Monday 11 November 2013

Shadows of Yog-Sothoth Turn 6

Shadows of Yog-Sothoth Turn 6

The group convene with Hal in the shadows of the ground floor, still a couple of hours before dawn breaks.

"This seems even more sinister than I had imagined." whispers Henry, "I'm itching to get into that last room up there, but if you fellas feel inclined to locate the basement, I'm with you."

"Should we get some photos of what we found upstairs before looking for the basement, though?" mutters Sam,  "While we know the areas we've checked are fairly secure..."

"I agree," nods Hal, "Let's get some photographic evidence first, and then continue the search. I don't want us to split up - this place just feels wrong, and I'd hate to think of what the atrocities are that have been committed by these crackpots."

James heads out into the street and slips over the road to replace Philip as lookout. The photographer enters the building, his equipment ready and the group show him upstairs to the disturbing scenes above where he promptly starts to photograph them.

The picture in the KOTOV room of the void, he finds particularly disturbing, his hands shake as he tries to capture the picture.
Once this is done, the five men start to hunt for an entrance to a basement. Opposite the kitchen at the back of the building, they find a door with a set of stone steps leading down into the darkness. A light switch sits on the left hand side and Hal flips it, there's a crackling and light fills the room below. Sam, Hal and Henry draw their firearms and slowly descend with Philip and the Monsignor right behind.
The stairs lead down to an open basement, the floor is bare earth. the walls are heavy stone set in mortar and four pillars stand in a square around the room. In the far wall is a doorway.

You search around the room before carefully opening the door and stepping into a smaller chamber and on the north wall a padlocked door. The lock is fairly simple for Sam and he has it open in minutes. Beyond is another room, this one has five foot square stones set without mortar on the floor.
Hal notices something and goes to the east wall where he presses a stone set into the wall. It presses in and as it does, two of the massive floor blocks raise up revealing another staircase down. There is no light, so

Sam takes a gas lamp from the wall lights it.
The steps lead down to a cavern, which although not natural does appear to be ancient, far older than the lodge building above. In appears some work has been done to it recently, mainly new walls put up to create seperate rooms. A door to the left  appears to be some kind of guard room, empty but for a table and two chairs and a large ring of keys hanging on the wall. Hal takes them.
Off to the right of the main corridor is a study. A desk, comfortable chair and an oil lamp. The desk has a drawer which the Monsignor searches, finding matches and taped to the back of the drawer, a single key. On top of the desk is a letter addressed to Carl Stanford from a Duncan McBain.

Duncan McBain
MacBain House
Cannich, Scotland
12 January, 1928.
Dear Mr Stanford,

Greetings and felicitations. Miss Chantraine has advised me of your recent successes and informed me of the item you require. I fear that it will be some time before I find It as there are two Americans digging at what I believe to be the site of the Temple. Two of my people are working for the Americans and it may be that they will accomplish all for me. I realize that you are most anxious to obtain It, but I feel caution and discretion to be the better course of action.
My studies with the serpent people progress most satisfactorily. Another year should see my studies completed. The recommend that I journey to the Nameless City for further instruction, but I will remain here until we have It. When it is possible, I want much to obtain the further instruction offered at the Nameless City. I will, however, be ready to carry out any further tasks our order might have for me.
You mentioned in your last letter that Miss Chantraine might join me here when she has converted the leaders of the Thukle Bruderschaft. I fear that he Germans are overmuch upset with the French at this time for them to listen to her. Might I suggest that you ask Helmut Grossmann to take over for her? I realize that she has not been to Germany for over two hundred years, but unless you can think of someone else I feel he would be best for the task.
I agree with you that the Order of the Templars of the Orient does not contain the type of individuals we seek. They are not ready for greater truths. You might suggest to our German colleagues that individual members of the order be carefully approached as potential followers of the true Gods.
I am not familiar with the Hermetic order of the Golden Dawn or the Astrum Argentinum and can give no recommendation. I will pass the word on to our London group and have them send you word. I spoke with Mr William Seabrook who said that a Mr Aleister Crowley; who is associated with both groups or had been at one time, may have occult powers. We should perhaps attempt to contact this man.
I understand that Mr Scott is in charge of the project in your area. Please extend my greetings to him. I have not seen him since the Great War. Perhaps we can meet next year.
Most sincerely,

Duncan MacBain

Using the key, the Monsignor opens a door on the other side of the study, leading into a room with another desk and chair and a large bookcase, filled with books.