Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Romantic Horror, London, circa 1800

Moderators: VictoriaSilverwolf, Victoria Silverwolf

User avatar
Priest
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 3281
Registered for: 11 years 2 months
11
Location: Somerset, England
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Priest »

Image

"Eugh! Filthy creatures" shouts Elizabeth as the disturbed creatures attempt to bite her legs in their haste to flee the invasion of their nests. Luckily a combination of quick moves and reflexes ensure that none of the squeaking, biting creatures trouble her.

Quietly so as not to disturb Lila's reading of the manuscript, Elizabeth turns to Henry, "The brother awaits outside this hole, should we call him in or bid him await our return?"
Dexterity,[url=http://orokos.com/roll/432510]Dexterity roll: 7[/url]: [u]1d20[/u] [b]3[/b]
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
Rooter
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1635
Registered for: 7 years 7 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Rooter »

Image

As she describes the contents of the manuscript to her companions, sparing them the lurid details, Lila feels if not sympathy then at least an understanding of the dark desires which might drive Miss Dupray to seek excitement in such debauched fantasies. If her experiences studying and fighting evil have taught her anything it is that every human--and inhuman--soul contains a wellspring of perversity, her own included, though some run deeper than others.

Upon hearing Doctor North's account of how the manuscript was hidden she murmurs, "Perhaps it would be best if we do not inform Miss Dupray's brother of this private discovery, since he is evidently distressed enough over her disappearance." She puts the papers inside her haversack for safekeeping until she can return them to their owner.
User avatar
Mr. Handy
Admin
Admin
Posts: 46361
Registered for: 17 years 5 months
17
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Mr. Handy »

Image

Henry also manages to avoid the swarm of rats as they surge past, and he guides Elizabeth down the stairs to join the others in the tunnel. He is relieved that she is no longer in the presence of Monsieur Dupray, as he would not trust him alone with her - not that he trusts him much in any event. "Yes, I quite agree," he says. "In fact, it's best not to involve him at all at this stage. If he is not the attacker with the slingshot, then it must be either his sister or one of their servants, possibly acting on the behalf of one or both of them. And then there's the fact that young women have gone missing who have performed at their salon. I do not think we can trust him, at least until we know more. Even if he is not involved, he would likely not believe ill of his sister without solid proof - which we yet lack."
OOC,Dexterity roll (10 stat) to avoid being bitten: [dice]0[/dice]
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Rooter
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1635
Registered for: 7 years 7 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Rooter »

Image

"Quite so, Doctor." Raising the lantern, Lila tries the wooden door.
User avatar
Priest
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 3281
Registered for: 11 years 2 months
11
Location: Somerset, England
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Priest »

Image

Elizabeth listens to Henry's words then glances back to the steps. Part of her feels concern for whatever pain Antoine must be feeling at this time. However there is something that bothers her about the Dupray's, nothing that she can put a finger on, just something...odd. So she is relieved by the decision to leave Antoine out of things for the moment. She watches as Lila tries the wooden door, feeling a warmth of curiosity rise within her. She grasps Henrys arm, in case the sudden opening of the door reveals an unexpected suprise. She feels somewhat safe in the presence of the doctor.
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
User avatar
maelstrom
Initiate
Initiate
Posts: 97
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by maelstrom »

Duncan holds his dagger ready, Wether to be used as a physical weapon, or as an extension of his will and waits as the door opens. Smelling the air and hoping not, to capture again, that scent that so reviled him earlier.
User avatar
Victoria Silverwolf
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1130
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Location: Chattanooga TN
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Victoria Silverwolf »

The door opens easily. Beyond it is a large room carved from rock and earth. Tapers are set on the walls to provide light. Near one the servant girl Mary has been chained to the wall by shackles at hand and foot. She has been gagged and cannot cry out, but upon seeing the four adventurers she opens her eyes wide and struggles uselessly against her bonds. There are also a variety of instruments of torment -- whips, pincers, and the like -- set into brackets on the wall.

None of this, however, is as noteworthy as the fact that Miss Dupray, dressed in her brother's clothing, faces those who stand outside the door with a crossbow, ready to be loosed at any moment.

"Good," she says. "You have brought her to me. That saves me a great deal of trouble. Leave the simpering little witch with me and take the servant with you. I have no quarrel with the rest of you."

There is madness is her eyes. Failure to do as she says will undoubtedly cause her to fire the deadly bolt.
Rooter
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1635
Registered for: 7 years 7 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Rooter »

Image

As any illusions she had entertained regarding Miss Dupray's private fantasies are shattered, Lila glances at Miss Carrow, presuming her to be the so-called 'simpering little witch'.
Spoiler:
Lila will let the others talk/respond first, lacking their Charisma, but if they take no action which immediately resolves the situation she will take out the illicit manuscript and offer it in exchange for Mary.
User avatar
Priest
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 3281
Registered for: 11 years 2 months
11
Location: Somerset, England
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Priest »

Image

"Oh my" gasps Elizabeth taking a half step to the rear before begining a wobble that can only end in a faint.
"Antoine help me!"
she screams as she falls to the floor in the hope that she will provide enough of a distraction to draw the attention of the Dupray woman away from her companions.
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
User avatar
Victoria Silverwolf
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1130
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Location: Chattanooga TN
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Victoria Silverwolf »

Hearing Miss Carrow call her brother's name seems to enrage Miss Dupray.

"How dare you make my brother fall in love with you! No one is good enough for him! Not you, and not those others!"

As she is making this impassioned speech, Mister Dupray has rushed to the aid of his inamorata.
Spoiler:
The Duprays's basic abilities are all at the average of 9. Obviously they have very different Perversities.
Spoiler:
[dice]0[/dice]
As he rushes into the underground lair, he is bitten by a rat.
Spoiler:
[dice]1[/dice]
The creature seems to be diseased, and no doubt Mister Dupray will suffer the consequences.

As he runs to Miss Carrow, the startled rats rush at Miss Dupray as well.
Spoiler:
[dice]2[/dice]
She is able to avoid its teeth, but the encounter distracts her for a moment. It seems evident that she will soon attempt to end the life of Miss Carrow with the crossbow. If the shot goes wild, it may strike someone else.
Rooter
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1635
Registered for: 7 years 7 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Rooter »

Image

Seeing Miss Dupray distracted Lila rushes her, swinging the only weapon she has immediately to hand--the lantern--in a desperate attempt to knock the crossbow from the madwoman's grip before she can recover and pull the trigger...
User avatar
Victoria Silverwolf
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1130
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Location: Chattanooga TN
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Victoria Silverwolf »

Wruter wrote:Seeing Miss Dupray distracted Lila rushes her, swinging the only weapon she has immediately to hand--the lantern--in a desperate attempt to knock the crossbow from the madwoman's grip before she can recover and pull the trigger...
Spoiler:
Please make an Ability Check against your Dexterity, adding your Danger bonus and one for being able to see the True Innocent.

In the unlikely event you fail, the lantern will go flying and set the room on fire. Meanwhile, Miss Dupray will attempt to fire her crossbow at Miss Carrow, depending on what other players do.

If successful, the crossbow will go flying out of Miss Dupray's hands and you will retain the lantern. There will be a certain chance that the bolt will be launched in a random direction.
Rooter
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1635
Registered for: 7 years 7 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Rooter »

Lila manages to knock the crossbow flying from Miss Dupray's hands, whilst still clutching the lantern.
Spoiler:
Dexterity check re crossbow: 18+2[dice]0[/dice]
User avatar
Mr. Handy
Admin
Admin
Posts: 46361
Registered for: 17 years 5 months
17
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Mr. Handy »

Image

Seeing that Lila has disarmed Violette with lightning speed, before he could even think of reacting, Henry hurries to catch Elizabeth and to keep her out of harm's way.
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
User avatar
maelstrom
Initiate
Initiate
Posts: 97
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by maelstrom »

Seeing Lila's quick action, Duncan will use daze to hopefully further stun miss dupray and give us a chance to subdue her properly.
After casting, Duncan will rush forward and attempt to sweep miss dupray s legs from under her,knocking her to the ground.
User avatar
Priest
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 3281
Registered for: 11 years 2 months
11
Location: Somerset, England
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Priest »

Image

All the while fearing the strike of the crossbow bolt, Elizabeth stays still in her fainting masquerade. Through slitted eyes she observes the struggle which ends with the subduing of Miss Dupray. As Henry rushes, gallantly, to her aid she mutters "Beware Antoine, he may yet take offence at your manhandling of his twin"
OOC:   I have a feeling that dear Antoine is not all that he seems. May I attempt some sort of roll to clarify my thoughts?  
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
User avatar
Victoria Silverwolf
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1130
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Location: Chattanooga TN
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Victoria Silverwolf »

Wruter wrote:Lila manages to knock the crossbow flying from Miss Dupray's hands, whilst still clutching the lantern.
Miss Dupray desperately attempts to loose the bolt, without being able to aim.
Spoiler:
[dice]0[/dice]
The deadly weapon has been released! Where will it strike?
Spoiler:
1-13 = harmlessly
15=Violette
16=Antoine
17=Mary
18= Doctor North
19 = Miss Carrow
20 = Miss Davenport
21 = Mister Rachman
Spoiler:
[dice]1[/dice]
During the perilous struggle, the madwoman has managed to strike back at her attacker!
Spoiler:
[dice]2[/dice]
The heroic demon hunter is very badly wounded as the bolt strikes her side.
Spoiler:
I am letting all these first level characters have their maximum number of hit points, so Miss Davenport has 8. She has two left. This would seem to be a serious enough injury to prevent any strenuous activity at this time.
User avatar
Victoria Silverwolf
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1130
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Location: Chattanooga TN
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Victoria Silverwolf »

maelstrom wrote:Seeing Lila's quick action, Duncan will use daze to hopefully further stun miss dupray and give us a chance to subdue her properly.
After casting, Duncan will rush forward and attempt to sweep miss dupray s legs from under her,knocking her to the ground.
Miss Dupray attempts to shake off the effect of the preternatural incantation.
Spoiler:
[dice]0[/dice]
She is successful at avoiding being dazed.
Spoiler:
Please make an Ability Check against Dexterity to see if you can knock her to the ground. Add one to your ability since the True Innocent is still visible.
User avatar
Victoria Silverwolf
Keeper
Keeper
Posts: 1130
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
7
Location: Chattanooga TN
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Victoria Silverwolf »

Priest wrote:
All the while fearing the strike of the crossbow bolt, Elizabeth stays still in her fainting masquerade. Through slitted eyes she observes the struggle which ends with the subduing of Miss Dupray. As Henry rushes, gallantly, to her aid she mutters "Beware Antoine, he may yet take offence at your manhandling of his twin."
Spoiler:
You may make an Ability Check against your Intelligence to see if you notice anything relevant about Antoine, but remember to subtract three from your Ability due to your Affliction of Bad Judge of Character.
User avatar
Mr. Handy
Admin
Admin
Posts: 46361
Registered for: 17 years 5 months
17
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:

Re: Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

Post by Mr. Handy »

Image

Henry nods slightly, so that only Elizabeth can see, and looks at Antoine - practically seeing through him.
OOC,I have Bad Reputation and Bad Throwing Arm, not Bad Judge of Character. I succeeded either way, though. Intelligence roll (12 stat -3? [= 9]): [dice]0[/dice]
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Post Reply

Return to “Ghastly Affair”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests