[pnpgm] Game update #101 - File #363 - Combat AFtermath

Scott Adams longshot at darktech.org
Fri Jul 21 07:39:51 CEST 2006


e        
  HT Alias/Player          Character Name    Type    Status/Notes  Sex
  -- -----------------------------------------------------------------
  R3 Balrog................Balrog............Warrior.Normal/Human  Ma
  ?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human  Ma
  R4 Tom Crockett..........Caladan...........Wizard..Normal/Human  Ma
  R1 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human  Ma
  W3 Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human  Ma
  W2 Sergi Sallent.........Jordi.............Wizard..Normal/Elf    Ma
  R4 Tim Falkenberg........Malradh ben Kasha.Merc....Normal/Human  Ma
  R3 Wayne Richardson/Uji..Thig..............Sidh MU.Normal/Faerry Ma
  Do Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Artist..Normal/Human  Ma
  R3 Orion (Paul Broman)...Trembyl...........Wizard..Normal/Human  Ma
  W3 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human  Fe
  R3 Scott Adams...........Xian..............Wizard..Normal/Human  Ma
  W2 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human  Fe
     Animals: Ventrius/Pogo Thig's dogs, Firesnake of Caladan's,
       Z'Leyra's Eagle, 2 Draft Horses, Wolf - Boyzdar
       6 Captured Zen'da Horses
              
     Game Web Site - For updates, files, links, etc.
     http://www.funport.com/longshot/pbem

     Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
     Private emails (not public actions) to longshot at darktech.org
                        
     Game Update #101  in sequence (file #363)
     ----------------------------------------------------------------
      
     Admin notes: We are 95% done.  There will be a prologue to this
     adventure (the castle).  At 100 updates we went through it pretty
     fast.  Adventure #1 took 28 months to get to update #100 for
     this one it took only 16 months.  so we are improving on the
     time scale of things :)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     [Recap]

        From Z'leyra: [Re: Two Action posts]
          Z'leyra, hoping that Caladan's spirit has not yet left his
          body, will cast Oblivion on Caladan so that she will have
          two months in which to ready a cascade of spells which might
          have a chance of healing him. She tells everyone what she is
          doing when Caladan disappears (hopefully).

          She will request that the others gather up any captured gear
          that might be magical, have Thig look and separate any that
          are magical, then later after she is done healing folks she
          can cast Perception on them.

          After Caladan and Farseeker she heals the others from those
          hurt worst to those hurt least...She will use her skills and
          then her spells (at appropriate EL and with spell chain)...
          allowing others to use their heal spells instead...at least
          on the less injured.

          As Z'leyra prepares the spell she says "He is hurt too badly. I
           will set him outside of time to give me a chance to do the
           spells that might heal him. He will vanish and I can call
           him back when I am ready."
        GM:  Ack.   Remind me later on perception of items.  but it
          might be too busy for that now in this update.  The action
          of gathering and healing is most of the update.  

                        --------------------------

        From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
          As the excitement of the battle fades and the reality of
          Caladan's death sets in, Ben'Dar's excited look of triumph
          is quickly replaced by sadness and anger.  He kneels by the
          body and says quietly in Zen'dali, "Happy hunting in the
          world of the Spirits, my brother."

          Later on, when camp is being searched and cleaned up,
          prisoners being tied, horses gathered, etc, Ben'Dar pitches
          in to help as previously stated.

          Ben'Dar examines the horses and quickly identifies the Good
          and Superior mounts, both riding and war.  With a low whistle,
          he calls to his friends, "I don't know where they found all
          these exceptional quality horses.  Many of these are fit for
          a king to ride!"  Ben'Dar will use his skills in horse
          husbandry and horsemanship to identify which mounts might
          be a good match for those who would like a horse "upgrade".
          If there are any unclaimed horses, Ben'Dar will tie the
          animals (including the mules and draft horse) onto a long
          lead so that they can be taken back with the party.  He
          says, "We can sell these horses and split the proceeds.  I
          will handle it when we return to Marentia."

          Ben'Dar will carefully examine the horses for injuries, and
          will bandage up any injuries he finds on the animals.

          As far as loot is concerned, Ben'Dar is interested in some
          of the weapons.  He examines the daggers of the shaman and
          the leader, the scimitar of the leader, and the spear of
          the big warrior with interest.  He asks Thig, Jordi, and
          Z'leyra if they sense any magic in those items.

          Once all the looting is completed, Ben'Dar will ask Thig,
          "What are we doing with the prisoners?  Can we free them
          from the effect of the bugs?"  If any of the enemy are not
          under the influence of a bug (i.e . they are truly enemies),
          Ben'Dar will help to tie them up onto a lead similar to the
          one the horses are on so they can be marched back to
          Caladan's village for justice.

          Once these tasks are completed, Ben'Dar motions upward to
          the circling carrion birds and says, "The Bova Noya will
          discover us here before long.  We need to leave their lands
          quickly." Ben'Dar will lead the captured horses as the party
          returns to Caladan's village.
        GM:  Ack.  May cover more of this in later updates.  

                        --------------------------

        From Chion: [Re: Actions]
          OK. I officially don't have a clue as to whether they are
          alive, critially bleeding, or dead 10 (as we say in Cyberpunk
          2020). If their hearts are still beating (and perhaps if
          not) I'm sure Chion is not the last to attempt a healing
          spell or two. If, after all attempts have failed he is dead,
          he will cast preserve the dead on him if wished (maybe
          someone knows a healer...

          gotta wonder if a certain mountain mage knows resurrection
          or not...or has a scroll with it on it even (Chion would
          love to borrow it if so, btw)). In any event, we would all
          try, even futily to recover them.

          Chion offers the preserve the dead and transportation to
          Wounderal as an option in the event he is dead.

          It seems Farseeker is alive, but needing a regen spell for
          his injuries. Likewise Chion will offer if requested.
        GM:  Ack.  See below.  Sorry for the confusion if I made
          it that way.  Caladan is beyond hope even with a healing
          spell.  Way into the negative DTV range.  By the
          time Z'leyra got there his heart had stopped for at least
          4-6 seconds.  Farseeker can be helped though he is somewhat
          critical.  Sorry for the confusion.  

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     [New Stuff]

        Octaqi 21, in the 163rd Year [TH]
        [Meanwhile somewhere on the plains]
         [Day 51 of Trip] [Near Enemy camp]
         Time: Roughly 2:30am

        GM: I guess the reports were sufficient?  No complaints
          on experience or if I missed anything.  Good :)
          Mana Report - If you need exact number of your current
          mana let me know.  But the percentages should be ale
          to help figure it out.  

        [As the chaos of battle wears off and adrenaline begins
         to fade the reality of the battle sinks in.  Having
         two party members in critical condition was not part of
         the plan.  Z'leyra quickly gets to work.  It will take
         another minute before she appears (from being invisible).
         Cetric just stares at the body for a few seconds as if
         looking for something else.  Balrog sites on his knees
         in shock.  He can feel the blood of Caladan all over his
         arms, hands and clothing.  It smells of blood.  This
         wasn't part of the deal.  We were here to help him not
         for him to die like this...like Triest....senseless.
         She hears Z'leyra working on Caladan and hopes.  Kasha is
         trying to help Farseeker.  With the help of Thig and
         Strie'bog they are able to plug up the hole in the lung
         for now.  But it will take more healing.  It should give
         time for Z'leyra to help out.  His breathing is raspy but
         he is a strong person even unconscious.  Jordi looks up and
         down the land. Seeing the land tore up and the structures
         moved.  He wonders who did this?  This spell to move the
         earth did damage to the villagers as well as the party.
         Could the wizard have done this?]

        [Cetric begins to chant and tap his Drum.  Suddenly
         Z'leyra panics confused as if he is going to attack.
         Thig lands near him and pulls his sword.  But his eyes
         fall on Z'leyra and he shakes his head not in malice
         but in sympathy.  He begins to turn in a small dance.]

        Corr: "It is a spirit dance.  He is trying to guide the
          spirit to ...its destination.  He means no harm."

        [...Reality dissolves...light goes gray...darkness...
         a spirit lifts up and separates from its body...a sense
         of wonder and confusion beset it...it begins to float
         around trying to figure out what is going on.  Soon what
         could be nano-seconds or an eternity it realizes who it
         is - Caladan.  Caladan's spirit flies over the camp and
         sees the carnage.  Bodies and knocked out folks everywhere.
         He should feel happy the party has won but oddly he feels
         no emotion.  He looks at the other shamans and wizard.
         he flies through the tents and tipis.  He flies into the
         sky and sees stars even more clearly than before.  He can
         see so much more clearly now.  He begins to feel a pull
         from that direction then another direction.  Then no where
         then everywhere.  He doesn't belong here anymore he feels.
         He realizes now he must be surely dead.  Yet sadness does
         not best him.  He turns in the sky but in that nano-second
         of time he finds himself somewhere else.  Here everything
         is gray.  There are hills...plains...mountains...it is dark
         or gray dark.  He flies for what seems like hours and sees
         a s silver glowing road.  He lowers to the road and follows
         it.  Suddenly he sees a person walking the road.  He approaches
         and slows toward it.  Suddenly the robed man turns and there
         is no face.  The robed figure turns and continues walking.
         Caladan flies away and follows the road again.  Now confused
         as this isn't what he thought the afterlife would be he wonders
         what to do.  Suddenly he feels a presence.  A cold presence.
         he turns and sees a darkness in extreme.  Suddenly two red
         eyes form.  He hears a strange voice in his head to his side
         and to his rear.  Everywhere but no where.  "I can save you.
         All you need to do is ask."  Caladan asks "Who are you?"
         Red Eyes answers "Someone who can help.  I am here due to
         a mutual friend.  All you need-"

         Suddenly Caladan is forced upward by something.  He looks
         down to the dark form far below.  A bird flies around him
         and squawks.  A bird here?  Yet he feels like the bird he
         knows? The blue bird circles Caladan.  Caladan turns and
         looks for the bird but its gone.  Caladan looks down again
         and sees the camp again below no silver road.  More confused
         he wonders what to do.  He feels contentment.  Suddenly he
         hears chanting.  A spirit song?  He heard that song before
         as a child.  He is pulled to Cetric and floats around him.
         He sees his body again and Z'leyra working on him.  What
         is she doing?  That neck wound is nasty she even can't fix
         that.  "Just ask" he hears again.  He looks around but doesn't
         see the dark form.  "Join your friends."  Caladan is torn
         should he rejoin the living by simply asking or would that
         change fate and interfere.  Is this part of the afterlife?
         A Test?  A god or gods or spirit guide asking if one should
         live or die?  Yet this is not how the shamans and elders have
         taught it.  There is a great plain of rolling hills where
         the Zen'da can live in peace with no war or disease.  That
         silver road is something the civilized cultures think of
         not the Zen'da.  Could this be his brain trying to interpret
         the afterlife?  Suddenly he hears Z'leyra speak a few magical
         words that are clear and precise in his head though in real
         life they are a whisper.  What is she doing.  Caladan's spirit
         lowers down to his body and looks at Z'leyra.  He doesn't know
         the words but could she be doing what Cetric promised?  If
         so his spirit should return now.  He quickly tries to re-enter
         his body.  Then suddenly all sensation ends...]

        Z'leyra: "He is hurt too badly. I will set him outside of time
          to give me a chance to do the spells that might heal him. He
          will vanish and I can call him back when I am ready."

        [Cetric stops his chanting.  As if he senses something nearby.
         He hears Z'leyra's words but does not understand their
         true meaning. Z'leyra raises her hands and moves her gear
         back from the body.  She then casts the final spell.]

        [Caladan seems to fold into himself and then in an isntant
         he disappears.  Cetric watches in wonder.  Z'leyra without
         a heart beat turns and stands to bring her gear toward
         Farseeker.  She finds the lung wound and bandages him.  She
         explains he should live.  Kasha and the others give her
         some room to work.  She quickly finishes her healing skill
         and in doing so determines she will need the maximum spell
         for Farseeker.  She beats her drum to enter her shamanic
         trance and casts her healing spell.  Green magic filters
         down and the lung wound completely seals up.  She heals
         10 points back an improvement of 44% in health.  He is
         now only lightly wounded.]

        [Cetric stares at where Caladan was.  HE should've spoke
         up sooner.  He could've stopped her.  But the shock
         of the death overcame him.  He looks down at his wound
         as pain gets past his adrenaline.  He could've saved
         him.  He'll have to mention it later after he helps
         the others.]

        [Farseeker will wake up in little over 3 minutes from
         his healing.  He will then be patched up enough to
         help with the party clean up.  Lodd will take almost
         15 minutes to wake up after Jordi uses his healing
         amulet on him.]

        [Z'leyra examines the nearby villagers and finds no
         real serious wounds.  She ventures back into the
         camp and examines Rin.  As others found out he is
         beyond help as well.  His left rib cage was crushed
         by the horse trample and part of his brain was crushed
         in as well.  Praelux was already healed but will take
         about 20 minutes to wake up.  Balrog refuses treatment
         till others are taken care of.  But Z'leyra can tell he
         is in shock.  He agrees to help stop his bleeding though.
         Cetric is leery of her helping him at this point but may
         change his mind.]

        [Most of the enemy knocked out will take 30-45 minutes
         to wake up.  Thig in a break concentrates on the horses
         and has them gather around him and sit.  The claw seems
         to control them even though they have no bugs on them.
         That means the bugs aren't needed.  The tale of the
         Claw is true in it allowing it to control animals.  The
         bugs must be for people?  He concentrates and orders the
         free horses untied in the camp to enter back into the
         corral and stay and conveys a feeling of safety.  In
         seconds they start back to the corral.  Amazed at the
         power he takes to the air and circles the camp at about
         500 feet calling on other horses that fled the camp.
         This allows the collection of animsl far faster and
         takes only about 10 minutes to collect and cage them
         back into the corral.  The gate is finally closed as
         Balrog sneers at the cow who moos at him as if mocking
         him.  Thig lands and Cetric joins him.]

        Cetric: "The Claw is dangerous.  Be careful in using it
          for the power can corrupt the mind."

        Thig: "I'm sure you would know this.  Some of my magic
          relies in mind magic.  In learning them I have learned
          how to control my mental processes well."

        Cetric: "Suit yourself but we will have to destroy the
          Claw."

        Thig: "Destroy this item would be a shame.  It could help
          many with animals lost or out of control.  But I
          do agree.  It can also lead to great peril for others.
          The question is how do we destroy it?"

        Kasha: "Put it on the ground I'll destroy it." [He swings
          his mace]

        Thig: "A magic item of this value would simply be able to
          resist normal weapons likely."

        [Thig thinks on it and glances at the fire.]

        Thig: "The fire could destroy it but I have a feeling it
          might not.  Magical fire might.  Yet the one to do
          that is dead.  Any suggestions on its destruction or
          what to do with the claw?"

        [Meanwhile the unconscious are gathered and tied up.
         Thig helps to examine the warriors and finds no magical
         threat from them so their mouths are not gagged.  From
         the shamans and wizard he tells to gag them for sure.
         From the leader his gear is removed as he only has magical
         items on him.  He is not gagged as he has no magical
         ability that Thig can tell.]

        [The Elite - 2 shamans, wizard and the leader are separated
         and kept near the camp to be watched with more care.  The
         others are tied up against the corral railing and surrounded
         by sentries (Corr, Lodd and Kasha).]

        [After the villagers are healed and helped they are gathered
         also in one group.  When the warriors are tied up it is
         determined that none have the bugs on them.  Same for the
         elites.  Only the villagers seem to have such.]

        Corr: "That would mean the warriors fought on their own
          with no control by the claw.  The villagers were only
          pawns of the claw.  But for what purpose?"

        Thig: "It looks like the shaman was going to surround himself
          with villagers in the last seconds of the battle so he
          would be protected and could do more damage to us.  We'd
          have to go through the villagers first."

        Cetric: "The coward even used that teen girl to protect himself."

        [As the warriors are grouped up their armor and weapons are
         taken and piled into one group.  Thig goes through the gear
         and treasure found.  He separates the magical ones with the
         help of Jordi.  Meanwhile Ben'dar examines the horses in
         the corral with a torch.  He finds all in good or great shape.
         Only 3 have minor cuts and scratches.  They should heal fine
         without his help.  He examines them for their quality and
         finds some of great value then he recalls Tef'wo.  He takes
         a horse out with his torch and gathers the party horses.  He
         rather not leave them there for now.]

        Kasha: "Our camp may have to be collected for our gear as well.
          So wolves don't take things from it."

        [Nothing the warriors had are magical.  But the elites have
         some magical items.  From the leader he finds two potions
         and a amulet of magical value.  From the four man tent
         a shamans's wand is found.  Its figured to be a shaman
         as the clothing nearby is of the shamans not the leaders
         or the wizards.  The wand is magical.  But a shaman with
         a wand?  In the four man tent which is figured to be the
         Elite's sleeping tent a laurel staff is found.  But thig
         determines it hasn't been attuned magically (enhanced).
         This must have been the wizard's.]

        [So all in all only the wand, amulet, 2 potions seem to
         be magical.  The claw is obviously magical.  The laurel
         staff is pre-magic.  Everything else (weapons, armor and
         other items) are non-magical.  The non-magical items
         like weapons and armor are of good quality and design
         compared to the warrior's gear which is average.]

        [When Lodd wakes Farseeker finds and talks to him.]

        Farseeker: "This camp you mentioned wasn't here in the
          past is that correct?"

        Lodd: "Yes.  It should be less than two months old.  That
          is the last time I was in this area."

        Farseeker: "What's with the corral then the cow and the
          goats?"

        Corr: "Even nomadic hunting parties sometimes take a goat
          for milk.  But a corral was likely needed to keep the
          amount of animals safe.  From the looks of it was
          quickly made."

        Farseeker: "So then I ask again why is this camp here so
          close to the Ga'fel border?  Is that normal?"

        Lodd: "For the Bova no.  They tend to be at least five
          miles or more this close to the border is not their
          style.  Most are ten miles away."

        Farseeker: "I think its time we talk to the folks."

        [Unali helps the raped female by the Big Warrior to some
         warm drink.  She feels for the female.  Later the female
         wonders the camp and sees the tied up Big Warrior near
         the leader of the enemy.  The big warrior ungagged sneers
         at the female and grins.  She walks forward in anger.  But
         Kasha stops her.]

        Kasha: "We will deal with them."

        Female: "I claim revenge! He hurt me!  See?"

        [Balrog walks up with Farseeker.]

        Farseeker: "He also stabbed me but to kill him makes us
          like them until we can determine their justice."

        Female: "You are cowards.  I'll kill him myself!"

        Big Warrior: "No one can claim justice for Torg.  I
          enjoyed it!  To see Caladan of the Ga'fel die was
          worth it!"

        [Balrog turns and pulls a dagger and charges but is
         stopped by Farseeker.]

        Farseeker: "We will deal with him."

        Balrog: "He just ...he deserves to die!"

        Torg: "Cowards!  Fight me one on one.  You I stabbed and
          even was a disadvantage to me! Fight me in a fair fight!"

        [Farseker turns and glares at the big warrior - Torg]

        [The female sees Cetric and Ben'dar.  She rushes up
         to them.]

        Female: "I claim my right!  He deserves to die.  I
          claim the right of Kuk'tam!"

        Cetric: "She does have the right.  She was violated.
          Even normal Zen'da do not harm their females."

        [Unali grunts at this comment seeing what the females
         are treated like in his village.]

        Kasha: "It does lead us to figure out what we wish to
          do with them.  Do we kill them or leave them here?"

        Thig: "It also leaves us to figure out what is next.
          Do we camp or leave?  Our next step is clearly to
          return to Caladan's village.  But when? We should
          know what to do with the villagers and the enemy.
          The villagers were kidnapped from the other clan's
          village where Vlad stayed."

        [At this Praelux wakes and hears the conversation.  He holds
         his head from a headache. He looks around for Caladan.]

        Praelux: "These villagers are friends and my clan.  They
          need to be taken home.  Where is Caladan and Rin?"

        [Ben'dar quietly explains the situation.]

        praelux: "Dead?  But Caladan is strong...he can't be
          dead.  Where is his body?"

        [Z'leyra explains his wounds and the spell.  Praelux seems
         to accept this but at great sorrow.]

        Thig: "We will need to finish clearing the villagers of
          bugs with water.  They can help us guard the prisoners.
          But we will need to decide our next move."

        Corr: "There is a small wagon near the corral as well."

                  
    [Damage Report]

        Player       Damage Taken   # of Blows  Level     
      Cetric              15            2       Heavy
      Balrog               9            2       Heavy
      Praelux              5            1       Moderate
      Farseeker            5            2       Light 
      Chion                4            2       Light
      Corr                 3            1       Light
      Unali                2            1       Light
      Thig                 1            1       Light
      Villagers           ??           ??       Light to Moderate
      Enemy Warriors      ??           ??       Light to Moderate
      Enemy Elite         ??           ??       Light to Heavy

      GM:  Caladan/Rin Dead.  One shaman is dead.  The other dead
        was listed in last update.

      I listed the above in case Strie'bog wishes to heal some for
      experience.  I'm holding on that before I let Z'leyra likely
      heal the top 3 and strie'bog heal the others.  If no contact
      from Strie'bog in a week or two then Z'leyra can handle the
      rest.  But I figure might as well see if he has actions :)

                        -----------------------

      Ben'dar: "The Bova Noya will discover us here before long.  We
        need to leave their lands quickly."

      Thig: "Yes.  We have three-four hours before sunrise.  We should
        be over the border by then at the very least."

      [the female points to the elite leader.]

      Female: "He was in charge always yelling and giving orders.
        The others followed him."

      [Suddenly Kasha runs up...]

      Kasha: "We've got a problem.  There is one missing."

      Farseeker: "A body?"

      Kasha: "No a person.  When I was fighting the dogs over there
        by the tent.  One was on the horse while another charged
        my back.  I didn't realize it till I just did a head count.
        I've confirmed this with the Thig quietly there were 30
        warriors.  There are only 12 over there awake and 17
        bodies in that area.  That's 29.  The rider must've escaped--"

      Torg: "The coward!"

      Kasha: "-during the battle.  I didn't notice it.   He must
        have an hour's head start out there."

      GM: Look back at the update.  Notice two sections mention
        35 not 34 at top?  Notice the 12 and 17 in the enemy
        results section and the mention of 30? :)  Sneaky huh?
        but was on purpose not a mistake.  I had hoped someone
        had caught it.

      Farseeker: "Not good.  Even with traveling in darkness he
        could've lit a torch and be miles away by now."

      Thig: "Tracking him could be hard as there were many horses
        that fled from camp.  Anyone could be our person.  We'd
        have to track each track and that could take time."

      Cetric: "Then we must flee before he gets reinforcements."

      Farseeker: "Where's the nearest village for the Bova?"

      Lodd: "The one I know of closest to the border should be
        five miles from here."

      Farseeker: "Let's say he has no torch.  Is walking or
        riding very slowly.  He may know the area and direction.
        so he could be at the other village in 4-5 hours.  Which
        means we have 3-4 hours.  But by then it will be sunrise.
        A force riding that far away would take maybe an hour
        after that?  We at the very least have three hours before
        we could have trouble."

      Torg: "You will all die!"

      [The female charges again but is stopped.  Her anger is shown
       in her face.]

      Farseeker: "It will take us maybe 2 hours back to the border.
        in the dark."

         Actions? Comments?

         Next update Monday...

       GM: Lots of decisions

       Villagers: I assume they will be taken.  that is likely
         the only alternative.  If not let me know :)

       Enemy: A. Tied up and left?
              B. The 12 are killed?
              C. Taken with party?
              D. Other?

       Enemy Elite:
           A. Left
           B. Left behind with influence (a thig mind spell?)
           C. Killed?
           D. Taken with party?
           E. Other?

       /Animals: A. Left
                 B. Taken
                 C. Other?

        Treasure: What do you claim or take or leave behind?

        What next: When does the party leave?
          Vote by Now or some time frame within the last 24 hours
          like "an hour from now." "three hours".  Etc.

        Escaped person: A. Hunt
                        B. Leave for other strategic plans?
                        C. Other?

        The wagon could probably be rigged to take any treasure.








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