Chapter the Ninth: Paris

Romantic Horror, London, circa 1800

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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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SunlessNick wrote:Image

"Violette DuPray is playing as a false Saint," says Ines. "This image is likely to be false revelation. At least we can alert the clergymen to its presence."
As fate would have it, a young priest approaches the two ladies.

-- I must remove this ladder at once, -- he says. --The Vespers service is about to begin. --
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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"I will find a way to disable it," says Henry confidently. "It is easier to break a thing than to build it. I may yet have need of your strength, Ivan, but don't touch it unless I tell you. It might not be safe." He examines the machine carefully, looking for some way to sabotage it or to cut off the flow of power - or perhaps to redirect it. A wire attached to the device might be able to cause the electricity to run harmlessly into the ground instead of where it is intended to go.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Spoiler:
INT = 13 + 3 Mechanical Genius = 15[dice]0[/dice] Even with Scientific Knowledge not quite enough . . .
Unfortunately there does not appear to be an obvious way to disrupt the device which would not involve some unknown degree of risk. Although a length of wire is not immediately available, various portions of the policeman's clothing -- buttons and the like -- could serve as a source of metal, if such be desired.

At this time the device increases its speed, such that the dull, watch-like sound now more closely resembles a hive of bees. The peculiar odor is stronger, and a tingling sensation can be felt on one's skin.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Image

With nothing for it but to take a chance, Henry takes metal objects such as buttons from the policeman's uniform and connects them together with thread. He quickly finds whatever he can to stand on in order to insulate himself and has Ivan do the same after the burly servant picks up the policeman. Rubber would be ideal, but standing on a wooden object or a pane of glass might suffice. Once they are properly grounded, Henry hooks his makeshift wire up to the machine and lets the other end drop to the floor.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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-- One moment, please. -- Lila responds to the priest then confers with Ines. "It seems possible that Miss DuPray's revolutionaries would enter among the congregation. If this illusion is created I may be able to throw something to damage the mirror arrangement now that we know it is there. It seems unlikely we could convince the priests to abandon the service altogether. But perhaps a warning could at least enable innocents to get to safety in the event of violence."
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Mr. Handy wrote:Image

With nothing for it but to take a chance, Henry takes metal objects such as buttons from the policeman's uniform and connects them together with thread. He quickly finds whatever he can to stand on in order to insulate himself and has Ivan do the same after the burly servant picks up the policeman. Rubber would be ideal, but standing on a wooden object or a pane of glass might suffice. Once they are properly grounded, Henry hooks his makeshift wire up to the machine and lets the other end drop to the floor.
There not being much else in the chamber other than some miscellaneous detritus, some abandoned wooden boards will have to serve as a platform. The dangerous operation is performed.
Spoiler:
This will be more a matter of Dexterity, I think. DEX = 10[dice]0[/dice]
With hands made skillful through the performance of many lifesaving surgeries, Doctor North is able to attach the makeshift device to the spinning machine without coming into direct contact with it. The room is illuminated by multiple sparks flying from the metal objects. The wheel shrieks like a wounded animal and collapses to the floor. In its death throes it explodes, filling the room with white-hot bits of metal flying in all directions.
Spoiler:
Just for fun, I am going to treat these bits of metal as the Weird Object known as Elf Shot.
Number: [dice]1[/dice]

The machine will be treated as if it had a Dex of 9 for striking any target. [dice]2[/dice]

Two will hits targets. 1 = the policeman, 2 = Ivan, 3 = Doctor North[dice]3[/dice]

Elf Shot has four possible effects, which I will not reveal until they happen[dice]4[/dice]

This is going to be very interesting!
One of the blazing metal objects strikes the fallen policeman. To the amazement of the witnesses, he bursts into flame, leaving behind only charred bones and bits of burnt flesh and clothing.

Another, like a falling star soaring across the night sky, flies directly at Doctor North. The effect is not so deadly, but is certainly highly undesirable. As if the metal contains some dire toxin, he experiences sudden weakness and collapses to the floor. The loyal Russian servant lifts his master in his mighty arms and carries him away from danger. Barely able to communicate, Doctor North will remain fully incapacitated for a full day.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Wruter wrote:Image

-- One moment, please. -- Lila responds to the priest then confers with Ines. "It seems possible that Miss DuPray's revolutionaries would enter among the congregation. If this illusion is created I may be able to throw something to damage the mirror arrangement now that we know it is there. It seems unlikely we could convince the priests to abandon the service altogether. But perhaps a warning could at least enable innocents to get to safety in the event of violence."
Image

Ines nods. "Yes. We must assume that if they come, they will be bearing some of Roterstein's evil weapons."
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Seeing the two ladies engaged in much intense whispered conversation, the priest approaches them.

-- Is there some concern you have? --

His tone implies a touch of impatience.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Image

Henry is sorrowful to see the policeman killed, but he is relieved that he managed to destroy the device. His part done, he relaxes and thinks of Elizabeth.
OOC,That could have been a lot worse. Good timing, too, considering I'm about to leave for a convention.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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-- Monsieur, we suspect that a group of armed insurgents plans to disrupt this night's service -- Lila replies to the priest. -- We would strongly advise all necessary caution. -- As she speaks she glances around, looking for any niche in which they may observe proceedings without being observed.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Spoiler:
CHA = 6[dice]0[/dice]
The priest appears skeptical of Miss Davenport's claim. (This may be partly due to the minor faux pas of being addressed as Monsieur rather than Père.)

-- These are troubling times, but I assure you that no one would dare to violate the sanctity of the Church. I suggest that you pray for peace of mind. --

With that he withdraws, carrying the ladder.

By this time the two ladies have received word from Ivan that Doctor North has been incapacitated whilst rendering the infernal device inactive. After conveying this message he returns to the side of his master, who rests fitfully, watched over by the sympathetic ministrations of his beloved.

Persons of various classes arrive at the cathedral for the Vespers service. Given the diminishing light as the sun sets, it is a simple matter for the two ladies to withdraw into the shadows and observe events as they occur.

Unlike the lighthearted merriment associated with All Hallow's Eve in England, the service is a solemn affair, as prayers are said for the souls in Purgatory. All proceeds as normally. Midway through the service, a beam of white light suddenly appears, projected from the central image of the Virgin and landing on the floor, as if an exceptionally bright ray of moonlight were to shine through a clear pane of glass.

As the assembled worshipers gasp in amazement, a small image is formed within the circle of light on the stone floor. It appears to be a human figure arrayed in golden armor, no more than a span high. The figure seems to be animate, moving its arms in dramatic gestures as it speaks in a voice not in keeping with its minuscule dimensions, but rather one which is all too familiar to the adventurers.

-- Arise! -- cries this ghostly poppet. -- France must be free! --

The reaction of those within is mere astonishment; but without the cathedral may be heard the clatter of approaching footsteps on cobblestones, and shouts crying for bread and justice.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Lila takes a rosary bead in hand, aims carefully and hurls it to strike the mirror device on the great window.
Spoiler:
DEX = 18[dice]0[/dice]
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Image

Ines whispers along with the service - even with her ignorance of the French tongue, she knows what the service must needs entail, and offers her own prayers. When the alarums begin, she slips her brass knuckles onto her fingers, and warns the nearest priest that danger is coming in both English and Spanish (hoping that his education will allow him to grasp her meaning).
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Wruter wrote:Image

Lila takes a rosary bead in hand, aims carefully and hurls it to strike the mirror device on the great window.
Spoiler:
DEX = 18[dice]202596:0[/dice]
The rosary swiftly rises from the Demon Hunter's skilled hands, shattering the bits of mirror, which crash to the floor with an oddly musical tinkle. The ghostly image vanishes along with the beam of light.

There is much consternation among the gathered worshipers, although the disappearance of the strange figure eases their panic to some degree. The priest, alerted not only by the warning of the Gypsy but by his own eyes, attempts to calm the crowd.

-- Let us remain here in safety and give thanks to the Holy Mother for rescuing us from this demonic apparition. --

He leads them in singing a hymn. A number of the worshipers make their way out of the Cathedral despite the priest's effort. It can be seen through the stained glass windows that, once they are outside the building, they are attacked at random by those outside, in a variety of peculiar ways. Some escape unharmed, some escape with minor injuries, some are struck down with severe wounds, and an unfortunate few are no longer among the living. It is a strange fact that not all of the attackers are safe from the dangers of their own weapons, as if they are poorly trained in them. Certain bizarrely shaped metal devices do not seem to have any effect at all, as if they were pistols neither primed nor loaded. The attackers make no effort to enter the Cathedral and do not seem to have any particular goal in mind save to create chaos. It is not long until a badly outnumbered band of policemen arrive, who both suffer and inflict injury. It would seem, as the Bard of Avon has it, that the gods have cried "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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"If the revolutionaries are not coming inside, the machine in the crypt must have meant for some harm to come to the congegation," says Ines to Miss Davenport. "But Dr North seems to have averted that. Should we join the battle outside, or guard the door?"
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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"I do not believe we can overcome such a force in physical confrontation," Lila replies. "I would fain see the architect of these events herself apprehended. Unless she now has access to preternatural powers, Miss DuPray must be somewhere close if we can hear her voice, and the source of this illusion must come from some optical device akin to the camera obscura." So saying, she looks around trying to determine the origin of the light and the voice.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Ines sees the wisdom in Miss Davenport's words and joins her search for DuPray's possible hiding place.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Spoiler:
Ines WIS = 11, Lila WIS = 12[dice]0[/dice]
The two ladies surreptitiously begin their search. As they examine the myriad nooks and crannies found in this vast and ancient building, the assembled worshipers are taken to places of sanctuary, to await dawn, when, one hopes, the danger without will be lessened. As they search, cries of rage and fear, and even an occasional burst of mad laughter, come from outside.

After some time Miss Davenport locates an alcove in an obscure corner of the Cathedral wherein a strange device, consisting of prisms and lenses of various kinds, lies hidden out of the sight of casual glances. A metal cylinder, similar to a spyglass, points in the direction of the Rose Window. There is also an object resembling a jewelry box, composed of wood and metal, nearby. Upon examination, it proves to be much heavier than one would expect. There is no apparent way to open it. In fine engraved script on the bottom of the box there are words, just barely large enough to be made out.

factum ex Lapis Rubricatus Anno Domini MDCCLXXXVIII
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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Spoiler:
INT 11[dice]0[/dice]
Lila is unable to make any sense of the box's purpose. She stops a passing cleric and inquires if there are any discreet exits from the cathedral which might permit them to leave unnoticed by the mob. While doing so she glances around for the deformed woman, if she has not been taken to safety among the worshipers.
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Re: Chapter the Ninth: Paris

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The unfortunate victim has remained unmoving all this time, trusting to her rescuers. It is perhaps fortunate that, blind and deaf as she is, she is unaware of the disturbing events which have occurred. She consents to being led by the two ladies.

-- There is no safe place outside. -- the cleric replies nervously. -- Come with me and I will escort you to a place where you may await the dawn. May it please the Almighty that this madness ends with the night! --

The three women are brought to a small chamber, where they may find such rest as the disturbance allows.

As dawn breaks, the world outside is strangely quiet. The dead are being carried away; the injured are being cared for as best as possible. There is no sign of the attackers, except for a few who lie lifeless or badly wounded. The ladies are able to make their way back to their lodging past the moans of the suffering. The streets are full of policemen and common folk, discussing in excited voices the events of the previous night. They will find Mister Witherly tending to the souls and bodies of the victims.

By this time Doctor North has recovered from his strange incapacitation, due in no small part to the loving ministrations of Miss Carrow.

When Mister Witherly returns he is in a state of melancholy.

"The condition of these miserable wretches has me sick at heart," he says. "As if the savage oppressions of their masters were not enough already! The people have no bread! And now winter approaches."

As if to prove the truth of his words, the sound of sleet striking the windows can be heard, like the rattling of bones.

"I remain at your service, my friends," he continues. "Shall we return to England while we still can, or shall we remain here and continue to fight these fiends in human form?"
Spoiler:
Be aware that, according to references I have found, France will suffer from severe winter weather from November of 1788 to April of 1789.
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