If the characters refuse, Kristofferson breaks down and beseeches them for help. He's willing to give them all he has if they'll help him. He doesn't give details, claiming that it's dangerous to discuss such matters over the phone.

Should the characters still refuse to see him, Kristofferson hints that he knows about their earlier exploits, or even their dark secrets, and threatens to turn his knowledge against them (Samael has given Thomas this information through visions and dreams. Such a "gift" is especially appropriate if the characters have thwarted Samael in the past.) .

Eventually, someone will make the decision to meet Kristofferson at the Underground Cafe. Kristofferson insists that the characters bring a car and tells them that they will need to make a short trip. If the characters ask Kristofferson how they'll recognize him, he replies that he will find them.

It's impossible to find Kristofferson in any records. Through his contacts in the underworld, he's managed to completely erase all such information.

After- parking your car, you hasten through the relentless autumn rain toward the Underground Cafe. The lights of cars passing by cast reflections on the wet asphalt, and it's only a matter of seconds before you're drenched. Cursing, you draw your coat tighter and speed up your pace.

The Underground Cafe's pale-blue neon sign penetrates the rain's haze, and it turns out that the coffeehouse is in a basement. Rusty iron stairs lead down into the darkness.

The door opens inward, and a small bell tinkles merrily when characters enter. The room is dimly lit and smells strongly of burned coffee and cigarette smoke. The characters see that there's only one person in the room: a middle-aged woman behind the counter. She asks them what they'd like to order. Kristofferson arrives minutes later.

You hear the iron stairs Tattle as heavy steps draw closer. The door opens, and the little bell tinkles again. A man in a long brown coat enters the room. He's soaking wet. He stamps the mud off his boots. His face is sour and shadowed. A cigarette hangs from the corner of his mouth.

Kristofferson ignores the woman behind the counter and fixes his stare on the characters. He slams the door shut and shambles forward. The characters catch a stale, unpleasant odor.

The man takes a chair at the characters' table and falls into it. He leans over the table, resting his elbows. "I really appreciate you coming here. You have no idea what this means to me." His voice is coarse, almost a whisper.

Kristofferson explains why he contacted the characters. This is a very well prepared story, and he tells it convincingly. His story is partly true, so it's almost impossible to discern any lies.

"Some time ago, my father died. We never got along very well. I ran away from home when 1 was 12. Since then, I've been a drifter. Then 1 heard the old man had died, and somehow 1 inherited his stuff- including the house 1 grew up in.

"I moved in immediately, hoping for a better life, but strange things started to happen. Footsteps echoed in the attic, and the walls had strange shadows that disappeared when I looked straight at them.

"During the day, 1 searched through the house and found an old box in the study. I'd never seen it before, so 1 opened it. 1 found this..."

Kristofferson shows the characters a Polaroid of a carved, woodenhead. Innumerable cuts crisscross its exquisitely carved face, which bears a malicious sneer. The picture was taken against a white background. It's impossible for the characters to estimate the size of the head. This is one of the artifacts that completes Kristofferson's ritual. Experienced characters might recognize it as a statue of a nepharite, but cannot ascertain its purpose.

"Now that I have the box, things are getting worse. I wake up hearing footsteps in the house; sometimes I hear whispers. A couple of days ago, I got a letter that said I'll burn in Hell. I got so scared that I burned it. Please help me."

Kristofferson hopes this will be enough to arouse the characters' curiosity. If they don't show any interest, he will renew his efforts and pleas for help. He offers his life's savings, approximately $5000. Should the characters still seem indifferent, Kristofferson then uses his knowledge of the characters' secrets, threatening to use it in the most damaging way possible. He implies what he knows in cryptic statements. Should the characters finally agree to help him, Kristofferson rises, bidding that they follow. With this, he leaves the cafe.

En route

Kristofferson walks toward a black Miata that's parked outside the cafe. He disdainfully crumples up and tosses away a parking ticket that's on the two-seater-'s window.

The characters have to follow Kristofferson's car to reach his house. He claims that it's on a small-unmarked road not on most maps. He'd rather not give directions - finding the house is very difficult.

If the characters haven't arranged a car yet, they must find one now. At worst, Kristofferson agrees to meet them again at the cafe once they've found a car, but insists that they not delay.

When the characters at last are ready, Kristofferson gets into his car and leads the way. He doesn't let anyone ride with him. There's no problem following him; traffic is unusually light. Kristofferson drives out of town and into the countryside. The drive is indeed confusing. Kristofferson takes many back roads. After an hour's drive, he turns onto a narrow, bumpy road.

The road makes its way through a dense and dark forest. Some time has passed since nightfall, and the characters can see nothing more of Kristofferson's car than its tail-lights'.

Following his tail-lights becomes difficult. A thick fog settles over the forest, and characters must maintain a slow speed to stay on the road. They completely lose sight of Kristofferson's car. He maintains a considerably higher speed; the fog does not deter him.

The fog is extremely thick, almost tangible, and it becomes necessary to keep the windshield wipers working constantly. Eventually, the characters will conclude that Kristofferson's car is lost in the fog.

At this point, the characters are trapped by Kristofferson's ritual; he began it before meeting them. No matter what they attempt at this point, the characters end up at Kristofferson's house. Even if they turn the car around or leave the road and travel on foot, they arrive at the house. They have been drawn with Kristofferson into his purgatory, which is being crafted by The Gatherer.