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 #93 in sequence (file #503) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Raban: [Re: Actions] [*** Ben'dar's part deleted ***] Raban (to Ben'dar): "If the room has things of much importance, the guard would not have keys to it. Guards have keys for rooms that have things guards need occasionally but want secure from theft. At least thats what I recall from some early lessons, I did not pay much attention to them as I was never going into that area of work. It makes some sense though, if you captured the guard to reach the room why would they make it easy to get into it afterward? Of course with magic involved that would not be as important. But if you want me to lift and hold him for you to try something, I can do that. Though I hope I was wrong in that case or something bad is going to happen." [*** Unali's email deleted ***] Raban (to Unali): "I am getting worried about the amount of traps this place has. Would they trap the stairs in some manner? If so then maybe flying up to the balcony could go around them? Many cultures protect where they live in some manner and that upper floor would appear to be for that." GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Fremea: [Re: Actions] OOC - I've been a little busy with RL for a little bit. Still here, just working on changing companies to make sure bills are still getting paid :). Fremea considers that the guard was told to keep out any who want to get to this point and the locked door. "I would say it is important we get into that door, especially since we don't know if there is much time to this floating fortress left or not." If the correct key is not found on the guard, she will cast Sonic Destruction (EL0) on the wall surrounding the lock itself, this should bypass the magic resistance on the lock. (If not Scott, let me know, she would proabably figure that out). If she has to cast it a couple of times to get through the stone wall, she will. As for which way to go upstairs, she will fly up to the balcony when everyone is ready to go that way. GM: Ack. No problem on RL. Ironically this is my busiest time of the year but for the game it tends to be the easiest to deal with. Guess that's due to more night time (stay up late) due to vacation time (like this week off 5 days). Yes, the spell would work nicely. Destroy the area around the lock and Raban could kick it in or cough and knock it down. Raban Smash! Raban Cough! :) ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Ma 2nd, 1633TH. 5th Day of Adventure #4. [Location: Chaos domain, Dark Lands, 9 Miles up, Flying Island] [Time: 11:25am] [Ben'dar suggests using the guard to open the door. Raban is one of the first to reply to Ben'dar.] Raban: "If the room has things of much importance, the guard would not have keys to it. Guards have keys for rooms that have things guards need occasionally but want secure from theft. At least that's what I recall from some early lessons, I did not pay much attention to them as I was never going into that area of work. It makes some sense though, if you captured the guard to reach the room why would they make it easy to get into it afterward? Of course with magic involved that would not be as important. But if you want me to lift and hold him for you to try something, I can do that. Though I hope I was wrong in that case or something bad is going to happen." [Almost immediately the discussion becomes excited as others give their suggestions and perspective.] [Raban slips near Unali when she suggests going up to explore more and leave the room alone. He replies to her.] Raban: "I am getting worried about the amount of traps this place has. Would they trap the stairs in some manner? If so then maybe flying up to the balcony could go around them? Many cultures protect where they live in some manner and that upper floor would appear to be for that." [Fremea listens quietly to all the talk and tries to stare at the guard as if to gain some knowledge by simply looking. She figures the guard could be fanatical as Ben'dar suggests or one simply to stop anyone from entering this level. Humans can be so misguided in their motivations.] Fremea: "I would say it is important we get into that door, especially since we don't know if there is much time to this floating fortress left or not." [Arawn listens to the arguments and knows that the room could be vital. For all he knows the control of this island could be there or could be dead with A'kril. How long before the island finds its owner dead? Will the island suddenly drop or just stop? Is there an intelligence behind the island's control. Arawn gets that nagging feeling in the back of his mind again. Why are the gods so cryptic? Can't they just point one out to the source and tell how to fix it? They are never that straight forward. Even his parents would give him riddles to solve for days before answering a simple question. He wonders if it is some deity rule to fool mortals and in his case Alfar. The party has become far more complicated with the new prisoners. Can Chion teleport all these beings out at once if there is an emergency? Could there be other prisoners elsewhere? Two seem a bit simple minded and the one smart enough to know things can't speak. Arawn scans the area and the door again. He could reach out to detect more of the magic but knows that will take life force and is limited to how many times a day one can use that power. He knows he may need it later. Arawn watches the others argue and wonders why he hasn't been directly asked how he got the books out. Maybe they trust his privacy or just too creeped out to ask.] [Ben'dar shifts his feet back and forth as the others argue. More talk, less action, more frustration. It has been well over a year since his last nightmares at the hands of the Climan Priestess who tortured him for nothing more than her own pleasure. Now at seeing the torture room and the bone room those memories have come back. Back in Ezam's fortress there was a interrogation style room but not as bad. Ben'dar grits his teeth at the thought of more nightmares. But he channels his frustration into a scheme to use the guard and if he dies so be it.] [Chion reconsiders his own plan to go through the walls but isn't sure how long that would take. He glances over at the young apprentice. Young? He must be the same age. Yet he still seems green in the ways of magic. Chion knows that most folks who go for magic start at the age of 12 or as young as 10 in the dark lands. They could stay 3-4 years solely with a master teaching them. This one only knows one spell? Either he must be stupid or slow or started too late to learn the basics well. From what he has said A'kril must've come here for some intelligence either to invade or to use it for some other reason. Though the small forces seen so far is no invasion force at all. Knowing how mages think though Chion figures A'kril was learning of possible threats. Mages do that all the time to gain knowledge and see who might be a threat or a weakness. Chion glances at the 2 barbarians who seem confused by the talk. Why would A'kril take them unless he thought they were a threat? Likely not. A'kril probably took them to learn more of the area. A'kril must've had some way to learn or translate the languages.] [Raban considers the layout of this place and what might be above him. He has been in many a castle and noble home for the fun and pleasure of many a noble. Most keep their valuable areas below if they are a small home but if a tall fortified home or castle keep bedrooms and vaults upstairs. This place where few thieves could ever get to could be upside down. He considers Ben'dar's plan and wonders if the magic of the door could backfire and hit him. But he knows the angelica and other things will help him hopefully. Given a short time he could pound his way into the room but could it cause problems like a cave in?] [Unali considers the security aspect of this area. She feels amused at the thought of turning from a warrior into a semi professional spy. But the time being and working with Duke Aren has made here aware of new skills and aspects. She hasn't seen any sign of a mechanical device that could lead to security alarms or such. She feels A'kril would be too over confident in his power to need them. Raban is right though what lord would give their guard keys to their trusted places? Most guards would steal from them. Either that means this guard is highly valued, trusted or stupid. That or Raban is correct in the keys are wrong.] [Time: 11:27am] [Caladan considers the arguments and finally shakes his head.] Caladan: "I may not be as powerful a wizard as Z'leyra or as knowing as Arawn but I know how some people think. A'kril seemed confident in the main room. He felt he could control the situation and take us down. A man that confident being in a place hardly a few could get to would indicate he underestimates folks. I believe there is no mechanical traps to this place just magic. Arawn or Chion could agree with me but I believe Wizards believe such mundane traps to be above them. I suspect he felt his magic would be enough for him. We are below a fountain and the pipes to the water collection room. If something happened here the place could simply flood and undermine the soil. For a island that could lead to holes. Holes would lead to a mighty fall. I don't think he would take that risk. It looks like we agree we should get to the room now then finish exploring. So let's get to it." [As the team discuss plans the apprentice has slinked away down a few cell doors and started writing amazingly fast. He seems quite determined to complete something. When approached or glanced at he looks up and nods but doesn't seem to indicate that it is to be read quiet yet. It is clear he doesn't understand what the party is saying as they speak in Marentian. For some time Unali glances at the apprentice and notices he is determined to finish what ever he is writing. She wonders if he'll be able to ever use magic again without his tongue. Magic is one of those things speech is needed. Yet as she has learned in the last year or so that seems wrong. There are exceptions. She has seen magic cast without speech. But does the man have the ability or strength to do such things?] [Since no one else has come up with an alternative plan aside from magic from Fremea and Chion's wall solution it seems the two big warriors agree to use the guard as needed. That brings a small consensus to the group. Raban lifts the guard up to his feet and Ben'dar grabs the keys. The others back away just in case there is some area effect spell. Ben'dar makes sure his right hand glove, a riding glove but glove nonetheless, is secure. Raban moves the sleeping guard toward the door and the other prisoners slink away. Ben'dar grabs the keys from the floor and walks over to Raban. Chion points out what is likely the one key to fit based on what not was used before and his own skills. Raban grunts not out of the guard's weight and plate armor but he has found males grunt when doing physical labor. It seems to impress the women. Though Raban knows this is a light load for him it has become somewhat of a habit.] [As the three men approach the door Ben'dar grabs the guard's limp right hand and places the key as best he can. Both men know the magic involved could be deadly. But Raban knows his magic defenses will protect him. Ben'dar isn't afraid since his armor is tough. Ben'dar raises the arm up. Suddenly the apprentice rushes past Caladan and trots to the door. He gets to Ben'dar and pushes him back just as Ben'dar and the guard connect key to door and insert it. Ben'dar goes flying back with a left elbow to his chest. Raban growls in surprise as the apprentice pushes the guard's arm away and grabs the key and twists the doorknob.] [The first to react to stop the apprentice is Unali who moves toward him but even her speed and the distance away is too far. The apprentice pulls the door as the key falls to the ground. Raban lifts a arm to try to bat him away. But as Fremea and arawn watch the black aura around the lock seems to explode. It begins to crawl up the apprentices arm. The man stiffens immediately and gurgles as he can't scream. His body begins to spasm and Raban hesitates touching him for a second. Raban drops the guard to the ground with a thump. The apprentice a second later slumps to the ground and falls backwards over the guard's limp form. The apprentice rolls a foot toward the cell doors. Raban glances over and sees the door cracking open and backs eastward to avoid any assault from the door. Ben'dar twists and rolls to the west to avoid any spell that might shoot out as well. All this happened in just 2 seconds. The team hold their breath waiting for magic flames, creatures or guards. One, two and three seconds pass with nothing happening. During those seconds Arawn and Fremea notices a aura of mixed colors emit from the door and seep into the hallway but are unsure of what it means.] [Suddenly one of the barbarian prisoners lowers his arms and a blank look comes to his face. Standing across from the torture chamber he just suddenly walks south. He saunters into the room as if not scared. Confused the team watch but then they notice the other barbarian has that same look as well as Caladan and Fremea. Fremea stops flexing her wings and just stands looking down the hall. Chion, Unali and Ben'dar know those looks. A'kril must love the abandon spell as the room was warded with it as well. It seems the four are affected by the look seen just earlier by the Dark Elf in the battle when Kiet cast it on him. Unali and Ben'dar gesture to secure the four. Raban not wanting to cross the locked room's threshold due to magic waits. Chion secures one of the barbarians as Unali heads into the chamber and grabs the other. Ben'dar helps to hold Caladan as Arawn blocks Fremea. It wouldn't do good for her to go off flying around. Chion motions to a cell and puts the one he has inside. They can't harm themselves inside. Caladan and the others are places in the room. At the least they'll just bump into each other.] [Now almost half a minute later still nothing comes out of the door and Raban waves the guard's sword in front of the door. Nothing so he opens the door a bit and still nothing occurs. Raban is sad to see Fremea affected even with his angelica but she must have a low defense or the spell got lucky. Ben'dar checks the apprentice over and shakes his head almost immediately before the others are put away in the cell. Unali and Chion inspect the apprentice and find no obvious wounds but find the apprentice dead.] [Unali recalls the same type of attack and recalls seeing an enemy do it, maybe a Priestess on Clima, do something like this spell. The hand of death is a deadly one. Chion grits his teeth at losing a ally in this place then goes to pick up the paper he was writing.] [As Chion begins to read Raban suggests taking him up to Z'leyra for help but Unali shakes her head. From what Z'leyra and others have told her of the spell there is no cure or help. The apprentice must have had a low defense as well. Ben'dar growls at the thought of losing the apprentice and not the guard. But then recalls the apprentice may have saved his life? If he had touched the man while the spell went off he could be dead right now. He gives a kick to the guard not to hurt but as a painful reflex that he should be the one dead not this brave apprentice.] [As the four in the cell bump up against the wall Chion reads what the man says and starts over as he cites it to the group.] Chion: "Chion I have not heard much of you. But I have of your master Correl. He was a good teacher and friend to my own master. I never told them anything of our land or defenses. I lost my tongue as a result. But in doing so I lost my way to use magic. As you know without magic you are little in the domains. My father would not have liked that after working so long to get me apprenticed. My honor is gone and my life as a wizard is gone. I would be of little use to my family now. Maybe I could join your group as it seems you are here on some purpose to stop or investigate this place. I may not be of much use but I can haul gear and..." [Chion squints and notices the next section seems to have been done so fast it is misspelled and hard to read. It is as if he changed his thought and subject.] "Tell my parents and sister I loved them. Tell them I died with some honor in helping ..." [hard to read] "..of this threat." [rid this place?] "I did it helping the High Elder. Tell them now how I truly died." [Chion looks up in sadness. Being from this land he knows all too well the loss of hands or tongue for magic users. That means becoming lower class instantly. It seems from this short message his father was like so many in these lands and wanted what was best for his son. The shame at the thought of his son being captured and lowered in status might have killed him. Chion crumples the scroll in anger at the ways of this society and how they think. The apprentice either knew of the spell or risks helping Ben'dar and Raban out not knowing what would have happened. The apprentice must've thought he could be of some help now. Chion nods knowing that maybe he might've helped with upper floors and tries to regain his honor but in that instant saving three men he regained his honor and his status in the eyes of his family and society.] [Unali unlocks the door to the cell when Caladan yells out in confusion. It seems the spell effects end after almost two minutes. Caladan and the other 3 exit and look a the dead apprentice. It is explained as they are looked over for any minor wounds, but find none.] Caladan: "He died just like that? That is a shame." [But those who know this society, Katai society and honor know it might not have been a shame to them.] [Arawn and Raban move the door body over as Arawn and Raban both give silent prayers. Fremea examines the door and notices the black aura is gone from the door lock. Ben'dar notices the key is on the ground and recalls the key never actually went in fully or at least it seemed that way. Caladan asks for the key and inserts it into the lock but it doesn't go far as it seems to be the wrong one. In fact as Raban suggested none of the keys fit. That means the door was likely unlocked. A cruel joke by A'kril it seems. What thief would get far in a room with a lock like that? That explains also why the guard avoided the door itself not wanting to touch it. A unlocked private room who would have thought of it?] [Caladan uses his staff to open the door more and still no magic comes out. Fremea glances around the corner and notices still one aura in the room but nothing shoots her head off. Caladan tosses the keys into the room and waits for any reaction but nothing happens. In fact oddly nothing is heard. Confused he tosses the guard's sword into the room and no clank is heard.] Caladan: "No sound? That must be the magic. Kill the thief at the door. If its a wizard stop his magic from inside by not letting him speak. The abandon magic could've confused him for guards to get here. Not a huge trapped room but quite effective it seems. Shall we see what is inside?" [Fremea and Arawn scan again but only find the one aura and figure it to be s silence or sound reduction spell. Caladan creeps into the room and when his footfalls aren't heard he stops and scans the room to find no person or beast.] [It becomes quickly obvious the room is another storage room. Based on the metal walls and chests it appears to be a small vault. It is 18' by 10'. It is lit by a lantern hanging just inside the door and room has stone floors. There are numerous chests, lockers, cabinets, barrels and containers.] [Arawn and Fremea scan the room for magic but only the silence magic seems still in place. The containers have none so they are cautiously opened and inventory is taken.] [One locker has about 60 yards of fine wool, 80 yards of fine silk, fur cape, 2 fur stoles, 2 fur cloaks (one looks to be exceptional quality) and a fur robe. Those who know and can guess value for the items it looks to be maybe 23 silver. But the material is in good fine shape.] [One locker has 5 glass empty bottles. It also has 2 scrolls that look old with text. A box of tools it seems to be inside the locker and Arawn notices some look to be of Elf design or use. They aren't quite metal it seems. There is a 4' by 6' rug as well. Raban notices inside the locker is a nice fine of 6 mugs that are jeweled and ornate design. When Arawn notices them he comments they almost look to be what Elves might use or make. The jewels don't seem large for magic or of great value but they look interesting.] [In one corner of the room are two small statues one of stone and the other of wood weighing almost 50 pounds for both.] [One small metal chest contains coins couple hundred brass like bits it seems, 150-160 gold colored coins, and probably 300 odd silver coins. The chest weighs about 50 pounds.] [A small wooden chest is empty. aside from a small wooden statue weighing about 15 or so pounds. A small metal chest inside the wooden one contains more coins but only of the brass, silver and copper looking variety looking about 800 coins in total.] [One small wooden chest contains gems and jewelry. Five small gems Agate, Lapis, Amethyst, Opal, and Topaz gems. Four medium gems as well - Serpentine (2), Carnelian and toadstone. A small diamond jewel, small jacinth jewel and toadstone medium jewel are found. Five pieces of small jewelry, four medium and one large tourmaline jewelry piece is found.] [One small wooden chest has 2 strange looking uniforms it seems but of unknown origin or design.] [In assorted containers there are elf made utensils, a elf non magical sword, horse harness, 2 broadswords, 3 bastard swords, 9 quarrels, a flag of an unknown nation, 10 camp style lanterns, 5 quart empty keg, 4 bucklers, 1 metal helmet, one man tent, a dozen or so tent poles and 3 light lances,] [In one chest is found some magical items. Not detected before it was opened they seem to be magical items than wards. A flask once opened seems to smell like a potion. There is a magical banded shield, a set of 9 magical darts, another flask of some potion. There is also a bottle of magical elixir in the same chest.] [Time: 11:30am] [It doesn't take long to figure out the room is a vault though from some ways looks to be a light vault. Aside from the coins and magical items its almost too ordinary.] Caladan: "He died for all that?" [He shakes his head in sorrow.] [Once it becomes clear the basement is fully explored the party prepare to leave. Caladan reminds the team to leave the vault door open as it might reactivate the death spell once shut.] [The group heads back up the stairs with the two barbarians who look even more confused than ever in line. Raban carries the guard over his shoulder as Ben'dar and Chion help carry the dead apprentice upstairs. The team heads to the main room and reports into Kiet and Z'leyra.] --------------------- [In the last five minutes Kiet has been spending examining the items A'kril had with him. He also inspects the material that the bodyguard seemed to have in hopes to gleam an idea on his plan for a possible magical key or blocker. Z'leyra continues to scan the books and scrolls for any key to the language she can use to decipher it. Corona continues to sleep after a quick few bites of warm bread on the sofa.] [The team enters the room and drops off the sleeping guard and the dead apprentice. They quickly explain what they found with the prisoners and the basement floor. Even though they mention the apprentice was checked over, Z'leyra checks him as well and can find no obvious wound to heal or help. A magical death seems so finite. She inspects the sleeping guard and only finds wounds and minor cuts from the two strikes. The barbarians she later checks out and only finds bruises, lack of eating, fleas and minor skin infections. Something with time should go away.] [As the party exited the basement Fremea flew up to examine the balcony areas lead to hallways and doors. But she sees no one. The guard's armor meanwhile is removed and he is tied up with the other sleeping guard for later talking to by friendly methods, or not so friendly methods.] [Time: 11:34am] Caladan: "We should head up to the second floor now." Actions? Comments? Next Update...Friday... GM: Based on the posts I figured the majority wanted to enter the room so it was done. Original plan was to have some more fun with the room but that changed when it just didn't make sense. :) When thinking of the apprentice one must think of the mindset of the day and land. As to majority for stairs at this point it looks like main entrance is it at 3:1. Arawn probably still has computer issues so can't vote. Raban and Chion had plenty of time to vote. So the front stairs will be it. I will do the first bit of exploring in next update and move the game alone. Upper Level Exploration - No Vote Main Entrance Stairs Courtyard Stairs Ben'dar X - Caladan X - Arawn - - Chion - - Fremea - X Raban - - Unali X - GM: Now the party has prisoners and friendly barbarians among the treasure to transport back. I will publish a full treasure report soon. At this point will assume all is taken unless stated otherwise. Claims for personal treasure can still be taken. Will update player map online with the full basement map (vault included). Next update second floor is explored unless you guys make other plans or suggestions. The death of the apprentice wasn't as noble as it sounds here as it was in my head. But oh well. :) Text can only relay the message so much. GM: Final comments: Will assume main entrance stairs for the next update. Based on this assumption will start the update tomorrow again. I'm getting more DVDs this week so will be hit and miss work time for update. But will work on it in the next few days off and on.