Play@YSDC

North Sea, off the coast of Dunwich, England
12:31 AM- Saturday, September 7, 1985

Hatho glared at Elliot with pure malevolence, but he did not interrupt his chanting. The three small boats paddled closer to the cliffs. When they were most of the way there, a sudden rushing sound came from behind them. A massive wave, some thirty feet high, was coming in from the sea, towering over the HMS Brighton behind them! It wasn't all that long or wide, but the height alone was enough to swamp the ship. The wave crashed against the destroyer with its full force, knocking her onto her side and capsizing her. Then it continued, looming over the tiny dinghies and the Marines in them...

The Deep Ones and their spawn stopped their chanting. "You did that on purpose!" Hatho snarled at Elliot. "I'll kill you for that!"

The Marines in the dinghies toppled over the sides and into the water just before the wave struck, smashing the little boats against the cliffside! A moment later, all but one of the men bobbed to the surface.

"No!" cried Victoria, moving between them and wrapping an arm around Elliot. "It was an accident!"

"Perhaps, perhaps not," said Y'Hali. "It is of no consequence. The flare gun will still fire once after being submerged, and once is all we need. The magnesium in it will burn all the brighter for the moisture. Go get it back, Hatho."

"This isn't over," Hatho grumbled at Elliot before diving beneath the water.

"It was an accident," Elliot says to Hatho. After he dives in, "Sorry Mother, I was just trying to help. I didn't realize how unstable the boat was. And like you said, dropping it in the water won't hurt it, why would I drop it?" he asks. He puts his arm around Victoria.

"Sorry, about that, Hatho just makes me so nervous," he tells Victoria.

The sharks circling the boat started speeding off to the south, heading towards the Marines in the water. The last Marine resurfaced, pointed at where the cave entrance was, and then pointed at the fins jutting out of sea.

"Hatho is a hothead," said Y'Hali. "Taking a nice dip will cool him off so that he does not kill his future brother-in-law. And we do need that flare gun back. Dropping it in the water will not hurt it, but it does delay the signal. He was right about one thing, though. This is not over. We are always watching you."

OOC,[b]Hatho[/b]'s Spot Hidden roll (30% skill) to spot the flare gun [dice]0[/dice]

"Mother call the sharks off, please." Elliot begs. "You said you wouldn't kill them."

"I said I wouldn't kill the crew, if they didn't press the attack," said Y'Hali. "These men are invaders, not crew. They're heading for the temple. My daughter Emilia is there, and I will not have her placed at needless risk."

"There has to be something I can use to help," he reaches for the bag Victoria is holding.

"Don't," said Y'Hali, frowning. "I think you've helped enough already."

The two sharks sped towards the Marines in the water. One pulled ahead of the other and leapt at one of the men in the water, chomping him clean in half! The thing was over a dozen feet long, and while it looked shark-like, there was something different about it - though it was hard to tell at this distance. Then the other shark bit down on another of the men, who collapsed, floating on the sea. The remaining four men drew their knives and dove beneath the surface.

Hatho rose from the water about ten yards from the boat, clutching the flare gun in his claw. "I've got it!" he called triumphantly.

Elliot grabs for the bag ignoring Y'Hali's command.

Strength check,[dice]0[/dice]

Elliot grabs at the bag, but its a tug of war back and forth before Victoria pulls it from his hands.
"NO," he screams, "Victoria, I can't just let them die. I have to do something." he pleads with her.

Hatho fired the flare gun, lighting up the stormy skies.

"It's not up to me, Elliot," said Victoria, clutching the sack. "Mother said no."

"This is war," said Y'Hali. "In war, people die. They started this, and they'd be dead in less than a century anyway. Would you rather my people die instead of them?"

"You know he would," snarled Hatho.

Randall observed the exchange silently.

The toppled destroyer began to slowly sink, and the shark fins disappeared after the Marines.

"I don't want anyone to die,' Elliot says as he grabs the oars and starts rowing towards the sinking ship.

"We can save some of them Victoria, I have to try."

"Very well, rescue whom you like," said Y'Hali. "We'll be around." She and Hatho disappeared underwater.

"This boat only holds four, and I'll only be in the way," said Randall. "I'm going to head back to shore and see what's going on in town." He leapt over the gunwale and began to swim back to the beach.

Victoria helped Elliot row out towards the sinking ship. Several sailors had managed to dive overboard and were swimming to get clear of it.

"Thanks Victoria," Elliot says while he smiles at her. "I'm glad you understand. We can't hold many, but those not injured can hang onto the sides while we row in." He continues to row as hard as he can to reach the sailors in the water.

"Of course, dear," said Victoria. "Personally, I think Mother prefers that some of them survive so that they can tell the tale of what happened here. The Royal Navy will be less inclined to try again so soon that way."

Elliot and Victoria helped two of the waterlogged sailors aboard while a few others managed to clung to the gunwales.

Elliot looks around for anymore. "Hang one guys, I'll get you to shore. Victoria do what you can to keep the sharks off of them." He turns the boat around and paddles for the nearest shore.

"The sharks are back at the cave entrance," said Victoria. "They won't bother us." She and Elliot rowed back to the stretch of beach from which the Ship Inn was visible in the distance through the pouring rain. The bedraggled sailors flopped ashore. Y'Hali and Hatho surfaced nearby.

Randall Foley was waiting for them there. "Soldiers have taken over the inn," he said. "I see a squad in front, and another in back. I don't know how many are inside. Didn't want to get too close."

OOC,[b]Elliot[/b], please roll Spot Hidden.

Elliot could not make out any more details from here.

Elliot shook his head, then looked at Victoria. "I can get closer," he says.

"I wouldn't," said Victoria. "If they see you, they're like to shoot you."

"I haven't heard any gunfire yet. If I'm not attacking, I don't think they'll shoot." Elliot replies.

"You can't risk your life based on that!" said Victoria.

"Qutie right," said Y'Hali as she and Hatho came ashore. The drenched sailors goggled at them, wide-eyed. "They may not recognise you until they've already shot you dead. And if they do recognise you, you could still be in trouble. We were ready for their attack because you told us it was coming. I'm sure they're smart enough to figure that out. You've burned your bridges. There is no going back to your former friends, so don't even start thinking about it."

Two figures emerged from the front door of the inn, but Elliot couldn't see their faces.

"Do you have some binoculars?" Elliot asks.

"Yes, there's a pair in the sack," said Victoria. She rummaged around inside, pulled out a pair of binoculars, and handed them to Elliot.

OOC,[b]Elliot[/b], please roll Spot Hidden.

Elliot takes the binoculars to see if he can make out the faces of those in front of the Inn.

spot hidden,[dice]0[/dice]

The binoculars helped Elliot make out some details. A squad of UNIT soldiers armed with assault rifles was standing out in front of the inn, led by a sergeant. None of them looked familiar. Another unknown soldier had emerged from the inn with a civilian man who had the same fishy look as many of the townsfolk, and he also bore a resemblance to the Howard women. The man pointed down the street, away from the shore.

"Hmmm, looks like your group isn't so tightnit after all," Elliot says. "Looks like one of your own is working with them."

"I can't see what's going on over there," said Y'Hali, "but if he is, it's not by choice."

"He's no more working with them than you are with us," snarled Hatho.

"Elliot is loyal," insisted Victoria. "You'll see."

"He's their prisoner," said Randall, shielding his forehead with his hand and peering at the inn. "He's pointing the way west. It's Brian Howard, the innkeeper. Looks like the sergeant is arguing with one of the soldiers now. Sergeants are the same the world over." Elliot could see the argument as well.

"Perhaps Mr. Howard is guiding them into a trap," said Y'Hali.

"What's down that way?" Elliot asks.

"Oh, just most of Dunwich," said Randall. "That's St. James's Street, the main street in town. The museum is just past the inn, and the church is at the end of the street. I can't think of anything of strategic importance down that way. I'd say Brian is misdirecting them."

The soldier that came out of the inn led Brian away down the road to the west, joined by two of the soldiers who had been standing guard out front. An armored personnel carrier blocked off the street, but they were able to go around it on foot.

"Three of the soldiers are taking him down the street," reported Randall.

"Good," said Y'Hali. "Now's our chance, while they're undermanned. Hatho, go back into the sea and gather our reserves. Take them through the caves, mopping up any resistance still there. Then take Rover, go out through the ruins, and come at the inn from the south."

"With pleasure, Mother," said Hatho, wading back into the water and submerging.

Elliot looks into Victoria's eyes. "This is going to be a blood bath, on both sides. We have to do something to stop it."

Victoria looked away, worry on her face.

"There's only one way to prevent it," said Y'Hali. "That's if your military friends surrender. Do you think you can talk them into it?" She bent down over one of the frightened sailors lying on the beach and picked up a handheld radio from his belt, holding it out to Elliot. "You're welcome to try, just don't tell them anything about our plans or positions. You can tell them their situation is hopeless, just don't go into specifics or let them know that an attack is about to happen."

Elliot takes the radio taking a deep breath. "I'll try."
Elliot speaks into the radio. "Command Central, this is Elliot, come in. Calling command central please respond."

"This is Greyhound One," replied the Brigadier's voice. "Webb, where the bloody hell are you? What's your situation? Over."

"Sir, thank God." Elliot responds, "Listen sir, I'm in the middle of all this mess, and sir, your forces are in serious trouble. You don't know what a shit storm you have walked into. You need to pull out now sir, NOW."

"It's not as bad as all that," said the Brigadier. "I know what has happened to our naval forces, but our ground troops are doing well. Now, where exactly are you? I'll send some people to get you."

"Trap One, we've arrived at the Rose Cottage," said a man's voice on the radio

"Understood," replied Salem Shields.

"I am fine sir, you don't need to worry about me. But you have no idea what you are facing. Pull back, lets open a dialogue with them, before anymore good people are killed." Elliot said a silent prayer. He knew what the answer would be, but he had to try. At least any further bloodshed wouldn't be on his hands.

"That's not going to happen, Webb," said the Brigadier. "Now tell me where you are. That is a direct order!"

Elliot hesitates, looking at mother, then back to Victoria. Looking for some indicator. It was too late, all these men were going to be dead soon. He knew it. What difference did it make. Maybe this would be his once chance to get Victoria and go. "I'm on the beach sir," Elliot says into the radio.
Then to mother, "Let me get Victoria out of here. Do with them as you will, they won't listen to me."

"Where on the beach?" asked the Brigadier. "Webb? Webb!"

"You've said too much," said Y'Hali, snatching the radio from Elliot. "All right, you and Victoria get in the boat and head back out to sea, where we were floating earlier. You'll both be safe there. Randall and I will wait here with the sailors to make sure they don't go running off. Victoria, hold onto the shotgun, but give Randall the knife."

Elliot takes Victoria by the hand and heads for the boat without saying anything. He knew he had crossed that line but he didn't care. At this point he was hoping they would all kill each other and Victoria would run away with him. He didn't like dealing with her family.

As he pushed the boat out to sea, and got in, he began to row. But after they were far enough out, he turned the boat to head to the caves.

"We're going to see if there is anyone who needs help, from either side, okay?" he asks.

Victoria handed Randall the knife before pushing the boat out to sea and joining Elliot in it. They took up the paddles and rowed away from shore.

"Yes, I agree," said Victoria. "By now Hatho and the others should be there, so it'll be safe. I just hope my sister Emilia is okay. She's...very special."

OOC,[b]Elliot[/b], please roll Spot Hidden.

Spot Hidden,[dice]0[/dice]

Double posted by accident, you can discount or delete this post.

As Elliot rowed away from the shore, he looked back and noticed someone emerge from the inn. Looking through the binoculars, he saw that it was Salem Shields.

"I know that man coming out of the Inn. He's a doctor. If we find anyone who can be saved, we can take them there." He continues to row towards the caves.

"We'd better get the doctor and bring him out instead," said Victoria, "especially if it's our people who are hurt."

The two of them soon reached the base of the cliff where the cave entrance was below the waves. Victoria took Elliot's hand. "Hold on to me," she said.

OOC,[b]Elliot[/b], please roll Swim at double your skill.

swim skill,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC: ouch, that misses.

Elliot couldn't maneuver after he submerged. Victoria took his hand and led him through the underwater tunnel, trying to get him through before his lungs gave out.

OOC,[b]Elliot[/b], please roll CON x 9. Since your CON is 11, you'll only fail on a 100.

Elliot panicked in the water, grabbing a hold of Victoria and holding his breathe.

conx9,[dice]0[/dice]

Elliot was easily able to hold his breath until he surfaced in the moat surrounding the dais with the altar in a large, round cavern. He recognized this chamber as the one he had emerged in after escaping from his chains. Victoria bobbed up next to him.

Unlike the last time he was here, the cavern was crowded now. Not only was there a large group of Deep Ones assembled here, including Hatho and a female whose claws were covered with slimy gray blobs, there was the most hideous monstrosity he had ever seen. From the descriptions he had heard, this had to be Rover.It was a pale, ghostly white misshapen sphere about twenty feet across. It was covered in horrible eyes and mouths - far, far too many of them - and it was looking directly at him.

"Ah, Victoria," said Hatho. "You've come just in time. We're going to take the inn. And I see you've brought your boyfriend. Try to keep him out of the way."

OOC,[b]Elliot[/b], please roll Sanity for seeing [b]Rover[/b]. Sanity loss is 1d6/1d20, so you lose 1d6 Sanity even if you pass the roll, or 1d20 if you fail. If you lose 5 or more Sanity, you must roll Idea. If you succeed at the Idea roll, you go temporarily insane. Otherwise, you may act freely. After you make your first Sanity roll, you must roll Sanity for seeing the Deep Ones against your reduced score, Since you're almost used to seeing them now, Sanity loss for them is only 0/1.

OH CRAP,target = 51: [dice]0[/dice]

Sanity Loss,1d6 [dice]1[/dice]

Sanity check,target = 47: [dice]2[/dice]

Elliot managed to hold onto his sanity but just barely. He looked back at the water thinking of jumping in. He grabbed Victoria's hand. "What the hell..." he muttered before he could stop himself. He broke his eyes off of the monstrosity finally. "Victoria isn't going into combat. We're here to help any wounded."

"You can start with Emilia," said Hatho. "She's been shot. It's a lucky thing that the sharks took care of some of those marines, or she'd likely have been killed."

A creature shuffled over from behind Rover. It resembled the Deep Ones somewhat, but it was a good twelve feet tall and had a face full of writhing tentacles, and it also had numerous slimy tentacles in addition to its arms that ended in vicious-looking claws. From the shape, it seemed vaguely female. The monster had a chest wound that appeared to be from a bullet.

"Oh, Emilia!" cried Victoria, running up to her and hugging her. "What happened to you?"

"Sister," burbled Emilia. "Bad man shot. Him down there." She pointed an outstretched claw down the partially submerged tunnel to the left.

"Yeah, he got hurt real bad too," said one of the Deep Ones. "Serves him right."

Victoria took a first aid kit out of her sack and set to work, expertly extracting the bullet and bandaging the wound.

OOC,[b]Victoria[/b]'s First Aid roll (30% skill) on [b]Emilia[/b]: [dice]0[/dice] HP recovered by [b]Emilia[/b]: [dice]1[/dice] [b]Elliot[/b], please roll Sanity for seeing [b]Emilia[/b]. Sanity loss is 1/1d8, but you can lose no more than 4, as you've already lost four for seeing other hybrids. You cannot lose enough to go temporarily insane and may act freely.

sanity,target = 47 [dice]0[/dice] If I fail [dice]1[/dice] with a max of 4. If I pass -1 Current Sanity is now 43

Elliot gulps down the nightmares he is seeing around him. "Nice to finally meet you Emilia. But no one deserves to die. This whole thing is a bloody mistake."

Elliot sees Victoria heal her sister, so he grabs some bandages and heads down to where the injured man is, to assess the situation.