(Read the previous chapter here.)
Tools: Gamemaster’s Apprentice Deck; Nine Steps and a Bloody Heart; Artbreeder for character profiles
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Chapter Information: As mentioned in the previous chapter, Alyssa and Nate will be investigating the circumstances surrounding Alex, Ken, and their reasons for going to the cabin. For this investigation, I will be using an altered version of the tool Nine Steps and a Bloody Heart developed by Riccardo Fregi. This tool is intended for solo players who want to run an investigation with some surprises. The system is very similar to the game of Clue and Cleudo, in that you assign facts about the case to several playing cards, pick a random three as the solution, then systematically uncover the remaining cards to eliminate the facts that aren’t pertinent. Since the player is listing all the possible facts beforehand, this is more of a device used to direct the story instead of a way to generate completely unknown clues on the fly and lead the player through an investigation of which he has no knowledge. Still, the clues can be vague enough that what they specifically point to can be a surprise. For example, a motive card can simply be “jealousy”. The player would still need to discover the specific reason for the jealousy.
While I would recommend checking out the full instructions, I'll explain how I will be using the tool in this adventure. For starters, I modified the number of clues in each category from five to four. This makes it a shorter investigation needing only six turns instead of nine (thus making this Six Steps and a Bloody Heart.) Based on what the PC’s know, the premise they are working on is that Ken didn’t actually bring Alex to the cabin for a relaxing time away from Mausdale, but that it was a plan to take Alex to a remote area for the purpose of causing her harm. Using the ace through 4 cards of the suits of a normal deck of playing cards, my categories are as follows:
Spades - Suspects - Town leader, Boss/Guardian, Friend, Ken (boyfriend)
Diamonds - Motive - Jealousy, Keep a Secret Hidden, Revenge, Alex was in the way
Clubs - Why was Ken at the Interstate - Change of heart, Legitimately lost, Plan was to leave abandon her and the let animals get her, left her alone to scare her
For each scene that involves an investigation a card is drawn, revealing one fact that can be eliminated from the solution. The scene then plays out in a way to explain why. Once every two scenes the PC’s have an opportunity to reveal a second card. To do so they must successfully pass an investigation check. Unless otherwise noted, I will base this check on a DC10 Communiation roll using the stats of the character most prominent in the scene. If the PCs are successful on every investigation check, by the end they will know for certain the solution of the mystery. If not, there will still be one or more unrevealed cards for one or more of the categories and the PCs will have to make an educated guess as to the solution and follow any consequences if they guess incorrectly.
In addition to the suits listed above, the ace of hearts is also shuffled into the mix (the bloody heart). If this card is drawn a surprise event occurs (also determined beforehand by the player). Another card is drawn to eliminate a fact and the ace of hearts is reshuffled into the deck. Once all the surprise events have occurred (I have two for my game), the ace is discarded from the deck.
Scene 1 [Tension Lvl: 3]:
[Mile 7: Condition- Mild; Landmark - Nothing]
After our encounter with Kelli and the bunnymen we returned to Interstate 80. By the time we reached the intersection, we had decided to find an alternate route into town that hopefully avoided any other rabbit patrols. The task didn’t seem that difficult. Even a small town can't guard all its borders, and while we preferred using a road, trudging through the woods wasn’t out of the question.
Having lived here all my life I knew there was another exit about a mile down the road that would lead to Mausdale, but Nate kept going on about how he wanted to find another way into town, so I let him fiddle for a while with the GPS on his PEECE while I sat on a boulder and munched on a couple of carrots from our stash.
“Man! I can’t get through to a single GPS satellite,” Nate complained. “What is Tech West so concerned about that they feel it necessary to jam all the satellite feeds?”
“That any survivors might use the info to plan a counterattack?” I suggested.
“Does anyone who survived look organized enough . . . or strong enough, for that matter . . . to attack the west?”
“No, but why chance it? You know that I grew up here? I can get us into Mausdale.”
Nate cast me an exasperated look. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“You were so sure you could find a route. You’re a man. I was letting you have your moment.” Nate gave me a look that screamed Don’t patronize me. “Besides, I was hungry and welcomed the rest.”
“So, how do we get to Mausdale?” Nate gave in.
“Continue down the Interstate for another mile or so and take the Danville exit.”
[Can Nate get a map on his PCC? (Even) No. Is Alyssa familiar with I-80 to know there is another crossroad further to the west that leads to Mausdale? Should be an Easy D10 MND roll with Knowledge skill. 19+1+4know=24 Succes
About twenty minutes later we were passing the large green exit sign for route 54.
“Where’s Danville?” Nate asks as we pass the marker.
“It’s further south. It’s a regular city. Mausdale is just a town off the interstate.
As we approached the exit ramp, I glanced across the southbound lanes at a large multi-story structure. A high road sign advertised the building as belonging to the Interstate Inn chain. The hotel chain became well known for providing comfortable well-kept hotels that could only be found at exits along the nation’s interstates. While most of their buildings were purchased and renovated from other hotel chains, occasionally, they would need to build a new hotel if they wanted to service an area that didn’t already have an available existing structure. Whether renovated or new-build, the one thing each hotel had in common was they were all located within a mile of an interstate.
Through the trees, I could see one of the hotel’s many windows. Behind it, a shadow watched us.
“There are people in the Interstate Inn,” I told Nate.
“So? We’re looking for the service garage.”
“Do you think they might know anything about the town?”
“Doubt it. My guess is they’re wanderers who found a safe place to stay.”
We exited and turned south onto state route 54. Having mutually agreed that stopping at the Inn was probably a waste of time, we decided to continue into town, hoping we would avoid any more hoop patrols. To our left, between the road we were following and the hotel, was a smaller brown building with a green roof that resembled a barn or country store. We didn’t give it a second thought until someone called out to us from its porch.
“Hey! Travelers!”
We both turned to the voice but not before I took a quick glance at the sign erected beside the road. Gram’s Dutch Kitchen it read.
“You two hungry?” the woman on the porch continued. “I can fix ya up some lunch real quick.”
Nate and I looked at each other, then at the wheelbarrow of carrots. No further discussion was necessary as we changed direction toward the inviting country restaurant.
[Is it still open for business? (Bad) Yes]
Scene 2 [Tension Lvl: 4]:
[Are there any customers? (Even) No]
“Well good day to you two. My name’s Verna, and this here’s my husband, Gene,” the human woman said, giving a nod to a black-haired hoop sitting at a table. “We’ve got customers, Gene. Go warm up some stew for ‘em. You two do like stew don’t you? It's really all we’ve got right now.”
“You got sumthin’ to trade?” Gene asked, apparently sizing up our ability to pay.
“Gene, mind your manners!” Verna snapped back. “They look like they’ve been on the road a while and are tired.”
“You know we’re not running a charity here.”
Verna rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, “But he still wants to believe things’ll get back to normal.” Then, a bit sheepishly, she adds, “Do ya got anything to trade?”
“We’ve got a wheelbarrow full of carrots,” Nate offers. “We’re hoping to use it to barter with some of the other residents, but I’m sure we could spare a bunch or two. Could you use some fresh produce?”
“Ohhh! That would be most helpful,” Verna admitted. “After the war, we cleared a patch of land outside to grow our own vegetables -- you know we couldn’t count much on the local farmers anymore -- but it’s too soon for a harvest. Gene, we’ve got payin’ customers. Happy?”
Gene snorts as he heads back to the kitchen.
“Look, if it’s too much trouble,” I said.
“Don’t you think nothin’ of it. He’s just protective of the restaurant, really of the whole town. It takes him a while to warm up ta’ strangers. Thinks you just gonna try to take advantage of us, even though I’m the one who invited ya in. The locals he’ll let slide, but the truth is, we need them to donate as well, preferably food items, if we’re going to be able to keep cookin’.”
“So you’re still an operating restaurant?” I asked.
“That’s the plan. Trying to at least keep up the illusion of normality.”
“Your husband’s a Hoop,” Nate noted, stating the obvious. Way to go, pal.
“Noticed that, did ya,” Verna says with a knowing wink.
“Were you not here when the bombs dropped?”
“Oh, I was here. Scared me half to death.”
“But you’re fully human.”
“Yep. Apparently, the gas didn’t affect all of us, though I couldn’t tell you why..” [Does she have a theory why not everyone was affected by the gas? (bad) No.]
[UNE for conversation: Inquisitive-curiosity-recent scene]
“Looks like you two came in off the interstate. You heading east or west?”
“West,” Nate confirmed. “To Nebraska.”
“So why stop in Mausdale. Just need a rest?”
“Actually, we’re helping out a farmer we met. Sean Murphy. He thought Jesse might be able to help fix his tractor. That’s why we have all those carrots. For payment.”
“You know Sean Murphy! We used to get a lot of our vegetables from Sean. Are those carrots from his farm? If so, I’ll take three bundles if you can spare ‘em. And his son Lucas, he was always in here. Bringin’ his girlfriend, Jaci, on dates.”
[Does Verna know Sean or his son, Lucas? (Even) Yes, and . . . is very familiar with Sean and his son, Lucas]
“Actually, we were hoping to talk to Lucas,” I cut in. “His father told us he’s living permanently in Mausdale now, but Mr. Murphy really needs his help.”
“Well, I don’t know anything about him living in town. Haven’t seen him for several weeks. You can try askin’ Jaci, but I heard they had a falling out, after he turned into a hoop and all.. Come to think of it, that’s probably when he stopped comin’ ‘round.”
“We’ll do that,” Nate said. "Any possibility you could direct us to both Jesse and Jaci.”
“Jesse’s no problem. He’s usually hanging out at the service center. Head south on Old Valley School Road -- that’s the crossroad just at the end of our parking lot. You’ll pass right by the service center about three-quarters of a mile down. Jaci now, I’m not so sure. You all seem like nice folk, but I’m not comfy with giving out someone’s home address. “
“I understand your hesitancy, Verna,” I explained. “But I can assure you, we mean Jaci no harm. We are just trying to find Lucas to help Mr. Murphy. It’s really important.”
[This will be a D20 MND check using Com skill, per Alyssa’s stats. It is hard because Gene will protect the residents. 12+1MND+2COM = 15 fail.]
“Verna! Mind what you tell these strangers,” Gene warned, returning from the kitchen with two bowls of steaming stew in his hands.
“I know. No need to fuss,” Verna assured her husband. “Protect the town. You’ve made that perfectly clear.” Despite her compliance, she cast an apologetic look in our direction.
Gene placed the bowls of stew down. Nate’s and my hunger got the best of us and we dug into the meal as the cook went back into the kitchen to fetch a couple of glasses of water.
“You said you were comin’ from the east,” Verna resumed. “I would’ve thought you might’ve come down Jerseytown road. I know there’s not an exit off the interstate, but it wouldn’t take too much trouble to leave the highway and get on that road.” [Finally, we are getting around to the “recent scene” UNE roll from before.]
“Actually, we tried,” Nate explained. “However, we ran into some trouble.”
“A patrol of Hoops,” I added. “The one in charge was a white Hoop named Kelli. Wouldn’t let us pass until we had an agreement with Murphy to trade with the town.”
“Ugh. They’re the MSF,” our hostess explained.
“MSF?” Nate asked.
“The Mausdale Security Force. Clint Morrow started it up shortly after the War. He felt it was important that if we were to maintain a semblance of community that we have some kind of security to keep order and protect us from outside aggression. So, he put together a dozen or so townsfolk, most of them about college age, and created the MSF.”
Gene came back with the water. “If it wasn’t for this diner I’da signed up. Don’t worry, they’re filtered.” He explained about the water, putting the glasses down in front of us.
“I’m sure I’ve had worse,” I assured him, taking a drink.
“Now Gene, don’t you be getting any idea of runnin’ off and joining the army. You’re getting too old for that type of thing,” Verna warned.
“What good’s a man if he can’t defend his own home?” Gene retorted.
“What good’s a man if he’s put in the hospital or killed?” Verna shot back. “Anyway, Clint’s an honest man and has good intentions. Some of those kids he recruited, however, I’m not so sure about. A few of them have overinflated egos. Think they run the place. And that Kelli you run into, she’s one of the worst. But you never mind them. If you ever have trouble go see Clint. He’ll straighten them out.”
“Good to know,” said Nate. “One of the others, grey with black markings, he seemed a bit concerned about people spreading rumors about his brother Ken.”
“That’d be Ernie Watkins. How did Ken come up?”
[Now it’s time to finally start the investigation. I will reveal the first card to eliminate a fact.
First Card: 3 of Clubs Ken’s plan was not to leave her to be eaten by the animals.
Since Verna is talkative, this is a good chance to get as much info as possible, so I’ll make a DC10 Communication check using Nate’s stats. If successful, we’ll pull another card.
13+0MND+2Com=15 Success
Next Card: 2 of Diamonds Ken wasn’t trying to keep a secret hidden]
We told her about finding the walkie-talkie, our conversation with Alex, her encounter with some type of creature, and our suspicions about why Ken may have been near the Interstate.
“Can you think of any reason why Ken would have intentionally left Alex at the cabin?” I asked.
“Nothing specific,” Verna admits, “But those two were hot and cold. They could be lovebirds one day, then at each other's throats the next. [Did Verna know of any disagreements between the couple? (even) Yes.] Don’t get me wrong, Ken loved that girl, but he had a temper. It didn’t help either that they were a mixed couple.”
“Interracial?” I asked, having known many such couples. “Surely that wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Inter-species,” Gene cut in. “Ken’s a hoop. Alex is human.” [Is Ken a hoop? d4 1: human 2-4: hoop Roll 4]
“Those who didn’t mutate are still trying to adjust, especially if their significant other changed,” Verna explained. “When your hunk of man suddenly grows whiskers, long ears, and is covered in fur, the attraction doesn’t always stick. Gene and I made it work, but not everyone has. Especially the younger folks. It’s often more about looks than love with them.”
“So it’s possible that one, or both of them, could have been looking around,” I suggested. “Could Ken have been jealous enough to want to cause her harm? Or wanted her out of the way to pursue another relationship?”
“Is that a reason to kill someone?” Nate wondered. “Most people just break up or mess around behind the other’s back.”
“C'mon, Nate. You’re smart enough to know it’s happened before.” He nods in agreement. “And remember he didn’t actually kill her. He left her. Some animal got her. Maybe that’s what he was hoping.”
“Nah!” Gene spoke up. “Ken was someone who prided himself on follow-through. If he knew something needed to be done and it was his job to do it, he did it. He never passed it along to someone . . . or something else. If he wanted Alex dead, he wouldn’t have left her to some animal. He would have killed her himself.”
“Gene!” Verna scolded, shocked. “That’s a horrible thought. How could you even think that young man would do such a thing to that lovely girl?”
“I’m not saying he did. I’m only saying that if that was his intention he would have done it himself.” [scratch off Intentionally Left Alex for the Animals]
His wife looked at him sternly. “Is that any better?”
“Okay, let’s say he wasn’t trying to kill her,” I broke in. “Maybe he just wanted to scare her, make her think he wasn’t trustworthy. Then she would break it off and he didn’t have to be the bad guy.”
“Perhaps there’s something more to it,” Nate offered. “Maybe it has nothing to do with their relationship but with something else?”
“What are you getting at, son?” Gene asked.
“What if Ken was involved in something that he shouldn’t have been? What if Alex found out and in order to protect himself, or others, he took her to the cabin to get rid of her? It’s possible it wasn’t even his idea, but someone else pressured him into it?”
“Nate, you’ve been watching too many spy thriller holos,” I accused.
“Not to mention,” Verna chimed in, “This is a small town and secrets aren’t something that easy to keep, especially here in the restaurant. I hear all sorts of things while serving folks. They’re so used to me that I think they forget I’m around or don’t suspect that I’m listening. But I am. And I ain’t never heard anyone say anything tawdry about Ken. Nor Alex, for that matter.” [Scratch off Keep a Secret Hidden]
“And if that was his intention, why leave her alive?” I pointed out. “Seems to me that would give her an opportunity to find her way back and spill the beans.”
Gene nodded emphatically as my question gave more credence to his belief that Ken would've completed the deadly deed himself.
“I don’t know,” Nate relented. “Perhaps he had a change of heart and couldn’t do it. But he couldn’t bring her back either. So he left her, hoping the problem might take of itself somehow.” He cast Gene a quick glance to ward off any objections.
“Enough of this talk,” interrupted a flustered Verna. “This doesn’t sound like Ken at all. And if you two want to find Jesse and Jacqueline you should probably be moving along. It’s getting late. You’ll probably need a place to stay for the night.”
“You know a place,” Nate asked.
“I would suggest the old Best Western just south of here, off Old Valley School Road. Ross Thompson and his son Dale run it. They’ll take good care of you. Here I’ll give you a note to give to them.” She took a napkin and started scribbling something on it. “I would stay away from the Interstate Inn behind us. A group calling themselves the Brotherhood of Thought [an Alliance described in the OmegaLite Rules] has moved in. A bunch of youngsters lookin’ fer diversity, freedom, and respect for all. Harmless for the most part and they have no qualms with Mausdale, nor Mausdale with them. However, they prefer to keep to themselves. Clint’s made an arrangement with them to use the hotel and we let them be.”
She handed the napkin to me and I read the note. I was a simple statement vouching for Nate and myself.. At the end, she wrote, “Ps 51:10”.
“P-S fifty-one ten? Is that some sort of code?”
“It’s scripture, hon. The fifty-first Psalm. ‘Create in me a clean heart, Oh God.’ That lets Ross know the message is from me while reminding him that while Tech-West may have taken our bodies, God cares for our hearts.”
Scene 3 [Tension Lvl:5]:
We paid up with several bunches of carrots and made our way down the road. The skies were rather overcast and rain didn’t look far off. [As rolled in scene 2 of chapter 5, moderate rain with lighting is to begin at 4pm and continue through the night and into the next day.] The best course of action was for us to head to the Best Western Verna told us about and get settled in before the heavens opened up.
[Encounter Roll for the trip to the hotel: 2 no significant encounters]
The streets were pretty much empty of human or hoop. I guessed that was due to the fact that we were still outside of town and the weather was looking ominous.
The hotel was a three story building that was well kept up. The landscaping was trimmed, the drive-up area swept and the paint job pristine. I guess the end of life as you know it leaves a lot of free time for routine maintenance. In fact, the only thing that seemed off were the handles on the front door. Instead of the shiny polished brass or steel I had expected, considering how well the rest of the building had been maintained, they were covered in what appeared to be a thick coat of black paint, except it had a rubbery feel to it.
Inside, two hoops, one black and one gray, sat at a table in the lobby, a chessboard set up between them. The black hoop was instructing his opponent as to why the move he was about to make was inadvisable when he heard us walk in. [What is Ross doing? Assist/Foe] I presumed they were Ross and Dale.
The black hoop stood and looked us over before putting on a friendly face. Perhaps years of serving customers had instilled in him a good sense of character. The gray hoop remained sitting, but I caught his ears straighten and whiskers twitch as he gave me a long look. I met his gaze and he quickly looked away. Though I couldn’t see him redden beneath his fur, I was certain his body language showed more embarrassment than some covert action. I suspected this was Dale, the son, a guess that was confirmed when the black hoop greeted us.
“Hello, strangers. Don’t mind us. I was just teaching my son some chess strategy. I’m Ross. What can I do for you two?”
I handed him the napkin note. “Verna Stokes sent us down. Said you might have a room for us?”
[Are there any complications? (Bad, or unlikely due to them having the note.) No]
Ross looked over the note. “It appears everything is in order. Will it be trade or task?”
“Huh?”
“It might be the end of the world, but we’re still running a business here. Rooms ain't’ free. You can pay with trade items, providing you have anything we find worthwhile, or you can do a little work. But don’t worry, the chores are pretty simple. Only an hour or two. We’re not taskmasters.”
I looked over at Nate for assistance. We did have the carrots, but were hoping to preserve them for the mechanic. I knew I had some books, but wasn’t sure if Nate had anything he was willing to give up.
Nate took the lead. “We do have some items for trade,” he offered hesitantly, “But I think we’d like to see that task list first. 'Worthwhile' items, as you call them, are getting harder to come by.”
“I know what you mean,” the innkeeper agreed. “Well, I’m sure you’re good for it and we can discuss that later. Right now let’s get you in a room.”
He gives them the keys to room 204 on the second floor and has Dale show lead us upstairs.
(Read the next chapter here.)
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Psalm 51
