WEEK 2 - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

[maladied]

Let's retire in the countryside
Just as you wish it

Welcome to Hillbury

You come to in an intricately decorated dressing room. For those familiar with it, the style seems to be that of a Victorian manor house, and to those that aren't, even you can tell this is a stately room fit for the elite. In fact, you too, are decorated to match, fully dressed in luxurious suits or dresses, elegant and perfectly tailored, but still somewhat breezy and lightweight for the time period and class it belongs to. Looking outside, you get a view of a rolling and bright countryside. In the far distance, fields of crops and grazing cows can be barely spotted, but all of the nearby landmarks are elegant manors presumably similar to the one you stand in.

Comments

PART ONE: CARRIAGE RIDE

[maladied]

[Before you have much time to do more than get a sense of your surroundings, a maid or butler will open the door, somewhat harried, asking you if you're quite ready to depart, as the footman's pulled the carriage around front. "No" is apparently not actually an acceptable answer, and they will brush off any confusion or questions about the situation. Instead, they will hurry you out the door and downstairs, where you'll find two familiar faces similarly being ushered down, and the three of you will be seen out of the manor and helped into the waiting carriage.

The weather outside is balmy, with barely a cloud in the sky. The only information you might glean as you are all hurried outside is that you seem to be of the nobility and you're on your way to a garden party at another rich person's country house. It will take a little bit to get there. You could talk amongst yourselves, but you might then perhaps wish to ply the footman's ear to ask him some questions while he drives you to your destination. Just try not to make him too suspicious asking questions about how you got here.]

(OOC: Katan, Nozomi, and Urianger will be in one carriage, while McGillis, Mabel, and Seymour are in the other. Take some time to speak to eachother/react to the situation amongst yourselves, then ping me in the discord thread when you'd like to speak to the footman driving your carriage!)

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis is dressed up quite fashionably, with a waistcoat that really puts emphasis on the triangle shape of his torso.

He is... startled, but also... ]

... of all things, it's an event like this?

[ PLEASE; HE HAS ENOUGH OF THESE AT HOME. ]

[taintedfayth]

[Seymour looks equally unsettled, though that is somewhat mollified by the fact that his own outfit is on the decidedly concealing side. Small blessings, he supposes...]

... you would prefer combat when we are unarmed and lacking in our powers?

[He's genuinely curious.]

[hardyboys]

[ Mabel grumbles, playing with the fascinator that matches her getup, except more in a marigold/yellow ensemble. ]

Sure, we're party-crashing now. What could go wrong.

[rosietaintedglass]

... Is this a vision?

[Katan blurts this out in an uncharacteristic moment of total confusion; on the bright side they’re all no longer furries, but on the less bright and more monochrome side he... plucks uncertainly at the unknown but relatively comfortable outfit he’s been assigned. Apparently.

Peeking out at the footman who appears to be the model of a non-modern footman.]

I suppose it would be hard for you both to answer that...

[Hard to even tell if his fellows are real but it’s probably fine.]

[rescuebullet]

[ Not the first time she's woken up in a strange place, but at least when she arrived at Halloween trick or treating, she was wearing her normal clothing. This is a style she's unfamiliar with. As many questions as she has, the maid doesn't seem to have any answers for her and so she's stuck in the carriage looking absolutely lost. ]

I've never seen anything like this.

SPEAK TO THE FOOTMAN

[maladied]

[The footman seems to be in good spirits. The window between his seat and yours is open, and he whistles a little as he drives the horses. You can see he's a slightly portly middle aged man with ruddy red hair. (Yes, both of them. It's fine.)

What do you want to say to him?]

[hardyboys]

[ Mabel will angle herself so she's facing out the window to the footman, coughing to get his attention. ]

How much longer until we get there?

[ .... hopefully he just gives him where they're headed also and it doesn't look too suspicious....... ]

[rosietaintedglass]

[The twin footmen... footing the bill for a mysterious force’s inclination for floor fingers.....

That aside, Katan will knock lightly against the front of the carriage to get the fellow’s attention.]

By the sound of things, it must be an easy journey.

PART TWO: HIGH TEA

[maladied]

Lord Gustav is very pleased you all could come!

[Is what the servants say when you're all ready to be seen inside. You're ushered through the entryway into a grand ballroom with a vaulted ceiling. A balconied second floor rims the upper level of the room, with quieter nooks for discreet conversations. Many finely dressed people flit about the main floor, socializing, even a few children dart amongst the crowd, laughing. It seems you're the last to arrive, but only just, as it doesn't look like any of these people have been here for long.

You have just enough time to take in the scenery before, presumably having been told of your arrival, a slightly vampiric looking man with a full beard steps up onto a dais, commanding the rooms' attention.]

I'd like to thank you all for coming. It is always my honor to usher in the social season with this garden party. Henrietta would like me to extend a warm welcome to you all as well, on her behalf, and her deepest apologies for being too poorly to attend. She hopes to see you all at Lord Waverly's next month. So again, thank you, and to old friends and new, I'm very pleased to welcome you all to our home.

[As the stately man, presumably Lord Gustav van Zieks steps down, servants push open several wide doors on the opposite side of the room, opening up the space to a vast patio arrayed with tables laden heavily with all the trappings of high tea. Scones and other pastries, finger sandwiches, petit fours, fresh fruit, the works. Maid stand by at the ready to brew fresh tea or pour wine for whoever would ask for it. The children sprint out into the green and intricately landscaped yard on the other side of the patio. Some people remain in the ballroom, but people seem to be slowly filtering onto the patio to take tea and enjoy the weather. Time to stretch those social skills! Hopefully you know how to behave in a way that follows Victorian etiquette?]

(OOC: In pairs or more, go around to the different groups to learn what you can!)

The host & his guests

[maladied]

[Lord Gustav van Zieks is speaking to a couple; a man with curly blond hair and a woman with sharp eyes. A young man who appears to be their relative (perhaps their son) skulks indigently by their side, disinterested. They're still in the ballroom, standing on the edge and looking out into the yard.]

The scions

[maladied]

[A group of young adults on the patio, mostly ranging in ages from 16-25, are gathered around a handsome man who's clearly the center of attention. He resembles Lord van Zieks a great deal, as does the one outlier of the age range, a baby faced child of about 10 hemming close to the older.]

The elders

[maladied]

[Two older couples (60s) sit at a tea table. One of the men looks extremely severe and serious, but all four seem comfortable with each other. The severe looking man is flanked by an almost motionless steward.]

The youths

[maladied]

[There's about six young children playing about in the yard. Nearby, a handful of teenage girls are chatting as some servants set up croquet for them.]

The stewards

[maladied]

[While the maids are busy serving tea, a group of stewards not currently being tasked by their employers gather in a quiet corner of the ballroom talking amongst themselves.]

The scholars

[maladied]

[Three young men sit relatively isolated at a tea table, discussing academic matters. A young boy with wild blond hair is hanging on their every word.]

The ladies

[maladied]

[Three young ladies stay inside the ballroom, one of them discussing her fiance's trip abroad.]

The matron

[maladied]

[The oldest person in attendance, sitting in a well shaded area of the patio taking tea by herself and watching over the entire party like she owns the place. She is flanked by two valets and a lady in waiting.]

The hunting party

[maladied]

[A group of men gather on one edge of the patio, alternatively talking about business and the upcoming hunting outing.]

The wives

[maladied]

[At a table near the men aforementioned, what seem to be their wives gather for chitchat and gossip.]

PART THREE: THE HUNT

[maladied]

[Presently, Lord van Zieks announces that the time for the hunt will be shortly, and encourages the stewards to tell the footmen to bring any horses around back, and all individuals participating in the hunt prepare themselves and change if necessary. Those participating in the hunt are;

• Lord Gustave van Zieks- Host of the party and patriarch of the family. Pale and sharp featured, but with kind eyes. A prosecuting attorney.
  
• Mrs. Angela Sholmes- A clever and sharp eyed woman, some gossip her son's actually inherited their vast intelligence from her.
  
• Ezekiel Westenra- Eldest son of the Lord and Lady Westenra
  
• Malcolm Lawson- (Married Abigail nee Westenra) Stutters, but is actually relatively confident.
  
• Lord Angus Waverly- A perfectly cordial banker. Interested in the occult?
  
• Lord Phillip Waverly- An austere academic, Angus's cousin.
  
  
• Lord Joseph Barton- Severe of countenance, rumored to be a strict employer and not well liked by his staff. A member of the house of lords and the one who started the "monster" rumor
  
• Maggie Barton- Lord Barton's only daughter. A friendly girl with auburn hair.
  
• Lord Felix Harker- Acted suspiciously re: the occult
  
• Mina Murray- Jonathan's fiance. Purportedly a "New Woman" whatever that means.
  
  
• Klint van Zieks- Older son of Gustave & Henrietta. A magnetic personality. Law student.
  
• Francis Westenra- Oldest child of Ezekiel and Francesca, student of law along with Klint, and a good friend of his.
  
• Gregory Westenra- Second son. Determined to prove himself. Classmate of the other young men.
  
  
• And… YOU!
  

Once everyone is gotten up on horseback, they're asked to gather near the edge of the forest. Samuel, the footman, has also brought out a gaggle of hunting dogs, all raring to go but waiting patiently, well trained and dignified looking. What is clearly one of their puppies has tagged along, Klint van Zieks is crouched in front of it, giving it pets, "I admire your enthusiasm, Balmung, but you're not ready quite yet!" Samuel says he'll bring Balmung back with him, but he had his hands full with the other dogs. A handful of male servants stand at the ready to follow behind those on horseback and collect any game that's felled.

Lord van Zieks once again takes point on his jet black steed, "Gentlemen & Ladies. Lets have a proper afternoon of sporting, yes? Do mind the river, that's roughly the border that separates us from Baron Garfield's lands. We aim to gather again here at dusk. My men here will have all your game collected and dressed for you. And remember, for safety, we don't travel these woods alone."]

(OOC: The list is segmented into the groups that will head into the woods together. You are free to form a fourth group and/or to split up and join one of the others!)

Organization

[maladied]

[As everyone prepares for the hunt, you can gather what you've learned and decide icly how you're going to group up!]

Phase One: Buck Hunting

[maladied]

[For this first phase, everything is normal! You have two moves per round, and can choose between these options;

• Ask a single question of an npc
  
• Investigate the woods for clues/suspicious things
  
• spot an animal to hunt/shoot at
  
• Free action (you tell me if there's something else you want to do)

For whatever you want to do (besides talking), roll a die and include that in your comment along with any skills/knowledge you think might merit a +1 on it for me to check how well you do!]

Phase Two

[maladied]

[Eventually, the hunt now well underway, a loud… howl? Is heard. That's the closest word to describe it, though it's unlike any howl you may have heard before, but what exactly is wrong with it, what separates it from a normal wolf/dog howl, is hard to put to words. It rings out loud, somehow not muffled by the forest cover, and after a moment's pause, a cacophony of sounds erupts in response. Baying of the hunting dogs along with caws and chatters of birds mix with other, strange and unpleasant sounds. While the young men's group seems purely perturbed, the Lords all have a darker edge on their concerned expression as if they know something bad is coming.

Since everyone did a good job at trees/etc, you have a sense of what direction the Unpleasant Sounds Are coming from and the fact that they're Approaching. You have time to ready yourselves.

Each round you can roll to do two actions;

• Question an NPC
  
• Attack Something (if applicable)
  
• Take an evasive maneuver
  
• Free action
  

As before, if you mention a specific skill/knowledge being used you may gain a +1.]

Phase Three: Henrietta

[maladied]

[Suddenly, those with Gustav will see a Shape emerge from the dim woods, barreling towards them. With another piercing, unidentifiable howl, it pounces on Gustav, knocking him clear off of his horse. The anguished cry he lets out will be audible to the other two groups.

Gustav rises, bleeding from a wound in his head. However, he seems to be in more emotional anguish than physical pain as he looks across the clearing at the largest beast shown so far. It's extremely distorted, dark in color and quadrupedal, but besides that it is difficult to put words to the creature. It seems to be some twisted amalgam of various beasts as if shoved together like balls of clay. It makes pained noises like every movement causes it agony, and shambles about as if it doesn't quite know how to use its legs.

Gustave looks at the beast, and in a strained voice says;]

I'm so sorry… You've hurt too many, this needs to end.

[Philip curses under his breath and turns on his horse to flee because actually fuck this. As for you all, meet Henrietta van Zieks. Nobles certainly aren't immune to the disease, and in fact, it's may have come directly from them.

Lord Angus Waverly drops to his feet and crouches to help Gustave stand, never taking his eyes off of Henrietta.]

Stay strong, my good man. We're here to put her out of her misery. This is for the good of everyone involved.

[Lord van Zieks nods solemnly after steeling himself, disregarding his rifle fallen on the ground and draws his sword.]

Elsewhere
[Lord Barton leads Maggie and Mina in the opposite direction whether they want it or not, while Lord Harker wordlessly heads towards it, not asking Urianger or Seymour to assist further.

Meanwhile, Klint of course immediately reacts in alarm;]

That's- Father!

[And he will speed off towards the noise. Marcus and Gregory glance at McGillis and Nozomi, like they want to ask for help but don't dare, before following.]

Mechanics
[Players who are not already in the boss area must pass two DC5 checks or a single DC18 to navigate to the area. Players can once again take two actions per round.

• Track the noise (if not already there)
  
• Attack Something (Please specify if it's melee or ranged)
  
• Take an evasive maneuver
  
• Support (move someone out of harms way, medical treatment)
  
• Free action