Shadow and Noir 9

A series played using Quill Noir and Quill Shadow and Ink. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Letter 9: Price to West

Casey,

I'm writing to let you know that I'm okay - things have gone sideways, but I'm okay. Even as I write this the sights I saw have started to swiftly dissipate. It was dark and I thought I saw things that I couldn't have seen.

I was checking in on Agnes Maxwell, an old friend and fellow reporter. When I arrived at the guesthouse she'd been staying at I thought as first they'd been burgled. Then I followed the blood stains and the trail leading out the back door.

I followed in into Sycamore Woods and that's where I found them. There were dozens of them, naked and scarred and chanting. It was a symphony of voices and I could have sworn there were fleshy, bulbous creatures feeding on them.

I must have been mistaken though, right? What I can say for certain is that there was another man there; tall, well-dressed, and smiling. I'm scared but I'm trying to be pragmatic - do you think he could be tied to Parminder somehow?

HE CAN'T BE, HE WAS TOO OTHERWORLDLY TO BE CONNECTED TO SUCH A MUNDANE CASE AS OURS. THE SCARRED CULTISTS TOLD ME I SHOULD REJOICE FOR THIS MAN - THEIR GOD - HAD BROUGHT THEM TO PARADISE. THEY DIED PRAISING HIM, THOSE SHAPELESS FLESHY THINGS FEASTING ON THEM. WHAT WHERE THEY!

Shadow and Noir 8

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Letter 8: Maxwell to Price

Maxwell,

I found the missing notes but it's too late. I saw them as they writhed and chanted in Sycamore Woods. I fear that they succeeded where Jemima failed and now we are all in danger.

I paid off a useless cop from Arkham who gave me the lead. For a few months the locals had been reporting strange lights and sounds in the woods. The law were refusing to investigate so I saw a chance to do some digging.

I rented a room in a boarding house and befriended the landlady. There's a field north of the woods where the local dogwalkers go. So I offered to take the landlady's spaniel for a stroll as cover to go check out the woods.

Well, I found the source of the lights and chanting - circle of ten people performing the Vir Stellas ritual. They were covered with the same symbols as Jemima, but their ritual was working. Amidst the spiteful gloam I saw a tall gentleman looming over them.

I couldn't draw my eyes away from him - he was at least eight feet tall and dressed in immaculate finery. As the ritualists chanted and danced around him he cackled at them. This "Mans from the Stars" is a threat and we must stop this ritual from ever being performed again.

Agnes.

Shadow and Noir 7

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Letter 7: Price to Maxwell

Maxwell,

I've got a potential lead on whoever killed Jemima and her friend. There have been some grisly killings and the killer's been made. "Kris" Parminder is known for his ritualised knife work so could be our guy.

I know it's a tricky situation, but did Jemima have any enemies? Parminder works for money so we'd need to ID someone who'd want to kill her. If we can link an enemy to Parminder, we're a step closer to justice.

I know you move in more refined circles, but let's just say I've been known to mix with a gangster or two. I've been putting out some feelers but Parminder has worked closely with the Galdi family. You won't know them but trust me, they're bad news.

I've kept an ear to the ground and had Casey make some discrete enquiries. We've grilled some low-level goons and found Parminder's star is on the rise. He's (allegedly) taken out the big man's right hand and has designs on taking his place.

The Galdi family are in the position to take him out for us if we wanted to go down that route. That said, they'll also rub out anyone they think is a rat, so bringing him to justice might be a lot harder. Casey says he can get an audience with someone who has the big man's ear. I'll keep you posted.

Price.

Shadow and Noir 6

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Letter 5: Maxwell to Price

Robert,

I need your help - Jemima's dead and it's my fault! I shared some notes with her from that old occult book I acquired. She tried one of the mystic incantations and now she's dead.

I stopped by to visit while I was in town, I'd called ahead but there was no answer. What I found shocked me - what would kill, maim, and rend two bodies like that? The scars on the bodies were deliberate patterns.

I knew there was something wrong when she asked me for a copy of the notes. Out of context the ritual tempted her to make a play for power. If she'd had the original text she'd have recognised that there's something truly sinister lurking behind the pages.

The worst part was the meaning that I've gleaned from the patterns of scars. I cross-referenced them against the Vir Stellas - they hint at something unspeakable. A being that ushers in a cacophonous era where all we cherish is torn apart.

There is something terrible coming, I feel it to be true. The notes and paraphernalia from that wretched, horrid ritual were taken and could fall into the wrong hands. We must recover them before anyone performs the ritual again.

Agnes.

Shadow and Noir 5

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Letter 5: Price to Maxwell

Maxwell,

I'll need to keep this quick as I'm in hot water again. I'm keeping watch for a blue sedan with my name on it, and not in a good way. I got justice for my client but now I've got a irate professor out to get me.

I solved the case pretty quickly, an extortion case where the crook got greedy - and sloppy. She lawyered up fast but I bypassed that mouthpiece and went straight to the Dean with my story. I had to book an appointment but met a potential witness in the process.

My would-be stoolie agreed to meet for lunch, which would pass the time before my appointment. They confirmed my theories enough to boost my confidence, but wouldn't go on the record. I thought they were afraid of repercussions.

It turns out they weren't, they were in cahoots with the dodgy professor. I had my time with the Dean and made my case - even without the witness I'm pretty sure I was convincing. Sure enough given that the professor/extortionist  tried to run me down as I was leaving the campus. I anticipated a shakedown but not an assassination.

I never figured academia could be so cut-throat. Well, if this professor wants to play rough, I'm ready to roll. This broad will learn that I'm no helpless pigeon.

Price.

Shadow and Noir 4

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Letter 4: Maxwell to Jemima Carter

My darling Jemima,

I have it! I acquired a copy of the Vir Stellas at an auction and with M. Durand's notes I have unlocked its secrets. Or at the very least have unlocked the first ritual.

I am nowhere as gifted as you, my love. The ritual requires two participants, it doesn't specify expertise but with as skilled a magic-user as you we will complete it easily. This initial ritual should open up more of the text to us.

Even with Durand's notes much of the text is couched in metaphor and mystery. It alludes to forms and shapes existing in higher dimensions. However, it offers no concrete means of accessing them.

The text makes repeated to a state of being that the ritualists must attain. The translation from Durand is "exalted deathlessness" - a term that certainly sounds intriguing. Apparently deeper rituals will guide us through the steps.

Even the simplest rituals appear to use an array of rare and exotic ingredients. In preparation I have begun to inveigle my way into some less well funded occult societies. They won't miss a few items if we're careful - I will keep you updated.

Yours always

Agnes x 

Shadow and Noir 3

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Letter 3: Price to Maxwell

Maxwell,

Another day another case, this one was barely a challenge if I'm honest. Nothing like this rare books story you're working on. I'm still not sure why you're so interested in a book, but from your last letter is does sound pretty hinky.

In my case it looks to be a case of a crooked bank manager trying to pull an inside job. I threw Casey West a few bucks to do some digging and he turned up the manager's secret - crushing gambling debts. I still feel bad for how the Henderson affair ended so I'm glad to be able to keep him occupied.

So the manager had a cash-flow problem and decided to make a withdrawal from his customers' accounts. Of course there's no way he could get away with that much cabbage alone. I figured he must have had an accomplice.

I leaned on the night security guard - the one who claimed the thieves knocked him out. When he realised his boss would sell him down the river if needed, he spilled the beans. In exchange for a measly five hundred clams he took a smoke break while his boss emptied the safe.

So the guard's going to the Big House and barely covers expenses. The bank manager's a different matter, I've got only the word of a couple of ex-cons to corroborate my story. I know you don't like it when I mention your family ties - but it looks like wealth wins out over justice as usual.

Price.

Shadow and Noir 2

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Letter 2: Maxwell to Pierre Durand

M. Durand.

I trust this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to ask you for your professional perspective on a recent purchase. It is a rare book of emblems and designs - the seller claimed it is a copy of the Vir Stellas.

I'm no artist but I have enclosed a sketch of some fragments of the designs from the early chapters. Sadly I don't recognise the language, or possibly languages, the book is written in. The drawings are tantalising alone, the lack of context amplifies the effect.

A librarian colleague has examined the physical object, and confirms that this is an authentic sixteenth-century tome. Together we compared the text to contemporary volumes but found no direct comparison with the language or the drawings. This book is a mystery to me.

I've studied the Vir Stellas long into the night in the hopes of deciphering this infamous book. By candlelight the images - particularly some of the woodcuts - seem to take on movement. It is folly of course but something about this book becomes curiously oppressive after dark - it chills me to behold.

I'm reluctant to let the book out of my hands, but if you'd be able to visit the city to view it in person I'd be happy to cover your expenses. I really do hope you can help shed some light on these fascinating illustrations. I feel we are on the verge of some great discovery.

Agnes Maxwell.

Shadow and Noir 1

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Letter 1: Price to Maxwell

Maxwell,

I've got a case that might be up your alley - Oliver Henderson's missing daughter. Turns out she's alive and well but her daddy's not going to be happy. I'm working up some Dutch courage before I go tell him.

My contact with the police let slip (for a fee) that Justine Henderson isn't the only missing persons case on the books. Casey West, some petty hoodlum, hasn't been seen for a while either. My first thought was a ransom job, so I set about tracking him down.

It took a while but eventually led me to a run down motel on the edge of town. A small gratuity to the owner got me the news they'd been there a few days and were the picture of two young paramours. I got a glimpse into their room - they've got matching jewellery.

Seems the kidnapping is actually an elopement. Her father thinks she was grabbed but she's gone willingly and seems happier than ever. Great news for gossip rags like yours, less so for me.

I've got to tell Oliver Henderson - one of the wealthiest men in the country - that his only daughter is slumming it with a crook. I can only guess the incandescent fury I'm about to unleash. If you don't hear from me at the cops will have a lead.

Price.