The Journal of Dr Jo Laine: episode 04

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

 

The dream Opera

Mary Lou finally gains entry to the house at the third knock. There doesn't appear to be anyone opening the door. We enter and the door clicks shut behind us. We turn to re-open the door, but it has disappeared, replaced by a wall behind us. We are in what appears to be the foyer of a disused cinema or theatre possibly. We investigate the area but all appears empty or unused.

 

We head towards a glowing entry from which music is playing. We enter an auditorium. A nearby poster and a brochure are in Italian and we think it says ‘Requiem Mass for a Shoggoth’?

 

Father Sam touches a seat and it feels slightly damp. There is a musty smell, like rotten meat but bitter. We suspect a dream-like feel to the whole scenario. I keep my weapon handy and uncover my medallion, feeling the need for its protection. Father Sam checks his pockets for salt and for his Powder of Ibn Ghazi.

 

We are not familiar with opera so we are unsure of what we listening to. The curtain is down and there is a figure conducting the orchestra with its back to us. The conductor is a desiccated corpse. The actors are all masked and maybe living. It appears that we are to be exposed to torture by opera. I am able to force myself awake thankfully and awaken in my room.

 

Once awake I recall the chat with Wittowski. A little old lady opened the door suspiciously and appraised us before letting us in. At the top floor, the artist opened the door reluctantly. He was of medium height with dirty blonde hair, but pretty looking, to my eye. He invited us in.

 

He showed us a couple of seascapes that we considered to be pretty ‘run of the mill’ scenes of Kingsport Harbour. Mary Lou decided to buy one of the views, which was quite pleasant, and wanted to know if he would deliver but he refused, protesting that the works are small and he doesn’t have a car. He probably isn’t high on our list of suspects and there no reason after that to stay, so we take our leave.

 

We met Jeremiah and Arthur outside. Prof Peters remembered that there is a picture by Rosen hanging somewhere in the University. We returned to Mary Lou's house to compare notes, where she kindly fed us again!

 

We decided to visit the University on the following day to talk to David Rosen and Ives. I returned home with my pictures. I am not in a huge hurry to hang the road crash picture – that's one for my medical colleagues I think. I will put up the flame tree, which I really like.

 

 

Wednesday November 9th

Prof Peters asks around for a list of pictures held by the University in order to find the other Rosen work. In the course of asking questions, Prof Peters overhears that David Rosen has been arrested by the police for kidnapping the kids. Arthur had previously heard that the Kingsport police had found evidence: a monogrammed handkerchief and a snuff box. We think these items may have been too conveniently placed and that DR may be innocent.

 

After lunch Rosen's picture is dug out of storage for us to view. It is called R’lyeh. It appears to be a picture of some pinnacles sticking up out of an island. We examine the picture and it disturbs Mary Lou and Prof Peters. I definitely find it unpleasant; none of us have any particular love of it and no desire to buy it.

 

Father Sam tells the dream opera title to Dr Morena: ‘Massa di Requiem per Shuggay’ means Requiem Mass for Shaggai. Father Sam whistles a couple of bars to the other priest who interprets it as a mistake on Father Sam's behalf.

 

Meanwhile Arthur has been making his own investigations in Kingsport.