"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.