JUSTICE INC.

Call to help: 29 April 1926. One of the players (designated at random) reads a letter that has been posted in California 5 day earlier. It is sent it by one of its old friends of university, The professor Arnold Stack of the Academy of Sciences of San Francisco. The professor Stack is a reputed physicist that has abandoned the scientific world to devote himself to its researches. Widower, old of a forty years, it lives alone in company of its daughter of 18 years.

Dear friend,

                        I come to make an absolutely extraordinary discovery. Unfortunately, it seems to attract the covetousness of evil persons, and I fear for the life of Clara and myself. I can no longer make confidence to person. Also, I implore you, in remembrance of our ancient friendship, to come some pass days in my house of San Francisco. Take with you some sure persons and are prudent.

In the hope of a reply.
Arnold R. Stack
San Francisco.

The trip to California is undertaken by the PCs in locomotive or in car without notable incident. In years 20, San Francisco resembles a lot the metropolis we know today. Its long rectilinear avenues, broadsides by gigantic building, are encumbered in permanence by the wave of cars, trucks and the innumerable streetcars that furrow the city. Brief the pearls of the west coast is far to present the aspect of a paisible township...

Without counting that its cosmopolitain population, composed largely of Mexicains, Indians and Asians, is as picturesque, as figety. Indeed, nights of San Francisco are particuliarly "HOT". Crimes are not rare and various trades fathered by the proximity of a great port have largely occupied legions of policemen that try to maintain a semblance of order in the great city. Despite that, residents of San Francisco have been made a reputation of nonchalence that has not denied until our days.

The professor Stack resides in a houses situated to the edge of the Ocean Pacific to the north- west of San Francisco. When the PCs arrive there they three thing: the house seems void, the great hangar to contiguous boats to the residence has completely burnt and the police has put ratified them. Here is what the PCs can find:

A): The hangar burnt. This great hangar in wood no longer is henceforth that a heap of hash. The succeed of the CONCEALEMENT skill roll allow the PC to discover many pieces of scientific equipement (electrical engines, various dials, generators,etc...) of tools and plates of griddle.

B): The site of the corpse marked with chalk. Woods of the hulk is impregnated with a brown subtance, The succeed of the FORENSIC MEDECINE skill roll allow the PC to discover that it concerns dried blood, on a three surface square feet.

C): Entrance of entry. An indescribable disorder reigns here as well as in the greatest part of the house. The succeed of a PERCEPTION roll (sight) allow the PC to discover a fragment of crimson silk hung to one of the cactus that decorate the place.

D): The lounge. All furniture appear had been rummaged in details. Buffets are reversed and all drawers have been emptied on the ground.

E): The office of the professor. Shelvings of the library are emptied. Books have been thrown on the ground (of works of physics, aeronautics, science fiction(Jules Vernes, H.G. Wells, some processed devoted to oriental religions). Filers and files of Stack do not contains more than notes wihout importances. It seems that one has burnt in the many chimney scientific documents.

F): The bedroom of the professor. The mattress has been sliced with a knife. The night table and the cupboard has been reversed and smashed to the ground. A succeed of the CONCEALEMENT skill roll allow the PC to discover a letter that has slipped under the bed. It dates 3 January and has been written by a certain Clint Gun that resides to 2022 Filmore Street San Francisco.

17 January 1925                                                                                                                               Clint Gun
to San Francisco                                                                                                                               2022 Filmore Street

Dear professor,
                         I have learnt the nature of your researches and I think to possess an object that can concern you in the highest point. I am ready to sell it at a reasonable price. Contact-me.

                                                                                                                                                           C. GUN


G): The chamber of Clara Stack. Same disorder that in the bedroom of the professor.

H): The bathroom. Nothing of special.

I): Several bedrooms that seem not to have been occupied for a long time.

J): The kitchen. Nothing.

PC can be confronted with representatives of the laws in 2 manners. Is while to be going to inquire the reason in order that the ratified have been affixed on the house of the professor Stack, is while they just to rummage the house. In this second case of figure, policemem, warn by a neighbor, will stop them them to their exit and they will have without doubt a lot of difficulty to justify their presence. The lieutenant Palmer of the police station of the district of Richmond (north-west quarter of San Francisco), lead the inquiry. Suspicious of nature, it will pose quantity questions to the PC before to reveal them what has arrived to the professor Stack and his Daughter.:

- 25 April to the dawn, we have been called by a neighbor of professor that has declared to have heard a gigantic din and shouts coming from the Stack house. When we have arrived on places, it was too late. The hangar was in fire, the house has been rummaged of bottom in height and the professor was dead. Its body has been found on the hulk. According to the report of the coroner, it was in 63 distinct pieces! Since its daugther has disapeared and we have no serious track. In the meantime that we have verified your declaration, please to hold you at the disposal of the authority.

Having ended its small speach, Palmer dismisses the PC and while shutting the door of its office, their lance in a flash of laughter:

-- Especially take well ward to the monster!

Elements of presented inquiry hereafter can be discovered by the PC to different moments in the course of the part. They are presented in bulk in order that the gamesmaster could refer there easely to the adequate moment.

There exists several dailies to great drawing in the region of San Francisco (California Times, SF Call Bulletin, Oakland Grandstand, SF Chronicle,etc...). For simplicity reasons, one will consider that proposed articles here have been written in all newspapers.

-EDITION OF THE DAY: The monsters makes 2 new victims. Bodies of James Lamarsnow (a salesman of boats) and Randy Lawford (its assistant) have been discovered atrociously shredded on a close beach to Devil's Slide, a locality situated on the coast to 10 miles to the south of San Francisco. According to the first testimonies, a roaring and flying monster would be responsible for these death. The article reminds that the Association of the Inependent Press offers a premium of 10 000 dollars for the captures of the beast. In the same puplishing, an article is devoted to the war of Tongs that unfolds to San Francisco. New two corpses of Asians have been discovered in a lane of the Chinatown.. It would seem that the trade of opium is in full essort...

-EDITIONS PRECEDENTS: In the course of the last months, many withenesses declare to have seen at night, a strange flying creature that travelled in the sky to a prodigous speed while producing a terrible roar sometimes accompagnied by a sound of thunder. Appearances have been noticed in the zone of Lends Ends (coastal region where resided Stack) In a first time, but since some days, it is the sector of Devil's Slide that is concerned. The death of the professor and the disappearence of its daugther have been staked on the account of the monster.

Bodies of victims of the monster are to the mortuary. If one gets access there (bureaucratic or persuasion skill roll) he will be able to observe that they are absolutely sredded and unrecognizable. The coroner (conversation skill roll) rest however intimately persuaded that no monster is mixed to this history.

Situated in the magnificent park of the Golden Gate, to the even heart of San Francisco, The Academy of Sciences is a prestigious building that welcomes many value scientists. One can learn there (conversation or persuasion skill roll) that the professor Stack no longer is one of its members since that it has dared to emit some inadmissible hypotheses concerning anti-gravity...

They declare (conversation or persuasion skill roll) that the professor Stack lived alone with its daugther and no longer received friends, if this is not for a certain Clint Gun, a well know adventurer. Neihbors have all overview, at least one, the flying monster whose speak newspapers., It see only at night and its accompagnied by a roar and sometimes by sound of thunder, its really scary. A certain number of suspicious persons have also been noticed in vicinities in the course of the month of April: the Chineses...

Notorious adventurer, Clint Gun resides a great apartement to 13e floor of a building of the city center. When the PC render at it, it does not reply to their knocks or ringing, but its door is slightly opened. The domicile of Gun is decorated of many curios that the explorer has returned from its travel in China (masks, sculpture statues, swords, etc...). Gun himself is dead. It bathes in a pool of blood to the center of its loonge. It has deep injury in his back ( a chop of hatchet) and has bled abundantly. Before to die, it has had time to write 4 letters with its blood. (perception -2 or concealement skill roll) succeeded allows to discover its secretive intimate newspaper behind a picture suspended to the wall. In this handbook, Gun explains that during its last travels in China, it has stolen in a monastery of mountains of Mongolia a called stone Celestial Jade that had the virtue to distance itself from the ground when monks concentred on it. Return in America at the end of December of the last year, it has rapidly taken contact with the professor Stack and has sold it, the Celestial Jade, for 5 000 dollars. Since, it his hunted down by the sect of the Crimson Beast, whose chief, the DR. Yin Yu, the Mandarin Dragon who seems to have sworn its death.

From the instant where the PC have rendered at Gun, they are followed day and night by 2 Chineses, member of the Crimson Beast. They have for mission to eliminate intruders and if nevertheless a Pc leaves alone, they attack him and try to kill him. They can also trap the car of the PC. In this case when the PC start their (perception roll) they hear a suspect sound under the hood. They have 12 second to react before the bomb explodes (4d6 explosion killing damage). The PC can deactivate the bomb if (has demilition skill roll) is succeded. For characteristics of the followers of the Crimson Beast see the martial generic thug page 143 in the book Watchers of the dragon. Their weapons of choice will be obviously the hatchet.

Tongs is a generic term used by the white to designate the innumerable Chinese Sects imported by Asian immigrants in the United States. The most ancient sect, the Eyebrown Incarnats, ascends to more of 2 000 years. Since a lot others have been made know. One can quote Triad (again very powerfull today) and Boxers (members of the Company of Fist for the Protection and responsible of the revolt of 1900). To the beginning, sects had goals differend enough as for example, to restore the dynasty Ming in China. But, to the threads of centuries, they have no longer had that an alone objective: the powers under all its forms and by all means! Members of the tongs, Assassins wihout remorses, they have been made a scary reputation by the savage murder with hatchet (of where their nickname of hatchetmen). Wars between sects have especialy made rage in the course of 1920 to 1930 to San Francisco and the number of crime put to their asset is impressive. If you visit a day the Chinatown, avoid to mention the tongs; a chop of hatchet has if rapidly arrived!

To a certain stage of their inquiry, the PC will understand that the key of the mystery is found in Chinatown. One can only to wish them good luck...

Chinatown is an entirely Asian quarter situated to the east of San Francisco. Its streets are decorated to the Chinese mode and one can sometimes have the impression to be to Hong-Kong, would not be the policemen that patrol by group of 6, bludgeon to the hand. The population of Chinatown don't like curious foreigner in its area and some hustles can be provoked to annoy the honorable visitors. If PC question the population on the sect of the Crimson Beast or on the DR Yin Yu, questionned persons betrays an intense terror and, very fast, the PC are escaped as the plague. Soon, they are found in a deserts lane. They are will 6 men with hatchet approach them with a killing glare.

It concerns 6 hatchetmen of the sect of the Crimson Beast that have received order to execute intruders. Devoted fanatically to their cause, they do not retreat ahead anything and fight until the death. Once put out of combat the PC find on one of the hatchetmen (perception -2 or concealement skill roll) a little boxes of matches blowing merits of the Radiant Dragon, a Chinese restaurant, situated to 263 Kernay Street.

To the address indicated by the little box of matches, the PC discover an old restaurant converted in opium den stowaway. The seedy mattress welcome some followers of the poppy that seem no longer to see the real world. Arrived to this stage of the adventure, several possibilities are offer to the PC:

-ATTACK THE OPIUM DEN: They will be able ton conquer easily the 2 managers of the opium den and to rummage it. See paragraph IN THE CELLAR.

-PASS FOR DRUG ADDICTS: (disguise skill roll). To recognize the opium den and seize it by force. See paragraph IN THE CELLAR.

-WATCH THE OPIUM DEN FROM THE EXTERIOR: They will be able to see then alleys and come of the drug addicts of DR Yin Yu and its men. See paragraph AXES IN THE NIGHT.

To a 1 hour of the morning, 9 men rise from a trap situated in the restaurant and allowing to acces to the cellar of the former. 8 of men are hatchetmen, the last is DR Yin Yu, an elegant dressed chinese of a dress of crimson silk (yes the same silk on the cactus), to the ornate face of a mustache and a slim black goatee. 9 men exit the building, engulf in 2 great black limousines and start in waterspout. They direct to the cavern of Devil's Slide. See paragraph IN THE FACE OF THE BEAST.

If PC get introduced in the cellar of the opium den, they will confront 4 fierce hatchetmen that will fight until death. In the cellar they discover a great tender curtains meeting room. Above a dais, a great card of the region is stung of small silver pin. These pins designate (criminology skill roll) the opium den affiliate to the Crimson Beast. But 2 of between they make exeception ( intuition skill roll) indeed, there some is a stung to the place where is found the house of professor Stack and an other designates a particular point of the coast of vicinities of Devil's Slide.

That they follow the limousines of the DR Yin Yu or that they consult the card of the den of the Crimson Beast, the PC have to render to Devil's Slide where they will discover a cavern that shelters a strange activity.

The cars of the DR Yin Yu and its men are concealed in bushes atop a cliff of the edge of the ocean. A path of goat allows to descend to the beach. Once arrived down of the cliff, the PC notice (perception skill roll) that the light filters behind trees joined to the rocky wall. These trees are retractable and conceal the entry of a cavern. This natural excavation shelters the flying engine prototype built by the professor Stack and the barrels of opium who are stowed againts the wall. 10 men of the Crimson Beast accompanied by the DR Yin Yu are there. Everyone affair to prepare the takeoff of the prototype. In a corner of the cavern, 2 persons are chained: Clara and his father... the professor Stack! If PC time for some action. NOTES: From the beginning of the combat, the DR Yin Yu will escape by borrowing a secret passage that opens in the bottoms of the cavern. This fiendish mastermind must escape for the sequel: DR Yin Yu opium ring.

Once Clara and the professor are liberated, they explain to the PC their strange adventure. Since some years, the professor worked on a flying engine prototype powered according to principles of its theory on the anti-gravity. Unfortunately, it was not gotten discover an efficient propeller and its engine was promised to the breakage when Clint Gun contacted it. This last sold a strange greenish stone who defied gravity when once concentrated on it. The professor improved its performances by injecting the continuous current in the stone. Results of its experiences exceeded its hopes and it installed the stone on board of its prototype that appeared then capable to fly a speed superior to the sound ( the sound of thunder). Has this speed its machine advanced in air by provoking a impressive roar due to the displacement of air. But, while it experimented its invention, Stack noticed that strange Chineses were interested in it and it writed to its old friend. Unfortunately in the night of 24 to 25 April, the Crimson Beast strike without notice. I t was removed as well as its girl and its prototype. An undesirable witnesses was executed so as to make believe in the death of the professor ( its paper were deposited beside the corpse). The DR Yin YU, threatening to torture Clara got convince Stack to pilots its engine to China where they embarked the opium. These night, they had to undertake an other voyage...

The PC have all interest to alert the police once they will have recuperated the professor and its daugther. By dismanteling the Crimson Beast, authorities will guarantee them a minimum of security. Unfortunately they will confiscate the prototype of the professor to the profit of the national defense. This adventure brings 4 point experience and a gratuitous contact with the police of San Francisco.

DR. YIN YU'S OPIUM RING.

On May 20-21, 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh flew a small silvery monoplane, called the SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS, nonstop from New-York city to Paris. It was the first one-man flight across the Atlantic ocean. The daring, skill, and endurance of "LUCKY LINDY" won him world acclaim.

The Player Characters have gathered together to celebrate Lindbergh incredible feat at a restaurant of some repute, La Montagne, 5, rue de l'Echelle, Paris, France. Dinner is proceeding leisurely as a young man approaches the table from the direction of the street. As he neers the table the man collapses into the arms of one of the PC's. Now, the PC can see the ornately carved dagger protuding from the unfortunate man's back. With his last breath, he says:

- Must... trust... you...get... them. Translate from the french of course.

The dagger handle is carved to the likeness of a dragon. Science Skill: anthropology roll defines the style of weapon as Chinese. SS: archeology roll determines that is an ancient style restricted to the Hunan region of China.

A perception roll= 9+(int/5): two men flee by the rear of the restaurant. -1: The two men are Chinese. -2: One of the two men holds a dagger to the likeness of the one protuding the victim's back.

If any pursuit is organised they will have disapeared. The people who work in the shops along the street talk if they're questionned. Persuasion and criminology roll: Notes: The PC must speak french.

- Yeah! I saw a Renault truck right in back of the restaurant. Two men hopped into the truck and took off as if someone was after them. Oh! I remember the incription rent-a-truck Dupont Agency on the Truck Translate from the French.

If the victim is search (int or concealement roll) the PC find in the pocket of the dead man the remains of a Chinese fortune cookie. The fortune is written in Chinese characters which, if read (literacy in Mandarin, Cantonese, Fukienese, Haka, Wu,etc,etc), appears to make no sense.

The French police arrive shortly after. They should only detain the player briefly since other diners will corroborate the fact that they did not stab the man.

If the PC wish to pursue a criminology roll identify the victim as Maurice Lanoux a private investigator. When questioned (persuasion roll) his secretary will reveal his most recent case during wich on the request of Louise Mazoyer he was to investigate the dealings of one Lin Yu and report on any criminal activities.

When contacted by the PC, she will conclude from Dupont's death that Lin Yu is indead the culprit. Mazoyer will suggest that her fiance (Charles Dutronc) was abducted in on attempt to force him into cooperating with the criminal. The hope she placed in Dupont investigation was now crushed. She will then urge the PC to mount a rescue attempt (for a reward). She will request that the operation not involve the police as even the slightest hint of a connection with the underworld would hurt several business deals currently pending which involve her fiance.

Indice one the fortune cookie:
Attemps to break the code will require a cryptography roll. The message when translated reads as follows: " 1 week, 3 o'clock delivery, low grade, only cut by 1/3."

Indice two the truck:
The office of the rental agency is small and dingy. Most of the trucks in the lot are in poor condition. If the PC's enter they meet the clerk. If they bribe him (bribery roll) 20 francs he eventually talks:

- I rented the truck you talk about to a guy named Marc Modine. It's strange because Marc rarely has enough money for cab fare, let alone to rent a truck.

If the PC's ask him, the clerk tells them that Marc can be found at the CAFE BIARD, 15 boulevard Saint-Denis. The PC's can search the truck if it's in the lot. The truck is empty. The only thing in it is a trace of grease. Science skill: chemistery roll; low grade opium cut 1/3.

Indice three the cafe Biard:
The cafe bartender won't give out any information unless he his bribeb (bribery roll) 20 francs or threatened (interrogation roll). If he is paid or threatened... he points to the table in the back where Marc is setting. If Marc is questioned (persuasion roll), he says:

- Look, I was given money to rent the truck. I don't know who gave it to me. It was just some guy in a trench coat that spoke with an oriental accent.

Suddendly a fight breaks out. Marc is hit by a bolt throw by a cho-ko-nu (repeating crossbow UMA) held by a chinese. If the PC's win the fight ( one npc by pc) versus the oriental killer(s), Marc with his last breath says:

- China Ambassy!

Scouting the China ambassy result in shadowing the Dr Lin Yu and his thugs to a dingy box- office. If the PC's introduce themselve illegaly in the lair of this oriental mastermind they find a storeroom full of illegal drugs. The Dr Lin Yu alarm system is going off and a brawl or a gunfight ensues. If the PC's have been rounded up the drug runners (three npc by pc) the Dr Lin Yu will escape via a hidden underground passage. The PC's win and save Mr Dutronc from a one-way trip to the bottom of the Scene river.

Note that Miss Mazoyer and her fiance will be able to live up to any promises of reward, as long as she or he has not been implicated in the smuggling operation. A favor, a contact with miss Masoyer and Mr Dutronc + 3 points of XP.

CLIFFHANGER.

Each survivor of the adventure including Mr. Dutronc receive a package which carries no return address. Each package contains a piece of puzzle. When the puzzle is assembled is form a white disc bearing, in black, the Chinese charactere for long life. Each piece is impregnated with a disease agent active for a day. Anyone handling a puzzle piece is exposed. A perception roll -1: A message lightly embossed into the disc. This message is in the code ussed in this module. When translated. it reads: " A gift in return for our pas association. This puzzle is impregnated with a mortal disease you're dying and I don't give you the antidote. Dr Lin Yu.

THE DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION.

Once the PCs realize that the Dr. Lin Yu's gift is more than just a puzzle. They will take step to determine its nature. A Science Skill: Chemistery roll: The puzzle is build with pressed papyrus. A SS botany roll analyse it's coming from the region of the Cairo in Eagypt. An investigation of the producer of papyrus in Cairo (bribery,merchant and bureaucratics) reveal the name of the company supplyer, Achmed Al Mansour who live in a old ottoman fortress. During the investigation the PCs are ambushed by a group of Dr Lin Yu. Interrogation roll of the survivor(s) confirm the guilt of Al Mansour.

This ottoman fortress is one of the many lairs used by Dr Lin Yu. in the futherance of his insideous schemes. Its isolated location reduces the need for the appearence of normality, thereby allowing a constant state of activity and vigilance by its inhabitants. Infortunately for The Dr. Lin Yu this is also a double edged sword, no neighborrough no need also for discretion. A commando style attack with grenade, submachinegun and demo charges can take the forterress and search it for the antidote. In this case the subtle approach is a one-way trip for the Dr. Lin Yu Death Trap.

If the PCs choose the no subtle approach, the surprise is total. Overhelmed by the PCs total lack of subtility and their no-nosense brutal approach the Dr Lin Yu is probably captured by the PC and deliver to the Eagypt Autorithy. 4 XP and a favor and contact from Eagypt authority.

The Dr Lin Yu was a villain created by Steven S. Long for a article in the adventurers club 21. In his Ottoman fortress the Dr. Lin Yu dispose of one ch'ing-sinh vampire (hooror hero lesser vampyr), ten xiaogui Chinese goblin (fantasy hero hobgoblin), twelve arab henchmen(hero system rulesbook normal armed with knife and sword) and four american gangster(hsrb skilled normal colt 1911 a-1 and thompson submachinegun).

For the first adventure utilize for the oriental henchmen the generic martial arts thug(watchers of the dragon) with cho-ko-nu and dagger.

This adventure is by: Dany St-Pierre.

email: carnifex@quebectel.com

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