Outer Ones v16

8/13/2019 Outer Ones v16

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THE OUTER ONES

BYJUSTIN FARQUHAR

Where an investigation into a sinister Vermont sect reveals connections that run deep into the dark history of the region

ABOUT THIS SCENARIOThe Outer Onestakes place in Vermont sometime between

1920 and 1925 and is closely-related to the two Lovecraft

stories The Haunter of the Dark and The Whisperer in

Darkness, both of which it predates. Reading these

stories before running the scenario is highly

recommended.

RUNNING THIS SCENARIOThis scenario is non-linear: there are many clues leading

to different locations and lines of enquiry, not all of whichare essential.

This scenario can be run as a stand-alone adventure or

can be treated as a sequel to The Haunting. There are

clues relating to this scenario which can be placed in the

records of the Chapel of Contemplation. If used in this

way it can be run immediately after that scenario or after

an interval of few months or even years.

INTRODUCTION

Rev. Bill Walsh, a feisty Baptist minister, has come toconclude that there is something sinister about the

practices of another church in the village of West

Townshend the West River Valley Church. He observes

their sermons and services and some of their suspicious

activities. He sees the sermons of a lay preacher known as

Malachi Sethom as especially dangerous. He has heard

rumours of strange cries coming from the church in the

middle of the night. After reporting some of these

concerns to the Baptist church-body, a second minister

Rev. Bradford Duganne is sent to assist him.

Both ministers have heard local folklore of ceremonies in

the hills and devilish creatures consorting with humans.

Walsh begins to preach against the church, declaring that

it is in league with Satan. It doesnt take long for action to

be taken against them.

KEEPER'S INFORMATIONFrom time immemorial, the Mi-Go or Outer Oneshave

fulfilled their pact with Nyarlathotep in the form of a huge

winged entity with a single three-lobed burning eye

making sacrifices in return for knowledge. They also

worship Shub-Niggurath and other Outer Gods and Great

Old Ones that serve their purposes. Their name for their

religious cult can be translated as The Million Favored

Ones.

Since man has walked in the Americas, a few individuals mostly eccentrics and outcasts have served the Outer

Ones in Vermont, helping them to spy on mankind while

keeping their outposts secret, in return for their promises

of power and wisdom, fulfilled and otherwise.

In 1862, guided by insights gleaned from their

communications with Nyarlathotep in his form of the

Haunter of the Dark in the steeple of the Freewill Church

in providence, Professor Enoch Bowen, leader of the

Starry Wisdom sect, his daughter Aseneth Bowen and Dr

Raymond Flagg, travelled to Dark Mountain in a remote

region of Vermont. There on the mountain-top they

performed an arcane rite that brought forth the Outer

Ones from the warren of caves that hollow the domed

hills and a secret pact was formed.

The following year, the charismatic Raymond Flagg

bought a second home in the village of West Townshend,

close to Dark Mountain and secretly began to spread the

doctrines of the Starry Wisdom sect. The young Abednego

Akeley, the son of a Congregational minister was one of

those he came to influence. When his father died,

Abednego took his place at the Church as expected. He

then travelled in southern New England, to Boston and

Providence, for several months. This was, in fact, the

completion of Abednegos training as a minister, not in

Protestantism but in the Starry Wisdom sect. On his

return, to great controversy, he began to preach the

Starry Wisdom doctrines and transferred his own church

the West River Valley Church from the Protestant

parent body to the Starry Wisdom sect.

The Church was condemned and attacked regularly, and

over half of the congregation deserted it, but a core ofdevotees remained, and grew steadily, bolstered by a

trickle of new converts. The sect appeared to offer

communion with The Divine, directly or through a race of

mysterious beings referred to by Akeley and Flagg as The

Malakhim, a communion that granted knowledge of the

secrets of cosmos. A select few were even offered

transcendence of the physical body as a reward for their

devotion and Abednego Akeley and Raymond Flagg could

seemingly summon these disembodied spirits and make

them speak to the congregation from a special curtained

box.

After three years, the Starry Wisdom Church at West

River Valley closed down after a series of vigilante actions

culminated in the Akeleys death. The church was


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restored to Congregational Protestantism. Most of the

congregation fled to join the Freewill Church in

Providence, but a few stayed, some of them passing the

secret doctrines onto their children.

A few years later, Rev, Baker, the new Protestant minister,

beat a woman to death with a Bible and injured several

other congregants before being restrained. He was

hanged at the State Prison and House of Correction in

Windsor, Vermont in 1908.[create handout & add to

evidence]

Baker was superseded by Rev. Aster, a minister who had

once been part of Akeleys congregation and secretly

ordained in the Starry Wisdom Church. The sect now

known now as The Million Favored Ones based on Starry

Wisdom beliefs and alliance with the Outer Ones

continued in secret for two generations.

Another suppressed branch of the Starry Wisdom sect The Chapel of Contemplation was based in the North

End of Boston. Charles Noyes, the son of a wealthy

industrialist, at 18, was the last minister to be ordained

there. The Chapel was raided and closed down in 1912

and the Pastor, Michael Thomas, was imprisoned. Five

years later, with the aid of sorcery and his allies, he

escaped and fled the state. Taking the pseudonym

Malachi Sethom (an anagram of Michael Thomas), he

travelled to West Townshend where he was a lay

preacher, staying with Rev. Aster until Aster and Noyes

help him to purchase a small house in Townshend.

THE MILLION FAVORED ONESThe cult holds rites with the Outer Ones on certain nights.

Rites dedicated to Shub-Niggurath tend to take place at

the circles of standing stones that crown the hilltops, with

May Eve being the most important date. Rites to

Nyarlathotep are held at the same sites on Samhain

(Halloween) with a select few attending rites deep in an

abyss in Dark Mountain called The Temple of the Black

Gulf. Both Outer Ones and human beings are offered in

sacrifice at these ceremonies human victims being straychildren or vagrants and prostitutes from around New

England, particularly Boston. Through its political

connections, the sect has some influence in the area, an

influence that is steadily growing. The cult has a network

of spies and agents some of whom have sorcerous

powers of mind-control that exerts its influenceas far

as Newfane. They have a significant collection of mythos

and occult texts, a body of esoteric knowledge passed

down from encounters with the Haunter in Providence,

and a few artifacts gifted by the Outer Ones. Collectively

they also have a significant armory of conventionalweapons.

The cult has a superficial appearance of being an ordinary

church but like some other rural churches has some queer

customs. The sect has a hierarchical structure of a public

congregation and an inner circle who see themselves as

among The Million FavoredOnes and who are granted

esoteric secrets from their Lord He Who Waits In The

Dark, who himself is a vessel of The Divine Principle.

They are also in the process of perfecting techniques for

prolonging life beyond its natural end based on methods

developed by Orin B Eddy, Rev. Michael Thomas and

others in Boston and Providence. This is a sort of

mummification process which actually more resembles a

living death. Other initiates are occasionally rewarded for

their life of service with The Celestial Rapture or joining

the stars. This involves being taken away by the Outer

Ones to have their brains removed and placed in metal

canisters which keep the brain alive more-or-less

indefinitely and which can survive the journey through

space to the planet Yuggoth or the Outer Ones colony on

the moon. In fact, unknown to most cult members, the

Outer Ones are quite indifferent to humanity, and are

quite neglectful and the majority of these Chosen Ones

are either incinerated or after being placed in brain

canisters are abandoned in storage rooms in the colony.

But enough Celestial Voyagers return with stories of their

travels to inspire the faithful.

REACTIONAGAINST THE CHURCHThis is a conservative region and, after hearing stories of

their practices and doctrines, the minister of South

Windham Church Rev. Michael Hewitt Walsh speaks out

about the heretical sermons of given at the church and by

Sethom who is associated with it. After being intimidated

by some strange events, Walsh is joined by the younger

Dilbert Duganne, who helps him to investigate. Rev.

Walsh interrupts services on more than one occasion and

challenges Pastor Malachi. Meanwhile Duganne travels to

Brattleboro, Claremont and Boston in an attempt to trace

Sethoms origins, but is unable to find a record of his

education or history.

A story appears in newspapers in Brattleboro, Providence

and Boston claiming that the church is heretical or evenSatanic. The Congregational Church eventually launches

an investigation but finds nothing untoward. And from

this point on sees attacks on West River Valley Church as

attacks on Congregationalism itself by a crazy, rural

Baptist bigot.

Meanwhile, Duganne finds out deeper secrets of the

history of the Chapel and the Starry Wisdom sect. He

hears stories of mysterious voices in the woods and of

ceremonies on hilltops on May Eve.

He also spies on a service held by Pastor Malachi. The

Pastor appears to have miraculous powers. Among other

things, during a Spiritualist-style ceremony, he summons

the spirits of people who have supposedly 'ascended to


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the Heavens' and has them speak with strange voices

apparently from within a curtained box. Although their

voices are strange, they seem to have incredible

knowledge of the deceased persons lifeand relate

incredible tales of being carried by wondrous beings

called the Outer Ones to a fantastic city of light in the

mountains. And then travelling through the cosmos to

other worlds.

He also sees a group leaving the Chapel after sunset on a

moonless night and heading into the hills. Shortly after

this he disappears

INVOLVING THE INVESTIGATORSA story about claims of a coven of diabolists and witches

and a re-emergence of the Satanic Starry Wisdom cult is

printed in the Boston Herald. One of the investigators

(preferably someone who found evidence of Starry

Wisdom in the Chapel of Contemplation) could, after

reading the story, contact Walsh or travel to Vermont to

investigate. By the time he or she arrives Rev. Duganne

will be dead.

If that is not enough, the investigators will soon read

about Dugannes death in the newspapers. If in contact

with Walsh at this point, he will send them a letter or

telegram requesting their help.

ARRIVAL[Add some description of route: Brattleboro > Newfane

> Harmonyville > Townshend > West Townshend]

Investigators can travel by train to Brattleboro from

Boston or[Arkham how?]. In Brattleboro it is possible

to hire a car or catch a bus.

The road journey from Arkham or Boston, takes travelers

through Brattleboro, then up into the mountains through

Newfane, the hamlet of Harmonyville, Townshend then

West Townshend.[how long?]

ROUND HILLThis is a domed mountain to the east of Townshend. The

largest outpost of the twin colony of the Outer Ones is

here.

DARK MOUNTAINThis is the mountain to the south of Townshend. The

secondary outpost of the Outer Ones mining colony is

here.

TOWNSHEND

TOWNSHEND CHURCH

Common Road

The minister of this church is partially under the

influence of the cult via the Freemasons, but it is a regular

Christian church and there is no direct connection to the

story.

WEST TOWNSHEND[Add General description]

[link to historical photos of Townshend:

http://www.townshendvt.org/collection.html]

MASONIC LODGEThere is a Freemasons Hall called Blazing Star Lodge #23

on the road into Townshend. Several key members of the

Spiritualist Church of Astral Wisdom and the [Church of

the Outer Ways] are here and freemasonry is one of the

key ways in which they can influence local authorities and

individuals. The Freemasons have no formal allegiancehowever and the majority of the members know nothing

about it. There is no special evidence to be found at the

lodge.

SCOTT COVERED BRIDGE[add impression]

MEETING REVEREND WALSH

SOUTH WINDHAM BAPTIST CHURCH

3264 Windham Hill Road, West Townshend.

Built in 1850

[Describe]

THE REVERENDS STORYThe Investigators arrive and are given further details by

the Minister. They will be told of the Duganne incident if

they dont already know about it.

INCIDENTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

INITIAL LEADStbd

LIBRARIES,AND NEWSPAPERS

WEST RIVER VALLEY CHURCHBuilt as a Congregational church and remains that way

until Abednego Akeley transfers it to the Starry Wisdom

Church.

1868-1871: The West River Valley Church is a branch of

the Starry Wisdom Church until Akeleys death.


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1871-1880: It is restored as a Congregational

denomination church, Akeleys replacement is Rev.

Walter W. Baker who is from elsewhere in Vermont.

In 1880 Rev. Baker apparently goes insane during a

service, rabidly accusing members of the congregation of

being sinners. He beats one woman to death with a Bible

and injures several other congregants before being

restrained. He is hanged at the State Prison and House of

Correction in Windsor, Vermont in 1908.

1880 - 1920: The new minister is a local man, Rev. Samuel

Aster.

1912: Charles Noyes, the son of a wealthy Boston

industrialist is ordained as a minister by Rev. Michael

Thomas at the Chapel of Contemplation at the age of 18.

1914: Noyes is ordained as a minister of the

Congregational Protestant Church at the age of 20.

1917: Malachi Sethom arrives in Townshend and Aster

allows him to stay with him. Sethom is a lay preacher

1920: Aster retires. His replacement is Rev. Charles

Noyes, a young minister from Boston. Meanwhile Sethom

continues his lay preaching. Increasingly Noyes allows

Sethom to preach in the church while he is away

apparently in Boston.

RESEARCHING REVEREND SETHOM

No record of his history can be found.

RESEARCHING THE STARRY WISDOM CHURCHAt a clipping agency or library in a major town or city,

Library Use will reveal each of the following points:

1. The Starry Wisdom was started by a ProfessorEnoch Bowen in 1844. The main sect was located

at the Free-Will Church, Federal Hill, Providence.

2. Looking up Enoch Bowen uncovers an 1844article by a rival archaeologist. This

archaeologist claimed that the study ofarchaeology had to be maintained as a science,

and should not be used as a cover for

opportunists and adventurers to exploit the

population. He cited Enoch Bowen as a prime

example of the latter sort of archaeologist.

3. He said Bowen was an occultist who was moreinterested in starting a cult than serving science.

He detailed how Bowen claimed to have found

the ancient tomb of a forgotten pharaoh, and

brought forth a crystal that shines in the dark. A

successful Cthulhu Mythos roll suggests that thereference might be to the fabled Shining

Trapezohedron of Nephren-Ka. The skill user also

recalls that the crystal could supposedly summon

a demon of darkness that enjoyed blood

sacrifices of children.

4. With successful Luck and Library Use rolls, aninteresting book is uncovered. Mystical Sects,

published in 1857, lists numerous cults across

the United States, including a small entry for the

Starry Wisdom Sect. They owned a crystal found

in Egypt. They held this object sacred, and by

gazing upon it, the members believed they could

call up a being known as the Haunter of the Dark,

who shared dread secrets with the faithful. This

being could be summoned only in absolute

darkness, and if it was exposed to light for any

period of time, it would be banished.

5. July 1844 The Providence Bulletin mentions thepurchase of the Free-Will Church on Federal hill

by Professor Bowen. The Italian community is

outraged due to the cults location. A priest

named OMalley of Spirito Santo Church claims

the cult worships the Devil himself.

6. August 1853 The Providence Bulletin mentionsan investigation into the Starry Wisdom sect. The

investigators find no connection to the

disappearances of numerous children in the area.

7. October 1865 The Providence Bulletin notes thedeath of Professor Enoch Bowen from natural

causes. A surviving daughter, Aseneth Bowen, is

mentioned.

8. March 1872 The Providence Bulletin publishes astory concerning witch cult rumors among the

Italian populace of Federal Hill. The article hints

at blood sacrifices by an unnamed cult in the

region, but no arrests or indictments have been

made.

9. April 1877 The Providence Bulletin includes asmall item on the forced break-up of the Starry

Wisdom by the authorities. It refers to public

pressure on the authorities to enforce this

closure.

10. June 1878 A book written by Father OMalley isfound, The Coming of the Beast. It details

numerous theories regarding the prophecies of

the Antichrist. It lists the cult of the Starry

Wisdom as modern day Satan worshippers who

desire the Beast to rule the earth. Much of the

information found in the Antichrist Themes

sidebar on pages 160 161 is contained within,

except of course for information dated after the

books publication.

11. Investigators going to Providence to search forthe Free-Will Church will find the place much as

Blake finds it in the story Haunter of the Dark

go to the Providence chapter for more details.

12. Investigators may want to check out the churchrecords of Spirito Santo in Providence. Father

Angelo is the present priest of Spirito Santo. He


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will allow investigators to see the records with a

Persuade roll. He himself has heard only rumors

of the evil cult. Reputedly, they worshipped the

Devil. He helps investigators find Father

OMalleys writings of the 1850s: The Starry

Wisdom - the stars of Hell - summoning from

those stars a shade from Hell itself, but feared the

power of God as manifested in Light.

13. Investigators who possess books pertaining tothe Cthulhu Mythos can search them for

information on the Haunter. To find it, a player

must roll D100 equal to or less than the books

Cthulhu Mythos points x3. The information is

this: the Haunter was spoken of as holding all

knowledge. The Haunter demanded monstrous

sacrifices, its favorite being human children.

Light could banish it back to its dark realm. With

a special success roll, the book calls the Haunter

The Bringer of the End Times, the Avatar of

Nyarlathotep. (At the keepers discretion,

investigators can roll separately to find the

Ancient History information on pages 129 130;

such information ends at Nitocriss death or the

books date of publication, whichever comes

first.)

LOCAL RUMOURS &FOLKLOREFrom asking around, the investigators hear various

rumours:

1. There have been witches/Satanists in the area forgenerations

2. There have been a number of disappearances inthis part of the state over the past few years:

mostly runaways and vagrants

3. There are devils living in the hills4. During the 19th century, the Old Church in West

Townshend was taken over by a Satanic cult. The

Satanic minister was killed and the cult was

driven away.

5. There are strange standing stones in the hills. Noone knows where they came from

6. Devils living in caves in the wooded hills7. According to their grandparents, in remote places

there are devils that speak to people in strange

voices. They sometimes possess people,

especially people who live alone on the higher

hills

8. The Old Church at West River Valley is cursed.Bad things happen there due to blasphemous

things that have happened there in the past

DUGANNE DISAPPEARSDuganne simply disappears one day. A police

investigation finds nothing. According to Rev. Walsh,

Duganne was meeting someone who said there were

things in the hills he could show him. Apparently the

person wanted to meet at the Scott Covered Bridge.

In fact he met[name]there who took him to a circle of

standing stones at the top of Round Hill. Duganne asked

to be left there alone and he was captured by cult

members who turned him over to the Outer Ones.

[name]didnt want to contact the police as he/she is

fearful of being punished by the cult.

If the investigators ask enough people, they will find

[Name]who claims to have seen Duganne and this other

person meet there. If the person is traced, she will

initially deny all knowledge, then later contact them,

admitting it was her. Duganne was investigating the

Satanists in the area. The contact knew about certain

standing stones in the hills that they used for their unholy

practices and she took them. Once they arrived, Duganne

thanked her and offered some money which she declined.

Duganne said he wanted to look around some more andasked the contact to go back. That was the last she heard.

She did not contact anyone about it as she was afraid. The

Satanists have many eyes and ears she says. And she was

afraid something bad would happen to her. She is not so

scared of the investigators as they are from outside.

Psychology to notice that she is nervous or not telling the

whole story. If requested, she will agree to show the

investigators what she showed Duganne, but she will

stress the need for utmost discretion.[Walsh wont

come]It is actually a trap. She is a member of the Starry

Wisdom cult. The story is almost true. But her story toDuganne lured him discretely into the woods where he

was captured by the cult. She has told her fellow cultists

about the situation and they have set up an ambush. She

will lead the investigators into the forested hills, their

cars following a rough track. She will lead them to a real

set of standing stones. There are off footprints around if

they look. Their car(s) will be disabled and the cultists

will attempt to surround and capture them. They can

probably manage four armed men at short notice.

[Does it matter if this comes before or after the incidentat the priory?]

AFEELING OF BEING WATCHEDThey soon realize they are being followed, spied upon,

their correspondence etc is intercepted etc. If one or two

characters explore the woods or hills by themselves they

hear buzzing voices tempting them with secret power and

knowledge. Meanwhile sect members are trying to tempt

the minister with strange promises.

[Detail events]

INVESTIGATING DUGANNES DISAPPEARANCETBD


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If the site of Dugannes abduction can be traced,

there is a notepad there which includes

information about his last lead as well as contact

details for Henry Akeley and other matters.

THE MONOLITH ON ROUND HILLTBD

DUGANNES NOTEBOOKThis is a simple notepad containing a few notes and

contacts. Notes include details of Dugannes Contact, Rev

Sethoms home address, the address of the spiritualist

church and a local folklorist called Henry Akeley (The

Akeley House, Townshend).

TBD

HENRY AKELEYHenry Akeley is retired folklorist who has collected many

local legends especially about the Outer Ones.He has a

wax cylinder recording that he made near a cave entrance

blocked by a boulder near the base of Dark Mountain. He

has photographs of the cave entrance, of a ring of

standing stones on the top of a remote hill and of a

strange footprint. He also knows about strange rites that

occur around these stones on certain nights.

Akeley will offer none of this evidence unless he is both

impressed with the sincerity of the investigators (eg.

Credit Rating) and sees clear relevance of it to their

investigation.

Akeley is not a man of action and likes to keep a low

profile but he will share what he knows with those he

trusts. By speaking with Henry Akeley, the characters will

learn the old stories about creatures in the hills. If they

earn his trust he will play them the recording he made a

few years earlier near the mouth of the cave. He can give

them directions to find the mouth of the cave. It is closed

with a 20 ton boulder. He will also tell them he has heard

of standing stones in the hills.

TBD

INVESTIGATING THE SPIRITUALIST CHURCHThey may manage to infiltrate the Chapel at least

superficially and witness its ceremonies. They may

witness (or at least speak to witnesses) people going out

onto the hills on certain nights. Perhaps they are able to

break in. Inside they find records, religious texts, artwork

and equipment hinting at the churches strange

affiliations. They are preferably unable to access the

hidden parts of the basement (hidden, locked,interrupted?)

THE SIEGE OF SOUTH WYNDHAM CHURCH

The Reverend requests their help. The remote church

compound (South Windham church) is cut off by snow

(its January)[or thick fog?]. Investigators may have to

walk there, or if they drive their cars are disabled. It is

surrounded by something. The phone line iscut. The

heating system breaks down. They receive phone calls

tempting them to help then threatening them, then

tempting them again to hand over the minister.

The temperature continues to drop. Anyone going outside

faces gunfire and spotlights as well as freezing air. The

minister suggests that it may be warmer/safer in the

basement. They go down some steps and through a door.

Looking for something heavy to block the door, someone

moves an ancient bookcase revealing a hidden door. They

pass through into a cave with remains of an ancient

Indian site dedicated to the Outer Ones, and possibly also

Nyarlathotep and/or Shub Niggurath. Pictographs show

red spirits with wings and many arms bearing fire,

thunderbolts, wind or totems of power. They are shown

living in the sky and in caves and worshipping Coyote,

Atahensic (Sky Woman), Ya-o-gah (the North Wind in the

form of a Bear) (and possibly Hahgwehdaetgan, the Evil

One). Buried in the rubble are ancient human bones.

Some skulls have a perfectly circular hole cut in the top.

There is a third door leading to the church building itself,

from which they can make their escape. They can also

simply shelter in the chamber.

Later they find strange footprints in the snow and how

oddly localized the extreme weather was.

If not already captured, there will be another attempt to

capture (or failing that kill the minister). He disappears

and reappears again apparently having had some sort of

stroke and/or religious experience. Now confined to a

wheelchair, he says that the sect in fact speaks the word

of God. He is flanked by a local nurse called Nurse Brown

and at times by a Bostonian friend called Charles Noyes.

He attempts to persuade the investigators to join him and

the Spiritualist Church of Astral Communion. If they

refuse he speaks against them. If confronted about theOuter Ones, he says that they are real but want to share

their wisdom. He invites them to travel the stars with the

Outer Ones. He has brain cylinder (who? Abednego

Akeley or someone else?) who claims to have witnessed

all sorts of wonders in space. If they still refuse, his

friends appear and they try to overcome the investigators.

The investigators may find strange standing stones in the

hills with odd markings on them. They may see strange

footprints around them or on certain nights even witness

strange ceremonies of the Outer Ones there. They are also

used by the Spiritualist Church of Astral Communion for

special initiation ceremonies and festivals at which one or

more Outer One may make an appearance (perhaps

wrapped in robes much like an angel?).


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in the processes. [If he dies during the course of the

investigation this process will kick in] . Who is going to

succeed him?

Anyone seeing his handwriting, who has seen his Michael

Thomas handwriting at the Chapelof Contemplation can

make an INTx3 roll to recognize its familiarity (special

success means they recognize it at Thomass

immediately).

Rev Malachi Sethom (Michael Thomas)

Sorcerer and friend of the late Walter Corbitt.

Age 79 in 1923

STR 12 CON 14 SIZ 15 INT 17 POW 18

DEX 15 APP 17 EDU 14 SAN 0 HP 15

Damage Bonus: +1D4

Weapons: Sacrificial Knife 60%, damage

1D4+2+db.Derringer 45%, damage 1D6.

Skills: Bargain 45%, Cthulhu Mythos 15%, Fast Talk 70%,Occult 50%, Persuade 75%, Psychology 65%, Sleight of

Hand 55%

Armor: Thomas has usually put five magic points into

Flesh Ward for the day. Seeing him shrug off a cut or stab

costs 0/1 Sanity.

Spells: Contact Deity/Nyarlathotep, Contact Mi-Go,

Dominate, Ectoplasmic Manifestation, Flesh Ward,

Summon/Bind Dimensional Shambler, Telekinesis.

THE SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF ASTRAL

COMMUNIONThe West River Valley Church (aka The Old Church)is on

the main West River Road from Townshend, backing onto

the river. It dates from 1817. This was originally the main

church in Townshend. Next door is a building that

includes a small store and a post office.

At first glance this appears to be an ordinary village

church. The Chapel has a bad reputation and people avoid

it. Close inspection reveals that the cross above the altar

on the stained glass windows is a shining star, those

windows also bear a curious three-lobed eye symbol and

images of people being borne away by unusual, many-limbed angels.

Behind the church, beyond some trees, and a swampy

area, is an island in a bend in the West River. There are a

number of boulders in the river on either side of the

island, making it possible to ford here and cross over to

the area of Dark Mountain.

The basement contains a number of mythos texts

including Latin and several copies of the new English

versions of The Book of Eibon and De Vermis Mysteriis,

Unaussprechlichen Kulten, plus Aleister Crowley's

(flawed) English translation of the Black Book of the Skull,

all published by Starry Wisdom Press (registered office in

Romania).

THE GATE IN THE BASEMENTAlso in the basement, next to a curtained wooden box, are

two brain cylinders containing the immortal souls of

initiates who have returned from the Heavens (names

and details). On certain occasions they are brought up to

the altar and attached to the Speaking Device which

allows them to tell tales of their wonderful journeys and

the sights they have seen (the Mi-Go colony in Vermont,the Moon, Outer Space and Yuggoth). These minds are

now quite unhinged. They also suffer from a profound

longing to return to the stars. (What will they say if

re-attached ?). These minds also possess a significant

degree of Cthulhu Mythos knowledge. Detail

There are also symbols of the Tri-Lobed Eye and artwork

of people being taken by multi-armed angels whose faces

are a mass of coloured light and of people travelling

among the stars. A church record describes Aseneth

Bowen commanded by Our Lord Granter of Secrets to

protect the Free-Will Church (i.e. the Trapezohedron)

until the time is right. There is also correspondence with

Rev. Robert Gills branch of the sect which he is

establishing in the old Bayfriars Church (540 E Church St,

Arkham, location #714).

A locked door leads to a room[d escribe it ]. An alcove in

the room has a pitch black archway. Its not clear whether

it is a archway or a mirror nothing can be seen beyond it

and it reflect no light. In fact, it is a gate created by the

Outer Ones. Stepping through it at a cost of 1 magic point,

an investigator will find themselves in an almost

completely unlit tunnel in the depths of Dark Mountain

near to the Temple of the Gulf.

THE DOCTRINES OF THE SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF

ASTRAL COMMUNIONMost of these can be understood by listening to services:

When the Tower of Babel fell and the people started to

speak many different languages, contact with the Divine

Principle was lost. A small group of Magi who had resisted

the building of the Tower could speak the Divine Tongue.

They distilled their celestial wisdom before dispersing

around the world especially to Egypt. The Spiritualist

Church of Astral Communion is a successor to that

tradition. Their services include Egyptian Psalms as well

as Christian ones and Bible readings. They have the

power to commune with the Divine Principle directly

using Dark Mirrors. During these ceremonies, participants

speak spontaneously in the Divine Tongue. The Dark

Principle shares secret wisdom with them. A new

Covenant had been formed with the Divine. The time had

come for ancient secrets to be revealed to those who are

ready, in preparation for a time when the Primal Unity

would be restored. The Church can also contact the

Malakhim or Angels of the Divine Principle who share


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wisdom with them. A select number of the faithful are

taken up by the Malakhim into the heavens where they

learn the secrets of the universe and exist forever.

DARK MOUNTAIN COLONYThere are three main entrances by which the

investigators might conceivably gain access to the colony:

the Boulder Gate, the Waterfall Gate and the Church Gate(detailed below).

The colony in Dark Mountain should be experienced by

the investigators as a profoundly dangerous place to be.

This is the second largest colony of the planet, of this

secret highly intelligent and technologically advanced

race. The Outer Ones do not seek to control the planet, but

wish to maintain their operations without human

interference.

Security

If they realize that their defenses have been breached, the

Outer Ones will act intelligently and decisively. If the

Spiritualist Church of Astral Communion also know that

the investigators have entered the colony they will

attempt to follow them and cut off their retreat. If the

investigators enter through the Church Gate, for example,

Sethom will send someone (overland) to warn the Outer

Ones (this will take almost half an hour), he will likely

then enter the gate himself with a group of four men

armed with rifles and shotguns[TBD]the cultists could

then deactivate the gate or ambush returning

investigators as they exit through it back into the

basement.

The section of the colony that the investigators enter is

relatively quiet, but they may be detected by a sentry, a

priest or a scientist. Gunfire in this sector will attract 1-3

Outer Ones in 1-4 minutes. They will seek reinforcements

if necessary: 10 soldier caste outer ones will arrive in 7

10 (1D4+6) minutes.

Architecture

Entry tunnels appear as natural caves and then change toartificial and geometric tunnels typically of a triangular

cross-section and lined with black stone with occasional

shapes or glyphs carved into them. Some of the tunnels

are dimly lit by lights embedded in the walls.

The tunnels are curved in almost organic ways and they

become wider in major thoroughfares. Some have a

hexagonal, or circular cross-section.

Chambers are formed of geometric shapes ranging from

simple cuboids to elaborately interconnected patterns of

angles and curves.

Every so often there are small openings that seem to

exhale cool, fresh air. These are supplied by a series of

cooling ducts, most of which are too small to be traversed

by anything larger than a scuttler.

Scuttlers

If the strange architecture was not enough, one of the first

indications the investigators will have of the alien nature

of where they are is an exploring scuttler. About a

hundred yards down the entry tunnel (no matter where

they entered from) a Listen roll will detect a strange

sound. The sound approaches closer and within a couple

of rounds will be heard clearly. A dim glow from the

things head can be spotted bobbing in the darkness. Dim

or indirect light (a lit match or weak flashlight perhaps)

will reveal the shape of something insect or arachnid-like

approaching them not unlike a lobster or crayfish in size

and general appearance. It will flee gunfire or bright light,

otherwise it will approach within about six feet and stop

for a couple of seconds before fleeing. Gunshots will

attract attention as described in Security above.

This scuttler is just one of many that are roaming around

the colony. Normally they cling to the underside of the

adult Mi-Go that spawn them, but sometimes they roam

freely.

[To be finished: see New Tales of the Mi skatonic

Valley P75 for more details.]

BOULDER GATETBD

WATERFALL GATEIn the woods, about a mile to the north, near the east bank

of Tannery Brook is the mouth of a cave. This cave leads

to the western sector of Dark Mountain Colony, a sector

which historically has been used primarily for human

agents of the Outer Ones.

Water normally pours from the cave and into Tannery

Brook. Pastor Malachi and some other agents (who?)

have a key that causes the flow of water to reduce to a

trickle within a few seconds. The cave can then beentered, initially by crawling - it is only3 feet high at the

entrance, rising to 5 feet after 10 feet distance and 6 feet

after another 30 feet distance.

THE CHURCH GATEThere is an active gate (with a key possessed by Rev

Michael Thomas) between the cellar of the West River

Valley Church and a chamber in Dark Mountain. This

chamber has a library of brain cylinders, speaking

equipment etc. However, the main route is across a small

island in the river behind the church and up into the hillsto the south. A different key stops the flow of water to a

small spring/waterfall, which becomes a passage leading

into Dark Mountain.


10/24

The gate appears simply as a semicircular blackness, a

mirror perhaps except that it leaves no reflection. On

closer inspection it appears to be an archway into a black

space. There is silence. If the investigators make any

significant sound about 30 seconds later they will hear a

scuttling sound (See Scuttlers above).

APARTMENTThis series of chambers appears as a near-perfect

facsimile of a human dwelling. It is used for human guests

primarily senior agents such as Charles Noyes and

Malachi Sethom. There is even running hot and cold

water, electricity and a working radio. The windows

appear to have a view of the ocean. On closer inspection

this turns out to be a moving hologram with sound

projected just outside the window.

SENTRY

A lone soldier caste Mi-Go. TBD

The sentry could be a controlled by a human

brain it may fire a cone of cold or a cloud of

drugs. Would it have the power to communicate

instantly?

TEMPLE OF THE GULFThe Nyarlathotep cult associated with the Outer Ones is

called The Million Favored Ones.

A gate and physical entrance both lead to this Temple to

Nyarlathotep deep in the darkest bowels of Round Hill.There are also some chambers nearby associated with

human cultists and there is a library of brain cylinders.

Carelessness or bad luck here will result in the

investigators being captured. The ceiling is dotted with

star-like points of light and a dim phosphorescence with

can be controlled by a control panel. The huge black space

is surrounded by a viewing area and a priests platform.

The high ceiling is a fractal series of concave domes

dotted with star-like points, rising higher and higher as it

approached the Dark Gulf.

HUMAN BIO-RESOURCESThere is a bank of scores of human subjects suspended in

fluid here as well as the equipment for reviving them and

putting them in this condition.

LIBRARYThis area has a series of chambers containing Mi-Go

books[refer]. There is also a pair of chambers for

accessing brain cylinders from various species.

BIO-RESEARCH FACILITYThe investigators come across a series of chambers where

bizarre experiments are conducted on humans.:

Human beings with their brains removed Human beings with their brains artificially re-

attached

Human brains controlling various kinds ofmachines:

o Walking robotso Doorso

A helicopter-like hovering machineo Mining equipmento A sentry gun

Humans with modified organs Humans controlled by implants Humans alive and conscious and opened up

suspended in fluid

A Human controlled by box with alien braintissue in it

Humans in pain, opened up or with electrodesattached perhaps they beg for death

Masks and body-suits of human form made out ofsome kind of plastic

There is also a series of rooms where Mi-Go sometimes

receive modifications such as limb removal

SCIENTIFIC STORAGE

CITY OF THE OUTER ONESThis vast, domed cavern contains a city constructed of

towers of black Yuggoth stone. Thousands of Mi-Go live

here and the entire city emits a thrumming sound. Aseries of major tunnels branch off leading to other sectors

of the city mostly mining areas, farms, food storage and

processing plants and other entrances.

Entering this area, the investigators will be attacked by

2D6 Mi-Go workers (unarmed) within 1D6 rounds. 2D6

armed and armoured Mi-Go Soldiers will arrive in 3D6

rounds.

Details TBD


11/24

BOSTONRev Charles Noyes runs a Spiritualist Church in Boston

called the Church of Astral Communion. He is also a Son

of Yog-Sothoth at the Hermetic Order of the Silver

Twilight and a close friend of Carl Sanford. The doctor'

likewise is the vice-leader and a Knight of the Outer Void.

Leads at the Church of Astral Communion might includethe location and significance of the Free-Will Church and

some secret that is kept there. Rev. Noyes will also have a

key that gives access to Round Hill/Dark Mountain.

THESPIRITUALISTCHURCHOFASTRAL

COMMUNION,BOSTONTBD

PROVIDENCEThe investigators enter the Free-Will Church[andretrieve an item that gives them access to Round Hill].

THE FREE-WILL CHURCH OF STARRY WISDOM352 Atwells Avenue

Access: Cellar door

Steeple: windowless

From Lillibridge's notes:

"Prof. Enoch Bowen home from Egypt May 1844buys

old Free-Will Church in Julyhis archaeological work &

studies in occult well known.

Dr. Drowne of 4th Baptist warns against Starry Wisdom

in sermon Dec. 29, 1844.

Congregation 97 by end of 45.

18463 disappearancesfirst mention of Shining

Trapezohedron.

7 disappearances 1848stories of blood sacrifice

begin.

Investigation 1853 comes to nothingstories of

sounds.

Fr. OMalley tells of devil-worship with box found in

great Egyptian ruinssays they call up something that

cant exist in light. Flees a little light, and banished by

strong light. Then has to be summoned again. Probably

got this from deathbed confession of Francis X. Feeney,

who had joined Starry Wisdom in 49. These people say

the Shining Trapezohedron shews them heaven & other

worlds, & that the Haunter of the Dark tells them secrets

in some way.

Story of Orrin B. Eddy 1857. They call it up by gazing at

the crystal, & have a secret language of their own."

Images:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cthulhuwho1/38108300

18/in/photostream/

If the Shining Trapezohedron is removed from the

Church, Nyarlathotep will if possible command his

human and Outer One servants to return it.[According to

another source the steeple is defended from sect

members by an Elder Sign.]


12/24

CONCLUDING THE SCENARIO

SANITY AWARDS Killing Malachi or otherwise disrupting the sect.

Sanity reward = ?

Closing off the tunnel in the old church

Destroying the old church


13/24

CAST OF CHARACTERSRev. Walsh

Age

STR 11 CON 14 SIZ 13 INT 12 POW 14

DEX 11 APP 9 EDU SAN HP

Damage Bonus:

Weapons:

Skills:Armor:

Rev. Duganne

Age

STR CON SIZ INT POW

DEX APP EDU SAN HP

Damage Bonus:

Weapons:

Skills:

Armor:

Dr. HaynesMiddle-class Bostonian cultist and sorcerer.

Age

STR CON SIZ INT POW

DEX APP EDU SAN HP

Damage Bonus:

Weapons:

Skills:

Walter Brown

Rural cultist and sorcerer. Lives in a rundown hillside

place near the deep woods. Aseneth Bowens son

Age

STR CON SIZ INT POW

DEX APP EDU SAN HP

Damage Bonus:

Weapons:

Skills:

Unnamed sorceror

Sandy hair?

Reverend Charles NoyesMiddle-class Bostonian cultist and sorcerer.

Age

STR CON SIZ INT POW

DEX APP EDU SAN HP

Damage Bonus:

Weapons:

Skills:

Henry Akeley

To the south of Townshend is Henry Akeleys farm. Atrim, white house with two storeys and an attic, built

around 1800. The lawn is well-kept with a stone bordered

path leading to a Georgian doorway.

At this time he has a housekeeper.

A retired anthropologist from the University of Vermont.

The folklorist is present in his house on the side of the hill

and is already gathering information about the strange

creatures of the area. He has a recording made in 1915

near the mouth of a cave of buzzing and human voices.

Akeley cannot be persuaded to join the characters

investigation but he is willing to show them where the

cave is. There are indeed footprints there.

He also has photographs of a footprint of an Outer One,

the mouth of a woodland cave blocked by a round boulder

with similar tracks in front of it and another of a circle of

standing stones on the summit of a wild hill

Age

STR CON SIZ INT POW

DEX APP EDU SAN HP

Damage Bonus:

Weapons:

Skills:


14/24

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1:ABOUT THE OUTER ONES

THEIR BUSINESS ON EARTHTBD

THEIR OPERATION IN VERMONTTBD

CASTESTBD

Worker Soldier Priest Scientist Thinker

SENSITIVITY TO LIGHTIn H.P. Lovecrafts The Whisperer in Darkness, the Outer

Ones are described as travelling abroad only in darkness.

The Outer One that disguises itself as Henry Akeley is

sitting in a darkened room. The planet Yuggoth (Pluto)

itself is almost lightless. All this strongly implies that the

Outer Ones not only can navigate without light, but that

they are sensitive to even moderate light. Prolonged

exposure damages their visual tissues and in the short

term they experience pain and impaired vision.

Light conditions Effect

Dim light (twilight or a brightly lit room) Skills at -10

Moderate to bright light Skills at

APPENDIX TWO:TIMELINE1832: Abednego Mesach Akeley is born in Windham

County, Vermont

1835: a prosperous merchant builds the 'Corbitt' house,

but immediately falls ill and sells it to a Mr. Walter

Corbitt, esquire, the owner of a successful, local furnitureshop.

1843, Egypt: Professor Enoch Bowen, archaeologist and

student of the occult, found the Shining Trapezohedron in

the Labyrinth of Kish.

1844: May Professor Enoch Bowen ceases his excavations

of Nephren-Ka's tomb upon finding the Shining

Trapezohedron, and returns to Providence. Bowen

founds the Starry Wisdom sect, buying the old Free-Will

Church for its headquarters. This cult used the crystal to

summon the Haunter, to whom they made blood

sacrifices of infants and children.

1846: Disappearances begin in Providence that rumors

link to the Starry Wisdom Church. The Haunter had

decided to allow its links to this realm to grow through

these rituals, so that it might find the most suitable host

for its essence. It told its followers it awaited the proper

time and place to come forth in the shape of man.

1849: A minor schism within the Starry Wisdom Church

results in Rev. Orin B. Eddy setting up in an abandoned

church in the North End of Boston with financial and

practical aid from Walter Corbitt and with part of the

Starry Wisdom Churchs collection of artifacts, occult

texts, especially their collection of Egyptian funerary

texts. It is called Chapel of Contemplation & Church of

Our Lord Granter of Secrets. The practices of the Chapel

are in the style of a Spiritualist Church with sances,

sometimes aided by sorcery such as Telekinesis or by

information gathered from the Haunter of the Dark in

Providence, but mostly through various forms of fakery.

1852: Walter Corbitt is sued by neighbors, who petition

to force him to leave the area "in consequence of his

surious [sic] habits an unauspicious demeanor."

The Starry Wisdoms power grew as Bowen received

direct guidance from the Haunter. In return for the blood

sacrifices, the Haunter gave the cultists information by

means of which they obtained various artifacts and

numerous dread tomes. They collected copies of the

Necronomicon, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Liber Ivonis,

Cultes de Goules, De Vermis Mysteriis, PnakoticManuscripts, and the Book of Dzyan.

With the aid of certain ancient funerary texts, Orin B.

Eddy makes progress rediscovering Ancient Egyptian

techniques for everlasting life.

1858: A growing feud between Orin B Eddy and the main

body of the Starry Wisdom Church ends in the death of

Eddy. His body is cremated and buried in the crypt. Rev.

Elisha Bishop is placed in charge of the Chapel of

Contemplation. He discovers and continues Eddys

Afterlife work.

The Chapel becomes quite influential in Boston due to the

patronage of powerful people as well as access to

potentially damaging information on certain influential

people.

1863: A branch of Starry Wisdom opens in Townshend,

Vermont, opens based at a Dr. Raymond Flaggs second

home under the leadership of Dr. Raymond Flagg. Flagg

comes to influence the young minister Abednego Akeley,

who initially challenges him but is impressed by Flaggsdark mirror invocation of the Divine Principle. [Flagg

would have needed a deputy to run this group while he

was in Providence]


15/24

At this point, the Starry Wisdom Cult in Providence had

over 200 members.

1865: Enoch Bowen dies. Dr Flagg takes over the central

sect. Bowens daughter Asenethis vice-leader and pastor

of the Providence branch. Enoch Bowen is mummified

and entombed in the crypts of the Freewill Church.

Whether the rituals designed to maintain life after death

were successful or not is not entirely clear.

1866Evidently Corbitt wins the lawsuit. His obituary in

1866 states that he still lived in the same place. It also

states that a second lawsuit was being waged to prevent

Corbitt from being buried in his basement, as provided by

his will. Executor of Walter Corbitt's will was Reverend

Michael Thomas (age 22), pastor of the Chapel of

Contemplation & Church of Our Lord Granter of Secrets.

1868: The Reverend Samuel Shadrach Solomon Akeley,

father of Abednego Akeley, dies. Abednego succeeds himas reverend, but immediately after the funeral he left

Vermont and travelled in southern New England. On his

return, he begins preaching the doctrines of Starry

Wisdom to his flock and converts his church affiliation to

the Church of Starry Wisdom. In fact he was already a

convert and was simply awaiting his fathers death to

complete his training in Providence and Boston. The

church is renamed as West River Valley Church of Starry

Wisdom. Controversy and scandal follow.

1869: A group of Irish vandalize the Starry Wisdom

Church in Providence, apparently in retaliation for their

perceived involvement in kidnapping a fellow.

1871: Abednego Akeley dies at the age of 39 and his

church closes. Rev. Akeley was killed by an unknown

assailant. And seriously wounded, he asked to have his

brain removed that he might explore the mysteries of the

cosmos. He leaves behind a son, Henry Wentworth

Akeley, conceived hours before his death. The mother is

Sarah Elizabeth Phillips, a servant in the Akeleys

household. After Rev. Akeleys death most of the

congregation move to Providence, others remain,

continuing to consort with the Outer Ones and passing

their secret doctrines from parent to child. Meanwhile,

some community leaders are gradually brought under the

influence of the Outer Ones or replaced with those who

are already.

A branch of the Starry Wisdom sect in Chicago known as

the Celestial Providence sect is disbanded by the Great

Chicago Fire.

1872:West River Valley Church is restored as aCongregational denomination church, Akeleys

replacement is Rev. Walter W. Baker who is from

elsewhere in Vermont. Meanwhile, the Starry Wisdom

doctrine survives to some extent among former members

of the congregation.

1876: Policemen showed up at the Chapel of

Contemplations doorstep in search of a sacred golden

box (once the property of Nephren-Ka) from Egypt which

had vanished from the British Museum shortly after

Bishop made an unsuccessful bid to purchase it. (This box

would eventually show up in the hands of Rupert

Merriweather, with whom it will be found at the start of

the rulebooks The Edge of Darkness scenario.) The

authorities, upon searching the Chapel, found the false

panels and secret doors used to stage sances and trick

congregants.

1877May: The Starry Wisdom cult in Providence is

disbanded after threats from the locals. The cultists leave

town by year's end. Aseneth Bowen was commanded by

the Haunter to leave the Shining Trapezohedron in the

church for safekeeping. Empowered by the Haunter, Dr.Flagg and Aseneth Bowen wove a spell casting an aura of

dread and fear over the building. The crystal was left in

the church, along with some of the sects library of occult

texts. No one in the neighborhood dared to explore the

church. [Alternatively, Elder Signs left on the doorways

prevent their re-entry?]

The Townshend and Boston sects are reinforced by

refugees from Providence. The Townshend sect is now

about 40 strong, but is forced to practice in secret.

Others migrate to Boston, where they swell the

attendance at the Chapel of Contemplation. Many others

head west, to California, where a branch is established in

Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, remnants of the sect continue secretly in

Providence under the leadership of Aseneth Bowen.

Elisha Bishop dies. While a coffin went into a plot in

Mount Auburn, his body rested in a small, secret chamber

beneath the Chapel of Contemplation. Spiritualist

manifestations within the chapel picked up considerably,as Bishops spirit made itself manifest. Thomas revives

the sect with the aid of Elisha Bishops spirit.

1880:Rev. Baker of the West River Valley Church

apparently goes insane during a service, rabidly accusing

members of the congregation of being sinners. He beats

one woman to death with a Bible and injures several

other congregants before being restrained. He is hanged

at the State Prison and House of Correction in Windsor,

Vermont in 1908.

The new minister is a local man, Rev. Samuel Aster. Aster

was once a member of Rev. Akeleys congregation,

initiated into the Starry Wisdom doctrine. After his

Protestant ordination, he was secretly ordained in the


16/24


17/24

Aleister Crowley's (flawed) English translation of the

Black Book of the Skull is published by Starry Wisdom

Press, with offices in Los Angeles.

People have begun to disappear in Vermont.

1921:Rev. Walsh arrives, hears rumours of strange

practices in the area

1920s:A Los Angeles-area branch of the Starry Wisdom

Cult reaches the peak of its popularity, lasting through the

1930s

New York jazz musician Leroy Turner buys Lightning

Billy Watkins unusual trumpet from a curio shop in New

Orleans.

May Eve 1922:Rev. Duganne witnesses ceremonies in

the hills

Walsh and Duganne believe there is a survival ofwitchcraft in the area

Walsh begins to preach against the Spiritualist Church of

Astral Communion and to publish sermons and letters in

the press about it

A correspondence possibly begins with one of the

investigators. Walsh starts to be spied on and

intimidated. He is not sure who to trust any more.

Walsh asks the investigators to help.

APPENDIX THREE:TRANSCRIPT OF HENRY

AKELEYS RECORDING(Indistinguishable Sounds)

(A Cultivated Male Human Voice)

is the Lord of the Wood, even to and the gifts of the

men of Leng so from the wells of night to the gulfs ofspace, and from the gulfs of space to the wells of night,

ever the praises of Great Cthulhu, of Tsathoggua, and of

Him Who is not to be Named. Ever Their praises, and

abundance to the Black Goat of the Woods. Ia! Shub-

Niggurath! The Goat with a Thousand Young!(A Buzzing Imitation of Human Speech)

Ia! Shub-Niggurath! The Black Goat of the Woods with a

Thousand Young!

(Human Voice)

And it has come to pass that the Lord of the Woods,

being seven and nine, down the onyx steps (tri)butesto Him in the Gulf, Azathoth, He of Whom Thou has taught

us marv(els) on the wings of night out beyond space,

out beyond th to That whereof Yuggoth is the youngestchild, rolling alone in black aether at the rim

(Buzzing Voice)

go out among men and find the ways thereof, that He in

the Gulf may know. To Nyarlathotep, Mighty Messenger,must all things be told.

And He shall put on the semblance of men, the waxen

mask and the robe that hides, and come down from the

world of Seven Suns to mock

(Human Voice)

(Nyarl)athotep, Great Messenger, bringer of strange joy to

Yuggoth through the void, Father of the Million Favoured

Ones, Stalker among

(Speech Cut Off by End of Record)

APPENDIX FOUR:THE CHAPEL OF

CONTEMPLATIONSeveral clues relating to this scenario can be found in The

Haunting. These are as follows:

The Corbitt Diary

Found in the old Corbitt Mansion, Boston. The three

volumes are in plain English, though sometimes strangely

phrased. Accounts of his occult experiments, morbid

sacrifices of children, magic rites and summonings, his

ambition to surpass the boundaries of mortality, reports

of law suits waged against him (protectors in high places).

Corbitt sees himself as a servant of He Who Waits in the

Dark. Details of involvement with Chapel of

Contemplation. Mentions Starry Wisdom in

Providence. 'Shining crystal' and describes

communing with 'He Who Waits in the Dark' who

gran ts his followers prof ound secrets in return

for sacrific es (espec ially children). Mentions

names Prof Bowen and Dr Flagg. Box found in

Egyptian ruins. Haunter summoned up in

darkness, can't tolerate light. Mentions rivalry or

split between Eddy and Flagg, and death of Eddy.

Mentions On Resurrection by Enoch Bowen. A lso

discusses his work with Rev Orin B. Eddy, Rev

Elisha Bishop and Rev Michael Thomas on Ancient

Egyptian methods for establishing eternal life

and their mummification of Enoch Bowen

somewhere in Providence . Sanity loss 1/1D8;

Cthulhu Mythos +4 percentiles; Occult skill check; 10

weeks to study and comprehend/20 hours to skim. Spells:

"Summon Walker of the Worlds" (Summon/Bind

Dimensional Shambler). There's no further elaboration on

the nature of this entity. This spell takes 2D6 weeks to

learn after the diaries are read, likely too long to be useful

in this adventure.

THE CHAPEL OF CONTEMPLATIONHere follows a more detailed treatment of the Chapel of

Contemplation than found in The Haunting. Note also the

mythos tome in the original version is Liber Ivonis,

whereas here this has been substituted with De Vermis

Mysteriis.

GROUND FLOOR:This floor is almost completely destroyed. Fire and time

have reduced it to a scattering of bricks, a few remnants

of charred walls and blackened timbers. Most of the roof

is completely absent or lying collapsed on the ground.

There are no doors remaining. Grasses and weeds grow


18/24

up through the ground, hiding the decayed floorboards

beneath.

1. An empty doorway leads to the first open area. Over a

low wall lies the remains of a washbasin and a toilet

2. The largest space here. Under a collapsed section of

roofing is the remains of a central pedestal and the

remains of black paint that once covered it.

On the wall on the left is painted a symbol a stylized

representation of the Three Lobed Eye. It was created

quite recently by Charles Noyes and Dr Hayes with white

paint. It is intended to show that the sect survives.

Spot Hidden reveals the remains of some words on the

walls of no known language (and now unintelligible).

At some point they become aware that the earth they

stand on is covering weakened floorboards: call for D100

rolls equal to or less than DEX x4. Those who get failing

rolls are unable to grab something secure when they feel

the floor give way. They fall ten feet into the basement.

Each falling investigator loses 1D6 hit points. They end up

in area 10.

If the floor is excavated, Spot Hidden reveals a decayed

trap door which would have to be dug through leading to

the passage below.

3. This passage once led from beneath the central stage in

Area 2 to the secret stage effects in Room 5. The passage

is partially filled with earth and water. Some of the

controls leading to Area 5 are here.

4. The wall on the right hand side has collapsed revealing

Room 5. Spot Hidden and Mechanical Repair reveal that

this wall once opened with an unusual pivot system.

5. This room contains the rusted remains of several

machines of unknown function. Mechanical Repair and an

Idea Roll may reveal that they included various special

effects machines. Well buried under these remains is atrapdoor are the stairs to the inner circle meeting room

(Room 8). Again, the floor would need to be excavated in

order to find this.

6. Empty. Excavating the floor turns up a trapdoor to

areas 9 and 10.

7. Empty. A stairway completely choked with debris at

one end leads down into area 8.

8. Basement: Sealed off from the rest of the underground

areas, this area contains a furnace, a bookshelf and a few

pieces of broken furniture.

SECRET BASEMENT

This part of the basement was sealed off from the rest,

reached by separate stairs now buried under tons of

rubble.

10. Prison: In front of where the investigators land is a

locked cell with rusted floor-to-ceiling bars. The cell-door

is ajar and iron. Scratches on the walls remain. The doors

at either end are made of iron. Spot hidden reveals traces

of bone, which forensic examination will reveal to be

human.

9. Chained to a pedestal at one side of this area is a large

book. Examination proves it to be a Latin work, De Vermis

Mysteriis. It is the prize of those who can break the chain

(STR 30) or carry the pedestal out of the building

(characters STR versus 36 on the resistance table to lift

up through to the outside world, no more than 3

characters may work together). No lock is present; the

chain is literally welded to the pedestal.

On an ancient-looking table, next to a silver candelabra,

rests a cup carved from black onyx, among the muck on

the floor is a six-inch, large-gauge needle.

There is a blocked trapdoor visible in the ceiling (STR 30

to open).

The bookshelf holds mostly works on theology, Middle

Eastern and Egyptian archaeology, and Spiritualistism in

various shades of disrepair. An Occult, Archaeology, or

Theology (replace with an Idea roll by a clergyman if that

skill is not relevant) establishes that the books on that

particular topic are largely out of date.

In a file cabinet, (with Locksmith to open) is an extensive

set of notes on many prominent members of the

community at that time. An Accounting roll turns up the

organizations mundane expenses, which are

unremarkable save for a great deal of donations from

unspecified sources, payments for a safe deposit box

(where the leader keeps On Resurrection).

Library Use reveals the following items:

A journal of cult activities states that WalterCorbitt was buried in the basement of Corbitt's

house "in accordance with his wishes and with

the wishes of that one who waits in the dark.

A letter (Providence postmark) from DrRaymond Flagg to Orin B Eddy, pertaining to the

dispute that existed between them at this time

A letter (Townshend postmark) from Rev.Abednego Akeley about arrangements for an

upcoming visit, after which the sender plans to

spend several weeks in the church in

Providence.[see handout]

A photograph of a golden sarcophagus-shapedbox (The Sarcophagus of Nephren-Ka)


19/24

A photograph of Marion Allen with his namescribbled on the back

11. A Spiritualist connection between this realm and the

realm of The Haunter has been created here. Anyone who

enters the room sees lights, even electric ones, dim. For

every few minutes spent in the room, a Sanity roll of 0/1

should be made.

A low stone slab occupies the center of this room, with a

few small wooden tables around it. At one end is a large,

dark mirror, now cracked. The walls are painted with

Egyptian hieroglyphs; appropriate skill rolls (Hieroglyphs

or halved Archaeology) establish that these are funerary

texts.

Within the this room are two skeletons dressed in

fragment or silk robes, perhaps cultists who hid from the

police and then perished in the fire.

11B. Buried beneath this chamber is the secret tomb of

Elisha Bishop who haunts the Chapel in much the same

way that Walter Corbitt haunts his house. He will become

active only if he feels his entombment is threatened.

DE VERMIS MYSTERIIS (incomplete)in Latin, by

Ludwig Prinn. This worm-eaten folio was copied

imperfectly, and after further damage over the centuries

is missing great portions of the text. It describes itself as

containing "spells and enchantments", particularly those

that can summon strange entities. One such spell,

included in a "chapter dealing with familiars," summons a

"shambler from the stars. It contains references to "such

gods of divination as Father Yig, dark Han, and serpent-

bearded Byatis. The author "awesomely implies his

knowledge" of Nyarlathotep, "the oldest god of all Egypt".

There is a chapter called "Saracenic Rituals", which is said

to have "revealed the lore of the efreet and the djinn, the

secrets of the Assassin sects, the myths of Arabian ghoul-

tales, the hidden practices of dervish cults" and "the

legends of Inner Egypt". It describes cults of Bubastis and

Sebek, and on the Pharaoh Nephren-Ka's worship of

Nyarlathotep. Prinn's chapter on divination has some

information on "The Star of Sechmet", a mysterious

crystal. An invocation from the book: "Tibi, magnum

Innominandum, signa stellarum nigrarum et bufaniformis

Sadoquae sigillum ("To you, the great Not-to-Be-Named,

signs of the black stars, and the seal of the toad-shaped

Sadoquae"). Sanity loss 1D2/1D4; Cthulhu Mythos +5

percentiles; 18 weeks to study and comprehend/ 36

hours to skim. No usable spells.

THE SOCIETY OF RATIONAL CONTEMPLATION COURSE

IN SPECULATIVE PHILOSOPHYin English, French and

Spanish editions. Twenty-four cheap, paper-bound

volumes available as a correspondence course covering

such topics as secret societies, telepathy, astral projection,

yoga, and root races. Aspects of the Mythos are alluded to,

but never fully revealed. The reading time given does not

include the time for mailing and to finish the

examinations and exercises that must be reported for

the next section to be sent. Sanity loss 0/1D4; Cthulhu

Mythos +2 percentiles; two Occult skill checks, one

halfway through reading; 12 weeks to study and

comprehend/24 hours to skim. No spells.

THE BOOK OF THE DEADSanity loss: None; Occult +3;

Spells: None


20/24


21/24

Dr Raymond Flagg

Providence

Rev. Orin B. Eddy

Chapel of ContemplationBoston

February 3rd

1858

Rev. Eddy,

The awesome secrets of the Divine Principle

cannot be spread haphazardly about the world.

Please respect the wishes of our esteemed founder,

return to the fold and preserve the unity and

integrity of the True Church. True and deep

communion with The Divine can be found only here

and only through the Shining Trapezohedron. You

cannot continue to operate independently. Your

power is pale next to ours. Your chapel exist by our

tolerance. Do not speak out against the Starry

Wisdom Church. Do not create further conflict.

Please respond within one week to arrange

reconciliation.

Raymond Flagg


22/24


23/24


24/24

I look forward to meeting you and to receiving

your response.

May we be among the Million Favored Ones!

Abednego Akeley

APPENDIX FIVE:IDEAS AND QUESTIONS

Is the church in Providence left with the Trapezohedron

and the occult texts intact because of the command of the

leadership or because they are prevented by Elder Signs

left by those who raided the church?

Does Duganne witness ceremonies in the hills on May Eve

before he disappears? Or is that Walsh or the

investigators?

Perhaps Duganne also had Henry Akeleys contact details

left in his room when he disappeared. Investigators

may assume Akeley has something to do with the

disappearance. Problem is that this would introduce

Akeley and his evidence of Outer Ones rather early.

SOLUTION: This clue can only be found once the

investigators find Dugannes contact and are able to findthe scene of his disappearance at the stone circle on Dark

Mountain

Outer Ones v16

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Transcript of Outer Ones v16