The Fall of House Pancrazio Chapter Two

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Post by RocEter »

ewancummins wrote:Tristan leaves the kitchen and walks to the room where Julian is staying. He knocks on the door, three times.
Hearing the three knocks, Julian answers the door, seeing Tristan at the door Julian greets him.

"Good morning Tristan." he says as he moves back into the room.

"You can enter Tristan, is there anything I can help you with?" he asks as finishes putting on his armor.

Julian looks at Tristan waiting for his answer as he ties his make shift eye patch over his eye.
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Post by ewancummins »

Tristan steps in the room and says-

''Good morning. Tahl's getting the horses ready now and I've just secured us some food, courtesy of your cousin. We'll be ready to go when you are, sir.''
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He says to Tristan as he leaves, "Of course, think of it as a thanks for your stalwart effort this evening last. I fear that I may have hesitated had I been confronted with the rotten visage of my Grandmother."

Goran takes a brief instance to enjoy his first few sips of his tea. This could well be my only mug for the day, I had better savor it, he imagines.

"I arrived last night, Agna, right before you were attacked. You were still unconsious." Goran pauses uneasily, turning from Agna to gaze somewhere other than her. "Have they all treated you well since my last visit? I know you and I have never really connected fully, but I do think of you often. I hope the women are not too tough on you."
The Fall of House Pancrazio
Goran Pancrazio - http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.p ... tid=165152
Ghosts of Gauntcliff
Petrie MacLugash - http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.p ... tid=339286
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Post by Griselda »

Goran's words to Tristan startle her, and Agna barely catches the gasp before it escapes her. Green maggots, blood -- she takes a gulp of hot tea, which squeezes past her heart and tries to shake herself further awake. Her morning's hunger feels duller, but she continues to break off bites of the tart, albeit a bit slower than before.

On learning that Goran arrived in time for at least some of the events of the previous night, Agna feels her cheeks and ears suffuse with fire -- He saw me in that mess on the floor in the larder with my skirts up who knows how high? Great Ezra, is there anyone who didn't?! -- which quickly cools as he turns away and asks about his family's treatment of her. Her eyes drift toward the hated cap still laying on the rocking chair, waiting to be put on the minute she must go upstairs. Turned as he is, Goran cannot see her face cloud as she struggles for words. Still, one does not speak ill of another's parents to them, whatever their behavior. Finally she says quietly, "I am treated well enough, sir, thank you."

She scans the kitchen quickly, trying to find something she could busy herself with.
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Outside Pancrazio Manor

After much delay Tristan, Goran, Tahl, Sir Julian, and Tuke make their way towards the burial site of Luisa Pancrazio. Only twenty four hours earlier many of them had stood at the graveyard, paying their last respects to the fallen matriarch of house Pancrazio.

As the group approaches the gate the first thing they notice are the heavy chains that secure the iron gate together. Long, spike tipped bars stand firm against would be grave robbers. Approaching the gate it becomes obvious to even the most untrained eye, that the entrance to the graveyard has not been disturbed since the funeral yesterday.

The Temple of Ezra, while not as majestic as the one in Levkarest, loomed in the distance, the only break in the skyline of the town of Von Ziyden. Mid morning bells chimed the hour, sending an eerie mono toned hum over the air.

In Von Ziyden-

As Harold is preparing for his duties there is a loud knock at his door. The usual escort to the Pancrazio Manor must be early, Harold thought opening his door. Only instead of finding the house escort, standing before him was Lothario Enzo.

Image

"Hello good teacher." The man begins with a sneer and a high tilt to his voice. "I would like to talk to you about a possible financial arrangement. Employment perhaps. Can I treat you to breakfast? I know you have, ahem, duties at the manor of Roderigo Pancrazio, but I am sure you will find my proposal....enticing to say the least."

Lothario does not wait for Harold to answer, trying to move his way into the mans apartment.


At Pancrazio Manor, the Kitchen, by the window-

As Agna watches the others depart to investigate Luisa's tomb, she is greeted by a cold laughter behind her. Whirling she sees Magenta Floriela standing before her. The look on the woman's face is cold and hard.

Image

"I wonder little serving girl, which man it is you watch ride away." Magenta slowly strides across the room to where Agna stands. The woman comes close to Agna, mere inches away from the half vistani. She leans in, almost lovingly, and with hot breath whispers against the young girls ear; (1)

"Is is the rugged Arkandale houndsman? His rifle strong in his hands...or is it Tahl, that celestial beauty...with his perfect body and peircing blue eyes?" The noble woman begins to caress the shoulders of the probably uncomfortable Agna. "Or is the champion of Ezra? My beloved cousin? The shining knight in armor of all Borcan ladies dreams. Look at him on that horse...imagine what that powerful man could do to you, make you feel...." The noble woman's caressing hands begin to wander into more sensual areas.

"Or are you the strange one?"
Magenta's lips were nearly touching Agna's throat now. "Are you a human that wonders about the delights of the small folk? Do you lust after my house fool?"

Magenta's loving grasp suddenly turns hard and violent. Before Agna can react Magenta has shaken her once and now stares at her in the eyes, the look anything but friendly.

"If you attempt any of your lower mammal tricks on my jester...or try and seduce any of my fathers men I will make you suffer." The coldness about the young noble woman is enough to cause Agna's skin to crawl and raise in uncomfortable areas.

"Now, make me some breakfast. I hear you are the only kitchen help now."
Magenta turns without looking any more at Agna and leaves the room


(1) This is a charm effect. I have rolled Agna's will vs a DC of 23=result 19
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Post by Rock of the Fraternity »

JMaytr wrote:"Hello good teacher." The man begins with a sneer and a high tilt to his voice. "I would like to talk to you about a possible financial arrangement. Employment perhaps. Can I treat you to breakfast? I know you have, ahem, duties at the manor of Roderigo Pancrazio, but I am sure you will find my proposal....enticing to say the least."

Lothario does not wait for Harold to answer, trying to move his way into the man's apartment.


Lothario might find himself at least mildly ... perturbed by the look of Harold on facing him in the doorway, however. In addition to a stout quarterstaff, Harold is toting a heavy crossbow. A loaded one, at that. The frown of consternation rounds out the 'armed man displeased to be caught unawares' look. Moreover, Harold does not budge unless physically shoved.

"You are ... his lordship Enzo, correct?" Harold asks, his voice polite though the frown remains firmly in place. "Good morning to you, as well. Employment, you say. Well, a teacher needs must always look to the future, and some day, lady Phebe will no longer have need of my services, that is true. Alas, I had already broken my fast before you arrived."

Harold seems to gnaw on a thought for a moment, then smiles a dark smile and steps aside, gesturing Lothario inside. "I might offer you a cup of wine, however, to ward off the morning chill," he suggests -- and something fairly large and feathery shoots inches past Enzo's head to land on Harold's shoulder. It's a large barn owl, beak clicking as it shifts its feathers into place, black eyes boring into Lothario while the bird hoots softly with displeasure.

"Ah, there you are, Mouser," Harold notes with quiet satisfaction as he scratches the bird's throat. "Do forgive her, m'lord. She's a bit playful in the mornings."
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Post by Irving the Meek »

Tuke slumps off the back of Tristan's horse, trying to restrain a grumble and a moan. He had been awakened by the sound of boots on the stairwell; somehow he found himself being carted out on this expedition to the old woman's grave without so much as a by-your-leave, and he was decidedly out of sorts. He would have much rather spent the afternoon drinking Agna's strong black tea and stealing blackberry jam from the cupboard when her back was turned. Ah, well. No rest for the wicked, and here's the proof of it.

He looks at the gates for a moment, a bit surprised. "Well, now. Here's a puzzle. It looks like Luisa didn't leave by the front gate. And it also looks like no one came in after we left."

His eyes narrow a bit as he thinks. "Even when she was alive, it would have taken Luisa a long time to walk home. Either there's a monstrously long secret passage somewhere, or the sort of magic one writes fairy tales about, or..."

The little fool pauses, thinking. Still distracted, he blows on his fingers, and a silver piece appears in his right hand. He scoops it up with an odd little motion, snaps his fingers, and demonstrates how the coin has vanished from his left palm. He then blinks and looks at Tristan.

"I wonder, Blacky. We watched a casket being buried yesterday. What do you think was actually in it? Perhaps we ought to check. I suspect Luisa was never actually in her grave."
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Post by RocEter »

Irving the Meek wrote:Tuke slumps off the back of Tristan's horse, trying to restrain a grumble and a moan. He had been awakened by the sound of boots on the stairwell; somehow he found himself being carted out on this expedition to the old woman's grave without so much as a by-your-leave, and he was decidedly out of sorts. He would have much rather spent the afternoon drinking Agna's strong black tea and stealing blackberry jam from the cupboard when her back was turned. Ah, well. No rest for the wicked, and here's the proof of it.

He looks at the gates for a moment, a bit surprised. "Well, now. Here's a puzzle. It looks like Luisa didn't leave by the front gate. And it also looks like no one came in after we left."

His eyes narrow a bit as he thinks. "Even when she was alive, it would have taken Luisa a long time to walk home. Either there's a monstrously long secret passage somewhere, or the sort of magic one writes fairy tales about, or..."

The little fool pauses, thinking. Still distracted, he blows on his fingers, and a silver piece appears in his right hand. He scoops it up with an odd little motion, snaps his fingers, and demonstrates how the coin has vanished from his left palm. He then blinks and looks at Tristan.

"I wonder, Blacky. We watched a casket being buried yesterday. What do you think was actually in it? Perhaps we ought to check. I suspect Luisa was never actually in her grave."

Julian looks down at Tuke from his horse.

"We will check the grave to see it was disturbed, but we shall not dig my Great Aunts corpse. Come we should speak with the priest and see if won't unlock this gate for us." he says.

Julian begins to ride the Church.
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Post by Lord Skybolt »

Talh nods at Julian's statement and begins to follow Julian to the church .
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Post by Irving the Meek »

Tuke sighs and climbs back up on Tristan's horse, sitting sidesaddle behind him. He closes his eyes and grumbles under his breath, "I think it's safe to say that Lucia's body was plenty disturbed last night. Plenty disturbing too, come to think of it."

The little fool scowls. If I'm right, that "grave" is pristine - because we buried an an empty casket yesterday, while someone was chanting things over Lucia's corpse. Come to think of it, Lucia looked very... runny last night. He shudders at the memory. I wonder. Does making a corpse walk make it rot? Or... perhaps Lucia died earlier than we thought. He tries to remember the last time he saw Lucia alive... and the last time he personally laid eyes on her corpse.
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Post by ewancummins »

Tristan speaks with Tuke as they ride.

'' You really think this Ezran priest will be any help? Back home, he wouldn't call on a preacher for this sort of thing. No, we'd talk with a doctor. Doctors always know about sickness, dead folks, things like that. A good doctor just might be able to tell us how a dead woman could walk.''
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Post by Irving the Meek »

Tuke shrugs. "Doctors are far and few here in Borca, Blacky. And most of them seem to have some pretty peculiar ideas about how to make someone better - leeches keep coming up for some reason. I never understood why doctors like those vermin so much. They make terrible pets - I've never figured out how to housebreak one."

"Most of the stories I hear about dead folks walking in Borca involve an evil wizard, a nasty potion, and sometimes a devil or two." He stretches and yawns. "Haven't seen any devils about, unless you count Lothario. No evil wizards, either. Potions... Hrm. I'm not sure on that one. I might have a clue about that, but I don't know what it means. I need to show you all something when we get back."

The little fool muses a bit. "I wonder if someone snatched Luisa's body before it was put in the grave? Emilio and Roderigo found her body a week ago; it stayed here at the church until the funeral. Someone would have had to have nicked it before then."

"Of course, there's other sorts of stories about walking dead, too - ones where the body rises and goes off to finish off his murderer, or catch that catfish down in the lake that he could never land, or some other job that couldn't get done while he was breathing." Tuke ponders. "That still doesn't tell us how Luisa got back home, though. If she dug herself out to go get one last cup of tea or some such, the gates would be open. That would have had to have been one doozy of an errand, though. I have a hard enough time waking up in the morning to do an honest day's work, let alone get out of my grave." Tuke reflects a minute. "Actually, I never have done an honest day's work. Still, you take my point."
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Post by ewancummins »

Tristan chuckles at Tuke's droll remarks.

''Tuke, really, devils? Ha! Now you're really joking.''


The young man quits laughing and adds-

''Although....who knows? I suppose it's possible. I'll admit I've seen some mighty strange things since I left Arkandale. ''
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
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Post by PathOfDreams »

Goran, having held up the rear of the group for the entire trek, now makes his presence known. "I swear tomorrow would bring even more mysterious happenings. I do not feel good about whatever findings we may uncover." Knowing he was the last to leave the burial site yesterday, the ranger stops briefly to gather again his surroundings. He sniffs the air and surveys the breadth of the calm graveyard. (1) Perhaps somehting has changed, he wonders. From atop the malnurished steed on which he rides, he retains a fair vantage point. Catching back up to them as they ride for the church, he speaks again to the group, "We must not discount anyone from the responsibility of whatever caused this to my grandmother. Be it dark magics, nature, or any fiendish meddling."

(1) Knowledge (Nature) check to pick up disturbances in the natural environment in the vacinity. result 26.
The Fall of House Pancrazio
Goran Pancrazio - http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.p ... tid=165152
Ghosts of Gauntcliff
Petrie MacLugash - http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.p ... tid=339286
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Post by Irving the Meek »

Tuke nods at Goran. "The only thing we really know is that nothing went through that gate after we laid Luisa's coffin to rest. And we might even be wrong about that. All we can do right now is keep asking questions." With that, he yawns and closes his eyes for a brief catnap.

Behind his closed eyes, however, Tuke's mind is racing. Evil wizards and devils... Mistress has always had an aura about her. Her charm has been downright uncanny at times. I've wondered if she'd played with hedge witchery, but I never gave it much thought. Now, though... I wonder, Magenta. Who or what did you bargain with, to learn that little trick? And what other tricks might you know? And if you are playing dangerous games, how much loyalty do I owe you? He sighs, with no easy answers coming to mind.
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