HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- R1 John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar Ma ?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....NormalFaerry Fe W4 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe R4 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Boyzdar [Wolf] (Strie'bog), Game Web Site - http://www.funport.com/longshot/pbem Public posts/actions to pnpgm@abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to longshot@darktech.org Game Update #16b in sequence (file #19) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin notes: Let the Adventure Begin! ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] - None ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Marqi 29, 1633TH. 1st Day of Adventure #4. Location: Sivas, Marentia.] [Spring in Marentia quickly comes to the city nested among the low lands of the free trade city of Sivas. Winter has been mild to Marentia with only heavy snows in the eastern mountains and typical snow drifts in the western plains of Marentia. Maren has seen snow a few times this winter while Sivas has only seen hard freezes and the occasional lake effect snow from Lake Sivas. Malnon has seen only low temperatures but suffered the least. Cholchara on the other hand has seen many inches of snow this winter making river traffic harder at certain spots. But as temperatures slowly rise and spring begins to set in the cities become busy again with normal activity. The nobility returns to their spring and summer homes while farmers return to their farms for spring harvest. On a regional level Marentia has only had to deal with a few incidents including a nasty diplomatic disaster when the rarely seen Teosian Diplomat visited but was poisoned by bad food. Despite that a gem trade deal was brokered by the King. As with most winter hard times pirate activity in the Sea of Tears declined as naval patrols increased. Reports of only a few dozen pirate attacks are heard over the winter. the biggest issue for King Maros has been the L'p'nthian internal problems that lead to their citizens and some military crossing the north west borderlands coming as close as 300 miles to the capital in some incidents. The surge of refugees causes villages and mountain towns to move for safety and only to return as spring comes about. Even the generals and admirals who feared a possible war with Clima over the "summer incident" on Clima saw no war come just their budgets increase for military buildup. On the Zen'da Plains the winter was typical with hard freezing temperatures and low food amounts. Three blizzards did occur around Caladan's village. For one full day no one in his village could do anything but stick around the lodge fires. But as the spring comes new game from the western forests, southern mountains and eastern hills enter back on the plains for new migrations. Typically spring comes a few weeks later here than in Marentia. For the Zen'da culture the winter saw no major incidents aside from the occasional horse thief or villager desperate enough for food to steal it. Only in the Western Tribes of the plains did they see major border incidents with the forest people. For Caladan's village they are buffered by other tribes so saw no incidents but heard the occasional report of L'p'nth border disputes and skirmishes where refugees tried to settle on Zen'dan land. Usually dealt with by the Ser'manda tribes. With spring however border disputes on the plains seems to always pick up with poachers and bandits. For the Vassa the winter has been typical as well. Winter saw snow about 40% of the time on a average week. At one point a northern blizzard forces residents into the Sacred Forest which keeps a warmer climate than the outside. This overflow of people was coordinated by Bohusara, Miklav, Mertz, Arawn, Strie'bog and others. The Vassa are well aware of hard winters so always do their hunting in preparation for food storage in the fall. Most were able to live on these store houses of food. But several villages underestimated or found their food rotten. Arawn and others has to help them during this time to survive. Spring up in this northern area typically takes a month longer to come than in Marentia. For the Vassa incidents are typical in winter more than in summer times. As Humagi and other folks need food and wood for fires they typically will poach from the forest region. Vigilance and constant patrols are needed by the Protectors of the forest. During the winter months hundreds of minor incidents occur all along the thousand plus mile border of the forest. Some as minor as taking of wood to as major as raids on villages for food with deaths on both sides. This is why most Vassa live deep inside the forest a good 40 or more miles away from the border. A special watch is done at the eastern cabin the party had a combat at. But no Humagi return that winter aside from a week after the party left. Then the Shaman protected and took the spirits of the dead. Villagers plan on rebuilding the cabin as it is used for both a emergency shelter and as a observation post for the plains but it won't be rebuilt until spring is well underway. Arawn of course returned to Sivas with the party to search for materials to repair his items and for trade for other items. Chion would then teleport back up to the Vassa forest when Chion went to train with Cetric. In the forest he had a few incidents but the most deadly was with a Daoine Sidhe that almost killed him. Since Strie'bog and others heard about this its well known to the party eventually. But from the attack Arawn earned a Elven bow and magical sword. Arawn spent many nights and days with his fellow Sidh including the True Sidh at the Faerry Hill who he considers to be important as his father is their king. He felt a duty to bridge that gap to meet with the True Sidhe to deal with personal issues and learn from them as well. Arawn tried to investigate the Gray Creatures but failed to learn vital information from his magic at the cabin or lake Oca. He was simply just too late to learn what he might have if he hadn't returned to Marentia earlier. But in the time being he did increase in more power as he trained with Bohusara, Miklav, Mertz, Strie'bog, Thig and other Druids in magic and combat. When he does return to Sivas he is found to be bigger with muscle and more confident in his abilities. At first he seemed like a duck out of water being in the Middle World but something has changed in him and now he seems more confident as to some ultimate reason for being here. He returns to Sivas not only with one but two Elven Bows among his other equipment. During the time in Sivas he tries to gain more items including shopping for magical items and natural items. But as the party warns him not to wear his face wrap that covers all but his eyes to onlookers he is stopped by guards twice. One incident they thought him female as some females from other cultures hide their face. In the other they thought, and as most would, a thief or bandit with his face wrapped in a rich district. Unali learns of this incident from Aren's network of street contacts. The party continues to warn Arawn that face wraps only make folks nervous and bad conclusions will be made in most civilized areas other than maybe the Rogizini Empire where Face wraps might be common. Duke Aren Solest or just Aren to some in the party spent the Fall and Winter catching many of the Climan spies that Suresh helped to locate with the party's information when they returned from Clima. Upwards of 3 dozen spies were found and imprisoned with 5 dozen more supporters in their network most of which were from Malnon and Sivas. As head of Marentian's Intelligence Service his MIS agents took down many of the nation's enemies. Later with the help of Unali Aren was able to take down a major Climan network not known by his MIS agents. Including a powerful merchant who was helping the enemy with operational support. While Aren was given the credit for the raids and captures he never took it as he would only give credit to his MIS agents and Unali. In the spring many MIS agents would be promoted from street contacts to higher positions. The last time the party saw Aren was recently at the tavern when he paid for a round of drinks days ago after the network was taken down. Balrog the Thief returned some 6 months ago with Kasha and others. Once tempted to get gold he found himself now with gold from the Ezam castle raid. Since he no longer had need for that he got a simple job helping with horses and stables. Occasionally visiting Ben'dar's ranch. As winter progressed he found himself enthralled by a girl and now spends most of the time with her. Last time most saw him was about a month ago in Maren city when Unali spotted him in a market area. Ben'dar has of course spent his winter on his Dragon Tooth Steed ranch. During the short three months and three months spent in the north the ranch has grown. Ben'dar hired more staff to a total of 47 and almost tripled his horses to a total of 47 now. While some ranches on the plains might have a hundred horses Ben'dar finds his ranch growing well in the first 6 months. Ben'dar spent most of his time on the ranch or Maren city with some rare trip to Sivas for a meeting at the tavern. He considers telling Z'leyra of one incident on the streets of Maren where he chased a Jinn that resembled the one that attacked Z'leyra months ago in her hotel room. But the Jinn got away leaving Ben'dar clueless as to why it was in the city. Aside from Ranch business he has had a decent winter visiting folks like Xian and Unali at their places. Bohusara in the winter months has spent most of the time with the Sacred Forest doing preparations for the Winter hardships. Outside that she has spent time with her son catching up and recalling the past. As spring approaches she will return to her own cabin for homage to the forest. Arawn and Thig notice a slight draining on Bohusara over the time they spend with them that the party didn't with their short time. Miklav reports that the death of Strie'bog's father was hard on her and the forest and has left something out of her. It is rumored that Strie'bog's quest is to find a cure for that hole. Caladan since his Resurrection by Cetric has spent the winter regaining his strength. While some of his past nature is gone forever he has regained his full ability and confidence. Chion, Cetric, Caladan and Gib'borah are happy to learn that no villager suspects the resurrection. On one hand they would see Caladan as one who battled death and lived others would see him as a liability and disfavored by the spirits. Caladan would help his father with tribal matters over the winter and coming spring time. He would consider going to see Woundenal his master in the mountains but decided not to at this time. Cetric would spend the winter busy coordinating food storage for the hard winter and tribal matters. When Chion would return to train with him Cetric got clear agitation from many in the tribe and many outside the tribe. Elders, Warriors and other Shamans saw Chion as a outsider and should not be trained. But in the end Cetric felt guilty for capturing the party and so felt obligated to train Chion. But as the months drew on he saw a perverse fun in training Chion up against the others. Maybe it was just human nature to buck the system or something else? Chion would return from the Vassa over a thousand miles as if going across the street. Once the party was back home he would soon leave to the plains and train as a Shaman under Cetric. The bulk of his training was spent in the basic apprenticeship rites and rituals. He would then learn a few spells to help out in the future. On his Tonah search he would find one or rather it would find him. Upon returning to Marentia he looks the same but a few bigger muscles adding to his large mass. The only obvious change seems to be bones hanging from a leather string on his belt. From the size of the bones they look to be giant bones. Chion says they are Ogre bones and it is used as his shamanic focus like Z'leyra uses her drum. Z'leyra is surprised to learn bones could be used as such but it seems it can be. Of course to others who would know they were a focus for shamanic energy like her drum? After his injury in Climan Cholan's hands would never seem to heal or be healed. Seeing he best healers in the land including Z'leyra but no one can help. The fire damage seems to have done more mental than physical damage. Cholan has learned to live with the injury and use it to his advantage. Since then he has been a sailor on Damon's ship and helped with the tavern. Rumors are that the tavern owner may retire and Cholan may buy the Green Eye from him. The party was surprised to find him married to Kes the barmaid who he seemed to like for some time. Damon since he got the Climan captured ship from king Maros as his gift has used it ever since. Damon is slowly trying to establish a few merchant deals including owner a warehouse in Cholchara and Sivas. At times the loads may not earn much profit but runs to places like Bhamotin and Malnon seem to give good profits for his ship and crew. He has said he misses adventuring but can't leave his crew just yet. Durge, Caladan's brother, has been upset with Chion for learning with Cetric. Its no secret Durge does not like the outsider in his village and goes out of his way to show his displeasure. At one point he tried to frame Chion for some minor incident with a horse theft but Gib'borah proved it was a false accusation but rumors fly that Durge may be behind it to get Chion thrown out. After a month of his antics Durge left the village on "tribal business" to other villages but likely just wanted to get out of the area. Upon getting back to Marentia Farseeker was recruited by the King and General for Sivas to help in the L'p'nth problems. He was sent to the eastern mountains near Sivas to deal first with bandits and then later to a fortress north east of Maren in the hills to deal with the L'p'nth border crossings. As always he dealt with the situation with strong military might and leadership. Only one time did he become severely wounded in a battle but otherwise came out of the winter with little incident. He sends words that he will be caught up with the border situation for another month likely if the party decides to head to Katai they can leave without him. Gib'borah has been happy with his son's return and resurrection. He has been busy with normal winter duties but in the spring sets up another meeting with Ba'ru and Cholcharan merchants for permission to sell on the river along with other Ga'sha. Unlike Durge Caladan's other brother Gidwani is neutral to Chion's presence on the plains. Gidwani tends to be more loose and free with his actions spending most of the times with village women and increasing his warrior social status. On returning to Maretian Jordi helped with some minor diplomatic incidents but has set sail back to the Wild Forest to meet with Neva. The last the party heard was a report of his ship seen in the Sea of Tears but that's about it. By now he should have gotten to the forest if all went well. Kasha gave a crash course in moneylender skills and how best to invest in things when the first part of the party returned home. As a result some invested their money while others converted. Later Kasha would return to his homeland of Bhamotin to his family last the party heard. Kaylle would continue to work in the Malnon City Library. The only respite from being kicked out of the library by the humans is his gift to be there by the King on return from Clima. But in the few cold months he has been promoted to night scholar an important task as archivist never been served by non-humans. In the few months he has tried to study the treasure and learn clues of Ezam, the L'p'nth and follow-up on clues and information on the Gray Creatures and other recent threats to the party. After Lake Oca's attack Strie'bog would remain a bit quiet and subdued. He would attend festivals and other activities at the Sacred Forest but would eventually return to the cabin and settle there for some time in seclusion. Bohusara would become concerned but realizes that he has things on his mind. Suresh would retire from spying for Marentia after coming home from Clima. But once more he would resurface during the Climan spy ring takedown. Unali would hear that he would be recruited again by Aren for a short one day's "work". After that he went back underground with his wife. Life as a Faerry in Marentia is one of seclusion. Aside from Kaylle and Jordi, Thig only dealt with humans. But when he got to the forest and the Faerry Hill he was happy to be among his own kind. That led him to get close to Vul'heim the Queen and both would lead to his decision to stay there for the winter and for time being. He vows to return to the party to help out but feels bad for abandoning them. Trembyl returns to Bhaomtin to visit family and deal with some other personal issues. He would team up with Kasha to solve a murder mystery in one village but that's the last the party hears from Trembyl. Unali would spend her down time at Aren's estate and would later help to take down one of the largest Climan spy networks in recent times. Her investigation would lead to the capture of a powerful merchant, Climan priestess and many assassins. Only bad thing out of it was papers sent to Clima for their findings (spy findings) was not found on the courier's body. Aren suspects they may be stolen or on the market. His MIS agents will have to search for them and hope they don't get sold to a Climan. Xian's mind was made up to investigate the chain he found from Ezam's death. Ezam had the chain on him and Xian believes it could be his brothers who died on Clima. Confused by this he sought out to learn more. Not needing much money he would help rescue a orphanage from being shut down by donating most of his money to it. The party has not heard from him in quite some time. Z'leyra spent a great deal of time on her Manor to build and make new magical items with her workshop. She would allow Fremea to stay there and would secure the place with more staff and magic. As always she would come back stronger in magical power. Fremea the newest stranger to the party came home from the Vassa forest with the party. Little is known about her other than she spent her time at Z'leyra's manor and exploring the city in disguise. Maybe in the coming weeks the party can get better to know her. Currently as temperatures rise in Marentia the party finds themselves in the frequent meeting at the Green Eye Tavern. In order to keep in touch and protect each other the party has decided a meeting often is needed. The Green Eye Tavern is owned by a 73 year old man who made a warehouse into a tavern with drinking room and rooms. The Tavern is a rare 3 story building in the southern district of the city in the market area. First floor has the large seating area with large fireplace with enough seats for 50 people. On the other side of the first floor is the bar and kitchen area with office and store room in the back area. In the back stairs lead to the second floor where are 20 small rooms and the third floor where there are 10 larger private rooms. The tavern itself has 3 barmaids including Kes. In the back a single cook and the barkeep/owner serves the bar itself. Due to money issues no bouncer is hired this winter but Cholan helps to serve in that function. It is a bit past 8am and the temperature outside is only in the 40s but it is a overcast day. The party consisting of Arawn, Ben'dar, Chion, Fremea, Unali and Z'leyra are sitting at their usual table. Soon after Kaylle joins the group but no one else seems to arrive. All look the same aside from bulking of new muscle and physical training. Arawn with his face wrap still on, seems to be dressing in better clothes than he did in the forest. But all in all everyone is the same as 3 months ago. While Cholan knows he's part of the group he sits at the bar where he can talk to Kes and watch the door for trouble makers. Today the fireplace is lit but the tavern is virtually empty only one family of 4 is eating a breakfast and several tables of singles are used for a total of about 8 other people in the tavern. This hour tends to be slow for the tavern but with the farmers gone from the city that also decreases business. To the side of the bar is a small stage area where entertainers might be. Today a large man standing 8 foot and about 400 pounds (somewhat out of place it seems for the small stage) is playing a pipe in quiet subdued tones for the light morning crowd. Z'leyra recognizes him from another tavern and smiles to him at least once. When Kaylle arrives he gives a brief report to the party on the things found in Ezam's castle and cabin in the plains. He informs that most of the L'p'nth stuff has been translated but the journals and letters do not reveal much useful information to the party. Most would be typical for a tortress with a mad ruler. A timeline of when the castle was taken by Ezam was formed and given over to Aren but that's about it. He did find some history on Ezam. Seems he was likely Count Ezam Trevis of Marentia some 112 years ago. During a battle with L'p'nth his small army was destroyed and him captured. He would be killed but Kaylle feels turned at that point to a vampire. The trail ends there but that's the only Ezam found on the city books in Malnon's library and Maren's records. That search alone took 2 months to locate. The battle occurred some 43 years ago so might have been a very new vampire new to his powers until the party encountered him. Aren has few agents in L'p'nth but his agents learn what we did on when the castle was taken and it was done it seems without knowledge of the rulers in L'p'nth city. So in effect we may have rid L'p'nth and Marentia of a problem. His scrolls do seem to indicate a plan roughly formed. As suspected Ezam was working with Bova forces on the plains to capture the Blue Bugs. Bugs that could twist minds and they would become thralls. Memories bring back to those who went to Woundneal's cabin where he had such a Blue Bug in a jar and likely was studying them. But no one followed up on that then. Ezam would then form a army of captured Zen'da and then sweep across the desert forming even larger forces. With a army of thousands he would then use them to do other things. Kaylle suspects take over L'p'nth but Aren thinks Marentia. There is argument by generals on the view as well. Luckily the bug problem has been taken care of as well as the Bova. There is one bit of information that Kaylle adds. Seems Ezam had a backer of a very powerful nature. But none of the information returned to him leads to the identity. So if Ezam had no backer from L'p'nth who was it? As to the Gray creatures no research on animal and creature history books seem to come close to them aside from salamanders who can be gray in some island near Lemasa. Aside from that they could be anything. No known record of them is found in public information. The orb captured and returned died by shriveling up entirely if it was alive. It just became a mush ball and study could not be done on it. the Staff also seemed to die without food or water though it was given water by putting it in a water source. It is unsure if these items require special mixtures of food and water. Kaylle does report that a fellow scholar recalls a bit of information on the strange crab like armor. Seems he recalls a Katai journal mentioned a body found well decayed in the mountains had armor like a dead crab on it. The creature was just bones however so unsure if it was gray or not. The book was read on his travels to Katai and the scholar can't recall the title but only the piece of information. Kaylle is sad to mention that he could not learn more information for the party in the few months he has. he does lean in close and whispers though. He believes the Royal Scholar Archivist may be hiding something. When the Gray creatures where inquired about the scholar put it in no good terms that the subject is not known and should move on to other scholarly pursuits. Since the scholar has the protection of the King little can be done on that ground. As Kaylle ends his report and more tea is served a man stands at the bar and asks the barkeep something.] Man: "I'm looking for Chy on..err Chee on..." Cholan: "Chion?" Man: "Yes that's it I think." Barkeep: "Over there with them. The one with the staff at his side and the constant odd smirk on his face." [The Man points to Chion.] Cholan: "The one that looks like a bear, yes." Barkeep: "He shouldn't bite go ahead. They might cast magic on you or dice you with daggers or make your brain mush but they don't bite." Cholan: "Stop teasing! Its fine go on." [The Man takes a drink of some sort and gulps and approaches the party's table.] [At the moment the tavern front door comes open and a group of dirty and smelly beggars enters. All 5 of them start looking around. The barkeep and Cholan approach to throw them out.] [As the man approaches Chion the party quiets down and stares at this man in normal clothing and a leather bag on his hip stuffed with scrolls. Looks to be a messenger of some sort since most have that typical bag of scrolls.] Man: "Are you Chion Blades of Katai? I have something for you." [With his right hand he grabs a scroll from his bag and the left he holds it out palm up but fist closed. Most have seen that gesture as a "pay first then get message" stance.] [At the door the beggars demand they were paid to come here and paint and will get paid. Cholan and the barkeep tell them they are mistaken and try to kick the 5 beggars out.] [As Chion turns around something swooshes by and down at the table and suddenly Unali is hit in the neck with a dart. She reacts by standing up instantly grabbing one dagger and the other hand to her neck and finds the dart lodged in her neck. As the party's minds start to grasp what is going on Fremea sees the dart come down. She looks up to see a person on the second floor inside balcony moving down the hall toward the back of the building.] [As the beggars are kicked out a man who is well dressed storms past Cholan and looks straight at the tall man playing the pipe. He raises a fist and yells.] Man: "You! How dare you see my wife!" [and charges toward the man at full run.] [Suddenly Unali's legs buckle and she falls to her knees dropping her dagger...] Actions? Comments? Next Update...1/21..Monday for our normal scheduled updates... GM: How's that for a start? :) It is a good start for now. I still have to finish Arawn's character and work on game details I've been delayed on. GM: I assume normal gear of basic weapons and armor is on you but stuff you might take on long trips are elsewhere like hotel or manor or such.