The Nocturnum
Episode 3: The Book Store
Original Air Date: 2/20/2005The original text for this adventure was written by Dr. Michael C. LaBossiere and can be found here.
Brief Synopsis
Alan shows up at Anita's office, looking haggard, worn, and utterly wiped out, and says, "I need your help." He goes on to explain that the copy of the Necronomicon the group turned over to the Rosicrucians never made it to New York. Alan suspects there is a cult germinating within the ranks of the Rosicrucians; further, he fears that they are aware of his suspicions. He can no longer trust anyone within his own Covenant, and he fears that if word of this gets out, it could generate a shadow war between the Covenants. To that end, he has begun his own research to try and ferret out the dark magi behind this evil.A friend of his, Don Wedenberg, owns a store called City Books on the city's historic South Side. Don called Alan last night, informing the latter that Don had acquired some books that Alan might find of interest. Upon arriving this morning at 7:00 AM to pick up the book, Alan found Don murdered, and was himself accosted by a powerful incorporeal creature.
Later, Detective Joe Knonaem shows up to tell Anita that five cops were hospitalized by an unseen force at the crime scene. Our heroes undertake a mission to defeat the creature, a Guardian of the Outer Dark (which in this case manifests as a giant lizard), and acquire the book for Alan.
Meanwhile, Drake is plagued with nightmares in which he is fighting himself for the lives of his friends. He sees himself murdering his friends, sees Katherine in anguish, and sees a strange woman hovering about, watching the events unfold with vested interest. Later, Drake receives a visit from Nyarlathotep, who tells him, "You all are so confident that you know exactly what you've done over the past two years. Who you've battled; who you've saved; what you've set free. You have no idea what is coming. And by the way, your new friends downstairs? They really did fight the ripper demon last year...just like you, two years ago."
Great Quotes:
Cyan: Anita likes to keep things to herself.
(Re: Drake's visions of the unknown woman)
Eric (OOC): Is she hot?
Anita (to a hearth spirit): Do not screw with me.
John: Drake, what's a "Twilight Order?"
Detective Joe: You mean to tell me that there's a witness?
Drake (to John, on the phone): I need alcohol. I need much more alcohol.
Drake (to Father Joe): You don't like me. I know that. I"m a vampire. I cause...a moderate amount of damage, or at least I used to. Slaughter a bunch of peasants here and there, cause mayhem...I'm like a nest of ants. I might ruin your picnic, but I'm not going to destroy the field.
Anita: John, please don't bring alcohol into this establishment that doesn't have a liquor license, which will cause the government to come in and close down my livelihood. Thanks.
John: I told you to do research first.
(after John and Cyan enjoy a quickie in the back seat while Anita's driving)
Anita: Why don't I just go to the blood bank for it?
Cyan: Are you on your period?
Anita: Why does it have to be mine? It doesn't say "necromancer." It says "necromancer or sorcerer who is capable of the mastery of spirits." Daniel can do that. It could be his blood. We could catch him when he's not looking.
Anita: I have Wishkill...but I'm saving that for a very, very bad day.
John (while assaulting the Guardian): We're spaking the lizard!
Director: Very.
Eric (to Bob): She's evil.
Drake: You'll have to ask Anita that.
Anita: Good Drake. Drake gets a cookie.
Anita: No. He got there after the body was already dead.
Detective Joe: That still makes him a material witness.
Anita:...
Detective Joe: It doesn't look good that he left the crime scene.
Anita (sighs, buries face in hands): Yes...
Drake (offers a bottle of whiskey): Tea?
John: What happened?
Drake: Two things. One, I need more alcohol. Two, I'll explain when you get here (Hangs up)
John: Well, looks like Drake's having a bad day, too.
John: So, Nyarlathotep was here.
Cyan: Fine, John. You were right!
John: Honey?
Cyan: What?
John: I'm sorry.
Cyan: It's okay.
Anita: Next time I go alone. Next time I'm being more self-reliant.
Drake: SO next time you'll be alone in the back seat?
Director: Okay, you can't just go to the blood bank and ask them to draw a pint of blood, then take it with you.
Anita: No!
John: And may I add, "Ew!?"
John: So let me get this straight. Your plan is to kidnap the boyfriend of one of your employees, knock him unconscious, and steal a pint of his blood?
Great moments:
Drake drinks himself into oblivion and almost tries to feed off of Cyan and Anita due to his lowered inhibitions.Anita snoops through Alan's house, bounces on his bed, fixes a snack for herself, checks his missed phone calls, takes a shower...and finds a (men's) thong in his underwear drawer.
Cyan, in the car with Anita, calls a porn shop to order a suspension set, sparkly lubricant, and various other toys. Anita plugs her ears and starts to sing, loudly.
John, unsure of what Drake likes, picks up four new friends for him, by the names of Yukon Jack, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Johnny Walker.