[pnpgm] Game Update #124 - File #938 - Into the Fire
Scott Adams
longshotgm at netzero.com
Fri Oct 8 06:32:29 CEST 2010
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
W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
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,
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]
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 Baron Noble [HD]
Game Web Site - http://www.furvert.net/longshotgm/pbem/index.htm
Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to longshotgm at netzero.com
Game Update #124 in sequence (file #938)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
As is proper for a bodyguard, Raban constantly scans for trouble,
looking at anyone who is acting a little odd. "You too need to...
GM: Ack. Got this post too late last time to include in last update.
Sorry. But added now for story purposes.
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
Kiet simply looks aghast with his mouth open at Farseeker.
Jump? JUMP!?! And do what, exactly? Is this over-muscled oaf a
fool as well as insane? That's a long bleeping drop! Not to
mention that all Kiet has is a stinkin' dagger and NO ARMOR.
Kiet's not that stupid. Warriors may be that stupid...but not
the old ones...
After the fight is done so quickly...
Kiet gives Farseeker that 'No Kidding' look. Being a good actor,
there's little doubt about what the look means.
As soon as practical, Kiet would like to read thru any of the
documents and see if they are in a language he knows. If so,
it's time to read them real fast.
Damn the High Elder, Kiet thinks. This situation is simply
getting ridiculous. First we are told we can't use our greatest
magical strengths, then we keep getting into these brawls. Kiet's
not really interested in becomming someone's, or some thing's,
weapon sheath. What's needed here is a lancer troop, not some
mish-mash of individuals, half of whom are nearly helpless
without their magics.
Kiet simply growls under his breath over that thought.
GM: Ack. Good reaction. :)
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[New Stuff]
[Augado 5th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Pamau Province, Pamau City]
[Time: 4:15pm]
Will and Kell leave the square area quickly. the time for them
to snoop seems to have passed. Who knows what that group of two
that left to the north west. Who knows what that lone female
that Will could've followed or that lone male Raban saw that
looked suspicious. Now those things will not be known.
Some distance away down a side street Raban and Fremea wait
and consider their options. Should they return or head to the
wagon. They know Kell and Will could be in danger but they can
likely handle things. Some attention is starting to be drawn to
the giant as both stand in the shadow of a shop's awning.
As is proper for a bodyguard, Raban constantly scans for trouble,
looking at anyone who is acting a little odd. "You two need to keep
watch for those who would be foolish enough to try to kidnap a
noble child. Even from such a guardian as myself. There will be an
outbreak of criminal activity due to this pulling the city guard
away from their rounds. Fake cries for help, especially from
children, is a likely ploy to use. It will give itself away
because it will not start until you are closer as they do not
want to draw the wrong people. A run away pet is another such ploy,
one released once you are close. They will use a spotter for such
timing and that could be anyone. If they are stupid they will use
a ploy designed to draw men away from crowds. A women or such a
one in trouble of some sort. Normally, I allow myself to fall for
such acts, simply because the bait used is often in need of real
help. We cannot afford such troubles right now. Fortunately only
a large group would try to assault us and that we should spot
first. The only serious threat is archers, they could ruin my
clothes again!"
While Raban and Fremea on a street one block south of Will
and Kell, the half-elf knows they left in that general direction.
He decides to cut south and to check that street for them.
Suddenly Raban feels a tug at his pants. He glances down to see
what Fremea wants and notices a small boy. The boy must be no
bigger than 2 feet and maybe 3-4 years old at best. "Are you a
giant from the cir-qos?"
The boy speaks with a small lisp and clearly doesn't know the
word circus. Raban smiles down and before he can react a woman
in her 30s grabs the boy. She looks up at Raban and smiles but
then quickly looks away. The woman snatches the boy up in her
arms and begins to whisper things like "...never talk to strange
men!...they carry diseases..." Before they walk away.
Raban only hears bits and pieces but gets the point. He frowns
at the bias of the mother. But to Katai all strangers are dirty
barbarians. It isn't in their nature to act so kind to strangers
unless honor demands it. But at least it doesn't get him in need
to answer questions like why is he here and what is he doing.
Fremea taps Raban on the arm and points down the street. Both
then see Kell and Will walking. Soon the four group up and use
back alleys to move east toward the noble hotel they have the
wagon. As the four walk they quietly speak of the events in the
square and the belief of a distraction or larger purpose.
[Time: 4:18pm]
----------------------
[Time: 4:13pm]
Arawn turns his attention to the man who seemed to be in some
form of charge here. He raises both arms as if in deference to
the man as he considers his options. The man wanted a password
and some form of key to be seen.
A few long moments pass and silence and tension builds up.
Suddenly the man with the dagger suddenly becomes slightly tense.
The arm holding his dagger seems to lessen and lower just a bit.
"The password of osik..." But as he speaks the words his voice
is a bit monotone and has changed in pace and tone.
Arawn speaks up with "... That's right. Speak louder next time.
Now the key."
With back turned from the other guards the leader looks down into
what must be Arawn's right hand. The man speaks again, "they are
okay."
One of the other guards frowns. He squints at the man. "You
oaf! You just gave him the password!"
Another guard says, "it is a trick! He is a wizard!"
Arawn winces and knows it was worth a try. While the average
Katai may not know the signs of a possible spell being cast
these people, likely Peace Brigaders, are trained to likely hunt
them down as they work with the Vong. So the attempt fails.
A third guard raises his club, "Kill them!"
Chion draws his sai and leaps toward the two between crates.
He thrusts with the dagger but the guard is able to twist out
of the blade's path just in time.
Ben'dar not knowing what is being said realizes Chion would
not be attacking someone unless he was just having fun or this
was a real fight. So he turns and stabs the guard at the office
door. The spear goes higher than expected and impales the guard
in the middle left shoulder doing a massive strike. Blood pours
out from the heavy wound and the guard screams.
Arawn sighs that this has turned badly. But it would have likely
turned out this way in the end. But he wants one alive. He
leaps toward the man in his enthrall. Arawn does a fist strike
at the man's head but the blow fails to knock him out on the
first strike.
The guard at the door drops his weapon and reaches for his
shoulder. He slumps up against the office door and falls to
the ground unable to fight.
The one in front of Arawn just stares with a dumb look on
his face.
Guard #3 and #4 gang up on Chion. The first uses his dagger
to swipe at the large man and hits but his armor protects and
no blood is taken. The second man fails to hit.
Chion draws back and stabs guard #4 in the upper left shoulder
and does a massive strike with his sai killing the guard instantly.
Ben'dar takes his easy blow and with a soft thrust kills the
office door guard who is helpless.
Arawn twists to the side to get a better angle for another
knock out blow. With a simple slap to the head the man falls
to the ground knocked out.
Guard #3 sees this might be harder to deal with and turns to
run around the corner of crates.
Z'leyra outside has no clue what is going on. She thought a
scream was heard but it was a heavy muffled thing. She peers
around the corner and wonders why the others hasn't followed
her outside of the office.
As Arawn looks down to the leader with that dumb look still on
his face, he sniffs something familiar. He looks around and
scans the room. In the dim light he notices a fine sheen of
something on the walls and crates and even the floor. He tries
to sniff to track it down.
Chion gives chase around the crates to the man and finds a small
maze of boxes. As he edges around the corner he hears the man
nearby. Arawn comes around the north end of the crates and
tries to see what is on the other side to find more wooden boxes
and crates.
Chion sees the man holding a lantern and a bucket of something.
Chion realizes what is going on and yells for the man to stop.
He tries to throw his sai at the man about 20 feet away but
the dagger misses him. The guard splashes the oil inside the
bucket against the wooden coffin. Then tosses the lantern up
into the air.
Chion, Ben'dar and Arawn turn to see the odd oil lantern go
up above the tall crates. It slowly dives down into a arc and
lands with s thud onto a coffin. The glass of the lantern breaks
and suddenly a blast of fire is felt by all three.
The man turns as the lantern falls and charges Chion. Chion
pulls a hand to block the flash of the explosion and is hit
by the man as he knocks him to the side. The man runs past him
and toward the front door.
The guards weren't here it seems to drop things off but to
destroy the place it seems. Arawn quickly realizes this and
recovers from the blast of light and heat. But to his horror he
notices the entire place which is wooden is laced with oil trails,
wicks and small flasks of what must be naptha. The initial fire
from the center crates quickly spreads out in a cobweb formation
in every direction.
The knocked out guard is lying just below one such path of
oil and his clothing catches on fire.
Within three seconds the first of the naptha glass flasks
explodes in the western edge and a fireball rolls down the
aisle of boxes and crates. This causes even more chain reactions
of side fires and the entire place suddenly is clearly in danger
of a firestorm.
Chion recovers and chases after the man out the front door.
He notices the man charge west.
Z'leyra looking toward the office door suddenly jumps when one
window shadows on the first floor. Glass breaks outward and smoke
and light flame shine. Z'leyra turns to see this and then a man
running past her down the alley heading west. The man is a good
150 feet away down the alley toward the south.
Arawn looks around at the devastation and knows this wooden
warehouse could be destroyed very fast.
----------------------
[Time: 4:13pm]
Unali finishes up in the kitchen as the middle aged Katai
servant stares with her knife in hand. It isn't everyday a woman
in black comes into the house to clean herself of blood. There
are those odd stories of those in black that help nobles from
time to time with special jobs. But to the servant this is just
a myth or is it?
Upstairs Farseeker and Kiet back from the window. Kiet gives
Farseeker 'No Kidding' look. There's little doubt about what the
look means. Many wild thoughts go through Kiet's mind as he
is amazed the fighter said to jump. The muscled but agile man
would've gone straight down into the glass so he would not have
jumped. Kiet can't believe he told him to jump. Kiet simply
growls under his breath over that thought.
Farseeker slaps the acrobat on the back. "What? Too high?
Surely those acrobatic skills." He raises his hand and uses
a finger in a rounding motion to denote tumbling. "Jumped
clear of the glass like she did." He leans into his shoulder
and whispers in his ear. "Don't want to be showed up do we?"
He leans back again and grins that sly grin that the warrior
does when he teases Ben'dar. He crosses his arms and then
looks one last time out. "I'd have landed right into the glass
like Raban just like a rock into the glass."
Farseeker and Kiet turn to Zhou who continues to search the desk.
Soon footsteps are heard. The servant returns with a guard and
another man. "What is going on here!" The man stares at the
baron and then the strange people in the study.
The female servant and guard rush to Baron. The guard looks up
and continues to hold his hand on his sword sheath.
"We were here on business to visit when this man attacked the
Baron. I am Baron Zhou Wa of Dzhamou." Zhou approaches the door
to speak to the new man.
The man dressed in middle class silks crosses his arms. "I am
Baron Ka's aide. It looks like you came without my notice."
The man looks at the two by the window.
Another set of footsteps approach and Unali enters the room
behind the man. She is dressed back in her dress and holds her
right arm up against her side wound. "My Baron, there is a dead
heretic out in the garden. He tried to fly away and I did not want
word of our presence to get to his followers. Interrogation of
these pain-loving freaks is not one of my skills. Maybe a good
musician would have helped. I don't think there is much more we
can learn from him here."
The aide stares at Unali and then back at Zhou. "Heretic? What?
Musician?" He begins to walk toward the window to get a look
and the others part to let him pass. Unali pats her dress to
note possible treasure. Zhou nods then looks to the servant
tending to the wounded Baron.
"So it might be wise to get you out of here and to safety. I
am sure they can get help for the Baron locally." Unali adds
seemingly ignoring the aide.
"I agree. We should leave and return when the Baron is feeling
better." Zhou straightens his clothes and makes for the door.
"Wait." The aide raises a hand and the guard stands to also
show that he is here to help in this matter. Kiet watches the
guard for signs of attack. "This is highly irregular. The
city guard will need to be summoned and you will need to answer
questions."
Zhou turns to the aide. "If there are heretics around they
may be attacking nobles. I will need to return to my other
guards and my daughter. The city guard cane come find me."
He pauses near the door. "We are staying at the Red Marble Inn
with my group. We'll be there for a few days. Good luck with
the baron. I wish him well." He moves to the door but is almost
run down by a young male.
The young male breathes fast and takes several seconds to catch
his breath. "The...they...attacked...heretics...Xing Min Square!
They..killed many..."
"Slow down boy! What?" The aide grabs the boy's arm.
Zhou uses this chance to slip out the door and the others
follow. Down the hall words like "...many dead from fire..
women..men..children..." As well as "summon a healer now!"
The four quickly make their way downstairs and to their horses.
They remount as they notice smoke in the distance. Running out
the gate they gallop away to ensure no one follows them.
The group ride down several streets in random directions to
ensure they aren't followed. The other three knows Zhou mentioned
the wrong Inn. It is a risk but at least they can't be found
tonight.
Kiet tries to ride some of the scrolls on the ride back to the
wagon but finds it difficult while controlling his horse. It
will have to be delayed until the group gets back to the wagon
and hotel.
Unali turns to Zhou, "Should we organize to watch the Baron Ka
estate ourselves. I can also try to find some contacts and see if
they can are willing to take the watch. That would leave us with
other avenues to explore. What do you feel?"
Zhou wipes his forehead from sweat. "The city guard will have
to be there very soon since a high noble was badly hurt and
could die from that acid. He may not live. It is ironic that
our help could heal him but he'd then kill us." As they ride
down the streets he whispers that last part. The streets are
almost empty at times. "I just hope Arawn and the others are
doing well and haven't found themselves in trouble."
Farseeker nudges Kiet with his elbow. "Ben'dar can find himself
in trouble easy and in the midst of a hot situation in his sleep."
He grins as Kiet tries to read a couple singed scrolls.
Zhou continues, "The guard will have our descriptions likely
soon and the others won't be known to associate with us at
this point. I know we can't stay here beyond tomorrow morning.
We'll have to leave this place soon. Things are getting too
hot. But if you know contacts in the city then you can head
out tonight after dark and find them. If your ...friends can
watch the Baron's house then that's fine. But we should return
to the inn soon."
[Time: 4:20pm]
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Monday...
GM: Sorry for delay. Technical issues, lack of motivation at
times and other factors. Whether this continues is not
known but this time of year is my vacation time. :) Consider
this the Friday update. Next update will have Square and
Noble House groups return to the inn. Depending on what
folks at the Warehouse door they could be killed by fire
or a nasty rusty nail or leave the area right away. So
Monday depending on the warehouse we'll move on.
GM: Task groups:
Baron House - Zhou, Unali, Farseeker, Kiet
Investigate - Arawn, Ben'dar, Chion, Z'leyra
Watch deaths- Fremea, Kell, Raban, Will
Stay wagon - Strie'bog, Caladan,
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