Era of the Apocalypse (Inactive)

Game Master Codanous

Celeste scans all the items in the cubby for protective wardings.

Detect magic. Take 10 for 19 spellcraft

If all clear

"Would you look at that."She gestures at the items Elek manages to find in the cubby hole. "Pick up the journal with a sack or a glove, then pass it to me."She takes out a sack before she takes the book.

"Lucius - is it possible to extract finger prints out from the cover of the book?" She asks Lucius.

If there are wards

"Be careful! The items are warded." Celeste shouts a warning then backs away, leaving professionals to do their job.

Celeste notices the dagger is radiating magically, she believes it to be a +1 dagger but there is something maybe more to it that you can't quite piece together. Seems there is some enchantment on the ruby as well but you feel its beyond your skills. You get the vague idea it might be a sort of magical key but you aren't sure to what or how you'd even use it.

'Caution is prudent.' Elek carefully searches the cavity he created making sure there are not traps.
He will take 20 (25) on perception searching for traps, if untrapped

Nodding in agreement with Celeste, Elek nudges the items closer to the hole with the table leg. Then taking the back from Celeste, carefully moves each item from the hole-in-the-wall to a nearby table.

Looking from Celeste to Lucius to Maud. 'Who vould like to open za book?"

Celeste takes out a handkerchief, and making sure her finger is wrapped in it, gingerly flips open the book and starts reading.

Lucius observes the various items found closely, but seems content to let Celeste and Elek handle the examinations. He reads along with Celeste, although he does so silently so as to not give away any of the contents to the guardsmen.

Once the search, and reading, is done he straightens up and turns to the guards. "You will need to report this to your Captain, under the greatest secrecy you may. My people will take possession of these items under the Pope's authority and sequester them. I will speak to your captain about accessing them when it is appropriate. Blessings of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit upon you both."

Reading the book you notice it is written in a code language though Celeste can easily tell it seems to be combining the language of demons with the language of the angels and is able to decipher it. Its not an easy thing to decipher and understand as the two languages don't combine or translate well into one another. At first glance and just flipping through the pages it appears to be a guide book, a ritual book, a manifesto and probably even a journal at times.

It seems to be pretty in-depth and would take a few hours to read through it entirely though and even more to full digest its contents.

The guards stand there staring at you guys, they look to each other making eye contact before speaking up "That's uh pretty impressive you were able to find that, I can't believe that was hiding there the whole time," Trying to peak in "What else is there, just a book or is there more. . .?"

"Gimme a couple of hours with this thing." Celeste mumbles distractedly.

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 1

'Well at least their curious, that's good for a guard right? I don't know who they support politically so I should let Lucius talk to them.' Elek stands by quietly, letting Lucius speak to his fellow Catholics.

Maud moves into the room looking around and watching Celeste and Elek do their magic.

They are pretty remarkable investigators, its pretty cool how they are able to find stuff like that. .

She remains silent and continues taking in the scene, she eyes the guards as they speak up.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

That doesn't seem right, something is off with them. . .

Looking around at her allies, she nods along "give me a second, I want to check something out over here. ." She walks off by herself before trying to signal Lucius with a message, discretely.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Lucius, something is up with these guards, I think they knew about that book or something,"

Take 10 on Sense Motive for an 18

No stranger to Vatican politics Lucius immediately notices that the guards are acting in an unusual fashion - their posture and tone speaks volumes.

Lucius follows Maud and nods at her assessment. "They knew something. I fear the rot may be deeper than suspected. We must speak with them individually. Distract one as best you can and I will speak to the other."

Nodding in agreement with Lucius, she walks over to the guards, "Hey, can you help me with something I think I found something else in the other room," she walks off assuming the guard follows her into the other room, which looks like a study?

I saw there was a new map on the maps slide, I assume that is the apartment we are in?

Once inside the room with one of the guards, "Try looking underneath that desk there, I feel like there is maybe a false bottom to it but I can't find a latch. . ."

She stands over him pointing at the desk.

Seeing Maud and Lucius whispering Elek raises an eyebrow when Maud asks he guard to escort her into the other room to 'look for something.' 'That's interesting, I wonder what their not telling our guards. Maud can take care of herself. I better stay here and protect the Cardinal, just in case.' He then moves a little closer to the Cardinal, trying to not be obvious.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Celeste remains oblivious, happily leafing through the book. "My oh my, what do we have here?" She muses to herself.

The guard follows Maud into the room, slightly confused, he climbs underneath the desk and starts looking around. "Uh, I am not seeing anything, are you sure there is something under here?"

The other guard stand around in the room awkwardly, Looking to Celeste, "Hey can I take a look at that journal?"

Celeste moves to next to Elek, "Nope, not till I'm done with it." She answers.

"Wait my son." Lucius says, before muttering a short prayer. Enhanced Diplomacy "I would speak with you a moment."

He draws the guard aside slightly, enough to give the illusion of privacy and deliberately stands side on to Elek so that the Bohemian can see everything that's going on.

"My son, confess truthfully to me and things will be much the better for you. You and your partner knew about the book - that much is plain. You must tell me truthfully why you did not bring this to the attention of your superiors. I do not intend to judge you or your actions, simply to see right done in our city. The fate of humankind and the Holy Church rests upon you, my son. Tell me the truth I pray you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Pre-emptive Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Frowning a bit at Celeste he barely notices being pulled aside by Lucius. Frowning even more, "I-I-I don't know what you mean, Father. I-uh-We d-d-don't know anything about that, why would you even say that," He tries to look everywhere but at you as he says this, clearly lying. "I was just as surprised you guys found that book,"

You notice he also rubs his forearm slightly as he does so as well, as if he had a subconscious itch there. His forearm is concealed by the long tunic he is wearing.

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 7
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

'Knew about the Book? Not intend to judge, my eye, the world is at stake.' Hearing the guards new about the book, Elek rests his hand on his sword hilt, watching the guard carefully.

'The assassin had a mark.' Seeing the guard nervously rub his forearm Elek steps closer and attempts to get his associates attention. "Celeste, Lass das verdammte Buch. Ve need your attention."

"What?" Celeste looks around at Elek, startled. "What IS the problem? The faster I get this book deciphered, the faster we'll find out who's behind all this. I hope. And I'm not getting it done any faster if you keep bothering me!" Celeste grumbles, rather disgruntled.

"You assistance please Celeste." Lucius says over his shoulder, not taking his eyes from the guard. "My son, nothing you have done is beyond forgiveness. Confess now, give up the pretense and help us - I will give you my protection but you must tell us what you know. You can start by exposing your forearm." Lucius stands and looks levelly at the soldier. "I do not wish to see you burned or your soul tormented in hell my son. Save yourself and tell me the truth!"
Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

ninja'd by the cardinal

'Blasted witch, so wrapped up in her own curiosity she doesn't even know what's going on around her.' He widens his eyes and nods toward where the Cardinal is speaking to the guard. "Ve vill have za verdammte buch for as long as vee need it. Vee are speaking to za guards now. I believe you vant to hear zis conversation. Za cardinal has asked za guard to explain how he knew za book vas in za vall."

edit
After hearing the Cardinal point out about the guards arm and ask the man directly about his involvement, Elek unhooks the loop on his great axe and lets it drop into his hands.

Fear the Ninja Cardinal of the Catholic Church! We have crucifixes balanced for throwing! :D

The one guard kind of looks around in a not-trying-to-panic manner, "You can read it?" he asks a little incredulously.

He looks around presumable for his partner, "I-We need to take that book back for evidence, this is a major development in the case and uh we need it,"

He makes a quick step toward Celeste to try and knock the book away.

Combat Manuever to Disarm(unarmed): 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 4 = 5

Though Celeste is rather protective of her book and steps away. Raising his voice, "GIVE ME THAT BOOK"

If he is unarmed...he can't take AOOs

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Celeste shieds back from the man, alarmed at the book snatcher. 2 north

Then she unleashes a burst of colour in his face. "You don't snatch MY book!" Celeste growls angrily.

Colourspray - I'll draw the squares when I get to a computer. It won't hit allies.

For the first time, Celeste notices the smoke coming out from his sleeve. "Lucius, I think we might be in trouble..."

Celeste jumps into action and blasts the guard with a spray of color.

Will Save DC15: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9

He his eyes sparkle with light and he appears stunned in place.

Blind & Stunned: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Round 1 - Bold is up
Lucius
Elek
Celeste
Maud
Guards Blue(Blind 2 rounds, stunned 3 rounds)/Green

Lucius, seeing the guard collapse, speaks urgently. "Elek! Go and help Maud!" He crouches by the guard and rips back the guards tunic sleeve to expose the fore-arm.

What happens next rather depends on what I see - aim is to avoid him burning up obviously...

Lucius rushes to the side of the man and pulls his tunic sleeve up revealing a red hot symbol burning in his arm that looks like the Order of the Nine Angels symbol!

Roll me a spellcraft and/or Kn: Arcana check to try and identify whats going on

You can tell whatever is happening is definitely supernatural, you aren't sure if its going to ignite or simply primed for ignition or perhaps something else entirely!

Round 1 - Bold is up
Lucius
Elek
Celeste
Maud
Guards Blue(Blind 2 rounds, stunned 3 rounds)/Green

Now that the symbol is in view, Celeste 's eyes widen and she gasps in shock, "How many of THEM have infiltrated the city?!"

knowledge arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

I didn't mean to bold your name Celeste but thats okay lol I've give it to ya as well since you're there.

Any way to stop the symbol activation?

"I have no idea what those symbols do, but I don't think it's anything good!"

So much!

Jumping into action Maud hears the commotion out in the living room and draws her light mace, favoring it for these more close quarter combats.

She moves up and threatens the guy on the floor. "Don't move or I don't know what's going on but don't move!"

Calling out, "What's going on?!"

"Move! I will help Maud in a moment." Elek studies the man for a moment and then swings his axe at the man's arm, attempting to chop off the forarm at the elbow.

studied target, Attempting to chop off the arm, don't know if this will actually work. attack: MW Greataxe, PA. FF, ST
attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 for damage: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 13

I'll allow it, I was reading the Called shots ruled and you did half his health in damage so its a debilitating hit which causes severe penalty, but I'll allow you to chop his arm off.

Elek swings down his greataxe chopping through the guards arm, severing it at the Elbow, if he wasn't stunned he'd no doubt be howling in pain as blood splurts from the stump.

The other guard looks arounc confused trying to understand whats happening before frowning at Maud, "You think you can stop me?" He tries to stand up and Maud crushes one of his legs with morningstar but he still continues to stand. You get an Attack of Opportunity for him standing up

He growls at you and draws out his Flamberge but there is no rules for a flamberge so bastard sword! and wields it awkwardly in these tight spaces.

Round 2 - Bold is up
Lucius
Elek
Celeste
Maud
Guards Blue(Blind 1 rounds, stunned 2 rounds)/Green

Celeste flinches at the savagery as Elek lopes off the guards arm. 'Not the sort of thing you usually see..and rather too close for my taste.'

She spares a look at the brand to see if it's still smoking, then tries to restrain the stunned man.

grapple: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

"Lucius, help me! We need to keep him restrained."

'That should keep him alive so we can question him, now to get to Maud.' "Keep him alive! I'll be back." wiping the blood splatter off his face, Elek begins to move to the other room " verdammte armor, It slows me down." Realizing he's moving too slow, Elek draws his dagger and, as he turns the corner, throws it at the other guard.

20 ft move, drawing dagger as he goes. attack: ranged, dagger
attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 for damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
confirm crit.: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 for damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 booo

Lucius takes a spray of blood across the face but keeps his calm. "Gabriel, Archangel, Revelator, grant me the ability to see His truth in this mess." As he speaks his crucifix glows gold and a wash of golden light halts the flow of blood from the guards elbow.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6 No exclusions - I'm assuming it doesn't work through the wall to the next room and even if it does it would be meta-gamey as hell to exclude the other guard!

Attack of Opp: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Swinging wildly at the guard as he stands, "You won't make it out of this alive, give up now,"

Taking another swing at the guard trying to put him down quickly.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Yeah Channel energy doesn't go around hard edges.

Celeste wipes some of the blood off her while she steps further back from the bleeding guard. Elek moves away into the next room to help Maud and throws a dagger at the sticking it in his gut.

Lucius manages to heal up the bleeding guard stopping the bleeding.

Maud follows up Elek's dagger throw with a few swings of her Lt Mace hitting the man again.

Round 2 - Bold is up
Lucius
Elek
Celeste
Maud
Guards Blue(stunned 1 rounds, -6 dexterity) 7 damage/Green 19 damage

Celeste continues to pin the guard while taking out some rope.

grapple to pin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

'She offered him the chance to surrender and he hasn't said anything, it is his choice.' As Maud offers the injured guard the chance to surrender Elek moves further into the room, studying the man for a brief moment as hopes the man will surrender. "You should have accepted das Fräulein's offer." He then swings his axe at the guard.

5 ft step, move action: studied target, Attack: Greataxe: ST.PA,FF
attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24 for damage: 1d12 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 19

Lucius does his best to help Celeste bind the guardsman when she extracts the rope, but manages to fumble with the rope and loop it around his own thumb instead...

Escape Artist?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 *sigh*

Gonna call the combat there, the one guy is stunned and Elek just bisected the other dude

Celeste attempts to tie up the stunned guy and finds its much easier to do when they already can't move as opposed to if he was able to move.

Meanwhile Elek dashes into the room and through the cramped spaces manages to inflict a brutal chest wound with his greataxe, killing the man outright.

As soon as the other guard's stun ends he screams out loudly no doubt in a delayed pain reaction to his arm being cut off.

His arm meanwhile continues to writh in pain and the rune smokes more until it bursts into flames in a small explosion.

His arm blew up: 1d6 ⇒ 2 the small fire-y explosion damages those around it and leaves nothing behind of it except a crispy disfigured arm

''Dead, I didn't come here to kill humans, but he attacked us. That seems to be going on a lot lately.' Elek kneels beside the dead man, and lifts up his sleeve to see if there as a brand there, like he suspected on the other man. Showing the arm to Maude he asks. "Vould you like to say ein prayer for him Fräulein?"

can he take 20 (25) searching the body for a 'star' tattoo/brand?

Celeste flinches and hisses in pain as the explosion from the brand hits her shin, leaving some unsightly burns.

She begins to divest the wounded guard of his possessions. "So - what do you have to say about this whole matter?" She looks at him sadly. "Why did you do it?"

"Lucius - you might want to do this. People may have issues talking to witches." She comments.

Lucius kneels by the bound man, pulls out his rosary and turns to Celeste. "Would you leave us please my dear. The confessional is a sacred place of privacy between a man, his priest and God."

Once Celeste has gone Lucius waits patiently. "I am here for you my son. Confess your sins to me that I may grant you absolution." Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 I'm hoping for circumstance bonus what with the idea of making confession etc, but I'm assuming that he doesn't have much faith any more...