LotFP solo - Part VII: Walpurgisnacht

Theophilus is convinced that the family portraits hanging in the salon must contain some clue to the goings-on in the Domus Horatiorum. He examines them carefully, and exhorts his two companions to help. They read every inscription, and are disappointed to find them all of the Nomen + anno aetatis suae variety. Valentinus is certain that if a clue is to be found, it will be coded somehow amongst the numerous busts of famous Romans. Yet other than an inordinate fondness for the Severan dynasty, he can find nothing of actual significance.


Scene 20

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: d6=4, Interrupt (was: explore house)
Interrupt: NPC negative - look / hands

[The above was technically from the end of scene 18:
left to d20=12, salon
no encounter,treasure,hazard,feature
Q: Any clues? 50/50 (4+): O3 C2 - No, and... all very conventional. 2 turns wasted]

Whilst the other two are musing over paintings and sculptures, Fr. Mikuláš notices the burns on his fingers are spreading. The redness and throbbing in his fingertips from touching the strange candles is starting to move further down his hand. He hides his injury in his sleeve, and hopes the others don't notice. Fortunately, they are too wrapped up in their own private ideas to notice the beads of sweat on his forehead.

[Q: Will he say anything? 50/50 (4+): O2 C5 - No.

N.B. no track for this - scene xp will go to M only, if he survives]


Scene 21 - track A

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: explore house

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

[d20=13, entry hall; no encounter]

They finally give up in the salon, and decide to try their luck elsewhere, which this time seems to be the house's entry hall, though the front door is conspicuously absent. Moreover, there is the gruesome corpse of a young man [Pauwel] whose midsection has been torn apart, spilling blood and innards all over the floor. A rapier lies nearby, though it is unclear how much of a fight the man could have put up. Whatever killed him cannot have been human, for it seems to have slithered away, leaving a wide track of blood leading down the hall from the corpse and into a doorway.

[Actually, it was just Kateřina's skirts that made the trail. None of the N/PCs present know Pauwel.]

Mikuláš looks as if he's going to be sick. Valentinus is worried that the killer from the inn [end of scene 4] has followed him here somehow -- or was here all along. Theophilus is just glad it isn't him.

"Whatever did that...," gasps Mikuláš, "it went that way."

"Let's not go that way," says Valentinus.

"Do you think it will matter?" asks Theophilus. "Do you think we'll go to the same place? We haven't gone back the same way even entering and leaving by the same door."

"I'd rather not find out," replies Valentinus. "Let's go this way instead."

[to d20=7, brother's room (this brother is the NPC magic-user who hasn't appeared yet)

Room contents (via Scarlet Heroes): encounter, treasure

encounter is: (1d10) 1-2 Zdeňka / Skin Demon, 3-4 Blood Demon, 5-6 innocent (free), 7-8 innocent (bound), 9-0 other conspirator

d10=6, 1d6=m
d30=NPCJ: MISC. CASTLE JOBS, page

The 'Page' result made me instantly think of the use of young boys for onychomancy (divination by gazing at the fingernail) as described in Richard Keickhefer's excellent Forbidden Rights, an analysis of a 15th century grimoire of black magic (Codex Latinus Monachensis 849 in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich).

Karl, a lad of 14
German, mercantile class
CH 11 CN 14  DX 8 IN 11 ST 10 WI 7
HP 4 AC 11 ML 7

Q: Armed? likely (3+): O5 C4 - Yes, but... not handy.
reaction=4]

The doorway takes them to a sumptuous bedroom. Stretched out on the bed with his back to the door is a lad of about 14. He is flipping distractedly through an old, oversized history book, looking only at the engravings, and is eating candy from a silver bowl. He hears the door close, and starts speaking even before he has turned round. "I waited like you said, and... Who are you? How did you get in here?"

"For whom are you waiting, child?" asks Valentinus.

"I'll ask the questions here! Who are you, anyway? You don't look like burglars."

"We aren't," says Theophilus. "We're looking for our friend. She was taken inside this house."

"Well, I haven't seen her. I haven't seen anyone except you fools. And if she's anything like the three of you, I can't think of a single reason your friend would have been brought here. They have standards, you know." [UNE:hostile - judgment - friends]

"Watch your tongue, boy, whilst you still have use of it!" snaps Theophilus.

The lad seems unperturbed by Theophilus' threat. "You're all going to die, you know. Coming here was a mistake." [mysterious - whispers - enemy]

"You don't say?"

"Once it's started, there's nothing you can do to stop it. And he'll destroy you all for interfering. Or trespassing. Or just being somewhere you oughtn't. And when it happens, I'll laugh..."

Theophilus lowers his arquebus, approaches the lad, and back-hands him across his mouth with all his might.

[hit for 1d2=1 damage, down to 3hp
Q: Does this change his attitude? Likely (3+): O2 C4 - No, but... it does shut him up for the moment.]

"Are we finished?" asks Theophilus. "Good." He then addresses his companions in Latin. "Now what to do about this one... do we take him with us?"

"Take him with us? Why?" asks Mikuláš.

"As a guide, perhaps. Or a hostage, should things continue to worsen."

"I believe that is prudent," says Valentinus.

[Q: Does Mikuláš agree? Likely (3+): O4 C5 - Yes.]

"Agreed," says Mikuláš.

Theophilus turns back to the boy. "Get up. You're coming with us. But step out of line again and I won't be so restrained as I was just now. Understood?"

He nods eagerly.

"Now tell me," asks Theophilus, "what's going on here?"

"My master is preparing to open the vault of worlds -- by himself -- and by so doing take all the power to himself. And he's promised me that I will sit at his right hand, and... and... well, it will be a power beyond reckoning, and--"

"Where's this vault?"

"In the cellar."

"How do we get there?"

"Why, go down the stairs, of course. Then down the other stairs. And then the others. How else does one get to a cellar?"

"Where does that door lead?" snaps Theophilus, pointing angrily.

"Where...? The landing! What sort of stup-- um, what sort of question is that?"

"Come on. Out. You first, we'll follow."

The lad hops to his feet, lest Theophilus strike him again. He doesn't have time to wonder at the inky blackness when the door is opened, for he is shoved roughly through.

[to d20=15, shrine

Q: Blood demon still there? 50/50 (4+): O2 C4 - No, but... signs of its passing
Q: Altar destroyed? Likely (3+): O2 C3 - No, but... candles knocked over
Q: Architect still there? 50/50 (4+): O4 C2 - Yes, and...

Archibald(us) Cook - the Architect
English, professional, protestant (CofE)
specialist, lv 1, architecture 5
languages: English, Latin, German, Czech
CH 12 CN 13 DX 9 IN 13 ST 11 WI 11
HP 2/6, AC 12

the lad's ML 2d6=7, just; doesn't falter, but too shocked to speak
Archibald's reaction 2d6=11, friendly]

The room they come into looks to have been the scene of a slaughter. Blood is pooled about on the floor, splashed over all the walls, and even drips from the ceiling. There is some sort of pagan altar at the far side of the room. Sever of the candles that once lit it have been knocked to the floor, and were extinguished when they rolled into the blood.

A man is half-lying against the altar, weeping. He is bloodied from head to toe; it's a wonder he yet lives.

"You're hurt!" exclaims Valentinus.

"No, I'm... Yes, I'm hurt... it's not all mine..."

"Whose is it? What happened?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you!"

"Try me," says Theophilus, his shock at the scene being rapidly replaced by his growing impatience.

"He... he summoned a demon to kill me!"

"Who did? Make some sense, man!"

"Mucius-- Herr Grollenbach. He must have decided I'm no longer required, now that I've built the mechanism."

"The mechanism?"

"The mechanism which opens the vault. Or rather, allows one to open it. I don't know that I can explain."

"Try."

"There is a vault in the basement, older than this house. And there's a door carved into one of the walls. It's covered in sigils, and can't be opened; indeed it's just solid carved stone. The Grollenbachs have been trying to open it for years, tracking down the proper rituals and necessary supplies to complete them. These rituals must be performed at the proper time, and what's more, at the proper time. Now, are you familiar with Al-Kindi? You are? Good. The rituals require that the operators work under the proper astral influences, but the proper conjunctions won't occur for thousands of years. So I was brought in to design and build a machine as a kind of lens, to deflect the stellar rays and celestial emanations down into the vault, so the ritual can take place. Tonight."

"So what happened? What about all this blood?"

"The demon's."

"You vanquished a demon"

"Hardly. It was made of the stuff... it splashed everywhere. It chased me here, I don't remember how, and I thought the shrine would protect me. It didn't seem to be bothered by it. Then the door opened, and a woman came through, or it grabbed her. She got away from it and ran, and I thought it would go after her. It didn't. It stayed and grabbed me and held me and... and... it's too horrible! I wish it had killed me."

"What happened?"

"It left me with this." He holds open a tear in his shirt to reveal a bulbous and glowing protrusion under his skin. "And then it left."

"Can you walk?"

"I'm not sure... I think so."


Scene 22 - track B

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: explore the house

NPC list: Daniela (maid), Zdeňka (maid/skin-demon), Floris (thief)

Threads: investigate brothel, investigate death

[d20=1, mechanism room (honestly what I rolled; the serendipity of solo gaming sometimes mimics proper narrative)]

The mechanism takes up most of the oddly-shaped attic room in which it has been built. There is a large, rotating central column of polished brass in the room's centre, going from floor to ceiling, around which the rest of the mechanism is in constant motion. There are huge assemblages of gears, looking like the parts of some gigantic and unearthly clock, connected to springs, coils, levers, plates and lenses. Polished stone fittings are to be seen throughout, as well as precious metal rods and pendula, and gemstones arrayed in whorling patterns. It ticks and hums and whirs and creaks in a of semi-rhythmical cacophony.

"What is it?" says Floris, dumbfounded.

"Don't touch!" says Judit. "Šimon, does this look like anything you've ever seen?"

"No," says the clockmaker. "It's... I don't know. I've never seen anything like it. It moves, but to no purpose... or to some occult purpose, at which I hardly dare guess."

"This must be one of the rooms we were forbidden to enter," says the maid.

"Is it responsible for what's going on here?" asks Judit.

"It might be," says Šimon.  "Or it might only be a part of what's happening."

"What do you think we should do?"

[Q: Does Floris pipe up? 50/50 (4+): O4 C5 - Yes.
1d4: 1 try to stop it, 2 try to destroy it, 3 sit and watch it, 4 leave it alone]

"We should see if there's a way to stop this thing," says Floris. "Maybe it will return things to normal."

The others look on in fascination whilst Šimon goes about examining the mechanism.

[He needs to roll against Tinker (4): 1d6=1, success.
Q: Is there an obvious way to stop it? (d10): 1-2 yes, it's easy; 3-4 yes, but it's difficult; 5-6 yes, but it's dangerous; 7-8 not without breaking it; 9-0 no way at all]

He studies it for a while, peering at it from every side. Finally he stands up straight (as he is able) and says, "I think I could do it. But it would be difficult. Judit, I'll need your help. And yours, my dear child."

Šimon directs Judit and Daniela to pull on certain pairs of levers. He stresses that the three of them must all perform their task at the same time, or the gears might snap instead of slowing to a halt.

[They all need to make Tinker rolls modified by Strength (skill levels: Šimon 4-2=2, Judit 1+0=1, Daniela 1+1=2). Two out of three rolls must succeed.
3d6= 5,1,2 success.

effect (1d10): 1-2 everything back to normal, 3-4 ritual altered, 5-6 magical backlash, 7-8 releases entity, 9-0 too late - no effect

d10=3. The alteration will be determined later (Scene 25)]

The strange machine begins to slow, and as they keep pressure on the levers, it eventually comes to an abrupt stop. Everyone waits, almost afraid to breathe, training to hear or perhaps feel a change in the environment. Floris finally breaks the silence. "This is stupid. Let's just try the door."

He throws it open, only to be greeted by impenetrable darkness. "Dammit! There must be some way out of this maze!"

Downcast, the rest follow him through. At first they end up in the kitchen, and once the disorientation fades they make a hasty exit. Leaving there they are transported to...

[d20=10, master bedroom
Feature (Scarlet Heroes): A prisoner or victim of the dungeon inhabitants: A hapless civilian being held for ransom or sacrifice]

...a grand bed chamber, which is the scene of recent, awful carnage. It is uncertain just how many persons met their end here, but no one -- not even Floris -- wants to wade through the pools of blood and gobbets of flesh strewn about the room in search of clues and/or valuables. They make a hasty exit, and end up in [d20=19] the study.

There is probably some order to the apparent chaos in the room. Books are piled high on every horizontal surface, and the shelves are overflowing. The oversized desk is hidden beneath piles of parchments, upon which many strange and colourful diagrams and symbols have been scribbled.

"What is all this nonsense? asks Floris, perusing the papers.

"Horoscopes, astrological charts, and the like," answers Šimon.

"Does any of it relate to today?" asks Judit.

[search rolls all fail]

Scene 23 - track A

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: explore house

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš, ruffians

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

As Judit, Šimon, and Floris are rifling through the books and papers, the door opens. They wheel about to see a young lad in fine clothing stumble out of the blackness of the doorway, followed by Valentinus, Theophilus, Mikuláš, and Archibald.

"It's a bit cramped in here," complains the lad.

"You!" shouts Valentinus. "I should have known I'd find you involved in this unholy plot, you deviant. Prepare to die, servant of evil!"

He raises his crossbow and takes aim at Šimon, but hesitates.

"O holy father," says Šimon, "how could you possibly think I am involved in all this?"

"Don't call me that! You insult the Holy Mother Church with such mocking speech!"

Judit moves between them, her rapier drawn. "Who threatens pan Kac threatens me. Lower your weapon. Now!"

"All of you, stop this nonsense!" shouts Theophilus. "It won't get us anywhere. Do either of you know-- hey, where'd that damnable child go?"

The lad had slipped away in the few moments all attention was focussed on Valentinus, [2d6=8, Karl failed ML/loyalty] who even now is still aiming his crossbow at Šimon, who keeps stepping out from behind Judit to taunt him.

"They're not of this house," says Archibald. "I would say that makes them our allies."

Theophilus and Archibald eventually persuade Valentinus to see reason. Judit convinces Šimon (in Hebrew, lest the others hear their disagreement) to stop tormenting the priest. In the end, an uneasy alliance is formed.


Scene 24 - track c

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: chaos die = 3, Interrupt (was: get to vault)
Interrupt: Horror - PC - perceive / sentiments

NPC list: Cloelia (cleric), Brutus (brother), Dr. Helvetius (astrologer)

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

Brutus and Dr. Helvetius exit the garret room, leaving Kateřina alone for a moment with Cloelia.  As they are standing over the unconscious maid and deciding
 how best to move her, Cloelia suddenly grabs Kateřina by the wrist and whispers a hideous threat. Kateřina shrieks, and tries to pull away. Cloelia's eyes glitter in the candlelight.

"Oh come!" she sneers. "I'm not going to kill you now. Who'll help me with this? Perhaps she's the only thing keeping you from being cut down the middle, and your insides offered up in sacrifice."

Kateřina backpedals as swift as she might, and begins to mutter an incantation. Cloelia springs towards her, grabbing her by the hair. She pulls back her fist...

[initiative rolls: 3,3 -- tied; dex 16 vs. 14, K's Charm spell is cast first. save d20=8, failure]

...and stops suddenly short of punching Kateřina in the face. "I-- I'm sorry," babbles Cloelia as the spell washes over her. "I don't know what came over me. I... this is all so very disquieting. I just lost my temper. I didn't mean it, honestly I didn't. Please, please don't be cross with me."

"No, I understand," says Kateřina. "It is forgotten. Let's not talk about it again. We must find the vault like you said, dearest."


Scene 25 - track c

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: get to vault

NPC list: Cloelia (cleric), Brutus (brother), Dr. Helvetius (astrologer)

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

Kateřina and Cloelia drag the unconscious maid into [d20=12] the salon, where Brutus and Dr. Helvetius are waiting. They continue on, and end up in [d20=8] the kitchen, from which they make another quick exit. When their disorientation subsides, they find they have finally come to the hidden vault below the house.

They have emerged onto the landing at the top of a rough, narrow staircase, which looks for all the world like it leads to the dungeons beneath an old castle. There is the suggestion of a doorway behind them, but the door itself is gone; it is as if they have just stepped out of a bare wall.

They make their way down the steps and into the vault itself, a long, low chamber with unevenly hewn stones lining the walls and floor, and unfaced square columns supporting the roof.  Dozens of candles illumine the vault, about half of which appear to have been knocked over. The floor is covered in immense chalk circles and diagrams, bearing characteres, sigilla, and names of magical import. Bitter incense perfumes the air; the bronze censer lies on the floor by foot of the stairs, dented, having been hurled there with some force. On the far wall is great carven doorway of black stone, set into the natural stone of the chamber itself. The intricate carvings of dragons and monsters are whorled round with knot work and vines, and present a decidedly pagan aspect. Before the doorway is the crouched figure of a man, weeping uncontrollably.

[Some die rolls for set-up:

Contents (SH): encounter, treasure

encounter? (d10): 1-2 just Mucius (the M-U), 3-4 Zdeňka (maid/skin-demon), 5-6 blood demon, 7-8 something else, 9-0 roll 2d8

1d10=1, Mucius (the treasure is on him)

How long until the ritual is complete? (d4) 1 rounds 2 minutes 3 turns 4 already finished:  1d4=4

In another perfect example of solo-rpg serendipity, the mechanism was stopped on this very turn, so I need to determine the Alteration to the ritual (from scene 22). I also need to know if the M-U knew what he was doing when he started without the others.

Q: Did the magic-user know what he was doing? 50/50 (4+): O2 C5 - No. He's opened a portal to somewhere else.

Q: What is altered when the mechanism stops?
Alteration (1d12): 1 kills officiant, 2 random effect on officiant, 3 random effect on everyone, 4 good and bad effect on everyone, 5 bestows flawed power, 6 ruins spell ability, 7 random spell centred on officiant, 8 one of those weird summon results, 9 temporal fluctuations, 10 random LL spell centred on officiant, 11 portal unstable, 12 possession

1d12=6

who speaks first? 1-4 Cloelia 5-8 Mucius 9-10 Brutus 11-12 Dr. Helvetius

d12=Brutus

UNE--
NPC Relationship: neutral
Conversation Mood: withdrawn
friendly - aid - family]

"Mucius, why did you do this?" says Brutus with genuine concern. "Starting without us was ill-advised at best. You could've been killed."

Mucius starts at the sound of his brother's voice. He wipes his face upon his sleeve, then turns to face his siblings. "I wish I had been killed!" he says. "My magic is gone. All of it. I don't know what happened... this is a disaster. I can't even open the portal."

"Did it fail, then?" asks Brutus.

"No. Look at the door. There's a gap -- it's no longer plain rock. There's something behind it now. Can't you feel the current of air coming from beyond it?"

"You've made another mess of things," says Cloelia [insane - illusion - future action]. "And whatever you were planning has come to nothing even before you've gotten started. Just another one of your foolish daydreams. Now, let's see what... you've... done......"

...to be continued

my time & location tracker sheet

LotFP solo - Part VI: Co se vlastně stalo s Kateřinou Smutnou?

When Kateřina opened the door to the house, she could see nothing inside, nothing at all. Then she felt something wet wrapped suddenly round her wrist, and was jerked into the blackness. A moment of dizzy incomprehension followed, and then she found herself in a windowless room. At the far end was a sinister sort of candle-lit pagan altar, with a man cowering before it. But between her and the frightened man was the demon which had caught her.

The thing was a column of blood, as big around as a barrel and stretching floor to ceiling. It moved and squirmed and writhed, and with the semi-viscous mass of deep red fist-sized tubercles pulsed with light. All about the thing's trunk were mouths filled with blocky uneven teeth, which were ever floating to the surface, gnashing and spitting, then being once again subsumed. Wiry appendages hang down from the top of the beast. One of these has Kateřina held fast. She watches in revulsion as another reaches inside the beast, plucks out one of the glowing nodules, and thrusts it menacingly at her...

Scene 19 - Track C

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: pulled into house*

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš, ruffians

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

[* I didn't roll for and Interrupt/Alteration, as finding out what happens when she got pulled into the house was already going to be a series of die rolls.

She ended up in d20=9, shrine.

In addition to the obvious, the room contains (according to Scarlet Heroes) an Encounter
(via d30 Sandbox Companion)=misc. npc, architect

Q: Is the architect a MU? likely (3+): O1 C2 - No, and... 0-level fighter
Q: Was the creature sent to kill him? 50/50 (4+): O5 C3 - Yes, but... (=not kill him, per se)

Archibald(us) Cook - the Architect
english, professional, protestant (CofE)
specialist, lv 1, architecture 5
languages: English, Latin, German, Czech
CH 12 CN 13 DX 9 IN 13 ST 11 WI 11
HP 6, AC 12

The creature was Summoned by a 4th level NPC magic-user (who hasn't appeared yet), who had 'decided' to summon an entity of 1d6 HD.

Blood Demon (AC: 12, HD 6, Move: 60', 1 attack, Dmg: 1d6+impregnates, ML: 9, Special: Immune to normal weapons)

I'd actually had a few months break (for Star Wars d6) between the time when Kateřina was pulled into the house and the continuation, so the suspense regarding her fate had really built up. When I finally rolled up the conditions of this scene, it looked worse that I had originally feared...

...but now it's time to roll initiative; 1-1-1, tied, so in DEX order: K, it, A]

Kateřina twists and turns her arm in the thing's slimy grip, and with a strength born of abject terror manages to wrench it free. She scrambles into the corner, unsure of which way to run. [grappling- she rolled a natural 20 vs. its 6, so broke free. She'd also made a successful save vs. poison to avoid the special attack]

The dripping demon tries to snatch her up once again [rolls a natural 1], but merely slaps the wall above her head. The man by the altar watches wide-eyed, paralysed with fear.

[Q: Can the demon approach the shrine? 50/50 (4+): O6 C4 - Yes, but... would rather go for the new arrival]

[round 2]
There's only one exit in this room, and the horror stands between it and Kateřina. She leaps to her feet and dashes furiously past the gory monster. It grabs for her and tries to lurch into her path, but she dives beneath its grasping tendrils, flying out the door and slamming it behind her.

[Chase rules, d20+movement rate; K's 14+12 vs. its 16+6, she escapes...

...into d20=13, the entry hall
d10=no encounter]

The room beyond is pitch black. Kateřina feels a momentary sensation of falling as she runs headlong through the blackness. Then she really is falling, having stumbled over something unseen. She lands on something more yielding than the wooden floor, which helps her break her fall. [save vs. paralysis or 1d4 damage; 14+2 dex, saved]

She tries to right herself, her hands scrambling for purchase against the slick, wet floor. She manages to sit up, and feels about for the thing before her lest she fall over it again. Too late does she realise that the sticky, sodden lump is a mangled human corpse [Pauwel]. She screams in spite of herself, and scuttles back from it, into the wall. She's still screaming, but realises the danger and claps her hands over her mouth. The taste of blood on oozing from her hands is a further shock, but she daren't uncover her mouth until she's forced herself to be calm, lest she make another sound.

She soon realises nothing has followed her, but doesn't want to linger should it decide to pursue. She crawls along the wall -- careful not to slip in the pool of blood crusting-over blood but resigned to moving through it -- until she comes to a doorway. She grabs onto the handle, uses it to pull herself to her feet, then opens the door and slips through.

[door leads to d20=19, study

contents (SH): Encounter
d30= misc.NPC, astrologer
reaction=6
d6=m

„Dr. Helvetius“ (Arndt Schweizer)
astrologer, 0-level
german, professional
CH 9 CN 10 DX 11 IN 13 ST 7 WI 13
HP 5, AC 12,  Morale: 5

Alleigance (SH): Willingly obedient to the ruling inhabitants of the place.
Q: Armed? Likely (3+): O6 C4 - Yes, but... dagger only]

In a momentary dream-state, Kateřina's senses are filled with the ambrosial smells of her own library: dusty old bookshelves, old vellum, new parchment. Then the coppery odour of blood reasserts itself, and as her vision clears she finds herself in a stranger's study -- and she is not alone.

A grey-bearded man in scholar's dress is working behind an oversized writing desk, which is covered in tomes and scrolls, compasses, rulers, and various other brass instruments. He looks up from his lucubrations, seemingly unperturbed at Kateřina's gory appearance. He lays aside his style and addresses her in an even tone.

"Who are you?" asks the scholar.

"I..."

"How did you get here?" he asks, a bit impatiently.

"I came to the door. Some... some thing pulled me inside. I ran into the darkness and... well, who are you?"

"I'm a guest in this home. You shouldn't be here. Too late for you now. Yes... too late. It's begun hasn't it?" [UNE: hostile - destruction - last action]

"What has?"

"Don't play ignorant, girl. This house is... out of joint."

"Are you alone in the house?"

"Of course not."

"I screamed and screamed. No one came."

"They won't have heard you. But they'll be here soon enough. I hope. They should not have started without me. Without all the proper tools, they invite disaster." [insane - idiocy - equipment]

"I don't understand! Please, tell me what's going on."

[Persuasion (using England Upturn'd)--
persuader: d20 + CHA bonus + INT bonus + level
target:  d20 + CHA bonus + WIS bonus + level

K d20+1+2+1=21
-4 for the state of her=17
Dr.H d20+0+1+0=11

Result="Friendly, but not helpful. Will not help without a good reason such as money, a
strongly supported cause in common, etc., and even then only if there is no risk to the person you were attempting to persuade."]

The scholar considers her words for a few moments, then sighs. "Very well: they've begun the ritual to open the door."

"The door?"

"The door to wisdom, the door to knowledge."

"So it's figurative."

"Ha ha! No, in fact. Or rather, it's both figurative, and very literal."

"I still don't understand."

"No. And neither do they, if they've begun without all the preparations in place. The fools!" [knowing - discourse - last scene]

"What happens if...?"

"Something awful beyond human understanding."  [Mythic: draw / terror]

"And you're just sitting here, not trying to stop them?"

"Stop them? Once set in motion, it cannot be stopped."

"And no escape?"

"You begin to understand."

"Well, I can't just sit here!"

"Then leave."

"I need a light."

[Q: Is there a lantern available? Doubtful (6): O4 C4 - No, but... spare candleholder.
+Event: Dark Secret - promise / means]

"Help yourself," he says.

Kateřina goes over to the desk to take one of many the candle holders, and her eyes alight on one of the papers covered in writing.

"Signum croceum!" she whispers, in spite of herself.

"You-- you know it?" gasps the scholar.

"Yes... these charts... may I see them."

"What do you know about the Signum? and how...?"

"That's not important. But I understand things... stranger than those in here."

"Perhaps you do. Perhaps you do. In light of this, I think you'd ought to stay. The others may have need of your knowledge." [scheming - plan - superiors]

"To do what?"

"Why, avert our destruction."

"Let me keep this horoscope, and I'll stay."

[Persuasion: +1d4=3 : "Friendly. Will help if there is a reason to and the risks are minimal"]

"Of course."

"For whom are we waiting?" asks Kateřina.

"More than one of the Grollenbach siblings, I should hope. They can't all have been so rash as to--"

Just then the door opens...

[Coincidentally, Brutus & Cloelia show up the next turn; they've been in the storeroom (1t) and the library (2t)
Q: Have they acquired better weapons? 50/50 (4+): O3 C1 - No, and...
Q: Have they acquired an esoteric tome? Likely (3+): O4 C6 - Yes.

             CH CN DX IN ST WI HP AC
Brutus  f0 m  9 13 10 12  7 10  2 12 broom handle (club)
Cloelia c3 f 12 13 14 15 12 12 12 13 dagger
 spells:command, prot. from good, sanctuary

reaction roll for K: 2d6=5]

...and two of the aforementioned siblings, Brutus and Cloelia, step through. They waver for a moment, then notice the stranger in their midst.

"Doctor Helvetius," says Cloelia, "who the devil is this?"

Kateřina turns round, and gives a short curtsey in spite of herself. "Kateřina Smutná. And you are?"

"Never mind that. Whose blood is that?"

"I don't know. There was a body on the floor. In the dark."

"Explain yourself. Why are you here?" [UNE: inquisitive - petition - the character]

"I am here on behalf of my friend, Eufemia Švarcová."

"Oh. You're one of her lot. How disappointing." [UNE: prejudiced - discrimination - skills]

"My lady," interjects the astrologer, "be not so hasty to pass judgement. For Miss Smutná just now spoke to me of the Signum Croceum."

"She did what?"

"She saw it written amongst my horoscopes, and it stopped her short."

"Well, that does put a different cast on the matter at hand." [UNE: prejudiced - difference - previous scene]

"As to that," says the astrologer, "just whose fault is this?"

"Whose do you think?"

"Ah. I should have known [d6=] he wasn't to be trusted."

"But is she?"

"If she wants to help her friend," offers Brutus, "she'd be wise to help us. Isn't that enough?"

"Better than ties of family, it seems," snaps Cloelia. "Alright, Miss Smutná, if you help us stop our brother from ruining years of work, and possibly killing us all, it will also save your poor, pathetic Eufemia. For it is most certainly he that is the cause of her ills."

"You know what he's done to her?"

"Not exactly. But he's the only one of us who delights in such petty displays."

[Q: Does this sound legit? Likely (3+): O3 C5 - Yes; whether it is true or not will be determined later.
Q: Is there anything they need in the study? 50/50 (4+): O2 C6 - No]

"I see, says Kateřina. "Then I should help you most willingly."

"Come, then. There's work to be done."

Cloelia doesn't wait for a response, but turns and heads out the door. Brutus is right behind her, followed by the astrologer, Dr. Helvetius. Kateřina grabs a lit candle from the desk and a few spares, then hurries after them.

[On my tracking sheet, I had already rolled that the NPCs were going to go from the study to d20=16, garret servants room. Rather than erasing and re-rolling, I just shifted Track C over to their column.]

The servants' room in the garret has an unplaceable, if not altogether unpleasant, smell. But as Kateřina's vision clears, the sight she beholds is one of renewed horror. On one of the beds lies an unconscious housemaid, with flecks of dried blood round her mouth and staining her night dress. Her breathing is shallow and uneven. A broken golden thread hangs from the ceiling between the beds, shining in the lamplight. Below it on the floor is some sort of fleshy sac oozing a viscous goo.

"Dammit!" exclaims Cloelia. "Who has done this? Now what are we going to do?"

"What is that?" asks Kateřina.

"Nothing, any longer."

"That fool!" says the astrologer. "Does he intend to ignore all the preparations?"

"That poor girl," continues Kateřina. "Is she...?"

"Still alive," says Cloelia. "For all the good it will do." [0hp; she'll be unconscious for (1d6=6) 5 1/2 more hours]

"Can she be moved?" asks Dr. Helvetius.

"Not easily. Someone help me.... Oh, come on!"

"I'll help, if no one else will--" says Kateřina.

"You do look more capable than either of those two," says Cloelia.

"--but you need to tell me what that thing is." continues Kateřina.

"It was keeping the maids quietly sleeping. Until they were needed. It was for their own good." [scheming - arrangement - community]

"I don't like the sound of that."

"You really are Eufemia's friend, aren't you? Soft and sentimental. If you want to help us you're going to have to display a bit more sang-froid."

"I said that I didn't like it. Not that I didn't understand. Perfectly. So do we drag her or try to pick her up between us somehow?"

LotFP solo - Part V: In labyrinthum

Mikuláš steps cautiously through the door, followed by Valentinus and Theophilus. Each feels a momentary disorientation as he crosses the threshold, a confusion of the senses and feelings of vertigo. It lasts but an instant, only to be replaced by alarm and revulsion. For they have not come into the entry hall of the house; instead they find themselves in a small bed chamber, which is moreover the scene of recent carnage.

The mutilated corpse of a manservant has been stuffed into a narrow oaken armoire, and a man in his night-dress lies dead on the floor in a pool of blood. A fireplace poker is still clutched in his hand, and a crossbow bolt protrudes from the wall by the doorway.

"What happened here?" gasps Valentinus.

"One thing's for certain," answers Theophilus, "we'll be glad of our weapons ere the night's done."

"God willing, they'll be enough."

"Quite. We should look round. See if there's anything in here to give us a better idea of what's going on. Frater, that means you too. Mikuláš!"

The three go through the meagre furnishings, and Theophilus even dares a peek underneath the bed but they find nothing that is important or might elucidate the goings-on in the house.

[1 turn elapses; Search rolls d6=6,6,6, failure, so not asking the oracle if there are any clues]

The door still hangs ajar, but it is impossible to see out into the area beyond; all is indistinct darkness, and peering at it starts to hurt one's head. Looking out the window produces a similar result.

"This can't be all there is!" blusters Theophilus to hide his fear. "I'm going to see what's in the next room."

"Are you sure that's wise?" asks Mikuláš.

"No. But what choice have we?"

Mikuláš shrugs. "I suppose you're right," he says. [reaction roll=8]

Theophilus walks bravely forth, and the others follow. After the momentary blur of strange sensation, Theophilus' voice rings out. "How the devil did we end up in a pantry?"

"This can't be happening," mutters Mikuláš.

"Let's go back," says Valentinus.

"Are you sure that's wise?" asks Theophilus.

"You've a better plan? Besides, we haven't a surfeit of exits from which to choose."

They go back through the door. When the strangeness and confsion clears, they at first believe themselves back in the room they had started in, but they are in fact in another room altogether, though one which bears a strong resemblence to the first. There are fortunately no signs of death here, but insetad signs of life: a travelling chest has been stowed atop the wardobe which is full of clothing, the bed as been slept in, and a [d6=] man's toilet articles are on the side table.

[I used the Scarlet Heroes dungeon tables to stock the room, but it came up empty (no encounter- no treasure - no hazard - no feature)
Q: Bed slept in?  50/50 (4+): O4 C8 - Yes.
Q: Any weapons here? Unlikely (5+): O2 C6 - No.]

Theophilus and Valentinus search the room, but they discover only that whoever the guest of this house is, he has above average means and impeccable taste.

Meanwhile Mikuláš, pale with fright, has sat down heavily upon bed, and begun mumbling to himself. "Je pravda... nebyl jen zvěst... už začalo..."

The others don't understand a word. Valentinus weakly attempts to comfort him with with religious platitudes, or at the very least shock his Protestant sensibilities with Catholic doctrine as a distraction. He doesn't seem to be getting through, so takes the torch from Mikuláš' hand lest he light the bedclothes on fire.

"Let's get out of here," says Theophilus at length.

"To what end?" asks Valentinus.

"We have to find somewhere eventually. Don't we?"

[From here on in, I'll be keeping records of Turns Elapsed for each group (on a separate piece of paper!) so I know when they find each other. Something is going on within the house that makes movement from room to room obey other-than-terrene laws. This idea occurred to me when looking at the Locations Within A Dungeon table in Scarlet Heroes. I thought the habitation column would be useful for late-night burglary scenarios, but the abstract way that the dungeons progress might lead your thief from the kitchen to the master bedroom via the kennels.

I did modify the table a bit to fit this particular house:

1d20
----
1 mechanism room
2 cellar (servants entrance)
3 guest room 1 (*Marius's body, servant in armoire)
4 dining room
5 guest room 2
6 guest room 3
7 brother's room
8 kitchen
9 library
10 master bedroom
11 pantry/scullery
12 salon
13 entry hall
14 servant's rooms (below stairs)
15 shrine
16 servant's rooms (garret)
17 stairwell/landing (*dead thing)
18 storeroom (tub)
19 study
20 vault

* see scene 8

When I made the table, I had no real idea what the Mechanism Room or the Shrine would be like; everything was to figured out in play, so I figured a couple of unknown quantities on the table would be fine. The Vault, of course, is the key to the adventure, but other than the presence of an important NPC there (who hasn't appeared yet), I hadn't determined anything about it in advance either, intending to make some random rolls when the PCs arrived.

Rather than counting down the minutes, I am assuming as a baseline that each room visited counts as a Turn unless it's obviously longer. A room that is simply passed through takes little time, but in practice no more than 2 rooms per Turn are allowed. In addition to the PC groups, I also have a group of NPCs to track. They stay 1d3-1  turns in each room, doing whatever it is that unsupervised NPCs get up to. I've scanned the turn-tracking paper for posterity, and I will upoad it when I get to the end of this section, but for now I cannot, as it contains spoilers.

Previously unexplored rooms are being stocked with the Scarlet Heroes random dungeon tables. I have an entire extra .txt file dedicated to keeping track of room contents & NPC stats.]

Scene 17 - track B

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: d6=3, Interrupt (was: explore the house)
Interrupt: Dark Secret - Judit - hasten / despair

NPC list: Zuzka, Cloelia (cleric), Brutus (brother), Zdeňka (maid)

Threads: investigate brothel, investigate death

In the lantern-lit entry hall, Judit is staring at the blank wall where once the front door stood. "We can't be trapped in here," she whispers, "we just can't."

She breaks out in silent tears. Šimon tries to comfort her, asking over and over aain what is the matter, but she only whispers half-incoherant phrases:  imprisoned... never again... outside... can't escape... can't escape....

[Q: Can he get her to rally? 50/50 (4+): O3 C3 - No, but... she comes round after 1 turn, but will have -2 to all actions due to the shakes for 1d3=2 more turns.

+Event: Horror - NPC - open / head]

Šimon finally begins getting through to Judit. Meanwhile, the waifinsh little maid has been clinging closer and closer to Pauwel. Zdeňka throws her arms round him, and looks up at him with her fearful, watery eyes. Then there's a tearing sound, and her scalp begins to split, and pulls back. Strips of skin begin to pull off in all directions, and the long strands ensnare Pauwel like so many bloody cords...

[The skin demon (AC: 14, HD: 4, HP: 21, Move: 120', 1 attack, damage 1d6, ML: 9, special: 'web' at will (one at a time, range 5', save vs. Paralysis to avoid, immobilised opponent is hit automatically each round), surprise on 1-4)

d6=5, no surprise round.
Initiative rolls were tied; dex 3d6=9, so order is: J, Š, (P), It]

[Round 1]
Šimon draws his dagger and advances, but is unsure of where to strike [miss]. The threat of immediate danger brings Judit back to the present. She lunges at the bleeding Zdeňka-monster with her rapier, skewering it through the torso. The now-skinless head turns and regards her angrily [she hit (despite a total -4 penalty) for 7 damage, dropping it to 14hp] and hisses with malice. A long toothy maw erupts from the maid's midsection through the gory rags of her dress, and begins to furiously gnaw into
Pauwel's stomach [auto hit; 5 damage leaves him with 3hp]. Pauwel twists and turns, struggling against the strips of skin twind round his wrists and ankles.

[Round 2]
The demon turns to interpose Pauwel between it and its adversaries like a shield. He screams for help, but both Šimon and Judit are afraid to strike again, lest they hit him [miss x2]. A gush of blood sprays out of his mouth, then he goes limp [4 damage puts him at -1hp].

[Round 3]
Šimon grabs Judit's hand and runs, pulling her behind him. He throws open the nearest door, and they rush through, without looking back at the wet slurping and snapping sounds behind them [5 damage kills Pauwel].

Between the panic and revulsion, they scarcely notice the vertiginous sensation of passing through the portal. But one moment they were in the entry hall, and the next they have suddenly found themselves in the cramped servant's quarters in the garret. A dim light suffuses the room, produced by some sort of green glowing fleshy sac, suspended from a roof beam by a single golden thread, hanging down at chest height between the two beds. The light pulses slowly, and the sac emits a nearly subsonic hum.  On each of the beds lies a housemaid, fully dressed and in a rigid posture, arms straight down at her sides. Their breathing is slow, rising and falling with the pulse of the light.

[The die rolls for the above:
d20=16, servant's rooms (garret)]

Room contents (Via Scarlet heroes): Hazard only
SH is a bit bland in this regard, so I rolled on the Labyrinth Lord AEC random characteristics chart: d%=94, Suspends animation.
The hazard's form wasn't immediately obvious from that so misc room contents: d%=99 Waterskin, empty, rotten

1d2=2 maids present

The PCs need to save vs. Paralysation: Š 20, J 20 !]

"Ugh!" says Judit. "What is that?"

"Nothing good," mutters Šimon. He tries shaking the sleeping maids awake, but they do not respond. The closer he gets to the hanging sac, the more the sound makes his teeth ache.

"How did we get up here?" continues Judit.

"Now is not the time to worry about how," says Šimon. "Or why. We need to find a way out of this trap."

"Yes, of course. But we can't leave them with... with that thing."

"What do you suggest?"

"Stand back. And be ready to run if this is a mistake."

Šimon back up to the door as Judit takes position between the beds. She takes her blade in both hands, checks the angle once or twice, then swings at the thread with all her might...

[Her STR is 9, so:
Q: Does she cut the thread? Unknown: 1d6=4, so 50/50 (4+): O4 C6 - Yes.
Q: Does it break the spell? Likely (3+): O6 C4 - Yes, but... (1d8): 1 maids are evil when they awake, 2 maids are evil and monstrous, 3 maids wither and die, 4 sac releases poison gas, 5 sac releases laughing gas, 6 golden thread delivers shock for 1d8 damage, 7 golden thread delivers magical backlash which randomly swaps 2 attributes, 8 sac is alive and attempts to escape

1d8=5]

The golden thread snaps with a soft twang, and the fleshy sac plops at Judit's feet. It deflates with a wet sigh, filling the room with a colourless gas. The maids awakened the instant the thread was severed. One crie out, as if awaking from a nightmare, the other sits bolt upright. Then the gas starts to tickle their throats and they begin to giggle. Judit and Šimon join them a moment later. The giggles turn to laughter -- awful, joyless laughter that won't stop. Šimon loses hi balance, and slides to the ground, his back against the door. He almost drops the lantern. Judit tries to steady herself against the bedframe, but falls to her knees. Peals of maniacal laughter fill the room, and the four of them are helpless to stop it.

Judit recovers first, followed by one of the maids. Šimon is still in the laughter's thrall, and lies helpless and wheezing upon the floor. The second maid seems to be getting worse by the minute, and the laughter is replaced by thrashing and spasms. Flecks of blood stain her mouth and the bed linens as the fury mounts, and then all at once she falls senseless.

[Everyone needed to save vs. poison or be inapacitated by laughter for 1d3 turns.  Those making their save are still affected for 1 turn. Each turn of the horrible laughter inflicts 1 point of damage.

        CH CN DX IN ST WI HP
Daniela 11 11 10  9 14  8  5
Lenka   12  6 15 12 10 10  2

J saves 1 dmg to 5hp
Š fails 2 turns, 2 dmg to 4hp
d saves 1 to 4hp
n fails 3 damage, but goes unconscious in 2 turns, at 0hp]

Šimon's crisis passes, but the unconscious maid cannot be roused. Judit tries to help, and when it proves to be futile, she tries to comfort the other.

"My name is Judit, and this is my wise friend Šimon. What's your name?"

"D-- Daniela".

"Things have gotten very strange, very terrible in this house, but we are going to escape. Will you come with us, Daniela?"

[Reaction roll = 9]

"Y-- yes."

"Here. Take my dagger, just in case. Now, it would help if you could tell us what's going on?"

[Q: Does Daniela know anything? 50/50 (4+): O2 C4 - No, but...]

"There were doors we were told we must never open, never touch. I was too afraid to disobey."

"Do you know who did this to you?"

"I'm... I'm not sure..."

"Come on, we're getting out of here."

With a last tearful look back at poor Lenka, Daniela follows her rescuers out of the room.

[they exit to 1d20=5, guest room 2
contents (via Scarlte Heroes): encounter & hidden treasure

Encounter: d30=thief
Allegiance (SH): A rebel or hostile group opposed to the location’s rulers.

According to my turn/location tracker, the NPCs from scene 7 (Brutus & Cloelia) were here last turn. So,

Q: Was the thief here last turn too? 50/50 (4+): O6 C3 - Yes, but... hidden.
Q: Is thief well-armed? Unlikely (5+): O6 C1 - Yes, and...

The thief is a specialist, level 1d4=2. I fleshed himout with my origin/social tables. His name was rolled via World of the Lost.

Floris
Dutch gentry, male
Specialist, level 2
CH 16 CN 7 DX 14 IN 11 ST 8 WI 8
HP 5 AC 13
stealth 4, tinker 2, climb 3
wheelock pistol, dagger

His room was guest room 3 (the empty one that Theophilus, Valentinus, and Mikuláš found); this room belonged to d6= a lady.]

When the disorientation fades, they find themselves in a cozy guest room, not unlike the one where they were attacked by the stinking monster. The clothing and personal articles distribted round the room make it clear that a lady is a guest here -- though it is no lady whom they see crawling out from beneath the bed, but a handsome, if somewhat consumptive, gentleman. He looks shocked to see strangers, and has a pistol in hand, but does not hold it threateningly. [Reaction 2d6=7, neutral]

"Who are you?" says the man, his German betraying hints of his native Dutch. "How did you get in here? What's going on?"

"We could ask the same of you," says Šimon.

"I am a guest of Marius Grollenbach."

"Herr Grollenbach is dead."

"You killed him?"

"He tried to kill us. Why did he invite you here?"

"Business, or so he said. But what I've just overheard suggests a darker purpose." [UNE: insane - façade - allies]

"Go on."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't. But you've little choice."

"They spoke of blood, of doors, of some sort of unholy rite. I believe I was to be a participant... providing the blood, of course. And you?"

"I don't think we were meant to be here. But things have... started. And now we find we cannot escape."

"Ah. That does present an obstacle. I myself intend to escape. But I first intend to relieve these madmen of a few valuables to finance my trip back to Rotterdam." [scheming - plan - rewards]

"The whole world has fallen into pieces," says Judit, "and you think only to fill your pockets?"

"This sack, actually." [the hidden treasure from this room: the lady's jewells, purse, and a few misc. items]

"Do you know how to escape?" asks Šimon.

"No. I thought to try a window... but then I looked outside, and didn't dare open it. I assume you're finding the house a bit... jumbled."

"Indeed. But there must be a way through this labyrinth."

[Q: Will Floris come with them? Likely (3+): O5 C3 - Yes, but... is too self-serving to be of much help]

They agree to join forces. Leaving through the only door deposits them back into the below-stairs servants' entrance, where they first were brought into this house. They enter as if they had come out of the door to Magdollna's room, at the end of the narrow passageway.

[d20=2, cellar
contents (SH): treasure, hazard
LL AEC random characteristic: Emits a slime or ooze]

"What is that?" shrieks Floris as he rounds the corner.

The others come up behind him for a look, and see Anežka's swollen and distended corpse lying in a pool of sickly yellow fluid.

"That is -- was -- our associate, Anežka," says Šimon.

"How did she get down here?" asks Judit. "Was she... was she still alive when we left her?"

"What happened to her?" asks Floris.

"Something got to her," says Šimon.

"And the exit is gone!" cries Judit, practically choking on the words. "Just another blank wall where we came in!"

"I wonder what's in these cupboards?" muses Floris as he begins to dig through them. "Hello! what have we here?"

He has to step carefully round Anežka's body, lest he put his foot in the ruesome pool. [F needs Breath save to avoid, 1d20=19] He finds some silver plates in one of the cupboards to add to his sack of spoils.

"Please can we get out of here," says Daniela.


Scene 18 - track A

Chaos: Madness (d6)

Setup: d6=1, Altered (was: explore house)
Alteration: Fr. Mikuláš charges off

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš, ruffians

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

Without warning, Fr. Mikuláš leaps up and charges out the door like one posessed. Valentinus and Theophilus hesitate a moment, then run after him.

[to d20=2, dining room
Contents (via Scarlet Heroes): Hazard & feature

Feature (SH): An unusual piece of movable furnishing / Elaborate lighting apparatus, possibly still working / Simply beautiful to behold. Valuable if portable]

They find Mikuláš in the long, wood-panelled dining room. Above the massive table hangs a spidery chandelier made of an unknown metal, which bears 13 tapers that appear to have just been lit [magic chandelier, candles burn forever].

"It was foolish of you to run off without us," scolds Valentinus. "If this chandelier hadn't been lit, you'd be alone in darkness."

"But it is lit," retorts Mikuláš, and he stands upon the table to take a candle for himself.

[save vs. breath or 1d6 fire damage; d20=18, ok]

"Ow!" cries Mikuláš as he pulls back his hand in pain. "What unnatural thing is this?!"

"We must be more cautious," says Valentinus. "Now, are you going to stay with us?"

[Q: Does he see reason? Likely (3+): O6 C2 - Yes, and... contrite]

Mikuláš humbly assents.

"There's more than one door in this room!" shouts Theophilus. The other two look at him, visibly confused by the note of triumph in his voice for such a bland statement. "In every other room," he continues, "we've had to leave by the door we came in. Perhaps if we do't leave by the same door, we'll get out of this labyrinthine nightmare."

"Or go deeper within it," says Mikuláš.

"The door we came in," says Theophilus, ignoring him, "obviously leads to the entry hall. Or should, I mean. This one here must go to the kitchen... damn." Opening the door has revealed only the usual indistinct, headache-causing blackness. "I'd hoped for the kitchen," he says, trying not to sound defeated, "but I still say we leave through here."

The others can think of no argument. They follow him through the doorway... and find themselves in the salon. Once he recovers, Valentinus hazards a look back through the doorway they have just seemingly exited, but he is not at all surprised that it shews only darkness.

LotFP solo - Part IV: Souvislost

30 April, A.D. 1601

Kateřina Smutná is sitting in the parlour of her family's modest home in New Town, idly reading a Latin treatise on astral magic which purports to have been written by Albumasar (which attribution, honestly, the young lady doesn't half believe) when she is disturbed by a loud rapping at the door. The door opens and the family servant pokes her head through. "Somebody called Miss Frawsswaz is here to see you, miss."

"Miss Françoise Toussaint, mayhap? My new French tutor?"

"Could be, miss. Only her Czech is worse than my French!"

"Show her in, please."

The servant disappears back into the vestibule, and Kateřina hurriedly hides her book beneath a cushion. She's not sure how much Latin Mlle Toussaint reads, but she cannot take the chance of being seen reading such a notorious volume. An interest in black magic is certainly not becoming for proper young ladies, nor indeed good Christians of any stripe. And Mlle Toussaint is a most notorious gossip.

Scene 11 - Track C

Chaos: Under control (d12)

Setup: Ambiguous Event - Inform / Illness

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová

Threads: -

[There's only one PC left, so Kateřina begins a new Track on her own. The ambiguous event I rolled for the scene starter fits perfectly with the illness/horror random event from scene 1.

I made a quick table to determine the source of the information (1d6): 1 a mutual friend, 2 a rival, 3 a gossip, 4 a servant, 5 overheard in a crowded room, 6 Eufemia herself.]

Mlle Toussaint rushes into the room in more than her usual state of agitation. "Oh, my dear Catherine, have you heard the news about poor Euphémie? Oh, it's dreadful! Absolutely dreadful! And so sudden!"

Kateřina can tell the news must be serious, for Mlle Toussaint hasn't even bothered to effect her usual Parisian accent, allowing instead her native Burgundian patois to shine through. "Slow down, my dear Françoise. Have a seat. Let me pour you a glass of wine and you can tell me everything. What's this about Eufemia? I confess I mostly only understood you say her name."

Mlle Toussaint does as she is bid, as Kateřina takes a decanter of wine and two glasses from the side board and plays hostess.

"It's awful. Truly frightening," says Mlle Toussaint, once she and Kateřina are seated comfortably. "It came on so suddenly. One minute she was the very picture of health, the next... oh! so gravely ill. She's had her physicians round, and even consulted that other one -- you know, the Spaniard, what's-his-name -- very dark, I hear he's a Mahometan. Well, he can't do anything either. They say she may die! Can you believe it?"

The interview continues in this vein for quite some time, until Mlle Toussaint excuses herself, as she absolutely must go inform Mlle Kubin of the terrible news. Kateřina resolves to pay Eufemia a call that very day.


Scene 12 - track C

Chaos: Under control (d12)

Setup: call on Eufemia

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová

Threads: Eufemia's illness

Kateřina sets out not long after Mlle Toussaint has left. She walks briskly through the labyrinth of twisting narrow streets that is the Old Town, and makes to cross the Vltava. She heads past the University with a small sigh of regret, then heads over the Charles Bridge.

[Q: Problem getting there? Unlikely (5+): O3 C3 - No, but...
+Event: Horror - PC
d30 Sandbox Companion phenomena table = sightings of dead]

Kateřina must fight her way past the dense crowd, though she's used to charging her way through. But then she sees something that stops her cold in her tracks. In the centre of the bridge there is a terrible figure of a knight in full armour, clutching a gory sword and bleeding profusely from a dozen terrible wounds, his armour rent and holed from the Turkish grapeshot that ended his life. Yet there he stands, in the midst of the crowd of people flowing unconsciously round him, even as they must alter their course to get past.

[She must make a saving throw vs. magic 1d20=13, failure.]

Kateřina is suffused with fear, and stands rooted to the spot as the dead knight walks toward her with a heavy, purposeful gait. He stops mere inches from the frightened girl, and removes his helm. Even before the awful face below is revealed, Kateřina knows whose shade stands before her. "I'm so sorry, Honza," she says. The knight screams a single word at her with its ruined mouth, and then vanishes.

Kateřina feels as if she might swoon, and runs across the bridge and into the first tavern she sees to get a drink. The beer is scarcely worth the krejcar [-1cp] she throws down to pay for it, but the sour taste shocks her back to her senses so that she might continue on her way.

[Q: Any other problems along the way? doubtful (6): O3 C8 - No.
reaction roll for the doorman: 2d6+1(CHA)=13.]

Kateřina is nearly herself again when she reaches Eufemia's house. The servant's face brightens as he opens the door to her. "So good to see you again, Miss Smutná," he says, genuinely happy to see a friend of the household -- and one with whom he may drop all pretence and speak their native tongue. "The Mistress will be pleased of your company!"

Kateřina is not even announced, merely led into the house and up the stairs to Eufemia's bedchamber. Eufemia lies abed, pale and listless, with barely the strength to sit upright. But she makes an effort to rise when she sees Kateřina, and motions for her to sit beside her on the corner of the bed. Kateřina helps her friend up, plumping the pillows behind her to make her more comfortable, and taking her trembling hand in her own.

"Dearest," says Kateřina, "whatever has happened? You look dreadful."

[UNE--
NPC Relationship: friendly
Conversation Mood: cautious
insane - turmoil - last action]

"Oh, Katřinka, I have erred in my calculations. I thought I could out-manoeuvre Felicitas and get the book from her, but she must have known, and struck me down even as I was engaging the service of a couple of rogues to procure it for me."

"Struck you down?"

"Before even I'd sent them on their way."

"Have you tried to make peace?"

"I didn't want to give her the satisfaction. But it's been four days, and I grow ever weaker... and my agents never returned."

"Never returned? What did they do?"

"One can only imagine! I sent Theophilus and Pater Hastatus. You know them?"

"Theophilus, of course, I've met. And I know Hastatus by reputation. But why--?"

"I'd imagined them a bit cleverer than... Oh, what's the use! They've failed or worse, and now..."

"Have you anything she wants? I will bring her a peace offering. I am sure I can appease her somehow -- but you'll need to abandon hopes of the book... at least for the present."

[Q: Does she agree? Likely (3+): O3 C6 - Yes.
offering: d30 Artefact/Relic=figurine/idol]

"That golden statuette on the mantelpiece," says Eufemia, gesturing weakly. "The little faun. She's always coveted it."

Scene 13 - track C

Chaos: Under control (d12)

Setup: call on Felicitas

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka

Threads: Eufemia's illness

[Q: Problem getting there? Unlikely (5+): O4 C8 - No.

reaction roll to be let in 10+1=11, no problem

UNE--
NPC Relationship: hostile
Conversation Mood: withdrawn
knowing - speech - antagonist

Q: Has Felicitas recovered from the attack? (uncertain odds: 1d6=4) 50/50 (4+): O2 C8]

Kateřina is admitted almost immediately by Felicitas' servants, but is then left standing alone in the grim entrance hall, with nothing to do to while away the time but stare in bemused contemplation of the newly-hung orientalist tapestry. She isn't sure whether it was woven in Cathay and is supposed to depict Dutchmen, or if the figures upon it are supposed to represent the inhabitants of that far-off land, as imagined by someone in the Low Countries. In either case, she finds it rather in bad taste, and wholly out of place in the dark hall, ignorant as she is of the bloodstains it was hung to conceal [mostly Gephardt's, from scene 3].

She is finally admitted to Felicitas' parlour. The room is dim, lit only by a single wall sconce. The tall, green faïence stove has made the air uncommonly warm and close. An incense burner adds a sharp, spicy smell, which almost masks the odour of the sick-room. Felicitas sits in a high-backed upholstered armchair, nearly invisible in the dim light save for her eyes glittering intensely down on Kateřina.

"Well?" says Felicitas.

"I am here to ask you to make peace with Eufemia. To end your magical assault upon her person. I bring this statuette as an offering."

Felicitas leans forward into the light, and Kateřina gasps at the sight of her.

"Look at me! do you really think I am responsible for Eufemia's condition? You're as stupid as she is! It is all I can do to sit upright to receive you."

"I am sorry. She thought--"

"I very much doubt that she did think! But tell me: can you?"

"Think? Of course. Now that I see you, it is plain you are both suffering at the hand of someone else.... but who?"

"We've a mutual adversary. But I need to know your rôle in all this..."

"My...? Eufemia is a dear friend! What other rôle should I be playing?"

[Q: Does Felicitas believe her? (unknown odds: 1d6=5) Unlikely (5+): O6 C10 - Yes]

"You're quite serious, aren't you? Yes, I do believe you are. Your loyalty does you some credit... though I should not hesitate to tell you I think it misplaced in such a one as Eufemia. I suggest you call upon the Domus Horatia. You'll likely find the answers you seek there. You will likely find a great many things... horrible, horrible things..." [mysterious - uncertainty - antagonist]

"I see. Thank you for your candour."

"Think not upon it, child. I've no reason to dissemble, if you would truly undo this evil magic. And if you fail in the attempt, then none of this shall have mattered. Now leave me with my new statuette! And tell Eufemia I should like to see her. Perhaps there may finally be a détente, if we live through this."

[Q: Any problems getting back? Unlikely (5+): O2 C9 - No.]


Scene 14 - track A

Chaos: Out of Control (d8)

Setup: back to Eufemia

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš, ruffians

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

[I put on my DM hat and decided this was a good time to unite tracks A & C. The worse Chaos Factor takes precedence, so Kateřina is now part of Track A. I've combined the NPC & Threads lists.

Q: Is Fr. Mikuláš (the NPC cleric) still with Valentinus & Theophilus? Unlikely (5+): O5 C8 - Yes
Q: Does he have a problem with Magic-Users in party? Unlikely (5+): O3 C6 - No. (NB: It would have been Likely odds, but as he's still working with Theophilus it seemed that he was probably more tolerant]

Kateřina returns straightaway to Eufemia's. She is surprised to hear the servant who opens the door to her address her with absolute formality -- and in German. "Miss Smutná, please wait here with these others. The mistress will receive you all in the sitting room once it's prepared."

Kateřina is admitted to the crowded vestibule, where three haggard men are waiting. She sees a mis-matched pair of priests, and behind them meets a familiar face.

"Salve, O mi bone Theophile," says Kateřina.

"Oh, come now girl!" he says. "I'm not your schoolmaster."

"I'd heard from Eufemia that you might be coming," she replies tactfully.

"Oh! I... well, that is..."

"Do you know this child?" asks Valentinus.

"Child?!" cries Kateřina. "Child?!"

Now it is Theophilus' turn to be tactful. "She's much older than she appears, my good man," he says. "Pater Valentinus, allow me to introduce Catherina Moesta."

"Salve, Pater Hastate," says Kateřina with a curtsy.

"Pax tecum," responds the priest.

"First we're in school, now church," groans Theophilus.

"Well, you did introduce me as Catherina."

"That's only because I can't pronounce that barbaric name of yours, good miss." Kateřina smiles at Theophilus' pleasantry, though Fr. Mikuláš rolls his eyes. Kateřina looks pointedly over Theophilus' shoulder. "Oh, yes," he begins, "this is, um--"

"Bratr Mikuláš Kovář," says Mikuláš.

"Těší mě," says Kateřina happily.

The servant then reappears, and ushers them all into the sitting room. Eufemia is sitting stiffly in her chair, doing her best to look serene and regal. Valentinus and Theophilus are immediately cowed by her presence, and spend most of their time avoiding her gaze, for they are ashamed of at their own failure in the good lady's service. Kateřina, for her part, can see through Eufemia's façade, and is sorely worried for her friend's health.

Theophilus apologetically recounts their misfortunes, omitting nothing, and exhorts the other two to fill in the gaps in his tale. Fr. Mikuláš adds what little he knows, explaining that some of his flock took ill after an altercation with Felicitas, and he felt compelled to look into the rumour of black magic which reached his ears. [UNE: inquisitive - questions - knowledge; his intentions (Mythic): Care / Misfortune].

All that concluded, Kateřina relates the substance of her meeting with Felicitas, and suggests that the four of them pursue her suggestion. They agree to all go collect the things they will need, and meet upon Karlův Most (Charles Bridge) to go investigate.

[Q: Anyone have problems in transit? Likely (3+): O2 C5 - No.]

When daylight has faded, they have reconvened and set out for the residence of the Grollenbach siblings, which is known in some circles as the Domus Horatia -- so called because according to family tradition, begun by Horaz von Grollenbach, all children are named after great heroes and heroines of antique Rome. Several of the current line are widely known to share the Emperor's interest in alchemy and magic. But there are whispers that they have a more sinister design than the transmutation of base metals into gold.

Eufemia is certain that they do traffic with unclean spirits, so the little band has armed itself well. Kateřina has a crossbow, and Theophilus an arquebus, which they take pains to conceal beneath their cloaks as best they might whilst going about the streets. Valentinus has brought some holy water, and a dagger besides. Only Mikuláš is unarmed, trusting in his Faith to see him through [as an NPC I rolled 1d10 for his memorised spell and had already chosen the PCs'; M Bless, K Charm Person, T Sleep, V Command]. He also carries the torch.

Scene 15 - track A

Chaos: Out of Control (d8)*

Setup: d8=3, interrupt (was: get into house)
Interrupt: Horror - PC (d3=Valentinus) - observe / stranger

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš, ruffians

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

They cross silently into the Old Town. Kateřina has a vague idea where to find the Grollenbach residence, though she's never been, and the others follow her meekly. More than one of them silently wishes she gets lost and they never arrive at that place of evil whisperings.

Valentinus lags a bit behind. Down a narrow alleyway, he sees the Stranger, a [d6=] man in a long, old-fashioned cloak and an impossibly tall hat. The Stranger's face is completely in shadow, but his eyes smoulder like ardent coals. His gaze locks upon Valentinus, his eyes burn into his... there is something unearthly about the Stranger.

[V must save vs. Magic to avoid (d30 sandbox Companion phenomenon=) transformation
d20=19, success]

Valentinus feels a wave of illness wash over him -- his ears ring, his vision blurs, his skin burns, and his guts are twisted -- but a prayer forms on his lips and it passes, leaving him weak and sweating.

The others notice he is no longer with them, and find him at the end of the block bent nearly double from distress. They rush to his aid. He mumbles something about a strange man, tries to point down the alley, but the Stranger has already melted away into the darkness -- if he was ever even there!


Scene 16 - track A

Chaos: Out of Control (d8)*

Setup: d8=1, Altered (was: get into house)
Alteration: cause / tears (something simple will go poorly)

NPC list: Eufemia Švarcová, Felicitas z Trautenberka, Fr. Mikuláš, ruffians

Threads: Eufemia's illness, get book

Valentinus soon recovers, and his accustomed contumely masks any lingering dread. Kateřina leads them onward and after winding through a handful of adjoining streets, they reach their destination.

The house appears dark.  They stand across the street watching for several minutes, but there is no movement, within or without.

"Well?" asks Theophilus impatiently.

"Oh, really!" says Kateřina. "I suppose one of us must..."

She walks directly up to door, tests it gingerly, and seeing that it is indeed firmly shut, knocks.

[Q: Is there an answer? 50/50: O6 C4 - yes, but...]

The door creaks open just a little. Inside, all is in darkness.

"Hello?" she asks timidly.

Suddenly a hand? claw? appendage? darts out from the blackness and pulls her into the house. [save vs. paralyze not to drop the xbow: 12, just failed]

Kateřina's crossbow catches on the door frame and she loses her grip on it. It falls to the cobbles as she disappears inside, and the door slams. [d%: 1-50 bolt stays in, 51-99 bolt fires into street, 00 bolt hits other PC: 89]

The others rush up to the door, but stop short. Theophilus readies his arquebus, lighting the match off of Mikuláš' torch, and sheltering in a neighbouring doorway in order to get the match into the lock. Valentinus picks up the fallen crossbow, and goes looking for the bolt. Mikuláš just stands looking mortified.

"We've got to try to save her," says Theophilus to the quaking priest. "I suggest you ask God for the strength to do this."

"Y-you seem so calm. Have you done this before?" [UNE: inquisitive - curiosity - last story]

Theophilus just blows on the match to fan the spark.

"I found the bolt," says Valentinus, "Father Kovar (sic), that means you must open the door for us."

[V's Search (Wis mod +2) =3; 1d6=1, found it.

It was now time to check the NPC's Morale. I gave him a +2 bonus for the reasonable request, and his well-armed compatriots: 2d6=3... there was no way that could fail, so I didn't determine his actual ML score yet.

Q: Can he open the door easily? Unknown (1d6=1, no contest, but roll for qualifiers/event): O6 C6 - Yes
+Event: Ambiguous event - conceal / vows : M's reticence is actually a ruse. He desperately wants to enter this house, because of a secret promise he has made to...? This can be his Dark Secret, as far as my Event table is concerned.]

Mikuláš opens the door. Despite his torch, they can't really make out any details in the absolute darkness within. Neither Kateřina nor her mysterious assailant are to be seen. Mikuláš holds the torch high, and they proceed within.