I’m planning on running a series of monthly Call of Cthulhu: Down Darker Trails one-shots starting in February, 2019. My hope is this will blossom into a campaign. As such, I’ve begun to plot out the territory for the one-shots and campaign which will be titled “Bag of Nails.” This column serves dual purpose as an intro to my potential players as well as another location write-up for any Down Darker Trails Keepers.
Table of Contents
- Virginia City, Montana, 1869
- Cthulhu Mythos & Occult Features
- Notable Personages (NPCs)
- Player Character Pre-Gens
- References & Useful Links
Virginia City, Montana, 1869
A locale for the Old West, Virginia City is a dying gold rush town in the Montana Territory. Surrounded by old mines, mountains, and forests; and near a reservation of angry Native Americans; the location offers threats both normal and occult—with only vigilantes to protect it.
Population: 1,500 (and falling)
Location: Southwest Montana Territory, in the Alder Gulch
Montana Territory, 1879
U.S. Library of Congress: G4250 1879 .R6 Vault : Sher 190
History
On May 26, 1863 Bill Fairweather and Henry Edgar stumbled upon what would prove to be one of the richest gold deposits in North America. By the following week, hundreds of prospectors and camp followers had flowed into a fourteen-mile area in the newly named “Alder Creek” gulch. Thousands more were soon to follow. In less than a month’s time nine mining camps were created: Summit City, Pine Grove, Highland City, Bear Town, Central City, Nevada City, Adobetown, Junction City, and Verona.
In June, the Verona mining camp was large enough to be used as a townsite. The proposed name of the town was “Varina,” in honor of the wife of Jefferson Davis—president of the Confederate States of America. The presiding judge, Dr. Gaylord Bissell, was a Unionist and objected the name, recording it as “Virginia City.”
The wealth in the area and lack of organized judicial system led to a rise in criminal activities. These gangs of bandits and murderers were called “road agents” in the local vernacular. A number of vigilante groups formed in response, most notably the Vigilance committee of Alder Gulch and the Montana Vigilantes. The most notorious of the gangs was thought to be led by the Sheriff of the nearby town of Bannack; he and two associates were hanged by a company of vigilantes on January 10, 1864. While many road agents were still active, the hanging did have a notable affect on crime in the area.
One year after gold was first found in the area, on May 26, 1864 Congress created the Territory of Montana out of the existing Idaho Territory. While Bannack was the original territorial capital, legislature moved the capital to Virginia City on February 7, 1865. In that time Alder Gulch and its cities reached a population nearing 10,000. A large portion of that population lived or spent time in Virginia City.
Virginia City’s population and popularity made it a site of many of Montana’s “firsts.” The newspaper, the Montana Post, began its publication in the city on August 27, 1864. The territory gained its first public school in March of 1866. Also added in that time-span was Montana’s first Masonic Lodge.
While railroad service had not yet reached the Montana territories (and would never cross Virginia City) a small rail service was constructed in 1864 between Virginia City and Nevada City, 1.5 miles away. Under Charlie Bovey two coal fired Davenport “Dinky” locomotives were purchased to transport visitors daily between the two cities during the summer. These locomotives came from the Anaconda Copper Mining Company’s Great Falls Smelter. However, the ties are deteriorating. (By the end of summer 1869, the train service between the cities will shut down until 1972.)
In five short years, much of the gold had been mined out of the area. By the end of 1868 many of the claims had been mined out and prospectors and their followers began to move elsewhere. In early 1869 Virginia City’s population is less than half of what it was in its heyday, but it is not the ghost town that it will become by 1875.
As people began to move and seek richer veins of gold some of the abandoned mines were taken over by various Chinese companies. The “celestials,” as they were often called, were able (or more willing) to dig deeper and more dangerously, emptying the last of the gold from the claims. A Chinatown was established at the lower east end of Wallace street. The Asian-Americans developed rules within their society, including: “Do not occupy by force the property of your brethren,” “Do not deceive your brethren by fast talking,” and “Do not bully your brethren with your might.”
The base history presented in this write-up is non-fiction (based on my research). That said… Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Unless otherwise noted, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Locations
A wide variety of businesses are clustered along lower Wallace Street and South Jackson Street, with residences were built along Idaho Street and on the South slopes. While Virginia City has 1,200 buildings, it doesn’t have the population it did a year ago and many of the buildings and homes have been abandoned. That said, it is still a working city with over a thousand people and serves as a hub for the people of Alder Gulch and a transportation waypoint for Salt Lake City, Portland, Omaha, and Fort Benton. (Note: locations with an asterisk are based on actual location names of 1869’s Virginia City, some liberties have been taken with these locations and histories for narrative purposes.) For a complete map and additional locations, see the PDFs linked at the bottom of this page.
Smith and Boyd Livery Feed Stable* (barn and livery stable)
One of the first stops on the west end of Wallace Street’s shopping district is the Smith and Boyd Livery Feed Stable. Run by the burly, no-nonsense Michael Boyd and the shrewd Angus Smith, the log and timber barn is one of the larger buildings in the city.
J.F. Stoer Saloon* (liquor store and saloon)
The J.F. Stoer Saloon was built in 1863 and operated by J.F. Stoer. Animal heads and artwork line the walls, including a piece on the back wall titled “Nymphs and Satyr.” Though primarily a place to purchase a bottle or two and leave, the bar also allows customers a chance to “sample” the wares. J.F. is lean, wiry, and somehow appears to be everywhere at once in his saloon and store, making sure his clientele is not kept thirsty.
McGovern Store* (dry goods store)
Freighter James Sheehan purchased one of Virginia City’s first buildings for his family. The large log cabin is a dry goods store that also served as a boarding home during Virginia City’s boom. The store is run by James’s wife, Anne; daughter, Mary; and Ellen, his niece. His youngest daughter, the eight year-old Kate, attends the Swift Fox School but can also be found assisting in the store when not studying.
Anaconda Hotel/Saloon* (hotel and saloon)
Originally built as a restaurant, the prominence and popularity of the building on the west end of Wallace Street allowed it to grow and become a saloon and hotel. Run by Harry Stallworth and his wife Edna, the building is often said to be the heart of the city and visitors are expected to behave with dignity. (Map placement note: In the 1940 the building was restored by Sue Ford Bovey as the Fairweather Inn*.)
Cabbage Patch* (brothel)
Between the Anaconda and McGovern is a small row of buildings that houses the Cabbage Patch, the city’s primary brothel. Lucille Phelps takes special care of her girls. She not only ensures they have the best medical care, she also has a no-tolerance policy for any violence against them. Being black-listed by Madame Phelps will often lead to being black-listed in saloons and businesses.
Virginia City P.O. (postal service and telegraph)
The former (as of 1868) Chief Justice, Hezekiah Lord Hosmer (see Wikipedia for more info), established the first post office in Virginia City where he serves as both postmaster and historian. The building is located on Wallace Street, one block east of the Anaconda.
Harris Apothecary (pharmacy and medical care)
South of the post office is Harris Apothecary. Gerard Harris works as a pharmacist in front and his back room offers doctor’s care for the wounded and ailing. The medical care office is shared between two doctors, the Englishman Hiram Blake and the young Alexander King.
Van Busik Goods (general store)
This large shop filled floor to ceiling with various goods stands at the eastern edge of Wallace Street’s main shopping corridor. Run by the meticulous Conrad Van Busik , the store is known for having the fairest prices in town and allows for barter of services and goods.
Music Box (ballroom and theatre)
South and parallel of Wallace Street is Idaho Street. On the west end of the street stands the Music Box, a ballroom and theater. Here, the theatre company called the “Amateur Dramatic Association” performs comedic plays and recitations of famous works.
First Madison County Jail* (jail)
The First Madison County Jail was hastily constructed in 1864 to incarcerate Margaret Smith. She and her brother, David, had an incestual relationship in their Nevada City cabin and had buried two stillborn infants beneath the floorboards. Both pled guilty, but there was no territorial prison. David Smith escaped the crudely constructed prison. And, despite her sentencing, the cost of jailing Margaret long-term proved impractical and the governor pardoned the woman. The jail was converted into a residence in 1867, but the bars were kept in place by the new owner, the non-elected and self-styled sheriff Crispin Gragg.
Swift Fox School (private school)
Established in 1867, re-purposing a small building south of Wallace Street, by Eleanore Swift, the small private school employs two teachers. Charlotte Thurman who educates the boys side of the school and Mrs. Swift who instructs the girls.
Montana Post* (newspaper)
Established in August 1864 by John Buchanan, the newspaper has changed owner/editors multiple times. While the building still stands in the southwest corner of town, the editors moved their operations to Helena in March of 1868. However, Arlene Hunnell continues to use the office for her writing and reporting, sending news reports to the paper by telegraph.
Rhodes Horseshoes (horseshoer, farrier, and blacksmith)
From the eastern corner of Idaho Streets, Julius Rhodes works as a farrier and sometimes blacksmith.
Joss House* (Chinese temple)
A joss house marks the entrance to Virginia City’s small “Chinatown.” It stands at the lower east end of Wallace Street. The two-story temple serves as a place of worship and social gatherings for the Asians in the Alder Gulch area.
Tsang Chinese Goods (tea house and general store)
Across the street from the joss house is Tsang Chinese Goods. The dignified yet affable Tsang Kang and his assistant Fu Meng are two of the only English-speaking Chinese within the city. As such, the store often serves as an area of mediation between the Chinese and non-Asian inhabitants of Alder Gulch.
Local Legends & Gossip
Legends
- Boot Hill cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the hanged road agents. The real reason no one wants their loved ones buried there is because the dead bandits won’t allow other souls to travel to heaven.
- Crow Indians talk about Nirumbee—small, goblin-like creatures—that live in the hills. They say the mines have disturbed the “cannibal dwarves” and some who go missing in the mines are their victims.
- Some folks, of varying reliability, claim there’s a hairy creature living in the woods. They say it looks like a man but eats bears, dogs, and sheep. According to witnesses, the animal is covered with hair and the creature has a habit of rising on its haunches and walking on its hind legs after the manner of a gorilla.
- The hairy man-creature may not be the thing killing sheep and dogs. Folklore speaks of the shunka warakin, a large wolf-like creature with reddish-yellow fur that is powerful enough to carry off dogs.
Gossip
- Not all those leaving town are seeking gold elsewhere. In the nearby hills Reverend Joseph White’s new branch of Christianity, the Church of the New Lord, is said to be building some sort of compound.
- Ephram Beetley may be a drunk, but he runs a good mine and must have a fair head on his shoulders… but his constant talk about hissing monsters deep in his mine must be due to the drink.
- Lavonia Killpatrick, the singer and dancer, has paused in her journeys to perform a few shows in the city. It’s said her voice can bring tears to even the hardest heart.
- Before he was hung for robbing and fleecing the townsfolk, Jake “Coyote” Whitton mentioned he might have a partner. If that’s true, then the city might have another hanging soon enough.
- The biggest gangs of road agents may have been dealt with, but all the folks leaving are emboldening some bandits who have been active against wagons on the road.
- Road agents aren’t the only danger. Crow Indians seem to be more active and agitated lately, too.
Cthulhu Mythos & Occult Features
Keepers Eyes Only
Church of the New Lord
Reverend Joseph White is a charismatic speaker with a new message cloaked in Christianity. He and his followers worship the New Lord, a sovereign of gold. Only Joseph and a select few followers have read the holy text that has come into the possession of the reverend and none may speak aloud the name of their true savior, Hastur. The cult has over 300 members, most living in Virginia City and Nevada City. 40 members of the new religion have moved with Joseph to mountains where they are forming a small settlement away from the “sins of man.”
Sapphire Serpent People
A small nest of serpent people extends in the natural underground tunnels of the south hills. These tunnels were disturbed by some of the deepest mines. Minors thought to hive died in tunnel collapses have actually been victims of the serpent people, who are beginning to venture further from their nest to defend their territory. Their scales have often been confused as small sapphires—a gem common to the area.
Cannibal Dwarves
The Crow stories of Nirumbee is no myth. These two-feet tall creatures have mottled, knotty flesh and are experts at hiding. They aren’t powerful enough to attack carriages or caravans, but have captured and eaten lone wanderers—especially children. They are also known to steal items from camps. Though they don’t appear to speak any known languages, they seem to understand anything said to them. Cruel, but childlike, it’s possible to distract the creatures with a story or joke (the dirtier the better).
Shunka Warakin
A species of dire wolf corrupted by the touch of Shub-Niggurath, the shunka warakin is a solitary animal that kills indiscriminately and is without fear (but not without animal cunning). The monstrous wolf has reddish-yellow fur. Onlookers who manage to study the creature without being spotted will suffer 1D6 sanity loss as they notice centipedes crawling throughout the matted fur and greenish drool dripping from the shunka warakin’s maw. The powerful creatures stats are typically STR: 17, CON: 15, SIZ: 6, POW: 11, DEX: 15, Move: 12, HP: 13.
Notable Personages (NPCs)
Ephram Beetley
The prospector and miner has been seeking gold since he was old enough to set out on his own, but always seems to be the last to any new finds. He came to Alder Gulch in 1867, years after the riches veins had been tapped. His experience and enthusiasm, however, proved helpful in landing him a job running a mine for the widow Florence Richards.
Description: Elderly, but hardy, with little hair on his head but more than enough to make up for that loss with a bushy, white beard.
Traits: Kind-eyed, often smiling and smelling of whisky.
“Sheriff” Crispin Gragg
Virginia City doesn’t have any official lawmakers, but a rash of crime and drunken disputes allowed Crispin Gragg to declare himself a peacemaker in the city. Gragg was a former quartermaster in the Union Army who made a hefty profit skimming and selling supplies. As part of the Vigilance Committee of Alder Gulch he helped bring justice and witnessed the hanging of key members of the Plummer gang. Under his watch, he formed the Shining Citizens Vigilantes in order keep the peace in Virginia City; charging businesses to haul away unruly and violent drunks to what was formerly the First Madison County Jail, but is now his home. His house still contains the original (and much refurbished) holding cell where he lets drunks sleep off their behavior.
Description: In his mid-50’s, Crispin Gragg has white, shoulder length hair and a well-kept beard. He typically wears a vest with a sheriff’s star pinned to the breast.
Traits: A figure of steely-eyed authority, the “sheriff” is a no-nonsense sort with a secret penchant for profiteering.
Asher McAdams
One of the city’s butchers, Asher McAdams is also a member of the Shining Citizens Vigilantes. He’s considered Crispin Gragg’s right-hand man, though many suspect that Gragg has only elevated McAdams because the butcher supplies the “sheriff” with free victuals. While not particularly likable, Asher has a reputation as the best slaughterer in Alder Gulch, maximizing every cut of meat while keeping prices comparable to the competition.
Description: A squat man in his late 30’s with short, black hair.
Traits: Prickly and quick-tempered, it takes little provocation for McAdams to draw his knife or gun.
Lucille Phelps
Madame Phelps runs the Cabbage Patch. Born in Romania as Vadoma Petulengro, her father immigrated the family to America to practice medicinal science without the restrictions of his country’s government. After gaining some notoriety for poisoning and killing some test subjects, the Petulengros moved further west, changing their names. For the latter half of her life, Vadoma has been known as Lucille Phelps. She continued to move west with her father until he died from his own experimentations in the Idaho Territory. Seeking employment, Lucille became a prostitute. Her shrewd understanding of clients and ability to manage numbers provided her with a meteoric rise in the ranks to madame. She followed the gold and moved to Virginia City where she helped organize camp followers into a proper brothel. She doesn’t own the Cabbage Patch, but she runs it well.
Description: Tall and shapely (one might say Junoesque), with dark hair and pale skin, she appears to be in her early 30’s, but is 42.
Traits: Though she cultivates an aura of mystery and sensuality, she is far more practical and efficient than first impressions may suggest.
Tsang Kang
Tsang Kang has been a merchant all his life and quick to grasp an opportunity when presented. Life in the United States was not a favorable moment to be missed. For the past fifteen years Mister Tsang has followed Chinese mining camps, providing goods and services. Fluent in English, he often serves as a “diplomat” between the Chinese and the whites; which puts him in a position of authority and respect amongst his people. He has recently apprenticed a younger Chinese boy, Fu Meng, whom he teaches English for the continued protection and representation of his people.
Description: In his late 80’s with a long beard, the elderly Chinese gentleman is still very spry.
Traits: Even-tempered and careful with thought and speech.
Alexander King
After serving as a Union field medic in the war, the young Alexander King forged his way from Illinois to the Montana territories with a small library of medical books he had purchased in Chicago. “Doc King” did not receive any formal medical education; he was simply an enlisted soldier who was needed in the medical tent and found he had a knack for surgery. That fact is kept secret from others, as it would damage his reputation regardless of his skill. He shares an office with the more educated Dr. Hiram Blake in the back of Harris Apothecary. Blake blames any shortcomings of knowledge on a poorer education system of the U.S. and inexperience and doesn’t appear to suspect how self-taught Alexander actually is.
Description: In his mid-20’s, Alexander King is clean-shaven with short, auburn hair. Many of the ladies (and some of the men) consider him to be one of the more handsome men of the city.
Traits: Inquisitive and often chipper, with an optimistic “can-do” attitude.
Eleanore Swift
Headmistress and teacher at the Swift Fox School, Eleanore is a staunch Episcopalian who believes boys and girls should receive equal education but without the distractions seeing peers of the opposite sex might bring. Her husband, a furniture merchant and investor, purchased the building that would be the Swift Fox School and oversaw re-construction of the walls that would keep the classes separate.
Description: In her late 40’s, her black hair shows streaks of gray, adding a further aura of discipline to her tall, angular form.
Traits: Stern, but not un-approachable, with a strong sense of morals and community.
Player Character Pre-Gens
The following characters will be offered as pre-gens to players at my “Bag of Nails” game table on a first-come, first-selected basis. These characters may also be used as NPCs in any Keeper’s campaign.
Doctor Hiram Blake
Image from Mike G by Neo Stockz
Hiram Blake became a young medical officer in London, England in the early 1850’s. It was during the Great Stink of 1858 that he saw inhuman things crawling from the water and dragging people in. Disbelieved, ridiculed, and anguished by what he saw, the doctor fled to New York City, but the crowded population and smells simply reminded him of his time in London. Hiram remained neutral during the “civil unrest” and helped those he could as he traveled ever westward, never settling in one place for more than two years. He has been in Virginia City for about six months and is beginning to calculate his next move, but is in no hurry quite yet.
The doctor has air of British superiority, but tempers it with a desire to heal and make things right. The doctor is often haunted and suffers from nightmares and poor sleep. In London and throughout his travels he has seen too many things he cannot comprehend and cannot share with the world for he would not be believed.
Arlene Hunnell
Image from RED 4 by Faestock
Tired of being restricted to society reporting in Cincinnati, Arlene Hunnell took to the stagecoach to report on stories of the frontier and miners, submitting to various rural papers and as “A. Hunnell” via post and telegraph. When the Montana Post moved its headquarters from Virginia City to Helena, Arlene saw an opportunity to take over the building. She became the Alder Gulch correspondent for the paper and publishes a small editorial on the remaining press.
Arlene is hungry for the next story and seeks out what she calls “real news.” Courageous, almost recklessly so, Ms. Hunnell will chase a lead or sniff out a report in even the most dangerous of circumstances.
Ellis Gentry
Image Ian (Stock) by Joicarey
Ellis has been a gambler all his life, first playing three card monte on the streets of New Orleans before traveling north on riverboats, paying his way from the profits of faro and poker. Mr. Gentry especially enjoys gambling in established mining towns, where he can play a fair game and win precious minerals, gemstones, or even claims (which he promptly sells). He’s currently made a stop in Virginia City while traveling to Nevada.
The gambler can’t resist a bet, but always acts calm and collected. Ellis will drink, but never too much to dull his senses. While the gentleman gambler carries a hold-out pistol, his first inclination in a fight is to put someone else in front of the danger.
Rose Malone
Image from Wild Wild West by CathleenTarawhiti
Rose Malone is a con-woman and a grifter. While she has run fake charities and worked with snake oil salesmen, her favorite score is to play a romantic interest, gathering information and letting a male partner do the dirty work (and risk). She recently was working a mark, a miner who amassed a good amount of gold, by the name of Dan Brown and pointed her partner, Jake “Coyote” Whitton, to Mr. Brown’s stash. Unfortunately, Coyote was caught by Brown and a local vigilante and was subsequently hanged. It’s not the first partner Rose has lost, but now she must play the upstanding citizen while suspicions are still high, as Jake had confessed to having a partner.
Rose is normally very willing to use her feminine wiles to get her way, but is currently trying to establish herself as a beyond reproach. If questioned by any vigilantes, her current plan is to pretend to be Pinkerton on a case but that may mean aiding in justice when required to better employ her ruse.
Red Dove
Image from Native American by Arya Poenya Stock
Half-Shoshone and half-Bannock, Haiwee goes by the name Red Dove. Her tribe was hired as scouts for the Union during the war and she gained a reputation as a tracker and hunter. Following the war, Red Dove chose to leave her tribe to travel with a soldier, Peter Carlisle, who sought gold. While the two were romantic, there was no illusion about their future together (or lack thereof). When Carlisle left Alder Gulch, Red Dove remained. She hires herself out to help hunters, as an escort to avoid Crow raiders, and when tracking is needed.
Red Dove is sharp and practical. She knows the world she now lives in is not her own and some may turn on her at a moment’s notice—not just because she’s an Indian, but because she’s also a woman. This keeps her ever alert. She is often taciturn, speaking only when she has important information to relay.
Julius Rhodes
Image from iStock Photos
While Julius Rhodes was serving with the Union his parents, wife, and child were casualties of the Dakota War of 1862. After the Civil War, Julius drifted, performing services as a horseshoer and blacksmith. His travels brought him to Virginia City where he was hired by the ailing Charles Gowain to keep the business afloat. Julius purchased the operation and renamed it to Rhodes Horseshoes upon Gowain’s death. Alder Gulch is home to a number of ex-Confederates and Confederate sympathizers and only a small population of African Americans, but Julius is a respected member of the community and is considered a close friend to Crispin Gragg, the city’s “sheriff” and is a ranking member of the Shining Citizens Vigilantes.
Julius has a strong sense of right and wrong and is not afraid to stand up or speak his mind. While this has led to trouble, he’s a capable fighter and very good with his rifle—and also isn’t afraid to use those skills to get back out of trouble.
Levi Richmond
Image from Reenactment by Lormet
Levi Richmond was a corporal in the Confederate Calvary and served under Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler during the Battle of Chickamauga. After the war, Levi was pardoned; he had never owned slaves nor acted ungentlemanly during the war. Levi decided not to return to the sparsely populated Unicoi Mountains and instead followed the scent of gold to Alder Gulch, where he heard Confederates were often supported. Levi managed to purchase a small claim which doesn’t make him rich, but continues to prove profitable enough to support him.
Growing up, Levi didn’t see much of the world. The older man was born in the Southern Appalachian Mountains with his family and neighbors were miles away. Virginia City, even with its decreasing population, is the largest city he’s ever lived in and sometimes he retreats to his claim for days or weeks, when it all just seems to busy. The 50 year old is kind and proud, never asking for a favor but always willing to lend a hand to those in need–even before being asked.
Charlotte Thurman
Image from Southern Belle by Kirilee
Miss Charlotte Thurman is employed as a boys’ teacher at the Swift Fox School. Encouraged by her father at a young age, Charlotte has a passion for the natural sciences. She moved from Philadelphia not only for her vocation but to research and study the flora and fauna of the Alder Gulch region.
Miss Thurman has no qualms about getting dirty or acquiring scrapes in the name of science. Her curiosity of the natural world may seem un-ladylike or less than dignified, but she believes any scorn by “proper society” will be worth it if it leads to discovery. Her employer, Eleanore Swift, does not disagree with Charlotte’s attitude–so long as she keeps a dignified demeanor while teaching.
References & Useful Links
References
Montana Heritage Virginia City
Virginia City Map (PDF) by Montana Heritage
Virginia City Montana Chamber of Commerce
Legends of America
Montana Kids: Chinese in Virginia City
Montana Women’s History
Virginia City Map (PDF) by Montana Women’s History
Historical Marker Database
Wikipedia
Useful Links
Legends of America: Wild West Slang
Ranker: Wild West Slang and Expressions
The Food Timeline
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