HT Aliaver/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 NPC...................Captain.Lin.......Warrior.Normal/Human..Ma Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar, Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/ Public posts/actions to pnpgm@abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to longshotgm@netzero.com Game Update #194 in sequence (file #1292) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: Website URL updated from .net to .com thanks to Wout! ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Arawn: [Re: Actions] OOC: Are we all gathered in one area now or is Arawn still separate in the room with the Healer? IC: As Mun's spoke of those suffering in the Embrace of Pain Arawn's eyes softened with compassion, his gaze drifting to those trapped and then back to the men before him. "We'll find a way to free them," the alfar reassured Mun. GM: Ack. Initially obviously your alone. As folks begin to clean up then folks will gather up. So is free form at this point. From Z'leyra: [Re; Actions] Z'leyra will patch folks up starting with Cpt Lin then going from the worst hurt in the party (including herself) to the least hurt. She will offer to cast Clairvoyance on whoever plans to deal with the Embrace of Pain victims, in the hope that the glimpse of the future may prevent further injury to the victims. Perhaps doing a Divination first might not be amiss? Those still seriously hurt after the patching she will check to see if they have had magical healing in the past 24 hrs. If not, she will offer to cast healing on them. [Though we might prefer to wait and have them and the injured captives all healed fully by the casting of an area type healing.. that Z'leyra does not yet know...though at least one other in the party does know. The faerry would probably want a Regeneration spell instead...another spell that Z'leyra has not yet learned.] GM: Ack. From Kell: [Re: Actions] [Er, gm, it appears your dwarves possibly made a slight mis-step. Kell used his shield to block a blow, so doesn't that give EP for shield?] Ha'Kell stands still for several moments, taking a few deep breaths. Glancing around the cave he seems that apparently there are no more vong to dissuade us from freeing the prisoners and wreaking more havoc. To be sure, Ha'Kell begins a decidedly set pace to walk around the entire cave and look at all the edges and crevices, keeping his shield and spear ready. Starting south and following around the edge all the way back to where Kiet and the prisoners are waiting. [Look for anything unusual and making sure there are no more vong. Use his senses at max, of course. Hoping there aren't any surprises.] As he circles the cave, he'll look into the pit also, trying to see what he can see. ... Rounding to the north edge where he impaled the behind of the naked shaper, Kell takes another look. That spear is needed, he only has two. Sighing very loudly, planting a foot in a strategic location, he pulls the spear out. Yuck! And we thought they smelled bad on the outside! ... Watching the prisoners warily, hoping none have turned to the Vong, he'll just listen for the moment. He warily paces around the group, watching both the prisoners and the doors to other areas. Shield on his left arm, Kell easily swings and twirls his spear in his right hand. [Depending on when Raban goes down, Kell will rush to help lift the giant then move out of the way so the healers can help him.] GM: Ack. May need to check out the report again. :) From Arawn: [Re: Actions] As the PC posts seem indicate that we're all together... After listening to anything that Mun has to share Arawn will ask permission to hold the vong gauntlet-strap. He'll take a moment to speak with the party regarding the strap, sharing whatever he's heard and offers a suggestion on how to use it. Recalling that these items are living and that, in the past, he has bonded with vong items, he's willing to try and bond with the gauntlet-strap and hope to use it to release those trapped in the Embrace of Pain. He'll happily take a Clairvoyance or Divination anyone is willing to cast on him. As to the wounded, Arawn is willing to cast the Healing Mist spell but cautions that someone may wish to speak with the NPC's about this before they panic at the sight of green glowing mist. Also, anyone not seriously injured might want to hold out for healing later on. He mentions that he can cast a Regrowth spell on the Faerry but now might not be the best time. As for Raban, if Z'leyra or another doesn't have a spell or item to restore consciousness Arawn has a spell to Neutralize Poison. GM: Ack. From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra will check on Raban to make sure that he is alright. GM: Ack. Ignore the tiny person under him eh? Ok. Details missing but a check will be done want a red or green marker? :) From Will: [Re: Actions] Will suggests "just tie up and gag them... they'll live". OOC I do have a question for the gods if they are listening If I read the last post correctly my leather armor was destroyed but the ring mail was not. Since the ring mail was over the top of the leather if one were to survive wouldn't be the leather? GM: Ack. Had to ask my Referee - the Roc - he tells me that it was a case where one of the armors took the damage enough to hurt it but while the other didn't. Don't have the details now. But if this was called back on the time of the original post long ago we could've tracked it down. I'm sure it was posted explicitly as the armor being destroyed. The sequence is unclear but it was probably where some damage destroyed armor A then the rest of the damage only penetrated armor B. I'd have to find the post to investigate further if needed. But since Leather is cheaper its better than Ring to lose I suspect. From Arawn: [Re: Actions[ Arawn just gives Will an odd look when he mentions tying up and gagging the humans, shaking his head 'No' in response. GM: Ack. From Will: [Re: Prisoners] What... ya don't think Will is a sensitive caring kind of guy? GM: Ack. From Arawn: [Re: Actions[ LoL. As sensitive and caring as a grizzled woodsman can get but at least he wants to keep them alive:) GM: Ack. -------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Augado 10th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] [Time: 1:27 pm] In the main cave Zhou is now under the massive 800 pound gentle giant. He tries to breath but knows it is useless. He knows from such situation if you exhale you will die as can't inhale again. So he tries to exhale as little as he can and hopes he can get help. One minute the giant is showing bravado about his health and the next he is a rock. Farseeker, Caladan and Ben'dar rush toward the Giant. The three men try to lift the Bard but fail. Rushing over Unali and Will also help out. Finally the give of the lift the huge mass off of Zhou. Zhou breathes and gasps for air and mumbles a prayer of thanks. Then he checks himself out some bruised ribs and a flattened pride. Then his hands quickly go to his groin and he groans. The giant's huge knee seem to be placed right into his groin. Caladan offers to check the wound but Zhou shakes his head. "Z'leyra can!" Farseeker shakes his head, "he's fine." Then he walks over to help "guard" the free prisoners. ------------------ Inside the north prisoner area, Arawn listens to Mun. As Mun's spoke of those suffering in the Embrace of Pain Arawn's eyes softened with compassion, his gaze drifting to those trapped and then back to the men before him. "We'll find a way to free them," the Alfar reassured Mun. "I am Arawn," he said. Looking down at the Vong gauntlet-strap in Mun's hand Arawn studied it for a moment. "I would suggest holding on to that. I may be able to find a way to use it but any insight you have, anything you noticed the female do when using it, would be helpful." Arawn glances down at the strange leather strap. "To free the people being tortured? What is it?" Arawn makes sure to keep an eye on the men, doing so in a manner that seems more curious than wary, avoiding close proximity with the strap or the men until he gets a better idea of what is going on. "These three here. But I think there might be a few others in the other area. But I'm not sure." Mun points to the Embrace of Pain. Mun looks to Arawn and then down to the gauntlet. He hands it to another man who grabs it with awkward haste. "I don't have time to carry it. We have work to do. I need to tend to the folks here. As to how to use it." He waves to two of the men and nods to the cells to start freeing them. "the female waves it over the device things and it made the vile creatures move and either tigehten or loosen." The two men start to head to the north cells and open the railing that blocks the cells. The railing is easy to open from only the outside though. "She spoke to it or just spoke in general. She did have to touch the device with it while placing the glove thing on her arm." Mun waves to the others to join the people outside to help the other prisoners. "We need to free these folks before it gets too late for them." He motions to the three in the Embrace of Pains with sorrow. "The .things have a mind of their own. If they are not cared for they seem to act on their own." As word spread that the threat had been dealt with and the area safe for the time being Arawn worked to free the others from their cells. "We should meet with the others in the main chamber and I will see what I can do to free the others from the Embrace of Pain." Mun looks to Arawn as some of the other males lead the prisoner with some help toward the main chamber. "I wish I could do more. Maybe you can question a female." He then turns to help a female with a nasty limp to get to the main outer cave. Arawn decides to take the glove from the one Man gave it to earlier. He grips it with his own glove and tries not to touch it yet with his own skin. He recalls the snake hood the Shaper at Lake Oca had. He recalls the strange effects it did on him on the visions. Arawn catches up to Mun and asks about the Vong outcasts and where they may be and how they dealt with the humans. Mun checks a couple of the adults with his hands to ensure they are in good shape. As he moves he replies to Arawn a bit annoyed he is asking useless questions rather than helping and saving those in the Embrace. "I've not seen many of them. They were mostly with the warriors or the females. So we didn't interact with them. I don't know how many there are." -------------------- The group of prisoners begin to cluster toward the north section of the cave close to the Vong door entrance. They begin to murmur and chatter among themslves as to what is going to happen to them and what will happen next. Caladan looks to the others to decide what to do with the prisoners. Some give quick and curt answers. Will suggests, "just tie up and gag them... they'll live." Arawn joins the others who are nearby and looks to Unali for some suggestion. Arawn just gives Will an odd look when he mentions tying up and gagging the humans, shaking his head 'No' in response. ----------------------- Right after the combat, Kell decides to do a quick walk about the main cave. Heading south he checks the dead Vong to ensure they are truly dead and have no surprises. He lets them remain in their spot though they deserve the pit. He climbs the perch ladder to ensure nothing is in there including Vong but finds it empty. Kell finds the Shaper Raban killed and inspects her gown and person. The gown isn't thick so it is too easy to get a good feel of the Shaper in his quick search. At least this one isn't wearing Vong armor. Though clearly even Vong have most human like body parts than animals. Soon Kell crosses the south area and then checks the eastern perch finding nothing. He does a quick look without touching the strange Vong bug missile weapon. Then moving quickly north he gets to the entrance and finally nears the now free prisoners. Kell passes the free prisoners and walks toward the Vong naked Shaper. Some of the adult humans and a few of the children are staring as well. Kell places hands on hips and looks at the disgusting sight. Finally he places boot on hip and rips the spear free. Then slams the dead Shaper to the ground and gives it a final kick for spite sake. Kell then does a cautious circle around the free prisoners to show his determination and to get a feel for the people. It takes Kell about 8 minutes or so to walk the cave so doesn't get to listen to the party's initial comments on the situation. -------------------- Z'leyra takes a good look at Raban to figure out what is going on. Z'leyra spots a few holes where the bugs tried to bore into him but failed. She finds other light wounds but overall she figures he is only moderately wounded. For a normal person it would be death. For him its not that big a deal. So why is the giant limp and unconscious. Moments before Captain Lin was checked by the Healer and he was unconscious but not fatal. But both now Raban and Lin seem to be affected. She knows that the Vong have poisons and venom like the Amphitstaves for example. She wonders if both men have been poisoned in some way. For Lin it could've been the flayers. For Raban she only recalls the Voxyen biting him but doesn't recall the snakes staff biting him. -------------------- Ben'dar and Chion remains near the entrance to ensure no Vong enters and ready to deal with them. Caladan, Farseeker, Kiet, Strie'bog, Unali, Will, Kell and Zhou start to figure out the prisoners. Others may be able to interact in the discussion but may be doing other tasks at times. "So about 25 Vong dead here. If this is a sample of it we could be in store for 4 or 5 times this many. I don't like the prisoners tagging along. The Vong might use them as distraction by killing them outright or as leverage. We don't have enough weapons as well for them." Farseker adds to the talk. Strie'bog chimes in, "If we use magic to heal them they could panic. I wonder if one of us or a couple should move them out the way we came in. By the time they get out we could probably be near the end of this thing. But I don't know." Farseeker adds in, "We have around 30 humans and 7 or so teen or kids. That's a lot of folks moving but we could try it.". -------------------- Before Raban collapsed on top of Zhou he carried the one lone Vong warrior to the north area. Now Chion and Caladan check him out to ensure he doesn't wake up and use some hidden weapon. They remove his amphistaff and coufee dagger. Chion slices the eye stalks off the crab armor just to spite it. Caladan mentions, "he'll live it seems but will need to be treated to ensure doesn't die." A female murmurs to some nearby males behind Caldan some 30 feet away. Within seconds word quickly roams the crowd that the Vong is still alive. If Arawn wasn't dealing with the Embrace of Pains he could tell quickly the emotional state of the crowd is changing. Some of the crowd surges a few feet forward. Caladan and Chion finally notice this and are unsure what is going on. "Kill it!" "It shouldn't live!" These are some of the shouts in anger. Nearby the rest of the group are now noticing this. But before folks can react a half dozen men run forward. Chion and Caladan stand up to block but are tossed aside easily. Even the large frame of Chion is pushed by 8 of the men. As Unali, Farseeker and Kell are the closest they try to rush forward. but the men begin to stamp, punch and kick the warrior. Chion, Farseeker and others get some control and push the bulk of the men back. With some Vong blood on hands the men fall back with swords and other weapons drawn ready to act if needed. It isn't the Vong is needing to live but there is a chance the party could learn some info. But is it worth killing a prisoner for that information? This runs in the minds of those who have to figure out the situation. Z'leyra checks the Vong but shakes her head when she finds there is no pulse left. New wounds from the kicks and bashes in the head seem to have done him in. Caladan looks to the crowd, "we could've learned some things from him! Now he is dead." Many in the crowd nod and say it is good. But the party realize they don't understand how the situation at hand is to be dealt with. Of course with the history of the Vong nature of torture most feel that even Kiet's expert hands couldn't get info out of the Vong. He might think it some fun game rather than torture. -------------------- Fremea stands in the small cool stone cell the Vong use to store prisoners. There is nothing but the Embrace of Pain which is nothing but a stockade in human terms but with living structures rather than wood. The nude young Faerry looks up and notices absently Fremea standing there. Fremea circles the girl. In human terms she might be 14 or 15. But in Fae terms she could be as old as twice that in chronical age. From the shape of size of the girl's breasts, face, hair and hands she must be younger than Fremea. She must be around 18 or 19 in Faerry terms. The girl is bent so her rear faces the rear wall. Her head when she lifts it faces the carved opening that is considered the entrance. She is bent about 30 degrees so she is bent forward a bit. Her two arms are attached to the Embrace at the wrists. The animals that look wood-like seem to keep her more securely than ropes could ever do. From the experience with the Barnonness the more she moved the animals would react. Fremea isn't sure what to do but wonders if the others know a solution. At this point she doesn't know that Arawn may very well be dealing with that right now in the other smaller prisoner chamber. She could try to cut the animal off fast but it could amputate by sheer force her wrists. At her heck the animals could crush her neck or lower skull. Fremea tries to look at the girl briefly in her eyes and can see reason and confusion She is clearly weak and need some help probably to treat her physical and emotional state. Fremea then considers if the animals are living what if she could just use a spell to affect them? -------------------- The healers begin to work their skills to the prisoners and party members. Caladan and Chion are treated but refuse to get magically healed so far. Farseeker is moderately hurt but figures he can wait for another serious wound before he needs magical healing. But all three do not refuse basic treating. Unali, Kell and Z'leyra have light wounds at this point. So far Kell is the only one this day to get 1magical treatment already. Everyone else has not been given magical healing. Z'leyra's main wound is her neck wound that could have been far more serious. Raban and Captain Lin are moderately wounded but they seem to be affected by more than physical wounds. Will is considered the worst of the party members taking heavy damage to his body from being outnumbered. Z'leyra with help from Mun does a quick triage setup. It seems the bulk of prisoners are well off. At least 6 of the three dozen humans are affected by Vong coral implants of various types. It seems more like torture technique rather than anything else. Most of the coral forms are fingers, neck implants, check coral pieces, back coral implants and for two females one breast has been replaced with coral. Of the implants except for back implants the coral is replaced by fingers, bone or tissue. -------------------- Caladan looks back to the group of prisoners and walks toward the core group who are doing nothing at this point. He glances at Unali and the others. "Anyone see Fremea? She could cause problems if she just walks around." It doesn't take brains to figure out he means her wings. Chion informs him she was last seen helping a prisoner according to Zhou. Actions? Comments? Next Update....Monday... GM: Gear info. As outlined things like daggers or arrows have to be actually recovered if not they will be lost. I assume nothing in these cases. The damage to weapons are pretty critical. So far nothing serious but Unali has some moderate damage to her normal and magical daggers. GM: This is a loose update. There is no direct sequence of time like I try to do since things are a bit random and hard to figure out with separate things going on. But consider the time frame is about 15 minutes. The longer the delay though the more chance of being found out. GM: While I have some basic aspects and ideas we'll need to cover some things: * Arawn - Assume basic quick view of glove, embrace and show the group. But you will need to figure out what to do next and how to free the folks. Fremea does have a good idea but I stopped that scene so not to reveal the full plan. :) Since you would not know where Fremea is it would be hard to share thoughts unless you sought her out. * Who will want magical healing? If so let me know. * Fremea - will get back to your scene soon. Good plan. * Prisoners - what to do with them? * Raban/Lin - Some suspect poison but what to do with them and who will do it as several could try. * What to do next? * If its healing or spells be specific as can be GM: Since this is a loose update rather than more structured one I normally do just place yourself in the scene you need. Fremea will deal with the female Faerry until free or dealt with then I will assume back with party. Arawn will deal with Embrace and back to group in some fashion. All others basically in main cavern in various spots doing healing or plan design.