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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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..
- 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
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