2013-01-12T06:46:33Z

70.176.234.97:

A travelling circus (sans large animals) that frequents the Atlantic coast, travelling as far south as Virginia and up through Maine. The circus is usually set up in a strip. From the entrance to the far end of the fairgrounds, there are small food tents and games of skill and chance, two tents (the main tent and the freak show), several other attractions like the Hall of Mirrors and the Fun House, a larger food tent, then the rides (a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and other loud flashy attractions). Looking down the circus' main street, behind the right side is Carnytown, where the trailers and tents of the performers and workers reside.

The circus was in Ongunquit, Maine, from Wednesday, August 26, 1936, through Monday, September 7, 1936. It was previously in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Circus' next stop will be in Biddeford, Maine.

The investigators headed to the circus on September 3, 1936.

==Eerie Things Going On==

===After The Circus Had Left===
In twelve different towns (thirteen, now) that the circus has passed through over the past two years, strange activity has occurred. A few days (up to a week or more) following the departure of the circus, a townsperson has gone mad, either violently or catatonic. In the towns where the catatonia occurs, there have been reports of strange lights in the woods, people vanishing, and vicious animal attacks.

The day that the investigators attended the circus, a double murder occurred in Portsmouth. The murderer was a woman who attended the circus a week before.

===While The Circus Is In Town===

Over the past three years, in three separate towns (four, now) that the circus has been, there have been reports of wild animals attacking and killing a resident of town. These attacks coincide with the circus being in town. None of these killing have been witnessed. Evidence points the investigators to believe that Alfie, the Fish-Boy, is responsible.

==Notable People and Places==

===On The Strip===

====Madame Claudia Brazda, fortune teller====
Inside the tent with the large red eye, anyone can have their fortune read for a few coins. Claudia Brazda, a woman from an eastern European country, gives readings from a tarot deck. As of the current evening (September 4th), she has read Mariette's and Seamus' fortunes. She did not finish Mariette's reading and was greatly disturbed by the part of the reading that took place. Seamus' reading seemed to be more like she was cold reading him. Strangely, several cards revealed in Mariette's reading came up in Seamus'.

Brazda also read for Tammy Calhoun when the circus was in Portsmouth. She revealed to Seamus that Tammy "did not believe" and laughed and mocked her. Madame Brazda recalls that she did a full reading for Tammy, but cannot recall specifics about the reading; the reading "drained" her. She noticed that Tammy was sad when the woman left her tent. Seamus had heard of something like this in ‘28 or so. Most fortune tellers are full of fakery, but some that are rumored to be in touch with real spirits. Her description seems true to the tales. He thinks it had been a true reading, and she was channeling something.

The gold-plated tin sun on her headdress exactly matches the charm taped to the back of the second document. Her tent is near the small food stalls close to the entrance.

----

===The Main Tent===
Feats of physical derring-do are on display here. This tent is on the left side of the strip, across from the freak show tent.

====Letty O'Fearna, acrobat====
An attractive young woman that Alfie apparently likes. On the first night the investigators were at the circus, she was "goosed" by a townie. She, and her two parents, make up the Flying O'Fearnas.

====Vladimir Krotkin, the strongest man on earth====
A mountain of a man with a violent temper, mentioned in the second document. Nearly killed a townie with one punch.

====The Oriental Contortionists====
Possibly brother and sister, both of Asiatic descent, both speak with a Jersey accent.

====The Sword Swallower====
Reputedly from Thibet. Probably not.

----

===The Freak Show===
Sid, the barker outside, entices suckers to spend a dime (no, not a quarter, one thin dime, my friends!) to be entertained for the next fifteen minutes.

====Mitch, the roustabout====
A former navy man who treats Alfie as younger brother. He doesn't like the sea (something bad happened at sea?). Generally good-natured.

====The Magician====
Knows about six tricks, including one where he crushes something valuable from an audience member only to have it miraculously reappear, is the warm up act for the freak show.

====Serpenta, the fire-eater====
A tall, barely clad woman with a laconic boa constrictor breathes fire for the amusement of many.

====The Ethiopian glass-eater====
Comes on after Serpenta.

====The Fat Lady====
Insults the crowd after the glass-eater.

====Alfie, the Fish-Boy====
Supposedly from "the cursed black lagoon", Alfie is a deformed teenager with a slightly larger brow than normal, oversized eyes, and walks with an obvious limp. During the show, he's covered in oil and fish scales to emphasize his strange appearance. He dons fake fangs (or does he have retractable fangs?) to tear open a fish during his act, spraying the crowd with guts. The investigators believe he is responsible for four killings over the past three years. If true, Alfie would have retractable claws, can run on all fours, and can jump at least 15 feet.

According to Mitch, Alfie stumbled into camp in mid-autumn, 1933, when the circus was packing up from a stay on Alfred Road in Biddeford, Maine. Alfie was kept, locked up in a basement of a farmhouse for years until he made his escape. His captors beat him, whipped him, and kept him in chains "all because he looked different. Those people are the real monsters." Alfie told him he killed three of the family when he made his escape, but nobody at the circus holds that against him after "what those folks did to him".

Alfie has a strange brand on the inside of the right arm, like several circles interlocked. On Saturday the 5th, at least four people -- normal looking, at least -- with similar brands showed up to the circus and kidnapped Alfie; the investigators, along with the help of some of the carnival workers, managed to capture one of the four.

====The Ebony Queen from Darkest Africa====
Is actually a mannequin and a roustabout in a gorilla suit as part of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper's_ghost Pepper's Ghost Illusion].

----

===Townies===

====Tammy Calhoun, Portsmouth NH====
A school teacher from Portsmouth who attended the circus on August 23, 1936. She went with a group of friends and was dared to go into Madame Brazda's tent. After her fortune was told, she appeared sad and quiet. Her friend Natalie Chambers remarked, "She looked like she just wasn't there, you know? I ran into her a few days later and it looked like her eyes were red and puffy, like she had been crying a lot. She seemed really out of it and asked me not to forget her."

After work on Thursday the 3rd of September, she went home and killed her parents.

Mariette was able to interview Tammy. From her notes:

*Not acting like she is hypnotized. She looks like she has mental break, is fixated on memories of her parents and doing things with them. Focused on physical aspects (e.g. scar on Dad’s arm). With reassurance. Fortune Teller said people will fade away, they went away, did it to “prove her wrong”. Things will fall into nothingness. Must remember it all. It will all be gone. She is remembering her parents. Afraid people won’t remember that. 8 years 2 months and 6 days (''Note: this is Friday, November 10, 1944'') after she is gone, no-one will remember her. “Prove her wrong.” Card with the tower. All going to fall. Nothing will happen.

====Chris Perkins, Ogunquit ME====
Acted inappropriately towards Letty O'Fearna and was punched in the face by Vladimir. That evening, he was attacked and killed by "a wolf" at his home near the circus grounds. The "wolf" walked on two legs, waited in a treeline, and charged on four legs towards Chris, leaping from about 15 feet away. Chris' father, Jason, got a shot off at the attacker and scared it off into the woods. The investigators followed the tracks a little ways and noticed that the creature got up on two legs and went in the direction of the circus.

----

===Inquiry Related Events===

Document 1

2013-01-12T06:44:37Z

70.176.234.97: /* Finding the Document */

==Finding the Document==

The first document was found by [[Cyrus Llanfer|Dr. Cyrus Llanfer]] on Monday, August 17, 1936, in his valise, after taking some papers home to work at night in his personal study. The items that make up this document were contained within a badly scorched envelope, held shut by a glue that crumbled when opening. The envelope was addressed to [[Henry Armitage]]. Llanfer examined the contents of the envelope and took them to Armitage the next morning.

Armitage recognizes the handwriting as his own but has no recollection of having created the document. He requests confidentiality from Llanfer and the two delay notifying their colleagues while they mull the find's significance. After the discovery of the [[Document 2|second document]] on the 20th, the two call a meeting of [[the Armitage Inquiry]].

Members of the Inquiry met with the [[:Category: Investigators|investigators]] on Sunday, August 23rd, and gave them this and [[Document 2]].

==Contents of the Document==

This document was contained in a white envelope, 9" by 12", with several burn marks. Written on the front is the name ''Henry Armitage'' in the same handwriting as the sheets within. The flap has been carefully pried open; remnants of the paste or glue that sealed it shut are still attached to the flap's edge.

There are two pages inside, both with rusty bloody splotches. Pinned to the second page on the front side is a small strip of something leathery. There is a small ink tattoo on the strip of leather.

There is a photograph of a woman (the face appears to be torn out). ''For this page in the PDF, ignore the black space around the photo.''

There are a number of flower petals (possibly rose petals?) contained in the envelope.

There is a single leaf, which has been identified as a Slippery Elm leaf. The leaf has already turned, although the fall season hasn't hit the area yet.

There is a fine gritty dust on the papers and inside the folds of the envelope.

==Notes from the Document==

This space is for the investigators to fill out with their discoveries.

The [[Lake Wenham Sanatorium|sanatorium at the edge of town]]. Can we get files on the patients? Perhaps Carl (Jung) will know.

Strange language regarding delivery of the documents. Invocation? Consumed by Howling Aethers?

Stolen his face? What does this mean. Stolen identity? Seems later to imply being controlled. Hornets? Mindwasps?

Is that a leaf at the bottom of the "vigalance" page? If so, how did it get there? Is he in the sanatorium? Remember to look at the trees.

Who is [[Austin Kittrell]]? What is the significance of the statement "The fact that he has a face?"

Link to [[Kingsport Yacht Club]]? Gardiner-boat club

Diamond Walsh-gangster? Link to Gardiner?

Red box and book, [[Tears of Azaroth]]? Same, different? One used to gain access to the other? Indestructible? Both are dangerous to even touch no less read or open.

Time-link to [[Nyarlathotep]]

Faceless woman? Patient? Missing link?

Is leather bit pinned to Document 1 part of the cover of [[Tears of Azaroth]]? What is the ensign?

There are many questions here, with very few answers. I think the first order of business may be to check into the [[Lake Wenham Sanatorium|sanatorium at the edge of town]]... MF

[[Category:Document 1]]

The Farm House

2013-01-12T06:40:41Z

70.176.234.97:

The Farm House

2013-01-12T06:39:19Z

70.176.234.97:

In pursuing Alfie's kidnappers the team arrived at an old farm house. Dead animals were found in the barn and what seemed to be leftovers from sacrifices. investigating the farmhouse found strange symbols in the basement and a jellyfish-like creature that was almost invisible. It's touch was like cold fire. They were very flammable. Nothing was left after they were burned it was like burning a liquid fuel like alcohol. One touched Seamus and left a "burn" where it touched him. The burn itched for several days until it healed.

A tome was found, the [[L'ouverture de la Voie]]/The Pathway Opens written in English and French. Seamus is very interested in it.

Near the farm house up on a small ridge near a pond, was a circle of standing stones. The kidnappers were found there attempting to sacrifice Alfie. They were chanting to Yog-Sothoth and a storm was brewing as the event went longer. The team interrupted them eventually killing the kidnappers unfortunately Alfie was killed in the process. It seems as if the ritual was disrupted before he died. During the ritual, there were strange spheres of light similar to the brands on the arms of the kidnapper/cultists. The lead cultist insisted that their deaths did not matter, that the time was approaching and the cycle was started and [[Yog-Sothoth]] would be coming regardless of what we did.

The farm house was burned with the bodies, but photographic evidence was taken of place.

The Farm House

2013-01-12T06:38:18Z

70.176.234.97:

In pursuing Alfie's kidnappers the team arrived at an old farm house. Dead animals were found in the barn and what seemed to be leftovers from sacrifices. investigating the farmhouse found strange symbols in the basement and a jellyfish-like creature that was almost invisible. It's touch was like cold fire. They were very flammable. Nothing was left after they were burned it was like burning a liquid fuel like alcohol. One touched Seamus and left a "burn" where it touched him. The burn itched for several days until it healed.

A tome was found, [[The L'ouverture de la Voie/The Pathway Opens]] written in English and French. Seamus is very interested in it.

Near the farm house up on a small ridge near a pond, was a circle of standing stones. The kidnappers were found there attempting to sacrifice Alfie. They were chanting to Yog-Sothoth and a storm was brewing as the event went longer. The team interrupted them eventually killing the kidnappers unfortunately Alfie was killed in the process. It seems as if the ritual was disrupted before he died. During the ritual, there were strange spheres of light similar to the brands on the arms of the kidnapper/cultists. The lead cultist insisted that their deaths did not matter, that the time was approaching and the cycle was started and [[Yog-Sothoth]] would be coming regardless of what we did.

The farm house was burned with the bodies, but photographic evidence was taken of place.

The Farm House

2013-01-12T06:36:14Z

70.176.234.97: Created page with "In pursuing Alfie's kidnappers the team arrived at an old farm house. Dead animals were found in the barn and what seemed to be leftovers from sacrifices. investigating the farm..."

In pursuing Alfie's kidnappers the team arrived at an old farm house. Dead animals were found in the barn and what seemed to be leftovers from sacrifices. investigating the farmhouse found strange symbols in the basement and a jellyfish-like creature that was almost invisible. It's touch was like cold fire. They were very flammable. Nothing was left after they were burned it was like burning a liquid fuel like alcohol. One touched Seamus and left a "burn" where it touched him. The burn itched for several days until it healed.

A tome was found, the

Near the farm house up on a small ridge near a pond, was a circle of standing stones. The kidnappers were found there attempting to sacrifice Alfie. They were chanting to Yog-Sothoth and a storm was brewing as the event went longer. The team interrupted them eventually killing the kidnappers unfortunately Alfie was killed in the process. It seems as if the ritual was disrupted before he died. During the ritual, there were strange spheres of light similar to the brands on the arms of the kidnapper/cultists. The lead cultist insisted that their deaths did not matter, that the time was approaching and the cycle was started and Yog-Sothoth would be coming regardless of what we did.

The farm house was burned with the bodies, but photographic evidence was taken of place.

The Ciazarn Bros. Travelling Circus Events

2013-01-12T06:26:14Z

70.176.234.97:

2013-01-12T05:57:51Z

70.176.234.97: /* Things you shouldn't read, touch, interact...this means YOU! */

Mystery takes on written form when pages from a disturbing manuscript fall into the investigators' hands!
==People==
===Investigators===
[[Matthew Deveraux|Matthieu Deveraux, artist]]

[[Mariette Finnley|Mariette Finnley, parapsychologist]]

[[Seamus Archer|Seamus Archer, antiquarian]]

===Important NPCs===

[[The Ciazarn Bros. Travelling Circus|Madame Claudia Brazda, fortune teller]]

[[The Ciazarn Bros. Travelling Circus|Mitch, former Navy man, roustabout]]

[[The Ciazarn Bros. Travelling Circus|Tammy Calhoun, murderer]]

[[Lawrence Rice]], Australian lodger

[[Austin Kittrell]]

[[Joseph Teller]], Architect, Freemason, Member of the [[Circle Rite Lodge]]

===Dead NPCs===

[[The Ciazarn Bros. Travelling Circus|Alfie the Fish-Boy, circus freak]]

[[Jan Joyce-Cleveland]], the backer of a planned expedition was worried when [[Thomas Fell]] failed to report in; worried that something has happened to him.

[[Thomas Fell]] verifies the provenance of antiques and oddities. Was organizing an expedition for [[Jan Joyce-Cleveland]]; possibly missing.

[[Knox Makepeace|Professor Knox Makepeace]], professor of History at Miskatonic University, lifelong friend and colleague of [[Thomas Fell]].

==Groups and Organizations==
[[The Armitage Inquiry]]

[[The Ciazarn Bros. Travelling Circus]]

[[Circle Rite Lodge]]

[[Kingsport Yacht Club]]

[[NELAA|The New England League of Amateur Astronomers]]

==Places==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lovecraft_Country.svg&page=1 Regional Map]

[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200589488159567374549.0004d1344aac6a30c9dd2&msa=0 Lovecraft Country overlaid on Google Maps]

[[Red Stag Pub]]

==Tomes, Writings, and Artifacts==

===The Armitage Files===
[[Document 1]], two handwritten pages, a photograph, twenty-five petals from a flower, a leaf, and pinned scrap of leather.

[[Document 2]], two handwritten pages plus a small charm.

===Things you shouldn't read, touch, interact...this means '''YOU'''!===

[[L'ouverture de la Voie]]

[[The Red Box]]

[[The 'Red' Book]]

[[Tears of Azazoth]]

===Correspondence===
[[No coffee|A letter from Seamus' lodger]]

==Timeline==

[http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=1936&country=1 A calendar for 1936]

[[Timeline|Dates in our campaign]]

[[Major Events]]

==Gods and Titans==

[[Nyarthotep]]

[[Sub-Niggurath]]

[[Yog-Sothoth]]