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 pnpgm@comcast.net Game Update #237 in sequence (file #1456) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Kell: [Re: Actions] [Hey Scott, Kell throwing the spear was perfect. Nice writing, it's a great update. Aside - I'm reading David Edding's books now and just found out/realized that he used Kell as a location. I didn't name Ha'Kell after this book, it was a happy coincidence. ] Hearing the same thing twice now, to flee the room or die, Kell decides to trust that voice. "Move out!" he'll shout to any that can hear as he starts to flee the room. He'll grab Chion and Bendar and help the others get out of there. Reaching out his senses for his third and last elemental, once contacted the instructions are to help the party flee this room, not to attack the brain, but shield the group. He's looking for the invisible shaper too, and if he finds her, well, toss that spear into her so hopefully it'll stick out and give everyone a location to attack. [Kell starts fleeing, getting Kiet, Chion, Raban, Ben'Dar, anyone he can. If possible, he'll run up and cut Ben'dar ree then escape. Using the tulwar or bastard sword for cutting, whichever is sharper. ] GM: Ack. Thanks brownie points awarded. I had fun doing that one. Just wait for this one I am planning to have some fun again. As to Kell seems to ring a bell in that was a character name in a Dark Sun book I think? I got one from a convention in the '90s as a gift so been awhile but seems to something to recall. From Will: [Re: Actions] I have to agree with Mark great job it was a very fun update. Unlike Kell however Will is being stubborn and does not want to give up so easily. Or maybe he just has a death wish. Will wants to at least find out if he can scout while being Invis. Insb. Lev. Yea his SOP. That way maybe he can at least find the answer as to "why" or maybe just die trying. He will use whatever cover is available (ie probably the floor) and I am assuming here that he is within range of the brain so that he can see if he can breach the shield. ---- Will is a sucker so he'll ask "why not the brain" ---- As he finishes off the vong and prepares a spell. If he is close enough to the brain to reach it with a levitate spell he will use that + a Insb. otherwise he will use flight to get closer. Assuming or course the voice doesn't give a compelling reason not to try and find a way to attack the brain. GM: Ack. Thanks for feedback. But I'm missing something. I don't recall you going invisible and levitate and all that? Did I miss a email? I did ask in chat/facebook chat but you left so did I lose that message? Ahh it was in the third post. Ok. Will do those spells for this update Insub and Levitate. On the 2nd post the comment on fleeing I didn't get that till I finished the update a bit too late to add then. Sorry. From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] With unshakable courage Z'leyra goes all offense on her attacks against the brain, trying to kill it before it can damage the party further. She is hoping that the combination of her skill with the greatsword, the enchantments upon the blade, the clairvoyance granted by the enchanted sheath, and the luck her ring gives her will allow her to do deadly damage to the brain, perhaps enough to kill it before it does further attacks on the party. She trusts to her armor to keep the other attacks on her from damaging her. The warning voices she ignores as they must either be distractions meant to slow or stop the party from killing the brain and close off the Vong portal or they are of helpers that cannot but be helped by others attacking the brain and Vong even if those helping end up dead for being in the way of some great attack on the Vong and brain, a risk she will take. [She also overconfidently assumes that she might survive some catastrophic magical attack due to her rather high MDV.] GM: Ack. From Unali: [Re: Actions] Scott, I guess that Unali has no clear view on the last Shaper and would need to take time to scout her out? Or is there a possibility to attack her in the next phase? She seems trapped between the barrels and the gate, so would have to move towards the Brain. Unali is still wary of the Brain, so doesn't want to go there. Uncertain what will happen in the fight between the Brain and the last elemental, Unali decides to heed the warning to leave. She turns and sprints towards where Chion is. Stay clear of the Brain tentacles. Dodge any incoming attack from the Shaper. Stay low and quick. She yells "OUT" on the way. Try to pick Chion up as he seems unconscious and drag him to the exit. While she is running, the water probably spreads out, revealing behind her back where the Shaper is. She thinks about asking Caladan to throw a fireball in from the entrance once everyone is out. And stand clear of the bounced back effect from the Brain shield. As she passes the other side of the Brain she will notice Bendar trapped and Shout to Farseeker/Arawn direction "Free him Get OUT." Once outside she will first notice the flying Vong. Reaction might depend on the distance they still are. Those flying saucers are their weak spot. Kill or immobilize the saucer and they drop. Where is a lasso when you need one? GM: Ack. Post from Arawn: [Re: Actions] Read your comment about hoping I'd post in response to the voice. I considered it but thought it would be fluff as I realized that Arawn would still attempt communication with Brain, allowing the others to focus on the Shaper. Post: Arawn gives a quick nod in response to Unali's call, motioning for anyone nearby to come to him if they wish to flee the chamber. As he speaks the magical words he reaches out with one hand to Ben'dar, hoping to free the barbarian from the Brain's crushing embrace before it's too late. OOC: I was going to have Arawn risk empathic communication with the Brain but after reading Unali's post he'll change his action and follow her order. If Farseeker manages to free Ben'dar and it looks like they can reach the exit before the elemental disappears he'll help drag Bend'ar (or anyone else that needs help) out of the chamber. If he thinks it's not likely that he and the others can flee the room in time (Ben'dar isn't freed yet or the elemental looks like it's fleeing/down for example) then he'll attempt to Teleport himself, Farseeker and Ben'dar out of the chamber to the others. If you deem that Teleport won't work to free Ben'dar then he'll try Translocation if you feel that's applicable. They'd be cast via wand at EL 2 (EL3 for Translocation if another PC is still trapped in the chamber and within range) GM: Ack. Well its a matter of late posts. Of all the people you tend to throw the big curves in or long posts. So when I get the posts I tend to have to restart or re-edit or such. Like tonight I was half way done with update then got this post (7pm). This is why for you of all people I love the early posts (like you did last time). A day ahead gives me a great deal to form evil things...err I mean to work on the update rather than hurry up on the last few hours. John/Raban was the same with his complex posts but he actually posted early so wasn't bad since could deal with it. This is just a aid to me so do as you need since I know you may be busy but its just a convenience thing for me. Don't take offense this is just how things help me and I'm much too lazy to work hard! :) For Monday's update which we've learn actually tends to come out Tuesday early AM I work on the update anywhere from 3pm-3am. Depending on like today when I'm off early and TV and such I have to do. I go to bed at 3 so try to get it out by 2:30 or so. Usually I would prefer posts be in by 9pm Monday night so I can edit but long posts or big changes/surprises tend to need rewrites. A combat like this takes 3-4 hours per phase. With only 1 bad guy left though maybe 2-3 hours total for update. Usually 30 to spell check and 30-45 to update mana report and character sheets. Sometimes if things are slow and Alex is around to motivate me in chat I'll work on it Saturday night a bit. For Friday's update which does come out Friday early AM around 12-1am Thursday evening. I work on update as soon as I get home so around 7-1am. But with something like Burn Notice (which I enjoy) I tend to watch that and slack. So posts by 7pm Thursday are best for me. Anything after 10 might get delayed for next update or cause rewrites. If get motivated I'll try to work on it Wednesday a bit if I have enough posts. This is all EST time zone for USA btw. So now you guys know my schedule. If I get bogged down with late posts with the limits above I will be forced to delay the update completely. Hope this helps. For combat updates like this expect 9-10 hours of work. (3-4 updates for each phase for a full battle like with 10+ folks), 30 for spell checking, 30-45 to update character sheets/mana report. For normal updates (any non combat ones) that can be from 1-3 hours total but with surprises or late posts that can go double that. -------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Augado 10th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] [Time: 2:58:42pm - Turn 2: Phase 2] Will decides that fleeing is a bad choice at this point. They came here for the heart of the Vong threat. The portal AND the brain are clearly the heart. Possibly kill the brain, no pun intended, the body - the portal - will fail. In that way the looming threat of the invasion - body to continue the context - will stop. Besides it took him a ton of exercise just to get here! He must've lost at least 3 pounds running in this armor. To just turn around and flee again without even a swipe at the brain? Will decides though being not seen is better than being a target for the Brain's "magic" or whatever it is doing. So he allocates mana for a spell. Fremea flying toward the west toward the group of foot flyers allocates the final magical energy for her spell. She pauses and hovers in the air ready to cast her magic. Suddenly the world vibrates with intense forces. In every direction the earth trembles. Some thought it might just be the elemental under the Brain moving through the earth but it is from above and to the side and in every direction. For those standings all feel the ground under their feet shift and rock. Those who are lucky to be lying down like Chion receive a intense shake massage. All around rock walls and ceiling tremble creating a dust cloud of falling debris in every direction Sand, rocks and some minor fist sized boulders fall from the walls and ceiling. Outside hovering some 300 feet above the ground Fremea notices the world shake like some god decides to rebuild the entire mountain. She glances left and right and wonders if Kototh could be entering his portal? But no the ground and walls in every direction is shaking. Then Fremea glances down to the center hole the part climbed up from and notices a billowing flume of steam escape. Fremea looks back and wonders what is going on inside the Brain Cave. Back in the cave Will realizes he is on a giant's tumble ride and then realizes there is a earthquake going on. But unlike the others the weight of his armor actually helps him. It centers him to his center of gravity. He does wave back and forth but doesn't fall down. He is thankful for that as falling down would be like a turtle on his back. Will waves a hand and quickly casts a spell using the magical words he learned years earlier. He waves a hand in front of his face and realizes he still has solid form. He grumbles at the failure of his invisibility spell. Maybe all the shaking made him fumble a word? Fremea realizes that being above a dormant volcano that seems to be waking up might not be so wise. But if the place goes up she should be able to fly away - maybe. She casts her archery spell. She glances at her bow and sees the aura of her spell upon it. Fremea then has an idea one that originated from a desert animal being chased by another animal. Then she smiles a bit with mischief. Squirt looks at the girl who is now holding her arms out. The animal then scampers up to her arm just as the earth starts to shake. The animal then squeals in confusion and both cling to the railing in a bit of fright. Raban seems to ignore the shaking and looks down at Chion's limp form. He walks the two feet to him and kneels down to check him. Kell wonders how the giant can seem to ignore the shaking but then realizes the flying giant - that is a very scary thought to Kell - might be so nimble with his dance and innate talent to ignore the movement. Raban checks the sailor's pulse and finds it weak but steady. The damage is severe but there doesn't seem to be gaping holes with organs falling out. His neck wound is the worst with burnt flesh from the first strike of bugs. He decides that maybe the voice is wise. He stands up and stoops to pick up the 6.5 foot 240 pound man in his arms like he was lifting a infant. He turns and runs toward the cave entrance. He passes right by Kiet and winks to the acrobat. Unali seems to tingle in her mind and is not sure if it is the clairvoyant dagger or the battle mind. Something or someone is trying to get to her. But she studies the ground in front of her. One moment the Shaper is there and then gone the next. This proves to her that they have the ability to do that and the Voice makes a bit more sense to her now. Unali tries to figure out the next move for the coward Shaper. She could go south toward the portal and to the south wall to the south of the Brain. But maybe she realizes there is a reach to the tentacles and a area around the portal? So maybe that makes her chances dangerous or maybe its just the sunken elemental that seems to have gone below the Brain. Either way she is likely not to go that way. Behind her is the east wall so that leaves only straight through the spilt water and Unali or north. If she is a coward she would not go her way. So Unali quickly decides or maybe it was the tingling in her mind from some bored god that the tactics is sound to go north. In a heartbeat she jumps up onto the turned down barrel and uses it as a stepping stone to the nearby one to the right that wasn't spilt. IN one fluid motion she jumps from upturned barrel to standing barrel and leaps to the ground east of the barrels. As she runs she yells, "OUT" to all she hopes will obey her. With daggers in both hands she races to the east wall and hugs it turning north. Waving dagger in her left around in random directions and stabbing forward with her right hand she hopes to strike the Shaper. Farseeker realizes that the Brain Shield may just be too powerful. He hears the leader order a retreat. Even a Marentian Military Captain like himself knows that retreat is honorable. Swinging his great sword he hacks the tentacles that are grasping Ben'dar. It seems the tentacles extend behind the shield. Farseeker then urges and pulls Ben'dar away. But he knows the barbarian will not flee so quickly. Inside Chion's mind he dreams of past things. His training with Cetric the Shaman learning how to resurrect people. He then recalls that as Balrog calls it he still has a ace up his tunic sleeve. The time with the Dark Landers and the glory of past adventures. He is unsure why these things are flashing to his mind. He is unsure if he is dead or sleeping or in some other world. Ben'dar grumbles and yanks the severed tentacles away from his arm and neck throwing them to the ground. Why is this fool dragging him. A few sticky tentacles is nothing to worry about. With his free hand he tries to slap way Farseeker's hand but the gloved man's grip is too tight. Ben'dar curses the tightness of his back armor it makes him easy to drag. He curses outloud at the stupid retreat. Arawn tries to break his quick connection to the brain. In his tunnel vision created by the semi trance he needs to save Ben'dar. But he breaks the connection, realizing that Ben'dar is moving past him dragged by Farseeker. Arawn acknowledges the order to leave the cave by Unali with a quick nod. He glances over and sees to the right Z'leyra is now helping the prisoners. Actually it sees the two are attacking her? But he realizes that she can handle it with ease. Glancing left he notices Raban fleeing with Chion out of the corner of his eye. He notices Unali leap like a mad woman to the wall and is unsure what she is doing. This leaves Will nearby about 15 feet away. The man would need probably 15 seconds just to run to the entrance while the others could leave in less than 10. So Arawn turns toward the woodsman to go help him. Kell stabs toward the black void not sure where he is attacking. But the spear fails to make contact with anything. Kell glances to the right to see Farseeker help Ben'dar. It seems Arawn is going to help Will. Maybe the party will flee now. Raban is helping Chion and Z'leyra seems to be having some fun with the prisoners. Kell then gives a strong suggestion to the elemental to help the others flee and protect them from the brain. It seems the elemental decided to bury under the Brain to try to attack from there. But it may have a shield there as well. Kell then glances to the portal and a broad smile crosses his face. He sees a strange world with browns and greens . The green of plants and trees seem to be dotted with yellows and reds as if the grass is more than one color or trees are unsure of what color they should be. The sky is a pink and white tint. There is no hint of blue in the sky. But in the sky there are objects that dot the sky in a row. It is impossible ot tell scale, distance or shape due to thew viewing angle of the portal. They almost look like a series of small moons? But the thing that makes Kell happy is the scene unfolding. Big Boy is standing in the field beyond the portal. Suddenly a bunch of warriors are attacking it. They seem to fight it with great but futile effort. Big Boy stomps, crushes, bashes and kicks warriors left and right. Soon the warriors retreat. Big Boy seems to ramble left out of view. A moment later a group of Shapers, maybe 5, are leading a group running left to right out of the viewing angle. The Shapers are leading a group of some 20 or so warriors. The Warriors are yelling and barking orders. Some are firing pistol weapons or thrusting amphistaves to the air. Flying bugs zoom to the left out of view. Soon the crowd leaves and a smaller set of maybe a dozen unarmed Vong, maybe slaves or outcasts, are running left to right. The unarmed Vong seem to be limping or running in fear. But they are also afraid to move right maybe to face the wrath of the warriors or shapers who demand them to fight. But Kell can't hear anything as the sound is gone from the view. A moment later the elemental stomps from left to right chasing the group of Vong. His body is stained with blood on his arms, legs and fists. Then Big Boy leaves out of view. Kell sees this all in a span of a second. But realizes that there must be a time dilation on the other side. Maybe here its a split second but there much longer. Kell then realizes Big Boy the 25 foot tall elemental is trapped on the other side. Does that mean the gods will not draw him back or can they? Does that mean he will live forever or will the gods get upset at him for not returning the elemental to his plane on the upper world? Kell will have to worry about that later. Kell draws out of his reverie and looks around. He notices Unali acting like insane woman attacking the wall as if the shaking will stop at her dagger strikes. Then he recalls the Shaper was just there. Can she be chasing the invisible Shaper? Kell then recalls the High Elder and the Sidh talk about the lack of Vong mana. Mana in terms of a aura ebbs in everything from a blade of grass to a rock to a giant. It may not be a living aura like a person but even a rock has some faint aura to it from the point of existence. Maybe that was how the gods made them. Kell can recall that map that tracked the Vong due to the lack of Mana. Then he realizes that the Shaper must give that aura Kell recalls that the Sidh say the Vong lack of mana is a gray stain or black stain. So Kell stretches his senses outward. The wall, the barrels and the wild woman has a form of aura. Then he sees it. There is no stain but a total lack of anything. A black hole like a well. Maybe his senses are not tuned as good as the Sidh. Kell grips his spear and runs toward the black hole. He stabs toward it and reaches empty air since he is not sure where he is aiming at. As he charges toward the void he yells out, "move out!" Captain Lin tries to concentrate as he moves away from the cave. The images and thoughts in his brain flood so fast he can't understand it all. He only knows if the party wins the battle they will lose the war. Lin tries to overcome his massive headache and yells down to the girl to run up. Then Lin looks up and heads to the next flight of stairs going upwards. The living earth was moments away from rising up under the brain when the orders to attack are changes. The elementals swims through the sand and rising up to the left of the Brain. He heads toward Caladan to help him toward the entrance. Z'leyra doesn't understand why the prisoners are now attacking her. Try to rescue someone and they are not grateful! She ignores them totally and runs toward the Brain even after hearing Unali's order to retreat. She reaches the edge of the brain ready to strike. Caladan looks up to the looming elemental and wonders why it is suddenly attacking him! Caladan heard Unali's order and ponders if he should flee or not. He has a good line of sight for a fireball now. But now Z'leyra is in the way. Giving up he decides it is best to see why the need to flee and come back. He turns and runs for the entrance. Kiet hears Unali's orders but wonders if the girl is crazy now. He sees her attacking the wall and air. Then Kell running and stabbing empty air? Could the Brain be causing some insanity power on them? But he feels a need to help protect Kell so runs forward reaching the north west edge of the barrels. Will notices Arawn now feet away wondering what the Alfar needs from him? Did he expect a drawing of the Brain with his pad? Will turns back to the Brain and plans his next move. The Shaper feels someone behind her. Then this hooman charges with the weak looking amphistaff and tries to stab her! How can he see her? The masker may be defective. The Shaper is aware that time is running out. The others seem to be retreating. But she gave the order to proceed with the safety plan. It has started but now wonders if she can stop it before she is attacked now that they are retreating? Shimara would kill her for starting the plan but the time may be critical. Realizing that her escape plan is blocked she has to fight. With her right hand she turns to fire the Razor Bug pistol toward the one with the infidel metal pointy sticks. The bugs fly toward the wall slamming to the side and above causing fire but no damage or strikes on Unali in the wild shot. With her free hand she stabs upward at the trader's left shoulder doing 5 points of damage with her coufee. The Brain takes this interesting scene. Just weeks ago he was grown here by the Shaper now using the masker. From a small wrist sized brain to his current size. Transported to this strange world for yet another conquest for the gods. The Brain knew the gods didn't exist. He can only see what he knows not what he feels. But telling that to the shapers would mean his death. He doesn't think the Shapers know that the genetic heritage of the Brains passes from one generation to the next. For thousands of years he knows what Brains have been used for and why. How they have been made to Vong-form a world to a new design. How they control forces at great distance across the world. How they can also use the resources to destroy that world. Back in the other world Brains are only telepathic in nature. Yet here there is a strange presence that seems to make him stronger. Giving him more powers to tear the fabric of space and time. He can read many of the beings in this room their thoughts and their beliefs. He can't understand why their motives bring them here. Some he can't read like this strange one with the strange head gear and large sword hacking her. What is she thinking? He is only a slave to this world. Yet this strange presence or force gives him mighty powers. The Brain considers the living earth to be a big threat. He can sense it move underground and then rise nearby. But it is not attacking him now? His duty is to control and allow the transport of more Vong to this world. Why attack these weak minded flesh bodies? Yet he can feel the new threat to be the woman and the strange man nearby. Moments later the Brain ordered the Villip to open the earth. Like fire explosions on other worlds the Vilip open holes deep underground. Leading to the lava chamber If there are other flesh bodies under they will all die once the lava rises through the tubes from deep below. By now the Pit and lake is probably full of escaping lava. Soon the pressure will build up to make the dormant mount active again. But it will still not harm the Brain in the short term. The Vong may flee but the lava will not reach him for a long time. In the short term the safety of the Brain is top and thus all those around should die or at least be ready to die. Then of course if the threat is too much there is always the World Doval. The Brain considers his next move as he regenerates his mental processes to attack the next creature that dares strike him. At least his mental shield will hold even against the large rock. The Brain penetrates the 2 prisoner's minds and orders them to attack the one with the large sword again. The 2 prisoners rush forward to attack Z'leyra with fists and claws. One punches her right side middle ribs but her armor protects her. But the other reaches past her shoulder and punches her in the face where she is unprotected doing a point of damage. ------------------ [Time: 2:58:45pm - Turn 2: Phase 3] Fremea flies as fast as she can toward the flying creatures. She has a plan in mind but it will take a bit of time to work it out. But first she has to get close enough to attack the Vong. She finds they are now about 250 feet or so apart. A bit closer and she can attack. Arawn builds up energy for a quick spell. Will also plans for a spell with his own energy. Arawn quickly casts a few magical words while grabbing onto Will's arm. He turns to check the entrance to the cave and finds the expanse empty. He then casts his translocation spell and sends himself and Will to the west onto the far western edge of the stairs. At the same time Will also casts his own spell just before he is translocated and becomes invisible. But he opens his eyes to notice he is outside and looks at Arawn with a bit of disgust. If only Arawn could see his face. Raban carries Chion toward the entrance ending up just behind Caladan. Unali is unsure why Kell is attacking her? No wait. The half elf is attacking the wall. Maybe the brain is controlling him to attack her? She will have to knock Kell out if he attacks her. But then she realizes based on the sudden appearance of the flying bugs he is attacking the Shaper. Unali smiles and rushes around the corner and draws back up her daggers toward the Shaper's back. She stabs the normal dagger into the left kidney area doing a minor 1 point blow. Unali knows how tall the Shaper is and can estimate body location. She swings upward and around slicing the Shaper's neck from below the right jaw to the rear of her neck slicing at least half of her neck in one massive slice with the magical dagger doing over 31 points of damage. The Shaper slumps to the wall only because a rain of rocks is seen. Unali knows it is not wise to search the Shaper with that snake hood. Would not be good to be bite by one of the snakes. She nods to Kell for his part in this. Farseeker sheathes sword and then pulls Ben'dar toward the entrance with both hands. Telling him that, "we can kill it later!" Ben'dar realizes that Farseeker makes no sense but knows that if even Z'leyra can't affect the Brain how can his small spear do anything? He relents and allows Farseeker to drag him to the entrance. Arawn looks around to see for the others. He can see the girl carrying Squirt going up from here. But Lin is not seen. It seems he is the first to flee the cave. He looks down to notice his armor spell is gone. He doesn't see Will anymore but knows he is there based on the bit of sour breath. Why must humans eat and create such foul odors to his keen nose. To the humans it is normal but to Alfar is it a foul smell. Distracted Arawn glances back to the cave. A odd sensation is felt in his brain. A fading ringing. He can't pinpoint it but it seems to be faint. He concentrates ignoring the woodsman and tries to figure it out. As his mind tracks the feeling down he finds it is a true feeling. Confusion. Duty. Anger. Sorrow. Anger. Anger. Anger. A great deal of Anger. Then Arawn realizes he isn't feeling the group in his Mind spell. He is feeling the Brain! A residue of the feelings he felt. But how could that be? He stopped the connection. From afar he tried the first contact but distance was too great. Felt nothing but maybe the Brain's power was greater that it did touch him? Then close up he tried again but changed his mind when the retreat was given. Arawn tries to sort the feeling to make any sense. From afar the Brain was a bit confused and curious. That makes sense. Then anger floods likely when the elementals attacked. Arawn gets the feeling that the feeling of duty was a strong obligation to the Vong as a group but maybe to the Shapers? He wonders what would have happened if the connection wasn't broken. Kell stabs downward with his spear to ensure the Shaper is dead. He notices Unali wave him away and decides not to search the body for now. Kell turns and runs toward the entrance. As he does he notices Kiet nearby and looks to the portal. The scene is clear but then a large beast that almost looks like a elephant rides by in view. It is very hairy with 3 tusks in front and four trunks. A Vong is riding and moving toward the right maybe to attack or flee the elemental. As the first beast rides past fast 2 more join quickly and follow. The Vong must be sending reinforcements to attack Big Boy. The living earth turns to check out who may need help. It seems the only one left is the one with the large non-rock sword. The elemental turns and silently moves toward Z'leyra to help her get out of the cave. Z'leyra ignores the 2 prisoners and swings her great sword again at the Brain avoiding tentacles that reach out to take her. She avoids their attack by the spells to warn her. The sword collides with the shield and bounces off not getting but a foot close to the surface of the Brain. Caladan leaves the cave going onto the stairs again. As he steps onto the stairs he hopes Strie'bog and Zhou are safe as the earthquake below may be affecting them as they try to escape the Mount. Kiet sees as Kell runs past him and shakes his head. Back and forth he can't keep up. But he passes Kell and joins him going back to the entrance. Will sees Caladan leaving and sighs in disgust at the retreat. He was so close to using his plan to attack the brain. Will then realizes that the earthquake hasn't stopped at all. Usually a earthquake is not this long and looks back out to the main cavern of the mount. Then he notices the flying objects coming this way maybe some 500 feet away or so. He wonders where the small one is and why she didn't warn them of this new threat? The Brain realizes the prisoners are no longer useful. They can't seem to harm the one with the big metal stick. So the brain does a simple thought and forces the two human male's brain to swell and explode inside their brain case. The humans collapse immediately dead as blood leaks from their mouth, nose and ears. ------------- [Time: 2:58:48pm - Turn 2: Phase 4 - Current/Next phase] Actions? Comments? Next Update....Friday... GM: A good fun update again. Bit behind the scenes on what is going on in a person's mind. The fun with Big Boy. I had typed up a bigger section on Kell's part for the first phase and deleted it by mistake. So had to retype it all. Not as good as the first. :< Keep in mind you need to know what you know not what others know :) you know what I'm saying? Ua'know? :) Friday's update should go well as no big combat. I'm off early Thursday so can work on it a bit early that day. Once the party is together Lin can explain what he saw and learned. Once the party flees the cave and those who still wish to fight the Brain aren't killed I'll move on. I'll still probably 2 more phases and if need to expand for dialog time though with Fremea's situation may speed up time for that combat. We shall see depending on if Z'leyra doesn't die or such next update. :) Minor map mistakes but looks like I'll fix it for this update. Guess no one saw the mistakes. :) Mana report not updated. Will do in next couple days so check back. GM: Arawn - Went with posted actions. Since you were willing to teleport Ben'dar (saved) did Will since he was the next in line. I did the empathic partial connection as well but the detail is limited as above. Was going to do a email on it but figure can just see it here unless you rather have that in private in the future. Fremea - Plan set in motion as outlined in chat. Should be able to start to attack next update. Kell - A bit of character development on the half Sidh side figure would be fun. Too bad couldn't jump in the portal to see what was REALLY going on with Big Boy's fun. :) Unali - As the second email allowed the changes were done above. If you have trouble with maps please ask. If it helps I can pinpoint exact objects X,Y in that detail if it helps. I'm just used to ascii maps since used them since '80s. It would take me hours to a graphical map with flair but this is so much easier and faster. Will - Alex tried to see if you wanted to change actions. But guess didn't work out. I had to assume you tried the inviso spell again. I hope this is good. I had to go with actions listed. That alone would've taken 3 phases (1 for each spell). Z'leyra - Healer's code do no harm. Healer's code help those who can't defend themselves. Guess igoring the prisoners who could've got away with your help might be bad thing to think on when you chill down. :< GM: Spells active Will - Armor Transmutation, Mind Shield Raban - Bless (OCV), Fist of Battle, Battle Mind Farseeker - Bless (OCV), Fist of Battle, Battle Mind Unali - Battle Mind, Mind Shield, Sending Arawn - Battle Mind, Bless (OCV) Fremea - Mind Shield, Sending Unali - Mind Shield, Sending Z'leyra - Mind Shield, Sending * = Soon to end (next update?]. I may NOT post this info unless I remember to do so. :) GM: Maps ---------------------------- Mount Side View - Scale - 1 Column = 15 feet 1 Row = 50 feet North=wall facing screen [Looking from one wall to the other wall. Toward North wall with back to south wall. Looking east/west.] 1 2 3 4 5 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 ____________________________________________________ I### Fake Vong ceiling ###IA I# #IB I# #IC I# #ID I# #IE I# #IFCave Cave 1-> `# #`G<-#4 I# #IH Cave 2-> `# Vong > Q #`I<-#5 I# foot flyers #IJ Cave 3-> `# Fremea-->T #`K<-#6 I# Cave #6 World Brain -----/#IL I# #IM I# @ <-Portal (Kotohi) #IN Mount I#T T#IO Ground --?I#]A_A_A_A_A_A_A_A__________________V__V__V__V__V[#IP I Y