modes of youth;
Because it gives some sense of power and passion
In helpless innocence to try to fashion
Our woe in living words howe'er uncouth.
The City is of Night; perchance of Death
But certainly of Night; for never there
Can come the lucid morning's fragrant breath
After the dewy dawning's cold grey air:
The moon and stars may shine with scorn or pity
The sun has never visited that city,
For it dissolveth in the daylight fair.
THE CITY OF DREADFUL NIGHT by JAMES THOMSON
B.P.R.D. Issue #1 “City of Night”
May 3rd, 2004, 11:00am EST
B.P.R.D. Headquarters, Fairfield, Connecticut, Sub-Level 13DF, Briefing Room 12
You have all received summons to this briefing room (via email, voicemail, someone stopping by your apartment, etc.) within the last 24 hours. Milling about with you is a strange collection of other “people” whom you have not yet meet. The room is set up something like a small auditorium, with four rows of heavy chairs facing forward, four chairs to a row. There is standing room in the back, a large LCD projector and podium at the front. Refreshments, bagels and coffee are also found at the back of the room.
Precisely at 11:00am, a middle age, balding man, in an expensive, finely pressed business suit walks in from a front door and goes immediately to the podium. While none of you have meet the man before, you all recognize him as the B.P.R.D. Bureau Director, Dr. Thomas Manning. Professor Kate Corrigan (whom you have all meet, and in fact were more then like recruited by for the B.P.R.D. Prof Corrigan is the Bureau Director of Field Operations, and all of your direct supervisors. She is an attractive 40 year old, with short, straight blond hair) enters with Manning and takes a seat at the front of room, smiling and nodding her head to each of you.
Dr. Manning clears his throat and says “Alright, please take a seat people. Lights please…” as the lights dim somewhat, a black and white picture of a man in a Nazi uniform at a rally appears on the protector screen. He is stern looking and might be around 40 years old at the time of the picture “This is the best photograph we have of Doctor Wilhelm Sterne, who achieved some small reputation in 1930’s Germany as a scholar of Arabic and North African history… also as a dedicated member of the Nazi Party. He appears to have convinced the hierarchy to finance his research by rewriting large portions of Near Eastern history, adding an anti-Semitic slant.”
“February, 1941. General Erwin Rommel arrived in Libya to take charge of the Axis operations in North Africa. I imagine that most of you know something about all of that. March 3, Doctor Sterne also arrived in Libya, on a military transport. Orders from Berlin were for Rommel and his staff to provide him with, quote ‘All necessary assistance in his scholarship’. Rommel seems to have given Sterne a bodyguard of second-rate troops and forgotten about him. Records suggest that Sterne made a thorough nuisance of himself in the mosque libraries in Libya and Tunis for a few weeks, then he disappeared from view. There’s one final letter from Rommel’s staff, essentially disclaiming responsibility for losing him. It says that he’d wandered off into the desert with his bodyguards and a couple of armed cars, and disappeared. Rommel was doing well just then, so Berlin was doubtless disinclined to blame him.”
“U.S. Military Intelligence had a file on Sterne, but the last thing in it was correspondence they found in Berlin in 1946.”
Another picture appears on the overhead projector. It shows a passport and picture of an African-American male of about 40 years of age. After a second the screen splits and a picture of Mila appears on the screen next to the man…
“Five days ago, a U.S. Citizen named Doctor Reginald Clay telephoned the embassy in Mali. Clay is working on a restoration project in the city of Timbuktu. Two days before his call, a westerner – a very old man – had walked into town out of the desert and collapsed. Clay was one of the first people the man met, and when he died after a few hours, Clay helped the local police try and identify the body.”
An old black and white photo (this time a Nazi Germany Military ID) appears on the screen
“The man was wearing the remains of Nazi military uniform and carrying military papers in German. Clay thought this was odd, and contacted the American embassy while the local police called the Germans. His instinct was correct. The papers identify the man as Private Rudolph Frankelle of the German Army, missing since 1941.
A modern, color, digital picture of a very old dead man appears next to the B&W photo (split screen)
“You’ll see from his picture, Frankelle looks his age. First reports suggest that the causes of death were dehydration and old age. The State Department found this odd enough to monitor the case, and discovered that Frankelle was last heard of as a member of Sterne’s bodyguards. He has only distant family in Germany, and we are assured by the German Police that they are as puzzled as anyone else.”
“The State Department dug up Sterne’s file, and realized that his known associates include members of Project Rogna Rok. Under the circumstances, they thought it best to hand the file over to us. They have been in contact with the government of Mali, and everyone is happy for use to pick up the problem. If there is one…”
“Your job is to determine as many of the facts as are accessible. Decisions about further action will be based on what you find. The folders located at all of your chairs contain CIA Intel reports of Mila, pictures of everything you have seen here. Please read them over. When we are finished here, head over to Supply to request any equipment, and desert survival gear that you think you might need. Remember that Mila is an independent nation, and we don’t want to go in arm like this is a military operation… it is still an investigation until you discover otherwise. Your flight leaves in two hours, so I suggest you use this time wisely…”
“You are all new here, so this all might seem a bit overwhelming to some of you, but considering the possibility of Rogna Rok involvement we have decided to form a slightly larger team then normal. We expect good things from you all. Mission leader can be worked out with Pro. Corrigan and all of you.”
“Now then, if there are any questions, please direct them to Professor Kate Corrigan. Good luck.” With that he closes his dossier and walks out the door that he came. Pro. Corrigan stands and looks to you all… “Any questions?”
[OCC – even if your character does not have any, PLEASE describe yourself to the rest of the party. Remember that posting rules if you would; but here they are again…]
Use “Quotes” for when your character speaks or is saying something.
*Asterisks* for actions, and put the roll result, plus your skill/attack, etc. bonus and total for your result (*Martin looks around, Spot 5 +10 =15*). If you want to spend a Hero Point in any case just put that in there also (*Martin shots the big Nazi by the door, rolls a 1, spending a Hero point to re-roll I roll…*). This goes for Saves also. Remember that you can spend a Hero Point after you roll BUT before you know the result if you succeed or not. Remember it all about the trust
If you are attacking, please include the DC and type of attack that the target needs to make (*Martin shots the big Nazi by the door, rolls a 12 +8 ranged attack bonus =20 DEF, if it hits, the Nazi takes +5L {with 1 level of Penetration} damage*).
Thoughts should be Italics. If you want to use different colors that’s fine, just so long as I can see them.
At times I will use [ spoiler ] posts for certain characters about certain information. I will tell the person who can read them, and he or she can react to that information.
In combat situation, at the top or the bottom of the post put how many Hero Points you have left and how many hits you have taken (Lethal and Stun) and any other conditions that you are under (Dazed, Fatigued, Drained, etc).
Any OCC questions, etc. please put something like [OCC –question, can Martin get a clear shot at the Lizard looking guy?]
Also if you would like to look at any facts about Mila, here is the info that is in the dossiers next to each seat…
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ml.html
although it is updated for 2004 (good enough for us though
) Mila is a land-locked country in northwestern part of Africa. The northern half of the country (especially north of Timbuktu) is part of the Sahara Desert.
My heart's deep languor and my soul's sad tears."
Yet why evoke the spectres of black night
To blot the sunshine of exultant years?
Why disinter dead faith from mouldering hidden?
Why break the seals of mute despair unbidden,
And wail life's discords into careless ears?
Because a cold rage seizes one at whiles
To show the bitter old and wrinkled truth
Stripped naked of all vesture that beguiles,
False dreams, false hopes, false masks and modes of youth;
Because it gives some sense of power and passion
In helpless innocence to try to fashion
Our woe in living words howe'er uncouth.
The City is of Night; perchance of Death
But certainly of Night; for never there
Can come the lucid morning's fragrant breath
After the dewy dawning's cold grey air:
The moon and stars may shine with scorn or pity
The sun has never visited that city,
For it dissolveth in the daylight fair.
THE CITY OF DREADFUL NIGHT by JAMES THOMSON
B.P.R.D. Issue #1 “City of Night”
May 3rd, 2004, 11:00am EST
B.P.R.D. Headquarters, Fairfield, Connecticut, Sub-Level 13DF, Briefing Room 12
You have all received summons to this briefing room (via email, voicemail, someone stopping by your apartment, etc.) within the last 24 hours. Milling about with you is a strange collection of other “people” whom you have not yet meet. The room is set up something like a small auditorium, with four rows of heavy chairs facing forward, four chairs to a row. There is standing room in the back, a large LCD projector and podium at the front. Refreshments, bagels and coffee are also found at the back of the room.
Precisely at 11:00am, a middle age, balding man, in an expensive, finely pressed business suit walks in from a front door and goes immediately to the podium. While none of you have meet the man before, you all recognize him as the B.P.R.D. Bureau Director, Dr. Thomas Manning. Professor Kate Corrigan (whom you have all meet, and in fact were more then like recruited by for the B.P.R.D. Prof Corrigan is the Bureau Director of Field Operations, and all of your direct supervisors. She is an attractive 40 year old, with short, straight blond hair) enters with Manning and takes a seat at the front of room, smiling and nodding her head to each of you.
Dr. Manning clears his throat and says “Alright, please take a seat people. Lights please…” as the lights dim somewhat, a black and white picture of a man in a Nazi uniform at a rally appears on the protector screen. He is stern looking and might be around 40 years old at the time of the picture “This is the best photograph we have of Doctor Wilhelm Sterne, who achieved some small reputation in 1930’s Germany as a scholar of Arabic and North African history… also as a dedicated member of the Nazi Party. He appears to have convinced the hierarchy to finance his research by rewriting large portions of Near Eastern history, adding an anti-Semitic slant.”
“February, 1941. General Erwin Rommel arrived in Libya to take charge of the Axis operations in North Africa. I imagine that most of you know something about all of that. March 3, Doctor Sterne also arrived in Libya, on a military transport. Orders from Berlin were for Rommel and his staff to provide him with, quote ‘All necessary assistance in his scholarship’. Rommel seems to have given Sterne a bodyguard of second-rate troops and forgotten about him. Records suggest that Sterne made a thorough nuisance of himself in the mosque libraries in Libya and Tunis for a few weeks, then he disappeared from view. There’s one final letter from Rommel’s staff, essentially disclaiming responsibility for losing him. It says that he’d wandered off into the desert with his bodyguards and a couple of armed cars, and disappeared. Rommel was doing well just then, so Berlin was doubtless disinclined to blame him.”
“U.S. Military Intelligence had a file on Sterne, but the last thing in it was correspondence they found in Berlin in 1946.”
Another picture appears on the overhead projector. It shows a passport and picture of an African-American male of about 40 years of age. After a second the screen splits and a picture of Mila appears on the screen next to the man…
“Five days ago, a U.S. Citizen named Doctor Reginald Clay telephoned the embassy in Mali. Clay is working on a restoration project in the city of Timbuktu. Two days before his call, a westerner – a very old man – had walked into town out of the desert and collapsed. Clay was one of the first people the man met, and when he died after a few hours, Clay helped the local police try and identify the body.”
An old black and white photo (this time a Nazi Germany Military ID) appears on the screen
“The man was wearing the remains of Nazi military uniform and carrying military papers in German. Clay thought this was odd, and contacted the American embassy while the local police called the Germans. His instinct was correct. The papers identify the man as Private Rudolph Frankelle of the German Army, missing since 1941.
A modern, color, digital picture of a very old dead man appears next to the B&W photo (split screen)
“You’ll see from his picture, Frankelle looks his age. First reports suggest that the causes of death were dehydration and old age. The State Department found this odd enough to monitor the case, and discovered that Frankelle was last heard of as a member of Sterne’s bodyguards. He has only distant family in Germany, and we are assured by the German Police that they are as puzzled as anyone else.”
“The State Department dug up Sterne’s file, and realized that his known associates include members of Project Rogna Rok. Under the circumstances, they thought it best to hand the file over to us. They have been in contact with the government of Mali, and everyone is happy for use to pick up the problem. If there is one…”
“Your job is to determine as many of the facts as are accessible. Decisions about further action will be based on what you find. The folders located at all of your chairs contain CIA Intel reports of Mila, pictures of everything you have seen here. Please read them over. When we are finished here, head over to Supply to request any equipment, and desert survival gear that you think you might need. Remember that Mila is an independent nation, and we don’t want to go in arm like this is a military operation… it is still an investigation until you discover otherwise. Your flight leaves in two hours, so I suggest you use this time wisely…”
“You are all new here, so this all might seem a bit overwhelming to some of you, but considering the possibility of Rogna Rok involvement we have decided to form a slightly larger team then normal. We expect good things from you all. Mission leader can be worked out with Pro. Corrigan and all of you.”
“Now then, if there are any questions, please direct them to Professor Kate Corrigan. Good luck.” With that he closes his dossier and walks out the door that he came. Pro. Corrigan stands and looks to you all… “Any questions?”
[OCC – even if your character does not have any, PLEASE describe yourself to the rest of the party. Remember that posting rules if you would; but here they are again…]
Use “Quotes” for when your character speaks or is saying something.
*Asterisks* for actions, and put the roll result, plus your skill/attack, etc. bonus and total for your result (*Martin looks around, Spot 5 +10 =15*). If you want to spend a Hero Point in any case just put that in there also (*Martin shots the big Nazi by the door, rolls a 1, spending a Hero point to re-roll I roll…*). This goes for Saves also. Remember that you can spend a Hero Point after you roll BUT before you know the result if you succeed or not. Remember it all about the trust
If you are attacking, please include the DC and type of attack that the target needs to make (*Martin shots the big Nazi by the door, rolls a 12 +8 ranged attack bonus =20 DEF, if it hits, the Nazi takes +5L {with 1 level of Penetration} damage*).
Thoughts should be Italics. If you want to use different colors that’s fine, just so long as I can see them.
At times I will use [ spoiler ] posts for certain characters about certain information. I will tell the person who can read them, and he or she can react to that information.
In combat situation, at the top or the bottom of the post put how many Hero Points you have left and how many hits you have taken (Lethal and Stun) and any other conditions that you are under (Dazed, Fatigued, Drained, etc).
Any OCC questions, etc. please put something like [OCC –question, can Martin get a clear shot at the Lizard looking guy?]
Also if you would like to look at any facts about Mila, here is the info that is in the dossiers next to each seat…
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ml.html
although it is updated for 2004 (good enough for us though
) Mila is a land-locked country in northwestern part of Africa. The northern half of the country (especially north of Timbuktu) is part of the Sahara Desert.
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