The new Church of Paradise is seen as the one good thing to ahppen to this part of town for the last 10 years. The Church offers afterschool programs, community resources, counseling and even a health clinic. They seem to attract more and more people every month to their shining white building.

--------------------------------------------------------

Of course there is a darker side to all of this as the church is the work of an organization that call themselves the Disciples of Paradise. The disciples are really no better than the street gangs, except that they use the fear of God to recruit rather than drugs or violence. (more to come here...)

After hearing about this so-called “church” and some unpleasant dealings involved, Desmond decided to check out this place for himself. Maybe he could finally clear up what this whole thing was all about…

He approaches the church early in the evening, looking up as the lowering sun threw dark shadows across the face of the building.

THis place is no ordinary church. Its shining white building is far too square, prefabricated and lacks a steeple. The lot it is build on used to house a factory, when it was torn down the grubby, muddy lot was taken over by this church and five of these buildings were constructed.

The main building will be Desmonds target. With its red cross and the carved word 'paradise' under it. When he enters the building resembles a church only in that it has pews. The altar looks like more of a stage, with podium and two large projector screens behind it.

The white walls are broken only by tapestries of deep red that have words in gold on them in dramatic fashion.

'Hope', 'Acceptance', 'Family', 'Paradise'.

Behind the podium stands a man in his early thirties. He wears white robe with a hood and a rope for a belt, but wears new balance sneakers on his feet... He has a beard much like you would see on pictures of jesus. He looks up as Desmond enters and greets him.

'Welcome my brother, we have been expecting you.'

Upon entering, Desmond is almost wary, considering what he had heard, and something about the look and feel of this place… But he keeps his hopes up since he hasn’t run into any trouble yet, and smiles to the man behind the podium, stopping in front of the stage. “Good evening, and thank you, I…“ he is given pause, with a small blink at the set up behind the man as he looks upward. “You have?”

The robed man steps down from the podium and walks to the side of the stage. His hands are clasped in front of him and he motions to a door that will exit the left of the room, presumably into one of the other prefabricated structures.

'Of course. We have much to discuss. Walk with me, brother.'

The man says in a calm, kind voice as he unlocks the side door.

He is a naturally trusting man, perhaps too much so... and he walks to the door as he is invited to talk. He reminds himself to be cautious, even if he doesn't sense any danger at the moment. His conversation with the soup kitchen lady remains at the back of his head.

"It seems you have me at a disadvantage. I know very little about your church," almost hesitant to use that word, but he remains friendly while the same is shown to him. "Indeed, I came here to find out more. What denomination of Christianity are you, if I might ask? This is... different." Glancing around him, then back.

'We practice a mixture of all faiths, worshipping god in all his forms and embracing all cultures.'

The bearded man says with a smile as he opens the door for Desmond.

'I am Brother Anthony, they call me a disciple of Paradise. What is your name?'

Anthony leads Desmond down a small hall, past what looks like a few classrooms. He halts at a final door, with a red sign above labeling it 'exit'. Obviously it doesnt go abck to the street, but instead must take them to some sort of courtyard in the middle of the buildings.

Of course the utter lack of windows and closed door could really hide anything.

“Oh? A bit like Unitarianism?” He wonders curiously, looking over at the man. As they walk down the hall, he glances at the doors they pass.

“I am Desmond Quade, Pastor of the Spirit of Hope.” A moment to smile in a friendly manner at the introductions, then he looks up at the door they have stopped at. He is waiting to see what is behind it, though he still won’t suspect anything without good reason. “I am fairly new to this area. In getting to know this city I heard the name of your church. Though I really hadn’t heard much.”

'As im sure you can relate, we dont have much to spend on advertising as it were. We have to just let our work speak for us.'

Brother Anthony produces another key to open the door blocking their exit.

'We do a lot of work with local groups and the homeless. Did one of our flock pass word of us along to you or did you just happen across us?'

Anthony sounds curious, he also sees to be unsure which key opens the door and chuckles nervously.

He watches as he tries to open the door with some difficulty. "Not used to this building yet?" He asks, not sure why he would be so nervous.

"Well, no. I heard about it from someone at the soup kitchen. To be honest I had not heard good things." There is no accusation in his tone, but inquiry. Unfortunately, he won't lie.

'Too many keys with no labels...'

Anthony jingles the ring, he has easily three dozen keys, that all look the same, only five or six have color coded tags on them...

'That woman at the soup kitchen has some deep seated emotional and religious issues. We only offer to help tend the flocks of the needy and she seems to think we wish to harm everyone.'

Brother anthony frowns and shakes his head, selecting a new key he opens the door.

'But, if what she said was true, why would you come here alone and confront us about it?'

The door opens to a courtyard that is still under construction. Stacks of bricks, tile and lumber, deep holes and muddy tire tracks mar the earth. The area is fenced in, presumably so noone will come wandering over and get hurt.

There are two other men in the area. One is robed, the other is wearing typical thug clothes. Oversized jerset and a do-rag. They sit across the construction site sharing cigarettes and speaking quietly...

As he had not mentioned the woman, he looks at him for a moment, pondering this. Then he glances around the courtyard they have ended up in. “Is there anything for me to fear in coming here alone?” He asks, seemingly without fear. Perhaps his faith gives him strength in many ways. “I wanted to find out the truth for myself.  It wasn’t just threats I had heard of, but a man getting beaten… Are you suggesting she was making it up?” Maybe he doesn’t realize the danger he could be in… though all the while he has been keeping as alert as possible to their surroundings.

'There is always danger brother.' Anthony tells Desmond.

'Thats why men like you and me hear the call to guide the flocks, to protect them.'

Anthony turns his back on Desmond nad picks up something off the top of a lumber stack. When he turns around he has a very worn looking construction hammer in his hands.

'Sometimes, to protect the majority, one or two sheep have to be... sheared.'

Anthony raises his eyes to meet Desmonds face.

'Your new in town, there are places you shouldnt go sticking your nose, no matter what people tell you.'

At sight of the hammer, he does back up a little. He may act a little naive at times, but he is not a complete idiot.

"No. You should never harm another. Especially if you are claiming to be servants of God." His conviction there is strong. He stares back at Anthony, watching him carefully now. His trust in these people is quickly waning.

'Conviction, brother, is the greatest lesson the bible ever sought to teach. From Caine to Judas, we must do what has to be done.'

Anthony grips the hammer and points it at Desmond. His eyes burn with a misguided fervor.

'You are going to leave the Soup Kitchen to us. Do not interfere with our church and we wont have to interfere with yours. Are we clear?'

"The greatest lessons the Bible teaches are love, forgiveness and mercy." He counters, frowning back at this supposed Man of God as he threatens him.

"Yes. I am clear that this is no House of God... but a mockery of one." He begins to move back for the door the way they came.

'You seek to judge what you do not understand!'

Anthonys voice suddenly betraying a bubbling anger...

'You also failed to answer me Reverend. You are only going to get yourself and others hurt.'

Anthony, in a sudden violent movement will spring forward and attempt to crack Desmond with the hammer when he tries to retreat.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008-09-14 19:46:06 Brother Anthony rolls 4 dice to dex+ melee (Diff 7) 3,10,4,9 (2 successes)
Diff: 7 due to improvised weapon.

EDIT: You can dodge.  

--Last edited by Radiationjunkie on 2008-09-14 22:26:24 --

2008-09-14 20:24:50 Desmond rolls 4 dice to Dodge+dex 9,4,4,6 (2 successes)

Desmond is lucky he had been watching out of the corner of his eye. As Anthony moves forward to strike, Desmond leans away, barely avoiding the blow. Which even shocks him.  

--Last edited by Rev. Desmond Quade on 2008-09-15 19:10:37 --

Anthony wiffs, just barely. Desmond will feel the wind from the near miss pass over his face. Anthony's eyes burn with hatred and fervor. The leaning Reverend only serves to frustrate him, he will not fail in front of his brothers.

He recoveres from the whiffed swing by swinging backhanded with the hammer, intent on dealing a blow to Desmond and confident he follows a path that doesnt advocate violence...

2008-09-15 19:51:29 Brother Anthony rolls 4 dice to Dex and melee (Diff 7) 10,4,6,9 (2 successes)

You can dodge.

2008-09-15 19:56:03 Desmond rolls 4 dice to dex+dodge 8,7,4,4 (2 successes)

The preacher's eyes are wide with shock at being attacked, and seeing Anthony come at him again, he stumbles backward to avoid it... and he just barely avoids the hit yet again!

He does not try to fight back, but he will try to make a retreat after that second strike, running for the door...