AGAINST THE BABY-KILLERS!! ROUND 1!! FIGHT!! OOH OOH AH!!
QUINLAN!
OGON FOX!
CARDINAL LUCIUS!
ZAGATHOTH!
CULTIST!
BOGA!
JOHANN!
ARC!
DING!! DING!! EEEEEK!!
A number thoughts rush through Quinlan's head as the party explores further. Those pages are in infernal I should go check them out- That sounds like a baby's cry- Finally an enemy I can be of use against- I guess I should get that baby out of the fire.
Quinlan rushes to the fire and grabs the infant out of the flames. The fire around the tiefling's arms sputters and shies away from his skin. He holds the infant to his chest with surprisingly gentle clawed hands, careful not to scratch to the boy.
The infant stops crying as soon as Quinlan lifts him from the flames...
It is a baby boy, with a tassel of curly copper hair and blue eyes...
He grabs hold of Quinlan and giggles...
The cultist whose face Johann has bitten off screams in terror and despair at the thought of going on without a face... The unbearable thought drives the already unstable Roman over the edge! He leaps to a terrible death in the firepit, where his black robes immediately ignite!
AAAAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!!
In a matter of seconds, the cultist is consumed by the roaring flames!
Boga rushes after the others, but hampered by his backpack, he arrives only to find one cultist bleeding out on the floor while another is consumed in flames. He sees Quinlan cradling an infant boy, obviously the source of the cries. "What has happened? Is the baby okay?"
He looks around, takes in the room, and frowns. "This does not look good at all. What were they doing? I could not understand the chanting, but it did not sound like a prayer to our Savior! Or in any other way uplifting."
EDIT:
Boga rushes after the others, but hampered by his backpack, he arrives only to find one cultist bleeding out on the floor while another is consumed in flames. He sees Quinlan cradling an infant boy, obviously the source of the cries. "What has happened? Is the baby okay?"
He looks around, takes in the room, and frowns. "This does not look good at all. What were they doing? I could not understand the chanting, but it did not sound like a prayer to our Savior! Or in any other way uplifting."
[dice=Perception]1d20+9
EDIT:
Boga rushes after the others, but hampered by his backpack, he arrives only to find one cultist bleeding out on the floor while another is consumed in flames. He sees Quinlan cradling an infant boy, obviously the source of the cries. "What has happened? Is the baby okay?"
He looks around, takes in the room, and frowns. "This does not look good at all. What were they doing? I could not understand the chanting, but it did not sound like a prayer to our Savior! Or in any other way uplifting."
[dice=Perception]1d20+9
EDIT:
The map of Rome is marked at seven different locations with an X in red ink (or blood?)...
These seven locations are:
Saint Peter’s Basilica
The stables near the Arch of Constantine
The stables at the Circus Maximus
The palazzo of Cardinal D’Borja
The palazzo of Cardinal D’Sforza
The granaries on Via Sacra
The barracks near the Pantheon
The other sheets of paper contain Infernal script scrawled in red ink or blood... There are three sheets of vellum with Infernal script on them...
One reads as follows:
To Draco Conflagratio Terribilis Wormwood, from His Unholy Malevolence, Nero Antichrist, Beast of the Apocalypse:
The hour of your vengeance is nigh, O Great and Terrible Fire Dragon of Mercury! You shall be avenged for the outrage of your murder and the robbery of your hoard by those insolent meddlers, the Lucky Fools! But I pray thee, be patient, for if thou wilt wait until the fourteenth day of the second moon of the solar year—celebrated by mortals as the Feast of Saint Valentine’s Day—to vent your fiery wrath upon mankind, the sacrifices to our Lord Lucifer will prove especially fortuitous, for the Nine Cantos of Hell will be coterminous with the Material Plane during this day and night, and wherever you wreak holocaust, portals to the Fiery Pits shall be opened, allowing demons and devils to raid the world of mortals!
I have enclosed with this letter a map of the City of Rome, with key locations marked with a red X. These locations should be your primary targets for holocaust, O Exhaler of Hellfire! Great will be your reward for serving Our Dark Lord in this way!
With great regard, 666
A second sheet reads:
To the Molochites of the Catacombs San Callisto:
Sacrifice by fire as many infants as you can steal in the next few weeks to Moloch, Duke of Hell, and lieutenant to Our Dark Lord Lucifer! For each babe you burn, I, your master, shall reward thee with a pristine virgin to rape, for the glory of Satan! Keep track of them on a sheet of vellum, scribed in thine own blood, and send the list to me at the new moon.
Your Master, His Unholy Malevolence, 666
The third sheet of vellum is a list containing a dozen addresses from which an infant was abducted and sacrificed to Moloch by the cultists...
Arc pores over the records, his hands shaking slightly and his expression grim. “I agree wholeheartedly. This is far too much for us to handle all at once.”
Boga holds the dagger in his hand and looks around the room: Ogon, Zagathoth, and Johann recovering from the short fight, Quinlan caring for the baby, Arc heading for the documents in the previous room, Lucius milling about as he processes the attempted sacrifice. A sense of pride and gratitude wells up within him, "What a group God has gathered here. We are truly on His mission. We shall accomplish His holy work that His will may be done." A new sense of purpose overwhelms him and he braces momentarily against the wall. Standing straight, he crosses himself and smiles.
A moment later, Boga approaches Quinlan and presents the silvered dagger to him. "While Arc reviews those documents, would you care to examine this? I found it next to the firepit. It may have been used in the ceremony. It may be magical?"
As Quinlan scans the dagger for magic, the infant boy grabs hold of one of his horns and babbles... Goat-Boy! HEEEEEH!
I coulda sworn I saw that baby get cremated, and then when I looked again, he was safe and sound! How the Hell did that happen!?
It was Saint Mikey, ya knucklehead! Didn’t ya see him sweep his wing over the babe when it fell in the fire?
Oh, yeah! I saw that! Saint Mikey doesn’t like it when babies get hurt...
Quinlan quickly scans the dagger. "It isn't magical, most likely just a ceremonial weapon, nothing more. We'll take it with us could come in handy."
He gently removes the boy's hand from his head and eyes the infant with a mixture of inquisitiveness and pity. "yes lad, goat-boy.
Well obviously we can't go any further with a child. And this information must be brought to the church as quickly as possible. Arc, what is the most recent address, perhaps that is the little lad's home."
Backtracking to the central ossuary of the Catacombs of San Callisto, the adventurers ascend the stone stairs to the surface outside the city wall. Hurrying into the city, with Cardinal D'Borja expediting the gate entrance procedure via his authority, the adventurers bring the rescued infant boy and the sinister documents found in the catacombs to the Basilica of Saint Peter and Pope Eugenius IV.
The pope is relieved to see the adventurers return from their first foray into the dark and dangerous catacombs. He is amazed to see an infant in Quinlan's arms, and then angered and saddened by the implication that the Church of Lucifer has been sacrificing infants to archdevils in secret subterranean satanic rites...
In Italian: God be praised! He has shown His mercy on this infant boy! We shall see that the babe is returned to the rightful parents... You have truly witnessed a miracle that the babe was not burnt by the fire! The hand of God must have been upon him!
With regard to the map and documents in Infernal, Eugenius grows pale with fear as he contemplates all the Christian lives that would be incinerated in the Luciferian's proposed Saint Valentine's Day Holocaust!
In Italian: You have saved many lives today, my young friends! You are heroes of Rome! Now that we know of their evil plot to burn our fair city, we shall be prepared! Every alchemist and wizard in Rome shall be put to work manufacturing flame retardants to coat the wooden buildings, and every priest capable of creating water by the Lord's grace shall prepare great vats of water... The guild of engineers will repair the ancient aqueducts! On Saint Valentine's Day, our great city will be fireproof, and her citizens safe underground!
First in Italian, then English: Mother Church and Roma owe you a great debt, my friends. You have done the Lord's work, at great risk to your personal safety. Therefore, you should be rewarded for your faithful service. I have recovered several treasures from the vaults below the Castle of San'Angelo that I feel you will put to good use...
Pope Eugenius IV has assigned the following rewards to the adventurers:
For Arc Perdu, an enchanted longsword named Sanguinelle.
For Cardinal Lucius, an enchanted chain shirt named Inquisitor's mail.
For Boga, a magical handy haversack.
For the Ogon Fox, a magical russet cloak of resistance +1.
For Johann, a magical amulet of mighty fists +1 that is made from the claw of a cave bear on a leather cord.
For Quinlan, a magical wand of magic missiles carved from birch, topped by a shard of amber with a hornet trapped inside.
For Zagathoth, an enchanted falchion named Doomcrescent.
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The Cardinal considered the parchments with a grim face, particularly as the significance of the red X's upon the map of Rome were revealed. "It appears that my investigations have not been as subtle as I hoped. This is my palazzo and the palazzo of... Cardinal Sforza. Interesting. His brother is a noted condotiero but he himself is an administrator rather than anything else..."
After receiving Inquisitor's Mail from the Pope, Lucius bows low before approaching the Pope to speak quietly in his ear. "Holy Father, have you commanded Cardinal Sforza on a mission like my own? His palazzo and mine are the only ones marked on this map and I would go to his aid if he requires it. A colleague I could trust amongst the Sacred College would be most welcome."
After the Papal audience is over, Lucius turns to his fellows. "Gentlemen. It has been a long day and you have all done great service to Rome. My house, such as it is, is open to you all if you wish to rest, bathe and take refreshment." So saying, he leads anyone interested through the Roman streets to a fine, although not huge palazzo close to the Tiber. The cardinal's servants are called, food prepared and hot water drawn for anyone who wants a bath. The cardinal himself takes one before secluding himself for some time in prayer.
When he emerges a smile can be seen on his somewhat lined face. "Good evening, one and all." He says, in fluent - if accented - English. "The Lord has seen fit to grant me a gift that we may all speak more freely. I hope you all feel better. Beds are being made available for you."
He gestures to Boga, and leads him to a small table set with cups of wine and chairs. "Please, Brother Boga. Tell me of your beliefs - I seek always to understand the many ways of Our Lord's grace and you clearly have his favour despite your..." He pauses delicately, "somewhat unorthodox beliefs, would you tell me of them?"
It is the second of January in the Year of Our Lord 1437...
The adventurers awaken at the Palazzo D'Borja, refreshed and invigorated by the previous day's adventures in the Catacombs of San Callisto...
They feel somehow more capable than they were the day before, as if their experiences in the catacombs had made them stronger and wiser...
Indeed, I have entrusted Cardinal D’Sforza with a mission much like your own... It seems that our enemy has identified you and Cardinal D’Sforza as inquisitors investigating their wicked cult... Measures shall be taken to protect your properties in Rome, I assure you... We shall not allow the minions of the Devil to hinder our faithful servants of Mother Church!
The infant boy is reunited with his grateful parents, with the help of information acquired from the document found in the catacombs by the brave adventurers.
Messengers are sent out by Pope Eugenius IV to summon every alchemist and Christian wizard dwelling in the city of Rome to the Castle San'Angelo, where they are set to the task of formulating fire retardants to fireproof the wooden buildings of Rome, particularly those locations marked for holocaust-by-dragonfire on the map found in the catacombs by the adventurers.
The guild of engineers is put to work repairing the ancient Roman aqueducts that once carried water to all parts of the city and beyond.
Pope Eugenius IV is determined to save Rome from the fiery destruction called for in the Antichrist's diabolical plot.
Arc graciously accepts the blade, eyeing it with a deep reverence for its craftsmanship. "Holy Father, I thank you for this gift. All my life, I have felt a stain upon my soul and a shadow over my head, but if the Lord wills it so, I shall aid you in saving your people in any way I can." He bows to the Pope and then steps back, giving the rest of the party room to give thanks and farewells.
The Cardinal's offer is a welcome one, and Arc is quite pleased to take him up on it. "Mon Dieu, what a day we've had. When I awoke this morning, I would have scarcely believed that I would be going to war against the Adversary, and with such diverse companions."
He bathes quickly and gets right to work practicing with his blade, following form after form to acclimate himself to its weight and reach. However, those who come near enough may hear him muttering about dragons.
Arc graciously accepts the blade, eyeing it with a deep reverence for its craftsmanship. "Holy Father, I thank you for this gift. All my life, I have felt a stain upon my soul and a shadow over my head, but if the Lord wills it so, I shall aid you in saving your people in any way I can." He bows to the Pope and then steps back, giving the rest of the party room to give thanks and farewells.
The Cardinal's offer is a welcome one, and Arc is quite pleased to take him up on it. "Mon Dieu, what a day we've had. When I awoke this morning, I would have scarcely believed that I would be going to war against the Adversary, and with such diverse companions."
He bathes quickly and gets right to work practicing with his blade, following form after form to acclimate himself to its weight and reach. However, those who come near enough may hear him muttering about dragons.
Sanguinelle is indeed a beautifully crafted longsword, with a hilt wrapped in silver wire and inlaid with bloodstones, and a flawless bloodstone pommel gripped in a silver claw. The crossbars are inlaid with amethysts, and the gleaming Damascus steel blade seems to radiate a reddish glow in the dark.
In Italian: How did the Hussite, Boga, fare down in the catacombs? Did you witness any evidence of God’s grace upon him during your adventures against the Enemy? I am most puzzled by this heretic’s apparent ability to work miracles in the name of Our Lord... We must divine the meaning of this mysterious evidence of God’s acceptance of what we have plainly decreed as heresy... Can it be true that Mother Church is superfluous to the way of salvation? What powers did this Hussite display while you were engaged in battle against the unholy minions of the Devil?
Having sailed across the English Channel and into the Mediterranean Sea to reach Italy, the famous English composer John Dunstable has arrived in Rome to play the great pipe organ at the Church of Saint Peter.
He has heard that a composer and organist of foreign blood is making a name for himself... Toshio Okumura... and he considers challenging this organist to a contest of improvisation on one of the Church modes...
They say this Okumura chap has a masterful touch at the keys...
You seem to know much of alchemy and its mysterious ways, Quinlan Ifrean... Perhaps you can lend your knowledge and skills to the process of making our city fireproof?
Zagathoth smiles when presented with the new sword. In terribly broken Italian he replies, ”Thank you, Father Pope. You want back the sword I got the day ago?”
Having gone straight from living in the slave pits to being a pseudo-prisoner with the knight, and then shipped off to Rome, the orc had never given any thought to where he would stay, or even to the fact that he might have to find somewhere to stay. So he has no sense of the Cardinals generousity, but he still smiles and happily follows the priest home. When he sees the size of the place he asks in Spanish, ”Is this whole house yours, Father? How many people live with you?”
Rumplestilskin appears before the pope in the afternoon of the second day of January, and presents himself as a “friend of Johann the Bear”, which the pope receives with some bemusement...
Your Holiness, I have put together a care package for my good friend, Johann the Bear, which I believe will make the execution of his noble quest a piece of cake, as it were... I, Rumplestilskin, have invented these very useful items which all fit together in this magical bag of holding... A rope of climbing woven from the hair of the maiden Rapunzel... a decanter of endless water given by Princess Ariel of the Mermaids... a spoon of sustenance from Old Mother Hubbard... sovereign glue from old Humpty Dumpty...some universal solvent to unstick the glue... Just about everything an adventurer could want or need on an adventure! I’m certain that the bards will sing of Rumplestilskin’s marvelous magic items, which made the completion of Johann’s noble quest possible!
The pope accepts Rumplestilskin’s care package for Johann the Bear with bewildered amusement.
I shall see that Johann receives your generous gifts, to aid him on his quest, er, Rumplestilskin... Thank you!
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In Italian: How did the Hussite, Boga, fare down in the catacombs? Did you witness any evidence of God’s grace upon him during your adventures against the Enemy? I am most puzzled by this heretic’s apparent ability to work miracles in the name of Our Lord... We must divine the meaning of this mysterious evidence of God’s acceptance of what we have plainly decreed as heresy... Can it be true that Mother Church is superfluous to the way of salvation? What powers did this Hussite display while you were engaged in battle against the unholy minions of the Devil?
"He was, and is, clearly blessed by our Saviour." Lucius responds, somewhat clinically. "It is not impossible for such things to be trickery, the Antichrist is a practiced deceiver, but I do not think this to be the case. From everything I saw he is a genuine believer - although his beliefs are not ours. I believe that he is a true child of God, and that Christ, Our Lord, chooses in his mercy to reward faith, no matter how misplaced it may be. There are reports of many clerics of the Muslim caliphs demonstrating similar powers. I have long suspected Holy Father, that God rewards all those whose faith is true - no matter how they define Him. He is beyond our limited understanding, it is perhaps only to be expected that for those of great faith he is willing to grant dispensation from the normal precepts of Mother Church."
He pauses, well aware that what he has said is, at least, a worrying idea - at worst, and under a more dogmatic pope, a declaration of heresy in its own right. "I will speak personally to Boga tonight and attempt to learn more of his beliefs, perhaps that will help." He bows to the Pope before speaking again, quietly. "Holy Father, did you give Cardinal Sforza any sign or proof of mission? When I served His Holiness Pope Martin he gave me a certain token, did you take such measures with His Grace? I must demonstrate to him that I am genuine."
You’re most welcome, Your Holiness! Glad to be of service! Maybe we can just put that unpleasant business about kidnapping the Holy Roman Emperor and holding him for ransom at the cloud giants’ castle behind us and start over on a fresh new leaf, aye?
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Johann touches the amulet with reverence. "I am honored, Holy Father. To think I just happened to decide to travel, came across this wonderful city, and am now having a grand adventure that rivals and perhaps surpasses anything I have ever done in my long life. I will wear this amulet with pride and will continue to help my new friends to the best of my abilities."
Speaking as quietly as he can, he whispers to the Pope:"Are you sure that Fox is a good fit for us? In my experience, a Fox is a tricky beast. Could he be a servant of Satan?"
Yes, perhaps you have redeemed yourself somewhat with these tokens of good will, Rumplestilskin... Try not to get involved in the Devil’s schemes, good sir! We much prefer this civil behavior you are demonstrating to the old tricks and mischief that were your usual meat and drink!
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Having gone straight from living in the slave pits to being a pseudo-prisoner with the knight, and then shipped off to Rome, the orc had never given any thought to where he would stay, or even to the fact that he might have to find somewhere to stay. So he has no sense of the Cardinals generosity, but he still smiles and happily follows the priest home. When he sees the size of the place he asks in Spanish, ”Is this whole house yours, Father? How many people live with you?”
Lucius replies in the same manner. "It is indeed Zagathoth. I have perhaps six or seven servants living here - two are former monks, whose services I have used in the past and who I now support in turn. I should introduce you to Brother Antonio. He would like you I suspect."
Indeed, Your Holiness! Rumplestilskin has turned over a new leaf! Toodle-Loo!
Speaking as quietly as he can, he whispers to the Pope:"Are you sure that Fox is a good fit for us? In my experience, a Fox is a tricky beast. Could he be a servant of Satan?"
The pope smiles at Johann’s sincere mistrust of the clever Fox.
My dear Johann... Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. Even the least likely of His creatures can serve as instruments of His divine will. You can trust the Fox in this case. Though he might be known for trickery, his cunning will help win the day, I suspect.
After passing the infant boy off to be returned to his parents Quinlan accepts the wand excitedly. After muttering an incantation and turning it about in his hands he looks back at the pope. "This is a fine gift indeed holy father, and beautifully crafted. It will be put to good use."
In response to the pope's question. "I have not personally practiced much alchemy but I probably know enough to be some help. What can I do for you?"
Quinlan finds a bed as quickly as possible and lays down on his back. He falls quickly into a deep sleep. When he awakes in the morning he keeps to himself mostly. The others cans see him whispering to himself and writing furiously in the book he carries at his side.
A friend of yours—a Mister Rumplestilskin—paid a visit this afternoon. He was eager to contribute to our cause... I believe he means to make amends for past malfeasance... He left this bag of holding, filled with various magical items of his devising that may prove useful to you and your companions as you explore the catacombs.
Pope Eugenius IV hands Johann the bag of holding, which contains a rope of climbing, a decanter of endless water, a spoon of sustenance, a jar of sovereign glue, and a jar of universal solvent.
Divide these amongst your company...
"AHHHH.... HMMMM..." Johann looks at the bag suspiciously. "ARE YOU SURE THIS IS FROM RUMPELSTILTSKIN? NOT TO OFFEND..."ahem... whoops... "....your Holiness, but the Rumpelstiltskin I know is not a nice fella. He's never liked me much, always tried to push me around."
Pope Eugenius smiles knowingly and nods at Johann.
Yes, I believe we know the same Rumplestilskin. I must agree that he has never been a very kind or reliable fellow in the past... but it seems that he wishes to make amends for his past indiscretions and misdeeds... I understand if you are reluctant to accept his gift... He has a history of playing mean-spirited pranks on the unwary, after all...
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"This is really neat stuff, your holiness. What if he has turned over a new leaf? I will take it. It could come in really hand, probably not as great as this wonderful amulet you gave me, but could come in handy all the same."
Johann smiles, bows, and takes his leave, with the bag of holding.
As he leaves, he opens up the bag and wonders what is within. How do you get stuff out of here, anyway? Maybe Arc or the tiefling would know.
As the sun rises on the morning of January 2nd, a thrush alights upon the window sill of the guest room at Cardinal Lucius D’Borja’s palazzo where the Ogon Fox has spent the night. The Fox awakens to the sweet singing of the thrush, which trills and chirps out the familiar melody of one of Toshio Okumura’s motets!