Cosmic horror
The Drowned Chapel
Since the comet passed, the tide has gone out further each night — and something walks the newly bared sand.
The threat — a hymn that cannot be unheard.
Factions
The Society for Psychical Research
Led by Vera Abbot
Wants to keep the stars from coming right.
“Paid in full.”
The Silent Congregation
Led by Josiah Ward
Wants to sing the drowned god awake.
“First and last.”
The Lighthouse Board
Led by Cornelius Lathrop
Wants to keep every lamp on the coast burning.
“Nothing is owed.”
Places
- 1Innsmoor. A flickering place where nothing is what it seems. Everyone here owes someone. Held by the Silent Congregation.
- 2The Black Reef. An abandoned place where debts are paid in favours. Something is buried here. Held by the Society for Psychical Research.
- 3Ashgrove Observatory. A silent place where the old ways still hold. Children are told not to go after dark. Held by the Society for Psychical Research.
- 4The Mire Wells. A lamp-lit place where the locals watch the horizon. The maps all disagree about where it is. Held by the Lighthouse Board.
Characters
Margaret WhateleyQuest giver
An astronomer who stopped sleeping
“You shouldn't have come at night.”
Wants a quiet life, finally; trusts too easily.
SecretIs not who their papers say
Ezra Olmstead
A doctor keeping meticulous notes
“Don't write anything down. It notices.”
Wants money, and lots of it; drinks to forget.
SecretHas been passing notes to the Silent Congregation
Lillian Derby
A librarian guarding a locked wing
“Have you been dreaming? Don't tell me.”
Wants to win, just once; can't refuse a dare.
SecretIs in love with Margaret Whateley
Elias Waite
A photographer whose plates show too much
“You have your grandmother's eyes. She saw too much as well.”
Wants the truth about their family; keeps a secret that will hurt someone.
SecretOwes the Society for Psychical Research more than they can pay
Agnes Corwin
The last lighthouse keeper on the coast
“We don't use that name here.”
Wants to find someone who vanished; is proud past the point of sense.
SecretOnce worked for the Silent Congregation
Quest — Burn the Reef Codex
Margaret Whateley, an astronomer who stopped sleeping, needs someone to burn the Reef Codex before it is too late.
- Find out who last had the Reef Codex — the trail starts in Innsmoor.
- Get past the Silent Congregation, who want the Reef Codex for themselves.
- Outrun a hymn that cannot be unheard.
- Burn the Reef Codex before the Silent Congregation can use it — or keep it, and become what they are.
Twist
It turns out the expedition never came back — these are something else.Reward
The truth, which is worseItems
Harlan's cold idol
LegendaryWorth a fortune to the right buyer, and a grave to the wrong one.
Points toward whoever you are thinking of.
Hester's whispering lens
CommonIt is never quite where you left it.
Translates any spoken tongue, badly.
Edith's wet chalk
RareWhoever carries it dreams of the same door.
Makes any lock a little more willing.
Ambrose's coral-crusted lantern
CommonIt was a gift. Nobody believes that.
Lets you hold your breath for an hour.
Dialogue
Ezra Olmstead
“Don't write anything down. It notices. You're not the first to ask.”
1. Tell me what you know. I can pay.
“Everyone pays. Not everyone pays enough.” “Ask in Innsmoor. Ask quietly.”
- Pay double for the rest. → Learns Ezra's secret: has been passing notes to the Silent Congregation
- That's enough. Thank you. → Next lead unlocked
2. I'm here about the Reef Codex.
“Everyone's here about that.” “I'll help, but the Lighthouse Board can't know.”
- I'll be there. → Trust +1 — becomes an ally against the Silent Congregation
- Why should I trust you?Occult 13 → Success: Learns the twist early. Failure: They walk.
3. Threaten them.
“You think you're the first to try that?” “Fine. Josiah Ward has it. Now get out.”
- Leave quietly. → Gets the lead, but the Silent Congregation is warned
- Make sure they keep quiet. → A fight breaks out