Ghosts of Gauntcliff, Chapter Seven

[Adam]

With a curse, Bennedict throws down his prayerbook in disgust.

In frustration he stomps across the room to Everline, squatting down next to her. "I might as well make myself useful. I don't know if it will work, but if we can at least sort your word salad out, it will be worth the expense."

With that he unfolds a piece of paper tucked into a back pocket, reading out an invocation and sending some positive energy Everline's way.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Before Benn casts his spell, Everline reaches into her sleeve and pulls out a bone-handled dagger with a gleaming blade, taking care not to show it to anyone not in the party.

"Op. Tions," she says in an earnest tone before hiding the weapon again. "S. Silv. Silver. Bought it from an. Elf. Said it w. As 'combat silv. Er'. Good as. Steel."

Then Benn reaches out to her and she mouths a confused: "Word s. Alad?"

[ewancummins]

Afternoon (OCT 4th) at the Château Sancerre-

While most of the other folks in the chateau rest, Eustace visits Sancerre's personal library on the upper floor. Denys Sancerre goes with him.

Poring over tomes and scrolls, Eustace discover the following items of interest-

According to a packet of old letters, fragmentary shipping manifests, and other notes collected by Denys:
There were two failed attempts to colonize Gauntcliff, both launched by the Ghastrians. The first attempt occurred twenty-five years ago. It failed because of fever. The second attempt was made only a decade ago. It ran into trouble when the ship carrying the colonists wrecked—but the colonists stayed on and tried to make a go of it. The record has a gap between the aftermath of the wreck and three months later, when the would-be colonists were evacuated by a Lamordian whaler.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio spends the morning trying to rally his comrades for a trip to the abandoned settlement. He explains that the corpse in the abbey seems to have been tortured and locked away by something, or some group. Visiting the settlement might give them a clue about what questions to ask the corpse, he adds.

[ewancummins]

Dorgio spends the morning trying to rally his comrades for a trip to the abandoned settlement. He explains that the corpse in the abbey seems to have been tortured and locked away by something, or some group. Visiting the settlement might give them a clue about what questions to ask the corpse, he adds.

Only Eustace is up early, and he's busy in the library.

Primeiro and Everline sleep late.

Dorgio might have better luck rallying his party in the afternoon.

Although he managed to catch some sleep last night, he could use a nap...

[Ail]

Afternoon (OCT 4th) at the Château Sancerre-

While most of the other folks in the chateau rest, Eustace visits Sancerre's personal library on the upper floor. Denys Sancerre goes with him.

Poring over tomes and scrolls, Eustace discover the following items of interest-

According to a packet of old letters, fragmentary shipping manifests, and other notes collected by Denys:
There were two failed attempts to colonize Gauntcliff, both launched by the Ghastrians. The first attempt occurred twenty-five years ago. It failed because of fever. The second attempt was made only a decade ago. It ran into trouble when the ship carrying the colonists wrecked—but the colonists stayed on and tried to make a go of it. The record has a gap between the aftermath of the wreck and three months later, when the would-be colonists were evacuated by a Lamordian whaler.

(I thought I was posting this in the OOC thread)

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio rubs his tired eyes--yes, a nap would do him a world of good now...he'd be no use to the party exhausted after all. Giving a deep yawn, he finds the nearest, most comfortable looking chair, and slumps back in it to grab a little sleep...

[Ail]

[Before leaving the library]
Eustace tries to find any record about the Abbey and when it was built. Also he looks for information on any settlement either expedition may have founded. Is it possible to determine if the city Petrie and Thom found is more than 10 years old?

He addresses Denys

"I have found no trace of this Frederik Dodds in the library. However, he is connected to Primeiro somehow, and you seem to know something of his history too. Isn't Primeiro a Ghastrian? That would make it possible Dodds was from there too, and may have been here on one of those failed expeditions. I'm guessing it will have happened on the latest expedition, since its failing is less well explained. There's that gap in the records and no known cause besides the shipwreck. I mean, the colonists could survive for a while, perhaps even settle here. Also, if Dodds died on this island, then it is unlikely that he arrived 25 years ago, as he must have been in Ghastria painting Primeiro more recently than that.

Also, if the colonists of the second expedition stayed for only three months, they wouldn't have time to build a full settlement, but they may have found the ruins of the previous expedition and lived there. I'm guessing whatever evil drew them away came with them on that ship.

So, can we focus on that, Ms Sancerre? Do you know any particular thing about it?"

[ewancummins]

The library-
Denys answers Eustace-
''You think that Dodds died on Gauntcliff? A Ghastrian colonist? It’s possible. With a name like that, he could easily be a Mordent-man, but families and individuals do move around. The abandoned village in the dunes is at least a couple of decades old. Have you been to see it yourself? As you suggest, the second wave may have settled in the same spot. Or maybe they camped in the abbey ruins? The latest expedition would have sailed when Primeiro was a boy, so that does fit your hypothesis. As for more details about Primeiro, I'll ask him some questions; that's no problem."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Right, that... that's something to look into, then," Everline says. The girl moves better and her words flow more naturally than they did last night, but her eyes are still so bloodshot that they look purple, instead of blue. "Got a question before we go anywhere, though. You got a shrine in the building, Sancerre? A properly-consecrated one?"

[ewancummins]

Denys answers,

''Yes, there is a chapel dedicated to The Lady, on the upper foor. Shall I take you there now?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"If anyone goes anywhere, it should be in as large a group as possible," Everline says in a flat tone of voice. "You lads mind making a devotional detour?"

[ewancummins]

Denys asks Everline-

''Well, would you like me to send servants to gather your friends? They've had some rest now, I think. We are already well into the afternoon. ''

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Aye, please do. But send 'em in groups of three or more. It's time we got wise to the enemy's schemes an' got ta work on killin' 'im."

[ewancummins]

"Aye, please do. But send 'em in groups of three or more. It's time we got wise to the enemy's schemes an' got ta work on killin' 'im."

''That makes sense, yes."


Denys dispatches servnats in groups of three to gather (and wake, if need be) the whole party.

The message is simple:

''Meet me in the chapel on the second floor."


...

Denys enters the chapel ahead of Everline. He adjusts a wooden panel in the ceiling with a long stick, and the room floods with golden light-- the afternoon sun filtered through a flat amber colored pane. Rich tapestries hang from the walls of the small but very nicely-appointed chapel. At one end of the square chamber stands a tall hardwood cabinet with silver fittings. Denys cleans his hands with a silk kerchief before opening the tall piece of furniture. Inside, a two-foot tall ivory statuette of Ezra stands surrounded by small scrolls, devotional candles, miniature braziers, and other religious paraphernalia. A sweet aroma wafts from the open cabinet.