4b: To the Head

Sep 12, 2024 1:29 am
[ +- ] Mood Music
The ride from the third to the fourth floor seems prolonged to David, Blake and Spencer. As the car moves upward, they hear a slight grinding mechanical movement followed by the lights flickering slightly. The elevator stops abruptly and then a long pause ensues. Just as the men are thinking of pushing the alarm button, a loud ding resonates and the doors open.

The fourth floor lobby is a small area with a white leather couch and a small reception desk, empty at this time of night. To the right is a stairwell door. The doors to Brian's office stand directly opposite the elevator and a soft white light can be seen shining around the door frame. The men feel a cold breeze coming from the air ducts, as if the AC was still trying to cool the already chill nighttime air.

There is an odd smell to the lobby. A herbal scent mixed with... well the smell of heat from an oven but the absence of heat.
Sep 12, 2024 2:48 pm
"Yeah, I told you it went to the top. I'd be ready for anything."
Sep 13, 2024 12:31 am
What the hell is that smell? Spencer grumbled.

He looked around, gauging the room in case this meeting turned into a firefight. Alright, you two know Musgrove better than I do so maybe you should do the talking at first. I’ll hang out in the doorway in case things go south. Give us a point of egress.
Sep 13, 2024 11:11 am
"Will you two relax, I'm sure everything is fine."

David will place the remaining cheese plate on the desk, the pile of cubes noticeably smaller, and then he'll walk to the door. He'll knock twice and crack it just enough to poke his head in.

"Mr. Musgrove? Are you in sir?

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 13, 2024 7:13 pm
Brian Musgrove
David opens the door to see Brian Musgrove’s office. It is a massive space remarkable in its austere emptiness. Dark natural wood floors with blank white walls give way to the sloped glass outer wall that dominates the far end of the office. To David’s right is a small table with a few trophies and awards along with odd curios, the most interesting of which is a clear glass globe that seems to have a dark cloud within. The movement of the cloud is similar to that of a lava lamp, as globs seem to separate and drift about the globe only to rejoin the central mass.

To David’s left is another table with a small bar. Several decanters of liquor are displayed along with glasses and ice.

A large empty gap leads further into the office where Brian’s desk sits. It is a heavy mahogany table with a wide leather pad adorned only with a single widescreen monitor that faces toward the outer wall. Musgrove stands looking out over the dark LA landscape casting its street lights in a blanket over the view. Brian turns slightly, a drink in hand. He wears large sunglasses, odd with the darkness outside. In seeing David, he smiles. David! Grab yourself a drink. The man turns to resume his view of LA.
Sep 14, 2024 1:43 am
David smiles at the invitation.

"Well don't mind if I do."

He'll walk over, pour a drink, and immediately throw it back. He'll then add some ice and fill it up again, sipping it casually as he walks closer to Brian's desk.

'So..Mr. Musgrove, I think we need to talk about the movie...or the strange things going on... or whatever."

He'll take another sip as he waits for the others to join in, realizing in the moment that he doesn't want to be the one to begin demanding things of Musgrove.
Sep 14, 2024 5:05 pm
"I didn't kill those security guards and I am pretty sure you know it." Blake says flatly standing in the doorway.
Sep 15, 2024 12:03 am
Also pretty sure it’s too dark for sunglasses right now. You’re looking a little bit like David’s actor friend at the retreat. You wouldn’t be hiding empty black pits behind them would you? Spencer chimed in from the doorway, placing his hand on the butt of his pistol out of view from Musgrove.

Let’s cut to the chase. What’s wrong with this movie?

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 15, 2024 12:23 am
Brian Musgrove
Does it ever strike you? That… out there… Brian gestured out to the city where the lights fight against the darkness. They’re all just so afraid of the dark that they make it so it is never dark. I wonder then, does anyone even remember what they are afraid of? Do they remember the dark and it keeps them turning on the lights night after night? Or do they all just keep going in the direction they were traveling… like a physics problem. Brian turns and moves to his desk, sitting down and putting his drink which is notably still full on the table next to him.

I know you want to talk… I know you didn’t kill those people… and I know there is nothing wrong with the movie. It’s… perfect… The lights flicker ever so slightly.
Sep 15, 2024 2:36 am
"So, you want to empty us too, and everyone else? Is that it?"
Sep 15, 2024 9:40 pm
David sips his drinking feeling slightly awkward as he glances back and forth.

"So...if you know we didn't kill those people...do you know what did? Cause I gotta tell ya, we are very confused and scared Mr. Musgrove. We saw things that we can't explain...and Verity, what is going on with her?"

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 16, 2024 3:31 pm
Brian Musgrove
Brian looks at Blake, although his gaze doesn't seem to line up quite right. Don't you understand? The church found the answer... What is the meaning of it all? To chase dreams, build wealth, screw over others, find the perfect mate to join you in your pointless endeavors? They are all hollow. Since the 80s the church has been teaching detachment is the only way to inner peace. We were right. And soon everyone will know it. I don't want to do anything bad to anyone. I just want to show them the way to true peace. Brian turns his gaze toward David. What happened to Verity was... unfortunate. Someone had to open the door, though, and she was more than happy to oblige. And now you are being a gift she would have killed for...
Sep 17, 2024 5:19 pm
"So, you have those black tentacles in you too? If you just want to show people, why did we almost die from you henchman? Are you taking choice away from people and forcing them to your will? Doesn’t sound like a great life to be honest."
Sep 18, 2024 12:55 am
If it’s the same gift everyone else seems to be getting you can keep it. You need to do the right thing. Shut this down, or we’ll shut it down for you. Spencer moved his bulk just a fraction of an inch into the doorway, but his threatening intent was apparent. Musgrove seemed sunk too deep into his own power trip fantasy to change his mind now, but Spencer had to at least give him the chance to fix the damage he had done.

Rolls

Spencer Shull: Intimidate (70) - (d100)

(37) = 37

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 18, 2024 1:19 pm
Brian Musgrove
Brian sits quietly for a moment. You've heard the adage, "Seeing is believing"... It's something like that. Everyone fights against change until they experience it. That's why we wanted to do something special for you all. To help you give in. Brian turns and smiles at Spencer. Oh, Spencer. You are nothing if not a man of habit. I know what you want, though. You want it all to go away... the pain... the sorrow... The lights in the office begin to flicker. Spencer catches the whiff of burning plastic, metal and flesh. ...the memories. You say you don't want the gift, but I know the truth. Brian smiles confidently.
Sep 19, 2024 1:36 am
David stands there looking at Spencer, blinking in confusion.

"I'm sorry...but give into what? I just want to make movies Brian....and to spread our teachings of course. I don't need anything else."

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 19, 2024 11:29 am
Brian Musgrove
Brian smiles at David. Of course, David. You are a master of your craft. We just want to give you the tools to hone those skills to perfection.
Sep 19, 2024 7:28 pm
Spencer flinched back at Brian’s words and the sudden smell. I…yes, I do.. he started, but then who would remember the sacrifices made? Who would pay tribute and honor to the fallen? It was a damned shitty way to go out and I’ll carry that memory with me as long as I live. But forget it? Not a chance. Besides, who are you to take that away from people?

His threat had clearly not taken root in Brian’s mind, but as if to emphasize the point he pulled his pistol out of its holster, still holding it languidly, pointing down at the floor.
Sep 19, 2024 8:47 pm
"Let me see how I can spin this in the media, insane head of the church beckons you to watch his movie while he sucks the life and free will out of you. An easy sell I am sure. You have twisted what the church stood for."

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 24, 2024 12:08 am
Brian Musgrove
Brian sits for a silent moment before he replies. We were worried you wouldn’t see the gift for what it was. That’s why we arranged for something special. Tomorrow night, when the church learns true freedom… We’ve made sure that the people you care about most, will be the first to see our magnum opus… Brian smiles confidently.
OOC:
So who is most important to each person? We didn’t really delve into these characters home lives. Keep in mind the church would have full access to your records, your cell phones, your computers.
Sep 24, 2024 10:26 am
OOC:
Amanda would have given the church a lot of BS to maintain her cover.
Sep 24, 2024 1:21 pm
OOC:
@RageRed Let's have a roll to see how well you did at that. I'm thinking it would be a computer use, but any other appropriate skill use would be accepted? Maybe a credit rating to create fake profiles...
Sep 24, 2024 2:48 pm
"Well, I guess if you are threatening us now, you've made another choice for us."
OOC:
Blake has his parents and his baby sister that he adores.
Sep 25, 2024 9:34 am
OOC:
I would think Spencer has genuinely no human connections other than the church folks, so maybe his mother?
Sep 25, 2024 1:22 pm
OOC:
People that she had a deep connection with are her aging mother and kid brother, who she’s helping thru college
Sep 25, 2024 1:29 pm
Edmund_Balworth says:
OOC:
@RageRed Let's have a roll to see how well you did at that. I'm thinking it would be a computer use, but any other appropriate skill use would be accepted? Maybe a credit rating to create fake profiles...
OOC:
Also. Amanda is working professionally for an organized news agency. She is not alone it setting up fake profiles and covering their bases. Like burner phones, tablets operating on fake internet accounts, etc.
Last edited September 25, 2024 1:33 pm

Rolls

Computer Use 55% - (1d100)

(36) = 36

INT (75%) - (1d100)

(18) = 18

Sep 25, 2024 3:57 pm
RageRed says:
Edmund_Balworth says:
OOC:
@RageRed Let's have a roll to see how well you did at that. I'm thinking it would be a computer use, but any other appropriate skill use would be accepted? Maybe a credit rating to create fake profiles...
OOC:
Also. Amanda is working professionally for an organized news agency. She is not alone it setting up fake profiles and covering their bases. Like burner phones, tablets operating on fake internet accounts, etc.
OOC:
Nice! The shield holds :)

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 27, 2024 1:24 am
Brian Musgrove

I know you can’t see it now, but I’m helping you. The lights of the city are beautiful behind Brian’s back. The city sprawls in a tumbling wave of electric light.
Sep 27, 2024 1:53 am
Spencer released the air pent up in his lungs, not realizing he was holding his breath until he exhaled.
No one else can see it either. Not ever. So I’m gonna ask one last time. Shut it off, he said, leveling his pistol at Brian’s chest

Brian Musgrove

Edmund_Balworth

Sep 27, 2024 10:10 am
The grin on Brian’s face
Brian Musgrove
widens as he focuses on Spencer. You don’t get it… There is nothing you can do to threaten me or stop what will happen. The only thing you can do is choose to submit or be forced to submit
Sep 27, 2024 7:10 pm
Fuck, Spencer mumbled tonelessly, then squeezed the trigger.
OOC:
I’d like to push the roll by advancing on Brian. I figure this would be making a closer target, but also letting me within his arms reach/harm if I fail? Not sure if that works or not.
OOC:
Welp.
Last edited September 27, 2024 7:14 pm

Rolls

Spencer Shull: Firearms (Handgun)(20) - (d100)

(30) = 30

Spencer Shull: Firearms (Handgun)(20) - (d100)

(59) = 59

Sep 27, 2024 8:35 pm
OOC:
You actually can't push attack rolls.
The shot goes wide, hitting the large glass window. Brian looks over his shoulder at the window then back at Spencer. The smile never leaves his face.
OOC:
Let's move into initiative.
David 70
Blake 70
Spencer 65
Brian 50


Also, Spencer give me a luck roll.
Sep 28, 2024 12:44 am
OOC:
Rolling

Rolls

Spencer Shull: Luck (35) - (d100)

(41) = 41

Sep 28, 2024 10:52 am
OOC:
David is up!
Oct 3, 2024 3:43 pm
The men brace as Brian moves to stand from the desk, the mirrored finish of his sunglasses providing odd distorted reflections of Blake and David. Just as the leader of the church reaches his stand, a loud crack is heard as the glass window spider webs and begins to fall. At that moment the power goes out.
OOC:
OK guys, really anyone can go as Brian will be at the end of the round.
Oct 3, 2024 6:52 pm
Spencer fires again, hoping that somehow his aim has gotten better in the last 10 seconds. He wished he had put more effort into range time, but firearms had never been his strong suit. He’d always figured if guns were out something had gone horribly wrong leading up to that point. He’d just tried to keep things from getting that far.

Rolls

Spencer Shull: Firearms (Handgun)(20) - (d100)

(16) = 16

Damage .45 Auto - (1d10+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Oct 4, 2024 12:22 am
Wind howls through the broken window. Spencer’s bullet hits true, piercing Brian’s chest. The man hunches over reaching his hands up to the wound, clutching tightly. He throws his body backward in a spasm as a two toned howl begins escaping his lips. Black tentacles begin writing out of the wound whipping wildly backlit by the blanket of LA nightlights.
OOC:
Sanity (1/d8) please!
Oct 6, 2024 2:19 pm
Blake looks on, thinking about his family.

Rolls

sanity vs 55 - (1d100)

(100) = 100

sanity - (1d8)

(5) = 5

Oct 6, 2024 8:34 pm
OOC:
Oh man! Intelligence check, please!
Oct 7, 2024 12:37 am
Roll the music

Rolls

Int versus 70 - (1d100)

(96) = 96

Oct 7, 2024 12:29 pm
Blake's mind disconnects from the horror he is witnessing. Although he knows what he is seeing is real, he subconsciously shields himself with the idea that maybe it isn't.
Oct 7, 2024 2:33 pm
Blake throws the open bottle of alcohol at the thing he sees as a man.

Rolls

throw vs 20? - (1d100)

(14) = 14

Oct 7, 2024 4:19 pm
Blake douses the form of Brian Musgrove in the fine bourbon.
OOC:
@AceRancheros You're up!
Oct 9, 2024 7:33 pm
OOC:
Sorry @AceRancheros, rolling just to keep the game moving.
David blinked at the monstrosity, trying to see the special effect that was causing it.

Rolls

David Otera: San(50) - (d100)

(42) = 42

The Void

Edmund_Balworth

Oct 9, 2024 7:59 pm
The Void
the sprawling black tentacles begin reaching out slapping against Brian’s desk, pulling the monitor into the blackness at its center as it cracked in half and seemed to be consumed by the creature. I launched a tentacle toward Blake and David.

The tentacle swipes wide as the wind howls outside.
OOC:
Spencer, you are up!

Rolls

Blake(1) David(2) - (d2)

(2) = 2

Attack(60) - (d100)

(98) = 98

Oct 14, 2024 2:24 pm
It took Spencer a moment to realize the buzzing in his pocket was from someone calling his phone, not just his skin crawling all over itself. He fished around and pulled it out, yelling a quick What!?, punctuating the question with another fired round.
OOC:
Thanks for waiting for me! Vacation was nice.

Rolls

Spencer Shull: San(57) - (d100)

(48) = 48

Sanity - (1d8)

(7) = 7

Spencer Shull: Firearms (Handgun)(20) - (d100)

(93) = 93

Oct 28, 2024 1:52 pm
"Who is it Spencer?"
Oct 29, 2024 1:09 am
Looks like Daria’s number Spencer shouted, more to hear himself over the ringing in his ears than out of true necessity. Maybe they destroyed the servers and we can get out of here.

The Void

Edmund_Balworth

Oct 29, 2024 1:54 am
The Void
The void reaches out inky black silk tentacles toward David. They wrap around his arm and torso, pulling him into the center of where Spencer’s bullet penetrated Brian’s body. David screams in pain as the searing cold of the tentacles bite into his flesh. He turns to regard his companions. Spencer, Blake… please as the skin is ripped from his body being sucked into the void. A renewed scream overpowers the howling wind as David’s body is broken into pieces and disappears into the swirling miasma of consuming stars.
OOC:
Blake and Spencer, it’s your go!

Rolls

Attack(60) - (d100)

(52) = 52

Attack(60) - (d100)

(9) = 9

Oct 29, 2024 7:46 pm
"F#*$ this!". Blake turns and runs out of the room.
Oct 29, 2024 8:24 pm
Gun forgotten in his now limp hand, a look of nauseated horror crossed Spencer’s face.

I’m so sorry David he whispered before following after Blake.
Oct 30, 2024 1:21 am
Spencer and Blake run out of Brian’s office as they feel the floor begin to vibrate slightly. Rushing into the waiting room, the men push through an emergency stair and begin descending. As the door closes behind them a silence follows the men in their wild flight.

Spencer hears a voice on the speaker of his phone. Jeez, c'mon man pick up the damn phone
Oct 30, 2024 1:46 am
Please tell me. You have. Good news, Spencer panted out into the phone as he ran behind Blake. Brian is one of those things. He killed David.
Oct 30, 2024 2:36 pm
"I have no idea what you're rambling about Shull, but there is all hell breaking loose up here and we need help! We destroyed the computer stuff, I think, but there is some weird apparition trying to kill us!"
OOC:
@RageRed: Not sure we can do anything else here, so I suggest we just run for it to get out of here. What do you think?
Last edited October 30, 2024 2:36 pm
Oct 30, 2024 3:09 pm
Amanda sighs heavily. "All of this was for nothing really." She says in frustration. "Someone pulled the external drive containing the movie file before we got here." She nods and heads out with Daria. "This entire assignment with the production of this movie has been nothing but shit from the start."
Oct 30, 2024 5:10 pm
The women take off for the nearest stairs, running through and down to the ground floor. They open a door to the main atrium where Rich was sitting, seeing his desk absent. A short time later, Spencer and Blake exit a door across the hallway.
Oct 30, 2024 6:39 pm
"Hey guys, long time no see," she shouts to them with a noticeably sarcastic tone.
Oct 30, 2024 8:01 pm
Tell me about it, Spencer growled. I don’t think we can do much more besides get ourselves killed. Let’s get the hell out of here!
Oct 30, 2024 8:10 pm
"I think we need to burn this place to the ground!"
Oct 31, 2024 11:43 am
OOC:
OK, where to? Are you all wanting to end the story with everyone running away or continue on?
Oct 31, 2024 2:11 pm
OOC:
I believe Blake is going to set the building a blaze, then go from there.
Oct 31, 2024 2:30 pm
OOC:
OK! Can you give me a brief rundown of how you would go about that in character?
Oct 31, 2024 2:50 pm
OOC:
Daria is all for running the heck away. After what Amanda said about the drive been taken she has no idea on who took it, or where it was taken, so she's out of ideas, except for the one about running away fast.

She'll help Blake burn the place down if he asks.
Oct 31, 2024 6:37 pm
OOC:
Same goes for Spencer.
This is my first CoC game, but from what I understand they often end with running away after confronting the horrors? More than happy to continue, this has been a lot of fun. But if this is the natural endpoint I’m good with that too!
Nov 1, 2024 12:31 am
"Guys, I’m a bit lost with how to burn this place down, do we just lite some rags on fire in the basement or something? I’m afraid I need help."
Nov 1, 2024 12:33 am
OOC:
Blake is more of an office and media nerd, not knowledgeable about destruction I’d think.
"Then I need to call the media and do my magic to make sure no one goes to the viewing."
Nov 1, 2024 6:06 am
"I dunno, there will be water sprinklers and all sorts that go off. I think if we pull electrical cables, and that type of thing, then set fire to the cars in the car park, we might get something going. I really don't know, I'm more your health foods chain store type person. Shull? Amanda? Any ideas?"
Nov 1, 2024 9:30 am
You sure Daria? You sound more like a budding criminal to me, Spencer chuckled. But we all just escaped here with our lives. I don’t think I want to go through all that so I can spend the rest of mine in jail. We’re the only ones who know about this. We need to stay alive and uncultured so we can keep fighting.
Nov 1, 2024 3:27 pm
Amanda shrugs. "The things...whatever is behind all this freaky fanatic cult shit..is always ten steps ahead of us. No matter what we try to do to stop this invasion of mind and body from this church and its poisonous movie, I has all come to naught. I wish I had never come here."
Nov 1, 2024 7:06 pm
Daria shrugs her shoulders at the other three.

"Well, then, let's get outta here and never come back, or look back."

She heads towards the exit at a fast walking pace.
Nov 2, 2024 12:25 pm
The group makes their way out to the parked car. The cold wind blows and it sends shivers down spines as they walk away from the building. Looking up, the shattered window of Brian’s office is a dark smudge against the reflected street lights on the remainder of the glass building. Everyone piles into Amanda’s car and they leave the church behind in every way they can.
[ +- ] Mood Music
The next few days are a whirlwind. Occasional snippets of news that are heard between radio station changes or surfing tv channels talk about the death and miraculous resurrection of Verity Harrow, a contained gas explosion at the Church of Sunyata, a new summit being held on Climate Change, an influx of faithful followers of Ralph Chandler’s religion.

Daria pulls up to a few cars stopped at a stop light. As she waits, she glances to the side noticing a movie theater with prominent lettering on the display. "Jarod Woodward presents The Space Between". Daria sees a young couple walking up to open the doors of the theatre. She can hear their words through her cracked passenger window I hear it’s his best work yet, better than Plaything. We’ll see… they always say it’s good to draw in the crowds… I’m going to reserve judgment until after…
OOC:
Daria gets the final word!
Nov 2, 2024 1:56 pm
She gently shakes her head.

"Ah, you have no idea. This will...will expand your mind and empty your world, hehehehe."

She starts giggling, then loud guffaws, unable to stop herself as spasms shake her body, and a pain blossoms in her chest. Tears run down her face as she ignores the blaring horns kicking up behind her, and she slowly rolls out into the junction...
Nov 2, 2024 2:01 pm
OOC:
Thank you all for playing! I hope you had as much fun telling this story as I did!
Nov 2, 2024 2:08 pm
Had a blast! Thanks so much for running it. Hope we get to play again in the future.
Nov 3, 2024 10:24 am
Thank you @Edmund_Balworth it was a lot of fun, and a very CoC ending :-)

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