[pnpgm] Game Update #18 - File #54 - Aftermath of the Vong
pnpgm
pnpgm at comcast.net
Tue Apr 9 19:46:55 CEST 2013
HT Aliaver/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------
R1.John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar Ma
--.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe
R3.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
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
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Squirt (Ferret) Kell
Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/
Public posts/actions to pnpgm at list.powersandperils.org (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm at comcast.net
Game Update #18 in sequence (file #54)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From David: [Re: Z'leyra's death]
Just so everybody understands...Kiet was joking...it was,
after all, 04/01...
He figured that Z was alive and well.
GM: Ack. Sure you did. J/k. Yeah I didn't fool you. But
at least I got 3.5 fooled. :) Once suspected but then
based on later comments figured might be real so I count
that as a half victory. :)
From Tobie: [Re: Joke]
I even asked Scott if that was an April Fool's joke. I
figured it was, when he didn't reply to me :) Just had to
play to it though otherwise.
GM: Ack. :) Yep. You suspected.
From Alex: [Re: Joke]
I admit it! I knowingly took part in the April Fools joke.
It wasn't hard for Scott to recruit my assistance.
I hope that you guys enjoyed it...or at least weren't too
upset by it.
GM: Ack. :)
From Will: [Re: Joke]
So Will is confused does this mean that he still owes Z' a
bunch of money or not?
Or that is to say that he was so heartbroken at her demise
and is now so releaved to find that it is in fact some sort
of dream er terrible night mare that he is sure that all
debts which had been canceled during this horrible episode
will remain cancelled just for good measure and to avoid any
additional stress that would otherwise be caused. Will is
all about reducing stress and discomfort.
GM: Ack. I believe her Will no not you her document Will had
plans that debts would be paid in service so you would have
to work at a old's folks home for a few years cleaning old
people and bathing them. But she might have changed that will.
From David: [Re: Joke]
Not only do you still owe her, but you owe her interest for
all three timelines...
GM: Ack. Dang! You stole my line. I was going to say he
owes all three Z'leyra's. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
[Augado 11th - Sepes 24th, 1634TH]
[Location: The Middle & Upper World]
As the party goes on their ways to do their own separate tasks
and duties the world continues to spin. Millions around the
planet never learn of how close they were to having that shiny
moon fall on them and causing the world to probably shatter. The
nameless heroes would be only known by a few in Marentia, Dark
Lands and Katai. Yet over time stories will be spread. Legends
will begin to grow and tales of the fateful days in Sepes will be
given.
To the gods there was great debate. Should they even intervene
to save the world if it had happened? The Agreement was clear
that no god would directly influence those in the middle world.
Course they can get around this by using Avatars and fanatics
who support them. The Avatars are a select few that are
appointed by the god they serve to be their voice and eyes.
In some cases it may be simple spreading the faith. In some
extreme cases they are the Hand of the God. They will act
as a possible executioner. For those who defy the god or
the faithful. The alignment conflicts are true and wide
spread in these ranks. The faithful could be a high priest
or a lowly beggar who sees their life better with this god
and not the other.
Despite the Agreement the gods for the most part felt that
interfering would be wrong. A few of course did. Some like
Kototh was fuming after his portal was destroyed. Of all the
gods he wanted the moon to not be dealt with. Secretly Kototh's
minions found the portal and the god himself was only minutes
from arrival. He was willing to break the Agreement if he could
deal with the lowly humans. He would risk a God War that would
have ravaged the world to complete ruin. The Agreement has a
few loopholes like "natural" portals could be explored and
entered if there might have been a danger or risk to the Upper
World. Kototh set in place long ago when the Vong first arrived
the fracture of the plane divide in that volcano. He knew it
existed many years ago. It was thanks to that first Vong group
that allowed him to help the fracture grow. But by then it
was not a full portal and was not allowed to cross. Then the
Vong arrived again with that Brain which through it's influence
grew the fracture into a full blown portal. Kototh had planned
to come and use the Vong as his new master service race. The
fact they use snakes only endeared the god.
Centuries in the middle world meant 40 times that in the
upper world. Gods are patient and Kototh waited and waited.
One of his minions learned from Soqed Hozi that there was
belief the Vong would return again. But the Lord of Time
felt they were of the Balance and not a threat. Kototh had
heard this story and used it in hopes to guide the Vong back
to the Rising Mount.
Now Kototh is fuming and ready for some violence. Especially
that Alfar that some believe the Avatar of Payan. Rumors have
spread that the Avatar will continue his threat against those who
do not like the Sidh. Rumors spread that this Alfar has used
unnatural powers and this only enforces their belief in his
new status. Payan only denies this saying he is on his own
destiny and his growth is not there yet. If this is true or not
only a few may know.
In the Citadel High Elder Ki'ama is happy with the results.
Not only for preventing this threat they have passed their
own tests. Though he is still worried about two in the party
he will watch them from afar. He is surprised the party has
not found this out on their own. But so far those are not
direct threats to anyone. Once they are then he will have
to act himself if they are a big threat. From his own high
metaphorical glass tower he is aware of even stronger groups
out there. But he knows he will keep his eye on the party
who saved the world.
The Sorceress would suspend all Katai training for a month.
Then just a couple weeks ago she would allow them to come
and test the waters. She knows the training there is a test
of their prowess and survival skills. Secretly she can select
the best of the best from these groups. One day she will
have some missions of their own in the Dark Lands in order
for her own agenda.
In Katai, Captain Lin would be promoted to Lieutenant
General. Not a full battlefield general as he does not
have the tactics training to direct men. but these are
more logistics and administration. Under the leadership
of the Master General he would form a task group to hunt
down any remaining Vong as well as Katai collaborators who
may have helped the Vong. It takes weeks to track down
the nobles especially those in the Empire in the south to
round them up. Master General is gleeful to further his
own power by purging more possible threats. Even when
a noble wasn't helping the Vong they were given warrants
regardless based on witnesses. A Empire of 7 million
is full of witnessess even if that person wasn't even
in the same city.
Lin was able to round up 22 Vong Warriors who were
in hiding. The Shapers must have fled and left the
warriors. One such warrior was even taken to the
Emperor and executed to show how they tolerate death
and injury. Lin did not know though that this even
encouraged the Emperor. To have such beings fight
without fear or question authority. Secretly the
other Vong would be privately jailed and investigated
as much as possible. Even wizards were used to try
their own vile magic to learn who and how they were
being so strong. Even the high command uses magic
if it means to their advantage. Lin would be side
tracked to hunt the Peace Brigade down. Once their
masters were broken and the coins not coming in most
quickly disbanded and went into the wind.
But with a Empire so vast and diverse the Brigade
needed to communicate. This meant scrolls and letters.
Many were found leading to more arrests. In all but
one of the cities in the Empire the leaders were
found and soon executed. This would soon lead to
other purges as these leaders were nobles even who had
access to the capital palace. In all by end of Sepes
some 712 Brigaders were arrested. Most are now serving
in prison for many years. At least 68 of those were
executed for their actions as leaders. By the end of Sepes
the tendrils grew in the conspiracy. Merchants, warehouse
owners and captains of ship fleets were also investigated
and are being tracked for possible arrest. Lin suspects
that with the help of the Baroness captured there could
be as many as 5,000 Brigaders still out there. But there
may be no hope to find them all.
In fact 4 Shapers had escaped in Katai using their
maskers. Not enough of those maskers to bring their
troops. But they are expendable. One would sail to
Lemasa and the other 3 would soon plot and plan their
own agendas among the masses of Katai. They know they
have little help and support. But they still have
caches of Vong materials. Maybe one day if not while
they are alive they can bring their allies back to
destroy this dreadful planet. One such Shaper would
arrange before the Orbs all died a mass communication
protocol for contacting each other. They would have
to rely on word of mouth and those letters. Such
arcane technology was wasteful. But until she could
tame some humans for their cause they had to get
settled. While the vast materials like the Amphistaves,
Orbs and Coralskippers would be useless in weeks there
were some things still working. Biological lifeforms
that would survive with the Brain gone. Nom Amor had
planned on this and setup protocols for "lost tribes"
as the humans say. The Shapers around would have to
use even the disgusting magic to help them now. They
would be tainted by the human technology and magic
but the gods betrayed them. So they feel science will
prevail. Now to find the ones who were involved. Word
go to them that the humans escaped from the mountain with
the villagers. Among them was one such Shaper. She
would never forget party.. The only connection was this
man who seems to have helped them. In her disguise as
a human she asked his name, this Captain Lin. He would be
guarded and alert. But time would only benefit. In this world
she might live a century. She can wait and plot.
Around the world the Vong had sent out groups to start
the growth of regional brains and supplies. These total
around 312 in many nations. Once the World Brain was killed
the smaller brains would suffer. With out his influence
and direction they would soon die by end of Augado. Each
of these groups would have at least one Shaper. At first
the rumors spread and the Outcasts were slaughtered as they
must have been behind the sabotage. Then word came from a
a half dead Orb that what really happened. Shimara and
the stronghold was destroyed. The groups would be ordered
into plan B set out by Nom Amor. But the Shapers knew
the warriors could not just go around town without
maskers. The warriors are like children and restless. They
would want action. They could never last for years doing
nothing. Some Shapers killed their bodyguards or made
them sleep with Vong pills. Some groups would take over
a castle or estate to live on. Some Shapers would seek
their own mini-kingdoms if they could. Like the Shaper
in the Roginzi Empire took over a castle after killing the
leader with very little bloodshed.
The true survivals may not be known to anyone but Arawn
did have a hint at it. The Brain flashed burned some of
the information to his brain. But even Arawn knows it
would take a dozen Chion's to go from place to place to
stop the Vong and recruit native folks. A daunting task
that would be too difficult to complete. But Arawn can
at least help out by spreading word through Duke Aren,
the High Elder and Lin of what he learned. From there
it is up to share the info.
On Yuuzhan'tar, the Vong homeworld two Vong would know
the truth. To the great mass around the sector in many
worlds the Vong lost this strange world due to a bad growth
on a World Brain. The great Hero of Praxis Supreme Commander
Shimara would be raised in honor as he killed the Brain
personally to prevent the vile creatures from coming here
to taint the Vong thanks to the World Brain. The chief
Shaper would inform the leaders that the portal is gone
and the radiation in the area would be around for at least
500-600 years even with their radiation creatures doing
a lot of the clean up. The leaders knowing the truth
would seek the best astro-gazers. They would find the
stars they knew existed and send a fleet if they could
to seek vengeance. That is if they could find the planet
if it was even in this galaxy. The silly humans and
their gods thinking they are alone there.
Na'goz and Omini would be the ones to know the truth.
Na'goz fled when the battle started. With the masker
he has prohibited technology. Not that he would just
return it to a Shaper camp. That would be suicide.
It would take Omini a long time to track down the other
Outcast. But only so many existed in that world. So
it would be a bit easy to do so. Together they would
speculate and plan. Omini would share the tale of
the battle to the other who simply missed it. Omini
would tell how the strange one with the ears would tempt
and sound so hopeful. Omini knows the Outcasts have little
chance. But after Jacen's death hope started to stir. Maybe
there was hope and a future. With the masker in hand the
two formed the first of the rebel groups on the homeworld.
They could sneak into Shaper camps and gain more technology.
Even as the war drums of revenge is sounded by the leaders
the first fringes of revolt rises.
Back in the human world or the Middle World the small
tavern owned by Cholan is now serving a party on Sepes 24
for Ben'dar and Pasha. A pre-wedding party. Folks also
use this time to hear about their own adventures. Arawn
has returned from the Dark Land looking stronger and more
wise though haggard. Fremea stayed in town to try to
learn more of the world at large. Kell would return from
Ba'ru with news that he is now a land owner. Kiet spent
the time at Z'leyra's manor as he improved his own skills
and spell techniques. Raban would go from city to city
in his role as Bard. The story of the party would spread
though with no names for privacy. Only given alias names
like the High Elf or Dagger Mistress or Shaman-Mage. Unali
or the Dagger Mistress would spend time in Maren and doing
her intrigue thing at the palace. Of all the party she
seems to enjoy being in the dirty alleys or the dance
halls of the palace with little change. Will would also
spend time at Z'leyra's and learn first aid among other
things from her. Z'leyra would improve her body through
much training and work at her manor.
But the others were missing. Chion, Strie'bog and
even Malic. It felt bad to be at a party with out them.
Cholan heard that Malic may have left by ship back to his
own Empire. But he is not sure as some report he may still
be in the city.
As the party starts whispers are heard between Kaylle
and Fremea at a side table.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update....Friday...
GM: A prelude to the start. Who knows maybe Malic is still
around and wants back in? (If so just email me!). In
the next 3 days I'll be working on the final adventure
details. So I hope to get the start of the adventure
for Friday if not for sure by Monday at the most. Now
after 3 months of IBT we can start. I think this is
the longest we've done. But I could be wrong. I
hope it was a good break for you guys. For me it was
a ton of work. I hoped you enjoyed the IBTs only
David commented on them and I appreciated his comments.
I tried to make them some what entertaining. With
Z'leyra's though there is only so many ways to say
"does watchful sleep again" for the 83rd time :). She
did almost die twice in that IBT from the Sith and
the Earth Giant. She got lucky. I think of all
the IBTs aside from the one of Fremea's attack she was the
closest of death if I recall. At least a phase from death
for sure. I tried but theres always to kill during the
adventure. :) You guys are free to talk and mingle. Share
IBT adventures. Unless stated by you no one will know what
you did unless seen. So for example the time travel done by
Z'leyra is only known by Kaylle and Corona. You share what
you want. Some gifts were shared so you guys can talk about
that if need to.
GM: Status - Character status is just a tool during initial
setup. But some think it as a vital thing to improve.
Keep in mind the Status on the sheets means little.
Like Unali who may be low status she can attend the
palace dances which only maybe status 8 and above can.
A king can be a beggar and vice versa. It is how one
acts and does that determines status. One can be dressed
like a beggar but act like a high priest and be friends
to a King. Now with that said there is a hidden behind
the scenes that I only know for status. A thing I have
done for some 20 years with the game long before anyone
here. I keep track of what folks do and have done or will
do and keep track of their Reputation. This was a home
brew system based n Traveler, Tinstar/Owlhoot (a old
west game) and a few others. In Tinstar gunslingers got
high reps and had to deal with kids who wanted their own
street credit. The same thing applies to this game.
Reputation will grow on many factors. Actions - kill
a King get a high rep for obvious reason but simply
take out a Chaos castle stronghold and gain another
rep. Items like having the Great Sword of Doom will
be like a gunslinger using a silver pearl gun a very
unique rep. But a guy using a simple sword would be
ignored. This includes the amount of items or magic
items. Spells as well. Going to your max levels and
being the best can get a certain rep. For Chion he
might be noticed by the gods for his teleport spell. A
god might see it as benefit to spread the faith and send
help but another god might see it as a threat and send
a Avatar to kill Chion. In the end the process is secret
but I take into account many factors from alignment -
if one is using good to destroy all Chaos then the
Chaos gods will be quite upset and thus the rep for
the chaos gods would be increased as "bad". But the
overall point is everything is taken into account.
There are human reps and god reps. Lin will know
Raban's rep as a great fighter but to others he is
a sex machine only. To the gods he may only be
a fly to ignore but to those gods who do not like
the Mir influence would see him as a threat as he
is a half-breed and using that ability to fly against
them (in their eyes). In the end these charts I've
come up take into account all these points. There
are various levels of reputation. At one point a
god might be upset enough to investigate by sending
the faithful or Avatars the threat or to recruit. A
king might hear of Chion's teleport rep and want to
hire him as a messenger but a gang lord could see it
as a possible way to recruit and gain more power so
will try to take him out or recruit. I just wanted
to give a generic view of status so one can act on it.
In the past the only one to be affected by this mainly
was Varange. But I wanted to warn folks that things
are noted. Like in Star Wars role playing game if you
gain too many Dark Side points your character turns dark
and you lose it can't be played anymore (their rules
but not in this game). A person could have 3 or 4
various Reputations but they will never been known.
But keep this in mind how npcs are done. Like why Xian
and Farseekers things different compared to others.
GM: If folks need a new sheet let me know. Some had to
do last minute changes so may not have them.
GM: Right now Fremea is party leader as voted for this
adventure being her quest. Since she is in touch
with me in chat I can get fast responses which will
greatly improve and speed things up. For the next
adventure you guys can still vote on what that will be.
GM: Right now no one knows where the party will be going.
But soon it will be known as players. Once that is
decided Fremea will decide on the mode of travel. At
that point you guys will need to plan on what you will
take and so will need that info later. Just be prepared
to do so later on.
GM: Going to be updating some files soon from my own archives.
I need to update for example the Tanning rules to improve
it a bit. I believe Z'leyra only used them (and Raban
but John is gone so not now). I will report on these
changes over time. So stay tuned.
GM: So far Z'leyra and Arawn only took the Tweaks that
are out there. Z'leyra improved her Dex and Agil
scores by one multiplier. Arawn did his Eloq if I
recall. Z'leyra paid for many tweaks as well. Just
a reminder for the next IBT. I may be over time
do some changes in these areas but will alert folks later.
GM: New game situations -
* Hit Location: Right now I do a simple d12 for melee
and missile fire. To make things more realistic
will be using a more in depth system. I like the
Fringeworthy hit location charts the best. A decade
or two ago I wrote a program for those charts so
will have them handy. But will go back to the
old chart if there is mass combat. But will use
the new system for small say 3-4 guys only. This
will reflect changes in other areas. Making combat
more deadly.
* To balance the super characters I have to make things
harder. Combat will be one such area. Hits to
ribs or liver will be more damaging then having some
person stand and fight for 5 min as your liver bleeds.
This will add to my work load but will be a bit more
realistic if I have time to do so.
* Armor/Weapons - Damage to weapons will be the same.
Armor I was using the simple One Hit rule ie x5 AV
is -1 AV. That was fine but with all these magic
armors some balance is needed. So will be using the
more realistic DR Damage Resistance rules. So each
point of damage to armor is -DR. So a AV1 is 15
points before it is AV0 and destroyed. This will make
armor less durable but more realistic.
* Infection: With more realistic damage we can have more
infections, blood loss, coma and other effects. Thanks
again to the old Fringeworthy charts (the best universe
of charts ever) I have such things everything from blood
lose to spinal damage charts. These means a person
taking 14 hits and still standing may not be so realistic
but a person falling after the 4th hit and grabbing his
side as the blood gushes is more realistic.
* Item damage: I've been ignoring this for a while. But
it is time to damage things. This means wearing a
necklace and taking a chest swipe by a sword might
cut the necklace off. A mace to the wrist might
crush that gauntlet. A arrow in the boot will damage
it. A ring scratched by a slap against a giant. So
stay tuned for that sort of thing.
More as I think of it.
GM: On the website is a picture of Kiet more or less. It
is an example of clothing/armor he may be wearing. He
can do more explanation if needed. If folks want to
add their own self portraits let me know. We had
Cholan's picture at one point.
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