[pnpgm] Game update #137b - File #521 - Adventure Epilog
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Tue Nov 28 06:55:32 CET 2006
s
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
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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
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Private emails (not public actions) to longshot at darktech.org
Game Update #137b in sequence (file #521)
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Admin notes: Part 2 - Adventure #2 - Epilog.
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[Recap]
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[New Stuff]
[Days earlier when the Claw was inspected by Strie'bog...]
Strie'bog: [Strie'bog looks to Xian, and then to the others
in the tent,] "The knowledge is forbidden. It was as if
the gods were discussing what they could tell, then one
voice spoke that it was forbidden. Never before have I
received such a reply. I do not know if it is forbidden
for the gods to speak of it, or if it is forbidden for the
children of the Earth to know of it. As there is magic
that can penetrate the deepest mysteries, I fear it is
that the gods do not speak of it." He pauses, "I know
of no story of this claw, but my mother is far wiser than
I. Perhaps she or her priests may know why the gods claim
this is forbidden."
Thig: "This is not good. There was once a faerry in the
Wild Forest. She was said to have supernatural intelligence.
She had beliefs that most Faerry in the forest and homeland
scoffed at. She believed that there were places even the
gods don't have reach. Beyond the three worlds. She
thought there were places and beings they could not even
interfere with. She was laughed at for years until she
came across a legend of an item in a far land. The
legend reported wizards could not get information on it
for many many years. She died before the object was
discovered and found over a hundred years later. The
Faerry did as we did to learn the details of the object.
But they failed. Many tried Faerry, Elf and Human
alike. No one could learn the details. It was later
archived for another few decades. Then someone learned
the object was found on an island where folks said it
appeared outside a portal with a dead body. the portal
had just shown up and left. The Faerry of course thought
this story to be nonsense. But now I wonder if it
is true. We have seen recent evidence. There." [He
points to Corona] "The eagle and Lady Varo. She
said she could not enter our world. What world could
she have come from? Yet the Eagle came here through
a portal. We stepped through but she could not.
Could there be more worlds than the three worlds?
Much of the Upper and Lower Worlds is not known to even
us much less the humans. Now we hear the words from
Strie'bog that the gods couldn't even tell us. Does that
mean the spell failed? I don't think so. I think
even they couldn't tell us the information because they
didn't know. This also explains why Z'leyra spoke in
those guttural tones when she tried. If this Claw
is foreign to our world then the gods may not know its
true potential. Maybe that's another reason we should
keep an eye out for it. Further research is needed."
-----------------------------------------------------------
[On day 65 near sunset Strie'bog has his vision ritual. The
last one in a series of vision quests that had some come
true and others show nothing. The visions of Farseeker,
Ben'dar and Z'leyra are unsettling and confusing. Strie'bog
knows this when he starts his ritual. He expects nothing...]
[But comes out shocked and surprised. As if something inside
him is pulling him to the truth of the vision. He spends
time in the lodge before exiting. When he does he finds
himself in twilight as the sun is all but down. The party
has gathered around the tables again for dinner. The
party talk among themselves as Strie'bog walks up with
Boyzdar in tow. Even Boyzdar seems to sense something
wrong in Strie'bog.
GM: Below is Strie'bog's post.
[He looks around at the people who he has traveled with for
so many month. Showing the proper respect, he leaves the
tipi and steps outside into the cool night air. He goes
and strokes Bodyzar, speaking softly to the wolf as he waits
for the others to finish their visions.]
Strie'bog: "Friends," he starts as everyone recovers, "a
disturbing vision came to me, and I feel deep inside of me
that the spirits were speaking." Unable to resist a dramatic
pause, Strie'bog continues, first looking toward Z'leyra
"Like an eagle, I soared over the land to the great forests
of the north. There I saw a brown eagle diving and flying
among the trees until it spied a clearing with a crystal
clear pool. As the eagle descended in gentle circles toward
the pool, a transformation took place. The clear water
became as the slime which the priestess in the fortress
created, and the trees, once verdent, became withered,
twisted and lifeless. Deep within is a dread that the
spirits are telling me that my mother's condition has
become worse, and that the Great Northern Forest dies from
this unhealed wound. Strong is the urge to return to the
sacred woods, and I feel that the spirits want this of me."
[Balrog leans to Trembyl and whispers.]
Balrog: "What's verdent?"
[Trembyl shushes Balrog as Strie'bog continues.]
Strie'bog: Looking around, "you have all proved yourselves to
be skilled healers, warriors and wizards. I am new to your
company, but your are the ones whom I trust as friends
outside of the great forest. Would you come with me to see
if your knowledge and skill can heal my mother and save the
great forest?"
[Trembyl asks of Strie'bog's mother's illness.]
Strie'bog: "It seems a wasting disease, but one which we have
found no cure. It started after my father was slain. The
forest mourned his passing, even as the people honored the
sacrifice he had made to save my mother's life." Strie'bog
stops for a moment, "I was not at the battle where my
father gave his life, but it is said that he stood as a
beacon of the Lords of Balance, absorbing the very essence
of the evil that sought to invade the Great Forest." He
says a prayer, then looks back at Trembyl. "Those who
serve the forest have said that the death of my father
has wounded her heart, and that she withers from this
loss. Even with the love he holds for my mother, his
sacrifice makes it impossible for him to be returned to
this existence. In a vision, it was seen that I might
find a cure if I were to travel into the world." With a
wry smile, "it is difficult, no, dangerous, for me to
travel the world, but it is something I must do for my
mother."
Looking at Trembyl again, "if there is anything you know
or could do that could help my mother, I would be grateful."
[The party listens to the words of Strie'bog. Silence falls
the tables as he speaks. Many are unsure of the meaning
behind some of Strie'bog's words as they leave more questions
than answers each person considers his words. The party
has only known Strie'bog for little over a few months.
Minutes seem to pass as each person considers his words.
Then the silence is broken.]
Balrog: "This vision sounds awful but how can we be sure
it will really happen or is happening?"
Cetric: "The visions by the spirits don't always guarantee
the visions will come to pass. The future is fluid like
a river as I was told by my shaman teacher. Clearly
my vision of invaders to the plains could be true but
not true. You invaded but weren't invaders to
conquer. The Bova invaded to attack but were stopped.
Does that mean the vision was helpful or came true?
Its all up for interpretation."
Caladan: "The vision sounds like a metaphor. If you are
worried about your mother then maybe the spirits only
helped to drive that emotion for some purpose."
Farseeker: "I don't think so. I think the spirits are
trying to warn Strie'bog."
Kasha: "Your religious? I never saw that in you."
Farseeker: "No. Not really. But this is a gut feeling.
I do believe fate is strong in the world. Fate plays
a vital role in our lives. I don't think we came here
just to help Caladan. I suspect fate played a big role.
Fate is working again with the vision he has. If I
know my geography Strie'bog's lands...the forest...he
comes from is just north of here. That is a convenient
thing. I'm ready to go with Strie'bog. Even if this
is folly and the forest is safe it can't be more than
a couple weeks out of our way."
Xian: "but winter is coming and we could be trapped here
on the plains or the forest if a blizzard comes." [He
thinks it over.] "But I'm willing to take that risk.
I'll go as well."
Trembyl: "This illness sounds something from the heart.
That may not be easy to cure. There are times when
a heart can break physically if a loved one dies.
Its clear when a husband loses a wife in old age.
The husband will die soon afterwards of sorrow. If
your mother is that sick there may not be much to do.
But i'm willing to give it a chance and see. Maybe
Z'leyra can help out if she joins us."
Thig: "This vision sounds like a dream a wizard had in
Donara I've heard. He dreamed the kingdom became
gray and withered. The kingdom would die. Soon
afterwards because of magic he wrongly used the small
kingdom was ruined. Famine and disease spread.
Soon the population was cut by 2/3rds. By his own hands
he caused the vision to occur. In this vision though
I believe we won't cause this forest disaster. But
you must be careful not to cause it."
[As the party continues to discuss the vision Strie'bog
feels warm even though the cold night air is swift.
As he eats with his Balalika to his side it seems as
if his internal strength is building or maybe his
own connection to the forest is calling him?]
---------------------------------------------------
[Soon at dinner talk of the claw comes back up again.]
Z'leyra asked: "Any further suggestions about the Claw?"
Strie'bog: "My mother is very wise, and her memory is long.
She may know more about the Claw than we can discover with
the resources at hand. It may be dangerous, especially if
the forest is weakening, but many in this land now know
of the claw and at least some of its powers. Stories will
spread, and others may come here seeking it. Let the
stories say that it was taken away from these lands. I
am sure our friends here can convince any that come that
the band took the claw to a wise man in the...," he looks
around, "to the east. That will at least throw the casual
hunter off the track." Strie'bog considers what he just
said, "but if we take it, we must find a way to keeping it
so that it is not a temptation. There are as many stories
of people becoming corrupt as there are grains of wheat in
a field. I do not know if this item is evil in and of
itself, but temptation of power can lead to a grave
fall." He brightens, "still, I think we should find a
way to take it with us in the hopes that it can either
be destroyed or hidden."
[Ben'dar's mind races back to his vision as he hears
these words...]
Trembyl: "I agree. I was for destroying it. But if
it is an alien thing we don't know what that could
do if we destroy it without knowledge. If one is
to use or study it then another person should be
there to watch the other."
--------------------------------------------------
[As the final loot is gathered Ben'dar put back the
Fur Cloak but Strie'bog spots it and takes it for
himself. It might be fancy but oddly enough it
fits him well and will keep the cold at bay.]
--------------------------------------------------
[As dinner starts to end the children and women head
to their tipis for night chores or early bed. This
time of the year sleep is almost the only thing to
do at times. The warriors stay up and continue to
arm wrestle or talk about battles or such. The party
ends dinner with a few warm mugs of ale around the
warm campfire. Soon a uneasy tension seems to stir
among the party as silence comes. The only noise heard
is the distant warriors some 100 feet away at their
various spots around the camp. The flicker of the logs
as they burn is finally broken by Balrog who stands.]
Balrog: "Listen. Strie'bog. I like you and I wish I
could help you out. But to go north into even colder
lands I'm unsure of based on a vision. I almost died
a few days ago. Well ok. I did die really. Course
so has Farseeker and a couple others. But they are
used to it. I've been on this adventuring kick for
half a year now. But I've seemed to have lost my
nerve for the wilderness and vampire aspects of it.
I'm a simple thief...well...ex-thief...who is used
to city life. I need to return to Marentia on the
boats." [He looks down in shame] "I hope this doesn't
offend or disappoint you. But if you are going north
the treasure should be secured and go back to Marentia."
Xian: "Will you join us in the future?"
Balrog: "Maybe. I just need to get back home and get
things straight in my life."
[Everyone eyes the young 19 year old small fighter. It
is no big surprise the last few days since the big
battle in the Castle he has seemed to change. Maybe
he need to just center himself.]
[Jordi stands and says he needs to return to Marentia
as well.]
[Kasha stands as well.]
Kasha: "I do wish to join the trip up north. This
wilderness stuff is nothing to me. But I have
a feeling we'll need to sell the treasure. I have
contacts that can do us a good deal. Moneylender
friends can even do the currency exchange at a lesser
cost than most moneylender. My friend will do this
for me and sell the stuff including the weapons with
no questions. He is used to it. Besides Balrog will
need help protecting the treasure."
Xian: "We will miss the three of you."
Kasha: "Ben'dar, Z'leyra do you want your shares sent
to your homes? Unali I can send your share to the Aren
estate for safe keeping. For others I may have my
friend store in his vaults."
[Minutes pass and Caladan stands with his Firesnake in
his arms.]
Caladan: "Like Balrog I had my problems in the castle."
[He says no death as other warriors are hearing and
the mystique of his "accident" are still hidden from
the tribe] "But I am still weak. Cetric suspects it
could take another month before I will be able to
run at my past speed. I'm doing better daily but
there are setbacks at times. Besides father wishes
me to remain. I have been gone for so long I should
stay and help the tribe with the grave cleanup and
the blue bug cleanup. I feel I would be a burden
if I joined in this trip. Maybe in the spring I
will return to Marentia."
[Gib'borah looks at Caladan in surprise. Durge
scowls and Gidwani smiles. Cetric nods. Its clear
Gib'borah was not expecting this result.]
Actions? Comments?
Next update Friday...
Well that's Adventure #2. Roll the Credits and Ending
music score. Friday we will start Adventure #3.
In an attempt to reduce party size I've reduced the
party by Balrog, Jordi, Caladan and Kasha. I had thought
about removing Thig as well. But this should be smaller
group to manage. Friday's update will be #1. I will
then have figures on movement and such like that. I
have a general outline of the Adventure to work on and
so gotta work on the details. It should be shorter
than this one I hope. In fact let's look at some stats:
Adventure Number of Updates Start End length
#1 327 6/99 2/05 68 months
@2 137 3/05 11/06 20 months
So we'll see if #3 is shorter :) Oddly enough #1 had
533 files this one 521 files. Go figure?
If there is anything I need to improve. Change. Fix.
Let me know. I assume everyone will be in the next
adventure. I emailed Jordi several times but no reply.
Sadly he was going to be the center of Adventure #8 or
so. But guess he lost interest.
Loot will be sold by friday and sums reported. I will
then add sums to char sheet. As stated books and scrolls
of importance will go to Kaylle for study.
If you want orders to be given to anyone in Marentia
(ranch, manor, etc.) you can post them for Kasha and
the others to return.
Hope you enjoyed this adventure....for it continues...
Adventure #1 on Game Website will be removed by Friday. Will
keep #2's site up and have a new fresh/clean #3 site with
some summary links and such.
Final loot report on website what will be sold (minus the
claimed ruby and magic items).
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