As the remains of the two wights burn merrily, Haskell   looks around.
 "If these two were monks, what condition are the rest of the monks in?"

Dareos Madrigar:

OOC: 02:24, Today: Dareos Madrigar rolled 10 using 3d6. Major Healing. Healing 8 HP.

OOC:  I'm betting that was before the x3 Healing multiplier Jednesa gets for being a mountain of meat?

For future note Dareos, Jednesa gets x3 Healing... so you can use the lesser healing spells and save yourself on FP (which also gets the x3 cost multiplier)

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 2):

ooc: I thought that was 3x cost due to SM

OOC:  Answered in the OOC thread.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

"They are clearly not wright...we need to find somewhere we can build a fire and rest now. Jednessa, next time please do not run off ahead without waiting for the rest of us. It could have cost you your life then, and nearly did."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Thu 15 Dec 2016.

"Look like people in danger.  Jednesa wait next time."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 6):

"Around here, we should assume anyone we don't know IS the danger."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 7):

Off the side of the dias with its altar is a small door. Behind the dias is another, raised aktar, and above it, a
Gilt bronze cabinet built into the wall, and above it, more mud streaked  stained glass windows. The mud looks to be on
the outside, as with most of them. Almost no light passes
through.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 8):

Christine has crispy ensure the wrights are dealt with, examining them well.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 9):

The remains of the wights, once Crispy is done with them,
 are only charred and shattered bone.

Jednesa remains seated the entire time, but she gathers up her mace into her right hand, and checks her pouches.  She eats some of the left-over donkey from the day before.

Azrael examines the cabinet.

Stenet rights a bench and rests watching the wights the burns, but he keeps a wary eye on the closed doors at the back of the chapel.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 13):

The cabinet is marked with scratched out signs of the One True Tripartate God, and has a delicate looking lock on it.

"Can anyone pick locks?"

"Allow me."

She solidifies completely, ending that spell, and approach es the cabinet.

Afterwards, she sits down, exhausted.

" We need to rest now though."

[Private to GM: Lockmaster, 9 under spell, cost 2 fp, 2 fp remain.]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 16):

I sit and nod at Christine,


Agreed. I have learned something new about healing larger allies today. We should recover before we move forward.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 16):

The doors swing open, and a blade scythes out, cleanly missing anyone. Within the gilt bronze doors is a meteoric iron lining, and the now retracted blade seems also to be made of it.  (The lock was bronze and steel)
Within is a gold and crystal item designed forholding holy wafers-the Monstrance!

"This is one of the artifacts we're tasked with recovering for the church, yes?" Azrael said. "The box is made of very valuable materials. We should strip it out and put it on the cart."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 19):

The protective container is quite valuable...and blocks magics that would hav3 detected it.  Traps skill may be needed to retrieve the mechanism.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 20):

"We do need to take it. Question is, is it safer here for now, or with us? Does anyone have the skill to see how the trap works first, and to remove it when we decide to?"

"Why not rip whole box from wall?"

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 22):

"Perhaps. But it may be delicate, and such things are often more valuable if not brutalized in such a way."

Jednesa shrugs in an "Okay I guess" sorta way and resumes quietly resting.

"I say we close that expensive box back up and re-lock it if ye can Christine.  The artifact remained safe this long surrounded by these blasphemies, it'll hold a few more hours."



OOC:

Narrator:

The mud looks to be on the outside, as with most of them. Almost no light passes through.

So all the dirt is outside then?  Or just the dirt covering the windows is outside?

"It may prove a useful tool in what we're to face, Stenet. Perhaps you should carry it?"

In reply to Azrael (msg # 26):

Who is handling it?

ooc: Nobody, yet.

"If that be the decision, I'd be honored to carry and protect it."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 29):

Stenet feels something upin touching it...
[Private to Stenet Fjall:make an IQ +power investiture  or holiness]

OOC:  I think we'll wait until it's actually touched, if that's okay eh?

Azrael goes about his business, the matter of the artifact seemingly settled.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 32):

"Indeed it may prove useful...if anyone can use it. I am not sure if I can lock it up again...why don't one of you holy types look at it and see if you can use it, and what it does? Otherwise, we could ask someone skilled in traps to close it up and reset the trap. Volunteers for either?"

"Whatever the case, that box was keeping the artifact hidden from the demons here. The instant we opened it, its holy radiance let them all know exactly where it is. Closing it up again isn't going to make them all forget. If we don't take it with us, they'll just rip it out and take it.

"It's safest in Stenet's hands."

As the others discuss what to do with the item, Malga'mar quietly rests to regain energy spent on casting spells.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 34):

"I am thinking so to. But if anyone, including Stenet can use it, such a powerful item might be best in the hands of the one who can use it best. I just don't know who that is, if any of us."

"Can I see it?" asks Malga'mar as he rests his frame against a nearby wall.





[Private to GM: OOC: Do I know anything about the item or what it does?

19:59, Today: Malga'Mar rolled 9 using 3d6.  Hidden Lore (Magical Items Lore) Skill 14.]

"I wasn't siggestion we leave it.  I was suggesting it might be safer if it remained in there.  But there is the point that upon opening it, it may be drawing them here, and we may need to leave this building."

Having said that, Stenet walks over and takes the artifact with care.



OOC:  23:30, Today: Stenet Fjall rolled 10 using 3d6.  IQ + Holiness; 14.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:33, Sun 25 Dec 2016.

"Oh, we'll definitely need to leave the building," Azrael said. "We've only started to explore the grounds."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 39):

Somewhere  in this building is the other artifact that Malga'Mar  had scryed for.

[Private to Stenet Fjall: sanctity is one level higher within a yard of the relic]

Stenet walks over next to Dareos and motions Malga'Mar to follow him.  When next to Dareos he says, "Ya feel that?  Probably best you carry this Dareos.  The gods have not blessed me with holy magic, but I know that's what this artifact aids with."

Malga'mar follows Stenet.  His large hulking frame hunching in toward Stenet and Dareos in near comical fashion as the large wizard parrots what he has seen other people do when speaking quietly in groups.  He eyes the item as Stenet speaks of it.

"I may know something of it," he says plainly.

"I also sense the magic of another that we seek."




OOC: Does my knowledge of Magic Item Lore or study of Thaumatology give an idea about what the items do or how they work?  Have we been here long enough to regain FP?

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 42):

Ooc you should have been able to recover 1 fp. Hidden lore:magic items works for this.., as all hidden lores default from occultism -4, you could  roll that.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:36, Fri 06 Jan 2017.

Malga'mar holds his ornate stave up to his ear and begins to slowly nod his head.

[Private to GM: 16:28, Today: Malga'Mar rolled 9 using 3d6.  Hidden Lore (14).]

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 44):

As Christine rests, she tries to think of what the item is and what it does, telling the group what she can remember.

[Private to GM: 2 under Hidden Lore( magic items)]

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 41):

Do I feel anything from being near it or from touching it?

I smile and nod as Stenet speaks.

"If I need to carry it, I will.  It would be best if we fully understood its purpose before using it though."

"It feels much like the Operating Altar in the temple hospital I trained in.  A chirurgeon could, if allowed by the Pristine High Physic, take it somewhere and it carried some of the sanctity of the Temple with it."

Stenet smiles.

"But this is a lot more portable than that bloody huge copper table was."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 45):

Malga'mar  and Christine  come to a consensus: the device,
which probably has the feature of preserving the freshness of
 holy wafers placed within, elevates the nearby level of
sanctity, for good and healing, and also is useable by
persons of faith as a high holy symbol. The cabinet serves to
 protect it from scrying.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:57, Wed 28 Dec 2016.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 48):

"This would be best carried by the priests who will benefit from it. That would be Dareos and Stenet, right?"

Stenet shrugs.  "I could wave it around at some undead, maybe.  None of my gifts are particularly dependent on holy ground.  More useful to a priest spellcaster."

"Does it matter if they're priests of the same god?" Azrael asked.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 51):

Ooc sphere of healing is a check

"I don't know.  I know the Altar of Health at temple didn't care that I follow the Dwarven faith and not the fancy new fangled feel good religion of Asclepius.  Probably since I was learning how to heal, and that is Asclepius' primary tenet.  I'm pretty sure this holy cracker holder would be fine with Dareos keeping it safe and using it in cleansing these grounds of evil, even if he doesn't do so in the name of the Almighty God of Threes."

Stenet pauses.  "Dareos, your diety and the Triumvirate here aren't at war or on bad speaking terms are they?  I'll admit to being a bit lax on the local theological current events."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 53):

The intersection  between  the faiths is not particularly
hostile on a metaphysical  level, but might be on a personal
level,

In reply to Narrator (msg # 54):

"There is a reason I like plain old magic. It works, or it doesn't. So, can anyone use it?"

OOC:  Still holding the holy relic out to Dareos and awaiting his response.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:00, Tue 03 Jan 2017.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 53):

"The Great Serpent, Sethygg's primary realm of influence is that of healing which does align with those you speak.  He has no particular conflict with any other religion.
I believe that one day his celestial coil will embrace all others and they will see the true light.  "

I realize I've gone off a bit and that Stenet has been holding this object out to me for far too long.

"Pardon me, Stenet.  I did not mean to leave your gesture unanswered."

I take the relic with no further hesitation, but hold it as if it's dirty, dangling between two tentacle fingers.

"Local familiarity of His teachings would be unlikely.  I am His herald in Northport.  When I earn enough money, I'll change that."

Dareos does feel a positive shift in sanctity upon recieving the relic.

Somewhere there are other items...

In reply to Narrator (msg # 58):

I try to find some way to carry it without it being in the way.  Either in my shield hand or hanging from my belt or something in case I need my other hand.

[Private to GM: Does the object just elevate the effective Sanctity level and does it seem to have any range beyond me?]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Wed 04 Jan 2017.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 59):

"Does it give you any clarity where to look next? After we have rested here and recovered of course..."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 60):

I hold the item up as we speak.

"It appears to be attuned to divine healing so it will be of benefit to me.  However, I'm not feeling any direction from it."

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 61):

"Right. Let us finish resting to regain our strength, and move on then."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 62):

The elevated sanctity extends in a 2 yard radius.


[PRIVATE to Malga'Mar:the other item you detected is very near here]

OOC:  I believe everyone is resting... so unless something happens to interrupts this...

Malga'mar moves near to Christine and slowly lowers himself to a seat position on the floor.

"Rest, yes.  I sense the magic of another item is not far."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 65):

"Ah, Good. Can you sense direction while we rest?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 66):

Malga'Mar can sense it toward the right of the altar, buried under the pews.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 67):

"I wonder if we should come back for it...or get it now?"

"Your call, boss."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 69):

"Ok. Anyone any advice?"

"Jednesa move benches after rest."

"We are close," says Malga'mar as his triangular pupils point in the general direction of the object.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 72):

Haskell   sucks his teeth."Your call. I'll keep watch,
and poke around the sacristy a little. It is starting to get
a little dark outside."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

"When we're done resting and have found the artifact that Malga'mar has sniffed out, I suggest we either retreat to the refectory to hole up for the night, or press on.  This building isn't as defensible as the refectory if we're looking to stay the night."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 74):

"That sounds like a good idea. With no other suggestions then, lets get the other artifact and prepare the refractory to spend the night there. It has been said that a strong defence is the best offence..."

OOC:  How long have we rested so far?

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 76):

You have rested for about five minutes so far.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 77):

Malga'mar  can sense the crozier... it is burried under the rubble of the pews,

In reply to Narrator (msg # 78):

"Perhaps someone who does not need to rest can try to get to it. How big is a crozier normally?"

"It's a shepherds crook," Azrael said. "So a pound or two? But if the demons have left it alone, it may be protected. One of our holy men should fetch it."

OOC:  I'm betting there are a lot of pews to shift?

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 81):

There are about 16 pews all together, about 3 were moved by
Jednesa.


[Private to Stenet Fjall: make a demon lore roll]
[Private to Azrael: make an undead lore roll]

PM

[Private to GM: Passed.]

In reply to Azrael (msg # 83):

Magical items antithetical to undead cannot be touched by
them; they would be inclined to cover it up.

"The dead are inclined to bury objects harmful to them. Demons might be the same way." Azrael nodded to the pile. "Be careful, though, that they didn't leave any traps behind."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 85):

"Then lets rest here to recover our strength while Jednessa recovers, then she can move them and we get the crook and head back to a more defensible position for the night."

OOC:  00:23, Today: Stenet Fjall rolled 9 using 3d6.  Hidden Lore (Demons): 12.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 87):

There are things demons cannot bear, that they might have undead move for them, failing that, or attempts at destruction, they might try defiling them, or having them hidden.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 88):

Is this knowledge conveyed to the group?

OOC:  No.  Didn't see much point in repeating what Azrael already said.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 90):

Everyone should be rested now

In reply to Narrator (msg # 91):

"Ok, lets get that second artefact, and set up camp for the night in the refractory. Jednessa, could you finish moving the pews, carefully please. Perhaps we should place them around the walls."

"Yup."

She starts moving pews out of the way.

Narrator:

Everyone should be rested now

OOC:  Just noted, for Jednesa that's 2 full hours... I don't know that everyone wanted to wait that long.  I doubt Jednesa would wait that long.  She'd start getting antsy to do something after about an, hour and a half tops.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Fri 20 Jan 2017.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 93):

OOC: yes, but with mages able to give her strength and recover energy themselves, she should not have to wait that long...not sure how long it would be though.

OOC: How many doors lead into where we are?

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 95):

Two doors: the main double doors, and the smaller side door leading to the sacristy. It has an exit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

Walter, the old retired seasalt turned torch bearer steps toward Christine.

"We be lightnin' tha campfire here or jus' a small candle?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Sat 21 Jan 2017.

In reply to Walter Goldman (msg # 97):

"That depends on how long  it takes to recover the crook."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 98):

Assuming a one hour rest, which leaves Nefnessa functional but tired, it looks like it might take her 15 minutes to clear the pile.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 99):

Will it be dark by the time she has done so?

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 100):

Not yet, but daylight is fading.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 101):

"Lets find this crook now and head back to the refractory."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 102):

"Jednesa, do you need a hand?"

"Jednesa got big stuff, Has-kell get small stuff."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 104):

Between  them, Haskell   and Jednesa   clear the pile, although mostly he is moving prayer books smeared with dung.

Below the mess, they find the crozier, seven feet long and made of ivory.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 105):

"Ok, lets get over to the refractory and set up camp. Anyone able to use this crozier should carry it and do so."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 106):

It is useable as a polearm, so it would  default to that skill

In reply to Narrator (msg # 107):

As they move over to the refractory, Christine is asking if anyone has the skill to use the crozier.

"I don't know anything about magical staves, sorry."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 109):

"I am more a Shiv man myself, but it looks like Malga'Mar can use a staff, and I would imagine Jednessa   could use it like a dlimmer version of her maul."

Jednesa hefts her one-handed ax/mace, slapping it's thirty pound rounded butt into her left hand.

"Hmph.  Puny bone stick."
This message was last updated by the player at 21:47, Thu 26 Jan 2017.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 111):

"What about a pole-arm? Any of you use them?"

"Using that as a pole-arm would be like stabbing someone with a magic wand. Sure, you can do it, but there's probably a better use for it."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 113):

"Well, be my guest. Anyone who can use it to the best of it's ability, please do so!"

"It's best that I don't touch it. I'm very... death-aspected, due to my line of work. Again, I would suggest the most holy among us handle the blessed artifacts. Or at least, the ones most strongly affiliated with this church."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 115):

The ogrekin wizard looks the hooked staff ove, his of my shaped pupils shifting around like gears.
"seven feet long,a sharp hook, made of dragonbone if I  am correct, it could well serve as a weapon. I am skilled with a staff."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 116):

"But can you use its other abilities?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 117):

"I am not certain as to what those abilities are, but it may work simply as a magical weapon as well."

"Here, I'll give it a feel, see what it may or not be up to."

Stenet lays a hand on the crozier and concentrates for a moment.


OOC:  Sigh.

09:25, Today: Stenet Fjall rolled 15 using 3d6.  IQ 12 + Holiness 2: 14.

"I can hold onto it for now; try to study it."


OOC: Would magic item lore give me some idea about what it does?  Also, can it be used as a staff for the purposes of extending the reach of my spells?

"If all else fails I can summon the dead and ask." Azrael said. "Though honestly I prefer that as a last resort."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 120):

Magic item lore would work; this would need to be enchanted  with the staff spell for the other effect.

"It's abilities are beyond me to detect.  Darius will probably have better luck." And he moves aside to let Darius get a feel for it.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 123):

Christine tried to think where she might have read about it.

[Private to GM: 4 under Hidden Lore (Magic Items)]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 124):

This item was a weapon against undead, and a high holy symbol.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 125):

Christine relates that to the others.

"It would seem it is indeed best wielded by a cleric whose god dislikes undead!"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 126):

"Well, Sethygg has a preference for the living and keeping them alive."

I step closer and wrap my hand around it to see if I have any sense of what it might do.

It's certainly contrary to the type of implement I'm accustomed to using.  It would need to be extremely helpful for me to forego my usual armaments.""

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 127):

"Lack of True Faith aside, the most effective person with a Staff is bound to be Malga'Mar. Probably his Father Daniels could have used it to full
effect, but he is explaining himself to his God right now."

"Just be careful with it. It's what we've been sent here to recover, after all. The whole reason we're here."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 129):

"True, but Dragonbone is hard to hurt."

"Don't know much about dragonbone, I'm afraid. Unless they're animated."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 131):

"It is practically  indestructible  and can only be carved with Orichalcum tools."

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 128):


I smile and nod to Malga'Mar.

"I agree."

Malga'Mar takes a moment to re-arrange his gear.  In one hand, a staff of holy power.  In the other hand, a staff of arcane might.



ooc: Is there a way to strap Konrad's shield to my backpack?  If not, I have a spare medium shield with a blunt spike on it.  I also have a spare cheap broadsword.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 134):

As they arrive back at the refractory, Christine agrees with them then.

"All right then, if Malga'mar is the best person to use it, then he should do so. Lets set up camp here, with as few entrances as possible."

She looks around.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 134):

The  extea shield could be hung from the backpack.

The refrectory  is as you left it, exits from kitchen to the
 woodpile, and double doors leading out, high shuttered windows, all barrable from the inside.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 136):

"All right. Lets bar the windows and the double door, and just use the exit to the woodpile to leave and enter the building. That way we can access the wood for a campfire, which we should set up in the fireplace to block that entrance too."

"Will smoke and fire stop demons?" Azrael asked.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 138):

"Some.Probably not all. But at least we will be watching and get some warning they are coming, from the soot falling into the fire if nothing else."

I settle my pack and shield against a wall inside and help with the barricades.

Looking at those moving to fortify; "I have no particular skill in such work, but I'm stronger than I look."

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 140):

"A full barricade for the main doors, and maybe put Jednesa's  medallion  back to keep the little bastsrds ftom making their way down the chimney."

"I can cast a spell to hold the doors closed if you feel it would help."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 142):

"Only on the main doors. The Kitchen door we will want to use for firewood. Crispy, you might want to sit in the campfire for a bit to recover..."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 143):

Crispy seems pleased at the prospect.

In reply to Fire elemental (msg # 144):

"As long as we keep up the wood supply, we should have no trouble keeping the campfire lit." jokes Christine.

Jednesa does any heavy lifting required and brings in as much wood as someone tells her will be necessary.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 146):

It takes a short time for Jednesa  to barricade the main door.

It is getting dark when she starts loading the firewood.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 147):

With main doors barred and locked by Malga'mar and the windows barricaded, they can settle down to setting up camp.

Once Dareos and Jednessa have plenty of wood, Christine asks if Jednessas medallion can withstand the fire in the fireplace. She also sets about setting up watches in pairs, asking about volunteers.

Crispy and Chris of course will be on watch all night, as they do not sleep, but they may not be the most observant either...

Malga'Mar approaches the main doors.  He had participated in helping with the mundane barricades used to hold them closed.  Now had come the time to take things a step further.

Malga'mar unencumbers himself of his pack and shield.  Standing in front of the doors, he holds both staves in his possession out in front of him, with his two powerful arms held wide open.  He begins to chant quietly as he slowly moves his arms forward and inward; arcing to a position out in front of his chest, but with arms still fully outstretched.

"Ro'doh. . . ro'doh. . . ro'doh. . ."

Lowering his head and touching his chin to his thick chest, Malga'mar also crosses the two staves and takes a step forward to rap his ornate oaken staff against the main doors.



OOC: Casting Magelock on the door.  The duration is 6 hours.

Locks a door magically. The door does not open unless the spell is removed (Counterspell and Lockmaster will both counter it) or the door itself is destroyed.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 149):

crackles of bluish light outline the door as the spell locks them in place.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 150):

So we rest the night? Suggested watches? Christine will want the last watch, and will create some food...

[Private to GM: Create food, rolled twice, 4 and 5 under respectively.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Wed 08 Feb 2017.

"Jednesa always on watch at night in Great Army.  Jednesa have good night seeing."



OOC: While Jednesa has terrific Night Vision, she is an Ogre.  They are not known for their Perceptive natures.  Just an FYI.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 152):

"I will take first watch."

"I be able to help.  A dog's watch fer me.  Bein' somewhere in the middle; keepin' the fires burnin' while the crew sleeps."

Malga'mar shrugs his shoulders.

"I go last with Christine," he says in a way that is part question and part statement.

"Jednesa watch with Has-kell."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 156):

Oddly enough, the night passes uneventfully

In reply to Narrator (msg # 157):

Before going to bed, Christine will sent Crispy, who by now will have fully recovered in the fire, off to explore any tunnels or crypts he could find.[Private to GM: He would do that for at least an hour, until her control of him expired. If she knew of any stairs down, she would send him there first.]

In the morning, at the start of her watch, she creates Cracker, another fire elemental, for the day, and then creates breakfast, before recovering her strength.

[Private to GM: Rolled 4 under skill to create him. Rolled 9 under skill for breakfast. Used recover energy for the rest of her shift.]

"I hope that little fiery spirit you sent off isn't going to burn anything."

"I'm sure if there was a danger of that she wouldn't have sent him off," Azrael said.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 160):

"I am sure he will. That is why I sent him somewhere underground, so that the things he burns might be demonic."

"Oughta celebrate," says Walter with a nod as he takes a bite of conjured food.

"Yer magic food.  Can ye brew magic wine?"

In reply to Walter Goldman (msg # 162):

"No. Cellarbrations are for when we get back to northport. Now, where to today? Where were those stairs down somewhere?"

Malga'mar is largely quiet during the waking hours.  He watched intently as Christine conjured her fiery friend.  Then, he observed the creation of food with interest.

Having finished his helping of the magic food, Malga'mar sits down and takes off his shoes.  Using some water from his canteen and personal basics, he washes and then dries his feet before putting the shoes back on his feet.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 164):

As Christine has not yet been to any building with stairs,
she could not have directed her not so bright elemental to
find them, especially as it cannot open doors. While Cracker
 is raised out of the fire in the fireplace, he does not seem
 at all excited to be here.

Several buildings of this abbey remain, incuding the infirmary, the winery, the chapterhouse, and the cloister.

In reply to Fire elemental (msg # 165):

Christine asks Cracker what is wrong. She always looks after the elementals she Creates while they are with her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Sun 12 Feb 2017.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 166):

Ooc:
Elementals always get a reaction roll

In reply to Narrator (msg # 167):

"Ok, unless we have a better suggestion, lets check the infirmary next. We should be ready for undead there, I am guessing."

OOC:  Did we ever sweep the sacristy over in the sanctuary?

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 169):

The infirmary  is on the side of the blighted herb garden, and is separate from the cloister.  The sacristy  never had a full search,

In reply to Narrator (msg # 170):

OK. Sacristy, infirmary then cloister...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 171):

Which doors are you exiting through?

Unless someone stops her, when the the decision to go comes, Jednesa will open the door out of the kitchen and look out.  If she doesn't see anything immediately dangerous, she squeeze her way out.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 173):

The wood from the rick has been laid out to spell a number of obscene words.

Leading with her crude wedge in hand, Jednesa steps out past the wood into the main yard and dully looks about.


OOC:  13:37, Today: Jednesa rolled 11 using 3d6.  Per 7, looking for hidden (or obvious) dangers about the yard.

Danger needs to be real obvious for her to notice

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 175):

Christine follows her out with Chris and her fire elemental.

[Private to GM: Rolled 2 under perception.]

As Christine and Jednesa leave the room, Walter approaches Stenet.

"What ye think we be savin' the holy water fer?"

"Cleansing the site after we scrap the filth off.  Or major undead, like vampires.  Maybe if we find a possessed priest, it's good for exorcisms."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 178):


I turn to Stenet when he mentions exorcism.
"I agree that we must save them if we can, but a priest, a devout priest, would prefer to be sent to the afterlife than to act counter to his god.

Are you skilled in removing demons from a host?"

This message was deleted by the player at 18:12, Wed 15 Feb 2017.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 179):

"Is it possible that one may be possessed without being given the option?"

"I've been trained in exorcisms. It's not my specialty, but I have been so trained.  And yes, some demons can take over a person without that person's admittance.  It's a weak willed or broken person though, but then priests are just people and come in all varieties."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 182):

Haskel gives a low whistle looking out at the words spelled
Oout of fire wood.
"Now that is a non-verb pairing I haven't   seen before. Someone has a filthy mind."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Wed 15 Feb 2017.

"I'm a licensed exorcist, but these are rituals that can take days to accomplish," Azrael said. "If we find any such possessed, save them if we can, but leave their spiritual rescue to the church."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 184):

"Right. Chris, would you please move some of this wood back into the building? We can use it tonight, after we have dealt with the disgusting perpetrators."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 185):

There is a distant, creepy giggle.

The door to the sacristy is still partly open.

In reply to offspring (msg # 186):

"Lets start by finishing the Sacristy, but lets lock the Refractory before we leave."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 187):

"I am definitely for leaving this building as empty as
 possible, so we can spit any of these damned exploding toddlers"

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 188):

"Agreed"

Once the Refractory is locked, Christine will create a fireball and head over to the Sacristy.

[Private to GM: Rolled 4 under skill to create fireball.]

OOC:  And just how are we doing that?

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 190):

Is there a lock on the door, or do we need to use magic?

Malga'mar quietly stands.  He observes the others and listens to the conversation as he holds his ornate staff to his ear and nods.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 192):

The refrectory  has no lock.the main doors are braced with benches and tables, the kutchen door coukd be barricaded from the outside with firewood.

"Malga'Mar, can you do your woogie-woo on both doors like you did the main doors last night?  Keep the abominations out of our stuff while we finish hunting them down."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:57, Wed 22 Feb 2017.

Malga'mar lowers his ornate staff from his ear.

"It is within my ability," he says as he nods his head.

"The spell would hold for six hours. . .  or until the door were destroyed."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 195):

"That's a good start. We can check the building when we return."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 196):

 "We could break for lunch and do a recast after."

Malga'mar approaches the doors and repeats the somatic movements seen during the previous casting of his spell; casting upon the doors.



OOC: The double doors again or different doors?


[Private to GM: OOC: Malga'Mar rolled 13 using 3d6.  Magelock IQ/H (15).]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:23, Sun 26 Feb 2017.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 198):

Once he is finished, Christine urges them to clear out the next nearest building, the sacristy?

Malga'Mar:

OOC: The double doors again or different doors?

OOC:  Stenet had recommended both the double doors and the kitchen's outside door, thus no way (that we know of) to get in aside from the windows.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 200):

The double doors being barricaded with several hundred pounds of furniture, Malga'Mar has magelocked the kitchen door. The window shutters were latched closed.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 201):

So, on to the sacristy to finish there?

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 202):

The sacristy, entered by a small door, is a small 3 x 4 yard room adjacent to the dias with the altar within the chapel. There are a number of wooden cabinets, locked and with rude things crudely carved over
a simple marquetry Inlay that might have had symbols of the trifold god.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 203):

"Must be something there they can't destroy. Lets find it, and ensure there are no more exits."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 204):

"I'm not good with locks. I do have a crowbar."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 204):

"I can help with locks once I know there are no traps..."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 206):

"It looks clear to me, although that was Molag's thing."

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 207):

"Lady, do you want me to pry these open, or do you have other plans?"

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 208):

"I was hoping someone would check them for traps, but apparently no-one can, so I will try to open them..."

She casts a spell...

[Private to GM: Lockmaster, 6 under skill.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:52, Sun 12 Mar 2017.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 209):

The cabinet doors swing open, revealing a stack of small silver plates.
A shelf above them seems empty...
The lock is of a type that automatically latches when closed.





Check your artifact list

In reply to Narrator (msg # 210):

Christine will put the plates in Chris' backpack, wrapping them carefully. She will then check the 'empty' shelf...

Jednesa weighs in from outside where she's keeping lookout, "Has-kell no smell trap, is no trap."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 211):

There are a trio of circular markings, as if three rounded or cylindrical items were placed here for a long time. There are multiple outlines close to one anothet, but always the same proportional distance between them, as if the object (s) were placed repeatedly in almost the same position.
Another cabinet is adjacent.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 213):

Is the other cabinet open? Christine will ask Haskell to check it for traps...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 214):

Haskell squats, runs a cheap knife around the edges of the cabinet and
squints at the keyhole.
"Looks good to me."

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 215):

Christine casts a spell to open it then.

[Private to GM: Lockmaster, rolled 8 under.]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 216):

Within the cabinet is a bronze censer, and two metal boxes without locks.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 217):

Christine will very cautiously open the metal boxes...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 218):

One box is filled with disks of pressed charcoal, the other with beads of incense. Haskell's eyes light up at seeing this.



No sign of what might have been in the other cabinet.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 219):

Noting Haskells eyes lighting up, Christine gives him a questioning glance.

Malga'Mar moves into the room and quietly stands to the left of Christine.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 220):

"That is frankincense. It goes for sixteen an ounce, and that
looks like about two pounds worth."

[Private to Malga'Mar: check your lust of artifacts. It may be time to use seeker again]

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 222):

"Nice. We will put that with the gear then. Anything else here, or should we move on?"

Azrael gave a low whistle of appreciation for the value of what they'd found.

Malga'Mar leans toward Christine and speaks quietly.

"What items are left to find?  I could attempt to sense them."

Remaining items include
a book, Lives of the Saints,
A set of silver altar bells,
A silver high holy symbol set with rubies,



and one other I forget

In reply to Narrator (msg # 226):

Thanks, I also forgot. Christine has a much better memory that I though, and she will tell him.

"I like books," says Malga'mar rather plainly -one of the few times he sounds somewhat like a stereotypical ogre.

Taking a few steps away from everyone, the large wizard begins to go through the arcane motions of casting his spell of seeking as he concentrates on Lives of the Saints.  At the end he holds his ornate oaken stave out in front of him and waits for it to indicate a direction.




OOC:  Woot! Critical success on casting the spell.  I'm not sure if that does anything else?

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 228):

Malga'Mar can clearly see the book, with its gilt leather cover set with
Semiprecious stones, and its brightly colored and gilded illuminations.
It is in a monk's cell, lying in the corner under the frame of the cot.
A linen bookmark with silver thread marking the sign of the tripartate
God hold the book marked on the page detailing the story of the anchorite Saint Ambrosius, and his trials of silent loneliness after his withdrawal
from the gossiping town of his birth.

I describe my vision to the others.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 230):

The room with the book is the third from the left in the cloister.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 229):

I listen intently while he describes the vision.

That's quite fascinating!  And it does help give us some direction instead of just wandering building to building.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 232):

"Indeed. Lets head there next. We have everything from here safely stowed away?"

"Think so."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 234):

"Among the items were silver altar bells. If they weren't  by the
altar, they shoulda been here in the sacristy."

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 235):

"Well, lets check both locations then. Then find this book."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 236):

"Malga'Mar, can you seek out silver, discounting the plates and whatnot. Should be a way to find that holy symbol or the bells, plus any cups that go with the plates."

"I can try," says Malga'mar as he closes his eyes and concentrates on the silver bells.  He had some passing familiarity with them from the mission brief and from conversations with Father Eli.  Too, he had some knowledge of magical items from his study.  He repeats the same arcane gestures from before.


OOC: success, but not critical this time

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 238):


This time there is a sensation of darkness and damp, and a vague indication of direction, toward the courtyard and downward.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 239):

"If you got a lead, that's great, but I still want to know idf you can find, um, non-specific treasure that we don't  have to turn in."

"Literally everything else we see is treasure we can keep. Tapestries, furnishings, old books, silverware... you see something you want, throw it on the cart."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 241):

"I am on what I can see, it's what is hidden, buried. I just want to know if he can do that kind of seeking."

"Oh, that'd be great."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 243):

"I agree with your concept, Haskell, but I do no want to get distracted with small loot while there is danger around. We need to keep focussed on our mission, and anything else is a bonus. Remember, demons are experts at taking advantage of human greed."

"Not just greed.  Demons work at one through all seven of the sins."

"Well, fortuntely the ones we've seen so far seem to largely take advantage of whatever sin explosions fall under."

"Yes.  So far we've seen only the weakest and lowest of the common demons.  I expect something either bigger or far more cunning to be hidden someplace in these temple buildings.  Depends on what caused the downfall of this holy place."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 247):

"True. Which is why I would feel more comfortable with pillaging after we have dealt with the bigger troubles here."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 248):

"Alright then to the cloister or to that damp low place, whatever that is."

In reply to Haskell the crafty (msg # 249):

"Indeed. Please direct us to those locations you have detected..."

"The spell works on other things, but seeking the unknown is more difficult."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 251):

OOC: you have Seek Earth, which can be refined to exclude gear you have, and say look for coin grade silver, for example. There are just penalties for distance and or cost for same. You could do a hex by hex search for 0 points of FP, or invest heavily for a broad scan of the area.

Narrator:

You could do a hex by hex search for 0 points of FP, or invest heavily for a broad scan of the area.

OOC:  Unless you've changed it, Seek Earth is a an Information spell and those use Long-Distance Modifiers and is at -1 per object excluded.  The GM usually rolls so the PC doesn't know how far out they are "good" to.



For instance Mal'gamar, say your skill is a 20 and the GM rolls a 15.  You were at -4 due to ignoring 4 items of silver (the bells, a pile of silver cups, and two money pouches (for example)).  Your MoS (Margin of Success) is a 1.

That would mean you can sense the closet silver object (or clustered group†) up to 1/2 mile away.  And you get this for only 3 FP (before skill reductions).

Of course you can only do this‡ once per day...


Unless the Narrator has house ruled this spell.  Information spells in GURPS can very very abusive in this way.



† Some GMs allow this sort of chicanery, the "Okay everyone pile all your silver into this bag so I can ignore for only -1, instead of having to individually ignoring each silver coin or separate money pouch".  And some GMs just laugh maniacally and assign a -1 for every single coin.  The alter ruling is nebulously RAW...

‡ Specifically Seeking Silver.  You can try the other metals and stones and dirts as well, individually once per day.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Tue 04 Apr 2017.

Malga'mar hums loudly in contemplation.

"Hmmmm."

"You want me to search for silver?" he asks as he turns toward Haskell.

"We be takin' votes?"

"Gold. . . Gold, I say.  Heh heh, I can imagine the sourpuss on Jack's face when I captain me own boat."

In reply to Walter Goldman (msg # 255):

"Lets focus on the mission first, then we can get the goodies for ourselves."

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 253):

I accept the "except for all of this pike here." Version, but I woulx hate to see that pile go missing...

"I say we hit the cloister before dealing with some damp hole in the ground."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 258):

"Yes I agree."

She asks Malga'mar to lead them to the nearest item above ground.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 259):

As you head outside, you note the chapel to one side, the cloister and infirmary to another, the winery to the other side, and between, the well and ruins of the blighted garden.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 260):

"Malga'mar, please direct us where to next..."

OOC: Which way does the spell indicate I should go?  Or do I need to cast again?

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 262):

The book calls to you clearly, from the cloister across  the courtyard. You could find it in the dark, its illuminations burned into your memory.


The bells are someplace damp. The fountain in the courtyard is dry, but there is the well.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 263):

Assuming Melga'mar relays this information, Christine point out the Cloister as the next target.

"The pages of the book call to me.  I can almost read them with my clarity of sight.  ...in the cloister."

Jednesa stomps over to the cloister and looks inside*.



* Through arches or windows, or whatever.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 266):

The cloister is a long low building, with a peaked roof fifteen feet up that has small shuttered windows toward the top of the wall, about eight feet up. The building is u shaped, and brackets the ruined garden. There
are double doors on the inner side of each arm of the U, and one
additional single door by the end of the U that is closest to the winery.

Jednesa will open one of the shutters and stoop down a bit to peer inside.




OOC:  Is the rose garden on our side of the building, or the other side?  EI, are we "above the U" or "below the U"?  Or beside the U?

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 268):

You are approaching on a path that runs past the well and through the
garden, and into the center of the U shape.  Jednessa can see a small
dark room about two yards by three, with a cot against the long wall and a heavy door at the end. The window is about a foot square.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 269):

Christine creates for herself another small fireball, and directs her living fireball to back up Jednessa.

"Empty room.  Don't see no demons."  Jednesa says loudly (in her normal conversational tones).

She then carefully closes the shutter and looks to see if anyone is indicating a particular door to go to.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 271):

"I suggest we start at the closest end and work our way around the U section."

Jednesa stomps over to the nearest set of double doors and heaves them open and shouts "YO-HO!" into the open room.





Unless the doors or locked, bared, seriously stuck, whatever... than she'll grunt in surprise and begin to force them open.

Christine will move in behind her large friend, ready to back her up, and asking the living fireball to be close by as well.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 274):

There is a faint giggling sound in the background. The door opens into a
Three yard wide corridor that goes three yards before ending in a cross
corridor that runs the length of the arm of the U. A number of doors are visible along the sides of the longer corridor.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 275):

I assume because we have come in one one end of the U one side goes off out of sight, and the other is quite short? Christine will get the fire elemental to wait just before the first door on the side that goes out of sight, and ask Jednessa to check the doors one at a time on the other (short?) side...

Jednesa opens the doors fully and then spends a good while (ten seconds or so) looking about the room.  She spends as long peering down the hallways before moving to the first door and opening it.  She'll spend the about the same length of time checking each room from out in the corridor, making her way to the shorter end, then turning back to the entrance.


That is if none of the giggles (or anything actually dangerous) jump her first.





OOC:  14:14, Today: Jednesa rolled 12 using 3d6.  Perception 7, taking Extra Time +3 = 10.

Unless something dangerous is literally standing in the middle of a room, completely unhidden she misses it.  And even then she's likely to overlook any Doomchildren that aren't actively moving...

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 277):

Christine backs her up...checking as well.

[Private to GM: Perception +3 for extra time = 15, rolled 14.]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 278):

The cells are simply furnished, with simple cots. The third room you open has someone in the room, a body lies halfway on the cot, face down with six knives sticking out of its back.

Azrael xan feel a presence.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 279):

Christine instructs the fire elemental, whose name she remembers even though I, the player, do not, to burn the body.

Hearing Christine's instructions to Cracker*, today's fire elemental, Stenet speaks up, "Whoa!  Let's drag any unfortunate corpses outside first eh?  No need to fill this building with smoke too."





OOC: * As per message #158.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 281):

"A fair request, but how can you be sure they will stay dead?"

She holds up her hand to indicate for Cracker to wait.

[OOC: Thanks for that. On phone, scrolling tricky with fat fingers!]

"There are no guarantees in this life."

With that Stenet heads in to check the dead body.

Jednesa has moved back to the entrance and is in the hallway watching towards the middle of the 'U'.

"There's something here," Azrael said, looking for spirits.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 283):

The dead body, decades old and barely more than bone has half a dozen knives in his back, and seems to be pointing under the bed.

Azrael cast his Astral Vision spell twice, getting it right the second time.

16:40, Today: Azrael rolled 15 using 3d6.
16:40, Today: Azrael rolled 5 using 3d6.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 287):

The ghost you saw earlier by the farmhouse is in the room. He points under the bed...

Malga'mar lingers near to Jednesa and quietly observes the actions of the group.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 289):

"Chris, can you lift the bed?"

"Hang on now, before we go breaking up the furniture, or setting off any traps, how about someone just lean down and look?"

And saying that Stenet will wave everyone back, take a few steps away from the bed, crouch down, and look under it.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 291):

There is nothing immediately  visible under the bed.

[Private to Stenet Fjall: per roll please]

Azrael looks under the bed with his astral vision.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 293):

There is not much light, and nothing ghostly under the bed.
[Private to Azrael: per at -3]

"Somebody move the bed."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 295):

Christine nods to Chris to continue lifting the bed.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 296):

The golem moves in to lift the bed out of the way.

Per checks at +1

Narrator:

There is nothing immediately  visible under the bed.

OOC:  13:57, Today: Stenet Fjall rolled 12 using 3d6.  Per 12.  Looking under the bed.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 298):

There is a loose brick, with the mortar scraped away from it.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 299):

Christine keeps watch while others investigate.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 300):

Azrael can see the spurit pointing at the loose stone.

Azrael pried the stone out.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 302):

Behind the stone is a battered leatherbound book.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 303):

"Is that one of the items we are looking for?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 304):

This is not the Lives of the Saints, or the other Holy text.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 305):

Does she recognize it?

[Private to GM: Rolled her hidden Lore(magic Items) skill, exactly.]

Azrael flips through the book.

Stenet stows his ax and shield and makes ready to knock the book away from Azrael if he starts acting possessed.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 307):

Not appearing to be a magical artifact, the book is written in Latin, a language
known to Malga'Mar, and is not illuminated. It seems to be organized like a diary,
 and is mostly businesslike, up until the last few entries, which are written a
little differently.

The spectre of Brother Thomas points at the book once you get to the last
several pages.

Azrael handed the book to Malga'mar. "Here, I only know enough Latin to perform an exorcism."

In reply to Azrael (msg # 310):

Christine keeps watch while they read it.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 311):

As you go farther into the book, there are pages and pages about the outbreak of plague forty years ago. The tone of the writer changes, and becomes questioning.


https://drive.google.com/file/...3M/view?usp=drivesdk


Ooc: not for the squeamish or sensitive.

In reply to Azrael (msg # 310):

Malga'mar approaches, setting his staves aside.  He gently accepts the book with his large hands and begins to peruse the pages.

The ogrekin's large hands move with the skill of a deft librarian as he hums the syllables of Latin language to himself.

"M-hmm-hmm-hmm-ha-hmm."

His head nods, bouncing from word to word with educated speed.  (Yay for putting points into Speed Reading!)

"Oh! I see," says Malga'mar as his eyes fixate on a page.  One of the ogrekin wizard's large hands reaches down to adjust the crotch of his heavy leather leggings as he clears his throat.

"The priest summoned a woman using a ritual book.  The woman had horns and wings and, uh... It looks like the Father found a mother.  He was sexed to death, and the book gives details."

"Book says two children.  I think one is the girl we met before; the horny. . . er, horned woman did not want her.  One was something else that I do not understand, but the devil-woman wanted to keep it."

"The priest wrote of doing things I did not know men did."

"Heh! Sexed to death by devil-women?  Shoulda married the gal.  Fire burns low not long afta the ring."

"Do read allowed the passages specifically about the children.  They might provide clues as to exactly what evils roam these grounds."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 316):

"The woman back at the house? If the she-devil wanted her dead, how does she still live? By the way, does anyone know how to kill such she devils? "

"The first child," says Malga'mar before translating some of the written Latin into a more common spoken language.

"Like Eve, she became with child, but right away, in an instant.  Like Eve, she suffered the agonies of childbirth and brought forth a girl child -tender and pink.  She (the devil-woman) cut through the cord with her teeth, and made as to cast the infant from her, but appeared stricken.  'I cannot do this!,' she cried piteously."

"It then says the priest gave the child to Brother Michael with instructions to smother it.  My guess is that Brother Michael did not do so.  So, maybe the girl lives because her mother is not aware she is alive.  I know little of demon lore.  Perhaps some manner of blood bond made the woman unable to kill the child?"


"The second child," says Malga'mar after clearing his throat.

"My shame upon me, she climbed off, and again, her belly swelled, becoming great with child in an instant. She grunted once, and expelled from her a fetal mass, stinking of spend. This seemed to be a mere thing, unlike our first offspring. She raised it to her breast and nursed it, which was different from her manner with the girl child, which she could not bear to touch or even look at. The thing swelled in size, then scuttled away."

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 318):

"Nothing good can come of sex with demons, to be sure. But we have dealt with more than one of those brats. What of their whore mother? How to kill that bitch?"

OOC:  Conversing with Narrator.

"Yeah, sounds like that girl we met earlier may be an infernal half-breed.  Poor thing.  The mother is probably a Succubus, they exist only to seduce the wayward and spawn foul demon children.  She didn't harm the baby as they cannot directly harm innocent creatures.  She'll need silver or enchanted weapons to kill her, and even then her heart needs to be cut out to keep her from regenerating."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 321):

"Right. Good to know. Time to see who has silver weapons. What about magic: does it harm her? Any particular type of magic?"

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 322):

Staring at the floor while listening to the reading, I cringe at the descriptions of copulation.

I look up to answer; "I apologize.  I have neither silver weapons, nor harmful magic.  I am, however, a skilled surgeon.  I can remove a heart."

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 323):

"Anyone an armorer or smith? We have all of these silver plates, in addition to my sword and that crozier."

"Everything harms them, but like I said, only magical or silver weapons can kill it.  And then only if her heart is cut out will it stay dead."

"I'm afraid my magic only harms the undead," Azrael said. "You need a Demonologist, not a Necromancer. I'd suggest we take a trip back into town, resupply, and maybe bring someone along who can handle these... things."