[pnpgm] Game Update #84 - File #666 (egads) - More cave details

[pnpgm]

    Character Name   Type       Player        Sex           Notes
..Arawn...........Druid...John.Haight........Ma..Alfar/Backup Navigator
..Dorhak..........Warrior.Kevin.Newark.......Ma..Captain/Leader/Dwarf
..Fremea..........Sidh....Tobie.Bonahoom.....Fe..Faerry/Archer/Magician
..Ix..............Shaman..Rachelle.Gauthier..Fe..Human/Shaman
..Kiet............Acrobat.David.Sanders......Me..Human/Magician
..Maelorna........Dancer..Don.Kerr...........Fe..Human/Seductress
..Mournath........Sailor..Gibert.Isla........Ma..Human/Navigator
..Pyandalgor......Hunter..Panthera...........Ma..Human/Hunter
..Raddok..........Miner...Bess Hadley........Ma..Human/Miner
..Unali...........Ninja...Wout.Broere........Fe..Human/Dagger Maiden
..Z'leyra.........Healer..Alex Koponen.......Fe..Human/Shaman/1st Mate
..Barbosa.........Warrior.Npc................Ma..Dwarf/Outcast
..Brutto..........Sailor..Npc................Ma..Sailor #1
..Finn............Sailor..Npc................Ma..Sailor #2
..Ardrackle.......Sailor..Npc................Ma..Sailor #3
..Zepp............Sailor..Npc................Ma..Sailor #4
..Corona..........Eagle...Npc................Ma..Companion to Z'leyra
..Zol.Zim.........Wolf....Npc................Ma..Zehani Wolf/Ix's Friend

         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 #84 sequence (file #666)
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         Admin Egads file 666!
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         [Recap]

            From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
                 Kiet DOES have an official climbing skill, btw.
            GM: Ack. Yep.  I checked all sheets 
for that and awarded experience.  For you there 
was the acrobat bonus as well.  :)

            From Raddok: [Re: Actions]
                 Raddok had been relieved that 
climbing apparatus was in place 


                 (OOC: does he notice anything in that space?]

                 "He just wants you to go over 
and look at something on the wall," 


                 [GM - just let me know if 
Raddok's Mental Invulnerability makes anything 
look different to him, or if he can operate 
better due to any protection. Thanks! -
            GM: Ack. Roger on mental stuff.

            From Raddok: [Re: Actions]
                 When, at the beginning of the climb, Kiet tells Raddok about 


                 He looks at Kiet's pack. "I can 
carry a little bit more, if that 

            GM: Ack.

            From Kiet: [Re: Spell]
                 Before we go into the cave, if 
allowed, Kiet would like to cast his Infinite 
Sight spell at maximum EL.  If not allowed, Kiet 
will exit the cave for a moment and do so outside the opening, then return.

                 Should a thought about that earlier.
            GM: Ack. That's fine but be wary of Velf's warnings.

            From Dorhak: [Re: Actions]
                 The first thing when entering any unknown area underground, 

            GM: Ack.

         --------------------------------------------------------------------
         [New Stuff]

         [Ma 3rd, 1636TH]
         [Time: 11:39 am – Ma'Dor town – Vahear]

            When, at the beginning of the climb, 
Kiet tells Raddok about having climbing gear, 
Raddok tells Kiet, "That's good! I also have my 
grapple, 50' of fine climbing rope, pikes & a 
hammer. That means we have extra - we might need it."

            He looks at Kiet's pack. "I can carry 
a little bit more, if that gets too heavy for 
you. I can manage another 20# without much 
difference, & still have room to carry more - if 
you need help." Then he turned away to finish the sling he was rigging.


         [Time: 12:25 pm – South-East of Ma'Dor]


         [Time: 12:28 pm – Ma'Dor town – Vahear]

            Raddok had been relieved that 
climbing apparatus was in place for the climb 
down the cliff, although he checked the pins for 
their secureness as he had descended. He was a 
bit disturbed by the heavy darkness, which 
signaled magic to him, but he had seen such 
before, so it just heightened his alertness. He 
had a feeling of an unseen presence & briefly 
wondered if Fremea or someone else was close by, 
but let them slide out of his thoughts to avoid 
looking for them. He saw glowing lichens on the 
rocky walls & carving that might have been 
pictures, designs or symbols of some kind, but 
when he heard Velf's warning, he did not want to 
look at them closer & quickly checked the ceiling overhead for low spots.

            Barbosa was busy wrapping his scrapes 
and cuts from the rough descent outside & he went 
over to check them out. They appeared 
superficial, then Velf called out, pointing & 
waving at the dwarf, who was still hanging on to 
the end of his bandage in his teeth, as he 
smoothed & evened out the wrappings on his wrist. 
Barbosa looked quickly at Raddok, who, after a 
quick moment, nodded back to the man.

            "He just wants you to go over and 
look at something on the wall," he said quickly 
in Dwarf Elder. "He said something about humans 
getting - sick or something - when they tried to 
read it." He stood back a little & helped pull 
the dwarf to his feet, but then gave him a mild 
shove forward, and leaned forward to talk in his 
ear, but also grimaced, as if mildly annoyed. 
Raddok whispered, "He says it's Dvallin. And he 
needs you dwarves to read it. Come on," he said 
louder, "He says you'll be a hero." And he 
smiled, a bit grimly, keeping an arm out to 
steady the dwarf ahead of him. He found he had to 
slide his eyes over any carving, or he got slightly light-headed.

            He wondered if the magic here was one 
he was invulnerable to or not. He had some mental 
invulnerability to certain magics, & other mental 
magic he was immune to, but he had no real 
experience to automatically know if he was 
protected or not. He also had no idea what was 
going on here yet, although he certainly didn't 
think Fomoria needed any more power than they 
already had grabbed. Right now, though he needed 
his eyes and awareness - they all did.


         [Time: 12:45 pm – Ma'Dor town – Vahear]

            The first thing when entering any 
unknown area underground, Dorhak will stop and 
simply inhale thru his nose, slowly and deliberately, and see if he smells
those rumored goblin bastards.

            As the dwarf takes a deep breath his 
senses get many tidbits of information.  There is 
no sign of goblins.  But the cave itself smells 
both ancient and new.  As he turns he can detect 
the new smell is the entrance.  This confirms the 
story the guide has stated, that the entrance was 
deep among a larger cliff area.  He wonders 
though was the 'mine' here in the old 
pre-avalanche cliff or is this a natural 
cave?  Yet as he turns deeper into the cave 
darkness the smell is moldy and old like its been around for eons.

            Dorhak also tries to signal Barbosa, 
speaking to him silently as dwarves often can, 
telling him to also be aware of various odors in this cavern.

            Yet Barbosa seems more occupied with 
his cuts and bruises from his controlled 
fall.  At least controlled as one can do with little dignity.

            Dorhak turns to Raddok and says in 
Dwarf Elder, "If we are to lead the way, and this 
pissant human is too frightened to take care of his own problems,
shouldn’t we at least be given weapons and shields?"

            After this, he moves forward, with or 
without weapons just to read the glyphs.  He 
likes it down here, and the carvings make him feel somewhat homesick.

            He wonders whatever happened to the 
People (dwarves, obviously) that used to live 
here.  He hopes the humans didn't exterminate 
them.  If that becomes evident, Dorhak will most 
likely kill this human scum using suggestions 
from Kiet about how best to make it a long and 
painful death.  Then the others on this island
had best beware.

            Dorhak chooses to tell Raddok, in 
Dwarf Elder, what the runes & glyphs mean, and 
anything else about the carvings and space they are in.

         [Time: 12:50 pm – South-East of Ma'Dor]

            Fremea flies toward town to find 
Unali but the crafty woman can be hidden in plain 
sight.  Especially wearing black and in the 
shadow side of buildings. But after a few minutes 
Fremea lucks up and spitsher behind a general 
store on edge of town on east side where party came in from.

            Fremea sneaks up and tap's Unali's 
right arm as she is reading some 
parchment.  Unali side steps left pulls a dagger 
and thrusts it at – thin air. Fremea also side 
stepped and giggles.  She explains what happened 
to the party and where they are now.  She wonders 
if Unali can run like a horse as its nearby but 
some distance away?  Course if Unali is seen 
walking that way it might brute's distraction failed.

         [Time: 12:52 pm – South-East of Ma'Dor]

            Inside the cave Velf begins to 
rummage in his backpack.  Kiet quickly adjusts to 
the dark cave as his new magical eyes flood in 
the details.  Kiet can't see magic like the Sidh, 
but he can see good.  Oddly toward the west even 
his magical eyes seem to show darkness.  Arawn 
also notices this in the west but he senses no 
magic.  The Alfar begins to scan the runes which 
are mostly elaborate cave drawings. It is as if 
runes are secondary to the pictures.

            “Most scholars are clueless on 
drawings like those.  Some figure they can go to 
a lame school like those in Ticasi.  But it takes 
pure experience with in depth research.  Not some 
stupid way the chalk was tilted.” Velf pulls out a second torch.

            The dwarfs, Arawn and Kiet can see 
the drawings in the dim lantern light. But the 
others have to squint and then with 
difficulty.  Arawn tries to use his scholar 
skills and other skills but sees no magic in the drawings.

            “No need to waste your time with the 
paintings.  We've studied them already.  It shows 
the short people in various scenes.  A great 
battle against humans.  Two brave dwarfs versus a 
giant.  A dwarf general looking over a hill 
watching a battle as a massive storm rages.  The 
others are pretty much the same.” Velf 
continues.   Then pours some flask onto a torch 
soaking it to last for a long time.

            “Clearly this place was made by 
dwaves.  We've scoured the island.  They are long 
gone or deep in some mountain we've not 
found.  Clearly its glory boasting.  Stuff such 
paintings around the world show.”  Velf stands 
and with open lantern ignites the torch.  He caps 
the lantern and put it to its side.

            The runes to Arawn denote names or 
possible sites but no real stories of any 
length.  But there is something odd about that 
storm drawing.  It doesn't denote glory or actual 
wining. Just a fierce battle.  Yet it seems out 
of place. But he can't pinpoint it yet.

            Velf waves the torch, “let's get to 
the real attraction.  We are safe as there are no beasts here.  Follow me....”

            Velf leads the party down a decline 
that is about a 30 degree slope.  The party moves 
about 60-70  feet.  Kiet wonders why he was given 
a 30 foot warning? But the party is now 90-100 feet from the entrance.

            Velf raises a hand, “beyond here it gets dangerous.”

            Both Arawn and Kiet continue to see a 
strange darkness.  To Arawn he has seen chaotic 
magical darkness.  But this seems to be different 
somehow as there is still no sign of aura or its hidden well.

            Velf lowers the torch and shows a 
sudden edge to the tunnel.  “Walk past that line 
you fall into endless abyss.   No need to 
translate this but that's where a few dozen of 
the shorties are probably now.  Now can translate 
again.”  He waves the torch and the cave itself 
is about a 35 foot wide passage with about 50 
feet tall ceiling here.  But there is nothing on 
the walls or ceiling.  Velf points to a small 
circle in the center of the pass about 5 feet in 
diameter.  “When I say the dwarf will step here.”

            Velf circles twice and then with some 
hefty effort tosses the lit torch west.  As if in 
slow motion the torch  shows the abyss about 25 
feet wide.  The torch then lands onto the ledge on the other side.

            That's when Kiet and Arawn seem to 
notice the darkness fall away.  In a few moments 
all in the party see the torch shine on a thick 
indigo black colored wall.  The wall is very 
slick and smooth wall.  This is clearly no 
natural wall. This wall is the entire length of passage lefto right.

            “Many such trial and error here.”  Velf places hands on hip.

            This is when Arawn's magical sense 
rings.  Top left and top right are two clear 
crystals palm sized.  They begin to glow as soon 
as the torch hits the wall. This may be why Velf 
suggests no magic.  The wards seem highly 
powerful maybe even more than what the High Elder 
could do.  But as he senses and reads the wall no 
details are given as to its purpose. There is 
strong masking magic here.  Also looks like some 
possible purified ground so casting the wrong 
magic could be bad – if its elder ground but Arawn can't read it correctly.

            “Beyond that is the true 
treasure...I'm certain of it!  What we've learned 
is that a dwarf will stand in this circle mere 
inches from the abyss edge.  There is some mumbo 
jumob hoo be loo magic that goes on.  We believe 
it may detect only true pure dwarves.  The dwarf 
will be asked 1-3 random questions or riddles.”

            Velf points to his skull, “this is 
why they must be smart.  If they pass a walk of 
faith will be required.  This is where most 
fail.  Too scared to walk across.  We'll not 
cover what happens if they flee or fail to 
believe.  Once they get to the other side.  They 
...we believe...are asked a few more questions or 
riddles.  This is the critical part as its in 
Dvalinn.  There is possibly a mental tie in 
depending.  We believe once a true faithful and 
pure hearted dwarf completes these tests a door will open.”

            Velf looks at the party, “sure I know 
why not mine the cliff to the sides or use 
magic?  For one thing a pick has been...thwarted 
to be used here.  As to magic the locals refuse 
to be in presence of magic and based on our study 
using magic here is...dangerous.  So we are left 
to our two friends here.  Which is why we need 
more bodies..I mean smart dwarves to get a fair sampling.”

            Velf smiles as the glowing wards seem 
to cast a strong gray hue in the passage about 20 
feet down enough to see the wall clearly.  “Any 
questions? Good you there...”  He points to 
Barbosa.  “You're first my soon to be rich friend.”

         [Time: 1:00 pm – South-East of Ma'Dor]

         Actions? Comments?

         Next Update...Saturday or Monday?

         GM: Finally its done.  I wanted to get 
this all done by last update but ran out of 
time.  With staff sleeping late or ending early 
lost many hours of working on it.  Maybe will get 
some speech to text software to do it? But I 
figure here is a good spot otend so not to rush 
things forward.  I will try to get this out, next 
update, Saturday or Monday depending on staff 
Saturday. I wanted to publish all climbing 
experience but I deleted a few items in my note 
file.  But all characters got experience and it 
ranged from 30, 60 and 80% Difficulty depending 
on skill or no skill.  But all expertise is 
recorded with no EL changes.  What two ropes are 
top side?  Attached to block and hanging 
down?  Who owns those ropes.  Its not a major 
factor but I need to know who owns 1 or both ropes.




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