HT Aliaver/Player DS Character Name Type Status/N;;tes Sex -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- R1.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar .. Ma --.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe R3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma W2R2.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human ..Ma R4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human ..Fe W2.Julian.Draven.........Zabyra............Dancer..Normal/Human....Hu R3 Panthera..............Pyandalgor........Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma W3R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human ..Fe R3 Npc...............YY..Trihs.Der.........Warrior.Normal/Human....Ma R3 Npc...............YY..Reddof Nonnac.....Warrior.Normal/Human....Ma Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra 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 #27 sequence (file #198) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] The party will have a couple hours to buy food and goods. Z'leyra will make sure that enough is bought to last the party till we get to Zarun. Examining her store of waybread she finds that her store of them is much smaller than she had anticipated so goes shopping to make sure that food for the party and grain for the horses is adequate. She does not want to buy a wagon or to bother with fires on the road at least till we get to Zarun. GM: Ack. Based on our chat got the final figures. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet will first ask Trihs and Reddof if one of them will stay with the horses. Kiet will see if he can find something special in the caravans for them. Kiet will go invite Kell to go around checking on what is available. Kiet definitely wants to go ahead and buy some fresh hay that he can wrap with his netting...he will carry it in front of the pommel of his saddle. OOC. That was a common method of carrying forage for a horse. It needn't weigh much...it's not like carrying a bale. Kiet will definitely go ahead and purchase the picket stake for his horse. It can join the javelins in their sheath. And he already carries a mallet that can drive it in the ground. Anybody that needs to borrow it is welcome. Kiet will not purchase any travel rations. GM: Ack. Yes. When I did some research earlier this year I saw some site on US calvary. But I can't recall how much material. I mean I imagine at most only 2 days worth of hay per horse? From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet offers to buy enough picket stakes for the all the horses in the party. He also purchases some thin leather cords the party can use to tie the stakes onto their horses while they travel. Kiet shows them how to tie both to the horse pommel and suspend the stake. The long cord has a loop in it at the bottom smaller than the diameter of the stake. The short cord at top goes around the stake. Nobody is going to want to be carrying around something like that. Let the horse carry it. GM: Ack. That gear is cheap. 12 BB for all the stakes. 8 BB for the cord so only 2 CC. Deducted. From Z'leyra: [Re: Healing spells] Z'leyra would gladly study any healing spell. She will offer to make and enchant an item in exchange. (When she has time.) GM: Ack. Would have to remind me when and if next IBT for the next legs of travel. If not the big IBT later. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Arawn will be glad to teach you once we can find the time. As for an enchanted item, he wasn't looking for repayment but as you offered he does have something in mind that he'd like your input and possible assistance on (when Z'leyra finds the time:). GM: Ack. Can do it in mini IBT just let me know before Zara. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] If it's not too late, Arawn will take care of payment for himself and his horses in regards to the road tax. Also, if the weight of the food/grain/water carried by the party and such will delay the party's arrival then Arawn is willing to purchase a cart if this would speed things up. Sorry, don't have books to reference at this time. GM: Ack. Done on coin. As to weight no issue now that 3 Bandit Horses are being taken. So they can carry the extra load. If no spare horses then maybe. ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Eastern Thaliba - Plains] [Decalis 2nd, 1634TH] [Time: 11:25 am] After Z'leyra pays for the road charges, Kell glares at the guards as they pass. "This is no way to do business." He grumbles under his breath. Then lower, "high way robbery in civilized form!" The group finds a patch of open field in the north west section and tie up to the fence. Kell and Kiet head off to do some shopping while the cousins watch the horses and personal gear. Z'leyra and Unali take the 3 bandit horses and find some merchant vendors on their own. Pyan stares at all the various travelers going back and forth. Sivas was like this but this is like a major hub of trade routes in a area the size of a few miles instead of a full city. The various nations represent him confuse him and he watches with aloof steadfast eyes. Zabyra on the other hand smiles at the various people. They are mostly adults. Very few children in the entire camp maybe a few dozen at most. That means caravans of trade is mostly here but not families or at least this time of year. The cousins though seem unaffected by this all. In fact it seems they have been this way before not even swayed by the fear of road travel. They just stand and stretch their legs while talking about the goblins attack. Arawn stands watching the crowd as well. He considers going around but there are some vendors nearby. He strolls to check them out but it is clear he is thinking of something. Why can humans fill in the gaps for what they do or do not see. They hear noise in the forest and think a bear but others think a monster. The human brain will never be fully understood by the Alfar. [Time: 12:03 pm] Z'leyra and Unali find a vendor that seems to have cheaper food than others. Z'leyra buys rations for the entire party for the duration until Zara city. Using the 3 bandit horses she buys 300 bags of grain. This will allow the 3 horses to carry 10 bags per horse. The vendor is excited by this and gives a slight discount but has to obtain 50 bags from another vendor as he is cleaned out. There is a wagon selling hay but because there isn't much left this time of day the prices are way too expensive. But Z'leyra buys a bit of hay for the bandit horses. It will be a diet of grain for the week but it is better than grazing the horses. The vendor throws in 2 wooden buckets so the horses can feed from them and some eating bags to it around their mouths if needed. Z'leyra then gets a bag full of food rations enough for the party. She does not want to get a wagon or firewood so it will be cold nights for the first few nights. Both return with horse laden horses to the group. Z'leyra explains the rules to the horses about no grazing and heading off the road. The horses are a bit confused and wonder if the snow covers the road will they be able to determine the limits. Z'leyra considers this and replies that the trees will generally give a sense for the road. If in doubt she or the others can give help on where the road is located. At the same time as Z'leyra is buying food Kell and Kiet explore the camp. Kiet is looking for covered wagons and finally finds one without people in it. Kell watches as the boot merchant is asked about the wagon. Soon the acrobat enters and then 5 minutes or so later exits. Kell shrugs as they walk away, "from what I saw not so great boots. Mostly lower quality. Mostly for the working man. I'm surprised he can make any money selling only that style since he has expenses in travel." Kiet finds a meat vendor selling spiced and salted jerky style sticks. A small fire is cooking large chunks of meat that look nice and tasty. Kiet buys some samples of meat for later. High above Corona circles the camp watching Kiet and Kell move about. [Time: 12:42 pm] The party moves toward the south leaving the horses with Red Shirt. He considered looking for some shirt vendors but the other four report mostly bland colors are sold not his bright red that he likes. Corona sits on the fence as sentry watching Red Shirt and the horses. Not wanting to leave some stranger with personal gear on the horses. Since it might be a week before can eat at a decent place the group finds a open tavern. It is a basic corral like area with tables and a wooden bar area. It seats maybe 30 at any one time. Behind the bar in the open is a cooking pit that 3 cooks make the meals with makeshift table and crates that serve as storage. The party wonders how safe or well the food is being left in the open. But the 'door' man who allocates tables for folks to use explains food is obtained every morning and stored in the salt and ice bunker in the north. So the food is never kept more than a day. It does mean if there are no vendors selling food the camp could shrivel up in a day or two at most if there is a large storm. The party figures the Thalibans would not care and even let folks starve rather than let them in the city. The party takes up 3 tables and eats a cooked normal meal. Chicken, turkey, deer for Reddof and ham are served. There are various assorted green vegetables. A vendor bring sin bread from his stove nearby. The most numerous is drinks and ale with many cheap versions around the camp letting the open air tavern stock up. The least amount of food are fruits this time of year. [Time: 1:33 pm] The party finishes their meal and brings some warm food back to Red Shirt. He quickly eats as the party mounts up. [Time: 1:48 pm] The party heads toward the north gate which is just epen area for the fence. The party notices a man at a table writing and a scrolled up map. Arawn and Z'leyra scan the map after asking. The map is very rough but seems to indicate the party will only have 2 days of road travel before they enter Zarun forest. So the next 2 days will be the most dangerous. This map is a bit more updated than the Marentian one and Z'leyra realizes the road in the tribal area is not as long as estimated. So the issue of off road is less a problem. She sighs but the food is paid for already. The man takes names and places of origin from each person. "This is in case we find bodies. Nothing more. The Tilani tend never to leave bodies but just in case." He also jots down brief descriptions of each person. [Time: 1:59 pm] The party leaves the camp and starts the third leg of travel toward Zara city. [Time: 5:42 pm] Almost 10 miles north of the camp the party has passed several groups. From small 1 or 2 man travelers to a full caravan of 4 wagons. For the large groups it takes a bit of coordination to not have folks step off the road. It is a dancing set of wagons and horses trying to get past each other. But now it is nearing dark when six riders approach from the north. They are all in their mid 20s or so with hardened faces. They carry swords and wearing heavy leather armor and clothing. One in the lead with green eyes has a large scar on his left cheek. As they approach they look wary and all 6 riders place hands on swords which cause the party to become aware. The road here is 30 feet wide and so the party moves to the right and the riders to the left with about 20 feet between. They all look at each other and move slowly past. They seem to assess the party and the scared man simply nods, "just needing to pass and make camp." But the party can gleam details of blood on swords and leathers. Torn clothing as if from a battle and one rider seems to have more bags than the others. These men must be either hunters or bandits. But it is clear they do not want a fight in this area and not up against this larger group. The riders pass and then gallop faster and faster away south. Corona flies south a bit to ensure they don't back track. But they would only take the road. They do not seem to return. Though it can be guessed they camp within a few miles at least since it is getting dark. Kell looks back, "guess those raiders didn't want to fight. Finally some bandits with half a brain! Course makes you wonder who they did attack recently." [Time: 6:12 pm] A half hour later or about 2 miles north of the raider crossing the party makes camp. The road stakes are driven into the ground. The horses are reminded not to leave the road which the party will block with tents. Since there is no campfire it will be total darkness. Tents are placed on the road and the party scans the area. Corona reports there is another road camp about 3 miles north with 2 wagons and others. To the south looks like the bandits are maybe 3 miles on the road but no tents. The horses are fed and party eats the night's store of cold meats and rations. [Time: 7:48 pm] The darkness envelops the camp. But high above between the trees on each side are a scattering of stars. There is no moon so is pitch black otherwise. --------- [Northern Thaliba - Forest] [Decalis 3rd, 1634TH] [Time: 5:50 am] Twilight shines and the party stirs. It is best to pack up before travelers pass due to limited road width. A quick set of rations are eaten and horses fed. The party is happy nothing happened last night. The day starts out bleak as overcast lasts all day with little sun. The temperature ranges from 26 to 57 degrees at noon. [Time: 11:52 am] It starts to snow causing the party to panic a bit as they don't want to miss the road. Corona flies high above and ahead to try to at least get a idea for the road. But to be safe the party rides side by side in two columns on the center of the road. [Time: 1:30 pm] Finally it stops to snow leaving about 2 inches on the ground. It is rough riding but it seems like no one leaves the road. [Time: 3:27 pm] Party has passed many folks for the last 5 or so hours. But up the road a single man is walking toward them. As he gets closer it looks like a man in his 60s with gray beard He is wearing a dark black coat and brown tunic and warm pants. He is wearing a small floppy hat that farmers tend to wear. Kell reminds the group is time again to dismount and let the horses rest 10 minutes. At about 50 feet away the party notices he is walking with a wooden walking stick. He has a small backpack on his back. It seems the old man is humming a song of some sort. At 10 feet he nods and waves. "A good day to travel!" The man has a bit of a back slump as if bad back and a ligth limp on his left leg. His green eyes shine brightly as he approaches. "I head this way to Malnon every 5 years. Got family there. It isn't usually this cold but I started out later this year due to..." Kell rushes over after giving his horse rope to Kiet. "You okay old timer?" The man bats at Kell's hands. "I'm fine...Keep looking into that material." Arawn and Fremea notices his aura change. To Arawn he sees it more defined. It was a golden blue tan aura showing a bit of age and excitement. But now it seems to show orange and brown. Concerned Arawn reaches for his sword by instinct but remains in place. Kell looks confused by the comment and backs away. The old man looks down at Fremea, "Some are not happy by the relic being around. Some are watching you with your kids and believe you are on the good path." The old man moves toward Unali and whispers in her ears. Unali looks a bit surprised and nods. Confused the party begins to fan out not knowing who or what this man is. The old man looks at the dancer Zabyra. "Short term goals are fulfilling but the road twists and turns. One must set the path to the destination. It is the journey not the destination that matters." Z'leyra blinks as she just heard Rogizini but the others seem to hear the words in Marentian? Zabyra is also happy to hear her native tongue. The old man walks to Pyan and stares at him for a few seconds. "Hunters need to be quiet but a man in the woods needs to make noises to scare bears." Pyan looks to Kiet and is confused. Why his this man using his native tongue? The old man turns and faces Arawn, "Destiny is the river that flows. But rivers can be distorted by the movement of the earth. Going upstream can be risky but in the end the end is always near. The White Dove is alert but the Raven is watching." Before the Alfar can speak the old man turns to Kiet. He smiles, "The Air is always around you but watch your feet for snakes abound." The old man turns to Corona who is sitting on one of the grain bags being carried by the taken bandit horses. "That one does not belong here." He scowls and then turns away. The man turns to Red Shirt, "is stealing from a merchant worth feeding the poor? When the merchant has the power to feed the entire poor family?" Then the old man turns to Z'leyra and lifts his stick as if to berate. "You must choose. Lack of Faith in no service is just as bad as no faith. An octopus can handle many things by his arms. But if he depends on his sight and not his mental ability then he will die quickly. Which court of gods do you serve as primary?" Why would this man be asking her alignment to the gods? The old man stands and stares waiting for his answer. "Well I don't have all night." Actions? Comments? Next Update.....Monday... GM: A good place to stop. With Thanksgiving coming up there is a slight chance for a Friday update. But don't be surprised if it doesn't come out. I may be too busy with family stuff to deal with it. But next week I'll do 2. Though I still need time to work on my Amazon orders any day. Xmas gifts and new set of books for myself next year. Happy Thanksgiving to those in USA! If no one takes sword (Zabyra/Pyan or others) by time get into Zara it will be sold. If all goes well might be in Zara by Xmas or even Ticasi by then. GM: Treasure Goblin - Not sold yet Goblin King Magical Sword - 1 [Who Wants?] Fighting Daggers - 8 Clubs - 7 Swords - 29 Bandit - Not sold yet 3 Riding Horse IIIs Kept for Group 2 2 Man Tents & Gear 1 Gold Ring estimated value 2 gold? Cooking/Bedding Materials (Blankets, etc) 32 Travel Rations GM: Third Leg of Travel Thaliba City to Zara City * Completed Journey Location/Terrain Miles Day * Thaliban Camp - Dec 2 * Leave Thaliban Camp - Dec 2 2pm Forest (N/NW) 60 Dec 2 2pm - Dec 4 ~11am Border into Zarun - Dec 4 ~11 am Forest (N/NW) 40 Dec 4 ~11 am - Dec 5 Forest (West) 80 Dec 5 - Dec 7 ~3am Plains (West) 40 Dec 7 ~3 pm - Dec 8 Enter Zara City - Dec 8 or Dec 9 Notice there are no towns/villages/inns between camp and of Forest. The last 40 miles there might be a small place.