Is this thing on...
If anyone is out there reading please drop a comment. Are the postings too long, too short or just right? Do I need more pics? How are the color schemes. What is your take on the European austerity measures?
How about we jump into a vote: any snack preferences for Saturday (Goldfish / Doritos)
See you then.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Little Arboretum of Horrors
Special Brownsville Report : Online Edition
By the all seeing EYE
Half of the group gathered themselves as the Tendriculous took control of the situation. "This looks like a small specimen. I suspect it would be able to swallow at least 2 or 3 of us whole," continued Pas as he watched the creature with both alarm and awe. "Though I doubt this small one could swallow someone as large as Groth, but don't take my word on it," he muttered almost to himself. Groth was the closest combatant to the behemoth vine. He looked at the greataxe that he had been cradling in his crossed arms, then at the trunk, then back at his greataxe. He shrugged and went to work. With an awesome sidelong two-handed swing Groth chopped at the base of the Tendriculous. "This not too much diff'rent from work at home". The creature shrieked when the blow fell and splinters sprayed about, followed by a sickly green sap that gushed down from the wound. It lurched forward, almost as if it were about to be felled, and then the base of the tree split into a horrid mockery of humanoid legs. It took another great stride and stepped completely out of the planter and down to the tile floor below, crushing a marble bench in the process. Two-thirds of the way up the creature's trunk a great black maw opened with a horrible rending sound. Just above it two more that burned with an evil green light.
Unquestionably, this thing was sentient. Fox and Arin gave each other a sidelong glance. This was not going to be easy. Fox was concerned for Arin because he was still having confidence issues that precluded him from being able to give his best efforts. Although Arin was exceptionally large for his age, he had been picked on and made an easy target during most of his youth and it didn't help that his father reinforced this self image that Arin had adopted. "No time for second thoughts Arin", Fox hollered over the din of splintering wood.
The creature had now completely uprooted itself now, severing roots and spraying soil in every direction. "We're gonna need you at your best Arin. You CAN do this!" Fox cheered Arin. "Now, let's go do some pruning. This garden is WAY outta control!" They both lifted their weapons and began to maneuver to position when suddenly a whipping vine screeched down the upper surface of the dome and then slammed into Pas with a meaty thud. Pas winced in pain, but before he could yell out the vine wrapped around his torso...and he was gone. The vine had whipped back to it's host so quickly it was as if Pas had simply been teleported away. Fox looked back in the direction of the trunk and to his chagrin spotted where Pas had gone. In the blink of an eye Pas had been yanked from his perch on the edge of the rose planter and deposited into the gaping black maw of the tree creature. The maw snapped shut with a sickening crack, piercing Pas with it's splintery, jagged teeth as it did. Pas moaned.
Fox knew they had to act quickly or Pas would be lost forever. He looked about and saw Arin staring, a horrified look on his face, at the place where the monster's mouth had snapped shut and Pas' leg still dangled limply. "Arin! Your whip, quickly. Can you entangle Pas' leg before this monster swallows him whole?" Without comment Arin jumped into action. He tumbled towards the tree, barely evading the lashing vines that pounded the floor tiles to dust where he had just been standing. At the end of his roll, as if an extension of his own arm, Arin snapped the whip. The whip lashed out towards the maw just as the tree had lashed out at Arin, but Arin's whip found purchase. It looped about Pas' boot like a constrictor snake and then went taut. It suddenly occurred to Arin that a creature of this size and more to the point, this strength, would have no problem swallowing Pas and then using the whip as if slurping pasta to pull him in.
"Groth! Help me, grab the whip and pull.
We've got to save him". Groth was already halfway through another mighty
chop however, and looked very content doing it. Almost cathartic. Fox fired off
an arrow to try to harry the tree, but to no obvious effect. "There's got
to be a better way" Fox said, half to himself. Groth turned to grab onto
Arin's entangled whip but suddenly the whip almost pulled free of Arin's grip.
Without a conscious thought Arin unfurled the end of the whip that had tethered
Pas from going down the vine monsters gullet (training made it muscle memory to
unfurl the whip whenever it was about to be pulled from your hand, and worse
case scenario he would just let go of the whip). Groth looked confused and Arin
looked dejectedly over at Fox; Arin had failed again. Failed to save his friend
from a horrible fate when he needed help the most. "He can't be dead
yet" Fox cried. "Let's fell this driftwood quickly, before it IS too
late!". The three of them set to the task with renewed vigor. They would
get Pas out of this beast's belly or die trying; a very real possibility it
seemed.
By the all seeing EYE
Half of the group gathered themselves as the Tendriculous took control of the situation. "This looks like a small specimen. I suspect it would be able to swallow at least 2 or 3 of us whole," continued Pas as he watched the creature with both alarm and awe. "Though I doubt this small one could swallow someone as large as Groth, but don't take my word on it," he muttered almost to himself. Groth was the closest combatant to the behemoth vine. He looked at the greataxe that he had been cradling in his crossed arms, then at the trunk, then back at his greataxe. He shrugged and went to work. With an awesome sidelong two-handed swing Groth chopped at the base of the Tendriculous. "This not too much diff'rent from work at home". The creature shrieked when the blow fell and splinters sprayed about, followed by a sickly green sap that gushed down from the wound. It lurched forward, almost as if it were about to be felled, and then the base of the tree split into a horrid mockery of humanoid legs. It took another great stride and stepped completely out of the planter and down to the tile floor below, crushing a marble bench in the process. Two-thirds of the way up the creature's trunk a great black maw opened with a horrible rending sound. Just above it two more that burned with an evil green light.
Unquestionably, this thing was sentient. Fox and Arin gave each other a sidelong glance. This was not going to be easy. Fox was concerned for Arin because he was still having confidence issues that precluded him from being able to give his best efforts. Although Arin was exceptionally large for his age, he had been picked on and made an easy target during most of his youth and it didn't help that his father reinforced this self image that Arin had adopted. "No time for second thoughts Arin", Fox hollered over the din of splintering wood.
The creature had now completely uprooted itself now, severing roots and spraying soil in every direction. "We're gonna need you at your best Arin. You CAN do this!" Fox cheered Arin. "Now, let's go do some pruning. This garden is WAY outta control!" They both lifted their weapons and began to maneuver to position when suddenly a whipping vine screeched down the upper surface of the dome and then slammed into Pas with a meaty thud. Pas winced in pain, but before he could yell out the vine wrapped around his torso...and he was gone. The vine had whipped back to it's host so quickly it was as if Pas had simply been teleported away. Fox looked back in the direction of the trunk and to his chagrin spotted where Pas had gone. In the blink of an eye Pas had been yanked from his perch on the edge of the rose planter and deposited into the gaping black maw of the tree creature. The maw snapped shut with a sickening crack, piercing Pas with it's splintery, jagged teeth as it did. Pas moaned.
Fox knew they had to act quickly or Pas would be lost forever. He looked about and saw Arin staring, a horrified look on his face, at the place where the monster's mouth had snapped shut and Pas' leg still dangled limply. "Arin! Your whip, quickly. Can you entangle Pas' leg before this monster swallows him whole?" Without comment Arin jumped into action. He tumbled towards the tree, barely evading the lashing vines that pounded the floor tiles to dust where he had just been standing. At the end of his roll, as if an extension of his own arm, Arin snapped the whip. The whip lashed out towards the maw just as the tree had lashed out at Arin, but Arin's whip found purchase. It looped about Pas' boot like a constrictor snake and then went taut. It suddenly occurred to Arin that a creature of this size and more to the point, this strength, would have no problem swallowing Pas and then using the whip as if slurping pasta to pull him in.
"Groth! Help me, grab the whip and pull.
We've got to save him". Groth was already halfway through another mighty
chop however, and looked very content doing it. Almost cathartic. Fox fired off
an arrow to try to harry the tree, but to no obvious effect. "There's got
to be a better way" Fox said, half to himself. Groth turned to grab onto
Arin's entangled whip but suddenly the whip almost pulled free of Arin's grip.
Without a conscious thought Arin unfurled the end of the whip that had tethered
Pas from going down the vine monsters gullet (training made it muscle memory to
unfurl the whip whenever it was about to be pulled from your hand, and worse
case scenario he would just let go of the whip). Groth looked confused and Arin
looked dejectedly over at Fox; Arin had failed again. Failed to save his friend
from a horrible fate when he needed help the most. "He can't be dead
yet" Fox cried. "Let's fell this driftwood quickly, before it IS too
late!". The three of them set to the task with renewed vigor. They would
get Pas out of this beast's belly or die trying; a very real possibility it
seemed. Monday, May 14, 2012
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
THE STRET WATCHER
Special Brownsville Report
By the all seeing EYE
A group of adventurers had reached the arboretum where Lady Alexandria was killed. The Seneschal Jeeves told the party that he would leave them to their investigation and at that time a great gong sounded from somewhere else in the villa. "I'm being summoned" said Jeeves and before the party could inquire further Jeeves hurried off down the hall.
Jeeves had forgotten to unlock the door for the guests. It was a simple lock, with a quick twist of his wrist, Fox had the double doors swinging wide open. He then tucked a shiny tool back into the depths of his robes.
Beyond the doors was a wondrous sight. The chamber was constructed almost totally of glass in the shape of a hemisphere. Inside the hemisphere were all manner of exotic flora. There was a low planter that surrounded the perimeter of the globe and a large planter in the shape of a cross occupying the center. Pas the Ranger immediately fell to examining the semi-rare rose bush directly to the left of the entrance while the other two rogue types set to checking the room for traps or other dangers. Groth ducked into the room and stood immediately inside the entrance with his huge axe cradled in his crossed arms as if his mere presence would ward his new friends from any unseen dangers. "Let me know when it's safe," Blossom deadpanned into the cavernous space. "I'll keep watch from out here with Blossom," reported Nera in a nervous purr.
The four members moved cautiously around the chamber eyeing everything for potential trouble. Fox's gaze followed Arin's to the top of the dome and to a shattered pane at the top of the hemisphere. He stuck his hand out and felt the chill drizzle falling through the opening. Arin's gaze continued along the ribs of the ceiling's support beams. He had spotted a vine, a rather large....muscular vine, camouflaged along the beams emanating from the center of the large cross shaped planter. He followed the length of the vine until his eyes settled on it's terminus. The vine ended in what appeared to be a distorted copy of a humanoid hand that was palming a huge boulder directly over the entrance to the chamber. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he realized the implications. Never one to exude confidence, especially around Blossom, he called to her. "Uh...Blossom? You might wanna check this out...". "What is it?" Blossom asked. As soon as her mouth opened she had her answer.
The hand-like vine released the boulder, it fell with a crash to the floor blocking the entrance, and effectively split the party into two. "Oh Shit!" mouthed Pas as he turned to survey the situation. A large tree sprouted from the center of the cross shaped planter, it rose high and unfolded in all directions. Pas identified the plant immediately. He reported it to the rest of the group as if reading it from a book. "Tendriculous" he said, for once deadpanning his description as if doing his best impression of Blossom. "Huge to colossal plant with a voracious appetite for flesh, any flesh, and as much as it can get. Always hungry. When found in it's native habitat you will find no other animals, plants or other form of intelligent fauna that will go within 500 feet of where it was last known to be. They will avoid the area for at least 24 hours even after it has moved on. This looks to be a small specimen." As Pas said the words the creature fully unfolded with it's head brushing the ceiling some 20 feet above. It was immediately apparent to everyone that this was a trap. A hungry, living, trap.
On the other side of the boulder Blossom and Nera were frustrated and panicked respectively. "Damn...can't see what's going on Nera. We'll have to find another way around" commented Blossom. She recalled that they had passed many doors in this hallway on their way to the arboretum. "Nera, you take the left and I'll....," Blossom stopped mid-sentence. As she turned to point out the doors to which she was referring, she spotted a hulking, armored shape step into view at the end of the hallway some 90 feet away. "So...you've found me," chuckled the Blackguard said with a smile. "Let us talk young one," he said, and then the smile disappeared from his face. He began to stride down the hallway with a long, confident gait, his armored boots striking the expensive marble flooring with resounding metallic notes. Nera growled fiercely as memories swirled through her feline head; Lady Alexandria had two important visitors to her home: a Count Drusk and a Lady Angelique. The investigation had only just begun and they had not had a chance to interview the two guests but Nera could now easily deduce who they were. She knew the other, a treacherous assassin, was sure to be close by. She scanned the dim hallway between the approaching Blackguard and their own position. There, movement! A shadowy shape flitted between the murky pools of inky darkness trailing a fluttering cloak of tattered oblivion. "Like a wraith" she thought. Blossom did not have the enhanced vision that the Catfolk did so Nera alerted her. "Quick, into the rooms. We are not alone with the Blackguard!" They both flung open separate doors on their side of the hall and darted in. Blossom immediately realized her mistake when she saw that the wall opposite the door was blank. "Too late now", she thought, then turned and locked the door. She surveyed the room for heavy furniture for which she could block the door in preparation of a siege. Meanwhile, on the other side of the hallway, Nera was having a bit of luck. She quickly spied a set of drapes, hustled toward them, slamming the door behind her. In her rush she didn't think to lock the door. As she crossed the room, the only thought was getting to the rest of her friends. She yanked the curtains down with a feral snarl, revealing the estate grounds beyond. She looked about and spotted an expensive looking chair which she hurled through the window with a resounding crash and then leaped through the open portal the chair had created. As soon as her feet hit the ground she sprinted back in the direction of the arboretum. "If there's not an opening from this side, then I will create my own" she thought with resolve. Ahead she caught sight of hemisphere and the combat that was raging inside. It didn't look like it was going well for her friends. With a hesitant look back in the direction of the hallway and Blossom, she resolutely sprinted forward and prepared to leap up onto the short stone wall around the base of the arboretum. She had made her decision, hopefully it was the right one.
Lions, Tigers and Plants, Oh My.
Special Brownsville Report
By the all seeing EYE
A group of adventurers had reached the arboretum where Lady Alexandria was killed. The Seneschal Jeeves told the party that he would leave them to their investigation and at that time a great gong sounded from somewhere else in the villa. "I'm being summoned" said Jeeves and before the party could inquire further Jeeves hurried off down the hall.
Jeeves had forgotten to unlock the door for the guests. It was a simple lock, with a quick twist of his wrist, Fox had the double doors swinging wide open. He then tucked a shiny tool back into the depths of his robes.
Beyond the doors was a wondrous sight. The chamber was constructed almost totally of glass in the shape of a hemisphere. Inside the hemisphere were all manner of exotic flora. There was a low planter that surrounded the perimeter of the globe and a large planter in the shape of a cross occupying the center. Pas the Ranger immediately fell to examining the semi-rare rose bush directly to the left of the entrance while the other two rogue types set to checking the room for traps or other dangers. Groth ducked into the room and stood immediately inside the entrance with his huge axe cradled in his crossed arms as if his mere presence would ward his new friends from any unseen dangers. "Let me know when it's safe," Blossom deadpanned into the cavernous space. "I'll keep watch from out here with Blossom," reported Nera in a nervous purr.
The four members moved cautiously around the chamber eyeing everything for potential trouble. Fox's gaze followed Arin's to the top of the dome and to a shattered pane at the top of the hemisphere. He stuck his hand out and felt the chill drizzle falling through the opening. Arin's gaze continued along the ribs of the ceiling's support beams. He had spotted a vine, a rather large....muscular vine, camouflaged along the beams emanating from the center of the large cross shaped planter. He followed the length of the vine until his eyes settled on it's terminus. The vine ended in what appeared to be a distorted copy of a humanoid hand that was palming a huge boulder directly over the entrance to the chamber. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he realized the implications. Never one to exude confidence, especially around Blossom, he called to her. "Uh...Blossom? You might wanna check this out...". "What is it?" Blossom asked. As soon as her mouth opened she had her answer.
The hand-like vine released the boulder, it fell with a crash to the floor blocking the entrance, and effectively split the party into two. "Oh Shit!" mouthed Pas as he turned to survey the situation. A large tree sprouted from the center of the cross shaped planter, it rose high and unfolded in all directions. Pas identified the plant immediately. He reported it to the rest of the group as if reading it from a book. "Tendriculous" he said, for once deadpanning his description as if doing his best impression of Blossom. "Huge to colossal plant with a voracious appetite for flesh, any flesh, and as much as it can get. Always hungry. When found in it's native habitat you will find no other animals, plants or other form of intelligent fauna that will go within 500 feet of where it was last known to be. They will avoid the area for at least 24 hours even after it has moved on. This looks to be a small specimen." As Pas said the words the creature fully unfolded with it's head brushing the ceiling some 20 feet above. It was immediately apparent to everyone that this was a trap. A hungry, living, trap.
On the other side of the boulder Blossom and Nera were frustrated and panicked respectively. "Damn...can't see what's going on Nera. We'll have to find another way around" commented Blossom. She recalled that they had passed many doors in this hallway on their way to the arboretum. "Nera, you take the left and I'll....," Blossom stopped mid-sentence. As she turned to point out the doors to which she was referring, she spotted a hulking, armored shape step into view at the end of the hallway some 90 feet away. "So...you've found me," chuckled the Blackguard said with a smile. "Let us talk young one," he said, and then the smile disappeared from his face. He began to stride down the hallway with a long, confident gait, his armored boots striking the expensive marble flooring with resounding metallic notes. Nera growled fiercely as memories swirled through her feline head; Lady Alexandria had two important visitors to her home: a Count Drusk and a Lady Angelique. The investigation had only just begun and they had not had a chance to interview the two guests but Nera could now easily deduce who they were. She knew the other, a treacherous assassin, was sure to be close by. She scanned the dim hallway between the approaching Blackguard and their own position. There, movement! A shadowy shape flitted between the murky pools of inky darkness trailing a fluttering cloak of tattered oblivion. "Like a wraith" she thought. Blossom did not have the enhanced vision that the Catfolk did so Nera alerted her. "Quick, into the rooms. We are not alone with the Blackguard!" They both flung open separate doors on their side of the hall and darted in. Blossom immediately realized her mistake when she saw that the wall opposite the door was blank. "Too late now", she thought, then turned and locked the door. She surveyed the room for heavy furniture for which she could block the door in preparation of a siege. Meanwhile, on the other side of the hallway, Nera was having a bit of luck. She quickly spied a set of drapes, hustled toward them, slamming the door behind her. In her rush she didn't think to lock the door. As she crossed the room, the only thought was getting to the rest of her friends. She yanked the curtains down with a feral snarl, revealing the estate grounds beyond. She looked about and spotted an expensive looking chair which she hurled through the window with a resounding crash and then leaped through the open portal the chair had created. As soon as her feet hit the ground she sprinted back in the direction of the arboretum. "If there's not an opening from this side, then I will create my own" she thought with resolve. Ahead she caught sight of hemisphere and the combat that was raging inside. It didn't look like it was going well for her friends. With a hesitant look back in the direction of the hallway and Blossom, she resolutely sprinted forward and prepared to leap up onto the short stone wall around the base of the arboretum. She had made her decision, hopefully it was the right one.
Lions, Tigers and Plants, Oh My.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Gentlemen Callers
Nera and Blossom lead the way across town to the residence of the deceased. It was a large stately manor. It stood a solid three stories tall and backed up to a thick wood. Through the canopy of trees rose a slight dome. It's reflection indicated glass construction. As they approached the manor from a side path Fox hung back.
He could not shake the feeling that they had been shadowed since the Sheriff's office. He stepped off the path. As the group traveled around to the front of the residence he noticed a figure off in the distance making itself known. The size and gait of the figure was none other than the newly acquainted Captain Pierce. He was no doubt keeping tabs on the investigation. But who exactly would he be reporting to?
Nera knocked on the front door and waited for a response. When no one came she changed her tactics and rapped with the iron knocker ring hanging from an iron vine. Blossom huffed with impatience as they waited. Still no response. Groth stepped forward and tapped Nera on the shoulder. She had about lost her balance before she moved aside. The large green man lifted a massive fist and brought it down on the door three times. The sound behind the door was like thunder in a cave. Eyes grew wide and they held their breath as the echo rang throughout the house followed by the muffled sound of glass breaking.
They jumped back as the door swung open.
"Yes, yes, what is it, what do you want?" A furrowed man wearing a butler's uniform sprang to life in the doorway. He angrily looked left and right eyeing each of them. Pas stepped forward and greeted the man.
"We are here with the Law Offices of Nam Shamdylynn. We are investigating the wrongful death of Lady Alexandria on behalf of our client Mr. Wendell."
The man thought for a moment, weighing the situation. "I am Jeeves the Seneschal, I do not know what assistance I can be to you." He attempted to call Fox and Pas out on their bluff. The team maintained their professionalism and he invited them in.
"Where was the body found?" Fox asked in his best attorney voice.
"Her in the home," replied Jeeves with a smirk.
"We know, that is why we have come to investigate the home," interjected Arin. "Where at in the house!"
Jeeves faked a smile at Arin and turned back to Fox. "She was found in the arboretum. What a dreadful sight it had been." He paused for a moment and looked at Pas, "that pile of filth will get what he deserves when he swings from that gallows."
"May we see where the body was found," asked Pas?
"You may investigate anywhere you need, however I ask that you keep a low profile as there are guests about the residence."
"Who are these guests, visiting the home of a dead woman?" Demanded Fox.
"They are suitors of the highest profile come down from Stret. Count Drusk and Lady Angelique are staying in teh home. They too are in mourning." Jeeves lowered his gaze to the floor.
"I wish to know of these suitors, take me to them." Fox spat with one finger pointing to the sky.
Jeeves gave his crooked smile, "do you wish to see the arboretum or visit with the visitors from Stret?" As Jeeves asked this question, time appeared to stop. Blossom and Nera felt as if this short interaction had consumed hours of time. Arin himself wondered if some sort of enchantment had befallen the room.
Pas again changed the topic of conversation, "What did her key open?"
"I'm not sure what key you are referring to?" Jeeves was clearly feigning naivete.
"The key around her neck, she wore it every where she went, I'm guessing it's been stolen."
"She kept the key a secret, she was the only one who knew what it opened." He replied.
The group pressed Jeeves further and finally he agreed to lead them to the arboretum. They moved through the parlor and to a hallway. It was long and poorly lit. They made their way single file. The hallway was lined with closed doors, some had faint lights glowing from underneath. They continued walking, and walking, and walking, and....
Enter the Arboretum!!!!!
He could not shake the feeling that they had been shadowed since the Sheriff's office. He stepped off the path. As the group traveled around to the front of the residence he noticed a figure off in the distance making itself known. The size and gait of the figure was none other than the newly acquainted Captain Pierce. He was no doubt keeping tabs on the investigation. But who exactly would he be reporting to?
Nera knocked on the front door and waited for a response. When no one came she changed her tactics and rapped with the iron knocker ring hanging from an iron vine. Blossom huffed with impatience as they waited. Still no response. Groth stepped forward and tapped Nera on the shoulder. She had about lost her balance before she moved aside. The large green man lifted a massive fist and brought it down on the door three times. The sound behind the door was like thunder in a cave. Eyes grew wide and they held their breath as the echo rang throughout the house followed by the muffled sound of glass breaking.
They jumped back as the door swung open.
"Yes, yes, what is it, what do you want?" A furrowed man wearing a butler's uniform sprang to life in the doorway. He angrily looked left and right eyeing each of them. Pas stepped forward and greeted the man.
"We are here with the Law Offices of Nam Shamdylynn. We are investigating the wrongful death of Lady Alexandria on behalf of our client Mr. Wendell."
The man thought for a moment, weighing the situation. "I am Jeeves the Seneschal, I do not know what assistance I can be to you." He attempted to call Fox and Pas out on their bluff. The team maintained their professionalism and he invited them in.
"Where was the body found?" Fox asked in his best attorney voice.
"Her in the home," replied Jeeves with a smirk.
"We know, that is why we have come to investigate the home," interjected Arin. "Where at in the house!"
Jeeves faked a smile at Arin and turned back to Fox. "She was found in the arboretum. What a dreadful sight it had been." He paused for a moment and looked at Pas, "that pile of filth will get what he deserves when he swings from that gallows."
"May we see where the body was found," asked Pas?
"You may investigate anywhere you need, however I ask that you keep a low profile as there are guests about the residence."
"Who are these guests, visiting the home of a dead woman?" Demanded Fox.
"They are suitors of the highest profile come down from Stret. Count Drusk and Lady Angelique are staying in teh home. They too are in mourning." Jeeves lowered his gaze to the floor.
"I wish to know of these suitors, take me to them." Fox spat with one finger pointing to the sky.
Jeeves gave his crooked smile, "do you wish to see the arboretum or visit with the visitors from Stret?" As Jeeves asked this question, time appeared to stop. Blossom and Nera felt as if this short interaction had consumed hours of time. Arin himself wondered if some sort of enchantment had befallen the room.
Pas again changed the topic of conversation, "What did her key open?"
"I'm not sure what key you are referring to?" Jeeves was clearly feigning naivete.
"The key around her neck, she wore it every where she went, I'm guessing it's been stolen."
"She kept the key a secret, she was the only one who knew what it opened." He replied.
The group pressed Jeeves further and finally he agreed to lead them to the arboretum. They moved through the parlor and to a hallway. It was long and poorly lit. They made their way single file. The hallway was lined with closed doors, some had faint lights glowing from underneath. They continued walking, and walking, and walking, and....
Enter the Arboretum!!!!!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Gang Sees Dead People
She was pale with a clear complexion. Her hair was neatly brushed. A translucent sheet covered her lower half.
"She would make a great start to my army." Blossom was entranced with the idea of an undead minion following her call. "That flesh could slide off with ease."
"Can I help you?' The coroner stepped out of the shadows. He was a short man with glasses thicker than a broadsword. He wore a white tunic dashed with brown smears. He squinted at Arin.
"We are here to examine this body," Pas took the lead.
"As you can see there In't much to examine," the coroner nodded to the table. "No cuts or wounds she has. Not a single drop of blood when they brought her in. Perfect specimen of health she is, xceptin she's dead." He pulled half of a sandwich out of his pocket and bit off a corner.
Pas kept the coroner busy looking at charts and test results while Fox and Blossom took a closer look at the body. There was not a single scratch on the body. No signs of distress. Blossom ran her finger up the corpses arm, across the elbow, over the shoulder, and came to a stop at the neck. There was a faint but distinct red mark circling the neck.
Fox looked at Blossom, "a necklace?" She nodded her head.
Further questioning of the coroner revealed that her swelling had subsided by the time she was brought to his lair. He also revealed that she always wore a chain around her neck. Attached to the chain was a key, however he did not know what the key was for. They agreed that the next stop would be the residence.
The coroner offered the other half of his sandwich to Arin who declined. Groth however graciously accepted the gift as he found pheasant salad to be quite appetizing.
3 Dub
The band of adventurers regrouped outside the Sheriff's office. Pas filled everyone in on the task at hand
"Pssst," a voice hissed from a back alley. The only one who noticed the voice was Fox, who doubled back and peered around the corner. A skinny young man was hunched over in a worn stockade.
"Hey man, help me out." He called.
"Why should we help you?" Replied Fox cautiously.
"You want to know who murdered that woman right, help out your new friend right?" His eyes glowed and a smile spread across his face. By now the rest of the group had circled around the man. "My name is WWW, but people call me 3 Dub. Mostly because there are three W's in my name."
"Do you think that Mr. Wendell is capable of killing?" Asked Fox.
3 Dub looked left then right. "Lie, steal, cheat, maybe even con. But he doesn't have the guts to do all that killing stuff."
"Who killed her?" Fox took another step closer.
"I'm not sure," 3 Dub looked up at the sky to avoid Foxs' gaze.
Groth stepped behind the stockade and put his massive hand on 3 Dub's back. It startled the young man and his eyes went wild.
"I don't know, I don't know, all I know is he didn't do it."
"Who would have done this?" Fox was now becoming annoyed with this nuisance.
As Groth leaned closer, to force his presence on 3 Dub, he noticed something about the security latch on the stockade. It was unlocked and the latch was not secured. Groth eyed Fox and the group. "This one not right."
"Hey wait up, aren't you going to help me? Where are you going?" 3 dub shouted as they walked off across the square.
"Pssst," a voice hissed from a back alley. The only one who noticed the voice was Fox, who doubled back and peered around the corner. A skinny young man was hunched over in a worn stockade.
"Hey man, help me out." He called."Why should we help you?" Replied Fox cautiously.
"You want to know who murdered that woman right, help out your new friend right?" His eyes glowed and a smile spread across his face. By now the rest of the group had circled around the man. "My name is WWW, but people call me 3 Dub. Mostly because there are three W's in my name."
"Do you think that Mr. Wendell is capable of killing?" Asked Fox.
3 Dub looked left then right. "Lie, steal, cheat, maybe even con. But he doesn't have the guts to do all that killing stuff."
"Who killed her?" Fox took another step closer.
"I'm not sure," 3 Dub looked up at the sky to avoid Foxs' gaze.
Groth stepped behind the stockade and put his massive hand on 3 Dub's back. It startled the young man and his eyes went wild.
"I don't know, I don't know, all I know is he didn't do it."
"Who would have done this?" Fox was now becoming annoyed with this nuisance.
As Groth leaned closer, to force his presence on 3 Dub, he noticed something about the security latch on the stockade. It was unlocked and the latch was not secured. Groth eyed Fox and the group. "This one not right."
"Hey wait up, aren't you going to help me? Where are you going?" 3 dub shouted as they walked off across the square.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Sheriff of Silvertown
Nam Shamdylynn and his cohorts greeted the Sheriff with reserve. After an intense battle of wits the Sheriff believed that they were there to represent Mr. Wendell in the event of a fair trial. However first there was the matter of preparing evidence and launching a full scale investigation.
It was apparent during their discussion that the Sheriff had little to no evidence proving that their client had committed any crime. The entire proceeding hinged on the fact that Mr. Wendell had been discovered at the scene of the crime.
"How exactly did my client carry out his hideous murder," Fox made sure to use air quotes on the term murder.
"Well, I'm not sure." The Sheriff scratched his head.
"Was there any blood?" Asked Fox.
"No, there was no blood, a lot of swelling though," nodded the Sheriff.
"In what way?" It was clear that a defense was now forming in Fox's head.
The Sheriff sat for a moment possibly realizing the mistakes he may have made while investigating. He wondered how much more information he should divulge. "She had ballooned up to almost four times her size. Almost like she got bit."
Further inquisition revealed that the victim was found bloated in her home and her body now rested in the basement cold storage on the other side of Brownsville. There was no blood, entry or exit wounds found on the corpse. In return for an exchange of information the Sheriff granted the group unrestricted access to any areas needed to complete a full investigation.
Meanwhile Nera, Blossom and Arin slowly towed their 45,000 copper through the square. They had attempted to store the loot in the Brownsville Community Bank (BCB) with the hopes of retrieving it at a later date. They were told by the teller that the bank only accepted Silver and they would have to go elsewhere. Next they tried the local shops. Hoping to buy goods that could be sold off in the future they were turned away yet again. It appeared that all of Brownsville was on a strictly silver possibility; with one exception of course, the Farm Bureau where they had been saddled with the load.
As they towed their awkward load past the main stockades a voice called out to them. It was Mr. Wendell who informed them of Fox and Pas' noble cause. He pointed them in the direction of the Sheriff's post.
Before heading of to join up, Arin decided that there was no longer any need to tow around the copper.
"He's not going anywhere." Arin said with a smile. They tied the bags of copper up to Mr. Wendell and set off on their way.
It was apparent during their discussion that the Sheriff had little to no evidence proving that their client had committed any crime. The entire proceeding hinged on the fact that Mr. Wendell had been discovered at the scene of the crime.
"How exactly did my client carry out his hideous murder," Fox made sure to use air quotes on the term murder.
"Well, I'm not sure." The Sheriff scratched his head.
"Was there any blood?" Asked Fox.
"No, there was no blood, a lot of swelling though," nodded the Sheriff.
"In what way?" It was clear that a defense was now forming in Fox's head.
The Sheriff sat for a moment possibly realizing the mistakes he may have made while investigating. He wondered how much more information he should divulge. "She had ballooned up to almost four times her size. Almost like she got bit."
Further inquisition revealed that the victim was found bloated in her home and her body now rested in the basement cold storage on the other side of Brownsville. There was no blood, entry or exit wounds found on the corpse. In return for an exchange of information the Sheriff granted the group unrestricted access to any areas needed to complete a full investigation.
Meanwhile Nera, Blossom and Arin slowly towed their 45,000 copper through the square. They had attempted to store the loot in the Brownsville Community Bank (BCB) with the hopes of retrieving it at a later date. They were told by the teller that the bank only accepted Silver and they would have to go elsewhere. Next they tried the local shops. Hoping to buy goods that could be sold off in the future they were turned away yet again. It appeared that all of Brownsville was on a strictly silver possibility; with one exception of course, the Farm Bureau where they had been saddled with the load.As they towed their awkward load past the main stockades a voice called out to them. It was Mr. Wendell who informed them of Fox and Pas' noble cause. He pointed them in the direction of the Sheriff's post.
Before heading of to join up, Arin decided that there was no longer any need to tow around the copper.
"He's not going anywhere." Arin said with a smile. They tied the bags of copper up to Mr. Wendell and set off on their way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)