In reply to The GM (msg # 25):

[Apologies - work got on top of me last week]

Irina picks up the billfold and puts it in her bag - it's something that can be looked into later. Is that name familiar at all?

------

She tries to call out to the old man, not sure if he is real or a figment, but not wanting to shoot him either way. It's just barely possible he could be a survivor of the missing Confederate soldiers, which would make it a miracle that the pistol is even working.

"We're not after your treasure, sir! We're just looking for some missing wardens! Please put the gun down and let's talk about this - we have three guns to your one as it is."

She decides mentioning that they work for the US government might be a poor decision if he's a Confederate soldier. She tries to remember the name from the diary.

"Do you know a Sergeant Robert Murphy?"

(posted for Spider)
Spider fires a shot aiming at the mangrove tree near the tramp's head, hoping to startle him.  "Drop the antique, mate!  We're not after your treasure!  We're looking for some folks!"

A Madman in a Swamp pt 2

The madman ducked and scrambled behind the bulk of the mangrove thicket once Spider's shot splintered a branch off the mangrove.
"Devils !  Forrin devils !"  the lunatic howled at them.  It takes a moment, during which they're sure he's reloading, before he responds, and his accent is deep South.  "What you want then ?  Who sent you ?" A bloodshot, suspicious eye peers at them through the mangrove roots.  At Jack's request, he thinks about what to say for a while.  "I am lost," he says at last, in almost a moan, sinking down into the mangrove roots.  "I am lost and I will not find home.  I will not find my treasure."  Whatever madness grips him is more than he manage.  With a keening sob, he sinks down into the dark water....and his flesh melts, darkens, and quickly flows into the water, leaving a rotten brown skeleton behind, one bony hand still gripping the now rusty Colt Navy.

A deep roll of thunder echoes across the spit of land they are standing on, and the skies darken, winds whipping up the leaves of the mangroves.  As if roused by this sound, the skeleton wobbles to its feet and clambers back onto the roots, shambling away from them deeper into the swamp, as a blistering hot rain begins to lash down at the agents.  (San rolls please.....)


(OOC: The name in the billfold is not familiar to Irina).

GM: Actions, for the next few minutes, please respond by Saturday 27 March, next post Sunday.  Hope you are all well, and I am very happy to have you all here !  And to think, a year ago today I was locked in at work for two weeks....

In reply to The GM (msg # 29):

SAN roll 52 - success

Irina watches the skeleton slouch off with a feeling of sadness for the man he once was, somehow kept animated by the dark spirits of this place, and hopes that the same will not happen to them.

"Poor man," she says. "I should have let you talk to him," she says to Jack. "You're the Southern gentleman among us, after all. No wonder Russian and Australian accents confused him... it... whatever he has become."

She adjusts her rain gear and gestures after the skeleton.

"Should we follow?"

(posted for Spider)

Any ease Spider feels upon the lunatic seeming to give up quickly vanishes when he melts into skeletal remains.  And that quickly changes to terror when the skeleton gets to its feet.  His rifle snaps back up as the form begins to head back into the mangroves...

OOC:  Please roll for me.  If he fails, have him snap off a shot at the skeleton's skull.

(I had the dice roller give me a 22.  Even the virtual dice like the players.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:58, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

A Madman in a Swamp pt 3


Despite the gruesome spectacle, with the added joy of boiling hot rain slicing down onto them, the agents do not lose their perspective on the situation.  It was highly unsettling to see a man dissolve, then shamble off as undead.  No doubt the visual will provide nightmares for some time to come.  The agents hold their fire, and the creature is soon lost to view in the steaming rain.  Irina voices the query about following the skeleton, as the weather begins to worsen, debris and branches starting to fly around as the wind whips more fiercely.   The sky darkens to a strange shade of green.  Shadows are flickering with the rising winds, flying owls and more humanoid shapes, hard to discern as a hail of sharp pine needles lash at the agents with gusts of wind.  They begin to stagger to try to stay on their feet - and find that there are vines coiling out of the ruins to wrap around their feet and ankles.   Added to the whistling wind was a rising and falling yell, visceral and wild.  They had heard it before, when Thomas Thorne faced off against werewolves with an old cavalry sabre.  It was difficult to tell what direction the yell was coming from.
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GM: OOC:  Actions, direction heading, dealing with the local flora, please respond by Saturday, 3 April, next post on Sunday.  Hope you are all doing well, and that at least the weather is improving.
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(posted for Spider)

Spider just shouted over the wind, "We can't stay here!  Let's go!"  He glanced around and tried to gauge if there was any direction that might offer fewer vines to elude than any other.  Failing that, well, maybe they were leaving the skeleton alone, and he'd follow that way.  But if he figured out the direction of Thorne's bellowing, he'd definitely head that way.

In reply to The GM (msg # 32):

Irina nodded her agreement with Spider, and grabbed Jack for support.

"You lead, we're with you. Was that Thorne?" She will try to listen to see if she can gauge where it is coming from, and if necessary point Spider in the right direction. Failing that, following the skeleton seems the only bet.

She will try to fend the vines off with the butt of the shotgun, still remembering the admonition not to shoot anything but finding it harder to obey by the passing minute. She tries to remember any kind of protection spell that might help.

Jack sticks with Irina and Spider. He will try to cast a spell of protection to keep the vines at bay as the trio moves through them. If they are about to be overwhelmed, he will pull the wand out, but not before.

Servants of the Dark Water God pt 1

The wind and the blistering hot rain made it impossible to guess where the Rebel Yell had come from.  The Agents struggled to avoid the pervasive vines, until Jack cast a Protect from Harm at the ground - once again the Wand had come unbidden to his hand.  That gave them a chance to move more quickly.  As they staggered against the gusty wind, the yell came again, with two more voices added to it.  It was hard to guess the direction, though Irina and Spider seemed to think it was in the same direction the skeleton went, so the Agents clambered along the mangrove roots.   As they moved further along, a faint whisper on the wind sounded like a woman chanting in Seminole.  The Rebel yells sounded again, several more voices, the combined ululation sending chills along their spines.

Passing by a fallen tumble of stone blocks overgrown with vines, the Agents catch a glimpse of something familiar - the chalked Elder Sign that Fritz had made.  As soon as they approach it, the wind faded away and the rain cooled to a warm drizzle.  "I was about to go find you," Fritz said, from atop a big stone block.  "You came out of a fog." The vines were inert and all seemed quiet now, then the Rebel yells came again.  This time it was easy to follow, and the four Agents were soon at the mooring point for the canoes, where Thorne was holding a shotgun and facing a number of undead - some skeletons, bearing rusty weapons, and some fresher undead, notably three men in warden uniforms, and a fisherman in tattered clothes, about fifteen in all.  The fresh undead have definite large holes in their bodies right where the heart should be located.  Several carried weapons but none seemed to be readying for battle.  Hachi was still hoarsely chanting and waving her feather fan, though the undead seemed to be at a standstill and watching Thorne.  They slowly rocked back and forth, turning to look at Irina, Jack, Spider and Fritz, but did not move towards them.  The darkness in the water bubbled, but did not grasp at the canoe or the flat boat.   Soundlessly a huge grey owl soared to the bow of the canoe, settling with a flip of its wings and staring at the scene; it is the same owl that killed and carried off one of the others.  There was no sign of any other owls, nor of the weather that had just been so much trouble.

(-2 San for seeing walking skeletons and other undead.)

GM: Actions, etc, for the next few minutes of game time, please respond by 10 April, Saturday, next post is Sunday.  Hope you are all well and things are improving everywhere.

-------------------------------------

Jack moves to Hachi’s side to be sure she is not attacked. He holds the wand in front of him, ready to cast further protection if necessary.
He says in a level tone, looking at the owl but speaking loudly so whatever else is listening may hear, “Release these mortal remains and let them have peace.”

Servants of the Dark Water God pt 2

"It is not within my power to release them,"  A calm woman's voice seemed to emanate from the owl, which bobbed its head slightly, golden eyes fixed on Jack.  "They belong to this place and you must bargain for them with their god."  It seemed their welcome, if it could be said to exist at all, had been worn out at the Lost City, or the Moon Town.

Hachi kept up hoarsely chanting, the feather fan looking somewhat shredded now. The wavering undead didn't attack, advance, or do anything but watch them; Fritz carefully moved past two of them to make a quick leap to the flat boat.  Thorne immediately shifted position so that Fritz could make a clean shot if it was needed.   Jack kept guard over Hachi as she moved in the canoe to give him room to board; the wand tingled in his grip, as if to remind him of the power it held.  The undead seemed puzzled, but none of them advanced, and Irina walked past them carefully, as did Spider, moving through the moon gate towards the boats. Once they were all off the island, Hachi stopped chanting, the feather fan disintegrating into fragments - she looked exhausted.   Thorne untied the ropes and hopped into the flat boat.  The undead wobbled back and forth but did not move towards them.

The big grey owl took off from the canoe's bow and flew silently above them, in sweeping circles, causing some far-off hooting of the other hidden owls.  "We are getting out of here before dark," Thorne said in a low voice, shoving off of a knot of mangrove roots to get the flatboat turned the right way.
"He is right.  We go," Hachi grated, sipping from a leather water skin from the canoe's storage.  The sun was unseen, blocked by too much swamp flora, but it was definitely getting dark fast. The Lost City was quickly lost again to view.


------------------------------------
GM:  Jack, please roll Navigate to find the way out; everyone, hope you are doing well, or at least well enough.  Please respond with actions, etc for the next few minutes of game time, by Saturday 17 April, next post Sunday

----------------

Jack sighs at the owl’s response about the dead men.
Once they’ve pushed off and the boats are moving, Jack relies on his outdoor skills and pilots the boat toward safety (13).
“We barely got out of there. How can we go back and bargain for them?” Jack says to no one in particular. “And what’s beyond that gate?”
He keeps his eyes on the water ahead of them while he pilots the boat.

Servants of the Dark Water God pt 2

-------------------------
Jack navigates following the trail markers that Hachi had cut into the mangrove roots and other flora.  The sky was darkening fast and they were hearing owls, far too many for it to be normal.  The big grey one occasionally winged past.  Jack's question hung in the air.

"Some of them were Confederate soldiers," Thorne said finally.  It was unusual for him to be so quiet for so long.  "When I gave the Yell, they stopped coming towards us.  Then they yelled back."
"You are lucky to have lived," Hachi hoarsely told Jack.   The Agents made their slow way back to the Seminole settlement just before night fell.  Doctor Hanson is waiting for them at the dock, with two small children who look very relieved to see Hachi again.
"It's too late to head back to my house, we'll stay overnight in the big hut," the Doctor tells them.  "The gators feed at night and we won't be able to see them.  There's hominy in the big pot by the fire and a plate full of fried gator tail for you, with biscuits and gravy.  We'll sleep in hammocks.   Did you find what you were looking for ?"  He handily ties up the boats to the dock and helps offload people.  Torches light up the perimeter of the village, showing the Seminole people moving around the place.  Children are laughing, and adults are talking.  It seemed normal and pleasant.  A great difference from shambling undead and amoeboid monstrosities.   The big grey owl takes up a roost in the tallest tree by the large chickee hut, where a pit fire is keeping the food warm for them.  The owl is noted by several Seminole, who watch it and quietly gather to discuss its presence.   Hachi was dragged off by the children, but another young woman came along to shyly hand off pottery plates and fetch heavy mugs full of some kind of sweet soft drink.  The food was plentiful and filling.  Gator had the flavour of fish with the texture of pork, fried in a sweet batter.
"There was a lot of talk about whether you'd come back at all," Doctor Hanson told them in a quiet whisper.  "Holata told them to make the big chickee ready for you to return, and if you didn't come back the next day, to do the same again for two more days, with different people preparing it each day.  That's a burial custom.  Everyone was...is... very nervous."
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GM:  Please respond with actions, etc., for the next half hour of game time, by Saturday 24 April, next post is Sunday.

-------------------------------------------------

Jack very politely accepts some food from the young woman. After feeling some of his composure restored, he walks to a spot near the tree where the gray owl is perched. He will make eye contact with the owl and say in a low voice, “How can we bargain with this god? What does it want? And how can we approach it to bargain without losing our lives to the black slime and the walking dead? Can it be sent away somehow? Would destroying the gate have any effect?”

(Posted for Spider)

Spider ate mechanically, listening to the others. He finally said, "I've seen lots of strange stuff in my years with the Raiders.  Been attacked many times.  But that was about the most disturbing encounter I've had in a very long time.  I'm not sure what we can do to, um, clear this problem.  Jack, Irina, you got any ideas?"

To the doctor, Jack replies, “ thank you again for your help. We found some answers, and more questions. The three men are dead, as we feared. We could not bring them back with us. Although I hope to be able to do so. The evil presence in the swamp is very powerful, but we haven’t given up just yet.”

Servants of the Dark Water God pt 2
------------------------------------------------
Spider spoke, echoing the thoughts that others seemed to be having, since Thorne nodded - and had been quiet for a considerable time.   It was almost a surprise that Fritz spoke next.  "It stayed back when I drew the Elder Sign and charged it with mana.  But it was resisting.   I could feel it."
"No more magic," Thorne said, turning toward Fritz with an angry look.  Fritz raised one eyebrow, impassive.  "You almost lost it," Thorne snapped, keeping voice low. "Look at the Boss.  He's one chant away from the bughouse."
"It is another weapon," Fritz said quietly, not backing down.
"I do not want to be an undead...thing....stuck in a Florida swamp," Thorne snarled, "And you are not going to read any more of them damned books."
"Wrong," Fritz said.  Thorne looked about ready to explode, but with effort, got his emotions in check.
------------------------
Dr. Hanson nods at Jack's words.  "I didn't think it would have a good outcome," he said, in a low voice.  "Most people of the world we come from are eager to dismiss the ways of people who are more connected to nature and their past.  So I appreciate that you are willing to help.  If I can be of more assistance, let me know."  He does not join in with the Raiders' conversation and there is a general feeling that the doctor can keep a confidence.
-----------------------
Jack goes off to look at the big owl, which silently floats down to a low branch near him.  The watching Seminole note this but do not approach.  "Gods such as that one require sacrifice," the grey owl said.  "It is not from this world, it possesses no intellect that we understand, and it has spread itself throughout the swamp.  No simple ritual will dismiss it."   The owl blinked, turning its head.  "The god Cthaat also has servants who shapeshift as owls.  I am being hunted, and I do not tolerate such disrespect."   With a flip of its great pale wings, the owl launched itself into the dark sky and is lost to view.   Somewhere up in the treetops, a shrill shriek is suddenly cut off.   Jack finds himself being watched by at least ten Seminole; none of them overtly armed, but all very cautiously watching him.
----------------------------
There was a ripple of sound, a murmuring throughout the settlement, and three people were seen to be approaching through the torchlit night; all Seminole, a young man of about twenty, a girl about twelve, and old man Holata, carefully shuffling between them, guided by their hands.  "I have heard the story of your adventure," Holata said. "If my English fails me, my grandson or granddaughter will translate.  You have faced the servants of the dark god and returned alive, and -" he breaks off suddenly, as a large brown owl's body hits the ground near his feet.  Its head has been ripped off.  "And you speak to the right owls.  Tell me what my tribe can do to be rid of this evil.  No one will deny you."
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GM:  Actions, etc, please for the next half hour of game time by Saturday 1 May, next post Sunday.  Hope you are all well or at least coping.

----------------------------

“Fritz, I think you may be onto something,” Jack says. “Can we make a more powerful Elder Sign? Draw it in something more durable than chalk, maybe on something portable? And all lend power to it? Even the people of the tribe, since they want to help. With that much good energy, maybe we could drive it away.
“Or, on the other hand, I brought dynamite. We could go back out there and try to blow up that gate, or whatever seems to be the focus of its power. Hell, we could even do both...”

How to Banish a Great Old One pt 1

--------------
Fritz nodded, while Thorne silently fumed.  "I may have a plan," the German said, with a slow smile.  "Does anyone have a map of the swamp ?"
Doctor Hanson immediately went for his doctor's bag and pulled out several sheaves of folded paper.  "These are less than a year old - but the channels can change with any storm."
"I am thinking, Friday the 13th," Fritz said, accepting the maps with a slight bow. "But I will need the skill of a master of strategy.  Thomas, please help."
Thorne's expression went from stormy to surprised, taking the maps that Fritz offered him.  "Friday the 13th could work.  Let's get out of earshot of the owls - and get a couple of good lanterns."
"If the - owls - are listening, we'll need cover noise for our planning," Thorne said, already going back to his normal boisterous self.  "Maybe the kids can sing, or, my favourite, sling stones at any owls we don't like.  Except for Jack's owl.  Chief Holata, we'll need your help."
The old man said something in Seminole to the young man, who raced off into the village, calling out.  The girl helped the chieftain to the chickee, and Thorne spread the maps out on the table they hastily cleared off.
"This plan hinges on every person involved being in exactly the right place at the right time," Thorne said, as the rest of the Seminole kids started banging drums and blowing flutes around the chickee.  "Every person who can swim, walk, or paddle a canoe has to be ready to strike at the same time."
"The correct ritual must be cast to dismiss the entity," Fritz said, carefully. "Elder signs can only contain it for a little while."
"So we use the dynamite as a distraction so that can happen," Thorne said.  Holata asked a question of the girl, who rapidly translated.
"You want to make a great noise, we will call upon the Thunder god," Holata said.
"All right, you people cast spells, I just make plans and type," Thorne said, "So what do we have to do, if this god thing is spread out all over ?  What will give us the best chance to pen it up so you can...dismiss it ?"  He looked at the maps, carefully noting the area marked as "Lost City", and the vast expanse of swamp around it.  The little girl continued to translate to her grandfather.
"The owls - you will be seen." Holata said.
"Then we declare war on the owls right now." Thorne said, setting a pottery cup on the edge of the map to keep it from folding back up.  "They'll be less likely to get close enough to figure out what we're doing if they're worried we're going to shoot them."
"And here is the second white man I have ever liked," Holata said with a smile, after his granddaughter repeated it in Seminole.
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GM: Plans, etc, for the battle against the Dark Water God, please respond by 8 May, Saturday, next post is Sunday.  Hope you are all well and managing to deal with the pandemic.
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This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Mon 03 May 2021.

Jack says, "So we're going to use the dynamite, and the--" here he looks at Holata for confirmation -- "Thunder God to distract it? Should I put the dynamite in the city, maybe throw it at the gate? Is that the type of thing you mean? Then when the creature gathers its focus there to defend from further attack, we contain it with the Elder Sign that everyone makes? And then banish it with the ritual?  I'm not sure I understand."

(posted for Spider)
Spider almost grinned.  "Well, Fritz might be better, but I'm a fair hand with a long gun.  I can help with picking off owls.  As long as some of the locals make sure I target the bad ones."

How to Banish a Great Old One pt 2

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The Agents began their planning.   The military pair of Thorne and Fritzi went to work.  "The key element is the simultaneous execution of the plan," Thorne said, examining the map closely.   "Did it look like this god thing was located mainly on the island ?  Does it protect it for some reason ?  Does it need the - ah - undead - to, ah, guard something ?  Because if that is the case, the best use of the explosives is to change its focus from us to the island.  Which gives us a chance to attack it there and dismiss it.  I'm not about to suggest we might be able to kill it, but we might be able to knock it down hard.  We want to hit the island with as much damage as possible, and if the gate can be blown up, that's better."
"We don't have the dismissal ritual," Fritz said patiently.
"Well go get it then, look it up," Thorne said.  "Must be a 'get rid of it' spell in that damn bookbag of yours."
"I was able to use the Elder sign - the symbol on the back of our badges - to restrain it for a time.   There is a simpler Elder sign that is not as powerful, but if used in abundance, may permit us to control a perimeter."  Fritz mused, looking at the map.
"Listening," Thorne said, as the children's drumming and flutes shrilled in the background.
"Carve spears with the Elder sign and everyone strikes at once - when the first stick of dynamite is detonated - the signal for attack.   The spears will be driven into the swamp as the dark water god IS the swamp.  It will recoil to its point of strength, the Lost City, in theory."
"Then the main explosion at the City will give everyone enough time to send it off, and if we can get help from a thunder god, I'm for it," Thorne said, "In theory, how long do those things take ?  And don't say 'all night long' like that eye spell."

Irina knew from experience that it was trickier to pull off a banishing than one might suspect, having dismissed a Dark Young all by herself in the high hills of Pennsylvania - especially when the creature in question was looking for victims at the same time.

"I don't know," Fritz said. "We also have the - undead to consider.  Will they be forced to attack ?  Can they be freed ?  What can the owl creatures do ?"
"We do not speak their name, for that summons them," Holata said.  "They can look like anyone, and they can become strong owl monsters that eat human hearts.  Hachi knows the chants to keep them from you.   She can also cast the black salt to turn the dead ones. She will go with you."
"If there are shapeshifters living in this settlement, we have to take that into account," Thorne said.  "How do we find out who is a spy ?"
"I will call the tribe before me, and learn what I must," Holata said. "I will place a blessing upon you all.  If any refuse the blessing, we will know they are tricksters."
"And the owl squad, bless them first." Thorne suggested, taking out an opisometer from his jacket pocket and measuring distances on the maps.  "Maybe we can talk business on a 'keep out the evil' spell too.  Jack will coordinate the dynamite with whatever the Thunder God can provide.  Maybe we can make the Elder signage extra potent.  Distill it.  Can you do that ?  Can you cap the whole island in it ?  It's about three acres.   Spider, you got that big Sharps rifle - just don't shoot that grey owl that likes Jack.  Everyone with a magic spear gets a sidekick to shoot at owls.  Make them run.  Keep them running."

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GM:  Who wants to do what ?  Stay at the village to protect those who cannot fight ? Go after the Heart of the Lost City with explosives ?  Take your chances in the swamp against hostile locals and aggressive wildlife ?  Please respond with actions, etc, for the next hour of game time, we will be advancing to the combat shortly - by Saturday, 15 May, next post is Sunday.  Hope you are all well and continue to be well.
------------------------

“I’ll take the dynamite into the city,“ Jack says to the group. “I’ll need some signal that we are all in position, and then I can set off an initial explosion. That will be the signal for everyone to stab the swamp with the Elder-Sign spears, correct? And then when should I set off the main charge? And do I need to know anything about the thunder god’s contribution?” Once the details are clear, he will set up a single stick with a short fuse for the initial blast, and prepare the rest of the dynamite for the main charge. He will triple check his shotgun, pistol, and trusty lighter, too!

(posted for Spider)
Spider finally took a deep breath, feeling a little better that they had a plan of action.  And he also had the typical Aussie pride about the variety of lethal flora and fauna that inhabited his homeland, so he said, "I'll help deal with the swamp locals.  Both living and dead."  He held Matilda in a tight grip and said a silent prayer to Quatermaine, asking for his aid in aiming at their enemies.