HT Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex -- ------------------------------------------------------------------ FH.John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar... Ma ...Kevin Newark..........Dorhak............Warrior.Normal/Dwarf....Ma --.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe W2.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human ..Ma ...Don.Kerr..............Maelorna..........Dancer..Normal/Human....Fe ...Gilbert.Isla..........Mournath..........Sailor..Normal/Human....Ma R3 Panthera..............Pyandalgor........Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma Fake-Kell/Raki........Raki..............Normal..Normal/Shifter..?? R4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human ..Fe R4.Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human ..Fe Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra 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 #-19a sequence (file #49) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] [None] ______________________________________________________________ [New Stuff] * Z'leyra's IBT [Decalis 2nd, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Evening] Z'leyra sits down to dinner at Z'lart's small cabin. Her brother is amazed about her being alive. Mona is thrilled by her aunt being back. Z'leyra eats two plates full of pork chops and rice. Even after eating some in the forest by the Fortress she is still starving. Mona giggles at her aunt's voracious eating. Soon Mona is placed to bed and the serious talk turns to her return. Z'leyra has been avoiding it all night but relents and at least gives a overview of what happened. But does not go into detail on the whole shape shifter thing. Z'leyra could trust her brother but the danger of them knowing could put them at risk. Z'lart and Kalara sit and listen to Z'leyra's story. They are amazed as she details the events with clear and distinct flair that a village story teller would be impressed by. Then she mentions Kell's death and both are saddened. They did not know Kell at all but to the Sculptor and his wife life is important. Z'leyra exits the cabin to find Corona sitting on a tree limb nearby. She smiles at seeing the snow white eagle as he has gained a bit of weight. It seems Mona has fed him well and spoiled him. Corona is glad to see the Shaman back but seems aloof. He can sense loss in Z'leyra not just her cherished satchel but Kell among other things. Z'leyra explains where she was and quietly gives a bit more detail than she did inside. Before going back inside she tells him they'll be flying often for him to lose the weight. Z'leyra collapses onto the couch and sleeps deeply. [Decalis 3rd, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Z'leyra slaps her nose once. Twice then a third time. Then slaps her chin and wakes up. She hears a girl's giggle as Mona tickles her cheek with a feather from Corona. Z'leyra rolls over and grabs the girl and begins to tickle and wrestle with her. Z'leyra notices the smell of breakfast and hot tea. She stretches and reflects. To escape this mysterious special dimension prison holding god-killing shape shifters. To then escape and teleport her a day ago. She worries about her sister and wonders if she can handle the abuse the elders will surely be putting on her. Z'leyra sips her herbal tea and reflects to the family she watches. This is how it is to be a settled family. At her age she is a old woman not married in social areas. She has seen Jordi/Neva, Cholan/Kes, Ben'dar/Pasha (though not married last she heard), Fremea's parents and others from her home of Ticasi marry and have kids. Could she make it past the next great adventure to settle down? Could she just settle down and have a few kids? Some are just bred for adventure while others like her brother are made to settle down. She has to decide which side of the fence she is on. Z'leyra gets some clothes from Kalara to wear until the can clean her other clothing. Z'lart takes his sister to the village elder. He seeks permission to allow her to remain another month. The old lady looks frail but smart as a whip. "You were here what a year ago?" Z'leyra states 10 months to be honest. "Normally we don't allow two visits. But since this was your home at one point before you abandoned us, I'll grant it." Z'leyra doesn't correct the statement as it was Tiren who was kicked out not her technically. Over the next 2 weeks Z'leyra spends time in this village as well as some nearby ones. She socializes to catch up on the past 3 - now almost 4 - years. She will help teach if the villagers allow it with her healing and crafting skills. Z'leyra spends time flying with Corona mainly to get him to lose his 5-6 pounds of extra flab as well as to get back a connection with the eagle. She does this during the day or at night. [Decalis 3rd-4th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] The village healer takes up Z'leyra's offer to listen to her healing techniques. The healer watches and listens intently with keen interest. Over the next two days Z'leyra teaches some more civilized techniques. The Kamerans shamans use more general techniques by nature while as what Z'leyra shows its more medical material for the body directly. [Decalis 4th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:09 am] Z'leyra is awoken to bells from outside. She notices in the dim fireplace light Z'lart moving to the door. "Just go back to sleep. Probably a wolf trying to get some hens." Then leaves the cabin. Z'leyra stands and grabs her staff. It would take a bit of time to get her armor on so decides to see if its just a wolf or not. She grabs her helmet and leaves. Outside the bells ring likely from a town square stop. She sees figures some distance away maybe 2 cabins down. She moves down and hears the distinctive noise. She has heard them before they are Hyena barks. There at the nearby cabin she watches as a pack of hyena surround a pen of a half dozen goats. A man and women watch helplessly from the door as the hunting pack circle for a weak target to drag away. These plain dog like creatures do sometimes venture into the forest. But this pack is huge there are she counts 18-19! She notices to the side 4 hunters come to repel the group but notice the size as well and hesitate. They might pelt 3-4 at a time with bows but would be swamped themselves. They quietly wonder if its just best to let a goat or two be taken. Then the hyenas select 3 goats two young ones and a female that has a limp. Eight of the hyena scamper under the fence and attack. The hunters knock bows and prepare to fire at the dozen or so left. Things go into chaos after that. Hyenas spread out to attack and defend the pack. Hunters and villagers come to defend the helpless goats. Z'lart isn't a warrior but seems to help direct the fray back and forth. Z'leyra and 3 other villagers armed with spears get near the pen or enter it to defend the goats. Z'leyra personally has to deal with 4 hyena on her own. The entire combat lasts 2 full minutes. Of the 24 attacks attempted 3 go through. Two bites were normal doing 2 and 3 points while a 3rd bite was severe doing 7 points to Z'leyra for a total of 12 points. In the end though Z'leyra kills the four that personally attacked her. She wounded 3 others. While two of the young goats were dragged away they were dropped when the hyena numbers decreased dramatically. Z'lart is able to kill one wounded one that went after him. Four of the villages had other bites. The last few rounds of combat go so fast that a dozen of the hyena were killed swiftly. Five of the unwounded ones flee into the forest with no chase by villagers. Z'leyra casts a healing mist spell after treating the bite wounds to heal the wounded. Sadly the two young goats were lost but the numbers were too much to defend them well. Z'leyra returns back to her couch and gets a few more hours in before doing some village chores and teaching today. She is able to use a empty cabin for a few more weeks so she does not have to stay with Z'lart. Z'leyra casts Levitation, Insubstantiability and then casts a low powered teleport 12 times. OF the 12 teleports 2 of them fail. That night Z'leyra casts Orient Self with her drum in hand to enter a shamanic trance, purification and then a knowledge spell to learn more of a Restoration spell. [Decalis 5th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:11 am] Z'leyra is awoken to tapping on the window. She sees Corona at the window trying to get her attention. She opens the window and the eagle explains there are some large spiders attacking 2 hunters in the woods. Z'leyra quickly dresses and as fast as she can gets her armor on. She was loaned a horse today as hers was taken by Chion awhile back. But if she takes the horse it might just endanger it. She grabs her staff, helmet, sling and sword. She rushes outside and is directed by Corona to follow. Even if she just came half naked with no armor it would've been a good minute and if the hunters are still alive no hope would've befallen them. So she knows a bit of extra time should not make things far worse. Z'leyra aims her helmet at one of the Great Spiders ready to fire.. She signals for Corona to be ready. There are actually 3 hunters two fighting back to back but the 3rd is on the ground probably poisoned. The two hunters are using spears against 5 circling and leaping Great Spiders. Z'leyra triggers the firestone in the helmet and a fire dart shoots out 70 feet toward spider #5 hitting him doing 25 points of damage. Corona also flies over and fires his magical eyes releasing a fire dart like energy blast at #5 doing the damage to kill the spider. Now it is 4 against 3. Z'leyra runs forward in the fray hoping to defend the hunters. Spider #2 turns and runs toward Z'leyra. The other 3 soilders choose hunter #2 They all three in a coordinated attack try to distract and knock the hunter down but each spider fails in their attacks. Hunter #1 turns to Spider #4 and stabs it in the side doing 6 points of damage. The other hunter is just trying to avoid being hit. Z'leyra fires another fire dart from her helmet at the one charging her. This time the fire darts does over 50 points of damage and turns the spider to ash. Corona can't help the hunters as it might hit them with his blast. Spider #1 whips its arms at hunter #2 and is able to knock him over and getting on top the spider injects his poison and paralyzes the hunter. Now it is 3 vs 2. The other two spiders charge Z'leyra who is now only 10 feet away. Both spiders try to knock Z'leyra down but fail. Their arms whip at her hitting but her armor protects her. Hunter #1 tries to attack the spider on his friend but the spider uses a leg to distract the hunter. Z'leyra hits #4 doing 15 points with her staff. Both spiders try to attack Z'leyra but fail. Spider #1 turns to the last hunter and leaps. But the hunter ducks in time to avoid the attack. Z'leyra swings on one spider but misses. Spider #4 tackles Z'leyra and she is knocked down. It runs over her dripping blood from his previous wounds. The mouth lowers ready to inject and bites down. Z'leyra becomes limp. The other spider grabs the staff and flings it away. Spider #1 attacks Hunter #1 but does not hit. Hunter #1 sees Z'leyra fall and wonders if he could flee to get help. Spiders are just as fast as the humans but they can use the limps and trees as a repelling force to increase their speed. So chances are he may not be able to flee. Corona fires on spider #4 which is already wounded and just took out Z'leyra. The blast kills the beast nearby. Now it is 2 vs 1. Both spiders charge the hunter with spider #5 doing 3 points of damage with his legs. Spider #1 slashes a leg at Hunter #1's chest tearing a line of flesh out killing the hunter. Corona could fire all day at these beasts but if they start to drag the bodies away but it might take a long time to kill the beasts. So he flies toward the village to get help. Soon he is tapping the window to Z'lart's window. Z'lart has no clue what the bird is saying but this must be serious so dresses to warn the villagers. Inspecting Z'leyra's cabin they find it empty. Corona then leads a group of 3 hunters to find the battle site. Once there they find the paralyzed hunter has been dragged away by both spiders. It seems Z'leyra is still alive but paralyzed. Her armor and weight must've been too much to carry. The three hunters carry Z'leyra back to the village for a shaman to treat. Then they return to gather a larger force of 8 hunters to try to track down the missing hunter. Almost an hour later the group of hunters find the paralyzed hunter left on the ground. There are signs the spider must've detected a large force behind them and gave up. The hunters carry the hunter back to the village and fetch the dead hunter who tried to save Z'leyra. Z'leyra is freed and able to move. Some in the village see this as a bad sign. Some argue banishment but Z'lart talks them down. The freed hunter does not support Z'lart as frankly he didn't even know she was there until explained later. [Decalis 7th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 6:07 am] Z'leyra is flying over the forest and spots a Searbhani giant. From what Arawn tells of them these giants are mostly harmless unless cornered. She and Corona follow it as sunrise is on the far horizon. It seems to be avoiding local villages. [Decalis 9th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:24 am] Z'leyra is visiting the outhouse that a few of the cabins share. She notices 13 hunters entering the village with pelts and animals. She wonders if this group might have her brother. But as she nears she doesn't spot her brother. It seems they are returning from a large hunting trip. Some have minor cuts and scraps and Z'leyra helps to ensure no infections. [Decalis 10th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:53 am] Z'leyra is stoking the fireplace when she hears the sounds of hyena in the forest. Gathering a robe she exits to take a look. Sounds like they a mile or two away to the south. It is hard to figure out numbers since they are not seen. But the sentries never see the animals enter the village. [Time: Afternoon[ Like first 2 days here in the village Z'leyra gets another chance to teach healing for some visiting shamans from other villages. She spends most of the day teaching them some of the "civilized" methods. [Decalis 11th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:53 am] Z'leyra casts Levitate which fails and then a new Insubstantiability. She then casts 12 teleport spells with 4 failures. [Decalis 12th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Chion knocks on Z'lart's door and finds Z'leyra. She dresses in her best black clothing, borrowed from the village and teleports away. First landing in Cetric's camp then a short jump to Ba'ru. Z'leyra meets the party and prepares for Kell's funeral. The shaman-healer greets Kell's mother and sister as well as fellow friends. At the service she watches as a priest and Arawn deliver a good eulogy. Z'leyra and others return for a feast at Kell's old home. Before Chion takes the others he takes Z'leyra aback to the Kameran lands with 2 quick teleports. [Decalis 13th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 10:47 pm] Z'leyra is coming back from a town square party celebrating a birth in the village when she spots 5 wild dogs prowling the village. When they come across a young teen girl they approach ready to chase if the girl flees. Z'leyra sees this and asks Corona to scare the dogs. Corona fires near the pack once. This only causes them to stop. A second time they decide it is not worth staying so head into the forest. [Decalis 14th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Using staff Z'leyra casts Orient Self with her shamanic drum and purification. Then casts a Knowledge spell to gain some Restoration education. [Decalis 16th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Mona rushes up to Z'leyra tell her aunt that her uncle is in town. Z'leyra rushes to the cabin to see Z'varara her other brother. Last time he was far off on some trip. She watches as he stands. He has grown so much since she last saw him years ago. His biceps alone could hold a wagon on his back. He has grown a few inches and has a stylish mustache. But along his left cheek he has a scar of some sort that looks like from a boar tusk she guesses. Brother and sister meet for hours and catch up. It seems he is not married but has a girl in a eastern village. He has dabbled in fine leather crafting like boots. Over the next few days both talk and catch up. Z'leyra can still sense a bit of wary hesitation to her brother. She can only guess he still resents them leaving. He was very vocal that Tiren should've either taken them all or none. [Decalis 17th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:10 am] Z'leyra casts Levitate, Insubstantiability and then does 12 teleport spells with 1 teleport failure. Z'leyra is in the outhouse when she hears a cat purring and on exiting she finds a gray and black cat shivering in the cold. She has not seen it before in the village so it must be wild or lost. Z'leyra decides to take it to her cabin to warm and give some water. In the morning she'll see about getting her some milk. Later that day a villager adopts the cat. Mona pleaded for it but Z'lart refused since it has clear signs of fleas and is too feral to try to tame. [Decalis 18th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] That late afternoon Z'leyra gets a note that she is needed at the Ancient Moss Fortress. Since it would take days to get there by horse she decides to teleport there with Corona. She packs up and will leave in the morning. Till then she spends her last few hours with Z'varara and Z'lart. [Decalis 19th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Z'leyra says good bye to Z'lart and his family and Z'varara. Then teleports to the spot they ended up that day the party left. She walks to the fortress. The guards do not recognize her at all and it takes some time to convince them to allow entry. She is escorted to a meeting area to wait. An hour later she is escorted too a small set of lounges. There she sees Z'layha and 3 very elderly females in various robes of their order. Z'leyra recognizes one as a Elder of the Mystics from years ago. The other two seem unknown to her. They are sitting lotus style on the floor with Z'layha off to the left. The three elders are the highest ranking in the Kameran tribes and the most powerful lodges. "Z'layha has explained the situation to us in great detail." The head elder speaks calmly with hands on knees. This elder she has talked to before and she can be stern but formal. The Mystic Arts seem to make sense to be the head lodge here since things are more mystical than secular in this fortress. "We want your explanation truthfully." Z'leyra has no time to cast magic to sense magic here. But she suspects there could be truth magic here. If she lies she could be dealt with harshly. She decides to explain everything but the shape shifters. It was agreed to previously weeks ago to not mention them. IF the gods just happen to hear they could take out this entire tribe with a few avatars to ensure their secret is kept. Z'layha just said "prisoners" which is truth. Z'leyra explains it all and finally the elder speaks. "D you feel these are gods?" Z'leyra shakes her head. That is truth as well. "This concurs with Z'layha. At great length we have decided to end all tributes effectively as of 2 weeks ago. Your sister will be keeper of the Tribute but will hold the secret to her death. We will still mimic the tributes so the others will not be aware of the facts. We assume you will also keep these secrets to yourself. We are still debating what to do with the strange Kameri blade metal. We ask that you remain here for the next few days in case we have more questions. We need to get a grasp on this thing and which lies far to our basement levels." Z'leyra agrees. She is assigned to a restricted set of levels and access to the outside and common areas. Her sister has a bit more access. Over the next week or so Z'leyra will be fetched to answer military, logistics, religious and philosophical questions by the elders of this mystical prison. Questions on how best to ward the "gate" in the basement level as well as other possible wards are done. She is not allowed to set wards as she is not a person who will remain here. But she can give her own advice. [Decalis 23rd, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Z'leyra casts Levitate, Insubstantiability which fails and 12 teleports with 5 of those failing. [Decalis 24th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Z'leyra casts Orient Self, Purification and a Knowledge spell to learn more on Restoration. [Decalis 25th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 2:14 am] Z'leyra is awoken to Corona on the balcony to her room. She is several stories up and above the river in the south west. There is a moon out and Corona gestures to the sky. Z'leyra sees a dragon about 20 feet long. It is flying lazily around the area. While dragons are rare they are not that super rare. But then Z'leyra notices it. In the light of the moon she notices there are 5 human bulbs at the front. Squintng, it almost looks like human heads. Corona agrees they are like human heads. Later Z'leyra will speak to Arawn and learn it sounded like a Naga. [Decalis 26th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 10:56 am] Z'leyra is outside the fortress watching the locals tend to some gardens and having breakfast. As she sits tired of the questions from the lodge leaders she has 2 black cats approach. For some reason she has a thing for wild cats lately. They inspect Z'leyra and she pets them but they seem well fed for wild cats. [Decalis 29th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] Z'leyra casts Levitate, Insubstantiability as well as 12 teleport with 6 teleport failures. [Decalis 30th, 1635TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 8:40 am] Z'leyra rounds the corner of the back of the fortress outside. A small grove is there with statues and benches. She finds a man dead as well as another man dead. There are a half dozen male guards. Then she realizes the man looks like the other man but is wearing robes. The same face and build. Inspecting the dead she finds the robed man naked under and wounds from the guard swords. But the wounds are not bleeding but look almost green ooze. She has seen this before. When the tree of souls copied Pyan this is how it looked. This dead robed man must've killed the other man. But in doing so he was killed by the guards. This Soul Son must've gone far and wide to track down this man. She wonders if there is another tree of souls or if this is the one they found on the river hundreds of miles away. [Janaq 1st, 1636TH - Kameran Village] [Time: 3:34 pm] Z'leyra is outside watching the artist paint some elder portraits when a boy is trying to carry a large dog past. Z'leyra goes to help and finds the dog's leg is broken. She places the dog on the ground and does a healing spell on the dog. She tries to let it up and it still has a limp but it can at least move now without pain. [Janaq 2nd, 1636TH - Kameran Village] An hour after sunrise and breakfast Z'leyra teleports with Corona to Cetric's pre-set teleport circle. She spends a short while with the village and visits. Mainly to show the kids Corona as they always seem to enjoy the site of a eagle his color. It is a good sign to them. She then teleports to Sivas at the Library roof. Once back at her manor she enters the gate. She notices a new guard. But the other she recognizes. She'll have to talk to the steward about it later. She heads inside for a quick overview of any major events by the cook. Nothing major has happened but the steward will inform in depth later. Z'leyra casts Mana Sensing and Mana Reading 8 times each to check on each manor ward. Two of the mana sensing spells do fail though. Z'leyra enters her office to collect the pile of papers, notes and scrolls after almost a year's away from home. She know it will take a few days to go through it also tries to skim the important parts. Even then it takes a few hours to do so. She calls for the steward to enter the office for his report. He explains about those who stayed here for a short while like Mae, Kiet and the dwarf before they moved on. Apparently Kiet has a new place and she makes a note of the address. Apparently Kiet would like to see her once she gets back into town. Lastly the steward covers the events some 3 weeks prior with Arawn and his body guards. This surprises Z'leyra. Why would he need a bodyguard? Then she hears about the succubus attack and the firing of the guard. Z'leyra sits back to consider this. While the guard would be very easy to sway from such a creature the idea of having more than 1 guard should defer those risks. So she doesn't blame the steward for firing him. They should've been prepared. She makes a mental note to work with the guards on possible scenarios in the future. Z'leyra drafts a letter to local healers she knows that she is back and almost ready for healing again. Z'leyra then spends the rest of the evening reading the papers into the late hours of the night. The cook did come in and bring food but she is too distracted and has the soup reheated for later. [Janaq 3rd, 1636TH - Kameran Village] Z'leyra spends the morning inspecting the manor, the wards, the workshop and stables. She meets with the guards and gets a feel for the new guard. The other experienced guard says he is good at his job and has been at it for 3 weeks. Z'leyra wonders if Mae attracted these succubus to her place or it was just random. But according to reports she wasn't seen here. At some brothel it seems not wanting to stay at her place. Z'leyra greets her horse again and ensures it is healthy thanks to Chion and the stableboy. She then mounts up and heads to find Kiet's place. At Kiet's manor she is impressed. The acrobat has far more land than she does. But her house is a bit bigger in width so at least that is something. She finds the acrobat inside as the work crews work around the estate. Kiet simply brings out a slip of scroll that Kell had left in case he were to die. She reads the note: To Z'leyra, user of magical toys and healer at large. I hope that you learn to use your magic from within not from without. Using toys is all great but it deludes your magical prowess. My teacher Na'bob Bruse taught me that things delude the magical environment. Since I enjoy elemental magic this was a huge factor as elementals did not like 'muddy' waters as it were. I hope that you will build and enjoy your healing places. To that end I have purchased land in the north east of the city near the old dairy. It is not much but it is 5 acres. It has a old stone building that used to hold city work supplies and offices. It is yours to sell or use. Z'leyra sits back after reading the comments form Kell. Land? A building? Kiet explains he has a architect that can help if needed and gives directins on where to find him. Then he shows the Healer the manor and the silo and grounds. His own private future plans for this new place of his. Z'leyra leaves and finds the architect who has his wife at his office. His wife is a designer for making places nice looking including furniture and so she offers to come and visit the land. The trio make it to the north east section of town near the old dairy. It is large at 5 acres but there is no fence just a dirt path and the one story stone building. Kiet and Dorhak had already explored the place and after visiting the town city hall got the key to the place. But there is nothing to take. The wooden single door is a bit worn out and should be replaced. There what seems to be 3 offices, 4 storage rooms and another open area that may have been another room of some sorts. Z'leyra envisions the place for her students and teachers. She states where her office or the healer on duty's office will be. She'll need a simple desk, 4 chairs and some cabinets. At the front door will be a lobby for a small desk and maybe as many as 14 chairs? The other rooms she orders a simple single bed, 3 chairs and cabinets for patient rooms. She sets aside one room for storage for medical supplies and will need a good metal door here to make sure no thieves at least try to get inside. The architect has plenty of ideas but Z'leyra states she will need to gather more funds for those plans for later on. His wife totals the estimates and comes up with 26 silver - 220-225 for furniture, 20-25 for repairs and other things like plants and curtains and around 15 copper for labor and wagons to bring the stuff. For a total of around 26 silver. Z'leyara locks up and parts with the other 2 to do their duties for the school. Z'leyra glances around the land at the sparse set of trees. She can imagine building multi story structures of her great school. As she mounts she wonders if the Royal Healer will hear about this and try to stop her like he did in the past? Z'leyra returns to her manor and back to the chore of the paperwork. [Janaq 4th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] Z'leyra wakes up to more paperwork and knows it will take a few days to paint and clean up the healing building. She tries to come up with a name - Z's Healing? Z'leyra's School of Healing? Kell's Healing Foundation? She knows she will want a herbal garden and to do more plans. She has heard how well Kiet did on his quick construction of the fence and the cheap amount of coin. Only needing weeks not months to finish. She asks to speak to his gardener to get idea for her own garden at the school property. That afternoon she asks the guards if they know of a person who could teach her better stamina. The head guard quickly suggests their training sarge. During the winter he takes a month off but could help teach her all she wanted. He is tough and stern but knows how to mold a fat recruit into a lean warrior in weeks. This seems acceptable so she rides to the barracks to find him. After a interview with Sarge Omas she hires him for the next month of work to improve her stamina. She will start tomorrow if possible. [Janaq 5th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] Z'leyra meets with Sarge Omas a tall 6 foot 2 middle aged man with arms size of tree trunks and a nice scar along his neck to left ear. Omas eyes the healer and scoffs and does his assessment of the healer and how much work she'll need to have done. From the roof Corona snickers a bit as much as a eagle can snicker. He outlines a regiment of running, swimming, hiking and climbing as well as exercises to tone the body and mind. There will be days of endurance marathons of lack of sleep and environmental exposure while hungry and tired. Even swimming in the Cholchara Sea when its in the water is in the 30s. Z'leyra figures this is just torture but knows it is needed to be done. Sarge Omas says it will take place in the hills outside the city, city streets, here at the manor and parks of the city as well as the sea. He claps his hands and starts the yelling and screaming to whip Z'leyra in shape. First he orders a quick and easy 3 mile run in the hills and back. Z'leyra groans but he orders no armor and weapons as it would bog her down the first day. Maybe later she will wear armor to make things tougher. As they run into the hills outside the city they encounter a large boar. Omas ignores it but Z'leyra tries to dodge and weave as it chases her. Then Omas yells that she is taking too long. For her free time after the work with Omas she will plan to read, study and spend time with local rich elite. She hopes to be asked to make items. But she is also hoping to make contacts to help her school. She has seen how Unali can easily merge into the Court in Maren City so hopes she can at least try the same her with local people. Over the next month she repeats these free time activities each night. Z'leyra casts Orient Self that evening then purification which fails. Then casts Knowledge but it also fails. [Janaq 6th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] She has a day's of grueling work with Omas hiking a fast trot along the city wall itself - which is not easy since the wall is only 1-2 feet wide at the top - and running along it as guards patrol the perimeter of the upper wall is not easy. Now early evening she is at a tavern resting her feet and meets a merchant who sells finely crafted leather personal items like belts and hats. They sit and discuss various topics. [Janaq 6th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] [Time: 9:36 am] Z'leyra is at a park trying some old fashioned tree climbing. Omas is off to get some water when she encounters 10 peasants. They are arguing over how to avoid influence over a merchant who wants to build on the streets they live. So he can build large warehouses. Z'leyra doesn't have much advice but suggests a few things and who she might want to contact like Etain who may know the city well by now. [Time: 11:57 pm] Z'leyra is heading to the outhouse when she finds 2 wild cats prowling around. She tries to chase one to see if they need help but they are too fast and avoid her. She sighs and will have to talk to the guards how the cats snuck in without notice. [Janaq 9th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] [Time: 4:57 am] Z'leyra wakes to stoke the fireplace in her bedroom. The cold night is creeping in too much. She passes the window and notices a guard walking by on patrol. She stokes the fire and passes the window but the guard is still in place? She stares and notices the man is motionless. There is white gleam to his skin and that's when she figures something is bad it almost looks like a purification spell. She grabs her armor, helmet, sword and staff. Exiting as fast as she can with time taken to don her armor she finds the guard in mid walk. Sure enough his body is rock hard like that of stone. She glances around and notices a creature on the barn peering down with red eyes. It speaks some demonic words and Z'leyra pulls inward her magical defense. But nothing happens. The Devil then raises a hand to show a dagger and a hand. On his hand grows 4 inch metal like claws. It cackles and then flies toward Z'leyra. Z'leyra tosses her staff down and draws her magical blade as it will deflect those claws a lot better. The Devil swipes with his dagger and claws but both miss. Z'leyra swipes her sword at the fleeing Devil as it tries to take to the air. She notices the demon wearing armor and the blade slices into its left ribs doing 19 points but it had to pass chainmail quality mail as well as chainmail quality natural hide to do so. She yells to the other guard who should be at the guard for help. The Devil dives again clawing and slashing with his dagger. His dagger hits her in the chest but does no damage. Z'leyra tries to swing at the demon but it is too agile. The Devil misses with his dagger but his claws take a bit of flesh from her shoulder doing 4 points of damage. Z'leyra misses again as she hears the gate guard moving toward this way. the Devil stabs Z'leyra in the back with the dagger doing 6 more points as the dagger remains in her back. Z'leyra hits the Devil in the left leg cutting his leg in half doing 7 points of damage. The devil takes to the air and sees the guard running. It decides Z'leyra is too tough so flies fast toward the guard. Z'leyra yells to fall down! If the Devil can possess the guard she might be forced to kill her own guard. The guard falls to the ground as the Devil reaches just above the guard reaching with his claws to kill the guard. But Z'leyra unleashes a firedart from her helmet and fries the demon. Z'leyra considers leaving the guard as is maybe as a nice statue to show Dorhak. But his girlfriend might get upset so decides to cast a dispel spell. Z'leyra crosses her arms and looks stern at the guard as he realizes he is now free. [Janaq 10th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] [Time: 7:46 am] Z'leyra is heading to the market to do some shopping when she notices a messenger eye her. "You that lady that does the healing?" Z'leyra nods. "If you ever need a good messenger or need a person to deliver notes or such I'm your boy. " He tries to promote himself for the next 5 minutes and details where he can be found if needed. [Janaq 11th, 1636TH - Sivas, Marentia] [Time: 1:51 pm] Omas allows Z'leyra to rest for 30 min for lunch when she sees a local noble - a baron in the park. She tries to make small talk but when she rounds the corner around a mule she accidentally steps in mule droppings and the baron is turned off and rides away. She curses the farmer and his mule. [Janaq 12th, 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 3:22 pm] Z'leyra and Omas are jogging a simple 4 mile run through the street when she notices a group of 4 merchants. It seems one has cut his hand. Z'leyra stops but Omas yells at her to continue. She ignores him and the other merchants asks if it can be infected. She does not have her medical supplies but she cleans it with water and gives her medical opinion that it should be fine. She offers to heal the hand magically and the merchant agrees. Z'leyra heals the hand up. Then Omas grabs her and drags her along before she can get their names. [Janaq 13th, 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 6:41 am] The steward wakes up Z'leyra and she finds in the parlor are 4 adventurers. They are saying they have returned form a small adventure to hunt down a bandit group in the hills for the city. But one has a bad foot and requests to be seen. Z'leyra grabs her bag and find it infected. Another day and he might have to cut it off. But he is lucky to be here. She treats the wound with her best skills and then a quick healing spell. The leader of the group who could use a bath offers to pay but Z'leyra find it rude to ask for payment in her own home. [Time: 1:09 pm] Omas stops their run in a park when he spots 4 actors doing some kind of play in the park. It is very low tech with not much props and scenery. Just oratory speeches for word images. Omas stares at one particular actress and Z'leyra grins. She knows when he wanted to stop not to give her a rest as he claims but to ogle the girl. They watch the scene for about 15 minutes before moving on. [Janaq 14th, 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 12:10 pm] Omas has setup a obstacle course in the hills west of the city. As Z'leyra is climbing, dodging, ducking, crawling and otherwise putting her body in positions not normal for humans she notices a small army pass. They must be 25-30 men marching north. But the only thing up that way is the far outpost at the foot of the Cholchara bay some 50+ miles away. [Time: 9:24 pm] Z'leyra walks the cook out for the night to the gate so she can go home. As they near the gate they notice a city guard in patrol uniform on horse stop and speak to the guard. He moves on as they near. It seems the city is on the look out for a escaped felon. The cook worried hesitates to leave but a guard offers to walk her home as his shift is almost up anyways. [Janaq 15th, 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 1:50 pm] Z'leyra and Omas are hiking in the hills when they encounter a site of carnage. There are 8 here on the ground. Six are dead. Two are wounded. There are signs of some large beast attacking the peasants. Z'leyra quickly treats the wounded and does some quick magical healing. They explain it was a griffin attack. A half dozen of them all took their 4 horses but killed the others. Omas and Z'leyra help carry the bodies to the city and get help for the dead. That night Z'leyra casts Orient Self, Purification and a Knowledge spell to learn more on Restoration. [Janaq 17th, 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 10:43 pm] A light earthquake rocks Sivas but it is enough force to knock some old buildings to rubble. Z'leyra and Omas are running around a town square when it happens. One such structure a mining office does collapse. A column outside kills 2. But there are 3 badly wounded. Z'leyra and Omas help the wounded. She stops the bleeding and resets a disjointed shoulder. Then casts a quick healing spell to heal all 3 of the men. [Janaq 18th, 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 7:23 am] As Z'leyra and Omas jog around a park they watch a large crowd. Some mini-festival is going on in the park with at least 20 entertainers - acting, sword fighting, sword swallowing, acrobatics, musicians and dancers. There are about 120 people enjoying the festival. But Z'leyra is urged to run and enjoy it later. [Janaq 21st 1636TH - sivas, Marentia] [Time: 3:04 pm] Omas and Z'leyra are almost done for the day when both encounter a soldier outside a tavern beating his war horse a very superior war house mount. Omas yells at the man and a fist fight ensues. Omas being more experienced ducks and avoids the first 3 punches. Then with one quick foot slide knocks the man to his knees then punches the man out. Z'leyra checks the horse but it is minor bruises only. She finds it is property of a local barracks. They walk the horse to the barracks and complain to the Captain on duty about the man. [Time: 10:38 pm] Z'leyra is riding from a nearby estate where she was socializing with some merchants. She encounters 5 peasants who form a X around one particular person. They glare as Z'leyra rides by but seem only want to protect the central figure for some reason. Z'leyra would stop and investigate but she is tired and needs sleep. Actions? Comments? Next Update....Next ... GM: Part 1 of 2. See Part 2.