Harrowed Halls

The players are Steve, Ben, Owen and hopefully my friend Lee will be able to join us starting next game.  The location is Chicago, IL.  Steve is a private detective, named Peter Knight, working some security with his gorgeous assistant Purdee (played by Ben – and no, he’s not very imaginative with names!).  The security they are doing is for a show called “A Glimpse Into Darkness” hosted by Uncle Merle.  On this particular day, Uncle Merle shows them a letter from a fan of his named Ron Blessing (if you are reading this Ron, thanks for a great name!).  Ron is concerned about a book that he found and he thinks someone is following him.  Uncle Merle asks Peter to check up on this fan of his.  Peter accepts the job without any question on why Uncle Merle would care about this fan and his book.

Meanwhile, Ron also called his old Religion professor (played by Owen) named Professor William Penn “Tall Bull” (he’s part Native American).  Ron explains that he’s been doing archeology work for the city of Chicago and he found a book at the site of the old Lexington Hotel in downtown Chicago.  Ron believes he is in danger because of the book and just then, Penn hears what appears to be Ron being attacked and the phone goes dead.  Naturally he calls the police and they seem to be very interested in taking care of the problem.  However, an hour and half later when Penn shows up at the apartment there are no signs of the police. 

Peter and Purdee show up at about this same time and after determining they are all there for the same reason.  They decide to go ahead and check out the apartment.  As they do they find that it has been ransacked, there is a small amount of blood in the bathroom, Purdee discovers the book hidden in a false toilet in the guest bathroom, Peter spots a suspicious person in the alley, and Penn seems to study his shoes most of this time.

The police arrive (finally) and the three give statements.  During this time Penn notices the notes that Ron had been taking while on the dig at the old Lexington.  With Purdee distracting the beat cops, Peter snatches the notes.  They all go back to Peter’s office after the police let them go, to discuss what they’ve found.  The notes indicate that when the hotel was torn down, they found two more vaults they believe belonged to Al Capone.  This hotel was the same as the one that Geraldo Rivera famously opened on live television only to find it empty.  In the third vault, Ron found several items, but the detailed inventory sheet is missing from his notes. 

The book that was hidden turns out to be of Germanic Origin titled “Nacht Werlt” and was written in the 1650’s and probably brought over by German immigrants.  Penn reads the book and suddenly a powerful force fills the room (at this point Penn gains AB:Magic, Peter gains Dhampir, and Purdee gains Fetch Dog).  The book describes in detail about a secret society of supernatural beings known as the “Night World”.  It also describes how to perform magic.  Penn successfully (after several bennies) casts his first spell.  The book is a Grimoire and has it’s own abilities, thus it’s a very useful book! 

The next morning Uncle Merle calls to check up on how Peter is doing with Ron Blessing and his interest in this “random” fan, has Peter and Penn concerned.  Purdee on the other hand has no concerns and blabs all about what they’ve been doing; much to the chagrin of Peter and Penn.  Uncle Merle wants to see the book they found so Peter agrees to meet with him.  He goes to a bookstore and purchases an authentic old book and sets out to meet with Uncle Merle while Penn and Purdee head back to Penn’s office.

When Peter gets to the set of “A Glimpse Into Darkness” he gets a chill.  Without all the lights and people the normally over the top set appears very realistically spooky!  Up ahead he sees the light framing the door to Uncle Merle’s dressing room.  Peter opens the door and there sprawled in his chair is Uncle Merle…with his throat slit from ear to ear.  The shock of this horrific site throws Peter into a panicked state and he runs as fast as he can back to his car.  After a few minutes of steeling his courage, he returns to the dressing room. 

It’s a signature kill from Chicago’s most notorious mob boss, Anthony Marconi.  He’s sending a message and Peter received it loud and clear.  Peter calls 911 and waits for the police.  While he’s waiting, a human skull on a shelf in Uncle Merle’s dressing room begins to glow and a voice emanates from it.  This shock proves less impressive and Peter nervously speaks to the skull.  However, more detailed conversation will have to wait as the police will soon arrive and “Bob” the spirit in the skull would like to not be kept as evidence for eternity.  Peter secrets the skull in his car just in time as the police arrive.

Meanwhile back at Penn’s office, Penn and Purdee walk in to find a large bald man sitting in his chair, enjoying the view of the Columbia College campus.  The man introduces himself as Anthony Marconi and he says he believes they have a friend in common…one Ron Blessing.  Penn realizes who Marconi is and makes sure not to argue with him.  He tells him that Peter has the book.  Marconi takes him at his word and leaves. 

The police tell Peter they are going to have to take him downtown for questioning and Peter makes a cell call to Purdee to let her know to get his lawyer.  He tells them that Uncle Merle is dead.  Purdee fails to mention that they just had a visit from Marconi.  Later, Peter’s lawyer calls them back and says Peter is not in custody.  Purdee and Penn are hiding out in their car from Marconi’s people so they ask the lawyer to call Peter’s cell phone.  He calls back in 15 minutes and tells Purdee that 1) he quits and 2) if they want to see Peter alive again, they should bring the book to the Lexington hotel excavation site…alone.

Much debate later (much of it involving letting Peter die) they decide to go to the meet and do the best they can.  It’s possible with their new power from the book and some backup weapons that Peter had; they will be able to survive the night.  As they are walking in the tunnels of the excavated basement, they sense a presence in the darkness.  From the shadows steps a beautiful woman, with dead eyes, and sharp teeth.  However, rather than making them her dinner she offers them aid.  She says that not all Night World residents are evil and they would rather the book remain in the Penn’s hands than fall to Marconi where there existence is very likely to be made public to all. 

She says she will give them aid if she can without exposing herself to Marconi’s people.  Penn makes sure that he, Peter and Purdee will be given immunity from the Night World death edict.  She says that Penn and Peter have already joined the Night World and Purdee will be safe as long as Penn accepts responsibility for her.  Emboldened by the promise of help Penn and Purdee continue to the vaults where they can see Peter’s unconscious body and five of Marconi’s men.  After a failed negotiation attempt by Purdee, they decide to open fire!  The Marconi crew dive for cover and something strange happens.  A hand comes crawling up through the dirt and touches Peter, who suddenly gains consciousness.  He runs as fast as he can as the bullets and fists are flying and Penn quickly erects a bone barrier (via the Grimoire) once Peter is close enough and then from behind the barrier they here the sounds of death being dealt by their friend.

After the noise dies down, their friend tells them that Marconi’s right hand man, Tommy Two Pockets, escaped up a secret ladder and has gotten away.  Penn, Peter and Purdee all think she should be able to just march into a well defended house and kill whoever she wants, but she tells them that it’s not that easy.  There are rules that must be followed. 

That wrapped up the game.  There are still several things that need to be resolved.  Where is Ron Blessing?  What’s with the talking skull?  Where is Peter’s car that has the talking skull in it?  Will Lee ever send me his character and join the group?  J