Session Four - 02/27/2021

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Delia awakens in the morning to find her fingers still stained with blood. She looks into the mirror on her far wall and, reflecting back, sees the gibberish phrase "CTHULHU FHTAGN" written in blood on the wall behind her head. Ophelia knocks and enters, but sees no bloody words or even blood on Delia's hand. Ophelia suggests a cleansing ritual for the hand.

Monte and McQuaid both arrive to shop, and Ophelia asks them if they had any strange dreams. Monte replies no, McQuaid says his were normal though he did see the burning eyes that Vittorio Macario mentioned. Delia shares information about her dream, especially the blood she still sees on her hands. McQuaid suggests using bleach and water, as treating it physically may actually help with what she is seeing psychologically. Delia agrees to try and finds that the trick worked, she no longer sees the blood stain.

They decide to go find a church to read from the ancient tome, but as soon as they open the shop door they see a neighborhood kid standing there, a friend of Billy's. Word has gotten around that the lady at the shop is paying for legends and strange stories, and other kids are interested now. Ophelia pays the boy and he runs back to his friends.

They cross the street to Saint Mary's Catholic Church, and speak to the priest. He leads them to his office and they convince him to take a look at the ancient tome. He reads a bit of it to himself, expresses extreme reluctance once he sees the subject matter, but agrees to write down an a brief English translation of the part detailing the "Rigor Vitae" spell. They thank the priest and leave a $5 tithe/bribe for his troubles.

They decide its time to check the North End neighborhood and the Corbitt House. They happen across a street vendor who introduces himself as Dooley. Dooley, who keeps erroneously referring to Monte as "Morty", tells them he sells newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, cigars, and a few other things not on display if "the price is right", though is reluctant to elaborate in the presence of Detective McQuaid. Monte persuades McQuaid to go have a smoke across the street. McQuaid goes along with it for the time being. Dooley shows off some of his more exotic wares, including a "genuine and rare" horned dragon skull that he pawns off onto Delia for $2. Ophelia inquires about moonshine. Dooley admits he's "got a guy" who does dead drop deliveries. He and Ophelia strike a deal for a small shipment for later, with Ophelia giving specific directions on where to leave the booze and pick up the payment. Monte inquires if Dooley deals in other things as well. Dooley offers information. Monte asks if Dooley might know anything about the Corbitt place that the police may have missed. Dooley relays some of the rumors he's heard, including that someone high up on the city council was involved in both the nearby Chapel of Contemplation and previous events regarding the Corbitt place. He mentions the "shadow man" and "burning eyes". He mentions that when the Church was still active there were strange people going in and out at all hours, and that they never seemed to hold traditional "masses". Upon hearing that the group intends to actually enter the Corbitt place, he offers to keep an eye on things from his stand, for a price. Monte gives him a piece of cheese as a snack, which Dooley unexpectedly accepts.

They cross the street and walk a few houses down to the Corbitt address, finding the house tucked away between two larger buildings. They briefly explore the small yard around the house before trying the front door. They find it locked. Ophelia is about to try to break it down when she is reminded that they were given the keys to the property by Mr. Knott. They unlock the door and open it. As they do so, Dooley catches their attention from across the road. He forgot to mention earlier, that there were many disappearances related to this house over the years, nearly all involving homeless or orphaned children. Ophelia panics when she remembers she's paid several children over the past few days to snoop around the area. Dooley calms her down and offers to keep watch to make sure no kids potentially approach the property. He heads back to his stand. Monte, in his wheelchair, is unable to get up the stone porch steps and comments that the rest of the house is unlikely to be wheelchair accessible as well. He offers to hang out on the sidewalk, shotgun ready but hidden, just in case he's needed. Delia, Ophelia, and McQuaid stand at the doorway of the Corbitt house, getting ready to enter.