Spring 2003 z Issue 2 z ISSN 1476-1939

The BLACK SEAL

The magazine of modern horror gaming
Delta Green ™ z Cthulhu Now

P.I.S.C.E.S.:
The Silent Service
 PISCES: Her Majesty’s The Wrong Man:
Watchmen A Tale of Terror
By Adam Crossingham By Nick Brownlow
Page 4 Page 45

A Brief Summary of known Strange Histories: Four

Great Old One-worshipping alternatives to PISCES for
Cults and Independent Agents Cthulhu Now games
‘On Her Majesty’s Occult Service’ by in the British Isles By Nick Brownlow, Tobias
Adam Crossingham © 2003
By Nick Brownlow, Adam Cooper, Adam Crossingham &
Publishers: Crossingham & Daniel Harms Rik Kershaw Moore
The Black Seal is Page 12 Page 46
published twice yearly
by the
Missing Persons... The Penhew-Carlyle Foundation
Brichester University Press
74 Union Street PISCES’ Magonia Facility By Daniel Harms
Farnborough By David Conyers Page 52
Hampshire
GU14 7QA
Page 14
United Kingdom 13 Places of Interest in
Unusual Suspects: Brichester
ISSN:
1476-1939
Wilbur Bromley By Nick Brownlow
By David Conyers Page 58
Product Code: Page 21
BUP102E An Interview with Gary
Nos pauci, nos The Avengers: Sumpter
pauci beati, nos Off-beat espionage in the Page 64
saevi nothi
globus Swinging Sixties
By Davide Mana The Further Files of Professor
Internet: Page 23 Emerson Grant: Report on
The Black Seal’s web
site is: http://
Peruvian Mummy
www.theblackseal.org Dangerous Places: By Graeme Price
RAF Hobwood Page 66
Submissions: By Nick Brownlow
Please check our web
site for details of our Page 28 Reviews
submissions policy By Divers Hands
Perfidious Albion: PISCES Page 68
D20 Support:
Free D20 Cthulhu Operations in the United
support can be States Investigator Templates
downloaded from:
http:// By Graeme Price By Nick Brownlow, Adam
www.theblackseal.org/ Page 30 Crossingham & Baz Nugent
d20
Page 76
The BLACK SEAL #2 A Stylish Death:
A Tale of Terror Dangerous Places:
By Andy Bennsion Stranger’s Race
Page 43 By Rik Kershaw Moore
Page 82
Mind Games:
A Tale of Terror
By Brian Sammons
Page 44
Volume 1 Number 2
Spring 2003
Welcome to the second issue of The Black Seal. It’s only to the Prime Minister’s Office, and chooses
been just over a year since the first issue – which is w h i ch P r i m e M i n i s t e r i t wa n t s t o k n ow o f i t s
longer than I intended. I hope to get issue #3 of The existence.
Black Seal out a lot sooner next time. W hen looked at like this, PISCES is a civil
The response to The Black Seal #1 was incredible. l i b e r t i e s n i g h t m a r e. P I S C E S u n d e r i t s c u r r e n t
Thanks to all of you who let me know what you leadership is a monster, almost out of control, and its
thought of the mag azine. Issue #1’s success proves, tentacles stretch ver y far indeed. I hope you will find
to me at least, that there is a market for moder n- some of this issue’s ar ticles ref lect this par ticularly
period Call of Cthulhu material. I hope publishers are D av i d C o n y e r s ’ “ M i s s i n g Pe r s o n s … ” a n d G r a e m e
watching and more releases may be on their way. Price’s “Perfidious Albion”, ar ticles which detail just
The release of d20 Call of Cthulhu has been the how far PISCES will g o to get what it wants.
big gest news item in the last year, and it is interesting T he Black Seal editorial team has also been
that Wizards of the Coast seems to have chosen to meeting the readers and contributors, drinking too
make the moder n day the prefer red playing period. much alcohol and attempting to sell the fanzine over
The Black Seal has embraced the new era of d20 the last year. You may have seen us at CthulhuCon,
Cthulhu as well. Chaosium have requested us not to Convulsion and Drag onmeet. I hope we said “Hi!”
publish d20 Cthulhu stats for the time being, but in
the meantime, d20 stats for issues 1 and 2 can be T hanks to my wife Lor raine, Andrew Buckley, David
downloaded from http://www.theblackseal.org/d20. Lamb and the mysterious Mr. X for this issue.
We will publish d20 stats as soon as we have approval The Black Seal
from Chaosium. Team meets
T h i s i s s u e ’s t h e m e i s P I S C E S. T h i s d o o m e d John Tynes at
org anisation is the United Kingdom’s sole defence Convulsion.
ag ainst the Cthulhu Mythos, and is thus a ver y L to R: Nick, JT,
suitable topic for a British Call of Cthulhu fanzine. John and Adam
We’ve taken the oppor tunity to expand on what Pag an
Publishing first presented in Delta Gr een: Countdown.
The Vicar and
Pag an did an excellent job creating oppor tunities for
the Rev
excellent role-playing with this org anisation – I hope
exchange
we’ve added extra f lavour. PISCES in its original
words and beer
presentation is a ver y dark, malevolent entity if
approached in the wrong way.
PISCES is a Second World War relic, ar med with
emergency powers that have never been rescinded.
It’s above the law, does not officially exist, repor ts

Editor & Layout: Sarah Evans © 2002, 2003 Registered Trademark of Chaosium Inc.,
Adam “the Vicar” Crossingham pages 29, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 & 63 and is used with their permission.
Paul J Holden © 2002 Chaosium Inc. is the Registered Trademark
Co-editor & Webmonkey: of Chaosium Inc.
Nick “No nickname Nick” Brownlow pages 39, 40, 55, 56 & 57
Graphic Support: David Lee Ingersoll © 2002, 2003
Published by arrangement with the Delta
pages 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32, 35, 36 & 38
L. Abdul Baan Green Partnership. The intellectual property
Vibes: Charlotte Ronald © 2003 pages 24 & 25 known as Delta Green is ™ and © the Delta
Jonathan “Radio” Turner Green Partnership, who has licensed its use
Maps: here. The contents of this document are ©
Proofreading: Andy Bennison, Nick Brownlow, David
Charlotte Ronald David Conyers © 2003 pages 15, 17 & 18
Conyers, Tobias Cooper, Adam
Koen Goorickx © 2003 page 54 Crossingham, Daniel Harms, Rik Kershaw
Articles: Moore, Davide Mana, Graeme Price, Brian
All articles are © 2002, 2003 by their Unofficial: Sammons, excepting those elements that
respective authors: Andy Bennison, Nick All material in this magazine is to be are components of the Delta Green
Brownlow, David Conyers, Tobias Cooper, considered unofficial and non-canon in the intellectual property. The Delta Green logo
Adam Crossingham, Daniel Harms, Rik world of Delta Green and PISCES, although is a trade- ‘Alley’ by Luis Corte Real © 2002
Kershaw Moore, Davide Mana, Graeme every attempt has been made to check mark of the
Price, Brian Sammons existing facts and conform to the published Delta Green
world view. It is up to individual Keepers Partnership
Artwork: what material they shall incorporate into and is used
Neil Beattie © 2003 page 12 their view of Delta Green. with permis-
sion.
Robert Corcoran © 2003
pages 4, 5, 6, 7 & 50 Legalese:
Adam Crossingham © 2003 page 1 Call of Cthulhu ® is Chaosium Inc.’s
trademarked role-playing game of horror
Luis Corte Real © 2002 page 84
and wonder. Call of Cthulhu is the
 Based on Scott Glancy’s PISCES and Army of the Third Eye chapters of Delta Green: Countdown.

“We do disagreeable things so that ordinary people here and elsewhere can sleep safely in their beds at night... Of course, we occasionally do very wicked things...”
– John Le Carre, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

“You only have the same sort of fear that everyone here has. That’s why you are employed here. The moment we notice someone isn’t frightened that this set-up
and all the other set-ups like it are a threat to parliamentary systems – we fire him. The only way a department that pries can run is to admit of no elite which
is immune from prying.” – Len Deighton, Funeral in Berlin

This article should be read by keepers in conjunction with Scott Glancy’s PISCES chapter from Delta Green: Countdown. Players should
read this article without consulting Delta Green: Countdown.

INTRODUCTION activities are completely outside the law. Full scale military
Tenebrae non sunt, sed ignorantia (There is no darkness but ignorance) – operations have been authorised in the past, but today PISCES is
PISCES motto adopted in the 1950s more likely to resort to blackmail, reputation smearing, threats of
violence, payoffs, involuntary sectioning under mental health laws,
The Paranormal Intelligence Section for Counter-intelligence, murder or disappearances. PISCES’ actual reaction often depends
Espionage & Sabotage is the oldest paranormal intelligence on the experience of the operators in the field, and the perceived
agency in the world. PISCES can trace its origins directly back to risk. PISCES is also tasked to deal with paranormal entities, and its
the First World War and indirectly into the late Nineteenth personnel will deal with any manifestations using the appropriate
Century. In the modern world PISCES works to guard the security level of risk containment. This may include the use of deadly
of the United Kingdom from the dangers of the Cthulhu Mythos. force or magic.
PISCES reports directly to the Prime Minister, bypassing all the Researching alien science is PISCES’ third role. PISCES
controlling committees that MI5, MI6 and GCHQ have to maintains a library at Kilmaur Manor, and ‘Magonia’ – a research
report to. laboratory; both facilities are located in Scotland. A small number
of ‘formulae’ are approved for field use, and have on occasion
been issued to field agents.
PISCES’ MISSION OBJECTIVES Kilmaur Manor’s library in a high-security vault is one of the
“Secrecy is the first essential in affairs of the State.” – Armand Jean du
Plessis, Cardinal de Richelieu, Chief Minister to Louis XIII

The first role of PISCES is unorthodox, or paranormal,

intelligence gathering. New religions, charismatic cult leaders,
strange police reports, UFO sightings, and other Fortean events
are investigated. Agents record and analyse events and people for
the potential threat to the society or the fabric of the United
Kingdom.
PISCES’ second role is counter-intelligence. If the threat
assessment of a rapidly growing cult or a messianic leader is too
dangerous then measures will be taken to eliminate the risk.
PISCES is a totally black budget operation, and many of its

4 The Black Seal #2

 PISCES: Her Majesty’s Watchmen
Australia, acting as front organisations, introduce potential talents
to PISCES. Recruitment is not always voluntary, especially in the
case of vulnerable minors. The ESP ability development
programme is effectively a paranormal weapons development
project. With their handlers, Talents can do ‘untraceable’ jobs for
PISCES. For example one talent can psychically control fire, and
has been used to arrange several unexplained arsons and deaths.
Finally PISCES’ fifth role is espionage and counter-espionage.
PISCES is charged with the role of using psychic talents against
other nations, specifically the former Soviet Union, in order to
gain intelligence; and with the role of using psychic talents in
order to stop other nations using similar powers against the United
most extensive Mythos and occult research libraries in Europe, Kingdom.
even though it is located in the wilds of the Scottish Borders.
Access is extremely limited and highly guarded, but researchers
may be able to provide data unavailable to any other agency in the
HISTORY
world. Volumes include the Latin ‘Necronomicon’, an almost
“Secrecy is the handmaiden of deception.” – Sir Winston Churchill
complete set of the ‘Revelations of Glaaki’, the ‘Cthaat Aquadingen’,
and the original ‘Eltdown Shards’.
PISCES was founded on 26 June 1940 on Winston Churchill’s
Magonia, the research laboratory located on St. Kilda’s, is an
direct orders in order to utilise the paranormal against the Axis. Its
underground research facility removed from all the major UK
remit overlapped with MI5, MI6 and the Special Operations
population centres, and purpose built for maximum security. A
Executive in some areas, where they became the dominant agency.
nuclear device will destroy Magonia in the event of the multi-layer
PISCES was created from MI13, which was originally created in
Mythos containment fail-safes being broken. As well as the
1916 in order to develop paranormal intelligence gathering
laboratories, Magonia is home to numerous Mythos specimens
techniques. In turn MI13 built upon the work of the Delphi
(some alive, some dead, some preserved) recovered during field
Project, a naval intelligence operation that operated during the
operations. Magonia has also been used as an oubliette to
1890s. MI13 survived the First World War, and was able to predict
‘disappear’ unwanted individuals and embarrassing lunatics. See
the course of the German Blitzkrieg through Belgium and France
the ‘Missing Persons…’ article in this issue for more information
in 1940, convincing Churchill of the efficacy and usefulness of the
on Magonia.
paranormal. Through the Second World War PISCES provided
PISCES’ fourth role is the study and development of
timely information on the activities of the Karotechia in Europe,
psychical ability. PISCES watches for the appearance of ‘Talents’,
and resisted the Black Dragons in South East Asia.
or psychically gifted individuals who are highly advantageous
Experienced at surviving the end of wars, PISCES
assets. Often these individuals are found during field
transformed itself into the coldest of Cold Warriors by re-aligning
investigations. Paranormal organisations in England, Canada and

‘R’ – the Director of PISCES causes of which remain controversial. under his leadership. Dismissed by the
There have been nine R’s in the history of (Delta Green: Countdown pp 14-21). Thatcher government in 1983 following
PISCES: the re-organization of the intelligence
3. General Stewart Collier (1956- services after their failure to predict the
1. Commander Fredrick Ramsey 1959). Appointed Director of PISCES in Argentinean invasion of the Falkland
(1916-1932). Originally assigned to the 1955. Dismissed 1959 due to possible links Islands. Current location: Estate in
Royal Navy’s Project DELPHI. Resigned his to the Cambridge spy ring. The ‘official’ Bahamas.
commission in 1900. Recruited to head the reason was listed as ‘ill health’. Died in
Special Reconnaissance Section (MI13) in 1978. 7. Admiral John Tremayne (1983-
1916 becoming the first ‘R’. Died of a heart 1987). Appointed Director in 1983,
attack in April 1932. (Delta Green: 4. Brigadier-General Sir Charles Tremayne was previously a senior officer in
Countdown pp 13-15). Balfour (1959-1969). Recruited into NID. He had little previous experience of
PISCES in 1942. As Brigadier-General, he the paranormal. Attempted to introduce
2. Lt-General David Cornwall (1932- became the Director of PISCES in 1959. He reform in PISCES. His death was reported
1955). As an Army Captain led was knighted and retired from PISCES in as suicide in December 1987.
expeditionary force against ghouls in 1969. Current location: Private retirement
France. As a Major posted as a military home. (Delta Green: Countdown pp 21- 8. Sir Colin Woodall (1988-1994).
attaché to Istanbul, he fought the 22; 40-41). Appointed Director in 1988, Woodall was
Brotherhood of the Skin (see Horror on the a career PISCES agent. He expanded
Orient Express). Resigned his commission in 5. Sir Alan Hopkinson (1969-1975). PISCES’ domestic counter-terrorism and
1926 under FO pressure, but joined MI13 First civilian Director of PISCES. Replaced in counter-subversion roles. He was knighted
in 1927. Assigned to head MI13 in May 1975, possibly at the ‘request’ of the new in 1992, and had a mental breakdown in
1932 after the death of Ramsey. Promoted Prime Minister Harold Wilson in exchange 1994. Current location: ‘a Government
to Colonel and Director of PISCES when it for a conciliatory Knighthood. Died in care facility’.
was formed on 26 June 1940, and 1991.
promoted to Lieutenant General in 1953. 9. Lady Marjorie Rittingham (1994-
His knighthood was received in 1955, and 6. Sir Michael Wellington (1975-1982). present). Recruited into PISCES in 1980,
he retired from PISCES; dying in 1961, the An ineffectual political appointee, PISCES and became Director of PISCES in 1994.
became incompetent and complacent (Delta Green: Countdown pp 31-32).

Spring 2003 5
 PISCES: The Silent Service

its focus towards Soviet occult interests in 1945. Clement Atlee, British Establishment, making it a law unto itself – no other
Britain’s first post-war Prime Minster was frightened with reports control mechanism now exists, only the direct connection to the
of Soviet developments (in particular Stalin and Smersh’s occult Prime Minister remains.
interests), confirmed PISCES continued post-war existence and
enlarged its remit so that it could keep up with Soviet research. In
the late 1940s, the archipelago of St. Kilda was selected as the THE ORGANISATION TODAY
location of an ultra-secret, high-security research facility, “Everything secret degenerates” – Lord Acton
codenamed Magonia, where alien science would be researched.
PISCES survived the Soviet spy scandals that wracked MI5 Today PISCES operates out of Severn Aerospace’s headquarters
and MI6 through the post-war period, but with Stalin’s demise in building on London’s South Bank, located near LWT’s TV studios
1953, official Soviet interest in the paranormal subsided into more and IBM UK. Severn Aerospace is a highly successful aerospace
‘mainstream’ ESP experimentation like remote viewing and company with a manufacturing plant located at Winterdown Flats,
psychic development – PISCES shifted its attention back to Gloucestershire where it manufactures booster rocket
Britain and its shrinking empire. Discontent and revolution in components for the European Space Agency, next generation
Britain’s colonies proved a stimulant to Mythos activity, as did the smart weapons for the Ministry of Defence, and satellite
world wars, because the upheaval, confusion and chaos of war communications systems for GCHQ. Severn Aerospace provides
allow quicker and unfettered growth. PISCES attempted to the cover for PISCES, and the black funding through cost over-
eliminate Mythos movements and entities in Malaysia, Nigeria, runs.
Kenya, Borneo, and Hong Kong. PISCES also targeted the worst PISCES today operates with extra-legal resources and reach.
of Sixties’ counter-culture, conclusively moving against targets in It uses intelligence from MI5, MI6, GCHQ, the armed services,
the Severn Valley. government departments and agencies, and national & regional
‘PISCES the Cold Warrior’ turned into ‘PISCES the Free police sources to snoop illegally on the United Kingdom’s citizens
Trader’ when Thatcherism swept through the UK in the 1980s. and its neighbours. Access to GCHQ’s data feeds means that
PISCES keenly embraced the market economy, and set up Severn PISCES can access the ECHELON system’s worldwide SigInt
Aerospace as an elaborate funding and cover mechanism. Severn and ElInt. The enhanced processing of GCHQ SigInt and ElInt
Aerospace provides retro-engineered technology discovered by on the London supercomputers means that PISCES is able to
PISCES to the British government and other bodies at a cost. In filter non-significant traffic from the intelligence it is searching.
turn Severn Aerospace provides the budget, resources and cover GCHQ is unaware of the additional processing, as it merely
for PISCES operations. The creation of Severn Aerospace supplies the data required. Being above the law PISCES has no
effectively established PISCES as an autonomous entity within the qualms about installing an illegal telecommunications intercept,

Ian Fleming, PISCES & SPECTRE

A popular myth shared amongst PISCES personnel is that Ian Fleming’s SPECTRE – the Special Executive for Counter-intelligence,
Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion, which appears in the James Bond novels and films, was inspired by PISCES. The myth is true, and
parallels with SPECTRE’s modus operandi can be made with PISCES’ deeds. Fleming met several PISCES agents during the course of the
Second World War and heard rumours about the organisation. Fleming was making an oblique criticism about the excesses of PISCES’
operations in the early 1950s that were beginning to get out of hand in the face of Soviet opposition. Blofeld is supposed to be a
caricature of Cornwall, the second chief of PISCES, whom Fleming met shortly after the war. Cornwall died in 1961, the same year the
novel Thunderball, in which SPECTRE first appears, was published. Balfour, the fourth R, is reported to have fumed about Cornwall’s
portrayal in Fleming’s books, and the implication that PISCES = SPECTRE which was “a private enterprise for private profit”. Office
legend has it that Balfour is supposed to have joked about assassinating Fleming on more than one occasion.

6 The Black Seal #2

 PISCES: Her Majesty’s Watchmen
performing an illegal B&E, or illegally accessing personal data its resources and operational scope PISCES will probably be well
files, and if necessary will interrogate and torture suspects for aware of any moves made to destroy it or to expose it.
information. Overseeing all operations is the PISCES Internal Affairs
In the field PISCES agents carry MI5 identification, and work department, who are the watchmen of Britain’s paranormal
closely with MI5 agents. PISCES prefers to get MI5 agents and guardians. PIA stands aloof from the rest of PISCES and
Special Branch officers to do most of its dirty work. This generally distrusted by agents and researchers. PIA cleans up if an
maintains the fiction that PISCES is just a super-section of MI5, operation goes horribly wrong or PISCES personnel are
and keeps the publicity on MI5 and away from PISCES. The compromised in any way.
Section only operates on its own in the field when knowledge of
the operation has to be contained within the Section, such as
unmistakable Mythos activity. RECRUITMENT
PISCES biggest advantage is that it doesn’t officially exist, and “The greatest tribute you can pay to a secret agent is to take him for a moron.
a very small number of people outside of the organisation know All he has to do is to make sure he doesn’t act too exactly like one.” – Len
of its existence. This allows it considerable freedom of action. It Deighton, Funeral in Berlin
is also a limiting factor but only a very minor one. As long as the
Prime Minster and the Security Services are not directly implicated Field Agents:
PISCES has a free hand to act as The majority of PISCES agents
it will. Should circumstances arise are recruited directly from the
that will lead to the dissolution of ranks of MI5, though a
PISCES or its public exposure, significant minority are recruited
PISCES will probably act from MI6, Special Branch, or
decisively to prevent its exposure Military Intelligence. These
– by blackmail or murder. Given intelligence operators are already
positive vetted for high-level
The Chronicle security clearance; have proven
PISCES maintains ‘the Chronicle’: their worth to their nation; and
a database of all the events, are trained in espionage.
entities, individuals and magic Whistleblowers and traitors
that PISCES or its predecessor should have already been weeded
have encountered or out by their parent agencies –
discovered since the 1930s, and
PISCES agents are the crème de
which was inspired by MI6’s
Registry. Although patchy la crème of the British
before the Second World War, intelligence community. Most
the Chronicle develops in operators think they are working
usefulness from the 1950s. The for a super-sensitive ‘Section’ of
current Chronicle system is the MI5; and senior MI5 agents
direct descendent of the first speak of PISCES in hushed
Chronicle project that started in tones as ‘the Gods’.
the mid-1950s to computerise
and speed-up the processing
Researchers:
and retrieval of on-going and
past case information. The case PISCES also requires researchers
histories of MI13 and PISCES to assist field agents in their
were back loaded onto the decisions and to identify and
system, and analysis of cases create solutions to combat
from the pre-war and wartime Mythos threats. These
years started. Successive programming improvements have researchers come from a number of sources but virtually all start
brought the Chronicle into the 21st century. their careers with PISCES as friendlies, who then become
Over the last 60 years PISCES has thwarted most of the accomplices to PISCES. Some researchers are failed talents, who
significant Mythos attempts to advance the End Times in the
often later specialise in alien science. Researchers can be found
British Isles. Any significant Mythos entity or cult is likely to be
under surveillance, or will be shortly. This includes non-Piscean working the Chronicle at the London headquarters, at Section H,
investigators. The Chronicle is capable of analysing clues and at the Vault at Kilmaur Manor, at Magonia and occasionally in the
identifying Mythos beings and spells from the data fed to it. It field. Researchers have access to the PISCES approved formulae
can supply recommended courses of action to field agents. The and compounds that can only be released by official sanction.
Chronicle allows PISCES to match and combat any resurgent These include Dread Curse of Azathoth, Dust of Suleiman,
threat by running field data through its London super- Create Elder Sign, Nyhargo Dirge, Powder of Ibn-Ghazi,
computers. The Chronicle also analyses data feeds from GCHQ Shrivelling, and Voorish Sign. A cadre of specially trained
and will highlight significant intelligence for human researchers also has access to selected Bind and Dismiss formulae.
intervention – or investigation. Most current PISCES operations
These researchers are specially selected for their aptitude for the
start as flagged items of interest from the Chronicle.
The records detailing Mythos entities and spells are held in a magical arts, and mental fortitude.
restricted section of the database, accessible only by personnel
with the right security clearance. PIA Agents:
Internal Affairs agents are unusual as they are usually recruited

Spring 2003 7
 PISCES: The Silent Service

ZIRCON
Late 1986, early 1987 a media furore blew up around a top secret project code-named ZIRCON, and the British government
attempted to ban what reporter Duncan Campbell had uncovered. Campbell had discovered the planned existence of a spy satellite to
be deployed over the Soviet Union, costing tens of millions of pounds. ZIRCON had been planned as a response to the 1982 Falklands
Conflict and Britain’s dependence on the United States, when GCHQ was forced to ‘borrow’ the NSA’s South American spy satellite for
short periods to gather intelligence from Argentina. ZIRCON was cancelled in February 1987 when Britain bought into the NSA spy
satellite scheme.
ZIRCON was budgeted for £100 million annually; approximately a third of GCHQ’s budget at that time and approximately equivalent
to MI6’s. One of the main reasons for this enormous cost was that PISCES was attempting to conceal its funding within the project’s
estimates. Previously PISCES’ funding had always been concealed within a number of secret projects but in this instance the existence
of a single project was revealed. A review of PISCES funding was undertaken, and a new income source was selected: significant
money could be derived from retro-engineering products from the intelligence that PISCES had uncovered in the course of its
investigations. In 1989, two years after ZIRCON was blown, PISCES was reconstituted as ‘Severn Aerospace Limited’.

from outside of MI5, and the mainstream British intelligence candidates are taken to see him – he enjoys the company.
community. Many have Special Forces backgrounds and are often Previously Barnsby was introduced to a candidate in a social
officially listed as dead. The detachment from the rest of PISCES setting. Barnsby reports later what he sensed to his team of
is considered an asset, especially if called in to ‘clean up’ handlers – motives, allegiances, deeply held secrets. PISCES dares
compromised PISCES personnel. not risk using VERITAS on potential talents given the possibility
of psychic feedback. PISCES is actively looking for a replacement
Talents: for Barnsby but as yet, has not found anyone suitable. Research at
The Talent programme is the longest running PISCES project. Magonia has also been unable to replicate VERITAS’ abilities.
The Delphi Project was the first British ESP effort, and MI13
proved ESP worked. Through the Psychical Research Association
in London; the Paragon Foundation in Toronto; and the ESPer RELATIONSHIPS
Tech Corporation in Sydney, PISCES watches for individuals who The Prime Minister:
display potential psychic powers. Recruits are trained to exploit The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the only person
their natural abilities and develop new ones. Due to the that PISCES directly reports to, and which it has to worry about.
detrimental psychological effect psychic powers can have, talents Practically this means the Prime Minister’s office. The information
are usually trained in the safety of Magonia. PISCES have been that the PM receives depends on how much PISCES trusts the
known to deny potential talents to other governments, even politician. Like many conservative-minded intelligence agencies,
though their stable of viable talents is currently less than five. PISCES prefers working with a right-wing Conservative
government more than a left-wing Labour government, even
Handlers: though it was a Labour PM, Atlee, that gave PISCES its post-war
Each talent is assigned a handler or a small team of handlers one lease of life. PISCES is reserving judgement on Tony Blair, the
of whom is the Principle Handler. The handler is responsible for current Labour Party PM.
the training and development of the talent and their eventual
deployment in the field. Handlers are usually experienced in The Security Services:
dealing with people, often as troubled as they are talented, and may Only the Heads of MI5 and MI6 know the true nature of
not have come from an orthodox espionage background. The PISCES, and existence between the security services is relatively
handler is responsible for the actions of a talent in training and the peaceful, as PISCES does not tread on the toes or the turf of
field, and is also responsible for terminating a talent should they either agency. PISCES has better relations with MI5 than MI6 but
go awry. this is only due to the esteem ‘the Section’ is held in by MI5 agents
and their closer working relationship with PISCES. Theoretically
Vetting: MI5 and MI6 can utilise PISCES unorthodox intelligence
All agents, researchers and handlers are vetted by VERITAS in techniques, but such a request hasn’t happened since the Second
additional to the normal security service vetting procedures. World War.
VERITAS is Alan Barnsby, the oldest Talent on PISCES’ books,
now in his late eighties, having been recruited during the Second The ‘Cousins’ – Delta Green and MJ-12:
World War. Barnsby merely has to hold a candidate’s hand in order There has been no official contact between the agencies since
to know whether the candidate is trustworthy or not. Barnsby now 1945. Unofficial contacts continued after the war on an individual
lives in sheltered accommodation with his wife Natalie and all new basis between agents who had served together but these tailed off

British A-bomb testing in Australia

Britain conducted nuclear bomb tests in Australia, with the full consent of the Australian government, between 1952 and 1963, whilst
developing its own hydrogen bomb. These tests took place on the Monte Bello islands off the coast of Western Australia (1952-56),
and at Emu Field (1953) and Maralinga (1956-57) in Southern Australia. PISCES took no direct hand in these experiments. It did
however arrange to have a number of pre-adolescent and adult test subjects exposed to the tests at Maralinga in an attempt to
awaken dormant ESP powers, and also examined the service personnel exposed to the tests for potential latent talent abilities. The pre-
adolescent test subjects were followed up at regular intervals. Recruitment of potential talents by ESPer Tech Corporation tripled in the
years that followed the tests, but PISCES found that the exposures did not significantly affect the statistical chance of discovering ESP
talents.

8 The Black Seal #2

 PISCES: Her Majesty’s Watchmen
mole within its ranks. SV-8 is intensely curious about PISCES but
A week is a long time in politics: the fall of does not have the resources to solve the riddle. PISCES is aware
Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and the rise of its opposite number too, but SV-8 was shielded from scrutiny
of Margaret Thatcher by Smersh in the 1950s, and SV-8’s limited personnel and intense
Harold Wilson resigned on 16 March 1976 to a stunned secrecy have saved it from renewed scrutiny ever since.
Cabinet. Wilson had recently overseen the successful entry of
the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community, Old Enemies – The Black Dragons:
and had been re-elected in 1974 after holding together a The Second World War saw the defeat of the Black Dragons at the
minority government for eight months. The reasons for hands of PISCES and Delta Green, but PISCES had to stamp out
Wilson’s resignation have never been clear, but he claimed
Black Dragon inspired insurrections in South East Asia after the
“health” reasons and that his successor needed time to develop
policies for next election as the UK was facing increasing war, as the Black Dragons had influenced the resurgent Thugee in
economic hardship. India and the Chau-Chau in Malaya. Since the 1960s PISCES has
There may have been other reasons as well. Wilson is underestimated the growth of the resurrected Black Dragons,
reported to have become paranoid about the security services, classifying its expansion into the Western World as ‘organised
and believed that they were spying on him and his colleagues. crime’.
Several sources including Colin Wallace, Peter Wright and
Chapman Pincher have reported the existence of a cabal of The White Tower – PISCES and Brichester University:
MI5 officers plotting to bring down Wilson’s government or
A special connection between PISCES and Brichester University
even staging a coup d’état if Labour was re-elected.
Some theories report that it was an American inspired
exists and should be noted. Many PISCES agents and researchers
operation, CLOCKWORK ORANGE, or that MI5 was involved in recruited from the late 1940s to the 1960s were graduates of
the surveillance and smearing of members of the Wilson Brichester University. Many of these agents rose to high rank in
government with their supposed links to the Soviets or the ‘the Section’. Some pundits put the Soviet non-penetration of
Communist Party of Great Britain. Ten members of the PISCES down to the influence of the Brichester graduates, which
government were ‘investigated’, discredited or hounded out of Soviet spymasters ignored during the 1930s, preferring to
office, on the flimsiest of evidence. concentrate on Oxbridge graduates. Equally effective are counter-
Another theory is that MI5 started to conspire against measures against infiltration such as VERITAS and psychic
Wilson’s government in February 1974, when officers in
interrogation. The establishment of Severn Aerospace and its
Northern Ireland started to use the Army Press Office’s
Information Policy unit (a late incarnation of the Information
facilities has curtailed the influx of Brichester graduates, and time
Research Department) to destabilise Wilson’s government, its and retirement have diminished the number of Brichester
Northern Irish policy (to get out as quickly as possible), and graduates who can be encountered in the corridors of PISCES’
Northern Ireland. This it succeeded in doing. The succeeding HQ offices.
Prime Minster, James Callaghan, ordered an investigation into
MI5 but nothing was found. Callaghan was always deeply Yellow Germans – PISCES and the Ghurkhas:
suspicious about the Security services, and wanted to impose Today PISCES relies on the increment of British Special Forces
greater oversight on them but was unable to do so. His supplied to the security services for any dirty jobs that need doing,
successor Margaret Thatcher, certainly benefited from the
but it hasn’t always been that way. A special bond exists between
support of the Security Services and lavished money on them
until the intelligence failure of the Falklands War.
PISCES and the Ghurkhas. The Ghurkhas are a unique formation
Today MI5 publicly dismisses the conspiracy theories as in the British Army, recruited from the hillsmen of Nepal after an
fantasy, and describes Wright as a liar. There are several arduous selection procedure, and have a long and honourable
rumours running in intelligence circles, even today, that history of service with the British Army up to the present day. The
rightwing PISCES officers were involved in the conspiracy. relationship started in the First World War when Cornwall
These include that PISCES’ involvement was unofficial and included Ghurkhas in his No-Man’s Land raiding party. PISCES
done as a favour to fellow security service officers; to revenge utilised Ghurkha personnel in several missions during the Second
the dismissal of former director Sir Alan Hopkinson by Wilson; World War, and used them to combat the Chau-Chau during the
that Talents may or may not have been involved. The end to
Malaysian Emergency. Finally, Ghurkhas were used in the
any of the rumours is that the officers involved were
reprimanded but not severely, and PISCES’ fortunes did greatly
Goatswood operation to apprehend intelligence assets. PISCES
improve under Thatcher’s Conservative government, giving a has found the Ghurkhas to be expendable but dependable, and
degree of veracity to any version of the rumour. extremely tight-lipped but since 1969 has decided to utilise the
Special Forces increment available to it instead. PISCES may still
decide to use the Ghurkhas again in the near future if the mission
as individual agents retired or were otherwise incapacitated.
circumstances demanded it. Survivors of the Goatswood raid may
PISCES learnt of Delta Green’s disbandment in 1970 through its
still be found in the ranks of very senior Ghurkha NCOs.
Whisper Gallery operation (see the ‘Perfidious Albion’ article in this
issue), but has incorrectly surmised that MJ-12 has inherited DG’s
occult investigation remit. PISCES has been unable to gather hard ‘An orange and a black bin liner’ – PISCES, leaks
intelligence on MJ-12’s activities and shapes its operations and and the media:
responses to MJ-12 using a policy of ‘informed threat assessment’ Newspaper stories attributed to ‘a Foreign Office official’ or ‘a
– or ‘worst case scenario’. Home Office official’, the traditional euphemisms for MI6 and
MI5, often appear in Britain’s national press. These stories are
traditionally leaked by agents to friendly reporters at the
The Red Menace – GRU SV-8:
Bandstand in Victoria Embankments Gardens, off Villiers Street
The Russian agency is aware that PISCES continues to operate,
in London. PISCES plays the media game as well, but instead
having become aware of its existence through leaks in MI5 and
plays it at the Buddhist Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park. PISCES
MI6, but no Russian agency has successfully placed a long-term

Spring 2003 9
 PISCES: The Silent Service
has a number of ‘pet’ reporters mainly working in the red-top 1943 Joint Delta Green/PISCES raid on the Karotechia’s
market sector of the press or the strange phenomena magazine Donnerschlag weapon at Fécamp.
sector which it uses to feed misinformation, check out potential Last PISCES agent left in the Karotechia is shot crossing
leads and to keep in touch with street level intelligence. PISCES the Swiss border.
finds that these relations are often profitable and will often feed its Joint Delta Green/PISCES expedition to the Belgian
friendly reporters stories unrelated to the paranormal, but Congo to locate Thule.
uncovered in the process of an investigation in order to keep them
1943-1944 PISCES combats the Black Dragon-revived Thugee cult
happy and pliable. Like all security services, PISCES takes a in East India.
prurient interest in its superiors and masters, and little escapes its
1945 Brigadier-General Cornwall convinces Labour Prime
gaze. PISCES has often found that is easier to eliminate potential Minister Clement Atlee to retain PISCES to combat the
trouble by exposing individuals in the national press; the Soviet’s research into the paranormal.
subsequent attention and ridicule often curbing further ‘dubious’
Paragon Foundation established in Canada.
activity.
1946 PISCES tasked to research alien science in addition to
their psychic research duties, after the Soviets’ secretly
PISCES Timeline reinvest Smersh.
Magonia, the Medieval Metaphysics research
1882 Psychic Research Association established. laboratory is established on Hirta in the St. Kilda’s
1893 The Admiralty’s intelligence department establishes archipelago off the west coast of Scotland.
the DELPHI project. 1947 The Thugee cult in India is finally eliminated.
1896 Project DELPHI disbanded after lacklustre results. 1948 PISCES encounter an IRA splinter cell, Bua Glas,
1907 Frederick Ramsey founds the Ramsey Institute for worshipping the Green Man.
Psychical Education. 1953 PISCES encounter Kikuya tribesmen in Kenya
1916 Commander Ramsey creates MI13, the Special worshipping Ahtu.
Reconnaissance Section, for MI6’s Captain Mansfield 1954 PISCES encounter the Chau-Chaus during the
Cumming. Malaysian Emergency.
1925 Two of MI13’s talents die and five go insane after ESPer Tech Corporation founded in Sydney, Australia.
experiencing nightmares over a three-month period.
1956 General Stewart Collier appointed as R.
1927 Major David Cornwall joins MI13 after exposing the
Brotherhood of the Skin in Istanbul. 1959 A nuclear fail-safe is installed at Magonia.
1932 Ramsey dies. Cornwall succeeds him as R. Brigadier-General Sir Charles Balfour appointed as R.
1939-1942 Encounters with the Black Dragons in Hong Kong, 1968 PISCES led assault on Goatswood. Prisoners captured,
Singapore, Malaya, Burma and India. village razed, and moon-lens captured.
1940 Former MI13 talent, Amanda Chalmers, predicts the 1969 Sir Alan Hopkinson appointed as R.
Fall of France and Dunkirk. Cornwall presents 1974 American Books Bought & Sold raided in Brichester.
evidence of the successful prediction to Churchill. An avatar of Y’golonac is captured for study.
PISCES formed as an interagency taskforce. 1975 Sir Michael Wellington appointed as R.
Lawrence Hutchins, potential talent, discovered in 1977 Old Varsity Theatre in Lower Brichester raided. Books
Darwin, Australia. PISCES discover his cache of Great and a telescope recovered.
Race books foretelling the future. Hutchins commits
suicide, leaving PISCES unable to find the original 1980 Brichester’s Inland Revenue office demolished by
source. orders of PISCES. Several arachnid specimens captured
for study and dissection.
1940-1941 PISCES confirms the existence of the Karotechia.
1983 Admiral John Tremayne appointed as R.
1940-1943 PISCES searches for the Great Race’s library. The
search ends in failure in Australia. 1987 Brichester Lake drained by orders of PISCES.
1941 PISCES assists in luring Rudolf Hess to Britain. 1988 Sir Colin Woodall appointed as R.
PISCES face off against Smersh in Spain whilst 1989 Reorganisation of PISCES completed.
pursuing occult books. Agents from both sides
betrayed to the Spanish authorities and German Severn Aerospace Limited created.
Abwehr. 1991 Severn Aerospace completes its production facility at
PISCES manages to place three agents within the Winterdown Flats, formerly Goatswood.
Karotechia. 1994 Lady Marjorie Rittingham appointed as R.
1942 PISCES commandos and the Long Range Desert 1996 The hunt for the Army of the Third Eye is taken over
Group destroy the entrance to a subterranean city in by PISCES.
Libyan Desert, just ahead of the arrival of a Karotechia
investigation team. PISCES capture Lee Coleman and other members of
the Army of the Third Eye in Truro, Cornwall.
Delta Green and PISCES agree to work together.
1999 Embassy Row Massacre. PISCES-directed SAS teams
First joint Delta Green/PISCES operation. PISCES attack Delta Green agents outside the US embassy in
informs Delta Green of the German’s Project BLACK London.
WATER at the Cap de la Hague. Delta Green raids the
project with French resistance assistance.

10 The Black Seal #2

 PISCES: Her Majesty’s Watchmen
BIBLIOGRAPHY BLACK ARROW
Detwiller, Dennis –2001. ‘Night and Water’ in Delta Green: Dark The BLACK ARROW space launcher project was Britain’s last
Theatres. Armitage House, Seattle, USA. ISBN 1-887797-17-3 space project before being cancelled in 1971. The cancelled
Detwiller, Dennis – 2003. Denied to the Enemy. Armitage House, ballistic missile BLACK KNIGHT, British Rocket Group designs
Seattle, USA. and the abortive Europena project all had their influences on
Glancy, A. Scott – 1999. ‘Army of the Third Eye’ in Delta Green: the project, which had started in 1964 as a low cost means of
Countdown. Pagan Publishing, Seattle, USA. ISBN 1-887797-12- placing a 100 kg payload into Low Earth Orbit. Only four
2 flights of BLACK ARROW took place: the first in 1969 and the
Glancy, A. Scott – 1999. ‘PISCES’ in Delta Green: Countdown. last in 1971. All the launches took place from the Woomera
Rocket Ranges, in southern Australia. The last launch
Pagan Publishing, Seattle, USA. ISBN 1-887797-12-2
successfully put into orbit Britain’s first satellite, Prospero.
Price, Graeme – 2002. ‘Let Sleeping Gods Lie: PISCES “Section H”’ The cheapness of the project condemned it. The
in The Black Seal #1. Brichester University Press, Farnborough, Parliamentary review confirming the cancellation found that
UK. ISSN 1476-1939 BLACK ARROW could not deliver a payload into geostationary
Price, Graeme – 2003. ‘Perfidious Albion: PISCES Operations in the orbit, and would cost at least £90m to rectify this. Britain also
United States’ in The Black Seal #2. Brichester University Press, withdrew from ELDO, the European Launcher organisation in
Farnborough, UK. ISSN 1476-1939 1971. The French, and their Ariane launcher, inherited a large
part of the burgeoning commercial telecommunications
market after Britain’s withdrawal.
PISCES wasn’t involved in the cancellation of BLACK ARROW,
and would subsequently find Britain’s withdrawal from
international ventures a hindrance for its Severn Aerospace
cover company, which it would have to work hard to rectify.

How PISCES spies on you

Through the following laws, PISCES can direct the security services and government agencies to spy on people:

z Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

z Social Security Fraud Act 2001 – allows government investigators to demand information from banks, credit reference agencies,
service and telecommunications suppliers, and to share information overseas.
z Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 – Allows the interception of telecommunications and internet traffic and decryption
of e-mail by specified government organisations but the act did introduce covert human intelligence sources, covert surveillance
and covert interception codes of practices, and tribunals to hear complaints as well!
z Terrorism Act 2000
z Data Protection Act 1998; Section 29 (3) – allows law enforcement agencies to request data for the prevention or detection of
crime, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or the assessment or collection of any tax or duty.
z Drug Trafficking Act 1994; Section 55 – a court order allows investigators access to, or remove materials, including computers, if
suspected of involvement in “drug trafficking”.
z VAT Act 1994; Production order – a magistrate’s order forcing a person suspected of tax evasion to produce required documents
within a specified time period.
z Criminal Justice Act 1987; Section 2 – gives Serious Fraud Office personnel the powers to require a person to answer questions,
provide information or produce documents for the purposes of an investigation upon written notice, sometimes immediately.
z Financial Services Act 1986 – requires a company’s records to show and explain a company’s transactions and its financial
position. If computer records cannot be proved to be accurate, or can be proved to be inaccurate, the potential penalties under
this Act are severe and could theoretically result in the company being closed down.

When that fails, PISCES can resort to other more illegal means of surveillance.

The Rendlesham Forest Incident

PISCES had been aware of the United States’ interest in UFOs since the late 1960s through their Whispering Gallery organisation, and
by 1977 was pretty sure that an organisation known as ‘MJ-12’ was responsible for investigating alien technology, and also possibly
incorporating Delta Green’s remit. In 1980 PISCES launched a classic counter-intelligence operation to observe the American response
to a simulated UFO landing and probe MJ-12 if it was revealed by the American response. On 27 December, PISCES simulated classic
UFO encounters over the twin USAF airbases of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk, and simulated landing marks and
excess radiation levels in the surrounding forest.
These manoeuvres produced up to 50 USAF witnesses, and widespread debate in the UFO community. To PISCES’ satisfaction MJ-
12 did respond to the sighting with an investigative operation under the guise of a failed spy satellite film cartridge recovery mission by
the 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS), based at RAF Woodbridge. The Rendlesham Forest incident confirmed MJ-
12’s existence to PISCES as they had planned, and as a result the Ministry of Defence was more than willing to co-operate with the
Americans in covering up the event.

Spring 2003 11
 PISCES: The Silent Service
TOP SECRET:
A Brief Summary of known Great Old One-ww orshipping Cults
and Independent Agents in the British Isles - Part 1

Compiled by Case Officers Nick Brownlow, Adam Crossingham and Daniel Harms
With Agent Davide Mana
Aa’es Dur, Cult of Activities: A prominent MP, Sir Charles Barrington, was exposed
Formed: Unknown, probably prior to 43 AD. by independent action and forced to resign his seat in the 1920s.
Status: Extinct. Barrington died in mysterious circumstances shortly afterwards.
Description: An orgiastic cult amongst British Celts dedicated to Locations/Area of Operations: Mainland United Kingdom.
an unidentified worship entity. Roman observers likened it to Comments: PISCES has unsuccessfully attempted to locate this
Scylla, a Greek sea monster. Our researchers have identified cult on several occasions. Our current assessment determines the
Hastur as a possible candidate. cult’s centre of operations as Wanfield, Berkshire but this is still
Activities: The cult is believed to have been selected for treatment unconfirmed.
by the Romans in the 1st century AD, an account of which can be
found in Gaius Antoninus’ Diabolis Britannia. Bath Ladies Club
Locations/Area of Operations: London (Londinium). Formed: Known to be in existence since the 1920s.
Comments: There was a possible revival of the cult in the early Status: Active.
1600s but this is believed to have been short-lived in the Description: A meeting place and support group for women,
environment of religious intolerance that the period enjoyed. including many prominent individuals in these communities.
Activities: The club conducts a number of activities – bake sales,
Army of the 3rd Eye sewing circles, lectures, empowerment workshops, and book
Formed: 1989. discussions. The group holds weekly meetings, with different
Status: Active. interest groups.
Description: The Army is an anti-establishment terror group Locations/Area of Operations: Bath, but with ties to other
founded by American college student Lee Coleman. Coleman groups in France and the US.
himself was killed when SAS teams under PISCES direction Comments: Six years ago, the Club was investigated due to
attempted to apprehend him at a safe house in Cornwall. The reports of strange rites in the woods and human sacrifice, none of
Army’s present leadership is unknown. which were ever proven. Some members are merely practitioners
Activities: The Army targets government personnel linked to the of the Wicca faith, but the group remains on this list due to the
security services and aerospace industry. Their bizarre MO serious charges laid against them.
involves kidnapping and trepanning their victims – a process that
often proves fatal. Attacks have occurred only sporadically since Bearers of the Mark
the death of Coleman, but the Army still thought to be Formed: Unknown.
operational. Status: Unknown, presumed active.
Locations/Area of Operations: The Army operates exclusively Description: A Masonic order.
in the UK. Activities: We only know of this order through a classified Home
Comments: Refer all information regarding the Army’s activities Office memo. The memo was concerned with the security aspects
to Agent COTTON. of an order whose membership included international traders,
diplomats and European nobility.
Barrington Coven Locations/Area of Operations: Unknown.
Formed: Unknown, prior to 1666 AD. Comments: Further research uncovered the case notes of one
Status: Unknown, believed to be active. Dr. de Phyle who treated a recalcitrant initiate in the 1920s. The
Description: An orgiastic trans-spatial fertility entity-worshipping patient revealed that a triumvirate led the Bearers and have access
cult. The worship entity is believed to be Shub-Niggurath. to magickal power keywords and invisible means of
communications. Analysis suggests that this level of sophistication

12 The Black Seal #2

 Known Great Old One Cults
and the degree of sadism used in dealing with traitors indicates an Police and informed on the coven’s activities. One coven member
organisation with a nefarious agenda. was hung for the murders, and five others imprisoned for various
crimes. The coven leader however walked free from court due to
Black Man Witch Cults a lack of evidence.
Formed: Possibly Twelfth Century AD. Locations/Area of Operations: Braylea, Surrey.
Status: Active. Comments: PISCES has been unable to apprehend the coven
Description: Witch cults who idolise a hoven ‘Black Man’ who leader, Bentley Cornforth. Cornforth has been on our Watching
appears at their sabbats. It is thought that this form of witchcraft List since its inception in 1940.
returned with the Crusaders from the Middle East.
Activities: The Black Man carries a book which the witch cult Brichester University Circle
signs in their own blood to signify their service to the Black Man Formed: 1918.
and other trans-spatial worship entities. Status: Inactive.
Locations/Area of Operations: Mainland United Kingdom. Description: The infamous Brichester University black magick
Comments: Identification and elimination of this form of witch circle was formed by undergraduate student Edward Taylor
cult is a mainstay of sections D1, D2 and D3. shortly after he enrolled in 1918. The group was discovered in a
compromising fashion, however, and following the ensuing
Black Pharaoh, Brotherhood of the scandal most of the group’s members (including Taylor) were
Formed: Unknown, believed to be 1918-19. dismissed from the University.
Status: Extinct. Activities: The circle, which included the artist Nevil Craughan,
Description: Worship of the legendary Black Pharaoh, Nephren- occultist Henry Fisher and author Roland Franklyn performed
Ka. rituals in the dense woods just outside town off the Severnford
Activities: The cult awaited the return of the Black Pharaoh, and road.
precipitated his return with human sacrifice. The cult is originally Locations/Area of Operations: Brichester & Severnford,
thought to have come from Egypt, but split with the mother cult Gloucestershire.
in the 1920s. The cult’s ritual weapon is a spiked club. Cult victims Comments: Whilst the circle’s activities probably came to an end
often had broken bones and a spike driven through their hearts. when the group disbanded in 1921 (though other sources suggest
Locations/Area of Operations: Nationwide, centred on late 1960s), many of its members met with unusual deaths in
London. following years – or, in the case of Taylor, disappeared entirely.
Comments: The Brotherhood was finally treated and sanitised in
1964 when its last remnant was raided and captured. Significant Bryant-Hoskins Group
paraphernalia was recovered from the Limehouse site. Formed: Unknown, estimated to be in the 1900s.
Unfortunately the sacrifices were killed before our agents could Status: Extinct.
apprehend the cultists. However all were co-operative in Description: A small cult dedicated to entropy and the
interrogation and have since been ‘treated’. underground secrets of London.
Activities: The cult was interested in certain underground
Bran Cult locations. It is also supposed to have had access to zombification
Formed: 210 AD. knowledge.
Status: Unknown. Locations/Area of Operations: London.
Description: Bran Mak Morn was a king of the Picts who has Comments: The group was sanitised by independent action in the
since become confused with the Celtic hero and god of the same 1920s.
name. He was said to have revived a Dark Empire dating back to
the Stone Age. Bran’s cult is comprised of the Pict’s descendants, Bua Glas (Green Victory)
who pass on his legends within a family. Their duty is to keep alive Formed: 1947/8.
the memory of Bran until he awakens to govern the world again. Status: Extinct.
(Note similarities with legends about King Arthur, Roland, El Cid, Description: An IRA splinter cell that carried out a series of bank
etc.) robberies and kidnappings in Northern Ireland’s border country.
Activities: Once a lifetime, each person is supposed to make a Activities: Bua Glas consisted of a number of British republican
journey to a secret cave in an island where a statue of Bran waits converts and Irish Civil War veterans who started raiding in 1948.
to be reanimated. Bua Glas gained PISCES attention by their seemingly prescient
Locations/Area of Operations: Anywhere the Picts might have actions whilst committing their crimes. The group were sacrificing
gone – and that could be anywhere. their kidnap victims to a preternatural entity, identified as a Celtic
Comments: This cult is mentioned in Von Junzt’s Green Man, in return for knowledge of future events.
Unaussprechlichen Kulten (1839) as extant, but only circumstantial Locations/Area of Operations: Northern Ireland, Ireland.
evidence has emerged since then. Comments: Bua Glas was identified by PISCES from
information from a local parish priest, concerned over the
Braylea Coven disappearance of a parishioner. A PISCES operation located the
Formed: 1920s. lair of the preternatural entity and used a flamethrower to destroy
Status: Extinct. it. The remains were removed for further study. Bua Glas was later
Description: A fledgling cult devoted to Shub-Niggurath. eliminated in an RUC ambush.
Activities: The cult was attempting to consecrate an altar with
human sacrifices when a coven member turned herself into the This article will conclude in The Black Seal #4

Spring 2003 13
 Missing
Persons…
PISCES’ Magonia Facility

By David Conyers

When PISCES wishes for someone to disappear, but there is still a Background on Magonia is provided in Pagan Publishing’s
requirement to keep a person alive long enough for interrogation or supplement Delta Green: Countdown and should be read in
experimentation, then Magonia is the place such unfortunate conjunction with this article, which aims to expand on that
individuals will be sent. Located on the St Kilda archipelago some information. This article provides a more in depth overview of the
41 miles (66 kilometres) west of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, island, both from a public-knowledge perspective, and what really
Magonia is exactly where it wants to be, in the remotest place in all can be found in the dungeons beneath the mothballed missile-
of the British Isles. tracking station.
Escape is almost impossible. Even if a prisoner did manage to
break free of PISCES’ underground complex, they would soon find The Public History of St Kilda
themselves on an island almost entirely surrounded by the highest Despite the difficulty in approaching Hirta and its neighbouring
and steepest cliffs in Britain. To make matters worse the weather is islands, people have been visiting St Kilda since prehistoric times.
often unpredictable and violent, with winds up to 100 miles (160 Some archaeological finds include axe heads dating back 5,000 years
kilometres) per hour not that uncommon. There are no trees or suggesting that trees were once common on Hirta, either that or
scrub on the island behind which to hide, and the Atlantic Ocean is that wood was brought to the island used by visitors for
so cold and violent to fall in would kill quickly, either through construction purposes. Later ruins include underground homes
hypothermia or by pounding such a victim against the rocky shores built from stone some dating back 2,000 years.
until they were nothing more than a messy collection of broken In 1697 a small population of Scots from Skye rented land on
bones. St Kilda offers the best in natural security. Hirta from the Macleods of Dunvegan and thus established a

14 The Black Seal #2

 Missing Persons...
colony of 180 farmers at Village Bay. Produce included barley, oats,
fish, milk and meat from cows, meat and wool from sheep, and eggs,
feathers and oil from the hundreds of thousands of seabirds that
populate the islands. Until the mid-Nineteenth Century, the
islanders would have been lucky to receive one visit a year, that
being the landlord coming to collect his taxes in produce. Later a
minister from the Free Church of Scotland settled on Hirta and
soon afterwards a church and school were built. All was not perfect
on Hirta and not everyone wished to stay. In 1852 several dozen
people looking for an easier life emigrated to Melbourne, Australia
where a suburb is named after their island. This event was seen by
some as the beginning of the end for the St Kilda way of life. By
the start of the Twentieth Century the St Kildans were losing their
self-sufficiency, relying more and more on the mainland for survival.
In 1912 acute food shortages and an outbreak of influenza the year
after made life much harder. By 1930 the island needed to be
evacuated and since that time it has never been permanently settled.
Upon evacuation St Kilda was sold to the Marquess of Bute. In
1957 he bequeathed them to the National Trust for Scotland who
immediately designated the islands as a reserve listed under the
Scottish National Heritage. Simultaneously the Marquess of Bute
leased a small area of land on Hirta to the Air Ministry (a
predecessor of the Ministry of Defence) who quickly established a
radar tracking station for its missiles on Benbecula in the Outer
Hebrides. Many years later, in 1986, St Kilda became Scotland’s first
World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO.
Today the island has no permanent inhabitants. The managers
of the island are the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish
Natural Heritage who are responsible for the preservation of the
islands. They jointly fund an archaeologist who manages work
programs for archaeological research, and a warden who manages
the island safeguarding against botanical, geological, archaeological
and cultural threats to their preservation, as well as liaising with the
civilian personnel at the MOD military base. The archaeologist is
only present on the island during the summer months of April
through to October. This is the time when archaeological work
parties and thrill-seeking visitors such as SCUBA divers, sailors and
mountain climbers are commonly found on the island, although
they rarely number more than a few dozen visitors at any one time.
Apart from the warden, the only facility permanently manned
is the MOD military base. It was decommissioned and mothballed
in 1998, and now only a small staff of civilians remains. The base
provides power and water supply, transport and medical aid to the
other island visitors. and so the first staff moved in. Work commenced at PISCES’
All the above information is readily available to investigators Medieval Metaphysics Laboratory, which was quickly nicknamed
with a successful Library Use skill roll and an hour of study. ‘Magonia’ after the legendary Celtic home of the fairies. For almost
Alternatively point them to the official St Kilda website at a decade construction continued expanding the underground
http://www.kilda.org.uk, from which the majority of this section chambers, which included reinforced steel and concrete cells,
was drawn. Of course in the world of Delta Green and the Cthulhu nuclear fall-out shelters, multiple security systems and quarters for
Mythos, many layers of secrecy exist beneath the public perception the staff. By 1948 all further construction was completed below sea
and the truth. level so that huge inlet pipes could be included as fail-safe devices in
case security was ever breached. If any section of the underground
The Secret History of St Kilda facilities became compromised or hazardous, such as some monster
Despite its prehistoric inhabitants, St Kilda’s involvement with the appearing from nowhere, the floodgates from the ocean could be
Mythos did not begin until 1946 after the conclusion of the Second opened drowning everyone within the certain compromised
World War. The then head of PISCES, Brigadier General David cordoned areas. Later the water could be pumped out and the
Cornwall was seeking a secure environment in which to research rooms reused. So far this failsafe has only been used once in 1962,
recovered Mythos artefacts and to perform experiments with when several captured ghouls attempted to dig their way out of their
dangerous formulae. After visiting St Kilda he decided this was the cells. Needless to say the process worked effectively, although
perfect location since it was isolated, depopulated and yet still close disturbingly not all the bodies were recovered.
enough to the United Kingdom so it could be watched closely. The In 1957 PISCES ‘convinced’ the Marquess of Bute to bequeath
end of 1946 saw the completion of the first underground facilities the islands to the National Trust for Scotland to both protect the

Spring 2003 15
 PISCES: The Silent Service
island from outside investment and to simultaneously provide land The Warden is now JAGUAR and SAS-trained, but not necessarily
for the Ministry of Defence’s proposed military base, thus Shan infested, and knows the ins and outs of the Magonia facilities.
providing a legitimate cover for the growing number of flights and His job is to rigorously patrol the island searching for unregistered
ships moving in and out of Magonia. However most flights still intruders and to bring them in for questioning, a task made more
continued to be undertaken at night when they were less likely to be and more difficult with the increasing numbers of adventure
seen and questioned. seekers, archaeologists and visitors arriving by sailboat. The resident
Two years later the senior staff at PISCES believed that the archaeologist likewise is a member of PISCES’ Historical
floodgates at Magonia insufficiently protected the facility. Many of Intelligence Department, ‘Section H’ (see The Black Seal #1 p.10-13),
the species they were investigating, particularly Deep Ones and their but they know nothing of the true extent or activities undertaken in
kin, were unaffected by water and even thrived in such the depths of Magonia. If the investigators need an ally on Hirta,
environments. It was decided that a thermonuclear weapon would this archaeologist is their best bet.
be the final fail-safe, just in case something was “called up” that
couldn’t be controlled. It remains to this day ready to be triggered. Geography and Natural Hazards
Thankfully no emergency has required the bomb’s activation. The St Kilda archipelago consists of four main islands being Soay,
For a time, work at Magonia continued at what could best be Hirta, Dun and Boreray, with Hirta being the largest and only island
described as ‘stable’. Incidents did happen, staff did go mad or were with human inhabitants. After the four main islands there are several
killed but these costs were expected and planned for, so life went on stacks, islands of volcanic rock that jut from the raging ocean like
as ‘normal’. That was all about to change. In 1968 Brigadier General pillars of sheer rock. They are the white stoned Stac an Armin and
Charles Balfour, head of PISCES since 1959, led a raid on the Stac Lee, Stac Shoaigh and Levenish, plus a few smaller stacks on
Severn Valley village of Goatswood killing many of the deformed the edges of the larger islands. The archipelago was formed some
cultists that he found, and incarcerating many more. Unsure what to 60 million years ago when western Scotland was undergoing a long
do with their prisoners, PISCES held the cultists at first on a period of volcanic activity. The rock today is a mixture of light/dark
temporary ‘prison hulk’, a World War Two freighter, and then grey gabbros and light pink granite. While there have been as many
decided to ship them to Hirta to be incarcerated in the newly millions of years of erosion, the rocky outcrops remain harsh and
improved prison facilities in the lowest depths of Magonia. striking. Movement around the islands is difficult at best, especially
Suddenly Magonia had transformed from a predominately research- on the coasts where drops of 300 feet (90 metres) are not
based facility and became more of a prison. The years that followed uncommon. The Stacs Armin and Lee each stand over 500 feet (150
did little to alleviate the situation, for the Goatswood cultists never metres) high while the main islands tower over 1200 feet (360
seemed to die off, while more and more captured ‘subjects’ were metres) at their highest points.
brought to the island filling the already crowded cells. Prisoners On the map of the islands, areas marked with lines are sheer
included Wilbur Bromley, an Avatar of Y’golonac; two servants of cliffs that require professional climbing equipment, otherwise such
Glaaki; and the deranged subjects of Shan mental infestation, many Climb skill are made at -50%. Falling from a cliff would result in
of whom were former PISCES agents. anywhere between 4D6 and 12D6 damage depending on the height
The focus at Magonia was also changing because of new fallen and the sharpness of protruding outcrops on the way down.
pressures applied from London HQ. Nosey journalists, rogue The island is more often than not bitterly cold. Winters are mild
agents, foreign spies, political agitators and inquisitive MPs were and summers cool with the temperature regularly dropping below
amongst the new breed of incarcerated inmates, many of whom freezing point. High rainfall and strong winds predominately from
were brought in for a few days or weeks to first be interrogated, and the southwest make travel around the island difficult reducing Climb
then dropped hundreds of miles out to sea in the Atlantic Ocean. skill rolls by another -30% when in effect.
Hypothermia quickly claimed them and the raging currents ensured Vegetation is sparse. There are no trees or shrubs and what
their bodies were never found. It didn’t take long for many of the grass and flowering plants are to be found never grow more than a
Magonia staff to talk of the return of Nazi Germany. Those that few inches above the ground. Because of the lack of natural cover,
spoke too loudly also ended up disappearing. Now such thoughts Hide and Sneak skills are penalised -20% when used by investigators
remain unspoken. during the day. Despite the harshness, animals thrive on all the
In 1988 the then Director of Magonia, Ernest Rothschild died islands including half a million seabirds such as gannets, fulmars and
suddenly when Wilbur Bromley convinced him to cut out and eat puffins, field mice, wren, and a unique species of sheep called Soay.
his own kidneys before bleeding to death. Long-term Magonia staff If an investigator knew how to hunt wild animals and keep one step
member Nigel Crampton (see Delta Green: Countdown, p.35) took ahead of the PISCES operatives, it is possible to live off the island
over the role of Directorship almost immediately. Crampton, produce for an indefinite time.
heeding the words of his London masters, now runs the facility as Other features of the islands are the old stone ruins of houses
a maximum security prison and holds no sympathy for the formerly occupied by the Kildan inhabitants. These ruins include
incarcerated, cultists or otherwise. A few experiments still take place small round stone structures now overgrown with grass called
that Crampton oversees but nothing compared to the heydays of cleitean which were used to store food, fuel and other supplies.
the 1950s and 1960s. He doesn’t trust his staff and often calls in Although concentrated mostly at Village Bay, houses and clieteans
PISCES Internal Affairs to root out potential troublemakers or are found across Hirta and some of these provide secret entrances
JAGUAR Special Forces (see The Black Seal # 1 p.21-24) if into underground Magonia. Less common are underground Iron
disturbances ever start to spiral out of control. The Shan never Age dwellings and the occasional rusted wreckage of World War
infested Crampton, since he already acts in their interests and has Two aeroplanes.
never questioned the motives of his superiors in London. The other notable addition to the islands is the Atlantic Ocean
1998 saw the decommissioning of the DERA-run MOD that forever pounds and erodes the craggy shores, particularly on
facility which ultimately resulted in PISCES manning the entire the western face of the islands. The only sandy beach is found at
facility with their own people, masquerading as QinetiQ contractors. Village Bay, and even then winter storms wash the sand away during

16 The Black Seal #2

 Missing Persons...
those months. The water is so cold, unprotected investigators (such The second entrance is in the vehicle shed that is built into the side
as those without a heated wetsuit) who become submerged must of the rock. Using the same security system as the elevator, a thick
make a CON x3% roll each round or lose 1 Hit Point from steel door opens allowing a truck to drive down into the depths of
hypothermia. This continues for rescued investigators until such Magonia.
time that they are put in warm clothes or are otherwise reheated.
However hypothermia is unlikely to kill an investigator first, for the Church (No.1 on Village map): Built in the 1830s and restored in
sea is so violent a successful Swim skill roll at -40% must be made 1980, the Free Church of Scotland was later joined to a schoolhouse
each round to keep one’s head above water and a Luck roll made to consisting of a single classroom.
avoid being smashed against the rocky shores for 4D6 damage.
Factor’s House (No.2 on Village map): Another restored
The Magonia Facility building once used by visiting rent collectors when the settlers
The Hirta facility can be broken into two separate areas: the above inhabited Hirta. The building is now the home of the Warden.
ground decommissioned DERA military base amongst the old
Eighteenth Century buildings of Village Bay, and the underground Graveyard: Containing the graves of the former inhabitants, the
facilities of Magonia proper. graveyard is surrounded by a large stone wall.

Village Bay Gun (No.3 on Village map): This permanently mounted Naval
Located on the southern inlet of Hirta, the DERA/MOD base and artillery gun was mounted on a rise to protect Village Bay during
surrounding stone ruins lie on the edge of St Kilda’s only sandy World War One. It is no longer functional and now only serves for
beach. Hills rise gently to each side gradually becoming steeper decorative purposes.
closer to their peaks.
Jetty: Built from stone in 1901, before then all produce brought in
Abhain Mor: A stream which is the source of fresh water for the or taken from St Kilda was landed precariously on the rocks. The
island inhabitants and nearby livestock. A few wells and other small jetty still services boats today.
fresh water streams are found across the island.
Museum (No.4 on Village map): Another restored house, this
DERA/MOD Base: The only modern buildings on the island are building displays some of the finds discovered by archaeologists on
in the base and even then many of the existing houses date back to the St Kilda archipelago.
the 1950s. Buildings include accommodation huts, a mess, kitchens,
toilet and shower blocks, a power generator, office buildings, the Radar: located on the peaks of Mullach Sgar and Mullach Mòr,
tracking station, a radio room, a medical sick bay, a vehicle shed and PISCES still use these radars to track boats and aircraft and
a helicopter pad. The only visible vehicles on the islands are a couple sometimes boats approaching St Kilda.
of Land Rovers, a single Army truck and a bulldozer, none of which
can drive very far but are used to transport heavy goods around the Ruins: Lined up in a row looking out across the ocean, these ruins
base and village (many more vehicles are used underground). Senior were the former homes of the locals and predominately date back
officials of Magonia including Crampton have single quarters in the to the 1830s. Houses closer to the shore with their roofs still intact,
base away from the horrors incarcerated below. There is nothing date from the 1860s. Archaeological work parties have restored
incriminating to be found in the base or private rooms. some of the eastern-most houses.
There are two entrances to the underground facilities from the
DERA base. One is an elevator hidden behind a false wall in the School (No.5 on Village map): Until recently this building was a
main office building noticed with a Spot Hidden made at -20%. A ruin until a Work Group restored it in the 1980s. It is now used to
ten-digit pin number and a palm-print scan are required to access house the archaeological visitors to the island.
and operate the lift. This lift door requires two Electronics skill rolls
to override, one to gain entrance and the other to disarm the alarm. Store (No.6 on Village map): Damaged by a U-Boat during World
War One, it was restored in the 1980s by the National Trust for
Scotland.

Magonia
Underground the island transforms. On the surface facilities appear
sparse, but here the tunnels seem endless, storerooms and
workshops number in the hundreds, thousands of lights suspended
on the rocky walls and ceilings burn brightly everywhere, and the
screams of incarcerated captives can often be heard echoing from
the depths. Many of the tunnels are wide enough to accommodate
trucks. Escape hatches are numerous, most of which lead out to
little caves in the craggy rocks and into some of the clieteans,
invisible and generally inaccessible to passing visitors on the surface.
At the lower levels, pumps are needed to keep out the seeping ocean
although such seepage is more of a trickle than a torrent. Security
cameras mounted everywhere reducing Sneak and Hide chances by
-30%. A quick estimation would place the facility’s numbers at over
400 personnel. SAS guards in pairs patrol the facility around the

Spring 2003 17
 PISCES: The Silent Service
Accommodation Blocks: Includes
dormitory and single occupancy, the
latter for the more senior facility
members. Other rooms include wet
and dry messes, games room, a small
cinema, toilet and shower blocks,
laundry rooms, medical bay, food and
consumable storage, and kitchens.
Scientific, military and administrative
personal are each separated into
separate blocks so that secrets are less
likely to be overheard or to be passed
between different groups. This area is
above the waterline and cannot be
flooded.

Cell Block Alpha (CBA): Located

towards the lower reaches of Magonia,
these cells and interrogation rooms are
reserved for new arrivals. New arrivals
include anyone who has been too
nosey regarding PISCES affairs,
recently detained cultists, and PISCES
or Delta Green agents who’ve asked
too many questions. No one stays here
long, a week or two at the most before
they end up in the next level down or
at the bottom of the Atlantic.

Cell Block Beta (CBB): Under CBA

in the lowest reaches of Magonia is
clock, constantly checking security passes. This is one impressive where the real Mythos threats are kept.
operation. Amongst the prisoners are Goatwood cultists, the Avatar of
Probably more disconcerting features of Magonia are the large Y’golonoc, several Servants of Glaaki, and the dozens of former
numbers of airlocks – again large enough to drive a truck through PISCES agents whose minds have been destroyed by Shan
– that separate each section of the base from the other. These, of infestation. Just being down here without seeing anything prompts
course, are to control flooding or to contain experiments or subjects a Sanity loss of 1/1D6 for the first time, if nothing else but for the
when they go wrong or escape. Again ten-digit pin numbers and unexplained smells and the endless screaming and moaning from
palm-scans are required to proceed past each airlock. Unless creatures that should not be from this Earth. Anyone locked down
otherwise noted, each area has the capacity to be flooded. here looses 1D3/1D10 Sanity per day. No one working in the
facility goes down here unless they have to, such as to clean cells or
feed the prisoners.

Computer Centre: This area looks after all the controls, servers,
routers, software and hardware required to keep such a large facility
as Magonia running. Investigators with the will and appropriate
tools, such as an axe, could cause a lot of short-term damage
crippling the whole facility if they tried. Despite its vulnerability, the
Computer Centre has no special security measures.

Control Centre: The most secure area in all of Magonia, this room
is only accessible to the most senior members of PISCES. Outside
it is guarded by 10 SAS-trained soldiers. The Control Centre can
only be entered when two senior members enter their codes
simultaneously. From here any portion of Magonia can be flooded
or drained, air supply can be cut off, and the thermonuclear fail-safe
device can be detonated. Even amongst those who work in Magonia
very few know about this Centre, let alone where it can be found.

Fabrication Workshop: Includes lots of welding equipment,

industrial presses, hydraulic lifts and numerous other pieces of
manufacturing equipment to manufacture or repair the

18 The Black Seal #2

 Missing Persons...
underground facilities. This they have to do is look too
area is above the water line and closely at PISCES operations,
cannot be flooded. get caught doing so, and then
being forcibly flown out under
Fall-Out Shelter: While the the cover of darkness to the
whole underground facility of remote island for
Magonia is designed to survive interrogation. However such
a global nuclear war, it is the methods are undesirable since
fall-out shelter that contains almost everyone who ends up
enough food and supplies in St Kilda is either
including oxygen purification permanently incarcerated or
units that could keep a murdered.
contingent of 300 people alive However investigators may
for 50 years. There are so have their own reasons for
many supplies and relics from illegally entering Magonia;
the Twentieth Century littered perhaps they’ve learnt too
through here it would be much about the research
possible for investigators to undertaken at PISCES secret
hide for days without being facility and want to learn more,
found. Dust covers everything. maybe they need to rescue a
Who knows what could be colleague they know will be
hidden here? taken there, or to assassinate
the Facility’s Director Nigel
Laboratories: This is where the experimentation and testing of Crampton or Shan infested Directors known to be visiting the
formulae (spells) is undertaken. There is a direct secure digital video island. Whatever the reason, they’ll most likely wish to do so without
and e-mail link to the staff at Kilmaur Manor in mainland Scotland being seen.
to better enable researchers to access the information held in that The military base on Hirta was once a radar tracking station
library. Scientists and engineers are locked in their assigned which contrary to public information is still operational, although
laboratories while experimenting, just in case something goes now it is operated from the underground Control Centre. PISCES
wrong. Another medical bay is included next to the laboratories due is constantly watching the skies and seas for air traffic. As a result
to the large number of accidents taking place here. Many of the labs aeroplanes cannot get within 100 miles (160 kilometres) without
are now mothballed. What artefacts, tissue samples, and tomes are being detected, even those flying just above the surface of the water.
to be found here is left to the feverish mind of the Keeper. Apart from the infrequent military helicopter that supplies the base,
it is illegal to fly to the islands. Investigators who approach in by
Nuclear Power Plant: In 1991 a nuclear plant designed by the plane will be detected straight away, and their plane will be tracked
Shan and built at Severn Aerospace replaced the unreliable diesel until it lands. If such a flight manages to return to the United
generators and erratic wave powered plants, neither of which could Kingdom, upon landing the occupants will be met by British Army
cope with Magonia’s ever-increasing power requirements. Highly troops and PISCES Internal Affairs agents, taken into custody and
restricted, this area is always protected by at least 10 SAS-trained interrogated, probably to end up in the cells beneath St Kilda a few
guards. days later. If flying anywhere else like Norway or Iceland, such
investigators might get a day or two head start before PIA or
Sea Tunnel: Only known to a few individuals, it is possible to gain JAGUAR Special Forces come after them. Alternatively, if PISCES
access into Magonia through a secret tunnel accessible via a natural have been tipped off who exactly is flying to St Kilda, they might
cave. At low tide it is possible to take a dinghy in and out of send the order to scramble a few RAF jet interceptors to shoot them
Magonia through this exit. It has been used by JAGUAR forces on down.
occasions when the situation requires it, or with SCUBA equipment The other problem facing investigators who fly to St Kilda is
at high tide when the tunnel floods. The advantage with this that there is nowhere to land an airplane safely, leaving helicopters
entrance is that from the islands it is not possible for anyone to see or parachuting in the only viable options to get onto dry land, the
people entering or exiting, nor is it possible to see the cave. Due to latter being a one-way trip. Arriving by air is treacherous, since there
the violent nature of the waves at this entrance, rolls on Pilot Boat are often gale force winds blowing across the island and visibility
or SCUBA skill will be required to successful enter or exit safely. amongst the craggy outcrops is almost negligible at night. Pilots
who fail their Pilot Helicopter skill roll could end up smashing into
Thermonuclear Warhead: Again another heavily guarded area, a cliff or plunging into the ocean. Parachutists who likewise fail skill
restricted only to senior officials, and is protected by 15 SAS-trained rolls might end up dangling from an outcrop or landing in
guards. To activate or disarm the weapon requires 3D6 minutes plus treacherous ocean currents and then smashed against the rocky
both successful Electronics and Physics skill rolls. shores. All-in-all entering St Kilda via air illegally is next to suicidal.
The other option is entry by sea, which can prove to be just as
Vehicle Depot: This large enclosure is a maintenance workshop hazardous when approaching the rocky shores. Pilot Boat and Luck
and storage area for over a dozen trucks and numerous 4x4 vehicles. rolls must be made to avoid smashing a boat to pieces. Although it
is possible for boats to obtain permits to visit the island, they must
Getting into Hirta Illegally all dock at Village Bay. Permits must be obtained in advance on the
It’s easy for an investigator to find themselves inside Magonia, all mainland and can take a month or two to approve. If investigators

Spring 2003 19
 PISCES: The Silent Service
who apply for such permits are known to PISCES or are linked in the face of the earth should alarm PISCES investigators. Three
any way to the intelligence or law enforcement community bosses disappearing in three months should be ringing alarm bells
anywhere in the world, they will be granted their permit, and then that not all is right. One of the investigator’s bosses might – in a
picked up by PISCES as soon as they arrive on Hirta. Again if moment of self-control – reveal to an investigator his fear that he
investigators are deemed dangerous individuals, it will be JAGUAR might end up in Magonia, and provide the access codes to get into
soldiers waiting for them. the facility. Of course the next day this boss disappears. What do
Boats however, have the advantage that they are less likely to be investigators do with this information? Even knowing about
spotted by radar. Amongst the team of investigators, the keeper Magonia puts their lives in jeopardy.
should secretly roll against the Luck of the investigator with the
lowest POW to see if their approach was detected. If a boat without Interrogating a Prisoner: In a Call of Cthulhu campaign where
a permit is spotted, they will either be sunk or boarded by JAGUAR the investigators are PISCES agents, they might have the need to
forces and taken for interrogation. interview one or more of the prisoners held in the dungeons of
SCUBA diving is a popular adventure sport undertaken on St Magonia. For example, an investigation into a cult that worships
Kilda. Skilled investigators coming in Y’golonac might require the agents to
on a boat could try this option but interview Wilbur Bromley who might
again would have to content with provide a titbit of information or two
pounding, violent waves when breaking for a few privileges. A case involving
shorelines. The other alternative is to the Children of Shub-Niggurath might
enter via a submarine, which is likely require agents to undertake an
not to be detected, but very few examination of one of the Goatswood
investigators will have access to such inmates. If such a situation presents
equipment. itself, PISCES command might
Probably the easiest way onto the authorise investigators to travel to
island is to join a National Trust for Magonia. Such travel would require
Scotland work party. No skills are investigators to remain blindfolded for
required for these volunteers who pay the entire journey, or drugged
£475 for a two-week visit to join an unconscious until their arrival at the
archaeological work party or £545 to underground facilities. Agents might
work with a restoration and see a lot and learn at first hand the
maintenance party. Six trips per year extent that PISCES has gone to
consisting of eleven members depart investigate, catalogue and contain the
from Oban on Scotland’s west coast horrors of the Mythos. A drugged or
between May and August each year. Getting onto one of these work blindfolded trip out again means that they won’t know where
parties must be arranged a year in advance, and PICSES undertakes Magonia is located, but they’ll be left wondering…
a thorough background check on each participant. Smart
investigators will impersonate an existing member who’ve they’ve Accidents Happen: Something goes wrong in one of the
otherwise detained, using their cover to gain access to the island. underground laboratories and something far worse is unleashed in
However joining a work party has its flaws because of their limited the facility. It could be hiding in the depths, killing randomly and
window of opportunities each year to visit the island, and the fact disappearing into ventilation shafts or through the plumbing.
that the teams live in accommodation next to the military base Magonia’s staff is all out of ideas, so the investigators as PISCES
where they will be closely watched, even if discretely. agents are brought in to root out and destroy the horror. Again
Once on the island, the next trick is getting into Magonia, a investigators would be brought in either blindfolded or drugged
challenge in itself. The description of the interior and its security unconscious, the same again when they leave. Problem is if
measures has been described earlier. investigators learn where they are, not a hard feat if they visit the
Of course, investigators being the kind of people that they are, surface, they might not be allowed to leave again.
they’re sure to create other inventive means of getting onto Hirta,
and hopefully off again. Keepers will have to judge for themselves Asking Too Many Questions: Probably the easiest way to get into
the likely success of such endeavours. Magonia. Either the investigators are American Delta Green agents
or civilians who learn too much about PISCES, or are PISCES
Using Magonia in a Delta Green Campaign agents themselves who discover Shan infestations. Once PISCES
Magonia is a high security, top-secret facility of PISCES. It’s command finds out that the investigators are in the know, they’ll
extremely difficult to get into and even harder to get out of again. send out JAGUAR teams to apprehend the investigators, and then
Even knowing about the existence of Magonia and what goes on fly them out to Magonia. It could be weeks before investigators are
there will be a major accomplishment for investigators. So then, interrogated, and once they’ve told all they know, they’ll be dumped
considering its high levels of security how can Magonia be used in unceremoniously into the Atlantic Ocean. It would be an entire
a Delta Green Campaign? Several options do present themselves, adventure in itself attempting to escape (unlikely) or other
the majority best suited for investigators who already work for investigators getting into Magonia to rescue them (slightly less likely
PISCES. to succeed). Any investigator who does learn the truth of Magonia
and gets away will have JAGUAR teams pursuing them to every
Missing Persons: With the regularity of nervous breakdowns and corner of the globe to keep their secret safe.
psychotic episodes amongst the upper echelon of PISCES’ shan-
infested leaders, the sheer numbers of such people disappearing off

20 The Black Seal #2

Subject: Wilbur Bromley — Magonia’s Most Dangerous Inmate…
Investigator: David Conyers

‘Not when your fulfilment lies here customers to browse. Young boys and other men of
between these walls.’ The voice was generally unacceptable reading persuasions either became

Ref : 105-AQ-9328-11
thickening. ‘You know I killed the meals for Y’golonac or converts to his worship. In time a
bookseller – it was in your papers. He cult of Y’golonac was flourishing in Lower Brichester.
fled into the ruined church, but I caught In 1974 after Wilbur murdered two PISCES agents
him with my hands… Then I left the investigating his cult, a special team of PISCES military
book in the shop to be read, but the only operatives raided his shop taking Wilbur into custody
one who picked it up by mistake was the before transferring him to the island of Hirta. At first they
man who brought you here… Fool! He thought Wilbur would be easy to contain, but when he
went mad and cowered in the corner when transformed into Y’golonac several cells were destroyed
he saw the mouths! I kept him because I and five staff members were killed, their faces eaten to the
thought he might bring some of his bone. Once captured Wilbur was sedated and kept that way
friends who wallow in physical taboos and for a month while an incredibly secure cell was constructed
lose the true experiences, those places forbidden to the spirit. But he only for this unusual inmate. A huge glass plate separated
contacted you and brought you here while I was feeding. There was food Wilbur from his wardens but through which conversations
occasionally; young boys who come here for books in secret; they make sure could be held, a separation through which it was
nobody knows what they read! – and can be persuaded to look at Revelations. impossible for Wilbur to physically contact other people,
Imbecile! He can no longer betray me with his fumbling – but I knew you the reason for his success in his first escape. The then
would return. Now you will be mine.’ — Ramsey Campbell, Cold Print, Director of Magonia, Ernest Rothschild believed that
1969 Wilbur should be put to death, but no one knew how and
no one was willing to do the dirty work, so he remained
As a child it would have been easy to be sympathetic towards incarcerated. Since then Wilbur moves between two
Wilbur Bromley. At the age of six his mother died of cancer and adjoining cells, transferring from one to the other as his
for as long as he could remember his father beat and sexually unoccupied cell is cleaned and food is left for him to eat.
abused him. Poor Wilbur never learnt what true love was about. If he doesn’t cooperate, the staff at Magonia are perfectly
Instead he learnt that the only way to express his feelings was to happy to leave him hungry and filthy.
dominate others through violence. It did not take long for the After a while Rothschild concluded that Wilbur
innocent child in Wilbur to die. Bromley had one weakness, that he desperately desired
From an early age Wilbur discovered pleasure in mutilating books to read. Rothschild made a deal with Wilbur; he
and murdering pets and small animals, the only species on this would provide books on the proviso that Wilbur provided
earth over which he felt he had some power. At school other intelligence on other supernatural beings operating in the
children were at first were interested in watching Wilbur United Kingdom, particularly in the Severn Valley. Wilbur
methodically torture rabbits and mice, but even the most agreed.
hardened school bullies became frightened of Wilbur’s sickening Guided by Y’golonac, Wilbur provided much
obsession. He soon became isolated both at home and amongst information that became very useful for PISCES
his community. operatives. Soon a strange relationship of trust developed
As Wilbur grew older he remained an outsider only finding between Rothschild and Wilbur. As well as books, Wilbur
comfort in books. He read horror novels but discovered that even was allowed pen and paper in which to write his own
these weren’t enough to satisfy his curiosity in sadism, and so reports for distribution through PISCES. What nobody
became a collector of rare forbidden books on that subject. By knew was that Wilbur was rewriting excerpts from the
the time he finished high school Wilbur found that he was already Twelfth Volume of Revelations of Glaaki. By the late-
living off the money he made from buying and selling books, and 1980s almost half the staff in PISCES had unknowingly
so set up his own shop called American Books Bought and Sold read at least a paragraph or two from this blasphemous
in Lower Brichester, Gloucestershire to continue his trade. Books volume. This was important to Y’golonac, because he now
satisfying his own disturbing tastes he kept safely locked away for has the capability to possess anyone who has read such a
his own amusement. For ten years Wilbur lived alone with his report. He has to wait however, because he needs to touch
bookshop. In all that time the ongoing stories of missing pets and to consume such individual in order to possess them, but
mutilated animals often reported in the press were never he is a Great Old One and he has an eternity of time on
connected to Wilbur. his hands.
In 1969 Wilbur acquired for himself a copy of the twelfth By 1988 Ernest Rothschild had conducted enough of
volume of Revelations of Glaaki. Excited by its disturbing his own research to realise that he’d been tricked into
contents he read it quickly, and then was visited by Y’golonac. reading portions of Revelations of Glaaki. The dangers
From the moment that the Great Old One consumed Wilbur the that he and PISCES were in were insurmountable, so he
two became one. ordered that all of Wilbur’s books and writing tools be
Y’golonac found Wilbur to be a convenient avatar since his removed from his room and cancelled all of the inmate’s
bookshop was the perfect place to leave Revelations of Glaaki for privileges. Wilbur and Y’golonac were enraged. Before

Spring 2003 21
 Rothschild could tell anyone what he had discovered, a meeting a trip to the Magonia facility. Since Magonia’s location is

Ref : 105-AQ-9328-11
was held between the keeper and prisoner confirming his top secret, investigators will either be required to be
suspicions. Nobody to this day knows what happened, but blindfolded or drugged unconscious during their trips on
somehow during that conversation Wilbur convinced Rothschild and off the island.
to cut out his own kidneys and eat them before bleeding to death. Wilbur’s cell located at the lowest levels of Cell Block
Afterwards Nigel Crampton took over Directorship of Beta or CBB (see the article ‘Missing Persons… PISCES’
Magonia (see Delta Green: Countdown p.35) and left Wilbur Bromley Magonia Facility’ in this issue for further details). His cell
alone in his cells. Crampton had concluded that if Wilbur could walls, viewing Perspex glass wall and doors are uniformly of
convince Rothschild to take his own life, it was entirely possible STR 80. Mechanical and Electronic locks are so secure they
that the same fate might await him. What Crampton is not aware have a –50% chance modifier at being sprung. Video
of is that he has read portions of Revelations, and since Wilbur cameras viewed from the interviewee room monitor
held Crampton responsible for his lack of privileges, Wilbur plans Bromley 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Anyone entering
to kill the Director as his first victim when he escapes the adjacent interviewee room is refused entry until they
confinement. check in all weapons, writing instruments and written
For close to 15 years Wilbur has been isolated from any form materials including CDs and floppy discs. Interview
of human contact becoming more spiteful than he was before he sessions with Wilbur are limited to one-hour sessions and
arrived at Magonia. However this situation recently changed when there must always be two people present at any one time.
London HQ learnt of Wilbur’s usefulness. While Crampton Interviewees are locked in during this time behind STR 50
refuses to provide Wilbur with books, after receiving orders from doors.
the top he has allowed Wilbur a few modern conveniences again, Wilbur regularly offers incantations that can protect
such as a bunk to sleep in. This is because the information Wilbur investigators from harm, but the staff at Magonia are
has provided to London HQ has recently led to a few more aware that Wilbur only knows one incantation, and that is
successful missions. Crampton doesn’t like the situation, but it is used to summon his master. So it is forbidden for
providing him with sorely needed respect from his peers. interviewees to be taught any incantation and the wardens
watch for that.
NOTE: This description of Wilbur Bromley is expanded upon Occasionally Wilbur likes to transform into Y’golonac
from the character created by Ramsey Campbell in ‘Cold Print’ and in front of people he doesn’t like, sending them insane and
further detailed in the PISCES chapter in Delta Green: Countdown. then convincing them to perform lethal operations on
their own bodies. He doesn’t do this often, because such
Using Wilbur in Delta Green actions cost him a lot of privileges. However if
Wilbur Bromley is like a vicious guard dog; he might be a useful investigators get on his bad side, it might just be worth it.
tool when used against one’s enemies, but he’s just as likely to A god possesses him so he’s not getting older, and there’s
savage his masters given half the chance. Today Wilbur presents a plenty of time to be co-operative until the time is right. He
persona of cooperation and openness. While he is not allowed hints at knowing a lot about the Cthulhu Mythos (which he
access to writing materials or books, he is regularly visited by does), so that agents start learning quickly to come back to
PISCES agents who wish to interview him, picking his brains on him first when they become stuck. One day someone is
the Cthulhu Mythos helping them to solve their disturbing going to slip up and give him a pen. One day he will find
investigations. Faster than reading sanity-threatening books, the means to touch another human being, and in doing so
Wilbur tells visitors exactly what they need to know. consume them creating a new vessel from which to escape
Player PISCES investigators stuck on a case might be sent to Magonia. On that day he’s going to get his freedom.
Wilbur Bromley to obtain ‘Expert Intelligence’. To do so requires

Wilbur Bromley Physical Description: A tall obese man, Wilbur

The Imprisoned Favoured One, age 62 Bromley stands at 6’5” and weighs 300lbs. His face is
(physical age 32) dominated by puffy checks and forehead that
Race: Caucasian (Avatar of Y’golonoc) extenuate his wrinkles while burying his eyes deep
STR 14 CON 8 SIZ 20 INT 30 POW 28 within rolls of fat. Bromley’s voice constantly wavers
DEX 14 APP 3 EDU 12 SAN 0 HP 14 between bass and falsetto and his body seems to
Damage Bonus: +1D6 continuously drip with
Education: Brichester High School sweat. He likes to sway
Occupation: Magonia Inmate from side-to-side while
Skills: Anthropology 40%, Biology 30%, Cthulhu talking to people.
Mythos 50%, Fast Talk 60%, History 70%, Listen 80%, Since his incarceration
Natural History 40%, Occult 80%, Persuade 80%, Spot in Magonia, Bromley
Hidden 80%, Torture Animals and Humans 95%. has given up wearing
Languages: English 80% (own). clothes. He is
Attacks: Fist 60%, damage 1D3+db unashamed of his
Grapple 60%, damage special nakedness. For a full
Spell: Contact Y’golonac. description and rules
Indefinite Insanity: Psychopath and Sadist. on Y’golonac see the
Sanity Loss: 1/1D20 Sanity points to witness Wilbur Call of Cthulhu
transform into Y’golonac; 1/1D10+1 Sanity points to rulebook.
see Y’golonac; 1/1D6+1 Sanity points to witness Wilbur
perform a torture.

22 The Black Seal #2

 By Davide Mana

1. PREPARATION bad, really. But he got back – and if he was a little ‘original’, one
Every Oxford and Cambridge college and leading British university has a thing he nailed for sure from day one – imagination and
‘talent spotter’ like Pilchard, a don sympathetic to MI6 who looks out for flamboyance, the two main curses of the field operative, can
suitable recruits. The majority of MI6 recruits come this way from the two become the major assets of someone operating outside of
most prestigious universities in Britain, though it is not foolproof – Philby, standard situations. So he started skimming through the reject pile,
Maclean and Burgess were all recruited into MI6 the same way. for people that had almost made the cut but failed on a whim.
Richard Tomlinson, The Big Breach, 2001 Eccentrics, poseurs, compulsive mystificators, the ones that had
actually said “no thanks” to the recruiter.
MJ: Surely the Ministry was not likely to accept such an
On 1st April 2001, the Guardian ran a lengthy interview freelance option, not in those years.
journalist Marie Jouvet recorded with former Navy Admiral and DGR: They told him he was crazy, of course, the Oxbridge
Foreign Office consultant, Sir Douglas Gordon Russel, MBE, VC, Network did, and when they did he just pointed out at the swell
COOF, in his villa in Portmeirion, Wales. A veteran of the Burma job Dick Hannay had done in Scotland, back in ‘15, and him being
campaign, a respected Orientalist and a member of RADA in his just a rock-hound and an amateur. Years later, of course, the
youth, Russel was 93 at the time of the interview, and some of his Philby affair showed us all Peter’s idea was by far sounder than
recollections do not match with the data at hand. Here we reprint more standard practices, but at the time, oh, they gave him hell.
the core of the article: No wonder the idea was sort of left hanging for about two
decades.
MJ: But after Philby...
MJ: There’s no mention of an Avengers section or department in DGR: After Philby there was nothing else to lose and all to be
the MI5/MI6 FOIA release yet. And in Whitehall they were gained, so they gave us carte blanche and a very short leash. And
extremely uncooperative. As if the thing did not exist. money. So we dug out Whimsey’s notes and papers, and set the
DGR: Avengers was a protocol of operation. Not a branch or thing up working after hours over a couple of weekends.
section, or a desk, or anything else of that kind. Don’t believe what MJ: How was the organisation structured exactly?
they tell you anyway. Avengers was the sort of uncoordinated DGR: So, the idea was basic: we’d head-hunt a pair of
patch that stops the holes masterfully, but goes down less than well promising young men and give them a security vetting and a
with the Oxbridge zombie cliqué manning the controls. retainer. Nothing extravagant, but enough to keep them afloat and
It was started, actually, in the years after the Dulcibella affair, motivate them. They were just supposed to be out and about,
you know, Carruthers and Davies, well before the Great War, and living their lives and generally having a good time – clubs, theatres,
died somewhere in the Eighties, when everything became galleries, racing, and science expos. Get a social life, stay in touch
corporate and stale and ‘expenses’ was a bad word. Then the with the state of the art – any art. It was normally assumed they’d
Other Side went belly up and everything was looking like, I don’t build a network of acquaintances and friendships, likely similar
know, like Chushingura – if you know what I mean. Avenger minded individuals that might enjoy a bit of action and still keep
would have survived it, mind you, and kept doing its job, but they mum about it. We security vetted those, too, and granted expenses
were cutting expenses and Avengers was expensive as hell; so they paid in case of need.
‘restructured’ the whole circus and ended up crashing cars in MJ: Was not this pretty risky? I mean, you were up against
tunnels and calling it ‘crisis control’. Amateurs! One thing you had professionals, and such an easily penetrated, soft organisation...
to say about Avengers – it did its job, and it had style, like in DGR: No. It was absolutely fail safe, you see. That was the
cartloads. beauty of it. There were these independent networks, all of them
MJ: Are you claiming there was the hand of the British without an upward connection to the Intelligence Service. Should
Intelligence involved in the Alma crash? some foreign sniffer approach them or even compromise them,
DGR: I’m claiming nothing, especially about such a dubious the damage would have been minimal, almost non existent. And
concept as British intelligence these days. But you were asking me the people we used – as I said, eccentrics, artists.... Had one of
about Avenger, if I’m not mistaken. them gone rogue, or had he contacted the press, we’d have been
MJ: Yes, and you were implying the whole structure was born able to deny any allegation without any difficulty. Completely,
of... an accident? Something in the first years of the last century? perfectly safe. It was great thinking. Extremely British, too, if you
DGR: Implying! As I was saying, Avengers started as an allow me a bit of a bias. The Americans would have bungled it
accident, but we soon turned it into the mad unpredictable helplessly, going for looks instead of substance. Too much
clockwork that was its major strength. Dulcibella told us amateurs formality is the bug of American Intelligence. That, and
were often in the right place at the right moment, and possessed dishonesty. But we pulled our little ploy through, and managed it
of the right skills. We went on building from there. It was for two full decades and then some.
Whimsey, as I recall, who dreamed up the whole machination, MJ: You mentioned the Alma Tunnel affair. Was it the sort of
somewhere in ‘27. Weird chap, Lord Peter was, daft as a brush, got thing Avenger would have been called in to resolve?
back in really bad shape from France – or was it Belgium; anyway, DGR: Sorry, you mentioned Alma. I mentioned a car crash in
bad head case, holed up in his apartment for ages, playing piano, a tunnel. Avengers worked mostly in Britain anyway – as I said it

Spring 2003 23
 PISCES: The Silent Service
tackled urgent business close to home. True, they did a few gigs on all this is a little hard to swallow.
foreign soil, France, Canada, Hong Kong, but that was after my DGR: Of course I’m not admitting, confirming or denying
time, and might be a reason why they pulled the plug on Avengers any of that. But what you describe is the sort of stuff that a
– expenses, and too much rocking of the international boat. standard field agent can’t face. It’s not part of their training, you
MJ: So, what sort of case did Avengers tackle? know. A field man has to be able to think in terms of objective
DGR: Three words: weird, compromised, urgent. We were events, cause and effect if he wants to survive. So the Avengers
managing the lot from a basement room in the Admiralty, you see, eccentrics were the right men and women in the right place when
and we’d spend idle days trading tales of hunts, horse races, things got weird. And they did get weird in those days.
women... the works. Goodness, it was boring. Then a file would MJ: And nothing ever surfaced on the national press?
filter from somewhere – Foreign Office, Admiralty, Exchequer, Nobody ever blabbed about the Avengers?
CI5, you name it. We served them all. They just knew what our DGR: With the risk of ending up in a padded room?
taste in cases was. And you could bet the file would cover some MJ: Isn’t it all a bit simplistic? I mean, someone with informal
operation going royally haywire, field agents dead or official ties setting up a pair of international playboys as part-time
compromised, and something big and weird going on. So we’d call secret agents...
one of our ‘plumbers’... that’s what we sometimes called them, DGR: My dear young lady, in those days, after Philby and his
plumbers, and we told him to look into the file. Bring his friends friends, it often felt like each one of us had a target painted on his
back. Therefore, anything that worked, just anything, was
welcome. That’s why, like it or not, Whitehall never really gave us
problems. Not even when we employed playboys, fashion-
conscious amateur assassins, or that womanising novelist with the
big cuffs.
MJ: Not even when radioactive crustaceans were involved?
Or when you did work together with the Russians, in ‘66?
DGR: Of course I don’t know what you are talking about, but
no, not even in such cases they would have interfered, back then.
We delivered, you see.
MJ: Do you miss those days?
DGR: Of course. I was young. Whoever in his right mind
would not miss his younger days? Spending the rest of my life
watching people launching weather balloons from the beach is not
exactly going to give me a coronary, right? But it’s not just the
excitement and the danger I miss. Too much of our world, our
existence, is becoming too damn literal these days. I preferred back
then, when things could still be more than what they looked like.
They were our own to interpret, you see? We owned them.
MJ: Like the Man-Eater of Surrey Green?
DGR: I think we better stop this one here. But you can come
with me for a pint at the Anchor and Fountain. Noel Coward
visited it, you know, while he was writing ‘Blythe Spirit’....

2. INDUCTION
Guy Burgess and Donald MacLean were British diplomats who disappeared
in 1951 and surfaced in Moscow in 1956. There was speculation that Harold
‘Kim’ Philby, head of the Soviet section of the British Secret Intelligence
Service, was the ‘third man’ who alerted them before they could be arrested for
espionage.
FBI FOIA web page
too, but for god’s sake put a lid on it fast. And they did it.
MJ: You sound almost surprised. Harry St. John Bridger Philby, better known as Kim Philby, worked for many
DGR: Hell, I was nine times out of ten. The chaps “delivered years as a Soviet spy within the British Secret Intelligence Service. He came
the goods”, as the Yanks are fond of saying, with a minimum of under suspicion when two of his associates, Donald Maclean and Guy
fuss and, as I was telling you, with style. You cannot shrug off style Burgess, defected to the USSR in 1951, but his activities were not fully
when such matters are concerned – it’s part of the discipline, part exposed until he himself defected in 1963. The case later received wide
of the procedure. Learning to act with panache. Not once did publicity.
something filter to Fleet Street, and anyway if it did, nobody in the The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th edition, 2001
Press had the guts for following up such leads.
MJ: I did find mention of weird doings indeed. Rampaging
androids, UFOs, cats used as murder weapons, killer pranksters Avengers Protocol
endangering international relationships, a society of assassin Date Founded: Proposed 1927; first deployed 7
butlers, former Nazis posing as monks, stolen H-bombs, a whole January 1961; disbanded 9
section of London put to sleep for 24 hours. You have to admit February 1979.

24 The Black Seal #2

 The Avengers
Mission when Founded: Troubleshooting duties within 3. DEEPENING
the British Intelligence and Law Looking around the table I realised the new recruits were all from similar
Enforcement community backgrounds. All were white, male, conventional and middle class. All of us
Mission at the Time of Disbandment: Unchanged. were university graduates, mostly from Oxford or Cambridge. It was pretty
Jurisdiction: N/A much the background of all MI6 officers.
Headquarters: Unknown; Room 23 at the Richard Tomlinson, ibid.
Admiralty supposedly handled the
assignment of Avengers missions. From an operational point of view, it is best to regard Avenger as
# of Personnel: Unknown; see main text. a procedure rather than an actual branch or section of British
Annual Budget: Unknown; see main text. Intelligence. Avenger was something that happened when an
History/Profile: According to some sources, Sir urgent case went hopelessly haywire, showing strong elements of
Francis Walsingham, normally credited with the creation of weirdness and danger. In such a situation, the relevant files were
the first British Intelligence service in the 16th century, strongly assembled in an anonymous yellow folder and dropped in an
distrusted professional spies – those individuals trained and anonymous closet on the second floor of the Admiralty – the
conditioned for the sole purpose of gathering intelligence by door marked with a brass plate bearing the number 23.
betraying the trust of their fellow men. Within 12 hours, the Avenger operative for the case would be
A man led by circumstances and by a natural inclination to activated, and summarily briefed about the nature of the
spycraft, he probably felt uneasy in the presence of people not catastrophe. He (or, more rarely, she) would contact the element
equally endowed with the same mixture of accidentally-
acquired know-how and personal resources. His bias shaped
the direction in which the British Secret Service evolved
throughout three-hundred years.
A number of individuals after Walsingham’s heart did serve
in the ranks of the British Intelligence over the next three
centuries: Christopher Marlowe, John Dee, Sir Percy Blakeney,
Colonel Charles Stoddart and Captain Arthur Conolly,
Frederick Gustavus Burnaby, Harry Flashman, Charles
Beauregard, into the first half of twentieth century with the
likes of Richard Hannay and Captain Robert Thorndyke.
Amateurs, but with just the right set of skills and
connections, doing what needed to be done at the right time.
The very spirit of Britain, some might say.
Only the end of the Great War, the conflict to end all
conflicts, saw a more professional, methodical system replace
the age-old practice. Espionage became a clerical profession,
and remained so. In the late 1950s, the turn of events that led
to the defection of the Cambridge Ring members brought
back with a vengeance the uneasiness expressed by the
ancient spymaster, and made his concerns and techniques
actual again.
While the common MI5/MI6 practice of head-hunting
concentrated on individuals that were – at least at face value
– highly integrated and reliable, conventional to the limit of
boredom and at the same time highly ambitious (an explosive
mix, Walsingham could have pointed out to his successors), or elements in his entourage to assist him on the job, providing
personnel selectors for what was to become the Avengers them with the basic need-to-know. This way, Avenger people
protocol sought out the eccentric, the positively wild, the would tackle, week after week, a highly variable spectrum of cases,
unconventional. People unhindered by personal ambition, of from espionage or counter-intelligence, to criminal investigation,
independent means, drawn to the action by a fair amount of depending on whose case was going to hell in a hand-cart at that
level-headed patriotism and an equal mix of curiosity and love particular juncture.
for the offbeat. The theory, which was to be proven right, was It is not clear who made decisions at the top. The speed with
that among this catalogue of liabilities, a few true, reliable, and which a new file would make its way from Room 23 to the capable
positively extraordinary individuals would surface. hands of an Avengers operative remains a mystery, but suggests a
By 1961, a backup program had been devised by some of leaner and less democratic ruling cabal than the one described by
the best elements in British Intelligence, resurrecting Conan Doyle as the ‘Diogenes Club’. It has indeed been
contingency plans long forgotten. Privately financed and run postulated that the whole Avengers show was actually managed by
on a shoestring budget, the Avengers protocol was quietly a single man, handing the new case over to a single agent.
initiated, pitching extraordinary individuals against According to this reconstruction, the whole Avengers structure in
extraordinary circumstances. And not a minute too soon, the Sixties would therefore have comprised a single case officer, a
considering the Swinging Sixties were at the door. single field agent and that agent’s own network of privately
nurtured contacts – usually no more than one or two persons at a
time. Hints at a wider structure with more agents and a larger

Spring 2003 25
 PISCES: The Silent Service
retinue of ‘friendlies’ would have been, according to the upholders Purdey (no other ID available)
of such a theory, nothing more than a smoke-screen. STR 14 CON 15 SIZ 12 INT 16 POW 15
But things could have been even more complicated. In her DEX 18 APP 17 EDU 14 SAN 99 HP 13
famous Guardian interviews, Dame Stella Rimmington went Damage Bonus: +1D4
further along this line of speculation, pointing out that the best Skills: Art (Modern Dancing) 35%, Credit Rating 55%,
known Avengers case officer – a wheelchair-bound man only Disguise 25%, Drive Auto 75%, Fast Talk 60%, First Aid 40%,
identified as ‘Mother’ in official documents, was actually a well- Library Use 35%, Martial Arts 70%, Photography 50%, Pilot
known British actor called Patrick Newell, clearly used as a decoy (Aircraft) 40%, Pilot (Motorboat) 40%, Psychology 55%, Ride
by the true masters of the Avengers ‘conspiracy’. Fact is, after 60%, Zoology 35%
these many years, most of what was at the core of the Avengers Languages: English 70% (own), Other Language (French)
might as well have been lost forever. 70%, Other Language (Russian) 55%
Weapons: Gun 75%, 1D10
Shotgun 80%, 4D6/2D6/1D6
4. THERAPEUTIC SUGGESTIONS
Extraordinary crimes against the people and the state must be avenged by
agents extraordinary. 5. POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS
The Avengers, tag-line, 1961 In The Avengers, supremely mundane elements of British life and culture,
which had been taken for granted for years, suddenly assumed a new and
Extraordinary (of an official): serving an unusual or special function in sinister significance.
addition to those of the regular officials. Grant Morrison, in The Avengers Dossier, 1998
The Oxford Dictionary, 1961 edition
A story of espionage follows a science fiction episode followed by a military
Someone amoral, suave and brainy, who wouldn’t deign himself by physically story, which could be in itself followed by a story in the horror tradition,
fighting, preferring a silenced gun or a sword-cane. straight out of a Hammer film. As long as the common denominator of the
Sydney Newman on the birth of John Steed, 1997. Avengers’ style is respected, everything is permitted.
David Fakrikian, in The Avengers Dossier, 1998
Occupation Templates:

Avenger operative From a Keeper’s point of view, there are two possible uses for the
Credit Rating, Disguise, Forensics, Martial Arts, Military set-up and situations as presented in ‘The Avengers’ in Call of
Science, Psychology, Survival, Tradecraft; plus 1 more Cthulhu or Delta Green games.
academic skill and 3 skills as personal specialties.
5.1. Avenging Crime with a Smile
Avenger ‘Friendly’ The first option is running light, tongue in cheek one-offs based
Credit Rating, Library Use, Martial arts; plus 10 skills as on the series and set at the time of the series itself. For this
personal specialties purpose, the Avenger protocol has been set up and described so
far as a troubleshooting entity within the British Intelligence
Sample Characters: community, allowing for a wide variety of possible hooks. The
player equivalent of John Steed and partners could be made to
John Steed step in on a number of very different – but appropriately off-beat
STR 12 CON 15 SIZ 13 INT 16 POW 17 – cases, from criminal investigation to counter-espionage to
DEX 14 APP 13 EDU 18 SAN 99 HP 14 Mythos involvement with wayward baronets. While templates are
Damage Bonus: +1D4 given, these are mere guidelines – the keeper and players could
Skills: Credit Rating 65%, Disguise 25%, Fast Talk 60%, achieve better results by adopting a free-form character design
Forensics 50%, Natural History, 35%, Martial Arts 60%, Military technique, and concentrating on drawing up fun, eccentric
Science 45%, Psychology 55%, Ride 60%, Spot Hidden 45%, characters.
Survival 90%, Tradecraft 75% Then, the keeper is advised to watch as many episodes as
Languages: English 90% (own) possible, and peruse with the utmost care the vast bibliography
Weapon: Sword Cane 65%, 1D8* available on the series. It would probably take a brilliant writer on a
Gun (silenced) 65%, 1D10 good day to duplicate the best of the Avengers episodes (such as
‘The House that Jack Built’) but a well-prepared keeper can take
Emma Peel inspiration from the material available and still do better than one
STR 13 CON 14 SIZ 10 INT 16 POW 15 of those less-than-average episodes (e.g. any in the Tara King era).
DEX 18 APP 17 EDU 16 SAN 99 HP 12 Particular attention should be given to in-play description, as the
Damage Bonus: None original series relied as much on visuals as it did on tightly-plotted
Skills: Art (Painting) 35%, Art (Sculpture) 45%, Credit Rating stories. The well-prepared keeper might put together a scrapbook
55%, Disguise 25%, Drive Auto 60%, Fast Talk 55%, First Aid of 1960s fashion and offbeat images for quick reference during
45%, Library Use 35%, Martial Arts 75%, Photography 65%, play. Accurate study of the available online resources is also
Pilot (Aircraft) 40%, Psychology 55%, Ride 65%, Zoology 35% recommended – starting from the ‘Avengers Forever’ site listed
Languages: English 80% (own) below, it’s possible to find a wealth of images and information that
Weapon: Gun 75% (occasionally; enough to pop a will not be repeated here. They even have a full list of the acronyms
champagne cork from 20 yards), 1D10 used by fictional entities and organisations during the series.

26 The Black Seal #2

 The Avengers
5.2. Operation: Avengers Steed’s addresses:
The second option is to set up a present-day PISCES or Delta Nobody knows whatever happened to John Steed (of course);
Green campaign in which the characters will have to investigate rumours about his relocation to a small seaside resort in Wales or
the long gone (?) and mysterious Avengers. In view of this second Cornwall, possibly keeping bees, are probably derived from the
possibility, most of the organisation has been purposefully left as Guardian 2001 article and are unfounded. His starting a model
nebulous and uncertain as possible. The interview presented at the agency and working with MTV video makers after retirement is
start of the article as both setting-piece and possible hand-out, equally just a ludicrous notion.
plainly contradicts some of the facts given in the main text. It is Similarly preposterous are sightings of our man in the unlikely
for the keeper to decide which one version is the correct one. If role of a chauffeur in the mid-1980s (and later, briefly, in the late
any. 1990s), as manager of a wrestling school in Hawaii or as director
Reasons for the investigation can be various – the recent of a wax museum in the United States.
number of British Intelligence exposés by the Media might cause Locating the old homes of John Steed is a feat in itself.
something to surface (see the opening article). Alternatively, the Known addresses listed (but acquired with great difficulty) include
Shan masters of PISCES might develop a sudden interest in some 5 Westminster Mews, currently a bed & breakfast establishment
of the old activities of Steed and Company. A number of episodes run by an American woman named Charley (a former jazz dancer),
from both the original series and the later ‘The New Avengers’ and 3 Stable Mews, home to Miss Hannah (or possibly Hana)
offer excellent hooks and present situation granting a 20-years- Wild. Finally, Duchess Mews, near Portland Place, W1, is now
after investigation: undergoing massive refurbishment, care of ABORCASHAATA
z Man Eater of Surrey Green (fourth season) mentions (Advisory Bureau On Refurbishing Castles And Stately Homes As
Triffid-like space plants (or were they Dark Young of A Tourist Attraction).
Shub-Niggurath?)
z From Venus with Love (fifth season) has UFOs in it 5.3. All Together Now
z Escape in Time (fifth season) touches upon time travel The two styles of play could be combined, alternating a grittier
z The Living Dead (fifth season) has ghosts, paranormal modern-day investigation with Avengers flavoured, tongue-in-
investigators and the undead cheek flashbacks. This is the author’s approach of choice, but
z The Eagle’s Nest (New Avengers first season) features admittedly it requires some work.
Nazis trying to resurrect Hitler

In case present-day investigators were to become too nosey or 6. TERMINATION

persistent, a few further, non-canon details are offered to thicken It is true to say, the Avengers was made in spite of itself. The behaviour of
the plot. the powerful people who sat in the background was revealing.
Patrick Macnee, The Avengers and Me, 1997
The Admiralty, Room 23:
The place holds a desk and chair, an old filing cabinet and a The process of clinical hypnosis conceptually can be divided into six phases:
portrait of the queen, circa 1964. On the back of the chair rests a (1) preparation, (2) induction, (3) deepening, (4) therapeutic suggestions, (5)
jacket, average size, with the label of a Saville Row tailor. In the post-hypnotic suggestions, and (6) termination.
pockets can be found a bag of Fisherman’s Friends Original Extra O’Grady & Hoffman, 1984
Strong lozenges, a cigar holder holding two Coronas Major cigars,
a box of Bryant & May lucifers and a key on a simple piece of Acknowledgments:
string. If investigated, this will turn out to be a key to Room 23. The author is deeply indebted to the people involved in the
Over the desk lay scattered a number of papers, most of making of the Avengers, whose weekly vision at the tender age of
which are written in a shorthand system with which none of the six turned him into a committed Anglophile and a social outcast,
characters will be familiar. If transcribed by some shorthand thus preparing him to a future of Lovecraftian readings while at
expert found after a lengthy search of the major business schools the same time sparing him a destiny worse than death (to wit, the
of Britain, most of the material will turn out to be either of standard Italian football & politics obsession).
abysmal relevance (e.g. laundry lists) or written in an unknown He also wishes to present his most heartfelt thanks to the
language. The keeper is free to add any off-beat reference he finds gentlemen responsible for the online resources dedicated to The
expedient on the desk. The filing cabinet’s drawers are all closed. Avengers. And to the fine folk of The Black Seal magazine, for
If forced open, they will appear to be empty. For all the providing him occasion to let rip, so to speak. Thank you.
investigators know, the room has just been vacated ten minutes, or
fifteen years ago.
Note: Following the Saville Row lead will land the Bibliography and resources
investigators into the fitting rooms of the most supercilious tailor Carrazé, Alain & Putheaud, Jean-Luc – The Avengers Companion –
in town, who while thoroughly humiliating the agents as Bay Books, 1998
blundering ‘noveau riches’ and socially inadequate inepts, will Cornell P., Day M. & Topping K. – The Avengers Dossier – Virgin
Books, 1998
politely but unmovingly refuse to release any information (not
Macnee, Patrick – Blind in one ear – Mercury House, 1992
even if served with a warrant), claiming to share a relationship Macnee, Patrick – The Avengers and Me – TVBooks, 1997
with his clients akin to priest and parishioner – personal, intimate, Miller, Toby – The Avengers – BFI, 1997
and absolutely shrouded in professional secrecy. Rogers, Dave – The Complete Avengers – St. Martin’s Press, 1998
Tomlinson, Richard – The Big Breach – Web-distributed, 2001

Online: http://theavengers.tv/forever/

Spring 2003 27
 RAF Hobwood
Stourbridge, West Midlands
An extract from Nick Brownlow’s travel diaries.

Located just a few miles west of Stourbridge, close to the Wyre accounted for, and none had had time to remove what must
Forest and the banks of the River Severn, the now long derelict have been an enormous amount of blood from their person.
airfield formerly known as RAF Hobwood stands as a sad and The mystery deepened when the contents of Mayall’s room
lonely reminder of the drama and tragedy of wartime Britain. were examined; whilst his fellow officers were aware that
Intended originally for bombers, it was constructed in Mayall’s taste in literature had an esoteric bent, they were
December 1940, opened in June 1941 and transferred to unprepared to find a veritable occult library in his quarters
Fighter Command in December of that year; after which it containing many controversial and infamous works. In the end,
served as home to No.523 Squadron until June 1945 when that the Security Services confiscated these strange volumes and
unit was disbanded. After the war, Hobwood was home to a they were never seen again.
number of training flights before it was finally closed down in Rumours that the base was now haunted began to circulate
1958. The MOD sold the property in 1970 to a local farmer, just days after Mayall was killed, with several Airmen reporting
but the runways, hangars, control tower and operations block a ‘presence’ around the officers’ block. As winter turned into
all remain intact to this day. spring and then summer, aircrews began to complain of deathly
Whilst unspectacular in terms of its military history, since cold chills in certain buildings, as well as the overwhelming
the war RAF Hobwood has acquired a reputation of an entirely feeling that they were being watched. Timepieces would
different kind – most of which seems to stem from a bizarre suddenly stop, and sometimes even reverse direction entirely.
unsolved murder that occurred at the site in late 1942. The Mayall’s quarters were boarded up and never used again,
victim was Squadron Leader Henry Mayall, assigned to RAF although officers in neighbouring rooms frequently reported
Hobwood in January that year. Mayall was a highly decorated hearing sounds coming from within, late at night. Such
but apparently unpopular officer who had served in the Army incidents became a regular occurrence at RAF Hobwood, and
in India prior to joining the RAF in 1938. He rose quickly continued for long after the war was over.
through the ranks but was generally disliked by his fellow The most famous of Hobwood’s apparitions did not make
officers, who he tended to be stand-offish with. Mayall was an its presence known until several months after Mayall’s death,
excellent pilot however, and notched up nine kills during the however. In March 1943, two sentries reported hearing a large
Battle of Britain, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross animal skirting the perimeter of the base. When they
and promotion to Squadron Leader. investigated however, no trace of the creature could be found.
On the night of 23rd December, at a little after 11:00 pm, Several weeks later two more sentries claimed to have been
Mayall retired from the mess early to read as was his custom. attacked by a mysterious ‘animal’ that neither of them could
The officer’s block was then woken at around 1:30 am by the see. The superficial looking wound sustained by one of the
sound of frantic screaming coming from his room. Several sentries in the attack eventually required the amputation of
officers attempted to gain entry (by which time the screaming most of the unfortunate man’s lower body after the wound
had come to an abrupt stop), but the door was locked. became horribly infected and began to weep poisonous blue
Eventually, following the arrival of several duty airmen, the pus. Similar reports of the mystery creature continued
decision was made to break the door down; Mayall’s horrifically throughout the course of the base’s active service life, with over
mutilated corpse was found inside. Curiously, several airmen a hundred incident reports appearing in the base logs between
present would later remark that the wounds appeared “entirely 1943 and 1958.
bloodless” – although the Air Ministry never saw fit to confirm Encounters with the creature appeared to abate after the
or deny this. base was decommissioned, but this may simply have been
The alarm was raised, and the base put on full alert, but a because there was no one around to encounter it. In November
search of the grounds revealed nothing. Suspicion initially fell 1971 two WWII aircraft enthusiasts, Clare and Richard Crane,
upon Mayall’s fellow officers, but all men were present and were reportedly chased off the site by something large and

28 The Black Seal #2

 RAF Hobwood
seemingly invisible. At this point in time the base’s resident walls of its prison, and wearing the fabric of time and space increasingly
apparition was not common knowledge, and it is unlikely that thin. In order to affect an escape, the Hound has been trying to draw
the Cranes knew enough about the legend to have simply ‘sensitive’ individuals to it to destroy the protective wards that keep it
made up the experience. Since then, there have been dozens of stranded. Unable to ‘scent’ minds not moving backwards or forwards
incidents in which witnesses have reported something lurking through time, however, these attempts have so far been unsuccessful. The
around the old airfield. Although it has never been seen, ‘attacks’ attributed to the ‘Hobwood Hound’ over the years have been the
folklorists have speculated that the ‘Hobwood Hound’ is yet result of it blindly lashing out in frustration. What the Hound really
another variation of the ‘Phantom Dog’ legend that can be needs is for someone to use the Liao drug or the leaves of the Black Lotus
found in other parts of rural Britain – examples of which plant in the vicinity of the base, allowing it to properly ‘acquire’ its prey.
include the Guytrash of Yorkshire, Black Shuck in East Anglia This would be a highly unlikely occurrence, except that in the Copse,
and the Welsh Cwn Annwn. Mayall’s modest plot has not only survived, but thrived as well…
Nor are reports of paranormal phenomena restricted to
encounters with the Hound; instances of lost time, phantom The Hobwood Hound
voices and the sound of aircraft engines have all been reported STR 18 CON 31 SIZ 20 HP 27
on a regular basis by visitors to the airfield in the last twenty or INT 17 POW 25 DEX 12 Move 6/40 flying
so years. Today, RAF Hobwood is visited not just by aircraft Armour: 2 HP hide, regenerates 4 HP/round
enthusiasts, but by amateur ‘ghost hunters’ and unless dead, only affected by magical or
parapsychologists as well. So far, none have succeeded in enchanted weapons.
unravelling the mysteries of RAF Hobwood, and a handful of Attacks: Tongue 90%, 1D3 POW drain
new encounters are reported every year. Paw 90%, 2D6 + ichor (2D6 POT
poison)
Keeper’s Notes: When Henry Mayall returned from India in 1938, Spells: Call/Dismiss Yog-Sothoth, Create Time
it was with an addiction to the leaves of the Black Lotus plant that grew Warp, Contact Hound of Tindalos,
on the slopes of certain hills in Northern Kashmir. As a young British Contact Flying Polyp.
Army officer assigned to the Maharaja’s Kashmir Brigade, Mayall Sanity Loss: 1D3/1D20
befriended the monks that lived on those hills and offered them protection
from Muslim tribesmen in return for knowledge of how to make the Liao Adventure Idea – Find My Way Home
drug. Later, when he was sent home to England, he managed to procure The hideously mutilated corpse of missing teenager Caitlin
a small quantity of seed from them. Halpenny is found out at Hobwood. It is the most brutal
Finding that the plant would grow easily even murder local police have ever seen. Nearby, in one
in England’s changeable climate, Mayall of the airfield’s old ‘J’ type hangars, the West
cultivated a small patch of it at all his Midlands Serious Crimes squad discover
subsequent postings; at RAF evidence of ritual black magic – animal
Hobwood, his plot was located in bones, pentacles and satanic crosses.
the small wooded area out by the Tabloid hysteria follows, with the
‘J’ Type hangars known as ‘the church citing the murder as proof
Copse’. Eventually Mayall of the existence of satanic witch
became convinced that using it cults preying on the nation’s
gave him an unnatural edge children, and local residents
in combat – he believed forming vigilante groups to
himself capable of seeing patrol the streets. Several known
into the fourth dimension – sex offenders are beaten to
and therefore able to perfectly death in their homes.
anticipate his opponents’ In truth, Caitlin
actions and reactions. His Halpenny is a Satanist herself.
reliance on the drug grew. Along with three like-minded
One day, Mayall’s temporal friends, Caitlin mistook the Black
excursions attracted the attention of a Lotus plants in the Copse for marijuana
marauding Hound of Tindalos. Not and decided to smoke some whilst
entirely ignorant of the risk involved in conducting ‘rituals’ in one of the nearby
disturbing such a creature, Mayall spent the next hangars one night. This, of course, was partly the
few weeks desperately preparing for the Hound’s arrival. unconscious result of the Hound’s influence. Luckily, the
Eventually, Mayall found a ritual that he believed would seal off the group left the airfield before it could find them.
immediate time/space vicinity from the Hound, and to this end he buried Whilst the Hound can’t physically follow them off site
five small concrete obelisks around the base in the shape of a Pentagram, however, the teenagers are close enough for it to influence
connecting them with a length of buried wire. Unfortunately, he botched them with its mind. Consequently, it is drawing them back to
the ritual and only succeeded in trapping the Hound inside with him. Hobwood one by one through their dreams. Caitlin had the
Thinking himself safe, Mayall retired to bed on the 23rd December and lowest POW, so she was the first to return. The Hound
was torn to shreds by the Hound, which materialised suddenly out of the murdered her to satiate its immediate bloodlust, knowing full
corner of the room as he was nodding off. well there are three others perfectly capable of freeing it. And
Since that day, the Hound has been trapped in the immediate vicinity of course, the Hound also knows it only needs the one.
of RAF Hobwood growing ever more frustrated; straining against the

Spring 2003 29
 “In Washington Lord Halifax whispered to Lord Keynes, ‘tis true they’ve their political masters were too fickle and the situation represented
all the money bags, but we’ve got all the brains.” a potential security risk. Thus the stage was set for the divergence
Limerick circulated amongst the British delegation during of PISCES and Delta Green. This was heightened by the post-war
negotiations for American war loans, 1941. cooling of relations between the US and UK, and the discovery of
the extent to which the US atomic weapons programme was
The United Kingdom and the United States are natural allies with betrayed to the USSR by British scientists, including the notorious
a rich and intertwined history of co-operation in international and Klaus Fuchs. Worse still, the post-war economic situation in
military affairs. Or so the story goes. As far as the grey view of the Britain led to the removal of the UK’s veto on the use of atomic
Delta Green world is concerned the reality is, predictably, weapons by the US (an agreement originally forged at the outset
somewhat more complex. Whilst British and American of the Manhattan Project) and the handover of British uranium
intelligence services do collaborate to a remarkable level, Britain’s ore stockpiles to the US, rather than risk withdrawal of US
Paranormal Intelligence Section for Counter-intelligence, economic aid through the Marshall Plan. The ultimate effect of
Espionage, and Sabotage (PISCES) is an exception to this rule. this agreement was to delay development of the British atomic
Indeed, PISCES actively runs an intelligence gathering network bomb by several years. Clearly there was a risk to British military
within the US and (on rare occasions) acts decisively to neutralise prowess and national security. In the hope of offsetting this
occult threats in the US, and has done for several years. The danger, PISCES’ paranormal research programme was accelerated
reasons for this are several, and not all of them are as high-minded by the Attlee government. For obvious reasons, the nature and
as the PISCES operatives who are involved in them might like to extent of this programme was to be kept an absolute secret from
imagine. the United States. Indeed, the closest secret PISCES ever held was
the existence of psychic talents. Whilst individual agents from
PISCES and Delta Green: PISCES and Delta Green kept in unofficial contact, official
From Search & Destroy to Research & Conceal interaction between the two organisations was almost completely
From it’s inception in 1940, PISCES was charged with acquisition severed. This, however, led to an immediate problem. PISCES and
of intelligence on occult matters and the development of Delta Green had both fought a bloody war against the Karotechia,
unconventional espionage techniques, as detailed in Delta Green: which was heavily involved in development of paranormal
Countdown. Following the entry of the United States into the weapons, and the Soviets were known to have their own
Second World War in 1942, PISCES became aware of its paranormal research initiative. The PISCES leadership found it
American counterpart, Delta Green. The two agencies worked almost inconceivable that the Americans would not engage on
side by side during the darkest hours of the war in the fight against such a programme of their own, especially considering that the
the German occult research arm of the SS known as the lion’s share of former axis researchers in fields as diverse as
Karotechia, and against less well defined enemies in the Eastern nuclear physics, biological weapons, and rocketry had been
Theatre of operations, including the Japanese Black Ocean snapped up by the US under the auspices of Project PAPERCLIP.
Society. Wartime called for a pragmatic (some would say ruthless) The chance that occult researchers had also gone over to the US
view: research into the paranormal played a very secondary role to was considered by PISCES to be somewhere between high and a
the elimination of occult ‘assets’ of potential use to the Axis certainty. Thus it was clearly of paramount importance to keep
powers and disruption of enemy operations. Such tasks were, tabs on any parallel occult research being undertaken by the
fortunately, successful in the main, and considerable victories were Americans.
obtained by Delta Green and PISCES working in collaboration. As it happened, PISCES was both startlingly wrong and
But wars don’t last forever, and with the defeat of Nazism and the surprisingly prescient. Delta Green and PISCES field teams
apparent smashing of the Karotechia, both agencies were left working together in Operation LUNACY had eliminated the
without obvious threats to counter. majority of the Karotechia’s researchers and those few who did
Whilst PISCES was able to ensure it’s survival by drawing on fall into American hands alive were met less with open arms and
fears of a Soviet paranormal research programme, Delta Green rather more with a bullet in the brain. However the cynical British
was disbanded late in 1945 and, although it was reconstituted again mindset failed to appreciate the scruples of their American
in 1947, the official relationship between PISCES and Delta counterparts. Indeed, with their atomic supremacy even those few
Green never recovered. The leadership of PISCES had decided members of the US government who were aware of the dangers
not to pursue official links with Delta Green, as it was deemed that of the occult did not place any priority towards paranormal

30 The Black Seal #2

 Perfidious Albion
research. Not that it mattered. Within four years of the end of the would require, and finally the last thing that PISCES needed was
war, the Americans had their hands on an even more powerful MI6 getting leverage over PISCES’ sources. Thus, PISCES
(and perhaps more dangerous) tool for paranormal research in the decided to completely bypass MI6, a decision proven wise
shape of the ‘crashed spacecraft’ from Roswell – they just didn’t following the betrayals of Philby, Blunt, and Maclean.
realise its true nature or the peril it would lead them into. Thus in 1949 the Whispering Gallery network was born. As
Of course, all this was unknown to PISCES at the time and admirers of Sir Christopher Wren doubtless know, the whispering
one of their key focuses became espionage against any American gallery is a chamber in the central tower of St. Paul’s cathedral,
advances in paranormal research. The problem was, and still is, which has superb acoustic properties. A whispered conversation at
that spying on your enemies is easy but spying on your friends is one location can be heard as clear as crystal at another point in the
much more difficult and has potentially greater risks in the event tower. The network bearing its name relied on a similar level of
of discovery. From the start, the practical difficulties in setting up subtlety. It was to be a clean operation, never doing anything
an effective organisation seemed insurmountable. After all, in illegal, never being especially intrusive, and appearing wholly
contrast to anti-communist espionage, you couldn’t appeal to innocent to those who even noticed it. A creation of Brigadier
potential agents on ideological grounds. Appealing to the ego or General David Cornwall, then holding the position of ‘R’ the
vanity of sources as often as not leads to unreliable agents and Director of PISCES, the Gallery never employed more than a
equally often to them taking risks and getting caught. Bribery and handful of knowing agents, whilst drawing information from
blackmail both have their own risks. Clearly PISCES needed dozens of low grade but loyal, if unwitting, sources. The Gallery
something altogether more subtle. The result was the creation of was a throwback to intelligence gathering prior to World War I,
a uniquely British espionage network. It was codenamed the when information on military strengths and dispositions during
Whispering Gallery. peace time was gathered by military officers travelling through
foreign countries. PISCES was able to install one of its senior
officers, Colonel Laurence
McAllister, into the British
military mission in
Washington, DC. The
charming and eloquent
Col. McAllister was a most
unlikely spymaster, but had
served with PISCES
during the war and was a
dedicated officer well
aware of the threats posed
by the paranormal. His
official role was liaison
officer, and one of his
duties was organisation of
staff posting to US
military installations. Due
to the close military
“...something I heard at a party” relationship between the
US and the UK, it was (and
still is) commonplace for the two militaries to exchange officers
The Whispering Gallery: for cross-training purposes so that British and American forces
An Exercise in Deniability can fight alongside each other effectively. The affable Col.
Given the difficulties and risks inherent in establishing an effective McAllister let his apparent “fascination” with flying saucers and
spy network in the United States, PISCES chose to follow a rather little green men from Mars become known amongst those he
different course than might be expected. The traditional means of came into contact with, which naturally included British officers
overseas intelligence gathering is to recruit agents who either assigned to military bases across the US, and very often word of
already have access to the data of interest (known as ‘agents in anything which struck such officers as being odd or uncanny got
place’) or who are likely to gain access to such data in the future. back to McAllister. In some cases, information was even imparted
The agents are then run via a handler, who is an officer in the by senior American officers or politicians who regarded McAllister
intelligence service and who often has a cover as a diplomat. This as nothing more than a harmless eccentric. McAllister was also
is the conventional approach that the British Secret Intelligence well known to the handful of Delta Green officers in Washington
Service (SIS: aka MI6) has utilised for years. Whilst MI6, being the who had worked alongside PISCES during the war. McAllister
British intelligence service responsible for overseas intelligence thus acted as an unofficial route via which information could be
gathering, undoubtedly had (and in all likelihood still does have) exchanged between Delta Green and PISCES, although the
agents with access to US government secrets, they were of little majority of McAllister’s contacts in Delta Green assumed he had
use to PISCES. Interagency turf wars between PISCES and MI6 retired from PISCES (an illusion he encouraged) but had retained
were commonplace during the war and, in contrast to PISCES’ an interest in the game. In this way McAllister presided over what
good relationship with MI5, the bad blood between the two amounted to an Old Boy’s network that ran on whispers and
agencies was never resolved. Secondly, sources cultivated by MI6 rumours of strange events. Of course, most of it was rubbish and
were unlikely to have access to the information that PISCES innuendo, but McAllister had a gift for sorting the wheat from the

Spring 2003 31
 PISCES: The Silent Service

Box 1: THE PARAGON FOUNDATION

There’s always a warm welcome at the
Paragon Foundation...

Date Founded: December 1945

Mission When Founded: See below
Mission Today: Same
Jurisdiction: No official jurisdiction
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
# of Personnel: Approximately 140
Annual Budget: Officially four million Canadian dollars (derived from charitable donations and
endowments). The foundation possesses extensive investments that provide funding via
interest and dividends. Additionally, the Foundation receives discretional ‘black budget’
funding from Her Majesty’s Government via PISCES which does not appear on any
financial records.
History/Profile: Established in 1945, the Paragon Foundation is PISCES’ outpost on the far side of the
Atlantic. Originally created as a front organisation for recruiting psychic Talents, the Foundation’s offices are located in central
Toronto in the Canadian province of Ontario. Outwardly respectable and above board, the Foundation is a well funded
charitable organisation which draws it’s affluence from donations and a number of private endowments from wealthy
individuals. In reality, several of these endowments owe a great deal to Her Majesty’s Government, but this has been well
concealed and such a link is extremely difficult to trace. Whilst the Foundation’s primary role has always been to seek new
Talents for PISCES, a lesser function is the investigation of paranormal events both in Canada and the US. Such investigations
are quite openly carried out by Paragon employees, who operate very much in plain sight without attempting to conceal their
interest in paranormal matters from the public or the authorities. Typically a Paragon investigation will be carried out in
response to news reports or a direct inquiry from a member of the public. A small team of investigators will be sent from
Paragon’s Toronto offices to the location in question, where they will gently probe the story and make a report. The
Foundation will provide travel and accommodation expenses (as well as paying the investigator’s meagre salaries), furnish
commonly available equipment (such as still and video cameras), and issue letters of reference to assist investigators with
gaining access to libraries and civil records. If necessary, the Foundation’s energetic legal department will pursue access to
relevant information available under US or Canadian freedom of information laws to assist in their enquiries. However, the
Foundation will not provide firearms or other weaponry, or tolerate violence or illegal acts by its staff. It is important to note
that the Foundation has absolutely no official ‘clout’ or jurisdiction, and has a policy of co-operating with authorities if required…
although anonymous tip-offs are an acceptable option.
At least, that’s the official story. Whilst the vast majority of Paragon Foundation operatives are Canadian or US citizens who
have no idea that PISCES exists, and even less so that their employer is a front for British intelligence, a number of the senior
staff and trusted investigators (who are either British or have strong ties to the UK) are aware of the truth, although none have
even the slightest clue as to the Shan corruption running deep inside PISCES. These individuals, including a genuine psychic
Talent, are rather more discreet (and dangerous) than their less heavily cleared colleagues, and are called on to conduct
important tasks through more direct means, often in conjunction with specially assembled teams of PISCES agents to act as
muscle. One of these tasks is the ‘denial’ of psychic Talents to foreign (i.e. non-British) powers. Whilst the Foundation
investigates several dozen individuals each year who believe they have paranormal powers, the overwhelming majority are
harmless cranks with no real ability. But one or two individuals with genuine talents come to the Foundation’s attention every
few years, and hence come to pose a unique problem for PISCES. The Foundation will make a very thorough background
investigation of these individuals (including their genealogy) to assess their recruitment potential. For those deemed suitable,
a single and discreet recruitment pass will be made, but if this fails, or if the individual is regarded as too great a security risk,
then PISCES will act to neutralise such targets before they can be exploited by anyone else. Such denial may involve kidnapping
(and sending the victim to PISCES’ Magonia installation in St. Kilda), but usually revolves around assassination (made to look like
an accident, drug overdose, or a random crime).

Occupation Templates
Paragon Foundation Investigator: Computer Use, First Aid, Library Use, Listen, Occult, Photography, Psychology; plus
any 3 skills from the following: Fast talk, Forensics, Law, Other Language, Pharmacy, Psychoanalysis, and Sneak

32 The Black Seal #2

 Perfidious Albion
chaff and was able to direct the second arm of the Gallery to watching brief, with specific instructions not to attempt to
investigate any leads that seemed promising. The investigative arm penetrate any suspicious US government organisations. McAllister
of the Whispering Gallery relied heavily upon PISCES operatives was personally somewhat sceptical of the Roswell crash. To his
drawn from the various recruiting fronts, most notably the mind, the initial handling of events seemed to imply a deliberately
Paragon Foundation. The Paragon foundation acts as a PISCES clumsy cover up which he suspected was nothing more than a
cover for recruitment and assessment of psychic ‘Talents’ in the counter-intelligence program designed to lure Soviet agents out
Western hemisphere (See Delta Green: Countdown p. 30 and Box 1), into the open. Later, as evidence of further UFO activity
and is quite public about investigating paranormal happenings. As increased, McAllister began to doubt his initial assessment, but his
a result Paragon employees turning up on the trail of paranormal discrete enquiries never revealed any useful information about
activity would seem quite natural, and the PISCES leadership Majestic. From his retirement until his death in 1972 McAllister
regarded this cover as enough to throw the scent away from attempted to convince his former PISCES colleagues to
British involvement. For more hazardous or critical investigations, investigate Majestic further, but with little success.
serving PISCES agents could be called in to dig deeper, however
due to the risk of discovery involved, this seldom occurred. The Second Phase:
The beauty of the Whispering Gallery organisation was its Whispering Gallery 1961-1974
sheer deniability. McAllister ran his network so as to appear to be Following McAllister’s retirement, the most obvious problem
nothing more than an eccentric hobby. Certainly MI6 was unaware facing PISCES was how to maintain the Gallery without attracting
of it, and there was no official paper trail that could lead back to suspicion. Replacing McAllister with someone who maintained his
PISCES. Whilst McAllister did send occasional reports, these were “interests” was inevitably going to cause undue attention.
in the form of letters addressed to his great uncle Donald, who Furthermore, all previous operations to determine the extent of
was an unsuccessful, though persistent, science fiction author (the US occult research had drawn blanks. Thus a shift in emphasis was
letters themselves would be intercepted by MI5 agents in the Royal called for. PISCES did manage to install one of its people,
Mail who were unknowingly working for PISCES – sensitive Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wheeler, as McAllister’s replacement.
names and locations in the letters were enciphered by McAllister, Wheeler had served in military intelligence in Korea, and was
but for the most part information was in plain text). By effectively recruited into PISCES following his debriefing of a captured
hiding in plain sight, McAllister could simply claim that he was North Korean colonel who claimed to have information on a
sending story ideas to his uncle, a quite innocent and legitimate creature living in a series of abandoned mine workings. Whilst not
thing to do. The reasoning went further: what sort of intelligence involved in subsequent operations to investigate this, Wheeler did
organisation would create an incident over the suspicion of know enough to make him a worthwhile recruitment target. His
espionage against paranormal activities? After all, not only would approach to the Gallery was somewhat more detached than
this be a direct admission of its own interest in the occult, but who McAllister’s. Due to his military intelligence experience in Korea,
outside that organisation would take such allegations seriously. In Wheeler had extensive contacts with US army and air force
this way, even the worst case scenario (American discovery of intelligence officers and knew several senior CIA officers,
McAllister’s espionage activities) would prove to be completely although he was unknown to Delta Green. Not only that, but
deniable. Remarkably, despite its amateurism, the Gallery was Wheeler’s military liaison job called for his own small office in the
never compromised or even seriously investigated by the US Pentagon, which put him in proximity to even more potential
intelligence services. In its first incarnation, the Whispering sources. Wheeler kept his eyes and ears open during this time, and
Gallery operated in this way from late 1949 until Col. McAllister’s had shortly built up a range of sources that would pass on a variety
retirement in 1961. of seemingly (to them) unimportant gossip. Under Wheeler the
The most obvious flaw with the information gathered by the Gallery’s primary emphasis was on the activities of the US
Gallery during this period was the lack of specific data on intelligence services. In particular, Wheeler’s background in
American occult research. This was in fact due to the lack of such interrogation made him especially interested in the CIA’s ‘mind
research, but the PISCES leadership was naturally unwilling to control’ programmes (such as MKULTRA and MKSEARCH).
accept that this was the case. Where the Gallery was successful was Whilst the Whispering Gallery network still existed with British
in examining the big picture. Paranormal occurrences popped up officers in the US reporting back to Wheeler, without the sort of
in the US from time to time, and word of these usually got back prompting towards the bizarre provided by McAllister the
via the Gallery or the Paragon Foundation sooner or later. The information imparted was largely mundane in nature. What it did
general outlook was of a sporadic but steady background level of was to provide Wheeler with a great degree of information as to
occult activity, which mostly ceased quite soon after its discovery. US military doctrine, and it was for this reason that PISCES was
Obviously McAllister assigned this to Delta Green activity. The able to exploit him as a tool in its own internal battles. It should
Gallery did have some remarkable successes during the 1950s, have come as no surprise that a man in Wheeler’s position would
including discovering the fact that Delta Green’s archives in the attract the attention of the mainstream British intelligence
ONI’s P-Division compound at the Norfolk naval yard in Virginia services, and in mid-1963 Wheeler was recruited by MI6 to
had been largely destroyed by fire following the breakdown of provide intelligence on US military thinking. PISCES was
Daniel Fries, a Delta Green cryptanalyst. The Gallery also became delighted. Not only did they have a source in intimate contact with
aware of the breakdown of Commodore Martin Cook, Delta the US military community, but the same source was able to pass
Green’s leader during the 1940s and 1950s. Its greatest failure was information to their biggest internal rival and blame it on the
to not to appreciate the significance of Roswell. Whilst the Americans! Whilst not a common event, PISCES made use of this
Roswell crash occurred before McAllister’s posting to the US, he avenue to distract MI6 from certain of it’s more colourful overseas
did become aware of the detachment of several former Delta operations over the next few years.
Green personnel to a new organisation known as Majestic-12. During the period of Wheeler’s tenure in the US the
However, his PISCES masters had given McAllister a strict information gathered about US occult research was minimal, but

Spring 2003 33
 PISCES: The Silent Service
the undercurrent of gossip about the existence of MJ-12 as an caused by an abortive attempt to restart the anti-matter reactor of
intelligence super-group was more magnified in the Pentagon. the Roswell ‘Bucket’, although Wheeler’s sources believed that the
Persistent speculation as to the existence of a crashed UFO was in underground explosion was due to the accidental detonation of a
circulation among Pentagon staff as early as 1965, and the tactical nuclear device in a storage facility. Despite these successes,
termination of USAF Project BLUEBOOK in 1969 merely served the intelligence gathered by Wheeler and the Gallery was of little
to fuel the rumour mill. Of course, no one took this gossip operational use to PISCES. The irony was that Wheeler was
seriously but Wheeler dutifully reported it back to his superiors (his effectively on the inside of the US establishment looking out, and
communication methods were more conventional than McAllister’s it was the Paragon Foundation that supplied most of the data on
– reports to MI6 went via his handler at the British Embassy in paranormal activity within the US during this time. Indeed, it was
Washington, whilst reports to PISCES were conducted in person the Paragon Foundation that alerted PISCES to the existence of
with a visiting PISCES officer once a month: easily disguised as American research into extra-sensory perception in the early 1970s
lunch with an old friend). As a result of Wheeler’s successes in (see Box 2). This failure, combined with Wheeler’s continued
establishing himself in the Pentagon, the majority of information inability to penetrate MJ-12 (the latter being unfair criticism as,
he supplied PISCES was concerned with unusual military activities. unbeknownst to PISCES, MJ-12 was too tough a nut to crack with
Things like commando operations in Vietnam and the Belgian the limited resources available to Wheeler, who in any case had
Congo which seemed to be sanctioned and run from outside followed standing orders not to attempt any such risky operations),
normal military or CIA channels, and the loss of USS Thresher and led to his replacement in 1974 (his successor as military liaison was
subsequent odd naval ‘training exercises’ off the New England a non-PISCES RAF officer) and the scaling down of PISCES
coast in 1963. Due to Wheeler’s lack of contact with Delta Green, operations in the US for several years. Ironically, Wheeler was still
evidence directly tying them to any of these events was limited, but to play a major role for PISCES’ intelligence gathering on the US.
PISCES were reasonably certain as to their involvement. In late Following his departure from Washington, MI6 hired him as
1969 Wheeler became aware of Delta Green’s fall from grace and deputy director of their North American desk from 1974 to 1980.
this was confirmed by informal discussions between former Needless to say, PISCES was more than happy for him to do this,
PISCES and Delta Green agents. Wheeler also became aware of and during this time Wheeler was effectively a PISCES mole within
the massive explosion at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in 1972 MI6.

Box 2: US Psychic Intelligence Gathering

So what is it about the American paranormal research program that PISCES is so concerned with? In reality, both the CIA
and the lesser known Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) have toyed with using extra-sensory perception as an
intelligence tool. The full story of such efforts is predictably somewhat murky and the extent of the US programme is still
classified, but some of the publicly known salient points are as follows: Between 1969 and 1971, US intelligence sources
discovered and confirmed a Soviet ‘psychic research’ programme (the Soviets called this ‘Psychotronics’). Worried about a
‘psychic warfare gap’, the US Congress approved the CIA to conduct research into the threat posed by the Soviet
programme.
From the early 1970s, the CIA funded research carried out at the Stanford Research Institute (and later the Science
Applications International Corporation) in Menlo Park, California on what was euphemistically called ‘remote viewing’.
These Remote Viewers were “psychically gifted individuals who were able to describe distant locations, often with
amazing accuracy”. The SRI studies claimed that such clairvoyant talents were latent in most people, and that the ability to
conduct remote viewing could be taught to normal people. This CIA-funded research was designated Project
GRILLFLAME, and was officially dismissed by the CIA as “unpromising”. GRILLFLAME was turned over to the DIA around
1980 and redesignated as the much better known Project STARGATE. A small number of the STARGATE Remote Viewers,
operating out of Ft. Meade, Maryland (the home of the NSA) were tasked with active intelligence gathering (via psychic
means) to locate such targets as Colonel Gadaffi (prior to the US bombing of Tripoli in 1986), Brig. Gen. James L. Dozier
(who was kidnapped in Italy by the Red Brigades in 1981, but released 42 days later), and to find a suspected plutonium
stash in North Korea in 1994.
One author claims that Remote Viewers were able to find secret biological and chemical warfare installations, identify
underground facilities and their purpose, and help find Iraqi Scud missiles during the Gulf conflict. Requests for remote
viewing intelligence reportedly came from the CIA, NSA, DEA, the Secret Service, US Coastguard, US Customs Service and
the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1995, the Washington Post broke the story of the existence of STARGATE, which was
confirmed by a statement from CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield in November 1995 which ran “The CIA is reviewing
available programs regarding parapsychological phenomena, mostly remote viewing, to determine their usefulness to the
intelligence community”. STARGATE was again taken over by the CIA and evaluated by external auditors. These included
Ray Hyman (a sceptical psychology professor from the University of Oregon) and Jessica Utts (a statistician from the
University of California-Davis). The Utts-Hyman report cited a 15% accuracy rate of STARGATE psychics (slightly higher
than would be expected by chance), but concluded that STARGATE research was poorly controlled and laxly judged.
The STARGATE project was officially shutdown soon after. Officially the US government spent around $20 million over 16
years on psychic research, although this is a comparatively small amount by US defence spending standards (over a
comparable time period, the Pentagon spent around $60 million on new toilet designs!).
With its own long experience of psychic Talents and the knowledge of what they are really capable of, the ever
paranoid PISCES leadership regarded such ludicrously amateurish American efforts as a complete smokescreen to cover
what they are really up to.

34 The Black Seal #2

 Perfidious Albion
The Wilderness Years: 1974-1983 defunct Delta Green. The problem for PISCES was that it had
With the removal of Col. Wheeler from Washington, PISCES’ little experience in investigating UFO phenomena and its
military intelligence gathering network in the US was effectively budgetary limitations meant it couldn’t directly take such an
terminated. Wheeler was still able to provide PISCES with some expanded role on itself. Furthermore all British attempts to gain
information gathered via MI6 sources, but this was comparatively definitive information relating to the mere continued existence of
limited. Worse, with the budget cuts affecting all branches of the MJ-12 had met with failure. How much more difficult and
British Intelligence services in the 1970s, no funding was available dangerous would it be to attempt to penetrate such an
to establish a new network. Intelligence on paranormal organisation? Thus PISCES could merely watch and worry about
phenomena in the US was now being provided solely by the developments across the Atlantic during much of the 1970s, in the
Paragon Foundation. With the official disbandment of Delta hope that MJ-12 would make a mistake sooner or later. Things
Green in 1970, the mid-to late-1970s showed an upsurge in occult were to improve a little following the election of the Thatcher
activity within the US, and the establishment of several cults government in 1979, at that time the current ‘R’ (Sir Michael
which PISCES was concerned over. However without the Wellington) was able to convince the incoming government to
resources or mandate for overseas action available to it, there was consolidate British government UFO research under an RAF
little that could be done. Of particular worry was the increase in detachment in the MoD known as Air Section 2, (see template
the number of ‘alien-abductions’ and cattle mutilation reports. p.414, Delta Green: Countdown). AS2 was (and is) occasionally
Equally worrying was the fact that the US government was consulted by shadowy ‘MI5’ officers (in reality PISCES agents)
seemingly not interested in these events. PISCES had assumed who needed somewhat specific information, and on occasion
that Delta Green would be replaced within a few months (they PISCES has covertly manipulated AS2 into ignoring certain events
hoped with an organisation possessing a little more in the way of or helping in their cover up.
subtlety and less in favour of the high firepower approach), but
this seemed to be wishful thinking. Then came rumours of ‘Men The Modern Period:
in Black’ asking questions about UFO’s, visiting abduction sites, PISCES Operations in the US since 1983
and subsequently covering things up. Clearly, someone was Whilst the election of Ronald Reagan as US president in 1980
interested in these things, the only questions were ‘who?’ and brought a visible warming of the “special relationship” between
‘why?’ The obvious answer was MJ-12. PISCES knew that several the US and the UK, it certainly didn’t make PISCES’ life any
former Delta Green personnel were detached to Majestic easier. The increasing budget for the US military and intelligence
following the Roswell crash indicating that, initially at least, MJ-12 services was a worry for PISCES who were becoming more
had paranormal interests and some experienced operators in the convinced that the US were exploiting occult technologies. The
field. An extensive reappraisal of the albeit limited Whispering new generations of stealth aircraft were one example of this, but
Gallery intelligence gathered over the last 30 years concluded in of yet more concern were the events leading to the fall of the Iron
1977 that MJ-12 was the American organisation responsible for Curtain and the level of operational intelligence available to the
UFO research. Previous assumptions had assigned this role to US military during the Gulf War. During these times, the US
USAF intelligence, which was responsible for the BLUEBOOK always seemed to be one jump ahead of the opposition. Most
investigations. It was also regarded as possible that MJ-12 had observers put this down to the US’s technical supremacy in
taken on the anti-occult responsibilities of the now (supposedly) satellite technology, but PISCES analysts with experience of

Major Martin arriving at Alzis’ Club Apocalypse...

Spring 2003 35
 PISCES: The Silent Service
psychic Talents were less certain and believed that such
intelligence may have been gathered by paranormal means (they
were partially correct – the information had been provided by the
Greys as part of ‘The Report’ and had been edited and distributed
to the US military via MJ-12).
Whilst this assessment would take some time to manifest,
things took an unexpected turn in 1983. Following the failure of
the British intelligence services in predicting the Argentinean
invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982, the leadership of
PISCES changed early in 1983 (along with the replacement of Sir
Arthur Franks by Sir Colin Figures as ‘C’ the director of MI6 in
1982). The new ‘R’, Admiral John Tremayne, undertook a
complete review of all PISCES operations, and one of his first
decisions was to try and reduce Britain’s dependence on the
Americans for intelligence gathering purposes. The result of this
was an aggressive new policy on intelligence gathering within the
US itself, with the veto on infiltration of MJ-12 being lifted.
However, care would obviously still be required which meant the
use of unconventional sources. A side effect of the troubled
British economy of the early 1980s was the reduction of public
funding for scientific research, a situation leading to the migration
of talented British researchers to the comparatively well-funded
USA, a phenomenon popularly known as the ‘Brain Drain’.
PISCES saw the opportunity to take advantage of this and made
approaches to certain key academics who were seen as prime
recruitment targets. Most of these were theoretical physicists and
mathematicians (PISCES had a good idea of what fields to
concentrate on due to their own researches in ‘medieval
metaphysics’) about to cross to the US. The approaches were
carefully disguised so as to appear to come from MI6 and resulted
in the recruitment of several ‘sleeper’ agents in the expatriate Godot arrives...
scientific community, mostly working for NASA or the US
Department of Energy in places such as the Ames and Johnson was decorated Greenjackets officer and veteran of the Falklands
Spaceflight Centers, or the Los Alamos, Lawrence-Livermore, and and Northern Ireland Major Robert Fellowes. As a member of
Sandia National Laboratories. The academics would have access to Britain’s Defence Intelligence Staff, Fellowes’ official role was as a
US space and atomic technology, and be routinely under junior intelligence liaison officer, and he quickly became well
observation by US counter-intelligence services (especially the known in the Pentagon for having a side interest in things
FBI), but PISCES was not interested in such mundane matters. paranormal. This was a conscious strategy by PISCES, who
The sleeper agents (eight in all) were under orders not to go out reasoned that institutional memory of the McAllister days would
of their way to pry (as that would attract too much attention) nor have evaporated over time and, even if Fellowes’ interests were
attempt to contact anyone unless they had (preferably) definitive challenged, this would most likely be explained away as
evidence or else very strong “reasonable suspicion” that the US coincidence. Following his promotion to Lt. Col. in 1994
was in possession of “non-human origin” scientific materials or accompanied by being made chief of intelligence liaison in 1995
otherwise inexplicably advanced knowledge. The hope within and a subsequent promotion to Colonel in 1998, Fellowes remains
PISCES was that one or more of these academics would be PISCES’ man in Washington. Since 1996, Fellowes has been aided
recruited into MJ-12 or at least gain access to some of their in part by a deputy officer residing in New York as a member of
materials. Communication was not to occur within the US, but the the British diplomatic mission to the United Nations. This officer,
agent should return to London (with their family if applicable) Major William Martin, was put in place by PISCES to act as a
before contacting their handler. The academic network was more aggressive counterfoil for Fellowes, and is used as the
codenamed ‘Godot’ (as in “waiting for”) and seven of the eight principal PISCES agent for extended field investigations and other
original members are still regarded as operational along with less pleasant tasks. Fellowes has become an extremely busy man of
another four agents added to the network in the early 1990s. late, since one of his roles as a ‘legitimate’ intelligence liaison
Another aim of the PISCES review was to step up informal officer involves the co-ordination of military data transfer
surveillance of US military installations by re-establishing the between the US and UK… something which has obviously
Whispering Gallery network. However, this was not to prove as boomed since the start of the war on terrorism. This increased
easy as initially anticipated. During the post-Wheeler years, MI6 workload has lead to a drop in the time that Fellowes is able to
had managed to place a succession of their agents into the British devote to his PISCES interests, something that displeases his
military mission to Washington, and PISCES was hardly likely to superiors greatly.
ask them to move one of their people away. Thus a waiting game Fellowes’ strategy is to operate the Whispering Gallery in low
ensued, with PISCES unable to manoeuvre one of their officers key fashion similar to his predecessors. As a senior officer in
into place until the expansion of the mission at the onset of the British Defence Staff (Washington) [BDS(W)] he is able to
Gulf operations in 1990. The new PISCES director of the Gallery cultivate contacts with British and American officers in a variety of

36 The Black Seal #2

 Perfidious Albion

Box 3: The Shan Agenda in the US (and why they don’t rule the world)
Obviously, the PISCES leadership have their own motives for espionage against certain elements of the US scientific and
intelligence communities. This is due to the influence of the Shan on PISCES (as detailed in Delta Green: Countdown).
The Shan are especially interested in everything to do with US space technology, as it could hold the key to their escape
from Earth. Thus they have made considerable efforts to court NASA via the exertion of political leverage on their
collaborators in the European Space Agency, and are desperate to get hold of the rumoured ‘alien technologies’
possessed by MJ-12. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Following the ‘terrorist attack’ on the US Embassy in
London’s Grosvenor Square (in actuality a PISCES assassination attempt on a group of Delta Green agents who had been
asking some awkward questions) which resulted in the capture of a dead shan by US authorities, PISCES have suddenly
become very preoccupied with what the US intelligence community knows about them and their principal foe in the UK
(the Army of the Third Eye). Normally, the Shan infested PISCES leadership would simply arrange the disappearance of
everyone who they thought were close to the truth. However, it came as a shock to the Shan tenants of the PISCES
leaders when they were informed of PISCES’ helplessness in American affairs (to a shan, one human is much the same as
the next and subtleties such as national sovereignty are an alien concept to them). This weakness is a major problem for
the Shan, and is enhanced by the fact that none of their permanent agents in the US is a shan host. The reason for this is
simple. Shan numbers have always been limited due to their long life cycle and all available Shans are needed to control
PISCES and expand their influence over the British government. A second factor is that the risk of exposure by sending
shan hosts overseas is great. Should an injury befall the host, the possibility of the shan falling into the hands of hostile
human powers and thus revealing their existence is unacceptable to the Shan. After all, it’s not as if PISCES would be as
able to cover up such a lapse in Los Angeles as they could in London. The third factor is more subtle. Put simply, shans
are afraid of flying.
Any form of extended air travel is at the least uncomfortable and at worst unbearable for shans. Commercial airliners fly
above the protective layer of clouds that act to absorb or dissipate much of the peculiar brand of solar radiation harmful
to the insects. Whilst the human host is immune to such wavelengths (although levels of cosmic radiation exposure for
aircrew and frequent flyers are several times higher than for the earthbound masses, this increased exposure is generally
regarded as harmless in radiological terms) for the shan it’s like having an intense itch that gets more and more
worrisome until the shan is forced to exit the host and seek shelter. Night flights are somewhat more bearable but, as
frequent travellers know all too well, delays happen with amazing frequency (in the author’s experience, around 80% of
transatlantic flights have a delay of greater than an hour!). Coupled with moving between different time zones, jet lag,
and the problems associated with dehydration and deep vein thrombosis, air travel is not something shans enjoy in the
slightest.
There are several solutions that PISCES has tried with various levels of success. The first was cutting the amount of time
in the air, which results in a lowering of the total radiation exposure time. If transatlantic travel is essential, then Concorde
is the preferred option for shans and their hosts. In any event, PISCES’ Shan hosts always travel first class to minimise the
risk of unexpected medical complications. Devious Keepers should be able to construct no end of conspiracy theories
from the crash of Concorde in Paris in June 2000. Since this tragedy and the subsequent grounding of the world’s only
supersonic airliner, Severn Aerospace has been under pressure from PISCES leadership to work on a new supersonic
transport. In the meantime however, SAe has been retrofitting a pair of executive jets with an unusual amount of
radiation shielding for PISCES’ use. The second option was developed as a result of PISCES’ biological research, and is a
drug codenamed ‘SILVER’ due to its harsh metallic taste. SILVER essentially anaesthetises the shan from the effects of the
unknown radiation by fixing it between dimensional ‘phases’ in the host. The side effect of this is to negate the shan’s
control of the host for the duration of the drug (which can be dosed to act between three and 12 hours at a time). The
effects on the human host are minimal, but the risk to the shan is nothing short of total discovery – if the host can get to
someone who is prepared to believe that there is a giant alien insect living inside his head, that is. A range of ‘air rage’
scenarios (as an example) could result from a distraught human host freed from the influence of his shan as a result of
taking SILVER at the outset of a flight. The standard procedure for using SILVER is to give the host a single dose of the
drug, timed for the duration of the flight, to be taken when the aircraft takes off. The problems with flights delayed in the
air should be obvious. Thus, only the most trusted and experienced shans and their hosts are chosen for such a risky
treatment.
The final (and safest) option is to send the shan and host abroad via sea. Naturally, this is precluded for time-sensitive
missions, but for Keepers this option is attractive (after all, what could be more fun than playing hunt the Shan on the
QE2?).

locations in both the US and those recently returned from federal agents in the field was to deliberately cause the fire that
overseas. His curiosity was piqued by events at the 1991 siege of devastated the buildings so as to either ensure the lack of
David Koresh’s Branch Davidian sect in Waco. Fellowes was survivors or destruction of physical evidence. That a cover up was
responsible for debriefing two senior SAS officers who were subsequently launched he is certain of, as too many facts don’t tally
unofficially called in to ‘consult’ by US Special Forces officers just with the credible testimony he heard from the SAS men.
prior to the assault on the compound. These officers noted an Obviously, some of this was to secure the reputation of the Justice
unusual chain of command and suspected that the aim of certain department, but it tallies with a pattern of cover-ups and federal

Spring 2003 37
 PISCES: The Silent Service
involvement in a variety of incidents he has become aware of Mine detecting
through the Gallery since. In actuality this is due to reconstituted can be an ugly
‘unofficial’ Delta Green operations, but he hasn’t been able to business...
draw this link – yet. A further field of interest is the existence of
the individual known as Stephen Alzis. Alzis had been a rumour to
PISCES agents worldwide since the late 1950s as a collector of
occult books and artefacts. Naturally, such an individual would be
of interest to PISCES, but, for some reason, was (apparently)
never fully investigated by them until 1992, when several artefacts
were purchased at auction (at Sotheby’s) by agents subsequently
found to be acting for Alzis. The resulting enquiries into Alzis
raised some worrying facts – not the least of which being
documented proof of his death on at least seven occasions since
1946. PISCES was able to trace Alzis to New York, and is aware
of his association with the nightclub known as Club Apocalypse.
One of Maj. Martin’s tasks is to investigate Alzis and make a
recommendation for any sanction by PISCES if appropriate.
Martin is a regular at Club Apocalypse (since discovering his name
was inexplicably ‘on the list’) and whilst cautious, it is only a matter
of time before he is drawn into one or another of Alzis’ many
webs. Lately, Fellowes has been under pressure from his PISCES
superiors in London to place officers in USSPACECOM
installations (especially Cheyenne Mountain) and to obtain
information about MJ-12, something he is decidedly lukewarm
about. Fellowes cannot see a reason to concentrate PISCES’
limited US resources on space invaders. His belief is that more
concerted efforts in these super-sensitive areas will only attract
attention and lead to the exposure of the network and possibly
compromise PISCES itself. His interests lie in more obviously
‘paranormal’ occurrences, not to mention the increased
conventional intelligence workload placed upon him following the
terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 on the United States. This
attitude is likely to lead to his eventual replacement as PISCES’
chief in the US.
Detectors’). These locals will invariably be paid well to ensure their
co-operation, but will seldom be told directly of any occult
PISCES Methods in the US implications of their investigations, and absolutely never informed
Whilst the methods used in PISCES’ espionage against the US whom they are really working for. A standard ploy in investigation
intelligence community have been mentioned above, these of a cult is for PISCES to use a pair of elderly agents to pose as
operations are by their very nature long term in scope. Short term an out of town (not British) couple (‘The Johnsons’) whose
operations, only a limited number of which are carried out, rely on son/daughter has been inducted into the cult in question. The
more direct approaches and whilst they may be coordinated and Johnsons hire a private investigation firm to get dirt on the cult in
carried out with the knowledge of Col. Fellowes, this is by no question using “any means necessary” with a large cash advance
means always the case. The main concern of PISCES has always paid up front. Should anything untoward happen, the Johnsons
been to ensure absolute secrecy in its missions, and this especially simply disappear, leaving the investigators to face the music (both
applies to operations within the United States. To fulfil this goal, the cultists and the authorities) alone. In this way no trail back to
whilst still being operationally effective, PISCES generally runs it’s PISCES exists and the dangerous cults can often be identified
activities via the overseas fronts – the most important of which is through the demise of the local investigators. In the event that the
the Paragon Foundation (see Box 1). Paragon operatives are in initial stages of an investigation find evidence of illegal activity by
effect the face-men for PISCES, doing the legwork chores of the target, US law enforcement agencies may be called in (by the
question asking and data gathering through legitimate means. Johnsons or by Paragon investigators) to take over the case and
However, the nature of modern occult intelligence work PISCES will simply watch to determine the outcome (and may
sometimes requires extra-legal activities ranging from covert take further, more direct, action if later needed).
surveillance, through illegal telephone taps and bugging, up to Although the majority of operations are strictly observational
breaking and entry. The use of Paragon in jobs requiring such in nature, certain high priority operations (which tend to stem
activities is rather more limited, due to the possibility of attracting from the use of Mine Detectors, as described above) are much less
unwanted attention from the authorities. In these cases, more subtle and will use a team of PISCES agents especially assembled
indirect methods are warranted, and several major options exist and infiltrated into the US either legally or illegally (via the
for PISCES. Canadian or Mexican borders, or by sea). These agents will be
In low priority investigations, such as preliminary examination brought in for a single specific purpose and will generally have
of unconventional religious organisations, external operatives are appropriate expertise (normally of the military variety).
brought in. Typically, these would be private investigators hired Untraceable weapons and other equipment (night vision gear,
from the local area (in PISCES parlance these are called ‘Mine

38 The Black Seal #2

 Perfidious Albion
explosives, surveillance equipment etc.) will be made available – Important Individuals:
exactly what and how is at the Keeper’s discretion. The PISCES PISCES Agents in the United States
team will act directly to neutralise (kill, demolish, or otherwise
mangle) the target and then get the hell away. Such teams are
Col. Robert Fellowes
generally one shot, with the agents not being sent back to the US
PISCES Ambassador to the Pentagon, age 47
again except in very dire need. Naturally, such operations don’t
Race: Caucasian (English)
happen often, due to the level of unwanted attention they draw,
STR 14 CON10 SIZ 11 INT 16 POW 11
but recently the frequency of such missions has increased
DEX 12 APP 11 EDU 17 SAN 50 HP 11
somewhat due to a more aggressive stance by the PISCES
Damage Bonus: +1d4
leadership.
Education: Eton and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
Occupation: BDS(W) Intelligence Liaison Officer
PISCES-based Scenarios in the US Skills: Bargain 65%, Credit Rating 70%, Computer Use 30%,
Whilst there are certain challenges associated with running a Cthulhu Mythos 5%, History 50%, Law 35%, Library Use 45%,
PISCES campaign in the United States (particularly for UK-based Listen 40%, Logistics 40%, Military Science 60%, Occult 20%,
Keepers who have never crossed the pond), such a task need not Persuade 60%, Psychology 75%, Spot Hidden 35%, Survival
be as daunting as it appears. The purpose of the preceding 20%
information is to provide some deep background as to PISCES Languages: English (own) 80%, French 40%
methods, motives, successes, and failures in anti-American Attacks: FN-Browning HP pistol 40%, 1D10
espionage. However, as with any such article, nothing is to be Enfield L85A2 (SA-80) Assault Rifle 45%, 2D8
regarded as ‘canon’ and Keepers are encouraged to mix and match
the parts they like and ignore anything they don’t like. Two major Physical Description: Fellowes stands just over 6’tall,
options for investigation styles exist. The first is a Whispering having regulation length
Gallery based campaign, likely focused on attempting to penetrate red hair and a neat
either MJ-12 or Delta Green. Investigators here will probably be moustache. Apart from a
serving British military officers assigned to cross-train or liaise with small scar over his right
various units in the US military. They may be either pre-existing eye (sustained in a
PISCES agents or become recruited during the course of the helicopter crash, as
campaign. This campaign type is well suited to more subtle players, detailed below) and an
who require little in the way of thrills and spills (although expansive, ready smile, his
opportunities for the latter abound: it is possible for example that physical appearance is
British military personnel [especially special forces types] assigned otherwise unremarkable.
to the US become unwittingly involved in a Delta Green
operation…devious Keepers will already be considering the sort of History: The son of a
nightmares that they can inflict on hapless investigators caught up minor aristocrat and
in such a mess). In the author’s opinion, this is a hard, but very senior British diplomat to
worthwhile, route to a US-based campaign as it will require a great Canada, Fellowes passed
deal of planning to be successful. through Sandhurst,
The second major campaign option is a more ‘conventional’ gaining a commission with the Royal Greenjackets, and was
Call of Cthulhu route, utilizing the Paragon Foundation as an decorated following service in both the Falklands and
umbrella organisation for the investigators. With a little work, Northern Ireland. It was during his second tour in Belfast that
almost any published scenario could be adapted to use the Paragon he came to the attention of PISCES. During a routine patrol,
Foundation. Indeed, this has certain advantages for long-term the helicopter in which his unit was travelling came under
campaigns in that a number of twists can be introduced. The most attack from an “aerial creature”, downing it and resulting in
obvious is that the investigators will be unaware of the true nature the death of six of his men. The affair was rapidly hushed up
of their employer, and over time may be led into investigating the by the ‘Intelligence Service’ investigation, which attempted to
Paragon Foundation itself. Potential investigation targets abound shut Fellowes out. However, his persistent enquiries and string
and range from Phenomen-X, through the Karotechia, to Delta pulling to find out what really happened led to an interview
Green or even PISCES itself. Alliances between various strange with a PISCES recruiter and eventual transfer to the Defence
bedfellows can be forged and broken, and who knows what sort of Intelligence Staff in 1986, where he was occasionally called
perils (both human and otherwise) will need to be overcome. upon by PISCES to grease the wheels for some unusual
A final possibility is that the information here can be utilised personnel re-assignments and equipment loans. With the
in the context of an ongoing PISCES or Delta Green campaign. clandestine support of his PISCES mentors, Fellowes rose
In the former case, it may make an interesting change of pace for through the ranks until his rotation into the NATO
PISCES investigators to be given a job to do in the US where the international exchange program that resulted in his posting to
resources and authority that they are used to wielding have been the US. Here, his diplomatic contacts shone, and he has
stripped from them. Conversely, Delta Green agents investigating remained in various intelligence liaison roles for BDS(W) at the
the Whispering Gallery or the Paragon Foundation may stumble Pentagon ever since. Fellowes runs his operations in the
onto information about the extent of British paranormal subtle, low key style detailed above but, in contrast, maintains
intelligence and lead them straight into PISCES’ crosshairs. A great a reasonably high profile public life, and is often regarded as
deal of fun could be had (on either the PISCES or Delta Green the life and soul of whichever party he is currently working.
side) by trying to track down a defecting Godot sleeper agent who Indeed, this is essential for effective gathering of the low level
is on the run from MJ-12. intelligence his extensive contacts are only too happy to

Spring 2003 39
 PISCES: The Silent Service
provide. Of late, Fellowes’ work duties have dramatically vessel straight to the bottom of Kowloon Bay. Not surprisingly,
expanded; resulting in more limited opportunities to press the he came to the immediate attention of PISCES who recruited
flesh at Washington soirées, and this has led to a reduction in him as ‘consultant’ for their naval operations and secured his
the level of information flowing out of Washington. It is this, detachment to NID. After a number of brushes with the
coupled with the increasing frustration of the PISCES paranormal, Martin’s name came up for promotion as
leadership at the lack of high level data on MJ-12, which is assistant naval attaché to the British UN delegation. PISCES
likely to lead to his eventual replacement. In common with all leapt at the opportunity, and since 1996 Martin has been their
PISCES operatives in the US, Fellowes is unaware of the Shan man in New York. Despite his Manhattan apartment and
corruption rampant in his seniors. ‘diplomatic privileges’, Martin leads a surprisingly austere
lifestyle and has little personal life, being the almost direct
antithesis of his senior officer in Washington. His previous
Maj. William Martin, RM experiences have etched certain images on his mind, and as a
The Man from P.I.S.C.E.S., age 35 result he tends to eat bland, identifiable foods and never
Race: Caucasian (English) touches alcohol. The latter is a consequence of Martin’s past
STR 15 CON 15 SIZ 12 INT 16 POW 10 drinking problem and the fact that he tends to lose his
DEX 15 APP 12 EDU 17 SAN 49 HP 14 customary self-control and lash out violently in response to
Damage Bonus: +1D4 drunken flashbacks. As a former Marine and Naval Intelligence
Education: BA. Political Science, University of London; officer, Martin remains a talented, resourceful, and dangerous
Royal Marine College, Portsmouth opponent. However, he has recently become more interested
Occupation: Assistant naval attaché to the UN in the various activities of Stephen Alzis and is currently
Skills: Boating 21%, Climb, 50%, Cthulhu Mythos 15%, attempting to penetrate Club Apocalypse… a far more
Dodge 60%, Drive 50%, First Aid 35%, Hide 30%, Jump 25%, hazardous task than he realises. Although he may soon
Listen 40%, Martial Arts (Tae Kwon Do) 60%, Military Science request help from PISCES in such investigations, it is only a
40%, Sneak 40%, Spot Hidden 45%, Survival 50%, Swim 45%, matter of time before he becomes drawn into one of Alzis’
Throw 30% many webs.
Languages: English (own) 85%, French 31%, Chinese
(Mandarin) 21%, Russian 31%.
Attacks: SIG-Sauer P228 pistol 85%, 1D10 Dr. Alexander Blackwell
M16A2 Assault Rifle 75%, 2D8 Unwitting MJ-12 Physicist and Godot Sleeper agent, age 51
Fairburn-Sykes combat knife 45%, 1D4+2+db Race: Caucasian (Scottish)
Grenade 30%, 4D6 STR 13 CON 11 SIZ 14 INT 18 POW 12
Fist/Punch 65%, 1D3+db DEX 10 APP 12 EDU 20 SAN 60 HP 13
Kick 35%,1D6+db Damage Bonus: +1D4
Mental Disorders: Alcoholism, Flashbacks Education: BSc. Physics and Mathematics, Edinburgh
University; PhD. Particle Physics, Cambridge.
Physical Description: Martin is a slim sandy haired man Occupation: Research Group Leader, Lawrence-Livermore
standing just under 6 feet National Laboratory
with a non-descript face, Skills: Astronomy 40%, Bargain 25%, Chemistry 61%,
except for his blue eyes, Computer Use 76%, Credit Rating 65%, Electrical Repair 30%,
which are furtive and alert, Library Use 90%, Persuade 35%, Physics 95%, Psychology
never fixing on a single 25%.
object for long and giving Languages: English (own) 99%, German 30%, French 20%
him an impression of Attacks: None
controlled tension.
Physical Description: A gaunt, thin man with thinning
History: William Martin grey hair and a hook nose,
started as an ambitious Blackwell stands well over
junior officer in the Royal 6’ tall and wears a pair of
Marines and was posted pince-nez reading glasses
to the Hong Kong on a chain around his
garrison. The then neck. He is soft spoken
Lieutenant Martin’s duties and retains a mild Scottish
included leading boarding parties onto junks crossing into accent despite his years in
Hong Kong waters from the mainland. It was during one of America.
these routine missions in 1989 that Martin got his initiation
into the world of the occult when he led a routine search History: A brilliant
team aboard a junk attempting to smuggle Tcho-Tchos into researcher in his chosen
the colony. During the search, Martin uncovered fresh human field of high-energy
remains and a compartment concealing a bloated Tcho-Tcho particle physics, and
priest, who proceeded to attack with surprising speed faculty member at
considering his bulk. The fire-fight was brief but bloody, and Cambridge’s Cavendish
Martin was responsible for the engine room fire that sent the laboratories, Blackwell was stymied for years by the lack of

40 The Black Seal #2

 Perfidious Albion
British science funding. Eventually he was recruited by the US recruitment by MJ-12. A series of subtle recruitment passes
Department of Energy to head up a programme at the were subsequently made, and Blackwell was eventually
Lawrence-Livermore National Laboratory in late 1986. Shortly provided with access to ‘advanced materials’ relating to his
before his departure, Blackwell was approached by a member work. Blackwell is suspicious of the source of these titbits and
of the British Intelligence community (MI6, he assumed) and is in two minds as to whether they constitute ‘proof’ of extra-
asked to keep an eye out for materials appearing to be of terrestrial contact. One major factor in his hesitance to contact
“non-terrestrial origin” and given a set of contact protocols to his handler is his American wife of 12 years and their two
memorise. Initially he considered this to be an elaborate hoax, children. His contact protocols make no provision for them
but agreed anyway. In mid-1993, he became involved in a and he fears the consequences for them should he betray his
series of unorthodox, and classified, experiments with high- employers.
energy particle colliders which yielded remarkable energy
outputs. Aspects of the design of these colliders were highly
unusual and troubled him, but he remained quiet and
continued the experiments. Four years ago however, his
immediate superior (unbeknownst to him, a MJ-12
researcher) committed suicide, placing Blackwell in line for

Box 4: British Defence Staff (Washington) [BDS(W)] Agency Template

Date Founded: In current incarnation: unknown. However UK-US military exchange programmes have
existed since the 1940s
Mission when founded: To manage UK national security and military interests in the US
Mission Today: Same
Jurisdiction: Limited to British forces stationed in the US
Headquarters: British Embassy, Washington D.C.
# of Personnel: Over 600 UK Civilian and Military Personnel in the US
Annual Budget: Unknown
History/Profile: BDS(W), in conjunction with the British Embassy in Washington, is tasked with
representing UK defence interests in the US, and influencing military thought and decisions made by the US Department
of Defense and the US National Security Establishment. A second major mission of BDS(W) is to enhance operational
compatibility between UK, US, and other NATO armed forces. One aspect of this is co-ordination of equipment
acquisitions between the US and UK (including nuclear procurement via the Trident programme), but also involves the
promotion of UK industrial (especially defence related) interests. The final task of BDS(W) is to report, analyze, and
interpret the US national security environment so as to support the policies of Her Majesty’s Government. The latter may
involve co-ordination or execution of ‘operational tasks’ within the Americas. Clearly, the tasks assigned to BDS(W) are
diverse, and the organisation is split into both military and civilian (Chancery) wings, both of which are headed by the
Defence Attaché (currently an Air Vice-Marshal).
The Chancery arm of BDS(W) is responsible for representing UK trade interests and co-ordinating defence acquisitions,
and is split into Defence Equipment and Defence Science and Technology (DST) sections. Defence Equipment’s Task is to
‘sustain and enhance the UK-US defence equipment and industrial relationship’ and deals with the commercial, legal, and
trade aspects of defence procurement. The DST group is responsible for fostering and maintaining UK-US government
collaboration on non-nuclear defence research and development. Also attached to the Chancery is the Command,
Control, Communications Intelligence (C3I) team, which is responsible for ensuring compatibility between UK and US
military information technology and communications equipment. All three sections report to the Defence Attaché via the
Washington-based Minister (Defence Materiel).
The military components of BDS(W) are, predictably, organised via the three service arms. The British Army Staff
[BAS(W)] is headed by the Military Attaché and consists of a small headquarters staff, along with British Liaison Officers
(BLOs) and British Exchange Officers (BEOs) stationed throughout the US, including at the UN Headquarters in New
York. The Army BLOs (currently 21 of them) are also known as Standardization Representatives (STANREPS) are stationed
at various US Army installations and are tasked with ensuring operational compatibility between the US and British
armies. Army BEOs (more than 40 of them) are part of the personnel exchange programme between the US and UK,
and fill a post in the other’s army for a two year period to study each other’s doctrine, organisation and procedures. In
similar organisational veins, the British Naval Staff (comprising both Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel) and the RAF
Staff answer, respectively, to the Naval Attaché and the Air Attaché in Washington. Both the Naval Staff and RAF Staff
have similar BLO and BEO programmes to those described above. It is important to note that both BEOs and BLOs have
their American equivalents serving with the British Military.

Occupation Templates:
Military Staff: Use appropriate template for each service arm
Civilian Staff: Bargain, Computer use, Credit Rating, History, Library Use, Persuade, Psychology; plus any 1 of the
following skills as a specialty: Accounting, Electronics, Physics, or Law.

Spring 2003 41
 PISCES: The Silent Service
Bibliography:

Gaming Material
Detwiller, D., Glancy, A. S., & Tynes, J. (1996). Delta Green.
Pagan Publishing. Seattle.
Detwiller, D., Glancy, A. S., & Tynes, J. (1999). Delta
Green:Countdown. Pagan Publishing. Seattle.
Detwiller, D. & Ivey S. (1998). Delta Green Eyes Only Volume II:
The Fate. Pagan Publishing. Seattle.

Non-Fiction Resources
Dorrill, S. (2000). MI6. Free Press. New York.
Good, T. (1988). Above Top Secret: The Worldwide UFO Cover-Up.
Quill. New York.
Hyde, H. M. (1962). Room 3603. The Lyons Press. New York.
Kessler, R. (1993). The FBI. Pocket Books. New York.
Lloyd, M. (1994). The Guinness Book of Espionage. Da Capo
Press. New York.
Polmar, N., & Allen, T. B. (1997). Spybook: The Encyclopedia of
Espionage. Random House. New York.
Rhodes, R. (1995). Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb.
Touchstone. New York.
Rhodes, R. (1986). The Making of the Atomic Bomb. Touchstone.
New York.

Internet Resources
British Defence Staff (Washington) web site:
http://www.bdsw.org/
A useful source of information regarding both BDS(W) and
the deployment of UK forces in the USA.

The Black Vault web site:

http://www.bvalphaserver.com/sections.php?op=
viewarticle&artid=72
Contains information and a number of useful scanned
documents relating to the STARGATE programme.

42 The Black Seal #2

A Stylish Death
By Andy Bennison

“An accident at the Grim Mire Nuclear Power Plant causes a genetic Smythe’s house to steal his PC and make sure that there are no
mutation in the local insect life. The authorities insist that the situation is other links to their group. If anyone gets close to the truth, they
under control, but when an adulterous couple is found horribly mutilated, will take the necessary steps.
crusading ecologist Mike Le Rocque suspects that government scientists are A fake web site has been set up with the hope of alerting the
concealing the truth. Mike must journey on a lonely voyage of self discovery rest of the cult to people showing an undue interest in Daoloth.
and face mortal peril as nature and science fuse to spawn the ultimate After making contact and verifying identities, the cult will send an
horror…” – Slug Attack! by Gideon Smythe e-mail with a link direct to their server, their god and insanity….

So runs the back cover to a typical novel from the pen of Gideon 2) The rumours are partially true
Smythe. His best selling ‘Slugs’ series numbers some fifteen titles Gideon Smythe did not commit suicide. He was murdered.
and contains a consistent mixture of action, shock horror and soft A rogue Delta Green cell has set up a series of web sites to
pornography. Despite the incessant critical panning, his loyal entrap cultists. Using their Cthulhu Mythos knowledge of actual
teenage fans buy his books in their thousands. incidents through chat rooms and e-mails they have found a way
Smythe’s latest novel Veiled Shards is a departure from his of sorting out the kooks from the genuine threats to society.
usual fare of fast paced gore and titillation. It concerns a lonely Smythe is an ex-journalist and used his skills and contacts so well
writer desperate to find meaning to his existence. Through the that the cell leader became convinced that Smythe was a cult
internet he comes into contact with a mysterious cult. As the leader. Such was her paranoia that she mistook his careful and
character becomes more obsessed and paranoid his fevered diligent research for something much more sinister.
dreams take on a frightening reality. He keeps pushing himself to Leading a small team, the cell leader murdered Smythe and
find out more. The final revelation proves too much and the hero faked a suicide. She even made Smythe write his own suicide note
commits suicide. before she forced him to wipe the hard drive of his computer. The
Veiled Shards has caused a storm in the small world of horror placement of the body and the state of the room has been
fandom, receiving rave reviews. Smythe’s fans are not too sure: all deliberately set out to mirror the end of Smythe’s latest book.
the usual elements are missing – there is no action, no sex scenes The cell leader’s superiors are displeased with her report. They
and no monsters. There isn’t even a happy ending. The prose is believe that Smythe was an innocent. This questioning of her
dense and moody. Sales have gone through the roof. judgement has finally tipped the cell leader over the edge. She is
The normally publicity shy Smythe agreed to make his first totally paranoid and convinced that she was right; she sees
ever convention appearance at GothHorrorCon XIII, but failed to conspiracies everywhere and trusts no one. She has cut off all
appear. Today Internet newsgroups are rife with the rumour that communications with her superiors and is working independently.
Smythe has been found dead, sat at his PC in a manner identical Her team is unaware of this. Under her orders they are carefully
to his protagonist in Veiled Shards. watching Smythe’s house, waiting to track down any accomplices
that may come sniffing around.
Here are three possible explanations: Her leaders have meanwhile dispatched a second squad to
find and neutralise the rogue agents. Anyone digging too deeply
1) The rumours are true into Smythe’s death will get caught in the crossfire.
Worshipers of Daoloth have made contact with their god by
taping into a stolen Soviet satellite. This link is being stabilised 3) The rumours are false
through a server that is storing an image of the god. As part of his Gideon Smythe isn’t dead; he was never alive to begin with.
research for the novel Smythe joined the group. Somehow, he Gideon Smythe is an in-house pseudonym used by the ‘Horror
hacked into their systems and saw a perfect image of the god. This Hovel’, Smythe’s publisher. The Slugs series is written by different
drove him insane. In a moment of lucidity Smythe has taken his authors who have all signed confidentiality agreements. The
own life. photograph of Smythe on the covers of his books is the brother-
His PC has downloaded some of the images of Daoloth, but in-law of the owner of publishing house.
it is currently inoperable. The police are at a loss to understand The recent non-attendance at the convention and
what has happened. Smythe’s reported death is a massive publicity stunt to further
The Daoloth cult is spread across the globe, but through boost sales of the book.
monitoring the newsgroups they have become aware of Smythe
and his unfortunate death. Two members are heading towards

Spring 2003 43
 Mind Games
By Brian M. Sammons

Harold Higgins was one of PISCES newest and most promising 2. Harold made his living as a fortune-teller before joining
Talents. He displayed the remarkable ability to read people’s PISCES. While he really couldn’t see the future, Harold could see
minds. PISCES had high hopes for the psychic, but alas, it’s too into the minds of his customers and tell them what they wanted
late for that now, for Harold has been murdered. Naturally, the job to hear. After joining PISCES, Harold was doing the fortune-teller
of finding out what happened to Harold and why, is assigned to bit less and less, but he didn’t quit soon enough. Harold’s body was
the player’s agents. discovered in his home, lashed to a chair, and showing obvious
signs of torture. Unfortunately for Harold, he wasn’t cooperative
1. Harold was far more psychically talented then PISCES ever with the demands of his last client, a young man named David
knew, but there is a reason he kept his full potential hidden. Lambrose.
Harold was, in fact, an ageless citizen from the underground city David is a homicidal, paranoid-schizophrenic in the extreme.
of K’n-yan, and more specifically, a member of the Brothers of Convinced that there’s always ‘someone’ out to kill him, David
the Yellow Sign. Some years ago, the Brothers decided to use the goes to psychics and fortune-tellers and asks them who his
United States’ intelligence community to further their own enemies are. After he is told, he kills the psychic so they can’t warn
relentless war against the Mi-Go. This was quite easy for them to his ‘enemies’, then tracks down the person revealed to him and
do, considering their massive psychic powers. After receiving some murderers them before they can attack him. David then returns to
useful information about the activity of the Fungi from Yuggoth, a normal, happy state, until his paranoia builds again and he must
perhaps even from Delta Green or Majestic 12, the Brothers find his new enemy.
decided to infiltrate other secretive agencies from around the Agents investigating this case will uncover a history of
world. The man known as ‘Harold’ was sent to the UK. murdered psychics, followed in a few days with a murder sharing
After moving like a ghost through MI5 and MI6, Harold the same MO, but of ordinary people unrelated in any way. Also,
became aware of PISCES and decided that the best way to enter the intervals between these homicides are getting shorter as David
this ultra secret agency was to pose as a normal human with becomes more and more unstable. This possibility is intended to
psychic gifts. This worked like a charm and soon Harold was give the agents a much needed break from the Mythos, yet it still
inside the covert company. However, unlike the other agencies he lets them have some creepy fun as they investigate the worlds of
had infiltrated, there was something wrong at PISCES. On more soothsayers and psychopaths.
then one occasion his mind reading ability picked up two
distinctive thought patterns within on person. One was human but 3. Harold’s life and death is like option 2, except that Harold was
the other was definitely alien. Wondering if the Mi-Go were up to tortured to death by the Cult of Cthulhu due to his reputation as
something, Harold investigated further, but he did not anticipate a psychic. Why? Because the Stars are soon to become Right and
the cleverness of the Shan, who soon uncovered his snooping. sunken R’lyeh will again rise. Cthulhu’s priests were the first to
The Shan, wishing to interrogate Harold, sent three PISCES sense their dreaming God’s restlessness and, not wanting a repeat
agents to pick him up, but Harold read the minds of these men of what happened in 1925, where sensitive people were
before they even knocked on his door. What followed was a forewarned about the rise of R’lyeh, the cult put into motion a
bloody affair, where one agent shot and killed the other two before long planned course of action. While the Cult of Cthulhu has lost
turning the gun on himself. However, Harold wasn’t quick enough many members and much power in these modern times, it is still
and one of the agents shot and mortally wounded him. Desperate a force to be reckoned with. They have spread themselves across
to escape, Harold sent a telepathic message across thousands of the globe with the intention of hunting down and killing as many
miles to his brothers in K’n-yan, then made for the airport but psychics and sensitives as possible before R’lyeh rises. While the
died of blood loss in the taxi before he reached it. Cult believes in the might of Cthulhu, they want no one pre-
The player’s agents should never have been assigned the case. warned and waiting for them when they attempt to release their
That was a mistake, a miscommunication between the Shan master from his temple-crypt.
overlords and their human puppets. Their agents will have a few Agents who investigate this case will notice an alarming trend
days to investigate before a trio of shan controlled agents pull rank in murders of people claiming to be psychic. Staking out such
and take the case from them. However, in that time they might people will eventually lead to a confrontation with the cult
make some interesting discoveries into the mysterious origins of assassins and from there, who knows? The Keeper will have to
Mr. Higgins. They will also be watched by four newly arrived decide when R’lyeh is due to rise. It could be a matter of months,
Brothers of the Yellow Sign that have come to investigate matters. or years, but in either case, what will the agents do about it? This
What happens next is up to the Keeper. Will the Brothers attack option is a great way to reintroduce the Cult of Cthulhu into Delta
the agents? What will the Shan do if the agents continue to follow Green, for they have been silent and hidden for far too long.
up on this case? Perhaps the agents and the Brothers will form an
unsteady alliance and this could be the start of the players’ long
journey to unravel the secrets of PISCES.

44 The Black Seal #2

The Wrong Man
By Nick Brownlow

The investigators are called to a PISCES outstation to take 2. The whole thing is a ‘loyalty assessment’ arranged by Internal
possession of a ‘package’. Upon their arrival, the ‘package’ turns Affairs, and the man is a PIA officer who will identify himself as
out to be a very confused and frightened middle-aged man who such to the investigators at the last possible moment. There’s not
has just undergone a seventeen-hour ‘debriefing’ at the hands of really a right way or a wrong way to act during the test, but the man
the Section’s most skilled interrogators. The Station Head explains will observe and record everything the investigators do and say
that the man was lifted by accident and subjected to interrogation from the moment they receive their instructions. Hopefully, no
following a case of mistaken identity, which has only just been one will act too rashly before he can explain himself.
resolved. Unfortunately, there’s no way that they can afford to let
him go now. The investigators’ job is to take him and get rid of 3. The pick-up team got who they were looking for; they just didn’t
him. Permanently. realise quite what they were dealing with. The ‘man’ is actually a
predator from the Astral plane, capable of perfectly imitating its
1. The man really is an innocent, who found himself in this awful victims, even down to their memories and personality. Having
situation because he shares his surname with a suspect in the fooled its captors into thinking it’s just a harmless old duffer, the
Army of the 3rd Eye investigation. The investigators have to creature is preparing to make a break for it. All it has to do now is
decide whether or not to whack him, and how to deal with it if go through the investigators…
they do (or for that matter, if they don’t).

New Skills - Continued from page 81 Gift skill (00%): This skill gives the user the knowledge of the
theory, practice and known history of the selected psychic ability.
The following skills can be replaced: The user cannot practice the psychic ability however, but may give
Delta Green skill: Keeper’s Companion skill: Page: advice to those who can. See Delta Green: Countdown p.222-225
Demolitions (00%) Explosives (01%) 185 for the psychic ability knowledge skills available.
Parachuting (00%) Parachute (01%) 196
Interrogate (05%): The skill of gaining information from an
New Skill Definitions: interviewee by close questioning. The better the interrogation skill
check result, the more complete the information gained. The
Alien Science (00%): The knowledge obtained from the systematic interrogator may use physical and/or mental pressure to gain
study of the structure and behaviour of non-human technology, information. Successful mêlée, Fast Talk, Intimidate, Persuade, or
involving experimentation, measurement and the development of Psychology skill checks may add bonuses to an Interrogate skill
theories to describe the results of this study. check. The skill may be used subtly to gain knowledge from the
interviewee without their knowledge, or overtly with the
Aeronautics (00%): The study or practice of the science of flight, interviewee’s knowledge.
including the design, construction, and operation and maintenance
of aircraft. Intimidate (00%): Allows the user to frighten the target(s) into
submission; acquiescence over a course of action; or coerce into
Clean (00%): The ability to remove all traces of evidence: forensic, compliance with the user’s demands, by fear or threats.
physical or data, from a crime scene. The skill grants the user
knowledge to effectively remove fingerprint, bloodstain, DNA, Occult skill (00%): The user selects an occult skill from Delta Green:
physical trace evidence, and communications data evidence by Countdown p.225-230.
obliteration or alteration. The skill also confers knowledge on how
to quickly dispose of items or corpses without leaving evidence. Xenobiology (00%): The scientific study of alien or non-Terran life
and of alien living organisms, including their structure, function,
growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.

Spring 2003 45
 Some Keepers may not have access to Delta Green : Countdown and players. Each organisation can completey replace PISCES as
or do not wish to use PISCES as presented. Instead here are four detailed in this issue and issue 1. Section H is still Section H and
partly drawn examples of alternative government-style Magonia is still Magonia, but the controlling organisation has
investigation organisations. The details have been left brief in changed...
order to allow the Keeper to customise the organisation to taste

By Nick Brownlow
“The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by the Terrible’s secret police), and created his own occulted secret
those who are not behind the scenes.” – Benjamin D’Israeli. service to investigate and exploit the find. Sidney Reilly was
dispatched to Russia with orders to infiltrate this group in 1925,
The Black Lodge was formed in 1896 by HMG’s special advisor, only to vanish and later be reported executed by the Cheka.
Sir Mycroft Holmes, following his family’s harrowing struggle The expansion of the Lodge’s international activities led to
against Professor Moriarty’s Starry Wisdom Cult earlier that same costly clashes with the Si-Fan Tong in Shanghai, and the Black
year. The Black Lodge was intended to be the Crown and English Brotherhood in New York. More importantly however, the Lodge
Freemasonry’s first line of defence against the threat posed by was able to ascertain that the power behind the Thule Gesellschaft
foreign occult forces – in particular the perceived threat of and the Vril Society – both key players in Adolf Hitler’s rise to
Rosicrucian/Illuminati influenced groups such as the Golden power in Germany – was the dread Cthulhu Cult. As Europe
Dawn and the Theosophists. Of course, it was always left to the prepared for conventional war, it became obvious that behind the
Black Lodge themselves to decide exactly what constituted a scenes, a shadow war between the world’s great occult powers was
‘threat’. also brewing.
Holmes gathered together a small circle of ‘experts’ – a Merrivale was forced to retire in 1934 due to ill health and was
‘league of gentlemen’ – and organised it along Masonic lines. succeeded by Bancroft Pons, who had the unenviable task of
Holmes himself was the Lodge’s first ‘Grand Master’, whilst the planning the occult defence of the British Isles. Salvation came in
first initiates included Arthur Holmwood, Dr. John Seward, the form of the mysterious individual who was known throughout
Edward Rassendyll and the author Charles Dyson. Early successes the war only by his code name of ‘Arthur’. Introduced to Pons by
included the resolution of the Dulcarnon Affair and the the occultist Aleister Crowley (who had been initiated into the
apprehension of Masonic renegade Doctor Abraham Lipsius. Lodge in 1929), Arthur was a brilliant strategist and a ruthless
By 1901, Holmes had successfully orchestrated the downfall military leader. Arthur waged all out occult war against the Nazis
of the Golden Dawn (which pleased the Lodge’s Masonic and their secret chiefs, negotiating the treaty with the ‘fish-men’ of
sponsors no end). Not one to bear a grudge, he astutely recruited Ahu-Y’hloa which foiled Hitler’s 1940 invasion plan, and
former members of the Order, even though this led to conflict assassinating the Nazis’ entire paranormal intelligence bureau by
with traditionalists in the Lodge who were concerned that Holmes sorcerous means at Castle Wewelsburg in early 1945.
was inviting the enemy into the fold. Whilst Holmes himself There were those in the Lodge that had serious qualms about
subscribed to the maxim that it was always prudent to keep your working with Arthur, however. The Lodge had certainly admitted
enemies close, he set a dangerous precedent that would lead to the their fair share of suspect characters in the past, of course –
Lodge recruiting many questionable individuals in later years. Edward Gavigan, Colonel Sebastian Moran and Crowley, to name
By 1923 Holmes had stepped down as Grand Master and but a few – but Arthur was conspicuously more threatening. It was
been replaced by Sir Henry Merrivale, the former head of counter- probably fortunate that he was killed when a V2 rocket hit his staff
intelligence at MI5. During the ‘20s and ‘30s the Lodge car in March 1945, the war in Europe all but over. Pons stepped
concentrated on expanding its international operation; largely at down soon after, to be replaced by Commodore Gerald Raymond,
the request of Sir Mansfield Smith Cumming – Master Mason and formerly of Air Intelligence.
head of the Secret Intelligence Service. Rumour had it that Lenin Today, the Black Lodge continues to operate from its secret
had stumbled upon the forbidden library of the Oprichniki (Ivan library headquarters on the top floor of the Diogenes Club in

46 The Black Seal #2

 Strange Histories

Playing Themes & Styles: The Black Lodge is a Masonic conspiracy over a hundred years old, and is beginning to
show its age. Women are prohibited from joining and entry to the Lodge is still governed largely by social position and
status. The ‘gentleman’s club’ approach to espionage traditionally favoured by the Lodge is dangerously outmoded in the
modern world, and the Lodge no longer plays much of a role in international intrigues.
The Lodge can still be used as a device to draw investigators together and put them on the trail of the Mythos and
other occult shenanigans, but the Lodge itself is ill-suited to life in the 21st Century, and many of the benefits of
belonging to it will depend on the individual personalities being dealt with rather than any kind of organisational
robustness. Much of the ritual and ceremony they are forced to engage in will seem like tedious, pseudo-mystical
nonsense. Keepers should emphasise the sense of antiquated formality and institutionalised stagnation.
There is also the strong possibility that the Lodge has been infiltrated by one or more sophisticated Mythos cults. The
Lodge has no conception of the Mythos as a monolithic danger to human existence, and instead thinks only in terms of
threats to England and certain aspects of the British way of life. Consequently, the Lodge has been happy to recruit
cultists whose aims do not necessarily conflict with their own. This willingness to compromise on ethical issues would
make it relatively easy for a Mythos cult to place its agents within the Lodge in this fashion.

Recommended playing styles: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Planetary, The Invisibles, Masks of the
Illuminati.

London, situated in Pall Mall. As per Masonic tradition, the position of Grand Master. This is not the 19th Century,
prospective initiates must formally request admission; given the however, and the social structure of England has changed
secrecy surrounding the Lodge, however, they are invariably considerably. Freemasonry no longer underpins the bureaucracy
approached first and informed that their admission would be and politics of the age and favours from ‘brethren’ are much
“well-received”. The ritual initiation typically takes place in one of harder to come by. The Lodge can sometimes gain access to
the upper rooms of the Diogenes Club, or at one of the Lodge’s classified documents or evade minor legal entanglements, but can’t
other privately held properties, such as the Pellgraine estate in summon squads of armed police as back up or (literally) get away
Buckinghamshire or Jermyn Manor in Cambridgeshire. The Lodge with murder. The Lodge is rarely approached or consulted
adheres to the basic Masonic degree structure of Entered anymore (not enough people know of its existence, and the many
Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, but as most initiates of the ones that do don’t take it entirely seriously), and instead
are already Freemasons, the Lodge has felt no need to embellish it relies on its own members to ferret out information. An ‘open
further. conspiracy’ in Whitehall, all occult-flavoured hearsay and gossip
Still funded by the Grand Lodge of England, the Black Lodge will get back to them sooner or later, and be investigated.
enjoys a certain amount of influence in the establishment, and at
least two former heads of the Secret Intelligence Service – Sir
Miles Messervy and Admiral William Hargreaves – have occupied

By Tobias Cooper
History and attached to the Home Office; Colonel Hardiman was
The Committee for Imperial Security was founded in 1863 appointed per manent assistant under-secretary at the
by the Prime Minister Edward Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, Home Office and continued to oversee the CIS until his
and Sir George Grey on the advice of the Commissioner of sudden death in 1892.
the Metropolitan Police Richard Mayne; its foundation It has been suggested that the CIS discovered the identity
followed the Hyde Park Riots and it was intended that the of the serial killer called Jack the Ripper, however no public
committee should investigate the possibility of announcement was made. In light of the discovery of the
organization behind the civil disturbances. The Committee Ripper’s identity and the problems that the police had
continued in this role utilizing a skeleton staff and officers encountered Hardiman began a system of recruitment from the
borrowed from various police divisions. universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London; these new
In 1883 Colonel Sir Marcus Hardiman, the then recruits, who were specialists in the fields of history,
Chairman of the Committee, surrendered most of the philosophy and the occult, changed the whole character of the
functions of the CIS to the newly formed Special Irish CIS and it became much more academic and cerebral, although
Branch and changed the focus of the CIS to the it was still able to draw upon the resources of the Metropolitan
investigation of secret societies and occult groups. and other police forces.
Following the shake up in the Metropolitan Police The Queen had been informed of the Committee’s
concurrent with the resignation of Sir Charles Warren in foundation in 1863, but when the focus of the Committee was
1888, the CIS was detached from the Metropolitan Police changed in 1888 Robert Cecil, the Prime Minister, decided that

Spring 2003 47
 PISCES: The Silent Service
given the Queen’s, at times obsessive, interest in the occult that the excavation. The 1993 events in Rwanda and Burundi
it would be unwise to inform her of this change. This was the sparked fears in the CIS of occult or Mythos manipulation of
beginning of the CIS’s disappearance from official records; the warring peoples. Although an investigation was launched
when Victoria died in 1901 it was not considered necessary to no evidence was discovered, but Dame Emma has ordered the
inform the new king of this relatively minor part of his file to be kept open. The Newbury Bypass dispute of 1994 was
bureaucracy. The CIS was never a large organisation, it rarely used as a cover by the CIS to exterminate a nest of Mythos
had more than twenty full time members, and its limited creatures that would otherwise have been awoken by the road
running costs were easily lost in the Home Office’s budget. development work.

Twentieth Century The CIS Today

The CIS would often utilize amateur ‘gentleman’ operatives and The CIS possesses all the powers of the police combined with
in many cases they became very reliant on these operatives. In a secrecy that enables them to bend far more rules than their
1919 Sir Pellinore Gawyne-Cust Bart VC was appointed to the more public counterparts. The CIS has contacts at all major
chairmanship of the Committee; he was particularly keen on universities in the UK and with some academic bodies overseas,
recruiting these ‘gentleman’ operatives and often funded their particularly in former British colonies. The CIS possesses a
expenses out of his own fortune. Sir Pellinore, and those he huge library of occult literature, including much from the
recruited, were limited in their outlook following a narrow view former colonies, and part of its ongoing work is the
of the supernatural, in particular with reference to the occult transmission of this material into a computer database.
beliefs of what we now refer to as ‘the developing world’. The rise of ‘new age’ beliefs from the 1960s onwards has
During the Second World War the CIS expanded been a matter of some concern to the CIS and many of these
operations from the United Kingdom to Europe and overseas. groups were investigated by the CIS. Those that appeared to
There were two major operations that affected the war on a possess genuine occult knowledge were listed by the CIS and
large scale; in 1942 a group of five operatives were sent either suppressed or recruited. It is these groups that have
undercover to Haiti in an operation to protect the Atlantic provided Dame Emma with much of her manpower; although
Convoys from Nazi-sponsored occult attack. In 1945 a they remain ignorant of the fact that they are working for the
sometime CIS officer was present in Berlin in the company of government; this can be seen most clearly in the Newbury
a Turkish occultist called Ibrahim Mallacou; although the Bypass protest.
events of that time are unclear it would appear that they were Emma Nash is a graduate of the University of London and
able to influence Hitler’s decision to take his own life. a specialist in religious history; she is also, at 37, the youngest
Following the death of Sir Pellinore in a yachting accident in Chairman of the CIS in its history. She has attempted to make
the South Seas in 1953 the CIS expanded its remit to include the CIS more proactive and widespread in its outlook; she has
the newly independent colonies. however always avoided involvement in purely religious matters
Under the new Chairman Professor Andrew Mortimer, the unless they can be shown to have an occult significance.
CIS recruited more specialists in Eastern and African beliefs
and generally expanded its library and other resources. Adventure Hooks
However Professor Mortimer discouraged the sort of proactive Players who have contact with New Age groups may find
investigation that had characterised Sir Pellinore’s time on the themselves working for the CIS without realising that they are.
committee and the CIS became a passive research organization. The CIS will push the group members towards cults that
This passivity continued under Mortimer’s successors; however concern them; they will also provide unexpected and
this passivity has prevented any infiltration by hostile forces. unsolicited help regarding information and documentation. If
The existence of the CIS is largely legendary, even within the they prove successful they may be directly approached by a CIS
Civil Service; however the current Chairman, Dame Emma agent, with an offer of long term employment. The group will
Nash appointed in 1989, has resumed Sir Pellinore’s policy of have to work successfully for the CIS over an extended period
recruitment of outside operatives. Dame Emma was appointed of time before they are told anything concrete about CIS; this
following the sudden death of Sir Arthur MacDougal in an will involve among other things an extensive background check
airline crash. Following the ending of the Cold War Dame and signing the Official Secrets Act.
Emma was quick to re-open channels with her counterparts in Players with an academic background may be approached
the former USSR. It was a combined team from these two directly by a ‘civil service department’ and asked to provide
countries that took advantage of Operation DESERT STORM information or opinions on particular cases. They will not be
to arrange the destruction of certain occult sites within the told which department they are working for and will have to
borders of Iraq. The details of this operation are unclear, but sign the Official Secrets Act before they are given any case
despite serious loss of life within the CIS unit the operation specific information. Once they are on CIS’s books as
was deemed a success. information resources they will be watched by the security
Other operations were less successful and an attempt to services and may be approached again. After a long period of
suppress a Mythos cult based in Serbia was disrupted by the time they may be offered a job with the CIS although these jobs
events of the spring of 1992. Despite requests from the Indian are few and far between.
government the CIS chose to remain aloof from the events Investigators may also encounter CIS agents while
surrounding the Babri Masjid and the resultant religious investigating cases. Depending on whom these agents are and
turmoil has marred relations between India and the CIS. At how the investigators react to them there may be repercussions.
home the discovery of Boxgrove Man led to confirmation of These repercussions may include police intervention and
some of the more outré theories of human development and government monitoring; there may also be work problems and
the CIS reacted rapidly to release a more acceptable report on other subtle harassment.

48 The Black Seal #2

 Strange Histories

By Adam Crossingham
The failure of HMS Selene in 1927 didn’t dishearten naval and unusual contacts. The reason for this was undefined until
intelligence or the Great Race of Yith. Using their mind control Rudolf Hess’s defection in 1941. Hess had flown to Britain in a
techniques the Yithians were able to leave just enough clues to the misconceived venture to recover the Holy Grail, but had
extraterrestrial origin of HMS Selene. Naval intelligence found underestimated the complexity of the mission. Hess’s debriefing
enough of the clues and formed a special investigation section to revealed the extent of the Nazis’ interest in occult methods of war
discover more in order to gain a technological advantage. This and the hitherto unsuspected activities of the SS-Ahnenerbe
section became known as ‘Room 22’ after the quarters assigned to which was stirring up a hornet’s nest of Mythos activity in Europe
it in the Admiralty. The early results of Room 22 were sparse as and neutral countries around the world. Shocked by German
they were always second to the scene after the efforts of gun- advances, the British combined Room 22 and the UPF into one
toting amateur investigators. However Room 22’s commanding unit: the Combined Special Warfare Unit, which became a tri-
officer, Captain Edward Niles was subject to psychic interference service organisation under the command of Combined
from the Yithians, who pushed Room 22 slowly in the right Operations. The CSWU became the destination of all ‘unusual’
direction. The breakthrough came in 1937 when Room 22 was intelligence traffic.
able to secure the complete corpse of what was later described as The CSWU’s first task was to locate the Holy Grail that Hess
a ‘reptoid’ after a mission in the Welsh Grey Mountains. was looking for in order to deny it to the enemy. The mission was
Subsequent scientific study revealed that the corpse was wholly more complex than initially envisaged, and the CSWU failed to
unknown to science and appeared to be a cross between human find the Holy Grail during the war and passed this task to its
and reptilian stock. Emboldened by their success, Room 22 successor, who is still looking for it. The first major success of the
successfully encountered deep ones and put down two cults. CSWU was in 1943 in Averoigne, southeast France. Acting on
Also in the late 1920s, the RAF created a similar investigation intelligence gathered by SOE, the CSWU sent in a commando
unit after strange events at a ziggurat in Iraq in which a squadron team to disrupt the major SS-Ahnenerbe mission to the region.
of Rolls-Royce armoured cars encountered technology superior Key personnel were captured and important documents seized,
enough to be considered magical and took heavy casualties. The with few British casualties. The intelligence yielded by the
core personnel of the RAF’s unit, the ‘Unusual Phenomena personnel and documents allowed the CSWU to target further SS-
Flight’, were the civilian survivors of the initial Iraqi contact. Due Ahnenerbe operations. Being principally civilian, the SS-
to its unorthodox and direct approach to problems, the UPF was Ahnenerbe was slow to react, and the CSWU scored more
nicknamed ‘the Unholies’. The Unholies enjoyed considerable successes.
success against Mythos and cult targets in the British protectorates In preparation to the D-day landings the CSWU formed an
of Mesopotamia, Palestine and Egypt until casualties halted intelligence-gathering commando based on its existing raiding
operations in the late 1930s. The unit was posted back to Britain forces, codenamed ‘22 Commando’. 22 CDO operated in advance
for recovery and began the investigation of unusual aerial of the advancing Allied forces, securing premises, equipment,
phenomena. The material recovered during previous operations documents and personnel before the retreating Germans could
also went back to Britain and formed the basis of later research dispose of them. It was during this period that the Americans
departments. became aware of the focus of 22 CDO and its superiors, the
World War 2 saw both units encounter an upsurge in Mythos CSWU; and the activities of 22 CDO saw the nickname of ‘the

Playing Themes & Styles: DSI is designed to allow all sorts of campaign themes – smashing cults, investigating UFOs,
hunting the Holy Grail, paranormal research – whatever the Keeper prefers. But the Keeper should remember that in the
context of its history, DSI has had relatively little contact with the Great Old Ones – it has only met their servants and
cultists, and gathered tomes and artefacts. Section H may hypothesise that there are higher entities revered by the alien
beings they have encountered, but no definite proof has been found. Discovery of that proof would completely disrupt
the mindset of the organisation that has always triumphed against unknown entities. DSI may enter a period of
indecision in which the cult threat grows unchecked or it may throw itself suicidally into the fray.
Another thing the Keeper should remember is the influence of the Great Race of Yith. Every director of DSI, CSWU and
Room 22 has either been mind-swapped or mentally influenced by the Yithians to direct the efforts of DSI into routes of
investigation more suited to the Yithians’ scientific interests. If it isn’t in the Yithian sphere of interest then things will have
to get very serious before DSI reacts to it.
The Yithian influence could lead to some very interesting changes of policy and evidence recording. More observant
agents may eventually become aware of instances of policy changes overnight, nobody remembering what it had
previously been, or that it had even changed. Evidence or artefacts are ‘lost’ in the system because people have
‘forgotten’ that they were recovered.

Recommended playing styles: A mix of influences from the activities of Dr Who’s UNIT, Channel 4’s Ultraviolet
series and the New Avengers with a hint of the Yithian metaplot permeating everything.

Spring 2003 49
 PISCES: The Silent Service
Unholies’ being reapplied by fellow British troops. 1947; and secondly, paranormal experimentation including the
Overconfidence led to a major operation being wiped out in a development of remote viewing, mind-reading and telekinesis.
carefully planned and staged ambush by SS forces. Survivors were Investigation of the UFO phenomena led DSI to conclude that it
brutally interrogated and then executed at concentration camps. was real and that there was a guiding force behind it all. Hard
Future missions against the SS-Ahnenerbe became harder after evidence of ‘who’ or ‘what’ was more elusive, and would remain
this failure. Overall however, 22 CDO’s successes were impressive so until an incident in Rendlesham Forest in 1980. Paranormal
and shone new light on the occult advances of the SS-Ahnenerbe. experimentation also provided interesting results but only two test
It is rumoured that a unit from 22 CDO even made it as far as individuals were found to have any measurable ability.
Berlin, and were in the city as the Soviets took it. Late in the war, The early 1960s saw DSI shaken by a number of defections
a section of 22 CDO was transferred to the Far East with the to the Soviets taking with them details of the UFO investigations,
mission of finding and terminating the Japanese Unit 731 paranormal research and wartime results. The defectors were
experiments. The war however, ended before any major success mainly wartime recruits, all from SOE, who joined the service
occurred, and most of Unit 731’s records and personnel fell into before the introduction of vigorous psychic vetting procedures.
American hands. The 1970s saw the emphasis of DSI shift back to psychic research
The CSWU continued operating after the war searching and the investigation of religious cults. The 1970s and 1980s saw
northwest Europe for SS-Ahnenerbe stragglers, documents and comprehensive investigations and DSI’s first casualties since the
test subjects. None of the suspects that the CSWU apprehended war when agents were either seduced by the cult they were
ever made it to the Nuremberg war crimes trials as the Allies investigating, or discovered and eliminated by their targets. Today,
sought to cover up the Nazis’ occult activities preferring to blame the organisation still investigates dangerous religious cults, UFO
mankind’s inherent evilness rather than assign blame to alien sightings, and strange phenomena. It is also still looking for the
forces outside reality. Evidence suggested that the Soviets had Holy Grail, a primary task it inherited from the CSWU. The
discovered as much evidence of the Nazis’ occult research as the MoD’s AS2 is a front for the organisation, as is the Ultraviolet
Allies, if not more, according to signal traffic decoded by Bletchley insurance company, a Bristol-based company that offers
Park. The decision was made that the CSWU would survive the paranormal insurance. Research, computing and library out-
post-war unit cuts by being redirected against the perceived Soviet stations are dotted across the United Kingdom, and DSI’s
threat. From 1948, the CSWU would be known as the Directorate headquarters are in a rundown Sixties office block on Southwark
of Social Intelligence. Street, SE1, London.
The 1950s saw DSI focus on two different areas of study:
firstly, the UFO phenomena that spread across the world after

By Rik Kershaw Moore

What follows is a heavily abridged description of G19. For more falling into the BFG mentality that certain other games encourage,
information point your browser at: whilst still allowing an official backstop should things go pear
http://www.the-wolery.demon.co.uk/briscon/ shaped.
One final aspect of G19 is that it does offer the Keeper a
G19 allows keepers to run classical 1920s style scenarios in a chance to investigate non-Mythos related mysteries. Such
modern setting. This is possible since investigation teams are of scenarios can prove to be an exhilarating challenge to both keepers
gifted amateurs from civilian life rather than those drawn from and players alike. For those types of scenarios, Keepers should
various government agencies. This also has the added advantage think of the Avengers rather than the X-Files, and try to keep
that players must think along more classical lines rather than things light-hearted and quirky.

50 The Black Seal #2

 Strange Histories
Date Founded: 17th December 1912 SAS Barracks in London. Pendleton is the hard-man of the
Mission when founded: To investigate incidents considered to operation; as a skilled field agent Pendleton is the normal liaison
be of national significance, and to with the assets G19 required. Pendleton is fond of fast cars such
report findings to the Prime Minister’s as Mercedes Benzs, and BMWs. He also considers himself to be a
Office. ladies man. He thinks his partner is extremely intelligent and the
Mission Today: To investigate those matters deemed two have a good working relationship. Pendleton is definitely one
necessary by the Prime Minister’s of the old boys, and is considered to be the establishment figure
Office. within G19.
Jurisdiction: G19 operates around the world,
wherever an incident has occurred STR 15 CON 8 SIZ 11 INT 15 POW 13
involving any UK national. DEX 7 APP 7 EDU 16 SAN 65 HP10
Headquarters: Above Café Alonzo, Horseferry Road, Damage Bonus: +1D4
Lambeth, London. Education: Eton Boy’s School, Sandhurst Military Academy,
# of Personnel: 3 permanent staff, 500+ G19 cleared and Cambridge Circus.
volunteer reserves. Skills: Bargain 55%, Climb 40%, Disguise 60%, Law 45%,
Annual Budget: £2.4 million. Library Use 65%, Listen 45%, Psychoanalysis 20%, Psychology
History / Profile: Government Investigation Section 19 45%, Sneak 50%, Spot Hidden 55%, Surveillance 55%
is a small department directly under the control of the Prime Languages: English 80% (own), German 35%, Russian
Minister. G19 was originally set up during the 1910s as a means by 50%
which small-scale investigations could be undertaken without Weapons: Browning Hi-Power pistol 65%, 1D10
having to go through the Byzantine bureaucracy of the time.
Because G19 has only three permanent members of staff: Guy Charles Harcourt, age 47
Pendleton, Charles Harcourt and a secretary from a temp agency, it Charles Harcourt is in his late forties, rather overweight and portly.
works by drawing on the knowledge and abilities of a large number He has a shock of black hair that is greying at the temples. He has
of approved investigators from both the civilian and armed brown eyes that have a twinkle about them. He tends to wear
services. This means that G19 can quickly gather the necessary comfortable blue suits, and tends to be considered something of a
skills and experience to meet a wide range of different situations scuff compared to his more vain companion. Charles Harcourt is
and investigations. an ex-Lloyds of London broker, and graduate of the London
G19 never advertises for investigators. New recruits are usually School of Economics. He is the brains of the operation. It is his
suggested by existing G19 Investigators. Those selected are first ability to match patterns and untangle complex plots that has lead
vetted by the security services before being approached for a some members of the intelligence community to nickname him
preliminary interview, and no matter what the outcome of the ‘Mycroft’. Of the two men, Harcourt is often thought to be the
interview they are asked to sign the Official Secrets Act. If the most dangerous as he is extremely devious and cunning. Harcourt
candidate passes this initial interview, then the next step is a sometimes despairs about the wilder actions of his colleague. But
gruelling nine-day training course on the island of Inishbarra off the he respects Pendleton, and realises he needs his partner’s contacts.
West Coast of Scotland. If they complete this course then the Harcourt tends to be a little more anarchic, and reads such
candidate has to pass a final interview before being accepted as a ‘subversive’ papers as the Guardian and the Independent.
G19 investigator. Being accepted means being given a G19 identity
card and a note being placed in the person’s records to state that STR 14 CON13 SIZ15 INT 18 POW 5
they are G19 cleared. DEX 6 APP 8 EDU 21 SAN 25 HP 14
However it may be months or even years before the successful Damage Bonus: +1D4
applicant is assigned to their first mission – mostly due to Education: Arnold School Blackpool, London School of
budgetary constraints. This explains why it has its base of Economics.
operations above a shabby café on the Horse Ferry Road rather Skills: Cryptography 41%, Law 85%, Library Use 75%,
than in a modern office block. Persuade 65%, Psychoanalysis 50%, Psychology 45%,
There are several reasons how such a venerable organisation Surveillance 45%
has fallen so low. Most controversially there is the idea that some Languages: English 105% (own), Latin 50%, Greek 70%,
covert group within HMG has asked that it be run down. Another is Russian 50%
that Margaret Thatcher never trusted G19, considering it to be a Weapons: None
useful rogue to be kept at arm length when not required. But
probably the real reason is because of a couple of incidents, in
Wiltshire and Yorkshire, which lead to considerable loss of life and
embarrassment for the government.

Guy Pendleton, age 51

Pendleton is in his early fifties, a thin well build man with short
greying black hair and a small trim moustache. He has sharp
intelligent blue eyes and high forehead. His military bearing is very
noticeable, and his face carries a small scar below the right eye. He
tends to wear close tailored tweed suits, and he usually carries a
bowler hat, although he is rarely seen wearing it. Guy Pendleton is
an ex-member of the Guards and MI6. He dines mostly at the

Spring 2003 51
 IN WHICH AN OLD FOE TAKES ON A NEW FACE Foundation became respected once more in scientific circles. After
Keepers wanting to run PISCES campaigns may find it difficult to Carlyle’s death in 1951, the society was renamed in his honour.
create credible sources of opposition. After all, if PISCES is so Before the Second World War, British intelligence was
competent at what it does, Keepers must choose to pit the group primarily focused upon Bolshevikism, and the rise of Fascism
against minor menaces, have them investigate the organisation caught them off-guard. New intelligence networks were needed in
itself, or send the agents outside of the UK. The Penhew-Carlyle many areas – including North Africa. The Penhew Foundation
Foundation is not a huge organisation, but is clever and rich in stepped into this gap, maintaining scientific neutrality on the
resources, so that it can form a credible challenge to a PISCES surface while using their contacts through out the region to gather
team over several adventures. valuable information for MI6. Even though the war brought
archaeological activity in Egypt to a virtual standstill, the
Foundation’s investments in American companies brought it
HISTORY through the war stronger than ever.
Since this time, the Foundation’s star has been on the rise. A
Sir Aubrey Penhew was an officer in British intelligence and an
new wing has been built on the old headquarters, and the building
amateur Egyptologist. In 1916, Penhew, forced by injury to retire
serves as a site for international conferences on Egyptology. The
from active service, endowed a foundation dedicated to the
society provides many scholarships and grants to enterprising
furthering the archaeological knowledge of Egyptian history.
young scholars, and it underwrites a number of television specials
Through his contacts in both academia and the British
on the glories of ancient Egypt. Any archaeologists among the
government, Penhew assembled a collection of antiquities that
investigators will probably have been introduced to the science
grew until new quarters at 35 Tottenham Court Road were
through the Foundation’s outreach.
established to hold its bulk. Sadly, Penhew was not to see the full
Eschewing the traditional connection of Egypt with
glory of what he had created. Joining American playboy Roger
“mummies, gods, and all that rot”, as Director Miley puts it, the
Carlyle in his expedition for Egyptian treasures, Penhew died with
Foundation’s exhibitions and presentations seek a holistic view of
most of his companions when Kenyan tribesmen massacred the
the ancient culture. To this end, the religious and spiritual aspects
group while on a restful safari.
of Egyptian society are downplayed, while agriculture,
The 1920s saw both triumphs and defeats for the Foundation.
architecture, politics, and everyday life are given a greater
On one hand, its holdings swelled with donations from many of
emphasis. This strategy has earned the Foundation accolades from
the expeditions it funded, and it gained some small fame when
academics. In addition, its attention to the continuity between
Howard Carter credited its assistance with the discovery of
ancient and modern Egyptian culture (not to mention its neglect
Tutenkhamen’s tomb. Scandal enveloped the Foundation in 1926,
of the ‘pagan’ religious elements of the past) is popular with the
when director Edward Gavigan died in a tragic hunting accident,
Egyptian people. The British government sometimes uses these
and a survey team directed by Henry Clive vanished in the sands.
connections to their advantage, thereby giving the society a minor
Penhew’s investments became shaky as the Great Depression
role in the maintenance of peace in the Middle East.
began, and many speculated that the young Foundation would
soon be gone.
Enter Roger Carlyle. The young man returned to the world in BEHIND THE SCENES
1931, with the spectacular tale of his commitment to a Far East The Foundation once served as a front for the Brotherhood of the
asylum by a disgruntled former employee. After the initial media Black Pharaoh, an organisation based in Egypt and dedicated to
blitz died, Carlyle took up Penhew’s interests, and was the return of the evil Nephren-Ka. The Brotherhood’s strength
unanimously voted to the directorship of the Foundation. When was broken in the mid-Twenties, and the Egyptian headquarters of
his relatives bought out his share of the family business, Carlyle the court came under scrutiny from government officials. The
used the money to shore up the Foundation’s sagging reserves. Foundation took this opportunity to cut its ties to the
After this, he embarked on a stunning fundraising campaign Brotherhood in Egypt. After all, their previous heads seemed to
stressing the importance of science and education, and the have little conception of the differences between two continents,

52 The Black Seal #2

 The Penhew-Carlyle Foundation
and the board of directors was less than happy at taking orders
from colonials anyway.
The cult was a curious mixture of upper-class British new
money and scholars on one hand, and Middle Eastern immigrants
on the other. The first group was able to gain the Foundation
access to the highest levels of British society and academia, while
the other brought in a steady stream of contraband (antiquities,
drugs, firearms – whatever was needed), converts, and sacrifices.
While the two groups did not mix outside of rituals, their
arrangement worked well. The group held monthly rituals at their
manor in the Naze of Essex, but for the most part allowed its
ritual observances to remain private, individual affairs.
During World War II, the Foundation earned the gratitude of
the Home Office by not only providing its network of
‘archaeological workmen’ as counter-intelligence sources, but also Sir Aubrey Penhew Roger Carlyle
through advising on possible Nazi interests in archaeological sites. Foundation fathers
Through this stratagem, the Foundation was able to keep much of
its organisation intact. In addition, their secret contacts with the document the area’s rich history, the archaeologists hope to find
Sonderkommando H and the Karotechia, through former the remnants of a lost colony of corrupted priests of Bast who
expedition member Johannes Sprech, kept them informed of the left Egypt at the fall of Nephren-Ka’s reign. Their moves are quiet
latest discoveries their foes made (or so the Foundation thought). and cautious; the lessons learned from the 1964 raid remain
On occasion, clandestine trades of rare items would take place strong.
between the British and German operatives. This was rare,
however – after all, the Foundation members were patriots. THE MURAL
For twenty years after the War, the Foundation continued its Despite what it might seem at first, the mural of Nephren-Ka is
activities. Their ties to the Brotherhood in Egypt weakened as the not that powerful a source of information. Nephren-Ka’s gift of
Middle East was wracked by turmoil. In 1964, they were rudely prophecy centred his revelations on Egypt and the future of his
awakened when PISCES agents stormed a minor cult ritual in priesthood. The bulk of world events are not depicted, or only
Limehouse. The Foundation had used its influence to help its shown in passing when they have an effect on the land by the Nile.
members under similar circumstances, but was not prepared for While the murals may not show all of World War II, for example,
government agents who smiled dangerously and invoked the paintings of the Deutsche Afrika Korps driving toward
Official Secrets Act. No one directly connected with the Montgomery’s defences might give clues as to what happened
Foundation was implicated, but it was clear that the time for a during that period. The Foundation turns up in some portions, but
change had come. their appearances are drops in a great sea of data.
Thus, the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh went A small team of historians and archaeologists pores over a
underground. The Egyptian cultists dispersed, teaching their detailed set of photographs of the mural. Balancing secrecy
children the ways of Nyarlathotep and the signs of recognition in against the need for knowledge, this team has only retrieved a few
secret. The board and other high-ranking members turned to titbits of useful information from the material available.
expeditions, fundraising, and enhancing the reputations of the Interpretation is often a troublesome matter – if Martin Harris is
Foundation and themselves. After decades, the members grew soft shown walking out of a tomb with the Dagger of Thoth, is there
and lazy in their devotions to the Black Pharaoh, enjoying the any assurance that he and his prize will return to England? The
fruits of their labours. team does place a special emphasis on events in the immediate
Two years ago, the Foundation’s policies took a turn. Martin future, so the Foundation will not be caught unaware by
Harris, head of an expeditionary team, uncovered the existence of unexpected developments.
a cult of Nyarlathotep known as the Khabitas. Supposedly the In game terms, the mural will inform the Foundation if any
Khabitas were former priests of Nephren-Ka, taking on major setback will occur (such as a PISCES raid against the
supernatural powers at his death. Harris put little stock in that and, headquarters, or the discovery or loss of a major artefact). Aside
via sorcery and advanced weaponry, cowed them into showing from that, it may suggest new places for Foundation digs, or give
him the location of the tomb of Nephren-Ka. The tomb’s walls them warning of an outside force (such as a PISCES force)
were covered with pictures illustrating all of history until the End interfering in one of their investigations. The Mural may be of
Times. Each day, a priest rolled aside a few more inches of a minor assistance in a campaign – they may not be able to defeat
curtain, revealing the events for that day. the investigators, but it may give them an advantage against their
Harris walked over to the curtain, and pulled it down with one competition.
tug. With that tug, the Foundation entered a new era. Harris took Photographs are kept in a safe rigged with thermite in the
sets of detailed photographs, notified his superiors, and at their Foundation headquarters, and can only be viewed in a sealed room
behest, collapsed the entrance to the temple. with access controlled by keypad and fingerprint scanners. Each
The Foundation’s leaders move slowly, but they have made researcher is loyal to the Brotherhood, and keeps a detonator next
contact with their immigrant brothers. The obelisk that once stood to their hand at all times while studying. Further, only Miley and
outside their country manor has been transferred to an abandoned Harris (who liquidated the rest of his team) know the location of
RAF hangar at Woolfox Lodge in Rutland, and blood sacrifices to Nephren-Ka’s tomb. If anything does fall into the hands of the
the Crawling Chaos occur again. Using a dummy endowment, the agents, it should only be a few fragments that seed future plot
group has started a series of digs in Cornwall. Ostensibly to hooks for the campaign.

Spring 2003 53
54 The Black Seal #2
PISCES: The Silent Service

The Penhew-Carlyle Foundation was able to take advantage of

the World War 2 Blitz bombing and built a 3-storey extension
on to it’s original building, in the adjacent Percy Street.

The new wing can be accessed by Percy Street or the original

building. The new wing houses a lecture theatre, a dining/
reception area and a state-of-the-art conservation lab.
 The Penhew-Carlyle Foundation
USING THE FOUNDATION believed in, noticing the concerned looks on their faces. He didn’t
The Penhew-Carlyle Foundation fulfils a need for those running realize anyone was behind him until the Black Man took him by the
PISCES campaigns. In the setting as written, no credible Mythos shoulder and spun him around to stare into the emptiness of his
threat exists in the British Isles. Those running a PISCES eyes.
campaign must therefore run adventures outside the UK’s Miley joined the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, and soon
boundaries, or turn to investigating PISCES itself. The found that the family business was not an uncomfortable one.
Foundation is a recurring foe who can credibly exist in Britain Their techniques were strange, true, but they yielded results, and
without running against this spirit. what more could a businessman want? Besides, he now hobnobbed
The investigators may encounter the Foundation in any with nobles and MPs instead of his old set, which suited him just
number of ways. One of the best ways may be through an fine. His ambition was rewarded, and he joined the Board of
investigation by PISCES’ archaeological arm, Section H (see ‘Let Directors, later becoming the chairman and de facto high priest of
Sleeping Gods Lie: PISCES Section H’ in The Black Seal #1). Perhaps the organisation. His house and stock portfolio are stellar, and his
one of their digs is beset by supernatural deaths, or a recent wife Cynthia has stayed with him through it all (she has no idea as
acquisition bears a curse. It is also possible that the players might to the unusual aspects of his life). His son Rupert may be better at
uncover a minor branch of the Brotherhood operating in London, pressing flesh and making contacts than his old man, and is
running guns and kidnapping the occasional victim. (In such a preparing for his bar examination and a lengthy career in politics.
case, it is likely the Foundation will act shocked when its workers Life for Miley is wonderful. That is, if that bastard Harris
are discovered, and will aid the investigators in hopes of keeping doesn’t ruin it all.
them off the track.) As time goes on, the players may find more
and more clues leading back to that respectable organisation. David Edward Miley, Viscount Trevesey
PISCES could crush the Foundation like a bug – if the Comfortable cultist, age 59
investigators can justify it sufficiently. GMs should familiarise
STR 9 CON 8 SIZ 15 INT 17 POW 22
themselves with all of the means through which the Brotherhood
can protect itself – it can use strong-arm tactics, but most of its DEX 11 APP 14 EDU 19 SAN 23 HP 12
methods are more subtle. The investigators should find Damage Bonus: None
themselves against a crafty and dangerous foe, but one that might Education: Cambridge, M.A. Economics & Politics; extensive
be defeated if the proper resources are brought to bear. reading on antiquities
Occupation: Chairman of the Board, Penhew-Carlyle
Note: The Penhew Foundation was the creation of Larry DiTillio
Foundation
for Masks of Nyarlathotep (copyright 1984, 1989, 1996 Chaosium)
and Keepers should consult that source for the details of some Skills: Anthropology 45%, Archaeology (Egyptian) 56%,
artefacts described herein, and the Foundation’s history. Other Bargain 83%, Credit Rating 73%, Cthulhu Mythos 10%, Fast
sources include the works of Robert Bloch, especially ‘Fane of the Talk 58%, Forgery 10%, History 35%, Listen 20%, Occult 21%,
Black Pharaoh’ and ‘The Brood of Bubastis’. Tautet is a member of the Persuade 62%, Spot Hidden 55%
Khabitas, a sect appearing in Phillip David Salmon’s Lost Souls Languages: English 100% (own), Arabic 55%, Greek 20%,
sourcebook for Cthulhu Live. Hieroglyphs 31%, Latin 16%
Attacks: For a man of his age and dignity? He uses Mind
Blast or calls for security. He will never enter into a situation
David Edward Miley where he believes he might be at physical peril.
The child of an Spells: Contact Nyarlathotep (Black Pharaoh), Mind Blast,
impoverished yet Sekhmenkenhep’s Words, Voice of Ra
prestigious family, Miley
Magic item: The Twin Sceptres: One terminates with a hook,
quickly learned how to turn
the other with an ankh. Crossing them in front of one’s chest
a reputation into tangible
provides 1D20 magic points for spells or resisting magic points,
returns. His family tried to
and removes 1D10 points from any magical damage directed
teach him the Old Ways,
at the holder. These points last as long as the sceptres are
but he was more interested
crossed.
in school clubs and
charming the girls than in Magic item: The Mirror of Gal. This artefact can be used to
old Egyptian mumbo- scry anywhere within 200 miles of London for 1D3 magic
jumbo. He charmed his points. Miley can also use it to make an attack, sacrificing 1
way into prep school and POW for every 1D6 damage inflicted. See the Keeper’s
through Cambridge, and Companion or Complete Masks of Nyarlathotep for
soon found himself an up more details. The damage appears to be a heart attack, but
and coming businessman Miley is reluctant to use it due to the amount of POW involved
in London’s ad agencies. in a successful death.
He had a comfortable flat, business contacts, women… but he Physical description: Miley is a tall, distinguished-looking
knew he wouldn’t be satisfied until he was at the top. gentleman with shockingly white hair and pasty skin. He wears
On coming home from work one day, Miley found his family the most expensive suits, but his secretary sometimes has to
waiting for him. Now that he was making a name for himself, they remind him to brush away the remnants of lunch from his tie.
wanted him to join their pet project. Miley had been waiting for the Miley tends to rock back and forth when excited, which rarely
opportunity, and blasted the superstitious garbage that his family happens.

Spring 2003 55
 PISCES: The Silent Service
Anton Slaughter is doing to gaze off into nothing, and whistles Beatles tunes
Few visitors notice the while he works. One week each year, Anton’s adopted
figure in coveralls who parents take him to Greece on holiday. For the rest of the year,
works maintenance around he never stops talking about the beautiful water, the pretty
the Penhew-Carlyle houses, and the nice people.
Foundation’s main office. Anton is absolutely faithful to the Foundation. Bear this in
That’s how the Foundation mind if the players take Anton lightly or try to ‘adopt’ him.
likes it.
Despite his
ordinary appearance, Martin Harris
Slaughter is special to the
Most archaeologists can’t
cult of Nyarlathotep, being
understand why such a
born to an imprisoned
reputable organisation
mother nine months after
would hire someone like
one of the last open-air
Harris. After all, the man’s
ceremonies the cult
hardly been published, he
performed. His mother
was expelled from his
died at birth, and Anton
graduate program for
was brought up in the home of one of the cultists. His
stealing discovered
performance at school was dismal, but the Foundation noticed
artefacts, and his greasy
that he scored highly on his classics exams. A university education
handshake and oily smile
was out of the question, but they placed him in vocational training
inspire little confidence.
as an electrician, and then gave him a job that Anton has worked
He’s not a scientist, but a
ever since.
smash-and-grab artist of
Anton lives with a Brotherhood-assigned family, his walls
the lowest order. Still, they
covered with photos he’s taken of different people and places in
seem to keep him reined
London and on his vacation. He’s happy at his job – he’s got the
in…
routine down pat, and every so often someone calls him into the
Harris’ parents were wealthy industrialists, and Harris was
library to read some funny book. Some whisper that something
used to getting his way. Not content with his parent’s wealth and
odd is happening with the handyman – a display case cracked
connections, he set out to get more by whatever means necessary.
when he was standing near it, and those who frustrate him have
After his expulsion from his studies on Egyptian grave art, Harris
minor accidents (paper cuts, near misses when crossing the street)
used his connections to act as an informant and agent provocateur
a short time thereafter. The Board of Directors will be keeping a
for Special Branch. He was one of the group’s most successful
closer eye on Anton in the future.
infiltrators, but his penchant for pursuing ‘side deals’ made him a
liability. When he slugged a fellow agent who challenged him on
Anton Slaughter his wrongdoing, Special Branch ‘declined his further services’. The
Idiot savant and more, age 39 Brotherhood was quick to hire him – they needed someone good
STR 15 CON 22 SIZ 13 INT 10 POW 15 at making contacts who also knew the territory. Harris came on
board, and after a display of Miley’s magical power, decided to put
DEX 14 APP 8 EDU 10 SAN 0 HP 18
his extracurricular money-making schemes on hold. For the most
Damage Bonus: +1D4 part, anyway.
Education: Public school (failed out of two), electrician’s Then, Harris lied, cheated, and bullied his way into the tomb
school of Nephren-Ka. When he pulled down the curtain, the first thing
Occupation: Maintenance worker, Penhew-Carlyle he saw was a picture of himself doing just that. A few more
Foundation glances around the walls, and the opportunistic sceptic became a
Skills: Cryptography 100% (see below), Dodge 34%, fanatic. The world must be made ready for the return of
Electrical Repair 55%, Electronics 40%, Hide 45%, Locksmith Nyarlathotep and the other Old Ones. Too bad that flabby old
29%, Mechanical Repair 58%, Photography 25% men like the Board sit in the way – the Foundation would be better
off with a man of true influence and will in the director’s chair...
Languages: Arabic 65%, English 50%, Hieroglyphs 80%,
Greek 99%, Latin 77%. If Anton encounters a language not
listed here, roll 5D20 for his skill with it. This includes obscure
Martin Harris
and pre-human languages, and he is a natural code-breaker. Ex-undercover agent, archaeologist and enforcer, age 31
This is his ability to understand the language – his skill at STR 16 CON 14 SIZ 16 INT 15 POW 17
translation is limited by his low English score. Foundation DEX 12 APP 15 EDU 15 SAN 0 HP 15
scholars realize this, and use Anton when they need a quick
Damage Bonus: +1D4
and dirty translation of a language for which expertise is not
present in house. Education: Cambridge, M.A.
Attacks: Wrench 65%, 1D6+db Occupation: Dig supervisor, Penhew-Carlyle Foundation
Physical Description: Anton is a large man with an egg- Skills: Archaeology 57%, Cthulhu Mythos 15%, Disguise
shaped head and vacant green eyes. He often stops what he 45%, Fast-Talk 77%, Law 34%, Listen 33%, Martial Arts 60%,

56 The Black Seal #2

 The Penhew-Carlyle Foundation
Persuade 63%, Psychology 49% Tautet
Languages: English 75% (own), Arabic 66%, Hieroglyphs Immortal priest of Nyarlathotep, age circa 5000
30%.
STR 13 CON 19 SIZ 11 INT 19 POW 25
Attacks: Glock 17 pistol 66%, 1D10
DEX 18 APP 12 EDU 55 SAN 0 HP 15
Fist/Punch 60%, 2D3+db
Damage Bonus: None
Spells: Mind Blast
Education: Millennia of life experience
Physical Description: Harris is a pile of hardened muscle
Occupation: Assistant curator of Penhew-Carlyle
going to seed, with a small paunch and the beginnings of a
Foundation
double chin. With his slick-backed hair and ostentatious gold
jewellery, Harris screams ‘bad taste’ to all right-thinking Skills: Anthropology 65%, Archaeology (Egyptian) 87%,
observers. Oddly enough, on covert missions he plays himself Cthulhu Mythos 35%, Drive Auto 5%, Hide 55%, History 75%,
down, save for a small pack of toothpicks he chews on Listen 43%, Medicine 35%, Occult 42%, Persuade 78%,
constantly. Psychology 67%, Sneak 96%, Track 37%
Languages: Ancient Egyptian 100% (own), Hieroglyphs
99%,Arabic 82%, English 45%, French 32%,
Tautet, Member of Khabitas Attacks: Spiked cult club 96%, 1D8+db
When Nephren-Ka knew Long sword, 66%, 1D8+1+db
his death was near, he Armour: None, but takes minimum damage from physical
called ninety-nine faithful weapons. Keepers should note the unmodified damage – if
priests to his crypt. Each a single hit would have overcome Tautet’s hit points without
one knelt under the this power, he is stunned for one round. Tautet will take
sacrificial blade, and in advantage of this to pretend to be dead and hunt his quarry
exchange for their blood, later, when it is to his own advantage.
Nephren-Ka painted the
Spells: Chant of Thoth, Cloud Memory, Contact
walls of his tomb before
Nyarlathotep (Black Pharaoh), Dampen Light, Mist of Releh,
his death. Nyarlathotep
Sekhmenkenhep’s Words, Summon/Bind Hunting Horror,
noted his priests’ sacrifice,
Voice of Ra
and brought them back in
new forms suitable for his Special Ability: Shadow walk. For 10 MP, Tautet can walk
purposes. For thousands into any shadow of approximately his size, and exit through
of years, this sect another within 100 yards. This process is taxing; Tautet’s
protected the remains and Strength, Constitution and Dexterity are halved for 10
memory of the Black minutes after he does this. Witnessing Tautet’s ability costs
Pharaoh. They attracted no new members, and had little 1/1D4 Sanity.
interaction with the other cults of Nyarlathotep, but their legend Physical Description: Short and wiry, Tautet wears dress
spread among the worshipers of the Crawling Chaos. shirts and slacks one size too big for him, and his tie is often
Tautet was little more than an acolyte of the Black Pharaoh crooked. He smiles often, but rarely talks. He is adept at
when killed, and thousands of years later, he still wonders why he playing the roles of both servant and priest.
was chosen. These questions came to the fore when his god
instructed him to lead Harris to the crypt of Nephren-Ka. Tautet
did not question, but performed his duty, returning with Harris to
Britain as per the Crawling Chaos’ instructions. There he found a
surprising world outside his experience, and he has come to
appreciate it.
The priest has a grudging admiration for the
accomplishments of these youngsters, and is enjoying modern life.
His flat in Soho is filled with books on mythology, a large-screen
TV, odd pieces of bad art he found in car boot sales, and a Foundation enforcer
collection of CDs of all different genres. However, Tautet knows STR 12 CON 13 SIZ 14 INT 12 POW 12
the danger in which he places himself, and conceals his true
capabilities even from his new allies. He serves the Foundation, DEX 13 APP 10 EDU 12 SAN 0 HP 13
and Harris, faithfully, and will continue to do so – but ultimately, Damage Bonus: +1D4
he is Nyarlathotep’s creature. He received word recently that the Skills: Climb 50%, Hide 75%, Listen 40%, Sneak 65%.
Black Brotherhood in Egypt is interested in regaining control over Languages: Arabic 45%, English 45%
their wayward English branch, and he wonders what will happen
Attacks: Spiked cult club 50%, 1D8+db
if the old and new guards collide.
Shotgun (in special circumstances) 55%,
4D6/2D6/1D6

Spring 2003 57
 By Nick Brownlow
“For the record, these days Brichester has an impressively mundane surface, dull, redbrick former council property that suffers badly from
but I still sense that it may crack.” – Ramsey Campbell, The Franklyn condensation and damp. After a long period spent unoccupied,
Paragraphs Number 237 was purchased last year by Paul and Angela Hislop.
Mr & Mrs Hislop were reluctant to move to the area, but their two
These places of interest in the historic West Country City of year old daughter Jemima suffered from a congenital heart
Brichester can be enjoyed over the course of one easily condition, and the profit from the sale of their previous residence
manageable morning or afternoon stroll. Whilst most urban walks in West Brichester allowed them to put a considerable sum
only take in sites of local historical interest, the theme of this walk towards the cost of her health care.
is everyday life in Brichester – and as such it is designed to give an As Mr Hislop’s work as a long distance lorry driver kept him
insight into the lives of the city’s inhabitants. away from home for long periods of time, his wife became
If you wish to break your journey, the best point at which to increasingly isolated and lonely, only rarely leaving the house.
do so would probably be between stops 7 and 8 in the city centre, When she was approached by a neighbour and invited to attend a
whilst if pressed for time, you are advised to take the number 17 ‘workshop’ at the local Holy Resurrection Church, she accepted
bus between stops 3 and 4, and the number 23 between 10 and 11. eagerly. Before long, she was a regular attendee of the Church’s
Both are frequent and reliable services, running every half-hour. services, eventually bringing Jemima along with her as well.
Unfortunately, soon after Jemima began to attend, Mr Hislop
1. Number 237 Mill Lane, Mercy Hill disappeared – apparently having left his wife and daughter for a
In pre-industrial times Mercy Hill younger woman; or so Mrs Hislop told his employers when they
was the site of a Gallows where called to ask why he had been absent from work for several days.
thieves and highwaymen were hung. His work colleagues themselves were quick to point out that Mr
It seems certain that the name Mercy Hislop had been growing increasingly concerned about his wife’s
Hill is an ironic reference to this involvement in the Church, and this may have been a factor in his
period of the Hill’s history – which if decision to make such a sudden exit. The story has a happy
nothing else should give you some ending, however, as baby Jemima’s health has improved
indication of the locals’ wry and considerably over the past few months, and she no longer requires
sardonic sense of humour. The medical help.
suburb of Mercy Hill itself grew up
during the Industrial Revolution and 2. Church of the Holy Resurrection, Lake Road,
was built to house factory workers. A Mercy Hill
predominately working class area Last year, Mercy Hill was one of 19 districts around England to
ever since, the Hill has also acquired benefit from the first round of the government’s New Deal for
an unenviable reputation for crime Communities Initiative, and various Community groups received
and poverty. Separated from the city large grants out of the National Lottery Fund. In spite of this
centre by a road network that re- investment however, the success rate of community-led initiatives
enforces their sense of exclusion in Mercy Hill has not been high. One exception to this rule has
from the more affluent areas of been the non-aligned Church of the Holy Resurrection on Lake
Brichester, Mercy Hill residents are Road. The Church was formed by a group of like-minded Mercy
notoriously insular and unwelcoming Hill residents who said that they wanted to improve religious
– you would do well not to linger in understanding in the community. Although traditionally cautious
this part of town after dark. about giving grants to faith-based organisations, the city council
The house at Number 237 made an exception in this instance – possibly due to the
Mill Lane is typical of the area – a intervention of Brichester North’s Member of Parliament, Ron

58 The Black Seal #2

 13 Places of Interest in Brichester
nearly quadrupling
overnight. Today, Property
Management agencies invest
heavily in CCTV
surveillance, private security
patrols and are even
rumoured to pay protection
to local villains to ensure no
serious harm befalls their
tenants. Complexes like Ash
Court are surrounded by
high walls, enjoy secure
parking, and use coded
keypad locks to block
unauthorised access.
Flat number 11 is typical of
this type of accommodation
– a centrally heated two-
bedroom apartment with all mod cons and a £200,000 asking
Foster. The group subsequently took over the old, dilapidated
price. Until recently it was home to Masood Rajit, a software
community centre on Lake Road and was allowed to purchase it
engineer who worked locally at the Matra Marconi Space Labs. Mr
from the council for the sum of just £1. To the surprise of the
Rajit had moved into the flat earlier in the year after receiving a
sceptics, the Church wasn’t vandalised beyond repair within a
large pay rise from his employer. He never managed to settle here
week, and in fact seemed to command an odd kind of respect on
however, and after only a few months, hung himself with a
the estate. Visitors began to trickle in, and attendance at the
towrope out at nearby Brichester Lake. As is often the way in
Church’s support meetings and workshops slowly grew.
complexes of this type, his neighbours never really knew him and
Today, the Church runs a number of well-attended activities
could shed little light on why he chose to kill himself.
nearly every day. Whilst it seems to welcome any and all Mercy Hill
residents though, it is not particularly friendly to ‘outsiders’ from
off the estate. Consequently, very little is known about what 4. School of Psychology, University of
actually goes on at the Church – according to one member of the Brichester
congregation, attendees spend their time reading, praying and The University of
participating in ‘religious experiments’. Rumour also has it that the Brichester’s main campus is
Church conducts ‘baptisms’ at nearby Brichester Lake. This is approximately a fifteen-
something of a politically sensitive issue for the city council, which minute walk from the city
has no desire to be publicly accused of sponsoring anything that centre. Home to around
might resemble a ‘cult’. 9,000 students, Brichester
Things were nearly brought to a head last winter when University enjoys a sound
Brichester Herald journalist Jeff Stickney decided to ‘infiltrate’ the academic reputation, but is
Church. He was quickly discovered and ejected however, and in often accused of elitism in
the absence of any evidence the Herald refused to print his claims its admissions policy. Nearly
that he’d seen attendees meditating over violent pornography and half of Brichester
engaging in acts of self-mutilation. He was further discredited University students come
after people he’d claimed had been ‘ritually murdered’ were seen from a public or private
walking around, alive and well. In the weeks that followed Stickney school background, and
was quietly removed from his job as his already excessive drinking there is a long-standing joke
habit spiralled out of control. Soon after that his neighbours that Brichester takes on a
reported a bad smell coming from his apartment, and the police disproportionate number of
broke down his front door to discover his corpse floating in the Oxbridge rejects with a chip
stagnant water of his bathtub. The coroner concluded that he had on their shoulder.
drowned after passing out in the bath – presumably whilst drunk. Its most prominent landmark – and probably the Brichester
skyline’s most recognisable feature – is the twelve-storey ‘White
3. Number 11 Ash Court, Mercy Hill Tower’ that stands in University Square – a cringe-worthy
Despite Mercy Hill’s poor reputation locally, the general shortage monument to Sixties aesthetics that is home to the University’s
of housing in the city centre prompted property developers to try business studies & economics schools. The School of Psychology
and redevelop parts of it, building luxury accommodation for the that stands in its shadow is a much more modest and modern
upwardly mobile employees of the various hi-tech companies that building, having been purpose built for the School in the early
moved to the region during the eighties. Inevitably the existing Nineties. The school takes on around 375 students, and employs a
Mercy Hill residents – most of whom still live in Victorian style teaching staff of 29.
terraced housing in desperate need of renovation – resented the Professor Colin Jarlett is the Department’s specialist in clinical
new developments, and the Mercy Hill post-code quickly became psychology and the psychology of dreaming, and his main interest
an insurance black spot with incidences of burglary and vandalism lies in the area of mental imagery and creativity (and more broadly,
the non-verbal, non-rational elements of human psychology).

Spring 2003 59
 PISCES: The Silent Service
Professor Jarlett could be described as an insatiable voyeur: he she’s got herself into this time.
thrills at the thought of delving into a patient’s experiences and
learning things about them even they might not have suspected 6. Fortune Books, Number 3 Muse’s Square,
themselves. It was this fascination with his patients’ inner lives that The Alleys
drove him to study psychology in the first place. Recently, he has
been conducting a series of studies on patients of the psychiatric
ward at Mercy Hill hospital – analysing their dreams to find
common patterns and themes. This research is producing some
curious results, with around 70% of the test subjects having
reported the same distinctive imagery in their dreams, night after
night – of corpses, water and of something terrible that lives at
the bottom of a deep, dark lake. Professor Jarlett is at a loss to
explain these shared dream experiences, and has taken it upon
himself to delve into local folklore and legends in the hope of
finding a catalyst for the test subjects’ shared imaginings.

5. Number 333 Camside Road, Gypsy Heath

Whilst most first year
students at Brichester
University are housed in
halls of residence (all located
within a two mile radius of
the main campus), older
students usually rent a house
in nearby Gypsy Heath. An The Alleys are all that remains of the old medieval town of
Edwardian housing estate Bicestre – although most of the buildings’ fronts date from the
with middle class 19th Century, when extensive renovation work was carried out.
pretensions, Gypsy Heath Today, this maze of narrow passages and cobbled streets is known
has an abundance of as Brichester’s Bohemian quarter, and is home to many antiques
affordable but basic shops, picture galleries and second-hand bookstores. Brichester is
accommodation, usually in particularly well known for its large number of bookstores, with
the form of terraced nearly 40 in the town centre/Alleys area alone. Most of these
housing. Gypsy Heath is also specialise in second hand or antiquarian books, and are kept well
popular with recent stocked by the generations of academics that have lived in the city.
graduates and young Brichester Book Fayre, held at the University every August, is
professionals, who enjoy the second only to the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival on the serious
cheap rents and the liveliness of the student-dominated local pub bibliophile’s calendar.
scene. One of the Alleys’ many establishments of this type is
Number 333 Camside Road is a fairly typical Gypsy Heath Fortune Books – a typically dank and dusty second hand store in
two-up two-down redbrick terrace, and is home to Sophie Meakin Muse’s Square, specialising in literature with an esoteric bent. The
– a Brichester University graduate of eighteen months. Miss proprietor, Phillip Glaive, is a greying but handsome man in his
Meakin stayed in Brichester after graduation believing that life early fifties. Although generally civil to his customers (albeit
would continue in much the same vein as before; after her slightly patronising), Mr Glaive likes to keep himself to himself,
boyfriend and friends moved away to pursue careers in London and although his speech and manner would suggest a public
and elsewhere however, she found herself alone in suddenly school education and upper class background, very little is known
unfamiliar surroundings. Often left feeling depressed and isolated, about him even by his fellow traders; which is the way Mr Glaive
Miss Meakin drinks heavily and finds it difficult to motivate likes it.
herself. Recently, Mr Glaive came into possession of a book he had
Lately, Miss Meakin has been off work due to illness. The been interested in acquiring for some time – a complete set of The
mystery ailment began several weeks ago as a persistent, dull Revelations of Glaaki. Mr Glaive had been looking for it for the
headache that slowly spread through her whole body, eventually past eighteen months, after receiving a particularly bad piece of
leaving her bedridden. Since then her limbs have grown painfully news in February of last year. He consulted the University’s
stiff, and she always feels cold, no matter how high she turns the abridged version of the text several times during this period, but
heating up. She no longer feels hungry, and when she tries to eat ultimately found the cut-down version to be wanting (the curator
she is violently sick. Miss Meakin has so far neglected to call a of the rare books collection could not help but notice Mr Glaive
doctor out, following her realisation early last week that she’d seemed particularly interested in the passages that dealt with the
stopped breathing. Her only contact with the outside world during act of physical transformation). Mr Glaive’s perseverance was
her illness has been through her mother’s weekly telephone calls. finally rewarded this last May however, and these last few months
Miss Meakin has so far neglected to mention her illness to her have seen him in a considerably happier frame of mind.
mother, who can nevertheless sense that something is wrong.
Despite her daughter’s impassioned pleas for her not to, Mrs
Meakin plans to visit her soon and sort out whatever mess it is that

60 The Black Seal #2

 13 Places of Interest in Brichester
7. The Heart of Town, Little East Street, who gather there before moving on to the nearby Elysium night-
The Alleys club.
Despite appearing at first to be It was here that Sophie Meakin met Phillip Glaive after a
impossibly cramped and small, Saturday afternoon spent comfort shopping in September of this
the tiny bar area of this quaint year. Feeling lonely and melancholy after having consumed several
and old-fashioned public house Bacardi and cokes, Miss Meakin was entranced by the charming
gives way to a maze of cosy snugs and intelligent Mr Glaive, having always had a weakness for older
and cubicles in the back. Unlike men. They left together shortly after closing time.
most of the Alleys’ pubs, the
Heart is refreshingly free from 9. Brichester Market, The Market Hall
chart music, frills and trendy lager
drinks, and although it attracts
only a modest daytime crowd,
things soon pick up in the early
evening as local traders converge
here for a pint after shutting up
shop. In the comfort of these
intimate surroundings, they
exchange gossip about their day,
their businesses, and each other.
Phillip Glaive occasionally
arises as a topic of conversation,
partly because his mildly eccentric
manner has prompted a rash of
speculation about his private life,
but mainly because he only rarely
partakes of a drink here –
something that is interpreted as
snobbishness on his part. This
and the fact he is unmarried is no
doubt the catalyst for much of
the more colourful hearsay about
him, such as the rumour that he trawls Lower Brichester looking
for lower class rough trade. Last year a particularly unkind piece of
gossip that he was HIV positive did the rounds after he was seen
leaving the AIDS clinic at Mercy Hill hospital, but nothing seems Built in 1975 on the site of the old Victorian Market and
to have come of it, and Mr Glaive looks fitter now than he ever universally derided ever since, the Market Hall was commissioned
has done before. with the intention of revolutionising Brichester’s retail sector.
With space for nearly 200 stalls split across two levels linked by
8. The Druid’s Head, Commercial Street escalators and stairs, it was designed to echo the American
This bustling public house shopping mall experience, but the covered, air conditioned interior
sits unobtrusively between failed to impress the old traders, who immediately criticised it for
the Midland Bank and being charmless and ‘antiseptic’. Their sense of apathy towards
Woolworths on the new building was reflected in the attitude of the public, and
Commercial Street, and market custom has slowly tailed off ever since. Today, the Market
provides a welcome change Hall is badly maintained and looks increasingly dated next to the
from the identikit chain much newer town centre shopping malls. About a quarter of the
pubs and garish theme bars available stalls are unoccupied, and plans are afoot to redevelop
that throng the busy town the site.
centre. A free house owned It was here that Phillip Glaive met with Jeff Stickney for
by a small company called coffee on several occasions during the last few weeks of the
Severn Free Inns, the reporter’s life. Years previously Mr Stickney had been briefly
Druid’s Head offers married to Mr Glaive’s sister, and although the two had never been
friendly service, a spacious friends, Mr Glaive was the only person Mr Stickney knew who, in
seating area, and a better- his own words, “took any of this occult stuff seriously”. Mr
than-average range of Glaive, of course, had his own reasons for listening so intently to
beers that includes a Mr Stickney’s outlandish tales.
selection of real ales from
the nearby Exmoor and St. Austell Breweries. Popular with all
ages, the Druid’s Head tends to attract a mixed crowd most
evenings, but Wednesdays are especially popular with students,

Spring 2003 61
 PISCES: The Silent Service
10. Central Brichester Police Station,
Station Road
Although Force
Headquarters is based in
Cheltenham, Brichester is
the largest of the four
divisions that make up the
Gloucestershire County
Constabulary – employing
nearly 350 full-time
officers. The division is
divided between the six
neighbourhood districts of
Central Brichester, Lower
Brichester, Mercy Hill,
West Brichester,
Severnford and Camside,
with the Divisional
Headquarters located at
Central Brichester Police
Station, opposite the main and characterless, identical flats. The building’s tenants are for the
bus terminal. Built during most part unemployed and placed here by the council.
the 1970s, the five-storey In early September, the police received an anonymous phone
station has a blocky, call directing them to Flat 320, where the body of a 19-year old
bunker-like appearance woman was found with her skull smashed open against a radiator.
that sits uneasily next to the The corpse was identified as Tanya Baker, a local woman with
modern office buildings form for prostitution and possession of controlled substances;
surrounding it. The recently appointed Divisional Commander – Miss Baker had been living in the flat for less than a year.
Superintendent Richard Winslade – has argued for a move to Curiously, the coroner was unable to establish a cause of death
premises more in keeping with the modern, open image he is (although he was able to verify the presence of HIV antibodies in
trying to create, but due to a lack of funding, a move looks unlikely the victim). It seemed that the head wounds had been caused post-
for the foreseeable future. mortem, and that Miss Baker had been dead for several weeks
One of the 125 officers based in this building is Detective beforehand.
Inspector James Keys, a twelve-year veteran of Brichester’s This bore resemblance to two similar deaths that occurred
Serious Crimes squad. Inspector Keys had become increasingly recently in the area, both involving young women with a history of
estranged from his colleagues since his wife left him earlier this prostitution. One woman had seemingly drowned herself in the
year, amid rumours he had developed an unhealthy obsession with Brichester-Berkeley Canal, whilst the other was thought to have
a female informant in Lower Brichester. He seemed to have little died after setting fire to her own flat. In both cases however, the
interest in his work, and even his closest friends began to say that coroner concluded that the victims had been dead for some time
his days on the Force were numbered. prior to the incidents that supposedly killed them. Police now
All this changed in early September, however, when Inspector believe that they may be dealing with a particularly sophisticated
Keys became interested in a series of mysterious deaths and poisoner, and whilst toxicology tests have so far failed to turn up
disappearances that had been occurring over the previous few any evidence to support this theory, the officer in charge of the
months. Taking charge of the case at his own request, Inspector investigation – Detective Inspector James Keys – believes this to
Keys has surprised his colleagues with his newfound drive and be the only possible explanation.
tenacity. He prefers to work alone and often stays at his desk late
into the night, obsessively poring over crime scene photos and
12. The Witchfinder General, Church Street,
incident reports. He has lost weight, and is drinking more than
ever – his colleagues now fear for his health as well as his career. Lower Brichester
For the most part Brichester was bypassed by the Blitz, with the
11. Flat 320, Constantine Place, exception of two nights in December 1940 during which the
Luftwaffe rained high explosive on Lower Brichester, destroying
Lower Brichester the railway signal factory on Bristol Road and many residential
Constantine Place is a product of the so-called ‘progressive’ properties in the surrounding area. Whilst the houses on either
architecture of the Sixties and Seventies, a period in which urban side of the Witchfinder General were burnt down on the second
planners demolished the past in order to build a grey and night of bombing however, this 19th Century public house was
featureless concrete future. Lower Brichester bore the brunt of left miraculously unscathed – and was open for lunchtime custom
this heavy handed re-development, and as a consequence very the following day. The surrounding properties were never rebuilt,
little of the suburb’s original 18th and 19th Century buildings and to this day the General (as it is known locally) stands alone at
remain, having long since been replaced by high-rise tower blocks the corner of Church Street and Factory Close, surrounded by
and housing developments. Constantine Place is typical of area – waste ground.
a five-storey block of rain-stained concrete, litter-strewn walkways, Lower Brichester, its fascinating history aside, is not a pleasant

62 The Black Seal #2

 13 Places of Interest in Brichester
place to live however, and this Booth Park Industrial Estate grew up during the boom years of
is unfortunately reflected in the Eighties, and was purpose built to cater for the influx of high-
the General’s clientele. tech companies into the area at the time. Situated on the Southeast
Brichester Magistrates have rim of the city, Booth Park is conveniently located just a five-
closed the General down minute taxi ride from Lower Brichester Railway Station, where
three times in the past five trains to and from London arrive every hour and a half. Amongst
years – twice for drug-related the firms that have offices here are industry giants such as BAE
offences, and once after a Systems, Logicon and Matra Marconi Space, where Masood Rajit
stabbing in the public bar. worked.
The brewery appointed the Jointly owned by LaGardere of France and GEC of the
pub’s present landlord Les United Kingdom, MMS is headquartered in Vélizy, near Paris. A
Higgins – a fifty three year old world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced Satellite
former bouncer with form for systems for communication, environmental monitoring and
GBH – on account of his defence, MMS is Europe’s leading Satellite manufacturer, and
proven track record of enjoys an annual turnover of approximately $1.5 billion. In the
handling pubs in ‘problem’ UK, MMS operates six facilities and employs around three
areas. So far, Mr Higgins thousand people – five hundred of which are based here in
seems to have done an Brichester at their custom-built labs. MMS is currently undertaking
admirable job a joint venture with Severn Aerospace and the European Space
A typical patron of this Agency to develop the next generation of satellite technology,
establishment would be incorporating recent innovations in the field of quantum
Thomas Vaccaro. The son of computing. Much of this important work is conducted here,
an Italian soldier who was where the software for the communications and guidance systems
incarcerated at a nearby POW is developed.
camp during the war, Mr Mr Rajit worked at MMS for three years after graduating from
Vaccaro has ironically spent Loughborough University. He was a confident and hard working
nearly half his adult life behind bars. Now in his forties, Mr young man, well liked by his colleagues, and was hoping to marry
Vaccaro is a ‘career burglar’, albeit a not entirely successful one. A in the New Year to a girl who would be coming over from Pakistan
little over seven months ago, Mr Vaccaro did a job to order in as soon as she secured her visa. His family was understandably
Mercy Hill – lifting a set of notebooks from what looked like the devastated when they learnt of his death, and could think of no
community centre. His client was a respectable-looking gent that good reason why he would kill himself. The news came as less of
he’d met in the Alleys, and he was paid handsomely for the night’s a shock to his work colleagues however, as they had witnessed first
work. Since then, however, Mr Vaccaro has had the curious feeling hand his transformation over the last few months from a cheerful,
he is being followed everywhere he goes. At first he assumed the amiable young man into an angry and violent shadow of his
police had him under random surveillance, and altered his former self. Mr Rajit blamed insomnia for the change in his
‘working’ patterns accordingly. When the feeling persisted personality, and confided in close friends that he’d been having
however, Mr Vaccaro became increasingly nervous. Sometimes at disturbing dreams.
night he would open the curtains and see strange shapes scuttle His manager was constantly on the verge of removing him
suddenly into the darkness, just beyond the glare of the street from the project, but whilst his personal relationships with the rest
lamp outside his flat. Mr Vaccaro spends most of his day at the of the team were disintegrating, his work had never been better.
General now – drinking, playing pool, and dreading closing time. Mr Rajit seemed to have gained a special insight into the workings
of the quantum computers developed by SAe, and the project
13. Matra Marconi Space Labs, Booth Park itself has been stalled ever since his death. Mr Rajit’s demise at
Industrial Estate such a critical juncture has aroused no small amount of suspicion,
and whilst SAe’s decision to bring in the Security Service to
investigate is generally considered to be an overreaction by most
of Mr Rajit’s colleagues, it is not a surprising one, given the
sensitive nature of his work.

Authors Note: This ar ticle is based on Christopher Fowler’s

shor t stor y ‘Thir teen Places of Inter est in Kentish Town’,
which can be found in the antholog y Uncut , fr om War ner
Books. The city of Brichester and various other Se ver n
Va l l e y l o c a l e s m e n t i o n e d h e r e w e r e c r e a t e d b y R a m s e y
Campbell in a number of shor t stories variously collected in
anthologies such as Cold Print , Demons By Daylight and At
The Height Of The Scream .

Spring 2003 63
 PISCES: The Silent Service

Gary is the author/editor/project co-ordinator of the GS: One of the great difficulties in assembling Arkham
forthcoming Arkham Now sourcebook from Chaosium. He Now is the relative dearth of good Arkham-related
has previously worked with Scott David Aniolowski on the fiction. Everyone seems to have a different view of
recent Goatswood and Less Pleasant Places book. Gary agreed the place, and it’s impossible to synthesize everything
to talk to The Black Seal about his forthcoming book and all into one cohesive concept.
things Cthulhu. Fritz Leiber has served as an inspiration, and we’ve
incorporated some of Lumley’s notions while ignoring
ARKHAM NOW others. Some of Lumley’s concepts – the Wilmarth
TBS: How did the idea of Arkham Now come about? And Foundation and the flood that nearly destroyed
how did you get the job? Arkham, for instance – are problematic, to say the
GS: The project has been around for years. I remember least. The notion that someone can go around putting
hearing about it at the first NecronomiCon, back in the Great Old Ones in their place with a bucketful of
1993. Someone had been working on it but, for Elder Signs owes more of a debt to Derleth than
whatever reason, things didn’t work out. A few years Lovecraft, so we’ve largely ignored it. Overall, I think
later, I queried Chaosium about the project and they we’ve reached a workable compromise which
gave me the go-ahead. It just seemed like a project maintains the integrity of Lovecraft’s vision while
that needed to be done. allowing for some diversity.
TBS: I understand the manuscript of Arkham Now is with TBS: Will Arkham Now follow the map, gazetteer and
Chaosium awaiting publication, how long did it take scenario approach of Arkham Unveiled or more recent
for the project from start to completion. Were there releases like Goatswood where most of the source
any high points or low points in the process? material was incorporated into the scenarios?
GS: It’s an ongoing process, actually. Chaosium has had GS: Arkham Now will pretty much follow the format of
the manuscript for a couple of years – but they’ve got Arkham Unveiled, starting with topical essays, then
other projects coming up first, so it’s mostly a waiting source material, then scenarios. I’m hoping to include
game. In the meantime, we’re continually revising the three or four scenarios in the book.
manuscript. The high point, for me, has been working TBS: Will there be anything like the Delta Green appendix in
with Sandy Antunes and R.J. Christensen, two talented Unseen Masters?
writers who have contributed tremendously to the GS: There are no current plans for this, but you never
project. know.
TBS: How much use was the original Arkham Unveiled to TBS: Is Miskatonic conducting modern-day expeditions like
Arkham Now? those to Antarctica and Australia in the 1930s, and if
GS: Arkham Unveiled was – and remains – very much a so, what and where?
classic. Keith Herber did a masterful job and I think GS: Sandy Antunes has developed much of the university
it’s safe to say Arkham Now wouldn’t exist without it. material. Rest assured that he’s been keeping good old
As a template, Arkham Unveiled has been MU busy through the intervening years.
indispensable. TBS: Is the government heavily involved in Arkham now
TBS: Will Arkham Now rely on the way modern Arkham is (i.e. an FBI office, military funding at the campus)
presented in A Resection Of Time? In other words, given Arkham’s previous history?
will Arkham have degenerated almost to the state of GS: Despite its chequered past, Arkham is too small to
Innsmouth? have an FBI office – especially with a field office
GS: I haven’t read A Resection of Time. It came out long located in nearby Boston. There is a government
after our work on Arkham Now was underway and the presence in Arkham, though, and it’s not just the
idea that Arkham should have decayed so badly doesn’t United States Postal Service.
fit our notion of the place. TBS: What will be the impact of Armitage’s fire on the
TBS: Will the history of Miskatonic between the 1930s and library at Miskatonic? Will the blasphemous old tomes
today be detailed? In other words, will we see the still be there, and will they be protected in some
effects of the GI Bill on Miskatonic in the late 1940s manner?
and 1950s, the political turmoil on college campus in GS: The books are still there, just harder to find. The days
the 1960s, the political correctness movement in the of strolling into the library, flashing some ID and
1980s, etc? getting access to mind-shattering ancient lore are long
GS: Arkham’s history is updated to the present day, gone. As for Dr. Armitage, well... I don’t think we’ve
reflecting changes of all types – social, economic and seen the last of him.
political. The trick, of course, is providing enough TBS: Does Miskatonic have an exchange program with
information for keepers to run games set in modern Brichester?
Arkham, without turning the whole thing into a history GS: Hadn’t thought of that one!
book.
TBS: Will Arkham Now include events from Lumley’s Titus GOATSWOOD
Crow fiction? Will any Mythos fiction be used as a TBS: Whilst reviews of the last few Call of Cthulhu releases
reference beyond Lovecraft’s? from Chaosium have generally been positive (Beyond

64 The Black Seal #2

 Interview with Gary Sumpter
the Mountains of Madness, Unseen Masters), Chaosium in general and with Lynn Willis in particular.
Goatswood saw a more mixed response (not least in They’ve been very supportive, and they’re open to new
this magazine). What are your feelings regarding the ideas.
book? TBS: D20 Call of Cthulu; - a new era in Call of Cthulhu
GS: I’ve seen some of the reviews, good and bad. There gaming or a sign of the coming end times?
seems to be a misconception that Goatswood is a GS: I was afraid you were going to ask me that! I hate to
“sourcebook with scenarios” – when it’s really a say it, but I know next to nothing about D20 Call of
“campaign with source material.” It’s a fine Cthulhu – or D20 in general. I don’t really consider
distinction, but an important one. Unfortunately, the myself a “gamer”; I’m a Lovecraft fan who finds a
blurb on the cover (supplied by the publisher and not creative outlet through Call of Cthulhu. When I go to
by the creators) implies the former and not the latter. a convention and hear people talking about this or that
The original idea grew out of a Severn Valley campaign system, I feel like a fish out of water.
that Scott Aniolowski ran many years ago. Most of the If D20 Call of Cthulhu draws more people into the
source material was added later, and the basic goal was game by virtue of its universality, then I suppose that’s
to give non-UK residents enough material to run the a good thing. I’m a little concerned, though, about the
campaign. More source material would have been potential for “dumbing-down” Lovecraft’s philosophy
welcome, but to do it right probably would have through a game system with mechanics that seem to
doubled the size of the book. As it stands, though, I’m place the emphasis on the pulp aspects rather than the
proud of Goatswood. I’ve heard good things from the cosmic horror. The thought of Azathoth having a
people who count the most – those who play the treasure type (100 platinum pieces under his throne,
scenarios. perhaps?) probably has HPL spinning in his grave.
TBS: Although Ramsey Campbell’s name appears on the
cover, and the scenarios feature his creations, in terms FICTION/WRITING
of milieu Goatswood seems to lean on other, far more TBS: You’ve written a couple of short stories in your time -
traditional British horror tropes (haunted houses, ‘The Awakening’ for Made In Goatswood and ‘The
gothic vampires etc.); would you agree with this, and if Hitch’ for Return To Lovecraft Country for instance.
so, what was the reasoning behind going down this Is there any more prose fiction in the works, or are you
route? concentrating on gaming material?
GS: It wasn’t a conscious decision. We asked a half-dozen GS: Right now, the focus is on gaming material. It’s my
writers to come up with scenarios inspired by small way of contributing to Lovecraft’s milieu. The
Campbell’s Severn Valley fiction, and the results were market for Cthulhu Mythos fiction is flooded and for
pretty diverse. Campbell’s influence is more obvious in every decent Mythos story, there are probably a
some, but each handles the milieu in its own way. hundred truly wretched ones.
Many of Campbell’s stories deal with decay, alienation TBS: Who/what are your influences as a writer?
and corruption. I think we covered those ones pretty GS: Lovecraft, of course, but Ramsey Campbell, Robert
well. Because Campell’s stories function on a highly Bloch and T.E.D. Klein have probably been more of a
personal level and often deal intimately with direct inspiration. Of non-Mythos authors, Raymond
perceptions and the distortion of them, they’re not Chandler demonstrated that less is more: Why use ten
easy to translate into scenario form for a group of words when one will do? The irony is that, being paid
adventurers. Ken Hite, who reviewed Goatswood in by the word, economy of prose is contrary to economy
his “Out of the Box,” seems to have caught the gist of of bank account!
what we were attempting. TBS: What’s your favourite Lovecraft tale? And your
favourite mythos tale?
CALL OF CTHULHU GAMING GS: Lovecraft wrote so many wonderful tales that it’s
TBS: What are the standout Call of Cthulhu scenarios and almost impossible to choose just one. I’ll have to say
supplements, in your opinion? What are the yardsticks The Shadow Over Innsmouth, for its terrifying
by which you judge your own work? unfolding of ancestral horror. Of writers other than
GS: Masks of Nyarlathotep, of course, still stands as one Lovecraft, Bloch’s Notebook Found in a Deserted
of the finest supplements ever written – for any game. House is probably the single most effective tale of
It’s probably the penultimate Call of Cthulhu terror I’ve ever read.
adventure. Most of the Lovecraft Country books are TBS: What’s your favourite horror movie? And why?
excellent. In terms of modern material, I’d have to say GS: Horror movies have always been something of a
The Stars Are Right! – even though I feel a bit disappointment, I’m afraid. I’m not convinced that the
awkward recommending it, as my first published sense of horror conjured up by the mind can ever be
scenario appears there. duplicated on the screen. The Wicker Man, although
To me, the only true appraisal of a scenario comes not strictly a horror film, remains a favourite. Of the
through feedback from people who have actually Lovecraft adaptations, The Resurrected comes closest
played it. That’s why I playtest nearly everything I to capturing the essence of his work, if not his genius.
write – either with my own group, at conventions, or TBS: Thanks very much for taking the time to talk to us
by prevailing upon volunteers from the online Gary.
community. GS: My pleasure – and best of luck with TBS!
TBS: You’ve had several pieces of work published by
Chaosium now - how do you find them as a publisher, Chaosium Inc will publish Arkham Now in 2003. Look for a
and what’s your working relationship with them like? review in The Black Seal afterwards.
GS: Creatively, I’ve always had a good relationship with

Spring 2003 65
 PISCES: The Silent Service

Report on Peruvian Mummy

Professor Grant Emerson

27 AUG 2002 02:31:16 –01000

Alphonse,
Recently I have been visiting an old colleague at the University of Hawaii, and have come across an anomaly which may be of some
interest to the group. I believe that this is worthy of urgent investigation by a team of discreet agents, especially as there are some
troubling scientific aspects, an international dimension, and potentially some imminent publicity associated with this matter.
To give some background, I am currently on a short vacation to visit with a former colleague, Dr. Ken Schwarzmann. Ken is a
former faculty member at UNC and is now professor of anthropology at the University of Hawaii, specializing in cultures of the Pacific
Rim. Whilst at UNC, he often consulted me about the medical and logistical aspects of planning field expeditions in South America
and we became close friends. About a month ago, he returned from a University-funded trip to Peru, where he came into the possession
of an unusual specimen.
The specimen in question is a mummified human male corpse, which was initially examined by Ken’s collaborators at the
archaeology department of the Universidad de Lima and sent ahead with him for further examination at the superior facilities in Hawaii.
The mummy was found in a cave network in the Chincha islands, which are about 10 miles off the coast of southwest Peru and have
major guano deposits which are exploited by the fertilizer industry. The caves were exposed following landslides precipitated by a series
of minor tremors some weeks ago. Local workers investigating the caves discovered the mummy and contacted the authorities and thus
the Lima-based researchers. To date, no further mummies or other specimens have been found at this site. As I arrived in Honolulu,
Ken was in the process of carrying out a more detailed examination of the mummy using some modern imaging technologies, and I
was able to participate in some of these studies
Proceeding to the mummy, Ken and his collaborators both agree that it’s brightly coloured clothing, which was reasonably well
preserved, despite being heavily soiled, and accoutrements mark it as a member of the Paracas or Nazca civilizations of southern Peru
(I have enclosed some digital images of the mummy and associated artefacts [including an engraved stone knife, fragments of painted
pottery, and what Ken guesses are some sort of prayer beads] as an attachment to this document). As I understand it, the Paracas were
a culture of the Peruvian coastal lowlands, centred near the modern city of Ica, extant from around 300 BC to 400 AD before eventually
merging with the subsequent Nazca cultures. It is worthy of note (and perhaps significant) that the Paracas are well known in
archaeological circles for constructing elaborate burial chambers (indeed this is a hallmark of the Paracas civilization between 1-400 AD,
which is known as the Necropolis phase after the cemeteries discovered at Cerro Colorado on the mainland). Ken hypothesizes that the
lack of grave goods or a distinct burial vault implies that the individual died alone whilst in the caves and was subsequently sealed in by
an ancient rock fall, preventing access by predators, and providing a stable dry environment favourable for the mummification process.
The Paracas were noted for their embroidery and pottery, embellished with designs featuring what are taken as mythical figures with
angular or tangled tentacular appearances. Some of these are just visible on the pottery fragments, but are largely obscured and
discoloured by encrusted guano and will require some restoration. The mummy itself is remarkably well preserved, with no obvious
predator damage or evidence of infestation. I would estimate it to have stood around 5’2” when fully erect, although the current posture
is best described as crouching or kneeling with the hands drawn up around the face, almost in a foetal position. The mummy was
originally clothed in a long tunic, tied at the waist with a leather belt, and an embroidered cloak, all of which were encrusted in long
dried guano and dust. There were apparently no shoes or foot coverings present at the original site. The clothing was removed on arrival
in Hawaii to facilitate further examination. The body seemed a little emaciated, with the ribcage clearly visible beneath tautly drawn skin.
The skin has taken on a slightly greyish hue, although this is more pronounced on exposed areas of the body, and there is little hair on
the body (the head appears to have been shaven). The skin itself feels leathery to the touch, although this is hardly unusual in mummies,
where the process of desiccation (due to low water activity) results in dehydration of the dermis, which is often shrunken back over the
bones as is the case here. It is worthy of note that the mummy has a distinct aroma of ammonia, presumably due to long-term exposure
to guano, making those spending extended periods around it a little nauseous. The skull of the mummy is morphologically abnormal,
being compressed upwards somewhat. This is most likely as a result of being bound during infancy, and supports the proposed origin
of the specimen from the Paracas, who were known to bind the skulls of infant to boards. Access to the face is somewhat restricted
because of the position of the hands and arms. However, it is clear that the eyes are closed and the lips are drawn back in a grimace
that exposes the teeth, although this may be as a result of lips and facial tissue receding as a consequence of the mummification process.
Moving to the extremities, the fingers and toes are rather thin and elongated (again, this is perhaps a result of receding tissue), and the
nails seem quite long and thickened with a prodigious amount of dirt underneath them. Finally, it should be noted that the body weighs
just over 90 lbs, which is surprisingly heavy for such a short desiccated corpse (although in light of later findings, this should have been
less of a surprise).
So far, everything seems perfectly normal, but more sophisticated examinations reveal a number of troubling findings which set off
all manner of alarm bells and prompt the Group’s attention. Following the initial physical examinations, Ken arranged to have the
specimen examined by Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT) scanning at the University of Hawaii Medical School’s medical imaging
facility. These scans were preformed under the direction of Dr. John Mortenson (a staff radiologist and researcher at UHMS). These
scans were performed less than a week ago, and reveal that the internal organs of the mummy are almost unbelievably intact. Liver,
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lungs, kidneys, and intestine are all clearly discernable on the scan, as are the brain and the heart. This was troubling to me, as a similar
level of desiccation should have affected all tissues over the time since the specimen’s death (assuming it is of the Paracas period, this
places time of death at the latest 400-450 AD according to Ken, making it well over 1,500 years old). This is, to say the least, very strange.
Internal tissues generally decompose much faster than skin and bone (one of the reasons why ancient Egyptians eviscerated bodies in
preparation for mummification). Muscle and adipose tissue seemed to have been desiccated as would be expected, however. I was a little
concerned by these findings, and suggested radiocarbon dating (which may prove of some use in giving an estimate [generally +/- 100
years for materials less than 40,000 years old] of the age of biological material), which relies on the fact that faintly radioactive Carbon-
14 is no longer incorporated into the body after death, and slowly decays at a constant rate, allowing back calculation of the age of a
biological specimen by comparison of the ratio of Carbon-14 to Carbon-12. Ideally I would have chosen racemization studies, which
compare the ratio of d- and l- forms of amino acids (in life these are present only as the l-form [or l-enantiomer, to be scientifically
accurate] but after death the l-form becomes chemically converted into a mixture of l- and d- isoforms at a steady rate over time, until
equilibrium between l- and d- forms is reached [this is called a racemic mixture]). Amino acid racemization studies are often more
accurate than radiocarbon dating, but have the drawback of requiring a significant amount (about 10 g) of bone to work with, and this
would require more invasive methods of sample taking (which would have triggered bureaucratic complications as the mummy
technically still belongs to the Peruvian government).
Thus, with Schwartzmann’s knowledge, two days ago Mortenson and I performed a needle biopsy of the thigh to obtain sample
material for radiocarbon dating. This was to trigger my suspicions yet further, as the biopsy site briefly exuded a dark red fluid on
withdrawal of the needle. I took a smear of this, and microscopically it appeared to be blood (containing erythrocytes and leucocytes),
although I would need access to a more sophisticated lab to do any further analyses. This is immensely troubling as it does not simply
imply a lack of internal tissue mummification, but also indicates the existence of some blood pressure. A rapid series of quite simple
tests followed. First was to check for pulse, which was not detectable (although the leathery texture of the skin may have masked this),
and then to use a stethoscope for heartbeat. This was more successful (if that’s the word), and both Mortenson and I discerned a faint
and irregular beat at approximately 2-3 minute intervals (obviously this is dramatically below anything which could be conferred to be
“normal”, but remember we are discussing a 1,500 year old “mummy”, so “normal” clearly does not apply). Conventional blood
pressure determinations were going to be useless, so we didn’t bother, instead moving on to examination of breathing – no obvious rise
and fall of the chest was visible. We tried the simple trick of seeing if condensation appeared on a mirror held over the mouth and
nose, but this was negative (perhaps as we couldn’t get the mirror close enough due to the position of the hands). Next we attempted
to take the temperature of the “mummy”, as this is a surrogate measure of metabolic and biochemical activity. We initially used an aural
canal thermometer, which gave a temperature close to ambient. More accurate would be to take a core body temperature measurement
by rectal thermometry. However, this proved more difficult than anticipated due to desiccation of the anal sphincter and we decided
not to proceed for fear of damaging the specimen. Finally, we decided to try some neurological examinations. Mortenson managed to
procure electroencephalography equipment, and we were able to detect what seemed to be slow wave activity in the “mummy’s” brain.
A stimulus-response test (insertion of an electrical probe into the ear to deliver a mild electric shock) caused a series of spikes in brain
activity (it would take someone more experienced in neurology to interpret the results fully – for obvious reasons I did not wish to bring
anyone in to these studies at this stage). Once these peaks had subsided, we decided to attempt to trigger a response by shouting in the
ear of the “mummy”. Disturbingly, this seemed to be successful and sustained spikes in EEG activity were seen. With the above caveats
about interpretation still implicit, this could be taken as meaning that the “mummy” had woken up and was sensate to audio stimuli.
The EEG activity clearly implies that the “mummy” is, whilst perhaps paralysed, not dead. I must emphasize that to date it has remained
entirely inanimate and appears, quite dead to the casual observer.
Mortenson and I agreed to keep silent on these observations and returned the body to Ken’s laboratory so as not to arouse
suspicion. Mortenson was clearly as disturbed as I was about these findings. We felt best to wait and consider the position, pending
further developments, and we both wished to run further tests (including PET scan, electrocardiograms, DNA studies to confirm racial
origin, and deep tissue biopsy for histological examinations). In the meantime, we submitted the tissue biopsy for radiocarbon dating,
as was the original plan. We are still awaiting the findings from this test with interest. Whilst Mortenson and I have attempted to maintain
an ultra-low profile in these investigations, events of today have me concerned that the media may become involved. Earlier this
afternoon, a journalist from a television show called Phenomen-X appeared in Ken’s lab asking questions about “an Inca mummy”, and
Mortenson told me he turned down “a call from a journalist”. It is possible that someone in the hospital, or in Ken’s department has
somehow gotten wind of the abnormalities associated with the specimen and has contacted the press. It is difficult to interpret the
appearance of a reporter at this time as a simple coincidence, and I am concerned that this may develop into a story and rapidly develop
into a situation beyond our control. Clearly, there are a number of issues here. The origin and fate of the mummy must be addressed
(how did it get into its current state? – clearly this is not a “natural” occurrence: What is to become of it?). In addition, it should be
pointed out that, technically, the “mummy” remains property of the Peruvian government, and that (at least in my opinion) a trip to
the cave network where it was located will be warranted in any complete investigation. Any investigation into whether this specimen
poses a threat should be initiated before the press gets further involved, thus some degree of haste is required. Please bear in mind that
any agents assigned should be tactful – a number of academic careers are at stake here (Schwartzmann’s, Mortenson’s, my own not the
least). Although my originally planned holiday is drawing to a close, I can remain in Hawaii as long a necessary to support an investigative
team. I await your earliest reply for instructions.

Regards,
Prof. Grant Emerson, DSc., PhD., BA., FRCPath, FIMLS, FIBiol Cbiol.

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Books collections along the lines of “Twenty Great Werewolf

DELTA GREEN: DARK THEATRES Stories.” Pretty soon, you know what clues to look for and
Edited by Bob Kruger & what could have been shocking, inventive or out of the
John Tynes ordinary becomes the expected norm.
Published November 2001 Consequently, the most successful stories are those that
by Armitage House try to break free of or bend these boundaries. Arinn Dembo’s
299pp, perfect bound. novelette “Suicide Watch” quite rightly stands out as the Dark
Price £12.99 Theatre’s centrepiece. It’s Delta Green with its roots showing
ISBN 1-887797-17-3 and a healthy mixture of horror, HP Lovecraft and the X Files.
Without giving the ending away, there isn’t the total bleakness
To begin with, a confession: I that you find in many of the other stories. Here there are
haven’t actually played Delta shades of grey and a little compassion. Maybe it’s no accident
Green. I haven’t even read the that “Suicide Watch” is written by Dark Theatre’s sole female
rulebook. My knowledge of the contributor. Only Ben Adam’s “Good Night, Bach Ma, Good Bye”
game comes only from reading has a similar drop of optimism running beside the unrelenting
the occasional article or scenario hopelessness of the narrative.
and of course from Issue 1 of If you’re a Delta Green fan, this anthology is a must. It
this magazine. I don’t tend to play RPGs that rely on heaps of provides as much background information, ideas and
firepower and although I’ve refereed the occasional game of inspiration as any sourcebook. If like me you’re a gamer new
Cthulhu Now, I by far prefer Call of Cthulhu’s other to the genre, it does provide a good introduction to the game.
incarnations. However, as a horror fiction anthology, the collective air of
So why am I reviewing Dark Theatres? futility can be oppressive and I wouldn’t recommend reading
I’ve approached the book purely as a horror anthology and Dark Theatres in a single sitting.
not as a game supplement. Cthulhu fiction is a specialist genre;
Delta Green fiction even more so. Appealing just to DG Reviewed by Andy Bennison
players is unwise in what is already a limited market. Dark
Theatres needs to be seen by the wider horror fiction reading THE THREE IMPOSTORS AND OTHER STORIES
public. Fortunately, John Tynes provides a short explanation of By Arthur Machen. Edited and
the world of Delta Green for readers unfamiliar to the milieu. introduced by S.T. Joshi
The collection begins with “Once More from the Top…” Published April 2001 by
providing an accessible introduction to the DG Universe. Two Chaosium Inc.
men interview one of the few surviving servicemen who took 234 pp, perfect bound.
part in the federal raid on Innsmouth back in 1928. They want Price £8.99
to set the record straight and clarify a few facts about what Product Code: 6030
actually happened. The tone is gritty, violent and pessimistic. It ISBN: 1-56882-132-8
provides a modern re-working of Lovecraft’s classic using
language and descriptions that would have been inappropriate Called by Lovecraft one of the
at the time, whilst remaining respectful of the original short four “modern masters” of
story. In effect it’s a blueprint for the whole sub-genre. supernatural horror, Arthur
A book full of stories in this style makes for grim reading. Machen has exerted a tremendous
Despite the appearance of ‘strong’ female characters in some influence on the development of
stories, the tales often use a brutal masculine prose style. A weird fiction. In addition to
single Delta Green story stands out in an ‘ordinary’ horror Lovecraft himself, Machen’s work has inspired authors as
anthology, but putting a whole group of them together can diverse as Clive Barker, Iain Sinclair and M. John Harrison.
make for repetitive reading. It’s rather like reading themed Despite this, his work tends to yo-yo in and out of print with

68 The Black Seal #2

 Reviews
alarming regularity, and so Chaosium’s decision to publish a between fact and fiction becomes increasingly blurred.
collection of his best weird tales is extremely welcome Modelled on Robert Louis Stevenson’s New Arabian Nights
(whatever else you might have to say about Chaosium, their (Lin Carter referred to the novel as Baghdad-on-the-Thames),
dedication to keeping rare and often important work in print The Three Impostors is a difficult and wilfully obscure work
through their Cthulhu Fiction line excuses almost any crime). with a plot that can only be described as ‘Byzantine’. A surface
The first story in this, the first of two collections, is the reading will almost certainly prove to be a disappointing
novella The Great God Pan – the controversial tale that was experience; nevertheless, the novel possesses hidden depths,
Machen’s first major success. Incensing Victorian readers with richly mined by the likes of Lovecraft and others. Of
its lurid combination of horror and pagan sexuality, Machen particular note is Machen’s portrayal of London as a dark,
became an overnight celebrity – a figurehead for the new almost mystical labyrinth full of occult secrets – a vision that’s
‘decadent’ aesthetic. Despite the public furore however, most been hugely influential in fantastic fiction in recent years.
of the sexual depravity that so offended Victorian sensibilities If I have one criticism, it’s that Chaosium’s second volume
is implied rather than explicitly stated. Machen skilfully lets the of Machen stories doesn’t appear to be due for some
reader’s mind fill in the blanks, walking them through a series considerable time yet. Given that it arguably contains the
of seemingly unrelated events and episodes and allowing them better stories (i.e. The White People and The Hill of Dreams), this
to make the connections themselves. Surprisingly, given all the is a little frustrating, to say the least. Otherwise, it’s hard to
fuss, The Great God Pan actually has quite a puritanical take on knock this collection of essential reading for fans of
the notion of sexual horror; as S.T. Joshi notes in his supernatural fiction everywhere. A welcome and worthy
introduction, much of the ‘horror’ stems from Machen’s own addition to the Cthulhu Fiction line.
prudishness about aberrant, promiscuous sexuality. It’s a far
cry from his later work, in which he developed a fascination Reviewed by Nick Brownlow
with the possibility that the same dark powers that disturb him
so much here might actually have a positive, regenerative
influence. DVDs
Although far from being Machen’s most accomplished DAGON
weird tale, The Great God Pan still makes for a nasty little horror Starring Ezra Godden, Raquel
story. Perhaps Machen’s most underrated quality is his capacity Meroño, Francisco Rabal,
for occasionally jarring, almost matter of fact sadism – which Brendan Price
is particularly evident here. Directed by Stuart Gordon
The Inmost Light and The Shining Pyramid are two short, Certificate 18. 2001. Colour,
fairly pedestrian pieces, both featuring Machen’s low-rent running time 94minutes.
Sherlock Holmes, the highly irritating and unbearably smug Mr Region 2 DVD. Published by
Dyson. In these two stories Dyson grapples with two occulted Metrodome Distribution Ltd.
mysteries, solving both in much the same manner as the Great Price £19.99
Detective – by way of a brilliantly (i.e. ludicrously) Also available for rental.
unconventional process of deduction. Consequently, these are
really closer to detective stories than weird tales, although both Dagon is Stuart Gordon’s latest
still contain a strong supernatural element. Lovecraftian movie (Re-Animator,
The last piece in the collection is the novel The Three From Beyond). It’s not specifically inspired by any particular
Impostors. Poorly received when originally published, the Lovecraft story although it’s titled ‘H.P. Lovecraft’s Dagon’. The
individual ‘episodes’ that comprise the work are frequently movie opens with two couples – Paul and Barbara, and
printed separately from the main text as self-contained pieces Howard and Vicki, on a yacht off the coast of Spain, where
(something Chaosium themselves have been guilty of on the two couples are holidaying. Paul, the hero of the piece
occasion). Here, however, the novel is included in its entirety. played by Ezra Godden, is an IT millionaire plagued by
Whilst hardly as satisfying as Machen’s later The Hill of Dreams, persistent dreams of an underwater city. As storm suddenly
it’s nevertheless a fascinating, albeit puzzling work. The main brews up from nowhere and the yacht is forced onto rocks and
narrative concerns Mr Dyson (yes, him again) and his learned Vicki sucked through the hole below waterline. Paul and the
companion, the rather stuffy Mr Phillips. The two friends are delectable Barbara (played by Raquel Meroño) head for the
engaged in an ongoing philosophical debate about the nature village on shore. Paul and Barbara are quickly separated by the
of reality – and in particular, what the place of science is plot, and Paul is left alone in the creepy, Deep One-hybrid
within it (with Dyson championing Machen’s own anti- infested village of Imbolc.
materialist view). The middle section of the film is a convoluted chase scene
Through a series of unlikely coincidences, Dyson and as Paul stumbles around trying to find his friends and then
Phillips separately encounter three individuals, each of which trying to escape the village and its crazed inhabitants. Paul
adopts a number of different guises and identities throughout runs into Ezequiel, the sole human survivor left in Imbolc.
the course of the novel. Each of the ‘impostors’ attempts to Ezequiel informs Paul (and the audience) the terrible history
enlist the help of the two men in finding the mysterious ‘young of Imbolc (an almost direct copy of Innsmouth’s past).
man with spectacles’ – who all three are clearly pursuing. In Francisco Rabal plays Ezequiel. Rabal is supposedly a reputed
order to accomplish this, each of them recounts a number of actor in Spain but here his English is appalling. I struggled to
fantastic tales – the ‘novels’ of which the book is comprised. understand his performance and attempted to put the subtitles
As Dyson and Phillips begin to cotton on to the possibility on – only to find out that the DVD has none. Rabal gets his
that these tales might not be entirely reliable, the distinction come-uppance for his performance though – he’s skinned alive

Spring 2003 69
 PISCES: The Silent Service
later on the movie. Imbolc stands in very well as a European filmmaking; Alejandro Amenabar (actually Chilean) aside
Innsmouth, and the genetic mutation of its inhabitants is however, Spain doesn’t have a particularly impressive track
depicted as more than just a fishy-eyed look. An observant record when it comes to horror (and I remember Cthulhu
keeper will find much to plunder for his representation of Mansion). I’m pleased to say then, that I was pleasantly
Deep One hybrids. surprised and impressed by Director Balaguero’s dark and
The movie enters the conclusion when Paul meets Uxia (a moody debut feature.
great demented performance from the fabulously named First things first – Los Sin Nombre is available on Region 2
Macareña Gómez), a girl supposedly confined to her bed. It DVD, but has not been released in the UK. I eventually
seems that Paul’s dreams are connected to Imbolc , and managed to purchase my copy from www.starscafe.com. This
surprise, surprise, it turns out that his mother escaped from was the original Spanish DVD release, with subtitles in English
Imbolc before Paul was born. It’s Paul’s destiny to return to his and Catalan. If you’re the type of person who can’t stand
family and embrace his heritage. subtitles, then there’s also an English dub track on the Spanish
The finale is quite good but gratuitous. The delightful edition that’s (surprisingly) not half bad. The quality of the
Barbara returns as a naked sacrifice. CG effects provide a DVD itself is excellent, and all in all it makes for an impressive
suitably tentacley, grotesque, Cthulhu-like Dagon. Uxia turns looking package.
out to be high priestess of the Esoteric Order of Dagon and The story begins when a yuppie couple is called to a police
supplies a surprise method of propulsion and Paul returns to station to identify a corpse believed to be their missing six-
the sea. year-old daughter, Angela. The body has been mutilated so
Overall Dagon is worth plundering for scene setting details, badly though (in what the pathologist describes as a ‘ritual’
but as a movie makes only the C-movie grade. It’s mostly fashion), that identification has to be made through personal
formulaic and predictable and provides few surprises. The affects found close to it, and on the basis that the corpse and
DVD extras are extremely disappointing. Already mentioned is the missing girl both have one leg slightly shorter than the
that there are no subtitles, just a trailer and a so-called making- other. Jumping forward five years, we learn that the mother,
of documentary – this nothing more than a series of on-the- Claudia, has separated from her husband, and spends most of
set video clips edited together. I can’t recommend this DVD at her evenings brooding and repeatedly watching home videos
its high street price, but at second-hand prices, on-line of happier times. One night however, she receives a cryptic
auctions or on-line stores it’s worth a punt bearing in mind its phone call from someone claiming to be her daughter.
drawbacks. Better still rent it. If you are pursuing the on-line Following the caller’s instructions, Claudia goes to a derelict
route you may want to consider the Region 1 version if your and disused sanatorium near where the family used to take
DVD player can handle it. This version has subtitles, pre- holidays. There, she discovers one of the shoes her daughter
production artwork, and commentaries from the director, was wearing when she vanished.
writer and Ezra Godden as well as the trailer and “Making of ” Unsure of how to proceed, she contacts the police
‘featurette’. detective formerly in charge of the case (now retired from the
force and dealing with his own personal demons concerning
Reviewed by Adam Crossingham the death of his wife and their unborn child). The detective –
Massera – decides to look into it and discovers a girl of
Angela’s age with the exact same physical abnormality went
LOS SIN NOMBRE (THE NAMELESS) missing around the same time that she disappeared. Together,
Starring Emma Vilarasau, Massera and Claudia visit the Papal University, where they are
Karra Elejalde, Tristan Ulloa told about the existence of a cult known only as ‘the
Written and Directed by Nameless’. Founded by a prominent figure of sixties counter-
Jaume Balaguero culture – a man called Santini – the cult believed in ‘freeing evil
Certificate unrated in UK. 1999. from the corruption of the flesh’ through torture, murder and
Colour, running time 102 minutes. mutilation. Santini was eventually arrested and imprisoned on
Region 2 DVD. charges of child abuse, but a journalist contacts them and
Price 24.01 (£15.00) hints at something much darker – something involving human
experimentation and a link to the Nazis’ pharmaceutical
LOS SIN NOMBRE is, to the best of research program at Dachau during the war.
my knowledge, the first time anyone The first half of Los Sin Nombre is superb; throughout the
has had a serious crack at adapting chillingly atmospheric opening sequence, Claudia’s visit to the
one of Ramsey Campbell’s novels for sanatorium and the beginning of Massera’s investigation,
the big screen. This is sad enough in Balaguero creates a powerful sense of dread that pervades
itself, considering that Campbell has every scene. Cracks start to appear however, when he attempts
been writing prolifically for the better part of thirty-eight years to further the plot from its compelling starting point. Things
now, during which time he has produced some of the most start to become disjointed, and it’s simply not clear why
influential work in the field of modern horror. Worse, characters begin to do things like contact the Papal University,
however, is the fact that the only people who seem to be or why the clerics there immediately connect Angela’s
interested in adapting the novels of England’s greatest living disappearance to Santini’s cult. You get the strong feeling that
writer of supernatural fiction for the cinema, are the Spanish. important scenes and exposition have ended up on the cutting
Perhaps given the conservative nature of the British film room floor, and whilst the film still looks great – and
industry, this is only to be expected. The Spanish film industry continues to provide the occasional scary moment – this
of course has an enviable reputation for quality, experimental becomes increasingly distracting.

70 The Black Seal #2

 Reviews
The ending leaves a little to be desired too, and whilst it’s almost entirely visually. There’s very little dialogue, and the
undoubtedly predictable (I prefer to see it as inevitable rather characters in the film only rarely converse; instead muttering
than predictable – just like a bad nightmare), this wouldn’t and mumbling to themselves. In fact, the only substantial piece
have been so much of a problem if it hadn’t been so rushed, of dialogue comes when the Professor condescendingly
and the audience had more time to dwell on the implications outlines his archly sceptical view of the supernatural to a
of what was happening. As it stands, the climax just feels fellow guest at the hotel – foreshadowing his eventual
underwhelming. Ultimately, the film comes across more as an encounter with the otherworldly and unexplainable. Building
exercise in style rather than storytelling, which given the at an extraordinarily slow pace, Miller skilfully evokes the
impressive first half is something of a shame. awkward and repressive atmosphere of the Victorian
Despite this, Los Sin Nombre still manages to be an guesthouse and then slowly replaces it with something
entertaining, if not entirely satisfying horror film and altogether more menacing. As a result, the film overcomes
Balaguero acquits himself well. It’s a worthy cinematic debut many of the hurdles that befall other adaptations of James’s
for Campbell’s work, and I only hope that it won’t be another stories – that perhaps rely too much on the master’s original
thirty-eight years before someone else decides have a crack at prose to try and generate atmosphere and forgetting that
bringing his vision to the big screen. they’re working in a visual medium.
Michael Hordern’s superb performance as Professor
Reviewed by Nick Brownlow Parkins, portraying him as an awkward and eccentric middle-
aged man, is also clearly at odds with James’s original
protagonist. Hordern’s Parkins can be said to draw more on
WHISTLE AND I’LL COME TO YOU James’s own character than the Parkins of the original story,
Starring Michael Hordern leading many James purists to dismiss Miller’s adaptation as a
Written and Directed by Jonathan barbed parody of James’s work. Most controversial of all,
Miller however, is Miller’s interpretation of the story as a
Certificate PG. 1968. Black & psychological drama. We’re never entirely sure whether Parkins
White, running time 60 minutes. is genuinely encountering the supernatural, or whether he’s
Region 0 DVD. Published by bfi suffering a mental breakdown caused by his own repressed
Video Publishing. Price £19.99 emotions and superstitions. Whilst this is a major sticking
point for many James admirers, however, it’s one I’m fairly
Originally made for the BBC’s dismissive of. As an argument against Miller’s adaptation, it
Omnibus program and broadcast in chooses to focus too narrowly on the things he has changed
1968, Jonathan Miller’s adaptation of instead of what he hasn’t. The period detail, the emphasis on
M.R. James’ Oh Whistle And I’ll Come atmosphere and the sense of understated menace certainly
To You My Lad is generally regarded as make it the most effective and faithful adaptation of James’s
one of the more successful interpretations of James’s work. work I’ve ever seen.
Miller deliberately chose to avoid many of the conventions The DVD itself also comes with a number of impressive
usually employed by filmmakers when adapting James, and extras. Whilst the film only lasts for 42 minutes in total, it’s
whilst this upset many James purists, the film is all the more supplemented by an introduction by Ramsey Campbell, who
effective as a result. As it was repeated only once in 1986, the also reads his own James homage ‘The Guide’. Neil Brand
recently released Region 0 DVD (by those nice people at the reads James’s original story, and Kim Newman writes the
BFI as part of their ‘Archive Television’ series) is especially sleeve notes.
welcome. To sum up then, ‘Whistle and I’ll Come to You’ is something
James’s original plot was always pretty thin, but Miller’s of a lost classic, thankfully rediscovered. A treat for James’s
version is even leaner – the story’s protagonist is Professor more open-minded admirers, and a textbook example of how
Parkins of Cambridge University – a particularly cranky and to disturb and terrify for the rest of us.
uptight bachelor who decides to spend his winter break
holidaying on the Norfolk coast. Whilst walking alone one Reviewed by Nick Brownlow
afternoon along the bleak and windswept beaches, he
discovers a subsiding graveyard, and in one of the exposed,
abandoned graves, a carved wooden whistle. Taking it back to Games
his hotel, Parkins examines it more thoroughly later that CALL OF CTHULHU d20
evening; translating the Latin inscription it bears as “Who is By Monte Cook & John Tynes
this who is coming?” Rather arrogantly, Parkins decides to Published April 2002 by
blow the whistle and see. In the days that follow, Parkins Wizards of the Coast
begins to sense that something is wrong with the world. He 320pp, hard cover. Price £24.99
sleeps fitfully, and imagines a presence in his room at night. Product Code: 886440000.
Plagued by strange dreams and a sense of impending menace, ISBN: 0-7869-2639-2
he eventually confronts the source of his unease in the
terrifying finale. I still don’t know why Wizards
Whilst Miller’s adaptation follows the plot of the original choose Call of Cthulhu to convert to
story quite closely, he makes a number of departures as well. their new d20 system. However when
Most obviously, Miller abandons the traditional first person by a company the size and importance
the fireside narrative common to James’s work, and works of Wizards decides to do something,

Spring 2003 71
 PISCES: The Silent Service
it then becomes an industry event. D20 Call of Cthulhu is here classic great Cthulhu spells. Spell cost is now specific attribute
to stay whether you like it or not. Physically the rule book is loss, mostly temporary but some is permanent, rather than MP
impressive. The cover is a little dull but does the trick. Inside or POW loss. The listing is more specific than classic Cthulhu,
the hard covers are 320 full colour pages. There’s an odd indicating required components, ranges and duration.
slanted text layout to whole thing which is a little weird and The Creatures chapter is a d20’isation of the classic
plenty of colour artwork – though it doesn’t always hit the Creature of the Mythos chapter. It’s a bit weird seeing Mythos
target of what is required all of the time. being strictly categorised into d20 creature types.
Character Generation, Skills & Feats: Char-gen is The Cthulhu Mythos, Gamemaster, Stories and Settings
essentially a d20’isation of classic Call of Cthulhu. There’s only chapters are the real meat of the d20 Cthulhu adaptation,
one class on d20 Cthulhu: investigator. Differentiation is written by John Tynes, and it shows. The Mythos is dissected,
provided by profession templates: sets of 12 skills which explained and information on how to use it in a game: from
identify an occupation. The skills section is self explanatory. creatures, gods, cults, degenerate families and dangerous
Skills are resolved by a d20 roll plus skill modifier against a places. This is good primer stuff – excellent for novices, but
keeper set difficulty number. Feats are binary skills – you have even seasoned keepers would benefit from the revision course.
then or you don’t. Most feats are combat orientated, indicative The Gamemaster section is another how-to toolkit for keepers.
of d20’s D&D origins, but some are psychic. This is departure Every horror game keeping nuance is broken down, explained
from classic Cthulhu, when psychic abilities have hitherto only and its use considered. The Stories chapter is an expansion of
been addressed in non-Chaosium supplements. This opens up classic Cthulhu’s ‘onion skin’ theory and then some more. The
an avenue of character types previously ignored, though Settings chapter explore the possibilities of setting adventures
anybody taking a psychically gifted character deserves anything anywhen from the 1890s to the present, considered by location
a keeper can throw at them. and campaign theme. This chapter is littered with examples
Sanity: This is where d20 Cthulhu departs from the drawn from literature and cinema. It’s an excellent summary of
standard d20 conversion route previously taken. The Sanity inspiration.
system is ported directly from the classic system. It’s a A couple of adventures suitable set for 1st level characters
wholesale lift, but as a rewrite it sort of works. The temporary and an appendix of the Mythos deities statted up for D&D3e
insanity tables seem better, the sanity loss examples more play end the book. I can’t comment on the adventures as I
useful. The section on mental disorders looks more concise haven’t played them but they look OK. They may not be in the
than Chaosium’s. Where the Sanity system breaks down is its league of the Haunting, but give them 10 years and they might
integration with the Cthulhu Mythos skill. As a direct copy, be. The D&D appendix is interesting reading. I’m not entirely
Sanity is measured in percentiles, but the Cthulhu Mythos skill sure why its here. If the intent of the authors was that it was
is measured in 5% steps. Initial Cthulhu Mythos gains due to pointless statting up gods so they could be killed, so excluding
the investigator’s first insanity is 2 skill ranks which equals them from the main text I can understand. But addressing the
10% in classic Cthulhu, yet Cthulhu Mythos only reduces appendix towards D&D suggests power-munchkin wish
maximum Sanity by percentiles equalling the skill ranks – an fulfilment and potential sales to me. It makes interesting
80% reduction of effect. This fundamentally breaks the reading however. For instance Azathoth has a whole host of
knowledge/sanity equilibrium that’s such a part of classic skills and feats I wouldn’t normally equate with an
Cthulhu. Gaining knowledge is no longer the double-edged omnipresent seething nuclear chaos.
sword that it was. The short-term sanity loss remains the same, As a rule set I can’t recommend d20 Cthulhu over classic
but if this can be recovered the investigator can shrug off the BRP Cthulhu; it’s far too combat-orientated as a rule set, the
implications of learning too much. Sanity/Cthulhu Mythos system is broken, and overall the rule
Combat & Equipment: The combat rules are 31 pages set seems to be fixated on minutiae. The mix of combat and
compared against classic Cthulhu’s 14 pages. I think that’s all reduced effectiveness of Sanity seems to point to a default
that really needs to be said… I do have to point out the playing style that isn’t classic Cthulhu, and is more
Massive Damage threshold though. If a character takes more action/horror movie orientated. This is not a bad thing if
than 10 points of damage in a single instance the character has that’s what you want. Keepers wanting a change of pace may
to make a saving throw in order to survive. This is a rules want to bear this in mind.
fudge to keep higher level characters from shrugging off D20 Cthulhu opens a number of different avenues to
damage that theoretically would kill or incapacitate them. I like keepers to experiment with due to the number of d20 systems
it as a fudge, but I can see high level characters (10 or above) and settings published. For example, a Conan d20 game is
being able to take the massive damage saving throw with only promised in the near future by Mongoose. A promising
a small chance of failure, as their base saves increase. I can see Hyborian campaign could come out of any hybrid cross. I’m
house rules being introduced that will limit HPs gained sure that there will be other hybrids as well.
through level increases. 21 pages of the Equipment chapter are D20 Cthulhu will open up to Chaosium a vast audience of
devoted to firearms, written by Pagan’s John H. Crowe. It’s d20/D&Ders who wouldn’t have previously considered any other
comprehensive as would be expected but this time the game. I can recommend d20 Cthulhu to this audience as they
legalities involved are addressed as well – a welcome change. already know most of the rules or won’t touch another rule
The Magic chapter covers books, artefacts and spells. The system. If Chaosium can address this large potential audience it
book stats are taken straight from classic Cthulhu, though can only be good for Chaosium’s profits, which is good for classic
study time has been reduced to more reasonable weeks rather Cthulhu too. As I said in my introduction, love it or hate it – I sort
than months. A nice touch is the introduction of ‘Strange of like it despite its failings – d20 Cthulhu is here to stay.
Events’: things that happen after a failed examination check of
a book or an artefact. The spell list is a compilation of all the Reviewed by Adam Crossingham

72 The Black Seal #2

 Reviews
FAMILY TIES suggestions about where things should go afterwards, with the
By A. Whetton scenario coming abruptly and unsatisfactorily to a close after
Published October 2002 by Ragged Angel Limited just 29 pages (the rest of the booklet is taken up by
A5 format. 32 pp. Price £2.99 descriptions of NPCs, maps etc.). Perhaps Ragged Angel
ISBN 0-9451227-1-2 should concentrate on producing longer, meatier
scenario/campaign books for Principia Malefex. Then again,
This slim booklet is the latest release for Principia Malefex – an perhaps they just don’t have the audience to justify doing this.
independently produced contemporary horror RPG from UK- Basically, Family Ties just doesn’t do anything for me, and
based small press outfit Ragged Angel Ltd. I have to admit to rightly or wrongly, these are the grounds on which I judge a
being unfamiliar with the main sourcebook, but I was sent a published scenario these days. I applaud the DIY attitude
copy of the Best of Friends starter scenario pack (available as a clearly subscribed to by the Principia Malefex crew, but at the
free .PDF from http://www.malefex.com), which contains an end of the day you just can’t escape the fact that they’re just
abridged version of the rules and several introductory not really doing anything particularly special.
scenarios. As such, I feel I have a reasonable enough grasp on
what the authors are trying to achieve here. Reviewed by Nick Brownlow
From what I can tell, Principia Malefex is supposed to be
set in a ‘grounded’ modern day UK setting, where much of the
‘fun’ is supposed to come from RPGing in grim and gritty GURPS CTHULHUPUNK
‘real-life’ situations. Kitchen-sink horror, if you like. The By Chris W. McCubbin
scenarios I’ve read have generally been a mixed bag, with some Published September 2001 by
containing no supernatural elements whatsoever (focusing on Steve Jackson Games.
the psychological horror implicit in say, watching a friend piss 128pp, perfect bound.
his life away on drugs), some only traditional, rather generic Price £14.99
supernatural elements (ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, etc.), Product Code: SJG02285
and others that refer to a Principia Malefex specific ‘mythos’ ISBN: 1-55634-561-5
(incorporating its own magical systems, bestiary and so on).
Family Ties is a blend of the latter two. Combining the Cthulhu Mythos of
The PCs (who are presumably all supposed to be already H.P Lovecraft with the near future
acquainted) are transported magically to a multi-storey car dystopia of William Gibson isn’t an
park somewhere in their hometown and in the middle of the immediately obvious idea, and to be
night for a meeting with a formidable, somewhat inscrutable honest, I still can’t decide whether it’s inspired or incredibly
sorceress. Basically, she’s looking to hire them to check up on stupid. This is, however, more or less what GURPS
her sister who lives on an isolated island off the coast of CTHULHUPUNK sets out to do. Originally released in 1995,
Scotland (and with whom she’s lost all contact), and wants to it’s actually last year’s 2nd printing that I’ll be reviewing here,
terrify them into not saying no by demonstrating her immense although I’m told it differs from the original edition only in
power. This, of course, is little more than a plot device to that it sports a far superior cover painting by the excellent
make sure the PCs head on up to the island as requested, Christopher Shy.
where, of course, things aren’t quite as simple as a few downed Cthulhupunk begins with an introduction by the author
telephone lines. explaining the central conceit of the book, and almost straight
It’s by no means a dreadful set up for a scenario, and the away, we run into problems. Despite what it says about
story itself is a reasonable enough one with scope for presenting “a complete and entertaining game world in its own
development. As might be expected from a small press right”, we’re immediately told in a sidebar that it’s necessary to
publisher, production values aren’t particularly impressive, and have GURPS Cyberpunk to play Cthulhupunk, and that the game
there hasn’t been a great deal of effort put into making it world it’s set in is detailed in GURPS Cyberworld. Of course,
resemble a professionally produced publication. The trade off you don’t have to run your Cthulhupunk games in Cyberworld;
here of course is in price – you can pick up Family Ties for less you can just use the near future Cyberpunk setting of your
than the cost of some comic books. choice instead. Which of course begs the question, if you have
All in all however, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Family the Call of Cthulhu rulebook and a Cyberpunk setting of your
Ties is just all a bit arbitrary. It’s by no means a bad scenario, own in mind, what on Earth do you need Cthulhupunk for?
but it’s not a particularly great one, either. It’s not particularly The author – Chris McCubbin – goes on to give a concise,
original, there are no real standout scenes or ideas, and the reader-friendly Mythos ‘primer’, broadly in tune with
narrative structure is fairly contrived. More importantly Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu, dealing with the major entities,
though, it has the feel of someone’s Wednesday night gaming locales and tomes. This is all fairly solid, but it doesn’t really
session written up for publication the following weekend – not connect with any of the other material in the book, essentially
something that’s been keenly researched and studiously just summarising the core background material from Call of
prepared for publication over time. Cthulhu. This is followed by an introduction to the
Particularly disappointing is the lack of any discussion Cthulhupunk world – essentially just an overview of
about what happens next. The scenario ends in a reasonably Cyberworld, accompanied by a few sidebars dropping hints
open ended fashion, with the PCs introduced to new mysteries about how the Mythos might come into the picture. Part of
and a new supporting cast of sorts (including at least one the problem here is that seven years on from its first
possible arch-villain character). It reads like the first scenario publication, the Cyberworld setting seems extremely dated.
of an ongoing campaign, but there are no real hints or Cyberpunk as a literary movement, of course, hasn’t aged

Spring 2003 73
 PISCES: The Silent Service
particularly well either, and has effectively been dead for some The original Keeper’s Companion is a pretty indispensable
time. McCubbin describes the Cyberpunk setting as one where weapon in the armoury of any Call of Cthulhu gamesmaster.
technological – and I would add to that capitalist – progress It was rammed full of useful stuff ranging from an expanded
has outpaced social evolution – a powerful, cautionary idea in character sheet to tips and tricks from the heavyweights at
the early eighties, but twenty years on, one that’s of dubious Chaosium.
relevance (I’m even tempted to argue that in the early 21st At 165 pages, the second volume is 40 pages shorter than
Century social evolution has outpaced technological progress). the original, and unfortunately the contents are far less useful.
The fact that Cyberworld revels in the worst clichés of the The bulk of the book is devoted to a comprehensive
genre doesn’t really help its case – I’m referring here to the examination of the Prohibition era. For groups playing in the
increasingly ridiculous-sounding timeline (Boris Yeltsin classic Cthulhu setting of 1920s America, this is useful stuff.
assassinated in 1996, a liberal China emerging in 1999, NATO For the rest of us, it’s a history lesson. Speakeasies, down-
disbanded 2003…) and the frankly embarrassing futurespeak market clip joints and the glitter palaces of the high and
(“You know how much the nerks hate cult stuff. It sets them mighty are all dealt with, as is smuggling and law enforcement.
off worse than a thousand t-byte purge”). Even skimming through these pages will have scenario ideas
Subsequent chapters deal with character generation popping out at you. For those who like to get in character,
(presumably redundant if you have a copy of Cyberworld), there’s a guide to “Flapperese”, the slang of the Roaring
game mechanics (the introduction of ‘Mythos Fright Checks’ Twenties. In no time at all, your players will be exclaiming
offers a workable, albeit contrived stand in for the Call of “Zowie!” when they defeat the machinations of dread Cthulhu
Cthulhu SAN system), some very generic advice on running a – though those brought up on a steady diet of Scooby-Doo
Cthulhupunk campaign, and some sparsely-detailed NPCs and probably do so already. The tone is realistic throughout, and
organisations that are basically plot hooks for scenarios. everything you could possibly want to know about Prohibition
Cthulhupunk rounds off with a Mythos bestiary (GURPS stats is here.
for the Great Old Ones and most of the major Mythos races, The Companion then skips onto an interesting article
and advice on how to convert Call of Cthulhu stats to about Satanism, Setians and whether or not anyone in the real
GURPS). It’s hard not to think, rather cynically perhaps, that world actually believes in the Mythos. While this is an
given the essential redundancy of Cthulhupunk if you already excellently written and provoking piece, it doesn’t feel like it
own Call of Cthulhu, this is really the main draw of the book belongs here. On then to something that certainly does – the
(“this book is not GURPS Call of Cthulhu”, my eye). Keeper’s List of Lists. Every scenario produced for Call of
The biggest problem with Cthulhupunk however, is that Cthulhu broken down by era, monsters, cults and so on. While
there’s no real attempt to combine the Mythos with the the completists out there will wet their pants, for the rest of us
Cyberpunk setting. McCubbin drops a few hints as to how the this is pretty much useless and it feels a lot like wasted space.
Mythos might be behind this or that, and how Organisation x What certainly isn’t wasted, though, is Greg Henrikson’s
might be interested in Mythos entity y, but you never really get excellent treatment of the thorny issue of firearms. Good Call
the sense that Lovecraft’s eldritch horrors and the high-tech of Cthulhu is about avoiding gunplay, but lots of gamers are
wonders of the mid-21st Century inhabit the same world. In gun-nuts who know nothing about the realities of firearms.
that sense, it’s less a marriage of genres, and more an uneasy Here, then, is the perfect chance to give them a painful
cohabitation. education. Avoiding the pathetic little debate in Call of
In conclusion, there’s nothing really essential about Cthulhu circles about damage and stats, Henrikson tackles
Cthulhupunk. It isn’t a world book or a game setting, it’s just an practicalities such as maintenance, malfunctions and over-
interesting conceit, padded out by a lot of material cribbed penetration. Introducing two new skills – Handload and
from other games. One for the collectors, definitely – but Gunsmith – he also examines in detail several weapons which
nothing even someone interested in running a Call of Cthulhu investigators would realistically be able to get their hands on.
/Cyberpunk hybrid can do without. Prospective authors intent on churning out articles on guns
should take note on how to do it right.
Reviewed by Nick Brownlow A few extra tomes, spells and monsters pad out a few
pages before one of the book’s most useful sections, a
breakdown of technology used by the major Mythos races. A
THE KEEPER’S COMPANION VOLUME 2: nice little piece of fiction which could double as a prop and a
Prohibition, Firearms, Tomes and Deep One autopsy report finish off this second volume.
Creatures Nowhere near as indispensable as the first, this still has
By Adam Gauntlett, Brian quite a lot to interest a good Keeper, especially for a Twenties
Sammons, Greg Hendriksen, campaign. For others, the advice is to borrow it for a skim
William Dietze, Charles Zaglanis, before parting with your cash.
Gordon Olmstead-Dean, and
friends Reviewed by Jonathan Turner
Published January 2003 by
Chaosium Inc.
192 pp, perfect bound.
Price £14.99
Product Code: CHA2395.
ISBN: 1-56882-186-7

74 The Black Seal #2

 Reviews
UNKNOWN ARMIES 2nd EDITION the source material, and makes it considerably more readable
By John Tynes, Greg Stoltze and from a player’s perspective. A final section, ‘For the Gamester’
Co. deals with campaign and scenario construction, and offers
Published July 2002 by helpful hints on a variety of GM-specific topics.
Atlas Games The text in each section is peppered with first person
336 pp, hard cover. Price £26.99 narratives tailored specifically to the setting being described.
Product Code: AG6020. The purpose of these is to give an idea of how characters
ISBN 1589780132 might be introduced to the setting, how they might progress in
it, and how they might end up. Meanwhile the ‘voice’ of the
Unknown Armies is the brainchild of book always addresses you as a character in the UA2 world
John Tynes and Greg Stoltze, two rather than an RPG gamer at almost all times – telling and
names that should be familiar to RPG showing you how to run it. The effect is truly ‘immersive’. The
enthusiasts as the co-creator of Delta Green and co-creator of original Unknown Armies was indeed a little vague on how it
Godlike respectively. First published in 1998, Unknown Armies should be run; UA2 however, grabs you by the scruff of the
was of interest to Call of Cthulhu players for two main neck and screams exactly how to run and play a game in your
reasons: firstly, co-author Tynes – then head of iconoclastic ear hole.
publishing house Pagan Publishing – was basking in the Finally, UA2 reprints the ‘Bill in Three Persons’ scenario
adulation of critics and fans alike for his work on the highly from the first edition, but wisely adds a new one in
regarded Call of Cthulhu sourcebooks, Delta Green and The ‘Pinfeathers’, which gives novice keepers somewhere to go
Golden Dawn. Anything he did had to be worth a look. And after running the somewhat bizarre introductory scenario.
secondly, Unknown Armies was probably the most interesting- UA2 is certainly an improvement on the original edition.
sounding attempt at creating a modern-day horror RPG in a It’s a more rounded, intuitive, reference-able and ultimately
long, long time – marrying a gritty, street-level setting to an more playable book, and hopefully it should see its audience
entirely original, modern day occult mythology complete with increase dramatically as a result. Whilst it’s not actually
underlying themes of alienation, consequence and necessary to upgrade if you already have a copy of the original
transcendence. edition (particularly if you’re completely happy with it), I
Ambitious, eclectic and occasionally a little muddled, I would probably still advise it for the above reasons; unless of
think it’s fair to say that it fulfilled its initial promise for some, course you’re saving up for a life-saving operation or
but not for others. something.
Now personally, I loved it: conceptually, Unknown Armies is And for those of you who are completely unfamiliar with
fresh, original and perhaps most importantly as a GM, Unknown Armies 1 or 2, here’s a quick synopsis of what it’s all
inspirational. Greg Stoltze’s game mechanics, meanwhile, are about: Unknown Armies is a game of horror, madness and
nothing short of sublime. Unknown Armies employs a simple magick; dark, urban fantasy in the same vein as Tim Powers’s
and elegant, character-driven percentile system that also Fisher King trilogy, or Neil Gaiman’s American Gods (the
manages to break new ground with its quite innovative combat authors have also clearly been at the Borges and the Márquez).
and insanity rules. Players take on the role of ‘initiates’ in the modern-day occult
Others, however, pointed to the lack of clear goals and underground – ordinary joes dragged into the occult melee by
directions for players; the only vaguely described narrative coincidence, curiosity or just plain bad luck; paranormal
structures and the GM-centric nature of the rulebook – all of investigators way out of their depth; ‘reality cops’ fighting
which, to a certain extent, were fair. Clearly, someone was something they barely comprehend let alone understand; and
paying attention to these criticisms however, as Tynes and post-modern street mages seeking to further their power and
Stoltze spent a sizeable portion of last year putting together a influence, regardless of the heavy price this entails.
2nd Edition of the game in order to answer some of them. Underpinning everything is a fascinating human-centric view
And the result of their labour is finally here. At 336 pages, of the cosmos, and an ongoing meta-plot that involves
Unknown Armies 2nd edition (UA2 from hereon in) is a fat, nothing less than the death and rebirth of reality.
beautiful-looking book, attractively designed and bound in
luxurious hardcover. The rules are pretty much the same, The author of this review would like it to be known that whilst his name
except that they’ve been streamlined a bit, with one or two of does indeed appear on the credits page of UA2, his sole contribution to
the more awkward areas from the first edition having been it amounts to around a dozen words, for which he received no financial
reworked or just plain removed. remuneration (he didn’t even get a free review copy). If the book had been
Some of the hazier source material has also been dropped, a sad sack of shite, then he would have been the first to slate it to
whilst new source material (largely culled from already existing kingdom come and publicly insist his name be removed from the finished
supplements) has been introduced. All of this makes UA2 a product. Fortunately, this proved not to be necessary.
more rounded product than the original Unknown Armies of
course, but so far it doesn’t really offer a great deal more for Reviewed by Nick Brownlow
anyone who already picked up the original edition, or indeed
anyone who didn’t because of the aforementioned ‘flaws’ in
that product.
Where UA2 comes into its own, however, is in the overall
design and presentation of the book. UA2 is divided into three
levels of character awareness, ‘Street’, ‘Global’, and ‘Cosmic’;
an intuitive division that greatly enhances the organisation of

Spring 2003 75
 PISCES: The Silent Service

By Nick Brownlow, Adam Crossingham & Baz Nugent

Civilian bodies. In addition, the Agency also manages and implements its
z Environment Agency own programs with regard to flood defence, bio-diversity,
z Serious Fraud Office conservation and a range of other environmental concerns.
Despite this, the Agency’s core function is to provide advice
Intelligence/Military and consultation on environmental matters – both to public and
z Royal Military Police private bodies. The Agency is consulted on meeting the legal
requirements and also on general environmental concerns. As well
z PISCES
as acting to ensure adherence to regulation, the Agency attempts to
promote responsible attitudes towards the environment above and
Para-M
Military beyond the legal requirements. To this effect they run a number of
z Irish Republican Army promotional schemes, and have even been known to offer
z Ulster Defence Association incentives.
In addition to this, the Agency is expected to enforce legislation
Skills: These investigator templates assume the Keeper and – to this effect, Agency Inspectors respond to public complaints,
players have access to the Call of Cthulhu 5.x edition rules and and in some high risk cases (nuclear installations, toxic waste
Pagan Publishing’s Delta Green and Delta Green: Countdown dumps etc) will pay regular visits to ensure regulations are
supplements. New skills are marked with an *, and are described at complied with. The Agency will typically inform the offender of the
the end of the templates. infringement, and give them a chance to comply with the regulation
before taking action. The amount of leeway granted will usually be
determined by the immediacy of any threat to the environment.
Although in cases where regulations have been infringed, the
Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Agency regards ‘prevention as better than cure’, and has on
Affairs occasion been criticised by environmental groups for its
Environment Agency unwillingness to prosecute, it still enjoys considerable power to do
so. As well as outright prosecution, the Agency can administer
Cautions (which the offender must accept, signing a written
Date Founded: 1 April 1996
statement to the effect that they have committed the offence in
Mission When Founded: To provide for a better environment in
question), and Warnings (essentially just that). Both of these are
England and Wales, both for the
admissible as evidence in any future prosecution. In addition, the
present and the future, by providing
Agency can revoke or suspend an environmental licence it has
advice and consultation, securing
previously issued (the Agency approves licences for waste dumping
compliance with legal regulatory
and the like). Continuing to operate without the appropriate licence
requirements, and using enforcement
is a criminal offence, as is obstructing Agency staff in the course of
powers including prosecution where
an investigation, and denying lawful requests for information
necessary.
pertaining to an investigation.
Mission Today: Same
The UK Environment laws also provide considerable scope for
Jurisdiction: England and Wales (an equivalent
Courts to punish offenders – defendants can be prosecuted in the
body is responsible for Scotland- the
Magistrates Court, or, if the Agency considers the offence serious
Scottish Environmental Protection
enough, in the Crown Court. Penalties range from unlimited fines to
Agency – whilst authority in Northern
imprisonment. When taking action against large companies, the
Ireland is split between the
Agency will also consider separate action against individuals within
Environment and Heritage Service and
those companies that it considers legally accountable.
the Rivers Agency)
Headquarters: Almonsbury, Bristol, UK
# of Personnel: 10,500 Occupation Templates
Annual Budget: £650m (2001/2002)
History/Profile: The Environment Agency’s jurisdiction Environment Protection Officer: Bargain, Biology, Chemistry, Law,
is divided into eight ‘regions’ that are then broken up into ‘area Natural History, Persuade, Spot Hidden; plus 1 skill as a personal
offices’ – totalling 26. Working closely at all times with the local speciality
authorities, the Agency’s functions are many and varied, including
as they do pollution control, waste regulation, the management of National Laboratory Service Technician: Computer Use, Spot
water resources, flood defence, fisheries, conservation and Hidden, 3 skills from the following: Biochemistry, Biology, Botany,
navigation. These functions involve regulating the behaviour of Chemistry, Geology, Zoology; plus 2 skills of your choice
both individual private citizens and large industrial concerns, in
close co-operation with local government and other regulatory

76 The Black Seal #2

 Investigator Templates

Sample Character
Bhupinder Sankoli, age 29
Race: Indian/Asian
STR 9 CON 10 SIZ 8 INT 17 POW 16
DEX 12 APP 17 EDU 19 SAN 80 HP 9
Damage Bonus: None
Education: BA (Hons.) Environmental Science, University of York
Occupation: Environment Agency Inspector
Skills: Chemistry 70%, Biology 45%, Law 35%, Zoology 40%, Natural history 30%, Persuade 40%, Spot Hidden 55%
Languages: Hindi 99% (own), English 80%,
Attacks: None

aspect, whether the case might raise public concern, and/or

Attorney General whether the investigation requires the SFO’s specialised
knowledge.
Serious Fraud Office An SFO investigation team is multi-disciplinary, including
lawyers, accountants, police officers and support staff. A lawyer,
Date Founded: April 1988
who as case controller is responsible for ensuring a prompt and
Mission When Founded: To investigate and prosecute serious
efficient investigation and for any ensuing prosecution, heads the
and complex fraud and so deter fraud
team. The independence, role, and accountability of police attached
and maintain confidence in the
to the SFO remains unchanged. SFO teams need to be multi-
probity of business and financial
disciplinary as major fraud investigation involves investigating vast
services in the United Kingdom
quantities of documents left in a deliberately obscured and
Mission Today: Unchanged
fragmented form. Proper assessment of this information means that
Jurisdiction: England, Wales and Northern Ireland
documents are seen by several experts (police, accountants,
Headquarters: Elm House, 10-16 Elm Street, London,
lawyers, bankers, stockbrokers and computer specialists)
UK
contributing different forms of knowledge with an aim of producing
# of Personnel: 233 permanent staff (2002).
compact and coherent information for use in court. The prosecuting
Additionally civil servants, police
Counsel is involved in the investigation and prosecution from an
officers, accountants and counsels
early stage.
may be seconded from public and
The SFO’s Section 2 powers enable investigators to obtain
private sectors
information quickly, efficiently, and without need of criminal
Annual Budget: £21.8 million (2001/2002)
proceedings, reducing the time taken for investigation. Accessing
History/Profile: The Serious Fraud Office was
bank account information is a typical use of Section 2. Many Section
established in April 1988, following 1987 Criminal Justice Act that
2 notices are issued to banking businesses, financial institutions,
created it and its powers. The SFO was created in response to the
accountants and other professionals to remove duties of confidence
Fraud Trials Committee’s 1986 report that recommended the need
to clients in order to assist investigations.
for a new unified organisation responsible for all the functions of
Once an investigation is complete, the SFO will assess whether
detection, investigation and prosecution of serious fraud cases. The
there is sufficient evidence against each potential defendant to
Fraud Trials Committee was itself a response to considerable public
secure a conviction and whether the public interest warrants a
dissatisfaction with the system for the investigation and
prosecution. Fraud trials generate a large amount of paper and a
prosecution of serious and complex fraud in the 1970s and 1980s.
need for a large amount of accommodation for the trial. The SFO
Since its establishment the SFO has become an integral part of the
liaises with the Lord Chancellor’s Department, circuit and court
UK’s Criminal Justice System and has been responsible for the
administrators regarding impending SFO cases.
investigation and prosecution of some of the biggest frauds in
Since 1995 the law has changed to allow the SFO to use its
British history.
investigative Section 2 powers on the behalf of foreign
The SFO is an independent department of the government. The
investigations. This is important to the SFO as two thirds of the
SFO’s Director exercises her powers under the superintendence of
major frauds investigated by the SFO have a foreign aspect, and
the Attorney General. She maintains contact with government
allows for greater cooperation in the international fight against
departments and regulatory bodies such as the Department of fraud. An overseas authority must apply to the Home Office who
Trade and Industry, Bank of England, International Stock Exchange, will refer the request to the SFO if it is suitable. The SFO’s Director
Securities and Investments Board, Take-over Panel, Securities and then assesses the request. Requests have come from Australia,
Futures Authority, Personal Investment Authority and others. These Argentina, Germany, Switzerland and more than 9 other countries,
and other organisations report to the SFO allegations of serious or and requests for the SFO’s assistance are continually increasing.
complex fraud. The police and the Crown Prosecution Service
through Central Case Work mainly deal with other, lesser cases of
fraud.
The Director decides to whether to take on referrals to the SFO
as investigations. The criteria for this decision takes into account the
need to use the SFO’s Section 2 powers, whether the alleged fraud
exceeds £1 million, whether there is a significant international

Spring 2003 77
 PISCES: The Silent Service

Financial Investigator: Accounting, Business*, Computer Use, Alan Strong, age 37

Credit Rating, Fast Talk, Law, Library Use, Persuade, Spot Hidden Race: European
STR 13 CON 6 SIZ 16 INT 18 POW 10
Forensic Computer Analyst: Accounting, Computer Use, Computer DEX 10 APP 14 EDU 21 SAN 50 HP 11
Programming, Cryptography, Electronics, Spot Hidden; plus 2 skills Damage Bonus: +1D4
of your choice Education: MPhil, Imperial College London
Occupation: Forensic Computer Analyst
Lawyer: Accounting, Bargain, Business*, Credit Rating, Law, Library Skills: Accounting 55%, Business 55%, Computer Programming
Use, Persuade, Psychology 65%, Computer Use 75%, Cryptography 60%, Dodge 40%, Drive
Auto 45%, Electronics 50%, Library Use 50%, Listen 50%, Martial
Police Officer: Accounting, Bargain, Computer Use, Drive Auto, Fast Arts 10%, Mathematics 50%, Photography 30%, Spot Hidden 55%
Talk, Law, Listen, Persuade, Psychology, Spot Hidden Languages: English 100% (own)
Attacks: Fist/Punch 65%, 1D3+db
Grapple 40%, special
Kick 50%, 1D6+db
Kick 50%, 1D6+db
Prime Minister’s Office
Paranormal Intelligence Section for
Kilmaur Manor Archivist: Ancient or Other Language(s), Computer
Counter-intelligence, Espionage and Use, Credit Rating, Folklore*, History, Library Use, Literature*, Occult
Sabotage (PISCES)
Magonia Researcher: Computer Use, Credit Rating, Library Use,
Date Founded: 26 June 1940 – incorporates MI13 Occult; plus 4 skills from the following: Academic Lore*, Alien
which was created in 1916. Science*, Astronomy, Biochemistry*, Biology, Botany, Chemistry,
Mission When Founded: Paranormal espionage, counter- Electronics, Forensics, Gift skill*, Mathematics, Medicine, Occult
espionage, intelligence, counter- skill*, Pharmacy, Physics, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy*, Xenobiology*,
intelligence and the study and Zoology
development of psychic abilities.
Mission Today: Unchanged, additional duty of Paranormal Organisation Recruiter: Computer Use, First Aid,
researching alien technology. Library Use, Listen, Occult, Photography, Psychology, plus any 3
Jurisdiction: United Kingdom, although its skills from the following: Fast Talk, Gift skill*, Law, Occult skill*,
operations are worldwide. Other Language, Psychoanalysis
Headquarters: Severn Aerospace headquarters, South
Bank, London, UK PIA Investigator: The use and implication of this template must be
# of Personnel: 1,511 (2001/2002) discussed and cleared with the Keeper before entering play.
Annual Budget: Unknown, but all operations Clean* or Tradecraft, Drive Auto, Handgun, Interrogate*,
concealed within Severn Aerospace’s Intimidate*, Listen, Machine Gun, Martial Arts, Rifle, Sneak, Spot
turnover of £388m (2001/2002). Hidden, Sub-machine Gun
History/Profile: PISCES was formed in the dark days
immediately after the fall of Dunkirk by Churchill’s personal order. A PISCES Operator: Handgun, Law, Occult, Psychology, Spot Hidden,
talent working for MI13 predicted the Fall of France and the BEF’s Tradecraft; plus 3 skills from the following: Clean*, Computer Use,
famous evacuation, and evidence was presented to Churchill Conceal, Drive Auto, Electronics, Listen, Locksmith, Martial Arts,
convincing of the efficacy of paranormal warfare. Other Language(s), Photography, Sneak
PISCES fought the Second World War combating the Nazis’
Karotechia and the Japanese Black Dragons, allied with the United SAS Detachment: SAS troopers’ CON must be 12 or greater; their
States’s P4 division. PISCES survived the war unlike their American STR must be 11 or greater; their DEX must be 9 or greater. SAS
allies by realigning against the supposed psychic Soviet threat. troopers get an additional 60 points to spend on firearms and
PISCES survived the Cold War, cracked down on the mêlée skills.
psychedelic excesses of the late 1960s/early 1970s, and used the Conceal, Demolitions, Handgun, Heavy Weapons*, Machine Gun,
1980s privatisation boom to seek a new, financially independent Martial Arts, Rifle, Sub-machine Gun, Survival, Throw; plus skills
cover under the guise of Severn Aerospace Limited, an advanced from 1 of the following packages:
engineering company in the aerospace industry. A. Climb & Skiing; B. Parachuting & Jump; C. Drive Auto & Drive
Today, PISCES guards the United Kingdom against paranormal Motorcycle; D. Boating, Pilot Boat & SCUBA
threat, probably the only national organisation in the world with
such a remit. To do this, PISCES has used the last 50 years to gather
Section H Researcher: 2 x Ancient or Other Languages,
around it a vast array of powers, both legal and illegal, to enable it
Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Library Use, Philosophy &
to do its job.
Religion*; plus 2 other skills as specialisations

78 The Black Seal #2

Severn Aerospace Admin Staff: Accounting, Business*, Computer
Use, Credit Rating; plus 4 other skills of your choice. Andrea Steele, age 27
Race: European
Severn Aerospace Engineering Staff: Aeronautics*, Alien STR 8 CON 11 SIZ 11 INT 15 POW 11
Science*, Mathematics, Physics, Electronics, Electrical Repair, DEX 11 APP 15 EDU 20 SAN 55 HP 12
Computer Use
Damage Bonus: None
Education: Leeds University
Talent: Choose any Occupation. Spend Occupation points as
Occupation: PISCES Field Agent
normal. Occupation points derived as follows: 2D6+3 EDU x20 if a
Skills: Clean 45%, Computer Use 20%, Dodge 42%, Drive Auto
teenager, 3D6+3 EDU x20 if an adult. For psychic talents follow the
40%, Fast Talk 15%, Law 55%, Locksmith 35%, Martial Arts 20%,
rules on p.225 ‘Acquiring the Gift’ in Delta Green: Countdown.
Navigate 30%, Occult 65%, Photography 45%, Psychology 35%,
Spot Hidden 70%, Tradecraft 65%
Talent Handler: Anthropology, Credit Rating, Fast Talk, Gift skill*,
Languages: English (own) 100%
Occult, Occult skill*, Persuade, Psychology
Attacks: Fist/Punch 70%, 1D3
Headbutt 30%, 1D4
L107A1 (SIG-Sauer P228) pistol 65%, 1D10

British Army controlling stragglers, refugees and other non-combatants. They

also advise on and handle enemy POWs. In an immediate post-
Royal Military Police (RMP) conflict situation the RMP would also be expected to act in a general
law-enforcement capacity until civilian law-enforcement agencies
Date Founded: 1926 as the Corps of Military Police are able to re-establish themselves.
Mission When Founded: To police the military community, and Their main peacetime role, however, is to police the military
to provide operational support and community. General police duties include providing physical
assistance to the Army in meeting its security inside military garrisons in the form of patrols, assisting
operational demands and legal commanding officers in the maintenance of discipline, conducting
obligations. criminal investigations, providing evidence and investigating
Mission Today: Same complaints and allegations made against HM Forces.
Jurisdiction: The RMP is responsible for all British Members of the RMP train as regular soldiers in an Army
Army personnel and their families. training Regiment before receiving specialised training at Rousillon
Headquarters: Roussillon Barracks, Chichester, West Barracks. RMP specialist training lasts for twenty weeks, and
Sussex, UK focuses on self-defence, first aid, driver training, police duties and
# of Personnel: 2,100 the law. Until 1955, officers were seconded from other regiments for
Annual Budget: Not known a tour of duty in the RMP, but since then they have been allowed to
History/Profile: Whilst the first named military join the RMP directly. Entry requirements include strict height,
policeman in the British Army was appointed in 1241, the present weight and fitness standards and a spotless service record.
day RMP’s origins are considerably more recent. The Military As well as the General Police Duties Branch, the RMP also has
Mounted Police (MMP) was established for service at home and its own fully professional detective force with which to conduct
abroad in 1877, and charged with maintaining order and discipline criminal investigations. The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) was
in the ranks. The Military Foot Police (MFP) were subsequently established in 1940 and consists of some 200 investigators whose
formed in 1882, having been raised for service in Egypt, and job is to investigate serious or sensitive criminal offences committed
became a permanent corps for service at home in 1885. The MMP by or against serving Army personnel or civilians employed by the
and MFP were eventually amalgamated in 1926 and were renamed military and their families. SIB investigators typically dress in
the Corps of Military Police (CMP). civilian clothing, but may be required to wear uniform, particularly
During World War Two military police were deployed in every when serving abroad. The SIB maintains its own forensics and crime
theatre of operations, usually at the same time as the first of the scene specialists, and often works closely with civilian law-
front line troops. The CMP won some 229 operational awards over enforcement agencies.
the course of the conflict, and 776 Mentions in Dispatches. In 1946, Finally, in addition to the above, the RMP also handles close
in recognition of this outstanding record of service, King George VI protection (CP) duties for military and non-military personnel, both
granted the ‘Royal’ prefix to the regiment, changing its name to abroad and at home. CP duties often involve extended assignments
today’s title of the Royal Military Police (RMP). to other military units and government departments, often in
Today the RMP (who are also known as ‘Redcaps’ on account difficult or dangerous parts of the world. The RMP has been
of the colour of the regimental beret) are possibly the most providing CP for the likes of British ambassadors, diplomats, high-
recognisable corps in the British Army, and are deployed ranking military personnel, politicians, VIPs and even witnesses in
everywhere it serves. Members of the RMP fulfil a variety of diverse criminal trials for over fifty years. Personnel selected for CP duties
roles that often differ greatly between peacetime and wartime. receive intensive training in driving, first aid, weapons handling,
In a battlefield situation, the RMP are responsible for providing observation and unarmed combat at Rousillon Barracks.
operational support to commanders in the form of traffic control,
route reconnaissance, signing and surveillance, as well as

79
 PISCES: The Silent Service

CP Specialist: Drive Auto, First Aid, Handgun, Law, Martial Arts, Lieutenant Jessica Marlowe, age 23
Navigate, Rifle, Spot Hidden, Throw; plus 2 skills from the Race: European
following: Dodge, Machine Gun, Sub-machine Gun STR 10 CON 11 SIZ 10 INT 12 POW 13
DEX 13 APP 14 EDU 17 SAN 65 HP 12
Military Policeman: Baton, Handgun, Law, Martial Arts, Navigate, Damage Bonus: None
Persuade, Rifle, Throw; plus 2 skills from the following: Drive Auto, Education: Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
First Aid, Photography Occupation: SIB Investigator
Skills: Drive Auto 35%, Fast Talk 55%, Forensics 41%, Handgun
SIB Investigator: Fast Talk, Forensics, Handgun, Law, Martial Arts, 68%, Law 60%, Martial Arts 52%, Military Science 36%, Navigate
Navigate, Persuade, Photography, Psychology, Rifle, Spot Hidden 35%, Persuade 40%, Psychology 50%, Spot Hidden 62%,
Languages: English 90% (own)
SIB SoCO: Computer Use, Forensics, Photography, Spot Hidden; Attacks: FN Browning Hi-Power pistol 68%, 1D10
plus 2 skills from the following: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, L85A2 (SA80) Assault Rifle 65%, 2D8
Pharmacy, Physics Fist/Punch 60%, 1D3+db
Grapple 35%, special; Kick 32%, 1D6+db

Kick 32%, 1D6+db

Irish Republican Army (IRA) conflict started by the IRA rather than the illegal parliament, Dail
Eireann.
(Óglaigh na hÉireann) Following the split over the Anglo-Irish treaty in 1922, the Irish
Civil War, and a split of political elements (into Fianna Fail), the IRA
Date Founded: 25 November 1913, as the Irish
took a form akin to its current shape in the 1930s, beginning
Volunteers.
racketeering from the Irish population as a means of ‘fundraising’.
Mission when founded: To provide an armed force in defence A fresh bombing campaign, started in 1939, leading to the de Valera
of Home Rule.
government interned almost all active IRA members for the
Mission today: Removal of British control from
duration of ‘The Emergency’, and a virtual elimination of the
Northern Ireland.
organisation by a joint Irish, British and Northern Irish effort in
Territory: Normally Northern Ireland, the
December 1944. Though they reorganised, military activities during
Republic of Ireland, and Britain, but it
the 1950s failed due to lack of support, and by the 1960s the group
is believed the IRA has operated in
moved to economic and social agitation, and involvement in the
mainland Europe, and sent operatives
existing political institutions. This led to a split in 1969, with the
to South America to train guerrillas
Marxist politicals forming the Official IRA, and the Socialist militants
there.
forming the Provisional IRA, which took the organisations
Headquarters: Northern Ireland
leadership to Northern Ireland.
# of Personnel: The Official IRA adopted a cease-fire in 1972, leading to
Provisional IRA: Approximately 1200 operatives, and
dissidents forming the Irish Nationalist Liberation Army (INLA) that
thousands of sympathisers.
year, and later the Official IRA renamed itself The Workers Party. The
Real IRA: Estimated at 100, but fewer
Provisional IRA’s activities, from 1969, were further supported
sympathisers because of the Omagh
following the Bloody Sunday massacre, leading to counter-activities
bombing.
from the UDA and UVF and The Troubles.
Continuity IRA: 100
The Peace Process in 1994 led to the IRA’s cease-fire until 1996
INLA: 70
and the Canary Wharf bombing, a cease-fire which has been
Annual Budget: Unknown, but fundraising comes from
readopted since July 1997. However, further dissident elements led
United States, and numerous rackets
to the Continuity IRA (formed in the mid-1980s) coming to
in both Northern Ireland and the
prominence and the creation of the Real IRA, which was
Republic, including protection, drug
responsible for the Omagh bombing in 1998, the single worst
sales and bank robberies. The IRA
atrocity of the Troubles.
also has suspected business links to
While the Provisional IRA proclaims its cease-fire has held since
ETA in Spain, FARC in Columbia, and
1997, it continues its criminal activities both in the North and South
Colonel Gadhafi in Libya.
(in particular the murder of the Dublin gangland boss Martin ‘The
General’ Cahill in the mid-1990s). The Real IRA said that after
History/Profile: Formed as a direct response to the
Omagh they were suspending activities, but have subsequently
creation of the UVF in 1912, Irish Volunteers was primarily intended
returned to activity, including firing a rocket at the MI6 building in
not for paramilitary, but political purposes, to lobby Britain for Home
London in September 2000 and planting a bomb outside the BBC
Rule. The 1916 Rising decimated the Volunteers, but led to a quick
building in March 2001. The Continuity IRA called decommissioning
reformation and transition to Nationalist politics. The
‘national treachery’ and has said it will still fight ‘to achieve Irish
Volunteers became commonly known as the IRA (though they
Freedom’; the INLA appears to have lost most of its potential recruits
continued using the name ‘Irish Volunteers’, and still do, albeit the
to the latter two groups.
Irish translation) by the beginning of the Anglo-Irish War in 1919, a

80 The Black Seal #2

(Note: While much of the old Sinn Fein politicians would have come Stiophan MacGriolaish, age 35
through the IRA, such as Martin McGuinness, a sizeable population Race: European
of Sinn Fein members now come from outside the IRA traditional STR 12 CON 13 SIZ 14 INT 16 POW 11
territories: Dublin has fostered several prominent members, such as DEX 13 APP 12 EDU 13 SAN 55 HP 12
the TD Angois O Snoidaigh, and University College Dublin has a Damage Bonus: +1D4
strong Sinn Fein membership. Most of these are socialists and tend Education: Secondary School
to be motivated by the corruption of Irish politics than flat-out Occupation: IRA operative
nationalism. Thus, use a Student or Politician template for Sinn Fein Skills: Dodge 46%, Drive Auto 75%, Hide 30%, History 40%,
members, unless they specifically have an IRA background) Locksmith 50%, Sneak 50%, Spot Hidden 55%
Languages: English 65% (own), Other Language (Irish) 55%
Active Service Unit Operative: Drive, Handgun, History, Other Attacks: Fist/Punch 75%, 1D3+db
Language (Irish); plus any 4 skills from the following: Club, Conceal, Headbutt 55%, 1D4+db
Demolitions, Electrical Repair, Heavy Weapons, Locksmith, Machine AK-47 Assault rifle, 50%, 2D8
Gun, Military Science, Psychology, Rifle, Sneak, or Spot Hidden. Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, 55%, 1D10

Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, 55%, 1D10

Ulster Defence Association (UDA) which held until November 2001, when the then Secretary for
Date Founded: Autumn 1971. Northern Ireland, Dr. John Reid, declared their ceasefire was over,
Mission when founded: Co-ordinate Loyalist paramilitary following bloody infighting between the UDA and Ulster Volunteer
activities. Force and a campaign of terror against Catholics. In February 2003,
Mission today: Unchanged. the UDA declared that it would call a twelve-month ceasefire and
Territory: Northern Ireland. restructure the organisation.
Headquarters: Northern Ireland. The structure of the UDA mirrors this strange ideology. The UDA
# of Personnel: Approximately 800 paramilitary operates separate brigades, divided by territory, and this has led to
operatives, with a support mechanism infighting on numerous occasions – the notorious Johnny ‘Mad Dog’
of around 3000. Adair, was driven into exile in Scotland after a conflict which left
Annual Budget: Unknown: runs legal drinking four dead.
establishments and businesses, and
numerous illegal rackets including
drugs and protection. UDA Operative: Drive, Handgun, History; plus any 4 skills from
following: Club, Conceal, Demolitions, Electrical Repair, Heavy
History/Profile: The UDA’s motto is Law before Weapons, Locksmith, Machine Gun, Military Science, Psychology,
Violence, promoting the idea that it is a political body first and a Rifle, Sneak, or Spot Hidden
paramilitary group last (the group was only proscribed in 1991).
Politically, the UDA was involved in mass protests against the
closure of the Stormont parliament, the removal of Republican ‘no- Billy Covey, age 28
go’ areas, plans to erect barriers between the Catholic Springfield Race: European
and Protestant Shankill areas, and the 1974 Ulster Workers’ Council STR 14 CON 13 SIZ 11 INT 17 POW 11
strike, which forced the power-sharing executive to resign. From DEX 14 APP 13 EDU 11 SAN 55 HP 12
1978, the UDA fielded a political party, first the New Ulster Political Damage Bonus: + 1D4
Research Group, then the Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party in 1981 Education: Secondary School
(which advocated independence for Northern Ireland), which Occupation: UDA operative
renamed itself the Ulster Democratic Party in 1989, and which Skills: Computer Use 25%, Conceal 45%, Demolitions 45%, Drive
folded in December 2001. Auto 55%, Electrical Repair 60%, History 50%, Martial Arts 15%,
This is not to suggest that the UDA is a purely political Operate Heavy Machinery 20%, Psychology 25%, Swim 35%,
organisation. From the group’s inception, elements operating under Throw 40%
the titles of the Ulster Freedom Fighters and the Red Hand Languages: English 55% (own)
Defenders began a campaign of assassinations of republican Attacks: Browning .380 pistol, 60%, 1D10
activists and random Catholics, in response to the IRA’s activities. Fist/Punch 65%, 1D3+db
The campaign of violence was brought to a ceasefire in 1994, Punishment Weapon (Club with nails) 65%, 1D8+db
(can impale for 1D8+1D6+db damage)
impale for 1D8+1D6+db damage)
New Skills • Literature (10%), p.192
The following skills can be found in Chaosium’s The Keeper’s • Philosophy & Religion (05%), p.197
Companion volume 1: • Psychotherapy (01%), p.199
• Academic Lore (01%), p.178
• Biochemistry (01%), p.181 Heavy Weapons (10%) can be found in Chaosium’s 1990s
• Business (05%), p.182 Handbook, p.42. Alternatively replace with Heavy Weapon (05%),
• Folklore (05%), p.188 p.189 of the Keeper’s Companion. Continued on page 45.

81
 Stranger’s Race
Vobster, Somerset
An extract from Rik Kershaw Moore’s travel diaries.

Half a mile outside the sleepy little village of Vobster, near that they would never find their way out of the maze and would
Midsomer Norton in Somerset lies an enclosed turf cut maze instead retreat back into their world. When the maze was
known only as the Stranger’s Race. The maze is of uncertain finished, Effemia Pasco commanded that the maze was to be
historical origin. Certainly there is no mention of the maze in surrounded by a hedge of St John’s Wort, since this herb is so
the Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica of 731 AD nor is it mentioned obnoxious to evil spirits that the Strangers would come close.
by Aubrey, who is known to have stayed several times at the However while the Strangers never walked abroad again,
local inn, in 1686 in his book Hypomnemata Antiquaira. they have still managed to take the occasional soul who walks
The first reference to the Stranger’s Race is in fact made by the Race at the full moon. In today’s modern society, the maze
William Stukeley in his Itinerarium Curiosum of 1776, where he is all but forgotten, yet the villagers know enough to ensure that
states that a “fine maze of great antiquity is to be found outside the St John’s Wort is kept planted.
the hamlet of Vobster”. Stukeley’s account of the maze
(formed from turf ridges and shallow trenches marking a single
pathway which leads to a raised mount in the centre and
surrounded by a hedge of St John’s Wort [Hypericum perforatum]
bushes) also includes the legend of how the maze came into
existence. According to Stukeley the mound in the centre of the
maze is one of the many entranceways into the Kingdom of
the Strangers.
The Strangers are not the normal clean-limbed wee folk of
Somerset but are in fact something much worse; short slippery
greyish toad like creatures. The Strangers don’t speak any
known language but instead seem to talk to one another in high
pitched sounds.
The Strangers would often come to Vobster when the
Moon was full, looking for the spirits of the young and
beautiful so that they could fall upon them and steal them away.
For hundreds of years, the people of Vobster and the
surrounding villages would lock up their children when the
moon was full and place sprigs of St John’s Wort outside the
doors in the hope of that the Strangers would not take their
children away.
Being crafty, the Strangers knew the longer they stayed
away the more lax the human guardians would come, and so Stranger’s Race as depicted in William Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum
they waited until the time came when St John’s Wort was no
longer hung from the doors. In one fateful night, the Strangers Keeper’s notes – By some terrible quirk of nature the raised
whisked away over 30 children and took them back into their mound at the centre of the Stranger’s Race is a dimensional
dark shadowy world, never to be seen again. portal that transports all who step into it Beyond the Zone of the
Following this appalling night, the people of the villages Thirteen Faveolate Colossi so that they fetch up in the Ghooric
went to most insightful person in the area; the wise woman Zone of Thog. Thog is one of the dark mist shrouded worlds that
Effemia Pasco. She ordered that a maze be built over the orbit the spawn infested world of Yuggoth, and the caverns that
entrance to the Stranger’s realm. In this way, she explained the riddle the tiny planetoid are known as the Ghooric Zone. The way
Strangers would when they next emerged become so confused is opened when the full moon casts its light into the centre of the

82 The Black Seal #2

 Stranger’s Race
maze. Then the air around the mound will start to shimmer as clothes and have few implements except for Tok’l metal knives
if it is in a heat haze. Anyone stepping into this shimmering and axes which they use in underground activities.
effect will be instantly transported into these dark caverns.
In these aberrant and unearthly caverns strange lights glow Char. Rolls Averages
illuminating the huge necrotic fungi that cling to the walls and STR 3D6+6 16 – 17
rocks whilst in the very centre of the complex lies a great lake of CON 2D6+6 13
foul liquid besides which Shoggoths play. SIZ 2D6 6–7
The Ghooric zone is all that remains of an abandoned INT 2D6+6 13
Tok’l mine. Tok’l is a strange silver metal that is not found on POW 2D6 6–7
Earth. Tok’l has some extremely peculiar properties including DEX 3D6+6 16 – 17
the ability to preserve brain functions and consequently it is the Move 8 HP 10
key component in a number of immortality rituals and is thought Av. Damage Bonus: None
to be a main component of Mi-Go’s brain flasks. Armour: 2-point skin
The mysterious lights that can been seen moving through the Weapons: Tok’l Metal Knife 30%, 1D8+db
caverns belong to the Strangers, an unnamed humanoid race that Claw 35%, 1D6+db
was transported from their home-world many light years away to Spells: None
mine the Tok’l metal for the Mi-Go. The Mi-Go also transported Sanity Loss: 0/1D6 Sanity points
the Shoggoths to act as guards to ensure the Strangers behaved.
When the Mi-Go discovered that Yuggoth had large reserves
of Tok’l they shifted their mining activities to their adopted
home-world and simply abandoned both the Strangers and the Adventure Idea – The Missing Children
Shoggoths to their fate. These days the Strangers worship the Five children have gone missing from the area around Vobster.
Shoggoths as gods and regularly appease them by sacrificing their A local man, Jason Penny, was found raving mad just outside
own young to the dark horrors. the Maze and has been charged with their murder. However
Upon discovering the portal, the Strangers switched from the local community has doubts about the man’s guilt,
sacrificing their own to sacrificing those earthly souls they could especially since they know the legends of the maze and have
capture. This greatly pleased the Shoggoths since the meat of a asked for an independent enquiry, namely the Investigators.
human is far preferable to the oddly tainted meat of the The locals desire not only to prove that Jason did not do it, but
Strangers. Consequently the Shoggoths were not pleased when their children back by any means possible, and that includes
Effemia Pasco managed to successfully ward the Earthly side of going into the centre of the maze.
the portal. Their revenge against the Strangers was terrible, all
but wiping them out until only a few hundred Strangers
remained. For their part, the Strangers are constantly probing Adventure Idea – The Tok’l Metal
the maze looking for weak spots, while the Shoggoths are now When an archaeological dig near Vobster unearths a knife
actively hunting for the entrance since they wish to leave these made of an unknown silver metal, it is sent to Brichester
dark terrible caverns. The Strangers are thankfully unaware of University’s Metallurgical Unit for analysis. Here the knife fell
the Shoggoth’s desires since it is doubtful that the St John’s Wort into the hands of a Shan controlled scientist who passed it
would be at all efficacious against the evil of the Shoggoths. onto Severn Aerospace. Pulling strings within the Government
the Shan are going to launch a mission into the Portal to see
where it leads. The Investigators are to make up that mission.
The Strangers, Lesser Race They do not know what they are up against but the cover story
The degenerate remnants of a slave race abandoned includes doing some investigation work into a cult that is using
by the Mi-Go the Stranger’s Race as a base of operations. Once inside the
Caverns it will become a fight for survival, as the Strangers will
Physically a Stranger is a humanoid creature about four feet want to capture the investigators to sacrifice to the Shoggoths
high. It has thick greyish hairless skin that hangs in folds from and the Shoggoths are eager to learn the secrets of the portal.
its limbs, this skin looks transparent and glows with an
unearthly light since the Strangers have formed a symbiotic
relationship with one species of luminous fungus. The
Stranger derives nourishment and light from the Fungus that
lives between the Stranger’s voluminous outer skin and its
inner skin. The Fungus for its part has a safe place to grow.
When it becomes time for the fungus to spawn, the other skin
of the Stranger splits open and the spores are released.
The Strangers possess large round eyes of the deepest
violet, which protrude from the folds of skin of their heads.
While the Stranger has neither mouth nor nose it does possess
a frond of short tentacles bellow the eyes. These tentacles
wave constantly and act like a nose, tongue and ears tasting the
air and picking up faint vibrations. The strangers communicate
with each other using an ultra-sound language that is roughly
in the same frequency to that of bats. The strangers wear no

Spring 2003 83
 Issue 2 of The Black Seal concentrates on the
UK’s shadowy occult watchmen: the Paranormal
Intelligence Section for Counter-intelligence,
Espionage and Sabotage, or PISCES. First
presented in Pagan Publishing’s Delta Green:
Countdown, The Black Seal explores the darker
side of the fight against the Cthulhu Mythos.

Articles include an overview of PISCES, its secret

research facility ‘Magonia’, Swinging Sixties
excesses, and PISCES operations in the United
States.

Other articles include a resurrected foe from

the past, PISCES alternatives for Cthulhu Now
games, a look at Brichester, Tales of Terror,
Dangerous Places & reviews.

"The Black Seal promises to re-animate the

modern-day Call of Cthulhu genre. It's packed with
more facts, spookiness, and great game material
than Eihort has tiny whitish spider-larvae."
-- Kenneth Hite, author, GURPS Cabal
BRICHESTER
BUP102E University Press