Murders in the Museum: A Case of Dangerous Darwinism - An Adventure in Cardiff

[Gwilym]

A strange occurrence on Sunday May 10th 1909.

Newspaper Headline-

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In a Wales in which airships and steam automatons are common a series of hideous murders connected to The National Museum of Wales has shocked Cardiff. Does this have something to do with the startling theories of Alfred Russell Wallace (from Usk) and Charles Darwin regarding the evolution of Species by a process of Natural Selection?

A group from The Guild of Adventurers of The Silurian Steam Republic has been called in. We must search for clues by investigating an exhibition on evolution commemorating the centenary of Darwin’s birth and his connection to Wales in the museum. Who knows what we may discover and what horrifying implications there may be for humanity's place in the universe? As religion and science face each other in a terrible conflict only one thing is certain it will be an adventure suitable only for those willing to grapple with extreme science and face hideous danger with steadfast courage.

As well as extreme peril the adventure will include a chance to socialize with other adventurers of varying occupations and in all probability a visit to a public house.

Meet outside the museum at noon or in the Grand Entrance Hall. Look for the group of fashionably dressed people.

[Chrononauts be aware appropriate clothing for the period is advised to avoid appearing out of place though it is not essential for the quick-witted.]

Aethernet address for the museum:
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff/

Updates here:
http://steamrepublic.blogspot.com/

There is also a facebook group here:
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=71729901169

Earlier thread here:
http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11635.45

[Gwilym]

After that brief intermission where was I oh yes:

Heres an interesting offer for you.....

If you are interested I'm a student film maker in Cardiff i could actually film the event and make a mini documentary type thing about the whole 'murder'.

If you think this would be a nice idea can someone (whoever is organizing it) let me know by middayish on friday so i can get hold of the appropriate equipment

Dear Captain,

Thanks for you kind offer. But I forsee a problem as we will be wandering round the Museum I believe there are inconvenient regulations imposed by the Museum authorities on using electrographic recording on a professional basis in their buildings. It is not impossible that our group may attract attention anyway so I am not sure if we were being filmed in an obvious manner they might not intervene and take us off the case. I could look into getting permission but their aethernet site seems to indicate they may ask for filthy lucre even though we will be investigating a horrendous crime. If this case is successful there will be other adventures some of which may occur outdoors so may be better to record a later adventure.

You could film us before and after we went in I suppose though. Whether that is worthwhile is up to you. Also everyone would have to agree to it too.

[Captain incongruity]

Not to worry, i can wait and its probably for the best i have a fair bit of work to be getting on with

[Titus Wells]

I say chaps, bit worried about this here Zeppelin.


Oh, and there seems to have been some kind of murder as well...

[Titus Wells]

Just wondering what the museum's policy on belt-slung rayguns might be? And whether they have a cloakroom for such items. Can't apprehend a dangerous murderer without my trusty sidearms!

[Gwilym]

Latest update here:

http://steamrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/05/police-baffled-who-can-solve-mystery.html

I believe they have a clockroom will check details.

[Gwilym]

They have visitor lockers There is quite a bit of security there so best to stash it away I think.

[darkshines]

I'm so caught betwen two outfits. One is more time travelly/steamy/adventurer like with a leather corset and doodads, the other involves a heavy black velvet dress, corsetry and is a little more elegant. Cogdammit, I can't chose!

[Gwilym]

The first outing of the Silurian Guild of Adventures was a resounding success with nine stout hearts venturing to Cardiff. Six from Swansea, one from Cardiff, and two from entirely different country - The West Country. The crew of The Fell Raven were delayed in arriving to a sudden attack by an air-Kraken only successful use of their air-ship’s flame projector managed to ward off the creature. Through a strange temporal anomaly we met a group of veterans of a terrible World War who were impressed by our outfits.

Despite the dark news of the death of the museum’s vice-director the group successfully broke a complex cipher based on the Darwin exhibition and then discovered the terrifying truth behind the deaths which afflicted the museum. For reasons of Public safety the secrets behind the murders can never be revealed.

We then retired to the public hostelry. Discussions ranged from the correct use of personal flame throwers to sinister plans to use animal magnetism to probe into the curious boundaries between matter and spirit, designs for automatons that can rotate into steam locomotives and various other vehicular devices and the use of steamy ideas to outwit military minds along with discussions about attending the Asylum. Thanks to everyone who made it a success. Photos coming soon.

Discussion of future events in the Wales thread.

[darkshines]

It was a delightful day, I can't wait to see all the pictures I took

[Gwilym]

Loading now. It was a great day. I was worried about how many would turn up but it turned out fine. Next time I will be more relaxed I feel. I was so busy running round in the morning printing bits of paper I didn't even get a chance to shave

[Titus Wells]

And I was pleased because we ran out of hot water this morning so I didn't shave either and was glad it was the presiding steamy look!

[Gwilym]

Photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=109241&l=71a0456caa&id=582486527

[darkshines]

Argh, you managed to take one of me! Curses!

[Gwilym]

But my dear its not as if you don't look good.

 Or are you concerned about the idea that electrographic representation leads inevitably to a loss of vital magnetic fluid.

[Titus Wells]

Or that, as you are clearly in the picture, you cannot be a vampyre and thus your image is tarnished? Nonsense.

[darkshines]

Thats very kind of you Gwilym, and yes, your explanation seems more likely, I am ceetianly not a vampyre! Haha!

[Gwilym]

I have put up a slideshow of images here:

http://steamrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/05/glorious-day-out.html

[darkshines]

Awesome!