That’s quite amusing given the reports of the scavenging for your medical experiments and how you aren’t even all that particular as to what you pay the local Burke & Hare.

There’s a blizzard outside, scarce supplies and we all know the mysteries that surround this manor. You can stay on that high horse but I’m not sure who will fix your head wound when you become dizzy and overwhelmed to the point of a fall. We will all be consumed with other tasks.

Now then, most of us know each other if not by person than reputation. There are some new comers to the midst and it might be best for them to truly introduce themselves so we can stock of our capabilities and put them to best usage. Sua cuique ingenio!

I've always hated this creepy place, even when the Hamlins lived here.

How well did you know them? I would not think you had more than a...passing...acquaintance with them as people but that the gossip from staff would fill in the blanks.

Rumors were they had a very peculiar taste most would find quite unsavory. Sometimes people were seen entering but never seen leaving. Staff was also changing all the time, no one seemed to ever work here long. This is the farthest I have ever been into the manor and really don't think it is worth going any further.

Funny how now you get hung up on the validity of gossip, Moria. Yet when it comes to the cadavers I get donated to me for my studies you are more than willing to lap up whatever yellow press you can find.

Franklin shifted his unease giving way to his short fuse. He swallowed it down for now, knowing Moria was for all intents and purposes correct.

As you said yourself you, do not know me beyond reputation. And when that is all you have, well, what is it they say about stones and glass houses? Regardless you posit a good point: I do not know many of you and is I am trapped in this godforsaken manor it would behoove us all to know our strengths... and weaknesses. As you may or may not know, I am the esteemed Dr. Franklin Von Victor. Certainly you have all heard about my internationally recognized studies on the human brain and nervous system. For you laymen out there I am also a practiced medical doctor. Please do not pester me with your trivial ailments but if you find yourself in dire need of medical assistance it is my oath as a doctor to help you... despite what my detractors might say.

*a smirk tugging at the side of his mouth*
Oh, dear Doctor Von Victor I think you would be quite surprised what I knew about you prior to now and what you have revealed to me since your arrival.
Don’t sell yourself short. If one were not willing to push ethical boundaries than Volta would never have made the frog kick, eh?

*turns his attention back to the widow* Now then, Matron Blackwood, you say this is the furthest you have ever been further into the manner. While I would not be so crude as to refer to “pillow talk”, I am sure your friends, family and former husband saw more of this manor than you did and stories were not withheld.
Nonetheless, we can readily set aside some of the tales for the time being. People never being seen to leave? Did you have a network of scouts keeping continual eyes on the Manor? If not, the departures may merely have been at a time inconvenient to the schedules of the overly curious. Similarly, a high staff turnover may just be indicative of the Hamlins having exacting or difficult standards.

No. We all know there are far better stories than those vagueries or we would not have been searching so long for this dwelling. Those are what we should be discussing.

I also posit to you the following as I am not a believer in serendipitous synchronocity. Dyer has spent years funneling money to his montebank in hopes of finding the Manor. I, too, have invested time and energy into pinpointing the location as have others like our intrepid reporter. Why now does it come to all of our attentions? While Dyer’s crew may have been slow of foot in reaching here, their ears were likely not as lackadaisical. Would I be correct, John, that we all gained the same long-lost tidbit at roughly the same time?

That is not coincidence. The revelation was fed to us and we should best find out by whom and for what reason.

*Professor Dyer searches his pockets for his pipe, knowing there is much to do and now more to deal with than he anticipated. He wasn't going to let the fact that Moria was already here sour the excitement of the possibilities contained within the manor. His hand trembles slightly with a mixture of anticipation and a desire of a good scotch.*

While I don't often find you agreeable Moria, I feel you may be right. This is more than fortuitous timing in each of us coming here. Nor do I feel this storm or our troubles on the road unrelated. I do find it most surprising you managed to find some characters of better reputation than the normal ruffians and thugs I'm used to seeing on your crew.

I feel it might be in our best interest to make haste in searching for supplies. I feel like our disfigured friend here might be able to help and Dr von Victor might find something of use looking over his condition.

Oli my boy would you accompany me to the lower chambers, I feel like that might be a good place for us to begin our search.

*reaches into an inner pocket of his great coat and takes out a flask, placing it on a gate-leg table* I don’t usually partake, myself, under such circumstances but find it handy to keep spirits on my person as alcohol does have a myriad of uses. They can, for example, steady a handy shaken by events...or having gone too long without imbibement. Please, John, feel free to help yourself as your tremor concerns me.

Do not worry. Despite your accusations of the people I’ve been known to hire, I am no thug or borough lord. I just find the talents necessary for completion of a mission. Lois, for example, you will find above reproach and other times, well, I have been known to employ the likes of Mssr LeBeau, whom I’m sure has shared tale of some recent procurements he’s been doing for me. I was actually impressed I didn’t need to finance his equipment as usual, as if he finally had some money at his disposal.

Point being, the drink is quite safe. *takes a swallow to demonstrate* It’s a dry gin from the Nolet family’s personal reserve. Quite smooth yet emboldening. Share a toast with me that we find what we seek, eh? I’m sure Oli and Mrs. Dyer can begin the initial scouting ahead of you. They seem to work quite well together.

*looks over at the strange inhabitant of the manor* Please, forgive my rudeness. You are the closest we have to a host and I suspect have not had a chance to taste anything of this distill in your life. I welcome you to pour a share for yourself as well, dear...well, we can’t keep calling you Nameless. Perhaps there’s a name you would like or we can suggest one that you find pleasurable. How does Polidori sound to you?

You certainly seem set on twisting young LeBeau’s mind. John must be quite the progressive.

Heh, a good start, but this kind of thing won't be happening until the next day, that's why I haven't explained the mechanics of it yet. For now, everyone just needs to check in.

But I like your moxie kid.

This will be my first game and I am PUMPED!