After a brief rest and freshening up in the guest house for a short while you make your way up to the main house. Your sailor companions remain in the guest house, choosing to stay with their wounded comrade and sleep rather than spend time in a library, the thought of which makes them react with obvious disdain. As he left Dr Fran promised to attend to Jeb's injury presently with a chuckle and the phrase, "The title isn't just for show dear fellows."

As you reach the front doors they swing open in readiness and you are greeted by a slim man, mercifully this time of normal height and dimensions, dressed in flowing red robes and wearing a small, pillbox style hat. Incongruously in this place he looks like nothing so much as a cardinal of the Church of the New God. His age is difficult to determine as his features seem like those of a man in his thirties but his black hair is shot through with silver and there are patches, like liver spots, on the backs of his hands. The newcomer bows to you slightly from the waist and announces in a surprisingly softly spoken voice (though maybe you have just spent too long in the company of Dr Fran), "Welcome to the manor house. I am Felix, the doctor's private secretary. You are expected in the library if you would follow me."

Inside the door you are admitted to a cool corridor running left to right with a floor of polished black and white tiles. A large double door stands closed directly in front of you while to the left you can see through to an open door where the familiar noises and smells of a kitchen greet you. You can make out the unmistakable shape of Orson moving around in there. Felix leads you off to the right through another side door and, as you follow, you catch a whiff of something chemical in the air before you find yourself in a large main hall. The floor of this hallway is covered in once fine carpets, which now look like they have seen better days, and the walls are hung with paintings of wildlife. Other than the door you came through four other doors lead off the hallway and a small stairway leads up to the second floor.

Felix knocks once on the first door, immediately on your right as you come into the hall, and pushes it open without waiting for a reply; holding it open for you to go ahead. The room inside is clearly a library though it's current state would be enough to give most librarians worth the name heart palpitations. The room is a chaotic collection of books, scrolls, knickknacks and curious items spread across shelves, tables and chairs in a haphazard fashion. Books have been stacked in four foot high piles and scrolls form tangled piles in the corners of the room. There is a powerful smell of damp, no doubt where water has found its way through to some of the papers. There are two huge oak tables and several stools and low benches which look to have been made from driftwood lashed together with vines (though most are covered in papers, books or items). In addition there is one large, well over stuffed, armchair with an imperiously high back. Dr Fran, still in the clothes he met you in, occupies that chair with his cane propped up to one side.

He greets you as warmly as ever with sparkling eyes, "You're here, tremendous! And you look fabulous, fresh as daisies. Shall we commence the tour or would you rather wait here and have a chat until lunch? I don't think it should be very long."

As you have all entered the door is pulled closed softly behind you. Felix does not follow you in.

Just when he thought his host could not impress any further, Kaine was proven wrong. From the corridor with the impeccable an expensive looking tiles to the vast & overstuffed library, Kaine had to admit he was beginning to envy their strange host his life on this isolated island.

Yes, there were worse ways to spend ones existence than a private island, a large manor house, servants and good food and a lifetime worth of books to pore over until your life ended.

The only things that took away from the feeling were the smell of damp permeating the room, and the strangely conflicting features of Felix. A glamour perhaps, to make him appear younger...or more human? thought Kaine, locking the thought into a corner of his mind to disseminate later.

"I for one am famished, I just didn't know how badly until I smelled the wonderful odors from your kitchen," Kaine replied with a smile to the good doctor, taking a seat at one of the massive oaken tables close to Dr. Fran while eyeing the spines of the closest of the tomes, trying to see if anything caught his fancy to read later.

Not seeking to offend the sensibilities of their host Kaine had left his staff in his room, he had brought his travel-bag with his meager possessions reclaimed from the shipwreck with him, and decided he would borrow a few books with the good doctors permission after they finished eating and carry them with him in his bag to read as time permitted.

"A chat sounds almost as good as the meal smells, there is much I would like to know about this island. Not the least of which are the creatures that attacked us and the sailors from our ship...what did you call them, broken ones?" Kaine asked Dr. Fran curiously.

Cavalier was curious about its invitation to dine. It did not need to, simply. There wasn't a single piece of flesh or mortal need for it to have a drive for, but it felt that tagging along was suitably correct, and it understood that declining might be seen as rude. It had no need or intention of being rude.

It watched the manor with what looked like a cool, dethatched interest. Of course it could not muster a lot of emotion and feeling through the porcelain mask that substituted as its face, so this would have to do. It hoped no one would mind.

As they came to sit to wait for their food, it took a massive seat in one of the couches. After a very brief creak, it decided that perhaps this piece of furniture did not support its entirety, so it decided to stand instead. Entering a more idle state, it became rigid, though its head turned as people spoke. Statuelike, almost.

Now washed and the worse of the diet scraped and brushed from his clothes Gren accompanied the others the the main house.

He was interested in what the big man had to say, if he could get them off the island and what hospitality he had to offer.

He also wanted to see the j
Lay of the place they now found themselves, he wasn't much for human dwellings and he wanted to make sure he had a route out of required.

Fran sighs deeply and runs a hand through his beard, "Ah yes, the broken ones. Poor souls. There is something about this island - a plague, or perhaps a curse is more accurate - that twists and blends forms together. You may have noted some truly curious animals where the fauna has been merged and the broken ones are what happens to the native population. Some maintain more of their humanity than others but most are poor reflections of what they once were. I am surprised to hear they attacked you; the tribes up in the North of the island tend to be quite peaceful creatures but some of the broken ones do tend towards aggression."

"I've spent twenty five years on this island trying to find something to help these creatures but I've not yet been able to find a cure; the curse is too strong even for my talents. But I'm not giving up, I have made some inroads and there are still options to try!" By the end he's become quite animated, a passion in his eyes you haven't seen before.

Cavalier looks to the good doctor.

"Twenty-five years? Just how old are you? I wouldn't think you particularly old." Sure, the man seemed advanced in age, but twenty five years ontop of a life and also a doctor's schooling..

"A curse...something magical in nature then," Kaine surmised, stroking his beard in thought. "It would have to be quite powerful to affect such a large area and for such a long time."

Glancing at the doctor he asked curiously, "What sorts of inroads do you mean? Have you attempted some form of a cure, that dispels the curse or reverses its effects? What other options are you considering?"

Kaine tried to place his words carefully, nothing Dr. Fran said implied he had attempted anything magical in nature for his work, he appeared to be a man of learning, science perhaps or alchemy at most.

But then again there was the issue of Felix the manservant, and his odd features: a younger mans face but an older man's skin. Thus would not do for them to tip their hand more than they already had, and speak of what they themselves were capable of, or not. They did not yet fully know the intentions of their hosts after all.

Skitterlung had his head on a swivel at the dinner table. It wasn't that he was afraid of poisoning, since he felt as though he, and some other short folk, could probably ingest many poisons without serious harm. He was nervous about his companions, however, and nervous about this man's intentions.

"Those shorts were crazy for a curse? The work of talls, I say, curses and things." He looked about the table, supposing that his response was perfectly rational and would be met with a positive reception.

Fran barely looks taken aback at Cavalier's question, "Not quite as old you I wager my clockwork friend, but old enough. Fewer years left in front of me than behind I'll wager but I still think I have plenty of time left yet."

"The curse is, indeed, quite potent and resistant to attempts to resolve it. I believe it may stem from an artifact of a foul power somewhere on this island though I have not yet been able to find it. For my part I am a healer and I know a little of magic. I have tried to separate the poor creatures into their constituent essences but my successes have been limited  - even when I can divide them often the halves do not live long thereafter. Things are improving, however, and I am sure will continue to do so. You saw my man, Orson, earlier. He was one of the first of those I managed to save. I will have to show you my laboratory after lunch as well as some of my more recent patients."

He rises to his feet and then picks up his cane from it's place against the chair. "I have no doubt you are right my diminutive friend, the curse is certainly the work of 'talls' as you say. I even have an idea as to who but that is something for me to discuss more with you at a later point. If you will excuse me I just want to check on lunch."

He moves off towards the door, turning back to you as he reaches it "Please do make yourselves at home, it shouldn't be very long." With that he leaves the room and pushes the door to gently behind him.

Kaine watched Fran's retreating back thoughtfully, stroking his beard as he considered the doctor's words. He was not knowledgeable in the type of magic Fran claimed to be able to perform but the doctor's mention of a laboratory implied a likely melding of alchemy with the more 'traditional' arts. Or at least, that is what Kaine presumed.

Once Fran had closed the door behind him Kaine remarked to his companions in a soft voice, "If our host managed to capture and...experiment on these broken ones, he is quite resourceful. And has likely also earned the enmity of the creatures on this island; we should tread carefully. The experiments he mentioned do not sound very pleasant, the creatures must have suffered greatly after being split, before dying."

He made a note to inspect Orson more carefully next time, perhaps even talk with him a bit to gauge his reaction to being saved, as the good doctor put it. Kaine idly wondered what type of creature Orson had been before the successful experiment, given his height, which was taller even than Fran.

"That artifact sounds interesting to say the least, could be worth quite the penny to interested parties, of which our good doctor is but one," Kaine added thoughtfully, but he was speaking as much to himself as his companions. He did not think most of them had much of a desire or use for money. Cavalier was mostly a machine be it sentient or not, Gren a mole-kin, a species who likely found precious metals and jewels on a regular basis deep within the earth, and Skitterlung...well money was a concept of the talls anyway.

---

Making an Intellect Challenge Roll to determine if Kaine might have heard anything similar to this artifact of foul power that 'twists and blends forms together'. Roll Result: 11


21:56, Today: Kaine rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  Intellect Challenge Roll.

Gren leaned forward and in a low tone "call me paronoid but what is to say he's not binding creature as well as ripping them apart."

Cavalier waits until Fran leaves.

"I do not feel well about this doctor. It is one thing to investigate and examine strange creatures, but what this man does seems unnatural. I know that might be strange thinking, coming from one such as I."

The clockwork's gaze lingered on the closed door. "Should we truly trust a man such as that? What if he wishes to experiment on other exotic creatures? Such as.." Its voice trails off, as the porcelain mask turns towards Gren and Skitterlung, and finally, to Kaine.

Skitterlung had looked for a moment as if he might, in fact, trust this Fran when he agreed with him about the curse. But other factors prevented that one from gaining his full trust. When he had left entirely, he huddled in closer to the others.

"Don't trust a never-around tall. What's he doing so all the time? Secrets, secrets. Skitterlung Witchfinder of my Very Holy Order, and I don't trust the ripping and draining of this tall. Unholy, unnatural, smells like bad witchery . . ."

Catching the turn of Cavalier's mask to himself, Skitterlung scoffed. "Goblins ain't good for experiment. And I'll kill any tall with acorns who tries to experiment Gren."

"do not fret my friend I am an extremely hard nut to crack. If indeed there is more to him than seems it might be a good idea not to eat the food offered. I have a bad feeling deep down in the earth in my gut that all is not right or he is not telling us all. This object he speaks of to one who controls magic it might be a big enough prize to experiment on creatures to locate it. "

He took a deep breath" I would feel safer if we had some distance between us and this place. Perhaps if we can find out the next supply delivery time we can hide out until it comes and get off this island"

Considering the words of his companions over steeped fingers Kaine replied slowly, "Yes, there is the risk he would turn on us for his experiments. The good doctor seems too eager and too friendly I admit, though I do suppose that could be he has been starving for some real company that was not one of his experiments. If we do run though, we leave Jeb here to his condition. The other sailors may not agree."

Glancing towards the door Kaine added, "Maybe we should have a look around the place while Fran is away, to see for ourselves? Or we can do that later after he retires for the night, though then we would have to go through the lunch with him."

Kaine does seem to recall some rumours of such an artefact though it's very much scraps and fragments of information. Something which has the power to warp creatures and create existance from nothing. It has gone by many names through history though most translate as 'The Altar of Life' or something similar.

OOC: Just let me know if you want to go snooping or if you would rather wait to be summoned to dinner and I can progress things. No rush, obviously, if you want to talk through the situation or your options first.

"I have not much need for lunch myself, but I also do not particularly excel in the arts of skullduggery, and would likely be caught before I make myself of use to us. Your case for the good doctor being lonely might be true, but it is not as if he had no ability to leave the island if he craved social interaction so, with these claims of the support ships." The machine hmm's a bit, "Though I lack the ability, this man still leaves a poor taste in my mouth. Figure of speech, as it were."

Cavalier goes back to staring at the door, as if it expected the doctor to come bursting through at any moment and it needed to be ready to fight. Had it hairs, they would surely be standing on end.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 10:57, Wed 07 Oct 2020.

Gren nodded at the mechanical man's assessment of the situation "our little friend here would be good at getting into small places and finding things out" he said turning to the little goblin by his side

"what say you would you be willing to spy on the tall tall to allow us to understand more his motives and thus protect us all from harm"

"Sneakin' ain't priestly." He frowned a bit. Then he thought a bit. Then he scratched his head a bit. "But harm to friends is worse, especially for a short like Skitterlung. OK, I'll go sneakin'."

"Thank you friend, but be careful, if you are seen just pretend you were lost while wandering about," Kaine said to Skitterlung.

"I do recall reading about such an artifact years ago, or at least something which had similar effects. I believe it was called 'The Altar of Life'," he told the others as Skitterlung prepared to leave.

Skitterlung crept to the door, popping it open and shutting it as quickly as he could. He took in the space outside, trying to see where he might be able to sneak.

Outside the door Skitterlung stands in the empty corridor, there are no signs of the other occupants of the house nearby.

Immediately to his right is the door you came from which leads to the entranceway and the kitchens. Other than the door to the library there are three other doors leading off this corridor as well as a stairway leading up to a second floor. There are no obvious sounds coming from any of the directions beyond vague moving about and the sound of voices from back towards the kitchens.

OOC: We'll let Skitterlung get clear on his exploration and then move things along for the rest of the group too.

Knowing that talls keep their secrets high up where the shorts can't reach them, Skitterlung moved to the stairs to the second floor immediately, clambering up along one side to peer around the wall for talls coming the other way.

Skitterlung dissapears upstairs as he hears feet approaching from the direction of the kitchen. The stairs lead up to another corridor running left to right in front of him. At the far end to the left it takes a sharp left turn out of sight. To the right it ends in a wall not too far away. Three doors, all closed, lead to rooms which would be on the front of the house and one other door leads to a room which would be at the rear of the building. From behind this last door you can hear what you are sure are animal sounds and from one of the other doors you are sure you can hear the sound of someone humming.

***

Downstairs there is a  polite knock on the library door and it opens to reveal Felix. He inclines his head very slightly and says, "Dinner is served. If you would be so kind as to follow me? Hevsteps back slightly and holds the door open with one hand.

Skitterlung first tries to peer through the keyhole of the door he hears humming behind, trying to catch glimpse of whoever lay on the other side.

Following this, he repeated the same with the door he could hear animal sounds from, trying merely to get a look at both rooms before deciding which one he should go into.

Waiting for Skitterlung's return, Kaine was inspecting some of the books in the library to see if any were of interest when Felix opened the door and invited them to lunch.

Turning to greet the manservant with a smile Kaine glanced at the others, "Well its about time, are you all ready for for some lunch?"

It was mostly a rhetorical question, Cavalier for instance didn't need to eat as far as Kaine knew, and his companions had already divulged their concerns about eating anything prepared by Fran's people. Despite this, Kaine decided to take the risk.

"Could you invite the sailors to eat as well, or at least have food delivered to them?" he asked Felix, moving towards the door and indicating he was ready to proceed.

"Our companion Skitterlung went to check up on them, just to make sure they are doing fine; he told us not to wait up for him, he will find his way to the dining area," Kaine added casually.

---

ooc: Anything interesting among the book titles Kaine might have spotted?

Gren got to his feet and nodded to his metal companion "yes indeed let us see what feast our host has prepared for us" he replied in his gravelly voice. He was a bit concerned for their little green friend but knowing goblins if he didn't want to be seen he wouldn't be.


With that he gathered with the others and made ready to follow the man servant to the dining room

Cavalier turns its head down to Gren as he speaks to it. "Indeed I shall watch it thoroughly, and enjoy it by proxy." Some attempt at humour, perhaps? The emotionless face and voice did nothing to help in any of it, of course.

It shuffled along awkwardly in the too-low building, as it stood for its comfort. It was rather tall, after all.

Upstairs Skitterlung peeps through the first keyhole and finds himself looking into a small bedroom. Almost immacutaely tidy it contains a canopied bed, a small chest, an armoire and a dressing table. In front of a large window (which must, you reason, look down over the yard and the guesthouse) is a chair in which you can make out the back of a lady who appears to be humming to herself while she brushes long, dark hair.

The other door from which sounds emnate has no lock and, therefore, no keyhole. However, by dropping to his belly Skitterlung can look through the crack at the bottom and get a sense of the room beyond. The door would seem to open on to some sort of gantry, suspended over a room which must start on the ground floor. You can't see what is making the animal sounds so they must be on the lower level.

***

Kaine has had plenty of time to get a look at several of the books in the library and get a flavour for them. They are an eclectic mix from a travelogue of the lands of the Northern Reach to a book enttled "The Wisdom of Lord Toede" which appears to be a novel written primarily to support a series of bawdy illustrations. Most are reference books including a rather water damaged five volume encyclopedia and dozens of different medical texts detailing both human and animal medicine. Of a more unusual nature spread around the room are a number of children's primers for teaching writing and arithmatic.

Felix seems to accept Skitterlung's absence without comment and confirms that Orson is already "seeing to" the sailors. He then shows you across the corridor to a room just the other side of the staircase. Again holding the door open for you he lets you cross into a well furnished dining room dominated by a huge table and eight mismatched chairs. Six places on the table are set. One wall has a long table across it which is already dominated by several platters of fresh fruits, steamed vegetables and a loaf of bed so freshly baked that steam still rises from it.

Felix indicates the food, "Please do help yourselves. Dr Fran will be with you shortly and the main course will then follow." Then, with another inclination of his head, he leaves the room.

The books on medicine were to be expected, but the ones on teaching children were surprising. "Are there any children present here, or were there any over the previous years?" Kaine queried Felix casually as they were led to the dining area.

Taking his place at one of the chairs near the head of the table, Kaine wanted to wait for their host to arrive but the smell of the fresh baked bread was too good to ignore. He quickly cut off a slice and took a bite, followed by another, giving a relieved sigh at the taste.

Cavalier sits down, opting for the floor rather than breaking a seat. He was large enough to still remain at a comfortable eyelevel with the others, of course. It required none of the food, so it remained seated, just being company to the others. At least there was some satisfaction by observing them while they ate; like eating, by proxy.

"Can you describe it? How does it taste?"

Thinking he had nothing to lose at any rate, Skitterlung shrugged and pulled on the handle, to creep onto the other side and spy on whatever animals were making those sounds.

Gren listened to Kaine talk about the books, a sudden dread came over him. What if their host was actually creating the monsters they were attacked by instead of trying to cure them. What if he saw his creations as his children and the books on teaching children was to be the next stage of his experiment.

But something hadn't gone right with the the research and the creatures retained or even had their animal instincts increased.

He kept his thoughts to himself until Felix went out of the room then turned to Kaine.

"do you think he is creating the creatures we fought and the books on teaching children was to be the next stage of his experiment some how he believes he can uplift animals from their position in the natural order of things"

The door offers no resistance to Skitterlung and opens with little noise so the goblin is able to slip inside swiftly. The door opens on to a metal gantry suspended over a large square room  some twenty five feet high at the roof line. A wooden ladder leads down from the gantry on to the ground level.

On the ground floor, and running up to the gantry, are eight metal cages. All but one of them are occupied by a variety of animals; mostly livestock (goats, pigs and sheep) but also more exotic creatures such as a large flightless bird and, most impressive, a black panther. While general animal sounds emerge from all the cages it is the panther making the loudest sounds.

Two doors lead out of the room, one to the South and the other to the East.

***

Felix looks somewhat confused by the question about children but answers it nonetheless, "No children live in the house, sir. Dr Fran has a ward but she is a young woman now. The broken ones have young but they are rarely allowed in the manor."

Kaine's slice of bread is delicious, especially after a couple of days on the island. It is a simple, homebaked loaf but fresh and hearty.

OOC: Didn't want to cut off any discussions with the arrival of Dr Fran. I'll give it a couple of days in case anyone wants to discuss Gren's theory and then update with your hosts arrival.

Kaine chewed through another bite, enjoying the taste as he thought over Gren's words. "Quite possible, we have no idea of the types of experiments the doctor performs here. I do believe he was intent on giving us a tour after lunch, so perhaps that will shed more light on this."

Taking another bite he added, glancing at the others, "Ofcourse, we must be on guard. He seems a pleasant enough sort, but we do not want to end up becoming part of his experiments."

Felix's words on Dr. Fran having a ward were interesting, and Kaine wondered if they would get to meet her. Ofcourse, that still didn't explain the books about children...perhaps Gren was right and that was Fran's plan all along, transform animals into a new form of intelligent life.

Skitterlung tutted slowly at the sight of such lowly things brought to such a sad state, backing out of the room and heading down the hallway to the sharp left turn to see what secrets might still lurk up here.

Upstairs Skitterlung's exploration of the turn in the corridor leads to another long halway terminating in a window which opens out over the front of the house, offering an oblique view of the guest accommodation over to the left, and one more door on the right side of the corridor.

***

After a fairly short wait the sound of footsteps heralds the arrival of Dr Fran who bursts into the dining room in his normal gregarious fashion. He has changed, exchanging his previous travelling clothes for a garishly coloured caftan and brightly shaded gloves which clash horribly with the robe.

He takes a seat at the head of the table and waves you down into the other seats unceremoniously. Almost hot on his heels are Orson, who pushes a trolley laden with food, and Felix who bears a tray holding a carafe and several glasses. The two proceed to provide everyone with crockery, cutlery and glassware leaving two additional places set. Orson then lifts from the tray and places a platter of roasted vegetables and a mighty side of roast meat in the center of the table. As Felix starts to pour everyone a generous glass of red wine Dr Fran claps his hands together with undisguised glee,
"Aah lunch, I do so love a good meal! My dear girl Delphi is on her way down and will be with us presently." He puts a hand over the side of his mouth and whispers conspiratorially, "We so seldom get visitors I think she wants to make herself look nice.

He then looks up as if he has suddenly noticed something. "Wait, aren't we missing someone? Wasn't there a small thi...fellow who accompanied you?"

Gren looked over at the doctor " our friend stepped out for some air, he's not accustomed to such fancy surroundings. You understand goblins tend to live on the fringes of society and being a guest of honour to such an important person as yourself went to his head a bit and he felt a bit faint he will be back shortly. If it is acceptable to you I well place some food on his plate in anticipation of his arrival."

Kaine struggled to find words to reply to Fran, for though the roasted meat was tantalizing and made his mouth water, Dr Fran's fashion sense on the other hand made him slightly nauseous.

Both appeared to cancel each other out somewhat and so Kaine said with mock surprise, "You never mentioned you had a daughter before good sir. Did she accompany you from the main land or was she...ah born here?"

He pushed his plate forward to Felix to cut him a piece of the roast, hoping Skitterlung was having some luck in finding out what actually went on here.

Felix artfully carves the meat and serves everyone thick slices with a heaped side of still steaming vegetables. Dr Fran for his part seems to accept Gren's explanation for Skitterlung's absence without comment, instead stuffing a large mouthful of potato into his mouth and nodding sagely.

In response to Kaine the old man's eyes twinkle, this is clearly a topic of which he has great interest, "Delphi is not my daughter, though I would be proud to call her such. I found her washed up on the shore many years ago, the result of a shipwreck no doubt, and have raised her as my ward ever since. Despite being raised in this backwater she is quite the young lady and I could not be prouder." His chest swells slightly with pride.

"But how about you fellows? Where were you bound before you ended up in my little slice of paradise?"

***

Upstairs Skitterlung hears movement and the sound of one of the doors behind him down the corridor opening...

"My master is gone, and I no longer have a purpose."

Cavalier doesn't shift his gaze where it has lingered on a wall for a few good minutes. His tone remains hollow, mimicing his lack of focus.

Skitterlung moved back around quickly to sneak, and spy and eavesdrop, on whoever had just opened a door. He was eager to see what he might see, and went out of his way to get the best possible angle.

Then, he fell into an awful coughing fit, by which virtue he had in fact earned his name of Skitterlung.

Kaine listened to the good doctor while chewing on a chunk of the roast, smiling as he mentioned his adopted daughter with pride. She certainly sounded like quite an up and coming lass, though he did wonder what affect living here would have on a young girl, especially with no other women for company.

"I have been on the move for some time...something to do with my old master's death. Something killed him though I managed to escape, and the thing has been hunting me trying to finish the job," Kaine answered, taking a sip of water to wash down the meat. "I've been on the run ever since, getting in all sorts of trouble not of my own making," he added, putting the mug down and smiling grimly.

"Truth be told, this place seems as good as any to lay low. Less of a chance of anything or anyone tracking me down here."

when the room fell quiet for a moment Gren took a deep breath " I am the last of my clan, I'm nobody special, a gem miner by trade I spent most of my time away from my clan caves but they were still my family."

He took a moment to gather his thoughts " I was returning after a long delve into an uncharted cave system when I came upon my home being attacked. I tried to help but got knocked out cold when I came to I found all my family, my whole clan dead. With nothing else to do I gathered what little I could and headed away from my life before. I eventually found myself on the surface and decided that I would travel, see the world a little and mine enough gems to pay surface dwellers to return with me to exact revenge on those creature that had taken my life away from me."

He looked around " unfortunately that seems to have been cut short by the untimely sinking of the ship I was on but them as the great earth mother says everything has a reason.... I just need to work out the reason behind finding myself here"

Dr Fran listens intently to everyone's stories as he eats, his eyes glittering with genuine interest at every one, "Three strangers without a plan ending up here, my my what are are the chances? This is certainly a fine place to hide out if that's what you're after - bar occasional supply ships we're pretty much off the beaten track. You would be more than welcome to stay if that is what you desire. However, if you're looking for a purpose then I may just have one for you. How would you feel about helping me end the curse on this island forever?" As he finishes he leans earnestly forward and lowers his voice, albeit still louder than some people shouting, as if involving you in some form of confidence.

***

Skitterlung's peek around the corner reveals the occupant of the room he had seen from the rear starting to head down the stairs. It is a young woman, either late teens or very early twenties, of noticeable beauty (for a tall anyway) with a long sweep of luxurious dark hair running almost down to the small of her back. She turns deep eyes instantly at the sound of the cough and catches a second's glance of Skitterlung before he ducks back behind the corner.  Abandoning the steps she starts to walk in the goblin's direction calling out, "Hello, is someone there?" in a tone which suggests more curiosity than surprise or anger.

Embarrassed, Skitterlung slowly stepped into view from around the corner, showing his ugly, near-fiendish lizard-like hide in the open. "Hakk, HaKK, KOFF wheeze, I'm, hakk, hkhkh, Skitterlung. Me was, er, looking for the water closet or a chamber's pot, yes. I'm a short what's come here on the boat that crashed. Are you- do you know- is the food set?" He cleared his throat one last time, cursing his crackling and whistling lungs.

Intruiged, Kaine feigned only the slightest interest while he chewed, appearing to consider Dr. Fran's offer. "I must admit we are indebted to you, we would likely have succumbed to the island's inhabitants or starvation , or disease had you not offered us refuge," he said finally.

Shrugging a bit he added, "Or not. We are also resourceful, but of-course not as much as yourself."

Scratching his chin out of habit he went on, "But assuming we are interested, why don't you tell us what you know of this curse, and how you would propose going about ending it?"

Dr Fran's face creases into a smile when he feels he may have piqued your interest, "I've spent half a lifetime looking into this curse and can say, as far as I or anyone I have contacted is aware, it is truly unique. Something about this island warps the form of creatures here, mixing them and blending them together. There are several different types of hybrid animals abroad on the island, in fact virtually no 'normal' fauna seems to exist here. Simple animals aren't the only thing affetced, the native inhabitants were not unscathed and fused with creatures to become the broken ones you have encountered. The poor things seem to barely function above a child's intellectual level, driven by instinct as much as reason. They congregate in several large villages around the island and we here do what we can to educate and help them."

There is a short delay as Fran takes a large mouthful of food and washes it down with a mighty swig of wine. "The curse appears to affect things born here but not anyone who visits or lives on the island after birth. So the broken ones slowly increase in population as they breed and my attempts to help individuals at a time are of limited use. However, through my research I believe I have discovered the very source of the darkness. There used to be a religious order based on the island, missionaries I think, but they seem to have uncovered a foul artefact from a forgotten age and been corrupted in their purpose. It is that artefact that I believe has this island in it's evil thrall and that artefact I hope you will consent to obtain so that we can see it destroyed!" His eyes shine as he finishes, it's the most serious you think you have ever seen him.

***

Upstairs the young lady seems but momentarily taken aback by Skitterlung's appearance before she frowns in concern, You poor thing!" she says in a singsong voice "Did you manage to find a chamber pot? You're welcome to use mine if you still have a need?" She points back in the direction of the room you know to be hers, "It is a bit of a maze in here isn't it? I keep telling father he doesnt need somewhere so big but he always wants to add more rooms. I was just heading down to dinner myself if you would care to join me?" She holds out her arm to be taken, bending somewhat uncomfortably to ensure it is at a height Skitterlung can access, "I'm Delphi by the way." She talks with the fast pace and obvious interest of someone who may have been desperate for someone new to talk to for some time...

"A strange artifact that managed to corrupt an entire order of religious people, those whom are usually of great willpower and zeal, and us misfits are the ones you imagine would be the ones to finish this task? I am skeptical."

Cavalier remained seated as it did, awkwardly with its long gangly legs trying to fit with the human-sized chairs.

Kaine listened to Fran with great interest, though trying to to let it show. He nodded at Cavlier's words and added his own doubts. "You want us to steal this artifact from the cult and bring it to you," he said flatly.

Leaning forward over his plate he steepled his fingers under his chin, stared at Fran with steely eyes and added with a thin smile, "You would prefer to have outsiders do it so if we get caught you can disown us and avoid the Cult's wroth."

Leaning back he shrugged and went on, "We have no real interest in this place, unlike yourself Dr. Fran. We are indebted to you for your hospitality, but pray tell us why we would risk our life and limb, and the possibility of being subjected to horrendous torture, when we could simply wait out here and give you the pleasure of our company until a supply ship arrives? What is in it for us to get this artifact for you?"

Truth be told, Kaine's interest was seriously piqued by all he had heard of this artifact since they came here, The Altar of Life, if indeed this is what that was. Being a user of some small magics himself he could make use of such a treasure in increasing his own power many-fold as well as for research of his own. Simple minded priests of some backwater cult, be they in this artifacts thrall or not, would never be able to unlock its deeper mysteries, but surely a warlock like Kaine could.

Ofcourse, the good doctor did not need to know this...

Gren had been listening quietly to the doctor " It could be the order was corrupted because it was an order, all those minds thinking and believing the same thing, this artefact only had to work to twist one believe and it could control all that believed. We on the other hand have many believes, we are all different, all think differently. Perhaps the evil in t he artefact would take longer to corrupt us as a group because of this. That may allow us time to find it, steal it and ultimately destroy it."

" it would also mean we would have multiple chances of doing it as we might be corrupted at different speeds. but then this is just speculation and I'm not convinced it is something I wish to partake in yet"

Skitterlung remained frozen for a few seconds, finding it difficult to understand that his excuse had worked. Given the time to absorb his current standing however, he quickly said, "No, Skitterlung found the pot. Thanks, tall Delphi." He reached up to put his arm in hers and walk down with her, not precisely trusting her but grateful that she reacted so much better than the last tall who found Skitterlung in their home unexpectedly. (He had, at the time, been looking into witchery, as had been his habit at the time.)

Fran looks a little crestfallen that his suggestion has not been met with immediate enthusiasm but his tone is no less jovial when he continues, "My friends there is no more simple explanation as to why I think you are best placed for this task than the simple fact that you are here. I am an old fat man who lives here with a young girl, a secretary and a handyman - we're just not well placed to go delving into ruins and hunting for cursed artefacts. You fellows are young, or..." he throws a slightly embarrassed glance towards Cavalier, "well, unconcerned by age and clearly fit or resourceful enough to survive a shipwreck and a trek through a strange jungle. I ask you simply because you are here and seem fit enough to do it."

At this point Delphi and Skitterlung enter, arm in arm, and the young lady delivers a technically proficient - but clearly unpracticed - curtsy before Dr. Fran introduces her as "Delphi, my ward and dear, dear girl." which makes her blush furiously. He glances at Skitterlung with a slight curiosity but asks no questions about where he might have been. Delphi starts to fill her plate with vegetables, studiously avoiding the meat, while Dr Fran finishes his earlier point, "I would hope that you see the benefit that could be had for the poor creatures on this island if you offer your assistance but, let me be clear, there is no expectation that you do so. I am perfectly happy for you to stay here with me until the next supply ship comes and then you can leave with my best wishes. There is very little I can offer you, you can see I have little material wealth, though anything you might find in your quest you may keep as it means nothing to me providing we can destroy this foul thing."

Kaine used the opportunity Skitterlung and Delphi's entrance presented to gather his thoughts before immediately replying to Dr Fran. He was relieved Skitterlung had not been discovered while prowling about, and hoped their little companion had found something interesting.

Of the girl, she did seem quite out of place in Dr Fran's 'court', but also appeared as the good doctor had described her. She looked well brought up despite the circumstances and well cared for.

As introductions were made Kaine offered a pleasant smile to the girl while his mind went over Fran's offer. His curiosity was quite intrigued by the artifact, but he did not want to find it then merely destroy it, or give it to another. He also did not really care about the island and its inhabitants...their suffering was of little concern to him, but if any needless suffering could be alleviated as a side effect of recovering the artifact, then all the better.

"So...you want this artifact destroyed," he replied to Fran, while also thinking out loud. "A noble gesture, no doubt the locals will be thankful if you alleviate the curse plaguing them."

Kaine shrugged and glancing at his companions added, "I do suppose we are indebted to you for saving our life. Helping you in this endeavor would be adequate repayment not to mention the lives we could save on this island, so you can count me in. I can only speak for myself ofcourse, my companions may be of a different mind."

Cavalier was silent for a while - nothing unusualy, of course - but seemed contemplative, more than usual. After a short while, it turned its head to Fran once more, and spoke. "Better to perform deeds than to wait until my body rusts I suppose. However, if you have anything better than this-" it says as it reaches for the table-leg, the makeshift club it carried, and puts it on the table, "-I would more easily be able to perform this deed. Perhaps a sword has been found its way into your collection, where coin may not have."

Gren listened to the others and came to the conclusion that they were going to go find this artefact after all

"Ok count me in if you all think doing this is what should be done " he added to the conversation

OOC: Now you've agreed to undertake his task I was going to wrap up this scene with a bit more spiel from Dr Fran and moves things on to the tour of the manor house. Just wanted to give fair warning in case anyone has any other questions they would want to pose to him at this point. We can assume that Skitterlung has been filled in pretty quickly with the detail of discussions up to that point.

After some full-bodied thanks from Dr Fran for agreeing to undertake his mission and finishing up lunch your host takes you on a tour of the large house. You've already seen the dining room and library which form up the 'east wing' of the building along with a storage room, into which you only get a brief glance but it seems to be mostly filled with furniture and boxes, and a small enclosed courtyard out the back (the rear gate leads to the outside of the compound) in which the only feature is a long stake in the ground to which is attached a short chain. Dr Fran explains this is where they keep livestock when they need easy access from the home.

As you go back past the stairs which Skitterlung recently crept up Dr Fran waves a hand and explains that his and Delphi's rooms are up there but the others sleep in the other part of the house.

He then takes you back to the main foyer and, pointing at a set of large double doors, explains that is where his laboratory and workspace are but, given his sensitive work and research, he keeps that space private. Moving down into the 'west wing' you enter a large and well-equipped (surprisingly so for an island) kitchen which has clearly seen recent use as most of the detritus from the preparation of your recent hearty lunch still lies scattered about. Off to one side, through an open door, you can see what appears to be a pantry and Fran leads you through a different door to an extremely neatly kept living area which he describes, with a chuckle, as "The servant's quarters". A ladder to the side leads to a second floor where you surmise the others sleep as there are no beds down here.

Another set of double doors opens out into another storage area which, this time, Fran leads you in to. Inside he opens his arms wide and does a half turn gesturing around him to what is the most random selection of junk you have ever seen. Bits of timber, barrels, broken figureheads from ships and crates almost fill the space in a haphazardly piled fashion. "Here, my fine fellows, is everything we have collected from shipwrecks or washed up on the beaches over the last few years. Some of you have asked me for equipment and you are welcome to help yourselves to whatever you can find in here." He wanders over to a crate and kicks it, smiling when it makes a metallic clank, "There's definitely some swords and whatnot in here and other pieces laying around. I can't attest for the quality of any of it but, as you can see, it isn't seeing much use with us."

OOC: You can assume there is any basic equipment, weapons, armour etc. that you may want to get your hands on in this room somewhere. Most of it is in pretty bad nick and more perishable items, like fine clothing, are likely to be eaten away by damp but metallic or hardy items (like ship's rope) are useable. The tour is otherwise ended so once you've tooled up feel free to ask Fran any more questions you may have and then we'll move along."

Kaine enjoyed the tour of the house, though he was disappointed not to have seen any of Dr. Fran's experiments. He held his tongue for now though, hoping they could come across something useful.

His patience was rewarded at last when they reached the storage area. Looking through all the scattered items, Kaine identified a scimitar, somewhat rusted and with an edge that appeared dulled in places with age and disuse. He had had training in the weapon during his youth and was glad to find another one here, he suspected he would need it before long.

After some more prodding Kaine also identified a piece of leather armor that appeared usable, and also a few more bits and ends he could see being useful.

---

Kaine will take a Scimitar (w. sheath), Soft Leather Armor, a whetstone and a dagger (w. sheath).
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Mon 11 Jan 2021.

Cavalier was not particularly interested or impressed by the house. It was an abode, fit for the strange man indeed. The others may.. Be interested? It was lost on it. However, yes, the strange doctor with his dubious agendas, did give them ample reward. As it reached the armory, it went through the items on display; it felt most at home with larger blades, so it almost instinctivly reached for a sword with a longer grip, a broad blade. It looked like something a soldier had used long ago, but cared for passionately. Ontop of that, it required some additional protection, despite the state of it. A cuirass mixed of cloth and metal plates seemed to look afor its fit. It took some time to don it, and the clockwork looked awkward doing it.

It definitely looked more capable at this point. Someone was prepared to punished the wicked.

---

Cavalier takes a Bastard Sword and Brigandine Armor

Gren looked round the store, ha humans loved their rubbish, he thought but even so he found a leather waist coat that on his short round frame reached down to just below his knees. once on he pulled his simple Molekin robe over it.

He then found a belt attached a number of pouches to it and finally while searching through the mix of old weapons found himself a good quality sturdy club shot with iron studs which he tucked into the belt at his waist.

It was nice to have a back up weapon for when his claws just wouldn't do the job