[Lincoln September 11th 1251, 10:00 PM] [You have all spent the night beneath Lincoln cathedral in rooms provided by Benedict de Vesci. He has offered to send soldiers with you to assist in the search of Troile's tomb. Now that you have awoken, you can hear the heavy footsteps of armored soldiers coming from the main chamber of the cavern.] [Begin.] #06* Moriel is looking towards the sound of footsteps before he even stands. He rises quickly and heads over to observe the source of the sound. #06* Ysabeau stretches gracefully, and brushes out the wrinkles in her gown. "So, anyone else a little nervous to travel with a borrowed army?" #06* Rolf growls lowly as he shakes the dirt out of his hair. "Army's better'n most. Think they know what they're gettin' thrown into?" Do we really know what we are getting into? #06* Eliana is trying to untangle her hair with her fingers. She's not doing a very good job of it. #06* Ysabeau smile, "Do you need a little help? I am very good with hair." #06* Eliana glares at Ysabeau. "No." I promise I won't tug, unless you want me to. #06* Thalaba raises her head at the question and she pulls a comb out of her pack to run through her hair. Once she's done she offers it to Eliana. "The army will help us down in the tomb. " #06* Eliana takes the comb with her free hand and proceeds to save one of her fingers, which is half-eaten by a snarl. She nods her thanks to Thalaba. #06* Eliana walks out after Moriel, still slowly working through the early evening mess known as her hair. #06* Ysabeau follows the group out. #06* Rolf rolfs after, a low growl settled into his throat. #06* Thalaba has joined the group as well Dreol> [Out in the main room, Benedict is seated at the head of a large table and a map is laid out on it. A fully armored soldier stands opposite him and seems to be discussing the situation animatedly. Throughout the room stand about fifteen other soldiers, all armored. Most carry swords, as well as a stake or two strapped to their belt. A few dressed in lighter armor carry crossbows. Benedict looks up as you enter. "Aha. My guests have arrived. This is my second-in-command Leonardo. He and his men will be escorting you to the cave that we suspect is the one in question."] #06* Eliana glances around, taking in the number of soldiers before focusing back on Benedict. "Our thanks, your excellency." #06* Moriel glances around as well and adds quietly, "Indeed." [He nods, "You should leave immediately, there is not much night and it is a long journey." Leonardo nods, rolls up the map and bows slightly. "This way, please." And he proceeds to head down one of the tunnels, followed by the army of soldiers."] #06* Thalaba looks around the room at the soldiers.. wondering which ones are going to die though she wisely keeps her silent about that part of the vision. #06* Ysabeau is not sure whether to be excited for the fresh bodies or nervous because they are WAY more well armed compared to the current party. #06* Rolf seems unconcerned. He looks over at Leonardo and asks, casually, "You walk 'round in force like this often 'round here?" [Leonardo turns back to Rolf. "Not generally, but when we are dealing with the return of an antediluvian, we bring all the power we can."] so you've done this before, then #06* Cosimo frowns. #06* Rolf snorts. People don't do this 'before'. #06* Eliana smiles a touch. "He's right." [Leonardo shakes his head. "No." He continues on.] In that case, are you sure we have enough of an army? #06* Moriel drifts along with the group, mostly silent. If he's paying attention to the conversation, it's not obvious. [Leonardo turns to Ysabeau. "We're bringing all the soldiers that we have." The cavern eventually leads to a trap door, Leonardo opens it and climbs out into a barn.] #06* Rolf ENTERS THE MAGICAL BARN. "Good plannin'." #06* Eliana hands Thalaba's comb back to her, carefully so as not to touch her hand. Her hair still isn't in order, but the worst has been taken care of. That done, she puts her gloves on. So, the plan then? #06* Cosimo climbs out of the trapdoor and then offers his hand to any of the women who might need it. #06* Moriel climbs up and does not offer his hand. Possibly because Cosimo's already doing it, or possibly because he's not paying attention to anyone. #06* Ysabeau takes the offered hand. "thank you" #06* Eliana climbs up after. #06* Cosimo says nothing, but nods to Ysabeau as he helps her up. He quickly turns to back to offer his hand again if needed. #06* Thalaba takes the comb back and it disappears into her bag before following the others up with Cosimo's help #06* Eliana doesn't take Cosimo's hand, climbing up herself. #06* Cosimo seems to be more interested in the expedience at which the collective exits the hole than Eliana's independence. #06* Eliana is only slowed down because COSIMO'S HAND IS IN HER FACE GEEZ. We do have a plan, right? [Leonardo exits the barn and continues talking. Responding to Ysabeau. "The plan is that hopefully we don't have to fight Troile, and if we do... hopefully one of us gets lucky." He unrolls the map and looks it over. The barn is pretty much in the middle of no where. There is a mountain range to the north, and the city of Lincoln is to the west. "We suspect the tomb is in one of those mountains to the north. There is a particular cave that is near an old Greek settlement."] #06* Rolf don't got no hand-him downs. He says, to Ysabeau, "Uh, far as I know, the plan is, 'don't stand in the way of the blade'." #06* Moriel murmurs quietly, "If we get there before Troile gets free, and can learn how she was imprisoned the first time, we may be able to imprison her again." #06* Eliana nods in agreement. #06* Cosimo tries not to show the annoyance on his face that the current plan is based on a mix of luck, hope and uncertainty. [Leonardo nods. "Essentially, yes." He begins to march forward with his small army trailing behind."] I am hoping we find her napping, because from the stories I heard while in court, we will need a bigger army. #06* Thalaba nods in agreement. "Yes.. a bigger army would be more useful." #06* Rolf snorts. "Ya can always use more time, but we ain't got it, for once." [A few hours later, you all find yourselves entering another large cavern to the north. Leonardo's eyes glow slightly before returning to normal. He continues to move forward. "If you have a way to see int he dark, I suggest you do so. There is no light farther in here."] #06* Cosimo frowns. #06* Eliana flexes her fingers, palm up, and a handful of fire appears in it. Is that tactic wise? Aren't we showing the enemy where we are? She don't need our help. #06* Moriel murmurs, "Better than us tripping over her." #01 I can't actually see in total darkness. you have other senses. I don't know about you, but I don't want to give up any advantage we have. #06* Moriel sighs. "She'd be able to hear us at any rate, unless Master Castelletti raised his sphere of silence." He gestured around to tall the heavily- armored, tromping soldiers. [A few of the soldiers get a bit uncomfortable and shift away from Eliana. Meanwhile Leonardo continues to move forward, drawing his sword. The other soldiers similarly arm themselves. Finally after a few minutes Leonardo stops and raises his hand, the soldiers stop. He points down. "Watch your step. Somebody dug a tunnel down. My guess is that is where our tomb is." Anyone who can see, sees a large hole in the path it seems to go down for quite a while, but anyone who can see in total darkness can see the bottom about forty feet down.] #06* Cosimo takes a deep breath, shakes his head, and proceeds cautiously forward. One hand on the wall, one on the hilt of his blade. is that a request, sir? It is maybe a good idea? Maybe we can also send someone quiet and careful ahead to scout? Maybe? #06* Moriel shakes his head. "It has disadvantages as well, and I don't think we'd be able to hide even with it. Best to be able to communicate." #06* Cosimo nods. "as you wish" [A few of the soldiers move forward and drop down a rope. Leonardo turns back. "If Troile is awake and down there... we're already dead." He grabs the rope while the soldiers tie it off to a rock and he begins to climb down.] #06* Moriel glances at Ysabeau. "That would be a terrible risk for the scout." #06* Rolf growls and nods back to Leonardo. #01 And the truth is we won't be able to hide a small army. #06* Eliana has, for the record, not reacted at all to the soldiers shying away from her. if there are no volunteers, i will scout ahead, though in this my effectiveness will be limited #06* Moriel glances at Cosimo thoughtfully. After a moment he says, "I do not think we should so risk you." [Leonardo calls up from the bottom of the hole. "There are some torches lit down here. Hurry up!"] #06* Cosimo nods towards Moriel and then makes his way down the hole. #06* Eliana flips her fire to her shoulder and slides down a rope into the hole as quickly as she can. Good thing she's wearing gloves. #06* Rolf will go down too, yes. #06* Moriel flicks his gaze downwards and quickens his steps, wrapping his sleeves around his palms so he can slide down the rope without friction-burning his hands. [The rest of the soldiers quickly follow as well. And once you have gotten down the rope, you can see two large braziers lit, revealing the wall that you all saw in the vision at Belit-Sheri's tower. Except there is a giant hole busted through it.] #06* Thalaba sighs as she goes down the rope as well.. probably not as graceful as the others. #06* Moriel tenses as he sees the hole in the wall and starts looking around the rest of the area. #06* Rolf looks, then says, "Someone went a-knockin'." #06* Cosimo looks at the hole, frowns and then, begins looking around the room. #06* Eliana tenses up, visibly, and curls her fingers into fits as she stares at the hole. "Perhaps Moloch," she says, after a moment. #06* Ysabeau searches the room, looking for anything that looks potentially dangerous or out of place. Sounds like it ain't gettin' better. #06* Rolf advances in, red eyes a-glowin'! #06* Eliana looks around for any indications as to where they would have went. [Leonardo rushes forward through the hole. The next room is a large, circular room. In the center of the room is a fire pit, which lights the whole room, revealing a green crystal dagger, lying on the floor near the far wall, where there is also a heavy metal door. Leonardo moves forward and picks up the dagger, bringing it back to you all. "Any idea what this is?"] a crystal dagger #06* Eliana frowns at the dagger. And immediately starts glancing around the room. #06* Moriel stares at the dagger for a moment, then turns to Thalaba. "Mistress Malache. Didn't you say the dagger was broken in your vision?" #06* Thalaba nods as she steps forward, holding her hand out to Leonardo "Yes that is the dagger from my vision. May I?" [Leonardo hands over the dagger to Thalaba. "Of course."] #06* Thalaba moves to Eliana with the dagger in her hand. "Would you please allow me the use of your flame? Hold it up in your hand if you would be so kind." #06* Cosimo walks around the room cautiously, keeping an eye on the way out and looking for anything that might tip him off to an ambush. #06* Eliana nods. She reaches to her left shoulder with her right hand, plucking the fire from it, and holds it steady at about Thalaba's eye level. #06* Thalaba holds the dagger up near the flame and tries to replicate what she saw briefly when Leonardo was carrying the dagger to them. "When the firelight hit the dagger.. I saw a map. " Turning the dagger in just the right way she manages to see the map again. She looks at Eliana to see if she saw it too. [Leonardo looks over. "Where does it lead?"] #06* Eliana closes her eyes, trying to recall the glimpse for longer than just that. "Here." #01 An ancient map of Lincolnshire, visible in the sun, leading here. #06* Rolf has moved to looking at the door at this point. Looking to see if it's been moved/is movable. [The door is movable. It is not locked, anymore anyway. It's just very heavy.] #06* Thalaba lowers the dagger once the map is gone again and offers it back to Leonardo "Thank you." #06* Rolf nods and looks over at everyone to say, "You got a map here, huh? We could move this door... guessin' whoever broke their way in did the same." #06* Eliana opens her eyes and nods, looking to Leonardo. He's the military expert. [Leonardo nods and rushes towards the door. "Yes. We are running out of time." He grabs the door and begins to pull it open. Rolf can help.] #06* Rolf will not just help. He'll rolf it. #06* Eliana walks after them, as they move to open the door, flexing the fingers in her left hand. In, out, and in and out again. She's been at it pretty consistently since arriving at the cave. [Leonardo and Rolf, with some effort, pull the door open, revealing behind it, six vampires standing around a block of solid marble the size and shape of a coffin. One of them, the one standing nearest to the coffin, you recognize as the Baron of Chester. He looks towards you, his wrist dripping with blood from a fresh gash, and he shoves his hand through the marble creating a hole in the top of the block. "You're too-" but he is cut off as whatever blood is still in his body appears to be drained from it, and then the marble block explodes into shrapnel sending the baron flying away from the dust cloud in the center of the room, before he finally falls limp on the floor.] [As the dust clears, standing there is a woman in her mid-twenties, she is dressed in rags and a sadistic grin twists across her lips before she lunges forward, instantly tearing through one of the soldiers, ripping him in half, straight through the platemail. Leonardo is knocked back, dropping the dagger, which shatters on the ground.] [Session End]