Episode Synopsis – Session 25 – Road Trip
[ Author’s Note: This is the episode synopsis for the 25th session of the Dark Waters Rising campaign. This is my take as to what happened during the session. Please let me know if there are any comments or corrections. ]
Stone Manor
After a bumpy but uneventful flight the PC arrive at Heathrow. They unload their gear then are driven by Aubrey back to Stone Manor. At Stone Manor they find some landscaping happening in the backyard.
Crowley House
At the headquarters of the Hermetic Order Of The Golden Dawn (HOGD or the Order) the group is led to Edwin Baxter’s office. (Edwin is the current leader (aka the Magus) of the Order.) Along the way the group are introduced to a man who Edwin introduces as an expert with “acquisitions”. He explains the Kirk Sanford has some skills that will prove useful in the investigation and the gathering of ingredients that might be needed for the spell. Nigel, Edwin’s bodyguard and former leader of the MI-666, is also present.
Stone carefully and cautiously lays out the situation for everyone. He starts by reviewing some basic information about the Outer Dark then outlines the spell that he and Winston devised to patch the weak spots in the veil in New Orleans. Edwin listens intently then agrees to show the Voynich Manuscript to the team.
Edwin then picks up the pocket watch from his desk and shows the PC into the basement of the Crowley House. After going past many magical wards the group shown into a long thin chamber with two long bookshelves. At the end is the statue of a gargoyle and two tables lit with magical lamps. Edwin then speaks to the gargoyle who is apparently named “Marian”. Marian goes into a smaller room on one side and returns with the original copy of the Voynich Manuscript. In the same room the group notice a set of scrolls that must be the mysterious cyphers that supposedly form the basis for the magical knowledge that spawned the creations of the Order. After asking Marian for more books Alastair, Edwin, and Kirk begin researching the spell.
While the scholarly types are researching the spell Anne, Edwin, and Ron wait at the second table. Anne decides to start researching the history of the last breach using the Order’s library. Nigel asks for a book about monster hunting which he then peruses with Ron. While the other table is researching the spell Anne discussed the current situation at MI-666 with Nigel. Nigel explains that their former government liaison, Fosse, has retired. He was replaced by a bloke known as Triggs. Triggs is an Special Air Services Colonel who comes with some type of academic background. After joining Triggs forces all of the current agents to go through extensive psychological evaluations. Many who have served for years are deemed unfit and excused from duty. These men are replaced with young agents from some type of secret academy run by Triggs. Nigel explains that what caused him to leave was an event that happened 3 months ago. The team was sent to dispatch some trolls that has appeared under South Hampton Bridge. This group of trolls had kidnapped a group of kids in a van. During the raid two of the newly assigned agents shot through the kids in the van to take down the trolls. Nigel suspended the soldiers but Triggs gave them both medals. This was the last straw for Nigel who left the MI-666. Nigel tells Anne that she should take this information back to DOOR so that, “they know what they are dealing with now.”
After the story Nigel asks Marian to bring Anne a book that, “she would appreciate.” Marian returns with a diary from a former leader of the Order known as Florence Farr. At the end of the book is an Egyptian symbol. After reading the symbol there is a flash and the room goes dark for a second! Anne explains what happened then Alastair and Edwin take a look with their magical sight. Alastair explains that attached to Anne’s soul is some type of containment spell. He promised to examine Anne more closely later on at Stone Manor.
The research trio realize that is will take at least a couple of days for finish their research. With that Edwin asks that the group stay at the Crowley House for dinner. He also invites Abagail Blavatsky to dine with them and to conduct a seance afterwards.
At the seance Abagail calls forth the spirit of her Great Grandmother Madame Blavatsky. The PC are then given a chance to speak with the powerful occult spirit to ask questions about their current problem. Before vanishing she remarks that Anne reminds her of a friend of hers.
Stone Man Mountain
After finally reaching Stone Manor the group goes to bed. That night the group is awaken with a young girl’s scream! The scream is coming from Stone’s backyard. When the group rushes to the back door they find the ghost of a small girl in a turn of the century period dress who is screaming as a massive creature made of earth is vainly attempting to pummel her! Stone spots something magical on the hillside and directs the PC into action. While Ron distracts the massive creature the rest of the group circles around to the spot behind the creature. Anne arrives first where she notices a small 3 foot tall creature who appears to be made of mud. She attempts to tackle the small man who barks at her in some type of ancient Celtic tongue! Stone rushes up and begs the creature to stop! He promises that they will make the situation right. The creature stops then in broken English explains that his home must be restored. It appears that the landscapers have dug up a stone slab that must be its home. Stone speaks with the duergar and works out an agreement to move his home back farther on his property.
During this conversation the ghost of the small girl runs to Anne and grabs on to her leg. Through tears she explains that her name is Flo. Anne realizes that this must be a ghost of Florence Farr. The child then vanishes into Anne’s leg and the ghost of a woman in her 30’s appears. She explains the she is the ghost of Florence Farr. When Anne asks for details on the spell from the book the ghost says that it must be something Madame Farr setup. Florence Farr then vanishes inside of Anne and this time an older woman with a cane and parasol emerges! Madame Farr explains that she setup the book as a way to preserve her spirit. She hooked it to a person who was considered “a woman of character”. Madame Farr is kind of surprised to discover that it took so many years for her spirit to be released.
Sutherland Estate
The next day the researchers get details on the spell. It will take an intricate circle where the casters are in the center. Also in the center will be a brazier where several very unique ingredients must be added. The ingredients actually vary based on the cycle of the planets so Stone estimates that the spell must be cast within the next 5 weeks to be effective.
The ingredient list looks like the following:
Start with fruit spawned from the darkest night.
Pestle with tears from a tortured soul.
Stir in a beam from the morning sun.
Baste with vitae of one who has seen into the abyss.
Finish with distilled essence of that which should not be.
Stone supposes that all of the abyss and darkness references likely infer an Outer Dark connection. When Kirk reads the list he instantly zeroes in on the third ingredient. He recalls that there is a mystical relic known as the Phylactery Of The Morning Sun. It is rumored to be a captured ray of sunlight from the fairy realm. Kirk explains that this item is owned by one Jason Sutherland. It is held at his estate near St Albans.
Kirk then sets up a plan to get the caretaker out of the house so that they can break in. He takes the lead by sneaking into the house then shutting off the security system. After doing that the rest of the PC join him as there are bound to be magical defenses.
After finding a secret door the PC venture down into an ancient structure. Inside they find a hallway covered in moss. Along the way Stone spots a magical spot on the floor that appears to protect against flora. He disables it then proceeds. As he walks forward ivy on the wall springs out to attack. Dodging back the group decides to proceed more carefully. This time Stone turns back on the ward. He then moves forward and stands in the circle. The plants spring out then pull back. This allows the PC to enter an inner sanctum.
The next room is glowing with a crystal vial that is being held by a tiny root. Inside the room are books and some small trinkets. Stone uses his mind to move the vial into a wooden box that Anne readies. As the vial settles into the box the roots holding the vial spring forward! The groups makes a hasty retreat as the house is nearly pulled down by massive root and vine growth.
Back at Stone Manor the group prepares for their trip back to New Orleans. Before leaving Kirk Sanford contacts Stone and let him know that he will be moving to New Orleans soon to be with his daughter. He also seems excited about trying to find the other ingredients on the list…
