Collections of Madness

  Victoria  (Bill) mob accountant     Eloise  (Hannah) - cop   Dragon  (Haven) - acrobat   Maxwell  (Tony) - conman Victoria calls the group to her ‘Little Italy’ house in New York to distribute the Carrington reward from their last investigation up in Ipswitch. Eloise parks her car in the driveway as Dragon and Max get out, drawing attention from the neighborhood watch, Ms Judith Johnson.   Max notices the flutter of window curtains down the street and decides to add a scandalous flair, draping his arms over the two girls’ shoulders. Dragon brushes the arm away, “Not in a million years.” Eloise uses her police training to do one better, grabbing Max’s pinky to then twist his arm behind his back.   As they climb the porch, they turn their heads to the sound of another car puttering to a stop across the street. A middle-aged man gets out, carrying 2 canvas-wrapped packages up his sidewalk. Victoria is already at h

FROM THE BEGINNING :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/07/entry-1-finger-sandwiches.html

“ Hello, Victoria? Enid here [ Victoria finally remembers the gruff voice as Enid Carrington. The pompous   Enid who married into her wealth (railroad tycoon) and views everyone else beneath her. ].   The police here in Ipswitch are buffoons.   I’ve a vandalism problem here; be a doll and bring your own team to investigate. ”  Ipswitch  Enid Carrington Really? Victoria didn’t run with her crowd. Come to think of it, she did attend one of the many garden parties where her date presented Tori as a wealthy link to the mob (in not so subtle words).   Crap! This visit means she’ll have to dress up. As for a team: well, 1) Twisted-Digit (burglar)   would have the eye for details, 2) Maxwell (con-man; street magician) can ‘squeeze water from a rock’ as far as charm and interviews go, 3) Eloise (cop) can handle the legal side of things, and 4) Dragon (acrobat) can get in places the rest of us can’t.

Link to the Beginning :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/06/part-1-esther-where-are-you.html Confronting the BIG man, Sedgwick himself. They’ve got the numbers, with firepower courtesy of Dr. Cavendish. What they lack…is a plan that can survive first contact. But they have plenty of bad luck. Casper parks the caddi at the curb in front of the High-Tower apartments. Everyone is surprised when Karl uses his blackjack to club Casper unconscious laying him across the front bench seats. “OK, now what?”

As the group climbs the stairs, Dr Coombes is already complaining, “Man, it’s hot…someone left the boiler on!” Indeed, except there is no power in the house that is near 100 degrees [think body temperature 98.6 degrees]. “ESTHER, ESTHER!” At the landing, they hear sobbing from the darkened far corner. Maureen rushes forward, pulling up short once she realizes it’s not her daughter, “Billy? Where’s my daughter!” Agatha tries to pull the mother off, “Stop threatening the poor boy. Can’t you see he’s in pain and suffering?!” Maureen shrugs off the interruption till Karl limps up the stairs and injects reason, “You catch more flies with honey. Not the vinegar you're spewing.” As Karl slides past M to comfort the boy… “She didn’t run. She’s still trapped. PLEASE, help me find Esther.” Maureen is already stepping forward, till Karl’s glare informs her she’s done enough scaring…not helping. 

Tuesday morning in Crawley, Massachusetts is another chilly November, 1932. Chimneys throughout this industrial town churn out smoke hinting at the families inside their homes lazing around their fireplaces soaking in warmth. Unlike the hobos 2 miles outside of town shivering around their meager fire-pits, inches away from the flames trying to gain what little warmth issues forth. A typical Hooverville gathering of makeshift shanties for the down-and-outcast members of society stricken worst by the October 1929, Stock Market Crash.

Monday, June 3 rd : Funny how everyone seems to be in Boston, knowing each other. I guess mob ties will do that; whether affiliated or opposed to them. Steve calls the group together at Johnny’s Grill, “Interested in a trip to Rhode Island? My old college classmate called me about his find while renovating his old house. Josh is from old money and apparently inherited his family digs; old colonial if I remember correctly. Anyway, he didn’t give details but from the sound of his voice, he’s excited about some historical find.”

FROM THE BEGINNING :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/03/entry-1-dead-light-beginning.html Kyle (Aaron) has only been able to convince Mary and Emilia to drive with him up to the cottage. Sam and the diner patrons remain behind (fear holding them back). Kyle doesn’t bother gathering items for his trip…no extra flashlights, blankets, or even rain-gear (if there was any to be had). So it’s a mad rush into the driving rain to reach his car stuck between the gas station and diner, with Emilia climbing into the backseat as Mary takes the passenger seat. Everyone shivering cold from soaked clothing. 47 degree temperature but the wind-chill feeling like mid-30s.

K yle Gunther (Aaron) is a 35 year old independent assassin. Answered an ad from a Guido looking to put a hit on a client who refuses to pay up. Two muscles didn't get the message through, so Kyle is hired to send a message to other clients. That being the death of one Arturo Cabelli, proprietor of Lulu's Diner (aka speakeasy) up in Bolton 4 hours north . Kyle has his own car, used, but self-maintained since Kyle has Electrical and Mechanical Repair skills. [ But his beginning failed Mechanical Repair roll suggests some faulty wiring that will raise its head later. Leaves Boston around 6pm this late spring evening. AFTER purchasing a map for his drive and destination. Driving rain, horrendous storm... the likes of which hasn’t been seen in a century. Despite racing against the rain on your way northwards, the storm finally caught up with you in earnest and with it the night has fallen, abyssal black and riven by lightning. Conditions on the rain-swept road forc

FROM THE BEGINNING :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/03/entry-7-witch-trial-papers-are-missing.html       Dr Herman Bunyard   (Bill) WWI Marine Corpsman   Zebadiah  (Zac) Hunter/Tracker With his coon-dog 'Slim' at his heels     Philipe  (Tony) Canadian Trapper A throwback to the French-and-Indian war It’s a late Friday afternoon 25 minute walk to Leiter’s house just off campus. Neighborhood of small 2-story houses with porch and wooden picket fences. Street lights just coming on but darkness at the professor’s house as expected. Still, we decide to sneak up in case someone else is poking around. So much for sneak as Philipe finds THE loose porch board….”CREEEAAK.”

Months pass since the werewolf and kidnapping cases which exposed Herman to the likes of undead and potential greater beings. And per his recently acquired phobia, he‘s been reading a lot. Such as a review of last year’s “Scopes Trial” where a Tennessee teacher was accused of violating the Butler Act, which made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school. “Evolution. Ha. What was the evolution of those undead?” And an even bigger volume to read, the recently published “Mein Kampf” written by a German named Hitler. 29 Sept, 1926 : Herman has remained in Boston looking for his cousin Lillian. Which explains why Dean Fallon of Miskatonic University gives him a call, “Yes, Doctor Bunyard. I remember your help with that ‘clinical lycanthrop’ patient last year. Might I ask your assistance in another matter. Please bring your team here in 3 days for a meeting. And please, be discrete about the matter.” Team? Herman calls his last associates from the kidnap

FROM THE BEGINNING :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/03/entry-5-woods-are-lovely-dark-and-deep.html       Dr Herman Bunyard   (Bill) WWI Marine Corpsman   Reggie   (?) Reporter A solidly built young reporter, wearing his college football jersey   Zebadiah  (Zac) Hunter/Tracker With his coon-dog 'Slim' at his heels     Philipe  (Tony) Canadian Trapper A throwback to the French-and-Indian war Sunday 21 st : Philipe brings Herman back to the smoldering cabin, where the group picks up a drag-mark trail behind the cabin that leads north. About a half-mile we come upon the edge of a lake where the drag-trail leads into the water. Very dark water…black! As we scan the lake we notice poles at the water edge about a mile away. With binoculars, “Looks like people tied to them. Five poles. And something sticking out of their chest.”

Philipe slows his tracking as he spies a dim white light ahead in the thick forest. Not the feared blue lights but still...he raises his rifle in preparation. “Damn cra-zee Americans.” He’s found Herman sitting on a log, immersed in reading a book with his flashlight. “Give me a minute. I know I remember reading something in my aunt’s journal about blue lights and Gla’Aki.” [ Herman's recent frightful encounter has left him with "Biblio-mania" :  obsession with books and reading... at the most inappropriate times. ] P hilipe slaps the doctor trying to ring some sense into the fool. I mean, considering what’s transpired these last days…       Dr Herman Bunyard   (Bill) WWI Marine Corpsman   Reggie   (Aaron) Reporter A solidly built young reporter, wearing his college football jersey   Zebadiah (Zac) Hunter/Tracker With his coon-dog 'Slim' at his heels     Philipe  (Tony) Canadian Trapper

FROM THE BEGINNING :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/01/entry-3-harlan-dupree-werewolf.html       James  (Tony) Student of Egyptology Dr. Herman Bunyard   (Bill) A Great-War Marine Corpsman For fun...The Crypt Keeper's Top 5 'Tales From The Crypt' Episodes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKlPx-8Z8a8 Saturday, October 24 th : It’s an early breakfast per Esmerelda’s schedule. Appropriate portions as James learns when asking for more bacon, “Waste not, nor satisfy gluttony.” At least Mr. Smith, the salesman, is at the table which allows Clementine time to search his room per James’ request. And forced conversation with “John” proves he’s no threat; just a socially awkward failure as an encyclopedia salesman. Reading his way thru the volumes in attempt to spout knowledge in his sales’ pitch. But his topic selections when he does converse leaves much to be desired and obvious reason he’s yet to make a sale. We excuse ourselves to visit the St Agnes church, finding f

      James  (Tony) Student of Egyptology A bookworm apprentice at the London Penhew Foundation. Naive when it comes to real life threats. Except he learned quickly during the Masks adventure! Dr. Herman Bunyard   (Bill) A Great-War Marine Corpsman Educated hillbilly 'hick' whom aunt Matilda dabbled in the occult and taught him natural herbs. Deaf right ear from shell explosion. Maggots make him recoil: too many battlefield dead as he searched for the living.  Wednesday, Oct 2 1 , 1925 : Victoria is on bed rest, a festering wound that is stubborn to heal. Her doctor puzzled by the source of such necrotic damage. Dr. Khatan is taking the time to tend Andrew’s mental recovery. Psychoanalysis to ease his troubled mind and the torture he’s been through. James on the other hand has taken it upon himself to deliver the stone and book to the Miskatonic University (MU) outside of Boston.

FROM THE BEGINNING:  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/01/entry-1-andrew-keetling-is-missing.html Victoria Valencia  (Bill) Mob Accountant James  (Tony) Student of Egyptology Khatan Rajar  ( Criv)   Parapsychologist We finally board the train and settle into our own sleeper room for the 2 day trip to Muskrat Falls southeast of Pittsburgh. Time to compare notes and plan our approach to Josephine. And time to chat with other travelers, some returning to their Muskrat homes. A worker community supporting the steel company, thus slapped-together boarding houses. But at least 3 wealthy families to include the Garcetti who acquired their money by other means. The father long dead; his widow living alone in their 2-story mansion outside town.

  MANSIONS OF MADNESS/Part 1-Mansion of Madness Victoria Valencia (Bill) Mob Accountant Sister of 'Eddie Two-Shoes' who was killed in the Masks adventure. She's a plan-Jane using it to her advantage to stay unnoticed and non-threatening. James (Tony) Student of Egyptology A bookworm apprentice at the London Penhew Foundation. Naive when it comes to real life threats. Except he learned quickly during the Masks adventure! Khatan Rajar  ( Criv)   Parapsychologist The deep claw-marks across his face imply he was a failed lion tamer. Or he encountered some dangerous Mithos entity! September 1925 : It’s been near 6 months since James and Dr. Khatan orchestrated the destruction of the rocket created by the Chinese “Bloated Woman” cult in their failed attempt to bring forth Narlyathotep. Finally working their way back to New York to visit Eddie’s sister Victoria to explain her brot