[D20 CoC] Mountains of Madness - Chap 4: Departure; Recruiting Alternate Players

[Job]

Martin looks around New York Harbor from the S.S. Gabrielle and wishes that the journey would get underway. His recent conversation with Professor Pabodie and his earlier researches have lead him to believe that it isn't safe in New York any more.

As Martin tries to shrug off his sense of foreboding, he spots a copy of today's newspaper left on a deckchair, picks it up and begins leafing through it. His attention is captured by an article on the first page describing a recent increase in crime in the city and steps that the Mayor has begun taking to combat this threat. "Increased Police overtime ... doubling of cops on each beat ... neighborhood watch groups ... curfew at dusk in the worst sections of town." The mayor's comments continued on for a number of paragraphs, but Martin chose to continue on to the next page.

Then a loud horn blast from a passing tugboat surprised Martin and the newspaper shook in his hands; he momentarily lost his grip on the pages, losing a section over the railing, and watched as it floated to the dark water below.

Martin returned his attention to the remaining pages that he held. He began reading an interview with a physician who suspected an outbreak of tuberculosis in one of the city's slums. The doctor had been having a difficult time narrowing down the source of the aggressive disease and was considering asking the city leaders to impose a quarantine in that area. As Martin continued reading, a large shadow darkened the page and he looked up to see a raven fly directly over him and then land on a railing above. The raven fixed its black, beady eyes on him.

Martin shivered...

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

...and his eyes drifted back to the far left column of the newspaper page.

 

[Morpheus]

Martin thinks to himself that this voyage will be more successful than the Miskatonic University expedition-despite the current foreboding harbingers he has seen...

 

[Job]

George gets distracted from Vittorio 'ah! the letter' 'escuse me Señor Vittorio i must read this before i forget again...'

George withdraws the envelope from his jacket pocket and examines its contents, a typewritten note.

[OOC - The attached file is known only to George Barrow until this character chooses to show it to others]

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Drowned Hero]

George looks up put on his glasses and reads the letter again. He completely forget about Mr Luizzi as he almost run to find Dr.Moore.

 

[Taokanf]

After so many years of rough living, the enclosed spaces of the ship made her feel a bit queasy. Or maybe that was seasickness. In any case, Camille was anxious for a bit of fresh air, and felt that she could be excused in making a rather abrupt exit for the top deck.

Though anxious for the expedition to be underway she felt relieved at once upon getting out into the open air again.

Recognizing a familiar face from the gala, Martin if she recalled correctly, she raised a hand, opening her mouth for a "halloo," when the harsh cackle of seabirds drew her gaze up. Clutching her heat closer to her head to ptotect it from a sudden, stiff breeze, she watched the birds gracefully twirl and soar on the brisk winds blowing in the from the sea with a wistful expression. It was a perfect day to take to the skies...

 

[Job]

George looks up put on his glasses and reads the letter again. He completely forget about Mr. Luizzi as he almost run to find Dr.Moore.

Vittorio stood with his mouth open, watching George's back race across the mess hall and disappear through a doorway. He shook his head, turned, and began unpacking, muttering something to himself about "strange scientists...".

George rapped repeatedly on Dr. Moore's stateroom door to gain it's occupant's attention. Immediately thereafter, George heard Commander Starkweather's voice yell from within, "Yes! Dr. Moore and I are in conference and are not to be disturbed!"

Meanwhile, back with Vittorio in George Barrow's cabin:

A grey-haired man of thin, but sturdy, build poked his head into the room and said, "Hello there. That gent was in a bit of a hurry, wasn't he?" With a broad, easy smile, the man put down his duffle bag and reached out to shake Vittorio's hand, saying, "Jim Poole. A pleasure to meet you! It appears that we'll be roommates."

Vittorio responded with a firm handshake and said "Hello Jim. Vittorio Luizzi at your service. You may call me Vito, if you'd like. I think that our other roommate, Mr. Barrow, who just left, apparently read something that troubled him."

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

...the harsh cackle of seabirds drew her gaze up. Clutching her heat closer to her head to ptotect it from a sudden, stiff breeze, she watched the birds gracefully twirl and soar on the brisk winds blowing in the from the sea with a wistful expression. It was a perfect day to take to the skies...

...and a perfect day to prepare the machines that would ultimately take Camille into the skies of Antarctica.

Camille's few brief minutes of reverie on the upper deck were interrupted by a yell from below on the main deck. Camille recognized Douglas Halperin, fellow pilot on this expedition, and recognized his sarcasm-laden cry, "Ms. Bardier, would you be so kind as to accept my invitation to join us down here to inspect the loading of our aircraft? I'd be much obliged."

[OOC - Link to photo of Douglas Halperin]

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Drowned Hero]

George Barrow Scientist

"Yes! Dr. Moore and I are in conference and are not to be disturbed!"[/COLOR]

'Sir, Mister Starkweather, sir' 'Its a very urgent matter sir' 'i cant think of any meeting more important then the much important news i have to communicate Dr. Moore and yourself' George Barrow holds the letter so tight that when he realizes hes unsure if the letter will be readable...

Good almighty what trouble are Im in ... And what consequence will this have for the expedicion... The Shooting at the Hotel is one thing, BUT this! Oh God oh God...

George twists his fingers as he waits

 

[Job]

'Sir, Mister Starkweather, sir' 'Its a very urgent matter sir' 'i cant think of any meeting more important then the much important news i have to communicate Dr. Moore and yourself' George Barrow holds the letter so tight that when he realizes hes unsure if the letter will be readable...

Good almighty what trouble are Im in ... And what consequence will this have for the expedicion... The Shooting at the Hotel is one thing, BUT this! Oh God oh God...

George twists his fingers as he waits

You hear rapid, heavy footfalls coming towards the door, then an unlatching of metal from the inside, followed by the door pulled open so violently that the vacuum left behind it sucked your hair forward over your eyes.

A red-faced James Starkweather looms in the doorway, scanning you from head to foot, then impatiently barks, "What is it, man? And this had better be good!"

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Drowned Hero]

George Barrow Scientist

A red-faced James Starkweather looms in the doorway, scanning you from head to foot, then impatiently barks, "What is it, man? And this had better be good!"

George enters the room without asking taking up the letter he received 'the most disturbing letter appeared at my hotel room this morning' 'its a warning of some sort' 'im deeply preoccupied and concerned this will add to the problems our expedition are experiencing' George looks up from his jacket and pulls out the letter as he sees around in the room 'here it is, please read'

http://www.enworld.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=30188

As Dr.Moore and Starkweather reads the letter George will be looking at them and their reactions with a scientists eye

Sense Motive and Spot (correct one) (1d20+5=9, 1d20+7=17)

 

[Job]

George enters the room without asking taking up the letter he received 'the most disturbing letter appeared at my hotel room this morning' 'its a warning of some sort' 'im deeply preoccupied and concerned this will add to the problems our expedition are experiencing' George looks up from his jacket and pulls out the letter as he sees around in the room 'here it is, please read'

As Dr.Moore and Starkweather reads the letter George will be looking at them and their reactions with a scientists eye

Sense Motive and Spot (correct one) (1d20+5=9, 1d20+7=17)

James Starkweather takes the letter from George and begins reading it as he paces back and forth, grumbling. After reading it, he looked up at George and exclaims, "It's the workings of a lunatic! A madman attempting to thwart our efforts!

George Barrow's conclusions about James Starkweather's reaction
[sblock]The commander appears to be fully surprised by the letter's contents. His reactions are genuine; he doesn't appear to be hiding anything.[/sblock]

"Bill, take a look at this," Starkweather said as he handed the letter to Professor Moore, who then began reading it without rising from his chair. At one point, Moore looked up with concern plainly showing on his face, shifting his gaze from George to James Starkweather, said nothing, then returned to reading the letter. Long seconds later, the professor stopped reading, appearing to stare at nothing in particular. You could tell that his mind was racing, attacking this news as if it were a mathematics problem.

George Barrow's conclusions about Doctor Moore's reaction
[sblock]Professor Moore appears to be genuinely stunned by the letter's contents.[/sblock]
As he continued pacing the room, rubbing his temple, James Starkweather apparently asked the lamp, "Or a madwoman? Could Acacia be behind this?", then spun around with a determined look on his face, made a fist at Moore and said, "Yes, she could be attempting to scare off our crew!"

At that point, Professor Moore looked up at George, asking, "And you say that this was left at your hotel room this morning? Hmm. We need to find out when the police and the newspapers discovered Captain Douglas's body.

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Taokanf]

"Ms. Bardier, would you be so kind as to accept my invitation to join us down here to inspect the loading of our aircraft? I'd be much obliged."

Irked at being called back to earth in no uncertain tones, Camille walked over to the balcony overlooking the lower decks and leaned over the safety railing, looking down at the group of men swarming over the planes like ants. She grinned down at Douglas, not at all put-off by the sarcasm, and called back in a tone that fairly dripped with false sweetness, "I'd be delighted to, monsieur Halperin!" With that she hurried down below to the main deck, still protectively clutching her hat tight to her head.

 

[Drowned Hero]

George Barrow Scientist

As he continued pacing the room, rubbing his temple, James Starkweather apparently asked the lamp, "Or a madwoman? Could Acacia be behind this?", then spun around with a determined look on his face, made a fist at Moore and said, "Yes, she could be attempting to scare off our crew!"

At that point, Professor Moore looked up at George, asking, "And you say that this was left at your hotel room this morning? Hmm. We need to find out when the police and the newspapers discovered Captain Douglas's body.

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Job (the tortured one).

'Acacia? who is this? how would she know who i am?! and and what does this have to do with Captain douglas? please Mr Starkweather, Dr. Moore please explain' 'im getting mighty worried here i stand without a clue' 'maybe i can help to trow some new light on a old problem' 'my analysis capabilities has more the proven...' George walks to the door and peeks outside. 'Maybe Martin Louis LeBlanc can help us out, he is a journalist after all and will sure use his abilities to clear up this mess'

 

[Job]

Irked at being called back to earth in no uncertain tones, Camille walked over to the balcony overlooking the lower decks and leaned over the safety railing, looking down at the group of men swarming over the planes like ants. She grinned down at Douglas, not at all put-off by the sarcasm, and called back in a tone that fairly dripped with false sweetness, "I'd be delighted to, monsieur Halperin!" With that she hurried down below to the main deck, still protectively clutching her hat tight to her head.

Douglas Halperin waited at the bottom of the ladder for Camille, and offered his hand in a gentlemanly manner to assist her with the last step. With a broad smile and slight bow, he said, "Mademoiselle Bardier. Please, I insist that you call me Douglas. I'm afraid that we have much to do before we may rest for the evening."

Under the ship's spotlights that night, the two of you spend hours supervising the lifting and loading of the three Boeing model 247 aircraft. A fourth plane, a Fairchild FC-2, is already loaded aboard ship. The crated wing sections of the 247's, each mounted with an engine, have been detached and separately packaged from their cabin sections. You and Douglas first inspect the airplanes at the dockhouses before loading, checking for delivery damage. You then assist in the movement of the craft, lashing them to wooden pallets which are lifted high by the ship's huge cranes, then lowered down into the open deck hatches, through the tweendecks and further down into the lower holds, settling on top of wooden racks containing hundreds of gasoline drums.

Douglas then joins you for tying down the craft in the lower holds, and the two of you meticulously re-inspect all aircraft for any damage that might have occurred during the loading process.

At 2:00 a.m. on the morning of September 7th, much to your relief, you complete your work and confirm that all aircraft appear to be in excellent condition. A weary Douglas Halperin thanks you for your assistance.

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Job]

'Acacia? who is this? how would she know who i am?! and and what does this have to do with Captain douglas? please Mr Starkweather, Dr. Moore please explain' 'im getting mighty worried here i stand without a clue' 'maybe i can help to trow some new light on a old problem' 'my analysis capabilities has more the proven...'

James Starkweather turns and gives George a severe look, then responds, "Miss Acacia Lexington is a rich, snobbish heiress who fancies herself an explorer, and will stop at nothing to discredit our expedition. Her team is right now working on their own plans to beat us to Antarctica, and it wouldn't surprise me AT ALL to find that she's behind these troubles that..."

[OOC - Link to News Article from Chapter 1 describing Acacia Lexington's Expedition]

Professor Moore interrupts Starkweather to say, "James, we have no evidence that Miss Lexington is behind ANY of this!" He then turns to George, saying "Mr. Barrow, you need to know that our Commander has had run-ins with Miss Lexington in the past and they are not on friendly terms, so he has personal reasons to suspect her of trying to thwart our efforts."

George walks to the door and peeks outside. 'Maybe Martin Louis LeBlanc can help us out, he is a journalist after all and will sure use his abilities to clear up this mess'

"Yes, you're right, I think that Martin is just the man who could help us investigate this!" exclaimed Professor Moore.

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Drowned Hero]

'Yes yes he might be good dont you think?' 'Is he aboard?' George takes out a pencil and a notebook, scribbling something for himself 'But Mr. Starkweather' 'why in the earth would this women oppose such a nobles task of exploration?' 'Does this trip have a layer of economic or political intrigue?' 'because if thats not the reason for sabotaging such an endevour only matter of a more...' George hesitates 'private business would drive a person to such drastic actions as we see here'

Gather Information (1d20+9=17)

 

[Morpheus]

"Yes, you're right, I think that Martin is just the man who could help us investigate this!" exclaimed Professor Moore.

Martin makes his way to the mess to find Prof. Moore.

"You sent for me, Professor?"

 

[Job]

'Yes yes he might be good dont you think?' 'Is he aboard?' George takes out a pencil and a notebook, scribbling something for himself 'But Mr. Starkweather' 'why in the earth would this women oppose such a nobles task of exploration?' 'Does this trip have a layer of economic or political intrigue?' 'because if thats not the reason for sabotaging such an endevour only matter of a more...' George hesitates 'private business would drive a person to such drastic actions as we see here'

Starkweather looked at George for long moments, his face reddening, his jaw muscles clenching, and in a low voice said "Acacia Lexington would stop at nothing to thwart my efforts. I led an expedition many years ago for her in Africa and we barely survived. She owes me her life, but she is a vindictive, meddling witch who blames the world for her own self-inflicted problems. I plan to avoid all contact with that woman and she will not--I repeat--NOT overshadow our success."

James Starkweather then looked over at Professor Moore and demanded, "Get this expedition back on track, Moore! I need to know what happened to our captain, and we need to get away from this cursed city!"

With that, the commander turned and furiously stormed from the room.

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Job (the tortured one).

 

[Drowned Hero]

George Barrow Scientist

George looks at Dr.Moore and at Martin Louis LeBlanc standing so surprisingly in the doorway.
Dr.Moore is there anything else i can be at help whit?