[pnpgm] Game Update #127 - File #949 - Scroll Information
Scott Adams
longshotgm at netzero.com
Fri Oct 22 07:03:16 CEST 2010
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
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 #127 in sequence (file #949)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
Raban has thought over all that occurred and realized his mistake
was not pointing out people for others to check on. Being so
concerned about the execution, he failed to act correctly for
other aspects. Obviously he could not have followed them, or even
moved much without calling attention, but the others could have
done so without the problems. Did we loose an important lead due
to stupidity? Or was it another trap from the various factions and
better to have avoided it? Either way it is a hard learned lesson
not to let his personal failings interfere with what is needed.
He cannot let such things endanger the others, at least not
overly so. Was this another lesson his Goddess thought he needed?
If so this mission will be a difficult one of learning about his
flaws, all of them.
<could not think of anything that fit current scenes, so have
some introspection
GM: Ack. Good introspection. Even that's fare more than most
have done recently. Something is always better than nothing.
As to lost chances I allow some retroactive things if it
fits the advantage of the players. But if the enemy needs
the advantage then you gotta act fast or those chances are
lost. :) So the enemy or possible allies got away. :)
From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
As the others shared news of their various adventures Arawn
thought back to the upper story of the warehouse. He had hoped
to investigate it but didn't want to endanger the others by
forcing the unconscious Brigader on them while he risked
searching the burning building. He hoped the man would be in
possession of information that would make up for it. Leaning in
he studied the scrolls along with the others and whispered
quietly to them in Marentian, making sure to remain unheard by
the other patrons of the tavern.
"My companion will be waking up in an hour or two. We should...
GM: Ack. If you want to go look in the fire I can do it a bit
retroactively. But the only way up was in about 95% in flames
so would be hard.
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[New Stuff]
[Augado 5th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Pamau Province, Pamau City]
[Time: 5:20pm]
The party now all together sits around a large table used for
large parties. The barkeep and staff perk up at the new look
of tips and coin coming their way. It seems this tavern has seen
better times. The place compared to Shantou's inn is in disarray.
It could be from the recent noble purge that has caused the tavern
to decline. Maybe there is a new more modern place the current
group of nobility visit? But this actually serves as a good place
for the group's purpose. It allows them to hide in plain view and
draw less attention.
Raban has thought over all that occurred and realized his
mistake was not pointing out people for others to check on. Being
so concerned about the execution, he failed to act correctly for
other aspects. Obviously he could not have followed them, or even
moved much without calling attention, but the others could have
done so without the problems. Did we lose an important lead due
to stupidity? Or was it another trap from the various factions and
better to have avoided it? Either way it is a hard learned lesson
not to let his personal failings interfere with what is needed. He
cannot let such things endanger the others, at least not overly so.
Was this another lesson his Goddess thought he needed? If so this
mission will be a difficult one of learning about his flaws, all
of them.
Raban's large behind and back makes the tiny seat creak and moan.
But he listens to the others go over the day's details. Raban
glances around the old tavern which is mostly in darkness except
for a few tables. Raban knows this society has been brainwashed
into thinking magic is evil for many centuries. But it is more
than just that. It seems the culture is also what Jordi called
xenophobic, scared of strangers and those not like them. If this
was Marentia he could rely on the Bard network for safety, info
and contacts. But here the bard is only something spoken of
in coastal towns as a visitor. Raban knows that change is
slow to such a culture. But Bards have changed cultures before.
It only takes a few songs or few lines of poem to sway people's
minds into a new thinking. Who considers songs and poems a
threat? It isn't as if the peasants stood around with pikes
and clubs. Raban suddenly realizes that maybe he being here
is to help in a more strategic way rather than short term tactical
way. Maybe slowly more Bards can come and cause such a change.
Will listens to the story of the noble house and warehouse.
Sounds more like society dealing with chaos. As Will sits
at the table listening he sketches the description of Nom Amor
from words he hears as well as the female he saw. He knows the
sketch of the female will be useless but if you jot these things
down fast before the memory fades it might help.
Fremea sits with her wings cramped up in her dress. She sips
her tea not being able to drink in her role. She still is amazed
that kids were saved yet kids were slaughtered. Is this how
humans work? Is it the greater good to save 2 kids and maybe kill
a dozen other kids? What makes those 2 kids more vital and
important than the others? Then a detail comes back to her
mind. Why did the executioner who was clearly a plant to save
the kids abuse the woman? He stripped her of the robe she
wore to humiliate her. This isn't a uncommon thing in some
places with executions. Going back to Donara some slave women
and men sold for please were sold with no clothes. It is a
human way to judge things. But why would an ally do that to
her unless to gain trust of the crowd? She didn't see this
personally but got the details later from Raban's own point of
view and description.
Kell does most of the talking at the table on the details as
he saw much of what happened from his angle. He goes over what
the military folks spoke of during their inspection. He realizes
that they were more concerned on what was done, who saw it and
where folks were rather than their own people. Kell wonders
if they had expected it or just didn't care about the event at
that time.
As the others shared news of their various adventures Arawn
thought back to the upper story of the warehouse. He had hoped to
investigate it but didn't want to endanger the others by forcing
the unconscious Brigader on them while he risked searching the
burning building. He hoped the man would be in possession of
information that would make up for it. Leaning in he studied the
scrolls along with the others and whispered quietly to them in
Marentian, making sure to remain unheard by the other patrons of
the tavern. "My companion will be waking up in an hour or two. We
should find a good place to speak with him before then. We should
also keep a careful eye out. With the recent events any strangers,
especially those of us that stand out, will likely be investigated
or watched now."
As Arawn goes over the details of the fire at the warehouse,
Zhou just shakes his head and mumbles into his ale mug.
Ben'dar sits at the table drinking his ale bored with the
Katai talking. Other than the bits of Marentian he just sits
back and nibbles on some food. Some glance at him wondering
why he has been so quiet lately.
Z'leyra and Unali return to the table and eat as they listen
to most of the details of the day.
Kiet sits around and shakes his head and crosses his arms at
various times. He is appalled that Arawn used magic for one
thing but to bring the prisoner here and likely in his pocket
is madness. He wonders what will come of the small kid he saw
at the noble house. Will Baron Ka recover to keep care of her?
Was Baron Ka even married? Surely he was as in this culture
single noble parents rarely exist. He wonders where she was
during all this. As others talk though he continues to read
over the many sheets of parchments.
"Nothing much happened here. Just a couple people coming and
going. The wagon house and stable looks secure even for this
older place. But we can keep watch on it regardless." Caladan
adds to the overall conversation.
By now dinner is served which includes meats like ham, pork,
chicken and even steak from local ranches. Sides from piles
of fruit, vegetables and breads are also served. At various
times the bar wenches come over and stare at some like Raban
or Farseeker or Ben'dar for long moments but do not react
scared just more fascinated.
Occasionally the barkeep comes over with a new bottle of wine
to serve Unali and Zhou. He clearly knows the pecking order
of this table. For the others he simply leaves the bottle and
doesn't pour it. But for the two he dotes on he will sometimes
say things like. "Did you hear about the town square? A slaughter
by heretics!" "I hope a new purge doesn't take place." As well
toward the end of dinner he adds, "A major warehouse is on fire
somewhere in the market district. Vandals I hear. I thought
crime was down!" He shakes his head and goes back to the bar.
Zhou listens to all the details and then finally places his
ale down and shakes his head. "Not a good day for the city.
I was hoping to find folks at the execution we could use or
rely on. Sounds like they were there but I don't blame anyone
for not following up. It sounded like a hectic scene. Maybe
it is for the best. For all we know those people could've been
plants by the military. To lure folks like us to them into
a trap." He glances to those who went to the square. "I'm sorry
you had to see it. I wished we could've helped more. But
the mission would've suffered greatly if we had used healing
magic. It is a shame they could've been saved. It is a shame
we have to save this empire from even a greater threat. Maybe
we should let them suffer?" He shakes his head and sips more
ale. "I know the greater good. But I can't help but think
about it."
Zhou turns to Arawn and looks up. "I can't believe you
did what you did." He lowers his voice a bit. "You let them
zero in a thing that uses a lot of stuff. Then you carry it
like a beacon back here. It is too late I suppose. we've been
here too long to flee now. We'll have to be careful. Using
special methods in this place is dangerous and we were warned
months ago. No one seems to listen do they?" He shakes his head
and glances around. "I had thought this was a test of how we
could think and not use the special stuff but it seems some
have passed better than others. We've made it this far maybe
the theory of their tracking ability is not as good as the
propaganda talks about."
"Sounds like the Peace folks didn't want the warehouse anymore."
Zhou continues considering the day's events. "They were prepared
to do so before you showed up sounds like. I have a theory on
that. If our visitor friends do not need these coffin to travel
around then why keep the supplies which could lead to a paper
trail? If Nom was any indication they can now pass as humans.
Maybe they had to grow those things as well and needed months
but the coffins initially. If this is the case then we are
in greater danger as they could walk right past us and we'd
not know it. This likely means if they have enough of these
disguise things around their army may be ready to strike. We
have little time to spare."
Farseeker perks up and looks at Arawn. "I doubt you'll learn
much from the warehouse guy. These people work like military
in a need to know basis. Gangs and criminal gangs work like
same way. The low street folks never know what the leaders
are planning. But you can try. Just keep in mind our curse
with prisoners."
Zhou continues glancing at Unali. "By killing Nom we may
have tipped them off but if we haven't by now then they are
more stupid than we assume. It is sad we couldn't question
him but I doubt we could with their love of pain. It was
suggested doing a sentry duty on the house. But I rather
folks stick around. I'm not sure the Vong will return to
Ka's house tonight. The problem is the aide we saw will have
our descriptions out. So if anyone wishes to go and look over
the house they are free but I recommend avoiding it. Clearly
most of us can't visit the inner city anymore. The only ones
that might get away with it is Ca Lu, Chu Mai, Sun Zhu and
Tun Au."
"Now let's finish this meal and study these documents."
Zhou dives into his food.
[Time: 6:03pm]
Some time later the meal is finished and the talk over the
scrolls starts with greater information learned. Kiet moves
over to Kell for his business sense at times.
There is a pile of about 30 scrolls, 20 or so tiny parchments
and a small book/ledger. Apparently when Zhou checked Ka's
desk he found some stuff on it and inside the drawer as well that
looked interesting.
"Hopefully Ka's people won't know this stuff is gone for some
time if we are lucky." Zhou taps the small book.
What is learned is some interesting tidbits and facts. The
problem is the burnt scrolls may have contained more pieces of
the puzzle. But Nom apparently only had maybe a minute to burn
those before the others came in. They were destroyed beyond
reading. All documents are in full Katai dialect and no version
of what looks like Vong writing.
The firs thing that comes clear is that in two scrolls it
would seem Baron Ka suspected the Pamau Count being involved
with either a large crime group or some other group he didn't
know of. But apparently in his notes he later writes that the
count was just a playboy type and liked to travel and gamble.
There was no strict evidence to link him to crime or corrupt
groups like the Vong.
From the documents it seems clear Baron Ka had no clue what
the Vong were or who they were. He only knew of them by Nom
Amor's connection. From his notes it was clear he didn't trust
Nom Amor and thought it was odd to deal with him but Baron Ka
was getting the bulk of the advantage out of it.
Baron Ka ended the investigation into Count Pham several weeks
ago. But it was clear Nom wanted to have an official meeting
wit him but could not. From the level of stress writing and
anger in his notes it seemed Nom was forcing this situation.
Baron Ka apparently felt Nom Amor might even be working for
the Master General. At one point it seems Nom Amor gave info
on the local rebel forces. Baron Ka profited greatly by turning
in these heretics and executing them. But Baron Ka was always
trying to figure out how Nom knew so much.
"Sounds like Baron Ka had no contacts in these underground
bounty hunter groups. Likely the count did but it is interesting
to know the Baron didn't." Zhou adds to the discussion.
One scroll indicates the capture of a family just a day before.
It was a copy of a death warrant issued by the military commander
at the garrison. It is unclear if Nom had some say in this
arrest or not though. Those documents were burnt it seems.
With Kell's sense of business ledger info it is learned from
the small book that Baron Ka sent payments to certain people
around town. Some were merchants but a few were companies that
looked to be shipping related. So this clearly ties it seems
Baron Ka with the warehouse deals. Kell determines from the
odd codes with the numbers that it is payments to at least 6
cities north and west. It could lead to more strongholds
in those cities if the party only had months to investigate."
"Sounds like he was a traitor and didn't even know it." With
a gulp of his beer Farseeker says to no one in particular.
There isn't exact details on the warehouse that burnt down if
it was owned by Ka. This seems to be a more generic ledger
and the details must be elsewhere. But it is a definite
connection to the buying of warehouses and numerous coffins.
Zhou raises one parchment and looks to Unali and Chion. "You
ever hear of the Walkers? Baron Ka must've paid them to do
some work."
Unali has but it is Chion who speaks of them first. Chion
explains it is a guild like service that do nothing but
trail, trail and surveil. They are quite expert in those
things. When someone goes missing they are sought out. When
a noble needs to know if a employee is cheating by gambling
funds or a wife meeting a lover they are sought out. They
are trained to observe and not interact. Which makes them
a safe and confident group. They are known not to give out
the info they learn to others making them safekeepers of
knowledge. Apparently the Walkers work solely in the city
but Pathwalkers mainly track outside the cities. They are
a neutral group known not to be biased against any social
class or order. It is even rumored the Master General used
some Pathwalkers to track a noble who insulted him. After
some 2,000 miles the noble thought he was safe in the mountains
and they returned with their info. Months later the noble was
dead. Chion explains they rarely act in even self defense.
The only problem is some say they keep this info like Bards
do but in hidden libraries around the Empire. Some fear they
will use this info one day to do something for some reason.
"It seems the baron hired Pathwalkers to watch the Count
head as far north as Crossroads. He hired Walkers to track
Nom Amor a few times. But Nom was good. He'd apparently enter
a building and stay there. They'd lose him eventually. Now
thanks to Unali we know likely why. He must've used a mini
flying thing to escape."
There is some information on the close mine. There was some
missing info but what can be gleamed is that Baron Ka was indeed
selling the mine to Nom even though he had a offer by another
noble house. But it seems based on angry notes that Nom backed
out at the last moment without explanation.
"We have a lead though. Baron Ka hired Walkers to track Nom
Amor a week ago. This time he walked all the way to the river
and got on a ferry. The Pathwalkers then trailed him and it
lead to a small house on the river about 3 miles outside the
city margins. The trackers gave many notes." He holds up one
parchment. "On the location and description. The problem is
I don't know if Nom wanted to be tracked or he simply couldn't
use his flying toy that day. But I suspect we might want to
visit this place."
Unali pulls out the small thin tube from Nom Amor. The tube
is a about 6 inches but only about a silver coin wide. A
very thin rolled up script could only be inside. Unali had
spent time inspecting it with Kell to ensure it had no Vong
bug or such nonsense. But after careful treatment it is opened.
Inside a small parchment is inside. Laying it on the table it
unfolds to about 2 feet by 2 feet after it is unfolded.
The problem is this is the first sign of Vong letters as the
text doesn't seem to be understood by anyone and the party knows
many languages. It could be straight Vong or coded Vong the party
has no clue. Aside from scattered text around the edges the bulk
of the scroll seems to be a diagram of some kind.
The diagram is unclear its markings and blotches. It takes
some time of study to understand it could be one of three
things. A diagram of some Vong thing like a monster or
creature. It could be a rough map without texturing. It could
also be a Vong symbol or even a flag of some sort.
After some time arguing the general consensus is likely a
map. The markings seem to indicate land in general. The only
major clue is a rough line that oddly looks like the local
river as it winds through the mountains and plains. Overlaying
the local Katai map there are some points that compare like
edges of the hills and mountains. But there is no indication
of scale or clear markings of what it means. it seems to
only indicate the general mountains west of Pamau province.
Of course the group thanks to Shu already knew the Vong were
likely encamped somewhere in the mountains but not an extra
area. Shu's indication is an area 100 square miles in diameter
so would be a long time tracking.
"This doesn't help much." Farseeker taps the map.
"So let's recap here. We know Baron Ka worked with Nom Amor.
Likely the Vong through Nom setup this Peace Brigade work force
to do their daily activities. Mainly that of shipping their
goods and people around. The Brigade likely gives them a duped
army to do their dirty work. Apparently Baron Ka suspected
trouble and investigated Nom to some degree, failed a few times,
but then got something we are missing in this pile of papers."
He taps the scrolls. "Nom must've found out and the talk today
was the end of their relationship or a shake down. When we
showed up seems Nom did not appreciate that and acted fast.
He tried to take out Ka and the evidence. But when we got
there he didn't have time to finish the job."
"But why did he act that way so fast? You said he peeked
out into the hallway and saw one of you. Did this mean he
knew or suspected who you were?" Caladan asks.
"We may not know that. But it is likely clear by now Nom
knows of their loss of the Baroness and their force at the
fair grounds." Zhou stops and considers that. "I doubt he
would send more Vong there to investigate. I ...could be wrong.
I never thought of that till now. Likely he would not as it
would draw too much attention."
Zhou continues, "so the Brigade shipped things around and in
the process needed materials and places. So Baron Ka was
likely duped into buying warehouses, coffins and shipping freight
companies. We have some slight evidence on that here. Then
based on our encounter the Vong now have grown their masker
creature things. So if they can walk in the open now disguised
as humans they no longer need the warehouses. This must be
why they destroyed the one locally. Personally I'd not have
done anything as it just brings attention but the Vong must
not understand that."
"The problem is we don't know who was behind the square stuff."
Farseeker comments while munching on a piece of fruit.
"I doubt we'll know for some time. But I think we have a lead
to follow up on. We still need to know where their stronghold
is. If Nom's shack has some clues and it still exists assuming
it hasn't been destroyed by now then we should get there tomorrow."
Zhou considers the time looking out the dirty windows. "It would
be dark if we left now. So we'll have to do it first light.
I suggest we go over these documents again and see if there
is something we missed. Then call it a night."
[Time: 6:22pm]
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Monday...
GM: If only I was an artist I'd draw the Nom Scroll. But
alas I'm not. If I were to even attempt to draw it the
thing would take me likely 3.5 months to do. I barely
have skill to put a circle on a computer screen.
GM: Good enough place to end this update for now. A short but
lengthy in detail update. I hope I covered everything that
I had planned (though 90% of the above was not :)). I'm
waiting for something behind the scenes to be done then
we can move on.
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