At some point in their lives, PC investgators will have to look to a reputed scholar of arcane lore for advice on their current predicament. Jean Le Strange is one such man. But, how do you approach such a man for assistance? And, what will be the price for that assistance? 

Born in Paris (or Alsace Lorraine, or Cairo), reputedly during the Revolution, Jean Le Strange is a figure of some notoriety, due mainly to his outre religious and philosophical beliefs. He is said to have inspired works such as "La Bas", has given guest lectures to the Golden Dawn, made an enemy of Dietrich Eckhart, has been denounced by the Vatican, and has been studied and debunked by the Society for Psychical Research. Independently wealthy, he maintains elegant homes in a number of cities across the globe, furnished with many rare curios and pieces of art. He is a combination of scholarly recluse and Gallic playboy.

Apparent age 37. Height 6'1". Weight 178 pounds. Slim athletic physique, narrow hips, wide shoulders. Tanned. Short dark hair oiled and combed back. Gallic nose and strong chin. Dresses in dark, rich, sombre, classic, fashionable suits made of silk or wool, white cotton or silk shirts, crimson silk ties, patent leather or suede Chelsea boots, and a dark fedora. Carries an ebony cane concealing a rapier. Speaks many languages with a soft, educated French accent. Smokes Turkish cigarettes and drinks only rich red wines.

Possibilities:

1) Le Strange is a sorceror of considerable power, knowledgeable in the ways of the Mythos and its creatures. He is on intimate terms with The Black Man (Nyarlathotep), who has granted him much of his power, and his position on the ruling council of the Illuminati (or whichever organization is appropriate for your campaign). He acts as a lethal lure for those who have enough knowledge to be dangerous. His great age is attributable to both his dark sorceries and his skill as a deceiver and manipulator. When PCs contact him he will become a mysterious, reserved patron, and will aid them for some months. At some point he will unexpectedly enter a scenario to which he is ostensibly unrelated (e.g. as confidant of a certain high priest of the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh) and reveal the PCs to the bad guys. He is always guarded by a permanently bound Star Vampire (or two), which has had many years of feedings on foolish investigators during which to wax powerful and become difficult to dismiss.

2) Le Strange is a sorceror of considerable power who has yet to be seduced totally by the Mythos. When PCs contact him (after establishing a relationship), he is evasive and distant. He is suffering from a severe and odd form of somnambulence. During his "attacks" he cruises the city streets in a large black saloon, engages an escort for the evening, returns to his home, kills her horribly, then dumps the body. He remembers only short fragments which he attributes to nightmares induced by his studies. Astute PCs researching him should stumble across the pattern of slain prostitutes in the world's fashionable cities, e.g. Paris, Venice, London, New York. This is the secret of his great age as his victims' life force feeds both him and his personal demon.  Those who can help him willmake a useful friend, but he will then begin to age normally. Those who follow him at night will bite off more than they can comfortably chew.

3) Le Strange is a well-preserved scholar with more than a passing knowledge of the Mythos. His background is a combination of rumour, a pinch of truth, and a lot of fantasy. However, his occult collection is real. His latest accquisition during his travels is an ornate blue crystal bottle (9 inches tall, 4 inch diameter base, fluted and stoppered, sealed with lead), purchased at an exhorbitant price at Sothebys in London. It is reputed to have once been the possession of John Dee. When PCs visit Le Strange, his extensive house will be empty. In the large parquet floored study is the expected library, with a paper-littered desk and comfy chairs. There is also a wooden pedestal similar to a flat lectern, but with nothing on it. On the floor is a fine sand which will crunch under the investigator's foot. Looking closely will show that it is very fine powdered blue glass. Looking even closer will reveal the "burst" pattern which it appears to have. The floor beneath the wooden pedestal is mainly sand-free. What exactly was in that bottle? Where is the owner? What's that noise?


(Thanks to David Drake, author of the novel _Dagger_, published by Ace, for option 3. Also check out his short story "Than Curse The Darkness" in _New Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos_, edited by Ramsay Campbell, published by Arkham House and Grafton. That particular story is one of the finest ever Man vs. Mythos stories.)

Copyright (c) 1997 Peter Devlin
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