Vampire II : The Carfax Contingency

Helgraf · 03-31-2008, 10:16 PM

Helgraf & Shadow Present
Vampire II: The Carfax Contingency
((Many thanks.))

England, 1898 AD

Mist swirls in the evening air as your carriage approaches the gatehouse which poses the only entryway to the formidible - and one must silently admit, somewhat foreboding-looking - Carfax Estate. The walls that surround the grounds are solid, grim affairs, ancient monoliths that pierce the grey mists yet do little to dispel their presence. Through the gatehouse, and into a corral of sorts, where the horses are removed from the bindings of the cart and taken away by silent servants bearing the black fleur de lis symbol prominently upon their uniforms. Neither first nor last, you see the carraige-grounds are built to hold many. As the carriage door opens, an icy breeze knifes its way inside, stealing away some of your warmth and prompting a shiver. Two more servants of the manor come to aid you, and several porters go about the business of unloading your trunks and effects to be taken to your quarters for the duration.

"Close..."
The grounds themselves are immaculate - it appears the labourers hired were quite proficient. Pavement stones mark clear paths that lead from the stablery and carraige grounds to the main keep, the large dark cube of stone that no doubt earned this place its French appelation "quartre-face", from which the name Carfax had been beaten out.

"Closer..."
Beaten out seemed a good fit. The stone bore a rough shape and tone to it, almost feeling as if it had been extruded from the very earth and carved to fit more than hauled by good honest workmen. The decorations are few; a small number of gargoyles strategically placed to channel away rainwater, and the family crest, the black fleur de lis, carved into a smoothed section of the stone just over the imposing double doors that lead into the structure proper.

"Your hunger grows ... Master"
A number of smaller buildings dot the grounds, forming an incomplete circle with a gap between the nearest two and the outer wall and gatehouse. Here, farther from the center, the grasses are not as fully tamed, and they shift in the chill breezes of evening.

"Your will is mine..."
There is an odd sound from overhead, and as you look up, you see a huge blackness in the sky ... it takes a moment for your eyes to make sense of it. Bats! Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of bats on the wing, banking over the outlying buildings one by one and then coming to settle along the eaves of the central keep.

"Your heralds await you..."
Finally, you stand before the great doors themselves. There is a low rumbling sound you cannot place at first; as the great doors crack apart and inward, you can see they are set on massive metal chains that lead up to holes in the ceiling above, and it is from here that the odd sounds emanate. Finally, the great doors come up against the inner walls with a deafening clatter ... as the echoes fade, so does all other sound, and you find yourself in silence, regarding the inside of the manor.

"They wait ... as I do not ... for I am promised..."
Huge. Beyond a brief foyer, the great hall opens up ... and up and up. It seems almost certain that it goes all the way to the roof, some five stories above - if not, then surely only one floor could rest above the far-off ceiling. Giant pillars form the bases for soaring buttresses usually used externally; they arc gracefully toward the roof and segment it into individual panels; these have been decorated with oversized frescoes depicting scenes of country life; hunting, camping, overseeing the harvest. Yet as the eyes pan away from the centermost images and toward the corners, something about the artwork ... unsettles. The dogs in a hunting pack have an almost feral look, their eyes seeming almost to glow. The harvest sickles in another are mottled in dark brown. The men around a campfire seem more concerned about the dark forest around them than the meal burning on the fire.

There is the faint sound of a throat being cleared. You turn to see an impeccibly dressed young lady with a small fan concealing her face below the line of her nose. "The master is pleased you could make it. He promises a trip to remember. If you will follow me, I will show you to a parlor where you may enjoy some mild refreshments whilst the arriangements for your quarters are completed. The master offers his apologies that this task is not already complete, but he regrets that he was uncertain as to how many would grace his presence so late in the season.

The parlour is also quite large, though the ceiling only goes up to what would be the second floor of the structure. Here, the artwork is more conventional. A fire burns merrily in the fireplace and a small cast iron stove is also lit, atop of which a kettle is just beginning to whistle.

Your blood of treachery comes...
In time, others join you. Some are familiar faces, others you know by name; all are a part, in large or small, of the society of noble obligation; whether by blood, by deed, or yes, even by purse they joined, they are your peers, your friends and rivals.

Will you know them, Master?
Over tea and raspberry cordials, you exchange small talk, until a high-pitched scream rises from outside. Peering through the heavy window, only now do you see that the framework is not in fact wood, but heavy metal bars, too thick to bend and too close together to squeeze through. For the moment however, you are thankful for their prison-like resiliance, for it seperates you from the horror unfolding in the courtyard, where two figures in dark clothes are currently being swarmed by thousands of bats; it is near impossible to make them out amidst the flurrying darkness of wings. Another scream and another. Then the report of a pistol ... the bats swirl away long enough to reveal the men again, their outfits torn, exposed flesh bleeding. They manage a handful of steps toward the manor before the bats descend once more. First one, then the other collapses, and the bats land and begin once more to feed. The distant sound of the great doors slowly opening can be heard as the grisly feast commences to the shocked horror of the assembled guests.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then, something tan and brown, about the size of a hunting mastiff, lurches into view, leaping with a uluating cry into the field of bats. Moments later, the bats suddenly disperse, leaving behind two bodies, and the third figure, whose face and hair can now be seen. He has a feral, unbalanced look about him, and the corners of his lips dribble blood. A tiny bit of metal between his teeth, and he capers more, then grabs both bodies with a strength most unseemly for his frame, throwing one over each shoulder and loping out of view.

Two guards and a servant enter the room. "By order of Lord Carfax, all guests are to report to the main hall!"

Questions are asked, demands made, and summarily ignored. When some of the more obstinate guests refuse, additional guards are called in. Eventually, even the most recalcitrant make way.

In the great hall, two bodies lie on the floor. Their faces have been savaged beyond recognition, and everywhere their skin is exposed, it is torn and bloody.

"My esteemed guests. It seems that even now the legacy of my great-grandfather cannot be ignored. Someone - or someones - have put it upon themselves to attempt to ruin this grand elegance which we had planned for you through sabotage and grisly murder. However, rest assured, I have hired plenty of capable guards to ensure the safety of all of you, my invited guests. Dinner will be delayed for 1 hour while the servants take care of removing ... these unfortunate individuals ... and restoring clean order to the grounds."

His gaze goes out over the crowd, one by one, falling on each in turn. "I know among us, hidden, we have many special guests this evening. I know for a fact that Doctors Seward and Morris have joined us, as well as the famous occultist Professor Van Helsing. It is my sincerest hope that we can root out the cause of these ... disturbances ... and thereby re-embrace the more festive mood in which this occasion was intended."

Helgraf and Shadow were killed by a horrific swarm of bats.

Time:
Night 14 has begun

---

Player List (36)

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Rules, Roles and Revelations

Mustiado · 03-31-2008, 11:56 PM

--James Carthill peers quietly 'bout the now milling crowd, taking note of the faces in the room and the more active of the participants. He pulls his travelling cloak around him more tightly, and clutches his walking stick a bit tighter as he heads to the fireplace for a bit of warmth...--

Fin · 04-01-2008, 04:37 AM

Count Finoch Decano watches with avid fascinationas the bodies are removed...

By jove, this is going to be interesting. Murders at a party, this is brilliant! he says in that foppish naive way that the aristocratic talk about everything they don't understand. I've always facnied myself as a bit of the Sherlock Holmes type, sharpe as tack I am nothing gets past me. Strange method though, bats eh? Interesting.

With that he walks off coming across Demonic Angel,

Hmm Demonic eh? Thats got to mean something!

((And thats my random first day point))

Emperor Demonking · 04-01-2008, 05:33 AM

Mordokai
Ranna
Szilard
CurlyKitGirl
Gezina
MattKatt
Yspoch
hap_hazard
Frankelbert
LeoMan
xNadia
CultDoctor
Cristo Meyers
Atreyu the Masked Llama
Eita

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1546478/

Yspoch · 04-01-2008, 05:33 AM

"Well, well, a rather... unexpected beginning of a party! I've never seen so many bats at one place and they seemed to be rather... aggressive, isn't it?"

"My name is Ysperian Ochlost, I'm sure you all have already heard it. It's rather... uncommon, but my parents had an uncommon sense for humor.", Ysperian chuckles a little bit, but why is anybodys guess. "We shouldn't jump to the conclusion that something rather... unnatural happened here, should we? Mr. LeoMan, I think I've heard somewhere that you have been some kind of animal trainer or handler or somesuch. Tell us! Is it hard to train bats to attack humans? Or are they rather... unwilling to comply?"

banjo1985 · 04-01-2008, 06:39 AM

A long haired man wearing dark sunglasses stalks into the building. He raises his eyebrows and pulls off his bike gloves and coat, replacing the coat with a tailed black jacket.

"I am Leinhart, and I have been invited here by Lord Carfax. I must say that I am rather annoyed by recent events. I was use to use this opportunity to speak with Shadow, for there is important business to discuss between our two families."

Leinhart sighs and removes his sunglasses, revealing deep blue eyes.

"Gezina, there is foul work afoot in this manor, I trust you are able to defend yourself reliably? I fear we may all need to go to arms against this interesting threat."

MattKatt · 04-01-2008, 07:23 AM

Dr Matthew Maxwell moved through the guests in the hall, rather flustered by the deaths of the two men.

"Looks as though none of us will be leaving anytime soon. Those bats are probably scouting around, looking for their next meal..."

He eyes several people in the room

I knew it! There are some of them here! Some of those here must be of these...'children'...or whatever they call themselves.

"...It is probably the time of year when they hunt. Though they usually go for cows and the like."

Dr Maxwell wanders over to the fireplace, taking care to avoid Leinhart (Poor fellow must have a case of the syphilis), and joined James Carthill.

"Terrible thing, these murders, aye?"[/color]

Thanatos 51-50 · 04-01-2008, 07:23 AM

An unidentifed, tall, lithely built man, with a soldier's stride and an oddly heavy-bladed rapier strides amongst those gathered, and siddles behind
Emporer Demonking for a brief moment.
"An Emporer of those from the Abyss? Fascinating."

Emperor Demonking · 04-01-2008, 07:26 AM

"No I've just got very cruel parents." Said Sir Demonking after looking at his list.

InaVegt · 04-01-2008, 07:46 AM

Gezina looks atLeinhart/Banjo.

"What would I have done to acquire suspicion? I'm just a lowly dame from the lands beyond the seas, here to look for a partner in life."

Alarra · 04-01-2008, 08:08 AM

A tall, thin woman paces the edges of the room a bit removed from the crowd. Her face is ashen and it's apparent that she's still a bit in shock from viewing the horrific attack.

After a time, she turns and addresses the milling crowd. Her voice is strong and haughty and looks at odds with her pale countenance. "This is ridiculous. They've guards to protect us?! What they need furnish us with is escorts to accompany us safely home. He's mad to expect us to remain here when there's those those..... those horrible bloodsucking creatures about!" Her voice breaks on a sob and she seems near hysteria.

"Disturbances?! Disturbances? Those men were just killed! On their way inside!" She turns frantically and addresses another guest. "A few moments earlier and their attack could have befallen any one of us! We could have died! You could have died! I COULD HAVE DIED!" She screams this last statement while shaking and grasping the lapels of ~~Zar Peter~~.

The thought of how near death any of them might have been and that killer bats were swarming above her head mere moments earlier is apparently too much for the poor thing and she sinks into a dead faint at Zar Peter's feet.

Jontom Xire · 04-01-2008, 08:18 AM

Baron Jontom D'Xire sips thoughtfully at a glass of brandy.

"It seems our fates are in our own hands. As they ever are, but more so now than usual perhaps. I must say also that the organisation of this party seems a trifle haphazard."

((OOC: I hate first day points in heavy RP games. Sorry, Hap_Hazard. You're the only guy that pointing at seemed to work decently.))

Mordokai · 04-01-2008, 08:28 AM

A tall, blue skinned man walks into the building. The skin would be a strange sight by itself, but there's more to him. A pair of wings, consisting of black feathers, sprouts from his back. There is light in his eyes and his voice sounds hollow, like coming from beyond the grave, yet, there is no faltering in his step as he steps into the center of the room.

"Life is precious. I have found that before.

So, we have vampires in our midst? By the Heart of Darkness, where did they came from? It doesn't really matter, they must be stopped. I know something on a subject, but I will not speak of if at moment. However, I see you're already accusing each other. This will only lead to bad things. For now, I won't accuse anybody. When more evidence present themself there will be more chance for us to find the culprit."

With that, he walks up the stairs, picking himself an glass of wine from a nearby butler.

Zar Peter · 04-01-2008, 08:36 AM

Zar Peter looks down at the just fainted Lady.

Make space! Let her breathe! Is a doctor here?
You! He points at.......hap_hazard, could you bring me some smelling salt?

He knees down, pats on her cheeks and tries to wake her up.

- Alarra - Zar Peter (1d34=16)

Shishnarfne · 04-01-2008, 08:40 AM

"This must be some sort of ridiculous hoax!" thundered Frank Duncan, Esquire, legal professional and skeptic. "The existence of such creatures is most certainly impossible, contrary to all science! Lend no credibility to these claims, Jontom Xire, let not the deceptions of our host (or whomever is responsible) cloud your judgement."

(I wonder if playing an inveterate skeptic will be interesting, or get tiresome)

Szilard · 04-01-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fin

Count Finoch Decano watches with avid fascinationas the bodies are removed...

By jove, this is going to be interesting. Murders at a party, this is brilliant! he says in that foppish naive way that the aristocratic talk about everything they don't understand. I've always facnied myself as a bit of the Sherlock Holmes type, sharpe as tack I am nothing gets past me. Strange method though, bats eh? Interesting.

With that he walks off coming across Demonic Angel,

Hmm Demonic eh? Thats got to mean something!

((And thats my random first day point))

Interesting indeed. *ponders on it.* You maybe right, but I suspect Emperor Demonking.

Jontom Xire · 04-01-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shishnarfne

"This must be some sort of ridiculous hoax!" thundered Frank Duncan, Esquire, legal professional and skeptic. "The existence of such creatures is most certainly impossible, contrary to all science! Lend no credibility to these claims, Jontom Xire, let not the deceptions of our host (or whomever is responsible) cloud your judgement."

((OOC: What creatures? Sorry to be a pedant, but pointing at me together with being completely inaccurate/incorrect gets my gander up.

Neither "our host" nor I made any mention of vampires or any other "such creatures". "Our host" also made no claims other than that "Someone - or someones - have put it upon themselves to attempt to ruin this grand elegance which we had planned for you through sabotage and grisly murder", a claim that is entirely reasonable given the presence of two corpses. Neither did I make any move to lend credence to "these claims".

Just out of curiosity, did you read either the opening post or mine? It might be a good idea for you to wait for someone to mention the word "vampire" before getting sceptical - otherwise what are you being sceptical about? Nice idea for a role though, I have to say.
/OOC))

Ranna · 04-01-2008, 10:44 AM

By jove! That was one of the most horrific things I have ever seen!
*A youngish lady dressed to impress, looks around in obvious duress*

I really wish my brother was here! He'd look after me. Where is my mother? Mother? Mother? I hope she is not hurt! CultDoctor, Is your profession as your name suggests? if so, why are you not out helping people and such?

Frankelbert · 04-01-2008, 10:52 AM

Frankelbert randomly fires a blow dart in the general direction of the crowd, it had happened to hit Eita

Cristo Meyers · 04-01-2008, 11:08 AM

A grey haired man looks from the disfigured bodies to the milling crowd and then back to the bodies. Unbelieveable...he'd never seen mere bats do that. He can only think of one thing to say:

Knew I should've passed on this invitation...

He continues muttering a bit and, as he wobbly walks away it becomes clear that he is completely drunk. He walks up to a random patron.

You there...Eita is it? Would you find me s'more wine?

Before the confused patron can answer, he walks away, more than likely completely unaware that he'd even asked a question.

Shishnarfne · 04-01-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jontom Xire

((OOC: What creatures? Sorry to be a pedant, but pointing at me together with being completely inaccurate/incorrect gets my gander up.

Neither "our host" nor I made any mention of vampires or any other "such creatures". "Our host" also made no claims other than that "Someone - or someones - have put it upon themselves to attempt to ruin this grand elegance which we had planned for you through sabotage and grisly murder", a claim that is entirely reasonable given the presence of two corpses. Neither did I make any move to lend credence to "these claims".

Just out of curiosity, did you read either the opening post or mine? It might be a good idea for you to wait for someone to mention the word "vampire" before getting sceptical - otherwise what are you being sceptical about? Nice idea for a role though, I have to say.
/OOC))

(Cue retcon for reason of skepticism, I didn't read closely enough, but there's plenty of things to be skeptical about...)
"Everyone knows that bats native to England do not dine on flesh, and that our clime is inimical to the distant vampire bat, which itself does not act in such a way... Since bats cannot, in any natural form, have perpetrated such an act, we have here someone faking a death by bats, indeed I should not be surprised to learn that the 'victims' are still completely alive, having faked a death, using an odd compatriot... As the means of 'murder' is impossible, I doubt that any have died, which strongly suggests that our host may be complicit in the plotting, using the odd nature of the crime, together with rumors regarding previous events in the region, to suggest to the impressionable a grisly supernatural murder, rather than common fraud. Our host, however, claims to have invited self-proclaimed 'experts' on paranormal phenomena, most of whom have shown no clear evidence at any point of any actual such behavior, while managing to make quite comfortable livings on the proceeds of their 'work.' I propose instead that the perpetrators of the hoax have found a means to attract and repel large numbers of bats rapidly... This, together with some skilled disguise work, ought to be sufficient to explain the scene which we believe that we witnessed."

Mustiado · 04-01-2008, 11:43 AM

--Carthill glances at Maxwell, his smile tinged with some more... intangible emotion as he chuckles darkly--

"Indeed they are, good sir. Rarely do wild animals react in such a manner. You may call me Carthill. Though from the looks of things, I doubt some of us will be around long enough to be worth meeting."

--He continues to watch the crowd, including the fainted Alarra, searching for clues--

Doseki · 04-01-2008, 12:27 PM

Well we are having some strange activities within these grounds aren’t we; one does declares that one is a smidge scared of those frightful bats now. No matter how one puts it, but that kind of thing is just not natural. And un-natural things tend to make one shiver all over, how about you lamech, one notices thou has not said a word since the terrible deaths.

Puts his pipe to his mouth and takes a long draw from it and then blowing out the wonderful smoke. ((If anyone complains about me smoking, suck it as its pre-smoking ban.

))

Shocking. One also doth hope the rooms will be ready soon, are gentle host said it wouldn’t be to long.

Shadow · 04-01-2008, 01:15 PM

The candles dance as a slight breeze blows through the estate, but when you turn your attention to them, they remain still. An uncomfortable shiver runs down your spine, and for a moment, just a moment, you feel a thousand eyes bearing down on you, watching your every move.
Out of the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of the watcher. Above, in the empty space of the foyer, about three stories up. Yes. That's where it was.
But again your eyes betray what you felt in your heart, for nothing is there.

A second shiver courses through you.

Across the hall, a door opens revealing an aged man in a tuxedo. With a sweep of his arm, he says "Welcome, distinguished and honored guests, to Carfax Estate. If you'll all follow me, please, dinner is served."

Spoiler

Fin · 04-01-2008, 01:32 PM

Aha, dinner! I do like the sound of that. Can't be on the watch for murders or night children (though I fail to see how much trouble children can be, I'm six feet tall and they are midgets!) on an empty stomach.

Yes my good man, lead the way...

easyname · 04-01-2008, 01:50 PM

Easyname arrives in front of the manor. He is a member of high society. He opens the door, and walks in. Hoping he can get to dinner in time, he starts running up the stairs. He enters the hall. The place is quiet.

What happened here? says easyname, looking around.

He is told about the vampires. After thinking for a bit, he arrives to no conclusion. He really has no experience in this type of thing.

After he thinks a bit more, he decides it's useless, and points at Fin.

(Trying to keep it even this round so people can scry etc.)

Griever · 04-01-2008, 01:53 PM

A white-haired old man leaning on a polished, wooden cane smiles and limps towards the crowd to join them heading for dinner. When he reaches Frank Duncan he looks up, his spectacles shining in the light.

Bats are very strange creatures, so best not to worry too much on an empty stomach! With that, Lord Griever follows the crowd following the Butler to dinner.

Shadow · 04-01-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Last edited by easyname : Today at 01:52 PM. Reason: I wrone 'But' instead of 'Bit' before, and I don't like making mistakes...

Am I the only one that finds this hilarious?

Greiver: Not that it matters much, but I'm dead. They're all following the butler.

Aemoh · 04-01-2008, 02:01 PM

Pacing back and forth in front of a window is a young, well dressed man, who looks no older than twenty. "I can't believe this... Father, did you expect this? Is that why you sent me in your place? Toughen me up?" he sighs. "I suppose... not, still, why send me and not your favorite son..."

Having had enough of the inner monologue, the young man moves to address the gathered masses.

"Greetings all, my name is Aemoh Strijder." he says, a bit sheepishly. He never did like crowds, let alone speaking to them. "I was sent in my Father's place. I apologize on his behalf that he could not attend, but his work keeps him quite busy."

((*points at Mordokai for fun*

((Small note for those that care: I generally never use a different name. Aemoh Strijder would be the full name I use when needed(MMO's and the like). And no, you don't get a cookie if you figure out what my name means

))

Alarra · 04-01-2008, 02:03 PM

At the patting, Alarra's eyes flutter and she moans faintly. She opens her eyes taking in the crowd and the room. "It wasn't a dream?" Her voice is weak and incredulous and she looks about to faint again, but manages, with Zar Peter's help, to rise to a sitting position.

She catches murmurs amongst the moving crowd that dinner is being served. "Dinner?! At a time like this!" She struggles to her feet and slowly follows the crowd, lecturing at anyone within earshot about how the proper thing to do would be to call the authorities and how can anyone eat after seeing what happened to those poor pooooooor men and that we should all leave at once.

(^^nope

)