[Game Thread] Chapter I

[copatt]

As the unseen force once again steps on her heel, Liz spins around, but again sees nothing. Stop that, stop stepping on my feet, she says into the air. The ghostly voice just laughs at her. Sister Sharimel, Lady-knight, I, ah, don't think we're alone here. Can you hear it laughing? I think there's some sort of spirit amongst us.

[TCSilvermane]

It was quiet as they moved through the crypt. The smell of mold and earth in the air was overwhelming, along with an undertone that reminded Maeva mildly of rotting flesh. Somewhere within the tomb water dripped onto the hard stone, the sound echoing along the halls as it strengthened to be much louder than it actually was. Maeva shuddered. This place was cold. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. It felt almost as if she was walking through a pit of fear and despair, ceaselessly struggling to escape from its clutches, but unable to completely remove herself from its grasp.

Quite suddenly, the torch flared with a great intensity, only to die in the same breath. A chilled and horrid laughter filled the air. It came not from simply one voice, but many.

"Your all going to die!"

"I want the girl!"

Maeva shuddered at this comment. She knew little of creatures such as this, except she would prefer to not become their meal.

Being slightly quicker, the two she was with jumped into action. The smaller one (Maeva guessed, although she was pretty sure from the voice) yelled out from the darkness. "Back creatures! Return to the darkness from whence you came! The power of Christ compels you!" For a brief moment, Maeva felt the oppression of the crypt lift, almost as if it had been beaten back by some outside force. It returned almost instantly though, accompanied by the cruel laughter of vampires.

The loud bang of gunpowder nearly shattered Maeva's eardrums. For an instant, the crypt was lit from a large flash, revealing four forms in the darkness. Again, a flash accompanied by the ear-shattering bang, and again, the four forms were outlined in the briefly. None of them were the important ones though... They were small, not as dangerous. Maeva felt the other one, deeper in the darkness, a gaze resting upon her. It made her skin crawl. She thought of why it's gaze was resting upon her. It did not summon forth an image she wanted to see.

Maeva stepped forward, gingerly, but at the same time with authority. She had no idea where the gaze was actually coming from, so she could not target him. However, she had an idea where the others were. Moving closer, Maeva's hands worked nimbly, and her voice, trembling slightly and lacking some of her usual confidence, sang out the arcane words she desperately needed. Making sure that neither of the others were in front of her, she began.

Find the key!
The rainbow beckons!
Look at its brilliance,
and let your mind explode from its light!

Maeva extended her hand toward the creatures, hoping that they had not moved from their previous positions. From her hand, a multicolored, clashing rainbow of colors burst forth, lighting up the immediate area and bathing them all in a multicolored light.

OCC Color Spray. 15 foot cone from Maeva's position. Will save, DC15. Hopefully, they roll less then 10

[Cheaplaffs]

The Company Grim Maeva's spell eminates an eerie pink and red glow while cast with Dark Matter, the colour spray itself appearing with more dark and red colours than the usual rainbow effect. Not expecting it, the vampires who haven't been turned by Jacob's holy influence are blaneted with the material, its magical effects breaking through their will. Elliot wastes no time, unloading another two purified shells on the evil creatures, now targeting the True Vampire standing less than perhaps 30ft away. Only the first shell is on target, the buckshot spraying the undead ringleader, who issues a shriek and sheilds his face, flesh seering from the purified silver. [Loses concentration on domination for round 2.] I'll include opponent's actions for Round 2 after I recieve the effects of your spell. Remember to include action for Round 2, Maeva.

[Cheaplaffs]

Company Von Drachen My mistake. You don't require the ride check, but your horse is still spooked, not rearing and trying to bolt at least, but still clearly upset. Sharimel's spell creates a sense of imminent anxiety, almost like that preceeding an ambush. This initial feeling dissipates in a few seconds, leaving behind only the risidual effects. You can sense something incorporeal on the road here, and in the surrounding forest. This whole area feels wrong, only enhanced by your Detection. The whistling wind and rustling of the foilage now sounds strangely like little feet in the brush, and the snickering laughter of a little boy. Liz's invisable harrasser only gets worse hearing your protests. The 'flat-tires' get more violent and seemingly deliberate, and now the laughter has evolved into a tiny voice. It speaks quickly and only a few words at a time, but the boy's voice is clearly distinguishable. "Ugly!" It whispers, eerily sharp, "They hate you!" Sharimel's spell picks up on a huge undead power coming from Goodson. Like nothing you've seen before through Detect Undead. Normally ghosts react more neutrally to the spell than other corporeal undead. This time, the incorporeal power is so intense it sends shivers down your spine, and your senses instinctually want to pull away.

[TCSilvermane]

Maeva grinned, relieved not only that she had been able to overcome the... what was it he called it again? Dark matter? No matter, it had not affected her. This time anyways.

For a moment, the taunts and laughter had stopped, for it seemed that Maeva had caught all the beings within her spell. How fortunate. She regarded the weapon that she had been given. He had called it a 'pistol' and said it was loaded with silver bullets. Maeva did not know much about vampires, but it did not take a genius to figure out that if they used silver bullets, odds are her weapons would do nothing against such evil. She did not exactly trust that she could hit anything with the pistol. It seemed as if the best choice was to rely on her natural talents.

Maeva stepped toward the closest vampire, chanting softly. She had precious few spells that directly harmed an opponent, and this was the most powerful.

The waves crash loudly!
The sun is masked by clouds!
The race has begun,
from the sky to the ground!

Briefly, Maeva touched the vampire. She felt the power run up her arm, tingling in her veins as it entered her hand, then...

...nothing. It was gone. Simply gone. Maeva stared at her own hand blankly, confused by the prospect of her spell actually failing.

OCC Moved to the closest vampire and cast Shocking Grasp. Yeah, I know vampires have 10 lightning resistance. Maeva doesnt though. Spell failed, so it doesnt matter anyways XD :P

[Davey Bones]

This is not good, not good at all, Sharimel says, her face growing exceedingly pale. We need to check this graveyard for anything resembling an altar, and we need to do it now. This entire village is radiating with the feeling of the undead. I've never felt anything like it. Sharimel shudders just a bit. Lady von Drachen, if you are a holy warrior, can you detect any evil here? I'll need that assistance if you can. We need to walk this graveyard as a group, and provided there is no altar, I will consecrate this graveyard. It won't be much more than a quick fix, but it might buy us some time.

[copatt]

Lizturns to face in the direction from which she hears the ghostly speech and crouches to about a child's height. What are you talking about child? Who hates me and why? Liz conciously chooses to ignore being called ugly, though it causes her to immediately think of the brand on her face- a memory that fills her with nausea.

Liz holds her hand up toward Sharimel as if to say wait. He's talking to me.

[Greaven]

Drawing out her mirror, she checked it for frost, holding tightly to the reigns as she also looks into it for signs of life between. Fairy tales are not always false. Drawing the holy symbol from her wrist up to ther mouth, she kisses it, whispering a smooth prayer to her Lord, "Master above, show me ze evil zat sullies your people, so zat I might smite ze offenders in zy name" she growls as she calls out for this boon, spreading her hand out, letting the symbol drop and dangle on her wrist as she concentrates on the aura's, letting the others dim from her mind some.

[Sporatik]

Jacob could hear the adrenaline pumping in his ears, the pain from his serious injury not even registering. He could tell he was losing a lot of blood, and wouldn't be able to take any more attacks that deal such serious damage. This didn't slow his actions however, as his hands quickly went to work almost automatically, shouldering his rifle and taking a shot at the shadow his brother was shooting at. Jacob could see his shot strike the target in the chest, and the creature screamed and writhed in pain momentarily.

Working the bolt action to eject the spent shell, Jacob chambered another round with a dexterous flick of his wrist and fired again, wincing as his shot arcs wide of the target.

[Cheaplaffs]

The Company Grim Watching the remaining vampires get hit by Maeva's strange spell and recoil, stunned, the ranger wasted no time - unloading the rest of his purified shells in quick succession. With Jacob's combined rifle fire, the True Vampire was basically torn in half by the buckshot, his torso dropping to its knees without a head and right arm. Still stunned and blind from the spray, Elliot gestures at Jacob towards the vampires still standing - "Now! Hit 'em now!"

[Cheaplaffs]

Company von Drachen Von Drachen is able to make out a sharp evil presense coming from Goodson, not the cemetary. Even though Sharimel can sense great undead unrest in the area, nothing is outwardly evil enough to catch your attention, which raises a great number of questions. If its from the Wailer, you can't be sure, but whatever the evil force is, its risidual enough to hide relatively unnoticed. If you wish to continue on to the cemetary, you'll find the gates are closed and locked with a heavy padlock and chain. A metal sign has been lashed with wire across the bars, reading, 'Stay Out!' Sharimel and Liz hear the boy's laughter even clearer, now. His voice, though, for the most part has dissapeared. Though you swear you can hear your name being whispered just out of earshot...

[copatt]

Liz looks back and forth between her two more experienced companions. If there's a strong sense of evil coming from back in town, maybe we should go there. The mystery of the graveyard's spirits can wait.

[Davey Bones]

This is... unusual, Sharimel says. I don't have much time left on my own spell, perhaps we should get back to the village immediately as it would seem we are needed there. Liz, you WILL ride as we need to move quickly...

[copatt]

Liz nods agreement. Of course sister. She moves obediently to the side of Lady von Drachen's mount, hopeful that the beast has calmed enough that she might be able to, with assistance, mount it. By your leave, lady-knight, Liz says, extending her hand for help getting atop the large steed.

[Greaven]

Her face showed great concern as she stared off toward Goodson, "Zis is not right, Town is like a beacon of evil, and zere is nearly nozhing here. Ve go" She agreed completely with the statement, only lingering a moment longer with full concentration on her prayer, trying to discern the nature of the evil aura, or strength, but after that moment had passed she stepped beside Liz with a warm smile, bending knee for a step up and offering her hand, "M'lady, your steed avaits," a moment of levity before the dire straights they were heading for. Something was going on in this village, and Elizabeth had well enough of the deciept she smelled all around her.