[hider=enmuni] [b]General Knowledge Success[/b] (rolled 11) An old memory comes back to the surface for Joséphine. She remembers hearing about Loudon before, when she was still a child. It was one of those big family get-togethers, and she was terribly bored at the time. She had listened to one of her aunts tell a strange story to a bunch of adults at another table. The woman was talking about a mother or grandmother of the family, and how she had at one time carried the reputation of a witch. It was untrue, of course, and was probably brought about by more or less understandable eccentricities. "But people still remember the trouble we stirred up during the Loudon affair." That's what her aunt had said. This elicited a round of laughter from her friends, but the young Joséphine did not understand. How odd that she only remembered that now.[/hider] -- The night proved to be more eventful than the group of inheritors would have wanted, but somehow they made it through till morning. Naturally, they were less inclined to relax at the hotel grounds after the unpleasant occurrences, so they made their way to Monsieur Herbachet's office early. Even before you turn the street corner you can hear the sound of an insistent knocking and someone complaining. Approaching more closely the weathered building, it appeared to be Sœur Valérie - the darkly clad woman from yesterday. [color=f49ac2]"Monsieur? Monsieur! What is the meaning of this, Monsieur?"[/color] she knocked loudly on the door again. It was strange to see a woman like her making such a scene. Indeed, a bystander or two had gathered to watch. Then again, the office had been very inviting before - why would the notary have locked out his honored guest? Stranger still, the plaque with his name that had marked the doorway before was now gone. Taking note of your presence, sister Valérie gives it a rest and addresses you. [color=f49ac2]"It's a case of fraud after all. Isn't that what it looks like? And after making me stay in that hovel last night- I'm furious!"[/color] This was quickly turning into a real scandal. But there would be no easy solutions. A few minutes later, a different man would open the door. He was a large person with overgrown black hair and a shabby suit. "Why are you causing such a din on my doorstep?!" he demanded. There was a moment of confusion, but Valérie explained that there was an urgent need to see the notary in office. "Herbachet? You won't find him here anymore. His moving crew kept me up half the night." Seeing the bystanders and the general distress of the group, he briefly invited everyone in. The crowded, dim office from yesterday was unrecognizable now. Everything was gone - the man's desk, his bookshelves, tables, and even that distinctive large rug had all vanished. The room was barren. "The gentleman only rented the room for a month. His term had come to an end," the burly fellow explained. [color=f49ac2]"Oh, but that's unconscionable! He had unfinished business with us - we really must see him."[/color] The man had calmed down now, and he did seem somewhat sympathetic to her situation. "Well, he only left for the railway station this morning. You might be able to catch him if you hurry," he suggested with a shrug. Shared glances were had all around - it was clear what had to be done. [color=f49ac2]"Let's talk while we walk. I don't intend to let that funny little man squirm out of this."[/color] -- The railway station was located to the east, just outside of town - so everyone headed there in a hurry, discussing what to do and say when they found Herbachet. The distinctive low, mechanical rumble of train engines grew louder as they progressed, and soon the large industrial building cut into view ahead. But just as they reached the edge of the city, something unbelievable happened. An unnatural terror overcame everyone in the group, ripping away their petty thoughts of retribution and throwing them [i]in extremis[/i]. There is a sharp pain at your chest, and suddenly the strained pumping of blood is all you can hear. The morning light turns dazzlingly sharp and you feel awfully ill, unable to even put one foot in front of the other. What in the world was going on?- a heart attack?! There was no obvious cause, but you really feel that you may be about to die on the spot. Finally the dread seems to pass, and the world slowly comes back into it's usual focus. Valérie was trying to pick herself up off the ground, choking and coughing. [color=f49ac2]"Daphne... oh, Daphne..."[/color] she mumbled. Nobody was quite themselves until they'd had a moment to recover. There seemed to be no lasting injury, but as soon as you try to head to the railway station again, the intense discomfort resumes. You are exactly at the historical perimeter of Loudon, where a great stone wall once encircled the town. Even after centuries, pieces of it are in ruins nearby. You don't understand why, but this ancient landmark acts as a real barrier to you now. You won't be able to pass it without serious risk. The catholic woman was clearly very shaken by all this. [color=f49ac2]"I've never felt something like that before. I don't [i]understand[/i] this. What should we do?"[/color] [@enmuni] [@BurningCold] [@Archazen]