Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

Romantic Horror, London, circa 1800

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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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The others have been very kind to Ines, and she has no wish to jeapordise their own chances at securing accommodation. Thus she will withdraw after that single barb, whist attempting to draw no more visual association between herself and the company. She will find this grassy stretch comfortable enough.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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"I would not mind spending the night out under the stars," says Henry. "The weather seems fine, and on a clear night like tonight it should make for an impressive view. We could see all sorts of details even without a telescope."
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Elizabeth turns a cold stare towards the innkeeper' wife, then takes Henry's arm, "I concour let us find rest amongst the sweet smell of nature, rather than this foul stench of petty provincialism".
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Once outside, Ines observes that her invitations seems to have brought her benefactors more difficulty than repayment.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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The swath of grass along the Avon is an inviting place for both man and beast. The travellers and their animals settle in as the sun sets, painting the softly flowing water in shades of purple and gold. The night is mild enough that a fire is not required for warmth, although the journeyers may choose to build one for light and simple cookery. They may also decide whether or not to set watches for the night.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Ines is willing to stand a watch should doing so be the collective decision.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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"I shall take the first watch," offers Henry. "With so many people in town, there are bound to be rough characters, so it is wise to take precautions. A fire would not go amiss either."
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Two volunteers are more than sufficient to maintain a watch during the brief summer night. A small fire is quickly built. The sparks dancing upward from the crackling wood resemble the stars, scattered across the sky in all their glory. The other travellers quickly fall into peaceful slumber after simple provisions and brief conversation.
Spoiler:
Doctor North's Wisdom = 11; this is not necessarily a good or bad event, so I add no bonus for the True Innocent.[dice]0[/dice]
Perhaps it is the unusual beauty of the night; or perhaps it is the angelic appearance of Miss Carrow as she enjoys pleasant dreams; or perhaps it is the association of this peaceful riverbank with the great playwright who so often wrote of magical beings; but something has awakened a wistful, sensitive mood in Doctor North's soul. The laughing water seems to speak of realms beyond human ken. There is something about the way in which the firelight reflects from its surface that draws one into a contemplative state and away from the mundane concerns of daily life.
Spoiler:
[dice]1[/dice]
Strangely, the sound of the rushing water more and more resembles that of giggling children. The mirrored stars seem to pair themselves, creating the illusion that they are watchful eyes, just under the surface of the river. Indeed, one can easily imagine -- let us count the points of light; yes, ten eyes, there appear to be, of brilliant blue, finer than any sapphires -- five persons hidden within its depths, conversing in whispers about the strangers who have arrived in their domain. Their voices -- surely it is just the night breeze rustling in the rushes -- seem full of curiosity and playfulness.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Henry doesn't approach the seeming underwater figures, staying at his post, though he does listen attentively. He is unsure what is happening. He has seen evidence of the supernatural, but he is still trying to reconcile it with his scientific knowledge. These beings could be creatures of faerie, if such things truly exist, or it could just be a trick of the light. Perhaps he has even fallen asleep and is dreaming for all he knows.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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There does not seem to be any great change in the illusory appearance of these beings, if such it be, for some time. When Ines rises to take her watch, her attention is drawn to the phenomenon.
Spoiler:
Wisdom = 11[dice]0[/dice]
She experiences the same sights and sounds as Doctor North, confirming that it is no mere dream, unless it is possible that dreams may be shared.
Spoiler:
I will not yet reveal the purpose of these die rolls.[dice]1[/dice][dice]2[/dice]
At the appearance of Ines there is more excitement evident in the seeming voices. They are very high-pitched and sweet, not unlike those of boy sopranos or castrati. Soon spoken words are detectable, or imagined. It seems as if these creatures, if they exist at all, are able to complete each other's sentences, as if they share one mind.

Why let the wicked fire blaze?
Douse its flames! Behold the rays
We offer thee, who dwell above
The water we so dearly love.


With that, a sphere of blue light appears from nowhere, floating in the middle of the air before the two adventurers. It provides as much illumination as many candles, but sheds no light. There can now be seen more clearly the faces of those who have spoken. They appear to be midgets, as small as young children, but with the features of adults. Their bodies and raiment are not completely visible, due to the blurring effect of the movement of the river, but they would seem to have limbs that are long and slender in proportion to their torsos, and to be arrayed in some form of material of a silver color.

Dear friends! We beg thee, drown thy fire,
And we shall bring thee joy entire!
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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I assume Dr North pointed these phenomena out to Ines when she awoke to take her watch, so she knows that they have remained as they are for a time without displaying obvious threat to the company. Accordingly, she will keep watch on them without raising the alarm unless anything changes.
OOC:   Wisom: 11
SunlessNick rolled 1D20: 16  
Unfortunately, the spectacle has so captured Ines's attention that she will likely miss a threat approaching from another direction.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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"Be careful," says Henry. "I've heard a bit about the Little People, as these seem to be. It is said that sometimes they can be helpful, but at others malicious. One thing I've heard often is that one must never eat or drink anything they offer. The fire seems to be the only thing keeping them away,"
OOC,Yes, I'd have mentioned it.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Dr North may observe that Ines seems slightly startled at the calmness with which he gives his advice (she is unused to settled folk knowing of such matters), but she will do as he says, and keep the fire well tended.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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The chorus of voices change into a sound resembling the hissing of many small serpents. From the river there arises what resembles a bolt of lightning, bright blue in color, although it makes no sound. It reaches out to touch its unfortunate victim.
Spoiler:
1 = Doctor North
2 = Ines
3 = Miss Carrow
4 = Miss Davenport
5 = Mister Rachman
6 = Mister Witherly
7 = Mister Harcourt
8 = Magda
9 = Davros
10 = Mary
11 = 1st coachman
12 = 2nd coachman[dice]0[/dice]
Perhaps due to jealousy of her purity and innocence, the preternatural weapon of the water beings strikes out as the slumbering Miss Carrow.
Spoiler:
[dice]1[/dice]
Although there are no apparent wounds visible upon examination, she appears in all other ways as one who has suffered a grievous injury from some deadly weapon.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Ines interposes herself between the water and Miss Carrow, and shouts an awakening to the rest of the company. To Mr North, she will say that the figures have attacked Miss Carrow. She will bid everyone retreat from the water's edge.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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In the chaos that ensues as all in the party rouse themselves to the hue and cry raised by Ines, another blue bolt strikes out.
Spoiler:
[dice]0[/dice]
This time it reaches out to attack Mister Harcourt.
Spoiler:
[dice]1[/dice]
He is seriously injured, although not so gravely as Miss Carrow.
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Through swirling clouds of black, Elizabeth is dimly aware of a distant voice calling. However the clouds enfold her in a sweet blanket of softness from which she is unable, or unwilling, to free herself from.
Spoiler:
I presume that I have suffered 5 Hit Points of damage,and that my life hangs in the balance. Can I do anything to help myself or am I at the mercy of others?
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anais Nin
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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"Elizabeth!" cries Henry, rushing to her side to shield her from further attacks with his own body and see if there's anything he can do to help her. He moves her close to the fire if it's safe to do so, in the hopes that the creatures will avoid it. "I don't know much about these things, but I have heard that they are vulnerable to iron. They don't seem to like the fire much either."
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Lila jerks awake and takes in the scene. She rolls onto her feet, slashing out at the tendrils with her iron dagger.
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Can she use Demonology to identify the creature?
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Re: Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

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Ines too has heard tales of such beings' vulnerability to iron, and looks around for any items of that material. "Have you another of those daggers?" she will as Miss Davenport.
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