Play@YSDC

It is almost midnight, and after a couple of hours of desultory sleep, plagued by disquieting thoughts for some, the heroes are ready to begin the ceremony to return Putnam’s evil spirit to the plain of existence it originally came from. Some, like Isadora, are convinced of the threat they face, others retain a degree of cynicism. Yet all are ready and know their roles.

The pentagram is ready and Henry, Isadora and Alice sit around it, their copies of the ritual to hand. The candles are lit, and the air is heavy with the scent of the chemicals being burned in the fire. Balzac sits apart, his shotgun by his side and the box with the powder of Ibn Ghazi to hand.

He checks his watch. “Le moment est venu” he opines solemnly. “It is time.”

OOC,Remember the rules of the ceremony! 2 hours of continuous chanting, with no interruptions! This will be a draining experience for the participants.

Henry Glynn

To Isadora and Alice:

"Let's take it in shifts with two chanting and one resting."

"Whoever's not chanting can't rest too much," says Alice. "We all have to pay attention to where we are in the chant. If one of the chanters falters, the one in reserve has to be ready to jump right in. We need at least two of us chanting at all times, just to be safe. Who's going to sit out at first?"

Isadora Carmichael

"I'm ready to open the ceremony," volunteers Isadora to begin chanting and takes her place. "I think we already share a wavelength with Miss Stanton, because we prepared the ritual implements -- maybe we can begin chanting as a pair as well."

Realising that time is pressing, Alice and Isadora begin the chant. They soon appreciate that it is likely to be exhausting work, constantly repeating the same unfamiliar Latin words, being very careful not to make mistakes which would negate the effect of the ceremony and result in starting over. The smell of the chemicals is thick in the room now.

After about twenty minutes has passed smoothly, the companions are almost ready to switch when the same whistling noise which they heard earlier at sundown happens again above their heads. Then there is an almighty thump against the floorboards which shakes loose decades of dust from the ceiling. This is followed by a loud snuffling, as if there is some kind of large animal in the room above.

OOC,All roll for SAN!

Isadora Carmichael

Sanity 65
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora shrugs, but the event doesn't, hopefully, breaks her concentration...

Henry Glynn

"What the devil was that?" says Henry looking at Balzac.

Henry then starts chanting loudly with the others.

Balzac looks at the ceiling and loads up the trusty Winchester 30-30 rifle, then places it next to him. The shotgun now sits across his lap and the strange powder to hand.

Alice is sure that the beast has returned, but she doesn't let it distract her from chanting.

OOC,Sanity roll (current level 65) for hearing the creature: [dice]0[/dice]

Now an awful howling begins, like no sound the heroes have ever heard before. It is an unearthly wailing and screeching which makes the blood run cold in their veins and the hair stand up on their necks. It is interspersed by foul grunts and curses, uttered in an utterly inhuman voice, harsh and guttural. It is a voice only imaginable in their worst nightmares.

The old house begins to sway and creak, the sound gradually increasing as the timbers begin to protest. Objects on the table and the mantle begin to roll around and fall off, and Balzac’s rifle clatters to the floor. Loose possessions are scattered around the floor. The companions are rocked and stumble – will they be able to keep chanting?

OOC,All roll SAN! If you roll successfully, you only lose 1 SAN. If you fail, please roll 1d3.

Isadora Carmichael
Sanity 65
[dice]0[/dice]

Sanity loss: [dice]1[/dice]

The howling sounds cuts deep...

Sanity now 63

Luck 65%
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora’s mouth dries up and she fumbles her words. The awful sound cuts to the bone, making her screw her eyes shut. She tries desperately to block it out.

Henry tries to keep chanting in a clear voice ...