Char Li's Angels: The Skull of Saint Diana - Part XIII

Our session starts with Belvoir still drinking in a Suryada dive bar. He is still trying to gain more information on the local Scravers and the theft of the Skull, when the tavern is raided by a priest and a mob of zealots. Belvoir quickly decides that he does not want to have to explain himself to them and hastily slips through the clientele, out of a back door and heads back, via side streets and alleys, to return to the Blessed Saint Horace.

Meanwhile, also in the city, Alexi(u)s concludes their research in the catherdal archives.  They copy out some notable passages concerning the Skull of Saint Diana, noting that the records have been updated recently as the information is relatively current.

Zillah is recovering well from their wounds, Alexi(u)s having conducted surgery on them the previous evening. With everyone but Kibri back aboard ship they review their findings and theories so far.  Alexi(u)s mentions the information they received by letter while in the cathedral.  They don’t explain the source but confirm that they consider it reliable. It states that Baron Tochiro Matsumoto Justinian was in trouble with Church authorities about eighteen years ago but that he avoided severe sanctions due to the support of some notable nobles from the royal houses. They also note that the Scravers Guild were indited and that they felt the full weight of church law. There may therefore be bad blood between the Guild and Baron because of this. The troupe are also very intrigued by the fact that the hand over ceremony was held at the lower status basilica rather than the city’s cathedral and elect to make some further enquiries on that score.

Bas receives news that the two Li Halan raiders, Rain of Vengeance and Flavius’ Reign, along with the majority of the command staff, will be joining the Tiger of Tashrak in orbit. It appears that House Justinian are not funding further hotel accommodation after today, and because of this the troupe will be soon be joined by two new guests. Bishop Arcellius Li Halan and Baronet Chi-Fu Li Halan will be staying on Ravenna while the relic is located and will need accomodation on the Blessed Saint Horace while they support and monitor the troupe’s investigation.

The following day, while Bas and Ulrich prepare the ship for the arrival of their new guests, Zillah, Belvoir and Alexi(u)s head back into the city. They initially head to the contact address Belvoir has for Charlie Crocker, but are hastily turned away by the doorman at the sight of a priest in their midst.

Zillah and Alexi(u)s then decide to visit Saint Symeon’s Basilica and locate Reverend Geraldine. When they arrive they see teams of the faithful, led by lay church wardens and young novitiates, are still cleaning up after the devastation of the massacre. Tarpaulins have been secured over the chapel where the glass roof was shattered leading to the place being transformed into a dark and grim version of the previously bright and airy temple they previously visited. They speak to one of the workers who is toiling away filling bullet holes in the walls.  He directs them to the small side chapel where Reverend Geraldine is devoting herself to prayer. She is visibly traumatised by events but agrees to speak with the Thana knight and Avestite priest. She confirms that Baron Tochiro requested that the service be held at Saint Symeon’s after not being able to secure Saint Regeo’s Cathedral. He donated to the church coffers to do so, but that money is now nowhere near what will be required to repair the damage sustained and restore the church to it’s former glory.  

Meanwhile Belvoir tries to gain access to Boss Crocker once more, and this time his efforts are rewarded with two of the Scraver’s men emerging to see him off. Belvoir refuses to go without a fight and ends up shooting both men, killing one and injuring the other but taking a bullet wound to the shoulder in the process. 

 

 

Belvoir wins more friends 

 

He takes a pistol from the dead man (to replace the disposable derringer he emptied in the fight) and enters the safe house, soon coming face to fact with Charlie…