He still had not been properly introduced to the Native woman, but he liked her anyway. She reminded him of Penny with her take charge attitude. He put away the Aspergillum and retrieved his own revolver, reloading it for what was to come. He had an unsettled feeling in his stomach, his digestion was off because of all this.

07:18, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Listen.

07:18, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Search.

07:17, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 25 using 1d20+5. SPot

She blushes at the misunderstanding. Well yes. That's true. I just don't know which of these ships is the black rose. When I looked at the port listings it wasn't there. She explains sheepishly. It could be any one of these.

ooc: I'm gonna give John a chance to post before moving on to anything further than conversation :)

Stefan nodded. "Dhat is alright. Ve just need ta ask somevun. Fadher vould you mind asking. It vould be easier for you or me a doktor ta do dhis."

Stefan began looking around for someone to speak to.

Simon also would try and find someone to ask.

ooc: moving on with your roll results now ;)

As you look about for someone to ask you are surprised to find no one wandering around. Fortunately it doesn't take long for you to find the ship on your own after a quick search. It is small compared to the others, and in poor condition, but it is marked clearly. No one is in sight. In the darkness visibility is poor, but you both hear something coming from the water. A moaning sound? Father Simon spots it first and to your horror you look down at the water beneath the docks to see dozens of bodies floating lifelessly, some are bumping against the ships and others are slowly floating further out in the bay. The moaning leads you to believe that at least one person is still alive though.

Simon crosses himself, "Saints preserve us." He says almost as a reflex. He kneels down and starts fishing in the bodies for the living among the dead. "Help me, one is alive."

Stefan looks on the scene with a doctors views. He looks at the Father and then the others. "Somevun help da Fadher. Da rest a us vill check da ship. Somevun got 'ere before us. Ve must make sure da scrolls are still 'ere. Be on guard."

Stefan slowly makes his way onto the ship.

ooc: Just fyi Colin will be joining this thread, though not your group quite yet...just so you don't get confused.

Stefan/John/Father Simon:

Lily helps you fish out the man, who is barely alive. It appears one of his kidneys has been ripped out and he is bleeding profusely. He will likely not live much longer. B-b-black e-eyes! He stammers, shivering violently. It is February after all and the water is cold. W-why? They were my friends! Whether he is referring to his attackers or the victims you aren't sure.

Meanwhile Stefan and John investigate the ship. It appears to be empty at this point, which surprises you. Well, other than blood and bodies of course. Perhaps they were making preparations for the delivery? It looks as though it hasn't happened yet, though where the cult members are you aren't sure. Judging by the efforts made to clear the area, the delivery will be happening soon...

Colin: You sit with the other men, crouched and hiding as best you can given the terrain. Fortunately there are enough shacks and buildings this isn't too hard, though it does make it difficult to see the area clearly. You watch the eerily quiet docks, waiting for something to happen. Ned Wood, a friendly sort of man, crouches next to you. He is the leader of this second group and he's been very welcoming toward you, though clearly some of the other men are a bit wary of so new a teammate. It looks like they pulled someone out of the water. He points to the small group on the dock. Doesn't appear to be doing well by the looks of it. He sighs.

ooc: Roll spot and post your response please.

In reply to Artemis (msg # 17):

Simon knew the man would expire quickly. He performs last rites for the man absolving him and asking. Be granted entry into -he kingdomor God.

Colin reached for the flask at his hip and took a drink. He knew he should be looking at the dock, but there was a large group of people watching it for him. He took a long pull and smiled. The men of letters may be uptight assholes, but they knew good whiskey. He replaced the flask and crossed himself. He did not know when the action would start, but he knew it was always a good idea to act like it would break out any moment. He nudged Ned, the shotgun clicking against the hard surface of the dock area. "Aye, you can see better than me," he said as his nerve made the Irish accent more pronounced. "What do ye think they are doing?"

Father Simon: As expected, the man dies quickly. Lily watches in respectful silence, though she is constantly looking about them as well. Do you think we missed them or do you think they were just preparing the area? She asks ominously. They may have not wanted any witnesses....

ooc: Sorry, just giving John and Stefan a chance to put in their two cents.

Colin: Ned squints as he leans forward to see better. I'd say trying to save the poor beggar's soul. He says at last. He doesn't look to be with us any longer. He says sadly. I'm hoping we didn't miss them. It's far too quiet here. In this business quiet means death, either coming or going. He sighs. I just hope if they do come they only send soldiers. Soldiers are easy. It's when you get the big shots that you run into trouble. The great thing is that demons are so cocky they don't usually arm themselves. Not used to bullets hurting them. The look of surprise on their faces is pretty satisfying. He chuckles.Not to say you should let your guard down. They'll still be a challenge, but for once we can do something about it.

Simon prayed on after the man's death, asking for his entry into Heaven. When he finished her closed the man's eyes for a final time and folded his hands on his chest. He looks up at the Native American girl and nodded, "We should try and catch up to Doctor Stefan."

He got up and took out after the other two members of their small team. If demons were involved..."Demons. He mentioned black eyes, that surely a sign of possession. Please tread lightly, Demons are not to be trifled with."

Stefan examined the few bodies he could find on ship to try and figure out what killed them. When the father and other got to him. He could not agree or disagree with his thoughts on demons. "It could be possession. Vhat vounds did you find on da bodies? I do not know vhy dhey did dhis dhough. It does not make sense. Ve should be very careful. Do you have anydhing to deal vith a demon Fadher besides your faidh?"

Simon looked ad Stefan and smiled, "Dealing with Demons, Stefan, is what I do best. Trust me."

Stefan nodded knowing that he would. "Dhat is good to 'ear, but 'ow vell do you deal vith possessions? Do you dhink dhis vas more dhan vun?"

Judging by the number of bodies, I'd say there were at least a few demons who did this. Who knows how many more are on their way if we haven't already missed them. She murmurs. Unfortunately this may be a time when we cannot afford to save everyone. If a fight breaks out, as I'm sure it will, we will need to take them down and quickly if we want to get those scrolls. I hope everyone here is prepared to do what it takes... She sighs.

ooc: Roll spot/listen checks please - you too Colin ;P

Stefan nods in agreement with the woman. He was a bit concerned that they did not have enough people here to deal with 2 demons. One they could deal with, but 2 could be more than they were ready for. He just hoped for the best.

01:00, Today: Stefan Von Frankenstein rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Listen.
01:00, Today: Stefan Von Frankenstein rolled 7 using 1d20+4. spot.

It pained him, but he agreed with the Native Woman. "I'm a demonologist, Stefan, I have cast them from humans and animals. If there are too many I agree it may be that some are beyond our help. I do ask that we preserve the lives of as many as is possible. Interrogations might yield information we require. Keep that in mind as well."

He put a kind hand on Stefan's shoulder and then nodded to the Native Woman. "Good luck to you both and may God have mercy on the poor souls of those who die today."

Lily gives you a rare smile, for most of the time she is either angry looking or deep in concentration. This is a woman who obviously has a past. She is surprisingly pretty when she smiles, but the moment is short lived. As you look for a good vantage point, the sound of an approaching wagon is heard in the near distance. The wagon has several crates and a second one with what appears to be six men follows closely behind. Thus far they haven't noticed you....Lily quickly signals to the second group of hunters who are waiting a ways off, then she turns to you both. Hide! I think I can get closer without being noticed. What do you think Stefan? How do you want to go about this?

ooc: Responses and hide/move silently please

Simon noticed the wagon as well. He whispers, "Be careful." To Lilly and then tries to hide behind some piece of equipment.

11:01, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 14 using 1d20+1. Hide - Untrained.

In reply to Father Simon Cole (msg # 27):

Stefan nodded to the good Father. "I did not mean to imply dhat you could not. Vhat I meant vas could you deal vidh more dhan vun possession? I also agree dhat ve need vun alive to speak vith. I vish you luck as vell Fadher."

Stefan turned his attention to Lilly when she spoke to him. He nodded to her. "I vill use my sleep spell on as many as I can, da rest ve vill deal vith da best ve can. Get close an deal vith dhose you can, be careful of my spell dhough. I vould not vant you caught in it. You 'ave a nice smile. Go, but be careful Miss Lilly."

Stefan nodded to her and took out a small dagger. He sliced his thumb letting blood form from it. "Vita quod nex audite meus dico. EGO dedi cruor ut vox meus alica. Permissum obscurum occulto eyes illorum ut adveho."

Life an deadh 'ear my call. I offer dhis blood ta pover dhis spell. Let darkness cover da eyes a dhose da come.

Stefan waited now that his spell as prepared.

Colin gave a slight smile as he saw the signal from Lily. He tipped his ever present newsie cap to Ned. "This is where we part, mate. I'll see ya on ta other side. Drinks will be on me." Without so much as a second glance, Colin darted with his shotgun from shadow to shadow. When that was not possible, the easiest way to not be noticed was to seem like you belonged. A lanky man in Irish working clothes and working on a dock went nearly unnoticed by most people.

20:16, Today: Colin Browne rolled 26 using 1d20+14. Move Silently.

Colin: You see Lily moving in the distance closer to the group who is by now unloading the crates. They do not appear to have seen you, though Ned seems unhappy that you've gone off on your own. ooc: You do see the following as well:

Stefan/Father Simon: Lily seems a bit surprised by Stefan's compliment, but she gives a small laugh of delight and gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Alright then. Whoever doesn't go down with the spell I suggest you kill as quickly as you can. She whispers to both of you, then she stalks forward, drawing her tomahawk and moving so quietly you didn't think it was possible. She stalks them like a huntress, graceful and poised. The men have started to unload the wagon, moving quickly and with a strength that no mortal should possess. By now Lily is close but still hidden from sight. She readies her tomahawk but suddenly one of the men nudges the other and points in Father Simon's direction. They start to run forward quickly. Seeing they are almost upon her, Lily hurls her weapon and it catches one of them in the shoulder. There is a crackle of almost electric energy and a sizzling sound. The demon snarls in surprised pain and swears. Hunters!!! He shouts and suddenly he raises his hand and Lily is hurled back as though by an unseen force, crashing into a railing. He rips the tomahawk out of his shoulder and grips it tightly, running forward with the others behind him. In the distance you suddenly hear gunshots from where your backup is waiting. It seems the other hunters have their hands full too....

ooc: Ok roll initiative everyone and please go ahead and post your first round of combat. To make things easier on me please post your current hp for each round so I can keep track of how people are doing. Also, post your DC so I don't have to look it up all the time. Stefan- be sure to roll for your sleep spell so I know how many are affected. They do have the chance to make a will save on it too, so keep that in mind. I had to look up more details on it since the SRD didn't have everything. Let me know if you need more details on it. I am assuming that you held off on the sleep spell since Lily was sneaking up with her tomahawk and it would have given it away if you had done it previously. If that is not the case I will adjust my post. Le the fight ensue! :D

HP:44; AC:17/Touch:15/Flatfooted:16
13:14, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 15 using 1d20+1. initiative.

Upon seeing the demons charging him, Simon holds his ground and begins speaking loudly and clearly, "Omnes in unum. Christiani in eumdem locum pro eucharistica concurrunt congregatione. Cuius caput est ipse Christus in Eucharistia aevo. Hic sacerdos Novi Foederis, ipse est qui invisibiliter omni celebrationi eucharisticae praeest. Est enim in illo capite episcopus aut sacerdos in persona Christi (in persona Christi Capitis) conventui praeest, post lectiones, accipit hostiam, dicens precis eucharisticae. Actuosam in celebratione sui agere partes habeat, suo quisque modo lectorum educatore libamina eorum, qui communionem, et universus populus, qui "Amen" participationem manifestat*!"

Casting Crown of Glory
*All gather together. Christians come together in one place for the Eucharistic assembly. At its head is Christ himself, the principal agent of the Eucharist. He is high priest of the New Covenant; it is he himself who presides invisibly over every Eucharistic celebration. It is in representing him that the bishop or priest acting in the person of Christ the head (in persona Christi capitis) presides over the assembly, speaks after the readings, receives the offerings, and says the Eucharistic Prayer. All have their own active parts to play in the celebration, each in his own way: readers, those who bring up the offerings, those who give communion, and the whole people whose "Amen" manifests their participation!

HP: 42; AC: 12 Touch: 12 Flatfoot: 12 21:42, Today: Stefan Von Frankenstein rolled 6 using 1d20. Intiative. 20:22, Today: Stefan Von Frankenstein rolled 4 using 1d4. sleep spell.

Stefan held on to his spell till he seen them coming and hesitated as he seen Lilly attacking, but sucked in a breath of fear for her when the demon struck. He was unsure why he should be moved to this point, but he shook it off and focused on the group letting the spell take flight.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:22, Tue 04 Feb 2014.