The rest of the night in the barn passes uneventfully. It is chilly and damp and unpleasant but you've all been through worse. Come morning Tabitha and Emma work together, drawing sigils and conversing with each other in preparation. Then, at last they mutter an incantation and the wall forms a portal leading to New York. As you step through you find yourselves in a back alley, thankfully deserted seeing as how the sight of you would no doubt cause commotion. It's in the seedier part of town, but early morning as it is, it's not too dangerous. Ian recognizes it immediately and a broad grin crosses his face. I know where we are! he slaps the alley wall fondly. We're near sixth street, corner of Harking. I've had many a fight in these alleys you know. Hey, there's a cafe not far, makes incredible coffee. They'll even add a bit of Irish to it if you know what I mean, he winks. Anyone else hungry? I'm buying! He looks ecstatic to be home, but perhaps, considering his experience with the Djinn and all, it is comforting to him to be back where he belongs.

Should you take him up on his offer to eat you'll find the food remarkably good for such a hole in the wall establishment. He talks with great cheer, going on about endless stories and exploits, just tickled pink to be back. Then it's time to face the music and you head back to headquarters.

Tabitha is blindfolded, so that she can't discern the location of the warehouse, but once you're inside the cloth comes off. To Alice, who's never been there, the building is pretty unremarkable. It's dusty, massive, and looks abandoned, save for two men seated on crates, smoking cigarettes. Seeing you enter, they immediately stand and you realize that, as common as they look, these men are dangerous. There's something about the way they move, the alertness, the poise in their muscles. But they relax seeing Ian, who gives them a broad smile and a wave. Jenkins, Adler! You still alive? Woulda thought a vamp would have sucked you dry by now! Ian laughs. They exchange pleasant banter a moment before revealing a hatch underneath some floorboards with a ladder leading down. Of course to Penny this is all familiar stuff but no doubt Alice finds it surprising.

Soon you find yourselves walking through the brick lined tunnels, each fitted with electric lights lining the walls. Every fifteen feet or so there are devil's traps lining the floor, in white paint, each immaculate. Around you people are bustling about, dozens of them, all pleased to see Ian and he just as happy to see them.

Eventually, after turns and twists, you end up in a large study with books and books lining the shelved walls. Mostly on the occult, history, things of that nature. Tabitha is transfixed, exclaiming over them, Emma too actually, and it is several minutes later that Victoria enters the room, blinking at the witches in mild surprise. Alice, you are no doubt a bit stunned to see a black woman, dressed impeccably, to be seemingly in position of power. She looks at you all and gives a hint of a smile. So. You're back. And you brought company I see? she arches a curious brow at Tabitha and Alice.

Just then, before anyone can utter a word, Lily bursts through the door behind her and with a whoop of happiness, runs at Ian and tackles him in a massive hug. I knew you were alright! I knew it! she laughs. He returns her affection, mussing her hair. Was there ever a doubt? Of course! You can barely put your pants on in the morning without finding some sort of trouble, she teases. Then, seeing Penny, she does the same thing, wrapping her in a rough and enthusiastic hug. Penny! Spotting Alice she gives her a friendly nod of greeting.

It was with immeasurable relief that Penny returned to New York, amidst the grubby streets, bustling crowds, and tall buildings, and all the intriguing clues and crimes they had to offer. It was the closest place that she knew of to London, her adopted home and hunting ground after her beloved Devonshire, far from the hot and dusty deserts. She would enjoy this while she could, before they had to go off again, and even further away.

It was with a fond smile that Penny watched Ian delight in being back himself. He knew New York as well as she did London, it seemed. It was good to see him so happy and carefree again, after what he'd lost in the djinn's dreams. She listened intently to his tales, her heart warming again to him.

Penny was equally glad to be back inside the Men of Letters headquarters, surrounded by its wards and watchers. It represented safety and security, and a chance to finally relax her guard. Well, a little, anyway, keeping the recent demon infiltration in mind. It was good to place busy again, with fresh devil's traps.

She greeted Victoria with a pleased smile; the negress had done very well in her leadership, and gave the lie to her father's sneering of the negro race. 'Indeed, we have developed a habit of collecting witches.' she jested, but gave her a concerned look indicating they should talk on this privately later. 'And it's good to see you and the Women of Letters again.'

Then she was surprised by Lily's explosive entrance, stiffening like the reserved Englishwoman she was. 'And you, Lily.'


OOC: I don't think Emma has been to the MoL HQ either, only the safehouse. So she should be blindfolded too, with appropriate excuses that it's nothing personal. ;)

Alice was struck dumb time ad again. First with their sudden appearance in New York, something that made her head swim a bit. Second with Ian’s sudden change of personality. It was indeed good to seem him feeling himself again. Third, with being granted entrance into the Men of Letters headquarters which was itself awe inspiring. Forth when Victoria appeared and she was a woman of African descent. Fifth when Lily emerged, a Native American woman! This place was like the stewpot America always promised it would be. Alice didn’t know what to make of it. When instroductions were being afforded she showed her Hunter’s mark (the tattoo of a St. Marcellus Patron of Vampire Hunters medallion which was as likely to give away her pedigree as announce her allegiance) and said quietly, ”Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner, Alice to my friends.” Although she did not mention her father, it was Abraham Van Helsing who used this particular mark to distinguish his small band among the larger Hunter’s groups. Anyone who has met his would see the similarities, though she takes after her mother more than Abraham. Although she seemed nervous, being underground always reminded her of Vampires not safety from them, she sticks her thumbs in her gunbelt to keep them from straying too far toward her actual weapons.

It has been a long time, so o refresh everyone’s memory:

https://www.springfieldnewssun...tkcrCBQ4mEwYQVTrSeN/

St. Marcellus is an actual Saint, credited with killing an actual Vampire.

ooc: Okie dokie, I think you're right. Double blindfolds it is! :)

Victoria does indeed seem to notice Alice's mark, her dark eyes narrowing thoughtfully. I recognize that...Van Helsing's mark is it not? You must be part of his group I'd wager? If so, my friends were lucky indeed to have run across you, she notes, impressed. Welcome Miss Conner. Anything you need, just ask.

ooc: Ok, so I don't want to make you guys full on re-explain everything to a couple of npc's so feel free to let me know how much you tell.


The witches are sent to a secure chamber so that you can speak freely now.
In return you learn that Father Simon is in Europe on business from the church and it's been weeks since anyone's heard from him. You also learn that Jo is out and about hunting a particular demon and that Lily has been left behind as it would seem he has some unknown power over her that is as yet being figured out. The demons have been hard at work, experimenting with melding human and demon blood to create soldiers. Fortunately such work is in its infancy so it's unclear how far they've progressed. Also, Castiel is here, having been called by Victoria to aid in another matter. He's very weakened though and has not the strength to return to his time yet. Yes. Things have been busy here.

Alice nodded to Victoria, ”I traveled with da...Doctor Van Helsing for nearly a decade. After I lost my baby and my husband. Very long story. Maybe one day I’ll tell it over a bottle of whiskey.”

Penny listened to Victoria's news with mounting concern: demons with new powers, humans carrying their foul blood? Belial and his minions had not been resting while they were away. But she hadn't expected them to be. Penny thanked Victoria, and took heart in the knowledge that Castiel was close by, and that Father Simon was doing well and on church business.

In return, Penny filled Victoria in on their adventures since they'd left, in San Jose and Portland, the information she'd not been able to include in her letters and in those she'd not had a chance to send. She had little to keep from Victoria, but the recent shapeshifter infiltration made Penny circumspect before she divulged everything immediately. She updated her on their plans to travel to the Holy Land in search of the Key of Solomon.

And she explained the situation of the two witches they now had in train. '...They profess to be willing to help, and have shown no sign of treachery yet,' she conceded, 'But I fear they are only aiding us out of necessity. Emma because Belial abandoned her and she has no other allies, Tabitha because our visit ruined her life in Portland. We promised her protection, but now she wishes to aid us in Palestine. Both are witches sworn to Hecate, and she is allied to Belial. So they are both a benefit and a risk to us.' Penny outlined their dilemma, with a glance to Alice who was much more certain in her beliefs. 'I am unsure how to handle them. I am sympathetic, but wary. Can we trust them? What safeguards can we place?' She recalled Victoria's strange mesmeric powers, and asked 'Are you able to confirm their loyalties somehow?'


OOC: Sorry, I got caught up in a lot of work, and then was so tired after it I had a hard time catching up and responding here.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:13, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

ooc: No worries! Take as long as you need. I'm getting over a cold so I was happy for the delay honestly ;P

Victoria listens to the dilemma with concern. I wish it were that easy. If I had a way to test loyalty I'd have a much smoother time of things. But your worries are valid. Hm. Well let's think on this shall we? The usefulness of Tabitha comes at her skills in history. Well she's not the only one here with such skills. I can send you someone even better I'd wager. Most of the men of letters are scholars and they'd jump at a chance to go to Palestine. Emma, however, has her own uses. She's quite powerful. It could be a hindrance should she turn on you, but who would she turn to? I fear Tabitha's loyalties slightly more than Emma's. My suggestion is to take but one. Then they can't scheme against you. That is, if you're comfortable taking Emma at all. Has she proven useful? At this question Ian speaks up. I can't say that I trust her one hundred percent but...she did help me with a problem, he finishes carefully. Lily gives him a questioning look but he does not elaborate. You realize he's no doubt speaking of his Djinn incident. Do what you want though. he adds quietly. The native woman pipes up again at that. Well I'm free if you want an extra pair of hands. I've been through some unpleasantness myself and would like a change of scene. At this Victoria arches a brow. You're certain you're in a condition to go? Yes. she says firmly. Castiel thinks only the demons here pose a threat to me. If he's right I may as well not waste my time. Besides, he's an angel. He probably knows what he's talking about.... she shrugs.

Naturally such guarded talk makes you curious but Lily seems to want to keep things to herself judging by the way she's speaking.

Alice just shrugged at Penny, ”You know my vote.”

Penny regarded the Indian woman with both curiosity and sympathy. What had they missed here while they'd been away? A demon with power over a nephilim, and especially over Lily herself, was a matter of serious concern. Yet, in any case, it seemed to be a done matter for now, or rather, a matter she had no time or opportunity to delve into. Regardless, Lily was compromised in New York, and so would be of far more benefit in the Holy Land, and she was a steady and reliable ally. 'Indeed he does. We would be only too glad to have you with us, Lily.' Penny answered fondly.

'As for the witches...' Penny mused, her thoughts settling into place now Victoria had given her view and she'd found much to agree with, 'Emma has proved her usefulness time and again, aiding us even when she had no need to, when it would behove her to keep quiet on what she knows.' She glanced understandingly to Ian. 'Without her, we could not have obtained the Ring of Solomon, nor had a lead on the Key. Moreover, she has good reason to hate and fear Belial. And, I believe, she has softened much in her feelings toward us.'

'But Tabitha is an unknown quantity. She speaks Arabic and is knowledgeable on the Key and Seal of Solomon, but as you say, not indispensably so. Nor does she have practical field experience for the hazardous situation we are going into. She seems guileless and studious, but has no real reason to continue to aid us. She may well resent us for dragging her away from her quiet life at the lighthouse. And I cannot entirely forget the incident of the Mayan knife that provoked Magda so. Even if Tabitha does not harbour ill will now, she may be easily swayed later at some crucial juncture, which at this stage we cannot afford.'

'And the two witches, former friends and former foes, have quickly forgotten their feud. They may remember their argument decide to fight each other, or they may remember their friendship and ally against us.' Penny finished outlining each aspect of the problem.

'So, I am inclined to retain Emma's services in this expedition, and besides, we need her magic to make it possible. Tabitha I would like to leave here in New York in a safe place of your choosing, and kept busy and distracted with some matter of research, perhaps on the Ring and Key, or on the demon problem. This is what we agreed initially, we can say it plays to her strengths, and at a later date we can reassess her talents and cooperativeness.'

Alison spoke up, “Just playin devil’s advocate, if I were Emma and working for Heckatee and in turn Baliel I would be doing exactly this, hiding in plain sight. I would be helpful as can be to keep in our good graces and when the time was right, I’d squash all of us. This, getting the key, would be where I would make my move. Are you sure Penny? If you aren’t then we should consider some stronger form of persuasion.  The Brits got a spell...aborguration? Something like that. They can use it on a place or an item. Anybody here got that spell? Maybe can put it on something like a choker? That way she only uses magic where and when we want it.”

She nodded at Victoria, ”I’m guessing you might have somethin like that, ma’am?”

Victoria frowns at Alice's suggestion, thinking hard. Hm...now that's an idea. As much as I think it would be in Emma's wisdom to truly work with us, I can't take unnecessary chances. I'll do a bit of research, I think I may be able to come up with something. Yes. Give me a little time and I'll see what I can do, she says with growing enthusiasm. And yes Penny, I believe leaving Tabitha here is the right course. There's plenty of busy work I can provide that will also be a good indicator of her loyalties. She will be a prisoner of course, but a prisoner with benefits. I don't think we'll have any problems with her so long as she doesn't get the idea of leaving into her head. But I'm willing to bet she knew that would be the case when she came here, she adds.

Now, Victoria continues, We should discuss the matter of who I send with you. I have a few people in mind but, some of them can be a bit...trying. She glances at Lily guiltily for some reason before continuing. My best choice in regard to the region you're going and the culture therein would be Professor Crimwall. He's excessively well read and he's decent in terms of the craft, not to mention-"

Oh NO! Lily interrupts with a cry of dismay. Not Crusty Crimwall! Anyone but him!! At this Ian starts laughing, to which the Indian gives him a glare but he only laughs the harder. He's boring Penny. So long winded! It's enough to make you want to shove a butter knife in your ear! He just won't stop talking! And he's always eating saltines! I don't know why, but he's obsessed with them! Cracker crumbs everywhere! They're always in his mustache, it's revolting. Please Victoria, please! she turns in supplication. The black woman stifles a smile of her own.

He's the best Lily. You know that. His...quirks are a small price to pay I should think considering the stakes. I'll have a word with him about his talking though, will that do? From the looks of Lily's face it will not but she has little choice. "That leads me to my next suggestion. Now, I'm not fond of him myself, but Peter is one of our top hunters. He's amazing, the things he's survived, she shakes her head in admiration. I'll admit, his personality can be a bit...off putting, but-"

Off putting!? It's Ian's turn to interrupt and you're surprised at how angry he looks. The man's a pig! A chauvenist, womanizing fiend! You'd put him in the midst of them?! he gestures to Lily and you two.

They can handle themselves I'm sure, Victoria sniffs.

Handle is one thing but you'd have to cut off his...er-head to keep him from ogling with it, he quickly changes the anatomy mid-sentence with a wince towards Penny. I liked the company of women in my day but he makes me look like Father Simon! Lily smirks at this.

In your day? You telling me you gave up chasing skirts in the last month? she arches a bemused brow. Rather than laugh back though, he goes quiet, face falling.

Things are a bit different now Lil. is all he says, but then you recall he's lived eight years without any womanizing in HIS mind. Sensing something wrong, Victoria gives him a careful, curious look before turning to the two of you.

I admit your new party would be less than ideal but in terms of skills they are the best I have to offer at the moment. Tell me though, do you require more? I can probably part with one more or so but if you're satisfied with a little extra brain and brawn I should think you well equipped.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:36, Mon 28 Oct 2019.

Alice actually smiled whistfuly at the thought of this Chromwell fellow. He reminded her amazingly of her own husband. Crumbs in his mustache could be handled, a little grooming, which might lead to a little kissing and...she blushed. She came out of her trance, ”I actually think this Crimwell fellow sounds interesting.” She looked around, ”What? I am attracted to smart men, everyone has their own type.” She is even unconsciously twirling her hair and her hips sway ever so slightly. “So if you want to send him, just introduce me, I’m sure with an audience like me he’ll leave everyone else alone.” She hoped he would find her interesting, he sounded very stimulating...

'Emma was tortured to death, and had her head cut off, before or after.' Penny had informed Alice grimly. 'There was no guarantee we would find her body or resurrect her. So, if is she false, then she has an astounding commitment to the cause. But witches are not known for being self-sacrificing.' she concluded, but had to concede the need to be careful. 'Regardless, I am inclined to, ah, trust but verify.' She heard that old Russian proverb on the television in 2013, and found it quite apt now.

She listened thoughtfully as Victoria outlined the two agents she had available, smiling with amusement at Lily's protests about Crimwell and looking shyly at Alice's suggestions, and pursing her lips in discomfort at Ian's description of this Peter and what it revealed about Ian's sad experience. 'We cannot be picky about our agents. If they are all that is available, we must make use of them.' Penny decided. 'We can take Crimwell and leave the crackers at home, and if Peter plays up, I shall be only too happy to explain women's suffrage to him... And I think that number will do. We have enough for chaperones, and too large a group will attract ever greater attention.'

Alice’s face became a wide grin. She actually spoke Russian and understood the proverb. ”Doveryai, no proveryai” she said, ”literally trust and verify but a better translation is ‘Verify then comes Trust’  and I can appreciate your quoting it here. Yes, I can get behind that as a plan. Honestly I did not know about her decapitation and the other things. She is tied to Hecate by her magic, but her yearning for revenge might make her a strange bedfellow motivated by being the enemy of our enemy. Alright then I think you and I are of one mind on this now.” She put out her hand to Penny, indicating her willingness to go along completely with plan.

Nodding she turned to Victoria, ”Now, how about you introduce me to Professor Chrimwell.” Her grin is excited, she actually is attracted to exactly this kind of man. She loves listening to a man who is both informed and willing to convey his knowledge. The rest would be something she could do for him, which excited her equally. Helping a man become all he could be was a central part of her own character.

'Indeed.' Penny agreed, and held out her hand to shake Alice's. The detective's grip was likely delicate compared to the gunslinger's, but not without its own steel.

But she had to intercede before Alice went off to court or corrupt poor Crimwell. 'First, Alice...' she began hesitantly, 'There is one more thing we must discuss... When we interrogated Magda, you mentioned to her we were looking for the Key of Solomon, did you not? That may have been a, a misstep.' she said gravely. 'Magda's master – Hecate or Belial – may learn from her soul that we seek it, that we believe she had some knowledge of it or something in her possession that may aid us. Now our enemies may be forewarned of our quest.'

Alice nodded, "You are correct. I was hoping she might have had it. I will be mindful from now on."

'Thank you. I have always been more circumspect in my dealings – and perhaps much too careful and cautious as a result.' Penny conceded thoughtfully. Without Emma and Tabitha present, with whom she must guard her words, Penny was able to speak more freely. 'You were right to propose an aggressive stance with Magda, and I really must thank you. If not for your timely intervention, I might have been slain by one of her spells.'

Alison realized that Penny wasn’t just reaching out as colleague, but as a friend. This made Alice pause not just a moment but much longer. She went over and took Penny by the hand, an attempt to add physical contact which she hoped would help Penny understand that Alice felt of her like a sister not just a colleague or friend. ”Penny you aren’t just my friend, we are more like sisters. You know more about me than anybody except maybe my parents.” It was true, Penny knew her lineage, about her husband, and about the child she lost. She trusted Penny much more than she did other people. ”You and I have each other’s backs. I have a sense about people, I can track them, and I think I might have a little more in the social, but you my dear friend are brilliant. You fill in the gaps for me and I for you, I think that is why we make such a great team.”

She then gentle hugged Penny. When she pulled back she smiled, ”Now, I am rather excited to meet this professor. Join me? I might not have as good a read on this one, I tend to be...flighty...with men I’m attracted too.”

Surprised at Alice's kind words and unexpected contact, Penny was stiff as a board, especially when hugged, and stared dumbfounded into Alice's pretty eyes. Yet she smiled back at the other woman, never feeling more fond of her than in this moment. She wasn't nearly so comfortable or capable at sharing her feelings, which she knew hampered her friendships and more. 'Thank you, ah, that means much to me, Alice. I agree completely.' Penny murmured uncertainly, knowing it sounded terribly insufficient in comparison.

There was something else Penny wanted to raise with Alice, but she could hardly do so now, and Alice was focused on meeting this scholar with startling intensity. 'Crimwell? But you haven't even met the man!' she protested. To have Alice make eyes at Crimwell all through the expedition as she had with Delapore on the train would be too much of a distraction. 'Lily, please, talk her out of it!' Penny begged the Indian, laughing now at the absurdity.

CRIMWALL?! You have a spark for CRIMWALL?! Lily looks horrified. But you haven't even met him! Are you mad? Didn't you hear what I said about the saltines? Do you want cracker crumbs in your bed?

Lily! Victoria gasps at the implication, but then the native woman was never one to watch her tongue. She rolls her eyes but continues on in a slightly milder manner.

Well it's not like he'd say no if she wanted him. It would be such a win for him. Normal women run at the sound of his dry, crackery voice, Lily shudders. But even if you display your affection as virtuously as a nun, I tell you now, you'll STILL find crumbs in your bed. They get everywhere! she shakes her head, looking at Alice as though she'd gone mad. But I suppose if you play the sacrificial lamb at least then I won't have to talk to him... she considers.

Ian cuts in then. I'm more worried about Peter. If he tries anything Penny, you point me at him! I've thrashed him before and I can do it again. He'll try it too. I know he will. he growls with surprising anger. It's clear he's protective of the Englishwoman and Lily seems to notice this with a silent look of amusement, giving Penny a slight expression as if to say, "What do you think of that?"

ooc: Ok, go ahead and finish up conversation here and let me know what your plans are for the rest of the day. If you want to do anything in particular before you leave the next day I'll instigate it and we can go from there. Anywhere in the city or most places in headquarters are fair game. There are libraries, a cafeteria of sorts, supply rooms, weapons rooms, and even a common room where people seem to gather in between hunts to gather and drink.

Penny was uncharacteristically short of words, in fact, wondering if Ian's protectiveness was more than just gallantry, and more than just their friendship. But the suffragist in her was still ready to protest, and did. 'Ian, I hardly need you to, to ride to my rescue like some knight in shining armour.' she chided him firmly, but added with a playful twinkle in her eye 'But I shall not refuse you if you did, do not fear.' she assured him, patting his strong manly arm and surprised to find herself warmly intrigued by the touch and the notion of Ian as a brave knight coming to her aid... Her hand just a little too long to be just a pat, but she embarrassedly removed it all the same.


OOC: Sorry for that wait. I really can't think of anything in particular to do (whether from lack of ideas or tiredness, I don't know). Unless Alice has something else in mind, Penny will spend her time in research and preparation and getting some good sleep. :)

Alice wants to meet this Professor, and drag him out to paint the town red. It’s time off for her and she unwinds by letting her hair down, dancing, drinking, shooting billiards, shooting targets, etc... Being around her in off time would be a rollercoaster ride.

Alice unfortunately is unable to meet the professor quite yet. He seems to live off site and it will take a bit of time for him to be ready to leave. He's expected to arrive early the next morning though so you can set off together. Disappointed as you are though, Lily eagerly invites herself along for one last fling of madness before you go abroad and she asks if Ian can come too, which is amusing since she didn't even ask if SHE could go. If Penny is around she'll receive an amused invitation too, the native woman seemingly expecting her to decline and should she be wrong she'll be delighted. Should anyone proceed with Ian and Lily they find they are the perfect companions for such debauchery.

Ian knows all the best places and seems to know absolutely everyone judging from the way he's greeted. He looks so happy to be back that it's almost as though he's his old self again. Almost. The women try to hang off him, flirting furiously and from the way they talk they are all old standbys for him, but he merely returns friendly greetings, no more. Lily notices and as he goes to get another round asks about it, demanding to know what's happened to him. Should you choose to explain she'll go pale, quickly pasting a happy look on her face when he returns lest he suspect anything. Otherwise she'll hound you endlessly whenever she gets the chance.

ooc: Ok, if you decide to drink let's see how wasted you get ;P I looked up rules on intoxication and decided to simplify them. If you're a one and done kind of person then you're good to go. If you get sloshed then roll a fort save dc 25. If you succeed you are able to function the next day pretty much normally. If you are in the 20-25 range you'll have a headache and have a -1 to rolls. If you're in the 15-20 range you'll have a splitting headache and feel sick the next day and have a -2 to rolls, if you have a 10-15 range you'll be nauseated, stumbly, and make poor decisions the night before AND feel very sick etc the next day with a -3 to everything. If you get 6-10 you will be sick as a dog plus everything else and a -4 the next day for half the day. Anything less means you blacked out. It's not perfect but I'm in a hurry and it's easier for me than the current rules. Good luck!

Alice drank one Kongac and was done with the drinking part of the night. She didn’t need it to have fun. Her explaination to Lily was that Ian and Penny were trying to become an item, they weren’t one yet but they were trying. Alice just stood back and watched her new friend and Ian whom she knew well have fun. For her fun of this kind is more vicarious.

ooc: Alrighty Roo! Since Alice isn't getting wasted I'm going to go out on a limb and say Penny isn't either, therefore I'll move things ahead. Just wanted to make sure everyone was sober for the next day ;P Feel free to add anything you like Penny before moving on. Of course you may very well have slept through the whole thing...

Lily seems to buy Alice's explanation, giving a knowing nod and looking slightly amused the rest of the night.

The next morning comes fast and though a hang over is not a concern that day, the early hour still is unpleasant. For Alice though, she at least gets the excitement of meeting the long awaited Crimwall. You both meet the newcomers, and Lily and Ian of course, in the back half of the warehouse above the entrance to headquarters. Emma waits there too, Victoria at her side as if to watch her, though the middle aged woman doesn't give any indication of trying anything. Ian, looking a bit worse for the wear from the events of the night before, sits on a crate, shushing anyone who talks "too loud" which seems to be everyone at the rate he's protesting. Lily looks surprisingly well considering she should be even worse than Ian, but she seems as fresh as a daisy and even more cheerful, that is until she sees the dreaded professor....

Crimwall is exactly the sort of man one would imagine him to be, save perhaps slightly less plain than one would suppose. He's in his early forties with a fine full sandy mustache and thick, dark blond hair. He wears horn rimmed spectacles and is dressed in a tan uniform with riding boots and a broad straw hat. He's not especially handsome, but he's a little better than plain. Enough to draw Alice's eye perhaps but not many more would look at him twice. He has an enormous pack on his back that he's clearly struggling with, and he sets it down with a grunt. Ah! So you must be the misses Conner and Dreadful I've heard about! Lovely, lovely, Professor Crimwall, at your service! I think we'll have a wonderful little excursion don't you? Hopefully it won't be too troublesome...I'm more of a book man you know. Oh, do forgive me, I haven't breakfasted yet, would anyone care for a cracker? he starts digging into his pack. With his back turned and the way he's bent over, his rear is in perfect kicking range and Lily looks as though she's about to take advantage but Ian pulls her back.

Alice felt like a school girl that morning, butterflies in her stomach and such. She put on her best non-dress and her best hat and came down with her own pack. Crimwell is exactly what she had imagined, perhaps even more handsome than she had thought, and she went over to him right away. ”Yes, I am Mary-Alice Conner, please call me Alice.”  He mentioned not having eaten yet and now was the moment she was hoping for and she went into her own pack. She took out a small jar of crabapple jelly and a small jar of apple butter. ”I’ve heard you always have saltine crackers with you, I always have jam and butter. I’ll share if you will...” She grinned as this was both a way to draw him into her and an olive branch to Lily. If she could get him to eat something with his beloved crackers, perhaps they would be less loathsome to Lily and he might enjoy them and her company even more!

Penny spent the rest of the day in research – or at least tried to, as there seemed to be little more she could learn about the Ring, Key, and Seal of Solomon she hadn't learned already, even as she had the Ring itself in her closely guarded possession. If she could but unlock its powers...

At last, though, even she had to yawningly admit defeat, and finally surrender to Lily's invitation with a smile despite her shyness for such an affair. This quest might very well end in her death. Shouldn't she live a little first? She managed one – one – whole drink, even, being mindful of tomorrow's venture.

Yet, even on that, or perhaps the worry of their final expedition or the lateness of the hour, she awoke the next morning with a minor headache and sleepy air. She found it hard to concentrate, but her testiness was typical Penny.

She rose as their first fellow agent came in. 'Professor Crimwall, a pleasure to meet you.' she greeted him warmly, mostly trying to head off Alice, or more importantly, Lily. 'I read your monograph on, um, the writings of the Mad Arab Abdul Alhazred. I must say, it was quite an astonishing interpretation of his rejection of the Moslem faith, in favour of certain, uh, entities which shall remain unnamed.' Mostly because, at the present time, she could not quite recall their names.


OOC: :D
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Alhazred

ooc: How funny, I've just been getting back into Lovecraft! I read one short collection of his works years ago and recently started listening to a podcast of narrators reading his stories aloud. It's a fabulous way to do dishes ;P

Crimwall looks delighted at Penny's appreciation of his work, obviously not having many appreciate such things and he laughs happily, clapping his hands together. You've read my work? How splendid! Yes, such a fascinating case right? Poor man was devoured by an invisible monster in broad daylight, so they say. But I suppose one must choose one's master wisely eh? he chuckles. Then, at Alice's introduction and offer of spreads, he looks stunned and then outright laughs. Oh my! How wonderful! I usually have them dry you see. It's such a perfect little morsel when one is peckish. I'm never without them. Some of my colleagues jest that when they need to find me they just follow the trail of cracker crumbs! I'm a bit lax on that I fear, he adds apologetically. Lily starts to say something to this but again, Ian silences her. He move toward Alice, already holding out his box of crackers and offering some to her. The only other problem with crackers of course is that they make one frightfully thirsty. It's quite a problem sometimes. I suppose it's not a very wise thing to bring to a desert but I can't help myself!

Oh stop your mouth Crimwall, surely a pretty young thing like that has better interests than your stupid crackers. a voice interrupts from across the room. A man of about thirty saunters in looking confident and sleazy all at once. He's handsome. Very handsome, though Ian maintains his edge over him simply for reason of the Scot's rugged, kind appeal. This must be Peter. He has dark blonde hair, slicked back and every inch of it in place. He's a pretty boy to be sure, with perfect features, gleaming white teeth and a suit so well tailored it couldn't fit him better if it were his skin. He sets down a large case carefully, dark eyes flicking to Penny and Alice both, seeming to take in their every detail within a moment. He ignores Emma and Lily completely and Ian he manages to give a quick sideways glance, the kind one would give a tiger crouched in the grass. He was wary of him. No. He was afraid. Peter Pembers at your service ladies. I hear we are to adventure together. What a pleasure that will be. His perfect white teeth spread into a grin that he seems to know is entrancing, though his knowledge of such ruins it.

No. I already can't do this. Lily declares.

Penny was about to speak more to Crimwall about academic matters, if only to avoid further cracker matters, when the man who surely had to be Peter came in, and quickly proved the others' low opinions of him. While there was nothing he had said or done to raise suspicions, Penny had learned to be a good reader of people (understanding them, however, was another matter). He was handsome, certainly, in a way even Penny could acknowledge, but he was too aware of it too, judging by the scrupulous attention paid to his appearance. Penny did not miss his glances to the others, nor his fear of Ian. He had no interest in Emma (too old) and Lily (too Indian). He only had interest in Alice (who only had eyes for Crimwall) and Penny herself (who would eventually prove far too boring). While he attempted to sound charming, his manner was too shallow and oily to be genuine, and his insult to Crimwall did not endear him. Nevertheless, they must work together for this mission. Now how could Penny possibly keep them working together?

'Patience, Lily.' she pleaded softly, and stepped forward, saying plainly 'Mister Pembers, it's good to have your assistance in this mission. Perhaps you could outline your skills and experience, to aid in future planning?'

Another man’s voice floated over to her, but it was aimed at Crimwell and it was insulting both to him and to her. Alice was not a “pretty little thing,” and her reaction to being called that was immediate. Her eyes widened and her whole body stiffened and tensed. Then her eyes became slits as in a single smooth motion she pivoted and then spun on her left heel and drew her right hand pistol. Her hands are the fast and practiced hands of a gunslinger, and her weapon seemed to just materialize out of thin air in her hand. The barrel was pointed at Peter’s nose. ”I hope I have your intent and undivided attention, Mister. I ain’t no flower, no pretty little thing, and I sure as hell ain’t your type. So I’m sayin’ this jest once, come at me, Penny, Lily, or hell even Emma with ANYTHING ‘sides respect, and I’ll make it so you sing supprano, you comprende muchacho?”

Jest is the word just said with a Texas drawl. Being pissed brings that out of her. Sing supprano means she’ll shoot his balls off, not necessarily fatal and an accurate threat from her. Alice don’t put up with no horseplay.

ooc: Ha! I got the hit of shooting his balls off right away! I'm so proud of myself! ;P

IC: Across the room Lily guffaws loudly and even Ian is grinning. Emma looks surprised and pleased to be included in Alice's list of protected and poor Victoria looks absolutely stressed. Peter's eyes narrow but he says nothing, merely turning away from the venomous woman and towards Penny. It's as though the rest of the room doesn't exist.

I'm from one of the longest lines of hunters anyone's ever seen. The Pembers have been there practically since Cain. We know all the tricks, all the tools, and more importantly, all the contacts. Just saying my name will get you hospitality throughout the world. So imagine what actually having me with you will do? Stick with me and I'll keep you safe. The smile is back again, his ego not to be bruised for long it seems. Apparently he'd just rather pretend Alice didn't exist.

Meanwhile Crimwell leans in towards Alice and speaks in a low voice. Goodness. You must forgive Mr. Pembers. He's rather used to having his own way. I personally don't care for his distastes towards learning and myself, but I admittedly do feel a great deal safer with him about. I'm sorry if he offended you my dear. He has an admiration for beauty that he has a...difficult time containing. It would seem you have methods of dealing with that though don't you? His mustache twitches in amusement.

Victoria cuts in then, looking exhausted and no doubt eager to be rid of you all. Alright, alright, I think you should be on your way soon don't you agree? Emma can contact me as needed to keep me appraised. She and I both have ways of communicating. I've equipped you with everything you should need, though you'll have to buy camels I think. I simply couldn't find such things in New York. Oh I've always wanted to ride a camel she sighs wistfully. Anyway, I will try to get you as close to Qumran as I can but no promises... she winces worriedly. I had plenty of water packed for you. Don't waste it.

We shall not, I assure you. Crimwall assures her. I'll even limit my cracker intake. Makes one so thirsty you know, he chuckles.

ooc: Ok, I'm going to send you now so any final thoughts/words, get em out now :)

Alice did the spin and back turn to holster her weapon. She grinned at Crimwell, "Indeed I do. I also have ways of handling men I'm fond of, perhaps if you are a good boy you'll find those out. Do try the jam and butter, always makes things better."

As for Penny, she was just alarmed by Alice's sudden eruption of gun-play and threats, risking ruining their expedition before it had even started. Whatever they thought of Peter, it was just wasn't the done thing! But it was, nevertheless, not unsatisfying for the suffragist. Perhaps there was something to be said about the American way of doing things. Sometimes, anyway.

Unfortunately, it just left Penny as Peter's sole target of attention. Ugh.

Before she could try to recover her command of the conversation, Victoria had mercifully taken over. 'That would be the salt.' she sighed to Crimwall, 'While you will need to maintain your salt levels, I advise cutting back on those things lest you dehydrate yourself.' She turned to Victoria, declaring 'We're ready.' After all, the sooner they left, the sooner they could be back.

Crimwall looks a bit startled by Alice's words, obviously not used to such attentions from women, and he blushes deeply. Thankfully for him, Victoria interrupts by gathering all of you around her. She mutters an incantation with a gesture at the brick wall, laden with symbols so complex they're dizzying, and soon it opens up, revealing a sea of sand on the other side. Good luck my friends, she says with a voice thick with guilt. After all, who would want to be sending their companions to such a dire place? Crimwall though, looks ecstatic and immediately walks through without hesitation, followed by the rest of you, albeit with a great deal less enthusiasm.

Soon you are through and the portal closes and you realize with a sinking feeling that you seem to be in the middle of nowhere. Just desert as far as the eye can see and the heat already beating down on you. I changed my mind. Take me back. Lily declares. You think she's joking but with the look on her face it's hard to tell. Emma looks no happier. Seconded. she mutters. Crimwall though, scoops up a handful of sand and tosses it in the air like a child. Oh isn't it magnificent!? he laughs. Peter watches with a sneer, careful not to let Alice see though. Well? Where to? Ian asks, already starting to load the supplies on his back with a tired look. The heat is already awful. Oh I have absolutely no idea! Crimwall shrugs, looking far too unconcerned. I'm a historian and archeologist, not a cartographer! As the sand swirls about your feet, you realize that perhaps this wasn't as well though out as you'd like. Indeed Peter immediately looks panicked, starting to grow angry. You have a feeling if it weren't for Alice's earlier threat, he'd be punching the mustached fellow repeatedly in the face by now. In fact, Lily looks close to doing so herself.

ooc: Roll survival checks, or anything you have remotely like it please :)

Alice shrugged and gave a “don’t look at me” expression.

13:19, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 8 using 1d20+1.  Survival.

'Oh, how I miss the Devonshire moors.' Penny sighed wistfully of a place the others most likely remembered as a world of constant rain, cold, and mud. She surveyed the endless expanse of desert around her, feeling the heat beat down on her already, and especially uncomfortably in her snug, many-layered dress. 'I'd rather hoped to arrive in Jerusalem and journey out to Qumran on camel-back. Still, we are here now. Let us approach the problem in a practical manner... Assuming we arrived reasonably close to our intended destination, the Dead Sea must be in the area. If we find it, we can compare to our map and then find our way.' She wasn't remotely sure if this really was a practical and effective approach, but in a situation like this it was better to sound confident and show leadership, she supposed.

She began to scan the hot sandy ground around them, looking for prints and trails. She might find a print or two, but it would take an expert to find a trail. 'Lily, you are adept in Indian tracking techniques, are you not? I remember you trying to teach me some, but to no great success just yet... Does anything stand out to you?'


OOC:
Search 28, Survival 17, Knowledge (Earth & Life Sciences) 20

Lily frowns at Penny's question, her pretty face melting into a scowl. I've never tracked in sand before. Everything looks the same! But...I'll try. She begins to examine the ground, finding the same tracks and things as Lily and eventually more. It takes her a bit of wandering to find anything, and at one point Penny points out a possible trail to her and she gives a half irritated, half thankful glare before thankfully picking up on it, following it with increasing expertise the farther she goes along.

Looks like she's getting the hang of it, Ian gives a grateful grin as you follow her. Poor Emma looks sweaty and exhausted already. It takes a full three hours of walking before you manage to find civilization. An encampment, with dozens of wide, stretched out tents gathered together, the sounds of children playing and people talking in strange tongues buzz through the air. A surprising amount of camels appear in makeshift pens, and robed people tend to them, impossible to make out at this distance. Crimwall sees all this and gives a whoop of excitement. Oh my! I think I'm a touch nervous! Alright, alright, what should I say to them? What's our excuse for being out here? We can hardly tell them who we are, very superstitious you know. Wouldn't be smart. Do I look alright? Who's going with me? We shouldn't all go, it might spook them. Should I go alone? Oh, but that would be even more intimidating...but most importantly, what should I say?!

Alice got in front of Crimwell and fussed over him, straightening his appearance, smoothing his mustache (and removing any crumbs), brushing his lapels, etc. ”I will go with you. Stand up straight, speak from your diaphragm. Introduce yourself and ask for hospitality. In this culture when one asks for hospitality it must be granted and no one can harm anyone else.” She took off her gun belts and shotgun scabbard and handed them all to Ian. ”I’ll be back for those. Penny, we could use your keen eyes. Please let the Professor and I do the talking, ok? It is important that we make a very good impression, not that you make a bad one. I just think we are better served with you using those powers of perception to give us an edge, ok?” She nodded and took Crimwell’s arm. ”I am your fiancé and Penny is either your sister or mine. Everyone ready? Lets go.”

Penny nodded in agreement to Ian, and set off after Lily, enduring the desert sun with the stoic stiff-upper-lip attitude beloved of the British. Besides, used to all that rain and cold, she remarked glibly 'You know, once you get used to the heat, it's actually quite bracing.'

After three hours of it, however, she was no longer so enthusiastic.

'Yes, of course.' she agreed hoarsely with Alice, unable to do much talking at all now, with her mouth so parched. 'But what will you say? That bandits stole our camels?'

Alice said, "Let's just keep it vague and truthful. We are travelers, we were with a larger group and got separated from our guide. We need directions. See. The best lies, my dear Penny, are the ones that are entirely true." She winked at her companion as if to say "just between us girls."

Peter rolls his eyes at Alice's decision to pose as Crimwall's fiance, carefully doing so behind her back, and shakes his head. He clearly does not see what she sees in the man. For that matter, poor Crimwall looks quite taken aback himself, looking flustered and turning red from more than the sweltering sun. It's obvious that his interactions with women are limited.

At last the professor deems himself ready, and he gestures for both of you to follow, the others staying an un-threatening distance behind. The children are the first to approach, running towards you with excitement, tugging on your skirts and looking up at you as they talk a mile a minute, all in Arabic of course. Criwmall grins at them, looking a great deal less nervous at such a greeting, and even speaks to them in their own language, which sets them off with a buzz of delight and energy. Soon four men approach, heads wrapped in scarves, traditional robes flapping in the desert breeze. They give bows of greeting and Crimwall does the same, launching into a lengthy conversation in Arabic, gesturing towards the both of you and then back at the rest of your party. A great deal of nodding and gesturing litter the conversation as well and at last Crimwall turns and speaks to you in English. Did you hear that!? He said I speak like a native! Oh wait until the fellows back home hear! he laughs with glee. We're all set. They're going to prepare tents and camels for us but we must stay with them a day or two first you know. It's rude to reject their hospitality. If they offer you gifts, and they will, you must accept them with the utmost graciousness. It's very important. Now, our destination is still a day or so away but he said they can send a guide with us to see us safely there. A big strike of luck I'd say eh?


ooc: Ok, so I'm going to somewhat skim your stay a bit here, but only a bit. So I'd like some general things from you such as spot and listen checks in case I need them and also a general ride check to see how hard it is for you to learn to ride a camel etc. Also, he went with Penny being his cousin, since the accents are different and it's more believable than being a sister.
Sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush so I will post more next time! Gotta love a holiday week...

Penny followed Alice and Crimwall into the nomad camp. Though she did her utmost best to keep a keen eye out while the professor spoke to the leaders, she was soon quite bewildered. Everything was so hectic, so foreign, and so hot, that she was soon out of her element when it came detection and deduction. What did sand on one's robe signify here? In the end, all she could do was smile at the girl touching the lace on her dress and hope that Crimwall indeed knew what he was doing.

He certainly sounded confident. 'A day or two?' Penny exclaimed in surprise and consternation. She didn't like the delay; it was too long, too easy for an enemy agent to set up a trap. 'Did they say why?'

'We do not have gifts to give them in exchange.' Penny had packed light, after all, only what she needed and could carry on her person through the portal. Well, she might have a souvenir spoon she could part with...


OOC:
Keeping alert at the camp: Spot 12, Sense Motive 17

And on the journey: Spot 22, Listen 28

Ride 8, poor Penny's in for a bumpy ride. :(

Alice tried to console Penny, ”These are a proud people, and tradition rules their lives. We are a chance for feasting and celebrating. You are correct, they will not expect us to reciprocate. Penny, this is important, do not say you like something they have, they are required to give it to you. You can agree that something is beautiful or such, but be careful not to express personal interest.” She turned to the Arab man who seemed most in charge and asked him in French, ”Do you speak French?” She switched to Italian, ”Or perhaps Italian?”

08:40, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Listen Check.
08:40, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  Spot Check.
08:39, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  RIde Check.

'Yes, of course.' Penny agreed. 'As proud and tradition-bound as the English, I'd wager. It is just time we can ill-afford right now. Too much may go wrong while we wait here.' she explained worriedly. She quieted and smiled pleasantly when Alice then spoke to the Arab man. Two days!

ooc: Disclaimer! I'm sorry if I get some of the cultural stuff wonky. I did a bit of research but not as much as I liked because I realized it was taking up all my posting time! hahaha!

The Arab man, Adhid is his name, looks surprised at Alice's forthrightness and after a moment of hesitation, gives a nod, responding in French, though it is thickly accented and a bit hard to understand. Some French, yes. Many of us here have some knowledge of it. My wife is better at it than me, he adds with a smile.

As the day passes, it is clear that the culture is quite different from your own. You're used to being second place as women already, but this is something else entirely. The women are usually separated from the men, doing much of the caring for the goats and sheep and interacting little overall with them. Children run underfoot, playing and helping when their mothers can get their attention. You are given coffee, strong and mixed with cardamom and quite thoroughly splendid. Ian, Peter, and Crimwall are taken to the men's tents, Ian giving a lingering look back at you all as though he wished he could stay. He doesn't like Peter and you get the sense he's far more comfortable with the rest of you than Crimwall. Meanwhile you are left to the women's tent, Emma looking displeased that you'll be sitting on the grown, grumbling about her old bones, but she manages to plop down on the thick rugs after some effort. Adhid's wife, Tasmara, informs you that there will be a sheep slaughtered for a feast that night in your honor. Her French is actually surprisingly good for those who understand it. Emma knows a bit but Lily is completely in the dark and looking displeased about it, always asking anyone she can what you are talking about.

While feasting preparations are underway you are given clothes more appropriate for the heat. Loose black robes that are surprisingly beautiful and do much to air out your poor hot bodies. Emma in particular looks delighted with how much better it feels, but the poor fool was wearing a corset and stays the whole time, always fashionable even in the desert.

Riding the camels goes poorly for both of you. Penny falls off three times and Alice twice. Lily laughs and laughs, not falling at all of course. Her Native ways seem to serve her well here. Emma though, can't even seem to get on the blasted thing, and her red sweaty face huffs and puffs obscenities you are grateful no one can understand.

The feast that night is exquisite. You never knew food could taste so layered and complex! Spices you would never have thought to use are intermingled in the meat, along with many you've never tasted. The men get first go at the sheep, then the women. Across the way Ian gives an apologetic look as he gets his meat, clearly not liking the inequality and feeling guilty about it. Peter makes a face at the taste, not liking it obviously, though having at least the sense to hide his disgust when his host inquires how he likes it.

That night as you lay in your tents, the sounds of the camels and goats making it difficult to sleep, you both hear whispers from several yards off. A man and a woman. Should you poke your heads out to look, you'll see to your horror Peter and a young woman sneaking off together, hand in hand...

Alice poked her head out the tent and realized at once what was occurring. There was no need for subtlety here. She called out loudly, “Peter I swear to the Lord Almighty if you don’t get back in your tent ALONE, I’ll open up your skull and leave your damned body for the coyotes, you hear me!?”

Through the day, Penny naturally spent her time with the other women, gamely helping with the animals and chores with a pluck and willingness the others might not have expected of the fussy noblewoman. It just about made up for her lack of skill. But of course, as a girl, she had done whatever she could to escape Father and the grim Darkmoor house, and the only way to do that was to go out into the moors and the farms, taking refuge with washerwomen and farmer's wives, even if it was just to do chores for a few hours. They'd been the only women she had to look up to and learn from. So, here and now, she learned all she could from Tasmara and the other Arab women, and tried her best not to sound patronising.

*

That night, Penny was trying to sleep off her delicious repast, and hoping the spicy foreign food wouldn't upset her stomach too much, when she heard the startling cry. Instantly, she sat bolt upright, her first thought being to fear they were under attack by demons or other monsters – a natural instinct for a Hunter – until she realised it was something much more mundane.

Penny dashed to the tent flap, peering out to see and warning 'Alice! Quietly! We must preserve the young lady's honour. Not risk shaming her in front of the whole tribe.'

She pulled on yet another robe and marched out, slippers sinking into the warm sand, saying in French 'It's appropriate here for you two to have a chaperone. Let us wake Emma or the young lady's father to accompany.' While the suffragist might rail against sexist and patriarchal attitudes, they were awfully useful at times.

Peter jumps at the sound of Alice's words, glaring so angrily you can feel it even in the dark. The woman, at mention of her father from Penny, immediately runs back towards the tents before anyone can notice the commotion, and you can't help but feel relief that she at least has that much sense. Peter comes storming up to you both, looking more than a little surly. In spite of his temper though, he has the wits to keep his voice down, speaking through gritted teeth.

You wanna keep your trap shut Alice? These aren't the types of people to take fraternizing lightly. And I wasn't going to do anything, just chatting with a pretty woman, no harm in that! I'd say you'd be better off minding your own business and keeping your nose out of mine. And if you think I'm afraid of you, you've got another thing coming. He adds warningly. His anger doesn't seem to be towards Penny, who was a bit more...diplomatic in her censure, but you can tell he simply doesn't like Alice, but then her usual threats have a way of putting people off.

Meanwhile in the tent behind you, Lily and Emma don't even stir. They are sleeping soundly so hopefully no one else in camp is aware of what happened. You're just glad you put a stop to it before it could become something else. For, no matter his assertions, you have a feeling talking was not his intentions towards the pretty young woman.

Alice glared for a moment, but her anger was raised now. She had warned this man, and he had ignored her. She moved up to him and QuickDraw jammed her pistol in his gut, just below his belt line. He might have been mad but she was now furious and she didn’t give a damn who heard her. ”YOU LYING LITTLE SON OF A BITCH!” She put her other pistol under his chin and thumbed both hammers. Then her voice went the opposite way, so quiet and calm it was somehow more intimidating than the shouting. ”I will not tolerate this behavior. You are a grown man, act like one, or I will kill you. I’m from Texas, we prefer frounteer justice. We don’t need you, and if you think you are indescpincale you are mistaken.”

10:10, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Intimidate.
This is no idle threat, this is more like a last warning. He might bluster a big game but I’ll put money on Alice’s gun hand, and the desert to take care of any evidence that might get left behind.

Alice kept her voice down but her anger is up, ”So either keep that little thing in your trousers or choose where I’ll shoot, head or other head.”

Infuriatingly, he does not react. At. All. He merely looks at you with his pretty blue eyes and they turn cold. Victoria must not realize how rabid you really are. You'd risk these people's hospitality, our cover, the very mission itself, just to put me in my place? You are reckless and selfish if you can't put your anger aside. The lady and I had business together. It was HER choice, she's a grown woman and I would not have done anything that she would not have wanted, that you can believe. He says firmly. And you do believe that much. He continues, face calm but in that same cool, displeased tone. I will put my passions aside but you need to do the same before you get us all killed. You may be good with those guns but you're no hunter if you can't make sacrifices, even if it's just your own fury. Oh, and if you think I'm afraid of you, I'm not. You know nothing about me. Absolutely. Nothing. With that he turns and walks away, completely unconcerned. By now several Bedouin have scrambled from their tents, coming to see what the commotion is about.

ooc: Sorry, he's actually a really formidable character when it comes to combat. He's got a few layers to him you don't know about ;P

Alice, undaunted, hissed at him as he walked off, ”Anytime you want to try me you know where to find me.” She turned to the Bedouin, and putting on her best calm face, sliding her weapons into their holsters she held up her hands and spoke in French, ”Please, please sir’s and ma’dames, there is no need for you to leave your tents. This was a personal matter between me and my...companion. I assure you none of your people are in harm’s way. Please please return to your tents.”

'Alice!' Penny hissed in alarm as the other woman escalated matters irreparably by drawing her pistol. A thousand fears raced through her head: that this feud would cost them the tribe's hospitality, their aid, and the mission; that it would end in bloodshed; that the mission would fail; that Belial would win. Both Peter and Alice alike were proving to be as much a liability as they were an asset. Those bloody Americans! In the end, Penny could not get a chance to interject as the argument ran its course and Peter departed; she had a few words herself to say, but perforce left them unsaid as the Bedouin emerged.

While Alice tried to play down the matter, Penny just looked mortified and hoped it stuck. She really needed to talk to Alice about her profound lack of tact.

It takes a bit but the Bedouins do calm down, still looking curious and uncertain, but they are not the type to pry, no doubt it is seen as impolite. When Alice returns to the tent, Lily gives her a knowing look and simply says, Peter. Had to be Peter. Emma, however, looks just as uncertain as Penny and exchanges worried glances with her. Normally the type to speak her mind, she's grown tactful over Alice these days. Perhaps she's had the woman's gun thrust in her face enough times to keep her quiet.

Fortunately the rest of the night passes peacefully enough. Morning comes, hot as ever and the rest of the day passes abominably slow. You try your hands again at learning the camel and it's a tad better this time but not much. Ian asks about the altercation the night before, wanting to know what the fuss is about. Should you choose to indulge him he reacts similarly to Lily, just grunting, Peter. with a growl. As for the man himself, Peter ignores all of you. He's clearly not happy to be here and, after all the acid he's had to take from Alice lately, he's looking quite surly himself. Crimwall also looks a touch uncertain, noticing everyone's moods and trying his best to lighten them, both for you and your hosts. Fortunately his enthusiasm is appreciated by the Bedouin and they are put to rights easily enough, even if Peter glowers and sulks the whole day through.

Much of the day is spent with the women, same as before. You are fed incredibly well and the women ask you a thousand questions in French, which drives Lily mad. She doesn't speak a word of it and seems to be aggravated to forever ask who said what. You also note the young woman from the night before, also sitting in the women's circle, embroidering a shawl and watching you carefully with a hint of worry. No doubt she fears her little escapade with Peter will be made public information and anytime one of you speaks she stiffens in dread.

Blessedly, you have only that night left before you can depart in the morning. It can't come soon enough for most of you. Much as you enjoy the people, watching everything you say is wearing, not to mention the separation of genders. You hardly get to see the menfolk. What little you do see of Ian he looks tired and obviously lonely. Crimwall is a whole different animal from the usually peppy hunter, and of course Peter is Peter, there isn't much to be had in his company. Add to that, that the poor Scot doesn't speak French either, he's very isolated indeed.

ooc: Ok, let me know if you have any plans the rest of your time here. I'm going to move you along to when you leave.

Alice will translate for Lily and Ian whenever possible. When she has a moment to herself she goes to Emma. ”M’Lady, I’ve heard that women of your sort can...well affect a man so that...” she whispers,  She went on, ”I was thinking that if you did this to Peter, he might not be so much trouble from here on out in this particular adventure and I can breath a bit easier.”

OH PLEASE say yes....

Whenever she could get a chance, Penny asked the Bedouin all she could about the area and particularly about Qumran, so that she might be well-prepared for the hunt for the Key of Solomon. She also learned their legends and lore, and especially the monsters that lurked in the desert, such as ghūl, qarînah, and djinn (the last when Ian was not in earshot), both for general knowledge as a hunter and to become aware of specific threats in the area. Unlike in England and America, where Penny would paint herself as merely having a faddish interest in fanciful stories of the occult and legends, these nomad people, like the Indians she'd met earlier, held their legends much more closely, believed them to be true, and still took proper precautions, all things westerners would dismiss as simple superstition.

OOC: 15:18, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 27 using 1d20+9.  gather information.

On the last night, Penny looked up from her cross-stitch, surprised to see Alice approach Emma. Fearful of another conflict, she began to listen in, and surprised again to hear Alice, of all people, beg a favour from Emma. That Alice was now willing to work with the witch was welcome enough news that Penny didn't immediately intervene to quash the idea. She wanted to know what was possible before she argued against it.

Emma listens to Alice's request with a split second of confusion, then as she realizes what is being implied, she startles you by laughing. A lot. Oh! Oh can you imagine how useful that would be!? she chortles. Oh I love it! Good heavens, what a wonderful idea! she wipes her eyes. Of course if I knew how to do that I could've kept my Richard away far better whenever he pawed at me in the night. she shakes her head. You know, I did know of a witch once, an Irish fellow, very good looking too. He had a way of putting one out of commission when he wished. He'd just look at a person and clap and then they...well they had related problems if you get my meaning, she arches her brow pointedly. Never did learn that one, but I hear it's a nasty thing to pester someone with. But I think I could find a few methods to be helpful to you when it comes to Peter. If you can get me his shoes I can do a little trick. Lets me track him wherever he goes. He won't be able to sneak off and make trouble without me knowing where he is.

Alice was very disappointed to hear that Emma couldn’t do the...thing...but she made another offer. ”Hmm...I’ll have to figure out how to do that.” She turned to Lilly, ”Whatta ya say? Wanna steal a shoe?”

While Penny had not heard all that Alice said to Emma, and would likely be blushingly bewildered if she had, she had to interject at this juncture. 'I pray you reconsider this. We have only one more night with these people, it would behove us not to disturb the peace with another nocturnal argument. Besides, Yasmin is suitably spooked, Peter is chastised, and Ian shall be watching him like a hawk.' she pointed out, Yasmin being the young lady with Peter last night. While others might make harsher judgements, Penny was open-minded and had seen the future, so she just thought her to be young and foolish, perhaps lonely among her tribe and easily wooed. She could not fault her. 'And we must still work with Peter for the rest of the mission. Angering him will drive a wedge between us and threaten the mission. He may be a reckless cad, but he has done nothing criminally wrong, nothing that deserves some curse upon him.' Penny, meanwhile, was old before her years, and far too sensible, level-headed, and indeed dull for mischief-making.

Alice cocked her head at Penny, ”Tell me Lady Dreadful, have you ever heard the term Stick in the Mud? Because you are one.” Then she grinned and used her finger to push her hat up on her head. ”That girl,” she pointed at Yasmin, ”Is way to young to make such a decision. You might be open minded but her people ain’t. Here she would have been horsewhipped, probably to death, for seducing him while he would have walked away scottfree. Fact is we don’t need him, he is a liability at best. I ain’t dropped him and left for the coyotes yet but I got him in m’sights. One more of his bullshit schemes and I’ll drill a hole in his damned head. I ain’t sure yet which one, though.”

Then she looked at Yasmin and spoke in French, ”Girl, I ain’t the bad guy here. That fool who tried to sweettalk his way under your skirt is, and you’re too young to understand that. Much as I dislike it, I ain’t tellin your folks on you, but you gotta have a better head on your shoulders. I mean really, going all doe-eyed over some loser like him, please, he ain’t even got two nickels to rub together.”

'That's not what I said—!' Penny started, irritation writ across her face at the aspersions and the idea she would condone this sort of thing. She was about to explain further, but Alice had already turned to speak to poor Yasmin. Huffing, fuming, Penny returned to her cross-stitch, trying to sew a neat little X in the aida cloth. But she'd missed the hole and put the needle partway into the next square. Muttering a curse, she tried to unpick it.

Lily looks delighted by the chance to steal a shoe, no doubt relishing the idea of doing anything but she's cut short by Penny and Alice's exchange, watching the pair carefully as though unsure which side is better. Instead she falls silent while Emma plops down next to Penny, noting her cross stitch sympathetically and making pleasant conversation as though to distract her from her irritation. It's funny how much the woman has found her place in your little group. Naturally you don't trust her, but she's come a long way from when you first met and she's clearly growing more comfortable.

Meanwhile Yasmin listens to Alice's advice with wide eyes, still looking around to be sure no one is eavesdropping. At last she speaks, in very broken french. He promised me nothing. Just...him. One night. I was foolish. Forgive me. she blushes deeply. Then she adds quietly, Don't tell my husband. Considering you didn't know she was married, it's a struggle to control your surprise.

The rest of that day passes uneventfully. Even Peter seems to behave himself, though he looks as bored as the rest of you feel. Crimwall seems loathe to leave and Lily has to tell him firmly not to finagle another day here on the sly. He claims he would never but his expression of disappointment outs his intentions. Lily repeats herself with a face that could stop a mountain lion in its tracks. In the end you receive several offers of riders to come with you to Qumran but after glancing at the menacing Indian, Crimwall politely declines. Tomorrow. You will have freedom tomorrow. No more stewed goat, no more endless pestering from the children or gossipy women, no more gender segregation, something you're sure Ian will be grateful to see the back of, and no more worrying about Peter. Ah. Morning can't come soon enough.

ooc: Ok, I'm going to move things along soon so feel free to finish up here. I'll be moving you along to Qumran next so please roll spot/searches and such so I'll have them ready when the time comes. Then we'll see how hard it is to find the scrolls. Also, roll rides too please so I know what kind of a trip you had. You can add a +1 from all the practice you've been doing. :)

Penny continued much as she had before, conversing and helping with chores, cross-stitching in spare hours, and making notes on what she'd learned from the Bedouin, about the djinn and other monsters of the desert. She wondered if they had their own hunters, of a sort, who might know the true lore of such things. But she knew well it was difficult enough finding a fellow hunter, who perforce did not wish to be found. She could only hope they would have no need whilst they were here.


OOC: I don't have much to add or do at this point.
Spot 24, Listen 28, Search 25, Ride 12

Sorry swamped at work and holidays
09:42, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 22 using 1d20+7.  spot.
09:42, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Ride.

The rest of the journey goes by smoothly enough, though Penny still has some difficulties with camel riding. At least she doesn't fall though, and after a few pointers from Lily she manages to figure out some coping mechanisms.

Peter is surly and quiet the entire time, shooting glares at Alice when her back is turned. His seething dislike for the woman is obvious but he gives her no reason to go after him so that's something at least.

The Bedouin provided you with plenty of food and water as well as more desert appropriate clothes, therefore you are far more comfortable than you were starting out. Eventually you reach your destination, a dusty excavation site that looks more like rubble and rock formations than anything else. There are a few half unearthed stone walls and stairs that lead nowhere, but mostly it is unremarkable. You are a bit surprised. All this way? All this way for a few stairs and a wall or two? There are clear markings and tools from excavations but you seem to have missed them thankfully. The last thing you need is to try to explain yourselves to a bunch of dusty archeologists. You search high and low and find absolutely nothing. Emma is most put out, even now handling the heat poorly. She is drenched in sweat and red faced and flushed. Mostly she sits under a parasol and fans herself. Lily isn't much happier but she handles herself better. Peter and Ian both search with silent, determined faces and Crimwall just looks delighted to be there, exclaiming over every rock, every sign of civilization. It is both endearing and exhausting.

An entire day you search. You find an occasional hieroglyph here and there, which Crimwall eagerly translates, but nothing seems to bear any significance. With the heat and the dust, it's easy to get snippy and it's difficult to keep tempers in check. Then something happens. Penny spots movement quite a ways off on the limestone cliffs. A lone figure, moving slightly from time to time but mostly stationary. You have no reason to believe it, but you feel like they are watching you. They are so far away you can barely make out they are human, but the form, the movement, reveals that much is true. Should you start to get closer, Penny hears it. Whistling. Not just any whistling, but some sort of jaunty tune you do not recognize.

ooc: Climb checks if you're inclined to do anything about it :)

Alice volunteered, ”I’ll go up and have a look-see.” She grinned at Crimwell, even favoring him with a wink before going to try and climb the wall. First she gave it a long look to try and pick out the best route, then she carefully picked her way up, taking her time with it.

Taking 20 on climb for an 21

For long hours under the blazing sun she searched, but Penny remained resolute and thorough. She knew the trail was millennia-old, that they had only an ancient scrap of parchment to tell them the Key had once, however long ago, been somewhere in this parts. She knew this site had already been excavated, several times, that she would have as much luck searching the collections of the European archaeologists. But there was something more than research, investigation, and deduction at play. There was faith, hope, and desperate need to find something they could use against Belial. She prayed to God for some sign. The Key had to be here!

Then she saw it, the figure atop the cliffs, watching them, creeping along. And whistling. There was something worrying about that, not the tune, but the act. Something she'd heard from the Bedouin, maybe? Still puzzling what it all meant, Penny reacted when Alice volunteered to climb up, quickly dashing in front to stop her. 'Wait!'


OOC: Something about a whistling monster comes to mind, but I can't remember what or where. (Maybe because I used one that did in another game, but I wouldn't expect it here.)
21:11, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Knowledge: Arcana.

Penny's thoughts turn to any whistling monsters and they settle on the silbon, an angry spirit from South American lore who is particularly drawn to revenge on womanizing men, in which case both Peter and Ian could be in danger, but suddenly something about the tune stops you in your tracks. Alice too. The tune, now that you're closer, is very familiar. Is that...camptown races? Ian asks in bewilderment. And to your surprise yes. Yes it is. The whistler stops from time to time, muttering something unintelligible, he is still a ways up after all, and then continues on, the same song over and over. This most definitely does not seem like a silbon. No. It seems like a man.

Should you decide to investigate, Alice and Ian climb up easily, as does Lily, though she brings up the rear to help Emma navigate for the aging woman has a tough time of it. Peter stays back too for that matter, perhaps not keen on sticking his neck out for the likes of Alice.

What you find at the top is an odd scene indeed. The entrance to the cave is small, you'll have to hunch to get inside, and it's a bit treacherous footing for there's not much space. Still, at the top there is just enough flat ground for about fifteen feet of room. In the center of this is a chair, a cushioned one at that even, and sitting atop it is a man. He's stopped whistling and is instead eating a very generous piece of cake with white and pink frosting and a massive sugared flower. The plate is very fine porcelain and in his lap between his legs is a tall frosty glass of pink lemonade, unbelievably with ice inside! The man himself looks up, not in the least surprised and a bit put out at being interrupted. NOW you show up? Right when I have cake? You'll have to wait. I'm eating. he says with his mouth full. This is apparently his first bite.

He's in his mid to late thirties with light brown swept back hair that reaches the nape of his neck. He has brown twinkling eyes and thin lips that look ready to smile with ease. His narrow nose is long, sharp and dimpled on the end. His accent is American from what you can tell with his mouth full. Not everyone has reached him yet, Peter, Lily, and Emma still trailing behind a ways.

'The Silbón? In Palestine?' Penny had wondered incredulously, recalling the last account of a whistling monster she'd heard, but immediately discounted the notion, for they were on the wrong entirely continent entirely and the whistler looked little like El Silbón.

Shaking her head, she let Alice climb up after it, then set hand and toe to the rock-face and scaled it herself.

But what she found at the top was somehow even more unbelievable. But Penny was an Englishwoman, and immediately showed proper manners. She doffed her hat and said 'Good afternoon, sir. Do forgive our intrusion, but we were surprised to find we were not alone out here.' Penny didn't have to be a great detective to know this was no ordinary man: white, American, wandering alone in the wilds of Palestine, with a mostly unlikely meal of fine dessert and iced lemonade. Yes, there was something very unreal about this tableau. Could she trust any senses and clues? 'Yet I take it you were expecting us?'
This message was last edited by the player at 12:52, Thu 16 Jan 2020.

Alice kept back watching but not threatening. The whole thing seemed like The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to her. She even said, under her breath, “If you knew Time as well as I do, you wouldn’t talk about wasting it. Time is a him.”

The man grudgingly finishes his bite and puts his cake down with a sigh, still more disappointed at the interruption than anything. Alright, alright, you don't want to waste time? Well neither do I. You guys are searching for a scroll right? he eyes his cake distractedly even as he talks. Well today I'm all about scrolls. Lucky you. So I say we just get in there and start-whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up! he gestures behind you to Peter, who has finally emerged from the difficult trail. We've got ourselves a dick here. Yup. MEEP MEEP MEEP! My dickometer is bleeping like crazy! he points with a look of accusing amusement. Of course you are beyond confused, what in the world is this gibberish he's spouting? Meep? Dickometer? Peter is just as fuddled.
What the? How are you up here!? And my name is Peter, not Dick, Peter adds uncertainly.
Oh I forgot how stupid the eighteen nineties are, the strange man shakes his head as he mutters to himself. No fun words at all. You just say quite all the time don't you? Quite, quite, quite. Boooooring! Hm...how do I explain this? Another name for dick...another name for dick... Oh! Now I remember! he snaps his fingers in triumph, and to your shock Peter completely disappears. I don't give a damn!

When Peter disappeared her instinct took over and she pulled her pistol. She disliked Peter intently but he was sill on her team and she had to defend them. <yellow>”What in the SamHell did you just do, old timer?”</yelllow>

Old timer?! the man looks offended. I don't look a day over thirty five! He shoots you a disapproving look. And don't get all excited. I didn't kill him. I just thought your friend could do with a bit more exercise. Maybe sweat some of the douche out of him. He gestures to the trail going down the cliff. Lily, Ian and Emma are still making their way up and should you look down you see they are all quite animated about something. Crimwall, who is nearly to the top, gestures excitedly. How did Peter end up down there?! What happened? Did he fall somehow? You see then what he's talking about. There, at the base of the cliff, stands a bewildered Peter who slowly starts to climb back up. The strange man looks particularly pleased with himself. I could do that all day. He needs the exercise anyway right? They say hiking is good for you. He plops down and takes another bite of cake.

Alice kept her weapon trained on the fellow, even though he could obviously make her vanish on a whim. He seemed to now what was happening, even knowing Peter was a thorn rather than having one. ”You seem to know us. Do you know why we’re here?”

Throughout the man's bizarre behaviour, Penny had stood back, watching and waiting, and wondering at the truth behind these games. Penny only reacted in alarm when he made Peter vanish, fearing his capering was but a prelude to an attack, but was reassured when Peter turned up at the bottom of the cliff again. She might be a proper Victorian woman, but as a girl, she'd hunted pixies upon the Devonshire moor, mischievous jesters and tricksters who'd play games with mortals (and were a good entry-level monster for the child hunter besides, though frustrating for a serious girl like Penny). She recognised similar habits here, in the man's odd speech, odd habits, and odd pranks, and knew not to take the bait, but to be bold and witty, never the butt of a joke.

At last, Penny raised a hand to Alice's gun, suggesting she should lower it. It would do them little good here. Penny spoke up, her eyes on their peculiar host. 'He does, he mentioned the scroll... He's from the 21st century – 2013 or later – for he uses the crude slang of that age.' Penny had heard Dean Winchster use the French word for a shower, though it seemed an odd choice of insult. 'And you're not merely a time-lost hunter, are you? You have all the time in the world – and all the cake and lemonade to share.' she challenged him, but there was amusement twinkling in her blue eyes at the absurdity. She held out her hand as if holding a glass of lemonade already. 'Pretty please?'


OOC: Eep, sorry, losing all track of time.

Alison is surprised at the confidence of Penny’s answer. She wasn’t guessing the way she normally did it, she knew this. ”How do you...never mind...we’ll all about this later.” She stepped back and let Penny handle this, she seemed to know what she was doing.

The man looks at Penny and laughs and a second later indeed there is a glass of lemonade within it. He nods to Alice as if offering her one too and should she wish it she shall have one as well. By now Crimwall has made it up but space is becoming limited so the stranger gestures you into the cave just a bit. The walls within are smoothed and obviously man formed but it still isn't that large of a space. Crimwall is naturally confused and curious but he has the intelligence to keep quiet and watch rather than blather on with questions. The man ignores him for the most part, more focused on Penny and Alice. See, you're smart, he points to Penny. I like that. There are too many idiots in this time. Not all, but a lot, he makes a face. I guess you're wondering what I am though. All you need to know is I'm on your side and I'm not supposed to be here. Neither are you. You're looking for the copper scroll right? Well if you're going to do this without screwing up the universe, I have to supervise you. Not everything is meant to be found right now. So unless you have something better to do I think we should get- he's interrupted suddenly by Lily's voice at the entrance of the cave. Finally! I thought I'd have to drag Emma up by her ankles! Now what did I miss? she brushes the dust off her clothes, Ian and Emma trailing behind her. The stranger stops cold, looking at her in surprise. He just stands there, stunned and she locks eyes on him in confusion. Who are you? He says nothing, still unable to talk. Why do you look familiar? She asks with suspicion. He finally manages to speak, uncertainly. Uh....just one of those faces... he gives an uncertain shrug.But it's nice to meet you. Any hint of mirth is gone in those last words, the twinkle in his eye momentarily gone, and then Ian spoils the moment by entering with a look of concern. Anyone want to tell me why Peter just appeared at the bottom of the mountain? We got a problem up here? His instincts are clearly to be suspicious, his hand already hovering by his gun.

Alice slowly put her weapon away and made a motion to Ian which meant “be calm - under control” and returned her attention to th weird man who had made Peter vanish. “Are you the Devil?” She asked this question with a completely straight face.

The question takes him by surprise and he laughs, a mixture of amusement and relief to turn away from Lily for whatever reason. He shakes his head. Me? No, no. I do know him though. Like, really well. He has his moments but overall he’s a total tool. No, I’m much more trustworthy, He assures you, though something tells you he has his own set of codes that may not always mesh with yours. At least he seems benign enough for now.

'Thank you, sir.' Penny received her pink lemonade gratefully and took a long and much-needed drink, with her throat parched after the climb in the desert heat. Iced and sweet, it was just the thing. 'Ah, very refreshing.'

She might've said something on the matter of idiots and him pretending to be one, but wisely held her tongue and listened through the trickster's spiel, and the interruption of introductions. She was concerned by Lily's familiarity and the man's stunned reaction, wondering if it had something to do with her nephilim heritage. And who else but angels would realise and be so disturbed?

'We had a... Dick problem, I guess.' Penny answered Ian delicately. 'But the matter is in hand, really. Tell Peter all is okay and to keep watch outside... And perhaps not to bother climbing up again, unless he likes the exercise.'

After the man's exchange with Alice, Penny glanced to her, explaining 'He's not the Devil, Alice, but he may well be... a relative.' This last she said directly to the assumed angel. He was a far cry from humble Castiel, but surely angels came in many shapes and natures. 'So, what is it we need to do here, while neither of us are officially here?'

The strange man smirks at Penny's assertions, not confirming her suspicions but not denying them either. Lily studies him suspiciously but he seems to avoid looking at her more often than he has to. Well, none of this is supposed to be discovered for another sixty years or so. You're not supposed to even be here but it's either dabble with the timeline or watch the world end. I figured this was the better of the two options. The rest of the shlups I work with freaked out though and only agreed not to stop you if I kept you from interfering with things too much. So, you're allowed to find the copper scroll and nothing else. And you have to put it back when you're done, he adds with a wag of his finger. Lily frowns at this. Copper scroll? How do we know which one it is? He hesitates but answers her, still looking supremely uncomfortable. Uh, well they're in jars. See? he points into the cave and you do indeed see several clay jars deeper within. As for which one well, any of you ever play hot and cold?

Alice shrugged, ”Yea, I guess you’re right, if he were Lucipher, he would say there is no such thing as the devil.” She decided to remain quiet for the rest of this, it would be easier that way.

'If he were Lucifer, we wouldn't be having this conversation.' Penny replied to Alice.

Penny winced as the alleged angel once again described it as a copper scroll they were looking for, after Penny had purposefully mistranslated the scroll for the witches. But at this point, did it really matter. Since he knew the scroll was copper, this odd gentlemen had to be on the level, however crooked he might really seem. '"The caves of Qumran hold many truths. Copper shines brighter than the purest gold."' quoth Penny, truthfully this time. 'We must find the one that shines brighter than gold. A difficult feat when they're all in jars. But perhaps it will shine regardless?' She moved deeper into the cave, approaching the clay jars one by one.

The stranger looks amused at Penny's ponderings and he gives a thin, crooked smirk. You think it's actually shiny? That's adorable! he chuckles, seeming to mean it without snark. Though copper could be a little shiny I suppose. Well, why don't we see shall we? Who wants to be the seeker? How about you? he points to Alice. You look like fun. Alright. When you get close to the right jar I'll say hotter, got it? he gestures you to start. Should you take him at his game he indeed calls out with mirth, Cold, colder, cooooooold. Oooh, warming up a little. Temperature's rising slightly. Warmer, waaaarmer, yeah you're heating up now. Heating up. Today's forecast looks like a high of ninety and not a cloud in sight. Put on your sunscreen boys and girls, it's a great day for a picnic! Oh, uh sorry, that means hot. No, not that way. Colder, colder! There you go yes. Hot. Hot, hot, hooooooot! Yes!!! he claps his hands as Alice pulls out a bundle of thin, hammered copper from a large clay jar. It is unfortunately impossible to read though, as the metal is rolled up tightly and seemingly fragile. It bears a greenish patina from age and exposure. Definitely not the shine you expected. Whoa. It's rolled up? Guess I should have remembered that. Well, I can't unroll it for you. I'm not allowed to get directly involved like that. Uh...you want a pair of wire cutters or something?

Alice wandered around playing the game but not liking it a bit. When she found the copper scroll she treated it delicately, handing it to Penny or Lily for safe keeping. She shrugged, “How do we know he ain’t lying?”

With Alice chosen as scroll-seeker, Penny retreated reluctantly from the mass of dusty pots to give her space, but not without some mild complaints. 'I have extensive skills in deduction and evidence collection, should we need it.' she reminded everybody. Holmes would think this game absurd when she returned to England and told him and Watson of her adventures in America and beyond.

'We have the copper scroll, don't we?' she asked by way of answer to Alice as she received precious and delicate item itself. Penny rested it in a handkerchief. The poor state was disappointing, but should have been expected due to the great age. How many secrets of antiquity had been lost in this way, crumbled to dust and scattered to the winds? 'We must take incredible care, lest it disintegrate completely. It might years of careful conservation to preserve.' she sighed, knowing they were years they did not have.


OOC: Heh, I saw a documentary on this very scroll. :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Scroll
This message was last edited by the player at 11:43, Sun 09 Feb 2020.

ooc: Hahaha! Oh no! That means when I inevitably screw something up you'll notice!

The strange man watches Penny with interest and a pair of scissors appear in his hand. Meh, how fragile can it be, it's metal right? I say you just cut the mofo up. he opens and closes the scissors for emphasis. But you know. Carefully? Ian hears this and shakes his head with amusement. So what do you we call you anyway? You have a name? In answer, the man's eyes dart to Lily and then back again. She's been watching him uncertainly this entire time, no doubt sensing his mood towards her. Well, to some I go by Loki, he says carefully. So there's that I guess. Or hey! How 'bout Bob? Bob's always fun! he grins. Oooh! Oooh! I know, I know! Nevermind. Call me. Optimus. Prime. Coolest cartoon ever, don't waste your time with the movies. Between Michael Bay and Shia Lebouff, what a mess. Still, there was Megan Fox though...

I say we call you Iktomi, Lily interrupts flatly. The spider. You strike me as a spider. And a familiar one at that. He pales at her words and his good humor disappears. Another time Lily. Not now. He turns to Penny then, scissors extended. You should get to it. I'm going to have to fix whatever you do to it anyway so feel free to paint outside the lines so to speak.

Meanwhile from outside the cave you hear Peter's voice yelling...

ooc: Ok, roll listen and spot checks please. In the meantime if you decide to do anything with the scissors Penny, feel free to roll whatever you feel is appropriate :)

10:30, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 15 using 1d20+7.
Spot. 10:29, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Listen.

Alice commented, ”Spider? No but I could certainly see you as a Serpent. I’ve always wondered this, maybe you can tell me. Was it a Pomegranate, the way the Jewish people believed; or was it an apple the way the English translators of the Bible believed?”

'It is badly corroded.' Penny had pointed out to the peculiar man, her attention still focused upon the copper scroll. Yet there seemed nothing else for it, no way to unroll it without it shattering completely. Yet the provided scissors were woefully crude: too wide, too blunt, and they could crush the scroll before cutting it.

She turned to her host, waiting for him to stop speaking along enough for her to get a question in. While she did not know all, or indeed any, of the things and people he referenced, Penny did know the source, and knew a few of her own to play along with. She recalled one happy day in year 2013, spending time with Kate and with Sam and Dean Winchester, and watching a grand display of moving pictures titled Thor: The Dark World. Why did we see that movie? she wondered Why Loki, the Norse god of trickery? Is it really him? 'Loki – though I must say I preferred Mister Thomas Hiddleston in the role – I will require a small and very fine-bladed electric saw...' She trailed off at the commotion outside the cave.


OOC:
19:45, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 27 using 1d20+9. spot.
19:45, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 16 using 1d20+9. listen.

The real Copper Scroll was cut with a small saw, and Penny will be cautious. :)
https://dornsife.usc.edu/wsrp/copper-scroll/
What should I roll? I can think of Dexterity, Craft (mechanical), or Disable Device.

Loki blinks at Alice's question and gives a shrug. I dunno, I wasn't there. For all I know it was a watermelon. Watermelons are better than pomegranates and apples any day. Especially if it was seedless, he adds with a grin. At Penny's words he gives a delighted laugh. You saw that? A fellow Hiddlestoner eh? He did a pretty good me actually, except I'm much more handsome. Oh, here's your saw, he adds, conjuring one out of thin air.

At the sound of Peter's cries, you all rush out of the cave, save Loki who takes his time, and you look down to see about twenty or so riders nearing the base of the mountain. They are on camels and wear the flowing robes of the Bedouin. It is Penny who recognizes the woman in the lead first. Yasmin of all people. Peter is calling, Uh...what should I do? What should I do? They don't appear to be in any massive rush, merely heading towards you purposefully at a trot. Crimwall frowns, his mustache twitching. Hm. Now that's curious. I don't imagine we should tell them about the scroll. I wonder what they're doing here?

ooc: Yeah, dexterity or craft would be best I think. Whichever you have more ranks in if any ;P

Alison doesn’t believe him but stopped talking to him. She looked out at Peter, shrugged, and went back inside the cave. She figured they might kill him and save her the trouble.

Drat! Cutting apart the copper scroll would be an exceedingly delicate and time-consuming task. A conflict with the Bedouin now could do naught but risk everything. Why now? What had brought them back, and in such numbers? 'Peter, if you know anything at all about this, or Yasmin, you'd best speak now.' she called down to him warningly.

ooc: Hahahahahaha! Alice is hilarious

IC: From your view above you can see Peter give an enormous shrug. I don't know anything, I swear! Maybe her husband found out about us? I don't know, but either let me up or somebody come down! he sounds nervous but then with so many approaching riders you can see why. Loki gives a sigh and with a snap Peter suddenly appears at the mouth of the cave with the rest of you, looking suddenly panicked. How did you? How did I? So YOU'RE the cur who keeps doing that! he fumes. Loki merely laughs. Meanwhile Yasmin and her people have arrived at the base of the mountain, surrounding it with riders. She dismounts and to your surprise, starts to climb up the path towards you, obviously intent upon speaking to you. The riders below look poised and ready for something. Penny also notices, to her surprise, that the woman is carrying a piece of parchment of all things, and that her right hand is dripping with blood!

From the edge of cliff, Penny watched the scene below in amazement. Yasmin seemed almost to be at the head of this force of fighting men, something that would be most unusual in England and America, and utterly unheard of here in the Middle East. No outraged father or husband apparent; this was more than a matter of Peter's attempted affair. As Yasmin marched up the path, Penny started walking down, intending to meet her, if not halfway than at least a quarter. A parchment, blood? 'Yasmin! What has happened?' she called out in French.

Alice turned to “Loki” and said, ”Watch this one,” indicating Peter, ”his eye even twitches funny drop him in the middle of the ocean for shark bait.” She followed Penny, though she would never say it, she felt responsible for Penny’s safety.

Loki chuckles at Alice's suggestion and gives her a wink. Meanwhile Crimwall accompanies you, naturally curious about anything Bedouin of course. Yasmin says nothing at first, just gets about halfway up the steep trail and then lifts her gaze to look Penny straight in the eye. Give me the scroll. Now.

Alice drew both pistols and stepped in front of Penny. “Run, I’ll hold ‘em off.”

While Penny didn't enjoy playing dumb (much the opposite, in fact), it could at times be very useful. 'What scroll?' she demanded, stepping back beside Alice. 'You already have one in your hand. Why are you bleeding?' the last coming out with a edge of worry. She needed to know what Yasmin knew, who she really was if not the tribe wanton, and what had happened back at the Bedouin camp. She dreaded to think.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 03:28, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

By now the others have emerged from the cave too, their hands by their weapons, clearly sensing the danger. Even Loki saunters out, looking amused if nothing else, but you have a feeling fear is not something he experiences often. At Penny's question though, Yasmin smiles. You're right. I do have a scroll. The smile widens and she suddenly flings the scroll open and presses her bloody hand to it. Loki's amusement immediately vanishes as he suddenly falls to his knees. No! Shoot her! Shoot her! She knows what I am! he sounds frantic. I wouldn't. There's no getting off this mountain now. I've seen to that. Besides, even if you did, you're surrounded. Now, scroll please. I won't ask again. she stretches out an expectant hand. Peter watches on in shock. Yasmin! What are you doing? he gasps. Ah Peter. You actually thought YOU were seducing ME? It was so adorable. Eh, but you are pretty. Perhaps I'll kill you last. That is, unless you give me what I want.

Penny looked frantically back and forth between "Yasmin" and "Loki" (surely now neither of them were who they seemed to be). Events were proceeding much too fast; she still had not even dared cut the copper scroll, which she'd left safely in the cave with the saw.

But Alice was much faster to react...


OOC: It looks Alice should shoot before Penny can do anything.

Just as Yasmi reaches her hand towards the ominous scroll, Alice manages to knock it to the ground with her gun right in the nick of time. Furious though, the Bedouin makes a gesture and sends poor Alice flying several feet where she slams into the wall of the cave and is held pinned as though by some invisible force. Immediately Yasmin lunges for the scroll...

ooc: Ok, Alice you're stuck for 3 rounds but you can still talk and such. Penny, you're closest to the scroll now so if you want to keep Yasmin from it you have to succeed in a dexterity check...good luck!
*note: I rolled hers already for time's sake. If you can beat a 13 the scroll is yours. Otherwise she'll grab it and activate it as planned.

With a gasp of alarm, Penny dived for the vital scroll as well, briefly rolling in the hot dirt (most undignified!) and waging a short tug of war over the scroll with Yasmin. The effort threatened to tear the parchment in twain, which would be more than enough for Penny's purposes. Just as it was about to slip from her fingers, Penny found renewed determination and strength, flicking sand at Yasmin's face and yanking the scroll back! 'She's a demon!' Penny accused in English, adding to the distract. She repeated in French and the little Arabic she'd picked up 'C'est un démon! Al-shayṭān' The Bedouin had to be warned what they served; they had to have been deceived, they couldn't all be possessed.


OOC: Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Yasmin; Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dexterity check 11, failed. :(
21:24, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Dexterity check to grab scroll.

EDIT: Action Point! Spend 1 AP, add 10 to the check, for 21
23:10, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 10 using 2d6.  action point.

This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

Yasmin looks furious at both the loss of the scroll and the accusation. I am no demon! I am the daughter of the great Iblis! And my men are under my control, you cannot sway them. Now, give up the scroll! she snarls. By now, Loki has emerged, crossing his arms and looking displeased. Iblis? Really? Damn. Well looks like you guys have a real pickle on your hands, he shakes his head. I wish I could help. I really, really do. He actually looks like he means that, with a slight glance towards Lily. But I'm not supposed to be here. Killing a daughter of Iblis would cause problems for me. Big ones. Really big ones. But you'd better not let her have that scroll. You're not even supposed to have it! You should uh...you should probably take care of this, he circles his finger at the men surrounding the mountain. Lily reacts then, rounding on him furiously. You're not going to do anything!? she explodes. You're just going to watch! Why are you even here?! She punctuates the question by punching him in the arm. I'm sorry Lily. My hands are tied. he says quietly. Yasmin looks surprised and then smug at the exchange. Ah. So you truly cannot intervene. Then you are all well and truly in no position to stop me. Scroll. Now. Emma of all people interrupts then, looking angry and terrified at once. Figs to that! Hold them off will you? I think I can get us out of here if you can give me a minute! She rushes back into the safety of the cave...

ooc: Your move Penny! Since this has taken up a bit of talking etc, I'll say that counts as a round of paralysis for Alice, which means 2 out of 3 have been completed. So you have one more round to go Alice and then you can roll a fort save again to break free.

A daughter of Iblis?! Penny was left with more questions than answers, and no time for reasoned study and deduction. What she had to do was keep this fiend from the scroll and the army of bewitched Bedoiun at bay. What she had in hand was a scroll bearing a Goetic sigil written in blood. One that harmed an alleged god.

Penny turned an angry glare upon "Loki". For all his talk and tricks, when it came time to provide real help, he seemed not much use at all. 'Bigger problems than what we already face?' she demanded hotly. 'Fine, don't kill her then. But help us! Send her away, free the tribesmen, wall off the cave, anything!' Penny raised her hand threateningly to the sigil, warning Loki 'Don't force me to experiment with this thing.'


OOC: Who is Iblis and what is Yasmin?
20:36, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 13 using 1d20+10. Knowledge: Arcane Lore or Theology
Adding an Action Point, +7 for 20
20:43, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 7 using 2d6. action point (corrected from roller)

Can Penny intimidate Loki himself? :D
21:04, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 19 using 1d20+7. intimidate

Penny, you seem to recall Crimwall blathering on about Iblis now that you think on it. Something about him being an angel born of fire who fell from grace. Other theories think he was never truly an angel in the first place, as they are born of light, not fire. Regardless, he went on to father the Djinn and is considered one himself. If Yasmin truly is one of his daughters, she is powerful indeed.

Meanwhile, at your threats, Loki gives a dry smile. If you use that, all you'll do is ensure I can't help you, which suits me fine since I can't anyway. I'm not even supposed to be here, I can't do anything, I'm so sorry. he shakes his head with sincerity. Even as he talks, the riders are already closing in, several men starting to climb the trail towards you. But you can, he turns to Lily suddenly. She blinks in surprise. You both have powerful fathers and if you get your head out of your ass and remember what you are, I think you could take her down. Yasmin sneers at this and before Lily can open her mouth to speak she snarls, We'll see about that! With that she lunges at the native woman.

Everything happens at once then. Arrows start to fly at you from all sides, the riders below having loosed them. Before they can hit though, they stop mid-air and fall to the ground. Crimwall has his hand raised and you realize this was his doing. He looks like he's concentrating very hard. Peter kicks in then, rushing down the trail a bit. We can keep them at bay if we keep them bottled up like this! Buy Emma time to get us out of here! He's already readying to fire. Ian rushes to help him.

ooc: Ok, as of now, Alice you're officially able to roll again to free yourself but this time the DC is only 10 for a fort save. If you succeed go ahead and roll your attack as desired. Let me know if you go for a ranged attack for the riders surrounding you on the ground or if you want to help with the bottleneck. Penny, do the same please. Yasmin and Lily are going to be taking each other on but of course there's the option to interfere with that too. Sorry if I missed anything, my new kitten is extremely distracting. I have to keep getting up and seeing what she's in to and trying to keep her from ruining the furniture. Sigh.

Being granted her reprieve Alice took two shots with each revolver at the closest rider(s).

13:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 6 using 2d8+3.  Damage L Hand.
13:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 12 using 2d8+3.  Damage R hand.
13:53, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Revolver L hand #2.
13:52, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 10 using 1d20+9.  Revolver L Hand #1.
13:52, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Revolver R hand #2.
13:51, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Revolver R hand #1.
13:44, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 21 using 1d20+4.  Fort sv.

Cursing at the complete lack of action from Loki, or whoever he really was, Penny savagely ripped the scroll in two and dropped the shreds, leaving them to flutter away in the desert wind. She glanced frantically up and down the trail, wishing she had any idea how to handle this situation, wishing she'd elected to learn magic that might really help them. She was loathe to shoot the Bedouin riders, believing them djinn-controled.

Leaving Alice's expert marksmanship to scare them off (hopefully), Penny turned to where Yasmin brawled with Lily. The djinn daughter of Iblis had to die. When she got a clear shot, she took aim and fired, if only to give Lily an advantage.


OOC: Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Yasmin; Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Exploit Weakness for Yasmin: rolled 12 vs DC 15, failed

Point Blank Shot: +1 attack & damage within 30 ft
Attack 24, damage 12 @ Yasmin. -4 attack if she's in melee with Lily.

Alice's attacks are a mixed bag, some of them finding their targets and others less so. Meanwhile, Crimwall is still managing to keep the hail of arrows away from your small group, though he's clearly struggling, grunting with the effort. During all this, Peter takes the lead at controlling the bottleneck and you can see now, finally, why he was brought along. He's simply amazing. He's firing shot after shot, every bullet finding its mark with deadly precision. Ian lays supportive fire but misses. For the most part, the Bedouin are equipped with bows, but several, unfortunately, have guns. And they use them. Bullets ring out everywhere and Crimwall seems helpless to do anything about them. One buries itself in his arm and he cries out in pain. Another, grazes Alice in the shoulder, but fortunately it is minor. For now...

Penny's efforts prove thankfully worthwhile. Yasmin is indeed wrestling with Lily, and you can tell the Bedouin woman is strong. Very strong. Especially when you pull the trigger and it hits and rather than die, she whirls around to face you in a fury. You had your chance human she growls and with a gesture sends you flying towards the edge of the mountain!

ooc: Ok, so the Bedouin have an AC of 16 to hit. Yasmin is 20, so you know from now on if you hit anyone. There are about sixty men in general but most are surrounding the mountain and a dozen or so at a time can make their way up towards you but mostly single or double file, which helps. Alice, you take 8 damage from your wound. Penny, roll a reflex save. If you get a 15 or higher, you manage to minimize the damage and only take 8 from slamming into things, able to slide your heels into the ground and such to slow your fall and stay on top of the mountain. If you get 7-14 you find yourself hanging off the edge, taking 16 damage from ricocheting off the rocks and such before dangling. If you get 1-6, you go over the side completely...which we'll deal with if it should happen. If you do find yourself dangling, roll a climb check DC 10 to see if you can pull yourself up. If not, you drop. That's the fun of fighting on a mountain! Good luck!

Alice realized Penny was onto it, cut off the head of the snake and the body dies. She took aim with both revolvers at Yasmin’s back and fired. One of her rounds in the right hand revolver was a dud, but at least two of the other three hit!

12:03, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 11 using 2d8+3.  Damage L H.
12:03, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 12 using 2d8+3.  Damage R H.
12:02, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  L H #2.
12:02, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 21 using 1d20+12.  L H #1.
12:01, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 23 using 1d20+12.  R H #1

Alice’s revolvers are permanently blessed, meaning they do full damage to demons, half breeds, vampires, etc.
Also if her back is to Alice, Yasmin would be flatfooted so that 16 might hit. If so let me know and I’ll roll damage.
Regardless 23 points of damage to Yasmin!

Struck by an unseen force, Penny was hurled back through the air with a startled yell. Always the telekinesis! Yet, experienced and prepared, she stuck her boot-heels into gravel, she scrabbled for any stone surface even as she collided and bounced off, anything to arrest her flight and stop herself from being thrown off the very mountainside. At last, she skidded to a halt, panting and grazed, bruised and battered, and her fine travelling clothes tragically torn.

Recovering her balance and her wits, Penny hurried back at took aim at Yasmin again. But try as she might, her shot was a narrow miss. 'Blast! We need silver and lamb's blood to slay a djinn. Or destroy its head, that always works.'


OOC: Reflex 22! 8 damage taken.
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Yasmin; Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks

Attack 17, action point +2, still missed

I am no djinn! I am divine! Yasmin snarls in fury. You have a feeling it is a subject of contention for her. The way she says djinn is with derision. In reaction to Alice's shots, she clearly feels them but the don't slow her much. Lily gets a good punch to the woman's head, the native's eyes have turned smoky gray, the sign that her nephilim half is in control thankfully, and you feel if Yasmin were not so powerful herself, such a blow would have easily killed her. During all this, Peter and Ian desperately fire on the coming hoard, and the other riders still rain bullets. It is quite a mess. Sensing she is being ganged up on, Yasmin raises her hand up and smoke billows out of it, completely engulfing the mountain top in white, burning fog. Embers and ash burn around you and fire explodes throughout in a burst of flame...


ooc: Ok, things are getting messy here. Yasmin's AC is still 20, even flatfooted. You both take 22 damage from the fire, though you can roll a reflex dc 15 to half that. You also take bullet damage. Alice, you take 17. Penny, you take 11. You also have obscured vision from the smoke cloud for 3 rounds. So that means 50% miss chance, but that means the same for those shooting you too at least. Hm...did I miss anything?

With a cry of alarm, Penny was overwhelmed by the burning, seemingly volcanic smoke, and she was utterly unable to react as something exploded close by, blasting her with heat and pressure. Her stinging eyes could see no further than her hands, she coughed on the hot choking air, and falling embers singed her skin and hair. A bullet grazed her and sent her spinning. She stumbled blindly on the stony path, fearing the next step could send her headlong over the cliff. She felt like a veritable Hell on Earth. And in terror, she feared for the safety of her companions. Had they come so far only to be crushed by this Daughter of Iblis?

Penny found herself wishing Simon was here. For one, he might share some hope and faith that they would prevail. Two, he could give back the angel blade Penny had lent him. Her own weapons were enchanted, but likely feeble against such a figure as they faced. 'You're the bastard daughter of a fallen angel!' Penny yelled through the fog, remembering Crimwell's lore on Iblis and hoping to provoke Yasmin into giving away her location and making a misstep. 'Father of the djinn! So what mongrel are you?'

There! She saw a familiar figure through the smoke, but Penny hesitated, making sure it really was Yasmin and not Lily or Alice or another. It was Yasmin! Penny fired, twice in succession. And missed, both times.


OOC: Reflex 6, rolled a 1. :(
1: attack 28, miss chance 44, missed
2: attack 13, missed

Penny's tactics seem to work, for the woman shrieks in fury, turning towards you, which leave Lily an opening. She grabs her by the hair and yanks her head back, delivering a solid blow to the Bedouin's nose. Off to the right you can hear Loki laugh. That a girl! he chuckles. Meanwhile, the sounds of gunfire pierce the air. Ian cries out in pain and even in the fog you can see him stumble to his knees. Arrows still try to rain on you from above, but the professor is doing his best to keep them at bay. He looks pale and shaking, sweat dripping down his body. He's also slightly on fire but can't seem to do anything about it. All in all, it's a huge mess. At least Yasmin is fully involved with Lily at the moment, the two brawling like animals and apparently evenly matched. Still, even without her to contend with, the smoke hasn't dissipated fully yet, and bullets are still flying...

ooc: Ok, so Penny takes 12 damage from being grazed and Alice takes 17. Keep in mind, bullets are flying everywhere. You  have one more round of fog but at least you're not on fire anymore. Alice, if you're still busy with kids, I'll post for you so no worries. Hopefully I didn't miss anything. I'm on a laptop and it's really throwing me off.

Frustrated by her failures in shooting through the smoke, Penny tossed her pistol to her left hand, and instead unhooked her enchanted cane from her backpack. Perhaps she might have better luck with the singlestick martial art. Advancing through the smoke, moving to where she could flank Yasmin with Lily, Penny lashed out with her stick – and missed, again. 'Damn it all!'


OOC: I forgot I had Blind Fight, and rerolled my miss chance for last round, but I got a 5, which was worse. I'm really not doing well here and am unsure what to do, sorry.

Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Yasmin; Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Draw cane
Attack 8, rolled a 1, critical miss

Seeing the fire spread on Crimwall, Alice rushes to put the poor man out. If he is incapacitated, you'll all be pincushions after all. Meanwhile, it's only Penny and Lily fighting Yasmin, as everyone else is focused on the Bedouin trying to push themselves up the narrow trail. Ian keeps shooting, no matter the blood dripping from his stomach. He's been shot. Badly. Peter doesn't leave his side though, to your surprise. His guns go off ceaselessly, finding their targets again and again. Lily, through the smoke, manages to spot Ian and gives a scream of rage and panic. She brings her fist towards the woman, but Yasmin dodges, slashing the native across the belly with something so fast you can't even tell what it was. Loki's face turns furious. Aren't you done yet woman?! he barks to Emma, for the witch is still frantically scratching symbols on the floor of the cave, dripping in sweat. Loki's fists are balled in anger, and he paces like a caged thing, finally feeling the pressure of the situation now that things have taken such a bad turn.

A stray Bedouin bullet buries itself in your leg.

ooc: I think another round should get you guys out of this mess. I figure if I don't get anything this week I'll just roll for ya. No worries!

OOC: Aargh, I'm so sorry, I completely missed the last post! I updated my hitpoints, then I don't know what happened. D: I've got to do something good to make up for it, but I've been rolling so atrociously. I hope you don't mind something right out of left field. ;)

Struck in the thigh, Penny swore and shouted and stumbled lost through the smoke, delirious and desperate, calling on God or the Great Mother to aid them in this time of their greatest need. The heroes were grievously wounded, the Daughter of Iblis was about to destroy them, Belial was about to have the Seal of Solomon itself and win the world. Surely a miracle would be not uncalled-for right now? But all she got was a rain of arrows and bullets and fire, and a stray Norse god, pacing and balling his fists uselessly. Were all the myths just made up? He wouldn't aid them, even now; he'd made that perfectly clear. Yet he was not without tricks. How could she beseech a trickster god for aid? How could she defeat Yasmin and her tribe of bewitched Bedouin? What in the world could she do?

What Penny did... was sing.

'You might think I'm a funny-looking feller.
Well, you ought to see my old wife, Isabella.
She's got a face just like a bushel basket
And walks like a prize pig up in a market.'

Penny sang, loudly and badly but with as much heart as she could muster, a bawdy music hall tune from a new fellow known as Harry Champion. And she wasn't even tipsy with wine or absinthe!

'Took her out with the kids one day.
Told her to make up smart.
She went and got her mother's crinoline
And at first did please my heart,
For I felt proud of my 'Old Dutch Clock'.
Till out in the street we got
And she couldn't walk in the funny crinoline
So right in the roadway shot.'

She'd gone on and on, and she even raised her cane and danced a jig. And now she hit the key line, flinging her arms wide, raising the volume and adding extra emphasis.

'When the wind blew it out, blew it out, blew it out.
There came a puff of wind and blew it out.'

She was praying for wind, to drive the stinging smoke away and send the flying arrows astray. And how else would she beg the attention of a trickster god like Loki? He was no weather god, it was no direct aid for them or against Yasmin, but a small and amusing trick that spoiled both of them should be right up his alley. She'd showed him the loophole, out-tricked the trickster. And she kept the last verse for afterward.


OOC: Oh, so now I roll well!
20:13, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 17 using 1d20-1.  perform: sing.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Fri 29 May 2020.

ooc: Hahahahahaha! That's so funny!!

As Penny starts to sing, Yasmin seems distracted. And, a little ways off, Ian, still bleeding heavily, gives a laugh and weakly sings along with you as best he can, his fine baritone blending smoothly with your voice. Peter, still firing bullet after bullet in a dizzying display of skill, swears. Have you two gone crazy?! But Loki seems to pick up on the cue for a second later the fog starts to blow away, though it is a subtle and gradual thing. If you meet his eye he gives you a level look, which is admittance enough. Now that she can see properly, Lily takes advantage and she smashes Yasmin in the face so hard that blood sprays everywhere. The woman retaliates though by sending the Native flying through the air so far that she slams into the side of the cliff and falls in a heap, blood dripping from her ears and nose. Loki looks panicked as Yasmin steps menacingly towards her fallen foe. Do something! Get up Lily! He's frantic. He moves up to Yasmin, only inches away, face livid. Get back NOW! She smirks in his face and you realize now that he's only an inch away from finally intervening. At this point it might be the only hope you have. He just needs an extra little push...

ooc: Ok, fog is gone so no miss chance anymore. You can shoot or try to persuade him and roll a check for it or both or whatever floats your boats! :)

Alice shouted, ”Trickster, act, or the fallen one you care for will die.”

I think Lily is Loki’s child. I hope I’m right.
11:23, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 22 using 1d20+11.  Displomacy.

With perceptive eyes, Penny looked between Loki and Lily. She'd not yet learned of the nephelim's true parentage, beyond knowing that it could only be an angel. But why else would Loki, if that was indeed his real name, show such fear and concern for her? Even Alice could see it. Did that make Loki, not a Norse god, but an angel?

Still, Penny did not dare miss a beat in her music-hall tune, nor her moment to seize the advantage won as the smoke blew away in a welcome breeze. She rushed on Yasmin, yelling the words to her song, feeling insanely inspired by them.

'I think ev'ryone in London should have heard her
Shouting, 'Fireworks' and 'Blue Murder!'

She swung her iron-cored ash cane, making a well-aimed stunning strike at Yasmin's head.

'We had a struggle to hold her down
And 'twas hard work there's no doubt.'

The next blow was lighter, but no less accurate, as Penny jabbed the cane at Yasmin's mid-section. She tried to catch Loki's eye, silently pleading as she fought, and as she sang the last lines.

'She fell with such a bump and it fairly broke her heart
When there came a puff of wind and blew it out.'


OOC:
1: Attack 23, damage 7
2: Attack 9, action point +11 for 22, damage 3

Yasmin roars in fury at Penny, obviously angered at having been interrupted, and she flings you back several feet. Everything happens at once then. Crimwall seems spent, and he collapses on his knees. Without him, the arrows are free to find their marks now and should you look up you'll see hundreds of them, about to rain down on you. You brace yourself for the pain, the quick death, if you're lucky, but just as they fall but ten feet from you, an incredible gust of wind sends them hurtling back. The wind is so powerful, in fact, that all the Bedouin still pouring up the path go flying, falling down the mountain to their deaths. Somehow, you are rooted in place, not so much as a hair on your head is rustled. Yasmin, though, is lifted into the air as if by invisible hands, each holding her by one of her limbs. She looks about wildly, accusingly towards Loki. You can't intervene! It is forbidden! You can't! she screeches. The invisible hands holding her start to pull, her limbs stretching in different directions. She screams, in complete agony and you watch in horror as the inevitable happens. It's awful and Crimwall especially looks upset. What's left of her is flung away in the wind and then, as suddenly as it came, it disappears. All that's left of the fray is you and your companions, dazed and still on the mountaintop. Loki, his face cold and hard mutters to no one in particular, Well, that's odd weather, wouldn't you say?

Alice laughed as she helped Crimwell to his feet and began fussing over his clothing. ”Are you kidding, Sir? Surely you are, Ive seen dust devils come and go much quicker than that. Isn’t that right, Penny? Why we saw one just the other day if memory serves.”

After flying back, hitting the hot dirt with a hard thud, Penny was picking herself up and collecting her wits when she looked up and saw the arrows falling like rain over them all. The legend of the Persians at Thermopylae was right – they did blot out the sun. Penny braced, and closed her eyes, full of fear and regrets.

But no pain.

She opened her eyes, and bore witness to an astonishing scene – astonished as much by what happened as that her gambit had actually worked. And then she was transfixed in horror at the deaths of the bewitched but innocent Bedouin, and at Yasmin's awful fate. But it was over, it was done.

Wearily, with aching body and any bleeding wounds, Penny climbed to her feet and staggered along the cliff-side trail back to the others. 'Don't ask me, I'm from Devon. I don't know what to expect from desert weather.' she muttered hollowly, looking around for Ian.

Then she saw him, a terrible bleeding wound in his gut. 'IAN!' Penny shouted in alarm, hurrying to his side.

Crimwall is absolutely shaking, and you surmise this might just have been his first actual fight, for he has that dazed, shocked look mixed greatly with relief. He lets Alice touch his clothing as much as she likes.

Loki gives a half smile, dry and bitter but there nonetheless. Lily starts to her feet and he takes her hand and lifts her up, concern on his face. Are you alright? he asks quietly. She's badly bloodied but she gives an irritated nod. I had her you know. You didn't have to do that. I don't know what you mean, he says innocently, his mild smile a twitch wider.

By now Penny has made it to Ian's side, and Peter is on his other, face grim. I'm sorry. He took more than one bullet. I'm...I'm so sorry. To your surprise, the man seems shaken. It would seem that, cur or not, Peter really is upset about his companion's fate. Indeed, as you look at Ian's wound, there is an incredible amount of blood and his face is white as a sheet. By now he's on his back, looking up at the bright blue sky. You've a lovely voice Miss Dreadful, he manages to say, giving you a weak wink.

After a moment Alice realized something g was wrong. She shook Crimwell hard to break his malaise. ”Ian, you must help him. Please, help him!”

Ashen-faced, Penny slumped to her knees at Ian's side, heedless of dirt on an already ragged, bloody, and grubby dress, and took his hand in hers, both so frail. There were so many feelings she'd had since meeting the dashing Scotsman all that time ago, feelings she'd dared not give thought or voice to, and now she longed to but the words were choked by fear. 'But Dreadful is how I sing.' she managed at last with a watery smile. At a moment like this, it was still easier for Penny to focus on flippant words and the mission at hand, perhaps because it was so difficult to do otherwise. She turned her head to Alice, saying 'Fetch the scroll and tell Emma we must transport back to New York immediately.'

Fussing about, Penny produced a small first-aid kit from her pack, slipped out instruments and bandages, then turned her attention to Ian's terrible injuries. And admitted, voice hollow and trembling, 'I... I'm not sure I know what to do.' She reached up and brushed some of Ian's sweat-dampened hair back off his brow, adding 'But you are not to do anything foolish like dying, Mister Shaw. We still need you... I need you.' Then, feverishly, she worked to cut away the clothing, clean the wounds with alcohol, stop bleeding, bandage, and all else that was required.


OOC: Treat Injury 17, should just beat the DC 15 to stabilize or restore.
21:05, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  treat injury, inc. +5 Hunter bonus.
21:09, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 5 using 2d6.  action point.

Alice nodded and was half way turned around but stopped. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a flask. She didn’t pause to explain  she got down and said, ”Open your mouth, Ian.” She remembered the words of the strange woman who had given it to her. “One drop at a time. Just one drop at a time.”

Hell with that, she thought and she poured half the contents into his mouth.

Using “Vial of Healing Liquid”
One drop heals 10 HP, 40 drops.
Alice will feed 20 drops to Ian, 200 HP

ooc: I figured that thing would come in handy someday ;P

IC: Ian gives a weak smile at Penny's words, but says nothing, just laying there as his eyes grow heavy. Your healing does slow the bleeding, and stabilize him, but he's still fluttering in and out of consciousness. You think he'll live though. If something more can be done quickly.

That's when Alice comes to the rescue. She has to open his mouth for him, he's too dazed now to do even that much, and at first nothing happens, and you wonder if you just wasted a precious gift on a dead man. But then, he chokes, and coughs and turns to his side, gasping for air. He struggles a moment, then sits upright, feeling where his wound was. What the hell?! That stuff is stronger than a fairy moon! he stammers. A drink a friend of mine made up. Pure absinthe mixed with moonshine. You'd think you were kicked in the head by a horse. Whatever you gave me, he shakes his head, Feels like five horses! Then he laughs and staggers to his feet. But right now I feel like I could take on all those Bedouins myself! Thank you!

The others watch with surprise, Peter even breaking into a grin. Oh, so I'm going to be stuck with your sorry face a while longer am I? he smirks. Try not to get shot so much next time. First rule for hunters. Don't get shot. The grin widens.

Just then Emma comes rushing out of the cave. I'm done! I'm done! We can go whenever you're ready! she seems in a hurry, frantic even, until she looks around and sees the threat has been removed. Oh. Well then. Ian laughs at this, obviously feeling more than better, and he turns to Penny and his smile softens, a touch of awkwardness as he mumbles, Thanks for your help too Penny. I owe you too.

Alice grinned as Ian came back to the land of the living in full. She winked at Penny and said, ”My work here is done.” She put the little vial away and stood. She walked to Crimwell and threw her arms around him. ”Take me away from all this.”

Penny just stared in absolute astonishment, the depths of dread abruptly changing to the height of happiness, with tears welling in her blue eyes for both. She had no words, no analytical observations, just wonder and relief, joy and understanding. She'd worked desperately hard to treat Ian's injuries, yet Alice's potion had been a miracle. As he turned to her, Penny trembled with feeling and anticipation, looked at Ian for a long moment and murmured 'No, you don't.' Then suddenly she stepped forward and threw her arms around his broad shoulders, hugging him tightly and thankfully.

Crimwall looks stunned by Alice's forwardness, but, after a moment's hesitation, he breaks into a laugh and hugs her back, albeit awkwardly. Uh...indeed! I think a hasty departure is a fine idea. he mumbles, blushing hotly.

Meanwhile, as Penny embraces him, Ian does not hesitate to return the favor, holding you so tightly you almost can't breathe, but in the very best sense. It's a rare, uninhibited moment of intimacy and he rests his chin on top of your head, you feel that he is more himself than he's been since the Djinn so many weeks ago.

Wow. What get a room you guys, Loki says drily, though you're not sure which of you he means. There's a mischievous twinkle in his eyes though and Peter laughs, appreciating the joke perhaps a little too much. Both men release each of you, Crimwall quite a bit faster than Ian though. The Scotsman, however, is in too good a mood to be embarrassed. Jest all you like trickster. If we ever find something like a pub in this desert, I'm buying you a drink. I don't care if you can wave one out of thin air, it doesn't count. He laughs. Loki chuckles back, two similarly humored men sharing a smile, but Emma brings them back to more important matters. I hate to spoil our victory, but perhaps we ought to get back to the scroll? Penny? she arches an expectant brow at Penny, holding up the scissors.

ooc I can't remember, did you already roll a check for cutting it? Feel free to roll again if it's easier.

Once she was released from Ian's embrace, Penny breathed deeply (though not for the tightness of the hug) and felt a little warm (and not wholly for the desert heat and recent exertion). Face flushed, she fussed over adjusting her attire and hat, as grimy and bloody and torn as they now were, anything to hide how she felt. Showing good manners to a god was a necessary and welcome distraction. 'Ah, yes, indeed, thank you very much for your assistance, Mister Loki – in finding the scroll, of course, not for the simply inexplicable weather around these parts.'

Brought back by Emma to the vital task she'd been about to undertake, Penny returned to the cave to fetch the fragile copper scroll and the anachronistic cordless battery-operated electric saw supplied by Loki. 'Yes, of course. I shall require a quiet laboratory and several hours of uninterrupted careful work... But I suppose I shall just have to make do with a cave in the desert and few minutes of crude and hurried hacking.' she sighed.


OOC: I didn't do it earlier, the battle interrupted us. With Craft (mechanical) +5, I'd Take 20 for 25 if I could. But if I have to roll, then I have... 13. My luck has returned. :(
17:37, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  craft (mechanical).
17:40, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 3 using 2d6.  action point.

Alice followed and watched Penny. This was not a time for shooting things, so Alice stood back and watched.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Wed 17 June 2020.

ooc: Lucky for Penny I'm good with taking a 20 ;P

Opening the scroll takes forever. At least that's how Peter describes it as he and the others wait. Penny, of course, is taking as much care as she possibly can. It doesn't help that Loki often leans over your shoulder to ask, How's it goin? The fact that everyone must wait in the sweltering heat and dust doesn't help, but your focus kicks in and you somehow put them all behind you.

The actual scroll itself ends up being a massive pain to dismantle. It would be so easy to damage the thing and by the time you're done your hands are shaking from trying to control the wretched machine. You end up cutting it into about two dozen pieces and then you carefully have to line them up in order to read them, pulling out your spectacles to do so. It is overwhelming. It seems to be coordinates for treasures and tithes and other such things, and they seem to assume that you have an intimate knowledge of where to start. An example of such descriptions being:  "Forty two talents lie under the stairs in the salt pit ... Sixty five bars of gold lie on the third terrace in the cave of the old Washers House ... Seventy talents of silver are enclosed in wooden vessels that are in the cistern of a burial chamber in Matia's courtyard. Fifteen cubits from the front of the eastern gates, lies a cistern. The ten talents lie in the canal of the cistern ... Six silver bars are located at the sharp edge of the rock which is under the eastern wall in the cistern. The cistern's entrance is under the large paving stone threshold. Dig down four cubits in the northern corner of the pool that is east of Kohlit. There will be twenty two talents of silver coins."

Even just reading that much is mind numbing. All the entries are worded such, and though you are fascinated and more than a little tempted to go seeking such treasures even just for the sheer history of it, a look from Loki keeps you on task. Solomon, Solomon...it takes a while but you finally find mention of it.


Loki watches Penny's face as she reads, waiting for some reaction. Now, remember, I'm not supposed to be here or get involved. So I can't do tooooo much for you. But, if you happen to have some...general kinds of questions, well...what's a little conversation between friends? he arches a mischievous eyebrow.

Alice says, "Something ain't right. The Key of Solomon is suppose to be incantations and drawings to summon and control demons." She looked at Loki, "What gives. Did you send us to the wrong scroll? Never trust..." She stopped herself for Lily's sake.

'The treasures of the Temple,' Penny had breathed in awe as she beheld the writings faintly inscribed in the corroded copper and translated via her spectacles. But for a treasure map to some of the greatest relics of antiquity, it was all remarkably tedious. With no idea which salt pit, whose house, who Matia was, and the rest, since the priests or whoever wrote it had expected to retrieve it themselves, there was no earthly way of finding it. Perhaps it had already been recovered and used, or found and seized by the Romans after all, or maybe it would never be found.

But she had to set aside her curiosity and this priceless gift to history and archaeology, and focus instead on one treasure in particular. 'Ah, here we are, the Seal of Solomon!' she announced, before going silent and reading closely.

'No harm at all.' she answered Loki lightly, looking sidelong at him and wondered if he'd known what it said all along. 'But I shall save you the trouble and try to exhaust my own knowledge first.' she added confidently, rereading the line again. Rose desert, mountain between mountains? The translation might have a step too far. Regardless, she took out her journal and reread her notes and scanned her maps, trying to narrow down the location. 'The Key is the Seal, more or less. It is the correct scroll, there is just... one more quest for us to pursue.' she sighed, starting to feel the weariness of the day, and of the whole struggle against Belial. When would it end?


OOC: A nice big 20 at last!
16:31, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 28 using 1d20+8. Knowledge: History.

Loki gives Alice a slightly irritated look. Yes, the key is on a scroll of its own and the list tells its location, Loki says flatly. I do know what I'm doing. he mumbles grumpily.

Now Alice is confused, ”Uh, ok. So we’re going someplace else to fight more crazy natives? Are you going to whistle us up fair winds to aid us? I really thought. Well I suppose I was wrong and that is that.”

Penny had ignored the bickering between Loki and Alice while she studied the fragments of the copper scroll, her brow furrowed with concentration and urgency. '"The Seal of Solomon lies in the rose desert, thirty thousand cubits east of the city centre, in the mountain between mountains, and deep beneath the earth."' she intoned, and began to talk the problem out so the others could understand the facts, as well as just how clever she was. 'That's what it says, but who knows what it could mean. A literal translation of a vague and cryptic description, with no proper names given. It could be anywhere, but... "The mountain between mountains" – the Horns of Hattin! The twin peaks overlooking the Sea of Galilee!' Penny cried, stabbing her finger triumphantly at a map. 'One of the lesser candidates for the place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.' she added solemnly.

'But the rose desert... Saladin slaughtered the Crusaders beside the Horns in 1187. One of my ancestors reported the desert sands were turned rose red by the blood of the slain Crusaders.... But that was nearly a thousand years after the destruction of the Second Temple when this Copper Scroll should have been written... Perhaps the sands were already rosy before Saladin turned them crimson.' Penny decided, for that long-deceased Baron Darkmoor had been no zealous crusader, nor given to poetic exaggeration. Perhaps he'd left a clue, for a granddaughter many times removed who would read his chronicle seven hundred years hence?

'And the "city" mentioned must therefore be what is now the Muslim village of Hittin, once a larger town, and formerly the site of the Canaanite city of Ziddim. That is where we must start our search.'

Alice smiled and shook her head at Penny. Penny loved attention even if she claimed not. ”Brilliant! Lets get moving then!” She put her arm in Crimwell’s and murmured to him, <yellow>”You were magnificent. I cannot wait to give you a just reward for such heroism.”<?yellow>

Loki listens to Penny with a small nod. No. That makes sense actually. You see, the copper scroll wasn't written by just anyone. My...friend, he seems to stop himself from saying something else, Metatron actually wrote the thing. Obviously he knew we'd need it, he's tricky that way. Heh. It reminds me of Bill and Ted. You know, that part with the trash can? When his future self puts the trash can on that guy's head? Oh, that's right, he shakes his head. Awesome references are wasted on you. Such a great movie too. That Keanu, he chuckles. Well, basically Metatron knows an ass ton of stuff. Even stuff that hasn't happened yet. Little nerd did us a favor putting that clue in. He turns to Emma then. Hey, Ellen is it? Emma. she corrects with mild annoyance. Sure, sure. You think you can get us to Hittin?

I don't know, she sounds flustered. I've never been there! If I had a map, maybe... A map materializes in his hands. There's your map. C'mon. I'd better watch over your shoulder, make sure you don't screw this up. It would be so much easier if I could just do it, he adds with a mutter, gesturing her to the inside of the cave where the seals are.

ooc: Ok, go ahead and finish up here. I'm going to move you to the town soon and let you rest up before your big search. People are still a bit of a mess and you'll need to repair bloodied clothes, clean yourselves up, that kind of thing. So let me know any intentions you may have when you get to the city too. Also, for time's sake, roll searches, gather infos, and spots so when we are ready to go searching, you'll be set.

Penny looked bewilderedly at Loki, and not for the first or last time, for his cultural allusions were moving beyond both her patience and the narrow cross-section of 2013 she had acquired in a few hours of television and internet browsing whilst there with Kate and the Winchester brothers. 'Excellent!' she agreed with a wry and weary grin, largely to cut him off.

'We shall all need time to recover and to treat and heal our wounds, and to resupply before we set off on another expedition into another perilous situation. I daresay we shall not get it, but we must try. I should like one night in a bed at least.' Penny noted as she collected her saw and the fragments of the Copper Scroll. What was she expected to do with this now? Put them back to be a puzzle for later archaeologists? 'And what shall we do with the scroll?'


OOC: Penny's plans are probably just as you laid out.
Gather Information 29, Search 16, Spot 24

Alice nodded along with Penny. She gave a little hip bump to Chrimwell and a smile. She didn’t need to do anything else to let him know what she wanted. She wanted him to help her with her wounds and...other things.

Given Penny’s rolls, anything I did would be superfluous.

Loki takes the scroll pieces from Penny and with a look at it, the thing's good as new. He then goes inside the cave and carefully puts it back in one of the jars. From there he helps Emma figure out the right seals to draw to get you to Hittin and soon you find yourselves just outside the village itself.

The village is a pleasant change of scenery compared to the dead, dry desert and scrubby grasslands you've seen thus far. Everything is still dry and brown, but as you get closer you see the place is surrounded by trees. Olive, lemon, and orange trees to be exact, and the little bit of green they display is enough to make smiles break out across your group. The village itself is larger than you expected, full of stone houses and quite a bustling place. People wear colorful clothes with stripes and patterns and silks and jackets, all going one place or another. You'd estimate there are well over a thousand villagers. A much easier place to disappear for once.

Crimwall takes the lead, with his usual enthusiasm, telling you all sorts of trivia you most certainly didn't ask for as you near. You enter without incident, and he even finds you an inn, of sorts, and though it's simple and on the small side, you're just happy to have a place to stay. The furnishings are simple, including the beds, but there are beds, and that's enough. The rest of the day is spent laying low and recouping. You can easily have your clothes laundered and repaired and the food is delicious and plentiful. There are also marketplaces to explore, full of beautiful things, and should you explore them, you're not disappointed.

During this time, Loki tends to make himself scarce. Lily seems a little awkward around him, as though she has many questions she'd like to ask and is unsure how to do so. He merely informs you that he'll meet you in the morning and not to get into trouble, waltzing out without a backward glance, though you notice he's not quite as jovial as he's been in the short time you've known him. You suspect he's avoiding Lily.

Meanwhile, Ian is excited and more than jovial enough on his own. More than once he laughs about how he thought he was a "goner," and even Peter exchanges jests with him, both riding high on your unexpected victory. Ian steals a few glances at Penny from time to time, but it's so fast you aren't sure if you imagined it or not. Criwmall, is quite at a loss of what to do with Alice though. He's clearly inexperienced with women, and though he seems quite attracted to you, he is also clearly petrified of the idea of anything more...brazen, often trying to turn any innuendos or hints into talk of history or crackers or...anything! It's quite fun to tease him, he turns several shades of red every time too.

The night passes uneventfully, and though the mattresses are simple and thin, it's the best night of sleep you've had in days.

The next morning, you procure camels, thanks to the efforts of Crimwall, and you head to the Horns of Hattin. The low, rolling mountains are not as steep as you'd expected, and that suits you fine. It won't be quite so hard to get up as you'd thought.

The day before, Penny was able to get some information that there was long rumored to be more to the site than most would realize. Something about a door and a treasure, but no one had ever been able to find it. Now, as you ride in between the peaks, you can see why no one has found anything. Everything is covered in a short, scrubby grass. If there's a mountain between these two mountains, you've yet to find it. You all spread out, searching, and it takes far longer than you'd like, even with Loki's help. More than once he curses Metatron, using language that Penny and Emma likely do not approve of. What is he, The Riddler? He always was too smart for his own good. Geez, give a guy GPS coordinates, anything! he mutters.

Eventually, it is Penny who discovers something. A small mound, barely discernible, but the fact that it's perfectly placed between the two mountains, makes you investigate. You see a corner of stone, sticking out from beneath the mound, and should you start to unbury it, you'll see it is a stone cover of some kind...

ooc: Ok, I'll give you some time to react to things. Also, I will need reflex saves and a listen/spot check just so I have it ready for the next post. Penny, you can keep your same spot check from before though.

Penny watched in astonishment as the Copper Scroll she'd just cut apart was joined back together in Loki's hands, then remarked wryly 'Goodness, if only it could've been taken apart as easily as that.'

Afterward, she was glad to be away from the cliffside caves of Qumran, now bloody and smoky and tainted with too many memories of the desperate battle fought there. In comparison, Hittin was a welcome relief, miles away both literally and figuratively. Penny enjoyed the sights of the trees and the people, glad to be back in civilisation, in her element. She certainly took the opportunity to explore and learn, to restock and recuperate.

And Penny shyly avoided Ian's glances, whilst making a few surreptitious ones of her own. She was confused about her reaction earlier, on fearing Ian might be, as he put it. She'd had such a sense of dread and grief, and a need she'd not known until it was almost lost. She wondered at her broken reserve; had she been too grief-stricken, or not enough?

Late in the evening, after everyone had gone to bed and she was still sleepless, Penny wrapped a dressing gown around her and went wandering the inn, with excuses at the ready. Fully three times she approached Ian's door, hand raised to knock and not knowing what she might say or do next though she had a myriad of possibilities, before her courage fled and she retreated, and finally stayed in her room.

*

The next day, Penny spent some time in her meticulous search, surveying the landscape and consulting her maps. Then she spied the low mound and raked through the rocky sand, finally not merely another stone, but a stone block. 'Here!' she signalled the others, eagerly excavating the object with her trowel.


OOC:
16:32, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  reflex.
16:32, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  listen.

When the night came, Alice determinedly snuck into Chrimwell’s room and slipped into his bed...

—————

Once they had camels and such she felt a bit more at home. She rode with an easy expertise and smiled a lot. She seemed to be far more relaxed, from Penny’s point of view as if she had visited one of those doctors. She said things like, ”Beautiful day.” Once Penny found the door she made a suggestion, ”Perhaps we could hitch the camels to it and have them pull it off?”

11:24, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 13 using 1d20+11.  Ref save.
11:23, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Listen.
11:23, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Spot.

'Perhaps.' Penny agreed tentatively. 'It depends on how large and massive it is. Fortunately, I bought those ropes and shovels and things before we left Hittin so we might excavate it.'


OOC: I'm presuming we brought all the right tools. I can make a Wealth check if needed.

ooc: You presume correct! You do indeed, have all the tools. Crimwall is especially good at making sure you're prepared.

ic: You divide into two teams. One, gets the camels ready, using a sledgehammer to drive in metal wedges which you can then tie to the camels to help pull. Crimwall looks aghast at such a semi destructive action, but Lily drily reminds him that when the apocalypse comes he can worry about little things like cracks in artifacts.

The other team digs around the base of the stone, to try to loosen it up and help ease the burden for the animals. It's about eight feet by six feet in dimension.

Loki conjures himself a chair with a large umbrella attached for shade. He's wearing dark glasses and sipping an unnaturally orange liquid. When Peter shoots him an annoyed look he shrugs and says,Sorry. Not allowed to help. You know how it is. . He takes a long drink of the liquid. You know, tang is underrated. Plenty for those who want it, doughnuts too, he adds, and a large pink box appears beside him. The label says, "Voodoo Donuts." Which you aren't sure what to think of.

At long last, after much work from the poor camels and yourselves, the stone grate pulls away with a scraping sound. It's pitch dark inside, and a cool wind drifts up from the new opening, smelling of mildew and moisture and a great deal of dust. There are stairs going down. Loki gets up, brushing doughnut crumbs off his clothes before lazily meandering towards it. You. Pete. You go first. Peter looks confused, looking around for some kind of clarification. I don't like you. So you go first. Peter looks about to argue but Loki, ridiculous or not, is still powerful enough that the grumbly man sighs and obeys, glowering as he lights a lantern and starts down the stairs. Nothing happens, and after several moments of him waiting at the bottom, it is decided the rest of you will follow. You do so, all crowding in as the stairs lead down into the cool tunnel, a wonderful respite from the wretched heat. Neither of you seem to hear or notice anything out of the ordinary at first, but as Loki follows last, Penny sees it. Several holes in the wall, all clustered together on either side of you. A trap. She warns you with a shout, but it's already in motion. Ten or so spears shoot out from either side, bursting forth to impale your entire group, but her cry has done some good, and most are able to at the very least minimize their damage, though they are quite nasty wounds. Loki, has taken the brunt of it, completely pin-cushioned by the things and looking mildly irritated but not in any pain. Crimwall and Emma take the worst of it, and Alice too...

I bet you money this was Metatron's idea, Loki growls. Watched way too much Indiana Jones. Meanwhile, you notice ahead of you are two paths, seemingly identical. One left, one right.

ooc: 30 damage for Alice, 15 for Penny. Btw, you will all be healed by now back to full hit points :)

Alice screamed as she was pierced by spears. she is knocked backwards and calls out in pain. ”Uh...this really hurts.”

'Get back!' Penny turned and cried out, too late to stop the group but perhaps just in time to stop them being slain outright by the spears that shot out of the walls. One ripped past her, slashing her arm, but she seemed to have fared the best of them. 'Never mind how Mister Metatron obtained the idea from a movie made in the 1980s, nor how this mechanism still functions after two millennia.' Penny grunted irritably as she pulled a strip of material off her shredded shirt and, working one-handed, tied it around one-handed as makeshift bandage. 'Is everyone well?' she called out before she pulled the knot tight between her hand and teeth.

Once she'd ascertained the group was more-or-less safe and received care, Penny moved through to the front and the two paths ahead. She crouched and scanned the ground. 'If there is a giant boulder here too, then we are in very great trouble... But we should assume there are more traps, and it is unwise to risk our entire team to one. I propose that some of us should remain at the entrance and watch the desert, in case we are ambushed as Yasmin did yesterday... And I and Lily should go ahead, looking out for traps and tracks as we go.'


OOC: Search 23
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 12:34, Thu 23 July 2020.

Alice pulled the little spears out of her body. ”Bolder? Do you know something I don’t?” Then she said, ”Hey, wait for me...”

Loki seems delighted with Penny's knowledge of whatever this, Indiana Jones is. You've heard of Indiana Jones? he says with surprise, stepping out of his skewers with a sickening noise. Which one's your favorite? You know, Crystal Skull was awful, we all know that, but there's still something about seeing Indy FINALLY marry Marion after all those years... he shakes his head with a grin.

Will you keep quiet! Emma snaps at the man, clutching her stomach, which is bleeding. Some of us have been impaled!! Indeed, Crimwall looks similarly wounded, though both shall very much survive. When Penny suggests some stay behind, Emma and Crimwall eagerly volunteer. Ian pipes up then. Well, seeing as there's two paths, we should take two teams. Can't waste more time than we have already. How about you ladies take one side, and us gents take the other, eh? he nods to Peter and Loki with a grin. Don't know how far this all goes, but maybe start backtracking in about fifteen, twenty minutes or so? We'll meet back here and see if one path is better than the other? Just be careful though. Tricky little places like this give me a bad feeling, he adds darkly.

ooc: Ok, so if this is agreeable, Alice, Penny, and Lily take one path. How about left? Roll spots and searches to see if you find anything amiss, and also let me know if there are other precautions you'd like to take. For instance, the ground is mostly carved into the mountain, but there are loose rocks here and there, some the size of your hands so you can try throwing them ahead and such.

14:51, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Search.

Alice will do whatever Penny wants to do.

Hearing Ian's proposal that they split up, Penny looked surprised, and then worried and fretful. 'This isn't cause for competition!' she snapped irritably, 'Alice, Lily, and I have the necessary skills for such an expedition. You gentlemen, as adept as you are in combat and lore, shall be easy prey to these traps. It would be safest if we pick the best path and proceed alone.' But while she sounded argumentative, all Penny could think of was seeing Ian lying, bleeding out with a bullet wound yesterday, and how she couldn't let it happen again.


OOC: Spot 14, Search 24

Ian looks a bit dumbfounded at Penny's suggestion. Opens his mouth to reply, closes it again, and at long last, nods. Whatever you wish. He says simply. Loki, however, rolls his eyes. Well, this is going to take forever, isn't it? What if I go with them? Walk in front like the human pincushion I apparently am?

Regardless of your decision, you do find yourselves setting off alone on the path to the left. Lily, who's been quieter lately, speaks, eyes trained ahead at all times. So, you two are clever. What do you think of Loki? He seems...concerned with me.

Meanwhile, as you walk, Alice finds herself distracted, nearly walking into several traps, but Penny and the sharp eyed Lily keep her from catastrophe. As you go, you can make notes of the traps, even leaving markers with piles of rocks should you wish. The tunnel itself is dark and cold, but the lanterns do a decent job of lighting your way. You eventually come across a circular chamber. In the middle of it is a large glass case. Inside, sits an old man in a chair. His eyes are closed.

Alice marked the traps with little piles of stones, because she didn’t think she would remember. When Lily asked about Loki, Alice said, ”I think he is just screwing with us. That is what mischievous...uhhhh...whatever he is...do. Besides we’re...”

They were standing in a round room looking at an old man under a giant glass cake dome. ”...looking at something you don’t see every day.” She walked over and tapped on the glass, ”Hello! Do you want out?”

As they proceeded down the passage, Penny was bothered by her testiness with Ian. Had she overreacted, or underestimated him? No matter, it was decided now, she must focus on the path ahead.

'I am not so sure he is Loki, the god of Norse mythology. Or, at least, he is not only Loki. He may have other names, names he chooses to keep secret to limit word of his involvement in our quest, or just for his own amusement.' Penny had answered before she crouched to examine a flagstone that she found to be a pressure plate for some hidden trap. She began to carefully mark. 'Regardless, he seems to hold affection for you, Lily.' she added over her shoulder. It was a delicate matter, since Lily's nephilim half had forbade her to speak of it her to human half. Yet Penny could not leave her friend in ignorance and doubt; she had to give her something, something she might work out on her own. 'Almost like family.'

Skirting the marked trap, Penny went on and soon they came to a rather strange sight: an old man under a great glass. 'I'll say! I wish I had watched that Indiana Jones movie, rather than merely browse the TV Tropes website so that I might communicate with the people of the future. They really are quite obsessed with their popular culture, yet they've forgotten much of that of our time, even the penny dreadfuls like Varney the Vampire... Now this fellow is like some naturalist's specimen...' Penny began to remark, approaching to examine the glass closely, before Alice went and tapped it. 'Be careful!' she shouted, raising a hand to halt or save her if it the action turned out to be disastrous.


OOC:
17:08, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 22 using 1d20+14. search.

Penny's comparison to Loki and family does not go unnoticed by Lily. Her green eyes flick to the Englishwoman sharply, face unreadable. Family... she murmurs, though any ruminations are soon interrupted by the sight of the old man.

Meanwhile, thankfully, Alice's tapping does nothing untoward as yet. The old man simply sits, either dead or asleep, though he certainly looks alive. As Penny examines the room, she finds several interesting things.

First, the man seems to be garbed in clothing from the middle ages. It looks genuine too, so you wager he could be that old. He looks to be in his late sixties and wears a white, long, fastened cloak with two slits for his arms to extend through. His sleeves are brilliant red and his hands are in his lap, holding what appears to be a narrow, silver cylinder, such as would be used for a scroll. The rest of the room is suspiciously devoid of any traps, at least any that you can see. Until, that is, several small panels in the wall slide open and water begins to pour into the room...
You also note with alarm, that a stone wall starts to lower from the entrance, attempting to trap you inside the soon to be waterlogged room.

As Penny grasps the situation, she scans the room quickly, and discovers what very well could be a lever, of sorts, across the room. It would take some doing, but you suspect you could get to it before the room fills completely. In theory, it may just undo the flooding. Hopefully...

ooc: Ok, you can either stay and try the lever, or try to make it out of the room before the door closes. How about a dex check DC 20 to get back out of the room before wall closes entirely? That's if you don't want to just try the lever route. If you do stay and disarm the trap, by the time you wade over, the flooding will be pretty advanced. I'd need a swim check (very low DC, luckily), and also a strength check to see if you can do anything with the lever. Good luck!

As the water poured in and the room rapidly flooded and filled, Penny spared a few precious moments to assess the situation, yet she spent them well. The water pouring through the spouts, the flow too great for them to be blocked. The lever that controlled something, mostly likely the water flow. Too obvious a solution, yet the only presented. The stone wall descending over the door, about to trap them in. And a medieval Methuselah beneath a glass case, which surely would not withstand the water pressure, who would shortly drown too.

'Get out! Get the others! I have to stop this!' Penny yelled to Alice and Lily. Meanwhile, she was walking, and then wading, and then falling and swimming through the water toward the lever. The fast flow billowed out her skirts and dragged her back, but she pushed resolutely on, trying to seize it no matter how slippery her hands and force it to move.


OOC: Swim 12, Strength 15

Alice nodded and turned to run for the door. She did not make it in time, though, slamming her fist against the stone.

09:13, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Dex Check.

Lily doesn't even try for the door, determined not to leave Penny. She sees Penny's efforts, not catching sight of the lever though, until Penny is already on top of it. Oh! she notes, realizing your actions. I'm coming! She surges towards you to help, and you're grateful for it, as the lever seems to be stuck. Either it's stuck from age and malfunction, or it was not designed for someone to easily disable it. Thankfully, the native woman is a very strong swimmer. She is to you in seconds. By now, the water is neck deep and climbing. The glass case is almost submerged. Lily grabs the handle alongside Penny, propping her foot against the wall and using her legs to pull the lever downward. It takes both of your strength, working frantically together as the water fills around you, but, at last, the lever moves.

You can all hear a grating sound as the blasted stone openings close at last. The rising flood has stopped. Only problem? The water is still there. By now, the water is well over your heads, and only three feet or so of air is between the surface of the water and the ceiling of the chamber. Worse? The light has been extinguished, doused by the flood. You are stuck in blackness, unable to see, and treading water. There are enough crags and things to hold onto to keep you afloat, but it will eventually get tiring.

Great. Lily growls, swearing. Think there's another lever?

ooc: Ok, so you can make a new search check every round, both of you, so you can explore the chamber. Each round you'll also need to make another swim check, to see how well you fare in the dark with limited un-submerged area. The more you look, the tireder you'll get, and that will affect your swim DC's. Make sense hopefully? Good luck! Mwahahahahaha! So go ahead and roll about, 4 rounds worth, being sure to separate each roll for me. The DC's will naturally be on the high side...

Immersed in water and in utter darkness, it was terrifyingly easy to lose one's orientation and all sense of up and down, and to panic and drown. Penny had been operating on instinct and urgent need in her struggle to pull the lever with Lily, but now that state of mind could get her killed. So she let it go, rested, sank until her boots touched the bottom. Then, pushing her feet against the floor, Penny propelled herself upwards, breaking the surface and gasping and spluttering for air. Finding herself in darkness still, she then paddled to the nearest wall, or wherever she thought it had been, and clung to the crevices. 'Probably under the old man for all our blasted luck!' Penny answered Lily irritably, then realised 'Did Alice make it out? Alice! Call out!'

Once she had confirmation that Alice was present and well, Penny tried to settle her mind and focus on the problem. Neither of the scrolls had mentioned anything about what lay "in the mountain between the mountains and deep beneath the earth", let alone how to negotiate the traps within, so that was no use. She could not see a thing, yet under Holmes Penny had learned to hunt and fight in the black of night or a thick pea-souper fog, to train her hearing and other senses, and the lapping of the water against the stone walls of the chamber gave her a sense of the space they were in. Yet her senses also made aware that was terribly cold and her skirts were water-logged and heavy. And she was very frightened. 'We mustn't waste our energy searching in futility, or we shall surely drown. We need a plan. Think, carefully: did we see anything else in the chamber that might be of use? The old man, the chair, the silver scroll-case, the glass box...' she counted off the things of note in the room.

Freeing one hand from the wall, Penny felt for her pockets, and the enchanted spectacles that would reveal the unseen. It was a slim hope, but perhaps they might be of use here? In retrospect, she should have worn them going in, but hindsight, like the glasses, was 20/20. Careful not to let them slip through her wet fingers, she donned them, and twisted around to survey the room to see if she could see anything at all.

Alice knew it was going to be bad when the water hit the waist. She knew enough to shed her clothing, to avoid extra weight to drag her down. Once in her small clothes she was already treading water. This whole thing was playing on her biggest fears, drowning, and enclosed underground spaces. She was gasping, trying to keep her head above water. Penny’s voice called out to her. ”Here. Penny I can’t swim.” The panic in her voice is clear to hear. She is nearly in tears and could easily tip over to a full blown terror.

OOC: I realised I don't have points in Swim either. :o But I imagine the rules assume we're basically proficient.

Alice's fearful response had filled Penny with alarm too. Penny had had some small experience at the seaside, but neglected that others might not. 'Alice! Alice, listen to me!' she called back, trying to get her friend to focus on her voice. 'Can you ride a bicycle? If so, then ride a bicycle. Or walk up stairs.' She hoped her non sequitur would serve to distract her. 'Just paddle your feet, left and right, slow and steady, One, two, one, two, one, two.' she counted out, trying to coach her to tread water.

Alice did calm down after Penny coached her. She “walked up stairs” as Penny had said and that seemed to work. She was considerably calmer now, no longer near panic but still distressed. “Okay...okay I can do this for a bit. I can’t help you much though, I’m sorry.”

'That's okay.' Penny said gently, giving an assurance she hoped to feel herself. 'We'll find a way. We always do.'
This message was last edited by the player at 04:56, Fri 14 Aug 2020.

Swimming is tiring, especially considering how cold the water is and the darkness itself. Thanks to Penny's efforts, Alice is able to manage, but not particularly well and she finds herself clinging to the craggy walls.

You can't see Lily in the darkness, but you can hear her swimming around. Give me a minute she says, and you hear a small splash, as though she's gone underwater. She's quiet a long time and you start to feel panicked, but at last she emerges, and you hear her voice to the right. Penny. You think you can get Alice to me? she calls. I'm standing on top of that glass case. It might be a little easier for her if she can rest her muscles. Should be enough room for you too Penny, if you need. I can swim for hours if I need.


Meanwhile, Penny's glasses don't seem to do any good. At first. Then, as her eyes focus in the pitch darkness, you feel as though, almost, almost you can make out the general shapes within the chamber. You have a vague outline of the closed door, of your companions around you, of the ceiling and the walls. Just enough to give you an idea of where things are. You also notice the stone door. Near the top of it, you could swear you see the tiniest, tiniest flicker of light, no more than a piece of gravel large. Still, you know it for what it is. A weak spot. A hole.

ooc: If you decide to do anything about it, I'll need strength checks and swim checks again. If you go below 15 DC for swim you'll be underwater and holding your breath. You can do so for twice your constitution score and then you'll be pretty screwed. However, you can make another swim check every round, so you'll probably be fine...If you don't try to help against the door though, the swim check will only be DC 10. Or you can just stand on the glass case. That said, if Alice does go for the glass case, she'll need to pass a swim check to do so for that too so she can get there in the first place. Penny can give her a +5 to help her. If, for some reason she rolls really low though, then she'll panic and fail and probably try to pull Penny along with her. So...

Basically I need a swim check from Alice and Penny as well if she wishes to help, so that she can get to the glass case and just stand there. THEN I'll need a swim and strength check for going after the door. Hopefully that all makes sense! :)

'It can support your weight?' Penny confirmed, orienting herself in Lily's direction, realising 'Of course, we are more buoyant in the water and the glass hasn't broken under the pressure yet. Okay. Alice, sound out. I shall come to you.' Once she had Alice's direction again, Penny pushed off the wall and gently doggy-paddled toward her, until she finally bumped into her. She sought her hand under the water, had Lily speak again, then oriented them both toward her voice in the centre of the room, before paddling there and leading Alice with her...


OOC: Swim 11. Is that enough or should I add an action point?

08:28, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 6 using 1d20-1.  Swim check.
08:30, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 10 using 2d6.  Action Point.

6 + 10 + 2 (Penny’s Aid) = 18

Alice called out and Penny came over to help her try and navigate. At one point she almost began to panic again, but she reach down deep inside herself and found the strength because she is a Van Helsing dangit! She made it to the cake dome and stood, relieved. ”Thank ya, Penny. I owe you another one. What is that, like a million now?”

ooc: Yup! That's enough for general swimming purposes.

IC: The glass case does indeed hold, thank goodness. You suspect there is something more to it than usual glass. It takes a little while for everyone to calm down and formulate a plan. Should Penny disclose the weakness in the door, Lily will immediately swim toward it. You'll hear her grunting and splashing in the dark, and then silence a long moment before she comes up gasping and swearing. How am I supposed to break this thing and not drown! she snarls. She pauses. I have my tomahawk. That could probably help, right? But I don't want to hit anyone in the dark on accident...Maybe...maybe someone could hold me afloat while I try to dig an opening? If I don't have to worry about swimming, it would be a lot easier...

ooc: Ok, so you can either try to help her break down the wall and you'll need that DC 15 for swim plus a strength check to see how well you do, OR you can do a DC 12 swim and help hold her up as you grab the wall yourself, but it will take longer and if she rolls low enough she may hit you with the tomahawk on accident. Mwahahahaha! Also, feel free to search your person for anything that would help, etc or just tell me what your general plans are. Lastly, if you decide for some reason that Penny wouldn't have divulged the weak spot in the wall, let me know. All of this will be negated. I was just trying to save a bit of time :)

'I'm sure you've paid me back... more than enough times.' Penny panted in answer to Alice once she was sure they were both safely atop the glass case, or cake dome as Alice aptly put it.

Once they'd recovered and regathered their bearings and strength, Penny informed Alice and Lily of the tiny hole in the doorway. Whereupon Lily immediately attacked it. Once she returned, Penny went on with what she'd wished to add 'But it might be too sturdy to lift or break through, especially in this water. At the least, we should shout for help from the others while we attempt to break out.' she suggested, shivering a little. 'If we make enough of a hole down low, maybe the water will flow out... The gunpowder of our bullets – it may be too wet for a small explosive...' She was proposing whatever ideas came to mind, hoping something might provide promise, but little of them gave her hope.

Finding her knife, Penny paddled with Lily over to the stone door, and joined her in trying desperately to chip away at the edges. But it was all she could to stay afloat at the same time, and her knife seemed likely to break before the stone did. 'If I could access the mechanism... Damn it all!' Penny shouted, overcome with frustration and fear, triggered by the knife slipping for the dozenth time. 'There must be some key or solution! The priests of the temple meant to retrieve their treasures some day, not slay all who sought it, or entomb the guardian forever. If we break the glass, he will surely drown. And so shall we!' she sobbed, angry and afraid.


OOC: I just remembered I have Disable Device and tools, and this is all a glorified lock/trap, but it might be too crude to count.
16:38, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 17 using 1d20+9.  disable device.

Swim check 15, just barely succeeded after an action point
Strength check 2, so bad.
16:55, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 10 using 1d20. Swim.
16:56, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 5 using 2d6. action point.
16:56, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 2 using 1d20. Strength check.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:42, Wed 26 Aug 2020.

Ooc: Disable device will definitely count under the circumstances!

IC: Several minutes pass, the both of you struggling in the dark and the water. Both of you go under several times, only to come up sputtering and jarred. But it's slippery and difficult to hand on properly in the blackness. Meanwhile, poor Alice is stuck on the glass case, shivering and somewhat stranded. Things look bleak indeed.
Then, as panic fades to acceptance, and finally-to observance, Penny re-thinks the situation.

As she emerged shivering and spluttering from the cold water once again, Penny could do nothing but grip the wall and try to steady her breath and nerves. The air might be thinning, she realised, starving her of oxygen and her sensibilities. Her whole world seemed reduced to cold and wetness, to air above and water below and unyielding stone all around, trapping her in this prison. She hammered a fist at it, as if she might break through with resolution alone. This was futile! Chipping away at a stone block, how did they ever think they could get out with their lives?

But then, as if nearness to death brought clarity, or lack of air brought madness, Penny came to a realisation. 'Aargh! I've been looking at this all wrong! I was thinking how to get out of this, not how we got into this. Alice! When you approached the glass, what happened? Before the water flowed. Did you feel a tile depress beneath you? I didn't feel anything... Did the glass move when you tapped it? I'm sure that's what triggered the trap. Surely the key to unlocking it is part of it too.'

Alice was quiet a moment thinking. “Maybe. Right after we walked in, near the door. It was small, like a crack or fissure.”

Penny was silent, thinking it through. It could just be a crack in the floor, it could be nothing. It could be something. They had been checking for traps throughout the vault, they had been most thorough and they had become quite adept at finding them. Surely they would spotted a pressure-plate trap before them, if not for the peculiar sight of the man under glass to distract them. It did not seem conclusive.

By her nature, Penny was cautious and logical, and she followed the clues and Holmes's approach of deduction. It had always seen her through. But here she had no clues, no theories, and no hope. Logic would not help her at all. All that was left was a leap of faith. Loki might know what was meant by that. All Penny could do was take a chance.

'Alice,' Penny's voice drifted softly in the dark, 'Can you break the glass?'

Alice spoke, <yellow>”I will try. Water tends to slow bullets.”</yelllow> She bent down and pressed the muzzle flush with the dome. She pulled the trigger.

Would this be a coup de gras against the glass dome?

Knowing the water will slow the trajectory, and not wanting to shoot her own foot in the darkness, Alice does the only reasonable thing. She takes her pistol and squats, her head going under the water as she holds her breath. She then thrusts the end of the gun down until she feels it hit the glass, then, squeezes the trigger.

It dawns on you, that if this does break the glass, you'll no longer have your nice resting place, but it doesn't matter. You have to try something. Indeed, as the bullet hits, you can feel the glass case groan beneath your feet, and after a second, you start to sink as it breaks. Lily is already swimming towards you though, you can hear her movements, and she shouts for you to head towards her so she can help you swim.

Meanwhile, at first, other than the glass breaking, nothing happens, and Penny wonders if it were all in vain. There is nothing but silence, still and echoing in the dark chamber. Then, blessedly, you hear a scraping sound from across the room. The door. Slowly, it opens, receding back into the gap it came from. The water starts to tug and pull at you all, yanking you toward the door. It is difficult to fight the current and keep your heads above water, and you find yourselves choking and coughing as the mighty rush of water escaping yanks you out of the room and down the corridor you'd already traveled. Lily does her best to keep Alice upright and breathing, but you're slammed into the rocky walls, scraping and banging into them. Unfortunately, it is still dark too, so when you FINALLY come to a stop, you are left in pure blackness once more, shivering and shaking and half drowned and badly bruised. But, at least you're on actual ground again.

Then, from the way ahead where the chamber was, you hear a man's voice, old, firm, and angry.Who dares awaken me?!

ooc; Roll reflex saves DC 20. If you succeed you take half damage, otherwise you take 18 from being banged around.

Penny felt more than heard the muffled crunch of the glass case as it imploded under the water pressure. And she realised belatedly 'Alice! Watch out for broken glass! Fortunately, Lily had caught her and hauled her away from the explosion of air and shattered glass that Penny imagined.

Her heart thudding with anticipation and dread, her ears straining and cold muscles twitching, Penny waited and listened out, wary of whatever might happen next. 'Be ready to hold your breath.' But, whatever plans she'd had of being prepared were utterly dashed as the current caught her and rushed her from the chamber, mere flotsam upon a flood. She was slammed into hard surfaces – door or wall, ceiling or floor, she could not she was turned about – more times than she could count. What little air she had burst from her lungs in the first collision and she was left choking on water thereafter. She felt a stinging pain in her back, and realised it was glass. When she hit her head, she blacked out, almost a mercy—

She came to, lying in a cold puddle on a stone floor, battered and bruised and agonised all over. 'Now I know what it is like to be in a rotary clothes washer.' Penny groaned feebly, trying to find where all her arms and legs were in the darkness.

Then she heard the voice. Penny looked up in its direction, but of course could see nothing. 'I dare.' she answered, sound more weak and less resolute than she liked. 'I hope you appreciate the effort.'


OOC: Reflex 9, 18 damage taken.

17:03, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 24 using 1d20+11.  Ref save.

Alice recalled once being on a sinking ship and getting tossed around in a similar fashion. She learned lesson that day that held out to this and she was able to avoid some of the pitfalls. Still she felt like someone had used a baseball bat on her. Hearing Penny’s voice brought her to her friend and she helped Penny stand. ”Actually I’s the one that poked a whole in your cake dome there muchacho. You got a problem with it, you take it up with me, ya hear?”

Lily is the most unscathed of the three of you, and she steps in front of you both, silent, but protective, as the voice nears. You can hear his footsteps in the darkness, and, to your surprise, the soaked torches relight themselves as he nears them, illuminating his presence. It's the old man on the throne. The scroll is not in his hands anymore. He moves towards you, face hard and unreadable. He stops, only two feet from Lily, who stares him down like a guard dog. Women? Now that's a surprise, he mutters. You fools. Whatever folly or errand has brought you here, I must end you now. I have no desire to kill women, but my duty demands this place be safe. I will kill you quickly though. His voice is almost gentle as he assures you. Still, it's alarming at best. He clearly doesn't think much of you, obviously underestimating you from the start. With a sigh, he pulls a long knife from the folds of his cloak, already moving towards Lily as though to finish her off first.

ooc: Let me know what you wish to do. You can try to reason with him, or you can go for it and defend yourself. Just make the appropriate rolls please :)

With a weary sigh, Penny pressed her hands to the stone and pushed herself up out of the puddle, her cold and aching arms shaking and straining with the effort, her body and hair dripping. When the torches relit, her eyes were dazzled and near-blinded after so long in the dark. But she fixed her unseeing eyes on the approaching murderous old man, her jaw set and resolute. Blinded, drowned, battered, and chilled to the bone, she'd face her fate with stiff upper lip as an Englishwoman should. 'Kill me if you must, sir... But my duty demands that the world be safe.' Determinedly, Penny dragged her knees forward and then sat up, before pushing herself to stand on swaying, unsteady legs. 'I have the Ring of Solomon. Now pray give me the Key so that I might put the demon prince Belial back in his prison.' Blinking against the blazing light, Penny peered at the old man, seeing him more clearly, and his gleaming knife. 'Unless you'd prefer to maintain the sanctity of this place, at the cost of the desecration of all God's creation?'


OOC: Diplomacy 16, or 21 if the +5 Hunter bonus applies.
11:03, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 9 using 1d20+3. diplomacy.
11:04, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 7 using 2d6. action point.

ooc: The bonus does apply :)

IC: It's Penny's mention of the ring that stops him in his tracks. His knife is still out, but he pauses, though Lily looks about ready to try to tackle the man. So, you already have the ring. By all rights, I should slay you now and have done with it. But...Belial, you say? His frown deepens. By now, you detect a french accent from the man, though he seems to speak English quite well. If what you say is true...that is dire news indeed. But...what prove have you? This could well be a trick. A ploy to gain my acquiescence. His hand tightens on the knife again.

Her dazzled eyes gradually clearing and adapting to the torchlight, Penny squinted and strained to appraise the old man. Such a peculiar sight in such an expected place, it was almost as if she'd discovered King Arthur in Avalon, awaiting England's darkest hour. More likely, perhaps, he was an adventurer or a crusader or a later century. He had a French accent, so it must be his mother tongue, yet he spoke English very well, though even French was the dominant tongue for a long time. Penny groaned exasperatedly at his renewed suspicion and threats. 'Proof? What could you possibly take as proof, after so long buried down here? What precious thing would I risk in a benighted dungeon like this?' Her bluster conveyed and concealed one important truth: she had absolutely no idea what she could give as proof that he would accept. She could only keep him talking until she had some idea or the others arrived. Penny slicked some water off her body and grabbed her skirt so she could wring it out. 'Ugh. How about you come with us to the surface, so we can dry out and warm up in the desert sun, and we can show you what we have and speak reasonably, like civilised folk?'


OOC:
14:48, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 31,26,22 using d20+18,d20+10,d20+9.  sherlock scan: investigate, sense motive, spot.

This whole time Alice has been training her pistol on the strange Frenchman’s weapon. When he threatened them she almost fired, but held off for effect. When Penny had finished speaking she fired at his weapon.

08:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 25 using 1d20+11.  Pistols shot to disarm.
08:56, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 7 using 2d6.  Action Point.

He answers Penny with a shake of his head. I cannot leave this place. I am its protector. No one is meant to have the- His words are interrupted by Alice's shot, which actually does startle him into dropping his knife. Immediately, however, his face twists with rage. Interlopers! Liars! he snarls, already lunging towards Alice first, as he clearly sees her as the worst of you.

ooc: Ok, he's going to attack. His initiative is 18. So if you don't roll higher than that, he's going to go first and attack Alice. Go ahead and post your rolls/actions, regardless of your init. and I'll put it all together.

'Alice!' Penny exclaimed, shocked that she would fire her pistol in the midst of negotiations. So shocked she could only stand and watch what happened next, frozen as with the cold, still desperately seeking a way to make peace with the strange medieval man.

A crusader knight, a French speaker. Wearing white and red robes, but lacking the customary cross of the Templars, so quite an early uniform. The earliest, even, but surviving the Battle of Hattin. And to be guarding such a vital document, he must be very important indeed... 'Archambaud de St. Amand!' Penny barked in old French, hoping hearing his own name after so many centuries would get his attention.


OOC: Initiative 4
16:47, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 4 using 1d20+2. initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

The knight actually does halt his attack a moment, to shoot Penny a quick, distracted glare, still moving towards his quarry with intent.

ooc: Ok, Alice gets first move, then the knight, then Penny. Unless he has reason to stop, he will fully intend to go after Alice, so Penny, you can make any rolls and movements etc and I'll post for him after. This initiative will only really be held to for this first round for now, since I know online posting makes things tricky. I just wanted to see who got first crack at whom. So Alice, feel free to make your attack, and Penny, you can do whatever it is you plan to as well. :)

Alice fired twice, attempting to knock the crazed old man’s legs out from under him.

13:13, Wed 23 Sept: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Same as 1.
13:13, Wed 23 Sept: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 13 using 1d20+11.  Shot one “trip” leg shot.

'Alice, no!' Penny cried, throwing a hand up helplessly to halt her friend. This was terrible; they should be allies, not enemies. Yet they both had a vital mission they must see through for the sake of Earth and Heaven, whatever it took, no matter how they conflicted. How could she stop the inevitable tragedy? Only with a leap of faith.

Penny closed her eyes, and stepped between Alice and Archambaud, between pistol and fist, hoping the next bullet or blade didn't find her. 'Stop!' she shouted, voice echoing down the tunnels, raising her hands to the both of them. 'There shall be no battle here! We are all Christian knights, and hunters of monsters. If we slay each other now, the demons shall have already won.'


OOC:
10:23, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 18 using 1d20+8. diplomacy.

Lily watches the scene in surprise, clearly torn between helping Alice with what she started and Penny with her peace keeping. Alice's shot misses, but only barely, and the fury at the near miss is evident on his face. He snarls, lunging at the woman, his knife slashing at her relentlessly. He misses his first attempt, but the second one hits true, slicing into Alice's side. There can be no quarter given until this she-devil is subdued!

He is focusing solely on Alice, clearly finding her the single threat at the moment.

'Blast it all, you are both far too alike to kill each other senselessly!' Penny shouted, in a rare moment of rage and frustration spilling out at her endless quest, with desperation in her blue eyes. It couldn't end like this! Swallowing her anger, her doubt and her fear, steeling herself against whatever might happen, Penny commanded 'Archambaud, drop your dagger!' and then turned her back on him. Someone had to show trust here, no matter the risk, no matter the dread of a cold blade sunk into it. She tried to step in front of Alice and her gun, pleading 'And Alice, please, put down your pistol – or else empty it into me and entomb my body in this crypt for the rest of time. For if you slay our ally, that will be our only chance of denying Belial the key to his prison. I stand ready to sacrifice myself, but no one else need die.'

Alice gave a sharp grunt of pain as the blade found purchase. She did not intend to give quarter at all now until Penny stepped in. The pain and frustration are on her face as she let her weapon drop to the ground. "I wasn't trying to kill him. Just wanted him to stop flashing that sword so's we could all talk nice like."

Every muscle in Penny's body clenches, waiting for the knight's blade to plunge into your flesh. Indeed, Alice can see violent rage in his eyes, though it is definitely more directed towards you than Penny. Still, seeing Alice actually drop her weapon, he does hesitate, still gripping his dagger though. He fumes, though admittedly he does stop attacking, to his credit. You are the interlopers here! I will not drop my weapon! he snarls. By all rights, I should kill you for even entering this place. It is what I was put here for. It is only my chivalry towards your sex that has kept you alive thus far! Now, stay where you stand if you wish to live. And explain yourselves quickly. Before I change my mind. He adds darkly.

Penny breathed a quiet sigh of relief; she wasn't slain yet. The threat had not yet passed, but at least they'd stopped fighting and started talking again. Of course, he hadn't listened the first time, but perhaps now she'd gotten across the seriousness of her purpose. She checked to see that Alice was not too badly injured, then looked to Archambaud. 'The demon prince Belial is escaping his prison in Hell.' she said directly to the undying Templar. 'He has manifested his presence in the world and gathered demons and monsters to his cause. Like reaching an arm through the bars and shouting for help. But he wants to bring his whole body out and into this world. He has created a key – a long story, but it is my very flesh – and promises he has a back-up should I perish or try to escape. So, with the guidance of the angel Castiel himself, we seek the Ring and Key of Solomon so we can fully imprison Belial once more. If we fail, and Belial escapes or persists, the consequences will be catastrophic.'

'Now, sir knight, please tell us your purpose here. Why have you waited so long?' she added, softening her tone and trying to turn the focus on him and how he might at last yield his scroll.

Alice just stood by bleeding, but kept her hand near her second pistol in case things went pear-shaped again.

The knight listens, eyes constantly shifting to Alice, but at least letting you speak. My purpose is to proetect my portion of the scroll. I, and others of my order, were tasked with guarding the fragments. The scroll with the key has been divided, you see. Too dangerous. I have slept here until wakened by any who would try to take it. My task is to destroy all interlopers, as is my brethren in their own places of rest. By all rights, I should kill you where you stand. It was my vow. But...there is a ring of sincerity to your words. I would not wish to harm innocents. Nor can I simply give you the scroll based on your word alone, my dear. And Castiel, you say? I do not know him. But there are many angels I have not met. In fact, I've only met one. Metatron. Do you know him? He sounds hopeful. It is clear he is torn between duty and chivalry.

So the scroll was divided. The scroll had been cut up and scattered across the land, each fragment with its own immortal guardian. A reasonable precaution, yet Penny trembled with a very deep sinking feeling, a feeling of utter despair. She dared dream she was near the end of her quest, yet now the path before her yawned out to the horizon. No! How many more hunts must there be? How much longer must she keep fighting and struggling? When she was so utterly tired and longed only to retire to her beloved Devon? Only the holy ordeal of this knight, whose long watch had lasted centuries, made her swallow her weariness, tighten her jaw, and stiffen her lip. The hunt never ended.

'No,' Penny answered slowly, 'But I believe we know someone who does... He waits for us at the entrance to this place. We can go meet him, if you permit?' Loki. There would be a difficult meeting, between this stubborn knight and that evasive trickster. She'd rather try to solve this now before they had another argument. 'But Sir Archambaud, you protected your part of the scroll for a reason, else why not just burn it? What was that reason? I believe you protected it so that one day it might be retrieved and used in a time of vital need. And pray, believe me, that time is now.'

The knight listens, thoughtfully, hesitantly, always glancing at Alice mistrustfully, but you can see his resolve start to soften. Yes. There was supposed to be a need for it. But the time is too soon. Far too soon. It's close to sacrilige to even listen to what you say. The apocalypse isn't due yet, you see. Not even close to time. To let this be used early...is against everything I was set here for. But, if the date of destruction has been set forward, would not its defense too? He seems to be half talking to himself, muttering, scowling in thought. I wish I had the proper instruction! Oh this is intolerable! he fumes. Fine. One of you may go and fetch your man. But unless he can produce Metatron himself, I don't know how it will sway me. Still, I will allow him to try. Who will it be then?

Hearing his doubts and seizing the opportunity to cement her case, Penny said quickly 'Yes, it is too early. But Belial cheated, he's brought events forward by over a century.' How to explain time travel to a man of the Middle Ages, even one who'd lived over 700 years past his time? Penny wouldn't try.

Given Archambaud's permission, Penny realised there could only be one choice. They might kill each other otherwise. 'Alice,' she said, turning to her. 'Could you fetch him, please?' she asked, obviously referring to Loki. 'Tell the others everything.'

Penny turned back to Archambaud, giving him a winning smile, for all that she must look like a drowned rat. 'And I shall wait here.'

Alice nodded and as she moved she offered explaination. "It is as when God translocated the Apostle to be near the Ethiopian only this was Belial translocating others in time rather than space." With a nod she went to fetch Loci.

ooc: alice, I'm going to go on the assumption, for time's sake, that you do tell Loki and the others what's going on. If you decide not to for some reason, let me know and I'll edit!

The knight seems to accept Alice's explanation with understanding, even if he's still suspicious.

Luckily, for Alice, on the way back, the traps have already been sprung by you on the way there, so you are able to go with relative speed. It's cold down here, soaking wet as you are, and you pick up a great deal of dust and dirt on your clothes, clinging to you like mud. Ah well.

You don't get too far before you run across Loki and the others, who look relieved to see you, particularly the professor, for obvious reasons. Loki, though, only has eyes for Lily. Where are the others? he demands, his usually chipper face dark and menacing. When you explain the situation, he actually laughs, obviously relieved. I can handle that. I think. I'm not supposed to interfere, but all I'm doing is talking so that's not the same thing, he says slyly. And if I happen to look and sound exactly like Metatron, well.... With that, he transforms into a short, middle aged man with graying stubble and short, curly hair. He's a plain, non-descript looking thing, to your surprise. Yeah, I know. He's not much to look at, he makes a face. Come along then.

everyone:


Penny. The knight watches you both like a hawk, and every second you wait for the others, the more uncomfortable you get. He still looks like he could pounce on you at any second, and yet, something tells you, he won't. Indeed, he doesn't, and when at last the group arrives, you breathe a sigh of relief. Loki, however, is nowhere to be seen, instead a stranger, a middle aged, short man leads the way. He gives the knight a nod, grinning broadly. Ah, so they put you here eh? Nice to see you again! Sounds like you know what's going on. Belial. End of the world and all that. Think you can give the scroll here? We'll just take it and be on our way His grin widens. The knight just stares, his hand hovering by his blade.

You look like how I remember Metatron but...what proof do you have? Metatron shrugs and produces a white rabbit of all things from his coat. See? I can conjure things. That's pretty Metatronish, right? The rabbit disappears into thin air again.

Impressive. Impressive indeed. If you're really Metatron, what is the phrase we agreed upon next we met? The one that would ensure we were both who we said were were? Metatron(Loki) smirks and shakes his head. I wondered if you'd remember after all these years my friend. Good on you. Good on you for remembering our special, special phrase. There is a long, awkward moment as the knight waits a response, but suddenly, Metatron (Loki), shoves Ian towards the knight. The scroll is in his robes, grab it! Poor Ian, completely unprepared, does take a desperate swipe, but the knight hurls himself out of the way, his blade already drawn. Liars! he roars, already slashing at the nearest person, which of course, is Ian. A mess ensues...

ooc: Make your rolls!

Under Archambaud's hawk-like gaze, Penny waited, uncomfortable, worried, and wet. To be polite and pass the time, she tried to make some small talk with the old knight, but since his seven centuries out of touch and had no interest in talking about anything else, this hardly went beyond 'So, how are you doing?' Quite.

Then, at last, and with immense relief, she heard the rest of the team approach, and turned to see them. She didn't see Loki, but quickly divined the identify of the odd little man in his place, and her heart and face fell in disappointment. He didn't, she hoped. He did.

And the rest went about as well as she'd expected. 'Some trickster you are!' she accused Loki. But Penny had not been unprepared; she'd retrieved her cane, made her cold and stiff arms and legs as limber as she could, and determine just where and how she could knock an elderly 12th-century man with a heart condition unconscious. She raised her cane and struck at him.


OOC: Initiative 21
Plan: 26, gain +3 to skill checks and attack rolls
Defensive Martial Arts & Dodge: total 19 Defense vs Archambaud
Investigator: deal nonlethal damage with no penalty
Try to move to get flanking bonus
Use cane, attack 15 (17 with flanking), damage 7 @ Archambaud
This message was last edited by the player at 12:12, Mon 26 Oct 2020.

Alice was too tired to do anything but she stand and watch.

ooc: His defense is 20, but 18 when flanked, just so you know ;P

ic: Your cane barely misses, and in an instant he's on top of Ian, whom is the closest threat to him, seeing as how he was pretty much pushed into the knight. Archambaud wastes no time in slashing the Scotsman across the chest, blood spraying as he already starts to move on to his next foe. He's impossibly fast, for a man his age, unnaturally so, and he goes after Lily next, for she's already moved to flank him too. He manages to graze her in the side with his blade, but she twists away enough to keep from more than a small scratch.

Meanwhile, Loki reveals his true form, morphing into the impish faced man from before, though now he watches in frustration. Look, it's not what you think! Stop with the stabbies! He shouts over the din. His words, of course, have no effect.
Liars! Interlopers! The knight roars back.

Thinking fast, Penny tried to think of an effective approach against Archambaud, but he was too far removed from her expertise: a medieval knight, ancient yet still strong, with no weakness she could find or exploit. Thus, she settled for creating one: slamming her cane down on his wrist to force his hand to release the knife and leave him unarmed.

After that, she settled for trying to knock him out with her cane, but he was still too well-armoured and she still too wet and slippery to hit him effectively.


OOC: 3 rounds, assuming flanking:
1: Exploit Weakness check 10, fail; Disarm attack attack 21, +4 for having a larger weapon
2: attacks 10 and 12, miss and miss
3: attacks 19 and 16, hit and miss, nonlethal damage 7

The disarming works, much to his chagrin, but he is, indeed, a fast one. He moves like lightning, dodging and twisting, and though Lily manages to get a graze in on him, he ends up smashing Peter right in the nose, pulling out another hidden, albeit smaller, dagger from the folds of his robes to boot. Seeing he's outnumbered, Archambaud does the only thing he can. He runs. Withdraws from the rest of you and bolts down the corridor. Losing him is not really an option, considering he has the scroll...

ooc: Ok, so he takes a little damage from everyone, and dishes it back, but he's got plenty of fight left in him. He's not stupid though, so he's going to make this tricky for you. Because he withdrew, he doesn't trigger an AoO, but you can run after him and also do any ranged attacks against him. Be sure to roll a constitution check to see if you can catch up to him, and also make any rolls if you want to shoot, etc.

'God help us!' gasped Penny, feeling frustrated by their failures to get through to the Templar. They'd come so far, and through so much – would they now be thwarted by a holy knight who by all rights ought to be their trusted ally? Glancing around to confirm her companions were not bad injured, she said hurriedly 'I'll go after him!' then took off down the corridor.

'Sir Archambaud! Please listen!' she called into the darkness, still vainly trying to reason with him, even plead with him. What other hope did she have? 'I am on a holy quest given by angels, same as you. We should work together! Help us!'


OOC:
14:41, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 14 using 1d20+1. constitution.
14:50, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 14 using 1d20+8. diplomacy again.

Alice shoots at the retreating man, one of her shots hitting true. He barely seems to notice it though, moving quickly. At first, it seems you'll never catch him, but suddenly you hear a click. A loud click. He runs through the corridor and you see his foot sink down about an inch or so on a panel you hadn't noticed before. Neither had he. A second later, a ten foot long spear shoots from the ceiling down at him. He manages to dodge the worst of it, but the horrible bolt lodges itself in his leg. You absolutely have the advantage now, whatever you choose to do with it...

ooc: hahahahaha! He rolled soooooo horribly

Swearing an oath as she saw the inevitable and horrible conclusion to their chase, Penny hurried up to Archambaud, though now more mindful of undiscovered traps herself. 'Hoist with your own petard.' she sighed sadly as she carefully approached Archambaud, fearing he might attack even more desperately now. He was wounded, vulnerable, an easy target, it would be pragmatic and safest... and yet she couldn't bring herself to beat him over the head with her cane. Penny knelt nearby, setting down her cane and offering 'Please, let me help you.'

Alice did a quick reload on both her pistols. Holstering one she kept the other trained on the erratic knight. ”Careful Penny. Them knives of his ‘re sharp as hell.”

The knight turns savagely, like the wounded beast that he is, but, seeing Penny's not taking advantage of his situation, and Alice isn't shooting, he pauses, still breathing hard. Not sure if you're a liar or not milady, but you are a likable one if you are. he pants. Alright then... he sighs at last. Rip the thing out if you can. The bolt is thick and heavy. It will be work to remove it...

Don't try anything now, either of you, he adds with a look to Alice. I want to believe you. Half of me does, but with something this important, I can't leave it up to chance. And whatever fool that was back there, he was no Metatron. You see my position, don't you?

ooc: Roll a strength check. DC won't be high, but if you roll too low it's going to suck for him, lol

Alice took out her vial of healing potion and walked slowly to him. ”Only one drop, if you please. It is enough to heal the wounds you have. Loki did that without my consent, though honestly he is more powerful than I and doesn’t need my consent.”

10 points healed for drop
This message was last edited by the player at 13:29, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

'I thank you for the compliment, sir.' Penny accepted graciously, silently pleased and relieved that Archambaud had accepted her aid. Surely now he must no longer see them as enemies, but as allies. She could only hope so anyway. Feeling a little like Androcles about to pluck the thorn from the lion's paw, Penny approached Archambaud gingerly, carefully examining the spear stuck in his leg.

'I am sorry, I did not expect him to... handle it quite so poorly.' Penny sighed in reference to Loki's actions, while she inspected how deep the spear point went, tenderly touching the edge of the bloody wound. 'You are right, he is a fool, and he is not Metatron. But I suspect he is not truly Loki either, but he must hide his nature, for certain reasons.' Lily? 'In any case, he is on the side of the angels, perhaps quite literally.'

Penny gripped the spear in both hands and braced herself to pull it out. 'Now, be ready, I'm going to pull this one, in four, three, two—' Penny suddenly yanked it out before Archambaud could flinch. 'One.' She set to work cleaning out and bandaging the wound with whatever scraps of cloth came to hand.


OOC:
14:35, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 19 using 1d20. Strength check.
14:36, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 17 using 1d20+7. Treat Injury.

Penny is able to rip out the bolt with impressive strength, and he looks both surprised and relieved. You do a fine job of wrapping his wound, but then you have had practice. Alice's actions, however, seem to calm the savage knight more than anything else. I would have thought you'd want to finish me off, he says drily as he accepts the drop of healing tonic. The effects are instant, of course, and his eyes widen, pleased. Thank you. Both. I...don't know what to do now. he sighs, shaking his head. By my oaths, I am sworn to protect this scroll at all costs and against all who would take it. But...I think...I think I believe you. I wish you were liars though. If what you say is true, the world is in peril. Look, I cannot give up the scroll willingly. You will have to kill me for it. It's the only way to keep my honor and my vow. Do you...understand? I will go back. Face you all. I will not run again. Do what you must, and I will do the same. I suspect, however, that you will win.

Alice wanted to scream and walk away from all this. Before she did though she had a though. "You could come with us. You could protect the scroll. When the demon lord is beaten, you can return here to you vigil."

Her lips pursed in concentration and concern, Penny focused on binding Archambaud's wound. 'The very last thing we want is to kill you.' she sighed, tying the bandage tight around his leg. She was saddened to hear that, even now, he would persist in his fool's quest to defend the scroll from them, yet at least he finally understood they were not villains and thieves. 'I understand. I do not like it, but I do understand.' she said softly, packing her things away, trying to think how else to persuade him.

Thankfully, Alice came up with a third option, and Penny looked gratefully to her, and then back to Archambaud. 'Yes, you could keep it in your possession, oversee its use, and help us convince the other guardian knights.'

The knight looks stunned by Alice's idea. He starts to argue, closes his mouth, and then frowns, as though scrutinizing the plan. I should refuse. Leaving this place...I've been here for centuries! And to outright go with you marks a complacency that I would have rather avoided. And yet...the idea of keeping guard over the scroll still, does appeal to me. I only wish I knew what Metatron would want. He set me here to guard in the first place. He sighs. Even now, as much as most of me believes you, there are still so many unknowns as to the truth of the matter. So....yes. I will come, but the moment I sense betrayal, you will regret it. And, until I know for certain you are what you say, no one lays their eyes on the scroll but me. Is that acceptable to you?

Archambaud left them little option: his terms, or his death. And for Penny that was no choice at all. 'Yes, that is acceptable. It must be. You shall carry on as keeper of the scroll.' she confirmed. 'Maybe, and I can only guess at an angel's motives, Metatron set you to safeguard the Key of Solomon for a day such as this, and the rest we must take on faith... Now, do you need help standing and walking?' She offered an arm to lift him to his feet, taking care with his injured leg.

Alice took point, calling back to their friends. "EVERYONE! WE ARE COMING OUT. ALL IS GOOD! NO MORE FIGHTING PLEASE!"

Archambaud gives a half smile at Penny's offer, and gently waves off the offer. You really are a gentlewoman, he chuckles. And yes, you're right. I haven't needed faith for some time. Perhaps it's time I exercised it. That said, I'm sure you know if your little group disappoints me in any way, you will find yourself without me or the scroll so fast you won't know what happened. Now, let us go meet with the false Metatron. I have words for him.

As you head back, Alice's warning comes in handy, for the others are fast approaching, weapons raised. Peter looks disappointed by the sudden cease fire, but Ian looks relieved. The knight himself, limps towards Loki, his face a thundercloud. So, a shifter are you? Is that what you are? Answer man! he barks.

Loki laughs at the accusation, shaking his head. Oh that's adorable! Me, a shifter. Archambaud's eyes narrow, not amused in the least.
Ah. I see now. Your arrogance betrays you. Loki stops laughing, his face morphing into a scowl.
Stow it old man. What's the situation with the scroll? You gonna hand it over? He holds his hand out expectantly. Archambaud does not move, instead, to Loki's annoyance, he shakes his head. I think not. If you want the scroll, you must convince my counterpart of your worthiness first. Tell me, can you get us to Ethiopia? He folds his arms expectantly.

ooc: Roll listen checks please

Alice put her hands up, "Now let's all just keep calm. Sir Archambaud here has agreed to accompany us as the Scroll's keeper. Let's all try and get along, alright?"

Ethiopia?! Penny had expected this the moment Archambaud had mentioned other guardian knights, yet still it was despairing to hear how her quest yawned on ahead of her. How many more hunts, how many more fights, how many more ordeals must she face before this was done, before Belial was banished and she was safe? She was so weary, and so scared. She needed this to be done, and soon. She needed an end to be in sight. She caught herself and agreed with Alice 'Yes, indeed. I think it would be very helpful if you give Sir Archambaud, and the rest of us, a good reason to trust you, "Loki".' Penny announced, with pointed emphasis, encouraging him to confirm what she suspected and reveal something of his true identity.


OOC: I'm sorry, I rolled, but didn't know what to post, then forgot to make a post, then lost all track of time. I forgot and rolled twice, hence the extra roll in the dice roller.
Listen check 13

Uh, I friggin saved you all a couple days ago, or don't you recall? Loki says drily. Geez, you're welcome. You'd think that would entitle a guy to a little trust. Not to mention, if I did want anything bad to happen to you, I'd do it in such a spectacularly entertaining fashion, that even you would give me a round of applause.

Archambaud listens to this, unimpressed. He may act like the trickster Loki, but his arrogance marks him as something more, I should think. He looks at Loki then, eyes hard and unwavering. I've dealt with your people many times, angel. Metatron is not my only experience with your kind.

'Yes, we remember, and we are very grateful for it.' Penny placated Loki, speaking patiently and thinking Castiel was a much more humble and dependable sort of angel. She'd almost pray for him to come back, except that it would doubtless offend "Loki" or whatever his real name was.

She was about to try to persuade him further when Archambaud revealed he already knew. Well, that was quick. Penny turned to him, quickly trying to seize the opportunity. 'Then if you know him to angel, a servant of Heaven, and we have faith that he is, then can we accept that he is an ally and carry on? ...An ill-considered Metatron impersonation aside.' She looked to the alleged angel, adding '"Loki", can you take us to the next hiding place in Ethiopia?'

Alice went quiet then, letting Penny speak her mind. When she had finished Alice nodded and picked up, "Yea, that would be real nice of ya, takin us poor dumb mortals to the next test."

Archambaud does not seem quite as relieved at Loki's supposed true identity as you would wish. He makes a face at Penny's suggestion. Even Lucifer was an angel, once. Not all of them have the will of heaven in mind, milady. He very well may be trustworthy, but I will not abandon my vows simply because of what he is. I will accompany you to Ethiopia.

During all this, Loki rolls his eyes. You guys are crazy. I'm not an angel. I'm a trickster. And yes, I could take you to Ethiopia, but I'm not allowed to. I'm supposed to supervise only, remember? Make sure you don't screw this up. If I get directly involved there are some nasty consequences for me. I'm already in it for the little desert incident, he sighs with a sideways glance at Lily, who is watching him carefully. But you don't need me. You have a perfectly good witch with you, remember? Emma can figure out the Ethiopia thing. He shrugs.

As he makes his suggestion, both Penny and Alice hear the sounds of footsteps coming closer from down one of the corridors. Several footsteps, and the quiet murmur of voices trying to be hushed. They will be upon you within the next thirty seconds or so....

'Yes, of course you're not.' Penny humoured Loki gently. He really was curiously rule-bound for a trickster god of an unrelated pantheon, or so he claimed. And there was that telling bond with Lily, daughter of an angel. 'And tricksters never do what they're not allowed to, do they?'

But, regardless, she wasn't going to push her reluctant benefactor, not while other options existed. She didn't want to get greedy or take aid for granted. 'But, yes, we will see what Emma can do...'

She trailed off as she heard footsteps, and motioned the others to silence while she listened.


OOC: Is the whole party with us now, or should we expect this to be someone we haven't from recently, like Emma and Crimwall?
11:57, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 14 using 1d20+9. listen.

Alice kept a sharp eye and ear open. Her hands are near her weapon.

Crimwall and Emma are still waiting outside the entrance of the place, at least you hope. The fact that there are so many footsteps makes you wary, for as they grow closer you recognize it seems to be a group of them. By now, some of the others have noticed them too, and you ready your weapons.

Loki frowns, waiting, his eyes darting to Lily, who clutches her tomahawk. Everyone watches the entryway, tense and ready. At last a woman appears around the corner, several men and women walking stiffly behind her. They are all pale and thin and their eyes have no pupils or irises. The woman, however, is stunningly beautiful. She has long, black hair and ivory skin with piercing blue eyes. She wears all black and her shoulders and impressive décolletage can be seen. Lily, swears, recognizing her. Hecate. she growls. The woman smiles and the hair on your neck stands up. She reeks of evil, more so even than you're used to. You are all going to die. How quickly and painlessly that happens depends on how fast you give me the scroll. her voice is throaty and beautiful, and yet it makes you want to rip your ears out.

ooc: Ok, roll will saves DC 20 or become shaken...There are about fifteen zombie eyed soldiers with her btw. There is a tunnel out, and another behind her. Good luck!

God have mercy, Penny prayed, and the Mother too. Yet they weren't here. Hecate was. Of course she must show up at some point in this long drama, Penny had just hoped otherwise. And where was Emma Bently, the witch in her service? Cold claws of dread dug into her back, yet Penny girded herself, swallowed her fear and clenched her jaw, showing a stiff upper lip to the bitter end. She stepped forward. 'So are you.' she dared challenge the goddess. What else could make deity pause, but mortal defiance? 'And it will not be quick and it very definitely will not be painless. Belial shall see to that.' Now if only she could keep her talking too.


OOC: 14:56, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 23 using 1d20+11. Will save, inc. +2 vs fear.

Although afraid, Alice's hands do not shake so badly that she missed. She aimed at the blue eyed woman and both of her shots hit, the first in a very vital place.

12:34, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 14 using 2d8+3.  Standard damage (Magical BC/ Blessed Revolvers).

12:33, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 22 using 4d8+3.  Crit damage (Magical BC/ blessed revolvers).

12:27, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  #2.

12:27, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 29 using 1d20+9.  Shot #1.

Belial won't betray me, she purrs at Penny's words. I only ask that my rightful place as ruler of hell be returned to me. He cares only for your world, not mine. It is you who should fear him, not m- her words are interrupted by the sudden attack from Alice, the bullet going straight into her abdomen. Her blue eyes widen with surprise and there's a single, quiet moment of surprise as she looks down at her wound. Then, in pure fury, she turns around with a shriek of rage. Her soldiers immediately start flooding the room...

ooc: Ok, so Hecate's AC is 25. The soldiers' are 20. You'll know if you hit. There is a tunnel from where they arrived and another behind you. For time's sake, please roll a fortitude save along with your attack. The enemies are about fifteen feet away and closing, btw.

For a moment, Penny stared, shocked and scandalised. Then she turned to Alice, appalled. Again!? 'Will you please stop shooting everyone we're negotiating with?!'

She reached for her own pistol, fretted on the irony of her firing now, and then drew and fired anyway. She missed, yet doubted it would have done much good against the walking dead. She began backing away from the horde. 'Archambaud! Where does this tunnel lead? Is there another way out of here?' If it even still stood open after all these centuries, but all she had were long shots.


OOC: Initiative 10, Fortitude 15
Pistol attack 15, miss
Move back

Alice snarked back, "I don't negotiate with monsters." She then drew her second pistol and went "to work."


08:57, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 22 using 4d8+3.  Damage LH #1.

08:57, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 11 using 2d8+3.  Damage RH #2.

08:57, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 18 using 2d8+3.  Damage RH #1.

08:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  LH #2.

08:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  RH #2 (actual).

08:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 27 using 1d20+7.  RH #2. (I meant Left Hand #1, but typing and thought did not line up)

08:54, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  Right Hand #1.

So three hits on flunkies, one of which is Critical

By now your companions have all followed suit, firing their own weapons against the coming horde. Alice has some good aim, one of her shots even grazing the skull of one, but it's not down yet.

Meanwhile, the rest of your group has mixed success. Peter is incredible, as always. His shots ring true like the sharpshooter he is. Ian gets a few shots, as does Lily, but they also take some wounds from the undead creatures. Alice also gets to be on the unpleasant end of things too, as one of the things rushes at her, burying its teeth in her arm like an animal. You can tell immediately that, although the wound is not especially awful, there is a taint within it that feels vile and weakening...

Archambaud, in the middle of all this, answers Penny's question with a grunt. It leads to more traps, I'm afraid. Meant to distract and destroy. But, if we follow it around, I can get us out eventually. If we can outrun these things!

Just as he's done speaking, Hecate makes her move. I don't think so dears. She smirks. With that she points at Penny, and a bar of black energy shoots out, hitting you squarely. Penny!! Ian shouts, fighting his way towards you. You nearly sink to the floor with pain and to your horror, blood seeps from your pores, eyes, nose and ears. The pain is unbearable. Still, you are upright, for the most part. You have a feeling if she wanted you dead, you'd be dead.

ooc: Ok, anytime you're hit by a zombie thingy, roll a constitution save. So Alice, you'll need to do that. DC 18. If you succeed you shake off the poison, otherwise you take 1d8 points of damage every round until you make the DC. Also, Alice, you take 6 points of bite damage plus whatever you may or may not take depending on how you roll your constitution.

Penny, you take 26 damage.

Both of you will need to keep me abreast of your hit points as we go along please.
Lastly, in order to save time, if you do decide to go through Archambaud's tunnel, you'll need to make a dexterity/intelligence check. Whichever is higher. I'll explain why later.
Also, sorry if I missed anything. I'm in a bit of a rush today!

13:33, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Fort Save.

No poison damage. My HP on Bio Line 1 are correct.

Alice looked to the others for leadership. She fired at the one who had bitten her four times and missed all four.

13:37, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  LH #2 + PB.

13:37, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  RH #2 + PB.

13:36, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  LH Shot #1 + PB.

13:36, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  RH shot #1 + Point Blank

'Then we must—' Penny started, but didn't get to finish, surprised by the bolt of black energy in her breast. With her last coherent thought, she tried to turn toward Ian, but instead she could only drop to her knees in wracking pain and stare in horror as she found red blood seeping from the skin on her hands and felt it dripping down her face. Was this death? Was this the end?

No! She dared not die. With a savage snarl of her Celtic ancestors, Penny steeled herself against the shock and pain, raising her pistol and fired, right into the heart of one of the walking dead. Lifting herself to her feet, Penny cried 'Retreat! Through the tunnels. We'll lose them there.'


OOC: 39/98 hp
Intelligence check 22
Point Blank Shot +1/+1
Pistol attack 23, damage 8

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

Penny will move through the tunnels away from Hecate and the zombies.

Fortunately, the soldiers are a bit slower than the rest of you. Not as slow as you'd like, of course, but slow enough you have a good chance of getting ahead of them. You head towards the tunnel, Archambaud leading the way. As you go, Hecate flicks her hand toward Penny, as though shaking off some water. To your surprise, a fist sized red ball of liquid that looks an awful lot like blood, goes careening towards you. Ian, though, manages to get in between you and he gives a snarl of pain as the ball starts to eat through his flesh like acid, his side blooming with blood of his own. He does scramble after you though, in spite of his obvious pain.
Step exactly where I step, you hear me? The knight bellows back to you all. Exactly! With that, he runs through the tunnels, zigzagging this way and that, leaping over cracks and ducking at other places. It's like a mad game of follow the leader. Peter and Lily are amazing, as are Penny and Alice. You're able to follow close behind and pay attention to his movements. Ian, however, is clumsier with his wound, and as he tries to jump over one portion of floor, he falls short and hits it squarely. A flat spinning blade bursts from the wall, slicing him deeply across the arm. Very deeply. It's a miracle he still has it, actually, and the amount of blood that comes gushing is alarming.
Loki, seeing this and knowing Hecate and her men are on your tail, sighs. I'm going to go tell your witch to ready us to leave. I think she can transport us if she's half as good as she thinks she is. Just, try to make it there in one piece please? With that he disappears.

Meanwhile, the only good thing about going through the tunnels, is that the undead are quite clumsy at avoiding the traps. Several are dispatched through this alone, and you would feel better if it weren't for the woman's voice trickling up the tunnels after you. You're not getting away my dears. If you give up now and give me the Englishwoman, I'll let the rest of you go. I don't care about your miserable lives. Only Belial's pet. she purrs. With that, you hear a fluttering sound from behind you. You turn to see several massive death's head moths flying at you...

ooc: Ok, you have a round before they get to you so you can do something ranged if you want, then you're in trouble. Please roll a constitution check, both of you. Right now your biggest worry is Hecate. She still has a few stragglers that will pose problems but they are a few rounds away at the moment. You can keep moving too, and just try to focus on getting out, but that puts you in danger of the moths, which is fine too, of course. It's just not going to be pleasant. Mwahahahahahahahaha!

Somehow, in spite of the searing agony, the chilling cold, the numbed limbs, and pounding of her heart, Penny followed in Archambaud's footsteps, avoiding triggering traps and evading others. The fight-or-flight instinct, and pure terror, seemed to speed her movements and sharpen her reflexes. Others were not so lucky. 'Ian!' Penny screamed, turning back to help him up as he fell victim to first spell then blade.



At that, Penny halted, hesitated, and half-turned and even took a tentative step back. If she could give herself up and save the others... And she was curious: Belial had let her go, so why did Hecate want her now? She fired her pistol hastily at the moths, then called out 'What do you want with me?'


OOC: Constitution check 17
Point Blank Shot +1/+1
Pistol attack 15, damage 9 @ a moth

Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Hecate
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

13:21, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Fort Save.

She stopped and took aim. She wasn't going to let Penny die like this.

Hold action until Hecate shows herself. Then Blam!

13:27, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 12 using 2d8+3.  Damage standard.

13:26, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 24 using 4d8+3.  Damage for Crit.

13:26, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  Attack #2.

13:25, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 31 using 1d20+11.  attack #1.

"Penny I ain't leavin' you, for somebody so smart you are clueless."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Mon 18 Jan 2021.

Alice's bullet goes straight through Hecate's chest and she gives a shriek of pain and annoyance. You! Vermin! I tire of this dance! She snarls. With a raise of her fingers, you both suddenly feel a weakening in your very bones, as though someone has sapped the marrow out of them!

Penny is able to shake off the worst of the effects, but Alice is feeling the effects significantly. It would seem your other companions are being affected too, though Lily stands remarkably strong through it all. Her nephilim blood no doubt.

Why do I want you? pants Hecate, still feeling irritated about the bullet in her chest. Her eyes flick to Penny, finally answering her question. Because Belial needs you. Needs your cursed bloodline. If he tries to betray me, I have ways of using you against him. Now, I swear no harm will come to you from me if you just come with me. Not unless I need to. Your friends will live too. I swear it.

Alice is right. We'll never let you! Ian barks at this, already looking at Penny with concern as he clutches his bloody arm.
You're not going to touch her. Lily nods in agreement, stepping between the dark goddess and Penny. Even Peter moves closer, protectively.

ooc: Ok, -5 to movement speed for Alice for the next 3 rounds. Plus, you take 19 damage and a -1 to attack and damage for the three rounds too.

For the next round, reminder that Hecate is 25 to hit. The moths are only 15 to hit and don't have many hit points. Penny already dispatched of one. There are twelve of them left.

Irritated at how many forces thought to decide her destiny for her, interested only in her bloodline and not her nature, Penny coolly shot another moth out of the air. 'How?! How can you use me against Belial? Tell me!' she demanded of Hecate, needing to know more. Half turning, she urged her companions to keep retreating behind her. 'Move, she won't kill me, at least.'


OOC:
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Hecate
Point Blank Shot +1/+1
Pistol attack 23, damage 7 @ a moth

Alice felt a surge of anger at Penny. Sometimes she was so dense. "We ain't smart enough, without you the whole applecart comes to a screeching halt. No bargains we all leave or we all die." She had to switch hands, but her aim was still good at least one of her two shots hit.

13:21, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 13 using 2d8+3.  Damage.

13:20, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Hit #2-1, +1 (PBS).

13:20, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  Hit #1 -1, +1 (PBS).

She then did her reload trick, dropping the empty cylinders for fresh ones in less time than it took to blink.

Reloading is a free action with quick reload and speed loaders. :-P

She stared down the demonic creature that masqueraded as a woman, "Not today, darlin."

Penny successfully hits a moth, and it appears it doesn't take much to significantly damage it. One more shot should do it.

As for the goddess, Alice's bullet isn't the only one that hits, and Hecate looks more than a little annoyed as Ian and Lily's bullets hit too. Still, she manages to answer Penny's question with relative calm. Your blood can open Belial's seal, but it can also hurt him, if used correctly. The Blaedens and Darkmoors are tied to Belial. Have been since the dawn of his existence. This makes him vulnerable. He doesn't know I know this, though. You would be my leverage. she arches a black brow.

Meanwhile, the moths have reached you, and they try to attach themselves to your flesh, some of them even succeeding. You feel a sharp sting and then the sense of blood being drained...

As you try to struggle against them, Emma and Loki suddenly appear. He's clearly succeeded in finding her. She looks on at the scene in surprise, then, her face pales as she sees Hecate.
My mistress! She gasps, kneeling deeply. Hecate acknowledges her with a slight nod. I know you...you're one of my servants. But what are you doing with them? Betraying me are you? Her mouth twists in an accusing sneer. Never, milady! Emma protests. I merely have pretended to in order to escape! But, now that you're here, I would gladly rejoin my rightful mistress!

ooc: You're welcome to roll a sense motive if you like to see if you believe that Emma is betraying you or not. Also, please take 9 damage Alice, and 7 damage Penny.

Though she'd expected as much, Hecate's words still made Penny's blood run cold. Her blood. The Darkmoor–Blaeden mingled bloodline. Two ancient betrayals and cursed lineages, maintained through the centuries until finally culminated in her person, with poor Kate used and abused, pulled back and back through time, to bring about her birth and Belial's release all the sooner. Penny's whole existence was built on a dark plot. And yet she would not accept it, she would fight it all the way. And she would fight now.

Penny had what she needed from Hecate, the vital clue, and knew the witch goddess would not let anything more slip, and that trying for anything more would risk her freedom now. 'But you'll kill me to free him first!' Penny accused Hecate, before the giant moth was upon, sinking its fangs in, and... and draining her blood.

Gritting her teeth, Penny put the pistol too close to her chest, the muzzle right against the moth's furry body, and fired, trying to blow it to bits and ruin its attempt to steal her blood.

And now Emma was here, complicating things. 'She never betrayed you Hecate!' Penny called out. Whether Emma was lying or not, Penny told the honest truth. And had to hope to God that Emma would not betray them now.


OOC: Sense Motive 24
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Hecate
Point Blank Shot +1/+1
Pistol attack 19, damage 12 @ the moth sucking on Penny
And moving away as best we can.

Penny's shot rings true and the moth goes down in a heap.

Both of you, at first feel a stab of nervousness at Emma's words. It would be the perfect opportunity to betray you, after all. Hecate has long been the witch's mistress, and this is a rare, perhaps the only chance, for her to finally be free of your supervision. But there is just the slightest glance at you, the tiniest look in her eye that almost seems to say, "Trust me, please, and for the love of everything, don't shoot me Alice!"

Then she has the chance to prove her loyalty here and now. Kill them. She gestures to the lot of you. Except the key, of course. she adds with a smirk.

Emma gives a firm nod, and, almost, you wonder if you misread her intentions. Perhaps she really is going to betray you. She lifts her hands, concentrating as she mumbles under her breath. Hecate watches with mild amusement, enjoying the moment. Suddenly, though, the goddess's face changes almost to one of confusion. She starts to say, Wait. What are you- she's cut off though by Emma leaping out of the way as a flash of light spanning the entire room bursts up and slams into the ceiling, creating a wall of energy. The moths that are still on the other side bump into it and bounce off in frustration. Even Hecate puts her hand against it in surprise and receives a shock from the wall of force. How did you.... she looks almost impressed for a second, before turning into a scowl. I will not forget this betrayal. Your soul is mine.

Emma, however, ignores the threat. That won't hold long. Run!!! she gestures, starting down the rest of the tunnel. Archambaud stops her though, informing her she needs to watch out for traps, and soon the rest of you are following him again, albeit less quickly than before.

Whatever lead Emma gave you, it was enough to get you out. The knight is good on his word, and after much winding and twisting and running, you find yourselves outside again. Immediately Emma starts drawing symbols in the dirt, borrowing Penny's umbrella to scrape in the dry soil. She looks beyond stressed, glancing constantly to the entrance and back to her work. She's terrified of Hecate, you realize, and the weight of what she's done finally hits you. When push came to shove, she chose you over her old life. Very unexpected.

Can you go any faster with that? Loki leans over at what she's doing. Hm...are you sure that line is right? he adds, pointing. She swears, rubbing it out and fixing it. Will you give me some room! she snaps. Just trying to help. You're welcome. he says drily. Soon though, the circle is finished, just as the entrance to the place bursts open. The undead come streaming out, Hecate in the midst of them. Emma ushers you all to the middle of the circle and says something in latin you can't make out, but it's quite panicked. Just as a burst of black light comes streaming toward you from Hecate's hand, the desert disappears around you. You feel as though you're weightless, and your skin tingles and burns a moment before you suddenly find yourselves submerged in water. The unexpected shock startles you and it's difficult to react. You manage to burst to the surface and see you're in a wide river. The foliage and trees are unlike any you've seen before and the sun beats down on the water. Emma looks to be floating unconscious on her stomach, face down and Ian is struggling to stay afloat, his arm is so badly damaged. On one side of the river you see long, strange shapes stretched out low to the ground, dark and moving slightly. It's then that your heart catches. Crocodiles.

ooc: Ok, roll swim checks please

I dunno if you remember this. Alice can't swim and is terrified of drowning.

Alice can do little more than keep her head above water. She coughs and sputters as the current pushed her.

ooc: Mwahahahahaha, I do remember actually....

Whilst hissing at the pain and staunching the bleeding wound left by the vampiric moth, Penny watched Emma stand before Hecate, silently pleading with her to do the right thing, whatever that should turn out to be. Could she have done more to convince Emma, could she have been kinder or more forgiving, or cleverer in turning her to their purpose? But Penny couldn't have, she could only be as honest and trusting as she had already been, and to hope that would be rewarded now.

But still she was surprised that Emma actually did it, and opposed her own goddess. After that, all Penny could do was run, hurrying desperately down the tunnel, looking carefully ahead for turns and traps, looking fearfully back for the pursuing moths and walking dead and enraged goddess. The witch's spell would not hold back a goddess of magic for very long. She didn't know how long she fled down that hazard-filled tunnel, until she finally burst outside, blinking in the too-bright sun after so long in the dark underground.

Penny almost fell to her knees in weariness and pain, wishing only for rest and peace. Yet she dared not. Remembering, Penny spun and flung her gun-arm out to cover the tunnel mouth. She shot at one undead fiend and then another, and then backed into the portal—

—and out of the world—

—and plunged into water. Not again! Catching her bearings and wits, Penny holstered her water-logged pistol and forced her heavy, arching arms and legs to move, to drag herself through the rushing water, knowing no other thoughts but the goal to survive. She glanced around, ahead, and behind, checking on the status of her companions. 'Alice! Remember: ride a bicycle, walk upstairs – paddle your feet!' Doing the same herself, Penny waded over to Emma, who was floating face-down in very disturbing fashion, and tried to roll her over, wishing the old matron was not so portly.


OOC: Swim 11. I guess Penny also can't swim (untrained skill), I just forgot to roleplay it last time, so I suppose she has some basic knowledge of how not to sink.
15:23, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 11 using 1d20. Swim.

Alice gulped air and called back, "Trying."

10:02, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 8 using 1d20-1.  Swim check...uhoh.

The river, though fairly calm, has a decent little current to it, pushing you gently but decidedly downstream. Penny is able to get Emma flipped over after some work, and thankfully Lily takes on Alice, coming up behind her and hooking her elbow partly around her neck and shoulder and pulling her onto her back as she side swims towards shore. I've got you. Just lay still, she soothes. Lily is clearly the strongest swimmer of you all, save perhaps Loki, who is already nearly to shore himself. Don't drown ok? I'm not supposed to interfere and it would be awkward to just have to watch you! he calls out. Meanwhile, Peter is able to help Ian well enough, the poor man having a devil of a time with only one useful arm. He's unnaturally pale too.

As a group, you all make your way towards shore where Loki and Lily are, Alice with them too now that she's been dragged to safely. You're not far from them when Penny feels a strong tug on her skirts from beneath the water. Before you can react, you feel something clamp down on your leg and start to try to pull you under...

ooc: Ok Penny, roll a grapple check please. DC is gonna be 13 against his roll. No attack of opportunity. If you fail, you're going under....you can try to break his hold or attack him with your free hand at that point, so feel free to roll ahead accordingly. He will try to drown you. Gotta love crocs!

Although Penny had been aware of the crocodiles in the river, she'd dared they were too far away, or unaware of their careful movement, or scared off their unnatural arrival. She'd hoped in vain. Startled by something snatching her leg from beneath the water, Penny gave a cry, but managed to keep her head above water, aware that going under into the crocodile's domain would be certain death.

Before that could happen, Penny reached frantically for her knife, knowing she couldn't match the beast's strength and wrestle herself loose, and it would still come for her, and fearing her pistol would be waterlogged. Twisting around like a fighting wildcat, Penny stabbed her knife into water, to the side and downward, hoping against hope to strike the crocodile's eye or the softer hide under its throat. She could only try to discourage the ferocious beast.


OOC: Grapple check 17, success
Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs Crocodile
Attack #1 attack 22, damage 4
Attack #2 attack 5, presumed miss

Once on shore Alice fell into the dirt. "Never again. I shall never attempt to swim again! Not a purpose anyway."

We've got to teach you how is all, Lily panted, patting Alice on the head with a grin. Suddenly seeing Penny's struggle though, she turns sharply and with a gasp starts frantically forward. Meanwhile, Ian and the others, still behind Penny, shout their alarm and warning as the croc moves to take another swipe, this time biting at the woman, fortunately missing. Shore isn't far away, but the animal is fast. As Penny readies herself to defend again, Archambaud is there, having been moving to help you this whole time. His knife flashes fast and sharp through the water and the water blooms red.

ooc: You can roll again to finish him off if you want, but he's pretty dang deterred since you aren't easy prey. Up to you ;P Maybe Penny wants a new purse out of croc hide!

ic: Eventually you get to shore, bedraggled, soaked, and more than a little beat up. Fortunately Emma seems not to have drowned entirely, after Lily rolls the woman on her back and pounds the water out of her. She wakes, coughing and spluttering. Ian's arm is horrifically bad, but it is seen to as best as possible under the circumstances. And after several minutes of stabilizing yourselves, you sit several yards away from the crocodile infested shore, looking at the great wide river and the hot sun and the tall gold grass around you. Emma pants, still not over almost drowning, and laughs suddenly. Welcome to Africa!

Alice shook her head, "NOT on your life, Lily. Not on your left." Then she watched Penny and the knight fighting a croc. She sat up and looked at Ian, "I got some heal potion left. You want?" Then she got up and with an angry face went over to Emma. "You!" She stared at Emma for a few seconds and then grinned brightly, "Are my new favorite person." She got on Emma's level and hugged her. She held the older woman's face, "I am sorry for all the crap I have put you through. You really stepped up for us and I owe you. I owe you for my life and their lives. I am in your debt." She hugged the woman again.

The water splashed and the crocodile thrashed, and amidst it all was Penny, fighting for her life – in one moment kicking frantically to swim away or force the fierce thing back and in the next stabbing her knife, whenever her wild movements gave her the chance. Under the churned water and her own billowing skirts, she could barely see the beast, and had to lash out on instinct and hope; she missed as often as she struck true. And all over she felt the cold stabbing spikes of pure terror, as real as the crocodile fangs that would inevitably follow. For all the supernatural monsters she'd fought and slain, to be killed by a natural animal, as ferocious as any werewolf, seemed an irony, and oddly satisfying. No demon had done her in.

But in moments that felt like hours, Penny became aware of Archambaud beside her, of water stained red with blood (hers...?), and the crocodile no longer tugging at her. Wordless, she nodded her thanks to the knight, and swam desperately for the shore.

Then she was crawling through mud and muck, and reeds, and finally firmer ground. The realisation that, for one brief moment, she did not have to fight for her life, landed on her like a heavy weight and Penny slumped, her aching arms and legs no longer able to support her. She lay on the ground, gasping for breath; weary and worn from being swimming and running and fighting, from injuries and blood loss shaking with adrenaline and the feeling of hot winds on cold wet skin; and all the grief and fear and dread and despair that now never left her mind. Would it have been so bad, she wondered, to just let the crocodile kill and eat her and deny Belial his key? It would at least be a quick death.

With a grunt, Penny rolled onto her back, and was immediately blinded by the blazing sun after eyes had been so adapted to the dark. She screwed her eyes closed; at least the water hid her tears. 'I wish that it were Devon.' she sighed. 'Where in Africa?'


OOC: Purse, shoes, and the whole damn suitcase!
Attack #1 attack 25, damage 6
Attack #2 attack 6, presumed miss
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Thu 11 Feb 2021.

ooc: Hahahahahahaha Penny!

IC: As Alice nears Emma, the aging woman momentarily looks terrified and then gasps with relief when she's suddenly hugged. Oh! I thought you were going to shoot me for a second! she scolds, then laughs. Oh my poor heart! After the hug is finished, she shakes her head with a smile. Bet you never thought I'd choose do-gooders like you, right? she chuckles. What can I say? You grew on me. Besides, I am through serving those who care nothing for my life. Hecate would as soon kill me as not. I'd rather not give her the chance.

Meanwhile, as soon as Penny is safe ashore, Ian crawls to her side, eyes wide. Are you alright? Did the bugger get you? His voice is full of worry, which is almost laughable when you get a good look at his arm, which he lets hang at his side. It's so wounded it's literally almost completely severed. He glances down at it himself, swears, and turns to Alice. Yes! Most definitely yes I want! he exclaims at her offer. Thankfully a drop soon puts him to rights and his arm knits back together, to everyone's relief. The rate I'm going, I'll be using up that whole blasted bottle on my own, thanks Alice, he shakes his head with a scowl.

Emma, finally addresses Penny's question at this point. We are somewhere in Ethiopia, I can tell you that much. Hopefully not too far from wherever it is we need to be.
Good. Well done. I can guide you from here easily. I can feel the temples already.

At this, Loki speaks up. Look, I love a good around the world trip as much as anyone else, but is there some way we can speed this along? Split up? Get the last scroll at the same time as this one? You can just tell us where it is you know, that might be just a tad helpful, he says drily.

Archambaud considers the question and nods slowly. Yes. Hecate did your convincing for you, I believe you fully now. And if they are in fact so close on our heels, it is not a bad thought to get this done as quickly as possible. The second scroll is here, in Lalibela. The rock hewn churches. The last is in Rome.

Rome? Well, two guesses where it ended up, Loki smirks. Alright people, how do you wanna split up? Rock paper scissors? Thumb wrestle? How about it? he claps his hands as though to hurry things along.

ooc: Feel free to roll a knowledge check (history, religion, whatever fits) to see if you've heard of the churches in Lalibela. If you get a 15 or above feel free to google them and use that info in character.

Alice gave the bottle to Ian, "Only one drop mind you."

She looked around and though a moment. "Emma should teleport Crimwell and me to Rome. the rest of you to this scroll. I think the three of us can handle some priests." She put her thumbs in her gunbelt, "Unless you lot have a better idea."

For a long moment, Penny just stared at Ian, her blue eyes empty of understanding. She was still somewhat in shock by all that she'd survived. And then her mind caught up and she realised. 'Oh, the crocodile. No, I'm fine, it only took a bite out of my skirts... Funny how a crocodile is the least of our troubles now.' she chuckled, somehow still able to find amusement in all this. But then she couldn't seem to stop herself, and hollow ragged laughter shook her body. Some might call her hysterical, but it would not be entirely unreasonable; Penny had been pushed her to her physical, emotional, and mental limits. She had every right to go mad.

But then she caught sight of Ian's injuries, shocking and streaming blood, and was snapped immediately back to grim reality. 'Oh God, Ian!' she screamed, moving close to inspect despite her horror, as if she could find some way of fixing him, as if she could find some way not to lose him. Fortunately, Alice did, and Penny was filled with relief. 'Yes, thank you, Alice.' she said herself. But Penny stayed closed to Ian, looking over his former wounds, holding his arm, holding him, unwilling to let him go.



The discussion of their strategy from here gave Penny a useful excuse to detach herself from Ian and concentrate on more practical, cerebral matters. Rather than those of the heart. 'If you think it is safe? Thus far, we have been ambushed by demigods at both sites, and shouldn't be surprised if we are again. We only just survived both times. And Hecate will be back, and she won't parley this time...' Penny caught herself and sighed, aware she was growing too fearful, focusing on the dangers rather than the benefits. 'But, our enemies can only ambush one of us, I hope, and if they find us here in Lalibela, they may miss us in Rome, or vice versa. It may even tell us how they're finding us.' she agreed.

She turned to Archambaud, saying 'You mentioned your counterpart here in Ethopia – so more knights of your order guard the other scrolls? Do you know which? You may convince one of the rightness of our quest, but how may we persuade the other?'

Afterward, looking for Crimwall, she asked 'What do you know of Ethopia and the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela? Amharic or the early Semitic languages? I am fluent in Latin, of course, so might translate any old writings in Rome, and your skills may make you more effective here.'


OOC: I've seen a documentary about them, does that help? :)
Knowledge (History) 21
Knowledge (Theology & Philosophy) 15

Ian is incredibly grateful to have his arm back in one piece and at Penny's clinging, he gives a shaky grin. I'm alright girl, he says comfortingly, though you can tell he was more than a little unnerved at what happened.


Emma listens to Alice's request with a nod. I can certainly transport you. Let's see, how many of us are there...? One, two, three, four...eight? I don't count Loki, she adds with a roll of her eyes at the man. Since he's next to useless. Archambaud will probably be better served here. You'll probably have fewer perils in Rome than in Africa, so he'll be less needed there. And wherever the knight doesn't go, Loki should lead the other way since he knows where the items in question are. She frowns.

Yes, he may be able to tell you where they are but if you want my fellow knight to leave you be, you'll need this, Archambaud hands Penny a heavy silver ring with a beautiful cross engraved upon it. He'll know what it means. And tell him that I send three doves and a copper spoon. An old jest of ours, he adds with a chuckle.

I know ten languages of old and four current ones. Plus conversational Mandarin, Crimwall says with a pleased smile. Wherever you wish me I will be useful enough I should think.

Alright, alright, let's figure this out, Loki rolls his eyes. Old knights mcknightly here will lead one group, I'll lead the other. One group stays and deals with lollipop whatchamacallit and the other goes to Rome. Crocodiles or pasta, take your pick. Each group should have no less than four people so you two girls pick an extra helper monkey or two and figure out where you're going. If you go Rome, you get two more people, if you stay here, you get uno mas. He holds up one finger. Since Archie will be automatically one of your choices. So, somebody figure out something so we can get our butts in gear.

ooc: btw Penny, you rolled amply enough to utilize your documentary knowledge! ;p

With astonishment on her pale face, not least because Archambaud's now clearly chose to fully trust them, Penny gratefully received the Templar's silver ring. 'Three doves and a copper spoon, three doves and a copper spoon,' she repeated to memorise the phrase and be sure she had it right. 'Thank you, sir. You shall get this back.' She tripped to slip it on, reasoning it would be best remembered and safest on her hand, and mostly clearly visible when they encountered the other, but it fell off her small fingers. 'And what is his name?'

But then of course Loki tried to steal the show. 'A fine summation, Loki, but for one significant flaw – I shall the lead the other group, and you shall guide us. You are "not involved", remember? And thank you Emma, that was a fine layout of the logistics. Now, let's see...' Penny looked for her notepad, remembered it was completely soaked, sighed, and tallied team-members on her fingers.


OOC: I figured it would be easier to write the two proposed groups out. The first two in each seem essential, the rest are a bit more fun or optional. I put Alice in Rome to keep us PCs together and save Artemis running a third game. Alice and Artemis you can adjust as you like.

Lalibela:
Archambaud (knows where to go, handy with a blade)
Crimwall (knows the languages)
Peter (handy with a gun, can't be trusted loose in Rome with Italian ladies)
Emma (can keep the boys in line) or Lily

Rome:
Penny (knows Latin)
Loki (possibly knows where to go, otherwise unreliable, and must be watched)
Alice (handy with a gun)
Ian (handy with Penny)
Lily (can keep Loki in line) or Emma
This message was last edited by the player at 06:23, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Penny, I think you should take Peter and leave me. That way one of us is with both groups.

ooc: My original intent was to have you both in the same group, but I'm totally fine with whatever you wish to do. Whatever happens won't take too long anyway. My goal is to get through the encounters quickly and then get you back to New York so we can get the main story back in action and prep for Belial endgame stuff.

I'll be starting  a new chapter soon, so let me know your final decision regarding who is with who and I'll be ready to move you along after that. Also, depending on where you decide to go, let me know your plans for the next two days or so that it will take to get to where you're going in each destination. So if you want to cozy up with Crimwall, or if you want to research something or just rest up, whatever you want to do let me know.

Also, while I'm thinking about it, let me know what you would like to see for your character before the end of the game. Any particular arcs you want to finish? Any personal goals? etc? Lastly, if you haven't leveled up to 13 don't forget to. You'll need the extra stats. I'll try to get off my bum and get the bonuses up soon.

OOC: Yeah, I made sure to put Alice and Penny in the one group so Artemis didn't have to run two solo adventures. I also moved Penny to Rome because it felt like something different from the two last expeditions.

I don't have any specific plans and can't think of anything I want to do with Penny in the short-term or long-term right now, but I'll let you know if I think of something.

Good point. We should be together. OK, I will go with Panny's plan.

ooc: Sounds perfect. I'm going to start a new chapter for you then.