The Ghost Lights

[SunlessNick]

"I confess this is not the scene I was expecting," says Nathan.

[SunlessNick]

Josette makes herself known to the searchers at the lake - with her presence a fait accompli, she sees no reason to maintain a deception.

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria stands back to give the siblings some space and privacy, sighing with relief. She is glad that they are having a joyous reunion.

[Mr. Handy]

"It is a rather pleasant surprise," says Reverend Trask. "Let us row closer and speak to them."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

At Widow's Hill, Victoria witnesses brother and sister walk together in the direction of the New House. Upon reaching the great front door, Sarah opens it with great caution, gazing within in all directions, as if to determine if anyone is present. Once this is accomplished, she gestures for Barnabas to follow her within. He does so, after an exchange of what seems to be intense conversation.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
,
At the lake, as Trask and Forbes drawn closer to the other vessel, they observe that what the pair of anglers has caught does not resemble familiar members of the finny tribe. They are rather creatures of various unknown kinds, some equipped with limbs, such as no fish bears, others covered with thick hair, a trait equally absent among their kind. It is also evident, from the wriggling of these specimens, that they are still among the living.

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria remains outside, not wanting to interrupt them.

[Mr. Handy]

Reverend Trask doesn't know what is going on here, but he is certain that it is wicked. He begins to pray fervently.

Victoria, Using Exorcism.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

resisting the spell off line die roll 13

Reverend Trask's prayers appear to cause a sort of agitation among the creatures within the boat, followed by a chaotic exodus, as they leap into the water on irregular numbers of twisted limbs. As each strikes the surface of the lake, a hissing sound emerges, as when a powerful acid comes in contact with a substance subject to its powers. In reaction to this, Daniel and the sailor each seize an oar and begin rowing rapidly, sending the craft toward the opposite shore in a twisting manner, given the difference in strength between the two, which requires much adjustment of their course.

[SunlessNick]

Nathan sets to following them, assuming the Reverend will do likewise. There will be time to ask questions when they are back on dry land.

[SunlessNick]

Josette tries to follow what is happening on the lake as best she can.

[Mr. Handy]

Reverend Trask readily agrees, already thinking along the same lines, and helps Nathan Forbes row.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Let's have a battle of sheer rowing strength. You'll have the advantage, with two average STR of 9, the sailor and Daniel with 9 and 6 (due to youth); so, 18 vs 15 on two rolls of 2d20 combined: 4 + 14 = 18; 1 + 5 = 6; well, that wasn't what I expected.

Due to having a head start, and perhaps also because of some desperate desire to escape their pursuers, Daniel and the sailor reach the opposite shore a brief time before Trask and Forbes. They abandon their boat and race off into the damp woodlands north of the lake.

From her vantage point, located upon a slight rise (a rare position in this otherwise swampy region), Josette is able to observe the pair scurrying through the trees at a pace which is only slightly reduced by the challenges of the rough land.

[Mr. Handy]

"We must follow them," says Reverend Trask.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The intrepid pair set out after the absconding two. The going is not easy for either pursued or pursuer, given the damp ground and tangle of undergrowth between the trees. The advantage of the landscape is that tracking the fleeing duo is not a difficult matter, due to the way in which any journeyer must leave mark upon the land and foliage.

After some time spent following Daniel and the sailor, Trask and Forbes encounter an unwelcome visitor.

Spoiler:

DEX battles for an animal (15) vs Trask and Forbes (both 9) 3d20: 14, 19, 1

A timber rattlesnake, that venomous creature of the New England wilderness, strikes at Reverend Trask with its poisonous fangs, whilst Nathan Forbes is able to dodge the creature entirely.

Spoiler:

CON roll to avoid effects of the venom, = 9 1d20: 7 good luck

Fortunately, the serpent is only able to sink its venom-dripping teeth into Trask's boot, avoiding the great harm it might have caused otherwise. Evidentially enraged beyond the natural disposition of such a viper, which normally avoids Man with as great a passion as Man avoids it, it shakes its rattles furiously and prepares to strike again.

[Mr. Handy]

"Shoot it!" calls Reverend Trask, drawing his silver dagger to strike at the snake in the event that Nathan Forbes misses. He is sure that this particular beast is a tool of the devil. It is no coincidence that the father of lies took the form of a serpent.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

I'll shoot for Forbes, giving him + 3 for military experience = 12 Dex 1d20: 15 And for Trask's dagger DEX = 9 1d20: 6

Perhaps because footing is difficult in this marshy region, Forbes is unable to take proper aim at the creature, and the bullet flies harmlessly into the swamp. The sound of the pistol sends many birds soaring into the sky from their hiding places in the trees. More accurate is the thrust of Trask's dagger.

Spoiler:

1d6 damage = 1, which is actually enough to kill it, but since it's minimal I'll give it one last chance to strike back.

The blade strikes the creature, sending it into a frenzied death struggle against its slayer.

Spoiler:

dex = 15 1d20: 10 Another roll against your CON = 9 to avoid the poison: 1d20 = 6

Its fang brush against Trask's glove, failing to pierce the skin. The serpent lies still on the watery ground. As if Nature has some means of communication unknown to mankind, there soon arrives a vulture, who displays an interest in the corpse, and warily nears the two men, while remaining at a safe distance.

[SunlessNick]

Assuming the vulture only evidences interest in the snake, Nathan is inclined to leave it to its meal and continue the pursuit of the other pair.

[SunlessNick]

Josette endeavours to rally the other watchers to join in the the pursuit of the sailor and the boy.

[Mr. Handy]

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you," quotes Reverend Trask as he cleans off his dagger and sheathes it, giving the dead snake a wide berth and allowing the vulture its meal. "That was no ordinary snake. The enemy sent it to try to strike me down, but the Good Lord protected me. Let us continue on our way."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Hastening to join in the pursuit, those attending upon Mademoiselle DuPres rush along the shore of the lake, attempting to cut off the flight of those attempting to escape.

Spoiler:

Let's see how many there are; say, 2d4: 4, 1 = 5

Five brave men make their way forward ion the chase, followed at some distance by the aforementioned lady, who suffers the handicap of female garments.

Spoiler:

DEX rolls for all 6, Josette last, all have DEX 9: 6d20 = 6, 15, 20, 17, 5, 17. Gosh, not good.

The path they take proves to be a most unfortunate one, as the treacherous earth unleashes that foul danger known by the all-too-descriptive name of quicksand. Three of the men fall into the deadly substance. Their two comrades, standing upon safer ground, struggle to free them from the fatal pools, to which their fellows have fallen victim. This delays by some time their pursuit.

More worrisome is the fact that Josette, weighed down by the heavier clothing which is proper to the female sex, has, at some distance behind the men, succumbed to the same hazard.