[D20 CoC] Beyond the Mountains of Madness - Chapter 1; Recruiting Alternate Players

[Drowned Hero]

Øyvind senses something amiss. The air thickens and presses upon him; the grey-blue corridor seems to twist and stretch before him like a writhing serpent, it's end seemingly miles distant, cloaked in darkness. Øyvind reaches up and uses his arms to steady himself against the cold steel hull and feels a deep, rhythmic thrum within the metal. A painful cramp jabs his belly, doubling him over, and sweat seeps from his pores. A shriek, rapidly increasing in intensity, is heard down the corridor and Øyvind looks up to see the far darkness boiling and heaving. The air begins flowing towards Oyvind, carrying a sickening stench, pushed from something large that is hurtling his way, a locomotive of despair and pain, accompanied by that awful shriek...

...and the moment snaps back...

...as Øyvind lurches backwards, away from the oncoming horror, stumbling in the ship's corridor which now appears normal. The howling shriek is gone and the corridor, brightly lit from sunshine through the portholes, plainly turns right about 20 feet ahead. He can feel a gentle sway of the large vessel as it moves with the tide.

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Job (the tortured one).

What was that?! Does Øyvind think as the moment abnormality is over, he stumbles some few times as he reaches the door taking him out of the corridor. As he exits he closes the hatch and draws his revolver “damn what was that?!” he yells out loud, having a expression of honest fear in his face “what madness is that?!” Øyvind tries to peak trough the portholes to see if something else is in the corridor

[sblock]
as øyvind goes out does he see Martin?

If you got a map of the ship i would appreciate it
[/sblock]

 

[Watus]

Dr. Lambert pushes back the cuff of his wool suit jacket and checks his watch, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. The afternoon is sweltering, but he hardly notices. The sidewalk traffic washes over and around him, heading to and from the nearby Grand Central Terminal, and he marvels, not for the first time, at the frenetic pace of the city, even in the stultifying heat.

Nearby, the Biltmore doorman whistles for his attention and beckons to the open door of the taxicab. Vitus tosses his physician's bag into the back seat and passes the doorman a few coins as he removes his hat and climbs in.

"12th Avenue and 34th, please." He says, in a vaguely british accent, pulling an embroidered silk handkerchief from a pocket inside his well tailored jacket and wiping his forehead.

"What? The docks?" The cabbie asks, looking at him quizically in the rear view mirror.

"Pier 74-B, yes," Vitus answers. "The SS Gabrielle, to be specific."

The cabbie shrugs and pulls out into the flow of traffic.

"I'm to be a member of the Starkweather-Moore expedition," Vitus volunteers, glowing with pride.

"Uh huh." The cabbie mutters, casting him a sideways glance in the mirror. "That sounds swell."

---

A few minutes later and not much worse for wear, Vitus is bounding up the gangplank of the Gabrielle.

"Excuse me good sir," he says, practically jumping into the path of a passing stevedore. "Where might one find the good Dr. Moore?"

 

[Job]

Time rippled. Omnicient eyes winked. A gaping hole opened and consumed the thoughts and work of mere mortals who are chained to the continuum of reality.

OOC - Dread Azathoth, Primal Chaos and Daemon Sultan, mindlessly writhing, breathed across the EnWorld library and obliterated months of writing. Herein is a summary of our intrepid team's activities from December 31, 2005 to May 14, 2006, just as they begin their pre-expedition meeting and preparations.

Dear Mr. Starkweather.

My name is George Barrow a biologist with specialisation in biochemistry and this few last years an seeker for more marvelous substances called antibiotics. I'm sure you Mr. Starkweather are up to date with the incredible discoveries of Dr. Fleming some years ago, being you such a good friend of Dr.Moore, distinct gentleman of science.

My contribution to this expedition would be my expertise in all biological processes analysis of data, microscopic analysis of ice samples, classification of biological samples and more so many other thing that falls under the category of science.
Most of all I offer my capacity of analysis, having worked scientifically all my life with numerous projects, I find myself capable to recollect, store, organize and analyze all kind of information this journey can offer.

...

Sincerely,

George Barrow
Soley Street 27
Boston

*** Herein Resides a Re-construction of James Starkweather's reply to George Barrow ***

September 1, 1933​

George Barrow
Soley Street 27
Boston, Massachusetts
USA

Dear Mr. George Barrow,

Thank you for your letter of August 30th. It is an extraordinary pleasure for me to approve your application to become a team member of the Starkweather—Moore Expedition of 1933.

I must admit, Mr. Barrow, that your credentials and stellar experience have impressed me greatly! I spoke with Dr. Moore regarding the accomplishments of Dr. Fleming to confirm your background, and I am absolutely thrilled to report that both Dr. Moore and Dr. Fleming provided nothing but glowing references as to your determination and expertise!

Sir, you should know that as noteworthy as your experiences were with Dr. Fleming, for ever after our historic undertaking to Antarctica, you will be regarded as legend! The Starkweather-Moore Antarctic Expedition of 1933 will be one that will shake the very foundations of science, leave all mankind in our debt for furthering the boundaries of human endeavour. We will be mentioned by historians of the future in the same breath as Magellan, Columbus and Cooke! I salute your spirit, Sir!

Please be so kind as to join us at our suite here at the Amherst at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

​

James Starkweather
Expedition Leader​

Amherst Hotel
8th Avenue and 44th Street
New York City, New York​

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Job.

 

[Job]

*** Herein follows a summary of the events immediately upon our intrepid investigators' first entry of the USS Gabrielle ***

Martin walks up the gangplank of the Gabrielle-deftly avoiding the stevedores who are loading goods onto the ship.
"Excuse me, sir. which way to the meeting of the Expedition members?"

Øyvind ... stumbles some few times as he reaches the door taking him out of the corridor. As he exits he closes the hatch and draws his revolver “damn what was that?!” he yells out loud, having a expression of honest fear in his face “what madness is that?!” Øyvind tries to peak trough the portholes to see if something else is in the corridor

Vitus... bounds up the gangplank of the Gabrielle.

SUMMARY: ARRIVAL AT THE USS GABRIELLE

Upon entering the ship, the team encountered Dr. Moore working in the Ship's Galley, examining manifests and logging entries. Dr. Moore instructed the new team members to immediately report to Peter Sykes for measurements and fitting of cold weather gear, down the hall and in the Officer's Galley. Dr. Moore also made a notation to order a few extra crates of food on behalf of Øyvind, who appeared to be a talented masticator.

Upon meeting Peter Sykes, he efficiently began measuring the crew and teasing them about their physical endowments. He provided an orientation of some of the cold weather equipment, including the oxygen gear (using a noseclip and mouthtube).

After the team finished with Peter Sykes, they moved down the hall to see Dr. Richard Green, Ship's Physician. The good doctor turned out to be much less playful than Peter Sykes, and asked dozens and dozens of probing medical questions before putting the team through a fairly brief exam.

Finally, the team took cabs to a dentist in midtown New York City before returning to the hotel for the night.


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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

Summary: Lectures By Starkweather And Moore

After completing their medical adventures the day before, the team meets the next morning at 8 o'clock a.m. at the Amherst Hotel's Rose Room. It was the first time that the entire team of expedition members were in one place at one time. Several long tables were laid out, with breakfast steaming on a buffet sideboard. A large chalkboard stood at the front of the room.

James Starkweather stood at the podium to start the meeting, tall and charismatic, with dark brown hair and a noble profile. He greeted several expedition members by name and welcomed everyone. He was filled with infectious enthusiasm; it was clear that he saw great things ahead in the far South.

Commander Starkweather explained:

• The expedition would depart New York on September 14th and travel via the Panama canal to Melbourne, Australia. There it would refuel and reprovision, and would be ready to make landfall in the Ross Sea as early as November 1st if the pack ice permitted.
• Aircraft would be the main means of transport. Three, large, fast, modern aircraft, Boeing model 247's were purchased, along with a smaller plane, the sturdy Fairchild FC-2, to be used for mapping and exploration on the Ross Ice Shelf.
• Three semi-permanent camps were planned: The base camp on the shore of the Ross Sea, the second near the site of the ill-fated Miskatonic University camp, and the third would be a forward base for exploration located on the ancient high plateau on the far side of the Miskatonic Mountains.
• The expedition would leave Antarctica on or before February 1st.

Professor Moore then rose and greeted each expedition member, inviting them to stand and say a few words about themselves. He then hung a large map of Antarctica over the chalkboard, most of it empty white uncharted territory (see attached map) and explained:

• He expected the expedition to fill in quite a bit of the map of Antarctica before returning on February 1st (he said this with a grin).
• They would be sharing the continent with 3 other expeditions and Mr. Starkweather wished to stay out of the way of those teams, if possible. He did not believe that the other expeditions planned to push ahead to the Miskatonic Mountains. He provided an overview of the known plans of the other expeditions, pointing out their published locations and travel routes on the map, comparing them to your own plans.
• He then led a quiet toast to the success of the voyage, and wound up with a discussion of the work yet to be done, including verifying the ship's inventory against the manifests...

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

SUMMARY: Taking Inventory 1

After some gentle prodding from Dr. Moore, the team members each accepted a manifest to verify.

Martin teamed up with Pierce Albemarle, the expedition's meteorologist, and were the first to depart the hotel and make their way to the USS Gabrielle to verify manifest #3. Pierce was a portly gentleman sporting a fashionable mustache and a monacle for reading, but was friendly and seemed willing to contribute wherever needed.

Pierce led Martin across the ship's deck to the hatch that led down to Tween Deck #3. Martin decended the ladder into the dark space, then groped for the light switch and was eventually successful in lighting the cargo hold. The lights, eighteen-inch diameter reflectors with four electric bulbs hanging from hooks overhead, were covered with sturdy metal grilles on the front and strung together with long extension cords. Even when lit, these lights failed to chase all of the shadows from the cargo hold and Martin and Pierce required flashlights to read the stenciling on the crates and inspect the contents.

Pierce climbed down into the hold only after the lights were lit, then the two of them began the work of locating the items that were listed on the manifest. Problems were found.

1) The inspectors found the (5) "bag, set aircraft tools", but Pierce seemed to think that these were toolsets for marine engines and they made a note to later check with one of the pilots.

2) They were unable to find the (2) "sled, 900 board feet lumber for base".

3) Martin was frustrated after 2 hours of fruitless searching for his (1) "box, set film developing equipment & chemicals".

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

SUMMARY: Taking Inventory 2

Øyvind and George Barrow both followed Martin and Pierce into the #3 Tween hold. George began verifying manifest #1 while Øyvind did the same for manifest #2.

ØYVIND'S RESULTS

1) In the #3 Tween Hold, Øyvind was unable to find the (3) "boxed set cooking gear for camp (pots and pans)" in the hold.

2) After locating the #1 Tween Hold, he unfortunately could not locate the (2) "crated windmill generator, cplt w. 12' tripod". These should've stood out like elephants amongst the pallets of gear, but were nowhere to be seen.

GEORGE'S RESULTS

George found all of the food items listed for the #3 Tween Hold neatly packed on separate pallets.

1) When locating the refrigerated space off Tween Hold #4, George was unable to find the (6) "jar, gallon sour cream", but thought that he remembered seeing them somewhere...

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

SUMMARY: Taking Inventory 3

Vitus chose to verify manifest 5 and was joined in his work by a pair of brothers, Nils and Gunnar Sorensen, both of whom were hired as Polar Guides and Mountaineers on the expedition.

The brothers were similar in appearance, but very different in personality. They were tall with nearly colorless, pale Norwegian skin and fine, virtually white hair. Both had pale blue eyes resembling ice water, but Gunnar seemed happy and companionable while Nils exuded an air of cold determination and an extraordinary economy of words.

VITUS' AFT DECK RESULTS

On the aft deck, the team easily located the spare rudder and assembly, spare propeller, and the oil drum raft. Nils and Gunnar quickly and efficiently tied down the loose raft.

VITUS' TWEENDECK #4 RESULTS

1) In #4 Tweendeck, the (40) "bags, quick setting cement" were missing.

2) In #4 Tweendeck, the (2) "case of 48 sticks ammonia-gelatin dynamite were missing.

VITUS' BOSUN'S STORES RESULTS

The team found the entrance to the Bosun's Hold through a padlocked twelve-foot sliding hatch set in the bulkhead in Tweendeck #1. It was much like the other Tweendeck holds, dim, poorly-ventilated, and lit by cluster lights strung with extension cords. Two small hatches in the floor revealed ladders down to another, lower compartment.

3) All seemed OK until the team could not find the (1) "wooden box, 100 no.6 non-electric blasting caps"

4) The (6) "coil (50') of time blasting fuse" could not be found

5) The (12) "snow shovels" were not in the Bosun's Stores.

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

1) The inspectors found the (5) "bag, set aircraft tools", but Pierce seemed to think that these were toolsets for marine engines and they made a note to later check with one of the pilots.

Asking around the ship, you were able to find Douglas "Not Doug" Halperin in the Ship's Mess examining maps of Antarctica and planning his flight paths. He followed you down to the Tweendeck to examine the tools and confirmed Pierce's suspicions; the five toolsets were for marine crafts and engines, not for aircraft.

"This will not do!" exclaimed Douglas with a grimace. "These sets do not include a number of pliers and fine wrenches that are essential to repairing the Boeing aircraft. I am amazed that you gents even noticed the error! You've saved us from terrible problems if we had left without them."

2) They were unable to find the (2) "sled, 900 board feet lumber for base".

After an exhausive search of all Tweendeck Holds, the main deck, and the warehouse on the dock, you were did not find the sleds and wood.

"I'll be damned!" swore Pierce, sweating from hours of exertion and walking on the ship and docks in the hot, steamy September weather. "We'd better ask Professor Moore to examine the orders and invoices. We're just not doing well today, eh my friend?"

3) Martin was frustrated after 2 hours of fruitless searching for his (1) "box, set film developing equipment & chemicals".

While Martin and Pierce searched in vain for the wood and sleds, they also kept their eyes out for Martin's box of developing equipment and chemicals.

As Martin was examining pallets and pallets of boxes in the dock warehouse, he walked past a stack of crates of "Chocolate", but the crate on the bottom caught his attention. It had a slightly lighter shade of wood grain and was turned so that he could not read the lettering. Five minutes later, he had pulled apart the pallet of crates and found his box of missing equipment and chemicals.

[sblock]Martin had a successful spot skill roll of 15 + his skill rating of 9 = 24 versus the DC of 20[/sblock]
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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

ØYVIND'S RESULTS

1) In the #3 Tween Hold, Øyvind was unable to find the (3) "boxed set cooking gear for camp (pots and pans)" in the hold.

Hours and hours of scouring all Tweendeck Holds and even the Lower Holds turned up nothing, but Øyvind was successful in finding one box in the dockside warehouse, buried near a dozen crates of "Chocolate" that someone had left piled haphazardly in a corner. Two boxes of cooksets were still missing.

[2) After locating the #1 Tween Hold, he unfortunately could not locate the (2) "crated windmill generator, cplt w. 12' tripod". These should've stood out like elephants amongst the pallets of gear, but were nowhere to be seen.

After a long day of climbing ladders, unstacking and restacking crates, unbundling and re-sorting pallets of equipment, peeking into dark holds and corners, and searching the ship and dockside warehouse from top to bottom, Øyvind leaned back and sighed in a deck chair on the USS Gabrielle, gazing at the setting sun. "Where could those generators be?" he said to himself.

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Job (the tortured one).