[pnpgm] Game Update #85 - File #481 - Raban's discovery
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Tue Oct 28 21:17:42 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
R1 Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma
W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
-- Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....NormalFaerry Fe
Do David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma
R? J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
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 #85 in sequence (file #481)
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Admin Notes: Some of Raban's stuff may be duplicated if you saw
it but I include in case it was not seen as I missed it entirely.
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[Recap]
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
Ben'Dar approaches the statue of the woman. "Is this the woman
you met, Chion?"
Throughout the exploration process, Ben'Dar is wary of traps,
ambushes, and the highly concentrated magic throughout the place.
He is obviously uncomfortable, as if his skin itches from all the
magic in this place. His face is fixed in a permanent scowl that
seems to deepen the longer he is in this castle. "Where are the
people? Have we killed them all?"
he wonders aloud.
GM: Ack.
-----------------------
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
"Hey Folks! It seems to me we as a group may need to rest, but
I am a bit concerned about leaving the entrances unguarded. It's
possible that A'kril or others kept the creatures out of the
castle. Maybe we should set up a watch on the main entry? The
people on guard could use these whistles we found in the storage
room to let out a signal if there are problems."
Kiet: "Sorry, Raban. I didn't notice any such thing. I think
someone who knows traps might want to check it out then have our
'Point Alfar' open it...assuming we can figure out how to do so...."
"Of course, being that we are high in the air, I hope that it's
not an unfortunate occurance to be going below floor level..."
[*** Raban's post deleted ***]
GM: Ack.
-----------------------
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
Raban went along with everyone as they checked over the place. He
was pleasantly surprised by the size and quality of the place.
Some parts are even serene, not something you would associate
with Chaos much. Overall it became a pleasant exploration that
helped him relax some. Such a large place to have so few people,
maybe the others are hiding as a result of the alarms?
Frema and some of the others seemed to know what they were doing
and were checking for hidden things, so Raban was not much
concerned with that aspect until they passed the fountain in the
courtyard. He was surprised when they continued into other areas
and did not stop and investigate the softer part of the ground
near the fountain. Since no one commented upon it, after a bit
Raban thought he should...
Raban (to others) "Frema, Keit, is there a reason you were not
interested in the fountain? There is something buried there or
maybe a small hidden door about three foot by six. When you weigh
as much as I do, you become sensitive to how what you walk on
reacts to it. The ground is different there."
GM: Ack.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
[Ma 2nd, 1633TH. 5th Day of Adventure #4.
[Location: Chaos domain, Dark Lands, 9 Miles up, Flying Island]
[Time: Earlier during the conversation in the Main Room after the
battle with A'kril.]
[Ben'dar growls and speaks of Raban's desire to constantly protect
the women even though they can handle themselves. Raban replies
to Ben'dar.]
Raban: "I know my friend, they have shown themselves as quite
fierce yet all have been badly hurt showing they do need
protecting. Even if they did not need it, I would try to protect
them anyway. My mother died when I was young because she did
not think she needed protection. Her murderer was the first
person I had ever tried to hurt, I did not know what to do so
I just grabbed him and squeezed and kept squeezing long after
his screaming stopped until the troop leaders told me to let
him go. He was dead of course, I was not quite as big and
strong as I am now but it was more than enough to crush bones.
I had to leave after that, they did not want the trouble that
would follow..."
[For those who listen to the tale they finally get a real sense
of Raban's past and his duty to protect women. The pieces of the
puzzle fall into place. Soon the conversation turns to armor and
Raban replies further.]
Raban: "I made my leathers as I make most my things, its too hard
to find what I need otherwise. But leather is not durable enough
to survive much serious fighting, its more for protection from
thorns and other travel hazards. For what we have fought here,
I expect I would need some metal?"
"But I do not know how to make armor that way. Maybe between us
we can more quickly remake my leathers so I have a little
protection if no magical means can be found to help. I think I
will need it quite soon if this place continues to act like it
has so far."
[Arawn speaks of motivations and Raban's desire for peace and how
one might control their path in life. Raban replies after he
listens carefully to his comments.]
Raban: "The motivations of people I understand far too much. I would
be upset for either reason as there should have been means to
prevent their deaths. And even if the ladies were doing wrong,
did they not have their own reasons? Jealousy of a group of
women versus one man and his family would seem to imply the man
was not so innocent of wrong doing. But I understand I cannot
assume all women are innocent, so even though I will want to
protect them it may not always be the right thing. I was raised
in a troop of traveling entertainers and as such I have
experienced much of the dark side of man. Guards and Town
leaders are often corrupt and demand bribes or more, it is not
every town but a majority of them."
"There are good people out there as well but most do not help
others in need. So I have dealt with criminals of many sorts and
many proved more trustworthy than guards or nobles. I have seen
the fate of young girls who are pretty but poor or even young
boys. We had to watch all our people, our 'family', so they would
not be taken away for some rich persons personal entertainment as
foreigners are always considered fair game as less likely to be
'trouble'. Sometimes it is not the obviously corrupted people
who are the danger just someone who saw an opportunity, or as
you said that wolf was fed. But I have broken our own laws, I
killed a murderer who was important enough to draw vengeance.
So even though my action was justified, I had to be punished
so that others would not be... Most who commit crimes are not
bad people, but some are truly evil. It would not have taken
much for me to have become such a person, as most expect it
just looking at me, just because I am different. I enjoy proving
them wrong. But I have to watch my own actions as I could be
tricked into doing wrong. So I must be a good judge of people to
know who I should believe or trust or at least know when force is
not required. The ladies here are complex and hard to read, not
always 'good' but not 'bad' either. Some have been hurt badly in
the past and not just physically, yet are still trying to do what
is right. I am sure they would not be seen as good people by many
cultures and such judgment would be for the wrong reasons. My
goddess is not one that requires me to be one of the morally good
people by most standards, but neither does she wish for me to be
a bad one. I help those who need it, teach were I can, entertain
all that I can and enjoy the company of women. It is not a bad
life even though there are many risks to it. I think you are
right, even though I am hurting people as long as I don't start
liking it I should not become a monster. Becoming even harder to
stop may just allow me to reduce the hurt I do instead of
increasing it."
"Thank you... Now I am left with how to apply what magic I have
for others benefit? I have plenty that I rarely use and I am
being shown that such may be improper. But my training did not
include very many spells that see common use. If I cannot find
the right spells I need to find a way to give the ones who need
it some of my unused power. I have cast a few blessings and could
do more of those, defensive ones I am sure Miryan would allow
even for the men."
[Arawn speaks of the forestal and sponsorship with them. Raban
replies to Arawn with a smile.]
Raban: "I am already a follower of that path, actually its a
related one. The Gods of those paths are the same even though
they have different names. It gets confusing, as a Bard my memory
was well trained but that does not mean I understand all I know.
But it would not be inappropriate to visit these people and maybe
they can continue my training, though I will still need to visit
my own Druids at times. I was given permission to travel widely,
more so than most Bards of my rank do. I go where my goddess
directs me in my heart or as events dictate at other times. Its
a winding road but I have helped many that would otherwise have
gone without."
------------
[Time: Earlier in the Latrine room]
[Arawn inspects the mirror and behind it but finds nothing out of
the ordinary other than his own reflection. One of a wary and
exhausted face.]
------------
[Time: Earlier in the Laundry Room]
[Arawn inspects the heating pegs on the wall. They seem to just
radiate a higher temperature than room temperature but not
burning to the touch. They are fashioned from the stone wall and
are wooden cork like pegs. Arawn places his face cloth on the peg
to see if it might head up further but it remains the same. Arawn
figures it could be voice activated or some other command to
activate the drying effect.]
------------
[Time: Earlier when the party found the two locked metal doors.]
[East of the main room and north of the Sentry Room Arawn inspects
both metal doors but finds no special markings or impressions
other than a nice sophisticated lock.]
[As the party moves toward the storage room through the Foyer,
Arawn examines the statue's pedestal. As before he finds the same
thing he discovered earlier. But nothing more than that or other
magics or runes.]
------------
[Time: Earlier in the Storage Room exploration.]
[Kiet takes a empty sack and pouts out the grain from the
containers and checks to ensure nothing is hidden in them.
But all he finds is grain and a now heavy sack. He also
cuts strips off the 250' regular rope to replace the two
segments he lost today.]
[Kiet also takes a leather strap, hammer and nails and attaches it
the Keg of Oil that is corked. The 10 quart jug is a bit awkward
to carry but can with a hand held strap. He also takes the oil
lantern and fills it.]
------------
[Time: Earlier in the Lounge area]
[Arawn inspects the fireplace and areas for secret rooms and other
things but his skills and eyes fail to find anything. Of course
finding secret things isn't his main skill. He looks out the
windows to find only the raging storm outside.]
------------
[Time: Later as the party leaves the storage room and heads to the
[Time: Later as the party leaves the storage room and heads to the
outer hallway between main room and courtyard.]
Kiet: "Hey Folks! It seems to me we as a group may need to rest,
but I am a bit concerned about leaving the entrances unguarded.
It's possible that A'kril or others kept the creatures out of
the castle. Maybe we should set up a watch on the main entry?
The people on guard could use these whistles we found in the
storage room to let out a signal if there are problems."
Caladan: "Anyone that needs to rest can join Z'leyra in the main
room. We just need to explore this place to prevent future
dangers. Plus I suspect the more time this place stays put the
more danger the Dark Lands is in. Once the storm goes then what?
Did A'kril control the cloud cover? If so and he is dead this
place could be seen for miles and then the secret would be out.
Everyone might want to try to get here. So we really need to get
this mission over and done with as soon as possible. As to the
door that is a simple thing. it has a metal slash bar that
could probably withstand a couple of Raban strength blows.
Someone can head back and lower the bar to lock it. As to
watches that is a choice anyone can make just go stand guard."
[In the west and east ends of the hallway Arawn looks out the
window but again only sees the storm.]
GM: Will assume the main entrance door is secured.
------------
[Time: Earlier in the Water Collection Room.]
[Arawn inspects the water basins but only finds cool water. He
examines the wall panels that seem to control functions in the
room. There is no writing or runes of any kind on them. it is
a simple square panel with inlet colorless gems. In this room the
control panel seems to have only 4 gems. Likely two are for the
shield and 2 for the water basin controls. Only guesswork on
Arawn's part can figure out which is which since none are pressed.
Later in the Food room the two panels are the same but only 2 gems
likely for the shield. One above the other as with the water room
controls. It could be assumed based on human thinking the top
would be Up shield and bottom for lower shield. Later in the
courtyard the four panels near the 4 doors are same as the food
room with only two gems likely for the shield it seems. Only the
raging storm is seen out the windows.]
------------
[Time: Earlier in the Food Room]
[Arawn inspects the soil for disturbed earth but only finds the
tracks of boots and sandals. Some of the food items fruit,
vegetables and plans seem to be cut recently which would obviously
indicate recent eating. None of the plants and food items above
ground are unusual. Of course Arawn has only seen human food for
a short time in this world so if there was a purple fruit he'd not
know for sure if it was unusual or not. But they seem normal.
Of course the storm is outside the windows again.]
------------
[Time: 10:58am]
[As the group spreads out to examine the Courtyard area Ben'dar
glances at the statue and asks an interesting question. He
points to the female statue.]
Ben'dar: "Is this the woman you met, Chion?"
[Chion squints and looks at the female statue carefully. He got a
good look at the female visitor, more than most lovers do. This
statue is dressed and so that may be misleading. He displays on e
of his usual smirks and studies the statue for a few long moments.
Then he shakes his head indicating this is not her. She was young
and body was supple and youthful. This statue like the male one
shows middle aged people. Unless this is how she looks in the
future this isn't her.]
[Ben'dar turns around looking up and around. Inspecting the stairs
up but finds no one. He has had a constant scowl on his face for
the last 25 minutes or so. All this magic is confusing and
dangerous. Something like most Zen'da that he doesn't understand.
When a person doesn't understand things they dislike them. Fremea
and Arawn has noticed this of some in the party. They wonder if
they are just here to guide these strange humans to simply
understand. For the last six or so rooms there hasn't been another
person. This also makes Ben'dar nervous. A place with a dozen
guards should have more wandering about. Where are the servants?
The hanger-oners that most places like this has? Ben'dar continues
his tight grip on his pike and knows by the end of the day he could
have a blister. But its better to be safe than sorry.]
Ben'dar: "Where are the people? Have we killed them all?"
Caladan: "Good question. But I suspect we've taken most if not all
of them out. I suspect this place being as small as it likely is
doesn't have much people in the first place. Maybe we'll
encounter more eventually. But this place is quite amazing. All
the magical wards in place for daily life. Even Woundenal didn't
have this much magic in place in his home. I doubt the Citadel
has this much as well." [He begins to trail off lower voice as he
studies the shield above them.] "I wonder if that keeps the cold
out?"
[Kiet and Arawn both inspect the small flower garden along the
walls and near the statues but seem to find nothing of a natural
magical value or medical value. They simply seem to be flowering
red, oranges, purple and yellow plants of various sizes and
shapes.]
[Arawn and others examine the stone statues on the east wall but
find no writing or runes or symbols of any kind. No magic can
be sensed either from the statues. The metal animal statue
in the fountain is the only one that magic can be detected
but of an unknown type and effect.]
[Raban begins to come down from his adrenaline rise and begins to
relax a bit. He is confused by the layout of the place and not
all what his teachers have said of chaos folks. Most he was told
have scary dungeons or overpowering throne rooms to scare and
dominate. This almost seems like a monastery of sorts in the
serene nature. He wonders if people could be hiding in walls or
secret rooms. But he doubts the person who owned this place could
afford doing secret wall areas for simple space reasons. He was
happy to see Arawn and Fremea up on finding magic but in some cases
like the wall panels the magic was obvious. He wonders for every
"obvious" magic how much was hidden or not detected like that in
the main room? No traps have been set off yet so they seem to be
doing a good job. But as they move past the fountain Raban moves
to the fountain to inspect the water and finds it cool. When Raban
nears the fountain he notices something odd. The sheer weight of
him and his gear seems to make him sag on the soft ground. He
backs off in case its a trap but nothing happens. He steps
forward and uses his training to inspect the area. He tracks
the area slowly and finds it a square area about 6 by 4 feet just
west of the fountain up to the west edge of the fountain and
going out toward the couch. Some notice the odd tracing of the
square area but figures he is just pacing. Of course Fremea
would never have noticed this with her light frame but Arawn might
have. It seems no magic is here as they didn't stop beyond the
magic of the actual spitting fountain. As others explore the
area he speaks up over the noise of the
thunder above.]
Raban: "Fremea, Kiet, is there a reason you were not interested in
the fountain? There is something buried there or maybe a small
hidden door about three foot by six. When you weigh as much as I
do, you become sensitive to how what you walk on reacts to it.
The ground is different there."
[Everyone turns around to hear Raban and look. Fremea glances at
Arawn but both know they detected the statue's magic, but didn't
know the purpose, but nothing on the ground. They can sense a
general aura of magic all over the place in every room as if
purified ground or some purified magic to affect magical success
but nothing specific to that area beyond the general sense of
overall "floating castle" magic.]
Kiet: "Sorry, Raban. I didn't notice any such thing. I think
someone who knows traps might want to check it out then have
our Point Alfar' open it...assuming we can figure out how to
do so...."
"Of course, being that we are high in the air, I hope that it's
not an unfortunate occurrence to be going below floor level..."
[Raban hears Kiet and realizes this could be a hole to the open
sky and he might fall and kill Sven by landing on him. He steps
off and looks at the area as others come close.]
[For the last set of rooms Kiet has begun to quickly jot down a
quick map of the castle layout with the parchment and ink he has
collected. As the others begin to talk about the fountain he
looks up from his parchment and takes note of the situation.]
[Arawn stands to the north of the fountain and examines the metal
griffon statue. It seems to be a bronze metal statue but the
magic seems to be collected on its head and not the entire body.
That might indicate at least that it won't suddenly hop and fly
around. Arawn inspects the head of the statue carefully as the
others talk about the dirt area to the west of the fountain.]
[Ben'dar glances the courtyard over and knows this place is great
for an ambush. He keeps an eye on the stairs and the walkways
above the couch and other statues. But he sees no one there or
hears nothing. This pretty area is good for the others to examine
the silly plants and statues but he wants to find the important
areas like more things to kill or capture and then return to a
normal place on the ground. The lack of resistance is actually
starting to unnerve him.]
[Caladan stands near the area Raban has indicated and shuffles
his boots back and forth around the area to inspect it. He goes
to sit on the rim of the fountain that a person could almost half
lay on. The fountain rim itself is decorates like a stone wave.
Along the rim in various spots it seems to go up and down as if
the water was frozen in stone but it seems to just be an artistic
flair. Every 2-3 feet the wave seems to crest up and form a
familiar pattern around the rim and looks to be identical,
indicating it was designed rather than some odd magic
petrifaction. Below the tip of the rim is a thin black line
about two fingers wide and tall. But other than these features
it appears to be no writing or runes of any kind. The rim
itself isn't flat stone but the wave like structures sprout out
making sitting down on it a bit tricky. Caladan finds a place
to sit and feels the cool water.]
[Chion continues to stare at the statues to try to gleam any
sign of recognition. Maybe these are ancient Katai or dark
landers? But sadly he doesn't seem to recognize any of them.
They seem to be ordinary no special jewelry or crows or such.
But they also show a form of regalness that might indicate
nobility.]
[When Raban informs the party of his find Fremea comes over to
investigate the area. Her light weight makes nothing of
the area shift or move. She tries her senses and her skills
out on the area and finds like Raban it to be a square
area that doesn't look natural but man-made.]
[As with Ben'dar, Unali remains under the walkway over the couch.
She knows there are many ambush points to this room. The
walkways, the four doors, the sky, the stairs and the food room's
open walls. She remains in the shadows to observe while the
others investigate and do their strange magic sensing things.]
[Unali suddenly hears from the south outer hallway a door close
and movement. She begins to move toward the south-west door
to investigate.]
[Caladan turns from the fountain and faces Raban.]
Caladan: "Any ideas Raban?"
[Raban shakes his head and as Caladan starts to stand his left
hands falls upon one of the wave sprouts on the rim. With the
force of his weight it shifts down. A click is heard and the
section of wave about a hand's size shifts down from the wall.
Raban and Fremea hear it and see the shift but Arawn and others
do not. Caladan almost stumbles when he loses his balance but
stands up and looks a bit surprised. Suddenly the square area
under Raban's left boot begins to shake and he steps back. A
slight rumble is heard and a second click is heard. Then the
square section begins to shift and move. Sound of stone on
stone can be heard and more rumble. A second later the soil
in the square area shifts as if by an earthquake and then it
begins to drop down an inch. Fremea senses a quick aura of
magical glow around the edges as a seam is formed. She begins
to speak up and warn the others but the next thing happens. The
soil folds upon itself and falls down. The soil near the
fountain itself seems to drop fall while the far end of the
square near the west end by Raban falls only half a inch or so.
Two seconds after the second click occurs the soil seems to form
steps as if by magic. The west end of the now downed drop
section is the top step and it descends downward down about 8
steps heading as if under the fountain itself. Light can be seen
below and a stone area under the fountain seems to hold the
fountain and likely pipes in place. In the time it was activated
the mechanical-spell effect of the square area formed a near
stair set down. Raban looks down with a bit awe of the clever
position while Fremea stares at the magic that has now faded.
To make the solid ground form into steps is interesting but odd
she figures.]
[Raban quickly moves to the side of the area in case men or
creatures roam up the stairs. But nothing is seen.]
Caladan: "Wow. I didn't plan that."
[Suddenly the south-west door opens and Z'leyra stands in the
doorway. She holds up a set of two keys and explains she
found them in the main room under the fallen couch. The
party wonders if those are the keys to the locked doors?]
[Suddenly the griffon statue's eyes begin to glow. Arawn begins
to yell a warning when suddenly out of the eyes a spell fires off
toward Fremea. A swarm of dark electrical energy hits her but
seem to affect her in on way. It seems her magic defense and
the angelica may have saved her life. But the party has seen that
spell before and so has the person who almost died from it now
standing in the doorway - Dark Lightning. Chion and Unali has
now turned to stare at the group and new stairs down to a
basement level and see the spell. The party figures the statue
must be some form of protection against intruders activating the
stairs without some magic or code word.]
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Friday...
GM: Treasure Claims -
Storage Room -
Kiet - 21' Fine Rope
Leather Strap, Keg of Oil, Oil Lantern
Fine Bottle of Wine
Whistles (2)
Parchment (10 sheets)
Quills (5)
Bottle of Ink (2)
Leather Bag (1)
Unali - 21' Fine Rope
Arawn - Skin I [4]
Wicks [5]
Cord [1001]
Grappling Hook (1)
Iron Spikes (5)
Soothing Herbs [1 - Keg I]
Burn Ointment Flask (1)
Shovel (1)
Flask of Salt (2)
Rope - no amount stated?
21' Fine Rope
Roll Bandage
Healing Herbs
Healer's Kit (1)
Parchment (30)
Ink Jar (2)
GM: Item Conflicts -
Fine Rope 21' - Kiet, Unali, Arawn
All three have put claims on the rope in the other of posts
that came in. You guys will have to dicker over it. Let
me know who finally takes it.
Parchment - Kiet, Arawn
Arawn claims all but Kiet wants some as well. Let me know
the resolution on this.
GM: Was too lazy to put the old time marks on the blocks so
just included time frame references. The fountain is
only a foot deep and clear. Surprised with the big update
last week so few posts. Just kidding. Guess folks didn't
like Caladan's joke to Ben'dar? :) Options at this
point are explore north end of castle, go back to locked
room or go down or up. But of course that statue might
need to be dealt with first.
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