Celestial Alignment Round 1

[amar...@amarriner.com]

An old church. Tombstones. An eerie silence hanging over it all. An
abomination peers out from behind one of the crumbling stone slabs
stuck into the muddy ground. Its eyes dart here and there. Razor sharp
fangs bared. It sniffs the air for something ... new.

OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Location - Lovecraft Country - Kingsport
City, Church, Water, Forest, Cemetary, Outside
For each additional Turn you remain here, you may Bury one Phobia
affecting your Investigator.


This should be an interesting challenge--writing blurbs for the
Grinning Ghoul Investigator. :)

I think Carol is next according to the current Sanity order. So over
to you, Carol!

Aaron

[Carol]

The scent of incense surrounds her like an aura. Her crystals and
silver jewelry tinkle and sparkle as she walks.

With a mysterious series of signs in the air, she make a
pronouncement, "I sense great evil is planning to invade our world, I
have little time to make my plans!"

A startled passer-by stares at the wildly gesturing woman, alone on
the sidewalk, and crosses the street. "I must do some research!" she
shouts, and rushes to a nearby building, odd in it's eccentric
architecture.

I begin at La Mole Antonelliana Turin Europe City Site Artifact Gate
Outside
May use this Gate more than once, but you must bury one Spiritualist,
Occultist, Musician, or Artist Ally for each additional use.

Over to you Robert,

Carol :}

[Robert Heil]

He would have looked out of place, if he had been noticed.  But the young boy slipped by unseen, deeper into the back of the library.   Here was a section he had never explored.  Locked shelves with heavy volumes tied closed. 

 

Tingling with excitement, he looked about, wondering where to begin.

 

Starting at the Brown Library in Providence.

Over to you Aaron.

[amar...@amarriner.com]

The Ghoul creeps closer to the rotting old church and stops for a
moment when he hears what sounds like someone tamping soil. He turns
towards the noise and sees a loathsome brute of a man smacking a
shovel against the wet mud. A grave is at his feet, but the ghoul
can't tell if the man was burying the contents for the first time ...
or the second!

GEORGE BIRCH
Ally (3) -- Any Cemetery
Corrupt Undertaker, Knows English
Add 1 point to the value of this card while your current Location is a
Cemetery.

Back over to Carol!

Aaron

[Carol Olgilvie]

Carol Round 1 Turn 2 The Mystic walks around the strange building, searching the shadows for a sign of what had brought her to this city and this site.  A growing sense of foreboding fills her with dread.  Her head begins to ache and she clutches some of the crystals hanging around her neck. Suddenly, she turns with a gasp as the shadows themselves seem to congeal and a man steps up to her.  "I have felt the change in the planes also, my dear, and I am here to help you."  Rather than feeling reassured, the mystic gives out a little shriek and tries not to faint.  The "man" in front of her is dry and spare and dressed in antiquated clothes.  He gazes on her with the stare of a snake, a cold-blooded predator. I play an Ally Simon Orne Value 2 Unique Boston or Europe Living Dead, Corrupt Cultist, Knows English, German, and Hyperborean -1 sanity Can know any one Spell.  Bury spell in your Story Deck after it is cast.  Simon can use the Orne Formula Artifact.  Place that card beneath this, and treat both as one card. So My sanity is now 12. Over to you Robert Carol :}

[Robert Heil]

The boy glances around again nervously.  In this dark section of the library the shelves were all locked.  "Isn't that always the case", the youth mutters to himself.  "The ones in the know want to keep things locked up and make sure we all stay in the dark.  We'll have to see about that..."

Taking a pocket knife from his jacket pocket he jimmies the shelf lock with a deft hand.

He scowls as the stale air of the case drifts out.  Taking up the first volume he finds he opens it - flipping slowly through the pages of florid text and lurid drawings.

He jumps as a hand comes down firmly on his shoulder.  He slams the book quickly, sending up a small cloud of dust.

Reaching over his shoulder stranger takes the book from his hand and reads the cover.  'The Hyiorie of Wytches in the Providence Colony by the Honorable Roger Williams'.   A thorough account, if a bit biased."  Calmly he places the book back on the shelf and slides the cover closed.

The youth turns around to face a tall, thin man, staring at him with deep and probing eyes.

"Sorry Mistery" the youth begins.  "I was just curious you know, I heard there were books here with stories - stories they don't want folks to know.  I wasn't going to nick it or anything.  Really.  Just read a little of it."

"Just read a little of it, eh"?  the strange smiles.  "If that's what you are after, perhaps I can be of some service." the stranger continues, shaking the boy's hand.  I am Mr. Howard Lovecraft, and I think we should talk."


I play the Ally Howard Lovecraft. 

I'll update the webpage later this evening - and add the card attributes too.
Aaron, you're up.

[amar...@amarriner.com]

The Ghoul watches the strange man do his strange work for a short
while. Still uncertain as to the man's intention he Ghoul is fixated
until he hears a snapping noise behind him. Another hideous shape
shambles towards the Ghoul, though he is not startled or afraid in the
least. Ironically, the cemetery is full of life this evening. The
newcomer mumbles a few near unintelligible words before falling in
line beside the Ghoul. Then they both quiet and resume watching the
grave digger.

RICHARD UPTON PICKMAN (Dreamlands version)
Ally (1) -- Any Cemetery
Corrupt Friend
This card can be played in the Dreamlands or the Waking World. You may
use a Gate at Cemetery Locations to play Ghouls as Allies.

Back to Carol!

Aaron

[Carol Olgilvie]

The Mystic is mesmerized by the tall, menacing man before her.  The sound of distant whispering seems to surround him. "Now, my dear," he hisses," I have found something that will help us on our quest. You must take this and carry it with you.  That large bag you have should be just the ticket."  He chuckles and the Mystic shivers at the sound, but she lets out a little gasp at the object he holds out.  It is a metal sculpture, about 4 inches high, that appears to represent a deformed human head.  Orne places the head in her bag, and the Mystic recoils, as it feels much heavier than any metal object of that size sound feel. I play Artifact The Brazen Head Unique -2 Sanity Affects Your investigator Can know any one Spell  Bury Spell in your Story Deck after it is cast,  Knows, Greek, Latin and Chinese. So my Sanity is now 10

[Robert Heil]

How long he had sat there, the boy couldn't say, so drawn into the unearthly tales this stranger was telling him. 

But slowly, as his awareness returned to the library where he was still sitting, he suddenly felt as if he was being watched.  Lovecraft must have felt it too, for he quit speaking, and sat quietly.

Realizing he had been discovered, a heavy limbed, thick-limbed man stepped from behind one of the shelves.

"Gomes, eh?"  stated Lovecraft.  "Something is definitely amiss.  It seems hardly a coincidence that the three of us should be here at once.  Perhaps we should all share what we know."


Played Gomes (2) Corrupt Cultist.  While this card is in play, subtract one from the Minimum number of cards that you keep in your hand. Not cumulative with other Allies that lower your Minimum. Joins Dr. Allen.

(on to you Aaron.)

[amar...@amarriner.com]

The Ghoul and Pickman exchanged a few unintelligible grunts. They were
getting restless and the man with the shovel seemed to have heard some
of the muffled sounds and was heading their way. Rather than confront
him they decided to slip through an open gate in the iron fence
towards the rear of the cemetery and into the dark, tree-lined street.
After a brief look left then right they started south down the street
towards the sea. A glace behind them showed the hulking grave digger
shambling after them. No need to deter him. He could follow or not,
they did not care. They were hunting greater prey...

Before long, but after several twists and turns through the city
streets they reached the outskirts. Moving along a high cliff above
the ocean, they came upon a rundown shack. The stench of gunpowder was
strong and they stopped to inspect.

OLD BRICK POWDERHOUSE

Location - Lovecraft Country - Kingsport

Artifact, City, Ruins, Forest, Inside
Spend 1 point of Sanity to bring into play a Weapon buried in your
Story Deck. Ignore Sanity gain/loss from playing the Weapon.

City to City in the same sub-region so no need to walk.

Over to Carol!

Aaron

[Carol Olgilvie]

Orne stares at the Mystic for a moment and then smiles.  That smile sends shivers through her blood.  "You need not fear the dark forces arrayed against us, my dear.  I have special talents that will protect us both."  He smirks again and the Mystic feels faint.'' I play a spell to Orne Call Power of Nyambe  Affects Own Allies  Yellow sign casting cost -2 Choose Allies to be affected.  Tally value of cards chosen excluding Weapons or other Artifacts, and add that value to your Investigator's Sanity points.  Bury the chosen Allies

Over to you Robert Carol :}

I'm at work, so I'll add my turn to  the log later

[Robert Heil]

Before the three unlikely companions can discuss more,  a dark shadow moves over the few windows in this part of the library.

"Quickly" urges Lovecraft.  "I'm not sure we are safe here any longer."  He gestures them all towards an unmarked door which opens on to a dark stair case.

As they move down the stair case, through the library store room and towards the back door, the youth notices an open locker. 

"If we think we are in for some trouble, maybe we should - um - borrow - this for a bit."


Plays - Discover Secret Cache, 30'/.06 Bolt Action Rifle (+3) - attached to Howard Lovecraft.

Aaron - You're up!

[amar...@amarriner.com]

Pickman and the Ghoul shamble towards the powderhouse while the eerie
grave digger follows several paces behind. There seems to be some
commotion happening inside the powderhouse itself, and the pair stop
to listen quizzically. From out of the squat brick building stumbles a
man holding some sort of odd device in his hands. He's quite intent on
it and barely realizes the three figures eyeing him from a short
distance away.

"Bah, I think it's broken. Not sure if it's fixable or not, but I'll
give it a try. Oh! Who are you?"

NIKOLA TESLA
Ally (1) -- Any Artifact
Steadfast Inventor & Scientist
Knows English & German
Born in Croatia in 1856, Died 1943. Play in either the Waking World or
New Aeon. At an Artifact Gate Location you may place an Artifact from
any Dimension beneath this card. If this card is lost, the Artifact
suffers the same fate. The Artifact can be replaced with another, if
lost.

Back to Carol!
Aaron

[Carol Olgilvie]

The Mystic shudders as she stares into the eyes of the horrid man who stands beside her. "You need not fear," my dear,  he intones."Great things are happening, in which we play our humble part.Why even the cosmos has aligned to aid our noble quest."  The Mystic isn't too sure about the noble part, but she does feel better as the sun shines into the doorway of the odd building they stand in. I play event Dawn of the Solstice Day +1 sanity value This is a Solstice card  It is now Day Bury any Day or Night event in play So my sanity rises from 10 to 11, yea!!

[Robert Heil]

The Youth, Lovecraft and even Gomes are struck by the splendor of the breaking dawn.

"Well, I don't know about trouble you were worried about, Mr. Lovecraft.  A beautiful new day like that seems ripe for a bit of exploring about.   What do you say the three of of us see what we can find together?"

- I Pass -

To you Aaron

[amar...@amarriner.com]

The scientist still stunned by what he's seeing says nothing. The
ghoul and Pickman ignore him for the most part and head inside the
brick powderhouse and rummage around. Birch stops and Tesla thinks
he's going to be either killed or engaged in conversation. Neither
occurs so he shifts his weight nervously, afraid to even run away.
Thousands of thoughts run through his mind. Presently, the ghoul and
Pickman return from inside Pickman is wielding a nasty looking
shotgun.

"This will do," he grunts horribly.

SHOTGUN
Artifact - Weapon (+2)
Affects Ally's Value
Add 2 points to Ally's value. One Weapon per Ally. If Ally is
Discarded or Buried, this shotgun suffers the same fate.
+1 Sanity

[amar...@amarriner.com]

Sorry, I meant to say the shotgun was placed on Pickman.

[Carol]

The Mystic might have felt a bit better for awhile, but she is
noticing that Orne's eyes are narrowed and he seems to be chanting.
"Now, my dear," he leers," this should help us in our quest" She
notices a light and sees the Brazen head is now glowing a sickly red.

I play a spell on the Brazen Head Steal Life Yellow Sign Cost -2
Transfer to you Investigator's Sanity points the value of one
opponent's Ally, excluding the value of any Artifacts or Weapons.
Flip that Ally face-down.

[Carol]

Hi All

I posted some placeholders for the second round and will adjust them
when we determine the order for the second round.

Thanks

Carol :}

[Robert Heil]

"So where to now?" wonders the youth.

"Patience, young man" urges Lovecraft.  "I whink we should wait a little longer."

 

I pass for the second time.

[Carol Olgilvie]

So the First round ends  On to in between rounds, there are no monsters in threats, so any actions anyone wants to take?  We then go on to Round 2 Carol :} --- On Sat, 2/28/09, Robert Heil <rober...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Robert Heil]

I'm not sure what action I could take, so I am ready to go.

[Carol Olgilvie]

One could cast spells even though there is no combat, but I will not do that now, so we'll wait for Aaron to reply and then start the next round, OK? Thanks Carol :}

[amar...@amarriner.com]

Sorry guys, busy couple of days for me. Sorry I've been quiet. No actions
for me in combat so on to the next round. I'll try to get things going
tomorrow if you guys don't beat me to it! :)

Aaron

[Robert Heil]

Sounds great.  FYI - I have 8 cards in my hand, I will discard 3, keeping my maximum of 5, and draw back up to 13.

On to Round 2!

[amar...@amarriner.com]

Okay sorry I missed yesterday. :(

I thought it was my turn to start round 2, but Carol has low sanity,
so actually you're up Carol! I'll post my discard draw amounts when my
turn comes around because I don't have my deck on me right now. As
Robert said, on with Round 2! :)