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 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 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] Unali aka Tun Au as Zhou's wife [HD] 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.furvert.net/longshotgm/pbem/index.htm Public posts/actions to pnpgm@abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to longshotgm@netzero.com Game Update #117 in sequence (file #900) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Arawn: [Re: Actions] When he is sure that she is asleep Arawn will cast Regrowth (max EL) on baroness (recasting if he fails). He'll continue to keep a watch on her and monitor her progress. If he gets too tired, he'll attempt to keep watch in shifts with any other healers, resting during an off shift. Healing Herbs- As Zhou hasn't directed him to purchase anything he'll refrain from buying any unless the party is completely out of healing herb supplies. Sorry, not sure where we're at with healing supplies right now. Scott, any idea how we're looking on this at the moment? Coin- After hearing Zhou's feedback he give the HE's major domo a smile. "That appears sound. I'll hide the coin for the time being.... GM: Ack. Healing herbs you'd have to search the bags of all folks to see how supplies are doing. Zhou has no clue nor skill in healing so wouldn't know if 1 herb or 100 would be needed. So its up to the healers to buy more if they need it. I should have sheets out soon since we are entering the final half of the adventure. Post from Will: [Re: Actions] >Arawn will cancel any plans to sense/read/divine the coin. OOC: Can mana sensing be turned off? GM: Ack. An excellent question. In fact I'd love to expand on this in the main pnp mailing list to get a thread going. But you guys never seem to post when I suggest it. :< But in short for innates it really can't be turned off as it is a extra sense but for a spell to be cast obviously yes. That's my short answer. From Arawn: [Re: Reply to John] From the reply on got from Scott on the topic, it is 'on' at a basic level at all times as it's a 'normal' sense for Sidh (so much like hearing or touch) but one can focus the sense, turning it 'on'. GM: Ack. Just to clarify that. Hearing can't be turned off so its always on. The level of information gained from it can be refined and controlled somewhat. Like hearing you can pinpoint a conversation if skilled enough rather than listening to a whole room. Same with the mana sense. By adulthood most Sidh can screen out the normal everyday mana signatures from normal items. But can bring it back if needed. From Will: [Re: Mana sense] So its sort of like when your out with your wife and a scantily clad young lady walks by and you cant really look. Given that example is it fare to ask what you do see without really looking? GM: Ack. More or less. The male eyes are always on and alert. It's biological. Of course like the mana sense for Sidh the male can tell you the measurements of that gal within 3 seconds with a glance. But if the wife asks how to describe the face he's at a loss. So in some way that is how the sense works. :) But I'll refrain from more details as my girlfriend knows how to get on the internet and read these things. From Arawn: [Re: Mana Sense] LoL. Yep, look but don't stare. GM: Ack. From Fremea: [Re: Mana Sense] Well, unless she points the person out to you. Then have a fun look/stare. GM: Ack. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Julis 30th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Around 60 odd miles south of Shantou city] [Time: 9:10pm] Some time after the baroness is treated and her coral seems to have been removed the party begins to plan for her treatment of her disfigurement after midnight. Spells are reviewed and it seems Regrowth might be the best one since Priests use it. But after hearing the details from Arawn on it creates a problem. "We frankly don't have time to sit around for a full day for her to be treated. The duration of the spell is just too expensive. If we stay in one place for more than half a day we are in great danger of being found out by those who may or may not be tracking us." Zhou crosses his arms defiant in this belief and glances at the baroness. "I have spent a few hours with her every night this past few days. I've tried to gauge her belief in magic to see if she is a supporter or fanatic hater. I have learned she is a hater but not fanatical. Her house like the majority of those in this Empire have been indoctrinated to the belief that magic is evil. I'm afraid we can't risk to taint her. If the spell was fast and immediate then we could do it and claim the pill had a side effect. But a full day of this treatment even if it was one day and it could be more than 1 day then she would easily learn it was magic. I'm afraid I agree with Zhou on this. I feel she would kill herself or never return to her people. If she did she might be executed for being tainted if they learned the truth and risk her House." As Caladan finished his words his face changes to sadness as he realizes this is a situation that can't end well if the right thing is done. "Even if we wipe her memory and had the time to stay in one place for a day there is risks of her being found out. We don't know if a spell with that duration leaves a sign. Then there is the detection. A spell lasting a full day at best would beacon out to the world." Zhou shakes his head. "I'm sorry Arawn we can't afford it. She can be treated with magical healing once more but nothing else. I'm afraid she'll have to remain a victim of the Vong." His face shines brighter in the campfire light. "Who knows maybe this disfigurement will be a reminder to her and will help her fight this threat if we fail or if this is bigger than we can deal with." Arawn becomes upset for the first time in months maybe even ever. How can these people deny treatment to help her? He could take her to the Dark Lands and cure her there and no one would detect it here. He begins to form a argument but then Zhou's words make some sense. Maybe it would leave a taint on her body. Arawn lowers his head in shame. A priest and Druid is sworn to help. But to prevent a cure for her for the sake of the party, the mission and worse of all simple time is wrong. But he can't argue with the taint issue. If she was found out it would be more than her death it could be her House dealt with. To risk one life for maybe a full family of hundreds? Even a priest healer can't argue with that. Zhou glances to Unali to ensure she agrees with this then places a arm on Arawn's shoulder. "I know this troubles you. But we must see the big picture here. If you believe the gods or your rules differ with this then after the mission you can deal with it if you can find her. But for now we must treat her as we can and leave her. It is for her own good." Raban balls his fist. His anger ebbs from his toes up to his rib cage before reaching his full limit of his head before it stops and smoothes out. He can't very well leave this woman in need as well. He considers his options like flying out to the sea and doing the spell or flying real high to avoid detection but there is little realistic options. He begins to make his anger not at Zhou but at the Vong. If he can direct his anger at them this will not happen to another person if he can help it. ************* [Julis 31st, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Around 60 odd miles south of Shantou city] [Time: 2:19am] The party has taken up places for the night. Watches are set for the camp and for watching the baroness. At this hour Fremea and Z'leyra are set for the watch. But Z'leyra stokes the campfire while Fremea watches the noble. Chion is on horse patrol around the perimeter while Ben'dar patrols the camp as sentry on foot. Arawn is still awake but is sitting on the back of the wagon considering the comments and situation. He meditates to see if this decision is right. Everyone else is asleep on blankets or inside their tents. The baroness woke up a half hour prior and had to relieve herself and get some water for her dry mouth. In fact she has been on her 3rd canteen of water as the dust in her body seems to surface. But now she is fully back asleep and her breathing indicates deep sleep. Fremea decides to do her healing to hopefully destroy the coral dust inside her blood stream and body. She shows no physical injury except for the neck small hole that is the size of a pencil. It is wrapped up and should heal and in fact might with her spell. She gathers up energy and when Z'leyra rejoins her casts a Regeneration spell upon the baroness using her Sidh language. In planning to cast the spell she considers the amount of healing needed. If it is inside the body that is very minor. The hole in her neck would typically need a very minor healing spell. She knows the spell could last almost 30 seconds but it would weaken her energy reserves. She estimates May Win may only need 1/3rd of the time and decides to plan to negate the spell at that point. Fremea casts the spell upon the noble and Z'leyra watches to ensure no problems. With her Sidh tongue going fast she places her hands on the noble's neck and disfigured chest. A mix of blue-green mixed fog and mist spread over the noble's body. Much of it seems into her chest and begins to work its way through the body and heart. The spell sensing that the damage is in the blood stream works on it and begins to mix with the heart's newly recycled blood. Arawn breaks his concentration when he hears the Sidh words and comes around to see Fremea placing her spell on the lady baroness. He rushes over to help but finds that both women seem to have it under control. Fremea mentally times the spell length as it works its healing magic. She knows it will not fix her disfigurement but it can heal more of the inside. After a few more seconds she concentrates to negate the spell. She knows the noble will not need much healing and so it ends as quickly as it begins. Almost immediately Baroness May begins to cough. As she gags and retches she turns on her side with the help of Arawn and Z'leyra. She begins to curl up in a slight fetal position and cough up wafts of white fine dust. It comes out both from her mouth and nose with pure reflex. She becomes fully awake and reaches for her neck as the coughing continues. Z'leyra tries to offer sips of water but it becomes soon useless as it flies out faster than it goes down. This half coughing, half uncontrolled fit of spasms continues on for almost 25 minutes. Some wake up from the noise and activity and soon realize the lady is fighting the Vong material. But there is little they can do at this point. Finally it begins to stop and she begins to drink in large amounts of water. Fremea helps to wipe her face and upper body of the fine dust with a damp cloth. May Win stares at the fine coral dust on the grass beside here. She can't believe all of that was inside her. Z'leyra estimates the amount could fill a vial used for blood easy. When May Win finally settles down she relaxes and lays back down on the blanket. Z'leyra tells her to rest. Z'leyra does another quick scan of her body and finds the neck wound is gone. The healing had to have sealed it when Fremea cast her spell. But the chest wound is still there and will likely now follow her for the rest of May Win's life. Over the rest of the night at least one healer remains at her side to keep watch. Occasionally she will wake up to do one quick cough burst or maybe two. But it is no where near when it first started. At least twice she has to wake up to get rid of all the water she drunk. But she seems to be doing well hour by hour. [Time: 6:24am] By sunrise the camp has started to begin breaking up. Breakfast is made. Baroness May Win eats a hardy meal for the first time in days. She keeps checking her neck wound amazed at losing the coral spike from her neck. Zhou sits by May Win and watches Kiet tend to his dirty clothes and pack them up. He tells Kiet to especially ensure the socks are hung outside the wagon so they can air clean. Now that Whitney is gone he hangs them in back instead of up front. Zhou turns to May Win and frowns. "I'm sorry the pill could not do anything for your...other injury. Will you be all right?" May Win nods as she gulps down a large portion of egg. Zhou wonders if her table manners have been pushed aside due to hunger and she forgets her noble status of manners. Finally she swallows and nods. "I'm very grateful. I was almost positive I would not make it out of that place alive back there." She points somewhere north. "I will never forget this week for the rest of my life." She glances down to her tunic which she notices for the first time isn't of noble quality. Then looks up and shrugs. "I will carry this as a reminder of what they did. Do you know what those....things were called?" Zhou glances around at the party unsure if he should say much of what he knows. He notices Unali walking by and moving the horses into the wagon position but she doesn't seem to notice the question. "We have heard...rumors they are called the Vong. We had one alive and he admits to that name. We never saw them till that day. The vile Vong we had captured said they were here to invade the Empire and whole world. We killed him to show that his allies will not win that battle." Arawn placing his bag on the wagon top frowns as he hears Zhou's story. So this is human lying in all its glory. First they lie that she can't be helped and its for her good. Now he lies about Rua who surrendered and wasn't captured. He was killed by the Vong implant and not the party. He turns around to face the two nobles. Dusting his hands off he knows this lie might be of use. If this noble has some influence with her house and the party fails maybe she can bring the fight to the Vong? The party sets out onward to Crossroads and their destiny. ************* [Augado 2nd, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Crossroads town] [Time: 6:13am] It is hours before the party arrives in Crossroads. The party is staying just outside a very small village of 150 people. It really is more a farming center and stop over point to Crossroads which is a half day's ride. It is mostly a few dozen families and few hundred farmers on the margins around the village. There are two Inns and the party has setup a cover stay at the better of the two. Zhou explains the baroness should sleep here tonight. But now it is sunrise the next day. Zhou ushers Unali out of the baroness room who is sleeping soundly and for the last half day hasn't coughed once. Outside in the hall Zhou leaves a gold coin for May Win to hire a ride back to her home. He places a letter on the bed with it. He will later explain it tells her that she will be better off finding a ride to her city as they are going in the wrong direction. She tells them they are going north though the party is going south. he wishes her luck. Some find it a bit callous but it is for her own safety to be rid of the party in the end. The party leaves the village and heads to Crossroads. Zhou doesn't know that Farseeker also left two more gold coins on the bed so she can hire a guard or two if needed. [Time: 8:32pm] After Arawn speaks of the coin and hears Zhou's warnings he replies to the group in general. "That appears sound. I'll hide the coin for the time being and attempt to activate if and when we might need it." Zhou grins in thought, "the Chaos domains use these sort of trapped items all the time. Since there is..conflict up there they often will hope some foolish law apprentice tries to steal their items. One case was of a lad who thought a red head Chaos girl should not have a item to causes trees to fall. It was in the great scheme of things a minor special item. When the law apprentice got it and tried to destroy it he was turned into a tree himself and later cut down for wood. So most tend to research items before they mess with them now. OF course that was a few decades before my time so not sure if its legend or myth." ************* [Augado 3rd, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Crossroads town] [Time: 6:02am] The party has been in Crossroads for about 2/3rds of a day. Right now Farseeker is on foot patrol while Caladan is on sentry duty at the camp and some horse patrol. But at this campsite inside the city proper it is not much room or need to roam the nearby area. It is twilight and soon the party will be leaving for their final leg to Pamau. Farseeker is walking around a tree when he suddenly bumps up against a female in the darkness. She drops a few things to the ground and grunts. Farseeker backs up and realizes she was carrying a basket of what looks like yellow colored fruit. "I'm so sorry!" The woman quickly speaks. "No problem. I didn't see you myself." Farseeker bends down to help collect the fruit. "Did some early shopping. Some of the best vendors are just before sunrise. Fresher stuff." She glances over a the campfire and wagon. This allows Farseeker to get a view of her face. "A big group you have there. Staying in town long?" Farseeker shakes his head. "No. We are leaving today. Heading up north." "I hear Pamau has some festival going on. Too bad you can't go there. They have great ale. Did you hear?" She ends that with a whisper. Farseeker looks at her and shrugs. "They captured a vile magician yesterday. A group of 3 riding right past the fool. Their detector thing went off and they captured him right there on the road! They arrived just an hour ago. I hear the wizard was already killed by the commander of the guard. Something about a warrant already out for his death. Can you believe it?" Farseeker picks up a fruit. He realizes this woman looks familiar then he thinks of the last day. She almost looks like the gal in the tavern. The one Unali went up close to and such? But it is too dark to ensure a proper view. Maybe if he can lure her to the fire. "Nice fruit it seems." Standing up with the last of the fruit she glances down and picks up one. "Yes. They are from the Teos jungle I hear. They are tart sort of like a watermelon mixed with lemons. Junga fruit or something. I have ...friends who enjoy them.. your so kind. Keep that one for yourself." "Care to meet my friends?" Farseeker urges her to the camp. "No thanks. I'm in a rush. I just can't believe the story. You never know how those folks on the road will find folks. I understand the group of men have to fill out papers and stay in town a few hours. But I suspect they'll be back on the road in a handful of hours looking for folks. I hear they came from south. So good thing your not going south!" She begins to walk away. She turns away and then stops and turns back to him. She displays a nice set of white teeth. "By the way. I hear Pamau has a gate on the west that has a shiny gem that glows sometimes. It is hidden just below its rim but some say it sparkles just right but I think its a play of the sunlight." An odd woman. Farseeker turns as he hears Caladan walking up to see what is going on. Farseeker turns and begins to head after the woman but as both men near a thicket of trees and round the corner she is gone as if she has walked into the shadows of the twilight-darkness light woods. "What?" Caladan asks Farseeker. "Just a odd local gal. We need to break camp fast and skip brekfast...I'll explain as we pack things up..." Farseeker quickly explain to the group as they wake up the words the female said. The rumors were hard to track down the day before but they seem to have come into the lap of the party tonight. Another wizard captured by a road patrol. If they can leave now they'll have hours head start ahead of them toward Pamau. Breakfast is skipped this morning and the party quickly head to the south gate and head out of the village with no incident. It is now about 80-90 miles estimated to Pamau. The party should get there in a couple days and change. This day there is little to encounter. It seems the road south leads to little other towns and villages. In fact over the next 2 days there is only 1 other town seen. It is mostly light farms and ranches. This day it is mostly clear with temperatures from 54 to 90 only. So it is fairly warm but not overly hot. At one point in the afternoon a light drizzle does roll in but is quickly over. It wets the group enough to make them feel nice for those who ride but not enough to be a mess. ************* [Augado 4th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Pamau Province] The party continues south. As with the previous day the road traffic has decreased greatly compared to the east-west highway from Shantou-to-Crossroads. Down this far the traffic is halved and is mostly foot or single horses. the few wagons are only peasants. At any given hour there might be 1-5 people seen and sometimes there is none seen for several long moments. It is mostly cloudy today and temperatures range from upper 50s to mid 90s. The mountain winds seem to push down into the eastern reaches and cools things down in the night time hours. A minor hail storm with light rain occurs around 11am but is over before it begins. The hail stones are only about the size of small marbles. The rest of the day ends with no encounters. ************* [Augado 5th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Pamau Province] Another day and the final leg of the trip finds the party with a sense of rising tension as the mission seems to be closing to an end. The skies are partly cloudy and little sun is seen for more than brief minutes as it darts between clouds here and there. The clouds seem to roll east from the coast to the mountains in the west. At least 3 times today the clouds open up with light drizzles. the temperatures today range again from upper 50s to around 90 as a high. Even armor can be worn today with little discomfort. The party knows by mid afternoon they'll arrive in Pamau. [Time: 12:02pm] Just a few hours till arrival at Pamau the group allows the horses to rest. No lunch is made as it is too close to the city to be of use. Zhou considers the plan ahead of the group. "I think as soon as we enter the city we should track the Baron down. I will lead a small group to do that. The others can do your normal thing at the market or tavern. but I don't see much good in it at this point. maybe those not with me can just stay with the wagon? Farseeker, Fremea, Kiet, myself and Unali will track the baron down and try to obtain a meeting with him. We need to test the waters and see how he reacts. Farseeker will be the guard. Fremea and Unali as my family who are visiting the local nobles as cover. Kiet of course as my servant to ensure my gloves are held while I drink tea." He smiles but then looks to the others. "I know a direct assault to the baron is silly but if we spend hours watching his place we may never know who Nom Amor is. We can enter his home and try to ask about subtle things like buying warehouses and maybe speak of odd rumors with coffins. Test the waters. Unless someone else has a better idea. I think the rest can stay with the wagon until we learn of what is going on. Is this acceptable? I know Raban would best go to guard Fremea but it would look odd at this point to have such a large bodyguard entering the estate. He may not wish that. I don't know." Actions? Comments? Next Update...Monday... GM: Ok. I changed things. After reading the regrowth spell it mentioned the one day thing. I figured the party had no time to wait a full day and then there was the risk that it left. So I hope Arawn agrees with this. If you do not Arawn let me know and you can stay with her as she is left in town and the party moves on. Then you can catch up with them in Pamau or such? Just keep in mind a full day's ritual is something to consider risk wise. Plus there is the taint to her and the risks she would endure as a result of magic on herself. I thought I had a spell to grow limbs and such but don't seem to find it. This may be a modified (regrowth) of mine that Richard took but it makes sense honestly to do a ritual for a full day. If a wizard can regrow arms on the battlefield then battles would never end. GM: Status - All players are at 100% Health, Energy and Mana levels by Augado 2nd. GM: Last time the shopping reminder below will be posted. If I don't hear back then will assume none of the items are paid for from personal funds. I don't spend cash without final say so from players. GM: I will be off every Monday till the end of the year. I will have some Thursday's off as well. This means will have 3 day weekends till the end of the year. So Monday updates shouldn't be a big hassle. But Thursday ones could be depending on time and how posts come in. Just a FYI for the schedule as I'll be off Mon, Tues and Wed. Then some Thur and Saturday's spread in there till end of the year. GM: Let me know if you guys have a better plan for Pamau. If you wish to go with Zhou make your plea. If you wish to do something besides stay with wagon let me know. Things may change over the weekend so this is a rough plan. Monday I'll move the party inside the city of Pamau. GM: Reminder of trip time Augado 2 - Day/Night - Likely stay in town overnight Augado 3 - All day - 30 miles Travel to Pamau Augado 4 - All day - 30 miles Travel to Pamau Augado 5 - 7am-3pm - 20 miles Arrive at Pamau GM: Shopping Notes: Amranth Seeds [Found] - 5 seeds - 28 SC - Kiet buy? Small 1' wood [found] - Many - Few BB - Kiet buy? How many? Clothing [Found] - Many - ???? - Kiet buy? How many? 5 Vials [Found] - 5 - ???? - Kell what type? Leather Bracer [Found] - 1 pair - 1 CC - Kell buy? Metal Bracer [Found] - 1 pair - 6 CC - Kell buy? Healing herbs [Found] - ??? - ???? - Arawn buy? Smarag [Not Found] Kiet may remind me what the wood is for in email or here. So I can figure out prices and weights and amounts what particular items of clothing to buy? Kell - What type of Vial? There are 4 types of vials. just want to make sure. See Book 1 v2. Looks like only look at the wine and spears no buying. Arawn - Healing herbs? Healing Supplies? A bit vague. Do you have particular list of items in mind? Otherwise looks like just 1 healing herb to me. :) Raban/Fremea - Arrows picked up and paid for. Wasn't there folks looking for Jade and Pearl? I can't find those notes. But I can't recall who it was. If there is something on the list let me know. If items are to be paid for let me know.