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 #131 in sequence (file #968) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet is NOT wearing the ring armor. Just the Leather underarmor. It's hard to be stealthy in metal armor. Hence the leaving of the helmet too. Kiet will take the shield, though. The shield should be muffled as necessary. Kiet will bring along a waterproof tube he uses for special papers... healing kit...darkest clothes available. If the warstaff is being offered, I'd love to borrow it. Belt pouch, but no money. One large bag with rope pieces...always keep one in (shield?) hand or at ready on belt ----- Kiet knows that it's best to just sit still in the dark and be quiet. Even whispering might invite unwanted attention. The attention of the city guards might be especially unwanted. While he waits, Kiet again curses the High Elder, Arawn's magic use, being unable to use his own magic, and just about everything else. Doing the bidding of the High Elder is just like being one of those red-skinned slaves from home...except they seem to be happier. Being unable to use the gifts for which he, Kiet, is best suited is a constant irritant to him. His old master provided him his training so he might put the magic to use, not waste his time running around the countryside with a sword on his hip. Old Master Ling...Kiet hadn't thought about him for some time now. How would he council his still young and still impatient little Kiet? Kiet smiles when he thinks about how his Master would be pleased with Kiet's magical progress. If it weren't for the freakish magic resistance of this inhuman Vong enemy, Kiet might be one of the more useful members of this ill-disciplined party. With these restrictions on magic use, however, Kiet struggles with his own self trying to understand and discover where might he best be of use. There seem to be so few ways to contribute to the group, as well as advance in the areas of self improvement Kiet wishes to go. Kiet's poor humor just gets deeper at this thought...with the glimmering hope that at some point tonight he might, just might, be able to take out some of this pent-up aggression on one or two of these traitors helping the Vong...or some Vong. GM: Ack. It is possible to be stealthy in chain. Back in my SCA days we had arguments and demonstrations on it. But that's for another list to talk about. But ack on the gear. Good introspections. From Kell: [Re: Actions] That Kandy Korn is dangerous stuff. I never let any of it anywhere near me, not to eat. Plus it's gross. :) Will be posting for Kell too, after more thought. ------ Kell watches intently, ready to spring into action. His mind is a blank right now, he's concentrating on watching and trying to watch Unali and Fremea. [I'll add more tomorrow am, if Scott hasn't posted by then. Dang dwarves and their hangovers.] GM: Ack. KK and Ale just not wise. But its better than what the clerk did in my central office (a soul davia) does with them. It'll give you nightmares for months. From Will: [Re: Actions] OOC: Though Will does have some stealth abilities (but not nearly as good as others in this group) he views his role her primarily as providing backup and a speedy escape if it should prove necessary. GM: Ack. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Augado 5th, 1634TH] [Location: Middle Katai Plains] [ Pamau Province, Pamau City] [Time: 10:19pm] Kiet stands in the darkness in the alley and watches the three story tavern that serves as the peace brigade base. He stands with the warstaff in his right hand. He finds the battle staff to be well used and very hard. There are a few blood spots that could not be cleaned out that clearly shows where Caladan had some tough battles. But Kiet finds the war borrowed warstaff to be a good quality one. In his other hand he holds his shield and watches the alley behind him and to the east. Kiet is still fuming at the news of the magic used today. He wonders how his old master would treat these people who work with him. He knows the old master would be bemused by all this activity, adventure and magic development. Kiet also knows Master Ling would also be very proud of him. This small kid grown up to a well behaved man. To know that a boy from Lemasa would shipwreck in the dark Lands and not only live there a short while but to also meet the High Elder is enough to make him the most famous wizard in Lemasa if that news ever got out or at least one that would be challenged for power like those wizards in the Dark Lands compete against each other for their power struggle. Kiet sighs and watches the thin yellow light from the east windows where Fremea is nearby. It is ironic that here in a land of magic hatred that one needs magic to survive against the oppression. The High Elder who is the most powerful one in the world allows his fellow masters to send their young down here, mostly Chaos masters, to survive or die. Then he warns the party not to use magic unless it is absolutely needed. Kiet isn't stupid he knows it is a test of the human spirit not just a test of will. Kiet suspects that the High Elder is watching to see who might use magic and can't live without magic even in a land full of hatred of magic. If they fail this test will the High Elder react differently to them compared to those who act with their brains rather than magic toys they depend on and their magic skills? Kiet suspects that might be the case. Kiet heard the initial plan to enter into the tavern. Unali suggested doing a simple roof to roof crossover using a rope from the butcher's roof to the tavern. But since the butcher is only two stories it would be a upclimb and harder. Since the other buildings are also two stories a level crossover would be impossible. Then Unali left for her own personal recon of the place and now the three are standing and waiting. It seems to be the way this group does some things. Some act and some follow. Some overreact and some underact. Kiet knows his role in this place is backup but knows he is destined for more. Kell watches from his own position and sees a bit more detail than the other humans do. His hearing is slightly better but even this distance there is no noise in the area. Aside from the faint trickle of water from the nearby fountain down the street to the east and the wind there is no noise at all. The tavern doesn't do noise with music or self advertising by people shouting and enjoying themselves. To the half-elf he finds this disturbing. A tavern with no sign and no name and one with closed windows has its secrets. Why hasn't the city guards taken notice of this? Have they and look away after a well placed bribe? Kell's merchant sense tells him that this type of place is not good for business. Too bad he can't talk to the other merchants. Surely they would have things to say about the place like complaints and odd stories. Ha'kell wonders why someone doesn't just enter or knock on the door? The worst is they'd be turned away as it is a private club. But in that one event the person could see inside and maybe learn some basic information. The night air is humid but not sweltering. AS Kell glances the scene he sees Unali signal from the roof her location. The signal is quick and not a "come quickly" but a "I'm here" type of signal. Kell points to the roof to the others to indicate her position and sees Unali disappear into the darkness again. As he watches the roof he notices a poof of smoke from some vent on the roof on the west side of the building. It is too hot to have fireplaces lit so it has to be from the kitchen warming up food and the usual pot soups places like this serve. Fremea continues to listen in on the window conversations. But it soon goes into boring things like business of the tavern itself. How much income came in from the previous night drink and food sales, gambling and drug sales. Suddenly a small pebble is dropped onto her head. She glances up to see a head over the side of the roof. Fremea slides along the east wall moving north a bit. Then thinking she is clear of earshot she takes a quick wing flap to the third floor ledge. Glancing down to ensure no one heard her she pauses for a few moments then does the second to the roof. Landing on the roof she finds Unali. Unali goes over her recon details with the Faerry and tells her to inform the others. Unali explains she will try the roof hatch lock after a few minutes. It was locked when she checked it but maybe she can find a way in through other means like hinges or the wood. Fremea quickly goes over what she heard to Unali. After a couple minutes, Fremea takes to the air and does a loop around the area to land near the others. She quickly goes over what both found in their own recons of the place. It turns out there is indeed two ways in. A back door that likely gives folks access to the outhouse and the front door. There are many windows but most are locked. Those on the north and east side all seem to be locked except the one that is opened now. The windows on the south or front end of the tavern would be dangerous to check. None on the first floor could be checked for obvious reasons. But the second and third floors could but might just be a trap if sentries are posted there. the windows on the west side couldn't be searched by Unali due to the fireplace brick ledge making traversal difficult. Fremea could check but knows the info she learns from the window might be more important. While Fremea talks to the others she takes a rope and ties it to a metal vent on the roof. Testing she lays the rope down and knows she may need a quick escape over the roof if things go bad. She then returns to the hatch area and places her head down to listen and examine the hatch more carefully. [Time: 10:22pm] Back at the middle-level quality noble inn the group that stayed to work and not sluff off the hard work has done most of the work by now. Raban's strength alone gets most of the stuff off the wagon quickly and in piles. Z'leyra and Caladan search the hidden areas and empty them of everything they can find. Inside the tavern Zhou who would not be seen doing manual work is at the bar nursing a nice red wine. By this hour the tavern has emptied out pretty well. In most cities this place would be packed up till 1 or 2am even for this dump of a place. But tonight the events of the day and the unofficial curfew by the city guards seems to keep folks hidden away. Occasionally he sees one or two enter from his own group and go in or out. Some go upstairs for a bit with bags and some come quickly back downstairs. The tavern itself is empty except for him, the staff, Farseeker who is sitting next to him acting as the guard and one other person. Farseeker turns to watch the barkeep talking to the person at a table. He taps his mug on the bar knowing his beer is gone and wants a refill. But the barkeep is in quiet talk and seems oblivious. The girls are in the back stocking, cleaning or putting food away. "You'll get a refill soon." Zhou mutters as he watches the barkeep by the mirror against the wall with the stack of bottles. Soon the guy who seems dressed with fine tunics stands and leaves some coins. He taps the shoulder of the barkeep as if old friends and then heads for the door. From his style of clothing and jewelry he must be a merchant not a daily worker. The barkeep rushes to the bar and notices the empty mug of beer. He refills it and shakes his head. He doesn't glance at Farseeker as the important man here is Zhou not this bulky mass of flesh. "Sad...sad..." He shakes his head more and places a rag on his shoulder as he begins to clear the bar of empty glasses and dishes. "That guy is a old customer. He works for the city doing all their transportation needs like wagons and jail wagons and such. Mainly for the garrison. He just overheard a story from friends of his at the garrison A town to the east of here about 30 miles or so. A small village of about 250-300 people was completely wiped out." He exhales and shakes his head in dismay. "All were killed but one little girl who was in the woods collecting berries. She reported to those who found her that strange large flying birds or creatures with antler things flew over the village. There were like a half dozen or so and they starting spitting balls of fire at the village. Within a short time before the people could even flee the place was ashes and everyone were killed. These Heretics have to die!" He slams a place down onto the bar startling Zhou a bit. "Now they use strange magic to twist birds to kill us! What next? Word has been sent by the garrison to alert the General. But it will be days before he gets that word. We could all be gone by then! Maybe I should just sell this place and go north." Farseeker and Zhou look at each other and know what that event must have been. Why would the Vong use their Flyer creatures to attack some small village? "Anything important at this village?" Zhou asks. "Nothing. It had a deep well one of the biggest in the area and the water was high quality. But otherwise nothing special at all. I hope these heretics all die and --" He realizes he trails off as he carries dishes into the back area mumbling to himself forgetting he is talking to Zhou. Zhou whispers to Farseeker. "Maybe the Vong were trying to flex their muscle? Ready to do their big assault? Maybe it was a test run? Maybe Nom wanted to show his power to his friends here?" [Time: 10:25pm] Fremea has returned to the ledge to hear inside. The men are still talking about drug sales and gambling. It seems the drug trade here is growing and will be making this group more coin than gambling in a short while. She wonders if the Vong have helped these drugs to be more addicting or have other hidden aspects? Unali checks the roof hatch. It is well locked from inside. The lock seems to be two sided. A rare lock of this style. But it looks to be locked from inside but there is a slot here for a key. Would make no sense to need a key from inside so likely the key-hole is just outside. The hinges seem simple enough but the wood is taunt and tight. It would have to be well treated to deal with rain and sun. If she removed the hinges or wood it could draw some noise. Unali spends almost five minutes listening for noise below. But she doesn't hear anything. Either the room below is empty or no one is using the room for any reason. Will begins to wonder where Whitney has run off to. The man could've been a good help to the party but felt he didn't belong or such nonsense. Will even had those thoughts for a short time. But to be saved by the party and then to flee is a bit rude to him. Will yawns a bit and covers his mouth from a long day of travel. He should be in a nice bed not standing out in a dark alley watching a building. Suddenly light is seen from the tavern. The three men draw back into the alley and out of sight. Kell glances to the corner and looks around. He notices the front door of the place and the light from inside spill out in a arrow across the street. He squints to see what is inside. It look to be full of tables. From his angle there must be at least a half dozen inside. The men are hunched over tables with cards and mugs. he has seen those tables before, in gambling joints he has even played in. Three figures exit the tavern. Kell notices two humans push a third forward. The three speak but is hard to hear from this distance. The three men head east down the street hugging the front side of the building. Kell tries to wave to Fremea to warn her but is not sure she sees the signal. The three men get to the side and turn north into the dark alley as the front door is closed. The street now goes back into darkness. Fremea hugs the side of the roof and didn't hear these men come. She makes no noise. Standing on the second story ledge she is only about 10 feet above the men. But they don't seem to pay attention to what is above them. "...I will bring more coin tomorrow.." One man says as he is slammed against the wall of the east side wall. "You know the rules Zep. You are over drawn on your bets and have no more collateral. What can you offer us? Besides a finger or arm?" The man a tall well muscled man pulls a dagger out and places it in front of the man. The glint of the dagger is seen by the open window light that filters out and Fremea can see. From across the street Kell can hear little as it is almost 50 feet away. But he suddenly notices one man tossed against the wall and two standing in front of him. He nods and realizes this scene. He has even been in the man's place. A shakedown is common in such seedy or even respectable places. Kell blinks as he recalls a bloody left eye from that one encounter back in Ba'ru one time. From above Fremea holds her breath. She could leap to the air and hope not to be seen. She could slink down the side of the wall and round the corner. But that one time going around the corner would mean her body would be bigger and her wings stick out. Making her chance of rounding that corner not seen hard. She continues to listen. "...I gave you the gem but ..." The mna in front of him shoves a fist into his stomach. "I have access to a messenger company my family owns. I own a quarter share. I could turn over my rights to you. Its worth something right?" "Worth what? The paper as outhouse paper?" "The company goes to three cities and is getting bigger year by year." "Sign over it and we can deal with what's it worth later." "I can't I'll need to get the papers from the office." The third mnn standing nearby speaks for the first time. "We need more incentive. We need to know you will return or we'll have to come and find you. I think we should make you easy to find don't you pal?" With that they begin to beat the man with fists and what looks to Fremea like a club. The noise of the slaps draws Unali up and she tries to pinpoint the noise. After a third loud slap she finds it in the alley below and looks over the roof side. She sees the two men beating the third. Fremea senses Unali overhead and looks up. Just then she hears the window nearby close. Apparently the boss didn't want to hear the bitter side of his business being dealt with. The scumbag must not care about his customers. But it makes things easier to deal with if he can't hear of things outside. From across the street Kiet, Kell and Will watch as the beating start and continues for a few long moments. Actions? Comments? [Time: 10:27pm] Next Update...Friday... GM: Everyone should have character sheets out by now. GM: Short update but ran out of time for more stuff. Sorry. GM: See map for changes and notes on current positions. * Roof/Aerial view Scale = 1 Row = 10 feet [Roof - 200'x100'] 1 Column = 4 feet North /I\ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890 A ___ ____________________/______________________________ _____B U I I I I B C nBI I [X] I I u D kuI I Roof Hatch I I t E niI I I I c F olI I I I h G wdI I Tavern I I e H niI I PB Base [ 3 stories] I I r I nI I I I J gI I IF I K __I I_____________________/___________________________I I____L M Street ---> N O ___ ___________________________________________________ _____P BAI I [2 stories] Rear of place IX I BB Q I I manufacturing/Industrial Factory I I R BA/BB = Unknown small shops [Rear] All other buildings around are 2 stories. Roof of PB base is empty aside from roof hatch and some minor vents and chimney areas. Fremea = K61 on third floor ledge near window. Window at same location roughly. Front door - J32, Back Door - B30 [First floor but noted on top level for reference point) Unali on roof by roof hatch. X Q91 Kell, Kiet and Will. F on the map shows Fremea's location. But she is actually hugging the wall on the second story. Unali is on the roof third floor and looking over the side. Her rope escape is setup on the back side not east side. the three men are directly over and to the right 5 feet of Freama's location. They are no more than about 3 feet from the wall and about 8 feet from the street side into the alley north. The three men are about 55 feet from them across the street.