s 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 #91 in sequence (file #495) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions] Ben'Dar's grim features seem to brighten at the mention of the guard. The empty stillness of this place has been irritating him. "He is but one man. Unless he is fanatical, he will surrender to us. Let's approach him as a group and demand that he come quietly. If not..." Ben'Dar grins and his fingers tighten around the haft of his pike. But then he reluctantly adds, "...we should not kill him. We need answers about this place, and more corpses will give us none." Ben'Dar will stay silent during the interaction with the guard, as he clearly cannot speak the language of these people. He will glare menacingly at the guard and if the guard fights back, will attempt to subdue him rather than kill him. Later, Ben'Dar will vote to go up the main entrance stairs, so that the upper level can be explored from one level to the other without leaving possible enemies at his back. GM: Ack. Thanks for vote. ------------------------- From Raban: [Re: Actions] Raban contemplates what he has done here to help his friends and what the others have done and feels he is not doing his best for everyone. Perhaps there is more he can do in this dangerous place to aid them. Aiding the ladies with his skills may not be enough. We are all working together, helping each other, it should be enough to allow me to use magic for the rest of them even though it is not my usual preference... Raban (to others exploring) "This whole place has proven itself quite dangerous, enough so that I feel I need to offer more protection or aid to everyone. I am fairly sure my Goddess would allow me to Bless more people here, and though I am not of high Rank I am skilled enough that my blesses are very useful. Increased defense is one I would recommend but for some maybe they would prefer that increase to offense. I am not wise enough to tell you what use is best for you when it comes to other ways to Bless you. Those who use magic can sometimes gain greatly with improvements to their minds while others are best with physical gains. I should be able to do a few Blessings before I am low on Mana, but do not worry, I can use life for other magics at need." When Frema reports the large opponent, Raban finds another area he can help out. Raban: "I could rush him and hold on to him while the rest move up. I can move pretty fast at times and though he is large he is still much smaller than I am so should be much weaker." Raban blinks when Ben'Dar suggests a less violent plan than his own... Is this place getting to me? GM: Ack. Blessing. I didn't recall seeing a affirmative if he wanted it or not. I can still allow it but of course it would not affect this possible combat situation. Folks can take the blesses if they want but so far none have taken up the offer. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Ma 2nd, 1633TH. 5th Day of Adventure #4. [Location: Chaos domain, Dark Lands, 9 Miles up, Flying Island] [Time: 11:20am] [Now in the courtyard up the stairs and away from the guard's ears the party discuss plans. Both Arawn and Fremea explain what they saw and felt.] [Ben'dar seems to brighten up from his normal grim mood when he hears the report. Finally something for him to do and kill if need be. But the size and armor makes him formidable. It might take more than just him. Then he shocks the group with his next words.] Ben'dar: "He is but one man. Unless he is fanatical, he will surrender to us. Let's approach him as a group and demand that he come quietly. If not..." [Ben'Dar grins and his fingers tighten around the haft of his pike.] Ben'dar: "...we should not kill him. We need answers about this place, and more corpses will give us none." [The others look at Ben'dar in surprise for a few long moments. The warrior willing to kill anything that moves is talking peace like Arawn? Even Arawn seems surprised. Raban wonders if this place has some magic twisting his mind. Another reason to hurry up and get out of her. Next Ben'dar might want to give up his weapons and become a priest. Arawn then smiles after a few seconds happen to see his words and his views finally accepted. Arawn glances at Raban and the others to judge their view on the words spoken.] [Raban glances down the stairs and knows that he might be the best to handle the powerful, muscular tall guard. Since the first assassination attempt in the tavern he has been missing some purpose in recent weeks. Now it seems his goddess has guided him to this place with these strange and assorted people. His shy nature, at least around most people, has seemed to fade. Trust has been bonded between these people. Maybe now beyond just protecting the women, who have proven they can take care of themselves, he could help out in other ways. Beyond his large frame as a fighter he can use magic. Bards entertain and rarely use magic since most strangers think Bards are just musicians. Bards get reputations and if one uses magic and fails badly the entire order could be ruined and feared. Now though with this group magic seems commonplace and respected.] Raban: "This whole place has proven itself quite dangerous, enough so that I feel I need to offer more protection or aid to everyone. I am fairly sure my Goddess would allow me to Bless more people here, and though I am not of high Rank I am skilled enough that my blesses are very useful. Increased defense is one I would recommend but for some maybe they would prefer that increase to offense. I am not wise enough to tell you what use is best for you when it comes to other ways to Bless you. Those who use magic can sometimes gain greatly with improvements to their minds while others are best with physical gains. I should be able to do a few Blessings before I am low on Mana, but do not worry, I can use life for other magics at need." [Raban pauses to see if any take his offer. He continues now with his own advice on the current situation.] Raban: "I could rush him and hold on to him while the rest move up. I can move pretty fast at times and though he is large he is still much smaller than I am so should be much weaker." Caladan: "Remember language will be a barrier." [the group discuses more plans but the best idea seems to be a peaceful one. It could be an easy slaughter for the guard if he doesn't surrender. A couple minutes later the party descends the stairs quietly to set up their moves. The group knows likely the only common language is the Elf one. Maybe this guard speaks it. So that means Arawn will have to do the initial talking.] [In one swift but steady movement Ben'dar, Raban and Arawn round the corner but not as a jump but as a confident maneuver. They stop only paces away from the corner a good 45-47 feet from the guard. With the two warriors to his side Arawn raises his hands. Behind Ben'dar Caladan stands and behind Raban Unali stairs to keep an eye on the stairs to her right. Fremea takes the rear mainly not to scare the guard at the sight of a winged person. Surrender can be hard enough if not to scare a person first. Chion stands behind Arawn and watches intently.] [Arawn raises his hands palm up in the universal sign of peace as does the large giant next to him. Both men have no weapons in hand and show they are not ready to fight. But Ben'dar still grips his pike glaring at the guard. When the guard glances over the group doesn't see his face through the helmet as he lowers it instantly. It almost looks like a reflex rather than a threat assessment. Only his eyes are seen through the slit but at this distance not even those can be seen by the group. The guard turns left and faces the group. He walks a few steps right to stand in the center of the hall.] [Arawn begins to speak in Elf a few words of introduction and then asking him to stay calm. With the guard's helmet face plate down it is impossible to know if he understands. Arawn asks him if he does but there doesn't seem to be a shrug or shake of the head. Arawn begins to speak a few words in other languages. The guard staggers his feet apart in a stance the group knows to be battle ready for balance. He glances right toward the doors and then to the left toward the door he was guarding. Unali figures that there could be more people in the doors to either side or something dangerous. He'll have to be stopped before he can get to either door.] [The guard draws back his gold cape from his left arm and reveals a couple of daggers on his belt. The guard flex's his left hand and stands silent. A full minute it seems passes before Arawn changes to another language. Suddenly the guard draws his sword and raises it level with the group. Fremea and Arawn sense out to the sword for magic attack but the aura remains the same. Ben'dar leans forward ready to attack in case the guard has some magic. But the guard yells through a muffled tone to the group a few words. But none in the party can understand him. It almost sounds like the language A'kril initially spoke. The party figures it to be a "surrender or die" threat that most confident guards boast. If he were to surrender why would he draw his weapon unless he will drop it? But the guard continues to hold it out. Ben'dar and Raban hold their ground not wanting to act first.] [As Arawn continues to speak the guard suddenly draws a dagger from his belt with his left hand and tosses it straight at the group. Unali sighs knowing that such a throw at this distance has little chance to hit. It flies toward Arawn and flies by him by a good foot past Chion and lands on the ground near Fremea who senses no magic from it. Ben'dar growls and looks at Arawn. Clearly the man doesn't want to surrender. Not a great surprise to the group but stupid. Why can't these guards see that seven to one odds isn't good? But Ben'dar and Raban don't act. They let Arawn try to continue his words of persuasion. Chion considers using his staff to just capture the man but wonders if this place is warded for protections?] [About ten seconds later the man steps forward and lowers his broadsword. he seems to be faltering as if considering the words but the group is still unsure if he understands. But the group finds it is a mislead. With another swift motion he draws another throwing dagger and foolishly throws a second blade. This one goes near Raban and collides up against the walls and falls down the stairs a few feet behind him. Raban growls this time at the stupid man. But guards aren't hired for their brains.] [After a few more moments Arawn seems to waver and lower his hands. It is clear the man doesn't seem to or want to understand him. The path to surrender may be wrong here. It seems he'll have to take the guard by force alive as Ben'dar suggests. Arawn lowers his hands and stops speaking. Which gives Raban and Ben'dar their cue.] [Fremea lifts off the ground hovering a few feet up and this clearly distracts the guard who looks a bit confused and shocked from his body language. Raban then charges forward toward the man running at top speed. Unali draws her normal dagger and stands her guard at the stairs. She knows that taking a man subdually with plate armor and helmet won't be easy, at least not with daggers. Ben'dar moves forward running and ends up about 10 feet behind Raban. Raban is now only about 6 feet from the guard. Arawn draws his sword and moves forward but not at a run but a slow trot knowing the warriors will pound first. Chion raises his staff just in case. Then the guard reacts. The closest at this point is Raban only six feet and Ben'dar about 16 feet. He charges the short distance and thrusts his broadsword at the giant. Raban knows his speed and his own blessing has increased his defense by a good margin maybe 10%. As the guard thrusts the sword slips between arm and abdomen and misses Raban entirely.] [Caladan hugs the north wall and inspects the doors in that area.] [Fremea flies forward passing Caladan and the others. She draws a dagger but knows it might not be effective against the plate armor. She finds though the hallway is too narrow and can't get beyond Arawn and the others. [Raban tries to move around the guard but the man is blocking his back well. With full strength and intent to subdue Raban brings up his right hand and slugs the man in the neck. He knows the vulnerable spots are the neck where the armor is lightest and the armpits. With a loud crash like noise the fist impacts him on the neck and the light helmet armor indents. The man is thrown to the right side and staggers back. Clearly dazed he shakes his head and his sword wavers a bit. But the guard remains on his feet.] [Ben'dar sees the bashed in area and hears a choking noise as if the man's breath is knocked out. Ben'dar raises his pike knowing it might not get through the plate but the dull side can be used to bash the man in the neck where Raban hit. His force blow is to subdue as well but the blow goes low and the pike hits the man in the left chest over the heart area instead of the neck. The force of the blow is enough though to impact hard and the man goes staggering back. For a second he wavers on knees that falter. Then he falls to the side and the wall and his sword goes flying to the ground. Arawn reaches the man and reaches a finger under the helmet to check his pulse and finds it strong. Raban kicks the sword away and Ben'dar removes the daggers on his belt. Cautiously Arawn inspects the helmet to ensure it isn't going to kill the guard if they remove it but finds it is pliable. The helmet is removed and they find his eyes closed. They check his breathing and find it strong and no sign of blood other than a massive neck bruise caused by Raban.] [Raban nods knowing it wasn't quite the way he wanted it done but it works. Arawn nods in satisfaction. But they all know that taking him conscious would've been better. But alive is better than dead. Now sadly like the other guard this one will be sleeping a good while.] [The group fans out in the hallway as Unali stands guard at the stairs. Raban finds the end of the hallway doesn't curve to more halls by a door. So the basement is smaller than expected.] [Caladan tries to open one door slide window and look inside after waiting for a fireball. After a few seconds he finds no magic and peers inside to darkness. He repeats this for three doors. Then on the 4th door he hears movement and dots his head to the side. The party listens and hears shuffling noise that sounds like feet not paws. Then some voice speaks in a low voice something. The party looks to each other and no one recognizes it. But Chion across the hall does. Faintly. He doesn't know the language but knows the accent. It is Ipanza. He tells Caladan to open the door but finds it locked. Ben'dar finds keys on the guard's belt and after a few seconds finds the right key. With weapons drawn the man in the dark room staggers weakly outside and looks at the group. Chion doesn't know Ipanza but has heard it spoken in the Dark Lands as they are neighbors. The man begins to gibber and fall to his knees as if happy to be ready to die or set free.] [The party realizes then the doors are prisoner cells it seems not reinforcements. The next two rooms find people inside. The 5th one though has to be helped outside as the prisoner seems a bit weak. The sixth room prisoner walks out and guards his eyes from the torch light.] [As food and water are given to the prisoners who seem friendly the others inspect the south rooms.] [The first room has a wooden door with a lock but it is unlocked. Fremea senses no magic as Arawn helps the prisoners. She opens the door with Ben'dar's help and waits for any magic. But none come so they step into the door and enter the dark room. Fremea seeing well in darkness looks around and Ben'dar brings a nearby torch inside. It takes only a few seconds to determine what the dark empty room is - an interrogation chamber. It has a stone floor and a lantern hangs in the west wall next to a table. The room itself is 18' by 10'. There is a bed as well in the room with candle holders above it. The wooden table seems well used and not well maintained. The wooden chairs look old and rickety. The bed is stained red with blood and green with stains that must be entrails. Shackles, needles and various other torture instruments are on the shelf or attached to the bed. Ben'dar grunts and motions Arawn over. Now maybe Arawn will realize that A'kril might not have been such a nice guy. Arawn inspects the room and sighs. Arawn feels pain from the room not for any magical or personal sense but out of empathy. This room must have seen some dark times. But why? Would A'kril have done something or someone else? As Arawn wonders if he did the right thing for A'kril by trying to act nice he wonders now if this man was more evil than some of the nasty gods his parents spoke of.] [The next door over is wooden and locked. But a key is found and it clicks open. Chion smiles knowing that even if no key exists there is always a way in a room through a lock. Waiting for magical auras Fremea opens the door and stands beside it. Soon nothing happens. She peers around and sees only a dark room with no magic. She creeps inside with Ben'dar behind her. It is a small 8' by 12' room with a stone floor. There are 2 candles on the wall by the door unlit for any form of lighting here. The shelves contain more torture instruments and tools. There are some chests in the room and they are cautiously opened after a magic scan. By this time Arawn joins the duo and inspect with them. The chests seem to contain weapons and clothing. A simple storage room it seems. Inside the chests there are 30 sets of leather clothing and furs of various styles. They seem to be the same fashion and stitching at the Ipanza prisoners. This makes the group wonder how many were taken. There are various containers in the room of food, water, ale and wine. Some of which are given to the prisoners. In the weapons chest are 8 spears,3 javelins and 2 bows. Likely the weapons of the ipanza.] [The next room is the one the guard was watching and it is skipped as auras on the doorknob. Not wanting to risk it now the group heads to the last door in the hallway on the south end.] [This door is a wooden door with a hard looking lock. It also has a slide bar like the main entrance does. Likely to bar the door closed tight. But what is it keeping inside. No magic is sensed from the door itself and a key is soon found that works. Hearing nothing inside the party quietly opens the door and finds a empty room. But the presence in the room seems to feel dark and dank like the torture room. This room is a 24' by 12' room with stone floor and lighting is done through a few holes in the roof with reflected light from mirrors it seems. Likely from outside or through the courtyard? The rays of dim gray light make the room look foggy but it isn't. In the east wall are iron sheeting that looks like a mesh of iron. Inside the room and all over are bones, red and green stains from blood and entrails. The room smells of death. Along the door to the right are a set of gems that look like the shield gems in the courtyard. Unali points out that along the south wall are 2 pull levers. The prisoners themselves seem wary of the room and do not approach. They seem frightened of it. But it doesn't take a scholar to figure out the room's purpose. It seems the iron mesh which once inspected it seems to have air currents around it, leads to the outside. It must lead to the outside and looks large enough for a dragon to enter. The gems and pull levers could likely lower and raise the gate as well. Since there doesn't seem to be any other purpose for the levers on this floor. The amount of bones, skulls and such indicate this has to be a eating area for the pets outside. Anger boils as the group wonders how many died from the gargoyles and other nasty pets outside. ] [The ten prisoner cells are only 6' by 6' and dark. Some cells have used or empty bowls for water, food and human waste. Each room is extremely dirty with dust and sand. Minor infestations of insects and fleas are in the room and the prisoners. There is no lighting in the rooms at all. All have stone floors and are spartan rooms. There isn't even a bed or cloth for the prisoners.] Caladan: "So Arawn is A'kril a good guy now?" [Clearly Caladan is upset at the state of the prisoners and the Bone/Torture rooms.] Caladan: "I'm glad he is dead and maybe we should kill this guard now." [Ben'dar even turns to look at Caladan at this. Caladan has been the soft one in the past to not do much harm. Now he wants to kill? People can change, even after they die themselves and are resurrected. But this floor seems to get to everyone.] [After a few minutes the prisoners are given some food and water. Once they realize they are safe now they calm down. The first ipanza prisoner from Room 4 looks to be 21 and well built like a warrior. He wears tattered leather clothes. Some of his teeth are missing that might indicate disease or torture. He also has a bloody eye. The second prisoner from Room 5 looks older maybe 24-25 and built like a warrior as well. He also wears tattered clothes, he seems sick and cold. He seems to have several minor cuts and bite marks. The last prisoner looks to be about 21 as well and is dressed in tattered robes unlike the other 2 men. he seems unhurt but his tongue has been cut out for some reason. He can't speak but seems grateful. When Chion tried to speak Katai to the other 2 the robed man tries to wave his arms. Chion asks if he understands and the man nods. The man makes a motion with his hands like writing and Arawn gives the man a quill and paper to write a note down. The man writes a few seconds and hands it to Chion to read. It seems his name is Zwang Tiamoto. He is from the Dark Lands Law regions and is an apprentice to a Law Master. Chion asks him how many spells he knows and the man lowers his head and raises one finger then writes it down. It seems he only knows Water from stone so far. Chion smiles as he knows the spell all too well and taps the man on the shoulder in approval. He knows we all start somewhere. Now the party realizes why his tongue was cut out, so he couldn't cast magic. As if the spell he knew would be effective to escape.] [Before the group asks more questions Caladan speaks up.] Caladan: "What about that room? We should take the guard up to Kiet and these prisoners to Z'leyra so she can inspect them and treat them. She might be able to follow up on questions with him if she can read Katai." Actions? Comments? Next Update...Wednesday GM: Upper Level Exploration - Main Entrance Stairs Courtyard Stairs Ben'dar X - Caladan X - Arawn - - Chion - - Fremea - - Raban - - Unali - - Note: Kiet/Z'leyra not included since not exploring. Majority will determine route. 4 votes is a majority. If no vote then will assume Main Entrance. Voting ends Monday 12/1 so I can move the party along. GM: Minor experience for Raban/Ben'dar. I went ahead and moved the party past this point since no other posts had come in. Most actions would've probably resulted in same thing in the end. GM: This just leaves the locked door. The lock itself and doorknob has a magical aura on it. Nothing else on the floor seems magical aside from the Bone Room door gems. Clearly the guard was watching the locked room. Based on the keys used there is likely the one key to unlock it. When asked the prisoner who writes doesn't know what is in the rooms. He also doesn't speak Ipanza. I will assume the guard and prisoners will be taken up to Z'leyra for first aid and left there. That leaves the room. Let me know if you guys want to open it and deal with it or leave it alone like the armory room? If leave it alone then we'll move up to the second floor. We could do this as soon as next week depending on posts. GM: Happy Thanksgiving to all! Due to the holiday I will work on the Friday update Wednesday afternoon/night. It will contain the book info found in the library and any results from this post. ?his guard due to his size will likely be knocked out for some time. I will then hope to release the Friday update on Thanksgiving or that night for friday. Depends on how things go here. The update will be mainly info so it can be read anytime. I hope to also have the player map web link updated by then. Kiet I have your emails and will deal with them in the next update as well as Z'leyra on some of the book stuff. GM: Map of basement - [Castle - Basement Area] 1 2 3 4 5 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 I--------------------------------------------------- I°°°°°°I 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10I°°°I I°°°°°°I I I I I I I I I I I°°°I I°°°°°°I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I_/_I°°°I I°°°°°° \ Cells / °°°I I°° ~~I I°° ____/\_______/_°°°°II----/\---II-/\---------I I°,,,°°I * $$I` I°°°II II : I°,,,°°I*@@ $$I` #I°°°II ???? II Bone : I°,,,°°I @@ $$I` #I°°°II ???? II Room : I,,,,°°I * `I #I°°°II II : I____°°I________`I___#I°°°II II____________: Interrogation Storage Basement Level General Notes - All floors are stone floors. In hallways lightning is done by a torch on the south wall about every 8 feet along the hallway. Stairs - Left bottom - 6-8' x 6-8' Stone steps leading up to first floor. Lightning is a single lantern that hangs from the ceiling in a dim conserved manner. Storage - 8' x 12' Stone floor, lighting is done by 2 candles on the wall by the door. The shelves contain torture instruments. The chests seem to contain clothing and weapons. Door is a simple wooden door with simple lock. Prisoner Cells - 6' x 6' [Rooms 1-10] All are empty aside from a used or empty bowls for water, food and human waste. Each room is extremely dirty with dust and sand. Minor infestations of insects and fleas. There is no lighting in these rooms. Stone floors. Spartan rooms. Door is wooden with a slide window for viewing inside. Door has a simple lock. Bone Room - 24' x 12' Stone floor and lighting seems to come from a few holes in the ceiling that seem to reflect outside light through mirrors it seems. On the east wall are iron sheeting that looks almost like a mesh of iron. Inside the room there are bones, red and green stains from blood and entrails. The room stinks of death. The door is a simple wooden reinforced bar door with hard lock. There are a set of gems inset into the wall right side of the door. Down the hall are 2 pull levers.