[pnpgm] Game update #83c - File #335 - Part C - Thig makes an announcement
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Fri Oct 19 07:43:20 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 #83c in sequence (file #335)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
[See part A]
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[New Stuff]
[Decalis 17th, 108th day since left Marentia]
[Time - 7:43am]
[the party finishes breakfast and heads out westward...]
[Chion agrees to travel on the horse he has. Still a sight
to be seen. A heavyset frame on a tiny horse. Like a Giant
riding a dog. By now the party has gotten used to it though
Chion hasn't gotten used to riding. Being one to teleport
across half a continent in a blink of an eye makes you not used
to this "slow" mundane travel. But he knows time spent with
Bohusara and others might be a benefit for everyone.
Especially time spent between mother and son.]
Bohusara: "We should make good time. Instead of three days
it'll only take us two. The forest will be our guide and
part for us or lead us into less packed areas for the wagon.
One benefit for being who I am." [She smiles.] "In fact at
camp there will be no need for a watch. We will be warned
of any danger though by now I suspect none to exist."
Trembyl: "If I may ask though how did the creatures get behind
your awareness and ambush us?"
Bohusara: "I am glad you asked. I was learning of their movement
when we were attacked. Just bad timing. The problem was the
forest doesn't know Evil or Good by looking at a face. It
had no idea it was in danger until just before the attack
when the poison in the lake began to reach root system of the
lake trees. With the Solstice the Protectors are thinned out
a bit. We've seen brown lakes before. After a dirty rain or
flood with sand and mud in the lake. So the forest didn't know
the lake was in danger until a bit before the attack. With
me around though and my powers gaining strength daily chance
of danger will be very slim from now on."
[Some hear her words as an excuse while others see it as simple
logic though slightly flawed. Clearly the forest and her were
weakened when she was captured. So the awareness factor of her
and the forest was greatly decreased.]
[Arawn listens to her. The trust issue seems to have been
resolved. He knows she is good for what she has done.
But she will likely still need to be checked out over the
next couple days. She could still be under some strange
geas or curse he thinks.]
Trembyl: "Excuse me for asking. Have you figured out why
the witches took you with help of the Humagi?"
Bohusara: "I have thought of it last night in great detail.
They sought not to kill me but to hold me. I figure
since the Solstice ceremony would thin out the Protectors
they could try to get me. I suspected nothing when
they came to my cabin. They got a lucky hit on me
before I could act and the forest could act. I suspect
magic was used to prevent the forest from acting.
They got as far as a day's ride from here when you know
they were attacked by Vassa. Trying to help free me
they killed the Vassa but the forest was trying to
help me as it could. Once out on the plains the life
energy inside me began to wane. I weakened and they
put me in that alcove. I heard nothing or was talked
to by no one until you rescued me. I suspect they
needed me weakened, and in turn the forest weakened,
to act at the lake. Once they could do it freely
they put the creature in. Now if they had out right
killed me the forest would know it and Miklav would
as well. By keeping me secluded they could not locate
me as fast and was blocked by magic. Only when the
forest itself started to act on that side of the forest
did the Protectors know a rough idea of my location.
I suspect that's when Miklav sent you guys after me."
Thig: 'They did no magic on you other than the wards and
the sleeping spell?"
Bohusara: "Yes. That was it. Unless they did something
to me while I was asleep. Personally I suspect they
would have trouble doing much with my high magical
resistance."
Xian: "What exactly would've happened if you were killed?
If you don't mind me asking."
Bohusara: "Nothing an acolyte in the arts wouldn't know
in this area. So not a great secret. If I were to
die the forest would decrease in size. It would lose
great amount of territory. Plains would soon overtake
those areas. The entire forest itself likely wouldn't
die. But its Protectors would be on their own against
the Humagi invaders. Without magic on the edges of
the forest to ward that the Vassa could be overrun.
Upon death another Green Lady would have to be...
established by the Druids...a complex ritual..."
----------------
[Decalis 17th, 108th day since left Marentia]
[Time - 11:07am]
[As the party rides on Thig has remained quiet for the last
couple of hours. At a spot where the horse are given a rest
as a few items on the wagon are reshuffled he speaks up.]
Thig: "I'm staying here."
Farseeker: "What?"
Thig: "I've become intrigued with this place. Vul'heim has
invited me to stay at the Hill. I have decided, with some
regret to leaving you guys, for some time. Likely for the
winter. After that next year we shall see what happens."
Xian: "We have traveled together for many years and it will
be a sad loss to the party."
Farseeker: "Yes. You are unique. I've seen a few of your kind
like Kaylle and Varange. You are between those two extremes.
A worthy magician and fighter. I hope you find happiness here."
Xian: "What about Pogo and Ventrius?"
Trembyl: "When spring comes will you join us in Katai if we
head that way?"
Thig: "I don't know. I will deliver some message somehow if
I'm able to or not either way."
[Thig stares at the Wolf and loyal companion of Strie'bog.
He misses his dogs. He knows he could not bring them
on this trip for various reasons. He looks to Xian and
recalls the dogs are at his house tended by Cholan.]
Thig: "They like you and since they are at your place anyways
I'd like you to take care of them if you don't mind. For the
time being. I will then send for them or pay Chion to deliver
them one day."
Trembyl: "Yes. Who throw sailors for your dogs to eat!"
[Trembyl smiles recalling the shipboard fun in the Sea of
Tears a few months back.]
[As the party mounts up and continues west the party knows one
less going back to Marentia will be like losing one to death.
But what is not said openly is that Thig is here with his kind.
Sure Kaylle is one of maybe 2 or 3 in the entire Marentia
province of his kind back home. But here he is among dozens
of his kind. Also to those who have noticed it there seems to
be a spark between Thig and Vul'heim. Unlike most humans in
this area Thig is one not to be teased about such matters.
Those who know Thig knows he doesn't like teasing so well but
at times can take it.]
[Xian turns to Arawn on his horse and sees Arawn is deep thought
He waits for what looks to be a pause in the lengthy mental
process and speaks.]
Xian: "Your welcome to go back with us to Marentia. It is a
land about a thousand miles to the south. A bit more warmer
and near a sea called the Sea of Tears. It is sort of our home
base province. But of course your welcome to stay here with
your kind. Thig tells me your used to the Upper World. Here
Elves and other sidh may be numerous. But in Marentia there
may only be a handful. I know of one Faerry, Kaylle and 1 Elf
named Jordi down there. Just think it over in the next few
days. It is a good place to live with lots of good people.
With any place you go in this world there will be those who
hate non-humans. That you'll have to live with as they
are just ignorant. We know many other friends down there
who are retired from adventuring now. Even some people in
very high places."
[Arawn listens to his words and considers the last few days,
actually 2 weeks. It seemed to go by fast. He still has no
clue how he and his horse could end up here. One minute riding
with his trusted friend in the Upper World and the next here.
Some god had to be behind this. There can't be any other
logical explanation. But there are many who may hate his
parents and seek revenge. At the very least it could've been
a fluke of some plane portal he crossed into and didn't know
existed? But his memory has been shaken and some details
forgotten. He will have to explain how he got here to the
others and the druids to see what they think later. He
wonders what happened to his trusted friend and hope he is
okay. Then there was the prayer last night. The strange
response and then that Elf-like face in the trees. Was that
a vision or something real or divine? He will also have to
discuss that with the party and druids to see what they think
about it later. From the prayer or his own mental subconscious
he learns of some implied destiny before he can or should return
home. Arawn sighs openly to this thought. He has always hated
the thought of destiny. Laughing at folks who said they had
one or said the gods, who to Arawn were just "normal" people,
implied they had a personal destiny. Now he seems to have one.
Ridicule turns into irony.]
[Near the cabin location south of the lake...]
[Shortly into the ride Arawn suggests going back to the cabin so
he can further question the dead. Bohusara shivers to this
thought but replies quickly.]
Bohusara: "I'm afraid that would be a waste of time in more than
one way. As you all were preparing your horses I got a morning
report from the forest and my eyes and ears of the animal
world. It seems last night a group of Humagi came with a
Shaman. He was seen to do dancing and doing spells. This
is a common thing for them. Once the enemy is killed and a
shaman can detect desecration on the grave or bodies he'll
cast magic to prevent further. I suspect he made their spirits
leave the area. I doubt you'll be able to question them again.
But if you want to try it I can send one of the Vassa back to
the cabin with you and escort you back. He can follow a trail
I leave for him. You could easily catch up since we have a
wagon. But I wish not to return to the ghastly sight as it
holds bad memories."
[The party looks to Arawn for his reaction and continue
riding through the forest slowly.]
[Farseeker, Thig, Trembyl and Xian decide to continue
on with Bohusara. If Arawn does go and decides to join
Arawn need to speak up for a return to the cabin.]
GM: Arawn you can go by yourself or with anyone that wishes to
go with you. Then you can catch up. But you gotta let me
know asap. Its up to you. The party can discuss it. Others
not listed above can stay with Arawn. Arawn was going to
cast some Akasha spells as well but due tot he 20 hour
time frame per spell decided against it.
[As Arawn decides he hears Ben'dar speak of the ranch and
the plans to be the biggest horse dealer in Marentia. Of
course with a reputation like that is bound to have problems
of its own. Ben'dar talks of the quality of his horses and
what they could mean to the military. Maybe Farseeker could
talk to his superiors to buy some?]
[Upon hearing of Ben'dar's plans to return to Marentia Arawn
will guide his horse alongside Tef'wo and speak to the warrior.]
Arawn [To Ben'dar]: "I don't know what the future holds Ben'dar
but if you will be adventuring with the others after the winter
then I would be happy to ride by your side once again. I
heard you mention that you will be returning to Marentia to
raise horses for a while and I was wondering if you would be
interesting in learning the Horse Tongue?
It would be a great gift to such a skilled horseman as yourself
and you would no longer need a translator to communicate with
Tef'wo. Though I do not know how much time we will have before
parting, if that should happen, I could begin to teach you the
rudiments if you so desire."
Ben'dar: [Ben'Dar regards the elf solemnly.] "You've proven
yourself brave, and a little crazy." [Ben'Dar's leathery face
wrinkles into a broad, toothy smile.] "These are both good
qualities for a warrior. But more importantly, I trust you.
I also would be glad to ride with you again." [He holds out
his hand to clasp Arawn's.]
[Ben'Dar bristles somewhat to the suggestion that he needs
help communicating with Tef'wo, but then he relaxes as
understanding penetrates through his thick barbarian skull.]
"Yes, I've seen others in the group 'speak' to the horses,
though I didn't know if it was magic or a real language." [He
shakes his head doubtfully.] "I don't know how useful it is
though. Horses seem to respond better to constant, daily
routine and body language like this:" [He demonstrates by
folding his arms across his chest, then nudging Tef'wo into a
trot with only his knees and feet. Tef'wo circles around and
forms a big figure 8, stopping again next to Arawn. All this
is done while the reins lay slack on the big horse's neck.
Ben'Dar is obviously proud Tef'wo as he bends down to rub and
hug the horse's muscular neck. But then his brow furrows in
thought.] "How much do horses tell when you speak their
tongue?"
[Arawn smiles. laughing slightly as Ben'dars comment on his
mental faculties and grabs the warrior's outstretched hand. He
listens as Ben'dar shares his view on the subject of horse
'speech' before replying to his question.]
Arawn: "How much do they share, well that depends. They do not
see things in the way that men and women do, so their
descriptions are flavored by their own perceptions of things
but with time one can learn to see past this and acquire
useful knowledge from them. Although in my case I would say
that I enjoy conversing with them on a more personal level,
developing a friendship through better understanding. Still,
in regards to information, they can offer valuable insight
at times, their senses far sharper than our own and they are
often overlooked by others. I am sure that on more than one
occasion you have garnered from a steed that they sense
something amiss. Wouldn't it be nice to know exactly what it
is they sense and from where or formulate more complex battle
strategies? As to magic being used, for some that is true but
there is a true language spoken and understood by creatures
both big and small. For most folk this is limited to body
language and certain sounds but the tongue spoken between
animals is more complex than that and it is this language
that I am willing to share with you if you so desire, one
taught without the use of magic."
[Ben'Dar seems intrigued by this, though obvious doubt lingers
on his face. Finally he nods.]
Ben'dar: "Yes, friend Arawn, I would like very much to learn
this tongue. I feel there is much Tef'wo could tell me...more
than any other horse ever could." [Ben'Dar pauses, considering
how much to tell.] "Tef'wo was given to me by a Spirit of
Nature. A goddess, I think. When I was a prisoner in Clima,
this group rescued me from a shameful death. During our escape
from that terrible place, we encountered a mysterious goddess
who called herself Varo. She told me I would find a black
horse that would serve as my steed." [He rubs Tef'wo's neck,
his eyes bright with affection for the big animal.] "A horse
unparalleled by any other horse..." [he continues almost to
himself caresses the bejeweled leather collar that rests
around Tef'wo's neck, and glances over at Arawn.] "See this
jeweled collar, it is Tef'wo's. He was wearing it when he was
given to me. I'm sure it holds within it some kind of magic,
but I do not know what. You are, I have heard, a child of a
god. I do not know if this is true, or even what it truly
means, but if it is so, perhaps you could give me answers
regarding this collar, regarding Tef'wo, and regarding the
Lady Varo, whom I desperately would like to see again."
[Arawn thinks on these words. he has never heard of a god
named Varo. Strange, more things he has never heard of.
This world gets more complicated by the minute.]
Farseeker: "Ben'dar, think before you accept. No offense
to Arawn. But Thig mentioned this warning when Z'leyra
offered to teach you it as well awhile back. A warrior
like yourself doesn't need to be distracted. Think of
a sword that can sing or talk. Would you charge into
battle with a sword like that? It would be distracting.
Same with a horse talking even one as smart as Tef'wo.
Not only would you hear Tef'wo but others like our 30
or so horses here would be a earful for you. It would
be great at the ranch to learn why one horse is hurt or
why he doesn't like to jump for example. But in battle
it might distract you and you lose your concentration.
Is that worth talking to a horse? I feel this is a
serious step to take. Maybe if there was a magical item
to use it off and on. But I'd not want to talk to my
sword much less my horse. I need total concentration in
battle."
GM: Ben'dar let me know if you want to learn it. Arawn
will have to get with you if so when and how. Since
he has to save a ton of mana he may have to wait for
the time back home.
[Arawn asks Unali if he can learn Katai from her via a
Tongues spell.]
GM: Let me know Unali. Arawn if do it let me know but
again you have to save a lot of mana to transform
the horses. A LOT! :)
[Arawn and Unali spend time riding and viewing the Katai
scroll for clues.]
[Arawn speaks to Z'leyra.]
Arawn: "If neither one of you mind, I would like the opportunity
to study the Claw. My time with the serpent crown was limited
but I feel that some interesting information was found, though
I did not have the opportunity to discover more as it was
unfortunately destroyed. I'm hoping to discover something
similar in regards to the Claw and perhaps find to whom or
what it is linked. Perhaps with the power of the Sacred Forest
and the Solstice I may be able to bolster my resistance and
enhance my abilities to read it."
[Arawn and Z'leyra discuss at length how to examine it with
warnings of spell failures from Z'leyra. Arawn recalls the
staff spell backfire. They then discuss plans on how to
destroy it later on.]
GM: Much of this discussion was in ICQ between Alex/John.
Actions? Comments?
Next update Monday...
GM: Sorry about the delay. I worked on it all this weekend.
But then at the last minute some large emailed actions came
in and I had to clarify things. A lot of things occurred
behind the scenes. Then things changed and I had to
virtually redo the entire update. I am stopping
at this point due to length of the update as is and to
allow folks to catch up. Also I need to know if
Arawn will go to the cabin to see if he is in the next
update (next day) or not.
---------------------------
GM: Skill Point Table [Next 5 days till end of Adventure]
[Decalis 18-22]
Player Skill Points Earned Recorded Now
Ben'dar Scimitar 10 Yes
Farseeker Vassa Tongue 10 Yes
Xian Disguise Artist 5 Yes
Trembyl Fighting Dagger 10 Yes
Thig Axe 10 Yes
Arawn Smuggler 5 Yes
Z'leyra Horsemanship 6 Yes
Z'leyra Forest Survival 4 Yes
Chion ---Unknown--- ?? No
Strie'bog ---Unknown--- ?? No
Unali ---Unknown--- ?? No
Ben'dar - Now know Scimitar at EL0!
Farseker - Become quite fluent in Vassa
Trembyl - +1 EL in Fighting Dagger
GM: If one listed for Chion, Strie'bog and Unali will
go with old skill sections (see timeline link).
GM: Deadline for above is 11/1/07.
---------------------------
GM: Status of players by morning [As of Decalis 17]
Player Health Energy Mana
Strie'bog 15% 100% 45%
Unali 76% 100% -
GM: Next update will be another day so natural healing
may occur unless either you request healing. Let me
know.
---------------------------
GM: Travel Plans [Assumptions]
Player Travel to
Ben'dar * Marentia, Maren, Ranch
Chion * Zen'da Plains, Caladan's Village
Farseeker * Marentia, Sivas
Thig * Pavassa Forest, Vassa
Trembyl * Marentia, Sivas
Unali * Marentia, Sivas/Maren
Xian * Marentia, Sivas
Z'leyra * Marentia, Sivas
Strie'bog Marentia? Vassa?
Arawn Marentia/Forest/Undecided which
* - Confirmed.
Options are 1) Stay in forest 2) Zen'da
3) Marentia 4) Other
---------------------------
GM: 555.24 Gold has been given to each player, including Arawn
(as no one said he shouldn't have some share of party
treasure). This may change however if Arawn chooses new
items from treasure. Everything will be sold listed on the
final treasure report (see website). The L'p'nth materials
like journals and such will be sent to Malnon for Kaylle to
study.
-------------
GM: Arawn you have offered to transmute the horses. There
are 26 horses in total. Doing the math that is
26 x 8 = 208 mana points. You will need this amount
at the end of the 5 days/celebration. Those spells
on the claw and such haven't been done. I hope you
can do it or Chion will have to do some costly multiple
jumps :)
----------------
GM: Arawn wishes to discuss the following items. I'm not sure
what he means by discuss but here it is:
- the MEL 10/EL 4 wand he is carrying
- the summoning talisman
- the Negation/Protection vs Light creatures Talisman
(could be very useful to him:)
The items were discovered to be as follows:
1) 1 Wand MEL10/EL4, 24 inches, No magical power
2) 1 Talisman MEL7/EL5, Summoning ability
3) 1 Talisman MEL9/EL5, Negation/Protection
vs Light Creatures
Arawn have you decided to take these items? If so I
need to figure out their prices again once sold
and remove the amount from the 555 gold above.
----------------
GM: Since Chion will need mana for Teleport. Z'leyra will
need mana for Claw stuff. Arawn will need mana for
the Claw destruction and tons of mana for the horses
I will do a chart to show mana usage. Z'leyra
has plenty of Mana so not worried about here. I
will follow-up next week on this chart further.
Player Day Mana Mana Status
Arawn 16th 9 17%/100
Arawn 17th 23 3%/100
GM: As you can see your very low on mana Arawn.
If you don't do anything until the last day
you'll gain 36% mana back. Keep in mind
this is a guess-estimate. I will do the math
crunching this weekend and can ICQ or email you
on more exact figures. Keep in mind to do
all the horses you need 89% of total mana. So
a serious issue of mana will need to be resolved :)
This doesn't include failures on the horses
and the Claw destruction which is a new slew of
mana. If anyone can help out in this area with
transmutations of their own or such let me know.
But Arawn might not be able to do all the horses.
Chion will need about 50 mana for 2 jumps from
Forest to Marentia. At full mana that's about
3 jumps (1 forest to Marentia, 1 marentia to
forest and q back to Forest) before hes tapped out.
Arawn please figure out a mana management plan :)
----------------
GM: Lastly and finally! Enough of this update. My
schedule is as follows. Assuming that I don't
get any large influx of emails or actions over
the next couple weeks.
10/22 - Do second day of travel and any new actions
10/26 - Enter sacred forest and do the celebration stuff
10/29 - Do last of any celebration stuff and final actions
I would like to end the adventure by 11/01. I will
then announce the In-between time period and we'll
work on that for the next month or so. But don't
plan any actions till then just these 5 days.
So please have any final or new actions/skill or magic
spells by the 1st please. But if we need to extend
the deadline we can just let me know. Just
a rough estimate on schedule.
f
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