Simon nodded to Emma, "Do what you can."

Nodding at Ian's words, Josephine's eyes never left his as she smiled, and leaned forward, patting his forearm,

"I just appreciate you doing what you can, Ian. Thank you." she said sweetly, allowing him to run off afterwards. Watching him leave for a moment, she eventually turned away, and walked slowly towards the house, and Simon. If he was the better healer, she'd best get on his good side asap!

Penny risked calling out, 'Lily! Wait up!' so she could catch up to the other woman, feeling it better that they faced the Sharp Elbows together rather than alone. Lily seemed to at least be familiar with the beast; hopefully she had an idea how to slay it as well. Penny was also curious to see the much-vaunted Indian tracking skills.


OOC: Just trying to catch up to Lily.

Jo/Simon/Kate: As Emma tries to round up the supplies, hopefully with Kate's help, Josephine walks in, in a state of half undress. Her blouse is off and her undergarments visible, though you see why suddenly when you notice a nasty gash in her stomach, blood running down her dress. Jo, you find Simon with a woman, heavily pregnant and seemingly in labor. You're not sure which is worse, the monster or the chaos going on in here.

Penny: Lily is far ahead but she seems to hear you and slightly slows her pace though you can tell it takes all her self control. At last you catch up but she keeps moving, forcing you to trot along side her as she scurries onward. I saw him head this direction. If you look on the horizon I think I can see a house or something up ahead. I think he's going there, there's not many places to hide out here and we all clipped him fairly well. He won't go down easy though, so be ready and move fast before we lose him again. Sometimes I think I see him skittering in the distance but I can't be sure it's not an animal. If I had some light this would be a lot easier! she growls. In the distance behind you, as if reading her mind you see a light bobbing in the darkness as it starts to close in though it has a ways to go. You assume this is Ian with the lantern, finally done with treating Jo. It's a sharp elbows, though we Sioux call them double faces. Caused a lot of trouble in my tribe when I was a child. Nearly killed my mother when she was pregnant with my half sister, went after me too. As you can imagine, I want this thing dead.

Simon's initial look of shock is replaced by worry. He stands, takes Josephine by the arm to a chair. He opens one of the bottle of liquer and says, "This will sting." He pours a little on the cut, enough to cover it. Then he takes one of the clean cloths and lay over it. "Hold firmly." His voice is the kind of cammand you might hear from a doctor in a surgery.

Then he stepped back. "If you feel blood on the top of the towel or you feel feint, say something. Otherwise I must attend this situation."

Nodding her head, Josephine was happy to notice Simon's lack of a judgemental gaze. When he gave his advice, she let him knew she understood,

"Thanks." she said simply, holding the cloth against her wound. She winced slightly at the sting of it, but she was a tough enough girl. She'd dealt with enough crap to know this wasn't much, compared.

Raising an eyebrow, she tilted her head,

"Is, uhh... everything going alright in here?" she asked uncertainly.

Penny kept up a swift pace beside Lily, through determination if not fitness. She peered into the darkness ahead, distinguishing the outline of a house or barn, or possibly a shed. 'Yes, I see it. I'll be ready.' She glanced back, confirming that Ian was following by the bobbing light of the lantern, shading her eyes to avoid blinding them to the dark.  She briefly considered summoning Juliet to her side, the hound could see in the dark and hunt down their quarry with ease, but just as quickly rejected the notion. With Lily present, it would be far too risky. It was becoming far too easy to accept demonic aid, but Penny respected Juliet for the wild black dog she had been, not the leashed hellhound she had become.

'I came across these sharp-elbows and double-faces back in the Men of Letters' library during my research... I may have read of your case there. I'm very sorry, Miss Lily. I shall do everything in my power to help you slay it.' she offered, her concern genuinely felt. 'Speaking of which, how can we kill it? The stories had them stabbed or shot with arrows, appropriately, but maybe any weapon will do?'

As they moved, Penny watched the trail, studying the footprints and splashes of blood. If the double-face dropped something, she wanted to know about it.


OOC: Find Clues: in case there's an important clue on the trail, Search 21.
15:43, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 21 using 1d20+13. search.

Simon's remark was non-committal in response to Josephine, "We will have to wait and see."

That response didn't exactly make Jo more confident, and she swallowed uncomfortably, nodding her head,

"Alright. Let me know if I can help at all." she said, peering at the woman somewhat sideways...

Penny: Lily shakes her head. If you fill it with enough holes it will do. They don't die easily normally but our weapons have an advantage. The trick is not to become paralyzed. If it gets a chance it will slit your belly open and eat you. Jo was lucky. As you speak you search the darkness and find a track or two and some blood but in the blackness it is difficult to see. Ian has caught up to you by now, though he is covered in sweat and out of breath. He has run all out apparently and running is not his strong point. H-here's your bloody l...an..t..ern! he pants, thrusting the object at you. Lily makes a face. Must you breathe like that? You're going to give away our position! I told you chasing after women doesn't count as exercise you fool. You always were slow as mud. At the sarcastic remark he blushes and looks at you apologetically. Speaking of, Penny you must understand, I didn't encourage Jo at all. I don't want you to think... he trails off awkwardly. Lily immediately rounds on him, still pursuing the trail as you talk. What are you talking about? What did you do?! If you tried anything so help me... he puts his hands up in protest. It wasn't me! She just peeled her shirt off and got all flirty at me! She's probably in right now with your Simon- What!? she gasps, green eyes bulging. Not like that! Well, probably...you never know with some women. I mean look at you he shakes his head with amusement. </Red>Never thought you'd go after a holy man...but she was wounded remember!?</Red> he adds quickly, seeing her scowl. She just wanted medical attention! That's all! he adds turning to you. Suddenly he looks very uncomfortable with the glowering Lily and you facing him. Now that you have the lantern things go easier tracking wise and it seems that the monster has indeed headed for the building on the horizon. Getting closer it seems to be what was once a saloon. Judging by the half crumbled appearance it is not likely occupied.

Jo/Kate/Simon:

Seeing Jo, Emma brightens. You're wounded? Excellent! You would make the perfect test subject! I want to make sure my spe-....uh...medicines...work before we try them on Sarah here. She cuts herself off from saying spell, suddenly aware of the laboring mother though she seems not to notice much in her pain. What say you?

Meanwhile Sarah screeches and another gush of blood flows onto the bed. Things aren't going well. This is too much blood for a normal delivery. Clearly something must be done soon.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:33, Wed 09 Mar 2016.

Simon had to stop the bleeding first. If he couldn't both mother and child might be lost. He focused on that, and prayed while he worked.

11:21, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 21 using 1d20+10.  Treat Injury - stop bleeding.
11:24, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Action Point + Faith.
Total = 27

Shrugging, Josephine responded nonchalantly,

"Sure, why not? Do your worst." she said, figuring things couldn't possibly be worse than they had been just a day before.



12:54, Today: Josephine Hartley rolled 19 using 1d20.  bluff, I'm not afraid of no spells!

'I'm not sure Jo understands just how lucky she has been.' Penny maundered, watching Ian approach breathlessly.

Penny received the lantern and shuttered it so it would not give out too much light, except in the direction they were going. 'I daresay the light has already revealed our position. In any case, it hardly matters, the double-face already knows we're after it.'

She watched blankly through the exchange. 'I'm quite sure I don't know what you're talking about.' she said stiffly. 'Besides, she must have thought it necessary for treatment of her wound – needs must in war, after all, though a lady might show more decorum. In any case, I'm certain it is no concern of mine how you deal with impropriety.' she stressed, though it seemed more a case of "the lady doth protest too much". Hunting left so little time for courtship, though now at least Penny had a mother to make a débutante of her.

Jo/Simon: Emma looks surprised and pleased with Jo's lack of fear and quickly finishes mixing the components in a bowl and then bids Jo to sit before muttering quietly over her. She tries to keep her voice down so as not to draw attention from Sarah but the woman hardly notices. Jo, as Emma chants her spell repeatedly under her breath you start to feel a tingling in your wound and your flesh grows warm, getting hotter and hotter until you can barely stand it at which point it finally stops, turning icy cold suddenly. You look down at your bare flesh and are surprised to find it is healed! Emma looks just as pleased as you and gives a little jump of excitement. Father! It worked! I may just be able to help you yet. I doubt it will make the baby come any easier but if you must resort to drastic measures... she trails off ominously and you realize she means surgery, I think I can keep her alive.

Simon, you have been doing a good job of keeping the bleeding in check and a lesser physician would have lost her by now, but as stable as you've kept her, she needs to deliver or she can't keep losing blood like this. Surgery is becoming a very pressing option...

Penny: Ian looks strangely hurt by the last statement, though his face quickly masks it and he merely nods. No, I suppose it isn't he says with a shrug, suddenly all business again. Lily arches a dark brow but wisely says nothing, instead she indicates the saloon. Alright, I say we split up, cover the exits and move in from there. He may not even be there but it makes sense he would try to find some place to recover. Penny, you can take the lantern and head to the back with Ian. I'm pretty good in the dark. Don't shoot anything unless you're sure. I don't want holes blown through me if I can avoid it. In fact, for the time being I'm going to switch to something a bit safer, she takes out her tomahawks. I'll take the front and we'll roust him out. Sound good? Ian shakes his head at this. I'm fine alone. You two take the front, it's more dangerous and you'll need the numbers. I'll head for the back he starts off without waiting for confirmation. ooc: When you post please roll hide and move silently

Simon nodded. He took them aside and spoke quietly, "Do either of you have an chloroform?"

"What in the heck is that?" Josephine questioned, her expression bewildered. First she was healed seemingly by magic now some strange word from a priest had her a tad confused.

Penny quickly surveyed the old saloon, soon accepting Lily's plan of approach. 'Very well.' She holstered her pistol and drew her ash-wood cane, which in battle she otherwise kept tucked in a belt and clutched in her off-hand. She swung and brandished the club in single-stick technique, stretching and flexing her arms in readiness for battle. 'With two faces, I doubt we shall sneak up on the fellow. And with bony spurs from his elbows, he shall fight as well behind as in front, if not better. So, do not try to flank him; instead, let us face him side-by-side, from the front.' she advised. It was a plan, anyway, something to give them confidence going in against the bizarre and dangerous monster.

Then Ian went off the plan and went off alone. 'Ian!' Penny hissed to call him back, suddenly worried and not wanting him to leave. 'Lily shall be fine alone.' Of course, she could not explain that this was because of her nephilim nature. But it was too late, and they no time to spare on debating the plan or chivalry, not while mother and child risked a difficult birth. 'Be careful!'

Penny led Lily to the front of the saloon, keeping to the shadows and away from the windows, her step light and steady.


OOC: Hide 22, Move Silently 22.

And just in case, Initiative 8

"Something surgeons use to render a patient unconscious. It saw extensive use in the War Between the States"

Jo/Simon: I think I remember Miss Dreadful leaving some equipment in the other room... Emma scurries off and returns a moment later with a small case which thankfully has the needed supplies. She turns to you both, speaking in a low voice so Sarah doesn't overhear. I will try to heal her as you perform the surgery, otherwise the loss of blood may be too great. Jo, you will need to assist him, if you have the stomach for it. I'll have my hands full. Perhaps between the three of us we can make this work. What say you? ooc: I will need checks from you both. Simon, if you like you can keep your most recent heal check since you've made plenty of them already and I will count it as the same effort since it is so soon in comparison. I will need a concentration check from both of you though to see how long it takes, how composed you are, etc.

Penny: Lily looks impressed by your input and nods in agreement. When Ian rushes off Lily shakes her head. Well you know why he did that... she mutters dryly to herself. Come, we must move she motions, already stalking quickly to the saloon, weapons gripped tightly. Fortunately you are both able to move silently and you enter the darkened building cautiously. Lily points to a trail of blood on the floor and motions with her head for you to follow. The room has been stripped of most anything worth taking. Only a few broken chairs and tables in pieces litter the dusty floor. The bar of course is devoid of anything but shattered bottles and peeling wall paper. To your right you see a private side room, no doubt where small parties could meet for poker or other such vices. There is heavy breathing emanating from within and Lily's face turns cold and angry, likely thinking of all she has to repay to their kind.

Her inclination is to rush in and have at it unless you move to stop her.
ooc: So go ahead and roll your first attack and let me know if you have a more calculating plan or if you're good to just go for it ;)

8, lol. I'm not the most trustworthy.

Simon nodded at the kit. He took Jo around to the woman's face. "Dear we are going to ask you to breath normally. This will make you drowsy, it is alright to drift off to sleep." Simon took a light cloth and put just enough to wet but not soak it. He handed the cloth to Josephine. "This is important. You must count slowly to sixty, say Mississippi between each number. At sixty remove the cloth and dampen it again. You must only dampen it. Too much and she won't wake up, not enough and she is awake too soon. Understand?"

Assuming she does, Simon went back to position and nodded to Emma. He was putting a lot of trust in her. "Alright, now Josephine." Once she was out, Simon would go to work.

Keeping prior heal check.
09:25, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Concentration.

Surveying the derelict old saloon, Penny wondered how these monsters always managed to find an abandoned building to lurk in, and why a saloon happened to be here, far away from a town to give it patronage. Well, perhaps that explained why it had been abandoned. She followed Lily and the trail of blood through the debris toward the side-room, but caught her friend's shoulder when they heard the heavy breathing, shaking her head in the dark. She had a plan.

Quickly, Penny pointed Lily to a place beside the door, while she stole into position opposite, her cane raised and ready to swing high. She hoped Lily got the idea. Then she called out, her voice high and childlike and plaintive. 'Mummy! I'm lost! Help me!' The monster surely could not resist...


OOC: Bluff 24, attempting to lure it into an ambush in the doorway.
Ready attack when it's in the doorway
I assume my Exploit Weakness bonus still applies.
Attack 14, damage 2

Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Double-Face/Sharp-Elbows
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
So, total Defense 19.

Nodding her head, Josephine didn't exactly look ready for this, but she figured she'd do her best, and that was all that could be asked of her.

With that, she dabbed the cloth into the fluid, and went to work...

Jo/Simon/Kate: Jo has a hard time with the chloroform but after a few tips from Simon she gets it down. You move the woman to the kitchen table so as not to ruin her bed and to have a stable surface. Emma looks nervous but has her supplies at the ready and her face has a steady determination. Jo acts as assistant, handing tools as needed and mopping up the blood as best she can. She tries to stay calm but sometimes the gore and stress are a bit much and she gets frazzled, though in the end she barrels through it. Simon, the pressure is also palpable for you but you are able to keep your composure quite well, even when Jo occasionally hands you the wrong tool or her hands fumble a bit. Kate also assists, keeping a steady supply of hot water, clean linens, and helping Emma with her spell components.

The surgery is messy and Emma will chant over the woman when the blood loss is particularly bad, her color returning each time though this sometimes necessitates another dose of chloroform as the healing takes it out of her system. Eventually you get a good rhythm down, Jo on chloroform and assisting, Emma healing and you Simon cutting. It feels like eternity but in fact it only takes about ten minutes to get to the infant, though her muscles and organs must be pushed aside to accommodate the child. Emma has to rush out at one point and is quite sick in the other room. Jo, you are not enjoying this either but you steel yourself and stay throughout. The witch returns a few minutes later, looking pale but ready to continue.

The infant is covered in blood and fluid and at first makes no sound but after some rubbing and cleaning on Simon's part it finally starts to cry. It is so small it's incredible that it is even alive but Emma quickly heals the babe as well and in spite of its size the cries grow healthier. Kate takes the infant, wrapping him in a clean towel and comforting the tiny thing. It is a boy.

Putting Sarah back together is easier without an infant to worry about and eventually she is in one piece and stitched up. Emma is exhausted from so much spell craft and without her it is certain the woman would have bled to death. As it is the kitchen is completely covered in gore and it looks like a murder scene with all the mess.

Penny: Fortunately Lily catches on and nods from her hiding place. Your impersonation works uncommonly well and a few moments later the man crouches in, ready to pounce on the fictional victim. You swing as soon as he is visible but his reflexes are fast and he leans out of the way. Lily likewise tries to attack with her tomahawk but with similar results. Fortunately his own slash with his sharp elbows towards your chest is deflected with your cane. At this point though you get a better look at the thing. He has native features and long black hair but on the other side of his head is a twisted deformed face, mouth open and gaping in an expression of endless horror. Your blood freezes in your veins and you can feel your muscles stiffen and try to hold fast...ooc: Please roll a will save. DC 17. If you fail you are paralyzed for two rounds, otherwise you shake it off. Also if you do succeed feel free to roll another round.

The creature's second face was shocking, but Penny was not shocked. Stern, resolute, stiff upper lip, she stood firm. As she had always done, she confronted the horror, looking it in the eye. Parrying the bony elbow-spike, she slid her cane along it, and thrust the butt into the creature's chest, before withdrawing. She delivered two more swift blows toward the creature's shoulders.

'Ian!' Penny yelled, summoning her ally. Battle had commenced, so where was he?


OOC: Will save, aced it: 25.
Agile Ripose: he missed me, so I get an AoO: attack 28, damage 2
Full attack: attack 16, damage 7; and attack 12, damage 7

Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Double-Face/Sharp-Elbows
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
So, total Defense 19.