. Player DS Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- FH.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Al.. Ma ...Kevin Newark..........Dorhak............Warrior.Normal/Dwarf....Ma --.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe W3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma W2.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human ..Ma R4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human ..Fe ...Don.Kerr..............Maelorna..........Dancer..Normal/Human....Fe ...Gilbert.Isla..........Mournath..........Sailor..Normal/Human....Ma R3 Panthera..............Pyandalgor........Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human ..Fe R3.Fukishtu.Newsome......Npc...............Chief...Normal/Human....Ma R3.Lucria.Cegra..........Npc...............Hunter..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 #106 sequence (file #748) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Bert: [Re: Actions] Mournath will take careful note of all that transpires, for later transcription into his travel journals. He has an interest in the ritualism involved in the gathering, what rites they perform and what gods are called upon. He speaks little, unless spoken to and answers with a care to not make a cultural misstep that he could avoid. GM: Ack. Funny we've had other folks who took notes on the party adventures. Raban, Will, Jordi and such to name a few. So its nice to see a new one. From Mae: [Re: Actions] Maelorna keeps quiet as she finishes rummaging about... GM: Ack. Not sure where this fits in was it the night before, leaving the village? Time stamps do help. :) But I'll just guess. ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Febris 8th, 1635TH] [Kameran Lands - Kameran Village] [Time: 6:54 am] The party prepares to leave to Sharedon village. Maelorna keeps quiet as she finishes rummaging about in her pack, making sure the grooming kit is secure and looks about as she steps away. She could feel the desire and hunger growing by the moment and curses her father's side of the family. 'But little one, the reunion will be such a joyful thing, the Princess will welcome a lost daughter with open arms.' the voice teases, 'As long as you don't reject the offer again, I'm sure her fascination in you will grow anew.' Mae sighs and just barely manages to clamp down on both the desire and hunger, she holds onto the pack in an effort to steady herself and she holds her breath before managing to recover and she looks to find the rest of the group to help them if needed. *************** [Time: 5:07 pm] The young girl around 15 named Kanya escorts the party toward the lodge. "There are three rooms including the main room. A fireplace should keep all of you warm. It is better than sleeping outside. There are beds for some. But the main room can be made for sleeping. Over there behind that large lodge is the corral. We'll house your horses there and tend to them." As they travel on, the cold doesn't trouble her as much as it should, Mae keeps following the group, one foot in front of the other. The only change for her is when they finally get to the settlement and she looks about warily from the protection of her cowl. She looks about the small lodge and smiles as she pulls the hood back, "Are we to stay here for longer than an evening?" she asks curiously as she selects a bed near the door and drops her gear heavily on top of it, then once warmed up, looks to her crossbow and checks that the weather hadn't harmed the weapon. The party removes bags and important things from the horses to take inside. Then the horses are taken to the corral for food, water and grooming. *************** [Time: 5:12 pm] Lucria and Fuk inspects one bedroom and finds nice beds. Lucria whispers, "I wonder if Mae would need a bed friend?" Fuk shakes his head, "keep head in the game. Plus any fun would be right in front of the other in that bed. No we'll sleep out in the main room." "You're no fun Fuk!" "That's why I remain alive." *************** [Time: 5:32 pm] The sun is low now and the fireplace stoked to get the chill from the lodge removed. Lucky ones choose beds while others use sleeping bags. Kanya arrives with 3 others a upper teen and two adult females. All carrying food and drink. The place it on the table in the main room for the group to eat a dinner. It is chicken, goose, ham, vegetables, breads and soups. The drinks are ale, water, tea and a tangy lemonade like mixture. Kanya explains, "word got to us about your brother. Your brother Z'lart does live here with his family . But sadly he has been at Kam for the last half year. He is a fine sculptor now and so was asked to do a statue there. He took his family to be near. His home is in the north side of the village. You are free to join us at the Vahagn festival tonight. All of you. The men brew a lot ale." Dorhak has no clue what she is saying but he learned the word Ale from Borah and perks up at this. "It will begin at sunset in the main courtyard." With that the other females and Kanya departs. *************** [Time: 6:19 pm] The main courtyard is nothing more than a large open field a few hundred square feet in size. A large fountain is in the center but it not a fountain that recycles water. It just holds water in a large cistern. So that the village can use it for drinking. More likely water is collected from unseen wells around the area to this fountain. Around the courtyard are lit torches giving light along the perimeter of the area. There are 3 tents, really just a large tarp with open sides which is nothing more than a roof. In one tent are makeshift tables and chairs. In another table are tables, barrels and a couple stills that must be the drink tent. The other tent are food prep with fires and tables and other items needed to make food. By now it seems most of the village is here maybe a hundred or so people. They are wearing what seems to be 'good' clothing that are probably not worn that often since not the normal work and labor clothing. Inside the field and tents are more torches to give plenty of light. The din of people talking is heard before its seen. Some music from flutes, drums and a string like guitar object can be seen and heard. The party mostly flock around Arawn or Z'leyra as they can help translate. Z'leyra has seen this field before and the "fountain" but only 2-3 times a year did they do such a setup like tonight. The smell of food is intense. While food was taken to the party's lodge they did warn that food will be at the festival and it is only to sate light travel pangs. There will be good food at the festival. The party is surprised to see little presence of armed men. There are a few with light weapons but it is not obvious. *************** [Time: 6:40 pm] Z'leyra and the party sit at one large table under the seating tent. A warrior sits along side Z'leyra and seems to be in his 40s. He explains the festival. Gron boasts about the food and drink then explains. "This is a festival to honor Vahagn. As you know we do this every three years. Since he controls the lightning we must pay our respect so that he does not harm us. This very last summer he caused major brush fires and many homes burnt down. One of the chosen will sacrifice a Seran Egg by fire to give him respect. Now you must try the Manti fruit it is especially ripe this year!" As the warrior ambles over to get his 3rd plate of food Z'leyra explains. The Egg is from a turtle known to be one of the longest living creatures around. The eggs are said to be invincible to break. But fire which Vahagn is a god of can do so. Arawn frowns at such bad waste of life. Surely the egg has a turtle in it? He is tempted to stop it but even he as a Druid knows doing such would be a very bad thing. *************** [Time: 6:40 pm] The party mingles as best they can. Some like Dorhak visit and sample the ale. Though there are only 3 types he seems to keep trying samples over and over. It is nothing like Pooh but is a nice warm drink. Z'leyra knows this is her home village where her mother and father settled down. She is curious about her home and if it is still around. As she mingles she sees a few old friends. Friends of the family. Now a decade older. Kids now with kids of their own. A close friend of Z'leyra, Oson is now mother to 3 kids. She doesn't speak of her own lodge affiliation as it would not be good in public. But the two greet each other for some time. Though it is frankly awkward as a decade has passed. A friend of Tiren's, Jenai who is now a bit old and crippled recognizes Z'leyra. The old man talks about Tiren and how he was always curious. Arawn on other side of the yard, learns that the village has seen better days. Once the hot springs to the west soured under foul conditions and dried up giving only sulfur and green mud the village lost many people. The village was popular even in Z'leyra's time for its hot springs. They were said to be good drinking and healing sources. Man from all over the tribe would come here. But some 5-6 years ago they went sour naturally. Some of the female leaders believe the underground sources tapped into a bad vein of gas from the ground and fouled them up. Since then the village has lost half of its people. This is why the guest lodge is given to the party. Now the village hopes the festival will bring new people here to live or visit. *************** [Time: 7:18 pm] Z'leyra learns from a old healer who taught her herbal infection remedy's that her home is still around. it is now home to a small family. The healer finds the father and he offers to show her the place later. *************** [Time: 7:30 pm] A horn blares out which startles the party but not the villagers. Suddenly a man with blond hair, silver and gold chainmail appears. He is carrying a large gray egg the size of a human head. He begins to shout thanks and greeting to Vahagn and the village. As the village crowds in around a tight circle forms in the open. Fremea grunts and has to be-a-kid and force her way through adults to see. Sometimes being a short kid does have its advantages. If she was an adult they'd probably block her view and ignore her. Soon the egg is placed on a short stone table that Arawn can only guess is a altar. On top is a iron hearth basket with burning cols. The warrior places the egg on top as it begins to glow on the bottom heating up. Arawn turns away but watches the ground. They are eager for the egg to burn but not for hate of the animal but hope for the future. Most men are this way while the women Arawn can tell seem to be just content like they are here for the motions. Soon the first crack is seen in the egg and the crowd roars and cheers. The warrior stokes the fire and it flares up covering the egg as it breaks apart and the contents some greenish goo blob is seen as it crashes into the fire and burns. Arawn says a silent prayer of his own. *************** [Time: 9:03 pm] The party continues and the blond warrior is definitely unique here. He is handsome in his silver and gold chain mail and Mae tries to touch him to see his reaction. But he just stares at her hair not her face. But it is clear the blond hair is dyed as it is not natural. The armor Dorhak suspects is probably fake or ceremonial. Z'leyra breaks away as the father and his family head to her mother's old home. As Z'leyra walks she has a lump in her throat. It has been a decade. Memories come back and flood her senses. She can almost hear and see her mother over there by that tree or that lodge arguing over something mundane. She also recalls her siblings who were all teens when she left Her brothers were just starting out to learn their trades and become men. But she and her sister were taught differently. Such different old times. As kids of 8- 10 the kids all got well together and just played. No duties or obligations. Such long almost forgotten times. Z'leyra is knocked back to reality as they near the home. She only vaguely nodded to the dad's comments - what was his name again? Namir he thinks. Too distracted to try to recall it all. There in the darkness is her birth home. Her place was never one of the big homes. She thinks Tiren was to blame. Being an outsider it affected her mother's standings. While the kids were treated normally it was clear that Z'nayha was never treated well after she married Tiren. The place looks the same. This small lodge was considered middle class not a simple hut but not a large lodge that can leaders and high society members get. It was just a small place with 4 rooms, storage, main room and kitchen area. Her brothers slept in the loft and it was much colder up there. The family waves Z'leyera inside. Z'leyra walks in and removes her helmet as it is too tall in this place. It seemed like when she left this place was larger. Maybe it was just how small she was? The family offers Z'leyra to look around including the kid's rooms. Just before Z'leyra exits her mother's place the woman, what was her name Gael or Gaiel or something approaches. "We found this under the bed many years ago." She hands Z'leyra a simple chain necklace. The silver chain is not strong but at the end is a small coin like flat round pendant like a medal. The silver thing shows a etching of a female. On closer look it looks like Z'nayha! "Z'lart didn't want it. Says he doesn't recognize it. You are free to have it." Z'leyra raises the necklace a very cheap copy of what could be a picture of her own mother. On the back a picture of a man that floods back memories. [Twenty years ago] Z'leyra is six and sick in bed. Tiren is of course off in his shop experimenting. The healer a nice old lady has been and come. Given Z'leyra a very nasty broth to drink. Z'leyra is told it is a common cold but a older boy she knows tells of a demon spreading disease. Whether this is true or not she is not sure. But it worries Z'leyra. Shaking and sneezing Z'leyra decides right then that she will heal all even of demon diseases. Z'nayha sits on the edge of the bed. Every so pretty. She removes a shiny necklace from her neck. "This was given to me by my mother showing her picture and her husband. Folks you do not know. Long gone now. She handed it to me. I hand it to you. It holds great power. It makes cute girls like yourself safe and well. " Z'leyra sits up and Z'nayha places the necklace around her. Then sleep comes. [Sixteen years ago] Z'leyra is now ten and starting her duties as a shaman. But because she will be doing grueling tasks Z'leyra removes the necklace and gives it to her mother for safe keeping. Soon she forgets she even had it. [Present] Until now has recalls it. She can't believe she forgot about it all these years. Z'leyra hugs the woman and exits. Z'leyra then walks back to the courtyard in the dark. She is glad it is dark so that no one can see the tears. *************** [Time: 9:41 pm] Z'leyra places the necklace around her and rejoins those who did not leave with her. She knows the necklace is worthless. Even Arawn can detect no magic from it. It is probably worth only a few brass bits. But to her it is priceless.. Kiet shows his juggling skills to the crowd at the urge of Kell juggling large fist sized balls. Then when he sees a female do acrobatic tumbles he joins in and shows his own skills at the delight of the audience. In another area Dorhak though rather drunk is gleeful when men engage in some light wrestling. He curses though that his drunk nature causes him to only win one bout against a teen boy. The boy just gives up at the stink of Dorhak but he dwarf doesn't understand that. Dorhak grumbles that he should wrestle first and drink second. But that would be a bad time! Pyan inspects some nice hunting bows and boar spears some men have. Only when Arawn comes by does he get some translation on the use of the weapons. It seems boars are common in the north but not here and the bows are great for deer hunting. When Pyan recognizes one spear with markings that look almost Omayor he quickly ask Arawn to see why. The hunter explains it was once a old hunter from that land who died after a bear attack. He inherited the boar spear. The man sees how Pyan runs his hands up and down the hilt. "It is yours. This one." he indicated Arawn, "tells me you are from there. I have other spears. I give it to you." Arawn translates and smiles at Pyan. *************** [Time: 10:29 pm] soon the party starts to slow down. Arawn visits the altar and sees the thing is almost gone if it was a turtle or whatever it is dead now. Arawn reaches up to his forehead as the headache he has had for a few days seems to continue. By now only about 30 folks are here. All adults with kids and older people missing. Gone to bed it seems. Z'leyra explains they will head out to Kam village their capital in the morning after breakfast. Those who are tired head to the lodge. At least no watches are needed tonight. So all should get a good sleep. Dorhak is helped back as he is a bit tipsy. Z'leyra sits by the fountain and watches the night stars. A sculptor. A'lart always had a love of stone. She figured he would do the usual miner thing. Z'leyra watches as her friends - or at least those old friends - leave and do not sit by her She had hoped they would. But they have their own family now and too much time has passed. Z'leyra sits and loses track of time watching the stars come and go from the clouds overhead. Is this home now or Marentia? Could she make a new life here or Marentia? Her dream to make a school is still strong in her mind. Z'leyra doesn't know how long it was but hours later she wakes up in her bed. A nice bed something the party gave her for being home. How she got here she isn't sure but it feels so nice. ******************* [Febris 9th, 1635TH] [Kameran Lands - Sharendan Village] [Time: 5:59 am] Some of the party wakes up. Arawn is sitting already outside tending to his headache. It ended for him to sleep but the spice drink Kalya seems to help. He sits outside and watches the first sign of the sun in the distance. Inside Fremea places her dress back on. She will need to clean it soon from the smell. *************** [Time: 6:08 am] The courtyard tarps are gone. But the tables remain. The village gathers for a quick pot luck style breakfast. Dorhak continues to grumble about losing the wrestling matches and Mournath just slides Kalya to him to sober up. The temperatures today range from 23-36. The clouds roll in but it is not overcast Allowing some sun to shine through. *************** [Time: 7:12 am] The group collect their horses finding them cleaned and groomed. Z'leyra does one last look at the village she spent most of her childhood in. Then she waves the party to the path leading to the north. *************** [Time: 9:03 am] It begins to snow a bit and slight sleet. The party continues on as it is not a big snow storm yet. *************** [Time: 1:12 pm] Corona alerts the party Kam village is ahead. The party has made good time with the well worn path between villages. Fremea notices Arawn more and more wipe his head not from sweat but from it seems like pain. She is unsure if she should ask or not. *************** [Time: 1:22 pm] Z'leyra eyes Kam village the capital of the tribe. While in civilized lands a capital is a central government area. For a tribe like the Kameran it is more a social central hub than a government hub. She hopes she can find her brother. Actions? Comments? Next Update.. Monday? GM; I started prep on this today and got tons done with over 500 lines. So I was going to hold off and see if other posts come in but this is a big post as is. So I'll post it early as the Friday update. I know that it seems we are moving fast and we are. But the previous 2 villages are role playing chances only. You are FREE to post retro actions or scenes. So if you want to do stuff at festival fine. If want to do stuff at men's club fine. It should not affect the present. I had hoped to do more in Kam village but I think it is big enough so will do that Monday. I may do a bit of the Monday update scene wise Saturday but there is still plenty of time to post before Monday. Z'leyra has decided to stay only the one night in each village. I am hoping we have no lost Kell. :< If so may have to go with the second voted next adventure. I don't think Z wants to finish home alone so if you want to join that's fine. Unless she says otherwise. GM: Necklace Use [Reminder to myself] Feb 7 - Fuk -Kameran Feb 8+- ???? New folks I probably did not explain this necklace. It is a language magical language. You wear it. A person speaks a language you want to learn. You then learn it if your luck is good. Using Tongue spell rules. So if you have a high Em the starting language will be at that level. So if you have at least 40 then its a good idea to use the language as that is a good level of understanding. Even if lower it is also a good ideas to use. Right now two slots Feb 8 and 9 are empty. Anyone can sign up. Additionally the necklace improves your chance by temporarily increasing the stats useful for learning languages.