[pnpgm] Game update #77 - File #309 - Rescue by Stick and Mouth
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Tue Sep 18 08:38:38 CEST 2007
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------
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 #77 in sequence (file #309)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
Ben'Dar stares at the elf in shock as Arawn puts the headdress
on and the snakes bite him. "What the...!?!?" Ben'Dar mutters
in disbelief. Using a long stick, he carefully pries the snakes
off of Arawn and flings the headdress away from the elf.
Reaching down, he feels the elf's neck for a heartbeat and
listens at his mouth for breath. "Only paralyzed, I think..."
he says in relief.
"Looks like our scouting trip has been cut short! Let's get
him some healing back at the lake as quickly as possible."
Ben'Dar lays Arawn's limp form over the elf's horse, like a
bag of grain, and ties the horse's reins to Tef'wo's saddle.
He begins the journey back to the lake, moving at a fast pace
in case Arawn's paralysis turns into something more serious.
(Ben'Dar leaves the snake headdress where he flung it.)
GM: Ack.
--------------------------
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Realizing that Chion must be in the water near the injured
staff plant Z'leyra will find Chion and carry him out of the
water. Carrying him so that the water drains out of his lungs.
Once on shore she will use her healing skills to make sure he
is breathing and not getting worse. Then she will check him for
other injuries, if possible she will remove some of the vemon.
If getting worse she will try giving him some water from the
goblet after swirling the bezoar in it. [If he needs more help
than she can give him to prevent his dying she will say
"Bohusara, Chion is dying and needs your help. Please come."
And then she will describe where they are.]
She will take some scrap wood or bark Mark in it "Help! follow
horse... Z" and wedge it into the saddle. She will tell the
horse that if she falls down and stays down the horse should
run back to the party, nod towards the scrap and lead the party
back to her after they have looked at the scrap.
Once Chion has stabilized she will watch him as she ties her
sword and staff together into a jury rigged glaive. When sure
that she can take a few minutes from watching him she will look
around then proceed to destroy the staff plants from a safe
distance.
GM: Ack.
--------------------------
From Chion: [Re: Actions]
Well... no. Chion wouldn't be this dumb and probably woulda
just fireballed it all but oh well.
My fault for not getting back to you in weeks I guess.
In any event, the very least he can do is try to hold his
breath as he sinks in the mud now. He still has his rock,
hopefully.
GM: Ack. Still have rock. Yes.
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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 on the northern edge of the Lake...]
[Trembyl and Strie'bog continue eastward around
the northern edge of Lake Oca. Both keep an
eye out on the Lake itself and the trees nearby.
Trembyl continues to wonder about Strie'bog's
silence as they walk. To get him to talk
Trembyl starts up a conversation as the wind
blows across the lake into their faces.]
Trembyl: "I wonder what those gray things are.
The Orbs could be food maybe? Like mushrooms?
Any guesses?"
[But Strie'bog continues to walk in silence....]
--------------------
[Meanwhile in the deep forest to the west...]
[As Arawn finds himself staring up at the tree canopy
and a very active nest of snakes above his forehead
he considers his next move. He doesn't feel pain
as the venom quickly flows through his body and
wonders if its worth the risk. His intent was to
bond with the crown and learn the nature of it or
at least the snakes. He wonders if upwards of it seems
like 10 bites could a normal human even live through
such venom amounts? He knows he is no simple human
though. As the snakes hiss and wiggle Arawn begins
to concentrate inwardly. As fangs stick to one check,
3 in his neck, 2 in his shoulder and several others
in his chest some release their grip and hiss as
their venom is drained. Arawn knows he could very
well have scars from this encounter unless it can
be regenerated. Arawn finds himself drifting in a
realm of his own thoughts. Floating with no cares.
Every which way he turns his mental "self" he can
feel attachment. Echoes of friends (a Zen'da warrior,
a Faerry wizard, a heavy weapons warrior...), family
(at one point he thought he could feel his mom's
own presence or maybe a memory) and relatives living
and dead (uncles and cousins not seen in ages). He
is confused by the mix of thoughts in his mental
vision as he pulls himself together into a central
focus. Was mother trying to contact me or was that
my mind thinking of her? Arawn considers in his
multitude of thoughts.]
[Thig stares in amazement at the scene of the snakes
sticking in the now limp Arawn. He grabs his sack
off his pack and looks for something.]
Thig: "Some snakes hate salt for some reason. I learned
that back in the jungles around Port Doman fighting
Kotothi creatures."
Farseeker: "Don't remind me of that place. Those
slaves and that temple! Can you get the snakes off?"
Thig: "I think so." [After another pause] "I can't
seem to find my salt flask. It must be in the
Faerry castle. Forget that idea." [He stands
and considers things.]
Farseeker: "Snakes and Kotothi go hand and haad if
I recall. Could he be behind all this?"
Thig: "Wouldn't put it past him."
[As Ben'dar listens to this quick banter he is surprised
to hear the calm in their voice. Seeing a friend
down and not going to his rescue? Course they realize
its not a death poison. But could this be different?
He scowls at the his thoughts. Thig did try to come
up with a plan but it didn't work. He begins to scour
the forest floor for a stick. Within a few seconds
he finds one by the tree a good 4 foot one but small
enough to deftly move between the snakes. Zen'da
warriors are trained to find and track snakes on the
plains. Find them in pits and in some cases grab
them from their pits, not the safe ones but the more
dangerous poisonous ones. All Zen'da warriors seem to
go through at least one snake test before age 14.
Ben'dar even has heard of a warrior society that almost
treats the snakes better than their women. Some have
been known to even go into combat with snakes in bags
to throw at other warriors. Ben'dar levels the long
stick and checks its strength. He walks over near
Arawn and stands over him. Arawn can see him with his
open paralyzed eyes.]
[Arawn looks up at Ben'dar and wonders if Ben'dar is
about to bash his head in for being so foolish in
his eyes? Maybe this is some Zen'da ritual of mercy?
He continues to rush his concentration as he realizes
maybe he intends to take the snakes off.]
[Thig watches Ben'dar and his senses perk up as he
senses something. He looks around the forest and
then concentrates on Arawn. He raises a hand as
Ben'dar begins to lower the stick.]
Thig: "Wait! I'm sensing magic build up. He
may be trying something."
[Ben'dar stops and stares at Arawn's eyes trying
to read his mind. But suddenly Ben'dar feels
a tingling in his forehead. He raises a left
hand to his temple. He looks up at Thig and
then back down at Arawn. Ben'dar begins to
think Arawn is starting to attack him as he can
sense something. Then suddenly Ben'dar can hear
in his mind Arawn's voice.]
Arawn [Telepathically] "Leave the crown on me. I'm in no
pain. I was in contact with... something... I want the
chance to find out what and if I can control the serpent
crown."
[Ben'dar scowls. Arawn in his mind! A personal affront!
His mind is his! Then as soon as those emotions build
up they seem to fade. Ben'dar's bias toward magic
comes to the front but reason overcomes it. His 2 decades
of life has taught him might is right, magic is for the
silly shamans. Being with this party of folks has
slowly eroded those traditional thoughts. Ben'dar looks
up and explains the contact and message.]
Farseeker: "He IS insane! Maybe the reason he was thrown
lost around here was even the gods thought he was
crazy." [As soon as the words escape his mouth he
realizes that last line may be too much. He tries
to slink back a foot in hopes Arawn didn't hear it
over the hissing of the snakes.]
[Arawn smiles to himself as the others talk. It seems
the contact was made. Now he can get to work even
if it means death could result. He knows his special
bonding ability lasts no more than a good 30 seconds.
Usually good to calm wild dogs on a street and get
away from them. But this situation has lasted well
over 30 seconds so the snakes are in total control
of their being. He knows though this hood seems
very unusual and may have properties to discover
and learn. Maybe the bond is over but maybe the hood
through the snakes or the snakes through the hood
wishes to study Arawn? If that's the case could his
own secrets be learned and sent elsewhere? Arawn
considers this as he sinks further into his thoughts
trying to make contact again with the hood even though
his bond has been broken.]
Farseeker: "I don't like this. What's to say the big
snake guy." [He points upwards] "Doesn't possess
Arawn through this contact thing."
Thig: "If that's the case he'll probably want death
over that. As Elves, or for that matter Sidh,
hate Kotothi forces to the point of fanatics."
[Ben'dar hears that and scowls but gives a smirk
maybe a mercy death for the Elf might be better
than talking to snakes!]
[As Arawn hears the words on the fringes of his mental
plain echo all about him he also considers the
idea of these snakes being Kotothi. He knows in
that situation such forces would try to kill him
almost instantly. As he thinks on this dreadful
though the plain begins to darken from a gray white
to a inky velvet black. Arawn's mental "self" stands
and looks around trying to further reach his mind into
or against the edges of the hood. He wonders if the
hood is alive or just the snakes. For what seems like
an eternity, and to a mind even a second can be that,
something begins to form. All about him a white
and yellow fog. What are the snakes or the hood or
both trying to show him? Arawn continues to float
around inside this white/yellow fog trying to make
sense of it. Suddenly a bright line seems to break
through what looks to be a crack in the fog. Streaks
of light flash like lightning. Then suddenly the
fog seems to break all over as cracks seem to form.
Light and sensation seem to fill the mental plain.
Arawn's vision seems to dart back and forth as if
dizzy. Then Arawn realizes what is going on as his
vision looks "around". As he looks around he notices
orbs of white and yellow around him. Maybe half
a dozen of them. Then Arawn realizes these must be
eggs. Snakes come from eggs. He must have been
in a egg during one of the snakes birth. Could the
snakes be showing him his life? Maybe. But for
what purpose. As other eggs burst and snakes squirm
out, hiss and sniff the air it stays that way for
what seems like a long time. Arawn tries to study
the area and finds it in wooded area of some kind.
But the sky seems a light purple? Eventually something
large comes over him and the other snakes as a female
like the one he was attacked by approaches. She
bends down and using something like a tool or rope
gathers up the snakes in a bag. Soon vision turns to
brown as he is inside the bag and around a mass of
other hissing snakes. For another long time period
of unknown length he and the others are dumped out
on some form of wet surface. More damp than wet.
Soon the female comes back and the snakes find themselves
being examined. Inside a small room of browns and
reds. Arawn seems to notice the walls pulse and hum
for some reason?]
Farseeker: "Its been a minute we should do something."
Thig: "His breathing is the same if he was in trouble
it surely would automatically increase."
Farseeker: "For a human. But what about the son of
a god?"
Thig: "Good question."
[As Arawn in his now snake "self" is picked up his
vision gets close to the gray faced female. She
is wearing a headdress but this one has no snakes
on it just thin spikes. As his vision is shifted
he noticed a warrior like the ones the party fought
standing by what could be a door flap? Arawn
sees something inserted into his body and something
taken out, maybe blood? Arawn is put back on the
table and notices instruments, vials and flasks of
smoke on the table. But its only a half second
of the view. Soon the pile of snakes is put into
a wet soft mud of sorts and time seems to pass as
each snake gets bigger and bigger getting as big
as 3 foot in some cases. Soon the pile of snakes
are collected once more in a bag and put onto
another table but this time outside. As Arawn
looks up he is startled to see the light purple
sky again. But this time he sees a blue moon or
maybe a planet sized moon fill about 30% of the
sky. It appears to be day. As his vision shifts
to the side he notices a sparkling rainbow span
a great deal of the sky. Not a rainbow but seems
to be sparkling white, gray and dark objects in
the sky? Arawn in snake form is picked up and
placed on top of a empty hood he recognizes. But
suddenly a bolt of mental pain reaches him.]
[Arawn begins to fear it could be too late. his
breathing increases and the other 3 around him
start to move toward him.]
--------------------
[Meanwhile at lake water edge in the east...]
[As Chion sinks to below the murky water he wonders
if this is the end. He was careful and cautious.
He has been up against many marks in his life and
come close many times to being caught or killed.
But to die from a stupid staff? Of all things!
As water burns his now open eyes and water fills his
lungs he only hopes Z'leyra has the ability to save
him. Then he recalls that he has a good 100 pounds
on her. Carrying him out will be no easy task.
He also recalls she is a simple shaman with not as
much muscles as him probably half or double the
muscles. As fear sinks in with the water he knows
there is always Cetric. What irony. To be an
apprentice of Cetric he'd have to die first!]
[Z'leyra rushes toward the horses and sees bubbles in
the water. She throws down her bag, staff and
shield onto the sandy beach. Without thinking
she runs into the water and slows down. As water
splashes about she realizes the water is cold.
She wishes she hadn't left her gloves at the manor.
As she pushes her hands into the water searching
for Chion she sees the staff rod with a missing
top half. He must've cut one off. Could that mean
the snake is now in the water swimming about? She
begins to cringe as she may have just walked into
her doom. If she gets paralyzed there is no one
to save them but Corona if he happens to notice.
Then it may be too late.]
[Chion senses the movement in the water and sees the
snake move past his eyes and through into the
murky water. He hears something in the water and
hopes its not a large lake monster. Suddenly
hands grasp his arms and he is pulled out of the
water and sees Z'leyra. But he still has a great
deal of water taken in.]
[Z'leyra tries to shift Chion's 240 pound frame
in her arms. With a great adrenaline rush she
lifts him up and around so his face and shoulders
are facing down into the water.]
[Chion wonders what she is doing? Finally she is
trying to drown him? But he then realizes she
is dragging him with as much strength as she
can manage through the water.]
[With as great strength as she can muster she tries
to keep Chion's torso out of the water. The
shore is 10-15 feet away but it seems like
a wile as she struggles against his weight. For
some reason she blames herself for cooking all
those meals in the past rather than making him
eat rations. Come to think of it she has rarely
seen him eat or drink much. How can a man so
big not eat or drink regular food?]
------------
[Meanwhile on the northern edge of the Lake...]
[Trembyl and Strie'bog continue walk and now
about 2/3rds around making good time in their
fast pace. Suddenly Trembyl sees the grove
of staves and Z'leyra trying to drown Chion?]
Trembyl: "What the -?"
[Both look at each other and run eastward. While
the patch is a good 500 yards across the water
it may be another 1200 yards around to get to it.
So both start to run as fast as they can.]
--------------------
[Meanwhile in the deep forest to the west...]
[The bolt of pain ends and Arawn regains some
mental control and suddenly realizes the pain
must be when he was "attached" to the hood itself.
Some painful process. The female speaks but
Arawn has no idea what she is saying. Suddenly
the images around him turn to darkness as a
mass of snakes comes from a long distance toward
Arawn in ever increasing speed. Arawn tries to
yell to calm them down or sense their intent but
finds nothing in response. They hiss and float
through the air toward him. Pain begins to fill
his mind as what seems like venom begins to
zap his brain tissue. Arawn begins to concentrate
to contact Ben'dar for help but the pain and
the chasing snakes seem to distract him too much.
Suddenly the snakes overtake him and begin to bite
and crawl all over him.]
[Outside his mind Arawn sees Ben'dar using the snake
to pull snakes off. He is glad to feel no pain
as fangs are forced free. The snakes seem to
realize that their target is down and now Ben'dar
is the enemy. Instead of restrikeing Arawn they
try to strike Ben'dar but only bite the stick
as he is too far away. As the last snake is
torn from his neck Ben'dar flicks the hood to the
side. It hits the ground.]
[Ben'dar moves to Arawn and checks his neck. Blood
drips from several wounds and he winces at the
face seeing one torn area of skin. Arawn should
be able to regenerate it he hopes. He finds his
pulse and breathing slow down.]
Ben'dar: "Only paralyzed, I think..." [He sighs in relief.]
[Farseeker goes over to the hood and using his heavy
great sword makes mush of the snakes as he pounds
them.]
Farseeker: "Hope he didn't want them as pets?"
Ben'dar: "Looks like our scouting trip has been cut short!
Let's get him some healing back at the lake as quickly
as possible."
Thig: "Your right. Besides Bohusara could learn of any
more of these things faster than we could."
[Ben'dar and Farseker easily lift Arawn up and
places him gently on Arawn's horse over the saddle.
They secure him with some ropes. Thig decides to
fly point as they mount up and drag Arawn's horse
along. Occasionally they stop and lift Arawn's
head to make sure blood doesn't settle and make
him sick in his head.]
[As Arawn feels himself moving roughly on the horse
back to the camp he sees the hood in the corner
of his head. The snakes look to be nothing more
than a bile of ooze and blood. Arawn sighs
inwardly wondering what else could've been learned
from the hood. But more than likely the hood would
be of no use without the snakes. Surely though
whoever killed the snakes, Arawn is unsure, did it
to help him and the forest creatures. He sighs
and quickly tries to memorize everything he saw
so he doesn't forget. Then begins to study those
images and try to understand them...]
--------------------
[Meanwhile at lake water edge in the east...]
[As Chion is dragged in the water he realizes he
is carrying with him what looks to be a pile
of mud and sand. He sighs as he realizes his
clothing and his nice cloak may be ruined. At
the very least need a good cleaning. Odd what
one thinks as black spots seem to take his eyes
and what surely is soon unconsciousness and probably
death. As his lungs burn as he drowns he wonders
who will get his home and his things. The house
with no door. His neighbors thought him weird
for that. He snickers inwardly as the last threads
of consciousness fades...]
[With what seems like forever Z'leyra finally
drags Chion onto the shore with his boots still
in ankle high water. She begins to huff and
puff as her own lungs burn from overuse. Exhaustion
begins to fill her body. But her duty is clear
with great effort she pulls him the rest of the
way and checks his pulse. Its weak but there.
She begins to beat on his back and water pours
out. But without his ability to cough it could
be harder to help him. She wonders if she should
put him in Oblivion, forest be dammed. But then
she realizes his magic defense might be too strong.]
[She continues to pat and move his body as best
she can lift up. Gravity takes much of the
water out in a gush. But she knows from her
training that lung can remain in the lungs for
some time even with this process. She reaches
around his body and does a hemlich shove to
his chest to drain even more water. As she
hears his breathing its still sounding like
water in him. She sighs and lifts his head
up. With a flustered face she realizes he
is breathing but could still choke and lose
oxygen to the brain as lung capacity is decreased.
She sighs and puts her mouth to his in a huff
he sucks trying to force some water out.]
[Chion regains consciousness as she forces his
stomach to compress. Then he is startled to
find her kiss him. What madness is this?
Then he realizes she is trying to force more
water out, he hopes.]
[As Z'leyra pulls away another gush of water
comes out. The body is paralyzed but it seems
his stomach reacts to her treatment and forces
water out of his stomach as well. She
tries once more to give mouth to mouth to
finalize the process. As she does she hears
footsteps behind her.]
Trembyl: "What the -?"
[Z'leyra rolls her eyes. What a sight to be caught
in. She pulls back and notices a twinkle or
was it her imagination in Chion's eyes. She finds
him breathing and no water vapor escapes his
mouth or nose For now he seems to be safe.]
Trembyl: "Need to be alone?" [Trembyl smirks.]
[Strie'bog taps Trembyl and points to the lake
at the staves. Suddenly Corona is heard making
a screech and dives into the water. He comes up
with the snake that escaped the staff rod but
it appears limp. Water drains from its open
mouth. Corona drops it on the shore and
lands nearby. Z'leyra then realizes the
snakes might not be able to swim like water
snakes or breath in the water. Maybe it
drowned just as Chion almost did. If she
could dissect it and check its stomach she
could be sure?]
------------------
[Meanwhile at the Clearing...]
[As Xian stands and warms his hands waiting for
Unali to stand Unali replies.]
Unali: "I agree with you that the dangers that we face
seem to be growing by the day. Not all of us are equally
prepared to deal with them. I learned young that it is
best not to flaunt your powers, because someone might
take an interest. If they be gods or otherwise, I am not
sure. There are many gods on both sides of the divide,
and a mere mortal would best not get caught up in their
battle. I know you are a supporter for one cause, so
don't take offence.
As to your brother and what happened to him, I have no
idea. Your suggestion to seek out Kaylle is a good one.
We could also ask him f he knows anything about these
strange creatures. Then maybe we can decide what to do,
and which of these many questions to pursue. Once the
others get back here, we should discuss it with them.
Now, help me up slowly, as these bastards cut me up
pretty good. That fire seems nice and warm."
Xian: "Frankly I don't know what cause I support
in terms of the gods these days. But I suspect
I'll be thinking on it hard in the next few weeks.
Yes. Let's warm up."
[He helps Unali stand and puts a arm around her
waist to help her the few feet to the fire.
Unali realizes she doesn't need it for the last
10 feet but guess Xian wants to help though its
purely a friendly gesture she figures. The
fire is going well and both warm up as the
Vassa talk among themselves.]
Actions? Comments?
Next update Friday...
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: Just a warning. With the Fall TV season starting
Updates could be affected. Mondays for example
looks to have Heroes and Journeyman. So may not get
to update till 11pm rather than 9pm. Course I'm
up till 3am so it might not be affected too much.
Thursday we'll see about that later. But this
could be a good time to probably work on some part
of the updates Sunday and Wednesday nights. If
I do the good times to have actions in are those
nights. :) But its not a deadline. Just
a suggestion :)
GM: The reason I did the attack on Chion and Arawn
was loopholes in actions. As the next adventure
starts I'll be more stricter in that regard.
By now folks are experienced enough to know how
I work. If I see a opening or a loophole in
some action I may just take it. This is to not
kill you outright by mistakes but just that
as experience grows better actions in theory
should be done :). The last update was
just a primer of sorts for what will come
in the next adventure :) Other rules and
other new issues will come up soon. For
example for magic users I'll be updating Base
Mana Costs for version 2 BMCs. That will take
quite a while to do. :)
GM: Arawn - Will be paralyzed likely till you return
to the camp. Since you didn't post the
images were done here rather than private.
I wasn't sure which you wanted so did public.
You had left ICQ before could ask. :<
Chion - Your alive and paralyzed for now.
Had some good fun :)
Strie'bog - Guess your still quite busy. No problem.
Unali - I had hoped to do a more intensive speech
by Xian but ran out of time. Maybe another
time :) But its a start.
f
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