The door opens after a lengthy wait by Tempest’s standards but just in time as the rest of the party ascends the stairs. A man dressed in servant’s attire opens the door and welcomes you. “Good day gentlemen. I assume that you are here about the Explorer’s Club solicitation. If you would be so good as to follow me, we can see to the particulars.”
As he closes the door, the butler says, “It is good to see you again Mr. Tempest. I expect that you will wish to join the others. I believe that your business is entwined with theirs.”
The butler leads the group through the entry hall and into a drawing room. From what you can see of the mansion, it definitely lacks a woman’s touch. The decor is eclectic and strange. Several large objects stand against walls and in corners, covered with sheets which obscure what lies beneath. Stacks of books and crates pepper the length of the hallway. The paint and wallpaper are faded and the carpets are a bit worn but you would not describe the place as dirty or unkept.
A man in a suit and another who looks to be a clerk both sit behind a large ornate desk. The desk is out of place with the rest of the room. You get the impression that it was moved here expressly for the purpose of conducting interviews and taking applications. A short line of men wait their turn to approach the desk. A few others carry on quite conversation at the other end of the room by the bay window which provides a view of the grounds.
“I will leave you gentlemen here to attend your business. If you find yourselves in need of anything, please feel free to ask the staff. My name is Jefferies.”
Jock says "Thank you, Jefferies." and gets in line.
ReplyDeleteOnce at the desk he will answer the questions and try to be a little less hillbilly in his conversation.
Justin will quietly cast Second Sight (putting any extra successes to PER) and surreptitiously nose about the room. What's under all the covers? What are the men talking about at the other end of the room?
ReplyDeleteSorcery is a conspicuous activity. Do you wish to exhibit your powers in front of everyone or seek out a secluded location?
DeleteFind a hidey spot
DeleteYou manage to catch another servant as he is walking by the drawing room door. From the look of his clothing you figure that he is a grounds keeper rather than a member of the house staff. He is a middle-aged man with sun leathered skin and cropped short salt and pepper hair. A worn flat cap can be seen stuffed in his back pocket.
DeleteYou ask after the washroom and he responds, "Just this way." He gestures with his head down the hallway. "Follow me and I'll show you."
The man leads you to the door of a moderately sized water closet. "When you are finished you can just head back the way you came. If you will excuse me, I have other duties to attend." The man starts to step away without waiting for your response.
Great. I do my mumbo-jumbo and get back to the room.
DeleteAfter 2 turns of casting the Second Sight ritual, Justin is able to gain Danger Sense and +4 Perception. The spirits constantly murmur as he walks back to the drawing room.
DeleteTaking an opportunity to peek under a few of the cloth coverings reveals strange mechanical contraptions, the use for most Justin can barely guess. The few items he is able to view do not look to be complete.
Justin just manages to recover the latest item as a maid enters the hall carrying a tray with glasses and a bottle. She does not pay him the slightest attention as he heads back into the room with the others. She enters after him and heads toward Mr. Grissom and Mr. Tempest.
"Scotch, neat if you please Jefferies" Mr. Tempest says before he walks across the room and takes a seat in a large wingbacked chair by the window. He then lights up a cigar, unfolds todays edition of The Times and begins reading.
ReplyDeleteHe nods and leaves the room. After a few minutes the butler returns with a small tray containing a single tumbler with two fingers of scotch. He sets the drink on the end table next to the chair. "Will that be all sir?"
Delete"Nothing else, thank you Jefferies."
DeleteMr. Tempest will casually observe the people in the room (Empathy 7), getting a feel for the riff-raff and the player characters. Their feelings, attitudes and motivations. kinda developing some insight before he has to engage in idol banter with them. as he starts to do so, a thought suddenly crosses his mind, "Oh, Jefferies, there is one other thing, will you fetch that rather brutish man there a beer please," he points to Grissom, "I would wager that he is quite thirsty. Thank you."
Jefferies nods to Tempest and turns his attention to Grissom.
Delete"You read my mind, fancy pants," Bear remarks cheerfully to Tempest then turns to Jefferies. "Traveling always makes a man thirsty."
ReplyDeleteHe eyes the small tumbler. "Powerfully thirsty, if ye catch my drift?" He gives the butler a meaningful look that speaks volumes.
Jefferies turns from Tempest to Grissom, "What type of beverage would you prefer sir? I am afraid that we are currently out of beer as the gentleman has suggested, but we do have many spirits available. Perhaps I can offer you some whiskey or vodka?"
DeleteBear glances at Tempest and gives a slight nod of thanks for the offer, then makes a show of pondering the choice.
Delete"Weeeell," he finally drawls, obviously enjoying himself, "I suppose a manly helping of some good whiskey should be enough to wet my whistle."
"Right away sir. I shall return shortly." Jefferies makes a slight bow and exits the room.
DeleteA few minutes later, a maid returns with a tray carrying with a few glasses and a 3/4 full bottle of Old Bushmills Irish Whiskey. She is a slim red head in her early 20's. "Jefferies sends his regrets. Another matter urgently required his attention. He asked that I bring this to you in his stead. I hope I can be of service. My name is Adele or Ms. Westcott if you prefer."
She is very polite and professional but both Tempest and Grissom catch a hint of something in her voice.
Is Ms. Westcott a regular member of the staff or family around the mansion?
DeleteMr. Tempest will reply "Thank you very much Ms. Westcott, Perhaps later" and will use his Empathy skill (7) to try and determine from her body language and tones what her underlying mood is (frightened, confused, worried, attracted to Grissom, etc) and look for subtle clues (Investigation 6) as to the possible cause.
Bear exclaims as he reaches for a glass, the Irish lilt stronger in his voice, "Aye, ye're a lifesaver, lass."
DeleteHe pours himself a healthy amount of liquor and takes an exploratory sip. "Ah, truly the ambrosia of the gods."
He regards the maid with keen interest. "Adele, is it? My name's Grissom, but you can call me Bear," he drawls as he gives her a wink and nod.
Adele, the maid, blushes a bit at the attention from Grissom. She is clearly flattered. "You are very kind sir."
DeletePrior to that, Tempest was sure that there was an underlying worry in her demeanor.
"Ah, c'mon, a pretty lass like you should be used to compliments from ugly mugs like me," Bear jokes good-naturedly.
Delete"Don't worry about us, toots," he reassures her, gesturing expansively. "Moneybags here and I are having a friendly chat. Just leave the bottle with us. I'm sure we'll put it to good use."
"Thank you, Ms. Westcott, for the decanter" he says without looking up, and returns to his newspaper and subtle observations of the group.
DeleteAfter witnessing the interaction with the butler, Thackery jots a few notes in his moleskin pocket pad, flips the cover closed, and pockets it.
ReplyDeleteAre you making a show of the activity, trying to get someones attention, or is this just the type of thing Dr. Lampshead normally would do?
DeleteNot making a show of it.
DeleteAfter answering the man's questions and completing the application Jock wanders over to a bookshelf and sees what kind of books are here. [Self taught since high school he enjoys reading non-fiction of almost any variety.] While looking, he listens to the conversations and tries to figure who is the leader (employer) of this pack and what is important to him.
ReplyDeleteThe room is not a proper library but there are books to be found. The ones on the shelf are mostly classic literature, poetry and some essays. The collection as a whole sees to be the sort of books one might be expected to have in a library.
DeleteJock does find a book on a table next to a sofa that catches his interest. Romance Of Reality - The Aeroplane by Claude Grahame-White and Harry Harper. Tucked in the book are some sketches and some shorthand notes. The loose papers appear to be written in two different hands.
There are several applicants and the two Explorer's Club officials. No one in the room strikes Jock as the leader.
Rolled a 1 on empathy. looking around. kinda wondering who everyone is. Tell a joke or two when i get a chance: rolled a 4 on perform:
ReplyDeleteSome people think a juggler is talented. Could be a skitzophrenic playing catch.
A guilty conscience is the mother of invention. Wonder what their making up.
Didn't bring any gear with me to speak of figured i provide the adventurer, they provide the adventure.
covering for those trying to do something secreative. gott figure that someone is up to something. maybee i'll find out later.
DeleteWally receives a few laughs at his jokes and an occassional friendly pat on the back.
DeleteAfter having his interview with the Explorer's Club officials, he makes his way over to where Grisson and Tempest are still having a conversation. He notes that neither of which has yet had their interview. Both men are drinking from glasses. A young maid stands nearby talking with the pair and looking a bit over her head. She still holds a tray containing a whiskey bottle and a few glasses.
Jock goes over to the serving girl and inquires "Miss, while I don't mind drinking fancy alcohol in a social settin', fer this I'd kinda like to keep me head straight. So do you have any juice, lemon water with sugar or just plain water, if'n the water is good?"
ReplyDeleteThe maid Adele, answers with a bit of relief. "The water is very good. I will go and fetch a pitcher and a few more glasses. Please excuse me."
DeleteShe sets the bottle and extra glasses on the table next to Tempest, tucks the tray under her arm and heads out of the door.
While your going, can i get a water on the rocks?
ReplyDeleteAdventure is like getting in trouble but not getting caught.
My interview seemed to go pretty well, how did yours go?
"Are you one of those teetotaler temperance folks, ah," Bear pauses as he tries to recall the hunter's name. "Mr. Battle?"
ReplyDeleteTo Wally, Bear responds, "I figured I'd wait until the rush was over and enjoy the fine company here."
He lifts his glass in salute to Tempest with a wry grin.
"Heck no." Replies Jock "Thet moonshiner wouldn'ta hired me to run his liker if'n I didn't drink his shine. Nah, I jes like to keep me head straight when theres business afoot is all. An the name is Brattle, Jock Brattle. Pleased to meetcha, Bear. An they seemed to like me jes fine. I let em know how good a shot an hunter I am."
ReplyDelete"Mr. Tempest? Pleased to meet you too. Ah hope the expedition either is made of tough fellas or equipped well enough. Once I know what type terrain we will be in I kin figger out the equipment and supplies we are gonna need."
"I am quite sure that whatever it is going on, it will be well funded and kept to the highest standards of etiquette and orgnization," Mr Tempest replies to Jock. "And, pray tell, what hyperbole of useful skills do you intend to bring to any financial venture?"
Delete"Hyperbole? Nah, jes hard work, a good eye an my skills. Finance ain't my field. I kin guide, hunt, trap and drive better'n mos folks cuz I paid attention and put in a lot a time an effert at getting good at those things. I had ta. I was the breadwinner and ma Ma and ma siblings woulda starved if'n I didn't do the best I could. I reckon I kin keep the expedition fed and warm an safer from bandits than if'n I wasn't with em."
ReplyDelete"Heck. Ya want some financial dealings? I bet ma rifle here that I cud shoot an apple off'n yer head at more than a two hundred paces...but I wouldn't want ya to feel endangered. Pick a apple an put it a couple hundred paces away on a box or something an put up a hundred cash against ma rifle an I'll show you ma rifle skill."
"I would not be interested in your archery skills at this time William" Mr. Tempest responds without looking up from his news article.
DeleteThe queue for interviews at the desk has grown short. Mr. Brattle and Mr. Brown have completed the process. To my understanding Mr. Grissom, Mr. Lambshead and Mr. Tylmaronde have not. Do you plan to complete the process? I do not believe that Mr. Tempest has any intention of applying to the Explorer's Club.
ReplyDeleteAre there any other actions that anyone wishes to take before we move on?
Bear will join the queue for interviews and cheerfully provide any information asked for.
DeleteMr Tempest sees no need to go up for an "interview." (poppycock nonsense). He figures that the money from his company is all the interview that they require. At the moment, he is just here to determine who is mismanaging his money and to what extent.
ReplyDeleteOh I was going to complete the process. I'm looking for a career change, after all. I just wanted to watch the other applicants and take in all the interesting facts.
ReplyDeleteOnce reminded of why he is here, Lambshead get in the queue to provide his information.
ReplyDelete