Ceremoanial was the sixth Down Darker Trails: Bag of Nails scenario, played the first Saturday of October 2019. It was a more free-form scenario, prompted by the Investigators desires to learn more about the Church of the New Lord. While the scenario wasn’t written as a plotted adventure, it contains additional information and seeds that could be used while running.
Scenario: Ceremoanial
Post-Ritual
For the Investigators that weren’t in the last session, they did not enter the Dreamlands. Instead, they may have been affected by the burial service and ritual of peace. Investigators not present must make a POW roll. A complete failure means they now trust the Church of the New Lord completely. A base success will mean they might not trust the Church of the New Lord but they won’t harbor any deep mistrusts. A hard success allows them to keep any suspicions while an extreme success may plant more suspicions as the Investigator will recognize someone has tried to alter their perceptions.
Good Migrations
As the Investigators plot their next steps into discovering more about the Church of the New Lord, they may notice a number of townsfolk (12 adults and three children) donating their belongings to the school, sheriff, and other individuals. The people are giving up their possessions and preparing to join the Church, claiming that the peace they felt during the post-burial ceremony had changed their lives and now that’s all want to feel again. Clearly, these citizens did not experience the dreams felt by the Investigators. As other townspeople watch the citizens prepare to leave there is an undercurrent of discussion that joining the Church might not be a bad idea.
That some people are leaving the town for the Church and others are contemplating similar actions may change or accelerate the Investigators’ plans.
All That Glitters
Investigators who deal more regularly with Chinatown will receive an unrelated warning. “Beware that which glitters.” If pressed, they will be told that evil spirits have been woken and mark their presence with sparkling stones. No additional details can be provided beyond “evil spirits.”
The Compound
The Church of the New Lord established their camp five years ago and it has grown into a town of 150 people. The walled-in compound is just a day’s ride east of Alder Gulch. Despite the walls, the acolytes are very friendly and welcoming. The barrier is simply used to defend the town from any predatory animals. The acolytes at the entrance to the compound don’t carry any weapons.
Despite their overall pleasant nature, some may find the yellow-robed members of the Church of the New Lord creepy. They often speak in complete unison or finish the other’s sentence. That alone can be discomforting to many, especially when dealing with multiple followers. Visitors to the Church will be welcomed and a guest house of 6 bedrooms is provided. The Investigators will be invited to their communal meals and are free to roam the grounds. All meals served are a type of vegetarian porridge or stew; simple meals but not completely without flavor.
A great deal of construction has been done over the five years since the Church established its land. The layout of the compound is a well-constructed grid. Guest homes and living quarters are near the entrance with community areas like the mess hall beyond the homes. A large greenhouse built on the opposite side of the “road” from the community buildings. It might be notable that there doesn’t appear to be a church building, only a small shack-like building at the very back.
The Greenhouse
While acolytes have been known to purchase goods in towns, it seems much of their food comes from the greenhouse, which has rows of cabbage, celery, peas, eggplants, and garlic. At the rear of the greenhouse yellow flowers bloom. Presumably, the flowers are used to make the dyes for the yellow robes worn by the followers of the Church of the New Lord. Scientists (particularly botanists) may note that the flowers belong to the genus Eschscholzia; a member in the Papaveraceae (poppy) family. Not only would the flowers work as a dye, they could potentially be used as a mild psychotropic.
The Temple Goes All the Way Down
The shack at the back of the compound is actually a covered stairwell, hewn into the ground itself that goes down about 20 feet. Careful observers might notice a handful of glittering stones, possibly small, raw sapphires along the stairs. The stones are loose and simply sitting by the wall of the stairwell. If taken, they could fetch a decent price, potentially $10-$15 a piece (up to $20 with the right buyer and a smooth sales pitch).
At the bottom of the stairs is a well-decorated temple that would seat about 75 people. The altar and podium are crafted from the same stone as the temple itself. On the podium sits a book written in a strange language. Linguists may determine that the language is Aramaic and while it does seem to be a bible, it contains many unique passages. Anyone reading the tome will need to make a POW roll for every page they decipher; failure results in a loss of 1d4 sanity and a compulsion to cease reading.
There are two doors in the temple. The door on the right is locked and listening close may reveal sounds of a praying man inside. The door on the left is a closet containing reading materials and additional robes.
Though built into the ground, the wall at the back of the closet seems thin. There’s a small hole that leaks a tiny amount of air. This seems an oddity, given the wall is part of the groundwork itself. It wouldn’t take much force to collapse the wall to reveal a tunnel behind. (See Snakes and Dwarven Ladders)
Reverend Joseph White
Reverend Joseph White has a soft voice, but one that is clear and can carry. When he focuses on a person his eyes seem to pierce directly into their soul. He will gladly discuss the New Lord. Who is the “New Lord?” The Lord of the New Testament, the Son of God who died and rose from his grave, the man who was also a god. Upon his resurrection he became the New Lord. It may be noted that he never uses the name “Jesus Christ.” If asked about it he will declare that was the name of the teacher who walked the earth and not the being he became.
Overall, the religion seems Christian, albeit with a unique scripture and views on heaven. They eschew worldly goods and desires and while they may interact in towns, separate themselves from it in order to avoid temptation. If questioned why acolytes tend to share their speech, he’ll state that it’s simply a product of living close together and spending most of their time with each other. The reverend may act surprised if he is told the flowers in his greenhouse are psychotropic—but this would be a very well-disguised lie (Hard Psychology roll to notice the false surprise).
Why is the temple underground and why here? The location, specifically underground, is a nexus point of power, a perfect focus of worship.
Joseph White won’t say much about his personal life and any outside research done by the Investigators will reveal little. He was from Texas then moved to the Dakota Territory. It was somewhere in that territory where he became religious and founded the Church of the New Lord. He and his 50 followers then moved to Montana to form their current building. The 100 additional acolytes and deacons were accrued during the travel to Alder Gulch and over the Church’s five years in the area.
Snakes and Dwarven Ladders
Unbeknownst to the members of the Church of the New Lord and even Reverend Joseph White their temple was carved close to tunnels inhabited by Serpent People. These tunnels link deep into the paths of the Nirumbee tunnels and the two creatures are at war with each other deep underground. The serpents have also been investigating the Church while the people were asleep and digging new passages close to the underground temple. In their slithering travels up the stairs, they have lost some of their scales—which have been mistaken as sapphires. The acolytes have believed these to be natural gem deposits, a gift from God to help sustain their camp.
The Serpent People have set up traps in their tunnels close to the temples, should their excavations be discovered. Unlike the simple pits and sharpened wood spikes of the Nirumbee, these are complex traps of spring-loaded spears with forged metal points, indicating a greater intelligence at work than of the childlike, but evil, dwarves.
Because they’re fighting a war with the Nirumbee, the Serpent People are not planning to strike a second front against the humans, but discovery of their tunnels could prompt them to lash out.
If the Serpent People are discovered by the Investigators and the Church is warned or if the serpents feel the need to strike, this will prompt a more militant change in the acolytes of the Church. They have become tied to the area and are not ready to leave.
Session Recap
The Investigators spent time deliberating how best to infiltrate the Church of the New Lord. Plans such as posing as new converts were optioned but dismissed as no one wanted to give up their worldly goods—a requisite for joining. Instead it was decided that the best initial course of action would simply be going to the Church’s compound and investigating directly. Any additional problems impeding their investigation could be dealt with once said problems were ascertained. Arlene, Charlotte, Hiram, and Kathryn were planning to be the primary investigators, with the other four to come to their aid if they were away for too long.
As the area with the cannibal dwarves was along the way; Corwin, Ellis, Levi, and Red Dove offered to escort the Church-minded Investigators to the halfway point. This would allow the more action-minded of the eight a chance to verify the damage done by the army to the Nirumbee caves and ensure the safety of the people.
Before setting off, Corwin telegraphed Fort Ellis hoping for information on Joseph White. Despite a good relationship with his contacts, nothing of note was found. Checking with Sheriff Gragg, it was discovered that the Church’s compound had been there for five years; one year longer than his tenure. Charlotte decided to discuss the Church with local busybody, Dierdre Collins. The elderly woman was donating all her possessions and was planning to join the Church, but was happy to share what little she knew: that Joseph White was a Texan. She suggested they talk to one of the Church’s deacons, whom she had known since he was a boy. The deacon’s name? Deacon Bevill.
Lieutenant Corwin Blackstone’s civilian contact in Chinatown, the merchant Tsang Kang, warned the man to “beware that which glitters.” Corwin didn’t understand at the time but trusted the elder’s advice would likely come into play.
With all the information they could glean from the citizenry in hand, the eight set off along the same path out of town.
Reaching the Nirumbee caves it became clear that whatever tunnels the US Army had bombed it was not the expected area. The hilly domain of the caves was unblemished by any collapses or the heavy tracks that would have been made by Major Franklin Swanson and his twenty-man deployment. With the knowledge that the dwarves had easy access to the path, Red Dove suggested everyone stay together so that the more pacifistic Investigators could be protected for their journey.
By nightfall, the Investigators reached the Church of the New Lord’s compound and were welcomed inside and provided a guest house so they could have any of their questions regarding the Church answered in the morning. Red Dove remained in the house while Corwin walked through the compound and the other investigators dined with the acolytes. Following dinner, Charlotte and Hiram went to the greenhouse. On seeing the flowers and with the knowledge that they could be used as psychotropics, they each discreetly gathered a few flowers for examination once back at the town.
With no restrictions on where the Investigators could go, they decided to explor the underground temple that night. Ellis spotted some sapphire-like stones and was about to pocket them when Corwin shared the warning he received about “things that glitter.” Despite their worth, Ellis decided to put the stones back on the stairs for the time being.
The eight explored the temple area and tried to decipher the book on the altar but the best they could do was place the language, not the words. Hearing a muted prayer behind the door on the right, they instead investigated the closet. Noticing the thinness of the back wall, Corwin pushed and made a head-sized hole. Seeing a tunnel extend beyond, he and Levi excavated the remaining wall and all but Kathryn and Charlotte decided to explore further. The schoolteacher and dilettante were, ostensibly, keeping watch. Neither of them, however, had an qualms about leaving should things sound too violent or pointing fingers at the other Investigators should disruptions arise with the acolytes.
The adventurers proceeded through the tunnel and noticed more of the glittering stones in a variety of colors. Placing profit above care, Ellis pocketed as many stones as he could. In their journey through the passage they managed to spot and disarm a spear trap without harm. Their lack of stealth in their disarming and discussion of the trap attracted the attention of a new sort of foe, a sapphire-scaled lamia-like being that was armed with a sword, throwing spear, and could spit an acidic and venomous stream from its mouth. Though they managed to kill the creature, more were on their way. Corwin took a strange pouch from the creature, Ellis kept the sword and used it to slice off the Serpent Man’s had; Levi grabbed the hand to add to his growing collection of oddities.
The sound of gunfire sent Kathryn and Charlotte back to the guest house before they could be implicated in any wrong-doings against the Church.
After realizing they were outmatched against the Serpent People, the Investigators decided to run. A particularly potent blast from one of the Serpents sent Ellis’s body to the ground, nearly dead. The gambler’s body was carried by Red Dove and Corwin. Levi lit a stick of dynamite, hoping to collapse the tunnel behind them. Though most of the adventurers experienced a ringing in their ears, Red Dove was struck deaf and, once recovered, would find that she had permanent hearing loss in one ear.
The gunfire and explosion roused the acolytes and many of them were waiting for the Investigators when they exited what the Church had assumed was just a closet. In the confusion of attempting to explain their actions while Dr. Blake sustained Ellis’s pulse, Levi held up the hand of the Serpent Man. This caused only more chaos as many acolytes paniced and some fled. All went silent when the temple door opposite the closet opened and Reverend Joseph White appeared. His presense was immediately calming to the acolytes and he sent one of them to escort the missing two investigators so he could have a full accounting.
In the meantime, he displayed miraculous powers. The reverend’s hands glowed yellow and he revived Ellis and cured Red Dove’s temporary deafness—though not the newly acquired hearing loss. With the eight Investigators all back in one room he retrieved the story of what happened. Charlotte, still upset about the loss of her school children and lack of true punishment, indicted Corwin of disrupting the closet’s wall. Joseph White halted the lieutenant’s retort so the school teacher could finish. He then listened to the soldier’s account. He took in the story from all of the investigators and seemed genuinely surprised and concerned about the snake people in the temple’s midst.
Not ones to overlook that they had the attention of the mysterious church leader, the Investigators had questions of their own for Reverend Joseph White. While still evasive about his personal past, the holy man was kind and was forthcoming about the Church and its start in the Dakota Territory. He also stated that his powers were one of transferrence; he took in the wounds of Ellis and Red Dove though at a lesser degree. Having gained some of the trust of the Investigators and given his miraculous powers, Arlene asked the reverend to see to Benn when he was next in town.
The Investigators weren’t sure what to make of the Church of the New Lord. They certainly didn’t seem evil. Though the yellow flowers were suspect and the members could come off as creepy, they didn’t know anything about the monsters in and around their compound. Could they simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time? With much to ponder, the eight spent the night in the compound and were escorted back to town in the morning by Reverend Joseph White. The church leader seemed to cure the young boy who had once been kidnapped by the Nirumbee, but Red Dove was sure she saw a red gleam enter the reverend’s eyes after doing so.
Questions answered and investigation had only brought forth more questions. And, for many of the Investigators, remaining in Virginia City continued to sound like a bad idea.
Keeper’s Thoughts
The scenario was largely driven by the player’s actions and, while I didn’t prompt them to explore tunnels, I didn’t quite scare them away from doing so. The actions instigated me writing my recent Run column.
I felt like we were at a crossroads with the campaign. Had I played too softly with sanity and hit point loss to the point where the players felt more empowered than they probably should in a Call of Cthulhu game? Would players be OK if they lost their characters? I reached out to all my players individually to come to a silent consensus amongst them and also get ideas for what goals and desires they may have.
Following the discussions, I decided to slow the game down a bit. I had been treating every scenario as somewhat self-contained; needing a definitive conflict and resolution for each adventure. With the next session, I’d slow it down. This would allow the players more opportunity for role-play and for me to flesh out some NPCs for interactions; elevating them from nameplates into voices.
Of course, with the holiday season approaching, I’m not sure if we’ll be able to do much gaming in December or January. We’re on for November, though!
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