Gameplay

Each of you receive a letter sealed in red wax with a seal that says Klint. The letter contains a handwritten note advertising the shadow play The Dance of Dreams:


On the note someone has written: "Meet me tonight at the Witch Cat Inn /Olaus."

---

You are all familiar with each other. You all have THE SIGHT which allows you to see Vaesen, a growing phenomenom in the northern world.

You have met this morning at your headquarters in Upsala, your go to meet up when things get spooky.

This Olaus / Klint person is not known to you.

---

Let's introduce ourselves. Description, a basic detail or two that others would know about you, and how you might start to address this mystery.

Anders Bagghult here.

31 years old, slight build and fairly short maybe 5'8-5'9 (170-175cm)

Anders is an independent investigator who generally does contract detective work for the local police force. Since gaining THE SIGHT, he has become obsessed with finding all he can about Vaesen and all things supernatural which he would openly share with those he knows have shared such expereinces.

To start a mystery like this, Anders might begin by reaching out to any local law enforcement he knows to learn more about the Witch Cat Inn itself, Owners/history/etc.

Trond Larsen. A hunter who is around 30 years of age, but has the weathered look off an older man. Years of living in the wild and on the edge of poverty show in his face.
He is not muscular, but has the long lean look of someone who could keep going for long distances.

Everyone in the village know that there aren't many around more deadly with a long gun.

I am not one for plays, but this sounds like something we should look into.

He hangs his head and looks a little embarrassed.

If the entry fee is too much, you will have to tell me about it...I will guard the perimeter.

All the time he talks he is sneaking looks at the dog. You know the loss of his beloved hunting dog was what gave him the sight, but he won't say more about it.

I can keep my ears open to hear if anyone is talking about this Oscar Hjort.

Dagmar and Sketch walk the roads together. They present a typical image of what you would expect from a vagabond lifestyle. Dagmar is thin and disheveled, with dirty clothes and spotty beard stubble, while his mangy dog Sketch is missing an eye and has protruding ribs. Sketch casts an eye in Trond's direction, hoping for some scraps. The hunter has been kind to him that way. Dagmar is embarrassed at his situation but loves the dog in his own way and is grateful for the bits of random food for him. Dagmar is tired of the road and hopes to improve his current situation. This play just might be the ticket even though the last place he would ever expect to be, is at a play. He tolerates the others as they tolerate him and his pungent odor. They seem to have been thrown together for a reason since they all share The Sight. Feeling hopeful, he scratches Sketch behind a dirty ear and says to the others, Well shall we go to this Witch Cat Inn then?

Gregor stands there reading the note. With a surprising look of contentment, he allows a brief smile to crack his normal emotionless expression. Perhaps this is what I need... a simple diversion. Indeed... I shall attend this evening's events.

Standing against a wall of the room, seemingly not noticing what the other were saying, Eir Heksson ("Kikkert" for acquaintances) was reading again and again the letter through his thick glasses, as if a secret message would suddenly appear by the sheer force of his will.
With only 5 feet and 4 inches of height, broad shoulders and a thick and bushy beard, Eir looked arguably more like a coal miner than a doctor. This appearance contrasted with his demeanor, curious of anything and light-hearted even in the worst situations. He certainly was an odd fellow, but on the other hand, none of them were really normal, were they ?

At Gregor's words, he turned his head toward him, a frank smile covering his face.

-So, we're going, Cap' ? That sounds very interesting. Maybe a bit fun, even.

Anders learns that the Witch Cat Inn is at a crossroads north of Sigtuna. When the Society was rebuilt after the great Oulu fire at the end of the 18th century, the inn was used as a gathering place, as the innkeeper at the time, Pyri Harjula, was a Thursday’s Child. Today the inn is run by Pyri’s grandson Sami Harjula.

Do any of the rest of you want to research anything, or just head to the Inn?

I will scout around the crossroads area. See if there is anything untoward.

Yes my friend, we will indeed go to the play. I dare say we could use a bit of fun right now. As soon as your ready, we can leave. Gregor says as he looks up from the invitation.

On second thoughts maybe we should ask around about this Olaus fella and the Klint seal? We could be rushing into something bad.

As much as it is important to get the information we need before going...some mysteries only unravel if you meet them head on. It is no coincidence that these invitation came to the group of us with The Sight. I doubt there will be much more we could divine from from here where we can't use that gift to our advantage.

I say we head out.

If we have a little time before we must go, it wouldn't hurt for those of you with contacts in town to discreetly ask around.

Eir nodded to Gregor, before snorting loudly. They definitely weren't any secret message in this letter. Or he was too dumb to see it. Whatever. Putting the letter in his pocket he looked back at his other companions.

-"Horror, murder and revenge". Quite the program, ain't it ?

He paused for a couple of seconds. It was supposed to be humoristic. He continued:

There is two possibility here: Either a lunatic has specifically sent invitations to us of all people to show us his creepy show, or it's someone that know that we all have the Sight. I doubt that we could get useful intel from anyone here about that Inn or the mysterious author of this letter, but either case we should come prepared.

Good question. Neither of those apply directly.

"Those who have the Sight are sometimes referred to as Thursday’s Children."

Eir...I find it to be no accident these just came to us or the location of this play. As we know, the grandfather of the innkeeper had the Sight himself but I agree, we should be off.

I am ready when others are.

Anders, bites his lip as he inspects the invitation again. Peering for any clues he may have missed, lost in thought. He can't help but continue to think about the former innkeeper's gift of Sight and what they might see themselves at the Witch Cat Inn.

Agreed. Do you have q coach we could use. It would be a long walk.

It could be a meet and greet for people with The Sight, Anders. Perhaps there is some plan, some thing people like us need to do together. I guess if we can secure a coach, we will find out soon enough. But let's make sure we go in with eyes open. Dagmar chuckles at the pun. He is generally not one for word play, most of his energy being taken up with staying alive.

I will go out and secure us passage to the Inn. Since we all seem to be in agreement Anders quickly walks to the door to begin his search for a coach.

The coach will be fairly easy to obtain, given your knowledge of the city. You make arrangements to have it for the day, and long into the night for the journey home after the play.

Anders returns with open arms

Friends, it appears we have transport.Unless we have any objections, let us go.

Motioning to the door.

Deciding not to perform any research but go straight to the Inn...

It is fall. When you leave Upsala in a coach heading south, there is a terrible storm raging. Black clouds blanket the sky, with the wind howling and rain and hail pouring down, leaving you soaked to the skin. Lightning cracks across the sky and thunder makes the horses rear and whinny, but the coachman drives them on with his whip. The journey takes three and a half hours, and the storm grows increasingly violent as you progress. Through the coach window you see Lake Malar in the west – its foaming waves splashing against the shoreline. Traveling through a pine forest, you see tall trees being knocked to the ground by tempestuous winds or split by lightning strikes. In the flashes of lightning you see large rocks among the trees – moss-covered lumps staring back at you. Suddenly the Witch Cat Inn appears at a T-junction, surrounded by woods, with Lake Malar to the north and west. It seems to be the only building around. The coachman is eager to drop you off before quitting to the nearby town (he'll return after the play). Halfway between the inn and the small community in the distance you see a lonely church tower protruding from the trees.

Not wanting to make the whole coach impossible to breath in, Eir tried to light his smoking pipe outside by opening a window, fighting with the unleashed elements to smoke a mix of uncertain herbs. After throwing some insults at the sky, he finally gave up and looked at the road, a gloomy expression now covering his face.

Getting out of the coach, he looked at the Inn, hands on the waist.

If there's one thing I always hated about this country, it's definitely the weather. Hope they'll have a nice and warm fireplace inside.

Ack the rain is coming in! I'd like to stay dry if you don't mind. Dagmar said, flicking droplets off his rain coat.

He was glad to see Eir change his mind and give up on smoking his foul brew before they all got thoroughly soaked and consequently uncomfortably cold not to mention the stench, windows open or not.

Stepping down from the coach, looking around while stretching his legs a bit, he addressed the group. Don't you think it odd that this is the only building around other than that church beyond?

You see a man is out smoking, waiting for you under the protruding roof of the stable. He signals when you look his way.

Inns tend to be at crossroads, so not overly unusual.

Gregor steps out of the coach and shields his face from the rain. Doing so he glances at the others and then over at the Inn.

It's not the worst weather that I've been in. May as well move inside where it's warm. Gregor adds as he moves towards the man waving at them.

The church does bring along some sort of unusual thoughts though, albeit not as unusual as the man near the stables

Anders nods towards the man in the distance.

Seems we may have found the fellow who asked us to attend this evening

Alright then. Let's go meet him.

As the other walks toward the smoking man, Eir follows them at a slow pace.

He makes room for you out of the rain. "Olaus Klint," he says, and shakes your hands as you exchange greetings.

"You got the flyer then. Good. Those fliers have been passed around Upsala. What concerns me is the Witch Cat Inn has a reputation. Passing travelers have allegedly had strange dreams at the inn – rumor has it that the building is in the grip of magical powers." He taps his cigar, ashes falling to the ground.

"I'd heard that your Society was interested in the occult, and I sincerely hope that because you're here, because you came, you'll help me get to the bottom of it."

Olaus is a forty-year-old man with a well- groomed beard, round glasses, and pointy nose. He has sharp eyes and uses pauses to give added weight to his words. When he thinks no one is watching he sometimes whistles or uses his fingers to drum short pieces of extremely advanced and stirring music. Olaus wears a worn jacket and hat.

Dagmar nods a greeting to Olaus. Society? What society would that be?

"Your group," he says, waving are you all. "I know you meet at (He recites your address). I'm a private investigator, and," he looks around conspiratorially, "A Thursdays Child, too."

Why do you think we are Thursday Children? We are but a social group who likes to play cards and drink together every so often

Anders stares blankly at the man. Trying to read his expressions.

"Thursday's Child" ? So he relaly wasn't anyone. He knew.
Out of nowhere, Eir suddenly began to sing a nursery rhyme.

"The Child that is born on the Sabbath day is blithe a boony, and good and gay; Monday's child is fair of face..."

Gregor stands there with the others as they converse with Olaus. Content to stay silent for the moment, Gregor observes Olaus's behavior.

Olaus nods at Anders. "Have it your way. Perhaps I was mistaken."

Trond wonders if this man is legit, or trying to lead them into a trap.

Casually interrupting the silence who started to settle between them, Eir advanced toward Olaus and spoke in an annoyed tone.

-Yeah, yeah, we're Thursday Kids, you know it, we know that you know, whatever. You can call me Kikkert, by the way. May we enter ? We're soaking wet, and it's getting quite cold outside.

Anders gives a big facepalm, shaking his head.

As much as my friend lacks some subtlety, he is right. It is cold in here, is there a dry place we can continue this discussion. We are curious to what is happening here.

The garden is overgrown. The conservatory has collapsed. The root cellar is a mound with a room dug into it. In the stable are two horses and a wagon. There is room for three more horses and another wagon. The storage room contains boxes of food supplies and equipment for the inn.

Olaus says, "Of course, of course, but before we're overheard, let me explain, it should only take a moment."

He shrugs his shoulders inside his jacket as if to secure it tighter and warmer.

"I visited this inn a couple days ago. I felt a ... a power that frightened me. I want you to help me figure out what is going on. Keep an eye out, and try not to draw too much suspicion."

We will do our best.

Before we go in there, what kinda power you talking about? Ya know, so we know what to be looking for. I don't like surprises.

Dagmar doesn't take his eyes off the man, not sure he trusts him, he looks for any sign of him being less than honest.

Oh and I'd like my dog to come in with me. He is a god judge of character.

Dagmar can tell that Olaus is afraid, and is hiding something, although it isn't clear of what.

Go on Olaus, please tell us more about this power, let us know how we may be able to help

He whispers, "It is difficult to talk about what I have been through," before heading inside the inn, gesturing to follow him.

Dagmar follows Olaus inside. Sketch will keep him honest, he thinks, but he is still wary and ready for what might be inside.

Trond has to admit that he is intrigued and follows along.

The ground floor of the Witch Cat Inn comprises a large lounge with double fireplaces, a kitchen with a bar, a storage room, and a bedroom for the staff.

The man behind the bar greets you Abe waves you over to the bar.

The dining room is warm and lively. Three guests all sit at separate tables, served by a waiter (extremely tall and thin) and tall and plump woman, with brown hair and almond-shaped brown eyes. The ceiling leaks, with rain dripping down into pots and bowls. A short, stout man in his forties is behind the bar passing on orders to the cook.

Gregor walks in with the others. Once inside he'll follow the others over to the bar.

The man greets you friendily in the way of innkeepers everywhere. "Welcome, welcome, to the Witch Cat Inn. I'm Sami, Sami Harjula. We're just in the process of setting out supper, so your timing couldn't be perfect. You'll be staying the night, as well, I presume? Terrible weather out there for traveling."

Dagmar does as Olaus does, not taking his eyes off him. Sketch lies down at his feet, watching the activity around him.

As Anders walks in, he looks at Sami and smiles

Unfortunately, no we will not be staying. We are just hear for the play, but supper sounds like an amazing idea.

"I'm sorry, what play is that?"

He looks up at Anders baffled but escorts you to a table, and gives you all a run down of dinner choices.

Anders looks puzzled as he takes a seat at the table and isn't quite sure what to say. He looks at Olaus,

Care to explain?

Klint pulls out the flyer and hands it to Sami. "These are all over Upsala."

The innkeeper reads it and then says, "May I borrow this for a minute?" After Klint agrees, he signals the female waiter. The two of them go into the kitchen, and there is a crack as Sami hits her and gives her a violent scolding. The woman escapes up the stairs. Sami comes out and returns the flyer. He and the other guests pretend like nothing has happened.

Hmmm seems like those invites might be a call for help from the waiter lady. The question is if I will do anything about it. No one is lifting a finger.

What was that all about? Dagmar asks Sami. Sami is after-all outnumbered. Seems a little improper to be hitting a woman.

He wages an internal war. He says gently, "She's my daughter. She should not have sent out those fliers."

It's not unusual for parents to use corporal punishment, despite an obvious distaste when it goes too far.

Anders watches intently, scanning the room looking for anything that could be abnormal or that could stick out that he may have missed.

Why shouldn't she have sent them? Or, more importantly, why did she send them?

Trond looks around.

What exactly is going on?

Anders doesn't see much in the way of objects that seem abnormal.

Trond senses some hurt, maybe grief, from Sami.

Olaus suggests quietly, "Perhaps we should stay tonight."

Alright, there was definitely something fishy here. If the behavior of each member of the Inn seemed a bit strange by themselves, when added up together they were more than suspicious. Despite his curiosity pushing him to insist about the how and why of Sami's violence and his daughter's fliers, he decided to keep a low profile for now, and stay silent. Questions would be better asked with less ears around.

There's no harm in spending the night I guess. And I am tired and ready for bed, Dagmar decides.

Yes, I think we should stay and get to the bottom of whatever is going on.

He's excited that you've changed your mind, and takes the few coin needed. Klint pays the tab for all of you.

Sami tells you that you have the full use of the inn, just mind the privacy of the guests and staff.

You can also talk to any of the other three guests of the inn: a man, a woman, and a priest, all sitting separately from each other.

Gregor takes his drink and walks around the inn. Once he's toured the main area, he makes his way over to where the female is sitting. Forgive the interruption madam, but would you allow a fellow traveler the honor of sitting at your table?

She looks up, a little confused. She seems sweaty and makes a gesture that could be consent.

Dagmar sees Gregor chatting up the female and decides to tag along. Maybe I can still awake a little longer, he says to himself.

Good food comes along infrequently. Trond eats his fill, and then some. After eating he sits quietly observing the main room.

Anders stays seated and glances around the room. Just sizing up the situation with Trond.

Would Dagmar or Gregor like to converse with that lady?

After looking around a bit, Eir finally decide to sit next to his captain and Dagmar without asking for permission. He's know looking around, observing what's happening in the inn without a real care.

Gregor looks at the woman with a bit of concern. Madam, are you well?

Indeed you look like you could use a drink. As a matter of fact I might take another one myself. Is there something troubling the lady? You look a little ill?

Trond is much more comfortable in the wild. He sits uncomfortably watching the other patrons.

The woman looks are you and tries to look friendly, which she succeeds at while simultaneously looking a little green. "Hmm? Me? Oh, no. No, just tired, I guess. Looking forward to my, um," she sighs, glancing around her place seeing as she awaits her dinner to be served. She settles on a spoon, and picks it up delicately, as if to eat broth. She had no food before her. "This."

Something is wrong. Each Gregor, Dagmar, and Kikkert can make a LEARNING test (count the total of your scores in Learning and Logic and roll that many d6s, and only 6s count as successes).

Not seeing much happening in the main room, Trond stand and heads in to the kitchen and any other rooms that may be behind the bar area.

Eir raised one of his eyebrow as high as he could. Was she disturbed simply because of their presence ? It seemed unlikely to him. Getting his famous pipe out of his bag, he started to light it, while trying to think of a logical explanation for her strange behavior.

Gregor watches the woman and her odd behavior. He sits there trying to figure out what ails her.

Gregor is unable to independently recognize what may cause her symptoms.

Anders gets up from his seat, eyeing his friends talking to the lady then decides to walk over to the Priest.

Father, do you mind if I have a seat?

Kikkert couldn't help but crack a smile. It seemed like the lady and himself shared some common flaws. While taking a look around the Inn, he suddenly started to speak, seemingly thinking out loud.

-Tasting good things always is a joy in life, but in every excess can be found many problems.

Some seconds of silence slipped by. He suddenly looked back at the group, talking this time in a more direct and serious manner, poiting fingers at the lady's spoon.

-I was talking about food, of course. Being overweight really brings a lot of difficulties in one's life. Don't you think ?

Anders
The priest beckons you sit enthusiastically. "Hello, son, I'm Father Niels Klarhed, I minister at Billby Church. Please join me."

---

At Lisa's table
Lisa listens to Kikkert, and she smiles weakly at first but then seems confused toward the end. Her eyes dart around suspiciously. "Um yes." She says, trying not to engage.

Anders sits and smiles at the priest

Billby, is that the church that we can just see in the distance? We could just make it out in the storm

I see, he says to the woman. So you are just hungry then? Is that it?

The woman smiles weakly, but starts to get a little cornered looking.

Dagmar also recognizes that:

He nods pleased you mentioned it. "That's right, that's right. Lord's work, lovely spot.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. "

Trond finds in the kitchen the cook Ingelie. She is preparing the dinner orders, but seems like the kind of person that can do and talk simultaneously. She nods a greeting and continues with her stirrings and choppings.

It smells wonderful in here, you truly are an artist with spices.

He makes more small talk and then, out of the blue...

What do you think of all the strangeness?

Ingelie glances at you, eyes widening, but she looks around, and sighs. "I know this place isn't in the best shape. The inn has deteriorated in the past year – the roof leaks, boards break, and the garden has become overgrown, despite the fact that Sami works hard to maintain the inn. It is like the Witch Cat is accursed."

Trond thinks she may have been going to answer differently, but pivoted away from a harder subject.

Let's say it is cursed...who do you think would curse it, and why?

The cook pauses what she's doing, and as if she's been holding a dam singlehandedly, gushes, " Sami’s wife, Nora, had a strong interest in the unknown and she was a talented artist. Oh, you should have seen her work. At the start of the year she thought she saw a strange figure in the night and claimed to hear footsteps. At the same time, she had a fight with Sami about inviting actors and singers to the inn. Sami detests all forms of art, and he said no. Something happened that escalated that row, and Sami beat her on several occasions, poor dear. Eventually she had enough and left with a theater troupe. In the summer, Sami received word that Nora had died of cholera, in a sickbed in Karlskrona. " She shakes her head at the tragedy and adds the chopped vegetables to the pot.

Dagmar, not being one much for tact, blurts out, perhaps if you could tell me where you get your opium we can get you fixed up, and I might even join you. He leers at her with a rotten toothed smile, waiting for an answer. A life on the streets shows you many things, drug addiction being something not in short supply there. Dagmar suspected a drug was the problem. Now he was sure.

She looks at you like a trapped squirrel. "Excuse me, I am not well, I have to lie down. I'm sorry." She gets up, putting her napkin on the table and moves to the stairs.

Oh, that is surely a sad turn of events.

Trond Pat's the cooks hand sympathetically.

Have you ever seen this figure, or heard footsteps?

Trond is making sure the cook realizes he is taking her seriously, not making fun in any way.

She shakes her head and fans her face in not entirely feigned fright. "Oh, no, sir. Some of the guests have complained of nightmares, but not me. I sleep just fine."

That is because you are a good woman with a clear soul.

Trond looks around to see if there are any other rooms or a basement entrance back here.

Anders, not really being a religious man himself but he did grow up with it, just smiles politely at the priest.

Your church is quite a way from town, do your parishioners live out in the country?

The father waves dismissively, or expansively. "Oh yes, this whole area, many people." He looks around as if he had encompassed only the Witch Cat Inn. "They talk about this place, you know. Guests at the inn have suffered terrible nightmares – dreaming that someone is cutting their throat with a knife, that they are being buried alive, that their best friend is actually the Devil, or that they are on stage when suddenly another actor stabs them with what turns out to be a real knife, the audience applauding as they die."

He raises a glass. "What kind of shepherd would I be if I didn't see for myself."

Have you noticed anything since being here? Any of these rumors you have heard pointing you in a certain direction?

Anders leans in a little but then remembers this isn't an interrogation and leans back in his chair again.

He shakes his head. "This inn has seem better days, and I've seen Sami working on it a lot. I suppose he's just fixing the wrong things."

Seeing the woman starting to leave, Kikkert turned to Dagmar, with look both accusing and amused.

-Com'on my friend, that was really rude, you know ? Don't ask someone their supplier or their source like this, it's something really private.

Does Sami do it all by himself? There must be a lot to fix in an old inn like this.

The priest nods. "Yes, and he's good at it, or at least he used to be. I don't know what's changed."

How has he changed? Just not keeping up with things or has his personality changed at all?

"No, just the state of the inn has changed. As to personality, that's hard to say. I don't think I could judge such changes."

She's an addict. You are too sensitive. Dagmar shakes his head. And you're not my friend.

Anders scans the room real quick looking for Sami.

Father, I am sorry. I think I need to speak with Sami. I wish you a blessed day.

As he gets up he also starts looking at the state of the inn specifically if there was anything that seems particularly well kept.

Anders
You get a good look around, but you don't see anything that stands out as being better kept than the rest. In fact, it all looks pretty good, clean, painted, etc. save for the things that are leaking or otherwise broken.

Anders scans the room a little bit looking to see what everyone is doing since he last noticed.

RECAP
Dagmar, Gregor, and Kikkert are at the table the lady was at. She left in a hurry.

Trond is in the kitchen.

Anders is wandering around the dining room.

Olaus is sitting at a separate table, watching.

The priest is alone at as table, now that Anders has left a company.

A man no one had spoken to is drinking heavily at a table.

Sami is at the bar, between the dining room and kitchen.

The waiter girl disappeared.

The waiter guy is waiting for something to do.

Trond comes back from the kitchen and sits down with Dagmar et al.

Anyone find out anything interesting?

Nothing other than the lady is a heroin addict and wouldn't share her supplier and that apparently I am rude. Dagmar guzzles some more of his drink, then chuckles.

At Dagmar's words, Eir shrugged, seemingly not affected.

-Speaking of addiction, this drunkard in the corner seems as "ripe" as possible to answer any questions we could have for him.

He turned to Gregor and Anders. The playful tone of his voice has now been replaced by a very neutral, factual one.

-There's also definitely something off with this waiter girl. Dagmar or I could try to go see her, but, uhm... his finger waved between the vagabond's face and his own, both rough and wildly bearded. ... I don't think we would be of the most reassuring presence. As of me, I think I'll pay another pint to our lonely friend here. He designated the same heavy-drinker he talked about before.

Anders walks over to Sami, raising his hand as he approaches in a friendly matter.

Hello, do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your Inn?

Sami smiles broadly. "Of course, of course, go ahead. I'm very proud of her."

It must be a lot of work taking care of the Inn, you do it all by yourself correct?

Anders doesn't give Sami a moment to answer and hurriedly asks another question and changing topics.

A place like this should have quite a history to it. Is there anything particularly interesting you can tell me about it?

It must be a lot of work taking care of the Inn, you do it all by yourself correct?

Anders doesn't give Sami a moment to answer and hurriedly asks another question and changing topics.

A place like this should have quite a history to it. Is there anything particularly interesting you can tell me about it?

Anders Bagghult

Sami looks about the inn and says, "Yes, it is becoming more and more work. I may have to hire help, though such would eat the meager profits we make. I'll get ahead of it soon enough."

Thunder booms outside in the storm, as if to indicate there are other plans.

As to the history, he puffs up. "It has been in my family for generations. I grew up here, when my grandfather Pyri ran it. Every piece of it had been cared for by my family, and I mean for that legacy to continue."

Your family has ran a good business for generations then. It is commendable. May I say, I did hear a rumor regarding some weird happenings at the Inn. Which partly is why I came. Have you heard or seen anything out of place yourself?

"No, no, this is nonsense. We are good people. Don't listen to such rumors. This is a nice place. Very safe." Sami is concerned you misunderstand how great his inn is.

I am not sure how much more people will tell us. Should we prepare to stay the night? We can set watches and maybe nose around after everyone is asleep.

I'm for nosing around and getting to the bottom of what's going on.

Outside, lightning strikes close by, the thunder immediately following. After the bright flash fades, and it feels like it is both darker and colder in the inn. The others notice it too, looking at the lamps and the fireplace as if wondering if they're going out.

You feel overall unsafe. A mad whim to leave and stand in the storm strikes you, but that's just irrational. Right?

I am sorry sir. I was just repeating what I had heard. I myself have yet to see anything too out of the ordinary and respect your work on this fine establishment. Please excuse me while I talk with my fellows.

Anders walks over to Trond and Dagmar.

This place is disconcerting to say the least. I feel like there is trouble to be had here, I suggest we should retire to a room to discuss what we do next. Too many prying eyes here

As he had got himself a new pint of beer for the drunkard in the corner, Kikkert was interrupted by Anders. After a moment of hesitation, he shrugged, and gulped the whole pint in one go, before putting it back on the counter.

-Oh well. Aight, let's find a room.

Despite his casualness, he clearly was a bit dizzy.

Well let's get the show on the road then, whatever it is. If ya ask me, people are too concerned with other people's feelings around here. Hmmph! Dagmar's impatience with the whole business is beginning to show.

You're getting ready to explore the inn and maybe talk in private, when each of you becomes incredibly tired. All around you, you see the others falling asleep at their table or even where they stand.

When you wake, the lights are very dim. The fire seems to give no heart and the temperature inside the inn has become freezing cold.

Trond awakens and feels fear trying to bring him down. He Marshalls his feelings and tries to sense what is causing these feelings.

Trond rolls one success and so meets the target. He is not subject to Fear.

Suddenly Dagmar is struck with an overwhelming desire to sleep. But when he wakes up he is terrified, of what he knows not. He becomes confused and embarrassed.

Dagmar also beats the Fear.

Anders waking up looks around him confused and slightly disoriented, what is going on? he thinks

Anders also beats the Fear.

While you gain control over your own fear at the unknown, how do you react to this turn of events?

Something is not right here. I say we let the others sleep and try to pin down this fear.

Trond tries to get a feel for if this sensation is coming from anywhere particular, and if so he goes that way.

Anders waking from the floor finds the nearest chair and props himself up. Looks for the others in the room, both his compatriots and other patrons in the room.

What in the blazes? Trond...Dagmar...Are you guys ok?

There doesn't seem to be any lasting effect. I don't like being put to sleep though.

As he wakes up, Kikkert's old reflexes immediately kicks in, and he tries to get up, while looking around him, confused.

Why ? How ? Feeling his breath goes faster and faster, his gaze go to every corner of the room, ready for anything.

Kikkert overcomes the Fear as well.

The other patrons seem terrified. The drunk starts panic drinking, and the priest has taken to sob-praying.

Anders runs over to the priest.

Father it is ok...please calm down.

He looks up at Anders. "Mmmm," he mumbles, afraid to voice his own fears. But he calms a little, though he does not stop his prayers.

Anders looks around at the others, what could have caused this? he thinks

The daughter Sophie hisses from the stairs. "Ready for the play?" She beckons to you all, and you might note that she's out of line of sight from her father, Sami, who remains oblivious.

In the dining room, you hear scratches on the ceiling, and the shadows in the dim firelight seem to move on their own.

Did anyone just hear those scratches? What is going on this place? I don't like it.

Well, this is all bad.

Trond moves slowly to the stairs.

What play Sophie?

She shows you the flyer you saw back in the city. "It's a shadow play called A Dance of Dreams. The stage is in the attic." She beckons again and moves back up the stairs.

Well gentlemen, while I think this is likely a trap of some kind, we are here to get to the bottom of things.

Maybe the bottom is at the top. Shall we go see a play?

Anders pats his hip, making sure his revolver is still there.

Looking at the others wearily, he begins to take steps toward the stairs.

I don't think we have much choice in the matter. Be prepared for anything

I think we should go see a play. All Dagmar has is a knife. He always knows where it is in case he needs it and he knows how to use it.

Trond makes sure his gun is handy as he ascends the stairs.

The attic is littered with trunks, boxes, books, and old clothes. But the far end of the room has been cleaned up and curtains hide that space from the rest of the attic. Behind the curtains is an advanced shadow theater and chairs for a in audience. The theater consists of lanterns, paper figures on sticks, and cloth screens that can be replaced to show different backgrounds. Everything is connected to rails and clockwork mechanisms, and it appears that by turning a crank, the light sources and the figures can be moved around and the background replaced.

As she gestures for you to take your seats, Sophie stands before you. Thunder continues to peel outside, and the rain dances its own mad rhythm on the roof.

"The ideas for the theater came to me in dreams I started having at the beginning of this year," she begins.

Once you're seated, no doubt uncomfortable in the ghostly blue light of the lanterns, she cranks up the clockwork mechanism and starts telling her story from memory.

"A young man wanders through Europe, seeing things few people are fortunate enough to witness. He dances with queens and visits Versailles and the Palais-Royal. There people perform his plays and praise his name, and life dances along like a dream. But the people’s revolution sweeps the land with grenades and fire, and those who were playing and singing end up dead by the side of the road. The young man flees the song of the guillotine.

Our hero returns home to a city in the north – he walks through its gates without shoes, poor and mute. The house where he was born is burnt to ashes and his family is missing. He kneels by the side of the road, begging for coin, and no one knows that his name was once sung in the palaces of Europe."

Her voice grows increasingly strong and deep, until it becomes clear that it is not her voice at all, but the voice of a man, echoing as if it comes from the bottom of a hole. Sophia’s gaze is fixed on a certain part of the ceiling and her body loses all tension, except for the arm turning the crank, which seems to be moving by itself as if suspended with invisible wires from the ceiling.

"Suddenly he sees things no one else does – creatures creeping, flying, and crawling – as the Invisibles reveal themselves to him. When he points them out to others, he is mocked and beaten.

A man picks him up from the street and has him bathed and clothed. The man’s name is Albert, and his mansion is a place of love and song. Our young hero performs his plays and sings to him for days and nights, and they eat fruit and drink wine.

Albert introduces his friends. In the young man’s dreams they are all dancing together.

But the dreams lie.

It was you. You brought me here. You asked me to sit down and talk. We spoke of the future of the world.

I have the right to refuse, you said so and smiled, and then you butchered me like a pig one hangs from the ceiling. You buried my body in unholy ground, without priest or consecration.

Now, dreams are all I have left – I gaze out over the audience at the Palais-Royal, I dance with a princess, I eat cake, I look up into your eyes, Albert, and I let you take my dirty hand. You summon me to Pyri’s inn. You make me a villainous proposition, and I decline.

You cut me up. I scream, not wanting to die.

At last you are back.

Welcome."

As Sophia finishes her story, a monstrous figure with sharp teeth and claws emerges from the shadow theater. His undead body stinks of decay, and the entire building starts to shake as if hit by an earthquake. It whispers "welcome," and the word vibrates in the room, lingering like a bad taste in the mouth. Then the revenant howls and launches itself at you all.

Please make a test against Fear 2.

What madness and sadness is this?

Dagmar suffers two mental conditions (Fear 2 less 0 successes). Choose two: Angry, Frightened, or Hopeless.

Eir listened to the story with all of his attention, despite the recent events and the ominous atmosphere. He couldn't help it, he simply loved mysterious stories. It reminded him of his childhood, when everything was simpler. His interest doubled down when it started to take a more menacing and horrific tone.
Needless to say, he didn't saw the attack coming.
Falling backwards from his seat by reflex, he clumsily tried to roll on the ground in the same movement, before raising his head to better see the creature.

Kikkert handles his own emotional response well.

Anders listens to the story with interest but caution. Trying to take every word in and dissect it. When her voice begins to change, he perks up a bit and loses interest in the words themselves and starts looking at the actions. The shadows, the woman behind the controls and the room itself.

He has seen things in his life but this is something that is unique to him even among the horrors he has witnessed.

Anders also keeps his fear from being his master.

Trond listens to the story, he had planned on paying more attention to other thing that may have been going on...but the raw emotion in the voice captivated him.
Such sorrow and anger. Hopefully we can bring it eternal rest.

When the monster appears, he is almost ready for it. The building of the story seemed to help him adjust to, and negate, any fear he may have felt.

Trond is stalwart in the face of horror.

Whether you succeed, or become frozen and unable to move, the revenant goes straight through you, then dissolves and vanishes. Shortly thereafter Sophia regains control of her body, but is deeply shaken and collapses in tears.

Trond rushes to her side.

Sophia, are you well? Do you remember the whole show?

She looks up at you, teary eyed. "Did I fall asleep? Was I dreaming "

Anders draws his revolver as the revenant lungs forward backing up and aiming at the creature but not firing.

Back beast!

What in tarnation just happened here?! Anger and fear vie for attention. I don't believe in monsters, no I don't. I don't like it one bit. Never should have come.

Anders begins scanning the room and then starts to examine the theater.

Anders steps toward Sophia.

Girl, please tell me where did this theater come from?

She says, "I made it. I dreamed how to do it. I've been working on it for many months. Most of a year."

Sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo to me, Dagmar says angrily and too loudly, hoping to beat his fear by feeling tough.

Don't mind him girl.

Anders shrugs towards Dagmar.

What is the last thing you remember?

Dagmar is loathe to admit what he saw but he is very shaken and not so tough anymore. I...I .. think I saw a monster.

Aside of the group, Kikkert was scratching his left ear with his fingers, visibly not knowing what to say -or think- about what just happened. He turned his head when Dagmar answered to Anders:

-He's right. Definitely was some kind of monster. Or not a human, at least in the "biological" sense of the term. And I'm not sure about the psychological part either.

His way of speaking seemed as factual and cold as ever, but his right hand was actively searching for something in his pocket.

Twas a foul spirit, no doubt. Now we just have to figure out what it wants and how to stop it.

Anders takes a deep breathe, to this point he has tried to stay objective focused but the apparition they all saw shook him. To this point he refused to believe it, sure he has seen strange things but this violent phantom attacking him has finally caught up to him.

we...we must get more information. Yes...ummm...GIRL! You, what do you know of this creature we all saw?

She looks at Anders with confused eyes. "What? Me? I don't know. I dream about him every night. That I am him."

A successful Empathy check might reveal additional information.

That you re him? How strange.

Tell us more about him please. Here sit, calm down.

Please girl we just want to help. continue

Anders appeal gains her attention. She says, "My mother died part year. Everything had gone wrong since then..."

She spills out some things she had been holding onto:

· Sophia and her mother Nora shared an interest in art and the occult. Sami hates all that, Sophia knows that it is because Nora cheated on him with an actor just before they got married and had Sophia.
· Nora was collecting notes about "the Witch Cat ghost" in her room. She thought the house was haunted by one of Sami’s relatives. Sophia says the "ghost" started showing up at the beginning of the year.
· Sophia has been having strange dreams' In the dreams she is always a man, and they are always about the story of her play.

As Sophia tells her story, Anders stays attentive. Barely blinking he listens carefully avoiding all distractions. Focusing on the details, keeps his fear at bay.

After she finishes, he just sits there, contemplating the options that lay before them but despite paying so close attention he has no idea what to do next.

Can't say that I blame Sami, Dagmar thinks. As to the rest of it Dagmar concludes he has no idea what is going on. Witch cat ghosts? Bunch of crazy people.

Kikkert stayed silent with the rest of the group for a moment.
After about a minute, he spoke again, out of nowhere.

-So, what ? We have a ghost, possibly a murder story, occult practices. That's what we work for, after all. We solve that kind of stuff. Don't you think ?

Of course Kikkert. I just don't know where to start, the ghost appears to be attached to his girl somehow but I wonder if she is the only one affect?

Two clues to point out: Sophia had mentioned her mother, and how her mother had collected notes on the Inn.

Why don't we take a look at Sophia's mother's notes? They might give us some clues.

Good idea.

He turns to Sophia.

Girl, bring us your mother's notes. Maybe we can find a way to settle this spirit.

She shakes her head, but says, "Come with me, and leaves the attic." On the second floor, she quietly points at a closed door. "My father has the only key to her room. He doesn't let anyone in there."

Edit: The lock can be picked with STEALTH or pried open with FORCE.

When he reaches the locked attic door Dagmar pulls out a lock pick. Let me see if I can get this open. It's been awhile and I am little rusty.

Sophia gasps as the door opens. The room contains a bed, a desk, a closet with clothes, a bookcase, and a large number of paintings. Everything is covered with dust.

Anders should make an Observation test.

Anders peers into the room that Dagmar just opened.

Anders stumbles into the door frame as he looks into the room, his head slumped down. Breathing heavily he catches himself and straightens his posture except for his head eyes still looking down at the floor. He begins to mumble to himself and patting at his coat as if looking for something.

You idiots... can be heard in the mumbling as he begins to lean on the doorframe again.

What's all this then? Anyone know anything about books or paintings? Huh. Doesn't look like anyone has been in here in awhile.
Dagmar runs his fingers across the dusty desk then rifles through the clothes in the closet. I wouldn't mind a few of these..... he says outloud by mistake. Nevermind. He looks at the others and walks away from the closet.

What's ailing you Anders? You aren't going to drop dead on us are you? And who you calling an idiot? Not me I hope, he says as he glares at him. Go on Sketch, he says to his dog. Sniff around. See if anything smells good.

Of course YOU. Idiot!!

With that, Anders turns around to look at Dagmar. Breathing heavily, he slowly raises revolver to Dagmar's chest.

I can't stand you! You will all die!

Anders voice is shaking with rage as aims the pistol, ready to pull the trigger.

Whaaa...! Dagmar shoves him hard hoping to knock the gun out of his hands.

Eikkert goes first, then Anders, then Trond, then we'll process Dagmar's disarm attempt.

Anders steadies his aim at Dagmar and fires the pistol

Dagmar can use this Fast Action to dodge the shot. This would be rolling Agility. Each success deducts one success from the enemy’s attack. If you deduct all the enemy’s successes, the attack misses. By rolling more successes than required you may choose to swap initiative cards with your enemy.

Dagmar makes a mighty attempt to dodge the shot.

Dagmar twists out of the way of the shot and attempts to seize the gun.

Anders needs to make a FORCE check to resist.

As the thunderous sound of the gun firing fill the inn, Dagmar grabs the gun from Anders hand and wrenches it, the gun dropping to the floor.

What do the rest of you do?

If Anders is still resisting he will try to keep him from hurting himself or someone else.

Snap out of it man.

Unprepared for such a scene, Kikkert stood there as Anders fired his shot, but finally reacted as Trond advanced toward the inspector.
Jumping at Dagmar's feet, he tried to take the gun and disarm it as quickly as possible. It was probably the most dangerous thing here right now.

Kikkert grabs the gun from the floor as Trond helps subdue Anders.

ahhh! Anders breathes heavily and goes limp as he doesn't resist

What in the blazes just happened? Did I just attack you Dagmar? Why did I do that?

Trond loosens his hold gradually, ready to jump again if necessary.

You didn't seem yourself, my friend.

I asked myself the same question Anders! It's a good thing I can move quickly or I might have been killed. I've been known to hold a grudge or two too. Dagmar has a straight face when he says this, making it impossible for Anders to know how serious he really is about grudges.

Brushing the dust off his uniform, Kikkert nevertheless kept the gun in his hand, checking another time that the security was locked.

-It's the same story than with the waitress. Sounds like a vengeful spirit that possesses other's body, something like that.

His gaze returned to the gun.

-Considering the circumstances... Never thought I would say that as a soldier, but maybe we would be safer without firearms on us.

All I remember is cold coming upon me then suddenly feeling anger like none I have ever possessed.

Anders looks at Dagmar wearily

I am sorry for that, whatever this is, it seems to be filled with a rage like none other. Maybe Kikkert is right, however I dare say I worry we may find ourselves under attack from an outside source that may not take such precautions.

At the very least we should keep any weapons away from Anders. Dagmar hasn't quite forgiven him for trying to kill him.

You entered the room for her mother's notes. Sophia grabs her journal from a spring desk and stuffs it in down her blouse as Sami thunders up the stairs. "What is the meaning of this? Gunfire, inside the inn?" he bellows.

Relax sir. Very sorry for the disturbance, one of our pistols went off accidentally. No one was hurt and no damage done.

He may forgive the gunfire as an accident, but when he see you in his dead wife's locked room, figurative steam billows from his ears. "No, this room is off limits. Get out!" He seems angry.

Look sir, I am not sure if you don't or just won't see it...but there is something strange going on, and this room is part of it.

He's right. We're staying. Dagmar stares Sami down. But softening a little he says, Look, we need to get to the bottom of what's going on around here. Surely you want this too?

Sami shakes his head. "It's just rain! There's nothing weird going on. Now get out of this room, you can investigate anywhere else." He seems willfully blind to the crazy.

Sir, we saw a spirit. It was not the rain, it attacked us by using our friend. Do you want your daughter to be the next one attacked?

Please, we just want to help

Your words are falling in deaf ears. He is becoming unreasonably angry. He will likely become violent very quickly. While this may seem like an overreaction, no explanation is being offered.

I can restrain him by force and free you to search the room, Dagmar says as he glares threateningly at Sami. He is hoping it won't come to that but maybe he can scare him into complying.

He backs away, then heads back down the stairs at a fast pace, muttering.

Sophia says, "I've got her journal, come on, back to the attic," and she runs off.

Have we finished searching in here?

The room has been searched fairly well. There are three occult looking books on a shelf you could grab, but otherwise there's not much else of possible interest.

Ok looks like we are in fact done here, Dagmar says as he follows Sophia up to the attic.

Trond will grab the books on his way out.

Anders follows Sophia, head down. Still a little in shock after his recent possession.

Eir follows the group around still making some glances at Anders from behind. Almost killing a colleague... that probably felt really bad for him. But well, safety was safety, and the biggest advantage of a gun was range. He couldn't take the risk to approach him too much right now.

You retreat to the attic and gather astound the journal, or peruse the occult books.

The occult books are too long to reproduce here. A player character who describes what she is looking for can find information about ghosts and spirits.

Nora's Journal

January 15th
I saw it again last night, as I was on my way to empty the widower Rutger’s chamber pot. The candle in my hand went out and, standing still in the dark corridor on the second floor, I could hear the floorboards move. Someone was walking toward me. I whispered my husband’s name, and an unknown voice responded with a word I couldn’t understand. The hairs on my arms stood up and the blood throbbed in my veins. Finally I dropped the pot and ran downstairs. My footsteps woke several of the guests. I had to spend more than an hour on my knees scrubbing the stench of Rutger’s excrement off the floorboards. Sami was angry. I didn’t tell him I’d seen a ghost – it would be adding fuel to the fire.

January 17th
Do I really have myself to blame? I know what I did to Sami, but that was almost twenty years ago. He gets so different when he’s angry, and I go mute with fear – whilst he demands answers. Perhaps I should know better than to upset him? But all I did was suggest that the sudden falling apart of the inn might have occult causes. I definitely shouldn’t have mentioned the ghost. Now I won’t be able to show myself to the guests for a week – the bruises around my neck can be concealed with a collar, and no one can see the pain in my chest and stomach, but my left eye is purple like a plum and my nose is swollen. I fear for Sophia. She is so much like me, and I’d like to tell her everything – but I’m afraid of what Sami would say. He wants to eradicate all things artistic and sublime from his daughter’s body – that which came from me.

January 31st
I mentioned my nightmares to Sophia, and it turned out she’s been having the same dreams! A man being killed – the murderer sneaking up behind him and cutting his throat with a knife. The body is buried in unconsecrated ground, and suddenly it is my body in the grave. I’ve been buried alive and can’t get out. All I want is revenge, or peace in death. I wake with a scream.

February 7th
The fourth time I saw him I understood what he was whispering – it’s not a word, but a name: "Pyri". After spending several days pondering the matter, to Sami’s great annoyance, I remembered where I’d heard that name. Sami’s grandfather, who used to run this inn, was named Pyri Harjula. There are lots of old letters in the attic. Among them I found a stack of messages all signed with Pyri’s name, written in code and addressed to someone in Upsala. The code was easily deciphered, and now I’ve shut myself away in my room all morning, reading Pyri’s love letters. Sami is furious that I’ve neglected my duties. He is banging the kitchen walls and throwing saucepans against the floor. Poor Ingelie.

February 8th
I now know who the dead man is. Pyri writes of his guilt and feelings of remorse over a murder he committed. He killed a man named Oscar Hjort by slitting his throat. This happened during a meeting with three people from Upsala. One of them was named Albert. Oscar was unwilling to cooperate, but what he was meant to do I am unsure of. They buried his body somewhere in our garden. Pyri says that, instead of having a priest consecrate the ground, they desecrated his body with magic. He fears that he has damned the inn and condemned himself to hell.

March 1st
Sophia has been quiet and withdrawn for some time now. I sat down to talk with her, and she told me that she dreams of setting up a theater. She wants to put on shows here at the Witch Cat. I think it’s a brilliant idea. I have sent an invitation to the Troll Dreams theater troupe, mostly to attract customers but also to inspire Sophia. They will pass through here in early April. This time I won’t let Sami get his way.

March 19th
Sami saw the letter from the theater director, and as I’m writing this I have hid in the stable like a naughty child. He hit me with the fireplace poker – everything went black and I woke up on the floor. I lost the feeling in the fingers of my left hand, and they are still numb. Blood, saliva, snot and tears are running down my face, so I need to keep this paper away from my body to avoid staining it. I’m so scared.

April 3rd
If I stay here he’ll kill me. Tonight I’m packing my things, and I’m taking Pyri’s letters with me. I’ll show them to Sophia when I come for her. Perhaps we will return to the Witch Cat one day, when Sami has died or come to his senses. Then we can go looking for ghosts together.

Trond is shaking with anger.

What kind of man hits his wife? He killed her, no doubt

I will take a look through the books, maybe it says something about bodies in unconsecrated ground.

As the others are taking their time reading the note, Trond shuffles through the occult library. What is immediately clear upon finding a few references is that an unquiet spirit would need to 'find peace' and then the body must be buried in hallowed ground.

Dagmar isn't the most wholesome fellow but still, the way Sami treated his wife was cowardly.

Anyone know where the nearest hallowed ground is in case we need to rebury someone?

Probably the nearby church..

You'll recall that you can see a church from here, and the pastor was at dinner tonight.

Anders is starting to regain his composure. A task...a riddle, something to do is what he needs after that possession.

How about we go find the pastor? he seemed a nice enough man maybe he would be so kind to help us rid the Inn of the vengeful spirit

His help will probably be needed. I am afraid we will also have to dig up a body and re-bury it.

Do we know where the mother is? Or where she us supposed to be? Might there be two?

Sophia explains, "She left. She joined a passing theatre troupe and left. Father had... well, after that, she ran. And left me here with him."

Left if she was lucky. I wouldn't be surprised to find two bodies buried out back.

Yes. Right. Let's go find the pastor

You go down the stairs and find Sami coming back up with a gun. He doesn't point it at you, but he's spitting mad, and takes up space in the doorway to Nora's room, as if to defend it from you re-entering it.

In the mainroom, it is even darker. The fire seems to put out no heat. The pastor is completely inebriated, wobbling in his chair barely conscious.

Stopping himself at the end of the stairs, Kikkert took a look at Sami, and turned his head to spit on the ground in a typical soldier fashion.
He knew how people like this were. Angry at the most vulnerable, but fearing anyone that could oppose resistance to them.
Taking a last look at the armed man, he approached Trond, and put Anders's gun in one of his hands.

-Keep an eye on Baldie-Beardie for me, will ya ?

Without waiting for an answer, he approached the priest, trying to determine his exact mental state, and if he was hurt in any way.