Chapter 2 – The Hanged Man Upright
[ Author’s Note: This is the log for the 2nd session. Instead of posting your standard log of everything that happened during the session I will post “Then” and “Now” sections that summarize the story. The players will need to remember the details as to how it unfolded. This means that the players will be responsible for remembering any loose ends that may come back to haunt them in a later Chapter. [Evil GM snicker.] ]
Then
[ From the journal of Doctor Martin Blumenau (aka Doctor Heiko Krantz). Translated from German. ]
November 12, 1971 – Heidelberg Medical Academy, Germany – Professor Max Born was a genius but his experiments were not applied to a cause with lasting impact. If he would only have listened to me we all could be living without pain in an endless cycle of rebirth. Max suffered much in his last year. My mentor was wracked with acute arthritis and I could only watch him writhe in agonizing pain. Avoiding the suffering that many feel before passing…by cheating death itself…that is a noble goal worthy of Herr Born. By using principals Professor Born laid out in Atomic Physics plus the insights of John Dee in his analysis of the Voynich manuscript I have hit on the key. A serum that will grant eternal rebirth of dying tissue. The only thing that remains is experimentation and trials.
November 15, 1971 – Heidelberg Medical Academy, Germany – I’m on the verge of a breakthrough! Tonight I will become the master of dead flesh! I will be able to make it sit up and dance with me as the conductor! If only these dolts at the university would let me work in peace. Now is not the time to discuss ethics…it is a time of action!
Now
September 16, 2014 – New Orleans, USA –It has taken many years of work and much money but the trials are doing well. Subject 86 seems to be taking well to the changes I made in Lot 66. Like the others his brain is weakened so that he is susceptible to my commands but unlike the other subjects his own thoughts are clear and without confusion. He treats me like a father which although humbling will not be reciprocated. Having an able body to speak with does help break my doldrums.
The Mictlantecuhtli cup recently discovered in Mexico City could help with my research. If the legends are true it could extend the effectiveness of the serum. It is a longshot but worth the investment. I need to find some unsuspecting shill to perform the robbery under my guidance. Afterwards he can extinguished if he becomes a liability.
January 10, 2015 – New Orleans, USA – Working with the vampires has become a valuable, albeit dangerous, association. They get living subjects that are of no use to me and so far they are disposing of them without notice.
