Before he hide he said a prayer over Josephine. (Cast Enhance Ability - Charisma) Then he goes and hides with Lily, pistol drawn and ready.

08:12, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 19 using 1d20+1.
Hide. 08:12, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 17 using 1d20+1. Move Silently.

Seeing Simon say a prayer, and then disappear off with Lily, Josephine looked exasperated, and threw her hands up, but then she turned back towards the Raven stronghold, taking a breath.

Welp, it seems they want to throw me back into the mix again... she thought, breathing slowly through her teeth to calm her nerves.

Approaching the doorway, Josephine eventually walked all the way up, and swallowed, knocking on the door,

"Hello?" she asked, stepping back away from the door looking up as if searching for an upstairs window to see if anybody was inside. In reality, she was just positioning further back to give the others a sight of anybody that came after her.

The door opens revealing a broad shouldered black man. He has a scowl on his face and is about forty years old or so. Seeing a young white woman at the door doesn't improve his features and he crosses his arms. I think you must be in the wrong part of town miss. he arches a brow.

Seeing not only a large man, but a large black man didn't help Josephine's nervousness at all, and she shivered involuntarily. She didn't attribute anything to his race, but darker colored skin in the black of night made him look more intimidating, and she was prime for being intimidated right now.

"I..I..." she paused, swallowing and glancing downwards, "Is he here?" she wagered a guess, trying to act like somebody who KNEW was inside already, "I really need to talk to him... please..." she said, figuring either he'd assume she was right (doubtful) and go get somebody, or he would grow angry, and she could bait him into stepping out after her.

His dark features twist in confusion. He? There's a lot of he's here miss. You seem confused. You got a name you're lookin for? Are you lost? In spite of the fact that he is extremely intimidating, he seems to want to help you figure out your problem. That's something at least.

Sensing his willingness to help, most might be appreciative, but Josephine smelled weakness,

"I don't know..." she said, a slight whining tone entering her voice as she spoke, as if she were frustrated, "I... there was this guy... and he pointed me this direction when I asked where he was staying. I was supposed to meet with him for dinner, but he never showed..." she said, her face blushing slightly, as she turned her face away to seem bothered or embarrassed about it. Looking up to meet his eyes, she asked softly, playing on the vulnerable look,

"Am I being foolish? I'm being foolish aren't I?" she asked, and to bait him into perhaps stepping out, she turned her back, and stepped a step away, placing her face in her hands. Jo didn't know many men to be able to turn away from a woman they thought was crying, and she was hoping this would benefit her friends. She could drag this out in a different direction if he didn't fall for it, but she was willing to do the work, whatever it took...

He does indeed step out, though he is still within a few feet of the door. Fortunately he gestures to a nearby bench, away enough from the door to make him a viable target should Simon choose to attempt it. I doubt whoever you are lookin for is here miss, unless you have a likin for black men. But nah, you're not foolish. There's bad men out there I tell ya. You're not the first to fall prey to em

Simon waited for Josephine's signal.

Hearing his words about black men, Josephine turned her head halfway, blushing,

"You wouldn't be trying to fool me now, would you?" she said, her tone soft, and obviously slightly teasing, warming up to him. Baiting a man into believing their interaction was 'real' required a combination of careful tact, tactically selected words, and a SLOW progression. If she blatantly just hit on him right now, it'd be transparent, so she instead waved a hand, towards the bench, and asked softly,

"Would you do me the honor of a talk?" she asked, hinting that he was earning points with her, but not outright saying it, "I fear I may be a bit foolish, at times, and could use somebody decent in my life..." she kept her words ambiguous, just enough to allow his hopeful mind to fill in the spaces with what she needed him to think...

Glancing sideways for a moment, as if slightly embarrassed, Josephine glanced Simon and Lily's direction, though she couldn't see them. She didn't know what they needed other than baiting the man out of the house, which she'd done now. Dispatching him, and then using his body to bait in the others would be a simple matter as well. Nothing brought people outside like their friend being unconscious, and a woman's scream for help...

The man sits with Jo easily, looking dubious and pleased at the same time. It is very rare for a pretty white woman to give one such as him attentions.

That's good enough. I'm calling it Lily growls to Simon, and with that she sneaks out of the bushes and silently rushes towards the man, whose back is to her and the priest.

ooc: Ok, if Simon wants to join her you can both attack at once. Roll a move silently to see how quiet you are and if he notices, and then an attack and the method you will do so. If not, Lily will go on her own unless you stop her for some reason. Jo, you are positioned that you can see all this happening behind the man, though I'd wait to see what Simon does before posting.

14:26, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  stealth.
14:26, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 10 using 1d8+2.  Stiletto damage.
14:25, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner Father Simon Cole rolled 21 using 1d20+8.  Stiletto attack.

Simon went with Lily, and used the Angel's Stiletto for silence.

"Could I..." she looked embarrassed, "Have a hug, please?" she asked, looking like she just needed some form of human connection...




My ability to get an extra action during diplomacy before they react... can I make a double "nut-kick" on the guy, right as they attack, to help them out? "React first" says it ignores initiative, gives me surprise... so would I theoretically (with good initiative) be able to Attack, roll init, attack, then Simon and Lily attack, giving us 4 attacks to 0?

ooc: Ok, so Jo pointed out she has the react first ability so she's going to attack him right before you guys do, since she sees you coming for him. Then Simon and Lily make their move and Jo can roll init and another actual round of combat since the fight will officially begin. Since Simon's not the stealthiest the guy will hear him coming so go ahead and roll initiative Simon, though the other rolls I shall keep as is. Hopefully that all makes sense?

10:06, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 15 using 1d20+1. initiative.

Yes perfect sense. ;-)

"I'm so sorry... you seem like a nice guy..." Josephine says, her face wincing in worry as she lunges and kicks, trying to take the man out suddenly.




Hit flat-footed AC of 20, I believe.
Opponent targeted for dodge (and agile riposte)
Didn't roll damage, as I figured you'd do that if I hit :)
Initiative: 9 (oh goodness, lol)

Jo lashes out a leg and kicks him across the knee but he moves back enough that the blow is not particularly effective. Instead his eyes bulge in surprise and fury. He starts to ready a swing back at you but by now Simon is moving and he hears him come up behind, turning his head to look just as Simon's stiletto pierces his shoulder. He begins to shout for help much to your dismay, whipping out a long knife but Lily savagely rolls forward and plunges a dagger into his thigh. He slashes at the priest but misses fortunately.

ooc: Jo, go ahead and roll for this round and then another for the next round, so 2 attacks from you Jo. Keep in mind unarmed combat without the proper feats is not very effective damage wise, though I'm sure Lily saw you were outfitted with knives or other such silent weapons should you need them. Simon go ahead and roll for the next round at your convenience, I know you're not back til monday so no big deal.

OOC Knives?!?! OMG This poor guy! He was so nice! I don't want to stab him!

Josephine's face held regret and it was fairly obvious that her heart wasn't in this. Still, she jumped on the guy, and did her best to tackle him and hold him down. Her words were her best weapon, and she was trying to use them here,

"Just relax, and we won't hurt you! Promise!" she said, giving him her word on that matter, "You're not involved in this... please... you seem so nice..." she said, trying to wrestle him down so the others would have an easier time handling him. She knew they were going to kill him, she just couldn't stand the idea.

Simon stepped back in wide eyed horror. He dropped his weapons. He had broken a vow...

Pandemonium ensues. The man struggles with Lily, who has no problem raking him with her daggers, moving quickly as she slashes him repeatedly. Seeing Simon disengage from the attack and Jo's less than enthusiastic involvement, her green eyes go wide with irritated disbelief. Need I remind you two he's the enemy!? she grunts, dodging a swing from the man. Meanwhile Jo is doing a surprisingly good job of keeping the man in place. He's wounded enough that when she leaps on his back and wraps her limbs around him to keep him immobilized it actually has good effect.

ooc: Next round for Jo. Simon, feel free to either talk or use a spell, etc.

After a fast prayer for forgiveness, Simon receives a flash of inspiration. He spoke with authority in Latin, "Deus meus misit angelum suum et conclusit ora leonum, et non nocuerunt mihi: quia coram eo iustitia inventa est; sed et coram te, rex, delictum non feci, ego autem non feci."*

*My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have I done no hurt

Cast Command

He then spoke to the man they fought, "I Command you, cease your struggle."

Josephine struggles with the larger man, and does what she can to manipulate him still, wrestling with him the best she can, holding on for dear life,

"I don't know... oof!" she grunted as she's tossed around a bit, "...what you mean!? I'm all over this guy!" she said, grunting and wrestling with him the best she could so Lily could finish him off.

She did not have much hope if more than one enemy came along...

ooc: For some reason imagining Jo trying to keep this huge guy down makes me laugh ;P

The man throws Jo from his back just as Lily misses slashing his leg but fortunately Simon's spell seems to have worked. He instantly stiffens, holding completely still though you can see his mind struggle to resist. I suppose it would upset you if I just killed him after all that? Lily arches a black brow to Simon questioningly. Her hand is poised on her dagger, ready but she respectfully awaits the priest's decision.

Simon smirked and nodded. Then he turned to his stiff thrall. "Listen carefully, I command you to walk into the swamps. You may defend yourself, but you must continue walking."

"Wait!" Josephine called out softly, standing up dizzily from the ground, a hand rising to her head, "He was kind, Simon, and he'll die in the swamp. Give him something... please?" she didn't know what to give the man, she just didn't want him to die. He had been pleasant enough to her, and in his line of work, that was rare enough to protect, in her eyes.

"Honestly, Lily... how often do we meet decent men? He doesn't deserve to die, does he?" she tried to lure Lily into it, knowing that would help sway Simon.



OOC Haha, me too :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Sat 15 Oct 2016.

Lily watches Josephine's plea with dry amusement. Is he decent Jo? Or is it because he liked the looks of a pretty young thing in distress? You forget your affect on men she makes a face and you wonder if she's not quite over your previous flirting with Simon. She's never quite been in sorts since. </Rose> That's an awful big assumption to risk our lives on. Hm. </Rose> She mulls it over and then rolls her eyes, picking up one of her daggers and tucking it into the back of his belt. There. That should do it. May we send our friend on his merry little way now?