With a great effort of will and resistance, aided immeasurably by Emma's spell, Penny wrenched herself free of the paralysis, her pistol still clutched tight in her hand. 'If I thought it would stick, I'd let you.' she spat, firing a blast into the Skinwalker's gut.


OOC: Fortitude 25
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1; Exploit Weakness: using Int for attack rolls; Precise Shot: no -4 penalty on shooting into melee
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks; Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Skinwalker
Attack 23, damage 8 @ Skinwalker

Between Penny and Alice's shots, the skinwalker bleeds profusely, looking suddenly uncertain about her ability to win. In response she does something surprising. Moving with inhuman speed she lunges at Emma, grabs the woman and pulls her towards her, digging clawed fingers into the woman's flesh, effectively gripping her tight from behind, using her body as a shield. She then, with suddenly sharp teeth, brings her mouth to the woman's throat and bites down just barely enough to draw blood, the red substance running down the witch's neck as the older woman looks at you both in terror. Lily, still half biting her victim, gives you the most mocking look you'd ever seen. Weapons down or I chew through her neck she manages to mumble through the bleeding flesh.

ooc: Ok, so this is one of her special attacks. Have fun with that ;P
Keep in mind she is using Emma as a shield. If you are going to try to shoot I'm going to make it simple on all of us. If you roll a natural 17+ with a non shot gun weapon you can hit the skinwalker. Miss, and you hit Emma. All that's really exposed of Lily is her head so it's not a big target. You can drop the weapons and see what she does, you can try to negotiate or you can try to figure out a way to get behind her.

Alice shrugged, "I really don't give a rat's rear end about the witch, so..."

08:50, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 25 using 1d20+11.  Shot (please be a 17).
OK too bad for Emma.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Thu 24 Aug 2017.

Penny hesitated, uncertain of the odds and risks to Emma if she tried shooting anyway, looking desperately for an alternative. Then Alice went ahead and fired. 'No!' Penny cried out, helpless to stop her.

'Stop, please!' she begged the skinwalker, working to buy time. 'You're not going to kill us anyway, so what do you want?'


OOC: Diplomacy 20
11:17, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 20 using 1d20+3. diplomacy.

Emma shrieks in shock and pain as the bullet buries itself in the fleshy area between her chest and shoulder. It is not a fatal wound but it's certainly not good either. The skinwalker looks panicked, realizing its tactic will not work. Instead it shoves Emma at Alice, leaping out of the wagon. In answer to Penny's question it turns its head and snarls, You want to live? Get off my land. Consider this a lucky warning With that it disappears in the shadows under the wagon again, moving so incredibly fast it takes you a moment to realize what happened. Should you investigate you will find a trail of blood left by the creature though it disappears where the false Lily did.

Meanwhile, Emma clutches her wound and sags to her knees, glaring daggers at Alice. You could have killed me! You won't be able to work the spell without me you know, you should consider that before you fill me with bullets! Idiot! She's clearly not accustomed to pain and she trembles with fear and pain.

Alice bent down and got in Alice's face, her weapon against the witch's temple, "You are a witch, a dime a dozen. I can kill you and find another - force him or her to obey. You are alive because it is convenient to me, nothing more. Now keep your teeth together."

12:20, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Intimidate.

Penny bit back a retort; the skinwalker had disappeared too quickly for her to have the last word. She leapt forward, looking warily over the side of the wagon, but it seemed, thankfully, have fled into the shadows. That had been much too close.

She turned her attention back to Emma and Alice, finding another deadly confrontation taking place. Interceding, she placed her hand warningly on Alice's warm gun, deflecting it from Emma's head. 'No.' she said firmly. 'This is not the way to forgiveness or redemption. Emma is our ally, and she is human, and this alone makes her worth saving, more than that thing out here. Now, please, work with us on this.'

If she got the chance, she looked over Emma's gunshot wound, but realised she had no idea how to treat it.


OOC: Treat Injury, no hope whatsoever.
14:59, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 3 using 1d20+2. treat injury.

The gun to her head makes the witch's eyes bulge and she looks both furious and terrified. When Penny removes the threat she looks ready to sob with relief but her eyes shine with fury at the other woman. You take me for granted too much. I'm far more powerful than other witches you may scrounge up and I've proven my usefulness to you numerous times. This is the thanks I get? I will not forget this day. Never. Her voice is passionate and surprisingly chilling. She gets up and moves to the other end of the wagon, pushing on her wound and falling into icy silence.

Eventually your bloodied wagon full of people makes it to the Indian camp. As you approach you see several figures emerge from the shadows, bows in hand and drawn at you. One of them speaks in thick, broken English. If you don't want an arrow through you, turn around now.

ooc: Feel free to finish up any conversation regarding Emma before responding to the camp situation if you like.

Alice knew enough to know that it wasn't the natives you saw that got you, it was the ones you didn't see. She kept her hands up, and let others do the talking - at least unless she thought she could do it better.

When she had a chance and they'd all had time to cool down, Penny discreetly approached Emma, seeking to make amends, while ostensibly trying to bandage her wound. 'Though we were enemies once, and may yet be again, I am grateful for all your aid now, Emma. Miss Connor is new to this case, please do not think she speaks for all of us. I am sure she will come to understand how much we need you and value you.' she promised the witch. It was as difficult for her to work with their former foe, but when they weren't trying to kill another with pistol and spell, and she wasn't carrying her head around in a hat box, she'd come to respect and even like her. And Penny understood how much they needed the witch in order to deal with Belial and speed their efforts. Thwarting Belial was the primary goal. She could play to Emma's need to be useful and important to keep her on their side.

*

They came at last to the Indian camp. Knowing Lily had driven from Penny any ideas she'd had of Indians from storybooks and explorers' accounts, but she was impressed nonetheless. The welcome was less impressive though. She stood up, raising her hands. 'I'll take the arrow if I must, but my companions are in dire need of healing only you can give us. Please, at least have your wise-men consider our problem.'

Penny: Amelia is grudgingly pleased by your words of kindness though she mutters something about sleeping with one eye open and bidding you to watch her back for her. Hopefully Alice calms down as much as you claim or things could get nasty in the future.

Everyone: The man gives a smirk at Penny's words of bravery though glances at the prostrate Ian with curiosity. What healing do you expect that he won't get in town? Why should we help you?

At this Emma, still wincing, raises a hand to speak. Please sir, all we want is to purchase some herbs if you have them. She'll pay handsomely she gestures at Penny with a wink to the Englishwoman.

How much? he arches a brow.

ooc: Penny go ahead and roll diplomacy or what have you and both of you please roll spots too.

Diplomacy 23
Spot 16

Hurricane. Will post better tomorrow.

OOC: Stay dry Alice!


'Whatever fair price you name.' Penny answered, quietly wondering how much and what kind of price would be extracted, but money was immaterial to her now. It might be pointless to these Indians as well. Penny indicated Emma, explaining 'Ms Bently here needs urgent treatment for a gunshot sustained on our journey here,' She wondered how much this Indian community knew of monsters like the skinwalker; did they hold the veil of secrecy over their own people, with only their own hunters and medicine-men initiated? Or were they as in tune with the supernatural and spiritual worlds as they were with the natural? From her conversations with Lily, Penny thought the latter. But she had no time to be coy, she was losing this; better to be thought mad if it would draw out one who could genuinely help them. 'In a fight with what you would call a skinwalker that ambushed us on the road. And Mr Shaw lies trapped in a dream-world inflicted by a creature called a djinn – I'm told your people know how to send a mind into another's dreams?'

'And on top of the cost, I add this,' She reached into her pack and pulled forth a long bony spike, raising it aloft in a grand gesture. 'The spine of the double-face or sharp-elbows that has been plaguing your land. I shall hunt down and finish what I started on the skinwalker too.'


OOC: Diplomacy 19 (with AP), Spot 10
19:51, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 14 using 1d20+3. diplomacy.
19:52, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 5 using 2d6. action point.
19:51, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 10 using 1d20+9. spot.

During the ride Alice gave more than one sharp look at the Witch. "You got something to say to me witch, say it to me. You wanna threaten me you best remember just how fast you better be."

---

The Native village is a bit less friendly than she expected, what with them having a native friend and all. She understands, though, she treats others with some suspicion as well. "We ain't white men, we're white women. Don't make us less, just different. We keep our word."

ooc: I missed the post about the hurricane! Yikes! Stay safe :)

There is a stunned silence as they all simply gape. Clearly they've not met any outsiders who're so attuned to their problems. At last the man speaks again. This is payment enough. Sharp elbows has cost us dearly and if there's a skinwalker too...how do you know all this? You must be hunters he accuses. And yes, we do have ways into dreams, though it is dangerous. Very dangerous. Are you sure it's worth the risk?

As he speaks you both notice a woman in the distance, still amidst the group but slightly off from them. She is bundled up in furs and skins, far more than the temperature would warrant. She is glaring at you both fiercely. More so than you would expect even under the circumstances. After a long moment she walks away, headed back to the camp nearby. She walks unsteadily though.

Alice nudged Penny and made a head motion to the woman in the distance.

Penny nodded discreetly to Alice, having seen the skin-shrouded woman too. Of course, it would lurk in the community, seeking victims. 'I am sure it's worth the risk to a dear friend. We are hunters. And the skinwalker ambushed us on the road here. And, if you'll excuse me, I think I see it now...' She hopped down off the wagon and moved swiftly and determinedly through the crowd of Indians, scooping up the bone spur as she went. The skinwalker would not get away from her again...


OOC: I'd like to retroactively apply my Profile ability. I don't often get the chance to use this on a recurring foe. It helps that Penny's her own witness at the crime scene. :)
Gather Information 22 vs DC 15, success; Investigate auto-success. Gain +2 circumstance bonus on skill checks to uncover additional evidence or locate and capture the skinwalker.

Pursuing the skin-walker.

Alice drew a pistol but stayed with the cart.

The natives look stunned, piecing together Penny's words with surprise. As Penny nears the mysterious woman you notice a few spots of blood here and there on the ground about her. She moves in wincing steps and when she sees you are approaching the furious glower on her face is enough of an indicator she knows she's been had. She immediately turns and starts to run. She's fast but with her wounds she's nowhere near as fast as she was before. She yells to them in her native tongue but the man you've been dealing with barks something at them and they all stand still, watching the exchange coldly. She turns to you with venom in her eyes, still trying to keep her distance. I will kill you in front of everyone if you don't stop right now

ooc: Feel free to make an attack. You will be within reach of her soon so you might as well skip ahead and do what you plan :)

Alice pulled a pistol, took aim, and fired twice. She is practiced even at firing into a melee, so her aim would be good enough not to hit Penny.

08:14, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Shot 2.
08:14, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Shot 1.

'And these people will tear you apart.' Penny promised coldly, eyes locked on the skinwalker, unyielding and unafraid. Her resolute stance was spoiled somewhat by flinching as Alice fired past her shoulder, twice. Someday, perhaps, they would have to speak about acceptable gun safety practices.

In a flash, Penny drew her pistol and fired a silver bullet, equally as intent on gunning this monster down before it could escape again.


OOC:
Initiative 21
Move: draw pistol
Standard: attack
Point Blank Shot +1/+1 with 30 ft
Attack 15, damage 8 @ skinwalker

Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs skinwalker

I'm not quite sure how close Penny is to the skinwalker at this stage. Up to you.

Both of your attempts to hit the woman prove unsuccessful and you fear she will soon escape but suddenly she starts to lag and screech, as though an invisible hand is pulling her backward. She looks around wildly, completely surprised. Should you look behind you, you'll see Emma, bloodied and tired but a smirk on her plump face if ever you saw one. Better hurry ladies. I can only slow her for so long

ooc: Normally her AC is 22 but temporarily it is 15 thanks to Emma for the next 3 rounds. Feel free to roll for those 3 ;)

Alice is...shocked...that the witch was choosing to side with them. She rationalized that Emma must have some bigger agenda at play and she needed them to succeed here in order to make it happen. She switched her attention back to helping Penny, Firing twice more.

10:44, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Shot 2. 10:44,
 Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Shot 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Tue 26 Sept 2017.

In a flash, Penny discerned the skinwalker's injuries and weaknesses, learning which way it would move, where to strike to inflict greater pain. She fired another silver bullet into its shoulder, a palpable hit. Then, because those things cost money, Penny dashed in closer, veering out of Alice's line of fire to take it from the side.

Still in her hand, she thrust the double-face's bone-spike at the skinwalker, but the unfamiliar, improvised, and indeed unnatural weapon slipped in her grip. It could not be wielded like a dagger, she realised. Getting the measure of it, she grasped it like a pick or stiletto, her arm pumping in a furious one-two attack.


OOC:
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs skinwalker
Point Blank Shot +1/+1 with 30 ft

Round 1:
Move: Exploit Weakness: rolled 22 vs DC 15, success; apply Int bonus to attack
Standard: attack 16, damage 8 @ skinwalker

Round 2:
Move: move adjacent to skinwalker
Standard: attack 11, rolled a 1, miss

Round 3:
Full-attack: attack 15, damage 3; attack 15, damage 4

So, total damage for three rounds is 15. I'm using the double-face's bone spike and treating it as a dagger, but I don't know what it might be damage-wise.

As Emma keeps the thing in place, Alice is able to make some accurate shots and Penny likewise does well, though when she misses with the bone-spike, the skinwalker uses the opportunity to slash at the Englishwoman's belly with her long nails. It not only hurts, but you feel a tingle of something vile in your flesh. Fortunately by then she is greatly weakened and as you are more successful in your last attack she at last seems defeated as she gives a great scream and falls to the ground, limp.


The natives around you watch with a mixture of horror and relief, rushing forward to the body and, to your surprise, stabbing it repeatedly with their knives. Clearly skinwalkers hold great dread for the natives and you hope this will be enough to render you allies.

Penny, you stumble away from the scene but you are not feeling well by any means. The spokesman you have been communicating with notes this. She's put her poison in you. Come, we will do something about that He leads you to a teepee, gesturing for Alice and Emma to follow. Emma watches Alice warily, still uncertain around the woman considering she took a gunshot from her so recently.

Once the three of you are settled within he starts mixing up some strange herbs as he talks, gesturing to Penny's wound. My name is Talenka. That skinwalker has been at our heels for weeks. Thank you. he continues mixing the poultice. You have a witch with you he adds with a nod to Emma, who looks pleased at the recognition. I will give you what you seek for the sleeping man, but it is dangerous. If you die in his mind, you will not awaken. How many wish to go?