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 R1 Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma -- Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....NormalFaerry Fe Do David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma R? J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma 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 #58 in sequence (file #268) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Fremea: [Re: Actions] [Not sure where Fremea is in all this. I am guessing that she is still more in front of the party and possibly out of site of the Gargoyles (not the red thingys though I am sure)] When Fremea hears some of the party fall to the ground behind her, and then catches red moving extremely fast in the clouds, she casts invisibility again on herself and will fly up to gain the advantage on attacking the bigger gargoyle. (Though not too high, as she knows the winds are blowing, so about 5 above everyone) GM: Ack. -------------------------------------- From Raban: [Re: Actions] [Seeing the others drop suddenly and the big Gargoyle waving a sword about, Raban has just had enough... its time for him to stop this before others get hurt more. Raban literally "Roars" and charges with amazing speed toward the male gargoyle with his arms spread and high, prepared to grab or punch or tear the poor Gargoyle limb from limb. GM: Ack. -------------------------------------- From Kiet: [Re: Actions/Situation] Aw, bummer! We must have taken a drink of a feline potion...and it made us catatonic... [***Quoted text from last update removed for space***] "I thank you, barbarian. I hope to return it to you with the blood of our enemies upon it." [**Quote on Z'leyra healing Kiet***] "I thank you for your generous and skillful ministrations. If you so desire, I would be happy to give to you my healing kit. You are obviously more skilled in its use than am I." Ah, well...sounds like vacation time...just call me Sir Robin.... "Run Away! Run Away! GM: Ack. -------------------------------------- From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Previously Z'leyra would have thanked Kiet for the offer but declined "Thank you, but until I run low on supplies it is better for you to have your healing kit close to hand in case I am not." - combat - Z'leyra suspects that the red creatures are Beasts of Fiery Hate in non-physical form - dangerous opponents if what she has read about them is correct. Regretting that she doesn't have any Light spells she mentally reminds herself to check later to see if one of the Sidh has the Forgetfullness spell. As she rests her staff in the crook of her arm and readies her drum Z'leyra says to the party "Someone else talk with the gargoyle." Hoping that she will have time Z'leyra will quickly cast Orient Self EL0. What she does next depends on what the creatures do. If they go physical and attack her she will draw her greatsword (saying 'Mist') and attempt to cut them down. If they go physical and attack others but not her, she will cast the highest EL Purification she can cast in one phase through her staff then cast max EL Paralysis at one of the Beasts, repeat for the second. If they stay non-physical she will cast the highest EL Purification she can cast in one phase through her staff then cast Dispell/Banish Chaos at max EL through her staff at a Beast - completing the spell when it is in range. Repeat for the second. [-Change in Action-] Z'leyra will stand her ground, guarding the bodies of those that fell. If she is attacked she releases and drops her staff putting one foot on it, saying 'Mist' in Kameri as she draws her greatsword to fight offensively while opponents are in reach. She will tell the party to "Stay close!" knowing the the beasts can fly and are MUCH faster than any in the party. The mist will hopefully hinder the enemies more than her friends. GM: Ack. -------------------------------------- From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Arawn took a quick look around the group to see if anyone would try initiating communication with the Gargoyle King and when it appears no one is he moves closer to the center, to a spot of relative safety, and casts Tongues at EL1 (making sure the Gargoyle King is in range). His eyes widen when he sees Raban charge but doesn't break speaking the words of power lest he ruin the spell. When he gets the opportunity Arawn will speak out loud so that both the party and the enemy can hear, " Let us speak! Nod if you agree!" If Arawn is attacked then he will attempt to Dodge, using his skills defensively while concentrating on casting the spell. If, after speaking, the gargoyle king still chooses to attack then Arawn will move to defend those catatonic on the ground, using his sword defensively. GM: Ack. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Ma 2nd, 1633TH. 5th Day of Adventure #4. [Location: Chaos domain, Dark Lands, 9 Miles up] [Time: 9:30am] [Immediately after the Gargoyle combat Raban finds his healing ineffective. He isn't sure if the spell just failed or his goddess is upset with him for hurting the female creature. Rising to his feet Arawn speaks of Chaos and Raban finds it interesting enough to reply to. Raban turns to Arawn smiling.] Raban: "Thank you for telling me of these creatures being of Chaos, my goddess does not care for Chaos so perhaps it was not so wrong to kill them. Chaos binds its creatures closely, and they seem to love to kill all others, or worse. I don't like to kill, it comes too easily for one of my size and skills, I would rather knock opponents out when possible. But I see I will not have that option here as it endangers the others." [Arawn nods back. As he does he gets a few flashes of memory come to the forefront of his mind. They flash so fast it a bit hard to coordinate into a meaningful thought. Something about the word chaos seems to have triggered something. He spends the next few minutes concentrating on it to try to recall the full details of the memory flashes.] [Later when the party talks about using rope on each person.] Raban [to Arawn]: "I do not wish to cause problems for others, so do not worry about me falling. I can fly if I need too, I am just not very good at it. Please rescue the others first." [Some of the party hear Raban's words and consider it a jest. While others believe he is saying he can fly by use of magical flight spells or magic. Others also feel the comments must mean he can change into some animal like Z'leyra does into Eagle form.] [When Ben'dar loans Kiet his spear, Kiet replies back.] Kiet: "I thank you, barbarian. I hope to return it to you with the blood of our enemies upon it." [Ben'dar cringes at the word barbarian. He knows he is not like most in society. He is proud of his heritage. But he is trying also to form a well placed spot in society with his ranch. If only to give his people hope and dreams. Ben'dar doesn't take it personally as even some old friends like Farseeker teased him that way being a lowly barbarian. In the end, in the thick of battle a barbarian is just as dead as a king. In the end it all comes out the same red blood.] [When Z'leyra heals Kiet, he gives his thanks.] Kiet: "I thank you for your generous and skillful ministrations. If you so desire, I would be happy to give to you my healing kit. You are obviously more skilled in its use than am I." Z'leyra: "Thank you, but until I run low on supplies it is better for you to have your healing kit close to hand in case I am not." ----------------------------------------- [Time: 9:38am] [Seconds earlier...] [The party tromp on the soft wet ground toward the north-east. The only seemingly way to navigate is through guesswork and using the white/yellow blob that seems to be the sun that is obscured by the gray, white and black clouds. Suddenly the party sees the red lights moving tot he right of the party at a very high speed. Almost instantly Caladan, Chion and Kiet are struck by some overwhelming magic that gets beyond their high magical defenses. They are succomb to the magic of the red "things". They fall with a wet plop to the ground still breathing but seemingly in a trance. Their faces contorted with despair, emotion and fear. Chion's face seems less affected by fear but still seems just as out of it as the other 2. His ring must be trying to fight the fright hitting him. One minute the trio are walking quietly and the next they are on the ground on their backs.] [Then the familiar flapping of Gargoyles are heard. With a wet slosh wing and leather is heard behind the party.] [Arawn looks to his left to see the trio fall amazed at what could've hit them this fast. Not knowing what is going on he turns to the right and sees movement of red whiz by but is unsure what it is. Some vague memory comes to mind but he can't quite place the thought. Arawn glances over his right shoulder to see a large gargoyle land. Arawn turns around and figures it is time to talk.] [Ben'dar looks down and sees Chion's body still breathing he figures some foul magic is afoot. Maybe it is the trees or the clouds or the ground? He steps over Chion and turns to the right to see the red things move fast but has no clue other than they might be torches?] [Fremea in the lead first hears the plop of the three fallen behind her. She glances to the right and sees red lights moving faster than a human could probably run past her. She then glances over her shoulder and sees the three on the ground and determines the party is in danger once again. She drops the staff used to prod the ground Caladan loaned her and prepares for action.] [Raban looks to the left and sees the trio also fall and actually catches Caladan with his large hands. He helps the wizard to the ground and finds he is still alive. From the corner of his eye he sees two red flashes of light to his right but doesn't know what they are. Then he hears the wings and sound of creatures behind him. He stands and twirls to see two forms land on the ground. The one on the right has to be a female. This time that will be left for last. The big one HAD to be a male. It looks in the shadow outline of the clouds to be a large male.] [Unali steps to the right as Kiet falls in front of him without warning. She quickly looks around and sees the red lights but her dagger seemed to not have warned her. Maybe the effect has worn off and she needs to redraw it or it didn't need to warn her? She hears the flaps of wings behind her and figures a gargoyle must be behind her. She watches the red lights seem to whiz past in a blur. She has never seen such a thing aside from torches or magical flares? Flares? No. Doubtful. Not with these people down. Something is attacking the party. It seems to draw to them, danger and its glory.] [Z'leyra stops in mid-step when the trio falls to the ground. Her first instinct is to check the bodies and heal them. But her second instinct shows the party just lost 1/3rd of its people in an instant. If it happens again the party could be critically wounded. In a split second she sees Kiet still breathing and his lips shaking as if in a cold fright. In another nano-second of thought a memory comes back. Triest back on Clima when he was attacked by Silent Terror. It took some time to make Thig cast a spell for the poor fighter to forget the horrors he saw. In some ways she felt Triest was never the same after that but she couldn't prove it. When Triest died in a senseless street assault her hope of helping him died as well. Terror? She glances up in the next half second to see the red lights whiz past and she sees the red lights sparkle. Her intelligence kicks in and she tries to figure out the situation. In that half a second she recalls text and pictures in the Great Library at Ticasi. Her instinct is correct these things seem to be Beasts of Hate. With the knowledge the trio fell and these red lights it has to be. Too bad she can't warn the party about them and how to deal with them in time. No one seems to be worried and that could mean no one knows these things like she does.] GM: Since new players have feel for the segmented version of my combat will relax this one since its less to deal with and make it descriptive. -------------- [Fremea knows the gargoyles can be dealt with by the warriors but these red things are a mystery to her. She feels great power and danger from it but it doesn't take a Sidh to guess that. She quickly casts invisibility and seems to fold into the clouds and disappear.] [Arawn knows that maybe this large Gargoyle must be their leader based on its size and gestures. Arawn's attempt at past talk with the creatures failed. But it could've been mishandled or due to lack of time. This time the creature could've attacked first and asked questions later. But he stopped and landed first. This could be here to parlay or just a foolhardy creature wanting to intimate before he goes for the kill. Arawn quickly casts a tongues spell for communication. He waves his arm and casts the spell in hopes it works.] [With one hand on her staff and the other on her drum Z'leyra begins to tap the drum and casts a shamanic orientation spell.] [The Gargoyle King raises his sword and seems to smirk of a creature like it can do so. The sword seems to reflect off the obscured sunlight toward the party as if a gleaming beacon of vengeance for the creature. The sword moves from person to person as if he is selecting a target to kill first. It moves from Z'leyra, Ben'dar and finally to Raban. Satisfied with what the female seems to have said to the King, the King speaks a quick few words and invokes a spell upon Raban through the sword.] [The Beasts go to the north rounding tot he left side of the party and through the trees as if hot coal in butter. As they move it creates a greater steam trail behind as if a red comet is moving through the area and leaving a fiery, misty wake behind it. The beasts seem to come in and out of the trees toward the party as if gauging their intent and their prowess. It then moves further out left of the party and fades a bit out of sight. Moving at about 26 feet per second they are extremely fast.] [Corona circles above the party in the mists but has no idea of the red things. From his vantage point he watched the red lights move low to the ground and take to the air at a fast pace. Unsure if to attack or not he waits for a sign of how to act.] [Fremea leaps off the ground and circles north and then back toward the party about 10-12 feet off the ground to avoid the high winds in the area. She hovers and watches the red lights with some awe at their speed but feels its a great threat now.] [The Gargoyle King lowers his Sword then brings it back up into a cross position ready for attack. He flexes his wing as a sign he can lift off at any second. He simply waits.] [The Firesnake having felt Caladan falls lifted off a second before impact. The snake sits on Caladan's chest and watches his master concerned and wondering what has happened to it.] [The Female Gargoyle lifts up and flies straight for the party. Toward the center where Arawn is standing. With a roar of angry emotion it seems Arawn is the sole target of this attack. But as she flies toward him he ducks in time to avoid her claws and wings. She flies back up and circles back toward the King and safety.] [Unali gets into combat stance and watches the red beasts move swiftly by. She watches them move through a nearby tree and finds fighting things that have no mass might be difficult. She waits and guards the fallen nearby and helps to form a defensive circle around them.] [Ben'dar lowers his Pike and levels it toward the gargoyle King. When the female flew over he tries to swing but she was just out of range. Ben'dar stands his ground and helps defend the fallen trio. Glancing over his shoulder he hisses to Fremea but notices she is gone but guesses nearby. Maybe using magic to hide.] Ben'dar [to Fremea]: "Watch out! Something is attacking us!" [Arawn raises a hand toward the Gargoyle King after ducking from the female. Obviously the female doesn't seem to be so well attuned to talking. But he hopes his spell works. He quickly speaks.] Arawn: "Let us speak! Nod if you agree!" [Z'leyra hears some strange words come from Arawn and figures he is trying to talk to the creature or cast some Sidh spell. She holds her staff in one hand and her other hand on her great sword sheath ready to draw it. She watches the King of the Gargoyle clan carefully waiting to see what happens. She tries to also protect the others by forming a defensive area with the others.] [Raban roars and the quiet subdue nature of the clouds is broken with a roar that even frightens Ben'dar, and he knows combat howls! As if a demon possessed by Hate itself Raban moves forward...no...he finds its a hard struggle. He tries to lift his right leg. What the heck? Its like moving through waist high swamp. No like moving through oatmeal mixed with cement. Raban frowns trying to figure out what is going on with him. He concentrates with all his might on his muscles and seems to figure he must be paralyzed. The evil creature must be some magic caster? Raban's anger boils and his concentration becomes full and he is able to move! But it's a heavy struggle. It seems he is now moving half his speed. He charges forward south toward the King but as if moving through a wall. His legs and arms vibrate with the strain but his sheer body mass and strength seem to break through. As he moves he grins at the King knowing that his spell didn't stop him just made him even more upset. Now Raban won't be so nice. With arms raises and leveled as if holding the weight of the world Raban ends up about 11 feet from the giant male gargoyle.] [One of the beasts moves close and from it emits a firejet of flame that heads for Unali. She leaps to the left and it impacts onto the ground with a steamy hiss.] [The Gargoyle King turns his attention to Ben'dar and points his sword and invokes the Paralysis spell upon him.] [Arawn sees the King point his sword at Ben'dar and speak but for some reason he doesn't understand it. He then reaches out with his senses and sees if the aura of his spell is upon the King. He then realizes there is none. In fact the only aura seen is that of the sword. It is magical with some form of spell in it.] [Z'leyra casts a quick Purification spell upon the ground below her feet while watching the Beasts move about.] [Corona dives toward F#5 after she flees from Arawn but a high wind pushes him out of the way at the last second and he misses.] [Fremea sees the snow blistering white form of Corona dive toward the fleeing F#5 and joins in the attack. Coming from the left she stabs the creature in the back of the neck doing a staggering 8 points of damage to her. She howls in pains and wobbles away in flight.] [The Gargoyle King looks up to see the female Gargoyle howl and be hurt by something unseen. He growls and speaks something to her and waves a hand toward her.] [Unali regains her balance and watches the Red cloud of smelly fire and stuff float away fast. Does she smell blood from it?] [Arawn turns around to see the firedart hit the ground near Unali and figures there might be greater things going on than talking to the creatures.] [Z'leyra stands her ground and watches both the Beasts and the Gargoyles shaking her head back and forth for threats.] [The Female Gargoyle lands behind the King and places a hand on her neck whimpering in pain.] [Raban sees the King Gargoyle is distracted by the female and struggles forward. He closes the distance and swings a gauntleted arm toward the King but fails to strike.] [Ben'dar hears Arawn trying to speak to the creatures and sighs. What is it with these Elves? Do they all want to talk peace. First Jordi now arawn. He tries to turn to watch the King creature but finds his movement is struggling as well. He is unsure why but it is as if moving through quicksand.] [The Beasts up 30 feet swiftly from their climb roll and descend with dizzying speed. One dives toward the front of the party and the other in the east. They stop quickly and the party can smell the bitter smell of blood as the red mass pulsates. Then suddenly they shrink and a humanoid shape begins to form. It begins to grow in height going 5...6..7...8...and finally about 9 feet off the ground. The clouds block the view of its features but it seems to be quite tall and humanoid in shape.] Actions? Comments? Next update...Friday... GM: Tongues - Technically it does give Range but in the past we've done touch. I'll have to study it and maybe get with Richard to clear this up. In my haste to get the update out I just allowed the above. In the future I may change it back to touch. GM: Remember only Z'leyra technically knows what the Beasts are and their abilities. Unless she can give a quick 3 second lecture in one phase no one knows about them. GM: Ben'dar/Raban you've been Paralyzed but your strength still allows you to move. :) Though slower. GM: As of this update release the website Ftp server is down it seems. So I can't upload this to the website yet. I'll call the ISP tomorrow to fix it. In the meantime if the map below messes up (likely in most email clients) then wait to see it on the website when its up in a day or two. GM: Map is for information/reference purposes. The sun is toward the south (bottom) of the map. Since it shines bright the King can be seen through its shadow/shape. The female is a bit fuzzy and lost in the clouds. The tall beasts however their form can be seen due to sheer size and disruption of the mists. But otherwise visibility is 4-7 feet depending on wind strength. So keep this in mind for actions. This is basically a hex around. This doesn't mean you still can't "see" the enemy just that for good seeing its close range. 1 2 3 1234567890123456789012345678901 / \__/ \1_/ \__/ \__/ \__/ A Scale - 1 Hex = 10 feet \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \_B 1 Row = 5 feet / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ C 1 Col = 5 feet \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \_D / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ E A - Arawn [K16] \__/ \__/ \__V \__/ \__/ 2_F B - Ben'dar [I14] / \__/ *\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ G H - Caladan [J19] [Knocked out] \__/ \__/ \__C U\__/ \__/ \_H F - Fremea [F16] / \__/ \__/B \__/ \__/ \__/ I K - Kiet [K18] [Knocked out] \__/ \__/* \_Z/ H__/ \__/ \_J R - Raban [O19] / \__/ \__/ A_K/ \__/ \__/ K U - Unali [H18] \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \_L Z - Z'leyra [J15] / \__/ *\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ M C - Chion [H16] [Knocked out] \__/ \__/ *__/ \__/ \__/ \_N F - Firesnake [J18] [Not on map] / \__/ \__/ \__R \__/ \__/ O Z - Corona [Not on map] \__/ \__/ \__/ K__/ \__/ \_P * - Trees / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ Q 1 - Beast #1 [A11] \__/ \__/ \__/ 3\__/ \__/ \_R 2 - Beast #2 [F31] / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ S K - Gargoyle King [P19] \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \_T 3 - Female #5 [R18] / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ U