Chapter the Seventh: A Difficult Quest

[Rooter]

Lila accepts the weapon curiously, offering the torch to Elizabeth.

Spoiler:

Can she make an Intelligence or other check to see if she recognizes the weapon or its properties?

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Lila accepts the weapon curiously, offering the torch to Elizabeth.

Spoiler:

Can she make an Intelligence or other check to see if she recognizes the weapon or its properties?

Spoiler:

INT = 11 + 1 Demonology + 1 for True Innocent = 13[dice]0[/dice]

Miss Davenport is able to determine that this unusual object must have been associated with a warrior saint, most likely a member of the Knights Templar or some other military order. Although originally intended as more of a symbolic and decorative object, hence the jewels it once held, legend has it that such a weapon has preternatural protection against corruption, and special virtue when used to fight unholy evils.

Spoiler:

Due to its size, the dart must be thrown or used like a dagger at close range. If it reaches its target, it will do double damage against unnatural creatures, normal damage against natural.

Another unit of time has passed as Miss Davenport recalls the information she has about this object and communicates it to her companions.

[Mr. Handy]

"Let us move on to the next door," says Henry, looking at the sky with dismay. "The sun is getting low."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Anticipating the needs of his master, Ivan makes his way to the next door.

Spoiler:

STR = 16 + 1 TI = 17[dice]0[/dice]

It opens somewhat more smoothly than the previous one, but not without some effort on the part of the loyal servant.

This room contains a number of glass vials of various sizes, most of them broken and scattered on the floor. The vast majority contain only dirt and dust. There are also some curiously wrought copper objects, which appear to have been used for the purpose of distilling.

Spoiler:

[dice]1[/dice]

There is a single unbroken vial which contains a small amount of clear liquid. It has been sealed with wax.

Spoiler:

Five units of time remain. Opening the vial will use up a unit of time, but it will be the only way to have a chance of determining the properties of the liquid. Ignoring it or taking it without opening it will not use up any more time.

[Priest]

Elizabeth suppresses a shudder, Henry's words about time sends a chill through her being.

Elizabeth Carrow thinking:   Dare we waste so much time?

However at sight of the still sealed vial of unknown liquid she grasps Henry's arm, "You must check it, for it may contain something of import"

[Mr. Handy]

"Quite right," says Henry, removing the wax and taking a cautious sniff as he examines the liquid to try to identify it. "For all we know, it might be holy water, or perhaps acid."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

From the piercing scent of the liquid, and by careful observation of the equipment in the room, Doctor North is able to deduce that the vial contains aqua regia, a powerful acid used in alchemy to dissolve noble metals. Further evidence is provided by the fact that, once exposed to air, it begins to change color from clear to pale red-yellow. Quickly sealed again, the discoloration proceeds no further. The vial contains a sufficient amount to dissolve approximately a pound of nearly any metal.

Spoiler:

There are four units of time remaining.

[Mr. Handy]

"As I thought," says Henry. "It's aqua regia, a strong acid capable of dissolving metal. It may prove useful later, but right now we need to check the next door."

[Priest]

Obviously concerned about the time, Elizabeth looks towards the door to which Henry is speaking of, "Must we? I feel that the more we search, the more chance we have of finding the creature with no daylight left to aid us. If only there were some way to be certain of his whereabouts without necessitating further time consuming search" She gazes at Mr Rachman in hope that he has something to suggest.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

"Both of our furred friends have failed to track down the wicked creature," Mister Rachman remarks. "I do not possess the skill that they have been granted by Nature. We have already seen that ordinary tracking is of no value due to the disturbed nature of the environs. It seems either that we must retreat, to return on another day, or continue to search the remaining rooms. If you wish to take the latter course, I can spend the remaining time until the sun sinks performing a ritual which will consecrate the open courtyard area, where no evil can befall us. If our search proves fruitless -- as you say in the Occident, a 'wild goose chase' -- then we shall leave before dusk. If we locate our adversary, we will at least have a place to which we may retreat if the battle does not go well. I will, of course, go along with whatever plan you deem best. What say you?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I think we have to proceed with the search now," says Henry. "He'd still come after us tonight, even if we're back at the inn by sundown. If we survived that, then we'd have to come back here in the morning and start the search all over again. He could easily choose a different hiding place, perhaps one not even in this castle."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

STR = 16 + 1 TI = 17[dice]0[/dice]

Surprisingly, the mighty Ivan is unable to pull open the door to the next room. It is possible, however, that his efforts may have altered the circumstances in such a way that another might be able to complete the effort while the loyal servant rests and recovers his strength.

Spoiler:

Anyone may attempt to open this door with the usual roll against Strength. Miss Davenport may make use of the once daily Feat of Strength to add 3 points to her Strength (Ivan having already used his for today.)

Three units of time remain.

[Rooter]

Spoiler:

Strength check: 9 + 1 TI = 10[dice]0[/dice]

Lila steps forward and manages to force the recalcitrant door open with only a small amount of difficulty after Ivan's initial effort made it sufficiently loose.

[Priest]

As Lila pulls the door open, Elizabeth, takes a step backward.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Within the room is an enormous sarcophagus, carved in a very plain manner from pale stone. From the visible chisel marks, it appears to have been been constructed recently, and in some haste. The lid is obviously quite heavy.

[Mr. Handy]

"I think he's hiding in there," whispers Henry. "Ivan should be rested enough now that he can open it."

[Priest]

Elizabeth slowly gazes around the room, "It seems almost to easy. I think this may be a trap". As she speaks she steps closer to Henry and the reassurance of his pistol

[Rooter]

Lila raises the torch, peering closely at the sarcophagus and its surroundings.

Spoiler:

Would a Wisdom or Intelligence or Demonology check be appropriate to see if she spots anything amiss?

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

Generally WIS for hidden things like traps. WIS = 12 + 1 TI = 13[dice]1[/dice]

Miss Davenport is able to determine that there are no traps associated with the sarcophagus, as best as any human eyes can detect.

Spoiler:

STR = 16 + 1 TI =17[dice]0[/dice]

With a grunt betraying the effort involved, the burly Russian is able to push the weighty lid of the sarcophagus aside. It falls to the floor with a loud crash. Revealed within is a terrifying sight.

Spoiler:

CHA = 11[dice]2[/dice]

Perhaps because of earlier encounters with gruesome events, Miss Carrow is able to retain full consciousness in the face of horror.

With the sarcophagus lies Lupescu. His eyes are wide open, although he appears to be in a death-like trance. The unseeing eyes are bright red. What resemble bloody tears flow from them, covering his dead white skin. Blood also covers unnaturally long and sharp canine teeth which protrude from his mouth. In contrast, his skin is as white as the belly of a dead fish.

Mister Rachman is busy consecrating the courtyard, in case it becomes necessary for the party to retreat.

Spoiler:

Two units of time remain until sunset.

[Mr. Handy]

"We must destroy him while we have time," whispers Henry to his companions. "I've heard it said that a wooden stake to the heart can do it, but you would know better than I, Miss Davenport."