Within the confines of the Orient Express, the group huddled in discourse, musing over the use of a tiger tranquilizer that Clyde had brought, perhaps for more than just sedating beasts. The knowledge that Ellie’s husband dined alone without the enigmatic Menkaph’s company presented an opportunity that could not be ignored.

The scheming was intricate—some would distract Menkaph in the dining car, while others would seek out the solitary man in room six. Time was of the essence, for they knew all too well the transformative curse that could befall a wearer of the blood-red fez, a fate they had witnessed with Pook.

As plans unfurled, Madame Zorba and Sutcliffe were to hold court in the dining car, close to the door for a swift retreat if need be. Their hat boxes, which harbored the cursed fez, were to remain hidden in their rooms—a decision made with grim caution.

Menkaph, Ellie Meyers, and another gentleman were observed entering the dining car, as well as Pytor, whose intentions toward Menkaph were unclear. Signals and strategies were devised for when it was safe to approach room six, a task that lay heavy with the risk of drawing unwanted attention from the ever-vigilant staff.

The tension in the dining car was palpable as Clinton Lake, in a moment of ill-fortune, failed to move discreetly, his presence betrayed. With a quick wit, he feigned a stomach ache to cover his hasty departure, leaving to stand guard while Per Oskarson ventured toward the ill-fated compartment number six.

Per listened at the door, hearing the distressing sounds of labored breaths and coughs, yet no movement. Inside, he found Scott Meyers, ashen and adorned with a fez as crimson as blood, in a room shrouded in darkness. As he let in the light, a shadow creature, ephemeral and menacing, lunged forth, demanding a toll on their sanity.

Clinton’s mind crumbled under the strain, paranoia seizing him with the belief that treachery was afoot, that his companions were now his adversaries. The creature moved with a malicious grace, its form a blur of darkness as it struck Per.

In a panicked flurry, Clinton shoved Per aside and fled, his mind a whirlwind of delusion, as he sought refuge in the luggage car. Clyde, hearing the uproar, was met by the frantic Clinton, who proclaimed betrayal. Per, equally shaken, trailed after, leaving Clyde to confront the shadow alone.

With pistol drawn, Clyde entered the room of the fez-wearing man, his heart thundering against his ribs. Clinton, though stricken with fear, had meant to let in more light, but now it was Clyde who sought to dispel the darkness. Per, doubting yet driven, chanted a mantra, his voice a thread of hope in the choking atmosphere of dread.

Clinton’s erratic journey led him through the dining car, where he was greeted by the maître d’, Patrick. Declining a meal, his paranoia was a cloak that ill-fitted the opulence around him. Seizing a steak knife, he joined Madame Zorba and Viola Sutcliffe, his behavior a spectacle to the patrons, though none dared to intervene.

Clyde, with match struck and pistol ready, held his ground as Per’s chanting filled the room. Outside, the world of the train moved on, oblivious to the horror that had unfolded within. The session closed with the investigators ensnared in their grim task, their resolve tested by the presence of the fez and the shadow that had seeped into their reality.

Key Events
  • The investigators stopped in Munich, where Madame Zorba and Clyde Corning got off the train to stretch their legs.
  • They encountered Ellie Meyers and discussed American cigarettes and the scandal of women smoking during that era.
  • Miss Sutcliffe was shocked by the idea of women smoking.
  • Clyde claimed to be a zookeeper and offered to help Ellie’s husband, who had suffered a hat-related injury, by using his experience with animal injuries.
  • Ellie Meyers did not accept Clyde’s offer of help.
  • The investigators discussed various plans involving tranquilizing people with a tiger tranquilizer that Clyde had brought along.
  • It was revealed that Ellie’s husband was alone during meal times, which the investigators saw as an opportunity to approach him without Menkaph’s interference.
  • The group considered splitting up, with some going to the dining car to distract Menkaph and others attempting to reach Ellie’s husband.
  • They learned that Ellie’s husband was in room six on the train.
  • The investigators discussed the need to act quickly to prevent any potential transformation, similar to what happened to Pook.
  • They talked about finding their guns and the possibility of using a mantra known as “Pears’ Mantra” to protect against the blood-red fez.
  • The group planned to have Madame Zorba and Sutcliffe go to the dining car, while others would attempt to reach Ellie’s husband’s room.
  • Clinton Lake considered using his skills to get into the locked room, possibly by bribing, charming, or shooting his way in.
  • The group discussed the importance of keeping track of their hat boxes, which contained the cursed fez.
  • They decided to leave the hat boxes in their rooms rather than take them to the dining car.
  • Madame Zorba and Sutcliffe aimed to get a table next to the door in the dining car for a quick exit if needed.
  • Menkaph, Ellie Meyers, and another gentleman were observed entering the dining car, as well as Pinto, who seemed interested in speaking with Menkaph.
  • The rest of the group waited in their rooms, planning to signal when Menkaph and his group were occupied in the dining car.
  • The investigators discussed various signals and strategies for communicating when it was safe to approach Ellie’s husband’s room.
  • They considered the challenges of moving around the train without drawing attention from the maitre d’ and other staff.
  • The investigators are in the dining car of the Orient Express, with one of them, presumably Clinton Lake, attempting to avoid being seen by Mencaphe and Ellie Meyers, as well as another passenger they had breakfast with.
  • Clinton Lake fails a stealth check while trying to discreetly leave the dining car after spotting Mencaphe and Ellie Meyers.
  • Clinton feigns a stomach ache to excuse his departure from the dining car without arousing suspicion.
  • Clinton returns to the investigators’ car to stand guard while Per Oskarson heads to compartment number six.
  • Per Oskarson listens at the door of compartment number six and hears the sound of someone breathing and coughing inside, but no movement.
  • Per and Clinton enter the compartment to find Scott Meyers, who appears very ill and is wearing a red fez similar to the cursed one they are carrying.
  • The room is dark with the window shades drawn. Per opens the shades to let in light and attempts to communicate with Scott Meyers, who seems unresponsive.
  • Suddenly, a shadow creature attacks Per Oskarson in the compartment.
  • Both Per and Clinton are required to make sanity checks due to the appearance of the shadow creature.
  • Clinton fails his sanity check and becomes temporarily insane, believing that everyone, including his fellow investigators, is out to get him.
  • The shadow creature acts first in the initiative order and slashes Per, causing him to take damage.
  • Clinton pushes Per aside and flees the compartment in a panic, heading towards the luggage car at the front of the train.
  • Clyde Corning, another investigator, hears the commotion and sees Clinton rushing out of the compartment. Clinton warns Clyde that it’s a setup and that everyone is after him.
  • Per also exits the compartment, closing the door behind him, and follows Clinton, both of them appearing to be in a state of panic.
  • Clyde draws his pistol and opens the door to the compartment to investigate, finding the shadow creature and the injured Per Oskarson.
  • The group encounters a man lying in bed wearing a fez, who appears to be asleep in a dimly lit room.
  • Clinton Lake had intended to open the shades in the room but was too frightened to do so.
  • Per Oskarson stops running and expresses concern for both Clinton’s well-being and the potential danger Clyde Corning might be walking into.
  • Per decides to stay nearby but is hesitant to re-enter the room.
  • Clinton transitions from running to a brisk walk, aiming to pass through the train car without engaging with anyone, heading towards the dining car.
  • In the dining car, the maître d’, Patrick, offers to seat Clinton for lunch, but Clinton declines and continues walking, visibly trying to avoid contact with others.
  • Clinton’s behavior is noticeably odd, as he tries to keep distance from people and appears paranoid, suspecting that everyone might be out to get him.
  • Clyde plans to arm himself with a steak knife from the dining car.
  • Clyde enters the room with the sleeping man and attempts to light a match while holding his pistol, preparing to confront any potential monster.
  • Per begins to chant a mantra, though initially with some skepticism.
  • Clyde inspects the window to see if a beast has escaped but finds no evidence of such.
  • Clinton, after a moment of paranoia, regains his composure and joins Madame Zorba and Viola Sutcliffe for lunch, grabbing a steak knife from a table setting.
  • The dining car’s patrons observe Clinton’s odd behavior, but no one intervenes.
  • Clinton is served alcohol and tries to act normal despite the recent panic.
  • Per continues chanting the mantra in the room with the sleeping man, while Clyde keeps watch for any lurking danger.
  • The session ends with the group in the midst of dealing with the situation involving the man with the fez and the potential presence of a monster.