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 R4.Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma W2.Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma W3.Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma --.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe R2.Mark Murtha...........Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human..Ma R1.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma R4.J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma W2.Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard....Normal/Human..Ma W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe R1 John.Stowman..........Will..............Hunter..Normal/Human..Ma R4.Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe R1 NPC...................Zhou Kiwat........Noble...Normal/Human..Ma Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar, Game Web Site - http://www.furvert.net/longshotgm/pbem/index.htm Public posts/actions to pnpgm@abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to longshotgm@netzero.com Game Update #152 in sequence (file #1056) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Raban: [Re: Actions] Raban thinks for a while, "Those fliers are very tough, one... GM: Ack. No trouble folks travel all the time on the list. Some weekly. So its a part of normal life. No trouble. Don't fret the post was good just as. better than nothing. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Augado 7th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] [Time: 7:18pm] Discussion returns a day later to the methods to take down the Vong and their tech including their mighty flyers. Raban thinks for a while, "Those fliers are very tough, one ran into me and was not hurt much by it. I think their weapons would smash easier, maybe if I could grab onto one I could bust it. Otherwise with a lot of luck I could get inside one and make it crash, but it was a bit cramped so I would not fight the beast. I think I would just need to smash the weird hat and it would not operate? Then maybe it would he best to escape it and let everyone else on it crash." Caladan nods in agreement, "I agree. If you take out the pilot and that control helmet they seem to wear it might be too blind and stupid to fly on its own. But that's only a theory." "The tough thing will be their Crab Armor. It seems to be quite thick and as strong as our plate in some cases. But we know the Shamed Ones and Shapers do not wear them so only the Warrior caste seem to be a factor there. But if one can snip off their crab "heads" the top center chest where the eye stalks are then maybe that affects them. We've not had enough experience to test that out. It is also hidden well by their thick leather clothing. So it makes it hard to pinpoint their location on their chest." Farseeker paces a few feet back and forth close to the campfire. Farseeker then adds, "their bugs are a wild card. We know some explode causing fire type damage. Some bore into the body which can be devastating. The fire bugs might be easy to deflect with armor but those bore ones will be tough to defend against. Then those bugs that sense magic as well as those 12 or how many legs those dog like beasts had. The Vong aren't stupid and they will have their base surrounded by their beasts and a flyer on patrol. Of course they may have to be well hidden if they aren't ready to launch their true invasion." Caladan grips his staff and examines it, "their staff weapons can be difficult to grab. If they change into snake form then its like holding a rope in the wind. We know they can piece, stab, bite and spit acid of some sort. The poison or acid seems to be less frequent though so that is a good thing for us." Zhou sighs, "the true problem is what we've not seen. Since their last invasion centuries ago their new toys might be quite difficult if we don't know how to handle it." -------------------------------- [Augado 6th - 10th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] Since leaving Pamau the party has spent the last five days in tense and nervous moments of down time. The party knows they have a major challenge ahead. But the party decides to use this time wisely. Ben'dar spends time reading and preparing his weapons. He continues to remain quite during the trip like he has for the last few weeks. Farseeker tries to tease him about missing Pasha and worrying about the ranch but Ben'dar continues to remain quite as if he knows his destiny is coming to an end. Chion does little during these few days as well other than practicing using his Sai weapons. He spars with his own shadow to hone in on Vong attacking techniques. Strie'bog ever since leaving Pamau has been quiet. Not so much as Ben'dar but it becomes close that his fate in this group is more than just a new ally. It becomes clear from talking to him and hearing stories of his people that he is here not just for the middle world but for his people. After all Lake Oca was one of the first places the Vong were encountered by the party as a whole. He saw and with help dealt with that first wave of attack by the Vong. Strie'bog becomes a bit closer to Will as both go over use of the axe and bow. It seems both know a few tricks the other doesn't. Arawn does his normal quiet down time away from the party, either praying or worrying about things. After that first night a gleam is seen on his face. Some wonder if his prayers might have even been replied to but none ask. Some of the warriors quietly worry about the Druid in hopes he doesn't try to broach a peace with the Vong. It would be dangerous to do so as well as distracting and risky to the group as a whole. But to Arawn he knows peace might work as not all Vong are as bad as they are said to described. Arawn spends the five days practicing with his light sword. It is clear his skill improves just a bit. He spars with Z'leyra and Chion who help to train him in some new methods of sword fighting. Caladan sticks with Farseeker on patrol to learn some mountain survival tips. While both men are used to Marentian mountains here they tend to be much higher. While the group hasn't seen the highest range Katai can offer, Farseeker gives tips on how to survive the high attitude. Caladan also learns how best to track down mountain slopes with only the eyes to find the best trees and areas for foraging. Soon Caladan learns a a bit more than he started and gets good experience from it. Farseeker spends time with Unali learning the final aspects of the Katai language. He soon becomes fluent and appears to learn enough and can't learn much more. He is happy to finally get some of the best slur and cuss words down pat. He should be able to have some fun in a Katai bar fight. Of course he is sad now that the party will leave Katai soon and that chance will decrease. But the last aspects of the language training also includes some of the lower dialects that separate Upper, Middle and Lower Katai. Unali explains the most difficult dialects come from Lower Katai due to the multiple nations that border the area. Farseeker then asks Fremea to teach him a bit more Donaran reading and writing. Years ago while in Donara he learns some of it then but it never hurts to learn more. To those around him it seems the tough warrior is a bit nervous learning from this female Faerry but soon becomes relaxed. Caladan even comments on this to Unali knowing that the warrior can't be all that unusual to work with Faerry people before. After all the military man worked with Thig closely. Caladan wonders if the strong handsome guy is just nervous being around a female one? Kiet finds the five days a bit more frustrating. It becomes clear he misses the wagon. It was so much easier to sit and ride. Now he has to work on it and concentrate. It is clear like Raban he is learning to ride a horse. He is taught by most of the party on how best to ride. But it soon seems clear he is even a bit less skilled than Raban is on riding the horse. As others help him along they ensure with help from Arawn and Z'leyra the horse will not harm him but the acrobat can't help but grumble. For the first couple days he complains about sores in certain lower regions. Z'leyra offers to help treat them but the acrobat declines. By the third day though he isn't walking so bow legged anymore. The first day in the plains, Farseeker gives Unali some tips on hand to hand. But it is funny to watch as it is not clear who is teaching other. Both are clearly well skilled in the unarmed combat area. Unali knows the warrior is afraid to fight females as most men are. But Unali shows him that she can do just about anything guys can when she flips the heavy warrior over her back with a quick and sudden hip toss. For the next few days Unali spends time learning with Caladan mountain survival from others. Her area of interest mainly is in the areas of food and animals that might attack humans. While her experience was limited during the few days she learns the skill from scratch and has enough knowledge now to survive in a desperate situation. Will uses the days to learn the Tulwar skill with some help from Arawn. The woodsman clearly shows he isn't quite skilled and looks to be learning still the blade. But he appreciates the few days of experience. Zhou also spends the time learning with Arawn how best to use the sword skill. Arawn soon finds that he is quite good but no expert in it. Arawn notices the man still uses his cape to parry blows to his advantage. As others watch they soon become more evident that he might be able to handle himself in a fight if not up against tough or multiple foes. Fremea spends the days exploring the wilderness. Being a scout and alone she can easily use the time to explore the plants and trees of the area. She improves her herbalism skill slightly during this time. Finding interesting plants, though common, she asks the native Unali and Chion to explain what they are. She also leans on Z'leyra to answer some herbalism questions she might still have about the area. Raban unlike Kiet has been trying to ride his horse for some time. From conversations with Arawn and Z'leyra the horse does get tired from the giant's weight. Raban uses a lot of time to walk and allow the horse to rest. But Raban knows he has to also get the experience. He spends the five days riding the horse in the tiny saddle. He vows to get a specially made saddle when he gets home. Maybe Ben'dar can finally find that large horse for him as well. Raban wobbles back and forth the saddle like a baby learning to walk. Once the plains and hills are left behind the terrain becomes random and awkward causing Raban to grip the reigns tighter. No one dares laugh at the giant for fear they find their face caved in. But some do give pointers and suggestions on how to ride. By the end of the 4th day though a sudden shift is seen. It is as if the Raban grasps the concept of music notes for the first time. Instead of playing random chords on the mandolin he plays beautiful music. But in this case it is the saddle he rides well. The sight gets the attention of the skilled riders who grin in excitement. It becomes clear the giant bard has learned finally how to ride his horse. With the basic skill and nervous tension gone Raban sits up in the saddle with a strong back and new confidence. The horse even comments on the change in weight distribution as his spine isn't pinned down as much as it was when he shifted his body back and forth. Farseeker comments that the giant can now fight on a mule, donkey and maybe a cheap riding horse in combat and likely not fall off. The Half-Elf sluffs off his spears and decided to spend his down time learning with Farseeker hand to hand fighting along with Unali. Unalike Unali though Kell can't do any fancy hip tosses of the large man yet. But by the end of the five days he soon becomes very skilled in the unarmed arts. It is as if he suddenly learns half of what is possible. to learn. Z'leyra - [Woodcarving - Full days] -------------------------------- [Augado 8th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] As the others talk in the farm house with the nervous family the other group members ride toward the thicket of trees and the stream. After some time the group can hear the stream and approach it. As the group dismount to move through the now thicker bushes and growth, the first to break the bushes is Z'leyra. She notices a winding stream a dozen or so feet wide winding through the light forest from east to west. To the right and about 50 feet away she hears voices. She raises a hand to stop others but most have broken through the bushes as well. When the attention is put to the voices the group notices a group of boys all swimming, playing and jumping. Fremea blushes slightly when she notices the boys are all skinny dipping. There are three boys in the water each are well fit and healthy looking. They range from age about 9, 13 and what might be 18 or 19. The middle teenager is standing on the shore berating another boy. This other boy is dressed in underwear but looking down. The teenager points a finger at the boy and shoves him a bit. As the group approaches slowly they can hear the voices more clearly. The middle teenager seems to be yelling at the boy in underwear about getting his clothing wet. The way he is treated it soon becomes clear the boy must either be a friend or a slave rather than a brother like the other two nude boys are. Suddenly the boys notice the group and all exit the water to scamper to bushes. The boy in underwear tosses clothing to the boys and tries desperately to put his own pants on. Soon the older teenager yells out, "who are you?" Fremea now in her dress form to hide her wings stands near Caladan who explains. "Friends. We are here only to water the horses. We did not mean to interfere." The older teen turns to the others and waves a hand. "We must return to the farm. We have chores. " Turning quickly he orders the others to move and shoves the smaller boy who has to be a slave. Fremea flexes her hand in disgust she knows slaves are common in the empire. But she was hoping to see such treatment by children to another child. Before she can react, Caladan calls out. "We saw the farm. Our patron is there now. Can we ask a few questions?" Caladan asks with pleading eyes. The older boy turns and stops but orders the others to move on which soon disappear in the thick bushes. "What do you want mister? We don't get strangers here too often." "Have you seen anything strange like animals or things recently in the area?" Caladan asks. "Strange? I did see riders up the slope there a few days ago. They had big horses. Probably hunters but was too far to see clearly. But we do get some hunters every so often. Pa has to run them off if not friendly. But that's it. Now I must go we have plowing to do." Before Caladan can protest the older boy rushes into the bushes and is out of sight heading back to the farm it seems. [Time: 1:12pm] Finally with lunch finished, the farmer offers Zhou a small rabbit and raccoon they have for meat. Zhou refuses to take the food if it drains them but he knows it will be rude to refuse as well. In exchange, Zhou offers coins but the farmer refuses since coins mean little to them. Instead, Zhou leaves a small necklace. Unali and the other two wonder how he got it or where he stored it. But the farmer takes it and plans to give it to his wife as a present. Grateful the farmer sees the group to their horses. Mounting up it soon becomes clear the intelligence gathering didn't pan out much. As the group rides along the semi plowed field the girl seen inside suddenly exits a few bushes nearby. She looks to the farmhouse to see if being watched. Relived she looks up at Unali. "I really like your dress. It is pretty. I wish I could go with you guys." Zhou looks down and gives his best stern look but it seems more like he is having a bad gas situation. "You know you can't. Now run along." Unali dismounts and realizes the girl wants to say more. She knows how girls act. She thanks the girl for her comment and asks her if she had something else to say. The girl just shifts her feet back and forth and looks to the house. Unali decides that a girl like her might do better with a gift. Realizing this she pulls out her fur hat from one of her bags and gives it to the girl. She knows the winter is gone and she can buy hundreds of such things. It isn't anything special. The girl beams at the present and finely made hat. She dons it even in this heat. "Thank you! It is so nice." The girl says and hugs the hardened dagger maiden. Unali softens a bit and realizes that she is doing this mission for these people not just her adult friends. Unali asks again about anything she might have to add. "Well....one day I was playing...with the dog..I saw these three rock things flying in the sky. They were funny looking. I told pa but he just whipped me for making up stories. The boys teased me about it. This was a week or so ago. The other day I saw this creature thing flying on something. He was as if standing on a piece of wood or leather. He landed in the forest while me and Ma were cleaning clothes in the stream. I followed him for some time and he just sorta walked around looking. He had this funny gray head and looked silly. He saw the farm. He saw Pa and my brothers and looked like he was going to do something but then decided not to or something. He suddenly turned and ran back into the woods." The girl explains. "Did something scare it?" Farseeker asks. "I dunno. The dog started to bark and kind of ran to the woods but stopped then I saw it run away." The girl shrugs in confusion. "Can..I keep..this?" She taps her fur hat looking at Unali. Suddenly a group of boys emerge from some woods to the west and run toward the farm. Zhou figures this might be the best time to leave. Clearly the boys are excited and seem to be talking about strangers. Zhou decides it isn't time to answer odd questions by the farmers. Twenty minutes later the group all back together heads to the other side of the valley. So the Vong were here or at least doing recon. The Flyers if they were Flyers were going east and was about the time the small town to the east was burnt down. So maybe the Vong know of this place but see it as no threat or see it as a future place to attack? Zhou knows that one could stay to keep the group safe but in that time the Vong could get their invasion force moving. Sometimes the need of the many outweighs the need of the one or in this case this one family. He hoeps they will be safe and maybe as long as the Vong are distracted by the party they will be safe? -------------------------------- [Augado 9th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] Another day begins as the group breaks camp again. By now two sentries are posted nightly for security. Campfire and other lights are kept as hidden as possible. The day turns out to e mostly partly cloudy all day. But the temperatures decrease a bit ranging from 63-82 so it isn't too hot. Mid morning a small hail storm and light rain soaks the party. The hail stones clearly from low mountain clouds are the size of small marbles. Some minor bruises come about as the stones hit some of the party members but no serious injury is done. [10:59am] As the group travels between two tall mountains the forest hides them from even Fremea's flying. The first to break through to a clearing is Ben'dar who suddenly yells to the others. Moving forward, Fremea spots it from the air finally. The group comes upon a group of four human adult males. They are all dead. Flies and signs of animal abuse is clear. Some have been even eaten slightly in various places by smaller prey animals. So far the large animals like wolf and bear have yet to find the bodies. Z'leyra determines the bodies must have been killed 2-3 days ago. There is sign of horse tracks and footprints all over the place. But the animal tracks obscure them as they enter into the deep woods. If the men had horses they are long gone by now. The men are all dressed in familiar gray clothing which are uniforms. It soon becomes clear these four were not hunters but the military itself. The party scans the area looking for others in case it is a trap but none are found from the quick scans. Rolling over the bodies it becomes clear they were killed by piercing weapons. The wounds have been seen before that of Amphistaves. The Vong must've killed these men who had to be on some hunt or patrol. There are swords and daggers lying about the humans had to have used. Some dry black blood is seen so the humans must've got in their own licks before they were slaughtered. Inspecting the bodies there are no papers but some have a few copper coins. But somehow it feels just wrong to take the coins. There is no sign of magic on them so the men must've not been carrying magic detectors but why they are here is not clear. Quickly some arguments are made to leave the bodies or bury them. In the end Strie'bog and Arawn use their shovels to bury the bodies with help. Their family may never know of their death but at least they will be able to rest before their corpses are shredded by animals. Moving quickly away the party moves out of the area. Zhou asks Unali where the nearest fortress or outpost might be. She isn't sure but there is one on the edge of the north mountains near the Shantou-to-Pamau highway. But that must be a few hundred miles away. Chion mentions the patrol might be in the area to help the mines to protect against bandits and such. It could just have been as simple as that. But Zhou doubts that knowing the luck of the party. "It does concern me though. If the military are out here. If they are looking for us or other heretics after the attack at Pamau we could be at risk. If Chion does his jump and these patrols have detectors they could track us down much faster than if they were at their forts. It makes the teleport a bigger risk now." Farseeker sighs but then adds. "Of course it also helps us. If the Vong are too much we can attract the military if there is an army out here to help deal with things?" [Time: 7:40pm] Chion gets up and decides it might be best to do the teleport back to the dark lands. Camp has just been set up even though it is still a bit light out. He looks to the others to see who might wish to join him and if any info should be returned to the people there. Of course he looks to Unali and Zhou to see if he should even do the teleport after the sight of the dead military hours earlier. Actions? Comments? Next Update...Friday... GM: Mana reference goes back to Aug 5. This is just a note for me in case I have to backtrack with some sudden use of magic. GM: Kell - +2 EL in Unarmed combat. GM: I rolled a Int check on the fur hat. Could've waited and asked but I figure it is something you might do. Heck if you want to give her a dress it would be good in place of the fur hat. I just saw the hat on the sheet and decided it might jut work? Let me know if need to change. GM: Magic/Energy/Health Status - By Aug 10th unless magic used Energy Mana Health Arawn - 100% 100% 100% Ben'dar - 100% -- 100% Caladan - 100% 100% 100% Chion - 100% 100% 100% Farseeker - 100% -- 100% Kell - 100% 100% 100% Kiet - 100% 100% 100% Strie'bog - 100% 100% 100% Unali - 100% -- 100% Will - 100% 100% 100% Zhou - 100% -- 100% Fremea - 100% 100% 100% Z'leyra - 100% 100% 100% Raban - 100% 100% 100% GM: Everyone is at full strength by end of the trip. This is a big update to finish for now. I was going to do the next event but wanted to go ahead and wait for now. There is one more thing before the trip begins. So here is the agenda. Friday's update will have the next event with time to respond to that event over the weekend. Then next week likely Monday's the destination to the suspected base will likely end. Then the final stuff can begin. At that point the updates might be smaller and slower as folks plan and organize. GM: Last chance for the teleport. It will be done unless enough protest or leader Unali denies it. Of course that could affect others who have things in the Dark Lands. But now with the prospect of military in the immediate area the decision is more at risk. If none protest greatly then for the next update the teleport will be done if I have time if not then the next one after it. Either way it won't affect the next event. So going and coming back can be done in Friday or Monday's update. I may wait till Monday for the teleport to give more discussion/argument time if needed. But I can extend it further if the debate is heavy.