conversations.from: system
conversations.value: Cunning and intrepid souls risk it all to uncover the truth and protect humanity from horrors buried deep in the ground — and in our secret history — in this moody and horrific adventure.
  By day, Kingsport is a small city feeling it's age, no longer a thriving fishing and shipping community it is metamorphing into a summer destination for artists, poets, mystics and dreamers. By night, those who know Kingsport lock their doors and leave the lights on, sleeping lightly until the dawn.
  Those who are unaware or uncaring go out under the sparse streetlights, looking for nightlife - sometimes finding more that they went looking for. 
  
  I expect this to be a short piece - no more than 5 chapters of a couple of scenes each. There is a definite conclusion but how - or whether it is reached depends largely on the choices made. I prefer third person past tense but whatever is comfortable - after all, the play's the thing. The inspiration is, of course Lovecraft.
  
  I would like realistic character pics and character sketches relative to the time period of about 1930. Same for creating your own nature, subplot, strengths and weaknesses. I expect to accept no more than five players and am more interested in quality and intent to see the story to completion than first comers. There are some players that I know and know me who I expect to accept without pause; I would like players who already have a track record of good play and coherent narrative.
  
  The players are normal people thrust into an abnormal situation, no power players, no Tommy guns, no undead, monsters or gods. I expect players to write only for themselves unless there is a discussion between players and agreement made. NPCs may largely be managed by players with some exceptions so revisions may be asked for. Players are welcome to add flavor and color including zero card moves.
  
  The tone will be gritty and dark but should remain generally safe for work. 
  
  I can be reached (and response expected shortly) at Talionis@live.com. I am in the U.S., Mountain time. I get that real life happens, so if you’re going to be offline for more than a day or so let me know and I’ll keep things moving.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Antiquarian: You’re an expert on antiquities and artifacts, known world-wide for your skills.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Appraisal
  
  Suggested Weakness: Delicate
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Archaeology Professor: You teach archaeology at a prestigious New England college and are widely published.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Lore
  
  Suggested Weakness: Slow
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Physics Professor: You stand at the forefront of “alternative physics”—where science meets mysticism.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Sciences
  
  Suggested Weakness: Limited
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Medical Doctor: Your knowledge of the human body and its care is much celebrated.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Medicine
  
  Suggested Weakness: Oath
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Psychologist: The human mind is your purview—you understand how it works and when it doesn’t.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: The Mind
  
  Suggested Weakness: Judgmental
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Field Archaeologist: You blend archaeological knowledge with wilderness survival and digging techniques.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Survival
  
  Suggested Weakness: Reckless
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dilettante: You ache to make a mark on the world, to amount to something special.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Resources
  
  Suggested Weakness: Naive
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Graduate Student: You’re at the beginning of an exciting career... you hope.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Vital Youth
  
  Suggested Weakness: Impatient
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Soldier of Fortune: Your military training makes you valuable the world over. It’s a dangerous place, this planet.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Hardy
  
  Suggested Weakness: Heartless
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Occult Author: You’ve studied and written widely on matters of mysticism and folklore. Your fans are many.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Mysticism
  
  Suggested Weakness: Bookish
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Appraisal: You’re sharp, perceptive, and quick—capable of appraising situations as well as objects.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lore: Your intellect is formidable and your knowledge spans many cultures and histories.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Sciences: You have a calculating mind that prizes reason and calm precision above all.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Medicine: You’re adept at medicine, from saving lives to identifying the telling marks of death.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Mind: The human mind is a remarkable device and you understand how it works.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Survival: You’ve survived the wilderness, bandits, and wolves in your search for ancient treasures.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Resources: You’re well equipped with quality tools, society contacts, and funds.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Vital Youth: You’re energetic, athletic, and hale—ready for adventure!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Hardy: You’re a rugged, leathery sort. You’re hard to kill and ready to work through pain.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Mysticism: You know the ways of folklore and magic, some of it so much hogwash... some of it not.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delicate: You’re delicate of touch, of demeanor, and of constitution.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Slow: Your mind may be sharp but your body is slow to keep up.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Limited: Outside your areas of expertise, you’re easily lost.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Oath: You’ve sworn an oath to save lives, avoid violence, and heal the sick.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Judgmental: Your judgmental attitude causes you troubles. If only others would try harder to measure up.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Reckless: You sometimes take chances that put you or others at risk.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Naive: A bit gullible and trusting of the wrong sorts, perhaps, but you mean well.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Impatient: You don’t wait around well. You want to act first and think about it later maybe.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Heartless: The years have left you wary and callous, unwilling to risk your heart again.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bookish: You’re no athlete. Maybe you’re doughy or awkward or frail but you’re sure no athlete.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Learn an Eldritch Secret: Learning is power, whether you share it or not.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Hunt Something New: You’ve stalked or been stalked by the most dangerous game. Time for a new challenge.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Find Worthy Material for a Dissertation: Stop waffling and wondering and find out what you believe to be true about the world.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Show Your Father You’re Worthy: It’s not about inheritance, it’s about respect.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Push A Mind Beyond Its Limits: Push someone—perhaps yourself!—beyond the limits of reason and then study what happens.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Show Them Your Work is Sound: It’s not enough anymore to believe you’re right. Show them you’re right.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Bring Back A Groundbreaking Artifact: If you can retrieve a never-before-seen treasure, your career will be revitalized.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Get Home Alive: Maybe this work isn’t worth your life? Just get home alive.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Nothing Is Forbidden: Human morals are a human construction. Knowledge of the infinite is more valuable.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Matters of Love: Love may be an earthly concern, but it’s real and it matters.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Deciphering: Read words that have gone unread for generations.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Survive the Wild: Endure and survive the threats of the wild.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Protect Someone: Prevent harm from coming to a colleague you admire or cherish.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Save A Life in Danger: Rescue someone in peril, perhaps bringing them back from the brink of death.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Be The First: Set foot in a new or ancient place before someone else can despoil it.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Protect the Dig Site: Protect the dig site from harm.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Warn the World: Get word out about what’s happening at the dig site.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Make A Friend: The best protections against the harsh realities of the world are friendship and allies.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Photographic Evidence: Get a photo that no one would believe if it weren’t true.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Right Might: Show someone that you’re not to be trifled with.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A Matchbook From The Blue Star: A simple matchbook adorned with a blue star and no words.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Jameson’s Portfolio on the Peru Dig: A collection of newspaper clippings, sketches, and geographical survey maps.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A Stack of Cold, Hard Cash: At least $1,000 dollars American in bright green bills.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Heavens Below: by Brother Francisco Castillo. Contains occult secrets about pre-Columbian South America.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Revolver: A six-shot snub-nosed pistol.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Shotgun: A long, double-barreled shotgun with a wood stock.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ammunition: Ammo for a gun.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dynamite: One stick of dynamite with a long fuse.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Digging Equipment: Shovels, brushes, and picks suitable for quick or fine-detail work.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A Fine Camera: A high-quality camera with tripod.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dr. Jameson’s Office: All dark hardwoods and plush chairs with a penthouse view.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Aveline Estate: The sort of place with marble pillars and a hedge maze.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Aboard Butcher’s Plane: The plane rattles and dips in tough turbulence. It’s more for cargo than passengers.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Blue Star Nightclub: The city’s best-hidden jazz secret is this hole-in-the-wall club, open just twice a week.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Suburban Dining Room: The table is buried under layers of maps and sketches and newspaper clippings.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A Remote Peruvian Village: A quaint, humid little village on the road leading to the dig site.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Swaying Rope Bridge: No way a truck could make it across that. Only foot traffic could cross this rickety thing.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Abandoned Dig Site: The dig site resembles, at first, just an assortment of low, stone walls and carved pits.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Deep Jungle: This sort of jungle can swallow up a traveler with ease and never release its secrets.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Far Beneath the Dig: A circle of sunlight through the well shaft above reveals a vast, finely carved chamber...
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Turbulence: Avoid embarrassing yourself in flight.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: First Impressions: Make a first impression on the locals that won’t get you in trouble later.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Cross the Rope Bridge: Get across the rope bridge with all your equipment intact.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Rains From A Clear Night Sky: The dig site fills with water and mud. Protect the artifacts!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Find Your Way: The track through the jungle is perilous and difficult to follow. Don’t lose your way.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lost Beneath: These strange passages beneath the earth make little sense. Will you ever see the sky again?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ancient Writings: Who can decipher these ancient markings?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Gunfire!: Someone from afar is taking shots at you!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Impossible Creature: It is both there and not there, part tentacle and part grasping mouth. Understand it? Or flee?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Vision: Are you dreaming or is this real?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dr. Jeremiah Jameson: Dr. Jameson isn’t brave enough to lead expeditions so he funds others’ trips into the unknown.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Diane Aveline: The widow of Michael Aveline, who was killed on an expedition of Jameson’s. She wants revenge.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Caroline Butcher: One of the world’s great pilots and photographers.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Walter Corrigan: A soldier of fortune hired to protect Dr. Jameson’s investments.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Leonard Crenshaw: A locally renowned jazz musician and expert on folklore of the Americas.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Jorge Quispe: A young driver, fixer, and guide in Peru. He’s been to the dig site Jameson’s curious about.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Mysterious Interloper: Tall and shadowy in a fedora and trench coat. Who is this gravel-voiced stranger?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Mad Cultist: This drug-addled cultist is ready to give his life—or yours—to please his monstrous god.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Tentacular Beast: Tentacles and feathery antennae probe out from a shadowy mass at the heart of this beast!
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Hellish Flying Monstrosity: Wider-winged than a condor, with a bone-chilling cry and gleaming teeth.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Rosetta Stone: placeholder
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dr Brand Mattingly, GP: Edgars uncle. Coroners assistant
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Lend a helping hand: When there's trouble in the town, helping hands are called for.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Local Liquor Lore (copy): Kingsport was a hub of contraband during the British blockade during the War for Independence. Many of the traditions (and tunnels) remain and are used to contravene Prohibition and supply speakeasies.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Mystery Matchbook: A simple matchbook adorned with a black star and no words. Fallen from the vest pocket of a dead man.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Breaching tool: Handy device for getting through doors, someone left this behind. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Sketch Book: Left behind by a patient being treated for psychosis, the strange images seem familiar and telling.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Doctors Bag: Leather bag stocked with medicinal elixirs, instruments and bandages.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A Favor Paid: Someone who knows you and owes you a favor is in a position of power and can save you from minor trouble with the law. Once.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Fire ax: Unclaimed by anyone, this handy tool is left behind.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A Fine Camera: A high-quality camera with tripod, film and flash.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Gunfire!: Someone from afar is taking shots at you!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Getting in...: All roads lead to the Iron Star but the question is how to get in to the highly exclusive (and highly unlawful) night club.
  (not applicable to Nathaniel Harker as he already has access).
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lost Beneath: These strange passages beneath the earth make little sense. Will you ever see the sky again?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Power Outage: Lights are out all over; streets, houses and shops are dark.The only illumination is starlight, lamps and candles.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Impossible Creature: It is both there and not there, part tentacle and part grasping mouth. Understand it? Or flee?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Antiquarian: You’re an expert on antiquities and artifacts, known world-wide for your skills.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Appraisal
  
  Suggested Weakness: Delicate
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Criminal: Reformed or not, you retain skills that are rarely acknowledged but often needed.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dreamer: Whether a poet, artist, musician or mystic, you've departed the closed in walls of the big city for a holiday and opportunity to find your muse.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Field Archaeologist: You blend archaeological knowledge with wilderness survival and digging techniques.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Survival
  
  Suggested Weakness: Reckless
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Former Soldier: Your military training makes you valuable the world over. It’s a dangerous place, this planet.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Hardy
  
  Suggested Weakness: Heartless
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Graduate Student: You’re at the beginning of an exciting career... you hope.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Vital Youth
  
  Suggested Weakness: Impatient
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Medical Doctor: Your knowledge of the human body and its care is much celebrated.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Medicine
  
  Suggested Weakness: Oath
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Occult Author: You’ve studied and written widely on matters of mysticism and folklore. Your fans are many.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Mysticism
  
  Suggested Weakness: Bookish
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Psychologist: The human mind is your purview—you understand how it works and when it doesn’t.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: The Mind
  
  Suggested Weakness: Judgmental
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dead in the Water: There's the unanswered questions of who this man was, why he was here and how he died. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ancient Writings: Found sewn into the lining of the dead mans jacket, these vellum pages remain intact. Who can decipher these ancient markings? They seem to crawl across the page when not watched closely.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Antique sword: A relic of the American Civil War yet intact and functional. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dynamite: A "snapper" of TNT - three sticks with a blasting cap between them, all bundled together.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lebman Special: Originally designed for Al Capone, this machine pistol can clear a room in seconds.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Louisville Slugger: Why bring a knife to a knife fight when you can bring lumber.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Shotgun: A long, double-barreled shotgun with a wood stock and a couple of brass cartridges of buck-and-ball.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Light in the Darkness: Will you take up the old mans challenge to find out what's going on in this town and fix it if you can?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Might Makes Right: Show someone that you’re not to be trifled with.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Warn the World: Get word out about what’s happening in this town.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Cap Pritchett: The mailman for the Kingsport metropolitan area for twenty years or more, Cap knows a little about a lot of things and people.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Doctor’s Office: Modern doctors outer offices, exam rooms, dispensary and coroners chamber in the back.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Catacombs-Summit St: A circle of sunlight through the well shaft above reveals a vast, finely crafted chamber...
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Congregational Hospital: Built on the site of the old Congregational church, this hospital is modern for its time.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dockside-Harbor: Fading paint and failing timbers rise above the tide, awash with rubbish and dead fish.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Marrakesh Curios-401 Orne St: A musty and crowded shop with shelves crammed and chaotic, spilling out onto the floor in some places.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Iron Star Nightclub-Hill St: The city’s best-hidden jazz secret is this hole-in-the-wall club and purveyor of spirits.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Asenath Waite: A student at the Hall School, she seems to watch everyone around her with a predatory air especially likely young men.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Basil Elton: Once the respected lighthouse keeper of the North Point light, now disgraced and without work or respect.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Richard Upton Pickman: Once a talented artist of the macabre, Pickman had disappeared recently along with many of his most horrifying paintings.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Terrible Old Man: The ancient ships captain can be a wealth of information or a terrifying foe. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Thomas Olney: placeholder
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Local Liquor Lore: Kingsport was a hub of contraband during the British blockade during the War for Independence. Many of the traditions (and tunnels) remain and are used to contravene Prohibition and supply speakeasies.
  (If you pick and play this card, I will provide some details for you to work with).
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: City Information Directory: For local reference, there are all variety of venues, businesses and professional offices that you can find easily by a call to the central exchange operator. (If you pick and play this card, I will provide some details for you to work with).
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Mind: The human mind is a remarkable device and you understand how it works.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Judgmental: Your judgmental attitude causes you troubles. If only others would try harder to measure up.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Push A Mind Beyond Its Limits: Push someone—perhaps yourself!—beyond the limits of reason and then study what happens.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Graduate Student: You’re at the beginning of an exciting career... you hope.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Vital Youth
  
  Suggested Weakness: Impatient
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Vital Youth: You’re energetic, athletic, and hale—ready for adventure!
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Hedonist : You want to experience everything life has to offer. Every pleasure, every thrill, and you don’t intend to wait around for them to come to you.
  
  You want to act first and think about it later.
  
  Maybe.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Show Your Father You’re Worthy: It’s not about inheritance, it’s about respect.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Lore: Your intellect is formidable and your knowledge spans many cultures and histories.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Elderly: You are no longer young, and while your mind is sharp and your experience valuable, your body is often weak and unreliable, plagued by aches and fatigue. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Learn an Eldritch Secret: Learning is power.  Knowledge shared is power squared.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Medicine: You’re adept at medicine, from saving lives to identifying the telling marks of death.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Oath: You’ve sworn an oath to save lives, avoid violence, and heal the sick.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Find Worthy Material for a Dissertation: Stop waffling and wondering and find out what you believe to be true about the world.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Teacher Voice: You spent many years as a teacher.  You have a *lot* of experience in getting disorganized--and sometimes recalcitrant--groups to focus and work together.