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 ...Thomas.Magann.........Whitney...........Scholar.Normal/Human..Ma R1 John.Stowman..........Will..............Hunter..Normal/Human..Ma R4.Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe R1 NPC...................Zhou Kiwat........Noble...Normal/Human..Ma Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar, Cover Story Info: [HD- House member, F-Foreigner, N-native non house] Arawn aka Arawn as Teacher to daughter [F] Ben'dar aka Bu Da as Horse expert [F] Caladan aka Ca Lu as Guard/Archer [N] Chion aka Capt. Chu Mai as Sailor Trustee [HD] Farseeker aka Fu Sa as Guard [F] Fremea aka Lin Mong as Noble child [HD] [Disguised] Kell aka Swan as Trader [F] Kiet aka Kiet Sunan as Zhou's servant [F] Raban aka Toban Nu as Entertainer/Guard [F] Strie'bog aka Sun Zhu as Entertainer [N] Shu aka Shu as Niece [HD] Unali aka Tun Au as Zhou's wife [HD] Whitney aka Whitney as Herbalist/Tailor [F] Will aka Sun Tzu as hunt master [F] Z'leyra aka Kakita Junami as Healer [F] Zhou aka Zhou Wa as Baron Noble [HD] 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@cybermax.net Game Update #60 in sequence (file #524) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Whitney: [Re: Arrows] not need to worsen his chances to hit. I'm not worried about shafts. Whitney has plenty and can always forage more. Plus the tools and glue pot to attach fletching and heads. He can get the wherewithal to make glue next time the horses need a shoe adjustment, and feathers from whatever we're bagging for meat, if we forage a bit of food. Arrowheads are the problem area. He'll dig them out each and every time, plus any he can scavenge from opponents, or opponents shafts. There is no such thing as a spare arrowhead to his mind. There are never enough. Remember, he was planning on living off the land for months on end while studying mass incursions from the Upper World. Ain't confidence grand? GM: Ack. Well that will add to some bookkeeping to figure out what arrow is shaft broken which just has an arrowhead which is only an arrowhead, etc. I'll have to figure out some system for it for 13 players. Usually when an arrow is used its lost for ease of record keeping. I mean one person has 200 arrows in his quiver alone. Its not like the party as a whole will run out in a few years. As to making more since travel is done during day its limited time. Night you sleep most of that time frame so limited work. Granted Whitney is on the back of a wagon and can work but can't glue and all that in that seat and would be dangerous to whittle and hit a bump and then have to stop to pick up your thumb. :) But I'll have to figure out a note system on what is used and what is broken and what is just arrowhead and where the glue is and where the ...soon. From Raban: [Re: Actions] GM: Ack. From Kell: [Re: Actions] [Oh that slide looks fun Raban. Can everyone try it? Kell would gladly help if he knew about it.] [Julis 8th, 1634TH] Kell has been very quiet all day since Tiehul left and Tiehul's former friend died. He responds to people, but doesn't start anything. He's going through the motions and deep in thought. [Time: Later that night around the campfire.] That night the group makes camp for the night, eating ... When the right moment is there, the talking is quiet and there is a lull he begins, "I think I owe you all an explanation... [To Be Continued next post. Trying to find some old emails to keep details the same, and to add dramatic flair. :) ] [Merry Christmas to all! Hope you're all well. - Mark] GM: Ack. If you want to jump in on the fun go ahead if you wake up in time. :) From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] If Z'leyra wakes up and hears of the worm, she will arm herself and get ready to fight it. As usual she will be ready to heal folks after the fighting is over and will show any interested in how healing is done. GM: Ack. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] At feet or so, it'll take most of us 3-4 phases to get to him, and that's if we were up and alert. I hope the worm is in no hurry..... GM: Ack. Yep problem with camp events like this. :< Time. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Arawn's eyes drifted to the barbarian as Zhou spoke. "Let us hope that does not happen," he replied somberly. "But... -------------------------------------------------------------- The Farmers- I'm not sure how much Farseeker gave to them but if it is not enough (he'll speak to the farmers to see just how short they are, if at all) Arawn will part with the following- Large Emerald Jewel 3.2 SC Lapis Lazuli Gem 32 CC Soothing and/or Healing Herbs in Keg 7lbs He'll try to make up the difference with the items, saving the extra herbs for last. He'll suggest selling the gems if possible, stating their price to avoid having the farmers being taken advantage of, unless they think they can come up with a believable story to tell the lord of the land. The herbs, if necessary to complete their tax payment, will be given in amounts up to what the equivalent remaining value of the taxes, if they believe the lord would take the herbs at full value. If not and they need to sell he'll give more as needed. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Raban's Worm- As Arawn thought over things a sense of foreboding came over "Danger! Wake up!" ... GM: Ack. The farmers got plenty and will refuse any more. Far gave enough to pay rent for a very long time. I just was curious to see who would step up to the plate and help. So your help is noted for future reference. :) Darn you grab a unlit end of firewood. Shucks. Those nasty details I can't have fun with! :< ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Julis 8th, 1634TH] [Location: 14 miles west of Jinquo] [Event: Day of Monk attack] [Time: 5:16pm] As the party pack up and prepare to leave some stumble around like a zombie in thought and exhaustion of the day. The fight was so sudden and over so quick the adrenaline is still active in most folks for some time. Kell has been very quiet all day since Tiehul left and Tiehul's former friend died. He responds to people, but doesn't start anything. He's going through the motions and deep in thought. Will does as he has done for many times before, sketches the area. He makes quick notes and sketches of the terrain around the battle site. [Time: 5:38pm] As the party watches Ben'dar mistreat to some or give out justice to others some watch with keener eyes. Zhou and Caladan then speak quietly about the situation to Arawn about the barbarian Ben'dar. Zhou first voices his opinion on the dangers of Ben'dar's action to threaten the survival of the party. Then Caladan mentions the barbarian's soul conflict. Arawn's eyes drifted to the barbarian as Zhou spoke. "Let us hope that does not happen," he replied somberly. "But I will try to reach him before we enter the city." Arawn gave Zhou a look and a slight nod before the man walked away. Ben'dar's actions had apparently disturbed more than just his own sensibilities. As he watched Zhou's departure he caught sight of Caladan doing the same. He looked a little past Caladan as he spoke, his eyes passing over Ben'dar in the distance. "That is what I fear as well," the Alfar replied softly, out of earshot of the others. "Each step he takes in that direction makes it easier and easier to accept and justify the next stage of such a path. Let us see if we can reach him before it is too late but I think I might need your help and perhaps Z'leyra's as well. My words might not strike home as easily as those from one of his own culture. It will help him to better understand things if you are nearby to reword things if my words don't sink in." Arawn paused for a moment, a look of concern on his face before adding. "What I worry about are the new elements to the group. In recent months others have joined us that seem to hold on to pain, bitterness or anger. I worry that trying to pull one out of the darkness and into the light will be much more difficult when there are others present who might condone such dark actions." Caladan also stares at Ben'dar and glances over at the Alfar as Kell joins in on the fun with Ben'dar. He whispers back in a firm voice. "I may be of little use. I am of his culture but I'm the outsider." He waves a hand toward Ben'dar. "He is the normal man for the plains though he considers himself an outsider. I am a wizard not a horse warrior. Wizards in the tribes are not heard of and especially not from the son of a chief. This is why I have gone into self exile for a few years. Our people would respect him far more than myself. So as an example of Proper Zen'da is what you need, then I am not that person." [Time: 7:45pm] That night the group makes camp for the night, eating dinner and cleaning up. Everyone is relaxing around the fire staying warm and dry. Kell is still quiet and thinking, but looks around at everyone there. He makes eye contact with the each person in the group, one at a time. When the right moment is there, the talking is quiet and there is a lull he begins, "I think I owe you all an explanation about today. About how I treated Tiehul's former second in command." Emotions dance across his face, and his blue eyes have both life and sorrow showing from them. Taking a deep breath, "I like all of you, and you've come to be like a family to me. You need to know. I have been alone for several years now and don't want to lose you." "This is not the normal me you saw today. Well, maybe it is given the correct circumstances. But maybe it is only a little. We shall see." Pausing to drink, then lowering his mug, "As I was saying, I've been alone the last several years. Trading and traveling and doing risky deliveries of items. It's been good. But not as nice as being with friends again. Why did I go it alone for so long? Why do I hate traitors so much? Why would I offer to kill that man, the man Tiehul and we trusted who turned on us?" Zhou listens intently and nods. "Where I came from honor is a tight leash that holds the chaos together thanks to one man. Here honor is on a new level it involves a hierarchy of their daily life from the lord down to their family and friends. Even as the traitor knew his fate was sealed he had honor not to slur his ex-friend. Even as he knew his betrayal was done he did not deny his friend. In Tiehul we saw this as well in that at the end he had honor to our relationship. He did not want to betray our future and possibly his land's future to a friend who slipped up. Honor and duty and all those things are a hard thing to grasp even for some of us here." Zhou briefly glances at the party but in no particular person. Farseeker nods, "we have a long fight ahead of us and danger around every corner. It is one thing to defend ourselves and kill. In war there will be casualties." Standing Caladan walks into the light of the campfire. "It is no secret I uphold the gods of Law. Some of us here are more balanced in those areas. But I know in times like these information is needed. Information that can be obtained through more civil means to save lives is worth it. But to relish in the pain and suffering of others like we saw today. I believe the spirits would frown on those things. We are a diverse group and we act on our own emotions. Sometimes that gets us into trouble without thinking. But I am a strong belief in what one does comes around. fate can be cruel. If we take a man's horse who is in the desert or in the middle of a wilderness then fate may decide that horse lame and the thief die for it. The Vong will be a enemy we've not seen before. All of us will have to likely deal with them on a personal level. We must decide on where to cross the line. If we step over into the darkness it could swallow us whole. The spirits are always observing our behavior for the day of judgement." ------------------------- [Julis 18th, 1634TH] [Location: Upper Katai Plains, west of Jinquo] [Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 71-95] [Time: 12:37:03am] The sickly slime and dirt covered Earth Eater lunges from the ground and swallows Raban whole as he tries to relieve himself of the day's water intake. Raban falls down a shaft of darkness covered in sand, tissue and slime. he falls head first down the long throat carved by reflexes of the worm's body mass. His pants and underwear trail above him. [Time: 12:37:03am] As Arawn thought over things a sense of foreboding came over him. He looked up and scanned the area, his other senses reaching out for any signs of anything unusual. It did not take long for him to catch sight of the odd pale writhing column nearby. He wasn't sure what it was but Raban had been nearby and he hoped the bard was safe. Realizing it was better to be safe than sorry he cried out, "Danger! Wake up!" Quickly rising to his feet he grabbed a burning log from the campfire, making sure to reach for a unlit end with a gauntleted hand. He began to move in the direction of the form, directing those awake in that direction as well. "Raban! Raban!" Raban dazed and confused by the ambush continues to slide down the maw of the Earth Eater. He immediately feels burns and scraps as he slides down taking minor damage at first. He tries to get his bearings and shift but finds the darkness overwhelming. [Time: 12:37:06am] In the short time in the worm Raban has slipped down at least 10 down into the worm and taken acidic damage from the Earth Eater's digestive juices. Already he figures he must have taken 1/3rd of what his body can take. He soon realizes from the burns on his legs, face and arms that if he doesn't escape he won't survive. Raban tries to stop his descent by reaching out to the sides of the Earth eater but it just out of reach of his arm span being slightly larger in diameter than he can reach. Raban tries to curl up into a fetal position to right himself before blood going to his head causes more damage. After slamming into the sides of the worm and bouncing off like a ball down a drain he is able to right himself. Now Raban is falling feet first but is now even deeper. Top side Arawn runs toward the Earth Eater with the burning log in his hand. Ben'dar hearing the yell twirls Tef'wo around and gallops into the darkness following with his eyes some burning torch moving away from the camp. Farseeker stands up and runs after Arawn as well. Kell scans the distance around the camp knowing that a good good distraction could lead to the sentries leaving and then it could be bad. The Earth Eater who is almost 100 feet long and deep into the ground wriggles his top part to further help his digestion reflexes. Deep below his lower portion begins to dig away back into the network of tunnels he has dug. His keen senses detect the heavy movements of the party horses and wonders if that is another meal worth taking. Almost immediately after Arawn yells the rest of the sleeping party all wake up. Not one remains asleep. Some gather weapons, some gaze around while others dress. [Time: 12:37:09am] Now that Raban is about 15-16 feet down the Earth Eater's throat he attempts to punch outward to the side of the beast. But as he falls it is like hitting a flying barn in a tornado as it swirls around you. He punches out and amazingly fails to hit the side of the beast as his hand gets within a few inches but then his body is tossed backwards a half foot. Ben'dar rides and finds Arawn running toward something. He darts his head around and then notices the Earth Eater's top sickly form jutting out about 12 feet from the ground. Ben'dar then realizes the Alfar said something about Raban. Not sure if Raban is at the top or down the worm assuming he is there the warrior doesn't know to use his spear or bow and if it could endanger the giant. Ben'dar then realizes when Tef'wo begins to circle the worm avoiding the large gapping hole it made that the worm seems to slightly shift in the direction of Tef'wo as if aroused by the movement. Arawn and Farseeker get within about 40 feet of the Earth Eater. The others start to stir up and gather gear. [Time: 12:37:12am] Raban begins to feel weaker as a massive pocket of digestive acid rips his arms and legs to shreds. The Giant grits his teeth and tries one last time to punch at the beast. But again he amazingly fails to make contact. Arawn and Farseeker now are about 10 feet away from the worm. The others 40 feet or so. Ben'dar grabs his spear and begins to threaten the worm as it tilts this way and that way as Tef'wo circles it.. But suddenly the worm lowers about 3 feet down into the hall. [Time: 12:37:15am] Curling up in another ball Raban grabs his pants and reaches for his dagger. At first he can't find it then he finds it and grabs on tightly to it. Raban then decides to flatten himself out if he can't reach the side at a vertical angle then maybe laying down he can. His body now 8 feet or more prone and falling stretches across the large worm's throat. Arawn gets to the worm and waves his torch at it but the blind worm doesn't seem to notice it at all. Farseeker lowers his axe down and then swings it right at the top of the worm. The blade easily strikes the beast and does 25 points of damage to it. The worm then shrieks in this almost ghostly scream of one stream of monotone sand like scratching noise. The worm begins to wiggle back and forth in clear pain. [Time: 12:37:18am] Below some 20 odd feet down Raban feels the worm shake and the noise inside echoes as it screams in pain from something. But now with less than an arm's length to the side of the beast Raban thrusts outward with his dagger toward the side of the Earth Eater. The dagger easily pierces into the side and now the slime is mixed with blood and more sand from outside. The beast shrieks again in pain from the dagger as it creates a hole. But with the force of Raban's descent, weight and gravity the simple hole begins to form a deep wide gash into the side of the Earth Eater. Immediately Raban lunges to the side of the now open body and grabs on hold to slow his descent to an almost instant halt as rocks and sand begin to pour in. He wonders if he'll die from the acid or from drowning in sand first. The Earth Eater immediately begins to move down into the hall sliding its long body slowly. Within a few seconds it is now 8 feet below the ground. Now those who choose to help out have arrived on the scene and watch in horror as the worm descends. [Time: 12:37:21am] Raban uses the force of his hands to use the dagger as a climber's brace. As he does the worm takes more damage and suddenly halts its descent. The worm's shrieks suddenly also ends into an dead silence. Now 24 feet from the mouth of the worm and some 32 feet from the surface, Raban knows that his body is about to give out. The acid burns is too much and he is taking severe blisters. He feels faint and knows he could take his chance and exit the worm here at the opening or climb or fly up. Not knowing how deep he is from the surface he doesn't know he has the energy to fly through the sand as he did doors on the flying castle. So he decides his best chance is up through the throat of the worm. The only problem is he hopes that direction is up and not down. Then he begins to hear shouts from the surface and has confirmation that the up direction is correct. As Raban flies upward he begins to see a faint flicker of fire from something high above. his quick burst of flight zooms him up through the body but as he does he hits the side of the beast and takes more acid burns from the dead Earth Eater. As the final burns reach his legs and arms he begins to feel faint. As he exits the large dead maw of the Eater he sees some of the party at the lip of the hole looking down. One seems to be holding a torch. He concentrates on that light but his flight starts to become erratic. Suddenly he loses consciousness and slams into the north face of the shaft dug by the worm 5 feet above the worm but 3 feet from the surface. The impact is so hard his body slams into the soft sand and lodges there. [Time: 12:37:24am] By fate or luck the sand of the impact actually helps to brush off some of the acid of the worm but the unconscious giant is lodged now into the side of the shaft. Fremea sees this and lowers herself into the 10 foot diameter hole carefully watching the worm for any sudden leaps. But it seems to be dead from Farseeker's axe and other unseen damage. Ben'dar by fate it seems throws rope down into the shaft. Fremea quickly begins to make loops around Raban's neck, legs and arms to haul the giant. As she does she is slightly confused by him not having any pants on and ignores his bare bottom. Ben'dar begins to force Tef'wo back and with the help of others all haul up Raban to the surface. Z'leyra quickly notices the blisters all over Raban's arms, neck, legs and bare bottom. She quickly orders those to pour water if they have it. But in fact the only one to have water is Ben'dar. He throws down his canteen and the healer quickly pours it over the giant. Fremea quickly flies back to camp as the quickest around to grab more water skins. Z'leyra checks Raban's pulse to find it weak and near death. She finds him stable as she starts to counteract the acid as well as using sand to dry clean him. But the burns are so severe it could kill him eventually. Fremea soon flies back with the water but then Z'leyra asks her to go get her healing bag and her drum if able to find it but be quick about it. Z'leyra begins to treat his burns with ointments and treats the body with her healing skills. Farseeker looks down the hole. "It looks dead. Anyone want to jump in and see how far it goes?" Caladan shakes his head. "Not me. But can we..ahh...get his pants up. He might wake up and need some privacy." Actions? Comments? Next Update...Friday... GM: Hope everyone had a good Christmas! Hope that all have a good New Years. Don't party too hard! With the new year this means I'll be back to working on Thursdays until next fall again. So as result of possible TV shows I enjoy (Fringe, Flashforward, etc.) working on update Thursday night will be rougher. So will do as much prep work as I can Wednesday nights. So could be useful to have posts in (if possible) by then. With this update for example I had worked on it last Wednesday and could've finished it but I knew (as usual) that there would be 1 or 2 last minute posts Thursday night. Sure enough I get home off work X-mas even to find one and due to that and time of the night's event couldn't finish update so couldn't get it out. :< GM: Interesting encounter. Who'd think a EE could be so dangerous. But that 2d10 per phase thing ouch! Fate had it though it was random when I figured it out that Raban would be the victim. If it was Fremea or really anyone else they might be dead now. But Raban is likely the only one to have been able to sustain the damage. He took his full hits and was into negative but not dead yet. It was also fate that Ben'dar with rope and water was there. That Fremea could fly fast down and back to camp to help else death might have been complete. I had meant to get with Raban to get some action clarifications and maybe do 2 phases in email but I got distracted and busy with the holiday I didn't. Since I didn't have actions clear enough from folks except a couple I just did the above as best I could. GM: To think this encounter was random. Hate to see an encounter if Raban entered a brothel. :) GM: Next update will be the next year. I am hoping to move the party on toward Shantou province if not the city itself. So 1/1 will be the deadline for trip skills. Will reward them then. (Kell I have yours to add to the file but was waiting on reply to email first). If you have final actions for the trip before entering the province let me know by then. GM: Raban has taken 7 major wounds though really the burns are all over any open skin. Even certain regions he might need as a ladies man. He is in critical but stable condition at this point but unconscious. One more phase likely would've done it in for him so he got lucky. (Darn will have to get better damage dice next time! :)). GM: Still have a week of travel before Shantou is entered for healing (if needed) if no magic is done.