TOPIC: Masks of Nyarlathotep Campaign

Press Release Shanghai Herald

Westerner killed in dockland shooting

Late yesterday evening the body of Monsieur Harold Cézanne Marshall, 42, was fond in the docks area of Shanghai. Mr Marshall, a Canadian citizen was known to be in the company of a number of other westerners, their whereabouts are unknown. Of particular concern were the possible links between Mr Marshall and the unfortunate events at a local shop, where another murder took place earlier this week. The Canadian ambassador refused to comment on the incident, confirmed only that Mr Marshall was a former solider who retired active service over a decade ago. Links between Mr Marshall and he death of the African cargo ship captain earlier in the week have been strongly denied.

The Canadian Embassy advised its citizens that there is no cause for concern and that there is no evidence to link Mr Marshalls unfortunate death, with any possible links xenophobia within Shanghai.

Local police report no leads on the case, and have suggested that this may have been connected to disagreements over business deals.

In other news

A number of bodies were found in the docks overnight, 5 bodies, all local men, were recovered. reports that they are Ho Fong employees are unconfirmed. Suggestions of a gang war in Shanghai were vigorously denied by police."

Inept

Sent message sent by Major-General Dr. Sir J.A Lancelot Rutherford-Hill Saturday 13th March 1926 from Shanghai to an unknown location

Dear Midnight,

The notion that my message is so quickly and hastily written must give you an idea of both the terror and foreboding of recent events.

Akio is mad. And blind.

The matter - during our time in Ho Fong's house, Akio's maniacal devotion to having that wretched sword reached its heights when he shot and effectively murdered the Canadian for taking the weapon from him when he was briefly unconscious. When the Canadian (who took Akio's sword from him for safe keeping - the darkest of ironies) did not return the weapon, he promptly shot him in the face.

In all my years... no... words cannot...

Soon after this, whilst tackling a locked cabinet, he was then struck by a hidden poisonous, blindness induced pin, secreted in the lock.

To write and then see all this is print is a horror in itself.

I feel I am failing in my duties. As a doctor. A soldier. A British Imperial. We are spiralling downwards. I feel I should tell you all of this before the inevitable. Before the losses increase and the darkness stretches its curtains further.

Purpose? I hope in my final days to care and nurse for my friend whilst we incredulously continue this almost futile crusade. I hope to defend what is left of our humanity as best I can. I hope that we can find salvation and direction from what the American (if we meet with him tomorrow) will tell us (any info I find, I will leave in the usual place for you).

Mostly, I hope to see you and my family again - all of safe and sound. But I fear, this is as much a dream as the one I would have could I soundly sleep

Jupiter

Mr. B

Notebook of Miker Filery

I joined the Boat, it is as expected, B was right, this crew have seen the mystic powers first hand. The stories they tell link to those the Professor mentioned. Not only that they have certain tomes...

This is not without costs. Lancelot mentioned at least 3 former members of the group who suffered finding this information. Additionally the it is evident that others have suffered in mind and perhaps spirit. Akio in particular appears 'touched' and bears further study, he appears to have a knife that holds great significance to him, though mentions of tomes and a mask were made. Perhaps study of the knife would bear some fruit and help the poor unfortunate. Caution is needed though.

Similarly the Frenchman appears to be afflicted with problems, he fears the moon, though that scarcely gives adequate descriptor to his concerns. I have offered to look at the one tome I am convinced it is a piece in the jigsaw, and perhaps the key to understanding.

The tome is incredible. Never have a come across writing that has the power to inflict such horror, but the need to understand is the key to solving the problem.

The problem is immense, B made some reference to it but the group appears to know far more than he mentioned. the scale of this is incredible, my surmise about the links between the cults and shamanic tradition is on the tip of the iceberg.

I must get the other pieces of the puzzle, the solution lies there... I am sure it does. perhaps the professor can help. we certainly need to go to the bush... and the dig sites. I also need to see the professors research, he has definitely kept things from me, and I begin to see why... but is this for his own reasons???

Inept

Sent message sent by Major-General Dr. Sir J.A Lancelot Rutherford-Hill Sunday 14th March 1926 from Shanghai to an unknown location

Dear Midnight,

Some salvation! Some direction!

The meeting with the American was fruitful. He has told us much (which I have noted for your eyes only and sent to our usual location; ah yes - most importantly for you, avoid Lin Tang-Yu at all costs!!!), given us insight as to the purpose of their nefarious plans (more global that the Obermann incident of 1906 remember that, old friend!) and where to investigate next.

As you know, we were already looking to leave Shanghai imminently, and now it is certain that we head to where we had coincidentally intended to go to Australia.

The American has given us a method of contacting him should we need to. One would need to head to the Four Winds Tea House, order tea and sweet cakes and leave the message on the rice paper for him to read, which he would then eat afterwards.

For the first time in months I feel I may be able to sleep easier. That is as long as the Frenchman gets us to our destination safely, that Aiko does not have any more episodes, or that any other incidents occur...

Until Darwin,

Jupiter

Mr. B

Its the end of another Masks rotation, and I just wanted to say a big thanks to all the players. Some truly memorable role playing!

This one turned out to be quite a bit more deadly than the last. But perhaps this was to be expected as the game progressed.

I really hope you all enjoyed playing it as much as I did being the keeper. And if I made any poor decisions, my apologies. Let me know though, so I can learn and try and make the next session even better.

As for Rotation 4, can you please confirm that you want to continue. If any of you don't, no problem, and thanks for playing so far. For those that are continuing, we discussed a different format next time using alternate weeks and your second characters. Please ensure your second characters have been created and are up to date. I'll be awarding bonus skill points the first night they are played to give them a running start.

Once again, thanks all for playing in the game, and until next time...

The end is near. I hear a noise at the door, as of some immense slippery body lumbering against it. It shall not find me. God, that hand! The window! The window!

Sarge

A truly great campaign, chief. Really looking forward to continuing it; certainly think that once the current characters hopefully complete Australia, that the action switches to Cairo and Nairobi, before anyone left(!) joins Brady for the final showdown in Shanghai!

Mr. B