With the dining car’s opulence surrounding them, Clinton confided in Madame Zorba about the unnatural creature they encountered. Their conversation turned to the protection of their companions, with Clinton pocketing dinner rolls for sustenance against the unknown.

Amidst the fine dining and polished silverware, a fellow traveler, though peeved, suggested with forced politeness that meals were best enjoyed at the table—a hint at the discord that had infiltrated the train’s serenity. The investigators, seizing the moment, engaged the man in conversation, complimenting the culinary prowess of the chefs and discussing their mutual destination: Constantinople.

The group made their way to the sleeper car, where they found Henri, the chef de train, and another conductor in a state of concern. Addressed as valued guests but also suspects, Per and Clyde were confronted with the serious implications of their unauthorized visit to Meyers’ compartment. Per, however, clarified that they had acted with Mrs. Myers’ blessing, hinting at Menkaph’s potential culpability.

Henri, adhering to protocol, insisted Per and Clyde remain confined to their compartment until Vienna, where law enforcement awaited to unravel the mystery. The mention of the creature seen in the corridor led Per to advise a search with powerful lights, and Clyde, drawing upon his zookeeping expertise, volunteered to aid in the creature’s capture. His persuasive words granted him a role in the pursuit.

The rest of the investigators found themselves with varying degrees of freedom. Madame Zorba and Clinton, not directly implicated, faced no explicit instruction, while a Turkish acquaintance of the group showed concern for their welfare, offering tonic in the aftermath of the ordeal.

The investigators deliberated on their next course of action, with Madame Zorba and Clinton opting for a bold move—they sought rat poison, a lethal weapon against their unseen foe. Their search took them to the galley, where food and privacy were plentiful. Madame Zorba, nearly caught in her clandestine efforts, enlisted Clinton’s aid to distract the chef, allowing her to secure a box of the toxic substance.

The Orient Express staff, their professionalism tried by the investigators’ behavior, especially Clinton’s antics, discussed petty retaliations—perhaps a plain plate devoid of garnish or a smudged fork would serve as a subtle rebuke to the smug smuggler.

Meanwhile, Madame Zorba and Miss Sutcliffe, pleased with their stealthy achievements, turned their attention to approaching Mrs. Myers. Madame Zorba, invoking the delicate excuse of requiring “feminine necessities,” gained access to Mrs. Myers’ compartment. There, Ellie Myers, her eyes glistening with recent tears, was coaxed into a risky ploy to frame Menkaph by planting the rat poison among his belongings.

Retreating to their compartments, the investigators each bore the weight of their choices. Per, alone with alcohol and the mysterious Persian tome, pondered the grimoire’s connection to the cursed fez. As the train pulled into Vienna Westbahnhof, a tall man with piercing blue eyes—a police inspector—boarded, signaling the impending investigation.

The group, recalling their mission from Professor Smith to deliver the Fez to Professor Demir in Constantinople, debated who among them was best suited to mingle with the train’s elite. Miss Sutcliffe, with her talent for social navigation, was anointed the chosen emissary.

Their deliberations were cut short as the train halted in Vienna. Voices outside their compartment heralded the arrival of Baron Leopold von Hoffler, a distinguished gentleman with prominent mustachios. Upon his introduction, the Baron wasted no time, his intentions urgent and his demeanor indicative of a man accustomed to command.

With Henri dismissed, the Baron entered the investigators’ sanctuary, closing the door on the outside world and its prying eyes. The baron’s presence and the matters at hand set the stage for the next chapter of the investigators’ journey.

Key Events
  • The session began with a recap of the previous events, where Clyde and Per were in Scott Meyers’ compartment, attempting to aid him as he was afflicted by the cursed blood-red fez.
  • Per used a mantra he learned from his studies to help Meyers, which seemed to improve Meyers’ condition but drained Per’s energy.
  • The GM clarified that attribute loss should recover over time unless it’s a permanent loss, but they would double-check the rules.
  • During the mantra chanting, a creature threatened Clyde and Per in the compartment but was driven away by light and fled into the corridor, where it was seen by the conductor, Henri Peters, and Miss Sutcliffe.
  • Miss Sutcliffe stealthily tackled Menkaph’s manservant to prevent him from intervening in the situation.
  • Madame Zorba and Clinton stayed in the dining compartment, acting as a distraction and delaying Menkaph’s man.
  • Per and Clyde found a strange red book under Meyers’ pillow, which Per pocketed before they left the compartment.
  • Miss Sutcliffe convinced Henri that Menkaph had sinister intentions for Mr. Meyers, leading Henri to say he would speak to the chef de train about it.
  • A discussion about the permanence of power loss in the game ensued, concluding that it’s not impossible to regain power, just very difficult.
  • The GM introduced a feature in Foundry VTT where players can see portraits of characters they’ve met.
  • The session resumed with Henri asking the investigators to stay in their compartments while he and another conductor went to find the chef de train.
  • Per, feeling drained and attacked by an ocelot (though he now doubts it was an ocelot), struggled with his skepticism and considered whether to get a drink or rest.
  • Clyde suggested Per take a sit down, and Henri offered to have drinks delivered to their compartment.
  • Per requested schnapps and retreated to his compartment with Clyde.
  • In the dining car, Clinton and Madame Zorba discussed the commotion and the unnatural creature they encountered.
  • Clinton revealed to Madame Zorba that there was a creature in the cabin and that it might be related to Mr. Pook’s condition.
  • Clinton and Madame Zorba decided to leave the dining car to check on their companions, with Clinton stuffing dinner rolls in his pockets.
  • Menkaph followed Clinton and Madame Zorba as they left the dining car, and Madame Zorba used her acting skills to slow down and block Menkaph’s path.
  • The session ended with Menkaph expressing annoyance at being delayed by Clinton and Madame Zorba.
  • A passenger on the Orient Express, who is irritated but trying to maintain politeness, suggests that meals should be taken at the table after noticing someone with half a roll in their hand.
  • The investigators engage in a conversation near the kitchen, where one of them compliments the quality of the meal and the chefs hired by the Orient Express.
  • The passenger mentions that he frequently travels on the Orient Express and that there seems to be a disruption in the service, hinting that something may be amiss.
  • The investigators and the passenger agree to check on their compartments together, discussing their final destinations and expressing interest in Constantinople.
  • The group enters the sleeper car, where they encounter Henri, the chef de train, and another conductor.
  • Henri speaks to Per and Clyde, addressing them as valued guests but also bringing up concerns about them entering another passenger’s compartment without permission and raising suspicions about someone on the train attempting to harm another passenger.
  • Per corrects Henri, stating that Mrs. Myers gave them permission to check on her husband due to her concerns for his well-being, and suggests that Mr. Mancaff might be harming Mr. Myers.
  • Henri, the chef de train, insists that Per and Clyde stay in their compartment for a portion of the day and mentions that police from Vienna will be brought onto the train to investigate the matter.
  • Henri also discusses a creature seen in the corridor, which the conductors are currently searching for, and Per suggests that those searching should carry a powerful light source as the creature seems to be afraid of light.
  • Clyde, a zookeeper, offers to assist in capturing the creature, claiming he has experience and tranquilizers for such situations.
  • After a successful persuasion attempt, Clyde is allowed to join the conductors in searching for the creature.
  • Per is asked to stay in his compartment, to which he agrees as long as his needs, such as food, are met.
  • The Turkish friend of one of the investigators shows concern for their well-being after noticing injuries and offers tonic water.
  • The conductors, despite Mr. Mancaff’s protests, enter his compartment to search for the creature, but find nothing.
  • Henri, the conductor, downplays his earlier sighting of the creature, suggesting it might have been his imagination.
  • Ellie Myers is brought to check on her husband, and the passengers in the first sleeper car are allowed to return to their compartments.
  • Per and Clyde are asked to remain in their compartments until they reach Vienna Westbahnhof, where they will speak to a police inspector.
  • Clinton and Madame Zorba, not being directly involved, are not given any specific instructions.
  • The incident has become known to most passengers in the first sleeper car.
  • The investigators are left with the decision of whether to comply with the request to stay in their compartments until the next stop.
  • Madame Zorba and Clinton Lake discuss their freedom to move around the train compared to their companions.
  • Madame Zorba suggests to Clinton that they should try to find rat poison or flypaper.
  • Clyde Corning had the opportunity to search Menkaaf’s cabin but did not find anything suspicious.
  • Clinton Lake peeked into Menkaaf’s room but only noticed an opera cape and that Menkaaf had taken both adjoining compartments.
  • Viola Sutcliffe is interested in acquiring rat poison but is unable to move freely.
  • Madame Zorba and Clinton Lake plan to search for rat poison in the galley or luggage car, considering places where food is stored or where there’s less foot traffic.
  • Madame Zorba attempts to sneak into the kitchen to find rat poison but is nearly caught.
  • Madame Zorba then enlists Clinton Lake’s help to distract the chef in the kitchen.
  • Clinton Lake distracts the chef by pretending to inquire about rolls, allowing Madame Zorba to successfully steal a box of rat poison.
  • An angry French chef becomes an unplanned favorite NPC, providing two rolls to Clinton Lake despite his irritation.
  • Madame Zorba and Clinton Lake leave the kitchen with the rat poison, planning their next move.
  • The staff on the Orient Express are described as professional and angry, particularly due to Clinton Lake’s behavior, which has upset them.
  • There is a humorous discussion about how the staff might retaliate against Clinton by tampering with his dining experience, such as serving him a plain plate without garnish or sauce art, and providing him with a slightly smudged fork.
  • Madame Zorba and Miss Sutcliffe discuss their successful efforts to be sneaky and consider their next move to approach Mrs. Myers.
  • Madame Zorba suggests using the pretext of needing “feminine necessities” to speak with Mrs. Myers without arousing suspicion from Henri, the attendant.
  • Henri, the attendant, is made uncomfortable by the mention of feminine necessities and reluctantly allows Madame Zorba to visit Mrs. Myers’ compartment.
  • Ellie Myers is found to have been crying again but invites Miss Sutcliffe in when she knocks on the door.
  • Miss Sutcliffe informs Ellie Myers that she has communicated to Henri about her concerns regarding her husband’s health and Menkaph’s involvement, and has asked Henri to call the police.
  • Miss Sutcliffe proposes a plan to Ellie Myers to place rat poison in Menkaph’s belongings to frame him and save Mr. Myers’ life, acknowledging the risk and illegality of the action.
  • Ellie Myers, after some hesitation and an emotional look at her husband, agrees to the plan and hides the poison in her handbag.
  • Miss Sutcliffe quickly leaves Ellie Myers’ compartment, maintaining the ruse of needing feminine necessities to avoid suspicion from Henri.
  • Per Oskarson is in his compartment with alcohol, an unfamiliar book, and privacy, while Clyde Corning is present but falls asleep after a few drinks.
  • Per realizes the book is in Persian and contains illustrations of fezzes and other creatures, suggesting it is a grimoire or spellbook related to the cursed Fez.
  • Per considers hiding the book among his other books in a closet to keep it away from Menkaph and the authorities.
  • The train arrives at Vienna Westbahnhof, where police officers led by a tall, thin man with piercing blue eyes board the train.
  • The investigators recall that Professor Smith had tasked them with delivering the Fez to Professor Demir in Constantinople and that they were supposed to meet someone of high social importance on the train.
  • The group discusses who would be the best fit to interact with the upper class, considering that Clinton Lake might be a suitable choice.
  • However, they acknowledge that Viola Sutcliffe is particularly skilled in navigating polite society, despite some unspecified difficulties.
  • The group ultimately agrees that Miss Sutcliffe is the right person for the task, praising her as an amazing lady.
  • While the train is stopped at the platform in Vienna for about five minutes, the investigators hear voices outside their compartment.
  • Henri, the train attendant, is speaking in hushed tones, and a man with a deep, Germanic accent asks to speak with Miss Sutcliffe, mistakenly identifying their compartment as hers.
  • The man with the Germanic accent knocks sharply on the door, and upon opening it, the investigators see a distinguished man with prominent mustachios.
  • The man is described as being in his late 50s to mid 60s, wearing a coat and carrying a finely carved walking stick, but his exact age is difficult to determine.
  • The man introduces himself as Baron Leopold von Hoffler and inquires which of the individuals present is Miss Sutcliffe.
  • Viola Sutcliffe introduces herself with a curtsy and introduces her companion, Madame Zorba, offering her hand to the Baron.
  • Madame Zorba greets the Baron and invites him into the compartment, apologizing for the limited hospitality they can offer on the train.
  • The Baron dismisses the need for pleasantries, indicating that he has important business to discuss.
  • After instructing Henri that his presence is no longer needed, the Baron enters the compartment and closes the door behind him.
  • The Baron comments on the unorthodox nature of the situation.
  • The session concludes at a quarter to 10, with the GM noting that the introduction of the Baron was intended to happen at the beginning of the session, but the players engaged in more shenanigans than anticipated.