Play@YSDC

Our heroes return to Arkham, lost in thought as their cars speed through the frozen streets. Rupert is deposited into the care of the doctors at St. Mary's, with an explanation of how he came by his injuries. It is too early to tell their extent, but he will be kept in overnight at the very least. Henry's arm is also tended, and he is proscribed some much appreciated opiates.

After finishing there, the now famished group retire to the nearby Garden Café is West College Street. A student favourite, it serves good food at low prices, and seats are easily found now that the lunchtime rush is over. As they partake of their repast, the companions begin to discuss the day’s events. Alice keeps her purse on her lap, as it contains the papers and the mysterious box.

"I think we're best off going to the local law in Ross's Corners," says Alice. "That's where the crime occurred, so it's their jurisdiction anyway."

Henry Glynn

Henry pushes his steak around his plate. He is struggling to eat with his injured shoulder.

"I think you are right Miss Stanton"

"I say, could I impose upon you to cut this steak up" he adds with a touch of embarassment.

"It's no problem," says Allce, cutting the steak for Henry. "Let me know if you want me to eat it for you too. I'm awfully hungry, and it looks and smells delicious!"

Henry Glynn

"Just what the Doctor ordered eh Balzac?"

Then to Alice "A good meal is just what's needed as I for one intend to spend the night in Putnam's cottage. Best way to settle this bogeyman story once and for all. Don't suppose I can convince you not to come?"

"Not a chance," says Alice, tucking into her own lunch. "I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora quickly finishes her plate of french fries (the only thing in the diner that doesn't have meat in it...) and turns to Alice.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Miss Stanton, but could I perhaps take a look at those papers while you eat?"

"Of course, Mrs. Carmichael," says Alice, handing over the papers before returning her attention to her steak and eggs.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora starts examining the papers...

Balzac happily descends upon good Arkham cooking with relish, with large quantities of coffee and cigarettes. He is a messy eater too.

"I am not sure camping out for the night is quite the right course just yet. We haven't really had an opportunity to explore the place in daylight yet. For all we know, it is still home to some wild animal. Also, it will be very cold. And do not forget, we need to make a report to the gendarmerie"

"May I suggest we think about a return this afternoon or tomorrow morning for a proper examination with the aid of daylight? If we wish to then stay for a night, we may need a few more provisions, just to avoid hypothermia if nothing else."

"The local law in Ross's Corners will no doubt want to see the place where it happened," says Alice. "We can go with and show them. We should be safe enough with the police there."

Henry Glynn

"Say, I wonder what's in the cigar box?" says Henry having finished his steak.

Alice places the box on the table. Looking at the expressions of anticipation on her companion’s faces, she opens it.

Inside are four black candles, and a small metal canister. Alice opens it to reveal a coarse, brownish powder.

There is also another box, this one small and wooden with a sliding lid. Opening it reveals a small amount of a silvery, talcum-like substance.

Henry Glynn

"Everything you'd need for a ritual I guess. Is any of this magnesium?"

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora looks up from the papers.

OOC:   HoneyDog, is there anything she can glean from them? How much time does she need to skim them? Also, can I roll Pharmacy instead of Chemistry? If so, here's my roll:

Pharmacy 26%
[dice]0[/dice]

evil_scientist,The content of the papers is described in the last chapter. The words to and instruction for the ritual. There's nothing special about them apart from that.

Both Isadora and Henry are mystified as to what the substances could be.

Alice also has no idea what it is.

OOC,Chemistry roll (1% base skill) about the substance: [dice]0[/dice]

OOC,[b]Balzac[/b] has a [i]Chemistry[/i] skill of 11% an rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Balzac peers at the substances and shrugs. "I am sorry, chemistry is not really my forte."

Further OOC,Do any of the substances appear to have an organic origin (like herbs and spices), such that a [i]Biology[/i] roll would be of help?

Henry Glynn

"I suppose someone at the Miskatonic might be able to identify these substances. I mean if we think it's important?"

Henry takes out a notepad and pencil and scribbles down some notes:

Miskatonic?
Magnesium etc. Important?
Ross's Corners - Law
Extra blankets!
Mrs Rourke - rent

Balzac delicately picks up one of the candles and sniffs it curiously, trying to identify any odours. He compares the powders and candles to the instructions in the papers and the notes in the late professor's journal, to see if everything matches up.

"Is it not strange to imagine the professor as a young man fifty years ago, using these items to try to summon some kind of ghost?"

OOC:   Arthur, Chemistry 40: Chemistry: 1d100 36

Arthur fixes the substances with a critical eye. He takes a large magnifying class from his bag and proceeds to examine the powder from the metal canister closely. "I have a little experience with chemicals" he states.

After a while he speaks."No, not magnesium" he says slowly. "At least, not in substantial amounts. I would say that this is mostly a mixture of sulphur, and some kind of copper oxide. Of course, I would need a proper microscope to make a definite analysis" he says modestly.

He turns to the talc in the wooden box, which he examines for a long time. He then places his glass slowly down on the table.

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you what this is. It's completely new to me". He rubs a little on his fingers. It adheres and seems greasy."Like graphite" says Arthur. "But not!"

He turns to Balzac. "Doctor, I believe that our friend Putnam was being truthful to us. He was a sincere man. Perhaps we should find out what this substance is? It might be important."

"That's a good idee," says Alice. "It must be that powder of Abu Ghazi or whatever it was called. Everything else we need was thoughtfully provided in the box, so I'd be surprised if that wasn't too."

OOC:   Yes, they have a Chemistry Department and you could probably get help, but please think carefully about whether you really need to go there.

Arthur

"I think you mean Ibn Ghazi, Miss Alice, but yes, this could well be it. What they used for their pentagram. It seems... unnatural".

He visibly shudders and stands up.

"I'm very sorry everyone. I know that you will think terribly of me, but I do not wish to dabble any further in these matters. No good will come of it. I implore you to go back to your daily lives. Although the Professor was a special man, I will not risk my life for this."

Arthur places some bills for his lunch on the table, grabs his hat and bag, and leaves the restaurant.

"I know people at the university," says Alice. "I could probably find someone in the Chemistry department who could analyze the powder, but is it really necessary? We have all the materials, and we know what we have to do. All that remains is to do it."

Isadora Carmichael

"I, for one, am not giving up!" she comments on Arthur's departure.

"I agree with Miss Alice. Time is running out... We don't need to know the exact chemical characteristics of this powder to use it."

Henry Glynn

"I didn't think Vivar would be so easily spooked!" says Henry

"Suppose this horror shows up - and I for one expect we'll encounter nothing worse than our friend with the table leg - don't we need some magnesium to burn to perform the 'exorcism'?"

"I'd forgotten about that," says Alice. "If it's not in the box, I'm sure we can obtain some in the Chemistry department."