[pnpgm] Game Update #44 - File #259 - The Estate

[Scott Adams]

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Sex.....Character Name...Player..................Type....Not es.....
Male...Klorgar..........Tobie.Bonahoom...Tracker...Human,..........
Female.Varo Mineholder..Bess.Hadley......Merchant..Human...........
Male...Razgor...........Wout.Broere......Guard.....Human...........
Male...Rocky............Alex.Koponen.....Hunter....Dwarf...........
Male...Mournath.........Gilbert.Isla...............................
Male...Veren.Nor.Tarek..Npc..............Employer..Human...........
Male...Jaren............Npc..............Bodyguard.Human...........
Male...Marusk...........Npc..............Guide.....Human...........
Male...Juno.Solace......Ford.............Tracker...Human...........

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     Game Update #44 sequence (file #259)
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     Admin Note: Wow.  9 Weeks.  So sorry for life but did not have choice.
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     [Recap]

        From Rocky: [Re: Actions]
         With a frown on his face Rocky readies his arbalest and starts …
        GM: Ack.

        From Mournath: [Re: Actions]
         Seeing that Rocky is readying to search the village, he asks to …
        GM: Ack.

        From Rocky: [Re: Actions]
         Rocky nods in agreement and glances around while waiting for him …
        GM: Ack .

        From Juno: [Re: Actions]
         Juno cast a protection(2)

         “Great O give us all you deepest protection from all things that...
        GM: Ack.

        From Varo: [Re: Actions]
Varo silently nods with Mournath’s comment on staying in pairs. She nods 
& readies her bow, after making sure her shield is in place covering her 
back & that her rapier is ready in its sheath.

The site of the mass grave greatly disturbs her. What happened here - & 
what might be happening at Varen’s home?

“Do you think this could be related to what happened at your house, 
Varen?” she asks. “I agree with Rocky; we should stay in pairs or 
threes. Perhaps Juno & I should check one street over & parallel Rocky & 
Mournath? And we need a couple guards for the horses, too.”

“Which way do we progress? But first,” - she stops & kneels & sends a 
silent prayer to the Earth Mother, Ernalda for the people lost to life 
in this mass grave, praying that their souls find peace & be returned in 
peace to the Earth & become one again in the rebirth of Life’s cycle. 
And she adds a short silent prayer for any forgiveness she might need 
for the anger & horror she feels about what happened here – whatever it was.

When finished praying, she stand and does first a quick scan at roofs & 
landscape around them, then a slower check, then she will accompany Juno 
or whoever is to take a second search route of the area nearby, unless 
she is assigned to help guard the horses.
        GM: Ack.

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     [New Stuff]

     [Fireday, Movement week, Storm Season, 1625, Genertela, Glorantha]

     [Time: 1;48 pm]

        Time seems to stop as the party arrives in Sor'tor village. As 
the party separates and explores each person ponders how they got here.  
Many are here for varied reasons or even in this region.  Some have 
traveled far to get to the small city in the south where they were 
hired.  Some wanted a job to hon their skills or to get paid or for some 
sorted reason only they know. This man – Varen Nor Tarek also called 
Verek or Varen depending on mood it seems is a rare type a older man in 
his 50s.  While the party is not even half that age to see a older man 
still alive is not common outside a city/village or cult elder.  Since 
average life span due to the harsh world is in the low 40s at best.  
This strange man with the white hair and scar on his left cheek up and 
hired this random rag tag group what is to be a typical escort mission?

        So the party travel for a couple weeks battling various beasts 
from jack o bears to        A escort mission to escort Varen to his 
home.  A 2 part mission one dealing with the nature baddies like 
walkatapi and the other to battle to retake his home.  The story was 
that his ancestral home was invaded and taken over.  He took this as a 
major dishonor and escaped south.  As the party inspect dark cabins they 
realize he had to have come here to recruit.  He did mention he tried 
but failed to only but get 3 men to take him south for further as the 
villagers were not warriors. Four traveling 100+ miles no one asked how 
many survived.  But word is that from his own mouth he was attacked on 
the outskirts of the city by bandits. To make it so far only to be taken 
down only a few miles form the city.  Varen had explained the bandits 
chased him and 2 others but he got lost and fell off a small cliff.  
Where he hurt his head and said he lost some memory.

        Jaren was the one to find ad help him to the city.  Varen says 
he did not know Jaren but some have sensed there is more to that – 
Rocky, Varo and Marusks has those thoughts.  But Varen introduced Jaren 
as his bodyguard so seems to trust him. But it is coincidence that they 
have similar names?

        Some noticed a possible unhealthy obsession about the purple 
liquid the trolls had in that one cabin.  Marusk even commented on it 
but it seems the party did not seem to think hard on it.  Now the party 
is here in this valley of the dead. Based on the number of cabins there 
must've been at least 60-80 living here.  A lone village that was self 
sufficient using hunting for game.  Too far west for the ocean and too 
far north of the nearest city it was clear this place was here for 
hundreds of years.  Was it the people who invaded Varens home that came 
to kill them? Are they that evil? Or was it something else that is not 
clear at this point? But if Varen had come here were they alive?  It 
seems they were as Varen was expecting them to be here to give supplies 
or help. But is that a clouded memory from his fall or a false memory?

        These things come to each person as they walk around.  Some have 
more doubt while others just don't care.  But whatever tragedy beset 
these people including kids it is assumed then justice may need to be given.

        With a frown on his face Rocky readies his arbalest and starts 
to carefully search the village while being watchful for ambush by those 
that may have slaughtered the villagers.

        Seeing that Rocky is readying to search the village, Mournath 
asks to join.  "It's probably best that we do things in pairs for the 
time being." With that, Mournath will do a quick check of his weapons 
and readiness and join Rocky.

        Rocky nods in agreement and glances around while waiting for him 
to ready his weapons.

        Juno quietly casts a spell on himself.  “Great O give us all you 
deepest protection from all things that are painful!”

        Juno readies his javelins and checks his gear. He surveys the 
area before
searching. Perhaps he and someone else can search he looks to the party
leader for advice.

        Varo silently nods with Mournath’s comment on staying in pairs. 
She nods & readies her bow, after making sure her shield is in place 
covering her back & that her rapier is ready in its sheath.

        The sight of the mass grave greatly disturbs her. What happened 
here - & what might be happening at Varen’s home?

        “Do you think this could be related to what happened at your 
house, Varen?” she asks. “I agree with Rocky; we should stay in pairs or 
threes. Perhaps Juno & I should check one street over & parallel Rocky & 
Mournath? And we need a couple guards for the horses, too.”

        “Which way do we progress? But first,” - she stops & kneels & 
sends a silent prayer to the Earth Mother, Ernalda for the people lost 
to life in this mass grave, praying that their souls find peace & be 
returned in peace to the Earth & become one again in the rebirth of 
Life’s cycle. And she adds a short silent prayer for any forgiveness she 
might need for the anger & horror she feels about what happened here – 
whatever it was.

        Varen shrugs, “It is possible.  Maybe when they invaded my home 
they slaughtered any one who could take the estate back?”

        Marusks crosses his arms, “but bandits don't do this.  Not this 
far inland away from cities. Therese no sense in it.  So they rob the 
people then lose any hope for future gains?  I suspect this is a 
mercenary force.  For what purpose I don't know.  But I suspect most 
hired groups would not just kill a full village? Unless they were 
looking for something or someone.”

        When finished praying, Varo stand and does first a quick scan at 
roofs & landscape around them, then a slower check, then she will 
accompany Juno or whoever is to take a second search route of the area 
nearby, unless she is assigned to help guard the horses.

        As Varo scans she can tell the roofs are flimsy thatch style so 
a person would not likely be safe as a sniper on them. Most would need a 
ladder to fix the roof but not to get on it. Aside from the cover of the 
hoses there is like place sot hide. Varo does notice the animals in the 
trees – insects and birds  - seem less noisy.  While this is natural 
this time of day when humans are nearby it does seem like they are 
spooked.  Some Cult spirit teachers tell of haunted places that can 
affect the area and animals.

        Varen points to folks in an attempt to group folks up but in a 
sloppy way as if he doesn’t care.  So it'll be Rocky/Mournath, 
Varo/Juno, Varen/Jaren and Razgar to watch village center with horses.  
Klorgar and Marusk can check around the village as they are good trackers.

        Razgar takes the horses by ropes in a zig zag way around a few 
of the hoses and checks around the area before ending up int eh 
“center”.  Nothing more than a well and small corral.  He notices the 
coral just has its fence in tact but is empty.  It looks like maybe 2 or 
3 horses were the entire supply of horses. If Draft or farm horses 
probably a community set of horses.  But they are gone.  He also spots a 
few empty chicken and pig pens. So the live stock was taken or let 
loose.  Razgar looks at the well and gets some water for the horses and 
finds the bucket dusty so not used for days for sure.  Razgar inspects 
the dusty areas for tracks.  But it seems rain, wind and basic weather 
has worn any traces away so its hard to tell if the enemy was solo or an 
army.


        Rocky and Mournath take the right section of the village. First 
two houses are basic 1 room 1 bed, cots/sleeping mats table and chairs 
for eating.  A basic fireplace that isn't much more than a stone pit can 
put a stew pot over.  But there isn't much else.  Worn out candles, 
blankets, small wooden toys, plates and a few odds and ends.  Second 
home there is a couple empty bowls but one shows rotten stew like scenes 
of a rushed exit.  No time to clean up.

        Rocky finds a large clay house it is 30 by 40 feet or so. But it 
is clear it was a general storehouse for the village. Shelves, boxes, 
barrels and boxes are full of miscellaneously items.  Candles, lighter 
wood for fire pits, various bits of metal or iron from door hinges to 
bolts to table ends and everything else in between.  Since nearest city 
is a good week's ride metal and supplies are hard to get.  But the items 
are so common that bandits clearly would not want to take them.  Other 
items include barrels of water, oil, flasks of juice maybe blueberry or 
such? Some wine but the bottles are dusty so probably not used often. 
Boxes of berries and herbs and plants.  Crates of seeds and rotten crops 
like corn and potatoes.  Clearly the food supplies were raided though or 
taken by villagers if they fled.

        Mournath finds a trap door that is not well hidden but shows a 
small alcove on floor with cool stone surrounding.  There are rotten 
pears and apples. Bits of decayed other foods that indicate this is a 
cool house.  Ice would be hard to get here so most use a stone alcove 
just above the water table to hope the water keeps things cool as well 
as planets and fibers that make things cooler.  It isn't perfect but it 
works in short durations.




Varo/Juno

        A short bit later both re-check out that community temple or 
government house.  The one with the two large oak doors were broken as 
some tried to get in probably the villagers hid in here.  The place 
seems to lean more to a temple than a meeting place.  The village could 
simply meet outside.  The benches are plain wooden and not well made.  
There is a altar or table with a blood stained blue blanket on the 
floor.  There are a couple of ornate candle holders of brass with long 
1.5 foot tall candles. Hanging down are 4 oil lanterns used for night 
time use.  Windows are only simple boards of wood.  On the wall behind 
altar and candles is a small wall painting.  Based on the ink it is 
probably decades old.  It is a bit dusty but shows nature and a stormy 
scene.  Blooming plants and vibrant birds and animals.  Varo would 
probably guess its a temple to a fertility, earth or storm gods or all 
of the above. Course they would be most used by a village isolated.  
Rocky finds in a broken box – smashed by heavy weapons – a couple 
parchments.  HE can't read the words but it is clearly a list of names.  
Symbols like fire or water with dates imply important dates.  Like 
Fireday of the Wet Season so maybe it is a list f  villagers and birth 
dates or special event dates?

        Varo and Juno head out in a small group to explore left side of 
village. They enter each home and find sparse shacks.  If they were 
wealthy might have two beds. Most time kids slept on cots or blankets on 
floor.  The first 3 homes some evidence of quick exit by rotting food in 
bowls or decayed bread.  The villagers do not have much in terms of 
wealth.  Unless those who killed them took it.  Clothing and some basic 
jewelry.  Second home does have a rather fancy sundial side of the house 
with some small cheap gems inlet.  If it weren't stone it'd be good for 
a boat but those are usually brass.  In the first and 3rd home Varo 
finds what might be some form of journal.  But doesn't understand the 
writing.  One has a hair in the pages winch is typical of females to 
show where they left off and to detect if mothers or annoying brothers 
read them.  Varo suspects if these people were attacked it was fast and 
no time to make notes on the event.  So doubts it would tell of anything 
that recent.

         Varen and Jaren walk around the mass grave to see if they can 
learn tracks or types of footwear.  Usually military or mercs would have 
stronger footwear over normal villagers.  There is sign of boots but 
most tracks seems to have been washed away by the rains.

        The 4th home Varo and Juno finds is clearly a old folks place.  
There are quilts and clothing and other things in the progress of being 
knitted or sewn.  A couple of canes and what must be a wooden denture 
like bridge on a table?  Varo does spot a nice brooch under the bed that 
might be worth some as it has a nice small ruby in it.  She wonders if 
she should take it or leave it.

        Varo arrives at the next house and noses its slightly larger. 
 From the outside there are actual curtains as most places had none.  On 
the door is a carving that has various runes and pictogram of the 
Elements.  Juno guesses this has to be some possible priest or rune 
lord?  As Juno studies the door Varo notices through the window Varen is 
inside.  Varo notices he slips something in a bag from a table near a bed.

        As Varo turns to go inside Jaren opens the door and nods to 
them.  Varen smiles and lets Varo inside so he can leave.  Varen and 
Jaren walk to the next home and Varo mentioned shat she saw Varen do 
moments ago.  Inside the place is clean and the bed is made up unlike 
the others.  There are a couple of stone or wooden objects that denote 
possible religious relics or simple praying talismans.  There are 
writing quills and parchment so this person clearly could write and 
read. Under the small kitchen table seems to be a small religious book 
that some cults commonly use of their temples.  So Juno's assessment 
seems accurate.

        Varo and Juno examine 6 or 8 more places and notice that Varen 
seem to only look in windows but do not go in most of them. But as with 
the first homes they are sparse and barren of anything of value.  Juno 
does find some well made arrows so probably a hunter lived here.

        Klorgar walks around the perimeter.  Examining the ground or 
trees for any signs of hostile acts.  He finds a large vegetable garden 
in the north east of the village near the temple structure.  He notices 
peas, carrots and potatoes but the last seem to be all bad.  Near the 
mass grave on the west side of the village he does notice bits of torn 
clothing or ripped off by hands or fighting.  There is a few dull knives 
and a hoe but there is a lot of old blood stains.  Maybe this is where 
villagers had their last stand?  It makes Klorgar a bit upset and sad to 
see.

        Marusks walks around the perimeter of the tree line directly to 
the side of the clearing of village. At least 2 spots indicate broken 
limbs and tree limbs. But it seems to be from the village to the 
forest.  He goes from the east side to south then west side.  On the 
west near the mass grave he finds the village outhouse a 2 stall shack 
about 30 feet inside the forest tree line.  Useful to build away from 
water local supplies.

        As Marusks reaches north side he draws his blade up.  There are 
clear signs of a group moving this way.  Broken limbs and chopped bushes 
likely from hatchets or swords.  About 80 feet in unseen from the 
village he comes upon corpses.  He is amazed the smell isn’t' going into 
the village but the wind seem sot go from east to north west so taking 
the smell away.  He covers his nose as he walks among the dead.  He 
calls for Klorgar to come.

        The bodies all men are in pieces and advanced decay.  The smell 
and so many torn pieces from animal eating seems to indicate at least a 
week but could be as long as 1.5 months.  If it is 1.5 months ago that 
may fit in with other signs of the village.  About the time the party 
left the city.  About the time Varen arrived in the area of the city.  
The men Klargar estimated around 6 or 7 maybe even 8 (hard to tell) are 
wearing leather armored and one small scale mail.  It is hard to tell 
from the decay but Marusks estimated they were killed by back wounds – 
stabbed in the back? It seems they tried to fight back based on blood on 
their discarded swords.  It is hard to tell national attributes as faces 
are so decayed its melted.  In one body the head was torn off by a large 
bear it looks like.

        Marusks notices a chunk of a beefy shoulder of one man is in 
tact with the leather armor just now peeling off.  He notices the wound 
in the rear shoulder and waves to Klargar.  “Notice the puncture? It is 
like a double aerated blade.  Almost lie the Sartar mercs use – or one 
that Jaren likes to use.  A blade that at the tip is half moon inset 
with aerated edges.  So once blade pierces that aerated tip will tear up 
muscle so bad it will make the tissue useless.”

        Klargar notices to the side a pile of leather bags ripped open 
by foxes and wolves.  On the ground are jewelry, utensils, golden or 
golden like candle holders and metal belt buckles. Clearly this has to 
be some of the village valuables at least to them.  To the city folks 
these things are cheap odds and ends.

        Marusk waves Klargar back to the village for fresh air.

        Soon the party gathers and each gives reports on what they've 
seen. Marusks ends it with, “not a pretty sight.  But they have to be 
the folks who killed these folks.  Which begs us to consider why they 
were killed. Granted bandits have no honor but even at this low level 
booty run would they have done it for a slight share increase.”













Klorgar/Maruska

        Rocky does a count and it seems the village had 33.  But it is 
hard to tell family names or ages.

     [Time: 3;03 pm]

        Varen looks at the sun and squints. We can bury the dead but it 
would take time. I would prefer we had to the estate. Would be nice to 
be there before night fall.  IT is maybe a few miles to the west.  We 
can get there by night and plan how to retake it.”

        Once the party gets to the horses Varen walks to the west to his 
place. He leads the party in that direction.

        Marusk says, “this is as far as I've gone in this area.  I had a 
uncle who hunted in this area especially the peninsula to the 
northeast.  So I have no experience in this area.”

     [Time: 6;41 pm]

        It has become dark and Varen urges the party on as they are too 
close to camp the night.  The full moon starts to rise which gives the 
party good light to travel in the darkness.  Some recalled Varen did 
want to be here before or on a certain date. It becomes cool in the low 70s.

     [Time: 7;38 pm]

        The party moves over 2 mountains and forested hills but the 
mountains are not that tall so it is a easy trek.  By now the moon is 
higher in the sky but not quite at zenith which is soon. Finally the 
party stops at the base of a large hill that is maybe 300 feet high or 
so.  Some have noticed that Varen and Jaren murmur and looking around as 
if making sure where they were heading.

        The hill is moderately forested.  Varen says its best to walk 
the horses up and go slow to the edge.  From the base some lights can be 
seen in a large structure but its set inland from the cliff so hard 
angle to see the place.  Those with good night vision like Rocky sees no 
signs of human activity in the forest on the south side of the hill.

        Varen directs the party up and toward the west side of the hill 
to get to the edge and top.  The horses are tied up about 30 feet down 
the hill but the party sans the hill top.

        Indeed there s a medium sized manor.  It is hard to tell but it 
seem sot be made from mostly stone which is amazing feat to have it 
transported here. Though some rock quarries may be nearby based on 
terrain.  It is two stories it seems. From the parties point of view 
facing east there is more hill top maybe another thousand feet before it 
slopes to the north down the hill.  To the right or south is the slope 
of forest the party was from.  Behind the party the forested slope goes 
maybe 600 feet to level ground. The angles of the west and south slopes 
are not so bad maybe 20-30 degrees so its not one to fall and roll down.

        The estate is about 300 feet or so to the east.  Between there 
and where party is the hill top is mostly flat and empty aside from 
large bushes and a few single light forest areas. Maybe you might have a 
tree in a diameter of 30 feet before another is seen.  The hill top is 
not rocky but seems to have some compact sandstone or clay with dirt.  
So the chance of a slide sis less until it rains.

        There may be a small garden in front on the north side in front 
a patch of maybe 100x100 feet?  Party suspects a garden based on the 
white hoed sand and plans on top in ordered patterns.  There are two 
large what looks to be wooden doors in front center.  A small porch of 
3-4 steps with a few chairs and a swing o the porch.  To right of door 
(partys pov) about 40 feet and 30 feet in front of house is a well.  A 
trough and hitching posts and a couple buckets on the well's top.


        The manor is maybe 300 feet wide but its hard to tell how long 
from this angle.  There are nice glass windows about 3/4th of the space 
with simple shutters all open for no weather.  There are maybe 20 
windows on both floors.  Of the 20or so windows on first floor there are 
6 or 7 with lights.  On 2nd floor it looks like 3 or 4 with lights.  
Some have curtains so its hard to tell at this distance.

        Varen looks to the party, “as I said I'm no tactical leader.  
Why I hired you guys.  So what's the plan?”

        Marusks asks, “how about a floor plan?”

        Varen shrugs, “sure but with my memory issue my memory is foggy 
on the inside.  I know the vault room is on 2n floor on north side about 
mid way .  My room was next to it.  I know the office is on first and 
kitchen and vaguely recall a large parlor but I can't recall if it had a 
fireplace or not.”  He glances at the top.  “Some smoke so the vile 
invaders must be cooking.”

        Just then the front door opens and a man in light shadows walks 
out and closes door.  Once off the porch the party notices hes wearing a 
large robe of some kind or maybe bathrobe?  Not much other detail is 
seen even with Rocky's eyes.  But the man loos fairly young in his 30s.  
He walks to the well ad fills a bucket of water and soon walks back to 
the house.

GM: Actions? Comments?

         Next update....next tue/wed?

     GM: Eight pages wow.  But it's finally out! I am deeply sorry for 
the 4 months delay.  I explained the reasons.  As a update mom has been 
in a nursing home now for almost 2 months.  Physically shes great.  Her 
heart went from 35% in April to 69% so almost doubled in strength.  She 
is moving about well but we still try to assist just in case but moves 
around in wheelchair or walker or walking with help pretty fast.  
Mentally tho the stroke has taken its pound of flesh.  Her long term 
memory is still there. But short term and basic cognition is low.  She 
will often forget stuff but still recognizes people and such.  She has 
delusions at times paranoia that has slightly decreased but is still 
there.  So we are concerned if went home she'd try to go to car to drive 
it (sure we can hide keys) or call cops if she hears me and wonders who 
I am (not seeing me around corner just hears my voice) She doesn't mean 
harm or isn't even hostile just some cognition issues block her for a 
safe home stay.  I've been dealing with lots of bills.  The message I 
talked about that you gotta get tuf I under control POA, insurance, etc. 
is critical.  So Humana was great insurance it paid well over $750k in 
bills from April to June but up to now it was maybe 600-800$ I had to 
pay.  But now they are wanting a larger chunk since human was ended for 
medicaid.  So that'll be 11k that hopefully medicaid will pay but its 
not like they can get $ out of a stone. :) My money is safe and honor 
demands I pay most of the bills but we'll see on other large bills. :) 
The worst is it'll ruin her credit.  But I do not see her using credit 
anytime soon. ;) But there is a lot of tiny bills like 40$ here or 245 
here or a bank account for 27$ that I have to close and cash out before 
feds complain.  So that has been keeping me busy.  But things are 
settling down.  I may not do weekly updates but I'll do my best.  Now as 
to update.  I did a summary of adventure so far.  I went ahead finished 
the village scenes. Initially had planned to do it over like 5-6 updates 
or if on table top it would be just a few hours.  But since not many 
posts were done I just finished it and moved on.  But you are fine to do 
some retro actions.  As long as it doesn't interfere with present scene 
at manor.  But if no posts for village we'll deal with the lat bit of 
adventure the manor.  Thank you fr staying in and keeping solid.  It 
makes me feel good and I appreciate you did not just up and quit.