Book the Second, Chapter the Fourth: A Domestic Quarrel

[jp1885]

Lepus feels the words, rather than hears them. Such an ancient voice seems to resonate with him somewhow. Though unsure whether such a being would communicate with such a lowly being such as himself, he tries anyway, speaking in his best faerie tongue.

"How say you oh Ancient One? Explain!"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry sees to Ivan's injury and then heads back to the portrait room with him to treat Lord Highdark.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus feels the words, rather than hears them. Such an ancient voice seems to resonate with him somewhow. Though unsure whether such a being would communicate with such a lowly being such as himself, he tries anyway, speaking in his best faerie tongue.

"How say you oh Ancient One? Explain!"

I. Will. Feed. Willing. Or. No. Come!

As if to emphasize the last word spoken -- if such a term may be used to describe a voice which is not a voice -- an extrusion of the contents of the pit, something like a tentacle of the fabled giant squids said to pull great ships down to their doom, but composed, it seems, of rotting offal rather than living flesh, rises from the unfathomed depths below, waving in front of the two humans, exuding a nauseating stench, and dripping with thick, gray-green ichor.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry sees to Ivan's injury and then heads back to the portrait room with him to treat Lord Highdark.

As the skilled healing hands of Doctor North revive Lord Highdark, who is more injured in soul than in body, William enters.

Speaking, it seems to no one in particular, in a weak voice, Lord Highdark mutters a few inarticulate sounds, then goes on to say "It is true, then. The legend. Once in a century it rises to feed upon one of Altumber blood; or else wreak vengeance upon all within Highdark Hall!"

[jp1885]

Lepus skitters backwards to avoid the disgusting tentacle.

“Avaunt creature! Rest easy, we shall seek thou prey!”

He turns to Vincent and whispers:

“We must play for time, yesno? The monster seeks to feed, so the fine house must be evacuated: from His Lordship to his addled sister in the attic.”

[SunlessNick]

"What is it?" presses William.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm afraid it has chosen you this time, My Lord," says Henry. "It sounds like the poem worked to pacify it for now, but we need a way to stop it for good. What else do you know of the legend?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lord Highdark shakes his head sadly.

"The tales are so tangled, that it is no easy task to discern truth from fancy. The thing is said to take on many forms, all monstrous. It is true that several of my ancestors disappeared without a trace in times gone by, but I thought the treacherous moors to blame."

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile,evidently grown inpatient, the thing from the pit lashes out with its tentacle.

Spoiler:

dex = 15[dice]0[/dice]

With all the low animal cunning of those eight-legged creatures which prey upon hapless sailors in distant seas, the tentacle strikes its prey.

Spoiler:

1 = Lepus, 2 = Vincent[dice]1[/dice]damage: [dice]2[/dice]

The loathsome appendage wraps itself around the unfortunate Frenchman, picking him up as if he were a child's plaything and dashing him against the wall. Seriously wounded, if not yet mortally, Vincent is no longer in fit condition to lessen the being's wrath through the mysterious poesy. Another tremor rocks Highdark Hall.

I. Will. Taste. Altumber. Blood. Or. All. Will. Perish.

[jp1885]

Cursing colourfully, Lepus drags the injured Frenchman away from the lashing tentacle.

"Aye, thou shalt have blood," he yells to the thing in faerie. "Thou hast waited many years - permit old Lepus a few more moments."

Assuming the creature allows it, Lepus drags the prone wizard out of the cellar and into the fresh air. He will go in search of the others to seek medical aid for his fellow practitioner of les arts magiques.

When this is accomplished, he will ask if Henry has any more shrinking potion available and if not, would he be able to concoct some quickly?

Then he will request the company of Ivan and William to help him find the mad woman in the attic and carry her hence.

"'tis a dark deed old Lepus must do..." he mutters.

[SunlessNick]

"You mean to offer her to the entity," says William - it is not a question. "Very well, if need be. Too many other lives are at stake to balk at it."

[jp1885]

"Alas, aye, should it come to that. Though the creature said 'blood' and nothing more. Either way, if a shrinking potion can be slipped in also..."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, an excellent plan," says Henry. "Drawing blood is the most basic part of the physician's art, and I haven't used the shrinking draught at all yet, so I can easily mix some in with the blood."

[Rooter]

Spoiler:

Vincent only has 4 HP and has just suffered 5 damage so is at least incapacitated for the time being.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

This dark and solemn purpose having been decided upon by the sensate members of the party -- alas, for the wounded Frenchman, dead to the world from the harm inflicted by so unnatural an enemy! -- they see to Vincent's wounds as best may, allowing him the rest needed for recovery -- noting, by the by, a series of small, round, deep red wounds upon exposed areas of his flesh, no doubt left there by protuberances upon the ghastly tentacle, whereby the creature attaches itself to its prey -- and make their way, cautiously, in order to avoid falling to the ground, as the tremors continue, smashing small items of crockery and statuary, scattering volumes hither and yon, and such like chaos, to the hidden room of Elizabeth Altumber, she of the addled wits.

Upon arrival, they find the madwoman, as usual, appearing to be much older than her years, marching about her room, portions of the hem of her ragged gown torn off and arrayed upon her head, in parody of a veil, a smile upon her face. She evidences no surprise upon the arrival, but rather offers an arm languidly.

"Raise high the roof beam, carpenters," she says, in the manner of one reciting a poem. "Likes Ares comes the bridegroom, taller far than a tall man."

[SunlessNick]

"I fear you must accompany us, Madam?" says William, suspecting the madwoman has divined the company's purpose here, but unwilling to confirm it just in case.

[Mr. Handy]

Once he has stabilized Vincent, Henry uses his wondrous healing device to repair the damage.

[jp1885]

"Oh the fine lady knows what is afoot alright. 'tis her desire to be wed."

Lepus stuffs the bottle of shrinking potion into a bag, together with a handful of old coins. He bows to the madwoman, before offering her his arm.

"Thou beloved awaits oh bride. Old Lepus has the dowry in this pouch and shall escort you to the ceremony."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The madwoman takes the offered hand with a nod of her head, and accompanies the men whither they may take her. By this time, Vincent has recovered sufficiently to awaken from insensate slumber.

As this strange bridal party makes its way back to the pit, tremors continue to shake the manor home, windows shattering now and then. All within, save the investigators and Elizabeth Altumber, have long since vacated the premises.

Upon arrival at the foul-smelling abode of the creature, the madwoman glances about, seemingly unperturbed.

"Where is the priest? Where is my father? He must give me away, you know."

[jp1885]

"Alas old Lepus fears thy papa hast joined the choir invisible. However 'twould be an honour if thou wouldst permit this old wanderer to stand in his stead."

The hedge wizard bows deeply.

"As for a priest, there be none hereabouts, but fret ye not: in my country 'tis often the case that a man of great standing be the officiator. Thou art fortunate to have two such men to chuse from this day."

He nods towards Henry and William.

"'tis also the custom to draw a small draught of blood to prove thy intent to wed - a painless trifle to a keen bride such as thee."

[Mr. Handy]

"Doctor Henry North, Earl of Dunwich, at your service, my Lady," says Henry, bowing with a flourish. "I am a physician, and more than qualified to let a little blood. It is good for your health."