Simon was extremely happy with what had occurred and went to Victoria with the information. "Victoria, I am pleased to report that the vast majority of the group not only expects you to take over, but are eager for it. You have a problem with a few of your members," he listed them off, though he assumed she knew which before he began, "Still you could find places for them among other cells if nothing else. I believe you will find that on the whole this place will run smoothly under your leadership."

Victoria looks shocked at the news though incredibly pleased. Truly they are so supportive? she looks touched. I never dreamed...thank you Father! I will call a meeting tonight and see if they want to make it official. Anyone who disagrees can go to another chapter perhaps, though a cell may be necessary for some she sighs. She takes your hand and gives it a thankful squeeze. I owe you so much, if there is ever a way to repay you she smiles.

ooc: Go ahead and finish up here and then it's back to the bodies and ghosts! ;P

He smiled, "I think if you have advice on courting Lily that will be sufficient. I need to get back to blessing the bodies." He went back to his work...

Victoria laughs at your request. Just practice your dodging. I'm sure you'll need it at some point she grins.

When you return to blessing the bodies you find that as you are alone in the room the electric lights start to flicker and the air grows cold. Suddenly a pale figure appears in the center of the room looking flustered. Seeing you he grows hopeful though he's having a difficult time maintaining his presence. Knowing about ghosts as you do you realize this is quite impressive for generally ghosts take a while before they have the strength to manifest themselves. For being dead so recently this is a powerful soul indeed. Don't burn my body yet! he manages to gasp before disappearing again. You realize he must be amongst the lot you've been blessing. Should you look long enough you'll find him, still warm. You could burn his bones and get rid of his ghost but you can't help but wonder why he's appearing to you the way he is.

In reply to Artemis (msg # 190):

Simon put the bones aside and burned the rest. Then he went to Victoria and told her what happened with the ghost.

Victoria is shocked at this news and she follows you after stopping by her room to obtain a leather case. She then opens the contents and starts to display items of hoodoo which surprises you a bit, especially when she takes out a cross too. Hoodoo has been in my family for generationsshe explains. Contrary to what some think it works quite well with Christianity and is only made more powerful by using holy items. I assure you I am not some witch doctor or savage. It is a very respectable practice. Now, could you bring the body over here please? she indicates the circle she has drawn in black powder. He may be confused at first, I need you to help him focus. Ask him questions, remind him what happened. His name was Roger, be sure to remind him of that.

Should you do so she will start chanting in a low voice until the man's spirit once again starts to flicker into view. Victoria? he looks surprised and startled. She keeps chanting and motions for you to go ahead.

Simon smirked at Victoria, and put his hand over his heart in a Shakespearean mock "you wound me." He spoke, "Voodoo grew out of a combination of Native African Religion and Catholic beliefs. How dare I mock what God has sanctified."

Simon nodded at her instructions. He watched with interest as she drew a circle and commanded the ghost to appear. She motioned for him to begin, "Rodger. Remember who you were Rodger. Remember who I am, Father Cole. Do you remember me?"

He let the ghost answer before continuing. "Rodger your soul is strong and you asked me not to burn your body. I need to know why Rodger. I need you to tell me what kept you here. What is so important? Tell me so that God might give you peace."

Victoria looks relieved at your acceptance. Thank you father, I may have been to hasty to judge she smiles.

At your questioning of Rodger you find he is responsive, more so as Victoria continues her chanting. Her words become a buzz in the background as she repeats the same strange chants over and over until they are almost hypnotic. Y-Yes. You are the priest they brought in he nods at last. Then he sees his body and shudders. Oh that's right. I'm dead. He looks sad and about to lose it but he closes his eyes and focuses, remembering. I came to warn you. I've had a demon inside me for seven months. I don't remember everything but I recall snippets here and there. I remember a meeting place, down by the river. A drop point with instructions. It's important he struggles to remember. A boat house. A loose panel...They were planning something big, I don't know what. Coordinating something... He frowns in frustration.

Simon tried to coax the ghost. "Try Rodger. Think, it is very important."

He starts to flicker a bit and Victoria doubles her efforts of chanting. I-I think it had something to do with the ring of Solomon...they are trying to track it. If they get it we're as good as done. I don't think they know where it is yet but you need to hurry and find out where it is before they do. Also, tell the time traveler and the British woman to be wary of Belial. He has more of a hold on them than they realize. with that he disappears again, leaving Victoria looking thoughtful. This is bad. If Belial knows about the ring already we are in a race we may not be able to win. We need to find Emma's body. How much do you already know about this? Has anyone filled you in?

Simon shook his head, "I am sorry I know nothing."

Alright, brace yourself then. It looks like Emma Bently is actually working against Belial. She is aware of his schemes to use Baal's followers for his own gain and he pretends to want to bring about Baal's resurrection when really he is hoping to gain power for himself. Emma knew about this and had a plan to stop him, the ring of Solomon. Belial killed her, however, for disobeying orders and now we must resurrect her in order to find out where the ring is. It is the only thing that can stop Belial. The fact that Roger has said Belial knows of the ring and is looking for it too means we have even less time to find it than we thought. It is all very twisted, let me know if you need clarification she apologizes.

Simon shook his head, "No I think I've got it. What do you need from me?"

Honestly, I will need help finding her body. There is a method I have at my disposal but it will require a few ingredients. Unpleasant ones...how do you feel about grave desecration? I'm sure you've done it enough by now you've got it down to a fine art?Tonight I will need you to go to the graveyard and get me the bones of someone who has died no more than a year ago. It could be messier than usual I'm afraid. I would use one of ours, she gestures at Roger's body, but it must have been interred in holy ground. Besides, I...don't think I could bring myself to... she shudders.

Simon nodded, "I understand. I will take care of it."

He will go to the local cemetery and look for a fresh grave he can...exhume.

You find there are far too many fresh graves to choose from, mostly pauper's graves from the looks of it. It is still afternoon at this point so you will have to take care if you do it now, not to be seen. At the very least you can pinpoint the easiest target if you wish to return that night. It occurs to you that you could just take a hand or something with you, as Victoria did not say she needed an entire body and it would certainly make transport easier. The graveyard is full of activity at the moment, mostly workers who give you polite nods and ignore you though there are isolated areas you could avoid them if you wish. During all this you see a wagon several yards off. It is covered by a tarp and if your eyes do not deceive you there are numerous legs and feet sticking out. Apparently a fresh batch of unknown paupers ripe for the plucking, morbid as that may be.

ooc: You have several options so if you want to try the wagon or exhume a grave please roll a hide and move silently

Simon, having cased the area, will return after sundown with a lantern, shovel, and perhaps a bit of help.

As you start to go you see movement out of the corner of your eye. The wagon of bodies waits to be unloaded but you see a woman in ragged clothes sneaking up to it. Then to your horror she grabs a leg, rips it off with inhuman strength, and goes running away!

Simon will attempt to follow the woman. He will let her get a lead and follow using his knowledge of tracking. This will mean he will not have to be sneaky, something he is terrible at, but instead let him follow from a great enough distance so as not to be noticed.

FrA - Declare woman for Target bonus.
11:31, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Survival - Track.

You  manage to keep a good distance, enough that she doesn't seem to notice you follow her though she's moving fast. The graveyard is large and sprawling with acres of graves and beautiful scenery. She at last stops running by a small arched bridge, placed there more for decoration than actual necessity. She squats half underneath it and begins to gnaw at the limb like an animal, even at the distance you are at you can tell exactly what she is doing...

ooc: If you decide to come closer roll a hide/move silently

Simon grimaced, for more than one reason. He had hoped to be lead somewhere by this poor creature, instead she just wanted to be car from others. Her cannibalism was terrible but it brought to mind the wendigo he and Lily had fought before. He knew just killing her was not going to solve the long term problem of where her kind was coming from.

He decided then to try and capture it. He cast Crown of Glory, hoping it would affect this creature better than the last he had tried it on.

Cast Crown of Glory

He would know immediately if she was affected because she would stop what she was doing. HE would sprint to make sure she was in the area of effect.

Full Round Double Move

Once he knew whether she was affected he would know whether the rest of his plan could be carried out.

The woman tears at the flesh messily, almost as though she is starving and you note she is a ragged mess. Whatever she is, she's not fed enough by the looks of it. As you cast your spell she suddenly stiffens and drops the limb, holding perfectly still...It seems to have worked.

Simon picked up the limb and looked at the woman, "I suggest you follow me and stay within the influence of the spell." He makes his way back to the Men of Letters hideout.

The woman obeys, following you listlessly. She is ragged, unwashed and covered in welts and cuts. If you had to guess what kind of creature she is you would say Ghoul though of course you like to be sure before getting too comfortable with a theory.

It almost looks as though she's been beaten and the way she was so careless about the bodies she could have also been starved. What would do this to a ghoul, if that is indeed what she is? By the time you return to the men of letters the place has been surprisingly cleaned from the carnage of the day. But then no one was better with dead bodies than hunters.

Simon looks for Victoria. While doing so, if he finds a suitable place he will lead her to it. Preferably a devil's trap if they work on her kind so as not to have to use the second suggestion. If not then he will find a seat for her and suggest she sit in it until he returns. He needed Victoria's help, both with the arm and the ghoul.