For some fl oors, Shades Of Black includes two sets of maps. One map is for you, the other for the players. Th e GM’s map shows the location of secret doors and passages; the players’ does not. Th e PCs can obtain the maps in Act Two while investigating the Delacroix Mansion; make a photocopy of the players’ maps and provide them to the players as a handout. Th e PCs cannot obtain a map of the base- ment level from public records.
Unless otherwise noted, the ceilings are approximately 2” high. All of the windows have drapes: both a thin white curtain, and a curtain of heavier fabric. Th e interior walls are plaster or wood paneling, and have DEF 3, BODY 3. Pocket doors are approximately 1” wide, and have DEF 1, BODY 3.
On the maps, rooms labeled “B” are bath- rooms. Unless otherwise noted, a bathroom con- sists of a sink, mirror, and toilet.
Secret Doors
Discovering the secret doors and hidden panels in the mansion requires a successful Con- cealment roll made by -3 or more. (If none of the PCs have the Skill Concealment, you may want to substitute a PER Roll.) Furthermore, the PC cannot discover the door simply by walking past it. Th e player must say his character is searching for a secret door and tell you where he is searching.
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Shades of Black
■Chapter Three
Enhanced or unusual Senses, like N-Ray Perception or Spatial Awareness, might also help a PC fi nd the secret doors.
MAIN HOUSE, FIRST FLOOR
Th e fi rst fl oor of the main house is mainly devoted to living and recreational areas. 1. Foyer
Th e two outside doors, which serve as the main entrance for the mansion, lead into the foyer. Along the north wall are a table and two closets. On the south wall hangs an oil painting of the mansion as seen from Lake Erie. Hidden behind the south wall is a small room reached by a ladder which leads down to a passage. Th e passage leads to the study (Main House, First Floor, Room 4). Once a peephole looked out from the room into the foyer, but it’s since been plastered over.
2. Main Hall
Th e ceiling of the main hall is 4” high. Th e main hall extends over the foyer, and two long windows look out to the west, providing good light in the evening. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Two stairs, one against the north wall and one against the south, lead up to a landing and the second fl oor. Th e landing is open and looks out onto the main hall. Th e fl oor and stairs are marble. Th e banister, handrail, and other fi xtures are cherry. Th ree sets of double doors — one each to the north, east, and south — lead from the main hall.
From the eastern set of doors, a short hallway runs under the landing. In the north and south walls of the hallway are panels. Each panel opens by pivoting at its center, and is weighted to close on its own. Th e passage behind the northern panel leads to the butler’s room (Main House, First Floor, Room 8). Th e passage behind the southern panel leads to a hall, which provides access to the drawing room (Main House, First Floor, Room 9), gallery (Main House, 1st fl oor, Room 10), and the
two bathrooms attached to that suite of rooms. Th e servants’ passages were intended to allow servants quick and unobtrusive access to public areas of the house. Th ey’re not shown on the players’ map. Alvin Williamson bribed offi cials to replace the original maps with ones that didn’t show the ser- vants’ passages.
Manifestation: In 1909, Louis Delacroix hung him- self from the second fl oor landing. Th e PCs can see his ghost in the same position, his feet dangling several inches above the fl oor, his face distorted from strangulation. Every couple of minutes, the ghost’s mouth and jaw begin to work. Finally, the ghost spits out a gold coin. Th e coin tumbles to the fl oor, clattering loudly, and then disappears. Ambush: If the Gryphon and Lady Crow remain free aft er Ruse de Guerre, they ambush the PCs in the main hall. Lady Crow lurks in the space above the foyer, and the Gryphon stands atop the landing. If, during the fi ght, any character disturbs the ghost of Louis Delacroix in any way (even involuntarily), a ghostly deathtrap aff ects everyone in the room.
3. Library
Th e library is open to the second fl oor, with a 4” high ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the east, south, and west walls. Each wall has a wheeled ladder that slides from side to side on tracks, providing access to upper shelves. In the north wall, two pocket doors slide back and lead into the study. Above the doors, the second fl oor library (Main House, Second Floor, Room 1) looks out onto this room.
Th e Randolphs were not avid readers, and many of the books on the shelves are from previous occupants of the Delacroix Mansion, mainly the collections of Phoebe Moore-Browning and Vin- cent Browning. Th e Randolphs were conscientious enough to remove volumes of questionable content. 4. Study
Th e study is paneled in dark wood. Near the west wall is a large mahogany desk where Eliot Randolph kept track of his extensive fi nances. On the desk is a computer and phone. Against the west wall, behind the desk, is a mahogany fi le cabinet with two drawers. Th e drawers contain fi nancial statements and other documents pertaining to the Randolphs’ fortune. In the northeast corner is a chair, divan, and table. In the south wall are pocket doors which open into the fi rst fl oor library. In the northwest corner, a spiral staircase leads up to the second fl oor library (Main House, Second Floor, Room 1). At the base of the stair, a concealed door is set in the wall. Th e door pivots to reveal a stair- case leading down (Basement, Room 3). Hidden latches at the top and bottom secure the door. If examined from the outside, the turret containing the stairway has two narrow windows which are not visible from the inside and reveal the existence of the stair leading down.
Manifestation: Vincent Browning sits at the desk. Open in front of him is a copy of Gray’s Anatomy. A scalpel and a butcher knife rest on the desk beside the book. Calmly, he fl ips through the pages. Aft er ten minutes or so, he stands, picks up the scalpel and knife, and exits the room through the secret panel leading to the stairs going down.
5. Parlor
Used for politely entertaining visitors who are not intimates of the family, this room is decorated and furnished in the Victorian style. Th e fl oor is carpeted with a Persian rug, primarily burgundy in color. Th e wallpaper has an ornate green and white pattern comprised mainly of vertical elements. Th e room contains two armchairs and a sofa placed around an oval, marble-topped coff ee table. In one corner, standing on a triangular table, is a small statue of St. Peter. In the other corner is a bureau containing decorative plates. Two pocket doors lead to the front room (Main House, First Floor, Room 6). 6. Front Room
Like the parlor, this room is also done in the Victorian style. It has the same style of rug and wallpaper. In the center of the room are a sofa and a coff ee table set between two armchairs. Th e sofa faces an ornate cabinet with cursive legs placed
52 ■ Unholy Rebirth