Eyes For The Blind

Details

Pages: 39

Author(s): David Hallett with L.N. Isinwyll (aka Lynn Willis)

Artist(s): Earl Geier

Setting: 1890s

Appears in: Dark Designs

Campaign: A mini-campaign can be run by staging this scenario followed by Lord of the Dance

Summary

Boarding a train in Twyford Station, Berkshire (perhaps on their way to the nearby Henley Regatta) the Investigators witness a pair of grisly deaths -- a blind man and a stockbroker.

Links

• Stephen O'Brien's review of Dark Designs on RPGnet
• Shimmin Beg's review on YSDC

Spoilers - Keepers Eyes Only

Players should not read any further.

Synopsis

 Spoiler Section (Highlight to Read)
A cabal of sorcerers, lead by a 450 year old wizard who lives with a gypsy fair, has plans to raise the Dulcarnon -- the "intermediary life-spirit of Britain". Their plans involve the construction of an effigy called The Green Man, which will house a part of the spirit when it is awakened.

The murder that the Investigators witness on the train is a part of these nefarious plans, and by investigating the odd deaths they become drawn into a complex trail of clues across several different parts of Britain. The scenario takes them to Berkshire, Cornwall and London before drawing them to a final confrontation with the sorcerers as they perform their summoning at Avebury on the night of the Summer Solstice. Nystor Ferencz, the ancient figure behind the conspiracy, has an unusual magical ability: while his body is severely aged and frail, he can "see" through the eyes of any of an army of (apparently blind) zombie corpses which are slaves to his will. Thus, as the characters pursue their investigation they have an odd collection of mysterious blind men with tinted spectacles closely following their movements.

References

Player Handouts: List the player handouts here.

Locations: Twyford station and train, Henley-on-Thames, Mortlake (London), Robin Hood's Bower, Truro, Silbury Hill, gypsy fairground at various places

Creatures: Zombie, fire vampire (passing reference), Nystor Ferencz (sorcerer), David Smythe (sorcerer)

Tomes and Artifacts: Necronomicon

Campaigns / Scenarios: can be followed by Lord of the Dance

Comments

Images of:

• Map of London including relevant locations
• Several NPCs, including blind men and two sikhs
• Man stabbed on train clutching murderer
• Map of small house
• Henley-on-Thames main street and church by night
• Map of funeral parlour
• Map of inn
• Map of small bookshop/house
• Green Man effigy in pentacle
• Map of Silbury Hill area
• Deformed man in occult chamber
• Wild-haired female giant ("the Mother-Wife") with sickle grasping male captive

Contains a list of period slang and Romany terms.

Includes the spells Vanish, Warding, Candle Communication, Enter Zombie, Raise Dulcarnon, and Impeccable Throw.

Keeper Comments

The scenario is intended for a party of upper-crust Investigators with substantial Credit Rating. It includes suggestions for how their conduct during the adventure may impact Credit Rating (usually badly). As written it also calls for significant breaking and entering. Occult knowledge and knowledge of spells are both likely to be useful, but not essential.

Although the scenario includes a Necronomicon, the item is stolen before Investigators appear on the scene and never resurfaces. It is therefore not a concern for anxious Keepers, but related material or the whole book could be reintroduced if wished.

The scenario does not necessarily involve any violence or direct confrontation. However, there is a great deal of scope for violence, given Ferencz's army of thugs and zombies.