PrP BIBF The Bookstore

[Gerrit]

Interestingly enough she didn't answer Worm's question about what she thought of that. Did management prevent her from talking frankly? This must be it, because her lack of enthusiasm seemed constant. And just as she was about to get to more noteworthy things something happened.

Gerrit's first instinct was to get the other Lost and hunker down, try to make themselves not as prone for any ambushes. This was just the short fuse of his Ogre brain speaking though - the moment passed and he realized that this was probably all part of the gimmicky sale going on. As soon as his eyes adjusted to the darkness he looked for CW. Hopefully the Summer also kept his head and was about to jump the hooded figure. The Ogre pressed his lips together and nodded briefly, then he left out his breath in a slight hiss, as if he was blowing off some of the pressure the surprising twist built up within him.
Even though they haven't spent much time together, Gerrit was glad that the Colonel was here with him right now. Doubly so as someone screamed!

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-06 16:17:40	Gerrit rolls 5 to interpret the scream (Wits 3 + Empathy 2) (10 Again)	1, 1, 5, 9, 3	1 success

He perked up, trying to make out the direction the scream was coming from. Was this a honest cry by a startled customer or another attempt at setting the mood? Furthermore, was this surprise or actual distress? He didn't dare talking much right now, but he nudged the Goblin lightly. Sure, expecting the worst wasn't too healthy, but on the other hand it kept you alive and free.

[Colonel Worm]

Worm's attending to the salesperson's spiel when the lights drop out. For a moment, there's a sense of vertigo. Every nerve in his body lights up as instincts honed by countless battles scream of danger.

But this is not the jungle. This is not the Red. This is a bookstore in Sacramento. A silly book-launch for an overhyped work of fiction. Nothing to worry about, Worm. No need to start swinging. Not yet.

The scream doesn't help. Though the excited, hysterical tone reminds him a teenager losing it at a concert. This isn't fear, it's anticipation. In any event, he returns Gerritt's nudge, letting the Ogre know he's also on high alert.

And then the figure emerges, complete with flickering lantern. Another stunt? Something more? The Colonel examines this apparition, its attire, and lantern closely. Trying to determine if this is just more theatrics...

Wassup? 4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-07 07:02:39	Colonel Worm rolls 5 to Wits + Composure (10 Again)	9, 2, 8, 10, 10, 5, 3	4 successes

[Scourge]

There is some genuine fear there in the scream coming from the crowd, but it’s like the scream of someone on a rollercoaster. Gerrit can taste the undertones of delight within it.

Worm on the other hand can sense the fluffiness of deliberate melodrama from the figure. It’s an act, similar to the sales woman’s. However, while she may be apathetic underneath, this person is fully invested and having a great time hamming it up.

“Welcome, strangers, to the midnight release of The Paradise of Shelesh,” the hooded figure’s voice seems to issue from all sides.

Colonel

It actually is. Worm spots the speakers hidden on some of the shelves as his eyes adjust to the light.

“A dark Lovecraftian tale set at the beginning of the century. Or so the publisher would have you believe. For all those who have read it have vanished! Leaving only a circle of runes, in the center of which were only the burnt remains of the cursed novel,” He, for it does sound like a man, fades out his voice into a hoarse whisper towards the end.

“So beware dear readers and know what you are getting into, for it is rumored that simply having a copy on your shelves at home is enough to drive even the sane into fits of paranoia and madness. So take care, for in a couple minutes I will be reading an except.” A hand extended from the robe, reaching behind to the table laden with copies. “I will take some time to answer any questions you might have and allow time for those that wish to leave before I speak the maddening words.”

Next to Worm and Gerrit, they can hear a soft exasperated sigh come from the spot the sales rep was before the lights went out.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit had to give them credit - they did a good job on selling this story around the book. The Ogre stayed tense and alert, even if the scream he'd heard didn't seem to indicate immediate danger. The tale the owner was spinning was certainly colorful, although there were some questions left unanswered on second thought: shouldn't that many disappearances have made aa bigger impact on the media apart from rumors? Then again, you'd be surprised about how many disappearances were left unreported.

The sigh of the saleswoman furthermore made Gerrit think that there couldn't be more to that story - surely the horrible effects the book had on its owners should have been obvious to the employees by now if there was something to it. Right?

He leaned towards the Colonel and lowered his voice to a raspy whisper. "Even if we do get to ask some questions now I bet we should take his answers with a grain of salt." With that said Gerrit looked around once more - if they allowed people to leave they'd have to have the exit illuminated or marked in some way. It was probably prudent to keep tabs on possible escape routes in case things did turn south once the hooded figure started reading.

[Colonel Worm]

The sales lady heaves a weary sigh and Worm wants to buy her a drink. It's a nice reminder for him: never get a straight job.

The set-up is nice, Worm will give the store that much. Even if the melodrama is the very definition of cringe.

Whatever, he chides himself. These people are having fun. Let them do their thing. Besides, won't it be a good thing if this all turns out to be some sort of game of make believe? Isn't that the best possible outcome?

Worm nods at Gerritt's assessment. Still, it's Q&A time. Might as well ask. Accordingly, the Goblin raises a hand, like some grade school class clown, and waits to be called on.

[Scourge]

The woman with dreadlocks and a pencil skirt raised her hand as well, her dark skin a shadow against the shop’s darkened bricks in the dim light, following Worm's example. Though she was called upon first before the cowboy.

“What can you tell us about the author?” she asked.

“Excellent question. Nothing,” the hooded figure said in a loud false whisper “The book was self published but under a pseudonym. A nom de plume. A pen name. An alias. And the publishers have refused to give up the identity of the individual who has put these cursed words to paper. Though whoever they maybe, I have no doubt they have a deranged and unstable mind.”

With a wave of his long sleeves, Worm was pointed to for his question.

[Gerrit]

Just as Gerrit expected - the owner's first answer had proven to be less than informative, more fluff than actual knowledge. He actually frowned as he listened to the impressively elaborate way to say nothing and before he knew his his hand was also up in the air. Maybe playing into this story would provide some useful answers, even if the owner wasn't aware of it.

And maybe Colonel Worm was just the guy to hit those kind of questions.

[Colonel Worm]

The first question gets a lot of smoke. Nothing to it. Blah blah blah, spooky spooky. And then it's Worm's turn.

"Wow! Thanks for taking my questions. This is really fascinating stuff. I'm wondering, how many people have vanished after reading the book? And you mentioned something about Runes. What kind of runes?"

Milton tries his best to speak with a kind of authentic curiosity. The better to seem fully invested.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-10 06:35:39	Colonel Worm rolls 5 to Pres + Express (10 Again)	6, 1, 9, 2, 3	1 success

[Scourge]

“The news was able to get insider information that at least two people have vanished from their homes in the dead of night. I can’t say what kind of runes or sigils, only that they were found around the burned remnants of the ‘Paradise of Shelesh’ like blood stains around a body.”

After finishing the answer, the elderly name speaks, not even bothering to raise his hand.

“How do you feel putting all these people at risk with your actions? If it is true.” His voice sounded horse and harsh with a slight gurgle like he had a piece of phlegm caught in his lungs.

An uncomfortable silence spreads through the crowd at the blunt question and the black robed figure shifts awkwardly under his cowl, apparently caught a little off guard.

“I uh… think that’s enough questions for now.” Apparently unwilling to either deny his little publicity stunt or answer his to his motives.

Still, the older man’s words hung in the air like the smell of burnt flesh. And as the robe figure reached behind to the table for a copy of the book, a sense of dread crept through the room.

“I’ll now read an excerpt from the novel!” not even the over the top theatrics could dispel the feeling. That if it was true… they were all about to be driven mad or snatched up by whatever had taken the people the very real police reports had been unable to find.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-10 20:07:44	PrP ST rolls 7 to Something (10 Again)	3, 3, 9, 2, 8, 5, 1	2 successes

Please roll Clarity.

[Gerrit]

Well, that was a short Q&A session - and what did Gerrit make out of the owner faltering after one accusatory question? He was inclined to believe that this confirmed all of it being just a stunt and despite all the effort they put in to give the audience a show they didn't consider the possibility of hostility.

Gerrit leaned to CW and whispered. "This is either going to go really well or really badly. Let's.. just make sure we have each others back, no matter what happens. Okay?" Maybe this wasn't something that needed confirmation - he didn't really expect the Colonel to bail on him - but the air of anticipation and dread made Gerrit uneasy. He wanted to double check all the factors he could check. He wanted to think that with only two 'confirmed' disappearances it might as well be just a coincidence.. yet that didn't do anything for the painful knot in his stomach.

4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-11 08:08:41	Gerrit rolls 7 to Clarity (10 Again)	2, 3, 10, 8, 10, 5, 3, 8, 1	4 successes