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Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:21 pm
by HoneyDog
The cars pass through the busy streets of Arkham, and the traffic gradually dwindles as they head out into the countryside. Although the roads are clear and they make good progress, the landscape is barren and frozen, dusted with a light covering of snow. The sky is grey and leaden, and seems to hang like a weight over the fields. The conversation fades as the heroes turn to the windows to regard the scenery. Perhaps some feel an inner tension, uncertain about what awaits them.
As they approach Ross’s Corners, they might be surprised to see that it is even smaller than they imagined. The economic situation has not favoured the small dairy farms in the area, and their businesses are in decline. As a result, the population is very small, only around forty, and is concentrated around one main street, with a few outlying farms.
Entering the hamlet, the investigators see some tired-looking buildings and homes, although the village itself is clean. It is obviously not wealthy, but its denizens are not paupers and are taking care of their surroundings. The main commercial and community centers seem to be a church, a combination general store / gas station / post office, and a milk depot.
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:47 pm
by innsmouth
OOC: We could split up and a couple of us could check out each of the three locations. Bring up the farmhouse and see if we learn anything. |
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:29 am
by Mr. Handy
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:27 am
by HoneyDog
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:11 am
by andyw666
Balzac looks at the general store with interest and starts driving that way. "Why not stop at the general store, see if we can't buy some nice country produce for a picnic, and ask direction at the same time?"
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:16 pm
by HoneyDog
Balzac pulls the car over to stop in front of the general store, and
Arthur, who is following in his car, does the same. As everyone gets out, they are watched curiously by some locals. However, this curiosity doesn’t seem to be of the friendly type – there are no smiles or greetings.
OOC: OOC, Anyone is free to make a Psychology roll. |
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:35 pm
by innsmouth
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:35 pm
by innsmouth
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:01 pm
by HoneyDog
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:17 pm
by innsmouth
Henry Glynn
Henry whispers to the others:
"There's something stranger about these folk. I've known small town types out in Iowa who were real wary of East Coasters and the boys down from Chicago but this is different. We'd best be careful."
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 4:34 am
by Mr. Handy
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 5:59 am
by HoneyDog
Under the gaze of the watchful and suspicious locals, the adventurers enter the store.
It is clean and well kept, under the watchful eye of its owner, a plump middle-aged lady, who watches them from behind her counter. There is fresh bread, some cheeses, some cured meats and tins of food, as well as tools and household goods. The heroes can stock up on whatever they think they might need for the coming adventure.
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:26 pm
by Wolf
Arthur glances at the store, taking special note of the dried fruits. He whispers to Henry
"We should be both careful and inquisitive. The clerk has probably heard of gossip about the farmhouse."
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 4:50 pm
by innsmouth
Henry Glynn
Henry politely orders a loaf then makes a comment about the weather to see if the lady behind the counter is friendly.
"Say isn't it cold out? They say there's bad weather blowing down from Maine."
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:49 am
by Mr. Handy
"Do we have enough light?" Alice asks the others.
"If not, we should buy flashlights, or lanterns if they lack those. And of course we'll need food."
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 4:15 am
by andyw666
"Mlle, we have four flashlights already but don't let me stop you buying more. And personally I wasn't planning on staying after dark. Some picnic food, however, would be very much in order. And some cool drinks perhaps?"
Balzac, bowler politely in hand, cheerfully heads over to the cured meats and breads.
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 7:42 am
by HoneyDog
The
storekeeper takes a loaf and begins to wrap it in waxed paper for
Henry.
"It's always cold like this this time of year. You’re a large party” she continues.
“What brings you all to our little town?”
She seems genuinely interested.
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 7:48 pm
by Mr. Handy
"We're friends of Professor Dennis Putnam," says
Alice giving the shopkeeper her friendliest smile before looking downcast.
"I'm sorry to say that he passed away yesterday. He owned some property in these parts, and we're here to help set his affairs in order."
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:03 am
by HoneyDog
“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss. You’ll be talking about the old farmhouse on Boone Road then. Nobody has done anything with it for years, but the taxes are always paid up. We make it our business to know what goes on in our community. I’m Ma Peters, by the way.”
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:04 am
by Mr. Handy
"Thank you," says
Alice.
"I'm Alice Stanton, the late professor's secretary. Yes, it's t farmhouse on Boone Road. Can you please give us directions?"
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:10 am
by HoneyDog
“Certainly Miss Stanton. Head north out of town about a mile and a half. You’re on Boone Road. You’ll see the house on top of a small hill about a hundred yards to the east. Are you planning on staying long?”
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:03 am
by Mr. Handy
"Probably not too long," says
Alice,
"but it's hard to tell. It depends on what state the house is in. Thank you again, Ma Peters."
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:21 am
by HoneyDog
“You’ll need some firewood. I doubt there’s any dry up there.” She goes out back and returns with a large pile, which she sets on the floor, and then begins to ring up the companions' purchases.
“Now Miss Stanton, while you’re up that way, be advised that a local woman went missing last night. She went out to check the barn but didn’t come back. It’s got people worried, so please you and your friends keep an eye out for any women alone that you might see. We’d be very grateful to you.”
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:04 am
by Mr. Handy
"Of course," says
Alice, taking money out of her purse to pay for her purchases.
"What does she look like?"
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:05 am
by HoneyDog
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:48 am
by innsmouth
Henry Glynn
"We'll keep an eye our for Maggie. Was the barn anywhere near Boone Road where we're headed?"
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 1:07 pm
by evil_scientist
OOC: Sorry, I was very busy this weekend. Trying to catch up now. |
Isadora Carmichael
Isadora is alerted by the news about the woman's disappearance. Maybe the
thing is already on the prowl?
"This place seems peaceful, I presume it's not often people go missing around here?" she asks the lady.
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:06 pm
by HoneyDog
“The McPhirter farm is about a mile from your farmhouse” says
Ma Peters to
Henry.
“The menfolk will be getting themselves ready for a search. They might head your way, but they might not, so yes, please have a look out.”
She turns to
Isadora who she has seen for the first time, her eyebrows raised quizzically at
Isadora’s unconventional appearance.
“Of course people don’t often go missing around here. What do you think we are?”
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:19 pm
by innsmouth
OOC: To the farmhouse next I think. If we happen to pass the McPhirter farm we could keep an eye out for activity. |
Re: Chapter 4: Ross's Corners
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:47 am
by evil_scientist
OOC: Yupp, to the farmhouse! |