Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundrums
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Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundrums
Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundrums; Or, Mysteries Within and Without
Much time passes as Highdark Hall undergoes extensive repairs. The nearly constant sounds of hammers and saws fill the days, accompanied by not a few colorful and blasphemous curses from busy workmen. The months go by, and at long last only a few subtle scars remain upon the edifice to mark the extraordinary events which occurred in these otherwise peaceful surroundings.
Yuletide grows near. The Altumbers, displaying much gratitude for the many services rendered by their guests, makes plans for the approaching twelve days of celebration. The adventurers are invited to make suggestions for each day of festivity, it being Lady Highdark's whim that each daily celebration be of a different nature. It is a simple matter to obtain necessary provisions and gifts from the nearby town of Lowhaven, or, if more elaborate objects be desired, arrangements may be made to have them shipped from London, if enough time be supplied.
During this time of restoration, the infant Artemis delights her parents and grandparents with the healthy nature of her body and spirit. She is fair of skin, blue of eye, and possesses striking tresses of a deep orange color, quite thick for a child of her tender age. She exhibits great facility at crawling about with unusual grace and speed, and great curiosity about everything around her. The twins are fond of throwing bits of crumpled paper, and other such simple toys, to her, which she retrieves with remarkable facility and enthusiasm. Her appetite, much to the delight of Lady Highdark, is powerful, the babe being particularly fond of milk and finely minced fish and meat. Her mother dotes upon her, petting her and cooing at her for hours at a time.
Meanwhile, the challenges of daily life never completely fading away, word comes from the inhabitants of Lowhaven of a plague of thievery, many small farms having been raided by night, resulting in the loss of livestock and produce of the field. The criminal has not been identified, although some claim to have seen a large man skulking about in the darkness. A delegation of farm folk make petition to Lord Highdark for aid with this problem.
Much time passes as Highdark Hall undergoes extensive repairs. The nearly constant sounds of hammers and saws fill the days, accompanied by not a few colorful and blasphemous curses from busy workmen. The months go by, and at long last only a few subtle scars remain upon the edifice to mark the extraordinary events which occurred in these otherwise peaceful surroundings.
Yuletide grows near. The Altumbers, displaying much gratitude for the many services rendered by their guests, makes plans for the approaching twelve days of celebration. The adventurers are invited to make suggestions for each day of festivity, it being Lady Highdark's whim that each daily celebration be of a different nature. It is a simple matter to obtain necessary provisions and gifts from the nearby town of Lowhaven, or, if more elaborate objects be desired, arrangements may be made to have them shipped from London, if enough time be supplied.
During this time of restoration, the infant Artemis delights her parents and grandparents with the healthy nature of her body and spirit. She is fair of skin, blue of eye, and possesses striking tresses of a deep orange color, quite thick for a child of her tender age. She exhibits great facility at crawling about with unusual grace and speed, and great curiosity about everything around her. The twins are fond of throwing bits of crumpled paper, and other such simple toys, to her, which she retrieves with remarkable facility and enthusiasm. Her appetite, much to the delight of Lady Highdark, is powerful, the babe being particularly fond of milk and finely minced fish and meat. Her mother dotes upon her, petting her and cooing at her for hours at a time.
Meanwhile, the challenges of daily life never completely fading away, word comes from the inhabitants of Lowhaven of a plague of thievery, many small farms having been raided by night, resulting in the loss of livestock and produce of the field. The criminal has not been identified, although some claim to have seen a large man skulking about in the darkness. A delegation of farm folk make petition to Lord Highdark for aid with this problem.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
"I think we may guess who that is," says William of the reported large figure. (He may have privately joked that the babe is taking after the cat in more ways than just her name, though not in the presence of the family).
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
During those months, when he is not pondering the nature of the faerie curse, Lepus contents himself by wandering the grounds (occasionally paying his respects to those strange denizens that lurk unsuspected around the estate) or earning his crust below stairs by mending pots and utensils.
Fortunately he is conversing with his friends above stairs when the lady of the house speaks of seasonal festivities. The wanderer suggests celebrating Yuletide in the same manner of his clan, to wit a nocturnal gathering around a large bonfire, with much feasting and dancing; the music being provided by a Gypsy band.
He also notices the similarity between the child and it's feline namesake - he is glad is not by profession a nursemaid, lest he be employed to look after girl!
As for the thefts, is in agreement with the brave soldier on that score too.
"Aye. Mayhap we should check that yon graveyard be not disturbed, yesno?"
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Henry has spent much of his time in the now otherwise deserted laboratory, continuing his researches into the reanimation of dead tissue, using electricity in his experiments as inspired by the late Luigi Galvani. When asked for a theme for one of the days, he suggests a focus on the Star of Bethlehem, with everyone going outside in the evening so he can show them the wonders of the night sky, give an elementary lesson on astronomy, and discuss the star that the magi had seen, which he suspects may actually have been a comet. The baby's similarity to a cat is concerning, and he wonders if she acts that way because she inherited the tendency from her parents, or if it was because her mother treated her that way, or perhaps a combination of the two. The fur-like hair definitely did not arise from treatment alone, of that he is certain.
"Yes, let us take a look," says Henry. "We can start with Miss Rye's grave. I am fairly certain that Miss Ravenscroft decided upon that one."
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Setting out upon a fog-shrouded, chill evening, lanterns in hand -- for surely one would not wish to draw the attention of the Altumbers or their retainers whilst engaged in such errand -- the adventurers locate the unmarked grave of Miss Rye. There is evidence that it has been recently disturbed, and then covered up again with fresh dirt. It is common knowledge that resurrectionists, being in haste during the performance of their unlawful chores, rarely take such care to conceal their work.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
"It is as I suspected," says Henry. "Let's look around for tracks and see if we can determine which way they went from here. Miss Ravenscroft will need another laboratory in order to create a female monster."
Doctor Who/CoC Campaign:
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
"Aye, 'tis a fine idea."
Lepus takes a good look around.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
"Agreed," says William, doing the same.
(If William is asked to select a theme for a day, he will suggest the hardship and endurance of the journey to Bethlehem).
OOC: Ithink we agreed earlier that William is trained tracker when it comes to horses, but not otherwise. |
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Spoiler:
The next morning is the twenty-fifth of December, the first of twelve days of celebration. A proposal comes from Lady Highdark, fitting her somewhat eccentric nature, that there be a contest of equestrian skill, to wit; that the riders, after selecting the steed that they prefer from the stables, proceed from the horse paddock on the westernmost side of the estate through the Moorland Gate, and out onto the expanse of wilderness for which that egress is named. From thence, the contestants to ride after Lady Highdark in a game of Follow-My-Leader, the winner to be the person who is the last to lose sight of her whilst in pursuit. (Lady Highdark has, of course, selected the most spirited animal for herself.) The prize for this victory is to be announced upon completion of the game.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Lepus is the first to admit he’s no equestrian, preferring his own two feet, but nonetheless throws himself into the competition with relish.
Rather than choose a horse, he shambles into the paddock and waits for a horse to come to him, reasoning that he’d rather a willing partner in the adventure.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
While Henry is not as skilled an equestrian as William (and few are), as a nobleman he has a lot of experience riding horses. He examines the horses in the stables, selecting first for surefootedness and second for speed.
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(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
William is more than willing to enter the competition - he has his own horse, so he will ride that one for the event.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Before the competion, begins, William will tell Lord Dunwich that he means to surruptitiously bring his brace of pistols on the excursion, and suggests that his Lordship does the same. "Whilst it appears that someone has indeed taken Miss Rye's body, we cannot know for certain that it was Miss Ravenscroft, or whether she harbours other intentions. The last words we heard heard her speak to her creation bespoke a grudge against the women of the house, and this ride of Lady Highdark's would afford her an opportunity. It may also be well to set your man Ivan on guard over Georgina during a time when many of the other men will be away from the house."
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
"I shall do as you suggest," says Henry, with a nod. "That is an excellent point. While Lady Highdark is more than capable of taking care of herself from what you told me, she is not invulnerable, and her daughter has shown no such capabilities."
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The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
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The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
William laughs to himself and redoubles his efforts to keep up with his quarry.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Whistling some jaunty tune, Lepus trots along at a reasonably steady pace, seemingly more interested in his surroundings than winning the competition. Occasionally he stops whistling to answer some imagined question from his steed, before chuckling to himself and urging the horse onwards.
Now and then his stops to examine some interesting pool, tree or rock, before carrying on as if he has all the time in the world.
Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Not one to give up, Henry stays in the race and tries to catch up with the others.
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(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
The Horror in the Blackout
The Masque of Nyarlathotep
(viewforum.php?f=176)The Terror Out of Time
(viewforum.php?f=191)]The Ninth Planet
The Shadow Over Dunwich
The Brotherhood of Death
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The Masque of Nyarlathotep
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
Apparently more intent in enjoying her present company than escaping from it, Lady Highdark maintains a swift pace across the moors, but not one that causes her to pull ahead of William.SunlessNick wrote:William laughs to himself and redoubles his efforts to keep up with his quarry.
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Re: Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundr
jp1885 wrote:
Whistling some jaunty tune, Lepus trots along at a reasonably steady pace, seemingly more interested in his surroundings than winning the competition. Occasionally he stops whistling to answer some imagined question from his steed, before chuckling to himself and urging the horse onwards.
Now and then his stops to examine some interesting pool, tree or rock, before carrying on as if he has all the time in the world.
Spoiler:
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