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 #85 in sequence (file #451) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: Some of Raban's stuff may be duplicated if you saw it but I include in case it was not seen as I missed it entirely. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions] Ben'Dar approaches the statue of the woman. "Is this the woman you met, Chion?" Throughout the exploration process, Ben'Dar is wary of traps, ambushes, and the highly concentrated magic throughout the place. He is obviously uncomfortable, as if his skin itches from all the magic in this place. His face is fixed in a permanent scowl that seems to deepen the longer he is in this castle. "Where are the people? Have we killed them all?" he wonders aloud. GM: Ack. ----------------------- From Kiet: [Re: Actions] "Hey Folks! It seems to me we as a group may need to rest, but I am a bit concerned about leaving the entrances unguarded. It's possible that A'kril or others kept the creatures out of the castle. Maybe we should set up a watch on the main entry? The people on guard could use these whistles we found in the storage room to let out a signal if there are problems." Kiet: "Sorry, Raban. I didn't notice any such thing. I think someone who knows trraps might want to check it out then have our 'Point Alfar' open it...assuming we can figure out how to do so...." "Of course, being that we are high in the air, I hope that it's not an unfortunate occurance to be going below floor level..." [*** Raban's post deleted ***] GM: Ack. ----------------------- From Raban: [Re: Actions] Raban went along with everyone as they checked over the place. He was pleasantly surprised by the size and quality of the place. Some parts are even serene, not something you would associate with Chaos much. Overall it became a pleasant exploration that helped him relax some. Such a large place to have so few people, maybe the others are hiding as a result of the alarms? Frema and some of the others seemed to know what they were doing and were checking for hidden things, so Raban was not much concerned with that aspect until they passed the fountain in the courtyard. He was surprised when they continued into other areas and did not stop and investigate the softer part of the ground near the fountain. Since no one commented upon it, after a bit Raban thought he should... Raban (to others) "Frema, Keit, is there a reason you were not interested in the fountain? There is something buried there or maybe a small hidden door about three foot by six. When you weigh as much as I do, you become sensitive to how what you walk on reacts to it. The ground is different there." GM: Ack. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Ma 2nd, 1633TH. 5th Day of Adventure #4. [Location: Chaos domain, Dark Lands, 9 Miles up, Flying Island] [Time: Earlier during the conversation in the Main Room after the battle with A'kril.] [Ben'dar growls and speaks of Raban's desire to constantly protect the women even though they can handle themselves. Raban replies to Ben'dar.] Raban: "I know my friend, they have shown themselves as quite fierce yet all have been badly hurt showing they do need protecting. Even if they did not need it, I would try to protect them anyway. My mother died when I was young because she did not think she needed protection. Her murderer was the first person I had ever tried to hurt, I did not know what to do so I just grabbed him and squeezed and kept squeezing long after his screaming stopped until the troop leaders told me to let him go. He was dead of course, I was not quite as big and strong as I am now but it was more than enough to crush bones. I had to leave after that, they did not want the trouble that would follow..." [For those who listen to the tale they finally get a real sense of Raban's past and his duty to protect women. The pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Soon the conversation turns to armor and Raban replies further.] Raban: "I made my leathers as I make most my things, its too hard to find what I need otherwise. But leather is not durable enough to survive much serious fighting, its more for protection from thorns and other travel hazards. For what we have fought here, I expect I would need some metal?" "But I do not know how to make armor that way. Maybe between us we can more quickly remake my leathers so I have a little protection if no magical means can be found to help. I think I will need it quite soon if this place continues to act like it has so far." [Arawn speaks of motivations and Raban's desire for peace and how one might control their path in life. Raban replies after he listens carefully to his comments.] Raban: "The motivations of people I understand far too much. I would be upset for either reason as there should have been means to prevent their deaths. And even if the ladies were doing wrong, did they not have their own reasons? Jealousy of a group of women versus one man and his family would seem to imply the man was not so innocent of wrong doing. But I understand I cannot assume all women are innocent, so even though I will want to protect them it may not always be the right thing. I was raised in a troop of traveling entertainers and as such I have experienced much of the dark side of man. Guards and Town leaders are often corrupt and demand bribes or more, it is not every town but a majority of them." "There are good people out there as well but most do not help others in need. So I have dealt with criminals of many sorts and many proved more trustworthy than guards or nobles. I have seen the fate of young girls who are pretty but poor or even young boys. We had to watch all our people, our 'family', so they would not be taken away for some rich persons personal entertainment as foreigners are always considered fair game as less likely to be 'trouble'. Sometimes it is not the obviously corrupted people who are the danger just someone who saw an opportunity, or as you said that wolf was fed. But I have broken our own laws, I killed a murderer who was important enough to draw vengeance. So even though my action was justified, I had to be punished so that others would not be... Most who commit crimes are not bad people, but some are truly evil. It would not have taken much for me to have become such a person, as most expect it just looking at me, just because I am different. I enjoy proving them wrong. But I have to watch my own actions as I could be tricked into doing wrong. So I must be a good judge of people to know who I should believe or trust or at least know when force is not required. The ladies here are complex and hard to read, not always 'good' but not 'bad' either. Some have been hurt badly in the past and not just physically, yet are still trying to do what is right. I am sure they would not be seen as good people by many cultures and such judgment would be for the wrong reasons. My goddess is not one that requires me to be one of the morally good people by most standards, but neither does she wish for me to be a bad one. I help those who need it, teach were I can, entertain all that I can and enjoy the company of women. It is not a bad life even though there are many risks to it. I think you are right, even though I am hurting people as long as I don't start liking it I should not become a monster. Becoming even harder to stop may just allow me to reduce the hurt I do instead of increasing it." "Thank you... Now I am left with how to apply what magic I have for others benefit? I have plenty that I rarely use and I am being shown that such may be improper. But my training did not include very many spells that see common use. If I cannot find the right spells I need to find a way to give the ones who need it some of my unused power. I have cast a few blessings and could do more of those, defensive ones I am sure Miryan would allow even for the men." [Arawn speaks of the forestal and sponsorship with them. Raban replies to Arawn with a smile.] Raban: "I am already a follower of that path, actually its a related one. The Gods of those paths are the same even though they have different names. It gets confusing, as a Bard my memory was well trained but that does not mean I understand all I know. But it would not be inappropriate to visit these people and maybe they can continue my training, though I will still need to visit my own Druids at times. I was given permission to travel widely, more so than most Bards of my rank do. I go where my goddess directs me in my heart or as events dictate at other times. Its a winding road but I have helped many that would otherwise have gone without." ------------ [Time: Earlier in the Latrine room] [Arawn inspects the mirror and behind it but finds nothing out of the ordinary other than his own reflection. One of a wary and exhausted face.] ------------ [Time: Earlier in the Laundry Room] [Arawn inspects the heating pegs on the wall. They seem to just radiate a higher temperature than room temperature but not burning to the touch. They are fashioned from the stone wall and are wooden cork like pegs. Arawn places his face cloth on the peg to see if it might head up further but it remains the same. Arawn figures it could be voice activated or some other command to activate the drying effect.] ------------ [Time: Earlier when the party found the two locked metal doors.] [Time: Earlier when the party found the two locked metal doors.] [East of the main room and north of the Sentry Room Arawn inspects both metal doors but finds no special markings or impressions other than a nice sophisticated lock.] [As the party moves toward the storage room through the Foyer, Arawn examines the statue's pedestal. As before he finds the same thing he discovered earlier. But nothing more than that or other magics or runes.] ------------ [Time: Earlier in the Storage Room exploration.] [Kiet takes a empty sack and pouts out the grain from the containers and checks to ensure nothing is hidden in them. But all he finds is grain and a now heavy sack. He also cuts strips off the 250' regular rope to replace the two segments he lost today.] [Kiet also takes a leather strap, hammer and nails and attaches it the Keg of Oil that is corked. The 10 quart jug is a bit awkward to carry but can with a hand held strap. He also takes the oil lantern and fills it.] ------------ [Time: Earlier in the Lounge area] [Arawn inspects the fireplace and areas for secret rooms and other things but his skills and eyes fail to find anything. Of course finding secret things isn't his main skill. He looks out the windows to find only the raging storm outside.] ------------ [Time: Later as the party leaves the storage room and heads to the [Time: Later as the party leaves the storage room and heads to the outer hallway between main room and courtyard.] Kiet: "Hey Folks! It seems to me we as a group may need to rest, but I am a bit concerned about leaving the entrances unguarded. It's possible that A'kril or others kept the creatures out of the castle. Maybe we should set up a watch on the main entry? The people on guard could use these whistles we found in the storage room to let out a signal if there are problems." Caladan: "Anyone that needs to rest can join Z'leyra in the main room. We just need to explore this place to prevent future dangers. Plus I suspect the more time this place stays put the more danger the Dark Lands is in. Once the storm goes then what? Did A'kril control the cloud cover? If so and he is dead this place could be seen for miles and then the secret would be out. Everyone might want to try to get here. So we really need to get this mission over and done with as soon as possible. As to the door that is a simple thing. it has a metal slash bar that could probably withstand a couple of Raban strength blows. Someone can head back and lower the bar to lock it. As to watches that is a choice anyone can make just go stand guard." [In the west and east ends of the hallway Arawn looks out the window but again only sees the storm.] GM: Will assume the main entrance door is secured. ------------ [Time: Earlier in the Water Collection Room.] [Arawn inspects the water basins but only finds cool water. He examines the wall panels that seem to control functions in the room. There is no writing or runes of any kind on them. it is a simple square panel with inlet colorless gems. In this room the control panel seems to have only 4 gems. Likely two are for the shield and 2 for the water basin controls. Only guesswork on Arawn's part can figure out which is which since none are pressed. Later in the Food room the two panels are the same but only 2 gems likely for the shield. One above the other as with the water room controls. It could be assumed based on human thinking the top would be Up shield and bottom for lower shield. Later in the courtyard the four panels near the 4 doors are same as the food room with only two gems likely for the shield it seems. Only the raging storm is seen out the windows.] ------------ [Time: Earlier in the Food Room] [Arawn inspects the soil for disturbed earth but only finds the tracks of boots and sandals. Some of the food items fruit, vegetables and plans seem to be cut recently which would obviously indicate recent eating. None of the plants and food items above ground are unusual. Of course Arawn has only seen human food for a short time in this world so if there was a purple fruit he'd not know for sure if it was unusual or not. But they seem normal. Of course the storm is outside the windows again.] ------------ [Time: 10:58am] [As the group spreads out to examine the Courtyard area Ben'dar glances at the statue and asks an interesting question. He points to the female statue.] Ben'dar: "Is this the woman you met, Chion?" [Chion squints and looks at the female statue carefully. He got a good look at the female visitor, more than most lovers do. This statue is dressed and so that may be misleading. He displays on e of his usual smirks and studies the statue for a few long moments. Then he shakes his head indicating this is not her. She was young and body was supple and youthful. This statue like the male one shows middle aged people. Unless this is how she looks in the future this isn't her.] [Ben'dar turns around looking up and around. Inspecting the stairs up but finds no one. He has had a constant scowl on his face for the last 25 minutes or so. All this magic is confusing and dangerous. Something like most Zen'da that he doesn't understand. When a person doesn't understand things they dislike them. Fremea and Arawn has noticed this of some in the party. They wonder if they are just here to guide these strange humans to simply understand. For the last six or so rooms there hasn't been another person. This also makes Ben'dar nervous. A place with a dozen guards should have more wandering about. Where are the servants? The hanger-oners that most places like this has? Ben'dar continues his tight grip on his pike and knows by the end of the day he could have a blister. But its better to be safe than sorry.] Ben'dar: "Where are the people? Have we killed them all?" Caladan: "Good question. But I suspect we've taken most if not all of them out. I suspect this place being as small as it likely is doesn't have much people in the first place. Maybe we'll encounter more eventually. But this place is quite amazing. All the magical wards in place for daily life. Even Woundenal didn't have this much magic in place in his home. I doubt the Citadel has this much as well." [He begins to trail off lower voice as he studies the shield above them.] "I wonder if that keeps the cold out?" [Kiet and Arawn both inspect the small flower garden along the walls and near the statues but seem to find nothing of a natural magical value or medical value. They simply seem to be flowering red, oranges, purple and yellow plants of various sizes and shapes.] [Arawn and others examine the stone statues on the east wall but find no writing or runes or symbols of any kind. No magic can be sensed either from the statues. The metal animal statue in the fountain is the only one that magic can be detected but of an unknown type and effect.] [Raban begins to come down from his adrenaline rise and begins to relax a bit. He is confused by the layout of the place and not all what his teachers have said of chaos folks. Most he was told have scary dungeons or overpowering throne rooms to scare and dominate. This almost seems like a monastery of sorts in the serene nature. He wonders if people could be hiding in walls or secret rooms. but he doubts the person who owned this place could afford doing secret wall areas for simple space reasons. He was happy to see Arawn and Fremea up on finding magic but in some cases like the wall panels the magic was obvious. He wonders for every "obvious" magic how much was hidden or not detected like that in the main room? No traps have been set off yet so they seem to be doing a good job. But as they move past the fountain Raban moves to the fountain to inspect the water and finds it cool. When Raban nears the fountain he notices something odd. The sheer weight of him and his gear seems to make him sag on the soft ground. He backs off in case its a trap but nothing happens. He steps forward and uses his training to inspect the area. He tracks the area slowly and finds it a square area about 6 by 4 feet just west of the fountain up to the west edge of the fountain and going out toward the couch. Some notice the odd tracing of the square area but figures he is just pacing. Of course Fremea would never have noticed this with her light frame but Arawn might have. It seems no magic is here as they didn't stop beyond the magic of the actual spitting fountain. As others explore the area he speaks up over the noise of the thunder above.] Raban: "Fremea, Kiet, is there a reason you were not interested in the fountain? There is something buried there or maybe a small hidden door about three foot by six. When you weigh as much as I do, you become sensitive to how what you walk on reacts to it. The ground is different there." [Everyone turns around to hear Raban and look. Fremea glances at Arawn but both know they detected the statue's magic, but didn't know the purpose, but nothing on the ground. They can sense a general aura of magic all over the place in every room as if purified ground or some purified magic to affect magical success but nothing specific to that area beyond the general sense of overall "floating castle" magic.] Kiet: "Sorry, Raban. I didn't notice any such thing. I think someone who knows traps might want to check it out then have our Point Alfar' open it...assuming we can figure out how to do so...." "Of course, being that we are high in the air, I hope that it's not an unfortunate occurrence to be going below floor level..." [Raban hears Kiet and realizes this could be a hole to the open sky and he might fall and kill Sven by landing on him. He steps off and looks at the area as others come close.] [For the last set of rooms Kiet has begun to quickly jot down a quick map of the castle layout with the parchment and ink he has collected. As the others begin to talk about the fountain he looks up from his parchment and takes note of the situation.] [Arawn stands to the north of the fountain and examines the metal griffon statue. It seems to be a bronze metal statue but the magic seems to be collected on its head and not the entire body. That might indicate at least that it won't suddenly hop and fly around. Arawn inspects the head of the statue carefully as the others talk about the dirt area to the west of the fountain.] [Ben'dar glances the courtyard over and knows this place is great for an ambush. He keeps an eye on the stairs and the walkways above the couch and other statues. But he sees no one there or hears nothing. This pretty area is good for the others to examine the silly plants and statues but he wants to find the important areas like more things to kill or capture and then return to a normal place on the ground. The lack of resistance is actually starting to unnerve him.] [Caladan stands near the area Raban has indicated and shuffles his boots back and forth around the area to inspect it. He goes to sit on the rim of the fountain that a person could almost half lay on. The fountain rim itself is decorates like a stone wave. Along the rim in various spots it seems to go up and down as if the water was frozen in stone but it seems to just be an artistic flair. Every 2-3 feet the wave seems to crest up and form a familiar pattern around the rim and looks to be identical, indicating it was designed rather than some odd magic petrifaction. Below the tip of the rim is a thin black line about two fingers wide and tall. But other than these features it appears to be no writing or runes of any kind. The rim itself isn't flat stone but the wave like structures sprout out making sitting down on it a bit tricky. Caladan finds a place to sit and feels the cool water.] [Chion continues to stare at the statues to try to gleam any sign of recognition. Maybe these are ancient Katai or dark landers? But sadly he doesn't seem to recognize any of them. They seem to be ordinary no special jewelry or crows or such. But they also show a form of regalness that might indicate nobility.] [When Raban informs the party of his find Fremea comes over to investigate the area. Her light weight makes nothing of the area shift or move. She tries her senses and her skills out on the area and finds like Raban it to be a square area that doesn't look natural but man-made.] [As with Ben'dar, Unali remains under the walkway over the couch. She knows there are many ambush points to this room. The walkways, the four doors, the sky, the stairs and the food room's open walls. She remains in the shadows to observe while the others investigate and do their strange magic sensing things.] [Unali suddenly hears from the south outer hallway a door close and movement. She begins to move toward the south-west door to investigate.] [Caladan turns from the fountain and faces Raban.] Caladan: "Any ideas Raban?" [Raban shakes his head and as Caladan starts to stand his left hands falls upon one of the wave sprouts on the rim. With the force of his weight it shifts down. A click is heard and the section of wave about a hand's size shifts down from the wall. Raban and Fremea hear it and see the shift but Arawn and others do not. Caladan almost stumbles when he loses his balance but stands up and looks a bit surprised. Suddenly the square area under Raban's left boot begins to shake and he steps back. A slight rumble is heard and a second click is heard. Then the square section begins to shift and move. Sound of stone on stone can be heard and more rumble. A second later the soil in the square area shifts as if by an earthquake and then it begins to drop down an inch. Fremea senses a quick aura of magical glow around the edges as a seam is formed. She begins to speak up and warn the others but the next thing happens. The soil folds upon itself and falls down. The soil near the fountain itself seems to drop fall while the far end of the square near the west end by Raban falls only half a inch or so. Two seconds after the second click occurs the soil seems to form steps as if by magic. The west end of the now downed drop section is the top step and it descends downward down about 8 steps heading as if under the fountain itself. Light can be seen below and a stone area under the fountain seems to hold the fountain and likely pipes in place. In the time it was activated the mechanical-spell effect of the square area formed a near stair set down. Raban looks down with a bit awe of the clever position while Fremea stares at the magic that has now faded. To make the solid ground form into steps is interesting but odd she figures.] [Raban quickly moves to the side of the area in case men or creatures roam up the stairs. But nothing is seen.] Caladan: "Wow. I didn't plan that." [Suddenly the south-west door opens and Z'leyra stands in the doorway. She holds up a set of two keys and explains she found them in the main room under the fallen couch. The party wonders if those are the keys to the locked doors?] [Suddenly the griffon statue's eyes begin to glow. Arawn begins to yell a warning when suddenly out of the eyes a spell fires off toward Fremea. A swarm of dark electrical energy hits her but seem to affect her in on way. It seems her magic defense and the angelica may have saved her life. But the party has seen that spell before and so has the person who almost died from it now standing in the doorway - Dark Lightning. Chion and Unali has now turned to stare at the group and new stairs down to a basement level and see the spell. The party figures the statue must be some form of protection against intruders activating the stairs without some magic or code word.] Actions? Comments? Next Update...Friday... GM: Treasure Claims - Storage Room - Kiet - 21' Fine Rope Leather Strap, Keg of Oil, Oil Lantern Fine Bottle of Wine Whistles (2) Parchment (10 sheets) Quills (5) Bottle of Ink (2) Leather Bag (1) Unali - 21' Fine Rope Arawn - Skin I [4] Wicks [5] Cord [1001] Grappling Hook (1) Iron Spikes (5) Soothing Herbs [1 - Keg I] Burn Ointment Flask (1) Shovel (1) Flask of Salt (2) Rope - no amount stated? 21' Fine Rope Roll Bandage Healing Herbs Healer's Kit (1) Parchment (30) Ink Jar (2) GM: Item Conflicts - Fine Rope 21' - Kiet, Unali, Arawn All three have put claims on the rope in the other of posts that came in. You guys will have to dicker over it. Let me know who finally takes it. Parchment - Kiet, Arawn Arawn claims all but Kiet wants some as well. Let me know the resolution on this. GM: Was too lazy to put the old time marks on the blocks so just included time frame references. The fountain is only a foot deep and clear. Surprised with the big update last week so few posts. Just kidding. Guess folks didn't like Caladan's joke to Ben'dar? :) Options at this point are explore north end of castle, go back to locked room or go down or up. But of course that statue might need to be dealt with first.