Interlude I The Black Cat

Interlude I: The Black Cat

ÆÆIf you are playing both The Dream-Quest and The Web of Dreams as an interconnected campaign, or if you are playing The Dream-Quest (Campaign A) by itself: Proceed to The Black Cat 1.
ÆÆIf you are playing The Web of Dreams (Campaign B) by itself:Skip to The Black Cat 3.

The Black Cat 1:
 Following scenario 1–A, the dreamers travel beyond the Enchanted Woods…
As you travel out of the Enchanted Woods, you pass through rolling green meadows under a bright-blue, cloudless sky. You speak with the blond-haired man—who introduces himself as Randolph Carter— for several hours along your journey south. You pass through a town Randolph calls Nir and over a stone bridge spanning a wide river. Since the man seems friendly and knowledgeable about both your world and this one, you explain to him your situation: that you had followed the writings of a man named Virgil Gray to reach this strange land, in order to see for yourself the truth of his story. “There is a place in Ulthar where you may yet meet this man for yourself,” Randolph responds. “When we reach Ulthar, I will show you.”
The town of Ulthar is not quite what you had imagined. The border of the town is marked by a cobblestone road separating its quaint cottages from the rolling green meadows beyond. Inside the town, narrow cobbled streets are filled almost to capacity with cats of all kinds and colors, which part as you approach. Old peaked roofs and overhanging upper stories arch over the hilly streets; the entire village seems a haphazard cluster of homes and old-fashioned businesses. As you reach the town square near the center of the village, Randolph stops and addresses you with a youthful smile. “Welcome to Ulthar,” he proclaims. 
“As I mentioned before, you are quite safe here. There is but one paramount law to keep in mind as you traverse this place: in the town of Ulthar, no one may kill a cat.” Given how utterly packed the streets are with cats, you wonder aloud if this is indeed a town run by cats. “Not quite,” Randolph replies, pondering your words, “though I suppose one might call it the center of cat society here in the Dreamlands. The reason for that law’s existence is a story for another time. First, come—I have a feeling we’ll find this ‘Virgil’ fellow you speak of at Einar’s.”
Randolph leads you through the town square, which is surrounded by buildings adorned with cat motifs in the form of statues, signs, and even stained-glass windows. You eventually arrive at one such building bearing a sign that reads “Einar’s Place.” Inside is a medieval-style tavern filled with long wooden tables. You spot several patrons and three times as many cats. One such patron at the wooden counter feeds one of the cats small strips of dried meat. He is a handsome man in his early thirties, with short dark hair, a strong jaw, and sharp cheekbones.
You recognize him instantly as the writer Virgil Gray. In the back of your mind, you wonder if this chance meeting is merely an act of fortune or something preordained, for good or for ill.
Regardless, you approach the man and introduce yourself, along with Randolph. Virgil shakes your hand and Randolph’s with a joyful smile.
“Well met, fellow dreamers!” the writer says, a hint of boyish excitement in his voice. “It is wonderful to meet more fellow believers. I had become so sick and tired of reading about my supposed ‘illness’ in the papers.”
You nod your head in agreement and inform Virgil that you intend to find some proof of this discovery to bring back to the waking world. “Don’t you think I tried that?” he replies, stymied. “Sadly, it is impossible for one who is asleep to bring anything from this realm into the real world. This is all imagination, you see. Ideas, concepts, fantasies. You cannot hold a thought in your hands, can you?”
Randolph interjects. “There is a place within the Dreamlands that may hold the proof you seek. I have seen it in my dreams. I visited there three times, each time just a fleeting moment before I was snatched away by the rising sun…but try as I might, I cannot find the way again. I have spent many nights searching.”
“Oh?” Virgil asks, intrigued. “And what is this place?”
“It is a marvelous city,” he describes, his eyes aglow with wonder,“golden and lovely like nothing I have seen before or since. A city beyond the peaks of the unknown mountain Kadath, where no one has ever set foot before. There, veiled within the clouds and crowned by stars, lies the onyx castle of the Great Ones.”
Virgil idly pets the cat on the countertop next to him as he is absorbed by Randolph’s tale. It is a slender creature with lustrous black fur, dark as the void of space itself. “Then we must find this place! Even if it does not have the proof we seek, it sounds like the adventure of a lifetime.
Enough to fill a hundred pages, or more!”
You tell Virgil and Randolph that before you commit to such an adventure, you must return to the waking world and tell your companions about your experiences. Just then, another voice, cryptic and quiet, chimes: “Oh, you can’t wake up. The eye is upon you now.”
You and the others spin your heads around, searching for the source of the voice. The barkeeper? Another patron? Then Virgil’s black cat stretches and sits up, its piercing yellow eyes reflecting the light of the sun through the window outside. “I have waited a long time for you to seek Kadath,” it says.

“You can talk?” Virgil says, nearly toppling over his stool as he jumps in surprise.
“I’m a cat, you dolt. Of course I can talk,” the black cat replies, licking its paw out of boredom. “You have met a thousand cats from Ulthar, and now you are surprised?” “But…I thought…” Virgil wipes his brow with his palm.
“Never mind him,” the black cat says, addressing you directly. “I assure you, you cannot cross back into the waking world until you find Kadath.
It is your only way out. In the meantime, I will return and tell your companions about the quest ahead of you.” It hops off of the countertop and walks confidently toward the exit. “Though I imagine their task will be even more arduous…”

ÆÆIf you are playing both The Dream-Quest and The Web of Dreams as interconnected campaigns: Proceed to The Black Cat 2.
ÆÆOtherwise, the enigmatic cat vanishes out the door before you get the chance to respond. Proceed to Scenario 2–A: The Search for Kadath.

The Black Cat 2:
 “What shall I tell your friends in the waking world?”
ÆÆThe lead investigator must decide (choose one):
==Tell your companions of your quest, your plight, and your peril. The black cat will return to you once this message is delivered. This may put an undue burden on your companions. In the Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest (Campaign A), record the black cat delivered news of your plight.
==Tell your companions about your new friends and about the Dreamlands. In the Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest (Campaign A), record the black cat shared knowledge of the Dreamlands.
==Tell your companions that they are in danger, and that you are safe. The black cat will stay with them once this message is delivered. This might make your quest a little more difficult. In the Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest (Campaign A), record the black cat warned the others.
==You don’t trust this creature one bit. You threaten the black cat, warning it not to approach your friends under any circumstance. The black cat yawns and vanishes out the door.
In the Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest (Campaign A), record okay, fine, have it your way then.
ÆÆProceed to The Black Cat 3.

The Black Cat 3:
 Following scenario 1–B, the investigators are confronted outside St. Mary’s Hospital…
“…You must be their friends,” the enigmatic voice says from above. To your surprise, the quiet voice belongs not to a person, but to a black cat that lounges lazily across a tree branch hanging over the path outside the hospital. “Oh, pick your jaws up off the ground and listen.” The cat rises and leaps onto the top of a nearby fence, walking along it with the kind of grace only cats possess.
“It is one of the cats of Earth’s Dreamlands,” Randolph proclaims, his voice tinged with merriment, like he was meeting an old friend for the first time in ages. “How long it has been since I have spoken with one of your kind!” 
The cat’s piercing yellow eyes glare at Randolph for a moment before it returns its gaze to you. “…Sure. In any event, I bear a message from your dreaming friends.”
Check the Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest (Campaign A).
Choose and read the section below that applies to your situation.

If you are playing The Web of Dreams (Campaign B) by itself, and there is no Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest:
“Your friends are not the only ones in trouble,” the black cat explains. “There’s a grand conspiracy at work here, and your friends are…well, let’s just say they’re a bit preoccupied with their own problems at the moment. You’re the only ones who can destroy the great web. Forget about your companions and descend into the pitch. It’s the only way. I’ll try to keep your friends safe while you fulfill your task. Do you understand?”

In your Campaign Log, record you are on your own.

If the black cat shared knowledge of the Dreamlands: 
The black cat tells you all about the Dreamlands and about the quest your friends are about to embark upon. “Your friends are in a safe place in the Dreamlands, along with a couple of others.
My pet human, Virgil, is one of them. Yes, that Virgil. I see the looks on your faces. They’re also with another dreamer, a man named…hey, wait a minute.” The cat glares suspiciously at Randolph, then yawns. “Huh. You know what? Never mind. I have to check on something.” With that, the cat suddenly departs.

In both Campaign Logs, record the black cat has a hunch.

If the black cat delivered news of your plight:
“So, your pals aren’t looking too good. They wanted me to tell you that they’re in a lot of trouble. They can’t wake up until they fulfill this quest, and it’s not going to be easy. The eye of chaos is watching them. You’ve got your work cut out for you, but you also might be their only hope.” The black cat hops down from the fence and starts to walk away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back to your friends before they all get themselves killed.”

In the Campaign Log for The Dream-Quest (Campaign A), record the black cat is at your side. Add 1 <mon> token to the chaos bags for both campaigns.

If the black cat warned the others:
“Your friends told me to tell you that they’re fine. In fact, they told me to warn you that you’re the ones in real danger. I’d believe them if I were you. There’s a grand conspiracy at work here, and you’re the only ones who can stop it. The best thing you can do is forge onward, for both your sakes. Don’t worry, I’ll stick around for a while. Someone’s gotta keep you alive.”

In the Campaign Log for The Web of Dreams (Campaign B), record the black cat is at your side. Add 1 <tab> token to the chaos bags for both campaigns.

If okay, fine, have it your way then:
“Nah, you know what? Forget about it. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” The black cat suddenly leaves without another word. In both Campaign Logs, record you asked for it.

Once the relevant entry has been read:
ÆÆIf you are playing both The Dream-Quest and The Web of Dreams as interconnected campaigns: Proceed to either Scenario 2–A:
The Search for Kadath, or Scenario 2–B: A Thousand Shapes of Horror.
ÆÆOtherwise, proceed to Scenario 2–B: A Thousand Shapes of Horror.