Story of the Century

*Story of the Century* is the title of the second episode of the third season of Blood in the North and the twenty sixth session of the entire game.

This session was played on October 18th, 2020

## Story of the Century

### Writer

Jonny Christie, Anthony Hotchkiss, Monti, Kyle Muller

## Plot

A charismatic photo journalist arrives on the scene.

## Synopsis

Roger and Scarab are discussing the final preparations of the group’s mission. She asks why he seems so upset and he tells her that he feels like he isn’t doing enough as leader and gets reprimanded for it by August. She hopes this mission will let the two take a break from it all. They are interrupted by Lexi who begs to go on the mission. Roger starts to get agitated. Not just of Lexi, but of August and Karen and everyone. Scarab reminds him that he is still in charge and Roger claims he’s nothing more than a scapegoat. She doesn’t shut him down but Roger switches the conversation and decides to send Lexi with the group anyway. If she wants to try and learn and be helpful, she can’t do it at the zoo. Wild Bill is approached by Tree who has bad and worse news. He found a survivor, who was bit, and there’s a horde at their gates. So basically, he failed. Bill starts firing on the crowd and takes out a few before the rest are dropped from behind, revealing the GC has arrived. Meanwhile, one of the alarms by the Zoo goes off so Roger and Travis investigate and find two unarmed, erratic gentlemen. The older of the two introduces himself as Frank Schmidt and his intern, Devon. Travis searches them and confirms they’re clear and Roger offers to bring them to safety. However, if they join them, they need to commit to the community. Schmidt speaks briefly with Devon who is all for it. He knows however that their gear will be confiscated and they need it to continue their “investigation”. Schmidt turns down the offer.

Bill is at the table with Agent Levalle, a liaison of the GC. He explains to her that there is a man known as “August” that has a weapon of warhead proportions. She agrees to look into it and offers to leave a few agents to “look out for” his group in the meantime. He thanks her and is introduced to Agent Mendez. He tells her more about the weapon and Levalle has her men dismantle the one present with the intent to finding the other destroyed and working ones. Bill goes to the current weapon and makes sure they don’t suspect any foul play. He gets into a bit of an argument with one of the Agents but Mendez dissolves the situation. She warns him that his cavalier attitude is not going to fly with his new companions. Elsewhere, Devon decides to join the Zoo crew without Schmidt. Roger asks the man why he won’t join them and the Journalist tells them that he is finding out why the apocalypse has started and if he can find proof it’s related to government involvement, this could be his chance to expose them and possibly help someone out there find a cure. Roger understands his drive and offers him a chance to return if he needs to. They go their separate ways. Schmidt stumbles upon a warehouse a few hours later. Potential shelter. It has some Zeds scattered around but there is an entrance at the roof. He climbs up and hears the roars of Phadez so he understandably leaves to find another spot for the night.

Karen meets Roger and the others at the gate, concerned this new survivor has already been treated differently than the protocol they put in place. Roger assures her everything is fine and goes to speak with Santos. He updates him on the group that left with August and Santos is not thrilled. He actually wishes he was invited because he is still convinced the Zoo is compromised and they need to abandon it. Bill visits Olaf who freaks and hides his table. Bill warns him they can’t keep secrets from each other. Especially with their new friends. Olaf shows him that the Zed he was experimenting on has escaped and they hear a shout. Bill warns Olaf to stay there or else and goes to deal with the Zed. It has been grafted with S.W.A.T. gear to test its resilience. Bill still manages to overpower it. He returns it and the new dead agent to Olaf how considers this a success that they now know Zeds use senses other than sight, they just need to figure out what. Bill forces Olaf into the Restraints on the bed and Agent Mendez arrives. She confirms the armor presently available isn’t viable and they need to upgrade. She then asks Olaf how long Bill has known about his experiments. Olaf guesses three days so Mendez puts three bullets into him, one for each. She leaves, no loose ends. Schmidt is in the city and enters a clothing store. This will have to do and he calls a former contact in the area for assistance.

Devon is cleared and takes a tour with Roger who tells him a little about the Zoo. Wild Bill finds a tank and decides to make it his little hub while the GC is around. Schmidt goes to meet with his contact and finds a residential home. The man who answers is Gregory, who gives him a location he believes he’ll find answers and arms him with two duffle bags full of various weapons and ammo. All he asks is that his name never be said once Schmidt is there. He agrees and heads out.

## Cast

### Main

* Sabra "Scarab" Nazari
* Roger
* Robin Santos
* William "Wild Bill" Imes
* Lexi Watson
* Frank Schmidt

### Supporting

* Travis
* Tree
* Karen Rosenthal
* Elizabeth Archer
* Corrine Levalle
* Devon Daniels
* Gabrielle Mendez
* Gregory

### Guest

* Olaf
* Sven

## Trivia

* Players this session: Anthony Hotchkiss (Roger), Monti (Schmidt), & Kyle Muller (Wild Bill).
* Antoine SinClaire did not attend this session, though his character is still present.
* First appearance of Frank Schmidt portrayed by Monti.
* Gabrielle Mendez appears in this episode, having previously appeared in Blood in the North: Rise of the Zeds. This makes her the first character in Athantopia to cross-over from a One-Shot to a Main Campaign.