Pilfer this Lovecraftian plot seed: Murder Incorporated.

Unlike previous posts, that are either stand alone adventures or encounters that can easily be slotted into an existing game, this is the first adventure of a complete campaign. What the rest of the campaign could turn into is up to the GM, but for me I can’t help but add a healthy amount of the occult to this historical plot.

The Summer of ’34 was hot in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn. Jobs were scarce, but money was there or those who were willing to reach out and grab it. After family troubles, closed businesses, and bad luck at the track, you find yourself in a room – one of half a dozen Jewish kids with nothing else to loose – talking to the socially intimidating “Bugsy” Siegel. He’s all smiles and charm, laying it on thick, telling you all everything you want to hear. The work’s easy, and risk free. The cops are in his back pocket, and even the mayor’s office is in on the take.

“Bugsy” Siegel

You can tell he’s a man that’s used to being control of every room he’s ever walked in, and as he starts to detail your involvement, you realise that no one in the room but Bugsy has spoken since he entered. He goes over who you’ll be dealing with, what package they’re expecting, and what package they’re getting. He talks about your cut, and even split six ways, it’s more than a months wage each. Then he opens a leather case, puts on the table in front of him and turns round to face the rest of you. Inside are six short barreled revolvers. “These are for, lets call it, a ‘just in case’ kinda scenario. And if it all goes according to plan, we’ll talk again soon about bringing you into the family”.

And thus begins a group of impressionable young men and women’s journey into the world of organised crime, specifically that of the group known as Murder Incorporated. It starts with a simple drop off that goes wrong. Bugsy knows that’s going to go wrong, and is more than happy with either of two outcomes; his new recruits take down the swindling son of a bitch that’s been skimming from the organisation for months, or his men deal with the new kids giving Bugsy all the reason he needs to publicly take “Lucky” Lobeck out.

Win win for Bugsy.

When other forces get involved though, it’s up to Bugsy – and the players – to make the most of a dangerous situation. Lucky wasn’t just working for the Brooklyn mob, he was also taking payment for getting his hands on all manner of esoteric texts for one his mysterious clients. At least that was the plan. When he repeatedly fails to deliver, the client quickly loses patience and sends in his own ‘boys’ to deal with Lucky once and for all. The group are witness to the shoot-out, but actual involvement should depend on the style of play the group expects or have created characters for. When they see the supernatural nature of the attacks used against Lucky though, they easily figure out that something more than a numbers man skimming off the top is going down.

From here it’s up the players how they choose to proceed, so lets take a look at what’s actually going on, and just what on earth they’re now involved in. It might be worth reminding people at this point, that although Murder Inc. was a real organisation, I am taking an awful lot of historical liberties with what follows.

Bugsy is one of several who helped found Murder Inc., but he is the only one these founders who has any idea of the real world that exists, that most people are blind to. He is part of a society that has for countless centuries done everything they can to stymie the followers of the elder gods who seek to bring about their return to the world of man. That doesn’t mean he is a nice guy. He mixed in with the organised crime scene very easily indeed, and although his end goals are noble indeed, his method is that of a career criminal. He cares very little for lives that will be lost along the way, and makes sure his own pockets are lined as he goes.

He knew all along about Lucky, but needed an excuse to bring him to the attention of the syndicate. Lucky has powerful friends, and ordering a hit over a couple of thousand dollars on someone that connected would have made Bugsy’s life… complicated.

If the players don’t return directly to him with the news, he will seek them out, and do his best to convince them to join him in his crusade. Now that they’ve seen what the cultists are capable of, he will take advantage of their knowledge, and even their naivety. He will tailor his pitch to just what they want to hear. Not only can he can promise them money by the suitcase full if they work with him, but also fame as he has growing connections in California. If they’re true blue heroes he will appeal to that, and the fact that his mission is to safeguard the future of humanity and the world. He is not above subtle threats either, but will keep these as his last shot, threatening first their reputation by mentioning to people the crazy stories they’ve come to him with. If that doesn’t work, their families, and maybe even their lives.

Once they’re in, he’ll make it clear there’s no leaving. And to test their loyalty, the first job is a hit. On whom though?

Future plot threads.

From here, the game can be played like most investigator role playing games using the Cthulhu Mythos, but the organised crime element should add a level of complexity. The group will be carrying out criminal activities including assassinations of mob enemies (both those involved in the world of organised crime, and those who aren’t), and they should be always questioning if what they’re doing is the right thing, or even if they’re using the right methods. Not only will they be facing enemies from within the ranks of the elder gods’ followers, but the police and rival mobsters will be taking an interest in what they get up to.