This is the first part of four total. Thanks again to everyone who played, and to Nomadic in particular for doing updates and announcements!
Also stay tuned for a possible sequel at some point in the not too distant future...
Dramatis Personae
[ic=Samael - played by Polycarp!]A moody, brooding demon, Samael was once the Authority's Angel of Death, a role now belonging to the Archangel Azrael, for whom Samael reserves an intense, simmering hatred. Samael generally appears as a tall, pale, sinewy youth with long, white-blonde hair, dressed in black jeans and hoodie, his eyes concealed by opaque, totally reflective black sunglasses (behind which his eyes are black voids). When required to 'dress up' he wears a black suit and tie with a heavy leather coat. In his true form he is a faceless, cadaverous figure swathed in a tattered black robe. Now a soldier of Hell, Samael's politics can be most closely aligned with Moloch's, though in general he prefers to follow orders rather than to lead. In battle he wields a numinous weapon called the Scythe, which can assume the form of any weapon '" in modern times, often a gun of some variety.
Powers
Samael's Scythe can become any weapon wieldable by an individual warrior (i.e. it can become a sword or pistol, but not a nuclear bomb, a bazooka but not a tank). If the Scythe becomes a firearm it has infinite ammunition, though its bullets can still be deflected by sufficiently heavy armour or similar protection; Samael can, however, execute incredibly intricate trick shots. Samael is also a master of every conceivable mortal weapon, from a katana to a rocket-propelled grenade to a boomerang.
Gaze: Samael can kill with a mere glance if he wishes. By removing his glasses and making eye contact he can instantly slay any mortal. Protective talismans or eyewear may guard against the Gaze. This ability uses one point of Energy.
Speak with Dead: Samael can temporarily bring a soul back to its body, though only if the soul went to Hell. This ability uses one point of Energy, but cannot be used on any corpse on which Last Rites have been said.
Reanimate: Samael can infuse a corpse with a measure of his Energy to create an undead Revenant that obeys all of his instructions. The Revenant is very difficult to destroy; even decapitating it will not stop it. This ability uses two points of Energy, but cannot be used on any corpse on which Last Rites have been said.[/ic][ic=Abyzou - played by Nomadic]Preferring the guise of an enfant terrible culled from Japanese horror movies '" scraggly black pigtails, pinafore dress, an obscene giggle, and sunken, flashing eyes '" Abyzou is a demonic mischief-maker and trickster who thinks of mortals only as playthings (or snacks), delighting in violent and usually gory pranks. Other demons tend to consider her something of a loose cannonball, even a liability; she is more or less apolitical, preferring simply to run amok on the mortal plane than to debate in the Infernal Parliament. In her true form, Abyzou resembles a statuesque woman with writhing black tendrils for hair and clawed hands.
Powers
Abyzou can commune telepathically at a distance of up to one hundred feet (note that this does not allow her to read minds, only communicate psychically, though those she contacts can speak back mentally). Protective talismans cannot block Abyzou out, though they may protect against her Mental Violation ability. Abyzou's size may allow her access to areas others find too small to enter.
Mental Violation: Abyzou can project disturbing hallucinations into mortal minds, potentially driving them into fits of madness, depending on the creativity and imagery of the illusion. The mortal must be in range of her telepathy. Protective talismans can safeguard against this effect. Mental Violation uses one point of Energy.
Psychokinesis: By focusing on an object Abyzou can move it with her mind; she must be able to see the object to manipulate it. While this ability can be used as a weapon or to levitate team-mates Abyzou cannot pick herself up using it. Protective talismans or wards may safeguard against this ability. Psychokinesis uses one point of Energy.
Cannibalism: Abyzou can devour a mortal enemy whole, distending her jaw horrifically like a serpent. By doing so she gains access to the memories of anyone she eats. Protective talismans do not safeguard against this ability '" though they do give Abyzou a case of wicked heartburn. Cannibalism expends two points of Energy.[/ic][ic=Pazuzu - played by The Meanest Guest]A slick, animated storm-demon. He appears as an unusually tall man, almost stretched seeming, with storm grey eyes and somewhat tanned skin, he is commonly dressed in a black pin-striped suit and a matching fedora. Pazuzu ascribes to a more Beezlebubian philosophy. He is quick to compromise when he sees that it is to his benefit, but will react with frenzied wrath when all other options have been exhausted. His true form is that of a massive, obsidian gargoyle, about which lightning and obscuring shadows play.
Powers
Pazuzu can cause any electrical device to malfunction or otherwise behave unusually at will. In addition, he can exert control over any nearby live electrical current.
Eldritch Thunder: By harnessing his innate power, Pazuzu can create a burst of intense light and noise that blinds and temporarily deafens nearby mortals. Protective talismans and ear or eye-wear can safeguard against this effect. This ability uses one point of energy.
Enshroud: Through the expenditure of one energy point Pazuzu can call up an unnatural, viscous concealing fog that seems to move as of its own will. Pazuzu has a vague sense of all that occurs within the confines of the fog. Protective talismans can burn off the fog in a localized area.
Demoniac Lightning: Pazuzu can let fly an arcing stream of powerful demoniac lightning from his outstretched arms, charring flesh and halting neural activity. This lightning can jump across multiple targets, unless it encounters a protective talisman in which case the lightning dissipates. This ability requires two energy points to use.[/ic] [ic=Preamble Goofiness]
Polycarp is now known as Samael
Steerpike is now known as The_Authority
Samael - Oh dear, our GM is named after our primary adversary. That's never a good sign.
The_Authority is now known as Son_Of_The_Morning.
Son_Of_The_Morning. - Perhaps less intimidating, even if now I'm the devil.
Samael - Somehow, that works...
[/ic][ic=Scene 1: Overkill!]
Briefing
You have been sent by decree of the Parliament of Hell to the mortal plane to retrieve a certain object - a shard of an ancient Sumerian clay tablet describing the location of the fabled Tree of Life. In the primeval past humanity was tempted before, with a fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, but was banished from primordial Eden by the Authority before they could eat of the Tree of Life, which would make them like gods, immortal. The infernal gambit is that by corrupting humanity with the second fruit a nigh unkillable army in the service of the Adversary can be quickly created. If the Authority manages to somehow destroy the newly immortal bodies of those who ate of the fruit, their souls will almost certainly be consigned to the Abyss, given the severity of their sin, equalled only by Original Sin itself.
One of the ceramic fragments has been located after long centuries of searching. Sources on the mortal plane report that a Watcher - one of the angels who left Paradise voluntarily to guide humanity and protect mortals against the manipulations of both demons and angels - has obtained the shard. The Watcher, called Samyaza (identified in ancient times as the god Enki, and now generally known as Sam Guignol, amongst other aliases), has been tracked to a club called Overkill! in Tatterdemalion City. Overkill! is located in a former church, which would normally bar you from entrance, but fortunately the grounds have been deconsecrated.
Samyaza is powerful. Unlike yourselves his wings were never cut from his back: he retains most of his angelic prowess, and a direct attack would be disastrous. He can easily destroy any individual demon in a straight-up fight, and might even take an entire group. He might prove a valuable future ally if he isn'˜t alienated completely. Your mission is to collect the fragment of the tablet, presumably through stealth or guile, since force is unlikely to be effective.
* Pazuzu straightens his fedora and breathes deeply the air of the mortal plane.
* Samael shifts his glasses, bleak frown on his face
* Abyzou twists her neck sharply, eliciting a crack
* Abyzou giggles at the thought of what such an action might do to a mortal
Son_Of_The_Morning - Having manifested only a short time ago you are conveyed by limousine to Overkill!
Overkill! squats in the filthy heart of the city, a badly vandalized, converted brick church spewing lurid club-light onto the sidewalk, turning the puddles into iridescent pools like radioactive slime. A long line of men and women and ambiguously gendered individuals stand before the entrance like supplicants at a temple, or souls at the gates of an afterlife of uncertain persuasion. They are garbed in esoteric and erotic bric-a-brac: absurd fetish gear, vampish Gothic costumes, garish outfits of creaking latex and leather and nylon. Tawdry gargoyles that look like they must've been tacked onto the church after its conversion leer down at you from the above. Dingy alleys yawn to either side, dank and sepulchral. Music blares discordantly from within.
Samael - "Hm. De-consecrated indeed."
* Pazuzu steps out of the limo, long legs leading the way.
* Abyzou hops out and bounces along behind pazuzu
* Pazuzu notices the gargoyles and grins
* Samael steps out last and closes the door behind them
Abyzou - ooo ooo hey
Pazuzu - ooc: now how should we approach entry, namaah would have been useful for that.
Son of the Morning - The limousine drives off.
* Abyzou notices one of the mortals looking her way
* Abyzou skips up
Abyzou - hey you
Abyzou - you've got something there on your shirt
Abyzou - right there
* Abyzou points
Son of the Morning - The mortal - a towering, tattooed man with metal horns implanetde beneath his scalp - glowers down at you
* Samael looks to Pazuzu
* Pazuzu shrugs
Samael - I do hope you have some ideas.
Son of the Morning -"Get lost, this place isn't for kids"
* Abyzou slams her fist up into his face
Abyzou - oops I missed it
* Abyzou giggles
Son of the Morning -The man stumbles backwards with blood streaming from his (broken) nose, a look of disbelief on his face.
* Samael massages his temples and gives a low, exasperated sigh
Abyzou - my bad
* Abyzou skips back to the group
Son of the Morning -The other clubgoers begin to back away. One of the women (probably a woman, anyway), shrieks
Son of the Morning -The bouncers start to perk up - one a ponderous, hulking slab of fat and muscle with a mass of charms and crucifixes chained round his thick neck like a collar, the other a wiry but still powerfully built man whose arms are tattooed with spidery Gothic lettering - what looks like Scripture.
* Abyzou gives her most innocent look
Abyzou - what?
Son of the Morning -"She punched me in the face! You guys all saw!" The "horned" mortal says wildly.
Son of the Morning -The bouncers laugh and tell the guy to get lost
* Pazuzu approaches the bouncers
Pazuzu - I think.. you will find, that we are on the VIP list.
* Samael follows Pazuzu, a few feet away, looking indifferent
* Pazuzu stares down at the man unblinkingly
* Abyzou looks at them cutely
Son of the Morning -"Oh yeah?" The thick-necked one grumbles. "Who the Hell're you?"
* Abyzou opens her mouth in a sly grin, revealing pointed teeth
Son of the Morning -"No minors in here," the wiry one says, adressing Abyzou, though he's pretty disturbed by those teeth.
Pazuzu - Who we are.. is not so importat as our admittance.
Son of the Morning -"That so? You think I let just anyone in who says they're on the VIP list?"
* Abyzou looks at the other bouncer...
Abyzou - my name is Abyzou and I bet you I can fit you inside my mouth
* Abyzou chuckles darkly
Pazuzu - ooc: can you pick his brain for some names we can use to get in?
Pazuzu - ooc: or like, do something with your psychic powers
Abyzou - ooc: I can but I'd have to eat him
Pazuzu - ooc: hmm
* Abyzou looks at the bouncer
Son of the Morning - ooc: you can ask him telepathically but can't mind-read (unless you eat him, yeah)
* Samael continues to silently watch Pazuzu's parley, arms crossed
Abyzou - *telepathically* first I'm gonna find ya then I'm gonna eat ya, first I'm gonna find ya then I'm gonna eat ya, first I'm gonna find ya then I'm gonna eat ya...
* Pazuzu sighs in an exasperated fashion
Son of the Morning - "What the Hell are you on, kid?" The wiry bouncer looks genuinely unnerved. "Is she with you?" He asks of Pazuzu and Samael.
Abyzou - let me in and I won't bother you anymore
* Abyzou continues the mental chant
* Abyzou steps closer to him, licking her lips slowly
Pazuzu - She is with us..
Son of the Morning - "Dude, I gotta go inside," the wiry bouncer says to the big one. "I'm not feeling well... maybe you should let those guys in..."
Son of the Morning - He dissapears into the lurid depths of Overkill!
* Abyzou looks at the other guy sweetly
Son of the Morning - The big bouncer steps forward and crosses his arms.
Abyzou - so you gonna let us in or do I have to eat you
* Abyzou takes up the same chant inside his head
* Pazuzu causes the remaining bouncer's phone to ring. In a tone that he's never heard before.
Son of the Morning - The big man blanches and fingers the crucifex round his neck and picks up the phone. "Hold on a second," he says to the party. He replaces the chain, barring the entrance, and steps to one side.
Son of the Morning -"Hello?" He whispers.
* Abyzou inside his head
Abyzou - hello it's me
Abyzou - the little girl there
Abyzou - and if you don't let us in
Abyzou - I'm going to devour you
* Pazuzu causes a staticky voice to respond through the phone 'Are you going to let them in or not? What are you payed for anyways?"
* Abyzou distends her jaw and opens it up several feet wide
Son of the Morning - The bouncer, visibly shaken, closes the phone and heads back to the front. he removes the chain.
* Abyzou snaps her jaw back up and skips through
* Abyzou sends him one last message
* Pazuzu draws his hand down his face in a long suffering manner
Abyzou - I'm still gonna eat you later
* Samael sighs heavily
Samael - It's about time.
Son of the Morning - He replaces the chain wordlessly.
Aside with Pazuzu - Son of the Morning - Before you enter the club you see a shadowy figure watching you from across the street, garbed in what looks like a medieval robe. When it sees you noticing it the figure recedes into the blackness of the alley.
Son of the Morning - You're at the coat-check and cover-fee area near the foyer.
Pazuzu - ooc: do we have any money? =p
Son of the Morning - ooc: you have cash, that shouldn't be an issue.
* Abyzou kicks a pebble on the ground
Abyzou - hurry up... I'm getting bored
* Pazuzu goes up and pays cover for all three of us
* Samael hands the coat-check attendant his coat, along with a tip
Son of the Morning - ooc: Samael, are you keeping the Scythe on you?
Samael - (to Abyzou) All in good time. Just... try not to get us kicked out.
* Abyzou hands the attendant her coat... a cute little sky blue one with fuzz... there is a not so subtle bloodstain on one sleeve.
Samael - (Yes, the Scythe is a linoleum knife in my pocket. Russian mob style.)
Son of the Morning - The coat-check girl wrinkles her nose. She seems pretty weirded out that a little kid is in the club, but it's the bouncer's job to keep people out, not hers'.
Son of the Morning - She smiles thinly.
* Pazuzu keeps his jacket and hat on
* Abyzou follows behind Pazuzu, repeatedly jumping up and trying to reach his hat.
Samael - (to Pazuzu) Do we have an approach to our "friend," here? Or are we just going to be asking politely?
Pazuzu - I think.. it would be pertinent to find him first. We shall see how it proceeds.
Son of the Morning - The main room of the club is a churning, seething mass of sweating bodies and queasy, pulsing light mingling together into a indiscriminate, many-limbed creature of flesh and clothing and sound. The Gothic architecture looms cadaverously to either side towards a vaulted ceiling. Scantily clad club employees twine themselves lasciviously round prop crosses at the main altar, while the goggled DJ operates from the pulpit.
Samael - I doubt he'll be as receptive to our previous methods.
* Samael glares at Abyzou
Son of the Morning -There's a corridor to one side that leads to washrooms and such.
* Abyzou looks back at Samael
Abyzou - wha'did'Ido?
Pazuzu - Yes, that is to be kept.. in mind. We do have.. much to offer however.
Samael - (do we have any idea what our quarry might look like?)
Son of the Morning -You have a black and white photograph of him taken during his last sighting in the early 30's, where he's a rather grizzled-looking man with scarred hands and longish black hair, garbed in a trenchocat and hat. He's probably changed a lot since then.
Abyzou - so we're lookin' for the owner right? Why not ask one of the staff?
Samael - Very well.
* Abyzou looks at the other two with a *duh* look on her face
* Pazuzu approaches the bar and orders a saxon surprise
* Abyzou sits on the barstool next to pazuzu, her nose just poking above the bartop
Abyzou - I wonder if they have bloody mary's.
* Samael stands by them, looking over the crowd
* Abyzou chuckles darkly at her own joke
Son of the Morning -The bartender - a woman in a lewdly cut lace top and way too much eyeliner on - gets you the drink and eyes Abyzou suspiciously.
Pazuzu - Sam wouldn't happen to be in tonight, would he?
Son of the Morning - 'Uh,' the bartender says stupidly. 'Who's asking?'
Pazuzu - An old friend. We've got business to discuss.
Abyzou - could I get a glass of water here?
* Abyzou swings her feet, rotating the barstool top back and forth
Son of the Morning - The bartender pours a water for Abyzou.
* Abyzou takes it gladly and takes a long swig
Son of the Morning - "How'd you get past the bouncers?" She turns to Abyzou. 'You're way too young to be in here."
Samael - As we said, we are old friends with the owner.
Pazuzu - Ah, my friend here has an.. unfortunate glandular disorder.
Pazuzu - She is... much... older than she looks.
* Abyzou pulls a scrap piece of random cardstock from a pocket and looks at it idly as if reading something
Son of the Morning - "Ah, right. Sam. His office is downstairs. If you're expected Larissa'll let you in. You'll probably need someone to let you down there, though."
* Pazuzu smiles at the bartender
Samael - I'm sure it will be no trouble for you to arrange said person for us.
Samael - I'm certain our friend would not want us to be kept waiting.
Son of the Morning - "Uh, sure, I guess. One moment." She talks to anotehr of the bartenders, who steps out from behind the bar and motions that you follow him.
* Samael nods and follows the man
* Abyzou places he cardstock on top of the glass in one fluid motion tips it over so it is resting upside down on the table, then pulls the cardstock out, leaving an upside down half filled water glass, ready to spill for whomever tries to pick it up
* Abyzou hops off the stool and follows
* Pazuzu gets up lazily
Son of the Morning - He leads you to a short corridor that leads to the back door. Doors on the right hand side lead to the washrooms; on the left non-descript door with the words "Employees Only" can be seen. The walls are slathered with advertisements and posters.
Son of the Morning - ooc: (heheh, nice Abyzou)
Son of the Morning - The bartender unlocks the Employees Only door. "Larissa'll let you in. You guys do have an appointment, right?"
Pazuzu - Of course.
Samael - Of course.
Pazuzu - ooc: hah
Samael - (everybody now!)
Son of the Morning - The bartender shrugs and heads back to the bar.
Son of the Morning - Inside the door, a stairway spirals down into what must be the basement level of the church - or the catacombs. Sputtering electric lights provide illumination.
* Pazuzu snaps his fingers. The lights seem to now be working perfectly.
* Abyzou skips down it two steps at a time
* Samael begins descending, fiddling with the knife in his pocket idly.
Son of the Morning - Underground, the music of the club is muffled. At the bottom of the stairway an arched Gothic door admits entrance to a long passage beyond that might once have been part of a catacomb or crypt. A well-dressed asian woman with short, dyed-blond hair and a hard, cruel face stands guard at the end of the passage, a heavy pistol at her waist.
Samael - A reasonably useful trick.
Son of the Morning - Unlike the guards upstairs, who were garbed in fetish gear and the like - more for show than utility - she looks professional. She hasn't seen you yet, though.
* Abyzou arrives first and looks up at the lady cutely
Abyzou - hi
Son of the Morning - She frowns.
Son of the Morning - "What're you doing down here, little girl?"
Son of the Morning - ooc: Are Pazuzu and Samael behind Abyzou?
Pazuzu - Ah, excuse us Miss. But we are here to discuss a certain business arrangement with Mr. Guignol.
Abyzou - don't you think this is a perfect place to play hide and seek
Samael - (ooc: I believe so)
Pazuzu - ooc: I am.
Son of the Morning - ooc: (ok good)
Samael - Good evening. *nods in agreement with Pazuzu*
Pazuzu - It involves.. his interest in certain historical oddities.
Son of the Morning - "Business arrangement? I wasn't told of any kind of appointment. Who are you?"
Pazuzu - No? I just talked to someone on the phone earlier this morning to confirm...
Son of the Morning - Her eyes narrow.
Pazuzu - Maybe you've got scheduling problems.
Son of the Morning - "I'll check with Mr. Guignol," she consents.
Pazuzu - Remember. Artifacts. Important business.
Son of the Morning - She turns and gets out a passcard to open the office door.
Son of the Morning - She opens the door and heads inside, closing it carefully behind her. A moment later she emerges again.
* Samael shifts his glasses, noting where she keeps the card
Abyzou - ooc: too bad we don't have cagnazzo
Son of the Morning - "He says you can come in." She doesn't look pleased about this.
Pazuzu - ooc: presumably I could jimmy the lock.. or accidentally lock it shut =p
* Pazuzu tips his fedora
* Abyzou skips in
Abyzou - nice lady
Abyzou - I won't eat you
Samael - Thank you.
Abyzou - I like you
* Samael follows them in
Son of the Morning - Larissa glares at Abyzou and says nothing.
Son of the Morning - The air is thick with cigarette smoke. You stand in a shabby sort of office with a desk, computer, and filing cabinets; the walls are plastered with faded pinups. A large triptych paitning - Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights - dominates the wall behind the desk.
Son of the Morning - Sam Guignol, AKA Samyaza the Grigori, slouches before you in a patched leather chair, looking more like an aging rockstar than an angel, his face half-hidden by an unkempt mane of black hair. He's wearing an expensive-looking suit jacket over a black band T-shirt and frayed jeans.
Samael - ooc: who needs cagnazzo. I was just going to kill her :p
Son of the Morning - His hands are massive and crisscrossed with scars. He's in a mortal shell, much as you are - his wings and other fully angelic characteristics haven'˜t manifested. When he looks up, however, his eyes flash golden from out of the shadows.[/ic]
Here things went from a kind of gruesome comedy into a a philosophic discussion of free will and choice...
[ic=Scene 2: Samyaza, AKA Sam Guignol]Abyzou - hi
* Abyzou waves at him
Son of the Morning - There's a half-empty bottle of what looks like whiskey on the desk.
Son of the Morning - He looks at you sternly.
* Pazuzu sits down in the nearest chair
Son of the Morning - "No puff of brimstone smoke? No screams of the damned to announce your entrance? I'd expected a bit more melodrama, I must say."
Pazuzu - So. Sam, long time no see.
Pazuzu - Well, I've never been much for theatre.
Samael - We prefer to avoid such theatrics when they are not necessary.
Son of the Morning - "Indeed."
Samael - And your staff was very accommodating, such that it did not become an issue.
* Abyzou giggles
Abyzou - VERY accomadating (recalling the bouncers)
* Abyzou is sitting cross legged on the floor, rocking back and forth
Son of the Morning - "I must have a talk with security," he grins. "Frankly, I've been expecting someone to track me down for centuries. The Authority's angels have been searching for me for over ten thousand years, to rip my eyes from head and my wings from my back... I'm rather pleasantly surprised that you found me first. Can I get anyone a drink?"
* Abyzou turns
Abyzou - YES!
Pazuzu - Ah, that's ok, thanks though.
Son of the Morning - "Samael?"
Abyzou - finally a respectable person who won't say no to offering me a drink... minors can't drink? pah!
Son of the Morning - Samyaza pours Abyzou a whiskey.
* Abyzou takes it gladly
Son of the Morning - "Not your drink of choice, I'm sure, but I'm afraid it'll have to do."
Samael - I will be pleased to have the same. *nods to Abyzou*
Pazuzu - So, Sam, none of us here are really a fan of the chosen tactics of the authority..
* Abyzou takes a taste
Son of the Morning - He pours the ex-angel-of-death a drink as well.
* Abyzou takes another and licks her lips
* Abyzou downs the rest and belches
Abyzou - oo that was good
Pazuzu - you know, we could help you. you wouldn't have to constantly look over your shoulders anymore.
Son of the Morning - "I've had over ten millenia to perfect the art of watching my own back, thank you."
* Samael sips his drink
Pazuzu - Just makin' an offer is all, Sam.
Samael - And you have spent all that time "watching." I hope your observations have been worthwhile.
Son of the Morning - "Frankly, your assistance would probably attract unwanted attention." He looks at Abyzou. "But I thank you for your offer, storm-demon."
Son of the Morning - He turns to Samael
Son of the Morning - "In all honesty I begin to grow weary of the task I chose for myself."
Son of the Morning - "I don't wish to return to Paradise; in any case they wouldn't have me back. Nor do I have any desire to join your kind in the Pit. But I have, over the last few centuries, slowly settled down; retired, you might say."
Son of the Morning - "Now... Larissa tells me you've come concerning old artifacts. I can only assume you mean the Tablet of Eridu?"
Pazuzu - Well, it's nice to take a break every once in awhile.
Pazuzu - Ah, yes.. we are quite interested in it, as I'm sure you could imagine.
Samael - Indeed. I presume one who wishes to "retire" such as you would want to attract as little attention as possible. I don't imagine that the tablet's possession helps you very much with that.
Samael - ....it did attract us, after all.
Pazuzu - Perhaps we could come to.. an arrangement?
Samael - That was always our hope.
Son of the Morning - "Truth be told, I have grown tired of guarding it. A hundred times I nearly destroyed it. I've grown jaded with the task I chose for myself." For a moment the angel almost looks his age - unfathomably ancient. "Keeping the tablet safe and out of sight is my last real charge. Getting rid of it would be a relief."
Son of the Morning - "Nonetheless I feel compelled to ask - what do you have planned for it?"
Pazuzu - Ah.. well, that.
Son of the Morning - "Yes. That."
Pazuzu - Well, Sam, it's all about improving standards you know. Quality of life and such.
Pazuzu - Why should The Authority decide what's best for humanity? They should be allowed to choose for themselves.. as it were.
Son of the Morning - "So you expect me to believe you have humanity's interests at heart? The best of intentions?"
Pazuzu - ...Absolutely..
Abyzou - he does... me I just don't want those losers up top taking away my fun
* Abyzou whistles
* Pazuzu coughs
Son of the Morning - "Your honesty is refreshing, little one." He turns back to Pazuzu. "Surely you must realize that there will be some form of retlation?"
Pazuzu - There's always retaliation. It's all part of the process, Sam.
Samael - Of course. We are well aware of our position.
Samael - He is not called the Adversary for nothing.
Son of the Morning - "Is humanity to be a mere pawn in your eternal war, then?"
Pazuzu - A pawn? Why would you even ask that, Sam? We view humanity with the utmost respect..
Pazuzu - I'd refer to them as.. partners, yes.
Son of the Morning - "With such respect that you led them to the first Fall, into misery and degradation! Pardon me if I'm somewhat sceptical concerning your... nobility."
Samael - We are all pawns in some way. The question is whether we are content with it, or whether we wish to contest our own destinies.
Samael - But as long as the Authority controls the Tree, humanity is denied the gift that is rightfully theirs. The gift arbitrarily denied to them.
Samael - As He has denied you your freedom.
* Pazuzu nods sagely
Son of the Morning - Samyaza runs his hands through his hair, his palms over his eyes.
Abyzou - besides
Abyzou - they still have the choice
Abyzou - same as they did the first time around
Son of the Morning - "I grow so tired of the old arguments... the theodicies."
Pazuzu - It always comes down to choices, Sam.
Pazuzu - What are you going to choose?
Son of the Morning - He pauses for a moment. "You may have the tablet - or my piece of it, at least. But I will not just give it away. If you want the fragment, you'll have to do me a favour, first."
Pazuzu - ..Alright, we're listening.
Son of the Morning - "I... I have a daughter. Nina. A nephilim - half divine, half mortal. She lives here, in Tatterdemalion City - as a streetwalker, and a junkie." He growls, his voice is full of pain and anger. "One of the daughters of Heaven! We have... fallen out. She will not speak to me, she will not see me. She knows my men. In time, perhaps, we might be reconciled, but for now, I want only to keep her safe."
Son of the Morning - "I have all but given up my old charge - to protect humankind. The mortals have grown too numerous, too scattered, too dangerous themselves. But I would still protect my own kin. The assassin-angels that have hunted me for millennia seek her kind as well, and she lacks any practice at evading them."
Son of the Morning - "There is a talisman I would give her, a charm, that would protect her against them, a thing into which I have poured a great deal of my own Essence."
Son of the Morning - "Find her. Convince her to wear the charm. Swear an oath, in blood, that you will do it, so that I will know if you lie upon returning - your kind are fond of pacts and contracts, that shouldn't be a problem for you. Do this thing for me, and I will give you my piece of the tablet."
* Samael looks to his companions, then back to Sam.
Abyzou - not like we have much choice
Samael - Indeed.
* Pazuzu grins, although there is a slightly queasy look on his face.
Abyzou - come on let's get this over with
Abyzou - I'm getting more and more bored by the minute
Samael - We will swear this oath, since that is your wish.
* Pazuzu sighs
Pazuzu - If it is our only choice, I suppose we'll have to.
Son of the Morning - The Grigori removes a switchblade from an inside pocket and flicks it open, then cuts his palm in a quick, decisive motion. His blood drips out - red as human blood, but flecked with luminous spots like flakes of gold. He holds out the knife, hilt first.
* Abyzou takes it
* Abyzou jabs herself and giggles
Son of the Morning - Samyaza extends his hand.
* Abyzou holds out hers
* Pazuzu pricks his finger gently, a single drop falls.
Son of the Morning - You shake hands in a macabre parody of a business agreement, the Watcher's grip like an iron vice. He does the same with Pazuzu, then turns to Samael.
Samael - If you have no problem with the choice of instrument...
* Samael removes the linoleum knife from his pocket
Son of the Morning - The Watcher does not object.
Samael - It is of sentimental value to me.
Son of the Morning - "I quite understand."
* Samael slices his own palm, watching the blood trickle down the blade, then extends his hand
Son of the Morning - Samyaza shakes Samael's hand.
Son of the Morning - He intones: "I swear by my own blood to deliver that which I have in my possession, a fragment of the tablet of Eridu, into your hands, in exchange for the task I have set you. If I break this covenant my own blood boil in my veins; may my flesh melt like tallow; may my bones crack and char like wood."
Son of the Morning - "Now, you must swear to uphold your own side of the bargain."
Abyzou - I swear to do the task appointed as payment for the tablet, if I break this covenant may my own blood boil in my veins; may my flesh melt like tallow; may my bones crack and char like wood.
* Abyzou seems annoyed by all the formalities
Samael - I swear in my own blood to deliver the charm of Samyaza to his daughter, Nina, that she should wear it, in exchange for the tablet promised to us. If I break this covenant may my own blood boil in my veins; may my flesh melt like tallow; may my bones crack and char like wood.
Son of the Morning - ooc: there's another few scenes planned if you guys have time, or we can call it soonish - I'm free to continue.
* Samael says the oath in a monotone of grave certainty
Pazuzu - I swear by the thunders that peal across the sky, and the blood of my own self, that I will carry out the task as presented. If I break the vow may my own blood boil in my veins; may my flesh melt like tallow; may my bones crack and char like wood.
Son of the Morning - Samyaza nods.
Son of the Morning - The angel reaches into his desk and pulls out a small object - an intricately filigreed lapis pendant. The jewel inset is spotted with a dark red swirl that seems to pulse and squirm within.
Son of the Morning - He places the talisman on the table.
* Pazuzu picks up the talisman daintily and examines it closely
Son of the Morning - There are ancient cuneiform letters engraved on it - the First Langauge.
Pazuzu - Well, Sam, we'll be back soon. Don't go losing that tablet on us. That'd be... most unfortunate.
* Abyzou takes the talisman
* Abyzou examines it closely
Abyzou - oo pretty
Son of the Morning - "I've guarded it for seven thousand years, since the Authority destroyed the Library at Babel. I won't misplace it now."
Son of the Morning - "You will need a means of finding my daughter, however."
Samael - I was hoping you'd be of some assisstance in that regard.
Pazuzu - No? Well, watch yourself, saw some shady characters casing your place earlier. Don't know what ..other business deals you've been up to.
Son of the Morning - Abyzou - you see the letters as well. The First Langauge is the ur-tongue that the Authority transformed into a confusion of other languages; it's unintelligible.
Son of the Morning - "Who else did you see?"
Pazuzu - Some guy.. old fashioned robe. You know the type. Weirdos.
Son of the Morning - "Hmm. I shall have security keep an eye out. And now... to help you find my daughter."
Son of the Morning - Samyaza stands up from his desk and shrugs off his suit jacket. His huge hands curl into fists, and a pair of enormous wings unfurl seemingly from nowhere behind him, extending out from his shoulder-blades.
Son of the Morning - The wings aren't white and dove-like but black as a crow's and matted with years of filth: the wings of a carrion bird. Grimacing, he plucks a feather from one wing, murmurs some eldritch word of power, and offers it to you.
Son of the Morning - "This will lead you to her - it will recognize her blood, her essence. Follow its pull."
* Samael extends his hand to take the feather
* Pazuzu nods and adjusts his fedora
Son of the Morning - The feather tugs gently in your hand, leading you out of the room.
Samael - We shall see you again soon.
Son of the Morning - "Farewell for now."
* Samael glances back one last time at Samyaza's wings
Pazuzu - Well, that was... more pleasant than it could have been.
* Abyzou pockets the charm and places the whiskey glass back on his desk
Son of the Morning - The wings are being folded, disappearing back into his shoulders.
* Abyzou curtseys and giggles before turning to samael
* Pazuzu feels absently behind his back, and frowns glumly
Abyzou - ok let's get moving
* Samael leaves the room without another word
Pazuzu - ooc: well, we'll see if we need a giant obsidian gargoyle. might attract a lot of attention. =p
Son of the Morning - You enter the corridor. Larissa stands aside to let you past.
* Samael doesn't even give her a glance as he passes by
Son of the Morning - All three of you drip a few drops of blood on the floor as you leave, but your demonic vitality quickly closes the wounds.
Son of the Morning - The feather leads you in only one direction - up and out.[/ic]
I did a similar write-up to what Steerpike did for the other characters for Pazuzu.
Also, Steerpike, the top of the second part seems to be at the bottom for some reason. Thought I'd let you know.
[ic=Pazuzu]A slick, animated storm-demon. He appears as an unusually tall man, almost stretched seeming, with storm grey eyes and somewhat tanned skin, he is commonly dressed in a black pin-striped suit and a matching fedora. Pazuzu ascribes to a more Beezlebubian philosophy. He is quick to compromise when he sees that it is to his benefit, but will react with frenzied wrath when all other options have been exhausted. His true form is that of a massive, obsidian gargoyle, about which lightning and obscuring shadows play.
Powers
Pazuzu can cause any electrical device to malfunction or otherwise behave unusually at will. In addition, he can exert control over any nearby live electrical current.
Eldritch Thunder: By harnessing his innate power, Pazuzu can create a burst of intense light and noise that blinds and temporarily deafens nearby mortals. Protective talismans and ear or eye-wear can safeguard against this effect. This ability uses one point of energy.
Enshroud: Through the expenditure of one energy point Pazuzu can call up an unnatural, viscous concealing fog that seems to move as of its own will. Pazuzu has a vague sense of all that occurs within the confines of the fog. Protective talismans can burn off the fog in a localized area.
Demoniac Lightning: Pazuzu can let fly an arcing stream of powerful demoniac lightning from his outstretched arms, charring flesh and halting neural activity. This lightning can jump across multiple targets, unless it encounters a protective talisman in which case the lightning dissipates. This ability requires two energy points to use.
[/ic]
...And here it segued into some disturbing (and very fun!) action scenes.
@Meanset Guest - did that fix it??[ic=Scee 3: Tatterdemalion City Slums]Son of the Morning - At the top of the stairs it directs you towards the back door. You notice the bouncer tatooed with Holy Scripture on his arms exiting the bathroom, wiping his mouth.
* Pazuzu smiles in a friendly fashion at the bouncer
Son of the Morning - He blanches and tries to avoid making eye contact.
* Samael again doesn't even pay him notice as he exits
Son of the Morning - Outside, a third bouncer guards the backdoor, which opens into an alleyway. A bum urinates against a wall a little ways ahead. The feather pulls down the alley, away from the street.
* Samael continues following the feather, glancing behind him just to ensure the others are following
Samael - Let us do this quickly. I'd rather not remain under such an obligation for any longer than needed.
Pazuzu - Agreed.. it's.. most uncomfortable.
Abyzou - meh at least I get to do something
* Abyzou eyes the bum
* Pazuzu rubs the back of his neck in a pained fashion
* Abyzou notices the group heading off and looks back at the bum
Abyzou - crap I guess there is a downside to this
* Abyzou heads off with the others dejectidly
Son of the Morning - The bum is whistling tunelessly. He zips up and staggers down the alley, away from you.
Son of the Morning - Tatterdemalion City is a labyrinth, a warren of old brick and gargantuan concrete edifice. The feather pulls from Overkill! towards an even more dilapidated section of the city, where rundown tenements slump in seeming mimicry of the fetid, tottering bums that lurch red-nosed and stained in the city's shadows. The windows here and boarded up or broken.
Son of the Morning - The feather pulls you towards a crazed conglomeration of alleys and narrow streets, choked with debris, its variegated walls covered in graffiti.
Son of the Morning - (I'll skip over a bunch of boring twists and turns here - not much point in describing them)
Son of the Morning - You hear some kind of commotion ahead aruond a corner: a muffled shout, a cruel laugh, the sound of boots on asphalt. The feather pulls you onward.
* Samael reflexively puts the hand not holding the feather in his pocket with his curved knife
* Abyzou skips along steadily
Samael - (...but continues moving along)
Son of the Morning - Around the corner, two gaunt, unkempt men with ratty hair and baggy clothes jangling with chains have backed a young woman clad in fishnets and a mini-dress up against the wall. Bruised and clearly terrified, the woman shies away from them. The feather pulls directly towards her - clearly this is Samyaza's half-mortal daughter.
Pazuzu - Hey, buddies, what do you think you're up to? Better back off.
* Pazuzu calls out
* Abyzou skips up to them
Abyzou - hello
Son of the Morning - "Fuck off, man, this doesn't concern you," one of the thugs says to Pazuzu.
* Abyzou doesn't stop for niceties she simply knees one man in the groin HARD
Pazuzu - Don't concern me, eh?
Son of the Morning - "Hey, little girl," the other thug leers at Abyzou.
Samael - I strongly suggest that both of you leave now.
Son of the Morning - woops, too quick for me to follow there!
Son of the Morning - The thug stumbles back from Abyzou's blow, then snarls and lurchse forward as if to grab her. The other thug, distracted, momentarily lets his attention slip from Nina.
Pazuzu - Samael, take care of these two clowns, would you?
* Abyzou chuckles at the thug and invades his mind
* Abyzou projects into his head a vision... the walls around him begin oozing blood
Son of the Morning - Abyzou: 4 Energy remaining
Abyzou - the ground turns into quivering flesh
Son of the Morning - The thug stumbles backwards in horror.
Abyzou - all around him he hears the souls of the damned screaming
* Samael sighs, reaches in his pocket for his knife, and pulls out a .45 instead. He points it directly to the one Abyzou isn't presently messing with
Son of the Morning - He begins to vomit noisily.
* Abyzou approaches him and slams her fist into the side of his head while he vomits
Son of the Morning - The thug reaches for a weapon of his own.
Samael - I did give you fair warning.
Son of the Morning - The vomiting thug's head hits asphalt with a sickening crunch.
* Samael fires - no funny business, right to the head
Son of the Morning - Blood spatters the alley from the shot. Nina screams in horror - some of it has splashed her stockings.
Pazuzu - Now calm down miss.. we're just here to talk.
Pazuzu - Good thing we came along when we did, it seems.
Son of the Morning - She looks like she's not sure whether to run away or stay where she is.
* Abyzou seems pleased with the bit of fun she had
* Samael quickly puts the gun back in his pocket and shows his empty palms to her
Samael - We are not interested in hurting you. Quite the contrary.
Son of the Morning - She seems to calm down after Samael puts away the gun.
Son of the Morning - "Who... who are you?"
Son of the Morning - (The vomiting thug lies unconscious and oozing blood in a pool of his own vomit)
Pazuzu - Ah, let's just say we're friends.
Son of the Morning - "Did Vlad send you? Is this about the money I owe?"
* Abyzou pulls out a marker from her pocket and begins doodling obscene pictures on his face and arms
Son of the Morning - ooc: that's awesome
Pazuzu - No.. no, it's not about that at all.
Samael - Family friends. And no - we're not interested in collecting anything.
Son of the Morning - She looks even more terrified. "Did my father send you?"
* Samael gives Abyzou yet another annoyed glare
Pazuzu - ooc: should we say no?
Pazuzu - ooc: she doesn't like him.. so maybe.
Samael - None of that is important. What is important is that we have a gift for you.
* Samael looks to Pazuzu
* Abyzou stops long enough to pull out the charm
Son of the Morning - "What kind of gift?"
Pazuzu - Ah, yes, a most important gift. Isn't it splendid?
* Samael gestures to the charm
Son of the Morning - "It looks old. What is it?"
* Abyzou hands it to her
Pazuzu - It's a.. good luck charm.
Son of the Morning - She takes it warily, holding it up.
Abyzou - it's a charm from someone who cares about you
Pazuzu - Keep it safe, it'll help you, we're sure.
Abyzou - it's supposed to protect you from bad
* Abyzou chuckles
Abyzou - which from the looks of things you could use
Son of the Morning - "Who would care about me? What the fuck is this?"
* Abyzou goes back to drawing on the unconscious thug
Son of the Morning - "Is this piece of crap supposed to protect me from my pimp? From my dealer?"
* Pazuzu makes a slightly irritated noise
Pazuzu - There's a lot of things in the world that need protecting against. Maybe you don't fully understand the situation you're in.
Son of the Morning - "Situation? What do you know about my goddamn situation?"
Pazuzu - ooc: should I turn into a gargoyle and scare her straight
Abyzou - we know that there are things more powerful than us
* Abyzou sits on the thug
Abyzou - that would love to kill you
Samael - Do give us some credit. Were we not aware of you and your situation, we would not be here now. And if we - and your benefactor - were not interested in your well-being, we could have let these thugs do what they wished.
* Abyzou grins a mouthful of sharp teeth
Son of the Morning - Nina looks away from Abyzou but seems reassured by Samael's words. Reluctantly, she clips on the tailsman like a necklace, though she still seems unsure.
Samael - But we are here, and I have killed a man today because it was important that we bring this to you. Were this a trifle, I assure you, I would not have. *glances down at the dead body*
Abyzou - I still would of though
Abyzou - that was...fun
Pazuzu - See, now that wasn't so hard, was it?
Son of the Morning - "Alright... alright." She's still ignoring Abyzou, who clearly terrifies her. "Do you guys have any money?"
Pazuzu - ooc: she'll just spend it on drugs!
Abyzou - ooc: nothing wrong with that
Abyzou - ooc: :P
Pazuzu - Money, eh? This about your debt with .. Vlad?
Samael - She did mention a debt.
Son of the Morning - "That's right... he's my dealer..."
Son of the Morning - She looks at you pleadingly.
* Abyzou pulls a wad out and tosses it to her
Pazuzu - We're.. individuals of certain means. How much you owe him?
* Abyzou looks at the others
* Pazuzu sighs again while looking at Abyzou
Abyzou - what.... not like I have much use for it
Son of the Morning - She takes the wad. "Thank you. This should cover it."
Son of the Morning - Suddenly you hear a sound round the corner of the building, a swirling of air like the beating of many wings. Briefly, a bizarre, chaotic shadow thrown by some enormous, complicated creature is visible in the streetlamp.
Abyzou - it don't taste good and it don't scream
Pazuzu - Yeah, alright, chica. You keep that charm.
* Abyzou looks over
Son of the Morning - A moment later the shadow diminishes and a humanoid figure steps quietly around the corner, hands in his pockets.
* Pazuzu looks around while keeping his hand on his hat
Son of the Morning - The man is hugely rotund, dressed in a slightly shabby, out of fashion suit and a garish tie. His jowls quiver. He smirks affably round a thick cigar. He is totally hairless, and his bloated face and hands are ghoulishly pallid.
Query to Samael: Son of the Morning - You recognize the man as one of the manifestations of Azrael, the archangel that took your job after you were banished from Paradise. Glutted with souls and angelic power, he is incredibly dangerous and would be very difficult to destroy.
Samael - goddamn
* Samael puts a hand on the gun in his pocket, but doesn't draw it - yet
Pazuzu - Alright, buddy, you want something?
Son of the Morning - "Oh dear," he titters in an unctuous, effeminate voice. He addresses Nina. "I hope these people aren'˜t bothering you, my dear." His flesh squirms and bulges with uncanny motion. His swollen face is mask-like.
Son of the Morning - "I'm a social worker. Why don't you come with me? I know a shelter with a spot open." He begins to advance toward Nina.
* Samael bares his teeth a bit, clearly quite perturbed
* Pazuzu steps between them
Samael - I am afraid not.
Pazuzu - Hey, hey, hold on a minute.
* Abyzou watches the whole thing, unperturbed
Son of the Morning - The man's head swivels towards you. "Haven't you done enough damage?" He looks at the corpse on the ground.
Pazuzu - Listen here, pal, we've got things well in hand. So why don't you just mosy on back the way you came?
Samael - You are one to talk, Azrael. But this girl is under our care.
Son of the Morning - The man still advances. He seems to blink too infrequently, as if he has to think about it consciously.
* Pazuzu looks to Samael
Son of the Morning - "Ah, Samael, my old friend. Bodyguard work, is it? Not exactly your forte, as I recall." Azrael giggles.
Son of the Morning - The Angel of Death ignores Pazuzu. He is walking slowly but he is only about 10 feet away.
Pazuzu - Back outta here, Az... ain't none of your business.
Samael - I do what I must. *he speaks with a growl, and removes the gun from his pocket*
Son of the Morning - "You presume to tell me my business?" The assassin angel's face contorts with a spasm of rage, quickly suppressed. Nina seems rooted to the ground, paralyzed. A stench, as of the grave, suffuses the air.
* Pazuzu raises his arms and fires an arcing stream of lightning from his hands at Azrael
Samael - *snaps at Pazuzu* Don't bother! Get her out of here!
* Abyzou grabs her and lifts her over her head in an almost comical manner
* Abyzou takes off like a rocket
Son of the Morning - Azrael snarls and raises one arm, lightning-quick. A stream of magnesium-white celestial fire meets the arc of lightning. You're held in a standoff, but yuo can feel teh angel's puissance.
Abyzou - catch me if you can fatso
Son of the Morning - Pazuzu: Energy 3
* Pazuzu backs up, still pouring lightning into Azrael.
Pazuzu - ooc: how long can I keep it up, anyways?
Son of the Morning - You can keep it up by burning more Energy.
Pazuzu - ooc: hmmm
Samael - (ooc - is there any use whatsoever in firing a gun, even the Scythe turned into a gun, at an angel?)
Son of the Morning - ooc: a gun won't be hugely useful, but the Scythe can become even bigger stuff, i.e. a grenade launcher etc, which could slow him down.
* Pazuzu backs around a corner, following Abyzou, while the lightning tapers off.
Son of the Morning - The archangel releases the stream of fire and jumps, sailing through the air and above the lightning stream. He lansd behind you, heading after Abyzou.
Samael - *the gun turns into a RPG - Samael grins, aims it at Azrael, and pulls the trigger*
Son of the Morning - Nina is screaming, but she isn't struggling - she's limp in Abyzuo's hands.
Samael - (assuming, of course, Nina and her carrier are reasonably outside the blast radius)
Samael - (otherwise I DON'T do that)
Son of the Morning - The rocket slams into the archangel's bloated body with a huge explosion. His mortal shell is pummeled into teh side of a building in a cloud of broken bricks and dust.
Son of the Morning - ooc: it's fine, they're out of range.
Abyzou - oh would you be quiet... unless you'd rather run away from him by yourself
Pazuzu - ooc: should we flee while he's extracating himself?
Abyzou - ooc: would be prudent
* Samael changes the RPG into a M79 grenade launcher, pulls a grenade from his pocket, and loads it.
Son of the Morning - The dust is beginning to clear. The man is gone - something else has taken his place - something with a lot of wings...[/ic]
[ic=Scene 4: Cops, Cultists, and an Angel of Death]Samael - *to Abyzou* Get out of here! Now!
Pazuzu - ooc: should I gargoyle it or go with Abyzou
* Abyzou morphs into her true form and uses her longer stride to take off at an even faster rate
Son of the Morning - Abyzou: Energy 3
* Samael Samael throws aside his coat and assumes his own true form
Abyzou - crap crap crap
Son of the Morning - Samael: Energy 4
Samael - ooc: I assume Abyzou is capable of fleeing on her own, but w/e
Pazuzu - ooc: well, I'll help you for
Pazuzu - now
Samael - ooc: your decision
* Pazuzu gently puts his hat down and slowly.. extends into a massive, obsidian gargoyle, with eyes that glow as if they contain lightning
Son of the Morning - Pazuzu: Energy 2
Abyzou - I hate authority brownnosers
Son of the Morning - Azrael is still picking himself up. The archangel screams in rage, draining a point of Energy from all of you.
Son of the Morning - Pazuzu: Energy 1, Samael: Energy 3, Abyzou: Energy 2
* Samael fires the grenade at Azrael
Samael - *grins darkly* I've always wanted to do that.
Pazuzu - ooc: ooh, better be careful
Son of the Morning - The grenade explodes violently, bringing a wall down on Azrael. This won't stop the archangel completely but it will stall for time.
* Abyzou yells back psychically at the other two
Abyzou - what are you morons doing
Abyzou - get the hell outta there
Son of the Morning - You hear sirens in the distance.
Samael - Time to go.
* Pazuzu pounds on the rubble with his massive arms before following Samael
* Samael retreats in a different direction than Abyzou went (presumably the feather still works though, so we can meet up with her very shortly)
Son of the Morning - (that's right, the feather doesn't stop working)
Abyzou - once at what she presumes to be a safe range, Abyzou ducks into the nearest available building
* Pazuzu lopes along, shadows seem to cloy about him, keeping his form partially obscured
Samael - (if Azrael follows us, I continue to flee in a different direction than Abyzou went; if he goes the way Abyzou went instead, I will try and cut him off again)
Son of the Morning - Samael, you follow an alley out onto Duchess Street, which is where Overkill! is. A cop car is speeding towards you, siren on. It's about 2 AM so the street is deserted.
Son of the Morning - ooc: Pazuzu, which person are you following, Abyzou or Samael?
Samael - I, uh, try to get out of sight temporarily - seeing as I'm still in my true form)
Pazuzu - ooc: hmm, good question, I did say Samael afterwards. so I guess it would be fair to say him.
Son of the Morning - Abyzou, you duck into an empty building. There's a bum sleeping here - looks like guy who was pissing on teh wall before, actually.
Son of the Morning - ooc: ok cool Paz
Son of the Morning - ooc: btw you can dismiss your true form at will, as well, if you wish.
Pazuzu - ooc: ah, convenient.
* Pazuzu steps out of the shadows, wearing more familiar attire.
Samael - (ooc: I assume if I dismiss it, it will take another point of power to resume it?)
Son of the Morning - The cop car screeches to a halt a short distance away and men with guns pile out. One of them is on a radio.
Son of the Morning - ooc: that's right
Samael - (oh well)
* Abyzou looks at the bum
Son of the Morning - ooc: Paz, are you stepping out in view of the cops?
Abyzou - *whispered* crap why can't I of found him at another time
Abyzou - oh well
Pazuzu - ooc: wellll, I'd rather not, but I already stated I was stepping out.
Son of the Morning - The bum is snoring blearily.
* Abyzou heads into the building to find a nice hiding spot
* Abyzou looks up at the girl
Abyzou - just please stay quiet for a little while
* Samael looks back in the direction he came from to see if there's any evidence that he was followed
Abyzou - I promise not to hurt you
Son of the Morning - @ Abyzou - you find an abandoned room full of cobwebs and derelict junk. There are some empty syringes on the floor.
Son of the Morning - @ Paz - it's ok, you can stay back from the cops if you wish, though they're coming down the alley now.
* Abyzou sets nina down
Son of the Morning - @Samael - Azrael's still under the building, so you're ok for now.
* Pazuzu tries to stay hidden
Son of the Morning - I'll flip a coin to see if you stay hidden
Son of the Morning - You crouch in the shadows behind a dumpster and the cops pass by - they're in a hurry to find the source of the explosion.
Son of the Morning - Samael, what're you up to?
Samael - (Hm. I'm in the same alleyway, so I am seeing all this too, right?)
Son of the Morning - that's right - you can probably pass a street person in your mortal form, btw.
Son of the Morning - frankly you might even in your true form!
Son of the Morning - Unless you shifted to your "dressed up" form, which might be more suspicious.
Son of the Morning - oh, and what form is the Scythe in?
Son of the Morning - @Abyzou - Nina appears to have passed out. You can hear the bum snoring in the other room, but no sign of Azrael yet.
* Samael shifts into his mortal form and stuffs the grenade launcher into his pocket, trying to make it become a knife as quickly as possible. He then puts on the most terrified, cowering expression an ex-angel of death can muster.
Samael - (by mortal form I mean the casual one)
Son of the Morning - The cops file past - one of them stops briefly.
Son of the Morning - "You see anything weird down here, son?"
Samael - Yeah! Some fat guy with a bomb or something! It was horrible, everything blowing up!
* Abyzou stands motionless in te center of the room near nina, listening for anybody that might be approaching
Son of the Morning - "Did you get a good look at him? Was there anyone else with him?"
Son of the Morning - @ Abyzou: you think you hear the door creak open.
Samael - No man, he was by himself, just that fat fuck with a grenade or something - man, I'm getting the hell out of here!
* Abyzou starts to sweat
Son of the Morning - The cop doesn't have time for proper questioning so he lets you go and fllows his comrades while radioing for backup.
* Pazuzu slips out of the alley before Samael
* Abyzou carefully picks up Nina
Son of the Morning - @ Abyzou: You hear a giggle in the other room.
Son of the Morning - "Are we playing hide and seek now, little girl?"
* Samael looks around to make sure Azrael isn't around to follow him, and if the coast is clear, takes out the feather and tries to find where the girl is now
Abyzou - ooc: what are the walls of the building made out of
Pazuzu - We've gotta find Abyzou, where's the feather sayin?
Son of the Morning - Samael and Pazuzu, you guys are now on Duchess Street. Overkill! Is a little ways down the street, to the west.
Son of the Morning - They're made of bricks. There's also a single window, boarded up.
Son of the Morning - The feather tugs down the street, a bit to the west and south.
Samael - (to Pazuzu, while following the feather briskly) Look - we only promised to find her and convince her to wear the charm. It's done.
Abyzou - ooc: wonder if I can punch through brick
Son of the Morning - It leads you eventually to a derelict building with boarded up windows. You can still hear the sirens - the cops can't be too far off.
Son of the Morning - In your true form you can punch through brick. You've got about 3 minutes left in it.
Pazuzu - Yeah.. yeah, I guess, but we still gotta get Abyzou and get back to Samyaza.
* Abyzou winds up and punches through the wall and then dashes full bore through the hole with nina in tow
Samael - Fine. We get Abyzou, we get the girl, we put her somewhere else, and then we get what he promised us.
* Samael follows the feather as quickly as he can without attracting undue attention to himself, so far as that is possible
Son of the Morning - @ Samael & Pazuzu - Abyzou suddenly emerges from teh wall of the building carrying Nina in tow. Behind them, you can see something vague and amorphous in the darkness.
Pazuzu - ooc: shall we try booking it to Overkill! ?
* Abyzou runs past them
Pazuzu - ooc: I'll take that as a yes
Abyzou - I hate this guy
Son of the Morning - You also hear a lot of swearing, followed by gunshots - looks like the cops found Azrael.
* Abyzou heads for overkill!
* Pazuzu runs after her
Son of the Morning - Alright, you guys head back towards Overkill! It seems like Azrael's tied up taking care of the cops.
* Samael follows them, cursing under his breath
Son of the Morning - The line of people waiting to gain entrance to Overkill! is gone, and the front door is locked up tight. Music still blares from within.
Abyzou - I'm not a nanny, who thought it would be a good idea to make me the nanny... I'm horrible with kids... I don't watch them, I eat them
* Abyzou continues ranting as she runs
Samael - Towards the back entrance!
Son of the Morning - Abyzou, you shift abck to your mortal form unless you spend anotehr point of energy.
* Abyzou shifts back
* Abyzou looks rather comical again
Son of the Morning - The back door is slightly ajar. A bloody hand-print is evident near the doorknob. The back door bouncer is slumped against the wall of the alley.
Pazuzu - Shit. Wonder what happened here.
Son of the Morning - His body is covered in strange circular wounds, as if he was attacked by something tentacled.
* Abyzou stops short at the door
Abyzou - not good...
Samael - Fuck. That tablet had better still be here.
Pazuzu - Well.. only one way to find out.
* Pazuzu pushes the door open
* Samael pulls out the knife, turns it into a generously size handgun, and pushes the door open
* Abyzou follows Pazuzu
Pazuzu - ooc: or you can lead, PC =p
Samael - (ooc: fine YOU do it :p)
Pazuzu - ooc: hey you have the gun
* Samael takes the lead, regardless of who opened the door!
Son of the Morning - Inside, a starnge smell assails your nostrils. The "Employees Only" door has been ripped from its hinges. It looks like the dancefloor is empty... but you hear something strange rising over the music... a peculiar chanting.
Samael - The tablet is our first priority.
* Samael runs toward the Employees Only door
* Abyzou puts down nina
Abyzou - well we got her the charm...
* Abyzou heads after Samael
Son of the Morning - Alright so you guys head down I assume
Samael - (to Abyzou) keep her with you. We don't want to piss Sam off if he IS still alive.
Samael - (affirmative)
Abyzou - yea I should cart her in to a potential fight and get her killed
Samael - (over his shoulder) ...fine, put her in a bathroom stall or something. Just somewhere out of the way.
* Abyzou does so
* Abyzou heads down after them
Son of the Morning - Larissa lies on the floor of the corridor. A black-robed figure is crouched over her, carving symbols into her flesh with a knife. Weird glyphs are smeared on the catacomb walls in blood. The door to Sam's office is half open.
Pazuzu - ooc: shoot the robed dude!
* Samael points his gun at the robed figure
Pazuzu - ooc: make it have a silencer
Samael - You have one second to stand up and tell me who you are.
Son of the Morning - The robed man says something totally incomprehensible and lunges towards Samael with the knife.
* Samael fires that shit
Son of the Morning - Dead cultist gets blown all over the corridor.
* Abyzou walks down just in time to see it happen
Abyzou - aww... I missed the fun
* Samael steps over Larissa and examines the door into Sam's room.
Son of the Morning - Its nearly been wrenched off and hangs by a hinge. Inside it looks like the room is in disarray.
* Samael enters immeidately and searches for the tablet
* Abyzou walks in
Son of the Morning - Samyaza lies on the floor amidst the wreckage of his office, his gold-flecked blood spattered all over the room, as well as something foul-smelling and slimy, some ichor. The Watcher's body is covered in hideous circular sucker-wounds, as if he was molested by a giant squid. The Hieronymus Bosch painting has been ripped aside, revealing an open, empty wall-safe.
Pazuzu - Damn, this don't look good.
Son of the Morning - "You've returned," he croaks, laughing raggedly, spewing blood down his shredded clothing. "My daughter - did you find her?"
Abyzou - yea she's upstairs
Samael - We have fulfilled our part of the bargain. She wears your charm.
Pazuzu - Yeah.. yeah, we found her, got her the little trinket. What the hell happened here?
Son of the Morning - "I cannot fulfill my half of the bargain," Sam coughs. "I no longer possess the fragment."
Samael - (engraged) Who has taken it?
Son of the Morning - "Fucking cultists... they must have tracked you here, somehow. Came with a damn schimorgh... butchered security.
Son of the Morning - "They took the tablet. Why the Elder Ones want to find the Tree of Life I don't know, but I doubt they have anything wholesome planned for it."
* Abyzou screams
* Samael trembles with a poorly concealed fury
* Abyzou picks up his desk and throws it into a wall
Abyzou - ugh all that wasted time
Son of the Morning - Samyaza bursts into flames as the curse of the covenant consumes him.
Samael - They can plan what they like. *cocks his handgun, looking over Sam's dissipating body* I have a plan too.[/ic]
We totally need a continuation of this one at some point. I demand resolution! :P
If everyone would be willing to reprise their roles I'd be happy to run the sequel at some point (I can totally imagine how it would start out, actually). Of course for complete resolution you'd have to track down the two other fragments as well... and then storm Eden. Which would probably take a few more sessions.
Could be doable, though.
You should start planning it :)
I like Samael's closing line- nice way to go out for the serial pulp style.
Re:"Tatterdemalion" hmm...
You know I kept seeing abyzou as looking a bit like zimmy from gunnerkrigg court.
(http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2447/28428605.png)
Just with a more sinister look on her face and pigtails.
Heh that's about how I imagined her too... and Alma (http://o.aolcdn.com/gd-media/galleries/66/alma.jpg)from FEAR.
I finally got a chance to read through the whole thing- Steerpike, Polycarp!, Nomadic, and Guest, that was very enjoyable.
Re: Samael - "Hm. De-consecrated indeed." -- haha.
I'm a little surprised that the Watcher was willing to give away the secret a little too soon, but I suppose it worked out for story purposes- and I guess he really wanted to protect his daughter.
Once again, very good.
Oh, and during a break I figured out if you fellows play again what I'll try out as a character:
Lemure "Leo"
Janitor, coughs/smokes.
Emo/Eyeore Type
Very slow moving.
Slime (Ichor, slime grows, or moves, or is created out of thin air-literally- he compresses the atoms into junk.)
Melts (Shrink, reshape, flexible self)
Flames (Flaming liquid and any-color smoke)
It probably needs some refinement, and I need to figure out which demon he's under, but I think that may work.
[blockquote=Light Dragon]I'm a little surprised that the Watcher was willing to give away the secret a little too soon[/blockquote]I think you're quite right about this - I could've stretched that conversation further. I had a few more notes that didn't get used, but if I'd prepared that character a bit more I think that central scene could have been improved... I think you've put your finger on my big weakness as a GM, actually. I'm good at establishing atmosphere, describing settings, thinking up characters/monsters, and even piecing together the skeletons of scenarios but I don't think I'm as strong an improvisational actor, even on mIRC, so my NPCs tend to hurry through conversations to deliver exposition/plot points and establish new goals. I made an effort in this one to make the conversations somewhat more organic (and difficult) but it's still my greatest difficulty. It's not that I'm bored with dialogue - it's just HARD!
That character looks great, btw.
Got around to reading it myself as well. Got caught up in the story I guess :) (or the characters perhaps :P )
Looks like it was really fun :)
Brilliant.
Steerpike- Don't worry too much about it- the tale was good. It's even harder to write organic and natural conversations when you are typing them rather than speaking them to an actual roleplaying group. I suspect that when I run my scenario, I will have similar problems- finishing on time often trumps some scenarios that a GM has prepared.
I liked the combat scene with Samael casually retrieving various missile launchers and Pazuzu engaging in an actual Palpatinic lightning stand-off. Pretty sweet.
what is the advantage of being in true form? Enhanced strength and endurance (and occasional flight)?
EDIT: Oh, yeah, I second that the closing line was pure awesome.
Not so much enhanced strength etc as various abilities and powers, as well as sheer intimidation. Also I think that bursting out of the mortal form into a true form is just deliciously dramatic.
I got the idea prinicpally from The Master and Margarita, which is one of my major sources of inspiration for Tempter. For those who haven't read it it's a novel set in Soviet Russia where the devil ("Woland") and his retinue (Behemoth, Azazello, Abadonna, and Koroviev) engage in various infernal/satirical hijinx. During most of the novel the characters look like odd but basically normal humans (or animals) - they might have mismatched eyes or eccentric clothing or some mild deformity but they're not obviously supernatural. At the end, however, there's a scene where they're all sort of transformed - possibly while going back to Hell - and you glimpse their more poetic, supernatural "true forms."