Lisboa

[Faolan Doyle]

It is 1938, in the city of Lisbon, Portugal - Lisboa to the natives. The country is a republic of sorts, led by the fascist prime minister Antonio de Salazar since 1932; political parties are banned, and all citizens are encouraged to join the loyalist National Union. Though the country is a dictatorship, and censorship and repression are rife, still it is less harsh than many European regimes. The government maintains a neutral position with regard to the Nazis, though in Spain they support Franco; generally they are most friendly to the British. There are thousands of foreign refugees in the country, and more arriving every day. With a large transient population of aliens, official neutrality, and in a prime location for commerce with Europe, Africa or the Americas, it is a hotbed of international intrigue. Spies, smugglers, and traffickers in a thousand illegal commodities (including people) come and go through this cosmopolitan centre in droves; so do supernaturals. Portugal is neutral turf to the Awakened, and overt conflict is discouraged. Who by? You'll find out if you try it...

[Faolan Doyle]

Toby's Bar is a popular night spot with the Bairro Alto Bohemians. Bairro Alto is a high point with great views of the harbour, so high up it's reached by a giant outdoor elevator and funicular railways; it's a maze of little streets, dotted with fado bars and cafes, art studios, little churches, and the like. Popular with students, artists, foreigners and music lovers. The cult of Ecstasy are very much in the majority among the Awakened, but you'll find toreador vampires, Child of Gaia werewolves and many others among the crowds.

[Sick Freddy]

Toby's Rulez (In Portugese, Spanish, German and English)

1) Feedin is restricted to Menu items only.

2) No foightin insoid the bar.

3) Managements reservs the right to smack yer face in if ya dont behave.

Ah, there he is now, Toby Hackett-owner. Look at his great height and girth there, almost as if he's part of the very mountain itself. Isn't he glorious; with the morning sunloight shinin af his bald heid as he polishes the glasses with a clean cloth. Isn't he foin how he can still drink and it's not even breakfast. and the smell of baking soda farls just follows him around. A picture of old country beauty so he is, so he is....Pitty that bloody great crow that follows him about is such a Gobsh*te

Boi the Way- it has to be said so it does- that Toby's isn't an Oirish bar, no. Y'll not find typewriters and bikes hangin af the seelin here. No, ye wont. It's a luvely local bar, all whitewashed plaster and dark wood. And by the way, tis a bit dressy so dont be comin in covered in blood.

Cream o the milk to you all, Toby Hackett.

[Faolan Doyle]

Whitewashed plaster and wood, Toby? This is Lisboa! Moorish style with a mediterranean tinge. Tiled walls with geometric designs, fishing nets and glass floats, bottles covered in straw... Have your plaster and wood, by all means, but to the locals that spells Furrin!

[Sick Freddy]

Lots o' toils then, an bottles covered wi straw wicker and the loike. But oil be drawin the loine at fishin nets wi bottle init. Never heard the loike so Oi've not. Well oi've got to sort me shoit out about gittin t smell av that smell shapeshiftin Gabsh*te out of me rooms.

[Faolan Doyle]

SOL DI LISBOA
BRUTAL KILLING IN LOCAL PARK!

Police are hunting for the killers of a young American tourist, Robert Kirkpatrick, who was found dead this morning in the Jardim dos Martires adjoining the famous Igreja dos Martires in the Chiado district. Mr Kirkpatrick, aged 21, had been out for the evening with his fiancee, 17 year old heiress Janine de Witt. Miss deWitt is missing, and police fear she may have come to harm. The girl's father, a New York banker, is expected to post a reward for her safe return. Capitan Duarte said: "This vicious slaying casts a shadow on our beautiful country and we will leave no stone unturned to wipe that shadow away." Since the crime may have been politically motivated, 14 anti-American extremists have been arrested for questioning.

WIDOW DIES OF FISH POISONING

Warnings have been issued after the death of a lady of declining years, Senhora Elvira de Castro, from the consumption of sardines which proved to be contaminated with some unknown poison. Several crates of fish were confiscated at the Donato Fish Market, and it is believed more may have been sold. Citizens who may have purchased the deadly sardines should hand over any suspect fish at their nearest police office.

[Sick Freddy]

Has dis woman been eatin Turkish Joe's soup? If she has den it prabably her own damn fault but dat Turks up fer the sack if it's him. Fek it, it he keeps servin up dis muck I'll sack him whether or not he paisined the eowld lass.

[Faolan Doyle]

LISBOA DAILY NEWS, RADIO BROADCAST

Citizens report an eerie howling from the Florestal de Monsanto which has caused much distress and disturbance to people in that vicinity. City authorities report that stray dogs known to congregate in the park may be suffering illness as a result of eating poisonous fish dumped around the markets in the Doca Pesca area, and have announced a cull of affected animals; police and city dogcatchers will be moving in later this evening with poison bait and guns. Citizens should not be alarmed, but the Parque Florestal will be closed for 24 hours while the operation is carried out.

[Faolan Doyle]

LISBOA DAILY NEWS, EVENING BROADCAST

Police forensic analysts have announced that they have identified the toxins in the fish which caused the death of widow Elvira de Castro as a combination of mercury, lead, and silver nitrate. As yet there is no definite evidence for how these substances got into the fish, but the police have not ruled out contamination of the fishing grounds by illegal dumping. Tests are being made at other ports, and Spanish authorities have agreed to co-operate by making their own analysis on local catches.

Charles de Witt, father of the missing heiress, has offered a reward of $10,000 to anyone who returns his daughter safely. The family of murder victim Robert Kirkpatrick are due to arrive in Lisboa tomorrow to collect the body for burial in New York. Police have issued warnings to people to stay out of the public parks and gardens after dark.

The celebrated Fadista Zenaida the Gipsy has cancelled her performance at the Adega do Machado this evening in respect for the recent sad deaths; she will be appearing as normal on Monday night. The National Union have also cancelled the planned parade on the Avenida da Liberdade on Sunday; it has been rescheduled for next week.

[Faolan Doyle]

DIARIO DE LISBOA, SUNDAY EDITION

FURTHER KILLINGS!

Police have released details of a double murder yesterday evening at the Igreja da Sacramenta, Chiado. After the close of mass the congregation had mostly left except for one elderly lady, Sinhora Conceisao Flores, who was waiting to make confession, and her granddaughter Anabela Flores, who was to escort her grandmother home. They were attacked by a large group of men in cloaks, who savagely murdered both women in front of the priest, Father Ignacio Maria de Santos. Father de Santos tried to intervene but was knocked down and left for dead. He is presently at the Convent Hospital de Santa Egracia, and apparently in no condition to make any statement yet. Capitan Duarte personally attended the scene. Early this morning he made the following statement to the press.

'The murders at the Igraja da Sacramenta were definitely the work of the same persons who killed Robert Kirkpatrick at the Igreja dos Martires. We believe it may be some group of Satanic cultists of the same kind as the notorious Alister Crowley; these evil people are clearly cannibals and desecrators of churches. They are probably not natives of Lisboa. We have consulted experts who are inspecting the remains in an effort to gain further clues. In the mean time, we would ask anyone who has male neighbours or relatives who have been going out secretively by night, to contact us and give the details (anonymously if they wish). We would advise that no woman go anywhere without a male escort, and that ladies attending church do so in large groups. We assure the people of Lisboa that the perpetrators will be caught and exterminated.'

Reports of another attack in the close vicinity while the police were attending the scene were apparently false; police say it was a woman who became hysterical with fear after seeing the bodies brought from the church.

[Faolan Doyle]

LISBOA DAILY NEWS, EVENING BROADCAST, SUNDAY

Lisboa police are investigating the horrific murder of antique dealer Oliver da Vascama at his business premises in the Alfama some time today. Senhor da Vascama, an elderly gentleman of good repute, was tortured by person or persons unknown before his throat was severed. The police so far can find no motive for the appalling crime, but say there is a strong possibility it is linked to the cult killings over the last few days. Capitan Duarte of the Lisboa police has requested that the government impose a state of martial law upon the city, given the unusual number and nature of these offences recently; this is likely to involve the imposition of a strict curfew and restrictions on travel. Citizens are advised to listen to all radio news broadcasts for further updates. Dr Salazar himself has issued a statement deploring these vicious crimes, and offering his deepest sympathies to the victims' families. His government will do all it can, he said, to ensure that the culrpits are justly punished.

Sewer workers in the Chiado district have recovered a body which is thought to be that of the missing American girl, Janine de Witt. Her father has been asked to attend at the morgue to identify the body. No information as to the cause of death is yet available.

[Faolan Doyle]

SOL DE LISBOA, Monday morning edition

MASSACRE IN THE ROSSIO!

Yesterday evening the Rossio Square was the scene of an appalling outbreak of violence, leaving several citizens dead and many more injured. Black-clad hooligans appeared in force and attacked without provocation, their victims merely innocent bystanders enjoying a peaceful evening at the cafes and restaurants in the square. Lisboa police have been on the alert since the first of these horrendous assaults, and were on the scene in minutes, and were able to kill or drive off the attackers. So far they have not been positively identified, but Capitan Duarte was confident today that the same group was responsible for the other vicious outbreaks in the city recently. 'We are on watch for them now, we have identified the pattern of their attacks, and I believe it will not be long before we are able to finally end their reign of terror.' The loss of life was minimised by the quick thinking and courage of a member of the Order of St Jerome, Brother Adalberto, who led as many people as possible into hiding in the Estacao do Rossio; the brother risked his own life repeatedly to return to the square and rescue more survivors.

The government has granted the police request for martial law, taking effect immediately: citizens are warned that a curfew is in operation. All citizens on the streets after dark must have identification papers and a complete ban is in place on movement after midnight. All travel in and out of the city is suspended till further notice, and all public parks are closed.

FATHER TAKES DAUGHTER'S BODY HOME FOR BURIAL

Senhor Charles de Witt, having formally identified the body found in the Chiado sewers as his missing daughter Janine, has been granted special permission to leave Lisboa to take the body home for burial. The cause of death has been found to be loss of blood from knife wounds. Capitan Duarte offered his condolences to the bereaved parents, and said that the evil men responsible for this and other savage crimes will meet the fate they deserve.

SPANISH FLU FEARED IN LISBOA

Four people have been admitted to hospital suffering from symptoms similar to those of the Spanish Flu, which caused the deaths of 20 million people worldwide some twenty years ago. Authorities so far cannot confirm whether it is the disease or not, but a similar outbreak has been reported from London. People suffering from cold or flu symptoms are asked not to panic, but to remain at home.

[Sick Freddy]

OI HAVENT GOT TOIME TA BE READIN THE NEIOWS PAPERS FOR THE TOIME BEIN FER F**KS SAKE. THERE'S MONSTERS TROYIN TO GET IN ME BAR!!!!!!

[Faolan Doyle]

Thanks for a great game, guys; Lisboa is now left to suffer its epidemic in peace for a while. See you in Detroit...

[Faolan Doyle]

SOL DE LISBOA

EMERGENCY WARNING! DUE TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE AS YET UNIDENTIFIED DISEASE, THE CITY OF LISBOA IS OFFICIALLY UNDER QUARANTINE. ALL PERSONS WISHING TO LEAVE MUST APPLY FOR A PERMIT AT THE CITY HALL, PERMITS OFFICE, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF TEN AND TWELVE A.M., AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO MEDICAL EXAMINATION. ANYONE WISHING TO TRANSPORT DECEASED RELATIVES ELSEWHERE FOR BURIAL ARE ADVISED THAT FOR THE DURATION OF THE EMERGENCY, THIS IS FORBIDDEN. NO ANIMALS, LIVING OR DEAD, MAY BE TRANSPORTED OUT OF THE CITY. BY ORDER OF THE PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT.