Unsafety in Numbers

* The investigators arrive on Fisher’s Island. It’s a very wild and craggy looking island after a huge storm ravaged it between 5-10 years ago. A lot of vegetation was destroyed, etc.
	+ The Refugium is a recent addition. They only have 1-2 patrons at a time, and disappearances are bad for press.
	+ The population is ~200 souls
	+ There is one inn, called the Munnatawket Inn. The proprietors are Paul and Theresa Lyle.
* We decide to head there and get a room. We are wary of our choice of lodgings after the experience with Mary Chamberlain.
* We meet the Lyle’s, and they are very friendly, but they get disdainful when we mention we were summoned by Sommerland.
	+ They believe the Refugium is a retreat for “hippies”, meaning artists and writers (awkward).
* They ask if we are there to help find the mission people, and we affirm this. They only know of two men who have vanished:
	+ Frederick August (vanished two months ago, believed to succumb to wildlife)
	+ Julian Archer (vanished one month ago in an undertow in the ocean)
* Both men went missing during a full moon.
* We sit in what makes for their parlor. The well-to-do people (Alec, Willian, Martha) aren’t impressed by their “parlor” or their “tea”.
* Cyrus mentions the lunar cycle, and ponders if the intervals of the disappearances are a coincidence.
* The talk of lunar cycles sets Alec and especially William on edge.
	+ William’s tea cup starts to shake, Alec starts plying him with alcohol.
* Martha sasses Mrs. Lyle on the quality of the tea. The woman offers to make us some lunch, but their attitude towards us seems to be waning.
	+ Mr. Lyle offers to send word to Mr. Sommerland and have the Refugium’s carriage come to collect us.
* The whole interaction with the Lyle’s only deteriorates from here.
* Signe warns Marth and Alec to stop antagonizing them because of something horrible called “spit soup”.
	+ This grosses them out and doesn’t help the situation at all.
	+ When dinner is taking too long, and we find out no food was being made for us at all, Martha accuses Mrs. Lyle of being a preparer of “spit soup”
* Signe is exasperated, Martha’s ancestors have been offended, Alec is smug, Cyrus is embarrassed, and William doesn’t care.
* Mr. Lyle asks us to leave, and we make preparations to do so.
* Trying to smooth things over with them so as not to make antagonists of themselves, Signe offers a sincere apology and hopes an explanation of a mutual misunderstanding will placate them, and it does.
	+ They shake hands and both parties apologize (well, Signe and the Lyle’s)
* The investigators board the Refigium’s carriage and make their way to the retreat. It’s very fancy.
	+ They are immediately welcomed as honoured guests. This pleases Marth and Alec. There’ll be no living with them now, Signe thinks.
* We learn of the third missing man:
	+ Thomas Burrow (vanished a couple days ago while out for a walk)
* We have dinner with Mr. Sommerland, then he leaves us be

Information Gathered About Missing Men:

* Ran afoul of wildlife - possibly on the moore while taking a walk
* Was known for regularly taking a walk in the moores.
* Body never recovered
* Disappeared 1 month ago.
* Poet - didn’t like to share his poetry
* Flitted about as if he were in love.
* His poetry was all about love.
* Per Mr Jones: Good man; Funny guy; Frequented the moores; befriended local unfortunates that camp there
* From New York
 Julian Archer
* Assumed to be drowned swimming, maybe from undertow
* Was known to regularly take morning swims
* Disappeared 2 months ago.  First to go missing.
* Tired
* Had a candle lit late into the night in his room (perhaps writing)
* He met a woman; she may have been from Manatawket
* He was a handsome man; frequented the town (speak to the lyles)
* Per Mr. Jones; very self-aware; rigid fitness routine; bathed daily; wore his swimtrunks to the beach every day
* From New York
 Thomas Burroughs
* HOpefully he can be discovered.
* THis disappearance has not been shared.
* Nice, shy
* Went for walks but never seen swimming
* Walked at the moore and cliff-side
* Homesick for new york
* Young man
* Dallied with the milkmaid before ending with her abruptly because he met another woman
* From New York
* Early to mid 20s
* Fiance’s name: Janine