The Ravenwood Institute for the Criminally Insane

 

Ravenwood Institute was founded after WWII by Dr. Cornelius Ravenwood, a brilliant but controversial psychiatrist who believed in using unconventional methods to treat mental illness. He was a pioneer in the use of hypnosis, psychoanalysis, and other controversial techniques that were frowned upon by the medical establishment of the time.

Despite the opposition he faced, Ravenwood was determined to create a new kind of mental institution, one that would be dedicated to the humane treatment of its patients. He assembled a team of like-minded doctors and nurses and set about building a state-of-the-art facility on the outskirts of Nightfall Bay.

Ravenwood chose the name of the institution based on his love of the local wildlife. The woods surrounding the facility were home to a large population of ravens, which Ravenwood believed to be intelligent and mystical creatures. He saw them as symbols of transformation and healing, and he wanted his patients to experience a similar kind of transformation during their stay at the institute.

Over the years, Ravenwood Institute became known as a leader in the field of psychiatric care. Patients came from all over the world to receive treatment, and many of them went on to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Even after Dr. Ravenwood's death, his legacy continued, and the institute remained at the forefront of mental health research and treatment.

The Ravenwood Institute has played a significant role in the history of Nightfall Bay. Over the years, many of the city's most notorious criminals and supervillains have been sent to the institute for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The institute has been at the forefront of developing new treatments for disorders such as dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, and other severe mental illnesses that can lead to criminal behavior.

The Ravenwood Institute has also been the subject of controversy and scandal. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of patient abuse, neglect, and even experimentation. Some have accused the institute of using its patients as guinea pigs for untested treatments and procedures.

Despite these allegations, the Ravenwood Institute continues to be a vital part of the Nightfall Bay community. Its staff is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to its patients, and they are constantly seeking new ways to improve their methods and techniques. The institute is also a significant employer in the area, providing jobs for hundreds of Nightfall Bay residents.

For the Nightfall Bay Police Department, the Ravenwood Institute is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the institute provides a valuable service in evaluating the mental state of criminals and supervillains, which can be crucial in solving crimes and preventing future incidents. On the other hand, the institute's patients are often unpredictable and dangerous, and there have been several high-profile escapes over the years.

Despite these challenges, the Nightfall Bay Police Department and the Ravenwood Institute have a strong working relationship. The police provide security for the institute, and the institute provides valuable intelligence and insights into the minds of the city's most dangerous criminals.

GM Note: In the coming weeks and months, we'll be exploring the Ravenwood Institute in more detail, including its patients, and its staff. We'll also be taking a closer look at some of the institute's most notorious patients and the crimes that brought them there.

 

NightFall Bay Map & Key Locations

 

 

History:

Nightfall Bay was originally known as Richmond, a small island off the coast of New York City. In the early 20th century, a wealthy industrialist named Henry Nightfall saw the potential for a thriving manufacturing center on the island. Nightfall built factories and mills throughout the island, attracting workers from all over the country who were seeking employment.

The island's population grew quickly, and it soon became known as a hub of industry and commerce. The Nightfall family became one of the wealthiest and most influential families on Richmond (now Nightfall Bay), with a vast network of business interests and political connections.

However, as the 20th century progressed, Richmond began to face new challenges. The rise of global competition and the decline of American manufacturing led to a gradual erosion of the island's economic base. The Nightfall family struggled to adapt to these changes, and the island began to fall into disrepair.

In an effort to rebrand and revitalize the island, the Nightfall family proposed renaming Richmond to Nightfall Bay, a name that they believed would evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue. The proposal was met with some resistance from residents who were attached to the island's original name, but ultimately it was approved by the city council.

Today, Nightfall Bay (formerly known as Richmond) has undergone a period of revitalization, with new businesses and entrepreneurs bringing fresh energy to the island. However, the legacy of the Nightfall family still looms large, with many residents resentful of the family's wealth and influence.

As Nightfall Bay continued to grow and develop, it began to attract the attention of various organized crime families. Two of the most powerful and influential of these families were the Gambini family and the Valentino family.

The Gambini family, headed by patriarch Don Vito Gambini, was known for its ruthless tactics and its control over the city's ports and shipping industry. The Valentino family, led by Don Rodolfo "Ruddy" Salvadore Valentino, was more focused on gambling and extortion, with a strong presence in the city's nightlife scene.

The Nightfall family initially attempted to resist the incursion of these criminal organizations, but they soon realized that they could not do so alone. They made a deal with the Gambini family, offering them a cut of the profits from Nightfall Bay's shipping industry in exchange for protection from other crime families.

However, this deal quickly backfired, as the Gambinis began to expand their influence throughout the city, using their control over the ports to smuggle in drugs and other contraband. The Nightfall family found themselves in a difficult position, unable to break free from their arrangement with the Gambinis but also unwilling to condone their criminal activities.

Meanwhile, the Valentino family was also making inroads in Nightfall Bay, with their gambling operations becoming increasingly lucrative. The Nightfall family attempted to broker a truce between the two crime families, but this only served to further entrench the Gambinis and Valentinos in the city's underworld.

Today, Nightfall Bay is a city rife with corruption and crime, with the Gambini and Valentino families vying for control of its streets and businesses. The Nightfall family still holds considerable influence, but their power has been significantly diminished by the rise of organized crime.

Key Points of Interest in the City:

1. Nightfall Ferry Terminal - This terminal is the primary transportation hub for Nightfall Bay, providing ferry service to other parts of the city and beyond. It is owned and operated by the City, who use it to control the flow of goods and people in and out of the city.

2. Ravenwood Institute - This historic fort, formerly known as Fort Wadsworth has been repurposed by the city after WWII to serve as a psychiatric hospital for the Nightfall Bay, housing patients who are criminally insane, as well as select prisoners with unusual medical requirements that are beyond a conventional prison's ability to accommodate.
   

3. Nightfall Mall - This shopping center is one of the largest in Nightfall Bay and is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. However, it is also a hub of criminal activity, leaving the mall to be a not so safe place to be at night.
   

4. Nightfall Cultural Center - This center is a hub of arts and culture in Nightfall Bay, featuring galleries, theaters, and performance spaces. However, it is rumored to be a front for the Gambini family's money laundering operations, with many of the events and exhibits used as cover for illegal activities.

5. Nightfall Ballpark - This baseball stadium is home to Nightfall Bay's professional baseball team, the Nightfall Knights. However, it is also a venue for illegal gambling and other criminal activities, with the Nightfall family using their ownership of the team to further their criminal empire.

6. Nightfall Point - This neighborhood is located on the southern tip of Nightfall Bay and is home to many of the city's wealthiest residents. However, it is also a hotbed of corruption and criminal activity, with the Nightfall family exerting significant influence over the local government and police force.

7. Nightfall Park - This area of Nightfall Bay is known for its picturesque waterfront views and natural beauty. However, it is also a site of frequent criminal activity, with the Nightfall family using its control of the docks and shipping industry to smuggle in illegal goods.

8. Nightfall Port - This bustling commercial port is one of the busiest in the region, with ships arriving and departing around the clock. 

9. Nightfall Heights - This neighborhood is located on a hill overlooking Nightfall Bay and offers stunning views of the city skyline.

10. Nightfall Ridge - This wooded area on the outskirts of Nightfall Bay is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. However, it is also a site of frequent criminal activity, with the Nightfall family using it as a hideout and base of operations for their more illicit activities.

 Note: If you haven't guessed, Nightfall Bay is a reskinning of Staten Island for the most part. I was living in NY when I was playing this game, and I decided that it was a city adjacent to Gotham City. I go into more detail here.

 

Bay Times: Glowing Lights in Nightfall Bay: A Mystery Unfolds

 

Nightfall Bay, (March 28th, 2023) -  Reports of strange, glowing lights in the sky have been coming in from all around the city, leaving residents baffled and frightened. Eyewitnesses have described the lights as bright, multi-colored, and pulsating, with no discernible pattern or source. The Bay Times has been investigating this phenomenon, and while we have no definitive answers, we have uncovered some intriguing details that may help shed some light on this mysterious occurrence.

Our investigation has revealed that many of the locations where these lights have been seen are linked to horrific or supernatural events in the past. For example, one of the areas where the lights were reported is a former cult site, where numerous people lost their lives in a mass suicide. Another is a cemetery where there have been multiple reports of ghost sightings and paranormal activity. Could these locations be somehow connected to the glowing lights?

We interviewed local resident and paranormal investigator, Thomas Bradley, who has been studying these locations for years. "These areas have long been known to be hotspots of supernatural activity," Bradley told us. "It's possible that the glowing lights are related to some sort of ritual or otherworldly event that took place at these locations in the past."

However, Bradley stressed that he has no concrete evidence to support this theory. "I've been studying the paranormal for a long time, and I've seen some strange things," he said. "But I have to admit that this phenomenon is unlike anything I've seen before. It's a real head-scratcher. I will continue to investigate the occurrences as they happen, I have some ideas."

We also reached out to the Nightfall Bay Police Department for comment. While they have received numerous reports of the glowing lights, they have no leads on what is causing them. "We are investigating all possibilities, but so far we have no concrete evidence to go on," said Detective Mark Johnson. "We are asking anyone who has seen these lights to come forward with any information they may have."

The mystery of the glowing lights continues to perplex and frighten residents of Nightfall Bay. While there may be no definitive answers yet, our investigation has uncovered some intriguing leads. Could there be a supernatural or otherworldly explanation for this phenomenon? Only time will tell.

 GM Note: I used this as a hook for setting up a villain who entered the area. I wont say who right now, as I will expose that later on :)

The Crimson Empress of the Red Dragon Clan

 

Name: "The Crimson Empress"

Dex: 5 Str: 3 Bod: 5
Int: 6 Wil: 7 Min: 7
Inf: 8 Aur: 8 Spi: 8
Init: 19 Hero Points: 50

Wealth: 8
Organization: The Red Dragon Clan
Classification: Villain
Whereabouts: Unknown

Real Name: Mei Ling
Age: Early 40s
Sex: Female
Weight: 130 lbs
Height: 5'7"

Powers:

   Flame Project: 8, Immunity fire and heat-based attacks and can even heal from fire-based injuries.
   Enhanced Durability: Mei Ling's body has been enhanced to withstand physical attacks and resist injury.

Skills:

    Intimidation: 8, Leadership: 9, Stealth: 7, Martial Arts: 9

Advantages:

    Wealthy, Connections (Criminal Underground), Fearless

Drawbacks:

    Secret Identity, Obsession (Power/Glory), Overconfidence

Equipment:

    Traditional Chinese weapons such as daggers and swords.

Description:

Mei Ling is the leader of the Red Dragon Clan, a powerful and secretive criminal organization with ties to the Chinese Triad. Little is known about her background, and her true identity is heavily guarded. Mei Ling is a skilled martial artist and has the power to control and manipulate fire, making her a formidable opponent in combat. She is obsessed with expanding the influence and power of the Red Dragon Clan and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Mei Ling is a charismatic leader and has a network of criminal and political connections that she can call upon when needed. Her followers are fiercely loyal, and she is viewed as a mother figure by many in the organization. Despite her strengths, Mei Ling can be overconfident in her abilities and the loyalty of her followers, making her vulnerable to those who can exploit her weaknesses.

Mei Ling is a master of disguise and prefers to keep her true identity hidden. She is known to wear a distinctive red and black outfit when she is out in public or meeting with her inner circle. The outfit is adorned with intricate dragon designs and symbols, signifying her allegiance to the Red Dragon Clan. She wears a matching mask to further conceal her identity and maintain an air of mystery around her. Her outfit also includes various gadgets and tools that aid her in combat and infiltration, making her a formidable opponent for anyone who tries to stand in her way.

 

GM Note: One of the various villains I used in my street campaign. No one ever caught her :)

Bay Times Headline Article: Borough President Marino, a History of Charges

Borough President Marino, a History of Charges

Written by Alex Montgomery

Nightfall Bay, a city known for its dark alleys and shady dealings, has been in the news lately, and not for its usual criminal activities. Boroughs President Anthony Marino, a prominent figure in the city, has been the center of attention due to various scandals that have plagued his political career. Despite numerous charges of bribery and fraud leveled against him, Marino has somehow managed to evade prosecution and remain in office.

Bay Times' Reporter Alex Montgomery

 

Name: Alex Montgomery
Dex: 2 Str: 2 Bod: 3
Int: 4 Wil: 4 Min: 3
Inf: 4 Aur: 3 Spi: 3
Init: 10 Hero Points: 35

Wealth: 3
Organization: Bay Times
Classification: Investigative Reporter
Whereabouts: Nightfall Bay

Real Name: Alex Montgomery
Age: 46
Sex: Male
Weight: 185 lbs
Height: 6'0"

Powers: None

Skills:
Journalism: 6, Investigation: 5, Persuasion: 4, Streetwise: 3

Advantages:
Well-Connected, Trustworthy, Observant

Drawbacks: None

Equipment:
Smartphone [Body 1 (Communication)]

Description:

Alex Montgomery is a veteran investigative reporter who has been with the Bay Times since the late 90s. He has made a name for himself in Nightfall Bay as someone who will stop at nothing to get to the truth of a story. His colleagues describe him as relentless, determined, and fearless. Alex has a knack for digging up leads and following them to their source, even if it means putting himself in danger. He has exposed corruption in local government, uncovered corporate scandals, and even helped bring down a notorious crime syndicate. Alex's reputation precedes him, and many sources are willing to speak to him because they know he will be fair and honest in his reporting. While some in the community see him as a hero, others view him as a nuisance who stirs up trouble. Regardless, Alex remains committed to his work, always striving to bring the truth to light, no matter the cost.

Alex Montgomery is a middle-aged man with a rugged and distinguished appearance. He stands at 6 feet tall with broad shoulders and a lean build. He has short, dark hair that is starting to gray at the temples, and a well-groomed goatee. His hazel eyes are intense and focused, giving him an air of authority and intelligence. He typically dresses in a professional manner, with a button-up shirt and slacks, but he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty when chasing down a lead.

GM Note: Every good comic book story has a news reporter that is always around asking questions, this is whom I came up with for the city of Nightfall Bay. In one game I had him investigating one of the player characters as he suspected that the PC's alter ego, was the secret identity of the new masked vigilante in the city.

Introducing The Bay Times, "Bringing you the truth, no matter the cost."

 

 

 

The Bay Times has been a staple of Nightfall Bay since the early 1900s, back when the city was still called Richmond. Since then, it has borne witness to the transformation of the city, from its early days as a small port town to its current status as a bustling metropolis. The paper has always been dedicated to the truth, no matter the cost, and has built a reputation as a source of reliable and hard-hitting journalism.