Session 5: Schnappi Cessation & Sluggish Schizophrenia

The Resolute Brothers by Alexander Aspit
1918

So all those dig applications Professor Semenov wrote while coked up paid off, as the University of the Steppe has approved funds and grad students for Semenov's excavation of the spinal catastrophism in the underground frontier near the near and under the Silent Homes. 

This brought along with it a complication. The dig site was in territory disputed between the Gay Nazis and the Gopniks, two gangs whose first impressions of the party were not good ones. In fact, they were quite lethal. Realizing that an agreement must be reached with one of them in opposition to other in order to provided security for the dig site. Knowing that Germanic conquest of the Rodina would have apocalyptic results in the Noosphere, Semenov elects to parlay with the Gopniks. 

Arkheologorodok in Focus: This Man is Your Friend, He Fights For...uhhhhh

The Neo-Nazbols 

Неонацболы

(Neonatsboly)

Session 7 Prep

   News & Rumors 

Good evening Arkheologorodok! This is Lara Kiseleva broadcasting live from the Orbita News building, bringing you this week’s news round-up.

Our top story is the violence on the evening of Ramon Mercader Day. Two Vos’moy convenience stores were destroyed, and an attempted robbery occurred at a third. Militsiya are currently investigating, and have reported the abandoned vehicle used in the ramming attack on one of the stores. Details are limited, the vehicle was apparently crashed into a tree near Gunig Marsh and contained evidence of violence.

Militsiya have released CCTV footage from the attempted robbery at the third store, and are currently on the look out for a bald man and a man with an eye patch. Commissioner Nikitan has announced a manhunt to find the terrorists, as they took a man hostage at the third location. 

In a bizarre policy decision, Governor Yevseyev has announced an act of mass clemency after a lengthy review of multiple cases of inmates at Dzerzhinsky Prison, saying that “it is critical that we reunite husbands with wives, fathers with children, sons with parents.” The office of the governor has released a series of photos of these “Re-union Ceremonies.” Commissioner Nikitan has assured that the public has nothing to fear from these pardons, and that claims of a sizeable number of them being associated with the so-called Gay Nazis are “baseless speculation.” 

A leaked report from the Ministry and Roads and Transit is making waves, with a 28% increase in traffic fatalities, apparently focused around the Old Downtown, particularly in the area around Zhdanov Park. The leaked report also cited Militsiya crime reports of a marked increase of illegal street races in the area. This comes on the heels of Commissioner Nikitan's "Make Arkheologorodok Beautiful Again" initiative last week, in which city militsiya were reported to have encountered unanticipated violent resistance to the beautification initiative.

In spookier news, sightings of the Silent Train have sky-rocketed, with even a handful of disappearances now being attributed to the phenomena. While Commissioner Nikitan has denounced such claims as "baseless hysteria," commuters have been reporting an notable increase in metro warden presence at night at both below and over-ground stations. We at Orbita News regret to inform you that we have been explicitly ordered by the city not to offer rewards for pictures. However, we are pleased to inform you that the ordinance said nothing about theories! Post your best theories as to the cause on Orbitanews.com and win cash prizes!

And that was this week's new round up, brought to you by the Auto Coachman's Combine, reminding you that it's just not safe to get in a car that doesn't bear the Combine's seal. For Orbita News, this is Lara Kiseleva, signing off.

And be careful out there, Arkheologorodok.

Personal Interactions and Interests

Spartak: After a great night catching up with Abram over what you can only describe as consumer grade hemp and some shrooms, you hit upon a brilliant idea for a means of capital accumulation for the party, and green grocers/juice bar/garden center/shroom distribution center/illegal beetle racing venue. You're gonna call it Gorilla Gardening, you just need to set up a supply chain with old Chernykov in the Underground.

Party leader Tsitrusovyye has signed off on it, but both he and Commissar of Communications Borodina would also like to introduce you to a mole they have in another organization first. Apparently he has big news.

Dr Galdikas: OH GOD, DO THEY KNOW? You've heard they're looking for a bald man, but there are lots of bald men,  you're a much respected pillar of the community, and Administrator Volya Saburov has been nicer than ever to you. You got a call from Vernisa to negotiate a couple small time rentals from the Monoilov Center, which is both comforting and concerning. 

That's probably why you hired La Mite, a taciturn French hitman with a penchant for kimonos. That thug you sent down to the Silo to collect more of that water hasn't returned, which is worrisome. And Dr. Orlova had to reschedule your meeting to tonight. It's all very vexing.  

Professor Semenov: This is why you never watch film, that silly Anglo tape has been bothering you all week. It's made concentrating on the dig more difficult, but it is coming along. However, apparently there have been some vandals over night, stealing tools or draining out the gas of the generator. In addition, Dima says he and his boys are expecting a scrap with the Pederast Third Positionists, to use your lingo. But these damn dreams keep you up all night, lots of none-sense about diamonds in the sky forcing humanity to retreat underwater in vast, golden submarines.

Aleksandr: These Toporika Bratva blatnoy are some of the craziest fuckers you've dealt with in a while. It's like they can't decide if it's 1993 or the height of the Bitch Wars, so they just act like it's both. And the Vor...he sounds almost like a parody but you're sure it's not an act, and a man that large should be able to move so easily. But they're true to their word. 

Mara won't talk about what her "penance" was and you won't ask, though the Ornithologist offered to give you the dvd. She's resilient, scarily so, and you think she'll take a boat down the underground river by herself if you let her. 

Gavril: These fucking assholes knocked over three different corner stores while you were puking up your guts from that Ramon Mercader Day street taco, the fucking skeleton Virgin Mary staring down at your from on top of the toilet the whole fucking time. You need to kill something, doesn't matter what and only minimally matters who. 

Session 4 (Week 3 Continued) 4D Chess, or The Gang's First Act of Political Sabotage

 

Chess and Checkers to the Masses! 
Soviet Uzbek Poster, 1934 

We deviate from our normal programming of moving forward a week in the game world between sessions this time, with the action picking up two days after last session. I dropped a line in the session 3 prep about a job that could have very serious consequences for Arkheologorodok as a whole and I figured I should at least give the players a chance to see if they want to take it or not. 

In the early hours of the morning, Aleksandr is awoken by call from Artyom, the teenage metro worker and member of the Excavators. There is angry shouting in the background, and Aleksandr can only barely hear Artyom as he apologetically explains that he's trapped in the bathroom by his drunken father demanding his paycheck, and that he's going to be late for his shift. Aleksandr sets out the apartment blocs immediately. 

Even had he not known the number, Aleksandr would have had no trouble finding apartment in question just by following the screams and shouts. Stepping over a few hypodermic needles as he crosses the threshold, Aleksandr see as bald fat man lifting Artyom by the throat as the strung out mother ineffectually pleads from the couch. Invoking the strength of Holy Death, Aleksandr commands the man to release the boy, and then makes it clear that Artyom is under protection to the stunned drunkard. Artyom thanks Aleksandr and quickly makes his way to the metro for his shift. 

"Alcoholism is the enemy of health, family, society"
1983

Session 6 Prep

 

 

News & Rumors

Good evening and a happy Ramon Mercader Day, Arkheologorodok! This is Lara Kiseleva broadcasting live from the Orbita News building, bringing you this week’s news round-up.

This afternoon's parade was a smash hit as usual, with a massive turnout. Governor Yevseyev marked the start of the parade with the ceremonial breaking of the Trotsky piñata with an oversized ice axe. His first attempt at a swing resulted in him falling backwards, to great laughter, but after being picked up by his guards and in good cheer, the Governor landed a mighty blow and candies were distributed among the children. 

The start of the parade also marked one of the few public appearances of both Dariy Belov and Vladimir Saburov, with the two looking notably icy towards one another. Rumors have it that they both sought to outdo one another in terms of funding Ramon Mercader Day celebrations. We can't say which of them lost, but we can say with great certainty that the citizens of Arkheologorodok won! 

In a rare joint statement, Metropolitan Grigori and Commissioner Nikitan are urging residents and citizens to exert some self control tonight and warned against the moral hazards of excessive drinking. 

And that was this week's news-roundup, brought to you by a charitable donation from the Railwayman's Union, reminding you that they keep the trains running on time. For Orbita News, this is Lara Kiseleva, signing off. 

Character Interactions & Interests:

Dr. Galidikas: The Sanitorium Administrator made a strange comment to you today, he said that Samarkand Meat Market the best kebabs in town, said you should stop by there soon.

Pierre has prepared a full report on his findings with the lambent water sample from the Silo, he seems quite excited about it. The dossier on Subject #86 has also made for interesting reading. 

Spartak: Party members have been very supportive over the week, Oksana has been babying you and this weeks edition of Nastuplenie! has Party Order 1099 at the top: Do not ask Comrade Spartak about the thing. 

Semenov: The dig is going slowly, but at the very least the area around the exposed spinal column is now looking like a proper dig site. You're main focus has been trying to find a means to break the curse on Spartak. You have a couple leads there, there are rumors of an old women living near the Gunig Marsh called Nochnaya Babushka, and there is supposedly network of shamans amongst the workers of the Abattoir. 

You have still yet to decode the teen hedge wizards grimoire you recovered from the abandoned school. 

Session 5 Prep

 News & Rumors 

Good evening Arkheologorodok! This is Lara Kiseleva broadcasting live from the Orbita News building, bringing you this week’s news round-up.

The top story of this week is the surprise defeat of Governor Yevseyev and the Refurbishment Party's New Media Law in the Assembly of Deputies. The law, described by Yevseyev as a vital means of protecting public order from "disruptive and extremist elements' was publicly denounced by the chess grandmaster Georgi Shuripov as "a crushing of one of the few things we managed to gain since dissolution that serves only to shackle vision and inquiry to  the whims of sightless fat men in overstuffed leather chairs." This marks the beloved grandmaster's first public appearance since going into hiding 14 years ago. The office of the Governor has declined to comment.  

In preparation for the Ramon Mercader Day celebrations next week, Commissioner Nikitan has announced a rigorous restoration campaign for public order and cleanliness. The Militsiya ask all citizens to help make the streets neat and tidy, and to refrain from any acts of public disorder. Citizens can expect to see plenty of work crews around the city for the next week, painting over any public defacements. 

We've gotten some great pictures and theories about the mysterious clown, and we're pleased to announce that Yakov Dmietriev of the Gunig Prigorod as our winner. Be sure to check out his theories and pictures on our website. We've also heard that Silent Train has started to appear again, so be sure to have your phones ready for a picture when you're on the metro! 

And that was this weeks news round up, brought to you by Steppak Meats, feeding families for twenty years. For Orbita News, this is Lara Kiseleva, singing off. 

 Character Interests: 

The pigs aren't just chasing bums off the street and painting over graffiti, they're smashing up and clearing away any unauthorized structures, shrines included, Aleksandr. 

In all the hustle of setting up a homeless shelter, readying the parts for Spartak's experimental augmentation, and your day to day surgeries at the Sanitorium, you've only just now remembered the pale blue lambency of the water you recovered from the Silo, Dr. Galidikas

Lev and Oksana have been asking you about those shrooms got a while back, Spartak. They think they could make a good chunk of dough selling another batch if you can get it. 

You don't think you ever been so busy in your life, Professor Semenov, and you love it. You haven't even had time to sit down and watch that video tape you found. 

You've been practicing with that porcelain katana all week, Gavril, and you can't wait to try it out on something...or someone.

Jobs and Leads:

Slava has $200 on the table for installing a surveillance device in the southern part of the "Complex," he says be sure not to go too far South, or you'll end up in the basement of the Banya. 

Abram says the expedition to the new passages to the southwest of the complex hasn't returned, that includes Gennadiy and Artyom. The club treasurer, Tatiana Zhutova, is pulling out emergency funds for a rescue mission. 

Mara is trying to get an expedition to the old Church Crypt together. She's promising $100 to anyone who can get her there, plus looting rights. She's also mentioned she's willing to negotiate "services for services."

Those of you who gave your real names and contact info to those strange men answering to "uncle" get a message saying to go to Samarkand Meat Market in the southeast of the city just before closing and to ask for "Vernisa."

Session 3: Schnappi and the Gay Nazis

 

The Return of Hans Speidel 
(the medals read "For the War Against France" "For the War Against England")

Another week, another expedition into the world of Arkheologorodok. Spartak spent most of the week at the Party Headquarters/Nightclub of the New National Bolshevik Party of Eurasia, getting to know everyone, "learning" their esoteric principles, getting fed LSD, and dancing the night away. Dr Galidikas has spent his week writing up plans for some experimental surgery, and Aleksandr has been conducting his own investigations. 

 

Early in the day, Aleksandr gets a call from Artyom, the teenage subway employee they met at the Excavators of the Underground Earth. He's in a bit of a bind, because he needs to get to work, but his father has trapped him in the bathroom, demanding money for booze. Aleksandr wastes no time getting to the boy's apartment, and after invoking the power of the Holy Lady of Death to command the fat drunk to cease strangling the boy, he instructs both the drunk father and the junkie mother that Artyom is now under his protection. Fairly confident that the proper amount of fear has been instilled in these two, Aleksandr leaves with Artyom, who thanks him before running off to work.

The party sans Gavril re-assembles in Professor Semenov's VAZ-2109, now an essential part of the party's logistics, and head towards the Silent Homes to complete Slava's job of deploying surveillance devices. Before going in, Aleksandr asks Semenov is he can ask around the medical school about a nurse named Anya Dmitrieva while Dr Galidikas gets Spartak to sign some consent forms.