[D20 CoC] Beyond the Mountains of Madness Campaign - Prologue

[jdeleski]

"Tell me. Have you covered any of Mr. Starkweather's previous exploits before?" he asks the venerable newspaper man, of course, hoping for a story.

Hubert stops and thinks for a moment, then responds "I'm very sure that my newspapers did indeed cover some of Commander Starkweather's past exploits, but I can't recall the exact details. He's always been known to be a bold leader, particularly during The War, and his men followed him without reservation! I'm sure that a few of my old colleagues at the Tribune could provide you with more details."

"I simply feel that if a mission like this is to be successful, Mr. Starkweather's going to need the best. And I've never lost a crewman." he says.

Mrs. Broughton grimaces at this comment and says "Hmpf! You've certainly stated the truth, Mr. Poole! That man will surely need the best! And your record may be at risk!" She then stops herself, looks down at the floor for a moment, then returns her gaze to Jim and says "I'm sorry, that was very rude of me and I apologize. I hardly know the man, but he is one of the most arrogant, boorish...", and she stops herself again and simply smiles, attempting to bite her tongue in half.

 

[taitzu52]

Jim nods to Hubert, responding, "Well, best I could muster was the Corps of engineers. I'm no war hero, but I did my part like everybody else. And you know, that would be great if your gents could send me some clippings, or at least lemme come down to their office. I do love a good story." Jim's curiosity is getting the better of him as was his drawl. Being in the field at the time of receiving the invitation, he had little time to do any research on the man that Starkweather was.

But soon, a much different version of things comes to light. The charming Mrs. Broughton lets her guard down, for some reason or another. Jim very quietly responds, "Forgive me for asking, but if you barely know him, how...." Jim is used to working for oil tycoons and other self made men, i.e. glorified thieves. He is simply curious as to what would make a proper lady risk so much in conversation.

 

[jdeleski]

Engaging Douglas

"Sure thing, Douglas. But hell, I'll let you call me Jim." he says with a warm smile and a handshake, pretending that he's extending the young man some exclusive right to shorten his own name.
"Well Douglas, I just pick the spot, it's somebody else's job to make it flapjack flat for you." he says, letting his western accent come out a bit for 'Douglas'. "So can I assume that you're a pilot, or part of the air crew in some fashion?"

Jim manages to elicit a smile from Douglas, his first of the evening that Jim has noticed.

Douglas responds to Jim “Yes, you are correct, Jim. I’m one of two pilots who are currently assigned to this expedition, and we could use another. Mr. Starkweather has purchased 4 airplanes for our adventure, and I’m very familiar with the Boeing 247’s that we have.” Douglas then launches into a 10-minute dissertation on the merits of the Boeing 247, and you become very sure that this young man knows every screw, cable, and fuel line in that airplane.

Eventually, Douglas stops talking about his true love and asks a Jim a few questions about his geological background and past projects, seeming to memorize and catalog Jim's every response for future reference.

 

[jdeleski]

Camille's Entrance

Mentally shrugging her shoulders, Camille handed the note to the doorman at the ballroom entrance, and took the oportunity to ask him, "Excuse me, but has either the Antartica expedition team or Mr. Starkweather himself arrived? I have become quite fascinated with travel, you see."

Before the man could answer, Camille peeked over his shoulders, hoping to catch a glimse of the team or, preferably, the infamous Starkweather himself. If worse came to worse, she could still give Starkweather her response and watch the resulting chaos.

The large man in the dark suit standing on the left examines Camille from her shoes to the top of her head, apparently looking for something, then flatly states that "The expedition team has arrived...", he then glances down at the letter from the lobby desk, "...Mrs. Lockhart. But we haven't yet seen your husband or Mr. Starkweather. If you'd care to take your placecard from the cabinet along the wall on your right, then we'll tell your husband, when he arrives, that you are already seated."

He then hands you back your letter and returns to his statue-still stance, hands clasped behind his back, carefully scrutinizing every detail of the empty hallway.

OOC – The placecard for Mr. and Mrs. Watson lists Table 21.

 

[jdeleski]

August 1, 1933


​

Father J. P. Rucker


Dear Father Rucker,

Thank you for your letter of July 12th which expressed your desire to
join my expedition to the South Pole. I found your recent experience in the
priesthood to be very interesting and your inclination to focus on religion and
faith-based improvements for society is most admirable.

However, this venture is primarily a scientific and archeological
endeavor, and we do not have the space nor resources to waste on such abstract
and theological concepts as those related to a priest. To ask stalwart
men of physical courage and bold adventure to engage in religious
exercises or to cry like women in a confessional would be to mock the very
spirit in which this great quest is being undertook., and so it is with
great regret that I must decline your request.

A man with such delicate and socially-conscious aspirations is not likely to find
the cold, harsh and lonely environment of Antarctica to be very amenable,
but I would be happy to share with you any findings that we discover so that you
may study them at your leisure in more commodious surroundings after the hard
work has been done.


Sincerely,
James Starkweather
Expedition Leader

Amherst Hotel​

8th Avenue and 44th Street
New York City, New York

​

 

[Morpheus]

August 1, 1933


​

Father J. P. Rucker


Dear Father Rucker,

Thank you for your letter of July 12th which expressed your desire to
join my expedition to the South Pole. I found your recent experience in the
priesthood to be very interesting and your inclination to focus on religion and
faith-based improvements for society is most admirable.

However, this venture is primarily a scientific and archeological
endeavor, and we do not have the space nor resources to waste on such abstract
and theological concepts as those related to a priest. To ask stalwart
men of physical courage and bold adventure to engage in religious
exercises or to cry like women in a confessional would be to mock the very
spirit in which this great quest is being undertook., and so it is with
great regret that I must decline your request.

A man with such delicate and socially-conscious aspirations is not likely to find
the cold, harsh and lonely environment of Antarctica to be very amenable,
but I would be happy to share with you any findings that we discover so that you
may study them at your leisure in more commodious surroundings after the hard
work has been done.


Sincerely,
James Starkweather
Expedition Leader

Amherst Hotel​

8th Avenue and 44th Street
New York City, New York

​

OOC: It's nice to know that Starkweather isn't a misogynist-he treats everyone badly!

 

[jdeleski]

The Chilean turns to Hubert Broughton – on his lapel is the round pin of the American Geographical Society. “It appears that Señor Starkweather has not yet arrived,” Paco continues. “Are you familiar with him, Señor Broughton? Perhaps you could tell us something of the great man himself.”

Mr. Broughton quickly extends his hand and, with a hearty shake, says “It’s a great pleasure to meeting you, Señor Guerini! I’ve heard many good things about your work with Padre Agostini, especially your successful summit attempts at the Patagonia Ice Cap. And you led an especially-courageous rescue mission, if I recall?”

He then smiles and says “I’ve known James Starkweather now for, oh, about ten years. He’s a great leader of men and his bravery is unquestioned. As with many great leaders, I’ve found him to be confident, quick to make decisions, and,” he laughs, “perhaps a trifle overbearing at times. But there are many experienced adventurers, Professor Moore included, who have expressed their willingness to travel to the ends of the earth with him.”

 

[jdeleski]

Vittorio's Introduction

Joining the group, he introduces himself with a round of firm handshakes.

"Pleased to meet you all at last. My name is Vittorio Liuzzi, and I will serve as engineer and mechanical specialist on this endeavor."

After you greet Douglas Halperin, who strikes you as a bit quiet but seems nonetheless very pleased to meet a fellow team member, a gentleman from a nearby table walks over and introduces himself. "Hello Mr. Liuzzi, my name is Frank Pabodie. I'm one of the professors of engineering from Miskatonic University and I overheard you introduce yourself as an engineer and mechanical specialist of the Starkweather-Moore Expedition. It's a pleasure to meet you! I invented the core drilling apparatus that your team will be using in Antarctica"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Job (the tortured one).

NOTE: Frank Pabodie's image in this post is out of date (as many who know Frank can attest). This image was from approximately 1929, 4 years prior to this fundraising event. I have attached an updated image of Frank in my follow-up to this encounter here: http://www.enworld.org/showpost.php?p=2538620&postcount=83.

 

[jdeleski]

The First Dance

Martin surveys the room slowly after some idle chitchat with someone-or-other; spying some rather attractive ladies in a group, he heads over to them with a bright smile upon his face.
"Good evening, ladies. Would any of you care to dance?"

The group of three ladies all look up from their conversation and smile at you.

"Well, hello there!" immediately responds a dark-haired young lady in a sultry voice, her red glittering dress attracting your attention, "I would love to!" You notice the other two women pass each other a conspiritorial look, and then return their gazes and their smiles to you and your new companion, who extends her hand to encircle your arm. As she moves near, the smell of her perfume, an earthy intoxicating fragrance, envelops you.

The two of you make your way to the dance area which, as of yet, is somewhat dead, but the quartet of musicians see you approach and welcome you by playing a livelier tune. The piano player kicks it up a notch.

"My name is Susan," says your partner as she sinuously follows your lead, "and who might you be, handsome?"

 

[jdeleski]

The Arrival

A commotion begins at the rear doorway as two gentlemen, resplendent in black tuxedos, enter the room. One of the pair, a tall, striking, brown-haired individual with a mustache is mingling loudly with all of the guests in that general area; laughing, shaking hands, slapping the backs of the men and politely kissing the cheeks of all of the ladies. The other gentleman, a few inches shorter with dark brown hair and wearing a pair of round glasses, seems a bit more reserved but is also greeting guests at a frenetic pace.

The majority of guests are apparently on a first-name basis with the tall man, hailing him as “James” while respectfully greeting his bespectacled partner as “Professor Moore”. Obviously, your expedition leaders have arrived.

The two quickly work their way over to the mayor’s group and begin exchanging greetings and laughs.