MrLapin

Philip Ryder Story 1 - Outline

Carnacki Center for Occult Research Tale

Setting: Unnamed City (Based on, possibly is Toledo, Ohio) Modern era

Murder Method: Artist (Dale Stevens) vanishes into painting, has created his own personal Heaven and used occult means to enter it. Is a notable missing person, Philip Ryder contracted to investigate by Carnacki Center

Locale: Toledo Area

Menace: Philip is being stalked/threatened by members of Artist's clique who either know the secret or want it themselves. Either way, don't want Philip to know.

Part 1 - 1,500 words
1. Introduce Philip and his Carnacki Center contact ASAP
2. Philip begins investigation of the disappearance utilizing mundane and magical means (mild divination? Questioning some of his friends?)
3. A physical conflict - Philip is accosted by a kinda-sorta protege of Dale who demands Philip 'Leave it alone'.
4. Philip finally gets to see the painting upfront (Hypnosis or talks his way through cop/security left in Dale's Studio to examine) and notes anomalous fluids used in it. Blood/Ectoplasm/other things. Painting is a self-portrait of sorts in a somewhat hedonistic scene. Certain symbols on the walls and canvas itself.

Part 2 - 1,500 Words
1. Philip hears talking, has to leave. Nabs some of the art supplies to examine in greater detail back at the office.
2. Introduce Philip's growing collection of 'magic' books as he tries to decipher the symbols and sends the brushes and misc. tools to be examined at the "Regional Office"
3. Minor discoveries with symbols: used in creation of a Janus gate.
4. Another altercation with art clique who try to threaten him into compliance. (Or try bribery?)
Philip refuses, leading to an altercation and running.

Part 3 - 1,500 Words
1. Further grief - Analysis comes back from "Regional Office", along with the ectoplasm and paint is mixed in human blood. Can't determine that it is Dale's but seems likely.
2. Philip concludes the painting is anomalous now, prepares to exorcise it, gathering supplies.
3. Encounters the entirety of the art clique who attempt to get him to back off one last time. When it fails, he's subdued by numbers (and a few anomalous art pieces?)
4. Dragged into the studio, it looks like this will be the end for Philip!

Part 4 - 1,500 Words
1. The painting has changed! Some of the other members of the clique are now depicted as well, the scene becoming more of a party.
2. Eventually Philip escapes whatever is holding him, preparing to destroy the painting until one of the clique opens up the Janus Gate to step through as well, revealing the truth. Explanation comes along about Dale being sick and deciding to create a personalized heaven in order to enjoy his remaining time and afterlife how he chose.
3. Philip isn't quite sure what to do about this, but takes custody of the original painting while the rest of the Clique put a fake on the easel. (Philip was discouraged from his investigation because they feared he would do precisely what he intended. They were trying to protect Dale's resting place
4. Painting is shipped to the main Carnacki Center office for safekeeping and study. End on a scene of Philip trying out a painting class.

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Characters

Philip Ryder -
Viewpoint character, detective
Description; medium to above average height, close cut hair, lean-muscular (athletic build)
TAG - Confident, pushes forward, habit of rubbing neck while thinking.

Dale Stevens -
Deceased, artist. Quarrelsome
Description; thin and short, bald.
TAG - Temperamental, quick mood swings

Robert Burns
Philip's Carnacki Center contact. Provides the mystery.
Description; tall and thin. Seems to know more than he lets on about most things. History with Philip (obviously)
TAG - Perpetually amused, calm

Names for Dale's Artist Clique - Mix and Match, use however many, use leftovers for cops and incidental characters. Develop as needed.
Brendan Armstrong
Malcolm Santiago
Lorraine Griffith
Thelma Ray
Ida Fisher
Wallace Mitchell
Kay Pratt
Melba Edwards
Ella Wolfe
Lynne Park