Chapter 7: An Unexpected Visitor

[Philulhu]

”In which case, I will fetch my scarf and gloves,” replied Captain FitzWilliam, and he headed upstairs to his room.

OOC - GM,[b]FitzWilliam[/b] will take his revolver with him, fully loaded, with a dozen spare rounds in his pocket.

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, if you think it best, we'll go now," says Alexander. He too goes to dress warmly.

[HoneyDog]

McKenzie unwillingly agrees to drive the companions out to Hob’s Field. The temperature is approaching freezing now as the sun goes down, and it is bitterly cold. A layer of frost covers the ground, and it is clear from the sky that they will see snow tonight.

OOC,After 30 minutes the characters will start to suffer from the cold, and have to roll for Hit Point loss.

[aine]

"My goodness, it's even colder than I thought possible! Let's do this as quickly as possible." Isolde takes her small bag of equipment and leads the way over the frozen ground to the stone. "We have less than ten minutes to sunset would you say, Doctor?" Isolde looks southwest to see any glimmer of the last of the weak sun before the storm.
"Here, everyone take a lantern and walk in a circle around the stone. Isolde stands next to the stone with her crystal ball and lantern on the floor and holds her arms up,
"Hear me, Spirits! Walk for a moment amongst us by this cursed stone. We are here to listen to your voices, to hear your story. Now is your chance to speak!"
Isolde looks down, watching her crystal ball.

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh, aye," says Alexander, glancing up at the sky. He takes up his lantern and walks around the stone as instructed, trying not to let his skepticism show. He's relieved that there's no such thing as curses, or he would have been afraid.

[Philulhu]

Captain FitzWilliam took one of the lanterns and joined in the walk around the standing stone. He could feel the cold as it nipped his face and his breath fogged in front of him.

His spare hand was buried deep in his coat pocket and he scanned the area constantly, keeping an eye out for trouble.

[Rooter]

Percy shuffles wearily along with the others. He gives the stone a kick in passing to encourage the spirits.

[HoneyDog]

The only sound, apart from the rising wind, is the crunch of the companion’s footsteps in the frost around the stone. The area is quiet.

Percy,Roll Luck.

[Rooter]

Roll,Luck 70%[dice]0[/dice]

[aine]

Frost forms on the crystal ball, obscuring whatever is happening within. As a last resort, Isolde turns and places her hands on the stone and, throwing her mind out to the other plane, she whispers, "Allingham, Allingham, do you hear me?"

[HoneyDog]

Percy’s toe connects painfully with the ancient stone, and he cries out in pain, his voice echoing through the still evening. But no reply comes.

Percy,Lose 1 HP.

[Philulhu]

”Clumsy buffoon!” muttered Captain FitzWilliam sotto voce as he trudged around the stone...

[aine]

"Oh really!" Isolde exclaims. "This just isn't working. It's too cold and I can't detect anything." Isolde hits the stone in disgust. "Thank you for at least trying but I suggest we all go home before we freeze."

[Mr. Handy]

"Right," says Alexander, shivering. "You don't need to tell me twice. Let's not spend another minute outdoors more than we have to."

[Philulhu]

”So what next?” demanded Captain FitzWilliam, who was reluctant to move, despite the cold. ”If this doesn’t work, what else have we got to try?”

OOC,Are we missing something? So far, we don’t seem to be having much luck in attracting the attention of the late Lord Allingham.

[aine]

Isolde picks up the crystal ball and puts it away.
"Well, we've had no spirital response of any sort- nothing. Which in itself could be significant. There's almost the antithesis of supernatural presence here. Come what may though, there's nothing for the Seekers of Enlightenment in this case. I suggest we discuss what we are to do once we're back at the hall." Isolde turns and strides angrily across the field.

[Mr. Handy]

"I have to agree," says Alexander, following her back, "though I still think solving an occult murder with no supernatural elements is still worth our while. Perhaps we can try another vigil tonight and get to the bottom of these odd happenings."

[HoneyDog]

McKenzie returns the frozen companions back to Bargrove Hall, where they eagerly warm themselves before the Study fire. The news that the latest séance has still not led to contact with the deceased Sir William provokes an outburst from Lady Amanda, however.

“When exactly are you going to contact William for me?” she says tightly. “So far you’ve found nothing! When can I find out what’s going on around here?”

Her voice is rising to a fever pitch. Howard hovers anxiously in the background.

“We’re in mortal danger here!” she hisses. “Something is coming for us! For Ursula! I can feel it!”

[Mr. Handy]

"Then we must set a watch, to protect you and Ursula," said Alexander.

[Rooter]

"Can you be more specific about this something?" Percy asks in a calming tone. "Why would anyone wish to harm your daughter?"