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 #28 sequence (file #204) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] "After about 40 miles we will be through the Tilini .... Z'leyra will tell the horses that for the next two ... GM: Ack. This was late coming in so had to include in this update rather than last. Actually I put it at 60 miles but not a big deal. A full 2 day trip. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet hears the plans to buy nothing but grain and .... gradually over the course of two weeks. "I started ... GM: Ack. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Just out of curiosity, was Kiet hearing the old man speak in Lemasan the whole time, or just his part about the snakes, or none of it? GM: Ack. No. The old man was oddly speaking in a supernaturla tongue that sounded native to each person at the same time. The main native language that is. From Kiet: [Re: Actions] Kiet looks over to Z'leyra and the old man. He is ... "Z'leyra...We'll support you in any decision you make ... GM: Ack. From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra smiles and replies to the old man "Nice mix of... GM: Ack. ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Eastern Thaliba - Plains] [Decalis 2nd, 1634TH] [Time: 1:48 pm] The group nears the north wooden gate of the Thaliban City Camp. "After about 60 miles we will be through the Tilini lands and into Zarun where we can get off the road. Still forest for another 40-50 miles there will be meadows and fields where we graze the horses and camp," says Z'leyra. Z'leyra will tell the horses that for the next two days they must stay ON the road to avoid attracting monsters. The horses seem unconcerned about monsters with these people in the party. So to reinforce it Arawn explains the worst would be man attacking. The horses are a bit confused but obey. Kiet eyes the horse laden bandit horses of grain. Kiet hears the plan to buy nothing but grain and cringes somewhat. Horses don't handle changes in diet very well. If they are eating hay and grazing, the shift to just grains can result in colic. Kiet strongly recommends such change be done gradually over the course of two weeks. "I started changing my horse over to grains when the cold weather began back in Sivas." Kell riding next to Kiet looks over. "It will only be 2 days they will need to eat it. The other bags can be spread out. If she is correct we'll be outside the bad forest in a couple days. If all goes well. Personally I've never been this way. So I defer to her since she has been through here before." [Time: 7:15 pm] Later at the makeshift road camp, Kiet wonders why the goblin sword hasn't been claimed. As far as the Goblin sword is concerned, Kiet says "Well, I would prefer not to sell it. I already have a gargoyle sword. This one would make a nice addition to that...perhaps the beginning of a collection of magic swords made by creatures that names start with 'G'. I offer to just pay the group for it." Kell recalls what Arawn found out about the sword its relative power and use. He does some quick math in his head. "I suspect might get 4 gold easy maybe as much as 6 gold? For that sword but depends on buyer." --------- [Northern Thaliba - Forest] [Decalis 3rd, 1634TH] [Time: 3:27 pm] The old man goes from Kiet to the next person speaking in his cryptic words. Who is this fool? After the old man speaks, Kiet mumbles "Snakes! why did it have to be snakes?" The old man ignores the comment but Kell grins quickly but goes passive again. Kiet looks over to Z'leyra and the old man. He is obviously an oracle of some sort, the kind Kiet has never wanted to meet. Kiet wants to make his own Destiny in the world, not have his strings pulled like the puppets in a children's entertaining play. It's one thing to gather information from 'The Gods', but quite another when they start making demands...like now. The old man turns to Kiet from his next vocal victim. "Ii am no oracle. Men who believe they speak for the gods are such. When the gods wish to speak to man they use vessels like myself - Avatars." Kiet shudders at the thought of this man reading his mind. He best keep the crude comments hampered down. He then turns to Z'leyra. "Z'leyra...We'll support you in any decision you make here. Just be careful! The interests of the gods are not always your interests." Kiet hesitates a bit before continuing. "If choose you must, I highly recommend you choose your Elder roots. Balance, by nature, must always intrude in the lives of Men. Elder, even like your own shaman beliefs, merely seeks to defend and hold onto what is already theirs. Balance is not always your friend." The old man turns to Kell as if considering what the half-elf is thinking. "Oracles tend to be self deluded. Few actually speak for any god. They may have a sense of things but not true direct connection. Avatars is a direct connection without breaking The Agreement." Arawn stares intently at this old man. A direct connection and Avatars he has heard of. But could this be a way to talk to his parents. To ask why he is here. To say he is doing well. But no they already know. So could he ask how to return or should he return? Before he could speak Z'leyra speaks up. Z'leyra smiles and replies to the old man. "Nice mix of Masquerade and Communication. I admire your skill. As for me, I chose long ago. I am Elder oriented. Though I am a user of magics I am not a priest. As a shaman I respect, work with and try to strengthen the forces of nature and of the spirit world. In a sense that is primary for me. But I also have learned to work with, and for, both the forces of the Sidh and of Balance each of which is primary in their own sphere." "I have answered your question. Please, answer the same question as regards yourself." The old man grins showing some missing front teeth. "You think I'm a simple magic user?" He laughs in a wheezing gait of giggles. "This vessel has no magical power. This vessel is imbued by the heavens. You may have thought you choice but you do not have to be a priest to show your affection for the gods. This one and that one." He points to Kiet and Arawn. "Show it all the time. Even this one who attracts snakes will ritualize his magic before hand. Though that one...," he nods toward Kell. "Prays inwardly he could use some help as well." The old man backs up a few steps. "This group and some of your friends are destined for greatness. Others for more mundane pursuits. Some have gotten the notice the notice of certain beings in the past and will do so in the future. If you to do things on your own with just human allies then you will fail." "A tide is coming that will obliterate the rocks on the shore. Do you run toward the tide or away from it? The next-" The old man turns quickly to Reddof and glares. "You think us fools? You hide among your own thoughts of foul deeds and wishes." The old man approaches the man and Red Shirt steps forward to protect him. "Life is precious and if you choose to seek fame, fortune or glory without purpose then you are just another insect in this world." The old man turns back to Z'leyra again. "You ask about me. You are not yet-" The old man turns back toward Reddof who is glaring. Arawn can see things are heating up and begins to step forwaard with hands up and palms up. The old man raises his own hand raising the walking stick and sweeps it to the left. Reddof who is several feet away stares at the stick as if it could hurt him and he is too far away to even touch him. Red Shirt and Arawn move forward to try to stop Reddof. But at that instant Reddof goes flying to the left. He passes Zabyra almost hitting her as the startled man passes by as if yanked by an invisible net. The man looks back at his cousin in a startled gasp. Arawn quickly builds up mana to try to do something but the action is so swift. Reddof flies the 9 feet toward the forest and slams into the side of a thick tree. The impact is so great the man collapses instantly. Red Shirt begins to move toward the forest but Kell lunges for him. He grabs the man from the shoulder and arm. "No! Remember where we are!" He continues in a more soft tone. "I'm sorry. But he's gone. Look." Red Shirt and the others see the man crumpled in a fetal position but his neck is bulging on one side showing that likely his neck was broken instantly. There is no sign of breathing as well. Red Shirt struggles to get away from Kell but Unali helps to restrain him. Arawn glances at the old man who is not starting to change. Not physically but his presence and aura. The bright hues go back to grays and browns of a old man. Arawn fears the Avatar has lost the connection. The old man continues to move through the group and hums a song. "Oh it is a great day to travel isn't it. I hope you people have a nice journey where ever you are going. Nice looking horses I say!" The old man wobbles on his walking stick and moves down the road with the party staring after him as if nothing ever happened. Kell considers a test. He mentally wishes the old man would fall, break his leg and rot. But the man seems to ignore this and continue humming moving southward. Red Shirt stares at the group, "I will kill him!" But he struggles against the half elf and Unali. The party glances at Reddof's body only 9 feet off the road. Could there be Tilini around watching. Just 3 miles south they did pass a tree that had a blood smear. Either a bear cut his paw or someone had a bad day. But does that mean the natives are here and now? Actions? Comments? Next Update.....Friday.. GM: A sad ending for some. In 30 years I've used an Avatar only once before. But as the group gets more and more powerful the gods take notice. They will have their own agendas for each person. It may conflict or agree with those gods. Enemy and Ally gods will be made. What one does serves you and others. Power comes great responsibility. I warned a few games ago that gods are watching. There are at least 8 out there that have been in or around the party on the divine radar. I will hold for reactions. A week between the last update gave time to react. But now I will see how things go. What now? I will work on next update starting Thursday noon EST. If nothing for the body is done then I'll move to the next encounter. If the party attacks the old man it should not affect the next update. After this there is mainly one encounter then this travel leg is done. So any last minute IBT changes should be done in next week or so. GM: Goblin Sword - So does everyone want Kiet to get it? He still will allow the new folks Pyan and Zabyra to take if so. Its a magical sword and pretty good for a starting weapon. If you guys say nothing I will assume by time entering Zarun it will be Kiet's sword. Kiet do you offer 4 or 6 or more gold? This is only an estimate. 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.