Death House Part 3

## Story

As Talia and Seline continue to search the house, they find a family portrait of Thornbolt, Rosevalda, Gustav, Elisabeth and Walter. The children in the portrait are wearing the same clothing as the ghostly children that lured them in the house. Gustav is their father, and Walter is a small blue bundle held by Elisabeth. Talia notes a family resemblance between Elisabeth and the portraits on the first floor. Vinework on the wooden paneling looks at first blush like children dancing, but upon closer inspection, they are fighting swarms of bats. Talia gets momentarily distracted from the next room by the sound of music behind them.

Moving into the library, the desk doesn't seem to be of much interest, however, Seline notices a book that seems out of place among works of poetry and fiction, *The Care and Growing of Turnips*. Talia reaches up to take the book out, and opens a secret door. The small room beyond instantly smells of decay; caused by a body slumped in front of an open chest. Upon inspection, they discover the body to be that of James Cree, a resident of Airpike. Taking his papers, Talia inspects the chest to ensure there's no additional traps, then takes the three scrolls (Bless, Protection from Poison, and Spritual Weapon) and a heavy book.

Seline carefully opens the book to discover it's a journal belonging to Elisabeth. Seline notes several notes about rituals and also some personal comments, including one near the end about her only child and husband being gone, and how the only thing left is the family home; and she will make it last forever. The room is also lined with books about summoning demons and attacking to another plane: the Shadowfell. Seline feels like she should know of this realm, but can't quite reach its significance.

Returning to the desk, Seline find a thin accounting journal that apparently belonged to Gustav. Noting the types of expenses listed, and their timing, the pair learn that Thorn and Rose weren't Elisabeth's children. As they return to the foyer, the four suits of armor are now looking toward them.

They move into a music room, and Seline discovers moving paintings. As Talia looks out the windows, she watches the fog swirling, and sees Thorn and Rose in the street again. When Seline joins her at the window, the children look up at them. As the pair watch, the fog swirls, and as they can see Rose and Thorn clearly, the children's eyes and mouths are dripping black ichor. The fog swirls past again, and the images are gone.

As Talia and Seline leave the room, the suits of armor have moved to look at them again. This time, as well, there are black footprints leading to the stairs up to the third floor. Talia and Seline follow, noting that the pristine nature of the lower floors is vanishing. Atop the stairs is another suit of armor. The black footprints lead to it, and a smudged black handprint is on it. The armor comes to life and moves to attack Talia, though it misses. A short combat ensues, but when Talia shoots it for the third time, it falls, and the black ooze disappears into the floorboards, leaving no traces in its wake.

## Characters

### Players

* Seline Argent
* Talia Grey