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10:24, 24th May 2024 (GMT+0)

The Cornflower.

Posted by The Founder's GhostFor group 0
Calliope Podarces
player, 125 posts
Traveling Olive Merchant
Attractive, but weird
Mon 13 May 2024
at 04:36
  • msg #305

The Cornflower

Calliope took her rosary in hand and began to chant in Latin as best that she could to help Father Johan.

"In nómine Pátris, et Fílii, et Spirítus Sancti. Amen." she began to chant in Latin, although would switch her pace to try and play off of Johan.

23:29, Today: Calliope Podarces rolled 3 with the Ars Magica stress die ((3)).

That is a base roll. From now on, I'm only rolling base dice and adding mods later. So this is 3+Latin 4 + Int 1 = 8 (9 with her specialty). She has an "academic usage" latin specialty that I'd like to apply here as well, showing that she is using her understanding of lore and her education to try and fill the gap between her and Johan's religious training, as well as using her academic know-how and enunciation to follow his lead. So if you are okay with it, her roll total is a 9.

Emrys
player, 343 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Mon 13 May 2024
at 04:40
  • msg #306

The Cornflower

Emyrs moves closer towards the tabernacle, looking at the roof and preparing to try his spell again.
Affare Acisculu
player, 176 posts
Tue 14 May 2024
at 02:09
  • msg #307

The Cornflower


22:08, Today: Affare Acisculu rolled 15 using 1d10+7 ((8)). Latin/Int

The Founder's Ghost
GM, 517 posts
Boo
Tue 14 May 2024
at 02:25
  • msg #308

The Cornflower

In reply to Affare Acisculu (msg # 307):

The sound on the roof changes to that like long nails being dragged across thick boards Emrys.  Whatever this demon is, it seems intent on dancing on top of the roof.  It moves away from the door, towards the area above the altar.  Then it starts jumping up and down.  The roof makes groaning sounds, as if it's going to collapse.

Calliope, since you were calling the grogs, are they following along with Emrys?

Calliope, you do a fairly solid job, reciting after Johann's lead.  And Affare, you rattle off the prayers like you'd been reciting them from the womb.  Olga screams and then screeches.  The sound of her voice becomes a thin, grating, jarring sound that echoes around the church, ringing through your ears and into your nasal passages, vibrating against the back of your teeth.

Slowly a black sort of ichor starts to seep from Olga's mouth.

"Almost!  We need to start the next round of prayers!  Follow my lead!"

Calliope and Affare, one more round of rolls.  But this time it's Latin/Pre please.

Emrys, the roof sounds like it's under quite a bit of strain.

Someone do let me know what Leonard, Evzen, and Wulfgang are up to please.  If not, I will assume they are still guarding Emrys.

Thanks

Calliope Podarces
player, 126 posts
Traveling Olive Merchant
Attractive, but weird
Tue 14 May 2024
at 04:32
  • msg #309

The Cornflower

OOC: Here are my battle orders...

I will have Leonard stay guarding Emrys, his Heater Shield up. He doesn't know if that wolf will actually be able to get into the church from the roof somehow or not, and he doesn't want Emrys caught off guard.

Wulfgang moves off to the side, neither by Tabernacle nor entrance, and hides by some Pews and gets ready to snipe at any threats with his bow and arrow.

Evzen goes with Emrys.

...but Karl kind of hangs back close to Calliope and stays alert.

Felix is on passive mode helping the medic for this scene. He won't be a combatant.


Calliope issues some new commands to the Grogs, while trying to still assist with the exorcism as best she can.

"In nomine Dei eicio diabolum. Requiescat in luto satanas sub calcaneo Domini." she intoned on her own suddenly, trying to use her force of personality and sense of presence to more actively try and call upon God for help!

23:26, Today: Calliope Podarces rolled 2 with the Ars Magica stress die.  Presence+Latin.

Latin 4 + Presence 2 = 6. Plus 2 from the roll is a result of 8 (9 with her academic usage as she tries to speak the Latin as perfectly as possible to better invoke God and such). Basically...the same result as last turn, but because her presence is a 2 it evens out with the slightly lower roll. So still a 9.

Emrys
player, 344 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Tue 14 May 2024
at 05:02
  • msg #310

The Cornflower

Emrys stares at the ceiling...

OOC
Attempting to strengthen it (base 1?) range voice (+2), Duration concentration (+1) for magnitude of 4...Muto (4) + Herbam + (1) Sta (1) -3 = 3 + Die roll /5 (need a minimum roll of 15 to succeed)

01:01, Today: Emrys rolled 18 with the Ars Magica stress die.  spontaneous muto herbam (magnitude 4 strengthen ceiling). – 18

Whoop;-)!  I think

The Founder's Ghost
GM, 519 posts
Boo
Wed 15 May 2024
at 05:08
  • msg #311

The Cornflower

I could be mean and throw in a Te requirement.  But I won't.  Good roll

The roof seems to bolster, and although the noises continue, the roof isn't shaking as much.

Thanks Calliope.  Just needed to know if anyone was watching the door.

Wulfgang, you notice a beat too late.  Two men smeared with mud and river loam have come up to the doorway.  They both have bows.

They fire, aiming for Emrys.

One arrow goes wide.  The other one manages to swipe across the back of his head, not enough force to penetrate, but enough to be felt.

Or would, if it had hit him and not his imaginary double.

Olga convulses on the floor.  A black sort of sludge is starting to spill out of her mouth.  As it hits the floor of the church, it sizzles and turns into a foul smelling steam.
Calliope Podarces
player, 127 posts
Traveling Olive Merchant
Attractive, but weird
Wed 15 May 2024
at 05:43
  • msg #312

The Cornflower

OOC: Ah that's what you meant. Yeah, that's why I had Karl more in the middle of things, so he could either rush the door or to Emrys if needed. And Wulfgang is definitely watching the door.

Calliope notices the attack immediately after the arrow is fired, but remains by Father Johan. Partially because she's a lover and not a fighter, but also to keep providing him with exorcism support as needed. It was very encouraging seeing that it was working, which only served to further reinforce her recently ignited faith in God. Like yeah, she was a Christian when she met the group, but only nominally. But after all she had been through in the past 1-3 months or so, gosh was she experiencing a renewed and invigorated interest in the Faith for sure! She had a lot to think about now, but first they had to get through the night!

"Grogs! Except Felix...to arms! Leonard, shield up and rush the doorway, and try to intercept any arrows they fire with your shield rather than attack. Karl? Sic 'em! Wulfgang? Shoot 'em! Evzan? Stay by Emrys for now unless he tells you otherwise, but focus on protecting him." she ordered suddenly.

She turned to Johan.

"Keep praying, Father. We have no other choice but to keep on going! Let the others do what they do best, and us leader/support types will do our thing in our own way. I can see and feel the presence of the Dominion here still, so we still have a chance!" she said, encouragingly.

OOC: GM? Again Felix is relegated to the background for this scene. Calliope is also not participating in the combat, and will stay with Father Johan.

Karl is in between Emrys and the entrance doorway, as Calliope had purposefully kept him closer to her as a sort of precaution. So he's gonna use his polearm and charge the door and try to skewer one of the archers.

Wulfgang will also try and shoot one of the Archers.

Leonard is charging for the door too, shield up, but will have a special focus on trying to - if this system allows for it - intercept any arrows that come flying in with his shield. Mechanically, he is moveing toward the door but will move in such a way that he will "run into the line of fire" and then use a full defense action to boost his armor class or what have you. His priority is equally Calliope and Emrys primarily, Affare after that, and everyone else third if he has to make a choice. But yeah...he's gonna run interception till he gets to the door, then will adjust tactics accordingly.

Evzen is staying near Emrys for now, but is alert but he will take an arrow shot rather than stand by and let Emrys get hit. But he is hoping he can parry or otherwise not get shot at, mind you. Heh.

Emrys
player, 345 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Thu 16 May 2024
at 00:54
  • msg #313

The Cornflower

Emrys maintains his concentration on the spell reinforcing the roof as he positions himself behind Evren.
Affare Acisculu
player, 177 posts
Fri 17 May 2024
at 02:02
  • msg #314

The Cornflower


22:02, Today: Affare Acisculu rolled 16 using 1d10+6 ((10)).

The Founder's Ghost
GM, 521 posts
Boo
Fri 17 May 2024
at 03:39
  • msg #315

The Cornflower

Affare, you churn out a whole section of the prayer, the words rolling off your tongue as easy as butter melts on a warm slice of bread.  Olga bends her back and then suddenly leaps off the floor while remaining prone.  More black sludge rolls out of her mouth and sizzles on the floor of the church.

The sounds on the roof change.  Whatever it is up there suddenly moves to the left and begins racing along the side of the wall outside Emrys.  It seems to be headed for the wall near the back of the church.  On the other side of the tabernacle.

"Your" grogs surge forward Calliope.

So noted on Leonard.

Let's get you used to the combat system Calliope.  For now, make me two rolls.  Both stress tests.  One will be for Wulfgang's return fire.  One will be a Athletics/Qik test for Leonard to see how good a "shield" he's going to be.

We'll add in the mods later.  For now, just make the rolls please.

I would like one last round of Latin rolls please.  And Olga will be finished.  Emrys, let me know what you want to do

Questions?  Thanks

Calliope Podarces
player, 128 posts
Traveling Olive Merchant
Attractive, but weird
Fri 17 May 2024
at 03:55
  • msg #316

The Cornflower

Calliope continues to chant in Latin, trying to follow Father Johan's lead as well as occasionally throwing in some lines of her own. She felt that this more personalized touch would show God that it wasn't the ritual itself that was doing anything, but God interveneing by being invoked by them. In this sense, she could speak about cherry tarts and basket weaving and in theory as long as her heart was feeling faith, the exorcism could work. But...she wasn't going to go THAT far off script of course. It would have been a funny thought, if not for the surreal creeping sense of dread of the situation that drowned out her inner voice's laughter. But her resolve to stay the course was firm!

22:50, Today: Calliope Podarces rolled 7 with the Ars Magica stress die.  Exorcism. – 7

Thats 7 base + 4+(1) Latin + 1 or two depending on if you let her continue to use Presence or not. It's her best exorcism roll yet: 13/14. Guess God really did like that she realized that the ritual itself wasn't what mattered!


As for the Grogs...

Base results are:

22:50, Today: Calliope Podarces rolled 2 with the Ars Magica stress die.  Wulfgang. – 2

22:50, Today: Calliope Podarces rolled 8 with the Ars Magica stress die.  Leonard. – 8

Emrys
player, 346 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Fri 17 May 2024
at 04:12
  • msg #317

The Cornflower

Emrys casts a worried glance to the back of the church (and the ongoing exorcism) but maintains his focus on staying out of the line of fire and continuing to concentrate on keeping his spell up.
The Founder's Ghost
GM, 523 posts
Boo
Sun 19 May 2024
at 03:52
  • msg #318

The Cornflower

Okay Calliope.  For Wulfgang's bowshot, you got a total of 12 by my recokening.  Dex 0/Bows 5 with a +1 spec bonus from "Long Bows"/+4 Attk bonus from the long bow itself. Add in your roll.

Leo is defending on an 11.  Your roll plus the heater shields Dfn bonus of +3.

You can see all the Grog's states in the Grog pool.


One of the door-hunters takes another shot Emrys' way.  But Leonard is ready, managing to get the shield between the mage and the arrow.  The impact staggers the big man.  And the arrow punches a small hole in his shield.  But Leonard stays upright and ready.

Wulfgang holds his own arrow a moment and lets lose when one of the archers docks into the doorway, about to send another shaft Emrys' way.  But the archer is the one who gets shot: Wulfgang's careful shot managing to sink into the man's chest.

Olga stops screaming, though her body is still jerking.  She starts to retch, but what issues isn't that damned greasy, spluggy looking black mass.  Now it's just good old fashioned vomit.  She rolls to one side instinctively, emptying her stomach all over the floor.

Father Johann nods.  "I'll take care of her now.  Go hide.  Your..er...master is...doing something I hope."

He glances oddly towards Emrys and then moves to help Olga.

The noise on the roof stops.

The two door-hunters are moving to fire off another round of arrows.  But the two of them are moving somewhat slow.  the younger one iws taking his time, trying to line up a shot.

Calliope, Wulfie hit.  can you roll a die for his damage please?

And it's your guys go.  Thanks

Emrys
player, 347 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Sun 19 May 2024
at 04:05
  • msg #319

The Cornflower

Hearing an arrow thunk into Leonard's shield Emrys turns his attention from the room to the doorway.  The pale moonlight peaking through the front doors of the Church look almost silvery as Emrys staff sprouts thorns as he flings it out at an archer.

00:00, Today: Emrys rolled 12 using 1d20.  Piercing Shaft of Wood (Mu +4 He +1, Sta +1 Master+1 -3 aura) need  6+ on archer . – 12

+10 damage for staff sized piece of wood;-)

No longer concentrating on spell to reinforce ceiling

Affare Acisculu
player, 178 posts
Sun 19 May 2024
at 19:52
  • msg #320

The Cornflower

Affre strives to keep the Latin flowing like warm butter, even though his nerves are thoroughly frayed.


15:53, Today: Affare Acisculu rolled 8 using 1d10+7 ((1)).

This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Sun 19 May.
The Founder's Ghost
GM, 525 posts
Boo
Mon 20 May 2024
at 02:47
  • msg #321

The Cornflower

Johann leans Olga up, so she doesn't choke on her own vomit.

He glances towards the back of the church.  "I think we've done all we can for her at this point.  But do you think...that..."

He jerks his head at the back of the church where the pounding sound seems to be attacking the wall behind the tabernacle, "...is going to make it through the wall?"

No more Latin rolls needed. It worked.  Thanks

Your staff slams into the other hunter EmrysWulfgang's arrow hangs out of the other one.

The two men stagger back and away from the doorway.

The banging on the wall of the church goes on for a bit longer and then stops.

Outside, you can only hear a few odd shouts.  Like the soldiers out there are calling out in agony.

You can take a breath.

Anyone heading outside?

Emrys
player, 348 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Mon 20 May 2024
at 20:45
  • msg #322

The Cornflower

Emrys grabs another staff sized piece of wood.
The Founder's Ghost
GM, 526 posts
Boo
Tue 21 May 2024
at 02:54
  • msg #323

The Cornflower

Most of the aimless sounding shouting quiets down.  You hear someone barking orders.

Ser Tomasso comes stomping through the church door after a bit longer.  There is blood splashed over one of his arms and the lower part of his face, though he doesn't seem wounded himself.

His head swivels all around the church, seeming to linger on Olga, the wounded soldier, and the arrows embedded in Lorenzo's shield.

He then stomps right up to you Emrys.

"Wizard.  Explain.  My men went mad and began attacking things that weren't there.  They then started attacking each other, thinking they were enemies.  I had to kill one of my own men.  I need an explanation for what just happened."
Emrys
player, 349 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Tue 21 May 2024
at 04:00
  • msg #324

The Cornflower

"The witch out there made them see things, clouded their minds," Emrys replies, "The Church here offers some protection, making such magic harder to do within it's walls but it's not strong defense.  Not like it would be in a Cathedral for example.  But enough that the possessed girl sought to defile the tabernacle to break God's protection and that wolf sought to bring the roof down by sheer physical force."

Emrys looks to the ceiling and back again, "I temporarily reinforced the roof.  Enough to convince the wolf creature to try elsewhere."
Calliope Podarces
player, 130 posts
Traveling Olive Merchant
Attractive, but weird
Tue 21 May 2024
at 05:58
  • msg #325

The Cornflower

Calliope nodded at Ser Tomasso.

"Yes, the enemy did try and weaken the church, because we were right about it being the safest place in the village right now. And the presence of God is here. It's faint, like Emrys says, but it's here. I know because I can see and fell it. Just like it was back at Riga." she said.

"And while Emrys and the other menfolk were helping protect the church physically, Father Johan, Affare, and I performed an exorcism on this girl after I saved the Host and returned it to the Tabernacle. I don't think the girl is actually a bad person. I think she was possessed by a demon or at least was tainted by Infernal influences outside her control. Because the power of God made her vomit up the literal darkness that was within her. You know, before the actual vomit came up." she said firmly.

""But we saved the possessed girl, and by working together to our own strengths we saved the church too! I'm sorry to hear that happened to one of the soldiers, by the way. I've traveled with you guys long enough where they're starting to accept my presence, and I'm feeling the same about them. But I want you to know that I don't think he blames you for what happened, now that he's with God. If anything, he's probably happy that you were with him at his last moments, and that he spent his last moments fighting evil at your side." 
Affare Acisculu
player, 179 posts
Thu 23 May 2024
at 02:49
  • msg #326

The Cornflower

Affare checks on the formerly possessed girl, seeing if she requires medical attention.  He is grateful that he can finally relax his vocal chords for a while.
The Founder's Ghost
GM, 529 posts
Boo
Fri 24 May 2024
at 03:30
  • msg #327

The Cornflower

Olga seems to be passed out Affare.  She's in a deep sleep, but seems to be breathing normally.

Tomasso listens to what the two of you have to say Emrys and Calliope, scowling all the while.  He finally studies the roof.

"From the outside, there's not a sign that anything attacked the roof.  Not a scratch on it, lest that I could see.  Clouds of the mind, huh?"

He wipes his face with one dirty gauntlet.  "Do you think having the men issued with some of the Host would help?  If that...thing...happens again?  Because we have to protect ourselves.  I had to cut down two men.  Two of my men.  They were sure that their fellows were demons who were going to crucify them.  Damnation.  That..."

He trails off, perhaps a bit choked up at the memory.  He waves it off.

"During the confusion, a small band came over the wall.  Four men, maybe five.  I guess you saw a couple of them.

"They tried to open the gate and stampede our horses out.  The fact they didn't bring a larger force in tells me they don't have a larger force to lead in.  Which, if correct, is good.

"But I can't do anything about these...mind clouds.  What can we do about them?

"I'm thinking that, if this is how these fuckers fight, sitting behind the walls is just going to guarantee us being slowly driven mad.  That we should take the fight to them.  I'm inclined to keep to the original plan.  We take the fight to them.  To this...Broken Branch or whatever the name of that place was.

"If you have any thoughts on that, now's the time to speak them."

Calliope Podarces
player, 131 posts
Traveling Olive Merchant
Attractive, but weird
Fri 24 May 2024
at 05:17
  • msg #328

The Cornflower

Calliope nodded.

"Between my visions, as well as what the captives said, I believe that the Horseman's main center of power is North of here, in their village called 'Bent Boughs' if I recall. And the geography that they described to me about Bent Boughs sure sounded suspiciously like what I saw in my visionsm but I'll say no more lest my curse keep you from believing me. But there's danger though, great danger, but I cannot tell you more. I've told Emrys what I could, though." she said.

She then turned to Father Johan.

"And Father Johan? A few things. First of all, Emrys is NOT my master. I bend knee to no one, and as a scion of a noble House if anything I outrank you all...except I never was a fan of such posturing. But seriously I hope you never tell me something like that again. Emrys is free to give me suggestions, but I am actually his Ward and Noble guest. If anything, I help run things lately, because let's face it behind every good man is a better woman, and like any good woman I make the men around me better, even if I never lift a blade." she said sternly.

"But that aside, I also want to praise you about your quick, decisive decision to call for an exorcism. While we helped invoke God as much as we could, you were the one who came up with the idea and helped guide Affare and I so God bless you, Father, for we saved the little girl!" she continued.

"And also, Father Johan, I actually think Sir Tomasso is onto something with his suggestion. The shadow wolf and the possessed girl both seemed to want to try and get to the host, to disrupt God's influence over the church I suspect. But could we scrounge up anything and everything, and you perform a mass-communion on us but give us each two hosts instead of one: one to consume in the name of the Father, and one to put into a pocket or something as a talisman against evil? Or can you at least get the men to start carving a bunch of small crosses and you start blessing them like no tomorrow?" she asked, dead serious.

"Because it is obvious that the presence of the Dominion in the church shielded us from their infernal witcheries, so what if we could take a little bit of the dominion with us to Bent Boughs? I'm still learning about the intricacies of Catholicism, but since Riga (God bless the Bishop and his wisdom) and especially after what just happened now you can consider any of my doubts in God gone. But that doesn't mean I yet understand the nuances of God like you do though. But I'm trying, and so is Sir Tommaso." she added.
Emrys
player, 350 posts
Fresh
Wounded -3
Fri 24 May 2024
at 07:46
  • msg #329

The Cornflower

Emrys looks a little puzzled at some matter or other in Calliope's outpouring but he leaves the matter unvoiced for now as he tries to clarify the matter for Father Johan, "Perhaps the most accurate term of our relationship would be I am her patronus.  Calliope has a gift that I believe is similar if not descended due to her Greek heritage from the Delphic Oracles or Cassandra I suppose.  I value her advice and in return I'm helping her look into the matter of a curse."

The magus turns his attention to Sir Tomasso, "The host may help.  I am unsure on that to be honest.  But I think you have the right of it about their numbers.  They attacked with what numbers they had.  Their witch I think twisted the minds of the villager as well to steal them away from what I've seen.  Probably only one witch, maybe two at most.  So I feel your decision to take the fight to them at Bent Boughs to deal with them is the right one as well.  If I can spot and attack their witch in the fight, it should stop any attacks on your mens' minds."
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