Month: August 2025

The investigators continued their perilous journey through Shanghai, chasing leads that tied the mysterious Dark Mistress to a powerful cult. Their search led them to Fergus, a wary bartender who revealed the existence of the Order of the Bloated Woman and its feared leader, Ho Fang. After a brief respite of rest and shopping, the group pressed deeper into danger, ultimately breaking into Ho Fang’s warehouse, where new secrets and new threats awaited.

Key Characters Introduced

• Fergus Chum: Bartender at the Stumbling Tiger Bar who distrusts outsiders but eventually reveals information about the local cult.
• The Order of the Bloated Woman: Cult revealed during the session, feared in Shanghai and connected to sinister activities.
• Ho Fang: Powerful Shanghai figure, suspected leader of the cult, with influence tied to a warehouse on the Whangpoo River.

Key Events

1. Observation of the Dark Mistress
   • The group spent the early morning hours watching the ship. They noticed its industrial, reinforced design, very different from other local vessels, and saw it depart Shanghai. This raised immediate suspicion about its purpose and its crew.
2. Following the Crewman into Shanghai
   • Bessie, Virginia, and Ezekiel tailed one of the ship’s men to a house where he entered and extinguished the lights soon after. The team marked the address, giving them a potential lead to pursue later.
3. Meeting Fergus at the Stumbling Tiger Bar
   • At dawn, the party returned to meet Fergus, the bartender tied to their matchbook clue. After some awkward exchanges, Fergus reluctantly shared the cultist’s details with the party, being especially wary of Percy. His information confirmed their suspicions of a larger network in Shanghai.
4. Revelation of the Order of the Bloated Woman
   • Fergus revealed the cult’s name and its leader, Ho Fang. He explained that they controlled the Dark Mistress and spread fear throughout Shanghai. This marked a turning point, providing investigators with a concrete enemy and faction to pursue.
5. Link to Sir Aubrey Penhew
   • A visit to the British Consulate revealed the Dark Mistress was registered to Sir Aubrey Penhew, a member of the infamous Carlyle Expedition believed to be dead. This shocking discovery tied their current investigation back to the global conspiracy.
6. Rest and Resupply at the Palace Hotel
   • After being awake all night, the investigators took much-needed rest. This scene emphasized Call of Cthulhu’s mechanic of exhaustion and gave time for character interactions, including shopping for clothes, books, and supplies.
7. Planning and Suspicion Around Short Round (Li Wen Chen)
   • Doubts grew about their local guide, Short Round, as some investigators suspected his intentions were not entirely trustworthy. Fergus later confirmed that Li Wen was a legitimate guide, but tensions within the party persisted regarding their trust in him.
8. Staking Out Ho Fang’s Warehouse
   • The team discovered Ho Fang’s warehouse along the river. They noticed a second ship, the Luxuriant Goddess, moored nearby. Both the location and the vessel hinted at larger cult operations and wealth.
9. Breaking into the Warehouse
   • Under the cover of darkness, Omar picked the lock to the warehouse. Inside, they discovered multiple offices filled with shipping papers and documents, which Omar photographed. This party believed that cult activity was hidden behind legitimate trade.

Standout Moments

• Omar: Boldly picked the lock to Ho Fang’s warehouse, opening the way for the investigators to uncover hidden evidence of cult operations.
• Virginia: Shined her flashlight to guide the party inside the warehouse, discovered an office full of papers, and set them up for Omar to photograph.
• Ezekiel: Joined Emerson in forming a “book club,” spending downtime poring over Mythos texts, showing his scholarly focus amidst the chaos.
• Bessie: Secured valuable supplies during the shopping trip, including a new dress and essentials like batteries, proving her practicality and foresight.
• Emerson: Stood guard and kept a watchful eye outside and inside the warehouse, embodying his role as the party’s protector during their risky infiltration.
• Percy: Ventured upstairs alone, uncovering a loose stair with light glowing beneath it. His discovery closed the session on a tense cliffhanger, making his moment the most significant.

Session 23 in Shanghai took the investigators deeper into the city’s shadows, where whispered cult names and hidden ledgers hinted at a larger conspiracy. Fergus’s uneasy cooperation confirmed what they had feared: the Order of the Bloated Woman holds sway in Shanghai, with Ho Fang and his warehouse at the center of its influence. Each step drew the party closer to danger, yet also closer to the truth.

The session ended on a knife’s edge, with Percy alone upstairs, discovering a loose stair hiding a strange glow beneath it. What secrets lie beneath Ho Fang’s warehouse, and how far will the cult’s influence reach? The answers await in the next chapter of their perilous journey through Masks of Nyarlathotep.

If you want to get Masks of Nyarlathotep, please click the links below. It helps the channel out if you buy from these links!

Investigators Handbook: https://amzn.to/4fHaRdi

Keeper Rulebook: https://amzn.to/4dilnpG

I use Fantasy Grounds for the automation and Virtual Table Top; please check them out here: http://affiliates.fantasygrounds.com/361781/15958

The investigators finally arrive in Shanghai, following the tangled trail of the Carlyle Expedition and Jackson Elias’s clues. Guided by a new contact, they settle into the city and begin unraveling its dangers. Their search quickly leads them to the Stumbling Tiger Bar, where hidden eyes watch their every move, and then to the docks, where they discover the mysterious ship Dark Mistress. With tensions rising and cult activity lurking in the shadows, the group edges closer to uncovering Shanghai’s dark secrets.

Key Characters Introduced

• Li Wen-Cheng (“Short Round”) – A young Chinese comprador sent by Carlton Ramsey, he meets the investigators at the Shanghai docks with a letter of introduction and offers to act as their translator and guide.
• Fergus Chum, Bartender of the Stumbling Tiger Bar – The cautious and nervous owner who pretends not to know anything about Jackson Elias or the Carlyle Expedition but secretly arranges a meeting after the investigators press him.
• Suspicious Patrons at the Stumbling Tiger Bar – Several shadowy figures scattered through the bar who watch the investigators closely, with one feigning drunkenness while observing the group.
• Guards of the Dark Mistress – British-looking men with unsettling appearances who stand watch over the ship at the Shanghai docks; Omar notices their strange, almost poisoned or unnatural eyes.

Key Events

1. Recap and Arrival in Shanghai
   • The Keeper reviews the journey so far, including the Carlyle Expedition, Jackson Elias’s death, and the cults tied to Nyarlathotep.
   • The investigators disembark in Shanghai, carrying clues such as the matchbook from the Stumbling Tiger Bar and the photo of a mysterious ship.
2. Meeting Meeting Li Wen-Cheng (“Short Round”)
   • At the docks, the group meets Li Wen, a comprador arranged by Carlton Ramsey to serve as translator and local guide.
   • Emerson grows suspicious, but Bessie confirms the legitimacy of his letter through her legal expertise.
   • The party debates whether to trust him but accepts his help for now.
3. Settling into Shanghai and Strange Encounters
   • Li Wen arranges rooms for the investigators at the Palace Hotel, where they enjoy unfamiliar Chinese dishes.
   • Omar discovers and panics over his embarrassing tattoo, providing comic relief.
   • The party begins plotting their first steps in the city, focusing on the clues pointing to the Stumbling Tiger Bar.
4. Visiting the Stumbling Tiger Bar
   • The group locates the Stumbling Tiger Bar using the matchbook found on Jackson Elias, they travel there by riverboat, taking in Shanghai’s bustling harbor along the way.
   • Inside, Omar insults the locals by loudly asking for “sake” instead of ordering baijiu, drawing annoyed stares.
   • Several suspicious patrons are spotted: three individuals scanning the room without drinking, and one man faking drunkenness while watching the party.
   • Emerson and Percy step outside to draft a note, then return to discreetly slip it to the bartender. Percy flubs the roll and Omar distracts one of the watchers by showing off his ridiculous tattoo, which unexpectedly works.
   • The bartender, clearly frightened, whispers a secret meeting time to Ezekiel: 5:00 a.m. the following morning at the bar.
5. Discovery of the Dark Mistress
   • After leaving the bar, the group notices a ship docked nearby with the name Dark Mistress, matching the photo they carried.
   • Omar approaches the guards on patrol at the boat and dock, looking distinctly British yet sickly.
   • The investigators split up: Emerson and Percy stake out the Dark Mistress while the others follow a man leaving the boat.
6. Following A Man
   • Omar spots the man that left the boat slipping into a side street, and the pursuing group follows him to a suspicious house at the edge of Shanghai.
7. Session Close
   • The rain begins to fall as the group debates their next move.
   • The session ends with the investigators poised between two dangerous leads: the guarded ship Dark Mistress and the mysterious house tied to its crew.

Standout Moments

• Virginia – Casually sipping whiskey, she keenly observes that suspicious patrons are watching Bessie and Ezekiel, helping the group spot danger inside the Stumbling Tiger Bar.
• Percy – Joins Emerson in writing and delivering a secret note to the bartender, risking exposure to get vital information.
• Bessie – Uses her legal expertise to confirm the authenticity of Li Wen’s letter, convincing the others that he is a legitimate ally.
• Emerson – Tries to bribe the bartender for information on Jackson Elias, triggering the man’s nervous response and alerting the group to hidden dangers.
• Ezekiel – Receives the whispered message from the bartender, securing a secret meeting time that propels the Shanghai investigation forward.
• Omar – Distracts a suspicious watcher in the bar by flashing his embarrassing tattoo, turning ridicule into a clever diversion that prevents the group from being exposed.

The investigators’ first night in Shanghai proved anything but simple. What began with a cautious welcome from their new guide quickly spiraled into tense encounters at the Stumbling Tiger Bar. Surrounded by hidden eyes and shadowy figures, the group had to rely on sharp instincts, bold improvisation, and even questionable tattoos to avoid disaster. Their persistence earned them a secret meeting and confirmed that Shanghai holds both answers and new dangers.

With the sighting of the mysterious ship Dark Mistress and the trail of a suspicious figure leading into the city, the stakes have risen once again. Shanghai is alive with secrets, and every step could draw the investigators deeper into the web of Nyarlathotep’s cults. The coming session promises confrontation, discovery, and perhaps the unraveling of truths better left hidden.

If you want to get Masks of Nyarlathotep, please click the links below. It helps the channel out if you buy from these links!

Investigators Handbook: https://amzn.to/4fHaRdi

Keeper Rulebook: https://amzn.to/4dilnpG

I use Fantasy Grounds for the automation and Virtual Table Top; please check them out here: http://affiliates.fantasygrounds.com/361781/15958

In this session of Masks of Nyarlathotep, the investigators made a daring escape from Omar’s Egyptian plantation after looting his library and safe for critical clues. Their flight led to a tense, though comically inept, encounter with armed guards before they regrouped at their Cairo hotel. With new leads pointing toward Shanghai, the group secured passage aboard a month-long ocean voyage, where they recovered from injuries, studied forbidden tomes, and stirred up trouble among the passengers by the time they docked in China, madness, obsessions, and uneasy alliances had set in along with the suspicious welcome of a stranger claiming to be sent by an old ally’s lawyer.

Key Characters Introduced

• Short Round – A young Chinese boy who greets the investigators upon arrival in Shanghai, claiming to be sent by Jackson Elias’s lawyer to escort them to their hotel.

Key Events

1. Escape from Omar’s Plantation
   • Guards spot them crossing the grounds, but a series of fumbles leaves the enemies tripping over each other.
   • The party flees back to their Cairo hotel without further incident.
2. Reviewing Clues in Cairo
   • They examine a matchbook from a suspicious bar and a blurry photograph showing a vessel marked “DAR.”
   • Papers reveal Egyptian artifacts being shipped to Ho Fang Import & Export in Shanghai and Randolph Shipping in Australia.
   • Debate ensues over which lead to pursue next, with Shanghai chosen as the destination.
3. Securing Passage to China
   • Mahmoud arranges ship tickets for the party.
   • A booking error nearly sends Percy to Japan instead of China.
   • Percy manages to switch tickets after some fast-talking, though at an extra cost.
4. Life Aboard Ship – Four Weeks at Sea
   • Percy studies Cantonese and tries (unsuccessfully) to charm a passenger.
   • Omar charms the crew, discovers a hidden drug stash, and throws a wild party.
   • Bessie experiments with mysterious substances, improving her pharmacy skills and reprogramming Percy to stop calling her “sir.”
   • Virginia reads Life as a God, uncovering dark lore about the Black Pharaoh and developing a troubling obsession.
   • Emerson studies the Pneumonic Manuscripts, learns a dangerous spell, and suffers a bout of madness.
   • Ezekiel attempts to regain sanity but instead develops a new compulsion.
5. Disappearance and Recovery of Emerson
   • Emerson disappears for several days toward the end of the voyage.
   • Omar and Ezekiel eventually find him hiding in a ship’s bathroom.
   • Emerson emerges with a new mania, Amaxomania, A compulsion or over-desire to be in vehicles, such as automobiles or buses..
6. Arrival in Shanghai
   • The investigators disembark and are approached by a young man named Short Round.
   • He claims to be sent by Jackson Elias’s lawyer to escort them to a prearranged hotel.
   • The session ends with the party following him, uncertain if he is friend or foe.

Standout Moments

• Omar – Discovered the ship’s secret liquor stash, unlocking a trove of booze and other contraband, then hosted an unforgettable party that became the voyage’s highlight.
• Emerson – Immersed himself in the Pneumonic Manuscripts, learned a forbidden spell, and spiraled into a bout of madness that left him hiding in a ship’s bathroom for days.
• Bessie – Conducted bold chemical experiments with mysterious samples and heroin, honing her pharmacy skills while successfully reprogramming Percy to stop calling her “sir.”
• Ezekiel – Tried to restore his sanity through reflection on his archaeological roots, but instead developed a troubling compulsion that will haunt him in future sessions.
• Virginia – Delved deep into Life as a God, uncovering disturbing lore about the Black Pharaoh’s throne room and gaining a new, potentially dangerous obsession.
• Percy – Nearly ended up on the wrong ship bound for Japan, then salvaged the mistake with fast-talking, securing his place on the China voyage alongside the rest of the team.

With their month-long voyage behind them, the investigators arrive in Shanghai carrying more than just luggage. Each member of the party has been transformed by the journey, either acquiring hard-earned skills, making unsettling discoveries, or suffering mental scars that may shape the battles ahead. The camaraderie forged over Omar’s legendary party contrasts sharply with the shadows cast by cursed tomes, creeping obsessions, and bouts of madness that hint at the dangers still lurking on the horizon.

Now, in this bustling and unfamiliar city, a mysterious stranger offers them guidance, but his true intentions remain uncertain. Whether Short Round is a much-needed ally or the opening move in yet another deadly trap, the next chapter of their investigation promises intrigue, peril, and the ever-present influence of Nyarlathotep. The road or rickshaw forward is set, and the fate of the party may hinge on the choices they make next.

If you want to get Masks of Nyarlathotep, please click the links below. It helps the channel out if you buy from these links!

Investigators Handbook: https://amzn.to/4fHaRdi

Keeper Rulebook: https://amzn.to/4dilnpG

I use Fantasy Grounds for the automation and Virtual Table Top; please check them out here: http://affiliates.fantasygrounds.com/361781/15958