[pnpgm] Game Update #29 - File #91 - Investigation Ends
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Wed Mar 12 08:48:51 CET 2008
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
Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....NormalFaerry Fe
W4 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
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 #29 in sequence (file #91)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Fremea: [Re: Actions]
Fremea, waiting for a response to what was said in the scroll,
since she doesn't speak the language, will avoid the guards
as much as possible, find her bag of tricks and squeeze herself
into a corner of the booth. Making sure she can see all areas
clearly again.
(Fremea will make sure that she collects everything, as she
does not have much anyway, for what ever trip is going to
happen. She is fairly sure that this group will not stay
here much longer. Too many enemies and everyone has sat too
long in one place now.)
GM: Ack.
----------------------------------
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
[Raban is a bit upset to see the assassin has not yet been
punished for his crime, but understands they want to handle
things their way for now.
Looking about, he decides it would still be best to gather his
things while its quiet and goes upstairs. Things could fall
apart at any point when the guard is involved.
<So back to original post plan for now. Maybe the other
future responses are still valid after all?>
GM: Ack.
----------------------------------
From Chion: [Re: Actions]
Chion will look at the party members and say, "Well, I have
been to the places where many of you have grown up. Anyone
fancy a trip to see where I was partly raised?" A short pause
for him to smile, "It of course will be dangerous, with no
offer of reward as yet. However, someone who is very dear to
this world needs our help, as well as a dear friend of mine.
So I am going. This wand will allow you all to come with me
if you wish. You all know I posses, well, certain mystical
arts. In the land we travel to I am but a student." He will
look at the Alfar and Faerries. "You all would be most
welcome."
He will look at Unali to see how much of it she seemed to
understand and add, "Feel like a trip to the homelands of
our ancestors?" in Katai.
He also adds, "Apparently the High Elder likes to use his
(opal) to watch plays on glass boxes." under his breath in
Marentian. (opal is right? or is it pearl?)
GM: Ack. Opal? Well that'll solve be revealed.
----------------------------------
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
Ben'Dar glares at Jensen. For an instant, he considers killing
the man for threatening Tef'wo like that. He glances
around at the trembling gaurds, cowering before him like
frightened children. Ben'Dar calmly says to Jensen in
Zen'Dali,
"Know that your threat will not be soon forgotten." Then
Ben'Dar smiles teasingly at the gaurds as he allows himself
to be herded back inside the tavern.
Ben'Dar is in good spirits now, having had some good drink
and a little fun. In response to the scroll message
translated by Chion, Ben'dar grins, "This sounds interesting.
You can count me in!"
Ben'Dar buys a drink for the soldier who lassoed his pike.
He compliments the man on his skills. "Nice trick back there.
I could use a man of your skills on my ranch. Talk to me if
you are ever looking for work." Ben'Dar will make sure to get
his pike back.
Ben'Dar is pretty much already packed, since he typically
travels pretty light. He will send a message back to his
ranch steward to let him know about the information he learned
about one of the gaurds being of questionable background. He
also lets the steward know that he will be gone for some time
on a journey, and that the steward should run the ranch
according to the business plan they have discussed during the
past several months. Ben'Dar has his gear, his weapons, his
travel rations/drink, and a small amount of money (less than
2-3 GP).
GM: Ack. What about the guard fire or just have the steward
watch him? So will take all gear. Gotcha.
----------------------------------
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Z'leyra will make arrangements with her servants, grab her
stuff and be ready to go when the time comes to leave.
(will use private email to Scott to say what she brings).
GM: Ack. A bit vague but okay. :)
----------------------------------
From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
Arawn continued to sit patiently, both amused and exasperated
by the actions of those in the tavern. When moments later
Chion unfurled the message and its magical contents spilled
forth the alfar listened and watched, intrigued by the use of
magical message. It seemed that whatever was being shared was
important enough that the 'writer' did not wish for any mistake
in interpretation.
When Chion delivered the message to the others Arawn smiled.
He was looking forward to explore all this world had to offer
and the opportunity for a lengthy expedition and the chance
for great adventure intrigued him highly. Besides that, he
was still on the trail of the mysterious grey-creatures and
the lands to the far east seemed to be at least one place that
hid news of this mysterious race.
"I will gladly go if you will have me, Chion. Though I may
take a short time to gather some items if we have time."
If nothing complicated happens while at the tavern then
afterwards Arawn will inform the others that he wishes to
have some gems set and will quietly talk to Z'leyra in regards
to enhancing the stones that require such and that he feels
might be too valuable to risk a failure enhancing himself (I'll
send an email out later to Z'leyra and to detail things but
thought it might be good to post something before we suddenly
find ourselves miles from the nearest city). Beyond trying to
set the items in stone Arawn is pretty much set to go and will
take everything.
GM: Ack. Take everything eh? :) Get me details on those
Gems and such.
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[New Stuff]
[Marqi 29, 1633TH. 1st Day of Adventure #4.
Location: Sivas, Marentia, Green Eye Tavern.
[Time: 8:24am]
[Moments before the scroll illusion is heard...]
[Ben'dar continues to threaten Jensen and the troops in
Zen'dali.]
Ben'dar: "Know that your threat will not be soon forgotten."
[Ben'dar heads inside escorted by Jensen and the guards.]
----------------------
[Time: 8:26am]
[Elam and Jensen continue to talk as Chion listens to
the message scroll.]
[Chion contemplates the scroll and hidden meanings.
Danger to his homeland? A land full of the most capable
wizards around? What could he be needed for that others
can't perform? Chion turns to the party.]
Chion: "Well, I have been to the places where many of you
have grown up. Anyone fancy a trip to see where I was
partly raised?" [A short pause for him to smile,] "It of
course will be dangerous, with no offer of reward as yet.
However, someone who is very dear to this world needs our
help, as well as a dear friend of mine. So I am going. This
wand will allow you all to come with me if you wish. You all
know I posses, well, certain mystical arts. In the land we
travel to I am but a student."
[He will look at the Alfar and Fearries.] "You all would be
most welcome."
[He will look at Unali to see how much of it she seemed to
understand and add, ]"Feel like a trip to the homelands of
our ancestors?" [in Katai.]
[He also adds,] "Apparently the High Elder likes to use his
(opal) to watch plays on glass boxes." [under his breath in
Marentian.]
[Ben'dar perks up hearing Chion's words. Dangerous? Sounds
like fun. Ben'dar tries to recall where Chion is from.
He must've mentioned it once or twice in the past? Ben'dar
grins and turns to Chion.]
Ben'dar: "This sounds interesting. You can count me in!"
[Arawn sits watching the events with hands folded on each
other. When the scroll is "seen" he knows the magic
is powerful yet in his world commonplace. Some gods have
the ability to be in two places at once and deliver messages
so messengers are rare in the upper world. Here they depend
on papers for message. Such a primitive world. He listens
to Chion's explanation and tries to recall where Chion is
from. He knows Chion speaks Katai so must be from there.
From the days staying here Arawn has learned its one of
the largest empires in the middle world with well over
a million people or more in its lands. He has heard the
culture is a great one on the brink of major disaster due
to its growth, population and internal political struggles
but also on the brink of great discovery with inventions
and great areas of learning. Another interesting aspect
of human culture a dichotomy of disaster and greatness
that is ever linked together. It seems one can't exist
without the other. Elves long ago seemed to have
broken that barrier to grew as a race. The Faerry
and Dwarves are still catching up.]
Arawn: "I will gladly go if you will have me, Chion. Though I
may take a short time to gather some items if we have time."
1Unali listens and understands the scroll well. Inwardly
she is disappointed not to go to Katai proper but she
has heard who the High Elder is. Everyone in the Katai
realm has heard stories mostly bad slurs by the government.
It may not be Katai but maybe he knows some clues that
can help their search later in Katai. She wonders if
she should journey as her family has always said the
lands north of Katai were dangerous and cursed. What
would they think or say or do?]
[Kaylle standing near Chion hears Chion. He understands
bits and pieces of the language but not enough to fill
in most of the blanks. He scratches his chin as he
hears Chion explains the scroll message. When Chion
mentions the High Elder he perks up and stands tall as
tall as he can get.]
Kaylle: "The High Elder? As in THE High Elder? I'm impressed.
You know ..or rather HE knows you personally?" [An expression
of disbelief shows on Kaylle's face. Chion smirks amused
by the comment.] "Being in a library you learn things and
I've learned the High Elder is the most powerful wizard
around! At least that we know of. If HE wants help from
you then he must be in trouble." [He quickly realizes
his offense and tries to cover up.] "I mean if he himself
can't handle it and must call in qualified help he must
be in trouble. The Dark Lands is a power house of wizards.
I believe theres like a dozen or so powerful wizards there
and they treat it as a Wizard's Realm. Non magic users
are property or abused." [Chion recalls his days in the
Lands. It is true its a Wizard's paradise. But a dozen?
Clearly the information isn't fully out. There must be
at least 30 wizards there by now. Kaylle must have old
books on the subject.] "I also have heard they have slaves
and combat is a regular thing. If you offend other
wizards they will challenge you. The Dark Lands are
a rebel force separated from Katai many years ago. I
would love to go and study the lands and its people but
I can't go due to my new position at the library. Just
my luck!"
[Arawn hears Kaylle speak in Marentian and knows the
land to be the Dark Lands. He smirks to himself. Humans
have some odd fondness to name things in such complicated
or simple things. Dark Lands means what all darkness?
Can't name an area with flair. A Wizard's Realm should
fit him nicely. It will be interesting to see a part of
his upper world here on this plane. He wonders how it
is dealt with here compared to there. There the gods
have ruled so long humans take it for granted. Here they
must rule by humans who die. What does that do to their
mental souls and physical bodies? Are they happy and
contented or sad. An interesting thing to see and later
report to his parents. After all the long held whispers
in the upper World is that the gods will return here
to rule as they do in the Upper World. They are always
trying to figure out ways to break the agreements
and come back here in full force. Course then the world
was mostly sidh and humans were primitive. Now the Middle
World is mostly humans with civilized cultures and powerful
armies. Could the gods rule here again? Would the humans
allow such to happen. But Arawn knows the humans are weak
and the gods are well divine! Of course in his recent
time here maybe theres a select few that could hinder the
Divine Plans of the Gods.]
[Ben'dar hears Kaylle's words. A domain where non-magic
users like himself are lower than dirt. Course he recalls
that on his own Plains women are just better than dirt
but less than men. So each culture has their own unique
style. Of course he might be the only non magical user
in the group to go. His bravado might not work so well
in these "Dark Lands".]
[Ben'dar turns to the guard by the door who lasoed his pike.
He waves him over and offers him a drink. The man walks
over to the bar.]
Ben'dar: "Nice trick back there. I could use a man of your
skills on my ranch. Talk to me if you are ever looking for
work."
[The young guard in his mid 20s and lightly blond brown hair
and green eyes nods.]
Guard: "Family's ranch taught me all I needed to know. After
15 years I've gotten good. You have a ranch? What type?
We raised sheep near Malnon till the merchants bought us
out wanting the land...." [He places Ben'dar's pike on
the side of the bar so Ben'dar can get it. Never been
ordered to hold it.] "Your own stunt didn't impress
Jensen. He don't take kindly to wackos. Your lucky to
be walking in here." [He smiles but shakes his head to
the bartender] "Sorry on duty can't drink, especially
while Jensen is here. Maybe after a bit." [He looks
toward Jensen.]
[Fremea gets her bag and finds a corner to slink into and
cover her ears. She finds the discussion of the Dark
Lands interesting. But its a far away land she can't
pursue her primary goal. Maybe her other plans will
go well.]
---------------------------------------
[Jensen and Elam continue to talk for about five minutes
as the party talks about the Dark Lands. Elam seems
convincing to the party but Jensen seems unmoved. Jensen
then moves on to the witnesses in the tavern. He moves
to the beggars, civilians, bar staff and finally toward
the party. During his questions he asks various things
and gives comments like the following.]
Jensen [to Ben'dar] : "The messenger will not press charges
against your attack. He seems more interested in
leaving to get back to his delivery job. Should be
careful in the future attacking citizens. We don't
take kindly to such assaults. Your lucky this time."
[Jensen sees Arawn and his full features including the
sign of Elf ears but seems unmoved. After getting
Arawn's story of the situation he states.]
Jensen [To Arawn] "It is not common to have Elves in the
land but may I ask where you are from? Which nation or
land? We try to keep records for our census."
Jensen [To Chion] "What was so important on the scroll?
Anything related to this situation?"
Jensen [To Raban] "The Baron will not press charges but
may complain to the local Entertainer's Guild. I
informed him that this city has none. So for now
your in the clear. I would advise attacking a noble
in this realm is not at all tolerated. By rights
I should arrest you now. But I understand there were
circumstances beyond control. I will have to make
a note of this for my records so attack another noble
and you may not be so free in the clear."
[Jensen seems to ignore Fremea but does ask Z'leyra of
her take on the situation and what she saw.]
[Question and Answers by Jensen takes almost two full
hours before Jensen finally gets to his last witness
of Whet the tavern owner. The memory wipe seems to
take with Whet and the other witnesses and so Jensen
gets a rough version of what Elam spoke of earlier.]
[Jensen finally gathers near the party.]
Jensen: "All right. We've started the search for the
man and ended the cordon of the area an hour ago. Too
many merchants complained. Everyone is free to go.
You " [He looks at Elam] "will have to come with us.
We will need to follow up on your story. Our wizard
can't locate him by the dart. But we are looking
for him. For the rest of you it seems you were just
in the wrong place at the wrong time. I hope this
does not turn you off to what Sivas and Marentia can
do for you. We are a safe land. For the trouble of
the past two hours the city will pay for the next round
of drinks. Enjoy yourselves."
[With that Jensen heads to the door waving for Elam to
join him. As Jensen leaves the guards follow suit.
Outside Jensen speaks to a guard.]
Jensen: "You sure he wasn't upstairs?"
Guard: "We searched well. We only found that tall big
brute and the one with the scarred hand."
[Jensen looks around the street and around the various
nearby buildings. He sighs and then mounts his horse.
He and all but 2 guards head out and back the way
they came. One of the 2 guards left heads east to
a post he was at. The last one watches Jensen leave
and re-enters the bar for his free drink from Ben'dar.]
[All the while from a nearby rooftop Micah has been
listening to the situation with his magical listening
devices he planted while no lone saw or detected it
seems. Over an hour earlier his man was able to
distract and replace the dart with another one that
will lead to no one. The actual dart will be destroyed.
When Jensen leaves both Micah and the other man head
down stairs to a waiting wagon coach. They ride
back to the tavern and park outside. Micah re-enters
the tavern and notices one lone guard remains near
Ben'dar but the guard doesn't seem to care. Micah
nods to Z'leyra and smiles at Unali as he heads upstairs.
In the second floor hallway he considers where the
Assassin must be hid. He studies the doors and notice
light from one door and heads there. He knocks and
Cholan opens the door.]
Micah: "Where is he?"
.
[Cholan sticks his head out and looks up and down the
hallway.]
Micah: "Jensen and the others are gone."
[Cholan opens the door and lets him in further and
leads to the secret alcove by the wine storage area.
Kel is still knocked out and looks to have a new
bruise on his head from where Cholan probably knocked
him out again.]
Micah: "Thank the others. We'll be in touch."
[With that he pulls out a amulet and grabs Kel by the
arm. He taps the amulet with three fingers twice and
both micah and Kel disappear in a blue hue. Both
appear again outside in the darkened coach. Micah
taps the side and the coach starts off down the street.]
[Inside Cholan shakes his head. This spy business must
be fun. Suresh didn't seem to have such nice toys.
Cholan closes the alcove and heads back down stairs
to inform the party that Kel is gone with Micah.]
[Minutes after Jensen leaves the Baron, Messenger and
other civilians quickly leave. Leaving only the party
alone in the tavern.]
[Time: 10:43am]
[Raban stands at the bar and finalizes his bar bill with
Whet. His bags to his side he watches Ben'dar talk to
the guard and wonders what the party will do next.]
Actions? Comments?
Next update...Friday...
GM: Well was hoping folks would post last week on their
gear selections and possible discussions on the trip.
But I guess that didn't come about. Oh well. Why
I wanted to end the update on the scroll contents so
it could be done. As they say best plans...
GM: Cruise went well. Was fun. Tiresome but fun. I'm sure
we can all plan on a P&P chartered cruise some year.
But first you guys gotta get me the winning Lotto Numbers
so I can book the cruise!
GM: Looks like Chion didn't say he fully translated the
scroll. Unali could still. But a general jist of what
was said can be obtained from Chion's comments. For
equipment again I just need to know what your taking
with you. If your gear is all going then that's fine.
If the part of the gear that is the most going or staying
let me know. i.e. if you have 10 items and 8 are going
you can just list the 2 not going and save time. If
you take all then that's easy just say that. :)
GM: I will assume all Q&A with Jensen is handled as Elam wanted.
If you intend to change the story or add to it or remove
parts let me know. Otherwise I will assume you give
full details and answer any and all questions truthfully.
Let me know otherwise. I went and just moved the
investigation to the end so we can move on.
GM: Katai Coins - If your taking money let me know if you wish
to convert any money to Katai denominations. Moneylenders
might charge a small fee for it.
GM: Arawn - See Recap section for your section. Just for
my info will you cover your face again the Dark Lands?
Might offend some there too.
Ben'dar - See recap section as well.
Chion - Do you translate the scroll or keep as above?
If not the Elder mentioned bringing others. Want
to warn the party about the Lands or give any
comments on it?
Unali - Same for you on translations?
GM: The wand will handle any transmutations so mana doesn't
have to be used. So this will help for future
things. The party is expected to be over a thousand
miles away by 5pm today. The scroll was obviously
delayed by its trip and got here 2 weeks later than
planned. Its 10:30 now so the party has roughly
6.5 hours to plan and do things. Chion could be
persuaded to teleport folks to Maren city if needed.
The plan is to teleport first to Caladan's village
on the plains as a halfway point then continue up
to the Dark Lands where Chion knows where to teleport
by their closed in teleport circle. They restrict
teleports anywhere else in the castle grounds except
for this teleport circle. It'll be open from 5-6pm
today. Its short notice but things can be done.
If the window is missed the teleport circle might
be blocked and teleporting in the area is fine but
missing an appointment by the High Elder might be
a bit rude for Chion. :) It was also said that
nice clothing might be needed but it hasn't been
informed to the party yet.
GM: Once I determine gear stuff we can teleport and move
the party on. Due to this delayed update Friday
might be a short update as well.
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