Horror on the Orient Express

Horror on the Orient Express 29: Train

Fenalik Mary reveals her secret to Milos, who secures her new official papers with some well-judged words, and lots of money. Violet goes shopping for drugs. The party discusses what to do with the portions of the simulacrum, and a decision is reached. Re-boarding the Orient Express, the group head towards their final destination: Constantinople. They are not fated to reach it without incident, however. Whilst renewing their acquaintance with the good Dr. Gaspari over an evening meal, tragedy strikes. A terrible battle follows leading to an unskilled but effective use of a machine gun. Mrs. Sunderland is forced to perform an unpleasant task. The party barricade themselves within Mrs. Sunderland's cabin, unfortunately leaving some passengers to meet their end at the hands of their frightful nemesis. Mrs. Sunderland reveals some of her recent activities, and calls on the help of a powerful ally, to no avail. An idea by the Colonel and herbal delivery lead to a sanity-shaking melee in the corridor. Recorded: Friday, 18th April 2008

Horror on the Orient Express 28: Sofia – Part 3

Changes Sofia, 1925. Milos suffers an unfortunate mustard-gas relapse and returns to the hotel, whilst Violet becomes increasingly reliant on her all-too-regular morphine doses. Whilst the other (relatively) healthy members of the party visit the library, Violet keeps her cravings at bay by shopping for hats. The Colonel, prompted by his visions and certain discoveries at the library, suggests a trip to the local caves, and is frustrated when his suggestion is not received enthusiastically by the younger party members. Whilst the rest of the group return to the Moulin de Violet, Colonel Goodenough persuades a local boatman to take him up the river where he happens upon a scene of terrible carnage, and recovers something that he thought was lost for good. He fails to find the object of his quest, however, and rejoins the rest of the party at the hotel. Later that evening, Mrs. Sunderland also unexpectedly recovers something long-lost, as an old friend steps out of the past and into her bedroom. The evening's surprises are not yet exhausted, however, as in an adjoining room Violet gains a new perspective on her recent misfortune, and in still another room Grace embraces her newly-acquired sorcerous power. The following morning, a woman no-one has laid eyes on before enters the Moulin de Violet with a recommendation from Milos, and thus Mary Dawson joins the party as Mrs. Sunderland's new PA. She immediately ingratiates herself by skilfully (if mysteriously) making a cup of tea just the way Mrs. Sunderland likes it. The reinvigorated party follow the Colonel's lead to the mysterious cave he discovered the previous evening. Whilst the rest of the party discuss porridge, Col. Goodenough re-enters the cave, but discovers nothing more. Recorded: Thursday, 27th March 2008

Horror on the Orient Express 27: Sofia – Part 2

Paranoia, and the Eyes have it Sofia, 1925. Col. Goodenough proves to be a less-than-ideal patient as most of our heroes experience the delights of Sofia from a hospital bed. Violet receives some bad news from the resident doctor, whilst Grace ponders her newly-acquired arcane knowledge. Milos awakens from his coma, and fuels suspicions amongst the younger party members about Mrs. Sunderland. A week passes, during which the Col. Experiences an intensification of his disturbing visions (although he did, of course, see worse in the War). Upon their release, the group discuss their next plan. An attempt to destroy the simulacrum is made, with surprising consequences, prompting the party to merely place the baleful artefact in a safe place. Our heroes pay a visit to the University of Sofia in an attempt to recover the Head, but instead make a grisly discovery. Milos's first aid technique leaves something to be desired, but he realises that every cloud has a silver lining, and takes the opportunity to perform a grim harvest for Grace's benefit... Recorded: Thursday, 13th March 2008

Horror on the Orient Express 26: Sofia – Part 1

An Eye for an Eye Serbia, 1925. The Orient Express is delayed by snow en route to Sofia. Our heroes, by now desperate for medical attention, find an ally in Dr. Gaspari, a fellow passenger. His skill in medicine (and his readiness to use large doses of morphine) has people feeling better in record time, and soon the group settle down to play a few hands of bridge with their new companion. Unbeknownst to most of the rest of the party, Mrs. Sunderland takes the opportunity to contact an old adversary once more, but his response is less...visceral than previously. After winning handily at bridge, the Colonel is accosted by a supposed member of the otherwise impeccable Orient Express staff. A brief scuffle ensues, after which the Colonel finds that he finally has something in common with Milos (although he probably wishes that he didn't). Violet discovers an important clue to the Simulacrum in a local newspaper, whilst the Colonel experiences some unsettling visions as the Orient Express continues on its journey to Sofia. Upon arrival, Mrs. Sunderland checks into the Moulin de Violet, whilst the rest of the party check into the local hospital. We also learn something of the joys of combining cheese and cake. Recorded: Thursday, 28th February 2008

Horror on the Orient Express 25: Belgrade – Part 3

Saint Valentine's Day Massacre? Yugoslavia, 1925. The party stay overnight in Oraszac. After breakfast, the Colonel receives a present and an awkward social situation from a new friend. After a discussion of dressings and dressing changes, the party is ready to go into the woods today, searching for the right arm of the Simulacrum. Deep in the woods the group find a strange hut, wherein the Colonel expresses a previously unmentioned interest in tapestries. Milos displays his pulling power when he finds the item that the party seek, but the party's triumph rapidly turns to horror when the inhabitants of the hut display their true nature. Fleeing the scene, the Colonel's present only adds to our heroes troubles, and Violet is forced to face up to some unpleasantness. Further tragedy awaits them upon their return to Oraszac, and they seek sanctuary in the church of Father Filopovic. The following morning finds our group safe, if not necessarily sound, on board the Orient Express once more, bound for Sofia. Pursuit is never far behind but a ribbon of iron proves the group's salvation, and Grace is finally free to complete her studies into arcane knowledge, learning the dark secrets and the terrible price of the mysterious Body Warping of Gorgoroth... Recorded: Thursday, 14th February 2008