Comment that Todd is likely beyond reasoning - for now. Words won't reach him, he will HAVE to be restrained. You can't really be certain of anything right now. Also, state that no one is to touch The Book. No one. It's what got you into this shit, after all. With that said, she's right - Todd needs to be handled, and you need some safety, and with more people, you have more options for dealing with your problems.

>>522925
Hey, how come nobody comments on your eyes?

Tell her the history of the book.

>>522925
what do you mean by normally

take a quick look at the book to see if you notice anything different about it. Other then that it seems your options are see if you can find a way to get the hell out of here or see if you can't help out mace girl here to try and take out a possible threat so you don't have to put up with it later.

Uhm. Ask where all the mouse guy's coworkers are.
We dont want an entire possessed horde after us.

And also Im still all up for chewing out the cop lady.
She maced you when there was a lunatic about. People are going to be defending themselves, and I dont like how trigger happy she's been with the mace and her drugs.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/08(Mon)20:40 No. 522955 ID: f7d109
File 137334122505.jpg - (45.72KB , 500x358 , thebook.jpg )

You break out the book and cautiously open it, there's nothing noticeably different about it. Beth swears that the first page "melted" and she touched one of the worms but each page is perfectly smooth.

Jeff is fucking stoked that you apparently have the Necronomicon and wants to touch it. You tell him that it is probably a bad idea.
Jeff: >"Klaatu barada nikto!"

before anyone asks, just a change of how I shaded the book, its not filled with black or anything

Toxoglossa 2013/07/08(Mon)20:40 No. 522956 ID: f7d109
File 137334124484.jpg - (27.90KB , 600x196 , hmmmm.jpg )

>>522930
Hmm that is weird, you certainly thought your eyes looked bizarre the first time you saw yourself in the mirror. Could it be only you see the difference?

You're not sure if you want to bring it up seeing as your sanity is already in question.

Ask her how your eyes look after the pepper spray. Gives you a nice excuse to check.

>>522951
Alright, everyone's armed, let's go find Todd.

hmmm, whelp now that we at least got to the point where the chick wont mace you again so might as well go look for the guy who tried to brain you earlier.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/08(Mon)21:12 No. 522970 ID: f7d109
File 137334317880.jpg - (130.52KB , 800x800 , poseasateam.jpg )

>>522958
You ask: she claims that they're just red and apologizes again, but asks that you don't keep bringing up.
It seems that this is only something Dale sees.

Jeff explains that his manager hardly shows up for work and tells his coworkers they should lock themselves in the store.

Nervously you step out into the daylight to hunt for the missing EMT.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/08(Mon)21:13 No. 522972 ID: f7d109
File 137334322134.jpg - (28.88KB , 400x504 , radio.jpg )

Beth decides to try something. She pushes the "talk" button on her radio twice and it chirps. If Todd is nearby you don't hear his radio.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/08(Mon)21:14 No. 522974 ID: f7d109
File 137334325726.jpg - (35.37KB , 500x442 , alleyway.jpg )

You decide the best place to start is to check the alleyway where he was last seen.

k just don't split up, this isn't scooby doo.

and why is the chick with a broken arm leading the way?

Be sure to look up.

Be causious, and be aware.
And for god's sake, stay together.

Yo tox, we might need confirmation in the favicon thread to get it put up for you, just letting yall know
Anyhow, try to stay together in formation. The nurse should take up the rear, being the healeer of the group. I am assuming that Hank would be best suited to fronting, leaving who I am guessing will be our rouge jeff.
Note that I am only using these terms to make them categorizable, we want a triangle formation with beth and jeff bringing up the rear as hank seems like he'd be the most solid wall for an attack.
Have beth and jeff watch from the back to prevent flanking.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)11:58 No. 523094 ID: f7d109
File 137339633612.jpg - (57.45KB , 600x488 , detectivework.jpg )

You start with the fenced in area by the shutter door. Todd doesn't seem to be in the area. You spot a roof access ladder that would give someone a better view of the strip mall, however Beth is unable to to climb with one only one arm.

>>523094
have beth gurad the ladder, go up with jeff and be wary.

Open that dumpster first to make sure he isn't in there, then send the kid up to check out the view. Perhaps have a chat with Beth while you wait for him. Maybe about the hole in your head. (and make sure both of you stay away from the fence)

>>523094
There's blood on the ground there. He was leaking blood from his eyes. Following the blood trail will tell you where he went. Don't go up the ladder if there's no blood on it!

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)12:22 No. 523105 ID: f7d109
File 137339773798.jpg - (24.30KB , 500x470 , venom.jpg )

You kneel and realize it isn't blood, rather something black and foul smelling. Touching it makes your whole hand go numb for a second.

It looks like fell when Todd exerted himself.

Beth
>"Did you find something?"

"don't know maybe, you seeing this"

Show her the 'blood' you found and see if she can actually see it, if she doesn't see anything then just drop immediately and change the subject to if we do find Todd on the roof how exactly are we going to bring him down short of tossing him off the side.

>"Did you find something?"
Yeah. Creepy black goo.

>>523105
Ask her to get a sample of that for scientific study. Check the dumpster first to make sure Todd's not in it, then you should go up the ladder while the other two stay down here.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)13:56 No. 523124 ID: f7d109
File 137340340162.jpg - (33.24KB , 422x600 , leech1.jpg )

"Check it out."
Beth shrugs
>"It looks like dirt, you get that in alleys."

You decide not to push your luck, but still want to save some of the goo for potential study. You decide to put it one of your leech capsules for later.
Amazingly the creature immediately starts devouring the foul substance.
You're not sure how to explain this revelation to your companions.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)13:56 No. 523125 ID: f7d109
File 137340341966.jpg - (33.97KB , 253x800 , ladder.jpg )

You decide that the rooftop should be explored: You and Jeff will go up while Beth stands with her back to the ladder below. Jeff will do a quick lap of the structure while you remain at the top of the ladder, ready to quickly assist either party.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)13:57 No. 523126 ID: f7d109
File 137340344934.jpg - (38.70KB , 600x442 , rooftop.jpg )

Once on the roof you find a mess of air conditioner stacks noisily pumping away, creating a rats nest of hiding spots and blind corners. The high vantage point gives you an inspiring view of the boring concrete boxes that comprise modern strip malls, as well as a pretty amazing view of the nearby mesa.

ah shit. well keep your guard up and ask The EMT to try that radio thing she did earlier again and to keep doing that until you and Jeff come back down.

>>523126
Look over the edges of the building at the surrounding alleys.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)15:13 No. 523152 ID: f7d109
File 137340799148.jpg - (43.47KB , 549x500 , beepbeep.jpg )

Beth does another radio check and jumps when she hears the response.

>"Uh, guys? GET DOWN HERE"

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)15:14 No. 523153 ID: f7d109
File 137340805718.jpg - (40.29KB , 427x600 , hangon.jpg )

You yell to Jeff that you're going back down and throw yourself onto the ladder, hoping he can hear over the sound of the AC units.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)15:15 No. 523155 ID: f7d109
File 137340814246.jpg - (66.64KB , 600x625 , sneaky.jpg )

You get Beth to stand back, ready with the mace, and peek inside the dumpster.

>>523097
Called it. Don't make anymore noise while you wait for them to come down. Once you are all there, have one person watch your backs while the other two open the dumpster. There's a chance that the radio came off and that he's still nearby.

Dale quick turn around and swing your crowbar around as fast and hard as you can

Oh hey behind you.

>>523159
>>523157
Well. I need to learn to type faster. Dale swing your mace around behind you. (to your right) Beth, step directly back and ready the mace for when there's an opening.

>>523157
Mace.

OH GOD OH GOD HE'S GOT GOAT EYES GET BACK AAAAA

JEFF
HEROIC ACTION TIME
NOW PLEASE

MAAAAAAAAAACE

On the positive side, this implies that Raddie can probably only be one or two people at at time.

Well, lets see if the 'window to the soul' thing extends to conveying chemical eye attacks. Don't expect it to work though.

>>523124
>Feeding leech evil eldritch ooze.
...right. That's not going to turn it into a horrible monster later. Nope.

>>523194
In the w-eye!

RENEGADE INTERRUPT

CROWBAR TO THE FACE

>>523157
Go ask friendly ol' Todd there what he thinks of the situation.

>>523157
OHGODOHGODOHGODOHGOD

BEHIND YOU

CROWBAR

FACE

NOW

Bring the crowbar strait up into his jaw, push him away and let Beth hit him with the mace

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)18:09 No. 523233 ID: f7d109
File 137341854295.jpg - (88.32KB , 600x600 , attack1.jpg )

You feel a presence from behind, instinctively spaz-out and unleash a backhand strike at the figure, connecting with his gut.
He is driven back a couple feet, but fails to react in any meaningful way. It could be because you panicked and weren't able to swing properly, but is also seems that Todd is beyond registering something as mundane as a crowbar to the stomach. Beth brings her mace up to follow up your attack with a burning chemical torrent and hesitates.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)18:09 No. 523234 ID: f7d109
File 137341855927.jpg - (52.78KB , 500x571 , attack2.jpg )

>"Todd, your eye. Oh my God."

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)18:09 No. 523235 ID: f7d109
File 137341858829.jpg - (49.82KB , 294x600 , attack3.jpg )

Todd's right eye is missing, the empty socket weeping a slow curtain of poisonous bile.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)18:10 No. 523236 ID: f7d109
File 137341860578.jpg - (41.71KB , 282x600 , attack4.jpg )

His other is.... honestly not an improvement.

FOR GOD'S SAKE, DON'T LET UP.
AND GET ON THAT GODDAMN RADIO AND CALL FOR SOME BACKUP.

>>523236
Parry the incoming strike and give Beth an opening to use that spray.

Well, this quest is goddamn terrifying.

I say follow up with mace, try to keep your and if you get an opening try to break the arm holding the tire iron, if he doesn't react to the mace then try to keep your distance. Hopefully the kid can get down from the roof quickly enough to provide support in the next few seconds.

Go for the W!

Wait. Um. What is he doing? He wasn't phased by the attack, really. And something terrible has already happened to him. But what is he trying to do now? I mean, is he even resisting?

Get distance between you, and have the EMT call for support. The mace may not do anything, and I'm not sure we want to go all in on doing as much physical damage as possible just yet. We don't want to be arrested.

ok now try and get around him so if you need to make a run for it you're not boxed in and where is Jeff?

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)20:36 No. 523269 ID: f7d109
File 137342739360.jpg - (78.52KB , 600x600 , jeff1.jpg )

>>523259

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)20:36 No. 523270 ID: f7d109
File 137342740490.jpg - (69.16KB , 600x600 , jeff2.jpg )

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)20:36 No. 523271 ID: f7d109
File 137342741417.jpg - (44.97KB , 600x600 , jeff3.jpg )

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH

Toxoglossa 2013/07/09(Tue)20:38 No. 523279 ID: f7d109
File 137342752091.jpg - (87.76KB , 800x499 , toddscream.jpg )

Todd opens his mouth. What comes out can't be called a word, a laugh, a scream. Its is as if madness itself had a sound.

For one instant you are in direct control of BOTH Dale and Beth. Who acts and how?

>>523279
I kinda want to have Dale throw the book at him just to see what happens. The other (and more likely to succeed) option is to have him chuck/shove one of the vials of leeches at his face/missing eye. They've shown that they will eat whatever he's leaking ravenously. Beth has the crowbar, so the only question is if she is the distraction or the main attack. (distraction is better in my mind)

Man down, we have a man down!
One of you should attract his attention,
While the other either belts him on the head,
Or finds some bricks or bottles to fling.
And by the nine,
DO NOT LET HIM GET CLOSE!

>>523281
...a leech in the eye socket is a really interesting idea, actually.

>>523282
Dude, stop using the subject field to suggest.

...the leech devoured the goo. I wonder what happens if a leech were to attach itself to Todd. LET'S FIND OUT.

Dont throw the book! Maybe that's what it wants!
Beth, get out of striking range. You're injured and no good. Radio for help, then try to sneak in behind him while he's distracted by Dale.

Dale, I dont know what you should do!

I do have a suggestion for at least Beth
go for the legs with that crowbar, kneecaps priority
If he goes down, that gives Dale the opportunity to just pour a leech straight into his eye. Not that he shouldn't try if she can't get the beast to go down.

Okay, kids got a broken arm and is likely knocked out, Beth is will only be a distraction with one arm if she tries to fight........fug it, lets go with Beth stays just out of reach with the crowbar and Dale comes up behind and attempts to insert leech into the socket.....hopefully this cripples the....thing rather than killing Todd.

Beth- grab the crowbar and just try to get his attention more then anything but if you can land a clean blow in here or there don't hesitate again.

Dale- you saw what happened when one of those leaches was given just a bit of the black crap what do you think would happen if you got one on the guy proper or better yet in his eye socket.

Also when you two get a minute how's Jeff?

He's inhumanly fast, but dude's only got two arms (I hope).

Beth, one-hand throw the crowbar, scrabble away, dragging Jeff along with you with your good arm.

Dale, grab an item in each hand, throw the cocaine pack, then throw a leech. Try to aim for the sanity-shattering growly mouth-hole. Pray this works, snatch your stuff, start running.

Why did you even stay behind here?

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:10 No. 523467 ID: f7d109
File 137349064909.jpg - (36.24KB , 600x600 , counterattack1.jpg )

Beth seizes her chance.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:11 No. 523469 ID: f7d109
File 137349069783.jpg - (55.36KB , 600x600 , counterattack3.jpg )

and lets fly

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:11 No. 523470 ID: f7d109
File 137349071945.jpg - (70.73KB , 518x600 , counterattack4.jpg )

Coming from Todd's blind side, the crowbar shatters his kneecap before he can react.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:12 No. 523471 ID: f7d109
File 137349074134.jpg - (65.96KB , 600x600 , counterattack5.jpg )

While the attacker is off balance, Dale closes the distance-

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:12 No. 523472 ID: f7d109
File 137349076068.jpg - (71.58KB , 600x477 , counterattack6.jpg )

And hopes this works.

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:13 No. 523473 ID: f7d109
File 137349079793.jpg - (67.42KB , 500x500 , counterattack7.jpg )

The leech disappears deep within the ruined eye socket

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:14 No. 523476 ID: f7d109
File 137349086099.jpg - (38.22KB , 500x435 , counterattack0.jpg )

>"urrrghhh"

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:14 No. 523477 ID: f7d109
File 137349088908.jpg - (48.67KB , 500x491 , yaytodd.jpg )

>"Hey, Honeybee? Whats up?"

Toxoglossa 2013/07/10(Wed)14:15 No. 523479 ID: f7d109
File 137349091201.jpg - (60.41KB , 517x800 , tears.jpg )

END OF CHAPTER 2.

Holy crap that worked? We actually saved someone from possession without killing them? Wow. We're gonna need more leeches.

...and he's gonna need some serious medical care with the broken knee and hole in his dead. And someone's gonna have to get the leech out.

Yes! That went perfectly! We now have 2 leeches and an opponent that knows how we disabled him. This will definitely not be this easy again.
We should keep one of the leeches in a steel bottle (no shattering/crushing the bottle) after this; to save for the final battle vs the librarian.

Since the book and the leeches came from the same place, it's probably a good idea to try to remember where the fuck they came from.

Wait, you see, what we need is a GIANT LEECH.

>>523480
We should be careful here. We don't know whether removing the leech is safe, so we should wait until he's securely restrained.

what if there is a leech in your head wound?

Uh, yeah, what happens to the leech? Does Todd just have a leech squirmin' behind his eyeball now?

next on our to do list find some more of those damn leaches... after we see how Jeff and Todd are doing.

OO That worked!?!

He's pretty calm for someone missing an eye, think he might be in shock right now?