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<b>Sex.....Character Name...Player..................Type....Not es.....</b>
<b>Male...Klorgar..........Tobie.Bonahoom...Tracker...Human,.......... </b>
<b>Female.Varo Mineholder..Bess.Hadley......Merchant..Human...........</b>
<b>Male...Razgor...........Wout.Broere......Guard.....Human...........</b>
<b>Male...Rocky............Alex.Koponen.....Hunter....Dwarf...........</b>
<b>Male...Mournath.........Gilbert.Isla...............................</b>
<b>Male...Veren.Nor.Tarek..Npc..............Employer..Human...........</b>
<b>Male...Jaren............Npc..............Bodyguard.Human...........</b>
<b>Male...Marusk...........Npc..............Guide.....Human...........</b>
<b>Male...Juno.Solace......Ford.............Tracker...Human...........</b>
<b> Game Web Site – <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http:/nrgcomputers.com/RQ/rq.htm">http:/nrgcomputers.com/RQ/rq.htm</a> (case matters)</b>
<b> Public posts/actions to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:pnpgm@list.powersandperils.org">pnpgm@list.powersandperils.org</a> (mailing list)</b>
<b> Private emails (not public actions) to <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:pnpgm@comcast.net">pnpgm@comcast.net</a></b>
<b> Game Update #48 sequence (file #273)</b>
<b> ----------------------------------------------------------------</b>
<b> Admin Note: None</b>
<b> ----------------------------------------------------------------</b>
<b> [Recap]</b>
<b> </b>
<b> From Mournath: [Re: Actions]</b>
<b> Mournath follows the group but stops just outside the long room …</b>
<b> GM: Ack.</b>
<b> </b>
<b> From Juno: [Re: Actions]</b>
<b> Juno pray to his god for guidance. He warns the group don’t enter.</b>
<b> GM: Ack.</b>
<b> From Varo: [Re: Actions[]</b>
<b> Am I using the wrong mail? I hope this one goes through. Do you have another alternative email I can try?</b>
<b>[My apologies for not responding recently; RL has been a bit topsy-turvy.]</b>
<b> Varo is feeling both confused and angry, feeling betrayed by …</b>
<b> GM: Ack. Mailing List has been cranky but Wout has been kept it going for 30 odd years. Mostly It will need to be rebooted or reset. But Wout is a busy man so be patient. If all else fails send post to list and to me in email CC. Thanks</b>
<b> From Rocky: [Re: Actions]</b>
<b> Rocky puts his back to the wall and says "Not sure who is da bad …</b>
<b> GM: Ack.</b>
<b> ----------------------------------------------------------------</b>
<b> [New Stuff]</b>
<b> [Fireday, Movement week, Storm Season, 1625, Genertela, Glorantha]</b>
<b> [Time: 7;49 pm]</b>
<b> </b>
<b> Mournath follows the group but stops just outside the long room with</b>
<b>many book cases. Seeing that barring the skylight there are no other</b>
<b>exits from the room, he takes up station just outside the door with</b>
<b>his bow drawn, spear leaning against the wall for quick access. “I'll</b>
<b>stand guard,” Mournath states as he takes position, scanning the area</b>
<b>before him.</b>
<b> Juno prays to his god for guidance. He warns the group don’t enter.</b>
–
<b> But the warning is too late as the party enters the library. But Juno is not only praying but examining the walls. Specifically the runes. He strives to be a Rune Master and this is good experience. </b>
<b> Varo is feeling both confused and angry, feeling betrayed by their employer, but also unable, for the moment, to place all the local deaths they had witnessed with this supposedly-long-term temple with what they had seen. But the fact that Varen & Jarek had slipped away from them did not sit well with her, either. Or her friends from what she could tell. She feels the weight of the ruby pendant in her inner pouch that belonged to a missing elderly resident, that needs to be returned with respect - now a very real concern.</b>
<b> She closes her eyes so as not to see this expertly-killed young monk lying before her & tries to gather her thoughts, silently praying: “Great Ernalda, Earth Mother divine, what is happening here? What is the truth & who do we believe? Why is this young man dead when he seems to have done nothing harmful? Where are Varen & Jarek, and why did they sneak away? Why is this village dead?</b>
“<b>Please guide us now in our confusion & bring back the Balance we need - the Truth.”</b>
<b> She turns to Kaz, the priest, and pulling upon her experience as a Trader with experience in dealing with many strangers of various backgrounds, says. “We are as confused as you are. Our employer seems to have abandoned us here and headed somewhere – perhaps a secret place?” She scans the room & the end of the blood drops on the floor & feels a tickle of air on her neck. “Do you have a cellar or an attic from here? They seem to be looking for something we know nothing of. We know only that we were hired to escort our employer here to his home which had been invaded by outsiders – that’s what he told us. We also need to find out what's going on.”</b>
<b> She stands, carefully, searching for knobs, or levers around the table, & also sniffs the air. She feels the hair on the back of her neck rising. She looks up at the ceiling & finds she has not only her bow ready in her left hand, but her right hand wanting to grasp her rapier. She does not know if more danger lies with Varen right now, or the unknown monks of this temple. Secrets & more secrets – who do they believe or trust now, except each other?</b>
<b> She looks to her compatriots for help. This could well be a trap, & her eyes search for a clue. Are these monks safe or not - what is the truth?</b>
<b> As Varo prays, Marusks listens to her question Kaz. He reads his face which seems surprise, shock and confusion. “You said you inherited this place? Did you have relations with the local village to the east?”</b>
<b> Kaz nods, “our ancestors left Pax lands and came here. They found this place a couple hundred years ago. My ancestors were from a Earth cult and the Earth Mother led us here into this beautiful place. My great grandfather found this place. It was occupied and falling apart. Once home to a Sartar Moon cult that was as large as 200. But for some reason every full moon they would lose a person to sickness. They thought the moon gods cursed them in some way. Our ancestors who were only 30 or so folks were allowed to settle here. One of the group members noticed plan life also died during these full moons. So we figured the Earth Mother would not dare poison the folks here so maybe it was a natural blight not a curse? Eventually a few decades ago the original people all died out. We took the place over.”</b>
<b> Rocky perks a eyebrow. But before he can ask a question Marusks does. </b>
<b> “Your group had women? Are there women here? If not how did this generation survive?” The Tracker asks Kaz.</b>
<b> Kaz nods, “currently this is a male only colony. But I see your concern. We have traveled to the sea shore and the local village to the east. To answer your other question. The village we deal with as friends. We trade but they appeer to be isolated so we only barter with them maybe once every half year. As you might imagine some of that barter may come in form of ….relationships. They also knew that being small and isolated their line would need to be ...replenished. So we helped each other. If you will.”</b>
<b> “So our group was Earth based. The village was more sea based. Even though they were far from the water they mostly worshiped in that area. Since the original folks here did the moon we slowly read and learned their ways and texts. “</b>
<b> So this contradicts the story told to the party. Varo continues to question who to believe. But Kaz continues as he seems to notice the faces frown. But before he speaks Mournath sticks head inside room of library to inform that the others have arrived. Only Mournath can see the arrivals as the others are in the library. HE spots 6 robed young men. All carrying clubs, shovels, cudgels and a hatchet. Only one has a serious weapon of a small spear. Clearly they are not trained to kill but show signs they will defend this place. </b>
<b> Kaz raises his hands as the group raises weapons. “Wait! Those outside stand put do not engage. Only defend if you are attacked.” Kaz turns to the others in the library. “Cooler heads must prevail! You are all trapped and we could defend this place and you might be hard pressed. But you are clearly better equipped and I assume trained. Please it seems this man these 2 men who fled are not your allies at this point? I see from your faces this must be the case. So your enemy is our enemy. I parlay a cease fire for now until we figure out where they are and what they are up to.”</b>
<b> Rocky and others are reluctant but only lower weapons not sheath. Marusks asks, “Do you have a treasure vault?”</b>
<b> Kaz shakes his head, Varo and others read his body and face he seems to be telling the truth as there is no markers of deceit. “We don't even have coins of the realm. I suppose one could melt down the relics for some value. But this place is our treasure.” He waves his hands around the room. “Knowledge is our greatest reward. We have a room in the south just overlooking the cliff edge that has large glass windows. On sunset and sunrise that room is a miracle of colors. While the ocean is many miles away On a very clear day one can see a smidge of the ocean if not an mirage and its a great sight. But down in the valley there is a small lake that shimmers that those who appreciate water enjoy.”</b>
<b> Razgar paces a bit and finally enters hallway to help backup Mournath if there is a issue. But he paces in and out so he can hear the conversation and possibly act on it.</b>
<b> Kaz points to the skylight, “just tonight the full moon is going to shine through the curved sky light. It will with a slight adjustment of a inch or two hit that candle holder.” He points to the center table to a mirrored candle holder. The mirror is also curved a bit concave. Certain times of year the moonlight if bright enough will reflect and bounce on the walls and hit certain spots. This was their original temple room the old group before us. They believe the moon gives strength, power and prosperity. Ever since they died off the strange plant blight ended. We even get a rare moon rose to grow but only for a few hours before it dies.”</b>
<b> Rocky feels it first. Being underground is a natural terrain to his kind. The ground seems to vibrate and rumble. But its so subtle that only the dwarf picks it up.</b>
<b> Varo hears something behind her and spins around. She looks up just as a pebble or two of ceiling and sane/dust slides down the wall. The pebble and dust seem to avalanche over the rune that is about a hand sized rune symbol between the two book cases. She ends her silent prayer and wonders was that related?</b>
<b> Kaz adds, “minor quakes nothing serious. Worst we had was one to splash a mug full of water onto the table. Quite common here.”</b>
<b> Rocky puts his back to the wall and says "Not sure who is da bad guy here." </b>
<b> Marusk scans the floor for the blood trail. He looks to Kaz, “ask if they saw anyone elsewhere, please.”</b>
<b> Kaz was wondering the same so speak up so those in hall can hear him. He speaks in Prax words and gets a reply in same. “No. No one seen.”</b>
<b> Marusks nods, “they either left the front door or here. No other choice. That trail there seems t turn around and drops are bigger on this side of table. Indicating person stood here fr a second or two. Rounded the table and that's where Varo found the discard bag. So must've grabbed something from it. Maybe they are still here....invisible?” HE swings his sword around him quickly in case they may be.</b>
<b> Kaz seems to ignore Rocky, “there is a cellar and a food crag that we store food stuffs in the cool ground. But both are on other side of the manor.”</b>
<b> GM: Actions? Comments?</b>
<b> Next update....next tue/wed? When posts come in :)</b>
<b> GM: A good spot to end for now. Player IRL lives are very hectic. I know at least 3 that are dealing with serious life issues. Rest of us are just plain busy. I understand this fully. IRL needs to be #4. Family #2 and this game way down on the list. I do appreciate you guys hanging in there. If we were around a table we'd only have a hour at most to end this thing. :) Next thursday do have a busy day but I can work on posts that come in tue/wed. I hope folks have a good Halloween. If the mailing list is down or bounces CC your posts to email and I'll Ack Them thanks.</b>
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