Session 15 - Session Notes

This session actually occurred almost a month ago; I'm just late in getting the notes typed up after a vacation, work being done on my home, and a lot of activity going on at my work. We skipped the July 5th session (as I was out on vacation) so this coming Friday we should have another session.

This was also a shorter session than usual; the Biggins player had to work late so we started an hour later than normal but ended at the same time. I thought it was a nice, small session where more clues started to come into place.

Other notes about the session:
* The child prostitute in Chinatown was meant to be a very uncomfortable encounter (which worked well). The idea was to show the squalor and exploitation of the Chinese people. Like all trips to Chinatown, I try to present the area as quite alien to even the working-class slums that Mulroney is used to.

* As is often the case, I didn't actually give the names of either the kid or the grandfather during the session. I added them later to the notes for color.

* The laundry encounter was purposely meant to be unsettling and mysterious. Again, the meets in Chinatown should always feel different than the rather normal sit-downs they have with the other gangsters. I want to present a mood that the PCs don't really "get" the Chinese gangs.

* The callback to Gem picking Spike O'Donnell's pocket is there for humor, but the mention of the governor visiting is intended as foreshadowing (and ties in with some previous foreshadowing).

* Leroy Brown is clearly taken from the Jim Croce song.

* Powers hiding out in the black part of town under the protection of Brown (and everyone knowing about it) is an homage to the situation of Jackie Jr. in The Sopranos.

* Frank and James Ragen were real people, and O'Conner's account of Sheldon taking over the gang are more or less historically accurate. The main difference being that everyone did refer to them as the Sheldon Gang by this point (I continue calling them Ragen's Colts in my campaign for color).

* The plot with O'Reilly I've mentioned before is something I wanted to bring up in the game. We'll see if it goes anywhere.

* This is the first mention of the Klan in the campaign; I originally intended for them to be bigger players (the 1920's seeing a huge resurgence in the popularity of the group) but it just hasn't worked its way in yet.

* I had Deanie take credit for taking down Carmody and Ulnovsky because it seemed like the kind of thing he'd do. I also want to see how the PCs react to that.

* The detectives hassling Biggins just made sense since they used his car in the explosion. I don't think anyone (the players or myself) quite remember why Maisie didn't just use her own car.

* The bishop got to drop one of the bigger clues, that Antoine Prendergast is the lawyer for both Destiny Memorial and the Marduk Institute. I'm hoping people were suspecting the organizations were related all along, but this is the confirmation.

* The janitor gets a name and slightly more of a personality in the write-up than he had in the actual session.

* Chaos turning up was planned for a little while. I thought having one of the boys turning up crazy would be more interesting than never hearing anything about any of them ever again.

* Like Gem, I was remembering about the explosives in Chaos' room. It's a good thing Mulroney didn't go there. I thought him sending off Sister Eunice to likely die was a bit out of character, though.

* Dr. Thomas Kingsley is a name from one of Robin Cook's novels. One aspect of the novel is the basis for the backstory of Sister Mary and Dr. X.

* I originally thought they'd search Krasnik's warehouse many sessions ago when it was first brought up, but they finally got here (much like tracing the safe deposit box would have led them to Cooper a lot quicker but they never did that either).

* The warehouse with the abandoned car and the rats was somewhat of an homage to the scene at Your Self Storage in Silence of the Lambs.

* The matchbook as a clue is classic noir. The Bamboo Room Club, however, is an anachronism - tiki bars didn't come in until the 30's (but I'm claiming dramatic license).

* Mulroney actually made a comment during the session about suspecting the different Prendergasts were all the same person who found a way to extend his own life using the green stuff. But, I can't recall if it was made in character or just an ooc conversation so I didn't include it in the write-up.

Session 16 - Cast of Characters

 Father Clink Mulroney - Irish Roman Catholic priest running a bootlegging operation out of his church

 Alderman Jethro Biggins - Corrupt city alderman on the take from Mulroney

 Colin "Gem" Archer - Mulroney's newly-promoted lieutenant for his bootlegging operations; sidelines as a jewel thief

Session 16 - Scene 1 (of 10)

As Father Mulroney and Gem pull up to the outer gate of Dunning Asylum, they spot Alderman Biggins getting out of a cab. The men quickly ascertain they are both there to visit Chaos and that Biggins has made no further progress getting any information on either Destiny Memorial or the Marduk Institute.

They then quickly head inside, as visiting hours are almost over. They ask to see patient Alan White, and the duty nurse takes them over to his ward, where he is under the care of Dr. Bronfenburgher.

Dr. Bronfenburgher immediately focuses on Father Mulroney, asking him if he is back for further hydrotherapy treatments. The priest assures him he is feeling all better, and that they are there to check in on Alan.

The alienist recounts his appraisal of the youth's condition. He believes White has suffered a traumatic break with reality and goes on to explain his theories about White's delusion of being attacked by a giant squid. Dr. Bronfenburgher explains that the tentacles attacking the boy are really manifestations of the phallus of his father, representing patriarchal oppression. He goes on to explain that the mouth of the squid represents a vaginal symbol of his mother.

Gem is enraptured by the doctor's Freudian explanations, noting that they don't teach information like this at the orphanage. Father Mulroney quietly suggests that such things would not be polite to bring up around Sister Mary.

Mulroney convinces the doctor to let them see Alan. Bronfenburgher has the tall Scandinavian orderly, Sven, open the door to White's padded cell. After Biggins, Gem, and Mulroney enter, Sven closes the door behind them.

Chaos sits in the far corner of the room, held in a straightjacket. His head tilts to the side, with a bit of drool coming from the edge of his mouth. Mulroney looks at him for recognition, but his eyes are glassy with the look of thinking of something far away.

The father gets a little closer and calls out Chaos by name. He asks if he remembers anything. Chaos slowly turns his head, and lets out a weak call of "Father...?" Mulroney assures the youth and gets him to talk a bit more.

Chaos is not very talkative and when he does speak it is in short, quiet bursts. He mentions that "it came in and killed everyone". After some more discussion, Chaos confirms he was the only survivor, at least as far as the youth knows; he mentions there being a lot of blood.

Mulroney tries to get a description of the creature out of the lad, but Chaos isn't very helpful. All he can remember is a large number of tentacles coming at him.

The priest has little luck getting much information about how the creature got into the warehouse either. Chaos has difficulty remembering, but does note he was working at his workbench. He believes Tony, who was working in the back, was the first to start screaming.

Mulroney also asks if anyone else was with the creature, but Chaos doesn't recall. Gem then asks if the creature had a prison uniform on. Chaos repeats the words a couple of times, and with Gem asking him again if it had one the youth finally agrees; though whether he truly saw it or is just agreeing with Gem is unclear. Mulroney does note the youth appears to be in a highly suggestible state.

The priest doesn't like the idea of Chaos being left in the asylum and rambling on. He speculates that Chaos might say things that could cause trouble, and it would be better to get him out of the asylum so he can be dealt with.

He tries asking Chaos if he wants out, but the youth refuses. He finds the small cell safer. Mulroney tries several times to convince him the threat is over, even suggesting Biggins had killed the creature already, but to no avail. Eventually Chaos starts to get agitated and Mulroney drops the subject.

Father Mulroney does offer Chaos that he will help him should he want to get out later. He mentions they may need another of Chaos' packages. Chaos mumbles something about there being one more in a room but to be careful when opening the door. Mulroney is confused by the statement and thinking about another monster, but Gem believes he is referring to his room at the orphanage being rigged with another bomb.

Session 16 - Scene 2 (of 10)

Once they are ready to leave, Mulroney signals Sven to let them out. As they exit, Dr. Bronfenburgher again tries to convince Mulrony to stay for more treatment, but he still insists he's feeling fine. The good doctor's tenacity, however, gives the priest another idea.

Mulroney asks the others to go ahead a leave and that he'll join them in a minute, explaining to the doctor that he'd like to see him about a private matter. The two head back into the doctor's office, where Mulroney shows him the amulet.

Bronfenburgher recognizes it as some kind of Indian artifact and finds it very curious, though he does not appear to be as mesmerized by it as some others have been. Mulroney tries to get the doctor to touch it, even going so far as to suggest the name Bronfenburgher appears on the back, but the doctor declines.

The doctor does, however, notice the similarity between the carving on the disc and the description of the creature given by Maisie. Mulroney agrees the two do seem similar, wondering if it will interest the doctor further. His hopes are let down a second later, when the doctor begins explaining the similarities being caused by the fact that repressed sexual urges are a common affliction across all cultures and that the creature represents man's fear of vaginal aggression.

Undeterred by the alienist's lapse into rhetoric, Father Mulroney tries a new ploy where he pretends to stumble and "drop" the amulet, by nearly tossing it at the doctor. However, the scheme nearly backfires when Bronfenburgher calls in Sven to assist and nearly insists on keeping Mulroney for some "relaxation therapy".

Once out of the asylum, Father Mulroney explains they will need someone to check out the Bamboo Room club. Gem suggests such a mission would be up Biggins' territory and Mulroney agrees, noting they will be busy affecting the delivery with Fung Xian that evening.

Alderman Biggins, however, has no idea what they are talking about. Mulroney begins to explain that they obtained a clue pointing them to the club, but he hesitates in telling the whole story. Biggins mistakes the hesitation for something worse, and asks if he killed anyone again.

Mulroney then goes into detail about finding the location of the fictitious Destiny Memorial, and how it was located in the same warehouse where Paul Sand was found killed. He goes on to discuss the hearse along with the papers registering the car to Antoine Prendergast.

Biggins is less than fascinated with the story and doesn't see how it ties to the Bamboo Room club. Mulroney then explains about finding the matchbook and his theory that they might be able to find Prendergast through the night club.

The alderman wants more information about the club itself, but naturally Mulroney has nothing to tell him; his only knowledge of the club is the matchbook.  Biggins finally agrees to go, and the priest gives him some advice. He tells Biggins to be a bit more subtle this time to avoid an unpleasant encounter such as when he went searching for Ulnovsky, noting that the alderman only has so many fingers left.

Session 16 - Scene 3 (of 10)

Mulroney drops off Biggins a couple of blocks from the asylum to leave him to get a cab. Biggins tells the cabbie to head to the Bamboo Room, which the cabbie recognizes as a popular night club.

Since the driver recognizes the place, Biggins asks him a couple of questions about the establishment. The cabbie describes it as being a "high end" night club downtown, officially operating as a dance hall and juice bar.

When they reach downtown, Biggins exits the cab and can see a lot of people going in and out of the building. The clientele he sees is largely older, middle-aged businessmen accompanied by younger flappers in their 20's.

Heading inside, Biggins finds mostly the girls on the dance floor with the men sitting around drinking (and leering). The men's drinks do not appear to be juice.

Biggins decides to head over to the bartender, who is much more courteous than the speakeasies he's used to. The alderman asks for their most popular juice drink, which turns out to be tomato juice. Tasting it, he realizes it also has a healthy amount of gin in it.

An older, bald man in a nice suit approaches Biggins, asking for him by name. The alderman confirms his identity, but isn't sure who the man is. As the man goes on to explain how happy he is to have the alderman in his establishment, Biggins realizes he is talking to Jonathan Allen Hill, a local wealthy restaurateur and night club owner.

The two men engage in a bit of small talk. Hill notes that he was disappointed Biggins could not attend the party. When Biggins doesn't recall what party he is referring to, Hill clarifies he is referring to the Morgan Party, which Hill describes as "nice until that bit of unpleasantness" and going on to complain about the man who tried to assault his daughter.

Biggins recalls the story Gem told him about the robbery and Hill's lascivious daughter Valarie. He decides to go along with Hill's version of the events and inquires after the girl's health. He responds that she's doing fine, mostly staying at their lake house and then proceeds to talk about his fishing trips there with his friends.

After the alderman and Hill discuss the bass out on the lake for another minute or two, Hill asks what brings Biggins to his nightclub. Biggins stammers something about seeing a matchbook for the place and wanting to check it out, but doesn't elaborate or use the opportunity to bring up Antoine Prendergast. Instead, he compliments Hill's clientele and the man notes he only lets the best people in.

After the alderman compliments the drinks being served, Hill wishes Biggins a good evening then leaves to attend to business. Biggins spends the next hour or so meandering around the club to keep an eye out for anyone interesting.

Another hour passes before he sees anyone out of the ordinary. A couple comes in, gathering a fair amount of attention. He recognizes the dark-haired, smarmy looking older man as Richard Colcord, owner of Colcord Steel and Industry. The young woman with an air of nobility accompanying him, who Biggins does not recognize, is the one getting all the attention. She appears to speak with some kind of Scandinavian accent.

Rather than try to talk to Colcord, or attempt to bring up Prendergast with anyone, Biggins elects to go back to the office and get some sleep.

Session 16 - Scene 4 (of 10)

Meanwhile, at the warehouse, Mulroney and Gem sit around waiting for Fung Xian to show up. After a while, a truck pulls up with a couple of large Chinese men.

Mulroney tries to verify the men are from Fung Xian and there to pick up the "package", but it quickly becomes clear the men do not appear to speak English. Mulroney uses the opportunity to openly insult them and then shows them back to the guns.

They men quickly load up the crates as the priest and his ward look on. Gem asks the father how he can be sure they are Fung Xian's men, as all Chinese look alike to him. Mulroney responds that at least they are not zombies.

Gem notices that Mulroney is concentrating on something. When he asks what's wrong, the priest recalls Chao's comment about "another one behind the door" and wonders if he was referring to another of the creatures. Gem corrects him that Chaos was referring to his room being rigged with explosives, but Mulroney isn't 100% convinced; he notes one can never be too careful with monsters.

With all of the crates loaded, the Chinese men appear to be getting ready to leave. Mulroney stops one of them and tries to ask about the payment. Since they don't speak English, he pulls out some cash to illustrate the point. This only causes further confusion when the Chinese man attempts to take the cash as a tip.

Gem tries to help using his miming skills. Unfortunately, his poorly-done (and rather racist) attempt proves ineffective.

In the end, Mulroney decides to let them leave rather than try to stop them. He knows they'll have to take it up with Fung Xian later.

Session 16 - Scene 5 (of 10)

With little else to do for the evening, Father Mulroney decides to ring over to Biggins' office and see how his mission to the Bamboo Room club went. He can tell from the way Biggins answers the phone that the alderman was already asleep and woken up by the call.

When Mulroney asks how the visit went, Biggins notes it was a nice tiki bar and that he got to meet the owner, Jonathan Allen Hill. As Mulroney repeats the conversation aloud for Gem's benefit, he gives the youth a look. Gem, recalling the incident with Valarie, notes to the father the name does indeed sound familiar.

Mulroney, however, couldn't care less about Hill; he's interested in what Biggins found out about Prendergast. Biggins feebly responds that he learned nothing, and mumbles something about focusing on getting the "lay of the land".

The priest becomes concerned. He asks Biggins about what kind of questions he asked about Prendergast. Biggins admits he didn't even mention the man's name to anyone.

Nonplused, Mulroney asks with exasperation what exactly Biggins was discussing with people all night. The alderman responds back that they discussed fishing, the party at Morgan's house, and the assault on Hill's daughter and her spending time out at the beach. Gem wants to know which beach, but Biggins notes he didn't get the address.

Conceding for the moment, Mulroney tells Biggins to just continue his research into the Marduk Institute. He also gives him a new name to check, a Dr. Thomas Kingsley. Biggins asks if Kingsley is related to the other doctors (Krasnik and Cooper). The priest responds with a non-committal, "possibly", saying that it isn't clear yet (and certainly not wanting to give the alderman any information about the connection to Sister Mary). He advises Biggins to sound ignorant if questioned.

Session 16 - Scene 6 (of 10)

Once off the phone with Biggins, Mulroney decides that he and Gem will need to do more digging into Prendergast themselves. He doesn't want to go near the Bamboo Room, so he opts for heading back to the Destiny Memorial warehouse.

Once again they drive to a nearby street and walk the rest of the way. The two split up, and each sneak around one of the sides. As they get ready to go their separate ways, Gem notes they once again neglected to get flashlights first. Mulroney insists they'd be a liability, anyway, as then they could be seen.

The two circle around the building. Mulroney stumbles quite a bit in the dark, at one point knocking over a trashcan and scaring an alley cat.

A moment later, a large, black tentacle jets out of the darkness, wrapping itself around Mulroney's left arm. It jerks back with such a fury that it dislocates the limb; any more torsion could have ripped it off.

Gem hears the commotion and rushes to peek around the corner. He spots the tentacle wrapped around Mulroney's arm. Recalling Dr. Bronfenburgher's theories, he tries to helpfully yell out, "Leapin' lizards Father, quit thinking about your father!"

Mulroney opts for an equally enigmatic strategy, and uses his free hand to take out the amulet. Another of the tentacles comes out of the darkness and snares the object, then both retreat back into the dark; the creature appears to be leaving the area.

Thinking quickly, the priest uses his good arm to wildly fire shots into the dark where he hears the beast. One bullet strikes home, showering him in a black goo that can only be the monster's blood. The effect on Mulroney's mind sends him into a momentary shock and he cries out in horror.

Gem rushes over and can hear the creature heading up to the roof of the adjacent building. The noise quickly moves across the rooftop and away from the area.

Once Mulroney comes back to his senses, the two decide to look inside the warehouse. Mulroney is particularly hoping to find more of the green "fast healing" drug. They check around carefully, but find no other clues.

They do, however, discover a couple of funeral home uniforms, giving Mulroney another idea. He and Gem change into the uniforms and drive out the hearse. As they leave, the priest makes sure to torch the warehouse.

Session 16 - Scene 7 (of 10)

Gem drives the hearse to the hospital, where they drive up to the garage. The elderly night guard waves them on without a word, and they quickly head around to the entrance to the pathology room.

Once inside, the two look around the office. They find little except for typical hospital paperwork. Gem has better luck once they move out into the lab area.

Inside one of the fancy new refrigeration units, he finds a hidden panel containing four vials of the green liquid behind it. He immediately lets Mulroney know.

The priest is a little disappointed there is no syringe with it; after all, Mulroney notes, it's not like he can just drink it down. Gem assures the priest there is no reason to worry; he's seen Sister Mary use a needle plenty of times.

They wrap up the vials in an apron and quickly take the hearse back out. Mulroney has Gem drop him off at the church and suggests the youth ditch the hearse outside Harrigan's as a way to cause trouble for O'Conner. When Gem asks how he will get home, Mulroney tells him he doesn't care, suggesting he use either Biggins or a cab.

Session 16 - Scene 8 (of 10)

When they arrive at the church, Mulroney immediately notices a large chunk missing out of the orphanage. In the darkness of night, the street lights illuminate the smoking ruins of St. Vincent's Home for Homeless Boys. The priest immediately realized what has happened.

The father makes his way out of the hearse and approaches the church. Before he can reach the door, Sister Mary comes out to greet him, accompanied by two detectives wearing cheap suits. They introduce themselves and detectives Goren and Eames.
Goren looks over at the hearse and back at Mulroney, asking if he was dealing with a deceased parishioner. Mulroney gives an oblique answer about it being "tragic" then shoots Gem a quick look. Gem takes the hint and drives off, though not before Sister Mary gets a look at who was driving.

The detective notes there was more than one tragedy tonight. Mary, cold as ever, explains that Abel and Eunice are dead, though the children are all fine.

Father Mulroney puts on his best act to appear anguished, but the detectives are suspicious. Eames asks about his arm, which the priest explains as being injured while carrying the casket. Eames, in his usual deadpan manner, tells the priest that sounds terrible and suggests he go to the hospital.

Trying to change the subject, Mulroney makes a comment about Sister Mary having a medical background. Mary, picking up on the backhanded comment, tells the priest "not now, father".

Detective Goren goes on to explain there was an explosion at the orphanage, and asks if any of the boys were involved in gangland activities. Mulroney answers to the contrary. Sensing the need to deflect the detectives, he slips in a comment about the boys being active in civic projects with Alderman Jethro Biggins.

The detectives pick up on the comment and dig deeper. Mulroney gives them a long story about Biggins spending lots of time with the boys.

Eames then reveals that Biggins has ties to the explosion. Goren further explains one was used on his car recently.

Mulroney plays along, giving sympathy about Biggins' recent misfortunes – robbery, home destroyed, etc. Goren suggests Biggins has been the victim of gangland violence.

Detective Goren questions Mulroney about a series of names – Vassily Ulnovsky, Yulian Petranov, Karina Krasnik, and Ben Whittier. The priest pretends to know none of them, or about the war on the docks or the kidnapping. Goren explains they are all presumed dead in the explosion involving Alderman Biggins' car.

Eames then asks about three more names – Mike Jones, Stan Wocynski, and Sean O'Hara. Mulroney really doesn't recognize those names and says as much. Eames explains they are three dockworkers confirmed dead in the explosion.

With nothing else to discuss, the detectives take their leave. Before they go, Eames assures Mulroney that they will check all connections and get to the bottom of what's going on.

Session 16 - Scene 9 (of 10)

When the two are alone, Sister Mary asks Father Mulroney what happened. He starts to explain how he was attacked, but she cuts him off, explaining she is referring to the orphanage.

Mulroney tries to say he doesn't know, but Mary already suspects "that nut" (referring to Chaos) had something rigged up in his room.

Rather than discuss the explosion, Mulroney asks Mary for a syringe. He tries telling her it is for some medicine, but she gives him a look that suggests she doesn't fully trust him and openly mentions her suspicion that he has something he is not telling her.

He priest explains he and Gem were attacked by something not human. Mary isn't so sure she believes the priest's story about being attacked by a tentacle, even if Gem was a witness.

In the end, Sister Mary decides to get a syringe for Mulroney. While she is going to get it, he hides three of the vials in the back of the ice box in the kitchen.

When she comes back, he quickly injects himself with the fourth vial. Although he only intends to use part of it, the euphoric feeling he gets makes him unable to stop. He tells Mary she needs to try it but she flatly tells him she doesn't think so.

Instead, Mary takes a slip of paper and writes down an address. She tells Mulroney to meet her there the next day at 5:00. He asks what it is about, but she tells him just to go inside at that time and everything will be clear. She explains has something she wants to talk to him about there.

Mulroney then starts to feel sleepy from the effects of the drug. He goes to lie down.

Session 16 - Scene 10 (of 10)

For the second time that night, Alderman Biggins is woken out of his sleep. This time, someone is knocking at his office door.

When he opens the door, Biggins finds Gem standing there. Behind him on the street appears to be a hearse.

Biggins is just about to yell at Gem about parking the thing in front of his office when he notices the Destiny Memorial sign on the side. He asks Gem where he got it.

Gem responds that it was retrieved from an old warehouse, but tells the alderman not to worry. He explains there is a funeral worker uniform inside and that no one will bother then while they are disguised.

Biggins wants to know more about the warehouse, but Gem deflects the question, stately simply that he's sure the alderman will hear more about it later.

Gem then goes on to explain that it was Father Mulroney's idea to bring the hearse to him. The youth tells Biggins he thought he'd be happy to be getting a new car but suggests that if the alderman doesn't want it he'll need to drive him back to his own car (referring to Maisie's car).

Biggins suggests that Gem trade him Maisie's car for the hearse, but Gem says the father can't be seen in the hearse as it would be "bad for morale" at the church.

Wanting to get the hearse and Gem away from his office as quickly as possible, Mulroney stops arguing and puts on the uniform as well as trying to disguise himself (doing a rather poor job).

The two head out, with Biggins driving the hearse. They only get a block away before a police horn sounds behind them.

Rather than try to explain his way out of the awkward situation, Biggins makes a run for it. But he doesn't have much luck. Eventually the cop car rams into him, puncturing the gas tank.

As the car loses fuel, Biggins still proceeds to try and get away. The passenger cop begins firing, taking out one of the hearse's tires. The car comes to a quick stop.

Gem quickly tosses his gun to Biggins then puts his hands up out of the window. Biggins goes to toss the gun back, but is seen by the cops.

Yelling, "He's got a gun!" the two men open fire. Biggins takes a bad shot and collapses.

Gem, seeing Biggins go down, tries to yell about being kidnapped. The police don't appear to believe him as they drag him out of the car and proceed to pummel him with their night sticks.

Session 16 - Session Notes

This session certainly turned out different than I was expecting. A few unexpected choices by the PCs had it become a lot more dangerous than I was first planning for. The really cool part, though, is it ends on such a cliffhanger - Is Biggins dead? What will be the effect of Mulroney injecting himself? Will Gem end up in jail or the hospital? What did Sister Mary have planned?

The other main thing I think of this session is, I'm starting to feel bad about having so much fun at the Biggins' player's expense. He's a friend, but it's hard not to laugh at his foibles when he has an "off" session.

Other notes:
* I love playing Dr. Bronfenburgher and coming up with his absurd, overly sexual theories on psychiatry.

* I would have let Mulroney dispose of Chaos, but he had some bad rolls trying to convince the youth to leave the safety of the asylum. Similarly bad rolls prevented him from dealing with Bronfenburgher.

* Mulroney's comment about being more subtle was a great call back to Biggins' previous investigative venture ("Anyone know any Russian anarchists?")

* Once again, the Bamboo Room club is an anachronism, and I think making it a juice bar turns it into an anachronistic stew since that's more of a 50's beatnik thing (I think).

* I believe I mentioned before Jonathan Allen Hill comes straight from Cheers. As does Richard Colcord, though I changed the name slightly (from Robin).

* Hill and Colcord were both meant to give Biggins some opportunities to investigate further. And then, hilariously, he didn't ask them anything.

* Colcord's date is part of a background detail where I had him dating a Danish princess. They were also at the Morgan party (though Gem, naturally, didn't recognize them).

* It was previously established that Fung Xian's men didn't speak English, so I thought the scene at the warehouse would be humorous. I wasn't wrong as Mulroney and Gem got flustered at how to ask for payment without causing a conflict.

* Fung Xian, by the way, isn't ripping them off. An open exchange of guns for cash just isn't his style (more on that next session).

* Mulroney calling Biggins was basically the player using OOC knowledge to generate an opportunity to hassle him for screwing up finding out info about Prendergast.

* Mulroney's trash can/alley cat encounter is pure cliché, but it was just an explanation for his bad roll when trying to be stealthy.

* I'd been planning another attack by the tentacle monster for a while now, but this seemed like the first good opportunity. I also like that so far, the creature itself has remained largely unseen.

* Gem's joke about "Quit thinking about your father!" was the highlight of the session for me.

* Mulroney using the amulet was quick thinking, so I figured the creature should retreat because of it. And to keep Mulroney from constantly using the thing to put people in comas or ward off creatures, I had the monster take it.

* Mulroney's starting to lose a fair number of sanity points from his monster encounters. He and Biggins are both getting pretty low.

* The uncomfortable scene with the detectives at the church played out wonderfully, with Mulroney essentially throwing Biggins under the bus.

* Note that Yulian and Karina are presumed dead by the police, but are very much alive as they left right before the bombing (not that anyone left around knows that).

* The three dockworkers/anarchists confirmed dead all come from the TSR book.

* Sister Mary gave Mulroney the address of Dr. Kingsley's office, but he doesn't know that yet.

* The cops coming after the hearse wasn't a random thing - Biggins has been under police surveillance for a while. As mentioned previously, he has both allies and enemies within the police force.

* My original thought was that Biggins would have to have some uncomfortable conversations. I wasn't expecting him to try and make a run for it. And I always portray the cops in town as trigger-happy (due to all the corruption and gang wars), so...

Session 17 - Cast of Characters

Father Clink Mulroney - Irish Roman Catholic priest running a bootlegging operation out of his church

 Alderman Jethro Biggins - Corrupt city alderman on the take from Mulroney

 Colin "Gem" Archer - Mulroney's newly-promoted lieutenant for his bootlegging operations; sidelines as a jewel thief

Session 17 - Scene 1 (of 15)

Colin "Gem" Archer woke up on the cot in his cell somewhat less stiff and sore than he had for the last two weeks. He felt he was finally starting to recover from the beating he took from the cops.

After the morning head count, cell inspection, and inspiring words from Warden Westbrook, Gem settled down to his spot in the day room where he played cards with a couple of fellow Irish prisoners when one of the guards calls his name. When Gem asks what the guard wants, he tells Gem he's made bail.

Gem wonders who could have bailed him out as he goes through processing. He assumes it must have been the father, though he wonders what took so long. As he gets out, he is greeted by his long absent fellow gang member, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan.

Guigsy, however, surprises Gem when he explains that Father Mulroney isn't the one who sent him to bail Gem out. In fact, according to Guigsy, Father Mulroney is dead. He goes on to explain that Mulroney was buried at All Saints Cemetery over a week ago, apparently of a heart attack.

Gem is upset that Guigsy didn't bail him out for the funeral and is even less thrilled when Guigsy explains he works for Dion O'Conner now, and that O'Conner has taken over all of Mulroney's old territory (along with that of the former Flynn/Carmody gang).

Guigsy tells Gem he's supposed to take him to see O'Conner but Gem isn't so sure. Guigsy nods to the car and explains to his friend that he might want to reconsider as "Doyle and Spike", apparently the two men sitting in the back of the nearby car, are there to make sure Gem comes along.

Gem feels betrayed by Guigsy and doesn't trust O'Conner, but admits he has little choice. Guigsy attempted to mollify him by explaining that O'Conner has been decent to work for, but Gem isn't buying it. As he gets into the front passenger seat, he takes a quick look at Spike and Doyle, but doesn't recognize either man.