e 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 Do.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 R1 NPC...................Shu.Yeoh..........Wizard..Normal/Human..Fe W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe Do 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, 2 Donkeys Cover Story Info: Caladan aka Ca Lu as Guard/Archer Farseeker aka Fu Sa as Guard Fremea as Noble child [Disguised] Kell aka Swan as Trader Unali as Zhou's wife Game Web Site - http://www.funport.com/longshot/pbem Public posts/actions to pnpgm@abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to longshot@darktech.org Game Update #21 in sequence (file #220) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Raban: [Re: Actions] Events have caught Raban in a serious mood. He has thought quite a lot over just what to do in various situations and now one of them has come up. Since he is aware that the ship was not prepared and in disguises, this could go quite badly for the mission. Raban figures there are two choices, bribe the captain before he inspects or sink them so they cannot spread word. So Raban looks about for anything that will aid him in sinking the other ship. If a fight breaks out Raban will fly through the hulls into the other ship and start smashing holes to scuttle her. Once that is done he will return to help in the fight, hoping no one has been hurt without him there to guard them... Kell is also stalling for time to allow the group to prepare. OOC: Good job... keep him talking. This might be a good time to make a big show of summing Lord Zhou or whatever he is going by and seeing how are cover story plays. GM: Ack. From Z'leyra: [Re: Silver tongued talkers] As Z'leyra climbs up to the deck she wonders who in the party is most skilled at influencing others. She knows that she is quite good at it when things are important, but thinks that it might be good to have it known who in the party would make the best spokespersons. For minor stuff it shouldn't matter, but when talking might mean the difference between life and death it would be best to have our best doing the talking. She does not want to slaughter a crew of innocent sailors. GM: Ack. I can't say who is better out right. That is a privacy issue. It is up to each person to divulge their IC or such. But on a character level it might be assumed that certain ones have higher chances than others. Being a trader Kell is trained to lie, err I mean bend the truth. So he might be a fast talker. Arawn being a priest and druid is used to audiences so might have some influence. Same might go for Strie'bog/Raban being druids, bards and entertainers. Then there is Kiet with influence over folks by entertainment. The fighters like Farseeker probably not much so. :) They kill then talk later. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Ma 23rd, 1634TH] [Winds: Average, Speed 7] [Distance this day: 31] [Weather: Overcast, Wind storm] [Temperatures: 61-71] [Time: 1:14pm] [Magical talisman: Not active at this time] Captain Uli glances at the deck of sailors and some party members. His eyes set on Ben'dar and eyes him up and down. Lucky for Ben'dar he has no sign of magical gear. After a quick glance he moves onto Kell and does another quick cursory examination. He notices the wide black hate Ha'kell wears and notes not many wear it in his homeland. The forest is mostly cover but here at sea it makes sense. After a second or two he moves onto Unali. He eyes her up and down like a master to a slave. He notices the fancy looking scabbard that holds the magic dagger. Kell notices this drawing more attention than should be and steps forward clearing his throat. Ha'kell rounds a locker and moves quickly forward on purpose drawing the attention of Captain Uli's eyes and those of the sailors by him. He knows it is a equal fight from the looks of it one to one odds. Of course he has no doubt that some like Ben'dar and Farseeker could handle 4-5 on their own. So not so a fair fight for the Choshai sailors. It would likely be a slaughter unless there are more sailors below on the other ship. But that would do no good in the end Choshai would look for this ship. That would mean no prisoners and all would have to be killed to keep their mission private. That simply does not balance the books. "Ho there! Captain Tung, if I may speak with Captain Uli?" Walking over to be closer, Ha'Kell extends his hand in friendship and flashes his friendliest smile, "Captain Uli, I am Master Swan of Swan and Talm trading from Ba'Rual. I am part of this wonderful group that hired Captain Tung and his fine ship and crew. I can assure you we are not a rampaging wizard's party that is causing trouble. The last thing I want is trouble as I'm working, trying to find trade, exploring opportunities with these lands. Lands from Choshai to Katai to Lemasa." Captain Uli takes Ha'kell's hand and shakes it slightly wary of this man who approached without a summons. He was having a conversation with Captain Tung. "Swan of Swan and....I've never heard of such a firm. Based out of...," his eyes brighten when he recalls Ba'rual. "That is a far distance to come for simple trade. I don't know the land myself but I have heard of some talk of it. They make good metal helmets I think? At any rate what brings you this far east? There is nothing on this coast but our great forest and Katai below." Captain Uli whirls back to Captain Tung, "so your cargo is passengers?"" Captain Tung nods, "for the most part. We have 15 passengers and their horses in the hold." Tung cringes as he just let slip the total amount of people. "We do have some light cargo but not that much due to the animals taking up the bulk of the space." Ha'kell continues in a friendly but formal manner, "Captain, the last thing we could be is a rampaging wizard's party. Although we are fairly well armed as I have heard these can be dangerous waters, but that is my ignorance and propensity to always be prepared." Smiling again at Uli and taking a deep breath. Captain Uli frowns and raises a hand, "these waters are safe from pirates. Unlike most shores we do not have a piracy issue. We see to that." Behind him the two sailors nod quickly. Kell raises both hands in a sign of no-doubt-about-that and continues speaking. "Attacking locals and law-abiding people won't do at all for trading and commercial opportunities." Ha'Kell shakes his head a bit, takes his black hat off and messes his hair, then returns his hat to his head. "But if you care to discuss items that you require, that perks my interest. May I see your list? Can I show you some wares? I brought a small sample of the goods we deal in, from small high quality daggers to some of the finest wine anywhere." Meanwhile below deck a sailor runs from place to place to spread the word. Moments earlier Fremea hearing the exchange start flies off to get into her disguise. As she gets to the cabin deck below she warns others. "We are being boarded for inspection." When Fremea moves past Z'leyra and warns her, Z'leyra also turns to head to her cabin. It would do no good to have her staff found on her. She gets to her cabin and places the staff under the bed. There is simply no place to hide a staff as tall as a human easily. Any simple search will find it but hopefully it will not get to that point. She gets her magical greatsword leaning against the wall and places the belt around her. If there is a fight she may need it. Of course it is magical as well and she wonders if she should be carrying it. A deck above on the hold deck, Raban stands in the shadows of the horse hold near the ramp listening to Kell and the other one talk. It would only take seconds for him to get up and fight if needed. But he waits. He also knows there is another ship just feet away and considers a plan to sink it if needed. He looks around for possible tools to use in that task. There is little aside from a horse itself to slam against the hull. Most of the wooden tools would break. Maybe the other ship has something he can use. Ben'dar feels naked without his pike, good armor and Tef'wo under him on this moving water log of a boat. He doesn't seem to understand the exchange but clearly figures it to be some trade deal as it seems to have been done in the past. But then the 20 guards suddenly pop up and that isn't a trade deal breaker but a hostile move. With only a dagger he might still be a good fighter but just stands and waits for others to resolve this issue. Ben'dar moves a few steps close and edges to the side of the ramp leading down. A ease side step and jump will get him down to defend the ramp if needed. This and the stairs are the most vulnerable spots. From above the ramp he spots a tall form in the shadows and nods faintly at Raban. Ben'dar then draws his attention to the other ship to see what he is up against in weapons and possible skills men can convey in their body language. Caladan hears the news and takes the stairs up to the top deck with his simple war staff in tow. This one isn't his magical one so he doesn't fear problems. But its more a walking aid and balance (especially in high waves) than anything else these days. He takes a spot forward and just seems to ignore the exchange and looking at the ocean as if bored. Chion eventually hears the warning but remains down below. Farseeker smiles at the thought of possible action when he hears the warning come down. He heads to the ladder and then eventually gets to the top deck. When the two sailors on the blue moon near Captain Uli see him they tense. Farseeker shuffles to the back to take up a position near the navigation wheel. Strie'bog slowly turns around to stare out into the ocean on the port side of the ship just like Caladan. He'll be ready in case a fight breaks out. Shu below hears the warning and heads to her cabin to store her magical items and try to hide them. Will hears the warning from the hallway and enters his cabin and closes the door. Arawn makes his way quietly to the cabin deck one deck below and heads to his cabin. [Time: 1:17pm] Zhou who had been working with Shu on some matters is wearing a silk tunic and normal pants. Not a fancy set but when he hears the warning he knows little time is given to chance. He nods to the sailor and runs to the ladder and runs up to the stairs. As he nears the stairs he straightens his clothes and raises a hand for Kiet to remain nearby but below for now. Captain Tung introduces his First Mate to Captain Uli in an attempt to stall. Captain Uli seems to notice this and shifts his feet back and forth. "Enough. Who is in charge here beside Captain Tung?" "That would be me!" Zhou with a show of frustration climbs the stairs slowly as if annoyed to be disturbed. When on deck he places hands on hips and glances at the other ship. "Ahh! Visitors!" Captain Uli raises a hand to hold his sailors and steps forward toward Zhou. "We are here to inspect the ship. Our constant war with vile wizards never seems to ends." Zhou smiles and nods. "Yes. A war fought mostly by us in Katai. At least you here in these forests do not have much to worry about." He glances at the distant shoreline as if looking miles away to villages. "Peace is not given by mild blood and cold sweat." He murmurs softly and turns to Uli to shake his hand." Captain Uli raises an eyebrow. "You know of the Fallacy of War? One of our great books." Zhou nods in reply, "an excellent book by Codus Romanthus. He clearly saw the folly and yet need of war. Please come over here and we can discuss this a bit better..." As he guides Uli past Ben'dar he knows he hasn't introduced himself yet. He turns to the port side and yells out. "Where is Ki?! I need some wine up here now!" Zhou turns to Uli and frowns. "Good help is so hard to hire these days." But Uli simply stares ahead knowing a captain just doesn't have servants. Captain Uli and Zhou head to the rear of the ship where there is no one near to hear their private talk. As Zhou talks Uli nods and occasionally shakes his head. then speaks and Zhou does the same a few times. The party on deck waits for what Zhou has in mind and hopes his words can get them out of this. Kiet hears Zhou yell and figures that is his cue. Almost as if planned a sailor grunts behind him and hands Kiet two wine glasses and a wine bottle on a wooden tray. Kiet smiles and must have planned this ahead or as he came up top side. Kiet then deftly climbs the stairs with the tray in hand and heads toward Zhou and Uli. Below in her cabin Fremea finishes her disguise and figures its good to test it out now or never. She combs her hair to hide her ears and then runs to the ladders and top side. With her wings stuffed it feels tight and annoying but this is how it will be for some time now it seems. Actions? Comments? Next Update...Monday... GM: Good news is I'm done with Z'leyra's IBT. This means things will move fast soon. Once I type up the IBT post basically summarizing what all folks do in a movie like sequence then we can move on to Katai sooner than later. GM: Minor game website work. * Added rules.txt which is basically any home brew rules I've done over the years and any GM oriented comments I may have for other things. If you would like to see more added that I covered in the last 10 years let me know. I may have missed a few things. I added as much as I could recently recall. It is in at the bottom of the links. * Minor update to People link * Removed dragon link/image info since not needed anymore. GM: Final call soon for the language choices. There are literally dozens of open slots. Plenty for all. At the very least if you don't have Katai it might be good idea to learn it. Let me know. GM: If no one is going to come up with a cover name for Katai Zhou will determine that when I type up the IBT post. If you want to go by your present name that is fine. But might not be Kataish. GM: Placement: * Deck 1: Ben'dar, Caladan, Farseeker, Kell, Kiet, Strie'bog, Unali, Zhou * Deck 2: Raban [Horse hold] * Deck 3: Arawn [Cabin], Shu [Cabin], Will [Cabin], Chion, Fremea [Heading up], Z'leyra [Heading up]