[pnpgm] Game update #33 - File #151 - Party goes deep into Sacred Forest
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Tue Apr 3 06:20:28 CEST 2007
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
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R1 John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar Ma
?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
R3 Wayne Richardson/Uji..Thig..............Sidh MU.Normal/Faerry Ma
W2 Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard ..Normal/Human Ma
R3 Orion (Paul Broman)...Trembyl...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W4 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
R3 Scott Adams...........Xian..............Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
R4 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Boyzdar [Wolf] (Strie'bog),
Game Web Site - 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 233 in sequence (file #151)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
As snow has fallen the temperature is cold enough for Z'leyra
to wear her fine furs. When the tents are taken down she takes
a few minutes to make herself look more presentable. She also
spends a few minutes in conversation with Corona about the
events that passed and the likely events in the future.
She continues to heal those that need healing. She ponders
washing and reusing old bandages.
GM: Ack. But Snow is much later after camp is broken. Keep
note of the Dates and Times I post if you get confused :)
[Time: XXXX] [Decalis YYY] for example. In the headers
below. All in same day so no more healing unless you
force 3rd healings? :)
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From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
Arawn smiled as Strie'bog offered his thanks, explaining
his concern for the wolf.
"You are more than welcome and I can understand your concern."
He looked to Boyzdar for a moment, there eyes meeting, before
continuing, "I would assume that he is more than a friend, he
IS family, as you are to him." Arawn's smile lingered a moment
longer while a brief and distant look came over him before he
took to tending the horses.
--------------------------------------------------------
The group came to halt at the invisible border to the Sacred
Forest. Strie'bog spoke and offered them passage into the heart
of the great wood and as Arawn came forward to accept the
invitation he knelt beside the great oak and lay one hand upon
it's massive trunk. His eyes were shut and he lowered his head
in supplication. As he does so he speaks, "I come in peace
without anger or hate in my heart."
Arawn rises and steps forth and is immediately aware of the
brilliance of the border between worlds. Here, perhaps, where
the walls are thin, his prayers might be heard and carried to
his family beyond. Alone in the borderland he looks up to the
trees and speaks.
"Carry my prayers, if you will, to great Morrigan and mighty
Payan. Tell them that there son, Arawn, is lost but safe but
that I worry for Telte, for we were ambushed and parted. Alas,
my memory is hazy, my recollection vague and I worry for I do
not know what I have forgotten. I do not know what has happened
to my companion but ask that they find him for our enemies are
great and remain unknown to me. And I do not know why the gates
home are closed. But let them know that I will find my way and
do what I must to grow strong and simply ask for their blessing
on my journey.
Thank you mighty and sacred wood. I release this burden and
prayer to you and ask for your blessing as I travel through
the Sacred Wood. May your leaves never fall and the life you
shelter flourish underneath."
He finishes his prayer and then turns to await the full
arrival of the others.
After Strie'bog recovers Arawn will also cast Energy on both
himself and Strie'bog to restore any energy lost. He will
offer this to any who feel unusually drained.
GM: Ack. What language is the prayer in? After you say the
prayer you do notice a white dove take off from one tall
tree and fly north but is lost in the tree canopy. As
to Energy they'd have to OK any energy spell on them since
I don't force spells without permission.
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[New Stuff]
[Decalis 15th, 106th day since left Marentia, 41st day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Location: Pavassa Forest]
[Time: Around 4:18am.]
[12 hours previously....back in the camp...]
[The party still has to decide what to do with the
goblin paralyzed by the Shaman's spell. He is not
wounded and will be free in about 12 hours.]
Farseeker: "Let him go and let the forest be his
fate without weapons and supplies."
Thig: "Being frozen for hours while animals may enter
the camp will teach the creature a lesson.
So let him. It'll be far more cruel than death."
Trembyl: "My guess the poor creatures were controlled
or coerced by the Shaman. To kill them while he
is defenseless would be wrong."
Xian: "I agree with the others."
GM: I wasn't calling for a vote per se. But since
no one was posting suggestions other than Unali
in email about it here goes.
Farseeker: Free Thig : Free
Trembyl : Free Xian : Free
Unali : Free Arawn : Unknown
Ben'dar : Unknown Chion : Unknown
Z'leyra : Unknown Strie'bog : Unknown
Free: 5 Unknown - 5
So tied now. Need at least one more vote for
a majority. If someone kills him outright while
paralyzed then say so as your vote as well.
If no other view on this he'll be set free by
default by Friday's update.
GM: Congratulations to Arawn with the spells in the
last update he is +1 MEL!
-------------------------------------------------------
[Time: 4:22pm]
[As the party crosses over the magical barrier from
the simple wood to the Sacred Forest each person can
feel a surge of energy and electricity like effects
all over each person's skin. The horses are seem
oddly calm and do not get skittish by this as well.
Looking up at the sky it seems as if the sun is actually
brighter and the sky seems more clear from clouds.
But its unsure if its an illusion or something else.
During the trip from the cabin Strie'bog explained many
details of the Sacred Forest Even to the confusion of
those who don't understand the difference between a
Wood, Forest and Sacred Forest. He explains that
age matters to it. A wood is young and light with
trees. A Wood tends to be less organized as a living
"thing". A forest like the Wild Forest is huge and
can be thousands of years old. Well established as
a force of nature in the area. Able to compete with
other terrain like deserts and mountains that may try
to overtake forests. The ecosystem is more well balanced
than a Wood. Forest creatures and supernatural forces
will tend to live in a forest rather than the Woods.
In some of the more ancient forests like the Wild Forest
some trees are ancient in age going as old as most
civilizations existed. Here the Druids and other
humans worship the forest, animals and tress to help
support the balance.
As to a Sacred Forest there are few left in the Middle
World. Maybe only a half dozen if that some say. The
true number is not known. Some of the largest and
more ancient forests have a Sacred Forest. Thig has
mentioned the Wild Forest has one but he has never
visited it or been invited there. The party has
been to various places and ponder the locations of
other Sacred Forests. Clearly the Wild Forest being
so ancient must have one somewhere. The Great Forest
must have one to the north of the Wild Forest. Its
debated if the Dark Lands/Choshai area might have one.
The Fierazi forest could have one but Thig doubts that
as the Fierazi tend to be fierce people and such a
sacred place wouldn't be found there. But Strie'bog
knows these Sacred areas have been here long before
any humans were.
Strie'bog was told the domain of the Sacred Forests is
that of Cernunnos but surely there must be other gods
which have some influence here? He has always wondered
that since childhood. As the party travel in the
Sacred Forest he is proud to tell more of its history.
Strie'bog explains these places have always been
a haven for life not death. During the God Wars most
of the sacred groves were destroyed. but finally
Cernunnos gave his life in battle against Kototh
to save the last of the Sacred Areas.
Once Cernunnos was reborn the sacred forests have
begun to spread and awake back to their true nature.
Since he strives for life he went the path of Neutrality
and so the Sacred Forest has that path as well.
Each Sacred Forest has one Forestal which rules the
sacred grove with help from others. The Sacred Forest
ht's its own laws and rules different from the outside
areas. In this case the Pavassa Sacred Forest has
iws own laws from Vassa customs.
Strie'bog explains the Sacred Forest grows by taking
life from invaders into the Sacred Forest itself. It
will defend the land and use the sacrifice of those
lives for its own growth. The other way is each
act of love adds life to the forest itself. New births
are said to immediately cause a new tree to grow.
As the party moves through the forest Strie'bog has
no actual bearing on where everyone is. But from
experience he knows the forest itself can through
subtle ways guide folks to their destination.
After what seems like 45 minutes the party encounters
2 Centaurs going fast in a playful mood from north to
south across the front of the party at about 200 yards.
Before the party can react or get their attention they
are away and out of sight.
The party emerges from the woods into a clearly that
runs north to south about 300 yards by 100 yards.
To the right of the party are a group of people. In
fact one Centaur, 3 humans, 1 Elf, 2 Cu Sith and
1 Cait Sith around a small rock pit that might have
been a fire pit at one time. Upon hearing the party
and horses all of the people turn and stare back
at the party.
The humans stand and watch the party. They talk quietly
among themselves. They don't seem to be armed or
at least its not seen. One human wearing a very light
blue robe strides forward. At about 30 feet he looks
at Strie'bog and the wolf. Suddenly his arms part and
his face beams.
Man: "Strie'bog! Is that you?" [He says in Vassa]
[Strie'bog cocks his head and dismounts. He walks
forward and at about 10 feet finally recognizes him.
Vassily a old friend. Both converse quickly in
Vassa and so no one understands their conversation.
Seeing this Strie'bog explains he is a old friend
who was at one point training to be a Druid. The
blue robes may designate something else but Druid
he might convey from his looks. The man stands
about 5'11 and has a thick brown mustache. Otherwise
he looks like most Vassa. Strie'bog does some live
translations.]
Vassily: "What brings you here?"
[Strie'bog explains the search for his mother.]
Vassily: "I've not seen her in weeks. I'm here for
the Winter Solstice. I'm here to help the other
Druids with the rituals. Its less than a week away
now. I just got here a day ago myself. Maybe
the others would know of her location? Let's go
find out."
[With that Vassily waves to the others and leads the
party by foot through the clearing to the other side.
Small talk is given for a few minutes. What seems
like 30 minutes is actually about 15 when the party
enters into another open area. This one full of
sunlight and circular in nature with tall ancient
trees all around. Strie'bog stops the party and
tells them to dismount and leave the horses as he
recognizes this area. This is the actual center of
the Sacred Forest. To the right is a small pond
about 50 by 75 feet wide but doesn't look deep. Swans
and ducks are floating on the surface. To the left
and north the sun filters through fog and trees are
seen. To the east and forward is a circle of rocks
and stones that seem to denote a outline of a once
building or some other structure. The rocks are only
a foot or so high but as big as a human's head at most.
At 50 feet the party walk closer with Vassily in the
lead. At 30 feet the party can see details of those
with their backs to the party. One man sitting on the
grass seems to have pointed ears so must be an Elf.
To the left of him a human it seems from the back.
In front of the Elf and Human are two others. One
is a white haired man holding a wooden staff that
is almost as tall as the man himself that curves
at the tip of the staff into a circle. He is wearing
dark gray robes. He is facing the party but doesn't
see the party as his head is turned to the left
looking at another Human. The Human is wearing simple
brown hides and tunic and seems to be speaking to
the group assembled.
Vassily stops the party at 10 feet from the back of
the sitting human and Elf. He puts up a hand to
give silence. The White Haired man now seems to
recognize their presence and turns his face. He
lifts his head and stares at the party.
Ben'dar gives a verbal gulp and gasp as the only
one to react right away. As the man sees the
White haired man they notice the man has no eyes.
Just a blank area where they should be. Yet the
hair on the necks of most seem to raise. Strie'bog
glances at Ben'dar and Ben'dar pulls himself together.
Vassily: "I bring visitors." [Strie'bog translated
quietly.]
[The human man stops speaking to the eyeless man
and folks his arms. The sitting Elf and Human
stand. As the Elf turns around it can be seen
he is wearing shiny armor with green and brown
flowing tunics of fine design. The Elf has a
sheathed sword on his right hip. On one hand
a ring is seen briefly.
As the human stands the party sees his flowing
tunics as well of green and browns. The black
haired man stands and turns.
Instinctively Unali places hands on her daggers
and is about to flex her hands when Strie'bog
glances at her in confusion. Farseeker places
a hand on her shoulder.
Farseeker: "What's wrong?"
[Arawn seems to recognize the man as well but can't
fully place him at this point. He saw him somewhere?]
Xian [in a low tone almost muttering] "No weapons!
Neutral ground!"
Actions? Comments?
Next update Friday....
[Player/Animal Physical Status]
Player Healing HPV Damage / Status
Trembyl 2 9 Moderate Damage
Unali 2 5 Minor Damage
GM: Private emails or contact to Arawn, Unali and Strie'bog.
Expect it.
This is a short update but it may be short like this
for awhile as we process events.
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