Lost Souls The Promise Ring.pdf

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An Adventure for Lost Souls

By Joe Williams & Kathleen Williams

Email me at: freeRPGs@comcast.net

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The Promise Ring

Central Character

“Your father was a brilliant scholar, in his way.

His specialty was in the area of urban legends,

folklore, and the occult. His problem was that he

was just too naive -- he’d believe anything he

heard, and that made him the laughingstock of the

scientific community.

“Anyway, your father moved us to Baycroft

when you were quite young in order to write a

book. It had something to do with the history of the

area. I really didn’t get involved. Unlike his other

projects, he kept this one very quiet. He kept saying

that this book would open up a whole new epoch in

psychic research. I thought he’d gone crazy, so I

wrote to some of his old colleagues to try to talk

him out of his delusion. Professor Boris Banner, his

old history teacher, came to visit, and spent an

entire night talking to him in the study about his

theories. But Raymond just wouldn’t listen to

reason. After Banner left, Raymond got worse. He

began to make veiled references to a conspiracy

and how his life was in danger. He even accused me

of working against him!

“When he completed his book, he was so

worried that someone would steal it, he insisted

the printing be done here in town where he could

supervise every detail. It was a small run, only a

hundred copies, which he intended to send to his

cronies. When the first book came off the press,

your father scooped it up and told the printer he

would be back in just a few minutes, after he had

hidden the book in a safe place. He never returned.

On his way back to the printer, he was killed by a

hit an run driver.”

She sobbed quietly. “They never caught the

man who killed your father. Maybe he did have

psychic powers, for he was right, I did betray him!”

Bewildered, you asked her what she meant.

After a few moments, she went on. “All his life your

father was laughed at, and I didn’t want you to

grow up with that kind of stigma. The same day he

died, I had every copy of his book burned, and the

plates destroyed. The only copy I couldn’t find is

the one he hid before he died.

This adventure requires the central player to

be an Arcane Scholar whose cause of death was:

“Swallowed unknown elixir to see what would

happen.” His unfinished business is: “Unable to

finish book you just checked out from the library.”

The other players can take any characters they

choose. The central player receives a copy of the

following background story.

Cbdlhspvoe!Tupsz!

Life always seemed uncomplicated to you. An

only child, your mother doted upon you after your

father was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Since

you barely remember him, the loss was not such a

tragedy. Perhaps your mother was a little over

protective while you were growing up, but

nonetheless, you were happy within the small

seaside town of Baycroft.

One day was pretty much like another until

just a few months ago when you graduated from

Baycroft High School. Your mom cried at your

valedictorian speech. That made you proud, since

you were a little unsure about the part concerning

the aliens from outer space and the lessons we

could learn from them. Afterwards, you had a pizza

party with your friends. You decided to live a little,

so you didn’t get home until after midnight, the

smell of lemonade and pepperoni still on your

breath. Sneaking into the darkened house, you

were surprised to hear your mother’s soft voice

beckoning you from the darkness.

A nearby lamp illuminated your mother and a

small ratty cardboard box. “I’ve never spoken

much about your father,” she began slowly, “since

his life’s work always embarrassed me and kept us

poor. But after listening to your speech tonight I

realize that you are truly his child, and it would be

wrong to keep his legacy from you.

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The Promise Ring

“But who knows? Maybe his life’s work was

something great, something really important. Now

all that is left is this box of notes. I want you to

have it.”

You opened the musty old box and discovered

a bunch of loose papers. Picking up a few you begin

to read. It seemed to be written in some sort of

code, with a few scribbled notes here and there.

Excitement coursed through your veins. Maybe

your father did unlock the secrets of the universe!

You started pawing through the box a little more

frantically, and your hand brushed against

something cold and hard. Pulling it toward you,

you discovered a small ring set with a crystal. A

chain was threaded through it to form a necklace.

Noticing your interest, your mother said, “That was

your father’s. He called it his lucky charm and wore

it around his neck. He said it was his inspiration to

write the book. I don’t know why he liked it so

much. It couldn’t be very valuable. He bought it for

only a few dollars in one of the local antique

shops.”

You decided to wear the chain to inspire you.

Maybe it would help you follow in your father’s

footsteps.

After a sleepless night, you started your

research, but your father’s notes made little sense

to you. One page listed residents of Baycroft,

mostly fishermen, but they had all since passed

away. Another listed historical sites in the area.

You found yourself spending more time in the

Baycroft library than on the sunny beach. You read

so much about the occult, mysterious creatures,

and other dimensions, that your head began to

swim. Miss Gertrude, the librarian was

sympathetic. “I used to work with your father,” she

said in her whispery voice. “And I know what his

work meant to him. I’ll help you in any way I can.”

Weeks went by, and you were no closer to

interpreting your father’s notes. You decided to try

a new tact. You wrote Professor Banner, the last

man to talk to your father about his theories.

Banner was more than eager to talk to you. He

arrived in town the next day, and you told him the

story your mother had related. He suggested you

try to find the one book that had been spared. Since

it hadn’t been found at the scene of the accident,

your father must have deposited some place safe,

and since he had only been gone a few minutes, it

must still be in Baycroft.

Professor Banner wasn’t able to enlighten you

any further on what your father was working on.

However, he and your mother hit it off fabulously.

He swept her off her feet, and after a whirlwind

courtship, married her in the little chapel on the

beach. You were a little worried about this sudden

romance, but mom seemed happy so you promised

to give your new stepfather a fair shake. It was a

little weird having a veritable stranger in the

house, but you got used to it. Sort of.

In any case, there was little time to worry

about your mother, so consumed were you in your

search for your father’s book. You posted wanted

signs on nearly every telephone pole in Baycroft,

but to no avail. Finally, just as you were about to

give up, Miss Gertrude called. “I found it! Your

father must have thought the book would be safest

surrounded by other books. It’s been in the stacks

all these years.” In a twinkling, you jumped on your

bicycle and pedaled to Baycroft Library. Sure

enough it was your father’s book: Mysteries of the

Past Explained Today. Flipping through it, your

eyes fell upon this sentence: “ . . . and so, the most

important secret of the occult world was revealed

to me on Peach Tree Island.” Suddenly you

remembered vacationing on nearby Peach Tree

Island with your family when you were quite

young. You and your father used to comb the beach

looking for . . . what?

Thanking Miss Gertrude, you hurried home,

the book clutched to your breast. Your thoughts

were far away when Boris interrupted them.

“Congratulations!” he boomed heartily. “I see you

found your prize. This calls for a celebration. Come

into my study, and let me give you a little

something.” Although you desperately wanted to

read the book, you went into the room with Boris.

It wouldn’t hurt to be nice to the guy.

“I know you are unlike most youngsters, and

never indulge in a drink,” Boris went on. “But I

really would like you to partake in a toast with me.

After all, you are eighteen, and legally able to have

a drink now and then, hmm?” Boris poured a

strange green liquor into two small glasses. He

handed one to you, and you noticed the glass

seemed very warm to the touch.

“I propose a toast to you and your future,”

Boris went on, raising his glass. “May you find

exactly what your father found.” And with that he

drank. You looked down at the drink in your hand.

What could it hurt? In one gulp you downed the

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The Promise Ring

drink. Instantly, your throat burned and your

stomach heaved. As you slumped to the floor, the

last thing you saw was Boris ripping open your

backpack and extracting your father’s book,

laughing maniacally all the while.

the refrigerator. It reads: “Dear Peggy, Mrs. Banner

is so distraught over the recent death of her son

I’ve decided to take her away for a few weeks.

Please continue your chores and forward our mail

to The Windswept House, Peach Tree Island. The

number is 555-1313, but please call only in case of

emergency. Boris Banner.”

The central character’s room is mostly intact,

but his father’s book, notes, and necklace-ring are

all missing.

The phone is still in working condition, so if

the characters wish to use a supernatural power to

call, they may. If the caller is successful, he will

contact Boris. Tipping Boris off at this time could

prove disastrous, allowing him to prepare for the

character’s pursuit.

A pile of letters is scattered under the mail

slot. The name “Miss Gertrude Pickles” is barely

visible in the upper corner of the bottom most

letter. To extract and open it, the characters will

have to use a supernatural power. Her letter reads:

Qpttjcmf!Wpxt!

In order to return to earth, the central player

must make a ghostly vow not to rest until

completing a task based on his backstory. Here are

some suggestions:

•

I will not rest until I find out why Boris

killed me.

•

I will not rest until I save my mother from

Boris.

•

I will not rest until I find out the secret of

Peach Tree Island.

•

I will not rest until I retrieve my father’s

book.

Dear Mrs. Banner,

I was so sorry to hear about the death in your

family. The suicide of your son was a terrible thing,

but you cannot blame yourself. When I found a few

torn pages from your dear husbandÔs book in the

back of a bookcase, I knew your son must have

discovered the book I had given him was incomplete.

No doubt the strain of learning his long search had

been in vain caused him to snap. The pages make no

sense to me, but if youÔd like them as a lasting

remembrance of your dear husband and child, just

stop by the library any evening before seven.

Sincerely yours,

Gertrude Pickles, Librarian.

As part of his gear, the central character has

an ectoplasmic copy of the necklace-ring he was

wearing at the time of his death. Since the central

character knows Baycroft, he should be able to find

his way around the town and Peach Tree Island.

However, he does not know about the cemetery on

Lookout Mountain.

The other characters have been sitting around

Limbo, discussing the merits of rap music and

watching re-runs of The Brady Bunch, when their

mentor ushers in the central character. “We have a

new guest,” the mentor explains. “He’s looking for a

little help to fulfill a ghostly vow. Any takers?” By

the mentor’s tone, the other characters know it’s in

their best interest to agree.

If the characters wish to leave the house, they

will have to use their supernatural powers to

unlock the doors or pass through a wall. To reach

the library before it closes at 7pm, they will have to

contend with blistering sunlight outside.

The Banner Residence

The players find themselves in the living room

of the central character’s home. The sun shines

through the cracks in the firmly drawn shades. It’s

six o’clock, about two hours from sunset, on a very

sunny afternoon.

The house is utterly silent. Sheets have been

draped across the furniture and the closets are

bare. A note to the part-time maid is attached to

Baycroft Library

Baycroft Library is about 15 blocks from the

Banner home. It is a small building run solely by

Miss Pickles. If the players manage to arrive before

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The Promise Ring

closing, they may be able to slip in along with a

patron. Otherwise, they will have to use their

powers to gain entry, and Miss Pickles will not be

present to assist them.

A few minutes before 7pm, Miss Pickles

announces over the intercom, “The Library is now

closing. Thank you.” She will lock up and leave

unless prevented from doing so by a supernatural

power. Miss Pickles keeps the two pages she found

from Raymond’s book in a filing cabinet inside her

tiny office.

The office is guarded by a barghest, who sits

atop the filing cabinet. It will attack any ghost who

enters the room, or else it will try to steal the pages

if they are taken from the filing cabinet. The

barghest has been sent by Boris Banners to find the

missing pages of the book.

a set of six inch horns protruding from its forehead.

Personality: Barghests are very hostile

towards spirits of all sorts.

Motivation: To track down and drag ghosts to

the nether regions.

Combat: Barghests may attack with either

their bite or horns, but not both on a single turn.

Their bite does (Defense vs. Passable) x 4 damage.

Their horns do only (Defense vs. Poor) x 1 damage,

but if the victim takes any damage, he will also be

paralyzed for (Stamina vs. Poor) x 2 turns. The

barghest will then try to clamp his victim in his

jaws and teleport to the infernal regions. It takes

one complete turn to do this, and if the barghest

takes damage during this time it will drop the

victim and teleport alone.

Powers: Three times per day, a barghest’s

howl can summon a hell hound. The hound will

attack the barghest’s enemies to the death. See the

Lost Souls manual for information on hell hounds.

Cbshiftu!

Type: Evil entity

Consistency: Incorporeal

Defense: Good

WTL: 18

Skills: Good Strength, Poor Intelligence, Great

Alertness

Appearance: A fierce dog standing 3 feet at the

shoulder with shaggy black fur, fiery red eyes, and

Njtt!Hfsusvef!Qjdlmft!

Type: Good person

Consistency: Solid

Defense: Poor

Skills: Inferior Agility, Poor Strength, Superior

Intelligence

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