Shudde M'ell Confidential; The Curious Collapse of Nathaniel Eisen

While calling on Nathaniel Eisen (See previous post)one evening, the characters will be surprised to find their friend lying on his back in the driveway next to his telescope. The investigators will be aware that Nathaniel is an avid amateur astronomer, who recently purchased a Carl Zeiss of which he is quite proud.

     Rushing to his aid, the characters will note that Nathaniel’s eyes are open, but that he appears to be dazed. A successful First Aid check will allow the investigator to bring Nathaniel back into a state of lucidity. A successful Medicine skill roll will reveal that Nathaniel lapsed into a brief catatonic state due to sudden shock.

     If the characters are curious as to the duration of Nathaniel Eisen’s incapacitation, there are two clues. The first is that a phonograph is playing and can be heard through an open living room window. The song in question, Annette Hanshaw’s “Under the Moon” (1932), will be a recurring element where Nathaniel is concerned. Furthermore, a lit cigarette is lying next to Nathaniel. If they cannot deduce it on their own, a successful Idea roll will reveal that Nathaniel could not have been unconscious for more than a few minutes as the cigarette would have burned out and/or the phonograph would no longer be playing.

Nathaniel’s astronomy notebook is nearby. His notes from tonight read as follows:

     Beautiful resolution of the Hadley Rille tonight. However, possible defect in lens or distortion in upper atmosphere causing the rille to look as if there is a dark cloud above it. Dust from meteor impact? What am I seeing?!  

     Looking through the telescope’s eyepiece will reveal a beautiful moonscape, although nothing out of the ordinary is visible at the moment. On a successful Astronomy check, a character will recall that the Hadley Rille is a winding lunar canyon whose origins are a hotly debated topic.

     Nathaniel will not be able to give an explanation for his collapse. Over the following weeks, Nathaniel will have feverish dreams and further harrowing sessions with his telescope that will lead him and the player characters to the terrifying realization that there is more to the moon than dust and rocks!

     Until then, let’s get acquainted with a heavenly body here on earth, who will soon grace Nathaniel and the characters with her presence as she arrives in a 1932 Model A Ford Leatherback.

Helen Halsted
     Helen Halsted Helen is a fine example of Hollywood beauty and talent. She is personable, gorgeous and gifted at singing and dancing. Of course, Helen is merely one of thousands of young starlets hoping to get a chance at great fame. Only in Hollywood is the extraordinary common.

     Helen met Nathaniel on the set of a Mascot Pictures film that he wrote. She was struck by his intelligence and affable nature, so they became fast friends. Since then Helen has signed a long term contract with Paramount Pictures. Helen has yet to be cast in a leading role, but her hopes are high.

     She has maintained her friendship with Nathaniel and loves his gatherings. The entertainment industry can be full of bores and lechers, so Helen appreciates the opportunity to relax and have fun. Provided no player characters are overly flirtatious, they will find Helen to be a good and decent friend.

Helen Halsted 
Age 25, Actress
Strength 8
Constitution 11
Power 11
Dexterity 11
Appearance 16
Size 10
Intelligence 11
Education 9
Sanity 55
Idea 55%
Luck 55%
Knowledge 45%
Damage Bonus none
Hit Points 11
Magic Points 11

Skills
Bargain 35%
Conceal 35%
Credit Rating 35%
Dance 55%
Dodge 42%
Fast Talk 35%
Other Language (French) 25%
O.L. (English) 75%
Persuade 55%
Psychology 35%
Sing 55%

Attacks
Starlets do not fight. They have people for that.

Shudde M'ell Confidential; Pacific Palisades and Nathaniel Eisen

Our story begins in the highlands above Santa Monica Bay in Pacific Palisades. The Pacific Palisades was founded by Dr. Charles Holmes Scott - a Methodist reverend - in the early 1920s. He wanted the Palisades to embody the ideals of the Chautauqua movement, which was popular at the time. The Chautauqua movement was an adult education philosophy from the east coast that hoped to inspire the common man through philosophy, music and intelligent discourse. Dr. Scott envisioned the Palisades as a spiritual and intellectual community.

     The first neighborhood built in the Palisades was designed with narrow streets and small lots upon which were constructed modest craftsman-style bungalows. Intended for retired clergy, widows and missionaries, the initial tract of homes was eventually purchased by a varied group of Angelinos eager for bulicoc, seaside living. This neighborhood is referred to as “The Alphabet Streets” as they were named for religious leaders in alphabetical order.

     In one such home on Kagawa Street dwells our first character, Nathaniel Eisen. Nathaniel Eisen Nathaniel Eisen is a screenwriter who recently sold a script to Mascot Pictures. Titled “The Long Horizon”, the film is about a group of outlaws who run afoul of a Native American medicine man. The medicine man curses the outlaws, causing them to prey upon one another while under the sway of intense hallucinations.

     The script’s concept is a bit bizarre, yet it remains in line with Mascot Picture’s reputation as a producer of B-westerns. It also reflects Nathaniel’s interests in all things metaphysical and spiritual.

     Nathaniel is a friendly, engaging fellow who possesses a keen intellect and feverish work ethic. While some might consider him eccentric, others appreciate his colorful nature. Originally from Philadelphia, Nathaniel came west to make a career in Hollywood and to take advantage of the more liberal social mores.

     Once every two weeks Nathaniel hosts an informal gathering of friends at his home. Over glasses of bootleg gin and music on the phonograph, all manner of topics are discussed. The attendees are as eclectic as the subject matter. It is assumed that the investigators will be frequent guests to Nathaniel’s soirées. Due to the rather inconvenient location of the Palisades, perhaps the attendees stay overnight or more likely they camp at a nearby car park in Santa Monica Canyon.

     In the next installment, we’ll learn about Mr. Eisen’s recent brush with mind-bending terror as he gazed at the moon through his backyard telescope. For now, his statistics will have to suffice.

NATHANIEL EISEN
Age 32, Screenwriter 

Strength 9
Constitution 10
Power 12
Dexterity 10
Appearance 10
Size 12
Intelligence 15
Education 17
Sanity 60
Idea 75%
Luck 60%
Knowledge 85%
Damage Bonus none
Hit Points 11
Magic Points 12

Skills
Astronomy 40%
Credit Rating 40%
Drive Auto 40%
Fast Talk 60%
History 60%
Law 30%
Library Use 50%
Language (Spanish) 40%
Occult 30%
O.L. (English) 85%
Persuade 60%
Psychology 40%
Swim 60%

Attacks 
Fist/Punch 50%, Damage 1d3, 1 attack per round, Range touch

Shudde M'ell Confidential: Motorcycle Cops

I imagine you would have to have been one tough hombre to be a motorcycle cop in the 30s. As I progress through my planning for the Shudde M'ell Confidential campaign, I look forward to researching the early history of the LAPD. I'm guessing that early police officers didn't put up with much.

     I'd also like to learn a bit more about the female police officer mentioned in the article. Who was she and what was her career like?

     Finally, I am experimenting with a Pinterest board to store all of the photos, videos and maps I am presenting in my new rag. I think that the board combined with a tablet could be a handy tool at the gaming table. Check it out if you are so inclined.
    

Shudde M'ell Confidential: Castellammare Cliffhanger

I've chosen Call of Cthulhu as my comeback game after a wee absence from the hobby. I only played rpgs twice in 2012 and who knows if I will play in 2013. If I have the opportunity to do so, I'm hoping to tap into the history and legend of my hometown. 

     AAA publishes a magazine called Westways that features a neat historical page in the back. An issue from last year presented a building I've driven past countless times, but never really considered. Due to its unique history and eventual inclusion in my CoC material, I will never again dismiss its presence.