[Fighting Fantasy] House of Hell

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The dining room is astonishing, with a long table lined with shining silver cutlery. Red wallpaper covers the walls and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling, illuminating the room with the light of dozens of candles.

There are two chairs, each at opposite ends of the table. I sit and Franklins appears over my shoulder.

"Wine?"

((White wine: Page 269))
((Red wine: Page 395))

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Remembering what the voice I thought I heard from the painting said, I shiver slightly.

"Red wine, please."

It's incredible; certainly the best wine I've ever tasted.

Franklins appears again, offering me a choice of dishes from the kitchen.

((Lamb: Page 196))
((Duck: Page 115))
((Tell them I've already eaten and am not hungry: Page 244)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I just want to get out of here. Truthfully, it's been almost half a day since I've eaten, but Franklins, Kelnor and this whole house are giving me the creeps. I want to go.

"I appreciate the offer, but I've eaten. I don't want to trouble you all any longer."

This was the wrong thing to say.

Kelnor's eyes blaze with fury, leaping to his feet.

"Franklins woke the staff and prepared this meal for you. You have the audacity to ..."

I raise my hands, placatingly.

((Lamb: Page 196))
((Duck: Page 115))
((Stick to my guns and refuse to eat: Page 96))

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I need this man's help, even if it's only so I can drive far away and never come anywhere close to Drumer and this house ever again.

"Of course, I apologize. The lamb sounds good."

I don't regret the decision. A rack of lamb is brought on a silver platter and smells delicious. The earl calms down and, as we eat, he asks about my work and why I'm in such an out of the way spot in the middle of the night. And he talks about himself and his family.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The earl says he's the last surviving member of his family, with an estate that stretches for miles around the house. At one time, it was prosperous, with tenant farmers working the land and proving an income for the House of Drumer.

But his sister died at age 32, found dead in the woods with strange marks around her neck. Word traveled quickly, with the peasant farmers muttering about curses and witchcraft and black magic. The farmers began to trickle away, avoiding the estate.

Something about this story seems off, but before I can put together what it is, Franklins reappears, clearing away the lamb and asking if I'd like anything else. The earl's expression has cooled, but it's clear that he won't take no for an answer a second time.

((Fruit, coffee and brandy: Page 224))
((Cheese, coffee and brandy: Page 74))
((Just cheese and coffee: Page 319))

 

[Lord Shark]

I remember playing this, but it was published as House of Hades in the U.S., since I guess the publishers thought "Hell" was a little too stiff to put in the kids' section of bookstores.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Under normal circumstances, coffee at this time of night would be a terrible idea, but staying awake and driving out the last remnants of the cold from my extremities sounds like a good idea.

"Just cheese and coffee, please."

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Franklins brings a plate of cheese, cutting a slice for me, and pours coffee from a steaming pot into a china cup.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

As I finish my meal, the earl rises to his feet, announcing that he's enjoyed the conversation but it's time for us to all retire for the night.

"Franklins will show you to your room."

At first, I think to protest, but it's long after midnight and the storm is still going. Getting someone out here, in the middle of nowhere, to help with my car seems like a remote possibility.

And I'm tired, more tired than I imagined. How much of that red wine did I have?

My head is spinning and Kelnor's voice becomes part of an unintelligible ringing in my ears. I feel my knees buckle and I collapse to the floor, sinking into blackness.

 

[Joshua Randall]

I feel my knees buckle and I collapse to the floor, sinking into blackness.

I do love a neurasthenic Lovecraftian protagonist!

When this is over, can we go back to certain sections and see how quickly we can get ourselves killed? Like if you repeatedly refuse to drink / eat anything?