s` 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 #146 sequence (file #995) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Arawn: [Re: Actions] OOC: Just curious if anyone is updating Arawn on what happened while he was passed out, at least while we wait for Z'leyra to return after the first teleport. IC: [Quote Raki: "... As I said in the prison he made a ... ---------------------------- The tell-tale signs of magic were absent but that didn't... "I don't sense any wards... any magic at all. But to... [OOC: If Z'leyra takes 4 people with her that drops the inclusions/people from 15 to 10. Arawn can take the gear, boy's skeleton (3 inclusions) and 5 more along with himself - 9 total, including himself. Z'leyra can then take the last person with her.] ------------------------------ Making his way over to Mae's slumbering form, he motioned... "What happened?" GM: Ack. From Dorhak: [Re: Actions] Dorhak doesn't stand down at all, despite (or because... "Be careful of this one! After we came through the... GM: Ack. From Arawn: [Re: Actions] Noting the apparent lack of wounds Arawn came to.... "Her hunger likely overtook her. All of us seem... GM: Ack. From Pyan: [Re: Actions] After all the talk about time and teleportation Pyan... Pyan says, "Didn't we use to have a eagle with us? I... GM: Ack. A very good observation and comments! Good job . ______________________________________________________________ [New Stuff] [Febris 9th, 1635TH] [Time: 5:01 pm??] Raki speaks of the Shifters making deals with certain gods. Arawn couldn't help but think back to Ba-en-kekon's presence at the meeting with the other gods, the Champion of Entropy demanding a means of potential freedom for the Shifters. It was an odd request for a scion of Chaos to ask for any reason other than the possibility of attempting to use them in the future. But as the magic likely needed all the representatives efforts it was a request that was probably acquiesced to. Of course that didn't dismiss the possibility of Kototh maintaining his involvement by aiding the Lone Shifter after starting the whole ugly mess. The tell-tale signs of magic were absent but that didn't mean that they didn't exist. The party had encountered such more than once in their time and he felt the need to urge caution. "I don't sense any wards... any magic at all. But to be safe, I'd suggest a divination before teleporting if you're set on that. It's not foolproof but if a ward or other effect might throw off the teleportation it may give us a sense of things. Or at least some useful guidance from here on out," Arawn suggested after Z'leyra discussed her plans to act as the party's teleportationist. "If you make the return journey alone I can pull the scene from your mind afterwards. I can then take the majority with me and you can take the rest for one final teleport. This should help lessen the toll on the forces of mana." "Just decide on who you're taking with you for the initial journey." Making his way over to Mae's slumbering form, he motioned for Dorhak to relax as he knelt to examine her. "What happened?" Dorhak doesn't stand down at all, despite (or because of) Arawn's ' command'. "Be careful of this one! After we came through the gate she went bat- sh*t crazy and attacked me. She's a danger to everyone here!" Noting the apparent lack of wounds Arawn came to the conclusion that Mae had likely attempted to feed on the dwarf. It was a reasonable conclusion considering the state the others were in, only his own retarded aging keeping him from suffering to the same extent. Z'layha explains what happened in the last few minutes since the party came through the gate including the odd interaction with Raki and Kiet. Arawn watches the almost nude ex-slave in human form. He figures she changed again once here and changed again once Fremea knocked her out according to Z'layha. "Her hunger likely overtook her. All of us seem famished and her appetite is more difficult to control than most," Arawn replied sympathetically, directed at both Dorhak and the unconscious half- demon he knelt beside. "It's one the things she fears - losing control and hurting an innocent." "I would apologize for her but that's something for her to do when she awakens," he continued, looking down on Mae with some concern on his face. "I may be able to ease her hunger pangs but I think it will be best to attempt this after we've vacated this fortress." Casting an eye towards Dorhak he scanned him for any signs of exhaustion or other clue to indicate spiritual depletion. But from a simple look there is no obvious sign. "And I can see to restoring what she has taken, again once were out of here and before she awakens. But if you feel in need now let me know." After all the talk about time and teleportation Pyan remembers something. Pyan says, "Didn't we use to have a eagle with us? I wonder what happened to him." Z'layha shakes her head. "Not with us. When you folks showed up in the tribute room no such eagle was around. So must not have gotten here like you guys." Z'leyra nods and figures Corona is still back in the village wondering what is going on. Z''leyra considers the first group. But before she decides Raki speaks up. "Best take me first so I can pinpoint him." Z'layha nods, "me too. Only to know the people around here. As a guide and such." Z'leyra nods and explains her plan to do. As she does Raki reforms into a large winged creature like the one earlier but much larger. "Best get on my back." Z'layha nods, "at least 100 feet up and a bit that away from fortress. We both don't know how deep this place truly is so I assume 100." Raki moves toward Kell's remains and gently takes the hefty skeleton into his talons. "I'd do at least half a mile up unless a mountain then a full mile." Z'leyra knows the land rather well but it has been years. The forest has bound to be changed. First Z'layha with awkward moves climbs onto Raki's back as he tries to maintain his balance. Then Z'leyra grabs her staff and drum. Ensures all her gear is at least at hand and secure from falling. She then casts the first of the four spells. First while the others are in contact with Z'leyra, she casts a invisibliity spell. The trio disappear. Then she casts a Levitate spell. She then tries a insubstantial spell. But Raki tries to test this and find his wings hit the wall as it failed. She figures this place or someone was resisting. But she has little time to warn so recasts. This time the trio lose form. Then the Shaman casts a teleport spell. The flying Raki and Shamans end up a half mile above ground staring down. The sun is low in the western sky and so it must be late afternoon. But the group notice the forest below is green. There are no sign of snow or winter foliage. Raki in his ghostly voice says he can't sense the shifter while without body mass. Z'leyra notices a clearing about half a mile away and it looks like 2 miles away from fortress. She glances back at the fortress and sees it again from the air. Flying over it with Fishkerking was a long time ago. But it seems even more dirty and full of moss than ever. With the sun behind them in the west and fortress to their rear right or south west the river is seen in the south west as well. To the north, east and south are large spans of forest. But the clearing is nearby . Z'leyra controls her levitate spell to the general direction. After 30 seconds the trio become solid once again. But they are still only half the distance to the clearing. "There to the right of the clearing. Maybe 3 Kalons away." Raki says. Sensing confusion through his mental touch Raki elaborates. "That would be ..no not nautical about a third a mile south of clearing." The Shamans glance at the forest and can't see much above the canopy. If he is there then he'll have to be searched. "Return for the others. Send them to the clearing. We'll go from there." Z'leyra can feel Raki's wings flap as if ready to kick her off so casts a teleport spell again. Z'leyra finds herself back in the dusty chamber below the fortress. She knows that clearing very well. It is sometimes used as a festival ground. It is maybe 500 feet square. It seemed to be void of folks this time of day so a teleport should be good. Still levitating Z'leyra's invisible voice declares her return. Arawn learns from Z'leyra the location and quickly gathers the group. Arawn counts and estimates the load and tells Z'leyra she'll have to teleport as he can't take any others. Arawn translocates the party toward the clearing. In order to avoid teleporting into logs or such he directs the party they'll be 1.5 feet off ground to simply be prepared to fall on their feet. As the party arrives all do so with ease. All except Arawn who almost lost the Kameran boy's skeleton in his arm but he gracefully recovers and places it on the ground. Z'leyra then appears levitating on the ground. But now she is visible. The party look around and see bushes and trees about 50 feet away. Suddenly nature gets the better of the brain and everyone rushes to a nearby bush to relieve themselves. All except for Z'layha who looks around with a now Kell-Form Raki. Z'leyra has a bit of trouble with her own relief as she hovers off the ground but it is a bit interesting to her as well. While still hungry the party soon reform back into the clearing. As half the party return Z'layha notices a form in the bushes. "You there!" A head pops up of a male. "Edell? Get over here!" A boy in his 20s appears from the bushes. He looks at the party in their strange dress wondering who they are. The party then notices the cold. It is indeed back. While there are no sign of winter it is still here. "Z'layha?" Edell looks confused. "What are you doing here?" Z'layha looks worried. "Just a hike." Edell adjusts his pants and belts. "Like you did when I found you with that girl in the bushes? The very young girl." Z'layha raises a eyebrow. "She was lost and I was helping her." The older teen boy replies. The part notices a slight lisp as if he could be a bit slow mentally. "When I found you...your pants were down?" Z'leyra crosses her arms. "My belt! It just came undone. Honest." "Sure. We'll talk later. Who else is here?" "As far as I know no one else. Evening meals will be made soon so all going home." "Then run home fast." "Yes Ma'am." Raki nods. "Not him I can't pinpoint if it was him but just a general area. In that direction. So let him go." Edell turns around, "wait! I heard you died?" "Died?" "Just disappeared when they looked for you. That was a long time ago." "Edell how long ago?" Edell scratches his head trying to recall. He raises up 9 fingers. "This many...no .." He adds one more. "This many months if I'm right." Z'layha gasps, "ten months?" She looks at the party and wonders how they could've lived this long without food and water. If this transition of time was still going on unless it was diminished? Edell runs into the forest to the west. "Don't worry he is running away from the shifter. So he should be safe. I sense him that way but he has stopped. He is curious I think. Maybe a thousand feet now away? Shall we go?" Leaving the skeletons behind for now the party moves into the forest. Why didn't Edell ask about them? Maybe the lad is just a bit too slow. After a few tense minutes the party spots the man standing in the middle of the forest. He is dressed in winter clothing but is probably fake like Raki's shifting skin-clothing. The party could've tried to ambush the shifter but he just seem sot be waiting. The man in his '50s standing 6 foot tall seems to have no weapons. He glances at the party each person. He stares intently at each person. "I know you are here. Which one?" He speaks in a deep southern style accent that is definitely not Kameran like. Kell-Raki steps forward and drops his form of Kell to show that naked humanoid form that Kiet first saw in the prison. "Here." "Where is Zin and the others?" "Dead at least Zin is. The others are still trapped." Raki replies. "Still trapped?! And that one is still alive?" The man points to Arawn. "Then what are you doing here? Are they your prisoners? Slaves?" "No. They set...they allowed my freedom." The man steps forward. "Now I know you! The traitor! The Human Lover! What was your name... oh that kid...Raku." "Raki. You will come with us. Back to the prison by the same way we went in. That or you will remove your shield and be visible to the gods." "You are insane! I will kill all of you and take that one back to free the others!" The party all reach for weapons. The Shifter stops. He smiles. "Puny human weapons do nothing to me. I've learned so much in my exile here. Now I will kill you all slowly!" But instead of shifting into some odd combat form a sudden flash of light and smoke is seen. It is so fast that it takes a few blinks to get adjusted. Did the man just try a old smoke bomb trick? Really? As the smoke clears though the party sees Z'layha Raki, Arawn, Z'layha and ...wait? Two Z'layha's? Both are dressed identical and standing side by side. Which is which? Actions? Comments? Next Update....Tuesday/Wednesday? GM: Took a bit of liberty here. I could've waited for info on where to land. Could've waited for plans to take the shifter. But it'd have been another 1-2 weeks. The shifter was not hiding so I just had the party come up against him. Unless someone wakes Mae up she'll be left with the skeletons in clearing. But yes 10 months have passed since left village. That would mean it is end of the year. A full summer and fall passed by. So what now? I know it is cliche but there are 2 Z'layha's now. Sadly Raki sense is not GPS so he can only sense the Shifter within a area which could cover the party's location. I hope this going forward a bit is acceptable but it saves 2-3 weeks and since update was late due to storms this will have to do. I can work on next update Tuesday or Wednesday depending on what posts come to me. GM: Arawn - You said you could get Z'ls location from her? How a spell? I'll assume this was done to save time. But if spell let me know. Before you ask you sense both Z'layha's identical as in mana source and such. Z'leyra - assume 3 teleports. The one spell did fail but who knows why. Well I know and dwarves do but they have script access. Since Arawn did suggest Divinstion I didn't do it since it wasn't determined you would. But it worked out regardless.