The Chaos storm came upon Gotham, causing a tsunami of refugees to flee the city during midwinter!
Several Gotham ‘Guardian Angels’ decided to escort separate groups to safety.
…
One strongman and one doula escorted a dozen refugees with a hand drawn wagon, following the rumour of a safe space up north.
…
First obstacle: a small checkpoint with a guard tower, guarded by the usual weaponized official thug: state your business!
…
The doula was able te persuase the guardsman to let them through, but looking back she still saw him looking suspicious at the passing refugees.
After an hour walking she could see how somebody on the guard tower made some semaphore signs using two banners, signaling warning to other patrols.
…
Another obstacle loomed ahead: a rickety wooden bridge that would not hold the passing of all refugees including wagon!
They had to unload the wagon to carry the most important supplies to the other side, Grandmother had to be carried by the strongman, and the wagon had to be left behind with heavy load that could not be taken.
…

Meeting the first settlement on the road: a ruin, where in the middle of the centre a halo of foxfire surrounded a weird tower that emitted clockwork sounds.

The doula somebody she remembered from longtime ago but it appeared the occupnats were not wellcoming because they were even unable to scrounge enough food for everybody.
‘We cannot feed ourselves, how can we feed any more mouths?’

Continuing their exodus, the refugees arrived at a yurt camp, occupied by members of the Wang triad who had to flee the city a while ago after the Macdonald coup.
‘Wellcome! We will take care for your women, children and elderly!’
Apparently this clan was struggling to provide for everybodies need, hunting and gathering was scarce this season, but they were willing to help.
‘There are some rumours of large supplies hidden in the mountains up north!’
…
The Guardian Angels selected a small band of the strongest scouts to investigate the rumours.
…
After a few days travel a fierce storm forced them take cover in the woods.
Thunder and lightning!
The strongman even had to dodge a ball lighting that danced wildly around before to speed itself to the mountains.
Just before the ball exploded, the doula saw an entrance into the mountain!
‘Lets investigate’
…
Entering a cavern, apparently man-made corridors:
Sounds of clockwork and dripping water.
It feels like the walls are moving!
‘Where is everybody?’
…
Following the sounds of screaming, they discovered a small holding cell.
‘Let me out!’
The doula was able to lockpick the door, freeing a barely coherent woman:
‘I told our leader this place is doomed, but he did not want the word to be spread’
When our heroes pressed for more details, the woman became more erratic, at the end they had to let her go.
…
The strange sounds became louder, the water was rising.
‘Lets go!’
…
Returning to the entrance, it seemed the outer wall had already moved to partly cover the door.
After letting the smaller persons go first, the strongman became stuck!
With effort the team of scouts was able to free the strongman!
…
Returning to the yurt camp, meeting the clan leader again:
‘We spoke with Grandmother after she recovered from travel’
Grandmother apparently remembered vaguely some legends her Granny told her while transferring an old scroll.
‘It is a large circular building that revolves, presenting another entry every time!’
Because the legends also mentioned strong taboos about the presence of demons, Grandmother was unwilling to say more.
…
The strongman and the doula decided to use the scroll for another investigation.
‘With this map we should able to investigate more, what could go wrong?’
…
The water was already breast high, the map seemed fragmentary, the mazelike corridors were confusing!
Most important buildings with supplies seemingly had been plundered.
The clockwork sound became deafeningly louder, as if somebody was saying something in a strange language, foxfire bloomed everywhere in a weird way.
…

‘We better leave now’
…
Leaving the flooding cave, our heroes were wet and cold, it was freezing outside!
…
In the distance the sound of a hunting horn, the patrols were hunting!
…
The strongman started to run, back in the direction of the camp!
…
The Doula was unable to keep up, being exhausted by the cold!
…
She laid down in the snow, feeling sleepy
…
Heaven watched in silence while Earth was covered by snow

Ping: Gotham Mystery Tale: mask on/off – Dreamquest