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...?? Z'leyha ..............Npc...............Normal..Normal/Shaman...Fe 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 #126 sequence (file #891) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Arawn: [Re: actions] FYI, not sure what's up with the main game site but I keep linking to Adventure 6, even through the PnP site. ------- The odd sensations Arawn had felt, through both his... "The earth grows uneasy... troubled," he finally... --------- [Quote: Fuk approaches Arawn... "Can we trust him?"] Arawn, both sympathetic and empathetic, felt deeply ... "I cannot say so with absolute certainty but I think so,... --------- The elemental unease he had been feeling along the .... As Mae struggled to maintain her grip he cast about, making sure he wasn't about to bump into another party member and risk toppling one or the other in the lava should he move forward. His goal was to reach for Mae, securing her while planting his feet to help keep her from sliding forward so that others could help aid her with the rope. If this wasn't an option then was prepared to attempt a casting of the Levitation spell if the man began to slip before others were able to help, hoping it would succeed and allow Fuk to rise from danger. Otherwise his last hope lay in the Cryx, remembering Zin's words that the sphere was not only a source of energy, likely working through his own form even now, but a source of protection from the fire. Should all else fail he might have to test this out, calling on the Cryx to somehow protect Fuk from falling. Should any PC's/NPC's not be at risk should Raki shapeshift he'll call out, "Raki, can you fly to Fuk?!"] GM: Ack. The website was my..err..the dwarves fault. They uploaded files to ftp site in pbem1 (6)instead of pbem (7). It happens. I beat them for 20 min for it. IT should be fixed now though as of Tuesday as I just updated site and it seems fine. As with any file that has like a x.TXT with all caps and it gives a 404. Best to rename to x.txt since all my links are in lower case. I try to rename each file when it is uploaded but stuff happens. Was wondering if someone caught the whole flying logic thing. :) Good job. From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra tries to see if there is any way for her to help Mae. If so she will attmept it. If not, she will wait until it is clear before doing a running jump to join the party. [She wishes she could cast spells in here...but with her abysmal affecting her she has an even worse chance than before.] Note...if she is falling towards the lava she will try casting levitate regardless of how bad the odds of successfully casting are. GM: Ack. The failure would not affect other spells. IT is the place itself that affects spells. If you leap and fall into lava that is only 4-5 feet away do you think you'll have time to cast a 3 second spell? :) Unless can cast it while swimming in lava? :) From Fremea: [Re: Actions] Fremea realizes that Mae will not be able to hold for... GM: Ack. From Mae: [Re: Actions] Maelorna grunts in pain as suddenly she struggles to ... "I know I gave my word, but damn, did you have to make... GM: Ack. From Pyan: [Re: Treasure] IN that case Pyan takes the shiniest piece of jewelry he can find. ooking back to Z'layha to see that it is ok with her. GM: Ack. Thanks. So noted. 1 item. BTW you sent that to the list but it never went out. Never go to archives so I'm glad you CCed my email as well. Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Febris 9th, 1635TH] [Time: 5:01 pm] [Before entering lava tunnel as Raki explores first.] Fuk asks if Arawn can trust Raki. Arawn, both sympathetic and empathetic, felt deeply for Raki in light of the horrors the shifter had both witnessed and endured. There was a part that wanted to offer comfort to the shape-shifter, to help him transcend the pain and loneliness he carried like a weighty stone. But knowing the malleable nature of thought he kept a certain level of cautious reservation while realizing that time would allow for truth to capture solidity. Nevertheless, he felt a strong bond with the shifter for Raki, in some ways was like himself, a seemingly pacifistic anomaly among his own people and now cast out into an alien world. "I cannot say so with absolute certainty but I think so, I think we can," he replied to Fuk. "I've shared his thoughts of loneliness and pain at the suffering he's witnessed. But more than that, as one ponders your question, I think we should ask ourselves, what evil goal might he have to gain from slaying his own kind and helping us?" [Before entering the lava tube tunnel...] The odd sensations Arawn had felt, through both his physical and spiritual senses, caused the alfar a growing unease. It was the rumble of uneasy earth, the elemental forces grumbling and he worried what it presaged. Dorhak, who remained up front and at a distance, seemed comfortable enough though the druid wondered if he should call out for the dwarf to share his thoughts. "The earth grows uneasy... troubled," he finally uttered. "Dorhak, what do you make of this growing grumble and rumble?," he said, daring to raise his voice just enough to engage the dwarf in the dark confines of the tunnels. Dorhak's ears perk up, finally a good question. The dwarf knows places like this. Being around fire is as easy as humans around water. Many such dwarven caverns even use the natural fires of the earth for their work. Dorhak scoffed hearing about Z'leyra's magical anvil and forge. Who needs magic when pure skill is enough with the forces of the earth! Dorhak works with the earth and knows quakes and the earth can be surprising. No sane dwarf ever underestimates the earth and what it can make or destroy. But this is a very active place indeed and Dorhak knows this. As Raki crawls through the lava tunnel he hears Arawn's questions. He replies and the echoes of the stone walls bring it to every point in the network of tunnels. "Some time ago a fellow shifter came to me in my cell...he said Raki had planned to reshape the mountain. Redirect the lava under our feet. This world is hostile but this one piece of rock. He wanted to make it more ....livable. I do not know what he did as I was banished to my cell. If the lava was redirected the lava bowl could build up and....well..." Kiet grumbles as he scrapes his knees moving through the tunnel. Great it isn't enough shifters want to kill them. Now the place could blow. [Crossing over the lava pit] The elemental unease he had been feeling along the journey finally gave its answer as the party formed its plan to cross the heat-ravaged pit. He watched as Raki formed a bridge, unsure why the shifter didn't just fly the other party members across the chasm as he had done with Kell's body, but kept his mouth shut at that moment as he studied the area. One by one the party made the leap until the rumble gave its boisterous answer with a violent and fiery quiver. [As Fuk falls toward the lava] Fremea realizes that Mae will not be able to hold for much longer. Even though that was a close call, she flies back over to Mae and grabs the rope, pulling up with everything she has to make sure Fuk does not meet the lava, moving the rope towards the ledge more. Though she has not really liked Fuk much, he seems hard and distant, there is something behind his eyes that says he is fair in all matters. Whether this is true or not, she still does not want to see him parish in lava. Fremea reorients herself and flies toward Fuk. She is a bit disturbed by all the lava trying to shoot up. As if the river of lava is upset about their presence. She reaches Mae and holds the rope. But then she notices the rope is starting to unravel under the strain and can be moments away from breaking. She tries to swing the rope toward the stone cliffside but knows doing so could do more damage to the rope. Maelorna grunts in pain as suddenly she struggles to hold up the two hundred thirty pound human. Through clenched teeth, "By the Court, you're not helping!" she curses as the voice decides then and there to wake up. As she can't help but see through perfect clarity how close the human is to the lava. "I know I gave my word, but damn, did you have to make me prove it, now?" she continues to struggle with the weight. Then Fremea comes to help which relieves some of the stress from her aching arms and wings. The weight did cause Mae to fall a foot and a half toward the lava. But now with Fremea she can gain a half foot higher. She considers going to haul Fuk up but if she can't hold the rope she certainly can't hold him. From the cliffside Unali stretches lying down toward the ropes to pull it toward. But the ropes are just out of reach. She scoots dangerously forward with her stomach now over the edge. She grunts as she tries to pull the rope but it is 2-3 inches away. Arawn yells out, "Raki, can you fly to Fuk?!" Raki hears this but suddenly has his own issues. At least two spots the lava has splashed onto his lower side causing serious damage. He sees Fuk fall and tries to extend a new hand with hook to grab the rope but the new shift in mass causes the bridge that is him to wobble and shake. This causes the natural stone pole shaft that Raki is using to balance on to begin to break. Raki can hear this and begins to roll backwards dismayed. Arawn tries to reach for the rope but as with Unali finds it just out of reach. Then he recalls the battle axe he just obtained from the treasure room. He reaches outward with it and hooks the rope. He tries to step back but the side of the cliff suddenly breaks crumbling and Unali and Kiet have to push him backwards. Forcing him to release the grip on the rope. Z'leyra realizes that if she can run and leap pushing or pulling Mae toward the cliff the momentum could pull Fuk up and toward the cliff. At that point he could be hauled up. He might slam into the cliff but it is better than a death by fire. Z'leyra actives her boots for the second time and runs as fast as she can. Hoping the magic of the boots will give her that burst of speed and strength. But as she runs she sees Raki rolling upwards. But that might mean the bridge will be not as far out and she might have a far longer jump. At the same time Z'leyha pulls the whip she got from Lucria's body and moves to the cliff edge. She snaps it forward toward the rope and it wraps around the rope. She pulls and gets help from Dorhak and Kiet. This causes Fuk to move toward the cliffedge. It is that instant that Z'leyra leaps too late to stop from the lurch of speed. But as she leaps she sees this new distance - some 14-15 feet is too long. She'll never make it. Thinking quickly she reaches for one of Raki's arms that extend to the ceiling to support it. She hits the arm and swings around it like a pole dancer and begins to slide down toward the bridge that is Raki. Pyan reaches for Arawn's belt and stops him from falling over. Arawn falls to his knees safe. Arawn drops the axe as he sees the shaman has done a good thing. He crawls to the side again and reaches for the cryx. Just as Fuk slams into the cliff edge. Fuk grunts as cliff stone begins to fall from Arawn's slip and his own impact. This causes the rope to further unravel. Arawn then reaches over and concentrates. Protect him. He thinks and suddenly a flare of white light shines and impacts the cliff edge. It pours down the side of the cliff transforming it into something new a harder more durable rock surface. But as it reaches the edge of the lava it extends and slides under the dangling feet of Fuki. The new mysterious structure of crystal-stone or whatever it is forms a ladle of sort around the underneath of Fuk. But that is when the rope breaks. Fuk slams into the lattice work that is the strange substance formed by the Cryx. Now that the rope is gone Mae and Fremea are free to fly toward Fuk. Fremea gets arms under his armpits and hauls him toward the top of the cliff. Mae also helps and can feel his heart and energy. The draw of his life-force and life literally in her hands. Her heart begins to pound as she considers taking a bit of his life-force just enough. But that would be a betrayal and she can control it for now. As the constable is raised by the grunting Fremea to the top others haul the Ticasan man over the edge to safety. At the same time Raki rolls to the other cliff edge bringing Z'leyra with him. Just as the natural stone pole that was used as a base breaks in half then another 3rd breaks off. Fuk gasps for air and looks to Mae with a bit of changed eyes. "Thank...you..." Z'leyra looks to Raki as he forms into human knowing that crossing is probably impossible. Raki forms a mouth as he finishes his Kell form. "I am sorry. I can still form one of those bird creature animal things. The claws could be a bit hard on you. But it may be our only chance?" Z'leyra looks confused why didn't he think of this before? She knows about talons as she is a eagle at various times. She nods. Raki forms into the griffin like creature and grabs a hold of Z'leyra. Lifting off he flies toward the other side. The others part to allow them to land. Fuk looks to the others, "thanks for saving me." He looks to the one he thought would be the murderer he was sent here for. "That whip idea was clever." Z'layha places the whip on the belt. "I don't know how to use it. But he told me to use it. It was worth a shot." Fuk looks to the necklace that is said to hold Lucria's spirit? Ironic that his friend would save him and he could not save his friend earlier. Raki forms into Kell-humanoid form. Fuk turns to Raki, "why didn't you do that from the start!" Unperturbed Raki shrugs, "there is a risk. This heat does things to our cohesion. I could've lost control and dropped one of you." Z'leyra glances at Raki. Now he says that? The group gathers their gear. Mae straightens out her hair and reaches back and notices the wound where the neck-bug was ejected is gone. The party also notices a change. The men are now showing a bit of beard growth as maybe a day has passed. Fuk grabs Mae's arm making her flinch and reach for her dagger. "Thank you again. I....am used to dealing with...bad people in my job as constable. I may have over reacted. If...," he glances at Arawn and Fremea. "If they trust you then I have your back until we get out of here. After that we shall see." Raki guides the party through another tunnel that is only 4 feet tall and needs to be crawled on. The winding tunnel soon exits into a passage. Raki then helps the others to exit one at a time. "We are almost there at the stairs." Raki says as he helps Arawn out. Once out of the lava pit/tube the party now stands in a dark passage. Once everyone is ready Raki leads the way. Raki leads the party down a passage about 60 feet then turns right. Moving down another 50 or so feet. It begin a 40 degree upward slope. Near the top of the slope Raki stops and Dorhak slams into his back grunting. "That is new since I've been here so long ago." The party squint but just sees dark stone aside from the Sidh and Dorhak who is used to dark underground places. Arawn slips forward and notices a red aura around a stone wall to the left. Raki moves forward as he passes he glances at the left wall. The incline takes about 80 feet before it levels out with the area noted by Raki about 70 feet up the incline. Those who pass can feel heat from the left wall as they pass. "The lava must be just next to that wall section. It must've grown a lot or shifted recently as it wasn't here centuries ago." At the top of the slope the party sees a long passage about 120 feet. The passage is dark but as the party approaches torches seem to spontaneously light. "Yeah they do that when we get near. We never figured out how." He stops about 40 feet down the hallway and places Kell on the ground as the torches every 10 feet on the right side light up. "At the end are the stairs and our escape. But I must stop here now. The wards placed killed some 27 of us before we even got close. Yes. We tried to tunnel around and such but found only rock. That area must contain a magical portal from this world to yours. In order for me to get closer you will need to end the first ward." Dorhak happy now that he can go first begins to move down the passage. But both Arawn and Z'leyra begin to speak up to warn him to stop. But before they can speak a word a image forms about 60 feet away. It shimmers and then coalesces. It is a human. No. A Dwarf. No. A Fae. No. A succubus. To each person it seems to form a shape that fits that person's mental status. "Greetings. Be warned. Passage further can result in death for those trapped here." It speaks. "We know." Raki grumbles. "But the chosen few can pass to complete the journey of a lifetime." As the image speaks it seems to be more or less telepathic inside each person's mind speaking in the native tongue of that person. Powerful magic indeed. Divine magic indeed. "It is not a live person. For that we are sure. It is a magical projection. We've tried to talk to it or sway it. It is as if it gives recorded responses to what we need. Zin believed that no god is in control here over that thing. But we are unsure it is self aware." Raki explains. Arawn and Z'leyra approach and examine the well lit corridor now. Arawn sees no mana from the Alfar that he sees or the human that Z'leyra sees. But along the walls there seems to be various runic drawings near the image. Arawn can see various colors of the runes like green, blue, yellow, red and oranges. Behind the image maybe 10 feet are two almost perfect looking large diamonds that hang on the ceiling behind the image. "As we approach those crystal things on the roof will fire off some green like stuff and basically disintegrate any of us. I mean of our people. I am confident the gods would allow non shifters to approach. Thus this is why we need Arawn." Raki looks back for a second then forward. Arawn raises the Cryx-baton in his hands. It seems to glow a bit less once he used it to save Fuk. But it does glow white-gray brightly. Arawn takes a few steps forward. "Be warned that to continue and allowing the escape of the beings trapped here can cause great disaster to the Middle World. As you approach each challenge you will be tested. If you are strong enough to approach each ward you may choose to end it completely, partially or allow one person through. Keep in mind if you end the ward completely it will never reactivate. If you use it to allow passage of your fellow beings it will allow that as it deems." The image speaks again. Then a bright yellow flash hits down the hallway toward the party. As the others finch Raki seems to just stand there. In each mind a tingling is felt. "Guys! Hello! Guys!" Raki continues to yell. Raki tries to shake Arawn. "Wake up! You've been in a coma like state just standing there for 5-10 minutes I estimate. Wake up!" As the party recovers. Raki looks down the hallway toward the slope down. "If you guys don't wake up now we are all dead. We have company coming!" Raki points to the slope and he can hear movement far away. "I think its 2 maybe 3 of my people. We must act fast. Time is up and if more come we are doomed!" The party stirs as they recover from whatever the yellow flash was. Fuk draws his sword but knows he is still pretty wounded compared to the rest. Unali and Dorhak rushes to the top of the slope and looks down the 80 or so feet but sees nothing yet. But if Raki can hear them it must be true or a trick. Actions? Comments? Next Update....Saturday... GM: A fun place to end. :) The Fuk save was a fun time as even I did not know what would happen. As GM I am even surprised by rolls and actions. It was a good team effort though. From now on these things will go a bit slow and small as each ward is defeated or dealt with. I've tried to make things that EACH person can deal with not just a couple. So if you see hints that is directed to a particular person let them handle it. I'm trying to allow equal play by all not just a few. :) Hope the rough map diagram is enough to get a visual from. GM: Treasure. [Last time will post this[ Dorhak: grab jewelry, jewels (no gold at all on room) Mae : belt, 1 random necklace Fuk : heaps of jewels and jewelry Pyan - Piece of shiny jewelry Party/Magical items grabbed: Metal Helmets: 4 Bastard Sword: 3 Short Sword : 1 Daggers : 4 GM: Maps/Data Passage leading to Slope - 60 feet Slope (40 degrees) - 80 feet Corridor to Stairs at Slope - 120 feet Party stands away from slope- 40 feet Image/Wards from party - 60 feet [-120'----] A_____B____ ...........\ \__ 80 feet ............\ \ .............\_________- [--60'---] A= Stairs? B- Party's position