-Nate
Introduction
Recently a troupe of
entertainer-adventurers discovered a cache of ancient Egyptian
scrolls from the fabled Library of Alexandria, hidden in a secret
chamber beneath the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania. In doing so they
also met and earned the respect of two holy warriors, the brothers
ibn Ibrahim, who recommended an Egyptologist to help with translating
those texts. After all, they know him to be a man of honor who is
part of the Royal Society in London. Of course, nothing is ever quite
so easy as it seems.
Adventure
Synopsis
This adventure
begins when the PCs arrive in London and head to the home of the
Allen family. Along the way they can learn of others who are
interested in their business, including the local ravens. All the
while, a notorious London smog settles in over the city. At the
Allens' home they find that Sir Kenneth has been kidnapped, leaving
behind his daughter, Lady Katherine, along with an unpleasant
surprise. A ransom note instructs them to bring the scrolls to a pier
down by the river. They are also invited to a production at the New
Globe Theater, where they can learn more about the greater conflict
in which they've become involved, and might be confronted by enemies
posing as local constables. Once they're ready, they can meet the
agents of the Cabal and make their move. While a full-on battle
against that organization is not advisable at this time, they can put
themselves in a place for doing so in the future.
For
the Gun Master
For once the nature
of this business is pretty straightforward; the Cabal is using Sir
Kenneth as leverage to obtain the scrolls from the Library of
Alexandria. Rescuing him should prove a daunting task, but also gives
the heroes to take the measure of the Cabal and its operatives in
London—information that should be important when the time for a
larger confrontation arrives in the future. Of course, the Cabal has
a contingency plan in place, too—something that may only become
apparent later.
Involving
the Heroes
This adventure
assumes that the PCs participated in the events of the scenario “Lead
or Gold,” and possibly “Fortune and Glory” and “Truth or
Consequences” before that. If that is not the case, then the GM may
need to devise another means of introducing them to this business.
For example, they could be traveling to London by steamship and can
intervene when Cabal agents try to steal the scrolls from Lady
Katherine, who is delivering them to her father.
Scene
1—The Big City
Given that London
boasts some six million inhabitants, it should be about the biggest
city that the heroes have ever visited. It also boasts the newest and
best of technological innovations. For that reason, the PCs might
also want to do some shopping while they're in town—especially for
those who've been doing a lot of traveling with little chance for a
break.
This scenario
assumes that the PCs arrive by ship, and thus begin making their way
from the banks of the River Thames deeper into the rest of the city;
as they do so, a couple of events take place that help to set an
ominous mood. Refer to the map below for a rough layout of the city.
The
Smog
For
one thing, a thicker-than-normal London smog begins to settle in over
the city. This combination of natural fog and smoke from innumerable
coal fires reduces visibility to half of a city block or less,
creating an eerie atmosphere in which the PCs can hear other people
coming long before actually seeing them. This can both help and
hinder the characters, helping to conceal their own movements while
also making it more difficult to notice those of their enemies.
Ravens
At
the same time, the PCs should also make notice checks opposed by the
Stealth efforts of a few different ravens that are watching them.
Such birds are not unusual in London—in fact, they are a regular
sight at the Tower of London—but these ones in particular are act
as spies and messengers for Small Raven, who shall be introduced
below. They fly away rather than fight if attacked, but return again
later to continue spying.
Ravens
These
birds are smarter than most, known to collect shiny objects and even
to use simple tools in order to acquire food or other desired items.
Attributes:
Agility d6, Smarts d6(A), Spirit d4, Strength d4-3, Vigor d4
Skills:
Athletics d4, Fighting d4, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Survival d6
Pace:
8, Parry:
4, Toughness:
2
Special
Abilities
- Bite: d4 Damage.
- Size -3: Ravens are large for birds, but pretty small in general.
Scene
2—The Egyptologists
The Allens' home
lies on the edge of town, out where there's enough room to have a bit
of a yard; refer to the map above for the following location
descriptions. The house has a main entry (1) from which doors lead
into the parlor (2) and dining room (3), while stairs lead to the
basement and upper level. There's also a kitchen (4) with a
well-stocked pantry (5), and quarters for Bartholomew the butler (6).
On the second story there are numerous bedrooms (7), of which one is
occupied by Lady Katherine, along with the master bedroom (8), which
Sir Kenneth occupies. The chief feature of the basement (9) is the
coal-fed furnace, and stairs that lead out into the back yard.
The
Scene of the Crime
When
the PCs arrive they find that the front door of the house has been
forced open; this should be the first sign of trouble for them. From
there they can easily find Lady Katherine, along with Bartholomew the
butler, in the dining room. In fact, she has pulled him up onto the
table; he has been rendered unconscious because of his wounds, while
she has been poisoned and might succumb to it if not given medical
assistance. Finally, a pair of poisonous snakes—asps, in fact—have
been let loose in the room, and lash out at newcomers, possibly
catching them off-guard.
Poisonous
Snakes (2): Refer to page 188
of Savage Worlds
for stats.
The
Facts of the Matter
As
long as the PCs can dispatch the two serpents, then they should also
make Heal checks to assist the lady and butler. From them they can
learn the following details.
- Lady Katherine was out shopping at the time when the kidnappers first arrived.
- Bartholomew was home then. The kidnappers arrived at the door dressed in the garb of local constables, and insisted that they had orders to arrest Sir Kenneth. When he refused, they used their billy clubs and pushed their way into the house.
- He was knocked unconscious during the ensuing scuffle; when he recovered, Sir Kenneth was gone. Lady Katherine returned at that point, but both were surprised—and attacked—by the asps that had been left behind.
- They were both bitten; he fell unconscious again, because of his previous wounds, but she was able to pull him up onto the table.
Both
Bartholomew and Lady Katherine thank the PCs for their aid. What is
more, she agrees to help them decipher the scrolls, to the best of
her ability—“Although my father is the real expert.” At the
same time, anyone who looks around the room can find the ransom note
left behind by the Cabal mercenaries, stuck into a bit of woodwork
with a knife.
The
Ransom Note
The
note reads as follows.
|
If
you wish to see Sir Kenneth again, then bring the scrolls to the
south bank of the Thames between
the
Westminster Street Bridge and the King's Arms Stairs at midnight
tonight.
Failure
to cooperate will result in his death.
|
There
is no signature. If the PCs haven't come to suspect it already,
though, then they should have an idea of the enemy they face.
The
Ravens, Again
Not
long thereafter, two ravens alight on the windowsill outside; one of
them taps at the glass with its beak, and then both wait. A moment
later another bird, this one bigger and with, perhaps, a keener eye,
also lands. Flanked by the other two, then, it flutters into the room
and lands on the table. It surveys the PCs for a time, and then with
a squawk speaks one word: “Greetings.”
This
newcomer is the spirit of Small Raven, an Indian boy who was killed
trying to steal back some of his tribe's prized relics from a
collector. Now he uses this raven as his host, and has come to London
via the Winding Way on behalf of the Black Stars—a special branch
of the United States Marshals dedicated to investigating strange
events and occult practitioners. The other ravens follow his
commands, and have been monitoring the heroes' movements for him.
Communicating
with Small Raven should be a bit of a challenge, since the bird
cannot speak more than a few words at a time. Even so, by answering
yes-or-no questions and muttering short answers he can provide a good
deal of information, including the following details.
- It is indeed agents of the Cabal who have kidnapped Sir Kenneth.
- Small Raven has come as an agent of the Black Stars, via a path that he calls the Winding Way. They are interested in the Cabal, and consider it to be a threat to American interests.
- The Black Stars are aware of the heroes' activities—he suspects through magical means, but he doesn't know just how—and would like to meet with them as soon as possible.
- He knows of an entrance to the Winding Way in London.
Finally, it should
be noted that any character who has the Ghost Sight Edge can see,
when looking at the raven, the spectral image of an Indian boy who is
missing his right hand, that seems to hover around his host. He is
unable to communicate through words, but might be able to use
gestures more effectively than the bird.
The
Handbill
Once
Small Raven has communicated, to the best of his ability, what he
wants the PCs to know, one of his fellow birds flies back out the
window, and then returns a few minutes later clutching a rolled-up
piece of paper in its talons. This is a handbill advertising a play,
Macbeth,
which is being performed at the New Globe Theater over the course of
this month. If asked about the Theater or those whom the PCs might
meet there, Small Raven squawks the word “Friends.”
|
Small Raven
For more information about this bird and the spirit that possesses it, refer to the following supplement. |
Scene
3—Friend or Foe?
Although the PCs
don't have a lot of information with which to work, they should have
a few possible directions in which to head next; each of these likely
situations is detailed below.
The
New Globe Theater
As
long as they do go to the theater, the PCs find that it is bustling
for the performance. Given the layout of the theater, they can find a
place to stand where they can watch the stage along with the rest of
the attendees. Once the play starts, the lights go down, followed by
flickering along with the roll of artificial thunder. Then the three
actors playing witches come out on stage for the opening scene.
First
Witch: When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning or in
rain?
Second
Witch: When the hurlyburly's done, when the battle's lost and won.
Third
Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.
While
that is happening, Zerelda Williams approaches the PCs and introduces
herself by saying, “Methinks the hurlyburly will be done, this
time, ere the rising
of the sun.” Then she bows. “Zerelda Williams, at your service.”
This should give the heroes an inkling that she knows of their
business, even if it isn't too reassuring to them. They are soon
joined, however, by an American who discreetly shows them his US
Marshal's badge, whom Zerelda introduces as Marshal Gareth
Hildebrand, Jr. Together, the two of them can relate the following
information.
- The acting company that runs the New Globe Theater is led by members of the Invisible College who are working to combat the Cabal's takeover of that organization.
- To that end they are working together with the Black Stars, who recognize the Cabal as a threat to American interests, too.
- For that reason Marshal Hildebrand, Jr. came to London to work as a liaison between the two groups.
- He traveled via the Winding Way, led and assisted by Small Raven.
- Working together these allies have learned that the Cabal's local base of operations is a merchant ship that lies at anchor on the Thames, the Indomitable.
- They suspect that the kidnappers took Sir Kenneth there.
After
sharing these details, Marshal Hildebrand and Miss Williams offer to
aid the PCs as much as they are able. While not willing to engage in
an all-out attack against the Cabal at this time, they will help
provide equipment for some kind of effort to rescue Sir Kenneth.
Williams is pleased to assist any action that harms the Cabal, while
Hildebrand asks that the Black Stars be given a chance to study the
scrolls from the Library of Alexandria, too.
The
help that they can provide could include the following: access to
rare equipment, such as dynamite; preparation of disguises; use of
magical Powers; and possibly other things at the GM's discretion.
Hildebrand will accompany the PCs if they want to have a look at the
Indomitable,
as detailed below. Finally, Williams offers to help the PCs make
their escaped, as long as they can find their way back to the
theater, and even goes so far as to show them the entrance to the
Winding Way from the preparation area beneath the stage.
|
Diablerie
For more information about the New Globe Theater and the women who run it, refer to the following supplement. |
The
Indomitable
If
the PCs want to take a look at the Cabal's base of operations—and
especially if they decide to storm it—then refer to the maps below
for the following location descriptions.
This
three-masted vessel rides at anchor with its sails furled. While a
bit of a relic, given the advent of steam-powered travel, it is not
such an unusual sight on the Thames. The Indomitable
has an open main deck (1) with passages heading fore and aft, short
stairways leading up onto the fore- and sterncastles, and hatches
with ladders leading belowdecks. There is also a broad hatchway that
opens into the decks below, for loading and unloading cargo. Toward
the aft there is a companionway (2) flanked by small personal cabins,
two each for the lieutenants of the mercenary and occultist leaders.
Those two individuals, in turn, are quartered in the divided main
cabin (3 and 4). In the bow there are quarters for the lower-ranking
occultists (5), with access to a small open area at the front of the
ship (6). The forecastle is a raised area in the bow (7), while the
sterncastle (8), aft, is where the captain and helmsman would be
stationed while the ship is under way. The middle deck consists of
two sections, with sprawling quarters for the mercenaries (9) and a
room in which the occultists can practice their magical rituals (10).
Below that is the cargo hold (11), which is filled with crates,
barrels and sacks of foodstuffs, equipment and other supplies, along
with the galley (12) in which food is prepared.
The
Opposition
The
following Cabal agents are present aboard the Indomitable.
- They are led by a Heroic-rank occultist, Lord Roger FitzMorgan, and a Veteran mercenary, Captain Raymond Moore (areas 3 and 4).
- Those two, in turn, are assisted by two Veteran occultists and two Seasoned occultists, respectively (area 2).
- There are six Novice occultists in area 5, and twenty Novice mercenaries in area 9.
- At any given time, pairs of mercenaries are stationed on the sterncastle (7) and forecastle (8).
- Finally, it should be noted that Sir Kenneth is imprisoned in the cargo hold (11), shackled and chained to the mainmast.
|
The Cabal
and the Invisible College
Refer to the following supplements for more information about these two organizations and their members. |
Scene
4—Fight or Flight
Detailed here are
suggestions for some of the more likely events that might occur as
the heroes move forward with their plans.
Delivering
the Ransom
Perhaps
the most direct means of approaching this situation is to visit the
location mentioned in the ransom note at the time specified. This is
a pier some eight feet long and twenty feet wide that just out into
the Thames. True to their word, the Cabal sends two rowboats to the
rendezvous; the one that pulls up to the dock is crewed by two Novice
mercenaries and a Veteran occultist, while the one that lingers
further out on the water is crewed by two more Novice mercenaries and
their Seasoned lieutenant. The latter boat also holds the shackled
and blindfolded Sir Kenneth. The occultist insists that the PCs hand
over the scrolls before they bring Sir Kenneth to the pier. As long
as the PCs cooperate, they remain true to their word.
Development
If
the PCs choose not to cooperate, on the other hand, then things take
a turn. This is likely to require some adjudication on the part of
the GM, since it's never possible to predict all of the PCs'
decisions. It's important to keep in mind here that neither side of
the rift in the Invisible College commands the full weight of
government authority, and so the PCs should shy away from wholesale
destruction as they are fighting their battles.
Making
an Exit
Unless
they want to make this into a final confrontation with the Cabal,
it's in their best interest to rescue Sir Kenneth and then depart. As
mentioned above, the production company at the New Globe Theater has
offered a good means of escaping, via the Winding Way and back to
American soil. (For his part, Marshal Hildebrand advocates strongly
for this proposal, since his organization would like a chance to sit
down and discuss the heroes' discoveries with them.
Epilogue
As long as they can
rescue Sir Kenneth and make their escape, the PCs have won an
important victory. They have seen just how dangerous a foe the Cabal
can be, and that many other brave individuals are interested in
seeing them defeated. While this might not feel like a complete
victory, they have won an important battle in a much bigger war.
Further
Adventures
Detailed below are a
few of the possibilities for business in which the PCs can become
entangled.
- As mentioned above, the Black Stars have lots of questions about their recent activities—as well as potential use of their services.
- They could encounter all manner of things if they venture into the Winding Way, including other places, times and possibilities.
- There is also the question of what lore the scrolls contain.
- Finally, they've become embroiled in a conflict even larger than they know. The agents of the Cabal are certain to seek revenge against them, and that is only the start of escalation that could eventually explode around the world.
Appendix—NPCs
Presented here are
stats for Sir Kenneth and Lady Katherine Allen.
|
Sir
Kenneth Allen
One
of the most renowned scholars in the field of Egyptology, Sir
Kenneth is also a widower who takes great delight in the fact that
his daughter is following in his footsteps. While he has performed
considerable field work of his own in the past, age and easy
living now make that harder for him than it once was. Even so, his
mind is as sharp as ever.
Attributes:
Agility d4, Smarts d10, Spirit d8, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills:
Academics d10, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d8, Fighting d4,
Language d10, Notice d8, Persuasion d8, Research d10, Riding d4,
Shooting d4, Stealth d4, Survival d4
Pace:
6, Parry:
5, Toughness:
5
Edges:
Rich, Scholar (Academics)
Hindrances:
Curious
Gear:
None.
|
Lady
Katherine Allen
Although
she's lived a comfortable life as part of a well-respected family,
Lady Katherine is no debutante. In fact, she has accompanied her
father on some of his expeditions in the field. Some say this is
because she lacks a mother's influence, but the truth is that she
is just as fascinated by the secrets of ancient history as her
father.
Attributes:
Agility d6, Smarts d8, Spirit d8, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills:
Academics d8, Athletics d4, Common Knowledge d8, Fighting d4,
Healing d4, Language d8, Notice d8, Occult d4, Persuasion d6,
Research d8, Riding d4, Shooting d4, Stealth d4, Survival d4,
Thievery d4
Pace:
6, Parry:
5, Toughness:
5
Edges:
Attractive, Rich
Hindrances:
Curious
Gear:
Knife (Damage Str+d4).
|
Appendix—Ransom
Note
This item can be
printed and given to the players; it is the ransom note left behind
by the Cabal agents.
|
If
you wish to see Sir Kenneth again, then bring the scrolls to the
south bank of the Thames between
the
Westminster Street Bridge and the King's Arms Stairs at midnight
tonight.
Failure
to cooperate will result in his death.
|
Appendix—The
Handbill
This item can be
printed and given to the players; it is the advertisement for that
evening's performance of Macbeth at the New Globe Theater.
|
The
Tragedy of Macbeth
By
William Shakespeare
Performed
each night of the month
Excluding
Sundays
Curtain
rises just after sunset
At
the New Globe Theater
On
the City Road, at Old Street
|
