Play@YSDC

Posted: **Thu May 30, 2019 5:36 am**

Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings; Or, The Purloined Feline

With a single tear falling from one of her soulful eyes, Georgina informs the party that her pet Artemis, a long-haired calico cat, has not been seen for several days. As the pampered brute is not often away from the company of its mistress, this is a source of some dismay.

"I fear some harm has come to dear Artemis," she says softly. "I know it is a matter of no great importance to any save myself, but if you should happen to come upon the sweet creature, pray be so kind as to inform me."

Meanwhile, Miss Ravenscroft having made her own discreet investigations, is of the opinion that the elixirs could not have been stolen by anyone outside the household; nor does it seem likely to her that any of the ordinary servants could have been responsible.

Posted: **Thu May 30, 2019 2:12 pm**

When the adventurers are next alone, William offers the opinion that "Certainly there are ordinary dangers enough for the cat to be missing of its own accord, but coupled with Miss Ravenscroft's missing preparations, I am not inclined to pesume coincidence. And if the animal has indeed been stolen, the only two motivations that occur to me are to cause pain to fair Georgina, or to subject it to a dose of Miss Ravenscroft's preparation. Could it be the... William's face betrays how this suspicion goes against his grain, "entity that speaks to the twins through their doll? It seems malign enough for the first, and insightful enough to instruct the girls as to the second."

Posted: **Thu May 30, 2019 4:00 pm**

"Oui, oui, un excellent theory, Capitaine," Vincent replies. "Shall we speak with les enfants?"

Posted: **Thu May 30, 2019 6:35 pm**

OOC: Holiday wifi is working, yay!

Lepus agrees, surreptitiously pinning the rune he copied from the walls of the cave onto his coat (charging it up with magic if it so requires).

Posted: **Fri May 31, 2019 3:31 am**

"An excellent suggestion," says Henry. "The twins do have the run of the house, and they're clever enough to have gained access to the laboratory - though not clever enough to have made the concoctions themselves. I can easily imagine them taking the cat to make it larger or smaller."

Posted: **Fri May 31, 2019 4:36 am**

It having been made clear that the adventurers wish an interview with Julia and Juno, this is arranged through the offices of Miss Rye, their governess, who remains present. She appears to be in a pleasant, albeit quiet, mood herself, making remark that the twins have been well-behaved of late. When questioned concerning the whereabouts of Artemis, the girls deny all knowledge.

"We do not--

"play with her because--

"she makes us--

"sneeze."

"I can confirm this, gentlemen," Miss Rye says with a slight smile. "As is not uncommon, the fur of cats induces redness of the eyes and the production of tears, as well as fits of sneezing, in the children. Miss Georgina being most considerate of the welfare of her sisters, she has been careful to minimize their contact with her little pet. Was there anything else, sirs?"

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2019 3:30 am**

Do the twins have the doll with them?

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2019 4:54 am**

"Well, thank you," says Henry. "When and where did you last see Artemis? We need somewhere to start the search."

Posted: **Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:58 am**

Lepus watches the twins and their governess to see if the rune has any effect on them. Then he covers the rune with his hand and observes any changes in their demeanour.

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2019 12:43 am**

SunlessNick wrote:Do the twins have the doll with them?

Noting that William's interest is drawn to the twins' plaything, Miss Rye smilingly makes remark that allowing them to retain it at all times has a remarkably salubrious effect upon their demeanor.

"Such an indulgence is a small price to pay for a modicum of peace, sir."

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2019 12:59 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: "Well, thank you," says Henry. "When and where did you last see Artemis? We need somewhere to start the search."

Juno and Julia look at each other for a moment, then at Poppy, as if expecting answer from the poppet, then return their gaze to Doctor North and shake their heads in unison, apparently denying all memory of their last encounter with the cat.

"Anyone who is familiar with the ways of cats," Miss Rye says, "will know that their wanderings are not to be predicted. However, it seems likely that the little beast has gone in pursuit of vermin, its natural prey. Perhaps into the kitchen areas, or the stables, or the kennels? It is there that one is likely to find such small creatures as Artemis is fond of devouring, my Lord."

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2019 1:03 am**

jp1885 wrote:Lepus watches the twins and their governess to see if the rune has any effect on them. Then he covers the rune with his hand and observes any changes in their demeanour.

Whilst conversation proceeds, Lepus recalls that the runes are meant to ward off restless spirits; id est, the souls of the deceased who are still bound, for whatever reason, to the mortal plane. Close examination reveals no changes in the behavior of the children. Whatsoever preternatural effects may be present, it seems that they do not involve anything ghostly.

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2019 3:58 am**

"I think we should check the kitchens first," says Henry. "Cats don't like dogs much, so it's less likely Artemis went to the kennels. The kitchen servants may have seen Artemis, and if we find no trace of the cat there, we can check the stables next."

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:09 am**

VictoriaSilverwolf wrote:"Such an indulgence is a small price to pay for a modicum of peace, sir."

"Poppy has been keeping you out of mischief, then, girls?" asks William of the twins.

Posted: **Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:54 pm**

Feeling vaguely foolish, Lepus shoves the paper back into his noisome coat as Miss Rye speaks. As William addresses the twins, the wanderer concurs with Henry.

"Aye, cat and dog seldom dance the same jig, yesno? Mayhap the pampered beast has gone a-hunting in the kitchen or a-scrounging in the pantry."

He grins a decidedly evil grin.

"Or, hehe, a-courting a handsome mouser from below stairs, hmm?"

Posted: **Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:26 am**

SunlessNick wrote:
VictoriaSilverwolf wrote:"Such an indulgence is a small price to pay for a modicum of peace, sir."
"Poppy has been keeping you out of mischief, then, girls?" asks William of the twins.

With occasional interruptions for fits of giggling, the two girls make replay in their usual eccentric manner of speech.

"Oh, we are--

"not so naughty as--

"Papa says we--

"are. We shall--

"have great--

"fun when Poppy's--

"friend comes to--

"call. Then we shall--

"do as we--

"please."

Posted: **Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:34 am**

Exploration of the kitchen reveals that it is, as expected, a very busy place, morning, noon, and night, ruled over, as it is in any large estate, by Cook, who serves as the Caesar of the larder. She is an imposing figure, who might have gone into battles with Hippolyta during the Age of Myth. Cook states that she has often chased off the little thief, but some of the other servants, being of softer heart, have tossed it scraps of meat now and again. It has not been seen for some time.

"Might be the rats have scared it off," remarks one scullery maid. When others laugh at that, since such behavior violates Nature's design, she continues, "Saw a great one I did, with big red eyes. Like to have swallowed a cat in one bite, if had not run out the house."

Posted: **Mon Jun 03, 2019 12:41 pm**

Lepus twitches at the mention of theoversized rat. Another recipient of a missing potion perhaps?

"Did thou see where this rat scuttled off to? Hast thou seen any other creatures of unusual size?"

Posted: **Mon Jun 03, 2019 1:13 pm**

"Have the girls mentioned their doll having a friend before?" asks William while the investigators search the kitchen.

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2019 2:05 am**

Henry listens for the response, thinking along the same lines.

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2019 2:58 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Lepus twitches at the mention of the oversized rat. Another recipient of a missing potion perhaps?

"Did thou see where this ray scuttled off to? Hast thou seen any other creatures of unusual size?"

The scullery maid claims that it simply ran off and disappeared. The other servants believe that she imagined it.

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2019 3:07 am**

SunlessNick wrote:"Have the girls mentioned their doll having a friend before?" asks William while the investigators search the kitchen.

Further questioning of Miss Rye yields only the information that the "friend" of the doll -- obviously merely the product of childish imagination -- has never been seen by them, but has supposedly been asleep for a very long time, and will awaken soon.

"They have, perhaps, taken the idea from one of Monsieur Perrault's droll fables, La Belle au bois Dormant, of which we have made use during their lessons in the French language."

The twins themselves are unable to describe the friend, claiming that Poppy merely says "wait and see."

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2019 9:19 am**

Mention of Poppy's 'friend' brings a deep frown across Lepus' dirty brow.

"When old Lepus spoke to the doll in the faerie tongue, it did mention that it was planning something. Pssht! Mayhap this friend is part of it's design?"

He capers nervously, but chuckles at the maid's lack of specifics.

"Pssht! We go from chasing cats to chasing rats! Soon 'twill be fleas and beetles! Be there another way hm? If yon beasts are being given the potion as we suspect, there must be a place where the alchemy is done, similar to the fine mistresses... what be the word? Laboratory? Mayhap we should be a-searching for that, yesno?"

Posted: **Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:08 am**

"I certainly know a laboratory when I see one," says Henry. "However, I've only seen the one here. Of course, there are sealed areas of the Hall where we're denied entry. Any of them could house a laboratory. Perhaps we should read that French story. It may have hints about Poppy's friend. We can also check the stables next for the cat."

Posted: **Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:01 am**

An English translation of Monsieur Perrault's little tale is easily obtained, such stories being well-loved by children, as well as adults who have not entirely lost the innocence of childhood.

https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/perrault01.html

Whilst investigating the stables, it is notable that the horses seem slightly disturbed, as if something with which they are not familiar exists within their surroundings, although casual investigation reveals nothing out of the ordinary, and their distress is mild enough to cause nothing more than nervous nickering.

Meanwhile, when returning to the main part of the manor home between visiting the kitchen and the stables, the adventurers are informed that Master Henry, heir to the title of Highdark, has not been seen anywhere for a full day. This is unusual, given his infirmity, which requires the use of a cane, but not yet so alarming as to cause particular measures undertaken to locate his whereabouts.

Posted: **Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:43 am**

When his tail is up, Lepus has little time for tales. Instead he notes the nervous behaviour of the horses with interest.

While the scientist speaks, the wanderer dives into the hay to perform a more thorough search of the stables. At length he emerges and waggles a grubby finger at Henry.

"Ah, did ye not tell me, when thou spake of what befell you before my arrival, that the young lady of the house recalled being shewn a strange room on the 3rd or 4th floor as a child? Was not your young namesake, who is now conspicuous by his absence, espied with a strange tome? Mayhap a return to the big house to search for secret doors be the order of the day."

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:24 am**

"Yes, I'd forgotten that," says Henry. "That sounds like a good place to start."

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:23 pm**

"Aye. Let us check the kennels along the way though, yesno? If there be giant hounds about, 'twould be good to know!"

Lepus finished his search of the stables.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:45 am**

"Yes, we should check the kennels too, just in case," agrees Henry.

Posted: **Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:24 pm**

jp1885 wrote:
When his tail is up, Lepus has little time for tales. Instead he notes the nervous behaviour of the horses with interest.

While the scientist speaks, the wanderer dives into the hay to perform a more thorough search of the stables. At length he emerges and waggles a grubby finger at Henry.

Spoiler:

Closer inspection of the stable does not reveal anything of interest. The kennels, as well, seem perfectly in order.

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2019 12:52 am**

"Hm. When Georgina showed me what she recalled of the route Henry took into the sealed part of the house, she did make mention of a room containing strange instruments," says William. "Our previous search was interrupted by finding the imprisoned lady, but resuming it from the same place may be profitable."

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2019 3:28 am**

"An excellent suggestion," says Henry. "Let us be off."

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2019 5:31 pm**

Proceeding as before, past the room wherein the madwoman remains confined, the adventurers take note of the layout of the fourth floor.

If one were, in fancy, a soaring eagle gifted with the ability to peer through rooftops as if they were purest crystal, one would observe the madwoman's room as centrally located; to the east, abandoned rooms, to which entrance is easily made, but seemingly entirely empty; to the west, two smaller rooms, both locked to bar entry, one to the north and one to the south, surrounding a central, open area, looking down into a courtyard; beyond these, logic dictates, lies Miss Ravenscroft's laboratory, although entrance to it, as has been shown previously, is from another direction; and to the north and south of said laboratory, two small rooms, accessible only from Miss Ravenscroft's private retreat, but locked away even from her.

A moment's thought reveals that, when mere children, Henry and Georgina must have passed through one of the two rooms west of the madwoman's confinement -- from whence, indeed, came the sounds which so disturbed Lord Highdark's eldest daughter at the time -- and passed into the laboratory, which impressed the youngsters with its strange equipment.

In what manner entry to any of the locked rooms might be obtained is not obvious. Lord Highdark's heir would be the best source of information, if only he might be located. Otherwise, one might attempt entry, as they say, by hook or by crook; that is to say, via stealth and cleverness, or by brute force.

Posted: **Sat Jun 08, 2019 7:49 pm**

Pointing a finger while muttering a few lines of incomprehensible doggrel, Lepus chooses a room at random.

He closely inspects the wall and, if one is discernable, the door.

If no door can be seen, he will utter another incantation of Banish Vermin, hoping to force the insects that no doubt reside in and around the walls into, or out of, the apperture, thus revealing it's outline and/or it's keyhole.

If the door is visible, he will fish a piece of wire out of his tricorne and have a crack at the lock.

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 3:15 am**

Henry also searches for a door, prepared to use his cleverness or Ivan's brute force.

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:09 am**

Vincent examines the locks on the two doors. If nothing appears out of the ordinary he could attempt an incantation to Create Flame within the locks to melt the metal workings.

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:19 pm**

jp1885 wrote:
Pointing a finger while muttering a few lines of incomprehensible doggrel, Lepus chooses a room at random.

He closely inspects the wall and, if one is discernable, the door.

If the door is visible, he will fish a piece of wire out of his tricorne and have a crack at the lock.

Spoiler:

Nimble fingers manage to open the lock that holds the door to the northerly room open as if the key were in possession. Within are scattered piles of grain, no larger that an infant's fist, along with very small pewter plates, each of which contains a minuscule amount of water. In one corner is a curious structure, something like a jewelry box, but of rough design and manufacture. It appears to be open on one side -- where the top of such a box might be located, if it were turned on its side -- but only darkness is visible within, from the current location of the observers.

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:30 pm**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Henry also searches for a door, prepared to use his cleverness or Ivan's brute force.

Spoiler:

Doctor North is easily able to deduce the inner workings of the lock sealing the southerly room and open the door. It moves with slight hesitation, as if caught upon something. It is soon obvious what this might be, as the interior of the room is filled with an extraordinarily complex and extensive series of spider webs, stretching from ceiling to floor and to every wall. This sight produces a shiver of distaste from the otherwise brave and loyal Ivan.

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:39 pm**

Rooter wrote:Vincent examines the locks on the two doors. If nothing appears out of the ordinary he could attempt an incantation to Create Flame within the locks to melt the metal workings.

It soon becomes obvious that the Frenchman's preternatural fire is no more powerful than that of a single candle, and thus unable to do much to the locks save render them too hot to touch. As the two rooms are already open to examination, this fact may not be of much concern; however, the flame persists for a moment longer, and may thus be used for some other purpose.

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:09 pm**

Lepus chuckles as the lock clicks open. Jamming the wire back into his greasy hat, he surveys the room and takes notes of the small dishes and piles of grain.

"A banquet for small beasties mayhap?" He muses to himself.

His gaze alights on the box. Squatting down, he attempts to look into the open side.

"Monsieur Vincent, may you bring your light hence?"

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:32 pm**

"Those spiderwebs would ignite rather well," says Henry, "but I don't know that we should risk it. The fire could spread quickly."

Posted: **Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:56 pm**

"I think you should close the door, Lord Dunwich," says William. "I cannot imagine the web of a normal spider being strong enough to impede a man's strength - we may have found another recipient of Miss Ravenscroft's stolen concoctions."

Posted: **Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:03 am**

Henry nods and shuts the door again.

Posted: **Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:46 am**

The Frenchman's preternatural light reveals, within the peculiar structure, what seems to be a horse no larger than a lady's lap dog, quite docile in behavior. Nothing else out of the ordinary is seen within the room, nor is there an obvious way to reach what must be, from consideration of the size of the room and its location, another, smaller room to the west of what seems to be only a solid wall. (The same might be said of the webbed room, from the brief glimpse of it revealed when it was open to view; it must also be connected, to another room of no great size in the selfsame direction.)

Posted: **Thu Jun 13, 2019 8:51 am**

"Poor creature, yesno? Mayhap the spinner of webs opposite is a large beast - 'twas a sensible thing to close that door!"

Nodding his thanks to Vincent, Lepus mutters soothing noises to the tiny horse, stroking it's miniature mane if it allows.

"'tis clear the source of such alchemy is close at hand, else how wouldst this horse be brought hence?"

Leaving the creature to it's own devices, he inspects the wall that separates the room from whatever lies beyond. If he cannot find any secret portals by wit alone, he will cast Banish Vermin to see if anything comes in or our of the wall (taking care not to alarm the horse).

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2019 3:07 am**

Despite careful inspection of the wall which must, so logic dictates, conceal another, hidden room, neither intuition not intelligence reveals any manner, overt or secretive, in which such might be reached. It is as if said chamber is deliberately made inaccessible. The strength of the masonry work, indeed, is more than is commonly found in interior walls, as if to prevent entry until the final trumpet of doomsday is blown.

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2019 3:50 am**

"I wonder, would that incantation work on the spider?" Henry asks Lepus.

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2019 5:25 am**

"Whether it does or not, we should kill the thing rather than risk it escaping elsewhere in the house," says William, readying his pistol.

Posted: **Fri Jun 14, 2019 8:53 am**

"Aye, 'tis worth a try."

Lepus cracks open the door to the cobwebbed chamber and directs the spell hence, hoping that the others are ready.

OOC: Victoria, does the way to these rooms lead from/through the mad woman's chamber, or is there a corridor that bypasses it?

Posted: **Sat Jun 15, 2019 2:51 am**

Spoiler:

Posted: **Sat Jun 15, 2019 3:01 am**

The arcane spell used to cause normal vermin to vacate a room has an evident effect on the chamber of webs; all manner of flies, fleas, ants, mice, and such small brutes are observed to flee from the place as if in abject terror, if such sensibility can be ascribed to these tiny creatures; be that as it may, it may be observed that it has no such effect on what must be a further inhabitant, as yet unseen, which produces a sound as of many large hooves dropping upon the floor. There are also the scattered bones of small beasts visible here and there in those parts of the room lit from without.

Posted: **Sat Jun 15, 2019 3:54 am**

"That's no spider," says Henry, "it's an enlarged beast! We should get a look at it and see what kind, preferably from a safe distance. A mirror should allow us to see the thing without venturing into the room, with some light to aid us. If that is a giant horse in there, perhaps the tiny horse could calm it down. There must be at least one horse missing from the stables, then. Perhaps two. We should find out which horses are missing."

Posted: **Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:14 am**

"I will check with ze stable master." Vincent hurries off.

Posted: **Sat Jun 15, 2019 5:17 pm**

"Something still made those webs," says William. (Were any spiders among the fleeing vermin that he could see?)

Posted: **Sat Jun 15, 2019 7:06 pm**

Lepus steps back as the various creatures scuttle and scurry away, occasionally offering his apologies for disturbing them.

"Mayhap it be horses, mayhap a spider, or mayhap it be the sound of a giant cat's claws 'pon a hard floor. Old Lepus advises caution, so he does, lest we break the heart of the fine young lady by slaying that which lies therein."

As if to prove his point, he retreats back into the room containing the tiny horse and inspects the floor, walls and ceiling for any hidden handles, hatches, levers or latches.

"How didst thou get here little horse?" he mutters.

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2019 12:41 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"That's no spider," says Henry, "it's an enlarged beast! We should get a look at it and see what kind, preferably from a safe distance. A mirror should allow us to see the thing without venturing into the room, with some light to aid us. If that is a giant horse in there, perhaps the tiny horse could calm it down. There must be at least one horse missing from the stables, then. Perhaps two. We should find out which horses are missing."

As if to emulate the action of bold Perseus when confronted by the Gorgon, Doctor North peers cautiously into the webbed room via a mirror. The dimness of the room, the distortion of the reflection, and the apparent stealthiness of what dwells within combine to render an exact image impossible to obtain; however, one can observe a number of dark, hairy limbs, moving slowly back and forth, attached to a round, bulky body, no head yet visible.

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2019 12:51 am**

Rooter wrote:"I will check with ze stable master." Vincent hurries off.

The Frenchman is able to quickly obtain the information that, indeed, a single steed has gone missing, the groom being questioned of the opinion that Master Harold -- his whereabouts, it will be recalled, as of yet undetermined -- has gone off with it, despite his lameness, the beast being of a particularly gentle nature, and thus appropriate for the use of one so afflicted.

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2019 12:53 am**

SunlessNick wrote:"Something still made those webs," says William. (Were any spiders among the fleeing vermin that he could see?)

The bold man of arms, nerves unshaken by these extraordinary sights, calmly notes the lack of spiders amongst the creatures sent away; a most curious observation, given their ubiquity in all households.

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2019 12:55 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Lepus steps back as the various creatures scuttle and scurry away, occasionally offering his apologies for disturbing them.

"Mayhap it be horses, mayhap a spider, or mayhap it be the sound of a giant cat's claws 'pon a hard floor. Old Lepus advises caution, so he does, lest we break the heart of the fine young lady by slaying that which lies therein."

As if to prove his point, he retreats back into the room containing the tiny horse and inspects the floor, walls and ceiling for any hidden handles, hatches, levers or latches.

"How didst thou get here little horse?" he mutters.

A careful search fails to reveal anything other than the locked door, now unlatched, through which the adventurers first entered.

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2019 1:08 am**

"That's a giant spider, all right," says Henry, shutting the door quietly. "Hairy legs, bulky body. Even in the darkness, I can tell. We could try to burn it out, but again that would be risky. Otherwise, I suggest we avoid it."

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2019 9:39 am**

"Hah, even old Lepus be known to be wrong at times," the hedge wizard chuckles. "The most obvious answer oft be the right one, yesno?"

He exits the chamber, leaving the horse to it's own tiny devices.

"So how to press anon?" He jerks a grimy thumb towards the wall which seperates them from Miss Ravenscroft's labaoratory. "Shall we visit the fine lady? Mayhap there be secret doors thence?"

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:33 am**

"Yes, capital idea," says Henry. "She has knowledge of this place that we do not, and she is highly intelligent. She will no doubt have ideas of her own."

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:37 am**

There being no evident means of access to the secret laboratory other than the hidden staircase used before, short of smashing through the wall, the adventurers make their way back down, then up again; an exertion of the body which will prove, no doubt, salubrious to health.

Miss Ravenscroft is located at work, frustrated in her efforts to produce more of the two elixirs. She listens intently to what the party has discovered.

"Evidently some person has absconded with the remnants of the elixirs and has experimented with them. It interests me also that Master Harold is not to be found, although I cannot say that his absence troubles me overly, as he must, for the sake of propriety, entirely disavow any knowledge my existence, yet cannot remain ignorant of it.

"As far as the two small rooms which must exist to the north and south of this workroom, it seems that entry therein cannot be obtained through the wisdom of mind or hand. I have, of course, previously deduced that such must be present, but all my efforts to uncover a subtle way therein have failed."

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:37 am**

Lepus is still perplexed at the lack of access into the mysterious rooms.

"Mayhap, fine lady, a fresh pair of eyes be in order? Pray permit us to search this room."

If Miss Ravenscroft agrees, he will inspect the north and south walls of the laboratory in the same manner as the tiny horse room. This time however, reckoning that young master Harold is involved in all of this, he mutters in a mix of gypsy and faerie languages as he does so, hoping that somewhere within the polyglot jabbering, an opening charm may be happened upon.

Posted: **Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:33 pm**

"We may simply have to slay the giant spider in order to get past it," says Henry. "Actually fighting it would be risky, but perhaps we could burn it out or poison it instead."

Posted: **Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:47 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Lepus is still perplexed at the lack of access into the mysterious rooms.

"Mayhap, fine lady, a fresh pair of eyes be in order? Pray permit us to search this room."

If Miss Ravenscroft agrees, he will inspect the north and south walls of the laboratory in the same manner as the tiny horse room. This time however, reckoning that young master Harold is involved in all of this, he mutters in a mix of gypsy and faerie languages as he does so, hoping that somewhere within the polyglot jabbering, an opening charm may be happened upon.

Spoiler:

Perhaps inspired by whatever invisible beings dwell in the vicinity of Highdark Hall, a mystical intuition comes to mind, suggesting that some other person or persons -- or, indeed, perhaps something of intelligence yet not of human form -- has made use of preternatural power to pass beyond what seem to be, to natural senses, solid walls. In what matter this may have happened, be it through the rendering of the barrier permeable, or the body of the enchanter immaterial, or through some form of transportation between hither and yon which does not require one to pass through the space between, is impossible to tell.

Posted: **Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:06 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"We may simply have to slay the giant spider in order to get past it," says Henry. "Actually fighting it would be risky, but perhaps we could burn it out or poison it instead."

"A bold plan, my Lord," Miss Ravenscroft says, "if this creature be as formidable as you suspect. I confess myself afflicted with the vice of curiosity to an unusual degree, and wish to behold the brute myself. If you undertake to destroy it -- although, if truth be told, I would prefer to capture it alive, and subject it to study -- I shall accompany you." (It is not very surprising that Miss Ravenscroft states this as fact, rather than requesting permission, as she does not always display proper feminine modesty.)

"I possess," she continues,"a small object, crafted from various metals, which retains a quantity of galvanic fluid. When brought into contact with living tissue, it produces an effect akin to that produced by those curious eels which attack their prey in a similar manner."

She allows the others to examine, but not touch, the device in question, which resembles nothing so much as a lady's jewel box. She is careful to handle it only while wearing black lace gloves.

Posted: **Tue Jun 18, 2019 9:03 am**

After inspecting the walls, Lepus joins the conversation between Henry and Miss Ravenscroft.

"'tis my belief that passing these walls is not a simple thing unless thou knowest the magick for it. Still, the spider, or the chamber it dwells in, might hold an answer."

He fishes the pilgrim's amulet from beneath his noisome clothing.

"Old Lepus shall assist thee. This shall protect me from the poisonous bite of the creature - least supposedly."

Posted: **Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:20 pm**

"Fascinating," says Henry, looking over the device, though he knows better than to try and touch it. "Yes, that should be just the thing to defeat the spider. There must be untold applications for that kind of power. Ivan and I are ready when you are, Miss Ravenscroft."

Posted: **Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:23 pm**

A thought occurs to Lepus as they head back to the web chamber. Grabbing a bag, he pops into the tiny horse chamber to collect some miniature horse dung.

Thus they have a sample from both enlarged and shrunk creatures, should they need to brew new potions.

Posted: **Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:42 am**

William readies his pistol again, in case this device of Lady Ravenscrot's fails to stop the creature.

Posted: **Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:10 am**

As the brave adventurers return to the webbed room, Miss Ravenscroft, eager to confirm what she has been told, pulls the door open wide. It can be seen that the expected creature, a spider of prodigious size, as if it were Arachne herself, after her transformation by the jealous Athena, dwells therein. It currently sits within the heart of its web, high in a corner of the room, its eight limbs swaying slowly, its many eyes glittering like so many rubies in the light from without. On the floor, just beneath its body, may be seen several compact structures of webbing, resembling the cocoons from which moths and butterflies emerge. These are of various sizes, some smaller than an infant's hand, some as large as a great hound. From somewhere in the room, its exact position difficult to determine due to some strange distortion of the sound, comes a voice of extraordinarily high pitch, as if a pixie or some such sprite were to speak. So high is the tone, and so weak the voice, in fact, that its words can barely be understood.

help me . . . help me . . .

With no regard for consequences, Miss Ravenscroft, her interest captured by this remarkable sight, approaches the spider with more of fascination than of fear, her eyes grown wide, speaking softly, as to herself.

"Beautiful. Beautiful."

Posted: **Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:33 am**

Having lived among critters and vermin, Lepus knows a spider's food cache when he sees one. As his keen hearing picks up the voice, he instinctively tries to pinpoint it's location.

Regardless of whether he discovers which cocoon the voice is coming from, his first priority is to protect the fine lady.

"Be careful!"

He hisses, positioning himself between Miss Ravenscroft and the spider and praying that the amulet proves effective.

Posted: **Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:03 pm**

"Somebody is in there," says William. "We must attack it now, with weapons or that device."

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 3:45 am**

"Protect her, Ivan," says Henry, holding a pistol ready while Ivan has his sword drawn. "It may be beautiful, Miss Ravenscroft, but it's also dangerous. We must disable it before it strikes, and then rescue whoever has been miniaturised and wrapped up in one of those cocoons."

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 9:03 am**

Returning from the stable, Vincent, lacking physical weapons, hovers in the doorway and murmurs an incantation to Beguile Miss Ravenscroft into heeding the words of warning.

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:05 pm**

jp1885 wrote:
Having lived among critters and vermin, Lepus knows a spider's food cache when he sees one. As his keen hearing picks up the voice, he instinctively tries to pinpoint it's location.

Regardless of whether he discovers which cocoon the voice is coming from, his first priority is to protect the fine lady.

"Be careful!"

He hisses, positioning himself between Miss Ravenscroft and the spider and praying that the amulet proves effective.

Spoiler:

The sharp ears of Lepus allow him to locate the cry as coming from within one of the webbed objects; in point of fact, one about the size of an apple, which, as misfortune would have it, lies directly beneath the body of the creature, as if it wishes to defend it to a greater degree than the rest of its horde.

Rather than displaying proper gratitude for the gallantry of her would-be defender, Miss Ravenscroft, evidently in the grip of one of her intermittent fits of mania, attempts to drive away Lepus with the use of her galvanic invention.

Spoiler:

The device produces what seems to be a tiny bolt of lightning with a noise something like that of a distant cannon. The minuscule, but blindingly bright, blue-white, jagged bolt fails to strike the quickly moving Lepus, and quickly vanishes harmlessly.

Miss Ravenscroft, successfully driven away from the spider by Lepus, holds the device in front of her, hissing in anger, apparently ready to strike whosoever might approach.

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:17 pm**

SunlessNick wrote:"Somebody is in there," says William. "We must attack it now, with weapons or that device."

True to his word, and seeing that Miss Ravenscroft is more likely to use her peculiar invention upon himself than the beast, the bold man of arms shoots at the creature with his pistol.

Spoiler:

The bullet strikes one of the spider's eyes. Thick black ichor flows from the wounded organ, dripping to the floor. The creature is injured, to be sure, but not mortally so. It lifts it abdomen so that it points in the direction of the intruders, ready to spray its unnatural web upon another victim.

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:24 pm**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Protect her, Ivan," says Henry, holding a pistol ready while Ivan has his sword drawn. "It may be beautiful, Miss Ravenscroft, but it's also dangerous. We must disable it before it strikes, and then rescue whoever has been miniaturised and wrapped up in one of those cocoons."

Spoiler:

Trembling with fear, Ivan backs away, unable to enter the webbed room.

"I'm sorry, Master. Do not ask me to go in there."

Discouraged, but understanding of his manservant's terror, Doctor North fires another shot at the beast.

Spoiler:

The bullet pierces one of the creature's eight legs; more ichor flows. While the attackers reload their weapons, the spider shoots out its spray with extraordinary force. The thick white liquid blats through the air, hardening quickly on its way to its intended target.

Spoiler:

To the rapt horror of all, the dreaded webbing surrounds the body of the brave soldier, rendering him immobile. Struggle as he might, he can do little save breathe while trapped in its sinister embrace. The spider drops to the ground and moves towards its attackers.

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:35 pm**

Rooter wrote:Returning from the stable, Vincent, lacking physical weapons, hovers in the doorway and murmurs an incantation to Beguile Miss Ravenscroft into heeding the words of warning.

Spoiler:

The spell has no evident effect upon Miss Ravenscroft, no doubt due to the fact that she is currently deep into one of her temporary spells of madness. She continues to threaten anyone who approaches with her arcane invention.

Posted: **Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:19 pm**

"Pah! Gimcracks and gewgaws!"

Lepus' distain of Miss Ravenscroft's device (and technology in general) is swiftly replaced by his concern for their predicament, not least William and whoever else is encased within the spider's webs.

"'tis a bad thing that happens this day..." he snarls as he draws his dagger. "A pox upon the one who did this beast!"

Cursing loudly and trusting his amulet he rushes forward to stab the spider. Hoping to get on close to avoid the liquid web he aims for it's head.

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2019 5:18 am**

Henry fires a second shot at the giant spider. "It's all right, Ivan," he says. "I know how you feel about them. I'm beginning to understand why."

Posted: **Mon Jun 24, 2019 5:27 pm**

jp1885 wrote:
"Pah! Gimcracks and gewgaws!"

Lepus' distain of Miss Ravenscroft's device (and technology in general) is swiftly replaced by his concern for their predicament, not least William and whoever else is encased within the spider's webs.

"'tis a bad thing that happens this day..." he snarls as he draws his dagger. "A pox upon the one who did this beast!"

Cursing loudly and trusting his amulet he rushes forward to stab the spider. Hoping to get on close to avoid the liquid web he aims for it's head.

Spoiler:

Perhaps because the webs dangling everywhere spoil his aim, Lepus just barely misses his target, the dagger whispering through empty air.

Posted: **Mon Jun 24, 2019 5:43 pm**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Henry fires a second shot at the giant spider. "It's all right, Ivan," he says. "I know how you feel about them. I'm beginning to understand why."

OOC,Would [b]Ivan[/b]'s Brave asset give him a bonus?

Spoiler:

Gathering up all the courage that flows through the veins of his Cossack ancestors, Ivan dashes forward with his sword, striking at the beast with a wordless cry of rage.

Spoiler:

The tip of the sword strikes home, if not deeply, yet sufficiently for thick black ichor to flow down its blade. The Russian draws back as his master fires another round.

Spoiler:

As luck would have it, the bullet passes harmlessly past the creature as it prepares to spray its infernal web at its attackers.

Spoiler:

The creature attempts to encase Doctor North in its sinister trap, but the nobleman is able to dash out of the way as the webbing is cast upon the floor, without effect.

Meanwhile, the distraught Miss Ravenscroft, as if drawn to the defense of the monster, aims her device at its attackers.

Spoiler:

It would seem that the Fates possess a macabre sense of humor. The invention shoots its blue-white bolt directly at the entrapped soldier, who can only await its effects helplessly. Ah, but irony of ironies! The webbing itself serves as a sort of protective shield, rendering the galvanic weapon harmless.

The seriously wounded, but not yet incapacitated, spider wriggles its legs at the invaders, ready to face their attack.

Posted: **Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:15 pm**

With his anger directed at the creator of the monster, rather than the monster itself, Lepus is loathe to be the one who administers the coup de grace and leaves the creature to the others.

Instead, judging her the most dangerous at present, he turns his attention to the mania-driven Miss Ravenscroft. Slipping off his grotty coat, he recalls a trick taught to him by a drunken matador from Ronda during his wanders through Andalucia...

"Ho!" He yells, scooping off his tricorne and feinting to the woman's left with it whilst with the other arm he swoops his coat from the right, dropping it over her head.

If this manoeuvre succeeds she will be temporarily blinded (and not a little nauseous), allowing him to bring his weight down on her outstretched arm and hopefully knock the weapon from her grasp.

If it fails, well the drunken matador never stayed conscious long enough to elaborate...

Posted: **Tue Jun 25, 2019 3:07 am**

"Focus your attacks on the spider!" calls Henry to the others as he reloads his pistol to fire it again. "If we slay it, that may break the spell she's under."

Posted: **Tue Jun 25, 2019 2:12 pm**

William makes an attempt to break free of the webbing, in case Miss Ravenscroft's galvanic device has somehow damaged it.

OOC: Strength = 12
Rolled: 20

The effort is useless at best.

Posted: **Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:26 am**

jp1885 wrote:
With his anger directed at the creator of the monster, rather than the monster itself, Lepus is loathe to be the one who administers the coup de grace and leaves the creature to the others.

Instead, judging her the most dangerous at present, he turns his attention to the mania-driven Miss Ravenscroft. Slipping off his grotty coat, he recalls a trick taught to him by a drunken matador from Ronda during his wanders through Andalucia...

"Ho!" He yells, scooping off his tricorne and feinting to the woman's left with it whilst with the other arm he swoops his coat from the right, dropping it over her head.

If this manoeuvre succeeds she will be temporarily blinded (and not a little nauseous), allowing him to bring his weight down on her outstretched arm and hopefully knock the weapon from her grasp.

If it fails, well the drunken matador never stayed conscious long enough to elaborate...

Spoiler:

This clever ploy achieves its desired effect. Miss Ravenscroft falls to the ground, the galvanic device sliding out of her hand. The shock of this encounter produces a change in the woman, transforming her mania into its mirror-image, severe melancholia. She sinks to the floor, unmoving, not speaking, seemingly unaware of what goes on around her, only a faint trembling of her lips betraying any sensibility.

Posted: **Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:33 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Focus your attacks on the spider!" calls Henry to the others as he reloads his pistol to fire it again. "If we slay it, that may break the spell she's under."

Spoiler:

As if his former display of fear guides his hand, Ivan once more strikes home with his blade, while his master's shot flies past its intended target.

Spoiler:

With a ghastly wet sound, the entrails of the spider spill out of its unnatural body, covering the floor with a sickening mass of ichor-soaked foulness.

Spoiler:

The problem remains as to how to free the entrapped soldier from the sinister embrace of the dead creatures web. It will be remembered that natural philosophers tell us that, in proportion to its size, a spider's web is much stronger than steel; given the weirdly increased thickness of the web, one would expect it to be as difficult to break as a ship's cable. There is also, if the sense of hearing not be deceitful, another captured victim to be rescued, still crying weakly for aid.

Posted: **Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:17 am**

"Well done, Ivan!" cheers Henry. "Hmm...on second thought, it appears that the giant spider did not entrance Miss Ravenscroft after all. It must simply be an imbalance of her humours. I've experienced such imbalances myself. The spider must have been merely a normal spider apart from its size. Now that she is calmer, perhaps I can work with her to find a way to remove the spider's webs without harming those within them. Spider's silk is stronger than steel. If it were steel, my aqua regia could dissolve it, but it is not made of metal in spite of its strength. Burning or cutting the webs would be too dangerous for those trapped inside them. Hmm..." He considers scientific principles that may be of help. "Ivan, your great might may be of use again. See if you can break William free from the webs without harming him."

Posted: **Thu Jun 27, 2019 8:44 am**

Lepus snorts as the woman falls insensible. As he dons his hat and coat he makes a mental note to buy the matador a drink, should they ever meet again.

"Aye, 'tis a mania that afflicts the fine lady. Mayhap she will be quiet for the nonce."

He gingerly picks up her weapon as if it were a loaded pistol and hands it to Henry before heading off into the cobwebs. Having pinpointed the weak cries beforehand, he steers for it's source whilst looking over the other cocoons for signs of life.

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:13 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Well done, Ivan!" cheers Henry. "Hmm...on second thought, it appears that the giant spider did not entrance Miss Ravenscroft after all. It must simply be an imbalance of her humours. I've experienced such imbalances myself. The spider must have been merely a normal spider apart from its size. Now that she is calmer, perhaps I can work with her to find a way to remove the spider's webs without harming those within them. Spider's silk is stronger than steel. If it were steel, my aqua regia could dissolve it, but it is not made of metal in spite of its strength. Burning or cutting the webs would be too dangerous for those trapped inside them. Hmm..." He considers scientific principles that may be of help. "Ivan, your great might may be of use again. See if you can break William free from the webs without harming him."

Spoiler:

Grunting with the mighty effort required to burst the unnatural strands, sweat pouring down his face and arms, skin turning bright red, the mighty Russian manages to free the helpless soldier from his bizarre prison. Ivan gasps for breath, his reserve of strength sapped by this extraordinary effort.

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:27 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Lepus snorts as the woman falls insensible. As he dons his hat and coat he makes a mental note to buy the matador a drink, should they ever meet again.

"Aye, 'tis a mania that afflicts the fine lady. Mayhap she will be quiet for the nonce."

He gingerly picks up her weapon as if it were a loaded pistol and hands it to Henry before heading off into the cobwebs. Having pinpointed the weak cries beforehand, he steers for it's source whilst looking over the other cocoons for signs of life.

From the stillness of the other webbed victims, it seems likely that the creatures within have expired. The voice of the living human being -- for so it seems to be, given that it speaks intelligibly -- buried alive within the silken tomb grows weaker. It appears probable that suffocation will soon claim the life of the one inside. If only Ivan were not rendered temporarily incapable of super-human effort, due to his recent exertion, he might be able to free this unfortunate as well; but a full day of rest would be required for him to recover fully.

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:07 am**

"Diamond!" exclaims Henry, now in a mania of his own. "It's the hardest substance known! That can cut through even spider silk, and I happen to have one as part of my Illuminator!" He opens up the device, extracts the diamond, and uses it to try to saw through the silk cocooning the tiny person, hoping to create an air hole initially and then free whoever is inside.

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:32 am**

Lepus capers excitedly.

"Aye! 'tis a fine idea!"

While Henry disassembles his device to extract the diamond, the wanderer attempts to pry apart the strands to at least let some air into the cocoon.

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:48 am**

Meanwhile, Vincent tends solicitously to Miss Ravenscroft, assisting her back to her rooms.

Posted: **Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:59 pm**

"Many thanks, Ivan," says William, taking a few deep breaths. He goes to join Lepus, gently holding the cocooned figure so the gypsy has two hands to work with the knife and webbing.

Posted: **Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:15 am**

While the Frenchman escorts the now silent and passive Miss Ravenscroft to her chambers, where she collapses into a state of deep slumber, the diamond wielded by Doctor North cuts through the webbing, not without much laborious effort on the part of all concerned. Revealed inside, to the amazement of the rescuers, is the young heir Harold, in a swoon brought on by his struggle to breathe, but reduced to the size of a newborn infant, although otherwise he appears as he was in his normal state, all portions of his body in proportion, even down to his clothing and walking stick.

Posted: **Sat Jun 29, 2019 11:25 am**

"'tis as old Lepus suspected," the hedge wizard states matter-of-factly as he cradles the prone miniature heir in the crook of his arm, as one might cradle a baby.

"His meddlesome alchemy turned on him, says I."

He takes the opportunity to pick through the tiny man's clothing and study his walking stick, which he knows was given to Harold by gypsies and is thus of great interest.

"Mayhap we should search this chamber, yesno? Even if there be no more ways in and out, the favorite feline may be ensonced herein, hm?"

Posted: **Sat Jun 29, 2019 4:02 pm**

"Agreed," says Henry. Once he makes sure Harold is stable, he begins to assist in the search. "We'll need to find Miss Ravenscroft's concoction to restore him to his proper size, or manufacture more of it. When he awakens, he may be able to tell him who reduced him to such a state."

Posted: **Sat Jun 29, 2019 11:39 pm**

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.

Posted: **Sun Jun 30, 2019 9:07 am**

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:

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.

Posted: **Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:19 am**

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

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 12:25 am**

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

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 12:31 am**

jp1885 wrote:
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.

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 1:13 am**

"Indeed, your Lordship," says William.

Posted: **Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:45 am**

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

Posted: **Tue Jul 02, 2019 8:31 am**

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.

Posted: **Tue Jul 02, 2019 8:44 am**

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

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

Posted: **Tue Jul 02, 2019 5:54 pm**

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

Posted: **Wed Jul 03, 2019 2:10 am**

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

Posted: **Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:05 am**

jp1885 wrote:

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

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

Spoiler:

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.

Posted: **Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:18 am**

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

Spoiler:

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.

Posted: **Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:23 am**

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

Spoiler:

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.

Posted: **Thu Jul 11, 2019 1:47 pm**

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.

Posted: **Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:32 pm**

VictoriaSilverwolf wrote: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.

Posted: **Fri Jul 12, 2019 3:08 am**

"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."

Posted: **Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:47 am**

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:

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.

Posted: **Fri Jul 12, 2019 11:41 am**

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?"

Posted: **Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:27 pm**

"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."

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 2:33 am**

"Do I recall correctly that you have already seen Miss Ravenscroft's writing in laboratory?" asks William of Lord Dunwich. "If so, that is one party at least we have covered. The schoolroom will most likely give us the writing of all the children, Henry included."

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 3:05 am**

"Yes, I've been in the laboratory," says Henry, examining the writing to see if it matches hers. "The author may have been spying on us at the time, and why should she want to spy on her own laboratory? Still, the more people we can eliminate as suspects, the better. A woman's handwriting is different than a man's, in any event, so it should not be too hard to determine if the writer is male or female."

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 7:35 am**

"Aye, and if the young mistress and the foundling are writing to each other, mayhap we can obtain letters hm?"

Lepus squints into the peephole.

"'twill be worth remembering what we have said in yonder room..."

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 8:49 am**

Time passes as these stratagems are undertaken with much subtlety. Meanwhile, Lord Highdark's heir remains in his diminutive state. Efforts to communicate with him fail, and it becomes apparent that his weirdly altered condition has reduced his intelligence to that of an infant, congruent with his size. There is much to-do within Highdark Hall as to the continuing absence of the young fellow, with his parents determined to inform the Law and begin an extended search for the lad. Georgina is, of course, quite distraught, and spends time alone in her chamber, weeping. The twins express concern, but, if truth be told, are easily distracted from distress over the loss of their brother by their usual amusements. One questions whether it be wiser to keep the diminished Harold hidden, or to break the frightening news to his family.

By hook and by crook, the adventurers obtain all of the samples of writing they have discussed. Careful study -- graphology being, in these modern times, as exact a science as phrenology -- reveals that the writing is that of a female, past the first blush of girlhood, but her exact age impossible to determine within the limits of natural philosophy. Notable is the fact that it does not match with any of the examples of handwriting which the party have procured.

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 9:04 am**

Lepus harumphs as he reviews the samples of handwriting laid before him.

"Have you still the letters that brought you hence? Mayhap one of them may match? Of course there be also another woman in the house..."

He points up to the attic.

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 4:20 pm**

"We might also turn our attention to the staff," adds William. "Some of them must be able to write."

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 5:45 pm**

"Yes, that is a thought," says Henry. "There is also Lady Highdark to consider. She would have cause to be jealous of Miss Ravenscroft."

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:45 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Lepus harumphs as he reviews the samples of handwriting laid before him.

"Have you still the letters that brought you hence? Mayhap one of them may match? Of course there be also another woman in the house..."

He points up to the attic.

As more time goes by, the letters from Lord Highdark, Georgina, and Miss Ravenscroft are all obtained and examined. Even if the sex of the unknown writer were mistaken, it is clear than Lord Highdark's plain, firm hand bears no resemblance to that of the scrawled notes. Nor does the elegantly simple, somehow charming hand of Georgina, nor the frenzied, heavily inked hand of Miss Ravenscroft (although, perhaps, that one is the closest.)

A return visit to the madwoman in the attic yields only more ravings. When presented with a quill, she seems not to recognize the use of it, instead stroking it upon her skin and attempting to bite it.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:50 am**

SunlessNick wrote:"We might also turn our attention to the staff," adds William. "Some of them must be able to write."

Such inquiry, if it is to remain discreet and not alarm the servants, who would no doubt make some excuse to avoid cooperating with the adventurers, would have to go through Jasper, the Butler, who directs all the staff in one way or another.

"May I inquire as to the reason for this curious request for information, gentlemen?"

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:54 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Yes, that is a thought," says Henry. "There is also Lady Highdark to consider. She would have cause to be jealous of Miss Ravenscroft."

Lady Highdark having become an intimate acquaintance of William, the bold soldier is in possession of a billet-doux, unsigned of course, and full of witty double entendres, in her hand. It is clear that the elaborate, highly decorative writing bears no resemblance to that found on papers in the secret room.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:58 am**

While all of this is going on, the continuing failure of Harold to make an appearance has led to the arrival of an investigating officer from the nearest constabulary. A bluff fellow of plain appearance and plain speech, he makes inquiry of all, particularly the adventurers, seeing as they are not part of the family nor staff, when they last laid eyes upon the fellow.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 9:57 am**

Lepus avoids the investigator whenever possible - gypsies are always the first to be blamed when a crime is committed. When questioned he will play the idiot savant, muttering vaguely how he always kept a deferential distance from the young master and knew not his habits or whereabouts.

Keeping the young master comfortable but hidden for now, if pressed he we put forth a number of helpful theories, from a pretty girl in the village to the dashing recruiting sergeant in the nearest town. Hopefully this will buy some time.

When alone with his friends, he expounds a number of stategems, to wit:-

Does Henry still have the writing produced by the twins during his experiment? The word 'ardello' or somesuch? Does this match?

Could Henry begin work on an enlargement potion using samples from the badger and the spider? Maybe assisted by Miss Ravenscroft if she is able?

No doubt they would be watched, so perhaps the peephole could be coated with some kind of indelible ink? This might mark the watcher, who is presumably the same as the author of the scribblings.

Failing this, he will again suggest that the evil books be burned. Perhaps this will smoke out the mysterious voyeur?

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:51 pm**

"It has been several days since we saw Monsieur Harold healthy," Vincent tells the police inspector. "I am sure none of us would wish to see him harmed." Under his breath he mutters an incantation to Beguile the officer into accepting their innocence.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 1:06 pm**

"Quite," adds William. "No other strangers have come and gone - it may be that the lad simply desires some time alone."

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 3:47 am**

Henry had thought it might be a good idea to tell the inspector the truth, showing him the little young man as proof, but now that the others have established their story, he doesn't contradict them. He is eager to reproduce Miss Ravenscroft's concoction so that Harold can be restored to full size, working with her if needed, though he has reservations about that. When alone with his companions, he shares a hypothesis with them. "The writing is much like Miss Ravenscroft's," he says. "Perhaps she has two distinct personas, working at cross purposes. Who else would have access to her laboratory and have the scientific skills necessary? They could exchange control of her body, neither one aware that they are both sharing it. She could be split into two halves, a good half and a wicked half. Remember how she changed when we fought the spider? Perhaps one of her inventions is responsible."

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 9:19 am**

Rooter wrote:"It has been several days since we saw Monsieur Harold healthy," Vincent tells the police inspector. "I am sure none of us would wish to see him harmed." Under his breath he mutters an incantation to Beguile the officer into accepting their innocence.

Spoiler:

Perhaps because his profession has made him overly suspicious of all persons with whom he comes in contact, the investigating officer does not seem to be persuaded. However, as he has no evidence of guilt on the part of any particular person, he also refrains from making any sort of accusation.

"So you say, Frenchman," the officer -- his name, by the by, is Dopple, Christian name unknown at the moment -- remarks, using a form of address not the most polite, "and so it may be. Still, I shall have to ask you and your companions to report your daily activities to me on a regular basis. Lord Highdark has kindly offered to allow me to remain in residence while I continue my investigation."

It is obvious that this will prove something of a nuisance, as it renders discreet activities more difficult to conceal than usual.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 9:29 am**

It is a simple matter to cover up the peephole.

Spoiler:

Burning the wicked books, which are quite numerous, would be much more difficult, given the need to remove them to an area where the fire would not threaten the manor home. Transporting them to such a place would, of course, itself entail the risk of drawing unwanted attention.

Doctor North does indeed still possess the papers written by the twins whilst in a state of unspoken communication. The writing does not differ in any way from that of their normal hand, and certainly does not look, in its childish form, anything like that found in the hidden room.

The theory concerning Miss Ravenscroft is an intriguing one. It brings to mind a term invented by the writer Jean Paul -- despite his name, a German -- in his curious and droll novel Siebenkäs, published a score of years ago, more or less. This term -- Doppeltgänger -- refers to a double of one's self. Whether or not Miss Ravenscroft contains a sort of Doppeltgänger within her soul is an intriguing question, and one which would require much ingenuity to answer.

Be that as it may, it is quite obvious that recreating the Elixir of Augmentation without the aid of Miss Ravenscroft's experience -- to produce such an extraordinary substance de novo -- will be an extremely difficult task, even for one of Doctor North's great intelligence and knowledge of natural philosophy. Working with her would render the task much less arduous, although it will still not be easy; but can one trust her?

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 12:16 pm**

Lepus smokes him noxious pipe thoughtfully, weaving a mental picture of him and his friends wheeling barrowfulls of forbidden tomes out to a bonfire under the astonished gaze of Dopple.

"An unusual name, yesno? Considering what we suspect of the fine mistress... Mayhap we could set a watch on the laboratory, the mistresses chamber and the hidden room?"

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 5:11 pm**

"If we recreate Miss Ravenscroft's concoction and restore Harold, he may know who did this to him," says William. "And it would allow a watch to be kept on Miss Ravenscroft at the same time."

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:47 am**

This plan being acceptable to all, Doctor North and Miss Ravenscroft work together on the difficult process of producing another dose of the Elixir of Augmentation. The others are useful in keeping an eye on Miss Ravenscroft, who so far appears cooperative, although at times working in a frenzy, and at other times so languid that she is of no assistance at all. They also aid Doctor North by procuring certain herbs from places not far from Highdark Hall where they grow.

Spoiler:

After a few days the elixir is ready. Administered to the diminished heir, before the astonished eyes of all he grows to normal size in a matter of minutes, not without much evident pain on the part of the lad, his clothing and other accouterments also regaining their normal dimensions. He appears that he has regained his wits as well, but evidently has no memory of his remarkable transformation.

With some heat, he stands and addresses the witnesses to his recovery.

"What is the meaning of this? What have you done to me? The last thing I remember, I was alone in my room, when I suddenly felt very sleepy. Come, come, confess your intentions, or I shall be forced to take action."

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:48 am**

While Henry and Miss Ravenscroft work on the elixir, Lepus does his part in keeping watch, but also looks out for anyone with inky marks around their eyes, lest they have been spying on them from the secret room.

When the young master is restored to his proper state, Lepus is loathe to speak up first, knowing how little regard the hotheaded young fellow has for people of his ilk.

Instead he casually eyes the man's unusual walking stick. Now that it is the correct length, perhaps he can make out some of the markings?

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:22 pm**

"Alone? You saw no one else?" asks William, evidently impatient at the young heir's hostile manner. "And show some gratitude - Lord Dunwich has worked for many days to restore you." [If Miss Ravenscroft is present for the application of the elixir, he wil say "Lord Dunwich and Miss Ravenscroft"]

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 12:35 am**

"If you do not remember what has happened to you or who has done this to you," says Henry, "perhaps I can help you recall it. Have you ever heard of Mesmerism? It is a technique that can free suppressed memories, and I can attempt it if you wish."

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:19 am**

Spoiler:

Whilst the others are in conversation, at times heatedly, Lepus is able to draw near the young man's walking stick and study the curious runes carved upon it closely. From his experience with such arcane matters, he is able to determine that they are designed to enable the one who bears them to perform some manner of preternatural effect without possessing either inherent sorcerous abilities or acquired knowledge of the magical. There is also a warning, however, that such power does not come without serious cost. As to exactly what ability the carved stick grants, or what penalty it demands, only the wielder thereof may know.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:29 am**

Spoiler:

In response to William's inquiry and admonishment, Harold responds with sneering disdain.

"I said I was alone, and I am not in the habit of having my veracity questioned by one of lower station. As for gratitude, I hardly think it due to those who have, in some unknown manner, enticed me into a senseless state and then awakened me, will-I nill-I, as if I were a lamb being brought to slaughter! Speak truly, man. Was it laudanum you use to thus capture me within my own home? Is it ransom you demand?"

It is evident from this speech that he is entirely unaware of his strange transformation, and considers himself only to have been insensate for some period of time.

Indicating Miss Ravenscroft, who stands off to one side, observing in a wide-eyed fashion, he continues "As for that woman -- I do not say 'lady' -- I am only too well aware of her disdain for common morality. Obviously harlotry has proved insufficiently profitable, and kidnapping has been added to her crimes."

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:47 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"If you do not remember what has happened to you or who has done this to you," says Henry, "perhaps I can help you recall it. Have you ever heard of Mesmerism? It is a technique that can free suppressed memories, and I can attempt it if you wish."

Spoiler:

Still suspicious of those of whom he suspects no good, the heir refuses to cooperate in any manner.

"And if you resort to brute force," he says, brandishing his walking stick, "I warn you that I shall defend myself, despite my infirmity." The reference is obviously to his slight lameness, resulting in a limping walk.

Posted: **Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:30 pm**

Alarmed that his friends' efforts are serving only to agitate the volatile young heir, Lepus seeks to pour oil over troubled waters.

"Nay my lord," he says, holding his hands out in a placatory manner. "'tis not us that accosted you. We found you lying, as if dead, near one of the sealed rooms nearby. We brought you hence, as the lady possessed certain smelling salts needed to rouse you."

"Old Lepus took her for a physician of some sort - a thousand apologies if her presence disturbs you. Mayhap a more familiar location will soothe the young master; allow us to show you the way out of this place and thence to a joyful reunion with your fine family."

With much bustle and bumbling, he will suggest that his friends help Henry to the exit, whilst Lepus assists by taking hold of the hopefully bewildered man's stick. As he leaves, he will test a theory by passing along the wall that connects the room to the hitherto un-entered chamber and seeing what transpires.

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:06 am**

"You are not a prisoner here," says Henry. "You had been before, but we rescued you. We merely brought you here to recover, and I am pleased to see that you have. I want to know who is responsible for the state in which we found you as much as you are, and we will be glad to help you investigate. If you had something to drink before you lost consciousness, I can perform scientific tests upon whatever is left to determine if laudanum - or some other harmful substance - was indeed in it. You are in fact in your own home. Your father has been very worried about you, and he will be very pleased to hear that you are alive and well."

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:51 am**

"And for my part, I apologise for my outburst," says William. "I had not anticipated what in hindsight is a natural reaction to having been insensate throughout your ordeal."

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:41 pm**

Somewhat mollified by these explanations, and the fact that, soon enough, he finds himself within more familiar areas of Highdark Hall, Harold allows the adventurers to accompany him back to the welcoming arms of his family. Many astonished exclamations follow his account of having lost all memory of his whereabouts for several days.

During the brief journey from the hidden room to the public areas of the manor home, the party becomes aware of a certain notable fact, to wit: That Harold does not permit Lepus to hold his walking stick, and reacts with seemingly unwarranted alarm at the merest touch of the Gypsy's hand upon it.

From brief contact with the stick, Lepus is able to sense that it has some connection with the room which, heretofore, has remained impossible to enter; but what this might be is unclear.

After the initial reunion with the family, conversation returns to other matters. Dopple asks many questions of the heir, which elicit little information. He announces that he will return to the nearby village, to make further investigation, suspecting that some low criminal has made a thwarted attempt at kidnapping and has fled once its failure became evident.

After this, Harold spends much time speaking with Georgina, who welcomes him with many warm embraces and sisterly kisses. Their speech seems somewhat at cross purposes, the lad mostly anxious that his sister may have kept in communication with the exiled foundling -- a charge she denies wordlessly, by blushing deeply and shaking her head -- and the lass, guilelessly changing the subject by expressing much concern for the fate of Artemis, a question in which her brother shows little interest.

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:25 pm**

As the siblings talk, Lepus draws his friends aside.

"'tis my opinion that the lad's cane be the key to whatever keeps the sealed room locked. A sinister thing so it is. There be more to the young heir than first appears. We must watch him..."

"Oh, and the poor horse! We must bring that noble steed back to it's normal self now we know the makings of the elixir."

Posted: **Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:56 pm**

"Yes, we'll need to make another dose of the elixir," says Henry. "While Miss Ravenscroft and I are doing that, others can keep an eye on the heir, and not merely to make sure he is not again abducted. It would also be good to try to find the missing cat. It will most likely either be much larger or much smaller than one would expect, though smaller is more probable. An extremely large cat would be difficult to hide, let alone feed."

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2019 5:05 am**

"Indeed," says William. "If he was alone in his room when he was taken, then it follows that he was deliberately targeted, rather than stumbling on the culprit by accident. We must also take care of ourselves - by his return, the culprit will know how much we have discovered."

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2019 4:36 pm**

Several more days go by as a second dose of the Elixir of Augmentation is prepared. In the meantime, simple tests reveal that the small glass of brandy, which Harold is in the habit of taking each evening, was indeed adulterated with laudanum, explaining how person or persons unknown were able to administer the Elixir and convey him elsewhere.

Master Harold being the object of much interest by the adventurers, they observe that he never allows his walking stick to leave his side, even going so far as to take it into his bedchamber at night.

Spoiler:

The party note that, at times, he attempts to escape observation, but due to his infirmity, this proves impossible, and he displays obvious signs of frustration due to this, without making any spoken objection.

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:26 pm**

When he is not keeping an eye on Henry, Lepus spends his time below stairs, quizzing the household staff about the young heir's daily routine. More specifically who prepares his meals and supplies his evening brandy. If he can pinpoint who doctored the fellow's drink...

As he listens, he whittles away at a piece of wood, carving a walking stick engraved with numerous mystical runes and occult symbols, to wit: a rune supposed to cure the user of chilblains, a charm (shown to him by a mad washerwoman) said to stop seams from unravelling, a mystic inscription that proports to make fisherman think the wielder is Danish and other such useless charms.

Posted: **Fri Jul 19, 2019 9:19 pm**

"Let's restore the horse now," says Henry. "We'll take it to the stables first. It'll be easier to transport it now than when it's full size."

Posted: **Sat Jul 20, 2019 9:03 am**

"Do you observe," Vincent remarks to the others in private, "that the behavior of Monsieur Harold with his stick is similar to the children with the doll, non?" When opportunity presents he will attempt an incantation to Detect Evil in the stick.

Posted: **Sat Jul 20, 2019 3:41 pm**

"That is an excellent observation," says Henry. "Still, that does not necessarily mean that the walking stick is host to an evil spirit, though it is worth considering."

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:23 am**

jp1885 wrote:
When he is not keeping an eye on Henry, Lepus spends his time below stairs, quizzing the household staff about the young heir's daily routine. More specifically who prepares his meals and supplies his evening brandy. If he can pinpoint who doctored the fellow's drink...

As he listens, he whittles away at a piece of wood, carving a walking stick engraved with numerous mystical runes and occult symbols, to wit: a rune supposed to cure the user of chilblains, a charm (shown to him by a mad washerwoman) said to stop seams from unravelling, a mystic inscription that proports to make fisherman think the wielder is Danish and other such useless charms.

Such inquiry yields the information that the young man's nightly brandy is prepared by any one of several trusted kitchen servants, who have access to the cellars. (Gossip suggests that His Lordship tolerates a small loss of his wines and spirits to the servants, as long as this is kept to a minimum.) The glass of brandy is brought to his chambers by Jasper, the butler. It then remains there, to air and to warm to the proper temperature, for some time, during which it would be possible for a stealthy person to adulterate it without being detected, before Harold himself enters.

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:30 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: "Let's restore the horse now," says Henry. "We'll take it to the stables first. It'll be easier to transport it now than when it's full size."

OOC,Can I "invent" fingerprinting? I've already some experience with it from [b]Roterstein[/b]'s lock, and the brandy bottle probably has usable prints on it.

This errand of mercy is performed without harm to the beast, which appears to have suffered no harm from its transformation back to normal size.

Meanwhile, Doctor North is able to apply his previous discovery of the unique patterns found on the human digits, and the manner in which their image may be detected on certain materials, to view, and make an accurate drawing of, said patterns left upon the glass of brandy There appear to be at least three distinct groups of these patterns, from digits of different sizes, suggesting that the glass has been handled by three different persons recently.

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:33 am**

Rooter wrote:"Do you observe," Vincent remarks to the others in private, "that the behavior of Monsieur Harold with his stick is similar to the children with the doll, non?" When opportunity presents he will attempt an incantation to Detect Evil in the stick.

The Frenchman's spell yields an ambiguous sense of malevolence associated with the walking stick, suggesting that it is not evil in and of itself, but has been used for some dark purpose in times past.

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:24 am**

Lepus stares in amazement at the drawings, comparing the whirling patterns with his own dirty fingerprints.

"There be only a few servants who prepare the libation and yon butler who carries it to the young master. Our course then be to note the patterns of thier fingers, yesno?"

"Old Lepus worries about the young master's stick and as such is whittling his own. Mayhap the lad can be convinced of it's superior power and be induced to agree to an exchange?"

Posted: **Thu Jul 25, 2019 4:45 pm**

"A remarkable process, your Lordship," says William. "Three different persons suggests the servant who prepared it, Jasper, and Harold himself. But could a fourth person have added the laudanum without touching the glass?"

Posted: **Fri Jul 26, 2019 6:23 am**

"Thank you," says Henry. "It is possible, though the glass may have been touched by the miscreant anyway, to hold it steady. Nobody would take the precaution of not handling the glass to avoid leaving these patterns upon it, as this is a new science unheard of by almost everyone. What I would like to do is obtain a sample of Miss Ravenscroft's patterns, which should be a simple matter as she has handled various glass implements in the laboratory. Though her personality may change, her fingers do not. Once I have that, I should be able to compare it to these marks on the brandy glass to see if they match and if my suspicions are correct."

Posted: **Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:23 am**

Such notions being aired among the party, it is a simple matter of time and patience to obtain objects bearing the finger patterns of those in question. Within a matter of a few days, it has been well established that the largest marks belong to the butler Jasper, a tall and long-limbed fellow; those of middling size to Harold himself; and the smallest belonging to a person unknown, as they definitely do not match those of Miss Ravenscroft, whose fingers, by the by, are somewhat larger than those of the average female. It may also be determined, through continued observation, that the servants who fetch the nightly brandy -- or, for that matter, any wines and spirits desired by the family -- do not come into direct contact with the vessels in which they are served, that being a duty reserved to the highly skilled and trustworthy Jasper, or, in some cases, to whosoever imbibes the beverage.

As interesting as these matters may be to the adventurers, they pale into insignificance as far as the family is concerned, in comparison with the fact that a brace of Lord Highdark's hunting dogs have gone missing at some time in the middle of the night. Excited reports from the kennel master and his apprentices -- mere lads -- indicate that, unlike other persons and animals who have disappeared from the premises in recent times, they were taken away by violent force, evidence for this being abundant in the form of much damage to the kennel, loud howlings from the dogs which alarmed the kennel master and boys -- too late, alas, to discover what the hue and cry was about -- and much blood upon the straw which the beasts used as beds. The other dogs are in an excited state and require much care to be calmed; oh, if they could only speak and bear witness!

Posted: **Fri Jul 26, 2019 11:24 am**

Regarding this new science of 'printing fingers', as it were, the evidence has Lepus perplexed.

"So, small fingers, coupled with the writings in a female hand? Dare I say either the lady of the house or her daughter has a different personality? We know the twins labour under a malign influence also. Mayhap we should obtain the finger-patterns of these females, yesno?"

He is also alarmed at the fate of the poor dogs.

"Gah! old Lepus has heard tell of a magick said to allow one to speak to beasts, but I know it not! Yon hounds would have fought back against such violent abduction. Let us be on the look-out for anyone bearing marks of injury. "

He will keep a close eye on everyone in an attempt to spot bite or scratch marks, suspicious bandages and the like. He will also search around the kennels, looking for scuff marks, blood trails and drops of blood, in the hope that they will lead to where the animals have been taken.

Posted: **Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:53 am**

Similar stratagems as have been practiced heretofore allow the adventurers to obtain the finger markings of Lady Highdark and all three of her daughters. None of these match the unidentified marks found upon the glass. No doubt a sense of frustration will be created by this discovery, but at least these persons are eliminated as suspects in the crime.

Similarly, no unusual marks of violence are seen upon any member of the household. (Of course, servants are bound to suffer some manner of small injury from time to time, given the nature of their duties, but these are all quite minor and easily explained. As far as their masters and mistresses go, no such evidence is apparent.)

Spoiler:

Investigation of the kennels by one well-versed in the ways of beasts yields certain suggestive discoveries. To wit, long strands of fur, varying in color from white to black to yellow, not matching that of the dogs, as well as a strong, unpleasant scent in certain places, reminiscent of spirit of hartshorn.

Posted: **Sat Jul 27, 2019 8:18 pm**

Lepus sniffs the strange substance, wrinkling his nose at the acrid smell and trying to remember if it's something he's encountered before. He also inspects the hairs to see if he can recognise what manner of creature they came from.

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 1:31 am**

What colour is the missing cat?

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 8:15 am**

Henry collects samples of the fur for analysis. "We may have found traces of the missing cat," he says, "It may have been enlarged after all, and it would have motive for this attack. Were I a cat that suddenly found itself greatly increased in size, I too might have sought revenge on dogkind."

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 9:24 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Lepus sniffs the strange substance, wrinkling his nose at the acrid smell and trying to remember if it's something he's encountered before. He also inspects the hairs to see if he can recognise what manner of creature they came from.

A Wisdom roll? (18),[dice]224076:0[/dice]

Spoiler:

The scent is similar to that which members of the feline tribe produce when marking their territory, but much stronger than normal. The fur also resembles that of cats, but is much longer and thicker than one would expect.

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 9:24 am**

SunlessNick wrote:What colour is the missing cat?

It will be remembered that Artemis is of that mixed color known as calico to ailurophiles.

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 9:25 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Henry collects samples of the fur for analysis. "We may have found traces of the missing cat," he says, "It may have been enlarged after all, and it would have motive for this attack. Were I a cat that suddenly found itself greatly increased in size, I too might have sought revenge on dogkind."

OOC,Actually, even identical twins have different fingerprints.

Spoiler:

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 8:54 pm**

"Aye, you be right; 'tis a cat," Lepus frowns. "Though a cat the size of a lion, yesno? Let us assume 'tis the young lady's beast - how to catch it without causing injury... Mayhap we could brew something akin to the scent of a tomcat? Lure the creature out and administer a sleeping draught?"

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 11:38 pm**

"Catnip should do the trick," says Henry. "Cats are mad for it. It should be no problem for me to prepare a sleeping draught, I'll just have to increase the dosage accordingly to account for the increased size."

Posted: **Sun Jul 28, 2019 11:41 pm**

William concurs with this plan as the best means to take cat alive. After a moment's thought he adds, "Miss Ravenscroft was of the opinion that the missing elixirs might yields three of four of each kind of transformation. We have now accounted for three instances of growth, and two of shrinking. It seems likely to me that the remaining doses of the latter would be reserved as a weapon against those the culprit considers a threat to them, but we may yet face one more enlarged creature."

Posted: **Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:10 am**

"Mon dieu!" Vincent exclaims. "I will inquire of Mademoiselle Georgina what le chat's favorite treat may be, non?"

Posted: **Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:29 am**

Doctor North will, of course, explain to his companions, who may not be as versed in natural philosophy as himself, that he is referring to the mint-like herbal plant originally designated as Nepeta floribus interrupte spicatis pedunculatis by the great naturalist Carl Linnaeus, later renamed Nepeta cataria, no doubt to the relief of many a copyist, by that learned gentleman in his classic tome Species Plantarum.

The question remains as to where one should hunt for this curious product of the Earth's bounty. True, it is not uncommon throughout Europe and Asia, but there are so many types of flora that it is not a simple thing to locate any one of them. Perhaps a glance at the map of the environs of Highdark Hall may provide some inspiration.

https://engineoforacles.files.wordpress ... dings1.jpg

Meanwhile, in conversation with Georgina, Vincent elicits some further information.

"The dear little thing so loved to take kippers and sardines and small eels from my fingers, although Papa did not like me to soil my hands in such a way." The memory produces a weak smile, followed by weeping.

It is one of Nature's peculiar jokes that cats, so averse to water, should relish the taste of the creatures that dwell therein.

Posted: **Mon Jul 29, 2019 10:45 am**

Gurning alarmingly, Lepus ponders what's been said, cross-referencing it with the map of the estate he's created in his head from his wandering thereabouts.

"Mayhap some eels could be fished from yon Misty Tarn? We have the runes from the cave to drive the spirits of the island away should the matter arise, hm?"

"If not, mayhap these herbs could be procured from the kitchen garden, or p'rhaps it groweth in Tamsin's Close, yesno?"

Posted: **Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:46 am**

There is no great difficulty in obtaining a number of elvers from the Misty Tarn, given some direction by a kitchen servant of Spanish ancestry, that nation famed for preparing the young eels as a delicacy.
Undertaking this task during daylight hours seems to keep away any malign entities that may be about their dark business. It is possible to keep the elvers alive for a short time simply by placing them in a container of water.

Catnip not being much used in cookery, although it is true that some eccentrics prepare a tea from it, claiming salubrious effects from the brew, there is none to be found in the kitchen gardens.

The party agreeing to explore Tamsin's Close, for want of a better scheme, they discover it to be a stone and iron structure, evidently of great age, consisting of a wall about the height of a tall man, enclosing two circular structures of gray brick, something like a pair of small towers. Between the two lies a small pool of water, as may be viewed from the single heavy iron gate on the eastern side of the structure. The water is thick with algae, and the whole area abounds with lush vegetation, apparently being little visited and never cared for by any groundskeeper. The gate is not locked, but is nearly rusted shut with age; if opened, it emits a loud shrieking noise as its hinges, obviously unmoved for some time, reluctantly perform their duty. The towers have no apparent openings, as if they were built merely as follies.

Posted: **Tue Jul 30, 2019 2:46 pm**

Remembering his encounter with the blasted oak, Lepus mutters greetings and a polite request to enter the garden in his ployglot mix of faerie tongues before pushing the gate open enough to squeeze through.

He scans the undergrowth with keen eyes, just in case any large cats are lurking nearby.

Posted: **Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:55 pm**

Henry follows Lepus through the gate and looks around for anything that might be catnip.

Posted: **Wed Jul 31, 2019 7:35 am**

Spoiler:

Whilst this curiously mismatched pair are searching among the thick and tangled plant life that fills this little-visited place, as if it were one of the fabled jungles that are said to exist in warmer climes, they hear a very soft, yet somehow unmistakable, sound, soft and high, which resembles the laughter of young children. It comes from one place at first, then from another, not very close, the next. At the same time, there is much activity among the tiny creatures that inhabit the area. A number of small frogs hop out of the central pool, all manner of insects fly or creep about the plants, and so forth.

Meanwhile, as if by sheer luck, a sudden warm breeze stirs the foliage in such a way that a patch of catnip, hidden deep behind larger plants until that moment, is revealed.

Posted: **Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:17 am**

None of this perturbs Lepus, who, having heard such high-pitched chittering before during his explorations, bows low to the assemblage of wildlife and bids Henry do the same.

"The garden has seen fit to show us what we require," he whispers, "but due deference we must show, hm?"

Pointing to the catnip, he once again he gibbers in an eccentric mix of faerie languages.

Posted: **Thu Aug 01, 2019 4:33 am**

Once Lepus gives his approval, Henry gathers the catnip, knowing he'll need a greater than normal quantity of it to affect the enlarged feline.

Posted: **Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:13 pm**

As the fragrant plant is gathered, there seems to be a soft whispering within the trees, much like the playing of a breeze in the leaves, although close observation reveals that the air is still. This continues for some time, increasing in volume just a bit, so that eventually one can make out what seem to be spoken words arriving from no certain direction, as if emerging from the atmosphere itself.

What price will you give
If you wish to live?
Full well must you pay
Or perish this day.

Posted: **Thu Aug 01, 2019 8:23 pm**

"Ah, 'tis always so, hm? Seldom is there something for nothing."

Lepus giggles suddenly, producing his tin whistle and playing a little tune.

"'tis a thing as always taught; ne'er a time there's aught for nought!" he sings.

He rummages around his rags, fishing out some bread from the kitchen thst he has kept about his person for emergencies.

"Would our kind hosts accept some nourishment? Or mayhap old Lepus can whistle a little more?"

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 3:17 am**

"What price do you desire?" asks Henry. "I have knowledge if that is what your require. I also have great wealth to give. We'll pay the cost it takes to live."

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 3:23 am**

While Lord Dunwich and the strange Lepus are away on their errand, William will succumb to his restless nature and take a ride round the estate. He will invite Lady Highdark to accompany him - "Your household has been much assailed in the past weeks, Lady Highdark. Perhaps a ride in the fresh air may clear your head and revive your spirits."

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:13 am**

Meanwhile Vincent, who tends to go into sneezing fits and develop rashes around cats and thus has no desire to meet a giant one, procures a supply of the breakfast kippers from the kitchens should the need arise and remains with Mademoiselle Georgina, offering felicitous words of comfort.

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:41 pm**

jp1885 wrote:
"Ah, 'tis always so, hm? Seldom is there something for nothing."

Lepus giggles suddenly, producing his tin whistle and playing a little tune.

"'tis a thing as always taught; ne'er a time there's aught for nought!" he sings.

He rummages around his rags, fishing out some bread from the kitchen that he has kept about his person for emergencies.

"Would our kind hosts accept some nourishment? Or mayhap old Lepus can whistle a little more?"

The tune doth please
And yet our ease
Ye would best meet
With stone most sweet

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:44 pm**

Mr. Handy wrote:
"What price do you desire?" asks Henry. "I have knowledge if that is what your require. I also have great wealth to give. We'll pay the cost it takes to live."

No mortal lore
Will serve us, nor
Coin of gold;
Give sweetness old!

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:48 pm**

SunlessNick wrote:While Lord Dunwich and the strange Lepus are away on their errand, William will succumb to his restless nature and take a ride round the estate. He will invite Lady Highdark to accompany him - "Your household has been much assailed in the past weeks, Lady Highdark. Perhaps a ride in the fresh air may clear your head and revive your spirits."

Lady Highdark is nothing loath to accompany the bold soldier. Whilst riding in a secluded area of the deer park, they hear a mighty roar, as of some prowling beast.

Spoiler:

Both horses are greatly disturbed by the sound, which emerges from somewhere deep within the wooded park, but their riders are able to take control of them and avoid being thrown.

Posted: **Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:57 pm**

Rooter wrote:Meanwhile Vincent, who tends to go into sneezing fits and develop rashes around cats and thus has no desire to meet a giant one, procures a supply of the breakfast kippers from the kitchens should the need arise and remains with Mademoiselle Georgina, offering felicitous words of comfort.

Whilst thus engaged in pleasant conversation, Georgina keeps an eye on a nearby clock. As its chimes mark the ninth hour of the evening, she hurriedly makes excuse and states that she wishes to retire. Being entirely unused to dissembling, it is a matter of simple observation that, in fact, she is dressed as if she intends to go outside.

Posted: **Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:14 am**

"Could they mean your talisman?" Henry asks Lepus. "It's an old stone, but how could it be considered sweet?"

Posted: **Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:09 am**

William looks in the direction of the roar, his hand instinctively going to his pistol - but then he realises what the sound must be, and forebears to draw. "It may seem strange to imagine, Lady Highdark, but I believe we have discovered the whereabouts of your daughter's missing cat. I fear I must return and enlist Lord Dunwich - he and the others have been preparing bait by which we might recover it alive."

Posted: **Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:58 pm**

Poets have often spoken of the wind laughing in the trees. If such a thing were truly to happen, it might sound like what the Lord Doctor and the Gypsy Magician hear in response to their speculations.

Far from the mark
Thy arrows fly!
'Tis almost dark
And night is nigh.
'Fore sun is lost,
To seal thy fate,
Must pay the cost
Or else, too late!
Not work of hand
But that of wing!
Canst understand?
Hark! We sing!
Bring sweetness white
Or sweetness gold
'Fore endless night
Brings endless cold.

At the same time as this half-heard, half-dreamed recitation fills their minds, the mismatched pair notice that the breeze stirs the foliage in such a manner that the patch of catnip is blocked from their grasp by stinging nettle and other plants that are noxious to the touch.

Posted: **Sat Aug 03, 2019 11:02 pm**

SunlessNick wrote:William looks in the direction of the roar, his hand instinctively going to his pistol - but then he realises what the sound must be, and forebears to draw. "It may seem strange to imagine, Lady Highdark, but I believe we have discovered the whereabouts of your daughter's missing cat. I fear I must return and enlist Lord Dunwich - he and the others have been preparing bait by which we might recover it alive."

"Cat? Indeed, sir, to mine own ear that sound resembles more the cry of the American beast, named by the colonists, unless I am very much mistaken, a catamount. In any case, let us make haste towards the good Doctor, who knows of such curiosities of nature. The creature might make a fine trophy, no matter how it ended up so far from its native environs."

Posted: **Sun Aug 04, 2019 1:09 am**

"An egg!" exclaims Henry. "We can find some in the chicken coop, near the kitchen gardens, unless there's a bird's nest closer."

Posted: **Sun Aug 04, 2019 1:57 pm**

A somewhat perturbed Lepus is more than happy to accept Henry's idea of offering an egg, as opposed to his interpretation of the rhyme, to wit: the stone pendant that bestows him his magical powers.

"Aye, an egg, 'tis white and gold! Bravo sir - now make haste!"

"Allow my friend to leave and then,
He shall find himself a hen.
Underneath it's wings he'll peek,
And return hence with the stone ye seek."

"With thee in song I shall engage,
So thou knowst we'll not renege.
Talk and play we shall take turns,
Until my friend hap'ly returns!"

Thus sings Lepus to the spirits of this garden, offering to converse and play tunes with them until Henry returns with the offering.

Play@YSDC

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

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

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