Chapter 6: The Death of Lord Bargrove

[HoneyDog]

Constable Hallifax looks aghast at hearing this latest theory. He stands with his mouth open, but says nothing.

[Rooter]

Percy's reaction is similar.

[Philulhu]

”I did say it was implausible...” muttered Captain FitzWilliam, somewhat defensively.

[aine]

"Well I have studied the occult and, personally, I'd say Captain Fitzwilliam's theory may not be as far fetched as it seems." Isolde watches their disbelieving faces but plows on. She sweeps an arm across the field.
"We all agree this is an ancient stone, here since before the celts even. Think about the name of this field that the villagers shun; 'Hobbs field'. Hob, just like the goblin in A Midsummer's Night's Dream, it's also another name for the devil; Old Hob. How did this field get this name?
And then take this murder and the horrible way he died. In ancient times sacrificial victims were killed three times to appease each of the three main gods of the time. This is very similar to these ancient Celtic triple deaths; the bleeding, disembowelment and burning. And it took place on a symbolic monument.
Now we know that there was a Druidic grove hereabout in Celtic times. I think that either modern druids or similar have performed a reenactment of the ancient ritual. It is to be determined who and for what reason."

[HoneyDog]

"A pagan sacrifice?" asks Hallifax in horror. "In this day and age? I can't believe it!"

[Philulhu]

”Do the older locals still make the sign of the evil eye?” asked Captain FitzWilliam. ”Is that just old bygone superstitions or is it something else?”

[HoneyDog]

“How would I know?” says Hallifax irritably. “Look, it’s about time I started making my rounds. If you happen to find any information which might be useful, you can reach me in Princetown."

He begins to walk away across the field, back to his bike.

[Rooter]

Percy is peering closely at the stone itself. Is there anything to indicate it is something more than an ordinary boulder?

Spoiler:

Spot Hidden 45%[dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Percy is unable to see anything unusual about the stone.

[Mr. Handy]

"I don't believe in that sort of thing myself," says Alexander, "but whoever killed his Lordship very well may have believed it and been willing to kill for that belief, true or not." He too examines the stone.

OOC,Spot Hidden roll (60% skill) examining the stone: [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Alexander,Alexander can see absolutely nothing which indicates that the stone is something more than it appears. There are no carvings or passages visible. It is just a stone.

[aine]

"I had a feeling he'd take it that way." Says Isolde. "We were hired to discover a supernatural reason for Lord Allingham's death and we've found nothing. I would say this is a mundane death but an occult murder.

This has all the hallmarks of a pagan ritual but there is nothing specifically supernatural about it; as far as we can tell. The murderers might imagine they are Druid priests perhaps. The only odd thing to me is the stone that was fallen is now not."

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, I'm in agreement," says Alexander, which is a rare thing for two people with such disparate worldviews. "There's nothing supernatural about the stone, either. It's just a very large, very heavy rock. Nobody's even carved anything into it. It is curious that it was raised again, but as I said, someone with knowledge of physics can do it."

[Rooter]

Percy also nods, though cannot hide his disappointment. "And the strange occurrences at the house could also be the work of some crafty individual - if only we could catch them at it."

[aine]

Isolde chuckles at an idea she's just had, "Maybe we'd have more luck holding a seance here in the field. Even if we had no contact with the spirit plane, we might stir up these so-called druids and find out who they are."

[Mr. Handy]

"Ah, now there's a thought," says Alexander. "We'll just have to be careful they don't murder us too."

[Philulhu]

”Perhaps we should consider that as plan B,” said Captain FitzWilliam drily, ”In case we have no further options. For now though, I think it makes sense to talk to the labourers whom his lordship brought to the village, to see what they can tell us of events.”

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Would you like to move to the village? It's about lunchtime.

[aine]

"We'd need some very warm coats for it anyway. Do you think we can get lunch at the pub? Maybe we'll meet some of the labourers there. Says Isolde

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, good thinking," says Alexander. "I'd like to ask them how they went about moving the stone."