High Thrills and Social Ills

Trip the Darkness

Big news greeted our characters this week. The Dash has finally finished undergoing repairs and may see action again in a few months. Charity got a message from her brother letting her know of the East India Company injustices and that he has joined up with some men looking to do some good for India. All the while, Fidget was stealing the weapons and the money from the dead drops around the area.

With news that The Dash has been repaired, Kael decided it was time to act before he lost his chance. He contacted Wiley Willy about getting a crew together to take his ship back. Willy said he would start asking around and see what kind of information he could dig up.

Fidget encountered a strangely dressed Goatman who asked a few strange questions, sprinkled some sand over him, laughed, and walked away before blinking out of existence. The man had with him a strange jug and a goat.

Charity was a popular girl when both Blackmantle and Kael showed up to her place at around the same time that morning. Blackmantle wanted Charity to help him look further into The Prince’s Knot. She agreed to have someone she knew look over everything. Kael wished to discuss the possibility of future adventures together and maybe of leaving London. Charity had taken Kael with her during some of her worked and, after healing a beaten man, she showed him why she would be hesitant to leave. The beaten man explained to them that Rollo Cork, a nasty tempered halfling, had done it to him trying to get information as to where Fidget might be. The man didn’t know.

However, that did not stop Rollo Cork from suddenly finding out where Fidget was. They fought for a bit before Kael and Charity showed up to help him. Kael managed to apprehend Rollo and remand him into custody of the local authorities.

Charity gave the info she had about the Prince’s Knot to Father Dobbs to further research the matter. He learned that it had strong relevance to the story of Lucifer’s fall and it looks like their intent is to bring him back. Later Charity was visited by Donovan Crofton who told her how he expected the Indian problem put down quickly.

Blackmantle himself went to get an outside opinion of the ritual from the Guild. The mage he spoke to hadn’t seen that one before but without know what original magical practice it was from he couldn’t know for sure; obviously not thaumaturge.
While Blackmantle was in Bishopsgate, he overheard Mr. Lexington and Father Dunnsworth talking down a dark alleyway. They were discussing how far along everything was and that their leader, Pan, had finally arrived, but also how one of their own was getting out of hand, even earning a nickname as the Soho Slasher. After talking about doing something about it soon, they blinked out of existence. Blackmantle decided to enlist the services of The Hound to find out more about what they were talking about.

Charity was asked by Sheela to help her sneak a statue into London as a surprise for her father. Charity agreed to the task of erasing the entry. Later on, the Baron came to escort Charity to a show in Soho. During their time together he told her about what he knew about the plight in India and that he had heard news about her brother joining up with some men he knew. He promised he would do what he could to keep her brother from harm.

Fidget managed to secure a printing press to put in his new place. After putting out an ad, he got Pierre Dubois to do the artwork for him. Now he is ready to begin printing his first penny dreadful.

Charity was successful in hiding the statue from her father and he was pleasantly surprised by it later.

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For the Love of the Hunt

The Hound was hired by a bland young man to take out The Apache. The job seemed simple enough until Alistair accidentally ran into him at the market where his sells his wars during the day. Risa decided it would be in Alistair’s best interest if she kept an eye out for him.

The Masked Bandit has noticed that Kent Darvey is recruiting new members to West End Terror on the far East End. As he went to investigate, he noticed that Darvey was using a strange watch to hypnotize men into doing his bidding. The Masked Bandit tried to stop him but Darvey disappeared.

Gage Price, a regular of Risa’s, came for a reading. Risa witnessed him shaking hands with a wolf and a dog. She knew that she had to warn Alistair that his mission might be staged somehow.

Father Dobbs received news that the Bishop of Stepney is stepping down, leaving the chance for advancement open for him. After reviewing the opinions of the other local priest, he is sure he has a chance to become the next bishop.

Later that week, The Masked Bandit came across Darvey up to his tricks again. This time Darvey would not escape as The Masked Bandit managed to shoot him in the ankle. He removed Darvey’s items, a gun and the pocket watch, and left him with a note on the door step of Scotland Yard. That night he had a dream of heading out to Hackney, waving the watch in front of a building, and hypnotizing strangers. When he awoke that morning, he was in his bedclothes in the Hackney. He came across Risa and asked her advice about the watch. She was able to translate the inscription on it and knew the item to be cursed. Unsure of how to be rid of it, they decided to take it to Father Dobbs to see if he had any advice. He said a prayer over it and the link of dark magic was severed. Afterwards, Risa went with Fain back to his place where he paid her for her services and got a reading from her. She say their two roads connecting and leading into a dark forest with bats blotting out the sun. They parted ways knowing that this was just the beginning of a journey. However, Darvey was found dead on the police doorstep, a bullet in his chest along with The Masked Bandit’s note making it look like he was to blame for the murder. Wanted posters blanketed the town for The Masked Bandit.

At long last, The Apache caught up to a waiting Hound. The Hound explained that he resented their situation. It was then that The Apache explained to him what was really at stake; that he thought himself the best and aimed to prove it to himself and The Union. The battle ensued but after a solid shot and a few well placed cracks from a gun cane The Apache fell dead at The Hound’s feet. He met up with his contact, a sour taste in his mouth from the deed that needed to be done but for the wrong reasons. However, he was offered a place as Head of Muscle within The Union. Alistair grudgingly accepted; best to work within this system for now, he could decided whether they continued or disbanded later.

After sunday’s sermon, Father Dobbs was approached but Sheldon Hearst with an interesting proposition. He had heard that Father Dobbs aimed to be the next Bishop of Stepney and wanted to help him bolster his chances of getting the position. In return, he wanted nothing. All he would give for an explanation was that he was a “concerned citizen”.

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The War at Home

The weeks following the kidnapping of Cutter’s illegitimate daughter were filled with violence between two rival gangs for control of Whitechapel; Cutter’s Crew and the McEwan gang, the newest addition to West End Terror. Each side decided that something must be done.

Blackmantle was hired to kill Cutter. The reasons were simple and the payment was ample. Without hesitation, he began his search. After staking out Cutter’s bar and bedding his daughter Blackmantle had Cutter’s moves all figured out. He waited til he was wasted, crept into his room, and ran him through the heart. Then he went out the window and into the night. Cutter’s Crew was without its namesake.

Before his demise, Cutter knew that he must find McEwan if he wanted Whitechapel to himself. To that end, he put Fidget to the task of ferreting him out. With little difficulty Fidget was able to track down McEwan right to his weapons storehouse. Cutter’s son, Butch, went in with a crew of heavy hitters to finish the problem. In the issuing conflict Butch was killed but not before he took down McEwan himself. The McEwan gang had reached its end.

Kael was asked by Phoenix Squadron to look into a matter of Queen and Country; Russian weapons have made their way into the black market of London. For this request he made a deal with “Hayden Rutherford” to be trained on how to fly a wyvern in return for figuring out who is behind the contraband. He went into the city to figure it out while trying out his new persona, Sid the American. During his search, he came across Fidget, who was in the process of securing east Whitechapel. Working together, they cleared out the last strong point of the McEwan gang. Kael, finding clues to the dead drops, got one step closer for figuring out where the weapons were coming from.

Charity’s sense of adventure continues to be fueled by the events around her. The mysterious events throughout the city have prompted her to start tracking them. Eloise Trinity invited Charity over for tea, interested in what she had heard about this young woman. Interested in Charity’s idea about doing charitable works for the lower class, Eloise has offered her assistance in any way she can and hoped to see her around the Adventurer’s Society more often. Her pocketwatch added some weight to her words. Blackmantle also took an interest in Charity’s actions, but more so about the mysterious fires and those who caused them. They agreed to keep each informed about the incident. Later that week, Charity went to Southwark to see what she could do for the people there. Finding a young boy whose fingers had been mangled by factory machines, she healed him of his wounds. Word of her kind actions have all ready began to spread.

Fidget, along with Cutter’s other son, have secured Whitechapel for their own interest. Finally having a place to call home, Fidget can begin to build his empire.

Blackmantle, having pleased the man who hired him, met his employer at a nice little restaurant. Turns out he was hired by Borozci, a kindly old man by day and a crime lord by night. Unaware of Borozci’s true nature, the two had a pleasant time. However, with West End Terror’s hand into the East End severed, he needs to find another way to build power.

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The Goat and the Hound

During the debutante ball, Blackmantle overheard that a man who goes by The Hound could be trusted to get a dirty job done. Blackmantle had need to have a man, Diedrick Lexington, followed, his moves recorded. He sent a servant to The Hound, requesting his service. With terms agreeable to both members through their medium, the Hound began to tail Mr. Lexington.
Risa is awakened to find that a member of her caravan has been taken. She takes it upon herself to try and find the missing girl. She asks for the help of Father Dobbs to ask about and see if anyone knows anything. The two begin to search.
The Masked Bandit stumbles over a serious beat down in Whitechapel. Turns out members of the McEwan gang have kidnapped one of Cutter’s illegitimate daughters. He’s heard that The Masked Bandit was pretty good about this kinda thing and he had his hands full with the situation in Whitechapel. Cutter let it drop that Kent Darvey was behind it as an incentive to get The Masked Bandit on the job. The Masked Bandit set out immediately to find the problem.
That night Risa had a vision that left clues that some evil lurked over the city and was the controlling force behind the kidnappings. The next day while searching they encounter The Masked Bandit, who is on the case as well. As they combine their clues, they figure out where the children might be.
Alistair’s watch seems pretty uneventful. The man receives a letter, no big. The next night, the man meets with a priest, Dunnsworth he overhears, in Bethnal Green and they discuss purifying sites. The next day is more tedious letter sending, however Father Dobbs request The Hounds assistance. While they discuss what is to be done, The Hound ask if Father Dobbs can inquire about a strange symbol he was asked to look into. He also mentions the meeting between Lexington and Father Dunnsworth. Father Dobb’s research show that the symbol belongs to The Prince’s Knot, a mystery cult. He is able to translate the ritual for the Hound.
The Masked Bandit has solved where the children are located and stole his way onto the ship in which they were contained. During his attempt, he is stopped by Kent Darvey. A brief confrontation leads The Masked Bandit to shot the molotov cocktail Darvey was going to throw at him, blowing up half of his face. After accessing the situation, he decides to rally the troops. The Masked Bandit, Risa, and a halfling friend of her’s sneak onto the ship while Cutter and his men, Officer McNaulty and a few of his trusted officers, The Hound, and Father Dobbs all take on the crew of this West End Terror ship. During the commotion, the children are easily secured below deck. As most of West End Terror is apprehended or have fled, the children are released and sent back to their families.
That Friday night, the summer solstice,five fires burned in different parts of the city. The more occult-minded could feel that something was up while most assumed that some crazy person may be on the loose. The papers over the next few days were full of news about the fires and the bust on the boat.
The Hound delivered his detailed report back to Thomas, who promptly delivered the information back to Blackmantle. He now had a name for what he hunted, an idea of their agenda, and how they were going about it. All he really needs to know now is how to identify them and who the rest of them are.

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Presenting the Queen!

It is the week of Charity’s debutant ball and everyone in her house was excited, except Charity who was more nervous. The event was bound to be unconventional at best (something of a comfort) with a male arranging the ball and dress, the lack of female friends, and her foreigner status. Luckily, Sheela was around to lend a hand where she could, namely giving Charity a dress from her native land instead of the ugly one her father had selected, and waiting with her as she greeted guest.
Fidget was asked by Dmitri Maximov to find the stash house of William DeHarve and “redistribute” his wealth to as many people as possible. While beginning his quest, he managed to intervene on a group of thugs trying to accost Charity, namely by dropping the sewer grate from under him.
Archie Waylan sent Kael a message for him to come check out the advancement on his investment, a steam/electric horseless carriage. They took it for a test drive and were impressed by just how fast the vehicle was capable of going. Kael’s sister and Mr. Blackmantle also took note of the vehicle and came over the chat about it. During their conversation, Rifford Rafferty drove up in a wicked-looking automobile of his own. As rich boys with toys are one to do, he challenged Kael to a race.
Blackmantle noticed on the vehicle a strange symbol he had only seen once before, on that horrible day. He later questioned Mr. Rafferty about it who had no idea about it; his mechanic did all the real work. Rafferty gave Blackmantle the name, Deidrick Lexington. He began to hunt down the man.
Archie believed that they needed an edge to beat the other horseless carriage. After a cocaine inspired brainstorming session, he came up with blue-prints for something new, something never seen before. However, what he needed was strange at best and he asked Kael’s assistance in gaining those items while be finished tuning the car and adding the new parts. After getting a new steampot from a silly man, hiring Willy to steal the strange nitrogen from the only man who had ordered it, Mr. Lexington.
Fidget managed to find the stash house of DeHarve after much tailing. He grabbed as many items of value that he could get his hands on (a surprisingly large amount) and made his escape. During which time he ran into Kael and Charity. Kael, thinking the worse, gave chase but was stopped by Charity, who had been helped by the Ratman earlier that week. Fidget also had a tremendous amount of silver, an item Kael needed to finish his engine. The trade was made and they went their separate ways.
With the horseless carriage supped up, it was time to race. The two cars burned rubber down the track until Mr. Rafferty’s front end literally twisted upon itself. The man was okay but shaken, as were all who witnessed the strange site. Blackmantle knew that the mechanic was a strange man indeed. An attempt to chat proved him to be a secretive one as well.
Finally, it was the day of the ball! The event is small compared to some but the fine weather of the evening and exotic decor made it quite popular with those who were fortunate enough to attend. Many men where in attendance and Charity received a fair amount of bouquets. During the party, she spoke at length with Baron Branford, Harold Wyndham, another man from their native country. They were interrupted but the presents of none other than Queen Elizabeth herself, who approved of Charity’s boldness of dress and commented on how lovely she looked, before attending to business with her father and a few others.
To the observant member of the party, it was obvious that trouble was brewing when several prominent members of foreign affairs moved away from the party to discuss urgent business. To most, it was just another pleasant party as the social season began to head towards a close.

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Down with the Sickness

During a Sunday service, Father Dobbs notices that several members of his congregation have taken ill with a mysterious sickness. It seems pollution from a factory on the river is making the water unsafe for use. Determined to help the members of his flock, he set out to learning what he could about the sickness.
A newly-arrived gypsy girl, Risa, gave a reading to one of the local farmer’s wives in which she had a vision of a sickness spreading through the community and saw that the woman all ready had it. Later that evening when she noticed the symptoms as predicted, she blamed Risa and led a mob to chase her. A wandering Father Dobbs intervened and the two decided that it was in their best interest to get down to the root of the cause.
The Hound is hired to shut down the factory that makes “Clay Vaugn’s Headache Powder”, which the condition not to damage the place. After attempting to threaten the man to closing down his shop. He decided a different approach is in order.
Father Dobbs ran into Dr. Basil Dawson, a young doctor working out of his home, who is trying to find a cure for this strange illness before it has a chance to spread. Father Dobbs offers his assistance and is tasked with getting a few items he’s need to begin working on a treatment. However, Father Dobbs was taken ill with the sickness and was unable to be much help. Risa went out to collect some of the items and was taken ill as well.
Alistair decided to back up the polluted water into the factory itself and get it shut down that way. After a hard night’s work, he managed to get the pipe clamped but also came down sick. Luckily Dr. Dawson needed blood samples of the sick, which each of them offered up. After some work, a treatment was created and spread out to the immediate populace. The poor of the East End think highly of those who helped them when they needed it most.

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Breaking In and Breaking Out

With the strange death of Gale Buffet, it was left to his lawyer, Victor Offdensen, to untangle Gale’s will and figure out what was to be left to the organization he had envisioned. When Kael arrived at the lawyer’s office he had a proposition for Kael; Offdensen would “dissolve” the organization and take the two hundred pounds that went with it. In return, Kael could have the hangar left behind to do with as he pleased. Kael readily agreed, now having a base of operations for any future endeavors.
Charity finally made a friend within high society, a woman named Sheela. Sheela invited Charity over for tea, happy to know another foreigner in the area. Through conversation, it was revealed to Charity that Sheela was a skilled swordswoman and was knowledgeable about many things in the area.
While out patrolling one evening. The Masked Bandit overheard some workers from a nearby train tunnel excavation site report of some stolen equipment. After an investigation of the area, it was revealed that the culprits had to be operating north of the site. He also rumors of other blasting material going missing.
Kael decided to use the money he was paying to Wiley Willy Wollsworth for a good purpose. To begin his secret career, he would need to formulate a good persona, and needed an acting teacher. Willy introduced him to Caroline Pearl, a woman who sometimes helps during Brigg’s Gang cons. She agreed to help Kael for five shillings an hour. Kael also inquired as to where he might learn to handle a wyvern. Having no clue himself, Willy suggested The Phoenix Squadron.
Kenneth Valentine approached Fain with an issue. Kenneth was the man that sold Fain his grappling gun and he figured that Fain could help him. A group of thugs had forced him from his shop and he wanted them out. Turns out those men had been the ones stealing the tunneling equipment. It became obvious that they were trying to break into a prison for the mentally ill. The Masked Bandit, with the help of Officer McNaulty, took down the thugs before the plan was carried out, however the mastermind was never found.
Kael got in touch with The Phoenix Squadron which agreed to let him practice and they would help train him. After all, he’s a fellow soldier and one in good standing.

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Ancient Chinese Secert

For Lord Velsullius to full back Father Dobb’s church, he would like him to better understand how far the Church has gotten from it’s roots. He asked that Father Dobbs dig into the lives of some of his churchmen to learn the truth. By purchasing the help of the Hound, he was able to find that one priest had a love of asian women and that another was a pimp of sorts. He himself also discovered another who stole from the church on occasion. A minor taste but as some of those where those he considered allies, a rude awakening.

Terry Turner, leader of the Commercial Road gang, would like the Hound to free the brothers Motombaa and Wantanbe from the clutches of a merchant who works on behalf of the Black Gold Beneficent Society. The brothers happen to be gifted smugglers of items from Africa and the Far East. The Hound, with the aid of Fidget, and Father Dobbs, successfully broke into the merchant’s shop and collected the doll that held the the brother’s in thrall. During the break out, the doll became filthy and a fortunate washing of the doll freed to brothers finally.
The Commercial Road gang now has access to the some of the best smugglers in London and the brothers feel a debt to those who helped free them from the clutches of the Black Gold Beneficent Society.

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Mystery at the May Day Masquerade

The House of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had a May Day Masquerade, mostly to show off their new “Aluminat” artifact; a white marble lion with a strange red tongue. All of high society was in attendance to such a joyous evening. However, trouble was right around the corner.
During the party, Fain noticed that a few members of the staff were slipping away. Following them, he discovered five men setting up some sort of strange contraption, then, having been spotted by the armed men, he set about to try to find to what was afoot.
Father Dobbs was introduced to Lord Velsullius, an old man who has always taken an interest in the goings-on of the Church. Seeing Dobbs as a trustworthy man, he decided to patronize the Father’s church.
Kael was introduced to to Gale Buffet, the first man to fly an airship in combat. Mr. Buffet mentioned his interest in having Kael as the head of his project and the captain of his crew. More was to be discussed at a later date.
Charity ran into a Middle Eastern woman who, like Charity, had noticed that the sculpture was not Aluminat at all, but Indian in origin.
Mr. Blackmantle made his appearance to the social scene but on a mission. He was contracted by a mysterious man to kill a man who was attempting to assassinate Mr. Lockhart. So he watched as he made new friends.
Then West End Terror stuck! A man, calling himself Kent Darvey, began using “sorcery” to seemingly mind control half the guest to rob the other half. At this time, the lights went out of the party and everyone broke lose. Two men worked their way through the chaos and tried to kill Mr. Lockhart and Sir Edmund Crofton. However, Blackmantle quickly dispatched Mr. Lockhart’s killer and Kael was able to subdue the man after Crofton.
All the while, Kent Darvey was trying to get way. Charity had given chase only to find him all ready been tailed by The Masked Bandit. A trick shot with the grappling gun brought down Darvey but he managed to vanish before they were able to fully bring him to justice.
As they lead out the captive killer, he threw Charity a dirty look, one she would never forget.

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Press: The Attack

The Hound had received a note about a possible job. He met “Thomas” at the P’s & Q’s pub and was informed that his master would like three task accomplished. First, he would like the Illustrated London News out of print before Sunday. Second, he would like someone to keep an eye on and protect Stevie Steadman from a group of thugs. Finally, he would like a story stolen from Gary Stone.

The Hound, knowing he could not achieve all these goals on his own, hired out for additional help. To take out the printing press The Hound hired Fidget. The task was accomplished by having Fidget crawl in through the ink drain, douse the place in gasoline and other accelerants, then lite the place on fire. They managed to get away unnoticed.

The Hound spent time shadowing Stevie Steadman until his attackers showed up. After beating the three men, he was thanked for his efforts by the man. Then he stayed around to make sure no one would try to attack him again.

Belle was hired to steal the story from Gary Stone. After seducing him, she had recovered the story about one of her more vile clients. While thinking she was delivering the story to another one of her horrible clients, she was relieved to find a young journalist with interest in the story. The man turned out to be Sheldon Hearst, a young ambitious man.

That Sunday the characters made headlines.

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