Ch.12a. Arkham

[Philulhu]

It seemed that the number of missing people had gone unremarked in the local press. Ivy could see that the reporter’s names changed on a fairly frequent basis so perhaps that was why no-one had looked into it further.

Other than an occasional feature on Native American customs, there was nothing out of the ordinary reported.

[jp1885]

Ivy drums her fingers on the desk, unsure of how to proceed. Perhaps she could find some history books containing facts and legends about Squatters Lake or North Windham? This will no doubt mean a trip to the library.

[Philulhu]

OOC, If Ivy is heading to the library, do you want to give me a Library Use roll?

[jp1885]

Library use 60 pass,Rolled 38 https://www.dholeshouse.org/Tools/DiceVerifier?RID=5a52d8b3-bd40-4f14-af4e-f8f616faab02

Ivy delves into the library.

[Philulhu]

In Arkham Library a bit of research by Ivy eventually turned up A Native History of New England, within which she found the following reference to Squatter’s Lake:

...were a tribe called The Abenaki who lived in the Connecticut River Valley in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The Abenaki originally owned the land around Squatter’s Lake, though they were driven away by English settlers in 1722. Originally named “Ponki-mkazas” (the crow) by the Abenaki due to the abundance of crows scavenging around the lake, the settlers found that moving there was a bad idea due to the poor hunting and fishing the area. Also, the Hemlock trees were worthless for burning and the untreated of their houses quickly succumbed to rot.

The settlers moved further north, leaving their settlement behind, and over the years the decrepit shacks became homes to vagrants, escaped slaves and deserters from the army until they were finally swept into the lake in a flood in 1805. Locals living near the lake began calling it Squatter’s Lake, a name that survives to this day.”

OOC, Can I have a listen roll, please.

[jp1885]

Listen 50 fail,Rolled 85 https://www.dholeshouse.org/Tools/DiceVerifier?RID=d7544cd1-6cd5-49c0-9bcc-1c0ac2cd6545

[Philulhu]

The quiet of the library was disturbed by the creak of a door. Ivy heard footsteps approaching and a librarian glanced over with a puzzled look on her face. ”Is everything all right?” she asked.

[jp1885]

Huffing in annoyance, Ivy’s head snaps up.

“What?”

[Philulhu]

”Was that man not with you?” the librarian asked, with an uncertain look.

[jp1885]

“Man? I neither saw nor heard a man,” Ivy replies curtly, looking around for the fellow.

She frowns, as the penny drops. (Possibly).

“Please describe him, if you will.”

[Philulhu]

”I... I’m not sure!” stammered the librarian, hesitantly. “Quite tall, dark skinned. He was standing behind you. Quite close - I’m surprised you didn’t notice. He looked up, saw I was watching and walked off between the stacks. I heard the door go not long after so he must have gone out - there’s no-one else here, as far as I’m aware.”

[jp1885]

“I wasn’t aware of anyone; most odd...” Ivy replies tartly. “I shall check if the fellow is still lurking around the shelves,” she declares, rising to her feet.

[Philulhu]

A quick turn around the stacks confirmed that only Ivy and the librarian appear to be present.

[jp1885]

On the off-chance, have any books been taken or indeed deposited?

[Philulhu]

The librarian checked but nothing seemed to have been taken or returned.

”That was very odd,” said the librarian with a shudder. “He definitely seemed to be watching you and as I said, he moved away as soon as he realised I had seen him.”

[jp1885]

Ivy frowns; first visions of Brophy and now a tall, dark-skinned fellow might be stalking her.

"Well, I am at a loss... I'm sorry if this has caused you any inconvenience," she says to the librarian. "I think a little fresh air is required."

Assuming she can think of nothing else to do in the library, she decides to sit quietly in a nearby park to collect her thought.

[Philulhu]

It was bright but with a chill wind in the park. Whether people were busy or if it was the temperature keeping them away, Ivy wasn’t sure, but it was quieter than normal. Even the sounds of the children playing on the swings was muted.

As Ivy sat trying to collect her thoughts, she had feeling of being watched...

OOC, Spot Hidden, please.

[jp1885]

Spot hidden 65 fail,Rolled 68 [url]https://orokos.com/roll/886962[/url]

Ivy takes a few minutes to enjoy the fresh air, despite the sullen atmosphere. For a second she thinks she can hear something, but the moment passes.

[Philulhu]

Ivy heard a faint crack as if a twig had snapped but when she looked around, there was nothing there, just leaves waving in the breeze.

OOC, What’s Ivy going to do next?”

[jp1885]

OOC,I haven’t the foggiest! Give me a while to think of something :D