The Retired Hunter | Daniel Caim

You enter through the massive front doors of Proudspire manor. Immediately you realize how much of a daunting task searching the entire house would be. From the outside you could tell that there were at least two floors, not to mention the possibilities of a lower level basement. The foyer spreads out in front of you, larger than most people’s whole house. A half flight of stairs leads to another set of double doors with staircases on the left and right sides, leading to the second floor.

“Excuse me sir, can I be of assistance?”

The Richmond’s butler walked up to you, greeting you with a slight bow. “My name is Winston, the Richmond’s butler. I’ve been instructed to assist the search party in any way I can.” He was rather old, probably in his late fifties. You could see the dark bags under his eyes, and the worry behind them. It was obvious that the Butler cared for the boy and was worried sick, but he had to remain calm and on his post in the foyer.

”If you’re here to search the house,” he said, ”I’m sure there’s not many places we haven’t looked already. But if you insist.” He raised his right and gestured down the right side of the house. ”The east wing holds the Dining room, kitchens, laundry facilities, and the Servant quarters. On the second floor is the white, red and green drawing rooms, the master guest bedroom, “ He dropped his right hand and gestured to the other side of the house with his left hand. ”The West wing holds the ballroom, with the Master suits on the floor above that. “ He dropped his hand and looked at you with a look of annoyance, as if he believed you were wasting your time searching for Jonathan here. ”If you wish to search the basement, there’s an entrance in the kitchens. There is an attic, but that hasn’t been used in years, the entrance was sealed ages ago in the white drawing room.”

Upon being asked where the young master’s bedroom, the butler would raise his eyebrow and almost scoff at the question. ”You think he’s hiding under the bed? Master Jonathan’s far cleverer than that. But you’ll find it in the west wing, second floor, first door on the left.” Winston would stand there at his post for any further questioning. But it seems that after that, his main duties were fulfilled.

Jonathan’s bedroom was surprisingly large for a child’s room, nearly seven hundred square feet in all. A large queen size bed sat center of the right wall, shaped like a racing car of all things. A massive TV sat on the left wall, with game controllers and game cases thrown about like a tornado had passed by. The walls were covered with posters and paintings, mostly those of video games and rivers, respectively. In the back corner there was a large desk, where a great deal of photos and kid drawings were thumb tacked to the walls. Photos of five friends playing, or overall being happy, and drawings of super heroes and a weird yellow mouse with pointy ears and a lightning bolt for a tail.

However, you would soon notice that you weren’t alone in the bedroom. A child stood over by the desk, looking at the pictures and the crayons spewed all over the surface with a hand on his chin. It was if he was studying it. However, it wouldn’t take long for him to turn around and notice you. “oh, You must be with the search party.” He said adjusting his glasses. “Glad I’m not the only one who thought to check Jonny’s bedroom for clues. My name is Gregory Binks. Jonny…” He turned and looked at one of the pictures of the five friends, “was a friend of mine. I need to find him. Have you found anything yet old man?”
Due to confusion on how DM'ed threads work, the Rules of Engagement have been updated to further set down the rules.

“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Gregory said. He scoffed at the man’s other question. “Jonny is really awful at hiding. He always picks really obvious spots, like his room. That’s why I’m looking here, old man.”

Searching the room further, there was no sign that Jonny was hiding in his room; even finding hints amid the mess was difficult. There were no particular objects in the room that gave any hints as to where Jonny may be hiding this night; you learn that he enjoys video games and cartoons, like any young boy, and also find toys and balls and dirtied clothes that suggest he also plays outside just as frequently.

Jonny adjusted his glasses and laughed at Daniel. “It’s a pocket monster, old man. It’s from a video game and a cartoon. It’s really popular, how can you not know? Do you live under a rock?” He stepped forward to look at the picture. “That’s all of us. We’re all friends; everyone’s all around looking for him, like you and me. If you look anywhere else you’ll probably run into them.” Gregory grows quiet for a moment as he stares at the picture. “You better find him, old man. He’s bad at hiding but he’s not a cheater. He’s gotta be around here somewhere… right?”

Across the hall of the west wing, you can see the door open to what seems to be a master bedroom. A walk-in closet is visible, slightly ajar, and with mirrored doors. The mirror allows you a view at the large King-sized bed, gaudy and over-the-top décor, and a desk, a vanity, and a very old-looking ottoman trunk, the kind that opens to store things such as clothes and sheets.

With Jonny’s room thoroughly inspected, where will you go next? You may search the master bedroom, travel to a different wing of the manor entirely, or try your luck outdoors. The choice, as always, is yours.





Note: Thank you for your patience again, dove.

Upon leaving the current room which held no evidence of a child, or anything that could be considered useful, the hallway would be open before you. Down the said hallway would be a rather plush carpet, on either side of the hallway would be a realistically high number of doorways. Between each doorway would be a large family portrait and or other family images. At times, this would be broken up with small narrow tables that held vases, flowers, odd trinkets and other interesting artifacts on display. However, none of these would prove to be important or to leave any clue of a child.

The doors on either side, if tried, would be found to be either locked from the inside or out which would require at key to be located. However, occasionally, a door would be unlocked. Within these unlocked doors would be nothing more then an empty study with the most fashionable chairs, books, and lamps. Another room might even house a random guest bedroom that looked as if it hadn’t been touched in many years. Each area could easily be a hiding spot for a small child but still, nothing looked touched or moved.

Traveling further down the path would lead to a narrow staircase at the end of the walkway. The door that was once sealed shut was now open just enough to prove that it had once been opened. A small light shown down the stairs to indicate that someone might of traveled up into the attic not too long ago. If entered, you would climb a long number of narrow stairs before finally entering the rather large attic. Within said attic would be a number of items ranging from old covered wooden furniture with plush pillows. Many wood trunks, a cupboard, a few beds, dressers, and other types of odds and ends. A few dress mannequins even rested among the dust objects. Clearly, this was the most excellent place for a child to hide. There was a ton of draped sheets and plenty of small areas.

A single circular window would cast a bit of a glare across the room where a mirror rested, unused, unclean, and partly broken. At would appear that someone either had knocked it over at some point and forgot to clean up their mess. Most likely, something a child would possibly do. Now, the real questions was where to begin the grand search? Around the furniture, the many trunks, drapes, and other objects? Who knew what one might be able to find in such a mess. Though do be careful, the clutter in the attic is more than unmanageable.

Gregory would peek inside around the adult that stood beside him. "Um, why don't you head inside?" The little boy offered, fixing his glasses with a single finger. "It's not that I'm afraid or anything. Because I'm not. It's my asthma. If I head into that dust trap I'll be screwed up for days afterwards." Clearing his throat he'd step to the side to allow the man to enter. If this Daniel were to enter inside Gregory would remain standing outside in the doorway, watching intently.

There seem to be quite a few places to look through for a small boy. Fingers crossed.

The night is dark and full of terrors.
Daniel Caim

As Daniel shown his light around the attic, he had no idea the actions he was taking. That attic had remained undisturbed for almost a century before today, and for a good reason.

"Hey! You see anything yet?" Gregory called out from behind the edge of the entryway, where 85% of his body was hidden behind. He couldnt see much from his viewpoint, but he was confident in the old man's abilities. Besides there was no need for both of them to look in there. You know what they say about too many cooks: They need to delete that video from the internet.

As Daniel took one of his regular I-hope-that-child-is-still-there looks, a flash of movement shot across the light from one dark corner to another.


Daniel’s light continued to sweep the room, coming up empty time and time again, that is, until he looked away. Each time there was a flare from that 6th sense, that sensation that you’re being watched, that there’s someone else there, or something else.


If the old hunter picked up on it and focused in on finding the source, it would take 3 or 4 tries before he finally caught the movement with his eyes. It was fast, incredibly fast, and damn near silent. As Daniel continued to search, no more shadows would move, it would appear that whatever it was had left. That is, until a sharp and small voice called out behind him.

“Hey You! Magi!”

Turning around, Daniel would see a small humanoid creature, no taller than a can of soda, standing on top of one of the dress mannequins. The small thing appeared to be par bug and part plant with wings, beetle-like armor, and a fungal shaped head. On its back was a tiny backpack with a set of tiny rope and a large button. The little spirit stood in a fighting stance, a needle in his hand, wielding it like a sword.

”What bring you to my home, destroying my things, shining your fire everywhere, and making so much racket all day?! Explain yourself before I gut you like a flea!”

It appears that Daniel has stumbled upon the Richmond Family’s resident Brownie Spirit.

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"It's a Brownie!" Gregory said wide-eyed, finally putting two and two together. Without thinking he rushed into the room to get a closer look as the Geezer was talking. He would duck around and under as best he could to get in front of Daniel to inspect the spirit for himself. Muttering a “Fascinating” as he adjusted his glasses.

The brownie Looked at Daniel and frowned. The Human was speaking in a very odd manner; at least one he was not used to, What did “ain’t” mean? ”Flash. Light?” he said, dropping his sword for a bit. “What is this Light that you flash?” However for a split second his frown furthered as he raised his needle again. “Plenty of kids have lived in this house through the years. Which one are you referring to?” As he spoke, there was a clear unhappiness to his voice. Mistrust was the only thing he was giving out right now it seems.

“So He was telling the truth…”

Gregory’s voice interrupted before Daniel could respond to the (maybe) rhetorical question and looked up at Daniel to explain. “Johnny told us that there was a spirit living in the house, one that lives in the walls and takes things from the Manor to live. I always thought it was a poor excuse for forgetting his homework. ” He turned to the Brownie and continued. “Brownies usually don’t communicate with humans. They prefer to work at night. However they’re usually kind spirits that work on the house’s upkeep and they steal things as payment.”

The Brownie frowned and jabbed his sword in the direction of Gregory. “Hey!” We do not steal anything. This is our home just as much as it is yours. We accept these trinkets as gifts for our hard work. You’re most welcome. “

The brownie crossed his arms as Gregory continued. “Regardless. I’ve read all about them. They generally don’t trust humans. Johnny tried telling me that he gave the spirit a button as a gift, which is why the spirit became his ‘friend’.” Gregory paused to sneeze, wiping his nose and then cleaning his glasses with a pocket handkerchief. "Clearly, Johnny was smarter than I gave him credit. If you want to get anything from him, you’ll have to give him something in return…”

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