The Farm Next Door

[danorviel]

Near my home is a very old farmhouse. Legend has it this house is haunted, but I’ve never had cause to check into this until recently. One of my farmhands crossed over to the property to retrieve a stray cow. He didn’t think anything about it, at first. This particular cow enjoys wondering into *greener* pastures. Fortunately she is a relatively docile beast, but the farmland around this house is heavily overgrown with rich grass and this cow is greedy. My farmhand found the cow quickly, but that was not all he found. As he put a lead rope on her halter and turned to lead her back to my land, he spotted something odd out of the corner of his eye. He stood there for several moments, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. When he realized that the figure approaching him was dressed in a manner from 100 years ago, my farmhand tried to hurry the cow along back to my lands.

Oddly, though he is a young man and the cow, once he got her pointed toward home, was moving along as fast as was he, the figure seemed to gain on them rapidly. He rush the cow on, determined to reach my land before the figure caught up with him. He just managed to cross over the property line

As my farmhand turned to shut the gate in the bordering fence, he lifted his eyes and saw the figure standing quietly in the middle of the path the gate bisected. My farmhand started to turn away and found he could not move. Looking back at the figure he felt a cold chill running down his spine. The figure said nothing, just stood and watched my worker, then faded away into the early summer evening light.

Needless to say, my farmhand was rather shaken by this experience. He told me that evening that he’d gotten used to the *odd* things that happened around my farm, and accepted that the spirits that walk here mean no harm. But that figure radiated a chilling malice that even he, my farmhand, felt. He has asked that he not be sent after stray livestock that wanders onto the old farm again. I’ve agreed, since this experience was definitely unnerving for him. He also advised that everyone stay away from the place.

After he went to the bunkhouse, I went into the family library and started researching the adjacent land. Amazingly I found that the property had once belonged to my family, sold off after the War Between the States, to help cover expenses caused by the war. It had been purchased by a wealthy Northerner, who apparently knew little to nothing about farming. What he DID know about, was alarming.

Legend and rumor are strange things indeed, but both describe a man learned in the arts of magic and the arcane. Further tales tell of human sacrifice, rumors of people disappearing and never seen again, especially children. Eventually the locals consulted with one of my ancestors, also a practitioner, and they raided the man’s farm. The notes my ancestor left indicate that they found the farmhouse in disarray, the Northerner gone and several corpses in the house. They also found two children still alive, but no longer in their right minds.

I am wondering now if I should investigate further into this matter, or leave well enough alone.

[Gotham Witch]

If you do investigate, I would be wary of going alone. My experience with abandoned arcanist's dark holes has not generally been positive. Depending on how long he plied his trade, restless spirits might not be your only concern.

[danorviel]

Thank you for your suggestion. I will most definitely not go alone. I will think about this for a while and figure out who I should invite to go with me. I do not currently know any arcanists, and I may need one for this. I plan on doing additional research into the land before going there. In the mean time, I've told all of my people to stay off of the land, and have moved my cows to another pasture that does not border the property. My dogs and cats all are either kenneled or live indoors and my horses are on the other side of my land. I hope this works out.

[Gotham Witch]

I happen to be reasonably acquainted with a few on the Eastern Seaboard, though I haven't seen either on the forum in awhile. If you can't find a local one by the time you finish your research, let me know. I'm a fan of travel excuses.

PS: I hope you get this sorted too.

[danorviel]

Thank you so much for your kind offer. I really do appreciate it. I'm too tired tonight to do anything, but very soon I will be contacting the spirits of my ancestors who still linger on my land to see what they can tell me. I will post anything I find out here in this thread, along with anything else odd that is related to the property next door. I also need to find out who currently holds title to the land. I don't want to get in trouble for trespassing.

[danorviel]

I just wanted to post a quick update on what I have learned so far. I have communed with my family spirits and was told that the man who purchased the property was once a friend of my ancestor who was also a practitioner. That was before the purchaser turned to evil. He fooled my ancestor when he moved down here from up North somewhere and my ancestor thought they were still following similar paths. That's why they sold to him. I have also researched the ownership of the property and, as far as I can determine, the property still belongs to the purchaser. I have not found any record of his death or a will. I have a strong feeling of dread about this. Do any of the practitioners on this board know if it is possible for someone to extend their life magically? If it is, this may be what this man has done.

[Ron Caliburn]

I have no clue about magic and extending life, but I do know one thing for certain.

Ain't nuthin' that can't die.

[danorviel]

Thank you, Mr. Caliburn. I needed the smile your kind response provided. I agree entirely with your statement. Unfortunately, while I am competent with both a shotgun and a .22 Winchester rifle, I've never had to physically confront anything supernatural. I deal with spirits mostly. At this point, unless I can find people I feel are able to help me investigate this without being overwhelmed, I may just have to let this go for now. Not a thing I really wish to do, but this is way out of my league. I will take steps to protect me and mine, but I am at a loss as to what else can be done. If I find out anything else, I will update this thread. I just hope whatever that figure was stays on that property and doesn't leak out into the surrounding area.

[Ron Caliburn]

I have much the opposite situation. Spirits and the like I have no clue about. Something tangible on the other hand, well a lot of folks seem to think I'm the best for that.

I think I may be overrated in that regard, but I am usually the one who gets to walk away at the end of it all.

[danorviel]

Being the one to walk away from a physical confrontation definitely counts. Since you are obviously a survivor, this may be why others see you as "the best" in such confrontations. Some of my ancestors were very good in those types of situations, and I inherited a few of their weapons from those days. Most, of course, are blades of some sort, but I do have a few older firearms. My shotgun, however, is a newer piece. The .22 Winchester was my gran's, bought new for her by her father, but it's in good shape. She made sure I knew how to use it, but I am by no means an expert. I don't think any of the older firearms are in working condition, unfortunately. I haven't had the time to have them looked at. According to the family history, those weapons date from the late 1800s. There is one black powder long rifle that is currently hanging over my mantle. I know it is non-functioning. The others are all locked in a gun-safe, since I don't know if they work or not. My shotgun and rifle are also locked up. Can't have the farmhands getting a hold of them, or worse, my housekeeper's children.

[Ron Caliburn]

I do actually own a gunshop, I'd be happy to take a look at 'em for you. I do work at cost for Lazlo Society and Agency members.

[danorviel]

That is an offer I will probably take you up on, Mr. Caliburn. I will put together a list of what I have and PM you the details. You can then PM me the costs and let me know how to get the weapons to you. Thank you very much. I'm not much of a fighter, physically, but it seems a shame to let these firearms go to waste, and some of them are collectable. It may take me a few days to get the list together. I do have a farm to run and a book to write.

[Rowan]

Unfortunately, I’m no expert of the arcane arts—but I know a little. Life can can be extended—the price, however, is terrible I’ve been told.

[Gotham Witch]

Well, there are a few rumored methods. I can testify that most practioners see bids for immortality as fool's errands, usually by desperate deranged lunatics or megalomaniacs who think they're beyond mere mortality.

That said, there are a few standard hooks.

1: Deals with fiends or other dark forces. The blues talent method. Not all benefactors may be evil, of course.

2: Potions or other elixirs. Some Chinese immortality methods fall into this, as do fountain of youth incidents.

3: Rituals, meditations or other practices. Daoists and virgin sacrifices fall here.

From what I can tell, there is always a hitch. Meditation regimens can't be interrupted. Blood rites must be renewed with new victims. Benefactors have you around their thumb for the rest of your immortal life, etc.

My gut says magic ritual or consorting with fiends.

[danorviel]

Thank you for your replies, Rowan and Gotham Witch. I am afraid that I am leaning toward him having dealings with fiends AND blood rituals myself. I definitely am out of my league here. I think I am going to need to put together a good group of people with a variety of talents to tackle this. In the mean time, I'm not going onto that property at all.

[Gotham Witch]

If you're in the market for a decent arcanist, let me know. My hand isn't in too bad of shape to help someone out.

[danorviel]

Gotham Witch, I will definitely be needing a good arcanist/practitioner of some sort. I am trying to figure out what or who else I might need. I am a sensitive, I am sure I will need those with other skills as well. I have the feeling there will need to be a couple of shooters in this group. I am still checking into a few things on my family's side of this. Once I have that completed and have decided what might be needed to cleanse the land, I will post here.

[danorviel]

Sorry I haven't posted any updates on this. There really haven't been any . . . until today. I was outside, exercising one of my horses, when I heard strange sounds coming from the farm next door. My horse immediately started shying and trying to bolt away. I managed to calm her and dismount. As soon as I was out of the saddle she tossed her head and pulled the reins from my hand, taking off for the barn. I looked toward the other property and saw the same figure that my farmhand described. It was standing on the other side of the gate, about 10 feet from the property line, just staring at me. I could sense the evil in it. As I watched the figure turned and walked, no glided, back to the old farm house. I think I need to come up with a solution soon. Gotham Witch, I would definitely like your assistance with this. Please PM me with your rates. If anyone else on this board would like in on this, I can pay for your assistance.

[Rowan]

Good luck, danorviel. Perhaps you can keep us routinely informed—so more help may be offered if needed?

[danorviel]

Thanks, Rowan. I will keep everyone posted. I have one person lined up, a practitioner (thanks Gotham Witch!) Hopefully I will find others. I feel a strong need to have a well-prepared group for this one!

[Tms3]

I might be able to help out as well..... I know I am new... so I have not had the chance to build any trust feel free to pm me with any details and I may be able to look stuff up....

[danorviel]

Tms3, thank you so much for the offer and I will probably take you up on this. By the way, welcome to the boards. What I will need from you is information on any skills you have that may be useful to this investigation. You can reply here, or by PM. Once I know that, then I can get additional information about this to you. Thanks so much.

[Tms3]

I am a hereditary druid. so I have skills in lore, and I have studied spell craft, herb lore I also know what to do with a long sword and pistol.

Also plant wolfs bane an garlic along that fence line. I am checking my books for other ways to guard against spirits and undead.

I have a good library and should be able to get things form my families libraries. As for payment I just ask for travel expanses a place to stay... and a chance to look throw your ansesters books and copy them for my library if you still have them

[danorviel]

Tms3, excellent. I can definitely provide travel expenses, and a place to stay. Yes, I still have his books and a rather extensive library on many topics as well. I think you will find that my cook is excellent also!

I will plant garlic and wolf's bane tomorrow, thanks for the suggestion.

My farmhouse is large and comfortable, so there is plenty of room for both you and GW, who is also going to help with this. Where will you be flying in from (I can provide the plane ticket easily)?

[Tms3]

Hey G.W What fire arm are you most comfortable with..... since you will porbly be flying and cant take a side on onto the plain with you. Also let me know if there is anything else you might need me to bring?

[Gotham Witch]

You actually can check firearms on a flight. Of course, you must still be able to own it in the location you originate from as well as your destination, and there are particular rules the TSA have, etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about me. Something tells me packing heat won't be that useful here.

[Tms3]

if your sure G.W I will bring some odds and ends with me

[danorviel]

Garlic and wolf's bane have been planted along the fence line. I now have two folks coming in, after the Holy Days, to help me out. Gotham Witch and Tms3 have kindly offered their assistance. Mr. Caliburn is repairing some firearms for me, for which I am grateful. I've asked some of my friends to light candles for guidance and protection. I have saged my property, and have hung St. John's Wort strategically around my home, its outbuildings and at the corners of my property. I have rosemary, fennel, and several other protective herbs made up into sachets which have been placed strategically around my land. Hopefully this will all help until we can deal with the problem directly. I will post any additional happenings here.

[Tms3]

good to know miss... on checking my books you may want to ring the property with the garlic and wolfs bane it may not be needed to keep trouble out but if nothing else you have well have more then enough garlic for cooking

[danorviel]

Tms3, my herb garden is very extensive, so I already have a lot of garlic! LOL, along with many, many other herbs. But I thank you for the advice. I talked to my gran (her spirit) and she agrees that one can never have too much garlic. She's the one who suggested sage, and the other things I have done. One of her ancestors was Native American, all of the rest were Irish. Needless to say, since my family has always followed the old faith and not that of Patrick, we have a lot of respect for Druids. She plans on looking you over when you arrive!