The Black Drop Play Report Session #2
This is the second session from the play report for the Gumshoe RPG Trail of Cthulhu one-shot, The Black Drop.
Day 5-6, Indian Ocean
Another few turbulent days on the Austral... Professor Lederman, under suspicion from Maurice and Marc-David, but mainly Maurice is trying his best to relax and spend more time with Andree De La Rue. The Lieutenant is being dragged further into the Professor's business but finds him an affable and possibly misunderstood fellow. Meanwhile, the Doctor is keeping to himself, isolated in his cabin as increasingly disturbing dreams take hold.
The group spends much time in the salon and investigates the small library, the Professor, and Lieutenant discovering journals on the Keurgulands, and Maurice and the Lieutenant delve into a series of lurid expositions on Lemurian cults, Maurice, in particular, is disgusted and enthralled in equal measure.
An encounter between Andree and the good Professor leads to an arrangement, a midnight sojourn in the cargo hold, all is arranged but again Maurice foils the plot by setting up camp in the entrance. The Professor tries his luck at a bit of breaking and entering, forcing his way into the rear of the hold and finally meeting up with Andree. Hours later the Professor extricates himself from the love nest, his heart still beating fast and attempts to climb back out of the hold, but weakened from his exertions, he falls and is discovered by Maurice. Marc-David requests that everyone stay in their rooms until they arrive at Port Couvreux, but Maurice takes this literally locking the professor in. Finally, sense prevails and the Lieutenant frees the doctor.
At last, the ship brings itself into view of the islands, as they get nearer a shriek is heard from the good doctor, the basalt pillars and black volcanic shoreline is a mirror image of the scenes in his nightmares! The passengers disembark, unloading goods and greeting old friends and family, and then, at the sound of a foghorn, they turn and see the Austral head off for a two-week visit to the Crozet Islands, enough time for the group to get organized and prepare for the return journey.
Keeper Thoughts:
Okay, we had a lot of fun during this session, but two things stand out, one the spotlight was mainly on Maurice and the Professor, both Bullard and the doctor didn't really get a look in. Two, I got carried away with the comedy of the situation, and whilst fun for some, it could have derailed things. For example, players were convinced the adventure was set onboard ship and nothing to do with a bleak, faraway island.
Running this again, I'd have brought the meetup with Andree and the professor to a head at the previous session and then focused this session on landing at Port Couvreux, whilst not a wasted two hours, it definitely felt it was verging on the self-indulgent.
I'd caveat the above that I was still learning one of the most important parts of being a keeper, pacing. I wanted to make sure I didn't railroad the group down a linear path but at the same time moving the mystery forward and placing challenges and decisions in front of the group.
...Here Be Spoilers...
Day 5-6, Indian Ocean
Another few turbulent days on the Austral... Professor Lederman, under suspicion from Maurice and Marc-David, but mainly Maurice is trying his best to relax and spend more time with Andree De La Rue. The Lieutenant is being dragged further into the Professor's business but finds him an affable and possibly misunderstood fellow. Meanwhile, the Doctor is keeping to himself, isolated in his cabin as increasingly disturbing dreams take hold.
The group spends much time in the salon and investigates the small library, the Professor, and Lieutenant discovering journals on the Keurgulands, and Maurice and the Lieutenant delve into a series of lurid expositions on Lemurian cults, Maurice, in particular, is disgusted and enthralled in equal measure.
An encounter between Andree and the good Professor leads to an arrangement, a midnight sojourn in the cargo hold, all is arranged but again Maurice foils the plot by setting up camp in the entrance. The Professor tries his luck at a bit of breaking and entering, forcing his way into the rear of the hold and finally meeting up with Andree. Hours later the Professor extricates himself from the love nest, his heart still beating fast and attempts to climb back out of the hold, but weakened from his exertions, he falls and is discovered by Maurice. Marc-David requests that everyone stay in their rooms until they arrive at Port Couvreux, but Maurice takes this literally locking the professor in. Finally, sense prevails and the Lieutenant frees the doctor.
At last, the ship brings itself into view of the islands, as they get nearer a shriek is heard from the good doctor, the basalt pillars and black volcanic shoreline is a mirror image of the scenes in his nightmares! The passengers disembark, unloading goods and greeting old friends and family, and then, at the sound of a foghorn, they turn and see the Austral head off for a two-week visit to the Crozet Islands, enough time for the group to get organized and prepare for the return journey.
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| Port Couvreux, circa 1930 |
Keeper Thoughts:
Okay, we had a lot of fun during this session, but two things stand out, one the spotlight was mainly on Maurice and the Professor, both Bullard and the doctor didn't really get a look in. Two, I got carried away with the comedy of the situation, and whilst fun for some, it could have derailed things. For example, players were convinced the adventure was set onboard ship and nothing to do with a bleak, faraway island.
Running this again, I'd have brought the meetup with Andree and the professor to a head at the previous session and then focused this session on landing at Port Couvreux, whilst not a wasted two hours, it definitely felt it was verging on the self-indulgent.
I'd caveat the above that I was still learning one of the most important parts of being a keeper, pacing. I wanted to make sure I didn't railroad the group down a linear path but at the same time moving the mystery forward and placing challenges and decisions in front of the group.
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