Me
You aren't followed by the crowd. They seem intent on hunting down Indians, and since a Constable is leading Thomas they've forgotten him for the moment. You reach the Library without incident much to the relief of your fellow party members, and may now chat whilst you await the coach.
Flay
Even as soon as they get in, Harry pulls Thomas aside.
Whispering
"What are these visions? I'm considered odd, but noone has tried to hunt me down and been murdered on my part. I've had way too much cryptic interest in you, let's clear this up now." Harry didn't seem angry, though he did look serious, and confused.
Arc to FLay
Ghost and other such things. I've seen them for years, but this is the first time anyone has even seemed interested much less murderous over them.
I have no idea what is going on or why I'm all of a sudden so interesting to people.
Me
It takes almost two hours before Jones returns, and a light supper is served to you.
"We need to leave. If anyone needs anything they haven't brought with them, or something done, now is the time to ask. If not we load all of you into the coach with Constable Dresden and myself as drivers. The city is out hunting, and we can use the opportunity to slip away with so many out scouring the countryside. He hands Dresden a pistol and sabre "Let's hope we have to travel a ways before you need to use these." It's almost night. Destinations or where you will be spending the night aren't mentioned, leaving the Constables to chat amongst themselves, and the rest of you to talk inside the coach.
The night is fairly hot and humid, and as you are moving through the forest you are making scant headway. Constable Jones mentions heading for Valley Forge, a small town between Philadelphia and New York. He believes Washington had a few friends there as he was scouting for locations for use in the war in the coming year.
When you arrive late in the night at an inn, it is to an ill tempered old man and his wife who agree to give you lodging as a storm is moving in. The coach was quite uncomfortable and you are all glad to be in warm beds. You all sleep quite soundly through the night but for Mr. Martin, who awakens from nightmares he cannot recall.
Me to Arc
The winds are quite fierce outside, and you can hear one of the shutters has come loose at your window. Arising to fix it you notice something seems amiss. There appear to be figures in the pouring rain heading from the town in the direction you intend to leave in. Many figures. In fact it would seem as if the townsfolk are abandoning their homes.
Arc
Thomas will rush to the Jones' room to wake him.
Constable. Constable. There is something wrong. I fear we are not safe.Me to arc
"Tell me what's happening." He begins dressing immediately, but seems exhausted. He's moving far slower and more jerkily than normal.
Flay
In the small, but warm room, Dresden stopped after removing his boots. His hand ran along the handle of the saber, with such a fascination. This whole mission was a fascinating and maddening mess. Never before did he feel a need to hang a pistol from the bedpost for easy access in the night. His rifle was ready, leaned against the wall, and his clothes were laid out for speed. After a full hour of lying in bed, he finally managed to fall asleep, when he heard some ass running down the hallway, and found himself awake again. He needed books.
Arc to me
I awoke and saw several figures walking out of town the direction we were to ride in the morning. It was so many that I think the rest of the town has abandoned their homes. It is as if they know some danger here and will not stay until morning even if it means walking in the rain at night. Even if their sudden exodus tonight isn't a sign of immediate danger they will be on our path and some may wait in ambush.Me to arc
"If they were abandoning the town due to danger why not awaken us? Let us awaken the others quickly. The rains will make traveling by coach difficult at best. Quickly now."
The rest of you except Constable Dresden are fairly difficult to awaken. Once you're up Jones informs you all to get dressed and get your knives and guns. "We need to split momentarily. Constable Dresden and I need to go make sure the coach and horses are safe. The rest of you find the old man and woman. See if they're still abed." We meet back in the main room in a few moments."
Other than the Constables, what is everyone doing?
The Inn is a two story house with most of the top bedrooms, and the bottom the owners room, kitchen, main room, storage, and outside root cellar.
Boz
Robert dresses quickly, taking the rifle from the foot of his bed.
"Check their bedroom. If they're not there, we may have bigger problems yet."Me to Boz, and those going wif him
They aren't in their beds, nor are they anywhere on the bottom floor of the house. Their possessions seem more or less intact as there are a good many things they would obviously need to take with them such as hunting rifles, survival equipment, the old man's cane, etc. There's even non perishable food items still laying out in the kitchen.
Me to Constables
The wind and rain seem to actually get worse as you go outside. The coach and horses are intact, and in the stables. They seem untouched. Granted the horses aren't exactly happy. You see virtually no one except a few straggling figures in the distance on the other side of town heading out towards the forest.
"I dont like this Dresden. If the rain continues like this the ground will be soaked, and we'll play hell getting the coach out of here. I don't like the idea of waiting here, but I don't like the idea of heading out into a forest of enemies. Also they didn't kill us, but didn't disable our means of leaving. That doesn't add up. I don't like it."
Pip
"Wait, this is not right, the old man couldn't walk ten yards without his cane. We'd better report this to the constables." Will runs outside to meet Harry and Jones.
Flay to me
Harry's eyes stayed on the road, as far as he could see. He nodded at Jones' assessment before adding his own. "Means they didn't want to make a scene, and are fine with us getting farther down the road before they attack. Assuming I know what the hell you're talking about. Which, by the way, I don't. Who did what now, and why did we wake everyone?" It felt oddly comforting for Harry to have a large pistol tucked into his large jacket pocket, even moreso than the saber that lightly tapped his side, and the rifle on his back. If he wasn't bleary and damp, he'd have felt amazing. "No alternative routes than through the woods, then?"
Pip to FLay
Will comes storming out of the house with a worried look on his face.
"Constables, our hosts are nowhere to be found. If they indeed went for the woods, then I have no explanation as to why they left everything, even the man's cane behind." As he is bringing report to the constables, Will tries to look into the distance where the villagers should have disappeared. He turns to Harry:
"Perhaps you could check out the scene, while I try to get a clue as to where they went. After all, we both have our own area of expertise."Flay, ooc
Going for a survivalcheck with your permission.
Me to Flay
"I suspect when we check the town we will have found everyone but ourselves will have abandoned it. I'd like to check a few other things here if at all possible too. What worries me is this doesn't make sense. If they wanted us dead they could just kill us, there's no reason for games. But if they are up to something, why do something as obvious as abandoning the town while we're here?
at this point Pip's character pops out
Me
Constable Jones: "I need everyone back in the house. One man to watch it's front, the other to watch the rear while the rest of us search it. Once we go through the house we'll make a quick tour of the town. After that we decide to stay or run..."
Boz
Robert peers at the cane with a frown as Will dashes outside.
"It's a stretch, but I don't suppose they're in the cellar? It would be hard for the old man to get far without this." He follows Will outside to check.
Me
You meet Will and the Constables as they're coming back in.
Jones: "I need two people to watch, one in front, one in back, preferably good shots. Constable Dresden and I will be making a quick search of the house before we check the rest of the city and decide on our next move. Any volunteers?"
Boz
"I'll take the front door. What if someone heads this way?" Robert checks the rifle, standing a few feet from the door.
Me
"Bar the door now as best you're able. If they seem in any way odd...shoot them. I know how that sounds but there is a reason for this."
Pip
Will nods.
"I'll cover the back door."Flay
Dresden didn't make a comment about Jones' preference of action; at that point, nothing made sense, and he was too bleary to argue. He started at the bottom level, checking each room and closet, every nook and cranny, making sure nothing out of the ordinary was about.
Flay to me
For simplicity, and because I assume we're not in a huge rush, should I take 20? I've got a +2 to search.
Me to FLay
Jones does some pretty odd things. He pulls out each bed, and you'll notice that under all but two are perfectly drawn mathematical diagrams or something of a similar sort in chalk and powdered silver. He takes great care in scuffing them to make them illegible, even though two (the ones under your bed and one other) are already scuffed to the point of being slightly unreadable. He makes no comment about this, and some other actions he take seem odd as well. Obviously he considers this important because he's fairly pale and sweating as he does so.
You can take 20 yes.
Pip to me
listen: 8+1=9
spot: 12+3=15
(using an onderuit smartphone, so please trust me in that I got these from IC.)
Me
Things seem to pass quietly. The wind and rain are getting ever higher in intensity, and you feel should it get much worse you'll be seeking the cellar under the house.
Me to Pip
You see what seems to be a sickly looking goat stumbling in the rain. It is very obviously not well and begins to stumble and shamble towards the figures leaving town. They stop to let it catch up before the goat stops, shakes for a minute, and begins to attempt to flee back from the woods before the pursuing figures slam it to the ground and tear it limb from limb before walking back into the woods carrying it in pieces. You have never seen anything like this before in your life.
Willpower Save plz
FLay to me
Boz to me
Me to FLay
The signs Constable Jones is erasing look like things you'd see from odd religious cults, but they also resemble high level maths. You aren't really sure what they are, but they are definitely either hex signs of a different sort (which are common in the area) or symbols. He doesn't give comment if you don't ask. You also notice a great many items that should be missing in theory. Items that would be necessary for survival in the woods until another city could be reached, as well as minor things that look like they would be easily carried yet have sentimental value. Things like the old mans stopwatch, or his engraved pipe. When you've finished the last of the rooms he looks at you and sighs.
"We're going to have to visit the cellar too. I don't like the idea. We'll need to look through the town for any equipment, weapons, or food they have left. I've a feeling they'll all be gone with their belongings left behind. It's like Roanoke again. I'd kind of hoped never to have solved that particular mystery. "
Me to Boz
Far off in the distance one of the figures leaving town stops, and turns to look at the house. It's almost like he's watching you. It definitely feels that way when the rest of them pause and look your way before continuing.
Flay to me
Harry didn't look quite satisfied, but took a breath in and let it go. "Cellar first though? Then I'd suggest we not split up more than necessary, no matter what speed might be gained, don't you think?"