[pnpgm] Game Update #58 - File #514 - Party moves on, Rains move in
Scott Adams
longshot at cybermax.net
Fri Dec 18 06:58:07 CET 2009
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
R4.Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma
W2.Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3.Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
--.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe
R2.Mark Murtha...........Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human..Ma
Do.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma
R4.J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
W2.Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
R1 NPC...................Shu.Yeoh..........Wizard..Normal/Human..Fe
W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
...Thomas.Magann.........Whitney...........Scholar.Normal/Human..Ma
R1 John.Stowman..........Will..............Hunter..Normal/Human..Ma
R4.Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
R1 NPC...................Zhou Kiwat........Noble...Normal/Human..Ma
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar, 2 Donkeys
Cover Story Info: [HD- House member, F-Foreigner, N-native non house]
Arawn aka Arawn as Teacher to daughter [F]
Ben'dar aka Bu Da as Horse expert [F]
Caladan aka Ca Lu as Guard/Archer [N]
Chion aka Capt. Chu Mai as Sailor Trustee [HD]
Farseeker aka Fu Sa as Guard [F]
Fremea aka Lin Mong as Noble child [HD] [Disguised]
Kell aka Swan as Trader [F]
Kiet aka Kiet Sunan as Zhou's servant [F]
Raban aka Toban Nu as Entertainer/Guard [F]
Strie'bog aka Sun Zhu as Entertainer [N]
Shu aka Shu as Niece [HD]
Unali aka Tun Au as Zhou's wife [HD]
Whitney aka Whitney as Herbalist/Tailor [F]
Will aka Sun Tzu as hunt master [F]
Z'leyra aka Kakita Junami as Healer [F]
Zhou aka Zhou Wa as Baron Noble [HD]
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 cybermax.net
Game Update #58 in sequence (file #514)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
Raban laughs heartedly, "Tiehul, I can easily earn hundreds of...
<Obviously a wasted comment as he later discovers>
<captive related>
Raban frowns, "Your mother died because your leader fears...
<stinky stuff>
Raban smiles at Tiehul, "Thank you for your foresight, anything..
<Raban almost sounds smart at times. But intellect is not the
sole criteria for wisdom.>
GM: Ack.
From Kell: [Re: Actions]
Ha'Kell has been very quiet, uncharacteristically so during...
Walking over to Ben'Dar he gently, dangerously says, "There w...
GM: Ack.
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
OOC: "beserk froth" - I love it! lol
If the horses are healed, Ben'Dar has no problem heading out
immediately.
Ben'Dar does not think of the execution of a traitor as "murder" -
rather, it is simple justice. On the plains, there are no
courts, juries, or any of the niceties of civilized society.
There is only honor. Traitors have none, so they die.
However, Ben'Dar has reconsidered slitting the man's throat.
Instead, he will tie the man's hands together in front of him.
Then he ties the man's feet together and binds him by his feet
with a long rope to the back of the wagon so he drags 20-30 feet
behind it. During the day, Tef'wo may accidentally step on the
man every once in awhile as Ben'Dar circles back to the wagon to
report conditions ahead.
GM: Ack. Thought it was a good Zen'da descriptive. :) I figured
you saw it as justice not murder.
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Sometime in the future....Z'leyra speaks to the gathered party.
"We are all of us capable of fighting, most of us fairly well...
GM: Ack. Good comments.
From Whitney: [Re: Actions]
Yes, but bought shafts can't be enchanted, vendors can't be found
in the wild, and Whitney has all those tools going to waste. Plus,
of course, a skill that needs practiced. Mostly, though, like all
his homemade armor and his bow, Whitney still has intentions of
enchanting his gear at some point.
So, again, at point blank range, firing down from the wagon, in
this case, does "lost" mean broken, with the arrowheads
recoverable, or gone in the distance?
GM: Ack. Shafts destroyed. If you want to dig after the arrowheads
you can. I don't see a note that you made those arrows. Either
I never made the note/forgot or wasn't told. This is problem
with so many characters. So to me they are standard arrows.
I'd have to backtrack to find the emails on character generation.
Should've noted them as homemade, sorry. You can always make
some on the trip though. If you've still not signed up for
the skill list on the trip. I simply roll to figure out if they
are destroyed or not. If you wish to prevent shaft destruction
let me know and it will be a modifier to combat making it
more difficult to hit as you try for more angled shots for
softer targets.
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[New Stuff]
[Julis 8th, 1634TH]
[Location: Jiuquo, Katai]
[Location: 14 miles west of Jinquo]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 66-83]
[Time: 5:16pm]
Tiehul stands finding some relief that no one seems to want
him dead but still sad that his friend will soon leave this
world. He dusts off his knees and watches as Zhou and
Arawn head toward the horses to heal them. Raban turns to the
small black marketeer.
Raban laughs heartedly, "Tiehul, I can easily earn hundreds of
gold a year entertaining and that is just some of my talents. I
would think I was worth more than a few horses... But you do have
a point, we are worth quite a lot for a number of reasons. Enough
so that they were willing to take high risks to capture us. If
that is true then we do not want such to learn anything from this
battle. I wonder if we could fake the loss of some guards to make
it look like we were not so skilled. Perhaps bury some of them
separately and leave the others in a single grave or something
like that. Misinformation is always a good way to cover your
actions."
Tiehul bows quickly, "I did not mean to offend you. I only
mean that in the city to the west you would be worth a king's
ransom. Alone you might be less but as a group it would crush
resistance far and wide. For the Empire to capture such a diverse
group." He glances over at Kell who is getting a bag off the
wagon, having seen his ears in the tavern. Then he glances back
to Raban. "The unique nature of your group would be worth an
army to take you out. But lucky for you no such army exists in
terms of bounty hunter guilds. I suspect your group destroyed
a large portion of the local guild here. As to the cover up
I do not think that is needed. The amount of blood and the
trail by the horses could indicate the wagon forces took some
damage. Major Lai is simply paid to cover it up. His men
will do as ordered but there has to be evidence left. If you
take all their weapons then it will look like a noble who in
the first place should be rich stole them. That could lead
some hapless person to ask questions. Leave their weapons but
take the other stuff."
Raban takes the smelly bag from Tiehul. Raban smiles at Tiehul,
"Thank you for your foresight, anything that aids us here is
important."
Raban then notices Ben'dar circling the captive behind Tiehul.
He approaches and looks down. The man is blinded by the setting
sun in the west and can only see Raban's large frame which
scares the man by obvious signs. His head is bleeding from
the scalping and his lips show blood from rib breakage from
his fall from the horse.
Raban frowns, "Your mother died because your leader fears
anything that would show he is not a god. But I must say that
even magic may fail to save someone. Sometimes it is just
someone's time to die, fate perhaps, or a gods will. That does
not mean that someone should not have tried to cure her. I would
have done so had I been there in time... As to ourselves, we are
people like any other, no one is perfect. We may fight and argue
but when it counts we will do what we must no matter the costs.
That is what marks us different from many others. Not the magic,
even though many of us can use it, but the willingness to risk
everything to help someone, even someone we do not know. Sadly we
are here to save the people of this country from an enemy they
do not even know is here and not to save them from the one they
already know but embrace. Nothing can be allowed to stop us as
the cost of failure is too high. I can but hope that I will not
need to kill more of your people for doing what they think is
right, nor for greed or stupidity. Katai is not the enemy here
but it is aiding it by its nature, as was the enemy's intent."
The traitor looks up into the dark face of Raban in shadow.
His lips tremble from either pain, shock or something else.
As Raban speaks Ben'dar stomps around in a circle. Ben'dar does
not understand the giant but can tell it is pretty words and
scowls. Ben'dar shakes his head at the bleeding heart types.
Finally the captive speaks. "Fate then has decided today is
my last day. I can accept that. I have betrayed a long friend
in hopes to better my life. Maybe I acted wrongly but the last
few weeks have been hard on me." He coughs up blood as he
laughs slightly. "It is funny the leader you speak would honor
me if I won today. But would not do it openly. So that might
mean he fears heroes as well. Maybe in your quest he won't even
acknowledge your success." He then lowers his head and goes
silent.
Ha'Kell has been very quiet, uncharacteristically so during all
of this. He's watching and listening and just staying in the
background. Anyone watching him will see rigid control over his
face. Farseeker notices it is his poker face, showing nothing.
Like a stone. He empties one of his vials filled with cooking
spices and rinses it with water, making sure it is clean. His
hands almost shaking from the rigid control the half-elf is
exerting.
As the discussion become heated Kell's wicked looking dirk
appears in his hands, and he begins slowly trimming his nails,
making sure it is razor sharp.
Walking over to Ben'Dar he gently, dangerously says, "There
will be justice," and gives his shoulder a squeeze. He goes to
Tiehul.
"Give me your hand. Now." Ha'Kell commands, brokering no
argument. When Tiehul offers it, Kell takes the hand in his left
hand. "Whilst I don't think you had anything to do with this, I
need to be sure." Kell takes his clean vial out and his dirk.
Holding Tiehul's hand tightly, he cuts the back of Tiehul's hand
until it is bleeding. Not a large cut, just enough to collect
blood. Kell fills the vial with Tiehul's blood, then asks, "Can
someone bandage that?"
Kell then pulls several hairs from his head, wraps them in a
paper, places the vial of blood and hair together someplace on
his person. Kell very coldly remarks, "This will make sure you
do not betray us. You know what we can do with these."
Softening a bit he says, "We should let him live. I heard a
saying in the past, 'One living man in great debt is worth more
than ten great dead men in debt.' Tiehul, make no mistake, you
are in debt to us for this. As you didn't betray us and helped
once you discovered the betrayal, I can forgive you. But I will
watch."
Tiehul doesn't hesitate to give his hand but when blood and hair
is taken he looks confused. When Kell asks if he knows what he
can do with these things he shakes his head. "I do not know
what that is for. Do you intend to drink it? Is that what you
wizards do? Killing me is one thing but I hope it is not to
take my soul."
Kell forgets the man knows little of magic. The soul comment
must make him a bit religious in his views of an afterlife.
Shu standing nearby comes closer and helps to explain.
"There is magic we use to find you that is all. I believe
there are other magic to do things to a person but those are
darker arts I'm not one to use myself."
Kell glances at Shu and almost glares at the wizard. Kell turns
and places the materials in his bag slightly annoyed at Shu's
comments to alleviate the man's fear. The whole point was to
scare and intimidate. Sometimes riding with bleeding heart folks
can be annoying.
Ha'kell turns to the traitor. Stone faced. Standing hard and
straight. "I despise traitors. You will die." This is said with
such intensity, greater than anyone has ever heard from the half-
elf before, it is almost startling. Kell bends down and grabs the
man's jaw and pulls his face to look into the trader's eyes,
flames almost shooting out of those blue pools.
"But first you will tell us all you know." Slightly turning
his head he calls "Kiet? Ben'Dar? How about we take this man for
a walk for an hour or two while everyone else gets the wagon
ready to move? We can catch up in a bit. Z'leyra, can you handle
the wagon?"
Kell throws the traitor down, then kicks him in the ribs hard
enough to crack several of them. Everyone hears the sound of ribs
breaking from vicious kick. Ha'Kell stands up, tall and resolute
and as granite.
"I will kill this traitor if you won't let Ben'Dar." Said in a
voice that matches the earlier intensity. A very quiet,
penetrating, dangerous voice.
"Kiet, get your gear. Ben'Dar, you can stay with Tef'wo or
come. Let's take this man for that walk."
Fremea stands nearby with arms crossed at the captive. She
stares at the reaction of Shu, Ben'dar, Raban, Tiehul, the
captive and Kell. She is slightly shocked at Kell's cold nature.
She thought all Elves were like Arawn a bit more peaceful and
kind hearted. This new dark side of Kell shows that not all
Elves must be the same. She wonders if all Faerry are the
different then? In the short few minutes she has learned more
on human and Elf behavior than she has in weeks.
Zhou glances over occasionally hearing the discussion over
the captive as Arawn works with the horses. At hearing the
talk of leaving the group he speaks up. "No. We need a driver
here and if both leave we can't leave. As soon as these horses
are able we are leaving. You can take him with us or kill
him, I don't care which."
Kell glances back at the noble and wonders if he should argue.
But he was appointed leader with Unali and she is busy with
the knocked out folks. Kell sighs and glances at Ben'dar.
"Tiehul tells the truth. I betrayed you and at the time thought
it was good reason. The reward was far greater than the risk.
I overheard some of your conversations last night and saw some
of it myself. I've seen many pass through the tavern over the
years and know how your kind works and acts. I figured most
of you were magic users. Even the giant and likely the small
girl. I saw coins before my eyes and not people. I approached
some people I knew at a guildhouse and setup the deal last
night. I met with two others and they brokered the deal.
I did not know there would be this many coming after you.
I suspect this is their majority of men. Tiehul's street contacts
far exceed mine. It seems one such contact saw me entering the
bounty hunter guild. He reported to Tiehul and that was it,
I was caught this morning. I gave the brokers some basic
information like to go after the giant first as he might be
the toughest. I gave them your general descriptions and
details on the wagon. Their plans I did not what they would
do. They paid me and said I would get a fair share of the
profit from the bounties. I would then flee and retire in the
far south. I underestimated Tiehul's reach on the street.
No one else knows but Tiehul's own men. Who the guild told
is beyond my knowledge. That is all I know."
All the time the merchant and traitor are taunted, Arawn gathers
the wounded horse together close to each other. She asks Tef'wo
if he minds a healing and he quickly nods in agreement.
Arawn calls over Ben'dar from his scowling at the captive
for a brief help with the horses. Ben'dar helps to clean the
wounds along with Raban's horse healer skills. All three men
help to clean the hooves as best they can. Then Raban and
Ben'dar head back off to scowl or help others.
Arawn then quickly casts Mana Shield upon himself at a high
level so he can block, he hopes, detection. He knows it will
last about 5 minutes for himself. He then casts lower spells
of magic shields on the three horses. The one spell to fail
is for the left Draft horse. Seeing no aura he knows the
spell fails and recasts it quickly. The next time it works.
Arawn then grabs one hoove and touches the other leg of
Tef'wo and casts a healing spell. He knows that his healing
will be reduced for helping a horse but even if Z'leyra was
around it would be limited for her as well. The green hue
of healing energy shoots from his hands and down the horses
legs. The wounds start to heal but at the end there is still
a light wound. Checking the result the holes have closed up
but there is still minor scratches. Tef'wo neighs his thanks.
Though the horse is was healed by more than 50% his wound is
light, more annoying than anything. Fearing another healing,
Arawn asks the black horse if he can move on it some distance.
The Tef'wo circles about and no blood seems to seep out the
wound. The horse finally nods that he can bear it and wishes
the group to move on.
Arawn pats the black horse then rushes over to the two tied
and harnessed draft horses. He casts healing spells on the
first left one. The wounds completely heals. He then goes
to the other and brighter green hues this time shine as if
overloaded healing energies and the light wound heals up
so much it seems to form better tighter skin. Happy that
the Draft horses are well he reports the wagon can move now.
[Time: 5:32pm]
As Raban, Unali and Shu help the unconscious ones to try to
recover the first of the stinky herb is used on Z'leyra.
It doesn't help immediately in the first 10 minutes and it
is tried on the other three. As the herb is passed around,
water applied and light taps done little comes of it. But
some 15 minutes after the first are checked there is some result.
Z'leyra is the first to react to the smelly herb. Her
eyes focus on the bright sun in the sky and then to a large
form looming over her. She wonders if she is still dreaming
of the bear and then her eyes adjust. The smiling handsome
face of Raban beams down to her. Z'leyra wrinkles her nose
at the herb and pushes it away. Still a bit dazed she sits
up. She is confused as to why the giant seems to be looking
at her a bit differently and she could've swore he winked at
her but maybe it was her dazed imagination.
The herb is then used for in turn Caladan, Chion and last Whitney.
Each wake up slowly and far quicker than one would have expected
in at least half the time of 15-20 minutes rather than 30-40
from such heavy knock out wounds.
Soon their strength regains and they walk around and eye the
situation. It seems the unconscious missed some interesting
things as to why Tiehul and another man is here. Why there seems
to be a trail of blood down the road and why the horses now seem
to be much better.
Farseeker gathers the four and brings them up to speed on what
has happened at the end of the battle. Including the arrival
of Tiehul and Ben'dar going berserk.
[Time: 5:32pm]
Z'leyra sees the others start to rouse up from being knocked
out. She quickly takes in the scene around her and the
amount of dead. She hears others murmur comments on "how
lucky you were to make it" or "they surrounded you and took
you out." She recalls seeing Caladan surrounded by four
and Chion by six or so. But on the other side the odds seem
far worse for the enemy. She walks around and speaks outloud
in general to the party.
"We are all of us capable of fighting, most of us fairly well
and some spectacularly well. But even the best fighters can fail
and fall rather quickly when attacked by many or from behind."
"While others in this party could probably instruct warleaders
and generals in tactics I have noticed that not everyone has a
complete grasp of the subject. Tactics are important! They can
mean the difference between success and failure, life and death.
Simple tactics are these... protect your friends so that your
friends will be there to protect you. Guard each others backs.
Use group tactics to take down the most dangerous enemies fast
and prevent the enemy from doing the same to us."
"As an example, take two groups of three, all equal in fighting
ability. A, B and C versus 1, 2 and 3. Normally it would be random
as to who would win. But if A, B and C all attack number 2 while
defending against 1, 2 and 3 respectively the odds are that number
2 will fall first leaving either 1 or 3 having two opponents that
will probably have one able to circle around to attack from the
flank. Flank attacks and being attacked by several opponents will
quickly finish off 1 and 3. The losers fought one on one, the
winners used concentration of force."
"Terrain and surprise are factors that influence combat. Think
about them. Those with terrain on their side are more likely to
surprise their opponents and having cover reduces the odds of
being hit."
"Melee is chaotic, very fluid and confusing. It is easy to
overlook tactics and just concentrate on the opponent in front of
you. One of the reasons we win our fights is because of those that
see the larger picture and react tactically. Imagine various
scenarios. Think about possible actions. Consider the consequences.
Rethink the actions, see what different consequences would likely
occur. Doing this should make you more effective at winning
fights, skirmishes, battles and wars."
"Remember, tactics can help to protect your friends so that
they can in turn protect you and those important to you."
Z'leyra then does a quick check of the horse wounds. Then
she does a quick check of wounds of the party. She finds the
majority of wounds to be light. The only serious ones are
moderate wounds on herself and Caladan. The Zen'da wizard
will take magical healing later. For now the wounds are
quickly patched and treated as fast as can be done.
[Time: 5:38pm]
Zhou asks Arawn if Tef'wo is fine and gets a report. Then
the noble turns to the party. "Gather up the coins and ropes.
But leave the swords here. We need to show these weren't just
harmless monks. Major Lai will be here shortly as soon as
few minutes or at least 10-15 minutes at most. We need to be
gone way before then. The horses are doing better. Mount
up and prepare to leave."
Kell glares at the noble but figures it is best to be gone
before the authorities even those on some payroll of Tiehul's
gets here.
"Kell you will drive us to camp. Kiet has some minor wounds
and it is good for him to rest his arms for now. Ensure the
wagon is ready." Zhou tells Kell.
Zhou then approaches Tiehul. "You best leave. It will be
dark soon so take your horse. The other as Ben'dar says is
forfeit to us. We'll take it as a spare. You better leave
before someone changes their mind and takes your life as you
request. I know the High Elder would not want to see it happen."
Tiehul bows twice, "I am sorry for this. I am glad no one
was killed." He then turns to his ex-friend. He scowls but
softens a bit. "I now understand why you did what you did.
But that is no excuse for what is done. " He kneels down to
face the man and whispers. "I will take care of your brother.
Our old friendship once deserves that much. I am sorry to
see us depart this way." The merchant then mounts his horse
and turns it back east and gallops away.
The captive says nothing but just watches his friend leave
in the distance. He coughs up blood again from the new damage
Kell inflicted on his ribs. His face contorts in some pain
from the internal rib breaks. But Ben'dar and Kell lift the
man up bodily and lead him behind the wagon. Ben'dar then
throws the man down and takes ropes to tie his hands and
feet in a fashion that will drag him behind the moving
wagon. As Kell and Ben'dar tie the ropes to the rear of the
wagon they fail to notice the man convulse. Whitney warns
them and they turn to check on him. As they approach the man
coughs up blood and seizes up and collapses to the ground.
Ben'dar yells for Z'leyra who climbs off the wagon and rushes
back. She had checked on the captive and treated his scalped
head but the ribs were another matter. It was clear to her
that some didn't want the traitor healed too much. But now as
she checks she notices one rib has pushed into his right lung
and heart. Beyond that damage by the rough movement of his
body and the previous damage she notices further problems. His
eyes show red dots and is rolled up. She notices the symptoms
of a possible blood cut going to the brain or heart or both.
She realizes he is having severe body wide crisis.
Z'leyra glances back the wagon at various stares. Some are
emotional like Arawn and Caladan. Many are stone faced like
Chion, Farseeker while others are neutral like Zhou peeking
out the window. She glances to Kell and Ben'dar nearby who
scowl at the man in hopes to further torture him.
Z'leyra knows she is at a critical point here. If she heals
the man he could live certainly only to be dragged by the
people who once trusted him. Sure he would live but certainly
not all the way to camp. Should she heal the man from a quick
and almost painless death to only live for a slow and painful
death? Certainly some would say the torture is justice. Her
Healer's Code comes to her mind quickly. How should she react?
Cure all and heal all is one thing. But would one cure a person
of death only to have him struggle by a uncurable disease?
The fight in her mind goes on for ages it seems. The warrior and
Kameri inside her says to let him die slow. The Healer and
Shaman says maybe his time is here and he should die quickly
to relieve his pain. The scholar and magician seem to disagree
with both views. With all eyes on her she finally decides.
Z'leyra stands up and turns her back on the man. Immediately
Ben'dar charges forward ready to argue that he should be further
questioned or tortured. Why should Tef'wo remain wounded
while this man leaves this life quickly? Kell also can't
understand the reasoning behind Z'leyra but somehow feels it
is a educated result not one on emotion.
As Ben'dar nears Z'leyra the captive breathes his last but
was likely brain dead before his head hits the ground. Boiling
with anger for the man to escape justice his fists clench in
frustration. Z'leyra simply stares at Ben'dar but doesn't
say anything right away. She then walks back to the wagon
and mounts up again staring westward.
Ben'dar and Kell glance at each other. Ben'dar spits on
the ground at the man and takes the rope back since it is
wasted on cowards and traitors. At least Ben'dar and the
group can take his horse.
Within moments the party sets off back westward. Ben'dar
decides to give Tef'wo a break and mounts the traitors horse.
It actually gives him a chance to check his saddle for goods.
As he does he finds a coin bag full of coins. He finds about
4.5 gold worth in coins and change. He also finds clothing
and the normal supplies a traveler might have but nothing
else special.
[Time: 6:43pm]
A little over an hour later and almost two miles down the road
the party finally has to stop as the sun has set. Like just
about everyone that travels on the highway a campsite is found
on the plains a few hundred feet off the road. In this wide
open terrain there is little chance of hiding from sight unless
one goes miles off the road.
Camp is quickly made and tasks done to collect firewood, check
damages, place tents, prepare for dinner and other things.
Ben'dar checks Tef'wo's hooves and finds them good and not
bleeding. The horse is tired but nudges up against the barbarian
to show he is doing fine. This seems to cool Ben'dar's anger
at losing his prisoner earlier. Ben'dar had hoped of riding
in the night but with his horse still hurt he decides against it.
That night dinner is made and eaten. No sign of pursuit by
city guards seems to follow them. Along the way other folks
eyed the wagon but seemed uninterested in the party as a whole.
Z'leyra does final tending to wounds.
Night sentries are assigned and for tonight two are setup just
in case of further attacks. But as the night grows on the party
finds no trouble at all.
-------------------------
[Julis 9th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 66-94]
[Time: 7:01am]
As breakfast is made the party checks wounds. Ben'dar
immediately checks Tef'wo and finds no wounds not even a scar.
The horse is completely healed. Now all horses are back to
normal.
Arawn finds his dazed mind and bruises gone as well as his
physical wounds.
Raban finds most of his wounds heal and his bruises completeley
fade. But he still has a very minor few cuts and scratches
though so minor.
Farseeker wakes to find his wounds still exist with no healing.
Kiet wakes to find his physical wounds and bruises all gone.
Chion also wakes up to find him perfectly well. Z'leyra is
amazed at the man's healing recovery as he took she estimated
5 times more bruises and such damage to knock him out than
physical wounds.
Whitney wakes up to find his light wound and bruises gone.
Z'leyra finds most of her phsycial wounds gone and only notices
a minor cut down her arm. She improves from moderate to only
light wounds. Most of her bruises go away but she still has
a minor bump on her head.
Caladan wakes up to find most of his wounds gone but he still
has a minor wound on his chest and numerous minor bruises.
Z'leyra treats those still hurt with her healing skills. She
finishes up patching Raban, Farseeker, Caladan and herself. She
then checks on the horses but finds they are fine.
Kiet, Kell and Raban check the wagon over for damage but find
none and approve it for travel. Camp is soon broken up and the
party heads back to the road and further west.
[Time: 2:43pm]
All this day the skies have been partly cloudy with the sun
shining fully only a few times. At noon the temperature is
in the mid 90s and most have to cool off with water. But by
mid afternoon the clouds burst open with rains. It drenches
everything in sight. Visibility goes down to at best 20 feet.
The sheets of rain gets into everything. Only those in the
wagon or those who use quick setup tents are safe from the
rain. It continues for almost an hour. As it does the mud
piles up so fierce the horses have to stop and the trip is
delayed for another hour. By the end of the rain there is
a flood in the area. The road is not seen by at least two
inches of rain and at most three in some areas. Mud gets
in to everything from clothing to boots.
Finally the rains stop and all around the wagon is a minor flood.
It takes some time to clean off the horses, clothing and then
get back onto the road. Only those lucky to ride inside are
safe from the water.
Annoyed, frustrated, damp and tired the party moves on down
the road. All those the party pass are just as annoyed or
exhausted by the sudden rain storm. At least one ox and wagon
was so stuck in the mud it takes Raban, Farseeker and another
horse to get the wagon loose. The couple thank the help and
the party moves on without further incidents.
-------------------------
[Julis 10th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 63-92]
[Time: 7:12am]
Breakfast is made again. Before sunrise Ben'dar rides the
plains alone with Tef'wo happy to be exploring.
As the four wounded wake up they find that their wounds from
the previous day are completely gone. Finally the party as
a whole is fully healed.
[Time: 8:45am]
On the road the party is hit again by a light drizzle. The
rain is cool but it isn't in great amounts. It soon passes
and clothing and hair is the worst off. The wagon simply
moves through the drizzle with no issues.
-------------------------
[Julis 11th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Clear/Sunny, Temperature: 66-104]
The day brings better skies but by the end of the day those
clear skies are worse off. By noon the sun radiates extremely
hot and the humidity doesn't help. Temperatures seem to rise
well over 100 degrees today. At one point some consider going
topless, at least the men. Raban considers it but feels it
might be too distracting for the women and those driving by so
decides against it for now.
The party is forced to send Ben'dar and Kell into a village to
refill water skins. Though the village's well is low once they
see the noble wagon in the distance they relent as their duty
demands.
It rains twice today to cool the party down around 2pm and then
later at camp around 9pm. Both rains are cool and instead of
avoiding the rain it is considered a bonus today not a hindrance.
The rain soon stops and is only mild breaks from the few clouds
that do pass overhead.
[Time: 9:35pm]
The rains have just stopped minutes ago when five figures on
foot approach the wagon. Farseeker and Caladan are on sentry
duty this hour. All others are sitting around the campfire or
inside the wagon or tents.
The five peasants of four men and a woman in their mid 30s or
so approach cautiously. "May we warm by your fire before we
move on?" One of the men ask. Farseeker scans them with his
torch and sees they are only armed with knives, a primitive bow,
quiver of few arrows, one man carries a short spear but mostly
they carry sticks or hoe like farm gear. They aren't dressed
elaborately but in simple peasant clothes. They are clearly
drenched by the recent rains. Some wear small backpacks of likely
food and water.
Looking around in the moonless night the sentries see no one
else. Farseeker agrees and leads them toward the fire. But
as the peasants approach they notice the large noble wagon
and the amount of people.
"I'm sorry...we didn't know ...we will move on." One of the
other men says as they are cautious to disturb a noble group
at camp.
Zhou stands and raises a hand, "nonsense. Come forth we
are travelers just like yourselves. Warm by the fire.
Kiet....Kiet!...there you are...gets these people some warm
tea please."
The peasants clearly worried about this disturbance approach
slowly. Shu exits the wagon and notices them. "What brings
you this night on the highway?"
The men exchange looks clearly not sure how to answer. "We
were visiting fri-." Then the female stops him and interrupts
him. "We were on our way to a nearby village to see if our
relatives could help to stop our lord from taking our land.
The baron raised taxes suddenly and we can't afford the rent
and the taxes. We'll lose our farm."
The men clearly looked shocked that one of their people would
so boldly speak out against a noble and likely one standing
in their midst. By reflex they step back a foot ready for
any anger to fly toward them.
Zhou nods, "I am far from home as I live far in the east. But
I can understand your plight. I do wish you luck on your trip
to obtain the funds."
Shu asks the four, "how much do you need?"
The female looks to Shu and then shrugs. "At this point we
need 4 silver for the rent and 2 gold for the tax for our full
property and stock which is fairly big."
Some look to Zhou for mercy or support but the noble sits down
and remains close mouthed.
Caladan leans to Ben'dar to explain the situation and whispers
to him. "Sounds like a scam to me."
-------------------------
[Julis 12th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Clear/Sunny, Temperature: 71-96]
Another day of normal travel comes about today. Though the
temperature is still in the high 90s it is clear and less humid.
At around 10:30am this morning a large herd of cattle is spotted
to the north on the plains. A herd of maybe 50 with 3 riders
herding them toward the south.
At camp tonight it drizzles around 9:21pm for short while just
enough to cool the horses and those outside. But otherwise no
other incidents occur.
-------------------------
[Julis 13th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 62-92]
The clouds today help to decrease the temperatures somewhat.
As the group travel on the road around 1pm a scrawny man approaches
the wagon from the road. He is happy and joyous and tells of
a travelling carnival nearby. He asks the party to attend and
have some fun. At one point he tries to approach the wagon itself
but is stopped by Kiet on his horse as Kell drives. Soon the
man is quickly passed behind. Later Unali explains based on his
clothing, words and tattoo on his arm that he is some sort of
outcast. Lords will banish certain criminals out of their realm
and these join criminal groups or such things as carnivals.
As the party is tired from a day's travel looking for a camp
the clouds rush in and open up after hours of clear skies. The
rain is cold and drenching. As the previous day a quick mini
flood occurs and the muck and mud creates another delay of at
least an hour of travel. Lucky for the party camp is quickly
made an hour after the rain and the campfire is set to warm up.
-------------------------
[Julis 14th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Cloudy, Temperature: 62-103]
Today the party leaves the road as it is the point where the
trip it to go onto the plains north to the hills to bypass
Katai city. Within an hour of leaving the road the trickle of
people go down greatly and within no time no one is seen for
a long time. Every so often there are folks seen on horses or
walking or a nearby village but too far away to be a problem.
By the hottest part of the day the temperature climbs well over
100 degrees. But by late afternoon a storm rolls in. For the
first time in days it isn't just rain. This storm creates
a lot of lightning, thunder and rain. The storm confuses the
horses and the terrain worsens with muck. The drivers are forced
to halt movement as visibility decreases. Shelter and the wagon
is crowded as the storm rages on for almost 2 hours. In the end
the delay of travel is four hours due to the storm and muck of
the plains until it settles down.
-------------------------
[Julis 15th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 73-94]
The party realizes after days of the same thing it must be the worst
time of year to travel. Some wonder if Teleporting isn't such a
bad risk after all. Yet again mid afternoon rains come around though
not a severe storm it creates enough of a mess the horses have to
slow down forcing a overall delay of at least an hour that day.
[Time: 9:47pm]
That night Ben'dar is on patrol and notices a group moving in the
darkness about a mile east of the camp. It looks like a large
group of maybe 8-10 and none are carrying torches. Ben'dar
dismounts and stalks quietly to get closer as the horse would
draw certain attention.
As he grows near his eyes adjust to the shapes and it looks like
they are a group of 10. Based on their clothing they are peasants.
They chat quietly among themselves but Ben'dar doesn't know Katai
so doesn't know what they are saying. In the center of a group
is a man with white hair that seems to shine in the darkness of
the stars. He must be very elderly and likely the leader. The
other peasants are young.
Ben'dar watches as they quietly move past him only speaking
every so often. Ben'dar soon realizes this group must wish to
avoid detection else they'd be carrying torches to see. He
wonders if they are scared of the camp as the campfire can be
barely seen at this distance as a small twinkle of light.
Ben'dar watches and then back on Tef'wo shadows them as they
leave the area well away from the camp.
-------------------------
[Julis 16th, 1634TH]
[Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo]]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 79-91]
The party continues on over the plains. While the morning is
warmer the heat of the day isn't as bad. But by 4pm another
Katai storm approaches. By now this seems to be normal for
Katai the party is soon hit by another thunderstorm. The delay
today is only 2 hours of lost travel time during the day.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Monday...
GM: Minor mistake to last update. Caladan had been translating
for Ben'dar. But he was still unconscious. So would have
to be someone else like Farseeker. I realized it for this
update and tried to fix it here. For the above before he
wakes up I redid it to make Shu the person speaking. Just
needed some other perspective put into the dialogue. I've
since beat the sprites who edit my updates for their mistake
since it wasn't mine of course.
GM: I assume at this Ben'dar doesn't kill Z'leyra as he might need
healing later on. But it adds spice to a game to see that
possible not everyone is touchy feely get along. You guys
can develop it more if needed. :)
GM: What becomes of the knocked out Bounty Hunter? I didn't
do anything on him wanted to leave it open ended. Tiehul
and Zhou speaks that if he remains alive he could get
back to spread news and details of the party. So both
recommend killing him. But wasn't sure what you guys
wanted to do with him. Let me know.
GM: As you can see we moved on. At least a week ahead of the
big bounty hunter fight. I figure the travel is always
the boring part so might as well move on to the good
stuff and we have a long adventure. I have some open
ended scenes if folks wish to interact. The stuff with
the captive can still be posted on. The stuff with the
travelers losing their farm. Other scenes can also be
commented on if you wish. I just didn't stop at every
day as we'd be here a long time. Will assume the swords are
left behind as Zhou orders. The next day we will have
a event needing action. I will handle that for Monday
as we have a large update for now. That will give folks
something to do for X-mas week. Hopefully by the end of
the year we'll be up to the Julis 24 and entering Shantou
province.
GM: On a minor note someone had said they were doing some
herb hunting on the plains. Sadly I lost those notes
and can't recall who it was. If I skipped those actions
let me know. Sorry. :<
GM: The list is still down. I'm sending this out to the list
and CC hopefully to everyone. Send emails to the list
and CC to me and I'll place them on my website. Wout
is aware and will reboot the machine sometime next week.
So be patient for that. To check for replies see the
game website (mine) until list works and archives updated.
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