realsorien (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
realsorien) wrote2008-04-11 09:53 am
realsorien) wrote2008-04-11 09:53 am
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Buffy Run Writeup #19!
Here we go again! If you read this please leave a comment- all critiques will help me improve these writeups and my writing in general. :)
With our return to the scene, we find the trio of Jackie, Greg and Bill deep under the waters of the Atlantic, about 2 hours from shore. They've managed to succeed at their mission to retrieve the sigil-stone, but are now in a terrible predicament- what gear they had when they encountered the octopoid-merfolk was stripped from them, and now they face the likely fate of either drowning or freezing to death in the frigid waters! As they start to feel the effects of Carl's 'water-breathing' formula wearing off, Greg was waiting with the unconscious, undead-surrounded Jackie while Bill swam for shore, all hoping against hope that the effects will last long enough for him to return with some kind of help...
As Bill just gets out of sight of his friends, their fears are realized- they revert to human! Bill's first instinct is to head for the surface, but there really isn't much chance that he'll make it. Jackie is just coming to, and when they are all thinking that its the end... They suddenly can breathe! An eerie reddish glow comes from some rocks nearby, and it feels as if they're above water. Bill finds himself being drawn back to his friends, and its both comforting and disturbing to see who is there waiting for him: Seated on the rocks facing Jackie and Greg is Asmodeus, looking as immaculate as ever despite being underwater.
"You three really disappoint me..." He begins, and notes that he's technically breaking the rules by keeping the trio alive. "I do have other pawns who can do the job, but you happen to be convenient and close. So I have a deal for you. Serve me and my cause for ten years, or I let you die." With his wicked grin remaining, he waits...
Each of the three weigh their options, and ask questions as well. To Jackie he says "You're so close already to being on MY side its almost funny." She asks why, and he replies, "Oh, YOU'LL find out. If you live." To Greg he says "You're the wild card here. Are you going to sacrifice your life to save your friends, or die for honor?" And Bill gets "You do my work rather well already." Bill replies with "Oh, I know where I'm going in the end, sparky." "Oooh. You've got such FIRE in you. I LIKE that!" Asmodeus says back.
In the end, Greg is the first to decide. He rejects the offer, saying that he can't serve two masters, meaning Gung Dok and Asmodeus. Asmodeus says "And what happens when you surpass his ability? Will you still serve him then?" "I will learn that when that day comes," is Greg's comment. Jackie, almost to Asmodeus' surprise also rejects the offer. This doesn't seem to bother Asmodeus unduly, however.
Bill is left holding the bag. He's in a literal 'devil and the deep blue sea' situation, made worse because he CAN'T let his friends die. He asks about counteroffers, and Asmodeus says there are possibilities there. He offers 15 years to save both his friends, and is told that its 30 years to save his friends. "Will there be ways to reduce the term of service?" "Of course!" says Asmodeus, knowing he's won. Bill, despite Greg and Jackie's protests accepts the deal- between the choice of his friends and damnation, there's really no choice at all.
And with that, Asmodeus says "Well, I really must be going. And there's your ride!" He points, and there's a diving bell being lowered down from a ship! Jackie dismisses the smallish undead horde that she'd gathered and the three scramble to the bell as they find themselves in water again! Bill remembers the stone, fortunately, and despite a little trouble with Jackie swallowing some ocean they make it inside.
Once there, they find towels and blankets, and mounted on the wall is a radio. Using it, they talk with captain of the vessel, who says that he got a call from an anonymous individual who provided a credit card number and the coordinates, and told him to 'pick someone up' with little other details. He really didn't expect to find anyone... He asks how long they've been down, and when they tell him he lets them know that they're going to have to stay at-depth in the bell, being raised in stages so that they don't get the bends. Given the length of time, Bill and Jackie sleep while Greg meditates. Eventually though he joins them in slumber.
They awake with the bell swaying, and shortly after this motion starts they see the water drop away and are soon on the deck of the Louren Mae, which was in Arkham harbor at the time but makes port in the Carolinas. The captain meets with them and provides clothing, and tries to get some idea of what the hell they were doing out here at depth, with no gear! A story is concocted where they were on an archaeological dive to fetch the sigil (which remains unidentified to the captain) and lost everything... No explanation is given as to HOW they lost everything, nor is one given for their survival at-depth essentially naked. Being a wise and pragmatic man he doesn't inquire further.
Jackie asks about medical care for her broken wrist... And gets a bit of bad news; as her wrist hasn't been set, and its been more than 24 hours they're going to have to re-break it to properly set the bones. She accepts this, but dies ask about painkillers; this being a ship having to deal with the bends and other painful conditions at times they DO have morphine aboard! She's out like a light shortly thereafter and her hand is properly set.
While this is going on Bill and Greg are offered food in the mess, and both heartily accept. While they eat Greg asks for the GPS coordinates of where they were found; the captain readily provides them, and both Bill and Greg contemplate a return to the site for a pile of solid gold chains left behind... Several hours pass and they pull into harbor. At the dock an ambulance is waiting for Jackie, who is loaded in and whisked off to Arkham General. Bill and Greg hike to the beach to fetch the van, and as Greg is persona non grata at the hospital Bill drops him with the Sigil at Master Gung Dok's dojo before he heads to check on Jackie.
Greg has a long talk with his master, and essentially spills everything that's happened to him. He is told that it is easy to decide to die, but that it takes great courage to decide to live and face the adversity that comes. As he sees that Bill has shouldered a great burden, he resolves to be there through it all. The master then says that training must begin again, but that he thinks that they need to work on Greg's will, which should be like iron. This of course does not bode well for Greg's health!
Bill arrives at the hospital and takes a bit of time to switch back into his own clothes, which with those of his friends were left in the van before their 'little' swim. Bill has been pondering a few things as he drove, one of them being that he's realized that the coat, gun-and-sword that ostensibly came from his brother James were actually belongings of Onyx, the vampiress he met after his 'death'. He's also thinking on matters that have been back-burnered due to the recent rather pressing matters, such as the legal suit filed against the dorm-mates by Beatrice Fernhalter. With these matters in mind he enters the hospital, only to find the massive form of Joe Oracle arguing with the desk nurse!
Bill wanders up and says hi just as Joe says "Hi Bill." without turning. "What's the problem?" Bill asks, and Joe says, "Nothing, really... What's Jackie's middle name?" Bill stops and thinks... "Fuck. I have no idea!" "Neither do I!" says Joe, and Bill responds with "Lets ask her!" The pair get the room number and head in.
When they enter, Bill pretty much immediately says, "Hi Jackie! What's your middle name?" Jackie blinks confusedly and says "I don't HAVE one!" "That explains it then." Says Joe, and the three talk for a bit, Joe stating "I'm glad that my boat got there in time!" Bill is inwardly unsurprised, expecting such trickery from beings like Asmodeus, But Jackie IS a bit surprised; what Bill is unaware of is that she'd been psychically calling to Joe to send help throughout their escapade, but she thought she'd not reached him.
Joe also mentions that "This will have to come out of your salary..." Once again leaving Jackie confused- "I have a salary?" "Well, you're going to have to pay this off somehow!" And he holds up the credit card he used to commission the boat. Jackie will be employed for a LONG time for this. After a bit, Jackie states that she needs to talk to Joe, so Bill excuses himself- he wants to check in with Ms. White, both to explain the recent events as well as to discuss the legal situation concerning Beatrice Fernhalter.
With Bill's exit, Jackie gives the entire tale to Joe, especially the matter of her summoning and controlling the corpses- Joe is stunned at the revelation, and rather concerned. Jackie asks, "Is this why Gene is so interested in me?" Joe replies in the affirmative, also saying "He's not the only one. Psychic Necromancy is a RARE talent, and the government and others will be VERY interested. I need to make a few calls... He leaves soon thereafter, leaving Jackie alone in the hospital. As she just has a broken wrist she has no need to remain there, however, and so checks herself out.
Finding that Neither Bill nor Greg are there waiting for her, she calls a cab. And who is behind the wheel? None other than the Kelsey Gramar look-alike, death! She starts to walk away, but he says, "Need a cab?" Nervous, she says "No, I'll get another... I don't want you running the meter for me anymore!" He says, not a problem. No charge. Hop in!" She does so, even more worried about the situation. He asks where she needs to go, and she tells him to take him to Master Gung Dok's dojo- she can't go to the dormhouse (it likely isn't safe) and she isn't sure where Bill went. "Okay. You don't mind if we take the scenic route, do you?" She indicates that its okay, and they drive.
"You've become a bit of a problem to me," Death says. "You see, its my job to take people to the other side, and it doesn't help matters when you start bringing them back. So I need you to stop. Now." Jackie replies, "I don't know how I did it, so I can't promise anything." he states, "If you do it again, I'll be there. Do we have an accord?" She replies, "I can't promise anything, but I know you'll be there if it happens again... So I guess we have an accord." "Good. So, do you want pie?" She demurs, and he lets her off at the dojo.
Returning to Greg... Master Gung Dok has been putting Greg through his paces and then some. He is being put through a lot of painful treatments, and because of his desire to further his training he is persevering through all of it without question, even to the point of being tied down and essentially tortured. He doesn't resist his master's orders, but the pain is extreme. Jackie arrives at the dojo, and the 'closed' sign is in the window. She knocks, but there is no response; she assumes that both Greg and the Master are occupied at the moment, and waits for a time.
Eventually, she decides that she's waited long enough and attempts to reach Greg psychically; she succeeds, and suddenly is hit by waves of raw pain coming from her friend! She's unable at first to damp down the force of this agony, and slides down the doorjamb, unable to fully cope. Greg feels her contact, and tries to damp down the pain leaking through, but is unable to quite succeed. After a bit, Jackie IS able to damp it down enough to try and help Greg's attempts, but because he's so focussed at increasing his will and inner strength he actively opposes her help, though he's not quite able to break down the wall.
Greg then opens his eyes to look at his master- through the haze of pain that he's experiencing he sees NOT his Master, but the Imp! His eyes go wide and he shouts down the link to Jackie! However, he is unheard due to the other psychic effects (the pain and the wall Jackie has built to shield herself). Fortunately though, Jackie has already decided that enough is enough, and breaks in through the storefront window! Once inside, she has very little trouble determining where Greg is- his screams echo from the basement! She grabs a sword from one of the racks and heads cautiously down the stairs.
Halfway down she can see Greg, strapped down to a table with tiny knives stuck into his skin- not deadly wounds, but injuries designed to cause the greatest amount of pain. From the darkness around the scene she hears a faint, evil giggling... Not a good sign. She comes fully into the gloom of the basement and approaches Greg, but before she reaches him she hears from a dark corner, "He is MINE..." "Who are... Oh! You're [the imp's name]!" It bound out and snarls, "How DARE you! He is MINE!" But it doesn't attack!
Jackie wracks her brain to think of a way to protect herself and Greg from the creature, and recalls that a basic protective circle can be drawn with salt! She spots a can of salt by Greg, the creature having been salting Greg's wounds! She reaches Greg's side and rapidly puts a circle around herself and Greg. She realizes that she could also trap the thing in another circle, but how to do it? The creature charges then, and rebounds off an invisible wall- the circle works! It tries several more times to reach them, each time failing. It goes quiet for a moment, then says, "I cannot breach this... But I know those who CAN!" And vanishes with those ominous words echoing in its wake.
Jackie takes the opportunity to help Greg, dealing with all the minor-but-agonizing cuts and lacerations and untying him. Once he's freed she tries to reach Master Gung Dok psychically- she finds him in his office, but he is unconscious. At least he's alive! The pair head up to the office, hoping that their adversary hasn't simply vanished to draw them out of their protective circle; they find the Master chained to a wall, unconscious. Greg quickly frees him by smashing through the wallboard. Jackie calls Bill, who is still at the Dane estate, talking with Ms. White. "Bill! Its the Imp! Get here NOW!" Bill rapidly passes on the information, and both he and Ms. White head to the dojo in the limo, squealing tires all the way!
Jackie and Greg head down towards the entry, Greg carrying his unconscious master- they both get the intense feeling of being in a sanctified place that has been horribly desecrated; and indeed, that is what has happened to the dojo. As they're reaching the door they hear... Horrible sounds from the basement- groans and twisted growls, and the sound of motion. Just as they cross the threshold the limo pulls up, Bill flinging the door open for them! They pile in and start to roll, just as an almost balrog-like THING glares out at them from the dark of the doorway...
It is very rapidly decided that there are now only two safe places left in Arkham- the mansion, and Mad Akbar's shop. They go back to the former, and discussions ensue as to what to do next while the injured are tended to. Ms. White shows another of her facets by picking the locks on the shackles binding Master Gung Dok, but once again is less than capable in doing much more than acting as host. She does, given the circumstances give Bill (and by extension, his companions) access to Professor Dane's library. Jackie and Greg rest for now, both feeling their injuries.
Bill starts in researching as best he can, trying to find anything on the Abyss and its denizens that might be useful. He finds a lot of generalized information, much of it contradictory- a strangely appropriate situation. By the time that Jackie wakes Bill has hit the wall, demonology not being his current field of study. "Jackie, you know demonology, right?" he asks. With the affirmative reply he has her dig in as well, indicating books that he thinks might hold useful information. Fairly soon after she starts helping the lets Bill know that what he's been working with is essentially populist crap with little value. This leads to the sinking realization that this is just a 'show' library, mostly in place for the appearance. What's left as a resource is the library downstairs... Which they know is loaded with dangerous-in-and-of-themselves volumes and various traps for the unwary and unauthorized...
With Greg being part of the conversation at this point, they decide that the risk is warranted- the end of the world generally IS something you take risks to prevent! They take the long stone stairs down and creak open the door to the main chamber, only for the second time entering the encroaching forest of tome-laden shelves. Mists roll along the floor... Cameron Dane is far too much the showman for their tastes. Unfortunately for their chances of finding aid, most of the books aren't even titled! And there isn't anything remotely like a card-catalog.
As Jackie decides to just start pulling books down and checking their contents the hard way and damn the consequences, she hears a voice- "The books cannot help you..." "Can you?" She replies, and now all three can hear the affirmative reply. From a side passage floats the form of Solomon, guardian of the portal, who Jackie was tricked into using to open the passage! He tells him that he can seal the portal, but he needs the Sigil. They realize that they're committed to entering the Abyss whether they want to or not. With this realization, Solomon once again fades away and they head back upstairs.
Once there they find that Master Gung Dok has awakened and has been served a proper tea by Ms. White. Both Bill and Greg bow and kneel before him (Bill following Greg's lead), but he says "No. This is not the place. Respect for me as an elder is commendable, but here we are to relax for a time. No talk of business during tea, after we shall discuss the matters at hand." Ms. White brings more settings, and a quiet tea is had by the gathered, with small talk of a quiet form filling the quarter-hour.
With the finish of the tea, Master Gung Dok briefly looks into his teacup intently, then sets it down saying, "Now is the time to discuss the matters at hand. If you have questions, ask and I will answer as best I can." Bill starts it off with several questions, none of which the Master can be expected to have answers for; Bill ponders, realizes he's not going anywhere with his questions and yields up the floor. Greg fills his master in on everything that has occurred in the past short while. This DOES lead to useful information, but not what they wanted to hear- They had the source in their hands and gave it away! The three volumes of Grimms Fairy Tales from the Arkham University Library has the information they need coded into its pages! And where is it? With Father Bishop- Either on his corpse (if he's dead), or in the Abyss with him.
Bill moves from his earlier unanswerable questions to a more practical one: "What weapons will affect these things?" "Against the creatures of the Abyss weapons such as those considered holy will not work, as these creatures are not of that conflict. Silver, magical weapons and cold forged iron will will work." Bill is able himself to elaborate on that last, in that it needs to be cold forged meteoric iron. The Master agrees with this, and Greg gets on the Internet and goes to the website of Galactic Replicas, which was one of the dealers at the MIB weapon show, and also where he got his tiger fork!
He manages to find that he CAN get weapons made of the required type of iron, but before this accidentally orders a replacement of his original fork; oops. He doesn't think to cancel the order, and orders a cold-forged meteoric iron version as well. Ms. White (with great trepidation) volunteers the use of Cameron Dane's Neutronium card(!) to pay for the purchases, and this leads to more purchases: Bill gets a broadsword (which somehow retracts fully into its hilt), Greg gets his already-ordered tiger forks and Jackie gets 200 CFI rounds and two extended clips for her pistol. Greg chooses the 'immediate' shipping option, and moments later there is a knock at the door- the packages are received, opened and divvied out, and after a bit more discussion they have a rough plan.
The plan? Head to Mad Akbars and get whatever else they need- specifically another locator stone for the sigil-seal, and another one to find Michael as well; something to fix up their injuries before they head in is also on the list. They say their goodbyes to Ms. White and Master Gung Dok and drive to Mad Akbars, which as usual is open. As they go, they look to the sky- clouds are building and a storm is brewing, but the clouds are rolling from inland...
Once inside they are of course greeted warmly by Akbar, though the things he says aren't nearly as cheery as his apparent attitude- "Welcome my friends and how can i be of service to you on this accursed day! Damn the airlines and everything that they do!" Inquiries reveal that his vacation has been put on hold because the airlines won't fly in the bizarre weather rolling in! "And what can I help you with my young friends?" They tell him their needs, and amazingly he provides the first of their needs, healing, for free! He gives each a mug (each decorated with death-motifs like skulls and such) filled with liquid that starts to smoke as each accepts their mug. Each drink the brew, feeling better almost immediately; that is aside from having drunk something that tasted like a blend of old sweatsocks and patchouli, with a delicate aftertaste of alka-seltzer and fish oil.
While this goes on Gabriel is rolling his eyes behind the counter, apparently amused at the entire affair. Bill says "You know, you could come along and help..." Only to be essentially blown off by the more survival-oriented ex-roommate. Jackie asks about decoding materials for use when they actually find the Grimms volumes, and they get another surprise- Akbar has the decoder-key! "I think that this is unique to these volumes... Maybe two or three." He trails off and opens a case, taking out a ring- Bill says "What, is that a Tom Mix decoder ring? Those are worth a lot!" Gabriel rolls his eyes again at the geekery. When Akbar doesn't ask a price Bill says, "Migod. Did we just catch a break? ... No. No way." As it turns out the price is to return the ring AND the volumes to Akbar when they get out. Everything, of course, has its price. Even the healing, which is to simply preserve Akbar's market here on Earth!
Finally, they get two locator-stones for the sigil-stone, two for the Grimms volumes and an extra one to find Michael. Bill gets two 4-packs of Mach 6, one of which is the new cherry flavor, 'Overdrive!' Greg ends up getting a pack of 'Khamel Whydes' cigarettes as well, offered for free by Akbar; "It is illegal to sell cigarettes without a license my friends..." With a cheery wave from Akbar and a smirk from Gabriel they head out.
On the way, Greg takes four of Jackie's new bullets and pulls the slugs out of the brass; he then drills four holes in her cast at the knuckles (they left it on despite her being healed- its a great club, and Greg cuts the cast so she can fire her gun as well); he then glues the slugs into the cast, giving Jackie 'demon-knucks'! They've decided that they'll enter via the church; Its a longer route, but it involves a lot less time in the water. Given Jackie's lack of swimming ability, this is a major consideration. They pull into the parking lot, and notice the cafe' across the way.
They consider that this COULD be a 'last meal' situation, so they decide to stop in for a pre-hellfire meal of pie. Bill orders apple, Jackie gets XX and Greg, XX. They sit down, expecting the same bland meal they had when they got damp-mopped by the MIBs... But its the best pie they've ever had. Bill covers the tab, Greg waves to the MIB agents at another table with a jaunty "Well, time to save the world!" and they head for the church.
Inside, the church is a bit improved from the last time they were inside, but its still horribly damaged. They head for the trap door in the sacristy... And they hear the squeaking of cart-wheels and the grumbling of Willy the janitor! He's still pissed off about the mess, of course. And the coming apocalypse. And, apparently life in general at the moment. He gives them a spray-bottle marked #844; he says he doesn't know what it does, but it might help them! He also admonishes them to avoid skin contact and to not swim within 24 hours of use... Which seems contradictory somehow. Greg wraps the bottle in plastic bags and takes some extras as well.
They open the trapdoor, and knowing what might come up after they go down Greg suggests that Willy seal the trap behind them; instead he gives them a little honey-jar (a sue bee bear squeeze-bottle) filled with a milky white fluid. Once the trap is shut he uses the bottle to dab some of the liquid around the trap- it sticks and hardens almost instantly! Liquid welding! This is also wrapped in plastic.
Down into the basement, through the still-open door and down the tunnel they go, a scent of sulfurous brimstone faintly in the air. A sense of foreboding is in each of them, the natural dread of just what they're faced with running through their minds. They reach the cavern at the end, and it is strangely quiet; the only sounds being the dripping of water and their own breathing. They wrap their clothes in another of the trashbags and seal it, and swim through into the portal-cavern. Here the sting of sulfur is intense, and the moans and howls of the denizens past the portal echo through the chamber. At the foot of the portal are a pile of torn clothes marked with a two bullet-holes and bloodstains... Bishop, whatever he is, is still alive.
And there we leave off. This was the final run of the set, so next up is the Traveller Campaign!
With our return to the scene, we find the trio of Jackie, Greg and Bill deep under the waters of the Atlantic, about 2 hours from shore. They've managed to succeed at their mission to retrieve the sigil-stone, but are now in a terrible predicament- what gear they had when they encountered the octopoid-merfolk was stripped from them, and now they face the likely fate of either drowning or freezing to death in the frigid waters! As they start to feel the effects of Carl's 'water-breathing' formula wearing off, Greg was waiting with the unconscious, undead-surrounded Jackie while Bill swam for shore, all hoping against hope that the effects will last long enough for him to return with some kind of help...
As Bill just gets out of sight of his friends, their fears are realized- they revert to human! Bill's first instinct is to head for the surface, but there really isn't much chance that he'll make it. Jackie is just coming to, and when they are all thinking that its the end... They suddenly can breathe! An eerie reddish glow comes from some rocks nearby, and it feels as if they're above water. Bill finds himself being drawn back to his friends, and its both comforting and disturbing to see who is there waiting for him: Seated on the rocks facing Jackie and Greg is Asmodeus, looking as immaculate as ever despite being underwater.
"You three really disappoint me..." He begins, and notes that he's technically breaking the rules by keeping the trio alive. "I do have other pawns who can do the job, but you happen to be convenient and close. So I have a deal for you. Serve me and my cause for ten years, or I let you die." With his wicked grin remaining, he waits...
Each of the three weigh their options, and ask questions as well. To Jackie he says "You're so close already to being on MY side its almost funny." She asks why, and he replies, "Oh, YOU'LL find out. If you live." To Greg he says "You're the wild card here. Are you going to sacrifice your life to save your friends, or die for honor?" And Bill gets "You do my work rather well already." Bill replies with "Oh, I know where I'm going in the end, sparky." "Oooh. You've got such FIRE in you. I LIKE that!" Asmodeus says back.
In the end, Greg is the first to decide. He rejects the offer, saying that he can't serve two masters, meaning Gung Dok and Asmodeus. Asmodeus says "And what happens when you surpass his ability? Will you still serve him then?" "I will learn that when that day comes," is Greg's comment. Jackie, almost to Asmodeus' surprise also rejects the offer. This doesn't seem to bother Asmodeus unduly, however.
Bill is left holding the bag. He's in a literal 'devil and the deep blue sea' situation, made worse because he CAN'T let his friends die. He asks about counteroffers, and Asmodeus says there are possibilities there. He offers 15 years to save both his friends, and is told that its 30 years to save his friends. "Will there be ways to reduce the term of service?" "Of course!" says Asmodeus, knowing he's won. Bill, despite Greg and Jackie's protests accepts the deal- between the choice of his friends and damnation, there's really no choice at all.
And with that, Asmodeus says "Well, I really must be going. And there's your ride!" He points, and there's a diving bell being lowered down from a ship! Jackie dismisses the smallish undead horde that she'd gathered and the three scramble to the bell as they find themselves in water again! Bill remembers the stone, fortunately, and despite a little trouble with Jackie swallowing some ocean they make it inside.
Once there, they find towels and blankets, and mounted on the wall is a radio. Using it, they talk with captain of the vessel, who says that he got a call from an anonymous individual who provided a credit card number and the coordinates, and told him to 'pick someone up' with little other details. He really didn't expect to find anyone... He asks how long they've been down, and when they tell him he lets them know that they're going to have to stay at-depth in the bell, being raised in stages so that they don't get the bends. Given the length of time, Bill and Jackie sleep while Greg meditates. Eventually though he joins them in slumber.
They awake with the bell swaying, and shortly after this motion starts they see the water drop away and are soon on the deck of the Louren Mae, which was in Arkham harbor at the time but makes port in the Carolinas. The captain meets with them and provides clothing, and tries to get some idea of what the hell they were doing out here at depth, with no gear! A story is concocted where they were on an archaeological dive to fetch the sigil (which remains unidentified to the captain) and lost everything... No explanation is given as to HOW they lost everything, nor is one given for their survival at-depth essentially naked. Being a wise and pragmatic man he doesn't inquire further.
Jackie asks about medical care for her broken wrist... And gets a bit of bad news; as her wrist hasn't been set, and its been more than 24 hours they're going to have to re-break it to properly set the bones. She accepts this, but dies ask about painkillers; this being a ship having to deal with the bends and other painful conditions at times they DO have morphine aboard! She's out like a light shortly thereafter and her hand is properly set.
While this is going on Bill and Greg are offered food in the mess, and both heartily accept. While they eat Greg asks for the GPS coordinates of where they were found; the captain readily provides them, and both Bill and Greg contemplate a return to the site for a pile of solid gold chains left behind... Several hours pass and they pull into harbor. At the dock an ambulance is waiting for Jackie, who is loaded in and whisked off to Arkham General. Bill and Greg hike to the beach to fetch the van, and as Greg is persona non grata at the hospital Bill drops him with the Sigil at Master Gung Dok's dojo before he heads to check on Jackie.
Greg has a long talk with his master, and essentially spills everything that's happened to him. He is told that it is easy to decide to die, but that it takes great courage to decide to live and face the adversity that comes. As he sees that Bill has shouldered a great burden, he resolves to be there through it all. The master then says that training must begin again, but that he thinks that they need to work on Greg's will, which should be like iron. This of course does not bode well for Greg's health!
Bill arrives at the hospital and takes a bit of time to switch back into his own clothes, which with those of his friends were left in the van before their 'little' swim. Bill has been pondering a few things as he drove, one of them being that he's realized that the coat, gun-and-sword that ostensibly came from his brother James were actually belongings of Onyx, the vampiress he met after his 'death'. He's also thinking on matters that have been back-burnered due to the recent rather pressing matters, such as the legal suit filed against the dorm-mates by Beatrice Fernhalter. With these matters in mind he enters the hospital, only to find the massive form of Joe Oracle arguing with the desk nurse!
Bill wanders up and says hi just as Joe says "Hi Bill." without turning. "What's the problem?" Bill asks, and Joe says, "Nothing, really... What's Jackie's middle name?" Bill stops and thinks... "Fuck. I have no idea!" "Neither do I!" says Joe, and Bill responds with "Lets ask her!" The pair get the room number and head in.
When they enter, Bill pretty much immediately says, "Hi Jackie! What's your middle name?" Jackie blinks confusedly and says "I don't HAVE one!" "That explains it then." Says Joe, and the three talk for a bit, Joe stating "I'm glad that my boat got there in time!" Bill is inwardly unsurprised, expecting such trickery from beings like Asmodeus, But Jackie IS a bit surprised; what Bill is unaware of is that she'd been psychically calling to Joe to send help throughout their escapade, but she thought she'd not reached him.
Joe also mentions that "This will have to come out of your salary..." Once again leaving Jackie confused- "I have a salary?" "Well, you're going to have to pay this off somehow!" And he holds up the credit card he used to commission the boat. Jackie will be employed for a LONG time for this. After a bit, Jackie states that she needs to talk to Joe, so Bill excuses himself- he wants to check in with Ms. White, both to explain the recent events as well as to discuss the legal situation concerning Beatrice Fernhalter.
With Bill's exit, Jackie gives the entire tale to Joe, especially the matter of her summoning and controlling the corpses- Joe is stunned at the revelation, and rather concerned. Jackie asks, "Is this why Gene is so interested in me?" Joe replies in the affirmative, also saying "He's not the only one. Psychic Necromancy is a RARE talent, and the government and others will be VERY interested. I need to make a few calls... He leaves soon thereafter, leaving Jackie alone in the hospital. As she just has a broken wrist she has no need to remain there, however, and so checks herself out.
Finding that Neither Bill nor Greg are there waiting for her, she calls a cab. And who is behind the wheel? None other than the Kelsey Gramar look-alike, death! She starts to walk away, but he says, "Need a cab?" Nervous, she says "No, I'll get another... I don't want you running the meter for me anymore!" He says, not a problem. No charge. Hop in!" She does so, even more worried about the situation. He asks where she needs to go, and she tells him to take him to Master Gung Dok's dojo- she can't go to the dormhouse (it likely isn't safe) and she isn't sure where Bill went. "Okay. You don't mind if we take the scenic route, do you?" She indicates that its okay, and they drive.
"You've become a bit of a problem to me," Death says. "You see, its my job to take people to the other side, and it doesn't help matters when you start bringing them back. So I need you to stop. Now." Jackie replies, "I don't know how I did it, so I can't promise anything." he states, "If you do it again, I'll be there. Do we have an accord?" She replies, "I can't promise anything, but I know you'll be there if it happens again... So I guess we have an accord." "Good. So, do you want pie?" She demurs, and he lets her off at the dojo.
Returning to Greg... Master Gung Dok has been putting Greg through his paces and then some. He is being put through a lot of painful treatments, and because of his desire to further his training he is persevering through all of it without question, even to the point of being tied down and essentially tortured. He doesn't resist his master's orders, but the pain is extreme. Jackie arrives at the dojo, and the 'closed' sign is in the window. She knocks, but there is no response; she assumes that both Greg and the Master are occupied at the moment, and waits for a time.
Eventually, she decides that she's waited long enough and attempts to reach Greg psychically; she succeeds, and suddenly is hit by waves of raw pain coming from her friend! She's unable at first to damp down the force of this agony, and slides down the doorjamb, unable to fully cope. Greg feels her contact, and tries to damp down the pain leaking through, but is unable to quite succeed. After a bit, Jackie IS able to damp it down enough to try and help Greg's attempts, but because he's so focussed at increasing his will and inner strength he actively opposes her help, though he's not quite able to break down the wall.
Greg then opens his eyes to look at his master- through the haze of pain that he's experiencing he sees NOT his Master, but the Imp! His eyes go wide and he shouts down the link to Jackie! However, he is unheard due to the other psychic effects (the pain and the wall Jackie has built to shield herself). Fortunately though, Jackie has already decided that enough is enough, and breaks in through the storefront window! Once inside, she has very little trouble determining where Greg is- his screams echo from the basement! She grabs a sword from one of the racks and heads cautiously down the stairs.
Halfway down she can see Greg, strapped down to a table with tiny knives stuck into his skin- not deadly wounds, but injuries designed to cause the greatest amount of pain. From the darkness around the scene she hears a faint, evil giggling... Not a good sign. She comes fully into the gloom of the basement and approaches Greg, but before she reaches him she hears from a dark corner, "He is MINE..." "Who are... Oh! You're [the imp's name]!" It bound out and snarls, "How DARE you! He is MINE!" But it doesn't attack!
Jackie wracks her brain to think of a way to protect herself and Greg from the creature, and recalls that a basic protective circle can be drawn with salt! She spots a can of salt by Greg, the creature having been salting Greg's wounds! She reaches Greg's side and rapidly puts a circle around herself and Greg. She realizes that she could also trap the thing in another circle, but how to do it? The creature charges then, and rebounds off an invisible wall- the circle works! It tries several more times to reach them, each time failing. It goes quiet for a moment, then says, "I cannot breach this... But I know those who CAN!" And vanishes with those ominous words echoing in its wake.
Jackie takes the opportunity to help Greg, dealing with all the minor-but-agonizing cuts and lacerations and untying him. Once he's freed she tries to reach Master Gung Dok psychically- she finds him in his office, but he is unconscious. At least he's alive! The pair head up to the office, hoping that their adversary hasn't simply vanished to draw them out of their protective circle; they find the Master chained to a wall, unconscious. Greg quickly frees him by smashing through the wallboard. Jackie calls Bill, who is still at the Dane estate, talking with Ms. White. "Bill! Its the Imp! Get here NOW!" Bill rapidly passes on the information, and both he and Ms. White head to the dojo in the limo, squealing tires all the way!
Jackie and Greg head down towards the entry, Greg carrying his unconscious master- they both get the intense feeling of being in a sanctified place that has been horribly desecrated; and indeed, that is what has happened to the dojo. As they're reaching the door they hear... Horrible sounds from the basement- groans and twisted growls, and the sound of motion. Just as they cross the threshold the limo pulls up, Bill flinging the door open for them! They pile in and start to roll, just as an almost balrog-like THING glares out at them from the dark of the doorway...
It is very rapidly decided that there are now only two safe places left in Arkham- the mansion, and Mad Akbar's shop. They go back to the former, and discussions ensue as to what to do next while the injured are tended to. Ms. White shows another of her facets by picking the locks on the shackles binding Master Gung Dok, but once again is less than capable in doing much more than acting as host. She does, given the circumstances give Bill (and by extension, his companions) access to Professor Dane's library. Jackie and Greg rest for now, both feeling their injuries.
Bill starts in researching as best he can, trying to find anything on the Abyss and its denizens that might be useful. He finds a lot of generalized information, much of it contradictory- a strangely appropriate situation. By the time that Jackie wakes Bill has hit the wall, demonology not being his current field of study. "Jackie, you know demonology, right?" he asks. With the affirmative reply he has her dig in as well, indicating books that he thinks might hold useful information. Fairly soon after she starts helping the lets Bill know that what he's been working with is essentially populist crap with little value. This leads to the sinking realization that this is just a 'show' library, mostly in place for the appearance. What's left as a resource is the library downstairs... Which they know is loaded with dangerous-in-and-of-themselves volumes and various traps for the unwary and unauthorized...
With Greg being part of the conversation at this point, they decide that the risk is warranted- the end of the world generally IS something you take risks to prevent! They take the long stone stairs down and creak open the door to the main chamber, only for the second time entering the encroaching forest of tome-laden shelves. Mists roll along the floor... Cameron Dane is far too much the showman for their tastes. Unfortunately for their chances of finding aid, most of the books aren't even titled! And there isn't anything remotely like a card-catalog.
As Jackie decides to just start pulling books down and checking their contents the hard way and damn the consequences, she hears a voice- "The books cannot help you..." "Can you?" She replies, and now all three can hear the affirmative reply. From a side passage floats the form of Solomon, guardian of the portal, who Jackie was tricked into using to open the passage! He tells him that he can seal the portal, but he needs the Sigil. They realize that they're committed to entering the Abyss whether they want to or not. With this realization, Solomon once again fades away and they head back upstairs.
Once there they find that Master Gung Dok has awakened and has been served a proper tea by Ms. White. Both Bill and Greg bow and kneel before him (Bill following Greg's lead), but he says "No. This is not the place. Respect for me as an elder is commendable, but here we are to relax for a time. No talk of business during tea, after we shall discuss the matters at hand." Ms. White brings more settings, and a quiet tea is had by the gathered, with small talk of a quiet form filling the quarter-hour.
With the finish of the tea, Master Gung Dok briefly looks into his teacup intently, then sets it down saying, "Now is the time to discuss the matters at hand. If you have questions, ask and I will answer as best I can." Bill starts it off with several questions, none of which the Master can be expected to have answers for; Bill ponders, realizes he's not going anywhere with his questions and yields up the floor. Greg fills his master in on everything that has occurred in the past short while. This DOES lead to useful information, but not what they wanted to hear- They had the source in their hands and gave it away! The three volumes of Grimms Fairy Tales from the Arkham University Library has the information they need coded into its pages! And where is it? With Father Bishop- Either on his corpse (if he's dead), or in the Abyss with him.
Bill moves from his earlier unanswerable questions to a more practical one: "What weapons will affect these things?" "Against the creatures of the Abyss weapons such as those considered holy will not work, as these creatures are not of that conflict. Silver, magical weapons and cold forged iron will will work." Bill is able himself to elaborate on that last, in that it needs to be cold forged meteoric iron. The Master agrees with this, and Greg gets on the Internet and goes to the website of Galactic Replicas, which was one of the dealers at the MIB weapon show, and also where he got his tiger fork!
He manages to find that he CAN get weapons made of the required type of iron, but before this accidentally orders a replacement of his original fork; oops. He doesn't think to cancel the order, and orders a cold-forged meteoric iron version as well. Ms. White (with great trepidation) volunteers the use of Cameron Dane's Neutronium card(!) to pay for the purchases, and this leads to more purchases: Bill gets a broadsword (which somehow retracts fully into its hilt), Greg gets his already-ordered tiger forks and Jackie gets 200 CFI rounds and two extended clips for her pistol. Greg chooses the 'immediate' shipping option, and moments later there is a knock at the door- the packages are received, opened and divvied out, and after a bit more discussion they have a rough plan.
The plan? Head to Mad Akbars and get whatever else they need- specifically another locator stone for the sigil-seal, and another one to find Michael as well; something to fix up their injuries before they head in is also on the list. They say their goodbyes to Ms. White and Master Gung Dok and drive to Mad Akbars, which as usual is open. As they go, they look to the sky- clouds are building and a storm is brewing, but the clouds are rolling from inland...
Once inside they are of course greeted warmly by Akbar, though the things he says aren't nearly as cheery as his apparent attitude- "Welcome my friends and how can i be of service to you on this accursed day! Damn the airlines and everything that they do!" Inquiries reveal that his vacation has been put on hold because the airlines won't fly in the bizarre weather rolling in! "And what can I help you with my young friends?" They tell him their needs, and amazingly he provides the first of their needs, healing, for free! He gives each a mug (each decorated with death-motifs like skulls and such) filled with liquid that starts to smoke as each accepts their mug. Each drink the brew, feeling better almost immediately; that is aside from having drunk something that tasted like a blend of old sweatsocks and patchouli, with a delicate aftertaste of alka-seltzer and fish oil.
While this goes on Gabriel is rolling his eyes behind the counter, apparently amused at the entire affair. Bill says "You know, you could come along and help..." Only to be essentially blown off by the more survival-oriented ex-roommate. Jackie asks about decoding materials for use when they actually find the Grimms volumes, and they get another surprise- Akbar has the decoder-key! "I think that this is unique to these volumes... Maybe two or three." He trails off and opens a case, taking out a ring- Bill says "What, is that a Tom Mix decoder ring? Those are worth a lot!" Gabriel rolls his eyes again at the geekery. When Akbar doesn't ask a price Bill says, "Migod. Did we just catch a break? ... No. No way." As it turns out the price is to return the ring AND the volumes to Akbar when they get out. Everything, of course, has its price. Even the healing, which is to simply preserve Akbar's market here on Earth!
Finally, they get two locator-stones for the sigil-stone, two for the Grimms volumes and an extra one to find Michael. Bill gets two 4-packs of Mach 6, one of which is the new cherry flavor, 'Overdrive!' Greg ends up getting a pack of 'Khamel Whydes' cigarettes as well, offered for free by Akbar; "It is illegal to sell cigarettes without a license my friends..." With a cheery wave from Akbar and a smirk from Gabriel they head out.
On the way, Greg takes four of Jackie's new bullets and pulls the slugs out of the brass; he then drills four holes in her cast at the knuckles (they left it on despite her being healed- its a great club, and Greg cuts the cast so she can fire her gun as well); he then glues the slugs into the cast, giving Jackie 'demon-knucks'! They've decided that they'll enter via the church; Its a longer route, but it involves a lot less time in the water. Given Jackie's lack of swimming ability, this is a major consideration. They pull into the parking lot, and notice the cafe' across the way.
They consider that this COULD be a 'last meal' situation, so they decide to stop in for a pre-hellfire meal of pie. Bill orders apple, Jackie gets XX and Greg, XX. They sit down, expecting the same bland meal they had when they got damp-mopped by the MIBs... But its the best pie they've ever had. Bill covers the tab, Greg waves to the MIB agents at another table with a jaunty "Well, time to save the world!" and they head for the church.
Inside, the church is a bit improved from the last time they were inside, but its still horribly damaged. They head for the trap door in the sacristy... And they hear the squeaking of cart-wheels and the grumbling of Willy the janitor! He's still pissed off about the mess, of course. And the coming apocalypse. And, apparently life in general at the moment. He gives them a spray-bottle marked #844; he says he doesn't know what it does, but it might help them! He also admonishes them to avoid skin contact and to not swim within 24 hours of use... Which seems contradictory somehow. Greg wraps the bottle in plastic bags and takes some extras as well.
They open the trapdoor, and knowing what might come up after they go down Greg suggests that Willy seal the trap behind them; instead he gives them a little honey-jar (a sue bee bear squeeze-bottle) filled with a milky white fluid. Once the trap is shut he uses the bottle to dab some of the liquid around the trap- it sticks and hardens almost instantly! Liquid welding! This is also wrapped in plastic.
Down into the basement, through the still-open door and down the tunnel they go, a scent of sulfurous brimstone faintly in the air. A sense of foreboding is in each of them, the natural dread of just what they're faced with running through their minds. They reach the cavern at the end, and it is strangely quiet; the only sounds being the dripping of water and their own breathing. They wrap their clothes in another of the trashbags and seal it, and swim through into the portal-cavern. Here the sting of sulfur is intense, and the moans and howls of the denizens past the portal echo through the chamber. At the foot of the portal are a pile of torn clothes marked with a two bullet-holes and bloodstains... Bishop, whatever he is, is still alive.
And there we leave off. This was the final run of the set, so next up is the Traveller Campaign!