Play@YSDC

McMorn Manor, Strathmorn, Inverness-shire
Saturday 21 March 1931. 7.15am

The day dawned clear, but cool. A yawning Mrs MacPherson had served them an early breakfast before they set out, and they found the village to be quiet. Not many people were about, although a few could be seen trudging away to work in the surrounding fields or heading down to the distillery.

It had rained in the night and rivulets of muddy water ran down the track as they made their way up to the Manor House. The wood that surrounded the house was quiet and it wasn’t until they passed out from under its canopy that they could see the house properly for the first time.

Truth be told, although it was called a Manor House it had far more in common with a peel tower or even a small castle. It had obviously been built with defence in mind, with thick stone walls and a tower overlooking the front door.

The grounds were overgrown with weeds but two buildings could be seen. One looked like a stable but the other looked very much like the family crypt…

Nature roll and Spot Hidden, please.

1d%LLd25%

OOC:   Success.

1d%pHdd60%

OOC:   Success.

Ascot is looking about very keenly, in the trees, at the manor as they approach, and on the ground.

"Everyone, keep an eye out for animal tracks or traces." He is, himself, keenly looking for tracks of his hypothetical exotic pets or their descendants.

Bonnie doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

Natural World roll (10% base skill) outside the manor:
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Spot Hidden roll (50% skill) outside the manor:
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30% 1d100

30%
1d100

Up in one of the trees off to the right, Ascot and Dr Douglas spotted the carcass of a sheep, its white wool streaked with dried blood. To Ascot’s mind, it reminded him of the way that leopard would stash its kill, keeping it off the ground so it was safe from other predators.

As they looked on, it was also apparent that there was something different about some of the trees. The majority were evergreens, pines and firs, but spaced between them were tall, thin, bare-branched deciduous trees, dark brown in colour, as if burnt by the African sun.

"Well that's not good."

Ascot unslings the soft rifle case that was over one shoulder. He takes out a clean but battered looking, war-era Lee-Enfield rifle, leaving the case on the ground.

Careful to keep the rifle safely pointed towards the ground, Ascot takes no further step but pauses to look around a full 360°.

"I believe we are close to finding the mystery animal. Be very careful."

Long moments passed but there was no movement to be seen, other than the faint stirring of the treetops in the light breeze.

Bonnie readies her rifle and lends her shotgun to Dr. Douglas. "Shall we walk around the exterior and see what else we can see?" she suggests.

Dr Douglas gratefully accepts the shotgun from Bonnie his face ashen white he silently fills both Chambers and pockets more of the ammo. He has transferred his medical supplies into a rucksack as he knew he couldn't possibly carry his medical bag and shotgun at the same time, also attached to the ruck sack is his lantern. " What do make of that Ascot? It does lend creedance to you imported creature theory I do say,
but how can i creatute large enough to do that (gestures to the animal remains) not be spotted by the locals? Also do any of you have any theories on the trees, could it be an effect the creature has? Possibly a trail to follow?"

Did you mean the trees are alien ro this environment or that they have been affected by something to look like this?

The Father Ó Shaban seemingly having little abilities considerable for this circunstance uncomfortably and silently thanked being surrounded by armed british.

"As exbected, ze old lord brought ze zings from ze south, and such ze hunter animal, a demon water of ze men, yes."

With that the Coptic priest answered back to the De Douglas.

"Ze trees arre clear, ze plants brought frrom ze south, maybe zere is more of ze animals. Two brredators and. small group of herbivores, yes. Ze animals could live in ze basement, if big enough, and stay secrret for generations."

Satisfied the party was not under immediate attack, Ascot slings the rifle over his shoulder. His newly purchased Zeiss binoculars are hanging around his neck and he uses them to study the sheep and the odd trees. Pointing to the sheep, he says to Dr Douglas: "That is the hunter's larder. So where is the hunter? Many animals hunt at night and hole up in a lair during the day. The house maybe?"

Can Ascot make a Know Roll or similar to recognise the trees, if they are some relatively wide-spread African species? He's no arborist but they may be common.

1d%42%

OOC:   Fail.

Ascot studied the trees but they meant little to him. There was not a lot of botany to be learnt from Blyton, Conan Doyle, or Buchan. "I have no idea what those trees are but that's not saying much. I'm no tree expert.
Father Shaban, you don't recognise them, I don't suppose?"

"All I know is they're nae from around here," says Bonnie. "The laird could have had them transplanted from Africa."

"Just remember, that Price fellow has sent us here to prove this is all natural or man-made causes, not ghosts. And I still think this could be the grandchildren of someone's ill-chosen pet from foreign parts. The only thing I know about ghosts is they don't really need to eat."

"On the topic of which, the predator brought the sheep here, climbed the tree, left the sheep, and headed off again, maybe to its lair? Which means there's some chance there might be tracks around the tree, if they haven't been washed away. Let's have a look."

Ascot heads over towards the tree with the sheep. "Can I ask everyone just to stay back 20 feet while I search. But keep your eyes peeled for tracks and traces, first person to spot something wins a drink at the bar tonight."

Ascot starts at the tree's base and slowly spirals outwards, looking for tracks.

1d%pHdd60%

OOC:   Success.

Ascot prowls carefully about the tree and near vicinity.