Book Three: Out of Time

[Mant72]

Dr. Frank Morgan:


Frank reads the face of his fellow professor and knows the news is not pleasant. He places his hand on David’s shoulder and inquires, ”What is it, David? Your face is as white as a sheet.”

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

With no emotion, upon his face he hands Frank the letter then sits down in the closest chair to him. There he sits and remains silent in a state of melancholy.

[Greywolf]

Dr. Baba Balandabar

The professor from India observes the solemn development and patiently keeps silent.

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

Frank reluctantly accepts the letter and reads the damning decree. ”This can’t be! David,... I’m so sorry. I know what your position here at the university means to you, and I assure you we will clear your name of these false accusations. We will have your position reinstated and your tenure renewed. You have my word.”

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"What's the use Frank, I'm ruined. By now I'm sure my name has been placed alongside Dr. Ubaid Hazradbad as another disgraced academic. I've lost my professorship, my reputation, my armoire, Raymond, and soon my freedom. All because of this DAMNED AMBROSE CARCOSA! If I'm not sent to jail tomorrow, I swear I will end Carcosa life myself with my bare hands!"

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Reginald is oddly comforted by David's display of homicidal mania. That fact worries him, but he decides not to dwell on it at present.

David, I know you did not kill the girl. We will clear you of these allegations. In the meantime, we must decipher these tomes and find out what Ms. Ford knows.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Thank you, Reginald. It's comforting to know I have so much support from all of you. Ms. Ford, I'm afraid might know a good deal and not only her but her father and his associates. She spent her days at Raymond's side caring for him. It's no doubt that she acquired any notes he had written down or even prodded him for information in his weakened state. She must know about the crystal and its abilities. When I visited Florence, Raymond's wife... ah, widow she said that Raymond though aged was quite coherent. He told her of his travels and of the crystal but didn't go into detail. She said he would often talk in his sleep and wake up screaming. Raymond continued his research into the crystal and his usual mode of travel. Florence said he visited many books shop inquiring about mystic travel and at least one proprietor visited Raymond at his home about the matter. It wasn't until about three weeks after his returned that Ms. Ford took care of him. His health was failing and poor Florence didn't have the strength to care for him. Claire, Ms. Ford would report to Florence of what Raymond was doing and who he spoke to. Florence was so worried about Raymond's health and of his mind which was slowly slipping away. I saw nothing in his home of use; no books or note of the matter. Raymond told Florence nothing of note. I would imagine that the Fords and their evil associates will seek out the crystal, but it's in the hands of a servitor of the lord. Forever protected by God."
David, not the most religious man crosses himself experiencing a moment of reverence.

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

”Yes, the good Father Vaughn was last to possess the crystal. I don’t want to suggest blasphemy, but it is rather odd that he left without word and so unexpectedly.”

Frank shudders at recalling the torturous visions imparted upon him by the crystal.

[Grognardsw]

To move the game along we'll jump forward in the story. Feel free to still post on earlier events if you like; they'll be flashbacks.

If anyone would like to also play Agent Mulder and influence the deployment of BOI resources, feel free.

Andover, Massachusetts
10:00 am, Oct. 9, 1925

The next day the investigators drive to Andover to visit Claire Ford. The drive in Dr. Morgan's Model T is pleasant enough, rambling along scenic Route 114 through Danvers (home to a well known insane asylum) among other towns. The men make small talk interspersed with comments about the investigation.

Prof. Balandabar peruses The Pnakotic Manuscripts he discretely brought along. Some of the Xaqloui text is particularly intriguing.

Dr. Morgan recalls the celestial interpretations of Prof. Shapely of the Astronomy Dept. at Columbia University…

“Well the Carcosa research was a bit unusual, but I admit he paid exceedingly well. Or rather, the Foundation of the Church of Starry Wisdom. I was referred to Mr. Carcosa by a former student. I didn't know Mr. Carcosa, and only met him once."

Professor Shapely opens a folder of notes. "He was interested in the movement and positions of certain stars from a historical as well as future perspective. These include Algol, the double star, Arcturus, Celaeno, the Argos Navis constellation field, Yith and the small as yet scientifically unsubstantiated planet some call Planet X."

"Also, their position in the sky relative to particular locations on the earth - North Salem, New Hampshire; Chinle, Arizona; and Wiltshire, England."

"The data pointed to maximum astro-linear alignment occuring on Tuesday, Dec. 22, of this year. That is, I'm sure you know, the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. The sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole. During solstice the tilt of the axil of the Earth (with respect to the Sun) is the maximum at 23° 26'."

Professor Shapely looks at the telescope data from Dr. Clarke. He works out some equations. "I can't be certain, not knowing the exact orientation of the house and room, but it appears the telescope was pointed at Planet X."

Everyone seems excited about the New Orleans trip, the most promising lead in tracking down the elusive Ambrose Carcosa. Dr. Clarke hopes the Asenaith Waite legal matter will be settled by then, so he will be able to leave Massachusetts.

As Dr. Clark reminded everyone, Claire Ford is the daughter of James Ford, the primary financial backer of the Mt. Latmos expedition. His one stipulation was retrieval of his estranged daughter Claire, who was living in sin with a bohemian artist in the Left Bank of Paris.

The appearance of James Ford in the letters found in Carcossa’s Providence apartment were disturbing and raised many questions. Attempts to question Ford at his New York office could not be done due to his alleged absence. Did Agent Mulder and the BOI ever close the loop on that?

Reginald suspected a magical gate was involved in the instantaneous return of Raymond to the U.S., and possibly the aging side-effects. The book dealer had experience detecting a gate from a ritual spell he performed from the The Pnakotic Manuscripts.

The investigators reach Claire’s home, a quaint old Victorian with a wrap-around porch upon which a black lab dog lounges. The windows on the second floor are open to let in the breeze.



The dog’s tail wags as the men approach and knock on the door. They see through the front door glass a woman approaching. The door opens and there stands Claire Ford. She is with child. Something doesn’t seem quite right given the time they last saw her very thin form.

“Can I help you gentlemen?” she asks. Her face is beginning to take on a look of recognition.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

Not wanting to be seen anywhere near any young girls he elects not to go with the others to Ms. Ford's home. Instead, he opens the local phone directory and writes down the locations of all the used books stores in Arkham. He complies the list and puts them in a special order pertaining to the proximity of late Dr. Raymond Randolph's home. The closest to Raymond's home first. He then dons his coat and his hat and proceeds to the first store on the list to inquire about books about mystic travel in hopes of finding the proprietor who visited Raymond at his home.

[Greywolf]

Dr. Balandabar

The language scholar keeps an eye on the open windows as he looks over the shoulders of those in front of him. He is still going over in his mind the forms and scripts from Pnakotic Manuscripts as he listens to the conversation unfold.

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

Frank reaches down to allow the black lab to smell his palm before proceeding to stroke its head. As the door is opened by Ms. Ford, Frank straightens, ”Hello, Ms. Ford. I am Dr. Morgan, do you remember me? Might we come in and speak with you for a moment?”

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Reginald waits for a response from Ms. Ford before engaging. He stands away from the dog, and does his best to take in the surroundings. He looks for anything that might seem out of place.

[Grognardsw]

Anderson's Antiquarian Books
1611 Church St.
Arkham, Mass.
10:00 am, Oct. 9, 1925

Dr. Clarke steps into Anderson's Antiquarian Books.



"May I help you?" the clerk asks. The clerk is a woman; how progressive. She has a bookish turn, probably a Smith girl.





Claire Ford's Residence
Andover, Massachusetts
10:02 am, Oct. 9, 1925

"Yes, I do remember you from Paris," the pregnant Claire Ford answers Dr. Morgan. She looks beyond at the others.

"Are you here to take me to my father again?" she says with a half-smile. "I'm not sure I should let a bunch of men into the house. What do you want?"

Dr. Balandabar scans the windows and is relieved to see no one peering out from behind curtains. His thoughts turn to that most strange tongue. The Xaqloui language is the most intriguing speech and written expression form he has encountered. The inferences and meanings seem highly symbolic, with a semiotic landscape that is not religious but rather... He searches for the word - mystical, occult, dreamlike? None is quite right. Otherworldly?

Reginald peers about the surroundings. The house and grounds seem to be in good order. He notices tires tracks in the ground to the right of the house in what must be the driveway area, though it is not paved.

Marius, recently moody and taciturn from poor sleep, worrying about how is family is doing, smiles broadly at the dog and gives it a good petting.

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Reginald lets Dr. Morgan do the talking for now. He tries to focus his attention away from Ms. Ford. He watches for anything unexpected, particularly from the direction of the driveway.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

This is not what David wanted to see. He quickly glances around for other patrons. The last thing he wants is to be alone with any more young women.
"Is Mr. Anderson about and if so could I please speak to him?"

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

"Are you here to take me to my father again?" she says with a half-smile. "I'm not sure I should let a bunch of men into the house. What do you want?"

Frank smiles warmly and chuckles, ”I apologize for the unannounced visit, Ms. Ford, and no, we aren’t here to take you to your father; however, we do have some questions about your father, and we were hoping you could enlighten us. Might we please come in?”

[Grognardsw]

Anderson's Antiquarian Books
1611 Church St.
Arkham, Mass.
10:02 am, Oct. 9, 1925

The woman gives Dr. Clarke a look as she gets up.

“William, you have a visitor!” She walks back through the door behind her. An older gentlemen steps into the room.

"Can I help you?"







Claire Ford's Residence
Andover, Massachusetts
10:02 am, Oct. 9, 1925

Claire Ford holds a hand against her pregnant belly as she looks over the four men. She steps outside onto the porch and sits down. The black lab dutifully sits in front of her.

“We can talk out here.” She lights a cigarette and takes a long drag.

Frank persuade [1d100] = 92 Fail

Feel free to write all the questions you have for Claire, to speed up the dialogue.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

With a sigh of relief David introduces himself to the proprietor. "Hello, I'm Dr. David Clarke, Profess..." he pauses a minute feeling the bite of his academic removal. "scholar of Archaeology and esoterica. I'm looking for books on mystic travel. A fellow colleague of mine from the local university a Dr. Raymond Randolph was thoroughly researching the topic until his passing. Unfortunately, time caught up with poor Raymond his work goes unfinished and his research lost. I spoke with his widow and she mentioned that he visited several booksellers not long ago inquiring on the subject and one stopped by his house but she was unable to recall the name of the visitor. By chance was that you?"

[Grognardsw]

Hal Lancaster’s Apartment
Baltimore, MD
3:07 am, August 25, 1925

Hal Lancaster wakes with a start, his body drenched in sweat. The dream again. His old friend Sam Archer, driven to murder over wild conspiracies. Or are they wild? Hal never saw Sam again after he sought out that freakshow leader. That was more than two months ago. Hal thinks back to his final words with Sam...

"True," said Hal. "Listen, Sam," he stopped and faced his war buddy, "I can't see it, what you're saying about hypnotism and all the rest of it--madness ... your madness. Give it up, man. ...I can't murder folk!"

What happened to his old buddy? Hal resolves to find out.





Anderson's Antiquarian Books
1611 Church St.
Arkham, Mass.
10:04 am, Oct. 9, 1925

“A Mr. Randolph you say? Travel... hmm, yes it does ring a bell.” Mr. Anderson sets down his cigar and consults an accounting journal. ”Yes, he stopped by here and we spoke of ancient travel logs and more esoteric matters. Mayan carvings of ancient aeronauts and such balderdash. The chap seemed to take it seriously. He bought a minor archeology monograph, probably more out of guilt at taking up my time. I referred him to Lorecraft occult bookshop, newly opened in Marblehead-by-the-Sea. I did not visit his house.”

Dr. Clarke listens with interest. Out of the corner of his eye he glimpses the woman clerk beyond the door in the back room. She is pacing back and forth, cigarette in hand, arms gesticulating as if in animated conversation but it is silent back there.