Through Sorcerer's eyes - Oct 10, in which another Thing almost escapes, and we learn more about four players

Part of a series analyzing Roger Zelazny's A Night in the Lonesome October through Sorcerer.

Starts here.

October 10

The day is very rainy, so Snuff stays home, doing and redoing rounds. Good thing that he does, because that's how he notices that a puddle was forming due to a leak, which would soon be throwing a tendril in the Circle's direction, freeing the Thing there. He alerts Jack quickly with a special howl, then uses his fur to soak the water up until he gets there. The Thing is upset, but that doesn't stop the man and his dog from dispensing with this potential breach of Containment. This is interesting, because here we have not a demon attempting to manipulate someone to open their Container, nor one succeeding in doing so by force, but instead making use of natural circumstances. I am not sure how that would translate to game mechanics, as they are mostly contested. Perhaps the excessive rain and the leak were part of the demon's Power manifesting to help let it loose.

Once the water relents and he can discover no more leaks, Snuff starts to prowl and run his lines. He digs up the now rotten piece of meat and returns it to Owen's, which is deserted. He finds several wicker baskets and thick ropes, whose use is not quite clear.

He then traces a line to the Good Doctor's, which is under its perpetual thunderstorm. A significant trident of lightning hits the building, as do others, and inside Snuff sees the Doctor babbling some pseudoscience, then standing aside, his henchman dancing, as a large, vaguely human-shaped figure under a sheet seems to twitch and move. He backs away and runs, unnerved.

He next goes to Larry's, which despite the now late hour, is well-lit. He circles around until he spots a paw print under a gazebo matching that which he'd found in his yard. Then he starts peeking into windows until he sees Larry speaking to a giant plant, which seems to be moving in response. Perhaps this is Larry's demon?

Finally, he traces a line to the Count's location in the crypt. As he is pondering the pattern in his mind, a large bat swoops down nearby, but out of sight, but what comes out of the other side is a well-dressed man in a black cloak. He seems to notice Snuff, who decides his best move is to approach and act like a friendly stray. The Count takes him at face value, pats him with unnaturally cold hands and calls him a Good Dog in guttural tones, then goes to the crypt and suddenly disappears.

Sorcerers and Demons

• Jack - Binder of Snuff (probably 0 or +/-1), a wand, and a big knife, as well as a Container of several Things. Described as cursed and having to do much of his work at night - perhaps his Price has to do with insomnia? Has played the Game before.
• Owen - Druid, Binder of Cheeter (probably -2 or lower). Mistletoe, wicker baskets, and ropes.
• The Good Doctor - Binder of Bubo, and possibly of the Hunched Man, although that might just be a human servant. Weird science.
• Larry Talbot - Possible sorcerer, Binder of Large Plant. Pledges assistance to Jack, thinks he's a closer.
• The Count - Binder of Needle, and possibly another Parasite?
• Snuff - a Passer whose Cover is a watchdog. High Will. Possible abilities: Command: dogs, Hold, Perception: heightened senses, Perception: sorcerous pattern, Special Damage: claws and fangs, Special Damage: holy hell. Able to trace paths between sorcerers. Able to communicate with Jack verbally right after midnight. Has played the Game before
• Cheeter - a Passer whose Cover is a squirrel.
• Bubo - a Passer whose Cover is a rat.
• Needle - a Passer whose cover is a bat.
• Count's Parasite - Possible abilities: Perception: heightened senses, Shapeshift: Large Bat, Travel.
• Large Plant - a Passer whose cover is a large flowering plant?
• Thing in the Circle - a Passer of high Will, communicative. Possible abilities: Shapeshift: general or numerous. Possible Telltales: smell, unnatural movement. Its Power might express itself through the environment when fighting against Containment.

Sorcery and Setting

• Demons might be able to express their powers through changes in the weather. This is indicated by the Good Doctor's incessant thunderstorm, and the Thing in the Circle's escape attempt.