Play@YSDC

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2013 11:49 pm**

The group are escorted to 327 Doyle Avenue by Sergeant Yates. and as they are approaching they see the neighbour Inman come out of his house and stand on the porch watching them intently. Sergeant Yates approaches the man and his two terrier dogs start to bark ferociously, before being hushed by Inman. "Hush now Jones, ... quiet West ... it's alright ..." he picks up one of the dogs and scratches it behind it's ear as he looks down his nose at the policeman "shhhh boy," with a sneer on his lips. "Well, Sergeant, what is it now?"

Sergeant Yates draws himself up to his full height and says, "These people may be coming and going over the next few days, so we don't need to be informed of their comings and goings ... you understand Mr Inman? They are here with our blessings and are assisting us as specialists in their field, so leave them a-be now." Inman purses his lips and says in a thin reedy voice "Well then you had better have this then." as he digs in his cardigan pocket and hands over a key. "I't's the spare that young Mr Sorrell gave me so's I could keep an eye on the place when he was away."

"Thank you" replies the Sergeant, turning on his heels he hands the key quite deliberately to one of the party so that Inman can see it. "Well then people, unless there is anything else you need me for, I'll be returning to the station ... just remember to keep Lt O'Grady in the picture. He's not a man you want to cross believe me."

Posted: **Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:23 am**

"Thank you, Sergeant," says David. "We'll keep him informed of what we find."

Posted: **Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:55 pm**

Leaving David to speak to the sergeant, Meredith wanders over to Inman, "Jones, that's an interesting name. Mine too", he nods towards one of Inman's dogs.
"So Mr inman, have there been any visitors, other than us, in the past couple of days?"

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:30 pm**

Shall we go inside while Meredith is questioning the neighbour
Joseph says

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:29 pm**

Nodding to the group and saying "Good Luck" to David, Sergeant Yates returns to the car and drives off, presumably back to the station.

Meredith, talking to Mr Inman is not having too much luck eliciting information from the busybody. "Oh so your name is Jones too. I names jones here after my grandmother who came from Australia where her family ran some kind of mine ... She came to this country when she was but a babe brought over to San Francisco and travelled east when most were travelling westward in the gold-rush. Her brother made some money out in the mountains you know, but we don't know for certain what happened to that side of the family - some family dispute over their parents when they died. I believe it as over a set of silver knives, forks and spoons that were given to the parents as an anniversary present and that were promised to my grandmother's branch of the family but those on the west coast refused to part with them and so the split was ..." His voice, nasal and reedy drones on and on with no information of value coming over to the lettered Welshman.

Joseph and Sarah look at each other and head towards the house glad that they did not approach the voluble neighbour. [/color]

Posted: **Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:25 am**

After Yates departs, David heads for the house.

Posted: **Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:21 pm**

Meredith smiles and feigns interest in Inman's babble, all the while hoping that someone will call him or make some sign so that he will have reson to curtail this conversation politely.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:51 am**

David glances back and waves to Meredith to join them. "Sorry to interrupt," he says, "but perhaps we'd better get started."

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:03 am**

Meredith waves, apreciatively, at David, "Coming old chap"
Breaking into Inman's constant stream of uninteresting gabble, he says, quickly before Inman can say more, "Terribly sorry old man, but it seems I'm needed." Without allowing Inman time to protest he turns and walks, hurriedly towards the house and the sanctuary it promised.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:27 pm**

As Joseph and Sarah pause on the verandah, David and Meredith catch up.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:34 am**

David looks around and notices something.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2013 10:14 am**

Spot Hidden (1d100=76) - Fail

Joseph makes his way to the house without looking around.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2013 11:00 pm**

[dice]0[/dice] Sarah looks around and thinks that she sees something.

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:49 am**

Meredith Jones

As he catches up with the others Meredith too, notices it.

Spoiler:

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:09 pm**

'I see someone in the upstairs window," whispers David. "It's the same room where Mike ran into Felicity or whatever her real name was."

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2013 5:49 pm**

Joseph goes to the door, not realizing the others stopped to whisper.
Well, you have the key

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:31 pm**

David quietly fills Joseph in on what he told the others, takes out his key, and unlocks the front door.

Posted: **Mon Jun 10, 2013 10:52 am**

Remembering the last visit to this house and the sudden appearance of guns, Meredith swallows noisilly and allows the other to enter first.

Posted: **Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:12 pm**

Maybe it's the man with the wide eyes?
Jospeh suggests as they go inside
We can catch him as we are many and he is only one but we should watch out, he can be armed.

As they enter, Joseph tries to find something to grab - a poker, a kitchen knife, a walking stick or an umbrella.

Posted: **Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:58 am**

"I just wish we'd seen this before Sergeant Yates left," whispers David as he follows Joseph inside, trying to keep his footsteps quiet.

Posted: **Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:13 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima stops in her tracks as she hears noises downstairs, she assumes that someone has entered the house, she scans the room for somewhere to hide, then quickly and quietly rolls herself under the bed in the hope that she will be able to sneak out undetected later.

[dice]0[/dice] sneak

Oh no ... Failed miserably 90/40

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:28 am**

The sound from above indicates that someone is in the house with you ... upstairs.

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2013 3:08 am**

"Someone's up there, all right," whispers David. "Whoever is armed should lead the way. We don't want a repeat of our last visit."

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:34 am**

Joseph grabs something blunt and goes upstairs with the others.
We know you are there! come out, we are many and you are one, you cannot overcome us, we are armed!

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:09 am**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima lies there under the bed ... there's nothing she can do now but hope that maybe something may distract them from finding her there ... as she listens to them getting closer to the room, she is playing out lots of different scenarios in her mind as she tries to concoct some sort of excuse for being there.

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:55 am**

As the group starts climbing the stairs, Meredith, hangs further back. At Joseph's words of bravado, his bravery vanishes like smoke in a strong wind. He halts and finds comfort in the shape of his beloved pipe. "Carry on, boyos." He whispers then adds silently beneath his breath, I'll just wait here until the danger's past..

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:21 am**

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 3:25 am**

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:23 pm**

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:59 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima realises she has no choice but to show herself, She rolls out from under the bed and quickly jumps to her feet.
She calls out: "Hello ... I erm ... I thought this house was empty, err ... just wanted somewhere to lay my head for a few days that's all."

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:24 am**

Spoiler:

Sarah realizes she may be scared if the young woman thinks she is about to be set upon by a group of men, who as far as she would know could merely be rough theives with potentially evil intentions. Her heart softens as she hears the lady wanted a place to stay unmolested: her own financial woes had made her make similar arrrangements in the past though she was shameful to admit it.

"Well, now, don't you know this is the site of a mysterious death? Bad enough having to sleep in an abandoned house, let alone one that may have restless spirits lurking about."

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:36 am**

David steps up behind Sarah. His eyes meet Jemima's as he looks at her suspiciously, trying to determine how honest she's being. - which he suspects isn't very. "Why do women keep breaking into my friend's house?" he wonders aloud. "Well, at least you aren't trying to shoot us. I'm Professor David Johnson. And who might you be, Miss?"

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:30 pm**

Joseph tries to scan the woman, see if she need some kind of medical treatment.

Posted: **Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:01 pm**

Joseph cannot see any need to get professionally involved with this new woman on the scene as there are no obvious medical concerns from his visual scan of her.

David seems suspicious of the newcomer.

Sarah tries to act as a mediator between the group and the new woman.

Jemima is slightly intimidated by the group.

Meredith stands at the bottom of the stairs wondering what is going on, but able to hear muffled voices

Posted: **Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:55 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

"My name is Jemima, I knew this house had been empty for awhile, I just needed somewhere to stay for a couple of days ... I'm sorry that there has been a death here" Jemima says; she looks at David, "I do hope it wasn't your friend ... but of course I shouldn't be here," Jemima moves nervously toward the group while saying, "I'm sorry for trespassing, I will leave immediately!" She keeps moving forward to walk through the group.

Posted: **Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:11 am**

Finding it difficult to hear what is going on upstairs and judging from the lack of raised voices or activity, Meredith, pipe clutched between his teeth, climbs slowly up the stairs ready to flee if necessary. Once outside the room containing the others he glances inside and is suprised to see a strange female seemingly in the act of leaving. He looks towards David and raises a questioning eyebrow, whilst placing himself to obstruct the doorway.

Posted: **Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:08 pm**

David, despite his misgivings looks out the window and seeing the rain has restarted, huffs to himself, he could not in all conscience turf the poor girl out onto the street, especially in the rain, which seems to be getting worse.

"My dear ... we have a job to do here, and whilst I cannot allow your stay here, I think you could remain until this rain passes at least. Allow me to introduce ourselves, and please, be advised that we pose no threat to your honour or safety. I am Professor Johnson from Brown University, this lady is Miss Hawkins, one of our students. The young man with the poker is Dr Huckleberry and the sombre looking gentleman in the doorway is Professor Jones. Our task here is to search the house for clues regarding the untimely demise of our recently deceased friend. Now I know you have no obligation to join us in our search Jemima, but an extra pair of eyes would be valuable ... if you would be willing that is. You would be searching with either myself or Professor Jones, or with Miss Hawkins if you would prefer. I say this because we do not yet know you and secondly, the clues we seek are probably written in books that are maybe a bit dry and academic for a layman."

Posted: **Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:26 am**

Excuse me miss.
Joseph address Jemima
How long have you been here? Have you seen anything unusual, have you seen the person who lived here and the woman that visited here as well? Have you seen anything strange that might help us?
and one last question, what do you do for your living ?

Posted: **Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:16 am**

Unclenching his teeth at the sight of the woman, Meredith allows his pipe to drop into his left hand whilst searching his pocets with hi right, "Hmmm, more to the point, young lady, how did you get in without keys and without the watchfull neighbour having seen you?"

Posted: **Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:36 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima steps back a few paces as her exit suddenly becomes blocked by Meredith.
"Well hello to you all," Jemima replies after David has introduced everyone to her,
"Of course I will help if I can, as you say an extra pair of eyes and all ... I don't mind searching with you David ... or indeed any of you, I'm very grateful for the chance to stay here a little longer in the warm and dry."
'Hmmm ... this is an ideal opportunity to look around the house, and with permission too.' Jemima thinks to herself.
"Oh my goodness .... so many questions!
Well where to start?
I was hanging around outside on and off for a few days admiring this beautiful house, it seemed such a shame that there didn't seem to be anyone living here ... I was watching the neighbour take the dog for it's usual walk a couple of days ago, when, out of nowhere an odd looking gentleman was making his way to the door, he had keys, so I thought if I could follow him in and hide, then I would have somewhere to shelter from the elements for a while ... so that is what I did.
It sounded like he was looking for something, he made quite a lot of noise but seemed to make a hasty retreat.
The next thing that happened was last evening around 7.30, I had gone up to the loft where I was hiding, to bed down for the night, the next thing I knew, it sounded like someone was on the roof ... I think whoever it was entered the house through the skylight, this person also seemed like they were looking for something ... made a lot of mess and noise, I believe this was a woman because she was muttering to herself and getting angry and cursing out loud. I don't know whether she found what she was looking for, but her search was far more extensive than the man that searched before her ... I wonder if they were looking for the same thing?
Then around 10 o'clock I heard a lot of voices and some arguing, there were gunshots and at that point I was very frightened and just hid very quietly behind some big boxes in the corner of the loft, the next thing was police sirens.
I had just plucked up the courage to come down from the loft not long before you guys turned up, so you can imagine how frightened I was when I heard you all coming up the stairs shouting that you were armed ... I thought you were the same people back again! now you know why I was hiding under the bed."

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2013 12:34 pm**

Whatever they looked for is still in the house and maybe relates to Martin's death
Joseph proposes
or maybe it is related to his last journey to south America. If the woman cursed a lot it means she did not found what she looked for.

Posted: **Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:21 pm**

(Written in the absence of Mr Handy)

David stares at her intently, not sure whether to believe her or not for whilst her story sounds plausible, there is somethig he cannot quite put his finger on that raises his suspicions.

[dice]0[/dice] psychology 34/55%

What is interesting to note however is the appearance of the odd looking man in her tale.

Posted: **Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:30 pm**

Who was the man? Can you describe him for us please.
Joseph asks the Jemima as he tries to understand who was the man. Was it by any slightest chance Martin or the man with the bulgy eyes?

Posted: **Tue Jul 02, 2013 3:31 am**

"Yes," says David, nodding, "what exactly was odd about him?"

Posted: **Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:39 am**

"So", thinks Meredith, still holding station in the bedrooms doorway just in case, "Someone gained access to the house via the skylight? That would explain the water on the floor below, but how did this person get onto the roof without coming to the notice of a neighbour who missed nothing?"
However he says nothing simply content to listen.

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:19 am**

(Written for DeeJ61 in her absence)

Jemima thinks for a moment. "The odd looking fellow, well come to think more about it, he walked kinda funny but his face was all covered up by the collar of his coat, trilby and a scarf, despite it being very hot and sticky out there. I caught a sight of him when I hid in the cloakroom downstairs as he walked by, and now that he was without his coat, hat v and scarf, and well frankly, he was the most ugly man I have ever seen, Big watery eyes, thin lips that were too wide and he was sweating a lot too. His sparse hair was lank and greasy and stuck to his head - he was simply the worst looking man I have ever seen.

So shall we start the search then - what are we looking for? I may have chanced upon it in my time here."

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:40 pm**

"Ha", says Meredith, "That sounds like half my class at the University", he chortles at the mental image. "Well as we're here shall we begin with this room?"

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:43 am**

So, it means that you will recognize him when you'll see him. That whould be helpfull for us I guess.
Joseph replies

Posted: **Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:26 pm**

Jemima snorts to herself "Yeah for sure ... couldn't be too many people THAT ugly." An expression of concentration crosses her face. "He must have been superstitious though. Never noticed it when he came in, but when he left I watched him from the upstairs bedroom window there. He took great care not to stand in the sun nor on cracks on the sidewalk which I thought odd at the time but paid it little heed at the time."

Posted: **Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:07 am**

Hmmm interesting. Maybe he suffers a disease of some sort that causing him pain when he expose himself to direct sunlight.
We can start Martin's room
Joseph says and goes inside, trying to search the place.

Posted: **Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:15 am**

Meredith follows, deep in contemplation. At the doorway to Martin's room he pauses, "Seems odd that this strange looking fellow with such odd behaviour managed in broad daylight to avoid Mr Inman's relentless observations", he turns to the newly discovered young lady, "Are you sure of your facts, my dear?"

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2013 1:37 am**

"Mr Inman? ... Oh you mean that old fusspot next door ... He had taken them two awful dogs of his out when the man entered. I followed almost straight away, but still only just got back before he came back." Jemima looks Meredith straight in the eye and continues, "They are the facts as they stand good sir, neither mine nor anyone else's. Unless ..." she raises her hand to her mouth in shock, "Unless you are doubting my word.

Either way, what are we looking for again?" Jemima busies herself looking through the bedroom.

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2013 4:47 am**

"I'm not entirely sure," says David, "but I'm hoping we recognize it when we see it. It's whatever the previous visitors were seeking, and it's likely they didn't find it. I'd like to search the study when we're done with this room. From what I saw from the doorway, there had been a lot of rummaging in there, with books thrown on the floor. I'm familiar with Martin's area of research, so I'll know if something stands out or doesn't fit."

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2013 5:21 am**

"My dear young lady, there is no need to take offence. I merely question your facts in an effort to elicite the whole picture. If there is a strange looking man with odd behavior lurking around with the ability to elude the notice of our over zealous neihbour, we need to be sure he won't suddenly appear."
He begins a search of the room, adding as he does so, "We have already had one encounter with a gun wielding maniac, I for one wouldn't want it to be twice."

Spoiler:

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:45 am**

Let's check the study room. This is where we encountered the woman that attacked us.
Joseph says as he goes to there.

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:04 am**

There are several sets of footprints on the floor and a few cigarette butts behind the door. In the north Eastern corner of the room is a bookcase with several tomes scattered on the floor. The books covered Sorrell's area of expertise, Mayan Epigraphy, or hieroglyphs. The books are marked and highlighted in several places, but nothing can be drawn from the books nor the sections that are selected.

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2013 4:59 am**

"It looks like they didn't find what they were looking for," says David, "but it might have something to do with subject matter similar to the books strewn about the floor. The annotations are probably in Martin's own handwriting. I doubt the intruders would bother marking them up and then not take them even if they had the time to do it. Hmm...maybe the brand of cigarette could tell us something about whoever smoked them. The fact that there are more than one means that someone spent significant time in this room." He takes a closer look at the cigarette butts to see if he can identify them, or at least determine if they are more likely to be smoked by a man or a woman.

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:28 am**

Joseph helps David with the inspection of the butts before he goes to check the titles of the books that were throwen away on the floor.
Maybe Martin hid something around here. A vault or a loose floor board ?

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:56 am**

The brands of cigarettes are indistinguishable from any cheap brand on the market, there is no lipstick on the stubs.

David,Idea roll please

In the middle of the room is a small desk that is lying on it's back. The drawers have been taken out and smashed on the floor so little more than tinderwood remains. There is nothing of note in amongst the desk either.

Jemima offers, "The access to the loft space is in the back bedroom closet, at least the one I used is. I'm not sure if there is another or not, but I don't think so."

By the SouthWest corner sits an easy chair with a small table beside it. There are a few books on Incan, Toltec and Mayan Mythology spread around this chair. The books are covered with the same crabbed handwritten notes and annotations as in the books at the other end of the room. From these it seems that Martin was drawing parallels between the differing culture's mythologies.

There is nothing else of note in the room

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2013 5:40 am**

David is perplexed by the scene. "I think that's all we're going to find in this room," he says. "Shall we search the rest of this floor before heading to another?"

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2013 6:31 am**

Meredith spends a few moments in studious observation of the room, "Hmm, I would imagine that whoever was here spent some time at the desk, from the cigarette butts, before, unable to find what they were after, they overturned the desk and smashed the drawers, no doubt in search of some secret hiding place."
As the others begin to leave the room he shrugs and adds, "Why else would there be so many cigarette butts behind the door?"

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:44 am**

If the burglars have not found the access to the loft there is a chance we'll find something in there that Martin hid.
Joseph says as goes out of the study and peeks to the guest room for a moment
I wonder is he had a guest ?
He then continue to the master bedroom and begin a search over there (Under the bed, the couch, night stand) before the closet.

Posted: **Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:08 am**

(Posted in the absence of DeeJ61)

"I ... I believe the strange looking man came into the big bedroom, but did not look in the closet where the trapdoor is. I had left it open and he would have seen it had he but looked in the closet." Jemima says with a worried look on her face. "There are some more books and what I think is a safe in the den downstairs" she adds.

As Joseph looks into the guest bedroom, he sees nothing untowards. However, in the master bedroom, a couple of thick books lie, dust covered, on the bedside chair whilst under the bed are several books which have been kicked to the back wall. The ensuite has nothing of interest in it other than a few academic periodicals. The closet has a rack of clothes at the back which are being squashed up against the wall by a rudimentary, not too safe looking, loft-ladder.

Posted: **Sat Jul 20, 2013 4:29 am**

David follows the others to the master bedroom. "I may be able to climb that ladder," he says. "It's precarious, but no moreso than some dig sites I've worked." He examines the books to see what their titles and subject matter are.

Posted: **Sun Jul 21, 2013 2:17 am**

(Posted in the absence of DeeJ61)

OOC,Spot Hidden rolls for those looking in main bedroom please

The books on the chair are further examples of dull treatises on Mayan Epigraphy. They are covered with the by now familiar handwritten annotations of Martin Sorrell. The handwriting however seems to becoming more uncontrolled in places than it appeared in the tomes in the study.

Posted: **Sun Jul 21, 2013 3:25 am**

Something quickly catches David's attention.

Posted: **Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:52 am**

OOC: Merdith is standing just outside the main bedroom door looking around the landing and considering lighting his pipe.

Posted: **Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:19 pm**

(Posted in the absence of DeeJ61)
Jemima,Spot Hidden roll - Jemima (1d100=33) 33/65 - Pass

"Look by the bottom of the bed here Joseph, behind the door, notice how there is no dust at all in this area, unlike the rest of the floor. That picture on the wall seems somehow out of place ... or is it just me? Mr Meredith, what do you think of this she calls round the open door."

Posted: **Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:29 am**

"I believe I've just found the combination to a safe," says David, having an epiphany, "and unless I miss my guess, the safe is behind that picture." His vision sharpens even further.

Posted: **Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:54 am**

In answer to Jemima's call, Meredith enters the room just intime to see David move toward the misaligned picture that he presumed Jemima was refering to, "If there is nothing behind that picture it would seem someone thought there was. Careful boyo there has been enough suprises for one day." He glances towards Jemima, so recently discovered.

OOC: If Handy's going to roll dice like that, he can make my rolls for me as well

Posted: **Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:20 pm**

Excellent, you have the eyes of an hawk.
Joseph says to David and Jemima. As David goes to the picture, Joseph goes to check the floor where Jemima said it clear of dust.

Posted: **Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:30 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

OOC ... Sorry everyone for not being around for a while, I was on holiday and then fell ill with Flu just before I came home, which resulted in a very bad chest infection, it's taken awhile to shake it off but I'm good now and I'm back, Thank you very much to Cearlan for the excellent job he did NPCing Jemima for me.

Jemima watches quietly while Joseph and David investigate, she watches as closely as she can to see if she can discover the combination to the safe as David has said he knows what it is.

Posted: **Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:40 pm**

OOC - Spot check here - The area at the bottom of the bed, behind the door is the area where a=everyone is trying to look, the picture and 'clear floor' are in the same place. Welcome back DeeJ61 glad you are better!

As David looks around the picture he notices that it is hinged on the side beside the door. Slowly he swings the picture away from the wall so that it lies almost flat against the wall. The front face of the safe, which is locked, is covered in black-grey powder where the police have dusted for fingerprints.

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2013 4:49 am**

David stands in front of the safe, blocking Jemima's view with his body, "The police already found the safe," he says as he tries to rotate the dial back and forth using the combination he found, "but I doubt they got it open. They don't know Martin like I do."

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:29 pm**

Spot Hidden (1d100=71) - Fail

Joseph fails to spot anything specil about the dust clear area.

Posted: **Sat Jul 27, 2013 3:43 pm**

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:54 am**

"Well, that's decidedly odd," says David. "The dial just refuses to turn. Somebody seems to have sabotaged this safe, but we've got to get it open somehow. Doubtless the police already tried. Perhaps a drill would do the trick."

Posted: **Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:53 am**

Jemima responds to David's remark, "I have seen no tools around the house, but then I have not looked everywhere either." she adds hopefully.

Posted: **Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:14 am**

"Then we'll continue the search," says David. "The tools may be in the basement. That's where I keep mine. We'll find out when we get that far, but let's finish with this room first. Anyone else find anything?" He takes a look under the bed.

Posted: **Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:37 pm**

[/color]

"Where shall we search next people, this is fun?" Jemima says with a broad grin on her face.

Posted: **Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:52 am**

"I'd like to see what's up that ladder," says David.

Posted: **Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:15 am**

I'm ahead of you David.
Joseph add with a smile as he slips past him and up the steps.

Posted: **Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:15 pm**

As Joseph makes it up to the third step, it suddenly gives way under him and he crashes down to the floor, but manages to save himself from injury because he fell into the shirts to one side.

"Oh, Joseph are you alright there?" asks Jemima innocently. "That one always creaked a lot when I used it, and I'm a fair bis <cough> a little bit smaller than yourself ... also that one there." she adds pointing to the sixth step.

Posted: **Tue Aug 06, 2013 4:56 am**

David helps Joseph back to his feet. "Perhaps I should try next," he says. "I'm not all that big, and I have experience climbing precarious things from my work at dig sites. Now that we know which rungs to avoid, I think I can make it."

Posted: **Tue Aug 06, 2013 7:19 pm**

Joseph curse under his breath as he now been taught a lesson "Not to jump first as a monkey into the hole". He throws the clothes to the side as he helps himself up to his feet.

Posted: **Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:45 am**

[/color]

Posted: **Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:18 am**

Posted: **Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:11 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

"I'll go with you David ... It's a very big loft, I'm used to the steps and familiar with the layout up there too, between the two of us it shouldn't take too long."

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:15 am**

"All right, but one at a time," says David. "Too much weight might break it. I'll go first." With that, he starts up the ladder, being careful to avoid the rungs she pointed out.

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:13 pm**

OOC,Sorry I didn't respond earlier MrH - no climb roll needed, just avoid the two steps mentioned. Anyone else other than David & Jemima? If so read the following and tell me where you are standing - I took the liberty of putting David & Jemima down where I thought appropriate, feel free to tell me where you wish to be as well.

David ascends the steps carefully and is followed by Jemima into the loft space. David offers her his hand which she accepts. Anyone who want to go up can do so with no concerns other than the creaking steps.

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:14 pm**

"How did you get around those boxes?" asks David. "I'd like to take a look behind them and see where that light is coming from." He pulls the cable to turn on the light bulb.

Posted: **Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:45 pm**

What a mess.

Joseph says as he climbs after David

Posted: **Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:37 pm**

Treading carefully Meredith climbs up last, and steps over to the window in the north wall. He peers out at the fire escape below trying to estimate how far the drop between the window and the fire escape below.
He studies the window for a moment to see if it opens and looks for signs of recent use.

Posted: **Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:43 pm**

As Meredith looks out the window he tries to lift it after unlocking it and is slides open noisily. A gust of warm air blows into the room, slightly decreasing the temperature inside. The window leads direct onto the fire escape which descends on the right hand side to the next level.

Posted: **Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:25 am**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima replies to David
"This was my hiding place here behind these boxes, just follow the trail in the dust on the floor and you can get through."

Posted: **Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:05 am**

"Ah, thank you," says David, making his way behind the boxes following the trail in the dust.

Posted: **Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:50 am**

What's in the boxes Jemima?
Joseph asks as he opens the first box he sees.

Posted: **Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:39 pm**

The trail is easy to follow, and although you have to step over a couple of boxes both Jemima and David can get there with no problem

Spoiler:

David looks down and sees that Jemima has been sleeping here on some blankets with a couple of pillows. Jemima is standing beside the head of her makeshift bed looking slightly embarrassed. When Joseph asks about the boxes, it gives her the chance to shift her attentions from David's penetrating stare.

Joseph looks down and sees a box full of papers covered with a tiny crabbed hand interspersed with some drawings that looked ... bizarre to say the least.

"I looked in a couple of them but only found paperwork in them. It would take a year to go through all these boxes." Jemima looks around mentally counting them and stopped at 45 realising she had not even reached halfway.

Meredith looks down at the well tended garden below and sees with a start the nosey Alvin Inman staring back up at him. Where had he come from, you are sure he wasn't there a moment ago?

Posted: **Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:36 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima replies.
"There was just papers in the couple that I looked in but it would take a long time to go through them all if they all contain papers ... maybe we could all take an area each and just open so many random ones for now and come back to them later if we don't find what you're looking for anywhere else in the house.
Errm ... just what is it your looking for anyway?" Enquires Jemima.
Secretly hoping to get information about anything that might be valuable, thinking maybe if she finds it first then she may be able to keep it for herself.

Posted: **Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:52 pm**

Now where the heck did he come from? Meredith scans the garden area for anywhere that Inman may have hidden from sight.

Posted: **Thu Aug 15, 2013 4:36 am**

"We're not sure, exactly," says David. "Whatever the other uninvited guests sought. I'm hoping I'll know it when I see it. Martin always was a pack rat. Never threw anything away if he could help it. This must be where he put it all." He looks around to try to identify the source of the light back here.

Posted: **Fri Aug 16, 2013 5:17 pm**

Stepping towards the South wall, David passes a untidy row of boxes and see a space where a dust sheet covers a piece of furniture, possibly an old bureau as it sits in front of a window. The dust shows that the sheet has not been disturbed recently. The two windows are the only available light sources.

Posted: **Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:43 am**

"Nobody has moved this in quite some time," says David, "but I think it's worth a closer look." He moves the sheet aside to see what's beneath it.

Posted: **Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:12 am**

Joseph walks to the east wall where the boxes are piled and opposite to where Jemima and David are.

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:53 am**

Dust flies everywhere when David removes the dust sheet.
OOC,Spot Hidden roll please David

Underneath is a battered old roll top bureau with half it's drawers missing and obvious woodworm damage.

Joseph stands at the far wall opposite David and Jemima

Meredith looks down at Mr Inman who stares up at the window through the fire escape.

Jemima walks slowly towards David and asks "What have you found ... I always thought it was just more boxes so never thought of looking."
OOC,Spot Hidden roll please Jemima

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:27 am**

David looks through the ruined bureau, but he sees nothing interesting.

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:27 am**

Joseph search the place before announcing "I think there is Nothing here, what about you?"

Posted: **Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:09 am**

Posted in DeeJ61's absence - been away a few days now and I feel the story is stalling. I know she has been having problems registering with Invisible Castle.

Jemima's Spot Hidden roll 1 / 65% (1d100=1) Massive success

Jemima tries to look at the bureau but David is blocking her attempts to get a good look at it so she cannot see a great deal so she moves round to the South wall and notices something sitting on the floor behind the piece of furniture on the floor, half hidden by the curtain at the attic window.

"What's th ... that David?" Jemima says pointing it out to the erudite man beside her. "It looks like a small statue of some sort. Shall I get it or do you want to?" she offers, secretly hoping he cannot get behind the bureau.

Posted: **Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:27 am**

"Good eyes," says David. "I can't believe I missed that. I'll get it." He reaches behind the bureau to retrieve the statue.

Posted: **Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:00 pm**

As David tries to squeeze past the bureau, he finds he cannot so putting his back against the wall and with a little help from Jemima he pushes it far enough so that he can get in behind and slips between the bureau and the window. He bends down to pick up the statue, which feels cool in his hand, despite the cloying heat in the attic. As his hand closes on the statue, which must stand about a foot or so tall and is probably almost as wide by the weight of it. He realises that he will need two hands to pick it up safely.

OOC,What are Maredith and Joseph up to?

Posted: **Sun Aug 25, 2013 10:06 pm**

Finding nothing, Joseph is on his way to where David and Jemima are.

Posted: **Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:01 am**

David tries to move the bureau aside so that he can get at the statue with both hands.

Posted: **Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:58 am**

[/color]

Posted: **Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:17 pm**

Still peering through the window attempting to see where Inman had appeared from, I hear the burst of excitement from David and Jemima which seems to indicate that they have found something and turn toward where the have disapeared within the stack of boxes.

Posted: **Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:46 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima ... seeing that David is struggling, is poised to grab the statue if David should lose his grip on it.
"It seems very heavy David." Jemima comments. "Would you like me to slide in there and get it out? It may be easier for me to get in and grip it properly as I am smaller than you. Or maybe if someone else could give me a hand we could move the bureau a bit more for you!" Jemima looks at Joseph who is making his way toward her ... She gestures to Joseph to hurry and give her a hand as she struggles to move the bureau herself.

Posted: **Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:32 pm**

Jemima strains against the Bureau and manages to move it a little, but with Joseph's aid they manage to swing it round so that it is close to being parallel to the south wall as boxes stop it going much further.

Sorrell's Attic updated

OOC,So far David has put his hand behind the long drape / curtain and has actually touched the statue, feeling a book or something behind it Jemima and Joseph are at the far end of the bureau and Meredith is at the north window looking towards where the party is, but his line of sight being obscured by the pile of boxes in the middle of the floor. If anyone wants to say different then now is the time!

David can now get in as can one other with another one or two looking over the top of the bureau should they decide to, or not.

Posted: **Tue Aug 27, 2013 5:20 am**

David moves behind the bureau. "We'd better be careful with the statue," he says. "It could be delicate. I wonder if Martin brought it back from Belize." He picks it up cautiously with both hands and brings it out into the light to get a better look at it. "There's a book back there too."

Posted: **Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:47 am**

Jemima Thorndyke

"Oh ... I'll get the book." Jemima says, quickly slipping past David as he brings the statue out from behind the bureau, she sees the book and bends down to pick it up.

Posted: **Tue Aug 27, 2013 10:02 am**

I turn away from the window and begin a slow walk towards the sounds made by the others somewhere within the maze of boxes.

Posted: **Wed Aug 28, 2013 3:45 pm**

Posted: **Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:36 pm**

The sight makes Meredith start "Ahh I think I recognise it"

Posted: **Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:00 am**

David finds the statue disturbing, but not overly so. He gets the feeling that he must be missing something about it, but he immediately recognizes its significance. His knowledge of the Mayans reveals something important, though it is not all-encompassing.

Posted: **Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:41 am**

San roll (1d100=54)

What is this statue, clearly a god of ancient civilization.
Joseph says as he have no knowledge about things like that. (I'm a doctor so No Art, Arch or Mayan skill)
He comes closer to see the weird statue David holds.

Posted: **Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:45 pm**

Posted: **Sat Aug 31, 2013 5:03 am**

OOC: It was this bit, The sight makes Meredith start
But I failed it so that's a 1 point Sanity loss. I'll alter my character sheet accordingly.

Posted: **Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:22 pm**

OOC Sorry priest - I didn't pick the link up there - my bad

Posted: **Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:01 pm**

"This is a rare, incredible find!" says David, his voice full of excitement. "Definitely Mayan, though there do appear to be some unusual influences due to its unconventional style. The statue's robes and jewels mark it as an ahau, a Mayan godking. However, the Mayans never made images with several arms. That's the sort of thing I'd expect out of India. While I believe there was ancient transatlantic contact with the Mayans, I seriously doubt it was from India. The two-headed serpent is a symbol of the authority of Mayan kings. This red tongue emerging from the neck is very unusual, but I think it's a blood scroll - a representation of a stream of blood. This indicates that it was probably a captive king who was beheaded. The markings on the arms and thighs indicate that this is an idol of a deity. It reminds me of the Mayan creation story, the Popol Vuh. At the end of the tale of the Hero Twins, they trick the evil Lords of the Night into allowing themselves to be decapitated by the twins. Perhaps this is supposed to be one of the Lords of the Night. Strange how it feels so cold, as if it doesn't retain heat."

Posted: **Mon Sep 02, 2013 10:38 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima picks up the book and lays it on top of the bureau for everyone to see.
"This book is not like any book I have ever seen before, It is called, The Zanthu Tablets: A Conjectural Translation by Harold Hadley Copeland - 1916. I just had a quick flick through and it seems to have a lot of very strange words in it that don't make any sense, I can't even pronounce some of them. I don't think it is as old as I first thought, but never the less may turn out to be of some significance."
Jemima turns back to where she picked up the book ...
"Here! there is something else," Jemima says; "it's a folder,"
Jemima picks up the folder,
"Oh ... and an envelope too,"
She proceeds to pick up both of them and goes to lay them both on top of the bureau along side the book ... But! her curiosity is getting the better of her as she wonders just what the envelope might contain and so she retains the envelope in her hand and whilst examining the outside she suddenly finds herself starting to open the envelope.

Posted: **Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:02 am**

"I may be able to make sense of it," says David. "Let's start with the envelope and the folder first, as they may explain why these things are here, plus they're bound to be shorter than the book." He picks up the folder and looks through it.

Posted: **Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:55 pm**

Joseph just stands beside them, intrigued with what they will find.

Posted: **Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:49 pm**

I contnue to pick my way through the cardboard box maze towards the others, drawn by the obvious sounds of excitement, "What is it? What have you found, besides the monstrosity?"

Posted: **Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:45 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima continues to open the envelope and once open she looks inside ...

Posted: **Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:21 pm**

Posted: **Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:54 pm**

Jospeh grabs the book and skim it.

Posted: **Sat Sep 07, 2013 1:22 am**

Posted: **Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:56 pm**

[/color]

Posted: **Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:59 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima pulls out a lot of papers from the envelope ... as she has a quick look through them she says;
"There are some train tickets here, hotel receipts for hotels in ... Worcester Massachusetts and Arkham, eerm ... receipts for a trip for what looks like himself and his team from Boston to Belize City in British Honduras and back, hmmm ... dated fairly recently too." She says as she gathers as much information as she can.
Jemima picks up the envelope to make sure she hasn't missed anything, the envelope feels a little heavier than it should. Jemima tips the envelope upside down over the top of the bureau and out falls a key.
"Oh wait, what's this?"
Jemima picks up the key and reads from the fob attached to it...
"First National Bank of Arkham ... this could be important, I'll keep this in my bag otherwise it might get lost."
Jemima promptly opens up the small shoulder bag that she wears across her body and pushes the key inside of a zipped compartment inside the bag then closes up the bag.
"There, it will be safe in here." She says, as she pats the bag reassuringly with her hand.

Posted: **Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:02 pm**

I smile as I watch Jemima drop the key into her bag,
"So what exactly is the key for, my dear young lady?"

Posted: **Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:02 pm**

Well, it is not my area of interest. I know nothing about this.
Joseph says and hands the book over to anyone who wants it.

Posted: **Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:13 pm**

Still keeping an eye on Jemima I hold out my hand to Joseph, "Do you mind if I take a look?"

Posted: **Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:50 pm**

"I'll have a look too when you're done with it," says David. "I'm guessing that key opens a safety deposit box. Martin probably left something important there that could answer some of our questions. These papers seem to detail research Martin was doing on Mayan contact with other civilizations. They talk about a tribe called the Tlachan, which is translated as 'the sea people,' or 'people of the sea.' That would seem to support my own theories, as the Phoenicians were called that. However, one of these articles says that that's an incorrect translation; it should be 'people of the fish.' That's possible, but I can't say for certain whether or not it's correct. The Tlachan are described in one encounter as being diseased and disfigured - kind of like the fellow you saw prowling around here, Miss. Perhaps some of their descendants are still alive today." He offers the folder with the clippings to whoever wants to read them.

Posted: **Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:26 pm**

Posted: **Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:51 pm**

For a few minutes I stare at the book trying to make sense of it, before closing it with a snap and handing it to David,
"Harumph, nonsense, gibberish and poppycock. Probably more your sort of thing old chap"

Posted: **Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:38 pm**

A key ... so we need to visit the cemetery, find the weird guy that is a descendant of the fish people and open a safe box.

Posted: **Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:46 am**

"Quite possibly," says David to Meredith, taking the book and offering him the folder in exchange. He begins to look through the book.

Posted: **Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:14 pm**

Posted: **Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:36 am**

"This may prove helpful," says David, "but I'm not sure how yet. Nothing in here looks familiar at all. I'll take it with me and read it at my leisure after we've finished up here. Was there a letter in the envelope, Miss, or just the key?"

Posted: **Tue Oct 01, 2013 10:51 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima answers David ...
"Erm no ... there's no letter, just the train tickets, hotel receipts and that sort of thing that I told you about earlier ... nothing else."
Jemima says ..."I wouldn't mind having a proper look at that folder please Meredith, when you're finished with it of course."

Posted: **Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:47 pm**

Rather than keep putting the images up in individual OOC spoiler buttons I'll put them in the handouts section, but it will take you the rest of the daylight hours for everyone to peruse them so would suggest going somewhere else to peruse them properly. I'll also assume that Meredith hands Jemima the folder as there has been no response.

Meredith hands the folder over to Jemima and in the fading light she looks over the folder to see if there is a pattern.

Posted: **Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:15 pm**

"Absolutely my dear" I hand the folder to Jemima "Perhaps you can make more sense of the contents than I"

OOC: Apologies for my tardiness.

Posted: **Mon Oct 21, 2013 9:37 am**

Jemima Thorndyke

After going through the folder for a while, Jemima says;
"I can't see anything significant in this folder ... maybe someone else might find something, if one of you wants to take it away and look at it in more detail."

Posted: **Tue Oct 22, 2013 1:06 am**

Jemima, David, Joseph and Meredith stand in the fading light looking over the paperwork until the dark becomes so pervasive that you cannot read anything in any of the paperwork to hand.

(OOC where to now people ... nothing left to find, up here anyway!)

Posted: **Tue Oct 22, 2013 5:24 am**

"I'll hold onto the folder," says David, "as its my area of expertise - unless someone else would rather study it. I think I've gotten all I can from it, but that book may have more of interest. I'd like to look that over tonight. It's too dark to read here, though. Shall we descend and finish searching the house?"

Posted: **Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:06 am**

I nod at Davids suggestion, "Aye, there is nothing further to be gained from up here. Lead on boyo we'll follow you"

Posted: **Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:44 pm**

The group successfully descends the rickety ladder back into the master bedroom closet. Exiting into the room itself you see the door is closed, from where you all crowded round the safe, the picture is 'open' to reveal the safe door.

Posted: **Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:48 am**

"We'll need a drill to get that safe open," says David, "since the dial refuses to turn. We're most likely to find tools in the basement, but it might be best to explore the house systematically, floor by floor. What haven't we seen on this floor yet?"

Posted: **Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:13 am**

Maybe we can find tools in the basement ?

Joseph says

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2013 2:46 pm**

Jemima Thorndyke

Jemima waits to go last, standing by the top of the ladder, she calls down to those descending before her; "Mind you don't step on rungs 3 and 6 ... we don't want any more accidents"
Jemima descends the ladder and replies to David;
"There are only three rooms up here ... the two bedrooms and a study ... I have briefly looked through them but I don't know how much you have seen."

Posted: **Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:20 am**

"We've seen enough of this bedroom for now," says David. "Any rooms we've explored on this floor were after we met you. We've been through the study already, but I don't think we've searched the other bedroom. That should be our next stop."

Posted: **Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:17 pm**

As you enter the bedroom you see an unmade bed directly in front of you. Looking down the west wall towards the back of the house you see a bureau with it's contents spread across the floor. Two doors with a comfortable looking chair between them are on the east wall bathed in the fading sunlight as it dips behind the treeline. The first door, partially open appears to open onto a water closet, whilst the one at the north end of the wall is in the same place as the closet that leads up to the attic.

OOC Not going to make you roll - there is nothing of note in here

Posted: **Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:02 am**

"All right," says David once he is satisfied that there is nothing important in this room, "let's go down to the ground floor."

Posted: **Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:28 am**

Your footsteps echo round the empty hallway as you descend the metal spiral staircase. As you step off the stairs facing east you have a door leading to a small room directly in front of you, a half open door on the North wall leads to what appears to be a dining room whilst an open door lies halfway along the west wall leading to a den. The front door is now shadowed as the sun has moved further round

Posted: **Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:28 pm**

We can split or stay together.
Joseph suggets

Posted: **Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:50 am**

"I think we'd better stick together," says David, "at least until we're sure there's nobody else hiding in this house. Let's check that small room first."

Posted: **Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:20 pm**

As you open the door you see that it is in fact the 'smallest room in the house,' a water closet. A toilet to your left and a handbasin straight in front of you close to the corner. A clean towel lies draped over the lip of the sink whilst there is an unopened packet of soap on the sink from a hotel based in Arkham.

Posted: **Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:35 am**

Any recent use of the toilet ?
Joseph looks around and check the hotel's name on the soup.

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:19 am**

A thin layer of dust on the toilet seat would suggest that it has been unused for some time now, though you cannot be certain. The soap, still sealed in it's greaseproof paper wrapper, bears the logo of The Tilden Arms Hotel 179 W Armitage Street, Arkham.

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:38 pm**

I wonder why Martin took the soap from the hotel ? Do you think he was there ?
Joseph says

Posted: **Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:51 pm**

[/color]

Posted: **Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:15 pm**

"Hmm, more to the point, why did he take the soap. It's not as if he was short of a few bob. Open the pack and see what's inside"

Posted: **Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:11 pm**

As the packet is opened, a small complimentary bar of soap falls into the sink. It is not very good quality soap stamped "Colgate's OCTAGON Soap."

Posted: **Fri Nov 08, 2013 5:17 am**

"Martin was always a frugal sort," says David. "Perhaps he has money to spare because he doesn't turn down things like free soap. Funny, that's not how you spell 'octogon,' and it's certainly not shaped like one. We already know he stayed at the hotel from the receipts we found, so we'll need to inquire there when we visit Arkham. Well, I think we should check out the den next."

Posted: **Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:48 pm**

As you enter the 'den' you see a wide sofa standing in front of the two windows on the south wall with a small occasional table on it's left hand side as you look at it.. Two windows on the West wall have a rolled up rug in front of it on the floor. In the north-west corner sits a large fireplace with an ornate mirror above it. On either side of the east wall are expansive bookcases with books adorning the shelves. However there are a lot of books spread over the floor.

A comfortable-looking armchair sits opposite the fireplace, with space to get to the bookcases behind it.

Posted: **Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:27 pm**

Probably the guy with the big eyes tried to find a particular book or notes?
Joseph suggest
Maybe he sought what we found in the attic ?

Posted: **Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:42 pm**

Apart from the travesty of books being strewn around the floor, there is nothing of further note in this room.

Posted: **Tue Nov 12, 2013 4:20 am**

"It could very well be," says David as he examines the books on the floor to see what they are, trying to determine if there's some kind of pattern as to the subject matter of the books the intruder had checked and discarded.

Posted: **Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:45 pm**

All the books you have seen in the house seem to relate to Mayan mythology, culture and epigraphy - the study of, (in this case - Mayan ), hieroglyphs. Mr Sorrell was certainly a focused individual.

Posted: **Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:40 pm**

Anything hidden beneath the rug or the sofa ?
Joseph goes to check, clearly, Martin was trying to hid something so it could be anywhere, just like the notes in the attic.

Posted: **Wed Nov 13, 2013 6:02 am**

David checks to see if there is anything hidden behind the mirror or in the fireplace.

Posted: **Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:37 am**

Cearlan wrote:Apart from the travesty of books being strewn around the floor, there is nothing of further note in this room.

[/color]

Posted: **Sat Nov 16, 2013 1:38 pm**

Maybe we can use the help of the police and Sergeant Yates to open the safe, after all they agree to let us help with the investigation.

Joseph says.
We did want to visit the undertaker and we can always return to the morgue once more and see how Professor Julian Gorman progressed with the autopsy.

Posted: **Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:04 pm**

"Yes, an excellent idea," says David. "If there are no tools in the basement, the police will most likely have something they can use, as well as people skilled enough to get the safe open."

Posted: **Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:40 am**

Going down to the basement, you find an assortment of tools, a workbench and an assortment of empty boxes strewn in the northeast corner. Whatever common household tools of the era are available for you to use.

Posted: **Tue Nov 19, 2013 6:27 am**

"A drill is what we need," says David, locating it and picking it up. "That ought to get the safe open. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so hopefully one of you is."

Posted: **Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:58 am**

Let's try to open the safe before we ask the police to help us. maybe we can ask the nosy neighbour have some tools?

Posted: **Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:55 am**

"We've got all the tools we need right here," says David. "We just need someone skilled in their use."

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2013 4:17 am**

OOC - right - you got access to the tools - what are you using to try and open the safe? I'll assume you got a goodly selection up in the room with the safe from the garage.

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:03 am**

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2013 12:12 pm**

You attach the bit the way your pa showed you and move into position the drill bit to a point beside the lock and switch it on. As you apply pressure to the drill the safe door shatters into many fragments.

OOC - Make a luck roll please - just don't fumble

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2013 8:04 pm**

Careful!
Joseph calls out and goes to see if David is ok.

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2013 9:44 pm**

David has some cuts on his face from the shattered safe door but is largely unhurt, having somehow managed to avert his face and close his eyes at the last moment.

Posted: **Fri Nov 22, 2013 6:28 am**

"Just a few scratches," says David, cleaning himself off, "but thank you. It's nothing a little iodine and some gauze won't fix. It's worse than getting cut shaving, but not that much. Now let's see what's inside." He looks into the safe.

Posted: **Fri Nov 22, 2013 4:48 pm**

Now that the door has partially shattered, the remainder of the door can be opened easily enough.

The wall safe is a compact, sturdy affair, made of grey steel and within are some things of interest.
• Martin Sorrel's Master’s thesis; see Handout #4.
• a file folder marked “Miskatonic”; see Handout #5 and #8.
• a file folder marked “Zanthu”; see Handout #9
• the deeds to 327 Doyle Avenue.
• fifty new, consecutively numbered twenty-dollar bills.
• an envelope marked "In the Event of My Death ... Or Worse," containing a letter, Handout #10. (Translation - Handout 11)

Martin Sorrel's Master’s thesis; Handout #4.

File folder marked “Miskatonic”; see Handout #5.

File folder marked “Miskatonic”; see Handout #7.

File folder marked “Miskatonic”; see Handout #8.

File folder marked “Zanthu”; Handout #9

Envelope marked "In the Event of My Death ... Or Worse," containing a letter, Handout #10.

Translation of Handout 10 Mayan Hieroglyphs - Handout #11

Posted: **Sat Nov 23, 2013 5:38 pm**

Not sure about the rest of the notes but I find Martin's personal letter most disturbing.
Joseph says, clearly with concern.

Posted: **Mon Nov 25, 2013 2:28 am**

David looks through the documents, instantly recognizing the Mayan words and their translations. "Yes, so do I," he says. "I can't do what he asks and leave things be, though. I can accept that he must be dead, but I need to find the answers. I'd like to study Martin's thesis tonight. When we get a chance, we should also visit Miskatonic University, where we can talk to his colleagues there and have a look at their library. Let me take a closer look at these Mayan glyphs..."

Posted: **Wed Dec 11, 2013 1:39 am**

OOC,Sorry been away from this story, but as Mr Handy pointed out, I made a(nother) mistake with the handouts - it's a modern day scenario 'shifted' back to 1921 and I forgot to amend the handouts - sorry everyone. Handouts now updated from page 7 on.

It's getting late, and the sun has just about gone down - no power in the house so no lights other than any flashlights you may carry with you. I need to know three things.

1) What plans do the party have for tonight/first thing in the morning?
2) Who has what with them or are certain things being left behind?
3) What is happening to the enigmatic Jemima Thorndyke?

Posted: **Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:08 am**

Posted: **Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:59 pm**

Posted: **Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:22 pm**

Joseph will retire home, he is in a need for sleep after the horrible findings in the morgue. Nightmares will haunt him for sure.
He will meet the others in the morning

Posted: **Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:18 pm**

Play@YSDC

Martin Sorrell's House

Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Handouts

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House

Re: Martin Sorrell's House