Staunton Bluffs Episode III: Locura y brujería

[BigBadQDaddy]

Alain, for the first time in a long time, seems to timidly follow the group along. He seems troubled by something, it shows in his lack of speaking.

[ewancummins]

....

[Le Noir Faineant]

[OOC: Heh, sorry about that...CHA 15, ##9]

[PM will be sent in a few minutes.]

"Food? Are we dead? Is this heaven?"

The old farmer smiles wearily at Tavian's words. "No, you are not dead, although it might have been a close call... Whatever calamity befell you, I mean. You were deposited here at the entrance of my estate, and I picked you up and brought you to this old stable."

He lays down the tablet with the food - farmer food, brown bread, milk, corn, semolina pudding, but no meat - down before you and steps back.

"Please eat as much as you want. I seldom get visitors here on my farm. I hope you will make me company for a few days."

Sleepily, he says:
"Where'd the ghosts go? Did someone mention food?"

The man becomes pale at George's words. "Ghosts? - I saw no ghosts here!"

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As you lie there on the ground, you will notice some interesting things about the stable.

1. Your weapons have been taken from you, and, examining your belongings you'll notice that they've been carefully searched.

2. The stable has a big portal, which is locked from inside, and no windows but barrow arrow slits.

...

[LouisVendredi]

George replies to the man's ghost comment: "I'm very glad to here it. It means, however we got here, they didn't follow. Now, can you tell me, have you taken my weapons, and if you did, when can I get them back?"

George then proceeds to fall upon the food with gusto while awaiting a reply.

[Le Noir Faineant]

It means, however we got here, they didn't follow.

"The ghosts DID follow you until my very doors, but I... I fought them back."

Now, can you tell me, have you taken my weapons, and if you did, when can I get them back?"

"No... I didn't take them. - I... The ghosts took them from you, that is."

The old farmer nods fiercely a few times.

"I... I believe you don't have to fear the ghosts any more...
But beware..."

The old man stops for a moment, and has to clean his throat.

"Beware the scarecrow."

[kintire]

Shana gives a quick glance at the peasant as he seems to contradict himself, but her attention is caught by his last words.

"What scarecrow?"

[ewancummins]

Moorkroft mumbles, shakes his head, and pulls his hair.
"Get away from me and shut up, you imps! I did nothing wrong. I was only trying to protect my friend Tavian."

[Tavian]

"Its ok Moorcroft. You're good in my book!" says Tavian.

Looking around, Tavian realizes that he's in an old stables.

"So.....where are the horses?" he asks, peering around the room, searching for them.

[Nathan of the FoS]

Suddenly there's a booming knock at the stable door.

"Helloooooo the house! By the Mists, is there no-one here?"

[ewancummins]

Moorkroft crams a biscuit in his mouth. He chews, crumbs falling out over his doublet.

[kintire]

As the booming knock echoes through the house Shana leaps to her feet and dives into the nearest cover, glancing frantically around for an alternative exit.

"Where's my crossbow??!"

[Lord Cyclohexane]

Adrian has been quietly eating as the others talk, also trying to catch the eyes of Alain, Shana, Avra, etc and nodding toward the food to suggest that they eat as well. This is especially the case with Alain and Avra, who appear too shy to reach in and grab something; Adrian tries to give them tacit approval to actually join in.

Suddenly there's a booming knock at the stable door.

"Helloooooo the house! By the Mists, is there no-one here?"

As Shana starts, searching for her crossbow, Adrian clears his mouth and calls out "Hello the outside! Farmer and company are in here!"

[Nathan of the FoS]

As Shana starts, searching for her crossbow, Adrian clears his mouth and calls out "Hello the outside! Farmer and company are in here!"

The thick door muffles whatever the person on the other side of the door says in response, but his irritation is clear. After a pause, he shouts, "Well, open up!"

[Le Noir Faineant]

Avra, etc ...

[Avra, lamentably, is not with you any more. BB didn't post for over two months and didn't answer to my PMs, so I had no choice but to write him out.
- Eric is well and all, as it seems, just having some busier times.]

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Shana gives a quick glance at the peasant as he seems to contradict himself, but her attention is caught by his last words.

"What scarecrow?"

The old farmer looks at Shana with a mix of astonishment and disgust in his narrow eyes, and opens his mouth, obviously for an unfriendly answer...

Then it knocks at the door...

"Helloooooo the house! By the Mists, is there no-one here?"

... And the farmer shrieks and staggers back on the floor, falls, gets up again and - all of a sudden - has to sharp knives in his hands!

"You won't get me! Scarecrows! It's not the time yet!" - And the old man's voice isn't pleasant and servile any more...

He hastes to the door, ready to butcher everything behind it...

And the door swings open...

Everyone can see that there's no SCARECROW or any other kind of monster behind it,
just a young man with a fearful look on his face...

[kintire]

Shana seems stunned and unable to cope with the sudden developments, but as the farmer whips out knives she thrusts out her hands, and a scintilating spray of contrasting colours roils out towards the door...

[Colour Spray launched, in a panic, in the general direction of the door...]