Entry 13 - Shanghai: Devil at the Astrology shop, then our meeting with Mr. Lin

MASK TRAILERS 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxYpehVy8h4

March 4^th – early morning rise to the sound of thousands of rooster calls throughout the city. No wonder the propensity of “egg-drop-soup” and chicken-based-dishes. We start with breakfast and the local newspaper (English version courtesy of the Shanghai Courier).

Headlines of more killing related to the gang war. Descriptions of the dead noted with all appendages hacked off and missing. I immediately look at my plate of food trying to identify the meat!

Two pages into the newspaper, Norman notes another article advertisement from one Mr. Lung proclaiming his astrology skills as he offers fortunes told. And his shop just happens to be in the direction of the docks. So off we go to visit the harbor-master as a friendly reminder of our alliance forged from Guin’s purse and easy smile. No news of the Dark Mistress but we do notice another yacht anchored next to Ho Fong’s dock, one Luxuriant Goddess.

But this one flies the “Union Jack” flag. Per the harbor-master, “That Mr. Fong’s personal boat. The flag? He avoids taxes that way. He always making short trips, gone for only day or two. Very guarded.”

We continue along the Whangpoo river to the astrology shop, where a Siamese cat uses James’ leg as a scratching post as it meows at us. “Bast?” James question remains unanswered. The cat follows us into the shop where the proprietor sits idly at his desk, until he looks up with a startled reaction. His eyes scanning the various scrolls and amulets attached to the walls or hanging from the ceiling, as if noticing a flare or sign. Khatan questions his nervousness. “Deaths in the streets. Gang killings. Never know who or what may enter ones house. Come closer.” But the path is conveniently blocked by a large couch set before the counter. Instead of going around the obstacle, Khatan leaps over the back of the couch settling in its cushions; the cat following him as it settles on the back of the couch. A frightened Lung pushes away from his desk.

James recognizes the settings, “Khatan, do Mr. Lung a favor and please walk around the couch. You tease the man, because I’m sure you know what is going on here. It’s a test…devils must walk a straight line as you did. Those scrolls and amulets are wards against evil.” Khatan complies walking the circle, but still Mr. Lung doubts, “Touch this sword so I may read your future.” But Khatan goes further picking up the sword, pointing it at the frail man, then sheathing it in his belt as he turns and walks out the shop. Only now does Lung find ease, even though he’s just been robbed.

As Lung settles to tell our fortunes, we ask about January 14^th, “Yes, the stars will align…great power. The Ides of March? Many of you will not see the following day. But these fortunes are not set, near events can change all.” James is already bartering for one of the protection amulets when the cat rises to stretch, then advances toward Lung, when the question of ownership arises, “Not my cat. I thought it yours when you entered.” Lung quickly throws incense into a burning brazier which flares with red and black smoke. And that’s when we all notice the cat growing in size. From an alley cat to bobcat and getting larger! Lung grabs an amulet as he dives into a cabinet. Us? James and Guin rush toward the door while Norman aims his mace-spray at the beast, hoping to stun it to improve his own odds of escape. While he misses the cat, the spray ignites in the brazier. Good or bad luck that he doesn’t set the shop ablaze? Exit stage right!

As we run back towards the docks, we take solace in having avoided a demon. Can’t say the same for Mr. Lung. As we pass the docks, Norman takes time to use his field glasses to spy upon Ho Fong’s warehouse: 2 story: 1st floor - large barn doors closed, 2nd floor - ringed with windows where he spies a heavy set man dressed in a white suit sitting at a desk…Mr. Fong himself?

We stop at the newspaper office to post our own advertisement.

The young editor, Lee Wing Chang, gives a puzzled look at the post till we offer coin payment. “We read your article about the gang killings. What do you make of the dismemberment?” He views it as extreme measures in a gang fight for control of the opium trade. As for other mysterious events, the only thing to come to mind is a trawler reporting being struck by a large wave on a calm day, sailing by the nearby volcanic island known as The Great Dragon Shoals, only a couple hours to the southeast of Shanghai. [Hum. Sounds like a potential destination for the short trips of Ho Fong’s yacht. Related?] 

We leave in time to make our scheduled 3pm appointment with Mr. Lin-Yang-Tu. After handing over our firearms, we are escorted to double doors with the symbol of a fat man emblazoned upon them. Inside, a thin 80 year old man sits with a young woman sprawled at his feet.

Lin is direct with his questions and answers. He fights the ‘Bloated Woman’ gang for control of the city trade. James points out our desires to subdue the gang but for different reasons, “Motives are irrelevant as long as a common resolution is achieved.” We enter negotiations, tit for tat, mentioning the brick removed from the Egyptian pyramid. We learn, “These cults go by many names, but all seek the same. They have broken many seals such as your brick…4 by my count. As for The Great Dragon Shoals, their cult holds many rituals there. They are building something…a machine of unknown design and purpose.”

James tries to barter for help from Mr. Lin; men to aid our island invasion or maybe attack Ho Fong’s warehouse. James presses, “Have you considered enlisting help from the new China group?” A slip mentioning Brady sends Lin into a rage, “HE STOLE my 7 books of Hsan!! There is no honor in theft. Retrieve my books and I will provide men as you request.” Lin then turns to Guin, “You seem to be the one who holds the key. Something you carry calls to me.” He then reads from a scroll citing a confusing passage:

          When rain comes, then comes rest 
          as nature and character align. 
          Only laud effort may endanger the superior woman, 
          for she is strongest when the moon is nearly full. 
          But should superior men persist, 
          Misfortune follows.

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OK, let me see if I've got this right,

When the shit hits the fan, we all die.
Someone must die in our fight against the 'Bloated Woman',
even if we attack at her weakest moments of a new moon.

And if Mr. Lin continues in his efforts, bad stuff will happen.

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My thoughts for next session:

1)   If we are still at Mr. Lin's house:

2)   Ask where the 4 bricks have been removed. We only know of the Egyptian brick. And only know of 3 rituals.

3)   Ask him if the "Books of Hsan" include spells needed to reseal the removed brick(s). Don't tell him about our half-brick, but wonder if replacing one brick out of the 4 he says have been removed world-wide, would make a difference.

4)   We need to meet with Brady to learn his years' worth of knowledge regarding what lies before us. Hopefully our newspaper ad gets him to come to us...we'd never find him on our own.

5)   Raid Ho Fong's warehouse hoping to find clues/parts associated with his island construct. Sounds like his twice-a-week private yacht runs may be delivering parts to the island.

6)   Enlist aid for an island invasion. We don't have the stealth/demolition skills to destroy said construct without facing a TPK. Then again, if we learn clues of the construct, then maybe our chances improve.

7)   If the Russians are financing the construct as the Japanese suggest (COMINTERN), maybe the Japanese would offer help in raiding the warehouse and/or island.

8)   Still have confusion as to the significance of the "Ides of March."

9) We know Penhew still lives. Where? Maybe check the British consulate for records. Then again, he could be going by another name...Penhurst? Try to find a photo/description of Penhurst.