The final days of a miserable summer are welcomed. July saw snow amongst the capital, and heavy rainfall and thunderstorms rolled in August. So far, September has been a little clearer, a little brighter, but with Winter rapidly approaching, the darker nights are far from welcome. It’s been little over a week since the last murder in Whitechapel. Whispers have begun to rise of a killer in the shadows, a man or beast with the capacity for great evil. For the people who live there, though, life continues as it always has, the latest danger just one of many. Amongst the fear, gossip abounds, and it seems everyone has something to say about who’s been stalking the streets.
A Peculiar Sight
The alarm is raised by a small boy - perhaps one of The Thief’s protégés, though how far his reach extends, nobody can truly know. The young ruffian slipped his hand into a pocket, and came away with a cut akin to those inflicted on the last victim. By circumstance, The Detective was nearby, able to escort the child to the station to tell his story. He didn’t get a look at the man’s face, but described him as tall and dark, with the air of a gentleman despite his shabby appearance, a man who looked like he didn’t belong. It could be the elusive killer, or it could be nobody at all, an innocent man carrying a weapon to protect himself in response to the ghastly attacks. All anybody knows is there’s a man with a knife on Commercial Street.
The Gathering
The order is given, and it is down to Commercial Street Station’s police force to keep them. Commercial Street is a bustling hive of activity, and yet somehow, the police are to clear the area, ushering those converged there into designated hubs to search them, question them, and ultimately, keep them safe. The Peeler and The Detective are put in charge of The Britannia Pub, much to the chagrin of The Governor. Anybody in the vicinity is bundled through the doors, and told to get comfortable - it’s likely they’ll be there for the night.
Welcome to our first event! A threat has been identified on the streets of Whitechapel, and in response, all of our characters have been gathered and detained in The Britannia Pub until future notice. The first part of the event will take place in the late afternoon and early evening of Saturday, September 7th. This post also marks the beginning of interactions. Welcome to Séance RPG!
THE NIGHT HAD FALLEN ILL and Liu had found herself in uncomfortable company. The bar is cramped and smells of those too downtrodden to wash their clothing. She wrinkles her nose and tries to forget the fact that most do not welcome her company. From the corner of her eye she bares witness to a woman, chatty and with a glint in her eye, talking up someone at the bar. She clenches her teeth subtly, an air of disdain radiating off her body. Perhaps if had been any other day Liu would have been more stable, more sure of herself. But as fate would have it she had been returning home from the cemetery when chaos stuck.
She stands by a window, arms folded into her chest and feels the cold breeze through the crack of the window. The lamps illuminate the streets outside, but Liu wonders how long such a visionary thing may last. A figure comes to stand beside her, invading the arctic she was trying to separate herself with.
“I would say good evening but I do not think you care for such pleasantries.”
Night falls across London, the dusky twilight sky fading to ebony black. The Detective and The Peeler, satisfied that none amongst those locked in The Britannia are capable of such heinous crimes, and, much to the relief of The Thief and The Governor, cease their investigations for the night. With The Lamplighter off the streets for the night, the scene out of the window is rendered imperceptible to those inside. Despite their innocence, word has yet to come from Commerical Street Station - it looks as though everybody is stuck here until morning.
Community Spirits
It is clear that nobody wants to be here, but in true East End fashion, everyone seems determined to make the best of things. The Poet and The Dandy lead the merriment, the visitors from The Theatre Royal make the most of the battered, out-of-tune piano in the corner. The Waif pitches in behind the bar, and other patrons busy themselves with keeping the candles lit and the fire roaring. Despite the absurdity of the situation, bonds are forged, and a strange sense of community is forged.
A Visit From the Other Side
Despite everyone’s fiercest attempts, boredom sets in, a long, painful, drawn out lull in the makeshift festivities. It only then that the pair in the corner stir. They must have been there all night, for there is no way in or out that hasn’t been under lock and key, but before now, nobody has noticed them. Muiris Doyle, an eccentric elderly man known for his love of the strange and macabre, and his companion, a mysterious woman known only as Baba Yaga. There’s a gleam in the old man’s eye as he speaks, bringing his suggestions for the evening’s entertainment out for the approval of the crowd.
“How about a séance?”
Our first event has now moved to it’s second stage. You may continue and complete threads set during the first stage, but all future threads must be set at the later stage of the night, with plans for a séance in the backdrop. The séance itself will take place on our Discord server - we have put out a Doodle Poll to try and figure out when best suits everyone, so please feel free to vote at your convenience.
From the Admin team, we would like to thank all of our members for making our opening event such a success. Both IC and OOC, you’ve all be wonderful, warm, welcoming, creative, and more than anything we ever could have imagined. We are so hopeful for the future of this RP and hope every single one of you is in this for the long haul. Thank you!
BY SOME VARIABLE MISFORTUNE, Liu had been pushed to the back the pub by those who think her some monster in the night. Rumors may subside for a brief moment, but they never truly leave you. Words which follow and dress themselves in your visage, it’s an incredible feat of the human mind — to remember that which has no great importance to you.
Perhaps if another had been in her shoes they would have wilted much like the season which changes so often. Perhaps they would have faced their tyranny with bravery, an unwillingness to submit to lies which scald them deeply. Perhaps though they would not have been as composed as the widow before them.
Liu places her hand on her heart, reaching for the memoir of her past, but finds her chest to be bare of any ornaments. Only when the sudden realization that her broach no longer has a home above her heart does she begin to flicker her eyes across the floor in search of her missing piece.
She bends in search of her it, but finds her vision blocked by another. In their hands, her silver mourning pin: a hand holding a wreath of roses. Liu stands up, brushing the dirt off of her dress.
It’s a little before dawn when the word comes from Commercial Street Station. There will be no arrests tonight, but, perhaps, thanks to their vigilance, a life has been saved. No bodies have turned up, and with the morning fast approaching, it looks as though the police have done their job. The lockdown is lifted a little before 5AM, those imprisoned inside the businesses and storefronts in Commercial Street finally permitted to go free.
Inside The Britannia, the mood is sombre. The events of the night weight heavily on everyone - particularly the few who have made contact with the spirit world. Muiris Doyle, wizened and exhausted, has to be helped home, too tired to so much as keep his eyes open. The communication have caused more questions than answers. Nobody can say if what they experienced was real, or simply Mr Doyle putting on an impressive show - though if he is acting, how could he know all that he did? As the minds of the haunted remain occupied on Mr Doyle, the patrons of The Britannia filter out one by one, ready to get a small amount of rest before the day begins.
A Ghastly Discovery
Amongst those leaving the building is Annie Chapman, a resident of one of Dorset Street’s cheaper lodging houses. Anybody sharing the space with her would be forgiven for forgetting she was there. Only a week earlier, Chapman had been responsible for a brawl in The Britannia, but tonight, she has been on her best behaviour, if a bit pale and withdrawn. She had arrived late, seeking refuge from the silent streets, and busied herself with crocheting in the corner. As far as anybody can tell, she left shortly before 5, and later spotted on Hanbury Street when the clock bells chimed 5:30 with a man.
The sun is still low in the sky when her body is found in the yard outside number 29 Hanbury Street, by one of the elderly residents who lives there. A trio of men sprint down Commercial Street, coming face to face with The Peeler and The Detective on their way back to the station, informing them that another body has been found.
Within the hour, Whitechapel is abuzz with activity, a sharp cry from the still silence of the night. Soon, it seems that everyone knows that The Ripper has struck again. For those who spent the night together in The Britannia, a chilling feeling sets over them, one question at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Was the killer among them all along?
Thank you for your participation in Seance’s first event! With the latest development, characters are now able to move around London freely. Threads from the event may be continued to their completion, however, no new threads should be started in this time period as characters react to the latest news. Our second Live séance will take place this weekend - please keep an eye on the group Discord for further information.
