First Session Notes

November 11 Session

I laid out the various handouts of information the characters would have access to -- What was known of the 1930-1931 MU Expedition, the articles about the new SME expedition, the known fates of the MU Expedition members, and so on. I had a typed summary for Dave about what St. John Pembroke would know about Moore and Starkweather.

I also put out the maps of NYC, hereinafter referred to as New York. All of us know the city fairly well, but, as Dave pointed out, it was interesting to see what was different in 1933, and I find that it's always useful to have all the important points for a scenario shown on the map.

Josh decided to bump up Julia's POW by four points, bumping down her SIZE, and perhaps her CON. After all, he explained, SAN is a vital, non-renewable resource.

Julian: Wuss!

I'd found the rules for war veterans, which are not in the Call of Cthulhu rulebook, as far as we could determine, but which, as I thought, are in Green and Pleasant Land. Dave took advantage of these, deciding St. John had served in the Great War for 2 years, with a loss of 1d4 SAN per year. He rolled the maximum possible loss. He also adjusted his stats, bumping up his POW, I think to 9. I'll have to check and update the wiki.

I don't know where the pencils from last time went. I only found one. And, I'm not sure where my pencil sharpener is.

I told Pamela what Alicia would know about her professor and her fellow grad student.

Then, on to the interviews.

Professor St John Pembroke: He knew Starkweather somewhat, and had a polite, but pronounced, professional rivalry with Moore. Starkweather told him about the expedition and invited him to New York. He assumed that Moore would be displeased.

Starkweather gave him the pitch, clearly wanting a Scientist of St. John's caliber, and also wanting someone who wouldn't insist on getting money. This was not surprising. What was surprising was that Moore not only did not object, but seemed to want his rival on the expedition. St. John wasn't sure why, but I noted that, given the reception of Moore's earliest work and his subsequent tendency to be overly conservative, he might want someone like St. John to add a touch of respectability and authority to any of the more unusual claims Moore might want to make, depending on what they found in Antarctica. This isn't the full story, of course, but it's what I figured St. John might be able to guess without actually talking to Moore, something he seems less than eager to do.

Damon Carlsson: As the head of the mechanics and engineers, or at least some of them -- we figured out who would be under his authority, and I'll see if I can recreate that -- Damon had to get paid. He just wasn't getting paid a lot. I'm still not sure why Damon wants to go to Antarctica. Julian says that Damon has his reasons. I'm hoping to find them out soon, so that I can figure out how to weave them into the plot for most enjoyable results.

Alicia Nichols: Starkweather was not thrilled to have a female grad student along. He asked how her husband felt about this, but, as Alicia told him, she wasn't married. At age 24, she's probably approaching spinsterhood. Alicia is also the heir to the Nichols fortune, and her father is quite generous. On the one hand, this didn't thrill Starkweather, given the superficial resemblance between Alicia and Acacia Lexington, and he reminded her that there would be no luxuries where they went, and made the crack about doing her linens in a room with 30 unwashed men -- the crack that I think just about every gm who ever runs this and has a female PC finds a way to work in.

Alicia made it clear that she found the idea of going to Antarctica rather exciting, and I think she also made a small donation. Starkweather grumbled, but accepted it, while Moore suggested that Alicia avoid Starkeweather until after the ship was underway.

Professor Erica Hunter: Starkweather was also not thrilled about her. But, he knew she wasn't married, and he knew that she regularly traveled all around the world on various expeditions. She wasn't the same kind of rival that Julia was. So, he asked how much money her university was willing to pay, asking for $5,000. Erica had not managed to get an offer from her university up front, as the folks in charge of authorizing that wanted a commitment from Starkweather and Moore that Hunter would be part of the expedition first. In other words, Dan didn't make her Bargain roll.

Erica told no lies, and managed to imply that she could get the money from her university, though I think she bargained Starkweather down to $2,000. He agreed to hold her spot until he received either a check or clear word that there would not be a check, and Moore privately assured her that Starkweather would keep his word. Erica went back to her university and managed to get the check.

Julia Stiles was not invited for an interview. She was both a woman and a rival explorer, and, unlike Professor Moore, Starkweather didn't want the competition.

During August, people did some research. Alicia's professor asked her to help out St. John, and they both went to Miskatonic to see the exhibits from the expedition and to talk with Professor Pabodie. St. John had already read Professor Dyer's official report, and found it astonishingly dry and dull, definitely Dyer's writing, but not his style. Pabodie told his visitors that there were some places not meant for man, and that Antarctica was one of those place.

St. John went to the Geography Department to get gossip from students. He already knew that Dyer had opposed Moore's proposed expedition, even though Moore was his protege. He now learned that the resulting debate was the most ferocious since *** in the previous century. He and Alicia met Professor Erica Hunter, who was convinced that some of the finds from the expedition described writing. She went with them to see the exhibits. St. John also wanted to know about the five sided stones. I ruled that one had been brought back, and agreed that, while it could theoretically have been formed naturally, if conditions were just right, that probably was not the way to bet.

Damon Carlsson talked to Professor Pabodie, as he wanted to know as much as possible about the drills. Pabodie reiterated that Antarctica was no place for man, and said that nothing could ever induce him to go back, and that there was no way he could even explain this that would make sense. He was, however, quite willing to discuss the drill, its operation, and its limitations.

Alicia visited another survivor from the expedition, McTighe, on Kingsport Head, learning little more, as neither McTighe nor Pabodie had been over the Miskatonic Mountains, aka the Mountains of Madness. McTighe said that the name was appropriate, as theyd' claimed at least one victim in Danforth.

St. John tried to track down Professor Dyer, but he'd been on leave since December of the previous year, and, astonishingly, no one knew how to get in touch with him. St. John walked by the professor's house and asked around, confirming that yes, the professor had been gone for months.

St. John has yet to ask Professor Moore about Professor Dyer.

Damon decided to get the planes in August. Now, theoretically, this is supposed to happen around September 2, and I suppose one could insist on that, as it's quite likely the planes just aren't there before then.

But, there's no real reason to decide on that. There is so much that is determined, one way or another, even if one loosens up on a lot of the details the scenario assumes are mandated (as I plan to), simply because the PCs are in the enclosed environment of the ship and then the hostile and isolated environment of Antarctica. Allowing free reign wherever possible -- and finding ways to make it possible -- are vital. Also, if one wants player buy in, quashing independent decisions like going to get the planes on the grounds that they simply won't be there yet is most certainly not the way to encourage buy in.

Also, I had been a bit concerned about the timing, not wanting to mandate that Damon was out of the action in New York for three or more days.

So, Damon got his planes, and took his crew with him, seeing how DeWitt and Halperin differed, and how one of his crew perhaps complained more than a bit much about all the things that might go wrong. Damon's patience was tried, but he also knew that this guy would make sure to double check everything, something that would make Damon's job easier.

People arrived in New York in September. Alicia, Erica, and Damon checked into the hotel where most of the expediton members were staying. St. John was staying elsewhere, as was Julia, who still had not been accepted. Josh knew that Julia would get her spot, and he decided that Julia would go to the hotel to confront Starkweather.

Everyone except Julia met at the ship, and they had their measurements taken. No one argued with Sykes, the Canadian guide, though Alicia did keep a sharp eye out to make sure he stayed professional. Hs did. Folks had their physical and their dental appointments. I showed people the picture of all of the polar clothing. I also took advice from one of the gms who's run this: I taped the pictures of the NPCs to large index cards (or small ones for non-expedition NPCs whom I didn't mind the players knowing weren't that important), and jotted down their affiliation, specialty, and a couple of things about them, leaving the rest blank for player notes. All three dog wranglers had "Loves his dogs", which the players admitted was good to know.

The press started to, ah, press for details and interviews from expedition members. Alicia was willing to give them an interview. In September, they got pictures of her shopping. Starkweather was not happy about this.

Moore took Pembroke aside, explaining that J. B. Douglas, the captain of one of the ships on the Miskatonic University expedition, had agreed to be the captain for the Starkweather-Moore expedition. Douglas was due in on the 6th, but would be staying in a different hotel, so as not to have to deal with the press. Moore needed someone discreet to assist Douglas, so he was asking for Pembroke's help. Pembroke agreed.

So much is straight from the book. I added one thing: Moore told Pembroke that Douglas' presence on the expedition would be announced in the next day's news, the next day being September 3. I did this because the news is, indeed, announced on the 3rd, and this is not seen as at all odd in the book. This is fine, but it seems odd to tell someone, "Please be discreet about this" and then to have the basic news announced. Now, it's possible that the intent is that Starkweather didn't bother to check with Moore on this, but either way, it's the sort of thing that would leave a bad taste in my mouth if I played the PC given the mission, and, as far as I can tell, it really isn't meant that way.

So, Pembroke was not surprised on the 3rd, but, as he had promised, said nothing about his errand.

By now, Julia had gone to Starkweather's hotel room. Starkweather was declaiming to Moore.

James Starkweather: When we are done, they'll forget there ever was a Miskatonic Expedition! We shall go where angels fear to tread!

Julia Stiles: But you will never return without my help!

Josh was delighted to have such a lovely entrance cue. It was a happy accident. I took Starkweather's first statement from a vignette in the book, a bit of flavor text that helps the gm even if the players don't learn about it. The second statement came from one of the many web sites I examined before starting to run the campaign. Specifically, the gm wrote letters from Starkweather to the PCs, praising their decision to join the S-M expedition, and one letter had something along the lines of, "Congratulations! We are going where angels fear to tread!" So, it was in my head as Starkweather dialogue.

Starkweather was not delighted to see Julia, and the two did a bit of verbal sparring and mild insulting.

Starkweather: That's Captain Starkweather!

Stiles: It's Mrs. Stiles!

Julia offered $7,000 in return for a spot on the expedition and a 10% share of any artifacts found.

Starkweather: Absurd! 5%,

Julia: 5% and $5,000!

Starkweather said that he'd think about it. Moore showed her out and made arrangements to send over polar guides and a doctor to her hotel room, so that, once he'd talked Starkweather into agreeing to this -- or Starkweather talked himself into it -- there would be no delay. Oddly, but not inappropriately, Josh saw this as highlighting one of Starkweather's good qualities. Starkweather understood that one of his main jobs was fundraising, and he was willing, if not always eager, to set aside his prejudices for the bottom line of financial gain.

The next day, Starkweather roared and banged down Moore's door, furious that Acacia Lexington, wealthy woman who managed her own finances, was going to start her own expedition to Antarctica, to be the first woman to stand at the south pole. Preposterous!

Acacia planned to sail on the 10th of September. Starkweather moved up the SME's sailing date from the 15th to the 9th.

Starkweather: The 9th, do you hear, Moore? The 9th! And, get me that woman!

Correctly guessing "that woman" to be Julia, Moore phoned her, and told her that her presence was assured, and explained that she should read the papers to understand why. Julia did so, and was intrigued by Acacia's plans, as well as annoyed. Who did this Lexington woman think she was? Julia Stiles had clocked far more hours in a plane, in polar regions, exploring -- she had no intention of letting Acacia steal her thunder!

The Norwegian polar guides, Gunnar and Nils, went to Julia's hotel room to check her polar gear, as she had her own.

Nils (grudgingly): It will do.

(Julia's Polar Survival is either on a par with or slightly better than theirs.)

Julia came over to the hotel and to the ship. She was photographed, along with Alicia and Erica, as Starkweather shook her hand for the photographers, and talked about how eager he was not to leave out talented women from all walks of life from his expedition. Why, he had three women -- a famous explorer, a famous linguistic scientist, and an heiress! He was now quite pleased that Alicia had been allowing the press to interview and photograph her.

Erica had already moved her belongings onto the ship, and had hung artwork that would stay on the wall during swells and storms. She shared her cabin with Alicia. Starkweather and Moore vacated their cabin for Julia, moving to someplace smaller.

Meanwhile, a poor man brought a note to Professor Pembroke, explaining that someone had paid him to deliver it. It was a Dire Warning against allowing the expedition to proceed further. To my delight, Pembroke did what any normal Man of Science would do. He tore up this obviously crank note. Pamela was dismayed, as she'd hoped to read it. Fortunately, Dave had only ripped it in half, so she could at least see it out of character.

Before, during, and after this, the PCs reviewed long cargo lists. I had read about one gm who made up receipts for these lists, and I did the same, following his guidelines. The idea was to encourage player buy in without increasing player frustration. I had intended to cut up the receipts and attach them in groups to the relevant lists. However, I ran out of time, so I didn't cut them up. They were in groups of four to a sheet of steno paper. Having them not cut up was more useful than having them loose would have been, though likely less useful than having them attached to the relevant list.

Julian was not about to play match the receipt, which is cool. It is for this that Spot Hidden rolls exist.

It's a little like one sequence in a larp I've played in and run, involving a book written in cipher. Masochists get to try to crack the cipher. Near masochists get a few hints about what symbol matches what letter -- for about 5-10 letters. Further away from the masochistic end of the continuum, players get a sheet giving the entire cipher. And, people who just want to be able to read the book, thank you very much, get the English translation.

So, Julian ignored the receipts. Dave and Josh played with them and enjoyed spotted things I expected them to spot -- the stuff delivered to the hotel instead of to the ship, a mix up with peppers, missing cement, and so on.

And, folks made spot hidden rolls, with Alicia being called upon by everyone, given her high ability in that regard. I was perfectly willing to rule that everything would get spotted eventually.

On the 6th of September, the papers had an article about the death of J. B. Douglas, who was to command the S. S. Gabrielle for the expedition. I screwed up my handouts, giving the obit for Douglas before the Famous Sea Captain Murdered handout, causing some confusion. Lesson to be learned from this: Put your handouts in order, with a paperclip or something similar.

The odd thing is that Douglas was supposed to arrive on the 6th, but had clearly been in town, at his hotel, for a few days. I am not entirely sure why this it the case, but I'm guessing it has to do with one of his errands that is not actually related to the adventure. As I'm not actually sure, and I don't want the players thinking they have to chase a mystery that isn't intended to be one and for which I don't intend to invent enough to be worth investigation, I've no problem explaining all of this here.

The reporters mobbed the hallway outside Starkweather's room, so Pembroke couldn't get in to see Moore. He told the other PCs about the errand Moore gave him. Everyone agreed that Pembroke, Hunter, and Alicia would diguise themselves (minimally -- hats pulled down over faces, coats pulled up) and head for Douglas' hotel, while Julia and Damon distracted the reporters.

The reporters were delighted at first. They asked who might want to kill Douglas. They asked about the rivalry between Starkweather and Lexington. They discovered that Damon has this annoying habit of not knowing anything. Annoying to the reporters, that is.

Detective Hansen approached the pair to bring them up to date, this being where the confusion about which article I handed out came to a head, as the obit hadn't mentioned murder. This was quickly sorted out. Hansen asked about where Douglas was saying. Damon and Julia said, quite truthfully, that they did not know. Hansen also said that he was waiting for a chance to see Starkweather, but there were too many reporters ahead of him. It occurred to the PCs to wonder why the policeman didn't just tell the reporters to leave.

Meanwhile, Douglas' hotel turned out to be something of a flophouse. Alicia gave the man behind the front desk $5, which may well be more than he made in a week. He explained that he couldn't let anyone into Douglas' room, as the police were watching it, and that some German guy named Southcott had specifically asked for the room next door. Southcott had checked out, and the police had said nothing about that room. So, if the young lady could give him another buck or two? Alicia did, and asked if he had the key to the door between the two rooms.

I called for a Luck roll, not having an opinion on the matter. The roll was too low. Dave said that someone had probably taken the key from the front desk and walked off with it, perhaps years ago. Works for me.

They went to Southcott's room, but none of them were able to pick the lock. They met up with Damon and Julia, possibly calling ahead. I forget the details. I know phones aren't as ubiquitous in period, but whatever the arrangement was, it made sense.

Everyone wound up back at Southcott's room, and Damon picked the lock of the connecting door. Folks riffled the trash, discovering several crumpled pieces of paper, included an unfinished letter. This last revealed that Douglas had not accepted the position of the captain of the Gabrielle, had no intention to do so, and planned to scream his refusal in Starkweather's face.

The noice of police at the front desk reached the PCs' ears, and there we broke.

Next time, I'll have to actually describe the room, and see if there's anything else the PCs would have looked at. This whole sequence is a delicate thing, as the players do want the info, but don't want to have their PCs do it just because they are PCs. The current plan is to copy the important evidence, then put it all back for the police.