Hawthorne

DIVINE INTERVENTION

---

The Castillan household was in remarkably good shape, which was contrary to the initial information given to them. Still, even as rain fell all around them, and even as the night sky was as dark as ever, the mansion almost seemed welcoming.

Almost.

Temptations like these were not uncommon amongst Satanists and their ilk. Having fallen prey to their earthly desires, they do not have much in the way of... modesty. Still, even as an agent of the faith, Alistair couldn't help but appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the place. He was certain that before these Satanists had arrived, this place was even more beautiful than what stands before him now.

The priest opened the car door, shards of glass and drops of blood falling loose from their position. Alistair let out a deep sigh and took a moment to dust himself off, before turning to Mother Ekaterine.

"Four rounds left." He presented the gun to her, grip first. "...It's an excellent weapon. Thank you for entrusting me with it."

Alistair walked over to the Chevelle's trunk and retrieved the longsword that had been bequeathed onto him by the Vatican. Despite its gaudiness, it was a fine weapon that was excellently balanced. Although this was not a holy weapon used by the Saints, this sanctified nameless blade was still more than enough to dispatch the enemies of the Lord.

The priest then turned to the others, who were discussing the plan once more. He had already committed the plan to memory, but it was good to get a refresher. Jin was also given a map, depicting blueprints of the mansion's layout. It would come in handy, in case the plan goes awry.

"You have our thanks, Signore." Alistair said, tipping his hat. "If all goes well, we'll be finished come sunrise..."

There was a pregnant silence in the air. He did not have to give the driver instructions in case they had failed. The standard operating procedure meant that the ferryman was to drive back to base and call for an immediate Purification of the household. The nuclear option, so to speak.

Even so, however, Alistair had nothing but the utmost faith that the Lord would show them the right path.

As the four priests walked through the house and sauntered up to the door, the sound of music could be heard. "Nocturne op.9 No.2." Alistair commented. "One of Chopin's most famous pieces-- a beautiful rendition of that song." The man then shook his head.

"It seems our quarry has some... refinement when it comes to their choice of music." He looked towards the door a faint smirk on his face. "...At least the last thing they'll hear is something pleasant before they're sent to be with the Being they love so very much."

Resting the longsword against his arm like one would with a rifle, the priest gave the rest of the group a nod. Whatever lay beyond that door would not compare to four of the Lord's exorcists.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

---

As the battle raged on around them, Alistair merely let out a faint smile. Mother Ekaterine was as lively as ever, having blasted two with her her shotgun, before removing a third on the left side. Pastor Yu had dealt with the one on the roof, and let the blessed incense within his censer do its work. Meanwhile Pastor Jin had managed to fell three more-- two with holy water, and one with bullets.

Surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly so-- Mother Ekaterine would be the one to carry a sidearm), the nun from the Eastern Orthodoxy was the one who had broken free from her battle-frenzy to pass him a spare gun. She told him of how many rounds was in the pistol, and how it was precious to her.

If she was trusing him with this, then how could he do anything but oblige her?

"Thank you. I will put it to good use." The priest said with a gentle, but resolute smile.

Alistair gave the pistol a once-over. It was a Makarov Pistol-- semi-automatic, blowback operation, with eight rounds. There was a story to this pistol, and it was likely that the weapon may have been older than he was. Judging by the weight, it was fully-loaded, though a round still needed to be chambered. The priest operated the slide to chamber the first round, and flicked the safety off.

He took a deep breath, and then swung the door open. Taking hold of the car's interior roof handle in his right hand, Alistair went from a sitting position to a standing one, his feet on the car floor while he leaned out of the car. With the wind at his back and the rain in his eyes, he took aim. Gun in his left hand, he took a moment to line up a shot at the two remaining riders, who were now lagging behind somewhat.

If he decided not to do anything, these demons would not be able to catch up. Strictly speaking, if all they needed to accomplish was the mission, these ones didn't have to die.

But it was not enough that the exorcists would live. The demons had to die.

And so they would.

The priest fired once, narrowly missing a demon by mere inches. The next bullet tore through the rider's chest, and the one after that pierced the horse-thing's neck. With one down, Alistair turned his attention to the sole surviving demon. Without a shred of emotion, the man fired one last time, this bullet splattering skull and brain matter alike. The demon fell to the ground, lifeless.

With four more bullets to spare, Alistair took a moment to survey the surroundings. Finding that the threat had passed, even for a moment, meant that a bit of respite was in order. He let out a sigh, swinging back into the car's interior to get out of the rain. He then closed the door, raindrops still falling through the broken window.

"...I believe that was the last of them." The priest said, a bit of satisfaction in his tone. "Excellent work, everyone."

DIVINE INTERVENTION

---

After some pleasant introductions, the group sat in silence for a while. Alistair in particular simply leaned against the back of his seat in an effort to enjoy the music on the radio. As he looked out the window, he thought of Célia and the Castilla family. The young priest silently prayed for their safety, observing the pitter-patter of the rain all the while. As he wished for the Lord's protection, that he may deliver the family of their evils, he heard an ear-splitting scream.

This too was a test. If they fell here, they would not have the strength to face the trials ahead.

And so it began. The demons, detestable as they were, took the form of a horse and its rider. With inhuman speed, the horse-thing caught up to the car, but the driver's quick thinking dispatched of it soon enough. With ten more riders in pursuit and one speeding ahead, the driver-side window was broken by one of the demons. The offending hellspawn was put to rest efficiently, a single headshot sending the thing back to hell.

Perhaps this nameless driver was more skilled than it would seem.

There was little time to ponder this, however. One of the demons leapt onto the sedan's roof, busting a hole in the center. Another attacked the driver, causing the car to swerve from side to side as the driver attempted to stabilize the vehicle. Meanwhile, three more riders began to ram the car from the right, as the remaining five attempted to slow the car from behind. For a moment, Alistair wondered if it would be better to stop the car and fight them on foot, but he realized that these demons, with their superior speed, would be difficult to fight on an open field.

As difficult as it was, they would simply have to fight from within the car-- something Alistair could do, in spite of his lack of ranged weapons.

One of the demons on the right smashed the window the priest was sitting next to, prompting the man to shield his eyes from the shards of glass. The rider quickly disengaged, before attempting another ram.

This time, however, Alistair was prepared.

As the demon drew close, the man slammed his fist into the rider's face in a vicious left hook, before dragging the now-dazed demon by the neck through the broken window and onto his lap. In a single swift motion, the priest procured the ritual dagger from his satchel and stabbed at the hellspawn several times; once in the neck, once between the side of its ribs, and once in the gut.

The demon on his lap went limp, the horse-thing now simply being dragged along for the ride. With more than a bit of disdain, the man lifted the rider away, letting the demon fall to the side of the road as the chase continued. Although his cassock, hands, and glasses were now stained with the blood of the enemies of the Lord, Alistair looked rather unperturbed, turning to his comrades.

"Now... would any of you happen to have a spare weapon for me?" The priest asked casually as he pulled at his gloves. "I"m afraid my sword just won't cut it in a situation like this."

Hawthorne's RPGuild Characters

Alistair Ardizzone

Ordinis Sancti Exorcistarum Christi

Ordinatus Capitulum Exorcistae de New Mexico

	NAME: ALISTAIR ARDIZZONE ______________ AGE: 26 ______________ DATE OF BIRTH: OCTOBER 10, 1944 ______________ FAITH: CATHOLIC ______________ NATIONALITY: ITALY ______________

PERSONALITY
^{______________}

Outwardly, Alistair appears to be a kindly young priest who treats everyone he meets with dignity, respect, and a smile on his face. He is wise, understanding, and surprisingly knowledgeable about the ways of the world. He appreciates art, music, and the little things. Above all else, he is a pious man who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord.

Inwardly, Alistair harbors a deep resentment for demons and the unrepentant and can be particularly cold or angry towards them. He isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and believes that ridding the world of these undesirables would be better for everyone. To him, being denied salvation is a small price to pay for the opportunity to save the world, and he'd readily give it up again if he had to. He's also fiercely protective, and perhaps even a little possessive when it comes to those he truly cares about. Paradoxically, Alistair will die for a cause he truly believes in without hesitation yet is simultaneously not yet ready to die.

After all, there is so much more work left to do.

EQUIPMENT
^{______________}

- Ceremonial Longsword: A holy relic, dating back to the First Crusade, this steel longsword has an edge forged from sanctified silver. Gilded with gold and jewels, this weapon was meant to be used to anoint members of an ancient order of holy knights, rather than be used in true combat. Although heavy and unwieldy, it feels light and fast in the hands of the Ordained. Its edge is dull when used against the innocent, while unrepentant sinners find it sharp-- enemies of the Lord cannot even bear to be in the blade's presence, finding the sword to cut supernaturally deep. Alistair keeps the blade in its scabbard, only ever pulling it free if he knows he must purify.

- Holy Bible: A heavy-set grimoire, containing the Word of God. Alistair has each page committed to memory, but he finds the presence of the tome comforting. He can also recite scripture and verses directly from the Bible, causing many demons to recoil in pain. Weaker demons may burn away, though stronger ones may merely be weakened by such acts.

- Reliquary: A leather satchel containing holy symbols, scripture, and other objects that are anathema to demons. Supplies include, but are not limited to: vials of holy water, silver crucifixes, a ritual dagger, a jeweled grail, notes on religious rituals, images depicting the Lord, his Son, the Virgin Mary, and various other Saints, wooden stakes, blessed nails, a hammer, a set of candles, and of course, bread and wine.

CAPACITY
^{______________}

Despite his thin, seemingly frail physique, Alistair is deceptively tough, his physical and mental fortitude impressive even among other exorcists. He was shown to have a prodigious talent for the arts of battle. He leverages this training to great effect during combat, combining his talent and training together. Fast, strong, and tough, the man is a dangerous combatant in close quarters.

When wielding the holy sword, Alistair uses traditional techniques from Fiore dei Liberi, a form of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) that revolves around the use of a longsword. When fighting without his blade, he uses a street-boxing style, honed through a turbulent youth in the streets of post-war Rome. If pushed, the man isn't afraid to fight dirty, having learned a long time ago that if there are lives on the line, then no technique is too dishonorable.

In addition, the man knows the entirety of the Bible, the Old and New Testament having been committed to memory. If he encounters a situation where his blade will do him no good, he always has the Gospel and the Scriptures to fall back upon. When even that is tested, he taps into reserves of willpower and determination rarely ever seen, except in men with nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Alistair Ardizzone

Ordinis Sancti Exorcistarum Christi

Ordinatus Capitulum Exorcistae de New Mexico

	NAME: ALISTAIR ARDIZZONE ______________ AGE: 26 ______________ DATE OF BIRTH: OCTOBER 10, 1944 ______________ FAITH: CATHOLIC ______________ NATIONALITY: ITALY ______________

PERSONALITY
^{______________}

Outwardly, Alistair appears to be a kindly young priest who treats everyone he meets with dignity, respect, and a smile on his face. He is wise, understanding, and surprisingly knowledgeable about the ways of the world. He appreciates art, music, and the little things. Above all else, he is a pious man who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord.

Inwardly, Alistair harbors a deep resentment for demons and the unrepentant and can be particularly cold or angry towards them. He isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and believes that ridding the world of these undesirables would be better for everyone. To him, being denied salvation is a small price to pay for the opportunity to save the world, and he'd readily give it up again if he had to. He's also fiercely protective, and perhaps even a little possessive when it comes to those he truly cares about. Paradoxically, Alistair will die for a cause he truly believes in without hesitation yet is simultaneously not yet ready to die.

After all, there is so much more work left to do.

EQUIPMENT
^{______________}

- Ceremonial Longsword: A holy relic, dating back to the First Crusade, this steel longsword has an edge forged from sanctified silver. Gilded with gold and jewels, this weapon was meant to be used to anoint members of an ancient order of holy knights, rather than be used in true combat. Although heavy and unwieldy, it feels light and fast in the hands of the Ordained. Its edge is dull when used against the innocent, while unrepentant sinners find it sharp-- enemies of the Lord cannot even bear to be in the blade's presence, finding the sword to cut supernaturally deep. Alistair keeps the blade in its scabbard, only ever pulling it free if he knows he must purify.

- Holy Bible: A heavy-set grimoire, containing the Word of God. Alistair has each page committed to memory, but he finds the presence of the tome comforting. He can also recite scripture and verses directly from the Bible, causing many demons to recoil in pain. Weaker demons may burn away, though stronger ones may merely be weakened by such acts.

- Reliquary: A leather satchel containing holy symbols, scripture, and other objects that are anathema to demons. Supplies include, but are not limited to: vials of holy water, silver crucifixes, a ritual dagger, a jeweled grail, notes on religious rituals, images depicting the Lord, his Son, the Virgin Mary, and various other Saints, wooden stakes, blessed nails, a hammer, a set of candles, and of course, bread and wine.

CAPACITY
^{______________}

Despite his thin, seemingly frail physique, Alistair is deceptively tough, his physical and mental fortitude impressive even among other exorcists. He was shown to have a prodigious talent for the arts of battle. He leverages this training to great effect during combat, combining his talent and training together. Fast, strong, and tough, the man is a dangerous combatant in close quarters.

When wielding the holy sword, Alistair uses traditional techniques from Fiore dei Liberi, a form of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) that revolves around the use of a longsword. When fighting without his blade, he uses a street-boxing style, honed through a turbulent youth in the streets of post-war Rome. If pushed, the man isn't afraid to fight dirty, having learned a long time ago that if there are lives on the line, then no technique is too dishonorable.

In addition, the man knows the entirety of the Bible, the Old and New Testament having been committed to memory. If he encounters a situation where his blade will do him no good, he always has the Gospel and the Scriptures to fall back upon. When even that is tested, he taps into reserves of willpower and determination rarely ever seen, except in men with nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Alistair Ardizzone

Ordinis Sancti Exorcistarum Christi

Ordinatus Capitulum Exorcistae de New Mexico

	NAME: ALISTAIR ARDIZZONE ______________ AGE: 26 ______________ DATE OF BIRTH: OCTOBER 10, 1944 ______________ FAITH: CATHOLIC ______________ NATIONALITY: ITALY ______________

PERSONALITY
^{______________}

Outwardly, Alistair appears to be a kindly young priest who treats everyone he meets with dignity, respect, and a smile on his face. He is wise, understanding, and surprisingly knowledgeable about the ways of the world. He appreciates art, music, and the little things. Above all else, he is a pious man who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord.

Inwardly, Alistair harbors a deep resentment for demons and the unrepentant and can be particularly cold or angry towards them. He isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and believes that ridding the world of these undesirables would be better for everyone. To him, being denied salvation is a small price to pay for the opportunity to save the world, and he'd readily give it up again if he had to. He's also fiercely protective, and perhaps even a little possessive when it comes to those he truly cares about. Paradoxically, Alistair will die for a cause he truly believes in without hesitation yet is simultaneously not yet ready to die.

After all, there is so much more work left to do.

EQUIPMENT
^{______________}

- Ceremonial Longsword: A holy relic, dating back to the First Crusade, this steel longsword has an edge forged from sanctified silver. Gilded with gold and jewels, this weapon was meant to be used to anoint members of an ancient order of holy knights, rather than be used in true combat. Although heavy and unwieldy, it feels light and fast in the hands of the Ordained. Its edge is dull when used against the innocent, while unrepentant sinners find it sharp-- enemies of the Lord cannot even bear to be in the blade's presence, finding the sword to cut supernaturally deep. Alistair keeps the blade in its scabbard, only ever pulling it free if he knows he must purify.

- Holy Bible: A heavy-set grimoire, containing the Word of God. Alistair has each page committed to memory, but he finds the presence of the tome comforting. He can also recite scripture and verses directly from the Bible, causing many demons to recoil in pain. Weaker demons may burn away, though stronger ones may merely be weakened by such acts.

- Reliquary: A leather satchel containing holy symbols, scripture, and other objects that are anathema to demons. Supplies include, but are not limited to: vials of holy water, silver crucifixes, a ritual dagger, a jeweled grail, notes on religious rituals, images depicting the Lord, his Son, the Virgin Mary, and various other Saints, wooden stakes, blessed nails, a hammer, a set of candles, and of course, bread and wine.

CAPACITY
^{______________}

Despite his thin, seemingly frail physique, Alistair is deceptively tough, his physical and mental fortitude impressive even among other exorcists. He was shown to have a prodigious talent for the arts of battle. He leverages this training to great effect during combat, combining his talent and training together. Fast, strong, and tough, the man is a dangerous combatant in close quarters.

When wielding the holy sword, Alistair uses traditional techniques from Fiore dei Liberi, a form of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) that revolves around the use of a longsword. When fighting without his blade, he uses a street-boxing style, honed through a turbulent youth in the streets of post-war Rome. If pushed, the man isn't afraid to fight dirty, having learned a long time ago that if there are lives on the line, then no technique is too dishonorable.

In addition, the man knows the entirety of the Bible, the Old and New Testament having been committed to memory. If he encounters a situation where his blade will do him no good, he always has the Gospel and the Scriptures to fall back upon. When even that is tested, he taps into reserves of willpower and determination rarely ever seen, except in men with nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Good stuff. Putting in my interest as well. Will have an app up later.

Advance on Distant Proxima (Mecha RPG)

That sounds rough. I hope you get your money back, and then some.

Advance on Distant Proxima (Mecha RPG)

That's fair. Ah well, I suppose we've waited this long-- more waiting won't be the end of things.

Advance on Distant Proxima (Mecha RPG)

Oh boy, is it time for beatings?