HT Aliaver/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- R1.John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar Ma --.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe R3.Mark Murtha...........Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human..Ma R1.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma R4.J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...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 Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Squirt (Ferret) Kell Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/ Public posts/actions to pnpgm@list.powersandperils.org (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm@comcast.net Game Update #18 in sequence (file #54) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From David: [Re: Z'leyra's death] Just so everybody understands...Kiet was joking...it was, after all, 04/01... He figured that Z was alive and well. GM: Ack. Sure you did. J/k. Yeah I didn't fool you. But at least I got 3.5 fooled. :) Once suspected but then based on later comments figured might be real so I count that as a half victory. :) From Tobie: [Re: Joke] I even asked Scott if that was an April Fool's joke. I figured it was, when he didn't reply to me :) Just had to play to it though otherwise. GM: Ack. :) Yep. You suspected. From Alex: [Re: Joke] I admit it! I knowingly took part in the April Fools joke. It wasn't hard for Scott to recruit my assistance. I hope that you guys enjoyed it...or at least weren't too upset by it. GM: Ack. :) From Will: [Re: Joke] So Will is confused does this mean that he still owes Z' a bunch of money or not? Or that is to say that he was so heartbroken at her demise and is now so releaved to find that it is in fact some sort of dream er terrible night mare that he is sure that all debts which had been canceled during this horrible episode will remain cancelled just for good measure and to avoid any additional stress that would otherwise be caused. Will is all about reducing stress and discomfort. GM: Ack. I believe her Will no not you her document Will had plans that debts would be paid in service so you would have to work at a old's folks home for a few years cleaning old people and bathing them. But she might have changed that will. From David: [Re: Joke] Not only do you still owe her, but you owe her interest for all three timelines... GM: Ack. Dang! You stole my line. I was going to say he owes all three Z'leyra's. :) -------------------------------------------------------------- [New Stuff] [Augado 11th - Sepes 24th, 1634TH] [Location: The Middle & Upper World] As the party goes on their ways to do their own separate tasks and duties the world continues to spin. Millions around the planet never learn of how close they were to having that shiny moon fall on them and causing the world to probably shatter. The nameless heroes would be only known by a few in Marentia, Dark Lands and Katai. Yet over time stories will be spread. Legends will begin to grow and tales of the fateful days in Sepes will be given. To the gods there was great debate. Should they even intervene to save the world if it had happened? The Agreement was clear that no god would directly influence those in the middle world. Course they can get around this by using Avatars and fanatics who support them. The Avatars are a select few that are appointed by the god they serve to be their voice and eyes. In some cases it may be simple spreading the faith. In some extreme cases they are the Hand of the God. They will act as a possible executioner. For those who defy the god or the faithful. The alignment conflicts are true and wide spread in these ranks. The faithful could be a high priest or a lowly beggar who sees their life better with this god and not the other. Despite the Agreement the gods for the most part felt that interfering would be wrong. A few of course did. Some like Kototh was fuming after his portal was destroyed. Of all the gods he wanted the moon to not be dealt with. Secretly Kototh's minions found the portal and the god himself was only minutes from arrival. He was willing to break the Agreement if he could deal with the lowly humans. He would risk a God War that would have ravaged the world to complete ruin. The Agreement has a few loopholes like "natural" portals could be explored and entered if there might have been a danger or risk to the Upper World. Kototh set in place long ago when the Vong first arrived the fracture of the plane divide in that volcano. He knew it existed many years ago. It was thanks to that first Vong group that allowed him to help the fracture grow. But by then it was not a full portal and was not allowed to cross. Then the Vong arrived again with that Brain which through it's influence grew the fracture into a full blown portal. Kototh had planned to come and use the Vong as his new master service race. The fact they use snakes only endeared the god. Centuries in the middle world meant 40 times that in the upper world. Gods are patient and Kototh waited and waited. One of his minions learned from Soqed Hozi that there was belief the Vong would return again. But the Lord of Time felt they were of the Balance and not a threat. Kototh had heard this story and used it in hopes to guide the Vong back to the Rising Mount. Now Kototh is fuming and ready for some violence. Especially that Alfar that some believe the Avatar of Payan. Rumors have spread that the Avatar will continue his threat against those who do not like the Sidh. Rumors spread that this Alfar has used unnatural powers and this only enforces their belief in his new status. Payan only denies this saying he is on his own destiny and his growth is not there yet. If this is true or not only a few may know. In the Citadel High Elder Ki'ama is happy with the results. Not only for preventing this threat they have passed their own tests. Though he is still worried about two in the party he will watch them from afar. He is surprised the party has not found this out on their own. But so far those are not direct threats to anyone. Once they are then he will have to act himself if they are a big threat. From his own high metaphorical glass tower he is aware of even stronger groups out there. But he knows he will keep his eye on the party who saved the world. The Sorceress would suspend all Katai training for a month. Then just a couple weeks ago she would allow them to come and test the waters. She knows the training there is a test of their prowess and survival skills. Secretly she can select the best of the best from these groups. One day she will have some missions of their own in the Dark Lands in order for her own agenda. In Katai, Captain Lin would be promoted to Lieutenant General. Not a full battlefield general as he does not have the tactics training to direct men. but these are more logistics and administration. Under the leadership of the Master General he would form a task group to hunt down any remaining Vong as well as Katai collaborators who may have helped the Vong. It takes weeks to track down the nobles especially those in the Empire in the south to round them up. Master General is gleeful to further his own power by purging more possible threats. Even when a noble wasn't helping the Vong they were given warrants regardless based on witnesses. A Empire of 7 million is full of witnessess even if that person wasn't even in the same city. Lin was able to round up 22 Vong Warriors who were in hiding. The Shapers must have fled and left the warriors. One such warrior was even taken to the Emperor and executed to show how they tolerate death and injury. Lin did not know though that this even encouraged the Emperor. To have such beings fight without fear or question authority. Secretly the other Vong would be privately jailed and investigated as much as possible. Even wizards were used to try their own vile magic to learn who and how they were being so strong. Even the high command uses magic if it means to their advantage. Lin would be side tracked to hunt the Peace Brigade down. Once their masters were broken and the coins not coming in most quickly disbanded and went into the wind. But with a Empire so vast and diverse the Brigade needed to communicate. This meant scrolls and letters. Many were found leading to more arrests. In all but one of the cities in the Empire the leaders were found and soon executed. This would soon lead to other purges as these leaders were nobles even who had access to the capital palace. In all by end of Sepes some 712 Brigaders were arrested. Most are now serving in prison for many years. At least 68 of those were executed for their actions as leaders. By the end of Sepes the tendrils grew in the conspiracy. Merchants, warehouse owners and captains of ship fleets were also investigated and are being tracked for possible arrest. Lin suspects that with the help of the Baroness captured there could be as many as 5,000 Brigaders still out there. But there may be no hope to find them all. In fact 4 Shapers had escaped in Katai using their maskers. Not enough of those maskers to bring their troops. But they are expendable. One would sail to Lemasa and the other 3 would soon plot and plan their own agendas among the masses of Katai. They know they have little help and support. But they still have caches of Vong materials. Maybe one day if not while they are alive they can bring their allies back to destroy this dreadful planet. One such Shaper would arrange before the Orbs all died a mass communication protocol for contacting each other. They would have to rely on word of mouth and those letters. Such arcane technology was wasteful. But until she could tame some humans for their cause they had to get settled. While the vast materials like the Amphistaves, Orbs and Coralskippers would be useless in weeks there were some things still working. Biological lifeforms that would survive with the Brain gone. Nom Amor had planned on this and setup protocols for "lost tribes" as the humans say. The Shapers around would have to use even the disgusting magic to help them now. They would be tainted by the human technology and magic but the gods betrayed them. So they feel science will prevail. Now to find the ones who were involved. Word go to them that the humans escaped from the mountain with the villagers. Among them was one such Shaper. She would never forget party.. The only connection was this man who seems to have helped them. In her disguise as a human she asked his name, this Captain Lin. He would be guarded and alert. But time would only benefit. In this world she might live a century. She can wait and plot. Around the world the Vong had sent out groups to start the growth of regional brains and supplies. These total around 312 in many nations. Once the World Brain was killed the smaller brains would suffer. With out his influence and direction they would soon die by end of Augado. Each of these groups would have at least one Shaper. At first the rumors spread and the Outcasts were slaughtered as they must have been behind the sabotage. Then word came from a a half dead Orb that what really happened. Shimara and the stronghold was destroyed. The groups would be ordered into plan B set out by Nom Amor. But the Shapers knew the warriors could not just go around town without maskers. The warriors are like children and restless. They would want action. They could never last for years doing nothing. Some Shapers killed their bodyguards or made them sleep with Vong pills. Some groups would take over a castle or estate to live on. Some Shapers would seek their own mini-kingdoms if they could. Like the Shaper in the Roginzi Empire took over a castle after killing the leader with very little bloodshed. The true survivals may not be known to anyone but Arawn did have a hint at it. The Brain flashed burned some of the information to his brain. But even Arawn knows it would take a dozen Chion's to go from place to place to stop the Vong and recruit native folks. A daunting task that would be too difficult to complete. But Arawn can at least help out by spreading word through Duke Aren, the High Elder and Lin of what he learned. From there it is up to share the info. On Yuuzhan'tar, the Vong homeworld two Vong would know the truth. To the great mass around the sector in many worlds the Vong lost this strange world due to a bad growth on a World Brain. The great Hero of Praxis Supreme Commander Shimara would be raised in honor as he killed the Brain personally to prevent the vile creatures from coming here to taint the Vong thanks to the World Brain. The chief Shaper would inform the leaders that the portal is gone and the radiation in the area would be around for at least 500-600 years even with their radiation creatures doing a lot of the clean up. The leaders knowing the truth would seek the best astro-gazers. They would find the stars they knew existed and send a fleet if they could to seek vengeance. That is if they could find the planet if it was even in this galaxy. The silly humans and their gods thinking they are alone there. Na'goz and Omini would be the ones to know the truth. Na'goz fled when the battle started. With the masker he has prohibited technology. Not that he would just return it to a Shaper camp. That would be suicide. It would take Omini a long time to track down the other Outcast. But only so many existed in that world. So it would be a bit easy to do so. Together they would speculate and plan. Omini would share the tale of the battle to the other who simply missed it. Omini would tell how the strange one with the ears would tempt and sound so hopeful. Omini knows the Outcasts have little chance. But after Jacen's death hope started to stir. Maybe there was hope and a future. With the masker in hand the two formed the first of the rebel groups on the homeworld. They could sneak into Shaper camps and gain more technology. Even as the war drums of revenge is sounded by the leaders the first fringes of revolt rises. Back in the human world or the Middle World the small tavern owned by Cholan is now serving a party on Sepes 24 for Ben'dar and Pasha. A pre-wedding party. Folks also use this time to hear about their own adventures. Arawn has returned from the Dark Land looking stronger and more wise though haggard. Fremea stayed in town to try to learn more of the world at large. Kell would return from Ba'ru with news that he is now a land owner. Kiet spent the time at Z'leyra's manor as he improved his own skills and spell techniques. Raban would go from city to city in his role as Bard. The story of the party would spread though with no names for privacy. Only given alias names like the High Elf or Dagger Mistress or Shaman-Mage. Unali or the Dagger Mistress would spend time in Maren and doing her intrigue thing at the palace. Of all the party she seems to enjoy being in the dirty alleys or the dance halls of the palace with little change. Will would also spend time at Z'leyra's and learn first aid among other things from her. Z'leyra would improve her body through much training and work at her manor. But the others were missing. Chion, Strie'bog and even Malic. It felt bad to be at a party with out them. Cholan heard that Malic may have left by ship back to his own Empire. But he is not sure as some report he may still be in the city. As the party starts whispers are heard between Kaylle and Fremea at a side table. Actions? Comments? Next Update....Friday... GM: A prelude to the start. Who knows maybe Malic is still around and wants back in? (If so just email me!). In the next 3 days I'll be working on the final adventure details. So I hope to get the start of the adventure for Friday if not for sure by Monday at the most. Now after 3 months of IBT we can start. I think this is the longest we've done. But I could be wrong. I hope it was a good break for you guys. For me it was a ton of work. I hoped you enjoyed the IBTs only David commented on them and I appreciated his comments. I tried to make them some what entertaining. With Z'leyra's though there is only so many ways to say "does watchful sleep again" for the 83rd time :). She did almost die twice in that IBT from the Sith and the Earth Giant. She got lucky. I think of all the IBTs aside from the one of Fremea's attack she was the closest of death if I recall. At least a phase from death for sure. I tried but theres always to kill during the adventure. :) You guys are free to talk and mingle. Share IBT adventures. Unless stated by you no one will know what you did unless seen. So for example the time travel done by Z'leyra is only known by Kaylle and Corona. You share what you want. Some gifts were shared so you guys can talk about that if need to. GM: Status - Character status is just a tool during initial setup. But some think it as a vital thing to improve. Keep in mind the Status on the sheets means little. Like Unali who may be low status she can attend the palace dances which only maybe status 8 and above can. A king can be a beggar and vice versa. It is how one acts and does that determines status. One can be dressed like a beggar but act like a high priest and be friends to a King. Now with that said there is a hidden behind the scenes that I only know for status. A thing I have done for some 20 years with the game long before anyone here. I keep track of what folks do and have done or will do and keep track of their Reputation. This was a home brew system based n Traveler, Tinstar/Owlhoot (a old west game) and a few others. In Tinstar gunslingers got high reps and had to deal with kids who wanted their own street credit. The same thing applies to this game. Reputation will grow on many factors. Actions - kill a King get a high rep for obvious reason but simply take out a Chaos castle stronghold and gain another rep. Items like having the Great Sword of Doom will be like a gunslinger using a silver pearl gun a very unique rep. But a guy using a simple sword would be ignored. This includes the amount of items or magic items. Spells as well. Going to your max levels and being the best can get a certain rep. For Chion he might be noticed by the gods for his teleport spell. A god might see it as benefit to spread the faith and send help but another god might see it as a threat and send a Avatar to kill Chion. In the end the process is secret but I take into account many factors from alignment - if one is using good to destroy all Chaos then the Chaos gods will be quite upset and thus the rep for the chaos gods would be increased as "bad". But the overall point is everything is taken into account. There are human reps and god reps. Lin will know Raban's rep as a great fighter but to others he is a sex machine only. To the gods he may only be a fly to ignore but to those gods who do not like the Mir influence would see him as a threat as he is a half-breed and using that ability to fly against them (in their eyes). In the end these charts I've come up take into account all these points. There are various levels of reputation. At one point a god might be upset enough to investigate by sending the faithful or Avatars the threat or to recruit. A king might hear of Chion's teleport rep and want to hire him as a messenger but a gang lord could see it as a possible way to recruit and gain more power so will try to take him out or recruit. I just wanted to give a generic view of status so one can act on it. In the past the only one to be affected by this mainly was Varange. But I wanted to warn folks that things are noted. Like in Star Wars role playing game if you gain too many Dark Side points your character turns dark and you lose it can't be played anymore (their rules but not in this game). A person could have 3 or 4 various Reputations but they will never been known. But keep this in mind how npcs are done. Like why Xian and Farseekers things different compared to others. GM: If folks need a new sheet let me know. Some had to do last minute changes so may not have them. GM: Right now Fremea is party leader as voted for this adventure being her quest. Since she is in touch with me in chat I can get fast responses which will greatly improve and speed things up. For the next adventure you guys can still vote on what that will be. GM: Right now no one knows where the party will be going. But soon it will be known as players. Once that is decided Fremea will decide on the mode of travel. At that point you guys will need to plan on what you will take and so will need that info later. Just be prepared to do so later on. GM: Going to be updating some files soon from my own archives. I need to update for example the Tanning rules to improve it a bit. I believe Z'leyra only used them (and Raban but John is gone so not now). I will report on these changes over time. So stay tuned. GM: So far Z'leyra and Arawn only took the Tweaks that are out there. Z'leyra improved her Dex and Agil scores by one multiplier. Arawn did his Eloq if I recall. Z'leyra paid for many tweaks as well. Just a reminder for the next IBT. I may be over time do some changes in these areas but will alert folks later. GM: New game situations - * Hit Location: Right now I do a simple d12 for melee and missile fire. To make things more realistic will be using a more in depth system. I like the Fringeworthy hit location charts the best. A decade or two ago I wrote a program for those charts so will have them handy. But will go back to the old chart if there is mass combat. But will use the new system for small say 3-4 guys only. This will reflect changes in other areas. Making combat more deadly. * To balance the super characters I have to make things harder. Combat will be one such area. Hits to ribs or liver will be more damaging then having some person stand and fight for 5 min as your liver bleeds. This will add to my work load but will be a bit more realistic if I have time to do so. * Armor/Weapons - Damage to weapons will be the same. Armor I was using the simple One Hit rule ie x5 AV is -1 AV. That was fine but with all these magic armors some balance is needed. So will be using the more realistic DR Damage Resistance rules. So each point of damage to armor is -DR. So a AV1 is 15 points before it is AV0 and destroyed. This will make armor less durable but more realistic. * Infection: With more realistic damage we can have more infections, blood loss, coma and other effects. Thanks again to the old Fringeworthy charts (the best universe of charts ever) I have such things everything from blood lose to spinal damage charts. These means a person taking 14 hits and still standing may not be so realistic but a person falling after the 4th hit and grabbing his side as the blood gushes is more realistic. * Item damage: I've been ignoring this for a while. But it is time to damage things. This means wearing a necklace and taking a chest swipe by a sword might cut the necklace off. A mace to the wrist might crush that gauntlet. A arrow in the boot will damage it. A ring scratched by a slap against a giant. So stay tuned for that sort of thing. More as I think of it. GM: On the website is a picture of Kiet more or less. It is an example of clothing/armor he may be wearing. He can do more explanation if needed. If folks want to add their own self portraits let me know. We had Cholan's picture at one point.