Book the Second, Chapter the Fourth: A Domestic Quarrel

[SunlessNick]

"And for my part, it would be my honour and privilege to officiate," says William.

OOC,William does not believe mere bloodletting will sate the creature - he is convinced that this ceremony is a mission of murder, and that as a soldier he should be the one to bear the weight of it.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The madwoman submits to the procedure, evidencing no sign of pain.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

As the first withdrawal of blood is made, a pair of tentacles, more slender than that seen before, emerge from the pit and approach the woman, crawling upon the slime-coated floor as if they had legs, wrapping themselves about her person in a manner which suggests tenderness; an embrace to which she responds with a blush and a smile.

[jp1885]

Part of Lepus is almost loathe to spoil such a tender embrace, but, mad or not, the poor woman must be rescued if possible.

Avoiding the tentacles, he pours the blood over the pouch that contains the shrinking potion and drops it down the pit.

[SunlessNick]

William follows the role he has taken: "Elizabeth Altumber, do you take this being to be your lawful husband..."

[Mr. Handy]

"Ivan," instructs Henry quietly. "Take hold of Mrs. Altumber and make sure she is not pulled into the pit. If that thing tries to pull her in, use your strength to keep her up here and, if you can, remove the tentacles from her."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Part of Lepus is almost loathe to spoil such a tender embrace, but, mad or not, the poor woman must be rescued if possible.

Avoiding the tentacles, he pours the blood over the pouch that contains the shrinking potion and drops it down the pit.

From deep within the foul pit emerge sounds as of some great beast slurping up liquid greedily. The potion within the offering of blood does not yet evince an obvious effect; undoubtedly it requires some time to be absorbed into the creature's body and work its way into its viscera.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William follows the role he has taken: "Elizabeth Altumber, do you take this being to be your lawful husband..."

"I do," the madwoman replies, pursing her lips in anticipation of the traditional wedding kiss.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Ivan," instructs Henry quietly. "Take hold of Mrs. Altumber and make sure she is not pulled into the pit. If that thing tries to pull her in, use your strength to keep her up here and, if you can, remove the tentacles from her."

Spoiler:

FYI, I was treating the creature as a Giant Octopus in its characteristics; however, that would give it an insanely high STR of 50, which isn't very fair to the players. I'll reduce it to 15, to match its DEX. Contest of STR between the creature and Ivan, STR = 16. In that order, [dice]0[/dice]. Good rolls for you.

No doubt driven to a nearly superhuman effort by his loathing of the slime-covered being within whose unnatural embrace the unfortunate lady lies, Ivan is not only able to prevent the creature from pulling her into the pit, he is also able to rip the suckers from her body and hurl away the slippery tentacles. At nearly the same time, they can be seen to rapidly decrease in size, as they withdraw into the pit, until not even the sharpest eye can detect them within its hidden depths.

Seemingly distraught, the madwoman makes an effort to follow what she believes to be her betrothed, only to be held back by the might of the Russian's tree-like arms.

[jp1885]

"'tis working!" Lepus capers excitedly as the tentacles begin to shrink. "Now to slay the beast!"

Hurriedly he looks around for something to snare or harpoon the creature. If successful he will attempt to spear the thing (although this may simply be a random throw into the dark pit).

[SunlessNick]

"I have my pistol if can be coaxed back into view," says William. He joins Lepus in searching for something that can be thrown into the pool.

[jp1885]

“Aye, let us blast the thing to hell, yesno?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry, readying his own pistols. "Nicely done, Ivan. Don't try to follow him, my Lady," he adds to the old woman. "The cad has jilted you, and he deserves retribution."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

After some time spent gazing into the pit, the adventurers realize that neither candle nor lantern can penetrate fully into its hidden depths. Objects thrown into it produce only a faint splashing sound, after a few heartbeats have gone by, and a pistol shot echoes dully, without evident effect. It is obvious that the creature's dwelling place is far, far below.

The madwoman, evincing no distress over, or indeed knowledge of, what has transpired,wanders about without apparent aim.

"Where are my little nieces? Shall they not wish to play with aunty?"

[jp1885]

Lepus grinds his teeth in frustration.

“Bah! Mayhap there be another way to the beast’s lair. One more mystery to solve, yesno?”

Mention of the twins causes him some concern.

“Hmm, let us assume the young mistresses are still in thrall to the doll. Old Lepus advises caution.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Your nieces are playing outside right now," says Henry. He isn't too worried that that will give too much away. Outside is a very big place. It also occurs to him that perhaps the old lady could be able to take the doll away from the twins.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

The Patient Reader will please proceed to Chapter the Fifth.