Play@YSDC

After allowing Catherine to retrieve the knife, Beth turns towards the officers. "Actually, our guest make a good point. Let us really make this a special occasion. Tie him to the Tree."

The docile Peter looks up, newly horrified. "No! please, Wild Woman!"

"Hush now. It's a great honor, you know that. To feed The Mother's own brood!"

Alex and the Sheriff quickly escort the compliant but clearly quite terrified Peter to the tree, which has closed shut its early opening. Looking around in the roots, they quickly find ropes that were hidden away and secure him tightly to the trunk of the huge tree. He is spread eagle and sobbing.

And now Beth looks to Tobias. "Please, continue. Stab him, and let us all rejoice to the Mother as her child feasts!"

OOC:   It takes a few minutes for the cultists to secure Peter to the tree. If any of you wanted to interrupt the action somehow, let me know and I'll edit accordingly. Otherwise, Beth now clearly expects one of you to stab Peter, and you get the impression she's not going to be particularly appreciate of any delays.

Tobias chose to interpret her orders liberally. He decided to stab Peter in the stomach, avoiding the intestinal tacts; giving him a non-lethal wound. Of course, there would still be a lot of blood flowing out, but he figured that he could use the herbicide and lighter to burn the wound shut later.

Catherine is shocked to see Tobias actually stab Peter, certain that he had been planning some sort of ruse, but she isn't sure what to do about this. She looks over to Daniel, ready to follow his lead.

"What now?" Tobias looked at the woman. He's not entirely sure of what to do next, but he is confident that he won't let anyone suffer an unnecessary death.

OOC:   We'll say the officers go to the side near the tree opposite Beth and Karen. From there they can see all three investigators (who are visible in front of them) and they're keeping watch for any tricks. Once Tobias stabs poor Peter though their attention as well as Beth and Karen's turns towards the tree and the ceremony, and they don't seem to be paying any attention to Catherine or Daniel. Tobias can make two rolls. Roll damage, 1d6 for how much you hurt Peter, and then roll SAN 1/1d3.

Peter lets out a cry in pain as Tobias stabs him, and blood begins to stain the tree behind him. Beth lets out a joyous laugh, and Alex and the other officer follow. After a split second Karen joins in, albeit it more reluctantly.

OOC:   Pausing here to see how much damage Tobias inflicted before I continue.

Peter,[dice]0[/dice]

SAN 65,[dice]1[/dice]

Tobias stabs Peter deep, and the man lets out an anguished cry as his blood staisn the tree. It's not a fatal wound, but he'll be in a good deal of pain.

In response to Tobias question, the cultists begin to chant and dance in front of the tree. Beth takes Karen's hand and pulls her along.

"Ia! Ia! Shub-Niggurath!"

They seem preoccupied by their ritual, but it seems likely that Tobias and the others are expected to join in. Peter continues to moan in pain. Would they join in this pagan ritual and see what happens, or try and take advantage of the distraction?

Tobias decided that now would be a good time to take advantage of the distraction. "Iä! Iä—alright, that's enough, let's get going."

Reasoning that the Sheriff, who carries a shotgun and is at close range, is the greatest threat, Catherine whips out her mace and sprays her right in the eyes with it!

OOC,Mace roll (60% base skill) spraying the Sheriff: [dice]0[/dice] Duration of stun (in minutes): [dice]1[/dice]

Tobias attempts to hack off the ropes on Peter with a pocketknife.

Once he sees Catherine pepper spray the sheriff, Daniel will turn his shotgun on the deputy Steel.

Brawl 50%,[dice]0[/dice]

Stealth 20%,[dice]1[/dice]

Failing miserably, Tobias intends to hide in the background and prepare to...not die.

Catherine's attack is right on the mark, and catches the sheriff right in the eyes. She goes down screaming in fury mixed with agony, her gun falling tot he ground. Alex's eyes look towards the group with confusion, and that's when Daniel blasts him with the shotgun. It's hits him directly in the chest, and blood splatters everywhere. But somehow the deputy remains on his feet, albeit it barely. It's very likely a wound that will kill the deputy, but adrenaline is keeping him alive and still a threat for now.

Tobias attempts to begin cutting Peter free, but the knife slips out of his sweaty hands and gets lost in the tree roots below.

Beth looks at the investigators and lets out an inhuman sound. Her eyes take on a predatory glint, and she looks ready to pounce. Worse, who knew if bullets would even hurt her?

But the biggest concern for the team may very well be the Tree. Spurned on by the blood and chanting it seems to come to life, its branches now animated and writhing. The branches no longer seem like normal parts of a tree either, but more along the lines of tentacles. One pierces its way into the bound Peter's neck and begins to “drain” his blood, as the poor cultist screams in absolute agony. He struggles, but it's clear even looking at him he's getting weaker and won't last much longer.

Other branches jet out and grab at Tobias, and the older man finds himself right in their path. Unless he dodges, they seem like they will envelop him and drag him back to the tree as well.

OOC:   Roll 1/1d6 for seeing the “Tree” come to life. That was a surprise round, mostly, though once the blood hit the Tree it was going to wake up. All rounds from now on will go in this order of action. Daniel Tree Beth Catherine Karen Alex Tobias Though technically still active, I expect the Sheriff to be preoccupied writhing in pain to be an active participant in this fight.

SAN 64,[dice]0[/dice] SAN LOST: 1 SAN REMAINING: 63

Dodge 20,[dice]1[/dice]

Tobias deftly dodger aside, trying to find another chance to interject into the battlefield however he could. He wants to save Karen, it’s the only thing driving him on at this point. He gritted his teeth and observed. Hopefully, he could trust Daniel and Catherine to make the most rational and effective move.

After all, he’s not confident that he could come diving in to save them in case the worst case scenario happens.

Catherine is able to keep her wits about her - mostly.

OOC,I'll wait until my turn before I act. Sanity roll (current level 60) for seeing the Tree come to life: [dice]0[/dice]

The tree coming to life disturbs Daniel to say the least, but he doesn't have time to think about that right now. He takes aim at Beth assuming, hoping, that Alex is still standing only through adrenaline and not some other supernatural means. Unfortunately, he's worried about hitting Karen and his shot goes wide.