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 Fake-Kell/Raki........Npc...............Normal..Normal/Shaper...?? Z'layha ..............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 #134 sequence (file #923) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] [None] ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Febris 9th, 1635TH] [Time: 5:01 pm] [Z'leyra's Challenge occurs near the end since history changed and Fuk disappeared any reference to Fuk will be before he left] [Fremea's Challenge] Fremea lands on the landing above the stairs leading up again upwards that seems to go forever. But as she lands the area around her dissolves. Fremea finds herself back in her warehouse-home in Sivas. Could the magic of the gods have sent her that easily? She finds herself at the home she keeps the kids in not her private secure home. Fremea finds herself in the kitchen all along. Two doors to north and east lead out. Fremea can hear noises from the east - the parlor of sorts of this place. She moves there but is stopped by a voice from the north door. "Fremea! I've been looking all over for you!" Fremea turns to see Varange in the doorway with hands on his hips. Fremea's hands instinctively go to her dagger sheath. "The royals are under attack. Our home is under siege by a group of powerful evil mages. You must return with us now! We'll have to go to a portal to the lower world then back to our home. Come now!" But Fremea is distracted by the voices in the east. "...the city can't do this. Trust me Fremea will return and get this all fixed. Don't fear." Fremea can hear her mother speaking. "But they will come back with men and kick us out. Saying we are not a proper esta-sh...establiush..estab uh...a proper place for us kids!" The voice of a young girl is heard. "Fremea has friends she'll get this fixed. Don't fear." But from behind voices are heard. The party in the darkness. "..but it says to be there and not there...how can we move up if we can't figure that out?" Fuk is heard saying. "Arawn and Z'leyra are tapped out of energy. How can we climb without being killed by those diamond crystals? To be there and not there unseen and seen? What kind of riddle is that?" Z'layha is heard through the rear wall of the kitchen. Fremea turns back to the kitchen table and sees Arawn sitting eating a apple. "These things are wonderful! We all have choices. Left or right. Up or down. One false move and doom or the right move could save a life. Excuse me..want some?" Arawn offers Fremea a piece. Then shrugs. "Three choices. Just like the three Chosen Ones of your kind. What do you do? Make one and only one and it could be the best or worst." With that Arawn the projection dissolves. Back in the group watch this through the image of the wall images. But something is odd Fuk is speaking but isn't speaking now? Arawn wonders if this could be a future event Fremea is hearing? [**] Fremea sees Varange and just wonders what game he is playing again, then her parents are speaking. This does not make any sense, how could she be in her kid's place? Her home, still seems a little bit foreign to her. Her parents are always welcome in, though for them to bring a child into it, that is a bit reckless; especially since they know what she keeps in there, though not everything. The Royals, the ones that basically imprisoned her, had her taught how to kill in many ways, can deal with their own issues right now, her family comes first. Her parents may not really be versed in the town process, but they do know the one Fae that can help when she is gone. And then 'Arawn' appears, she realizes this test is to see what she really understands about her own thoughts. Three Chosen Ones, either this projection (or Arawn) knows something that she does not, or somehow it was wrong. Could whatever created this know a lot more or could it even be wrong? As 'Arawn' finished speaking, she attempted to show her mark and command him to help her. Though he disappeared way too quickly. She yells to the back wall, "someone cast Insubstanial to be seen and unseen, to be there and not there!" She just ignores Varange and goes into her living area to find out what is going with her parents. "You need to get a hold of Kaylle to help, he knows even better than me, plus I had gotten the licenses needed, so what is the problem?" Fremea rushes into the living room. Saya turns startled. "Fremea! You are back. The city believes this is not a safe place for the kids. A converted warehouse. Some have complained. So I should find Kaylle. I will.." The scene shifts to blackness. Arawn's voice is heard from no where and everyone. "Did this happen? Will it happen? Family is the most important to you. This is noted. We appreciate your choice. As to the questions you have time will only reveal." Fremea then finds herself stepping into the landing of the dusty prison as the wall behind her forms a solid wall. Fremea stands fuming to be tested to see where her loyalty lies to the kids, her parents, her friends or the Royals. Then again just years ago she might've chosen the Royals due to her brain washing by them. Mae stares at the wall again. More cute family life. Something she has never had. Now she glances at the ex-slave Fremea. Could this winged powerhouse archer be soft to kids? When Fremea requested help from the party those on the stairs could only observe. It seems the wall portal to her home was blocked by the magic. Fremea realizes that maybe the events in the vision or real-time was possibly the future. The party climbs to the next set of landings. [Dorhak's Challange] Dorhak is proud to have seen the disaster of the lava taking out the floor. He may have just saved half the party! As Dorhak steps from the last step onto the landing above the stairs around him dissolve into a dark cavern. "You are the smallest but likely bravest in the group." Dorhak twirls raises his mace and shield to see Arawn behind him speaking. "You have a large heart and we can see how you are a dwarf without a culture. Abused and neglected as a fool by your own kind." Dorhak begins to boil inside as his ire rises. "Walk on brave one. Enjoy..." Arawn the Guardian ward dissolves. Dorhak continues walking through the dark tunnel that after a few minutes leads to a large cavern. In front is a very large metal gate that is blocking entry the size of a large wagon could fit through. To the side of the gate is writing in Dvalinn runes and symbols. Suddenly a dwarf on the other side of the gate yells. "Dorhak! Welcome back from your trip!" He yells behind him. "Raise the gate!" Dorhak watches the gate rise as the smiling dwarf slips under and rushes for a hug. A hug! Not something he cares for much. "Tell us about your trip!" Both of you walk through the gate as it slams back down. "So much has happened! The new statue is great and the advice you gave to Grunda was excellent for it. Then the engineers fixed that beam in shaft 8. You saved the group a half years of digging if it had collapsed!" Confused Dorhak continues on through the dwarf caverns. You see other dwarves going back and forth they wave and grin and sometimes stop to do a pat on the back. This is not how he left home for sure. This doesn't quite look like home though. Then again all dwarf caverns look the same all rock and walls eventually. The gate guard stops at a small niche a dwarf-made cave. A older dwarf rushes with nice warm ale in mugs for each of you and some nice warm breads. Just like home. Dorhak tries not to swallow it hard and fast but he can't help it. Dorhak is escorted to a large wide cavern that serves as a communal underground courtyard of sorts. There are a dozen or so dwarves sitting on rocks and at wooden tables eating and playing games. They all greet Dorhak and wave. "Relax I must return to the gate. But tonight we'll enjoy some wrestling!" Then the guard rushes back down the tunnel. Dorhak looks around at the warren of caves and tunnels. Like those in ant hill the dwaarves feel more at home here than up there. A maze of tunnels could lead to countless other warrens and nests. Then Dorhak notices it a large marble statue. Against the far wall. It is a male Dwarf holding up a mace and holding a shield to his chest. He is gesturing up as if to the heavens in some protest or shout. It doesn't seem to be Dorhak but it could be a very close look a like. A older dwarf who might've been in his 80s in human terms sits down. "He did a good job eh? Your advice on using the strength of the top of the mace to ensure the arm does not crack was wonderful. I'm a simple cobbler but could do no such great work as he did." A young female dwarf comes with a dish of greens to the older male. "Elder Ascrib. Be sure to eat the berries this time." She runs away from the Elder. "She picks on me too much. The berries are gross. Why we dwarves have room in our boots for...stuff." He grins and slides the berries into his boots looking around to ensure no one is watching. Then he goes to eating his greens. "They say the heart of man is food. They say the heart of the fae is their magical essence. They say the heart of the Elf is the ability to shape the world around them." Arawn says as he stands by Dorhak and shifts a bit as if his form can't decide to remain. So this isn't Arawn but that Arawn-projection again. "Don't worry they can't hear or see me. Watch. Dwarfs are all smelly and dirty liars!" He yells out and grins. "See no reaction. No offense just a demonstration. I've looked into your very being. Your very core." Dorhak watches as Arawn walks through a mug holding dwarf. Then Dorhak notices hanging from the ceiling on a large cable a geode. At least that is what the humans call them. A large sphere of usually pure metal. It can have its own magnetic properties. They say under the right circumstances such things can form perfect diamonds or other such things. "It is a nice statue. The eyes are bit bland but at least it is strong eyes not drunk ones." Arawn turns to face Dorhak. "You have a choice. You can remain here where your kind welcome you. Or you can return to the others. In order to return you must find the core of your kind. What it means to be a Dwarf. What embodies you and your fellows. Once you find it then you must share it with the world around you. If you prefer to stay then simply stay. Good luck Dorhak." With that the projection dissolves. "Almost time for the miners from eastern shaft to return. I do hope they got the last of those great spiders killed. Those things creep me out." The Elder speaks to Dorhak as he munches down on some carrots. [**] A song comes to my mind...something about staying or going. A small but crooked smile sneaks into my face. To go home! And as a hero, or at least respected. All dwarves seek such recognition. Including me! To bask in the adoration of the others is just so wonderful. Like it was when I earned my name...Red Wall...Dorhak. That reminds me of that time of fighting the Goblins. Disgusting and abhorrent creatures. We would be rid of them but for their ability to out-breed even rumors! Hah! That was a good one. I can't say I care much for the stuffy, tall elf. I think I dislike this...thing...this projection of him even less, however. And what is he doing in my head! Still, he gives me things to think about. I would simply love to return to my people, especially under circumstances like I was shown, but there is a problem. As difficult as it is to have my name remind me every day of my shame, it also reminds me of my pride. I am proud of my new name. It was earned, as was the honor. I sigh and my shoulders droop a bit, despite this being the right choice. I turn to face the despicable elf-image thing and look it in the eye. "You are worse here than in real life" I tell him in a low voice. "But this is an easy choice to make. Pride. Pride is the heart of the dwarves. It's why we make the finest weapons. It's why we make the finest jewels and jewelry. It's why we don't like to be slaves. It's why we produce such grand artwork." "If I were to go back now, none of the adoration, none of the reverence, none of the esteem would be real. It would be as illusory as you! I would prefer to earn such accolade for real. For things I've done. For things I have created. For the things I have won. Only that way will I know real pride. Only that way will I become that which my people admire." "So I choose to stay. My kind lives a long time. I believe I shall be patient and seek to earn a reputation in combat, stone, metal and jewel. Then I can return home, with honor, rank, distinction and, above all, pride!" Arawn giggles a odd ghostly laugh. "I do tend to speak a lot. I am proud ...hah! Pride! I have it. Little one you have reasoned well. This was actually metaphorical challenge. One of the items here. But you cut to the center of the challenge. You choose to return. Good luck Dorhak!" Dorhak stands and moves toward Arawn but finds himself stepping into the landing where the party stares and waits. Dorhak beams and softens his beard as he realized he pass the projection's test. Who knows maybe he can find a place in this world. Fuk slaps Dorhak's shoulder. "I'm curious how deep do those dwarf caverns really go?" The party climbs the stairs yet again. [Unali's challenge] Unali climbs the stairs. This whole thing has been a bit weird. She has been quiet. Sure she helped take down one shifter almost by herself. But this doesn't seem to be her fight. This place a prison for beings of old makes her remember Katai and her own people. She has been away so long and it is so far. Sure Chion could be there in minutes with a good teleport. But it is like being a universe away. Unali climbs and steps onto the landing between stairs cases. Suddenly the walls shift and dissolve. The heat of the stairs drops and a cool breeze hits her face. She looks down to see she is now in a long green dress. She looks around to the stone walls and it seems almost familiar. Unali checks her boots but finds dress shoes so her daggers are not there. She checks her hip and feels happy to find at east one dagger hidden under her dress. Unali walks down the cool walls and notices windows in the stone above a city. Unali stares out and sees a landmark she has seen before many times the famous Corin Bakery which feels all royal events in Maren City. How could she be in Maren city now? She glances around and realizes based on the decorations this has to be the Royal Palace. Unali moves down the hall and sees people in fine clothing walk by and smile. Unali passes Knight Gifford one of the most handsome knights around. Unali frowns wasn't he dead now? Haven't gone to the L'p'nth raids recently and died in battle? Unali then sees a waiter bump against a fast running messenger. The waiter yells at the messenger and hurries off. Unali then realizes this has happened before? Deja Vu? Rounding the corner Unali moves down and realizes she is one floor above the throne room. This is where offices and meeting area are. Unali notices two well dressed women in their 30s and they are wearing expensive jewelry and rings. They see Unali and nod but do not see anything. But as Unali passes them she can hear them snicker and whisper. "That's the Duke's love toy." "No. I heard she is just a paid escort." The other woman says as they round the corner out of ear shot Yes. She heard those comments before. Recently. Unali realizes this is just before she left town just before the Duke went to the L'p'nth border to deal with their raids. She was here to carouse with a Bhamotin noble who Duke Aren suspected to have been smuggling goods in and out without paying taxes. A low crime for a noble but it also means the smuggling ring has killed several Marentian Guard over the last few months. A injustice that has to be dealt with. So she is here to carouse with him and dance with him to learn some things. Unali recalls the event went down smoothly after 3 drinks he was spilling his guts. But why is she here now again? Two Royal Guardsmen are escorting a young man in chains down the hall. The chains on his arms and legs are cumbersome. Unali recalls the man stumbles in a few seconds. The guards beat the man who is here to be questioned for some crime against the royal family. Unali recalls that she stopped and helped the man up and prevented a more serious beating. Unali raises a hand and yells to the man to watch out for the carpet end. The man in chains looks down just in time to see a bump in the carpet and steps over it. The three continue on. Unali realizes she changed things. But what does it matter? Unali rounds the corner again and finds Duke Aren's office. Being a regular she opens it and finds the antechamber empty. The aide is gone for the day. Unali crosses to the second door and stops when she sees it slightly open. "....we have to arrest both of them." A voice is heard. "She will not like it." Aren's voice is heard. "Doesn't matter this conspiracy is too large. Commander Farseeker has too much ambition." "Then-" Aren's voice is interrupted by Unali hearing the front door open and the male aide entering. "Unali! I just came back to get my bag. You may go in as always See you." Unali turns to the second door and opens the door. "Unali." Aren stands and she notices the deputy Challencelor nearby. She has never really liked the man much. Unali moves to the desk and notices papers. She nods at the deputy and sees a list on one document. The name of her own cook? Why is she on a list here? The deputy grabs the documents and begins to move toward the door. "We'll get it done. Good day." He nods to Unali and moves toward the door. "Now the man you are here should be arriving soon. You know what to do?" Aren asks as he sits and shuffles papers around his desk. [**] Unali stands in front of the desk. "I am ready to go down and bump into the Bhamotin.", indicating the noble. "But I don't think we are here to discuss any last second changes. There seems to be more on your mind tonight, Duke. Care to share so that I can be of help and offer my personal insights?" Aren sits back a bit nervously. He strokes his mustache and Unali inwardly smiles. His tells are so obvious any card game with him would be too easy. She knew his tells back when he was a stowaway on the ship she smuggled him on few years prior. "I was not expecting you so soon. " The Duke replies. Course not when she did this a month ago before she left for the Kameran she stopped to berate the ladies and berate the guards for beating the prisoner. Something that would've take a few minutes and the deputy would've been long gone by then. Has Arawn by the divine magic sent her back home? "Your cook as you know is from Katai. We have few of your culture here. We have informants that report she has been visiting the Red Hen Tavern." Unali knows that place. When she cleaned up the Climan conspirators this was a haven for them. While the owner a lady from Clima was not implicated the city never closed the place down. Nothing illegal per se. "Why go there when there a dozen taverns by your estate and she is a cook and access to your own food?" A good point. "We had hoped to just question her while you went to the border." No. She was to go to the L'p'nth border to interrogate prisoners during the raids. But the Kameran thing came up and she did not go. "We have no solid proof but the connection is fishy. " Aren continues, "a slight conflict but if you wish you could stand in and question her?" "I agree that there might be a conflict here, with her being in my employ. But she is Katai, and if I would question her that would eliminate any language issues. We would get to the truth faster and without fail. She should get the opportunity to explain if there is an innocent reason for her behavior, even if it seems unlikely now there could be. She would be off duty and home when I get back tonight, but I will sit with her and ask her to explain her behavior tomorrow. I am certain I will get to the thuth there and we can discuss afterwards if any further action is needed towards the Red Hen." "As to the commander. We realize you are close. But there have been ..rumors. From the troops at his fort. That he is starting to disagree with King Maros's decrees. There is some minor evidence from a Bhaomotin diplomat that he admitted to such to them. The deputy had planned asking him to go to the border. But now this seems unwise. A conflict with the L'p'nth could rise his ire a bit more." "What do you suggest?" But Farseeker already went to the border? What would happen if things changed? Unali considers her words before speaking. "The Bhamotin involvement worries me. He may have spoken harshly and some Bahamotin monger may see this as a perfect attempt to blow all this out of proportions. Farseeker I know might be harsh sometimes, but I don't seen him questioning direct orders. He might need a bit more action and a post at the L'p'nth border would offer just that. My suggestion would be to send him to the border as planned." "If he passes by Maren on the way I could have a brief chat with Farseeker to find out what happened that such rumours came about. You could do as well, but that would already be more formal even if you are not directly his commanding officer." "Still, my feeling is to send him to the L'p'nth border in any case." "I concur. I think he will make a great commander on the L'p'nth border. Duke Eamon in that area can keep tabs on him. " Duke Aren stands. "Now let's get to this gala shall we?" The scene shifts and the magic of Arawn's projection must be at work. You find yourself at your manor dressed in everyday clothing. You are sitting across form Tam Lu the cook. She is smiling as she cuts green beans. "Can you explain what your business is at the Red Hen?" and take it from there. Tam slips and causes her knife to fall to the table. Startled she looks up. "Red Hen?" She continues to cut the beans. "I don't recall the place. Is that near the museum?" Unali stares and crosses her arms along her chest. That infamous stare of hers. Tam lowers the knife and moves the bowl away. "You know? Of course you do. I'm sorry. I was recently approached by a man. He knew my family back home was very poor and offered gold! Gold! To simply visit him at the Tavern and report on things you've talked about. I'm so sorry." "Why the Red Hen. There are may inn closer to home." Tam shrugs, "It was his choice. I don't know why." "Where in Katain were you born. Which house are you loyal to?" "I am from Si'chava province. We are dirt poor peasants who we are loyal to any who allows us to survive." "What brought you to Maren, so far from home." "I thought you heard this story already ma'am? My family is so poor I took ship and hope to send money back to them by the moneylender networks. I worked in Sivas and then heard about you from Katai and came to Maren to apply. Is my services no longer warranted?" "Who do you work for?" Tam looks confused. "I work for you ma'am." "Is there any more I should know in this matter?" "Tam lowers her eyes. "After you cleaned up the Climan mess I heard of some of the words of their language you used in reports. The Red Hen I heard ....Climan speak. By the time I realized the man had paid me and threatened that I would be punished if I didn't continue." Unali warns Tam to avoid the Red Hen. "Does this mean I should pack and leave here?" Tam looks worried about being dismissed. Unali sits back to consider. She had been free sharing of things. She wonders if this man might've tried to break into her office her and examine her reports. Maybe she should get a magician like Z'leyra to place some wards. Unali relaxes a bit, "Stay away from the Red Hen for the time being. If anyone from the Red Hen presses you, just say nothing of interest happened here and there was nothing to report. If anyone approaches you like this ever again, tell me at once. I will not be forgiving a second time. I will be off on a journey in a few days. You may be approached by someone from the palace guard while I am away. Tell him what you told me about the man at the Red Hen. Depending on how well this is resolved I will decide whether you stay or not when I return." Unali has already decided to let Tam stay, but let her worry a few weeks as punishment for her infidelity. The scene clears and Unali sends a written report to Aren via messenger. She includes the details of what Tam told her and the Climan connection to the Red Hen. She suggests that Aren and his network could follow up and try to dissolve the remaining Climan influence during the coming weeks. Tam has been instructed to cooperate with the 'palace guard'. Actions? Comments?? Next Update....Wednesday... GM: A good sized update for now. I still have tons of emails from Arawn for his challenge so MAY do a special update Monday but likely not so he can reply to questions. So chances are Wednesday for those npc challenges at the very least I can do if Arawn is not done. So Arawn is only one to finish I have results but I need to review those emails before can post. Dorhak - As said in email I had originally planned your challenge a object lesson an actual heart as in object hidden in one of the items (statue, geode or maybe even one of the dwarves). I originally had figured you might get that and smash which would be counter to your own views so it was more a challenge to see if you would. But you did surprise me with the simple word answer. So I accepted. Very clever. Unali - I hope its all organized. We had a lot of emails and I hope I didn't delete some part or such. But the general gist is there. GM: Challenges Player Sent Progress Dorhak * Done Completed Fremea * Done Completed Kiet * Done Completed Unali * Done Completed Pyan * Done Completed Z'leyra * Done Completed Mae * Done Completed Z'layha Next Next update Kell Next Will type up next update Mournath Next Next update Raki Next Next update Arawn Sent Awaiting response