As the Orient Express glided into the Vienna station, a palpable tension suffused the luxurious compartments inhabited by our eclectic assembly of investigators. The recent events, marred by a framing for attempted murder and their consequent confinement to their rooms by the vigilant train staff, had only served to deepen the mystery enveloping them. The arrival in Vienna heralded the next chapter in their odyssey, with police boarding the train and a gaunt-looking inspector leading the contingent, his eyes scanning the carriages with a practiced gaze.

Among the new passengers boarding in Vienna was the Baron, a figure of considerable interest to the investigators, known for his occult inclinations and connections with the enigmatic Professor Smith. The Baron, after leaving a younger woman in the station, made a beeline for Miss Viola Sutcliffe upon boarding. Directed to him by her companions, Miss Sutcliffe found herself entangled in a conversation that would soon shift to a more secluded setting in one of the investigator’s quarters.

As the train resumed its journey, the investigators, including Madame Zorba and Clyde Corning, gathered in their rooms, some engaging in a casual game of canasta, while others, like Clinton Lake, kept a watchful eye on the unfolding situation. The plan involving rat poison and a decoy to implicate a certain Menkaph, with Ellie Myers entrusted with the delicate task of planting the poison, was a testament to their desperation and ingenuity.

Meanwhile, the train staff, under the vigilant eyes of the Chef de Train and an inspector, had commenced their investigation. Miss Sutcliffe was escorted away to provide a statement regarding an incident on the train, spinning a tale of missing jewelry and suspicions of poison. Zorba and Lake watched as police officers combed through their cabin. Zorba, with a flair for the dramatic, warned them of the potential danger of a jaguar, amusingly playing into the earlier speculation about a big cat lurking on the train.

Per Oskarson, the studious skeptic among them, found himself at the center of attention when Baron Von Hofler demanded to see the book. As Clyde attempted to discern the Baron’s motivations, he was reminded of the group’s perilous mission to Constantinople. The Baron, examining the book, queried Per about his understanding of it, to which Per admitted his limitations, having only read apocrypha related to the Fez but not the book itself due to language barriers.

The police’s thorough search of the cabins, particularly intrigued by the books in Per’s possession, and their respectful handling of belongings, contrasted sharply with Madame Zorba’s attempt to charm her way past an officer for a drink, a plea that was promptly denied. Sutcliffe, seizing the opportunity to observe the ongoing searches, noted a familiar item in Menkaph’s cabin, hinting at deeper layers of intrigue.

Clinton Lake’s concern for Per’s intense engagement with the materials under investigation prompted him to seek out his colleague. His journey through the train’s corridors, punctuated by an officer’s gasp from the Myers’ cabin and the subsequent flurry of activity, underscored the gravity of the situation facing Mr. Myers.

The investigators’ narrative was interspersed with moments of levity, as they joked about dialects and expressions of surprise, yet the urgency of their mission remained undisputed. The plan to find Per and address Mr. Myers’ condition, complicated by their growing suspicion of the Baron’s true intentions, set the stage for a confrontation fraught with occult peril and the specter of betrayal.

As the session drew to a close, the revelation that Per Oskarsson had been seen entering a room in their car on the Orient Express, but not found in the Baron’s, added another layer of mystery.

Clinton Lake’s determination to glean further information from the conductors, coupled with the humorous mix-up of names, underscored the blend of investigation and camaraderie that had come to define their journey. As the Orient Express steamed ahead, the investigators found themselves on the cusp of unraveling a mystery that stretched beyond the confines of the train, into the very heart of the occult and their own resolve.

Key Events
  • The session began with a recap of the previous events, highlighting the framing of someone for attempted murder and the investigators being sent to their rooms by the train staff.
  • The investigators had convinced the staff that one of their number, a zookeeper, was ideal for tracking down a mysterious creature believed to be on the train, which was humorously speculated to be a big cat native to trains.
  • The session continued as the train pulled into Vienna station, where police were seen boarding the train, including a gaunt-looking inspector.
  • The Baron, a character of interest to the investigators, boarded the train in Vienna and sought to speak with Miss Sutcliffe, who was directed to him by the other investigators.
  • The investigators had a plan involving rat poison and a decoy to frame someone named Menkaph, with the task of planting the poison delegated to Ellie Myers.
  • As the train approached Vienna, the investigators prepared for the arrival of the police and the Baron by gathering in their rooms, with some playing canasta.
  • Upon arrival in Vienna, the investigators noticed the Baron boarding the train with a younger woman who did not board the train with him. The Baron is known to be into the occult and has connections with Professor Smith.
  • The Baron entered the investigators’ quarters to discuss the Fez and the book they were transporting, with the conversation moving to a more private setting in one of the investigators’ rooms.
  • Miss Sutcliffe was taken by the Chef de Train and an inspector to give a statement regarding an incident on the train, where she planned to tell a cover story involving missing jewelry and suspicions of Mr. Myers being poisoned.
  • Meanwhile, Zorba and Lake noticed police officers entering their cabin to conduct a search, with Zorba warning them about the potential danger of a jaguar, playing into the earlier humorous speculation about a big cat on the train.
  • The Baron confirmed with the investigators that they had the Fez and the book, with Per acknowledging possession of the book.
  • Per Oskarson retrieves a book from a cubby in his cabin, where it was stashed among other books, at the request of another character.
  • A character named Smith is mentioned as having a positive opinion of Per Oskarson, which was initially doubted by another character.
  • The character requests to see a hat, which is actually a pipe stored in a box. The box with the real pipe is handed over with a warning about its powerful occult nature.
  • Despite the warning, the character puts the pipe on his head, indicating an awareness of the occult significance.
  • A character named Baron Von Hofler demands to see the book and everyone looks at Per Oskarson.
  • Clyde attempts to use the “Spot Hidden” skill to discern if the character’s pushiness is due to his noble status and the evil nature of the hat but fails. He considers spending luck to succeed but ultimately decides to spend it after a joke about his potential death.
  • It is revealed that the group’s mission is to take the hat (pipe) to Constantinople for destruction by an expert, funded by the Baron and organized by Professor Smith.
  • The Baron examines a book, asking Per if he has read it. Per shakes his head no, explaining he was unable to translate it. It’s clarified that Per has read apocrypha related to the Fez, translated by a professor at the University of London, but not the book itself due to language barriers.
  • Madame Zorba is escorted back to her cabin by a police officer due to an ongoing investigation, where she feigns frailty and innocence.
  • Clyde Corning is interviewed by police about his presence in Mr. Myers’ cabin and what he saw, sticking to a story agreed upon by the group involving concern for Mr. Myers expressed by his wife.
  • During Clyde’s interview, his injury is inspected by an investigator who compares it to animal attacks, leading to a discussion on forensic evidence of animal attacks.
  • The police search the cabins of the investigators, looking through their belongings but handling them respectfully. They specifically notice and examine the books in Per’s possession.
  • Zorba attempts to fast-talk her way past a police officer to get a drink from the bar during the investigation but is denied access.
  • Suttcliffe and another character decide to head to the dining car for dinner, using it as an opportunity to observe the ongoing searches, particularly in Menkaph’s cabin where a familiar item is spotted by Suttcliffe.
  • It’s noted that Per and the Baron have left with the pipe and the book, and Clyde is reminded to stay in his cabin as part of the investigation protocol.
  • Clinton Lake expresses interest in checking on Per Oskarson and the Baron, noting that they are investigating a car and wondering if they have finished with the previous one.
  • Clinton decides to keep an eye on Per due to his intense engagement with the materials they are investigating.
  • Clinton plans to meet up with Per to discuss dinner, any extra precautions needed, and to remind him to update the Baron about the mysterious events happening to Mr. Smith.
  • Clinton observes an officer hurrying down the corridor and another officer leaving Menkaft’s car to enter the Myers cabin.
  • Clinton decides to move slowly towards the other car, keeping an ear out for any disturbances, particularly from the Myers cabin.
  • Clinton hears a gasp from the Myers cabin, indicating the officer inside saw something surprising.
  • The players joke about German and Austrian dialects and expressions of surprise.
  • Clinton decides to inform Clyde about the officer’s reaction in the Myers cabin and then proceeds to the Baron’s room.
  • Clyde is tasked by the first officer in the Myers cabin to fetch another officer due to Mr. Myers’ worsening condition.
  • Clyde agrees to fetch the officer and heads towards the salon car.
  • Clinton attempts to find Per by knocking on cabin nine, but receives no response.
  • Clinton then engages with the officers, asking about Per’s whereabouts, but they are unsure.
  • Clyde informs the officers about Mr. Myers’ condition, and one officer heads to assist.
  • The investigator in the salon car decides to take Menkaft for further questioning after the train stops.
  • Clinton and Clyde discuss finding Per and the necessity of casting a spell to release the Fez from Mr. Myers.
  • The Baron informs Clinton that Per must continue what he started to relieve Mr. Myers and that there is a spell to release the Fez.
  • Clinton and Clyde plan to find Per, delay the police, and possibly cast the spell to release the Fez from Mr. Myers.
  • Clinton and Clyde express suspicion about the Baron’s intentions and the authenticity of his identity.
  • Clinton decides to ask the officers about Per’s whereabouts, but is reminded that he already asked this question.
  • The session ends with the plan to find Per and address Mr. Myers’ condition still in progress.
  • The investigators learned from a witness that Per Oskarsson was seen entering a room in their car on the Orient Express, but the specific room was not identified.
  • The witness confirmed seeing a Swedish man, identified as Oskarsson, entering a room after being interviewed and released.
  • Clinton Lake expressed interest in finding observation stations along the hallway of the train car, where conductors, such as Henri, might be stationed to gain further information or assistance.