Freaks & Facades: Session Nine - Chaos and Collisions

By

     You!  Yes, you!  You are all just in time!  Because the Freaks & Facades is back!  

    Welcome all to Session Nine: Chaos and Collisions!  Our band of friendly Freaks are on the move, but their forces are split right down the middle!

    Following the scheme set forth by the secretive Claudine LaFitte; Solange, Channa and Pryrrish are heading to the nigh-abandoned Montagne estate!  There may be evidence linking the malevolent Baron to an infamous spree killer, known as The Black Dog, free for the taking!

    The Baron Montagne himself, and everyone of influence in the village of Campanula, are attending the Chaveau Derby on this day.  An even more important figure, a member of the Council of Brilliance, is supposedly attending this last derby of the season!  Therefore, to keep track of the Baron's movements, our odd couple pair of Fenri and Schrödinger will be attending the races!  

    Their local vigilante friend, the disheartened Vincente Quint (aka Night's Vengeance), is also stableman for House Chaveau.  So the races are the perfect time and place to connect him to Claudine, and to her mysterious organization of noble do-gooders.

    This will be quite a unique story for you, readers!  Two tales in parallel!  Will our friendly Freaks survive the separation--and the dangers--of both the Montagne Manor and Chaveau Racetrack?  Who is the mysteriously brilliant guest of honor attending the races today?   What will come of this climactic day for our band of beloved Freaks?

    Let's find out!

 

Warning: this is a horror campaign setting, so please bear that in mind before reading on.  Possible triggers include: mentions of violence, bloodshed and death; dark spirits, fire, animal harm mentions, mental domination/forced compulsion, self-harm/self-sabotage mentions. 

*starts projector*


      The Estate Endeavor:

      • Leaving Fenri and Schrödinger at the Chaveau Derby; the remaining Freaks (Solange, Channa and Pryrrish) trek northwards to infiltrate the Baron Montagne's estate.  They have Claudine's plan at the ready: to plant a prepared bag of coins at a specific spot in the woods around the Montagne Manor.  The group will be able to sneak in and have nearly unlimited access to the estate while the paid-off guards take a stroll to retrieve their bribe. 
        • They find a place to tie up the wagon and Solange navigates the dense woodlands leading to the dropoff site.  However, after the dropoff is made, they come across a strange glade somewhere on the Baron's estate .  
        • Dogs.  Lots of them.  Roaming a large clearing, a pack greater than one man ought to control.  Running about, nipping one another and rearing even more pups; all amongst statues of stone hounds.  The Baron has over a hundred dogs and puppies under his sway it seems.  
        • Luckily, fearing the Baron's potential to command or communicate with his hounds, Solange prepared a gravedigger spell in advance.  She casts hide from animals, and the three figures tiptoe through the playful pack with none of them the wiser.  The animals all look through the diminished group of Freaks, as if they aren't there at all! 
          • The downside of this spell is that they may not touch any animal, let alone deal harm to any living creature, while the spell is in effect--otherwise they'd be surrounded in an instant!
      • The group makes it to the side kitchen entrance, abandoned just like Claudine arranged.  They sneak inside and quickly avoid another dog leaping out at them!  Thankfully, it merely wishes to play in the woods, their presence still hidden.  
      • Tiptoeing through the kitchen to the upper stairway, it is clear the servants have been given the afternoon off.
        • Ironically, they are not alone as they believe...  But they don't need to know that yet... 
      • Up on the manor's second floor, Solange points out the two areas she and Fenri failed to investigate: the west wing (an area the household seemingly avoids) and a single room on the far side of the eastern hallway.  So while they're here, the group decides to check out this unloved west wing first... 
        • Furniture is left piled up and covered in fabric, as well as a thick layer of dust.  On the dusty floor there appears to be only a single set of shoe prints going back and forth into one of the adjoining rooms...
        • There is also a large hope chest in this furniture storage area--a cedar box probably containing things like a woman's bridal gown or precious jewelry.  Above its padlock is a silver emblem.  In the shape of a silver stag...
          • Pryrrish is very interested in this chest.  Their dark dreams of the dying stag last night have them on edge.  And this must be something the Elemental Dark wants her to investigate.
          • But the lock needs a key.  Tragically, none of them are well equipped with any lockpicking tools nor the skill.  There may be a key somewhere in this place though!
      • One of the rooms appears to be storage for the Baron's official records.  Channa takes a cursory look through these papers.  But, according to them, it is all records of his public works and business in managing the town.  Definitely not where the Baron would store evidence of his actual crimes against humanity.    
        • Especially anything connected to this Black Dog monster, as Claudine suspects.
      • That leaves only one last room in this wing.  The one that the dusty prints lead to and from.  Inside, the group finds another storage space; yet a sitting area was set up among the covered furniture, stacks of old paintings and the disarrayed bookcases. 
        • Pryrrish leads the investigation of this room, using her sharp eyesight to point out things the rest should look into.    
        • This storage room contains furniture and bric-a-brac that have long been out of fashion within Dementlieu.  Solange recognizes all the objects in here shouldn't be be anywhere but storage. 
          • Channa, ever the scholar, is drawn to the bookcases.  The dusty tomes are all but crumbling in their leatherbound spines.  Gold-embossed titles having slowly faded over years and years.  Iggy her earth familiar (silent as the grave) stands guard outside the dusty room.  
          • The wooden chairs and table are tragically sticky with aged lacquer... Solange can tell, sitting delicately on this pitiful furniture, someone often takes tea and reads in this little dusty room.  Surrounded by relics of the past...
        • On one wall is a painted family tree--describing the torrid family ties of a noble house no one in this party recognizes: House Thibeaux.  Solange has never seen that house on the mausoleums of the Cemetery...  The family must be buried elsewhere; not important enough for St. Leonburg's.
          • It seems this house's emblem is the white stag...
          • Examining the painting, it looks like there were only three members of the family left at one point: a pair of siblings (Markian and Marie Thibeaux), and some cousin from an unfashionable marriage earlier in the line...  A cousin named Isaac, surname undeclared...
            • Isaac, the Baron's son, is much too young to be the person according to the family tree dates.  But perhaps the Baron named his son after himself?
            • If that's so, then who are/were Markian and Marie Thibeaux?  
        • In a book of nature poetry, Channa discovers a silver key!  She immediately heads out to look at the hope chest!  Pryrrish hurries after her!
      • The lock on the enormous chest easily clacks open with the key.  Inside, wrapped in perfumed tissue paper, appear to be a woman's clothes.  
        • Dresses of exquisite taste and fabrics, though the trends are far out of date to be worn these days even in rinky-dink Campanula.  The beading is stunning, the seams and lace professionally placed.  The fabrics sumptuous and so very colorful!  
          • Except for a single dress of pure white, a maiden's sleeping gown.  It would have been beautiful, once upon a time.  But, as Channa kneels before the chest of memories, and holds it up there is an obvious sign of its terrible past.
          • An enormous hole right at the abdomen, torn off long ago.  Ringed in the brown-reddish stains of long dried blood... 
        • There is even jewelry to unearth, all in little velvet boxes.  Channa hands off the boxes to Solange and Pryrrish.  Diamond earrings, rings.  And an enormous necklace of sapphires and light blue diamonds in silver!  But wait, are they robbing the place or just enjoying themselves?
        • One velvet box contains something very simple and understated by comparison.  A cameo pendant, engraged with the profile of a handsome young woman.  The nose is like the Baron's.  Her mane of hair curly and thick, with roses engraved within the tangles...  
        • The name Marie is inscribed in cursive on the back.  
          • Pryrrish holds this cameo. Suddenly, the Tome at her hip suddenly begins to vibrate!  And the cameo's profile face slowly turns towards her swirling eyes!
      • As the piercing shriek Pryrrish heard in her dreams fills the air, from the newly animated rendering of the pendant's past owner, the bloodstained dress in Channa's arms shivers!  Its sleeves rapidly lash out and wrap around the scholar's neck, twisting hard!   And like puppets on invisible strings, two more dresses rise up from the chest--animated by an unseen malevolence!
        • Solange sets her enchanted lantern-staff ablaze and swings it at these animated clothes!  Their fabrics, abandoned to this dry aged chest, burn easily.  Channa is freed from their strangulating sleeves, their constricting lashes did quite a lot!
          • Solange, as a gravedigger, recognizes the clothes have turned into raiments.  They are the clothing of someone who died terribly, filled with traces of their spirit that are absorbed into the fabrics!  
          • Perhaps, while sealed in the chest for all these years, the spiritual traces of whoever once wore the bloody night dress spread to the rest?!
        • Pryrrish fires off eldritch blasts at the spectral clothing!  But her blinding shadows have no affect on them; they are undead and have no living eyes to blind!
        • Channa's throat is a wreck from the raiments; and she clutches the terrible marks left on her throat.  She swings her chain about in anger, shredding the necrotic fabrics!  
      • A few terrible moments later, the two jewel-toned raiment gowns are destroyed.  And as Solange's lantern collides with the ringleader, the bloodied nightdress, it catches alight!  So incredibly and dangerously fast it burns!  The cameo pendant lets loose one more terrible scream as the nightdress turns to ash, and then is animate never more...
      • As the nightdress raiment burns hot and high, the flames upon the lace spread sparks around the room.  Onto the dusty covers of the stored furniture!  
        • Suddenly, with no way to contain it, the west wing of Montagne Manor is on FIRE!  Flames spread fast, and immediately smoke throughout the upper floor!
        • And!  The shrieking of the cameo pendant appears to have caught someone's attention on the grounds!  
          • The old hunting hound Fenri and Solange faced a few days ago rushes upstairs, and it starts barking wildly.  But luckily, Solange's hide from animals is still in effect; as the group only faced a flock of unliving creatures!  It's barking at the flames, thank goodness.  
        • The dog's barking and the sudden surge of smoke have started to alert people now! And hide from animals doesn't affect with humanoid creatures!  
          • The group has to get out of sight and out of the manor, but there's only one stairwell back down!  They're trapped on the burning second floor!
      • Pryrrish does not seem to register the danger.  Her attention is upon the cameo pendant, now silent as the grave, in her silvery hands.  There is power in that amulet still, and it calls to her...
        • Suddenly her eyes are filled with darkness!  She collapses to the floor, the Elemental Dark filling her mind entirely with something tenebrous and horrible!  
        • Having taken the brunt of the raiments' beatings, Channa wearily shoulder's the catatonic elf!  So it is up to Solange to figure out their escape!
      • Down the hall Solange decides!  To the last unchecked room in the house, furthest from the stairwell!  Solange directs Channa to heave Pryrrish that way, but she pauses a moment.  
        • Considering the fire and what the box may yet further contain, she decides they are taking the hope chest with them.  Luckily it's not as heavy as it appears, and she drags it down the hall--noisily but quickly.
        • Slipping into the last room, the apparent office of the Baron Montagne himself, the group escapes notice of someone running upstairs.  But our trio know now that someone is here, calling for water and wrestling the dog away from the flames!
        • The office is austere but tasteful.  The entire easternmost wall covered in windows overlooking the dark woods.  The group is going to have to jump out a window from here--the only way to get out with the greatest chance of going unnoticed!  
          • Channa plans out her jump, having to heft Pryrrish.  Iggy has stayed outside the manor this whole time, and is down below ready to catch its master and her cargo.  
          • But instead of planning her own descent, seizing this nigh-impossible opportunity, Solange searches the Baron's desk!  There's no other way after today they'll have this chance!
      • The Baron's desk is tidy to a fault but it is the last possible place he would keep important (and incriminating) records.  But nothing is locked up, and every drawer contains mundane letters and barony journals...  Solange gets a hunch, however; there must be more to this desk.  The Baron would never let a servant cleaning this room even chance to snoop out something incriminating.
        • While ducking to the floor away from the smoke, crouched and searching under the desk; Solange discovers a secret panel underneath!  And two exactly switches that should open it up.  With only moments to spare she has to pick a switch, no chance to disarm it with the ruckus building down the fiery hall!  One or the other!
          • Picking one at random, she presses a switch...
          • The panel miraculously opens up without incident!  A treasure trove of secrets is inside!  
          • There is a large portfolio folder, containing all sorts of items.  Two stacks of letters bound in cords.  The only difference between the stacks is that they have either white or blue envelopes.  A red-hilted stiletto knife.  And two vials of an oily, crimson liquid...  
      • Taking the portfolio, Solange tells her companions now they must leave.  Channa has a perfect descent planned, and with Iggy catch her and Pryrrish's fall they make it out!  
      • Solange tosses out the hope chest, which Channa expertle catches.  Pryrrish is dragged along the ground by Iggy, followed by Channa, into the woods!  
        • Solange holds the incriminating portfolio tight and leaps out!  She tucks and rolls, avoiding any permanent damage!  The group flees the smoking estate house!
        • From the window of the Baron's office, face covered by smoke, someone watches Solange run into the treeline. 
        • Someone knows the fire was no accident.  And Solange, her banshee caliban nature no longer veiled, must be to blame in their eyes!

      The Chaveau Derby
      • We now go back to the party split, almost two hours earlier. Schrödinger and Fenri join the throng of peasants marching to attend the races.  The Chaveau estate house is much more ostentatious than the Baron's, more aligned with classic Dementlieuse sensibilities.  Almost all the trees on the land have been cleared and cultivated, and at the end of a well-worn drive lies the pennant-decorated stands of the derby track! 
      • Fenri, disguised as a redheaded human child, holds Schrödinger's uncomfortable hand as they walk among hte crowd.  There is music and excitement in the air!  They arrive at the northern entrance of the oval track, where the peasantry watch in rickety stands and the stables prepare the next horses to race!
        • A large pavilion on the track's eastern bend separates the northern peasant's side and the southern noble's side.  The pavilion is a lavatory and place for the nobility (or anyone with coin) to refresh themselves and procure extravagant snacks and drinks.
        • To the south, flanked by the gold-and-brown liveried servants of House Chaveau, the nobility watch in more sturdy stands, ones with padded seating.  The pair easily spy a group of familiar nobles by the pavilion--those that watched the duel between Schrödinger and Lord Isaac.  Included among the throng are the friendly gentleman Jacquard, and Claudine herself.  
          • Claudine is dressed entirely in bone white lace today, head to toe needlework!  She wasn't kidding when she decided to go shopping to impress a possible Lamordian beau.  Fenri mischievously grins at the outcome of her meddling, while Schrödinger blanches.
          • However, the Baron's son is not among them.  Where is the snooty (and recently dishonored) Lord Isaac?  He's not back at the house is he?  
            • Yes.  Yes, he is...
        • In the center of the two noble stands, right at the finish line, is a special viewing platform.  A seat of prominence for only the most important people, such as the Baron!  Looking at him today (and knowing his abuse of his prideful but naive son), it is hard not to take what Claudine said of the Black Dog more seriously...  His dark eyes scan all the attendants, noble and peasant alike--like a hound surveying a flock of lowly sheep...
          • Along with one of his eerily trained dogs, the Baron is not alone on the platform.  Two other men in much more elegant attire are also seated.  
          • Wearing the golden chain sigil of the derby's hosting noble house around his doublet shoulders, the imposing and muscular Lord Edouard Chaveau calls below for refreshments.  He is nearly twice the size of the Baron in statue, but he attends his guests like a nervous mother hen.  
          • In fact, both he and the Baron are very attentive to who sits between them.  Must be the bigwig from Port-a-Lucine.
        • Unfortunately, it is hard to make out who the guest of honor is.  The pair would have to get closer to get a look.
      • But there's no time for idling, our pair of Freaks come up with a game plan.  Vincente (their vigilante friend and Chaveau servant) is definitely at his post in the stables.  They must let the shaken stableman know about Claudine, and arrange a chance to talk.  
        • House Chaveau does collect a nominal fee to allow visitors to see the horses in between races.  Schrödinger, still quite frivolous with his lordly wealth, readily pays for him and Fenri both.  
        • Fenri is a bit envious since she is flat broke.  Not of having wealth per se; rather she wishes she could treat others rather than always being the one treated.
      • Vincente is attending the beautiful mare he rides on in his heroic alter ego.  Apparently the Lord who owns her named her "Midnight Maisie" (not just Midnight as Vincente's been calling her).  When the pair ask Vincente about the horse, pretending not to have met the stableman before, he obviously cringes when they use the horse's full name.
        • In hushed tones, the pair tell Vincente of an ally, a noble lady working for a heroic faction.  And she wants to meet him, to help him.  He's taken aback but is delighted to have the aid.  
        • Emboldened, Vincente tells them to have Mademoiselle LaFitte come in and make mention of the golden braid in Midnight's tail--that'll be their signal to arrange a meeting after the races.
      • Back outside, they see that Claudine's group has gone into the refreshment pavilion.  By the loud sounds of lamenting and wailing, it is obvious Claudine (apparently distraught in her ridiculous false persona) and her group are inside.  Fenri directs Schrödinger to carry her on his shoulders, the two getting along well today.
        • Schrödinger forks over more Dementlieuse coronas to gain a pass to the refreshment pavilion.  Once inside, they hear Claudine wailing in between swigs of champagne and fistfuls of cream puffs.  To anyone who will listen, and those trapped in the room with her, apparently she's been duped!  
        • Friends try their best to console and calm her, but she simply wails on about how she flirted with a coldhearted Lamordian!  And today he brought his obvious lovechild to the track to humiliate her!  Just when she bought this colorless outfit, all to impress him!!
          • Schrödinger pales with embarrassment and goes over to the snack bar, trying to avoid Claudine pointing him out on sight.  This charade she's doing is all but setting his reputation in Campanula on fire!  This would never happen in Schwartzsteinburg back home!
          • Fenri loves this.  The chaos of it all tickles her funny bone.  The halfling, veiled as Schrödinger's "redheaded lovechild", sneaks away from her companion.  Under the pavilion tables (and beneath the skirts of several comforting ladies), she gets to the underside of Claudine's champagne-spilled table.  From that hiding place, she speaks in whispers with the lady, and tells how to signal Vincente in the stables.  
          • Staying in character, the dramatic Claudine affirms the signals to be given, and to which stableman.  All that's left is for her to get into the stable and offer Vincente her the coded help he needs!
        • At the bar, Schrödinger decides to buy a flower made of sugar candy for Fenri--a gesture of kindness.  He picks a sunflower for the sunny little cleric, and fits it in his pocket for later.
        • Young lord Jacquard, a smug look on his face, sidles up to Schrödinger at the bar.  He has two glasses of wine poured out and makes a toast to them both, revealing he always suspected something wrong about the Lamordian.  
        • Schrödinger says nothing so Jacquard continues: He grew suspicious of him when Claudine began to rant about him and the "feelings" Schrödinger "awakened" within her.  It turns out Jacquard wasn't spying on the Freaks out of malice, nor at the Baron's behest.  He was spying on his presumed love rival for the "beautiful yet vulnerable" Claudine LaFitte!  
          • Ego absolutely sunken to the bottom of his stomach, Schrödinger buttons up and lets Jacquard project this ridiculous romance onto him.  Better Lord Isaac's friend project this ridiculous romance onto him, rather than uncover a clue of the plot to utterly destroy the power of the Baron....   
          • Jacquard proclaims him bringing his lovechild (referring to Fenri in her redheaded disguise) was the nail in the coffin for the lordling's attempted romance of the fair mademoiselle.  (Fair Claudine. Who right now is currently sticky with cream puff filling and spilled champagne; mascara and rouge flooding down her two-sided face).
          • But no hard feelings, Jacquard says, he simply was not the man enough for Claudine.  They clink glasses and down their drinks.  Schrödinger won't forget being made into such a farce by Claudine... (Unaware of Fenri's part in this farce).
          • Unbeknownst to the both of them, Fenri has snuck up and listened in.  Seeing Schrödinger's face at this misunderstanding spiraling before the lordling so so embarrasingly, she decides to show him a bit of mercy.  
          • The disguised halfling ties the smug Jacquard's bootstraps together.  And when she leads her uncomfortable friend out, there is a satisfying crash behind them when Jacquard trips and spills an entire table of treats.  
      • Sharing a chuckle, Schrödinger and Fenri laugh about the ridiculous situation.  But Claudine has gotten the message with no one the wiser.  The pair only need to wait for her to speak with Vincente in the stables.  
        • Meanwhile, it is time for a race!  Midnight Maisie, the other horses and their jockeys; they line up at the starting line!  
        • Midnight Maisie easily takes the lead in the beginning!  It is obvious the mare is leagues above the rest immediately from the sound of the starting pistol.  However, the horse knows more to maintain a running chase rather risk short bursts.  She's been trained for actual roads by her rides with Night's Vengeance.  She is no longer a viable race horse this way.  
        • Sadly, Midnight shares second place with another one of the derby favorites, despite her and her jockey's best efforts.
          • There is much fanfare and pulling of hair among the crowd!  It appears some who bet upon this race won, and others did not.  Vincente watches from the stables, slightly disheartened at the outcome for his beloved steed.
        • This close to Lord Chaveau's nobility pavilion, Fenri (on Schrödinger's shoulders) finally gets a closer look at the Councilor in attendance today.
      • Dressed in modern, sleek black from head to toe; tasteful gray streaks in his hair and beard, this member of the Council of Brilliance is an older human man.  His eyes are dark like obsidian, and there is a subtleness to his perpetual, handsome smile that sets Fenri on edge.  According to hearsay among the crowd, this is a very influential leader among the Council--the Comte Dominic d'Honaire!
        • Lord Chaveau excitedly points out to his winning horses on the track, trying to get the Councilor's approval.  Both he and the Baron are eager to please the suave gentleman.  
        • Sadly neither Fenri or Schrödinger are native to this land, and it seems Dominic d'Honaire's accomplishments (if he has any) are not well-known outside of Dementlieu...  
          • If only they knew...
      • As the race wraps up, the pair see Jacquard (hair and attire reaffixed from his trip) leading a sniffling Claudine to the stables.  They feel confident that, in her ridiculous persona, Claudine can get the ball rolling to help Vincente.
        • That is, until they see the Councilor stand and lead Chaveau away from the noble stands.  Heading towards the stables!  The councilor's gruff bodyguard and several Chaveau guards flanking them...
        • Baron Montagne visibly relaxes in his seat, once the Councilor is out of sight.  He does take notice of the two Freaks attending nearby...
        • Schrödinger and Fenri hold their breaths as the Councilor's entourage passes by.  People bow and curtsey left and right.  Trying to attract d'Honaire's attention, yet praying not to be seen.
          • The two silently follow the Councilor, along with several other nobles drawn in by the Councilor's aura of influence and social magnetism...  There's just something about him you want to watch... 
          • But Fenri is more suspicious than enthralled, listening to her gut.  There is something about d'Honaire.  Something wrong...
      • The stables are closed off from anyone else going in while the Councilor is shown the horses.  Claudine and Jacquard are still inside, probably stuck lingering!
        • But then Jacquard is all but pushed out!  It seems the Councilor and Lord Chaveau wanted only Claudine and several other ladies to stay inside while they toured the stalls.  Perhaps the Comte is a lady's man?
        • They have to get in there!  
        • Preying on his insecurities; Schrödinger insults Jacquard into anger, and the humiliated nobleman makes a scene trying to get back to his companion.  Claudine is so vulnerable now, and she is alone with an incredibly powerful and handsome national leader! Without a chaperone!!  
        • It's the perfect opportunity for Fenri to use the disguising veils to slip into the stables, now made up into a street urchin she saw in town.
      • The stables are rife with tension.  Several couples and ladies are frozen in place while Lord Chaveau shows off the race-winning stallion to the Councilor: trying to convince him it is the perfect horse for the Primeur grand parade in a week's time.  
      • However, the Comte d'Honaire isn't bothering to listen to his desperate host.  Instead, he has them pause before Midnight Maisie's stable.  He stands at complete ease and confidence, beside the petrified and messed-up Claudine--too terrified to meet the Councilor's smoldering gaze like this.
        • Vincente has his head down, easily avoiding the Councilor's gaze.  He is not as appealing as a beautiful, distraught young woman--and oh is he grateful for being mercifully overlooked.
        • The dark-dressed Councilor speaks gently to Claudine, recognizing she has been crying.  Face to face with the handsome d'Honaire--someone impossibly above her in social standing--Claudine falters with her ridiculous persona.  She instead excuses her unfit appearance, and declares a Lamordian broke her heart just today.  The dark-eyed gentleman nods and says she has his sympathies.  
          • From his past dealings with Lamordians upon the Council, d'Honaire laughingly muses that they have no hearts or romance...
        • Then, daringly, the Councilor bends down to whisper something in the unchaperoned lady's ear.  Her eyes wash over with many emotions.  Becoming glassy.  The Comte d'Honaire then gently pats her hand to send Claudine off.  To handle her companion currently making a ruckus outside the stable.
          • Fenri, hidden behind a barrel, focuses but only catches snippets: "If you are still... fool of... ... throw caution to the breeze... ... ... yet live then come... say you were overcome and wish to... ... ... servant deliver... assist you in any way..."
        • Dismissed by the secretive words of the Councilor, Claudine leaves.  Fenri is suspicious, watching the lady like a hawk.
        • Suddenly!  A huge grasping hand picks up urchin-veiled Fenri by the back of her shirt!  The Councilor's bodyguard discovered her--a hulking, dour man with two swords at his sides!  
        • The bodyguard tosses his captive onto the ground.  Straight at the feet of Lord Chaveau and the Comte d'Honaire!
      • Lord Chaveau is taken completely in by her urchin disguise, and shows his true colors at her daring to sneak in here.  His anger flares up, demanding the child be chased and horsewhipped off of his estate!
        • But d'Honaire, who was languidly reading over a pedigree chart of one of Chaveau's horses, tells the lord to calm himself.  Chaveau instantly obeys, his reddened face paling at the simple suggestion.
        • Finally, after a tense moment of d'Honaire reading the chart at his leisure, the man looks down at Fenri.  It takes another moment him before he deigns to speak again.  
          • Was he fooled by her disguise's filthy appearance?  Or did he spot a glimpse of the holy woman beneath the illusory veils?  Impossible to tell behind his languid expression1
        • Seemingly taken in, d'Honaire tells Chaveau to let the child go.  He will purchase the prize-winning stallion as the desperate lord wants, as well as the horse Midnight Maisie--even he can tell it is a fine horse indeed.  
          • Vincente pales behind his beloved horse's flank.  The mere the thought of losing Midnight, his beloved steed, stuns him greatly...
        • Bending down to place a golden corona in child-Fenri's hands, he tells her to run along.  "Go take a lovely walk in the woods, and since it's so late you should take a nap right away.  You look so very tired, little one.
      • Something inside Fenri tells her that is the best idea she's ever heard.  She takes the coin and flees out of the stable!  
        • She HAS to go for a walk and nap somewhere!  Doesn't matter where!  The stable doors close behind the halfling in disguise...  
      • Outside, Schrödinger saw Claudine rejoin the addled Jacquard.  Clearly she was affected by something that transpired inside.  But he doesn't have time to worry about her, as Fenri rushes out a few minutes later, and without a word she starts to walk away from the derby track.
        • Schrödinger follows Fenri and asks her what the plan is now.  But Fenri, after removing her disguise, simply says she needs to take a walk in the woods and have a nap somewhere.
        • Her companion pauses at that remark.  Fenri isn't acting like herself, and he gets concerned.  He tries to keep her from trekking into the dangerous woods through the route they walked, and attempts to diagnose her condition.  
          • But in his "professional opinion" it seems the halfling has her mind set on this specific suggestion for some unknown reason.  Schrödinger cannot tell if anything is actually wrong with her.
        • As they walk off the Chaveau estate, the two Freaks hear the derby pistol ring out for another race.  
        • But not even a minute later a terribly outcry makes them pause!  A great upheaval of people is heard, terrified and outraged!
      • And yet, Fenri does not want to go back and help.  Clearly Schrödinger can tell something is wrong about his friend--he knows her nature well enough by now.
      • He is torn but decides to leave Fenri.  He tells her to at least stay in the area until he returns, and she does.  By circling a nearby tree to stall the compelling idea taking her over.  
        • The Lamordian notes her odd behavior before rushing back to the Chaveau track.  
        • A crowd of carriages and people begins to surge out, and Schrödinger fights against the tide of people!
      • Returning to the track, Schrödinger finds Vincente outside the stable.  Staring, in muted horror, at a crowd on the racetrack near the finish line.  Of Lord Chaveau and several of his servants, as well as a woman in clerical garb...  
        • Looking around for context, Schrödinger then sees Jacquard in the stands.  Fallen to his knees.  Pale as death.  Mouth agape from inconceivable and very fresh trauma.
        • He looks around again.  From the crowd at the finish line, a group of Chaveau servants hold a stretcher, rushing out with the  healing woman at their side.  Rushing someone to the carriages.
          • Unable to do anything but gasp in horror, Schrödinger sees who is being taken away.
          • Claudine LaFitte, battered and bruised all over!  Healing magics (a science unknown to Schrödinger) being pumped into her every few seconds in desperation! 
        • Vincente finally speaks.  He rushed out during the race to try and finish speaking with Claudine.  But instead, the race began.  He paused to watch.
          • And then, like everyone in the stands, he was forced to bear witness the sight of her, the woman in stained bone-white garb, climb over the racetrack railings.  And get mowed down by the horses rushing towards the finish line.  Too fast to be stopped in time!
      • Fenri, circling the tree still, hears the commotion and struggles to wrestle with her own body!  Her will is truly unable to let go of this idea of walking in the woods and taking a nap somewhere.  
        • A group of fleeing peasants notices her, and tries to warn the halfling to run away.  Someone threw themselves onto the race track and is hurt!  And the peasants won't be blamed for what crazy rich ladies do!
        • The knowledge that someone needs healing helps her suppress the subtle but powerful compulsion!  Fenri rushes to the racetrack, dreadfully ready to enact miracles!
        • Unsuspectingly, she sees Claudine's carriage drive past her, as she rushes back on her tiny legs...
      • Fenri sees the racetrack in complete chaos!  The nobility are having their bodyguards and servants push back the poorer attendees, trying to get to their carriages.  Conflict is escalating between the two sides of Campanula.
        • Spotting Schrödinger's red hair, Fenri rushes to find him and Vincente Quint both leaning against the stables.  
          • Schrödinger has obviously been sick from shock... 
          • And the stableman looks absolutely traumatized, slowly falling against a wall and then sitting frozen on the ground.  Murmuring about how "everyone who helps him gets hurt"...
        • The Lamordian composes himself and tells Fenri the terrible news.  Claudine has injured herself!  Immediately Fenri tries to leave to help their ally, but Schrödinger tells them they cannot!  She has already been taken away with a healer.  Besides, they have to get Vincente out of here, and get as far from here as possible!  
          • The healer snaps back that she can't just abandon Claudine.  And the two Freaks have another terrible row, Fenri desperate to hold onto this single avenue where the unknown compulsion lets her delay its course.
          • Terribly against her own nature, Fenri accedes to her necromantic companion's advice.  They will check on Claudine later.  Right now Vincente is in no place to escape on his own, left bereft and vulnerable by what occurred.
        • The two Freaks attempt to get Vincente standing.  But the stableman's guilt has him helpless to act.  He knows in his gut that Claudine's accident is "all his fault".  Just like the  people of House Bonmot, slaughtered as scapegoats for his attempts at vigilante justice.  
          • And to also be losing Midnight, his literal heart and soul, to the clutches of the impossibly powerful Dominic d'Honaire!!  He cannot bear all that's happened since he attempted to do good as Night's Vengeance!  
          • Why did he challenge the nobility's dominion over Campanula and its people?  He's just a simple horseman that picked up some tricks!  He is no hero; no savior!
          • Why did he ever challenge the Baron Isaac Montagne the First?!
      • Fenri gathers her courage and shouts at the disheartened man.  He was not wrong for what he did, he did it because it was necessary in the face of such tyranny!
        • Vincente and Night's Vengeance are not to blame for the atrocities committed by the Baron and his ilk!  (She has suspicions now as well about the Comte and why her actions have been so strange since his domineering eyes met hers....) 
        • But right now, they have to get out of here!  They will come up with a plan to complete the work he started, with or without Claudine, but right now they are all in danger!  
      • The Baron is still somewhere in the stands with his guards and hound!  He could catch a whiff of their scent (or his dog could) and have them arrested!  
        • And in maybe moments Lord Chaveau will lock down his estate, including Vincente and his others servants, due to this terrible accident--putting all Claudine risked to talk with him and her potential plans to rot!
      • His self-preservation and fear of disappointing others drawn out by Fenri's determination, Vincente suppresses the guilt and horror to act.  Temporarily.  
        • The trembling vigilante follows Schrödinger and Fenri.  Out and away from the chaos of House Chaveau.
        • The pair of Freaks march off in stoic silence.  Looking at everything but one another.  
        • Fenri's compulsion returns with a vengeance.  Luckily, trekking through the woods is much safer right now than being on the roads, overrun by panicked and suspicious people.  
          • Schrödinger feels the candy sunflower in his pocket.  He decides not to give it to her right now...
      • Seen by no one in the confusion, the Comte d'Honaire pours himself another glass of expensive wine in the viewing pavilion.  His boredom has been appeased on this trip to the middle of nowhere...  
        • Temporarily...

          Our Freaks' first attempt at a party split was not the full success they envisioned.  The dice clearly a story to tell, and the Dark Powers obliged!

          How will today's incidents, to the party and to the people (and Baron) of Campanula, affect the Freaks' chances at getting out?  Have they gone too far in disrupting this village's status quo? 

          What will the Baron do when he discovers someone has robbed him of his past and present?  And set his house on fire to boot?  Who were the family Thibeaux?  Why did the Baron hold the remnants of a dead house, including the recently scorched death clothes of the lady Marie Thibeaux?

          Who is the Comte Dominic d'Honaire, and what does the Council of Brilliance want with Campanula?  How on all the Core could the racetrack endeavor ended up this way?  What compelled Claudine to throw herself to a stampede of stallions?  Why is that dangerous idea so appealing to Fenri, despite her heart and mind knowing better?

          With the vigilante Vincente (albeit traumatized) and the Baron's possibly incriminating portfolio in their possession; can our band of shattered Freaks finally depart?  Will Claudine survive long enough to reach Port-a-Lucine to contact her secret cabal of rebellious gentry?  Do they have the evidence to unmask the Black Dog's and end its reign of bloody terror?


      These questions (some but not all) may be answered...  Next time, in Session Ten: Get Out of Town!

      Thank you for reading!

      Love,