The Butcher of BoB

[D.L.Ruth]

Well this was my first bombing run and not sure I know what the mystery contest is? I’ll definitely get in on it if you’ll catch me up on what it is and what I need to do.

Would you be a sport, Wiz, and remind one of the rules and what is required. This would help one decide whether one can be 'in'.

Oh yes, rules would be nice

 

[Blackhorse]

If I’m allowed in (since this is a separate but linked activity to the main mission...or something) I’d love to play sleuth with the rest of the boys.

 

[BriarBeagle]

:bounce:

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I would love to play. 8)

 

[Ozark Wizard]

.

For those of you who participated in the amazing October run, and are not in the lists, you might want to speak up. The prize is, well, simply astonishing!

Please respond to this thread. Those not interested need not respond. Clues and storyline will be posted here.... Guesses are to be PM'd directly to yours truly. DO NOT POST GUESSES ON THE FORUM!

My crystal ball is online, so I'm watching you.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

If I’m allowed in (since this is a separate but linked activity to the main mission...or something) I’d love to play sleuth with the rest of the boys.

You were on the squadron, of course you're in, if you wish!

 

[Ozark Wizard]

OK, rules are as follows..........

Entry into this mystery was specified as for participants of the Roctober Madness Bombing run that just occurred. Please see the first post on this thread.

As the story unfolds, participants wishing to make a serious guess are to submit their theory via Private Message to me, Ozzie. One guess each player. DO NOT POST GUESSES ON THE THREAD OR FORUM. Doing so disqualifies the participant.

The storyline is word and hint specific, please carefully read the pulp I present to you with diligence.

THE FIRST CORRECT GUESS WINS THE PRIZE!!!!!

Each day, a new chapter will be written and presented on this thread. Bear in mind, things are not always what they seem, but sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct one. Also, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth..........

Shall we begin with our cast of characters? Is everybody in? The ceremony is about to begin!

 

[Ozark Wizard]

Welcome aboard the Alexander!




Cast of Characters....

Our victim, Chef. A designation not entirely accurate. As are many

cooks, his surly disposition and refusal to accommodate varied

palates and or dietary requirements is well understood. Not much loved by the crew.

Captain Samuel Langhorne,  master and commander of the

Baltimore Clipper ship, Alexander. A seasoned sailor, there were

few duties on board ship he would decline to muster to and lend a

hand. Well respected by the crew of a hundred, save our victim,

Chef. A dark history is shared between these two from when they

served together during the slave trade days. Something occurred

when both were serving as lieutenants on the slaver Jupiter that

elevated our captain and threw our cook in shackles, until the two

were reunited just prior to this trip.

Second in command introduces us to Jonah Adams, a former slave

in the cane fields of Jamaica, Langhorne bought his freedom some

years back and took him under his wing as apprentice and cabin boy.

Adams was a sharp dressed officer, a stickler for details and

decorum, and regulations being followed. Suffice to say he ran a

tight ship, and rarely spared the crew from discipline. Many of the

crew, not so secretly showed their disrespect and unhappiness with

his position on the ship, but none to the extent that Chef

employed. Adams had to be ever vigilant to only consume what the

bulk of the crew ate and drank from communal servings, lest he risk

another attempted poisoning at Chef's hand at the Captain's

table, which had been alleged on more than one occasion.

Lieutenant Walker, our next player, hails from Tennessee. Exiled

from his family plantation for having "relations" with a house servant

that resulted in a pregnancy that cast a bad light on his family in his

former circles. Rather than bearing his responsibilities he blames his

mistress's pagan wiles for his misconduct. He constantly undermined

Adams' authority within the ranks, and it was said amongst the crew

that he and Chef were conspiring to eliminate the XO by any means

necessary.

Chief Medical Officer Gerald Faulkner was a Hessian expatriate

the crew of the Alexander found adrift in the wreckage of his

former vessel, the Ausgezeichnet, an explorer ship that was

cataloguing new venomous species of spiders in the islands in the

area. Only being on board for a few weeks now, he has already

proved to be a valuable asset to the crew, in particular Adams, due

to mysterious gastrointestinal distresses that the XO suffered

rather regularly. Because of his regular ministrations to Adams,

Chef regularly employed bullying and derogatory comments

regarding the doctor's heritage and racial allegiances. In an

overheard off hand comment, Faulkner was quoted as saying how it

would be a shame for one of his sample venomous spiders

'accidentally' escaped in the galley.

Lastly for our cast, is Entrepreneur and passenger Duncan

Lachlan, a tobacco and hemp plantation owner, amongst other

things, is aboard ship overseeing his products and traveling with

them to market. A rather jovial, frumpish gentleman from the Isle of

Sky, he finds adventure in the New World, as he affectionately

refers to the Americas "vastly preferable to the dank that creeps up

the kilt". He is always seen with his Dutch clay pipe dangling from

his mouth, as to how he kept it lit constantly was one of the prime

idle discussions amongst the crew. A flask always at his side, he was

never shy to pull a cork nor pass it about to whomever might join him

for a wee dram and a long conversation. His flask seemed

bottomless, his smile and jokes unending. Chef claimed no one

could be that happy and not have something afoot......



This should get some brain juices flowing, eh? And hey, there had

to be a pipe smoker somewhere in the saga/mystery. Let the

pondering commence, chapter one will unfold on the 'morrow!

 

[D.L.Ruth]

Hmmmm

 

[huffelpuff]

I'll throw my hat into the ring.

Jim

 

[Ozark Wizard]

I'll throw my hat into the ring.

Jim

Welcome aboard the Alexander!

 

[Stick]

Well, I aint been sailing for a while... IN!

 

[Deleted member 2386]

The only thing better than a closed room mystery is a closed room mystery before the mast! This tarshirt’s swapping out his bandana for a thinking cap...

 

[Ozark Wizard]

Well, I aint been sailing for a while... IN!

Greetings sir, you are well met!

 

[Ozark Wizard]

The only thing better than a closed room mystery is a closed room mystery before the mast! This tarshirt’s swapping out his bandana for a thinking cap...

Aye, sir!

 

[fishnbanjo]

I don’t see me a plank but I guess I could sure build one for the culprit!
banjo

 

[Blackhorse]

I don’t see me a plank but I guess I could sure build one for the culprit!
banjo

OK...here’s your “plank”.

 

[Blackhorse]

OK...something is nagging at me just a bit. Please forgive me in advance here as this is very likely an unnecessary caution. I know most of you pretty well and don’t have huge concerns that any of you would purposely say something “politically incorrect “. But due to various themes, settings and characters in this little drama, please be sensitive so as not to inadvertently post anything that might be construed as ‘racist’ by other members. This isn’t a threat or warning...just a reminder to exercise prudence. Thanks.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

No worries, guv'ner,

 

[fishnbanjo]

That thought never even was a threat of coming from my fingers in the the manner that concerns you Squire.
banjo