Play@YSDC

Cambridge and its university are inseparable—its ancient buildings are everywhere. The university comprises seventeen “colleges”—each a castle-like collection of buildings, towers, chapels, courtyards, and ancient libraries and dining halls, often referred to as the “dreaming spires.” Together, the colleges house 3,000 students, from a total town population of 40,000.
Legend says the university was founded in 300 B.C. by a Spanish prince named Cantaber, although written records begin in the 12th and 13th centuries. Students are principally male, although two women’s colleges, Girton and Newnham, were founded 20 years ago.
Hotels in Cambridge include the Hoop on Bridge Street and the Prince of Wales on Sidney Street, but the globetrotters may stay in college rooms, especially if one of them is an old Cambridge man or woman.


Trinity is the largest college in Cambridge (and in England), founded by Henry VIII in 1546, and boasts such alumni as Sir Isaac Newton and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It has three main courts, including the magnificent Great Court, and gardens backing onto the River Cam. Its famous library was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and contains Newton’s globe and telescope, his death mask, a statue of Lord Byron (another famous alumnus), and many rare books and manuscripts, including Milton’s first notes of Paradise Lost.
In a short time you find yourselves delivered by the ever smiling Alf Milsom to the gates of the splendid Trinity College, where you are greeted by a unsmiling middle-aged gentleman dressed in funereal black, wearing a bowler hat, a rather large mutton chop moustache and side-burns, and a long wicked looking scar that runs from just above his left eye to the right hand corner of his mouth. This must be one of the band of porters who act as university watchdogs and protectors of the universities reputation. To say he is large would be doing his stature a disservice, suffice to say he manages to dwarf Roxborough by several inches

“May I be of assistance?”

"Yes, thank you," says Rachel. "We are here to see Dr. Oswaldtwistle."

carnage_lee wrote:

OOC:   Sorry.. have we arrived after dinner, perhaps stopping off for a feast of our own?

OOC:   Ah, I presumed you would arrive before dinner and eat there. Being that some of you may have attended Cambridge University or being renowned throughout the Nation would automatically be invited to attend dinner,

The huge porter fellow stares, unblinking, for a moment or so, as if regarding a rather nasty specimen of garbage. Then without once breaking his deadpan expression, nods, “Indeed Ma’am, I presume you are the expected party? I was instructed by the Doctor to escort you to his rooms as soon as you arrived”

He produces a large silver pocketwatch from his vest, flick it open and looks at the time, “Dinner will be served in the dining hall at six, I shall instruct the kitchen staff that we have guests. If you would be so kind as to follow me”

OOC:   The pocketwatch, a rather expensive looking full hunter, has a military crest engraved on the cover. Roxborough and Hornsbee may make Perception rolls to identify the crest at DF1 (Easy) however Jonathan has -2 for his eyesight flaw.

"Thank you," says Rachel, following the porter.

Jonathan looks at the exquisite pocketwatch and says, "A fine time piece you have there." Pulls a draw from his pipe.

Priest wrote:

OOC:   The pocketwatch, a rather expensive looking full hunter, has a military crest engraved on the cover. Roxborough and Hornsbee may make Perception rolls to identify the crest at DF1 (Easy) however Jonathan has -2 for his eyesight flaw.

OOC:   I believe that's when I'm not wearing my glasses.

OOC:   Perception: 5 [dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Perception is 5, I'll take the average (2+) which I think is sufficient for success

The porter leads you through oak panelled hallways and up oak staircases lit by huge stained glass windows, which even in the early evening light produces an almost hypnotic display of grandeur. Eventually you arrive at a door marked ‘Dr Henry Oswaldtwistle – Knock and await answer’. The porter raps the wood with three loud knocks, and a quiet, reedy voice answers, “Enter”

The porter opens the door with a slight groan of ancient, but well maintained, hinges to reveal a well dressed gentleman seated at a small but neat desk. The occupant looks up as you enter, “Ah you must be the party that I was informed would be coming to investigate the odd disappearance of young Ponsonby? I am, as you have no doubt noted, Dr Oswadtwistle. It was my sad duty to inform the family of their son’s sending down and his subsequent disappearance” He reaches for a small pocketwatch looks at it, shakes it, then turns to a large ornate wall clock near the lead paned window of the study. “Ah, I see it is almost time for dinner, you will of course be joining us? We can discuss the details of Ponsonby’s disappearance there"

He stands and looks at the hulking figure of the porter, “Ah, Magsworthy. Cut along and tell the kitchens that we have four guests, there’s a good chap”

As the porter, Magsworthy, leaves, the doctor smiles, “I believe that tonight we are having pheasant and chef does prepare such a good bird”

OOC:   Peter and Jonathan - The crest on the watch case belongs to the West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Own). Jonathan - Do not forget that you can elect to take the average of the ability/skill you are using as Peter has done, in which case you would have made it easily as a result I am allowing both of you to identify the regimental crest. Also you are correct the -2 is for without your glasses, my bad

Roxborough's stomach, hearing the cue, rumbles belligerently in demand of food. Pheasant, jolly good! It will be a pleasure to join you Doctor. My alma mater was Kings but I have heard wonderful stories about high table at Trinity.

I am so looking forwards to dining here tonight.

I don't suppose yo might know what wines might be accompanying our repas? I do know that Trinity's cellars boast some very, very fine vintages

he steps forward and proffers his hand

Lord Peter Roxborough, a pleasure to make your acquaintance he then proceeds to introduce the rest of his colleagues, interspersed with the insistent grumblings of his belly.

"I too would be delighted to join you for dinner," says Rachel when she is introduced.

Oswaldtwistle smiles a greeting as you are introduced, “I am not sure which wines will be served, not being a connoisseur myself, but I am sure they will not fail to please such a noted gastronome as yourself, my Lord”
He moves to the door from which he takes a gown and puts it on, “Must keep up appearances. This way, if you please”

Again you find yourself led through panelled hallways, many resplendent with crests of great houses, and down several marble staircases before passing through enormous double doors into a columned room of impressive proportions filled with mahogany tables accompanied by oak benches.

This then is Trinity College’s dining hall filled with noise and chatter as the doctor leads you towards a raised dais at the far end upon which a large table has been placed. At your entrance the room falls silent as the occupants show deference to a noted Master and his guests.

Dinner is a grand affair, a feast, in which Oswadtwistle’s boast of the chefs prowess is not overstated. The wine cellar is, to Roxborough’s joy, as fine as its reputation claims.

Small talk is made during the various courses, during which time you are introduced to several others of the faculty including a Professor Gourdoun MacMillan, a dour looking Scott with a fiery red beard introduced as Edward’s ‘Director of Studies’, and a Dr Melchisedek Choker, a doctor of medicine. Of course it would be bad form to ask questions during dinner, but after you are shown into the Master’s lounge where over port and cigars you find yourselves well placed to interrogate where you will.

"Perhaps one of you can try to find out about Dr. Choker hiring the cabbie Mr. MacPherson," whispers Rachel to her colleagues. She then approaches Dr. Oswaldtwistle. "Dr. Oswaldtwistle, we'd like to know more about young Edward Ponsonby. Anything you can tell us about him may help us to locate him. In particular, can you please tell us why we was sent down?"

Rachel -

Doctor Oswaldtwistle pours you a generous glass of fine port, "Hmm, Why was he sent down? Why for dishonourable behaviour of course, I thought I had made that plain to his mother, Lady Fenella"

He sniffs at the aroma from his glass and downs a large mouthful...

OOC:   Rachel - make a Con roll at DF2 (you may add any Style Points you care to spend, you have 4) as usual the more successes the better.

"That is true," says Rachel, "but the exact nature of that dishonourable behaviour was unspecified. it could have relevance to his disappearance."

OOC,Con roll (5 skill + 1 Style point = 6 dice) talking to [b]Dr. Oswaldtwistle[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

Rachel -

Doctor Oswadtwistle swallows noisilly and for a moment regards you with raised eyebrows, "I see your point dear lady, the exact nature of the offense was, I believe, a matter of breaking and entering into a restricted area. As to what that area was, I have no idea. Perhaps his personal tutor Professor MacMillan can answer your questions with more knowledge"

Again he takes a mouthful of the port, swills it around his mouth before swallowing, "A rather fine Port I think, now where are those cigars?" You get the feeling that there is little more to be gained from talking to the Doctor...

Everyone Else -

You see Mrs Steele in discussion with Doctor Oldswaldtwistle, but you can tell from her face and the attitude of the Doctor that she is getting little useful information, if you discount the possibility of a lecture over the finer points of a good Port. To one side, near the door, the master earlier introduced as Doctor Melchisedek Choker is conversing with a younger gentleman, who from his gown is also a member of the faculty.

Jonathan approaches Doctor Melchisedek Choker. A he waits for Choker and the younger man to finish conversing he adds a pinch or two of tobacco to his pipe. Once they either finish, or at least pause, Jonathan looks up and introduces himself saying, "Dr. Choker, if I may have but a moment of your time. The name is Jonathan Hornsbee." Extends his hand. "Perhaps you can help me. I hear you know Mr. MacPherson, the cabbie?

"Yes, Doctor, the port is excellent," agrees Rachel. "If you'll excuse me, I shall seek Professor MacMillan as you suggested. Is he here now? Could you please describe him?"

Nellie's moves off across the room intending to help Rachel extricate herself from the terribly boring looking Doctor Oldswaldtwistle, drawing nearby she overhears Rachel's request t concerning Professor MacMillan and stops a few paces short, ready to scan the crowd for anyone matching the (hopefully) forthcoming description.

Jonathan (and any with him) –

As soon as Jonathan speaks, both men look towards you and the younger of the two nods and takes his leave. A tall thin, sharp featured gentleman wearing an raises an ornate pair of prinz-nez spectacles, raises a quizzical eyebrow, “Indeed... Mr...Hornsbee... I believe I employ a Mr McPherson. How, may I inquire, is that of any business of yours?”

From his speech and the way he looks down his nose at you through his blue lensed spectacles you feel as if you are being studied as if some kind of specimen. From the coldness of his tone to his obvious boredom with the conversation, you find yourself momentarily reminded of your own days at college and being presented to your master for punishment over some misdemeanour or other. A slight chill races down your spine, but it is a fleeting moment and soon passes.

Rachel (and any with her) –

Spotting an open box of fine cigars on a table near some bottles, Dr Oswaldtwistle begins to move towards them, “Ahh MacMillan, now where is he?” His tone displays his irritation at being delayed in his quest, but he pauses to survey the rooms occupants. “Ahh he may have already left” he produces a small leather bound notebook and pencil and writes something on it before tearing out the page and passing it to you, “This is the location of his rooms. Now if you will forgive me dear lady” With that he is gone towards the cigar box.

On the paper he has written ‘Professor Gourdoun MacMillan, Neville’s Court’

Nellie –

Looking around the rooms occupants you see Jonathan talking to a tall, thin, sharp featured man whose cap and gown mark him as a member of the faculty. It appears that the conversation is unwelcome from the intense looks the master is sending Jonathan’s way.

Rachel quietly fills in Nellie and Lord Roxborough on what she's learned. "I think Mr. Hornsbee could use a little assistance from you, Miss Bly," she whispers. "I'll head off to look for Professor MacMillan. Lord Roxborough, would you care to accompany me?"

Rachel (and Peter Roxborough?) –

With MacMillan’s room noted as ‘Nevilles Court’ it is a fairly simple exercise to find it. A long panneled corridor with leaded glass windows overlooking a night darkened courtyard leads you to a door marked ‘Professor G.A. MacMillan, Private’ and from the glimmer of gas light below the door it would seem that someone is at home.

A heavy knock elicits, after a few moments, the sound of a bolt being drawn and a lock being opened. The door opens to a middle aged gentleman whose wild red hair and beard frame an equally red but pleasant looking face, that you had seen earlier at dinner. That he is no doubt of Scottish extraction is obvious from the hint of a tartan kilt protruding just below the hem of his Chinese patterned silk smoking jacket, and the tall knee length plaid stockings. In one hand he holds a long stemmed pipe with an ornately carved bowl from which a thin wisp of perfumed smoke rises ceilingward, in the other, a glass filled with an amber liquid. “Aye, may I help you?” he asks with a broad Scottish accent...

Nellie nods at Rachel's suggestion, "Try and get a list of any friends of Edward that are at the University, we might get some insight from them." she says as the other two head off.

Crossing the room, Nellie joins Hornsbee "Oh, hello, Nellie Bly, pleased to make your acquaintance." Nellie holds out a hand to Dr Chocker.

Jonathan, Mr Hornsby, and I have been engaged by the parents of Edward Ponsonby to locate their son, who failed to return home two days ago. We discovered, earlier today that Edward failed to board his train from Cambridge and was seen to leave the railway station in the company of an as yet unknown man. It transpires that they both then left the station in a Brougham, operated by one Rab McPherson, who is in your employ..." Nellie says. So, we were wondering if you would be able to put us in touch with Mr. McPherson so that we might ask him if he knows of Edward's whereabouts."

Nellie and Jonathan –

Dr Choker regards the American accented female with the same blue lensed, imperious stare as he had the bearded adventurer. “I see...Indeed Mr McPherson is in my employ, as I just informed your...associate here. However this...Edward Ponsonby is unknown to me, although I have contact with a great many students here, as I assume you are no doubt aware, so it is possible that he and I may crossed paths at some stage. However if so I am unaware of it. If, however, he is an acquaintance of McPherson then it is to McPherson that you should address your questions. As to his, McPherson’s, whereabouts, I would imagine that he is currently at the house in the Fens” he reaches into a waistcoat pocket and produces a rather ornate looking silver filigree pocket-watch. He flicks it open, “Now if you will excuse me I have important papers to mark” With an arrogant nod he turns on his heels...

OOC:   Nellie – you can try a Perception roll at df4 (Hard). Also Jonathan can assist by adding +2 to your roll. Remember you need at least 4 successes and as usual the more successes the better. Teamwork In some situations, characters may work together to complete a project. Each character must have an appli¬cable Skill rating of 4 or higher. The character with the highest Skill rating makes the roll with +2 bonus dice for each person assisting him (maximum of +10 bonus dice). If three characters are trying to fix a damaged steam engine, and your character has Mechanics 5 and the other two characters have Mechanics 4, you would roll 9 dice for your Skill roll (5 dice for your Mechanics rating with +4 dice for your two assistants). Also do not forget your style points!! At this point in time the groups style points are; Nellie - 5 Roxborough - 4 Jonathan - 3 Rachel - 3

"Yes, thank you, I believe you can, Professor," says Rachel. "I'm Mrs. Rachel Steele, and I'm trying to help the parents of young Edward Ponsonby locate their son. Dr. Oswaldtwistle recommended that I speak to you, as you are his tutor. Would you mind if I asked you some questions? Anything you can tell me about him may help me find him."

Nellie and Jonathan –

As Choker turned away you both saw a nervous tick in the corner of his mouth. For those who understand the game of Poker, you recognise a ‘tell’. Choker knows more than he is telling, but about what?

Within moments the good doctor has made his way from the room...

Rachel and Peter –

The Scotsman purses his lips somewhere within the thick growth of flame coloured beard. “Aye, Edward Ponsonby, sad, he showed great promise. But where are me manners?” he steps back letting the door open fully to expose a small, well furnished room which screams bachelor in the simplicity of its décor.

He leads the way to a rather battered drinks cabinet with several half empty single malt whiskey bottles each labelled with some unpronounceable name. “Can I offer ye a glass o’ finest single malt? Ye’ll find no finer south o’ the border” As if in answer to his own question he pours two generous glasses of the amber liquid. He the passes both of you a glass, lifts his to an old painting that hangs above the cabinet and utters some phrase in an unknown language, obviously a toast of some kind.

“Now young Ponsonby, missing you say? Ask away if I can help, I’ll be glad to”

"Thank you, Professor," says Rachel, gladly accepting the glass and raising it. She takes a sip, savoring the Scotch before letting it slide down her throat. "This is excellent whiskey indeed. Regarding Mr. Ponsonby, the first question I have is who were his friends here? It seems he may have fallen in with the wrong crowd, and that could have a bearing on why he disappeared."

Rachel and Peter -

MacMillan swills his drink around the glass, deep in thought the tosses the fiery liquid down his throat. “The laddie was quite popular, no doubt that was part of his problem, too damned popular...beggin yer pardon for ma blunt speak” He turns and refills his glass, holding up a half empty bottle, “Another wee dram? Now where was I? Oh aye Ponsonby’s friends. He was very pally wi’ that scallywag Carruthers, ‘Archie’ Carruthers”.

He quickly tosses down another glass of Scotch, that makes it at least two with no effect that you can discern.

“Aye he was closest to young Carruthers, he, if anyone, might know his whereabouts...The laddie’s sending down was a great shame he had fine potential. I blame it on all that damned socialist nonsense he had started to fill his head wi’. There are...” he rubs the side of his nose conspiratorially, “...Too many things to distract a young impressionable mind. If he had fallen in with the wrong crowd it will be those damned socialists, aye, mark my words”.

Again he pours himself a generous glass of whiskey, almost finishing the bottle, which he holds aloft, “Ah well, shame to waste it” he sighs and manages to squeeze the last drops into his almost overflowing glass.

“Now ye say the laddie has disappeared?”

Nellie and Jonathan -

As Choker leaves the room you catch a brief glimpse of him in conversation with a tall, overcoat wearing figure. As the door closes both of them turn and stare in your direction. The door closes...

Jonathan looks at Nellie and says, "I apologies for my lack of interaction with Dr. Choker. He unnerved me, so I thank you for the rescue. Nonetheless, I think he knows more than he's telling us. Something isn't right. Shall we follow?"

OOC:   Edited to add character photo.

"Yes, he was supposed to take the five o'clock train to London two days ago," says Rachel. "He was seen at the train station in the company of a foreign man with a limp, perhaps one of those socialists. He never took the train. They left together in a brougham driven by a cabbie named Rab MacPherson, who is in the employ of Professor Choker. We don't yet know where it took him, where he has been since, or where he is now. It's possible that his being sent down is related to his disappearance, but I don't know the specifics of what he did, only that it was a case of breaking and entering. Anything specific you can tell me might help me and my colleagues find him. His parents are dreadfully worried about him."

Jonathan –

While you waste valuable seconds awaiting a distracted Nellies reply, you can but be aware that choker and his unknown companion could be soon lost within the corridors of the college.

Rachel –

“Aye, more than likely those damned socialists have some part in this, pardon ma words. But Choker?” he shakes his head and gives a wry grin, “Nay that Sassenach pansy would nay have the gumption, if Choker’s man is involved then I would guess that it is without the pansy’s knowledge...Although I seem to recall that the original complaint that saw the laddie sent down came from Choker, something to do with breaking into private rooms or somesuch”

He turns and reaches for another bottle of Scotch, you can tell something is crossing his mind...

OOC:   Please make an Investigation (interview) roll (df 1)

"Indeed, he was less than forthcoming.." ]Nellie replies, patting the intrepid explorer on hos forearm "Nothing to apologise for the man was being deliberately rude and evasive." She starts moving across the room angling to get to the door which Choker used "We should follow...if only to obtain the home address of the cabbie."

Pausing to check that Jonathan is with her, she opens the door.

Jonathan follows Nellie to the door and says, "His companion, I wonder..." Once she opens it he proceeds through looking for both Dr. Choker and his unknown companion. As they burst through the door Jonathan can't help but think, perhaps this unknown tall man with the overcoat is THE tall man with an overcoat that was last seen with young master Edward prior to his disappearance.

Rachel gently prompts the professor to help him recall the information she needs.

OOC,Investigation roll (5 dice) questioning [b]Professor MacMillan[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

Roxborough savours the whisky, sipping it more slowly than their host, he rolls it slowly around his mouth, inhaling and tasting the peaty notes.

Whilst his tastebuds concentrate on the whisky, he listens to the conversation unfold between Rachael and MacMillan

Connoisseur,I'll try and identify the scotch and possibly the area/highland/clan whatever I can about it. MacMillan seems friendly enough already but it may make him warm to us and open up more if I can impress him with my knowledge of some obscure small still/batch whisky producer. Connoisseur[5] + 2 style points = 7 [dice]0[/dice]

Rachel and Peter –

“Hmmmn. Ye say that he was last seen in the company of a foreign looking chap wi’ a limp? That sounds like the Russian researcher Nardnikov he has a wee limp and a stiff arm”
As he speaks he watches Roxborough down the last of his scotch, a far-away look of appreciation upon his face, “Aye laddie a finer single malt ye’ll no find outside o’ the isles...Now where was I? Oh the Russian Narodnikov, can’t say it is him for I’m not sure that he and Ponsonby ever crossed paths they may have, but I’m hard pressed to think of another who fits your description”

He pulls the cork from the bottle he is holding and pours another generous amount of the amber liquid into Roxborough’s glass, “Try that one laddie, I’m certain that ye’ll no be disappointed...Nardnikov was sent to me so that he might carry out more research into some medieval secrets regarding some Biblical nonsense. He is with me for a year, came highly recommended by DoctorVerkhsky the noted Russian archaeologist, though why such an eminent leader in our field be interested in such nonsense I do not ken. Narodnikov and Choker are certainly acquainted for he had me recommend him to Choker several months back regarding research into medieval medical esoterica” he picks up his glass and swirl its contents reflectively, “Could Narodnikov be your ‘foreign looking chap with a limp’? It’s possible”

Putting his glass aside he picks up a pencil and writes an address on a sheet of paper which he passes to Rachel, “Ye’ll find the Russian at this address” he writes another, “Here is the room number of young Carruthers, he might be able to tell you more. And this last is the number of Ponsonby’s room, ask Magsworthy the porter for a key. Tell him I sent ye...Now if you’ll forgive me I must away to ma bed”...

Nellie and Jonathan –

The door opens onto a short flight of marble stairs, the walls of which are emblazoned with a multitude of family crest. At the bottom of the stairs stand two polished suits of armour flanking large oak double doors.

As you step out of the masters lounge you catch sight of the doctor as he exits the double doors. A momentary blast of cold, damp air would seem to show that these doors give access to the outside, possibly the inner courtyard of the ‘Great Court’ from your reckoning. Of his companion there is no sign, either he left first or he is still within the building.

As you both rush down the stairs to the doors and pull them open...

OOC:   Please make Perception rolls (df3) and decide which of you exits through the doors first.

Jonathan not wanting to lose his prey moves past Nellie while saying, "Pardon me." He then opens the door and steps out into the cold, damp unknown.

OOC:   Perception: 5 [dice]0[/dice] Three successes!

"Thank you for your time, your hospitality, and that wonderful Scotch, Professor," says Rachel. "You've been a tremendous help." She turns to Lord Roxborough. "We should regroup with our colleagues and compare notes before we continue. I think our next stop after that should be Ponsonby's room."

"Pardon me." says Johnathan as he opens the door to the outside.. Nellie peers past the burly explorer...

OOC:   Perception: 8 [dice]0[/dice]

Nellie and Jonathan -

“LOOK OUT!!” screams Nellie as she sees a dark shadow hurtling towards them from above. Luckily Jonathan had also spotted the object and stopped immediately as a large piece of Masonry smashed into the floor mere inches away from where his head would have been if he had not spotted the danger. However the danger was not past as the Gargolye from above had smashed into the flagstones with such force that chips of stone flew like daggers in all directions

OOC: Each of you need to roll your defense +2 (half cover for door) + any style points you care to use versus a df4. You may take the Average rather than chancing a roll if you choose.

Shards of differing sized masonry fly everywhere, many hitting the wood of the door leaving fierce scars or indentation in the hard oak.

In the brief moment before the impact you had noticed Doctor Choker, alone, hurrying towards the Great Gate entrance from Trinity Street.
From above, on the roof of the Masters Lodge overlooking the stairs comes a muffled curse, followed by the sound of someone moving quickly across the tiles...

OOC: You are at the point marked 'S' (Stairwell) in the corner of the Master's Lodge and Bowling Green.

With only factions of a second to react Nellie manages to both yell a warning and bring up her arm, half turning to take cover as the door would provide. Scant moments after making those instinctive moves the falling gargoyle shatters with an almighty cash, sending masonry shrapnel spinning wickedly through the air. Stone chips pelt the door, smaller fragments hitting her skirts without any noticeable effect "Good grief, that was close!" she exclaims, face ashen staring fixedly on a jagged piece of stone, shaped suspiciously like a talon, which was embedded in the stout oak door inches from her face.

The shock of the near miss drives Nellie into action, jumping across the threshold and scampering across the cobbles after the retreating figure of Dr. Choker "'Ware the roof, the villain is above us!" she calls to her companion as she hitches her skirts and starts to pick up speed, the staccato 'whip-cracks' of her boot-heels ringing out across the square.

OOC:   Defence: 5 +2 (Partial cover) +1 Style pt = 8 Taking the average: 4

Nellie -

Indeed as Nellie’s pace quickens to a most unladylike gallop, worthy of any ‘Penny Dreadful’ heroine, it seems that the fleeing figure of Doctor Choker accelerates in a mad dash for the main gates of the College. As his flying figure disappears into the darkness of the ancient gateway she overhears a brief word of command, “Magsworthy...Stop her...” and from the shadows ahead a tall, hulking figure wearing the black bowler badge of the Porter’s office steps toward you.
“Your pardon Miss but may I ask you to stop?”...

Jonathan -

In the moment before Nellie's timely warning shout, you too had reacted to the shadow falling from above. Dropping prone you had heard the explosion of masonry upon flagstone, and the subsequent scream of flying shrapnel, some pieces smaller than a wasps head, others daggerlike in their size and sharpness. Through eyes partialy closed in expectation of injury you had watched the gallant reporter, skirts hitched high in a most unladylike pose, race after the dissapearing figure of the doctor. You had heard her cry of warning, "Ware the roof" yet needed none for you were only too aware that as you rolled to your feet above you someone was getting away.

Rachel and Peter –

By the time you bid good night to your host, an hour or more has passed it is now around nine o’clock in the evening, beyond a sensible time for calling upon anyone. Rooms have been allocated to yourselves in the Court just outside the main gates. This building easily as old as the original university building also contains several rooms for the student faculty, here you will find the rooms set for Edward Ponsonby as well as those issued to Mr A. Carruthers. You know that the keys for your rooms are held by the Porters at the Great Gate, the main porter being the estimable Magsworthy, he who showed you to Oswaldtwistles study upon your arrival and, conveniently, he who you have been advised has the keys to Ponsonby’s rooms.

As you make your way from Neville’s Court to the Great Gate you are aware of some kind of disturbance having occurred recently.
OOC: The events of which have yet to happen and are ongoing with Nellie and Jonathan...

"Good heavens!" exclaims Rachel upon seeing the disarray. "What could have happened here? Well, we had best find Magsworthy. Let's try at the Gate."

Getting to his feet Jonathan exclaims, "Holy Moses!" He then turns his attention to the roof seeing the figure getting away. Quickly he glances around the Great Court seeing if there was a way to the roof of the Masters Lodge. He realizes that with each passing moment their hopes of reaching the attempted murderer dwindles.

OOC:   Defence: 6 +2 (Partial cover) = 8 Taking the average: 4

Jonathan –

Jonathan looks wildly around, a mounting panic threatening to consume him. He realises that time is of the essence, if the unknown assailant is to be captured immediate action must be taken.

It is at this moment our hero notices that the somewhat aged stonework of the so called ‘Ghost Turret’, the very structure which houses the stairs you had moments earlier descended, provides many handholds which could be utilised to gain access to the above roof.

Baring his teeth in a determined manner the explorer, and member of the Alpinist League, almost throws himself into the climb. For him it is a mere excercise climb (df2 take the Average Athletics 6 = 3) and within seconds he pulls himself onto the Master’s Lodge roof. Now he can see where the fallen gargoyle had stood showing evidence of malicious damage. Also towards the rising tower known as King Edward’s Tower he catches sight of the fleeing assailant as he begins his ascent of the edifice.

OOC:   Jonathan needs to make an Extended Action of 6 Successes at Athletics with a df1 each attempt failed allows the assailant to stay ahead. The quicker you succeed the quicker you catch him.

Nellie –

The bowler hatted Magsworthy advances towards you, arms outstretched. Behind you you are aware that your companion has begun scaling the wall towards the roof. Above you and to your left the sound of boots on tiles tells of the assailants progress.

Catching sight of his foe Jonathan sets off towards King Edward's Tower in pursuit and he says aloud, "Oh no you don't!"

OOC:   Athletics: 6 [dice]0[/dice] [dice]1[/dice] [dice]2[/dice]

Jonathan –

As you race towards the fast moving shadow, he begins to navigate around King Edward’s Tower, a magnificent medieval tower housing an entrance to the university from one of the many alleyways of Cambridge. For a moment you think he may climb down streetside and effect his escape, however it would seem that he has another destination in mind, as showing courage if not sensibility, he begins a difficult looking traverse of the clock face. At one stage he seems to slip, almost to his doom on the cobbles far below, but he magnificently recovers and slipping onto the Chapel roof continues to run.

For yourself, a trained Alpinist, even without ropes or equipment the travers of the clock face proves little difficulty. Quickly leaping onto the roof you speed after the fleeing assailant and close with him mere feet from the roofs edge overlooking Trinity Street.

As if realising that further flight is impossible the figure turns with a snarled curse, pulling a pistol from his waistband...

You have the Initiative so move first.

OOC:   Combat Overview Step Two: Combat Actions (p. 108) Your character may attack, defend, and move each turn. Declare your character’s Attack action and determine the Skill or Attribute roll required to resolve it. Defense actions are reflexive and do not need to be declared. Move actions must be declared but do not require a dice roll to resolve. Step Three: Attack (p. 113) The first attacker calculates his attack rating, includ¬ing appropriate modifiers, then rolls his modified dice pool.

Nellie -
(On behalf of Lee, in the need for keeping the plot moving)

“Stand aside man” yells Nellie at the approaching behemoth whilst proceeding to throw a dummy that would not disgrace a top rugby union player. One moment it seems she is about to be engulfed by the large man’s grasping arms, the next she has slipped away leaving him redfaced and embarrassed in her wake.

“Oi!! Stop you cannot go in there without a pass” Obviously he is referring to a door marked ‘PRIVATE...University Personnel ONLY’ through which the fleeing Doctor Choker had moments before gone.

Above you, on the roof of the Chapel the sound of flying footsteps advises you of your assailant’s progress...

"But he has my pass!" Nellie says as she reaches the door, her hands scrabble at the door-knob, she's intent on chasing Choker down.

Nellie –

Even as you scrabble at the door, through which Choker had gone moments before, you are aware of the porter, Magsworthy, striding towards you face still red from having been outmanoeuvred by a mere slip of a girl...

You need to make a Dexterity roll @ df 2. You may of course choose to take the average which is 1+ (the plus being a single roll of the dice 1-3 fail, 456 success) or roll 3 dice to which you may elect to add Style Points (of which you have currently 4 remaining).

Nellie –

It takes but a matter of a few heartbeats to open the door and quickly slam it shut behind you in the face of the approaching porter. The last you hear of good Magsworthy is a belated “Oi!!” as the door shuts.

A quick look around shows no sign of Doctor Choker, however you notice two things one, a large iron bolt which locks the door from within, and two, a circular staircase that rises like the stairs found in many medieval castles towards possibly the top of the gatehouse.

The only other entrance to be seen are the main doors to the street through which you had entered earlier...

Quickly shutting the door behind her, relieved to have gotten through ahead of the obstructive porter.

After taking a quick look around Nellie decides that Choker has gone through the main doors. She hurries across and goes about opening the main doors, deciding that throwing the bolt on the door she had just entered through would just make the porter cross and possibly put her in the University's 'bad-books'.

Seeing his attacker produce a handgun Jonathan springs into action moving in close to his foe as he attempts to disarm him by ripping the gun from his hand.

OOC:   Brawl: 5 + 2 (two Style Points) = 7 [dice]0[/dice] -2 Penalty (pg 110 Disarm) TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCCESSES: 0

Jonathan –

Displaying courage and speed of action Jonathan leaps at the villain, noting as he does so that his quarry bears no more than a passing resemblance to the man seen with Doctor Choker. This character wears the kind of long heavy overcoat that might seem more beneficial to someone who works outside in inclement weather.

Spotting Jonathan’s plan the villain pulls the pistol to one side at the last moment. Jonathan’s grasping hand strikes nothing but air.

“Ha. Ye stupid English puddin’” the figure snarls with a decidedly Scottish accent, which even the scarf pulled high as a means denying identification, fails to disguise.
Jonathan can but watch with horror filled eyes as in seeming slow motion the evil black snout of the weapon realigns.

OOC:   Firearms (pistol) 6 + 3 hvy revolver = 9L Pistol fire 9L: 9#1d6 2 5 4 1 6 1 1 1 6 = 4 successes.

The heavy colt pistol bucks and belches flame and smoke...

Please roll for defense. You need more than 4 successes to avoid taking damage. There are no conditional modifiers to be added or subtracted. Either you are hit, or the bullet misses.

OOC:   Defense Roll The dice pool for your Defense roll is equal to your character’s Defense rating plus or minus any conditional modifiers. If your modified dice pool is 0 or less, then your character is defenseless, and any successful attacks will inflict full damage. Roll your modified dice pool and compare the num¬ber of successes to the opponent’s attack roll. If you roll more successes than your opponent, his attack is a clean miss. If you both roll the same number of successes, however, then his attack narrowly misses or strikes your character without enough force to do any damage. The blow may have been just a graze or was deflected by armour, for example. If you roll fewer successes than your opponent, your character has been hit and suffers damage. Each extra success your opponent rolled inflicts one point of damage and may also have additional effects (see Damage, p. 118).

Nellie –

You pull the heavy doors open feeling a blast of cold air as once again you are exposed to the cold autumn night air. Of Doctor Choker there is no sign, if he left the building then he must be exceedingly fleet of foot for the nearest corner is a fair enough distance to preclude his having accessed it before you had opened the outside doors.

Momentarily you pause to reassess the situation as you do so you hear the loud report of a pistol from above.

OOC:   Rachel and Peter – At this point you are saying your goodbyes to Professor MacMillan, You are too far away to hear the shot.

In but a moment Jonathan's life flashes before his eyes as he thinks, so this may be it, who would have thought? He cries out as pain rips through his body from the hot lead smashing into his soft flesh.

OOC:   Defense: 6 [dice]0[/dice] 2 Successes

Jonathan –

Hot pain courses through your left arm as the heavy calibre bullet tears its way through soft tissue. Luckily it fails to strike bone thereby causing serious damage.

Take two points of health damage reducing your total health to 4

The damage happens so fast that your mind has barely time to register the fact that you are now bleeding profusely. If anything the realisation that this man has had the temerity to shoot you whilst upon a legitimate enquiry gives spur to your efforts.

The initiative now returns to yourself.
He defended (not necessary as you made 0 successes); His attack was to fire; his action is to re-cock the pistol for the next round.
You may add +1 to your next attack (pure anger, I have made this up)

Nellie is momentarily perplexed; she can't believe that Choker would be out of sight. Hearing the sharp report of a pistol shot from above snaps her out of her consternation; all thoughts about dashing into the street vanish as she realises that Jonathan is probably the target and their would-be assassin was taking more direct steps to carry out his orders.

Flinging the door closed Nellie whirls back to the spiral stair-case and starts to ascend, eyes searching for something she can use as a weapon.

OOC:   Making a perception roll - to see if Nellie can lay her hands on a make-shift weapon. [dice]0[/dice]

Nellie –

The harsh report of the pistol still hanging in the air, Nellie sprints up the stone steps toward the top of the gatehouse. As she begins her dash she is aware of the door to the courtyard opening and the porter, face still red, pushing through. "Oi!!" Magsworthy shouts as the nimble Miss Bly rushes upward.

At the top she spies two wooden doors one marked ‘Store Room...Keep Out!’ the other? Probably the roof of the Chapel.


The door to the store room is partially open and in the depths of its darkened interior Nellie can see the shape of a wooden mop and bucket.

As blood streams down his left arm Jonathan curses aloud and he grimaces in pain. A moment later as the adrenaline courses through his veins and he charges the thug in an attempt to tackle him.

OOC:   Brawl: 5 + 2 (Charge Bonus, pg 110) + 1 (GM Bonus - Rage) = 8 [dice]0[/dice] Total Successes: 5

Nellie pauses to open the storeroom cupboard door wider and snatch up the mop. Then trapping the mop-head between the door and frame, pulls smartly on the handle... once, twice.. then with a loud crack the wood snaps.

Hefting her makeshift spear Nellie approaches the other door, turning the handle, she prepares to step out.

Jonathan –

Teeth gritted against the pain Jonathan focuses his rising anger to throw himself at the gun wielding maniac.

Defense roll 3+1 (SP) -1 (C Mod) =3: 3#1d6 2 3 6 Jonathan beats the defense by 3 success, which beats his strength by 1 so shoves him 5 feet towards the roofs edge. The Conditional modifier I’ve added is for the slipperiness of the roof.

The suddenness and violence of Jonathan’s move turns the charge into a vicious shove which catching the murderous individual by surprise and added to the slope of the tiled roof sends him, arms flailing wildly, sliding towards the roofs edge.

With a scream of horror, which the muffler fails to muffle in the slightest , he releases the pistol, which goes skittering over the edge of the roof, and manages to grab the ancient gutter, a precarious hold given its age.

He swings some seventy feet above the cobbled courtyard. Even at distance Jonathan can see the fear in the would be assassin’s eyes.

“In the name o’ God help me. Dinnae let me fall”

Nellie –

With broken mop handle in hand Nellie lifts the latch to the small door to the Chapel roof. Behind her, his breathing somewhat hard, she hears the heavy tread of Magsworthy following in pursuit.

With a creak of ancient hinges the door swings open, a few hundred feet away she sees two figures in conflict. Suddenly one of the two, a stranger dressed in a long heavy overcoat, staggers back, slips on the tiled roof and slides over the edge, grasping the gutter at the last minute. She hears a scream of terror followed by something shouted in a definite Scottish brogue, “In the name o’ God help me. Dinnae let me fall”

At the same moment, or a moment after, she hears the ominous sound of old cast iron being torn loose, and the wailing villain, his terror increasing dramatically, dropping a few inches as the guttering starts to give way. Behind her she hears a by now familiar shout, “Oi!! Stop where you are Miss” and realises that the indefatigable Magsworthy is but feet behind her...

OOC:   Rachel and Peter – At this point you are making your way across Neville’s Court to the stairs leading up to the Master’s Lodge where you left your companions to interview Doctor Choker.

Jonathan looks in the direction of the man and yells, "You tried to kill me... twice!" Momentarily gripping his left arm, he grunts. Attempting to take his mind off the pain he slowly begins to inch his way down the tiled roof to the dangling Scotsman while saying, "How do I know you will not try it again?"

Relief floods through Nellie as she realises that Jonathan is not the man hanging from the roof. She carefully steps outside, the porter is close but she has no intention of surrendering herself, I will not stop... there are people out here that require our aid, should you not be willing to help at least be so good as to summon a constable, a deadly assult has been attempted and I will see the perpetrator face the law!" Nellie replies, drawing as much authority as she can muster.

Turning her back on the porter she picks her way across the roof, careful to mind where she steps, she sees Jonathan start to move towards their soul be assassin, something is wrong with the way her fellow investigator moves, it looks like he is favouring one arm... he must have been hurt!

Jonathan! Be careful.. she calls.

Jonathan –

Ignoring the pain in his arm, though it burns like fire, Jonathan determinedly starts to move down the roof’s slope toward the assailant. For a brief moment anger banishes any hint of pity for the man’s precarious plight.
To his right, the towers of the Great Gate loom in the darkness, a brief light silhouettes a female form brandishing a spear or something. Nellie, for it can only be she, moves towards you, while behind her a large man, his bulk momentarily blocking the light which spills from the open door which Miss Bly had just come through, steps, gingerly, onto the roof. You hear her voice raised in admonishment to another, then the voice takes on a concerned tone, “Jonathan, be careful”
Then another voice, much deeper, masculine, “Now Miss going onto the Chapel roof is dangerous and forbidden. I suggest you stop now and return...Who’s on the roof?....Hello! What’s happening over there?”

Your question snarled painfully at the dangling Scotsman goes without answer, all you hear is another scream of pure terror as yet more brackets tear loose and the guttering drops another couple of inches.
“In the name o’ God help me, please!!”

You can tell by the whiteness of his grip on the guttering that he is no longer in possession of the firearm, and the terror you can see easily at distance tells you this man is in no position to offer you harm...

Nellie –

You can feel the nearness of the porter, and can tell that if he but extends an arm he will grasp you and halt any further progress along the roof. However your words seem to bring him to an abrupt halt and you know that he can see the dangerously hanging figure who at the moment is poised on the brink of disaster. If the guttering gives way, and from the ominous noises emanating from it that could be at any moment, Then the mysterious assailant faces a long fall to the courtyard some seventy feet below, and given the cobbles such a fall will result in broken bones at the very least.

His voice filled with determination and military precision, Magsworthy pushes past you and half sliding quickly moves toward the figure.
“Quick man, give me your hand before disaster strikes” as he reaches forwards he snarls at the wounded Jonathan, “You man, grasp my ankles for if the guttering gives way then two of us might die tonight”...

Jonathan shifts his attention to Nellie for a moment, flashes a weak smile and says, "I'll be alright." Seeing the man come out onto the roof and call to him, he moves into a place where he can grudgingly offer assistance in rescuing the would be assassin as he snaps, "I'm coming!" Then in a less pained tone he continued, "The Scotsman is an attempted murderer."

Jonathan and Nellie on the Chapel roof -

Between them, despite the obvious pain being displayed by Jonathan, the, relieved but shaking, assailant is safely hauled up onto the roof. For a second his eyes flash with a mixture of relief and gratitude, however it is but momentarily for within an instant the eyes are filled with a look of pure hatred. He whispers something but the thick muffler that covers his mouth renders it incomprehensible.

He makes as if to break free, but quickly realises that the heavily built porter, holds him in a grip of iron, so relaxes slightly, but you can tell from the way his eyes flash left and right that he will not ‘come quietly’.

Magsworthy speaks his deep baritone voice a mixture of confusion and relief, no doubt relief that no one has fallen to their deaths tonight, “Murder? Would someone please explain just what has been going on, and was that a gunshot I heard earlier?”
At this point the pathetic attempt by the assailant to break free draws his attention. He merely tightens his grip, “Now then, it seems you have some explaining to do. So quit your wriggling” ....

OOC:   Rachel and Peter – At this stage you are entering the Master’s Lodge to discover that your companions had departed several minutes earlier. As of yet you have no intimation of the drama that has occured outside.

Jonathan looks from the Scotsman to the porter as he holds his arm and says, "As my friend and I entered the court below this Scottish buffoon attempted to drop the gargoyle on ours heads. Thankfully today was not his lucky day. Seeing him scurrying around up here like a common roof rat set me off in pursuit. Once I confronted him, he had the nerve to shoot me in the arm!" He looks at Nellie, his bloody right hand from holding his left arm, and then back to the porter, "Sir, I'd like to get on solid ground to get this wound wrapped up."

Jonathan and Nellie on the Chapel roof -

The assailant stops his squirming, defeated by the strength of the porter, and stares evilly at Jonathan, “Dropped? ‘t was an accident man, yon stone fell of its own, with nay help from me...Of course I ran when I saw ye coming after me yellin’ about killin’ me. Seems I have a right to defend meself against madmen...Made me lose ma pistol, and it was not a cheap thing t’ buy” The muffler softens the harshness of his accent, but does little to make his words more convincing.

Magsworthy is obviously more than a little doubtful over the offered excuse, “Hmmn, well I’ve been porter here for years since being invalided out of the army, and while I grant you that some of the stonework has faults I’ve yet to see one of the statuary come loose without aid. As to why you were on the roof in the first place, well that’s another question”. The giant porter tightens his grip on the now acquiescent Scot, “I guess we’ll let the police deal with you, attempted murderer or not”

He turns his gaze to the bleeding Jonathan, “Come along with me to the porters office and we’ll get that wound cleaned up. Saw many a lad lose a limb after being hit by a lead bullet in India” .he smiles as if a distant memory has crossed his mind, “As for this one. I’ll send young Stanley after the police”

To Nellie he nods politely, “Now Miss let’s get off this roof, find somewhere warm and have a mug of tea”.

Within minutes Nellie and Jonathan, accompanied by Magsworthy and a somewhat subdued Scotsman are ensconced at the base of the Great Gate in the warmth of the porter’s office. Jonathan’s arm has been expertly treated by Magsworthy who obviously knows what he is doing when it comes to gunshot wounds and both he and Nellie hold large mugs of steaming sweet tea. Magsworthy, true to his word, has gone in search of Stanley, leaving you with the assailant firmly tied to a chair...

Rachel and Peter crossing the courtyard of the Great Court –

Even as you cross the cobblestoned courtyard you have the feeling that all is not well, a nervous itch runs down your spine. In a sudden shaft of moonlight you can see something metallic gleaming near the base of King Edward’s Tower, as you get nearer you can make out the ominous shape of an American Colt .45 pistol, the one the American’s call so quaintly a ‘Peacemaker’. Further towards the main gateway you can see the large frame and bowler hat of the porter you had met earlier that evening and who you are told has keys to the rooms that belong to Edward, from the urgency of his step it would seem that something has occurred.

Feeling extremely relieved that Jonathan doesn't seem to be badly wounded and that the porter, Magsworthy had decided to come down on 'their side' and was being co-operative, Nellie gingerly makes her way back across the roof.

After a while she stands in front of the fire in the porter's office, sipping a large mug of very sweet tea and eyeing their 'prisoner'.

"So then, how long have you been working for Choker?" she asks the restrained man.

Roxborough steps swiftly over and collects up the pistol, looking for signs of where it may have come from, the scuff mark of a boot from the person who may have lost it or an open window above from which it may have been dropped.

Seeing the porter making haste he calls out You there! Mr Magsworthy! Hold still a moment! I would have a word with you about this! he raises the pistol by its barrel so as not to alarm the man.

Jonathan sips some tea from the mug as he waits for the Scotsman to answer Nellie's question.

Rachel also hustles after the porter. "Yes, what is going on here?" she asks. "And have you seen our friends, by any chance?"

Nellie in the porter's office –

The sweet tea, strong of course, settles any nerves you may have been feeling admirably. It is a remedy for all ills that the British excel in.

For several seconds the Scotsman stares at you through narrowed eyes, as if weighing you up, “I dinnae ken what your meanin’...Choker what’s that when it’s at hame?”

OOC:   Apologies for the stereotypical awful attempt at a Scots accent

It seems that the man is either stupid, good at acting, or indeed knows nothing of the name Choker.

Jonathan in the porter's office –

As you wait for the villain to answer it becomes obvious that any fear that he had displayed when dangling above the courtyard, has, in these more comfortable and secure surroundings been replaced by bravado. From the set of his mouth and the arrogance displayed in his eyes, you realise that it will take more than simple questioning to gain answers from this man.

With his answer to Nellie's opening question, it is obvious that he believes that keeping his mouth shut is his best option.

Peter and Rachel in the courtyard –

Magsworthy looks at the pistol displayed by the tall Englishman, “I have no direct knowledge of that...But it may be the one that gentleman you arrived with earlier referred to as having been in the possession of the Scottish fellow at present under watch in the porters office”

Turning to Rachel he gestures over his shoulder towards the towers of the Great Gate, “If by friends you are referring to the bearded fellow and the American lady you arrived with earlier, then you will find them at present ensconced within the porters office following a rather nasty incident on the roof above. Now if you will forgive me I must find young Stanley and have him run and fetch the police”

With a polite nod of the head the porter moves briskly off in the direction from which you had just come towards a gathering crowd which has appeared at the doorway to the stairs of the Masters Lodge. Amongst the crowd you are able to distinghuish several persons that you had been introduced to earlier, including Oswaldtwistle, MacMillan, Choker. With MacMillan stands a younger person who has the appearance of a student rather than a member of the faculty.

"Oh well, if you don't want to be sensible then I suppose we shall just have to turn you over to the constabulary. Nellie says as she puts down her cup.

"Oh look, silly me.." Nellie says brightly laying her hand on the snapped mop shaft "I didn't return this, how forgetful of me.." Nellie turns smartly, letting her arm stretch, with a resounding 'crack' the end of the ex-mop connects with the back of their attackers skull. "Ohh dear me, that was clumsy..." Nellie sneers. "Now where did I put my cup..." Nellie moves in an exaggerated way, almost completing a full circle, the wooden shaft smacks into the 'prisoner's' ear with a meaty thudding sound. "Goodness, this parlour is quite small isn't it Jonathan? Not enough room to swing a cat... one might say. I think I had better buy the University another mop, look this end is very jagged." ssswwwiisshhh Nellie reverses her grip and swing again, this time the broken end stops a couple of inches from the thugs nose.

Nellie levels her gaze, face set "Why did you push that gargoyle ... why shoot my friend?" she says grimly.

Nellie –

The use of the mop handle elicits a howl of pain from the bound prisoner, and your threat of further violence seems to have an effect. First his eyes widen in surprise that such a petite female can stoop to such violent means, then as you halt the jagged end of the handle inches from his face his mouth lips part in a repressed shudder...

To interrogate the assailant I will let you use Investigation -2 as you are unskilled in the area of Intimidation, However I will give you +2 for your 'inventive' use of the broken mop handle. So please roll 6 dice v a df of 3 (you may of course choose to add Style points if you feel the need)

Nellie –

For a moment a hint of fear shows in his eyes. However almost as quick as you can blink it is replaced with a gaze of pure hatred as his mouth retakes its fierce set. He blinks away the pain from where you had struck him,
“I have nothin’ for ye. Ye’ll nae find oot from me! Anyway, it’ll all be over in a couple o’ days!”

You may try once more at a -2 penalty, or wait and see what Jonathan can do

Jonathan smiles approvingly at Nellie's tactics. However, upon seeing the stubbornness of the Scotsman he sits his cup aside, stands up, and in an exaggerated fashion cracks his knuckles, followed by his neck before saying, "As an explorer I'm a traveled man, and I know many things. Tell me... have you ever heard of what the Japanese call kyusho jitsu? In English it's called the Death Touch." Jonathan moves a little closer to his assailant. "When executed correctly kyusho jitsu can lead to a delayed death — meaning that if I simply pinch the right spot you will find yourself suffering from organ failure and then sudden death in a day or two." Looking at Nellie, then back to the bound man. "The best part is that unlike your foolish attempt, I will kill you... and no one will know." Jonathan smiles at the man and lays his hand on the thug's shoulder with a light grip. "So, shall we begin?"

"Thank you," says Rachel as Magsworthy hurries off. "We'll need a word with you later, when you're no longer busy." She nods to Lord Roxborough. "Let's go join the others." She leads the way to the porter's office.

OOC,Didn't [b]Nellie[/b] succeed? It was a DF of 3, and there were three successes.

Mr. Handy wrote: OOC,Didn't Nellie succeed? It was a DF of 3, and there were three successes.

OOC:   She did, it is the number of successes that controls the quality of the successes. She had 3 successes which make a 'minor success (0+)', it is then up to the character to decide if the information recieved is of use. Hence, "the more successes the better"

Jonathan –

OOC:   Firstly apologies I completely missed your post. My bad.

The Scotsman shudders slightly but remains tight lipped. It appears that he would rather face death than reveal anything else.


Like Nellie you have no Intimidation skill. However I will allow you to use Investigation -2 with a +2 for your robust use of threat. This gives you 5dice versus a df3 (average 2+). Sadly you have no Style Points, Therefore the best you could achieve is 3 successes (the same as Nellie’s earlier attempt).

Without any warning the door to the porter’s office swings open to reveal Mrs Steele accompanied by the famous hunter Lord Roxborough. Now all four of you are reunited within the warm confines of the porter;s office, along with a rather distresses looking prisoner.

"Oh there you are" Nellie chirps as the other pair of investigators arrives, "Jonathan, hold the fort for a minute or two, if you would be so kind. You two, come with me." Leading Roxy and Rachel back out of the office, closing the door and in low tones explains what had transpired.

".. and so the villain remains tight lipped; apart from his very cryptic 'it will all be over in a few days' comment. I don't think there's a lot of time to apply more pressure before the police arrive. So I propose a little ruse.."

OOC:   Nellie proposes that they stop trying to get any info... and instead inform the constable (or who ever arrives to take custody) and in full hearing of the group congregating outside that the prisoner has been very helpful and has agreed to give a full confession to Inspector {can't remember the name of the Inspector from the previous game} of Scotland Yard, who will be coming up in the morning... then we stake out the police station on the basis that the Scotsman's 'friends' will come to break him out or silence him. Nellie will whisper the plan to Jonathan (if agreed) once the trio re-enter the office.

OOC:   The Inspector, was of course, Inspector Nettles.

"Yes, an excellent plan," Rachel whispers back, "but I have something I'd like to try first. We can bluff and claim that Professor Choker is being interrogated, and that he is putting all the blame on MacPherson to save himself. Hopefully that will get a reaction from him and get him to blame Choker as the real mastermind, plus he'll distrust Choker's agents when they come for him. I'm hoping we can convince him that he'll never prevail with his word against a professor, and that the only way he can prove his innocence is to produce another witness - like Edward Ponsonby. Then he might tell us where he took him in his cab two days ago."

OOC,He'd only have a maximum of three successes if he takes the average. If he rolls, there's a small chance he'll get four or five.

OOC:   Excellent point Mr H, as you say Jonathan might make a potential 5 successes if he rolls. If he chooses too then roll away

OOC:   Rachel and Nellie – Good plan worth a try. For such a clever plan I will award Rachel and Nellie a Style Point, which you may combine help gain successes. So for example if Nellie uses her Con (3) + her Attractive Talent bonus +1 and adds the shared Style points +2 she will have 6 dice, plus any of her own Style points she spends, on the success of the plan. You can also get Rachel, Peter, and Jonathan to add style points if they have them However, you might like to await the outcome of Jonathan’s roll, should he choose to make one. Sharing Style Points (Pg104) Style points always belong to the player character that earned them. They may never be given away or traded to another character. However, you may spend Style points on behalf of another character, such as an Ally or Follower. Your character must do something to explain the expenditure, such as say a few words of encouragement or give the recipient helping hand. A shove or shouted warning are often enough to give another character some bonus dice on her Defense roll, for example.

After Nellie walks out with their two other companions, Jonathan smiles at the prisoner and squeezes the man's shoulder a bit more before saying, "Last chance."

OOC:   My apologies for the delay gang. [dice]0[/dice]

Jonathan –

OOC:   The fault was all mine, first I missed your post, and then assumed you would fail the roll...Rule 1: Never assume!

Despite the obvious pain, which causes his brow to furrow, his eyes to water, and his breathing to become short gasps, the Scotsman, possibly showing more bravado than sense, grits his teeth and snarls,
“They’ll get me off, ye’ll see! Soon I’ll have friends in high places—the highest places of all!”
Four successes versus df3 = simple success +1. Nice!

Although you see him wince with the pain you are inflicting, it is apparent that he does not believe your talk of Japanese death grips, although in the midst of a defiant smile he does pass out.

Nellie, Rachel and Peter –

The three of you re-enter the room just before the Scotsman passes out, possibly from the strange pinching technique that Jonathan has applied to his shoulder. As you entered you had heard the words spoken.
“They’ll get me off, ye’ll see! Soon I’ll have friends in high places—the highest places of all!”

OOC:   As M H says; Teamwork (pg32) In some situations, characters may work together to complete a project. Each character must have an applicable Skill rating of 4 or higher. The character with the highest Skill rating makes the roll with +2 bonus dice for each person assisting him (maximum of +10 bonus dice). If three characters are trying to fix a damaged steam engine, and your character has Mechanics 5 and the other two characters have Mechanics 4, you would roll 9 dice for your Skill roll (5 dice for your Mechanics rating with +4 dice for your two assistants).

As his friends walk back into the room Jonathan releases his grip on the man's shoulder and says, "Don't worry... contrary to what I told him I didn't hurt him." He then steps back and quietly grunts from the pain in his arm as he pulls out his pipe. Without thought he begins to clean out the bowl while saying, "The Scot said he has friends in high places who will help him. Wonder who that could be?" After posing the question Jonathan refills the pipe in preparation for a nice smoke. As he surveys his associates he strikes a match and proceeds to light the freshly packed tobacco pipe.

"Actually, what he said was that soon he'd have friends in the highest of places," says Rachel, "implying that they aren't in those places yet. That can only mean that his 'friends' intend to take control of the British Empire! There is no greater power on Earth than that. It seems we've stumbled upon a vast conspiracy, and we have little time in which to unravel it. However, Nellie and I have some ideas for how we can get him to talk and progress further." She whispers their ideas into Jonathan's ear in case their prisoner is only shamming - that's what she would have done in his place. "See if you can wake him up."

"Ah yes, quite right... so I misheard. Good ear Mrs. Steele." Jonathan puffs on his pipe as Rachel shares the idea with him. Once she finishes he walks back over to the Scotsman. Clenching the pipe in his teeth he visually looks the man over. As he does he reaches out to check the thug's pulse, listen to his breathing, and even touches his flesh seeing if it's hot, cool, or clammy. Jonathan does all this in an attempt to ascertain not only if the man is faking his unconsciousness, but what caused him to pass out if he truly did. After a moment - assuming the man doesn't stir - Jonathan slaps the fellow squarely on the cheek with the back of his right hand.

OOC:   Medicine (First Aid): 5 [dice]0[/dice]

Jonathan –

Using your knowledge of medicine, it takes but a cursory examination of a few moments to ascertain that the Scotsman has simply fainted. A quick slap of his face soon brings him to consciousness.
“Swine, ye’ll pay for that” he spits, the hatred obvious from his tone, “Mhà thu a 'lobhadh ann an ifrinn!!” . Whatever he said you guess it wasn’t polite, Lord Roxborough nods and grins as if in understanding.

Rachel, Nellie and Peter –

Before either of the ladies can reach into their bags for smelling salts, Jonathan has the Scotsman awake and snarling. He gazes towards you in contempt, “Och, maybe the wee lassies can succeed where you men cannot”...

"Says the man who fainted," says Rachel. "Your so-called friends have deserted you, Mr. MacPherson. Right now Professor Choker is being questioned, and he has identified and accused you in an effort to save himself." She steps aside to let Nellie take the lead.

OOC,I'll be assisting [b]Nellie[/b] on her Con roll, so she gets two extra dice for my help, plus I'll also contribute a Style point. That gives her 10 dice right now, which means we can take the average and get five successes. We might want to add in a couple more Style points to make it an even dozen, so we can get six successes automatically. I think I recall there being some special benefit for beating the DF by 3.

Mr H,I think you are referring to degrees of success. In this case the more successes the more information that may be forthcoming (pg102). In other actions, such as combat or physical actions, the greater the number of successes the better the result, for example instead of a hit from being shot the enemy gets his arm blown off, a character leaping across a yawning chasm doesn’t simply make it he/she lands, rolls and leaps to their feet ready for action.

[/color]

Rachel -

Rachel’s words seem to produce an electrical effect on the Scotsman. For a moment the defiant look in his eye is replaced by one of confusion and fear,
“I dinnae ken. What do ye mean?”

Nellie steps forward, smiling as she hears the Scotsman's words, hoping that they had finally found the key to reversing his resolute silence.

"Oh, it is quite simple, a certain type of 'gentleman' will always seek to blame others and weasel his way out of taking the punishment that they deserve.. saving their own skin .. or rather saving themselves from a short drop." with that Nellie pantomimes being hung by the neck, head lolling to one side, tongue out and eyes wide. "Your only hope now is to come clean, you know that his type cannot be trusted I bet he does not 'get his hands dirty' .." Nellie does not specify who 'his type' refers too, she needs to lay it on thick and fast, sowing doubt is the only way to get information now. "Face facts, the game is up and your 'comrades' are leaving you to take the blame; with their fancy words and 'connections'... you've been dropped right in it! You my friend are what is known as expendable."

Nellie puts on a sad face "Such a shame, I don't suppose there is anything you could tell us to save yourself, not after he finishes 'spilling his guts' to Inspector Nettles." Nellie cocks an eyebrow, inviting comment.

OOC:   I'll spend a style point ... would be helpful if 'Roxy' would too 'standing menacingly... harrumphing etc. (getting 12 dice and taking the average). I still think we can 'lure them out' by loudly telling the police that come to take the Scotsman away that "Oh yes.. he's been quite helpful, I am sure that Inspector Nettles will get to the bottom of things when he arrives in the morning.."

Nellie (et al) –

As Nellie unleashes her words, smiling coquettishly all the while, the Scotsman’s eyes widen at first with surprise then with a dawning sense of horror. The next few seconds are filled with strange inarticulate sounds, most of which seem to be coming from the prisoner but some from the stomach of his Lordship.

It would appear that Nellie’s words have had the desired effect as the Scotsman, with an almost pleading look in his eye, says, “Are they now, willing to sacrifice Rab are they? No doubt for the common good. Well we shall see about that...Ask away lassie I’ll answer your questions”
3+ successes = Major Success

In the silence that follows the Scotsman’s words a small sound is heard from outside the office door, the creak of a floorboard perhaps...

"Will you gentlemen please carefully see who's at the door?" whispers Rachel to Peter and Jonathan. She then addresses MacPherson. "You can start by telling us where you took Edward Ponsonby in your brougham from the train station two days ago at five o'clock."

Rachel –

McPherson gazes at you for a moment or two as if weighing up his options, “And if I were to admit to knowin’ this Ponsonby and to have conveyed him somewhere in me Brougham and tell it you, what would I be expectin’ in return?”

From the gleam in his eye it is obvious that he expects to barter information for consideration.

As he speaks again you hear the slight creak of floorboards from without, as if someone was surreptitiously shifting their weight...

"It's in your own interests for Edward Ponsonby to be located," says Rachel. "As things stand, the authorities are not going to take your word over that of someone prominent. However, if you had a witness to back up your account, someone who could prove that you were being given orders from above, things will go much easier for you - and much harder for those who betrayed you. Edward Ponsonby can be that witness."

Hearing the creak of the floorboards Jonathan looks from Rachel, to the door, and finally to Roxborough. Nodding at Peter and sitting his pipe down, he cautiously begins to move towards the door.

Jonathan –

With infinite caution and the stealth of a cat, Jonathan mods the door of the office. Luckily Peter, other than a wry smile and a nod of encouragement, stands his ground for his manly girth would preclude him from the art of ‘creeping up’.

Having reached the obstacle Jonathan reaches out and takes hold of the handle. Then with speed and suddenness he whips the door open to reveal a young man, well dressed, fashionably for a student, with a bright shock of yellow hair, eyes widening at the sudden door opening and face turning red with the embarrassment of a small child discovered lurking outside a private door.
“I...Ah. My name is Carruthers...Archie Carruthers, I am a friend of Edward and was wondering if you had any information as to his whereabouts?...Forgive my bad manners, listening at keyholes, old chap, but from the sound things were getting rather hot inside, and the others said something about guns and people getting shot”

Rachel –

You can tell from his face that McPherson is considering your words, “Aye ye might be right. So if I was to tell you the whereabouts of this Ponsonby, ye would put in a good word for me?”

For a few seconds he falls silent as the activity in the doorway pulls attention, then,
“Ye’ll find him at Choker’s place. They’ve got the laddie locked up in the cellar. He couldn’t handle what we foond or what we’re gaen’tae do!”

"Thank you, Mr. MacPherson, you're being most helpful," says Rachel. "We'll put in a good word for you. What did you find, and what exactly is it your erstwhile friends are going to do? I gather it has something to do with the overthrow of the British Empire, but what does the plan involve?"

Nellie follows Jonathan and steps out onto the corridor taking Archie by the arm and gently moving him away from the doorway. "Listening at key-holes is a bad habit and not something to be encouraged." she says moving him out of earshot of Rachel's interrogation.

"Now... Archie, I know you are friends with Edward my friends and I have been engaged to locate your friend and as you have just heard we have made some progress, you really should not 'eavesdrop' you know." she smiles "We learned from Professor MacMillan that Edward was 'sent down' because Dr. Choker accused him of 'breaking into private rooms'.... do you know what it was that Edward did, or why.. or where?" she asks.

Nellie –

At your question, Carruthers pales slightly and glances nervously up the short corridor towards the main entrance as if worried that someone might be listening.
“Yes, sent down....No Edward was not the type to do anything ‘dishonourable’ that was simply the term that Dr Choker chose to use in his accusation. As to his ‘breaking into private rooms’ again it would not be the thing Edward would do. Whatever he did obviously upset the doctor enough for him to report Edward”

He pauses, his face slowly returning to a normality of colour, assured that he can see no eavesdropper he continues, “Of course he had gotten himself mixed up with some odd ideas being expounded by some Russian chap. Not that Marx chappie, another one, there are so many all expounding similar socialist claptrap and revolution”

He swallows nervously, and again glances towards the main entrance to the University as if expecting someone to arrive at any moment, “Recently Edward had been keeping the company of some foreigner, not a froggie, some other, more sinister type. They would often go punting at night, which I felt an odd thing to do. And it was at about this time that Edward started to act in a suspicious manner...you know locked drawers and furtive movements”

As he finishes speaking the doors to the courtyard open and several figures enter the corridor, two you recognise. Oswaldtwistle and one of the masters you had seen earlier at dinner, MacMillan you think he was called, the third a tall hook nosed figure in a worn overcoat has the distinct look of a policeman.
“Ah” says Carruthers, obvious relief in his voice, he whispers, “Very often the two would be seen in the company of Dr Choker behaving like best friends”...

Rachel –

McPherson looks up, some of the familiar defiance returning to his gaze, “Nay, I’ll be saying no more. It’d be more than ma life is worth”

"You don't seem to realize what will happen if your former friends succeed at their plans, Mr. MacPherson," says Rachel. "They will know that you have helped us, even if only in a limited fashion, and endangered their plot at its most critical stage. They will take their revenge, and your life will already be forfeit. Your only chance is if we thwart them. To have the best chance at that, we will need to know everything."

Rachel –

McPherson shakes his head a mixture of defiance and fear upon his face, even the considerable presence of Roxborough and the angry looking Hornsbee fails to dent his determination, “No hen, ye’ll no get anymore oot of Rab. I’ll take ma chances wi’ the police, not that it’ll matter after the smoke clears things will be different ye’ll see”

Nellie –

Eyes following the nervous glance of young Carruthers towards the figures advancing from the entrance. Nellie grips the young man’s arm, “This ‘foreigner’ do you have a name?”

In answer to the question the master introduced earlier as Professor MacMillan, “He probably means the young Russian researcher Narodnikov. I told your colleagues earlier about him”

"We shall stop them, with or without any further help from you," says Rachel. "I think what you've already told us will give us enough to go on, and we will make sure the appropriate parties know of your help."

Jonathan reaches back and snatches up his pipe from its resting place before returning to the corridor where Nellie and young Carruthers were standing.

"Try not to worry" Nellie says reassuringly, "We shall find Edward." Nellie smiles at Carruthers.

"Narodnikov ... and does that 'gentleman' walk with a slight limp?" she asks.

Nellie and Jonathan in the corridor outside the porter's office –

At your question MacMillan gazes at you, his rosy visage taking on an air of sternness, “Aye”, he speaks in a slight Scottish accent, ”Aye, he does at that. A wee limp and a slightly stiff arm, a result of some accident or another”

At MacMillan’s words, Carruthers nods his head animatedly, “Now I think on it the foreign johnny did have a slight limp, sometimes more pronounced than others. And he did tend to keep his left hand gloved and seemingly mostly thrust into a pocket of that raggedy long overcoat he wore” he pauses and swallows nervously, “All added to the air of something altogether sinister he exuded, don’t ya know”

MacMillan nods toward the emerging Jonathan, in particular the bloodstained sleeve of his jacket, “So you will have been the one shot by our villain? Looks nasty, here have a wee dram o’ this, it will help wi’ the pain” he holds an ornate looking hip flask towards Jonathan. “I am told that the prisoner is none other than the McPherson who drives for Choker. Strange that Choker didn’t mention that when I spoke to him a few minutes ago”...

Jonathan nods an affirmative to MacMillan and says, "Yes, thankfully it's but a flesh wound." He reaches out for the flash and takes a swig before continuing, "That is strange, but then again if Choker told the guy to deter us it would make sense that he is trying to distances himself... after all, the attempt was foiled." He hands the flask back to MacMillan.

Jonathan and Nellie in the corridor, Rachel and Peter in the office –

MacMillan takes back the flask, absent mindedly swirling the contents as if to gauge the quantity, “Aye as you say laddie, ‘Strange’ perhaps he did not know. Still thankfully the vicious swine, McPherson, failed to do any real harm” .

Mid speech a rather untidily dressed, hook nosed individual whose manner screams police, pushes rudely past into the room, “Ahem, Harcourt of the Cambridge police” he announces as a way of introduction, “I believe you have an attempted murderer here?” He looks around the room his eyes alighting on the still bound McPherson, “Ahem, this must be he the man who likes to play with guns. If you will forgive me Madam and Sir, this man is now in the custody of the Cambridge Police and I ask you to vacate this room so that me and my men can take the prisoner into custody” He nods politely to Rachel and Peter before moving across the room to McPherson, “Right my lad....”

OOC:   At this point each of you may have 2 style points each for this part of the story. Jonathan may have an extra point for the rooftop pursuit. Rachel may also have an extra point for regularity of posts. So, according to my calculations, that gives at this point; Nellie - 6 SP Peter - 6 SP Jonathan - 4 SP Rachel - 6 SP

Nellie steps aside as policeman pushes past, obviously keen to take charge of the prisoner. "It appears that the local constabulary are here to take charge..." Nellie says looking on as the dishevelled man passes into the Porters Office, "Goodness, it looks like our summons may have caught the good-man after he had taken to bed." she adds, a reference to his rudeness and untidy dress.

Nellie turns her attention back to to MacMillan and Carruthers "That is very interesting, thank you both for your help." Nellie replies before addressing Jonathan "So, 'the plot thickens', at least our next step is clear, we must hasten to Dr. Choker's residence." she pauses, "Ohh... Professor MacMillan, can you tell me where Dr. Choker's lodgings are?" Nellie asks, realising that she didn't have that information.

Nellie (6 SP) –

The attention of both MacMillan and Carruthers has been drawn to the interior of the room as Harcourt makes his way over to the prisoner, but the professor glances towards Nellie, “Why he has rooms here in the university as do all faculty, his are situated over in Neville’s Court close to my own” with a singular motion he produces a rather fine looking pocket watch and flicks it open, “However I would imagine that he may have returned to his house out on the fens. Charming place, although a little to isolated for my tastes...Called, unimaginatively, Fen House” His forehead wrinkles slightly in thought, “Though if his driver, McPherson, is here I can’t see how he would be travelling at this hour”

Even better, if he's not at home, thinks Rachel. "All the same, it would be good to know how to get there," she says. "The prisoner is all yours, Mr. Harcourt. He has been cooperative, up to a point."

Rachel (6 SP) –

Exiting the porter’s office she raises her voice to MacMillan and the inspector. Loud enough for all to hear, especially the part about McPherson being cooperative.
MacMillan looks from Nellie to Rachel noting her ever present shadow, Lord Roxborough, who has maintained his silence throughout.
“My dear lady, surely you do not mean to visit Doctor Choker at this hour? However ‘Fen House’ is simple to find it is about two miles north of Cambridge, on the Ely road, if it can be described as such....If you do intend to travel it at night may I suggest you hire a local coachman as the fens can be a most treacherous beast to the uninitiated”.

From behind, within the confines of the Porter’s office she overhears the inspector, “Right my lad... Perhaps you’d like to tell me why you would want to attack a total stranger, or have you and Mr Hornbee met before?”

In answer comes the harsh Scots accent, “Awa’ wi’ ye copper. As always ye are to late”

Nellie turns to Oswaldtwistle "Mr Oswaldtwistle, would you be so kind as to 'flag down' a cab for my companions and I? I fear our evening has only just started and the sooner we set out.... well, time is definitely of the essence." she half turns, pondering the half open door to the Porter's office. "I had better arrange with the 'good Inspector' a suitable time for Jonathan and I to give our statements."

OOC:   Nellie will inform Harcourt that she and Jonathan will give their statements tomorrow morning.

"Yes, we'd best go as soon as possible," says Rachel. She has always been a night person, and darkness is her friend for what she knows is coming next. She is up for a spot of larceny, which will no doubt be necessary to rescue Edward Ponsonby. A disguise might be in order too, she thinks. I could borrow one of Laura's spare maid outfits. It might not pass close inspection if I encounter any of Choker's servants, but they may be fooled if I'm seen at a distance. Best not to be seen in the first place, though.

Papa Gateau wrote:

OOC:   Unless necessary for me to go to the Police station I will join others at Dr Chokers fen house Also - is it worthwhile checking Ponsoby's room before we go - or is time of the essence?

OOC:   Okay Papa G goes too. If you would like to investigate Ponsonby's room before you go it will take some time for a cab to be summoned. Currently Peter is standing in the corridor outside the porter's office with the others, you know where his room is situated and where the key may be obtained.

Nellie, Rachel, Jonathan and Peter in the corridor outside the Porter's office -

As you all discuss your next move, Peter spies the military bearing of the head porter, Magsworthy, heading towards the group. From his expression it is apparent that his conduct in the preceding affair has been under recent scrutiny.

With a stride that speaks of long years of marching he approaches, and to Peter’s mind all he is missing is the sergeant-majors swagger stick. From his bristling ‘mutton-chop’, shot through with wisps of grey, to the neatly pressed uniform of a university porter, Magsworthy epitomises the military bearing that has made the Army of Her Imperial Majesty renowned throughout the world, both civilised and uncivilised alike.

Recalling the earlier conversation with Professor MacMillan, Peter smiles, “Ah my good Magsworthy. We, my associates and I, would very much like to take a look at young Edward Ponsonby’s room, to see if he has left something which may shed further light upon his disappearance. I am assured, by Professor MacMillan that you are in possession of the necessary key”

For a brief moment Magsworthy stares at the famed hunter, as if assessing his worth. Then with a curt nod, he produces a ring filled with keys of various sizes and shapes, “This one sir, is the fellow that you require. I would ask that you treat the lock with respect to its age” He hands Peter the keys...

Rachel waits for Peter to unlock the door, though she would have been perfectly capable of picking the lock. I'll save that for Fen House, she thinks. Fitting that a man named Peter receives the keys. They're not for the gates of Heaven, though, just the dorms. Still, we may find something important within.

Accompanied by a concerned, if nervous, Carruthers and the eagle eyed Magsworthy, the room that belongs to Edward Ponsonby is easily located, it being in the same corridor as that of Archie Carruthers (2 on the map), merely several doors along.

Once opened, the well appointed suite of rooms, sufficient to the requirements of a well connected young man, seem surprisingly well ordered for a student. However this, Magsworthy is quick to point out, is largely due to the services of Mrs Hawkstone, a local char lady who is employed by several of the students in this building.

The rooms, both sitting and bedroom, show, in furnishing and the abundance of ‘nicknaks’, the unmistakeable mark of a mothers hand. There is a small, neatly tidied, desk upon which several books show the focus of his studies. One appears to be about general archaeological techniques and locations of merit, another is a more focussed study on recent discoveries in Eastern Europe, while a third, a rather slim volume, is filled with the poetry of Byron. There are, of course, papers that show his work on topics of current study, but none of these seem to be of any interest.

Near the small window that overlooks the courtyard of the ‘Great Court’ a bookcase is stuffed with books, papers, and journals. For the most part more text books or books of poetry by the so called Romantics of earlier years. Several of the larger volumes appear to be English translations of the modern Russian authors Dostoevsky and Tolstoy ...

OOC:   Please make a Perception check df2

Rachel begins a methodical search of the room, paying particular attention to the desk drawers and checking under the mattress. "I wonder why professors seem to turn villainous so often," she says. "First Moriarty, and now Choker."

OOC,Perception roll (5 dice) in [b]Ponsonby[/b]'s room: [dice]0[/dice]

Nellie pauses for a few moments to study the room, trying to gauge if anything looks odd or out of place.

Perception roll,[dice]0[/dice]

Rachel and Nellie searching the room -

Carefully folded and secreted within the pages of the volume of Tolstoy’s works you notice a cheaply created pamphlet. Obviously a poor print of something mass produced on a cheap and almost amateurish printing press the pamphlet written in Russian and covered with hand written English annotations, by a hand that bears a striking similarity to that on the pages of course work lying on the desk. It bears a printed heading in Russian, ‘Частая причина’ (The Common Cause), beneath which the name Narodnikov has been printed, at the foot of the pamphlet the name of the printers is stamped, 'The Russian Free press, London’.

OOC:   I cannot find Languages anywhere in the CRB so I will wave my hand and “Lo” you can speak and read Russian. The pamphlet translates thus; Entitled The Common Cause, it discusses the philosophy of a radical Russian thinker named Nikolai Fyodorov, who believes that human beings must take charge of evolution and “transcend” their human forms. The pamphlet asserts that death itself can be overcome by science, and that this endeavor will one day unite all humankind in a single “common cause.” The pamphlet mentions such outré concepts as prosthetic limbs, engineering the human form, harnessing the energy of the sun and the weather, populating the reaches of space, and eventually achieving immortality. It declares that modern society is destroying the Earth, wasting the potential of millions of human beings, and that human endeavour should aim to restore the vitality of the lost Garden of Eden on Earth. It finally proposes that the Russian and British Empires should set aside their differences and unite to find the lost Garden and usher in a new golden age!

Other than the pamphlet the furnishings and nicknacks look merely decorative or functional, around the walls are several watercolours mostly showing sentimental or social themes there are however four that either Jonathan or the almost unnoticeable Peter might recognise. They seem to depict rivers situated in clearly remote areas....

OOC:   Jonathan or Peter – Please make survival checks (df1) to identify the pictures. Or, Nellie or Rachel Investigation (df3)

Nellie takes a few moments to study the pamphlet, "Interesting, if rather 'outre' ideas, something that Klevendon might have been able to make more of if he had not departed on his expedition." she hands the pamphlet to whom ever wants to read it next. "I suppose this definitely links Narodnikov... could Edward have discovered a Russian plot?" she muses.

As Jonathan studies over the paintings he can't help but recognize some of the locations. "Ah... very nice." He takes a puff from his pipe before turning it around in his hand and pointing the stem at the painting.

OOC:   Survival - 6 [dice]0[/dice] 3 Successes!

Rachel also takes a look at the pictures. "Yes, I see what you mean," she says. "I think I know where some of these places are."

OOC,Investigation roll (5 dice) examining the pictures: [dice]0[/dice]

Nellie and Rachel (6 SP each) –

Although the annotations are scribbled in a barely readable hand, you can easily note that the name Narodnikov has been heavily underscored several times and the name Choker has been scrawled in the left hand margin of the revers side.

All (Peter 6 SP Jonathan 4 SP) -

“Ha!” cries Jonathan in midst pipe twirl, “These pictures show the following rivers, the Indus, Oxus, Helmend, and Gaxartes” he looks around at the other noting from the nod of Rachel’s head that she too has recognized them. He continues, “Hmm, all four rivers rise in Central Asia, in a mountain range called the Pamirs”

For the next few seconds he sucks the stem of his pipe, thoughtfully, “I wonder if there is a connection here between the outrageous ideas expressed by this Fyodorov fellow and these paintings. For it is widely held that the Garden of Eden contained the source for each of these mighty rivers...”

Obviously enthused, Nellie interrupts the explorers musing, “I seem to recall the name Fyodorov being spoken of several weeks ago in London. If I am right, he was giving a series of lectures to the royal society in the hope of raising money to finance his expedition to somewhere in Central Asia”

"Yes, Edgar once went on an expedition to the region," says Rachel wistfully. "He brought back photographs that he showed me. That's why it looked so familiar. He never found anything like Fyodorov described, though. According to MacPherson, Choker, Narodnikov, and whoever else is in this with them found something. Perhaps some sort of artifact was unearthed in Central Asia that is the linchpin of their plot. Edward would know more, as MacPherson said he wouldn't go along with their plans once he learned what they had found and what they intended to do."

"Whatever the plot, I think it is imperative that we rescue poor Edward his life must now be in danger!"

"Quite," agrees Rachel. "As soon as our cab arrives, we must be off to Fen House. There's not a moment to lose!"

By the time you have finished with Ponsonby's room a messenger informs you that your cab is waiting outside the main gate.

As you make your way to the waiting cab you notice another Brougham some distance away it looks unatended.

Jonathan follows behind the two women, his mind racing with not only thoughts of what may have been discovered, but also the more pressing matter of what happened to Edward. Upon spotting the unattended Brougham he says, "Ladies, are you sure this is our cab? Perhaps ours is that one up there." He motions in the direction of the carriage a little ways off.

"I suggest we hire both cabs," says Rachel. "Otherwise, Choker could take whichever one we don't."

As you approach a recognisable cab, the driver alights to open the door. Even with his muffler wrapped around his lower face you are easily able to recognise Alf Milsom, the cabbie you had met earlier,
“Evening Ladies, Gents” he removes his hat in a polite and respectful manner, “I received an request for a cab to carry a party of four. Two gents and two ladies, I figured it was you”

Holding the door to the cab he nods towards the unattended Brougham, “Looks like the one McPherson drives. What’s it doing here, empty? Not like that rascal to leave it unattended”

As he speaks one of the two horses attached to the brougham makes a low whinnying noise and moves slightly, though the reins have been securely tied to a drainpipe, so as not to allow the horses to wander off.
“Hmm, strange. Anyways, where to?”

"Someone should quietly release the horses to ensure Choker cannot follow," Rachel suggests to her companions. Then she approaches Alf, both to speak to him and to divert his attention from the other cab. "Thank you. We are bound for Fen House. As for that rascal MacPherson, he has just been arrested."

Nellie sidles up to the other cab, her suspicion that it must belong to McPherson proved true. Seeing that the horses are secured by their reins Nellie decides that freeing them could be dangerous, she doesn't want to be responsible for the horse's getting spooked and injuring themselves or trampling some bystander.

Making a soft 'clucking' sound she pats the nearest horse on its muscled neck, "Shh, shhh it's alright.." she says softly. Fishing about in her purse she pulls out her many bladed penknife, and sets about carefully cutting the traces so that the horse's will not be able to pull the 'brougham'.

Jonathan sticks with Rachel in an effort to keep the cabbie's attention on them and not Nellie.