Night 011

[allthekeys]

|| THREAT DOWN

|| NIGHT 011: GENERAL There seems to be an unusual amount of pressure in the air as night falls. The air smells of distant rains, the wind stills, static gathers, and accidental shocks pass easily from person to person. In the town, the shopkeepers and townsfolk close their doors. The darkness that falls over the town is complete. Whatever storm gathers shows no signs of breaking. || THE TOWN Those who walk around the town will find that the gardens have been stripped of fruit, cabbages harvested, and produce that is not quite ripe has been brought inside. Travel between buildings is undertaken with one eye to the sky and at a near run from building to building. The Cheese Woman has taken her small babe into the basement, along with several baskets of fresh produce. She seems to view this as a safer position, and to have little concern about anyone stealing from her. || CASTLE Sensitives continue to feel uncomfortably watched while in the Castle. Near the start of Night, two figures will be released into the basement from the Torture Room. They are both filthy, nearly naked, and covered with a thick, black dust. Both seem entirely disoriented as they first stagger into the darkness, the chains around their wrists, necks and ankles clinking together as they gather themselves. The Servants' Hearth is still empty, though the Cook is preparing what looks like quite the feast. All of it is quickly swept away by one of the Grey Maids. The Collector's Library has quieted down, although the room remains in shambles. Occasionally, a light breeze blows throughout, rustling pages of some of the opened books. The Steward creeps between the bookcases, keeping his axe at the ready. It's difficult to tell what he might be searching for, but those who encounter him will find that for the most part, he is too preoccupied to pay them much regard at all. If he notices that anyone is following him, however, he will not hesitate to strike. The Guards seem to have stepped up patrols, keeping a careful watch out such that very little could pass unseen through the halls. While their vigilance seems to aid in the relative calm of the night, they are clearly unsettled and focused, with extra attention paid to the odd grates blocking off the hallways around the dorms. In the Guard Barracks, there is a map of the basement spread out on a table; curiously, the continuing hallways are on this map, although a vague mass of stylized fog covers everything past what the grates block. Beside it is a picture of a large, hulking creature with a narrow, boxy head filled with sharp teeth, overlong arms and long claws on its hands and feet, with an emaciated, distorted figure; the mouth seems to be lacking lips, giving it a wide, unnatural grin. Occasionally, a Dalmatian can be glimpsed darting throughout the castle. It seems anxious to stay out of sight and will quickly flee to hide from anyone nearby. The Weaver stands at the door to the outside, pale face turned up towards the sky, white-knuckled hand gripping the frame of the door. Her breathing is sharp and erratic, shoulders trembling with every breath. The Carpenter stands just outside the door, holding her other hand and seemingly intent on coaxing her past it. In the Dungeon a pale, blood-covered man in chained in one of the cells. His head hangs low and he cannot seem to stop shivering, despite the fact that it is quite warm in the cell. His hands twitch, fingers spasm from time to time. But he does not attempt to rise from his slumped position against the wall. The Craft rooms are unlocked. || GARDENS AND YARD All of the animals in the Stables appear tense and frightened. The Hunter thrashes against its chain, writhing and snarling in frantic agony. It cannot be calmed and will continue to struggle long past the point of exhaustion and even injury. In the Garden, there is still lingering fruit, vegetables, and edibles or useful herbs, although some are ripened enough to be falling from their branches. Nearly all stone structures within the area are gone, replaced with living branches and roots grown and shaped to take their place, save for a few fountains. Trees and larger plants have grown to cover most of the area, turning it into a maze of greenery and flowers. Curiously, the larger trees seem to be growing a layer above their upper branches of heavy, woody branches, intertwined and layered thickly, enough to limit any moonlight filtering down from above.