Trinity Universe: The game's afoot!

[Heritage]

OOC: OK just to make perfectlu sure Jiro has one radio, bethathany the second and calvin the third right?

OOC - Okay, now I'm sorry I ever brought this up. :blush  

There are three radios: Calvin has one, Jiro has one, and Borris has one. Bethany has no radio. As in the opposite of one.

IC- Berastro's face is jovial, but his eyes are cold.

Thank you, kind sir, for your assistance! Now, if you would be so kind as to enter this cabinet?

He gestures towards the tall cabinet with many holes.

Ladies, be so good as to help this brave soul into the Cabinet of Death.

Bernard succeeds in slipping backstage.

At that very moment, Calvin's Ether Goggles snap to life, allowing him to see clearly in the dark dressing room. He detects no hidden booby traps, and there is no one else in the room. What is he looking for specifically?

[harlequin]

From her position close to the cabinet Jiro can see *2 suc. on percep. + aware roll) that Borris would have to be much more flexible than his size would allow to avoid the blades.

Jiro takes up a postition to the left and behind Beastro close to him, preparing to protect her friend. Making sure that her voice will not carry off stage but that he can hear her she whispers in Myra's vioce:

If you try it, I'll scream, then make sure his friends know it was you that popped their monkey.

*2 successes on a performance roll (not bad considering i only have two dice to roll) don't know if i needed to roll or not*

[Joseph]

Calvin is looking primarily for anything that could be construed as the weapon that was used on Enkidu. Anything particularly gadgety and interesting will also catch his eye, possibly distracting him.

He will close the door behind him, checking for a window or other exit just in case.

[painheart]

Borris no longer has to wonder about Beastro because now he know that he is an arogant fool trying such a blatent attempt againt his life. There for this moron couldn't posably be the brains behind the plot againt Enkidu.  A terrable thought crosses his mind Beastro is a red herring, a minion for a master of evil.  One thing is for sure getting in to that box is a bad idea.  (in a loud booming voice) Son, ya'll may very well be a master of mystery, but ya ain't not master of geometry.  I'm too well feed to fit in there. Borris pats his belly.  (I rolled Borris Joke @ Beastro's expence: 1,5,10,) GM: Is the audiance lauphing at him?

Bernard moves into position off stage with and unhindered path to Beastro. (Bernard Stealth: 5,10,10,1,)

[Heritage]

OOC- A busy weekend kept me away, but I have returned!

The audience has a good laugh at Berastro's expense, while the magician's face locks into a forced grin. Flicking his eyes between Jiro/Myra and Borris, he attempts a playful shrug.

One can't be master of everything! I suppose I'll have to do the job myself.

He steps into the cabinet and closes the door from the inside. More laughter from the crowd.

OOC - Calvin, give me an Investigation roll.

[Joseph]

OCC: 2 sux. Chill's dice roller in the chat works well.  

[painheart]

I Want to roll to see is Borris can figure out the trick behind the aparatus.  (Borris masterson Investigation: 6,10,3,9,5,2,9,2,10,)

[Heritage]

OOC- Wow, nice roll, Borris! Impressive Investigation pool, too.

Borris quickly examines the cabinet, and determines that Berastro has just dropped down a trap door beneath the stage. There are two releases for the trap, one outside the cabinet, and one inside.

Back in the darkened dressing room, Calvin finds mostly spare costumes and magic props, like packages of flash powder, a cup and balls set, and several different decks of cards. He also finds a thick notebook stuck underneath the makeup table with spirit gum; it contains pages of writing, as well as hand-drawn maps and diagrams.

[Joseph]

Calvin pockets some flash powder packages, grabs the notebook, and quietly heads out the door, making sure few, if any, people see him. He walks with the notebook casually in hand (provided it doesn't have Big B's name all over it), pretending to use it for notes as he again strolls the halls, "analyzing" the theater for improvements. Slowly, meanderingly, he heads towards the VIP room.

While gancing down at his "notes," he's trying memorize bits of it, just in case.

[painheart]

::smiley5 Story Teller: I want to try and counter Beastro's move.  Would I have to spend an inpiration point or would that just be just an iniative roll? If It's iniative my roll is (Borris masterson iniative: 10,+ 5=15)  If I beat him a was going to hit the box at the latch to make it jam so that he can't drop down.  But then again he may have been droping down while I was doing the investigation (ie. imediatly when he got in box) in which case I'm too late to stop him anyway.

[harlequin]

upon hearing the latches click and hearing beastro land below stage jiro opens the cabinet and demonstares to the audience that beastru is no longer there. using charisma plus performance she makes a small show of stepping in after him, closing the door and then drops through after him. (8, 10 on the roll)  

once jiro is down, she uses her heightened senses to figure out where beastro is and whether or not he's runningor staying put. (10, 3, 6, 8, 9, 6 on percep. + aware)

my dice aren't cursed anymore!

[Heritage]

OOC - Based upon my knowledge of stage magic (a favorite subject of mine), trap doors of this sort operate very quickly and quietly, more like a small counter-weighted elevator than the sort of thing we see on a gallows. Almost as soon as the door was closed, he'd be gone, and your examination, while quick, would give him more than enough time to be under the stage, off the trap, and have it slide back up into position, allowing Jiro (and anyone else, for that matter) to do the same.

This is one of those dastardly villain escapes, a temporary thwarting of the heroes plans. You may still be able to get him under the stage, though, so don't fret; I just couldn't resist having someone disappear in the cabinet.

IC - Bethany/Gladys opens the cabinet to reveal that Jiro/Myra has disappeared as well. She gapes at the empty cabinet and makes a scandalized expression.

Oh my gawd, Myra went after Berastro! What'll I tell her fiance?

The crowd roars, thinking the show has taken on a burlesque tone.

Below the stage, Jiro finds herself in pitch darkness; her nose can detect the smell of a hastily-extinguished kerosine lamp, sawdust, machine oil, musty fabric, and the strong reek of coal.

There is a muffled roaring, almost like a waterfall but not quite, receding and growing fainter to the left. A steady draft of cool air comes from that direction as well, and the scamper of shoes on uneven footing.

Joseph flips quickly through the notebook (which does not say 'Berastro' in huge neon letters), and sees several drawings of what look like plants or herbs, as well as arcane symbols of some sort. The text is not English or any other easily recognized alphabet - it's probably some sort of artificial language or code. The maps are crude, but seem to depict a river valley, its inky banks dotted with stick figure trees.

[painheart]

Borris slaps his thigh and a second latter Bernard apears.  Borris directs him into the box, closing the door Borris hits the latch.  (into the wrist radio) Jiro I'm sending bernard down to back you up...  Calvin, Beastro is most likely headed your way, so move yer ass.

Bernard lets out a low warning grown and then scan the darkness for his quary.   (Bernard Track : 7,8,4,10, )

[painheart]

Borris grabs Bethaney's hads and and prods her to a nice low stage bow hoping that the stage hands take the hint that the show is over for tonight and close the curtain.  He also looks at the aeon members in the front row, rasiing his eyebrow slightly and noding his head to the side so that they will come back stage.

[Joseph]

Upon hearing the radio, Calvin puts some sped into his walk. He tolds the book tightly in his hands, hoping that Jiro may be able to help fgure out some of the symbols and text.

[Creator]

Rocco stands up from the front row and heads to the ticket booth in the front of the theatre.  Rocco looks for the theatre manager untill he finds him.

Mr. Manager, I feel that tonights show being ruined is in someway our fault.  So I'd like to make it up to the theatre patrons by refunding their tickets.

Rocco pulls out a rather thick billfold and begins counting his money to himself.  After a few seconds...

Here you are sir, this should be enough.  Please make sure everyone gets their money returned.

Rocco hands the man $5000 and then heads backstage.

ooc I have resources 6 but I'll spend some inspiration if you think it's too much to be carrying $5000 on myself.

[harlequin]

Jiro heads off it the direction of the footsteps quickly and attempting to be quiet. (Dex 4 quick and stealth two [1, 6, 2, 1, 6, 8]) When she hears the radio, she quickly muffles it then responds back in an annoyed and hushed tone.

I can take care of myself.

OOC: How much affect does Jiro's heightened senses have on her ability to see where she's going? I'm thinking on not running into things or Beastro for that matter.

[painheart]

Borris imediatly looks around at the crew. Is there second act slated for tonight? I don't think he's coming back.  If so ya'll better give these good folks a show.  

(wispers to Bethany) We better move to cut off his escape.  Borris move off the the back door to cut off Beastro.

[Heritage]

The theater manager's eyes bug out of his head at the size of Rocco's massive wad (OOC - sounds pornographic, don' it? ). He splutters for a few seconds, and then makes an announcement over the PA system.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Majestic Theater regrets to inform you that we are experiencing ...technical difficulties, and the rest of tonight's show must, regretably be cancelled. However, we shall be refunding you the price of your ticket, as well as providing rain checks for futures shows. Please come to the box office for your refunds.

The manager then turns back to Rocco.

I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help, Mr. Shabowski - some nights just seem cursed from the start. I've seen all of your movies!

In the darkness beneath the stage, Jiro and Bernard's eyes soon adjust - enough light slips through the cracks in the stage to provide a dim gloom. Both can make out a low stone passage to the left, and the smell of Berastro's greasy stage makeup and hair tonic are wafting on the cool air from that direction. The strange roar has almost completely subsided.

Bethany/Gladys and Borris both head backstage, bumping into Calvin as he scans Berastro's notebook. Bethany pulls off her eloborate headress and heads for the corner where her and Jiro stashed their clothes.

I'll be back in a minute - need to take off my disguise and fetch my revolver from my purse.

[Creator]

Revolver? Don't tell me your planning on shooting someone.  Maybe we should leave this up to the police.  Or if you insist on handling this ourselves I'd rather we didn't use guns so we don't accidently kill him.

[harlequin]

Jiro heads off quickly in the direction of the passage, as she goes her "costume" (particularly the head dress and shoes) slowly shrink to a level where she can move quickly and easily. She continues to keep up the facade of Myra as she runs.

[painheart]

Question for the GM: How many Exista are ther that need to be blocked?

[Heritage]

Question for the GM: How many Exits are there that need to be blocked?

OOC- An excellent question, my dear Painheart - a long time ago, I copied page after page of theater floorplans out of a book, and I wish I had a set in front of me now. I have worked in and around theaters for many years, but few of the vintage that our characters are in now. I'm assuming the fictitious Majestic is similar to the old style ones that are still in the Loop (downtown Chicago, for the uninitiated), and would therefore be part of a block of buildings.

So lets say other than the front entrance, there is an alley that runs along the side of the building, with a loading dock and stage door towards the back and maybe two fire doors off the main seating area spaced equally as you move towards the front sidewalk and the street. So four exits into the alley, and then three sets of double doors at the back of the house that lead into the entrance foyer, where the stairs to the balcony can be reached.

Jiro, give me an Intelligence + Awareness roll - I'm not using Perception for the pool, because this involves knowledge of architecture.

IC - Bethany comes hopping out from behind some scenery, pulling on her shoe. Her Gladys 'disguise' dropped, she's once again in her chic black evening dress, brandishing a small .32 revolver.

Now look here, I don't know who you are, but I think this two-bit magician nearly killed a good friend of mine, and if you you think for one moment-

Her eyes go wide when she realizes who she's berating.

Oh my goodness! Why, you're Rocco Shabowski!

She shakes her head to get some stardust out of her eyes, then continues.

Well, I don't care how incredibly handsome and famous you are, or if you do have.... truly amazing eyes; I just think... oh, who am I fooling? I'll put it away - for now.

Meanwhile Johnny Atomo, having been completely forgotten by the scatterbrained ST, suddenly leaps backstage and flips his dashing forelock out of his eyes.

Sorry it took me so long to get back here - a little old lady knocked me down on her way to the box office! Any sign of Berastro?

[painheart]

Bernar tries to pick up beastro's sent. Bernard Track : 8,10,4,1,

Rocco, go watch the front Beastro's veiw was blured by the stage lights so he probaly doesn't know that your'e with us. Johnny run and get the car in case he makes it past us and we'll need that car or your's to fallow him.  Bethany I'll need you and your gun in the alley with me there's too many doors for us to watch them all at once.  

Dang only one radio!  Johnny when you hear Bethany shooting grab Rocco from the front to back us up in the alley.  If he  tries to get out the front honk that goofy horn of your and we'll come a runnin'

when he makes it to the alley Borris looks up to see if it's posable for beastro to jump from roof to roof.

GM: is the space between the roofs close enouph, and has Bernard picked up the trail?

[Joseph]

OOC: Sorry about the lack of replies over the weekend. I reinstalled the OS on my comp twice.

Calvin tries to take a quick stock of what's going on after being bumped into.

I might have a way to knock him down without causing too much distress. He pulls out a small gun from inside his jacket. It is copper-colored with only a few switches. Cal flips a few switches. There we go. That shouldn't cause any permanant damage.

He quickly glances at the bottom of the pistol, reading a serial number off. Right, this one should operate normally.

What do you need me to do?

[harlequin]

OOC: Jiro's dice pool is the same for perception and intelligence, but the new roll is: 3, 5, 6, 10...   an old lady knocked Johnny down...

[Heritage]

OOC - Jiro is pretty sure that the narrow stone passage she and Bernard are following Berastro down is going both lower and out of the Majestic Theater itself; in other words, 'Berastro has left the building.' But they are hot on his trail; the scent is very strong, especially since he's sweating a great deal, and they can hear him running and panting just a little ways ahead.

In answer to your questions Painheart, yes it's possible a strong man might be able to leap between the buildings (though this is possibly irrelevant - see passage above), and yes, Bernard definitely has his scent.

IC - Bethany looks down at the odd device in Calvin's hand.

Is that some sort of knockout gun?

[Joseph]

Of a sort. It creates a magnetized globe of electricity that can be calibrated to a number of settings allowing me to project the energy in the direction the device is facing.

He notices the blank stare he got from that.

As a friend of mine once said, it shoots lightning. Though I can tone it to not inflict serious damage.

[harlequin]

Once Jiro actually hears Beastro, she slows itdown to remain quiet while trying maintain enough speed to catch him. She doesn't want to attract any attention and find out too late that he had a gun and knew he was being followed. Also, how far away does he sound?

(Dex. + Stealth roll: 2, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10)   ::wow remind me to always use these dice from now on...

OOC: ::gasp:: not the lightning gun!!! run for your lives!!!  ::crazy

[painheart]

Since Beastro in such an obvious target, Bernard accelerated to full pursute speed.  even if Beastro in inspired he'd have to be a stalwart to out run a hunting dog.

[harlequin]

Once Bernard takes off, Jiro follows at full speed. She lets out an angry hiss and mumbles to herself about babysitting other people's animals. Jiro also takes her natural form while doing this, as that it'll make her a smaller target and give her more of a fright advantage.

(I assume this would cause her to loss a lot of speed until she completed the change, go figure trying to convert from two to six legs while sprinting can't be easy ::eh ... heritage, if you want me to roll anything for that let me know.)

[Creator]

Rocco goes outside to keep an eye out for Beastro.  And is also doing his best NOT to attract a crowd around him.

[painheart]

GM: Be sure to let us know when enouph time has passed before we realise that something in amiss.  I'm sure that only a minute has passed since the chase started.  

[Heritage]

OOC - Sorry again for the long disappearance; expect me to be unavailable during weekends, due to IRL gaming business and competition from the frothing Dark Age of Camelot players I live with.

I would say right about now people in the main part of the theater will realize that A) Berastro has yet to make an appearnace, and there's been no further word from the one person to go down the trap after Berastro, and in a minute, Bethany will say as much.

Jiro - Well, what can I say? The truth is out, but the only witnesses will be a dog and a bad guy. I've downloaded stuff from your webpage, so I have a vague idea what Jiro's true form is, but when you catch up to Bernard and Berastro, some desciption would be appreciated. As far as the loss of speed goes, I think it would be negligable, maybe costing you a couple of seconds.

IC - Bernard, hot on Berastro's trail, takes a sharp turn and finds himself in a low narrow tunnel, about three feet wide by six feet tall. The walls appear to be smooth concrete. Narrow gauge metal tracks run along the floor, and there is a sort of groove that runs along the top of the tunnel. It is almost pitch black, but very small points of light can be seen at regular intervals in both directions as far as the eye can see.

There is a fairly strong cold draft blowing down the tunnel carrying smells of coal and machine oil, and in the distance the strange roar can be heard, seemingly coming from both directions.

Bernard can now see Berastro plainly - he is staggering down the tunnel, his hair and tux in disarray, shooting panicked glances over his shoulder. In a matter of seconds, the great hound will be upon him, and he knows it.

Jiro will hit this strange new tunnel right as Bernard hits the fleeing magician.

Back up in the theater, Bethany paces and shakes her head with worry, her pistol still clutched in both hands but pointed down at the floor.

Something's wrong - he should have been here by now, and there's no word from Jiro.

Johnny cracks his knuckles and nods in mute agreement.

[painheart]

OOC: unless Jiro Smells different Bernard won't be that thrown off.

Bernard sets his sights on the back of the man's knee.  He's going to be going for a hamstring, which would ruin his leg for walking and posably perminatly disabling.

[harlequin]

Jiro is too caught up in the hunt to remember the radio. (Although it might be fun to have it fall off during the tranformation and hit the mike button, let the character upstairs hear the carnag... i mean the catching of the bad guy... ::lookaround That's up to you Heritage.)

As Jiro swings into the tunnel she catches sight of Bernard about to take down their quarry. She lets out a sigh of disappoint and slows her pace to a jog. She fishes around in her pockets looking her lighter.

OOC: Jiro doesn't smell radically different, a little more animalistic, maybe with slight bits of predator, but the human smell sticks around as well (perfume is hard to wash off. ::sigh )

[Heritage]

OOC - Does Jiro have pockets at this point? I like the radio idea, too, so we'll do that.  ::thumbs-up

[painheart]

A Shocked Borris hears the wrist radio as the sound of growls and fighting come trhough.  Bethany! let out a shot from your pistol to get Rocco and johnny back here.

Bernard attack: 2,8,5,1,5,8 and the Damage with Piledriver Knack Bernard Piledriver damage: 9,10,6,5,6,4,6,9,9,  

OOC: Introducing Beastro the crippled magician. ::smiley1

[Heritage]

Berastro's screams in agony as Bernard sinks his teeth into his right leg; he falls face first onto the tracks. His face twisted with pain and rage, he hurls a small ball of flame from his hand at Bernard.

Flame Conjuration attack: 3,3,6,9,10,10,10

Damage (lethal): 4,4,7,9

Jiro can now enter the fray.

After firing a signal shot into a nearby sandbag, Bethany runs back out onto the stage; by this point the audience has all left, and there are several women cleaning up any messes under the seats, while several stage hands are gingerly clearing away Berastro's props. Two men are about to move the Cabinet of Death from its position over the trap.

Don't you dare touch that!

She jumps inside, slams the door, and drops down under the stage.

Johnny smacks his fist into his palm, a broad grin crossing his face.

Just show me who to knock into the next county!

[Heritage]

Bloop!  ::cheesy