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