The Fall of House Pancrazio Chapter Three

[ewancummins]

Tristan freezes in his tracks.

''Oh!''

The Arkandaler turns to face Harold.

''It could be a trick, you are right. Still, hadn't we better investigate? What if it's just a lost child, frightened and alone?''

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Investigate, yes," Harold agrees, his voice gravelly as he leans on his quarterstaff. "Rush into the darkness alone and divide our group, no. Let us move together."

[ewancummins]

Tristan nods.

''Alright...''


With his left hand he holds up his enchanted torch. He peers into the darkened hallway, looking for any sign of the child. He advances slowly, so that he isn't seperated from the others.

[JMaytr]

Tristan can see that the hallway goes forward for about eighty feet before it branches off into three halls; one going to the west, one to the east, and one continuing forward. All along the floor there is dust and more small footprints (1).

There is a slight breeze coming from the central hallway suggesting another exit. The east hall has the faint smell of flowers to it, while the western hall is full of stale air with a hint of metal.

There is a sconce on the side wall of the eastern hallway. A well used, but dusty and webbed torch lies unlit within.






(1) Survival check

[ewancummins]

Tristan points up the central hall and says, in a quiet voice

''Feel that? Air flow, probably from an exit or a vent of some kind...hmmm''


He then squats low and examines the tracks.

[ewancummins]

''Well now, these don't look all that fresh to me. Maybe he's been down here for sometime? Hmmm...I'm not sure which way he went. He may have ducked into some hidden door or alcove. I suggest that we explore the whole area, starting with the east hall. Tahl, keep an eye out for secret doors and sliding panels- you've got the best eyes of any of us, especially in this lighting.''

[JMaytr]

INSIDE PANCRAZIO MANOR

Emilio looks from room to room in the manor until he finds Agna. Once he discovers the maid he enters that room and closes the door behind him.

"Agna child, Master Roderigo has given me coin to go into Von Ziyden to procure the very best meats and foodstuffs i can gather for the upcoming dinner party he is throwing. He has also given me a few extra nightingales to supply you with a new dress. Come child. I'll prepare the coach for our departure."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"You say these tracks are not fresh, and yet you saw this child walk here not moments ago?" Harold says. "Does this not suggest something to you? Such as a magical illusion? Or a ghost?"

[ewancummins]

"You say these tracks are not fresh, and yet you saw this child walk here not moments ago?" Harold says. "Does this not suggest something to you? Such as a magical illusion? Or a ghost?"

''-Or a secret door, maybe. But yes, it could be some sort of spook or haunt, that's true. ''

[Griselda]

Agna has been at the usual morning chores upstairs, albeit trimmed down to "bed-made-everything's-off-the-floor-nothing-stinks-looks-okay-done". Assisting Phebe in dressing would be part of the morning (one of the few things Master Harold couldn't take care if with her), but Agna's been putting it off for as long as humanly possible. This will be when she finds out how much Phebe remembers of the night before, and Agna has been dreading it.

Agna moves on to her first destination -- the room currently occupied by Julian. She closes the door behind her and gets down to the business described above. In between, she keeps a sharp eye out for letters in the trash, fireplace or on the desk, what's on the bedside table, stuff in pockets (picking up clothes is good for hearing jingles or feeling extra weight), and pauses to examine it and file away the useful bits. As always, the odd copper that is found on the floor is considered, by long-standing backstairs custom, a "tip" for the finder. (1)

Next comes looking in on her own chamber, which should be untouched since she didn't sleep there and came in only to change clothes. Mariabella's room will have to be cleared for the new cook coming in, whoever Emilio manages to find. The notice provokes a brief remembrance of earlier in the kitchen, which she shakes away. She closes the door behind her, and shoves the old trunk that was Mariabella's wardrobe until a floorboard with a finger-slip comes into view. In between glances at the door, she lifts the board and reaches under until she finds what she wants -- an old wooden box -- and looks inside (2). A quick scan shows everything where she left it last. With a sigh of relief, she replaces the board and trunk, then closes the box and considers her own room for a potential hiding spot. It's been a few years since her room was subject to the random searches of before, but she is never certain when Gianna will get the bee in her bonnet, so this must be temporary. She shoves the box between her mattress and bed platform and fluffs her old pillow over it.

Agna's just starting out the door, wondering which unpleasant chore she should get out of the way first (getting Miss Phebe dressed or picking up Magenta's dressing room) when Emilio encounters her with his news. She is completely floored, less about the dinner party and far more about this sudden appearance of coin and talk of a new dress, not to mention leaving now in the middle of this monster workload. (3)


(1) Not actively digging through things -- only what's within eyesight.

(2) About the size of a cigar box

(3) Sense Motive check -- http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/ ... 0+12=27</a>

[Lord Skybolt]

Tahl looks on in amusement at the lack of decisiveness of the party(excepting Tristan) . As he is doing so he strolls to the door for a better look at the hall way, but as always staying on guard for trouble .

[ewancummins]

Careful not to disturb the footprints in the dust, Tristan begins to move towards the eastern passage.

''Unless anyone has a better idea, I say we search this first.''

[RocEter]

"I say we go west, perhaps these tracks are designed to walk us right into a trap." Julian says as he starts down the west path.

[Lord Skybolt]

Tahl follows Jullian to watch his back .

[ewancummins]

Tristan shrugs and turns to follow Julian.