Trollskull Manor Lif:
Zarek tell Alley of all that he had found in the Den and there was no sign of his Ghost, Lif. There are 2 doors in the Den on the western side, one to the balcony and the other, on the inside, must lead into the building. There was also another door on the northern wall, also leading to the northern balcony.
Zarek: “I will check the western doors first, the balcony and then the other which I think leads to the stairs.”
Alley: “I will keep an eye on the closed door to the south.”
Zarek confirms that the outer door does in fact lead to the western balcony, with a view of the front door and overgrown Elm tree. Zarek looks down onto Saerdoun Street and Trollskull Alley. The terrible weather is keeping most people indoors.
Zarek then, once again takes out his small oil flask and coats the lock to make it silent when turned, opens the second door which he can see has a less secure, yet never the less excellent lock, than those on the otter doors. Behind the door is a long, 5’ foot by 25’ foot empty dry corridor.
Zarek closes the door and returns to Alley in the Common Room.
Zarek: “Noting interesting, I will check the northern door to the balcony next.”
The door to the Balcony is locked but the Rogue has no problem opening it. Again, the Rogue is confronted with pouring rain, yet the thunder and lightning were dissipating and no sign of the Ghost, Lif either. Zarek is about to go back into the building when the shine off the red skin of a young Tiefling hiding behind some barrels and creates opposite, in an alleyway.
It looks to Zarek like Squiddly is arguing or in danger and alerts Alley with his ‘Message’ Spell. Alley then explains that she found a bag, that she thinks belongs to Jenks and they will be waiting to retrieve it.
From inside the bag Alley pulls out a wooden wand (really just a stick) and carries a book of scribbled notes that he claims are “Spells.” Also, there is some chalk, candle stubs, bits of string.
Zarek: “Ah, I get it now. He is a budding Acolyte and wishes to be a great Wizard I guess.”
The Rogue then remembers that the girl, Nat was it that they called her, has a wooden sword and the stance of a fighter. That left Squiddly, with his eye patch and real Cutlass, a Rogue?
Zarek takes a second look down the alley and he can clearly see now that they were all three hiding behind the crates and keeping a watch on Trollskull Manor.
The Rogue then closes the door to the northern balcony and returns to Alley’s side in the common Room. The Rogue then gestures to the southern door and his intension of first listening at the door, before he attempts to oil and silently open it to see what lays beyond. The Rogue is successful and discovers another Hall with stairs going up to the west and a door in the south-east corner of the Hall.
This hall is like the common room. There is a pile of rubbish to the east. For all the visible decay of the house, the floor is flat and strong, and the heavy wooden staircase curves upward to the third level.
Zarek investigates the pipe of rubbish and discovers more rats living within. They scurry past Alley, who imminently shuts the door and they continue up the stairs to the next floor, still no sign of the Ghost, Lif.
The Rogue spends some time listening at the door, before he attempts to oil and silently open it to see what lays behind it and finds a smaller Spare Room.
The door to this room had been forced open before Zarek closed it, but it is otherwise empty, with no evidence of use for ages. A door out to another balcony stands to the east, another boarded window to the south and a fireplace in the west wall.
Zarek: “This room looks great I think you should have it Alley.”
Alley: “The rules are if you found it, you sleep there.”
Zarek, always remembering Iomhar and his wise words also checks the door to the eastern balcony and finds it much like the others. The Rogue can now similarly visualise this building in better time, clean and repaired.
The Rogue and Alley realise that they need to return to the long empty corridor and investigate that door there.
Zarek: “It seems very strange that this room is only accessible via the corridor. Let us see what is inside.”
Alley: “I will cover the rear.”
The Tiefling can hear the sound of scratching on wood from the room and behind the door the Rogue finds another larger Bedroom with no Ghost, Lif inside.
This room resembled a room you will find in any tavern or boarding house. Though larger and with a quite nice view of the alleyway and the large elm tree outside. There is a simple bed, a small table with chair, and an empty blanket chest.
Zarek checks the room and finds nothing of interest and leaves, closing the door behind himself. With no more rooms to search on the first floor, Zarek magnificently sneaks up the stairs to the second floor of Trollskull Manor.
Zarek reaches the Landing and listens out for any noises before he explorers further.
The staircase comes to a short landing, before continuing upward to the fourth floor. There is no furniture remaining here. There are stairs continuing upstairs in front, there is an internal door on the eastern wall, a slightly smaller and differently designed door to the north-east and a small corridor in the south-east corner.
Zarek asks Alley to wait by the stairs, so he knows where to cast his ‘Message’ Spell if needed, and the Bard agrees. In fact, she even says a few Bardic words of encouragement, providing the Rogue with Bardic Inspiration once more.
Zarek hear nothing but a gentle breeze coming from behind the door and opens the door to reveal a plumed Privy, that may or may not be in working order. Zarek returns to where Alley was keeping guard and she was noticeably paler than when he left her.
Alley: “Can you not feel the sadness on this floor Zarek, I don’t know maybe we should return in the morning.”
Zarek: “What, I can’t believe that Alley is scared of a little Ghost?”
Alley was also fearful of the eastern door and Zarek had to admit that he was also feeling very uneasy.
Just in case, Zarek check the smaller norther door expecting a cupboard of some sort but is pleasantly surprised to find another piped Privy. Zarek thinks it best to first investigate the southern inner door by the eastern Privy and then the western corridor by the stairs which has a door to the north and the tower and south.
Zarek asks Alley to say at the top of the stair, making sure she will alert him to any coming either up or down them, and she agrees all too quickly.
Alley: “Be quick and be careful.”
The Rogue squats, listening at the door, before he oils the hinges and lock and then silently open it to see within. Zarek now finds a wonderful prize, a Private Bathroom.
This room has a heavy clawfoot tub and wash basin beneath the window. A fireplace is there for warmth and heating bath water. The small room has a window to the east and an inner door to the west.
Zarek enters the Private Bathroom and looks around finding nothing of interest and no tracks or recent activity. The Rogue then repeats the door entry process with the western door. There is no noise behind the door. The open door reveals a large Master Bedroom.
“This room is similarly sparsely furnished, with a bed, linen chest, and a small table. Marks on the walls show it was probably much better furnished at one time. There is still a small pile of ashes in the fireplace flanked by a solitary broom.”
The Rogue looks about the room and moves over to investigate the fireplace first. As soon as he begins moving the ashes around the Broom Animates and tries to attack the Tiefling. Zarek is deft and nimble enough to attack first and then dash out of the room with being attacked. The Rogue closes the door behind as he flees back to Alley.
The Bathroom door slams behind Zarek as he leaves.
Zarek investigates the west corridor further and can see 2 inner doors one to the north, heading to the Tower, and the southern door leading into the Master Bedroom. For this reason, Zarek returns to the Master Bedroom.
Zarek wedges the Bathroom door open and heads into the Master Bedroom. The Rogue opens the door and does not see the Animated Broom, begins to step inside and is attack by said Animated Broom that was hovering above the door.
Zarek is smashed over the head and begins to bleed. The Animated Broom then flew off and away from the Rogue. Zarek, now angered and determined to prevent any further harm to himself, dashes over to the Animated Broom and with one deft blow from his Rapier breaks the Animated Broom in two.
Zarek affords to look about the Master Bedroom quickly as his head beings to throb and poor blood. The Rogue finds noting and is about to leave when he notices that there was a creaking floor board. The Rogue follows the board to the skirting board and find behind it a small coffer, unlocked, with 4 Silver pieces and 12 Copper. There is also a folded paper which on opening finds to be a picture with the words “We Love You Daddy” written on it. One of the pictures is of a Unicorn and drawn with the same colours as the writing. The other if a Knight drawn with charcoal.
Zarek returns to Allet’s side and she uses her last Spell to cast ’Cure Wounds’ on the Rogue.
Zarek: “We should look in that room.” Zarek points towards the eastern room and Alley looks fearful.
Alley: “I know and you are just the one we need to do so for you are destined to do so young warrior.” Alley inspires the Rogue by bolstering his resolve.
Zarek attempts to open the door and it can resist his efforts. Will all the strength he can muster, Zarek twist the door knob and opens the door to unveil an old unused Library or Study.
As you enter the room, it is then ovious this was a study or library of some sort. A heavy desk sits beneath the window, moon-light flowing in from the east. The south walls are covered in bookshelves, though only a few books are left.
Zarek moves over to the desk all the while feeling the desperation in this room, and remembers a famous line from one of his favourite books.
“Abandoned all hope ye who enter here.”
The surface of the desk is heavily scratched, short phrases clawed into it over and over again. “No Coin”, “Closing Time”, “Everyone Gone”, “Abandoned”, “Last Call”. As you read the messages, the door slams shut behind you.
Zarek braces for an attack which doesn’t come.
A keening wail fills the study, before an invisible force slams into the bookshelf, tossing several volumes to the floor.
Zarek can easily avoid the books and for the first time feels the Ghost, Lif, is being frightening rather than violent.
Alley bangs on the door and Zarek calls back. The Tiefling then sees what had happed, the scratches on the desk define his life and final death. The Ghost, Lif, suffers and I can appease him, allow him to rest. Zarek begins to ask the Ghost questions and he is answered.
From nothing a scrawled message on the desk appears in the swirling dust. It is limited to short messages like those carved into the desk.
“Was this your bar” : Lif: “Mine”.
“What happened” : Lif: “No Coin”.
“Did you have a family?” : Lif: “All Gone”.
Zarek then tells the Ghost that they plan to re-open the tavern, The Ghost is suspicious, but clearly interested.
“Grand Opening?”.
This looks like the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Finally, the last scrawl is just 3 letters, “Lif”.