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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 18, 2011 7:59:16 GMT -6
Breath's show of force and the arrival of reinforcements give Buzz Cut second thoughts. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else," he meekly whispers. "Come on guys, let's go." The trio tries to slink away...
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jul 18, 2011 14:01:16 GMT -6
Fated to Die: "Don't go yet, gentlewomen. We might be able to get you a little spending coin after all..."
Fated jingles the couple coins in his pockets enticingly, then huddles up with everyone.
"Moon Lady, what'd you find out? Think we can get these guys to lead us to the cave, or create a distraction or something? Or we could just rob them..."
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Jul 19, 2011 11:49:56 GMT -6
Walking up behind Squeaky Voice and Stretch as quietly as he can, The Shadow of the Evermore stops right behind them and barks, in his deepest and most fearsome voice, "These small children causing you trouble, Breath of New Moon?": "They were about to provide me with some exercise, but it seems they've remembered a previous engagement." Fated to Die: "Moon Lady, what'd you find out? Think we can get these guys to lead us to the cave, or create a distraction or something? Or we could just rob them..." fills in everyone about the tree in the graveyard which overhangs the church as the most probable route to get into the bell tower (via the church's roof) at night undetected. She also recounts about The Pastor's bell-ringing. "...the only complication is that I have not yet seen him emerge again." |
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 19, 2011 14:31:56 GMT -6
Are you going to let the three Townies run away or try to detain them?
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Jul 20, 2011 11:47:09 GMT -6
Breath lets them leave.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 21, 2011 5:01:46 GMT -6
It is getting toward dusk.
You hear the creaking of stairs from the church, then the Pastor emerges and waddles back to the residence.
Your plans for the evening?
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Jul 21, 2011 11:21:27 GMT -6
"I will volunteer to scout the belltower as soon as it gets dark. If I strip off all my clothing and accoutrements I will be the least visible." Breath of New Moon offers.
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jul 21, 2011 14:15:13 GMT -6
Fated to Die: "Someone should go with the Bone Crone, to watch her back. I'll go see if I can set up a talk with the pastor about saving my soul or something... I'd like to learn more about this little piggy."
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 22, 2011 7:49:17 GMT -6
Eye of Thundera will watch Breath's back.
Fated what's the plan? Just knock on the front door of the rectory?
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Jul 22, 2011 12:27:46 GMT -6
"If you talk to him later in the evening and try to keep him occupied it could act as a distraction while I'm scouting." Breath of New Moon suggests.
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Jul 22, 2011 12:36:35 GMT -6
Breath also asks the assembled company if she can borrow a knife or daggar from someone. If no one has one or is unwilling to part with one she'll try to buy one in town "as a momento of my visit". Once she has a knife, she'll try to blacken the blade with soot &/or grease in preparation for her mission.
She'll also leave her glaive, armour, and other gear with someone to watch... she'd prefer Minion of the Unholy Fragnog, as a fellow bone-man (bone-person? ;D) who may also feel he owes her a debt for helping rescue him from the Foreman's pit.
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jul 22, 2011 17:00:07 GMT -6
Fated to Die: "Yeah, it's a church right? They gotta have some interest in shepherding lost souls. What's the best time? I'll pound on the door and demand to talk to the Pastor, say I've had a portentious dream and I must warn him."
[OOC: I forgot some of what happened previously. Is there a best time to talk to the Pastor to create a distraction, i.e. is there a specific time that the cave/mountain needs to be watched from the bell tower?]
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 22, 2011 17:26:45 GMT -6
Darkness falls in Aylesbury.
Eye of Thundera and Minion of the Unholy Fragnog stand watch at the front and side paths leading to the graveyard. (Minion holds on to Breath's gear).
Breath of New Moon is almost invisible, a pale skeleton skulking in the shadows. A visitor to the cemetery might almost mistake her for an undead creature of legend.
As Breath begins to climb the ancient tree, she feels a strange mental sensation--as though a great, brooding intelligence slumbers nearby. Drawing upon her sorcerous mental training (save vs. spells = 18), Breath quiets her thoughts and remains undetected. Catlike (Dexterity check = 9) she drops to the church roof without a sound.
Meanwhile...
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 22, 2011 17:48:33 GMT -6
Fated to Die approaches the whitewashed building at the rear of the church that serves as its rectory. His knock at the door is answered by a surprised-looking Matron who lowers her gaze respectfully to avoid making eye contact with the handsome Ulfire stranger.
She gestures for you to enter and leads you down a narrow, austere hallway to a small office. It is dominated by a massive, trapezoidal desk made from granite. On one side of the desk are two Shaker-style chairs; on the other side is a lumpy purple cushion. The Matron invites you to sit in one of the chairs and leaves you alone...
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 22, 2011 18:25:30 GMT -6
Breath of New Moon vaults over the railing and enters the bell tower. The bell is a massive iron thing, covered in arcane runes. There is a trap door that presumable leads down to the church; it is shut.
Breath leans on the railing and looks out over the hills. At first, she is not sure exactly what she is looking for. But, there! On the northwest horizon is an ominous green light. It flashes regularly every 30 seconds like a beacon.
The blinking light comes from the top of a distinctive trapezoidal foothill just to the northwest of town. You make careful note of the direction and landmarks, and you feel reasonably confident you can find this hill.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 22, 2011 18:39:42 GMT -6
Fated to Die hears a creaking sound from the hall as the very timbers of the house buckle and groan. Someone--or someTHING--massive approaches!
The door crashes open and The Pastor pushes his way into the office. Covered in sweat, massive bulk swimming in his loose robe, he moves behind the desk and slumps onto his cushion.
With one hand, The Pastor rearranges his comb-over on his damp, green brow; he brings the other to his mouth and coughs a deeply-lodged wad into his hankie.
His hand crashes down onto the desk, moist, empty palm raised expectantly. "Well?" he grunts.
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jul 22, 2011 22:27:54 GMT -6
Fated to Die doesn't bother to look at the Pastor's open hand.
"I'm here to fill your mind, not your purse. I bring greetings from the Masters of the Trapezoid. But first, I must eat."
Fated looks the Pastor up and down --
"I trust you have more here than oatmeal and raisins, hmmm?"
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 23, 2011 10:26:53 GMT -6
Fated to Die doesn't bother to look at the Pastor's open hand. "I'm here to fill your mind, not your purse. I bring greetings from the Masters of the Trapezoid. But first, I must eat." Fated looks the Pastor up and down -- "I trust you have more here than oatmeal and raisins, hmmm?" The Pastor hems and haws with uncertainty and--perhaps--a tinge of nervousness. (Charisma check = 1!) "Well, I am a little hungry--" He rings a small bell in a pattern of long and short dongs and dings. Soon there is the unmistakable smell of bacon from down the hall. "What news from the Masters?" he inquires. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 24, 2011 9:39:28 GMT -6
A frightened-looking younger Matron enters the room carrying a tray with three plates and two glasses of milk. The Pastor sets one plate down on the floor and slides it underneath the hem of his robe. Then he grabs a fork and noisily starts in on the second plate. He gestures toward the third plate with his scrambled-egg covered chin, indicating the food is for you. There is a tasty assortment of eggs, bacon, sausages, and other high-cholesterol delicacies.
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jul 25, 2011 7:43:16 GMT -6
Fated to Die digs into the food.
"I have good news for you, Pastor. The Masters are pleased with your work. Word of your... admirable appetites has spread. I have been sent to bestow several new glories upon you, several new blessings. I will provide much for you to eat, so that for a brief time all of your appetites may be sated."
"Are you ready to receive the blessings that you have earned? If so, we must sequester ourselves in privacy. I've noticed your cemetery - does it have a vault, inside of which we may be free from prying eyes? The primal energies of such a location will be beneficial to your enrichment, but no one else must be privy to the inner mysteries of the Church into which I will induct you."
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 25, 2011 8:10:58 GMT -6
"Praise unto the Mountain God!" The Pastor beams with pride. "We are a small congregation, but we are faithful. Please accept this humble donation to cover your... expenses... while you are in town."
He slides a hinged box, like a small briefcase, across the table to you.
Then he rises from his bean-bag (it takes him four tries) and steps forward, towering above you. You notice the empty plate on the floor and shreds of meat and grease-stains on the hem of his robe.
"Follow me to our bell-tower; there is something I would like to show you..."
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jul 25, 2011 10:21:38 GMT -6
Fated to Die: "Such devotion is remarkable! I do so enjoy visiting the more humble parishes - within them the miracles of the Mountain God are truly worked!"
"Thank you for your donation. As you can tell by my odd clothing, the train accident has left me at loose ends. This money will be put to good use."
Fated calls out loudly so that others may hear - "Pastor, allow me to help you up into the bell-tower - balance your ample faith upon the strength of my back!"
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Post by Mushgnome on Jul 26, 2011 9:16:04 GMT -6
From her perch on the bell-tower, Breath of New Moon hears the voices of The Pastor and Fated to Die as they cross the courtyard toward the church. She quickly shimmies down the tree and rejoins her companions in the cemetery.
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Post by Mushgnome on Aug 1, 2011 6:27:18 GMT -6
Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs to the church door, The Pastor rests to catch his breath with his hand on the railing. He produces a handkerchief from his pocket and mops his brow, panting with exertion. "Our bell... tolls loud... and deep... (huff) the runes... are... almost... (puff) complete..."
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Post by crusssdaddy on Aug 1, 2011 9:53:10 GMT -6
Fated to Die: "Rest a moment, Pastor. Can you summon a matron to fetch two flasks of oil? I need one to anoint you and one to anoint me. Thank you, and hurry."
"While we wait, your initiation begins." Fated to Die looks up, considers a bit, then traces symbols in the sky. "Witness yon stars... observe their alignment. The small red star, over there... know it, you? 'Lets us now commence the Feast, when rises blood upon the East.' A good omen my friend, a good omen..."
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Post by Mushgnome on Aug 1, 2011 11:24:04 GMT -6
The Pastor nods his sweaty head in agreement. He is completely out of breath and his stomach gurgles loudly. He procures a small bell from his robe and rings it, summoning one of the Matrons. He pants a few words into her ear, and she returns a minute later with the requested flasks of oil.
What then?
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Aug 1, 2011 11:35:47 GMT -6
Breath of New Moon quickly (and quietly) informs Eye and Minion of her findings.
"... we had best keep careful watch in case Fated needs assistance."
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Post by Mushgnome on Aug 1, 2011 11:55:57 GMT -6
Welcome back! Anyone else who wants to be in the graveyard can be there too.  |
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Post by tombowings on Aug 1, 2011 12:51:46 GMT -6
The Sovereign Mask will be there.
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Post by ehiker133 on Aug 1, 2011 12:56:30 GMT -6
The Shadow of the Evermore will be there, as well.
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