Stargazing

It was already Monday, March 8, 1925, when McCloud and Cannon dragged the severely wounded Swede Larsson into the bus. Fortunately, the drive back to the Mitscher Ranch proved uneventful, and Nurse Pettenkoffer could take care of Larsson. However, so many questions still remained, and upon hearing of the trials and tribulations that McCloud and Cannon had faced, Lotus Ashford and the other two amigos decided to seek out the one source they hadn't spoken to: Chief Nascha Alonzo Ruiz of the Antahueca Apache. Lotus Ashford made sure to load various supplies for the impoverished inhabitants of the reservation, and the three amigos departed just before lunch. Chief Ruiz greeted Ashford and his companions, and he was most grateful for the generous provisions. This time the three companions were invited into Chief Ruiz's humble house, and he gifted an Apache blanket to Lotus Ashford before sharing a ceremonial pipe with his three guests. He then proceeded to try to answer all the questions that Cannon, Ashford and McCloud had, and a strange tale started to materialize.

It was a tale of an old and wicked tribe that had been inhabiting the lands prior to the arrival of the Apache many generations ago, before the arrival of the white man. This tribe was very different than the brave Apache. Their numbers were limited, but they were very skilled in bad medicine, and they worshipped a great serpent that required constant sacrifice to remain satiated. This Old Tribe would steal children and such to sacrifice to the voracious serpent, that was known under many names, such as Ha-Yonig, Yiagath or just Yik.

The Apache eventually defeated the Old Tribe, but their practices had infested certain dark hollows and narrow ravines, and it is said that some of this bad medicine still can be found around certain hills and in deep mine shafts, where the the Great Serpent tries to reach out into the world with demands for sacrifice. It may very well have been the case that the Antahueca medicine man, Medah Mitchell Old Horse, had tried to summon some segment of that vicious serpent entity to help the Apache against the ranchers of Otto Argo and Boss Martin, probably using the strange necklace - which had been in Mitchell's possession - to feed the serpent entity with lost souls. Regardless, Medah Mitchell Old Horse disappeared back in January or so, and he had not been seen since. Frank Cannon did send a telegram to his old contact at the Miskatonic Library, Miss Wanda Wright, and she could indeed dig up some information that did seem to indicate that the tales of Chief Ruiz may not be unknown to the ethnographic community.

                                                                Miss Wanda Wright

After these strange events, life at the Mitscher Ranch settled down into a semblance of normality. McCloud studied local history while recovering from his wounds, while Frank Cannon and Lotus Ashford studied the three books left by Otto Argo. These were indeed the dreadful volumes that had pushed young Joseph Mulroney over the edge to the point of suicide while transcribing the tomes. Ashford was a bit more careful, but the first volume was still a taxing read. Being forced to ponder such vast cosmic vistas and an overwhelming feeling of utter insignificance made Lotus's mind and imagination wander off in quite disturbing directions, and he required several days of peace and quiet after finishing the volume. Frank Cannon, on the other hand, studied what seemed to be a manual or instruction on how to perform fantastic feats. Were these instructions just the rambling of a deranged mind, or was there some form of truth in the strange incantations and inscriptions? Frank Cannon was tempted to find out.

The Three Amigos were enjoying a lavish breakfast on March 16 when an unannounced visitor arrived. It was not Father Bose (a regular by now), but a square-jawed stranger with a small military escort who introduced himself as Don Dixon, an astronomer from California. Mr. Dixon told Ashford, McCloud and Cannon that the Federal Government was going to build a new observatory up in the Capitan Mountains north of Lincoln, and that he was interested in hiring help to do the prospecting for a suitable site. Lotus Ashford volunteered Harris Tweed as they all enjoyed cold, sweet iced tea. Dixon seemed like an amicable character, but something was gnawing at Frank Cannon's mind. Was there any connections between the strange events around the Mitscher Ranch and the government plans to all of  a sudden establish an observatory? However, the survey went well, and Harris Tweed could tell Ashford and friends that the government was planning a fairly large structure.

Don Dixon

A couple of weeks later it was Father Bose's turn to show up as a bearer of strange news. He  had heard several rumors of thefts in the community. Nothing really valuable, mainly food and random knick-knacks. Then it was Pedro, who in all fairness did enjoy his tequila quite a bit, who claimed he had seen a werewolf or some other kind of monstrosity with horns and glowing eyes. The case intrigued the Three Amigos, and they started setting out little caches of food and other items as well as guards to see if the Mitscher Ranch might attract any werewolves or mean spirits with red eyes. 

It was on the very, very early morning of April 28 that a strange shadowy presence was noted spying at the Mitscher Ranch. After careful deliberation it was decided that it wasn't a deer or a wolf, but something more simian- or human like. Two ranch hands took to the chase together with McCloud, Ashford and Cannon, and thanks to the finely honed tracking skills of McCloud, the fleeing presence was cornered almost two miles north of the Mitscher Ranch. The strange being attempted to flee, but was met by a flying tackle performed with outstanding skill by Frank Cannon. As Cannon grabbed and struggled with the being, it turned out be a quite disheveled young man in a tattered U.S. Army uniform. He seemed utterly insane, and his mouth struggled to form coherent words besides the animal-like grunts and screams he emitted. Finally, the young man looked at the Three Amigos, and frothing at the corners of his mouth he repeatedly wailed "DON'T LET THEM GET ME!"

ARKHAM ADVERTISER, Monday, 13 April, 1925

 TOPSFIELD POWER PLANT EXPLOSION

The Topsfield Power Plant was destroyed in a series of powerful explosions followed by a conflagration that left the Arkham Fire Department helpless to curb the flames. The cause of the explosions remains to be determined, but it has been noted that Dr. MacNamara, Ms. Baker, Mr. Lake, Mr. Pollack and Mr. Bowers, all of Arkham, are held by the Arkham Police for questioning, although some of these individuals were severely injured in the blast. Mr. Lake has also been charged with reckless driving. Neither the owner of the power plant, Mr. Otto Argo, nor the site manager, Mr. Bogislav Klimnik, have been available to comment. 

Mayor Jonathan D. Bryce held a press conference this morning, and he stressed the serious nature of the explosion, and how Arkham has been plagued by a series of violent events over the last week or so. Mayoral candidate Dunstan Dunford accused Mayor Bryce of displaying "yet another example of his legendary ineptitude" in dealing with the current bout of violence, while Councilman Bedford Duvall pointed out that the destruction of the power plant will lead to a permanent power shortage in the Miskatonic Valley.

Deranged Doctor found outside Arkham

An individual later identified as Dr. Peter Maxwell was found running around the forests north of Arkham in a state of acute mental distress. He had no memories whatsoever, and he was dressed in a full surgeon's outfit, including facemask, gloves and goggles, and a scalpel.

Dr. Maxwell had just graduated from the Miskatonic University Department of Medicine. He was a recipient of the Francis B. Peabody prize for Academic Achievement together with Mr. Herbert West in 1924. Dr. Maxwell has since been left in the caring hands of Dr. Herbert DeVos and Head Nurse Abigail Dawson at the Arkham Sanitarium.  

Interview with a Fish Man

Miss Corinne Hill had the opportunity to speak to Jebediah Pike, an inhabitant of Kingsport who has cultivated an odd pastime, or even obsession, over the course of several years: he thinks he is a  fish man, a creature of legend and also associated with many myths from Arkham County. Mr. Pike invited the journalist from the Arkham Advertiser to visit his small house in Kingsport. It was a quite unique abode, very well kept, with lots of art and objects that remind the visitor of fish and the sea. He was particularly proud of what he claims is one of the actual gate keys to the lost city of Atlantis, although it may strike the astute observer that vague lettering spelling out "1872 Oregon State Fair" still can be noticed along the admittedly impressive key.

The following conversation was recorded:

- Mr. Pike, how long have you been a fish man?

- I have been a fish man my entire life. Well, I was originally a fish boy, and very interested in the sea and aquatic life, but when other boys started on the path to adulthood, I developed gills.

- Gills?

- Yes, you  heard right. Here, let me show you my gills (removes collar).

- Mr. Pike, these bear a striking resemblance to folds of skin with some dander...

- Indeed, but I can use these folds to stay under water for more than two minutes! 

- Fantastic! Now tell me, How does one find suitable company as a fish man? Are there some nice fish women to be found in Kingsport?

- I often attend the tea dance at the Mermaid Café, and yes, there might be someone special with whom I take swims when the water isn't too cold. As a matter of fact, we are planning a small wedding at the Boston Aquarium this July.

- That is great news, congratulations to both of you! Some people are, however, afraid of the sea, and there are quite a few legends of malicious creatures from the sea. Has this ever been bothersome to you?

- In general, the fine townsfolk here are quite used to my "fishy" habits, and I supply both Arkham and Boston with some of the finest fish on the market. I also dress up as King Neptune with trident and all, or even a mermaid, for various pageantries in the Miskatonic Valley. People around here know me well. But there was this one case, when I had heard vague rumors of a fish-themed church in Innsmouth, quite a ways north of here. They were not at all glad to see me, and I was fortunate to have an automobile so that I could make a fleet escape. 

We may not have found out much more about what might be behind some of the myths regarding mere-folk and fish men, but I am so very glad to be living in one of the richest regions of the United States when it comes to sheer eccentricity.

Mr. Jebediah Pike.

B&L Bankruptcy

The Barrow and Locke Mining Company has been declared bankrupt after a violent strike that led to an investigation by the Massachusetts Board of Labor. Several workers had been poisoned by unsafe practices, and legal action will follow.

Strange Find in Fire 

Following the explosion and fire in the Topsfield Power Plant, Arkham police discovered the remnants of three individuals, apparently triplets. The Arkham Police did not divulge further details, but unconfirmed information indicates that this may be a lead in the case of the Handley triplets that disappeared in 1869.

Cocktails and the Formless Spawn

From the diary of Irwin Bowers:

- Unintelligible.

Insert: a calling card.

"Great meeting you today, and stay in touch. Glad to help you with the McClure case"

- Jerry Christmas, New York Times, Times Square, New York.

From the diary of Mackie MacNamara:

What a keepsake. It was well worth it. What would have happened with Mackie, the High Priestess, Howard, the Hanged Man, and Moira, Death?

Dearest Mackie,

 

I had gazed upon you longingly, but I could not have imagined the carnal pleasures that I experienced and thoroughly enjoyed together with you. You followed me to a new level, a new plane of pleasure, and I would like to invite to share these experiences again, but without the awkwardness of our first exploration. I have reserved a suite at the Waldorf Astoria on Wednesday, and I will meet you for lunch in the suite at 1pm. Dress for pleasure.

 

Lovingly,

Victor

From the diary of Jules Pollack:

The weeks just get stranger and stranger. Mr. Franz Alter took Moira to a psychodabbler calling himself "Sun Ra" to reach out into her subconscious and to figure out if Moira actually killed someone last weekend at that disjointed series of events that led to Moira, Mackie and Howard being holed up in an apartment close to Times Square and dodging klansmen while suffering from hangovers. Sun Ra was apparently an impressive presence: Tall, self-confident, and a most creative and gifted musician. And yes, he considers himself to be an incarnation of the sun god Ra, with his small Harlem apartment decorated with random elements of Egyptian-style knick-knacks. Whatever he did seemed to help, both Moira and Franz seemed better off when they returned, although they were definitely carrying a whiff of reefer. Speaking of such things, I need a stiff drink!  

Sun Ra, a jazz mystic.

From the notebook and prescription pad of Franz Alter:

It is difficult to write this. Have I been over-dosing on some of my own chemicals? I am not prone to hallucinating, but there is really no other way to understand the disturbing things I have seen this week. First of all, the Dinana Spinoza woman is clearly insane in her self-imposed quest for knowledge of some fictionalized alternative history of the planet. She clearly managed to find a young librarian at the New York Public Library, flirt with him (G-d knows what else), and convince him to steal some weird old folio from the restricted stacks. Reading the 18th century folio and practicing the instructions for some overly dramatic ritual seems to have been too much for her, and she ended up comatose.

I could not see any use in repeating this ritual, but my newfound friends seemed quite anxious or maniacal. Then there was this issue with Bill the Talking Cat. Mass hypnosis, ventriloquism, or something else.? Why did Moira Baker shake the cage of the poor animal? The sight of that adorable cat bouncing up and down in the cage while Karen the Hen tried to take off was enough to induce instant and extreme zoophobia.

Then we have the issue of the death under Grand Central. A railway worker, Henry McClure, was found dead, possibly after falling into a tar pit. Jules Pollack sensed foul play, but he blames the death on some "eldritch horror" supposedly summoned by Diana Spinoza! Oy gevalt! Candles were lit, chants were chanted, sage and wine was flung in different directions. I have to agree that is was somewhat suggestive and all, but I really could not believe my eyes when the air felt as if it was full of electricity and a really rotten stench filled the hotel room. A weird undulating black mass of tendrils, maws and otherworldly extensions seemed to rise from the intricate patterns on the floor, and it rose above the heads of the chanters, seeming intent on devouring Mackie or Moira. The chanting was reversed, and the strange entity seemed to shrink back into the raised lines on the floor, and eventually reverting to the intricate lines that had been left by Diana Spinoza. What had I really experienced? Was there something similar to this ...this formless spawn really running amok under Grand Central Station?

From the diary of Moira Baker:

We were invited to this cocktail reception at Nefertiti Studios on Friday, May 8, and it was more of a workday that ended up being a cocktail party. It was a much more well-attended affair than previous events, and even the young actress Clara Bow - the "It" girl - was there. I also noticed a tall man dressed in an immaculate white suit and sporting a monocle, who was approached by Franz Alter. This well-dressed gentleman was even taller than Franz, but they seemed to find several topics to discuss before heading over to Jules Pollack, who all of a sudden was tending bar in a flurry of cocktail shakers, strainers, spoons and liquor bottles.

The Collector.

I was standing together with Irwin (Bowers) at the other end of the room, when three women in fantastic dresses approached us. They were both fascinating and irritating, seemingly talking with each other, to each other and for each other. They were also ludicrously self-absorbed and exhausting to talk to, but they eventually introduced themselves as the Gnospelius sisters; Emma, Anna and Dorothy. They all seemed to find us quite funny, and it was actually quite difficult to follow their meanderings to from a wide variety of subjects, but they did tell us that we, meaning all of us Arkhamites, will be going on a long trip soon. Very strange indeed.

The Gnospelius sisters, Emma, Anna and Dorothy.

The tall man in the white suit eventually walked out together with Jules to the adjacent balcony. He apparently introduced himself as "The Collector", and he provided Jukes with a calling card that listed a P.O. Box in Los Angeles. The Collector smoked constantly, and he clearly had some knowledge of our strange experiences over the last couple of years. He also spoke of Victor Aymes, and the priesthood of Mu. According to The Collector, these individuals were much older than they looked, and they should not be trifled with. On the contrary, they could prove to be quite dangerous. We all looked at Mackie, who was dancing away with Victor Aymes on a small stage at the end of the grand ballroom. The couple seemed to be adored by the dancers closest to the stage, and the music and the dancing was become increasingly frenzied. Then all of a sudden, Mackie and Aymes disappeared behind a curtain, We decided all of us to follow Mackie, and I took the lead, elbowing myself through the crowd, which by now was cheering jubilantly as balloons dropped from the ceiling.

There was stairwell behind the curtain, and it led to a mezzanine floor with three doors, and I sensed that Mackie and Victor Aymes might have entered through the center one. I threw myself with all my might at the door, but to no avail, so I decided to destroy the lock with some well-placed revolver rounds. Then I simply crashed through the door under the weight of my comrades. We were all looking into a sizeable but empty apartment, and Aymes was conducting a weird and disturbing ritual together with Mackie. Was this actually going to be the moment Mackie became the High Priestess of Aymes, that Mackie had hinted at previously?

A fierce fight erupted in the room. Irwin and Jules tried to outflank the doomed couple, while Franz Alter was given Jules's bottle of whiskey to turn into a firebomb. The bomb was hurled, flames lit up the room, and shots were fired. Victor Aymes looked disappointed, resigned, and gorgeous. After uttering "God, you're so dull," he simply vanished.

From the diary of Howard Lake:

It is a fascinating book, probably from the mid-18th century. I had never heard of it, but Father Zacharias at the Syrian-Orthodox Church a couple of blocks away seemed really apprehensive, or even scared. It fits in with some of the mystic tomes and documents we've encountered, hinting at older beings pre-dating mankind and disturbing alien entities that came to Earth eons ago. I do not know what "Zhothaqquah" might be. The Nahariya Manuscript would also be quite valuable, even if the authors are unknown. I wonder what we'll do with it?

The Nahariya Manuscript, property of the closed stacks of the New York Public Library:

Eighteen sheets of parchment bound a thin folio into can be found. They are written in a mixture of Latin and old English with a smattering of Aramaic. The actual summoning spell is mainly in the two latter languages.

 

Excerpt from the Nahariya Manuscript: Athens, c. 1740, author unknown.

 

It is in the black abyss of foul N’kai that Zhothaqquah resides, and men from K’n-yan, from Mu, from Aegypt, from Macedonia, from Constantinople have sought him for the promise of limitless power and the most foreboding levels of arcane knowledge. To turn the minds of men and to facilitate every whim, no matter how decadent. But alas, the common fate is instead to be devoured by that terror of the depths, of the sunless caverns, and of the dark desolation. Zhothaqquah’s servitors and spawn roam these hellish subterranean caverns, and they will ooze around the basalt statues of terrible Zhothaqquah, beings of viscous and semi-liquescent substance, quite opaque, much like undulant ophidian forms.

 

…A few daring mystics have hinted at an ancient origin of the fragmentary Pnakotic Manuscripts, and have suggested that the devotees of Zhothaqquah were as alien to mankind as Zhothaqquah itself…

 

(Different handwriting)

I am sitting alone at the empty shores of the Mediterranean in ancient Nahariya. I thought that losing so much, so very much would give way to desperation, but I have resigned to my fate. I have been running like a woman possessed after that descent into the depths with my compatriots, and Wilbur, my stalwart friend and companion was the only one to make it out besides myself. It was to no avail, though. The spawn found us at night on the road from Jerusalem, and although we were well-armed, and with Wilbur’s extensive military training quite prepared, we stood little chance against these denizens of the deep. I could not see if our blades or our pistol really caused any effect, and I doubt it. I only managed to flee from the spawn by brandishing a lantern and smashing it in front of the weird creature, but somehow they found me soon again. I am now so tired that I will hand my soul to God, if there is such a thing, and try to remain brave as the darkness closes in.

Pages from the Nahariya Manuscript:

Early Saturday morning:

The Tomb of the Cañón de Serpientes

 Saturday, March 6, 1925, and the Three Amigos woke up to a delicious breakfast prepared by Chef Thibaude. It was decided to take a bus ride to Carrizozo to examine some of the strange cases of fatal decay that seemed to plague Lincoln County. The victims may have blissful and content, but they were nevertheless dying, and leaving loved one and dependents behind. McCloud was also eager to seek out Christobal Correira, the expert on anthropology and New Mexican folklore, who he had met once before. He hoped that Correira might have some ideas about this particular malaise and if it had occurred in the past. 

The afflicted patients in Lincoln were taken care of and given nourishment intravenously by nurse Pettenkoffer, Lotus Ashford had to deal with business at the Mitscher Ranch, so McCloud and Cannon decided to bring along "Swede" Larsson, the tough mining foreman, on an uneventful bus ride to Carrizozo. 

The Carrizozo infirmary had several cases that seemed identical to what Cannon and McCloud had noticed in Lincoln, including mention of a tall man in dark clothing. Cannon tried to find out more abouth the Red Right Hand, but whatever Cannon said terrified the patient, who started suffering acute physical symptoms. This was the cue for Cannon, McCloud and Larsson to seek out Christobal Correira.

                                                 

                                                                    Correira

The antropologist and scholar lived in a small but very nice Spanish-style casa together with a housekeeper. The investigators did actually carry a letter of introduction from Father Bose, and they were greeted warmly. Christobal Correira was intrigued by the events, and he invited Cannon and McCloud to enter his small but tightly stocked library. They all started going through old documents, news clippings and books, and Saturday diasppeared into Sunday. It was early Sunday morning when Cannon found  an old news clipping in a book on local legends:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diario Las Cruces 

Vagabond Killed by Violent Mob

Las Cruces, November 2, 1858

The vagabond possibly known as Jonathan Bierce or Jon Price, but also  Il Mano Derecha Roja, was buried late at night on October 31 at Cañón de Serpientes north of Robles Blancos after being lynched by a violent mob a week before. The odd vagabond was known throughout the region and suspected of molesting men, women and children as well as horse theft. Old women crossed themselves, and the Church of Santa Barbara celebrated a special mass on the occasion.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Further research revealed the following:

"Legend has that this padre, or soldier, wounded and fleeing from some calamity during the Mexican War, ended up in or around New Mexico. He was taken in by the Indians, and he did missionary work for two or so years before disappearing. Other legends state that he was caught red-handed when raping a medicine man’s daughter, and branded before being banned, or that he was a curse from God.

The man was in all probability a padre from the Mexican War, possibly named John Pierce, Jonathan Bierce, Johnston Bryce or Jon Price. He actually managed to become an acolyte to a fearful and vengeful Apace medicine man, Fleet Horse, later Carrion Rider. He managed to use his powers on many local communities in New Mexico, but not to help the Apache, but just to gain power and knowledge. He was eventually killed by a mob of townspeople in Las Cruces in 1858, and buried out of town in White Oaks, as far as humanely possible from humanity (at that point)." 

A visit to the Church of Santa Barbara seemed to confirm this, although old Padre Luis was terrified and gathered the congregation for a special mass to ward off the devil.

Rest was needed, but on Monday morning, March 8, McCloud rented a couple of horses, and after dioing an inventory of their supplies, the three investigators headed up towards Robles Blancos, or White Oaks, as the place is named in English. Despite a description of the the Cañón de Serpientesin the church ledgers, the exacto location was hard to find, but just an hour before sunset, the investigators discovered an overgrown gorge on a hillside that just might have been it! "Swede" Larsson was left to guard horses as Cannon and McCloud started climbing. As the sun was setting, they found two slabs at the end of the gorge, slabs that seemed to form the door to  grave. The doors were secured by chains and a padlock, but a pickaxe solevd that problem.

The sun had set by now, but Cannon and McCloud continued working, their flashlights casting eerie shadows around the the Cañón de Serpientes. Frank Cannon pulled at the right slab, and the narrow beams from the flashlights did indeed reveal a small tomb - and a floor covered by familiar snakes, quite similar to the ones encountered when transporting the paintings of the Gnospelius sisters! It was too dark to contemplate climbing down and leaving the exploration for tomorrow, but any discussions about what to do were cut short by a blood-curdling scream of utter despair from further down the gorge. The scream was followed by the panciked neighing of a horse, or even several horses. McCloud and Cannon feared that something horrible had befallen poor "Swede" Larsson, and they set up a bonfire just south of the grave

"Swede" Larsson

Frank Cannon decided to enter the grave, and he also decided to smash a kerosene-filled lantern against the floor to get rid of the snakes. He then entered the tomb, and proceeded to the actual coffin. He managed to budge the lid open, revealing a skeleton of what must have been a quite tall man. Hos clothing was in tatters, but he was wearing an odd-looking necklace composed of several dozen small baubles. Frank Cannon put the necklace around his own well-endowed neck, but it caused him much discomfort, seemingly alternating between searing heat and deathly cold. It was then that the door closed. Bill McCloud was outside, and quite alone. He started noticing flickering shadows in the dark aas well a s mot putrid stench, and he fired off a shotgun shell. The muzzle flash revealed a horrible presence, a fanged and evil face that seemed to be intent on devouring McCloud. The ghastly being also seemed ta use somethinhg that was close to human language, seemingly mocking McCloud, who fired off another shotgun shell, but to no avail. At this point, McCloud heard the disturbing parody of a human voice whispering quite close: "behind you...."

McCloud realized that he had his back snugly against the tomb, and he chose to look up instead, his Great War experiences leaving him relatively unfazed. It was just in the nick of time, as some form of alien horror attcked McCloud from above, throwing himself recklessly at McCloud, who managed to fire off yet another shotgun shell. Sveral buckshot hot the creature's left shoulder, showering McClound with blackish green ichor.

Meanwhile, Frank Cannon struggled to open the door to the tomb nefore the snakes recaptured their abode. He groaned as he forced the door open, and he stumbled out of the strange tomb just to see McCloud being assailed by a repulsive creature. The entity was biting down hard on McCloud, and it was difficult for Cannon to get a clear shot. Eventually a shotgun blast flung the beast off the badly wounded McCloud, who endured to finish off the strange and repulsive creature with a great many jabs from his trusty Bowie knife. The creature was definitely dead, but what was it?