Early Culautumnus: A Mystery Arises [Open Posting]

[Iduna]

Tatianna's gaze was drawn to the movement in the upstairs window and frowned, "Someone beat me here. Dammit." Hiking up her skirt, she quickly made her way to the back entrance, "I will simply have to be careful to avoid any treasure hunters. They cannot understand the thrill of exploration when they are too busy seeking anything valuable." Her mind turned with the disappointment that she would not be alone in the house, but she could overcome such obstacles. She is adept at hiding in the shadows and throwing her voice, so she can easily provide misdirection for anyone trying to get rid of perceived competition. As she crept toward the back of the house, the damp leaves squished quietly around her boots. Thankful for the fog that dampens any sound, she steadily made her way to the back door. She placed her hand on the knob, feeling the cold metal upon her heated skin, and tried to push it open.

[Jain Zar]

As he perceived something that appeared like movement behind one of the attic windows, Ric narrowed his eyes and frowned. He sneaked closer and closer, this time on his guard despite the alcohol in his blood... or maybe because of it.
He shifted his gaze to the ground floor windows and saw tiny lights flickering behind them.
So... not deserted after all heh...

He had no idea which god planted the thought in his mind of investigating the mysterious place nevertheless, but for some reason he assumed it could turn out profitable for both him and his boss when he took a closer look. He rubbed his hands together, creating some heat in order to keep his fingers supple for what he was about to do.

Over the mossy stepping stone path he sneaked to the right side of the house and picked a window. He placed his hand against the glass and attempted to peek in. Something that looked like chipped wood pieces laid spread over the floor near the window. For the rest he couldn't make much of it as it was too damn dark, the glass too damn dirty, while cobwebs like great sheets of hair of an old witch obscured the little light of the moon attempting to struggle through them.


Perhaps it was because he was still slightly intoxicated, with his intellect somewhat disturbed, Ric tested the vertically sliding bottom sash... which at first sight appeared rather solid...

[Sahji]

For Shula'Sky it could have been an hidden, wild cove. Not a human breath from within, a secret and abandoned building. Indeed, she began to see signs of life in the cracks and crannies...little scurrying insects, who were of course utterly frightened by her appearance. Or so they seemed, anyways....

The fireplace was long since dead. It was chilly in here. A rug lay unfurled, dusty, near it. Ahead, the hallway, leading into darkness. Behind, the door she came through and to the right another closed door....this one blocked with a chair. Both have long since been undisturbed, judging by all the dust.

[Sahji]

For Tatianna at the rear of the mansion, there were none of these insects. Instead, she entered upon a sunroom. The dust had been so thick on the windows, the dead and decaying vines so thick on the walls, she hadn't noticed this at first. But what was here was once a gorgeous indoor garden, long since abandoned and left to die.

But there were signs of struggle.

A pot long overturned. Some of the upholstery sliced. Some environmental paintings laid flat on the ground, frames crushed, broken.

This had been a scene of some sort of battle, and it seemed undisturbed until her.

The devastation continued into the hall leading inward, but the dim light she got from the windows ended here.

[Sahji]

Mr. Ribeiro found it an effort to push the window aside. It hadn't been moved in ages. The window seemed to screech a bit with the movement, and dust scattered in a flurry overhead. But it was silent inside--after all, this building wasn't owned by anyone. And if anyone was here, they would be trespassing...

What rested before him had been some luxurious bedroom, probably a guest room. The bed was sagging, and there were no personal effects laying about, but yet...it seemed decorated for a party. Around the walls hung glistening (mostly valueless) crystals on a string. A dusty smoking device he might recognize as Cuhannan sat overturned against a wall. The couches were left in a circle, as if hastily moved there by a group of party-goers. Still, no signs of movement.

Suddenly the silence was broken. A womanly, rather melodic laugh! Someone in the hall ahead was running, as if in a merry chase with counterparts. She fled down the hall and he heard nothing again.

[Iduna]

She lifted her head when she stepped into the sunroom, looking around warily as the complete absense of sound struck her first. Immediately, the feeling of unease settled within her chest and she started looking at her surroundings. A light frown came to her pouty lips as she studied the architecture and saw how the once fine house had turned to waste. "No matter what happened here before, such a place should have been cared for. I might just ask Daddy to buy it for me."

Tatianna knelt by the overturned pot, then let her eyes travel along the path of destruction, noting where the attack began and trailing off into the darkness where it was obviously carried on. Singing a soft tune, she wrapped herself in the arcane and summoned a little ball of light to float beside her, to light her way. From there, she followed the path of whatever attack had happened in order to investigate it further.

[Kell]

For Shula'Sky it could have been an hidden, wild cove. Not a human breath from within, a secret and abandoned building. Indeed, she began to see signs of life in the cracks and crannies...little scurrying insects, who were of course utterly frightened by her appearance. Or so they seemed, anyways....

The fireplace was long since dead. It was chilly in here. A rug lay unfurled, dusty, near it. Ahead, the hallway, leading into darkness. Behind, the door she came through and to the right another closed door....this one blocked with a chair. Both have long since been undisturbed, judging by all the dust.

Sky spat on the cloth in her hands and continued rubbing up the silver of the chandelier as her greedy eyes took in more of this, what appeared splendid, space. When it shone like new again, she put it back where she took it from and scurried over to the fireplace. She stepped over the rug to make sure she would not disturb whatever creatures had made their home inside, and then made herself even smaller to have a look up in the chimney. She perked her ears, hoping she could catch any other sounds. Chimneys typically ran through the entire house and perhaps she could hear whatever else had nested here. Perhaps she could hear the person she saw behind the window. That person had to really, really like bugs, a lot. Maybe the person knew of home.

[DM Sabre]

She lifted her head when she stepped into the sunroom, looking around warily as the complete absense of sound struck her first. Immediately, the feeling of unease settled within her chest and she started looking at her surroundings. A light frown came to her pouty lips as she studied the architecture and saw how the once fine house had turned to waste. "No matter what happened here before, such a place should have been cared for. I might just ask Daddy to buy it for me."

Tatianna knelt by the overturned pot, then let her eyes travel along the path of destruction, noting where the attack began and trailing off into the darkness where it was obviously carried on. Singing a soft tune, she wrapped herself in the arcane and summoned a little ball of light to float beside her, to light her way. From there, she followed the path of whatever attack had happened in order to investigate it further.

As she began to move further into the room, she became aware of the sounds of rustling, perhaps leaves moving in the breeze...yet there was no breeze. The little ball of light cut through the shadows somewhat yet seemed to create other dancing shapes that were unnerving. A path of dried blood indicated a something being dragged and as she moved to investigate, something appeared to move in the corner of her eyes. Was something behind her?

[Jain Zar]

Mr. Ribeiro found it an effort to push the window aside. It hadn't been moved in ages. The window seemed to screech a bit with the movement, and dust scattered in a flurry overhead. But it was silent inside--after all, this building wasn't owned by anyone. And if anyone was here, they would be trespassing...

What rested before him had been some luxurious bedroom, probably a guest room. The bed was sagging, and there were no personal effects laying about, but yet...it seemed decorated for a party. Around the walls hung glistening (mostly valueless) crystals on a string. A dusty smoking device he might recognize as Cuhannan sat overturned against a wall. The couches were left in a circle, as if hastily moved there by a group of party-goers. Still, no signs of movement.

Suddenly the silence was broken. A womanly, rather melodic laugh! Someone in the hall ahead was running, as if in a merry chase with counterparts. She fled down the hall and he heard nothing again.

He had been investigating the room, leaving an entire set of footprints in the dust. The plumes that erupted from everywhere when he had opened the window gave the air a musty smell. He had done his best to proceed as quietly as possible and yet...

Ric froze in his tracks when he overheard the laughing, and then the running. Was that another treasure-seeker, or one of the residents? Did someone just caught him red-handed breaking into this mansion, or was someone attempting to play a sick game with him?

Technically..., he -was- in violation of the law, but that didn’t prevent him from drawing his sabre. If he was caught, he could always say he figured someone was in need. Nonetheless, adrenaline had started to seep slowly into his blood, the mix with the already present alcohol increasing his heart rate.

If it were ‘funny’ games being played, he had news for the creators. As… no one could scare him off. Fear was like a drug to him, a drug of his choice. More than once he had found himself in a dire situation under even more dire circumstances. And he had learned one thing. Always make sure you take the lead and stay in control.
He smirked to himself. And perhaps try to out-scare your opponent. There was always someone who had to play the chicken. And it wouldn’t be him…


Ric passed the dusty and old furniture, keeping his knees bend as he moved. One of the floorboards near the door squeaked as he applied pressure with his foot, and he barely was able to suppress a curse.

The door, of which old paint was peeling off, loomed over him like a black sail as he reached for the tarnished brass door knob. Carefully he opened it and peeked in the hall way, dark like the orlop deck of a ship...

[DM Sabre]

For Shula'Sky it could have been an hidden, wild cove. Not a human breath from within, a secret and abandoned building. Indeed, she began to see signs of life in the cracks and crannies...little scurrying insects, who were of course utterly frightened by her appearance. Or so they seemed, anyways....

The fireplace was long since dead. It was chilly in here. A rug lay unfurled, dusty, near it. Ahead, the hallway, leading into darkness. Behind, the door she came through and to the right another closed door....this one blocked with a chair. Both have long since been undisturbed, judging by all the dust.

Sky spat on the cloth in her hands and continued rubbing up the silver of the chandelier as her greedy eyes took in more of this, what appeared splendid, space. When it shone like new again, she put it back where she took it from and scurried over to the fireplace. She stepped over the rug to make sure she would not disturb whatever creatures had made their home inside, and then made herself even smaller to have a look up in the chimney. She perked her ears, hoping she could catch any other sounds. Chimneys typically ran through the entire house and perhaps she could hear whatever else had nested here. Perhaps she could hear the person she saw behind the window. That person had to really, really like bugs, a lot. Maybe the person knew of home.

As the ling scurried over to the fire place, there was a sudden sounds and movement. A huge web dropped from the ceiling, blanketing the room...and her in a sticky, clinging mess. This was accompanied by the sound of the door slamming shut, followed by the click of the lock engaging and the more ominous sound of a heavy rustling.

[DM Sabre]

He had been investigating the room, leaving an entire set of footprints in the dust. The plumes that erupted from everywhere when he had opened the window gave the air a musty smell. He had done his best to proceed as quietly as possible and yet...

Ric froze in his tracks when he overheard the laughing, and then the running. Was that another treasure-seeker, or one of the residents? Did someone just caught him red-handed breaking into this mansion, or was someone attempting to play a sick game with him?

Technically..., he -was- in violation of the law, but that didn’t prevent him from drawing his sabre. If he was caught, he could always say he figured someone was in need. Nonetheless, adrenaline had started to seep slowly into his blood, the mix with the already present alcohol increasing his heart rate.

If it were ‘funny’ games being played, he had news for the creators. As… no one could scare him off. Fear was like a drug to him, a drug of his choice. More than once he had found himself in a dire situation under even more dire circumstances. And he had learned one thing. Always make sure you take the lead and stay in control.
He smirked to himself. And perhaps try to out-scare your opponent. There was always someone who had to play the chicken. And it wouldn’t be him…


Ric passed the dusty and old furniture, keeping his knees bend as he moved. One of the floorboards near the door squeaked as he applied pressure with his foot, and he barely was able to suppress a curse.

The door, of which old paint was peeling off, loomed over him like a black sail as he reached for the tarnished brass door knob. Carefully he opened it and peeked in the hall way, dark like the orlop deck of a ship...

The hallway was long, the only light source coming from behind him... and from a small window at the far far end of the hallway. Numerous closed doors could be seen dotted with long forgotten portraits and paintings that were grimy with dust and soot. The faces almost appeared to leer at him, the darkness making the still life's almost sinister, demonic. Sofas and pedestals were positioned at various intervals, draped in cloth so it was impossible to tell what actually could be beneath.

The laughter and footfalls ceased until he stepped into the hallway. A soft sigh seemed to echo in his ear, a chill passing over his body as his hair was ruffled as if by a breeze...

[Kell]

As the ling scurried over to the fire place, there was a sudden sounds and movement. A huge web dropped from the ceiling, blanketing the room...and her in a sticky, clinging mess. This was accompanied by the sound of the door slamming shut, followed by the click of the lock engaging and the more ominous sound of a heavy rustling.

The room came crashing down around her and Sky yelped on the top of her lungs as she stumbled and fell. Flat on her back she started thrashing about to get rid of the sticky mess. She whimpered, clawed and shook her entire body, until she understood what she was under.. and that fighting only would make the situation worse. Then she became still like a mouse, only her breath still audible. She blinked a few times and and her irises turned from dark brown to amber yellow. Her ears grew longer with tiny, fluffy tips and they twitched as she focused more on her senses. This was unexpected. What was that click? What was that rustling? Where was it coming from? The creature inside of her, Sister Wolf, reared her head alarmed.

[Karma]

Meeting Thayne and his bodyguards was quite what they expected. The rundown reception room of an old mansion. A layer of dust covered every surface, and cobbweb clung to corners and tight spaces. The interior was dry and unstirring, though just as chilly as the outdoors. The air was thick here and produced a cloistering effect on the sensitive. Lining the walls, several couches lay decrepit and waiting for visitors.

They could not see outside. The fog seemed to cloak the house entirely. And ahead, the mansion creaked. Not another sound.

Thayne Rhaz looked about the reception room, the creak of a floorboard beneath his feet the only sound other then the breathing of him and his companions. "There is nothing here boss, just an..." One of his men started to speak in his thick Cuhannan accent, but was interrupted by Rhaz raising a closed fist. "Silence." He lowered his hand to pointing at the two doors across the room, indicating to the men to open them. "Its time to search this place, room by room and see where the item I seek lies." Thayne left his sword in its scabbard but silently drew the Kukri from his bandolier, holding it under his cloak and proceeding into the house.

[Jain Zar]

The hallway was long, the only light source coming from behind him... and from a small window at the far far end of the hallway. Numerous closed doors could be seen dotted with long forgotten portraits and paintings that were grimy with dust and soot. The faces almost appeared to leer at him, the darkness making the still life's almost sinister, demonic. Sofas and pedestals were positioned at various intervals, draped in cloth so it was impossible to tell what actually could be beneath.

The laughter and footfalls ceased until he stepped into the hallway. A soft sigh seemed to echo in his ear, a chill passing over his body as his hair was ruffled as if by a breeze...

He shrugged off the cold as if it were some pesky mosquito. Also, he refused to be drawn into a chase after some possible lunatic. And if it was something more serious than that, it was an additional reason to proceed with caution. The question which did remain however, where would he be heading? Investigating the source of laughter, or check a few other rooms first?

He chose the latter as it made more sense to cut out any further potential surprises from rooms he would have ignored investigating. He left the room from which he had entered the mansion behind. Knowing boards rubbing against each other or slide against nail shafts would produce a cacophony of squeaks and creaks, Ric moved as close to the edge of the wall as possible. He crouched into his steps, absorbing his movement.

It was more trusting on instincs and reflexes rather than visual as it really was dark in here. Of course he had some gem that could produce light, but that would also betray his position and presence. As he reached the next door, he listened intently before opening it quietly and slowly.
The room held an ominous air, and as he pushed the door further open, the hings groaned due the rigors of time. Something of interest however caught his eye and Ric entered the room.

Suddenly and without any wind the door slammed shut. Ric sucked in a startled breath, spun around his axis with his sabre swooshing through the air...

[Sahji]

with his sabre swooshing through the air...

[[ Them Sabres always be swooshing through the air. ]]