Book the Second, Chapter the First: A New Century

[Rooter]

After relaying his findings, Vincent heads back to the house to rest until the evening meal.

[SunlessNick]

"Shall we examine the cellars for ourselves?" asks William once he and Lord Dunwich are alone.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, let us go," says Henry. "I can collect samples to analyse later, and you and Ivan will be more than capable if the evil there decides to manifest."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

When the three guests return from their excursion, Lord Highdark remarks that Lady Highdark has returned from her ride with a slight injury, and will not be present at the evening meal.

"Nothing serious, gentleman. Seems some d-----d fool of a hunter discharged a pistol in her direction. Thought her horse was a stag, I suppose. Missed her, Heaven be thanked, but threw her from her mount."

After offering their wishes for a swift and full recovery, Vincent retires whilst Henry and William explore the cellar. Their experience is similar to that of the Frenchman, although of course they do not possess his uncanny ability to experience evil as if it were a physical sensation.

Spoiler:

WIS from low to high of Ivan, William, and Henry = 9, 10, 11[dice]0[/dice]

Doctor North is too busy making a close examination of the contents of the room to notice what the other two men discover quickly. Perhaps this is what some call missing the forest for the trees. In any case, he will soon be informed that a cunningly constructed trap door, set upon the floor in a dark corner, has been found. The foul odor seems to be stronger here than elsewhere.

[SunlessNick]

Can the trapdoor be opened without forcing it?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Upon closer examination, it becomes obvious that the trap door is not secured in any way. However, it is clearly designed to be operated from below rather than above. To open it from the root cellar would require the use of a knife or some other such object to pull it up.

[Mr. Handy]

"Well spotted," says Henry. "We'll need a source of light to see below, of course. I happen to have a device I invented, the Illuminator, that will suffice. It shouldn't be hard to open it. A prybar would be ideal, and there may be one in the cellar for opening barrels and crates." He and Ivan begin to look around for one.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Such a tool is easily obtained. Upon first being opened, the trapdoor emits a powerful miasma of the disagreeable odor. The sound of something moving in water echoes from far below. The Illuminator reveals a long shaft, slick with moss and lichen, running down a great distance. The light reflects off a pool of slime-filled water that lies at the bottom. There is no obvious way to descend to, or, for that matter, to ascend from, the pool.

[Mr. Handy]

"The evil must be down there," says Henry, wrinkling his nose. "It certainly smells evil. While I could rig up a rope and pulley system if we wished to climb down the shaft, it doesn't exactly look safe - or dry, for that matter."

[SunlessNick]

"Certainly I would wish for rougher clothing before attempting a descent."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

There being no evident purpose to remaining in the root cellar for now, the adventurers make their way back upstairs, preparing themselves for the evening meal and sharing such information as they possess. By now the Frenchman is in better condition, able to accompany them to the dining room.

The meal is an informal one. Lady Highdark is excused due to her injury. It seems that the twins are also not present, no doubt because of the absence of their mother. Lord Highdark and his adult children are there, as well as his adopted ward. Cold meats and bread make up the bulk of the meal, as well as uncooked vegetables such as radishes, cucumbers, celery, and the like. It is notable that Henry, the foundling, frowns at Captain Palliser throughout the meal.

"I trust you enjoyed your excursion to the Druid Stones, gentlemen," Lord Highdark remarks. "Has this aided your investigations in any way?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, it was relaxing," says Henry. "It may have given us some help in our investigation. I'll let Monsieur de Labrousse fill you in on what he was able to observe there."

[Rooter]

"Ah, oui, I feel there is an unusual history of the stones as there is of the house itself," Vincent says. "We must learn all we can. Tomorrow maybe we try to look in the sealed areas, non? But for the stones, perhaps you recall a few years ago, my lord, a strange visitor?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Strange visitor, sir? I know not what you mean," Lord Highdark replies. "Perhaps this is some imagining of the passionate French nature, which is not always kept in check by reason."

[Mr. Handy]

Henry's thoughts return to the trapdoor and the shaft in the cellar. He could set up a rope and pulley system later and use it to lower a bucket on a rope down the shaft, much like one would do with a well. With the bucket, he could take a sample for analysis.

[Rooter]

"Touché," Vincent replies to Lord Highdark. "I believe you may be correct, monsieur. I am fond of, par exemple, ghost stories. Do you have any stories of Highdark Hall?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Ghosts? Nonsense! A foolish superstition, fit only to frighten naughty children," Lord Highdark says.

"But Papa," Georgina remarks softly, "have you not heard me speak of strange figures seen upon the Misty Tarn on moonless nights?"

"Mere illusion, my dear," her father answers indulgently. "Fog and starlight."

"I have no wish to be quarrelsome, sir," Henry says," but I have witnessed such as well, while in the company of Miss Altumber. They seemed to be nearly human in form and--"

The foundling is interrupted by a harsh remark from Harold.

"Were you not forbidden to go out with my sister after sunset? It is most unseemly. Perhaps a good thrashing would restore your memory."

Lord Highdark attempts to restore order by changing the subject.

"I heard you mention the sealed areas of the house," he says to Vincent. "I must insist that they not be disturbed."

He makes no further explanation, evidently assuming his word, as lord of the estate, is law.

[Rooter]

"As you wish, monsieur," Vincent replies, turning back to his meal.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The mood having grown somber, there is little more conversation until the end of the meal, when all go about their business.

[Mr. Handy]

"I've had some thoughts about that shaft we found," Henry tells his companions when they're alone. "Once we set up a rope and pulley, we can tie a bucket to the rope and lower it down the shaft to collect a sample of the liquid so I can analyse it, just like drawing water from a well. Whatever's moving in the water may interfere, but if it does, at least we should get a good look at it."