The Ghost

 

The characters might encounter the ghost in a number of different contexts. It is possible - even likely, that the players do not know that this is the ghost of Gheorigu Radulesc when they first encounter him, so the Director should be careful not to name him.

The two most likely encounters with the ghost are an incidental encounter on his family's former property, which is now the Stoia Orchards, or a more intentional one if they lie in wait for him to make another appearance at the Nectria Estate.

At the Stoia Orchards

If the characters are anywhere on the Stoia lands after sunset on 22, 23 or 24 Trowel, they will spot a ghost wandering the grounds, seemingly picking fruit from the trees. The ghost is an aging canis male, wearing the fanciful clothing of a noble from perhaps 200 years ago.

If they attempt to speak to him, he will offer detached chitchat for a few phrases, as though he is absorbed in a pleasant afternoon of fruit picking.

If they persist, he will turn to look at them, and become suddenly shocked. His flesh will dry and shrivel and turn yellow, and he will shriek, ‘Trespassers!’ as he lunges at the party and attacks.

If they allow him to continue, and just observe him, after a short time, he will have meandered closer to the main house of the Stoia family, Petroche Stoia will come forth from the house, unaware of what is happening. The ghost will see Petroche and shriek, ‘Intruder!’ as he lunges for Petroche.

If there are no Nectria's present, the ghost will attempt to flee if his health is ever reduced to less than half.

At the Nectria Estate

If the characters have reason to believe that the ghost is intentionally after the Nectria family, they may choose to lie in wait for it to appear.

In fact, the ghost will visit the Nectria Estate every night from the 23 Trowel onward, but will only be there for a few minutes unless he spots a Nectria or is interfered with. There is a 1 in 4 chance he will spot a Nectria each night, and if so, he will attack. Otherwise, his presence on the Estate will go unnoticed unless the player characters are actively monitoring the grounds.

If the player characters are monitoring the grounds, it will be up to the Director to determine the likelhood that they spot the ghost. In general, if they are maintaining good coverage of the estate, they should be very likely to spot him.

If they attempt to speak to him, he will become aware of them and drawn toward them, eventually questioning, 'Nectria?'

Moments later, he will cry 'Nectria!' and then begin to convulse, twist and scream as though he is being stabbed to death by invisible attackers... his clothes will appear to become bloodied as he falls wheezing to the ground and 'dies', before dissipating in a wisp of yellow dusty light and the smell of sulphur.

If he sees a Nectria, or if a canis (such as Irina Vulpu) claims to be a Nectria, his flesh will dry and shrivel and turn yellow, and he will shriek, ‘Nectria!’ as he lunges and attacks.

If a Nectria, or a canis who claims to be a Nectria is present, the ghost will fight to the death with the Nectria as their principle target.