Fellowship of the Witching Hour - Part I

[Dlsharrock]

[SBLOCK=OOC Greenstar (spoiler for everyone else)]This is what Arabella knows (if you're not greenstar, please stop reading if you don't want a spoiler If you are greenstar, feel free to use this information as you see fit).

The death is the talk of the faculty, but it's no secret that students and professors alike are creeped out by the whole thing. Nobody knows who the dead student is, or whether they're a student at all. They were dressed in the typical garb of a youngster, but apparently the face was so disfigured identification was impossible.

Everybody at MUAM knows the 'witness' was a young man named Seth Willingate, a quiet lad and, like Arabella herself, something of a fringe character, favouring unorthodox company and known to like 'negro jazz', a music often referred to as rythm and blues, as well as being an active participant in the university's pro-active anti-war movement SAW (Students Against the War). The fashion at MUAM right now is for big band, swing and crooning, a white American translation of the much more subtle African American style. As a result, jazz is considered to be pretty 'out there' and black jazz is frowned upon by most of the trendier fraternities. Anti-war movements are equally unpopular given the current levels of common denominator patriotism. Many of the more gung ho students, especially the football and baseball jocks, can't wait to 'join up' and 'kick Hitler's ass'. Seth Willingate was accordingly given a wide berth by the popular crowd and seemed to Arabella to spend most of his time alone.

Whatever Seth saw in the toilet block of the science annex, it evidently terrified the life out of him. By all accounts 'wierd Seth' has lost his marbles and found a new home in the mysterious confines of Arkham Asylum, a place surrounded in more myth and rumour than the university itself.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Dire Lemming]

[sblock=OOC]Sorry about the waitress, I'll keep that things about NPCs in mind from now on. I'm not used to this type of posting style, I usually use a much more 'So and So does this, "Hey, look at that." He walks over and looks at the thingie.' style, but since that doesn't really work unless you can post reactions on the fly I decided to do it that way.

I'm not sure why or how I'd use the courtesan as a Player Character, though it would be rather interesting. I just added her as an NPC that might Adam knows and might interact with at some point. How exactly would she work as a PC?[/sblock]

 

[Dlsharrock]

[SBLOCK=OOC Dire Lemming, and anyone confused about extra characters]In my tabletop group we used to call these player NPCs (non-prominent-characters). Basically, it's an incidental character you can bring into a situation much as the DM brings in an NPC at opportune moments. Doctor LeGraid's wife would be a perfect example. If the group ever head over to the Doc's house, his wife will be a character he can roleplay at the same time as the Doctor and it isn't down to the Keeper to determine her actions or responses. It places a part of the player's background or immediate circle of friends and family firmly in the hands of the player. The Keeper can't arbitrarily kill the character, or have them do things the player might not like, because essentially, the character belongs to the player.

Quite how the courtesan might be introduced into play would really depend on the situation or the adventure. You might decide Adam bumps into her in the bar, or she might be travelling on the same tram, that kind of thing. He might even have her over when the group unexpectedly call round his place The nitty gritty of when and how remains to be seen. Player NPCs are incidental characters, for embellishing a scene or helping carry across some facet of the main PC's background which you'd like to explore in-game. They aren't alternate player characters to bring into adventures or play on a permanent basis at the same time as your original PC. For all intents and purposes, they're extras.

The fact is, she becomes *your* character, complete with stats and so on. I can't use her as part of a plot hook. I can't suddenly announce she's been killed off and I can't start moving her around, putting words in her mouth or giving her roles in the game if she does crop up for some reason. It's the difference between player domain and Keeper domain.

It's not quite the same thing as having an alternate player character, which is something else I've played with in the past. This is basically writing up a new investigator, complete with character sheet, then using him or her when you fancy a change of pace and letting the original character take a break from adventuring. Usually I'd insist character swaps of this sort only occur between adventures, or where appropriate, with one character being out of the picture entirely while the other is kept in play and vice versa. It can add interesting facets to a game, and keeps things interesting for players who like the character creation side of things as much as the roleplaying. It works particularly well in CoC because PCs often need to take time out to recover sanity (we're sometimes talking in-game months) and also because you don't have the same level of progression you might get in, say, D&D where you tend to stick with the same PC throughout because you want to increase levels, add classes, skills and so on.

As previously mentioned, this is all up to individual players. Stick with what you feel comfortable with, would be the golden rule.[/SBLOCK]

 

[kookalouris]

OOC comments and test of SBLOCK

[sblock=Sheepishly RE_EDITED OOC]
As I understand, it is now David's turn to respond so I will hold off on my post. Should I have misunderstood the turn order and the group is waiting on me. My post can be whittled down to a few sentences.

After sharing the rumours and listening to her friends, Sam says, "Of all of these strange seemings, I suggest that we look to the kidnapped boys. I hate to think I might have missed a chance to save someone's life." She almost added the word "...again."

If it is my turn and I'm not slowing down the game, I will elaborate on that post but it is essentially correct and can be built from.

Some questions...

I notice some of the players are putting their quotes in a different colour. Is this a group preference? It's cool either way with me but I must admit greenstar's post reminded me of a red-letter bible. Is there something Arabella isn't telling us?

I think I understand, a newly-introduced character is essentially the property of the creator. And David doesn't mind extra characters as 'garnish' as long as they don't get in the way of the action.

I encourage David to show off the waitstaff. Sam needs to get to know her crew.

I had considered the Whisperer in Darkness to be tuned to the BBC. Unfortunately, according to my research, Edward R. Murrow iconic "This is London" stopped the year before. For myself, should the Apocalypse ever happen, I will immediately tune to the BBC, I want the end of the world delivered to me with a polite, 'stiff-upper-lip' British accent.

Possible suggestion, could Sam have a copper on the 'take.' By that I mean, maybe an 'understanding' of Sam's interpretation of, say, liquor laws, or closing hours. All of this could be bought with the local constabulary's 'discount' on the good stuff and the Witching Hour's generous donations to the local 'police association.' This could make for another source of rumours from the station filtered through a colorful character. Or it could be a completely legit way of possibly having an off-duty cop at the bar. Sam can't easily afford a bouncer. Although I imagine the hard-bitten waitstaff is pretty formidable and Sam would secretly be happy enough to have enough business to warrant some muscle.

These are the only specifically post-related comments I have right now. I will post them so as to get these to the group now. Tonight, I hope to follow with some less important game-related comments I been delayed from adding to.

Feedback, as always, is welcome.

Gerry

[/sblock]

 

[kookalouris]

Amended test of SBLOCK

[SBLOCK=Chastened re-test of SBLOCK]
OK, once again from the top, and I apologize for the faux pas
[/SBLOCK]

 

[kookalouris]

More correctly SBLOCK'ed comments (optional OOC)

[SBLOCK=optional OOC comments]
OK, let me try this again now that I understand the SBLOCK a little better.

First, let me apologize for italicizing David's name now in my now-exposed last post. To my mind's ear, it sounds impatient. What I meant was to emphasize his honored place as GM. By default, his posts will set the pace. I need to wean myself off of my italic habit.

I really do grok the idea of Sam having been at an enlightened psychiatric hospital rather than Arkham (which I used only for Cthonic flavouring). This could make Sam naively walk into Arkham if it suits the game later. It also would make her less likely to believe friends testimony about the horrors of Arkham.

First off, David, I sympathize with your pain. I have only had one wisdom tooth pulled and that was enough to convince me, thanks.

Second, my welcome to Majic and Patty. I figure Patty can only make the Witching Hour more interesting and that is saying something.

Third, I may be beating a dead horse here but additional motives for Sam caring about the group could be...

If Sam wants to try and get with Adam (possibly misunderstanding his relationship with his 'girlfriend'), the group may be Sam's only real excuse to do so. Of course, she will make the group proud to impress him (or vice versa, if Sam is the more ardent member, and Adam wants to get back with her).

I have one more reason why Sam might be devoted to the Witching Hour that actually stems from an aspect in my real life. If y'all are interested I will tell you. But I don't want to bore you or put too much of the player into the character to the game's detriment.

Finally, Sam would be all for Cindy using roller-skates. The Witching-Hour could use some spectacle. It could be that over-protective Sam is giving Cindy constant advice and warnings on 'how' to skate. I hadn't realized there were other groups that played the Witching Hour. I'd love to hear more about them.

Gerry
[/SBLOCK]

 

[greenstar]

Arabella answers Adam. "We're assuming he was a student but the face was to disfigured to identify. But I did know the witness who went totally insane, his name is Seth Willingate. He was unpopular because of his taste in music and because he was active in the anti-war movement at the university. He spent most of his time by himself. So unless anyone wants to investigate that I suggest we find out more about the kidnapped boys like Sam said. Then again there are missing people that could be connected with these ghost car sightings." For a second she looks indecisive. "Any of those is OK with me.

 

[Dire Lemming]

[sblock=OOC]So I assume you'd be statting out the Courtesan then? Well regardless I'll come up with a description and personality for her.

Elisse McCormick is 26 years old, has long auburn hair down to her mid back and brilliant gray eyes that are almost silvery. She has an exquisite slim hour glass figure that brings to mind the saying, "If looks could kill." She could be a model if it weren't for an inch long scar bellow her left eye. A parting gift given to her father when she was thirteen, it was the first and last time he ever touched her in anger. Her mother on the other hand had suffered many drunken beatings, and it was because of that that the young Elisse had quickly learned that if you wanted to protect yourself and those close to you you needed to be either stronger or smarter than those you wished to be protected from. The girl was obviously not the former, so she chose the latter, and only a few years later her father was being taken away, screaming apologies and obscenities alternately at his only daughter as she held a napkin to a bloody cut made by a broken beer bottle.

Unfortunately, that also meant their income was gone as well. The young Elisse realized that she would have to find some way to make ends meet if she was going to support he now even more depressed mother who actually seemed to miss her father despite all of his abuse. There were very few things she was equipped to do however, and eventually she ended up working the streets. It was an amazing stroke of poor luck when a black limousine pulled up next to her one night and beautiful a middle aged woman rolled down the window and told her she wanted to speak with her about long term employment. This was a strange enough request that she decided she wanted to find out more. The woman seemed please by her intelligence and told her that she was the owner of a special type of business, similar to the one she was in now. A sort of very expensive, very broad ranged, and very well paying business called an Escort Service. Her duties would still involve sexual intercourse if that was desired by the customer, but her customers were of the affluent variety and often simply wished the company of a female whom they could speak to about their perceived problems in life, and who could, to some degree give a relevant response. The fact that she was very beautiful but smarter than many women in more 'respectable' positions meant she was guaranteed a job, if she accepted.

Considering her options for a full second she agreed.

Elise is intelligent, though not intellectual. She is businesslike, or warm depending on what is appropriate. While she isn't fulfilling any life long dream, she's perfectly happy with her job considering that she is never in need and rarely in want. She even has enough money now to give her mother a decent living. For the past six weeks her main client has been an eccentric inventor a few years older than her named Adam West.[/sblock]

Adam ponders the words of Arabella for a while and finally gives her a reply. “The student’s death seems there’s still a high probability that it could be mundane. I’d want to help the kids as well if we could, and it seems like there’s something bizarre to it as well, but at this point do we even have any leads? It’s always possible that it’s connected to the other disappearances.” He takes another sip from his bourbon.

 

[Dire Lemming]

[sblock=Kook]Now that I think about it, it could be cool if Adam wasn't actively trying to get with Sam anymore because even though he still had feelings for her he thought she didn't feel the same way anymore and didn't want to alienate her and/or have her run off again. He'd be happy just knowing she's safe. Of course if she did actually like him like that it'd be soaperiffic![/sblock]

 

[Lucean]

Phillip's eyes shifted towards Arabella as she spoke, then back to his cane with a slightly guilty look in them.

"I did not realize you knew someone involved in that university business, Arabella." His voice was much quieter this time, his tone careful. "I hope you can forgive me for my foolish comments." His fingers drummed on the surface of the cane.

"As for the missing boys, I see very little in how we could be of aid. If I have understood correctly, the police are treating this as a priority and have torn through the town looking for clues. I am hesitant to believe that we could find out anything they have not. It is not that we could sim-" Phillip paused for a moment, his face thoughtful. "Well, it is possible I could ta-" Then he shook his head. "No. This is case of very high visibility. I do think we should be careful before involving ourselves in something like this."

Phillip looked back to Arabella, fingers still drumming.

"If you wish, I could try to visit your friend in the Asylum and see that they are treating him properly there."