The (Solo) Adventures of Solomon Kane
Chapter 5
There is no Chapter 4 on this occasion as that only applies if you’re allied with the Witchfinder General. So we continue with the next scene with Kane and the Officer deciding how to proceed.
The map of the scene. The text indicates that Villagers can be talked to, which I take as being a good thing to try and do. There is also an encounter when you get to the soldiers, so I guess this will be a decision point for the scenario. The objective is to enter the Magistrate's offices, which are on the board on the far Right.Thomas Downes dismisses his Roundheads, bidding them take refreshment at the local tavern while he speaks to Solomon Kane. Together they walk the streets of Manningtree.
“Whither are you bound?” asks Downes.
“I travel where destiny and the dawn lead, seeking out the Devil’s work so I may expose it and banish it”, says Kane somberly, a faraway look in his icy grey eyes.
“Then I pray of you, take around these streets and tell me, see you not the Devil at work here?”
Kane does as he is bid by the young fellow and in truth, the villagers seem afflicted with a pall of dread; an oppressive atmosphere of mistrust and fear infects the village.
“Aye sir. The Devil is here right enough and I shall meet him as I have done many a time before.”
“My heart s glad of that”, says Downes, “For the man they call the Witchfinder General is the very devil you seek. Even now my fiancé, Jessica, languishes in gaol awaiting execution thanks to the treachery of Hopkins and his thugs. The wretch makes baseless accusations of witchcraft against innocent women, then finds them guilty by most dubious methods, such as the ducking stool, or pricking with the bodkin. All methods which by sleight of hand can be made to show any result.”
“Then I will aid you, master Downes,” says Kane. “Gather your men and tell me where I an needed.”
“Thank you, Puritan. The gaol is our goal, to speak with the Magistrate and plead for the accused ones’ pardon.”
The Discovery card seems to strongly suggest talking to Villagers is a good thing, so that's what I will try to doKane and Downes made her way through the streets of Manningtree stopping periodically to talk to villages and gain an understanding of the feelings of the village.
Most villagers speak openly about their fears of the Witchfinder General and of their own friends or loved ones found guilty of witchcraft. They re appalled and growing more angry at Matthew Hopkins’ conduct, and offer to assist both Solomon and the Roundheads in getting rid of him.
Eventually the growing crowd reach the Magistrates officers and confront the Guards at his door. Seeing the crowd and the determination on their faces, the guards stand aside, one muttering, “you may pass.”
Solomon Kane and Thomas enter the magistrate’s offices.
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