[pnpgm] Game Update #65a - File #336 - Recap/Notes
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Fri Aug 15 06:26:25 CEST 2008
t
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
R1 Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma
W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
-- Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....NormalFaerry Fe
Do David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma
R? J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
W4 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
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 #66a in sequence (file #336)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
"I'll be bloody happy to take one of those potions, especially
after what happened with those demon beast thingies...if there's
enough for me too."
"Also, don't expect that level of magic (the Smokless Flame used
on the snake) from me on a regular basis. It's dangerous and
VERY limited."
(shudder) "Great, more snakes...why did it have to be snakes?
And to make matters worse, they had 7 (expletive) heads!"
GM: Ack. Last comment wasn't mentioned as OOC. I thought it
was a joke but guess since no OOC mention it was said out
loud to the party? :)
----------------------------
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
"That was enough to give one nightmares about snakes! Glad to
see you guys did okay. Guess I got overconfident going off
alone."
Z'leyra takes a moment to cut out the platinum horns of #4 head
(for later use in her manor) and store them in a sack after
rinsing the blood off. While doing so she says "This critter is
too tough to Oblivion without danger. Maybe later we can come
back and salvage some hide for use as armor...it has a very tough
hide. I am glad I have an extremely sharp blade."
She offers to patch up any that need it.
When the party proceeds toward the doorway her greatsword will
be sheathed and her staff will be in her hand.
GM: Ack.
----------------------------
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
<Aww Raban missed out on some serious combat training. If he
killed one of the snakes he could have gotten a El out of it, n
squares go up so slowly, only like a thousand more to go if he
does not get stat boosts.
So now I have a good idea on some characters weapon skills, and
some people have more than 10s ;) >
<Raban was all ready to jump on one and go for a ride too, it
would have been fun. Would have made a nice 'horse', big enough
to carry a few people as well.>
[Raban prays his thanks to his goddess for protecting ones he
could not and begs forgiveness for his failures...but gets no
clear feeling in his heart...is he still in trouble?]
[Raban carefully measures out the dose for Frema in his Silver
Goblet since he knows how big it is. But decides to take himself,
just in case he made it wrong.]
<Assuming he is not poisoned>
[Satisfied its safe to use, Raban rinses the goblet with a
little water and measures out another dose which he offers to
Frema with a smile.] Raban (to Frema): "My lady, your special
wine is prepared and verified not to be poisoned."
[After Frema has taken hers, Raban will once more rinse the
goblet. ] Raban: "There is enough for 6 others in this batch,
which is not quite enough for all of us. I would have skipped
myself but it was best to test it before risking others. Unali,
Z'leyra, Arawn, I would prefer you to take the next few doses,
but the choice is yours. If anyone has lost life energy, then
this will help them recover that as well. If there is time and
a safe enough place I can mix another batch."
[Once anyone excepts, he will measure out another dose and rinse
the goblet after it has been taken.]
[Raban is a bit introspective as they continue the journey,
wondering how he can protect 3 ladies who so recklessly charge
into battle or wander off. They are proving to be quite formidable
as well, with Z' leyra proving that by fighting off one of the
snakes by herself. Unali is quite skilled with her daggers, better
than any he has ever seen before, she could have been a fine
dancer or acrobat. Frema is hard to judge, but is likely skilled
with magic, though more fragile than the others. So the one who
is most in need of protection will be the hardest to protect as
she tends to fly invisibly into the fights. Is this some test by
his goddess? Some lesson to be learned?]
<So at this point Raban has not decided what he needs to do, so
he may decide the only way to protect them is by offense. But that
has been limited by Arawn, a druid, whose word is 'law?' and not
to be ignored.>
GM: Ack. Yep. High CDF for a snake. Luck of the roll. As to EL
10s or such. I don't recall off hand anyone having that high of
a EL (maybe Farseeker?) in a weapon. But magic and other
bonuses do help if your trying to figure out EL from damage. :)
Yes. It'd have been fun to ride him. You see my comments
in last update about Pickens? :)
----------------------------
From Fremea: [Re: Actions]
"Who put these M....F.... snakes on the M...F... flying
island?!" :)
Fremea looks her dagger over and decides she will have to put
that one to the side for now and use her spare, till she can get
it fixed up. Fremea will test the bone horns and see how hard they
are. If they are good enough for a weapon, she will take a pair
for later.
------------------------
When Raban offers the potion. Fremea will blush a little when he
call her a lady. Mumbling just under her breath so only if
someone is paying close enough attention, "Uh, lady. You really
have no idea about me." After drinking the potion, "Thank you
Raban, you are very kind for someone your size."
-------------------------
The wall: Fremea will prepare her bow for quick grab and fire,
though not have it in hand directly. She will approach with the
party (if they all go), keeping herself alert for anything
coming out of the darkness to surprise them once again.
GM: Ack.
----------------------------
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
"Um, might it be wise to have someone (or something) fly above
the wall and peek in side to see what's there?"
GM: Ack.
----------------------------
From Fremea: [Re: Actions]
Fremea looks at Kiet to see if that was a sneer aimed her and
she realizes that he meant the firesnake when he said something.
"I would say that what ever is there could not be any worse than
what we have faced out here so far. It would be best in this
situation to go as a full group, based on the fact that we almost
lost Z'lerya."
GM: Ack.
----------------------------
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Z'leyra responds to the offer of an angelica potion "Thank you
for the thought, however of those in the party I suspect that I
am one of the least in need of it. If we find that I will be
facing a powerful spell caster and must weather a storm of
spells I may well decide that drinking an angelica potion is an
excellent idea. But not only is my magical defense quite high
naturally, my training and enhanced chalcedony increase it to
where it is quite dangerous to cast unwanted spells at me. The
angelica would better be used for those that cast magics from
their spirit's strength rather than from trained manipulation of
mana. They are the ones that need the spiritual replenishment
that such a potion provides."
GM: Ack.
----------------------------
From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
Once they had arrived upon Z'leyra Arawn begins to study the
fallen beast, time now allowing for a better view. It was a
creation of Kototh and would prove a fine trophy. As Z'leyra had
conquered this foe it was hers to pick over. While this was done
he thought back to the other one and decided it might be time to
gather such a creature for later use.
"While you finish here I'm going back for the other as I may be
able to contain it. I plan on teleporting unless someone wishes
to accompany on foot."
Assuming no one tries to stop him, if anyone wants to come then
he'll follow the groups tracks quickly but will otherwise use
Teleport if it is feasible (he has been to the spot so it
shouldn't be a problem). Once there he'll cast Transmutation at
EL 2, enhanced using the Sidh Tongue to EL3, to turn it into a
green statuette the size of his hand. He will then return to the
party in the same manner.
When he returns he takes a moment to cast a spell before they
head out. He pulled three beautiful gemstones from his pack and
held them on his outstretched palm. As he did so shadows began
to swirl about his hand, enveloping the stones and forming into
a serpentine band of darkness, the gemstones held in place on the
inside of the band. He had hoped to have had time in Katai to
forge a proper band but it would do for now.
Adjusting his armor and clothing he slid it up to his upper arm
and then covered it with his armor and clothing, out of sight and
hidden in the shadows beneath.
- Basically casting Shadow Sculpt at EL 0 (EL 1 if it makes a
difference for anything other than duration) to craft the
armband and place his enhanced gems in it so he can start
gaining their benefits.
------------------------------------------------------------
In regards to the potion Arawn replies,
"I had been looking for angelica and I'm glad someone had chosen
to bring some. Thank you for the offer, Raban. I graciously accept
as it could prove quite useful."
Arawn will carry a potion if one is given to him but will not
drink it right now. How long does the potion have before it loses
potency?
- In regards to- <So at this point Raban has not decided what he
needs to do, so he may decide the only way to protect them is by
offense. But that has been limited by Arawn, a druid, whose word
is 'law?' and not to be ignored.>
I'm not sure what, if anything, Arawn might have said to limit
things. Could you refresh my memory if he did say something as
it's been a while in real-time. Might open a new dialogue:)
-------------------------------------------------------------
When the looming figure sweeps it's arm backwards Arawn steps
forward. Unsure if it is an offer of welcome or if it is pulled
back to attack he watches it carefully as he prepares to enter the
building. He will act with proper decorum for a place as powerful
and ancient as this would be, bearing in mind that he is a child
of the gods in such a place.
If it is an attack Arawn will attempt to dodge it for now.
GM: Ack.
----------------------------
From John: [Re: Magical Items]
[Re: Magical items]
<Out of sight is generally turned off when dealing with many
magics. You may want to check on that.>
[Re: Angelica]
Raban smiles as he replies, "You are quite welcome. My teacher
was quite skilled in Natural Magics and told me of their many
benefits. Unfortunately I did not have a chance to learn the
permanent magics from her before her duties called her away. So
I am limited to what I can find already enhanced, but there were
quite a few useful ones I found in my travels. I suppose many
would think they were expensive but if I need cash for something
providence provides it."
[Re: Potion]
<The potion was offered as poured from a wine skin into a silver
goblet. So if you wish to save it you need a container. Small
container were another forgotten item if you recall the posts.>
[Re: Arawn/Raban interaction as leader]
Raban not to kill, that you wanted prisoners to talk too etc.
Coming from a druid that greatly limits a bard's actions. So
unless there is some indication from you or others that the
monster is not capable of answering you, Raban is not allowed to
kill it without serious religious repercussions. Considering Raban
has a tiny chance to kill a giant with a single hit from his fist,
he could have some problems. Actually he could have killed one of
those snakes with one punch if he was very very lucky. Though I
suppose some of the others could do that much too. Raban is not
to his full strength yet, quite a ways to go.>
<So feel free to add more conversation, Raban is still confused
by Arawn's actions. Of course he is not so sure why an Elf has
been treated so well either since I am pretty sure he does not
know about Alfar.>
GM: Ack. I tend to agree on off/on of visible or not for magical
items and the like. What do you mean by treated well? :)
----------------------------
From Chris: [Re: AWOL]
Yes, Ben'Dar has been quiet lately. I've been out of town
for various reasons the past 3 weeks.
Ben'Dar will claim the snake's huge fangs as trophies to add to
his necklace.
Nevermind on the snake fangs then. If the hide of the snakes or
the other monsters we've recently fought seems exceptionally
tough, Ben' Dar will procure enough of it to make new barding for
Tef'wo.
GM: Ack. FYI. The hide is NAV 4. But as with the storm dragon
the quality lowers after tanning, stripping, cleaning and such.
It would reduce to AV 3 hide. Which is pretty much the same
as Chain barding. If you wish to continue let me know. I'll
do the below as if your deciding. Amount of material would
be about 60 square feet of hide I figure for Tef'wo. But
not an exact science. Time to cut would be lengthy but since
group would stay in that area at least 6 minutes might have
time to cut fast. It would be a bloody, pulpy mess in the
bags though. I'm not discouraging you in this just giving you
some warnings so if flies find nice homes in the bags you know
the consequences. :)
----------------------------
From John to John: [Re: Reply to John]
Thanks for the info:) I've replied to the Shadow Sculpt in a
different email but will respond to the other sections later. As
it's RP it shouldn't throw anything off. I'd do it now but have
to run to work in about half an hour.
GM: Ack. If you refer to the email on the first email that's the
only one I got on the subject. Got the one below as well.
From Arawn: [Re: Clarification on actions]
[2- Arawn its only about 480 feet back to the other snake....]
- If no one is in a rush then he'd follow the trail back to the
first creature.
[4-Arawn - Transmute.]
Ok. Hopefully it still balances vs. Oblivion as Oblivion is a BM of
4 and Transmute is an 8 and Oblivion has a longer duration. if an
issue still, maybe mass/area instead of HP (might make more sense)
if you still feel it needs a check after you've thought it over.
[5-Arawn's Trophies]
- Arawn waited to see if anyone wanted to go back but didn't get
a response. As there doesn't seem a better way to carry such a
creature thought this would be the best option as who knows if we
will have a chance to return to it later. If someone says something
I can post a reply if needed.
[7-Magical items]
Haven't seen that written anywhere but if someone can point it
out I'll look it over.
Beyond that, the reason for this is that you've ruled that Shadow
magics dissipate in light, hence my shadow warriors couldn't step
within the light of a campfire to fight and ruling that Shadow
Sculpted items will disappear in daylight (even in the shadows of
daylit forest). This really limits Shadow magic as I'm not really
sure when it will work or where so I'm trying to figure out how to
craft a usable item with the spell.
I haven't seen rules that say Shadow magic breaks in light but
assume that it is a house rule. I'm cool with house rules but
it makes it difficult for me to gauge when to use Shadow magics
in the game.
GM: Ack. Ok. I have no clue if party is in a rush or not. But
in interest of saving Mana I'll do as above. Change to
tracking via tracks. Yes. I will consider when have more
time the transmute issues of mass. I mainly wanted to see
if folks DID want to go back for trophies. Wanted to be fair
before I just did your thing and stop the others from taking
some of their glory. But your right no one has seemed to want
to take samples or trophies from that other snake. The thing
is the mythos of Shadows. Shadow is the border between light
and dark. They exist mostly in dark so disappear once light
hits shadow. Ergo same for the magic. To me it only makes
sense. In fact I believe some of the spells indicate the same
thing. But on the other hand some like Sculpt say they take
on normal appearance with work (normal wouldn't be shadow).
It would be solid. As I would figure. I'm no shadow expert
here but Shadow mages do work mostly in the dark of night and
can use magic quite well in the day as well with limited use.
Your idea of hiding the item under the clothes was well done.
It fits the rules I've defined. It would still work just keep
in mind the light limit and duration of the spell. I can follow
up later on other shadow ideas if you have some and clarify my
position on them. I'm new to shadow magic as you are and still
learning. Shadow isn't just a magic path its a definition of
light and dark. So thank of it in that terms. Think of it
as Fire not working in Water and Water not working in Fire. It
would be canceled out. As a player I could figure out ways
around this light issue but it would take some nasty twisting
of spells and development. I do seem to recall one spell
mentions the shadows lose form in light. But I'd have to look.
----------------------------
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
<Read Amulets on page 31 of original book 4. Since most passive
items are related to amulets its likely that those 'rules' apply.
In effect they tell the GM to put restrictions on item uses as
needed to limit them. Most GMs do not go beyond the 'must be worn
and exposed to function' except for those things which need extra
ingredients like making potions. Some add daily limits if the
power is too useful and not otherwise limited, like making cures
by dipping into water. As written that could be seen as infinite
amount of cure potions or it could be just one? If the potion
made has a limited life then its more self limiting, but most do
not say they expire. In the case of the Angelica Potion, normally
it has no 'shelf life' but it is a little more costly to make. And
of course any stored potion can be ruined with ease by breakage.>
<There may be other related rules in that section. Sadly permanent
magics never was detailed to the level it needed for easy use by
the GM or players. As a result all worlds differ in how the GM
regulates such things. This is literally the Magic Economy of the
World and determines just how common magical items are. In this
case our GM has a more relaxed limit system and thus magic is more
common. He limits it in other ways by use of 'balance', a quite
effective method and a warning to everyone around those with lots
of magic. When I have GMed I used a similar method for those
characters who had better 'events' as obviously that meant the
Gods had taken some interest in that person. So the more powerful
the character the more likely some diety had things they wanted
done by them and thus some other dieties may want to prevent it.>
GM: Ack. Good thoughts. Yes. I am more relaxed but will do some
of my other views below.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
GM: Due to the amount of above text I've split this update into
two parts. The above is just the recap section with replies
and comments I've made to posts. Feel free to read them
or not. But may have some comments for the poster.
Actions/ Comments?
Next Update Part...next email...
GM: My views on Magical Items and their presence effect. I'm
not a fan of magical items all together. Too many folks
depend on items rather than their brains. Same applies for
weapons and non magical items as well. After all this is
a role playing game. One reason I like running a Sci-fi
Rpg is most tend to have a weapon, communicator and that's it.
Its all character driven after that. Most fantasy systems
including that Dungeons one seems to rely on magic as a crutch
at times. This doesn't mean I outlaw magical items at all.
But means I may balance them. For example one common house
rule from the '80s is for mana batteries. Folks who might make
100 mana batteries could survive for years. So I limited it
to MEL/2. So as a basic apprentice MEL5 you can have 2
and at MEL14 you can have 7. Call it a limit by the gods in
that they only allow Fate to define taps of magical energy
for you and increase your magical threads (going on the old
Greek Fate of Threads of Life here). I PREFER that amulets
be one amulet per neck. There is no rule here but just makes
sense on a personal level in that if you have 8 amulets its
going to be cumbersome to act (scratching, movements, shifting
and such). This is a bit more relaxed in that in some cases
I don't care. I won't stop one from wearing more than one
amulet but I'll balance it in some way by rashes or chains
seem to choke at the worst times. :). (Well maybe). Plus
would you as a player look good wearing 8 amulets and walking
into a temple or castle? You'd look insane. Rings obviously
no limit there 10 fingers 10 rings though some folks in past
have worn 3 rings on a single finger (Henry VIII). Talisman
are meant to be held mostly. Staffs/Wands to be held as well
or touched. Mana batteries should be touched. Crowns,
bracelets, necklaces, armbands, scepters, gorgets all must
be worn or touched not in bags. Are there exceptions to
these rules? Yes. A crown that might have an intellect
and have a detection for gold could send a telepathic warning
to you in the bag. That is more passive magic and so tends
to be more exceptional to the rule. Magic that is more active
like Protections, Immunity, Night Visions or such would need
to be touched or worn (typically most of the time in the open).
Potions/Elixir have to be drunk of course. Now as to what
items require presence or not depends on the spell and item.
I tend to take it as most GMs case by case. A detection amulet
for Gold could be hidden and alert by warmth allowed inside
the tunic. But a amulet of gold that has to be seen (glows)
then obviously has to be seen by the player and in view. Most
of it is common sense. If ever in doubt ask. Also keep in
mind the pnp rules for magical conflict. The big rule is
with attribute effect negation. Some items could conflict
with each other and in those cases I'd likely tell you ahead
of time if I caught it. A simple example would be a ring
of Earth Power Immunity. Another ring of Earth Powers EL3.
Obviously both would negate each other. Common sense there.
As long as one tends to not rely on the magical items 100%
of the time I have no problem with it. Its the players that
use a warehouse of magical items (like in that dungeons game)
for everything. "Oh my mug is cold. Let me get my magical
stone of heat." "Oh my foot itches let me get my magical
claw of scratching." Sigh. With that said this is a PBEM game
and takes a long time (obviously). In a table game I'd
be alot more restrictive since its fast paced. In a pbem
though I'm relaxed with magical items to allow powerful folks
to get up to speed. I balance this though in that the more
items a person has there are issues. A certain movie said it
best. With power comes great responsibility. A player that
has 10 rings, 1 amulet, magical staff, magical sword, magical
armor, magical helmet, magical boots, magical belt, magical
gauntlets and magical underwear tends to glow extremely bright
to mana viewers. As those who have read v2 know Mana Powers
allow non-sidh to sense magic. This means such a thief with
the above would be dead walking up the dark road before he
got to the castle. He'd be spotted way early. Same for those
like Xian who have no magical items are hard to detect. That
is balance. Just consider those things. I won't stop anyone
from carrying 1000 magical items if they wish. Just don't
get upset if the Monster-Who-Eats-Mana finds you rather tasty
first instead of Xian. :) (There are such you know.)
GM: Transmutation - This spell is one of those things that can
be greatly abused. One read of the spell seems to wave
toward no limits. Another read another way could lead to
some implied limits. It is all up to the GM. Where does
it stop though? How does the spell know where the object
ends and starts a new object? I mean King wants to move
to the mountains so he asks his EL15 Transmute wizard to
change his Castle into a chest he can carry. Poof. If
you read the spell one way that's very possible. To me Mass
and physics have some play here. An elephant changed
into a flea has the same hit points making it one heck of
a flea to kill. But a flea to a elephant could be killed
by a nick of a razor. Now some argue that the spell is
magic and therefore magic and the gods poof the mass into
nothingness. That's fine. One way to see it. But there
has to be some balance to this spell. Where does it
stop? I think limiting it to some mass like let's say you
have a boulder weighing 200 pounds. Let's assume for laughs
a formula of (EL+1)x10% for a mass factor. A EL1 wizard
has a factor of 10% and could change the boulder with a shift
of 10%. So instead of a large boulder it goes to a tree
that is 180 pounds. Say a EL8 wizard has a factor of 90% The
same boulder could change into a bush weighing only 20 pounds.
To me that seems to make more sense. Use the EL as a factor
to this - thus the better you get the more mass shift you can
do for it (plus or minus). Just my 2 cents. I'll have to
seriously think of this and iron it down in the next few
months for the next adventure.
GM: Potion Duration - Was asked how long the potion might last.
It would depend on the material. Potion mixed with wine
could last a long time as wine lasts a long time (years
or centuries). But potion in water would stale into
flat tasting water. A potion mixed with beer would flatten
and decay faster as well. Would depend on amount of air
contact as well. So its all a case of the materials and
containers.
GM: Sorry about the email on action clarification. That's what
I get for typing while on the phone, listening to TV and
reading something all at the same time. Wasn't paying
attention to the typing. Tons of errors. :< Oh well.
It was rushed to get the point out fast.
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