Strathmorn (everyone)

[BoyBlunder78]

"Fair points well made sir, we were led to believe the boy had been ripped to shreds. So what do you make of McMorn history, specifically the sons return from the dark continent and his new aquaintance?"

[Philulhu]

McBride paused for a moment and looked at the investigators thoughtfully.”Well, it wasn’t uncommon for the children of wealthy people to undertake a kind of ‘Grand Tour’, as it were, and return with all sorts of knickknacks and other ephemera along the way. As for an acquaintance, it seems rather odd that the son of a gentleman should take up with a sailor, but each to their own, I suppose!”

[Snapper]

Ascot politely absents himself to order the doctor's promised drink. He gets two glasses of whatever is the best scotch behind the bar, the second for himself, and returns. "Your good health."

[Mr. Handy]

"Do ye ken anything aboot the servant he brought back with him?" asks Bonnie.

[Philulhu]

”Do dheagh shlainte,” replied McBride to Ascot, which Bonnie and Dr Douglas recognised as the traditional response in Scots Gaelic, albeit delivered in an northern English accent.

”As for the native fellow that Alex McMorn brought back with him, I know very little. I started to do some research into the village history when I first arrived but the job keeps me busy and I’ve made little progress. I cover a number of the villages around here so I’m often out and about.”

[Snapper]

Ascot nods at the doctor's notebook. "Is that what is in your notebook? Your researches?"

[Philulhu]

”It is,” said McBride. ”I started looking into the history of the village when I first moved here, though I haven’t made a deal of progress. The pressures of the job, you understand. I cover Strathmorn and a number of the surrounding villages. Travelling around takes up a far amount of time.”

[Snapper]

Ascot's eyes light up. "Well, doctor, my reading skills have never much progressed from Enid Blyton, Conan Doyle, and more recently Scotland's own John Buchan. My colleagues, on the other hand, are quite learned.
I wonder if you would be willing to let one or two of them read your notes while you and I compare observations on this fine whisky?"

[Mr. Handy]

"How long have ye been here, Doctor?" asks Bonnie.

[Philulhu]

”Ah, they are just my rough notes,” replied McBride. ”I’m happy to talk about what I’ve found out but I would be embarrassed if anyone were to actually read them. Not that they’re exactly easy to read - you know what they say about a doctor’s handwriting.”

He smiled and looked at Bonnie. ”I’ve lived here for coming up two years, Miss,” he said.

[Snapper]

Ascot nods to Doctor McBride. "Fair enough. I wouldn't want to share my personal writing too much either. We would be very interested to hear what you have found out about the history of the village though. While I enjoy a fine scotch whisky."

[Mr. Handy]

"What sources have you used for your research?" asks Bonnie, smiling back.

[Joajackson]

The Father Ó Shaban while keeping silent, for he believed his companions already were appropiately doing enough, decides to observe closely the doctor, be both his words and his clothes.

I want to roll psychology or Find Hidden, wathever be more relevant

[BoyBlunder78]

"I would be fascinated to read your notes Dr, this town reminds me of my own home Langholm. I would be intrigued to see if there are any similarities between the two.,"

Persuade 32%

[Philulhu]

Psychology (42%) 1d100

It seems perfectly reasonable that the absolutely charming Dr McBride should not wish to share his notes.

”Mainly from talking to the older people in the village,” replied McBride. ”There’s still a strong oral tradition of storytelling in this part of the world, so stories get passed down from generation to generation. I’d think that your Langholm is very similar,” he said to Dr Douglas.

He glanced over towards the bar and then leaned in conspiratorially. ”To be honest, apart from that business with Alex McMorn, not much has happened in Strathmorn. I think that’s why I’ve made so little progress. Life just seems to have passed the place by!”

[Mr. Handy]

"What about the library in Inverness?" asks Bonnie.

[Philulhu]

Psychology or Spot hidden, please.

”The library? Oh yes, that’s been quite useful in my research,” replied McBride.

[Snapper]

Ascot looks like a guilty school child. "That librarian scolded me for being too noisy."

He sips good whisky for a few moments. "We all know how hard times are now. I have far fewer wealthy customers these days looking to go hunting than I did two years ago. Has the village been hit hard by the depression? Is there more poaching, do you think?"

"Just between ourselves, mind. I have no plan to assist the local police catching poachers here."

Spoiler:

I'm no expert but I believe I'm right in saying the whole western world was well into the Depression by '31 and everyone knew it?

[Philulhu]

”The Depression? Its effects aren’t felt here quite the same way as Glasgow, for example. People will always need food, after all!” said McBride. ”We do have the distillery down the road, though, but I don’t know whether they’ve been affected. Oh, and Earl Cawdor’s game sports, but the people who tend to go for that are those who make money in depressions rather than lose it, if you get my drift.”

As for poaching, I’m sure it goes on but I wouldn’t know much about that.”

Roll Psychology, please.

[Snapper]

1d%pHL10%

OOC:   Fail.

"And, as a matter of interest, where do Earl Cawdor's game sports take place?"