Father Alden rasps out, "I understand your reluctance, Captain.  However, I am afraid I must agree with Kit.  The ... writings in these manuscripts are not just ramblings, thev have a scientific mind behind."  He paused to inhale a shallow breath, "And man has been trying to live forever as long as there has been mankind".

"I should have known better then to look for common sense from a man who preaches superstition for a living."

The bitterness in the Captains voice is evident.

"Jonathan, I have to hope that you have the good sense to leave these things alone. Look what they did to your father! Look what they have almost already done to the three of you! It's insanity I tell you..."

Father Alden turns his neck and head towards Captain Yates, somewhat taken aback.
He considers replying then thinks better off it.

In reply to Captain George Yates (msg # 468):

"I quite agree, George. Our first order of business is to see that Father Alden recovers his health. Beyond that..." his voice trails off and he gnaws at his lower lip, "Well, we'll see what's necessary then."

Kit sticks out his chin. "I think you might be the one abandoning common sense, Captain.   I hope to Heaven you're right and this is all a mad goose's chase, but this is my cousin's grandfather we're talking about. Family blood cries out for action. But I won't argue with his Lordship--let's get our friend healthy. Then I, for one, am going to go to Bermuda."

He sits, glaring at George.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:24, Thu 31 Oct 2013.

The youthful, perhaps childish behavior (from the perspective of a much older man) of Kit comes as little to no surprise. Jonathon's level headedness was noticeable (and notable) for one so young, and one of the reasons George felt such fondness for him.

The captain contained his laughter at the claim that believing in such things, and running after more of them after they had already proven so dangerous, might constitute 'common sense' though.

"Please don't argue on account of m..." Father Alden began to plead, but he was unable to finish his request as a coughing fit seized him.  As he drew his handkerchief away from his face, small flecks of blood were visible.  Father Alden quickly folded the handkerchief hoping no one saw it.  Shallow, breath shallow he reminded himself.

The following morning, Jonathan instructs the butler that the entire staff is to be assembled in the entry hall immediately. He wants to meet them.

When all are present (how many are they and of what function?) Jonathan introduces himself, George, and Kit (and Father Alden, if he is there).

Jonathan then goes along the line, asking each one's name and how long he or she has been with the household.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:59, Sat 02 Nov 2013.

George stands by silently, but clearly supportive of Jonathan's actions.

Father Alden sits in a chair in the corner stifling any coughs into a handkerchief

I'd like to pause on the staff meeting until Glenn has resolved his next brush with the purgative (I am assuming you would try and treat him immediately, if not please let me know). See the Appendix thread.

In reply to Great Old One (msg # 477):
I say treat him immediatly!

Father Alden nodded when he heard Captain Yates suggestion.  "I am afraid the good Captain is correct", he croaked, "I must try again."  He motioned for someone to pass him the purgative.

"God bless you all" he said quietly, then with a determined look choked down as much of the vile liquid as he could.

18:25, Today: Father Glenn Alden rolled 9 using 1d6+3. Purgative 3 Pt Spend and a prayer.

He set the liquid down with a loud thump.  His face was distorted in a grimace for few seconds, but then his face became relaxed.  "I believe that may have..." he started to say in a quiet voice.  Suddenly he grabbed his chest in agony.  Pain wracked his body as he began to convulse.  He slumped from his chair onto the floor, foamy blood on his lips.  In a last act as he lay on the floor he gently pulled his crucifix from under his vestments he whispered, "Go with God".  His hands went limp, his bloody mouth hung open, but his unseeing eyes still looked upon the room.

Wow, even on line the dice hate me.  Now I want to see some payback :)

Kit weeps unabashedly at the passing of this good man.

He then turns to George and screams, "Telll me now we aren't going to Bermuda! We have to avenge him!" He slumps down. "After we bury him, he adds weakly.

"Bury him? We must burn him! Damnation man, those worm within him must be destroyed beyond all doubt."

George takes a half step back at the minder of the creatures who murdered the good father.

"Revenge against the worms will be enough though, must be enough. It was our own meddling and bad luck that got the three of you exposed to this nightmare. No one in Bermuda forced us into the ruins, and no one in Bermuda intentionally did harm to any of us."

Jonathan steps forward and closes Father Alden's kindly eyes, his own wet with the knowledge that he'll never see the man again this side of Heaven. He mouths a silent valedictory prayer. He rings the bell to summon the butler to the room.

"Gentlemen, please," he says to his stalwart companions, "We needn't resolve this until Father Glenn has been attended to.

"Uncle George, will you dispose of the liquid? I'd suggest someplace at the back of the garden.

"Kit, check the writings. Does Father Alden's death also put an end to the creatures within him?"

When the butler arrives, Jonathan instructs that the priest's body be taken up to his bed and that the closest Church of England parish be asked to send over a priest to administer Last Rites. He also asks that the doctor who attended Glenn last night be summoned to deal with the death certificate.

He sits with the body until servants arrive to bear him to his room.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:28, Thu 07 Nov 2013.

George feels certain the body remains a threat, but he could see that Jonathan would brook no contridiction of his wishes.

Perhaps he would take a hotel room, for fear of sleeping in a house where the worms might revert to their highly contagious state.

In the mean time, he takes the purgative fluid to a nearby sewer grate, praying he wont regret the loss.

The last rights are over and the death certificate issued. The doctor does not seem suspicious, given the miserable state Glenn was in yesterday. During the bleak morning, Henderson finds a few moments to draw Jonathan's attention to an article in the London Standard. "Begging your pardon m'Lord, but I think you would want to see this"

New entry in the Documents thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:17, Sat 09 Nov 2013.

Jonathan instructs Henderson to arrange with a mortuary for Father Alden's direct cremation (yes, he understands that it is not an accepted practice for the CoE) and for the shipment of the urn back to the Cavendish Estate in Boston.

After luncheon, he closets himself with Kit and George in his study. He shares the newspaper article with George and Kit.

"Fellows, I'm not sure we can walk away from this mystery. Even if we go back to the States, it may pursue us. Poor Hobbes was hardly involved, but someone has made an example of him.

"George, do you want to contact your sources at Scotland Yard to see whether they know anything concrete about these 'heathen fetishes' mentioned in the report? Maybe Kit and I should find out when passage to Bermuda may be available."

Kit nods, looking a bit smug. "Absolutely agree, your Lordship-ship."

Jonathan and Kit walk in to the ticket agency and inquire when the next ship sails for Bermuda.

Kit and Jonathan are soon being fawned over at the travel agency, who are delighted to offer his lordship three first class tickets to New York and onward to Bermuda. The first leg of the trip, on the modern liner The Northumbria, leaves from Southampton in three days, on Monday morning and arrives in New York five days later. The liner to Bermuda, from New York, leaves on the following Monday and arrives in Bermuda on Friday August 8th.

Kit makes sure this is acceptable with his cousin, and if it is, suggests to his cousin that they go find George to make sure he's coming along on the trip.

Jonathan books three tickets for the excursion. He's actually looking forward to the trip.

Kit holds the tickets in his hand, a curious expression on his face.

"They say a bit of sun makes any situation look better. This will put that adage to the test, won't it? Come on, your lordship, let's go find George."