Call of Cthulhu: Setting Sun, Rising Tide

This was written and run by Oscar Rios. The PCs were all Japanese soldiers in 1945. And. Um. Wow.

Clifford Earle, who'd played Hoskull in Unsung Saga, was also in this one.

Oscar: There's no war horns in this.

Clifford: Yes! I've been looking for a game like this.

Oscar Rios -- GM
Andrew McGrady -- Takahiro, a medic
Clifford Earle -- Takagawa Kenji, an officer, carries a katana
Me -- Kanamoto Hiroki, communications, aka intelligence
Vicki Proffitt -- Gentaro, the "kid", a sniper
Alex Thomas -- Matsugi, naval
Summi Bukra -- Eishi, machine gunner

Oscar had a handout to show us. The first page had a bit of background, explaining that American soldiers sent letters home, and Japanese soldiers sent hair and nail clippings home, so that their families would have something to bury if their bodies could not be recovered. The text also cautioned us against looking at the scenario as a puzzle to solve or something to win. The idea was to play a Japanese soldier in a very stressful environment.

Indeed, if one looked at this as a puzzle, exactly what was going on was obvious to anyone familiar with Lovecraft's work. That wasn't the point. I'd wondered just how often one could do the "pretend your characters know absolutely nothing about the mythos". Answer: As long as someone keeps coming up with scenarios like this one. I've played in indie games that ran less edgy than this.

So, there the six PCs were, on an island being overrun by American soldiers. In the first minutes of the scenario, bullets were flying, and everyone needed to flee. The six men found themselves the only survivors of the 18 huddled in a shell of a bunker, the only ones to reach the treeline. This wasn't utterly fiated, by the way. The medic and the officer grabbed a couple of NPC soldiers, and it was luck of the dice that determined who was hit with bullets. Similar luck determined that Eishi's machine gun jammed before he could hit anyone, and that Gentaro, the 19 year old sharp shooting sniper, missed completely. The six men introduced themselves to each other.

Now, before everyone fled, a message had come through on the radio. It used code phrases, but the PCs were familiar with the code, and figured out that the message meant that all survivors were to get to a rendezvous point on the shore of the island two hours after midnight, where a supply ship would arrive to drop off badly needed equipment and to pick up some of the men.

The doctor did his best to help the injured. But, his medical bag was practically empty -- he could do three medicine rolls and 6 first aid rolls. And, the player rolled badly, curing minimal damage to everyone except himself. He cured a maximum amount of damage on himself.

Various groups of Japanese men made their way to the rendezvous, trying to avoid other such groups until they arrived. This part went so smoothly that I knew something would go really wrong. And, it did. The arriving supply ship was blown up before it could make land. Officer Takagawa Kenji, who had been assigned a few NPCs as new men, instantly gave the order to retreat into the jungle. His quick order had three of them following him. The other PCs followed as well. IIRC, my PC grabbed someone, and perhaps one or two of the others did as well. As the men ran, they saw, ahead of them in the trees, a line of American soldiers opening fire. Most of the Japanese threw themselves prone.

Kanamoto Hiroki, and perhaps a couple of the others, realized that, given the exact targetting of the ship and the position of the Americans in the trees, the Japanese code had been compromised. Hiroki just dropped his head on the ground, this being the final straw in the nightmare the war had been for him. So, as Oscar went around the table asking for actions, we agreed that he had lost his next action, or, more precisely, was spending it emotionally stunned.

The best chance the Japanese had was to punch a hole in the line of Americans. The snipper missed. The machine gunner hit a couple of people before the gun jammed again. The doctor -- hit, dropping one man.

Combat continued, with the players rolling for the three NPCs with us. Hiroki, armed with only a pistol, rising up on one knee, still managed to hit a couple of times. After much fire, the Japanese punched a hole. By now, it was just the 6 PCs, plus one NPC.

Clifford noted that he had specified that Kenji was trying to make sure to be near a radio when everyone was on the beach. Oscar had him make a luck roll. He did very well, so Oscar ruled that one of the NPCs following the PCs happened to be the radioman, and he had his radio. He was also the surviving NPC. Most of the group was wounded, Kenji badly so. Indeed, the only character miraculously unwounded was Hiroki.

Quote whose context I forget: You're going to Hell. It's a really cool idea -- but you're going to Hell.

After more running, the group wound up in a grove, with many American soldiers. As they turned to run, the Americans were cut down by some very odd men. The men were tall, with dark curly hair, wearing grass skirts. They were led by a Japanese man, Ryuki. Once the Americans were dead, Ryuki led the group to a place of relative safety underneath what looked like solid ground, but was actually a cunningly disguised hiding place. Then, he told them his story.

He had served Japan and the Emperor, Japan's living god, faithfully until his plane was shot down and he was rescued by the strange people he called the Kithari. As far as Ryuki was concerned, he was dead to Japan and vice versa. If Japan had wanted him to remain loyal, Japan would have rescued him. He now followed the Kithari was and was well respected, with three wives. But, he missed his people, and he had convinced the Kithari elders to allow him to try to help other Japanese soldiers. He gave the group more ammuniation, food, and medical supplies, all badly needed, and said that they could all join the Kithari. No one need answer just now, he said, but all should attend a festival where the Kithari would give thanks to their gods for their triumph in successfully rescuing the group. Not to go would be to give offense.

And here began the heart of the scenario. Most readers, I suspect, can figure out who the Kithari are and where this is going. But, we did not look at things from that angle. We were all playing exhausted, wounded Japanese soldiers who had been plucked from certain death and offered a way out of the war. What would we do?

It was not a simple question. The young Gentaro wanted to live. Eishi was deeply suspicious of the Kithari, who were clearly not Japanese, and said that everyone needed to avoid getting sucked further in, made more beholden, and asked for more and more. And, what was this nonsense about a celebration on this very island even now being overrun by Americans?

Kenji, still very badly wounded, made it clear that he would not attempt to stop anyone from joining -- or not joining -- the Kithari. Hiroki was not sure that he could join them, but he believed that the others who wanted to live, such as Gentaro, should take this chance.

Ryuki and the Kithari gave the group some space, and some time to rest. He talked to them a little later, and when Hiroki mentioned his concerns about his family, particularly his younger siblings, Ryuki said that if he could have given them the same choice, he would have. But, even the Kithari's resources were limited. And the men before him, these he could rescue, if they would only let him. The Kithari were peaceful, seeking only to avoid conflicts such as the one now raging.

Hiroki decided that the Kithari's suposed paradise was but a fool's paradise. Even if they managed to avoid the current war, there would be another one. How could even the Kithari remain hidden forever? Ryuki explained that they had to have faith. Then, he looked at Hiroki more closely, noting the briefcase that Hiroki carried. Instantly on his guard, Hiroki asked what he was getting at, and Ryuki asked the communications officer to walk with him. Hiroki agreed.

Ryuki tried to point out that Japan was losing the war. Hiroki confirmed that he had known this for some time, given the communications that had passed through his hands. He knew that Japan was arming civilians, and the thought of his younger siblings, armed with sticks, trying to fight off American soldiers, armed with guns, gave him nightmares. If Ryuki could rescue them, then he would join the Kithari. Ryuki repeated that this was not possible, and said that Hiroki's family would want Hiroki to live. Hiroki disagreed, despite Ryuki's impassioned pleading.

Eventually, everyone was escorted to the Kithari celebration. Hiroki and Kenji talked with Ryuki, and determined that he was telling the truth about the Kithari and about any who wished to leave being allowed to do so. The strange Kithari elders, oddly deformed, almost scaly, with croaking voices, confirmed this as well, as they spoke of their gods, and a little of their ways.

Eishi was having none of this. He explained that his job was to fight for the Emperor. And, just where was the Kithari's home island? For, surely, it too was ruled by Japan, whether the Kithari acknowledged this or not. He was simply stating a fact, after all.

Eventually, all realized that it would be best to allow Eishi to leave. He asked to take the radio with him. At first, Kenji did not wish to allow this, and the others were worried that Eishi might inadvertently give away their position or his own. But, after some discussion, they agreed that, if the Kithari were correct, the risk to the group was minimal, and Eishi was prepared to accept the risk to himself. Kenji still did not want to give up the radio, but Hiroki asked him to, and Ryuki said that he could get the group another radio if need be. Kenji now agreed that Eishi could take the radio. All wished him luck, and Takahiro and Hiroki asked where Eishi would be, as both thought that they might well try to join him later. He told them, and then departed. Eishi's player took over the NPC radioman for the rest of the session.

The Japanese men were each approached by a lovely Kithari woman who brought food for them to eat. Given Kenji's weakened state, the woman looking after him arranged him so that he was lying back, leaning against her, and she fed him.

Oscar asked what the PCs were doing.

Gentaro's player: Staring longingly, dreaming of home. And bosoms.

There was a bit of humor at Kenji's situation.

Ryuki: You are infirm.

(much laughter)

One of the cruder PCs: Sir, I'll take one for the team.

Another of the cruder PCs: I'll take one and a half.

The Japanese were told that they should enjoy the women as much as they liked, so long as the girls remained virgins. The men did so.

Hiroki: They're like geisha?

Ryuki: Yes, exactly.

GM: The girls prove to be really insatiable. How hard --

Someone: Well, perhaps "hard" is the wrong word.

No one tried to compromise the women's virginity.

The next day, Ryuki was both excited and concerned. The elders were pleased with the Japanese who had remained, and were willing to accept them into the tribe, so long as the proper ceremonies were done. But, they had to be done at once, before any left the island, and the Americans were going to overrun the island. The men had a quick conference. Kenji had decided to stay, but he allowed each to make his own choice.

Kenji: No ill will will suffer to anyone who wishes to go -- either way -- unless you ask for a radio again.

Only Hiroki decided to go, having decided that he could not live with himself if he accepted this escape when his family was doomed. He did not ask for the radio, just for a lighter, so that he could burn his top secret documents. The medic had a lighter and gave it to him. He asked Ryuki whether, in the unlikely event he survived, he should keep silent about the Kithari, or tell those who wished to escape from the war. Ryuki asked him to keep quiet, and he agreed. All wished Hiroki well, and he and Kenji bowed to each other.

Ryuki told the rest that they had to take swear an oath to become a Kithari, to help their new people, and to take a Kithari wife

Ryuki: I have three wives.

Someone: How do you get anything done?

Ryuki: I don't have to. My wives provide for me.

Someone: What lie did you tell them to get out here?

No weapons were allowed for the wedding ceremony. Ryuki promised to hold Kenji's katana, and Kenji agreed.

After taking the oath, the five men met their new wives, heavily shrouded, walking forward in a shuffle. These were all the older sisters of the women who had entertained the men the night before, Oscar noting that the one intended for Hiroki was elsewhere, crying. Each man retired with his wife.

Each wife took off her shroud revealing (as the players had expected) a disturbing creature, scaly and fish eyed, like the Kithari elders. Oscar asked for reactions.

Matsugi: What the Hell. I'll fuck it.

Oscar: Deep and sentimental.

I think this may have been the radioman's reaction as well, but I forget.

Kenji was disturbed, and his wife offered to put the shroud back on. I don't recall whether he took her up on this, but he agreed to stick to his bargain. There was sake.

Wife: I'll pour you a drink.

Oscar: Do you need the drink?

Kenji: Oh yes!

Poor Gentaro, the 19 year old virgin, was even more disturbed.

Gentaro's player: I wet myself. And just -- just cry.

His wife tried to comfort him, calling him beautiful, as, indeed, all the Kithari women called their husbands. She tried to undress him, and he allowed this, but stopped her when she tried to clean him. As he continued to resist her affections, she put the shroud on, sat down, and started to cry.

Wife: It wasn't supposed to be like this!

Gentaro listened to his wife cry and protest that she would make a good wife. She wanted this to work. And, no, she wasn't Japanese, but the kids would look Japanese. For many years.

Finally, Gentaro relented.

Gentaro: Only once. Only once.

Wife: You are young. It will not be only once.

Gentaro asked how old she was, and she revealed that she was over a century old.

Oscar had the player make a luck roll. She made it, so Gentaro had gotten his wife pregnant, which bought him some time. But, the Kithari had not made this agreement for only one child, so, within the year, if he did not relent, either his wife would overcome her scruples and rape him, or he would be killed. But, as the player noted, that was outside the scope of the adventure, so she was not going to worry about it.

The doctor, Takahiro, was also disturbed.

Takahiro: I seem... to have taken on a duty I cannot fulfill. At this point, I should fall upon my sword. But, I do not have a sword.

As the player considered, Oscar had him make a San roll, which he blew, but when the player said he actually had something to say, Oscar rolled that back. I forget how the conversation started, but it ended like this:

Takahiro: And, you aren't Japanese.

Wife: No. But, I will be a good wife to you. And, our children will look Japanese. For many years.

Takahiro's player: I think I'll take that failed San roll now.

Takahiro lost SAN, and then the player made an Idea roll. He failed it, which meant that Takahiro's mind came up with a false explanation to shield him from the awful truth.

Oscar: You look again, and you see that she is indeed Japanese. You're not sure how this happened, but you know that she is Japanese.

Player: Part of Takahiro's mind is probably screaming, but that's only 10%. The other 90% accepts this completely.

So, when the men went to the Kithari's home island, Takahiro was convinced that he was a respected man teaching lovely Japanese children, not breeding stock helping the Kithari to create agents capable of infiltrating Japan after the war, when many records would be lost. Kenji tried to force Takahiro to see the truth of his situation, though I don't know if he had any success.

As for Eishi and Hiroki, who had left the group, Kithari warriors were waiting for them. They used paralytic darts and guns, killing both men. Oscar confirmed that Ryuki knew that this would happen.

Oscar: This is why he tried so hard to get you to stay.

Me: Did I burn my documents first?

Oscar: Oh yes.

Me: Then, it's probably almost a relief for Hiroki.

All things considered, Eishi and Hiroki were the lucky ones.

Now, other outcomes were possible, but this was basically a no-win situation, I think the only one Oscar has written to date. The men could have tried to kill themselves. At least one group had someoen break the sake bottle and cut his throat with a shard, something at least one player in our group considered having his PC do. My character had a cyanide pill, something it hadn't occurred to me might be used in that way.

The Kithari had claimed to have a submarine, and this claim was true. In some runs, the PCs decide to go along and then steal the submarine. Alas, its controls are all ripped out, for it runs by eldritch magic.

Oscar had a default final sentence he read us, just so we'd know: You're a Japanese soldier in 1945. How did you -think- it would end?

Very good roll playing all around. We decided not to vote for best roll player, but to roll percentile dice and let the high scorer take it. The prize went to the woman who played Gentaro. I was impressed by how she had the kid react to a horrific situation. And serious kudos to Eishi's player, and Indian man who stayed true to his utterly racist Japanese PC (who'd been at Nanking). He told us about his brother's experience in Japan, explaining that when people walked shoulder to shoulder, there was always an island of space around his brother. His brother said that this got old fast. Plus ca change and all that.