Book the Second, Chapter the Second: An Unexpected Arrival

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"A remarkable notion, Doctor," Miss Ravenscroft replies. "Having had some success with the capturing of the patterns of sunlight upon materials treated with a solution containing silver and other substances, this suggests the possibility that one could inscribe such a series of images upon translucent surfaces and project lantern light through them, resulting in the illusion of motion."

Her intellectual curiosity excited by this discussion, Miss Ravenscroft elects to perform an experiment. She takes the small metal box she carries and aims it, as if it were a pistol, at the nearest of the mists.

"Galvanic fluid in a concentrated form," she explains. "It will be interesting to see what effect it has upon this curious meteorological phenomenon."

A sudden thin beam of white light, lasting far less than a second, emerges from the box. When it strikes the mist, that pale figure glows brightly for a moment, then returns to its normal state. It also moves away from Miss Ravenscroft, until it stands behind the others.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus is relieved when Vincent answers in the negative, but is still glad that William is keeping pace as he walks slowly with the misty figures. His eyes widen as the vision of the battle (or is it a massacre?) unfold before him and takes some steps towards the scene.

"'tis a terrible crime that befell you oh Seven Pilgrims. How might old Lepus atone for such a thing and set your spirits at rest?"

Previous attempts to communicate with the figures having been of no avail, it is no surprise that this inquiry produces no audible response.

There is, however, another vague and dimly lit image beheld by all, which appears to be the illusion of a funeral procession seen from a distance.

[jp1885]

Lepus waves his hands irritably at Miss Ravenscroft as she points her contraption at the spirits.

"Desist fine lady! Trouble them not with your gimcrackery if you please!"

He sighs as the misty funeral procession passes by.

"Oh... 'tis a proper, I daresay Christian, burial you seek... prithee take me to the place where you lie, or circle 'round if it be the spot upon which we stand."

[Mr. Handy]

"An ingenious device, Miss Ravenscroft," says Henry. "I don't think it liked having its likeness captured, but we'll be able to study the results later in a better light. I think we should get a closer look at that new phenomenon over there." He points out the funeral procession. "If these are reenactments of past events, we need to learn what happened here in times past so that we can better understand the present situation."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As the image of the funeral procession fades away, as if it were no more than a will-o'-the-wisp, the mists grow more transparent, as fog melts into the air when bright sunlight beams upon it. Before they are gone entirely, they appear to be moving in the general direction of the Wormy Caves.

[SunlessNick]

"If these truly are an echo of departed spirits, perhaps those caves are where we should search for their remains," suggests William.

[jp1885]

"Aye brave soldier, 'tis what old Lepus thinks also."

He runs his fingers through his beard, making both of them grubbier.

"Though yon scholar is right: these be modern scientificick times, so we must learn what's to be learned. Such a massacre would be in the histories of this fine house hm?"

"We must also find the services of a holy man for the funeral yesno? There be a parsons lodge by the church eh?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Agreed," says Henry. "If their remains have lain undisturbed in those caves all this time, they should remain so until the morrow at least. We can do some reading in the morning and then explore the caves."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Upon arising the next morning, the adventurers avail themselves freely of Lord Highdark's extensive, if eccentric, library. After some time spent perusing old chronicles of the area, yellowed and crumbling, it is discovered that, several decades ago, a party of pilgrims were waylaid by brigands in the area where the mists were seen, according to a single anonymous witness. No trace of the bodies of the slain were ever found. Local legend has it that they were carried deep into the Wormy Caves, but no one, in all that time, has been bold enough to explore that stony labyrinth much beyond its opening, for fear of fabled dangerous beasts thought to dwell therein.

[Mr. Handy]

"Well, I think we're all brave enough to venture into the caves," says Henry, "and Ivan and I have dealt with dangerous beasts before. We'll need our weapons, and we'll need light. I have my Illuminator, and we can borrow some lanterns or torches."

[jp1885]

If there is time, Lepus will also use the opportunity to look through the library for any other myths, legends and unusual happenings about the house and it's environs (for example the blasted oak, the misty tarn and the druid stones).

Upon completing the research, he capers nervously upon mention of the caves.

"Aye, if it must be - the caves 'tis then."

[SunlessNick]

William seems invigorated by the prostpect of a physical venture. He enquires of the groundskeeper whether the company may borrow a number of sacks. "Should we find the bones, we would need to bring them forth for a Church burial, and these may help prevent them becoming intermingled. Or more so than time has made them." A less spiritual implse bids him to bring his sabre and a loaded pistol.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

If there is time, Lepus will also use the opportunity to look through the library for any other myths, legends and unusual happenings about the house and it's environs (for example the blasted oak, the misty tarn and the druid stones).

Upon completing the research, he capers nervously upon mention of the caves.

"Aye, if it must be - the caves 'tis then."

Spoiler:

INT = 15; not really a situation for Esoteric Knowledge bonus, I think[dice]0[/dice]

If such information is located within Lord Highdark's extensive library, his eccentric organizing system renders it impossible to locate at this time.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The adventurers equip themselves and head for the Wormy Caves at a convenient time. It is obvious immediately that these caverns are narrow and twisting, such that those who enter must explore them in single file. The party will need to determine their marching order, as it were.

[Mr. Handy]

"Ivan and Captain Palliser seem to be our best fighters," says Henry. "One should take the front and the other the rear. I think the captain has better eyesight, so perhaps he should take the lead."

[SunlessNick]

"An excellent suggestion Lord Dunwich," agrees William. "Considering the preternatural circumstances that surround our mission, perhaps our two practitioners of the arcane should take the second and second-last places." He glances at Vincent as he says this, evidently preferring the thought of the Frenchman as the one at his back.

[Rooter]

Vincent nods and follows the capitaine, producing a flame from his hand for light without need of a lantern.

[jp1885]

"'tis a fine strategem, aye."

Torch held tightly, Lepus takes up position second-to-last in front of Ivan, hoping that his keen senses will negate the darkness.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Henry, taking his place in the middle of the formation. He still has his pistol at the ready, though he will need a clear line of sight to any threats.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As the bold adventurers proceed in single file down a long, steeply descending tunnel, which twists this way and that, their lights, natural or preternatural, startle the various vermin which call this place their home. These are, for the most part, harmless insects and the like, although the discovery of occasional tiny bones, as from some small beast, indicate that some predator or other also makes use of the caves.

After some time spent in this monotonous journey, the party discovers that the main tunnel splits two ways. There is no appreciable difference between the right tunnel and the left tunnel; both are of the same small diameter, and both head down into the depths of the caverns.