Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Disciples Of Grell. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Case #1: Tilden, NE
Topic Started: May 6 2010, 08:17 PM (5,189 Views)
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
"Reverend...?" Anna asks hesitantly, but already knows she'll get silence in return. "Crap."

What in hell happened to all the lights? she thinks, backing out of the office and looking around the church. The lack of people is also disquieting. Anna briefly considers the possibility that she is about to disturb a crime scene, but brushes it off. Something is wrong, and the police aren't doing their job anyway.

Even though she knows it'll be pointless, Anna scans the rooms and entrance for a set of light switches, flicking them to get some more light into the church. Anna had a penlight, but had taken to leaving it at home ever since her budget had shrunk too small to accomodate triple-A's. Her cell phone could probably throw off enough light too, if she hadn't left it in New York for fear of roaming charges. Stupid! Now what was she going to do?

Anna remembered seeing a rack of candles among the photos of the six victims, and checks to see if they're still lit. Uneasy with the prospect of disturbing the memorial, she looks around to see if there are any other candles she can take.

Perception check, just in case : [1d20] + 3 = 4 Very poor!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lunarmage
Member Avatar
Priest
[ *  *  * ]
Marcus makes sure that Moulder is covering him and Marcus checks the book case himself looking for wires or any possible electrical device. Electrical Engineer: 38% (pass)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Anna - you don't find any unlit candles near the memorial. However, there is a light switch in the Reverend's office. There is also a shaft of moonlight shining through the windows.

You switch on the light to the office. Nothing looks out of order. Everything appears as it did earlier when you met with the Reverend.

Anna - provide another perception roll specific to examining the room if you so desire. Oh, and the chill up your spine might just have been due to a heightened state of alertness you're experiencing from the situation.

*****
Meanwhile... in the basement of the library...

Moulder shines his flashlight on the bookcase as Vargas and then Marcus search for a speaker or other electrical device. You find none.

Marcus - you're convinced from your inspection that there is no electronic device involved with the voice or the bookcase. In fact, upon closer examination (and partially as a result of your successful skill check) you notice a set of scratches on the floor indicating that the bookcase has been moved. To be specific, it has been slid away from the wall and then replaced.

Moulder can tell you've got something.

"What is it?" he asks.

What do you do?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
It looks normal, but Anna swallows hard before stepping again into the room. This didn't feel right, not at all. Anna steps around the room, nerves on alert, paying specific attention to above and below the Reverend's desk.

Perception : [1d20] + 3 = 21

She reaches into her bag, finds her cheap digital camera and flicks it on with her thumb. You never know.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lunarmage
Member Avatar
Priest
[ *  *  * ]
Marcus points out the scrapes on the floor. He motions Vargus over to help him move the book case.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arthotus
Member Avatar
Thread Reaper
[ *  * ]
Vargus moves to help.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Marcus and Vargas, the book case is heavy and it moves slowly as you slide it away from the wall. As you drag it out of the way, you reveal a large opening in the stone foundation. A faint, flickering light emanates from down a long corridor and with it, the voice of a man chanting in Latin or some other esoteric language that is unknown to you.

"What do we have here?" asks Moulder rhetorically as he shines his flashlight into the darkness. As he does so, you notice archaic engravings in the stone along the walls.

If either of you have Lore: Magic or Lore: Magic Arcane make a skill check.

Moulder ducks down slightly and enters the corridor.

*****
Anna, as you scan the office, you see an opened envelope on the Reverend's desk - the contents of which are still inside. Next to the envelope is a silver letter opener.

Your keen investigative perception also reveals a book on the bookshelf that is sticking out farther than the rest, as if it was hastily put away. You notice this because all the other books have been meticulously placed on the shelf in a very orderly manner (read: the Reverend has a bit of OCD going on).

There is nothing else out of the ordinary.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lunarmage
Member Avatar
Priest
[ *  *  * ]
Marcus shrugs at both Moulders question and the writings on the wall. He pulls out his pistol again and follows behind Moulder.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arthotus
Member Avatar
Thread Reaper
[ *  * ]
Vargus follows behind Marcus.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
Anna licks her lips and narrows her eyes as she circles over to the bookcase, reading the name of the book off its spine without removing it from the shelf. Continuing onward to the door, she pulls out and puts on a pair of charcoal-grey winter gloves as she checks for anyone in the church. She is about to commit just a teensy little crime and doesn't want to be interrupted.

Assuming she doesn't see anyone, Anna closes the door and approaches the desk. Confident the woollen gloves will prevent leaving any fingerprints, she takes a moment to memorize the evelope's position and withdraws the contents.

Unfolding the letter by the edges, she scans through its contents at the blistering pace of seven-and-a-half seconds per page. (Speed Reading 84% : [1d100] = 04 - Pass)

Speed Reading (Rifter 19) - Anna will drop her speed to eight pages per minute, increasing her base skill value to 84%. Since she passed by a margin of 25 or more, she gains full understanding.
Edited by Snikers, Feb 15 2011, 10:22 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Moulder leads the way down the corridor as the light becomes brighter and the chanting becomes louder. The dank corridor continues for 200 feet before emptying into a large cavern cut into the bedrock. Thirteen candles adorn the perimeter of the cavern flickering wildly and casting large shadows upon the walls. The walls themselves are carved with pagan etchings similar to those you saw in the corridor.

In the middle of the cavern kneels a cloaked figure - the source of the chanting. His back is turned towards you as you enter. It is obvious to even the unlearned that the words spoken are not Latin as you first guessed - they are words of some ancient language unknown to you.

Laying before the kneeling figure is an unconscious woman. Only the bare skin of her legs are visible to you, but there is no mistaking it. There lays the body of Sally Jensen.

"FBI!" shouts Moulder. "Step away from the..." Before he can finish his sentence, Agent Moulder is lifted from his feet and thrown against the wall of the cavern. He slams up against the wall hard and is knocked unconscious. His revolver drops to the ground beside him.

The figure seems not to notice your entrance and continues chanting.

Ok fellas, you are in the presence of a x4 supernatural multiplier - this probably doesn't matter much since none of you are psychic. We're also introducing our first Investigative Combat Round so double check my rules to know how to proceed. No need to roll a Save vs. HF yet.

*****
Anna, the book's spine has nothing written on it. The letter reads the following:

Reverend Garfunkle,

The prayers of the Catholic Church go out to you and your flock as you deal the terrible atrocities recently perpetrated in your fair town. The loss of your parishioners to such horrible crimes brings me great sadness. These are difficult times and my sincere sympathies go out to you and the families of the deceased. Be assured that my congregation is praying for swift justice in these matters.

The information you provided concerning the manner by which these murders were conducted, as vile as they are, are nothing new. Evil forces have often intruded the lives of the masses where none exist without temptation. As you noted in your letter, I have some experience with these types of matters though it has been years since I have been consulted by the Church in their investigation.

It is with deep regret that I inform you that I am unable to travel to Tilden to aid in your struggle as I am much needed here in Duluth. That said, I have included this book as a guide for your efforts to cleanse your town of the evil that has descended upon it. The information you provided concerning the 1938 episodes may indeed have something to do with your current plight - be it a mere re-enactment or something more sinister in nature.

My brief exploration of the matter suggests that Mr. Miller was indeed a troubled soul although it is left to interpretation whether he was truly possessed by unclean spirits or merely lacked the metal faculties to deal with reality. Nevertheless, the interview transcripts depict a very troubled man with homicidal tendencies. It is unfortunate that he was killed before having been visited by someone with the appropriate experience to judge the impetus for his actions. His descriptions of voices, black smoke, and promises of immortality are akin to those of truly possessed individuals as documented in ancient Church documents.

The book should provide you with a series of characteristics to use as a barometer of true demonic possession. These include: unusual strength, self mutilation, speaking in tongues, levitation, telekinesis and the like. Should you verify all or some of these manifestations contact me immediately and I will be on the first plane to Tilden. I implore you to not directly confront the possessed on your own.

These matters are best dealt with swifty and cautiously. Be safe and go with God.

By His loving grace,

Father Vincent Leopold
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arthotus
Member Avatar
Thread Reaper
[ *  * ]
Initiative (1d20=5)
Perception (1d20=9)
APM: 4

Action 1: Produce Camera
Action 2: Take a picture with camera Strike (1d20=12)(Raw Strike on Wild Fire Camera Taking)
Action 3: Look around Corner
Action 4: Lore Monster& Demon Is there any creatures in the room who Vargus recognizes? Lore: Demons & Monsters 62% (1d100=25) Pass


Vargus is mildly surprised by Moulders reaction to the situation. Perhaps he was hit by some kind of disintegrating projectile that Vargus hadn't seen? Maybe it was a supernatural power of some kind? Vargus Quickly produced his camera to take a picture of whatever was around the corner and then scanned the room to see if there were any creatures he recognized.

-Current HP: 21
-Current SDC: 17
-Current PPE: 1
-Current Armor SDC: None
-Current Weapon & Ammo: Camera
-Can not Sense the Supernatural
Edited by Arthotus, Feb 16 2011, 06:28 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
Anna's first thought is, stupidly: The Pentecostal Church of Christ is Catholic?

But she quickly comes to her senses, delicately refolding the letter and placing it back in the envelope before returning it to its prior position. So...this is an interesting development, but she wasn't sure how much it helped her. Garfunkle had obviously been doing some study of his own concerning the murders, consulted with colleagues, and somewhere along the way raised demonic possession in the discussion. He'd made a connection to some 1938 murders (Was that the "dodranscentennial beatdown" Vargas mentioned? she wonders briefly) that made reference to black smoke and promises, but Anna remembers nothing of this sort connected to the Robertson case.

Although it certainly made the reverend a more fascinating man, there weren't any case-changing revelations here. Garfunkle and Leopold were apparently in the same boat as Anna and the others: maybe it was the supernatural, maybe it was just a nut, no way to tell. Bobby was still the most likely suspect.

But where is Garfunkle?
Anna skews an eyebrow at the lone flaw in the bookshelf's careful organization. A book had been included with the letter, and this one had been put away in a hurry - maybe by someone under stress. Maybe by someone running out the door after some vital clue fell into place.

Anna removes the book from the shelf. It was a long shot, but it was all she had left other than returning to the youth group and mopping up the last of Bobby's incriminating evidence. There isn't enough time for her to read through the whole thing; Anna just opens the book where the book wants to open, or wherever a bookmark has been placed.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Anna, the book has no title and no listed author, publishing company or any other info regarding its origins. When you open the book to the page marked by the bookmark, you see handwritten notes regarding blood sacrifice, pacts, and demonology. A quick flip through the other pages reveals that the book is completely handwritten with many sketches and diagrams of occult symbols, demonic creatures, and the like. Further examination indicates that the pages appear to have been copied (i.e., it is not an original) from some unknown source.

I'm still waiting on a post for Marcus before moving the other storyline along. Someone bug Lunar for us.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lunarmage
Member Avatar
Priest
[ *  *  * ]
Marcus takes no non combat actions..


Marcus takes careful aim at the kneeling figures shoulder and prepares himself for the reverberating 160+ decibels.

(when combat comes around)
Initiative: 16
Strike: 24 (nat 20)
Damage: 42

ApM: 3/4
HP: 16/16
SDC: 16/16

Current weapon: Beretta Px4 .45
No special abilities.
Edited by Lunarmage, Mar 1 2011, 02:16 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
"Oh, my god," Anna whispers. She's hit the jackpot. A secret, extensive manual of occult and demonology - not unique, but irreplacable in any case. For a moment - a long moment - she considers stealing it for her own obsessive study, but finally and inevitably crushes the notion, chastising herself. However badly she wanted it and however greatly it might help people if it gets out, it didn't justify taking it from the innocent reverend.

Anna reaches for the phone, but pauses. She'd told Mrs. Granville she'd be back in a minute, and by now, she must be missing her. Momentarily, Anna is torn between her fear of being discovered and the excitement of exploring the book. If I go back now, I might get caught up talking to the group. I have to do this while I have the chance.

Anna opens the door and scans the outside for anyone coming to knock on the reverend's door. Assuming there's no one to disturb her, Anna then closes the door and advances on the desk phone. Pulling Vargas Janova's business card out of her pocket, she turns the book to the bookmarked page as she dials his cell number and scans the pages for anything familiar to the murder descriptions. Maybe there was something supernatural at play and maybe there wasn't, but either way this would get her on the investigators' good side.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Anna, you dial Vargas' number and wait for him to pick up - your heart pounding with excitement.

Anna - roll perception vs. 6 to notice footsteps coming your way.

*****
Vargas, you peer around the corner and see a dark haze lingering above the kneeling figure. Almost by instinct, you snap a quick photograph of the scene before you. You immediately recall Will Capstone's story about the black column of smoke he saw in the church vestibule - your previous knowledge tying stories of black smoke to corporeal manifestations of evil forces in ancient lore of demonic possession.

Bobby's Initiative: 1d20=17

The figure stands and turns towards you. You see a young man standing before you brandishing a silver dagger in his right hand. His chanting grows louder as he takes a step in your direction. Just then, your cell phone begins to ring.

Vargas - you notice that the young man's eyes seem almost black - as if his corneas have been completely obscured by his dark pupils.

Marcus - you recognize the young man as Bobby Halls from a photograph you'd seen earlier that day.

Marcus, you pull the trigger of your Beretta. A loud crack from the gunshot fills the small cavern and you see the spray of dark blood splatter against the stone wall behind Bobby. Your shot scores a direct hit to his shoulder and he drops to the ground. He does not move nor make a sound... he lays lifeless on the ground.

As Bobby's body hits the ground, the prostrate woman erupts with deep, maniacal laughter. Her body lifts off the floor, hovers above the ground, and begins to spin in mid air.

Everyone provide a save vs. horror factor of 10.

Vargas - if you save, state your first action of the melee.

Marcus - if you save, state your second action of the melee.

Please continue to use combat post format.
Edited by dhorn, Mar 2 2011, 05:33 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arthotus
Member Avatar
Thread Reaper
[ *  * ]
APM: 3

Action 2: Drawing Holy Water and Cellphone + Speaking.

Vargus quickly throws the Camera back in his pocket and produces the flask of Holy water, as well as his cellphone. He held out the holy water to Marcus, "Pour some of this on your gun! It's Holy water. Maybe it'll help against the demon?!"

At the same time, he flicked the answer button on his cell phone, "Hello?"

-Current HP: 21
-Current SDC: 17
-Current PPE: 1
-Current Armor SDC: None
-Current Weapon & Ammo: Camera
-Can not Sense the Supernatural
Edited by Arthotus, Mar 2 2011, 07:57 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
Perception : [1d20] + 3 = 18

How's that for timing, thinks Anna as she hears the footsteps, turning her excited state into one of alarm.

"I've got something for you. Hold on," she tells Vargas, unaware of his own time-sensitive situation, as she shuts the book with one hand and slides it into its former position on the shelf. She moves to an inconspicous position in front of the desk, waiting for the door at her back to open, but doesn't hang up the phone. This is embarassing, but ultimately explainable, and she didn't want to break communication with Vargas.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Lunarmage
Member Avatar
Priest
[ *  *  * ]
This was straight out of The Exorcist. Floating people, he half expected the person floating there to start spewing pea soup and shouting 'Fuck Jesus! Fuck Jesus!' But he was here as a skeptic, and this was certainly not anything electrical so far as he could tell right away. But there would be time to examine the room for some kind of magnetic disturbance later. Vargus throws a vial of 'holy water' at him... What the hell? Whatever. Marcus dumps the vial over his gun and then shoots the floating woman in the leg.
Strike: 4 (nat 1)
Marcus swears as the gun jams. He wasn't using a Glock, Beretta isn't known for being able to withstand this kind of abuse. He steps back to shake the water out of the weapon.
Save vs. HF: 4

ApM: 2/4
HP: 16/16
SDC: 16/16
Edited by Lunarmage, Mar 11 2011, 11:12 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arthotus
Member Avatar
Thread Reaper
[ *  * ]
Save VS Horror Factor (1d20+1=17)
(Sorry for the delay)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Marcus, the sight of the young woman's body defying the laws of gravity catches you off guard. To be honest, it absolutely shocks you into momentary paralysis. Plus your gun jams - further causing you seconds of reaction time.

Marcus - you drop to the back of the initiative order and lose 1 APM.

Vargas, you hear Anna's voice on the other end of the phone line. More importantly, you watch as the young woman's body is thrown against the wall and lands in a heap next to the unconscious body of Agent Moulder. She lays there motionless.

*****
Anna, the door to the Reverend's office swings open. A woman stand there surprised to see you.

Anna - here is a description of the woman: height 5'4, short brown hair and dark brown eyes, lightly tanned skin.

"Umm.." she says. "I'm looking for the Reverend. Who are you?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Arthotus
Member Avatar
Thread Reaper
[ *  * ]
APM: 2

Action 3: Checking Vitals+ Phone

"$%^&" Vargus curses, as he kneels down to check for a pulse. He also kept the phone to his ear as he scanned the room for Bobby. Where did that little brat go?

-Current HP: 21
-Current SDC: 17
-Current PPE: 1
-Current Armor SDC: None
-Current Weapon & Ammo: Phone
-Can not Sense the Supernatural

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Snikers
Member Avatar
Follower
[ * ]
Anna blinks, uncertain. She'd expected either Mrs. Granville or Reverend Garfunkle - this is something of a curveball. Well, might as well be upfront about it, she thinks.

"My name's Anna Li," she introduces herself, transferring the phone reciever to her left hand as she turns and offers her right to the woman. She's polite, but makes it clear she's got someone on he other end. "I'm looking for him too. I thought you might be him, actually. I'm trying to touch base with everyone as, well," - she jerks to the phone with a jerk of her head - "you can see."

Anna tries to defuse the tension with her long-practiced powers of charisma. (Invoke Trust/Intimidate 96% : [1d00] = 41 Pass!)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dhorn
Member Avatar
Bio-Hazard
[ *  * ]
Marcus, you snap out of your dazed condition to find the two bodies of the teenagers laying before you. Moulder still rests unconscious against the wall of the cavern - the candles adorning the space flickering violently.

Marcus - what are you doing?

Vargas, you approach the prostrate body of the young woman. Bobby lays motionless nearby. You reach down to check Sally's pulse - it's strong, but very rapid. She trembles. When you turn her over on her back, her hand shoots out to catch you by the throat with a powerful grip.

Strike: 1d20+1=19
Damage (if applicable): 1d4=2

Vargas - if you fail to dodge the attack, please note damage and provide a d20 roll and add your PP attribute score.

*****
"Nice to meet you Anna. My name is Ellen... Ellen Cooper. You seem very familiar." The woman covers her mouth and coughs. "Isn't it a bit late to be calling on the Reverend Miss Li?" she asks in an subtly (yet perceptible) interrogative manner.

Anna - what are you doing?
Edited by dhorn, Apr 5 2011, 09:06 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Beyond the Supernatural: Sigil Macabre · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Black Water created by tiptopolive of IDS