Bad Dreams, Bad Juju & Bad Clay

Overview

Locations: New York City (Hall of Records, JuJu House, Prospero House), and Abigail's House.

Key Themes: Cult investigations, personal breakdowns, and global conspiracies.

Focus Areas: The Bloody Tongue cult, the Carlyle Expedition, and the group's unraveling psychological state.

Key Events and Developments

Dreamwalking and Imelda's Encounters

Imelda's Pendant: A large sphinx cat-shaped pendant, named Fluffy, with emerald eyes, adds to her connection to feline mysticism.

Dreamwalking Challenges: Imelda fails to improve her Power for dreamwalking but continues attempting to access others' dreams. During one dream, she is chased by a mist-covered being, gravity shifting nonsensically, and hears muffled sounds. She sees a field of green crops, where a younger couple (from the house) appears alongside tribal people and Augustus Larkin. Imelda witnesses a chanting ritual involving cutting out tongues and discovers that the new Gartner woman is actually Frau Gartner's (Chamiyo) sister.

The Bloody Tongue and Harlem Murders

JuJu House Investigation: Located at 1 Ransom Court, near a boarded pawn shop, accessed via a paved alleyway. Jacob and Imelda encounter Silas N'Kwane, an old man with something shiny around his neck. Inside, Jacob purchases:

• A bronze dagger
• A jingle bracelet claiming to be a trinket of love

They discover a mummified tongue inside a box next to Silas's bed. Silas reacts at the mention of The Bloody Tongue, believed by Dr. Lemming to be responsible for the NYC murders.

The Harlem Murders: Eight murders occurred before Jackson's death, with Hilton Adams convicted of the eighth. Victims included both black and white individuals. Hilton and his wife were investigating separate disappearances tied to Harlem. Dr. Lemming connected the murders to an African death cult, heightening media interest. Hilton's arrest by Lt. Walter Robson led to Robson's promotion to Captain.

Prospero House Discoveries

Reviewing Jackson's files reveals:

• A business card for Edward Gavigan of the Penhew Foundation, London.
• A letter from Jackson at the Metropol Hotel, London:
  • Discusses cult infiltration ("They're everywhere, even people on our side").
  • Mentions Carlyle's safe containing important books.
  • Warns against confronting the Black King, calling it insane.
  • Urges to "shine a light into the dark" and "believe."
• The back of the letter has a chessboard image and the Skin Book symbol.

Jacob's Struggles and Psychological Breakdown

Failed Spellcasting: Jacob attempts to cast The Mantle of Command on Erica Carlyle to access Carlyle's books but fails catastrophically. He experiences a psychotic break where his world becomes clay, and he is attacked by a clay being - in actuality it is Stanley, one of Abigail's staff. Jacob is sent to a private health facility, under the care of Dr. Schmidt Schneider, to recover from his manic state.

Telegram for Jacob: Sent to Abigail's address:
"The weather in Northampton is unseasonal today. I hope you've spoken to mother. Please call her. 7376049."

New Leads and Connections

• Africa's Dark Sects (Harvard): A first edition book, previously banned and burned, containing the mad ramblings of a lost explorer. The library smells of rotting fruit, and the book is missing.
• Harlem Hellfighters: A respected WWI unit, predominantly black soldiers, have been questioned regarding the murders. Widely adored in Harlem but despised by NYC's white elite.
• Imelda's Dreamwalking with Lt. Poole: Accesses his dream, encountering two Irish figures (one his sick mother). Attempts to heal the mother, with limited success.
• Abigail's Role: Continues assisting with the investigation, trying to extract more information about JuJu House and Silas from Emerson Imports.
• AV Recon in Germany: Reports something of interest being sent to Jacob at Abigail's address.

Unfolding Mysteries

The Carlyle Expedition: What secrets do Erica Carlyle and her family's safe hold about the Bloody Tongue and Nyarlathotep?

Silas N'Kwane and JuJu House: What is the significance of the mummified tongue and Silas's connection to the Bloody Tongue?

Chamiyo and Imposter Gartner: How does the connection between the sisters and Augustus Larkin deepen the conspiracy?

Dreamworld Connections: What are the long dark legs guarding dreams? How do Augustus Larkin and Nyarlathotep tie into the group's dreamscapes?