Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

Romantic Horror, London, circa 1800

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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"Agreed," says Henry. "The dog will be of great assistance here, as dogs are excellent trackers, in case the trail goes cold." He turns to the remaining coachman. "Is there an article of clothing or something belonging to your fellow driver on his coach? With that, the dog can get his scent."
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Lila examines the ground around the footprints for any signs of violence.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Wruter wrote:Image

Lila examines the ground around the footprints for any signs of violence.
Spoiler:
More a matter of examination and deduction here than tracking, so INT = 11 + 1 TI = 12[dice]0[/dice]
The footprints are obscured by each other, so it cannot be determined if there was a struggle or not.

The second coachman allows the dog to smell a riding glove left behind by his fellow driver.
Spoiler:
The dog's WIS = 15[dice]1[/dice]
The mongrel has apparently been trained in tracking by a former master. It sets out in a certain direction, more or less the way one would travel to continue to Paris. After trotting for a certain distance it waits.

--The cur, he has found something. Mesdames and Messieurs, do you wish to follow him now, or wait for the break of day? --
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Lila translates the coachman's question for the others.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"If there is a chance they mean him harm, we shouldn't wait," says Ines. More quietly - so the other coachman cannot hear - she adds to Miss Davenport, Dr North, and Mr Witherly, "At the same time, this seems like an effective way for a small band of robbers to divide us or separate us from our belongings."
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"You're right, we must proceed," says Henry, "even if it does turn out to be a trap. If it is, at least we're forewarned and alert for danger."
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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The adventurers proceed to follow the mongrel, equipped with such items as are easy to be carried through a moonlit forest. The driver is able to supply a small lantern from each coach, one of which he carries, the other held by Mister Witherly. The yellowish light casts eerie shadows through the trees, occasionally illuminating the eyes of small woodland creatures and causing clumps of fungus to burst forth with the strange blue glow known to some as fairy fire.

The dog follows what seems to be a vaguely defined, very narrow trail wending its way through the forest, hardly more than a deer path. After some distance it ends at a small building constructed from roughly hewn stones, obviously of great age. It is no more than a simple box-shaped structure, surmounted by a broad triangular roof. There are no windows, and only a single door, which is also constructed from rock.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"We should approach cautiously," says Henry. "They may have set a watch."
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Lila peers around in apprehension, searching the surrounding woods for watchers. But her gaze is drawn back to the building by a nagging sense of familiarity -- or at least similarity. She turns to the French coachman.

-- Monsieur, are you familiar with the function of such a building as this? A chapel, perhaps? Or a tomb? --
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Spoiler:
His INT = 9[dice]0[/dice]
-- But yes, Madame. This would seem to be a retreat of sorts, for one of a spiritual nature who wishes to meditate in isolation. A hermitage, is it not? --

There are no indications that there is anyone in the vicinity save for the party of adventurers. No sound comes from within the building, nor does any hint of light penetrate the thin gap between the stone door and the rest of the structure.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Lila relates the coachman's words to the others.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"We must look inside," says Henry. "That's where the trail leads."
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"Agreed," says Ines.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Seeing that no one in particular seems eager to be the first to enter, and, as a practical matter, having one of the lanterns, Mister Witherly attempts to open the large stone door. Surprisingly, it opens easily, as if it has been kept in good repair, despite the somewhat timeworn appearance of the rest of the building.

"Just an empty room," he announces after a brief look around. "Nothing here at all."

The coachman follows him inside. The combined light of the lanterns illuminates the room clearly. It does indeed appear to be nothing but an open space, with a dusty floor hewn from the same stone as the rest of the structure.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"The trail led here," says Henry, "but if they ever were here, they aren't now." He examines the dust on the floor to see if it's been recently disturbed by someone other than them.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"Let us all search the environs," Mister Witherly suggests. As the adventurers enter the room, a low sound, as of some ancient, rust-shrouded device, is heard coming from far below. Before there is time to react the floor beneath Miss Carrow's feet opens wide, and the poor creature plunges into darkness! Alas, the Perils of Virtue!

With a dull thump the trap door swings shut again, shutting the unfortunate victim away from her companions. Her cries for help echo from below, as if from some vast cavern. Hurried communication reveals the small blessing that she is physically unharmed, although naturally in great emotional distress.

Were that not sufficient to chill the blood, a few moments later the sounds of a struggle emerge from below, Miss Carrow's shrieks of alarm muffled as if by the clutching hand of an assailant. Soon there is only silence.

To one of fanciful imagination, the cracked stones of the floor may resembled the twisted smile of a traitor. The party cannot help but be reminded of the words of the self-styled prophet.

You will lose what you most value. Have courage, or be bereft always!
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Lila desperately searches the room for any lever or hinge which may open the trapdoor.
Spoiler:
Just a point of detail - did Lucky the fox fall with her?
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Ines joins Miss Davenport in her search. She also suggests that Dr North bid Ivan find a rock or branch of similar size to his strength so that we can wedge it open when we find the way.

"If we cannot a means," she suggests to Miss Davenport, "I could simply stand on it again, it may be the weight of a person that matters."
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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"Elizabeth!" cries Henry. Though he is sure that he could figure out how the mechanism works, there is no time. Elizabeth is in danger now, and he could lose her forever if he hesitates. Taking Ivan with him, he rushes to stand where she did, brandishing his cane while Ivan unsheathes his blade.
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Re: Chapter the Eighth: Across the Channel

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Seeing Dr North's action, Ines abandons the suggestion she was making. If the trapdoor opens beneath him, she will follow, thinking we shouldn't separate (and hoping Mr Withely, Miss Davenport, and the other coachman think so too).
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