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 #62 in sequence (file #541) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Will: [Re: Actions] Will after observing Z'leyra treating Raban suggests that his clothing be removed and rinsed separately both to reduce the acids effect on him and save what we can of his clothing. OOC I never saw any mention of removing what remains of his clothing and with someone that big it may be difficult to replace... Will then moves off to talk to Z'leyra quietly regarding Rabans treatment. GM: Ack. I did mention that he was half naked and that he had to change his clothing though. Yes for him its a bit hard to replace clothing. As to other things mentioned in email replied in email. Good idea. But was too late. :< The above forgot to put in last update due to time constraints. Sorry From Raban: [Re: Actions] Raban bows, "Arawn, thank you for your miraculous healing,... GM: Ack. From Kell: [Re: Actions] [Thanks for the compliment on the backstory.] [Julis 8th, 1634TH] Responding the Caladan and Zhou, Ha'Kell is drained. "I will... ------------------------- Kell is happy and smiling to see that the family will keep their home. One bit of mercy on this trip is good in his opinion, and for his spirit. He watches and approves of Arawn and the others actions, even if he doesn't actively help. These actions brighten his mood over the next few days. ---------------------- "Yes it would. But not as great a loss as losing you,"... GM: Ack. Good plots/backgrounds add spice to the game. So I enjoy those details. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Just in case it doesn't go through the pbem site. "Don't worry. I would’ve grown you a new one if it had fallen... "You're welcome and it was gladly done,” he replied ... ------------------------------------------------------------ After the farmers point out the stream Arawn will take the time to add some fish to the parties food supplies. ----------------------------------------------------------- As Caladan, Zhou and Ha'Kell finish speaking on the topic of honor and morality Arawn added, "Let us hope to keep on a noble and honorable path. We fight... GM: Ack. Fishing at night without gear could be problematic. But its not a big issue. :) From Raban: [Re: Actions] [*** Kell's Quote deleted for space ***] Raban grins, "Thanks, Kell, I too would prefer not to die.... GM: Ack. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Julis 8th, 1634TH] [Location: Upper Katai Plains, West of Jinquo] [Event: Day of Monk Attack, Night Camp on plains] Ha'kell explains his issues with traitors and goes into the details of his past. Caladan and Zhou speaks of both loyalty and the mission. Responding the Caladan and Zhou, Ha'Kell is drained. "I will follow instructions and not jeopardize the mission. Do not worry about that. The missions is in the forefront of my mind. I knew we couldn't let either of them go, they would put us all in jeopardy." "I hope no one with us would ever turn on us. How horrible the thought.... Tiehul was very honorable in his actions, I do not fault him. I will be a bit more wary in the near future of possibilities." Kell appears very drained after this. He responds to discussions, but is uncharacteristically quiet. Kell remains this way for most of the wagon trip to Shantou. Zhou nods, "Thank you. Day by day our journey gets more difficult and more risk comes our way. We must all try not to draw attention. It is bad enough some of us by our nature and being does this. Especially in the next city...." As Caladan, Zhou and Ha'Kell finish speaking on the topic of honor and morality Arawn added, "Let us hope to keep on a noble and honorable path. We fight to save a world from evil and destruction and we must be careful not to fall into their net. We must all face tribulations and evil in our lives, it is only in how we handle those situations that we determine who we are as individuals and whether we take away from or add to the darkness of this world." "Even if honor seems a greater truth to some than good or evil we should strive to maintain the ideals of noble honor. Honesty, courage to do what is right, compassion and trust. As I said before we each have two wolves inside of us, one evil and full of fear, hate, jealousy, rage, sorrow, doubt among other things, and one good and full of joy, love, forgiveness, peace of mind and all other good things. They fight within us and the one that wins is the one that we feed. We must each decide, do we live with the wolf that is our friend or the rogue that would kill us in our sleep? For our sake, I hope we all choose the friendly wolf so that we can learn to rely upon and trust each other in the days and nights to come." Farseeker giggles as he drinks his skin of beer he obtained at the crossroads town nearby. He leans to Ben'dar who looks a bit sour at Zhou's words then grins. Nudging Ben'dar in the arm with his elbow he says, "wolf inside us? He must've forgot about the wolf you wore on your head." The military man then looks up at Arawn and laughs slightly or maybe a bit tipsy. "You speak of this world as your own now. To save it and such. But this isn't your world. In fact we save this world for our people. You save it for your people the gods. If these folks win they could even go up against that realm. " He grins in jest then gets a bit more serious. "Who is to say these Vong folks aren't honorable and good? From our perspective they invade us. But what if they are in desperate need to save their own world? What if they are doing this for their need of survival?" Caladan nods, "true. One person's invasion is another person's war of survival. There is some evidence especially with that cabin on the plains that the Vong may be linked to the Bova plans to take over the plains. If they had gotten those mind-control-bugs and used their expertise of animal husbandry then it would be a lot worse today. By now the entire empire around us could be swept up in their control." ----------------------------- [Julis 9th, 1634TH] [Location: Upper Katai Plains, West of Jinquo] [Event: Farmers visit camp, Night at camp] The farmers leave the camp with coins to hopefully save their home and farm. Some in the party still do not trust the farmers while others see mercy in everything. Kell is happy and smiling to see that the family will keep their home. One bit of mercy on this trip is good in his opinion, and for his spirit. He watches and approves of Arawn and the others actions, even if he doesn't actively help. These actions brighten his mood over the next few days. ----------------------------- [Julis 19th, 1634TH] [Location: Upper Katai Plains, East of Katai City] [Event: Night of Earth Eater attack] Raban immediately after healing checks himself out with his hands. First his handsome face and then his body using the cover of the blanket. he sighs in relief that acid didn't damage the critical parts of his body. As Raban eyed himself Arawn replied jovially, "Don't worry. I would’ve grown you a new one if it had fallen off." He closed his eyes and shook his head, finding it funny though not surprising that that would be the first thing the giant would concern himself with…. As Raban gathered something to wear Arawn offered him some of his own fine clothing. "It will not fit you but perhaps you can use the material to craft something wearable for our entrance into Shantou city" After Raban changes his clothing to clean clothes that aren't dirty or acid stained he approaches Z'leyra and Arawn. Raban bows, "Arawn, thank you for your miraculous healing, without it I would have had a hard time on this mission. But I put everyone at risk by failing to escape without using magic, and for that I am sorry. Healing me may have increased that risk" "Whatever that foul beast was, we must be alert for more of them. I do not think anyone else would have survived such an attack and even losses of horses could cause us serious problems." Kell agrees, "Yes it would. But not as great a loss as losing you," replies Kell, happy to see the bard alive and fully healed. Raban grins at Kell, "Thanks, Kell, I too would prefer not to die. But I did put others at risk and I would rather die than cause others to do so due to my stupidity. I failed to escape when it should have been possible, bad luck prevented it and forced me to use magic. I will try to make sure it does not happen again. My Goddess is surely testing me on this mission by forcing me to avoid using the gifts she gave me. Katai's purge of magic is unnatural and doomed to fail for magic is in every living thing and likely most everything else too." Farseeker stares up from the campfire at Raban, "Magic...smagic. No excuses. You still have sentry duty. I'm going back to bed. Enough excitement for tonight." He then grins as he walks away. Arawn turns to Raban, "You're welcome and it was gladly done,” he replied graciously. “But do not apologize for a situation that you had little control over. I believe we’re all just glad that you are safe. There will be many risks on this mission and this is likely to not be the last. As for the worm, I should have recognized it sooner,” he replied, looking to the pale, spongy tube. “The disturbing spawn of Laboth, Lord of Worms, one of the Dark One’s servants. They are Earth Eaters, when translated into the human tongue. Endlessly hungry and devastating predators. That we managed to slay this one is a boon to the people in the area." ----------------------------- [Julis 22nd, 1634TH] [Location: Upper Katai Plains, Shantou Province] [Weather: Partly Cloudy, Temperature: 63-93] As the party turns from a westerly direction with the hills to the north and right, the hills soon become a blurred view of browns. The party heads south-west toward Shantou city. Now almost halfway between Shantou and Katai cities they cross a road that leads north west to south east. The road ends north at a Katai fortress that guards the northern border and leads through Katai city. For the second time in a week a patrol spots the wagon and quickly overtakes the wagon. The mounted force of 6 mounted Katai riders slowly approach but show no sign of hostility. As three days ago north of Katai the patrol requests only to search the wagon. Zhou allows this and the lead guard only does a quick look inside and that's it. No physical search of the inside or outside is done. When asked the patrol simply explains they are searching for someone and that is all they can say. As with the previous patrol three days ago they thank Zhou and simply move away without any other incident. ----------------------------- [Julis 8th - 24th, 1634TH] During the two week trip the party members through boredom of riding and the awful rains practice their trades and skills. Arawn continues to learn Reading and Writing the Katai language during the trip. But as he had some practice on the ship he only needs 1 day. Then as if been in Katai for a lifetime he seems to grasp even the most complex materials. His high mental ability makes him fluent in the reading and writing now as if a elder noble native. The rest of the days he is seen spending time with Ben'dar learning horse archery. He finally learns the skill and gets some good experience in it. Katai simply practices speaking better Katai during the trip so he won't be caught off guard not knowing the language. Kiet as wagon driver gets more experience in the wagon use and drive team mechanics. Unali learns from scratch the sign language and gets fairly good at it from some of the other party members who know it. Whitney whittles and carves on wood during the trip. At some points he even gets bored and does it on the back seat of the wagon though some believe hi insane for it. He whittles various small things of interest to some. Z'leyra who rides on the wagon watches Kell and Kiet drive. She learns how to handle the 6 reins and the brakes and how to handle the horses though she has an advantage there being able to talk to the horses. She quickly picks up the skill and even drives a few times. As she drives Farseeker gives wide berth to the wagon worried he might get run over as he jests to the green teamster. At this point Raban is the best teamster with the most experience but with his size he can't drive this particular wagon without serious rebuilds. Kiet is almost professional and then Kell and Z'leyra come in after that. Kell while scouting with Ben'dar speaks Zen'dali and tries to learn more dirty words. Kell also tries to continue his wagon driving prowess. A few nights he also gambles with the party with dice or cards to hone up his gambling skills. Over two days Arawn and Kell sit and the Alfar finishes teaching him the Battle Mind spell. Finally Kell toward the end tries to learn unarmed combat from Farseeker. Ever since leaving Jiuquo Unali has been unusually quiet. Ever since learning the party will be going to Shantou she has been almost dreading it and reflecting on inner thoughts. ----------------------------- [Julis 24th, 1634TH] [Location: Upper Katai Plains, Shantou Province] [Weather: Cloudy, Temperature: 66-98] After 470 odd miles and almost 16.5 days of travel the party finally nears Shantou city. While almost half the distance was done on roads the other half was done on the hot, dusty and muddy plains. It has been rough travel and all but those inside the wagon have bruises, calluses and blisters from the trip. Dirty hair, clothing and sore butts demand a rest. While the trip was planned for only 2 weeks the delay from rains added another 2 days which made some folks annoyed. All but 1 day had rain in it from light drizzles, rain storms to floods and intense thunderstorms. As if the rains weren't bad enough the temperatures didn't make things better. Most day lows were in the low 60s while highs were in the average 80-90s. One day it even went to 103 degrees and almost killed the horses. Rest and breaks were required those days. Almost everyday it was either partly cloudy or cloudy with not one day of just being sunny and clear. The overcast skies did not help to keep spirits up. The party travels for miles past vast farm tracts that amaze some of the party. But to feed an empire with millions there has to be large agricultural areas. Each farm has dozens or even hundreds of peasants working the land even in the heat of the day. It is clear to the party the peasants in this empire have the toughest life of all people. When the horses seem to tire too much a break is required to stop along the road. As folks drink from water skins or stretch legs the land is surveyed. Zhou speaks up to no one in particular. "Shantou has over 100,000 people in it alone. There must be thousands more around the city. House Howao rules this city and province. Our sources in the dark lands is light in intelligence but Tiehul tells me there are rumors that the Grand Duke, the head of this house, is a first descendent of a second cousin of the Emperor. There are rumors he wishes to get the Howao dynasty back in power. More rumors seem to indicate some alliance to some house in the south." Finally at the hottest time of the day almost high noon the wagon finally comes within sight of the city west gate. But there is a long line of other wagons of various shapes and sizes from pull food carts to freight wagons. There is no other noble style wagon in sight. The line stretches about a half mile down the road and traffic grinds to a slow tread. Most people are walking or on single horses. Few are heading from the gate down the road while most are entering the city gate. The heat is unbearable it seems to be in triple digits. From the road the city itself sprawls out as far as the horizon it seems. Unlike Jiuquo which seemed to be half the size and population this city has a wall around it. It looks ancient as ancient as the thousand year old nation it sits in. From this distance the wall looks about 12-15 feet in some places. The width of the wall isn't known but at various points men in uniforms, likely the city guard, walk back and forth. The guards especially pass between square sentry towers that dot the wall about every 100 feet. Even at one point a horse is seen on the wall going the length of it to from one post to another. So the wall must be wide enough for a horse to not be afraid and ride easily. It is clear this city has had need to be defended. On the ship Zhou has gone over the various wars including the dynasty wars. As with Katai's own city wall defenses these walls also must protect from the empire's northern threat from the desert, the L'p'nth. The cities to the east like Jiuquo have no such defenses as they don't seem to have the need for it. At least not walls as fortified as these. At this distance it doesn't appear searches are being done at the gate. But the guards do seem to be doing generic overlook of folks who enter. Occasionally some wagons are searched but not in great detail. Items covered up with tarps or large crates are asked to be opened. But the guards do not seem to be searching for hidden small areas which is a good thing for the party. When the large party wagon gets near many ahead of the wagon veer off from the low peasants up to the well dressed merchants on nice horses. They veer off the side of the highway and let the wagon pass. Only the large wagons that are too hard to maneuver like freight or food wagons do not veer. But the wagon eventually gets within 50 feet of the city gate in about 5 minutes. Zhou glances out the wagon ahead and then decides to hop out for a look and stretch his legs. "We will enter and find a inn. We really need to freshen up and maybe take a good bath before we explore this city. I only have some generic directions to Tiehul's friend. So some research will need to be done. Half the day is already done. We should stable some of the horses and feed them. They've had to graze for some time and need good grooming and feeding. Then we can figure out our next step." He then climbs back into the wagon. Soon after a rider in a uniform gallops toward the wagon. The city guard eyes the party over and then asks their destination. When the city is pointed to he nods and states he'll try to move the traffic along faster. he then returns to the city gate. Ten minutes later the wagon finally gets within 10 feet of the gate. Inside the city is a bustle with traffic and people. A group of city guards approach the wagon and one does a quick body count and notes it on a scroll tablet. Another guard asks who is in charge and Zhou shows himself at the wagon window. Zhou states his cover story introduction of alias and being on a tour of the nation for business and recreation. He then allows the guard to approach and look inside the wagon. He then introduces his wife, nice and daughter to the guard. The guard clearly looks nervous but only takes a cursory glance inside the wagon before quickly ducking back out. "Why the search?" Zhou asks the guard. "Just routine. There have been some escaped felons in the area and we just need to make sure they don't leave or enter the city in places like the wagon." The guard looks to the wagon top as he speaks avoiding eye contact. He scans the top bag area but then steps back and bows to Zhou quickly. "Do you know of a good Inn for me and maybe some of my servants?" Zhou asks. "I'm told the Blue Crystal Inn on Lu Hon street is a good Inn for visiting house nobles. It has its own stable and bath house. On the same street is another inn for servants that can stay if need be. When you enter the gate head right and then down two blocks then left. That way you will avoid the hassle of the people and allow your wagon to travel faster." The guard then goes on to give directions to the Inn. "Thank you for the advice." Zhou then simply ducks inside the wagon and drops the window curtain down. All this time Arawn on horseback has been scanning the wall and guards. The wall itself made of thick stone seems to have no odd impressions or items on the wall that might be sensors. he has also not sensed any auras in the guards, crowd or the area. It also appears the guards have no devices in their hands other than a stick to inspect or quill to write with. He wonders if all the rumors of high security is false or just the party has gotten lucky again and found a gate without detection. Inside the city could be another matter he realizes. As the highway enters the gate it changes to a city road. Other city roads go along the side of the wall in both directions north and south. From this side of the city it is unclear if there are other gates in the immediate area. Minutes later the wagon slides under the 30 foot wide gate that is about 12 feet tall. The gate itself is two parts which close from the inside the wall right and left to form one solid metal gate. Based on the mound of dust and debris at the base of the gate doors they must have not been closed for decades if not longer. As the party enters the city the size of the place comes evident quickly. Hundreds of people are walking about on various errands or tasks. The party turns right and heads down a less populated district. As the party travels the town is scanned for the people and buildings. Jiuquo had many small buildings and seemed much younger in construction due to possible storms, hurricanes and the like. But here so far inland the place is far more ancient. While there are some structures that look to be modern it is more like decades old modern than years old modern. Here in the city most structures are 1-2 stories tall. But some large structures like warehouses, taverns, inns, city or government buildings are as tall as 4 or higher. Some buildings that seem to be homes for people go as high s 5 stories. As the party turns down the street with the inn they notice traffic here dwindles down to dozens to small groups of only 2-3 and maybe only about 30 total on the street. All are well dressed and appear middle class or upper. The party finds the street dotted with two restaurants and a half dozen shops of various types. It is easy to find the Inn as it is in the middle of the street. It stands three stories tall with rooms that look to have balconies for people which most Inns do not. To the left is a large stable that looks to be large enough to house 30 horses. To the left of the stable is a large squat building that will eventually be learned to hold other wagons and the party wagon at night. To the right and connected by a covered stone walkway to the Inn is a bath house and sauna. The entire Inn complex looks to be a very exclusive place. Soon Zhou books rooms for some of the party. Zhou confirms rooms for himself and Unali, Shu and Fremea and a 3rd room for Arawn and Kiet. Zhou tells the party outside, "I have three rooms on the third floor. There is one other room right across from my room that a couple guards can sleep. The owners do not like guards roaming the halls scaring the other guests. Who will be the guards? The room could sleep two but if must be three could fit with some work. As to everyone else the level of guests in this place don't seem to cater to your type. The other inn is down the road there and you can stay there. I'm told the stable and wagon hold area is watched and protected by a guard." Caladan frowns, "I don't like separating the party. But it would blow our cover to all be in one place like this. But at least we are only a few hundred yards away it looks like. Can we use the bath-house and stable?" Zhou shakes his head. "The stables can store your horses. But I'm told the other guests do not appreciate servants using the bath house. I'm told there is one just up the next street so less than a block away for public use. I suggest we settle in and then figure out our next step." Ever since entering the gate Unali and Chion have been looking around the city more so than some in the party as if expecting to see something they know like a landmark or other site. Actions? Comments? Next Update...Friday/Monday?... f GM: Skills practiced during first trip overland (16 days) Player Skill Points Earned Notes Arawn R&W-Katai 2 Learned Arawn Horse Archery 30 Learned/Now EL2 Farseeker Katai Language 32 +16 EL Kiet Teamster 16 +6 EL Unali Sign Language 32 Learned/+8 EL Whitney Woodcarving 16 +3 EL Z'leyra Teamster 16 Learned/+2 EL Kell Zen'dali 8 +4 EL Kell Teamster 8 +2 EL Kell Gambler 1 Kell Battle Mind Spell 4 Learned Kell Unarmed combat 5 Learning Zhou --- None Defined --- Ben'dar --- None Defined --- Caladan --- None Defined --- Chion --- None Defined --- Raban --- None Defined --- Strie'bog --- None Defined --- Shu --- None Defined --- Fremea --- None Defined --- Will --- None Defined --- Sheets updated either with notes or immediate skill changes. For those with none defined there may be other chances to get experience next time. GM: At this point we are in Phase around step 8 of 23 in my generic outline. So phase wise about 25% there but about 1/3rd through the overall steps to the end. So some progress. Sorry for late update. I went down at 1am for a quick nap and as usual when I do didn't wake up till bedtime at 3am. :< Since this is late I'm not sure if there will be a update Friday or not. But if so it would be real small. GM: For my notes. Room #1 - Zhou/Unali Room #2 - Fremea/Shu Room #3 - Kiet/Arawn 3rd floor rooms, 4 SC/night GM: If there are actions to be done in the city let me know. Party treasure will have to be used to pay for expenses. I suppose the two horses from Tiehul can be sold. I will need to study and expand the outline this weekend for what I have in mind and then go from there on Monday. But will do likely a small update (I hope) on Friday. I could do a map of the Inn if needed/requested?