Part 15: Day 4 Part 1: Beltane

Hello! It's the big day! May Day, or Beltane- the day that this whole town has been talking about ever since Nigel got here a few days ago. Saxton loves its May Day! The townsfolk have been promising a Fayre with rides, a raffle, a treasure hunt, and more. It sounds fun, doesn't it? But I'm going to share a little secret with you.... the Fayre is actually the scene of this game's greatest horror.

This portion of the game is pretty fun to play, so I hope you enjoy this update.






Nigel awakens to a sunny day (it is at least 2pm, accoding to a sign we'll find later). The nightmare room and out-of-time experience of the previous night seem very distant right now. He makes a to-do list:



I think the hold that May Day has over the people is that it's kind of a fun holiday!

Last night we left our gadgets on the windowsill to see if they'd capture anything (as if we don't have enough evidence that Harbour Cottage is haunted all to hell and back), so let's pick those up:



Of course some are missing! But let's look at the new photo:



Why can't these creeps just leave us alone? I guess if standing around in the middle of the night is the worst they can do to Nigel right now, that's not so bad.

Nigel heads downstairs, and as usual we hear the clunk of a delivery through the mail slot:





Nothing out of the ordinary here!

We're still looking for our missing gadgets though. I find one in the bathroom:



... but the other is nowhere to be found. Not upstairs, not in the living room, not in the bathroom or kitchen. There's no place else in the house to check, except...



Huh.



Huh! I suppose that explains why that corner of the house smells bad...




You know what, this isn't looking very good. Let's check out that thing in the corner.



There's a number pad on it. Nigel received a mysterious message from beyond the grave last night, consisting of "3-4-1-8," and I think I know what to do with it!



Ta-daaaa! This must be Edward Molina's safe, the naughty smuggler. I'm not sure why he kept a bad photocopy of his wife's glamour shot in there, seems a litle roundabout to me. He also kept a revolver (now rusted- Bob Tawny can't fix that, even if Nigel wanted it), another diary, and an EMF meter. No wait, that's our EMF meter.



The other pages appear to be blank. This must be Molina's last entry, before his suicide.


Molina wasn't a fan of May Day or Saxton, in the end. Who can blame him? Well, I could, considering that it kind of seems like all the house water being stagnant seawater would be a noticeable thing, but maybe not. Anyway, this seems like it might be the end of Edward and Christina's sad story.

We can take a closer look at Christina's picture with the camcorder....



I spy another symbol. It seems like there were some innocent victims in Saxton's past, and they hold the pieces to some kind of puzzle. By helping them, Nigel is unlocking it.



We can't get an audio recording from it. It seems there's nothing more to do in here, so let's go check out the town.



I like May Day in Saxton, the sky is blue and it brightens up the game considerably. Everything looks much more cheerful and bright. As this is England, we should appreciate the beautiful clear sky when we can get it- the most unrealistic thing about this game is that it hasn't rained yet.

Notice the loudspeakers set up- they're all over town. It looks like Professor Oogle is in charge of them, because every so often while we wander around, we hear a chime and Oogle pipes in with a little announcement. It's like the whole town is his museum today! He must be pretty excited.

May Day is finally here. She has come bright and lovely.


Before we head down to Saxton Beach, let's see what's up around town.



But how will Nigel steal books???



It's a fine May Day!
Isn't that he truth. A fine May Day indeed.
Anything to report, Station Master?
Nothing out of the ordinary, Mr. Danvers. It's a fine May Day. One of her best.
Who is 'she'?
She who has come among us. (I'm not sure I ever figured out who they're talking about. The sky? Maybe I should re-read that Beltane book.)
See you later.
You go and enjoy this day. She is bold, and bright and deepest blue.




I try and get breakfast, but it looks like The Lighthouse and this section of town are closed.

Seek your destiny with our gypsy fortune teller.


Before I forget, do you remember way back when we first arrived in Saxton, Nigel picked up one of those Missing Cats posters? It has a telephone number on it, which means we can call it at some point in the game. We do kind of have some information about them... so I use the town's phonebox to dial the Cat Watch line.



(The Cat Watch line is answered by an automated, awkward voice.) Please help us, someone is taking our beloved pets. We are depserate for information. Please leave your name and number so we can get back to you.
The person responsible for the missing Saxton cats is...




Haha, I don't think any of those options are what I want, are they? Let's just tell them it's Hardacre.

Thank you, kind soul.


Try your luck at the Coconut Shy.




Bob has closed the smithy and we don't have any snacks for Cairan, so let's just carry on to Celtic Corner....

The townspeople of Saxton wish you a special May Day.




Afternoon, Rhys... I'm sorry about Mr. Tibbs...
If I get my hands on who did that... by the Celtic gods I'll crush them!
It's a police matter now.
Aye. Well... what can I do for you?
Did you know Alex Spitmoor was an impostor?
Keep in mind that I see a lot of Saxton, day by day... the arrival of a young man in Saxton would not escape me. ()
See you around, Rhys.
I certainly hope so!


For some reason, the crystal ball has been replaced with an elaborate little globe. We haven't got any new photos for the contest, so we'll just compare our new symbols to the old book:





All right. I've put off the horror long enough. I wasn't kidding when I said the Fayre was the most traumatic scene in the entire game. Are you ready?

Come one and all to Saxton Shore, May Day is here at last.




Almost there....

Be sure to take part in the treasure hunt.




NOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo

Happy May Day, Mr. Tawny.
Bob, please, and yes it's a fine May Day.


Fine prints and teddy bears are available in the market.



That's a fine looking pig.
It's a hog roast. Traditional in these parts.
I'll have to try some, uh... later today?


Have you spoken with Nanny Noah at all?
Not as yet. But once this lot's had their fill, I'm gonna go over and offer her some pork. (Whoa there, Bob!)
Yeah? I can imagine she likes a bit of crackling too?
Oh yes, that she does. May Day, and all that!


I'll let you enjoy May Day.
Yeah, you too lad. Go find her.




Be sure to try Bob Tawny's delicious baps.


Let's see what other horrors await us at the Fayre.



Why, it's a good old Punch and Judy show! Nice, wholesome entertainment! It's even suitable for our rival Saxton Snapper.



This is actually a pretty boring show. The cutouts just move around slightly and a suspiciously Jemima-like high pitched babbling and giggling makes up the speech. This isn't the banned entertainment I was promised.

Be sure to buy a ticket for the May Day raffle.




Hello there. Happy May Day.
It's glorious! The sky is SO blue.


Lucy is in good... SPIRITS today. Nigel hits on her the best way he knows how:



Can you promise me a real ghost, Lucy?
Ironic, isn't it! Step right up for the fright of your life!


Lucy gives Nigel a ride on her ghost train... Watch this video to experience the fright of your life!!! (30 seconds)

SpoooOOOOooooky!

The Fayre is now open on Saxton Shore.


That was the worst ghost train ever!
Oh Nigel, you wound me!


Any news from Alex the detective?
Still at the Net Hut. Forensics are all over it.


Any nightmares after last night?
No, oddly. I found it... well, quite spiritual.
Is... is that a pun?
No, not at all.


Will you be around later tonight?
Rhys is announcing the Saxton Snappers result.
In The Bear? I wouldn't miss it for the world. (Because he's gonna WIN that baby!)
Okay, I'll see you there!
It's a date. Catch you later.
If you're quick!




Brave souls will get the fright of their lives on our ghost train.


Here's Nanny Noah's treasure hunt (I'm not sure how she expects anyone to complete it if the museum's closed):



Feeling lucky? Have a poke around the Lucky Dip.


We can have a go at the Lucky Dip, which is a British thing where you get really crap prizes:




Nigel doesn't want to keep any of them except the old silver spoon. Why is that?



Aha.... convenient!



Hello Morgan? Morgan Mankle? Or is it Mystic Morgan today?
Yessss... yesssss....
(We give Morgan the spoon.) Do you see anything in the crystal ball?
Yes... closer... closer!
Oh, shall I take a seat?


As we talk to Morgan, images swirl inside the crystal ball (borrowed from Celtic Corner, no doubt). Most of it is "stock footage" like the museum videos, probably taken by Boakes when he was scouting locations- but occasionally we'll get a glimpse of Nigel doing something in a game scene, not all of them we've seen yet!

... there! ... there! ... The mists are clearing...
What do you see?
... deeper, deeper... through the fog... through the mists... now I can see!




Can you see my future?
... I see... I see... great things ahead.
Will I ever leave Saxton? Alive?
... yesss... yesss! You will live long and have many adventures.
Tell me, will I fnd the Lost Crown?
... that which is lost may not be found...
But I will, I will find it!
... it shall not be.
I feel like I am being followed, or haunted!
... closer... closer...
What? Are they close to me?
... deeper, deeper... through the fog... through the mists...
Are they coming for me?
... yesss... yesss!
What can I do, what can I do?? (Nigel it's just a carnival game!)
... that which is lost may not be found...
Are you saying that I should leave the crown?
...yesssss....
I'll cross your palm with silver again, soon.
... I see... I see great things ahead...

I don't think a single one of the townspeople has encouraged Nigel to find the crown.



No sooner have we exited the caravan than Oogle uses his powers of loudspeaker to announce:

The winning ticket is 142. Congratulations to the winner.


Hey that's us! Nanny Noah said it was a lucky ticket. Let's go find the raffle booth.



The Fayre is wonderful!
It's come together beautifully.




Shame about the Punch and Judy.
Oh, I know. Ghastly, isn't it? Misogynistic rubbish.
I'm guessing that Mr. Gruel is hidden under there somewhere.
Yes, horrible man. He's insane.


Have you tried the ghost train?
No, I can't say I have.


Do you think I'll find my fortune here?
You may be in luck. Seek your destiny.


May Day is here. Do you feel a change?
Yes, I do. There's a new scent on the air. The long days of summer are around the corner, and all shall be anew. The pale moon, pale gold lady, has come amongst us.
Time for me to go.
Be careful, Nigel. Remember your reading. Not all is as it seems.


Unfortunately there is no option to ask Nanny Noah whether Bob Tawny has given her some of his pork yet.

Let's say hi to the good Professor Oogle.

You've done it! Come, come and collect your prize!
But how? You must have sold hundreds of tickets.
Umm, well, a few tickets, maybe. But why quibble? You've won!




Do you think this was drawn by Dr. Black? We've seen mention of Ulcombe before, but Nigel hasn't found it yet. Perhaps this painting is the little clue we need- it mentions the lighthouse can see Ulcombe Town.

Perhaps it will help with my mission!
You've given me new hope, Nigel... I believe there's a great treasure out there, across the fens. Seek the truth, and prove to me that I was mistaken. Ganwulf's Crown, should it exist, should take pride of place in our humble museum.




Why are you working on the art stall?
Fund raising, of course. The museum can't survive on good will alone.


Is the museum closed all day?
Yes, even bookworms need a holiday, and it's May Day!


What's the first prize for the raffle? Art?
Well spotted, Nigel! Your information regarding Nicholas Gurney inspired me to dig deeper.




So, I was right? The Tree of Crows is Gurney's work?
Not only his work, but his last enigma. I spent the last evening gazing upon the painting. There was something peculiar about it.
There's a pattern hidden within the brush strokes?
Yes, how did you know that?
I believe Gurney was seeking the Lost Crown.


I fear that I'm digging myself in too deep.
That girl Lucy, she seems like someone to keep you on the straight and narrow.
I worry about the curse, the legends, and the suicides. Even you said that some things should be left as they are.
Do what you feel is right. Follow your instincts. If Nicholas Gurney sought the crown, he must have had a good reason. Perhaps it's in danger? Or close to destruction? Perhaps not all is as it seems.
I need to think, professor. I feel I'm getting close to the end, but the end of what? Or who?
Calm yourself, boy. All will become clear.


I hear there was a robbery at the museum.
Yes, from right under our noses! The thief nabbed old Spivey's Telescope in a most ingenious fashion. We are not dealing with some common working-class filcher. But why the telescope? It's one of the least valuable exhibits. Why steal it?
Perhaps it had, uh... sentimental? value? to someone?
Or perhaps someone needed it for another purpose, Mr. Danvers. I am not overly worried about its safety, I think it's probably in safe hands.
(clearing throat) I am sure you are right.
As long as the telescope makes its way back to the museum, I shan't investigate further.


Have a good day, Professor.
You too, my boy! You too!


Aww, looks like Oogle is on our side after all! Pretty generous of him, after what we've done. Now I feel a little bad for not having Nigel donate to the museum's fund, even though there was never an ability for me to do so.

Oh yeah, the telescope! We should ask Bob about that.



Did you fix that old telescope?
I did, first thing this morning. Here you go... looks a bit familiar.


Congratulations to our raffle winner!


Time's a wastin', let's head over to the lighthouse and see if we can find Ulcombe. We're running out of local mysteries to solve, time to expand further afield.



Paying our respects to Cairan.





We could also see that memorial when we were fooling with Hardacre's sextant, but I guess since Nigel couldn't also see the church tower it wasn't of interest.



Turns out if we just kept walking down the path we'd have found it, it's just that Nigel is a ninny and wouldn't do it.



Yay another country church! There probably aren't any ghosts here, that would just be TOO much coincidence.