[pnpgm] Game Update #76 - File #305 - Snakes on a Hood
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Fri Sep 14 08:49:48 CEST 2007
#
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
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R1 John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar Ma
?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
R3 Wayne Richardson/Uji..Thig..............Sidh MU.Normal/Faerry Ma
W2 Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard ..Normal/Human Ma
R3 Orion (Paul Broman)...Trembyl...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W4 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
R3 Scott Adams...........Xian..............Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
R4 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Boyzdar [Wolf] (Strie'bog),
Game Web Site - 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 #76 in sequence (file #305)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Z'leyra signals to Chion that she will spend a few minutes
looking for tracks around the area and figuring out what they
may tell. After she has done that and told (via sign language)
her results to Chion she will sling her staff over her back to
ready her heavy sword and buckler.
Before she goes to swing at the damaged snake head she will
show Chion how to use the goblet and NMI to cure death poisons.
When ready she will edge close enough to take a swing, swing
then back off before snake head can retaliate. Repeat if
necessary. Hopefully it will have been cut thru without being
able to strike at her.
If that doesn't work out as planned she may jury rig a glaive
(polearm) out of her sword and staff and use the distance
provided to keep her safe while cutting down the staff plants
thru or just below the heads.
GM: Ack.
---------------------------
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
Ben'Dar shakes his head. "Leave the bodies for now. If the
Green Lady has a concern, she can send her people to clean
this up later."
GM: Ack.
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[New Stuff]
[Decalis 16th, 107th day since left Marentia, 42nd day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Location: Pavassa Forest - Lake Oca/Deep Forest]
[Time - 4:05pm]
[Weather - Overcast, 59 Degrees]
[Meanwhile at small storage hutt...]
[After investigating the small desolate spartan camp,
Trembyl and Strie'bog head off back onto the path.
Not finding anything of interest but the storage
hutt with the staves and gray orbs, it is time to
move on. They find the path right up against the
lake itself and head north and round toward
the east around the northern edge of the lake.
All the while they keep a keep on the lake, path
and forest for any signs or clues. Only once
do they spot Corona but don't get his attention
to send word to others. Corona continues to fly
from one side of the lake to the other looking
down into the lake.]
------------------
[Meanwhile at lake water edge in the east...]
[Chion lucky to be faster than the snake head looks
back at Z'leyra on the shore some 10 feet away.
Z'leyra signs with hand signals to Chion she will
go check around for tracks. Chion nods an
acknowledgement and turns back to the grove of animal
staffs. He studies where he cut the first one and
sees it is shaved off a bit so it did take some damage.
Now he knows he must be faster with the cut.]
[Z'leyra steps over the gray orbs ignoring them entireiy
as they seem to dry out in the cool breeze. The path
here is about 5 feet from lake water to the grass
and tree line of the forest. She begins to head north
and north-west. Since the tides and rain obviously
increase the water the water quickly can overcome the
path. Erasing any old tracks. The mud however would
define good tracks. It takes only moments to find
animal tracks like deer, wolf, birds, turtles, foxes
and even what might have been a bear paw. Only one
the other 3 must've been eaten away by the water and
shifting sand. She heads down the path some 20 feet
and keeping an eye on the trees. Up ahead a few feet
she finds some boot tracks. They are large impressions
in the mud and thick soles. She didn't get a good look
at the enemy boots or study them careful enough to fully
determine they are the boots of the warriors or not.]
[Chion wades through the knee high water again toward
the staff which has stopped moving and has been solid
for a good two minutes now. Since he has made progress
on the staff he knows its best to try there again.
He grabs the staff and as last time nothing happens.
He brings up his sai and quickly begins to saw the
staff rod to cut it. Breathing hard he keeps one
eye on the snake head and one on the staff rod.
The snake head seems to form even faster than before
and comes up and then down in a cobra like attack.
Chion draws up his sai right arm to block at the same
time bringing up his left arm with the wrapped cape
to block as well. At the same time Chion tries to
backstep with his left foot. The first arm deflects
the snake to coil down instead of over the arm and
then with a speed not seen before comes up under his
arm and lunges. Chion's eyes widen as he sees the fangs
of the snake head strike the underside of the right
arm just between the elbow and armpit. Fangs puncture
skin and immediately Chion can feel venom flow through
his arm. As he brings his right foot back to continue
his side step the mud below shifts and he loses some
footing. Chion looks to the staff rod piece and
sees that the rod is virtually cut about only one more
good slice is needed at this point. But almost immediately
the venom reaches his neck, chest and head. Chion
becomes dizzy and the lake begins to spin around him.
He shifts his right hand to gain better footing to reach
the shore some ten feet away. As he does he suddenly
realizes he can't feel his right arm. For some reason
he is still holding the sai in a tight grip that may
now be held only by muscle tension. As his left hand
reaches for the snake he yanks it free of his arm.
But at the same time finds himself becoming less and
less in control of his body. The paralysis venom seems
to overtake in great speed. Chion begins to speaks
a word of magic to maybe teleport away or to do something
but finds only a gasp is able to escape as his shoulder
and vocal cords lock up. Chion suddenly feels his body
falling to the lake with his right side of the body
going into the water first. But the left arm still
holds the snake's body and as he falls the snake
separates from the staff rod.]
[Z'leyra now 25 feet away examines the 3 sets of boot
prints found. Two seem to be definitely heavy paced
likely men. One set of boots seem to be low style
boots or ankle boots or maybe sandals. Its hard to
tell but they are lighter impression denoting a smaller
weight or maybe a female? As she examines the tracks
a loud splash is heard behind her. She quickly raises
up and almost yells for Chion when she realizes she
better not. She trots back to the gray orbs and looks
around in the water for Chion. But all she sees is
a grove of staffs and the brown murky water....]
[As Chion begins to take water into his lungs he can't
fight the scream of irritation. He wonders why
Z'leyra walked away. Maybe at least he'll get to
be Cetric's apprentice by him saving him?]
GM: I had to assume Chion went back to the staffs from
the implied actions of last time. Since Z'leyra
let a open ended action of going to look for
tracks this ended up this way. Evil grin :)
Suspense or just evil fun? :)
------------------
[Meanwhile in the deep forest in the West...]
[Ben'dar replies to Farseeker on the bodies.]
Ben'dar [shaking head]: "Leave the bodies for now. If
the Green Lady has a concern, she can send her people to
clean this up later."
Farseeker: "I'll let YOU explain that to her." [He grins
and nods.] "I want no part in that conversation."
[Arawn continues to study the snakes and tries to
read and sense their magical ability. But nothing
is sensed or found. Nothing at all except the
aura of mana around him by Ben'dar, Farseker and
Thig. He wraps some of the horse blankets around
his arms and the others study Arawn as Arawn studies
the snakes. Confused they watch in silence. Arawn
begins to concentrate and Thig can detect something
magical in the air but unsure what it is. Within
about 10 seconds the snakes begin to calm down and
their hissing and wriggling ends. They stand up
straight with tongues flicking in and out. But
they seem to remain calm. Arawn knows he only has
a short few seconds. He wishes to learn more about
this strange hood and its uses. It doesn't seem to
be vocal commands so maybe its thought. He reaches
out and with caution grabs the headdress. He lifts
up the headdress a few inches and waits. The snakes
remain calm.]
Farseeker: "What are you doing!?"
[Ben'dar watches Arawn and confused as well wonders what
is going on. This is the second Elf he has encountered.
Arawn is like Jordi a bit odd to him. He wonders if
all Elves are like this dangerous and mysterious.]
[Arawn sees the snake remain calm and brings the headdress
closer. he raises is up and look under the headdress.
It seems to be of a curved (imagine fire hat) shape
of a half circle. The bottom and sides are brown leather.
There is a lip around the head about a fingernail in
size. On top are the 20 or so snakes as tall as a hand
is to the elbow but most are about half that size. Most
snakes are brown or black. They seem to study Arawn
as he studies them.]
[Thig is amazed to see how calm the snakes are and wonders
if this Alfar knows more about these creatures than
he is letting on.]
[Intrigues and still fascinated but needing information
on how these hoods are used he moves the headdress up
and over his head. Before anyone can object he places
it on his head. Nothing seems to happen. But then
3 seconds later a strange sensation begins to sink
into Arawn's mind. it sounds like a strange echo or
a distant echo. He wonders if its the voice of the
enemy or the snakes. He tries to concentrate on the
voice or sensation to see if he can pull it further
into focus. Arawn's visual eyes stare at the tree
before him but his mental eyes seem to notice a form
of massive snakes maybe a den of them all wriggling
and hissing. They seem to be hundreds or thousands of
them. Could this be the mental representation of
the snakes? As he begins to form a thought to try
and contact the sounds he doesn't hear Thig gasp.
Suddenly the duration of the empathic contact is
broken and the snakes jerk and hiss. Arawn still
entrenched mentally doesn't notice until the hood
shifts on his head. Suddenly snakes are lunging down
and striking.]
[Ben'dar grabs up his pike and lunges ready to lop off
the headdress, and hoping not to behead Arawn. But
as he lunges the few feet forward he sees half a dozen
snakes moving downward. Eight of the snake heads
lunge down and strike Arawn in the face, neck, shoulders,
back and arms. Arawn is suddenly broken out of his
mental contact by the pain of fangs all around his
head and shoulders. He tries to lift up the headdress
but finds the fangs in his body and face are in tight.
Suddenly he feels venom fill his head, shoulders and
arms. With intensive amounts of venom flowing down
his body it overtakes his heart and flows through his
body within 2 seconds. Arawn gives out a gasp of
shock as he falls forward into the cool grass but
is amazed not to find no more pain in his body. In
fact he feels nothing from the paralysis. As Ben'dar
raises his pike, Farseeker stops him.]
Farseeker: "Wait. If you strike the snakes torn free
would rip his face and skin apart with their fangs.
We may have no choice but to wait till the venom
is drained and they release him. Right Thig?"
Thig: "I don't know. I'm not familiar with snakes
and venom. But sounds right. Maybe I should
fly back and get Z'leyra?"
GM: Arawn let me explain the cause of this. Your actions
were open ended. Based on your "interest" in the
"use" of the gear the only way to figure out its
use was to wear the hood. Since in your actions
you didn't say NOT to. I went with what Arawn's
intelligence would've told him (ie magical helmets
must be worn after all). But fear not you know
its only paralytic poison. Not death poison.
Rather at least the Staffs had that. These
snakes who knows? :) Stay tuned! Evil huh? :)
------------------
[Meanwhile at the Clearing...]
[Unaware of the problems in the forest and around the
Lake Xian and the Vassa return with fire wood. Xian
cleans his hands of the dust and lets the Vassa to
their flint and steel to light it up. Unali looks
toward Xian and both sit down to talk. Talk of
the creatures.]
Unali: "No, Xian, these beasts are unlike anything I ever
saw in my homeland. They are not even part of the stories
and legends told me when I was young. Even so, the evidence
points towards Katai and that they have a master there
who controls them somehow. If they got this far across
the world, it does not bode well and we might as well
look into it. We could ask Chion whether he has an
recollection of such beasts and where they might be
originating from. And when we decide to go east, we
probably stop in Marentia on the way, to rest and stock
up, as we will have a long journey ahead of us. It's
getting cold. But you seem worried, and I'm not sure
it is the journey ahead of us or something else. What
is on your mind?"
[Xian looks to the lake and then back down at the
ground. Sitting indian style he dusts off his dirty
brown robes. Seemingly ignoring the question. He
finally looks to Unali and nods then back at the
trees toward the west.]
Xian: "You know me well. We've been together now for
what? Two or three years? You may have noticed I've
never been religious. I know. That sounds odd for
a Wizard. It is assumed most magic users must be
religious even in a vague degree. At least all
the Masters claim magic comes from the gods after all."
[He waves a hand up to the sky] "But does it or does
it simply come from some central source? I dare
only think of these things in my mind. Though they
say the gods know all. I've been as far south
as Port Doman. As far west as Donara and as far
east as Bhamotin. But in all Marentia has been
my home. Now we head north into the plains and
this place. It fascinates me." [After a long
pause] "I've died what...three or four times in
the last few years. I think at least twice this
year on Clima. Z'leyra saved me both times if
I recall. Even then I still had my doubts on the
gods. Then we encounter the Priestess in the Fortress.
The strange paintings in their ritual room and
the ones in the final crown royal like chamber. Then
we skip to Cetric and Caladan. When Caladan died I
was sad. We've lost many friends over the years like
Triest and Kama. Oh sorry he was before your time.
But then Cetric resurrects him. Still I had lingering
doubts. The encounter with Exam may have changed
all that. As you recall we, I had to kill Timon. My
brother for some reason was helping the Climans. Why
to this day I still don't know. When I had to kill
him in the fight I tore off his necklace my father made
for him. It was a unique item."
[He pauses and reaches into his robes to an internal
pocket and pulls something out. In his hand he
dangles a silver chain necklace. The bottom pendant
is a arrow like shape but with a gold tip and a
clear like bottom that reflects the sun. Clearly
made by a craftsman or jeweler with magical power.
He dangles it in front of him.]
Xian: "Answer me this. If I killed Timon and left
the necklace on his body in the fortress how
come Ezam had it in his possession? When Chion
killed the vampire he found the ring and this
falling from his ashes." [He looks to Unali
with a serious face] "This item could not have
been remade or even imagined. Its too odd.
I could be wrong but my father told me he only
made one for Timon and another for me. Mine
is jade and a hint of pearl in a odd mix. Its
back home. I know Timon was dead as I checked
his body when the dragon creature attacked.
So how could that necklace end up a thousand
or so miles from Clima into L'p'nth? Since then
I've been thinking about it for the last month
or so. When we return to Marentia my priority
will seek out Kaylle. See if he knows anything
about this Ezam guy. Then try to figure out
with craftsman if indeed this necklace is unique
or a copy. If it is unique" [He pauses and
puts it back in his robes] " then I have a serious
problem to deal with. Honestly at this point I
don't know if I'll be able to go with Katai
in the spring. I assume we'll have to head there
in the spring as traveling in Winter is dangerous."
[After a few minutes the crackle of the fire is heard
behind them. Both watch the woods and wonder about
the others. Finally Xian speaks more.]
Xian: "I also worry about the others. We don't know
if they are in danger. You are a mighty warrior.
I'm just a simple healer not even of Z'leyra's skill.
Nor a wizard in teleport like Chion's skill. One
hit from a blade like Farseeker's and I'm dead.
You can pull your own. But I've seen so much
death in the last two years. Triest the senseless
death by vagabonds over a dice game on the streets.
It all seems to be spiraling out of control." [He
glances at Unali] "Don't you think its like we
have no real control over our fate anymore? Could
the fate or wishes of the gods be in true control?"
[He looks back at the woods] "Maybe there is something
to this whole god thing I've missed. if that's
the case could there be higher powers at work here.
Beyond our control? Can we even win in that regard?
Just minutes ago you almost died. I see the power
of Bohusara and Miklav. Obviously power from a higher
source than mortal means." [He looks down at his boots
and picks grass off] "Maybe I'm starting to open
my eyes. But look at Strie'bog he is a Priest or
trained in that area from what I understand. he
seemed shocked by all this combat today. I suspect
he knows more than we know. Do we want to know
that information?" [He looks back at the lake
away from Unali] "The lake I wonder if we can
cure it. My master always taught me that when
power grows in a person be it through skill or
expert in a spell the gods take notice. Chion
has clearly gotten to the point of a super teleporter.
Surely he has drawn the attention of the gods?
Z'leyra with her healing ability and her magical
toys. Arawn the son of gods must surely have eyes
on him now. Strie'bog son of a supernatural force
of nature. Right there are four sets of eyes from
the divine on this group. Does that mean we will
start to meet harder hardships? Maybe the spell
that backfired on Z'leyra is in reflection to that?
These enemy are the hardest we've faced and I've
faced many." [he turns back to Unali] "Could this
be the start of something big? Sorry. I don't
mean to bore you with my rambling thoughts. This
necklace thing and other issues have been distracting
me for some time." [He stands and claps his hands.]
"Want to warm up by the fire?" [He reaches out a hand
to help her up or wait for any response.]
Actions? Comments?
Next update Monday...
GM: Chion/Z'leyra - East, Ball/Staff Patch
, Trembyl/Strie'bog - West, Storage structure
Arawn, Thig, Ben'dar, Farseeker - West, Deep forest
Corona - Sky, over lake
Xian, 4 Vassa, Unali - Clearing
Bohusara - East, Unknown
GM: Arawn - Those questions/comments on the armor and
such in your email. Remind me later and we can
recover that assuming you live :)
GM: Folks - See this is where lack of actions or rather
detailed actions can hinder. I just went with
what I had :). If its open ended and I can
interpret it some other way then I might grab
at it :). I think its fun. Evil but fun and
adds spice :) But nothing personal in it.
"Snakes on a Hood" - "Why won't this M** F****..."
Well nevermind. Anyone see Snakes on a Plane? :)
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