Arty Fox

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House Basement -> Hidden Study Doorway Action: Perception (8) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/5

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To BlackBerry, who was still playing catch up with the whole situation, Victoria had pulled out the wand and then simply vanished. He blinked rapidly at the spot where Victoria has been barely a second ago, fairly certain that she didn't know any invisibility spells and that the wand couldn't do that.

"Victoria? Victoria?" He spoke with some alarm until his gaze was pulled towards Morty who seemed to be glowing in all colours of the rainbow and several more. "What in the world?"

BlackBerry shook himself trying to get some grasp of what horrible affects had taken place on them all. Himself, he seemed unaffected apart from his...vanishing...cold. Ah.

"No, Young Lizbeth it was not you that was the cause of such things." BlackBerry had relinquished the door and frame to Lady Kathryn, and his attention was now on the girl. "Are you quite well? Does anything hurt at all?"

The voice surrounding the poor girl had clearly explained itself; 'HER INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND EVERY ACTION SHOUTED IN REAL-TIME NARRATIVE BY AN UNFAMILIAR MALE VOICE'. Thankfully the other three seemed to be less visibly affected, apart from Victoria who had simply vanished without a trace!

"Come now, we shall get this all sorted. I'm sure"

Blackberry tried to talk over the near deafening voice, tried to push back against the oncoming tide of doubt and self-ridicule already painfully overwhelming Young Lizbeth. The Narrator bellowed ever louder against Young Lizbeths protests, it filled the room with her thoughts, her doubts, her worries, filling it to the brim until the poor girl burst into tears under the strain. BlackBerry felt his own chest tighten in empathy for the poor girls suffering. He reached out ad took a step after her when she ran away from The Narrator. But Lady Kathryn, ever the friendly giant of the party, dashed passed him leaving instructions for the rest of them to keep on task.

In spite of his still fresh annoyance at her, Lady Kathryn ha the right idea; Victoria was still missing and the answers to all their questions could very well be right in front of them. A small part of him was thankful for Lizbeths absence at this moment in case there might be something ahead that would upset her further.

Kosara, he was encouraged to find, had already taken the initiative and started rummaging around the now revealed study. So BlackBerry took the initiative to try and find Victoria instead.

"Victoria? Are you still here?" He waved his arms around in case he hit her invisible form, and looking all around in case she had shrunk. Really there was no telling what could have befallen the poor woman. He looked towards the multicoloured swine. "...Victoria? No I wager even that to be most unlikely." BlackBerry wasn't quite sure what he was thinking.

While things seemed still and calm for the moment he still didn't let his guard down, keeping the fiery limbs ready for battle at his shoulders.

He stuck his head into the study. "Any sign of Victoria at all, Kosara?"

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

Post 147

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House Basement Action: Opening Door Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: silently "I Told You So"-ing Ki: 3/5

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BlackBerry raised his eye ridges at Daxos. "Ah. I see." He lied, not understanding the mans explanation at all.

Was there perhaps another lock in the door frame as well? As he had already said, such things were beyond him. Despite this BlackBerry watched Daxos work with intrigue and glad for Kosaras light so that none of the details were missed.

"I shall admit Master Urmdurus was my suspicion also." BlackBerry said between a fit of sneezes and then added from behind the handkerchief. "I simply thought it rude to assume however."

While Daxos worked his craft on the door BlackBerry allowed Victorias reassurance to assuage at least a small portion of his worries. He had to agree that it would be unlikely that any magic would have had enough time to build up in the same way as before, and he nodded agreeing to Lady Kathryn that if Victoria, their resident magic specialist, felt it safe than who was he to argue otherwise?

"Ah marvelously done, good sir." He said once Daxos had completed his work and the cloud of dust settled. "Here, please allow me to pull the door outwards for i do worry for it to fall in upon something that may be of some import."

Two tendrils of unburning fire stretched out from his shoulders and then, BlackBerry stepping to the door, slipped into the cracks between the wall and door frame where no flesh and blood limb could fit. He grasped the door handle and pulled. The door frame shifted towards him barely an inch, the left fiery limb flared into the material world and pulled the frame forward on that side. The motion was repeated on the right, and then left again, then right, then left. Inch by inch the door frame was marched reluctantly towards them all throwing up small clouds of grit and dust with each grinding movement. Finally, with a small gasp of fresh air hitting stale, the door frame popped out of tunnel.

BlackBerry suddenly felt a whole lot better; his nose unblocked, the headache vanished, and the chill that had settled on him from his outing finally left his bones.

This was followed just as suddenly by a loud booming voice began filling the room describing all the actions and horrified thoughts of poor Young Lizbeth.

BlackBerry locked eyes with Victoria and tried with all his might not to say four words.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House Basement Action: Thinking Bonus Action: Sniffling Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry grinned initially at Daxos' impressive drive and 'can-do' attitude despite his warning. But it was the rest of the mans sentence which made him wince a little given the circumstances and present company.

He followed the others down into the basement which with all present company, and an undead pig, was starting to feel a tad crowded. Between all the bodies, crates, barrels and tools filling the room it was hard for him to see even with some of the candle light from above falling own the stairs. He was pleased to see Lizbeth at least staying to her word and hung towards the back of the group near to Victoria. From his vantage point on the last step he could see Kosara hanging like a limpet to Lady Kathryn (as expected), while within the deep shadows of the new recess of the wall came Daxos' voice bemoaning the build of the newly found door.

Just how many doors and hidden spots were they going to find?

"Please do let us not get ahead of ourselves." The talk of breaking down had his headache coming back full force just as another sneeze took him by surprise. "I am as anxious as the rest of you to uncover what may lie beyond the doorway but I would be ashamed not to remind you all of what happened to us the last time we went gallivanting into parts left untouched for some time."

"Master L'Rose left something in there to keep yourself, Young Lizbeth, safe but as a last resort of sorts. Unfortunately, he failed to mention what it may be or even how to get a hold of it. My point being is that we could cause some unintended damage if we simply break our way in." BlackBerry squeezed his way between Morty and a few barrels towards the recently revealed doorway. He squinted into the darkness over Daxos' head. Two somethings the man had said mere moments ago had lodged themselves in BlackBerry's mind. He wiggled and tugged at the thoughts, clicking his tongue rapidly as if it might spark an idea.

"Daxos, could you please explain what you meant by 'not meant to be opened by lock alone'?" With how much effort Master Arnaurd put into hiding this place BlackBerry had his worries that getting around it all would be as simple as taking the door out. "Should there be a spell or otherwise magical component? Hocus-pocus? Open-ses-a-me?" He tried without much hope but the idea at least seemed sound to him.

BlackBerry looked back over his shoulder towards Victoria hoping for her input. Then at the sight of Victoria and Young Lizbeth in their deep green armour, that the second thought came loose; the door was Duergar craft. Someone had to have installed the door and for all BlackBerry had heard of Arnaurd, being handy with a hammer had not been one of them.

"You said it was Duergar make, correct?" His eyes snapped back to Daxos, and then the door in question. "Would there happen to be a makers mark of sort anywhere? Or even, here perhaps compare the makings of our gear please Daxos. Does the craftsmanship bear any resemblance at all? I must admit I am rather blind to any such details but I do have a certain suspicion."

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Caoch House kitchen -> taproom Action: Insight (3) Bonus Action: Sneeze Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry was not entirely happy with Lizbeths; he had instead been hoping for something along the lines of: "Very well I shall wait up here until you all say its fine to come down". But he had expected that to have been a rather remote possibility and was more than pleased to hear she would at least wait behind them all

He simply nodded at her response. "If that is your choice then so be." It was his turn to tilt his head slight as he looked at Lizbeth and noticed how much she had changed, beyond her immediate physical appearance. "My I must say that you have changed some since when we first met, Young Lizbeth. No doubt, you shall make a marvellous adventurer in due time."

It was odd to think that the young frightened girl he had met, cowering in fear, barely a season ago now stood before him ready and armed to boldly face whatever fate may have ready for her. He momentarily wondered if she was a a bit too bold at this point, but again he couldn't blame her for her eagerness given the situation.

Blackberry momentarily wondered if she was humouring him.

Despite this thought he let her go to finish arranging with Kosara and Victoria her next lot of training which would undoubtedly take up the few remaining hours of free time she had left. He hoped she wouldn't forego sleeping or eating. His mind then promptly reminded him of Lizbeths current condition, he gnawed at the thought as he did his cheek. Just because Lizbeth could forgo sleeping and eating it did not meant she should; she was still a growing girl. The Matrons at home had hammered into him how important it was to eat all your vegetables, and not just the sweets, especially when you were young and still growing. Admittedly he himself hadn't listened to them nearly as much as he should have.

While the kettle boiled away, he busied himself gathering extra cups and saucers alongside the usual sugar, honey, and a bit of milk for those who wanted any. Possible undead family curses or not they had a guest who had been promised tea (or something stronger). Almost pleasantly the kettle had began to wobble on its hook, a prelude to its shriek, just as BlackBerry had located another clean cup and saucers to join the mismatched collection on a tray.

Lady Kathryn shouted from below and somehow over the kettles shriek.

In his rush to rejoin the other BlackBerry nearly grabbed the kettle with his bare hand as he sought to take it off the flame.

"Down in a moment Lady Kathryn!" He bellowed down the stairs, and then turned back to face the others, and his gaze lingered for a moment on Lizbeth with a hint of worry for the poor girl. "Are we all quite ready then?"

The next one to catch his eyes was the newcomer, Daxos. The words the Dawrf had said then followed with a jovial laugh echoed in BlackBerry's mind. He wondered if the man had said something similar to Kosara that had convinced her he was someone worth keeping nearby. He decided then there was no need to be coy given the conversation that had been surrounding Daxos just then. You didn't need to be a wizard or otherwise learned to put two and two together.

"I do hope such talk of Necromancy has not unnerved you good sir. In part because you may just become quite familiar with it very shortly. How are you in a fight?"

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House, kitchen Action: Pursuassion (12) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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"KOSARA!" BlackBerry had cried back with startled excitement almost matching her volume. He nodded along to her frantic story, not doubting the truth of it for a second, and added. "Just as well really. I suppose the Gods do truly know how much help we could do with now."

BlackBerry rather liked Daxos; the fellow was polite without being withdrawn, and eager to share a chuckle with others. The fact that Kosara had brought him along helped as despite initial appearances, out of them all BlackBerry thought Kosara had the best judge of character. But on that note he did have to wonder 'Why' Kosara had brought Daxos along? The current issue at hand was exactly the sort he felt neither Madame L'Rose or even Young Lizbeth would want many to know of. Clearly Daxos was someone Kosara thought might be helpful to their plight.

For now, BlackBerry would trust her judgement despite his concerns.

Quite so indeed." He nodded at Daxos' comment. "Come now, do make yourself at home and I shall go refresh the pot. For that matter, what is your choice of drink, Master Daxos? I shall endeavour to find something suitable."

It seemed odd, almost ridiculous to be playing host when the answers to all their questions may very well be under their noses, literally, in this instance, along with whatever danger that may be hiding with them. Lizbeth, for her part currently seemed to be trying to book yet more of her time to learning and training. At this rate she was going to run out of hours in the day. Admittedly though, Blackberry would was quite interested in learning a bit more about magic himself.

"Young Lizbeth." He called over his shoulder whilst retrieving the kettle from the fireplace. "I do apologise for the interruption, but may I ask you to fetch me some fresh water please?"

It was a poor excuse; the tea was still hot, almost steaming when he stepped out the door to pour out the tea, but it was the only straw he could grasp at to get a moment to talk to Lizbeth and anyone else who wished to join him in the kitchen. Much like his body rummaging through the cupboards for the tea leaves, so too did his mind rummage around for ideas of what he could say to Young Lizbeth. Unfortunately, before he could come up with anything concrete enough to be of any use she then arrived with fresh water as requested.

"Ah! Marvelous, thank you very much indeed Young Lizbeth. Just over there if you would and I shall prepare the tea for our guest." He gestured her to put the bucket of water down on the counter top and set about the usual preparations. "Actually, Young Lizbeth. Before you go, I would like to have a quiet word with you about...well...I suppose all of what we may be on the cusp of finding."

BlackBerry did not immediately start his little 'sales pitch'; he used the time it took to pour the water into the kettle and set it hanging above the now more lively flames of the kitchen fire to hammer out the finer points of what he had to say in his mind, and to give a bit of room for anyone else who may wander in to arrive, or perhaps for Lizbeth as well to say something.

"I do hope we are about to find the answers you so deserve, Young Lizbeth, truly I do." BlackBerry finally looked away from the kettle and to the young girl before him. He didn't flinch from her death like appearance. He was certain that she was itching, practically frantic now to find the answers to what was happening to her after Lady Kathryn had given her the letter and even more so now after revealing what had been found in the basement. But BlackBerry knew, for Lizbeths own safety he had to try and temper that energy of hers. "However I must warn you that you may not like what you find, if we do even find anything of substance." He wondered if Lizbeth had considered such a horrible possibility. "But more importantly there could be something of considerable danger to you, even with your many hours training with Master Urmdrus and Lady Kathryn." Blackberry could already hear her oncoming protest so he quickly stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder hoping to ground her against a possible tide of fury or even fear. "Do not worry, I am not asking you to abandon your hunt for answers. Certainly I am not so cruel. I remind you though that Your Aunt placed you in our care in the hope you would be safe. And selfishly I, like Kosara, Victoria, and Lady Kathryn, do not wish for any harm to befall you. Do you understand what I am asking of you, Young Lizbeth? Please do be patient and let us face the dangers before you."

The armour on Lizbeths shoulder was cold to the touch despite the growing warmth of the Coach House. In front of him, BlackBerry didn't see a not-quite-undead being, he saw a very sad and very angry young woman even under the polite smile she painted upon her face. He wondered of all the thoughts that must be running through her head at that moment and if he had been able to impress upon her at all the danger they may face. He wondered if perhaps he was being cruel asking her to stand to the side when she was now so close to the answers she was after.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry had followed Lady Kathryns line of reasoning with a disapproving scowl, but he was silent and allowed her to speak without interruption aside from a few sniffles. When Lady Kathryn explained her suspicions of Cecily, BlackBerry drew in a sharp breath and somehow managed to scowl even harder.

"And berate you I very well shall." He managed to pry his lips apart from the thin line of rage they had become, and hissed after Lady Kathryn. "Madame L'Rose has been nothing but a kind and gracious host. To lay such an insulting accusation! Why I never. Mark my words; by the end of this, and we find Madame L'Rose innocent of such, I shall be first in line to say I' told you so.'"

As angry, and still a little hurt, as BlackBerry was, he had the sense of mind to keep his voice down while he swore verbal vengeance upon Lady Kathryn for her transgressions against the L'Roses. Before then there was the excitement going on upstairs to deal with, plus he wanted to make sure Kosara was in fact as safe as she sounded, and quite possibly if she had been able to find anything useful. BlackBerry barged past Lady Kathryn on his way to the stairs, wishing to see as little of her as he could until he could trust himself not to bite her head off. Figuratively of course.

"Ah Kosara!" His mood lifted coming up the stairs when he caught sight of her. "I am glad to see you are well."

And then the stranger, Daxos, introduced himself. BlackBerry's stomach did several strange turns even as he managed through sheer force of will to hold a pleasant smile on his face; Lizbeth, was right there looking dead as a door nail and Daxos had done little-more than politely shake hands and make introductions. Either the man hadn't quite guessed what was going on (to be fair, an almost-undead-teenager was unlikely to be high on most peoples list of 'things I might see today') or the man was made of stronger stuff than BlackBerry.

"Baronfjørd Chedgusah. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Daxos." BlackBerry gave a small bow, while hoping he wouldn't break whatever spell was stopping the man from diving out the window to raise a mob with pitchforks and torches. "However, most call me 'BlackBerry'. Or even 'BB' come to think of it. I trust our dear Kosara kept you safe on the journey back? Come now, you both must be frightfully cold after walking back from the township. We have a pot of tea should you fancy any, or perhaps we could find something a bit stronger for weather such as this."

BlackBerry then silently cursed himself; he really should have been finding ways to get Daxos out of the building, not inviting him to stay for tea! This would make broaching the subject of the hidden 'keyhole' downstairs a lot more difficult.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

Post 142

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House (basement) Action: Investigation (22) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry could hear the jangle and thuds of things being moved downstairs. After lighting a candle he followed Lizbeth and Vicroria down to join Lady Kathryn who looked to be wrestling with a box.

"Anything of note?" He asked, angling the candle light so as to see better the details of the box. "My it does remind me of a puzzle box...here, Lady Kathryn, could you hold this please? There, and allow me to give it ago."

They were after all looking for a Secret Study, and with the obvious ideas of trap doors or unoticed bookshelves out of the question, that left only the really out of place or bizzare left to follow; such as a puzzle box apparently embedded into a wall shelf. At first he went after the slats of the box but without any luck trying to make them move, the same for pushing and twisting at the mushroom tabs even though they gave a little under his fingers. Then his fingers brushed along the corners of the box and at the front left he felt it twitch under his palm, he followed the movement and felt the corner click into place but the box stayed close. He "hmmmed". Getting to the other corner took some effort stretching his thumb and pinky finger to push both corners in. He was rewarded with a soft 'click'.

"Ah hah!" Blackberry grinned, opening up the box expecting to see....something. his grin dropped. "Ah...hah. Hm." The two slots at the back of the box stared bank at him.

"Would you happen to have found a key or fork perhaps in the investigation of the study?" He asked Lady Kathryn.

He noticed when turning to face her that Victoria and Lizbeth had gone up stairs but he could hear their voices drifting, muffled slightly, back down to them. He also heared the door opening and Kosaras unmistakable declaration of her return.

"Ah that must be Kosara, and she does sound in good health and spirit." The last knot of worry untangled itself. "We should go upstairs and report our finding. But before we do."

BlackBerry remembered he was still angry.

"May I ask, just what in the nine hells are you playing at?" BlackBerry fought to keep his voice quiet, it was a harsh restrained whisper griding through through his teeth. "The letter Lizbeth had, the one addressed to Madame L'Rose, that was the one you handed her was it not? Do not lie to me, just as you dine so easily this morning." A note of hurt overtook the frustation for a second before it happily hopped into the burning fire of rage. "Could you have chosen a better time to give her the information? Or better yet, leave it to her Aunt to tell her instead of reading it herself, here of all places?"

Blackberry piched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes in an effort to block out the headache that had been plagueing him most of the day. Lizbeth was already in a very, very precarious place emotionally and spiritually, and the letter in question may have been the straw that broke the camels back (whatever a camel was anyway). Lizbeth sorely needed time to process everything, answers to her questions about her Grandfather, and someone to sit down and guide her throught it; effectively the girl needed everything they didnt have enough of at present.

Against his better judgement he then asked, "Just where dud you get that letter?"

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House (taproom) Action: Investigation (10), Insight (17) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry welcomed Lizbeths enthusiasm for her borrowed book even despite the subject matter of them. He nodded and snottily 'hmm' -ed and 'Ah, I see' -ed as they braved the ordeal that was ascending the steps to her room, and then once inside the second story he replied, "I admit I have not yet read The White Book, no. But I am glad to hear you are finding the topic...interesting." He did struggle for the word. The topic of Death and even Undeath as Lizbeth insinuated did not strike him as good reading. Especially given the circumstances. "But you may find in further reading in other Gods or Deities similar branching or even contradictory claims of aspects of Life and even Death. I would not consider myself an expert in the subject but I have spent much time studying such beings, they do make quite the fascinating reading."

Once they had equally perilous return journey back down the snowy stairs and inside the taproom BlackBerry decided to leave investigating outside until later when he had either warmed up properly again or his nose had stopped trying to run for the hills. By this time Victoria had already started to revive the fire and by the pile of books, scrolls, and other equipment on a nearby table was preparing for the long haul on her investigation. BlackBerry took the opportunity to try and dry off his improvised cloak removing the blankets and draping them over some chairs close to the fire where they soon began to steam.

Next, was his own investigation which he changed to be simply checking the taproom floor (the idea of going outside again to aimlessly check corners of buildings didn't appeal to him) for any suspiciously square planks, worn areas, or hidden doors under rugs. His search also comprised of tapping or even stomping in specific areas trying to listen for any echoes that might suggest a hidden room beneath, as Lady Kathryn suggested the cellar was a lot smaller than the rest of the building. But sadly he found nothing more than a withering glare from Victoria across the top of her book.

Even after all this, his cloak was still drying, both Lizbeth and Victoria were busying themselves reading, and Lady Kathryn had resumed her own search, so Blackberry decided to head into the kitchen to revive the fire there so it would be ready to cook with upon Kosaras return. He was about midway through feeding and drawing up the fire when he heard a strange noise but it only took him a second to recognise.

"Lizbeth? Young Lizbeth, whatever is the matter?" He asked rubbing her back trying to soothe the poor girl. No real reply could make it through the painful weeping sobs but instead a crumbled up note was pushed towards him.

He uncrumbled the note and read it. Hr read it again. And then a final third in the vain hope he gad been mistaken the first two times. His stomach sank with dread.

It was a very good thing Victoria had interjected whe Lizbeth had stood and gave Lizbeth several words of advice as it meant the girl was facing away from Blackberry when he caught sight of her pale, gaunt, bloodless face. He was simply horrified at the change.

BlackBerry waited until Lizbeth had gone downstairs before turning to Victoria and handed the note to her. "Have you read this? I believe it may support your thoughts, if we are thinking along the same lines." The shock of the moment had passed and now anger had begun to curl around his words. "Just as to Why Lizbeth has this.. "

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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"Indeed, Kosara is one to make friends, and an impression, where ever she may travel." Blackberry let out a relieved laugh and sighed with his hand on his chest. "It does me glad to hear she is well and with some way to get back in contact."

The reveal that Victoria may have found something useful did catch his attention. His eye-ridges rose in interest but then quickly fell when she didn't expand upon it. He let her pass by though without any comment with his attention more focused then on Lizbeths reply.

"Ah. Well then. I stand corrected." He frowned when trying to recall the words from all that time ago when Cicily had welcomed them, and found that Lizbeth was correct and he had momentarily misremembered. Pinching his chin he began to think allowed. "But still, as you too have spent much time in near every nook and cranny without much luck as the rest of us finding another study. I wonder if maybe we should expand our search to the outside?"

Saying this he then looked down at Lizbeth, trying to hide his own worry not only for the situation but also for Lizbeths own well being; having to investigate your own grandfathers background for nefarious deeds couldn't be good for morale.

"Come along, Young Lizbeth." He injected some cheer into his snotty voice. "Let us get the book for Victoria, and then she may explain what it is she has found. After which we may resume our search."

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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After being deposited back on his feet BlackBerry set to smoothing his robes and straightening his cloak with as much indignation as he could muster with a glob of snot waving from his nose. Any other time BlackBerry may have joined in the fun, but heaving a head full of cold tends to make a person a bit more prickly than usual.

"I take it you have a very good reason for manhandling my person without so much as a 'How do you do?'"

They did, in fact, have a good reason.

"A study?" He repeated while following them into the Coach House. His previous annoyance now completely forgotten. "Why a study? What makes you say that? How many studies does a man need?"

The inside was sadly not as warm as he would have liked, especially on such a bitter day. He followed in Lady Kathryns to the top of the basement stairs where he stood and listened to the hammering sounds coming up from below. There didn't sound to be much success unfortunately.

"We have resided here for several weeks now. Surely if there were a study inside we would have stumbled upon it, no?" BlackBerry called down the stairs before starting to rummage around in the cupboards for candles. He had a feeling they might be at this for some time and if they were to be exploring all corners then he at least would need some light. It hadn't gone unnoticed by BlackBerry that he seemed to be the only person who needed a candle to see at night. "Please correct me if I am wrong, Young Lizbeth, but did your Aunt mention the building had been renovated recently, if I recall correctly it had been shortly before our arrival? Surely if so they would have found something also. Ah! Victoria pleasure to see you back safe and well"

BlackBerry looked between Victoria and the closed taproom door expecting Kosara to have been on her heels, and bouncing in with news from the town. When such a thing didn't happen he turned back to Victoria and then noticed the windswept look about her; red hair had escaped its neat confines and her cheeks looked bitten raw by the cold.

"Is all safe and well? I do not mean to sound rude but you look as if you had come running here on a brisk wind." A note of panic seeped into his voice as he continued. "And where is Kosara? Is she alright?"