Masks of Nyarlathotep - Chapter 1: New York City

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Chapter 1: New York City

"Amongst my few playmates, I was very unpopular, since I would insist on playing out events in history or acting according to consistent plots.... The children I knew disliked them [and their] romping & shouting puzzled me. I hated mere play & dancing about....in my relaxations I always desired plot."
-H.P. Lovecraft, Letters.

 

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The Players:

Thomas Anderson British Ex-Butler/Bodyguard. Played by Krug.

Father Joe Savino Italian Caltholic Priest and Expert in Psychology. Played by Toric_Arthendain.

Lachian "Shorty" Gilliadh Gangster and Idea man. Played by Shapermc.

Hamish Gilliadh Twin Brother of "Shorty" and the Brawn of the Duo. Played by Festy_Dog.

Professor John Carter Professor of Anthropology. Played by VorpalBunny.

 

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January 12th, 1925
12:25 PM
Columbia Universty, The Office of Professor John Carter


Professor Carter was having a working lunch. A half eaten cornbeef sandwich on rye and a steaming cup of coffee rested on the side of his desk. He was concentrating on the stack of papers infront of him. "Not a bad crop of students this year." he said. "Most of them have a head on their shoulders." Picking up a paper he frowned. "Well, at least one needs to get it together. If Mister Townstead does shape up I will have to flunk him." Professor Carter glanced out the large window behind him. While the sun and blue sky denoted a beautiful day, he knew better. It was bitterly cold and that wind cut like a knife.
His front door opened and Mrs. Plum, his secretary, came in. "Professor, this just came by messenger." She held out a envelope.

 

[VorpalBunny]

Professor Carter looked up at Ms. Plum over the rim of his glasses and took the telegram from her.

"Thank you, Ms. Plum."

He looked at the envelope and sighed. "There's no rest for the weary," he thought as he threw the telegram on top of of his second "to do" pile and went back to his papers.

Uggh. Townstead. He looked back over at the telegram. "I hope whatever it is, it dosen't invlove grading papers...," he thought as he reached for the envelope and a letter opener...

[OOC: Opening and reading the telegram]

 

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Carter opens the telegram and it reads.

World Wide Telegraph Service
Hudson Terminal, 30 Church Street
New York, USA

TO: JOHN CARTER
HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING CARLYLE EXPEDITION STOP NEED RELIABLE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM STOP ARRIVE JANUARY 15 STOP
SIGNED JACKSON ELIAS

 

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Oh, Jackson Elias, you have not heard from him in about 8 months or so. He is a good friend, even though months and sometimes years seperate one meeting from the other. His writings characterize and analyse death cults and how they use fear to manipulate it's followers. A skeptic, Elias has never found proof of supernatural powers, magic, or dark gods. Elias is tough, stable, and punctual, unafraid of brawls or officials. His well researched books always seem to reflect first-hand experience, such as the time he infiltrated a modern-day Thuggee cult in India. You have colaborated with him on several of his books; The Smoking Heart, a study of historical and modern day Central American death cults, and Skulls Along the River, which exposed a headhunter cult in the Amazon basin. All his books are published by Prospero Press of New York City, and all were edited by it's owner/editor, Jonah Kensington. Kensington is a good friend of Jackson Elias and knows you well.

 

[VorpalBunny]

As the Professor finishes reading the telegram a broad grin crosses his face. "Elias!" he shouted. He looked down at his desk and picked up Townstead's paper. "Thank the Maker, I'm saved from the likes of you, Mr. Townstead!" he said happily as he threw the paper aside.

Mrs. Plum stuck her head in the door.

"Professor, did you call..."

"Mrs. Plum - great! Please inform my department head I'll be needing some time to investigate another of Mr. Elias' leads."

Mrs. Plum nodded as she left.

"Investigative team?" he thought. "The Carlyle Expedition? What does Elias have up his sleeve this time? No matter. It seems I have three days to assemble a team - and I know just who to ask."

[OOC: The professor is heading to Mr. Anderson's resturant to recruit him and see if he knows any other likely candidates for an expedition.]

 

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"Investigative team?" he thought. "The Carlyle Expedition? What does Elias have up his sleeve this time? [/B]

You seem to remember something about a "Carlyle Expedition" that was lost in Africa about 5 or 6 years ago. It was all in the papers at the time.
Also you remember a catholic priest who lives in Greenwich Village that Elias consulted with about two years ago on a exorcism of all things. Elias had alot of praise for that priest's sharp mind. You believe his name was Father Savino.

 

[VorpalBunny]

[OOC: I guess it's lucky that Columbia is uptown, Greenwich Village is mid-town, and Mr. Anderson's resturant is downtown...)

The Professor huddles against the cold as he sees a cab drive by, and tries to flag it down. The taxi comes to a screeching halt in front of him. "Hmm. First try. This must be my lucky day, " the professor thought as he entered the taxi.

"Where to, pal?"

The professor was about to tell the driver to head downtown when he remembered Father Savino. "Elias couldn't say enough nice things about him," the Professor recalled. "Especially about his sharp mind and deductive skills..."

The Professor tells the driver to head to the Village, and Father Savino's church.

[OOC: When the Professor arrives, he'll find Fr. Savino and show him the telegram.]

 

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Your taxi drops you off in front of Saint Catherine's catholic church in Greenwich Village. As your enter, you see a middle aged priest sweeping the floor of the entrance.