Leaning in closely, Josephine tried to take the woman's hand in a soft grip, and spoke quietly,

"If you need help, believe me: I'll trust what you say. All it takes is a word." she said, keeping her volume very low, just between them to inspire the woman to feel more secure.




Diplomacy 29. Good lord, I roll great on skills I'm terrible at, and sub-average on skills I'm good at, hahaha. This site wants me balanced!

ooc: Lol! And no, I didn't forget you. I just got interrupted mid-post for you by a client wanting to start her session early yesterday.

IC: The woman softens slightly, eyes glancing uncertainly to Marcus and his brother, still waiting in the hallway and within earshot. She gives a slight nod at your offer though. Uh, thank you miss. Very kind. But I have things in hand. This place is just...full of memories. That's all.

You get the feeling she could be pressed for more under other circumstances, but she seems unwilling to talk in front of the men.

Turning towards Marcus, Josephine whispered,

"Give us a minute. Girl talk and all that." she smiled, tilting her head towards the door.

Once the men were gone, Josephine turned back with a concerned gaze,

"Are you alright? If you need help, I can try to be that help for you." she offered, ready to help the woman if she could.

Marcus takes your hint easily, pulling the ever curious Will away by his ear and back to their room.

The woman, is surprised by your action, and starts to decline your offer, but then her lip trembles and she heaves an exhausted sigh. Oh, there's nothing you can do to help me. No one can. I don't know what to do! She followed me here! I can't escape her, no matter what I do. she looks on the verge of crying.

"The little girl?" Josephine ventured a guess, hoping that the recognition would get the woman to open up more, "When was the first time you saw her? You said she followed you here... from where? How long has she been around?" she asked, realizing this was a bigger problem than the woman wanted to admit.

"Has she ever hurt anybody, or just frightened people?" she asked, also wanting to know exactly what sort of demon or spectre she would be dealing with.

You saw her? she gasps in surprise. Oh no! No, no! She'll be after you next! Oh, I'm so sorry! she looks beyond upset. You must leave, quickly! It may not be too late! Oh, I am going on. She sits down, hard, her head in her hands. You see, the little girl is...was, my sister. She died rather unexpectedly, years ago. No matter where I've gone, she's followed me. She's never been violent before though. Not really. I would just catch glimpses, hints of her. But lately...she's been getting stronger for some reason. I don't know how. It's only been a few weeks, but...she's dangerous!

"Hmm..." Josephine tapped a finger to her lips thoughtfully, "If she's growing stronger, its probably not just her. It might be something in the area. Has she said anything specific? Anything that seemed 'off' to you, or has it just been a stronger version of the same?"

Jo was quickly suspecting that this little girl had nothing to do with the REAL issue of the power increase, and was just a symptom. Soon as she figured out any further info from this woman, Marcus would need to hear this!

She's not spoken to me at all. She just...giggles. But, she has harmed others. She nearly killed a guest staying in this room last week! That's why I locked it. I don't know if it's the room itself she's drawn to, or if it would do any good, she shook her head. I even tried to get a priest involved but, nothing has worked. I've...heard others, miss. With stories like mine. This place, the dead are rising it seems. Or, at least their ghosts are.

Nodding, concerned, Josephine tilted her head outside of the door,

"My friends should hear about this. I assure you: they won't judge you either, but one of them will be able to offer us much more information on the possible cause of this. We might be able to help you with your problem." she smiled hopefully.

Soon as the woman agreed, she went to grab Marcus and rapidly explain to him the situation.

She seems frantic that you not tell anyone else, but you are able to convince her with your calming charm and soon Marcus is back, frowning in thought as he listens to the woman. Will, he has left in their room, obviously thinking the woman will feel more at ease if the boy is not there.

I'm not going to waste time on this Ms, Marcus shakes his dark head. Spirits are real, and everyone in this room knows it. Tell me then, do you have some trinket? Some memento of your sister's? From what you tell me, she was not buried in this area, yes? The woman nods the affirmative. Right. She was buried two states away, and yet she follows! She frowns in thought at his other question. Yes, I do believe I brought some of her things with me, when I moved. They're in the cellar. Some old toys we shared, in our youth. One in particular, a wooden horse. She loved that horse. she says sadly.

To the cellar we go then, Marcus says firmly.

ooc: Ok, please roll a spot and a search. Good luck! mwahahahahahahaha!

Josephine nods, and then pauses as Marcus moves in quickly. Pulling him to the side, Josephine tugs at his sleeve to get his attention,

"Are you sure this is coincidence?" she asked, "If I thought it was a simple ghost, I wouldn't have even bothered... would've done it myself. This is just peculiar timing, is it not?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Still, she followed him straight into the cellar, ready to fight if need be.



OMG MY RANDOM LUCK SAVED ME I HOPE!
13:45, Today: Josephine Hartley rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  search with a 1, oh god help me.

13:45, Today: Josephine Hartley rolled 21 using 1d20+9.  spot.

ooc: Lol, that figures that all your good rolls are used now...

ic: You're right, he nods, eyes shifting around as though watching his back. Absolutely right. Still, do we really have a choice? Unless, you want to play this differently? If you want to look around, I'll watch our little hostess. Just in case...

The cellar is dark, dreary, and stuffed with boxes and bags of things. The woman gestures vaguely at the corner of the room, thinking that the toy might be in that section. To your surprise, you find it remarkably easily. Even Marcus looks at you in surprise, clearly impressed.

The woman looks at it wistfully. You...need to keep it, don't you? She says sadly. Marcus nods and she sighs but, after a moment, gives her own nod of permission.

You start back up the stairs then, still on edge at how easy this all was. As you are nearly at the top of the stairs, you hear a familiar scream suddenly. It takes a moment to register but you start running as soon as it clicks. Will.

Marcus is even faster, bolting to his brother's room and nearly kicking the door down. The inn woman follows, gasping with concern. You burst in to see the same ghost girl as before. She has her arms wrapped around Will's waist as he frantically wrestles with her. She turns her head at your entrance, a chilling smile spreading across her face. And then, to your complete shock, she and Will, disappear.

ooc - RIGHT?! I'm screwed, lol. I swear these dicerollers are cursed!

IC - "No!" Josephine curses, chases after Marcus.

Soon, she reached the room, and felt the shocked horror as the little girl held onto Will. Reaching for a source of fire, Josephine wasn't quick enough, and Will vanished.

Turning to Marcus, she handed him the doll,

"Burn it?" more a question than a statement. She knew it could be done, but where had she taken him, exactly? Was it imperative to act quickly, or slowly, and track them?

Marcus, clearly stunned and upset, looks down at the doll with shaking hands. I-I don't know. I didn't know ghosts could do that, he says quietly. What is happening? I don't... he sits down, heavily on the empty bed, more of a fall than anything else. Should I burn it? Would it hurt him? he looks at you, completely bewildered. His shock is evident, but somehow, he finds enough of his wits to add, Kirk. He'd know. He knows everything. Find Kirk! The grumpy Kirk had followed you from the train, but only as far as another hotel near the town entrance. The man has expensive tastes, and his hotel of choice, though small, is far grander than the one you're currently in. It will be about a ten minute walk to get to him. Faster if you run. Marcus stands, looking determined. Let's go! He bolts, still unsteady on his feet, but the focus of his task sharpens his body and he grabs your hand, pulling you with him.

You burst out of the building, and you're barely able to keep up with him. He still grips the toy horse in his other hand as he runs.

You both rush down the street, eyes forward along with your focus. You pass by some shops on either side. Then you hear a blood curdling scream coming from a two story building on your right. It looks like a lovely little florist shop with an apartment above. You can't see what's going on inside, but the screams worsen...

Being tugged along, Josephine nearly rolled her eyes at the next scream. It seemed they were being pulled every direction at once!

"You: find Kirk! Bring him back here, I'm going to see what is happening over there. We still have a responsibility to these people, if something is going on!" she said, pointing with an encouraging smile, "He'll be fine! Go, bring Kirk!" she said, and then she spun and turned towards the 2 story building on her right.

Marcus bites off a breathless, Be careful! as he glances back at you with concern, all the more determined to find Kirk fast.

As you dash into the florist's, you see there are three ladies within. One, is in a heap on the floor, though you see no blood and her color looks good, the other, a portly, middle aged woman, is the one screaming so, and the third...well, she is frozen in fear at the sight of a clearly dead man, who is grinning at her and advancing quite fast. Another ghost...

Nodding in reply to Marcus, breathlessly, Josephine ran off to help against what she assumed would be another ghost attack. Deep down, she knew splitting up was a terrible idea, and she didn't like the idea of it, but she had to try!

Reaching over her shoulder, grasping for her shotgun full of salted rounds, she hoped to God it was still there,

"Back off, ladies!" she called out, knowing that the advancing ghost needed to be blasted.




No idea if I still have the shotgun. I'm assuming I do, but I don't have any equipment on my sheet for some reason.

ooc: You totally have the shotgun still, no worries ;P
For time's sake, I rolled your attack for you, if that's ok.

IC: Your shotgun blast barely misses the ghost, as he darts out of the way just in time. You cringe, as the spray of bullets shoots through some lovely wainscoting.

Meanwhile, the woman targeted by the ghost, screams again. It's, it's my Jonathan! she shrieks. How is this possible?! He's coming to take me to hell with him! She cries frantically. Indeed, he does seem determined to go after her, surprisingly so, but he clearly sees you as a threat. With a flick of his wrist, a large porcelain vase goes hurtling towards your head. You manage to dodge at the last second though.
During all this, the second of the 3 women is desperately trying to drag the fainted woman out of the door, with mixed success.

ooc: Ok, go ahead and roll your next round or make any other actions you so desire ;)

Cursing as she missed, and narrowly ducking, Josephine lifted her head back up and blew the hair out of her eyes,

"Jonathan? Do you have anything of his that you've kept!? Any trinket?" she asked hurriedly, ready to tell the woman to burn it if she affirms.

Still, the ghost was a threat, and coming at them, so Josephine delayed as long as she could, before unleashing another shotgun blast in its direction, hoping for success.

"His spirit is linked to something of his that you've kept! If we don't burn it, he'll be a problem!"



It is literally ALWAYS ok for you to roll for me, to save time! Rolling is, by far, my least favorite part of all of this!

Also, no idea for modifier. I know I have a bunch of cool stuff listed like "precise shot this and that", but no idea what it all does... sorry!

10:04, Today: Josephine Hartley rolled 7 using 1d20.  attack!

ooc: I glanced at your sheet enough to guestimate. I'll have to help you polish it a bit one of these days, since I'm pretty sure it's my fault if you're missing stuff ;P

IC: The shot barely misses, but it's enough to give you some elbow room at least, as he disappears, reappearing across the room. The woman barely registers what you're saying, but at last nods, half coherently. On my dresser, upstairs! I keep his hairbrush, to remind me of-oh!! she gasps as a vase hurls across the room towards her face.

Should you go after it, the hairbrush will be an easy find. However, there isn't a fire in the household you can see, especially since it's warmer this time of year. There is, however, a blacksmith across the way. If anyone would have a roaring fire it would be him. That is, if you can make it. Especially since Jonathan has moved his pursuits towards you. Just as you grab the hairbrush off the dresser, the mirror shatters, and several shards rip towards you, like daggers.

ooc: Roll a reflex check to see if you half the damage from the shards, and also roll a dex to see if you can make it to the blacksmith, assuming you go that route! ;P

Josephine cursed, and nodded,

"Just run!" she urged the women, ducking and trying to sprint past Jonathan to reach the hairbrush.

Josephine was normally fairly quick, but maybe this time not quick enough! Cursing again under her breath, she tried to avoid Jonathan's grasp and weaponized thoughts, and sprinted towards the blacksmith, hoping there would be a source of fire she could access!



12 and 15 (modified). My roll luck... holds out (LOL)

The glass cuts through you like knives, though fortunately you avoid having your throat cut, and though the wounds hurt, you have plenty of fight left in you, thank goodness, as you bolt downstairs so fast it's hard not to fall, the hairbrush clenched in your hand. The women, seem to have taken your advice, fleeing and squealing out into the street like hens scattered by dogs.

In spite of feeling a bit winded, you somehow manage to beat Jonathan to the blacksmith, though not by much. The blacksmith himself looks startled at the suddenness of your entrance. He starts to ask if he can help you, but before he can say anything, you see his furnace and plunge the hairbrush in. It's hot enough that it catches almost instantly, and you and the blacksmith turn as a sudden scream behind you reveals Jonathan's specter bursting into a spark of flames, finally disappearing. The poor blacksmith looks stunned, but before you can react, you hear more screams from down the street. Only, it seems it's coming from all around. You rush out and see pandemonium. Frantic people bolting from their homes, shrieks and shouts coming from at least four houses nearby...

ooc: Ok, take 9 damage please, before I forget! And Jonathan's roll was crappy, so you lucked out! lol

Looking around outside, Josephine's heart pulled her in multiple directions, but she knew she had to DELEGATE, instead of just fight. That was her strength anyway: use her words!

Turning to the blacksmith, she pointed,

"Any ghosts? Find a relic, something from their past, and burn it! It will stop them! I can't do this alone! Spread the word!" she said, hoping he would at least be able to help some people.

Turning towards the women that WEREN'T shrieking, she said the same thing.

Turning finally towards where she knew Marcus went, she ran off after him.



I suck at survival, buuuut we knew this already, so that's expected!

I figure some of my charismatic hero, fast talking hero, trustworthy, or super high diplomacy stuff will make THIS my best option! MOTIVATE THE PEOPLE!

ooc: Nice tactic!

ic: Ignoring the screams of those around you is not easy, but you manage to push them out of your mind as you race towards where Marcus and Kirk are.

They are easy to find, they are the only voices talking in the otherwise empty building. Judging by the sight of disarray, this place, too, has been struck.

You rush towards their voices, finding them in one of the guest rooms, talking animatedly. The doorway, which is open, bears a border of salt. Seeing you, Marcus ushers you inside, relieved you're alright. I was just about to come find you! he gives a half smile. Kirk here was just telling me that whatever this is, isn't natural. Not that ghosts are ever natural, but someone is putting them up to this. Using them as weapons. Considering we tracked him here, he thinks...it may be the demon inside your father. Or his doing, I should say. Even demons can't do this.

No. But the right witch can. Kirk frowns. And unfortunately, undoing this is going to take finding whoever started it in the first place. We have us a literal witch hunt on our hands here.

OOC: Thanks! I'm doomed if I keep trying to act like Sam and Dean and punch everything, hahaha!


Nodding, Josephine took a few deep breaths to get herself right again, and looked outside once more,

"Alright, and time is of the essence. I've told a few of the citizens what they can do to remove the ghosts, but on a very basic level. That should help with the numbers a little bit, but we also need to get on tracking quickly, before the city is overrun. Do we have any way of tracking a central location for the activity?" she asked, brushing her hair out of her face.

"I'm going to assume the right kind of witch would be powerful enough to already be known to somebody. We have to at least have a little hint or something?" she asked, watching their faces.

Recognizing the tone, she realized that they may be losing hope, so she took it upon herself to motivate them,

"Look: this is a rough situation, and it may seem like we're running from trouble to trouble to more trouble, but we have to keep fighting! Not only these people depend on us, but everyone else! Think about it: do you really think THIS level of trouble is being done for people that don't matter? Our mission isn't important?" she paused for dramatic effect, "What we are doing is IMPORTANT, and if we succeed, it means it will be a big blow to the other side! So let's put our brains together, and make sure we're not just making moves, but the RIGHT moves, alright?" she asked hopefully, smiling and placing a hand on each of their shoulders,

"We've GOT this!"