�The Pilgrim�

THE CHRONICLES OF REV. MOORE

Written by Sam Gafford

Co-created by Sam Gafford and Jim Main

Book One: The Long Walk

“Dawn of Apologia”

PAGE ONE

Panel One:

Splash panel. The scene is a large open space in the middle of a forest. There is a large fire burning before a huge monolith. The pillar is covered in grotesque carvings showing strange amphibious creatures as well as other strange beings that are not human. Some have human bodies with squid like heads while others have human heads atop frog like bodies. At the bottom of the monolith are several dead bodies and standing amidst them are THE PILGRIM and JOSETTE,

his apprentice.

The Pilgrim is a tall, stern man dressed in Puritan clothing which is ripped and stained. His hat is missing. The Pilgrim’s face is lean and stark. He is not a man given to displays of emotion and seems to be perpetually scowling. Josette is a young, attractive girl in her early 20’s but you can’t really tell this because she is wearing a cloak with a hood that covers her face and body. She appears to be in some pain and is nearly doubled over.

The Pilgrim is holding back a group of semi-deformed people who are circled around the fire. He has a large book in one hand and a torch in the other. The people are in various stages of mutating into a frog/human hybrid. Some are almost completely human. Others are almost completely mutated and have tentacles. They seem to be afraid of something but it is hard to determine if it is the Pilgrim, Josette, or the book.

The Pilgrim and Josette have obviously disrupted their ceremony and are about to pay the ultimate price for it.

CAPTION (in Old English Script): October 25, 1758. The trail of D’Shoguth has led us to the small coastal town of New Hudson. There we have discovered an important clue to Josette’s past… but at what cost?

JOSETTE: REVEREND! I CAN’T HOLD IT IN MUCH LONGER!!

PILGRIM: You must, child! Resist it with all your might or we are doomed!

PAGE TWO

Panel One: Long panel. Looking downward on Josette. She is writhing in pain. Her head is looking upward and the hood has fallen off her face. She is a beautiful girl but right now her face is contorted from the pain and something else. There is a light burning from her eyes which are devoid of pupils.

JOSETTE (SCREAMING): I CAN’T! IT’S COMING THROUGH!! AAARRGGGHHH!

Panel Two: Side view. There is a light streaming from her eyes which is beginning to form something above their heads. The Pilgrim is in the foreground…literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Josette is still screaming but something else (in a different lettering font) takes over her scream and turns it into laughter.

PILGRIM (in small letters): damn…

Panel Three: Josette is levitated into the middle of this bright light which is ululating around her. Her head is bowed and the light mirrors her physical body language. She is pointing towards The Pilgrim and the light behind her is also pointing. The townspeople are mystified and terrified. This is not what they had bargained for.

JOSETTE/CREATURE: FREE! You thought you had beaten me, Moore? You thought you could contain my power within this puny vessel? I shall tear it asunder and then I will do the same to you!

PILGRIM: Ye will not find me defenseless, hellspawn! I have wrestled with yr like since the dawn of time and I am still here!

Panel Four: Close up on Josette’s face. It is evil incarnate but also stunningly beautiful. The evil itself within her is seductive.

JOSETTE: You were a fool to bring the child here within this circle of power. Now I can FEED!

PAGE THREE

Panel One: Large panel. The creature around Josette is drawing power from the townspeople around him. They are screaming and writhing in pain. Josette/Creature has a look of pure ecstasy on its face. They never thought there would be a creature more powerful than them.

TOWNSPEOPLE: (Screaming and yelling for D’Shogoth to save them.)

JOSETTE/CREATURE: YES! I can feel it. Their pain gives me strength. The door is opening… wider… WIDER!!

Panel Two (Inset): The Pilgrim, looking determined, opens the book. Light spills from the book into his face and there is the sound of souls in torment coming from it.

Panel Three (long): Bird’s eye view looking downward. The Pilgrim is holding the book over his head and towards the creature.

PILGRIM: By the power of the Lord and through his book, I command ye: BEGONE!

PAGE FOUR

Panel One: Large panel (maybe 2/3 of page). There is a blast of energy coming from the Pilgrim and the Book that is colliding with another blast of energy from the creature. The energy from the Pilgrim extends halfway up his arms.

SFX: KRAKKK!

Panel Two: The light creature is showing pain. Josette’s face is contorted in agony. The energy from the Pilgrim is overpowering her.

JOSETTE/CREATURE: NNNOOO! I cannot be beaten now! I’m so close! So close!

Panel Three: Close up on the Pilgrim. His face is tight and determined. He will not lose this conflict.

PILGRIM: Back, demonspawn! Back to the depths of hell where you are consigned to be! Feel the power of the Lord! Feel the power of the one true Word!

Panel Four: Suddenly, the light creature is gone and Josette is hanging in mid-air with no support. Her body is limp and she appears insensate.

JOSETTE: Uhnnn…

PAGE FIVE

Panel One: The Pilgrim rushes forward and catches Josette as she falls to the ground.

SFX: THUMP!

PILGRIM: Oof!

Panel Two: The Pilgrim is holding Josette who is half conscious. He is stroking her forehead and talking to her tenderly.

JOSETTE (weakly): Did… did it work? Do you banish it this time?

PILGRIM: No, my child. It fled like the coward it is. But each time we get closer. You’ll be free of it soon. Did I not swear to you that it would be so?

JOSETTE: Y-yes, but I’m weak… so much weaker than before.

PILGRIM: Hush, child. Sleep now.

PANEL TWO: Josette starts to fall asleep but there is another face imposed over her own. It looks similar to hers but has some of the facial characteristics of the Pilgrim. It is a little younger than Josette and is crying in pain and fear.

JOSETTE/Ghost face: FATHER! You promised! No more pain!

PILGRIM (stoically): Hush. I know. No more pain.

Panel Three: Long panel across bottom of page. The Pilgrim is cradling Josette in his lap, bent over her in grief and sadness. All about them are the dead bodies of the cultists. The fire is still burning behind him. It is a scene of horrible, occult carnage.

PILGRIM: No more pain.

PAGE SIX

Panel One: Overhead view of a large tavern. There are many people here drinking and laughing. Over in the corner is Josette who appears to be in conversation with several very solemn looking men. No one is sitting near them. They seem to be taking pains not to be near them or looking at them.

CAPTION (in Old English Script): We returned to the tavern in Kingsport and rested. Josette was shaken by the experience but she is a hardy child. I worry about the girl but she is resting now.

She is sometimes too innocent and needs protecting from the dark ways of the world.

JOSETTE (yelling): You motherless spawn of a pig!

MAGISTRATE: How dare you speak to me like that, wench? Do you know who you are talking to?

Panel Two: Close up on Josette and three men. She is wearing the same cloak and hood but she looks different. A little older, a little shrewder. She is talking to three elders of the town. The one doing the most of the talking is MAGISTRATE HAWKINS who is a slightly portly, self-important man who is used to giving orders and not being questioned. The others are his flunkies and do anything he says.

JOSETTE: I know I am talking to a dishonorable slug who lies as easily as he shits!

MAGISTRATE (highly indignant):You listen to me, you little whore. I can have you and your friend horse-whipped, thrown in the stocks and stoned at my slightest word. Take what I give you and leave now before you experience my displeasure first hand!

Panel Three: Josette throws a small bag (about the shape of a small closed fist) back into the magistrate’s face. It makes a jingling noise.

JOSETTE: This? Take this? This is an insult! You promised us thirty pieces of gold to rid you of the cultists in New Hudson and we did that. Now you try to palm us off with only ten pieces? Even a pig has more honor than you!

MAGISTRATE: You bitch! You’ll pay for this!

Panel Four: Josette grabs the Magistrate’s hand. His face contorts in pain and fear. Josette has an evil look on her face.

JOSETTE: I’ll pay? No, Magistrate, it is you who shall be doing the paying. Starting now.

PAGE SEVEN:

Panel One: The Magistrate’s face is sweating and his eyes are bulging. All the sins of his life are swirling about him. There are naked women convulsing in pain and ecstasy, Indians being massacred and tortured, money in great piles in hidden places, and young boys being brought before him.

JOSETTE: Shall I tell them, pig? Shall I show them what I know about you? What I show you now? How would they take to such an entertainment? Perhaps there is room for three in your public stocks, eh?

Panel Two: Josette letting go of Hawkins hand. He is shaking and sweating and his face is buried in her hands. His toadies are clustered around him, concerned about their meal ticket.

TOADIE ONE: Magistrate? Your grace, are you ill?

MAGISTRATE: (in a small, timid voice) pay her…

TOADIE TWO: What? Magistrate?

Panel Three: Magistrate yelling at the toadies and pounding his fist on the table. Everyone in the tavern is looking at him.

MAGISTRATE: (yelling in anger) I said, “Pay her”! Are you deaf, man? Do as I say!

TOADIE ONE: Y-yes, sir.

Panel Four: Toadie One handing a larger purse to Josette who weighs it in her hand. There is a smirk on her face.

JOSETTE: Why, thank you, kind sir. It’s been a pleasure working for you, it truly has.

MAGISTRATE: Keep your tongue and your gold, witch. Just remove yourselves from my town before the night falls or I swear it will be your neck hanging from the gibbet in town square, no matter the cost.

Panel Five: Josette leaving the room. She is smiling evilly. She makes her good byes to the magistrate and tosses the innkeeper a coin.

JOSETTE: A view you will no doubt enjoy yourself one day, Mr. Hawkins, one day soon.

PAGE EIGHT

Panel One: The Pilgrim is sitting on the cot in his room. He is talking to an open box from which a light is pouring. There is a single lead weight in the middle of the box. It is hanging there suspended and vibrating but there is no sign of anything supporting it. There is a shadowy figure sitting in a chair in the corner.

Caption (in Old English script): I have discovered a few clues about Josette’s past in Kingsport but they have not been encouraging ones. If anything, they make my future course all the more certain and hateful. I have called for a counsel and they are not encouraging.

BOX: You know what must be done.

PILGRIM: I cannot do this thing. There must be some other way.

BOX: You have seen the signs. You have read the augeries. What more do you need? She must die!

Panel Two: The Pilgrim stands and walks to the window. The shadowy figure has not moved.

PILGRIM: I have promised the child I would save her. Do my promises mean so little now?

BOX: She carries the great evil within her. It grows in power and strength every day you follow this path. Eventually, you will not be able to contain it and you know what will happen then… the end of all.

PILGRIM: There must be another way.

Panel Three: Focus on the shadowy figure. He is standing up into the light of the box and we can see now that he is an old man. His back is bowed with age and he walks with a cane. He is old beyond time. He is wearing an old sea-captain’s coat and his speech seems even older than the Pilgrim’s. His face is determined and set.

CAPTAIN: Abraham. You know that this is right. You cannot risk it becoming too powerful to be put down. She must die by tomorrow night, otherwise it might be too late.

Panel Four: The Pilgrim is looking out the window. His face is set. He will not be swayed. In the window, looking at him, is a ghostly face that the Pilgrim is remembering. It is the same face that appeared over Josette’s when she was lying in the clearing. It is the face of his long dead daughter. There is no dialogue in this panel.

Panel Five: (Long panel across the bottom of the page.) The Pilgrim’s head is slightly inclined downward. The box and the Captain are in the background but the focus is on the Pilgrim as they wait for his response.

PILGRIM: No.

PAGE NINE

Panel One: The Pilgrim turns back and faces the Old Man and the Box.

PILGRIM: I have promised to never again take the life of an innocent no matter what the reason. I will not go back on that now. I will find another way.

Panel Two: The Pilgrim is putting on his coat and getting ready to leave. The Old Man grabs him by the arm.

CAPTAIN: Abraham, you must see the logic in this. Would you damn the world for this girl? Lead us all to damnation?

PILGRIM: Better the death of a thousand evil sinners than we suffer the blood of one innocent.

BOX: There are no innocents anymore, Moore. You are foolish to think that innocence still exists in this world.

Panel Three: The Pilgrim is leaving the room.

PILGRIM: Perhaps. And perhaps we are all mad and none of this matters any more. But I will not walk that path again.

Panel Four: The door shuts behind Pilgrim with a solid finality. The Old Man stares at the closed door.

PILGRIM (x-over): Never again.

Panel Five: The Terrible Old Man walks over to the Box and speaks to the piece of metal.

BOX: Is everything prepared?

CAPTAIN: Yes.

BOX: And you will proceed as we discussed?

Panel Six: Close up on the face of the Terrible Old Man. He is a truly wicked creature and evil has twisted his face into that of a hawk.

CAPTAIN: Oh, yes. It will be my pleasure.

PAGE TEN

Panel One: The Pilgrim and Josette are on their horses heading out of Glocester. They are looking before them and deciding upon where they will go next.

CAPTION: (In Old English style) October 26, 1758. I have ignored the advice of the counsel and set ourselves upon our most dangerous path yet. Villagers in Kingsport remember Josette’s mother passing this way twenty years ago on her way to Apologia, a small town three days ride to the north. And so we go forward.

JOSETTE: How reliable is your information?

PILGRIM: Several villagers remembered your mother. Their sins were plain but their words were true.

JOSETTE: What did they say, exactly?

Panel Two: (Flashback) A woman, who bears a strong resemblance to Josette, is riding into Kingsport. She looks worn, but hale. There is something troubling her but it is not obvious what that might be. She is traveling with a man whose skin is completely black. By which is meant that he is not a typical black man. His skin is the essence of dark. No light escapes it. No sheen touches it. He is like a black hole. He is dressed plainly. It is impossible to tell if he is Josette’s master or slave. No one will look at him or go near him.

Caption: It was nearly twenty years ago. She came into town with the Dark Man. They were looking for something and went to the one man in town who would help them.

Panel Three: (Flashback) The Old Man who was part of the counsel stands in the open door of his house. Josette’s mother and the Dark Man are outside.

Caption: I do not know what he told them.

Panel Four: (Flashback) The outside of the Terrible Old Man’s house. It is night and there are lights in the windows.

Caption: But lights burned in his house all night and, in the morning, your mother and the Dark Man were gone.

Panel Five: The Pilgrim and Josette riding along the trail. The Pilgrim is speaking when they are suddenly attacked by four men. One man falls upon the Pilgrim and knocks him from his horse.

PILGRIM: The Old Man claims he sent them onto Apologia and that was the last he knew. They never came back through Kingsport but… Josette! Watch out!

MAN #1: NOW! GRAB THEM!

JOSETTE: REVERAND!

PAGE ELEVEN

Panel One: One man grabs Josette and pulls her off her horse. The other three are circling the Pilgrim.

PILGRIM: Who are ye? What do you want with us? Our purses?

MAN #1: Bah! We care not for your money. We just want the girl. Let us go and we’ll let ye live.

PILGRIM: That’s the devil’s bargain.

Panel Two: The three men descend upon the Pilgrim and pummel him into unconsciousness.

MAN #1: Suit yourself.

PILGRIM: Ugh!

Panel Three: The first man, also the largest, comes towards Josette who is being held by another man. She is squirming and yelling.

MAN #1: And as for ye, no reason we can’t have a little fun with ye first!

JOSETTE: BASTARD! Don’t ye dare come any closer!

Panel Four: The first man comes closer and Josette kicks him in the balls.

MAN #1: Or ye’ll what? Try and scare me like… OOF!

Panel Five: The first man is kneeling on the ground. He has pulled out a knive and is looking at Josette very angrily.

MAN #1: Bitch! Ye’ll pay for that!

Off panel: NO!

Panel Six: Close up on the Terrible Old Man. He is stepping out from the woods.

OLD MAN: I told ye before. I want this one to be awake and alive. Ye know what happens to those who cross me. Take them both. We’ll let Abraham watch what we do to her.

PAGE TWELVE

Panel One: Darkness. A voice is speaking.

OLD MAN: It didn’t have to be like this, Abraham. You should have just listened to us and done what we said.

Panel Two: Blurred image. It appears to be a group of men around a stone altar. The BOX from the counsel is at the top of the altar. It is open.

OLD MAN: I tried to tell ye but ye wouldn’t listen. Ye never do.

Panel Three: Image becoming clearer. It is the men from the earlier attack that are around the altar. There is a naked body on it.

OLD MAN: Twenty year agone, I gave the Dark Man what he needed and won my freedom. Then I waited. Waited for you to come, following his path.

Panel Four: The image is clear now. It is Josette. She is struggling to break free of the ropes binding her to the altar. Her face is a mix of pain and fear.

OLD MAN: I knew ye would. Ye’re so damn predictable. Haven’t changed in over hundred years and ye’d never would. That’s why we prepared. That’s why we’re ready. Ready to send this bitch back to the hellspawn that created her!

PAGE THIRTEEN

Panel One: The Pilgrim is tied up and kneeling on the ground. He is looking very disheveled.

PILGRIM: I warn ye…

OLD MAN: Ye? Ye warn me? Ah, now, that is too precious. Warn away, Abraham, warn away. I’ve taken no oath about harming the innocents.

Panel Two: Close up on the Old Man as he talks to the Pilgrim.

OLD MAN: They’re the ones that taste the best! Heh heh.

Panel Three: The Old Man comes over to the altar. He stands looking at Josette. There is glee in his eyes.

OLD MAN: Ye really had no idea, did ye? No clue about who ye are? What ye’re doing here?

JOSETTE: (Trying to look helpless and plaintive.) Please… please don’t hurt me…

Panel Four: The Old Man is patting Josette’s forehead.

OLD MAN: Hurt ye? Oh, my dear, trust me… ye’ll narely feel a thing…

Panel Five: Josette spitting in the Old Man’s face.

OLD MAN: Well, maybe ye’ll feel a little something after all.

PAGE FOURTEEN

Panel One: The Pilgrim is struggling against his bonds. He cannot reach his knife or get loose.

PILGRIM: Release me now! I demand it!

OLD MAN: Hush, Abraham. This is not yr ceremony. It is hers… and MINE!

Panel Two: The Old Man lifts his head to the skies and holds up his cutlass. The four men each hold down one of Josette’s limbs.

OLD MAN: Hear me! I return this demon to the hell from which she was created!

JOSETTE: NOOOO!!!

Panel Three: Josette is writhing on the altar. She is beginning to change shape and her arms and legs are transforming into what looks like some form of tentacle. Her face is changing in the same way it was in the beginning of the story as the force within her is taking over. The men are screaming and trying to pull away but now it is she who is grabbing them!

JOSETTE/CREATURE: Food! Glorious food!

MEN: (Screaming)

OLD MAN: Hold her down! Can’t ye do anything?

Panel Four: A fim gure has crept up behind the Pilgrim and is untying him. It is wearing a very loose robe and cowl so it is impossible to even tell what sex it is never mind WHO it is.

PILGRIM: Who are you? What are you doing?

FIGURE: Ssh. Just save her. No time to explain.

Panel Five: The Old Man is ready to bring the cutlass down on Josette who is swinging the men around with her tentacles and laughing crazily.

PILGRIM: (offpanel) Turn, damn ye! Turn and face yr death on yr legs like an honorable man!

OLD MAN: Eh?

PAGE FIFTEEN

Panel One: The Terrible Old Man turns around and faces the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim has armed himself with his sword and they begin fighting. The Old Man is surprisingly powerful and strong despite his age.

PILGRIM: I told ye that this was not the way!

OLD MAN: This is the way, Abraham! Just because ye are too cowardly to do what must be done doesn’t mean that I am!

Panel Two: The Josette/Creature consumes one of the men by swallowing them into their aura. The man screams and it is possible to see him being digested as she toys with the other men. The Terrible Old Man and the Pilgrim continue fighting in the background.

JOSETTE/CREATURE: Yess! Kill him! Kill Moore for me and I shall reward thee with riches beyond yr ken!

OLD MAN: Ye see? Do ye see now, Abraham? It must die!

PILGRIM: Not yet! Not yet!

Panel Three: The Terrible Old Man gets the better of the Pilgrim as he swings with the cutlass and clubs the Pilgrim in the head. The Josette/Creature cheers.

OLD MAN: Yr foolish affection will be the doom of us, Moore… AND I WILL NOT HAVE IT!

Panel Four: Just as the Old Man is about to bring his cutlass down on the Pilgrim… he is shot from behind.

OLD MAN: She will die! As will ye… argg!!

Panel Five: As the Terrible Old Man falls, we see the cloaked figure holding a pistol which is still smoking. The Pilgrim stares in amazement.

FIGURE: What are ye waiting for? SAVE HER!

Panel Six: The Josette/Creature is consuming the other men and looms over the Pilgrim who looks very small and powerless in the foreground. He is rummaging in his coat for something.

JOSETTE/CREATURE: And how will you do that, little man? Each time I get more and more powerful and you know that soon, the stars will be right!

PILGRIM: With…

PAGE SIXTEEN

Panel One: Bird’s eye view of the Pilgrim looking downward on him. He is holding an ancient talisman in his hand and brandishing it at the Creature.

PILGRIM: THIS!!

JOSETTE/CREATURE: The sign of the Elder Gods! Where did you get that?

Panel Two: There is a power emerging from the talisman that is overwhelming the creature.

PILGRIM: I’ve kept it hidden from ye, knowing that ye know what she knows. It’s been with me all this time. I know it can only be used once against ye but now is the time!

JOSETTE/CREATURE: Nooo!!

Panel Three: Part of the creature breaks off from Josette and soars into the night sky. But another part seeps back into her, keeping a foothold on the woman for later days.

CREATURE: Curse ye, Moore!! I am not done with thee yet! I am not finished with ye!

Panel Four: Josette returns to normal and lies unconscious on the altar. The Pilgrim covers her with a discarded cloak.

PILGRIM: No, nor am I done with thee…

Panel Five: The Pilgrim opens his hand which had held the Elder Sign. It has melted away but left the impression of the image in his palm.

PILGRIM: …not nearly done at all.

PAGE SEVENTEEN

Panel One: A boy rushes from the door of a tavern to the open door of a waiting coach. It is pouring rain. No dialogue.

Panel Two: The boy pokes his head into the coach. He is talking to the WITCHFINDER who is a large, fat man who has a scar running down the left side of his face. His left eye is white as a result of losing it when he got the sword wound. He is dressed well and is a man of great evil.

BOY: They were here! Not two days ago, Moore passed through with the girl. The tavern keeper says that they were not sad to see them leave.

WITCHFINDER: Where did they go?

BOY: To Apologia. Five days ride from here.

Panel Three: This is a large panel and takes up most of the page. It shows the other occupant of the coach. It is the Dark Man. He is dressed entirely in black but, strangely, it is a modern black suit such as would be designed by Armani. He is suave.

WITCHFINDER: So we know where they are going. Should we follow to Apologia?

DARK MAN: Why waste the time? He is following the path I laid down 20 years ago. His destination is plain. We will simply meet at the end, at Calais, and there we shall both have our desires. You will have revenge on the man who cost you your eye and I shall have the girl and then… the universe! Isn’t it marvelous when a plan comes together?

TO BE CONTINUED