Al's Army Apparatus (pre-dawn Tues. 4/3/07)

[Detritus]

((The scene starts while you are still at Storyville Jazz Hall with Uma and Anneke.))

"OK, let's go then," says Uma. She takes a look at Anneke, who peers back over her shades, and a reluctance enters Uma's facial expression. She lets out a sharp sigh with some exasperation in it, and says, "I suppose I should mention now that I'm not the only Brujah in the city who knows of this place."

"Yes, that is good of you to share," replies Anneke. "Are you sure you don't want me to come along? It sounds like I should."

"I'd really rather you didn't. You're gonna give off a total narc vibe if you show up there. Besides, Black Cat was the one who showed up most often there, and it sounds like these guys put her out of commission for a while," Uma says with a wave of head in your direction. "I think the five of us can handle anything that comes up there."

"Even if Bianca shows up with several of her friends? Are you sure you'll be fine in that case?" A stubborn clench to Uma's jaw appears as Anneke speaks.

"Look, we're all Brujah, or Gangrel, or Nosferatu. We can handle ourselves if things get hot. I can call up Yuri, or Antoinette, or both, if you don't think that's enough." Uma's voice increases noticeably in volume during this last statement.

"Yours are not the only clans that know how to handle themselves when things get 'hot,' as you say. I shouldn't have to remind you of that. You of all people." Uma opens her mouth to make an angry retort and steps toward Anneke when the Toreador cuts her off.

"Don't be foolish, childe," Anneke says in a low, self-assured voice laden with authorty. "We are all on the same side here. By all accounts you are an able fighter, but if you raise a hand against me in anger, I will drub you without hesitation. Do you forget whom you address? I assure you that both the Prince and the Justicar have little patience for insubordination."

Uma stops in her tracks and visibly struggles with herself for a moment after Anneke finishes speaking. Finally she steps back and even mumbles something that might be an apology. Anneke considers Uma in silence, who clenches her jaw again but manages to hold her tongue as Anneke's study of her lengthens.

"Thank you for demonstrating some measure of control," Anneke says at last. Uma's face darkens but she remains silent. Anneke pushes her shades back up and taps their bridge while she thinks.

"You may be right about my presence, I must admit. A compromise, perhaps? Shall I send the Sheriff over? At least to be in the neighborhood? She might not raise the same suspicions that I would." Uma shakes her head in agreement as she wrestles with herself to turn her seething into a dignified silence.

"I trust there are no other objections to this plan?"

[Brother Brian]

Francois speaks in a quiet, emotionless tone. "No objection. But I feel I should let you know that if I ever hear you speak to my sister Brujah like that again I will seperate your head from the rest of you."

He inhales deeply and continues.

"You intentionally antagonized her in the hopes of provoking a frenzied reaction, weakening the trust we need to have in you, and through you, the prince. Perhapse you could request additional lessions from Rebekka while we attend to business."

Turning to the others Francois says brightly? "Shall we go then, the night isn't getting any younger."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin blinks a bit at Francois' speech, and moves to be over near Francois and Uma

[Detritus]

Francois speaks in a quiet, emotionless tone. "No objection. But I feel I should let you know that if I ever hear you speak to my sister Brujah like that again I will seperate your head from the rest of you."

He inhales deeply and continues.

"You intentionally antagonized her in the hopes of provoking a frenzied reaction, weakening the trust we need to have in you, and through you, the prince. Perhapse you could request additional lessions from Rebekka while we attend to business."
"That would be the last mistake you ever make, I fear," Anneke says, her face darkening. She turns to Uma.

"Were you planning on speaking up before leaving?" Anneke asks of Uma, who makes no reply. Turning to François, she asks, "Would you have wanted Uma's disclosure to have been kept secret? Would you trust a subordinate who kept potentially vital information from you?"

She turns when Jocelin moves over to the other Brujah. "By all means, close ranks," she says in a sardonic voice. "It will save you the trouble of having to raise your voice when you explain to them how Elysium works," she says to François.

[Brother Brian]

"Is this what you wish then? To alienate clan Brujah in your hour of most desperate need? To fracture the bond of Camarilla fraternity in order to show us how sharp your teeth are? To lord your new found position and influence; at the cost of building discontent amoung your soldiers?"

Francois shakes his head. "Anneke, I question neither your motives, nor your authority. I question your means and your measures. I further request, as is my right as primogen of Clan Brujah, names so by the Prince, that any further rebukes on my clan be vetted through me; should urgency not dictate otherwise."

[Detritus]

"I shall answer your questions after you have answered mine," replies Anneke. "Would you have preferred that Uma had not spoken up about the others who know of this arms dealer you are about to visit? It is plain to me that that is what would have happened without some prodding on my part. Would you trust someone who withheld such a directly relevant piece of information from you?"

[Brother Brian]

Francois sighs.

"You really do need lessons, don't you? You recieved the answer you required before your ham fisted attempt to call Uma to the carpet and embarass her, and Clan Brujah. Which I have not objected to. You refused however, to leave the moment lone, content with your victory. You instead acted inappropriately, as I have already mentioned."

"So to be clear, yes, I appreciate knowing that there is at least some potential for conflict upon arrival with the dealer. That said, I would appreciate more knowing that the people who will lead me into battle are not actually working against me and my clan."

[Detritus]

"I will not work to undermine your clan any more than my own," replies Anneke. "I shall remind you all that the former Prince of the city now works directly under me, the constant supervision of an archon of his clan the price he must pay for his dereliction of duty in recent nights. His reward is well-earned, and he holds no hope of reclaiming his former station, even when the Justicar and her agents have all left the city.

"The Brujah clan of New Orleans stands divided, and that is none of my doing. If you wish to maintain the integrity of the chain of command in the city, Primogen, then I shall leave it to you to explain the impression that one leaves when one withholds potentially vital tactical information. We are all charged with the defense of the city, but I am the one who will ultimately have to answer for any failures. It is a position that invites... a healthy skepticism of motives and intentions from time to time, and the occasional dispensation of social niceties."

At this point Anneke's cell phone makes a chirping sound. "A new arrival to the city. I am afraid that our pleasant chat must end. We shall all do our best to undermine the foes of the Camarilla, yes?" She smiles and turns on her heel and is gone.

"That bitch," Uma says after several seconds. "I've fucking hated her since LA."

[Kalzazz]

"If we have to have someone sent along to chaperone our shopping trip its to bad she didnt pick one of the Prince's clan, they at least could check for magic items"

"And we should totally like invite Antoinette along, it will be like a big bonding experience, liberté, égalité, fraternité ou la mort right?"

[Huxley]

Leo lets the moment simmer a bit before asking, in the tone of a toad dying, "How do you know Al?"

[Detritus]

"If we have to have someone sent along to chaperone our shopping trip its to bad she didnt pick one of the Prince's clan, they at least could check for magic items"

"And we should totally like invite Antoinette along, it will be like a big bonding experience, liberté, égalité, fraternité ou la mort right?"
"Sending for Antoinette might not be a bad idea. Maybe Yuri, too, but I'd just as soon leave the Tremere out of this for now."

Leo lets the moment simmer a bit before asking, in the tone of a toad dying, "How do you know Al?"
"I need guns, I go to Al. Knew him through Black Cat first, but I've dealt with him enough on my own. It's worth a shot to ask some discreet questions about Bianca or any of her new buddies, once we're done shopping."

[Brother Brian]

Francois turns to Uma. "Is there any other information that I may need to know about this Al, others who know about him, or the Brujah schizim in this domain?"

His tone is gentele, but there is just enough edge to it that it sounds like a command rather than a request.

[Detritus]

Francois turns to Uma. "Is there any other information that I may need to know about this Al, others who know about him, or the Brujah schizim in this domain?"

His tone is gentele, but there is just enough edge to it that it sounds like a command rather than a request.
"Al used to be in the army. 256th Brigade, back when it was mechanized infantry. Headquartered in Lafayette, down I-10 a ways west. He likes his guns, and is pretty handy at mechanical repairs. I'm not sure there's anything else to him. He likes to turn a quick buck as much as the next guy, I guess."

Uma gives François kind of a curious look when she starts talking about the other Brujah in the city. ((OOC note, some of this stuff would have been dealt with in the fast-forwarded portion of the interview with Gwynnis when everyone was assembled the night before.))

"Bianca and Black Cat have come in on Samantha's side, haven't they? And Bianca looks to have called in some friends from parts beyond, some charmers named Anvil, Crusher, and Rake. I haven't seen any of them for a couple of nights now.

"As I said, I first knew Al through Black Cat, but I've had enough dealings with him on my own. We'll just have to look sharp when we pay him a visit, but it should be cool."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin texts Antoinette and Yuri about this quest and asks if theyd like to come along. And includes smiley :shoot: (cellphones can use smileys I think?)

[Detritus]

Jocelin texts Antoinette and Yuri about this quest and asks if theyd like to come along. And includes smiley :shoot: (cellphones can use smileys I think?)
You get a text back from Yuri asking where and when.

[Kalzazz]

She texts back 'in a few mins, Tulane house need to get wheels'

[Detritus]

((I'm about to move the narration ahead to when you'll be at Al's, unless there's anything else anyone wants to say while you're still at the jazz hall.))

[SD Anderson]

"When you're ready to put 'em back into your pants, we can go." Jack says.

[Kalzazz]

"Oh yeah! Is Al one of the Elect or not?"

[Detritus]

"Oh yeah! Is Al one of the Elect or not?"
Uma gives you kind of a weird look and exits the balcony immediately thereafter without speaking. She pulls out her cell phone as she's leaving and it's clears she's calling up Al and telling him she needs some weapons for her and some friends.

You'll end up meeting at Al's Army Apparatus just after midnight. Al himself is standing just inside the door to the place, and when he sees Uma and Yuri he opens the door and lets everyone in. He gives off the impression of being a soldierly type gone somewhat to seed, heavy-set with a receding hairline and graying hair.

"Haven't seen you around in a while," he says to Uma in a slightly raspy baritone. "Looks like you got some new friends, too. What'cha need?"

When you enter the establishment, it kind of looks like the inside of a pawn shop, except with guns the only merchandise, and there's definitely something that looks like a door to a back room behind the counter.

[Brother Brian]

I'd like to do an aura perception on Al.

[Detritus]

I'd like to do an aura perception on Al.
OK, you've got some Fatigue you can spend on it. For the moment, he just seems wary, maybe a bit curious, a bit expectant. He heads back to the counter and looks over his shoulder once while he walks there.

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin will head to look over weapons in case some of them call to her

[Detritus]

Jocelin will head to look over weapons in case some of them call to her
OK, the rifles and shotguns on display are on the right hand side of the room as seen walking in the door. Antoinette will go with you to look at rifles. Yuri heads over to the handguns, which are to the left of the door.

Uma walks up to the counter after Al takes his place there. "I've been out of town for a while, so that's why I've been scarce. We're looking for handguns and rifles for sure. Maybe some shotguns. Maybe some... throwable munitions, if you've got any."

"Well, it depends on what exactly you're looking for. Guns I've got, though the heavier stuff is in back. Grenades... I've got some in back, too, and can get some more if you give me a little time."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin looks the rifles over and will pick one out that seems appropriate (and preferably pretty to)

[Huxley]

Leo stands in the middle of the room, hood drawn up, hands in pockets. He tries to keep a low profile while he looks at the weapons, uncertain of what to look for or pick up.

[Detritus]

Uma will continue talking with Al about everyone's needs that she knows of. All relevant pistol types (Glocks, Eagles, Desert Eagles, etc.) have a representative floor model on a display. There are Remington shotguns and rifles, too (the rifle we'll say uses the H&K G3 stats), although there aren't really any fancy-shiny models to pick from, they're all kind of the basic straight-from-the-factory appearance. The M4 and grenades (no WP grenades in stock) are in the back.

After Yuri has a quick look at the pistols, he comes over to Jocelin and Antoinette and asks (quietly) if any of Jocelin's Warlock buddies know how to make Dragon's Breath rounds from regular ammo.

[Kalzazz]

Any scopes available?

Jocelin tells Yuri she doesnt know but can ask later

[SD Anderson]

OOC: I just picked up GURPS High Tech Weapons Table.
I may take a while going through the goodies list. ;) Admittedly i may have to find the equivalent in 3rd edition.

[Detritus]

Any scopes available?

Jocelin tells Yuri she doesnt know but can ask later
Scopes are definitely available. I'm assuming there're stats for a somewhat generic rifle scope somewhere within the GURPS diaspora, but I don't have my stuff at work so I can't be any more specific than that.

OOC: I just picked up GURPS High Tech Weapons Table.
I may take a while going through the goodies list. ;) Admittedly i may have to find the equivalent in 3rd edition.
You can always ask for whatever. The worst I can do is say no. It would be helpful to have something similar in 3e to point to when you ask for whatever it is you might ask for.

[Detritus]

Jocelin tells Yuri she doesnt know but can ask later
After this interaction Yuri will go up to the irresolute Leo and ask, "You've never fired a gun before, have you?"

[Huxley]

After this interaction Yuri will go up to the irresolute Leo and ask, "You've never fired a gun before, have you?"

Taken a bit off guard, "Uh... no. I have not"

[Detritus]

Taken a bit off guard, "Uh... no. I have not"
"Yeah, I had a feeling," he says. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a pistol, and does something with it that makes the cartridge of ammo fall out of it, which he catches with his other hand. He waves Leo over to join him near where the handguns are.

"I'd like to introduce you to my good friend Herr Glock. That's German for Mr. Glock. You can ask the Prince if you don't believe me.

"There's his brother," he says, pointing at one of the display cases. "He's a cool customer under fire. Smooth. You should get to know him." He reaches out towards you with the unloaded pistol.

[Huxley]

Leo reaches out and hesitantly grabs the pistol, balling his hand around the grip. He moves it around to get used to the weight, then begins to fiddle with the moving parts -- the slide, the trigger, the magazine release -- and then asks, "What is the purpose of having two triggers?"

[Detritus]

Leo reaches out and hesitantly grabs the pistol, balling his hand around the grip. He moves it around to get used to the weight, then begins to fiddle with the moving parts -- the slide, the trigger, the magazine release -- and then asks, "What is the purpose of having two triggers?"
"That's the safety, chief," replies Yuri. "It's useful to keep the gun from going off when you aren't using it. Glocks don't go off accidentally because the second trigger automatically releases the safety."

"Or you could not be a pussy and just roll with a gun that doesn't have a safety," says Antoinette, smiling, who has come over from the other side of the shop.

"It's your ass if your gun goes off," Yuri says, also smiling. "Literally, depending on where you put it when you're not using it."

[Kalzazz]

((Glocks notably do not actually have an external safety, they use their own special type of safety (which Glock is immensely proud of and considers a key marketing point) to only fire when trigger is pulled))

http://www.glock.com/english/index_pistols.htm

[Huxley]

((Yeah, that's what I meant. Sorry, I realize now that the statement wasn't very clear. Actually, Glock has a special little safety mechanism on the trigger itself, so that it won't go off unless you pull the trigger, but it doesn't have an external safety. link (http://www.glock.com/english/index_pistols.htm) Now, I couldn't tell you the real-world awesomeness of that, nor am I certain if they don't have models with a safety external to the trigger mechanism -- I've just heard Glock enthusiasts talk about it, and have read up on Glocks a bit when I was in the market for one))

"I agree that it seems wise to... roll with it on", Leo says with a hint of humor.

He points the gun, one eye closed, towards a point on the wall and pulls the trigger.

"You said something about grenades as well?"

[Detritus]

((Glocks notably do not actually have an external safety, they use their own special type of safety (which Glock is immensely proud of and considers a key marketing point) to only fire when trigger is pulled))

http://www.glock.com/english/index_pistols.htm
Thank you, I didn't know that before now, having never held or even seen a Glock before. So, I'm going to retcon my last post in this thread.

[Detritus]

"I agree that it seems wise to... roll with it on", Leo says with a hint of humor.

He points the gun, one eye closed, towards a point on the wall and pulls the trigger.
"Not bad," says Yuri, "but we should get you to the range sometime, if we can work that out."

"Yeah, it'll take you about 5 minutes to get the hang of a Glock, and then you can move up to something that has some real stopping power," says Antoinette, and she taps the case where the Eagle and Desert Eagle are. Yuri just smiles and shakes his head.

"You said something about grenades as well?"
"Let's see how Uma's doing," say Yuri, and then he goes up to the counter.

"Hold it sideways," Antoinette says while Leo still has his arm extended. She holds up her right arm and then mimes turning it to demonstrate. "You get more badass points that way."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin wanders over and looks kinda dubiously at Leo's choice, "But, that one looks like a plastic toy . . . . mines a lot shinier. And actually looks like a weapon"

Jocelin draws her pistol and ejects the chambered round and the magazine, "Here. Try!" holds it out

((Looks like this, very shiny http://www.fordsguns.com/gun49.JPG ))

[Huxley]

Leo squints at Antoinette, thinking for a moment.

"I think I will learn how to use it right side up first", and picks up Jocelin's weapon in his other hand.

((Retconned after seeing Kal's post))

[Detritus]

Jocelin wanders over and looks kinda dubiously at Leo's choice, "But, that one looks like a plastic toy . . . . mines a lot shinier. And actually looks like a weapon"

Jocelin draws her pistol and ejects the chambered round and the magazine, "Here. Try!" holds it out

((Looks like this, very shiny http://www.fordsguns.com/gun49.JPG ))
This is one of the vaunted Desert Eagles? With .50 caliber rounds?

[Kalzazz]

((No, its the significantly smaller Baby Eagle/Jericho 941 in .40 S&W . . . but it has brushed chrome shininess. Leo would also notice that the gun isnt as big as the Glock, but weighs more))

[Huxley]

Leo hands the gun back to Jocelin. "I think I will start with this one", motioning to the Glock. He goes to where Yuri went to see the grenades.

[Detritus]

The grenades aren't at the counter, but Al says he has two dozen frag grenades he can sell you for $600.

[Detritus]

The grenades aren't at the counter, but Al says he has two dozen frag grenades he can sell you for $600.
Uma buys all the grenades and asks for 500 9 mm rounds. The she pulls out a roll of cash and introduces everyone to the "Franklin septuplets."

"The Benjamins," says Antoinette. "It really is all about them." Al goes around back to get Uma's order.

"I don't know," replies Yuri as he pulls a $20 out of an inside jacket pocket and hands it to Uma, "I think they're just one part of a larger set of concerns." When Al returns with the grenades and ammo, Uma hands him two little 50-round boxes in return.

"Goddammit, Yuri, did you become a Blue Blood when we weren't looking?" Antoinette asks, laughing. Yuri just smiles and shrugs.

"Here you go, Joss," he says, and hands you one of the two boxes. "See what your Tremere buddies can do with that." Antoinette's face tightens for a moment when Yuri mentions the Tremere, but the expression passes quickly.

Uma looks at Leo for a bit, then down at the grenades, then back up again and says, "First two are on the house. Next two cost you the full $100 for the set of four."

[Brother Brian]

Francois eyes the grenades warily. "Mon Freir, please realize that these are quite dangerous when used improperly; especially indoors."

Francois turns back to the Desert Eagles. He carefully tests each, measuring the weight and balance, working the slide and magazine, staring through the breech down the bore.

"These will do, as will the M4. What variety of rounds do you have available for them?"

[Detritus]

Francois eyes the grenades warily. "Mon Freir, please realize that these are quite dangerous when used improperly; especially indoors."

Francois turns back to the Desert Eagles. He carefully tests each, measuring the weight and balance, working the slide and magazine, staring through the breech down the bore.

"These will do, as will the M4. What variety of rounds do you have available for them?"
"Two grand for a pair of Desert Eagles and an M4, and I'll throw in 100 rounds of each type of ammo. I got some armor-piercing and hollow-point ammo, too, that comes separate."

Uma just sort of gives François a I-know-how-to-use-them look about the grenades. ((I'm assuming that was addressed to Uma.))

[Brother Brian]

"Two grand for a pair of Desert Eagles and an M4, and I'll throw in 100 rounds of each type of ammo. I got some armor-piercing and hollow-point ammo, too, that comes separate."

Francois nods. "I'll take an additional 100 rounds of each, for both the rifle and the sidearms if you have them." Francois reaches into an interior jacket pocket, and pulls out an ancient billfold. He removes a significant stack of $100 bills, and pays for his purchases."

Uma just sort of gives François a I-know-how-to-use-them look about the grenades. ((I'm assuming that was addressed to Uma.))

Francois smiles. "Of that I have no doubt. I was adressing Leo, who, to be frank, I do not think I wish to be standing upfield from."

[Detritus]

Francois nods. "I'll take an additional 100 rounds of each, for both the rifle and the sidearms if you have them." Francois reaches into an interior jacket pocket, and pulls out an ancient billfold. He removes a significant stack of $100 bills, and pays for his purchases.
The total damage is $2200.

"You got it, partner," says Al, who goes to get everything that François has paid for.

"Whoa, Frankie baby, you got the mad cheddar flowin'," says Antoinette. Uma and Yuri are more quietly impressed, but they both eye you with new respect when you pay for your new weaponry.

Francois smiles. "Of that I have no doubt. I was adressing Leo, who, to be frank, I do not think I wish to be standing upfield from."
You all notice that Uma hasn't given Leo any grenades yet. ;)

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin also looks kinda impressed, though more by the Desert Eagles than the M4

She takes the rifle and scope to the counter

[Detritus]

Jocelin also looks kinda impressed, though more by the Desert Eagles than the M4

She takes the rifle and scope to the counter
Uma's holding two dozen grenades right now. It ain't the weaponry that impresses her. ;)

For $800 Jocelin can get rifle, scope, mounting hardware, and 100 rounds.

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin pays for it

Though far less impressively than Francois

[Detritus]

Those of you who have purchased weapons can take the time to load them if you wish. Or not, your call. Uma's offer of two freebies from her big pile o' grenades holds for everyone. If you want more, the earlier ones stop being free. She's weird like that.

I need to know: Will Jack be buying anything here? Will Leo? Presumably not for Leo, although if he does, a Glock and 50 rounds comes out to $550. That's a fair chunk of his personal wealth. Will Jack's love of shiny toys overcome his Miserliness? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Brother Brian]

Francois eyes Antoinette curiously. "I'm afraid that I don't quite understand what you mean by "mad cheddar", but yes, I have purchased significant weaponry." He stops for a moment, and looks abashed "Oh dear, I do apologize for what must seem an extravegant display of wealth in such an egalitarian world. I intended no disrespect, and conceed my wealth is resultant from good fortune rather than any merit on my part."

Francois walks up to Leo and says quietly, "It would by my honor to purchase a sidearm for you. Might I suggest however a revolver. What it lacks in capacity it easily makes up for in simplicity. I have discerned that you are not well educated in the way of the firearm."

[Huxley]

"I do not think it would be wise to buy a weapon I can not use with the money that I can use -- but if you are offering, I will certainly take it, and I would take any weapon you think more appropriate. You are right. I have no knowledge of guns"

[Brother Brian]

Francois ponders for a moment, and turns to Al.

"I'll need a .38 revolver, with a hundred rounds and a couple of speed loaders. I'll also take a basic 12 guage pump action shot gun with a deer barrell is you have one, and a hundred shells of double aught buckshot for it, and a box of deer slugs."

Turning back to Leo, Francois says, "Shotguns are excellent for the unitiated, as the do not require precise aiming. That said, be sure there are no friendlies anywhere near your target, because you will be risking them."

[Detritus]

Francois ponders for a moment, and turns to Al.

"I'll need a .38 revolver, with a hundred rounds and a couple of speed loaders. I'll also take a basic 12 guage pump action shot gun with a deer barrell is you have one, and a hundred shells of double aught buckshot for it, and a box of deer slugs."

Turning back to Leo, Francois says, "Shotguns are excellent for the unitiated, as the do not require precise aiming. That said, be sure there are no friendlies anywhere near your target, because you will be risking them."
This stuff will run you another $350.

Uma asks Al if he's seen either Bianca or Black Cat recently, because she hasn't seen them in a while. Al replies he hasn't seen Black Cat in as long as Uma has been gone, and that Bianca hasn't been by in the last few weeks.

[Brother Brian]

Francois is much more secretive as he pays this time.

He hands the purchase to Leo. "We'll have to go somewhere and I'll show you how to use these."

[Detritus]

While Al was gathering up the components for this latest purchase, Uma shows Leo where the pin is for the grenades, and explains that they have a five-second fuse.

"I like to give them a bit of arc when I toss them," she says, miming a throwing motion that looks a bit like a hook shot. She then distributes two grenades to everyone present.

"You can roll them on the ground in a pinch," says Uma. Just then, you hear the door to the building open and a quiet rumbling along the floor, then the door closes. You don't see anyone, though.

"Shit!" yells Uma, and points to something that looks an awful lot like the dozen grenades she's still holding, minus one key component.

Now what?

[Brother Brian]

"Cover" Francois shouts as he vaults over the counter and through the door to the back room. (Burn 2 blood for celerity.)

[Detritus]

Antoinette starts to scramble around the corner of the counter.

"Take them!" Uma shouts at her, and shoves the half-full box of grenades towards Antoinette.

"The door!" she yells in the general direction of Yuri, who hesitates a beat.

((While there's a live grenade on the floor, I'll want to get everyone's actions on a turn by turn basis.))

[Detritus]

A note on layout, I'll say that the front room is 20' by 20', with the counter about 5 feet from the back wall. You're all presumably near the counter or walls, and the grenade is in the middle of the shop, slightly closer to the counter than the door. If you're in the hex the grenade is in, or in an adjacent hex, you take the full concussion/blast damage. A hex is three feet in diameter.

[Kalzazz]

((Any windows?))

Jocelin will try and grab the grenade, and then throw it through the window

If there is no window, burn blood and fatigue for Potence and try to throw her best 4 seam fastball through the wall

[Detritus]

((Any windows?))

Jocelin will try and grab the grenade, and then throw it through the window

If there is no window, burn blood and fatigue for Potence and try to throw her best 4 seam fastball through the wall
There are two 6' x 4' display windows, one to either side of the door, but they are covered by rolling/folding metal screens. The door itself does have a window. When you approach the grenade, you hear that it's beeping at a rate of about twice per second. ((Leo hears this, too, once the grenade stops rolling, thanks to his sharp ears.))

Uma looks at Yuri, then looks at Jocelin heading towards the grenade, and swears profusely while dashing towards the door with Celeritous dispatch. It looks like she'll have it open just about at the time that Jocelin would be ready to give the grenade a heave out the store.

((Need a Courage roll at -6 from Jocelin to pick the thing up.))

[Kalzazz]

((Hmmm, can I burn blood? Or any other way to boost this roll?))

[Detritus]

((Hmmm, can I burn blood? Or any other way to boost this roll?))
You can spend blood to raise the roll by 2 per BP spent. However, Jocelin can only burn 1 BP per turn. You can also try just kicking the thing through the about-to-be-open door, which is only at a -3 to Courage.

[Kalzazz]

((Hmmm. Kicking grenades is definitely lacking in style . . . . do I think I could disarm it by cutting it in half?))

[Detritus]

((Hmmm. Kicking grenades is definitely lacking in style . . . . do I think I could disarm it by cutting it in half?))
That probably won't work, but if you wanted to use your katana field hockey style to clear the grenade from the store, that would incur the same -3 to Courage that kicking it would.

[Kalzazz]

((Oh! Okay, what about shooting it? If one shot it at a proper angle the bullet should hopefully knock it out of the store like a billiard ball . . . . or at least this might work on TV))

Jocelin tries to whip out her pistol and blast the grenade at an angle to send it skipping out the door, firing three times

((18 skill, minus size penalties for grenade, minus called shot . . . no idea. Pray for a 3 or 4 time. Recoil 0 on first shot, -1 on second, -2 on third. Quickdraw roll is first))

[Kalzazz]

((Rolls sent))

[Detritus]

((Oh! Okay, what about shooting it? If one shot it at a proper angle the bullet should hopefully knock it out of the store like a billiard ball . . . . or at least this might work on TV))

Jocelin tries to whip out her pistol and blast the grenade at an angle to send it skipping out the door, firing three times

((18 skill, minus size penalties for grenade, minus called shot . . . no idea. Pray for a 3 or 4 time. Recoil 0 on first shot, -1 on second, -2 on third. Quickdraw roll is first))
Um, OK. Including the time you took to mentally run down the options before finally deciding on shooting near the grenade, you'll only get to the point where you've got the gun pointed at the grenade for this turn.

Everyone in the room hears Uma, now standing by the open door, bellow "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" at Jocelin when she draws a pistol and points it at the grenade.

I believe Leo and Jack both have actions yet for this turn.

[Detritus]

I got Kal's rolls, but I want to wait to see what Leo and Jack do before I disclose the results of those rolls. :sacool:

[Huxley]

Leo, seeing that Jocelin is taking care of the grenade, will dive behind a counter that will intersect shrapnel and explosive force from the grenade.

[Detritus]

Jack still has his action. He has Combat Reflexes, so he won't freeze, but after some quick consultation over in the RPGs forum, I explicitly forbid him from doing anything to alter Jocelin's shot. This will be fun, and not very deadly. I think. :sagrin:

[SD Anderson]

Jack still has his action. He has Combat Reflexes, so he won't freeze, but after some quick consultation over in the RPGs forum, I explicitly forbid him from doing anything to alter Jocelin's shot. This will be fun, and not very deadly. I think. :sagrin:

Jack armors up FULL and dives for cover. He already did the heroic throw-the-explosive-away stunt this story, so doing so now would be redundant. Besides there's a reason I (not Jack) have the Vow (NEVER race a train to the crossing again!!!!) Surviving is a Marvelous teacher! ;)

[SD Anderson]

Jack thinks If we could find a way to get the Sabbat to take her into their organization, she could bring it to their knees by lunch time!

[Detritus]

OK, everyone but Jocelin dives for cover. Yuri snaps out of his funk just in time to be the last to get behind something sturdy. Uma lets out a wordless wail and throws herself behind the open door. Al heads into the back room with Antoinette and François.

Jocelin pauses for a second after whipping out her pistol, and you all hear the beeping of the grenade quicken, which makes the instant it takes Jocelin to gather her composure seem like an eternity. Then she manages to squeeze off two rounds. The first heads out the door and ricochets off the street, the second strikes true and breaks the grenade into two pieces.

The beeping continues to quicken until it becomes a continuous ring for a fraction of a second. The explosive ignites but detonates much more feebly than normal, although it is enough to light the other half of the grenade. The floor catches fire but for the moment the flames do not spread.

((OK, there's a fire hex in the middle of Al's shop now. I need straight Courage rolls for Jocelin, Leo, and Jack))

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin looks surprised as the grenade breaks, "T thats not what Dalton said!"

As the grenade doesnt blow her up she promptly charges for the door and the Sabbat presumably lurking outside (if my courage roll was good enough want to jump over the fire rather than circling around it)

She also jams her pistol back in its holster

[Brother Brian]

Is there a back door in the room? (That is, can I get outside without going through the front?)

[Detritus]

Is there a back door in the room? (That is, can I get outside without going through the front?)
Yes, there is a back door. It looks like it might lead out into in alley.

[Detritus]

Jocelin looks surprised as the grenade breaks, "T thats not what Dalton said!"

As the grenade doesnt blow her up she promptly charges for the door and the Sabbat presumably lurking outside (if my courage roll was good enough want to jump over the fire rather than circling around it)

She also jams her pistol back in its holster
Yeah, Jocelin rolled low enough to be able to jump over the fire. If she's looking for anyone while just outside the door, I'll need a perception roll.

[Brother Brian]

Francois pulls out his twin desert eagles, and throws open the back door, hugging the wall for cover. There is a scowel on his face as...

[Detritus]

OK, immediately after the grenade catches fire, we've got:

Jocelin heading out the front.

François heading out the back, Desert Eagles drawn.

Leo - ?

Jack - ?

It might be a good idea for everyone to give me a string of 3d6 rolls of length that matches one of the larger common die types (d10, d12, d20). When we get to a spot where one of you needs a roll, I'll roll up a random result from the list you gave me.

((NPCs: Al heads into the front room, swearing when he sees his floor on fire, and goes to get the fire extinguisher. Antoinette comes up to the back door but isn't outside yet. Uma looks down the street and draws a pistol, but she still on the far side of the open door at the moment. Yuri will go after the other PCs.))

[Brother Brian]

List of generic rolls sent. ;)

[Detritus]

OK, immediately after the grenade catches fire, we've got:

Leo - ?
Now that I think about it more carefully, Leo actually failed his Courage check (anything above a 14 is a failure for Will rolls of any type). So he spends this turn snapping out of a little fire-induced funk.

I still need Jack's Courage roll before he (and we) can proceed. It can be part of the bigger list of rolls if you want, SD.

[SD Anderson]

Now that I think about it more carefully, Leo actually failed his Courage check (anything above a 14 is a failure for Will rolls of any type). So he spends this turn snapping out of a little fire-induced funk.

I still need Jack's Courage roll before he (and we) can proceed. It can be part of the bigger list of rolls if you want, SD.

Jack gets up and puts the fire out. While rolls of 14+ fails despite your score, This doesn't affect degree of success. Made by 9. ;)

[Detritus]

Jack gets up and puts the fire out. While rolls of 14+ fails despite your score, This doesn't affect degree of success. Made by 9. ;)
OK, it'll take a couple of rounds, but it's easily done based on your roll.

There's one building between Al's and the nearest intersection, which is to the left if you're coming out of the front, and to the right if coming out the back.

Jocelin spots a softball-sized object much like the one she just shot in two arcing towards her from her left. It is softly beeping.

François sees one person to either side of the mouth of the alley with shotguns trained on the back door to Al's. The one on the same side of the alley shoots at him but misses when François hugs the wall. The one on the far side of the alley shoots at Antoinette just as she steps out the door and plugs her right in the gut. She sits downs hard as a result of the impact. You hear two distinctive clicks of shotgun rounds being chambered.

((The shotgun fire was opportunity fire this round, so no return shots. Everyone is now free to act/shoot as they see fit.))

Leo snaps out of it while Jack finishes up putting out the fire.

[Brother Brian]

Activating Celerity 3 powered by blood.

Firing back with the Desert Eagle, while running down one of the guys with the shotgun. (One shot per action, I'm not shooting with the off hand yet.)

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin grins and burns blood/fatigue to bring Celerity 2 up, and darts in in the direction the grenade came from, figuring to not be there when it gets around to exploding (land move hits 13 or so with Celerity 2), and also hoping to find whoever is tossing these things

[Huxley]

Leo stashes the pistol in his hoodie, still uncertain on how effective he'll be with it just yet. He goes invisible with fatigue, and rushes the shotgun wielder that Francois is not attacking.

[Detritus]

Activating Celerity 3 powered by blood.

Firing back with the Desert Eagle, while running down one of the guys with the shotgun. (One shot per action, I'm not shooting with the off hand yet.)
Do you want to keep hugging the wall as you advance? That will limit you to half of your Celerity-enhanced move.

Jocelin grins and burns blood/fatigue to bring Celerity 2 up, and darts in in the direction the grenade came from, figuring to not be there when it gets around to exploding (land move hits 13 or so with Celerity 2), and also hoping to find whoever is tossing these things
Burn Fatigue for instant activation. It will take 2 seconds for Jocelin to power Celerity 2 with blood, since she's 13th generation.

Leo stashes the pistol in his hoodie, still uncertain on how effective he'll be with it just yet. He goes invisible with fatigue, and rushes the shotgun wielder that Francois is not attacking.
If you activate Obfuscate 4, you'll drop below 4 Fatigue, which has some adverse consequences for movement. You can spend 2 BP to keep yourself at 5 Fatigue. Antoinette will roll out of your way, and you'll be just outside the back door at the end of this turn.

((I'll say everyone picked up 2 more Fatigue in the time between leaving Storyville Jazz Hall and arriving at Al's.))

[Brother Brian]

Do you want to keep hugging the wall as you advance? That will limit you to half of your Celerity-enhanced move.

Nope, if they are fast enough to hit me at this speed, then they are fast enough to hit me.

And if I need to take a moment to burn the blood, I do it before I run out into the alley.

[Detritus]

Nope, if they are fast enough to hit me at this speed, then they are fast enough to hit me.

And if I need to take a moment to burn the blood, I do it before I run out into the alley.
OK, you'll shoot from near the doorway right after they do, then close to melee range. One of the shotgunners shoots at you and the other at Leo at the back end of the store. Jocelin and Uma will both be heading up the street towards the as-yet-unseen grenade lobber.

For all -- It'll probably be a little bit before I can resolve this turn, so just sit tight until that happens.

[Huxley]

If you activate Obfuscate 4, you'll drop below 4 Fatigue, which has some adverse consequences for movement. You can spend 2 BP to keep yourself at 5 Fatigue. Antoinette will roll out of your way, and you'll be just outside the back door at the end of this turn.


Ah, OK. For some reason I was thinking fatigue just "reset". I'll spend the 2 BP, then, and continue on through towards the other gunner.

[Detritus]

Ah, OK. For some reason I was thinking fatigue just "reset". I'll spend the 2 BP, then, and continue on through towards the other gunner.
FYI, it takes 10 full minutes to regain one Fatigue unless you've got the Recover Strength spell.

=============

There was some crazy-ass rolling on both sides this round, I just want to say.

[Detritus]

On the storefront
Jocelin and Uma rush towards the intersection. A few steps away from Al's door, they enter a dead-silent region. They can't hear anything, but they see that there's a broken window in the building on their corner of the intersection. When they get to the intersection, they see someone appear out of thin air across the street, standing near a window in the building there. She turns, and the smiling face of Heather is revealed. She holds another grenade in both hands, and looks ready to pull the pin.

Just as Heather turns, Jocelin and Uma feel the explosion of the grenade outside Al's. They also see and feel an explosion from beyond the broken window of the building next door. Jocelin also feels a wet hand come into contact with her, and there's a thick liquid on her face, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on her. She doesn't see her assailant.

In the store
A grenade blows up just outside the door. The concussion doesn't really bother anyone, but fragments fly. They bounce harmlessly off of Jack's toughened hide, but tear up Al pretty good as you're both putting out the fire. Yuri comes over to tend to Al's wounds, somehow managing to remain unscathed by the greande fragments. The front door and doorway are now on fire (door/doorway counts as a fire hex for the moment).

In the alley
When Leo exits Al's, he sees a couple of guys with shotguns, one to either side of the mouth of the alley. He recognizes them as Anvil (standing on the same side of the alley as Leo and François) and Rake. He gets a front-row seat for some fast and furious gunplay.

François looses two rounds from one of his Desert Eagles. Anvil smoothly dodges the bullet aimed at him, but Rake gets hit square in the center body mass. Both men train their shotguns on François and shoot (note, I forgot Leo was invisible, so neither gunman sees him). François dodges Anvil's blast by moving more towards the center of the alley, and Leo instinctively moves with him to get out of the line of fire that extends from Anvil through François's prior location to Leo.

However, Rake manages to grit his teeth and pop François with his shotgun. François turns his head to the one who managed to shoot him as he closes with his assailants. He wears a mohawk and seems to have red irises, but you recognize the snarling visage of the Comte de Rochette. Anger fills his eyes because of his injury, but he does not seem to recognize you. Everyone hears two explosions coming from the opposite side of the buildings on Anvil's side of the alley.

[Detritus]

François is down 14 hit points, presently at -4. If he drops below -10 (which is -HT for him) he starts automatically burning blood at a rate of 1 BP per 2 damage when he takes damage beyond -10. If he takes damage while at -HT and has no more blood, he enters torpor.

And for the rolls:

Jocelin got a 6 on her Will roll (made by 6) to keep whatever it is that's now on the side of her face from messing her up. Which was a very good idea, and she also needed every bit of that because the hand (or its owner, more exactly) made its Skill roll by 5.

François almost dodged both shotgun blasts, which would have been super-clutch, but managing one Dodge with an active defense of 7 is still pretty good, especially at 4d damage a pop from shotguns. The round that missed was Anvil's, and I gave it the 9 or less treatment to hit Leo even though he was invisible, since he and François were basically lined up from Anvil's vantage point. That actually hit (with a 7), but then Leo stiffed the dodge roll with a 3.

I also rolled François a 15 for his damage roll on the shot that hit Rake/Rochette. He's in a little better shape (he's got more HP than François, as it turns out, and some Toughness) but he's still hurting.

[SD Anderson]

Once the fire is out and we don't have to worry about things like police and fire units converging on us, Jack will follow in the general direction Jocelin takes on the general principle that she's most likely going to find and engage someone in combat.

[SD Anderson]

FYI, it takes 10 full minutes to regain one Fatigue unless you've got the Recover Strength spell.

=============

There was some crazy-ass rolling on both sides this round, I just want to say.

Technically not even then unless you know it at 15-.

[Detritus]

Once the fire is out and we don't have to worry about things like police and fire units converging on us, Jack will follow in the general direction Jocelin takes on the general principle that she's most likely going to find and engage someone in combat.
Will Jack be taking it upon himself to put out fires in other buildings besides the gun shop, or just follow Jocelin after the fire's out at Al's?

[Brother Brian]

Burning fatigue for max celerity, I lunge at Rochette, attempting to feast on his blood.

(Which has the benefit of incapacitating him if it works.)

[Detritus]

Burning fatigue for max celerity, I lunge at Rochette, attempting to feast on his blood.

(Which has the benefit of incapacitating him if it works.)
Are we talking about a grapple here? It could be hard to do with a Desert Eagle in each hand.

[Brother Brian]

I'm specifically talking about combat diablere. ;)

I toss the eagles back towards the door I just came out of as I make my lunge.

[Detritus]

I'm specifically talking about combat diablere. ;)

I toss the eagles back towards the door I just came out of as I make my lunge.
OK, that effectively is a grapple. I'll have to figure out exactly what Rochette's reaction is and render that into GURPS.

For Leo, the end of the alley way is 10 yards and his move is 7, so he can't get all the way there this turn. He does have that shiny new gun...

[Huxley]

Leo will position himself near Anvil. As long as he's not noticed, he'll activate Potence 2 before proceeding to punch him in the face. If either Anvil or Rake notice him, he'll skip straight to punching.

[Detritus]

Leo will position himself near Anvil. As long as he's not noticed, he'll activate Potence 2 before proceeding to punch him in the face. If either Anvil or Rake notice him, he'll skip straight to punching.
Right, I keep forgetting that Leo is effectively invisible. You've got no problem maintaining Stealth while you line up your punch. Both Rake and Anvil have their attention focused on the lunging maniac before them, and Anvil turns in that direction while Leo's creeping towards him.

[Kalzazz]

((How far away is Heather?))

[Detritus]

((How far away is Heather?))
Let's call it 15 yards. You've got a city street with most of the width of two sidewalks between you. Not much in the way of cars parked on the street right now, we'll say.

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin grins at Heather and steps forward (step size 2 for 11 move, so closing to 13) and whips her pistol free blazing away at her

((Celerity 2 up, so 6 shots going downrange if quickdraw is made))

((-4 for range, 18 skill, -1 for taking a step, so 13 effective skill looks like, snapshot on pistol is 10, 13 on 1st, 12 on 2nd, 11 on 3rd, 10 on 4th, 5 on 5th, 4 on 6th (since snapshot penalty applying when get below 10) skill . . . these just being my guestimates for convenience. Gun does 2d, half again whatever gets past armor))

Jocelin also lets her Divine Power fill her (burning 6 fatigue for Potence 3)

[Detritus]

Jocelin grins at Heather and steps forward (step size 2 for 11 move, so closing to 13) and whips her pistol free blazing away at her

((Celerity 2 up, so 6 shots going downrange if quickdraw is made))

((-4 for range, 18 skill, -1 for taking a step, so 13 effective skill looks like, snapshot on pistol is 10, 13 on 1st, 12 on 2nd, 11 on 3rd, 10 on 4th, 5 on 5th, 4 on 6th (since snapshot penalty applying when get below 10) skill . . . these just being my guestimates for convenience. Gun does 2d, half again whatever gets past armor))

Jocelin also lets her Divine Power fill her (burning 6 fatigue for Potence 3)
Yeah, that checks out as far as I'm concerned. Will resolve in a bit.

===============

Francois's maneuver is a "flying tackle." I'll resolve that with Jocelin's gun fire when I get the chance to do it.

[SD Anderson]

Will Jack be taking it upon himself to put out fires in other buildings besides the gun shop, or just follow Jocelin after the fire's out at Al's?

Putting out the gunshop fire takes priority. We don't exactly want to lose the neighborhood. How bad is the fire situation around here?

[Detritus]

Putting out the gunshop fire takes priority. We don't exactly want to lose the neighborhood. How bad is the fire situation around here?
While you finish putting out the fire in the doorway of the gun shop, you hear an explosion come from next door. In just a moment you're going to hear an explosion come from down the street.

[SD Anderson]

While you finish putting out the fire in the doorway of the gun shop, you hear an explosion come from next door. In just a moment you're going to hear an explosion come from down the street.

Jack puts out the lights then opens the door, hard so the door bounces back with a good deal of noise and looks out a window.

[Detritus]

On the street
Jocelin lets her six silent shots rip and half of them find home, with a fourth narrowly missing when Heather lurches to start rounding the corner. Another shot breaks the display window of a hardware store, and Heather pulls the pin on the grenade she's holding and tosses hit through the broken window. She's moving fairly rapidly despite her wounds when Uma lets three rounds of her own fly, and she doesn't lead Heather enough, so all her shots miss. Jocelin feels dampness and then searing burnination all along her back. She turns in the direction of Uma and sees a dark stream of something hit her and begin eating away at the side of her clothing.

Jack enters the pawn shop next door to Al's and the door rebounds closed behind him. This building has sprinklers, and they've gone off after the explosion from within. He watches both Jocelin and Uma shoot at Heather. When they are done, he sees something dark and familiar stream into Jocelin's back and Uma's side. You think they should be howling in agony but don't hear a peep from either one.

At the end of this sequence, Jocelin and Uma see a blur round the corner across the street on the opposite side of the block Heather is on. The blur runs diagonally along the cross street to Al's and stops about halfway between the alley mouth and the intersection, resolving into the Sheriff of New Orleans. Dee Dee rears back and throws a large knife. At first it looks like it's headed straight for Jocelin before it sticks into something unseen immediately behind her. Jack only sees a thrown knife lodge into something just behind Jocelin.

In the alley
François tosses his weapons behind him and lunges towards Rake/Rochette, who seems off-balance for a split second but recovers enough to sidestep the flying tackle. François lands somewhat awkwardly but reflexively begins an attempt to roll away from Rochette and Anvil, but Anvil manages to track François's movements and plugs him with one of his shotgun rounds. Leo sneaks into position, and there is gunshot and a loud metallic-sounding ricochet; Rake's shotgun suddenly twirls from his hands. Then another shot fires and Anvil cries out. You see that Antoinette has picked up one of François's Desert Eagles.

Everyone in the alley sees something streak by its mouth. François will see the streak halt and become Dee Dee, who throws a knife near Jocelin's position that lodges into an unseen something directly behind her. Rake sees this and says, "C'mon, message sent," to Anvil, and then high-tails it out of there towards the corner where the streak came from.

((A tally of the damage will be coming soon.))

[Detritus]

François is now down to -10 HP and has 9 of his 16 Blood Pool remaining. Since this wound happened when he started below 0 HP, he has a -12 shock penalty to all DX and IQ rolls for one turn. This will not prevent pursuit, but would play hell with any skill rolls (unless they're ST or HT based).

After stepping away from her invisible assailant, Jocelin took 12 aggravated damage, so she's down to - 1 HP.

Rochette looks like he is moving fast enough for a Masquerade violation to be in play. Dee Dee definitely was before throwing the knife.

The Rule of 9 will be in play for all attacks on the invisible knife-holder so long as said holder remains invisible.

[Kalzazz]

((Did my armor help any? And how fast was Heather moving, do I think I have a shot at catching her?))

[Detritus]

((Did my armor help any? And how fast was Heather moving, do I think I have a shot at catching her?))
Yes, in fact the damage roll was 16, so your armor took 4 of that, but I did the HP subtraction wrong despite getting the correct damage of 12. Jocelin should have 3 HP.

It would probably take you several seconds to catch up with Heather based on how fast you think she was moving, but you think you could do it. Actually, I'm pretty sure Jocelin would know she could do it. ;)

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin takes off after Heather, letting Dee Dee handle the spineless invisible coward

She full moves, as her gun is recoiling to much to hit anything at the moment

((Edit: Jocelin has spent 10 Fatigue, but, also gained 4 ST due to Potence, so, can she spend a bit more to up Celerity? Or Blood to do so?))

[Brother Brian]

Francois looks as if he is going to to give chase, but stumbles and goes to one knee. Slumping against the wall, he closes his eyes, and the tension slowly leaves his face.

(OOC: He knows he's not going to catch Rochette in a foot race while he's seriously wounded. He'll fight another day, and burn blood to heal instead. Later, I'll have to grab a bite to eat.)

[Detritus]

Jocelin takes off after Heather, letting Dee Dee handle the spineless invisible coward

She full moves, as her gun is recoiling to much to hit anything at the moment

((Edit: Jocelin has spent 10 Fatigue, but, also gained 4 ST due to Potence, so, can she spend a bit more to up Celerity? Or Blood to do so?))
You'd have to spend one blood to be able to up your Celerity in the first place, and then you could use Fatigue to boost your Move. As you make to pursue, you notice that Heather is holding another grenade in her hand. She's got an 18-yard head start as of the moment.

EDIT -- Also, if your Fatigue pool drops under 4, that has a significant adverse impact on your Move rate. I'm not sure how much, exactly, will need to look up. Jocelin's +4 ST will count towards her total Fatigue pool, so she's at 5 right now.

[Detritus]

When Jocelin takes off after Heather, the knife lodged into whomever begins to move at about a 60-degree angle from the horizontal into the air. It follows the chase between Heather and Jocelin. Uma squeezes off a couple of rounds in the direction of the knife, but misses. Jack is free to act as he sees fit here. He's probably 3 rounds' worth of movement to being under the rising knife, which is steadily gaining altitude. Dee Dee simply watches the knife move upwards for a bit.

Anvil turns and shoots Antoinette with his shotgun, and she drops the pistol she used last round. What will Leo do?

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin just takes off Heather then (move 11 with Celerity 2 online)

[Detritus]

Jocelin just takes off Heather then (move 11 with Celerity 2 online)
OK, noted.

FYI, move is cut in half (rounded down) when Fatigue is at 2 or 3. I'll say it's the same for vampires when they're at Fatigue 1, although such is not the case for mortals. Fatigue 0 = collapse due to exhaustion.

[Brother Brian]

To clarify, Francois will spend 5 blood (over 3 rounds) to heal back to 0 HT.

Then a nice feeding will be in order. (Does Francois know of a goth club or some place where blood dolls might hang out?)

[Detritus]

To clarify, Francois will spend 5 blood (over 3 rounds) to heal back to 0 HT.
OK, that's fine

Then a nice feeding will be in order. (Does Francois know of a goth club or some place where blood dolls might hang out?)
François doesn't, but Uma/Yuri/Antoinette will know somewhere to go. The Sheriff also has some lines yet in this scene that may alter the calculus of who goes where when. We'll get to that once the chase and Leo's next action or two resolves.

[SD Anderson]

You'd have to spend one blood to be able to up your Celerity in the first place, and then you could use Fatigue to boost your Move. As you make to pursue, you notice that Heather is holding another grenade in her hand. She's got an 18-yard head start as of the moment.

EDIT -- Also, if your Fatigue pool drops under 4, that has a significant adverse impact on your Move rate. I'm not sure how much, exactly, will need to look up. Jocelin's +4 ST will count towards her total Fatigue pool, so she's at 5 right now.

3rd edition: Penalty starts at 3- for either Fatigue or HT.

[SD Anderson]

When Jocelin takes off after Heather, the knife lodged into whomever begins to move at about a 60-degree angle from the horizontal into the air. It follows the chase between Heather and Jocelin. Uma squeezes off a couple of rounds in the direction of the knife, but misses. Jack is free to act as he sees fit here. He's probably 3 rounds' worth of movement to being under the rising knife, which is steadily gaining altitude. Dee Dee simply watches the knife move upwards for a bit.

Anvil turns and shoots Antoinette with his shotgun, and she drops the pistol she used last round. What will Leo do?

I think Jack is acquainted with Mr. or Ms. Invisible. Does Jack have time to dart back into the armory and grab big box of ammo? (Calibre doesn't matter.)

[Detritus]

I think Jack is acquainted with Mr. or Ms. Invisible. Does Jack have time to dart back into the armory and grab big box of ammo? (Calibre doesn't matter.)
It'll take him a few seconds, but it sounds like everyone is planning on taking a few seconds' worth of actions at once (with the possible exception of Leo) via chasing or healing. He can do this, but the chase down the street will have proceeded by 5 seconds by the time he is back on the street.

[Huxley]

I must do something effective, Antoinette can not continue being shot


Leo will pull out the new revolver, and try shooting Anvil.

At least he will be distracted

[Detritus]

I'm going to stretch this into a draw, aim, and shoot sequence to keep the passage of time roughly lined up for all the PCs.

Resolution and report coming up...

[Detritus]

Out front
Jocelin dashes after Heather while Jack books it back to Al's to grab a box of ammo. The knife that was floating upwards suddenly darts along the street in a slight descent vector. Heather looks over her shoulder after Jocelin has closed about a third of the distance. Her eyes widen and she jumps just as Jocelin feels a rush of air overhead; Heather jumps into the arms of a dark-complected woman with dark hair, Dee Dee's knife still lodged in her back. She may be of Middle Eastern descent in the brief glimpse Jocelin gets while at reasonably close range.

As soon as Heather is in her arms, the dark woman begins a steep but still-rapid ascent. Heather takes the time to pull the pin on the grenade she holds and lobs it towards the ground in Jocelin's general direction as they climb. Just then there's an explosion in the hardware store where Heather threw her previous grenade.

Jack sees Yuri still tending to Al when he manages to grab a box of ammo, but by the time he rushes back out onto the street, he sees Jocelin standing by herself a bit of the way onto the next block and two women flying away, one of whom he's pretty sure is Heather.

In the alley
François makes to pursue Rochette but realizes that he's no match for the other's speed, and leans against the building at the mouth of the far side of the alley to heal himself partially. Anvil looks to where Rake retreated to, looks at Dee Dee, still watching the flying knife, and decides to retreat. Leo manages to draw his pistol, take aim, and fire just before Anvil leaves, and clips him in his left side. Anvil snarls but dashes away even faster than Rake did.

Leo's shot draws Dee Dee's attention to the alley mouth. François sees Dee Dee consider the fleeing Anvil, then shake her head as if coming to a decision. She comes over to the alley at normal walking speed and sees Antoinette lying near the Desert Eagle she picked up off the ground. Then the Sheriff's eyes fasten uncannily on Leo's position for a moment before she turns back to look in the directions the assailants have fled.

"They're gone, for now. But we won't forget, will we?" She looks over to the dazed Uma, walking gingerly back to the corner nearest Al's, her left side a mess, and then at Antoinette again. "No, we won't forget."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin drops her pistol, tries to barehand the grenade as it falls, and send it flying back as a four seam fastball from the windup with a high leg kick

((I think trying to catch something would be an active defense, then a aim manuever, then throw it . . . fortunately Jocelin now has a decent idea how long grenade fuses are. Softball is 15))

[Detritus]

Jocelin drops her pistol, tries to barehand the grenade as it falls, and send it flying back as a four seam fastball from the windup with a high leg kick

((I think trying to catch something would be an active defense, then a aim manuever, then throw it . . . fortunately Jocelin now has a decent idea how long grenade fuses are. Softball is 15))
I'll say it's Softball but with the speed modifier of the grenade when it's falling, then an aim, then a throw with Softball with normal range/speed modifiers. The throw will take place at T+3 seconds, if the catch is successful.

[Detritus]

OK, Jocelin manages to snag the grenade, wind up, and hurl it back skyward. Meanwhile, the dark-complected woman keeps climbing, Heather still in her arms. They're surprisingly high when Jocelin releases, and the grenade makes up a surprisingly small amount of distance on them in its two seconds of flight. It explodes a good 60 yards over Jocelin's head, nearly at the apex of its flight, but the fragments come nowhere near to hitting the fleeing Sabbat women.

The dark-complected woman turns her head at the explosion, then levels off her flight path. As they recede, you think they might have vanished a few seconds after the explosion, but you're not sure if it was that or that they just got far enough away to melt into the dark of night.

Jack is witness to all this, too, just outside the door to the gun shop, when he hears Yuri say to him, "I'm not sure if he's going to pull through." It's obvious that Al has bled out a fair amount from his wounds, but in the rush of battle Jack did not notice this earlier.

Those of you near the alley mouth hear and see the grenade go off, and a pair of women fly off into the night. "That better be the last fucking explosion," says Dee Dee, and Uma turns to yell at Jocelin to come back to everyone else. The hardware store burns a bit longer before sprinklers turn on there as well. You all feel lucky that no alarms have gone off. (( ;) ))

[SD Anderson]

Out front
Jocelin dashes after Heather while Jack books it back to Al's to grab a box of ammo. The knife that was floating upwards suddenly darts along the street in a slight descent vector. Heather looks over her shoulder after Jocelin has closed about a third of the distance. Her eyes widen and she jumps just as Jocelin feels a rush of air overhead; Heather jumps into the arms of a dark-complected woman with dark hair, Dee Dee's knife still lodged in her back. She may be of Middle Eastern descent in the brief glimpse Jocelin gets while at reasonably close range.

."


Jack activates Auspex amps up his sense of vision. Any trace of the invisible guy?

[Detritus]

Jack activates Auspex amps up his sense of vision. Any trace of the invisible guy?
It doesn't pierce the dark woman's Obfuscate, but she drops it when she closes in on Heather. You can get a pretty good look at her (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/showpost.php?p=234146&postcount=29) then. You'll have to squint in some discomfort or turn away from the grenade blast when Jocelin chucks Heather's grenade back at her.

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin retrieves her pistol and drags herself back over to Uma

"Oww . . . I am trying to love my neighbor . . really . . not working so well . . "

[SD Anderson]

It doesn't pierce the dark woman's Obfuscate, but she drops it when she closes in on Heather. You can get a pretty good look at her (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/showpost.php?p=234146&postcount=29) then. You'll have to squint in some discomfort or turn away from the grenade blast when Jocelin chucks Heather's grenade back at her.

Jack will squint and fire off a couple (3) rounds off at the two just on general principles. Yeah, if I roll a critical hit... and based on the list of prerolls I sent you, I didn't.

[Detritus]

Jack will squint and fire off a couple (3) rounds off at the two just on general principles. Yeah, if I roll a critical hit... and based on the list of prerolls I sent you, I didn't.
OK, Jack casts his defiance at the fleeing women in flight, but to no avail.

Antoinette hands François his Desert Eagles. "Damn, chief, you went after Rake with a powerful will. Barehanded."

EDIT -- Consider this to have happened just after François's mutterings below. Despite her name, Antoinette doesn't understand much French.

[Brother Brian]

(Simulatanious Post. I'll edit.)

Francois takes the guns back, and looks like he's about to say something, but instead his face gets scrunched into a grimmace and he turns around.

Francois walks out of the alley to the front of the store. Anyone who happens to speak French hears "Stupid, stupid stupid. No order, everybody splayed in every direction based on whim. And out the front door! It's lucky we're not all dead. And me! I must use my mind, not my biceps to beat him"

[Huxley]

Leo stands a moment watching the group flee. He looks at the pistol, and pockets it in his hoody while walking into the store to see how things are.

As soon as he sees Al laying on the floor, he glances around for ad hoc first aid implements, or an actual kit. Barring finding anything, he'll use his hoody.

"We need to leave soon. I am going to call 911 as soon as I stabilize him", he states to anyone in hearing distance.

[Detritus]

Leo stands a moment watching the group flee. He looks at the pistol, and pockets it in his hoody while walking into the store to see how things are.

As soon as he sees Al laying on the floor, he glances around for ad hoc first aid implements, or an actual kit. Barring finding anything, he'll use his hoody.

"We need to leave soon. I am going to call 911 as soon as I stabilize him", he states to anyone in hearing distance.
((I'm going to assume that everyone is back inside the gun shop now.))

Yuri's already made some makeshift bandages, but Al's wounds could probably still use further binding. He's lost a lot of blood. Leo looks around but doesn't see anything handy, Yuri's already scavenged it all from this part of the store.

"Wait!" says Dee Dee, low but urgent, when Leo starts moves to tend to Al. "Does he know?" she asks Uma, who shakes her head no.

"Probably best if Mr. N. here kept his hands to himself," Uma says softly, turning her head from Dee Dee to Leo in the middle of the sentence. "I don't think Rebekka would like him showing them to Al."

Dee nods her head, removes her jacket, then removes the LSU sweatshirt she's wearing, revealing white T-shirt tucked into her jeans underneath. She tosses the sweatshirt to Yuri. "I would have hated to have had to whip out my badge for a careless mistake," the Sheriff says to Leo. She turns back to Uma and asks how long it will take for the 911 response to arrive here.

"Could take as long as 10 minutes. Maybe even 15, this is kind of a tough neighborhood." Dee Dee puts her jacket back on while Uma speaks, then frowns in thought. The Sheriff urges everyone closer to her.

"There was another attack," she says, voice barely above a whisper, "that's why I wasn't able to meet you here on time. Mr. Johnson is gone. Incinerated." She flicks her gaze to watch Yuri's ministrations for a moment, letting the revelation sink in a little. "Someone matching the description of Bianca riddled him with Dragon's Breath rounds."

[SD Anderson]

A sudden chunk of Mr. johnson's music flashes before Jack's ears.

"Damn!" he says grimly.

[Huxley]

Leo takes the news in silence while watching Yuri take care of Al. He looks back to Dee Dee, waiting to either hear more news or for the motion to move out.

[Detritus]

"There were witnesses, weren't there?" asks Uma.

"Yes, several," replies Dee Dee. "We think we have them all in custody, but..." and the Sheriff trails off. She looks over to Al, and then asks Uma, "He was able to provide for all of your needs tonight, before this attack?"

"Al pretty much always has the goods in my dealings with him."

"He still lives?" Dee Dee asks Yuri.

"For now," is his reply. He give the Sheriff a shrewd look. "Be a shame to lose him, wouldn't you agree?" Uma frowns at Yuri and then her eyes widen. She looks over to Dee Dee, who has her right palm on her forehead, eyes closed, fingers drumming on her scalp.

"There isn't going to be a call to 911, is there?" Uma asks. Dee Dee goes a few more cycles of finger drumming before reverting to a normal pose and answering.

"No, I fear there won't be." She gives everyone else in the room a quick visual once-over.

"There's no hiding what the lot of you have just been through. I recommend you get cleaned up before you go off hunting. Rebekka wants to push back tonight's meeting to 330 am, at the house just off the Tulane U. campus. I'll take care of Al," she says, and then makes her way through everyone towards Yuri and Al.

[Huxley]

"You plan on feeding him, don't you?", says Leo sharply.

[Detritus]

"You plan on feeding him, don't you?", says Leo sharply.
"Eventually, yes."

[SD Anderson]

"The problem we have is we are reacting to their moves, and rather poorly at that. When they do have to react to us, they're adjusting too easily. They definitely have an edge on us with espionage. They know where we are and when some of us are vulnerable. This has to be stopped." Jack says.

[Detritus]

"The problem we have is we are reacting to their moves, and rather poorly at that. When they do have to react to us, they're adjusting too easily. They definitely have an edge on us with espionage. They know where we are and when some of us are vulnerable. This has to be stopped." Jack says.
"Agreed," says Dee Dee, "but maybe tonight's little engagement will start to turn the tables, though it may not seem like it now. We have managed to give them a gift they will find difficult to rid themselves of, until its owner finally retrieves it. Or summons it," she says, brow furrowing for a moment, "I'm still not clear on all the particulars here."

[Huxley]

"Eventually, yes."

"Do you plan on observing the third tradition?"

[Detritus]

"Do you plan on observing the third tradition?"
"Yes, of course," Dee Dee says quietly. "The void left by Mr. Johnson's destruction must be filled as soon as possible. The man is an asset, yet in mortal peril; our enemies know where he works. So we make him immortal, and even that may not be enough. It surely would not be if kept secret; he knows nothing of our ways, but I can teach him. The Prince will understand, I'm sure."

[Huxley]

Slowly and deliberately Leo states, "He'd be far better off in a hospital. Planning for a pup to fill the role of a veteran is not what I would call an asset."

[Kalzazz]

"We did definitely show the need for the new gear though . . . . if I actually had known how to use the rifle I just bought, could have actually hit the flittering unfriendlies"

"There a range somewhere? And uh, anyone know anyway to do anything about this very painful stuff?"

[Detritus]

Slowly and deliberately Leo states, "He'd be far better off in a hospital. Planning for a pup to fill the role of a veteran is not what I would call an asset."
The Sheriff looks at Leo for a bit, until Yuri speaks.

"If he steps off now, we gotta find a new arms dealer, or take over the business ourselves. That decision better come quickly."

"I can't believe Bianca would have targeted Al if we weren't here," says Uma.

"Someone threw a fucking grenade in here, Uma," says Antoinette. "They wanted him out of the way if he was going to sell stuff to us."

Dee Dee keeps her eyes on Leo during this exchange. "He wouldn't step into Mr. Johnson's role," she says finally. "But unless I'm way off here, he's got some soldiering background in him. That's not going to be enough by itself if the attackers come back strong. A hospital wouldn't protect him very much, either, they'll just make it look like a hit. He gets some juice in him, it's a different story, though."

[Huxley]

Leo returns Dee Dee's stare with his lidless eyes, stone faced and thoughtful.

"It would be best to hold this debate in front of the Prince, and leave before the authorities arrive"

[Detritus]

Leo returns Dee Dee's stare with his lidless eyes, stone faced and thoughtful.

"It would be best to hold this debate in front of the Prince, and leave before the authorities arrive"
Dee Dee barks a laugh, short and sudden. Her next words are a mixture of mirth and eye-rolling disbelief.

"Did you just tell me that we don't need some hot shot Sheriff playing by her own rules?" Her tone becomes serious once again.

"This isn't like that. It's a field commission to give us a lot better chance of saving one of the two weapons connections we have in the city. Had, I should say, the other one's already gone. He could have a dozen fragments lodged inside him, any one of which could start him down the road of internal bleeding as soon as he's moved. He's not going to do anyone any good if he's DOA, and even if he makes it to the emergency room still living he could have weeks of recovery ahead of him. Are we going to pull someone off defense preparations to keep an eye on him and another one of us to keep an eye on his store?"

Just when her verbal momentum is about to carry her into full-on rant mode, Dee Dee makes a have-it-your-way gesture.

"You know what? It's fine. We'll do it your way. We'll go with him to the ER ourselves," she says, indicating herself and Yuri. "The rest of you should probably grab a bite to eat." She makes her way to Al and Yuri and then pulls out her cell phone.

[Detritus]

And uh, anyone know anyway to do anything about this very painful stuff?"
After the conversation with the Sheriff, Uma will tell Jocelin how to concentrate enough to heal aggravated wounds.

((Mechanically it's spend 5 BP to heal 3 aggravated damage. You can do this twice a day. The second one requires a Will-5 roll, although if you spend extra vitae you can raise the Will roll by 2 per extra BP spent.

I need to tally up everyone's damage and blood usage for the imminent start of the next IC thread. Will post it once I've got it.))

[Detritus]

Here's everyone's vitals:

François – 4/16 BP, 0 HP (@ 10/20 HP counting from -HT), 9/13 Fatigue left

Jack – 11/16 BP, 4 HP (@ 18/28 HP counting from -HT, all damage aggravated), 4/15 Fatigue left

Jocelin – 14/15 BP, 3 HP (@ 18/30 HP counting from -HT, all damage aggravated), 4/15 Fatigue left. EDIT -- ((Jocelin's max. Fatigue drops to 11 in a bit less than an hour from now, but she'll be able to rest enough that she'll have at least 4 Fatigue remaining at all times.))

Leo – 3/11 BP, no damage, 4/14 Fatigue left

Jack's damage is still left over from the prior engagement with the Invisible Flying Chick. He can still heal aggravated damage tonight if he wishes, at 5 BP per 3 agg.

I'm planning on having a short thread between the end of this one and the meeting at 330 am in which (in addition to hunting) the PCs (and NPCs presently with them) can have a debriefing session while they're out on the town, if they wish.

[SD Anderson]

Since there's time, Jack will go feed. hopefully be able to get back six agg and still be able to top off close to full.

This means at least two human "donors" or a reasonable sized hippopotamus. ;)

[Detritus]

Since there's time, Jack will go feed. hopefully be able to get back six agg and still be able to top off close to full.

This means at least two human "donors" or a reasonable sized hippopotamus. ;)
Yeah, I think it's the idea for everyone to go hunting, but Jack and Leo might go somewhere other than where everyone else is going. Jack can spend 5 BP right now, if you want, to get him up to +7 HP and still not be in danger of running afoul of any Self-Control issues when he feeds next.

[Detritus]

Uma will invite everyone to The Whirling Dervish (http://www.vamp.org/Gothic/Club/1268.html), which is near the river in the French Quarter. Presumably all the Brujah that were at Al's (except Yuri) will be going there. Jack and Leo might not fit in that well at the Dervish, and Uma will suggest they call up Camille, who can get them into the Audubon Zoo (http://www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo.html) at night.

Each hunting location will have its own separate thread. I don't expect the Zoo thread to be more than a few posts, although maybe Camille will prove chatty, we'll have to see. The conversation in the bar could be longer. I don't really want to play up the actual hunting aspect of the feeding, but I think there may be some things that François wants to talk about, based upon his mutterings at the end of this thread. ;)

If there are any strenuous objections to François & Jocelin going to the bar and Jack & Leo going to the zoo, please let me know. Otherwise that's how we'll proceed.