"I think I agree with Rita...this looks like it's going to take more than a few minutes and we are not properly equipped to search these caverns"
"Shall we return to the Squire"
"I think I agree with Rita...this looks like it's going to take more than a few minutes and we are not properly equipped to search these caverns"
"Shall we return to the Squire"
"Yes, I at least would like to have my own light to be able to see down here. I'd hate to think what would happen if the only one we currently have goes out." She waits for Robert to lead the way back and then follows.
Fergus still a bit weak from his illness agrees to wait till tomorrow to explore the tunnels. He wants to do a bit of research about the symbols anyway.
Rita shows a combination of relief at not having to go near the chasm and disappointed that they're heading back. Still, she lights the way back up the corridor with her torch.
"Do ya think there's anywhere a gal can get a drink around here in the evenings ? Dunwich doesn't strike me as the bees knees for nightclubs."
"I'm sure the local moonshiners do a roaring trade and the sherrif probably doesn't come up here much...but taverns or speakeasies probably arent available heah"
You make your way out of the hillside and back down the cart track to where Squire Whateley is waiting with the carriage. The old man is still there, but he looks a little grumpy.
"I was startin to wonder about ya. Ya'v bin gone a long time. I'm catchin a chill waitin out here."
You make your way out of the hillside and back down the cart track to where Squire Whateley is waiting with the carriage. The old man is still there, but he looks a little grumpy.
"I was startin to wonder about ya. Ya'v bin gone a long time. I'm catchin a chill waitin out here."
Evelyn apologizes for the wait, "It seems we were a little caught up in all the potential leads here and lost track of the time. I'm sorry, it was very inconsiderate of us. I appreciate everything you are doing to assist us in this endeveour."
"Well anything to help a pretty young lady. So, where will it be then? Have you seen enough of the countryside for now?"
"Well,perhaps enough for now, but we must come back. The country air is so bracing dontcha think? And the view from the top of the hill is marvelous !"
Rita contrives to look innocent.
Squire Whateley nods, but then you catch him sniff the air in the manner that suggests his nose has been offended. You realize that the stench from the Whateley farm must still linger on you.
He doesn't say anything about your smell, but silently turns the carriage and starts driving the horses back towards the village.
It is late in the afternoon when you get back.
"Where should I drop you off. You can come back to my house for now, and I can have Red run a bath. Old Widow Morgan won't want you coming into her home smelling the way you do now."
"A bath would do us all good I think..and maybe somewhere to hose down my coat? We surely do 'preciate this suh"
"A place to wash up would be very welcome. Thank you."
The squire takes you to his home.
Several minutes later you are sitting on a chair by the hearth with a blanket wrapped around you sipping tea (assuming you drink tea). Red has taken care of the horses and is busy boiling water for baths and preparing a simple meal.
Squire Whateley is also sitting in his living room. The old fellow looks quite tired from the long day out of doors.
"You know it's been a long time since anyone's ventured into the old farm house. You were gone a long time, which leads me to believe you found something of interest. I think you should share your discoveries with me."
Evelyn sips her tea and glances Rita's way giving her a slight nod knowing she will take up anyone on a chance to chat.
Rita grins and begins excitedly."Well, there's something funny thats happened at the family graveyard - looks like someone has been digging, can ya beleive that?...oh, and the top of the hill had a fantastic view, and there were all kinds of wierd stuff written on the stone up there". .
She looks for a moment as if she's going to go further and mention the cave, but changes her mind and says instead "Mr Whateley, Father Fergus, do you make anything of these ?"
She pulls out her stone rubbing for all to look at.
"What do you mean by digging?"
Rita says in an off hand manner, as if distracted and its of no consequence
"oh.....just someone dug up Noah Whateleys grave."
She pretends to look down at the rubbing, but is actually watching the Squires reaction underneath her lashes.
Squire Whateley's face looks visibly disturbed by what Rita says.
"I can't imagine who would do such a thing or why..."
"Pardon me for asking Sir but are there any other branches of your family locally ..ones who might wish to carry on the cult..at least that's what it appears to be"
Well the Whateley family tree is a big one, but I doubt I can't think of anyone who'd likely have any interest in digging up Wizard Whateley's bones. Let me think...
Amos Whateley is basically a just an idiot moonshiner. His brother Seth isn't much better, and neither is my nephew Leumuel. Tristram is my son, and he is a a decent fellow. He serves as our constable. Curtis hasn't been the same since the incident on Sentinel Hill, he's pretty much turned into a catatonic recluse and he doesn't really speak anymore. Old Zebulon spends most of his time at Osborne's and isn't good for much other than sharing stories and playing checkers. Zacheriah is Curtis's father, and he seems to hold Armitage and his associates partly responsible for Curtis's state, so he might not be the most friendly fellow to talk to.
Rita takes out her noepad and writes down the names. She puts a circle around Zebulon and Curtis's name, and an asterisk nexf to Zacheriah.
"How about enemies, sir ?"
I'd like to think I'm a pretty well respected member of the community. I don't think I have any real enemies to speak of. However, old Noah Whateley offended numerous folk over the course of his lifetime, but it doesn't seem likely that someone would try to take revenge on his bones several years after his death.
Evelyn looks around for people eaves dropping on their conversation and then lowers her voice so only the Squire and anyone standing directly next to them can hear, "I know it hasn't been mentioned yet but we discovered some tunnels under the wrecked house that lead into the hill. I believe we intend to explore them tomorrow and I prefer that someone who is not going know where we are going in case we run into trouble and need assistance." She gives Rita's hand a reassuring squeeze and whispers to her, "In for a penny, in for a pound."
So if you are going to do any exploring I imagine you're going to need gear. Osborne's could supply some rope, lanterns and such. However, if you go in there and start trying to buy that sort of thing word will get around quick that you are up to something, and you'll start attracting all sorts of attention. In fact, no doubt there are already plenty of rumors starting to go around. Besides the store is closed right now anyhow. If you want, give me a list of anything you want. I'll write a letter for Joe and have Red run it over, as discreetly as possible later this evening. I'll ask Joe to put together the items on the list, but to do it discreetly later tonight. I can get Red to pick it up before dawn.
Evelyn smiles at the squire and takes his hand cradling it in hers, "We are very much indebited to you for all your assistance. I hope we will be able to repay your kindness soon. Rita and I will write up a list for Red."
Rita starts scribbling down things...Rope, torches,lanterns, food, gloves... fishermans waders...
At the squires look she adds "Its, like, really dirty and smelly down there...I wouldnt want to ruin more of my clothes..."
"Add dungarees to thet list then Miz Rita..and woolen caps you can tuck your hair into...a couple of storm lanterns wont go amiss either"
adds: Storm lanterns...dungarees...whistles,chalk,water flasks, duct tape, plasters and bandages...anything I've missed ?
Duct tape was originally developed during World War II in 1942 as a water resistant sealing tape for ammunition cases (according to wikipedia).
Duct tape was originally developed during World War II in 1942 as a water resistant sealing tape for ammunition cases (according to wikipedia).
However there's similar stuff to it around in the 1920s... parcel tape or similar is fine...
"Pressure sensitive tape was first developed in 1845 by Dr. Horace Day, a surgeon. " (also wikipedia).
Ironically, my first ever job was in an R&D dept making sellotape and such.... .
Failing that, string will suffice...
I'm sure some sort of tape can be found. Anything else?
No, not as far as she is concerned. Evelyn, now that she has washed up, is wanting to return to her room to make some wardrobe adjustments and to maybe get something to eat after todays excursions. She asks if Rita wishes to accompany her.
Robert will return with Fergus to their lodgings. After eating he will field strip all his fire arms and check them over with an almost religious zeal.
(Places like the VMI tend to do that to you)
"I'm not saying we'll meet anything dangerous down there but it's best to be prepared" He tells Fergus..."Can you handle a Shotgun..and what about the ladies?"
Rita hefts her torch and assumes a batters stance.
"You grow up wid as many brudders as me, you learn to swing a mean baseball bat. I can pitch pretty well too. There's been plenty o' men looking for home runs that have gone home disappointed."
She winks.
It is around dinner time, so after passing your list off to Whateley, you head back to your respective residences for dinner, and rest.
After a troubled sleep, you wake up early the next morning, have breakfast, put on suitable clothing and walk back to Whateley's place.
Squire Whateley is up and waiting.
"Joe was able to fill most of the requests on your list."
He motions to several items laid out on the floor
4 pairs of gloves, 2 canteens +1 more from Whateley himself that was from his service days, 1 first aid bag (again from Whateley's service days) stalked with fresh bandages and basic first aid gear, 3 storm lanterns, lantern oil, 4 woolen caps, 2 whistles, 1 electric torch, 100' of good rope, 1 box of chalk. 1 roll of sturdy packing tape, and 4 pairs of dungerees (and a ten foot pole).
"Red is getting the horses ready. I can take you back out to the Whateley farm, but I'm not waiting outside for you all day while you dig around in any dark tunnels, and I ain't going in with you either."
"Sir, you have been kind -more than kind- and we're all very grateful"
Evelyn gives the Squire a hug, "Yes, thank you for your kindnesses. I will be looking forward to reporting our findings around your warm hearth this evening." Looking toward the others, "I hope you all ate a large breakfast as this looks like it might be quite a bit of exercise. Shall we depart?"
Robert will turn up with his firearms...
Springfield rifle with 100 rounds in a bandolier
Colt M1911A1 with 100 rounds in magazines on a belt
Winchester 1897 pump action shotgun(Trench broom) with 50 rounds in a Haversack.
"I'm not expecting to meet anything dangerous..but you never know"
Fergus spends the quite hours before leaving in silent prayer. He also refills his container of liquid courage, then watches quietly as Robert cleans and preps his weapons. I guess we each worship in our own way he silently muses, at the similarity of their preparations.
It is a cool gray morning as Red drives you in the wagon back to the Whateley farm. You are loaded with gear, and ready for your explorations. You arrive around 9 in the morning.
"The squire told me that I should come for you whenever you wish. What time would you like me back here?"
It is a cool gray morning as Red drives you in the wagon back to the Whateley farm. You are loaded with gear, and ready for your explorations. You arrive around 9 in the morning.
"The squire told me that I should come for you whenever you wish. What time would you like me back here?"
Evelyn waits for one of the gentlemen to help her down. "I think we should be done by 2 o'clock. How does that sound to the rest of you?" She picks up a canteen, puts on a pair of gloves, wears a pair of dungerees, tucks her hair into a woolen cap, and takes one of the torches brought by Rita. Laughing quietly, "I bet I am quite the sight now."
She also brings her folding pocket camera and film, magnifying glass, fine art brushes, self-filling fountain pen, writing tablet, and toiletries (going to be down there a long time).
Laughing quietly, "I bet I am quite the sight now."
Rita laughs as well as she compares her dungarees and hat with Evelyn. "If only Hymie could see me now."
She adjusts her mittens,pulls the heavy torch from her bag and looks towards the hill with a determined expression on her face. "Shall we ?"
Robert hands Rita the first aid kit then slings his rifle and offers Fergus the shotgun.
"Unless tyou have an objection to carrying arms that" is
Robert also takes a storm lantern giving one to Fergus and one to Evelyn...
"We need to keep the torches for a reserve..and for when we need light to examine things by"
Fergus accepts the gun and lantern from Robert with a nod. "The lord is my protector...but nothing in the good book says he can't use a little assistance".
"I'll be back at two. Be careful."
Red turns the carriage around and heads back towards Dunwich. Meanwhile the rest of you tromp back to the ruins of the Whateley home. Peeking through the ruins of the farmhouse, you notice that the strange alien ooze that was clinging to the planks on your first visit is now even thicker than before.
How do you wish to enter? (you can basically go through the house or through the old oven built in the hillside)
"I'll be back at two. Be careful."
Red turns the carriage around and heads back towards Dunwich. Meanwhile the rest of you tromp back to the ruins of the Whateley home. Peeking through the ruins of the farmhouse, you notice that the strange alien ooze that was clinging to the planks on your first visit is now even thicker than before.
How do you wish to enter? (you can basically go through the house or through the old oven built in the hillside)
Evelyn's nose crinkles and she puts a gloved hand up to cover her nose and mouth, "Agh! It's worse than before. Where does it come from? Let's go through the oven. Soot I don't mind as much."
You head for the hillside and light up one of the lanterns as you make your way through the low narrow soot filled passage that is the oven. Soon you reach the other side and proceed into the room with the strange runic circle carved into the floor. Beyond that is the passage that leads you to a dark shaft that descends down into the caves below. A rope ladder secured by iron spikes hangs down the shaft vanishing into darkness. Cool, moist air wafts up from below.