[pnpgm] Game Update #149 - File #1048 - First day of travel
Scott Adams
longshotgm at netzero.com
Thu Feb 10 19:02:37 CET 2011
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
R1.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,
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 #149 in sequence (file #1048)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
Kiet smiles his little bright smile at Strie'bog and says
quietly 'No, not gas....just hot air..."
Kiet will work on horsemanship as much as frickin' possible. He
dooesn't think he will ever actually like them, but he does think
he can learn to tolerate them.
no magic use until V-day...and still wishing we had about 200
well-armed lancer mercs accompanying us...
Kiet also wants to make sure he has as many rope segments with
him that he and his horse can carry without encumbering too much.
Won't need much more than 10-12....
GM: Ack. Lancer so 2 SC/Month or about 7 BB a day for a week
likely of work. So 7 BB x 7 = 49 BB x 200 = 98 Silver or
so I estimate quickly. Want to use your personal gold
stash? Just return to Pamau and hire them of course the
explanation might be fun to watch. :) Ack on ropes.
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
Kiet is pretty quiet as the group heads out, and even before.
He's been wondering how to contribute to this undertaking, without
ending up in the care of the undertaker...bad pun, but that's
where Kiet's mind is now.
"I am contemplating a Sky Knowledge spell. Not for locating...
GM: Ack.
From Will: [Re: Actions]
Thinking... sounds dangerous
GM: Ack.
From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
"Likely he believes it will not be as easy as that. Only...
GM: Ack.
From Kell: [Re: Actions]
Taking Zhou's hand and standing up, Ha'Kell gives a mischevious
grin. "Here I thought you were just another pretty face that...
[More tomorrow. Including some talk on planning possible
attacks, etc.]
[I am sorry to hear Chris go. All the best to him.]
[Yes I am buying. Beef Jerky and a ride in a dingy! :) ]
[I enjoyed the Zhou speech. It was good, nice to include
everyone. I like touches like these. Great posts for the last
several! Thank you! Kell did have a few thoughts and I had to
air them. ]
GM: Ack. Jerky. Inside joke folks :) Thanks on the comments.
I posted from the reference of Zhou. Not a major public
speaker but also not a simple shy person who can't speak.
So he was so-so.
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[New Stuff]
[Augado 6th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Pamau Province, Pamau City]
[ Northeast of city margins, few miles, river edge]
[Time: 6:42am]
Kiet finds himself needing to leave the group to prevent
a laughing fest during Zhou's speech. He finally returns
and Strie'bog asks if he had gas.
Kiet smiles his little bright smile at Strie'bog and says
quietly 'No, not gas....just hot air..."
At that comment, Strie'bog can't help but giggle like a school
girl who sees Farseeker's large muscles upon entering a room.
After Zhou and Kell spar the party watch in slight amazement.
Some realize the blow hard didn't so much use his dagger as he
did his cape. Some have seen some of the best fighters not fight
but defend. With a cape like that one can parry and deflect
most blows and use them against their ally. Some recall that
Triest had that skill and used it on occasion, before he was killed
in that stupid street gambling ambush.
Taking Zhou's hand and standing up, Ha'Kell gives a mischievous
grin. "Here I thought you were just another pretty face that wanted
to keep it looking pretty. I may be wrong. Probably not, but
maybe. Next time, do that to the Vong." He then slaps the man
on the shoulder and picks up his spears, totally non-plussed at
Zhou's actions. Hoping he learned something there, and knowing
that he did, the duke can actually handle a blade when he wants.
Zhou bows half way and uses his cape in a flourish. "The
wizards are allowed to challenge other wizards all they want.
At times to the death. But wizards aren't allowed to challenge
non wizards without just cause. Even so I've had to...learn how
to handle arguments in the past." He grins and slaps Kell's
shoulder back.
------------------
[Time: 9:23pm]
The party has been going on now for well over two hours. By
now all vision of the river and city margins are well lost to
unaided eyes. The foothills are fast approaching and slowly
the terrain is rising ever so slightly. The ground changes from
sparse vegetation to more and more bushes and trees as the party
enters the fringes of the foothills.
For some time Kiet has been quiet. Every so often he slips on
his saddle and looks like a doll riding the horse. Ever so
rigid as he is not used to riding. Not that he is the only one
to do this. Raban and Chion with their large frames have to sit
up like wooden statues without moving as well in order to ease
the burden of the horse. But whereas they have some experience
it is clear Kiet is nervous and not so skilled. But he is helped
by the more experienced members of the group by suggestions, tips
and pointers on riding.
Kiet is pretty quiet as the group heads out, and even before.
He's been wondering how to contribute to this undertaking, without
ending up in the care of the undertaker...bad pun, but that's where
Kiet's mind is now.
Kiet speaks a bit low as if the bushes might hear him or the
Katai themselves. "I am contemplating a Sky Knowledge spell. Not
for locating the Vong, which we seem to have already done, but to
ask for help in determining how to take the power of flight from
these Vong. What say you? I ask because the spell is powerful
and likely to attract attention."
"Also, I don't suppose any of you are well skilled in the Astral
Flames spell?"
Farseeker laughs outloud and grabs his chest. "You? Wanting to
cast magic after you scold Arawn for days?" He grins his demonic
grin he learned from Balrog. Kiet realizes he is just having some
fun and not meaning to upset the acrobat. He turns a bit more
serious. "The flying beasts do give them an edge. They might be
able to see us for miles. There is nothing we can do about that
frankly. Even if we get rid of the beasts they might have smaller
units or beasts even as small as those insect map things that
can see us. But I do think it could be useful. The problem is
would they," he points up as if to say the gods, "know how to do
it? They don't seem too helpful against the Vong. Someone
mentioned weeks ago...was it Arawn or the High Elder? The gods
know so little of the Vong maybe they don't want to admit their
ignorance. But I could be wrong and they could give us that trick
to help us. I might do it in a day or two. That way if it is
detected it would be a while before they can track us that
far in the mountains."
Kiet mulls over other concepts in his mind. He scowls as he
thinks, but continues to be in obviously deep thought. He
obviously does not like the implications of this, but sees no
other way around this.
"I am puzzled, and more than a little annoyed over this. But I
have to ask you to consider this...Ki'ama has the power himself to
simply walk into the presence of the Vong and destroy them with
such a spell as Astral Fire...and they would have no defense
against it! Kiet pauses dramatically at this...then says "So
why send us? We seem to have every difficulty with this enemy,
but it need not be the case. Why, then, are we here? Why does
the Master of the Dark Lands send us when he knows we will have
trouble, but he could deal with them with impunity. I like not
the implication here." Kiet finishes and briefly glances at Zhou.
Zhou bristles with anger as the small acrobat who was a guest
of the Master would say such things about him. Zhou considers
defending the master and showing Kiet some respect. But then
some doubt comes to his own mind. Before he can speak others
do so.
Farseeker waves a hand in the air as he rides, "Simple. A
general sends in foot soldiers to test the waters and scout.
Even a powerful General will get tactical info first. I think
he could handle the Vong swiftly but he would also be at grave
risk doing so. A wise general gets the job done with intelligence,
both tactical info and wisdom, as well as good preparation."
Zhou calms down and speaks up, "The High Elder may be very
powerful. But he is also...well adjusted for his age. He
has his duty and responsibility to his people. You must also..."
He trails off a bit and thinks for several long moments. "Our
people do not like to go outside the Lands. He could come here
and help but it would be difficult work. The Sorceress alone
could take advantage and do great damage in his absence." It
seems the talkative majordomo has not been able to speak as
he should or want to as if lost for words.
"Likely he believes it will not be as easy as that. Only a
fraction of the Vong's technology and other surprises have surfaced
so far. I would imagine the High Elder has survived as long as he
has through caution and would not wish to risk his being personally
testing the limits of the Vong's ability to sense and deal with
magicians and thier powers. And even magics as powerful as those
that call on the Astral Fire is fraught with peril. We really
do not know if they have defenses against it but we do know that
their ability to resist magic is very strong and there has been
more than one tale told of magicians losing control of the Astral
Fire. It is one of those spells that when it fails, it fails
spectacularly and with dire results. But to add another idea to
the mix, perhaps the High Elder sends us out to test us, as some
have speculated. If so, then I think it quite likely that he is
watching and possibly trying to prepare some here for another,
deadlier mission some time in the future," Arawn replied.
------------------
[Time: 9:12pm]
The first day of travel ends and the camp is settled. The
area is safe being near the group so only a normal watch is set.
After dinner is fixed and cooked the party go about their own
duties and activities.
The group is on the edge of the foothills and just below the
eastern edge of the mountains. So the terrain is starting to
get rough and the cold plains are left behind.
Arawn is seen leaving the group and heading a bit over 100 feet
away. He is seen using a lantern to gather what looks like flowers
and pieces of wood. He soon builds a mini campfire for himself.
He starts to burn the flowers and piece of wood in some silent
ritual. Though the party has seen him go off alone many nights to
pray and likely try to speak to his parents this seems slightly
different ritual in some ways. But most know not to bother him
during this time as he stares up at the stars seeking answers.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Monday...
GM: I made a cropped map of the region you guys are in. It
at bottom of links. I also included a Legend link so you
can reference what the marks mean on the map with changes
for things that might come up.
GM: Remember you guys have no wagon now its left behind. After
I redid map I got the accurate travel estimates for below.
Even though 21 is the party speed I figure that's a 12 hour
period. The party will be pushing things to add an extra
hour of travel if possible. This is to also take advantage
of the late summer sunset which tends to be later. So some
days distance is 24 miles. I only post it below for my
own record keeping though the party has no idea how long
it will take till the end. So it could take 4 or 5 days.
So go with that knowledge rather than player knowledge.
Keep in mind that the estimate is there but the party
may decide to stop somewhere for a day or two.
GM: For skill training I will not count the last day since it
will only be a 2-3 hours ride. This is so folks can stay
alert and its not a full day's time for skill points.
GM: Skill training - [4 days - Aug 6-9th]
[Deadline: 2/18 - Midnight EST]
Arawn -* None listed
Ben'dar - [None - Now Npc]
Caladan - [Mountain Survival - 6 Points - +1 EL]
Chion - [None - Now Npc]
Farseeker - [Katai Language - Maxed, Donaran R&W - 6 points]
Fremea -* None listed
Kell -* None listed
Kiet - [Horsemanship - 8 points - Learning still]
Raban -* None listed
Strie'bog - [None - Now Npc]
Unail -* None listed
Z'leyra -* None listed
Zhou - [Sword training - 8 points]
GM: Magic/Energy/Health Status - By Aug 10th unless magic used
Energy Mana Health
Arawn -
Ben'dar - 100% 100% 100%
Caladan - 100% -- 100%
Chion - 100% 100% 100%
Farseeker - 100% -- 100%
Fremea -
Kell -
Kiet - 100% 100% 100%
Raban -
Strie'bog - 100% 100% 100%
Unali -
Z'leyra -
Zhou - 100% -- 100%
* If Blank I have to figure it out this weekend and it could
change with spells one may cast. Will update the above
for next update.
GM: Travel estimate -
Party speed : 21 MR due to slowest horse.
Total distance to go: 98 miles
Augado 6th - 7:30am-7:30pm - 21 miles
Augado 7th - 6:00am-7:30pm - 24 miles
Augado 8th - 6:00am-7:30pm - 24 miles
Augado 9th - 6:00am-7:30pm - 24 miles
Augado 10th - 6:00am-c9:00am- 5 miles [estimated]
GM: Small update for now. Was going to move the group forward.
But I need to consult my notes. I forgot to draw up any
possible non-vong encounters. Should've done that months
ago in prep but forgot. So will do that this weekend. Then
Monday will move the group a day or two forward.
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