"It's dark down here for a reason." Crowley informed Shawn. They were indeed in complete darkness. Shawn was only following the voice of Crowley.

Invasive thoughts seemed to surge across Shawn's mind. Pressing against him like a heavy weight. It might have been the Circus' magic.

Shawn was still capable of focusing on keeping track of the baby-demon's voice. The other thoughts keenly aware and somehow unaware, precisely, just how much time of the 20 minutes had passed.

OOC: Shawn may Roll Intelligence + Wits To guess at how much time

"What reason is that?" Shawn was talking less out of curiosity and more to keep Crowley talking so he could follow.

OOC: 01:04, Today: Shawn Cramer rolled 4 successes using 3d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 7,10(+8),10(+9).  Intelligence + Wits.

Shawn is almost positive that 20 minutes had nearly expired. It would only be a matter of time before Mr. Cherrywinks came to snatch the life out of Ralph, Eric and....Shawn himself.

OOC: Shawn Rolls Wits + Composure

"To avoid the prying eyes of the proprietor" Crowley said in a hushed voice

Shawn picks up the pace a little, hoping to encourage Crowley to move faster as well. "There's places the Proprietor can't see?"


OOC: 09:14, Today: Shawn Cramer rolled 1 success using 4d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 9,2,4,6. Wits + Composure.

"He sees everything above ground at the Circus." Crowley confrimed. "That's why you have to move in the darkness, in special ways. Like this tunnel. But you can't move too far down, because you don't know what you'll find down here. Like in the sewer. The further you go down, the closer you get to where he lives down there in the well."


Shawn could tell that time was running out. There was no telling how long this tunnel was or how many turns they would take. He couldn't see anything. But if he stayed at a toddler's pace, moving at the stride of Crowley's two, short, stubby legs for much longer, Ralph, Eric and himself would be dead.

"Which way is the Fortuneteller's tent? I kinda need to talk to her in a hurry."

"Follow me." Crowley said. He was closer than Shawn thought he was, almost between Shawn's legs really. "It's just this way. We have to go straight." He finished, still taking his time. Still moving like, well, a baby. At a snail's pace.

Shawn shuffled along behind Crowley for a moment, gauging what a straight line would be. He reached out on either side, trying to feel around for any guiding walls or paths. He also considered whether Crowley sounded serious about his directions, or if he sounded like he was unsure or trying to trick Shawn.

The tunnel was narrow and Shawn could feel the sides of the walls, the chalky dust that covered the excavated rock touching his fingers on either side and leaving a residue.

OOC: Shawn Rolls Composure + Subterfuge

OOC: 09:01, Today: Shawn Cramer rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling on 9 or more with rolls of 4,2,9(+3),8,5. Composure + Subterfuge.

It didn't appear, at least, that Crowley was engaging Shawn in the traditional duel of words or bargaining. Shawn knew that Crowley was skilled in this endeavor as a member of the Circus. A creature who constantly wheeled and dealed as he spoke, trying to get the advantage. However, for the moment, to Shawn's knowledge, Shawn couldn't feel the 'press' of Crowley's chicanery working on him.

After muttering a few words in the dark about 'quadruple', Crowley spoke once again about the subject at hand, still moving slowly in between Shawn's legs.

"The Proprietor has wanted very much that this place appears like a carnival in order to attract and frighten children to death. That is why everyone takes the form of a Circus member. The Circus used to look a lot different. The rides and signs used to be bright. Kids would come all over to get in and wait at the entrance. Only to find out much later that their souls were to be taken. But like everything that the Proprietor touches, it decayed slowly."

"Of course, we have been in the Circus for a very long time. But before that, the Proprietor wanted us to be something else. And something else before that something else. He only changes it when the rot and decay becomes overwhelming. But he needs a lot of souls to make a change. And I think he'd rather open the Circus than do that."

Shawn filed away that information for later - it seemed really important. But right now he had a very strict time limit. "Sorry Crowley, I've gotta get to the Fortuneteller right now. Don't worry, our deal's still on, I'll meet you there!" Shawn took off running through the tunnel, hands spread to either side like an airplane as he used the walls like a guide.

OOC: Shawn receives +1 WP for his creative explanations to Crowley (Flattery, etc)

Rolls Dexterity + Athletics with the following results:

0 Successes: It's Too Late! Ralph and Eric die and their souls are stolen by Mr. Cherrywinks. Mr. Cherrywinks appears in the tunnel behind Shawn and will attempt to kill him. Footrace ensues

1 Success: It's Too Late for Them! Ralph and Eric die and their souls are stolen by Mr. Cherrywinks.

2 Successes: It's Too Late for ... (Eric or Ralph). Eric or Ralph dies. Shawn rolls 1d2 to determine who. 1 = Eric. 2 = Ralph.

3+ Successes: Whew! That was close. Shawn makes it there with time to spare.

Shawn sprinted faster than he ever thought he could!

OOC: 13:51, Today: Shawn Cramer rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,3,5,8,3,6,2,6,8.  Dexterity + Athletics + WP.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Sun 24 Sept 2017.

Shawn could hear Crowley crying behind him. It sounded like a rasping child, part infantile, part demonic. The sound seemed to follow Shawn until he reached the edge of the hatch, scurrying up the ladder, the crying echoes scratching their way through the corridor as Shawn pushed his way through to the dim light above.

OOC: Shawn Joins Thread

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult