corbanite

Suffer Little Children

Cast

• Blanche Harrington-Smythe – A professor at Miskatonic University
• Robert Williams – A Police detective with the Arkham Police Dept

Part 1: Starting it up, the journey there.
I started the adventurers off at their place of work; somewhere they could feel comfortable with and relaxed. I gave them some time to arrange the details with herb then rushed them through to getting off the train and the scene with Paul's mother.

(Paul’s mother fussing over him is a part of the campaign and ties in naturally with the start of the dreamer get it right and it helps that scenario ripen)

The bus journey was played out to the noise of the engine and bumpiness of the road. The scenery transforming from familiar city to the strange, small, Congregationalist community helped get the players out of their comfort zone.

I had worked on Herb Whitefield quite a lot and had real fun being the showman and trying to set the stage as he talked in the cramped bus continuing from Paul's comment about his mother and ending with the description of the house.

I was nervous at getting it right. I wasn't as sure and cocky playing Herb Whitefield as I wanted to be and think I could have done a better job. However, I had done enough to get the players feeling out of their comfort zone as they walked into the old house.

Part 2: The first Day
The first séance is a great scene. I rolled the dice ignoring the result to have Blanche be possessed by the ghost. Story first IMO and it would be a good opportunity for the player to learn a little about possession and some of the horrors. Blanche played it really well.

Next we had the crying in the night. They rolled listen rolls as the adventure directed and luckily Robert heard it. He met Cecilia in the hallway and they both went to investigate.

Robert drew his gun and proceeded down the cellar stairs. I really wish he would of shot in fright. I gave him plenty of opportunity instead he shut the door when the screaming started and it all went black and the situation never became anything more.

Part 3: Out in the Town
The next day the investigators go about the town and explore the old church and talk to some residents. I should have worked on those encounters more. They ended up as OK encounters instead of giving the scenario more atmosphere.

They met the town priest and went through the records. TBH too much lib use rolling for us here didn't help with maintaining the atmosphere.

Part 4: The Finale
They asked the priest about exorcism and had a chat about that and they should of left with an impression that it would take something pretty serious for the priest to do an exorcism. (In my mind at this point I am seeing the possibility of Paul fighting with the spirit and losing badly. The investigators then go and get the priest who performs an exorcism ala The exorcist climatic end scene bang)

So back from outside they search the rest of the house and find the nail with blood dripping from it.

They retire for lunch and another bland meal from Martha. After they have eaten the investigators are chatting with Paul about what could be what and who to blame and how to fix things. Cecelia wanted more wine so went downstairs to the cellar. They continued talking. They forgot entirely about Cecelia. Just as they figure out where the evil spirit is there comes a scream from downstairs.

Cecilia is tied up and the possessed person has run off. Paul says he can battle the ghost so the investigators opt to do that. I changed my mind right here about the ending and let it run with Paul killing the spirit through a battle of wills. I changed my mind because having the players look on whilst cool stuff goes on is just me talking and not they involved.

My Comments
More work on NPC's for me. I should work harder at bringing them to life so I can become more comfortable with them. Then I can start sorting out some of the other problems.

I thought the talk about Pauls Mother was good in the bus. It forced the players to think of some background on their characters. I intend to have an NPC ask them something each adventure now about their character background.

I'm a little concerned that it was too easy and might well make the investigators over confident. I see The Shan make an appearance next scenario hopefully this will rebalance things.