Book Two - Undertows of Disbelief

[Grognardsw]

Father Vaughan nods at Dr. Morgan's words. The others notice that the valet bag is now at the priest's feet.

Agent Mulder takes out the Mt. Latmos photos as requested by Dr. Clarke. Reginald examines them for any Xaqluoi writings on the cave walls. The book dealer does indeed see such (roll 1d100.)

"Yes, it seems a direct approach with Chertovski is in order," says Agent Mulder. He finishes up his coffee. "If you gentlemen are ready, let's go to court. We hopefully will be back before lunch."

[Fulci]

Isaiah Bartlett, wise old man

Dr. Morgan's revelation leaves Isaiah lost for words. He is surprised by the fact that the professor's attitude changed overnight. Marius warned him about Morgan leaving the hotel and going somewhere alone, in secret. And what can be the role of Father Vaughan in this whole story? He will try to have a word with the mysterious preacher after the court hearing.

"I'm ready to go," he says, swiping some bread crumbs from his laps.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Dr. Morgan is not the only one at fault. I too knew of the crystal and keep it a secret for the same reasons. As well I held back on my accounts at Mt. Latmos to protect our discovery. I have written a true account of my experience from what I was able to recall from memory in my ledger. I open it to anyone who would like to peruse it. Agent Mulder, I hope you can understand why we did what we did, and that charges against myself and Dr. Morgan are not forth coming. Though if they were, I accept them with due punishment."

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer

Agent Mulder takes out the Mt. Latmos photos as requested by Dr. Clarke. Reginald examines them for any Xaqluoi writings on the cave walls. The book dealer does indeed see such (roll 1d100.)

Xaqloui writings [1d100] = 74

"Yes, it seems a direct approach with Chertovski is in order," says Agent Mulder. He finishes up his coffee. "If you gentlemen are ready, let's go to court. We hopefully will be back before lunch."

Reginald finishes his coffee and heads to court with Agent Mulder and Isaiah.

[Grognardsw]

Dr. Clarke:

"Dr. Morgan is not the only one at fault. I too knew of the crystal and keep it a secret for the same reasons. As well I held back on my accounts at Mt. Latmos to protect our discovery. I have written a true account of my experience from what I was able to recall from memory in my ledger. I open it to anyone who would like to peruse it. Agent Mulder, I hope you can understand why we did what we did, and that charges against myself and Dr. Morgan are not forth coming. Though if they were, I accept them with due punishment."

"I understand and there wouldn't be any charges," replies Agent Mulder. "This case is unlike anything I've encountered before. Your expedition and its discoveries seem to be a major part of this... somehow. History, or source, or..? I don't quite know. I would be interested in reading your ledger."

Marius takes up Dr. Clark's offer to read the journal.

Agent Mulder, Reginald and Isaiah leave for the courthouse.

[Grognardsw]

Reginald, Isaiah and Agent Mulder enter the courthouse and make their way to courtroom six. They see Aleister McDowley and his lawyer. The cultist gives Reginald and Isaiah a dirty look.

Agent Mulder introduces the investigators to Mr. Lamont Cranston, the BOI lawyer representing them. He explains their position and conversation he had with the judge.

About ten minutes later the judge enters chambers. He motions the two sides' lawyers to the bench where a private conversation ensues. They return to their seats and the judge makes an announcement.

"Counsel for both plaintiff and defendent have agreed upon a settlement based on newly supplied information. Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Bartlett are free to go. Mr. McDowley will serve six months in prison, and an additional six months on parole. Case dismissed."

[Starbeard]

Marius Albertoni

Marius sits dumbstruck, not entirely sure if that was the sort of answer he was expecting. "Well—hm, I see." He scratches his chin for a moment, unable to keep up the role of hardened interrogator. "I'm sorry, I don't get it. So you do have the crystal, but what about sneaking out at night, or doing legwork at the library in secret? Are you saying this crystal thing, it hypnotizes you, like those fellas at the vaudeville shows?"

Confused, the man of simple means accepts Dr. Clarke's journal and starts reading through it, hoping to get some concrete answers to these mysteries he can understand.

I'll try my best to read through the journal thread tonight or tomorrow!

[Mant72]

Dr. Morgan:

Responding to Marius, "Sneaking out at night? What do you mean by that, my good sir?" Frank looks nervous, bracing himself for what he might hear.

[Grognardsw]

Agent Mulder takes out the Mt. Latmos photos as requested by Dr. Clarke. Reginald examines them for any Xaqluoi writings on the cave walls. The book dealer does indeed see such.

Reginald studies the Mt. Latmos, Turkey photographs taken by the Miskatonic University expedition which ended in death, madness and mystery. There are primitively drawn pictographs and writings in an ancient variation of Xaqluoi, likely dating back to the pre-BC period of Greece when worship of Selene the moon goddess was in full bloom.

As far as Reginald can make out, and he feels he could very well be misinterpreting, among the Xaqluoi phrases are: 

...Yr nhhngr... the now that is before, the future that contains the now that contains the before...

...Underground we go into our dreams, to lift into their reality...

...downstairs from world, upstairs from dream...

...Let not their reality suppress what is true... 

...unfold the true, release the absent shadow always present

...from time remote and country distant, where silvered visions rise tall and men stride amid snarling beasts, the Redeemer will learn what he was, and is yet, and further shall be, when days are reckoned as facets of N___-hotep's eye..."

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist
At the courthouse, Reginald asks Cranston, "Mr. Cranston, what is this newly discovered information? Why is McDowley's sentence so light? And will he be permitted visitors in jail?"

After court, Reginald shares his findings with the other investigators.

[Starbeard]

Marius Albertoni

Dr. Morgan:

Responding to Marius, "Sneaking out at night? What do you mean by that, my good sir?" Frank looks nervous, bracing himself for what he might hear.

Marius looks a little perturbed. "Oh, come on man. Either play it all straight or don't. I saw you leave the hotel last night from my window soon we all called in! The night clerk even saw you walk straight out of the lobby—and I don't know even when you came back, but I can tell you it was well after midnight. So either you're not playing straight, or that crystal thing… I dunno, hypnotizes you, makes you sleepwalk or something… or there's someone walking around right under our noses with your face and your clothes on him. …I guess next you're going to say that it wasn't really you who went to the library the other day, right?" Marius stares at his coffee and blows a sigh of air, suddenly not that sure if he's ready for the answer.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Frank did you leave the hotel last night as Mr. Albertoni says?"

[Mant72]

Dr. Morgan:

Frank sinks slowly into the nearest chair, his whole body shakes and trembles. He has a faraway look in his eyes, as if he were tying to comprehend something at a distance, a tiny speck on the horizon of understanding. Frank dreads where he believes, no, knows where this conversation is heading. His thoughts reel back to the exchange with the desk clerk, and then skip to the discussion with the librarian. He looks back and forth between David, Marius, and Father Vaughan, his mouth working silently, but he is unable to speak for what seems an age. Finally, "I...I... was... with the Father and you David. I didn't leave the hotel last night. I...swear by all that is holy. You must believe me! It's happening again!" Frank repeatedly runs his hands through his hair and nervously laughs, then whispers to no one in particular, "Please... help me."

[Grognardsw]

Father Vaughan grips Dr. Morgan's shoulder reassuringly. "I can vouch that Dr. Morgan was with me then, in his room, seeking counsel and guidance. This other man must be an imposter - I cannot imagine him being anything else. And I don't believe the crystal could have hypnotized both of us."





At the courthouse, Attorney Lamont Cranston answers Reginald: "It is background on the investigation the BOI supplied to the judge. It's not new information to you per se. I'd say his sentence is medium. Yes, he can have visitors, but they will need to sign in. Agent Mulder said the BOI will be tracking any visitors."





Reginald and Isaiah return to the hotel. The investigators bring each other up to date. A familiar face rejoins the group as Agent Mulder introduces private investigator Sam Archer. His left hand is missing, replaced with a prosthetic hand, and he is slightly bruised about the face.

[Inferno]

Sam Archer, private eye:

Archer was as spent as a used firecracker.

The ashen detective would shake any offered hands with his remaining extremity. He looked over the team of criminal investigators: a librarian, a former mental patient, a poacher, two school teachers, and now a priest.

Archer grimaced wearily and asked, "What's on the docket today, kids?"

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

He extends his hand to greet Mr. Archer. "It's good to see you again Mr. Archer. I can see not much has changed with you, except ehh… so how is your investigation going? Have you managed to recover anymore of the stolen antiquities?"

[Grognardsw]

"We will be questioning Konstantin Chertovski and have a search warrant on his house," says Agent Mulder to Archer. "We'll have three extra BOI agents with us, given this 'Shunned House' is quite large. I've had an agent watching the house, and he reported that Chertovski has had a number of visitors this morning who are still in the house as of 15 minutes ago."

"Are there any questions or suggestions?"

"If you're all ready, we'll go?

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Yes I think we are all ready Agent Mulder."

OCC: Dr. Clarke is leaving behind his pistol and ledger in his room. He has placed them in his suitcase. No need for a gun with this many agents and Sam Archer around. And one should leave a record of accounts for the replacement investigators to find.

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer and occultist

Reginald takes the opposite view. He is never again meeting with a cult member without a pistol. He previously requested one from Mulder. Has the BOI provided one yet?

[Mant72]

Dr. Morgan:

In light of recent events, Frank also brings along his pistol.