---

Monday, June 22, 2009. 9:00AM

Your cell phone rings. It is the special ringtone that signifies you are being called in on another PARC case. You were supposed to get the week off, but you knew in the back of your mind that the reprieve was just a ruse by The Company to attempt to lift your morale.

You pick up the phone. You hear a click, then you state your voice identification password. You hear another click and a prerecorded voice states: Your services are requested. Be at Headquarters at ten-hundred hours. Bring your equipment. Upon services rendered, your account will be credited according to the G7 payscale. Thank you, and have a nice day.

The phone clicks silent and you hang up.

OOC: You know that the G7 payscale is a little more money than you usually make, so the job is predicted to be a little bit more dangerous. You may decide what you were doing at the time of the call, and what your reaction is to the call. You are all within one hour's travel of Headquarters.

Tobias muttered something rather rude as he half rolled, half fell out of bed. This was his first day off, and he intended on sleeping for... He looked at the clock. Three more hours. At least. He sighed, turned off his alarm, and went to get ready for work. A quick shower, a bowl of cereal, and a cup of tea later, and he was ready.

Coat, check.
Gun, check.
Rod, check.
Wallet, check.
ID, check.
Fake ID, check.
Pants... Check.

He hopped into his car and headed for the Company.

Miri hears her phone ring and grumbles at being disturbed from her relaxing hot shower. She turns off the water and picks up her cell phone.
She slams her cell phone shut in anger and mutters under her breath I finally get one night to go out and have fun and these *$&@^&# call me on an assignment the moment I get home... Miri gets dressed fast and gulps down her coffee before grabbing her 'bag of goodies' (as she likes to call it) and heading out the door.

"Oh, yes! A mission!" Xavier grinned excitedly as he closed his cell phone and sighed. He couldn't spend all week at the shooting range and gym, after all. He needed something to do! He hops out of bed, he loved to sleep, too, and put on a fresh white wife-beater and a pair of khaki cargo pants. Slipping on his black combat boots, he grabbed his wallet and ID, cell phone and comm. link.
   He then moved to his favorite part of the house, his gun closet. Smiling, he opened the door, revealing the many shelves of handguns and portable melee weapons. He took his favorite guns and weapons, put them strapped around him, and was out the door. He took a deep breath and got into his car, driving to HQ.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Thu 25 June 2009.

Tobias, Miri, and Xavier all arrive in the parking garage at the exact same time. You started noticing that such coincidences have happened a lot more often since you started working together for The Company. The parking garage is non-descript; it looks like any other private garage in the city. You step inside a side door and go down a long, plain hallway to reach the elevator bank.

You get in, and press the number 7. There is a slight pause while the elevator performs a covert retinal scan, then with a click and a whir you start ascending. A computerized voice says Welcome, agents. Transporting you to the seventh floor.

After about a minute the elevator dings and the doors open. The voice says Have a nice day!

You get off the elevator to see what is definitely not a non-descript office building. The decor is a cross between post-modern industrial and ancient tomb. All along the walls are flat screen tvs watching muted coverage of just about every news channel in the world. Smattered about in between them are ancient statues, talismans and what may well have been nick-nacks in 30 BC. Dominating the center of the room is a humungous glass-encased library, filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and codexes. Not only are the books floor-to-ceiling on this floor, but the stacks actually continue to the floors above and below.

Beyond the unusual decor you notice the unusual people in the desks and cubicles. While almost all of the workers are human, there are some that are clearly... not. Since no English name exists for these creatures, and so few modern humans can pronounce these creatures' native languages, employees of the company have taken to naming them after fantasty mythologies. The species of thin, pale beings are called elves, the short and squat ones are called dwarves, and so on.

As if on cue, John Burns, your boss, appears from around the corner. Damnit, I see Kenny has decided to be a pain in my side again today. Well, the three of you go into Conference Room 1 to wait for your assignments, I'll be in in a sec.

He stalks off towards his office, grumbling something about all the work he puts in to logistics, and how it's all a waste of time.

"Hey guys." Tobias nodded to the others as he grabbed his field bag out of the trunk. He had always wanted to run late intentionally, to see if he dragged the others late with him. He never did though, too polite.

He chuckled at Burns before heading for the conference room.

Xavier whistles cheerfully and grins at Tobias and Miri. "No breaks, huh?" he says playfully. With his hands in his cargo pockets, he walks around, paying attention to the details of the rooms, and eyes the female elves. He had always been amazed at their grace and beauty. "Will do, boss." he says as he walks into the room and takes a seat, in a good mood. He takes out his Baretta 92 and shines it with his shirt idly.

After a few minutes, John stalks into the room and the clear glass walls turn opaque and the room darkens. The wall behind John lights up with what looks like a small town news feed.

Strange happenings in the tiny town of Ford, Montana.

The video shows a young reporter, walking slowly and seriously in front of an old-fashioned barbed wire fence. Beautiful mountans can be seen in the distance.

The normally quiet little town of 200 farmers and ranchers has been buzzing with the news of several unexplained deaths. In the last two weeks, three men have been found dead, apparently killed in an animal attack. The mayor of the town, Jed Owen, was one of the victims.

Much of the town suspects a hungry mountain lion, but one man thinks differently.

The video cuts to a shot of a neatly dressed man holding a plain black Bible. He speaks with immense energy.

These attacks are a sign from GOD. He has sent this beast as a WARNING to those who are not right in the eyes of GOD that they must step back! Onto the path of righteousness. Step back! Into God's plan. Step back! Towards His intentions.

The video cuts back to the reporter.

Are these attacks really a sign from God? Or is there a more mundane explanation? The residents of Ford don't yet know, and are looking anywhere for answers. So far, they haven't found any.

For Channel 9 Network News, this is Deborah Heidt.

The video stops, and the lights in the room return to normal.

Our analysts found this story in their research and have determined that it has a high probability of Shadow involvement. Luckily this story hasn't made it into any of the national networks, but if the deaths keep happening, it won't take long. I need you guys to go out there and check out what's going on.

Tobias couldn't help but chuckle at the last bit of the video. If they were seeing it, one thing they certainly wouldn't be getting was a mundane explanation. "You got any more info than this, or are we going in dry?"

After watching the video closely, he smiles, though with an internal feeling of uneasiness. He looks to his teammates, then back to John. "I guess its off to Montana, then?" He asks, putting his gun away.

Miri gives John a wry smile. "Farmers and fields... fun. She nods at Tobias's question and adds impatiently, Yeah John, something more than 'people are dying in a town' would be helpful.

Unfortunately the town's too small for a Wikipedia entry, so we don't have much more to go on.

With his constantly neutral face, you can never tell if John is joking. You assume sometime in his life he has to tell a joke, but you know that even if you were there for that fateful event, you wouldn't have realized it at the time.

We would normally send a recon team to find out more, but the town would probably notice a two-percent increase in population and their cover would be blown. We don't have an inside man in the local PD, so we don't know anything more than what's in the papers.

Without any indication that John pushed a button or said a secret password, the walls light up again, this time showing enlarged copies of news stories. If you take the time to read them, you can see that the first victim was Ford's mayor, Jed Owen, who died three weeks ago. The community sent out a possie in pickup trucks, but couldn't find any mountain lions or coyotes. Two weeks after that, Earl Lindscomb, the owner of the largest (and only) hardware store in town was killed, and not more than 12 hours ago a third man was killed, Bill Elgin: a farmhand.

Most of your usual covers won't work in this situation, so we have gotten you all identification to pose as a private security team, hired by Tyson. You know, the chicken company. Several of the farms out there sell their beef to Tyson, so your story is that you are there to make sure none of the cattle are in harm's way.

Xavier grinned a bit, then got serious. "That sounds like a good cover. But, we'll have to keep it quiet. Especially me, since I can get a bit trigger-happy." He smiled again, but made sure he was serious. He nodded to his teammates, then turned to John. "Mode of transport? Shelter?"

Don't worry, Xavier, just because you are going to a small town doesn't mean you have to ride coach. You will fly into Billings in MCC7^*, as usual. From there we've lined up some town cars for you; unfortunately you've got about an hour drive into town. On the plus side, you'll have a wonderful view.

Once you get there, we've booked 4 rooms at Ford's nicest, uh, hotel. Though if Kenny doesn't get here soon it looks like I'm going to have to cancel one of them.

You will have to take all your own gear, as the local store carries buckshot and hunting arrows and not much else. But the nice thing about private transportation is you can take whatever goodies you want.

At this, Burns does that which is as close to a smile as you have ever seen him get. Nothing overtly physical happens, you just get the impression that he is reliving an old war story.

* Mobile Command Center 7, one of a baker's dozen private jets owned by The Company. MCC7 is outfitted with the latest communication and logistical gear, and allows a PARC team to strategize and plan while in transit. The cargo bay has been retrofitted to act as a weapon's locker, though it does not usually come fully equipped. It is rumored that the MCCs have been fitted with offensive and defensive equipment for use in aerial combat, though you have never seen it first hand.

Xavier grins as he mumbles a small YES! to himself, and then regains his composure. He awaits any other instructions as he gathers up his things in his seat.

Tobias nods to himself. Sounded like fun. His ability to pose as a cattle actuary was doubtful, but if he kept his mouth shut it should be fine.

"When do we go?"

Ideally you would go yesterday.

You all know what John is going to say next, as it's one of his most favorite phrases.

In another universe, you did go yesterday, so get a move on. Your commlinks still work out there in the great plains, so contact Headquarters if you need any help.

---

You exit and take the elevator to the roof, where a corporate-looking helicopter is waiting to take you to the airport. After a short ride, you land at a private air strip, where you find MMC7.

Your flight, as well as drive into town occur without incident.

The town of Ford is mostly made up of huge spanses of land, connected by tiny roads. The fields consist of a roughly even spread of cattle, chicken, pigs, and wheat, soybeans, and corn. Most farmers dabble in at least two or three different areas and rotate their crops. As you pass some of the farms you notice that many of the livestock farms have tiny signs out front with the names of meat companies, such as Tyson or Smithfield. [Private to Tobias Byrne; Xavier Angel Solomon: You notice that some of the fields have large patches of dead crops, as if the rain consistantly missed a spot.] [Private to Miri Ankh: You automatically missed a spot check, because you do not yet have a spot modifier]

You arrive to the center of town... if it could be called that. The main street, named, aptly, Main Street, is in fact the only street, and is filled with buildings that look like they might be 25, 50 or 100 years old. No building looks like it has had a paint job this century. The town hall, hardware store, grocery store, diner, movie theater, and a few mom and pop stores line each side of the street.

You see what must be your hotel, since it is the only hotel in site: The Chicken Ranch. It is designed to look like (and for all you know may be) an authentic Wild West-style hotel and bar, completely with swinging saloon doors which let slip the sounds of an out of tune player piano.

"Well ah do declare." Tobias said with a drawl, "That this here town tain't big enuf fer the two of us."

This was worse than being stranded out in hillbilly country; at least there they knew they were small town. This place still felt like a wild west boom town; cutting edge circa 1870.

"Well, I'll be." Xavier says with a huge grin. He walks into the establishment and looks around. Content, he wasn't one to complain, he turned to his teammates. "First observation. Did anyone else notice the spots of dead crops? That might be something."

"Yeah, I did." Tobias replied, dropping the accent. "It's like some gigantic dog decided to wee in the cornfields."

"That might be a sign or something. Something to look at when we get the chance." He said, looking around the place.

The inside of the Chicken Ranch is a cross between 1870 and 1970. You pass through the swinging doors and see the stereotypical wooden floor, wooden tables, and long, polished bar that you might see in an old western movie, but at the same time the chairs and walls are all ugly shades of 70's brown. Everything looks clean on the surface, but closer inspection reveals mismatched wallpaper, deep grooves beneath the chairs, and frayed edges on the drapes.

Standing behind the counter is an almost comically busty woman with a huge smile and curly blonde hair. Howdy y'all, you all must be the special guests we were expectin'.

The woman genuinely seems friendly, though it's hard to tell if the accent is for show, or if maybe she's a southern transplant who's decided to go all out to impress visitors.

My name's Mona Stangley, but e'r'one 'round here just calls me Miss Mona. She lets out a vivacious laugh. Your rooms are all ready for ya, and I see y'already paid 's-well. I just need ya ta sign 'ere and y'all be all set.

Tobias is taken aback at the furnishings. There were some styles that just shouldn't go together, and this place had found one combination.

He pulled the signature pad over to him, contemplated writing 'Sheriff Earp,' decided against it and signed his real name.

After you sign the ledger Miss Mona hands you each your keys.

Your rooms are up the stairs and to the left. You can't miss 'em, cause they're the only ones we got!

There is a twinkle in her eye as she throws another huge smile your way.

Is there anythin' else I c'n help you folks with thisafternoon?

Suddenly, the phone rings, and Mona picks up the reciever.

Thanks for calling the Chicken Ranch, the best little hotel in Montana, this is Miss Mona speaking, how can I help you?

Yeah I remember you, how are you doin'?

Oh they're standing right here, would you like to talk to them?

Sure, that's no problem. Just a matter of scratching out one little line and writing somethin' else there. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

Oh you're very welcome! Have a nice day now. G'bye!

She hangs up the phone. Well looks like there was a bit of a mixup back at the office.

Just then, Xavier and Miri's cell phones ring.

That must be your boss now, he'll save me a little trouble then.

---

John Burns is sitting in his office muttering to himself and looking none too pleased. I go out of my way to make everything work to plan, and then you have to go and mess everything up.

He picks up the phone and furtively dials a number.

Hi, this is John Burns with Terrel-Hoyte. I called earlier to make some reservations?

I'm doing just fine, but I need to make some changes. Have my people arrived yet?

No, that's ok. I need to change two names on the reservation. Xavier Solomon and Miri Ankh aren't going to be staying there any more, but in their place will be Frank Decourcey and <Ril>.

No, I think that will be it. Thank you so much.

Alright, you too. Good bye.

He hangs up then dials another set of numbers.

---

Just as Miri and Xavier answer their phones, the saloon doors open and two figures walk through.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey; Ril: You were both finishing an unrelated investigation a few hours' drive south of Ford when you got a call from John Burns, telling you he needed you up north. He didn't give any explanation, but you made the drive and found your way to the Chicken Ranch. You have met Tobias, Miri, and Xavier before, and know of them, but you have not done any extensive work with them before. You recognize them by sight.]
[Private to Tobias Byrne: You have met Francis and Ril before, though you have not done any extensive work with them. You recognize them by sight.]

"I see they got that transporter working..." Tobias turned and nodded at the two new arrivals. "Welcome to Montana. This is..." He turned to introduce Xavier only to find he wasn't there. "Well that's odd..."

He paused and sniffed. "Do you smell something burning?"

OOC: I think it's the fourth wall...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Fri 07 Aug 2009.

Frank walks over to the others to greet them. He has a warm smile, and is wearing surprisingly fitting clothes for the locality; a checked dark blue lumberjack's shirt, a pair of worn blue jeans, and a loose dark green hunting jacket. He doesn't appear to be armed, but given his law enforcement background, that seems pretty unlikely.

"Miri, Toby, Xavier," he says, shaking hands, and generally being very genial. "Good to see you again. Been a while."

He walks over to the counter to speak to the woman there about the change in reservations.

[Private to GM: Frank is carrying his weapons concealed. Based off the table on pg 95 of the Core Rulebook, and that my Sleight of Hand skill is +6, I figure the Spot DCs as follows:

Five-seveN (in concealed carry holster - rear of waistband) DC 18
Small (+0), in Concealed Carry Holster (+4), Weapon can be drawn normally (-2)

Sig-Sauer P245 (in concealed carry holster - ankle) DC 22
Tiny (+4), in Concealed Carry Holster (+4), Weapon can be drawn normally (-2)

Metal Baton (collapsed - in pocket) DC 14
Small (+0), Weapon can be drawn normally (-2)]

Hi there, Miss Mona says brightly. Are you Frank or <Ril>?

Frank smiles and approaches the counter, where Mona is standing.

"That's right. I'm Frank Decourcey," he says, offering his hand to the lady. "I'm guessing this means our head-man phoned ahead to let you know the change in reservations?"

I had a feeling you were Frank. You look like a Frank. She peers over Frank's shoulder at <Ril>. C'mon sweetheart. Don't be shy; I won't bite'cha.

In a stage whisper to Frank she says Perhaps you want to sign for your friend as well, he seems a bit scared a' me.

Well, now that we got all that out of the way --

She abruptly pauses and looks at the phone with a stern face. Just makin' sure the boss-man didn't change his mind again. Now that we got all that out of the way is there an'thin' I c'n help you folks with? I can give you directions to any part of town you like!

Frank smiled at her comment. He had never taken particular note of his 'Frankness' when looking in the mirror, but she wasn't the first person to remark that he suited his name.

He added his name to the register, and then Adele's. When he had finished he placed the pen down and turned back to Miss Mona.

"Thanks," he said, smiling. "Well, I think we'd all like to unpack and relax a little before we head out. I'll be sure to ask you for directions when we've decided where exactly we want to be going."

He walked back to Tobias and Adele.

"OK," he said, "Let's head up to our rooms and work out what we want to see here. I left my bag in the car, I'll meet you upstairs."

He walked back out of the lobby to retrieve his bag from the car.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:23, Wed 19 Aug 2009.

(And assuming that the fourth wall never broke and all that happened reasonably...sorry, people...)

Adele nods to Mona. "As far as I know, we're it. Hello, Tobias. I'm sure you don't even need to guess why I'm here, with the description that they gave."

Good Lord I hate field missions.

Xavier and Miri say their goodbyes then head out of the hotel.

You go up a wooden staircase to the second floor balcony, which overlooks the tavern. The doors to your rooms are set off of this balcony, much like the brothels in wild west movies. The rooms themselves are small and simple: a single bed, a small table with a lamp and digital alarm clock, a tiny bathroom, an old TV and a clangy heating and air conditioning unit under the window. The window itself overlooks Main Street.

Frank slipped the strap of his backpack off his shoulder and dropped the bag onto his bed. The backpack mainly contained his clothes, but he also had some equipment that he didn't want to carry about, and didn't want to leave in the car. He checked his door was locked, closed the shutters on the window, and then upended the backpack and dumped the contents on top of the bed.

He unwrapped a towel, picked up the ammo boxes it had been wrapping and placed them on the side table. Wrapped in a couple of pairs of jeans was a black case, slightly smaller than a briefcase. It contained everything necessary to adopt a convincing disguise.

He found a hiding place for the disguise kit and ammo boxes, and then quickly put his clothes away and tucked the backpack under the bed.

Once he had finished unpacking, he unlocked his door, walked to Toby's room and knocked.

OOC: I got a 9 on my first search check, and 20 on a re-roll (if you'll allow it). I figured as he's not under pressure, Frank would have time to look again.

Not sure whether I need to roll to hide those items, so if I do, could you just roll for me to save time?

"Just a moment." Tobias was also in the middle of unpacking. Field bag on the bed, duffel bag with clothes into the corner...

*swoosh*

*crash*

"Shit." across the desk, in the broken remains of the lamp, that works too...

He opened the door for Frank. "C'mon in, mind the glass..."

Frank peered into the room, noticed the broken lamp, and the glass on the floor. He gave Tobias a 'what the hell happened here?' look, but refrained from actually questioning him about it.

"I'm not even going to ask," he said, shrugging. He shut the door behind him and stepped over the broken glass to reach a wall he could lean against.

"We to decide what our first move is," he said. "Let's give Adele a chance to unpack and then work out a plan of action."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Sat 22 Aug 2009.

Couldn't they afford somewhere better? Or rather, couldn't they afford to bribe someone better? So much funding and they can't be bothered to spend on the little necessities of comfortable life...

Adele didn't need to spend as much time unpacking as the others. No large amounts of ammunition and firearms, just the standard pistol (perfectly legal). Everything she needed was in her head, anyway.

Well, that and the field surgery kit. And the mini-analysis kit. 'Just in case', they said'.

And the door closed just as she got to Tobias' room..."Would someone open the door for me? Thanks."

"Uh, yeah, sure," he said, walking back to the door to let her in. Once she had come into the room, he shut the door behind her and continued what he had been saying.

"Doc, I was just saying to Toby that we need to decide how we want to approach this thing," he said. "I'd like to ask around a bit, get a feel for the word on the street on this one. Buy a few drinks, loosen a few tongues, that sort of thing."

"'Course, we also need to take a look at the sites of the attacks themselves, so it's just a question of what we do first, or we could split up, but that doesn't seem a great idea before we know what we're dealing with; could leave us pretty exposed."

Adele glanced around at the...mess. "Can't we bring you anywhere without this happening? At least you're not injured." Because guess who would have to fix it. (And the broken thing, too.)

"I'm not going to be much help with the tongue-loosening."

Or the buying of drinks. Adele's...lack of tolerance...is somewhat legendary, and has led to her never, ever drinking in public. Again. Surprisingly good soprano...but we don't talk about it.

"If we split up, I'd be the obvious one to look at the sites...which should be fine, if whatever responsible doesn't return to them. Is there a noticeable pattern to the locations?"

"Just a lamp." Toby shrugged at the verbal jab. "I'm inclined to agree with Adele; there's no reason not to split up right now, as long as we make sure to run the hell away.

"I want to check out those dead crop circles, so if you loosen lips, Adele investigates the corpses..."

"Sounds like a plan," said Frank, stepping away from the wall he had been leaning on. "We've got each others' cell numbers, so trouble finds you, get to cover and call for backup. Don't try taking on someone alone."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Tue 01 Sept 2009.

"Or something." Tobias added.

The three of you lock your rooms, then go your separate ways.

OOC: I have created individual threads for each of you.

Frank had told Adele he would meet her outside the General Store on Main Street. He had started to get a feel for the people of Ford, and had some ideas about who might be behind the attacks. He wanted to run them past Adele and Toby, and it also seemed that they wanted to meet up with him, given how dangerous this creature could potentially be.

He was done talking to people for the morning, though he did intend to be generous with his money at the bar that evening, and see what else he could find out from the locals.

Good thing that Frank could claim it from the organisation as 'operational expenses'.

As they also could for the car. Not the best thing around, but Adele could accelerate as much as she wanted without needing to worry about petrol...no need for fuel-saving techniques.

(Also, she wanted to do this faster.)

She pulled up in front of the store. "Getting in?"

"Sure."

Frank climbed into the passenger seat, and shifted around a bit until he found a position where he could sit comfortably without his Five-seveN handgun digging into his back.

"So, tell me about these wounds you've seen," he said, clicking his belt shut. "What are we up against, d'you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:25, Thu 29 Oct 2009.

Subthreads finished.

When you arrive back into town it is about 6 PM. There are a few more cars and people around than before, but it still looks pretty deserted. Of course, for all you know, this could be the busiest time of the day.

"...and this, they call downtown."

Clearly, Adele's used to bigger places.

"So, you said that you had a lead on someone who might help? I hope they're...well, cleared for this."

Of course they're not.

"Hill Valley, nineteen eight-five." Tobias muttered. "Where is it we're going?"

Frank shrugged. "Well it's either that, or we wait for the Company to send us someone who can track..." he said. "If they end up seeing something they shouldn't, well, we can always kill them."

He gave Adele a wolfish grin, showing a sense of humour he rarely exhibited usually.

"I'd guess we'll find someone suitable in the bar."

"Ah. Spending all your pay on alcohol, as usual? I have to schedule you in for The Company's psychiatrist, I hear she's been complaining about you missing your regular sessions."

And the bar was...aha, that looked like it. "That one, I suspect?"

Sasparilla's Tavern is, despite the name, not the cheesy cowboy saloon you might be expecting. It is bright and somewhat modern. The neon signs on the walls and handles on the taps inform you that they serve nothing but the best American-style lagers here. Also on tap is Sasparilla's home brand of root beer.

The bar is about half full, with stragglers trickling in; the patrons are primarily composed of farmhands and day laborers with a couple of retail workers mixed in. Two families are eating dinner at the booths along the back wall.

Click for a picture of the bar

"Hmm, this is pretty nice," Frank said quietly to his colleagues, smiling. "Reckon we should actually stop for a few drinks when we're done with this mission."

Figuring the direct approach as the best, he approached the bar and laid down some notes.

"Pour a round for everyone, I'm buying," he said in a loud voice. He turned around and addressed the patrons. "Ok, now there's another few rounds for you if someone can point me in the direction of a good local tracker."

The room gets quiet. A younger guy sitting at the bar yells out in a thick western accent, Well gursh, I think Chief Little Big Balls down at the reservation can track. Are you on the trail of Jesse James?

He holds a straight face for about ten seconds then the whole bar busts out laughing. The man speaks up again, this time with no accent, C'mon, we might be a one horse town, but we ain't in a movie here. Thanks for the drink though.

As turns back to his drink the man sitting next to him nudges him and says, Hey Jim, wasn't numbnuts like a special ops guy or something? Maybe he can help these guys. Jim thinks for a second then replies, Oh yeah! I totally forgot. He turns back to you. The sheriff might be able to help you. It's been a while, but I think he used to be able to do that kind of stuff. What are you all looking for, anyway?

"Animals." Toby spoke up, shrugging. "What else?"

Adele shook her head and muttered something not pitched for the ears of the General Public. "At least we're not from the government...maybe we should film a movie, it'd be a nice cover..."

Animals? Why would you -- oh. You mean the animal. Yeah, leave it to ol' numbnuts to send out posses before following tracks.

The man sitting beside Jim speaks up again. Well, to his credit, it rained right after the first attack, and there was a big windstorm after the second one. If there were any tracks, they probably got obfuscated before the Sheriff could follow 'em.

Obsfucated? Jim inquires. Did your mommy get you a word of the day calendar or somethin'? And what do you know about following tracks anyway?

Just because I look stupid, don't mean I ain't know a thing or two.

Frank remained impassive even as Jim mocked him. The sheriff being former spec ops could prove useful, but he doubted it'd be easy to get him to work for them. On the other hand, the man next to Jim seemed to have some idea about tracking. He watched and listened carefully, trying to work out if the guy was just parroting stuff he'd read in a book or seen on a TV show, or if he did genuinely have a clue about this sort of thing.

23:47, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 26 using 1d20+7. Sense Motive on Jim's mate.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Tue 24 Nov 2009.

The man seems pretty trustworthy, but you get the impression that maybe he's just trying to sound smart in front of Jim.

Jim let's out a huge belch, then his friend pats him on the back in congratulations.

Frank left the two men to their japery, and walked back over to Adele and Toby.

"I'm getting the impression we're not going to get much more of use here," he said. "Guess we might as well head over and speak to the sheriff, unless there's something else you want to ask them?"

"not that I can think of." Tobias down the rest of his beer which he had managed to conjure up in the meantime. "But you've got a round to pay up for first."

Frank pays his tab and you leave the bar.

The sheriff's office is a few doors down on main street. There are two dated police cars in the small parking lot which borders the building. Just as you arrive, the sheriff is leaving the front door of the station, in the slow stride that indicates he's leaving for the night. The sheriff is tall, muscular, and surprisingly young for a man of his position.

When he catches sight of your approach he says, Ah, you must be the strangers in town. What can I do for you?

Frank knows police officers tend to be pretty territorial, and he figures that the sheriff is unlikely to be particularly receptive to anyone who he perceives as 'muscling in on his territory'. Posing as employees as Tyson does give them some clout though, given how many people's jobs are due to Tyson in the local area.

"Name's Frank Decourcey," he says, flashing his Tyson ID at the young sheriff, falling back to the authoritarian manner and tone he learnt while serving as an officer of the law. "This is Toby Byrne and Adele Sienkiewicz. The company suits have grown a bit concerned that this animal is still loose here in your town, and have sent us down to assist local enforcement and ensure these attacks stop."

"We're ready to put it down, but we need local knowledge and knowhow to track this thing. I hope you'll be able to work with us in this matter, sheriff. Tyson don't forget those who help them out."

Frank tries to play things very carefully. On one hand he wants to keep the sheriff on-side, and making it clear that he's in charge seems a good way to do this. On the other hand, they don't really want the sheriff to be able to refuse, so showing the Tyson badge, and dropping hints that important people are disappointed in the way the situation's been handled so far. Finally a hint of possible reward seems the best way to seal the deal.

[Private to GM: Diplomacy Roll 29

18:08, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Diplomacy roll, sheriff.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Diplomacy: Success]

The sheriff tips his hat in introduction and looks almost relieved when you offer assistance. Nice to meetcha. Glen McGray's the name, and boy howdy could I use any help I can get. If you've met any of the posses I've sent out after the cat you probably understand they're, uh, not exactly trained for this sort of thing.

Everything I have, which isn't much, I'll grant, is at your disposal. The town's at my throat and I need to get this under wraps as soon as possible.

"Speaking of under wraps," Tobias chimed in, thinking of something to say that wouldn't sound particularly idiotic, "we noticed some strange markings in the cornfields on our way into town; you wouldn't know anyone who would know about that, would you?"

"Thank you for your help, Glen," said Frank, shaking the sheriff by the hand. "We should start by working out what ground your investigation has already covered, no point in crossing the same turf twice."

"So, you said it's a cat?" Frank continued once Glen had explained how far his investigation had progressed so far. "That mean you've actually got a look at this animal?"

OOC: We can assume that Frank gave the sheriff a chance to answer Toby's question before getting into the fine details here.

Well... no, I can't say I've heard anything about the cornfields. You talking like crop circles or something, because we've got a rather rambunctious group of adolescents with nothing to do all summer. Sometimes they think they are more clever than they really are.

He turns to Frank and says, unfortunately we haven't really found much to investigate. We assume it was a cat because, well, that's the only dangerous animal we get around these parts. The victims didn't have any wounds that looked like they could have been caused by weapons, and they were all discovered outdoors, in relatively secluded areas. I was hoping to follow the thing back to it's lair, but we just haven't been able to find any clue as to where it could be.

It sounded like the sheriff had been tackling things pretty well, but with sadly little success.

"We took a look up at Shaw Farms," said Frank, gesturing towards the other two. "Found some tracks. Problem is, none of us have the proper experience to follow them. We asked at Sasparillas, and some of the guys in there suggested you might know a thing or two about following tracks. That true?"

If the sheriff could help them follow its trail, then maybe they'd be able to track the creature down. The only problem then would be trying to kill it if the Company's theory was right; that it was a creature of Shadow.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Tue 05 Jan 2010.

Did those boys tell you that? I did some special ops training in the service and now every time we go deer hunting they think I'm some sort of Indian guide or something. Well, let's head up there and see what we can find.

---

When you arrive back at Shaw Farms, you notice that the officer that was stationed at the entrance is now gone, as is the body of Bill Elgin. When you show McGray the tracks he looks disappointed.

Well, color me embarassed, he says. I guess I didn't make my search radius big enough; I never saw these tracks -- wait, what are these here? He points to the boot prints. Are those any of yours?

When you tell them they aren't, in fact, your prints, he eyes your boot sizes carefully and seems satisfied that you are telling the truth. He follows the tracks to the grass then looks across the field and gives a whistle through his teeth. Well boys and girls, I think I can follow these tracks, but it's not going to be quick. Hope you all aren't in a hurry to get home and watch Law & Order.

Assuming nobody stops him, you walk for at least an hour. If you have anything you want to ask before he reaches the end of the trail ask it now, otherwise I'll continue on.

"I'm more of an X-Files fan, myself." Tobias shrugged. "lead-on."

[Private to GM: You rolled 27 using 1d20+10 ((17)). Listen check.]

When he saw that the body had vanished, along with the cop who had been guarding the crime scene, Frank grew worried. He had been starting to think that perhaps the company had got this one wrong, that they weren't looking for something supernatural, just a particularly vicious animal that had developed a taste for men. It wasn't unheard of.

Moreover, he'd begun to wonder if his belief that someone in the town was involved had been unfounded. None of the men he'd interviewed had done anything to strengthen those suspicions, after all. The boot marks made him realise that his original hunch was almost certainly right. Someone had disturbed the crime scene and removed the body. Whoever it was, those boot marks seemed the most likely way of identifying them.

He pulled out the compact digital camera he always kept in the pocket of his hunting jacket. Setting it to take at the highest resolution, for maximum detail, he took several careful shots of the boot marks and tracks, from various angles. He wanted to be able to have something to reference the tread from later. He dropped the camera back into his jacket pocket.

He tried to make a judgement on the boot size too, before asking the sheriff for his opinion.

"Any idea what size boots these made these?" he asked, nodding towards the marks, trying to see if there was more than one person who had been walking around here.

[Private to GM: OOC: Spot check for 30 to see if I can work out how many people made these boot marks. With that check, can I also see whether it looks like they were trying to scrub out the tracks?

11:22, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 30 using 1d20+10. Spot check on boot-prints.

Also, that was all I wanted before we continued, so I rolled my listen check and got 25.

11:25, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 25 using 1d20+10. Listen check.
]

Well, I'd say those prints look to be about average size, 10 or 11 maybe. Unfortunately for us they look like boots, which just about everyone around here wears.

OOC: To be clear, the boot prints are the same prints you saw before, and appear to go alongside the paw prints. There are new tracks which go to where the body laid; it appears someone put the body on a gurney then loaded it into a vehicle. The sheriff did not make a fuss about it so he was either expecting it, or wasn't bothered by it.

After while, you follow the tracks into a wooded area. Here you are able to see more signs of the tracks, but you largely have to take McGray's skills on faith. After about an hour of walking the sun is slowly starting to move lower in the sky. At the same time, all four of you hear a twig snapping in the distance.

I guess y'all heard that too, the sheriff says in a whisper. Well, I got a bad feeling about this.

[Initiatives!]

Glen McGray's intuition rarely fails him, and today is no exception. The first twig snapping is followed by another, and then another, and then another. Before you can react, the sound of shuffling feet heralds the arrival of a half dozen emaciated humans &emdash; or more accurately, creatures that may once have been human. These creatures stink of death, and tattered clothing hangs from their rotted forms. McGray reaches for his shoulder-mounted walkie-talkie but one of the creatures produces a gun and shoots it out of his hands.

It's then that you notice that all of the creatures have weapons.

14:11, Today: Facilitator rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Tobias Initiative.
14:10, Today: Facilitator rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Frank initiative.
14:09, Today: Facilitator rolled 6 using 1d20+3. adele initiative.
14:09, Today: Facilitator rolled 19 using 1d20-1. twig-snapper initiative.
14:08, Today: Facilitator rolled 2 using 1d20. McGray Initiative.

"Zombies?" Tobias mused, moving to cover inconspicuously. "I wasn't expecting these..."

Lining up carefully, he takes a shot at the nearest of the creatures before ducking behind a tree.

[Private to GM:
Moving from my current position to D-8, firing, and taking my 1/4 cover.
You rolled 14 using 1d20+6 ((8)). Attack
You rolled 7 using 2d6+1 ((2,4)). Damage
You rolled 10 using 2d6 ((5,5)). Bonus damage if evil.

Oh yes. I'm rolling...
You rolled 32 using 1d20+15 ((17)). Arcane Lore
and
You rolled 31 using 1d20+15 ((16)). Theology and Philosophy
...to figure out what these are, and any applicable weaknesses.]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:31, Wed 13 Jan 2010.

"Don't stand in the open," yelled Frank, already moving for the nearest tree. As he moves his hand slips under his jacket and draws the Five-seveN he was carrying concealed there. "These SOBs are armed, grab cover!"

Leaning around the tree he has taking up position behind, Frank loosed two shots in rapid succession at the nearest zombie to him, his powerful handgun bucking slightly in his hand as he did so.


OOC: Move and draw as single action, using quick draw feat and from concealed.
Moving right on the map (in direction of square L9)
23:42, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Double Tap Attack Roll. (+1 for 'masterwork' gun, -2 for double tap)
Attack against Zombie 6
23:45, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 20 using 3d8. Double Tap Damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Wed 13 Jan 2010.

"...I was really not expecting this."

Surprisingly calm, but maybe Adele was just trying not to go into shock from Sudden Combat. (This was the worst part of it. Not the patching people together, not the idiots, but the random violence. Against things like...this. Better than dying, but still. Some experience, over the past few years...still not good.)

Cover, cover...tree is good, everyone likes trees, why are these things shooting?

"I didn't know zombies could shoot!"

She fired a shot vaguely in the direction of the most dangerous zombie-thing. (The one with guns!)

[Private to GM: Move action: Cover!!! And then shooting. Attack roll 16.]

(OOC: Sorry about the long absence!)

As the creatures slowly shamble closer, two shots ring out. Tobias's shot hits the left-most creature (Z1) in the left shoulder, leaving the arm dangling by a thin thread of rotting flesh. Adele hits the same creature in the neck; it's a miracle that its head is even on, but it keeps moving slowly towards you.

What the hell?! McGray yells, as he pulls his sidearm. He is clearly unnerved by these beings, but does not let that stop his training. He lines up his shot and shoots the bullet-riddled zombie square in the head, causing it to fall over and stop moving.

Getting the idea, Frank carefully lines up his shot and sends two bullets towards the right-most zombie (Z6), blowing its head clean off above the nose. This creature, too, slumps down into an unmoving heap.

The four remaining zombies raise their weapons clumsily and fire. Their weapons make huge reports, but the shots all go wild.

OOC: For my sanity, don't forget to include your defense in every post.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: These zombies are likely the result of one or more castings of an ancient arcane ritual. It is more powerful than anything you would know how to do, however it's possible that another powerful spellcaster could cast most of the spell into a one-time-use object, which someone of your level could then attempt to complete, albeit at some risk.

The zombies themselves do not appear to be empowered in any way. Typical zombie strengths include the ability to see in the dark, as well as immunity to poison, paralysis, disease, as well as many spell effects. Casting a spell imbued with holy energy will harm them, as will weapons blessed by a priest. They are very slow and clumsy compared to their once-living counterparts. Ummm if there's anything else, you can just read the manuals :)

Lastly, I just realized as I was writing the above part that your gun probably should have dealt holy damage, but I didn't count it, and don't feel like rewriting my description :) Add 5 damage to your next two attacks on top of all other modifiers.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: I don't see a list of your equipment anywhere, and you didn't roll damage. I just assumed that your weapon did 2d6, which is the most common.]

"You don't want to know, mate." Tobias lines up on the next zombie, and fires. "Just keep shooting them until they're not moving any more."

[Private to GM: You rolled 8 using 1d20+6 ((2)). Not going to bother with damage on that one.

My Defense is currently 19; 15 if we don't count the Elm.]

"Good advice," shouted Frank, gritting his teeth as he lined up his next shot. The sights blurred as he focused past them onto the target, the shambling zombie slightly to the side of where the one he had already dropped was lying. He breathed out gently as he squeezed the trigger and sent a round towards the creature, aiming to strike it right between the eyes.

OOC: Frank's Defence = 19 Firing once on Z5.
23:16, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Attack Roll vs Z5.
23:17, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 12 using 2d8. Five-seveN Damage vs Z5.

[Private to GM: I realised that the last of my feats was Weapon Finesse - Handguns, which is clearly a nonsense. I've taken that out and put in Precise Shot instead, if that's ok?]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Thu 14 Jan 2010.

OOC: NPC'd this round.

Adele observes the zombies' shots and notices that, well, they move pretty slowly and are easy to hit. She then shoots at one, and hits it.

Pos: [I9]; Def: 19; HP: ?/?; Ammo: ?-2/?

[Move]: Exploit Weakness (Rolled 16 vs DC 15)
   11:36, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 16 using 1d20+7. int check.

[Standard]: Attack (13 attack, 3 damage)
   11:42, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 3 using 2d6+1. damage.
   11:41, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 13 using 1d20+7. attack (PBS).

Adele's shot wings the new left flank, which deals very little damage. The hit zombie then flinches, causing both Tobias's and the sheriff's shots to miss by mere inches. Franks shot, however, rings true, seriously hurting his target.

Suddenly, all of the zombies lurch forwards, dropping their weapons as they reach for you.

OOC: you are now all in melee range of a zombie. You only get half the cover bonus to def (+1) against adjacent zombies. Also don't forget that firing a weapon in melee provokes an AoO.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Actually, 1/4 cover only gives you +2 to Def. Not that it matters right now...]
[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: That's fine.]

Well this was bad. It's not like Tobias carried a sword around with which to defend himself.

Although, he reflected as he took a step backwards, that would be awesome.

Having cleared the immediate reach of the zombie, Tobias fires off another shot.

Attacking Z-2 After taking a 5-foot step backwards.
You rolled 20 using 1d20+6 ((14)). Attack Roll
12:48, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 10 using 3d6+1. Damage, 15 total with the previous accounting error.

Tobias' current defense is 15.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Mon 18 Jan 2010.

Frank had the same idea as Toby, moving backwards, out of range of the zombie's grasping arms.

"Dumb move, Lurchy," he said to the zombie, taking another shot with his trusty sidearm.

OOC: Take a 5 foot step backwards.

Attack 15, Damage 8

Current Defence 19 (I didn't take cover into account last time)

23:17, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Attack Z5, Point Blank Shot.
23:21, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 5 using 1d6. Action Point spent to boost attack roll.
23:21, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 8 using 2d8+1. Damage, Point Blank Shot.

And this shot went a lot better. Probably due to the panic.

Adele quite sensibly did...exactly the same thing, too? It was close. Close is good, close is easy to shoot...bang.

Die, zombie, die, die, wait, already dead, I hate these things...

OOC: Same deal! Retreat a square, shoot. Nine damage.

Two more zombies go down as Frank racks up his second kill and Tobias his first. Adele and McGray each hit their targets, but zombies are more resilient than normal humans onces entwined with Shadow. The two remaining creatures lurch towards their foes. Adele manages to put a tree in between her and her attacker, but Sheriff McGray was not as fast. The zombie lunges at him and manages to grab hold of his arms.
[Private to GM: Z3: 9 damage, Z4: 5 damage]

Freed from his immediate opponent, Tobias dropped his pistol and turned towards the business of getting the zombie off of Glen. Muttering a short string of Latin and making a few sharp movements with his hands, a pair of soda-can-sized bolts of light and energy shoot from his general vicinity, weaving between the trees before impacting nearly simultaneously into the zombie's back.

Casting Magic Missile to hit the zombie assaulting Glen.
19:06, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 5 using 2d4+2. damage. Not much, but no risk to Glen at least...

Before his target has even hit the ground, Frank turns on the balls of his feet and lines up another shot. As Toby sends two magical bolts of energy towards the zombie going for Sheriff Glen McGray, Frank's face is lit by two flashes of muzzle flare as he looses two shots at it, aiming to put both shots between the eyes.

"Get off him!"


OOC: Firing a Double Tap using Precise Shot and Point Blank Shot
Attack 16, Damage 13
Current Defence 19
08:10, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Attack Roll (-4 for firing into grapple using Precise Shot.)
08:13, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 13 using 3d8+1. Damage Z4- Point Blank Shot, Double Tap.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Thu 21 Jan 2010.

OOC: Even with precise shot, there's a 50/50 chance that you will accidentally hit Glen with any ranged attack. You can change your action if this isn't what you wanted to do :)

We will be updating the shooting-into-grapple rules. See the House Rules Thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:42, Thu 21 Jan 2010.

...oh dear.

"I think I need to find a bigger gun!"

One of her more annoying habits, her tendency to talk when stressed. She didn't trust her aim enough to put holes in the zombie and not in McGray (even if she could patch him up later), so...the one attacking her, then? If this didn't work she'd end up patching up herself, too...

Bigger guns. More people. Artillery. Something. Or maybe she should have just stayed in academia.

(7 damage, if an attack of 15 hits. Same as the last round, step backwards, shoot, pray.)

Both remaining zombies go down in a hail of gunfire and magical energy.

Glen pushes the zombie off of him then quickly runs behind a tree and loses his lunch. He sheepishly comes back while wiping his mouth and asks, Ok, what's going on here? What were those things? They smelled so horrible and that one that got close to me... there were maggots crawling in its eyes.

He nudges the fallen zombies with the toe of his boot, a handkerchief over his mouth and nose. As he looks over the one who was attacking Tobias, all the color drains from his face. He draws his weapon, alternating his aim between the three of you. You are not Tyson employees! Who the hell are you?

Frank flicked the safety switch on his weapon to 'safe' and slipped it back into the concealed holster at the rear of his waistband. As he did this, he talked to Glen in a reassuring voice, feeding him a story that he hoped would allow the young sheriff to deny the existence of Shadow for a while longer, and keep him from the sort of nervous breakdown or full blown insanity he'd seen in some who had the realities of the world thrust upon them.

"Come on Glen," he said, soothingly. "You know what they were. Drug users. You've seen the signs before; personal neglect, crazed behaviour, loss of sense of reality."

He paused, as if considering how much to let Sheriff McGray in on.

"You're right about us not being from Tyson, this goes a mite higher than that. We're with Homeland, investigating a concentrated form of PCP that's hit the streets. We think the animal that's behind these attacks has got at some of this stuff, that's what's caused it to be so vicious. We suspect al-Qaeda involvement. You help us bring down some of them, it'll make your career, son."


OOC:
13:38, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 15 using 1d20+11. Bluff check vs Glen.

Taking 10 on Sleight of Hand check to conceal weapon, spot DC as follows:
Five-seveN (in concealed carry holster - rear of waistband) DC 18
Small (+0), in Concealed Carry Holster (+4), Weapon can be drawn normally (-2)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Mon 25 Jan 2010.

No, try again. These people aren't PCP freaks; this one here, he gestures to the zombie that was attacking Tobias, his name was Josiah Burns. He was 83 years old and died of cancer. I was at his funeral, and watched him being put into the ground... over a month ago!

So tell me what's going on, and stop lying about it.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Sense Motive: You can't get a good read on McGray's disposition towards you, other than he obviously knows you have been lying to him.

10:37, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 14 using 1d20. sense motive.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Sense Motive: You can't get a good read on McGray's disposition towards you, other than he obviously knows you have been lying to him.

10:36, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 14 using 1d20+7. sense motive.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: Sense Motive: You can tell that McGray is freaked out and confused about the appearance of someone once thought dead, but he's not yet hysterical, and clearly wants to believe you... once you get a story that makes sense.

10:36, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 20 using 1d20+4. sense motive.]

Frank looked a bit sheepish, and shook his head.

"The truth can be a horrible thing," he said, sadly. "I thought to protect you from it, but that was an insult to your intelligence, I see."

He walked over closer to Glen, looking him right in the eyes as he spoke to show him that this time it was the truth, even if it sounded more outlandish than the lie.

"You've already seen what they were. Zombies. Problem is, you, like most of the world, have been brought up not to believe that. We grow up with horror stories, but the truth is the stories are just a lie to hide the truth; that there are things that go bump in the night."

He tried to judge how Glen was taking this, ready to react if the young sheriff decided to go for his gun.

"Who we are doesn't matter. When I told you we're here to help, that was the truth. That we're likely hunting something much more dangerous than a wild beast doesn't change that."


OOC: 16:03, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 17 using 1d20+12. Diplomacy roll for Glen.

Ready action to draw his weapon if Glen goes for his. We are not getting arrested by a sheriff who can't handle the truth.

"It's true." Tobias chimed in, "There's strange stuff out there, and it's our job to make sure it bothers as few people as possible."

"Strange, though," he mused, more to himself than to anyone else, "zombies are not what I was expecting."

Aid another with diplomacy, making Frank's a 19.
You rolled 15 using 1d20+3 ((12)).

The Sherrif's aim falters a little as he considers what you said. On the one hand, zombies only happen in the movies and in nerdy online gaming boards. On the other hand, this was definitely Josiah, Josiah had definitely been moving and attacking him, and Josiah had definitely been in the ground one month before.

After pondering for a couple more seconds he lowers his weapon, checks the safety, then holsters it.

So wait a minute, when you said you were an X-Files fan before, is that because it's a biography or something? Or are you guys more like the Men In Black?

The tension broken, Glen lets a wry smile sneak onto his face.

"Sure, now if you'll just look at this light for a second..." Frank said, grinning and pretending like he had one of the memory wiping devices from the film in his hand.

He wasn't that up on popular culture, but his wife Diane enjoyed watching films, and they'd caught a re-run of Men In Black one night, after she'd put Brianna to bed. That was before he'd joined the Company, of course. Just as he'd refused to watch any cop shows while working for Chicago PD, he now baulked at the idea of watching any show about people investigating the supernatural.

"Ok, master tracker," he said, glad that the momentary tension had passed, "Let's continue following that trail and see where it leads."

Glen was taking the existence of the supernatural a whole lot better than Frank had been expecting. Still, there was always the chance that he'd hold it together for just as long as he had to to survive and then completely fall to pieces, it wasn't unheard of.

Glen reacts quickly, ducking and covering his eyes. Once he realizes that Frank was kidding he sheepishly stands back up and grins. He looks back around at the bodies and says, When we get back to civilization I'll call for someone to bring these bodies back to the mor-- oh. I guess this has to stay off the books, huh? I guess that'll be your job, calling the Agency or something.

Glen looks around, trying to find the trail. I think we've lost the original trail, but I can probably at least find out where these guys came from.

The zombies' trail is a lot easier to follow, since zombies walk without picking up their feet and occasionally leave bits behind. Along the way Glen keeps questioning you about your jobs, and through conversation you find out that he was one of the first people on the ground in the invasion of Iraq. He always had suspicions that WMDs were a cover story, which was only confirmed by fleeting glimpses of things that didn't make any sense. He tries to get you to admit that the US invaded Iraq to keep Saddam Hussein from accessing supernatural weaponry.

You figure out that Glen, like you, is one of the rare breed of people who can see Shadow for what it really is, but being as secluded as he has been, he hasn't ever actually had an encounter with any Shadow beings.

After about another half hour you arrive in a clearing. It's about 8:30 by now, and the sun is hanging very low in the sky. Interrupting the orange band in the sky is an imposing stone cathedral draped in shadows. The stained glass windows, which glow with eerie light from the sunset, show scenes of men helping their fellow men and women bowing down in praise to a nondescript beam of light.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: You recognize this as the church of Reverend Solomon.

Spot (29): You notice that the light in the rear-most window is a little brighter than the others; someone is home.
Survival (2): Fail

15:32, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 29 using 1d20+10. spot.
15:27, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 2 using 1d20. survival.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz:

Spot (12): You notice that unlike every other Christian church you've seen before, this one has no images of the cross anywhere on the outside, or in its stained glass windows.
Survival (23): You realize that you have just traveled in a wide circle. Not far beyond the church should be the town, if your internal compass is working right.

15:33, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 12 using 1d20+4. spot.
15:26, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 23 using 1d20+4. survival.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne:

Spot (18): You notice that unlike every other Christian church you've seen before, this one has no images of the cross anywhere on the outside, or in its stained glass windows.
Survival (19): Fail :(
Know: Theo+Philo (19): You don't recognize any of the imagery as belonging to any particular religion. It's possible that this is a one of the newer,  non-denominational progressive church that puts less emphasis on God and more on Good, but those types of churches are exceedingly rare in a Red State.
Know: Arcane Lore (23): The building itself is recognizable to you, but you can't put your finger on exactly why. Something about the shape, or the new-but-ancient stonework, or the specific imagery in the stained glass windows reminds you of something you've seen either in your travels or in ancient tomes.

15:32, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 18 using 1d20+6. spot.
15:30, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 19 using 1d20+1. survival.
15:39, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 19 using 1d20+15. know: theo+philo.
15:45, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 23 using 1d20+15. arcane lore.]

"Nah," Tobias chuckled, "X-files is more of a historical fiction. I think." He vaguely recalled there being a bit of a ghost scare in Fox headquarters; it could be true.

When they reach the church, he paused and held up a hand. "What the... Something's not right here. Glen, what is this place?"

Frank had a pensive expression as he realised where they were.

"You're not wrong there, Toby," he said, in a quiet voice. "This is the church I visited earlier. The guy who said the attacks were the work of God. I didn't sense any deception in him earlier, but that doesn't rule him out. Could just be a damn good liar."

He gestured towards the rear-most window, where he'd noticed the light was brighter  than elsewhere.

"Someone's home. Tread carefully."

He resisted the urge to draw his weapon as he approached the church. He didn't want to head in the front door, so he walked quietly around the place to look for a back entrance, gesturing for Tobias, Adele and Glen to follow.


OOC: 21:53, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Move Silently.
21:53, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 9 using 1d20. Search for back entrance to church.

"Did you look at the decor?" Tobias whispered, "No crosses, no trinity symbols, nothing. I suspect there'd be an issue with summoning the dead if there were.

"It's more than that, though. Something just doesn't seem right." He reiterated Francis' caution, and followed him in.

Adele says to noone in particular, Huh, I guess we decided to take the long way around.

With no ground-floor windows except for the stained glass ones, you are at little risk to be seen from someone inside. However, there is no back door, so if you want in you'll have to go in the front.

"You're right, Toby," replied Frank. "I noticed that when I first came here. Something's definitely not right here."

He shook his head as they completed their search for another entrance to the church. He'd been hoping they'd be able to sneak in, but it didn't look like that was going to be an option.

"Great. Looks like we're walking in the front after all," said Frank, frowning. He brushed his hand over the holster in the small of his back, checking his gun was still securely there. He had a very bad feeling about this.

Walking back to the front of Solomon's church, approached the dark wooden doors, still trying to be quiet about it. As he reached them, he slipped and slapped his hand against the wood to stop himself falling.

"Dammit," he cursed his moment of clumsiness under his breath. He'd been concentrating so hard on keeping quiet, he'd stopped watching his footing.

He tried the door, expecting to find it locked like the last time he came.

OOC: 19:39, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 10 using 1d20+3. Move Silently.

The door is locked. Nobody seems to have noticed your clumsiness though, or if they did notice, they didn't respond.

"Locked," said Frank, stepping aside from the door. "Was the last time I came here too. Guess they're security conscious."

It might have seemed strange to the others that Frank wasn't about the pick the lock. During his time on the force and with the feds, his speciality had been undercover work, which meant his training had focused on social talents, and not so much on infiltration.

"Toby, anything you can do to get us past this door," he said, "Adele, any chance you're handy with a hairpin?"

If the other's couldn't get the door open, it seemed that their options were limited to loud; knocking, or very loud; shooting the lock out. If possible it would be nice to avoid either.

"I can certainly try." Tobias pulled a long baton-like rod from a holster opposite his gun and flicked a switch along its length. It sprouted a odd-shaped pick along its length. He glanced at McGray. "You never saw this," he said with a slight wave of his hand before he rammed it into the lock.
[Private to GM:
Turned my rod of technology into a lock release gun, so if it's average or crappier, it's open.]

Well, I don't think that thing is illegal yet, since it hasn't been invented yet. And I'm not sure I could stop you guys from breaking into this church even if I wanted to.

Tobias works with the tool a couple seconds, but he here's an ominous click.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Your tool is stuck. If you want to remove it without unlocking the door, it is a Dex check with DC 5; similarly, to unlock the door without removing the tool is also a Dex check with DC 5. To both remove the tool and unlock the door, you can either take two DC 5 checks, or one DC 10 check. You won't want to fail these checks *evil grin*]

"Thanks." Tobias said, fiddling with the device, "but it's a standard tool. It just hasn't been combined with a metal detector, flashlight, and a..." He paused when he heard the ominous clicking noise.

"You all might want to back up." He said tersely. That wasn't right. He had learned long ago to pay attention to anything that could be described as 'ominous.'Once they were back, he fiddled with the device some more.

[Private to GM: Er, can I take ten? :)

If I can't, here's the two checks...

20:10, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 7 using 1d20+3.
20:10, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 5 using 1d20+3.

Holy. Hell.

*Praises God and the Dice Lords.*
]

"Don't need to tell me twice," growled Frank, eyeing the device with a not insignificant amount of suspicion.

Though he accepted the existence of Shadow, and the other supernatural things that one encountered working for the Company, he wasn't entirely comfortable with their existence. Some of Toby's talents tended to unnerve him.

He took a further step back from the door, and then reconsidering, took another six, so that he was a good twelve feet away.

Sheriff McGray takes a big step back and unsnaps his gun. After fiddling for a few tense moments, Tobias successfully unlocks the door and frees his tool.

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: Listen (16): Fail

16:48, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 16 using 1d20+4. listen.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Listen (24): Just after you remove the key from the door you can hear someone walking very slowly inside the church. They are walking away from the door.

16:47, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 24 using 1d20+10.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Listen (24): Fail

16:47, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 24 using 1d20+10. listen. ]

"I'm good." Tobias whispered, slipping the rod back into its holster and removing the pistol once again, "There's someone right inside."

If Toby and McGray were going in weapons drawn, Frank had no intention of being odd one out. He drew his weapon from the holster at the rear of his belt, sliding it out from under his hunting jacket.

Tobias seemed pretty sure there was someone on the other side of the door, but Frank hadn't heard a thing, which suggested that whoever, or whatever was behind that door, was aware of their presence. That made opening the door and walking in seem like a very bad idea indeed.

Rather, Frank approached the doorway, keeping his body behind the stone. He gestured to the others to move back, from line of sight of the doors, and then nudged the door open with his foot, while the rest of him remained in cover.

OOC: Frank will hold his action - nudging the door open from cover, until Toby, McGray and Adele are out of the line of fire, just in case the person behind the doors is armed.

After everyone is in their appropriate hiding place, Frank nudges the door open. The door is heavy, though, so it opens very. very. slowly.

From somewhere deep within the church a voice rings out: Who goes there? Show yourselves!

Sheriff McGray moves out of habit to step forward and announce himself, then thinks better of it. This is your show, he whispers.

"I am so temped to just blurt out 'ghostbusters.'" Tobias whispered, glancing towards Frank. "Please, just this once?"

Frank couldn't help but smile at Tobias' comment. Trust him to bring humour to even the bleakest of situations. He shook his head in a 'negative'.

"We're here with Sheriff McGray," said Frank, deciding that now the element of surprise was gone, they might as well change tack. "We've been tracking the animal that's been attacking people, and we've tracked it here. Erm... when we saw the church, we were worried that anyone inside might be in danger."

Specially trained in the art of deception, with many years of undercover experience, and that was the best he could come up with? Frank could have kicked himself. Now any doubt as to their reasons for being in that area was gone, and the man behind the door would be on high alert, if the original hunch was right, as the reverend was the one behind the beast and the attacks.

10:56, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 27,6 using 1d20+11,1d20+1. bluff vs. sense motive -- success

Well why didn't you say so? And why are you hiding, come in, come in! You hear footsteps muffled by carpet coming towards the door at a leisurely pace. After hearing the smooth voice, the person behind it is rather surprising: he's built like a football player, but sharply dressed in a tailored black suit.

We haven't seen any animals around here. [Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: He's lying.] [Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: He's lying.] [Private to Tobias Byrne: He's lying.] Why don't you come inside and I'll go get the Reverend.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Sense Motive (5): Success to determine if the man is lying. (That's right, you beat him with a 5.)
Sense Motive (13): Fail

11:03, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 5 using 1d20+1. sense motive.
11:06, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 14 using 1d20+1. sense motive.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Sense Motive (Minimum 8): Success to determine if the man is lying.
Sense Motive (24): Success -- the man is being genuine when he invites you inside, it's not some sort of trick. He clearly has no idea that you are onto him.

11:07, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 24 using 1d20+7. sense motive.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: Sense Motive (Minimum 5): Success to determine if man is lying
Sense Motive (13): Fail

11:07, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 13 using 1d20+4. sense motive.]

Frank slipped his gun back into the holster under his jacket and stepped inside the church. He noticed that this was the same man who had let him into the church the last time he had been here. The man's build was enough to make Frank certain he didn't want to get into any sort of fist-fight with him.

Once the man had left to get the Reverend, Frank lowered his voice and talked to the others.

"He's lying, you can hear it in his voice," he said. "There's definitely a link between that beast and this place, we just need to uncover it. The good news is he doesn't realise we know, pretty certain he bought my story. The Reverend's smarter though, we could be in for a fight here."

Frank moved to a position that would put some cover between him and the door that led through to the offices at the back, and he suggested the others do the same. He didn't think it likely, but if Solomon decided to come out fighting, he wanted them to be in a strong position to retaliate.

OOC: Spot DC for concealed Five-seveN: 25
23:10, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 25 using 1d20+8. Sleight of Hand Check.
Small (+0), in Concealed Carry Holster (+4), Weapon can be drawn normally (-2)

"Even I could tell that." Tobias said, watching the brute's retreat. "Cover's a good idea, for both entrances. I don't really want to be trapped in here between an army of undead and their handler if I don't have to."

Unlike Frank, he kept his gun out, slipping into a pew near the entrance and placing it on the bench next to him. While waiting, he wracked his brains for any possible connection between the zombies, the creature, and this cultish religion. Unfortunately, he'd left his computer back in the car; his notes would have been helpful.

[Private to GM: 17:28, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 34 using 1d20+15. Looking for any connection I might be able to come up with between the deaths, the zombies, the circles, and the religion.]

The man invites you to sit down in one of the pews, then he heads off towards the office door. He enters then returns a minute later with the Reverend.

Welcome back, Mr. Decourcey, it is a pleasure to see you again so soon. And you, sheriff, he says, as he tips his flat-brimmed hat, wonderful to see you again. Have you reconsidered my offer?

Naw, responds McGray. I'm not really a church person. Maybe I'll watch you preach next week though.

Solomon's face brightens. Well I'll look forward to it. This town is on a dark path, and we need guidance from the laws of man as well as the laws of the Lord On High. Now are you all here to ask me any more questions? I already told your partner here that these attacks were a sign from God, and you are wasting your time looking for a corporeal culprit here on earth. The only way to stop these attacks is to get on our hands and knees and beg forgiveness from the almighty God. We must TURN from our evil ways and pray that God, in His infinite mercy, will deem us fit to extend our short time here on Earth.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Zombies are connected with VooDoo religion, but that doesn't seem to make sense in this case. There also doesn't seem to be any religious connection between crop circles and... anything. The only possible, tenuous connection you can think of is that both the zombies and the crop circles could potentially be created by spells, but there's no religious aspect that would line up with this magic, at least no religion that's been active in the last thousand or so years.]

"Yes, I have a question." Toby said in a mock cheerful voice, as if this were something routine and easy, and that he wasn't staring down a necromancer. "Josiah Burns. You seen him around lately?"

Oh, I'm sorry, you must not have heard. Mr. Burns has passed on to the land most triumphant. He didn't attend my church but, well, this is a small town. How do you know him, is he a family friend?

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Sense Motive (8) and Spot (8): Fail
Listen (30 -- natural 20!): You hear a very faint -- but distinct -- feline noise coming from the room Solomon came out of. It's something between a yowl and a meow. And it's not from the church mouse-catcher.

21:28, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 8,15 using d20+1,d20+6. sense motive, spot.
21:29, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 30 using 1d20+10. listen.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Sense Motive (23) and Spot (23): You're vast powers of perception notice an almost imperceptible pause before Solomon speaks. He definitely knows that you know the zombies are linked to him, but he's trying not to tip his hand just yet.

Listen (19): Fail

21:27, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 23,22 using d20+7,d20+10. sense motive, spot.
21:29, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 19 using 1d20+10. listen.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: Sense Motive (11) and Spot (16): Fail
Listen (12): Fail :(

21:26, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 11,16 using d20+4,d20+4. sense motive, spot.
21:30, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 12 using 1d20+4. listen.]

"Oh, I'm sorry, I must have been thinking of someone else. Burnow... Brown... Something that starts with a-" He cut off when he heard the sound of the feline. He reached for his gun and slipped it back into his holster. "Did I just hear a cat? I simply love cats. Mind if I go see him?"

He shot a glance at Frank. They might have just found their killer.

"Go take a look, Toby," said Frank, nodding. "Glen, you should probably go with him, keep him from prying where he shouldn't. I'll keep the good Reverend here company until you get back."

Frank wanted to force Solomon to divide his attention, that was why he'd dropped the suggestion that Toby might pry. If luck was going their way, the Reverend might even send his thug with them, dividing his forces.

He'd gone through this dance enough times during his time as a cop. You're pretty certain they're guilty as sin, they know you know they're guilty, but both parties feel each other out, try to gauge whether their suspicions are right.

OOC: Ready action to draw down on Reverend Solomon if he makes any sort of hostile move.

Solomon's heretofore unwavering smile finally wavers. He knows that he can no longer charm his way out of this one. Larry, you know what to do.

Larry does. While Solomon starts making strange gestures and chanting in Latin, Larry pulls his weapon. Frank, whose well-honed police instinct is sharper than that of Ford's sheriff, and pulls his weapon while Mcgray gets caught up in the pew. Before Frank can get a shot off, however, Solomon disappears, and you can hear footsteps running towards the back of the church.

OOC: Combat! As usual, post in a first-come first-served order. See the Combat Map

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Knowledge (Arcane) (20): He's casting Invisibility.

16:05, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 20 using 1d20+15. know: arcana.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:03, Fri 05 Mar 2010.

"Seems someone doesn't much care for the cat." Tobias said, standing. As the reverend began chanting, Tobias immediately began chanting as well. Although he didn't have the means to prevent that spell from taking effect, the spell he used would hopefully, allow him to track the man down.

"Take care of Larry, I've got the reverend." Tobias runs down the aisle, following the direction of his spell and skirting around Larry.

Moving straight down, outside of Larry-boy's reach.


[Private to GM: I'm casting Locate Object. If I'm reading the description correctly, I can visualize the good Reverend's wide-brimmed, fairly unique hat, thereby giving me the location of his hat and, hopefully, the head underneath it. I get as close to the hat as I can with my remaining move action.]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Fri 05 Mar 2010.

Things had just gone over the edge. Frank didn't think this wouldn't end in blood-shed, but he was going to try. No-one had to die here, they could all walk away from this. He wanted to neutralise the threat that Larry represented quickly so that he could assist Toby with the Reverend, who was clearly the more dangerous opponent.

"Drop it or I drop you!" snarls Frank, pointing his gun at Larry.

He hoped the big man had the sense to know when someone had the drop on him, but if he did try his luck, Frank was ready to shoot him down.


OOC: 11:23, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 28 using 1d20+13. Intimidate check against Larry.

Readying an action to attack Larry if he tries to make an attack.

The large man wavers for a second, then flips on his heels and aims his gun towards the back of the church. Sorry, Reverend. You don't pay me enough to get killed. Plus, these guys do make a persuasive argument.

You hear the preacher's voice cry out from somewhere in the back of the church. I forgive you your sins, my son, but it is not I from whom you require forgiveness! Only GOD can save you from Hell, into which your treachery will surely bring you!

OOC: I will wait until the end of the weekend to see if Adele makes a post, otherwise I will NPC her character starting Monday.

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: Listen (16): Fail. You can't pinpoint the square that the reverend is in, though you know he's generally south of your position.

12:55, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 16 using 1d20+4. listen.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Your intimidate check, as you can surmise, succeeded. Larry is now treated as friendly, and as such, will side with you against the reverend.

Listen (30!): You can tell by listening that the reverend is 30ft south of his position on the game map (one square below the number "2"). He still benefits from total concealment (50% miss chance).

12:54, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 30 using 1d20+10. listen.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: That's a genius use of that spell, so yes it will work. It's unclear how exact it is, so I'll say that if you are further than 10 feet away, you can tell where he is within 9 squares (5ft radius). However, your listen check (27) allows you to know exactly where he is right now: 30ft south of his position on the game map (one square below the number "2"). He still benefits from total concealment (50% miss chance).

12:53, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 27 using 1d20+10. listen.]

[Private to GM: Both Larry and the sheriff know the square the reverend is hiding in.]

Adele and the Sheriff pull their weapons, but don't fire yet.

You hear more footsteps, then the southwestern door opens. You hear a yowl then out steps a humongous blueish black cat so large it can barely fit through the door. But it's size is not the most startling aspect of this feline. It looks like an oversized puma, except it has two sets of rear legs, glowing green eyes, and and two 10 foot long, spike-tipped tentacles growing from its shoulders. Its image appears to be constantly shifting by a few feet in each direction, as if it can't find the correct plane of existence and is coming in on two or three almost parallel ones instead.

Now you will pay for your sins, cries out a voice. GOD has sent a terrible beast to cleanse this town, and He has told me that you are next on His list!

Larry seems to have been expecting the beast to come out, so as soon as he sees it he crouches down behind a pew and fires, but the bullet glances off the creature's tough hide and splinters the door. .

OOC: 50% miss chance on melee or ranged attacks to hit the cat. Also, all three of you rolled high enough listen checks to know that Solomon is standing just to the northwest of the door. Lastly, if you could post your current HP and Def in each post it would help me out a lot



[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: Know (Arcana) (9): You don't know anything about the animal, other than it's called a Displacer Beast.

12:46, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 22,9 using d20+4,d10+4. listen, know (arcana).]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Know (Arcana) (7): You don't know anything about the animal, other than it's called a Displacer Beast.

12:44, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 30,7 using d20+10,d10+3. listen, know (arcana).]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: 12:42, Today: Know (Arcana) (29): As usual, you know almost everything about the creature, a Displacer Beast. You know that it has a light-bending effect that makes it hard to hit (50%), can see very well, hide very well, and is harder to target with ranged spells (+2 on saves). Basically, you can read the entry in the manual and not worry about metagaming (CR 4, average 51HP, three attacks @ +9/+9/+4, 15ft reach with its tentacles, etc.) The only thing you don't know about it is where it came from, and what it's habitat and ecosystem are like on its home plane.

Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 29,29 using d20+10,d20+15. listen, know (arcana). ]

Tobias drew his pistol once again, aiming it at the spot he knew the preacher to be and firing off a shot.


[Private to GM: Well, I do have an Int of 18, I should be able to make brilliant plans at some point. ;)

And you sound disappointed about me knowing everything about your nasties...

shoot him!
12:28, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Possible crit.
12:29, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Confirmation roll.

12:29, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 8 using 2d6+1. First damage.
12:33, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 9 using 2d6. bonus damage if evil.

12:29, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 5 using 2d6+1. Second damage.
12:33, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 4 using 2d6. bonus crit damage if evil.

You rolled 25 using 1d100 ((25)). Miss chance... Damnit.]

HP: 38 Def: 15
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Wed 10 Mar 2010.

"You think that thing is from God?" exclaimed Frank. "Reverend, you must be even crazier than you look!"

Keeping low, he moved towards cover, ducking into the space between the pews adjacent to Tobias. Steadying his aim he loosed a shot at the monstrous creature, uncertain whether he would be able to hit something that only seemed to be half in reality, flickering as it tried to establish itself on this plane of existence. At times like this, Frank missed the good old days, when perps were flesh and blood, and a shot to the head was a certain kill.

OOC: Frank moves 30ft to the square three to the left of Toby.

Attack Roll 21 Damage 9

11:25, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 9 using 2d8. FiveseveN damage vs Displacer Beast. (+1 for Point Blank Shot)
11:23, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 5 using 1d6. Action point spent.
11:20, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 15 using 1d20+7. Attack roll vs Displacer Beast. (+1 for Point Blank Shot)

HP 49 Def 21 (19 +2 for Cover)

This message was last edited by the player at 22:32, Sun 21 Mar 2010.

Solomon remains silent on the matter, though you do hear him muttering something from within the back room. He's either chanting a prayer or casting another spell. [Private to Tobias Byrne: Know (Arcane Lore) (32): He's casting Mage Armor.]

Both Tobias's and Frank's shots miss; Tobias's due to the fact that he can't actually see his opponent, and Frank's due to the fact that his opponent refuses to stay on this plane.

Adele, having observed the way the creature moves and slinks, thinks she notices a pattern. She waits for her moment, then fires a shot, hitting the beast just below the shoulder. Glen and Larry try to do the same, but again the cat shimmers out of the way at the last possible moment.

The displacer beast slinks around towards you but, because of its large size, gets caught up in the pews and the railing around the alter. After it frees itself it slinks menacingly towards Tobias, growling and flailing its tentacles.

OOC: Don't forget about the house rules on action points. You actually get to roll (and add) 2d6, but at some later point you will have 1d6 subtracted from a roll. I'll keep it as is for this time (meaning no penalty), since the miss chance reared it's ugly head and it didn't make a difference.

DB Damage: 11
RS Damage: 0

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: 11:57, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 1 using 1d2. even=hit, odd=miss.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: 12:03, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 25 using 1d20+7. exploit weakness (DC 15).

12:07, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 2 using 1d2. even=hit, odd=miss.
12:07, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 11 using 2d6+1. adele damage.
12:07, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz, rolled 20 using 1d20+6. adele attack.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: 12:18, Today: Facilitator rolled 32 using 1d20+15. know: arcane lore. ]

[Private to GM:
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, sheild, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

Tobias shifted his focus from the reverend to the cat creature; he couldn't hit the man, but he did have something that could hit the creature.

He muttered a string of Latin, sending a pair of energy bolts towards the displacer beast, bolts that wouldn't care what plane the thing was on at the time.

You rolled 8 using 2d4+2 ((4,2)). Damage.

As the beast prowled towards Tobias and him, its tentacles thrashing menacingly, Frank took a step to the side, backing away from the creature for a better shot.

“Toby, get back from that thing!” he shouted as he moved back. “I’ll try to pin it down.”

Frank adopted the Weaver stance and loosed two rounds at the creature, aiming to strike it between the eyes. His weapon bucked slightly in his hand and the double whip-crack of the shot echoed off the stone walls of the church.

OOC: Taking a five foot step before shooting.
16:41, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Attack vs Displacer Beast. (+1 for Point Blank Shot, -2 for Double Tap)
16:42, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 15 using 3d8+1. Damage Roll with Double Tap. (+1 for PBS, +1d8 for DT)

[Private to GM: I noticed that you hadn't moved Frank on the latest combat map update. In the last round, he moved to the square three to the left of the square Toby is occupying. He has now taken a five foot step into the square to his left. Hope that all makes sense.]

Tobias's missiles strike true, but he leaves himself open for a split second, and the displacer beast takes advantage and strikes with a spiked tentacle. Tobias is quick, however, and he ducks behind a pew at the last second, causing the errant strike to send splinters of wood flying through the air. Tobias stands up, but moves right into the tentacle's backswing, and is almost knocked over with the force of the blow. The creature snaps his teeth at Tobias but tastes nothing but air.

Frank, Adele, Glen and Larry all fire at the beast, but only Frank's shots ring true. The displacer beast tries to take a swipe at Frank, but the pain from Frank's bullets is too great and his hit is nowhere close.

Solomon, apparently happy to let his minion do his work for him, continues hiding and casts another spell. [Private to Tobias Byrne: Know (Arcane) (33): He's casting shield.]

DB Damage: 34
RS Damage: 0

[Private to Tobias Byrne: You are dealt 7 damage from the hit.

11:25, Today: Facilitator rolled 12 using 1d20+9. AoO on Toby.
11:41, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 33 using 1d20+15. know: arcane lore.
11:49, Today: Facilitator rolled 7 using 1d6+4. damage (tentacle).
11:49, Today: Facilitator rolled 26,7 using d20+9,d20+4. tentacle, bite.]

[Private to Dr. Adele Sienkiewicz: 11:28, Today: Facilitator rolled 1 using 1d2. even=hit, odd=miss (adele). ]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Oops, sorry about that! Your position should be correct now.

11:17, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 2 using 1d2. even=hit, odd=miss.
11:51, Today: Facilitator rolled 10 using 1d20+9. attack (tentacle)].

[Private to GM:
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

[Private to GM: I'd like to say I wouldn't have gotten back up, but eh. ;)]

Tobias fliched at the strike. He hadn't expected it to get that close that quickly. He stepped sideways, into the pew, hoopign the creature couldn't or woudn't follow him through. Thus a little bit safer than he was a few moments ago, he made another casting of his force bolts at the creature.

"Guys, I don't have many more of these..."

You rolled 6 using 2d4+2 ((2,2)). Damage.

Frank hissed through his teeth as he saw the tentacle hit Toby. He worried for a second that it might be poisonous, but Toby seemed to be doing OK despite being hit, so he decided there probably weren't any nasty side effects to be had from the thing.

"Keep it up! We can drop this thing, I know it," growled Frank.

He snapped off another double tap at the creature's centre of mass and willed the bullets to find their intended target.

OOC: Same drill as before, Double Tap and Point Blank Shot. Also, I have Precise Shot so won't risk hitting Tobias while he's in melee with the Displacer Beast.

Attack: 22
Damage: 17

22:17, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 22,17 using d20+6,3d8+1. Attack, Damage vs DB.

Current Defence: 19 Current HP: 49

After Tobias hits the displacer beast with two more missiles, Frank puts the final nail in its coffin with two more shots hitting home. The beast lets out a terrible shriek, then begins flickering even more erratically while flailing its tentacles. The animal flickers in and out of sight, and its roar sounds like someone is repeatedly clicking the mute button on and off. Eventually the flickering slows down, and after a few remaining flips back into this plane, the monster dissipates entirely, but not before slamming Frank with an errant tentacle.

Solomon's voice rings out: NO! It's... it's not possible! GOD be with me! In the name of GOD I command thee, Satan, to return from the foul depths from which you came! Molestie nostrud eu vel delenit et eu qui iusto. Exerci dolore, vel laoreet augue te ea adipiscing dignissim facilisis dolor te iriure at, tation quis nulla lorem eu, ALIQUAM ALIQUIP! The preacher pauses his rant and suddenty silky white strings start forming along the walls and ceilings. They fly across and down, entangling you in a dense spiderweb of interlocking strands. [Private to Tobias Byrne: Know (Arcane) (17) He's casting web, obvi.] Adele, Frank, and Larry are fast enough to avoid becoming entangled, but the sheriff and Tobias aren't; they are stuck, unable to move within the dense web of sticky strands.

Glen struggles, and manages to break free, but there is a vast field of webs to traverse before he is in a position to help out.

Rules concerning the Web:

* If stuck in the web
   - A full round action and a Strength check DC 20 or Escape Artist check DC 25 frees you from the web
   - You can attack the strands with a slashing weapon. Def 5, 10HP
   - You can burn the strands away, though they might be flammable...
* If freed from the web
   - A you can make a strength check or escape artist check to move within the web
   - The distance you can move is equal to (your check result - 10), rounded down to the nearest 5 feet. If this number is 0 you cannot move; if it is less than 0 you get entangled and must free yourself (you can take 10 on this check)
* The web provides cover
   - 1/4 for 5 ft of web, 1/2 for 10, 3/4 for 15 and total cover for 20+ feet.

RS Damage: 0

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: You are hit by the tentacle and dealt 7 damage. No poison that you can tell... You succeeded on your reflex save to avoid becoming entangled (18), but failed your listen check to determine the exact location of the preacher (19).

12:20, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 2 using d2. even=hit, odd=miss.
13:56, Today: Facilitator rolled 21 using 1d20+9. attack (tentacle).
13:56, Today: Facilitator rolled 7 using 1d6+4. damage (tentacle).
14:07, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 18 using 1d20+7. reflex.
13:40, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 19 using 1d20+10. listen.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Meh, give me a break here. It's hard to find different and interesting ways to describe "you got hit" and "the bad guy whiffed" :)

You failed your reflex save to avoid becoming entangled (7) as well as your listen check to determine the location of the preacher (15), though you know from your Know Location spell that he is in the doorway to his room (as marked on the map).

14:08, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 7 using 1d20+5. reflex.
13:41, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 15 using 1d20+10. listen.
13:43, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 17 using 1d20+15. know: arcane lore.]

[Private to GM: Def 26 (+2 dex, +6 class, +4 armor, +4 shield)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

"This guy is starting to piss me off," growls Frank, fighting and failing to move through the stick mass of web.

He considers using the knife on his multitool to slash through the web, as trying to push through doesn't seem to be working.

OOC: Strength check of 14 to move through web = 4ft = 0ft rounded down.

11:07, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 14 using 1d20+1. Strength Check vs Web

Current HP 42 Current Def 21 (inc. +2 cover from web)

Tobias was good at a lot of things. Getting through magical webs was not really one of them, but he managed to extricate himself after much grunting, heaving, and a loss of his jacket.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Thu 25 Mar 2010.

PM

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Don't forget about action points. If you use one you will have a minimum result of 2 (using the house rule), which is enough to free you from the web.]

PM

[Private to GM: Let's do that then. Editing my post.]

When Tobias frees himself, the air around him warps almost imperceptibly, which gives off a chillingly similar effect to that of the now dispatched cat. Solomon, still hiding, unseen in the plane of Shadow, sees this, and cries out: You may think you are in control of your own destiny, young man, but you will soon find that it is GOD who is in control. He has commanded me to cleanse this town, and has given me license to dispatch agents working for the enemy.

He starts chanting in Latin again and suddenly appears, standing front and center on the dais, in front of the pulpit. He appears to be faintly shimmering, and a dim, translucent oval about four feet tall and two feet wide floats in front of him. He finishes his chanting and two small spheres spring from his fingertips, hitting Tobias and Frank. [Private to Tobias Byrne: Magic Missile.]

Glen and Adele for a moment both appear to become stuck in the tangle of webs, but then that same warping effect appears and they manage to get themselves unstuck and find their way closer to the edge of the web. Larry similarly creeps forward, but is impatient and gets himself stuck.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: You are dealt 3 damage.
17:44, Today: Facilitator rolled 3 using 1d4+1. missile damage (tobias).]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: You are dealt 2 damage.
17:44, Today: Facilitator rolled 2 using 1d4+1. missile damage (frank). ]

[Private to GM: Adele, Glen, Tobias used action points

Solomon Def 26 (+2 dex, +6 class, +4 armor, +4 shield)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

"You're a rabid dog, Reverend," snarled Frank, recovering from the attack, "Someone needs to put you down before you do any more damage."

Favouring accuracy, Frank lined up a shot against Solomon, aiming for centre of mass. He figured the shimmering oval was probably some type of defence, but hopefully the Five-seveN would have enough punch to knock a hole in it.

OOC: I was waiting for Toby to post, but I think he might have been waiting for me, as I screwed up the round order last time, so he might be following the new order?

Attack Roll vs Rev Solomon: 22 Damage: 5

10:39, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 16,5 using d20+7,2d8. Attack Roll, Damage vs Rev Solomon.
10:40, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 6 using 2d6. Spent 1 Action Point.

Current HP: 40 Current Def: 21 (+2 Cover from 5ft of web)

I've just sort of abandoned any semblance of order. I was waiting for you to post.

"That's the thing," Tobias said, cocking the hammer of his pistol, "we're agents, but we work for the Company. The Enemy is next door." He fired off a shot which pinged off of the man's shield.

[Private to GM: 08:41, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 11 using 1d20+6. attk.

AC: 15  HP: 28/38]

OOC: Sorry about that. To clarify: after I post, you two can post in a first-come first-served order. Initiative only matters in the very first round to see if anyone is caught by surprise (though I think I even forgot to do that this time). Sorry if that wasn't made clear.

As Tobias and Frank's bullets ping harmlessly off of the reverend he simply laughs. The only Company I keep is that of the LORD. You're going to need to try harder than that to take me down, for Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me! And the LORD sayeth unto me: Ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. At this he pulls out a large, gleaming silver revolver, cut with intricate engraved inlays and complete with smooth sandalwood grips.

As he levels it towards Frank, he says, I may be rabid with the love of Christ, but you, my son, are the dog who needs taken down. Solomon fires, but his shot gets softened by the webbing, and hits Frank only hard enough to leave a bruise in the morning.

In the mean time, Glen manages to free himself from the web, while Adele gets herself stuck, and Larry makes no progress.


[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Knowledge (Theo + Philo) (6): You recognize that he's probably quoting from the Bible, but you apparently never paid attention in Sunday School.

12:17, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Francis 'Frank' Decourcey, rolled 6 using 1d10+3. know: theo+philo.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Knowledge (Theology and Philosophy) (22): He's quoting from the King James Version Bible, intermixing old and new testament. You aren't sure what exact verses they are, but the part about the shield sounds like Psalms.

12:17, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 22 using 1d20+15. know: theo+philo.]

[Private to GM:
Frank, Glen used action points
Larry, Adele are stuck

Solomon 5 rounds left
Solomon Def 26 (+2 dex, +6 class, +4 armor, +4 shield)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

Tobias paused, staring at the minister behind the pulpit. "Whatever happened to 'Love thy neighbor as thyself,' or 'those who live by the sword die by the sword?'"

"Or, in this case, a gun." Tobias fired another shot, hoping to glance the shield and avoid its more solid portions.

You rolled 16 using 1d20+6 ((10)). attack
You rolled 10 using 3d6 ((4,4,2)). Damage.

"This is no good, I need to get closer," said Frank, trying to move through the web again.

He tried a different tactic this time. Instead of trying to force his way past with brute strength, he worked his way around the thickest strands of web, weaving his body between them in an effort to reach the edge without getting tangled.

OOC: Escape Artist check (including Action Point bonus) to move through web 22 = 12ft = 10ft rounded down.
Frank moves two squares to the left of his current position. Am I right in thinking he can move past the pews from there, as there's a gap?

20:29, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 14 using 1d20+3. Escape Artist check vs. web.
20:30, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 8 using 2d6. Action Point spent to boost skill check.

Current HP: 40 Current Def: 19 (no longer getting cover from web)

Though Solomon's wards again protect him from Tobias's shot, at Tobias's words the preacher is taken back and the glimmer of his protections fade almost imperceptibly. He quickly regains his composure and shouts, The LORD sent me on a journey! He said 'Go and utterly destroy the sinners and fight against them until they be consumed.' And I answered, 'I will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD my God commanded me.'

He levels his revolver at Tobias, saying You see my son, you do not die by the sword if it God's sword of Truth and Justice by which you fight. Unfortunately for Solomon, his words, Godly though they may sound, are betrayed by his poor aim; his bullet whizzes harmlessly past Tobias.

Meanwhile, while Larry and Adele still struggle against the sticky strands, McGray has worked his way around the edge of the pews, and finally has line of sight on the preacher.

Alright, Reverend Solomon, he says, pointing his sidearm threateningly. It's time to give up. God might be on your side, but numbers are on our side.

Solomon, unconvinced, ignores the sheriff.

OOC: You can move past the pews on the outside, but it takes 1.5x more movement (every second square of movement through the outside area takes 10ft of movement, similar to moving along diagonals). Moving between the pews has no movement penalty.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Know (theo+philo) (29): Solomon is again mixing and matching, this time from exclusively the old testament. Part of what he says is from Samuel, and part is from Deuteronomy.

12:37, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 29 using 1d20+15. know: theo+philo. ]

[Private to GM:
Action points: Frank x2, Glen, Larry
Stuck: Larry, Adele

Solomon 4 rounds left before reloading
Solomon Def 24 (+2 dex, +6 class, +3 armor, +3 shield) (-1 armor/sheild fade)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

Tobias shifts to his left to take refuge behind a pew. "'Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.'"

"Did you forget about the one that says 'do not kill?' Or perhaps it was the one that forbids the summoning of spirits, like your pet cat?" He knew that would get to him, and waited for the shield to partially lower again before firing.

You rolled 23 using 1d20+6 ((17)). Attack
You rolled 12 using 3d6+1 ((4,2,5)). Damage

Now he was free from the web, Frank began to move down alongside the pews, trying to get closer to the preacher.

He noticed that Toby's words seemed to be having an effect on Solomon, but Frank's religious knowledge was rusty at best.

He'd never really had a strong belief in God. His father had been religious, or at least as religious as a cop can be, but Frank had always found bible study dull, and his faith had dimmed all the more as he grew up, though encountering the supernatural had done a little to renew it. It was easier to believe in an almighty God when you'd seen devils close up.

Given his inability to accurately quote from the bible, Frank took a different tack with Solomon, attempting to appeal to whatever humanity he had, while trying to make him doubt that he was doing God's work.

"You say you're doing God's work, Reverend," he shouted. "Where does Earl fit into that? What did his wife do to anger God so much, why should she suffer? When we met, I asked how you could be certain that it was God talking to you. You told me that Satan works in more subtle ways. What could be more subtle than turning a preacher from the path of good without the man even realising you're doing it? Look at the suffering you've caused. Can you really believe this is God's plan?"


OOC: Given the movement penalties, my calculations put Frank four rows down from where he is marked as being on the combat map now, right against the left hand wall.

10:42, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 23 using 1d20+12. Diplomacy roll, Rev Solomon.

Solomon sputters at Tobias's admonitions. I — I'm fighting on the side of RIGHTEOUSNESS! GOD sent the creature, not I. God sends his soldiers to fight for him, so killing in His name is ok! His glittering protection is now not much more than rags, and his translucent shield is sluggish to dart about; Tobias's shot rings true, hitting the preacher in the left shoulder. His eyes dart about wildly and catch Frank moving towards him.

NO! Earl's wife's pain is not my fault. His voice is shrill and raspy, as of a man on the edge. Satan hurts the innocents, not me. God wouldn't let Satan work through a preacher. I pray to Him every day and every night, and He shows me the way. He swings his gun at Frank and fires, almost seeming surprised when the gun goes off. The shot hits a Bible two pews over, spraying a small explosion "thou shalt nots" and "begats".

McGray stalks closer, and pipes up, Come on, Solomon. Just put the gun down and this will all be over with. You don't need to hurt anybody else. Solomon roars and charges towards McGray. The officer fires, hitting Solomon in the hip, but the preacher is unphased and charges right past McGray, towards the edge of the web.

Larry and Adele, too far into the webs to have a good understanding of what is going on, each give their own cries of relief after finally freeing themselves from the webs.

S: 22 Damage

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Your diplomacy check failed to turn him to your side, but it did cause him to lose a bit of faith in his protections, thereby lowering them some more.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: It doesn't take a religion check to know that he's not quoting from scripture any longer.]

[Private to GM:
Solomon: 22/44 left shoulder, right hip

Next round: Larry will attempt to move towards Solomon, Solomon will cast burning hands, hoping to catch as many people as possible, giving preference those in the web.

Solomon 3 rounds left before reloading
Solomon Def 23 (+2 dex, +6 class, +2 armor, +3 shield) (-3 armor/shield fade)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

"Oh come now, Solomon." Tobias straightened, pointing his gun at the man but not pulling the trigger. "'Killing in his name is ok?' Is that the best rationalization you have? I think it's time to stop fighting and start repenting. Sack cloth optional."


13:55, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Diplomacy check.
13:56, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 2 using 2d6. worst action point ever.

HP: 28/38 AC:15
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Mon 12 Apr 2010.

"Last chance," snarled Frank. "You surrender now, or we gun you down where you stand. Your choice."

He lined up Solomon in the sights of his weapon, fully intent on dropping the man if he made any move other than capitulating. He had started to thoroughly dislike the Reverend, but that didn't mean he just wanted to gun him down.

OOC: 22:34, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 32 using 1d20+13. Intimidate roll vs Solomon.

Current HP: 40 Current Def: 19

The preacher is now too far gone to consciously respond to reason, and he does not heed your attempts to talk him down. Something deeper inside him, however, starts to slip. His shield has faded so much that it's almost impossible to see, and his illusory armor is nothing more than tattered strings sickly revolving around him. With a crazed look in his eye he sticks his gun in the waistband of his slacks then starts muttering something. He builds in fervor and you can hear that he's speaking in Latin again. As he reaches a fevered pitch he switches back to English: And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD!

At this fire springs forth from Solomon's outstretched fingers, enveloping Tobias and Glen, then dying away as soon as it appeared. The sheriff is able to dodge behind a pew, but Tobias is trapped by the webs and takes full force from the flames. As if that weren't enough, the webs themselves catch on fire, burning away at a rapid pace. An arc of fire burns outwards through the webs, leaving behind smoldering hymnals and stringy ash.

Glen stands up from behind the pew and fires again at Solomon, but the preacher's sluggish shield still has enough life in it to deflect the shot.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Know (Theo+Philo) (35): the verse is from Leviticus 10:2. The people being burned to death weren't just any sinners, they were Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, Moses's nephew, who improperly placed profane items on God's alter. The verse is about worshiping God presumptuously and in such a manner as God prescribes, not about cleansing sinners.
Arcane Lore (17): He cast Burning Hands
Reflex Save (9): Fail! You take 12 damage (fire). If you want to attempt an action point you need at least a 6 to take half damage. You also take an additional 5 fire damage from the webs catching on fire. The up side is you are now free and don't have to worry about getting stuck in them again.
Diplomacy (21): doesn't seem to have any effect on his attitude, but his shield fades slightly at your words.

11:20, Today: Facilitator rolled 35 using 1d20+15. know: theo+philo.
11:27, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 17 using 1d20+15. know: arcane lore.
11:21, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 9 using 1d20+5. reflex.]

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Intimidate (32): doesn't seem to have any effect on his attitude, but both his shield and armor fade slightly at your words.]

[Private to GM:
Solomon: 22/44 left shoulder, right hip
Glen 6 damage

Solomon 3 rounds left before reloading
Solomon Def 20 (+2 dex, +6 class, +1 armor, +1 shield) (-6 armor/shield fade)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand
1-lvl: mage armor, magic missile, shield, burning hands
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, web]

"Damn you," muttered Frank, squeezing a couple of shots off at the preacher.

He'd tried to talk Solomon down, but it was clear that the man was too far into religious fervour to listen to reason. The flames presented a danger to them all and it was clear the only way out of this now was violence; Frank intended to fire upon the Reverend until he stopped twitching.

OOC: Attack: 18 Damage: 15
Using Point Blank Shot, Double Tap, spending 1 Action Point to boost attack.

22:01, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 10,15 using d20+6,3d8+1. Attack, Damage vs Rev Solomon.
22:02, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 8 using 2d6. Action Point spent to boost attack roll.

Current HP: 40 Current Def: 19

Tobias went into a defensive huddle when the flames engulfed him. Smoldering, he stood. It was regrettable, but the man was gone. There was nothing they could probably do to help him.

Still, the effort had to be made. After Frank's shot went off, he let out a yell and dove for the reverend. Most of the spells he was unleashing would be useless if he couldn't move his hands.

You rolled 18 using 1d20+2 ((16)). Grapple check.
HP: 16/38   AC: 15

Frank's shots just barely miss the preacher, and Tobias is repelled by a quick punch straight to the jaw. Glen, catching on to what Tobias was attempting, holsters his weapon and lunges at the preacher, knocking him to the ground. They struggle against each other, but eventually the sheriff gains an unsteady upper hand.

The fire continues to burn through the web, catching Larry in its blaze. Finally free, he yells, Screw this shit! You guys are on your own! and makes his way around the outside and towards the front door.

OOC: Solomon is currently grappled by Glen, but not pinned.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: You were foiled by an unarmed attack of opportunity, but Solomon dealt only nonlethal damage.]

[Private to GM:
Solomon: 22/44 left shoulder, right hip
Glen 6 damage
Larry 3 damage

Solomon 3 rounds left before reloading
Solomon Def 20 (+2 dex, +6 class, +1 armor, +1 shield) (-6 armor/shield fade)
0-lvl: message, light, mage hand]

Seeing that Glen had grabbed the preacher, Frank moved in to assist him. It was the kind of thing he'd done dozens of times during his time as a cop, but never against a 'wizard'.

OOC: Frank is joining the grapple. No AoO for Solomon, and Frank grabs automatically, so just an opposed grapple check.

Grapple Check: 19

11:11, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Opposed Grapple Check vs Solomon.
11:15, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 4 using 2d6. Action Point Spent.

Current HP: 40 Current Def: 19

OOC: In case it makes a difference to Tobias's action, Frank won the opposed grapple check and is now grappling Solomon as well.

Tobias reeled back from the punch and, seeing Frank rush past him and tackle the preacher, he turned to Larry and raised his gun. "Freeze!" He shouted, really hoping that just once someone would listen.

Larry is far enough away from Tobias that he decides to take his chances and run for it. He dashes behind the webs and you hear the front door open then slam shut.

Adele yells, Don't worry, he won't get away. and runs after him.

Solomon struggles, and slips free of Glen's grasp. Luckily, with Frank's help, the preacher doesn't get free. Glen tries to regain his hold, but Solomon kicks him away.

Dammit, Preacher, stop struggling. We've got you more than surrounded here.

Solomon does not respond.

OOC: Frank is grappling with Solomon, but Glen failed his check so he is no longer grappling. If you want to roll opposed checks in future rounds, Solomon's bonus is +2.

Tobias draws a pair of handcuffs from his bag. "get his hands together," he called to Frank and Glen. Waiting for an opportune time, he darts in ahdn slaps the cuffs on Solomon.

I've got no clue what to roll for that.

If Solomon is pinned, you can place the handcuffs on him without rolling a check. You've readied an action to handcuff him as soon as either Frank or Glen manage to pin him.

Seeing Toby move in with the handcuffs, Frank shifts his grip on Solomon in an attempt to hold him still. He tries to pull one arm up behind his back to force him down and put a knee into the man's back to hold him there.

"Stop strugglin'!" snapped Frank. "It'll hurt a lot less."

He'd given up all hope of a peaceful resolution to this confrontation, so seeing that things were moving to a point where they might be able to take the reverend alive was very satisfying.

Hell knows what they were going to do with him once they'd slapped the cuffs on, though. Frank was pretty certain there weren't any laws against summoning creatures from another plane and setting them loose on the general populace, even if there should be.

OOC: Grapple Check to attempt Pin: 21

21:21, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Pin Attempt vs. Solomon.
21:21, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 5 using 2d6. Action Point spent to boost Pin attempt.
Current HP: 40 Current Def:16 (Grappling, so still 19 vs Solomon)

Solomon, having spent his whole life dedicated to one path, one train of thought, does not give up his struggles. He keeps squirming, not unlike a three year old throwing a temper tantrum, which keeps Frank from pinning him down. Glen jumps back into the fray and gets hold of the preacher's collar.

He's now grappled by both Frank and Glen.

"Son of a..." muttered Frank, as the reverend managed to squirm his way out of being pinned to the floor.

He tried another shot at holding him still enough for Toby to slap the cuffs on. If Solomon managed to squirm out of it again, he was fully intent on beating the man into unconsciousness. It was no less than he deserved.

OOC: Second pin attempt, grapple check: 19

23:19, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Another Pin Attempt.
23:19, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 8 using 2d6. Action Point spent to boost Pin attempt.
Current HP: 40 Current Def:16 (Grappling, so still 19 vs Solomon)

Tobias and Frank look at each other, and through some unspoken signal they work with fluid movement and clockwork precision. Frank holds Solomon down and Tobias finds the exact split second to swoop in and cuff the struggling preacher.

This isn't over! Solomon yells, finally submitting somewhat to his final fate. You may have won this time, but GOD will win in the end. As you have judged me so, too, will He judge you. But unlike me, GOD will not be merciful. If you do not repent of your sins before your Judgment Day you will spend the rest of eternity smoldering in the bowels of Hell.

McGray stands up and dusts himself off just as the last of the webs burn away. The air smells like burning hair, fresh ozone, and recently fired fireworks. Well, what do we do now? Do you guys have like a secret bunker or something?

"Something like that." Tobias replied, hauling the preacher to his feet. "You don't have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be recorded, studied, and used against people like you. You don't have the right to an attorney. Should one appear, we will be very freaked out and rather annoyed.

"Do you understand these non-rights as I have given them to you?"

Frank sadly shook his head. Elements of working for the company were still taking some getting used to. Things used to be a lot simpler in his previous line of work.

Despite the man's crimes, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about the idea of Solomon being thrown into a cell in some secret location until the day he died, without even getting the chance to plead his case. Unfortunately, he didn't make the decisions.

He turned to Glen.

"I guess this about wraps things up, Sheriff," he said. "After the fire gutted his church, the reverend left town. The animal attacks stop, and you can go ahead and have your election free from interference."

He suddenly remembered about Larry, fleeing from the church; not that he could blame the man.

"What do we do about Larry?" he asked both Glen and Toby. "Think he'll talk about tonight's events?"

Gosh, I don't know, says Glen. I've never met Larry before tonight.

Larry was... weak willed, the subdued preacher offers. He did what I wanted because I put the fear of God into him, but don't count on his silence now that he's gone. He looks up, toward the back of the church.

Well, it looks like that may not be a problem after all.

You turn around and see Adele, as if on cue, leading Larry in through the doors in plastic cuffs. I got him, but... I had a little help. The Retcon Dons are here.

As you look past Adele you can see two black Suburbans parked in front of the church, being leaned on by several men in plain black suits. Two of them are look slightly ruffled. The Retcon Dons, more formally known as "Site Reclamation and Decontamination Specialists", are agents of The Company responsible for ensuring PARC officers have a clean exit strategy. Once you are done with the scene, it is their job to hide any evidence of paranormal activity and make it look like something mundane happened.

"Cool." Tobias said, wondering how they always seemed to arrive just on schedule. "Glen, sir. Thank you for your assistance, and may I say I hope we never have cause to see you again."

Hauling the preacher in front of him, Tobias pushed the preacher towards the suburban. "We should check the premises," he said to Frank, "I want to find out just how he learned to sling those spells of his."

"You're a good man, Sheriff McGray," said Frank, shaking the man's hand firmly. "Not a lot of men would have held things together as well as you did, given what you saw tonight. Should be easier to be Sheriff with that lunatic locked away, too. Goodbye, it's been good to have you along for the ride."

He smiled, gave Glen a friendly nod and then turned to walk back towards the church. He intended on searching it thoroughly, as Toby had suggested. He was less curious about the source of the reverend's magic, than the source of his instructions. He had kept saying that everything he had done was God's will. Frank didn't believe God had been speaking to Reverend Solomon, but he did believe someone, or something, had been. He wanted to see if he could find evidence of that.

"Adele," he said. "Let's search this place properly so the Dons can get to work."

He started his search in Solomon's office, but if that proved fruitless he would check the doorway on the other side of the altar, and then start working back through the main room.

OOC: Search Check: 23 (Taking a 20)
I'm making a thorough search of the whole building, looking for anything of interest. First Solomons' office, then the 'cupboard' on the other side of the altar. If neither of those are successful, we might need to think about how long it'll take us to search everything else.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Tue 27 Apr 2010.

The Dons take Glen, Larry, and Solomon outside, placing the latter two in the back seats of one of the Suburbans. As one of the agents debriefs Glen and gives him a cover story to tell the rest of the town, the rest get to work on the church. Two of the agents scrub the soot from the walls, floors, pews, and everything else the webs touched while the other touches a long metal rod to the burnt pew Bibles, which instantly restores them to their unburnt condition.

Meanwhile, Frank and Tobias search the rest of the church. The small room to the east is simply a storage closet. In it is nothing more interesting than candles, a ladder, extra light bulbs, and a few other odds and ends.

The room to the west is Solomon's office. Two large tables dominate this room, and bookshelves filled with dark, leather-bound tomes line the walls. Along one wall is a thick chain which is bolted to the wall. The deep scratches and tufts of bluish black fur on the floor tell you that this is where Solomon kept the displacer beast.

While searching the desk, Frank finds a hidden drawer, containing an empty cutout in the shape of Solomon's revolver, several rounds of ammo, and three rolled pieces of parchment. Tobias recognizes the latter as scrolls of animate dead, magic missile, and fireball.

Tobias looks over the bookshelf, which is mostly filled with religious texts but is also peppered with books on the true nature of shadow. Many of these books are bound by hand and appear to be very old. He picks up one that has no label on the spine and opens it to find that it is Solomon's spellbook.

They find no evidence of a higher power directing Solomon's actions, but Frank does find one peculiar email while searching Solomon's decrepit computer. Its subject is "Ezekiel 5:17" and it was sent by reverend_paul@commonpath.org. A rudimentary web search of "commonpath" leads you to an official website for the Fellowship of the Common Path Church. It seems just like any other denominational website.

The content of the email is more suspicious, however. It is as follows:

     Brother,

     You should receive your package tomorrow. I pray you use it to do the Lord's work.

     In God's good name,
     Paul

The date on the email is two days before the first killing.

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Solomon's spellbook:
0-lvl: daze, detect magical aura, message, light, mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic
1-lvl: burning hands, mage armor, magic missile, shield, sleep, true strike
2-lvl: darkvision, invisibility, knock, spiderclimb, web

The scrolls you can use like normal scrolls or you can sacrifice them to automatically choose them as one of the spells you learn the next time you level up. The spell book can not be used as scrolls, but they can also be used as the spells you learn the next time you level up.

In addition, by reading through the appropriate books in Solomon's library, you gain a +2 bonus on your next research check made to learn a new spell.]

Tobias withdraws the offending books from the shelves, stacking them in a neat pile on the reverend's desk with a note saying 'recover' placed on top. The dons would probably get them anyway, but there was no point not making certain.

The scrolls and the spellbook he takes himself, placing them in his field bag. "Remind me to tell the Company I've got these for research." He said to Frank.

Tobias finds one more thing when stacking the books. One of tomes appears to be a notebook filled with research on dark magic. Solomon was apparently trying to create a new spell to destroy entire fields, as a way to show God's wrath. All he got so far was a magical ritual that would allow him to eliminate all life in a 30-ft spherical radius. The spell is much more powerful than anything Tobias knows how to perform, and it's very likely that someone was helping Solomon with his research, though this book is only in Solomon's handwriting.

---

After retrieving your things from the Chicken Ranch and saying your goodbyes, your trip home is uneventful.

Two weeks later you each receive a packet in the mail. In it is a very generous paycheck from the Company along with copies of several news articles.

The first is a printout of a press release from commonpath.org. The release states:

Today we must announce that, due to these hard economic times, we have received word that another of our churches has had to close its doors. The Fellowship of the Common Path Church in Ford, Montana, which was pastored by Brother Solomon Burke, has given its last sermon as of June 6th. We ask that all of our members pray for their congregation, that God will guide them to another house of worship. Brother Solomon has announced that he will travel to South America to do mission work, so let us keep him in our prayers also...

The second is an article from the Billings Gazette, titled "Small Town Mayoral Election Has Unexpected Outcome: Big Cat Attacks Determine Winner":

The tiny town of Ford, Montana, which has been afflicted with the death of several of its prominent citizens, was rocked again this week when Sheriff Glen McGray was elected as the town's mayor.

Why is this outcome so shocking? McGray was not on the ballot.

McGray is the man responsible for finding and killing the wild cat that attacked and killed Ford's Mayor Jed Owen, which prompted the emergency election in the first place. The cat then went on to kill Earl Lindscomb, one of the mayoral candidates, and farmhand Bill Elgin.

McGray, who some in the town at first thought was incompetent, managed to find the cat by following its tracks from the the most recent crime scene through the woods and to the creatures lair. While calling for backup he was attacked by the animal, which destroyed McGray's radio, and McGray was forced to shoot the cat.

The town was so taken by McGray's actions that he won the Mayoral election on write-in votes, taking 74% of the vote. Another 11% of the vote went to Solomon Burke, a local preacher whose church closed the week before the election. The deceased Earl Lindscomb got 9% of the vote, and Trent Barton, a local banker, came in last place with 6%.

The town council is currently studying the by-laws of the town charter to see if write-in votes are even allowed, and if the position of Mayor can be held by the Sheriff. They are expected to make a report next week.

Lastly is an editorial from the Ford Prospect, written by Jim Hickman, who you recognize by the picture as one of the locals you spoke to in the tavern.

I don't know about you, Fordians, but I smell a coverup. First the mayor dies, then the corporate shill dies, then the pastor disappears. Next thing you know, the Sheriff just HAPPENS to find some bobcat in the woods and we are supposed to believe that that little thing was what was killing everybody. How was one little sheriff able to find this cat when all those posses couldn't? And who were those inspectors that came? Are we supposed to believe it's just a COINCIDENCE that the day they show up in town is the same day the sheriff takes his first step into taking over the town? And what about the reports of disturbed graves in the cemetery? I ain't inclined to believe that a place like that has a mole problem, like they's trying to tell us. I'm telling you, my friends and neighbors, something is going on here. Luckily you have me, your humble reporter, to get to the truth!

Like I say every week, Fordians, keep your eyes and ears open. Because just because you ain't paranoid, don't mean they AREN'T watching you. Come back next week to read how the big cow companies are controlling your mind by putting chemicals into the runoff water.