Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrophe
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Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrophe
Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrophe; Or, Mysteries Unsolved
Given the destruction visited upon Highdark Hall by the series of tremors, it is a relief to discover that the injuries received by servants and family alike are of a minor nature. Doctor North's services are welcome by those suffering from bruises and small wounds. There is, to be sure, much chaos and excited conversation among those gathered without the stately home, the moods of those assembled varying from fear to distraction to excitement, as if this event were excuse for merry-making. Notable among these are Lord Highdark, being comforted by son and wife, and Georgina, receiving the same tender treatment from husband and feline companion. (Said beast, with all the cunning of her kind, having found a secure hiding place at the start of the disaster.)
In time, some of the servants, bound more to duty than their peers, enter the manor home and begin the long and tedious process of repairing what can be and discarding what cannot. After some wandering about aimlessly, the madwoman encounters the twins, who act as if this situation were no more than a holiday. Upon catching sight of the doll Poppy, she attempts to wrest it from their grasp; a task which proves impossible, as if the children possess more than the strength expected from those of such a young age, and which leads to a serious degree of conflict, the three rolling about of the ground and striking at each other with hand and foot.
Given the destruction visited upon Highdark Hall by the series of tremors, it is a relief to discover that the injuries received by servants and family alike are of a minor nature. Doctor North's services are welcome by those suffering from bruises and small wounds. There is, to be sure, much chaos and excited conversation among those gathered without the stately home, the moods of those assembled varying from fear to distraction to excitement, as if this event were excuse for merry-making. Notable among these are Lord Highdark, being comforted by son and wife, and Georgina, receiving the same tender treatment from husband and feline companion. (Said beast, with all the cunning of her kind, having found a secure hiding place at the start of the disaster.)
In time, some of the servants, bound more to duty than their peers, enter the manor home and begin the long and tedious process of repairing what can be and discarding what cannot. After some wandering about aimlessly, the madwoman encounters the twins, who act as if this situation were no more than a holiday. Upon catching sight of the doll Poppy, she attempts to wrest it from their grasp; a task which proves impossible, as if the children possess more than the strength expected from those of such a young age, and which leads to a serious degree of conflict, the three rolling about of the ground and striking at each other with hand and foot.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
"If she gets the doll," whispers Henry to his companions, "the twins may finally be free of its influence. One way or the other, we should put a stop to this before they get hurt."
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Lepus stands back as the trio fight over the doll, wary of it's pernicious influence. Deciding that it is better for the twins to be free of the thing, he shouts something in the faerie tongue in the hopes of distracting Poppy.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
jp1885 wrote:
Lepus stands back as the trio fight over the doll, wary of it's pernicious influence. Deciding that it is better for the twins to be free of the thing, he shouts something in the faerie tongue in the hopes of distracting Poppy.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Lepus bows, taking the faerie’s words as a compliment.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
The family are tending to one another, but the last William saw of the French magician, he had suffered grievous injury - thus his first act is to check on Vincent and see how he fares. After that, it would appear prudent to report to Lord and Lady Highdark what occurred beneath the house.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Henry observes, Ivan at his side, ready to assist Lepus if he needs help, but deferring to the strange man's expertise.
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The Shadow Over Dunwich
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The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Vincent is recovering as well as might be expected, given the grievous injury wrought by the creature. Upon relating the adventurer's experiences, Lord Highdark is quick to dismiss them as mere fancy; Lady Highdark, on the other hand, directs a few of the hardier menservants to seal up the pit, and construct another one, in a different location, to accommodate kitchen offal, night soil, and other such offensive matter. This work will, of course, take some days.
Young Harold, showing much interest in the strange tale, hypothesizes that there must be some connection among the pit, which is known to contain a natural source of flowing water -- the reason it was chosen for its purpose -- the Misty Tarn, the Grotto Pool, and the Worried Stream that flows between them.
Young Harold, showing much interest in the strange tale, hypothesizes that there must be some connection among the pit, which is known to contain a natural source of flowing water -- the reason it was chosen for its purpose -- the Misty Tarn, the Grotto Pool, and the Worried Stream that flows between them.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
jp1885 wrote:
Lepus bows, taking the faerie’s words as a compliment.
Spoiler:
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Lepus shrugs, as if mortal peril was but a trifle.
The hedge wizard holds out his hand, as if to be handed the doll.
Last edited by jp1885 on Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Spoiler:
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
"Aye, 'tis agreed."
Grinning, Lepus turns to his companions.
"The fae lady and I have reached an accord. She hath freed yon females from her thrall in exchange for the company of Old Lepus. 'twill be my task to free her from her prison," he nods at the doll, "during the course of our adventures."
He moves to pick up the doll, but pauses.
"Be on the alert, fine companions, lest she plays me false."
Stooping, he picks up Poppy and, if nothing untoward happens, stuffs her into a pocket so that her head is poking out.
"I trust you be comfortable, fae lady? How may I address thee now we are together?"
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
"A well done step," William says of Lepus's bargain. "As to our other matter, I believe there may be something in young Harold's suggestion of a connection between the pit beneath the house, the Tarn and the Grotto. It may be that we can snag our shrunken adversary there."
When he has a chance to speak to Lord Dunwich and Vincent outside the Gypsy's hearing, he will say, "Elizabeth Altumber was willing to go to the creature as its bride, while she was yet in thrall to the doll. That may simply have been her madness, but we must consider the possibility that the spirit in the doll is in league with with the other. But I fear that to raise the subject in Lepus's hearing would allow the spirit hear it too."
When he has a chance to speak to Lord Dunwich and Vincent outside the Gypsy's hearing, he will say, "Elizabeth Altumber was willing to go to the creature as its bride, while she was yet in thrall to the doll. That may simply have been her madness, but we must consider the possibility that the spirit in the doll is in league with with the other. But I fear that to raise the subject in Lepus's hearing would allow the spirit hear it too."
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
"Yes, at last the Altumbers are free of its influence," says Henry, "We shall find a way to free the fae lady as well. For now, we should proceed to the Grotto. If the Ancient One is not there, we can trace the course of the water."
"That is a good point," says Henry when he speaks to William later. "We shall keep it mind, but not give voice to it where she can hear."
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
jp1885 wrote: "Aye, 'tis agreed."
Grinning, Lepus turns to his companions.
"The fae lady and I have reached an accord. She hath freed yon females from her thrall in exchange for the company of Old Lepus. 'twill be my task to free her from her prison," he nods at the doll, "during the course of our adventures."
He moves to pick up the doll, but pauses.
"Be on the alert, fine companions, lest she plays me false."
Stooping, he picks up Poppy and, if nothing untoward happens, stuffs her into a pocket so that her head is poking out.
"I trust you be comfortable, fae lady? How may I address thee now we are together?"
Spoiler:
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
The party makes their way to the Grotto whilst the Altumbers and their servants labor to bring order out of chaos as best they may. The place is much as it was before, save that the many flowers strewn about have faded; as indeed, we all must. There are many places where the wax of candles long extinguished covers the smooth and slippery rocks bordering the pool of water in the center of the Grotto. It is not immediately evident to the observer in what manner the pool is filled, or whither its waters are discharged, it appearing quite still at first glance, closer investigation required to determine anything else.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Lepus nods.
"Poppy it be then."
He follows the others to the grotto.
"Should we venture onto the Misty Tarn," he says conversationally, "Mayhap the rune found in yon Wormy Caves will drive away the restless spirits that lurk on the isle."
He joins in the search, looking for any unusual signs, runes or traces of the Ancient One. Once the cave is searched, he will peer into the pool.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
"Let us get a closer look," says Henry. "We should examine the pool and the surrounding area for any trace of the fell thing."
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Whilst discussing these discoveries, the party cannot help but notice that Doctor North and Lepus are shivering and sneezing, obviously afflicted with ague from the cold water.
Spoiler:
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrop
Teeth chattering, Lepus relays his discovery to the others.
”We should investigate, yesno? Though mayhap a long stout rope would be useful in order to climb out, him?”
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