Chapter the Fourth: The Masquerade

[maelstrom]

Duncan seeing the Dr. looking after the injured man after catching miss carrow, will give chase after the fleeing attacker.

Spoiler:

if i can get close enough i will try to use daze to slow him. if he attacks use sanctuary, if im not alone i will use it on a companion first.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Doctor North's medical examination of the mysterious stranger reveals that his life is not in danger, but that he cannot be expected to regain consciousness for a few days. The servants will convey him to an unused guest room. None of them are familiar with him.

Davros is recovering well, but is still too weak to travel. He is greatly disappointed that he will be unable to pursue the attacker, or to engage in a search for Mary.

Cook reveals that, over the last several months, two young women in attendance at one of the musical salons held at the home of the Duprays have disappeared. One was presumed to have eloped with a gentleman friend, the other run off to London to pursue a career as a harpist. Neither has been heard from since.

Despite Mister Rachman's quick action, there is no time to stop the unknown attacker, not even by preternatural means. Only a glimpse of a figure in waistcoat and breeches is seen dashing off into the night, followed by the sound of hoofbeats. Tracking the attacker might be possible, but none of the servants are eager to undertake a difficult and dangerous task.

A few brisk pats on the hand are enough to revive Miss Carrow from her swoon.

[Mr. Handy]

"It seems our mysterious stranger is the one who left the cards for us," says Henry. "Now we should find the other mysterious stranger who struck him down. We'll need horses of our own. I wonder if perhaps that was the leader of the highwaymen. I don't know if he has aught to do with Mary's disappearance, but it's one of the few clues we have. We must find her, and we must also protect Elizabeth and stay with her at all times, to ensure that she does not go missing as well. Like the other women, she has also attended the musical salon at the Duprays' house."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

A groom is willing to ready four horses, if not to join the search. The animals seem nervous, but can be controlled; for the moment, anyway. There is not much time to spare, lest the villain escape. However, it would be advisable to quickly collect the equipment needed. (Someone should carry a lantern, despite the bright moonlight.)

Spoiler:

Having spent enough time in the company of the True Innocent, the other three guests may reduce their Perversity to 12. This will allow you to increase each Ability by one when making an Ability Check, but only when you can see the True Innocent, even if she is unconscious.

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,I'll gladly reduce my Perversity to 12.

[Rooter]

Upon hearing Cook's tale Lila is at first inclined to believe Mary has simply eloped of her own accord; however recalling the presence of a Ghoulish Revenant in the locality begins to fear these missing women may have fallen victim to such a creature. She is more eager to search for any traces of supernatural involvement in Mary's disappearance than this unknown attacker: demons are her prey, not men. But at Doctor North's urging to protect Miss Carrow from the same fate by staying together, she quickly collects her haversack of hunting equipment, which includes a lantern with oil, and mounts one of the horses. She will remain watchful for any signs of demonic activity.

[Priest]

"What happened?" Elizabeth, although a little groggy, quickly regains her composure, just in time to hear dear Henry's show of concern for her well being. She smiles sweetly at him, in truth his concern is touching and whilst his attentions can seem a little oppressive at times, there is no doubt that the good doctor has her welfare at heart.

Of course she has no desire to be left safely at home, curiosity alone would force her to accompany the hunting group. Luckily she has some skill at riding from her occasional riding to the hounds, before circumstances changed her lifestyle dramaticaly.

She watches as the others quickly gather their supplies for the hunt, she of course has little to gather, unlike Lila who seems to have a well stuffed haversack. But stuffed with what? She has no idea.

With a gracious smile, she, now fully recovered from her earlier fit of vapours, allows the groom to help her into the saddle. "Well shall we be off?" and turning the horse with a firm pressure on the reins moves off at a brisk trott, her gentle laugh floating behind...

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The four brave adventurers take off into the night. But where? At first it is evident in which direction the attacker has absconded; but soon the natural confusion of hoofprints caused by the various comings and goings of travelers makes tracking difficult. Fortunately, there is one among the party with experience in such matters. The other three will, of course, be allowed to assist, but since tracking is more a matter of experience and intuition than sheer observation, they will find this to be extremely challenging.

Spoiler:

From the Tracking rules:

Tracking a subject generally requires a Wisdom Check, subject to a -10 Penalty if the would-be
tracker is untrained in the technique. A creature can be tracked only in situations where it could
leave possible evidence of its passage, and then generally only if it passed by no more than 6 hours
ago. Environmental conditions can modify the Check:
• Deep snow or mud grants a +2 Bonus
• Travel through an infrequently traversed area grants a +2 Bonus
• High Wind or rain inflicts a -2 Penalty
• Travel through a busy area inflicts a -2 Penalty
• Demon Hunters receive a +1 Bonus when tracking supernatural or monstrous prey.

I'll judge that this is a moderately traveled area, and the weather is clear, so no environmental adjustments. Please note that the person being tracked is human, so the Demon Hunter will NOT receive the bonus.

The Demon Hunter is experienced in tracking, so will NOT receive the penalty. An Ability Check against Wisdom is all that is required. (Remember to add one just for being able to see the True Innocent.)

Minus 10 is a pretty harsh penalty! That makes Tracking pretty much impossible for Miss Carrow and Doctor North under normal circumstances. (Mister Rachman has a decent chance.) There is not much that Doctor North can do about the situation, I'm afraid. However, if every other player fails to Track, Miss Carrow may use her once only Grace to re-roll the Ability Check of one of her allies.

Whatever may happen, the encounter following this spoiler will occur before continuing the pursuit.

Not long afterwards, a horrible stench, as if a vast pile of rotting corpses were nearby, fills the air. The horses appear frightened.

Spoiler:

Everyone but Miss Davenport, who has encountered this scent before, must make an Ability Check against Constitution or suffer from Nausea, which will result in a minus 3 penalty to all Ability Checks until the source of the smell has been eliminated or escaped from.

After this has been determined, each player must make an Ability Check against Charisma (add 3 points if you have the Equestrian skill) to keep his or her horse from bolting with fear. Failure means that the animal will run off at full speed.

[Rooter]

Spoiler:

Wisdom check re tracking: 12+1[dice]0[/dice]

Charisma check re horse: 6+3[dice]1[/dice]

[maelstrom]

Spoiler:

tracking roll wis 17[dice]0[/dice]

Riding roll char 8[dice]1[/dice]

[maelstrom]

Spoiler:

nausea roll con 9[dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

Henry can't help but notice the stench, but he is made of strong stuff and has always had solid physical health. The imbalance in his humours that no doubt is responsible for his mood swings does not hamper him in this regard. He is not the best horseman, but like any noble, he has done plenty of riding and is able to keep his horse under control.

OOC,Tracking roll (Wisdom 11 - 10[untrained] + 1[True Innocent] = 2): [dice]0[/dice] Constitution roll (14 + 1[True Innocent] = 15): [dice]1[/dice] Charisma roll (9 + 1[True Innocent] = 10): [dice]2[/dice]

[Priest]

The sudden stench makes Elizabeth gag slightly, "What is that?" She reaches into a pocket of her coat and pulls a scented silk handkerchief from within. She holds the kerchief to her nose breathing in the scent of roses. No doubt also affected by the obnoxious smell her horse, eyes rolling and nostrils flaring wide, attempts to bolt from the area, however Elizabeth maintains control and holds the fearful beast steady...

Spoiler:

Nausea: Constitution 9: 1d20 2
Keep control of mount: Charisma 11: 1d20 12

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Fortuna is indeed a fickle goddess. She bestows blessings with one hand and curses with the other.

All of the mounts have been kept under control, although they are clearly terrified. Miss Carrow struggles valiantly with her beast, and it may break away at any moment. Meanwhile, Miss Davenport seems to be on the verge of deciphering the confusing hoofprints, but is having difficulty. Mister Rachman seems to be fighting off a spell of incapacitating nausea.

MISS CARROW:

Spoiler:

I'm afraid that a roll of 12 is actually a failure, and you may lose your horse, unless . . .

You may use your one time Grace to reroll any failed Ability Checks, either your own or that of another -- to attempt to regain control of the horse, or to attempt to allow Miss Davenport to track successfully, or to attempt to allow Mister Rachman to overcome the nausea.

In any case, please make another Ability Check against your Charisma to determine if you faint at the following horrible sight.

While the outcome of these events is still in some doubt, the adventurers are startled to see a hideous creature approach at great speed. It appears to be a completely naked woman, her hair a filthy, tangled mess, clotted with gore. Her dead-white skin is mottled with patches of yellow and purple, as if her body is bruised and rotting. Her teeth are unnaturally large and sharp, and her hands and feet bear long, curved claws. From her mouth a thick fluid drips to the ground. She seems intent on attack, and, like all evil beings, is particularly drawn to those who possess True Innocence. It is a creature with which Miss Davenport is all too familiar . . .

Spoiler:

The players may attempt to remount their horses -- if enough remain! -- and flee, allowing the creature the first attack. They may attack first. They may use any other skills they possess in this moment of peril.

[Rooter]

Upon sight of the hateful Revenant speeding towards an off-balance Miss Carrow, Lila's instincts take over and she moves to strike first...

Spoiler:

OOC:   Is it a dexterity check plus the various adjustments? Do I need to say which weapon is used? I might note Lila still has the rosary on her person. Would be glad of guidance.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

MISS DAVENPORT:

Spoiler:

Combat in this game is fairly simple. Make an Ability Check against Dexterity, with the various adjustments. Then roll for the amount of damage. Stating which weapon will just add some flavor to the game. Of course, the Presenter may decide that a cannon does more damage than bare hands . . .

The rosary will double the damage done if you hurl it at an evil supernatural being, then vanish. You still get the one point added to Dexterity if you can see the True Innocent, even if she faints.

[Rooter]

From horseback Lila slashes at the creature's head with her silver dagger...

Spoiler:

OOC:   Thank you.

Dexterity check re attack: 18+2 (1 danger bonus, 1 true innocent)[dice]0[/dice]

Damage roll[dice]1[/dice]

[maelstrom]

Duncan is unable to make any sence of the jumble of tracks, when the creature rushes forth. He is suddenly overcome with the vile stench of its corruption and can feel his stomach churn with the assault on his sences. By some miricle he manages to stay seated on his horse and sees the abomination race towards Miss Carrow. As Miss Davenport draws a blade and slashes at the creature, Duncan calls out something in Javanese.

Spoiler:

He beseeches the lord Barong to shield Miss carrow from this evil.
use pact Sanctuary
Wisdom 17 -3(nausea) [dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   hope thats right

[Mr. Handy]

Henry does not need to be a doctor or examine the creature closely to be able to tell that it is dead, in spite of the fact that it is still somehow moving. However, chickens are also known to run around for the while after their heads have been cut off, so something like this is not outside the realm of possibility, he rationalizes. All he cares about right now is Elizabeth's safety. He draws his pistol and takes aim at the monstrosity, waiting until Lila has ridden past and is out of the line of fire before pulling the trigger. It is Elizabeth's inspiration that causes his aim to be true, and the ball strikes the creature in the center of mass.

OOC,[b]Lila[/b]'s Tracking roll should succeed (barely), counting the +1 she gets for being near a True Innocent. Dexterity roll (10 + 1[True Innocent] = 11), shooting at the Ghoulish Revenant: [dice]0[/dice] Damage to Ghoulish Revenant from pistol: [dice]1[/dice]

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

I was of two minds about whether Miss Davenport's tracking would be successful or not, so I'll go with that. No need to spend a point of Grace to reroll that, Miss Carrow.

I might also mention here that anyone with a Perversity of 6 or less (a True Innocent or other Good character) who has a religious object at hand may attempt to repel an Evil preternatural being by making use of Faith. (Add one to Charisma if a True Innocent, and make an Ability Check. The target also makes an Ability Check on Charisma, which means that a repulsive creature will be easier to drive off than a enticing one.)

Also, Mister Rachman. there is no need to roll when invoking a Pact or other spell. Rather the terms of the Pact must be kept (minimal in this case, since this is a level one pact with a benign spirit.) It can also only be invoked once per day (24 hrs.)

A dim light appears around Miss Carrow, which seems in some strange way benign. Perhaps this is because the creature snarls at it, as if it is enraged. It seems to be fighting off its power.

Spoiler:

An attacker faced with the Sanctuary pact will be able to overcome it by making an Ability Check against its Wisdom. The creature, as a supernatural being, has a Wisdom of 12.

[dice]0[/dice]

The power of its evil is stronger than the protecting light, which fades away.

As the loathsome being approaches Miss Carrow, Miss Davenport's dagger slashes open its face. A large piece of rotten flesh falls from its cheek, revealing its jaw bones. This does not appear to deter it from its goal. The creature makes inarticulate, slurping sounds of pain, but it has not been destroyed.

The pistol shot tears opens its chest, revealing ribs and bits of gangrenous tissue. The creature shrieks and fall over. Its flesh and bones dissolve into dust, which is soon blown away by a breeze. There is no longer the stench of the grave.

After recovering from this battle, the four adventurers may follow the tracks. Miss Davenport has determined that they lead in the general direction of the Dupray cottage.

When they approach the home of the eccentric twins, they will note that there is a single candle burning in a front window. Someone can be seen dimly within, apparently seated at a desk.

Would it be best to approach openly, and announce the purpose of their visit at this late hour? Would it be best to attempt to enter secretly by another entrance? Would it be best to search the exotic garden for any clues? It is difficult to say.