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08:29, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Closed: Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult.

Posted by Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - MelindaFor group 0
Storyteller
GM, 425 posts
Tue 26 Sep 2017
at 02:10
  • msg #11

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

OOC: Shawn takes 2 lethal damage

Shawn jumped up from the chair, trying to pry his arm loose. But the Old Woman's strength held his arm firm. Blood pouted from the wound now all the way up Shawn's arm, in thick, bloody gouts. They ran off the side of the table and dripped onto the floor of the tent, a series of pats on the ground.

Something was screaming. Or someone. It might have been Shawn.

Everything suddenly started to appear darker, the crimson shade of red inside the tent and outside the tent suddenly invasive. The bleary-eyed pain suddenly faded and was replaced by a growing sense that Shawn was no longer in control of his thoughts. Everything became heavy. Every movement slow. It was a nightmare of sorts, more vicious than most, more lucid. Every movement was costing more energy than it should have, like someone just turned gravity way up. There was a chink of light part way up a wall of the tent. Shawn could feel thoughts running upward through his body. His mind.

The Fortune Teller was leaning back now. Her body and face was a dark, crimson red. Everything was red. She was babbling something incoherent, that third eye flickering.

Somewhere in the distance, Shawn heard the voice of Crowley. Crowley in the tunnel. Crowley explaining how things weren't what the appeared to be.

"The Proprietor has wanted very much that this place appears like a carnival in order to attract and frighten children to death..."


Crowley's voice, but thin and distant, like he was talking through a tunnel made of some kind of tin and brass.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1047 posts
Tue 26 Sep 2017
at 02:25
  • msg #12

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn felt weak - he'd lost a lot of blood, but it was more than just that. His thoughts and senses were no longer his own, and he could do nothing but hope and pray that the thing that made it through to the other side would be recognisable as himself.
Storyteller
GM, 426 posts
Tue 26 Sep 2017
at 10:05
  • msg #13

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn could see for a moment, a glimpse behind the decay of the Circus's rotting superficial exterior. Through the confusing turns of his own mind, he saw with clarity for just an instant. The tent and all of its interior was no longer filled with crimson red, but dark and ominous.

He raised his head, delirious to find that the Fortune Teller was no longer mumbling in some incoherent language, but instead was some kind of skeletal creature. Cards were being pushed in front of him. Two cards. One that read 'Ralph' the other 'Eric.' It was clear a choice had to be made.


Shawn Cramer
player, 1048 posts
Tue 26 Sep 2017
at 11:50
  • msg #14

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn woozily started to reach for the card, then hesitated. "Is...this choosing who I want to save, or who...has to die?"
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 21 posts
Wed 27 Sep 2017
at 01:28
  • msg #15

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

"You are lucky that you came when you did. There is time to save them yet. The choice you make only determines which we save first. When dealing with the Occult, we place our faith in those that would carry out our will, with the chance that something dark will befall the target of our magic, each time we engage in it. Therefore, you must choose: Eric or Ralph."
Shawn Cramer
player, 1049 posts
Wed 27 Sep 2017
at 01:51
  • msg #16

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Without hesitation, Shawn reached for Ralph's card, though his hand was shaking and Shawn himself was swaying.
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 22 posts
Wed 27 Sep 2017
at 08:58
  • msg #17

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

The skeletal hand pushed one of the cards forward to Shawn. It pictured three women in red togas, embraced in a circle, arms raised holding what looked like 3 goblets. The card read '3 of Cups.'

"The future is yet unknown.  But the cards will help determine what happens. I will align the cards in a set of three: Past, Present and Future. Your past is the Three of Cups. That means that you have had a fortunate end to a venture. A celebration is in order. You have achieved a level of trust and harmony, a healing of ills."


The skeletal hand pushed the second card forward: Strength. It had a picture of a Tiger on the card, swirling tendrils of blue smoke around its face.

"Strength." Melinda announced in a thin, reedy voice, the pin in Shawn's arm suddenly fading fast. "Control of passion against one’s baser instincts. Determination. Generosity. Strength and power under control. You have persevered. You are stronger than before in some ways."


The skeletal hand pushed the third card forward:  It had a picture of a woman dressed in a white toga, surrounded by swords circling around her.

"The Eight of Swords." Melinda announced and Shawn suddenly saw that Ralph was on the floor, the candle light casting shadows on his face. His eyes were puffy like he had been crying. He was on his knees, face dirty with grime, a look of confusion. "Jealousy." Melinda continued, reading the final meaning of what would occur in the future based on the cards drawn.  "...from family, crisis and enforced isolation, illness and oppression, major difficulties and adverse circumstances dictated by fate."

There was a slight change in Ralph's demeanor, his eyes squint, face rigid.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1050 posts
Wed 27 Sep 2017
at 11:59
  • msg #18

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn considered Melinda's words as she overturned each card. He hoped the Three of Cups meant that he'd been successful here, made the right choices in coming. Strength didn't make as much sense to him; for all Melinda said, he was barely conscious, covered in blood and sweat. His last reserves of will had been scraped clean. But the last card made him sit up with worry, old fears about being hated rising to the surface. "The cards made Ralph jealous? Is that the price? Can I fix it?"
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 23 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 01:34
  • msg #19

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn pushed past the deliriousness of the reading. He was covered with his own blood and his face was flush with heat. His consciousness was dulled by the loss of blood but somehow awakened by the mention of Ralph.



"Ralph is saved. Is that not what you wanted?" the skeletal creature asked, hands moving quickly to pull the Eight of Swords back into the deck, with practiced easy and fluency. "I will explain to you both the outcome and the process." hands now shuffling the deck, click, click, clicking as the cards flapped, their edges worn and browned from age.

"We use the Magic from the Order to do what you ask. The Magic comes from the souls of those who have been taken. But few souls belong to us. Each time we use Magic, we borrow from far below. From where the Proprietor dwells."

"And for what you asked, what you wanted to have done, we needed your blood. It is a Blood magic reading. I am sure I do not need to tell you that blood is a powerful thing. Blood is is death: the slain warriors on the field, the victim of violence, the hunter’s prey all lay bloody in their final state. Blood is life: it is part of the cycle of fertility that perpetuates life."

"Your fears for your friend are warranted. He will grow jealous. Of what or who I cannot say. There is always a way to bend the world to change or alter our situation. It will depend on how many souls are on hand and what sacrifices are willing to be made during these times"

Shawn Cramer
player, 1051 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 01:48
  • msg #20

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

For all the understanding and important information Melinda was conveying, what relieved Shawn the most was the possibility that Ralph would not grow to resent him. "I think I understand what you mean. I've got the tools to fix this if I have to."
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 24 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 02:11
  • msg #21

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Perhaps the Fortune Teller was used to a higher, more intellectual grasp on the Occult and the variety of discussions around the subject. Or maybe it was the fact that Melinda had been at this evil Circus for a very long, long time.

Whatever the reason, what was being spoken came out like a lot of adult words. Certainly not the subject of the conversation that Mom and Dad would have.

But the words...they came out of that skeleton's face as complicated and...

"It is time for the final card. This last card will save Eric and determine his nature in your future."
The skeletal hands pushed the deck towards Shawn, beckoning him to draw a card.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1052 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 02:16
  • msg #22

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn carefully reached out and drew the card, dreading its result, but also hoping against hope it was a good one. They didn't have to be bad, did they? Maybe they could be positive? Even as he thought it, Shawn didn't really believe that.
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 25 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 02:24
  • msg #23

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult



Shawn looked at the card as he turned it over: The Tower. It was a picture of a large, ominous structure with two figures falling from it into crashing waves below. It looked like the Tower was on fire, maybe from lightning of some kind.

"The Tower."
Melinda stated. "Sudden violent loss. Overthrow of an existing way of life. Major changes. Disruption of well worn routines. Ruin and disturbance. Dramatic upheaval. Widespread repercussions of actions....and in the end, enlightenment and freedom."

As she stated this, Shawn could see that Eric was in the room on the ground. He moved on the floor like a dreamer who was just awakening.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1053 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 02:28
  • msg #24

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn didn't like the sound of that...but at least it ended optimistically? At the very least, Eric hadn't liked him much before, so at worst they'd be back at the start, right? He had a feeling it wouldn't be so simple, though. "So...that's it? They're saved?"
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 26 posts
Fri 29 Sep 2017
at 02:38
  • msg #25

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

The room turned dim as the candle light flickered. A crimson tide of light crept through the darkness, casting a shadow everywhere it didn't touch. Shawn looked up to see that Melinda was no longer in skeletal form. Instead, she was sitting there, her third eye gazing at Shawn, her gnarled, old hands picking up the cards and returning them to her side of the table.



"Yes. They are saved from the Clown troupe and from Mr. Cherrywinks."
She concluded. "This was an unprecedented attack. It shall not go unanswered."

"We need more souls for the contest. But we need to respond to this assault with one of our own."

Shawn looked down to see that the bleeding had ceased. Somewhere through the reading, the pain had gone away. He saw that all that remained from the gastly, muscle tearing arm gouge was a single cut on his arm. The kind that one might get from a sharp branch when falling down from a tree during a summer time game of hide and seek.

OOC: All dots on Shawn's health have healed except for 1 lethal damage.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1054 posts
Fri 29 Sep 2017
at 02:46
  • msg #26

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn flexed his arm gingerly, surprised at the lack of pain. "What's going to happen next?" If there was going to be some sort of battle between the Order and the clowns, well, it wasn't like Shawn was much of a soldier.
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 27 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 00:03
  • msg #27

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult



"It is normal for different factions to jockey for positioning in the lead up to the Circus. The one who works on behalf of the proprietor and runs the Circus, is the one who is likely to have the most souls. And souls are important during the times when the Circus is dormant."


"But this kind of unprecedented attack against one of our own..."
And her third eye blinked at Shawn to indicate that She was speaking about Shawn as being a member of the Order

"This cannot go unpunished. We must do something to let the Clown troupe know that our members are not to be touched."


"Tomorrow night you will read the last chapter of the twelfth book of the Sword of Seradin in your room before you go to bed. There, Griffix will leave instructions on what to do."

She leaned forward to make her point clear. "Follow those instructions. Do not disappoint the Order."
Shawn Cramer
player, 1055 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 00:12
  • msg #28

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn looked a little confused, not recalling seeing any instructions last time he'd read that particular book. But then, he supposed, this was magic. It didn't have to make sense."Will Griffix be there?" He recalled that he had a vial to hand over to the man, and some questions for him besides.
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 28 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 00:26
  • msg #29

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult



"The instructions will tell you everything you need to know. It is not safe anymore for Griffix to come directly to you. Not now. Not when we are trying to kill each other."
Melinda advised.

"At least not until the Soul contest is over."
she added.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1056 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 00:30
  • msg #30

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

"I-is my family in danger?" The enormity of the current situation was currently dawning on Shawn. He wasn't really out of danger if it came to open war.
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 29 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 16:12
  • msg #31

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

This was the typical kind of moment that Shawn had learned that adult figures tended to lie to make things better. The old woman would tell her child on the street that bad things only happened to bad people. The child who was suffering would be told that things would all work out, even though the prospects were dim at best.



"Of course!" Melinda snapped, all of the eyes now blinking at Shawn. The sudden truth of the matter came down like a heavy sledge hammer, breaking the norm of the usual routine types of conversations that Shawn had with adults.

"Everyone is in danger. Even those who are down here. Everyone is in danger until this is resolved. Until the conflict between the Clowns and the Order of Sybil is over. And that will only be resolved when the soul contest ends." The old woman was yelling now.

"That is why it is of utmost importance that you follow the directions that are given and do everything you can to capture any souls possible. Even if it means putting yourself at risk. The alternative is much, much worse!"

Shawn Cramer
player, 1057 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 16:42
  • msg #32

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn kept the fear and worry he was feeling from his face as best he could. He could tell from Melinda's response that she was worried, and he couldn't show weakness in front of her. "I understand."
Evil Circus - Fortune Teller - Melinda
NPC, 30 posts
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 23:13
  • msg #33

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult



"Everyone is in grave danger. There's no telling who will be the next to  be targeted. Try not to do anything that attracts the attention of the Clown troupe when you get back home. Don't answer the closet door. Keep the lights on when you go to bed. And don't tell engage in any knock knock jokes."

"Now get out of here!" She snarled, looking at Shawn, eyebrows drawn, wrinkles forming on her forehead, lips curled back in a sneer.
Shawn Cramer
player, 1058 posts
Sun 1 Oct 2017
at 00:15
  • msg #34

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

Shawn still had questions, but Melinda seemed in no mood to argue. He nodded, said "Thank you." and backed out of the tent.
Storyteller
GM, 427 posts
Sun 1 Oct 2017
at 01:50
  • msg #35

Shawn: The Order of Sybil And The Occult

OOC: Shawn Joins Thread

Shawn: A Long, Long Way Down

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