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 #254 in sequence (file #1508] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra will see if her boots have another charge of Speed in them to make her move faster. GM: Ack. Looks like cast 4 Speeds magically. But none via the boots. So yes. Since this was only a check will assume it isn't cast. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Lifting a hand to urge the Outcast to keep back Arawn ... GM: Ack. From Kell: [Re: Actions] Ha'Kell looks around slowly, very subdued. He hefts... "Let's chat with this arrogant shaper, then kill them ... GM: Ack. From Fremea: [Re: Actions] Fremea casts invis on herself (Max EL) and begins to fly to the opposite side from where she is, just in case they fire anything at her position. She will then see if there is anything way for her to fly into the cave and use her special dose to help take out the main shaper. GM: Ack. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet soundlessly snarls at the insolence of theses Vong. Surrender, indeed! To the rest of the group he says, "We've come this .... GM: Ack. -------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Augado 10th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Mountains west of Pamau] [Time: 3:24:05pm] With only minutes left in the spell blocking the Brain to end the party is now welcome like a long lost friend. Lifting a hand to urge the Outcast to keep back Arawn tried to gauge the party's reaction, whether they planned on speech or battle. Keeping behind the front line he did his best to peer into the chamber and surrounding area with his Mana Sense in a search for any anomalies that would hint at hidden Vong or their tools. Arawn can tell quickly the reaction from most of the party members is disgust and disappointment. But he watches Unali intently for her reaction as she is leader. But finding no expression the Alfar peers into the cave. From the slant of stairs that block the majority of the cave it is impossible to see anything but the Vong at the entrance. At least at the entrance the three Vong there do not seem to be with friends. Ha'Kell looks around slowly, very subdued. He hefts the spear in his hand ready to throw it and his other spear, then be backup with his tulwar. The half-elf volunteers to be the second wave and backup as he's feeling rather light headed, tossing spears and spells and keep anyone from escaping. "Let's chat with this arrogant shaper, then kill them all. If they give the control we can take it, otherwise, well, whilst talking sounds interesting we are out of time." Kiet soundlessly snarls at the insolence of theses Vong. Surrender, indeed! To the rest of the group he says, "We've come this far, so lets finish it! I know I won't be surrendering to creatures that can enslave people as no man has been enslaved before. Death to these damned Vong!" The Outcast looks at Kiet and shrugs ever so slightly. To himself he finds the human a strange waste of space. How could these beings fight among themselves for such mundane things like wealth and power. While these humans seem to reflect on their gods they do not seem to be centered to these gods. How can they fight like that and not for the glory of the gods? Even yum-Hurla the great Trickster himself would be disgusted by it. The outcast looks to Arawn and whispers. "Surrender is honorable. Even the Warriors obey that rule. If they promise not to kill you till you hear them out they will do as they say." Raban steps up the steps and past the Outcast. He has heard enough and decides time is fleeting. He pushes past the front row and walks toward the Shaper. The Shaper herself with her large gray bony ridged head perks up at the approaching Giant. But she simply watches and nods. She backs up a feet and waves to her guards to back up. If she had a eyebrow on that hairless skull she would raise it like she has seen the Brigaders do. But she turns at the whispered words from the enemy. Vong may not have hair but their hearing is exceptional and she heard every word. But she shows no expression or reaction. She simply turns and walks back into the cave and walks to the side. The guards follow and reach the side of the entrance. Then they back up 5 feet from the entrance to give the group out of range. Farseeker shakes his head the enemy knew they were coming but that doesn't surprise him. Since Kiet's magical recon was done exactly a hour ago the Vong may have known they were coming. Maybe it was the Brain that detected them and let them come. But why not such a heavy counter attack if so? Sure the group killed over or around 400 Vong in the last hour. But surely they could've done more with this time? Maybe they do see honor in a well skilled force. He looks to Ben'dar and realizes even the Zen'da sees his merit recalling back to the old Marentian-Zen'dan wars of past years. The Vong may be vile beasts but even the military man can see that even in enemy honor should be tolerated. He holds down his great sword in one hand and moves past the others to follow Raban. He glances back to see if the others follow. Unali's stomach rolls a bit. Something is very wrong about this situation. She has been where the insane leader of some force wants to go on a ego trip and explain his great evil plan. It seems the gods do like thier bad guys to be cliche. Even in Clima or Ezam's castle the bad guy seemed to thrive on reporting their plans. Yet this still seems odd. But she knows the surprise is over and likely knows all about the group. She decides to listen to the bad guys. After all it will give the group time to study the enemy rather than one large assault that gives seconds of observation. With one dagger in hand she moves toward the cave after Farseeker. She sheathes the magical dagger for now until it is time to use it to sense for danger. [Time: 3:25:00pm] The party passes the threshold of the cave entrance. Wary of the Vong guards. The group notices a fine mist of sand and dust seem to fall upon the group. A slight breeze is felt as the cave seems to be a catch for a wind tunnel intersection. The dust seems to pepper the group on their shoulders. Some feel it must be Fremea flying overhead knocking dust off the ceiling of the entrance roof. The party moves silently but defiantly toward the Vong inside. Those on the sides watch the guards nearby but they do not seem to be on a offensive stance at this point. They are simply staring and standing. Though all in the party went forward the free Outcast did not. The last who noticed this was Z'leyra, Lin and Will. It seems the Outcast who is likely dead on sight or a traitor does not want to be known be helping the party. But the group knows he is no threat as he has no weapons. The group takes in the dusty and dank cave. The ceiling is 30 feet high and Fremea invisible now is hovering somewhere around the 28 foot level waiting. There are a series of wooden torches that line the walls that light the cave up brightly. From the looks of the cave walls there is no other way out. There doesn't seem to be the tunnel that leads to the outside like in the above cave. At least that is not seen. So that means the party now blocking the way in is now guarding the only way out. This means the party knows this will end here one way or another. There is three things of note in this cave that catches the eye right away. The first is the slew of Vong that are in every direction. There are 15 warriors or so in every direction. These warriors seem a tad taller and meaner looking. In fact their leathers seem a darker block and there is a arm ribbon that seems to denote them as some elite or special force. Their amphistaves that are held at the ground going up seem about 2 feet longer than the normal warriors. In fact some of the amphistaves seem taller than the warrior who holds it Their necks shine the crab armor that is exposed at the neck line. but what is different the two eye stalks that seem to jut out are a color of green not red like the others. The overall bulk of these warriors also seem to be about 30-50 pounds heavier and 1-2 feet taller. Two Shapers are in the cave both wearing the headdress that allows them to monitor and control things or just as a show. The one that came forward to invite the party is wearing a floor length gown with a purple blotches that must denote her of some rank. She is simply standing with hands at her side. The other Shaper to the left is near some humans. She has a Orb on her shoulder and is staring with arms folded on her chest. There are three Voxyen six-legged dog-beasts as well. One is near the Shaper that invited the group in. The other two are besides the Shaper with the Orb on her shoulder. All three seem different with thicker sides and sides as if a extra thick mane or fur is there. There are four Brigaders in clear uniforms that denote them as what could be high ranked ones. All have swords in sheathes at their belt. They are stoic looking but it is unclear if they are here to help or by force They do seem to be waiting on the situation to finish. There are three prisoners in front of a pit. One has their back to the ground. But the other two are facing the group. They are gagged and their arms are bound. They are showing signs of abuse by bruises and cuts. They are only a couple feet from the pit itself. A single warrior stands behind all three. It is clear that he could easily push any or all three into the pit. The other big thing in the room is the pit. From the angle of the party it seems to be 10-20 feet deep. It is dark and hard to see below. It is 20 by 30 feet in a round-oval like shape. It is clear these Vong do enjoy their pits. To Fremea hovering above invisible she can notice there are spikes going up from the ground that can impale those thrown in. From her angle she can also see a half dozen human bodies in various states of decay or mutilation. Most are whole bodies but there are various body parts like a arm or a leg or a hand. Carrion bugs seem to be eating the rest of the remains. The pit is only 30 feet due west of Unali and Farseeker. Some 90 feet from Unali due west is the only piece of furniture that is in the room. It is clearly the throne which clearly makes this a Throne room. The throne is a large slab of coral that looks painful just to sit on. Around the sides and top or arm rests are pale human skulls. There must be a dozen or so skulls around the throne itself which makes sitting among them looks ghastly. There are two warriors to the left and right side of the throne standing guard. There are two more one left and right a few feet in front of the throne. Sitting on the throne has to be the Vong leader. He is a bulk of a Vong that looks to be 2-3 times the size of a normal warrior. His skull alone is twice as large as Raban's own skull. His arms could put a giant's arms to shame. He is clearly heavily muscled looking around 250-300 pounds of all muscle. On his right arm a stump of a coral mass is there. It seems to have replaced his right hand with this coral mass. The round mass is as large as a human head and ends with a coral point that could piece metal if it so wanted. It is unclear if the point could be adjusted or if its unable to move. Supreme Commander Shimara is wearing thick leathers that could withstand a arctic storm at the worst time of the year and keep him still warm. The leathers are the typical brown and black colors of the warrior caste. On his shoulders are three spikes that jut out forward, upward and to the rear of his shoulder. On his feet is is wearing spiked boots which could use to kick or impale any who backtalk. He does not seem to be wearing any weapons on him but his thick leathers are hard to peer through. His sunken eyes are black orbs that seem to show only malice and arrogance. When he grins a lot of his teeth have been filed down to shards that could piece a turtle shell. At his feet a Outcast is lying on the ground under his spiked boots. The Outcast is in a fetal position and is staring at the party. He is wearing only ragged and torn clothing. The Shaper that met the group speaks up. "The Supreme Commander wishes to welcome you. He has been quite impressed by your skills. But it has been time to stop the attacks as it has disrupted our plans. You only delay us briefly but we will still conquer this Empire then the world. If you surrender now most will be given quick deaths that are honorable ones. A few may be tortured or sacrificed to the Gods for our great glory to come. Simply drop your weapons and we will end this now." A moment passes and the party's eyes shift back to the throne when a loud slam is heard. The Supreme Commander has slammed his coral hand onto the throne making the cave echo from the sound. The Outcast seems to giggle and laugh and point at the party. This is when Shimara kicks the Outcast and stands. "Shut up Omni." As he stands he towers at 8.5 feet tall. He even seems to be taller than Raban though not as heavy. He stands in front of the throne. "Surrender and others will not suffer." At that the warrior pushes the left bound prisoner into the pit forcing her to be impaled in her chest and neck killing her instantly. Then the warrior turns to the middle one and turns him around. That is when Unali gasps. The man eyes Unali and his eyes grow. He shakes his head and starts to fumble at his bound hands. Unali can't understand this! How can Wengang be here a prisoner of these creatures. How could his brother be so caught easily? Then Unali notices the man's fingers are giving a sign. "Kill them! No mercy." He signs to his sister. To the party though no one knows their relationship. The warrior raises a hand and shows that just one quick push and the man will be killed in the pit. The warrior grins and shows the excitement of another death. "Nom Amor may have been our best agent. But his agents found that you were tracking us for some time. He learned of your ....family. It was only one day ago we captured him and flew him here. We suspect your weak emotions will see to the true way. Reason with us and he'll live. Fight back and he will surely die as well the Empire." When the Supreme Commander finishes he stands and waits for a reply. The party doesn't notice that the shaper has pulled out something from her belt. A simple subsonic hand whistle. She strikes the instrument and sends out a wave of energy in every direction. Instantly Arawn, Raban and Unali start to feel sick. Arawn falls to his feet unsure what is going on. Raban remains standing but seems a bit dizzy. For Unali she is standing but her knees are weak. As if she was punched in the stomach. The Shaper speaks. "Voxyen and Orbis effects. I suspect one of you has been bitten recently. That is a plus for us. But for Unali we learned that Nom Amor in his death stand spit a slew of Quiven from his artificial eye. The tiny creatures can't be detected. They are inert until activated by this. Soon in minutes you will be dead. For the other two the Voxyen poison will not kill you but you will be greatly reduced." The Shaper smiles and realizes that taken down 3 of the party is much better than just their leader! Raban can't understand what is going on. he was cured of the poison long ago at the carnival grounds when he was bitten. Could there still be some lingering effects the magic could not fix? [Time: 3:26:00pm] Actions? Comments? Next Update....Friday.... GM: Ran out of time tonight. Was going to do a few more minor things. But brain power is low. Rather end it here. I will be taking this slow. So I will only do reactions for next update. So take time and if needed plan it out. I added a couple Vong (maybe 2-4 ) on the map below. But I forgot to add their coordinate. If they move I'll update their position. But for now you can see the symbols and who is where. My quick math is about 16 warriors, 2 Shapers, 3 Voxyen, 4 Brigaders, 2 Prisoners, 1 Outcast and 1 Commander vs 15 of you. Hmm. That does seem like a fair fight. Guess I could add a dozen other warriors? :) GM: Spells active Will - Armor Transmutation, Mind Shield Raban - Bless (OCV) Farseeker - Bless (OCV) Arawn - Bless (OCV) Unali - Mind Shield Kell - Whirlwind* Fremea - Mind Shield, Invisibility Z'leyra - Mind Shield, Bless (Con) * = Soon to end (next update?]. I may NOT post this info unless I remember to do so. :) GM: Maps * Throne Room Ceiling of cave is 30' Cave opening is 25' wide, 12' high 1 2 3 4 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%/ A %% = Rock Wall %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\%%%%%\__ B [= = Skull throne %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ V%%/ \__ C Pit = 10' deep %%%/V \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ D 20' wide %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ E %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ F Facing %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ G A=Arawn [O34] West %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ H B=Ben'dar [N34] West %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ I C=Caladan [P34] West %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ V\__/ \__/%%\__/ J H=Chion [Q34] West %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ v__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ K F=Farseeker [F31] West %%%/ \__/ \__/ \_S/ \__/ \_V/%%\__/ L R=Fremea [M25] West %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__R \__/ \%%/ \__ M 28' hovering, Inviso %%%/V \__V \__/ /\__/ \__/ \__B \__/ N K=Kell [W34] West %%%\V_/ \__/ \/P \ \__/ \__/ A_T/ \__ O T=Kiet [T34] West %%%/[=1__/ \_P/ i \/ \__/ F__CW \__/ P R=Raban [S31] West %%%\[=/2 \__/VP\ t /\__/ \__U HL / \__ Q U=Unali [W31] West %%%/V \__/ \_P/\ /_/ \__/ \__TZW\__/ R W=Will [P35] West %%%\V_/ V__/ \_\/ \__/ \__R N%%/ \__ S Z=Z'leyra [R35] West %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ T L=Lin [Q35] West %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ V\%%/ \__ U G\Gan [O36] West %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ V W=Wizard [R36] West %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ W %%%/ \__/ vv__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ X %%%\__/ \__/SHH__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ Y %%%/ \__/ \_HH \__/ V\__/ \__/%%\__/ Z %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ aa %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ bb %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ cc %%%/V \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/%%\__/ dd %%%\__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \%%/ \__ dd %%%/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__V%%\__/ ee %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%/ \__ ff %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\__/ gg 1 2 3 4 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901 1 = Shimara Supreme Commander [P7] 2 = Omini Outcast [Q8] V = Vong Warrior [C5,C34,J24,M34,N10,Q14,O5, R5,S10,S34,dd5,ee34,Z24] S = Shaper [L21, Y14] H = Human Brigader [Y15, Z15, Y16, Z16] P = Prisoner [P15, Q15, R15] v = Voxyen [K22, X12, X13] Pit = 20' wide by 30' long. Pit is 10' deep 1 2 3 4 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%/ A %% = Rock Wall %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\%%%%%\__ B [= = Skull throne %%% V%%/ \__ C Pit = 10' deep %%% V %%\__/ D 20' wide %%% %%/ \__ E %%% %%\__/ F Facing %%% %%/ \__ G A=Arawn [O34] West %%% %%\__/ H B=Ben'dar [N34] West %%% %%/ \__ I C=Caladan [P34] West %%% V %%\__/ J H=Chion [Q34] West %%% v %%/ \__ K F=Farseeker [F31] West %%% S V %%\__/ L R=Fremea [M25] West %%% R %%/ \__ M 28' hovering, Inviso %%% V V B \__/ N K=Kell [W34] West %%% V P \ A_T/ \__ O T=Kiet [T34] West %%% [=1 P/ i \ F CW \__/ P R=Raban [S31] West %%% [= 2 VP\ t / U HL / \__ Q U=Unali [W31] West %%% V P \ / TZW\__/ R W=Will [P35] West %%% V V \/ R N%%/ \__ S Z=Z'leyra [R35] West %%% %%\__/ T L=Lin [Q35] West %%% V %%/ \__ U G\Gan [O36] West %%% %%\__/ V W=Wizard [R36] West %%% %%/ \__ W %%% vv %%\__/ X %%% SHH %%/ \__ Y %%% HH V %%\__/ Z %%% %%/ \__ aa %%% %%\__/ bb %%% %%/ \__ cc %%% V %%\__/ dd %%% %%/ \__ dd %%% V%%\__/ ee %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%/ \__ ff %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\__/ gg 1 2 3 4 12345678901234567890123456789012345678901