[pnpgm] Game update #72 - File #291 - A Forest Chase
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Tue Aug 28 09:01:43 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 #72 in sequence (file #291)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Remembering the last time someone had an abysmal spell failure
that involved the voice Z'leyra decides that it would be a good
idea to use her sign language skill to communicate and avoid
speaking for the next 24 hours. So much for her using spells
for awhile. She will also avoid other uses of her voice such
as yelling or screaming.
When she thinks it may be better she will ask someone in the
party to move out of hearing range and try whispering. If they
signal that they can hear her she will know that the problem
persists.
GM: Ack.
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[New Stuff]
[Decalis 16th, 107th day since left Marentia, 42nd day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Location: Pavassa Forest - Eastern Edge/On Plains/Cabin]
[Time - 10:45am]
[Five or so hours before the combat at Lake Oca - ]
[Realizing that questioning the dead is a difficult and
exacting art, one that he must carefully prepare for in
the future, Arawn sighs at the Katai officers answer and
decides to limit his last question to a more immediate
and local one. After thinking over the parchments message
he decided that the officer was nothing more than a
messenger, perhaps Nom, the one mentioned within. He knew
that the answer to so many other questions lay with one of
the others here, likely one of the witches, but which one?]
[He wonders what his parents would think of all this. To
them it would be very un-Alfar like. His father the
Warlord certainly would look down at these actions. He
is one for dead to stay dead once killed. His mother,
Queen of Magic, might reason into Necromancy but very
unlikely and certainly Arawn would never dare to ask.
So much one never knows of one's own parents be you
Human or Alfar. He wonders if his parents are now
watching him and studying him in his actions now and
in the future. To end up here on this god-forsaken
plane and be so mundane. arawn looks at the party
and considers his next question. Clearly this Necromancy
stuff takes great energy and finesse. An art in questioning
in itself. Clearly the spirits are compelled to tell the
truth but nothing says the truth to them can't be bent to
a side truth or an exaggeration. He had heard of some
great Necromancer Lich was once here or said to be here
still on this plane depending on who you talk to. What
was his name? Nilgerod or something? His mother simply
called him the Patron of Evil and not by his name. Stories
flew back and forth in the courts for years about him and
his actions in this plane. The other Gods clearly wanted
to intervene but with the agreement not to intervene in
this plane again stopped them. Course it never stops al
just some. There are always rumors of Gods interfering
directly and indirectly. He eyes the party and wonders
if these people even know Avatars exist on this plane
that are the God's eyes and ears. He met one once but
never liked him. The arrogance and ego of that one.
So if these spirits are telling the truth how to do you
get an answer one wants directly by not giving away the
question you really want to ask? That's the true skill.]
[Looking at the other bodies displayed he pointed and speaks
to the spirit.]
Arawn: "Point out the body of the one in charge of the
operation here."
[The Katai officer spins around and looks at the bodies.
Then with a smirk he raises both hands. He points his
left hand at the witch who killed herself out front
with the fire shower spell.]
Spirit: "Mage Sulko."
[Then with right hand he points to the one Z'leyra
put into Oblivion.]
Spirit: "Sala'Ho."
[With that he disappears and fades out. Arawn sighs
and hears laughter as the translation is done by
Strie'bog. He turns to see Thig smirk.]
Thig: "Two leaders. Makes sense though. What have we
learned of this area? The Humagi are clearly in
control on this plain. He must've been the leader
of the Humagi group. Probably to protect the witches.
Sulko must've been the more mystical leader of the
group in terms of strategic rather than a tactical level."
[Arawn stands and shakes his head. Maybe the spirit was
truthful but maybe he should've asked a more specific
question. Who knows what will come of this day. The
party come forth and begin the burial process.]
GM: At this point no more retroactive questions in this
regard. Anything at this point in the updates could
be easily learned by questions now. So once that
is revealed too late to have asked about it. :)
You could ask other questions I'm sure but how far
does one want to deal with known enemy spirits
and their tricks?
---------------------------------------------------
[Location: Pavassa Forest - Lake Oca/Deep Forest]
[Time - 4:01pm]
[Weather - Overcast, 60 Degrees]
[Z'leyra's eyes widen as her voice seems normal in tone
and level but obviously has some odd magical value.
Behind and all around her everyone seems to have heard
her talk even though the clearing is few hundred square
feet. Strange. She notices all eyes on her. Then
looks to the forest and see dozens and dozens of birds
flying to the air this way and that. In the forest
calls of animals are heard some distance away. Something
spooked them. When Xian covers her mouth she realizes
the effect may be her own. Just coming out of the
Perception trance she is unsure what she said. But
Xian looks at her like it was a bad result.]
Xian: "Hush for now. Something odd just happened."
[Bohusara stands from being near Strie'bog and helping
him. She looks to the party and to the party and
to the forest to determine what just happened. She
heard Z'leyra's voice and eyes her. It was her.
Didn't the shaman just cast some spell? Her eyes
widen as Boyzdar perks up and growls. Bohusara
looks at the forest and the obviously scared birds.
She flies to the air and lands with seconds near
Z'leyra and stares at her. For the first time
a curtain falls over Bohusara's face what seems to
be rage. Z'leyra gulps and keeps her mouth shut.
Z'leyra is rarely intimidated by folks with her
protections and other skills. But for once since
she was a child in the forest found alone in the
dark she is scared. She knows Bohusara could probably
kill her in one wave of her hand. Z'leyra glances
to Xian and Strie'bog hoping her son might say something
to calm his mother. But he continues to stare out
into the clearing at nothing in particular. Z'leyra
quickly signs an apology to Bohusara and then Xian.
Xian shakes her head but Bohusara's face remains solid
and intense. The air seems to crackle with tension and
energy. Chion notices the sign language and translates
for Bohusara.]
Bohusara: "One must know their limits. One must control
their desire. One must control their fate by handling
their path in life rightly. One day your magic will
backfire and there will be no one to save your or
your soul. Too much magic makes the path in life
foggy and your destiny goes elsewhere."
[Z'leyra looks confused by the words. How could she
know her destiny? Too many folks seem to imply they
know all. First that Lady Varo person and now this
person. She recalls Jordi when his spell failed and
sound was increased greatly in everything he did in
speaking, moving or even breathing. It could be worse
it seems to so far only affect her speech.]
[Bohusara's face seems to soften slightly and she glances
to the forest all around her. Taking to the air she
speaks to no one in particular.]
Bohusara: "I must calm the forest animals. I shall return
shortly after I correct this...situation."
[With that she flies up and then to the east over the
trees and soon goes out of sight of the party.]
Xian: "Might want to stay clear of her for the night.
From what Thig told me of the Forestal's anger,
hers seems more intense. As to your spell it
obviously failed."
Trembyl: "We should probably do a search around the
lake to figure out what is going on. Since we
are down four I suggest two teams of two. Unali
seems to wounded to help now. Chion can go
with Z'leyra since they can talk to each other
with sign language. Strie'bog and myself can
be the other team. Xian, Unali and the Vassa
can remain here to clean up and wait for the
others to return. Corona can be our go between
if any of us is in trouble. That sound good?"
[Unali sits up and watches the scene unfold. Under
her blanket she opens her bag and gets some water
from her gear. She grunts and removes her chainmail
which has been virtually destroyed. Holes and
chain links broken to bits. She examines it and
sighs knowing this her second chainmail in so many
months. Course someone of her agile nature doesn't
like chain so much as easy moving leather. Using
the cover of her blankets she undresses and puts
on some black clothing with some effort and a cowl
to mask her face and to give her face some protection
from the cooling weather. Finally she goes back to
looking over the Chainmail. She isn't talented in
armor repair but she'll have to take it back to
Marentia and get a new suit or this one repaired.]
[As the others decide on their trip around the lake,
Xian directs the Vassa as best he can to collect
the bodies. Strie'bog helps to explain his intent
to clean the clearing and collect the weapons.
Xian warns the Vassa to use blankets with the staves
in case they are still alive. The daggers shouldn't
be any threat. Confused they do so without much
question.]
GM: Chion, Z'leyra is this a good plan or do you have
something else to add? Let me know which direction
you want to head to. West side of the lake around
or East around. The other 2 will take the other
direction. First person to speak up will decide
the direction. :) I will assume horses are taken
and rode on with standard equipment.
Trembyl: "We should be careful why I want two on each
team. We don't know if there are more out there.
But we should travel around the lake and search
the water and perimeter as best we can. First
group to find something try to get the attention
of Corona. You'll explain this to him? Oh wait.
You can't speak. Well that could be a problem.
Does he understand us?"
----------------------------
[Meanwhile a good mile away from the clearing the
chase team hears Z'leyra and stops their horses.
The horses seem confused by the voice as well and
slightly skittered. Arawn quiets them down.]
Farseeker: "Z'leyra? Did you decide to join us and
invisible? Where are you?"
[The group looks around seeing nothing but thick
forest. Farseeker shrugs as two minutes pass
with no answer.]
Thig: "My guess is some spell failed or Bohusara is
aiding her magic to talk to us. But it sounded
like a question rather than a statement. Remember
Jordi and the castle with his noise?"
[Farseeker nods. Arawn and Ben'dar look at each other
confused by the statement they have no idea of its
history.]
[During the pause Arawn takes the chance to quickly
bandage some of his wounds.]
Farseeker: "Nasty. but hey. If she is in trouble
she can always get our attention!" [He grins and
pulls his horse back.]
[As the horses move deeper and deeper into the forest
it gets darker and darker due to the canopy above.
Every few feet are trees or bushes. It takes some
time to find paths for the large horses. Thig
helps out by guiding but dares not fly too far ahead
in case he is ambushed. He likely couldn't survive
one of their attacks hand to hand.]
[Ben'dar takes lead position and tracks the creatures
well. Its not that hard for the first part of the
trip which takes a good ten minutes. Drops of black
oily blood is on bushes and the grass. While the sun
is low and the forest is dark the blood seems to be
easy to find against the green and browns. It seems
obvious the creatures didn't stop to even stop his
bleeding. That makes them desperate and that puts
them up against a wall and dangerous.]
[After another five minutes the trail seems to go cold.
Maybe they did stop and force the blood to stop?
At this point only their boot prints in the soft grass
have to be tracked which takes more time. Thig notices
a large owl flying away from one area and points to it.
The party slows and listens. In the wind swept forest
its hard to tell movement compared to the wind. But
it seems there is rustling up ahead. Ben'dar lowers
his wolf headdress and growls in a barely audible tone.
Now some 25 minutes away from the clearing the chase may
finally be over. Arawn dismounts and whispers to his
horse in neighs. Ben'dar and Farseeker move forward through
some low bushes as Arawn slinks behind and merges into
the forest. Thig stands but doesn't fly as flapping of
his wings would make too much noise.]
[At this point the group knows they have been chasing
only 2 sets of boots. No one else has seemed to join
them directly. Four against one it should be good
odds. Ben'dar knows the creature has no more of those
flying bugs but his partner might. As Farseeker and
Ben'dar move through chest high bushes and around a tree
up ahead about 15 feet is the creature Ben'dar fought
leaning up against a tree. He holds his staff in his
right hand and left is holding his side probably from
a wound. He knows Tef'wo likely damaged him severely.]
[Ben'dar turns to Farseeker and growls.]
Ben'dar: "That one is mine!"
[Farseeker looks around for his partner as Ben'dar moves
Tef'wo forward. There is only 2-3 feet of free room
in the forest at any one place. No room for a good
charge. Tot he right Arawn moves forward and spies
the warrior. the Warrior growls and stands tall
away from the tree. His left hand drops down a bit
and grabs the staff with both hands. He sees Tef'wo
and Ben'dar coming forward. The Warrior smiles a
weak smile and raises his staff in a battle stance.]
[Arawn looks to his right to see if he sees any
others but sees no one. His vision is good here
but maybe he choose the wrong direction. Maybe
the other one is on the left of Farseeker. With
Sword drawn he slinks forward through bush and bush
and around trees to come behind the Warrior.]
[Suddenly Arawn hears a "plop" land near him and
looks to his right but just sees in the side of
his vision something fall in front where he
was moving. He steps into something wet and sticky
and looks down to see a jelly like substance. His
foot seems glued to the spot. He tries to pull back
but doesn't hear from above in a tall branch a creature
fall to the ground behind him until its too late.
All he hears is hissing like snakes behind him and he
glances behind his shoulder to see another creature
like the others. He tries to twirl around but finds
his right food is stuck. As he turns to move to the
left the creature lunges forward and wraps one left
hand under Arawn's left armpit and up in a brace.
With the other right hand he sees a bone dagger come
up to his throat. He tries to duck but he is too slow
and feels the sharp bone against his neck. Is this
all this one has no staff? How bad could a dagger do
to him? He knows the dagger is sharp though up against
his skin and could likely shred his throat. He prepares
to speak a possible spell or warning when the creature
pulls back the neck. Arawn looks back to see twirling
snakes above him! The creature grunts and barks a order.]
[Farseker hears the bark and looks eastward into the
darkness and squints. He sees a shorter creature
about 6'1 and a lot less in weight than the warriors
by 40 pounds or so, weighing about 160? He notices
in one side of the chest a protrusion and longer hair.
He surmises this one must be a female? He notices this
one holds no staff but just one of those bone daggers
tot he neck of Arawn. That's not good. Maybe their
vision and stealth ability is far more advanced than
Arawn's Alfar/Elf ability? Or maybe she just got lucky?
Farseeker raises his Great Sword but is unsure what to
do with Arawn's life in the balance. Ben'dar continues
forward and doesn't seem to notice the female at all
but hears only her command. The Warrior growls and
stares down Ben'dar.]
[Farseeker realizes the female must be desperate and
wants to escape by taking a hostage? But the language
barrier is a problem. He looks south and doesn't
see Thig but only Arawn's lone horse eating some grass.]
Farseeker: "Ben'dar. We have a problem."
[But Ben'dar's blood boils as he recalls the almost
slaughter of himself and Tef'wo. Its one thing to
be killed in battle by another warrior but to kill his
horse that's just not right!]
Actions? Comments?
Next update Friday... Will work on update about 10pm Thursday...
GM: Chion/Z'leyra, Trembyl/Strie'bog groups around lake.
GM: Arawn, Thig, Ben'dar, Farseeker in chase.
GM: Xian, Unali back at camp.
GM: Player / Companion Status
Player HPV Status Healings Today
Arawn 60% [Moderate] 1
Strie'bog 15% [Heavy] 1
Unali 43% [Moderate] 2
Boyzdar 66% [Moderate] 1
GM: For those going around the lake let me know if you have
particular actions or tasks. Same with any camp
actions or tasks.
GM: Arawn - you were the only one to dismount :) Just
got the lucky draw :)
GM: Next weekend is in USA Labor Day. Ironically I'll
be working then. But hey if I can charge double
for it on my contract I ain't complaining! But
for others they may not be working and going on vacation.
If YOU are one of those people and want me to hold
the game let me know. I will still likely do a update
on Thursday. But for Monday I could do a tiny update.
We'll see depending on how things go.
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