Session 1 - The Foretelling

20 March 1837, Monday - London

Our protagonists, during the course of their ordinary routines, all and sundry discover a mysterious invitation to the home of a GYPSY fortune teller. Thus, our tale unfolds from the acceptance of this invitation.

Mr. Dementiev, a student of the magical arts, having ascertained the address to be the home of a MADAME Zellara, arrives first. Proceeding within, he finds food and drink in the form of slightly stale bread and a passable wine of the Bordeaux persuasion.

Dr. Cross, upon her arrival, tarries somewhat, uncertain of the reception within in such a part of town. The arrival of Lt. Forrester, however, reassures her and she presents herself with forthright confidence.

At this point, with the sun's last light quickly fading, the remainder of our heroic ensemble arrive at the humble establishment, with introductions conducted as propriety demands.

Lady Wordsworth's unexpected arrival forces the officers (and, by extension, the rest of polite society) to their feet. No sooner has she entered the room and been introduced then our hostess appears.

Madame Zellara is a middle-aged, handsome woman of Gypsy extraction, who welcomes the party briefly, then plainly and quickly lays forth her claim upon the party.

Some months ago, her cards were stolen. This precious heirloom and sole support was recovered, but at the cost of her son's life. Ignored by the police, too weak to extract her own revenge, she has pursued every avenue to bring together those wronged by her son's killer, a certain Gaedren Lamm.

For decades, this infamous villain has preyed on the weak and defenseless of the city, yet somehow evaded justice. Now, Madame Zellara has discovered the lair of this creature. Armed with this knowledge, she now empowers his many victims to extract the vengeance denied her.

As a finale and gesture of support, Madame Zellara performs a Tarot reading for the group (much to the poorly concealed derision of Lt. Forrester). Ominously, the Empty Throne is drawn to represent the present, with the Cyclone and the Liar representing the future.

After consultation, the party agrees to meet at the Lamm's supposed fishery on the Isle of Dogs at moon-rise. Dr. Ming and Lt. Forrester go immediately to gather intelligence, whilst Lady Wordsworth returns to her townhouse with Dr. Cross and Mei Mei to prepare appropriately.

Mr. Dementiev and Lt. Forrester, arriving at the darkened fishery, perform a brief reconnaissance. Having determined the fishery to be secured yet seemingly deserted, Lt. Forrester slips into the Thames to scout for a smuggler's entrance as soon as the moon sheds enough light.

The carriage containing Major Burns and Dr.Ming arrives at this juncture, whereupon Mr. Dementiev presents the Major with the Lieutenant's weapons. Shortly thereafter the carriage of Lady Wordsworth and her companions arrives.

As Lt. Forrester explores the area, he startles a shark which has been feeding on the fish remains discharged by the fishery operations. Luckily, the Lieutenant is able to climb into a nearby skiff before the animal reacts. From this vantage point, he spies a utility ladder that can be used to infiltrate the main fishery floor.

With a well-timed jump, he is able to grab the ladder and climb upward - only to rouse the building's guard dog. Trapped between the dog above and the shark below, he hears the shouted commands of the building's inhabitants.

Meanwhile, his companions, alerted to the sounds of activity within, act quickly. Mr. Dementiev manipulates the spirits of the air to lower himself to the river surface and capture the skiff abandoned by Lt. Forrester. Doctor Ming, posing as a salesman, pounds on the door demanding entry. When the inhabitants investigate, Major MacBurns barges in. While Dr. Ming magically soothes the offended defender, Dr. Cross, seeing an opening, launches herself into the building, shouting "Victoria!"

The others, taking this to be a battle cry, follow her, finding themselves in the poorly furnished front room, with the sound of tumult and confusion emerging from the interior of the building.

In the epicenter of this confusion, with candles and matches being hastily lit, Lt. Forrester pulls himself into the room, braced for the inevitable spring of the barking dog. Around him he sees a score or more of orphans, while rushing down from the catwalk is a scarred sailor wielding a lead pipe. More shouts come from above (his companions, as yet unrevealed) while Mr. Dementiev draws up below, attempting to make sense of the melee above...