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 Fake-Kell/Raki........Npc...............Normal..Normal/Shaper...?? 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 #122 sequence (file #869) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Arawn: [Re: Actions] A kind and wonderful look flashed in Arawn's eyes as.... GM: Ack. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Arawn looked over, giving Mae a smile, grimly tinged in... "I would not seek to enslave you," he told the halfling.... GM: Ack. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Sorry for any silence on my end. I was recovering from the flu but should be back in the swing of things now:) ----------------------------- 5:01pm [Inside Arawn's mind] Arawn, staring at the twin thrones, listened to a... ------------------------------ Coming to Arawn's head snapped up and about, a bit of shock at GM: Ack. Hope you and Bert are recovering well. From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra commands "Grab our dead and lets go. Let us be... GM: Ack. From Mae: [Re Actions] Mealorna managed a small victory as she found her dagger,... "Thank you, " she offers and sighs, "I won't say I am ... GM: Ack. From Dorhak: [Re: Actions] Our young (as dwarfs go anyways) dwarf shakes his.... GM: Ack. ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Febris 9th, 1635TH] [Time: 5:01 pm] [Unknown Location] [Audience Room - Current room] [Minutes earlier when Raki started to treat Arawn.] [Inside Arawn's mind] Arawn, staring at the twin thrones, listened to a doubting aspect of himself question his parents. In that moment his higher self snapped into being, realizing that doubt had no place here and would only serve to entrap him. It was in the aftermath of this recognition that Raki appeared, bearing Kell's face as he knelt before the Alfar. It was not the first time that Arawn had traversed spiritual space, though each held their own rules and lessons to be learned. He showed little surprise or concern at Raki's presence and action until the shifter voiced his concern for Arawn's doubt and despair. That elicited light-hearted laughter from the druid. "Haha... Why should I doubt or despair? Why should I be concerned with death or dying?," he asked Raki/Kell, a sagacious smile on his face. "Death is nothing more than transition, transition from one state of being, life, to another. It is only a door and nothing to be feared." Raki looks puzzled. "I do not understand this humor all that well." He tries a few guffows but it seems too hard pressed. He become serious. "You doubt yourself. That you will be victorious here. That you will lose another life here. That you will disappoint your parents. That you will disappoint the Sidh. That you will betray those friends in the other world who will miss your wisdom and sage advice. There is nothing wrong with this. Every creature alive even the dumb fire beetle has doubt. It may not be as defined as yours. Even I here doubted I should continue on. You expect that those outside this mind-sphere will suffer. They will if you do not work and fight. The tests to come will be beyond anything you can dream of. As one human said, 'now buck up and get on that horse'. I hope that was correct." Arawn laughed again, eyeing the figure before him with with a look that challenged an answer in a pleasant manner. As his laugh faded a more serious mien crossed his face. "But though my memory is hazy and I would consider the risk of this being a ruse or test. However, it seems a decision must be made sooner rather than later for I sense an urgency and importance in your words. And so I will take it, your offer, and see down what paths it leads the two of us." Raki nods and begins his work. Coming to Arawn's head snapped up and about, a bit of shock at his sudden return driving him so as he then began to take in the scene. He was still trying to assess the situation when Raki moved from Kell to help the alfar to his feet. Despite the sad event his face showed little emotion, the urgency of the moment forcing him into stoic practicality. "Catch me up on things," he asked, his eyes moving from Kell to Luc's headless body. "And we should take Luc with us if we can. I wish I could do more to help them or make the move easier but my energies are low and I think we may need what little I have if we're to escape." As Arawn moved to gather his gear he looked back to the tunnels with a bit of concern in his eyes. "The others, the villagers, was there any sign of them?" Fuk points to the dead woman Zin ripped her heart from. Arawn recalls the boy and the other woman but they were left it seems in the lava room? He knows little can be done for the villager with no heart. He turns to Raki and the shifter shakes his head as if sensing his question. "I only saw Kell's spirit and the other one. The others the boy you ..I know you are thinking of...their spirits I do not see. They ..their energy must be too weak to form a spirit. Or they must have fled somewhere in this realm. We don't have time to look for them. I'm sorry." [Moments before when people decide on Mae's fate...] Mealorna managed a small victory as she found her dagger, even before she picked it up, the screams from the countless victims well up from her memories of growing up with her mother and the cultists, somehow she had kept the blade. She returns after attempting to craft a makeshift belt out of the tattered remains of her gown and smiles as she looks at Fremea. "Thank you, " she offers and sighs, "I won't say I am not evil, as there isn't a reason for me to exist unless for some purpose of the Court." She gives Fremea a smile and looks at her wings, "I can change at will, but don't like doing it that often. Usually due to responses such as what Kiet just gave me. But I will happily fly with you, even if my hiding is more physical, my wings are mine, but I don't know how to explain it, they're there, but not at the same time, you have a harsher time hiding than I do. She looks at Z'layha and fights the urge to laugh, "It's not noble, I gave my word and unlike my sisters, If they truly are such, I don't just live by the letter, I prefer the spirit of what I offer, " as she smiles and looks at Arawn. "I would have happily remained hidden as you suggested I do. If I had acted sooner, maybe Zin wouldn't have killed Lucria and we would still be at this point. I would have preferred to have taken it slower than surprise a viper in the basket you weren't expecting. If anything Fremea would have known at least as I would have told her," as she gives a rueful smile and follows the group. A kind and wonderful look flashed in Arawn's eyes as he looked and listened to Fremea speak regarding Mae's presence. He said no more, his own thoughts already expressed but he did give a nod, approving and adding to Fremea's vote to allow Raki to accompany the party. Arawn looked over, giving Mae a smile, grimly tinged in light of the situation that had unfolded during the battle. "I would not seek to enslave you," he told the halfling. "And I was aware of her nature," he added, glancing towards Kiet in that moment. "If there's concern regarding how to handle issues of safety, we'll discuss it later. Now is not the time and we need to focus on getting out of here." Fuk adjusts his sheathed sword on his hip and stops. He glares at Arawn. "You KNEW?" He glances to the pile of blood and brain matter that was his friend and then back at Arawn with a fierce sneer. "You knew it's nature." He points to Mae. "And you let Lucria spend time with it?" He breathes in and out several long moments trying to calm himself. "Yes. We WILL discuss this later. You may have ..." He shakes his head and walks away. During the mental meld Arawn shared some of Raki's thoughts and that is why Arawn realizes the lava room is just to the right. As the others gather by the threshold Arawn runs into the eastern passage. Fuk sighs, "we don't have time!" Unali paces back and forth by the threshold of the western passage. A minute later, a excited but exhausted Druid arrives. He carries the body of the boy who died in the cave in. But his energy is drained and in that heated room he hurried as fast he could. But it took what little he gained. Hopefully he'll recharge. But he did not see any more gear or the other villager. Maybe when the party was bought here they shoved the villager into the lava. Z'layha seeing Arawn breath in and out with intensity steps forward. "Let me take him. You need to recover." She gently takes the dead boy into her arms. Arawn looks to Raki trying to catch his breath. Raki shakes his head. "He is not around the body. I'm sorry." Raki had grown a new arm to hold the cryx as he held the body of Kell. Eyeing the Cryx in Raki's hand Arawn extended his hand and asked, "May I? It will likely not come into its full power in your hands if my visions are true. But I sense you are more familiar with at least some of its applications. What can you tell me of it?" Raki hands it over without hesitation. "A device of divine origin and power. Zin studied it more than any of us. There is no time. We must move on. Maybe later we can mind-merge and share information." Z'leyra commands. "Grab our dead and lets go. Let us be stronger by supporting each other, not weaken us by divisive bickering. I will bring up the rear as I probably am the best armored." Our young (as dwarfs go anyways) dwarf shakes his head quickly, then sticks a knarled finger in his ear. Did he really just hear our 'leader' say that...? Dorhak thinks swiftly on this, and decides. "I'll take the lead," he says out loud. He hoists his shield and readies his mace. "Maybe Raki can follow and guide." He pauses for a second then says "He should be able to look around corners at the very least." Dorhak revels at the audacity of taking the lead. He just hopes someone remembers his bravery. "Stop!" Raki firmly says. "Can you see around a mile in the dark? Can you hear a insect buzz half a mile away? Can you see rocks that are not rocks but my friends who will kill you before asking questions? I respect your boldness. But I must lead. I saved Kiet here by forming a rock around him can you detect that? If this was a question of bravery there would be no doubt. I tell you what. Let me lead the first three spots. After that at the stairs if we make it that far you are welcome to lead." With that Raki moves past Dorhak carrying Kell and exits the cave. Dorhak grunts and follows behind. As he moves he notices the back of Raki's head form a mouth. "Thank you. You may be close at hand brave solider." Dorhak grunts at the thought of a mouth at the back of one's head. That's just too gross. Raki stops. He whispers. "Did they see you? No. Good. If I can you then you must avoid them. Are they approaching?...good." He moves after talking to Kell's spirit. Raki stops at a 3 way intersection of the passage. Before he gets to the edge he listens. "One is coming from that way. Take the wall. Is he coming or going? No wait. I hear his footsteps fading He is moving away. Just a moment Kell." Raki nodes and turns. "We must cross quickly." He crosses to the other side avoiding left and right. He waits at the edge as each person moves then as Z'leyra crosses he stands and listens. He then moves forward again passing each person to take up point. Dorhak did lead briefly but realizes he may be right. This place is a maze. Kiet recalls the passage briefly as the party moves down the hall twisting to the right and then left. Some 700 feet or so down the passage. Raki waves a third hand to silence and wait. Raki waves the third hand back toward Dorhak. "There is a small creature. Around the corner. It may be native but we aren't sure. IT is kin to a lizard in your world. It will breathe fire once it flaps his wings. Go forward and kill it. I am holding Kell or I would. No go. Be quiet though." Dorhak grins finally some action. But fire? He rushes past. Down the passage on the side of a wall on a small bounder clinging is a small dog like creature all in red and yellow. It seems to be licking at something on the wall. Dorhak charges but forgets for a second to be quiet and a half second battle roar exits his mouth. The creature seeing Dorhak leaps to the ground on all fours. The creature with yellow and orange eyes hisses showing crystal sharp teeth. The creature spreads his wings and opens his mouth when Dorhak raises his shield to deflect the fire. the fire which is about 3 times more than that body could even give flashes bright and intense knocking Dorhak back a foot. But Dorhak charges and swings his mace hitting the creature once. The limber creature leaps at Dorhak but he ducks in time, advantage of being a small being himself, and the creature misses. Dorhak hits the creature again this time in the neck knocking the creature to the ground. Dorhak continues to kick, shield bash and club wit his mace killing the creature. Kiet rushes up to help but finds the creature already dead. "Don't delay." Raki rushes past and around another corner. Another 30 feet and Raki stops for the others to catch up. He waits for Z'layha in the middle carrying the boy. He glances to Kiet and then nods to the cave to the right Kiet recognizes it as the tribute cave full of discarded items. Z'layha looks to Raki. "What?" "Gods thrive on worship. With out that they are powerless. I am sorry." He nods to the cave. Z'layha gently places the boy on the ground and pulls her dagger. She stands in the threshold. "What is...this?" She steps inside and examines the dimly lit room with lichen on the ceiling for any light. "This is all the ...stuff we sent...over the many many decades if not centuries....you just...discarded it?" From behind Raki replies, "we have no use for that here. Maybe out there in your world. We did use the metal for some things. But most of it was useless." "But we were...told....directed that we should tribute the..this place. This makes no sense. All this wealth wasted..." Raki shrugs, "Zin suspected that the gods felt it was a form of mockery or torture. Some others felt the food and resources wasted could be used to our better which was a lie." Unali, Fremea and Arawn step inside looking around. The Sidh check broken crates and piles of items for any form of magical essence. As others look inside Fuk steps forward to Raki. "What is next?" "The hardest part. We'll pass the prison were I was stored for a long time. But in order to get to the stairs. We must pass the most dangerous part of all. It is a section of open cave that is a ledge. This ledge overlooks a large cavern where most of my people are. The ledge is about 50 feet wide and 30 feet high. Simply walking by will draw attention. If we can't pass it without notice then we are all doomed. The cavern itself is so large a human city could fit inside. But it would house hundreds who could easily see us." "So how do we cross?" Fuk asks. "That I was hoping for a solution from one of you." Raki looks right at Fuk. Actions? Comments? Next Update.. Wednesday...? GM: Well I also got a bit sick. But my con score has always been so high I rarely get 100% sick. If I get sniffles one day it lasts only 45 minutes not 2 weeks like some family members. This last week though No sniffles, no sore throat, no temp (other than 1 hour) and no other symptoms than dry cough and exhaustion. Just energy was down to 10% if that So why no update Wednesday. Its now 9pm Saturday and I'm starting to lose a bit of energy. I was going to do more detail on the cave but since I already posted it I'll find the old post. So you guys can do what you need here before we move on to the next spot which as I outlined above will be dangerous so any suggestions on how to cross is good. :) So below is the excerpt from Kiet's BTS file. GM: Tribute / Treasure Room part It is dark but bio luminescence glows a bit in the walls. There are old rotten decayed crates in tatters. In them or what remains of them are weapons - swords, daggers, knives. Another pile are many, many gems, jewels and jewelry. Other discarded items like finely crafted mugs, small statues, etc are about the cave. "The Kameran sent tributes for a long time. It is useless to us. We got tired of burning them. " "Give me a moment," Kiet says to his new friend. Kiet searches quickly for a weapon...curved sword best, dagger if he must. Any shield available. If no shield, and no suitable sword, a war staff if available. Try to grab the best looking weapon of these types that he can, but hurry! Before he leaves, however... grab a handful of jewelry...after all...waste not want not. Carry it in his tunic if he must. But only one good handful... no loitering. Just a quick glance at what looks the best. As Kiet search the dry dark cave the air is tight. You find many swords and daggers. All seem in fine craftsmanship. Lots of bastard and heavy swords. In a rotted crate and around it are maybe 40-50 daggers. It seems the Kameran's tributes were numerous over the years. They probably didn't know better and just sent these here hoping for favor. There are also heavy axes. No shields. No tulwars. No staves. Fake-Kell stands in threshold. "Raki. You can call me Raki. There was this ...small human named that. As his parents were dissected by others to study he played a game called hide and hunt. I would run as he never found me. But he was....a interesting young one before they removed his backbone. Why the others were so cruel? I don't know..." Kiet takes a sword and exits. GM: For those taking items and using senses I'll roll on results later I'm too tired tonight. I may even do a small update Monday if I am up to it.