Guild of the Bat Ch.2: Altitude Sickness [IC]

[Lord Fell]

Persuasion as Intimidate (1d20+10=18, 1d20+10=28)
I may reserve the right to reroll that first one... not sure what sort of numbers I need for a success.

[Coyotzin]

OOC: Dock Officer's Will checks (1d20+4=11, 1d20+4=16), so that's exactly 5 degrees of success I'll post the prose outcome later in the evening.

[roguescribner]

Blackstone
HP: 1
Condition: Fine

"Hrm. Well, I believe this ghastly fellow is King Shark. One of Dr.Mureau's experiments I seem to recall, which makes it fairly likely that the arachnid monstrosity there is of the same ilk. Never had direct contact with either one, but they look like nasty pieces of work."

Blackstone looked at the sketches again. "Yes, King Shark," he sighed. "I should have known." The arcanist would chastise himself later for his momentary memory lapse.

After Brunel, Grimm, and the harried officer exchanged words, Blackstone stood tall. "The creature is a menace and has information we seek. It seems our purposes are momentarily aligned. Shall we proceed?"

[Spectrum]

Kristen Grimm

Kristen carefully perches up on the hood of the car, dangling her dainty feet (and not so dainty boots) in the air before her. "Well yes, of course we shall. I'm waiting upon the two of you." she winks, "And just how to do propose that we get your giant mechanical man to wherever you think that we should be going. If this was more supernatural in nature, I could track it. It isn't- I can't."

[roguescribner]

Blackstone
HP: 1
Condition: Fine

"I've actually been working on a transport device," Blackstone mused. "I'm afraid it's still in the experimental stages, however."

[Shock]

The Messenger
HP: 1 LP: 0

Insight check (1d20 + 9=22)

[Coyotzin]

London

Barbara put her index finger under Stephanie's chin. "You just make sure you don't shirk your duties to Lord Wayne, alright?"

"O'course!" The girl flashes a grin. "Lord Wayne is good to us, I'll be sure to keep an' eye for things and moi feet outta yer way. Ta!"

With a clumsy curtsy, the blonde urchin scampers off. There was this twinkle in her eye that told Barbara that she was going to be good on her promise to keep out of their way... but prolly not out of their business. It was the face of a fool with initiative.

In the shack, the poor, tormented officer is reeling from the pressure that's more a wild guilt-ride than a guilt-trip.

"Killer Croc?! I swear I've nothing to do with that monster!!" The man fumbles with a drawer on the desk and rifles through it, crossing himself in the process. "I know nothing about Master Blake's doings! That's all McClintock...!" He whimpers and sighs.

"Quit sniveling and work, Penitent!"

"Ergh! The ledger..." He swallows hard once. "It's... not here. The official ledger... he must have it..."

He cringes and shrinks with the last of Selina's performance, until she asks about the other officers' whereabouts.

"Night shift..." She says with a broken voice, but his eyes narrow only slightly. "He must be home... his home, I mean... or sleeping it off at the Winged Dog. He comes at 6pm... give or take a few minutes..."

OOC: The ruse is almost up. You can keep pushing with further rolls, but the "you must be shitting me" bonus will begin to increase rapidly (you achieved your 5 successes in the same try... no chance for the first bonus to accrue )

Stuttgart, Germany

The German officer does not seem the least amused with Kirsten's apparently careless actions. He shouts something in German, summoning others who promptly appear. Two more young strapping representatives of the German Law, who look as astonished as the first when they glimpse Brunel's creation.

"<These Englishmen may know something about the crash.>" The one called Johann said.

"<What does the witch hunter say?>" Another asked.

"<Apparently the troll is not a troll, but some monster created with God-Forsaken science>."

"<Can they track it? If the Grimm woman is useless, the chancellor might be interested in letting them try.>"

"<Hrmph... Well, I'm keeping an eye on their transport. You speak English, you lead them to the site.">

The officer who had started conversation, a shorter fellow with dark hair and icy blue eyes, addressed the visitors.

"Gentlemen." He spoke with a thick accent, but with very proper enunciation. "I am Officer Kleinstrasse. My colleague informs me you may know something about this tragedy. We can escort you to the site for you to make examinations, but only if you promise to share your findings. The... things that appeared only a day after the accident have been terrorizing the outskirts of town. If you will follow me, bitte."

The third policeman has not spoken, but he has been studying the two British men of lore with some interest, perhaps even some recognition...?

Once at the site, it is clear to Brunel why the thing must have crashed. Even if the pilot was good, the aircraft was small, and intended for the thinner air of the Alps. Laden with the Philospher's Engine, and the band of rogues who stole it (which included King shark, who was by no account a light load), plus the high yield of its engine, would make it too responsive to the pilot's commands... the singlest jerk and it would be tumbling about. There is a plethora of scorch marks and broken trees in a trail behind the crash site, but the humid weather and perhaps even some effort by the felons had stopped any forest fire that might have started.

Kleinstrasse and his silent partner stood aside, letting the Englishmen investigate.

OOC: You can make any combination of rolls to study the wreckage; give me a goal and a rationale for each roll; information will come depending on the checks, the results, and the actions described IC.

[Spectrum]

Kristen Grimm

Kristen winced as she was sharply reprimanded by the officers. Her eyes narrowing for a moment before she nods once, simply accepting that she hasn't quite grown into her lineage.. yet.

Once upon the site, she leaps quite literally to the top of a nearby tree, trying to get a better sense of the entire layout. Perhaps she missed something when she investigated before, something that might redeem herself- in her own eyes if no one else's.

Assuming that I have the final character sheet (still waiting for approval)

Probably not enough for a roll yet, but just in case investigation 1d20+7=11

[roguescribner]

Blackstone
HP: 0
Condition: Fine

"I'll leave the wreckage to you, sir," Blackstone announced to Brunel. "We must play to our strengths. I shall check the perimeter for items of interest. If you discover something of note, please find me." The illusionist claspsed his hands behind his back as he stepped away, embarking on a circular path around the crash site.

perception (1d20+7=13)
Reroll: perception (hp reroll) (1d20+7=10)
+10 = 20

Blackstone will focus his attention on what surrounds the crash site. Any nearby homes, businesses, work sites, evidence of people that may have been around, etc. Also any tracks that may be around that would indicate the cargo being moved. If we get a power point distribution anytime soon I'm definitely putting points to investigation!

[Lord Fell]

Madame le Chat

Selina crosses to the man, her heals clicking most menacingly on the floor. She grabs a handful of his face, and slowly moves his head back and forth as she stares icily into his eyes. "Alright." She lets him go.

"I can see you are doing your best to cooperate. Your ordeal is almost over. I'll need McClintock's address, and also the location of this Winged Dog." As the man scribbles frantically on a scrap of paper, she speaks again. "Our visit must remain secret, or our work may be undone. Rejoice, Penitent, as this protects you from conventional Justice. When we go, I want you to get down on your knees and pray for your Salvation. Put your trust in the Holy Spirit, and beg for your tattered, dirty Soul... then pretend we were never here."

Selina accepts the scrap from the man and pats his cheek. "Dominus Vobiscum."

She struts back to the door, which she allows 'Brother Jacobus' to open for her. As soon as she's through it, she mutters to her companion; "let's get the hell out of here!"

Speaking of "Brother Jacobus" I apologize for stealing that scene... didn't leave a lot for you to do... but I was in the grip of divine inspiration.

[Macguffin]

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Brunel nods to Blackstone and begins using the Steel Man to pace the crash site, since it is not only faster for him, but gives him a higher vantage point. The path of destruction was easy to follow, but of course it was what happened after that was the real key. King Shark was undoubtedly strong enough to carry the Philosopher's Engine, but his appearance would certainly have made travelling on the road a risky proposition unless they were picked up by another cohort. Even if they had not they would have spent time here managing the fire, and therefore may have left some evidence of their passing.
It also seemed possible, even likely, that someone had been hurt in the crash. If they survived then some evidence of medical aid should be around. If not... some other evidence perhaps.
Brunel uses the huge, shovel like hands of his creation to disturb and sift through the ground to see what he can find.

If he encounters any tech, just presume Brunel uses Skill Mastery to take 10 and gets a 25.
Clues he encounters Perception- 1d20+6=11
Meh. Old man doesn't have the best eyes anymore.
Evidence of medical help Treatment- 1d20+11=29
Knows his bandages though.

[sweetja713]

Chemist
HP 1

With one last withering glare at the man, Trevor follows Selina out the door. "Let's get somewhere we can change back real quick and pick up Miss Gordon," he whispers, thoroughly pleased with the information they've gotten but a little aghast at what they had to do to get it. When they are aware from prying eyes, Trevor shifts back to his last guise, little by little just in case someone should come upon him. He knows little changes are often unnoticed, it's shifting all at once that causes problems.

Not a problem with scene stealing, it truly was inspired.

[Shock]

The Messenger
HP: 1 LP: 0

Barbara laughed quietly as the girl ran off. She'd dreamt of just this sort of adventure when she was a girl so she couldn't judge Stephanie too harshly. She turned just in time to see Selina and Trevor leaving the shack in near haste. Rising, she waved them into the alley.

"What? What did you do in there?"

[sweetja713]

Chemist
HP 1

"Something that I pray for the sake of my soul I never have to do again. I fear we did what we had to." says Trevor as he makes the final adjustments to his appearance. "Now come, we must be off."

[Lord Fell]

Madame le Chat

"Oh, pish-tosh. That was God's Work we did -another sinner back in the fold." Selina seems amused. "As promised, here's your crucifix back. I'd say, if I should go on to become Sainted, you could consider it a Holy Relic... bet a couple of pence on that, and you'll be able to feed all the orphans in Calcutta until the year 2000." Selina removes the crucifix from her neck, and passes it over. She spends a few minutes adjusting her garments, smoothing away the illusion of an avenging leather-clad nun.

"We didn't get McClintock, but we did learn where he might be, and confirmed a theory I had." Selina produces the scrap of paper and passes that over to Barbara.

"As I mentioned, I've a passing acquaintance with Blake, he made a couple of different references to someone named Mureau, and also to acquiring game worth hunting. I think I mentioned that Blake fancies himself a great white hunter. I placed the name Mureau, and fit that with Blake's worthy game... Dr. Mureau is an outcast scientist; he blends beasts with people, creating abominations in his lab. These creatures are what Blake has been bringing in. Clearly, this is something Lord Gotham will need to know about, and we ought to put a stop to it... but I don't quite see that this has anything to do with our Philosopher's Engine."