[pnpgm] Game update #32 - File #148 - Party enters Sacred Forest
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Sat Mar 31 07:27:46 CEST 2007
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------
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 232 in sequence (file #148)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Admin notes: None.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Recap]
From Arawn: [Re: Actions[
Assuming that people are still paralyzed after he is mobile
Arawn will then cast Neutralize Poison on the others to remove
the paralysis. Also he will offer to cast Detect for poison on
the mans belongings and then Neutralize any that are there as
well.
As for the herbs, Arawn wouldn't mind a dose or two of the
Balim to carry around.
If Strie'bog is still out when Arawn comes to he will make
his way across the clearing to kneel beside the Bard, looking
to the others once he is on the ground.
"I will do what I can for him."
Arawn looks him over for a moment and then lays a hand on
Strie'bogs forehead. Closing his eyes his brow furrows in
concentration...
GM: Ack. Thanks exactly what I was looking for in terms of
helping Strie'bog.
------------------------------------------------------
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
Ben'Dar says 'Yes' to Arawn's poison scan.
He will gather up all the unclaimed treasure that appears to
be of good quality (ie could be sold at a market) and loads
it up on the four captured horses.
He says, "We should burn all these bodies before they start
rotting and poisoning this area of the forest." If the party
agrees, he'll begin gathering wood to build up the fire, then
he'll help throw the bodies (after they've been looted, of
course) onto the blaze.
GM: Ack.
------------------------------------------------------
From Arawn: [Re: More actions]
Before Ben'dar begins to gather firewood Arawn speaks up.
"I'm not sure if that would be a good idea right now. It's
the middle of the night and we are in a forest. Besides the
worry of a forest fire the smoke and light may attract
unwanted attention. I suggest leaving the bodies here for
scavengers. I can detect poison before we leave and deal
with what we find so as to avoid tainting anything here.
For now I think it might be best for us to simply relocate
camp some distance away, preferably somwhere sheltered. I
can scout out a location if everyone is alright with that."
GM: Ack.
------------------------------------------------------
From Strie'bog: [Re: Actions]
After being healed by Arwan, Strie'bog extends his hand to the
druid. "Thank you brother for helping me. My concern for
Bodyzar distracted me from concentrating on the healing spell."
He then turns and holds Bodyzar. "We have been together for
so long; he's like family."
At the boarder of the sacred forest, Strie'bog stops. "Most
of you may not be able to see where the forest changes. Wait
here." He then calls out in the Tounge of the Forest (Forest
Speak) to what appears to be an old tree. "Hail Uncle! I
have come home to find my mother and take council with Mikhal.
I bear only love for the forest, and love for life. My heart
is filled with the joy of Cernunnos for the life I see around
me. I ask for permission to enter this sacred heart of the
world."
After he is given permission, he will enter, then turn to
address the group.
"Remember, this is a place of life and peace." Turning to the
forest, Strie'bog says, "I have come with friends. Hear their
words and know their hearts!" "He will then address each in
turn, starting with Arwan: "Do you come with harmful intent,
to either steal or injure the forest or its creatures?" He
will wait for an answer, then "Give to the forest your heart,
give to it a burden that it may be lifted from you. You do
not have to speak it aloud as the ancient trees will hear
your heart. But if you wish to be truly free, speak and gain
strength from your friends and the forest. Then enter friend."
This will be repeated for each person.
Will have to wait to see what is happening in the forest, but
will warmly greet friends and family (including the Forestal).
A very fond hello to mother. (If I remember, didn't Strie'bog
take something as treasure to be used as a gift? If so, he
will give this to his mother).
Strie'bog replies, "No Ben'Dar. Within the forest we do not
burn the bodies of the dead. It can be done in a larger
clearing, but there is too much danger for the fire spreading
here." Looking at the other, "there are ways of building
fires that will not threaten the forest, but it will take
time. Normally we bury the dead, for the earth is soft in
most areas. This also takes time. I suggest that we cover
the bodies. The carion eaters will finish with the bodies in
due course, so the goblins will feed the forest."
He will then offer prayers for the dead.
"Save your energies brother. We do not know what awaits us.
This forest will quickly dispose of the dead."
GM: Ack.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
[Decalis 15th, 106th day since left Marentia, 41st day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Location: Pavassa Forest]
[Time: Around 4:05am.]
[Time the Shaman's body is inspected -]
[Unali takes the small bag of Cayenne for her self. She
has an eye on the mistletoe as well unless someone else
claims it for their part. Arawn also claims 2 doses
of the Balim for himself.]
GM: As the person who killed the shaman Unali is entitled
to it all but she is good enough to allow others to
choose their share.
[After everyone is free by Z'leyra's magic - ]
[Arawn notices Strie'bog is still down and the four horses.
But the horses can wait. He crosses the camp toward
Strie'bog and examines him. He knows the others including
Thig, Xian and Z'leyra have checked him but to be safe
he does the same. He finds his muscles free of movement
unlike the others so he is not he finds the eyes rolled
back, an indication of coma as Z'leyra says. Strie'bog
speaks outloud to those around him.]
Strie'bog: "I will do what I can for him."
[Strie'bog lands his right hand onto Strie'bog's head
and the other on his chest. He begins to speak in
a tongue only Strie'bog might know. He then casts
some magical words winding the words into a magical
spell. His right hand glows yellow and magical energy
spreads from his hand into Strie'bog's head and then
quickly into his chest and legs. Arawn's brow furrows
in concentration as the spell ends. Arawn lifts his
hand and waits. A second later Strie'bog's eyes blink
open. Z'leyra gives him some water to drink and then
both help the Bard up to sit up. Strie'bog looks to
Z'leyra for thanks but she nods to Arawn. Strie'bog
extends his hand to the Druid.]
Strie'bog: "Thank you brother for helping me. My concern for
Bodyzar distracted me from concentrating on the healing
spell."
[Bodyzar leaps up and begins to nudge his head into Strie'bog's
shoulder and whimpers now a mischievous greeting. Strie'bog
then turns and holds Bodyzar.]
Strie'bog: "We have been together for so long; he's like
family."
Thig: "No need to explain. I miss my dogs. Its not
common for Faerry to own dogs. But I've had them since
they were pups."
Xian: "We are glad your back."
[The survivors at the end - Unali, Z'leyra, Thig and Chion -
explain to the rest what exactly went on to catch up the
others who missed it.]
[As this talk is given to catch up folks Ben'dar collects
up the treasure from the goblins and piles them into
one place.]
Thig: "Remember we won't be able to sell them in a market
for a long time. But maybe they can be bartered for
some items we need."
[The frogs and toads are heard fleeing away from the camp
as they wait from the mist and merge with the forest night.
The party is still confused how frogs can even be found
and summoned this time of year. But Z'leyra is the only
one to know the true calling of a Shaman's tonah tie.
As she ponders this she knows she herself hasn't used this
tonah connection in quite some time.]
[As the bodies of the goblins are gathered on the south
side of the camp.]
Ben'dar: "We should burn all these bodies before they start
rotting and poisoning this area of the forest."
Arawn: "I'm not sure if that would be a good idea right now.
It's the middle of the night and we are in a forest. Besides
the worry of a forest fire the smoke and light may attract
unwanted attention. I suggest leaving the bodies here for
scavengers. I can detect poison before we leave and deal
with what we find so as to avoid tainting anything here.
For now I think it might be best for us to simply relocate
camp some distance away, preferably somewhere sheltered. I
can scout out a location if everyone is alright with that."
Farseeker: "Its almost sunrise in about two or three hours.
By the time we find a new camp it will be light and time
to go. We might as well stay here."
Strie'bog: "No Ben'Dar. Within the forest we do not burn the
bodies of the dead. It can be done in a larger clearing,
but there is too much danger for the fire spreading here."
[Looking at the other,] "there are ways of building fires that
will not threaten the forest, but it will take time.
Normally we bury the dead, for the earth is soft in most
areas. This also takes time. I suggest that we cover the
bodies. The carion eaters will finish with the bodies in
due course, so the goblins will feed the forest."
[Strie'bog then does some hand gestures and speaks a few words
of bardic prayers for the dead.]
[Arawn offers a spell to deal with the bodies.]
Strie'bog: "Save your energies brother. We do not know what
awaits us. This forest will quickly dispose of the dead."
Thig: "Burial would take time. This amount of dead would take
hours and most of the day. Especially with only one shovel
in our group.."
Trembyl: "The Shaman may still exude poison. The goblins
would not. I would not like animals to die eating the
foul shaman. But then again some animals die from eating
poisoned plants and animals all the time."
[Strie'bog explains he can prevent that problem. But first
he turns his attention to the horses. He grabs his bag
and pulls out a plant from his bag and walks to the horses.
He grabs a torch and lights it in the fire and lays it
on dirt so it doesn't go out or cause fire in the grass.]
[He knows Z'leyra is tapped out or she would have done the
horses as the people. She did free two horses after all.
But now he can help. He knows he isn't as powerful as
z'leyra in he dispell spell itself. But with the help
of other things like this root he can level the playing
field. Z'leyra leans down and both quietly talk and
exchange another item to help. He begins to speak in
a tongue no one knows. As he does this he takes a piece
of root from the plant he has and places it over the torch
and it begins to burn. The smoke spreads and will boost
his dispell strength. He then touches the first horse and
speaks the words for dispell. Since he has the spell to
dispell Kototh magic he doesn't have to worry about MDV
doubling. The first horse immediately begins to move and
flail its legs in success. Tef'wo nods his head and neighs
to the horse.]
[As the smoke is still there he begins again on the second
and the spell frees that horse as well. Farseeker, Xian
and Ben'dar helps to get the first horse to its legs.
On the third horse the spell fails. Arawn frowns but
places the last of the root onto the torch and waits for
the smoke to spread near him. He then begins again and
this time the horse flails about. Moving quickly before
the smoke ends he goes to the fourth and casts the spell
again and that horse is free from the paralysis. Arawn
frowns that he had to use his root he found just a few
days earlier. But then again its almost pure luck or
other divine intervention he found that root. Otherwise
the horses might be paralyzed for most of the day.]
[Now all the horses are up at this point. By now its
about 4:15am. Arawn then explains he can detect for
poison itself using the basic detection spell most
magic users have.
[Arawn walks to the group of weapons in a pile the goblins
were using. Included in the pile are the foot, water and
the goblin armor the Elite Goblin wore. He piles them
closer together and then speaks detection spell words.
Assuming the spell succeeds he detects nothing from this
pile of loot. But he doesn't know if the spell worked
or not. He hopes so. He then goes to the group of
items the shaman has and casts the spell on those items.
He waves his hands over the items and expects to find
something. Within a half second the spell directs him
to the arrows. The separated arrows he passes over
slowly and it detects poison from 4 of the arrows. But
the axe he detects nothing. So only 4 of the arrows
were poisoned.]
Farseeker: "If the axe wasn't poisoned that means you won't
need to detect poison in Ben'dar. Strie'bog as he was
hit by a goblin weapon, Unali hit by the axe and Z'leyra
by a goblin weapon. Great. That leaves just me and
Trembyl hit by arrows to detect for. Go for it."
[Arawn turns to Trembyl who nods permission as well to
be scanned. Unali happy not to be scanned as its a bit
intrusive continues to stare at the dead shaman.]
[Ben'dar is also happy not to be scanned. He goes over
to Tef'wo. Magic cast on him gives him the creeps
even those healing spells. But he is getting used to it.]
[Arawn casts the detect poison onto Farseeker and frowns.
He detects poison where the wound was and healed.]
[Seeing the frown Farseeker frowns.]
Farseeker: "I wasn't going to say it but I do feel weak
even though Z'leyra healed my physical wounds. Can
you do something?"
[Arawn nods and says he can cast another spell to try to
get rid of it. He speaks the words. He then casts
another detection spell and scans the wound. He grins
and Farseeker gives a sigh of relief.]
Farseeker: "Thanks."
[Arawn then scans Trembyl for the poison. Being still
wounded and with 2 arrows hitting him he fears the
worst. But the first scan reveals nothing. Not so
confident that the spell didn't fail he casts it again
and still can't find anything. He tells Trembyl though
if he gets weak to notify him or Z'leyra immediately.]
Trembyl: "Well I'm weak now. But that's physical. Energy
wise? I feel fine but will let you know."
[Time: Around 4:30am.]
[Now that the party is fully awake and the sun is going to
be up in about 2 hours the party is unsure its good to
sleep or not. The only ones to feel sleepy is Z'leyra,
Xian and Arawn.]
[Arawn knows the Shaman exudes poison. He walks to the
body. Unali still cowled, watches both intently.
Arawn glances at Unali but respects her beliefs.
He glances at the party. If Thig knew this he might
get upset as might Strie'bog. The party clearly has
no respect for this man who tried to kill them and almost
got away with it. Arawn watches the party go about their
business and talk. He was surprised earlier when Strie'bog
offered prayers for the goblins. But the goblins were
likely just pawns controlled by this man. Though they
are vile creatures that likely hurt the forest the
man did his prayers. Arawn shakes his head. The more
he learns from these humans the more surprised he gets.
But then again just a few days ago he was invited into
this group with open arms. The group used to a Elf already
they don't seem to worry about Arawn. But maybe they
would if they knew what he was thinking. Maybe one day
he will meet this Jordi person. Arawn being a druid finds
Kotothi creatures foul much less his Elf side. Especially
this one he should've died and feels nothing bad about that.
This one must have killed many a ancient tree with his
foul magics. He glances back at the party and back at
the dead shaman. He begins to quietly speak the words of
the detection spell. He nods when he finds poison over
various parts of the shaman's skin as Thig suspected.
But his clothing the leathers is clean. Now for the hard
part. If it weren't for the aniamls of the forest who
would surely die or suffer from this poison he would not
be doing this. He hopes the forest understands this.
With a sigh he places a hand on the Shaman's leather
pants leg. Unali continues to stare at the two. She
is unsure what the Elf is doing. But Jordi acted odd
at times as well. She does not react when Arawn casts
more magical words. He then removes his hand and
casts another detection spell. The spell reveals the
Shaman has no more poison on his skin. Hopefully that
will be it. Since he is dead he shouldn't produce more.
Touching a Kotothi shaman feels so dirty Arawn feels
like burning his fingers to get rid of the stench. He
walks back to the party without saying a word to Unali.
Unali is unsure what Arawn just did but the man is still
dead so that'll work.]
[Time: Around 5:02am.]
[As the party spends about an hour talking about the
bodies, shaman and event's of the night Unali stands
from her position and comes to Z'leyra. She asks
Z'leyra for a second healing fearing no risk. Z'leyra
checks the bandages and finds no recent bleeding but
recalls she is low on Mana. So Arawn is Unali's second
choice. Arawn is happy to help and casts a healing
magic spell. Z'leyra watches with interest as the
color of the blue energy is different from hers. The
wound on Unali heals by little over 50%. Z'leyra
estimates the moderate damage is now a minor wound.]
[Unali then stands near Ben'dar and speaks to him.]
Unali: "Ben'dar, to get acquainted with the simple dagger
will most likely take two years of training. I am not
sure if your quick mind could deal with the hardship of
so long a training to become a dagger wielder. If you can
spare the time we might take up the training when we
return to Maren of course."
Farseeker: "What do we do with him?"
[Farseeker points to the one goblin still alive but
paralyzed.]
Thig: "If we leave in a couple hours we could just leave
him here and he'll be free in a matter of hours. We'll
be long gone by then. He would see all his pals dead
and may want to flee the forest and spread the word
that fighting humans is not wise."
[For those sleepy they may snooze a bit around the campfire
as the party warms up talking. Everyone is leery about
sleeping now as more folks may be out there. A search
was done but no others were found. But just in case
its best to be aware and alert. Soon an hour passes then
another.]
[Time: 6:35am]
[Finally the eastern sky grows gray and blue and then
orange as the sun raises through the thick forest. Birds
and day animals begin to stir and sing.]
[Soon the camp is broken down. Strie'bog explains today
or tomorrow they should surely be at the sacred forest.
Either way its good to be away from the dead. A quick
breakfast is cooked and eaten. Then camp is broken down.
If the folks hadn't been free from the spells the party
would surely be around for most of the day. A waste
of a day wouldn't be good. With Strie'bog it could be
weeks that's even worse. But the party was able to stop
those magics. The party soon leaves camp as the first
rays of the day shine through the forest.]
[The temperature at sunrise is in the low 50s but in
the distance the clouds begin to roll in. By 10am
the party notices snow begins to fall in faint amounts
into the forest from high dark clouds. The party
gather up clothing around them for warmth and continue.
The snowfall is light and not enough to be a paint to
movement.]
[After noon the snow has stopped and will soon melt
in the late afternoon or evaporate. But this time
Strie'bog takes the lead and scans the forest for
any signs or clues. He knows the sacred forest can
expand and shrink from season to season. As the
forest itself does. He knows some of this is the power
of the magics and the inhabitants within. He knows
the sacred forest can be as big as 20 miles wide or
as small as 2 miles. There is no definite border that
is one solid distance from the center. It can vary
as wildly as forest mushroom groves.]
[Strie'bog recalls when he was invited many years ago.
This was soon after Boyzdar was found. He smiles
of the fond memories. The day was a great day for
his parents as well. It is sad though that most
of the Vassa themselves may never enter the sacred
forest itself. Not many DO get invited in. Those
Vassa who are lost or wounded may be though. It
tends to seek out those people. In some rare times
it has been known the Sacred Forest (with the big S
Strie'bog thinks) has invited folks without others
knowing. The magic of the place is as mysterious
as life itself. He recalls the story of the Vassa
female chased by human travelers intent on rape.
The four men were lost but found the young girl and
attempted to have some fun before she fled. The
chase it was said to last over an hour with the men
not getting tired knowing what reward they would have
with the young girl. But the forest itself somehow
detected this threat to the girl. Without warning
the forest invited the girl and as she ran across the
border she found herself in a glade that wasn't there
seconds before. The first man however on her tail simply
saw the girl pass through one bush and when he exited
the other side couldn't see her at all. Even though
physically they were in the same location only feet
apart but could not see each other. Confused the female
soon found friends inside to help her. Even more confused
the men started to beat the first man for losing the
female. That's when the forest reacted and called upon
its sentries the Druids for justice. It is said by
the Vassa legends that only one man was found the other
3 were never seen again nor their bodies. At least
that's the legend he learned. Strie'bog knows legends
are sometimes based in truth but sometimes used to scare
young kids into being good....]
[As the party continues hours pass....]
[Time: 4:21pm]
[As Strie'bog merges from three tall ancient trees he
rounds them and then sees the border glowing intently
to him. The border is now only about 100 feet away.
He looks back to see the party about 30 feet behind
him. He quickly says a prayer of thanks and then
waits for the others to join him.]
Strie'bog: "Most of you may not be able to see where the
forest changes. Wait here." [He then calls out in the
Tongue of the Forest (Forest Speak) to what appears to be
an old tree.] "Hail Uncle! I have come home to find my
mother and take council with Mikhal. I bear only love for
the forest, and love for life. My heart is filled with the
joy of Cernunnos for the life I see around me. I ask for
permission to enter this sacred heart of the world."
[Strie'bog knows he already has permission but its always
common courtesy to ask anyways. He crosses past the
border and then turns to the others.]
Strie'bog: "Remember, this is a place of life and peace."
[Turning to the forest, Strie'bog says,] "I have come with
friends. Hear their words and know their hearts!" [He will
then address each in turn, starting with Arawan:] "Do you come
with harmful intent, to either steal or injure the forest
or its creatures?" [He will wait for an answer, then] "Give
to the forest your heart, give to it a burden that it may
be lifted from you. You do not have to speak it aloud as
the ancient trees will hear your heart. But if you wish to
be truly free, speak and gain strength from your friends and
the forest. Then enter friend."
[Arawn knows of this procedure through stories of his own
family. But he has never been involved with such. The
forest detects no harm from Arawn. Suddenly Arawn is
amazed to see the forest floor glowing in green, brown
and lighter colors of blue, yellow and red. He scans
the forest and sees this glowing border go on for
hundreds of feet in both east and west. So this is the
border. He wonders how it would look if not invited?
Maybe a dark black color. Surely animals must know
or feel something. Arawn dismounts out of respect and
hopes his horse also has permission. He quietly walks
across the border and finds he is still alive at least.
Course the forest wouldn't kill him. But he looks back
to see the party and Strie'bog who smiles back. The
horse is also there. Strie'bog repeats the procedure
above for each person. Ben'dar and Tef'wo is next
to cross.]
[Chion closes his eyes, afraid to look. Would the forest
detect his past doings? Would the forest detect some
of the thoughts he has had? As he considers this he
breathes deeply and finally opens his eyes to reveal
the glowing border. He then notices the staff give
a warm sensation as he crosses the border. One of these
days he must figure out why the staff does that?]
[Farseeker, Thig (walking), Trembyl then all cross
over into the Sacred forest.]
[Unali looks at the forest and the others. she
wonders if she is worthy of this. But all her life
she has strived to save life rather than take it.
Within 2 seconds of Strie'bog's invite Unali sees
the glowing border and crosses over with her horse.]
[Xian then crosses over with his horse and the other
captured horses.]
[Last one to be invited surely not by design than fate
is Z'leyra. She crosses over with her horse after
Corona is invited in.]
[Soon all are across the border into the Sacred Forest
of the Pavassa forest.]
[Anxious to get to his mother before the sun sets
Strie'bog mounts up and heads further east into
the sacred forest. The party notices his face and
hands are more green than usual and his pale skin
seems to be less pale. His eyes also seem to glow
from within green with silver around the green. his
mood seems to increase to pure joy.]
.
[The party continues onward...]
Actions? Comments?
Next update Monday...
[Player/Animal Physical Status]
Player Healing HPV Damage / Status
Trembyl 2 9 Moderate Damage
Unali 2 5 Minor Damage
GM: Ok. Bodies including the Shaman are left in the forest
for scavengers. That's fine. Better than a fire
as suggested above. Time involved for fire and burial
would be costly. But I still haven't heard what is
going to occur to the one goblin STILL alive and
will wake up in 12 hours from the paralysis?
Do you leave as Thig suggests or kill outright?
GM: Ok. It is the same day so no natural healing yet.
No mana changes as well. Monday I will report on
the next event. If there is anything you guys
want to do inside the Sacred Forest or before hand
let me know before Monday. The next update will
be short more or less with the meeting of mother and
all that. Unless I have a surprise! (Evil grin).
So let me know what you want done. I would have
that event now but running out of time tonight.
Update is late as it is due to distractions and
other problems. So this will give you time to
plan any specific things. Will work on update
Monday at 10pm. Shouldn't take long to do :)
GM: John - will report any experience to you in next
update or live in ICQ over the weekend if I remember.
More information about the pnpgm
mailing list