The Journal of Dr Jo Laine: episode 03

A character in Shadows over Arkham, a classic Cthulhu campaign set in Lovecraft Country

Tuesday November 8^th

Visiting the artists

Ted Koby: artist, sculptor, has written some poetry.

The door is opened by an avaricious looking landlady who is pleased to send us up. As we go in someone is singing a recent show dune from that new moving picture "The Jazz Singer". At the upper door we knock but there is no answer.

On entering we find a man sculpting a lump of rock that looks like it may turn out to be some sort of female form, eventually. The man is large and bearded and appears to have injured himself, maybe we startled him? He describes the work in progress as 'Aphrodite at the Waterhole'. On closer inspection it looks like Aphrodite is getting particularly friendly with a fawn.

Further examination of the art in the room suggests this man is not producing Mythos-related art. Mr Koby suggests other artists we can speak to: Olsen Wittowski or Jim Redmond.

He hunts around for a print to show us from the Pickman school and finds a picture of nightmarish creatures. He describes Jim Redmond as a rat-like figure who supplies alcohol, laudanum and other drugs.

Also described someone called Basil Ives, who is an Englishman and a relative newcomer. Basil arrived in spring 1925 to cover when David Rosen had his breakdown and had to take a sabbatical. The university employed Basil, but Mr Koby is resentful that one of the local artists didn't get the job, despite admitting that Basil's work is good. When David Rosen returned from his sabbatical his painting was very good, much better than before. Professor Peters asks to see the Pickman print but none of us recognise any figures in the work.

Father Sam goes to Arkham High to see the Principal. As he walks up the principal is just leaving, about to fulfill the unhappy duty of evicting the Brunch family in order to make way for a new janitor. Father Sam asks her opinion of what frightened Brunch. She thinks that 'the Killer' had somehow blackmailed Brunch because he knew something and it led to his eventual death.

Jim Redmond has a penthouse flat at Caldicot Street. Our knock is answered by a rat-like person, much as Ted Koby described. His clothes hang loosely and he is unshaven. He looks nervy and jumpy, like he is under the influence of something narcotic. He is surprised at Mrs Baumgartner's request to see his art.

His room when we reach it is large and well lit, but obviously unkempt with half-eaten food lying around. There is an easel set up. We ask about the Pickman School and he responds enthusiastically. He describes that his own work is a painting of his nightmares but there is no power to his work. He may just be copying another more original artist. There are other completed pictures – of what looks like a road accident, and a tree that appears to be on fire. He describes the second picture as ‘The Fire Vampire’ then get shifty and tries to describe it differently.

Mr Lovelady kindly carries my pictures to the car. I have bought the road accident, to gain Mr Redmond’s confidence for our questions, and the Fire Vampire picture, because I like it. Comparing notes, Prof Peter is suspicious of Basil Ives.

Wittowski is our next stop. A slightly more prosperous area than before, which was distinctly seedy. A teenager emerges from the house, let out by someone in the shadows, who then ducks from view causing our instant attention and suspicion. We attempt to get into the house.