Your eyes are locked with Wayne's in an unblinking exchange. He is lucid and composed as he waits for your response, and seems to you more severe than you ever thought the klutzy man could be. You try to answer, but your jaw clamps shut, and you purse your lips in thought. Why would a mage help a vampire? Perhaps you are simply not privy yet to the inner workings of these wizards and their ways, but it just doesn't strike you as sensible, seeing how violent these so-called "Dead Apostles" are. You wonder if you should try and learn more before you give Wayne a definite answer.

>1. I am sorry, but I cannot help you with this.
>2. I will try to help you, but you must remember my duties may make it impossible.
>3. Ask Wayne more about the situation.

>>29635913
>2. I will try to help you, but you must remember my duties may make it impossible.

>3. Ask Wayne more about the situation.

"I can't promise anything Wayne. I am curious as to why someone would willingly give Klaus an object of such importance and will help you if I can, but I have my own duties to fulfill and they may not allow me to travel to Munich.

What more can you tell me about Kayton Abraham?"

>>29635913
>Your eyes are locked with Wayne's in an unblinking exchange.
>eyes

And for the options I agree with this guy
>>29636151

>>29636151
Your clasped hands wring one another as you mull your options.Maybe it is too much to be promising anything, but you can't deny that you're as suspicious about this as he is. You shrug your shoulders at him. "I can't promise anything Wayne. I am curious as to why someone would willingly give Klaus an object of importance and will help you if I can, but I have my own duties to fulfill and they may not allow me to travel to Munich."

Even if it's only a half-answer, it seems to make Wayne's day, as he brightens up considerably. "Hey don't sweat it. I can't ask for anything more. Just consider my offer if you get the chance to, is all."

You ask for more information about Kayton Abraham; if the possibility exists of squaring off with him you might as well come prepared. Wayne's eyes roll around in circles as he dregs up what he knows from his labyrinthine mind.

"Kayton is a very powerful individual, and I mean that in a couple ways. Big, scary-looking dude. Always impeccably dressed though, I can admire that. He's got a lot of sway in the Clock Tower, gets away with pretty much whatever he wants. He's uh, what you'd call Average."

You grunt confusedly at him. "He's special because he's average?"

"No, no, it's a magic thing, okay? Just... lemme see if I can explain this. Most magi have one thing they're really good at. A type of craft that is best suited to them. But there are certain folks who are good at many things. Kayton is good at many things. Geddit?"

"I get it," you tell him. You jot that down in your head; Kayton's prowess is apparently above average--wait, you mean Average. You think. Ever so slowly, you're becoming more glad that you're an outsider to all this magic nonsense. The point, you tell yourself, is that he is more dangerous than his peers. Whether that means he's a greater threat than Klaus remains to be seen.

"What else can you tell me about him?"

>>29636717
"Well... he's very formal, so treat him with respect. Unless he tries to kill you; you can probably drop formalities then. He's very direct with his spells and tries to take you out with powerful strikes. So, uh, if you do come and there is a fight... stay behind me. His favorite spells are fire based. I'm told they're pretty hot. Oh! If we get a chance to stop by his kitchen, be sure to have a cookie. They're to die for!"

You blink.

>1. Cookies?
>2. Ask him to divulge more about Kayton's magic.
>3. What kind of magic do YOU use, Wayne?
>4. He doesn't sound German. Why is he in Munich?
>5. Ask Wayne something else.
>6. You should probably get going.

>>29636737
"I take it you've visited him before if you've had his cookies. When was this?"

>4. He doesn't sound German. Why is he in Munich?

>2. Ask him to divulge more about Kayton's magic.

>3. What kind of magic do YOU use, Wayne?

>>29636737
>1. Cookies?
2. Ask him to divulge more about Kayton's magic.
3. What kind of magic do YOU use, Wayne?

>>29637038
"I take it you've visited him before if you've had his cookies. When was this?"

Wayne throws his head back and laughs. "Oh, all the time! I'm good friends with the guy; we go waaaaaay back. I still play Guess Who with him sometimes!" He leans forward and whispers, "I always win. It makes me wonder though... what's he up to?"

In the middle of his rambling, Wayne raised a good point. If these two are old friends, he should be the first to know if Kayton were up to something devious. But if he's in the dark as well, then there may be more at work here than simple betrayal.

"Kayton isn't a very German-sounding name. Why is he in Munich?"

"It's his territory. Don't know the details," Wayne admits, "but if he's there then there's probably some resource he's taking advantage of in his work. Might be on top of a leyline or something."

"Would that mean he'd be more powerful in his own territory?" you question. Wayne makes a half-hearted gesture.

"Eh, not exactly, but it's not a bad assumption to make. His home's probably locked down with major boundary fields to keep out intruders and the like. I've probably broken a few without ever noticing."

You ask him to give you more information about Kayton's magic, but only get an apologetic smile in response. "Sorry; really, I am, but I don't have the skinny on that sort of information. It's not really relevant to me, what with Circuit Breaker and all; so I've never really paid much attention. Best find another source for that, 'cause this well's tapped dry."

You thunk your chin down onto your fist, disappointed, and say "All right, then. What kind of magic do YOU use?"

"Eh? Me? Well, if you're asking my affinity... I don't know."

You arch an eyebrow. "You don't know? Is this possible?"

"Sure it is! Would you know your eyes are brown if you'd never looked in a mirror?" He jumps a bit in his bed, and looks spooked. "Uh... er... eye, I mean. Sorry about that."

>>29635883
Missed the last thread because of school, glad I made it for this one.

You try not to look too upset with him, and let him keep talking.

"Basically, I'm unspecialized. I've got a little reinforcement craft, and I've been developing some offensive supplements... it's not really working, though... But other than that there's nothing really special about me. When you get right down to it I'm kind of a shitty magus. Surprising, right? But the real reason the big bosses keep me around is my ability to naturally counter other magi."

So in all standard respects, you've gathered, Wayne is actually a below-average magus. It's his auxiliary talents that make him effective. That may be worth noting for later.

The sun peeks through the opening you've made in the curtains. It's getting to be later on in the afternoon, and you still need to cook dinner if you're to tender that apology to Catarina.

>1. Say something to Wayne.
>2. Say your goodbyes, you should really be going.

>>29637677
>2. Say your goodbyes, you should really be going.

"It was good seeing you Wayne, but I should probably head home and cook dinner before it gets much later.

Take care of yourself."

>>29637759
This sounds good

>>29637677
I'd say give him our phone-number but we only have that broken work phone...

We need to rectify that soon. We should ask his number at least.

>>29637836
Should do this then
>2. Say your goodbyes, you should really be going.

>>29637759
>>29637836
With a grunt of effort, you push yourself up and out of your chair, briefly waving your hand at your acquaintance. "It was good seeing you Wayne, but I should probably head home and cook dinner before it gets much later."

Wayne turns his head away, eyes closed and grinning. "Yeah, yeah, go do what you gotta do, Bart. I'll just sit here and quietly curse whoever cooks the grub they make here."

Before you leave, you ask Wayne for his phone number. He eyes you warily, as if the notion of a phone number in the first place is weirding him out. "Uh... don't have a phone, bub." You're about to tell him that everyone has a phone, but then you remember that the shoddy excuse for a device in your pocket right now is hardly more functional than an ice cream sandwich.

"Is there an alternative means of contacting you?"

"Well... I AM staying in the same hotel as you. How about you, er, call Room 227 if you want to get in touch while I'm in town, all right?"

"All right. Take care of yourself."

"You too, Bart. Oh, and if you see a dame walking around in scrubs and strawberry hair, tell her that I'm gonna get angry if she brings me more salisbury steak for dinner!"

You leave Wayne's room, and swiftly make your way out of hospital--as it happens, never encountering the nurse that got him so upset. You'd wager it's mid-afternoon, maybe around 3. The sun is already starting to dip down on this winter day. There is a noticeable chill in the air that is growing as the sun wanes, casting the streets in an orange glow. You wave down a taxi, not eager to walk the distance back, and fork over a bit of your ever-dwindling funds. You wonder if this new career pays.

It is a short drive, and you're dropped off at the bottom of the steps up to the church. It seems as quiet and peaceful as it always does; you ponder if Catarina's in, or if she's still making trips to Klaus' lair.

>>29638649
The front door creaks open as you press, and you see that most of the lights are still on. All is quiet, and you see no signs of movement. You kick off your snowy shoes at the front door and see little droplets of water leading off from the entrance. It seems at least someone else was here before you, and did not have the same courtesy to remove their snowy footwear.

>1. Head to the kitchen. You'd like to get cooking.
>2. Follow the water droplets.
>3. Go somewhere else in the church.

>>29638699
>2. Follow the water droplets.

>>29638699
>1. Head to the kitchen. You'd like to get cooking.

>>29638699
>1. Head to the kitchen. You'd like to get cooking.

We should get started on dinner.

>>29638822
>>29638943
Your conscience and your stomach beckon, and to the kitchen you go. You're not sure how to broker an apology for an offense you didn't know you made, but you hope that old saying about getting to the heart through the stomach holds up. The kitchen is located in the back and is far removed from the official business of the church. It is surprisingly well-stocked, and you would expect to find something of its quality in a restaurant. Maybe not gourmet, of course, but someplace nice. There are several bags set out on a counter, the groceries you picked out earlier. Well, with everything set out for you...

You grab some supplies out of the cupboards and get to work on making empanadas, sticking the rest of the food you bought into the fridge for storage. You know the recipe by heart; your mother's made them enough times that you could probably cook a batch from sand and tar. Your equipment for the task is a little sub-par, though. It's clearly out of use, and some of it's even got some rust. Catarina wasn't kidding when she said she stuck to microwave food. Maybe this will be a treat, then.

You hum hymns as you work, losing track of the whiling hours. It's nearly 5 in the afternoon when you've finished, but you have a hearty meal before you. The empanadas are plump and browned, stuffed with only the finest meats. Well, the finest you can find at a supermarket. Still, 86% lean is pretty good, in your opinion. You've prepared side dishes as well, including some gazpacho. You admit, you're not really sure how well they'll go together, but good food is good food, yes? You gather up the dishes on an arm and cradle them out from the kitchen. You're not really sure where to eat yet, but you're sure you'll find a good spot. But first--

Oh, yeah. You probably should have made sure Catarina was here before you cooked all this food.

>1. Go find Catarina.
>2. Call for her, easier than looking.
>3. Do something else.

>>29639793
>2. Call for her, easier than looking.
>1. Go find Catarina.

Let's do both.

>>29639829
I second this.

>>29639829
Third

Rolled 85

>>29639793
ROLLING FOR FOOD QUALITY

>>29640124
lol, the faith is strong.

>>29639829
"Catarina! Are you here?"

You march down the steps, carefully cradling the food you've made in your arms. Not even a drop of gazpacho is dripped as you make the treacherous descent. You've searched up and down the church, and the food is beginning to cool. You hope you can find her before it gets cold. It feels like all this has been pointless if you're going to have to heat it up in a microwave.

The lower levels are the only place you haven't looked. You move down the hall, glancing through every open door for any sign of her. "Catari--" you shut your mouth as you head past her office. The door is open just a sliver, and through the door you can see that she's in her usual spot, asleep at her desk. You wonder if she's narcoleptic, the way her sleep schedule seems to work. She doesn't seem to have stirred yet. You wonder if she's still upset, and if it'd be better to just leave her the food without waking her.

>1. Try to knock without dropping the food. (1d100)
>2. Say something to wake her up.
>3. Try to get closer without waking her. (1d100)

>>29640262
>2. Say something to wake her up.
Shout at her to wake up.

>>29640262
2

>>29640262
>>2. Say something to wake her up.

I'm not going to roll for this shit.

Rolled 15

>>29640262
>2. Say something to wake her up.
There is absolutely no way we are dropping the food.

Rolled 39

>>29640262
>>29640262
>1. Try to knock without dropping the food. (1d100)

>>29640262
>2. Say something to wake her up.

I wouldn't mind a chance to talk to her, and I'd rather not drop stuff.

Apparently all the lurkers come out if they're afraid we might do stupid unnecessary rolls.

Nice to know there's more than 2-3 people in the thread, I enjoy this quest a lot.

>>29640555
You and me both anon.

>>29640327
>>29640335
>>29640357
You COULD knock, but you're not going to risk dropping the food you've slaved over. You'll need to be a little less elegant.

"Catarina!"

A light snore is her response. You press your head against the door and open it a little wider.

"Catarina!"

"Aaa--buh-gwuh--" Her eyes snap open, and she scrambles up from her position fast enough to give a man whiplash. She wipes her sweater's sleeve across her eyes and stares at you in surprise. "Bartolomè? What are you doing here? I thought you were going to the hospital."

"I've already been," you tell her. "It's five o'clock."

"Oh," she murmurs. "I fell asleep." An obvious statement. "What'd you want?"

"I made dinner; I thought you'd like some."

"Oh. Sure, come in." You shimmy through the door shoulder-first as Catarina sweeps her arm across her desk, throwing off all the detritus she's collected to the floor. You enter with long, careful strides to avoid slipping on anything, and set down the empanadas, gazpacho, and a couple glasses of water. You pull up a chair opposite her as she dips a spoon into the gazpacho. You suppose it's lucky that she started with the dish that would have been cold even if it hadn't taken so long to find her. She takes a small sip of the soup and smacks her lips a few times. Her face doesn't change, but she tells you "It's good. I didn't know you cooked."

>1. I picked it up from my mother.
>2. I'm not THAT good a cook.
>3. Have you eaten either of these before?
>4. I'm sorry if I offended you earlier.
>5. What did I say that set you off?
>6. What have you been doing in Klaus' lair so often? Lucien said you'd been making trips.
>7. So, Klaus is dead. What's next?
>8. Say something else.
>9. Don't say anything.

>>29640923
>1. I picked it up from my mother.
>3. Have you eaten either of these before?
then lead it up to
>4. I'm sorry if I offended you earlier.

>>29641003
This but add 7. to the mix

>>29640923
>1. I picked it up from my mother.

"It's actually rather relaxing. It's nice to create a meal with your own hands."

>3. Have you eaten either of these before?

Let her get a bite or two in before
>4. I'm sorry if I offended you earlier.

and ask >7. So, Klaus is dead. What's next?
afterwards.

>>29641228
Sounds like a plan

>>29641228
I forgot to mention, sit down and grab an empanada as we ask if she's eaten these before. We're probably getting hungry.

>>29641083
>>29641228
You laugh a little, and rub the back of your neck in acknowledgment of the compliment. "Really, all of the credit goes to my mother. She was an excellent cook, and you just don't eat food like that growing up without trying to replicate it."

"So you enjoy it?" she asks, sipping a bit more of the cold red soup.

"It's actually rather relaxing. It's nice to create a meal with your own hands."

She makes a suspicious face and looks a little put-off. "Is that a dig at me not cooking?"

"Not at all, not at all!" you insist. You and she both go for the empanadas next, which she reacts to equally positively. She seems to be cheering up, as best you can tell, though it's hard to know for sure with the steely-faced woman. You don't feel like you've made up for your mistake with just food, though.

With a bow of your head you apologize. "I'm sorry if I offended you today."

She glances at you from her gazpacho, and then looks back at it. "Don't be. It'd be stupid to assume you knew about my personal life. You were curious; anyone would be."

"Is there anything I can do to make up for it?" you ask.

"Just don't bring it up again." She pats at her mouth, cleaning up a bit of spilled liquid with what seem to be pretty important files being converted into a napkin. "Home is a touchy subject." There's a long pause, but she finally says, "I'll tell you once you need to know. No sooner."

Fair enough, you suppose. Everyone has the right to a few secrets. But your curiosity has been piqued, and it's hard not to wonder why she doesn't want to discuss her mother. You spend some time dining quietly to let that thought shrink away from you, and once you can think clearly again something more important is on your mind.

"I'm not in perfect condition, but I think I could be called functional, right?"

"You could be."

"Well, Klaus is dead. And until now, that was my only attainable goal. We still know nothing of what happened to my father..."

>>29642025
Catarina stays silent, looking intently at the desk.

"So, now that Klaus is dead, what did you have in mind? What's next?"

Catarina puts her silverware down and leans back, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her fingers. She groans, deep in thought as she wonders that, too. "There are no immediate threats that you or I need to see to. The next step is the only real step to your tutelage: you train."

"And what kind of training is that?" you ask.

"Many things," she answers cryptically. "You will be drilled in your knowledge of Scripture, and taught of the Eighth Sacrament."

"The eighth?" you balk. "Such a thing exists?"

"Yes, but we're not talking about that now." She cuts off your question coldly and moves on. "You will also be drilled in methods of fighting, and killing. And surviving."

"What do you mean by that?" you ask, after swallowing a bite of meat.

"You did exceptionally well against Klaus Hind, under your circumstances. But your survival was entirely based on luck. Some people consider that a virtue, but it won't work every time. You need to hone your body into a weapon that can survive encounters with demons."

"...And how will I do that?"

"I'll show you. But before I can, I'm leaving the goal in your hands." She watches your face calmly and asks, "What do you wish to learn?"

>1. Teach me the means to hurt my foes. [TRAIN STR STAT]
>2. Teach me how to keep up with my foes. [TRAIN AGI STAT]
>3. Teach me to resist pain and continue my battles. [TRAIN END STAT]
>4. Teach me the ways of these "magi". [UNLOCK MAN STAT]
>5. You say Luck is a virtue? Then could it be trained? [UNLOCK LUK STAT]
>6. Teach me to use this sword properly. [IMPROVE SKILL WITH CROSS OF ORLEANS]
>7. Teach me to fight with my... handicap. [REMOVE PENALTY FROM MISSING EYE]

You will be told the details of learning any option you select, and will be asked to confirm your choice, or pick something else instead.

>>29642051
>6. Teach me to use this sword properly. [IMPROVE SKILL WITH CROSS OF ORLEANS]

I have to admit, there are a lot of other tempting options. Especially Luk and Man.

>>29642051
Shit this is a hard choice but I'm going to have to go with 7.

That -2 penalty to all combat rolls can really bite us in the ass.

Rolled 25

>>29642051
>5. You say Luck is a virtue? Then could it be trained? [UNLOCK LUK STAT]

Love me some Lady Luck

>>29642051
>5. You say Luck is a virtue? Then could it be trained? [UNLOCK LUK STAT]

Luck is always good.

>>29642051
>>7. Teach me to fight with my... handicap. [REMOVE PENALTY FROM MISSING EYE]

>>29642051
Would luck apply a bonus to every roll? If so then it might be better than the missing eye penalty removed. But do we roll outside of combat?

I'm assuming we would for persuasion and such. It really depends on whether or not luck applies to everything for me.

LUCK!

>>29642182
>>29642194
"You say that Luck is a virtue? Then could it be trained?"

Catarina opens her mouth, but stops and pulls back to think before she speaks. "It's... hard to say. I doubt I could improve your luck, personally. But we could work on honing your danger sense. It could be the difference between life and death fighting opponents like yours."

Unlocking the Luck/LUK stat grants you the possibility of averting fated injury or death. When you are dealt a hit that would put you in critical condition, you are granted an extra roll that, succeeding a DC 80, treats it as if the attack never happened. You also receive the same save chance against attacks that would otherwise be "instant-kill".

>>29642555
>1. Confirm, and train LUK
>2. Select another option to learn about it.

>>29642051
>5

>>29642580
2

Let's remove that eye-penalty. We'll expand our repertoire later.

>>29642580
2.

>6. Teach me to use this sword properly. [IMPROVE SKILL WITH CROSS OF ORLEANS]

Though I may very well actually want to pick Luck after learning what sword is, I really do like the protection against death that offers, not enough to rely on, but it gives us a chance.

>>29642605
Whoops, meant 7

>>29642635
Nevermind, I'm retarded

>>29642555
YES.

LUCK STAT, YOUR THE BEST

>>29642580
>1. Confirm, and train LUK
A 20% chance to avoid death seems like a pretty good safety net.

>>29642580
1

>>29642555
2
Missing eyes are a pain.

>>29642868
Anon, it a -2 disability is weak compare to the 1/5 CHANCE OF ESCAPING CERTAIN DEATH/FATAL BLOWS

>>29642902
20% chance of not dieing isn't good odds actually. Especially when we fail the dodge DC by two.

>>29642605
>>29642868
"Could you train me to fight with my... handicap?"

"Yeah," Catarina says. "Could probably make you better than you were before if you could tap into your other senses."

Taking this option will turn your -2 penalty into a +2 bonus to all combat rolls. It will also enhance your senses, and teach you to pick up clues you may not have otherwise been able to find.

>>29643064
It ten times more value than getting the eye fixed.

Also, It increse the chances of dodging by 20% death blows indepentdent of any DC and it bonuses/Negatives.

A "Safety net" because we don't have any healing and we got TIME.

>>29643109
>1. Choose this option. [INITIATES TIMESKIP] Forgot to mention before]
>2. Choose something else.

>>29643109
>pick up clues you may not have otherwise been able to find.

Changing my vote from
>>29642715
to fixing the eyes just because of this.

>>29643186
I actually really like this one.

Extra sensory information is extremely useful, hearing or smelling enemies before they sneak up on us, and we will notice details better.

We should probably mention what we learned about the orb to Catarina, it's an interesting artifact and she's our boss.

>>29643186
1. for sure, basically a +4 to combat rolls with the penalty removal and extra perception. Hell yes.

Rolled 10

>>29643409
It a plus 2 anon when the penalty is removed but the extra senses are useful.

Too bad we don't get any danger sense. Spiderman survived his first years as a super hero because of that sense.

>>29643332
>>29643409
"Then teach me everything you can. I don't want to spend my life limited by this..."

Catarina grins. "You won't be."

...

Everything hurts. You cannot see. You're sweating bullets. You are in the panic room, far beneath the church. Catarina has shut out every source of light. Nothing but your base instincts are here to protect you. And she is hunting you now, with that scythe...

You strain your ears. You hear something. A mouse skittering, it seems to you. But that's clearly a ruse. It's Catarina, sneaking up on you! You swivel on your heel and throw a Black Key.

Something squeaks. Uh oh. It WAS a mouse. There is a sound of metal slicing air, and then YOU. There is a horribly uncomfortable sensation as Catarina rips your Thread of Life from your body. You've lost.

Again.

"What's the score now, Bartolomè?"

"...One-thirty-three to nothing."

This continues for several weeks.

(Trait gained! Extra-sensory: Missing eye penalty removed, +2 to all combat rolls, and opportunity to uncover Secret Options.)

...

It is February 12th, at about eleven o'clock in the morning. And you are quite sore. You lie in your bed, staring at the ceiling. Much time has passed. So much time, in fact, that you've forgotten an agreement you made with a friend...

Catarina pokes her head through the door. "Bartolomè, the magus is out in the lobby. He says he's come to talk to you about... Munich?"

And that's where we'll be stopping for tonight! Sorry for the shorter-than-average thread, but it's getting late, and I'm going to try and make up for it by running a second thread tomorrow afternoon around the same time.

Follow me @Frolloswagendir for updates on the Quest, sometimes the updates are even accurate!

And as always, feel free to share any comments or gripes either there or in here. Thank you all for playing!

>>29644272
It was fun