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 #110a in sequence (file #620) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra/Alex change vote to method #1. GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet is in a sassy mood, now that he's of that flying pile of rubble. He suggests that we all dice for the items...none of them are especially important, or so he believes, except for maybe the flag...and I think it and the uniforms should remain together no matter who gets them. [*** Conflicted info deleted for space ***] GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Arawn is fine with giving the items away to anyone who wants them, so go ahead and add them to their character sheets. Books and other items of lore, like the map, that he has expressed interest in are, for the most part, important to him for the knowledge they might share and he'd be happy to pass them to another in the party so long as he'd have the opportunity to study (and if they are later sold, copy) them. His mindset is that as long there is some potential use for an item it would probably be more useful to keep it where the group can access it. [*** Kiet's post deleted for space ***] GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Fremea: [Re: Actions] Fremea would rather just have no one on the island when it is time to get the Seker out. She can fly without lose of anything (and she is not hurt much). Her teleport abilities will get her to where she needs to be and the party is needed to protect the treasure, plus make sure the prisoners are kept safe (for now - evil grin). She will bring the collar back with her for Raban. ----------------------------------------------------------- Her vote for loot is still the same. As for Arawn getting the armor, she believes that it should go to him. Mostly because he will represent us at other times, with his knowledge and this can be even more proof of his station. As for him giving up loot for it, well that will be up to him. Mostly Fremea sees that this will improve our chances of getting more treasure later on. And there are other disadvantages to him having the armor, besides us not getting gold for it. GM: Ack. Thanks. -------------------------- From Raban: [Re: Actions] GM: Ack. Prices are relative as you know. I have a simple system of skill checks, random variations and normal prices. There could be profits and losses on an item. Chion could sell an item anywhere on the world in a few hours o vary he price. But for this situation things are either sold in he Dark Lands or Marentia. I could role play each situation and haggle. Bu ha could take weeks and years o do in a pbem. Some items like special items (books and magic items) can be done this way but still would take time. This system if fast and loose - and works. If you wan to revamp the price system you could work it out on the main pnp list. Who knows might get it done. The armor for example might be worth a fleet of ships in one land but a few copper in another and in the lower world be as common as dirt. So its all relative. Without going into it much more here I appreciate your comments here though. I'm just not prepared to work out a value for the armor or the discount Arawn should take. So we'll see how it goes later on. -------------------------- From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions] I want to clarify Ben'Dar's vote on treasure. He really isn't that concerned with wealth, just as long as he has sufficient cash to pay for operations on his ranch. As far as being "fair", he's thinking that if Arawn gets magical Alfar plate armor, that's fine, but perhaps it would be fair for him not to take an equal share of the other treasure at this time. The next adventure, in Ben'Dar's mind, is a clean slate, so no future reductions in treasure would be necessary for Arawn. But even if Arawn decides to take the plate and a fair share of the treasure, Ben'Dar really isn't going to get bent out of shape over it. He comes from a barter society and quite frankly, material wealth isn't a concern to him. (Building a reputation, on the other hand, is a huge concern for him, and wealth can certainly help as he works on building his fame as a horse trainer/trader) As for the remainder of this adventure, Ben'Dar is suspicious (as always) of the attack on Sven and more importantly on Tef'wo. (Sorry, Sven) He is not convinced it is the chaos mage of the local domain, especially if the High Elder's familiar has been there. "How do we know that the High Elder didn't stage this ambush? Perhaps all he wanted from this whole thing was the magic ring the woman wore? Why didn't his familiar stick around to help Sven in the fight?" Ben'Dar is clearly upset and seems to renew his determination to punch out the High Elder as soon as he sees the man again. "Maybe we shouldn't return to the High Elder? We have done his dirty work. We've fought many battles and we have seized our prize. Let's leave this land!" GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet says "I do not mind Arawn keeping the strange armor. It seems to make some sense that he have it (obviously it is no use to me at 5'-6!). I simply ask that he compensate us all for the potential richness of the item because it may have so much more value than all else we have obtained. I am but a poor and humble sevant, yet in this group I would hope that equality in shares be observed, especially as I have contributed in no small way and nearly sacrificed everything."..."And, yes, I am aware I am not the only one." "I am uncertain, however, what Arawn might offer to offset such a potentially massive treasure. I certainly would entertain any suggestions or ideas on such." GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Raban: [Re: Actions] Raban listens to Kiet worry over how much he can get out of this mission and decides to speak up. "I came simply to protect the lovely ladies and I am glad I did because I am sure my help kept them alive. I would like to try the Seker's collar but otherwise I am not concerned with being paid for my help. Frankly, there is little I can use due to my size anyway. That is why I make most my own things. My only other need is heavier armor if I am going to run into more battles like this one, my leathers were just for protection from travel mishaps. So if I am getting anything else, it can be given to whoever needs it. I have little use for money, as it just pays for my Bar Tabs, Entertainment, Gifts and to help anyone I find who needs it. I have always been able to make whatever money I needed, whenever I needed it. I just entertain wealthier people for a little while and they give me a few gold pieces or handfuls of silver. Since I entertain somewhere nearly every day, I always have plenty to spend... And Kiet, I am sorry I did not offer you a defensive blessing when you really needed it. I think it would have prevented your serious injury had I done so. I suspect that is why I was so badly injured, my goddess was reminding me of my failures. I offered only to the Ladies when everyone helps protect everyone else so everyone should be protected in turn." GM: Ack. -------------------------- From arawn: [Re: Blessings] Arawn would've taken the blessings but didn't want to deplete Raban's mana stores if he had need of it later. For book- keeping, Arawn has a blessing but it's to Con and Will. [*** Raban's email deleted for space ***] GM: Ack. Will consider that a "would have" taken but not to take one now. :) -------------------------- From Kiet: [Re: Blessing] "The taking of a blessing from the practicioner of a god (or gods) not one's own might not put him in good stead with his own God(s)." [*** Arawn/Raban's quoted post deleted for space ***] GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Arawn: [Re: Actions] As the group made final preparations Arawn visited with Fremea and the Seker one last time. After a short conversation it became apparent that the faerie wished to remain alone on the fortified cloud when it made it's descent into the sea. "Take care, Fremea. We'll be waiting for you." "M'sahk," he said, turning to the seker, "I hope all will be well with you. Give my regards to the Master of the Astral Winds." ------------------------------------------------------------ When word of the attack and the missing ring are told on the ground below Arawn's brow furrowed. He knelt down beside the woman, pressed his hand to her forehead as he said a prayer, and then took a few strands of hair from her head. "I hope you are right, Sven. The ring was important to A'kril's plans somehow, though others thought that which was to be traded was greater still. Still, I am concerned as to the ring's actual whereabouts in case it wasn't your master's familiar behind all of this... "And to whom it truly belonged," he added as he listened to Ben'dar's words. -------------------------------------------------------- As Fremea wishes to remain behind, alone, Arawn will accompany the group for now. ------------------------------------------------------------ Arawn listened as the others replied to Kiet's inquiry regarding the armor in silence for some time, allowing the others to finish sharing their thoughts. "As and alfar and druid of the sidh I see the armor as a racial relic of our past, something unknown and unheard of, and my interest in it is for that and not out of greed. The creations of the Sidh are often coveted by humans and I can only guess as to the value some might place upon it in mortal society and I can only hope that you can see it as more than just a cash prize and as something important to my kind, as I would of any relic sacred to a people such as the Z'enda, Katai, or Vassa. It's potential defensive properties are not unknown to me and, I admit, being limited in what I may wear amongst the craftings of men, that it would prove useful in keeping me alive, and thus aiding me in assisting to keep others alive, in future adventures. As to shares, I can live on the charity of the good and by my own skills and would relinquish what gold will be had. Though a few coins of silver to purchase some few goods for survival would be appreciated but can be down without as the group desires." GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra asks Corona to stay close while the party is still in Chaos claimed territory. She will stay close as well. Z'leyra will give up claims to bottles, wool cloth and map, but would like to keep the cloak and silk. Though if equivalent or better silk is available for purchase she will give up the claim on the silk as well. GM: Ack. -------------------------- From Chion: [Re: Actions] I might have mis-understood. I thought Awarn wanted the armor and a share of the armor? Last I knew, when we took plate/chain from the total, we didn't get the same cash as everyone else. So I don't see how its been method #1 for the last 9 years... Seems its been a lot closer to method #2 (plus theiving). I would agree that Awarn can have the armor in place of his share of treasure. I don't think he should get his share plus the armor. In that case Chion pretty well wants to cut it into equal pieces and have it to study the materials its made out of/cast origin powers to duplicate the material... etc... I am not saying Awarn has to play 50+ adventures without getting any reward, I am saying if he takes the armor it is his share for this adventure. I know in the past there have been a few items which we have worked out similarly (the ring Chion wears comes to mind). Or maybe I just have no idea how much money the party has... seems Chion only has about 30 gp cash last I checked... Chion replies, "This is the problem. While it is a racial relic for you, it is also a racial relic for humans as well. After all, it is a human who brought you to the place it could be retrieved. It was humans who brought the flying castle to the Dark Lands. It was us in the mortal world who helped. We have the additional problem at this time of not knowing its properties. What if it changes your disposition to match the previous owners? Do we accept that? Do we slay you next?" Chion smiles and rubs his ring, "You see, ancient, unknown artifacts are just that. Survivors of ages past. Some, or even most, have spirits trapped within." He glances at his staff in slight annoyance, the smile disappearing for a second. "I don't think that anyone here wishes you ill. Nor do we want you to be unarmored in upcoming battles. We do hope that you appreciate the effort we have put into helping obtain this invaluable relic. And pray you can see that it is as valuable an object in interest to humans as it is to Alfar. Perhaps more so, since it is in the mortal realm when perhaps it should not be. I would say we should examine it further before its use and determination of value. Perhaps it shouldn't be used at all. Perhaps fates have given it to you." Chion smiles at Awarn, checking to see if he is annoyed yet at the way he is talking. "I know we can come to some sort of agreement. It is just a matter of whether we split it into ten pieces for study, or let you wear it until monsters beat it to peices off you." GM: Ack. No its been method 1 for all these years. :) He has awhile back decided NOT to take a share of the other coins. You have much more cash on hand like 150 gold plus your house. :) ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] GM: Above is over 500 lines so divided up the update into parts again for ease of reading. This is just the old posts and my comments above. Part 2 will be the main update and 3 should be the treasure report. GM: First I appreciate the public and private comments that I have gotten on the above topics and the family emergency. It is appreciated. It is quite clear the majority, even those who don't agree with the share method, say Arawn should get the armor with no problems. In essence the item is still party property and can be used later on for study and any knowledge gain. I'm glad based on the discussion no one has gotten really out of shape about it. That could ruin the whole game over a single piece of item. Technically I didn't expect this much conflict over the plate. It was a planned item for later historical research purposes only. In fact I've not fleshed out the entire properties of the item. :) All bring good points to the table. As you saw from my last post the method 2 way brings many issues of bookkeeping among issues of fair prices. So for the treasure report I'll consider the armor "invisible" for that purpose and handle the rest. This still doesn't mean the "unknown" values are known. The books, odd things like the flag and such can't be valued in any fair method for the next few months of game time. It may take YEARS to determine their value. For all the books could be are books on cooking and be worthless. :) Many have reminded me of the past 9-10 years of play where method 1 was used. To reiterate we simply allowed claims. You picked and choose what you got. If you wanted that sword or that ring it was yours, no questions asked. There was no value placed on it and that value wasn't deducted from the person's personal share. From the REMAINDER of the loot it was totaled up and divided by number of players for equal shares minus expenses. The main difference between method 1 and 2 is claims. In method 1 claims are done "tax free" but in method 2 they are "taxed" (tax being a choice of words here to demonstrate). That's the big difference. Personally method 2 means alot more guesswork and bookkeeping for me. This is why for the last decade it has been easy job. :) Yes in the past super items like Dwarf Armor or the super dooper magical item was claimed. Those items might be well worth the entire treasure found at that time. But no one had a issue about it. Conflicts were dealt with in a civilized method. The first adventure in Clima there was tons of loot from the captured base because of captured loot by the Clima.s So folks got rich on that. Rich enough to buy ranches and manors and houses. Adventure 2 was on the Zen'da plains and treasure was minimal maybe a few gold per person based on Ezam's fort and those items found on enemy. Nothing like Clima. Adventure 3 was in the Vassa forest and even fewer treasure was found maybe a few gold. This adventure gave alot due to a castle captured. Adventure #5 due to the nature of the adventure will be like #3 and there will be little if any treasure. I say that now since not every adventure is a king's ransom reward. With that said based on changed (public) votes and private comments/votes it looks like it was a tie 4 to 4 for the both methods. Raban voted for both/either. So again that makes 5 to 5. Caladan was the hold out as he is more a npc. Since it is tied I have to make a GM decision. Based on Caladan's personality, background and history from being a Zen'da treasure is of little use to him. So based on that persona he would have to vote for method 1. He doesn't care if folks claim things and with shares after that. He would only need some cash to maintain his own expenses and house. So 6 to 5 method 1 wins. I know this might upset folks but its clearly a divided issue for the group. Either way I'm going to upset half the group by doing this decision. But since it WAS tied I had to decide it. Now if Caladan was Xian or Triest they'd have voted method 2. But I have to go with how Caladan thinks. Sorry if this upsets some folks. I'll accept flames in email :) With that said if a person wants to "pay" out their share of claimed treasure away from their equal share let me know and I can certainly do that. In that way it is method 2 for you. Arawn has already decided to forgo his share of any treasure share just wanting his claims. GM: Sorry for the delay but its been a hectic delay. We are so close to finish of this adventure and IBT time. Since it will be a down time we can dicker and argue the above issues more if you guys want. Like I say I hate GMs who decide everything for a group. That's why I put up a vote and let your voices be heard. In the end I did have to pick the method based on the tie. :< Actions? Comments? Next Update...Monday... Next post - Update!