[pnpgm] Game update #104 - File #372 - Party Leaves Bova lands
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Fri Aug 4 08:54:05 CEST 2006
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------
R3 Balrog................Balrog............Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
R4 Tom Crockett..........Caladan...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
R1 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
W2 Sergi Sallent.........Jordi.............Wizard..Normal/Elf Ma
R4 Tim Falkenberg........Malradh ben Kasha.Merc....Normal/Human Ma
R3 Wayne Richardson/Uji..Thig..............Sidh MU.Normal/Faerry Ma
Do Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Artist..Normal/Human Ma
R3 Orion (Paul Broman)...Trembyl...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
R3 Scott Adams...........Xian..............Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W2 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
Animals: Ventrius/Pogo Thig's dogs, Firesnake of Caladan's,
Z'Leyra's Eagle, 2 Draft Horses, Wolf - Boyzdar
6 Captured Zen'da Horses
Game Web Site - For updates, files, links, etc.
http://www.funport.com/longshot/pbem
Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to longshot at darktech.org
Game Update #104 in sequence (file #372)
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Admin notes: Alex sent an email to me and I never got it. Still
haven't. So this is an example of lost email. I know Rob has
done the same thing. This is why I keep posts on the game
website and here in the update so folks can see if they were
read. I know I've said this before many times. But always
check the website for your post. if its private email have
a RRQ Ack sent to you.
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[Recap]
[Posts from Ben'dar, Chion and Z'leyra - Mingled with text
below]
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[New Stuff]
Octaqi 22, in the 163rd Year [TH]
[Meanwhile somewhere on the plains]
[Day 52 of Trip] [Near Enemy camp]
Time: Roughly 2:48am
[Meanwhile somewhere deep in the southern mountains...]
[The tall man places a brown tome onto the bookshelf.
He looks the shelves over for another book when a knock
comes to the door.]
Man: "Enter."
[A well dressed female enters and breathes heavily.]
Female: "We found him. We detected his presence nearby
in the mountains. But as quickly as we detected him
he vanished again."
[The man turns slowly and eyes the female. He walks to
his large desk and sits down.]
Man: "Interesting. Keep watch. What is the report on
our guest?"
Female: "It took him a few days but he has arrived in
place. I didn't like him. When he was here he gave
me the wrong impression."
Man: "Indeed? What do I give you?"
[The female gulps and stammers for a split second.]
Female: "You are more sophisticated than that idiot.
I respect you and get a good impression."
Male: "What did you think of his plans?"
Female: "Didn't make sense to me."
Male: "Likely not." [He reaches to the desk and picks
up a item on the table and looks at it. He places
it in his hand and closes his fist.]
Female: "Why did he leave that?"
Male: "His sense of humor I suspect. I will await
reports from the plains as soon as we get them."
Female: "Yes my lord." [with that she backs up and out
into the hall again.]
[The male brings up the necklace/pendant and lets it
shine in the candlelight.]
Male: "A weird sense of humor indeed..."
---------------
[Meanwhile back in the Bova enemy camp...]
[Just after Ben'dar throws the punch. Z'leyra shouts at
Ben'dar.]
Z'leyra: "Ben'dar stop! I caused Caladan's body to vanish,
and between us Cetric and I just might be able to bring
Caladan back alive. If you beat Cetric to a pulp or cause
him to use up his magic we reduce the chance that Caladan
can be brought back. So stay your hands. If you want to
do something, make sure that Cetric and I are not
interrupted while we do our magic."
[Fire burning in his eyes, Ben'Dar struggles against
Farseeker and Kasha, roaring angrily as the frustration
and anger at the terrible turn of events this day has
produced comes crashing down on him. It is clear that
his lashing out was as much an outpouring of grief
regarding Caladan as an expression of anger toward Cetric.
After a few minutes, he calms down enough to reply to
Farseeker,]
Ben'dar: "I have thought much about the Deceiver. He has
displayed the "proper" amount of suspicion toward magic,
yet now he tells us that he can do secret dark necromancy -
magic powerful enough to bring one back from the world of
the spirits?!? Either he is lying now or he has been
lying his whole life to the People about what he really
is! Why should we start trusting him now?"
[Farseeker releases Ben'dar and turns around to look him
directly in the eye.]
Farseeker: "Has he? You keep calling him the Deceiver.
He betrayed us once. That's it. He explained he did
it for his people. Think of it this way. If you had
people showing up at your ranch during a time when
say horses were taken or animals killed you'd be suspicious
as well. You'd confront them for the safety of the ranch.
He did the same thing for the village and his people. A
clearly powerful group, us, came in and suddenly showed up.
During a time when his people was plagued by bad things.
He could've fought us with the warriors and likely lost.
So he poisoned us. Not with death poison but only a
knock out poison so he could tie us up. Then once he
had us he tested us to ensure the motivation of us. Granted
the testing was odd but think of it this way. The King
of Marentia tests Knights in quests to see if their motivation
is for themselves or for the kingdom. Same thing. In the
Truth Ceremony he declared his sorry for the betrayal and
indirectly asked for forgiveness. Since then he has helped
us in the battle. If he was our enemy he could've taken
us out with a yell before the battle occurred or other things.
I understand your hurt and anger. But a warrior must curb
his anger. One thing I train my men in the barracks. If
anger boils over in a warrior he gets nervous, distracted
and sloppy in battle. A warrior must have full concentration
in battle and that must be done without anger. I speak not
to offend but to help you in the future. Your actions results
in the death of a prisoner and Torq. Actions have consequences
we must face. I doubt either man was worth saving or keeping
for their information but it could've been someone else."
[Kasha stands slightly to the side eyeing Ben'dar then walks
away to give Ben'dar time to listen to the words and not
feel embarrassed.]
[Farseeker says the above quietly so not to attract attention
to Ben'dar to offend him like scolding a child. Maybe
Farseeker has been around Jordi too long and learned some
diplomacy. He points to where Cetric lays while Z'leyra
works on him then continues...]
Farseeker: "He explained the reason he kept the magic a
secret. We all have our secrets. Just like why you
left your people. We don't ask. We don't need to know.
Look at it this way. Z'leyrs is becoming a great Healer.
Her reputation will grow monthly and spread. If folks
learn of her powers she will be flooded with folks asking
for great healings. The same is true for those who can
raise the dead. King Ols some 400 odd years ago had
a wizard who did that. I recalls the stories well when
I was a kid. He had to go into hiding due to the amount
of courtly and peasant requests for help. Cetric may
have leaked his secret now to save Caladan but now may
be in danger of requests for help. With that claw you
wear now you may become a great rancher and husbander.
Do you want everyone flooding you with so many requests
you can't handle it all? With power becomes responsibility.
Please hear my words and simply think on them."
[With that he walks over and joins the others in cleanup.
He jokes with Balrog as if the conversation was already
forgotten to further show Ben'dar no offense.]
[Z'leyra checks out the stab wound when he may have saved
Unali and patches it up. She then casts a powerful
healing spell and heals more than half of his wounds.
The stab wound closes up entirely but he still has one
minor wound and the face punch bruise. Still knocked
out she gathers her stuff and goes to help others in
the camp.]
[After about 18 minutes or so Chion walks back into the
camp as if he never left. From the eastern shadows
he walks over to Cetric still on the ground.]
[Chion looks around and sees Cetric unconscious. He smiles
as he often does when happenstance presents a humorous
image of life. As he goes towards Cetric he will get a
waterskin from one of the horses or that is lying around
to wash the bugs off. He will lightly splash some water
on his face in an attempt to wake him up. (If that doesn't
work he'll attempt a wakefulness spell on the poor bugger
(unless that is only on oneself)).]
[Having been healed by Z'leyra the benefit helps wake him
up when the water hits him. It takes about 4 seconds
but Cetric finally wakes up. Chion kneels over and
pulls something out of his pouch. It looks like a shiny
green gem.]
Chion: "An old friend of Caladan's wishes you to have this
in an effort to retrieve his life for him. I am happy that
my laughing at your antics did not upset you, and trust
you understand that I won't be in the future. I shall
from now on consider them part of your charm." [He will
smile at Cetric and hold out the gem for him to take.
Not helping him to his feet.]
[Cetric blinks and looks at Chion. He doesn't say anything.
He reaches for the gem and is unsure of its purpose. He
finally asks.]
Cetric: "I'm...[he clears his throat]...sorry? What is
this for?"
[Cetric makes it to his knees then stands and gathers his
stuff. He looks around for everyone. He reaches for
his jaw and massages it. He looks down to his stab wound
and finds it gone. He sees Z'leyra in the distance helping
someone else. He looks for Ben'dar and heads toward him.]
GM: Chion do you explain the gem's purpose to Cetric?
[With sorrow in his eyes he walks quietly toward Ben'dar
who is inspecting some saddles. Ben'dar doesn't see
him at first. He approaches and stops about 3 feet from
Ben'dar. When Ben'dar turns around he speaks.]
Cetric: "I hope it is out of your system. We are still
in danger here. You may not believe it but we are
on the same side here. Did it help to knock me out
in front of your friends? [He gets a bit more softer
speaking] You said Caladan was your friend? Yet you
knew him only for a few months. I knew him for 20
years. I would say I know him more than you do.
I will try to save him. I hope to save him. I pray
to the spirits I can save him. But if you interfere
again with me it ..." [a flash of anger flashes in his
eyes and then fades again as quickly as it came] "...
just don't interfere." [He looks like he wants to
speak more but does not. He turns. Then stops when
he sees the claw. He turns back.] "You were the Claw?
That is not good. It doesn't below to a warrior full
of rage. You must be careful or we'll be after you
some day if that power grows beyond your reasoning."
[He turns and walks away to join Corr in a quiet
whisper. Then he moves on to help with other duties.]
-----------------------------------------------------------
[As the party continue to organize for departure various
folks take on various duties.]
[Z'leyra is asked by Balrog for healing. She casts a
spell and he heals his 9 points completely and is
in 100% health. Cetric, Farseeker, Chion, Corr,
Unali, Thig are still lightly wounded but will wait
for natural healing or healing later. Praelux is the
worst off at this point with moderate damage but has
already been healed during battle to save his life
so she can only patch him up.]
[Some guard the prisoners. While others gather the
horses and inspect the animals. Others gather the
treasure, food and water for the trip. All of this
takes about 45 minutes.by now its near 3:30am. Everyone
is tired but they know the escaped rider could be
coming back with reinforcements anytime. Finally it
is time to leave...]
GM: The majority of 5 votes did vote to leave shortly
rather than immediately. So it took time to get
things organized. Unfournately on the enemy vote
I still don't have a majority after 2 weeks. Did
not get votes from Chion, Unali and Jordi. Those
that did vote the majority of those voted to take
the enemy with the party. But it wasn't a decisive
majority. In that case I'll call on the npcs of the
Zen'da warriors and Cetric to vote. In that case they
decide to leave the enemy or outright kill them.
It is figured the enemy elite led the others so they
know more than the common warrior so are voted to be
taken to the party.
[The horses and wagon are gathered together. Thig
walks over to the prisoners. There was 12 but with
the recent death of one more only 11 left out of 30.
He ponders the spells he needs. Balrog next to him
talks in quiet tones.]
Balrog: "How do you plan to corrupt their minds?"
Thig: "I've learned a few ways of combinations of spells.
Nothing is perfect but the combination might work."
Balrog: "Will it last forever?"
Thig: "No. Nothing is forever. I can make them forget
a max of 3.5 months or control their bodies or
burn their minds. But with a combination of spells
I might be able to do enough damage to when they
do retain their memory they'll be confused as to what
they actually saw. Here goes..."
[Thig first blindfolds all the prisoners. Then one
by one he releases one from their blindfold and speaks
magical words. Seven of the enemy cry out in pain and
are finally pushed down onto the ground. He takes
a break and gets some water.]
Balrog: "did you kill them?"
Thig: "No. But they won't be the same."
[He goes back to work on the last 4. He reveals the
blindfolds on all four. Then he calls Ben'dar over
with the claw. He quietly asks Ben'dar and Corr to
perform a fake battle. It doesn't have to look good
but the illusion cast will reveal what the enemy needs to
see. Thig casts some combination of suggestion, illusion,
forgetfulness spells and uses a item in his inventory to
create a memory implant in the four that watch the battle.
The spells together last 10 minutes. He then whispers
in each ear words to make them nod. At the end of the mock
battle Ben'dar was to hide the claw from sight until he
leaves. Ben'dar wonders why he choose Ben'dar for the battle
but then recalls Ben'dar was one of the closest to the claw
shaman than others. Thig walks back exhausted and weak
from his massive mana use.]
Balrog: "You sure they saw what we want them to see?"
Thig: "I asked them what they saw after each attempt. I
would know if they were faking or not. There is always
still a slim chance. But if we leave them here that's
a chance we'll take."
GM: So all 11 will be left here. The elite will be taken.
If had majority vote would have taken them.
-----------------------------------------------------------
[The wagon is hitched up with 4 horses and the wagon is
loaded up with treasure and items. The crate of 100
rations will be used to feed the party for many days to
come. The grain bags will feed the horses for a few
days as well. The meat, cheese, and salt will be cooked
by Z'leyra in a couple days. The keg of beer and wine
are loaded to be taken. The skin of good wine will
likely be drunk by the time the party gets back to
Caladan's village. The rope is used for prisoners, horses
and many feet of it is kept on the wagon as its a useful
treasure item. Many blankets and bedrolls are stacked
on the wagon. With some party equipment also carried
on the wagon the wagon soon becomes full. Some of the
blankets are used as cover. It is soon learned a couple
of the elderly are too weak to walk so they are given
a small place on the wagon to sit.]
[As to the animals it is determined the Goat, Cow and
Mules would be too slow and annoying to take. It
would slow the party down as they tend to eat every few
feet. Balrog is glad to leave the cow personally. The
dogs are left only cause making them pets again may
be dangerous. The dead war eagles were never found by
Z'leyra which makes Thig happy. In total the horses
taken are:
1 Draft Horse - Wagon
9 Riding Horse III's
3 Riding Horse IV's
15 Warhorse III's
18 Warhorse IV's
[The warhorses are a great prize to take as treasure back
to Caladan's village. The riding horses might be a bit
too fancy for Zen'da to use. ]
[The villagers double up on horses. The Wizard, Shaman
and Leader are mounted still tied up. The wizard and
the only living shaman (the other one killed) is gagged
to prevent magic. The three are surrounded by party
horses on the ride out as they ride a horse per person.]
[As the party leaves there is talk of maybe burning the
things.]
GM: Is this done?
[Torches are bought to guide the party quicker back to the
party's own horses. Ben'dar dismounts and quickly comes
to Tef'wo. But as he approaches Tef'wo backs away.
Confused by this Ben'dar tries again. Ben'dar then sees
in the torchlight Tef'wo is looking right at the Claw.
Ben'dar rounds some other horses and hides the claw in
his leather vest. He then returns and tries to remount
Tef'wo. The horse still seems nervous and Ben'dar must
figure out he knows he still has the Claw. But he can't
figure out why the horse is nervous?]
[The party gather their gear and horses and the large
parade of almost SIXTY horses march in one big rumble
through the plains northward into the darkness.]
Thig: "This large a mass of horses isn't going to be easy
to hide from being followed. When the sun rises I'll
take rear guard and do some aerial scouting. But I'm tired.
If Corona can help out that would be great."
[The party heads on. The sun rises and Lodd explains the
looks of the terrain tells him you are still in Bova
lands. It takes another hour before your finally out.
By then the sun is up. Thig and Corona report no one
seeming to follow the party. Once the party crosses
the hard to figure out border lands Thig decides to
sleep on his horse as he is exhausted.]
[Five and a half hours later the party finally arrives
back into Clan Nemat's village 9 miles or so from the
Bova enemy village. Vlad is still there and has been
helped the others. The villagers are happy to return
back to their clan village. They are grateful to the
party and constantly thanking them. Cetric though
advises them to leave as soon as they can and move
further north or north-east to get away from possible
Bova retaliation. The village elders take this into
account and plan to do that very thing. Vlad decides
to stay and help out. He will return back to Caladan's
village in a few days.]
[At this point it is now around 8:15am. The party
is relatively safe. But everyone is exhausted and
hungry due to the fighting and no sleep.]
Farseeker: "We should sleep and head back tomorrow to
Caladan's village."
Balrog: "Can we do that?"
Cetric: "It will take us about 2 days back to my village.
One day here. Yes. I will still have time to save
Caladan when we return. I do need messengers though to
go and get the other shaman to help me. He is more
skilled in spirit recall than I."
Corr: "I can go."
Cetric: "I will give you the info. Thanks. Have him
get to our village as soon as possible."
[Cetric talks quietly to Corr. Ben'dar leans and tries
to listen in case its a trap again. But Cetric only
gives some names and places.]
GM: I assume the party will eat breakfast then some will
sleep. The party could move at night but I'll assume
if no one speaks up AGAINST the idea that the party
will move out tomorrow. Let me know of other plans
you may have.
Praelux: "I wish to return to see if Caladan can be saved.
But I do have a slight request if I may. The horses
are a great prize. My clan has suffered. Many died.
Could we have a couple horses as compensation so the
warriors don't have to seek the revenge?"
Actions? Comments?
Next update Monday...
GM: Actions? Plans? It will be late afternoon before
folks likely sleep and wake up.
x
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