The time has come. Central park lies before you, massive, sprawling. 840 acres right in the heart of the city, and all of it crawling with demons, or worse.

Belial has been amassing his army for weeks, months. The park home to his troops, yet hidden from worldly eyes. Still, the Men of Letters have ways of gaining intelligence, and this has been factored into the attack.

Belial himself is thought to be set up at Belvedere castle, a miniature castle of sorts, a folly-for ornamental purposes only, made to mimic the grand architecture one would find in Penny's homeland. Leave it to Belial to choose such a garish display for his headquarters. The castle itself is adjacent to Turtle Pond, atop Vista Rock, the second highest peak in the park. All of this is fairly centrally located, which means you'll have to fight your way through to get to it. No, not you. The Men of Letters. Victoria has told you in no uncertain terms that the first rush will be without you.
We need to dim the numbers a bit. Give you all a better chance. You sit tight and wait until at least the third wave. We need to thin the numbers before you go hunting. Victoria informs you.

The plan is a direct one. The ring of Solomon against Belial. The demon will stop at nothing to get Penny to him for the solstice, with as many resources as he has, it seems inevitable to keep her from him. Instead, a direct attack, with the strongest and best to give the woman a fighting chance. To control him long enough until the solstice wanes and the sun starts its descent. Sunset. For Belial, everything must happen before then. Penny's blood will open his cage, through ritual, her flesh will be broken into the makings of a new body for the demon. A perfect, all powerful body that will see him bring about the apocalypse. But time is precious. All must be done before sunset. For Penny, she just has to last that long without falling to Belial. Then, he can be thrust wholly into his cage, trapped completely, unable to haunt this world as a half presence any longer. A tall order indeed.

Normally, such an aggressive plan to confront Belial would be ill-thought. After all, he's been scheming everything for months, years. But Colin and Amelia's victory has given you the edge you needed. Their sacrifices, their work to remove the greatest advantage Belial had, is a massive triumph. With the children's souls returned to their bodies, without the extreme power they would have given to Belial's army, the power he was counting on, he has been hamstrung. The fight will still be brutal. Clawing and scrabbling, evenly matched on both sides. But you have a very real chance. Especially since Belial no longer has Penny in prisoner, another blow against him.

Now, as you stand on the edges of the park, you all look about you. The other chapters of the men of letters have more than shown up. There are thousands of them. Hunters. Witches. Spell users. Men and women of all ages, each wearing a red band about their left upper arm, the best that could be managed at identifying each other. Besides these humans, even some demons have been recruited to the cause. Crowley's supporters are bigger in number than you expected, and those who had supported Baal, rather than the liar that is Belial.

To keep the rest of the city oblivious to the coming battle, deterring spells have been weaved throughout the borders of the place. Spells so strong that even the animals flee the area, hundreds of deer, birds, rabbits and the like spilling from their home in a wild panic. It's jarring to see, and one can't help but envy their escape.

As preparations are made to enter the park, the front line begins to unroll long, white sheets of fabric, laying them end to end in a border, surrounding the park with thousands of strips of material. Each painted in red with the precise workings of a demon trap. This fight will be contained to the park, leaving the city as protected as they can make it. The sheer amount of coordination and preparation impresses you all. Maybe there is some hope for all of this.

Then, as the throng before you tenses, ready for their orders, you see a terrible sight streaming through the trees. Thousands of demons, witches, shifters, all of it, marching calmly, fearlessly towards the men of letters. It is time.

The first wave crosses the demon traps, weapons drawn. The first to the slaughter. Each side walks towards the other, purpose and intent on the faces of all. And then, the demons start to run, hands raised to fling the hunters back with their telekinesis. From there, chaos ensues. Shots ring out, deafening sounds of shouts and screams. A sea of red bands mix with the enemy in a frenzy of fighting. Victoria watches, safely away with the rest of you, her eyes wide with barely contained terror. Even Emma looks shaken, for she's with you too, and in the end it is Crowley who breaks the silence.

Well bullocks, he breathes. That sure looks like hell. He shakes his head drily. He turns to Kate then, pulling out a map. Alright, near as I can figure, the best way to get to Belvedere castle is from Fifth and seventy-ninth. We'll need to head that way soon, hope those devils traps keep the worst of it from coming after us. We enter the park on that side. I've left your care package there, he says with a half smile. You can get us there pretty fast, I'm hoping. When the time comes. Don't want to go too soon, if we can avoid it. Let some numbers thin out a bit. Should be a pretty straight shot to Belial from there, but it's going to be rough. he adds.

Loki nods at this assessment, though no one asked him, of course. He's been at Lily's side a lot these days, and he turns to all of you, from where he still stands beside her. I know I'm supposed to stand by and watch but it seems to me since Belial is cheating it's only fair that I do the same he sighs. I can't go in there with you. Have to draw the line there. But I will stick around until you go in. Help keep Penny safe. He's bound to send people after her any second. More than just demons, too. he warns. Lily hears this and beams at the man and he gives her a grin back.

Your group consists of the best of the best that Victoria could offer. Herself, Emma, Ian, Lily, Loki, Father Simon, Alice, Kate, Amelia, Penny, even Archimbaud and the rakish Peter who accompanied you to the desert. Crowley has also offered a host of hell hounds on top of everything, to be summoned upon entering the park. The best of the best, all to guard Penny with their lives until the sun sets. Heaven help all of them.

ooc:

Roll spots/listens please and feel free to post about how your character is doing in the face of all this as well as any weapons or preparations you may have made. The entire arsenal of the men of letters would have been at your disposal so think things like holy water, guns, knives, devils traps, etc. Also, if you have any brilliant ideas or tactics go for it too! Here's a map of central park and some info on belvedere castle. Keep in mind that a lot of the attractions on the map would not have been in place in 1890, but the roads and layout would still be accurate:

https://www.google.com/maps/pl...794302!4d-73.9690677

https://www.centralparknyc.org...ons/belvedere-castle

As the preparations were made and the battle-lines were drawn, as the enemy crept from the shadowy woods and the heroes stood to face them, Penny watched, waiting and wondering and worrying. She was silent, focused, and distant, anxiously twisting the Ring of Solomon around her finger. She didn't have anything witty or inspiring to say. She was just tense with anticipation for the battle to come, but her skin crawled with a chill of dread and a hot sense of shame gnawed inside her. This was all for her. Belial and his forces meant to claim her, the Men of Letters and the rest to protect her. Whole generations of heroes would die for her. They would do it to save the world, but their loss would still incur an immeasurable cost to the world as well, setting back the battle against the forces of darkness for more than a century. Penny did not feel worthy. How could she? She was just one ordinary woman, a lone hunter, a detective. She had not chosen her role in this, she had been created for it like some kind of homunculus, a tool used by powerful men. She had scarcely any idea what to do to win this war or stop Belial, and feared whatever she came up with would only be turned against her or be in fact to her enemy's benefit. She could not trust herself. All her old clever plans and deductions seemed to melt away from her mind, leaving her with little more than vain desperation, improvisation, and violent struggle. Before the end.

But at least she wasn't going without a fight.

Having had a chance to prepare for battle for a change, Penny was at least dressed the part, and paying not a whit of regard for propriety. From her boots and trousers to her shirt and jacket, pockets stuffed with hexbags and other things, to her holsters and bandoleers, filled with pistols, knives, and fighting canes – hefty Irish shillelaghs – and especially the sturdy bowler hat crowning her head, she was dressed quite practically for battle. But odder still, she had braided her strawberry-blonde hair into many cords like a Medusa's head of snakes, and daubed her face with blue-dyed woad, a warpaint that glowed strangely in the half-light of dusk. She made for a strange and savage figure, a warrior woman of the old world. In this way, Penny was invoking the spirit of her ancient Celtic ancestor Queen Gwendolen of Dumnonia, hoping her strength and fierceness would see her through, give her confidence to dominate the demons, or at least give her enemies pause for thought.

And if that didn't work, then her choice of mount surely would. 'Juliet.' Penny said softly, and felt the massive and powerful presence of the invisible hellhound pad up beside her. She felt for her flank, found it warm and oddly smooth, and stroked her calmly. 'Thank you for honouring our bargain. The black dogs of the Dark Moor will run again.' Putting her foot in the stirrup, Penny pulled herself up and settled comfortably into the specially designed saddle. Hexbags dangled from the sides.

'And thank you too for loaning her to me, Mister Crowley. And remember, when I give the word, make sure your demons step back, if they don't want to be exorcised.' Penny warned, patting the hexbags. The unfamiliar depurgare spell should come as a surprise to Belial's demons.

It wouldn't be the only surprise, either. Some days prior, Penny had retrieved the demon-in-a-jar-in-a-devil's-trap-in-a-hat-box from the Men of Letters safehouse and taken it to her hotel room, with the loudly ostensible purpose of placing it in a better prison. In several conversations with her allies, she'd allowed herself to let slip certain details of the plan of the attack – routes, times, numbers, preparations, and so forth, all of which were quite wrong – and in one amorous moment with Ian had bumped the cabinet, smashed the jar on the floor, and released the demon. It should by now have reported back to its master and spilled all its false intelligence. If Belial fell for it, it should ease their path or weaken the enemy defence.

Guiding the hellhound with her legs, Penny trotted Juliet around to face the others: fellow hunters, comrades in arms, friends, family, a lover. All quite dear to her in their own ways. She met all their eyes, aware this could be the last time they saw one another, but the time for farewells had passed. 'Ladies and gentlemen, you know what we must do, and why. I can add little to that now, bar this: if the Worthless One wants Hell on Earth, then I say – let's give it to him!' Penny yelled, thrusting her shillelagh to the glowering sky.

OOC: Spot 27, Listen 18
17:34, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 27 using 1d20+14. Spot.
17:35, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 18 using 1d20+12. Listen.

First and last chance to ride a hellhound into battle, I'm taking it. :D

And finally found something to do with my captive demon. >:)

Smart Hero's Plan talent: rolled 17, gain +2 to attacks and skill checks for first three rounds of battle, +1 in the next round.
17:36, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 17 using 1d20+9. Smart Hero Plan.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:36, Thu 27 Oct 2022.

Alice rode with Simon on another horse. She fired from her pistols, when necessary, but for the most part focused on following Penny.

Kate grins at Crowley’s mention of a care package. The woman was decked out in a modern kevlar vest and armed to the teeth with weapons from her time. She felt a swell of pride at her daughter’s courage and plans to stick close to Penny as much as possible.

The care package that Crowley had brought for Kate consists of several menacing guns, several things called hand grenades, and a rather nasty looking shot gun. On top of that, a horse-less carriage the likes of which only Penny has seen. A shining dark gray thing, with thick wheels that look able to run over anything. Crowley tosses Kate a set of keys and she catches it, no doubt feeling relief to finally be able to drive in this simplistic time.

Indeed, the roar of the engine seems to cut through the air, a comforting sound for Kate, though many allies look at the metal beast with alarm. Lily, however, laughs. I want front seat! In the end Ian, Lily, and Crowley end up in the jeep with Kate, and then the team is off, all set to force your way to Belial, or die trying.

As for Loki, he stays right beside Penny, and there is a great comfort knowing a literal archangel is keeping her safe. Not to mention the rest of you.

Meanwhile, Penny, through the fray, you see a familiar figure standing by Turtle pond, to your right. Hecate. She clearly sees you too, and with a chill, you already know she's on her way...

ooc: Ok everyone. I need 3 rolls. Add your dex or strength mod or whatever mod you use depending on your dominant skill that you use for your attacks (such as if you're using magic etc). You can also use some action points to help your rolls. If you have bonuses, like Penny-who rolled with the hero's plan talent, you can add that too. Give me the three totals and I'll average it out.

Plan is the first 3 rolls tell you how rough cutting through this army is going to be. Then, I'll let you know how you fared. We'll need 3 more rolls to deal with the Hecate fight after that (wait til I tell you to do those ones) and then we'll deal with Belial.

Also, really start thinking about your epilogue wish list. I'll need those before you know it....

Oh, and by the way, rereading everything, this whole battle is just so freaking badass. Kudos to everyone for being so incredibly awesome!

Perhaps unexpectedly, Penny had previously spared a moment to put on her new enchanted spectacles – she didn't expect to do much reading tonight, of course, let alone translations, but their aid in spotting things that were concealed in shadows and the undergrowth and even invisible could be a lifesaver. The hellhounds became visible to her in all their terrible majesty, particularly Juliet. It would be better to see what she was riding, after all.

Suddenly, the great hellhound threw back her head and howled, a blood-curdling scream at the heavens above. Penny appeared to all others to rise and tip backward, without falling but rather staying suspended strangely in the air, looking like a rider without her horse. She too let rip a fierce ululating war-cry such as might be uttered by the Celtic warriors of old. She squeezed her hips and urged her mount on; a hellhound would not accept reins, bit, or bridle, not anything that would impede its jaws.

And then they were off, Juliet bounding powerfully through the air, crashing into the earth with claws tearing up clods of grass and soil, and then racing across the parkland like a rabid dog on the hunt. Penny clung to her reins and saddle, so tight her knuckles turned white, realising she'd sorely underestimated the power and terror of trying to ride a savage giant hellhound. But she could not, dared not, and would not change her mind now!

Together, they leaped into the fray, with Penny firing left and right with her pistol, every shot a palpable hit that cut through demons and shifters. When she saw a foe locked in melee or murderous grapple with one of the Men of Letters or even an allied demon, Penny shot them down and so turned the tide. And whenever an enemy got too close, Penny laid about her on either side with her war-club, cracking skulls and shattering arm bones. But the hellhound beneath was a far more deadly defence, with Juliet easily snatching up a shifter in its fang-filled maw, thrashing her head from side to side and shaking it senseless, and finally biting it in twain in a bloody spray.

And on, and on, and on it went, shot after deadly shot, swing after brutal swing, kick after desperate kick, bite after savage bite and claw after rending claw, with no break, no pause, no chance to catch her wits. Penny's arms ached from the fighting, her legs from trying to guide the hellhound with force and will, and her voice was soon hoarse with screaming. It was a seemingly unending battle for her very life and soul and the fate of the world, her every action driven by the knowledge that she simply could not stop and could not fail.


OOC: My rolls, focusing on ranged attacks with pistol, though I switch from Dex to Int:
Roll #1: using Dex, PBS +1 – 20; add Action Point +12, total 32
Exploit Weakness: after 1 round, spend a move action, rolled 25, success! Use Int for attacks
Roll #2: using Int, PBS +1 – 30
Roll #2: using Int, PBS +1 – 17; add Action Point +3, total 20

The jeeps engine rolls to life and Kate grins as music blares from the vehicle’s speakers. Only she would recognize Thunderstruck from AC/DC, still loaded in the jeeps CD player. The music soothes her nerves like a fine wine. Glancing back at Crowley, she salutes. He may have been a demon bastard but at least he followed instructions.  “Everyone buckle up! She kicks the jeep into gear and takes up a flanking position behind Penny. Her focus is mostly on driving, rolling a grenade in the right direction every now and then. She lets her passengers handle the shooting, hoping Crowley can give them a crash course in how to use some of the more modern weapons. There is zero hesitation when it comes to plowing into any threats that look like they may be heading Penny’s way.

23:13, Today: Kate Piper rolled 26 using 1d20+14.  Drive.
23:13, Today: Kate Piper rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  3.
23:13, Today: Kate Piper rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  2.
23:13, Today: Kate Piper rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  1.

The mad race to reach Belial feels like an eternity when really it’s a matter of minutes. Penny is a force to behold, every attack precise and planned out, even in the rush of Juliet’s powerful movement. What’s more, Loki keeps pace, matching the hellhound’s speed easily. Any who dive towards the Englishwoman are destroyed with a single touch from the man, as they burst into an explosion of light. You could not ask for a finer bodyguard.
Meanwhile, Kate is having less than ideal aim with her grenades. Fortunately, aim is a little more forgiving when it comes to explosions, and she manages to do some damage, though not so much as she’d like. The more important thing is she’s driving like a maniac. A maniac who knows exactly what she’s doing. The jeep handles the rough terrain with ease, happily mowing down any in its path. Far more deadly than a mere weapon, anyway. Lily seems to be enjoying the rush of it all, laughing with excitement at the speed and danger of it all, but then she always did like going fast.

Crowley uses one of the futuristic weapons, some great beastly rifle that seems to shoot bullets impossibly fast, mowing down a crowd of demons within seconds. Meanwhile, Emma and Amelia try to concentrate on their spells, but the jostling of the jeep is a bit hindering, to say the least. Ian does a fair job of contributing to the attacks, but it is difficult to keep aim in a shaky vehicle.

Alice, still on her horse and keeping pace on Penny’s other side, is doing a much better job of aiming true. Used to gunplay on horseback, she’s well within her element, hitting most of her targets and still keeping speed and control of her horse. All the more impressive considering the chaos on either side.

All of you do take a few minor wounds, you’re quite the targets, after all. But the wounds are minor, not enough to slow you. You know more will be added before the day is through. In the meantime, you reach the base of Belvedere castle, where Belial awaits. But before you can get near, Hecate is there. And she’s smiling.

With a raise of her hand, the jeep’s engine immediately dies, the car rolling to a stop. Those inside scramble out, Emma looking particularly fearful of the woman, but then she knows more about her than any of you, having once been loyal to her. Meanwhile, Loki comes to a stop,

I can’t take on Hecate for you. I’ve already cheated fate too much. But I’ll try to watch your backs, at least. He offers grimly. Hecate smirks at this, no doubt already knowing as much. She then turns to Emma.

I must say, I’m quite disappointed in your lack of loyalty., her smooth, velvety voice chides. Emma trembles but stands firm.

I’ve made my choice. Do what you will.
Very well, Hecate purrs. With that she lifts her hand, almost absent mindedly, and suddenly Emma screams. Her eyes, ears, nose, mouth, all gush blood even as every muscle stiffens and spasms. Then, as sudden as it happened, she falls limply to the ground. One traitor taken care of. Now I can turn my attention to the rest of you. Her full lips spread to a smile.

ooc:

Penny, take 13 damage from the previous fray. Kate, take 20. Alice, take 17. Try to keep me aware of your hit points if you can as we go along.

Ok, this time I think I'm going to do this a smidge differently. I still want to roll a bunch, but I'm going to make it a little more detailed. So please roll 6 rounds worth of attacks and damage (should they hit) Hecate's AC is 25 but you'll likely be flanking her so don't forget your +2 to each roll as well! Also roll 6 general rolls for saves.
I'll add your mods myself. We'll see how far that gets us. Let me know if you have specific tactics etc you're hoping to use.

So basically, to organize: Roll 6 attacks plus mods plus flanking bonus along with damage if you actually hit. Along with this, roll 6d20s for saves. Don't worry about mods. Bam, done.

With her fierce hellhound charging down 79th Street and through the chaotic mass of demons and shifters and witches and djinn, Penny rode fearlessly into the very teeth of Hell, laying about left and right with her shillelagh to clear the way for her brave companions. But no sooner had she struck down one demon on her right than, in the corner of her eye, she spotted a blood-soaked figure screaming toward her from the left. In one quickened heartbeat, Penny reacted, reversing her swing and bringing the knotted head of the club crashing down on the demon's head, fracturing the skull in a spray of blood and brain matter.

She had just shaken the corpse off her cudgel when a powerful force slammed into her from the other side – a demon's telekinesis, seeking to unseat her from her saddle and powerful hellhound mount. But Penny squeezed tight with her thighs and gripped the pommel, and the only thing blasted off her was study bowler hat. Lightning fast, Penny whipped one hand out to catch it out of the hair, jammed it back on her braided locks, and with her other snapped her pistol up and fired a shot between the demon's eyes.

But the distraction was enough to trigger the demons' trap, and now they came surging out of the woods and over the road, threatening to engulf the heroes with sheer weight of numbers, as if with all the hordes of Hell. So, with a word in the old tongue to Juliet, Penny urged the hellhound to bound forward, drawing the demons after her and away from her friends, even though it left her hopelessly exposed as they crowded around her, cursing and sneering and promising tortures without end. 'Is that all you've got?!' Penny demanded, ending one demon's threat by bashing out its teeth. 'Broken souls, the lot of you!' she accused. She felt a tug on her leg, finding one grabbing her by the ankle, trying to pull out of the saddle, or else her leg from its socket. She jerked forward, kicking the demon in the face, then shot it in the heart. 'You already died for your cowardice and failure – we shall never fear you! Evil! Always! Loses!' Penny screamed defiantly, punctuating her words with the powerful blows of her club. She lashed and smashed, she broke limbs and shattered bones. But it was never enough, the demons never seemed to die and never seemed to stop coming. With blades and bare hands, they clawed at her legs and shredded her pants, and they tried to tear down the mighty Juliet.

Penny let them come. They thought her the prize to bring to their master Belial. They did not realise she was but the bait in a trap. She fought, she waited, until their ranks seemed thickest, and then suddenly slapped both flanks of the saddle, and then bellowed to the heavens and to the earth. 'Defigere! Et! Depurgare!' All the hexbags ringing her saddle glowed with eldritch energy and, as one, like a wave emanating from her, all the demons recoiled in unexpected agony. They retched and clutched their throats, but they could not stop their defiled souls from pouring as the thick black slime, noxious filth that they were. In a chorus of choking and moaning, their stolen bodies collapsed, puking their demon souls out into the earth. The ground would remain black and grass would not grow in that part of Central Park for years to come.

The hellhound trod on, trampling dying bodies beneath clawed feet, as Penny led the team out and away from the killing field. Finally, Penny slid out of the saddle, and spared a moment to consider her sturdy mount, bleeding ichor from countless wounds. Though Juliet was a creature of Hell too, she had been loyal and honoured her pact with the People of the Dark Moor. Penny felt for and touched her warm neck, and bowed her head to the hellhound's maw in trust. 'Thank you, Juliet. You have fought bravely and well. Now, I release you. Go, be with your pups.' Penny felt warm, meaty breath gust over her face, and then, incredibly, a long wet tongue lick her cheeks clean of blood. Penny laughed, and waited until her hellhound vanished.

---

Previously on Supernatural: Hunters of 1890
1863

After rescuing Kate from Darkmoor Manor, learning of the circumstances of her birth and heritage, after meeting Belial for the first time, and after seeing his dreadful attack on poor Josephine, Penny was shaken and unable to sleep that night in the The Cloven Hoof inn in Dunmoreton, and gone for a midnight walk upon the moor. She wished she could spend more time in her home country, but they would be returning to the year 1890, the present, on the morrow. She brooded on their problems and searched for solutions and found none. She thought about her feelings for Ian, and found only one way forward.

And then she found something. Or rather, it found her, and Penny tripped and landed face down in the grass. Picking herself up, she saw nothing she could have tripped over, not a rock or a root, but she did hear something – a whimpering or whining, like a pup. She cast her eyes curiously about the area, until the moonlight showed a faint shimmer, the outline of a small canine form. A puppy. An invisible puppy. A young hell hound, or rather, the original black dog of lore. Before the demons caught and tamed and tormented them into service.

Penny crouched and extended her closed hand, "Hey, little one.' she cooed, until she felt it snuffle her hand, and lick, and bite, but not too hard. She waited until it was more comfortable, then stroked its fur and scooped it up into her hands. She felt it squirm and wiggle and lick her cheeks, causing Penny to laugh. 'Oh, I wish I could keep you. But we simply must go find your mother.' On the way, as best she could, she inspected the pup for injuries and malnutrition. It seemed healthy, only lost. Perhaps the mischief of pixies was behind this. 'Ah, you're a girl. I think I shall call you... Juliet.'

---

Space for more later.

---

Penny stared aghast as Emma Bently, a woman she'd first counted a bitter enemy, and now as a trusted friend, died in agony beside her. But she died courageously and righteously, her head held high. 'Damn you! You had no right!' She delivered her words with pair of bullets, little more than testing Hecate and her powers while she assessed the battle, before she rushed in, her cane raised to harry and beat the goddess, hoping to quickly disrupt her spellcasting. A goddess! She tried not to think she was battling such a legendary powerful being, like the heroes of the old myths. Those heroes had failed and died. No, today, she was just another monster.


OOC:

Initiative if needed: 7
Rnd 1: pistol attacks 19 & 8, damage 10; inc. Point Blank Shot +1/+1

Exploit Weakness: 22 vs DC 15, success; use Intelligence on attack rolls

I didn't notice Hecate's AC 25 until after, so I've just bolded those that beat it. I added the +2 from flanking here.
Rnd 2: cane attacks 21 & 20, damage 4 & 6
Rnd 3: cane attacks 21 & 11, damage 7 & 8
Rnd 4: cane attacks 20 & 25, damage 9 & 6
Rnd 5: cane attacks 32 & 21, damage 9 & 5
Rnd 6: cane attacks 20 & 14, damage 7 & 8

And my six save rolls, only one of them good before mods.
21:07, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 2,5,10,20,2,2 using d20,d20,d20,d20,d20,d20.

Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs selected opponent (Hecate)
Agile Riposte: If the target of Dodge makes a melee attack against Penny and misses, then Penny may make an immediate melee AoO against the target, once a round.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Sun 01 Jan 2023.

Simon slid down off the horse and waved Penny off Emma as he went to provide her with aid.

Alice began speaking loudly, trying to get the demon's full attention. "Hey, You're Satan's whore ain't ya? Yea, that's you. Tell ya what," she turned her gun belt so that the "special" revolver was at her right hand. "You throw whatever evil spell you got and I'll use Author here. Whoever gets hit backs out of this battle, what say?"

She slapped the leather of her holster as she drew and let her have three shots before trying to evade whatever she threw in retaliation.

Saves:
13:52, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 61 using 6d20, unique dice ((7,6,19,5,16,8)).

13:51, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  Attack 3.

13:50, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 33 using 1d20+14.  Attack 2.

13:49, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 33 using 1d20+19.  Attack 1 (16-20 Improved Crit + Special Ammo).

With flanking bonuses 35, 35, 19
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Thu 08 Dec 2022.

Simon prayed silently and then paraphrased Christ "She isn't dead, only sleeping."

Cast Raise Dead on Emma

ooc: So, freaking amazing writing. Well done!! Also, since we're doing 6 rounds at a time, I'm half summing up and half delving into it, just so you don't get confused.

ic:
Father Simon tends to the dead Emma, muttering over her as he works to bring her back, though it is no easy process.

As for the rest of you, with Hecate's attention turned on you, it seems the rest of the fray falls into the background. Of course, this isn't actually happening. Ian, Lily, Peter, and Loki are all hell bent on keeping you safe from would be attackers as you battle Hecate. Amelia and Victoria, hang back a bit, working some spell between each other. Hopefully it will be one that aids you, you sorely need it.

Meanwhile, Kate, Penny, and Alice focus their intentions on the goddess. It is a challenge, to say the least. She raises her hands toward the sky and a fountain of purple liquid rains down, weakening your flesh where it hits, like some kind of poison. She's also difficult to hit, dodging most of your attacks, to your chagrin. Besides the poisonous downpour, she also makes your flesh cramp and twist inside you, making you cry out in pain and agony, even as she laughs. She takes a few hits here and there from you, though nothing seems to affect her much.

Then, Alice readies her revolver. Crimwall paid a high price for those bullets. Time to see if the cost was worth it.

Sneering, Hecate seems to be amused at Alice's tough talk. That is, until the three bullets hit her. And they hit her hard. Whatever Crimwall did, it was serious stuff. The goddess gasps, looking down at the bullet holes in shock before actually staggering to her knees. She's not dead, but she looks rough. And...afraid.

ooc: Ok, keep me posted on your damage so I can keep track. We're going to roll 3 rounds this time:
Roll 3 separate attacks and damage as fitting
Roll 3 separate general rolls for saves, which I'll add mods for as needed. Basically each round will be summed up by how well your rolls go. It's half real time and half summed up, should make it easier.

Furiously screaming to shake off the pain of the poisonous rain, Penny kept dancing around the witch-goddess, fighting like a wild Celtic warrior-maiden of old, moving like a whirlwind of black wood and cold iron as her bloody shillelagh lashed skin and smashed bone. When some instinct told her Alice was about to fire her mighty Colt, Penny dove aside, but was swiftly lunging back into the fray.

But against a god, she knew even her enchanted club could do little for long; it was wind and rain wearing down a mountain, and she would not survive much of this. So, just as soon as she was sure Hecate thought her predictable and routine, Penny skipped back a pace and retrieved her magical Colt – not like Alice's, but surely enough to distract, and enough to hurt. Finger jerking rapidly on the trigger, Penny fired two bullets into the goddess. 'Afraid, you old witch?!' Penny challenged. 'We have more like that!' she warned, just the slightest bluff.


OOC: I only just noticed I had a magic gun that gave +5 attack and damage every 4 rounds. I haven't used it before, so I'd like to apply it now.

Rnd 7: cane attacks 27 & 36, damage 4 & 7
Rnd 8: cane attacks 27 & 21, damage 4
Rnd 9: pistol attacks 32 & 30, damage 20 and 15
Total damage: 50

My three general saves: 13, 17, and 5.

Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs selected opponent (Hecate)
Agile Riposte: If the target of Dodge makes a melee attack against Penny and misses, then Penny may make an immediate melee AoO against the target, once a round.

Alice nodded, knowing she had done enough with Crimwell's bullets, she holster that weapon with a flair while at the same time drawing one of her other pistols. It was only magical, and not the Crimwell special, but she figured it would be enough.

I am very busy, please roll for me. Thanks

Despite the sting of the rain Kate grinned seeing the effect of Mary Alice’s weapon. The fight was far from over and it had been fairly discouraging to see how little damage their regular firearms had. Pumping her shotgun rapidly she fires two rounds at Hecate while moving to more of a flanking position.

OOC: Just waiting on a question for the GM then I’ll add my rolls!

The fight continues, Penny's shots aiming true, though no means as thoroughly as Alice's special bullets. Still, with how poorly Hecate is doing, it's far from unhelpful. Meanwhile, Alice and Kate also lend their bullets, chipping away at the goddess as well, though Kate has a particularly lucky shot on that score.

During this, Hecate fights back with a look close to panic. She raises her hands and your skin blisters and rips, blood pouring out, painfully. Shortly thereafter she hurls a ball of black energy at you, large enough to target both Kate and Alice, you notice she keeps that clear of Penny. No doubt she doesn't want to kill the woman so close to the equinox.

ooc: Penny, take 26 damage from the blisters. Kate, take 47 damage from blisters and her ranged attack. Alice, also take 47 damage, please.

IC: By this time, both sides are left panting and ragged. There is an almost frantic kind of desperation for all of you. It's so close to going either way. Then, behind you, you become aware of Victoria and Amelia's efforts. Whatever they did seems to be starting. Indeed, even Hecate is distracted as her gaze turns behind you. There, several yards off, are about fifty people, all lined up side by side. They say nothing, just stand there, looking at you with what can only be called determined encouragement. You also notice they are semi-transparent, as though they aren't completely there. What's more, to your shock, you recognize many of the faces looking back at you. Lovers. Friends. Family. Loved ones. Fellow hunters. All who have passed on to the other side. And in the center of them all? Stands Colin, head held high and a gleam in his eye that even death couldn't darken. He holds a flagpole in one hand, the flag itself a brilliant green with a golden harp in the center. Then, he raises his other fist to the sky, punching the air with power, triumph and an unmistakable call to action.

As he does, you feel your bodies renew, life and energy flowing inside you like you've never felt before. You feel powerful, strong, refreshed, and ready for anything.


ooc: For the next 4 rounds, every attack is a critical. Instantly. Every save is an automatic success. Every other type of roll is a nat 20. At this point just pick your weapon and give me max damage for each hit, doubled for the crit. We're doing this thoroughly, so give me all the hit scores for every attack that you would normally do per round. 4 times. I should be seeing a butt ton of damage.

Go forth and kick ass.

Looking up from her blistered, bleeding hands, Penny quickly glanced across at Alice and Kate and the after-effects of the black orb that Hecate had hurled at them. With a curse, she realised the goddess's game; Blast, I've been a fool! 'Kate! Alice! Behind me, use me your shield! She'll not risk slaying me!' Penny side-stepped in front of them, trying to keep herself between the witch-queen and her friends. Would it work, or would she suffer more? Perhaps she could provoke the goddess to destroy her so thoroughly that Belial could not use her. She laughed bitterly at the ironic win; she cared not for her own survival, only her friends'. All her hopes had reduced to defeating Belial and saving the world. Her life was already forfeit, the only question that she spent it in service of goodness.

But then she became aware of a brilliant glow over her shoulder, and risked a look back at the scene, and was amazed. All those strong spirits, standing in support. Penny thought she saw Queen Gwendolen, her ancestor who gave her courage, and even Emma Bently, and was glad she'd found redemption at the end. And at the sight of all those spirits, Penny felt a rush within her own, of energy, of renewed strength, of fresh courage and hope.

In a heartbeat, she turned back on Hecate, defiant and powerful once more. With her club, she smashed the goddess across her temple, then pointed it to the line of spirits, as if just to get her attention. 'See that, Hecate?! All those souls, they have faith in us!' She thrust forward into her chest, again and again as she spoke, as if punctuating her words with contemptuous poking of a recalcitrant child. 'Where is your faith? Who gives a damn about you? A fading shade, a footnote in history, unloved and unrevered, feared and abandoned by your witches.' she accused, attacking what a deity must surely dread most, not being worshipped, disappearing into obscurity. To defeat this goddess, she had to break her faith in herself.

Penny had kept up her barrage without pause, without loss of power or ferocity, relentlessly driving Hecate backward. She seemed to loom ever larger over her, like a Queen Boudicca or a Queen Gwendolen, like a primal Briton warrior-goddess, her hair a golden mane with the light of the sun, her warpaint bright as the blue summer sky, her club a force of nature itself. With looping swings, Penny slammed its heavy knot into Hecate's elbows and shoulders, then ducked and spun, swiping across both kneecaps, savagely bringing her lower and lower. 'Time to die, Hecate! Die, and be forgotten!' Penny rose and raised her club high, ready to bring it down like a falling oak and deliver the killing blow.


OOC: Using my club for four rounds with two attacks each round gives me eight attacks. Maximum ×2 critical damage on one attack is 18. Total damage is 144.

However, the Level 16 Hunter bonus increased our threat ranges by +1, so criticals are normally ×3. If you meant that, then max ×3 critical damage is 27 and the total is 216.

Does that effect heal us as well?

Defensive Martial Arts: +1 dodge Defense vs melee attacks
Dodge: +1 dodge Defense vs selected opponent (Hecate)
Agile Riposte: If the target of Dodge makes a melee attack against Penny and misses, then Penny may make an immediate melee AoO against the target, once a round.

Kate snorts at Penny’s request to use her as a human shield. She’d be damned before she let her daughter sacrifice herself, and doubted that it would protect them from anything Hecate threw their way. But before she can decline she spots the group of fallen hunters  and feels her strength renewed. This was for them, for those who had sacrificed lives, for the ones who remained behind. For the past, the future and the present. Pumping her shotgun she blasts Hecate from her flanking position again until Penny’s attacks bring her down. Leaving Penny to deliver the final blows Kate spins to pick off anything that may attempt to interfere.

The group of ethereal hunters and men of letters gathered beneath Colin’s banner. The emerald field and gold harp whipped in the ghostly breeze as Colin jammed it into the ground, sending a shockwave of hope and vigor to all those present fighting for the living world. He stood proud and tall.

Then, as suddenly as a shifting breeze, his pride dissolved into a wry grin as he leaned against the waving flag. With no real weight, the flag held true and Colin gave a sly wink to Amelia as he lit a spectral cigarette and gestured to the fray as if to say “You have to do it from here.”

ooc: Holy heck but this is an epic scene. Well done everyone! And nice catch, Penny. Yes, that means x3 crit! And it does heal you too. So everyone can heal completely.

ic: Colin and the other dead have certainly made their mark. It's not just you and your companions that are feeling this surge of strength, but all the men of letters within the area. Shots ring true, the power of them enough to fell a demon with a single bullet. Ian, doing his best to keep Penny safe, keeps any would be interferers at bay. Crowley, Alice, Simon, Lily, all create a radius of death around the fray that's so effective that nothing living can even come near you.

Meanwhile, Kate and Penny bring Hecate to her knees. She's clearly dying, enraged and absolutely shocked by the situation. Penny's words in particular infuriate her, and with one final lunge at Penny, she clumsily opens herself up to attack, which you very much take advantage of. The club comes down, splitting the goddess's skull and she lies there, twitching as her black blood oozes into the grass beneath her. All around you, you hear shrieks and screams. Dozens of them. No. Hundreds. Men, women, all clutching at their heads as though their own skulls are splitting. Indeed, they each collapse in a sudden heap, their death twitches no less violent than those of their mistress, who had been granting them their unnatural long lives.

During all this, Colin locks eyes with Amelia and as you wink at her, she gives a small laugh, never-mind that tears are running down her face. But that smile, even that heart broken half smile, is enough to warm you. Warm your weary soul for the long years ahead without her. Without anyone. And then, suddenly, you find yourself back in your leather chair, the fire crackling merrily in front of you as the rain beats down outside. You're back in your heaven again. Your home. Both comforting and lonely all at once. Still, somehow, somehow you know, you won't be alone forever.

Everyone else: The dead have gone, now. Fading away to their afterlives where so many of your comrades are even now falling. But it is almost over. You're so close. The hordes of the enemy are hemorrhaging. All that lies before you now is Belial himself. In his tower façade, as hollow and ornamental as the man himself.

You all surge together, eager to put this all to bed. Your vigor and strength, borrowed from Colin and the others, is fading but it has done its job. You are healed, you are determined, and you are so, so close.

ooc: Ok, on to the last battle! Everyone should be at full health now. I will need a will save from each of you, please. And any thoughts or intentions from your character. The next time I post, we'll be in the very last of the last battle. If you need me to roll for you, say the word.

With a savage snarl, Penny wrenched her weapon out of Hecate's shattered skull, the wood sticky with her gore and stinking black blood—actual ichor, the very stuff of the Grecian gods. Dimly in her rage, Penny recalled a legend that warned it was deadly poisonous to mortals. True or not, she dared not get any on her or her friends. But would it be as dangerous to demons, or to fallen angels? It changed her plans not at all, but it just might aid her.

Then she heard the hideous noise of hundreds of people screaming and dying all at once and she glanced around, scarcely understanding it and astonished to see all the witches and warlocks, the servants of Hecate allied to Belial, dropping like flies. It made their victory greater; she'd cut the head off the serpent and the body had followed. And the ghosts of their dear departed faded away too, and Penny gazed upon them in bittersweet farewell, glad for their aid and inspiration, and sad to see them, for a second and final time. It al swelled her resolve to see this through.

So, with jaw set and the stiff upper lip of the English hero, Penny turned her wild blue-eyed battle-hardened gaze upon the absurd false castle that Belial had made his lair, a folly in name and deed. She marched to its front entrance, raising her club and thrusting it forward in challenge. 'BELIAL!' Penny roared hoarsely, her vocal cords shredded by all her battle cries and Celtic rage this day—far from mere fury, it was a rational emotional state that lent strength to her arm, endurance to her body, and the mental strength she would need to win the day. 'Worthless one! Coward! Quit your hiding place and face me!' She clenched her other fist, feeling the Ring of Solomon burning upon her finger. Soon. Soon this would all be at an end.


OOC: Will save 26. Plus action 8 for 34. Just to be certain.