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 ..Kiet............Acrobat.David.Sanders......Ma..Human/Magician ..Pyandalgor......Hunter..Panthera...........Ma..Human/Hunter ..Raddok..........Miner...Bess.Hadley........Ma..Human/Miner ..Tsia.Phan.......Thief...Don.Ker............Fe..Human/Thief ..Unali...........Ninja...Wout.Broere........Fe..Human/Dagger Maiden ..Upus............Warrior.Gerald.Ford........Ma..Normal/Barbarian Warrior ..Kimis...........Warrior.NPC................Fe..Normal/Diumgi Companion ..Z'leyra.........Healer..Alex Koponen.......Fe..Human/Shaman/1st Mate ..Barbosa.........Warrior.Npc................Ma..Dwarf/Outcast ..Bes (2).........Warrior.npc................Mo..Bes.............. Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/ Public posts/actions to pnpgm@list.powersandperils.org (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm@comcast.net Game Update #165 sequence (file #1234) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Pyan's Magical Plant: Arawn studied the plant, dredging through his sidh heritage, … After the Giant Battle: "The talisman is magical, protective in nature from what I can … Arawn then stepped closer to the talisman, trying to identify the … Looking over the trees covering the entrance to the cave Arawn … "It looks like our stronger members could move the trees if they … GM: Ack. Re: Plant this is all up to Pyan as a rpg device I have no clue what if any properties exist. :) From Unali: [Re: Actions] Unali dangles the talisman from her fingers when Arawn has looked it over. "So you feel that this is still functional after all the damage it … GM: Ack. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] "I don't think the necklace is part of the magic of the talisman. … OOC: Scott, from your post it looks like the necklace was broken but the talisman is still good as it was just hanging on the necklace. To be sure, is the talisman still functional? If so, Arawn will use Mana Reading on it and inform the group of what he finds. GM: Ack. From Raddok: [Re: Actions] The fight ends before Raddok can get close enough to help. He … If he's assigned guard duty, his mace & shield are ready. If assigned to clearing the entrance, he will use his skills in mining & underground survival to help clear the entrance & reinforce any areas needing it. If ropes are used to help move heavy items, he will use what teamster experience he has to improve weight balance for any loads & moving of loads. He has climbing experience, too, but not much practice in climbing over wood piles (usually has climbed cliffs, rocks, occasional trees), so would need to be extra careful if has to climb up any due to possible instability of the wood framing (or lack thereof). GM: Ack. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] [Quote: He will ask one of the magic-users, when he has a chance, whether he lost one of the charges on his ring when it failed to fire, or if he still has two charges. ] OOC: Assuming that this is something that mana sensing or mana reading can identify for you Arawn is willing to do so. GM: Ack. Never figured such power could be that detailed. It may show magic/mana but you'd have to tweak it for charge counts. That'd be a god discussion for discord. So short answer unsure. ;) (Arawn). From Kiet: [Re: Actions] "My shield, made by Kell, can imbue Earth Strength to someone. … GM: Ack. From Upus: [Re: Actions] Opus says, “ I disdain magic cast on my self but some I respect … GM: Ack. Is it opus or upus? :) I was using O and realize it was mistake. I fixed it to Upus based on roster. As to this spell I must've missed a post. OH! The shield spell I see now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Ma 9th, 1636TH] [Time: Vily Forest Edge night at camp] Arawn studied the plant, dredging through his sidh heritage, druidic and herbalist lore in an effort to identify the plant. If he's able to do so, he'll then help Pyan collect and keep the plant for future magical enhancement. From Arawn: [Re: Trees] OOC: Assuming Arawn's Forestry skill doesn't allow him to figure out a good method for felling and hauling off the trunks, and if no one else volunteers for the spell, he'll take it if you wish. GM: Ack. No worries. Did the tree thing days ago. Its not a big deal and not difficult to figure out. ------------ [Ma 10th, 1636TH] [Time: 7:03 pm LW time] Unali dangles the talisman from her fingers when Arawn has looked it over. "So you feel that this is still functional after all the damage it has sustained?. It looks so battered to me." "The talisman is magical, protective in nature from what I can tell. Not sure exactly what as I haven't done a thorough study, although I can if you guys want," Arawn said, pointing at the item held in Unali's hand. "Still, it might be useful to assign it to someone before we move forward." Arawn then stepped closer to the talisman, trying to identify the elven runes marked on the bes crafted item. Afterwards, he moved towards Kimis to check on her wounds, noting at a glance that it did not seem serious but offering the woman magical healing if she truly felt she needed it. Arawn examines the talisman but its indeed damaged from its ancient age. The elven runes are so abused that its impossible to read. The Bes runes he can't even read. The gem is cracked and the wood is cracked in 4-5 places. The magic is there but its probably ineffective at this point. "I don't think the necklace is part of the magic of the talisman. But let me take a closer look." Arawn glances at Unali to her question. Arawn can tell the necklace can't be original. The giants must've used materials from a kill and used it. Not clever enough to make one their own. The necklace hide is torn and the talisman itself is damaged. Arawn scans the talisman with his senses and can see a large gray aura showing a weak magical presence. The problem is he can't read it well as its a hybrid of magic made by a long ancient group. A hybrid of magic that he is not trained to read and understand well. But it seems to be vaguely effective to protect against ranged weapons and some magics. That may explain why the rings failed. But the exact strength and other info is hard to determine due to damage and age. Arawn scans the Arawn looks at Kimis but she steps back concerned and glances at Upus wondering if this magic healing is a trick. The fight ends before Raddok can get close enough to help. He asks Dorhak if he should help keep watch for further trouble, or help whoever is assigned to help clear the entrance – he's willing to do either, since used no energy in fighting. Raddok asks one of the magic-users, when he has a chance, whether he lost one of the charges on his ring when it failed to fire, or if he still has two charges. The party moves inside the fort. Looking over the trees covering the entrance to the cave Arawn applied his knowledge as an architect and forester to try and figure the easiest way for the party to deal with the barrier. "It looks like our stronger members could move the trees if they work together. And I'm willing to lend my shoulder to the task if there's space. We just need a couple to keep guard in case anything unpleasant is on the other side." "My shield, made by Kell, can imbue Earth Strength to someone. Maybe the strongest amongst us could use it...Dorhak or Upus...? Anybody else stronger? This is one way to help. It would double their strength for 15 minutes or so. First we could rope up a trunk and get it ready to move...then get all of us on the rope.” Kiet adds his suggestion. Upus says, “I disdain magic cast on my self but some I respect Such as that healing spell. Gave me a rush. I will refrain from strength spell.” Upus speaks up, “I can help and I grew up working with me father Moving goods in and out of caves climbing and transportation.” "Me and kimis could keep guard but how could we communicate if left behind and would some one come back to get us?" “I don't mind keeping guard back in my homeland but this is one Fracking crazy place and we don't have all that fancy magic and super powers the rest of the you guys have." "What would be the plan to alert any danger?" "Plus I can't just walk home I assume that is a pretty far walk!" "But for the group I am willing to do what is required." [Time: 7:06 pm LW time] As the party figures out best plan for the trees, Arawn moves quietly to the bone pile. There are hundreds of individual bones from ribs to femurs. At least a dozen skulls. All in various states of decay. While most of the tissue and bone marrow is gone there are thin strips left. Arawn isn't sure if they are all humanoid but looks like a few small animals or even a possible bear. But the humanoid skulls it is hard to determine what race. Could be dwarf, human or elf. HE gives a silent prayer to the lost souls. He glaces at party and wonders if a mass burial could be done. But figures the humans need to get back before they age a thousand years. Raddok gets a closer look at the mountain above him. To the right and up about 75 feet is the “eagle rock”. From below it looks like a rock ledge. Raddok squints and notices small pits about 8-10 feet apart at various places. It takes him a few moments to recognize them as hand holds. But they seem large – larger than humans. He figures they are from hill or mountain giants. The party forms a plan using rope Fremea can attach to the top and strong men to topple and move the trees. The Bes guard murmurs to his King in his native language. “Clearly these creatures are too stupid to form these walls. We know they like to tear up trees. But this implies sophistication. But I'm worried about the tree wall here at entrance? Why there and what are they protecting?” The King shrugs as the first tree topples away. “Probably got this place from another giant like a hill or mountain giant. The one with the necklace? Probably figured it was some shiny thing like a crow. As to the trees there. Maybe they are there to protect them as they sleep inside from other giants?” As the 3rd tree topples Fremea draws her bow and readies it in case a thing jumps out of the cave. Barbosa and a couple others report the giants had nothing else on them except plants and seeds probably from destroying trees. [Time: 7:13 pm LW time] As the last tree is removed the King and Bes guard return as they quietly disappear. Having left more markers for any Bes who may return to find escape here. He also leaves a pictograph on a tree carved with his knife to show the Bes a message of what they may expect or need to do. The threshold itself is huge 18-20 feet wide at bottom and 25-31 feet at bottom. Those with the skills can see its a natural cave but there are signs of vacations possibly to make the threshold larger. Dorhak centers his helmet and orders the party inside. When the King sees Dorhak enter the darkness with the Sidh he orders a guard. Since Dorhak forgot to do so. “You two and Barbosa stay here. Barbosa can be the runner. If there Is danger he can alert us. Since hes better in caves.” He points to the 2 Diumagi Upus and Kimis. They all nod he continues, “we'll come back for you once we ...hopefully find our escape.” As the Bes enter into the darkness Kiet stops them further in saying he'll stay here with the Bes. They need to be protected in case there is further danger. So the three can stay about halfway in and wait for news. So this leaves Barbosa, Kimis and Upus at entrance. Then Kiet, King and Bes Guard to be further in to stay back. Arawn, Dorhak, Fremea, Pyan, Raddok, Tsia, Unali and Z'leyra to explore the cave. The cave itself is dusty, musty and slightly damp feeling. About 20 feet in the ceiling climbs about to 80 feet . Sleeping bats can be seen in the hundreds as the smell of bat Guano is detected on the sound of boots on messy piles on the floor. The two Sidh are caning every surface for danger and mana sources. About 70 feet in the ceiling lowers to 30 feet and width changes to 20-25 feet. The party lights a couple tree limbs after a short break to use flint and steel. A good fire dart would do but never know what is inside. As light creates shadows and shadows hide from the light the party sees signs of civilization. There are what could've been at one time cave paintings or rune drawings. But it is clear after centuries from weather and clear abuse from giants that the images are too badly destroyed. Probably stones crushed against rock walls or some foul creature destroyed the images in other ways. The Sidh and Bes are sad to see the destruction. Maybe at the time of the Coalition this area was in friendly hands. But now it is considered the Pale of Kotothi so now in enemy hands. But some wonder why is the cave open while the other was blocked on purpose? Only to have the other cave entrance break apart once the Bes entered as they said? There are also signs of more bones bits of a rib or a finger or a arm at various places alone the tunnel. Signs seem to indicate the forest giants must've stayed here at night based on the recent smells they give off that are not the bats. The tunnel goes another 100 feet but every 10 feet or so the cave get smaller and smaller. More signs of wall destruction and a glimpse of a first magical rune. It seems to be useless as the other runes needed to form the full rune network is long gone. So only a faint hue of brown mana is left. At the end of the 100 or so feet the cave is now 15 feet wide and only 18-20 feet high. The party is now about 160-170 feet from threshold. Kiet explains they will remain here so they can at least hear of any danger. The King sighes but sits down to wait. Another 30 feet or 200 from entrance the cave goes to 8 feet wide and 14 feet high. If the giants came this far back they'd have to stoop low. As Dorhak and Arawn pass a boulder Arawn feels energy. He glances up to see a magical ward gem set in stone. It was hidden by a large rock and not seen until pass that point. Arawn quickly scans it and he sees a faint wide beam of gray that he and Fremea can only see It seems to go from Arawn to Dorhak and the Alfar realizes its a scan of some kind. There doesn't seem to be any danger. Another 50 feet the cave shrinks to 6 feet wide and 10 feet high. If the giants got this far they'd have to be cramped. All along Raddok has noticed no signs of human activity like discard plates, mine shaft equipment or even mine structure to make it safe from collapse. Then the cave turns slightly left and begins to wind a corner that is showing signs of a rock slide. Some large rocks are moved away taking some time. By now at best cave can only be walked 2 abreast at times only single file. The passage heads more northward but winds left, right, left, etc. There are signs of manual exacvations here making this part of the passage. Up to this point it has been sandstone and some limestone. But now it seems to be now marble. The winding passage opens to a large natural cave about 30 feet wide by 15 feet tall. The Stalactites here are huge 3-4 feet wide at top to fist size at bottom and some are still dripping water. Minor crystals and lichen are on the walls. At the end of the dark crystal marble cave the party finds two passages. One heading left and one right. In the center of these two passages is a 3-4 foot wide wall with ancient runes. The runes are Elven, dwarf and probably Bes. The elven ones read as: “Choose soley and wholey. One goes to the destiny of nations and time. The second goes to that which creates chaos and nightmares.” The passages are about 5 foot wide so smaller passages. GM: Actions? Comments? Next update....Wednesday? GM: it is done! Finally. Sorry for the delays Saturday was a bad day I had a very bad eye day and very difficult to see but I worked 10.5 hours. So due to this got little done. Worked on it Monday and Tuesday but late Tuesday again eye issues. So let it (eye) recover all day Wednesday. So that's why I had hoped to get this out days ago. For those who recall it was almost as bad as 2 years ago when I was not active for a week. But it is problem with old age and bad eyes. :) So I'll try for Wednesday on next update maybe start Tuesday early. I have Friday off for a wedding most of day. But Saturday work another 10.5 long day. So we'll see on a 2nd update. But this is already 7 pages which is twice as large as normal. I hope it makes some sense as it was made over a week. ;) GM: Positions: Cave Threshold - Upus, Kimis, Barbosa Inward ~75 feet- Kiet, King, Bess.Hadley Deep Cave - Rest of party ~500 feet in. GM: Player Damage - Player Damage Kimis -6