[pnpgm] Game Update #98 - File #389 - Art of Influence
pnpgm
pnpgm at comcast.net
Tue Aug 26 07:14:49 CEST 2014
HT Aliaver/Player DS Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------
R1.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar .. Ma
--.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe
R3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma
R1.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human ..Ma
R4.J H Hooten........YN..Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human....Ma
W4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human ..Fe
R1 John.Stowman......YN..Will..............Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma
R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human ..Fe
-- Npc...............YY..Etain.............Teacher.Normal/Elf......Ma
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Squirt (Ferret) Kell, Wolf - Will
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 #98 in sequence (file #389)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Since only one guard Z'leyra will suggest to Kiet that they
stealth into and search the house...preferably without getting
caught. So they circle around and choose their moment to sneak
into the back when no folks are watching.
GM: Ack.
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
Kiet looks over to Z'leyra with a puzzled, somewhat apprehensive
look on his face. "Are you sure you want to do this? I ...
GM: Ack.
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions[
"One guard, in front of the house." replies Z'leyra. "The...
[Insubstantiability EL0 on herself from the alley behind the
house when no one watching]
GM: Ack.
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Z'leyra replies "Create a distraction only if needed. If ...
GM: Ack.
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
"I can always create a distraction, or (if we can get ...
I apologize for not replying much lately...I'm getting sent
out of country shortly for business/work and prepping for that.
GM: Ack. No problem. Sounds like your like Wout with his
travels. At least you try. At least you do have a good job.
If you ever needs a pause let me know.
From Fremea: [Re: Actions]
Fremea quickly puts her dress on, and then steps out of the
bushes to get Raban's attention. "Brother, there you are. I
GM: Ack.
--------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
[Sepes 29th, 1634TH]
[Location: City of Samma, Donara]
[Fremea/Raban group]
[Time: 9:19:21 am - Samma city, Donara]
Raban and Camile pass the hidden area where Fremea and the
enthralled guard are lurking. Raban glances over as Camile
explains that she would like to hear Raban sing and auction.
She gives a airy laugh while saying this clearly showing she
is a bit more interested in him than his singing. Raban glances
over her shoulder and sees Fremea wave.
"...so I usually hire for two weeks." Camile was saying.
"Excuse me. I will certainly consider your offer and your fine
establishment. But I think I misplaced one of my jewel pins at
the pond. Can I walk you to the tavern or can you make it on
your own?" Raban smiles and stops in place. He knows this a
bit rude of him but after all playing hard to get is a bit fun.
"Oh. Of course. I should be getting back. Like I say my
waitress would be overwhelmed soon. Just stop by any time. I'm
there in the mornings till dusk or so." Camile eyes Raban's large
chests and wonders what pin he is talking about. Sure the man has
some nice looking jeweled gauntlets so what is a simple pin to a
eloquent bard.
Raban reaches for Camile's hand and kisses it while bending
down. For a giant there is no short bow it is just bending down
as best one can be. "Till then."
Before the two part Fremea emerges from the woods down the path
behind Raban with her dress back on.
"Brother, there you are. I have been looking for you. I need
your help on the other side. Oh, I am sorry. I did not know you
are with someone. Could you please excuse him for a little bit?"
Looking at the barmaid. "It is terribly heavy that I need your
help with." Again looking at Raban. She puts on her best kid act
as she can.
Camile smiles at the young girl. "Of course. I was actually
on my way back."
Raban points to Fremea. "This is Fremea. Fremea this is
Camile owner of that nice tavern we entered back on the road."
Fremea does a shrug and slight bow of appreciation. Kids ten
to be ignored in such places so kids tend to care less about
adults owning taverns.
"See you later, Raban." Camile waves and moves down the
path down to the road.
"Raban Asherwood. I hope you will hear my fine stories in a
more...comfortable setting."
Camile nods and giggles a bit as she quickly moves out of sight
of the grove.
Once she has him with her again, she will take him to the spot
where the guard is waiting with the unconscious sicko. "I have the
guard under my influence right now. The slug has told me only half
truths. He is not fully scared of me enough to tell me the full
truth, but I do know that the errand Unali and Will were on to
get the guard is the right one.
I know that he does have a stash, as the guard here has told me
as much so far. I also know he is not completely out of the slave
game, just not the head of it and definitely the low man now."
Knowing Raban had a hard time last time with the treatment of the
other one. "I do not wish to cause you angst, but could you help
get the information from him? He does not matter too much anymore,
though he does still have a lot of information that we can use to
shutdown the slave trade. Or, maybe we should take him to the Inn
to have Kiet help us. Though I am not sure how much longer I want
to keep him near me." She waits for Raban's response.
Raban is impressed by the work of Fremea. She wonders how
the guard is under her control? Is it a spell or that mark thing
she mentioned? Maybe some power or maybe some special gift this
chosen one status bestows?
Hearing about capturing Mavac he smiles and knows Unali and
Kell with get the job done. The large man looks down at Grosis
in pure disgust. He considers what Fremea said last.
But before that Fremea mentally gives questions to the guard.
"Tell me of his operation. Do you know where he hides his stash
and slaves? How much of the operation is he still apart of?"
The guard replies in his very low tone like in a deep sleep.
"His operation? He spends most of his day eating, gambling,
carousing and merry making. He only gets a small cut now of
any funds mostly as a loyalty to remain silent. But everyone
knows he could be silenced fast. They seem to keep him alive
because he knows how to enter the forest and capture the winged
demons. He has hired pirates in the past to do the hard work
but he does most of the planning. Now though he has not in
quite some time. They believe one day when the slave for
such demons are in demand he might be useful. In fact it seems
the creatures are not as popular for mines and other work these
days. There is a rumor that some high up in Xan may be behind
the decline in the demand for such things. Now it is mostly
women and children. For more recreational arts. He has tried
to get back to the full trade but his funds are not as good as
they used to be."
"His stash I assume is at his home. We are always ordered to
stay outside so we only know he will occasionaly come out wit
coin bags for daily activities. I believe he only has one personal
slave now. A girl that was recently lost to Bogan due to a
gambling debt for a month. I do not believe or know of any
others he has." The guard stares at a tree across the way in
a absent minded way that seems to creep Raban out and that is
odd since a giant like him rarely gets creeped out.'
Raban looks down at Fremea with a sign of pained amusement.
"It is not what we do now that pains me. I care nothing about
this man and he should die. What he did to you. To others.
To women and girls. If you don't kill him then I will. But
I will help you to obtain the information. I may not be as
skilled in the art as Kiet but I have my ways. But before
we go a bit into this should we go to his place? Find this
stash and then kindly persuade him to talk? We'll have to
find a way to get him there or come back. I can fly him to
a tall tree he can't escape from. If we take him we could
pretend he is drunk or something. But the longer we are
on the street finding his place the more attention from any
city guards who might find a drunk man something of interest."
Raban looks to the guard. "How far is his place?"
The guard looks at the tree. Raban grunts and taps the
man on the shoulder. Then Fremea asks the question mentally.
"From here?" The guard tries to recall where he is located.
"Four..maybe five miles north east of here."
Raban nods, "I can carry him that far easily. But if
we could get a wagon or ride in a public carriage it might
help. But we can either question him here. Go to his place
for his stash. We could take him to Kiet for finer interrogation.
Though that might spoil some of our fun. I personally would
prefer to just leave him here. Find his place with the guard.
Return and then have some fun." He grins and flexes his
knuckles cracking and popping them.
[Time: 9:28:41 am - Samma city, Donara]
------------
[Kell/Unali's group]
[Time: 9:32:54 am - Samma city, Donara]
"...and so the Ogre eats the fox!" Kell laughs at the end
of his joke and watches as Unali just stares at the guard some
distance away.
"I know! There was once a barmaid, duke and this horse..."
Kell stops when he realizes it might be a bit too colorful of
a joke and looks thoughtful as if trying to find a clean joke.
Unali laughs at Kell's jokes. "Let's see if you know one bawdy
enough to wake this piece of shit so we can start carving him to
pieces. he seems still out. Otherwise we have to poke him with
this," and she pulls a dagger.
Kell stands and considers the great amount of jokes. There
are some nice one Kiet told form his homeland. he circles
Mavac staring the limp body. Then there is the Katai jokes
that seem to be a lot oriented to food for some reason. But
Unali probably knows those. Then Kiet shrugs and kicks the
city guard in the side of the ribs. "Now that is a funny
joke!" The city guard stirs slightly. Kell circles around
to give him another kick in the shoulder. The man begins
to stir and moan.
Kell then lean back on his ankles and slaps the man in the
face. "Did you hear about the city guard and the mistress of
the sea?" He at least planned to say that. But since he is
not fluent in Donaran he actually says, "Did you ear on the
warrior and the sea?..."
Unali waits till Mavac wakes up and starts asking questions.
She warns that she wants the truth from him or the consequences
will be severe.
Mavac starts to stir and opens his eyes at the constant slaps.
This insane man above him talking about a pearl and a man's
short comings or something very odd. Kell removes his gag and
warns. "Scream and only the birds hear you." At least that
is what he meant to say in Donaran but Unali hears rocks instead
of birds. Unali stands and moves over toward the city guard.
She draws the man up to a sitting position and twirls her dagger.
She uses the dagger to quickly remove the insignia from his chest
and sleeves. No man should represent a city and be a scum like
him. But Mavac just stares at her. "The city will not pay
any ransom. Let me leave now and you won't hang."
Unali glares at Mavac and throws down the insignia to where dried
horse droppings are. "I don't sell **men** into slavery, but I
have sold horses. I always found that they become far more easy
to handle if you cut some pieces first from a stallion. But
then, they are not a stallion any more, are they? Or men."
Mavac glares at Unali then Kell and realizes that this may be
something bigger. He knows he has been setup before by family
of those he "obtained." The weak people couldn't even do anything
to him then. But this one with the dagger seems at least visually
able to threaten. But a woman knows her place. Mavac decide sot
remain silent to see what will come next.
Unali sits back still holding her dagger in her lap while Kell
circles around them. Kell realizes that his language here will be
a bit hard without Unali helping.
Unali asks, "Who are you. Where do you live. Who do you report
to. Who are your man. How did you get into the slave trade. Where
do you keep your slaves. When and how do they get slaves. Who did
you sell to. Where do you keep your records. Where is your
profits stashed."
Mavac grins now and realizes these people know nothing. Thanks
to his father's beatings he could handle a simple beating with
no problem. He stares at the wall not answering.
Unali asks who he is knowing the answer but a control example
has to be set. Aren's palace spies taught her that. It only
takes a step in the door to move further. She asks the question
again. This time she takes the dagger and slices it from his
chin down to bellow button and rips his uniform shirt off. She
then sees scares on his shoulder, ribs and inner chest. She
isn't sure if they are battle scars are more. But from the looks
they seem to be some burn scars.
Unali draws the dagger down his arm drawing a thick line of blood
to fall to the ground. But Mavac remains silent. "Who are you?"
She asks three more times. Starting at his left foot she places
the dagger under his big toenail and twists. Mavac grimaces and
shows sign of anguish but remains silent. The now broken toenail
falls to the ground. Unali moves up the leg cutting both legs
from ankle to thigh. Then places the dagger around his waist
cuts the rest of his pants off. Now sitting with only underwear
she notices more scares on his leg. Looks like the right leg
must've had some stab marks.
Mavac turns and spits at Unali. Kell kicks him in the ribs forcing
him to move slightly to the left. Unali twirls the dagger in hand
and hovers it over his groin. Then with eyes staring at his eyes
she moves it down and makes contact with a testicle. She forces
the dagger down a bit each blink of the eye. Now the dagger is
pressed deep on it and his eyes water.
"Mavac! Captain Vilos Mavac you bitch!"
Unali smiles and then proceeds to cut the remains of his
underwear off. Best to get to the equipment. Now naked, Kell
seems a bit awkward seeing how Unali has done her work. He
crosses his legs tightly and makes mental note not to piss her
off.
Unali repeats the questions. This time she hovers his groin
and moves the dagger up and down his most prized part.
Mavac gets the idea and decides it might be best to talk for now.
"I live in the city. Owww!" Mavac grunts at the pain of the dagger
against the most sensitive areas. "East side of town. I report
to Colonel Darkem. My men? Slave trade? I'm a simple guard. Slave
trade is-" Unali forces the dagger in the inner thigh causing the
man some intense pain. "You....You are a idi...the money of course.
Money is power and slaves bring money." He turns to Unali and
smiles. "You could bring a duke a nice prize." At that Kell
kicks him in the ribs hard enough to fracture one rib. Stubborn
to the end.
"I captured some slave traders and found they were quite willing
to share...in everything. Where do we keep them depends on who
buys them. Most go to their owners right away. But mostly we
keep them at an estate outside of town. When we get them is when
demand is needed. You be surprised how many foreigners need our
poor help as city protectors. The nice runaway girl needing food
to avoid jail." He grins and then Unali places the dagger in his
shoulder collar bone. A trick she learned from the palace guards
in Maren. Twist is in such a way and causes great pain but does
not break his shoulder.
Kell grunts, "ah. We may need him alive?" He states his in
Marentian.
Mavac grunts in clear pain. He glares at her and considers
his options. Tied up. No weapons. Naked. He sighs and knows
that they need info and will keep him alive likely for a bit.
"Crews from ships. Passengers that did not pay their tavern
bills. Many ways to find desperate folks for our purpose. We
don't select based on one thing. Even the old sea sailors who
no longer can climb a sail make good mine workers until they
die. As to selling we don't simply auction them out in public.
But anyone with power and money knows how to find us. From the
moderately rich merchant to the nobles." then he realizes this
is bigger than just him. "You want to stop the trade?" He laughs.
"Stop one person and ten take their place."
Unali asks about profits and records. "How much money/gems/
stuff is there. Who are your former business partners. Did you
betray him. Tell me about the thief. Tell me about the faerries."
"The winged creatures? You feel for them?" He says the word
feel with great disgust. "They are not in much demand these
days. They do make good thieves and killers though. With
the right influence." Mavac considers his words. Betray?
What do these people know? "Grosis? The fool? He got to
greedy. Too open. Had that one creature in a cage and sold
admission! He deserves what he got. As to your other questions
I will not betray others. Kill me now and they will find you.
But I will not betray them."
Unali knows that the man has seen brutality and so torturing
him may be futile. She needs time to think and consider what
her next move is. She gags the guard and looks to Kell.
"Fetch the expert Kiet," and ungag Mavac for one last try.
Unali looks at Mavac, "Better be quick before that butcher
shows up," and ask the questions again till she is satisfied.
But Mavac listens to the drone of questions from Unali over
and over. His stone face looks at the wall as she continues
to draw blood among his leg, chest and neck with her dagger.
Kell looks at Mavac. "Fine. I'll go fetch Kiet. Keep
him sane at least. Leave a couple fingers if possible. I
know Kiet likes fingers." Then moves toward the door to
head to the tavern.
[Time: 9:58:12 am - Samma city, Donara]
---------------
[Kiet/Z'leyra/Etain's group]
[Time: 8:58:17 am - Samma city, Donara]
Z'leyra and Kiet move to the side of the street to outline
their plans to enter the Bogan house.
-----------------
[Arawn/Will's group]
[Time: 10:10:33 am - Samma city, Donara]
Arawn figures now that Kiet and Z'leyra aren't coming back
anytime soon. He decides to leave Etain alone and head to find
Jordi.
About half a hour later and some bad directions later Arawn
finds the tavern that Jordi should be at. The first thing
that Arawn sees is on the second floor of the tavern mid way
in the center is a decoration that looks just some normal
building decoration. But to Arawn's eye it is a symbol used
by the Sun-Shy. A circle like sun with spokes ending in
claw like spokes. To most it would be a simple thing but to
Arawn and the Sidh it is not. This place must indeed cater
to Sidh but likely in secret.
Entering the tavern Arawn finds it busy with morning crowd
of about 40-45. Couples, small family groups and a few
foreigners based on their dress. Arawn wonders if this
place is known by Etain? Why didn't he visit here? Rather
than that bar east of the farm. From the bar Arawn orders
a tea that he smells in the air. He eyes the room and the
humans all look normal. He doesn't know if these people are
sidh friendly or just dupes not knowing what this place might
be. Then he notices a tall human sitting at a table near a
door to the side to a back room. The man seems to be eyeing
his drink and playing with his food. But Arawn can see him
glancing over. Either he is paranoid or just curious.
Then Arawn notices other symbols inside along the walls A
simple forest painting but with images of a Sidh Board around
humans. A series of icon images not quite paintings but more
decoration along the walls. There is the Axe and Anvil pattern
with a form with a possible hammer in hand. Something like that
of a dwarf. There is a sword hung against the far wall that
has a very ornate hilt that Arawn can't tell form this distance
but seems to be something for a smaller humanoid like a Elf's
hands.
Arawn eyes the staff and sees humans all among them. A bar
keeper is cleaning glasses looks to be in his 50s and smiling
at some guy's comment in the corner. Nothing unusual for the
staff except the barkeep is holding a quill in his ear like ready
to write at. The quill is a bright purple like that of the
Perkle a bird that Elves have been known to tame as pets.
Arawn sits and waits at the bar. But there is no sign of Jordi
or any Sidh. Another 15 minutes or so pass then a man emerges
from the rear door where the man is sitting playing with his
food that is long since cold. The man taps the man which is
a clear sign the man is probably a bodyguard. Then moves toward
the bar and orders 6 more drinks and some more warm biscuits.
Arawn eyes the man's features and his face is rock hard and
rock hard chin. His brows are slightly higher than humans. But
his hair is long and well over his ears just like his own. From
the side Arawn can see the man glancing at him off an don. Arawn
decides to act like a clumsy person and slips off the bar stool.
he on purpose falls onto the man's arm and pretends to grab his
shoulder but in fact shifts his hair. Arawn then sees the clear
sign of a Elf with that ear. Arawn only sees it a second but
it is enough to give him hope. Arawn apologizes just as the man
reaches for a dagger at his belt but then decides not to do so.
As the tray of drinks is getting prepared the man suddenly
turns to Arawn and whispers. "Come with me or I'll make the
your accident look serious." As he does this Arawn can feel the
dagger at his ribs under the bar. The man is quick for sure and
he didn't even see him slip it off his belt.
Arawn then places his tea on the bar and with one hand pulls
his fingers to his ear as if to scratch it. Revealing his own
hidden Elven ears. The man steps back and his eyes widen. He
quickly places his dagger in his belt sheath.
"Sorry. I thought...you...were." The man begins to stammer
and his eyes dart back and forth on Arawn's features.
Elves by nature have a innate sense of who the superior
elf is by their bearing and power. This is how a Elf can
sense a Elder of high wisdom compared to a Elf drunk. But by
the same nature Elves have a sense of aura detection and this
man - this Elf - is now sensing and reading Arawn's aura. He
can sense great power. Great bearing. The Elf then realizes
Arawn must be of high born.
The Elf looks to the back and then to Arawn several times.
Considering his options. He then leans in and whispers. "Who
are you and why are you here?"
Will decided to keep Will at the tavern with Etain so now
he is alone. With a possible ally.
[Time: 11:06:25 am - Samma city, Donara]
---Ending Time---
[Current time for each group]
[Time: 9:28:41 am - Samma city, Donara] - Fremea/Raban
[Time: 9:58:12 am - Samma city, Donara] - Kell/Unali
[Time: 8:58:17 am - Samma city, Donara] - Kiet/Z'leyra
[Time: 11:06:33 am - Samma city, Donara] - Arawn/Will
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Friday?...
GM: I was going to do more but ran out of Brain power. Too
tired to finish. I just had Kiet's group to do. So I will
do that for next update. A good update for now size wise.
For the Unali stuff that was email and not my stuff so don't
think I'm that scary. Well I am. I'm worse. :) But just
wanted to let you know its all player action. I will try to
work on update in a few days. But I have a big day Wednesday
so may not have time to finish it. So do not be shocked if
no update Friday.
Fremea - Some choice to make now on where to go now.
Kiet/Z'leyra - If need to refine the plan you got some time.
Otherwise I suppose a few of the options outlined in post
and emails will be done. Will assume distraction is only
if needed and will use sphere initially by Kiet. Based on
that intel though what then? If no info will just report
results of sphere in next update. Then you can decide.
It is ironic that Kiet is skilled in interrogation and we have
2 being questioned and Kiet not around! :)
Arawn - I forgot about Will since he's so quiet that I just
added him at end and left him behind. Sigh. But I
hope there is a good place to go from here.
GM: Tasks to do -
* Find mysterious Mage - Upcoming updates
* Sell loot if possible Upcoming Updates
GM: Teams -
Find Fremea's slaver - Fremea, Raban
Town slavers - Kell, Unali
Find Moon Gort - Arawn, Will
Bogan scrolls - Kiet, Z'leyra, Etain
GM: Now for something a bit more serous. This is the sixth
adventure in this pbem since June of 1999. So its has been
14 years. A long time. Right now only Alex and Wout are
the core original people. We had a person who wanted to
join by has not gotten back to me. But now we have lost
Raban and Kell. Folks are really busy with Wout traveling,
Will starting a business, Tobie doing his own self employment,
David now traveling and myself with my own self employment.
Basically means all are busy. We've seen less and less
activity overall. I'm wondering if the game has run its
course? After this adventure is over. Should we even
continue? I do the game because it is fun and its a good
stress relief. Course it is aggravating at the other end by
time that is consumes I could be doing other stuff at home.
I like weaving stories. But what should we do? I could
maybe just pull back to a one update a week rather than 2?
Maybe even less maybe once every 2 weeks? Would that help
or make things worse? I'm open to all views in here or in
private email if need be. Don't need votes per se but I
can denote them as rough votes if need be. I'm just trying
to figure out where to go from here. I do appreciate the
time put in to this and the help you guys do in the game. But
I know today's world is just much more a bustle than 1999.
With 9/11 the world changed and so one must organize better.
Let me know. This is NOT a "I quit" message. I'm still game
for the time being. But I figure I can ask for your views.
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