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?