I just made him a big fella who is difficult to restrain. Took 2 PCs to hold him down while another eventually grabbed the trumpet and ran.

And before that, I just made him a bit sad and pathetic, so that the players would feel too guilty to take it from him

@@tangiblecarrrion Yeah seems like the go to solution, talking to others. But with a group of 4 it is unlikely he wont go down. Which scene did they catch up to him??

@@RPGNook they caught up at the end in the graveyard but I had done major surgery on this before running it to paper over some of the cracks you mentioned. I had moved it to Boston to fit a campaign setting and also because I used to live there so was able to use some local knowledge. The professor was actually also a form of Nylarhotep as were a few other NPCs (all of whom wore red somewhere on them). I had Leroy escape from the funeral on a bus, which then led to the party splitting, since there were 2 possible bus routes, and also one player took a heavy SAN hit, and needed to get somewhere safe. They then tracked him down to a bar where he was clearly known and between how pathetic he was and it being 'home turf', it would be unwise to try to grab the trumpet. I moved the climax to the real life Waltham Watch Factory, and used an actual Waltham pocket watch I have as a clue to lead them there (new model, not out yet). I also sprinkled in other time references as a nod to the factory being used as a bootleggers way station. The factory is quite handily beside a bridge leading to a cemetery. The factory scene with the mobsters went much as you suggested. Leroy wasn't tied down and when the PCs failed a stealth, the mobsters started spraying Tommy Gun fire, destroying cover and causing a massive confusing firefight before my players managed some lucky shots to stop the fight. We then had a foot chase as they saw Leroy running into the cemetery, catching up just in time to have a dicey fight to restrain him. After everything was under control, they all were heading back to the car and met the professor at the gate who then asked for the trumpet. After refusing, he shape-shifted a few times before demanding it. They wisely stabbed it with a knife they had, upon which big Ny pulls another one from behind his back and thanks them for destroying the main supply of booze coming into the city which will spread a lot of misery and to stop asking questions about him, so he doesn't take a real interest in them My players did work out this was a bit of a railroad but it was an enjoyable one

@@tangiblecarrrion sounds like a good time, a lot of customising there, glad the effort paid off! Its always good to be familar with the city, good call.

Thanks! That means a lot. Hope you have fun playing CoC!

Look to the Future is an odd one, I used it with a series of Modern scenarios from Fear's Sharp Little Needle to SOYS, linking the two groups. could be a very interesting one to pull into Masks since it shares a few key characters.

You are more than welcome!

Glad I could help!

Glad it was helpful! Let us know how you get on.

Not a bad idea at all to start at the funeral.

Happily enough they did, i just wish they reworked it a little. Its got some glaring problems at are easy to solve.

Yeah its got some great scenes!