Your characters have arrived on the Portuguese steam ship "Sao Bernardo" a delapidated old wooden ship built in the 1870's and still sporting a main mast and sail propulsion. The city of Mindelo and its surrounding mountains and forests lie before you, home to about 25,000 people, mostly Portuguese, but also many visitors from other nations. An important coaling station for transatlantic traffic to South America and the African routes, Mindelo has an advanced port and small embassies of all the major nations. The influx of commercial interests seeking a safe base close to colonial Africa has also brought corruption, crime and intrigue to the city. Several dozen other passengers arrived on the "Sao Bernardo" with you, including:
- Gordon Farnworth--a grizzled veteran of the British Far East India Company, he told you over dinners during your voyage from Tanger that he has come to set up an office for the company.
- Ms. Tatiana Arkalov and her Turkish bodyguard Abrahim--a famous silent movie actress from Russia, Ms. Arkalov plans to meet a movie director in the Cape Verde Islands to make a new silent movie set in the jungles of deepest Africa
- Paulo Sarnardo--a middle aged and very personable Portuguese ship builder who has come to the islands to manage a ship repair yard for the Portuguese navy
- Dr. Mohammed Yousef -- an Egyptian physician renowned for his work with skin creams to treat afflictions of the epidermis. He always carries samples with him and found quite a customer in Ms. Arkalov. Outgoing and cosmopolitan, he also appears to always carry a small pistol in a shoulder holster.
After docking, the passengers go their seperate ways, exchanging pleasantries. The three major hotels in town are:
- Hotel Luxe--old style luxury and faded pompousness, $8/night
- Hotel Sao Vicente--newly built and modern, with ceiling fans and a wraparound bar, favored by younger visitors, $7/night
- Hotel Aroa--old and drafty but clean and well run, dark basement bar favored by local spies (according to ship rumors) $6/night
Post away!
A Synopsis of the background for Dr. Harold Lloyd
ReplyDelete[This gives the background of Cory’s character and introduces him to the campaign… The full version is on his Google dive character sheet that will be shared with the other players]
Born on March 12th, 1892, and growing up in the village of Chesterton, Harold Lloyd’s parents are both in the employ of the University of Cambridge. The elder Dr. Lloyd, a Professor of Anthropology and Maggie Lloyd, administrative assistant to an Associate Dean of the medical school.
After having Attained his Letters in 1913, (a Bachelor’s Degree), Harold enlisted in the British Army as a Junior Lieutenant in the Office of Signals, Intelligence Branch. During the War, he worked as a cryptographer in the “G” Unit which mostly censored mail and searched for and interpreted codes sent in that medium.
After the War, he earned his Doctorate of Anthropology.
Dr. Lloyd is employed as a Junior Research Fellow at the University under the guidance of Professor Beaufort Langston, and as a Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Antiquities of the Royal Museum in London.
Dr. Lloyd is an experienced traveler having made 5 expeditions into the jungles of The Ivory Coast, The Belgian Congo, French West Africa, the Gold Coast, and to Cameroon. His current interests include both the former and current French possessions in Africa. In addition, he has made numerous journeys to the Greek Isles and to Egypt on errands for the Royal Museum and for Dr. Langston at the University.
To begin his research (and to secure that all his research would be property of the University, the University paid his passage to the Cape Verde Islands (via Tangier) It is his hope that he will eventually convince the University or the Museum to fund a true expedition up the Gambia River.
His sources at the museum (Doctors Clive Malin and George Pell) have told him that there are folktales told by the natives of the Cape Verde Isles of a particular murderous monstrosity loose upon the Gambian tribesmen that might be akin to the tales of the “M’ Kah Barran” which itself is a retelling of the fancied creatures that supposedly guard the ‘Deep Well’ of Zihnge! Could this be a clue to eventually finding the lost city of Zihnge?
After visiting an old friend in Tangier (Bret Willoughby, his former boss in “G” Unit in Army intelligence and now an agent of the East India Trading company), Dr. Lloyd took passage aboard the first available vessel heading to the islands... A dilapidated heap called the Sao Bernardo. While making the best of his meager bunk all the while thankful for calm seas during the journey, Dr. Lloyd made acquaintance with all the passengers and spent a considerable amount of time in conversation with Mr. Gordon Farnworth attempting to learn from him the locations of all the East India company stations and missions along the West African coast and hoping to learn a few names of the current station chiefs at each).
This being his second time in the islands, Dr. Lloyd intends to once again secure a room at the Hotel Aroa. Its musty but private atmosphere appeals to him, and the overheard conversations in its basement bar have always been a good source of local knowledge and is most definitely the place to be if one is looking to find intrigue afoot!
A synopsis of the background for Connington Dashwood. A full background can be found on the character sheet that will be posted online later in the week.
ReplyDeleteConnington Dashwood is the second surviving son of Sir Robert John Dashwood, 9th Baronet of West Wycombe, and Clara Adelaide Ida Conyers Lindsay. He was born on September 22nd, 1897 in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. His father was a landowner with connections to New Zealand whose chief concern was keeping the family out of bankruptcy. His mother was a socialite who loved to entertain.
Connor (or Lucky Conny, as his friends sometimes call him) figured out at an early age that, as a second son of minor nobility, in a house that is both financially (and some say morally, even to this day) bankrupt, where he went in life was solely up to him. This was further reinforced when his father passed unexpectedly in 1908.
When the First World War broke out, Connor followed his brother's lead and joined the Army. He used his mother's social connections to gain an appointment as a second lieutenant of infantry, serving as the aide de camp of his battalion commander.
He was present during the famous Christmas Truce, trading tinned bully beef for several bottles of schnapps. However, he soon began to have misgivings about the war, realizing that it was different than wars of the past. His position as ADC let him hear firsthand the high level rejection of chivalry and cameraderie after the Christmas Truce, the horrific gas casualties at the Battle of Ypres, and the grinding battle of attrition that the western front had evolved into.
Hearing of cavalry battles, and the exploits of T.E. Lawrence, Connor decided that the Palestinian campaign was more to his liking. Again using his mother's influence he gained a transfer in the spring of 1916 to the 52nd Lowland Infantry in the
Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He later learned that his previous battalion had taken some 80% casualties in the Battle of the Somme.
Connor led a platoon in the Battle of Mughar Ridge. He took a squad of men to infiltrate the Ottoman positions late one night and stumbled upon general Ali Fuat Cebesoy returning from the harem tent with only a single guard. Both were subdued without a fight. The general asked to speak to Connor alone, complimenting his bravery and good fortune. He offered to ransom himself in gold that night and guarantee safe passage back through the lines. Connor accepted, swearing his men to secrecy and giving them each £100 as their share. He himself pocketed £6000.
At war's end he went home to Buckinghamshire. His elder brother had joined the Foreign Office, and his mother offered to get him a similar appointment, but he declined, wanting to see the world on his own terms.
A month later he was on a steamer leaving Bristol. Connor spun the Turkish general's ransom out carefully, traveling the world in modest style. He went big game hunting in South Africa and Kenya, raced camels in Arabia, toured tea plantations in India, was chased by cannibals in New Guinea, visited cousins in New Zealand, learned to ride motorcycles in California, used indigenous hallucinogens in Peru, and saw icebergs in the Strait of Magellan.
Connor was in Tangier, nearly out of money and putting off returning home as long as possible. An unfortunate misunderstanding with a merchant's daughter caused him to leave town in great haste aboard the Sao Bernardo, the first thing leaving. He was more than happy to pass the time playing dominoes with Dr. Yousef, brushing up on his Arabic and sipping mint tea. Connor also compared travel notes with Mr. Farnworth. He attempted to speak with Ms. Arkalov (suddenly a great fan of hers despite never having seen her movies) but was shut down by Abrahim.
The Hotel Aroa sounds positively fascinating to him, all the more so because he might be able to find both excitement and employment there...
Full Bio with character sheet
ReplyDeleteBorn March 1st 1893in Montijo Portugal, Alexios grew up around boats and engines. Learning mechanics at his father’s (Ansio Serafim) knee in his father’s Ship repair shop Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo located in the marina.
Alexios had the uncanny ability to pick up any kind of skill and run with it, being agile and bright helped with this natural perk of his. At the age of 16 (1909) attended the university of Coimbra. He majored in mechanical engineering minoring in Chemical sciences. He earned his degree in four years. During those years he learned the art of Demolition! Mixing chemicals and such were such fun! With college out of the way he went back home and did what he loved, working on engines and boats.
When WWI started up, he joined up with the Portuguese Navy in 1914 much to his father’s pride, and mother’s (Maria)sorrow. He entered as an enlisted man not wishing to be an officer. He wished to work in the engine rooms not the bridges. From 1914 to 1916 he worked in the engine rooms of several ships.
In 1916 he participated in the internment of 36 German and Austro-hungarian ships in Lisbon. His Actions in this as a 2 year seaman, gained him a quick promotion to petty officer status. He was assigned to NRP Augusto Castilho a Trawler assigned to varoius escort duty.
Alexio’s mechanic expertise brought about promotions quickly. He was also recognized as the best shot on the ship with any weapon other than the crew served weapons. He was able to crew the cannons fine, but hand held weapons were his forte!
In 1917 he was raised to the equivalent of Chief Petty Officer, and the engine room department head. Then his Naval career ended.
NRP Augusto de Castilho under the command of the First Lieutenant Carvalho de Araújo received the mission of escorting the Portuguese civilian steamer São Miguel, which was property of the Empresa Insulana de Navegação and was sailing from the port of Funchal in Madeira to the port of Ponta Delgada on the Azores archipelago, with 206 passengers and several tons of cargo on board.[2]
After leaving Funchal at sunset on 13 October 1918, São Miguel came under fire at 06:15 AM on 14 October from the German submarine U-139, under the command of the famous Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière. In order to protect the São Miguel, and after using all the smoke boxes available for creating a smoke curtain while repeatedly firing the stern cannon, de Araújo gave orders for the NRP Augusto de Castilho to turn to port, describing half a circle, and advance towards the German U-139, taking gunfire from the submarine, thus giving São Miguel time to escape at full speed.
After two hours of fierce but one-sided fighting,the Portuguese ship surrendered by lowering the national flag and raising a white flag. It was during this conflict that Alexios was slightly wounded, giving him a scar over his right eye in the shape of a question mark.
Alexios returned home after being discharged from service and assumed his work with his father. He continued to practice with firearms and his English dealing with English customers who needed repairs to their vessels.
In February 1925 Alexios went on “Holiday” to Tangiers. This Holiday was to cater to a wealthy Tangierian whose ship engine was repaired by Alexios. This Tangierian was niggardly in his pay and praise and abusive in his authority over his employees. Upon making port in Tangiers, he decided that Alexios was not deserving of his pay due to his mouthy ways! Well, Alexios took maters in his own hands, kicking the shit out of the Boss and taking the money owed plus expenses!
Alexios then took a hasty berth on the Sao Bernardo. While aboard Alexios met with Dr. Lloyd, Sir Ashwood and Dr. Brass.
Landing in Mindelo, Alexios decided to stay with his new found friends having being bitten with the adventurer's bug from the tales told by these well traveled men.
Brief history of Dr. Alexander Mason Brass.
ReplyDeleteBorn in Atlanta Georgia to an American mother and a Scottish immigrant father, young Mason attended the best prep schools to be found in Atlanta. His fathers medical practice thrived, affording him the opportunity to study fencing, French, and all the classical education had to offer. This did not prevent him from being a classic southern boy of his era, and at least as much time was spent hunting or fishing as studying. He went on to return to his fathers medical school in Edinburough where he graduated in the comfortable middle of his class. His close cropped red hair, American accent, and deep southern tanned skin from time on fishing boats made him popular enough with the local lasses, that studying had to move down his priority list.
Being an UK citizen through his father, and having a strong adventurous streak from his mothers side, he quickly signed up with the British expeditionary force to fight in France. Succumbing to his fathers more cautious nature, he did so as a field surgeon. What he saw coming back from the trenches horrified him. He saw personal combat more than once, as british lines were overrun, and rather than falling back with other hospital staff, remained to hold the line with the combat troops. He fought with an American 1911 pistol, sent to him by his father, dispatching enemy troops at close range, while doing medic work in the teeth of the combat. Even as the situation stabilized, and he returned to the field operatory, he shocked the other staff by continuing to wear the pistol at all times, even during surgery, ever after.
He returned from the war a changed man. No longer the loquacious ladies man, he kept his own counsel. He became interested in the medical fitness fad of the day, and the ideas of Dr. Kellog and Charles Atlas, adopting a physical fitness routine. Rather than return home and join his fathers practice in Atlanta, he has decided he needs some time to work things out in his own way. To facilitate this, he's chosen to travel the world a bit, and explore some uncharted regions. The travel has taught him to be ingenious in secreting his .45 Colt, which still never really leaves his side. Money conscious like his Scottish father, he travels in a fashion later eras will call "economy class".
Dr. Brass, Dr. Lloyd, Sr. Serafim and Sir Dashwood disembark the old merchant ship. Having gotten to know each other over the week's long journey
ReplyDeletefrom Tangier, they all realize that they are men with little direction, having arrived in Mindelo with the future set squarely in front of them.
Looking around, it appears that only Farnworth is also planning on heading to the Hotel Arao. On your journeys you have all picked up the
following rumors:
--Mindelo's new importance has brought in indigenous pirates, possibly led by European criminals, who hide out in the smaller islands in the Cape
Verde chain and prey on lightly defended ships.
--The Portuguese navy only has a couple of patrol boats in Mindelo and the local governor is concerned about a possible attack by pirates or
raiders
--There's plenty of work in Mindelo, but everything is expensive.
These are the individualized rumors that each character knows:
Dr. Harold Lloyd--Dr. Bernard Rubenstein of the University of Berlin was unable to secure German funding for an expedition up the Congo River.
Rubenstein attended a conference in London in 1923 where he was supposedly overheard mentioning that secret cities and societies deep inside
Africa held the key to humanity's future, but he was humiliated when he could produce no proof of his claims. However, last year, he and his
staff packed up their labs and libraries and moved to Brussels. Six months ago, he was in Mindelo, looking to hire mercenaries.
Connington Dashwood--The British army has quietly been recruiting its most able woodsmen, jungle fighters, scouts and adventurers into a new
regiment to be formed in Nairobi in British East Africa (Kenya). The regiment is rumored to be detached from regular duties and training heavily
for extended operations far behind enemy lines. Rumor has it that the unknown powers that control Lake Victoria have been determined to be a very
major threat by the crown.
Alexios Serafim--Alexios knows the real reason why the Castilho was attacked 7 years ago. On board was Gerhard von Schucke, a German count and
4th cousin to the Kaiser, but a man who turned traitor and who was accompanied by six Portuguese security service men and a mysterious Brazilian
woman named Madame Carina. Rumors on the Castilho were that von Schucke was enroute to the Azores to meet American agents and reveal to them the
secret plans of the Kaiser's cabal for Germany's actions after its defeat in World War I. After the attack, Serafim never saw von Schucke or his
party again, but he recently heard a rumor that Madame Carina was spotted in Dakar.
Dr. Brass--while working out in a gym in Lisbon and working in the local hospital, Dr. Brass spotted Dr. Helmut Ostweiler, a renowned German army
surgeon during the Great War. Brass followed Ostweiler to a local restaurant, where he approached Ostweiler and reminded him of November 12,
1918, the day after armistice, when Brass and Ostweiler coordinated the exchange of wounded prisoners and ended up talking late into the night
over Calvados about battlefield surgery, the war, philosophy and life. Ostweiler appeared very alarmed at having been recognized and tried to
extricate himself from the conversation, but told Brass that if he was looking for work and adventure, he should come look him up in Luederitz,
the German colony city in the former German Southwest Africa, now run by South Africa. "We need doctors, the toll will be terrible...." he told
Brass before slipping out of the restaurant and disappearing into Lisbon's crowds.
ReplyDelete--GOING TO THE HOTEL ARAO--
The four of you disembark the ship, handing your bags to local porters, who hustle them to the hotel for 0.25 cents. American dollars are very
welcome here, as are the currencies of all nations. (FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAME MECHANICS--ALL MONETARY TRANSACTIONS WILL BE IN DOLLARS, ALTHOUGH IN
REALITY YOUR CHARACTERS WOULD CONVERT TO LOCAL CURRENCY WHEREVER THEY ARE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF)
By 4 pm you arrive at the hotel. Rooms are $6/night. If any of you wish to share a double room for economy's sake, those are $8/night. The rate
includes breakfast. The Hotel Arao is at full capacity and getting rooms involves slipping a $5 bribe to the local bellhops, who expedite the
departure of other guests. The hotel is an old Army fort converted into a hotel, with the aforementioned dark basement bar. Clean, drafty but
well run.
On the bulletin board outside the hotel is a sign:
PIRATES! BE CAUTIOUS WHEN TRAVELING AROUND THE OTHER ISLANDS IN CAPE VERDE. PLEASE REPORT ENCOUNTERS TO PORTUGUESE NAVY HEADQUARTERS, MINDELO.
GRACIAS!
Mindelo is a town of about 8000 people, mostly Portuguese and devoted to the Atlantic ocean. The coaling stations employ many of the poorer
locals. Natives from Africa work as laborers and porters. The colonial center of town is surrounded by a shantytown where the recent arrivals
live.
At the end of this week's post, all characters are 1st level, with 1 XP.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChapter 1 Mindelo
ReplyDeleteUpon entering the somewhat stark lobby of the Hotel Arao, Alexios shifts his pack to a more comfortable position. “Senore?” Alexios addresses the Hotel Clerk, “My friends and I need rooms for the night”. Alexios listens patiently as the Clerk explains how the Hotel is all full, the rates and that there may be rooms opening up as they are expenting some guests may be leaving this evening.
Thinking on how to expedite the vacancy problem, he catches the eye of a bell hop in his worn red uniform. Alexios walks up to him, “Senore, would you be in the position to help in getting a couple of rooms opened up” shaking hands he slips him a ten dollar bill.
After getting the assurances of getting the rooms, Alexios speaks to the others, “Senores I get cuartos for we” his limited English causes him to internally cringe. “When done with the rooms, how we get diner then?” Waiting for the others to finish their rapid conversation Alexios watches the lobby traffic. Listening as carefully as he could he works through their conversation, trying to keep up and understanding only a little.
After paying for his share of the room to the Hotel Clerk, and having his bags taken to his room, Alexios asks “Senore, any good restaurants nearby?”
Sitting at the dinner table in a nearby restaurant, Alexios keeps quiet letter the others banter the various plans on what to do next. When the topic hits on the African expedition of Dr. Bernard Rubenstein he asks “So, do the possible try to get job, if Doctor Rubenstein be still in Mindelo?”
Alexios will go along with the others’ decision as they have more travel and adventuring experience.
Walking back into the lobby, “Drinks? How you say night hat?” He realizes immediately his words were not correct by the humorous looks he receives from his new friends
Chapter 1 Mindelo
ReplyDeleteDr. Harold Lloyd
As Alexios comes back to the group with a smile on his face announcing he has secured the rooms. Harry will nod in approval and clap him on the back. "Well done, lad!" Leaning closer, he will ask how much it cost to, 'get the bell hop working on our residency problem' Upon hearing the answer, he will shoot a look at Conny and sees that his look of 'we should foot in for the bribe' is taken and understood.Harry will ask Alexios if he would care to share the room; and, after securing their bags, he will wait for the others to meet in the hotel lobby.
Having earlier noticed a small bit of 'local flavor' round the corner from the hotel, Harry will suggest they try it for dinner. When the group accepts, he accompanies his new friends to the small restaurant.
As the conversation turns to what they should do next, Dr. Lloyd will more completely tell his three companions about the rumors he has heard of Dr. Bernard Rubenstein of the University of Berlin...
[Jumping into that conversation sometime during dinner...]
"... So, as I told you before, apparently, he was unsuccessful in securing German funding for an expedition up the Congo River. I met the good doctor (in passing) at the Royal Society's Sub-Saharan African Cultures Archeological conference in London two years past. Several attendees told me that Dr. Rubenstein was quietly going on a bit about ancient cities and lost cultures (a particular interest of mine). So, I attempted to gain a private interview with the good Doctor. However, I failed in getting him alone. And, I eventually lost complete track of the gent. Haven't seen him since."
"Although, a few months ago, I did get wind of him again... I hear that he had a bit of a falling out with his department and a group of his peers in Germany. Dr. Rubenstein apparently evacuated his offices and moved his staff and all his laboratory gear, library and all to the city of Brussels. And, six months ago, he was known to be here in Mindelo seeking to employ mercenaries. I can only assume that they are for an attempt at that trip up the River Congo..."
"Perhaps we should ask about town to see if he has completed his preparations for that trip yet and if he can be found here still. If not, then perhaps we can catch up to his group if they haven't delved into the bush just yet."
"What think you, gentlemen? If you agree, I suggest that we look in on Gordon Farnworth of the East India Company. I know that the 'company' keeps its ears to the ground (as they say) regarding things of this nature... So, perhaps he will be able to provide a bit of light onto our path of finding our German adventurer..."
After enjoying a decent (if not overly tasty) meal lightened a bit by the rather functional table wine offered and an evening of relaxing conversation, Harry will smile broadly at Alexios' missed word...
"Not to worry, my friend! We all know what you mean! And I think it a splendid notion. Shall we, gentlemen?"
And, with that, he will accompany them to the basement bar for a night cap...
Connor understands the look from Harry. He will turn to Alexios and say in broken Portugese: "Fixing rooms we thank you. Pay you at dinner." In response to Alexios' surprised and pleased expression, Connor will say "Learn little Portugese Macao".
ReplyDeleteThe paella at the nearby restaurant is excellent. Connor will translate for Alexios if necessary (and if he can). Not wishing to embarrass his new associate, he will speak more slowly than usual.
He will offer Dunhills to everyone before lighting up one himself. "Bloody hell...mercenaries! I suppose it's better than being in the army, likely with better hours and better pay. I expect he'll have the coloreds do the digging and carrying. I left my Enfield behind in Tangier though - I hope this doctor friend of yours has long guns to loan out, otherwise we'll just be buggering about as mercenaries."
"I do hope this doctor friend of yours isn't working for the Jerries. I heard that the crown is assembling irregular units in East Africa to muck about in the bush, and see what's happening around Lake Victoria. That's on the other side of the dark continent though. I think I at least need to start with something closer to put a few pounds in my pocket first. Yes, Harry, I'll go in with you. Mr. Farnworth may be able to help us."
Connor will casually survey the restaurant, noting anyone or anything that seems out of the ordinary. His streetwise instincts have saved his life more than once and he has learned to listen to them.
If all seems in order, he will retire to the basement bar with the others, making sure to pay Alexios $2.50 as his share of the bribe first.
Wednesday, May 13th, 1925 late evening, Hotel Arao basement bar, Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands:
ReplyDeleteLloyd, Serafim and Dashwood go to the bar. Brass feels ill from the sea voyage and retires to his room early.
The Hotel Arao bar is full of people. A pianist is playing on a small corner stage. Cigarette smoke hanging in the air resembles the aftermath of a mustard gas attack, with the air not much better. Businessmen in suits, fishermen wearing their 'best outfits', unattached working girls working the room, a couple of Portuguese naval officers and many locals in guayabera shirts and slacks have filled tables and the bar. After ordering drinks (.50 for a beer, .75 for wine and a dollar for liquor) and maneuvering about for a few minutes, you can find a table opening up and sit down. Between Dashwood's high streetwise skill, Lloyd's social sciences knowledge and Serafim's Portuguese, you all are able to gather the following information that night in the bar:
--Lt. Commander Peodoro on the Portuguese destroyer "Magalhães Correia" handles mercenary referrals for various clients.
--Dr. Rubenstein came to this bar several times looking for mercenary contacts and was put in touch with Peodoro. He checked out of his hotel a week later.
--A couple of the local fishermen who have bigger ships probably know where the pirates are based. They might even be in league with them, signaling them when a poorly defended ship leaves port (Dashwood picked up that this was probably speculation, but may have some truth to it).
While the bar never closes, it does thin out after 4am. Tired from your long journey, you leave. In the halls of the now quiet hotel, as you make your way to your rooms, a bellhop named Andres (on his nametag) approaches you and asks Dr. Lloyd if he is a medical doctor.
Brass had complained of illness to retire to his shared quarters early, but in reality just needed some quiet time alone. Having grown up in Atlanta, he was familiar with hot, humid climates, but it had been a few years. Somehow heat and humidity did not combine well with close quarters. Some time to sit shirtless, alone in the dark, had much improved his morale. He stepped out into the hall, and was just approaching Professor Lloyd, and overheard the query. "I'm a medical doctor", he interjected.
ReplyDelete"Oh, thank you, thank you. We have a patient in the back office at the hotel. He has been shot. He cannot go to the hospital. Can you help him?" the bellhop asks, his eyes brightening and his nervousness disappating a bit. "He is my cousin," he adds.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in the game, all characters have 2 XP. Dave posted late, but since his arrival allowed me to continue the story without waiting for next weekend, he gets the XP anyway.
ReplyDeleteTaken aback by the Andre's rushed question, Harry is relieved of the need to answer the young man in the negative as Dr. Brass has approached him just then from the direction of their rooms... Keeping his silence to hear what is happening, he exchanges a look and a raised eyebrow with Conny. His best dark, "Trouble has found us already" look when the bellhop mentions that the victim has been shot.
ReplyDeleteDr. Lloyd will offer to fetch the healer's kit for him so that he can immediately go to his patient giving Alexios and Conny a nod in Brass' direction suggesting (non-vocally) that they go with him. Battling off to the rooms immediately, he will call over his shoulder, "Anything else you might need, Doctor?"
After grabbing the medical bag (and whatever other supply the Doctor requests if at hand), Dr. Lloyd will quickly check his Weebly to make certain it is loaded and firmly seated in his shoulder holster before running to the back of the hotel to join his comrades...
Seeing Andre’s rapid approach, Alexios prepares to hear that the Tangierian has located him. Andre’s rapid English escapes Alexios’ comprehension only catching help, shot and come, he is able to piece together what is going on.
ReplyDeleteIn Portuguese he asks “Andre? Who has been shot and why is he here not in a hospital?” After hearing that he is Andre’s cousin and thinking that he cannot afford a hospital or that is the first place his shooters or authorities would look for him, Alexios asks “Do you expect trouble? If so please advise of this trouble and from who or where we may expect it?”
Alexios will stay with the others being wary of any kind of trouble, especially from the Tangierian!
Fully dressed, and feeling the comfortable weight of the Colt under his arm, Brass feels confident enough of his situation to accompany the man to see to the injured. "Cousin, indeed", he mutters to no one in particular, thinking that every shady characters equally shady compatriot, always seemed to be their "cousin". He knows that the sooner he gets to the shot man, the more likely it is that he can render effective assistance. "Hope I'll have adequate equipment for the task old boy, I've only the portable basics." "If you have access to more thorough kit I can use,,it'll improve your chaps chances...". He shoots a look at Lloyd raising an eyebrow and blows a nearly inaudible whistle through his teeth.
ReplyDeleteAfter retrieving his torch from his room, Connington will stop to strap his knife to his right calf. The weight of the M1911 at his shoulder is comforting as he hustles to catch up to Dr. Brass.
ReplyDeleteExpecting that the doctor will want to wash his hands first, Connington will try to remember what battlefield medicine he learned while waiting for the yank to arrive. He will try to calm the patient with a shot of whiskey or a cigarette, cut away clothing around the wound so the doctor can see it better, and elevate the man's feet. He will also move any lights in the room near to the patient, and talk to the 'cousin' the whole time he is doing this. Mostly just chatter, but he remembers that medics told him that this takes the patient's mind off the injury and can calm them down.
When Andre arrives, Connington will ask him to fetch a bottle of whiskey and some old (but clean!) towels and sheets. That done, he will help the doctor in any way required, even if it is just holding a torch.
Andres leads you to a backroom behind the hotel desk, where a man lies on a cot, groaning. He is a Portuguese man, about 25 years old, wearing sweat soaked utility trousers and a dirty dress shirt. His shoes and socks are on the floor, wet with what smells like sea water. He has a gunshot wound on the right side of his abdomen, not in the center. A large towel is pressed against the wound. Andres says this is Carlos, his cousin. He was attacked by pirates while fishing. Andres admits that Carlos is a wanted criminal by the Mindelo police, but says it's nothing serious and that they can pay. He tells Alexios that no one knows he's here and there should be no trouble. After treatment, he will move Carlos to his private room to recuperate. Connington helps prepare for treatment as indicated. As Doc Brass enters the room, Dashwood finds that Andres has brought an old leather bag containing a doctor's first aid kit (15 lbs). Brass quickly checks the contents and finds that some of the contents are a bit rusty and the chloroform bottle looks like it's pre-War vintage, but it helps round out his own bare supplies. Brass administers chloroform before probing the wound. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3965340/ rolling an +83 for administering the chloroform and a +70 for the doctor skill. (Both rolls exceed 101, and are successful). Brass determines that Carlos has a through and through wound, probably from a rifle, on the right side of his abdomen and that it doesn't appear that the bowels were perforated. Using a bottle of cheap but strong gin, Brass cleans out the wound as best as possible and dresses it with clean towels. "You'll need to change the dressings twice daily, and let me know if he starts running a fever. I can't guarantee that the bullet didn't nick the bowels. In that case, you'll definitely need a surgeon. He'll wake up from the chloroform in a couple of hours and he'll have a hell of a headache. Let's get him moved to your room, then, while he's still out and I'll recheck the bandages after we get there." The party helps Andres move Carlos to Andres' room, which is suprisingly large and clean. Andres thanks you.
ReplyDelete"Please keep the medical supplies. Here, I have two bottles of rare port (valued $25 each). Thank you for helping my cousin."
Treatment rolls for Carlos (1d100=83, 1d100=70)
DeleteI keep forgetting to do this. Your characters all have 3 XP each now.
Delete"Glad I could help, but in truth, he was very lucky it seems." Brass gratefully accepts the gifts, keeping the medical kit for himself, and passing the bottles to his compatriots. As we stroll back towards our quarters, he confides in his friends. "That was a close thing, the chap really was lucky. I haven't the equipment to handle that had it been an inch to the right."
DeleteGenuinely glad to hear the good doctor's pronouncement that the young man's chances are good (or at least no longer dire), Harry will nod appreciatively at the bottles as Dr. Brass hands them to Conny.
ReplyDelete"Hmmm. A Quinta do Noval 1912, and a Symington Warre 1908! Rare vintages indeed!"
He will suggest that the group repair to the Doctor's room so that this might be discussed in a more private setting.
"Once that young man is up to it, I would like to speak with him about this pirate attack. Are they impressing the local fishermen directly from their boats! I would think that catching men unawares on land would be a bit less risky and more profitable to these hooligans. Or is it that our injured young lad saw something he should not have?"
"If following along to attempt to catch up to Dr. Rubenstein is to be our plan, I wonder if his search for mercenaries of late might not have clashed (or been a part of?) the pirates efforts? I say we question the young man and possibly investigate his boat. If it was not seized by the pirates of course..."
GM Note of Harry's intentions:
If nothing else occurs during the remainder of this early morning, Dr. Lloyd will go to his bed and sleep a bit.
Connor lights up a Dunhill. "I agree, Harry - at least that we should speak to Carlos when he recovers a bit. Checking into the pirates - and possibly eliminating them - could net us a bit of reward as well as the amity of the locals. I speak of both the authorities and the victims of these pirates. I heard some chaps in the bar speculating that the pirates might have Continental backing. If that is so then perhaps a call on the Royal Naval Attache is in order - assuming there is one, of course."
ReplyDeleteIntentions: Connor will wash up and get some sleep. In the morning, he will speak with Andre (see NPC thread), inquire with the Royal Naval Attache about the pirates (if Mindelo is high enough on the diplomatic food chain to rate one), and look into any kind of reward for the elimination of pirate bands.
Intentions: Brass will go along with Conner if he goes to talk to Andres. He is still suspicious of the story. An injured man wanted by the local authorities, who seeks discrete medical care for a gunshot wound may have gotten the injury in many other ways than from "pirates". After all, Andres had to have something to tell them about a source for the bullet wound. He offers an ash tray to Conner in his room, as he runs one hand through his hair and expounds to the group about these concerns.
DeleteThursday, May 14th.
ReplyDeleteDoc Brass XP4 Connor Dashwood XP4 Harry Lloyd XP4 Alexios Serafim XP3, all 1st level
After a very late breakfast, Connor and Doc Brass check in on their patient. He is conscious, but in pain, which Andreas is managing with a bottle of brandy. An interview yields the following information:
"I was off the coast of Santa Lucia. I was with my cousins and my uncle when we sailed into a small bay that we use to fish sometimes. The pirates were in two small motor boats. We came up on them accidentally and we tried to get away, but their boats are fast. One of their boats had motor failure and slowed down a lot and we thought we were going to get away. We saw a British patrol boat (you know they're stationed in Porto Praya) and signaled them. They turned towards us and the pirates turned away, but then they shot at us and I got hit. My cousin Felipe was killed. The British shot at the pirates, but we raced to port. My uncle got me over here, because Andres said that foreign doctors stay at this hotel sometimes. The pirates are all over that island, hiding out. The British and Portuguese could clean them out, but they hide inland and they don't want to risk their sailors going inland, so they just chase them on the water. I hear that the British are going to send some Royal Marines down on the next troop ship that goes south to clean them out, but they haven't arrived yet. The Portuguese government doesn't care--they just want to collect the royalties from the cable station and make sure the British don't miss any payments on the coaling station lease. Andres can get you rifles, but they're old, from before the War." (this is a repeat from the GM questions topic, repeated here for your convenience).
Carlos is weak and falls asleep. Brass checks his wound and it appears okay.
While Alexios sleeps in, Brass, Lloyd and Dashwood head off into Mindelo to gather information on the situation. You find out the following:
1. There is no 'reward' for clearing out the pirates. The Portuguese navy considers is a law enforcement problem.
2. The British naval attache is located in Porto Praya, the largest city in the Cape Verde Islands.
3. The pirates are rumored to be hiding out in sea caves on the island of Santa Lucia and since the authorities are obviously afraid to go in after them, have become quite brazen. Sea planes fly supplies to the island weekly, hired by an unscrupulous agent in Porto Praya.
4. You meet with Portuguese navy Lt. Cmdr Peodoro as he lunches at a cafe'. He tells you that he handles mercenary referrals in Mindelo. He says there is mercenary work available to protect expeditions into inland Africa from Dakar. If you decide to ask him about Dr. Rubinstein (I didn't want to assume, you might wish to remain covert) or other questions I don't cover here, feel free to ask your questions in the "questions for the GM" topic.
Before dinner, you return to the hotel to freshen up. The weather on the Cape Verde Islands is consistently pleasant, but it is muggy today. A large storm, possibly destined to become a hurricane is brewing off shore. They pose little danger to the islands, but may threaten ships and the coastal Americas in a week or more.
As you are sipping your drinks and contemplating having to buy another night at the hotel, Andres approaches you and says:
ReplyDelete"I am grateful for your help in treating Carlos. My father, Antonio, was with Carlos when he was shot. I can sense that you are looking for work and need money. Not every European that comes here is wealthy, I realized long ago. I also sense that you are men who can handle themselves. You obviously served in the war and that experience is always useful. My father wants to recover the damaged pirate motor launch. The one whose engine failed during the pursuit. It is laid up on a beach on Santa Lucia and the pirates are guarding it lightly while they wait for a man to bring spare parts. The motor launch is a captured traveler yacht, a simple 25' design, but still very valuable. If you provide my father and my other cousins with protection during the job, they would like to take the yacht back to our family workshop, fix it and sell it. We have a potential buyer lined up. We think a share of $500 per person for you, once we sell the yacht. In the meantime, my father will give you rifles you can keep, as a token of sincerity. Also, if you wish to stay in our simple guest house, instead of here at the hotel? It is not luxurious, but my sister cooks good meals and you have a place to sleep. We are moving Carlos there later today. What do you say?"
"It was a good thing you did Doctor Brass" Alexios yawns "I go sleep now, good night"
ReplyDeleteAlexios goes to his room, places his pistol and knife nearby and goes to sleep
Having dreams of burning diesel, and bloody wounds, Alexios wakes late in the day to find the others gone. He has a very late breakfast or early lunch, and lounges about the hotel waiting for the others to return.
ReplyDeleteUpon meeting back up with the others and sipping his coffee, he listens to Andres proposal. Thinking to himself, (The Lord delivers in mysterious ways, $500! Mi Madre! Tis more than I can earn in a year) trying to keep his astonishment from his face he looks at his companions to gauge their interest.
“Andres would you please provide us some privacy while we discuss your offer” Alexios addresses Andres in Portuguese. After Andres steps away, he tells the others “Not sure, pero I think this good deal”.
Alexios will listen to the others and in his broken English state that he wants to take Andres up on his offer. He will explain that he had experience in maintaining weapons and would possibly be able to improve the conditions of the ones being provided.
Brass keeps his counsel until their new friend gives them privacy. Then he says, "This could be worth our time, lord knows I could use the cash right about now. However, what if things are not as they appear? We only have their word that the injuries were due to an encounter with pirates, it could just as easily have been from running away from the local constabulary. Assisting in acquiring this 'pirate' vessel may just make us foolish participants in a boat theft! How would we know? Do you think that posh accent might get a straight answer out of His Majesty's local sailors to confirm that 'pirate encounter'? Surely they would recall that recent event, couldn't have too much excitement around here." His eyes direct the question to Conner.
ReplyDeleteAs Conner contemplates the Doctor's caution, Harry will answer him with his own thoughts. "Hmmm... Five hundred dollars is quite a sum for mere hired guns 'liberating' a boat from a bunch of pirates... I wonder if there isn't something IN the boat to sell beyond its hull..."
ReplyDelete"I share your caution, Doctor. Yet, something inside my mind is nagging me that our Portuguese friend here might have the instinct on this one..." He will indicate Alexios with a nod of his head and offer the former sailor a friendly grin. "I, for one, find myself believing Andre's story... At least to a point."
Looking back to Brass, he will say, "If we are to participate in this particular bit of adventure, we most certainly do not wish to alert the authorities to our connection to anyone involved! So, unfortunately, asking about the incident is out of the question. We have no idea who we might trust at this point. However, I don't think that this young lad... whose relative you just saved... intends us immediate harm."
Looking at Conner's silent down turned face, Harry will say to the room at large, "At the very least, we should take up the young lad's offer of a free place to stay. Once there, we will see the remaining 'actors' in this particular drama and can judge better as to their intent, yes?"
Intentions for Harry:
In THIS post, he put in his "Vote" to take Andres up on his offer... (in case that wasn't really clear...).
He intends to let the Anthropologist in him open up when he meets these fishermen relatives and friends of Andres when we go to his house.
That is, he wants to learn as much as he can in the limited time available of their sub-culture to attempt to glean if they are telling the truth.
I do not know if rolls will be required for this. So, GM please note that I have a +80 in Social Sciences.
Connor is lost in thought, reminiscing to the time he and some other junior officers 'liberated' a motor launch for a weekend's liberty in Alexandria. Harry's voice snaps him back to the present.
ReplyDelete"Yes, I do think we should at least take them up on their offer of a place to stay. If this is legitimate it is a tremendous boon for us, and would present the means to go where we will. I share the good doctor's caution however - five hundred dollars for each of us to steal a boat from some pirates seems almost too good to be true! Let's find out if there are any Jolly Jack Tars about, without having to go all the way to Porto Praya. Their daily rum ration is rarely enough for their liking, if you take my meaning..."
Intentions: Connor is a tenative yes, but wants to investigate a bit by discreetly speaking to some British sailors. He would prefer to do this on Mindelo, but if he has to hitch a ride to Porto Praya to gather intelligence he will do so.