The Arundel Information Caper (RP)

Continues from Talking About the Weather.

There are plenty of interesting things to see at Arundel Castle, it is a tourist attraction during the day, but Jacob knows 'Hali' (who is Lady Halifax (who is actually Crowley)) thinks there is a valuable stash hidden here. It is hard to know where something like this could be hidden in such an (apparently) public venue, but there are clearly layers of magic upon the place.

• Jacob: How long can you keep this ulterior motive a secret from Emma and Benji? Do you even try?
• Emma: Do you retrieve your purse? It will be awkward to carry it (though that is par for the course, and you do have male companions with their much-more-practical clothing with their unfair pockets, if you choose to trust Benji to carry your stuff).

Where do you go? What to you find that might be an interesting place to start looking? There is an official map, but it is light on the sort of details you are looking for.

What do you do?

Benji has no idea if he ever went on a treasure hunt as a child but it certainly sounds like a lot of fun! "So what are we looking for?" he asks, eager to help.

He notices Emma is sticking very close to him as they make their way through the empty castle and, remembering his Victorian manners, offers her his arm. "Is this still something people do?" he asks her, sticking out his elbow so that she can hook her arm through his, if she would like. "I confess I’ve never been very good at keeping up with social etiquette, even in my own era."

"I haven't the foggiest." Hali answer both Jacob and Benji at the same time. "It's 'storage for old stuff', is all I know. That is why I enlisted you to help." This last part is directed at Jacob, but Hali has apparently gotten over her resentment of Benji, and her manners and upbringing shine through in how she plays the good host.

"I am sure we will recognise it when we find it." She says breezily.

What do you do?

"Hopefully not much more outside." Hali says with a slight shiver. "Some of us are not dressed for this."

Hali is managing her heels just fine on the cobbles, but she looks off to the West with some distaste. "I sure hope that is not our destination." She mutters. Whether that is due to the grass, the church (a bit over 150m away), or just the weather, is not clear.

What do you do?

"Okay, let’s go to the church then," says Benji. He still doesn’t quite understand what they’re looking for or why but he trusts Jacob and if Jacob says the treasure might be hidden in the church then Jacob’s probably right.

"That does seem inevitable." Hali admits with a sigh.

As you approach the church building you spy is a light on inside. The doors (at the front) are closed, but you think you pick up on movement, and maybe quite voices, inside.

What do you do?

- Jacob -

The front doors are closed —but not locked, if you risk testing that. From inside you hear what sounds like a fairly casual conversation between three or more men, whoever is in there does not sound exited, nor are they trying to keep secret.

What do you do?

"Maybe they’re looking for the treasure too," Benji suggests, keeping his voice low to avoid alerting whoever is inside to their presence. "Shall we ask them?"

- Jacob -

As the door cracks open you hear the discussion more clearly: "... I just don't know if I believe you. I think there is a skull in front of you. I'm not going to risk it. ..."

But you are interrupted. "Can I help you, sir?" Says a man who was standing, completely still and silent just inside the door, as he turns lifeless-eyes towards you.

He is one of the Arundel staff. They all seem to have a similar enough look that it is hard to tell them apart.

What do you do?