To the Manor borne… (everyone)

[Philulhu]

The Constable stood and watched them leave before turning back towards the village.

Where do you intend to go next?

[Snapper]

"At some point, we're going to have to let that constable know that there are, ah, remains in that house that need to be buried at the very least. Which will lead him to ask how they got there. Not that we actually know."

"Meantime, I suggest we try to avoid running until him again today. But would it be worth coming back here in the evening? Perhaps this animal is nocturnal?"

Spoiler:

From our maps, what the party could see from the top floor windows etc, are there any thick woods nearby?

[Mr. Handy]

"The body has probably been there over a century," says Bonnie, "and he seemed to have locked himself in the room. Of course, we'd have to explain how we knew the body was there and why we didn't tell him when we had the chance. Coming back in the evening could be a good idea."

[Philulhu]

The house sits in a clearing and is surrounded by trees on all sides.

[Joajackson]

"The body has probably been there over a century," says Bonnie, "and he seemed to have locked himself in the room. Of course, we'd have to explain how we knew the body was there and why we didn't tell him when we had the chance. Coming back in the evening could be a good idea."

Father ó Shaban seemed to have an idea.

"I believe it could be bosible for me to travel to ze Iverness and wrriite an anonimous letter, yes? No good christian man could refuse ze right words, ze soul and dignity of ze fellow man at stake."

[Snapper]

"Sounds like a sensible plan, Father."

"Meantime, what's our next move? Shall we go examine these strange trees, one by one? I might find some more tracks, you never know. We'll just have to avoid attracting the attentions of the good constable again."

[BoyBlunder78]

" I think that is a sound plan Ascot we should check by the trees fir anuthung out of the ordinary. At some point i would like to head back to the village and visit the library to try and find anything to explain what is in this journal, before we return tonight. There were distinct footprints in the manor, so someone has been there recently,possibly the young lad in the cells, possibly not but someone in the village has been here."

[Snapper]

"Excellent, we're back in the hunt. And one fact we have established is these strange trees are part of the unhappy story."

Rubbing his hands together, Ascot heads towards the nearest tree, keeping half an eye out for the constable.

Ascot will be looking for tracks in the vicinity of each tree as the party progresses.

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye," says Bonnie. "We have plenty of time today. I suspect it was Dr. McBride who went through the manor recently. If I'm right, it's his ancestral home."

[Philulhu]

Track roll for Ascot, please. Everyone else roll Spot Hidden.

For Father Ó Shaban (25%) 1d100 (failed).

[Mr. Handy]

Bonnie's eagle eyes spot something.

Spot Hidden roll (50% skill) looking at the trees:
d%

[Snapper]

1d%50%

OOC:   Fail.

Ascot searches like a demon, sweat mops his brow even in this cool climate. "I will find you, you demonic animal," he growls through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing. Every piece of ground is scrutinised afresh, every twig and leaf examined, sniffed and carefully moved to see what is below. Ascot actually sniffs the ground and listens to it. Any small piece of animal dung is examined, felt, sniffed and ... even tasted before being spat out

Can Ascot push this roll?

[BoyBlunder78]

1d100

Dr Douglas thinks he sees something out the corner of his eye.....but its just a trick of the light.

[Philulhu]

1d100

As they approached the Manor House through the trees, Bonnie spotted the policeman standing leaning against a tree, smoking a cigarette. He hadn’t spotted them returning but he had clearly expected them to return as soon as they thought he’d gone - he’d obviously dealt with their type before!

You could push the roll but there’s a very good chance you’d be spotted in doing so.

[Joajackson]

Father Ó Shaban, always careful, had taken the habit of staying inside the group, and combined with his age and demeanour, explaining quite easily how he wouldnt notice something beyond the group.

[Mr. Handy]

"Stop," whispers Bonnie. "The bobby is there, waiting for us to try to return, but he hasna seen us yet. We must leave before he does."

[Snapper]

Ascot nods in resignation, spitting out dung. "Bfff! You're right. Let's not get ourselves arrested."

Spoiler:

No pushing roll for now.

[Philulhu]

We’re going here: Back to the Village.