[pnpgm] Game Update #33 - File #340- Merman combat P9+10
Scott Adams
longshot at cybermax.net
Fri Sep 4 00:17:06 CEST 2009
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
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]
Will aka Sun Tzu as hunt master [F]
Z'leyra aka Kakita Junami as Healer [F]
Zhou aka Zhou Wa as 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 #33 in sequence (file #340)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Fremea: [Re: Actions]
Fremea will fire one more time and then go to where Raban
is, since he has not come back to the ship yet.
GM: Ack
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
Raban, being an acrobat, is not too bad off with the wild ride.
But he knows the ship is too fast for him to ketch up too once
he gets free. He tries very hard to remember what direction
they were traveling and where land should be so that he can
eventually find his way. Concerned that he may be lost to the
others he reaches deep into his heart for his connection to his
Goddess and prays for some guidance and possibly a little help.
But what if this was part of his Goddess's plan for him? Not
the for mission, but to help the poor people abused by this
culture? Gods do work in mysterious ways and not everything
that appears bad is bad...
So this would be much harder than saving the world from those
invaders. It will be a little tricky earning the friendship of
a people forced to think all magic is evil, but it can be done.
But there will always be those who out of jealousy or for spite
will involve the guard.
Since I am so obvious, attempting to hide would be nearly
useless. That means I would need to fight often and likely
would need to kill to prevent them gathering more each time,
or I would need to play a role that is somehow protected from
the guards. The people could try to protect me but that puts
them at too much risk, so it is best that I find a role
inherently protected. But does this culture have such a role?
Wandering Mystic, or Hermit Sage are unlikely. Wise Man has the
same problem. 'Touched' by the Gods could work but they have
turned away from the Gods. I would need to bring back their
old Gods to have much of a chance. I would need to start a
rebellion to do that and it would need to be wide spread before
the guard could react. I suppose a 'running' campaign of healing
and other 'miracles' could spread belief and hope fairly wide,
but that would require a lot of guidance to find the places
that need such help. I would have to be on the move constantly,
just staying at each place long enough todo what is needed. My
flight would be enough to keep ahead of trouble but only if
they did not know I could fly? Or is it better to use that
miracle' as well? Planning this may be beyond my capabilities,
I will just have to trust my goddess will guide me....
<Of course that much thought may be beyond the time allowed for
such a slow thinker ;)
GM: Ack.
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
If any party or crew need immediate healing to prevent their
death Z' lerya will attempt to save them. Otherwise she goes
to attack the mermen to prevent more injuries to our side.
After the mermen are dealt with Z'leyra will get someone to
fetch her satchel with its healing materials, quickly triage
the wounded and demand "Will! You have the talent, now work on
developing your healing skills...assist me in patching these
wounded." She patches them from most wounded to least wounded.
Explaining to Will (and any others helping) about how and why
she does what she does in patching them. Afterwards she will
magically heal those who have not been magically healed and
desire her to do so.
GM: Ack. We talked about this in ICQ. But you don't know about
his talent. Heck he doesn't know about it. So the above
will be ignored in reference to Will.
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[New Stuff]
[Junaqa 24th, 1634TH]
[Winds: Good, Speed 14]
[Weather: Clear/Sunny, Fog]
[Time: 3:55:30am]
After looking across the ship at the distance to Sailor #1,
Arawn realizes moving there would take 6-7 seconds. So he
gathers magical energy for a spell.
Fremea reloads one last time and fires almost directly down,
a difficult angle than it looks with her wing movement and
bending of body. The arrow magically replicates again and
flies downward at a steep 20 degree angle. Flying toward the
group of merman that were previously stunned. All five arrows
hit their targets. Merman #15 is hit in the lower right chest
doing 3 points. Merman #14 is hit in the upper right chest
area above the heart but bounces off his tough hide. Merman
#13 is hit in the right arm but bounces off his natural hide armor.
Merman #12 is hit twice. The second arrow hits him in the upper
left chest doing 4 points but the first hits him squarely in the
right cheek and shatters bone doing a massive 9 point blow to
his head. Merman #12 falls to the deck dead instantly.
Arawn casts his spell and from the ramp a blue hue quickly
forms around him. He then translocates right next to Sailor
#1 by the steering wheel.
Corona dives toward the grouped merman and tries to once again
hit with his magical eyes. The bolt hits Merman #14 in the
left shoulder but only sizzles doing 1 minor point of damage.
Fremea dives to the right toward the rear of the ship and tries
to chase the water spout out into the dark ocean.
Unali begins to climb down off the rigging.
Farseeker moves toward the four Merman and charges Merman #14
but fails to hit the staggering merman.
Chion stomps up the stairs as they creak under his weight.
He charges forward and comes along side Ben'dar at Merman #6.
He thrusts up and hits the Merman in his left shoulder doing
the final 4 points needed to kill the creature.
Ben'dar thrusts at Merman #9 and stabs with his spear in his
left arm doing 5 points of damage.
Arawn bends down to inspect Sailor #1. The lantern on the
wheel station shines down brightly showing both men. But
Arawn frowns as he finds no pulse and the back stab wound by
the trident is devastating with 3 puncture wounds in his right
liver region. Arawn can tell from the amount of blood loss
he lived for a few seconds but the heart as stopped. Arawn
finds the man dead.
Down below in the forward hallway near the ladder, Kell thrusts
his spear at the last Merman below decks. But the spear goes
just below his arm and misses.
Z'leyra looks down to Sailor #6 and finds him stabilized. She
glances at the Captain who is standing and holding his wound.
On the deck sitting up against the wall is the navigator First
Mate. His wounds look bad but he seems in good spirits. She
quickly checks him over and sees if he needs immediate help.
The Captain himself starts to move past Z'leyra down the hall
toward the stairs.
The first mate looks down to his wound as Z'leyra checks him
out. He knows if the person on duty (Sailor #1) the ship could
be off course if he dies. He realizes he needs to get up to
deck but knows his weak legs will not allow that.
Caladan stabilizes his own wound and glances down to see the
Captain moving. he then notices Whitney and Kell fighting the
last Merman in that hallway. He begins to move toward the stairs.
Shu climbs up the stairs and pulls her dagger out of her belt.
She waits for her chance to help the two men. As she does she
examines the moles on Whitney among other things.
Kiet, upon hearing the sailor's terse evaluation of the
situation, curses himself as a fool. His first thought on this
portion of the journey should be to protect Zhou since he seems
incapable of protecting himself. It also would give Kiet the
excuse he wants.
Kiet decides to pick up his ropes and head to Zhou's cabin,
check on him, then leave him in his cabin and guard the door,
ropes strewn liberally about. So they are a tripping hazard,
tough.
As Kiet walks he knows the stories of Mermen. All on Lemasa
has heard of them. It is said north of the island some 500
miles or so is the southern point of a vast Merman civilization
that could go as far north as another 1000 miles and east about
500 or so miles. But if this is true or legend no one knows.
It is stories told by parents to make their kids eat green and
yellow stuff on dinner plates and behave. Sightings of female
Mermaids is somewhat common or so the sailors report. Though
some have to be drunk. But seeing Mermen is actually more rare
for most sailors. The most infamous was a small fishing fleet
of 3 boats that went out one summer and never came back but was
suspected to be destroyed by Merman when debris was later found.
If it was true or not no one knows.
Will heads up on the top deck and views the situation. It
seems only five merman are here. He draws his bow in hand
and grabs an arrow.
Strie'bog moves forward and helps Farseeker handle Merman #14.
He swings his axe and hits in the right arm slicing it almost
completely off. The Merman takes the final damage and falls
down dead.
Sailor #2 finally wakes up from his healing. Both he and
Sailor #3 sit up confused by the water and how they got in this
location.
Sailor #4 and #5 already on the top deck runs forward to help
Ben'dar against Merman #9. Sailor #4 hits in the center chest
region for 3 points of damage. But Sailor #5 fails to hit.
Sailor #6 wakes up to see a female form leaning nearby shaped
in a glow of a nearby lantern. Her form showing curves in the
nightgown. He then looks further up to see Z'leyra and looks
around to see if there is any other merman around.
Sailor #7 and #8 climb the stair and run toward the four
Merman near Farseeker.
Sailor #9 and #10 continue their search on the cabin deck.
Merman #9 now chooses between Chion, Ben'dar and 2 sailors as
his target. He thrusts his dagger turning toward Sailor #4
but as the dagger goes forward his weak body fails him. The
dagger flies out of his hand and whizzes past the sailors shoulder
a few feet and finally landing near the rigging.
Merman #11 leaps the 2 feet toward Farseeker and tries to bash
Farseeker with his club but fails to him the warrior.
Merman #13 seeing his leader dead and the others routed and
falling around him decides it is time to leave. He turns from
Farseeker and runs the 15 feet to the starboard side. With
a great leap he jumps over the side and dives into the water
below.
Merman #15 thrusts his dagger at Strie'bog but fails to hit.
Merman #16 not knowing the situation with his friends decides
quickly his target, Whitney or Kell. He thrusts his dagger
at Whitney but fails to hit.
Whitney swings his axe back at Merman #16 but also fails to hit.
Zhou seeing Shu move off the ladder finally climbs up. He
mutters to himself something not heard. But as he reaches
the top of the ladder he sees the one dead Merman and the
three fighting the last merman. He halts his movement and
then realizes something bad is going on finally 30 seconds
after it started. He wonders why Whitney is naked and that
isn't just proper for a ship among females. Shrugging he
decides maybe he should find another way up. He climbs down
the ladder toward the cabin level hallway.
[Time: 3:55:33am]
Arawn's desperate mind works and builds up for a healing spell.
Will raises his loaded bow and points it at Merman #9. He
has a good angle though one Sailor running in that direction
is a good 4 feet away as Farseeker is. But the risk is lower
due to this angle. He fires and the arrow hits the Merman in
the right arm doing 2 points of damage. This is the final
damage to end his life.
Arawn places a hand on the back wound and speaks quickly the
healing priestly magic. The green energy surges down but
the wound heals only about 1/3rd.
Corona sees Fremea fly off the ship and wonders if he should
give chase. But he knows from experience he isn't as fast as
the ship so decides to remind in close orbit.
Fremea chases the water spout.
Unali stands behind the shadow of the rigging for a second
and scans the deck. Only two remain and are being attacked.
She notices the trident that fell down from the nest. She
also sees a dagger now on the deck. She walks a few feet
toward the weapons. She glances up and notices Arawn in the
rear over a body.
Farseeker steps over one dead Merman and thrusts his great
sword at Merman #15 hitting him in the right shoulder doing
5 points of damage.
Merman in front of Ben'dar thrusts his dagger at him hitting
in the center chest doing a minor 1 point wound.
Merman in front of Farseeker thrusts his dagger at Farseeker
and hits in the left ribs doing 4 points of damage.
Merman #16 down below thrusts at Kell and his dagger gets
past the trader's shield doing 5 points of damage to his right
shoulder.
Z'leyra decides the First mate should be fine. She stands
and runs for the stairs.
The Captain also continues his path to the stairs.
Caladan gets on deck and scans for targets to act on.
Shu sees her chance and stabs forward behind the Merman's back
and does massive damage to his rear left ribs. She jolts
in reaction and releases her dagger as she staggers back in
shock.
Kiet continues toward Zhou's cabin.
Strie'bog with a grunt swings his axe sideways and hits the
merman next to him square in the side ribs and does the final
damage to kill him.
Two sailors move to help their other comrades against the
last Merman on top deck. Two hit but two fail to hit. The
two that do hit do the final damage to kill him.
The last Merman on the ship below deck weak from damage swings
badly at Whitney but fails to hit. Clearly his wounds are
doing bad for him.
Whitney sees this staggering Merman and swings his axe at
him and hits in the right side ribs doing the final couple
of points to kill him.
--------------------
As Raban is moved by the sheer force of magic, wind and water
he tumbles round and round. He can't get his bearings to know
where the ship is much less the dark shore some distance away.
Raban finally gives into the magic and prepares for impact in
the water. The magic spout can't last forever. As Raban
tumbles his hand suddenly feels a bit of pain from the previous
blow to the Merman. While he could in theory punch through
stone his hand still can take very minor damage of stress.
Nerves will need to be healed from the stress of the blows.
In fact it takes two full minutes and 18 seconds for the
water spout to finally end. When the spout finally ends
Raban finds himself 33 feet above the ocean facing skyward.
He suddenly falls head first toward the ocean. As he tries
to get his bearings to see what is up and what is down he
tries to fly but he splats into the ocean and takes a massive
15 points of damage from the fall. Only his last minute
twisting of his body through his acrobatic training and almost
flight saved him from a damage twice that much.
As he impacts the dark ocean he hears another splash somewhere
in the distance as the other Merman hits as well. At the
point of impact Raban finds himself 4,968 feet from the ship
as the spout and ship quickly outdistance each other.
Raban goes deep into the water maybe 10-15 feet before he
finally stabilizes his body. When he notices his air bubbles
going up he figures that must be up. He shoots his legs in
that direction to get to the surface. But as he gets to about
4 feet from the surface a hand grabs his left leg.
Raban looks down into the black ocean and sees nothing since
it is too murky but he figures from the grasp on his leg it
has to be the Merman. the Merman is home to the water but
Raban is no virgin, he knows how to swim. He could tread water
long enough to get to shore if he could locate it.
The Merman pulls Raban deeper and deeper but is clearly
struggling from his own wounds and Raban's sheer mass. Raban
tries to kick himself free but the Merman has a tight grip.
Seconds later both are back 12 feet under the surface and Raban
is losing air fast.
Seemingly exhausted the Merman releases his grip and kicks
forward to attack Raban. His trident plunges forward upwards
but fails to hit the big man. Raban more concerned about air
than the Merman kicks upward again and shoots for the surface.
The Merman gives chase after Raban. The Merman stabs his
trident up and hits Raban in the lower left abdomen doing 5
points of damage to him. As blood pours out into the sea
Raban gets to the surface and gasps for air.
AS Raban had moments ago prayed in the water spout his
goddess for help he knows he will likely survive this. Once
he gets air in his lungs he'll just fly up and out. But
in those precious few seconds the Merman swims around the
large giant.
Like a predator reef shark the Merman stabs forward his trident
again this time toward the heart of Raban. But the trident
stabs just under his armpit missing him. Raban doesn't see this
but feels the movement in the water. He grabs for the trident
with his left arm and makes contact. With his right arm he
yanks back and suddenly the Merman hits Raban in the chest.
In the darkness both can't really see each other but Raban
can now smell the breath of the Merman inches from his head.
Raban does a head butt against the Merman and breaks his soft
nose.
The Merman releases his trident and reaches up to choke the
large giant but it is like a child trying to choke a elephant.
His wet hands slip on Raban's neck.
Releasing the trident to the depths below, Raban also reaches
up to choke the Merman in a clear struggle of dominance. But
the sheer power and strength of Raban wins out. Soon the
Merman stops struggling and is dead.
Raban releases the dead Merman to recycle the ocean. As the
dead Merman falls Raban finally gets his lungs full of air.
He glances about into the darkness but only sees stars.
He circles in the water and turning around he notices faint
lights on the water that has to be the ship. But it looks like
a mile away.
Raban yells to get the ship's attention knowing they are too
fast even for his flying.
Then Raban notices another noise this time in the air as if
a giant dragonfly is nearby. He glances up and notices a
form blotting out the stars. Fremea then says, "Raban?"
Raban smiles t the sight of Fremea nearby hovering over the
calm sea. Then he grumbles to himself. He should be saving
her not vice versa!
--------------------
In the chaos that soon follows the ship is searched. No
more Merman are found on the ship. No one knows that two
went overboard. One from the water spout and the other
escaped by himself but no one saw it. The one that escaped
was wounded though so may or may not survive.
Z'leyra quickly gets to the top deck and finds indeed that
Sailor #1 was beyond hope. He had lost too much blood and
was killed almost a minute before any of the party even acted.
His soul must've already left the body and healing couldn't
be done for him. Arawn feels bad for the sailor as his decision
to help the others resulted in the saving of 2 but in that
decision he lost one. But in the overall scheme of things in
doing so he did save 2 by going toward Raban. If he had gone
toward the dead one the other 2 might have died.
The bulk of damage was taken by the sailors as 60% of their
numbers were wounded or killed. Of the party only four of the
13 took damage and only Caladan taking the most heavy amount.
Sailors begin to collect bodies and weapons.
As Z'leyra and other healers setup healing supplies and
a healing area on deck most report for healing. Two sailors
help the First mate up on deck since Z'leyra didn't help him
immediately.
Soon a head count is ordered when Zhou escorted by Kiet gets
up on deck. Zhou is shocked at the bodies of the dead merman
but looks around to see none of the party hurt. He frowns
though at seeing the dead sailor.
Minutes later the crew realize Fremea and Raban are missing.
Arawn reports both were up top deck. Unali then reports seeing
something like a water spout hit the ship. Then the Captain
declares a man overboard. The crew kick into duty stations and
three sailors man the front of the ship. Arawn is asked to
guide the ship with his night eyes at the front of the ship even
though he is tending wounded.
By now a good five minutes have passed since Raban has
left the ship and they are now some four miles behind.
With the help of a sailor the First mate turns the ship
around and he begins to chart out a search pattern on his
scrolls.
By now Raban has left the water, especially after Fremea
reports sighting of a shark in the area drawn by his own blood.
Both fly in circles as Fremea considers a teleport back to the
ship but would need to know a clear space of deck to do it.
Fremea then spots the ship slowly arcing as if it is
turning and she then realizes the ship must've discovered they
are gone. With the help of Fremea as a guide both winged
and non winged fliers plot a intercept course to the ship.
It takes another 2.5 minutes before Raban can skid with some
hardness onto the deck of the ship. Fremea touches down
with grace.
The Captain reorders the old course and the ship moves back
toward the south.
In the next two hours till sunrise no one goes back to sleep.
As the day begins early and healing takes place.
The crew dump the Merman bodies over the deck.
Among their weapons 2 spiked clubs, 13 tridents, 11 daggers
and 2 nets are found. Both Fremea and Arawn find the Merman
in the nest, their noble leader, had the only magical trident
in the group.
The captain thanks the efforts of the crew and party for
saving his ship. He especially thanks the sailor who let the
first warning out. Then to Arawn to wake everyone else.
He is deeply sad to see one of his crew die, he is grateful
that at least four others could've died if not for the efforts
of the party.
"We will dump his body into the sea as a proper sailor wishes.
To die at land like a old man is not good. He would be happy
to have died at his station in the ocean. I claim all the
weapons found. Not out of greed but to sell for his family
since his wages were for them. This is out of respect for
his family and to setup a death marker for them to have
as some form of settlement. The other funds will go to any
future problems any other sailors have from their own wounds.
It is a low amount I'm sure but any amount will help his
family as one of their major contributors to the family income
is dead now." The captain finishes up grim and then starts
to organize the funeral for the sailor in a few hours.
Shu shocked from her first killing finds the one she likes
to have survived. He was one of the critical ones Arawn
healed on the ramp. Dazed and in shock from her actions
below deck she sits by the sailor tending to him. She
also thanks Arawn for saving the sailor.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Monday...
GM: Combat stats - Time: 36 seconds - 12 phases
GM: Sailor Status -
Dead - 1
Full - 4 [100% healthy]
Healed - 2 [100%, 60%, 40%]
Wounded - 3 [Heavy - 2, Moderate - 1]
Total -10
Captain/First Mate - Moderate wounds
GM: Player Status -
Will - 100% Arawn - 100%
Chion - 100% Fremea - 100%
Strie'bog - 100% Kiet - 100%
Unali - 100% Whitney - 100%
Z'leyra - 100% Ben'dar - 89% [Light]
Caladan - 67% [Heavy] Farseeker - 91% [Light]
Kell - 73% [Moderate] Raban - 55% [Moderate]
Note: The % shows what level your at from 100%. Thus
a 50% would be your half down your hit points. 90% would
mean only 10% of your hit points down.
GM: Let me know if anyone doesn't want to give the weapons to
the captain as he claimed. Now above is the healing status
of each person. For those wounded let me know who you
wish to be healed by. We have Z'leyra (skill/magic), Arawn
(skill/magic), Raban (magic) and Fremea (magic). This is
to give other folks experience who may need it. If none
state their preference then the Healer Z'leyra will get it.
In fact why not just let me know for future times and I
can make a note of it. This way not just one healer gets
all the experience. Right now 3 sailors are the only ones
to be healed. No one else has been healed magically.
For those doing the healing let me know the ELs you treat.
If you want to say ELx for Light, ELY for moderate and
ELZ for heavy wounds that's fine. For those who do
heal and may be limited on Mana let me know how many
spells you cast of healing with their ELs. You can see
the above list and how many needing healing.
GM: Schedule of events. This update is out early but late.
I had hoped to be out way before now but had computer
problems and had to fix them. This is Friday's update.
Monday is Labor day in the USA. I will work on the update
Monday night as usual. I hope to have the experience for
each player updated on sheet and reported here. Monday
I may get to the next event. If not by sure I will get to
it by next Friday. So if you have any magic other than
healing let me know by Monday so I can at least figure out
mana levels for next event. Thanks.
GM: I still can't update website. I can access my ISP web mail
and such but jut not get to the ftp server. I've called
the ISP and for the first time since '96 the number is out
of service. Now I'm not in panic mode yet as the weather
in his region (south florida) can do bad with power outages
and such. I also know he has had some medical issues and
its a small family ISP rather than these large chains with
folks in India answering ISP calls. So I will give it a week
or so more to see if he gets my email. Then if no reply
send a snail mail down to see whats up. So until then
I can't update the website. Sorry guys With that though if
the ISP goes down. If I'm gone for more than 2 weeks its
likely that reason. I could call some of you guys to
let the list know but not sure if that's wise. :)
/GM: Happy holiday weekend!
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