[Game Thread] Chapter I

[Davey Bones]

The Booles, you say, Sarimel says, repeating their names. Down the road, by the creek. I will check it out myself, thank you Peter. Please try to stay in town in case I need to speak with you again.

How is it that people don't want to speak about this with me, she thinks to herself sadly as she returns to the church. I'm here trying to help...

[TCSilvermane]

Maeva followed the two, fuming at the mans words. It was simple logic that she had used! Yet it seemed as if the dull-witted man was too hard-headed to accept the simple fact that magic belonged in this world. Perhaps she could simply kill him and be done with it. His weaponry gave her pause though. It was not worth the risk. Hell, were either of them worth the risk she had taken? Only time would tell, as Maeva no longer really had much of a choice now. There was safety in numbers, and from the looks of things, numbers would certainly be needed.

She would stay, and forgive the offense, for now.

After a moment, the larger one of the two moved ahead. The smaller one turned and smiled nervously at her. "Don't mind my brother, his superstitions out weigh his manners from time to time. Ive seen him kill witches for much less, you should take the fact that he's allowed you to stay as a compliment."

Well, better, but not by much.

She opened her mouth, intent to correct him on his use of the word 'witch' when the other man reappeared. Maeva stared daggers at him as she listened to his words. Something or another about vampires and their ilk. Burn them out or some such thing.

Maeva snorted. "If they come up in a group, I suggest the both of you stay to the sides. Unless you wish to be caught within the witches," this word she put particular emphasis and venom on, "spell."

[omglolnub]

We go to the city, see what we can get paid for, and then I'll take the money back home to aid in our fight, he said, downing the last of the bottle. He looked at his men for a few moments. He sighed and moved outside, discarding the bottle on the ground. He hated this place, it just smelled funny to him. Turning to the first one to follow him out he said, So, do we have a base of operations in this city we're headed to, or do we work out of the tavern?

OOC Sorry I've been absent, and for this short post, I'll edit it later, limited comp access.

[Cheaplaffs]

Liz Trying to recall but his memory failing him, the old bookeeper shakes his head and admits reluctantly, "Forgive me, I do not know. I and the other record keepers... even the family, I suspect, must have believed the two victims of the surrounding wilderness. To be honest, people go missing around here quite regularily. Especially children, who are easily lured into the forest and lost. They say the woods are haunted, inhabited by a horrifying creature beyond description. Some say it is a beast, others a ghost. Whatever it may be... anyone who has entered the woods searching for the Nightwalker have never returned." A shudder falls over the old man, and one of the younger nobles goes to his side. Nodding in appreciation, he waves him aside. "I am sorry. No one here likes talking about the Nightwalker much. Evidently the beast must be invading our home, not content with simply haunting our nightmares." Any skilled investigator knows to take personal opinion with a grain of salt, but this certainly is a development.

[Cheaplaffs]

Sharimel "Sister Sharimel." Maribelle greets your approach from the steps of the church. The sun is beginning to set now, and the pastures and rooves are covered in an orange glow cast by the fading light. "You return. Have you discovered anything?"

The Brothers Grim and Maeva The problem with fighting vampires on their own ground is that they generally choose the terms. Not like dumb monsters or men who can be tracked, tricked, and ambushed. Or werewolves who simply charge blindly ahead. "I'll lure them out into the open." Elliot grunts, his boots grinding on the gravel as he stands from where the three are huddled. "Once they show themselves... let them have it." The ranger glances at his older brother and new companion in turn from under the grim of his hat in turn before adding, "Unless anyone has a better idea." Up ahead the "road" of the necropolis opens up into a clearing around the entrance to a large tomb. The square-shaped clearing has an area of about 120 feet, with the tomb taking up the entire length of one of the sides. Elliot steps out into the middle of the clearing and begins loading silver bullets into one of his revolvers, calmly, almost as if he doesn't notice the shapes appearing out of thin air, sifting out of the darkness, their eyes glowing red in the dark like animals. "You lost, pal?" One of the shirtless, pale-skinned males ask in common, the four of them immerging slowly. "This one is cute..." Giggles the female in Noble Tongue, her face and claws still covered in blood. "Come and get me." Elliot mumbles under his breath, cocking the hammer back on the revolver. Now, Jacob. He keeps thinking. Now! Roll intiative!

Lady von Drachen Dawn brings a very different creature. Now in human form, the little girl receeds to one corner of the room and doesn't move. Any attempts to speak with her are received only in silence, even fright. Now in the late stages of lycanthropy, the girl no longer thinks like a human being. Instead her mind has receeded into a more feral state, intent only on sleeping and recovering her strength for the following moonrise. What should be done?

[copatt]

Liz bows humbly to the archivist and the young noble. Thank you both for this information. As liz rises from her bow, she sees through the window that the sun is starting to set. I fear I must now beg your leave. My cleric-mistress bade me return to the Church before dusk. You said you wanted to meet her; perhaps you would like to walk with me.

Walking back to the Church, Liz remains silent (even if accompanied by the archivist and/or the noble), utilizing the very same mnemonic techniques that she once used to recall rarely cast spells, theough now she turns the mental tools to recalling what she might know, if anything, of the Nightwalker.

Rolls!

[Greaven]

There was nothing to be done, she had progressed to far, eaten a boy, become completely feral. Nothing short of a miracle could save the girl, and as much as Elizabeth prayed and prayed for one, it was yet unanswered. Turning her devotions in a different direction, she could only fumble through her prayers, asking for guidance.

Even if slaying this child were the right thing to do, she could not believe that it was. She would spend the next few hours praying in silence, waiting just long enough for the girl to go to sleep. With silver dagger in hand it would only be a matter of time untill she could put the cursed child to sleep for good, and send her soul on to heaven.

When the time came, she was ready, her face stone as she had settled the matter at heart. She would prefer to do it painlessly, delivering a sweet and painless coup de grace by slipping the dagger between the third and forth vertebra, pushing it straight through to sever the wind pipe, leaving the girl to drown in her own blood, even if she couldn't feel it.

[Davey Bones]

I found some information, Sister Maribelle, Sharimel says, looking at the setting sun, but I would wait until my charge returns before sharing. I want to be out here in case she needs my assistance...

Sharimel waits on the steps for Liz to return.

[Sporatik]

Jacob could help but grin when the vampires showed themselves. He had seen this tactic before - the vampires are using their spawn as a distraction... the creatures themselves are mostly likely moving into ambush positions as they spoke. Before he gave his brother the chance to respond to the mindless taunts of the spawn, Jacob made sure the cork on the potion's bottle was tight and cocked it back, tensing the muscles in his arms.

"Catch, ugly!" He called, throwing the potion with all his might and accuracy.

The spawn never had a chance. The glass pot struck the middle vampire in the chest, instantly igniting her body in flame and creating a massive fireball that engulfed the entire group in burning, screaming, writhing agony.

Jacob wasted no time, sliding 10 silver bullets into his rifle individually faster than an average shooter could load a clip. Scanning the area, Jacob hoped his prayer would be answered and the ability to detect the creature's evil will begin to manifest.

[Cheaplaffs]

Jared Your hooded informant is quick to explain, "Greystone has worked with mercenaries in the past. As long as we don't disclose what our true purpose is, we should be able to pass off as a freelance mercenary company. The buerocracy will work itself out." Making your way out of the costal town, the way road between here and Greystone winds through a deep forest. During the night the roads are vacant for good reason. You can risk travelling the relatively short distance inland, or simply wait until the sun rises and gather supplies here in town. Don't be afraid to come up with establishment of your own, omglolnub.

Info on Nightwalker Liz: You've heard nothing about a creature called a Nightwalker, even in your time spent as an arcane spellcaster. The description given to you by the archiver is hardly helpful, since those traits could be any number of evil undead. Likely you'll have to encounter the creature for yourself to be certain.

Liz and Sharimel Agreeing to accompany you, the Lady Noble identifies herself as Lady Nila, one of five councilmen in Goodson. The two of you are able to meet Sharimel and Sister Maribelle on the steps of the church relatively at the same time. There is much for both of you to discuss, no doubt, and time is running short. Soon the witching hour will be upon you.

Lady von Drachen The deed is done mostly as you desire, save for a sudden jolt of feral suprise when the silver enters her bloodstream. Killing the helpless lycanthrope instantly, the girl falls limp and simply bleeds out without protest or further aggression. What remains to be resolved is the nature of this dead body. As the mother and father clearly were aware of this, perhaps guilty of even feeding the creature, it is easy to see why they were so eager to recieve your grace in the beginning. You know what your knightly duties entail - reporting this to the magistrate. It seems to be the most ethical decision, as well.

The Brothers Grim and Maeva Not expecting the attack to come in the form of firey napalm, the vampire spawn aren't able to get out of the way in time and as the female bursts into flames, the others soon follow, rolling on the ground and shrieking until the fire destroys them utterly, leaving behind only ash. Stopping only to light a cigarette on the smoldering remains of the first vampire, Elliot takes a long drag, then hands the rest to Jacob. Examining the tomb entrance for a moment, the ranger says to his brother, "The front might be trapped by evil magic. See if you can see anything."

[Sporatik]

Jacob received the cigarette and put it in his mouth, taking a drag as he slung his rifle. Closing his eyes, Jacob took Meava's hand and muttered a few phrases, using her magical aura to heighten the power of the detect magic prayer.

"Thanks." He muttered to her, taking another drag of the cigarette as the magic all around him instantly and suddenly became apparent to him.

[copatt]

Feet and palms together, Liz bows slightly to her cleric-mistress. Sister, I am glad to see that we have both returned safely to the church. I would like to introduce the Lady Nila, Liz gestures toward the noblewoman, one of Goodson's five council members.

Liz pauses briefly for the two women to exchange pleasantries, then continues. The archives, while they may hold beneficial information, were difficult to dissect without really knowing what I was looking for. The archivist himself, however, proved a valuable source of information. He was able to tell me that, though people go missing in the forest with alarming regularity, he did recall a brother and sister, orphans, who disappeared within one week of one another. The girl, Anna, disappeared first, about six weeks ago. Her brother Jake, a week after that. I've not been able to nail down the details, but it seems there disappearances might have precipitated some of the troubles; they may even be our ghosts. Of course, this is pure speculation on my part.

Liz pauses for a moment to give Sharimel a chance to digest what she has said thus far. Second, the archivist mentioned a creature called the Nightwalker. From what I have been able to sort out, this Nightwalker could be any sort of evil undead. I can't recall the archivist's actual words, but something he said makes me think this creature, whatever it is, has stepped increased its terrorizing of the locals.

[TCSilvermane]

Maeva readied herself, making sure she had a firm grip on her powers, but found that she was not needed. The fiery concoction made contact with the womans skin and burned with an intensity that she had never seen. Soon, all the humans had been consumed by the flames.

Then again, I suppose they aren't really human. What did the stupid one call them? Vampire spawn? Maeva shrugged mentally. Whatever they were, they were no longer of any threat to the three.

They approached the tombs entrance cautiously. Time and decay had long since worn away the splendor it had been built with. Moss and various kinds of mold marred the once pristine surface of the marble. The detailed carvings, while appealing in times of light, was now shadowed by the darkness of the night. Strange shapes were cast by what little light was left, distorting and twisting the images into pitiful visages of their former selves. Steps led down into darkness, deep and forbidding.

The sound of a match being struck came from the larger of the two as he lit a cigarette. Taking a long drag, he turned toward his companion. "The front might be trapped by evil magic. See if you can see anything."

The smaller examined the tomb for but a moment. Surprisingly, he grabbed her hand and started praying. Her skin went cold and clammy for a moment as she felt an ever so slight sapping of her energies. Quickly, she snatched her hand away, disgusted by the act, but apparently he had finished with his prayer. A barely distinguishable "Thanks" came from his mouth.

The more time she spent with these two, the angrier she became. But what sort of thing could sap at her mystical energies such as he did? The question intrigued Maeva. This could be a very dangerous thing to her. It might be best to find out as much as she could through friendly means. Now was not the time however.

Maeva shook her head and strode forward. With a slight tone of arrogance in her voice, she spoke to the two. "Not all traps are of the magical kind. Arrows kill just as many as magic."

Being exceptionally cautious, Maeva studied the outlying doorway of the tomb and the immediate interior for an arrow slit, a sliding tile, anything that could betray a cleverly disguised trap.

[Davey Bones]

Most excellent work, Liz, Sharimel says, just a hint of a smile forming on her face. Lady Nila, perhaps you can tell me a bit about the Nightwalker? I have the name of the last family to lose a child, the Booles, but before we go out to see them I would like to hear what you know and see if I can perhpas make sense of what kind of undead creature we are dealing with....

[Greaven]

One last thing yet remained then, and that was to ascertain the truth of the matter. Someone would need to be punished undoubtedly, as she doubted the corpse had simply wandered in. Casting a prayer for the girl, her symbol of devotion pushed to her lips, leaving imprints of the ingraving.

She spent a time weeping for the poor child before drying her eyes and finding her way back down stairs, a somber air about her, finding it hard to even be subtle, "ze young man, who vas he? How did he get here?" She spent a time eyes locked on them both, if they gave up the information freely, she would press them, saying that their sins might still be forgiven, should they repent.