Play@YSDC

Posted: **Wed May 03, 2017 2:41 pm**

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.”

Posted: **Wed May 03, 2017 4:12 pm**

Henry Glynn

To Isadora and Alice:

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

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 3:15 am**

"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?"

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 7:53 am**

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."

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 8:09 am**

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.

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 8:16 am**

Isadora Carmichael

Sanity 65
[dice]0[/dice]

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

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 9:23 am**

Spoiler:

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 9:33 am**

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 9:44 am**

Henry Glynn

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

Henry then starts chanting loudly with the others.

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 9:51 am**

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 9:52 am**

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.

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 2:42 am**

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

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 6:20 am**

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?

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 8:00 am**

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

Sanity loss: [dice]1[/dice]

The howling sounds cuts deep...

Sanity now 63

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 8:05 am**

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 8:08 am**

Luck 65%
[dice]0[/dice]

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 8:12 am**

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.

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 9:44 am**

Spoiler:

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

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 9:54 am**

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 9:58 am**

Spoiler:

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 10:04 am**

Henry, startled by the awful sounds, loses his place in the chant. His usual calm cynicism has begun to be shaken…

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 12:15 pm**

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 12:43 pm**

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 1:27 pm**

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 2:07 pm**

Balzac'srational mind can scarcely belief what he can hear – the awful screeching and cursing that no human voice could be capable of. Could this all actually be true?

Despite his horror, he sees that some of the others are losing their hold on the chanting. He quickly kneels by the pentacle and begins to chant. The Latin holds no difficulty for him.

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 2:09 pm**

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora tries to regain her composure...

OOC: Is it possible to re-join the chant?

Posted: **Fri May 05, 2017 2:27 pm**

OOC: Sure! It just has to keep going without interruption. Luckily that time Balzac was able to step in and maintain it, but if it stops at any point, you'll have to begin again tomorrow night. And the beastie will definitely try to interrupt you...

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 2:26 am**

Alice shudders, but she tries to ignore the moving of the house and concentrates on keeping up the chant.

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 2:32 am**

Balzac gestures politely for the others to resume so he can return to his watcher duties.

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 6:55 am**

It is almost 1am when the awful noises finally stop. Before the companions have a chance for respite though, another of their senses receives a brutal assault.

A foul stink begins to permeate the air, masking the scent of the chemicals burning in the fire. Again, it is something that none of them have experienced – it cannot be precisely determined, but is like a mixture of feces, vomit and rotting flesh, together with other smells they cannot begin to imagine.

It is followed by a thick, stinking goo that slowly begins to ooze through the ceiling and creep down the walls. Splotches begin to drip down towards the investigators.

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 7:50 am**

Balzac shakes his head to try to wake himself up a bit more. Quickly he grabs a blanket and, being careful not to get the horrid stuff on his own clothes or skin, uses the blanket to wipe away goo that might be heading in the direction of the chanters.

"Think Balzac, observe and try to draw conclusions. Whatever it is, there must be some rules to its existence as there is for all other life. So far, it has seemed unwilling or unable to enter this room..."

When time and goo allows, he will light up a Gauloises for a refreshing breath of Gallic nicotine.

"Tell me if someone wants to change places."

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 8:28 am**

Isadora Carmichael

Luck 65
[dice]0[/dice]

The hideous ooze is genuinely disquieting... But Isadora thinks that this is just a trial, a step of initiation, and keeps chanting.

Isadora feels her willpower draining, but is ready to go on.

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 8:34 am**

Spoiler:

OOC: 9 magic points here too

Posted: **Sat May 06, 2017 3:38 pm**

Alice chokes back a scream as some of the goo gets on her.

Posted: **Sun May 07, 2017 2:26 am**

Balzac quickly wipes the goo off Alice with a clean bit of blanket.

Posted: **Sun May 07, 2017 6:01 am**

Unfortunately, to their dismay, Alice and Balzac discover that the goo is corrosive to skin! Alice screeches in pain as the goo eats into her arm.

Posted: **Sun May 07, 2017 8:18 am**

Realising the danger, Balzac throws a clean blanket over Alice. He will grab more blankets or coats for the other two to shield themselves with. Balzac will then pull his own coat over his head and return to Alice and make sure the goo is off her arm. "Cover yourselves! Alice, I will get my doctor's bag."

Posted: **Sun May 07, 2017 8:38 am**

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora continues the chant and hopes that Balzac will find some cover for her as well.

Posted: **Sun May 07, 2017 4:36 pm**

Alice sobs in agony as the horrible substance burns her, but she tries to keep up the chant regardless. Fortunately, not a whole lot of it got on her. When Dr. Balzac fetches the medical kit, she tries to help treat her injury.

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2017 12:38 pm**

Henry Glynn

Henry is very distressed that Alice has been injured. He wants to help but, scepticism now banished, he knows he needs to concentrate on maintaining the difficult chant.

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2017 2:00 pm**

Thanks to her prompt attention, Alice's wound is not serious, although it may leave a nasty scar. Balzac dresses it and they are able to continue.

Shortly thereafter the sounds and the smells cease, and the companions are able to chant in relative peace, although some faint snorts and snuffles can still be heard. They are able to maintain a rhythm now, having regular breaks, although it is exhausting work, and they are becoming very tired.

The time is now about 1.30 am, and their spirits are beginning to rise as the end may be in sight…

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2017 2:06 pm**

Isadora Carmichael
Listen 25%
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora is oblivious to any nearby sounds..

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2017 2:19 pm**

Spoiler:

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 5:21 am**

Alice doesn't hear anything either.

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 7:32 am**

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 7:35 am**

Balzac nods to Alice. "Mlle. Alice, you treated that injury very well, I commend your abilities."

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 7:48 am**

Intent on their chanting, the heroes are suddenly startled by a rapping at the door, and a woman’s cry of “Help!”

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 9:25 am**

Balzac leaps up. "Merde! What now? Keep going, I will see to this."

Shotgun over his arm, he goes to the door. "Who is it?"

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 9:47 am**

The desperate cry comes again.

"I need help! Please come!"

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 1:14 pm**

Clutching his shotgun and a flashlight, Balzac goes to the door.

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 1:50 pm**

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2017 7:37 am**

Balzac shines the flashlight through a window beside the door, angling the beam toward the area directly in front of the door, and peers through to see who is calling for help.

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2017 9:48 am**

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2017 10:14 am**

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2017 10:47 am**

"Please come! Help me!" the woman says again.

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2017 6:52 pm**

Henry Glynn

Henry keeps up his chant. He wonders who or what is at the door and whether Balzac will let them in.

Posted: **Thu May 11, 2017 2:08 am**

Balzac calls through the door, "Madame, what has happened? Are you hurt?" He does not yet open the door, however.

Posted: **Thu May 11, 2017 3:25 am**

Alice also continues chanting, knowing that they must finish the job.

Posted: **Thu May 11, 2017 9:50 am**

Posted: **Thu May 11, 2017 11:11 am**

Posted: **Thu May 11, 2017 1:58 pm**

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 2:26 am**

"Mon Dieu!" Balzac reels away from the window, bends over and vomits violently, his every conviction as a scientist and medical practitioner assaulted.

Standing upright, he attempts to explain to the chanters. "The woman outside, who calls for help. Her heart has been taken like the animals in the attic. She must be dead. Yet she calls for help.'

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 7:54 am**

At this point, the woman outside comes to the door and begins to bang on it, screaming at the top of her lungs – all kinds of vile obscenities and curses and the people within. At the same moment, the creature in the attic begins to cackle in its guttural, vile voice, chortling triumphantly at its latest assault on our heroes. It’s banging and shaking begin again – the walls and ceiling shake and shudder.

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 8:18 am**

Isadora Carmichael

Luck 65
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora is in an almost trance-like immersion. She keeps on chanting...

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 9:13 am**

Spoiler:

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 10:03 am**

The sight of the dead but animated woman and the renewed verbal assault causes Henry to fumble his lines. Luckily Isadora is still going strong, her mind attempting to find a different plane of thought, away from the tumult.

The dead woman has moved to the window where she is fully visible in the light of Balzac's torch, her bloodied mouth stretched in a hideous grimace, her tongue lolling as she spews foul curses. Fresh blood splatters the window, and the hole in her chest an he clearly seen.

Just then, another horrific figure appears at the other window. It is the raging, terrified hobo from their previous encounter. He too is torn and bloodied, also with a mutilated chest. He begins to rap on the class, grinning in a sadistic manner. His eyes roll back in his head and he utters a blood curdling howl which makes the companions shudder. Balzac staggers back, ashen faced.

Above them, the creature laughs even louder.

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 10:18 am**

Isadora Carmichael

Sanity 63
[dice]0[/dice]
Sanity loss: [dice]1[/dice]

OOC: Down to 61.

The force of the undead siege doubles, and even Isadora snaps...

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 10:24 am**

Spoiler:

OOC: Also now on 61

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 10:38 am**

Henry is stricken with fear and is lost for words. Can he ever be skeptical again?

Isadora flinches at the sight of the mutilated dead. Her throat seizes and she can only utter a croaking sound...

Posted: **Fri May 12, 2017 10:47 am**

Henry Glynn

"Spiritus ... eicie ... bat ..."

Henry's words come to a halt. He covers his mouth and points at the window, eyes wide with fear.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 12:38 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 12:42 am**

Balzac calls out, "Henry, take my place! Don't shoot unless they get in!"

Balzac attempts to jump in and help chant.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 3:34 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 3:49 am**

In spite of all the horrific distractions, Alice manages to keep chanting, determined to finish what they started.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 3:58 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 4:03 am**

Alice keeps chanting perfectly.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 4:13 am**

Alice truly rises to the occasion. Despite the appearance of the living dead, and controlling her fear, she screws her eyes shut and keeps chanting. The others, inspired by her courage and determination, are also able to return to the task. Balzac straightens up; he also regains some of his confidence. It is almost over.

The creature shrieks in anger and annoyance.

It is now 1.55, only five more minutes are needed. The attic has gone quiet, but now a wisp of smoke curls down from the ceiling, twisting and swirling down towards the pentagram on the floor. The creature now begins to manifest itself before the eyes of the companions.

It starts to condense within the pentagram – a horrible twisting and roiling mass of tentacles, talons, maws and eyes. Long appendages randomly stretch from it, it stinks awfully. It’s maws open to reveal sucker-like mouths.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 4:18 am**

The sight of the creature affects Alice worse than the other impossible, horrible things she has already seen. She shrinks back, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her head away in disgust, but she resolutely tries to keep up the chant, knowing that they have the power to put this thing down once and for all.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 4:37 am**

Balzac reels from the multitude of shocks and is again violently ill, but tries to focus. Carefully, he puts the shotgun and flashlight down for Henry. "Use the shotgun first then the rifle," he suggests.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 4:38 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 5:04 am**

"Klaatu," chants Alice. "Barata....necktie..."

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 5:20 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 5:21 am**

Balzac stares aghast at the critter, whimpering. The only thing saving his mind is his abject failure to really understand what it is. (It may be a good thing there is nothing left for him to regurgitate.)

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 5:50 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 6:24 am**

Isadora Carmichael

Sanity 61
[dice]0[/dice]

OOC: Sanity down to 60

Luck 65[dice]1[/dice]

The horrific visage solidifies Isadora's intention to cast the entity out of this plane of existence.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 6:39 am**

HoneyDog wrote:
Andyw666,Balzac now has temporary insanity! Once the others have rolled, I'll let you know the consequences.

OOC: He actually failed his idea, not succeeded, so unless I've read the rules wrong, he's not temporarily insane?

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 6:43 am**

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 8:14 am**

OOC: It's all good!

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 10:27 am**

Spoiler:

Henry tries to keep chanting. He also takes a weapon from Balzac if offered.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 2:22 pm**

The appearance of the creature is more than Balzac can bear. He is almost catatonic now. Perhaps it is his experiences as a battlefield surgeon, which have somewhat numbed him to horror, which save him from going completely over the edge. Nonetheless, he can no longer function in the sight of the awful creature which is hovering before him.

Alice too has lapsed into shocked silence, the sight of the creature is the final straw for her. But her earlier inspiration continues – Isadora and Henry have managed to find the strength within themselves to finish what they started. They continue chanting, and the hour reaches 2 am.

The creature begins to wail, its many snapping mouths issuing cries of distress and anger as it begins to dissipate and fade from view. Thrashing around in frustration, bound by the pentagram, it struggles to maintain its grip on our world.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 3:07 pm**

"The powder!" cries Alice. "Are we supposed to throw it on the creature?"

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 3:18 pm**

Henry Glynn

Henry takes the powder from Balzac and throws it over the creature.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 3:33 pm**

As the powder hits it, just for the faintest moment, the creature seems whole, no longer transparent. This is the final indignity. It screams in rage and frustration, and then it is gone. The familiar whistling noise is heard for the last time as the air seems to be sucked back into the space in our dimension which the creature had occupied.

The reanimated dead at the windows collapse; the power has left them. Our heroes too fall, exhausted by the night’s trial. Too shocked and tired to speak, they lay numbly upon the floor, eyes fixed on the place the creature which tormented them for what seems like an eternity, finally left this world.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 4:22 pm**

Henry Glynn

Henry clutches Alice:

"Are you ... alright?"

Then to Isadora:

"Have we defeated it Mrs Carmichael?"

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 5:19 pm**

"I...I think so..." mutters Alice weakly, resting the back of her hand on her forehead.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 9:25 pm**

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora slowly gets up form the floor, walks a few steps, and collapses onto a chair. She's never been so tired. She doesn't dare to look towards the circle - she's afraid the entity might flicker back to existence.

"I... I think so, yes..." she mumbles to Henry's question.

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 9:31 pm**

Henry Glynn

"Mrs Carmichael ... I'm sorry I doubted your belief."

Posted: **Sat May 13, 2017 9:34 pm**

Isadora Carmichael

"I don't blame you, Mr. Glynn."

Isadora clearly has more to say, but she is too exhausted.

Play@YSDC

Chapter 8: The Ceremony

Chapter 8: The Ceremony

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