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/Magicina ..Ix..............Shaman..Rachelle.Gauthier..Fe..Human ..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 ..Raddok..........Miner...Bess Hadley........Ma..Human ..Unali...........Ninja...Wout.Broere........Fe..Human/Dagger Maiden ..Z'leyra.........Healer..Alex Kopas weri....Fe..Fe..Human/Shman/1st Mate ..Barbasa.........Warror..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 [First Mate] ..Zol.Zim.........Wolf....Npc................Ma..Zehani Wolf/Ix's Friend 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 #28 sequence (file #285) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Raddok: [RE: Actions] OOC: As I am new to this genre, I would like to ask everyone what a reasonable time for daily weapons practice would be. I would like to schedule two daily 1-hour practice bouts with 1) mace/shield & 2) great sword. Is this too long? Should practice sessions be 1/2 hour each (totalling 1 hour/day each)? then again, I've read that real-life battles lasted all day & men would be fighting for hours. Please advise me, as I'm trying to have a reasonable on-board schedule for Raddok (assuming he has various partners with different weapons to practice with each time - variety is good for practice) Also, does wearing the magic necklace for a day grant beginning level of a language, or how many points toward that beginning level - and does r e-using it level it up differently? I know die are involved, but would like to know Raddok's general skill level after wearing it for a day. He will be spending at least two hours daily practicing Marentian (during meals, chores, rest periods, etc), as well as just listening to it all the time. I don't know how many hours this adds to his skill practice the being surrounded by it type of learning - lol). [Apris 3rd, at sea, ~ 2 PM] [IC] Raddok wonders if it's a good idea to wear the necklace for a day at some point to improve his Fomorian (current EL 24) which might be a smart move, if it increases the El enough to really help, and asks K'leyra her opinion. He also asks about a 2nd session with the necklace to improve his Marentian - if K'leyra thinks it would benefit him, & to schedule him for a day with it, if so. [IC] Also, Raddok doesn't want to butt in, being one of the new people in the group, but he is very concerned about the ship's torn sail, as he was a volunteer to climb the mast & spars to help try to re-tie it, unsuccessfully. He asks K' leyra, as First Mate (after deciding that he shouldn't bother the Captain - since Raddok's not a seaman who might know what he's talking about) if the crew has shared any information with her or Captain Dorhak about backup supplies for keeping the ship in repair - he tells her he's seen the loose boards & torn sail, and been through a whirlpool (which left him very sick) & he can't swim, so he's getting worried. He asks if she and/or Dorhak could arrange a meeting... [OOC - will send skills practice list when above questions on practice time answered - & thanks for any advice!!] [OOC - I grew up with family vacations, many with two cars (one parent driving each, with two kids in each car), and road maintenance was kinda drilled into us by my Dad - lol, so... [IC] Raddok cannot ignore seeing a torn sail & overhearing a seaman grumble about no supplies to fix it. GM: Ack. I've covered this in previous updates. My core rules are 8 hours sleep, 8 hours skills and usually 8 hours for chores/other duties. While one can dedicate 10 hours to skills its not vital. I consider a 8 hour shift to be the normal. So again if you do mace, shield and great sword that's 3 skills (assuming you actually practice shield rather than just 'use it'). So 8 hours with teacher is 2 points. So 8/3=2 hours or so roughly or 0.6 points for each skill. So more skills you do the less points. This is for simplicity as some might say 'ok spend 45 in here 30 min there 15 min here 8 min with this skill.' :) Now what one CAN do is plan goals. Practice Mace till ELX then Shield till eLY. But if not its all points divided equally. Necklace is a starting EL now (v1 I believe it was max). This means Em/2 so if you have a low EM it may not be worth it if say EM8. :) It is used once in just a minutes or two. Then you poof have a basic set of words. You then practice the language as with skills. So if you add the Marentian it would be 2/4 or 0.5 points each assuming can find a teacher. It is a skill so as normal skill levels. Keep in mind at end of a IBT or adventure I do award some basic points to certain skills for free. This is like Language like Marentian for being 'around' others. But to get to a good EL(say 40?) you need to practice it for a bit. Necklace is one time use for that langauage and takes about 2 minutes max. So no need to wear it all day. Once learned its learned like a perm magic/ward in our mind. BTW its Z'leyra not K. :) Oh! or is that how Raddok says it? :) As to the sails climbing doesn't help if no sail cloth to repair with sewing materials. More than likely when Fomorians stole the ship the ship may have been in drydock to get outfitted so thus no supplies on board why the Fomorians were in the shop when Damon found them. This is why I said supplies are kinda important as if none are obtained not my fault! :) The torn issue is not a major issue its maybe 3-5% of the sail surface. So its very minor. For now. From Pyan: [Re: Actions] Pyan is excited with the sea the first few days but.... GM: Ack. Nice! A good surprise. I wasn't expecting that. Now keep in mind above what I told Raddok. If you want to continue to practice let me know. The necklace is a one time use so you gotta keep it up. Since no date was given I'll pick a few days after leaving Sivas before second leg - the 29th. From Z'leyra: [Re: Necklace] Z'leyra corrects the pronunciation that Raddok uses for her name. She then enlightens him a bit to how the necklace works. "This.. [Weapon practice - note that those without Seaman skill lose half their OCV, DCV and weapon ELs (rounded up) when fighting on a deck of a moving ship. Basic training rules apply. One person (with the highest EL in the weapon being taught) will be the instructor and will gain one xp per day and their student will gain 2 xp per day. This is reduced by half if other things are being done. So basically those training in weapon skills should allocate entire days to the effort. It may be best to spend a couple weeks being trained as a Seaman first, so that you don't have the penalty. While Z'leyra is no expert, she knows enough to introduce the landlubbers to the skill. Yes, she will train those interested in Seamanship for the first couple weeks. After that she will join in on weapon training.] Upon reaching port, in addition to getting the fighting dagger and sheath for a party member, Z'leyra gets gear for the ship. Extra sails and sailcloth, sewing gear, carpentry tools and lumber, as well as improved outfitting for the kitchen including some of the less expensive spices. GM: Ack. Wow longest post from you in ages. :) From Raddok: [Re: Actions] [Marqi 25th or 26th - back note (if possible, please, since notes about arranging practice times for skills)] After listening to K'leyra's explanation about the necklace and the problems of fighting on a moving ship for landlubbers, Raddok thanks her for the use of the necklace & triple-checks that he pronounces "Understand" in Marentian correctly (and her name), before placing it over his head for the day. He also agrees out loud about her assessment of fighting skills on a rocking deck, and asks if she could please have him trained first in Seamanship, so that he can be more effective for both their sea journey & for weapons skills practice later. [OOC - I'll let the GM determine ELs of these things, altho I'll keep a record.] [Marqi 27th] Raddok is intrigued by Arawn's explanation of the spell Battle Mind during dinner & silently wonders to himself if any experience he might gain under such a spell might just stick with him. It seems worth the effort to him, even if not so, for the moment at least, & knowing he would be glad for a spurt to his reflexes, he volunteers to Arawn that he's willing to become part of such a team if one is formed, and if Arawn has plenty of volunteers, to take his turn among the others. Raddok adds that if he finds it too uncomfortable, he promises to let Arawn know. He also tells Arawn that he needs to earn to swim, and would be glad of his assistance, at Arawn's convenience. SKILLS PRACTICE: Raddok will spend the first two weeks on board ship for his skills practice in learning Seamanship from K'leyra full-time (8 hours/day), then both will evaluate his skill level & determine if he can start weapons practice yet. In addition, he will start to learn swimming from Arawn at whatever intervals the elf deems it safe (hours to be determined by Arawn & GM). Since they will apparently be in port at the time, it hopefully won't cut into his seamanship training. He silently hopes that fresh vegetables, meat and cheese will be among the new foodstuffs, but says nothing. He feels he's butted in enough about things he doesn't know much about. GM: Ack. Battle Mind if you read my spell documents are from the Star Wars New Jedi Order series. It uses that power greatly among the Jedi star fighter squadron. As always folks will have to say who joins the BM or not as I will not know until combat time (and forget). 2 Weeks of seaman will learn the skill. Marentian on 26th. Gotcha. Swimming is the issue. As I explained during day its impractical to learn. The ship is simply going to fast. So it has to be done at night while anchored. Though the spell from Arawn is still active during this time it causes great currents so one is in danger of being swept away. Then there is issue of sharks. Since it would be from sundown to sunrise that's about 12 hours. Assuming you sleep 8 hours. When do you train? Sundown is usually 6-7pm. Chores. Dinner. So how long do you dedicate to swimming? How many hours so I can figure out the fractional amounts assuming a full 8 hours sleep. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Sorry...first I was having email trouble then work... Assuming she replies to the affirmative, Kiet will cast a 5x cost Tongues spell in order to permanently learn it. Epensive in mana, but it also helps improve the use of the spell over time. It takes Kiet almost half a minute to g ather the mana for such a spell. OOC...I don't have Rachelle's email address so we could RP this. Can you send that to me at dasandersx@comcast.net...thanx! OOC...about 4 hours max.) if he agrees, Kiet will allow him to borrow one of his daggers while training on board ship. Being that they are at sea, and that quarters are tight, Kiet decides it would be well near impossible to find an unused corner of the ship suitable for Purification (for knowledge spells) nor for his air Magics. However, Kiet will still spend his available free time studying his magic crafting book, searching for anything useful about crafting a staff. GM: Ack. So you want the experience not the necklace to be used? Under the rules I set 4 hours would only earn half the points. Learning dagger from scratch takes hours and hours of work. I'll ask Rachelle on email if she hasn't already given it below. But you can look at Archives for her post her emails is there. :) More public than giving it here. She is active on Skype as well. But just CC stuff. As to reading I'll consider that your skill Read/Write. As to know spells let me know when to cast them. Crow's nest is tallest point and is fine but any where on deck is fine as well. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Kaz's Hut: Arawn avoided commenting on Kaz's opinion regarding... Damon: [Marqi 23rd 2:14pm] After discussing events in the captain's quarters with... "I've been trying to piece together what I can before we... Kiet and the coded letter: Kiet will likely know that Arawn has been practicing with the Code/Decode spell for some time if he decides to share the letter and needs help with decoding it. Battle-Mind spell: [Marqi 27th] Arawn watched while some among them sparred on deck, ... "The last time I had this discussion we were aboard ... (OOC: For the sake of those asking questions Arawn will answer in a way to convey the mechanics of the spell as listed here - http://powersandperils.org/L_NewSpells. htm#BattleMind - no need io RP a response but please let me know if you're open to being part of this spell whenever he casts it - new and old players as well as the NPC's, Scott. In Kasha (or Vistair, if it's easier for you, Scott): Upon hearing that Z'leyra would be heading into town... (OOC: This is mainly cooking supplies but will also include ship repair supplies if Scott rules Arawn wasn't able to grab them in Sivas. Scott let me know how much this will cost if not already answered above. and if an instruction book on how to read/write Fomorian can be found he'll pay for that as well.) (OOC: Arawn will do so for a few hours any time the water is shallow enough to allow for safe lessons, starting with this day in Kasha. Please let me know who wants lessons.) [Apris 2nd 12:29pm] OOC: If the party ever wishes to slow down the ship enough to meet with other ships at sea Arawn will just cancel/dispel Friendly Current and recast it afterwards. Please feel free to post if anyone ever wants this done. Languages: Does anyone in the party speak Bhamoti? If so, Arawn would be interested in learning it from them. GM: Ack. As to Kaz you got to get use dot folks will not always defer and bow to you. Some have strong prejudices. I just bought one up in this encounter. Same with King Maros he won't be welcome even in some Marentian homes. I do love my Red Herring pudding! :) Kiet hasn't revealed the letter yet (as of this post maybe later post/email I've not go to). Battle Mind I may forget who will sign up so may need to do a personal note. Cooking, Repair and book. A bit vague for 1st 2 but I can try to work on it. Ii hate to be anal but I like details X nails and Y hammers. :) Otherwise mean GM sits in and says opps didn't buy that or not enough! I never got info on buying stuff in Sivas from you? So this will have to be at Vistair. Issue is at 8pm most places will be closed. So Dorhak may have to order ship to stay a few hours after sunrise. As to stopping ship from FC spell I have no clue if folks will do this until its posted. I could post and stop every single encounter but it'd be time consuming bogging things down. This is why I post as a simple encounter. Since spell is in effect can't slow don.n So this what if is kind of hard to deal it should be done or not be done. :) The ship doesn't even have a simple Ship's Boat (smaller ship to shore boat). So its the entire ship or not. I believe no one speaks Bhamoti. But being so close and friends to Marentia its easy to find a Marentian speaking person. The more important issue who is learning to speak Fomorian? :) From Kiet: [RE: Actions] Kiet tells Dorhak and Z'leyra about his stash of horns and whistles. He offers them for use by the ships watch. The horns would work well in the fog. The horns, three of them, are quite ornate and Kiet expects to take them with him off the ship when a-trekking we will go. The whistles might best be used if an emergency happens and we need to wake the ships compliment. The watch should ALWAYS have the whistles on their person during that duty. GM: Ack. A very good idea indeed Kiet! Good job. From Ix: [Re: Actions[ Sorry as well for not responding! I just had no idea what I'm to post while on the ship. If it'll be easier for you, I have skype: InunekoYoukai and discord: Inuneko#2410 Ix does her best to handle the food on board the ship, or at least run quality control with her sense of smell and touch to try to catch anything that's gone off. Since she is of no real help to anyone at the moment, blindness aside, she's definitely no sailor. In her free time she tries to find a not so crowded area so she can practice dancing on the moving ship to help with her balance. I f she cannot find a suitable place to do so, she'll settle down and play her bone ocarina. GM: Ack. Plenty of place to dance. Do you need a teacher or this all self? Teach like Z could help give you more points. Did you see Z's post on seamanship? As to not posting this is fine. RP with others just get to know each other. Kiet is trying to do that for you. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] "I am a Grey Elder mage. I know a spell that allows... GM: Ack. From Ix: [Re: Actions] "That does sound useful. I'm just a shaman," she ... GM: Ack. From Mournath: [Re: Actions] Sorry for the delay in posting yet again. My work place is moving locations and I've been neck-deep in that process and setting up our network in the new building. Mournath will be spending his time checking and double-checking his navigational headings. He's using charts that were acquired and taking site lines constantly. He's a little nervouse at such a responsibility but determined to do the thing right. When in doubt at all, Mournath will seek a second opinion on any needed course corrections. In what downtime he has, a little 'harpoon' fishing with his spear and some line will take his time as well as scribblings in his journals. GM: Ack. As always and this is to everyone if busy don't worry I understand. Its taken me 3 days to do this update so I fully understand being busy. There is no mandatory posting needed by anyone unless I say otherwise and then I'd probably email ya. :) So for all don't worry about apologizing for any delays. Since I won't finish this update tonight I will be making one in fact! The nice thing about being in sight of shore is one can't be lost. The issue is when its foggy. This makes the logical assumption for 'being' lost. Under the rules I use for navigation. For night since at anchor there is no 'lost' so I have to treat it as a wrong calculation or such. So its not a major issue. The issue may be when leaving the Bhamotin shore to cross to Vahear at the end. That going to be open water. So your mini IBT is spear fishing? I can treat that as a fishing skill. :) ------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Marqi 23rd, 1636TH] [Time: 1:14pm, Sivas, Marentia] After discussing events in the captain's quarters with Unali Arawn decided to take the initiative and speak with Damon off to the side of the ship. "I've been trying to piece together what I can before we set sail on this adventure. I'm still working on a few things but Unali had mentioned you were able to pull something from captain's body before Vox was able to notice it. What did you discover?" Damon places right hand over hears and left hand outstretched and staggers back a step. "You do not trust me? Well Unali I guess. I've known her for over 3 years. You...well...fine." He pulls the parchment from his vest and hands it over. Arawn tries to read it but its in a language not learned to read. Damon crosses his arms. "A simple docume ton good contacts who are good merchants. I was able to skim it so fast I recognized the style we captains hold for good fortune. The Fomorian must've stole it from the old captain who had his own contacts. As I do my own contacts in Ba'ru. Networking is never ending. One must build all new relationships." Arawn hands the parchment back and Damon places it back in his vest. "Besides. It wasn't on his body it was in his chest. Maybe you got some wrong information? I doubt the Fomorians would need that info unless they went back to Ba'ru. You are free to translate it if you don't believe me." Damon pulls the paper back out and frowns at Arawn. Damon holds the parchment up. Then points to some area on it. "This here look familiar? It is a street and a shop called the Drunken Snail. It deals here as you can read this part here..in Marentian wines. I deal with this shop often but the other contacts I have not." "Happy now?" Damon says smiling. [Marqi 23rd, 1636TH] [Ba'ru, Kaz's Hut, Night] Arawn avoided commenting on Kaz's opinion regarding human hospitality, the Alfar knowing that this varied from culture to culture, regardless of race. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said, addressing Kaz's victimization. Too much trauma, too many scars seemed to stand in the way for the old man to easily heal and avoid prejudices and anxieties. "It's a balancing act that, between trust and caution. I understand and hope that joy makes its way back into your life even at this hour." As Kaz looked down to Zol Zim Arawn did so as well with a quiet smile. But the hermit's next words caused him to look up, taking the man's words with due seriousness. "Thank you for the advice. I hate violence but Death has had the misfortune of making an appearance in regards to my companions and myself more than once, the last recently in fact. I do not know if this is what you sense, or surrounding one of my companions... or more distant beings, but I'll ponder your words for some time." Kaz remains expressionless until Arawn mentions he hates violence. Then a half second flair of something sparks but Arawn can't read it even with his great empathy powers. It is so fleeting it is impossible to read. [Marqi 24th, 1636TH] Kiet begins the trip looking forward to being on the ship. It's been far too long. Then he finds out Mournath is going to navigate. A bit of trepidation runs thru Kiet's bones at the thought of that. A good navigator is essential for a safe voyage. However, Dorhak has ordered that the ship (Dorhak keeps calling it a boat) stay near land, at least to keep it in sight. This seems wise. Kiet is used to ships supplies being dull and mundane. Sadly, his tokens don't work well on board ship, with little to put in the bucket...at least little that Kiet doesn't mind having in the bucket. Cooking is always a chore. Often time the only hot food was for the captain, prepared over a charcoal brazier. Cooking fires were a serious no-no. One of the first things Kiet does is look up Ix. He ponders her place here, her infirmity with her eyes, and that blasted over-large wolf. He knows something is not right here. Not menacing, but far too off to be 'normal'. She is, of course, a barbarian and a shaman. Much like Z'leyra. Has a pet like her too. This one, however, often looks at us like we're future meals. Quite unsettling. Kiet approaches Ix openly, not trying to be sneaky or trying to startle her or that beast. He asks in several tongues "Ix? Might I cast a spell to learn your native tongue? We never know when it might be useful." When Kiet asks if he could learn her language, she tilts her head, "How would you do that? I don't mind, but I'm interested to know. Something like that would have been really helpful after I got lost." "I am a Grey Elder mage. I know a spell that allows me to speak languages I do not know. Put enough power into it, and I can learn the language. It's similar to what Z'leyra's necklace does. It can even help me speak to animals and other things. I am also hoping to someday improve my skill in that spell." "That does sound useful. I'm just a shaman," Ix smiles and reaches over to gently pat the wolf. "Zol'zim isn't much of a talker, but he sings beautifully. He does appreciate the food. I'm sure he'd let you know if he didn't." Kiet nods and glances at the wolf. Why does he always lick his lips when looking at him? Then again when Dorhak is nearby he goes lick-crazy like Dorhak is a nice juicy teddy bear to love off of. Kiet looks over to the large wolf. Hmmm..."How about you, wolf? Are you in the mood for a chat too?" Kiet smiles a bit since he is making a small joke. To Ix he says "I hope he appreciates the food I brought on board for him." Kiet will excuse himself while he goes to retrieve his wand. He returns shortly. "This will take me less than a minute to cast, but it is expensive in mana." He casts the spell at 5x cost in hopes of learning. The wolf smiles slightly and likes Kiet of all the various passengers the most. But each time Mae passes the wolf growls and ears perk up. Kiet realizes that he may also need to make a language learning magic toy. It is useful. Landing in Bhamotin's capital port without knowing some of the language is a hindrance at best. Kiet looks around to see if a dock worker is nearby then decides to try casting the 5x cost Tongues spell again, gathering the mana as discretely out of sight as possible, then yelling out to the dock worker in Marentian. He asks him to speak Bhamotin. Kiet casts the language spell and learns Kll'maun at a starting level. Kiet does his best to help the borrowed sailors with the craft. Kiet still likes climbing the rigging and such. Kiet also talks to Raddok. He hears that he wants to learn to use a dagger, but tries to hide his laugh when he says he wants to use it for cutting food. Kiet would only use a dagger for that purpose if he was destitute. A small knife would work far better. In Donaran, Kiet offers "I can teach you to use a dagger, if you wish. However, I think only a few hours a day, what with the work on board ship." [Marqi 27th, 1636TH] Arawn watched while some among them sparred on deck, practicing their combat skills. His thoughts drifted back to a prior sea voyage and, when the party was gathered together for a meal, he decided to share them for the benefit of the newer members. "The last time I had this discussion we were aboard another s hip so I think it fitting that I do so now. Especially as we'll likely encounter danger before this mission is through. Most of this group are familiar with a particular ability I have to bond us in battle. It's a magic that's found great use among Sidh in the battlefield, allowing a small force to comfortably engage a larger, greater threat - the Battle-Mind. For those who allow themselves to be linked by the spell it grants enhanced coordination of efforts, increasing battle skill and insight into tactics." "I mention this as I'd like to know who would be interested in this during battles. It will help me to avoid targeting those not interested who might otherwise resist the spell. I can bond up to 4 other people. All I ask is a list of those open to this so that I know to target you during battle." [Marqi 26th, 1636TH] Z'leyra explains the language necklace to Raddok and others. She then enlightens him a bit to how the necklace works. "This Language Necklace is ensorcelled to be able to cast a Tongues spell twice per day. It is cast by having it around one's neck as a necklace, grasping it and saying the Marentian word "Understand". When so triggered it casts a very powerful Tongues spell on the wearer. This spell allows the recipient to understand a language being spoken nearby and potentially to learn the language to a skill that seems based on the wearer's empathy. The odds of this working to permanently learn the language are higher for those with stronger will and empathy. As she regains mana she will further enchant the necklace to boost the wearer's Empathy and later Willpower, both enchantments requiring considerable mana. Raddok tries to use the language necklace to learn Marentian from another person. The spell works and he can now understand very basic words. f [Marqi 29th, 1636TH] Pyan is excited with the sea the first few days but that quickly fads as the tedium of life on a small piece of wood in a large body of water. After spending a day watching Corona fly around the ship he starts trying to learn how to talk to him as he has seen others do. even going up to Z'leyra and asking "Does the necklace only work with human tongues?" The at night Z'leyra improved her necklace to boost Will onto the rope necklace to help the wearer. [Apris 3rd, 1636TH] [Time: 2:01 pm] Raddok asks if she and/or Dorhak could arrange a meeting with the ship's crew & experienced seamen among their group when they arrive at their next port to decide what supplies are needed for the ship's immediate repair and for maintenance at sea. "I sincerely apologize if I seem forward, but I have a friend who's a trader, and he carries spare wheels and rims, harness, reins, boards, poles, & the hardware and tools to use them, in a special storage area below his wagon for road repairs. I laughed at him about it, and he told me that wagons never break down in a town - only when there's no help to be had, so it was only practical - and safe - to be prepared." He tips his hat apologetically, and retreats, after again thanking her for his new knife. He wonders if any of the others had already told her this, and hopes that the meeting is scheduled, is successful & that funds are sufficient. [Time: 8:20 pm] Upon hearing that Z'leyra would be heading into town to pick up supplies he presented her with a small list and a handful of coins. "I had planned on heading into town to resupply but as you'll be doing so I figure I can use this time to try and teach the basics of swimming to Raddok and any others interested." Upon reaching port, in addition to getting the fighting dagger and sheath for a party member, Z'leyra gets gear for the ship. Extra sails and sailcloth, sewing gear, carpentry tools and lumber, as well as improved outfitting for the kitchen including some of the less expensive spices. But at this hour she knows there will be no markets open or any shops. Folks will be home with their families. She warns Dorhak they may have to stay a few hours after sunrise to get the supply run done. Dorhak growls but what is a few extra hours when the ship is going pretty fast with Arawn's magic involved. Kiet tried to learn Bhamotin in Kasha but Pyan had already used the language that day. So tonight Kiet borrows the necklace and finds someone who speaks Marentian and Bhamotiin to learn the new language. Kiet asks about any boosting to the body and Z'leyra explains there are boosts. So Kiet is forced to remove his items that also help. Once on the dock he learns the language. Arawn decides in the morning to get repair supplies (not that he knows Z'leyra is doing so), cooking supplies and if possible a book on learning Fomorian. Sadly, after 3 libraries Arawn will fail to locate such a book in this city at least. Z'leyra agrees to buy a fighting dagger for Raddok since he is currently low on funds. Then Raddok asks if possible if he could also get a throwing dagger. Z'leyra considers and agrees. They were all once not as rich as those with land or large sums of wealth. Kiet offers to help teach Raddok the use of dagger fighting. Unali tries to learn Bhamotin but finds Kiet has used the necklace today so reserves it for tomorrow morning and to learn the language from Kiet himself since he learned it. Indeed the next morning she learns the language. In port Mournath places his charts in Dorhak's quarters and the Captain approaches him. Dorhak knows that we are approximately half way to the destination, but checks with Mournath about that. "So, Navigator. How fare yet his day? From our previous discussions we should be about half way there, should we not? My plans are to go ahead and stop at Halle and Tilal in Rogozini and Cerulean territory. Hailing from Marentia, neither should prove hostile. However, I truly wish to avoid Dechat and No'mal. Can you see you way to steer us away from the coast north of the Vahear islands, then make landfall somewhere on their eastern coast?" "I don't know those Rogizini or Cerulean people." Unali pays for the Tug fees at the delight of Dorhak. [Apris 4th, 1636TH] [Time: 9:41 am] An impatient Dorhak prowls the deck back and forth waiting for Arawn and Z'leyra to return. By now food, water and some other supplies have been delivered by wagon by store. But it seems the two are after other things. Vistair a city of 14,000 is bustling with activity all around. The sailors are eager to leave as the sun has been up for a few hours already. The day will mainly partly cloudly all day and a very balmy hot day with temperatures only getting to low 80s as hot as 96. There are good winds or at least that's the report from the sailors who wait. By end of the day the ship will make 17 odd miles before anchoring. Finally the two come rushing down the docks and Dorhak orders ropes remove even before they are on board. He is eager to get going. As the ship drifts backwards the two have to leap on board or run on the gangplank. [Time: 12:18 pm] The sweltering heat is disturbing to most of the folks not used to ship life. But Mae enjoys the sailors who work without shirts. Far from the ship that is moving fast south-westward, a thing emerges from the depths. It peeps outs and then scans the area. It then quickly submerges only to come up a bit distance away to do the same. Then it emerges again and signals to his allies. While the ship is sped by Arawn's magic which gives it almost 60% of its boost the beings begin to approach from the west underwater. They are used to such things moving fast and lumbering in the water. The player have been at water for almost 2 weeks and feel safe to this point. Being in friendly waters far from Climan pirate patrols they are at ease even leaving weapons and armor below decks. Some still do carry at least a dagger or sword. But by far most do not as its not worth using during chores and ship life. Most of the ship is sitting around eating lunch on deck or those who can fit in the tiny galley there. Shifts are taken at the steering wheel b Mournath, Arawn or a sailor who is trained on basic course. This to allow the crew to eat while getting the ship constantly moving. Water is broken around the ship as the beings creep toward the ship. These beings are used to such strong currents even the ship's magic. But these beings are used to taking ships and head to the back as well as front. They are skilled enough swimmers to use the current of the magic far out to actually drive them into the ship itself. Corona high above is the first to see the beings crawl up the side of the ship silently. He dives low fast and gives warnings those who understand him. Arawn is deep in the ship using a rarely used access hatch to the bowls of the ship. He knows that Mae has been using the dark area of the ship that aren't rooms - the inter space areas where bilge and hull only are - to eat rats. Rather to drain them for food. Arawn is taking a survey to see how many rats may have been lost mainly to avoid the noon time sun for sun-shy folks like himself. From the crow's nest Barbosa who has been trying to help notices at the same time and yells. Raddok on deck hears this as "fish people!'. The Mermen climb up the deck using ropes, nets or tridents or hooks in well skilled ways. They swarm over the deck all in a oddly coordinated manor. Zepp at the steering wheel blows a whistle of warning. Next Update....Saturday or Next week (Tue/Wed) GM: Finally its out. Finally we have some combat. Sorry for delay But storms, sickness in staff, blah blah blah. Took about a week to get through old posts and emails. Once done only half a day to finish update. For combat for those new I do 2 phases or 6 seconds. This means you can plan for such actions for 2 phases. This means great speeches or Bond Villain death speeches are not good as by time you finish combat is over. Combat typically takes me 3 hours per phase. A lot of bookkeeping work. Charts and such. I'll be using the hex deck plans that are now on the site I posted about long ago. Bottom of links section for a layout I randomly placed folks below using table below. As to combat reminder those without Seaman ship will suffer a bit of effectiveness. Those who are learning its only been 2 weeks which is not qiute long enough to learn. As to armor. Since in friendly waters I assume folks will NOT be wearing armor. Even leather will be hot like today where its very hot. So I assume no one is wearing any. As to weapons normally at least some crew MAY have some. At least a sailor may have a dagger/sword. Captain is allowed on most ships per protocol to wear whatever. First Mate and helmsman MAY have some weapons. But as this is lunch hour I assume most will not have access to weapons. Now with that said some folks are naked without such weapons. So I assume they will be armed. Dorhak - Per protocol as Captain could be armed Fremea - Likes her daggers Ix - Probably a dagger as moving blindly... Mournath Could be armed with dagger/knife Unali Sleeps with daggers Z'leyra Probably war staff only IF that Sailors Maybe dagger/knives I listed above for sop I know of characters. So if you have items in locker son deck or rooms you will need to obtain them. I'd have to have been warned in advance of wearing things like crossbows or such on deck. Merman will be armed with spears, tridents, daggers, rarely swords, nets and maybe maces with light armor. I list the mermen on deck but others may be coming. So plan for 2 phases of actions. I need to do a map and do the movement charts so that'll be Saturday probably so I may not get full 2 phases on Saturday but will try if not then you have till Tuesday. If questions ask! For Mini IBT if not listed will be default Seamanship. If need to learn languages learned via necklasce change or update your skill info. If language fails you can grab it the next day or say repeat until learned. To reserve it. Its April 4th so the dates are free based on chart below for those days used. GM: Raddok - Learned Marentian for your Em half it. Can use the language table I posted to find its not very high. If need to practice can do so as a skill. If need to switch skills again like dagger (see below list) let me know). I won't process the mini IBT points until just before Vahear. Pyan - Sorry Pyan. You can ask for necklace over and over see schedule below for days not used. Dorhak - Meant to email you but kept forgetting to ask if ok to keep ship a bit longer in port the next day. Hope this is fine. Heavy Armor during noon sun? Let me know. By rules of the sea your the only one that would not be weird looking in armor as Captain. Arawn - Sorry about random location but it was random. So to fit it in story I figure maybe looking for Mae killing rats? You may hear muffled voices and the whistle but unsure of what's going on. It will take a few phases to get from middle rear of ship to the front where the hatch to hold is from the inner bowls of ship. Fremea - For story we could say you have need to be alone out of sun? It is hot hot in smuggler's hold since no good air. But I assume hatch would be open to top deck. Ix - At times wolf will be away eating or sleeping. In This case sleeping in a room. Kiet - Who needs weapons. Then again fire on board a ship... Mournath - Maybe you and the sailors in hold are just sitting, eating, drinking and chatting in the cool area of the day? GM: Mini IBT [Marqi 24 Present Player Skills Mournath Spear - Fighting * IX Dance * Raddok Swimming * [3/24-4/7], Swimming * [Partial] Unali Swimming *, Seaman * Z'leyra Seamanship * * Notes that you can find a teacher/master for more points. GM: Language Necklace Use: Roll W+EM or less Buff: +Em Mar 24th, +W Mar 29th Character Date Learning Notes Raddok Mar 26th Marentian Success Pyan Mar 29th Eagle from Corona Fail Kiet Apr 3rd Bhamotin Success Unall Apr 4th Bhamotin from Kiet Success GM: Positions for Combat Starting Phase 0 TAble Used: 01-50 - Below 51-100 Above Deck Below 01-05 Smuggler Hold 06-15 Galley 16-25 Berths 26-75 Hold 76-100 Other (bilge, bowls inner space areas] Above Deck 01-03 Crows Nest (only 1 max) 04-05 Steering Wheel 06-08 Lockers Area 09-10 Rigging Area 11-40 Front of Ship 41-70 Rear of Ship 71-100 Center of Ship Player Location Arawn Below - Other - Near Smuggler Area Dorhak Below - North Side Berth room Fremea Smuggler's Hold Ix Above - Center of top deck Kiet Above - Front of Ship Mae Above - Front of ship Mournath Hold Pyan Below - Berth - SE Berth Room Raddok Above - Center of Top Deck Unali Above - Front of ship Z'leyra Above - Rigging Area top deck Barbasa Above - Crow's Nest Brutto Above - Center of Top Deck Finn... Below - Hold Ardrackle Below - Hold Zepp Above - Steering ship Corona Above - High Above Zol'Zim Below - Berth - SE Corner sleeping Mermen 1-16 Above - Rear of Ship 17 Above - Port of ship - Rear 18-19 Above - Starboard - Center of ship