Celestial Darknessv10

8/13/2019 Celestial Darknessv10

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The Celestial DarknessOutstanding questions:

What happens to Duganne? Found frozen, goes violently, temporarily insane, dies of heart attack orjust disappears?

Was the Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge founded in 1878 by ?? from Starry Wisdom. Or was it

founded in 1918 by Rev Malachi Sethom?

Can the two former Starry Wisdom churches be rolled (more credibly) into a single church, the sect

being initiated by Enoch Bowen (1863) who had a house there as well as in Providence. It was then

institutionalized into a church by the young minister Abednego Akeley (1869) who was already

influenced by Bowen [and possibly the Outer Ones]. That church is closed down within a few years

but eventually re-opened by the aging Malachi Sethom as spiritualist church. Walsh can still be

based at the South Windham Church. However, it simply wont have the same secrets. Perhaps it hasa secret basement built by one of the men responsible for shutting down the Starry Wisdom Church.

The basement of the South Wyndham Church leads to a cave with remains of an ancient Indian site

dedicated to the Outer Ones, and possibly also Nyarlathotep and/or Shub Niggurath. Pictographs

show winged red multi-armed beings descending from the heavens or from caves and bearing fire,

lightning, wind or totems of power. Buried in the rubble are ancient human bones with evidence of

human sacrifice. There is also an ancient brain case.

The Nyarlathotep cult associated with the Outer Ones is called The Million Favored Ones.

Letters from Abednego Akeley to the minister of the Chapel of Contemplation in Boston can befound.

Is the church in Providence left with the Trapezohedron and the occult texts intact because of the

command of the leadership or because they are prevented by Elder Signs left by those who raided

the church?

Does Duganne witness ceremonies in the hills on May Eve before he disappears? Or is that Walsh or

the investigators?

Perhaps Duganne also had Henry Akeleys contact details left in his roomwhen he disappeared.

Investigators may assume Akeley has something to do with the disappearance.

Ideas:

Rumours

From asking around, the investigators hear various rumours:

1. There have been witches/Satanists in the area for generations2. There have been a number of disappearances in this part of the state over the past few

years: mostly runaways and vagrants

3. There are devils living in the hills4. During the 19thcentury, local churches were taken over by a Satanic cult. They were

eventually driven away. Some people were burned as witches.5. There are strange standing stones in the hills. No one knows where they came from


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6. Devils living in caves in the wooded hills7. According to their grandparents, in remote places there are devils that speak to people in

strange voices. They sometimes possess people, especially people who live alone on the

higher hills

8. The Old Church at West River Valley is cursed. Bad things happen there due to blasphemousthings that have happened there in the past

The Duganne Incident

Duganne simply disappeared one day. A police investigation found nothing. According to Rev. Walsh

, Duganne was meeting someone who said there were things in the hills he could show him.

Apparently the person wanted to meet at Secluded Spot A [Peaked Mountain Road or the northern

outskirts of Harmonyville]. If the investigators ask enough people, they will find a witness *Name+

who claims to have seen Duganne and this other person meet there. If the person is traced, she will

initially deny all knowledge, then later contact them, admitting it was her. Duganne was

investigating the Satanists in the area. The contact knew about certain standing stones in the hills

that they used for their unholy practices and she took them. Once they arrived, Duganne thanked

her and offered some money which she declined. Duganne said he wanted to look around somemore and asked the contact to go back. That was the last she heard. She did not contact anyone

about it as she was afraid. The Satanists have many eyes and ears she says. And she was afraid

something bad would happen to her. She is not so scared of the investigators as they are from

outside. Psychology to notice that she is nervous or not telling the whole story. If requested, she will

agree to show the investigators what she showed Duganne, but she will stress the need for utmost

discretion. [Walsh wont come] It is actually a trap. She is a member of the Starry Wisdom cult. The

story is almost true. But her story to Duganne lured him discretely into the woods where he was

captured by the cult. She has told her fellow cultists about the situation and they have set up an

ambush. She will lead the investigators into the forested hills, their cars following a rough track. She

will lead them to a real set of standing stones. There are off footprints around if they look. Their

car(s) will be disabled and the cultists will attempt to surround and capture them. They can probablymanage four armed men at short notice.

[Does it matter if this comes before or after the incident at the

priory?]

The Spiritualist Church

1868-1871: The West River Valley Church is a branch of the Starry

Wisdom Church until closed down.

1871-1917: It is restored as a Congregational denomination

church. The church minister Rev. Walter W. Baker apparently goes

insane during a service, rabidly accusing members of the

congregation of being sinners. He beats one woman to death with a

Bible and injures several other congregants before being restrained.

And is subsequently on death row in the State Prison and House of


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Correction in Windsor, Vermont (about 45 miles North of Townshend,

taking around and hour and a half). Potentially he could be

interviewed if the investigators write to him for his consent or

potentially with the cooperation of the state police.

1918-present: The Church is taken over by Rev Sethom as the

Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge

Rev. Malachi Sethom

Rev. Sethom is a white haired old man with a Bostonian accent. He

says that he was born in Vermont, in Claremont to the north. He used

to run a spiritualist church in Boston. He wanted to go somewhere

quieter and return to his roots before he died. [No record of this

man can be found]. In fact he has returned in order to continue the

practices of Starry Wisdom and in order to find a way to avoid true

death altogether. He has established a church here, associated with

the existing cult, and they have captured many people here, taking

them to the Temple of the Gulf to be sacrificed to The Haunter of

the Dark in exchange for secrets of preserving human life. Combined

with his notes, he believes he has perfected the method. He has

built himself a tomb under his house. And Dr Hayes and Mr Noyes have

been trained in the processes. [If he dies during the course of the

investigation this process will kick in] . Who is going to succeed

him?

Anyone seeing his handwriting, who has seen his Michael Thomas

handwriting at the Chapel of Contemplation can make an INTx3 roll to

recognize its familiarity (special success means they recognize it

at Thomass immediately).


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The principles of the Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge

Most of these can be understood by listening to services:

When the Tower of Babel fell and the people started to speak many

different languages, contact with the Divine Principle was lost. A

small group of Magi who had resisted the building of the Tower could

speak the Divine Tongue. They distilled their celestial wisdom

before dispersing around the world especially to Egypt. The

Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge is a successor to that

tradition. Their services include Egyptian Psalms as well as

Christian ones and Bible readings. They have the power to commune

with the Divine Principle directly using Dark Mirrors. During these

ceremonies, participants speak spontaneously in the Divine Tongue.

The Dark Principle shares secret wisdom with them. A new Covenant

had been formed with the Divine. The time had come for ancient

secrets to be revealed to those who are ready, in preparation for a

time when the Primal Unity would be restored. The Church can also

contact the Malakhim or Angels of the Divine Principle who share

wisdom with them. A select number of the faithful are taken up by

the Malakhim into the heavens where they learn the secrets of the

universe and exist forever.

Rev. Sethoms House

Rev Sethom lives in a medium-sized wooden house not far from his

Church.


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The basement of his house has a nearly complete, walled-off area with a laboratory containing

surgical equipment, dessicating chemicals, and preserving balms and notes on Egyptian funerary

practices.

THE BOOK OF THE DEADSanity loss: None; Occult +3; Spells: None

MICHAEL THOMAS NOTEBOOKSin English. These three volumes described Thomas magical

techniques and experiments. Sanity loss 1D4/1D8; Cthulhu Mythos +4 percentiles; Occult skill check;

10 weeks to study and comprehend/20 hours to skim. Spells: Hardness of Flesh (Flesh Ward), various

hypnotic techniques (Dominate), Contact He Who Waits in the Dark (Nyarlathotep), Ectoplasmic

Manifestation.

The centre of the room has a stone sarcophagus on a raised platform. The sarcophagus has maps

of the Otherworld painted on it.

There may also be a brain cylinder here with sensory-vocal apparatus.

Masonic Lodge

There is a Freemasons Hall called Blazing Star Lodge #23 on the road into Townshend. Several

key members of the Spiritual Church of Astral Wisdom and the *Church of the Outer Ways+ are

here and freemasonry is one of the key ways in which they can influence local authorities and

individuals. The Freemasons have no formal allegiance however and the majority of the members

know nothing about it. There is no special evidence to be found at the lodge.

Timeline

1832: Abednego Mesach Akeley is born in Windham County, Vermont

1835: a prosperous merchant builds the 'Corbitt' house, but immediately falls ill and sells it to a

Mr. Walter Corbitt, esquire, the owner of a successful, local furniture shop.


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1843, Egypt: Professor Enoch Bowen, archaeologist and student of the occult, found the Shining

Trapezohedron in the Labyrinth of Kish.

1844: May Professor Enoch Bowen ceases his excavations of Nephren-Ka's tomb upon finding

the Shining Trapezohedron, and returns to Providence. Bowen founds the Starry Wisdom sect,

buying the old Free-Will Church for its headquarters. This cult used the crystal to summon the

Haunter, to whom they made blood sacrifices of infants and children.

1846: Disappearances begin in Providence that rumors link to the Starry Wisdom Church. The

Haunter had decided to allow its links to this realm to grow through these rituals, so that it might

find the most suitable host for its essence. It told its followers it awaited the proper time and place

to come forth in the shape of man.

1849: A minor schism within the Starry Wisdom Church results in Rev. Orin B. Eddy setting up in

an abandoned church in the North End of Boston with financial and practical aid from Walter Corbitt

and with part of the Starry Wisdom Churchs collection of artifacts, occult texts, especially their

collection of Egyptian funerary texts. It is called Chapel of Contemplation & Church of Our Lord

Granter of Secrets. The practices of the Chapel are in the style of a Spiritualist Church with sances,

sometimes aided by sorcery such as Telekinesis or by information gathered from the Haunter of the

Dark in Providence, but mostly through various forms of fakery.

1852: Walter Corbitt is sued by neighbors, who petition to force him to leave the area "in

consequence of his surious [sic] habits an unauspicious demeanor."

The Starry Wisdoms power grew as Bowen received direct guidance from the Haunter. In return

for the blood sacrifices, the Haunter gave the cultists information by means of which they obtained

various artifacts and numerous dread tomes. They collected copies of the Necronomicon,

Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Liber Ivonis, Cultes de Goules, De Vermis Mysteriis, Pnakotic Manuscripts,

and the Book of Dzyan.


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With the aid of certain ancient funerary texts, Orin B. Eddy makes progress rediscovering

Ancient Egyptian techniques for everlasting life.

1858: A growing feud between Orin B Eddy and the main body of the Starry Wisdom Church

ends in the death of Eddy. His body is cremated and buried in the crypt. Rev. Elisha Bishop is placed

in charge of the Chapel of Contemplation. He discovers and continues Eddys Afterlife work.

The Chapel becomes quite influential in Boston due to the patronage of powerful people as well

as access to potentially damaging information on certain influential people.

1863: A branch of Starry Wisdom opens in Townshend, Vermont, opens based at a Dr. Raymond

Flaggs second home under the leadership of Dr. Raymond Flagg. Flagg comes to influence the young

minister Abednego Akeley, who initially challenges him but is impressed by Flaggs dark mirror

invocation of the Divine Principle. [Flagg would have needed a deputy to run this group while he was

in Providence]

At this point, the Starry Wisdom Cult in Providence had over 200 members.

1865: Enoch Bowen dies. Dr Flagg takes over the central sect. Bowens daughter Aseneth is vice-

leader and pastor of the Providence branch. Enoch Bowen is mummified and entombed in the crypts

of the Freewill Church. Whether the rituals designed to maintain life after death were successful or

not is not entirely clear.

1866 Evidently Corbitt wins the lawsuit. His obituary in 1866 states that he still lived in the same

place. It also states that a second lawsuit was being waged to prevent Corbitt from being buried in

his basement, as provided by his will. Executor of Walter Corbitt's will was Reverend Michael

Thomas (age 22), pastor of the Chapel of Contemplation & Church of Our Lord Granter of Secrets.

1868: The Reverend Samuel Shadrach Solomon Akeley, father of Abednego Akeley, dies.

Abednego succeeds him as reverend, but immediately after the funeral he left Vermont and


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travelled in southern New England. On his return, he begins preaching the doctrines of Starry

Wisdom to his flock and converts his church affiliation to the Church of Starry Wisdom. In fact he

was already a convert and was simply awaiting his fathers death to complete his training in

Providence and Boston. The church is renamed as West River Valley Church of Starry Wisdom.

Controversy and scandal follow.

1869: A group of Irish vandalize the Starry Wisdom Church in Providence, apparently in

retaliation for their perceived involvement in kidnapping a fellow.

1871: Abednego Akeley dies at the age of 39 and his church closes. Rev. Akeley was killed by an

unknown assailant. And seriously wounded, he asked to have his brain removed that he might

explore the mysteries of the cosmos. He leaves behind a son, Henry Wentworth Akeley, conceived

hours before his death. The mother is Sarah Elizabeth Phillips, a servant in the Akeleys household.

After Rev. Akeleys death most of the congregation move to Providence, others remain, continuing

to consort with the Outer Ones and passing their secret doctrines from parent to child. In fact Akeley

has had his brain removed by the Outer Ones in order to be initiated to the mysteries of the

universe. Meanwhile, some community leaders are gradually brought under the influence of the

Outer Ones or replaced with those who are already.

A branch of the Starry Wisdom sect in Chicago known as the Celestial Providence sect is

disbanded by the Great Chicago Fire.

1876: Policemen showed up at the Chapel of Contemplations doorstep in search of a sacred

golden box (once the property of Nephren-Ka) from Egypt which had vanished from the British

Museum shortly after Bishop made an unsuccessful bid to purchase it. (This box would eventually

show up in the hands of Rupert Merriweather, with whom it will be found at the start of the

rulebooks The Edge of Darkness scenario.) The authorities, upon searching the Chapel, found the

false panels and secret doors used to stage sances and trick congregants.


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1877 May: The Starry Wisdom cult in Providence is disbanded after threats from the locals. The

cultists leave town by year's end. Aseneth Bowen was commanded by the Haunter to leave the

Shining Trapezohedron in the church for safekeeping. Empowered by the Haunter, Dr. Flagg and

Aseneth Bowen wove a spell casting an aura of dread and fear over the building. The crystal was left

in the church, along with some of the sects library of occult texts. No one in the neighborhood

dared to explore the church. [Alternatively, Elder Signs left on the doorways prevent their re-entry?]

The Townshend and Boston sects are reinforced by refugees from Providence. The Townshend

sect is now about 40 strong, but is forced to practice in secret.

Others migrate to Boston, where they swell the attendance at the Chapel of Contemplation.

Many others head west, to California, where a branch is established in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, remnants of the sect continue secretly in Providence under the leadership of

Aseneth Bowen.

Elisha Bishop dies. While a coffin went into a plot in Mount Auburn, his body rested in a small,

secret chamber beneath the Chapel of Contemplation. Spiritual manifestations within the chapel

picked up considerably, as Bishops spirit made itself manifest. Thomas revives the sect with the aid

of Elisha Bishops spirit.

c. 1880: Ghost stories centering around the former Starry Wisdom Church begin around this

time. A Yorkshire branch of the cult arises, possibly founded by Dr. Raymond Flagg. It is active until

around 1890.

Winter 1881: Marrion Allen, an amateur occultist from Arkham, and leader of a group calling

themselves The Dark Brotherhood joins The Chapel of Contemplation in Boston.

Feb. 1882: Marrion Allen steals two items from the Chapel, both artifacts from the tomb of

Nephren-Ka: a miniature sarcophagus and an ancient Egyptian trumpet.


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August 1883: Marion Allen flees from members of Starry Wisdom to New Orleans where he sells

the Trumpet of Ptah at a curio shop in an attempt to raise funds to flee the country. Soon after, he is

killed by agents of Starry Wisdom on the docks.

1890: By this time, the Yorkshire Starry Wisdom cult has fallen apart. Dr. Flagg seems to have

disappeared after this.

1892: Aseneth Bowen dies. Her body is mummified in a chamber beneath her house in

Providence by Rev. Michael Thomas.

1893: The spell around the original church prevented anyone from entering the building until a

reporter from the Providence Telegram, Edwin M. Lillibridge, possessed of great force of will, made

his way into the building to investigate stories of the church being haunted. He found the crystal and

accidentally summoned the Haunter. The Haunter killed Lillibridge in a failed attempt to merge with

the hapless human.

1895: An edition of De Vermis Mysteriis is supposedly published by Starry Wisdom Press, but no

copies have been found.

1909: Starry Wisdom Press allegedly releases a version of Unaussprechlichen Kulten as well, but

no copies are ever found.

1911: A New Orleans jazz musician and trumpet-maker called Lightning Billy Watkins spots the

Trumpet of Ptah in a curio shop and noting its unusual tones, converts it into a modern trumpet.

1912 Secret raid on the Chapel of Contemplation & Church of Our Lord Granter of Secrets

occasioned by affidavits swearing that members of the church were responsible for the

disappearances of neighborhood children. Chapel is closed. During the raid, three policemen and

seventeen cult members were killed by gunplay or fire. Autopsy reports are singularly undetailed

and uninformative, as though the coroner had not actually performed examinations. Though 54


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members of the church were arrested, all but eight were released. The records hint of illegal

intervention in the proceedings by important local official, offering an explanation of shy stories of

the battle - the biggest criminal action in the city's history - never appeared in print (the existence of

the cult, the details of what was found and the bloodbath that ensued were so embarrassing that

the whole thing was covered up). Pastor Michael Thomas (age 71) was arrested and sentenced to 40

years in prison on five counts of second-degree murder.

Rev. Charles Noyes (who later also becomes a member of the Hermetic Order of the Silver

Twilight) takes charge of the remnants of the Starry Wisdom sect in Boston.

1917 Thomas, aged 73 (quietly tried on four accounts of second-degree murder in 1912, and

sentenced to life in prison) vanishes from his cell one night, leaving two guards torn apart and five

prisoners insane. He uses sorcerystealing copper pipes he making a copper dagger and uses it in a

ritual to summon and then bind a dimensional shambler. Charles Noyes helps Thomas slip away

without a trace. He makes his way to Townshend, Vermont where he opens the Spiritual Church of

Astral Knowledge. Knowing that his end is near, he works determinedly to restore the now-

endangered art of perpetual life.

1919: Lightning Billy Watkins is committed to a mental hospital after mysterious events during a

New Orleans funeral march.

Michael Thomas arrives and begins to preach in region under the pseudonym, Rev. Malachi

Sethom.

Human sacrifice reappears in region. People have begun to disappear in Vermont.

1920: Aleister Crowley's (flawed) English translation of the Black Book of the Skull is published by

Starry Wisdom Press.

1921: Rev. Walsh arrives, hears rumours of strange practices in the area


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1920s: A Los Angeles-area branch of the Starry Wisdom Cult reaches the peak of its popularity,

lasting through the 1930s

New York jazz musician Leroy Turner buys Lightning Billy Watkins unusual trumpet from a curio

shop in New Orleans.

Early 1920s: A branch of the Starry Wisdom Cult is established in Arkham, overseen by Rev

Thomas.

Hears from locals about ceremonies on May Eve

May Eve 1922: Rev. Duganne witnesses ceremonies in the hills

Walsh and Duganne believe there is a survival of witchcraft in the area

Walsh begins to preach against the Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge and to publish sermons

and letters in the press about it

A correspondence possibly begins with one of the investigators. Walsh starts to be spied on and

intimidated. He is not sure who to trust any more.

Walsh asks the investigators to help.

chapter overviews

Prelude: The Chapel of Contemplation

Chapter One: Vermont

Chapter Two: Boston


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Rev Charles Noyes runs a Spiritualist Church in Boston called the Church of Astral Knowledge. He

is also a Son of Yog-Sothoth at the Hermetic Order of the Silver Twilight and a close friend of Carl

Sanford. The doctor' likewise is the vice-leader and a Knight of the Outer Void.

Leads at the Church of Astral knowledge might include the location and significance of the Free-

Will Church and some secret that is kept there. Rev. Noyes will also have a key that gives access to

Round Hill/Dark Mountain.

Chapter Three: Providence

The investigators enter the Free-Will Church and retrieve an item that gives them access to

Round Hill.

Chapter Four: Return to Vermont: Facing the Outer Ones

The investigators enter Round Hill. What can they achieve? They cant defeat the Outer Ones.

They can gain understanding.

The Outer Ones worship two primary entities: Shub-Niggurath (especially on May Eve) whos

help they need for good reproductive success. And Nyarlathotep in the form of The Haunter in the

Dark. In their colony in Dark Mountain they are able to summon him in a deep black hole called The

Dark Gulf.

Prelude: The Chapel of ContemplationThe Haunting (with appropriate cluea letter from Abednego Akeley (at that time of a

Congregational Church in Townshend) regarding visiting them before moving onto Providence: he is

to spend time with Pastor Michael Thomas as part of his education, before completing it in

Providence)

The Corbitt House


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Corbitt DiaryFound in the old Corbitt Mansion, Boston. The three volumes are in plain

English, though sometimes strangely phrased. Accounts of his occult experiments, morbid sacrifices

of children, magic rites and summonings, his ambition to surpass the boundaries of mortality,

reports of law suits waged against him (protectors in high places). Corbitt sees himself as a servant

of He Who Waits in the Dark. Details of involvement with Chapel of Contemplation. Mentions Starry

Wisdom in Providence. 'Shining crystal' and describes communing with 'He Who Waits in the Dark'

who grants his followers profound secrets in return for sacrifices (esp children). Mentions names

Prof Bowen and Dr Flagg. Box found in Egyptian ruins. Haunter summoned up in darkness, can't

tolerate light. Mentions rivalry or split between Eddy and Flagg, and death of Eddy. Mentions On

Resurrection by Enoch Bowen. Also discusses his work with Rev Orin B. Eddy, Rev Elisha Bishop and

Rev Michael Thomas on Ancient Egyptian methods for establishing eternal life and their

mummification of Enoch Bowen somewhere in Providence . Sanity loss 1/1D8; Cthulhu Mythos +4

percentiles; Occult skill check; 10 weeks to study and comprehend/20 hours to skim. Spells:

"Summon Walker of the Planes" (Summon/Bind Dimensional Shambler). There's no further

elaboration on the nature of this entity. This spell takes 2D6 weeks to learn after the diaries are

read, likely too long to be useful in this adventure.

The Chapel of Contemplation


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What is left of it stands at the end of a crooked, dingy street. The ruins of it are so weathered

and so overgrown with greenery that the gray stone rubble seems more like natural stone than

former walls and foundation. The investigators pass a slumping wall bearing white-painted symbols,

apparently freshly swabbed -- three Y's arranged in a triangle so that the top elements of each Y

touch the other two Y's. In the center so-created is painted a staring eye. When the investigators

near the signs, they begin to feel irritated tingles in their foreheads, like headaches but not quite.

While they remain near the chapel, they continue to feel this, and finally cannot wait to get away

from the area. When they leave, the irritation stops.

Prowling the chapel, they find mostly blocks of granite, half-burnt rotted timbers, and ancient

rubbish.

Location Key

Ground Floor:This floor is almost completely destroyed. Fire and time have reduced it to a

scattering of bricks, a few remnants of charred walls and blackened timbers. Most of the roof is


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completely absent or lying collapsed on the ground. There are no doors remaining. Grasses and

weeds grow up through the ground, hiding the decayed floorboards beneath.

1.An empty doorway leads to the first open area. Over a low wall lies the remains of a

washbasin and a toilet.

2. The largest space here. Under a collapsed section of roofing is the remains of a central

pedestal and the remains of black paint that once covered it.

On the wall on the left is painted a symbola stylized representation of the Three Lobed Eye. It

was created quite recently by Charles Noyes and Dr Hayes with white paint. It is intended to show

that the sect survives.

Spot Hidden reveals the remains of some words on the walls of no known language (and now

unintelligible).

At some point they become aware that the earth they stand on is covering weakened

floorboards: call for D100 rolls equal to or less than DEX x4. Those who get failing rolls are unable to

grab something secure when they feel the floor give way. They fall ten feet into the basement. Each

falling investigator loses 1D6 hit points. They end up in area 10.

If the floor is excavated, Spot Hidden reveals a decayed trap door which would have to be dug

through leading to the passage below.

3. This passage once led from beneath the central stage in Area 2 to the secret stage effects in

Room 5. The passage is partially filled with earth and water. Some of the controls leading to Area 5

are here.

4. The wall on the right hand side has collapsed revealing Room 5. Spot Hidden and Mechanical

Repair reveal that this wall once opened with an unusual pivot system.


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5. This room contains the rusted remains of several machines of unknown function. Mechanical

Repair and an Idea Roll may reveal that they included various special effects machines. Well buried

under these remains is a trapdoor are the stairs to the inner circle meeting room (Room 8). Again,

the floor would need to be excavated in order to find this.

6. Empty. Excavating the floor turns up a trapdoor to areas 9 and 10.

7. Empty. A stairway completely choked with debris at one end leads down into area 8.

8. Basement:Sealed off from the rest of the underground areas, this area contains a furnace,

a bookshelf and a few pieces of broken furniture.

Secret Basement

This part of the basement was sealed off from the rest, reached by separate stairs now buried

under tons of rubble.

10. Prison: In front of where the investigators land is a locked cell with rusted floor-to-ceiling

bars. The cell-door is ajar and iron. Scratches on the walls remain. The doors at either end are made

of iron. Spot hidden reveals traces of bone, which forensic examination will reveal to be human.

9. Chained to a pedestal at one side of this area is a large book. Examination proves it to be a

Latin work, De Vermis Mysteriis. It is the prize of those who can break the chain (STR 30) or carry the

pedestal out of the building (characters STR versus 36 on the resistance table to liftup through to

the outside world, no more than 3 characters may work together). No lock is present; the chain is

literally welded to the pedestal.

On an ancient-looking table, next to a silver candelabra, rests a cup carved from black onyx,

among the muck on the floor is a six-inch, large-gauge needle.

There is a blocked trapdoor visible in the ceiling (STR 30 to open).


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The bookshelf holds mostly works on theology, Middle Eastern and Egyptian archaeology, and

spiritualism in various shades of disrepair. An Occult, Archaeology, or Theology (replace with an Idea

roll by a clergyman if that skill is not relevant) establishes that the books on that particular topic are

largely out of date. Those who go through the books systematically find the three volumes of

Michael Thomas notes masquerading as copies of the Proceedings of the Society of Scholars of

Biblical Rectitude.

In a file cabinet, (with Locksmith to open) is an extensive set of notes on many prominent

members of the community at that time. An Accounting roll turns up the organizations mundane

expenses, which are unremarkable save for a great deal of donations from unspecified sources,

payments for a safe deposit box (where the leader keeps On Resurrection).

Library Use reveals the following items:

A journal of cult activities states that Walter Corbitt was buried in the basement of Corbitt's

house "in accordance with his wishes and with the wishes of that one who waits in the

dark.

A letter (Providence postmark) from Dr Raymond Flagg to Orin B Eddy, pertaining to the

dispute that existed between them at this time

A letter (Townshend postmark) from Rev. Abednego Akeley about arrangements for an

upcoming visit lasting for two weeks, after which the sender plans to spend 6 weeks in the

church in Providence.

A drawing of a golden sarcophagus-shaped box (The Sarcophagus of Nephren-Ka)

A photograph of Marion Allen with his name scribbled on the back

11. A spiritual connection between this realm and the realm of The Haunter has been created

here. Anyone who enters the room sees lights, even electric ones, dim. For every few minutes spent

in the room, a Sanity roll of 0/1 should be made.


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A low stone slab occupies the center of this room, with a few small wooden tables around it. At

one end is a large, dark mirror, now cracked. The walls are painted with Egyptian hieroglyphs;

appropriate skill rolls (Hieroglyphs or halved Archaeology) establish that these are funerary texts.

Within the this room are two skeletons dressed in fragment or silk robes, perhaps cultists who

hid from the police and then perished in the fire.

11B. Buried beneath this chamber is the secret tomb of Elisha Bishop who haunts the Chapel in

much the same way that Walter Corbitt haunts his house. He will become active only if he feels his

entombment is threatened.

DE VERMIS MYSTERIIS (incomplete)in Latin, by Ludwig Prinn. This worm-eaten folio was

copied imperfectly, and after further damage over the centuries is missing great portions of the text.

It describes itself as containing "spells and enchantments", particularly those that can summon

strange entities. One such spell, included in a "chapter dealing with familiars," summons a "shambler

from the stars. It contains references to "such gods of divination as Father Yig, dark Han, and

serpent-bearded Byatis. The author "awesomely implies his knowledge" of Nyarlathotep, "the oldest

god of all Egypt". There is a chapter called "Saracenic Rituals", which is said to have "revealed the

lore of the efreet and the djinn, the secrets of the Assassin sects, the myths of Arabian ghoul-tales,

the hidden practices of dervish cults" and "the legends of Inner Egypt". It describes cults of Bubastis

and Sebek, and on the Pharaoh Nephren-Ka's worship of Nyarlathotep. Prinn's chapter on divination

has some information on "The Star of Sechmet", a mysterious crystal. An invocation from the book:

"Tibi, magnum Innominandum, signa stellarum nigrarum et bufaniformis Sadoquae sigillum ("To you,

the great Not-to-Be-Named, signs of the black stars, and the seal of the toad-shaped Sadoquae").

Sanity loss 1D2/1D4; Cthulhu Mythos +5 percentiles; 18 weeks to study and comprehend/ 36 hours

to skim. No usable spells.


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THE SOCIETY OF RATIONAL CONTEMPLATION COURSE IN SPECULATIVE PHILOSOPHYin English,

French and Spanish editions. Twenty-four cheap, paper-bound volumes available as a

correspondence course covering such topics as secret societies, telepathy, astral projection, yoga,

and root races. Aspects of the Mythos are alluded to, but never fully revealed. The reading time

given does not include the time for mailing and to finish the examinations and exercises that

must be reported for the next section to be sent. Sanity loss 0/1D4; Cthulhu Mythos +2 percentiles;

two Occult skill checks, one halfway through reading; 12 weeks to study and comprehend/24 hours

to skim. No spells.

THE BOOK OF THE DEADSanity loss: None; Occult +3; Spells: None

Chapter One: Vermont

plot background

Rev. Bill Walsh , a feisty clergyman, realizes that there is something sinister about the practices

of a new spiritualist, evangelical sect here called the Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge at the

West River Valley Church. He observes their services and some of their suspicious activities. He can

find no trace of the history of the minister, Malachi Sethom, except that he was ordained by a

spiritualist minister in Boston, named Charles Noyes. After reporting some of these problems to the

main church-body, he is joined by a second ministerRev. Bradford Duganne.

On May Eve Duganne sees a group leaving the church and heading for the hills, he follows them

and observes them from a distance, engages in a strange ceremony around some standing stones on

a remote hilltop.Both ministers hear local folklore of devilish creatures living in the hills and

consorting with humans. Walsh begins to preach against the sect, declaring that it is in league with

Satan.

Involving the investigators:


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A story about Rev. Walsh sclaims of a coven of witches in league with the Devil (or devils) is

printed in the Boston Herald. One of the investigators (an anthropologist or investigator of the

occult or simply someone who previously found evidence of a sect in Townshend) could contact

Walsh after reading the story. At a cuttings agency, he would also be able to track down previously

published letters in the Brattleboro Reformer. He may decide to travel to Vermont to investigate. If

so, by the time he arrives Rev. Duganne will be dead.

If that is not enough, the investigators will soon read about Dugannes death in the newspaper.

If in contact with Walsh at this point, he will send them a letter or telegram asking for help.

Game Events

Reverend Walsh s Story

The Investigators arrive and are given further details by the Minister. They will be told of the

Duganne incident if they dont already know about it.

Lines of enquiry

Visiting Rev. Duganne and his doctors

[Depends on details of incident]

Libraries, Newspapers and rumours

West River Valley Church

1817: Church built as Congregational (Protestant) church.

1861: Pastor of church [NAME] mysteriously goes berserk during sermon and attacks

parishioners. He is admitted to asylum. Church lies dormant.

1863: Church purchased by Dr. Raymond Flagg from Providence. Church is renamed Starry

Wisdom West River Valley Church.


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23/46

[Detail events]

A Call for help

The Reverend requests their help. The remote church compound (South Windham church) is cut

off by snow (its January). Investigators may have to walk there, or if they drive their cars are

disabled. It is surrounded by something. The phone line is cut. The heating system breaks down.

They receive phone calls tempting them to help then threatening them, then tempting them again

to hand over the minister.

If they do, the minister disappears and then reappears a changed man. If they dont then the

temperature continues to drop. Anyone going outside faces gunfire and spotlights as well as freezing

air. The minister suggests that it may be warmer/safer in the basement. They go down some steps

and through a door. Looking for something heavy to block the door, someone moves an ancient

bookcase revealing a hidden door. They pass through into a cobwebbed chamber containing two

mysterious cylinders, documents showing that under Rev Abednego Akeley the church was part of a

church called Starry Wisdom based in Providence. The minister realizes that from 1868 to 1871 his

own church was a branch of the sinister Starry Wisdom sect of Providence and that the Spiritual

Church of Astral Knowledge may be a manifestation.

There is another door which leads to a crypt containing human remains. There may also be

remains of an ancient Indian worship site. It may include pictures of strange winged messengers.

There is a third door leading to the church building itself, from which they can make their escape.

They can also simply shelter in the chamber.

Later they find strange footprints in the snow and how oddly localized the extreme weather was.

Around this time the minister is contacted by a retired folklorist named Henry Akeley (the name

will ring a bell) who has his own experiences, evidence and theories about the cult in the area.

Akeley is not a man of action and likes to keep a low profile but he will share what he knows with


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those he trusts. By speaking with Henry Akeley, the characters will learn the old stories about

creatures in the hills. If they earn his trust he will play them the recording he made a few years

earlier near the mouth of the cave. He can give them directions to find the mouth of the cave. It is

closed with a 20 ton boulder. He will also tell them he has heard of standing stones in the hills.

If not already captured, there will be another attempt to capture (or failing that kill the minister).

He disappearsand reappears again apparently having had some sort of stroke and/or religious

experience. Now confined to a wheelchair, he says that the sect in fact speaks the word of God. He is

flanked by a local nurse called Nurse Brown and at times by a Bostonian friend called Charles

Noyes. He attempts to persuade the investigators to join him and the Spiritual Church of Astral

Knowledge. If they refuse he speaks against them. If confronted about the Outer Ones, he says that

they are real but want to share their wisdom. He invites them to travel the stars with the Outer

Ones. He has brain cylinder (who? Abednego Akeley or someone else?) who claims to have

witnessed all sorts of wonders in space. If they still refuse, his friends appear and they try to

overcome the investigators.

The investigators may find strange standing stones in the hills with odd markings on them. They

may see strange footprints around them or on certain nights even witness strange ceremonies of the

Outer Ones there. They are also used by the Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge for special

initiation ceremonies and festivals at which one or more Outer One may make an appearance

(perhaps wrapped in robes much like an angel?).

Rev. Sethoms House

The investigators may wish to confront Michael Thomas or investigate his house. His possessions

include keys to open the gate to Dark Mountain in the cellar of the Church and a key that opens the

Boulder Entrance and the Spring Entrance.

Rev Malachi Sethom (Michael Thomas), Age 79 in 1923


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STR 12 CON 14 SIZ 15 INT 17 POW 18

DEX 15 APP 17 EDU 14 SAN 0 HP 15

Damage Bonus: +1D4

Weapons: Sacrificial Knife 60%, damage 1D4+2+db.Derringer 45%, damage 1D6.

Skills: Bargain 45%, Cthulhu Mythos 15%, Fast Talk 70%, Occult 50%, Persuade 75%, Psychology 65%,

Sleight of Hand 55%

Armor: Thomas has usually put five magic points into Flesh Ward for the day. Seeing him shrug off a

cut or stab costs 0/1 Sanity.

Spells: Contact Deity/Nyarlathotep, Contact Mi-Go, Dominate, Ectoplasmic Manifestation, Flesh

Ward, Summon/Bind Dimensional Shambler, Telekinesis.

Background

Following esoteric knowledge granted by the Haunter in the Dark at the Free-Will Church in

Providence, Dr. Raymond Flagg travelled to Dark Mountain in Vermont and made contact with the

Haunters followers the Outer Ones. On that night, a pact of alliance was made between the Starry

Wisdom Sect and the Outer Onesthe Starry Wisdom sect would further the interests of the Outer

Ones in the human realm, protecting their secrecy and bringing them more human followers ; the

Outer Ones would protect the Starry Wisdom sect, give them access to esoteric knowledge and

would take selected initiates into the cosmos with them. Flagg bought a house in Townshend and

began to preach the Starry Wisdom doctrines to the locals there. One of those influenced by him

was the young Abednego Akelely.

Rev. Michael Thomas escaped from prison in 1917 by making a copper dagger out of stolen

pipes and summoning a dimensional shambler. With the help of covert members of the Starry

Wisdom sect in Providence, Chicago and Vermont, under the pseudonym Pastor Malachi, he

establishes an Evangelical churchin Arkham and re-establishes the Starry Wisdom chapel in


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Townshend in another guise. A second priestRev. Robert Gillis an ordained Protestant minister

and leads the Arkham sectMichael Thomas is careful about travelling much in Massachusetts.

The evangelical sect that appears in Townshend seems to be an independent evangelical sect

called the Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge. Many of the locals here are descended from those

who fled from Providence in 1877 and the surnames Bowen and Flagg, as well as the first names

Enoch, Raymond and Aseneth.The sect partially controls the village and the surrounding area. It

worships Nyarlathotep in the form of the Haunter in the Dark as well as serving his Celestial Host

the Mi-Gowho similarly worship The Haunter and have a large mining colony in the mountains

near here. They have a significant collection of mythos and occult texts, a body of esoteric

knowledge passed down from encounters with the Haunter in Providence, and a few artifacts gifted

by the Outer Ones. Collectively they also have a significant armory of conventional weapons.

The revived sect appears to be provisionally Protestant but is in fact a revival of the Starry

Wisdom sect, teaching the tenets of that creed in a coded form. The sect is led by a cleric called

Pastor Malachi (aka Rev. Michael Thomas ). Pastor Malachi begins to preach in Townshend. He

seems to have paperwork indicating that he is a protestant minister but it is forged. He preaches

what appears to be esoteric or spiritualist evangelical Christianity.

The cult has a superficial appearance of being an ordinary church but like some other rural

churches in Vermont has some queer customs. The sect focuses around the granting of esoteric

secrets from their Lord and has a hierarchical structure of an Outer Flock and two Inner Circles.

Using esoteric knowledge passed through the generations a few select initiates known as Wizards

have achieved a kind of prolonged lifea mummification process which actually more resembles a

living death. Other initiates are rewarded for their life of service with The Celestial Rapture or

joining the stars. This involves being taken away by the Outer Ones to have their brains removed

and placed in metal canisters which keep the brain alive more-or-less indefinitely and which can

survive the journey through space to the planet Yuggoth or Moon Colony. In fact, unknown to the


27/46

cult members, the Outer Ones, being quite indifferent to humanity, are quite neglectful and the

majority of these Chosen people are either incinerated or after being placed in brain canisters are

abandoned in storage rooms in the colony. Enough Celestial Voyagers return however with stories of

their travels to inspire the faithful.

The minister of the main church in TownshendRev. Michael Hewitt Walsh speaks out about

this as a false teaching and he sends Dilbert Gogarty, the Lay Preacher, to investigate this new

minister. Rev. Walsh challenges Pastor Malachi on more than one occasion as to his origins. Malachi

is cagey (and worried). Meanwhile Gogarty travels to Brattleboro and Boston but is unable to find a

record of Malachi's religious education or history. He witnesses services taking place at

Rev. Walsh strikes up a correspondence with Rev. Rudolph Braswell, a minister in Brattleboro,

and soon there are stories in the Brattleboro papers about this religious rivalry and claims that they

are in league with Satan, witches etc. There may be hints about their coded doctrines: ascension into

the heavens for the faithful, gifts of great secrets and powers from the Celestial Lord, visits from

'Angels' etc. The two ministers vow to do something about the new sect and are in the process of

appealing for help from the Church.

Rev. Braswell, in Brattleboro, also keeps a journal of his correspondence and thoughts and

continues to publish outraged letters and articles in the Brattleboro Reformer about this new sect.

Meanwhile, Gogarty finds out deeper secrets of the history of the Chapel and the Starry Wisdom

sect and he hears stories of mysterious voices in the woods.

He also spies on a service held by Pastor Malachi. The Pastor appears to have miraculous

powers. Among other things, during a spiritualist-style ceremony, he summons the spirits of people

who have supposedly 'ascended to the Heavens' and has them speak from inside a wooden box.

Although their voices are strange, they seem to be recognised by others and relate incredible tales


28/46

of being carried by wondrous beings called the Outer Ones to a fantastic city of light in the

mountains. And then travelling through the cosmos to other worlds.

He also sees a group leaving the Chapel after sunset on a moonless night and heading into the

hills. He is later found on top of a nearby mountain, frozen to death.

There are articles in the Brattleboro Reformer about this mysterious event. Rev. Walsh suspects

that this is not an accident and writes to Rev. Braswell about it.

Rev. Walsh continues to investigate the church, the history of Michael Thomas, the history of

Abednego Akeleys church in Townshend and links to stories of witchcraft and strange creatures in

the hills.

Rev. Walsh becomes more convinced of the danger as he approaches the truth and witnesses,

firsthand the footprints, voices, standing stones in the hills as well as the true identity of Pastor

Malachi. The second clergyman may have been publishing rants about the sect for a while and then

becomes silent as he realizes the nature of what hes up against.

Hook:

In Brattleboro there are stories of a controversial new evangelical sect in Townshend. The local

minister claims they are in league with the devil. Remarkably the minister has had a conversion

experience. A minister from Battleboro who went to visit him has now disappeared.

A story like this might reach as far as New York.

There are also leads to Vermont in the Chapel of Contemplation:

A Brattleboro receipt near the paint pot

Church records from the 19thcentury that include letters from branches of the Starry

Wisdom Church in Providence, Chicago and Townshend


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At this point, the players may enter a correspondence with Rev. Braswell. He will offer to

recommend their help to Walsh if they express and interest in investigating

Suddenly Rev. Walsh goes quiet and then word gets out that he has had a stroke. He also relates

a profound religious experience that transformed his life. He makes comparisons with Paul on the

road to Damascus. An angel appeared to him and revealed the truth. Saying that there was a place in

the Heavens for him if he stopped preaching against the new sect. He is now preaching the benign or

benevolent nature of the new sect and wishes to hand the church to the new sect. He invites Rev.

Braswell to Townshend for a great revelation.

In actual fact Walsh , seen as too much of an ongoing threat to the new sect, was kidnapped

(from his house? His car?) and has been replaced by an Outer One.

[Braswell will write to the investigators of this in an alarmed way and mention that he is going

to Townshend to investigate immediately]

Rev. Braswell goes to investigate. Rev. Walsh is now confined to darkness and pushed around in

a wheelchair by a somewhat sinister doctor from Boston called Doctor Clarence Hayneswho claims

to have saved Walsh s life and who never leaves his side. His speech and movement appear to be

affected. There are other rural and urban charactersincluding a farmer called Walter Brown and

a well-bred Bostonian called Mr. Noyes who seem to linger around the house. At Walsh s house,

Braswell is told that Walsh will surely be ascending to the Heavens and he is made an offer to join

the sect. He refuses and tries to leave. The Outer-One posing as Walsh kills him.

Townshend, Vermont

[link to historical photos of Townshend:http://www.townshendvt.org/collection.html]

Overview

Dark Mountain
http://www.townshendvt.org/collection.htmlhttp://www.townshendvt.org/collection.htmlhttp://www.townshendvt.org/collection.htmlhttp://www.townshendvt.org/collection.html


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This is the mountain to the south of Townshend.

Round Hill

This is a domed mountain to the east of Townshend.

West Townshend

Churches in Townshend

Townshend Church (?)

Common Road

The minister of this church is partially under the influence

of the cult via the Freemasons, but it is a regular Christian

church and there is no direct connection to the story.

South Windham church (Baptist, 1850)3264

Windham Hill Road, West Townshend.


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A Congregational church (protestant)

West River Valley Church (1817, aka The Old Church)

Now Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge details below. Next door is a building that includes

a small store and a post office.

Windham Congregational Church

(north of West Townshend)

Congregational church (United Church of Christ) in Newfane

(back towards Brattleboro)

When the investigators arrive in Townshend they find that Rev. Braswell has been discovered

dead of a heart attack. Dr Haynes and the others will protect the body from further investigation

(using mind-control sorcery if necessary). The body will be taken to a funeral home in Brattleboro

until the funeral a few days later. If they are able to investigate the body, there are unusual burn

marks on the skinon both hands and on the soles of the feet. (Medicine or First Aid to recognize

these marks as characteristic of electrocution).

The local police are to some extent under the influence of the sect and are not interested.

Walsh s Journal a critical clueis located under the seat of Walsh s car *how to ensure they

find it?+. Other important evidence would be Braswells letters from Walsh which are still in

Braswells study. Within two days, Walter Brown will be sent to try to retrieve these.


32/46

Now of course the Brattleboro Reformer carries stories of the untimely death of its contributor

and speculates as to whether it is suspicious or not.

If Walsh is interviewed he says that he will be ascending to Heaven soon and how wonderful it

will be. Wont the investigators join him? He promises them all sorts of esoteric knowledge, hinting

at sorcery and travel to mysterious celestial spheres.

Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge (West River

Valley Church)

The church is on the main West River Road from Townshend,

on the river side. It dates from 1817. This was originally the main

church in Townshend.

Dr. Raymond Flagg started a branch of the Starry Wisdom sect

in Townshend in 1863. 1871 the sect officially closed and an

attempt was made to re-open the church. The church was

unpopular however due to its reputation. A new Protestant

church was built in Townshend. The West River Valley Church was then used for about a decade as a

Methodist Church, but was again abandoned for similar reasons. It has been abandoned since 1905,

until Rev. Malachi and Rev. Gill refurbished it.

At first glance this appears to be an ordinary village church. The Chapel has a bad reputation

and people avoid it. Close inspection reveals that the cross above the altar on the stained glass

windows is a shining star, those windows also bear a curious three-lobed eye symbol and images of

people being borne away by unusual, many-limbed angels.

Behind the church, beyond some trees, and a swampy area, is an island in a bend in the West

River. There are a number of boulders in the river on either side of the island, making it possible to

ford here and cross over to the area of Dark Mountain.


33/46

The basement contains a number of mythos texts including Latin and several copies of the new

English versions of The Book of Eibon and De Vermis Mysteriis, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, plus

Aleister Crowley's (flawed) English translation of the Black Book of the Skull, all published by Starry

Wisdom Press (registered office in Romania).

Also in the basement are two brain cylinders containing the immortal souls of initiates who

have returned from the Heavens (names and details). On certain occasions they are brought up to

the altar and attached to the Speaking Device which allows them to tell tales of their wonderful

journeys and the sights they have seen (the Mi-Go colony in Vermont, the Moon, Outer Space and

Yuggoth). These minds are now quite unhinged. They also suffer from a profound longing to return

to the stars. (What will they say if re-attached ?). These minds also possess a significant degree of

cthulhu mythos knowledge.

There are also symbols of the Tri-Lobed Eye and artwork of people being taken by multi-armed

angels whose faces are a mass of coloured light and of people travelling among the stars. A church

record describes Aseneth Bowen commanded by Our Lord Granter of Secrets to protect the Free-

Will Church (i.e. the Trapezohedron) until the time is right. There is also correspondence with Rev.

Robert Gills branch of the sect which he is establishing in the old Bayfriars Church (540 E Church St,

Arkham, location #714).

In the basement is a series of vaults and tunnels that contain brain canisters and communication

equipment that goes with it. Perhaps the investigators surprise two Outer Ones inspecting or

repairing the vaults or preparing something, (Reverend Thomas is that you?one of them buzzes)

they are unarmed workers but could try to use mining equipment to defend themselves. The door to

the Outpost is a heavy sarcophagus lid in a crypt, and it has been left open by the Outer Ones. There

is also a tunnel leading a few hundred meters away to Round Hill Burial Ground where it exits in a

locked crypt.


34/46


35/46

Conclusion:

Killing Malachi or otherwise disrupting the sect. Sanity reward = ?

Closing off the tunnel in the old church

Destroying the old church

Key Characters

Rev. Walsh

Walsh appears to have had a stroke. [Unless they can examine him, Critical Medicine to spot

that this is not true]. The real Walsh has been replaced by an Outer One. He is covered in gown and

a scarf. His face appears to move very little and his speech is affected. He is unable to abide light of

any brightness. Even moderate light will cause him pain and half his skills. When necessary, this

Outer One carries an electric gun under Walsh s gown.

Dr. Haynes

Middle-class Bostonian cultist and sorcerer.

Walter Brown

Rural cultist and sorcerer. Sandy hair? Lives in a rundown hillside place near the deep woods.

Aseneth Bowens son.

Reverend Charles Noyes

Middle-class Bostonian cultist and sorcerer.

Pastor Malachi

A 79 year old sorcerer and an old friend of Walter Corbitt.

Henry Akeley


36/46

To the south of Townshend is Henry Akeleys farm. A trim, white house with two storeys and an

attic, built around 1800. The lawn is well-kept with a stone bordered path leading to a Georgian

doorway.

At this time he has a housekeeper.

A retired anthropologist from the University of Vermont. The folklorist is present in his house on

the side of the hill and is already gathering information about the strange creatures of the area. He

has a recording made in 1915 near the mouth of a cave of buzzing and human voices. Akeley cannot

be persuaded to join the characters investigation but he is willing to show them where the cave is.

There are indeed footprints there.

He also has photographs of a footprint of an Outer One, the mouth of a woodland cave blocked

by a round boulder with similar tracks in front of it and another of a circle of standing stones on the

summit of a wild hill

Researching the starry wisdom cult

Library use will reveal each of the following points:

The Starry Wisdom was started by a Professor Enoch Bowen in 1844. The main sect was

located at the Free-Will Church, Federal Hill, Providence.

Looking up Enoch Bowen uncovers an 1844 article by a rival archaeologist. This

archaeologist claimed that the study of archaeology had to be maintained as a science, and

should not be used as a cover for opportunists and adventurers to exploit the population. He

cited Enoch Bowen as a prime example of the latter sort of archaeologist.

He said Bowen was an occultist who was more interested in starting a cult than serving

science. He detailed how Bowen claimed to have found the ancient tomb of a forgotten

pharaoh, and brought forth a crystal that shines in the dark. A successful Cthulhu Mythos


37/46

roll suggests that the reference might be to the fabled Shining Trapezohedron of Nephren-

Ka. The skill user also recalls that the crystal could supposedly summon a demon of darkness

that enjoyed blood sacrifices of children.

With successful Luck and Library Use rolls, an interesting book is uncovered. Mystical Sects,

published in 1857, lists numerous cults across the United States, including a small entry for

the Starry Wisdom Sect. They owned a crystalfound in Egypt. They held this object sacred,

and by gazing upon it, the members believed they could call up a being known as the

Haunter of the Dark, who shared dread secrets with the faithful. This being could be

summoned only in absolute darkness, and if it was exposed to light for any period of time, it

would be banished.

July 1844 The Providence Bulletin mentions the purchase of the Free-Will Church on Federal

hill by Professor Bowen. The Italian community is outraged due to the cults location. A

priest named OMalley of Spirito Santo Church claimsthe cult worships the Devil himself.

August 1853 The Providence Bulletin mentions an investigation into the Starry Wisdom sect.

The investigators find no connection to the disappearances of numerous children in the

area.

October 1865 The Providence Bulletin notes the death of Professor Enoch Bowen from

natural causes. A surviving daughter, Aseneth Bowen, is mentioned.

March 1872 The Providence Bulletin publishes a story concerning witch cult rumors among

the Italian populace of Federal Hill. The article hints at blood sacrifices by an unnamed cult in

the region, but no arrests or indictments have been made.

April 1877 The Providence Bulletin includes a small item on the forced break-up of the Starry

Wisdom by the authorities. It refers to public pressure on the authorities to enforce this

closure.

June 1878 A book written by Father OMalleyis found, The Coming of the Beast. It details

numerous theories regarding the prophecies of the Antichrist. It lists the cult of the Starry


38/46

Wisdom as modern day Satan worshippers who desire the Beast to rule the earth. Much of

the information found in the Antichrist Themessidebar on pages 160 161 is contained

within, except of course for information dated after the books publication.

Investigators going to Providence to search for the Free-Will Church will find the place much

as Blake finds it in the story Haunter of the Darkgo to the Providencechapter for more

details.

Investigators may want to check out the church records of Spirito Santo in Providence.

Father Angelo is the present priest of Spirito Santo. He will allow investigators to see the

records with a Persuade roll. He himself has heard only rumors of the evil cult. Reputedly,

they worshipped the Devil. He helps investigators find Father OMalleys writings of the

1850s: The StarryWisdom - the stars of Hell - summoning from those stars a shade from

Hell itself, but feared the power of God as manifested in Light.

Investigators who possess books pertaining to the Cthulhu Mythos can search them for

information on the Haunter. To find it, a player must roll D100 equal to or less than the

books Cthulhu Mythospoints x3. The information is this: the Haunter was spoken of as

holding all knowledge. TheHaunter demanded monstrous sacrifices, its favorite being

human children. Light could banish it back to its dark realm. With a special success roll, the

book calls the Haunter The Bringer ofthe End Times, the Avatar of Nyarlathotep. (Atthe

keepers discretion, investigators can roll separatelyto find the Ancient History

information on pages 129 130; such information ends at Nitocriss death or the books date

of publication, whichever comes first.)


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Chapter Two: Boston

The Spiritual Church of Astral Knowledge, Boston

ON RESURRECTIONin English. Enoch Bowens notes on mummification and the preservation of

the soul allowed the cult to preserve many of its more powerful members in secret underground

chambers, awaiting the return of the Old Ones. The techniques inside have been lost for millennia; if

the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh ever found this book, it is likely that they could reconstruct

the ceremonies used for their most potent mummifications. The cult leader keeps these in a safe-

deposit box at a local bank. Sanity loss 1D3/1D6; grants an Egyptian Hieroglyphs skill check; Cthulhu

Mythos +3 percentiles; 8 weeks to study and comprehend/16 hours to skim. Spells: Apportion Ka,

Hardness of Flesh (Flesh Ward).

Chapter Three: Providence


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The Free-Will Church of Starry Wisdom

Access: Cellar door

Steeple: windowless

From Lillibridge's notes:

"Prof. Enoch Bowen home from Egypt May 1844buys old Free-Will Church in Julyhis

archaeological work & studies in occult well known.

Dr. Drowne of 4th Baptist warns against Starry Wisdom in sermon Dec. 29, 1844.

Congregation 97 by end of 45.

18463 disappearancesfirst mention of Shining Trapezohedron.

7 disappearances 1848stories of blood sacrifice begin.

Investigation 1853 comes to nothingstories of sounds.

Fr. OMalley tells of devil-worship with box found in great Egyptian ruinssays they call up

something that cant exist in light. Flees a little light, and banished by strong light. Then has to be

summoned again. Probably got this from deathbed confession of Francis X. Feeney, who had joined

Starry Wisdom in 49. These people say the Shining Trapezohedron shews them heaven & other

worlds, & that the Haunter of the Dark tells them secrets in some way.

Story of Orrin B. Eddy 1857. They call it up by gazing at the crystal, & have a secret language of

their own."

Free-Will Baptist Church (in reality St. John's Roman Catholic

Church (1871))

352 Atwells Avenue

Images:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cthulhuwho1/3810830018/in/photostream/

If the Shining Trapezohedron is removed from the Church,

Nyarlathotep will if possible command his human and Outer One


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servants to return it. (According to another source the steeple is

defended from sect members by an Elder Sign.

Chapter Four: Return to Vermont

The investigators enter Round Hill. What can they achieve? They cant defeat the Outer Ones.

They can gain understanding.

The Outer Ones worship two primary entities: Shub-Niggurath (especially on May Eve) whos

help they need for good reproductive success. And Nyarlathotep in the form of The Haunter in the


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Dark. In their colony in Dark Mountain they are able to summon him in a deep black hole called The

Dark Gulf.

Cathedral of the Dark Gulf

A gate and physical entrance both lead to this Temple to Nyarlathotep deep in the darkest

bowels of Round Hill. There are also some chambers nearby associated with human cultists and

there is a library of brain cylinders. Carelessness or bad luck here will result in the investigators being

captured. The ceiling is dotted with star-like points of light and a dim phosphorescence with can be

controlled by a control panel. The huge black space is surrounded by a viewing area and a priests

platform. The high ceiling is a fractal series of concave domes dotted with star-like points, rising

higher and higher as it approached the Dark Gulf.

There is an active gate (with a key possessed by Rev Michael Thomas) between the cellar of the

West River Valley Church and a chamber in Dark Mountain. This chamber has a library of brain

cylinders, speaking equipment etc. However, the main route is across a small island in the river

behind the church and up into the hills to the south. A different key stops the flow of water to a

small spring/waterfall, which becomes a passage leading into Dark Mountain.


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Appendices:

1. From Lillibridge's notes:"Prof. Enoch Bowen home from Egypt May 1844buys old Free-Will Church in Julyhis

archaeological work & studies in occult well known.

Dr. Drowne of 4th Baptist warns against Starry Wisdom in sermon Dec. 29, 1844.

Congregation 97 by end of 45.

18463 disappearancesfirst mention of Shining Trapezohedron.

7 disappearances 1848stories of blood sacrifice begin.

Investigation 1853 comes to nothingstories of sounds.

Fr. OMalley tells of devil-worship with box found in great Egyptian ruinssays they call

up something that cant exist in light. Flees a little light, and banished by strong light. Then

has to be summoned again. Probably got this from deathbed confession of Francis X.

Feeney, who had joined Starry Wisdom in 49. These people say the Shining Trapezohedron

shews them heaven & other worlds, & that the Haunter of the Dark tells them secrets in some

way.

Story of Orrin B. Eddy 1857. They call it up by gazing at the crystal, & have a secret

language of their own."

2.Transcript of Henry Akeleys recording(Indistinguishable Sounds)

(A Cultivated Male Human Voice)

is the Lord of the Wood, even to and the gifts of the men of Leng so from the wells of night

to the gulfs of space, and from the gulfs of space to the wells of night, ever the praises of Great

Cthulhu, of Tsathoggua, and of Him Who is not to be Named. Ever Their praises, and abundance to

the Black Goat of the Woods. Ia! Shub-Niggurath! The Goat with a Thousand Young!

(A Buzzing Imitation of Human Speech)

Ia! Shub-Niggurath! The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young!


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(Human Voice)

And it has come to pass that the Lord of the Woods, being seven and nine, down the onyx steps

(tri)butes to Him in the Gulf, Azathoth, He of Whom Thou has taught us marv(els) on the wings of

night out beyond space, out beyond th to That whereof Yuggoth is the youngest child, rolling alone

in black aether at the rim

(Buzzing Voice)

go out among men and find the ways thereof, that He in the Gulf may know. To Nyarlathotep,

Mighty Messenger, must all things be told.

And He shall put on the semblance of men, the waxen mask and the robe that hides, and come

down from the world of Seven Suns to mock

(Human Voice)

(Nyarl)athotep, Great Messenger, bringer of strange joy to Yuggoth through the void, Father of

the Million Favoured Ones, Stalker among

(Speech Cut Off by End of Record)

3.Egyptian Hymns

Hymn to Ra

O thou who art crowned king amongst the gods...

Thou art the lord of heaven,

Thou art the lord of the earth;

Thou art the creator of those who dwell in the heights,

and Those who dwell in the depths.

Thou art the One God who came into being at the beginning of time.


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Thou didst create the earth,

Thou dist fashion the man,

Thou didst make the watery abyss of the sky...

Thou dost travel across the sky with thy heart swelling in joy;

The great deep of heaven is content thereat...

Akhenatens Hymn to the AtenWhen thou settest in the western horizon of the sky,

The earth is in darkness like the dead.

They sleep in their chambers

Their heads are wrapped up.

Their nostrils are stoppedAnd none see the other.

While all their things are stolen

Which are under their heads

And they know it not

Every Lion cometh forth from his den

All Serpents they sting

Darkness The world is in silence.

He that made them resteth in his horizon.

Bright is the earth when thou riseth in the horizon.

When thou shinest as Aten by day

Thou drivest away the darkness.

When thou sendest forth thy rays

The two lands (Egypt) are in daily festivity.

Awake and standing upon their feet

When thou has raised them up.

Their limbs bathed they take their clothing

Their arms uplifted in adoration to thy dawning

Then in all the world they do their work..

All cattle rest upon their pasturageThe trees and the plants flourish

The birds flutter in their marshes,

Their wings uplifted in adoration to thee.

All sheep dance on their feet.

All winged things fly,

They live when thou hast shone upon them.

The barges sail upstream and downstream alike.

Every highway is open because thou dawnest.

The fish in the river leap before thee.Thy rays are in the midst of the great green sea.


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Creator of the germ in woman

Maker of the seed in man

Giving life to the son in the body of his mother

Soothing him that he may not weep.

Nurse (even) in the womb.

Giver of breath to animals, every one that he maketh

When he cometh forth from the womb

On the day of their birth

Thou openest his mouth in speech

Thou suppliest his necessities

When the fledgling in the egg chirps in the shell

Thou givest him breath there-in to preserve him alive.

When thou hast brought him together

to (the point of) bursting it in the eggTo chirp with all his might,

He goeth about on his two feet

When he hath come forth therefrom.

How manifold are thy works,They are hidden from before (us)

O Sole God, whose powers no other possesseth.

Thou didst create the earth according to thy heart

While thou wast alone

Man, all cattle, large and small

All that are upon the earth

That go about on their feet

(All) That are on high

That fly with their wings

The foreign countries, Syria and Kush,

The land of Egypt

Thou settest every man into his place

Thou suppliest their necessities

Everyone has his possessions

And his days are reckoned

The tongues are divers in speechTheir forms likewise and their skins are distinguished

(For) thou makest different the strangers.

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