Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings

[SunlessNick]

William turns his attention to the far wall, to determine whether it may prove easier to get through than its counterpart in the other room.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus and Doctor North find nothing of interest within the room, save what is obvious: The fact that several creatures have been encased within these prisons of silk, and, later, their body fluids sucked out through small holes, to indulge the voracious appetite of the deceased monster. It may be of some comfort to discover that none of these unfortunate victims were either human or feline in nature, save for the rescued heir, who now exists, barely alive, in a weakened state akin to one who has partaken overly of that dream-inducing substance of the Orient, derived from the seemingly innocent poppy.

Meanwhile, William explores the wall of the room, with a true soldier's eye for camouflage and concealment.

Spoiler:

wis = 10[dice]0[/dice]

His fingers detect a subtle gap between two panels of the wall, not evident to casual examination. It appears that inserting a thin, hard object, such as the blade of a knife, would cause these to move apart in such a way as to allow ingress to the room hidden behind them.

[jp1885]

OOC:   Did Lepus find anything of interest upon Harold's person, or his stick?

[Mr. Handy]

"Well spotted," says Henry. "Shall we proceed?" He makes sure Harold is as comfortable as possible and has the best possible chance for survival.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

OOC:   Did Lepus find anything of interest upon Harold's person, or his stick?

Close examination of the person of the distressed young heir does not reveal anything out of the ordinary, save for its reduced size. In particular, the diminution of his curious walking stick renders the peculiar symbols carved upon it smaller than human eye can study in any detail.

[SunlessNick]

"Indeed, your Lordship," says William.

[jp1885]

After fruitlessly squinting at the walking stick, Lepus follows the others through the secret portal.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Beyond the panel, dimly illuminated by the candles the adventurers carry, is a small room, furnished simply, with a single desk and chair of plain design, damaged to such an extent that they would not normally be found in as fine a house as Highdark Hall. Upon the desk there is a pot of ink and a few quills, not of the finest quality, but serviceable, and a thick stack of papers of common make. In a dark corner of the room can barely be seen a pile of books, stacked randomly upon one another, as if cast aside when no longer needed.

[jp1885]

"Let us hope we can find some answers here, hm?"

Lepus peers around the room and decides to inspect the books first.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry looks through the papers on the desk to see if anything is written on them and searches the drawers.

[SunlessNick]

William examines the walls for other exits (presumably there is the door that leads into Miss Ravenscroft's laboratory?).

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Let us hope we can find some answers here, hm?"

Lepus peers around the room and decides to inspect the books first.

Spoiler:

WIS = 18 + 1 esoteric knowledge[dice]0[/dice]

The volumes prove to be a hodgepodge of obscure poetry and bewildering grimoires, in a variety of languages, as if they came from Babel itself. Making sense out of any of it would require not only arduous tasks of translation and interpretation, but a strong will to overcome the feeling of revulsion which results from even the slight hint of their contents provided by those portions inscribed in gutter English.

With his innate grasp of the arcane, Lepus is particularly drawn to what appears to be book of obscene and blasphemous sonnets, written in a barely legible hand with many misspellings and foreign interpolations, which purports to have been composed by Satan.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry looks through the papers on the desk to see if anything is written on them and searches the drawers.

Spoiler:

wis = 11[dice]0[/dice]

As far as one can tell, the papers are no more than the random scribblings of a disordered mind, without a trace of sense to them.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William examines the walls for other exits (presumably there is the door that leads into Miss Ravenscroft's laboratory?).

Spoiler:

WIS = 10[dice]0[/dice]

After close examination of the wall between this room and the hidden laboratory, it appears that there is no direct way to move between them; however, William's experience with the tricks of spies, so often vital to the success of battle, enable him to discover a peephole invisible to all but the most discerning eye, which would allow one within this room to peer into that of Miss Ravenscroft.

[jp1885]

Hissing, Lepus steps back from the bookcase.

"Psht! Evil things these be! Fit for nothing but burning!"

He turns to see Henry scatching his head over the papers.

"Whoever owns these bad books be an evil one. 'twould be a useful thing to discover who 'tis - mayhap the handwriting can tell us, yesno?"

He budges his companion aside and looks through the papers himself, not only to try to decipher them, but also to see if the handwriting is the same throughout.

If this is the case, he will suggest that they obtain a sample if handwriting from the prominent members of the household.

[SunlessNick]

William's experience with the tricks of spies, so often vital to the success of battle, enable him to discover a peephole invisible to all but the most discerning eye, which would allow one within this room to peer into that of Miss Ravenscroft.

William cannot resist a quick look to see if Vincent and Miss Ravenscroft are within.

[Mr. Handy]

"A clever idea," says Henry, helping Lepus examine the handwriting. "These writings seem the ravings of a madman, but perhaps you can make sense out of them."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William is able to report that the laboratory is currently unoccupied, Vincent having evidently escorted Miss Ravenscroft to her bedchamber.

Meanwhile, Lepus examines the bewildering papers.

Spoiler:

wis = 18 but not esoteric knowledge[dice]0[/dice]

One might speculate that brief exposure to the disturbing volume of diabolic poetry has temporarily honed his ability to discern meaning from what seem, at first, to be mere ravings; or, perhaps, that previous contact with obscure writings has enabled him to, so to speak, read between the lines. Be that as it may, Lepus is able to deduce that the papers are from a single hand, although differing from time to time, no doubt as a result of the chaotic state of the inscriber's mind. Much of what is written remains impossible to understand; on the whole, however, the general theme appears to be a catalog of vaguely described grievances, and a desire for retribution.

[jp1885]

Lepus' labyrinthine mind makes short work of the scrawl; one disordered brain recognising the workings of another.

"Aye, 'tis the work of a madman indeed - one that raves of indignities and injustices heaped upon them. Could be the young master that desires vengeance, could be the foundling, could be anyone. The handwriting will give them away. If that fails, burning those hateful books will draw 'em out, yesno?"

[Mr. Handy]

"The sooner we identify him, the better," says Henry. "We should be discreet when collecting handwriting. If he realises what we're up to, he is liable to take action against us."