Halloween Havoc (IC)

[Andara Bledin]

At the Meeting

My eyes are wide as I hear the different pedigrees surrounding me. I mean, I knew, intellectually, that all of these other monsters, these people were out there, but to actually be in the same room with all of them is, well, more than a bit intimidating.

I listen as the teams are set up, my eyes managing to go even wider as I learn of my own. These are names out of legend, even for those of us who are legends. I mean, Tut is one thing, but Enestia? The Enestia?!? I give a nervous smile back to her nod, feeling as though my stomach is full of moths.

*** Later ***

Egypt

I had never been to Egypt, but I knew enough about it to write a masters thesis. And now, here I was, stepping onto the soil where my ancestors came from. I had plans to visit eventually, I was just saving the money to make the trip.

Not only that, but I was keeping company with two of the most famous of to come from this land. I mean, sure, I was a mummy, like Tut, but nobody knew the names of either of my parents except perhaps the others of our collective society. And as far as I knew, there was only one Sphinx.

"Ok, so, now that we're here and situated, I guess it's off to the Giza Plateau, then?"



(sorry for being so late... forgot that the thread would move >_< )

^-.-^

[Pixilated]

((Doing each individually, so will be a ton of updates))

Cain looks at Livia. "I am afraid we have the most difficult task. We are going after a Nazi Medal that was given out for the greatest heroism. Malbozias general Bacus will be most interested in getting his hands on it. He uses Pit Fiends..some of the nastiest of demons. It is in a museum in Berlin. We will leave as soon as you are ready."

Vlaad chuckles. "Most dangerous my wing. They are brutes, no finesse at all." You know he means the demons. *snip*

Livia, Astir and Cain do some preliminary handshaking and introductions, but any lengthy chats will have to wait until they've arrived at their destination. Berlin! thinks Livia. A city she has always wanted to visit but, for some reason, never before managed to actually get to.

And of course, now that I'm going there, I can forget sightseeing, or even historical or linguistic research ... I'm going to be dodging demons -- Dämonen -- and trying to locate a Nazi medal.

Once they've settled into their hotel -- a pleasant place with the improbable name of The Circus Hotel -- they gather in her room to discuss ways and means. Nobody has unpacked much; they are expecting to have to move again -- fast.

Livia's also pleased to be working with a second werewolf. This means she has a good idea of the powers and capabilities of at least one of her two partners.

"We might as well continue our introductions until 'somebody' shows up with our orders," says Livia. "Cain, you have traditional werewolf skills ... any other powers you'd care to confess to? And how about you, Astir?"


Edited because sometimes I don't read very well ...

[Mytical]

Sunny
She finds the ghosts hand is as solid as hers, but has a distinct feeling that the ghost can change that at will. "Unless you are adopted my dear, at least one already knows. As this passes through the bloodlines. Your birth parents would know about the organization." As the other member ((the sasquatch)) took the ghosts hand..the whole world turned white and the trio pass through a odd fog..and once through stand not far outside their destination.

Nanti cautions Sunny. "Remember, we are not here to draw attention, if you and Nomain will cause a minor" she puts emphasis on the word minor, "distraction I will simply slip in, and slip out with none the wiser."

Outside Rome

The fight is easy, too easy..the spiders seem to pose no real threat to the group. They can not even pierce the hide of Krisss when in monster form, and any minor damage they do to Reggie or Lema regenerate almost immediately. At least...until a dark skinned woman steps out. She has pale white hair, slightly pointed ears, and is dressed somewhat..provocatively. Before Reggie or the other two can blink she has out a mirror, and Krisss suddenly is made of stone. Chuckling, she draws a scythe made of fire. "Come my little flies, my web is nice and cozy." She seems very adept at using that weapon, swinging it effortlessly in slow circling arcs.

[Kanalah]

Sunny cautiously reached for the ghost's hand, wondering if it was even possible to hold a ghost's hand.

"I don't think my parents know about me...I never told them, I've just been hiding it. But I want to help if I can."

[Mytical]

They smile. "Money is not much of an object. Some of us have been around a long time and have saved up quite a bit over the years. Dracule's wealth alone could buy several airlines and have enough left over for a fleet of ships. As for your parents, the Organization will handle them." The ghost holds out their hand. "It will be a trip of a lifetime..if you are in."

[Kanalah]

"Egypt?" Sunny said aloud. "Don't know how to explain that to the 'rents." She glanced over at the Sasquatch and the ghost. "Do we have frequent flier miles or something?"

[Ironclad Alibi]

Outside of Rome

There is a small army of spiders demons. Not much of a threat to a zombie (their poison and such would not affect him, and none of them are big enough to bite his head off)...so why they are so brazen to be out in the open and visible is something to wonder about.

As the trio approached the spider demons, they transformed into their monster forms. They noticed the spider demons are coming from an opening on the far side of the ruins. Keeping an eye open for Lloth, they split up to surround and attack the spider demons.

Lema circled to the right, biting at the spider demons and releasing her poisonous breath onto them from each of her heads. She kept a couple of heads high on the lookout for Lloth.

Kriss circled to the left, casting her gaze upon the spider demons and turning them to stone. As her tail swung back and forth, stoned and unstoned spider demons alike were knocked back into those waiting to attack.

Reggie headed up the middle. He grabbed a couple of spider demons, bit them to infect them, and tossed them to the rear of the mass. After a moment or two, those infected started attacking the other spider demons. Reggie then snatched up and bit spider demons in the head, sucking out part of its brain, not that there was much to suck on. Reggie hated doing this because the taste was very bitter. Afterwards he would toss it back into the waiting mass, sowing disorder in the back ranks. He began tossing them back without biting them to let the bitter taste subside. One of the live ones he tossed passed across Krisss’ gaze. As it passed, it turned to stone and smashed into those further back. This seemed like a good ploy, so he starting tossed several in that direction. While doing this he kept an eye on the infected spider demons, and when they were killed would infect another and throw it into the mass.

The battle seemed endless, although it had only started a few minutes ago. During it all, Lema, Krisss and Reggie all wondered when and how Lloth would strike.

[Mytical]

China

Rick had enough time to see a flaming sword coming from behind him when he is pushed out of the way. The flaming sword sinks into Hilda's flesh, who just grins. "We change foes yes? Yours can not hurt me, mine can not hurt you? Good Ja?" Her point is proven when the wound..which would not have been able to heal on Rick due to being fire based heals right up on her. She catches one of his foes in a bear hug, and Rick can hear bones cracking and snapping. The Balor bellows in pain.

However, one of the ones that are targeting Hilda now has a very good and clear shot at her.

[Jay 2K Winger]

China

Rick sized up the balor, which brandish their enchanted weapons and roar at him. The troll thumped his fist off his massive chest and bellowed a challenge, and leapt at them. He ducked under a red flame whip lash, his shoulder colliding with the first balor's knee, buckling it. The balor may have been bigger than any of the troll-kin, but Rick knew that he and his fellow troll-kin were faster, and he used that to his advantage. As Balor #1 dropped its whip as it fell to one knee, Rick rose and swung a fist straight into the side of its head into its ear. Rick knew that if the balor had been human, that blow certainly would have ruptured an eardrum, if not outright killed them. It certainly disoriented Balor #1.

This had all happened in just a few moments, and Balor #2 snapped its red flame whip at him. Rick bellowed with fury as it stung his forehead, and he used the kneeling Balor #1's shoulders to launch himself at #2's face, driving it back against one of the big stone pillars, his fists pummeling its head.

[Mytical]

CHINA

Jay has transformed into a slightly smaller version of Rick, but a bit 'thicker'. Hilda has a blue tinge in her skin, but otherwise is a slightly smaller (and less thick) version of Rick. As Rick bust down the door he notices six creatures that tower over even him.

Each stands almost 15' foot tall, and is almost as thick muscle wise as Jay is. Their wings would have given them a better advantage outside, but in the low ceiling offers no advantage. They pair up, two to each of the group, and charge forward without much consideration of self preservation. Rick notices straight off, that two of these creatures have whips with a blue looking flame, and swords covered with a frosty sheen and are heading toward Hilda. The other four have a red flame whip, and a sword that is burning. Apparently not only are they ready for visitors..it is like they KNEW who was coming!

The room is circular in nature, with columns every 10'. The floor is some sort of clay/stone mix, and the ceiling is thatch. Because of the columns and size of the room, the larger Balor are actually at somewhat of a disadvantage..having trouble moving about...they might not have thought this trap out the best.

Vatican City

Mina hisses "It's a trap! Stealth is out of the window. My husband, let us show them why we have the reputation we do!" She transforms into her 'Vampire' form, all pretense out the window. Somehow she seems bigger then she was.

Dracule nods "Arisa, the target remains the same..we will cover you..get that to safety!" He transforms also, and also seems much larger then life. His movements are almost impossible to track as he charges into the people..who are transforming into the demons they actually are. He and Mina look like they have things handled..except a couple of demons heading straight for the cross.

Outside of Rome

Kriss nods. "As good a place to check as any. It does make sense, especially if it is someplace that is considered unsafe. Hide it in plain sight."

It takes awhile before the contacts are able to lead the trio to where most likely the spear is to be found. It was indeed an old ruins. What worries Lema most is the spider demons don't seem to be hiding when they arrive. Lema and Krisss transform. "Looks like we are expected. No matter, they do not seem to have any fire. Just make sure not to meet Krisss' eyes. It does not matter if living or dead, turning to stone is not a good thing. Now where is that Lloth..the true danger here?"

There is a small army of spiders demons. Not much of a threat to a zombie (their poison and such would not affect him, and none of them are big enough to bite his head off)...so why they are so brazen to be out in the open and visible is something to wonder about.

[jedimaster91]

Vatican City

When Dracula suddenly and literally swept Arisa off her feet, she gave a startled yelp. A yelp that was not, she insisted to herself, a scream. Nor would she admit to how hard she was clutching her elder's shirt before her feet met with solid ground again. She was only half listening to Dracula's explanation of their mission since she needed most of her concentration to keep from throwing up. "Charm and grace. Right," she muttered. "Excuse me just a moment." Arisa stumbled away a few steps to a bench where she sat down and waited for the world to stop spinning. Charm and grace were not attributes she readily possessed. Arisa had once verbally dressed down a physician with as much charm and grace as a sledgehammer. In all fairness, the guy had deserved it, but it had nearly cost her her job. These stakes were much higher.

Finally she rose with as much dignity as she could muster, confident her dinner was going to stay where it belonged. "Next time, could you warn me before you do that?"

Dracula's lip curled in the first sign of exasperation. "I'm hoping next time you'll be able to fly on your own."

"Fine by me," Arisa said, though she inwardly groaned. She stepped closer and dropped her voice low to keep from being overheard. "Let me make sure I've got the plan here. The cross is in a glass case at the back of the room. Get it and get out without attracting attention preferably before Orcus gets here. And if anything goes wrong, find the Pope and tell him Peto sanctuarium in nomine Vlad Tepes."

"Yes."

"What does it mean? The only Latin I know is medical terms."

"You're claiming sanctuary." He lead her to a deserted back alley. "And since we have a little time, let me teach you a few things."



After a couple hours, Arisa almost had the hang of shifting into a bat. And she actually remembered more of her judo lessons than she initially thought. With Mina's help, Arisa could attack and dodge much faster than before. Still nowhere near Mina's speed, but as Dracula had said earlier, it was a start. He finally signaled an end to their training session and motioned for Arisa and Mina to follow.

When they reached the venue for the party and Arisa saw their target, her eyes went wide. The cross was easily six feet tall, ornate, and heavy-looking. "That thing's bigger than I am," she hissed.

"We've got other problems," Mina said. "Look around. Notice anything strange?"

You mean besides three vampires wandering around the Vatican? Arisa glanced around and noted the crowd. Or rather, the lack thereof. "Well, for a Halloween party, there don't seem to be many people here."

Dracula frowned. "You're right. We'll need to work fast. Be on your guard."

"So, what's the plan for getting this thing out of the case?" Arisa asked.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Lema, Krisss and Reggie stepped into a side room to discuss their upcoming trip. Rather than flying directly into Rome, they decided to fly into Abruzzo Airport in Pescara just in case Malbozia has his minions watching the Rome airport to intercept any opposition. Upon arriving in Pescara, they rent a car and drive to the outskirts of Rome. Again to avoid detection, they seek lodging with Antonio Valdezio, an old friend of Reggie’s who he knew from the auto racing circuit.

Staying overnight, the three of them discussed what they knew of the spear, which they decided to call Nero’s sword to confuse anyone who might overhear them. They discussed its nature, what it does, where it might be, is it a know location or is it hidden. If hidden, where might it be?

During the discussion Reggie says that on the flight over he had a vision of several lines of Etruscan runes. He wondered if they may be a connection to their goal? If Nero’s sword is hidden or lost, might it be in some Etruscan ruins? Or in the catacombs beneath Rome? Perhaps it was taken to Atrium where Nero was when Rome was burning. They discussed all this into the wee hours of the morning. At dawn they set forth to see what they could find.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Location: China - Monastery

Rick digests what he's been told about the balor and their general, then looks over the intel that their guide gave them. He looks at Jay and Hilda. "Like you said, let's just go in and show them why trolls are feared the world over. Once I ... hulk out, I won't be much good for strategy, anyway."

He squares his shoulders as he looks at the doors to the monastery, nods once and then takes a deep breath... and Changes.

It was as though the someone took the "size" knob and started turning it up. Rick's body simply scaled upward in terms of size, shoulders broadening, muscles swelling, as warts started sprouting all over his face and shoulders. His clothing strained against his growing body, although the stretchiness of the clothes meant that he still remained decent.

As the change finished, Rick glared with beady eyes at the door, baring jagged yellow teeth as he roared, and kicked the doors open with all the subtlety of a tank shell.

[Mytical]

Dracula does something rather..odd. He scoops Arisa up, which gives Mina the giggles, and says "We are rather in a hurry, and traveling by jet is so passe. We shall do it right." Seconds later the land below you is a blur, not quite as fast as a jet, but the speed achieved is nothing short of incredible. "Just stay in human form..for we will be facing sunlight before long. Me and Mina are old enough that the sun holds no fear for us, but you would be in danger."

As you travel in this very unconventional manner, Dracula fills you in. ((He stays in vampire form, while Mina goes in bat form)). "Tonight we play a game of shadows my dear. We will be racing the clock, and our foes will only present themselves if they absolutely have to. We must use charm and grace to slip through the crowds, without raising suspicions unless absolutely needed to the back of the room we will be going to. The item we seek will be displayed in a glass case there. We must reach it before any of Orcus' soldiers do. At all costs, even if we must reveal ourselves. Let me and Mina deal with Orcus himself..you get that item and keep it from them. IF things go wrong, reach the Pope..say "Peto sanctuarium in nomine Vlad Tepes." Remember it is just as dangerous for them to reveal their nature as it is for us to do the same."

You set down in Vatican City a bit later. "As for your powers, most come with age for us. We have time until the party, however, and we will not get in until the party..so I will show you what I can."

[Mytical]

China Jay looks around, towering over most of the people around him. "Our contact should be here soon. They will lead us to the location of the Axe. Sometimes our sources are wrong on where the objects are, especially in China..where we have a little less access."

On the way he fills Rick in on the Balor. ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balor_%...%26_Dragons%29)). "The lieutenant we are after used to be just called Balor, but it caused some confusion..and ribbing from the other demons. So he added the name Bal to the front of his name. Make no mistake about it, the Balor are fierce enemies. They will not rely on tricks or deceit, they will come at us with everything they have. Our one ace in the hole is our traveling companion Hilda here." He gives a quick nod to Hilda. "Unlike me and you, she is a different kind of Troll. Fire and Acid do not harm her in the least. She has two entirely different weaknesses, one we are hoping the demons will not be able to guess. She will be our 'distraction' so we can confront Balbalor."

Hilda smiles "I do distractions very, very good." She chuckles.

It takes awhile, but eventually your guide shows up, and escorts you to a monastery high in the mountains. "This is the current location of the Axe."

Jay seems hesitant. "Our intelligence suggested otherwise..."

Your guide nods. "The Axe is within, I have seen it with my own eyes. They are preparing it for their master..awaiting his arrival. Apparently they know we will be going for the artifacts."

Jay curses. "Should have figured. So..we walk into a trap?"

The guide nods. "They are ready for you...they will be ready for all of our groups."

Jay looks right at Rick. "Well..my main job is done. We are here..my first suggestion is just to charge in and show them why Trolls are some of the most feared creatures their are."

The guide supplies you with detailed maps, critical intel (like the fact that Balbalor only has 7 of his army left until he can claim the Axe..one of which will be coming with him..so that means there are six inside waiting), and wishes you well..then departs hastily. Most likely he himself is no 'supernatural creature'. Why Jay is now looking to Rick for strategy is a mystery.