The Monkey in the Library (And Other Horrors) (Inactive)

Game Master Aebliss

Sorry I took so long, coach needed to talk about something. I did find some of the books you were looking for at the city library." As he gets to the table he sets down his bags, one a traditional bookbag, the second a small duffel bag. from the first bag he pulls out a stack of books, bookmarked with pieces of paper, and places them on the table. "I found a few references to evil magic, but they were obscure and I didn't really understand them... Are you sure you're okay with writing our group project paper by yourself? I can help with the editing." Finishing with his rush, he takes a deep breath and finally glances around the table.

Oh, Taco, what are you doing here? Are you joining our group? Good we needed one more person. With this he notices the conspiratorial glances the two are giving each other. You two are up to something aren't you? Wait don't tell me I don't want to know. You know Isabela, you might get the best grades in school but one of these days they're going to catch you. And Taco, she's a bad influence, be careful."

"Are we changing topics?" With this he looks at the pile of books and sighs. "Oh well, some of these books covered insanity as well. and if any of the rumors I have heard are true, drugs can act like insanity. Hopefully this can still help."

With this he starts looking through the books for useful passages. After a few moments he looks up at Zov. "Zov, are you still hiding out here? Hiding out in your 'court?'"

Hiding in my own office?

If any of this is messing with character ideas let me know. Just trying to make sense of somethings that, personally, made little sense...

Oi! This particular fine work of literature was imported from New York City! Oh alright I admit this isn't my office, I do share it with Watson after all...

[ooc]"Watson" is the big (sleeping) lump to the right of the recliner, on closer inspection he is actually an extraordinarily large and muscular half orc and may be the reason why the librarian surrendered this part of the library to Zov...[/ooc

Aizawa ran afoul of a street gang after he thrashed some of their members for hurting his younger brother and tearing his sisters blouse. The Devil's Own, as they called themselves, hunted and fought with him off and on for over a year before trapping him in a old warehouse district. They nearly killed him in a massive beatdown where Aizawa had stood alone. He only survived that day because of the intervention of a rival group that had marked the Devil's Own for death in 1951.

This men were from the Luciano crime family, sent by the 'Prime Minister' of the Underworld himself Frank Costello. The only reason Aizawa survived that day was because he didn't fly the Devil's colors and the fact that these professional mobsters had watched the fight from the beginning. Franky Two Guns Desim took a liking to Aizawa for his tough spirit and vouched for the young Aasimar to join the mob family. Whether he liked it or not.

He ran with them for nearly fifteen years, enjoying the high life of making good money in the underworld dealings of New York. His involvement in the crime family ensured no one messed with his siblings, especially after a few people had their legs broken as a warning. He was well respected and gained the nickname The Fist or First Fist after brutalizing some gang members with nothing but his knuckles. Things continued to be great until, during a police raid, he was captured while covering the escape of Luciano crime family upper members. He was arraigned on multiple counts of weapon charges, threatening police, racketeering, breaking and entering, burglary and various assault charges. The list seemed nearly endless, as account after account was thrown at him. His connection to the Family would lead to him serving a 134 year sentence. He was offered a deal, roll on the Luciano Family and the charges would be dropped.

He refused.

He was held in a local police station awaiting transfer to a maximum security prison in Texas. Yet he never saw a day in jail, as quickly as the counts were stacked against them they were dismissed without another word. At first he believed the crime family had come through for him, but he was wrong. It had been his parents connections that had pulled strings and gotten him out of serving hard time in jail.

Where they sent him was much worse, although in retrospect it saved his life. Elan Military Academy in Maine. A nice name for a horrible facility ran by abusive instructors and officials who didn't care about the well fare of their students. It was ranked ten worst school in america for their Unorthodox training methods. He spent four years being drilled, trained and taught how to eat, breathe and move like a soldier. Acting out was punished brutally, use of racial powers was punished brutally and if the instructor just didn't like you you were punished brutally.

He persevered with the help of letters from his siblings, the crime family (who were surprisingly still watching out for his siblings) and his growing faith in Brigh. It was in that horrible place he found his calling in a goddess he had never heard of. Brigh, she was called. He found her in an obscure book on steam technology and clockwork manipulations. His Clockwork Goddess...

He became enthralled by the possibility and chose to take on a tougher course in the Academy. Officer training.

Officers had more doors open to them, more connections and resources, everything he would need to pursue what he wanted when he got out of this hellish academy. He was nearly complete when his four years was finished, he was transferred to a military base based in Port August to attend a Civilian school and become accustomed to mingling with non-Citizens.

He carries his Luciano tattoos on his arms with a quiet sense of pride, despite the bad things he's done he doesn't regret them. He protected his siblings from suffering at the hands of others and carries the burden of his deeds himself alone, successfully and bluntly refusing to get them involved in what he was doing.

Now he needed to survive high school...

Calm - Despite the odds he portrays an unsettling calm, instilled in him from the The Ring at Elan Academy.

Cold - He sees the world differently then others. Not trusting in people easily and more often spurning them with his cold attitude as people, namely civilians, were beneath his notice.

Dedicated - His faith in Brigh is pushing him forward to excel higher and pursue the advancement of technology to as far as he can take it in his lifetime. He is also a dedicated student who doesn't want to back track to a place like the Academy, not now that he is finally moving upward in his career.

He has shockingly white hair, kept cut short in a military buzzcut style. He has a pair of small catlike ears which lend to his strong perception and often are swiveling to pick up sounds behind and to his sides subconsciously. They also betray his mood, going flat when annoyed and flicking when he was curious. His forearms have patches of flat scales. He has no single eye color as his eyes are iridescent in nature, often changing with the angle they are seen at or by his mood.

A distinguishing feature is the blackened knuckles on each of his hands, seeming to be permanently stained and reports of a cracked and broken halo floating over his head during stormy nights when viewed from far away.
[/spoiler

[spoiler=Goals]
-Survive highschool

Pursue advancing technology in Brigh's name.
Join the Air force
Attain the rank of pilot and commissioned officer
Become involved in the Ongoing Space Program.

His ratchet slipped and cracked his knuckles against the bolts he had been trying to tighten back up, despite the bleeding laceration he gave himself he chuckled. [i]Point taen Brigh.[/b] He started humming again as he refocused on his dedication to the goddess and putting his own worries aside until he was done tuning his cycle for the day.

As Amin comes in Isabela looks up, then as he offers up the books she greedly takes them.

"Good Amin you did good, lets see"

She starts to go thrught them, but when he talks of Taco and plans she says

Whisper: "Yes and keep it down, yes he's joining us and he's going to help us get into the restricted books room. This may be our only chance to..."

She then go's Silent as she spots Zov

Whisper: "Zov O he's a sneaky one. If he's been told to keep an eye on the place wile the old book worms off having her smoke?. Amin go find out what he's up to, see if you can get him with us."

she sits places her book down and leans into Taco.

Whisper: "better hold on a moment wile we find out what Zov's upto"

man I’ve heard of pets but that half-orc following him around like that weirds me out... Right, Isabela is going to be a bad influence on me, hasn’t he heard I’m a Tengu... Well at least I’m not home putting up with Larry, mom’s newest excuse.

Taicho begins to sofly hum “Purple Haze”

Marcus walks into the library, dressed in the school uniform as usual, nods to the group with Isabela, and heads toward one of the empty tables. He does not flaunt his heritage, but he does not really try to hide it either.

Isabela looks over and nods back a Marcus comes in and takes a seat.

Whisper: "The back-ups here, I asked Marcus to work his charms on the librarian to get us more time if needed, if not he will watch our backs at the door. We just need to know what Voz is upto now"

Her plan would come to nothing if Zov was a stooge, she had to know just what was his game.

I wonder why Isabela is hanging with us.. .she’s cool enough she could hang with anyone she wants…man, why am I looking a gift horse in the mouth… I know Amin can use a little help with the grades…still don’t know what to think of Zov, but if he’ll hang with a half-orc he may be cool, but if “Watson” can’t carry his weight, I’m not writing his paper…I’m glad Marcus is with us, he’s pretty smart, lot smarter than me…Gods knows I can use the good grade…and I get to pop a lock in the process. It has turned out to be aa very groovy day.

by now Taicho has stopped writing and he is "knuckling" his pencil in his claw

thoughts raced throw Isabelas mind.

Was that a code phrase? are they working together? I'm I being set up? I did not work this long to get stopped now, are they after the books as well?"

The tug of panic.

"get hold of yourself, your letting paranoia get the better of you, now think with logic, Marcus may knew what we where up to, he could have told Zov, if so why? because Marcus know Zov thinks hes a PI, so something is going down, so payment for something Zov has that Marcus wants. Humm no, he can get that in other simpler ways. Ok Zov likes to investigate, the restricted books is a place lots of folks what to get into. The info in there is worth a lot. Lets be fair that's why I wont to get in there. So they want into the room. That was the what got me Marcus in the 1st place. So could he be hedging his bets, humm. Zov here is the unknown. Leverage! this is about me, this is Leverage over me, nicely played if it is, but we all want to see whats in that room, so this gets us to the same place."

She looked back the librarian,

Still there, come on you old hag, go have a smoke, right then who do we have. Me, Taco, Marcus, Zov, Amin, somewhere Aizawa if he's even remembered about this, maybe a few others if they show in time. Soon we will have make our play, o well soon as shes off for a smoke its show time.

She go's back to writing

As you wish but by Calistra it looks like you need to get laid...

Bat on one shoulder and bow on the other he heads to Zov's throne/desk thing. When he gets close enough to talk with the drow without anyone but "Watson" overhearing. "The Ice Queen is planning another move against the 'man.'" You want to help, or not? I would recommend not interfering if you don't want to help." "Sigh, I hate it when she ropes me into her plans, but opposing her is even riskier."

Gods did he just talk about sex in front of the Ice Queen, well at least he has a pair …and apparently that’s what he thinks with…crap, now we have to listen to that goody-two-shoes Amin whine about our little fun…Mr. Gibbons ain’t that hard, unless you not smarter than your own baseball bat…mmm. Pipe dream…

Taicho still staring at his paper starts to hum ‘purple haze’ again, keeping the rhythm with his pencil eraser. When he hears Zov's proposal he whispers to Isabela

or we can drop one of those rags he calls entertainment in the room behind us when we leave

its the USA in the 60's where are you going to buy a Russian made rifle? Don't you want a springfield or an enfield? :)

bluff1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/firearms/modern-firearms, going for the revolver to be precise. Since it's from WW1 I figure a few might be in the US in the 60s, rare for sure but not unheard of.

that makes sense, I forgot he was a fan of revolvers from his description, it may have been used in WWII also, and you could buy one from a returning war vet. either WWI or WWII and possibly Korean or Vietnam

my sense motive roll would not be worth the digital dice it was rolled on

So a shake down, simple as that, greeds such a easy vice to control. Flash a silver droller or two and their all yours"

she talks to Taco as if they had been talking about a subject.

"You know Taco, when others make themselves useful to me, well I can always pay for that, but only after services have been rendered. ya-gota to see the quality before ya buy retail."

At the end she looks at Voz and smiles sweetly.

S-motive say DC5 she's saying, Voz now she knows our on offer, she will pay, but pay comes after the job and you help or you get nothing.

With one diplomatic duty discharged, he heads to the librarian. Marcus is here to help? I hope he can help me keep her occupied...

"Uh, Ms. Kelsey, I know your on break soon but can I need your help outside? There were some thugs hanging around the building..."

While following the librarian out he passes a note to Isabela and Taco.
"Hope this helps, I'll try keep her busy until her break."

So I gotta work eh?

Alright but I need to hear what your wanting done first before I name a price tag, that seven shot beauty ain't cheap...

Taicho looks at Isabela and whispers

Groovy, just so you know though, I ain't got no green, ya dig?

Taicho starts to hum and pretends to work on his paper.

GM? we don't need no stinking GM! seriously, I've been in three other games and this is more role playing than I've done in all three combined

Bluff, message: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Ohh low, oh well. S.M. DC 7: Amin's words say one thing but his body language and eyes seem to scream, "The Ice Queen is up to her tricks, and I need to distract the librarian, wanna help?"

Isabela see Cobalt come in,

Just in time, Ok lets get this hist on the road

whisper: "Now we just wait and see if the boys can get the old girl out the way, soon as she is gone Taco, your up. The door is at the back of the library, behind the Z books, Next to the index cards. Looks like a broom closet door with the window backed out from the inside. I know its that door cuz I've had eyes casing the door we need. Go strait to it, I will be right behind you, once you have it open. I'll sign then others to come, its a big room on the others side, old class room, so we should all fit. Once in, Its look but don't take all of you, got it, if they note a books gone where in for it. Every thing must go back just as you found it no mistakes. Good news is I have a Camera, Voz probably has one as well, so we can take a few snaps. What's key here is they must not know we have been in there ca-peesh. We don't want the School tin cop coming to see us, once in Taco your on the door, any sign she's coming back, you let us know, we all pile out and Taco locks up, got it"

She looks at the others so they all understand, then she looks over at the Amin and Cobalt to see of they have her walking.

Aizawa refers to people by their last names, unless they tell him to say their first name. Its fairly standard among the japanese, or at least its a tradition I am going to use. If it causes confusion let me know. ;)

Aizawa stared at the doors to the library and glared momentarily before clearing the terrible look from his face. He pushed open the doors and looked into the library, finding several other students were already in the room. He noted the oujo Queen Romano and a slew of others were there. Vrinn was one he despised, rumor-mongering s+#~ that he was. He took a steadying breath and entered the library.

With his tall frame, right at six foot five inches, he stood fairly tall in the room. It was his imposing frame that had aided him in winning many fights through pure intimidation alone. He doesn't hide the bandaged hand or his blackened knuckles and his military uniform was clean and pressed as always. The Elan military academy was presented perfectly as he was taught to do as well, having special permission to wear his military uniform instead of the school uniform. This joint project was annoying, only because two of his least favorite people were among those he had to work with. He steps in and takes measured strides to the table where Ramano was sitting. He pulls out a chair, sets his rucksack down and sits down pulling out his notes. "Calista De Romano, how is the joint project coming along? I have made some notes to compare." His cat ears started flicking as he spoke of the notes he set on the table.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Bluff - Showing he doesn't have a clue that you guys are up to something~ & that he is oh so happy to be working with you. Really.: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Taicho whispers to Isabela without looking up from his paper

I would rather not go in the room, I’ll keep an eye out. Do you trust these squares? If not I can drop my lock picks in Zov’s chair while you all are in the room, you dig? If we get caught you tell them you saw me sell the picks to Zov, so he must have done it. I can’t lie worth a crap so you’ll need to convince ‘em. I’ll get in trouble for selling the picks but not as much as if I used ‘em, and I’ll still get a good grade. When Zov tells ‘em we did it, you can just play if off as him getting back at us for ratting him out.

Taicho looks around and says in his regular voice

tell me when your ready to go and I will sneak over and pick the lock

As Aizawa approaches Taicho nods to him, ready to move to the door on a moments notice.

sneaking stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Taicho will take 20 on the lock

She looks as Aizawa comes in

SM not going to brake a 26 bluff so, even if she could I would not, much more fun this way.

here he is at alst, Aizawa, clueless as ever

she says so all can hear,

"Aixawa, nice you could make the revival and with notes, we are lucky. Amin found some very interesting books you may want to have a peak at."

She push's over the books, then gets up

"O! and Taco here has joined our group, he's got some grovy thinking on the next project, drugs and music. Sorry just heading to the refinance cards with him to look up the books for that we may need."

Then taking hold of tacos, Wing Arm? arm leads him to the back of the library, where the reference cards are and the locked door.

whisper to Taco:"Ill think on the set ups, we get double crossed, then we go with that, but I think there all in. Don't worry about Aizawa he's clueless but knows not to welch."

Damn, so much for not drawing attention to myself...okay, there's Stonepeak and Kakeru, they shouldn't be too bad to work with. Terzi and Jefferson shouldn't be a bother either. But the Ice Queen, Vrinn and that stoner Taco? Talk about the afternoon from hell.

Sighing to herself, she trudges over to the table where most of the other students are sitting. She offers a curt nod by way of greeting and pulls up a chair. "Sorry I'm late, had band practice. Let's get started, the sooner we finish this the sooner we can all go home," she says.

Taicho stands a little taller (which is hard to do when your 4’ 6”) as he walks with Isabela

who says crime doesn’t pay, me arm in arm with the Ice Queen, I hope Aerieminder sees us

When they get to the door Taicho say

you get what we came for, if somebody come I’ll squawk, groovy?

Then in walked Hazel, Taicho looks at Isabela and whispers

whats that band geek Hazel doing here? Is she part of the plan? I’ll wait here, if she’s cool run your right hand through your hair and I will pop the lock, cool?

Peeking through books at Hazel,

Whisper: "She came with the group project list, I don't tell her where or when we where meeting, she must have found out. To late now, thing is I think she also has a crush on Aizawa but she's being cool about showing it. Now come on get the door open, if you do this right I'll be the only one going in there."

what's the worst that can happen

Taicho turns toward the door, taking out his lock picks, he begins working the lock

your the queen

takes 20 on disable device

hearing the lock click, Taicho opens the door

Your Majesty

Taicho will keep a look out until Isabela come's out

edit: watching for Aizawa,perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

She have him a hard look with the queen comment, but with the door open , Isabella slips in, she closed the door almost too behind her. Taco after a short wile can hear her moving box's then the click click click of a camera working.

He waited a full minute before rising out of his seat, book in hand appearing to still be reading...

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Aizawa was careful as he quietly followed behind them, sure that they were up to something foolish.

Seeing as you didn't roll perception just yet I wanted it to be a he looks one moment an no one is there and the next he looks towards the door and Boo Aizawa is there. >:)

He quietly slips into the aisle they were in and sidles up behind Blackfeather with the thick book in his left hand. If he goes unnoticed he speaks once he is standing close enough to spook Blackfeather. "What are you doing?"

thanks for the reminder to roll perception

@ Isabela, I'm glad to see that 8 Cha. is finally working for Taicho :)

Taicho, un-startled, maybe he didn't see you, maybe too many dead brain cells, its hard to tell

your going to need to ask the Ice Queen, she will be out soon enough, you dig?

Taicho, continues to watch the library, this time he will take 20 on perception, he can do that right?

Aizawa barely smiles coldly at Blackfeather's comment of Ice Queen which helped reinforce his earlier labeling. Only just slightly though. He responded in aneutral tone, shrugging his shoulders as he took up a spot near the door. "Thats fine. I am interested in what she finds." He marks the placement of the door for future reference, planning on returning there once he had the chance.

Perhaps he could convince a teacher to let him study in her after hours. He pushed it out of his mind as he waited for Calista de Romano to emerge, looking forward to pleasant shock and outrage on her face. until that time he continued studying the thick book he had selected.

To say what was in the room was a let down would be an understatement. Most of the stuff was boring as hell, stuff on sexual reproduction, a load of old text books talking of the clearance wars and conflicts. Some books looked like they came from France or Germany, hell knows she had no idea what they where about. Then pay dirt. A box with 5 books in, odd writing, it shifted on the page, taking photos would be useless but now she knew they where here. Every box got put back, every the last one, but one, because One had a set of articles that she kept out, it was on the subject she was looking for ' Psionics' she was just about to start taking photos when,

She stopped, someone was talking to Taco, muffled words, She went over, hearing the end of the conversation.

Aizawa! What the hells he doing at the door, humm, time to rap this up fast."

She photoed the articles quickly then put them back away as well, once she was happy every thing was back as it had been. She pulled the film, placing it some place only a strip search would find, then picked up her bag and brezsed out the door saying in a commanding voice.

"Taco, time to lock up."

She did not stop but walked briskly on to her seat, picking up her papers she and siting she looked at the others and said in normal business like voive.

"So where are we with the report?"

leaving space for Aizawa to slip in if he wants hehe, just got to get past Taco