[pnpgm] Game Update #47 - File #191 - Duel Begins

Scott Adams longshot at darktech.org
Fri May 16 08:46:08 CEST 2008


         
  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
  ?? 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
  -- 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 #47 in sequence (file #191)  
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     Admin notes: None. 
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     [Recap]

        From Ben'dar: [Re: Betting on Chion]
          Ben'Dar grins back and hands over his coin bag (not much in
          there probably).  "On Chion, of course!"
        GM: Ack. Remind me if I forget on any winnings.

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

        From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
          As Zing and Chion traded words Arawn sighed. It was obvious to
          any watching him that he did not approve. He understood it was
          a cultural tradition and he was far from unfamiliar with such
          things, indeed the passionate Sidh were quick to quarrel over
          any perceived slight, but he could not help but look down on
          such things. That characteristic was but one of the traits that
          set him apart from most of his relations. He was not sure that
          it would be appropriate to speak up in this situation but he
          could not help from commenting.

          "I don't see the point to this. For honor? There are bigger
          things to be concerned with in this world and all this does is
          perpetuate a world where suffering and misunderstanding continues
          to reign." He breathed in deeply before continuing, a concerned
          and compassionate look in his eyes.

          "All I know is that I see a man who's been hurting for a very
          long time and who's vision is colored by that pain. I've seen
          pain and I learned a long time ago that anger and shame are just
          the children of that pain, passed from one cruel person onto an
          innocent, tainting them and destroying what is good and innocent
          within. After that all that is left is another cruel person to
          pass that 'gift' on to another innocent generation. A shame that
          in a land so full of power no one took the time to heal the hurt
          of its people and sad when one turns the mirror outwards instead
          of looking at ones own reflection to truly understand ourselves."

          He took a step back, unsure how things would proceed but not
          willing to stand by and watch such a travesty. There was sadness
          in his eyes as he spoke before turning away.

          "Do as you will but I hope that both of you will find the courage
          to rise above the expectations of your culture, of others and
          forge your own path, hopefully to walk away from pain and toward
          peace. It's a difficult road to walk alone but one with greater
          rewards than most will ever truly understand."
        GM: Ack. Good speech. :)

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     [New Stuff]

        [Marqi 30th, 1633TH. 1st Day of Adventure #4.
         Location: High Elder's Domain, Dark Lands, North-East
           corner of continent, center of Dark Lands.]


        [Time: 12:35pm]

        [Arawn ensures that some of his dedicated Elf Shot arrows are
         also given to Ki'ama to Oby.  Oby relays the arrows and
         re-confirms Ki'ama's gratitude at the rare gift.  Ki'ama's
         appreciation for it is clear and Oby ensures the item will
         be sent to his personal quarters.]


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


        [Time: 12:37pm]

        [While in the meeting room in the manor house Arawn studies the
         map and any others he finds.  But at the time there is only
         the map of the Dark Lands with markings of estates and villages.
         The other map is a more general overview of the region including
         some of the tundra, ocean, plains and hills to the south.]


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


        [Time: 12:40pm]

        [Arawn puts in a quiet request for some supplies.  he hands
         the list to Oby who turns it over to Zhou who turns it over
         to Kee who turns it over to a servant.]  


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


        [Time: 12:51pm]

        [Zhou continues to announce bets and that the duel will begin
         soon.  By now three or four dozen people are around of noble
         or middle class levels.  A couple more dozen are guards and
         peasants.  All seem to murmur bets and taunts.  Those who
         understand Katai here things like "I bet on Zing to inflict
         blood first..." "Chion to knock Zing out of the ring first."
         "Chion to use coward's way out first." "Zing to use dead
         man's trick..." and so on.  As the crowd continues to chat
         among themselves it seems the betting lines go fairly evenly.]

        [Ben'dar waves to a servant and grins.  he pulls out his small
         coin bag and hands it to the servant.  The servant opens it
         to record the amount and gives a slip to Ben'dar.  He
         then makes note of Ben'dar's bet. ]

        Ben'dar: "On Chion, of course!"

        [Servant nods and takes the note as victory for Chion with
         no other options after Kee translates.  The servant and
         Kee move on to many others who take more bets.]

        [Minutes ago when Zing begins to challenge Chion outside the
         manor house Arawn sighs.  Even as people stand around and
         take bets its clear that Arawn is a bit nervous and uneasy
         on the situation.  He understands the cultural tradition but
         sees it as rather barbaric.  A sport to these humans to play
         with mortal life so flippant is almost a slap to the face
         of some gods.  To die in self defense or in combat is one
         thing.  But to die from choice of a simple feud or argument
         is plain silly.  As the noise of the people betting and
         taunts flying back and forth is heard Arawn speaks up unsure
         if he should or not.  But he sees others speak their own
         opinions and views his is only one more in the flow.]

        Arawn: "I don't see the point to this. For honor? There are
          bigger things to be concerned with in this world and all this
          does is perpetuate a world where suffering and misunderstanding
          continues to reign." [He breathed in deeply before continuing,
          a concerned and compassionate look in his eyes.]

          "All I know is that I see a man who's been hurting for a very
          long time and who's vision is colored by that pain. I've seen
          pain and I learned a long time ago that anger and shame are just
          the children of that pain, passed from one cruel person onto an
          innocent, tainting them and destroying what is good and innocent
          within. After that all that is left is another cruel person to
          pass that 'gift' on to another innocent generation. A shame that
          in a land so full of power no one took the time to heal the hurt
          of its people and sad when one turns the mirror outwards instead
          of looking at ones own reflection to truly understand ourselves."

          [He took a step back, unsure how things would proceed but not
          willing to stand by and watch such a travesty. There was sadness
          in his eyes as he spoke before turning away.]

          "Do as you will but I hope that both of you will find the courage
          to rise above the expectations of your culture, of others and
          forge your own path, hopefully to walk away from pain and toward
          peace. It's a difficult road to walk alone but one with greater
          rewards than most will ever truly understand."

        [With that Arawn turns away and walks among the crowd that
         seems to be increasing.  He decides to enter back into the
         citadel grounds.  As he passes the guards he hears them
         talking about the duel and wish they could see it.  Hope
         that this one is recorded by illusion memory.  He sighs
         as he enters the quiet citadel.  He looks around and thinks
         this would be a great time to attack or infiltrate.  Most
         are watching the duel except for the far north west and
         north east towers.  He keeps an eye out and notices that
         from high above on the Wizard's tower a single figure
         stands and looks out toward his general direction.  Arawn
         shakes his head knowing that Ki'ama himself must be
         interested in this duel or doing something else. He hears
         the crowd roar in laughter at something and knows that
         mob mentality must be taking over.  Arawn shakes his head
         and quietly studies the magical map by the citadel gate entry.]

        [Back at the duel ground Fremea know or seem to understand the
         rules or customs of the duel until Zhou explains a lot of it.
         She knows Chion has taken this very personally and can handle
         himself well enough.  She plans not to interfere, knowing that
         this is a waste of time and energy .  But she watches the fight
         knowing she will have Chion's back if needed.  She has no
         doubt Chion will make it swift and quick.  From the noise
         of the crowd Fremea speaks to Zing.]

        Fremea: "You have already lost."

        [Fremea uses her sensory powers to scan Zing and the area
         around the duel ground.  She senses his magical might but
         nothing more than the general aura of a magic user it seems.
         The crowd is a massive magical aura of blurs and bearings
         of magic users that seem to collide and blend her senses.
         Around her there is enough guards and people to ward off any
         Dirasa attack but she continues to look around.]

        [When bets are taken Fremea gestures for Kee and Zhou.  She
         places a quiet bet.]

        [Ben'dar grins at the though of Caladan being the Referee.
         to be in the position he clearly is a bit shocked at it.
         The idea of being hit by some stray magic spell or such.
         Ben'dar notices that Novasa fellow and Sven talking and
         seeming to do a bet of their own.]

        [Raban towers over the crowd and scans the people.  He notices
         the crowd seems to be forming up in groups for one person
         or the other.  There goes that united front it seems.  He
         notices one female sitting in a closed in wagon in the dark
         watching the duel with interest.  A servant gives her a wine
         glass and takes a bag of gold probably for a bet.]

        [Unali watches the fight and finds herself back on the wild
         streets of Katai as a youth.  All those gang fights or all
         those street duels between punks.  There the duels were
         so common a fight could be in the middle of a marketplace
         and no one seemed to care. As long as it didn't bother
         others they could kill each other.  There of course it
         was with fists or blades.  Here its just magic.  She wonders
         what truly is a more civilized and progressive culture?]

        [Z'leyra watches the duel and wonders if she'll have to save
         Chion.  She scans the skies for Corona and notices him
         flying high over the citadel circling.]

        [Time: 12:46pm]

        [Zhou calls the crowd to attention and servants leave the ranks
         of the crowd.]

        Zhou: "All bets are counted and final.  No changes."

        [He turns toward the citadel and with a loud voice.]

        Zhou: "Does the High Elder object?"

        [He waits for several long moments as the crowd goes quiet.
         It must be custom for the High Elder to give some objection.
         But none seems to come forward.  Zhou turns to Caladan.]

        Zhou: "You may begin the fight.  Gentlemen you know the
          rules.  Keep this a clean fight.  Death is the only
          solution to this duel as per our custom. One man will only
          leave the ring area.  There other will have his land and
          all wealth given to the victor.  The loser will be taken
          to the pyre to be burned so that no after effects can be
          done to the body."

        [The entire party aside from Arawn listens to the words and
         and realize he must mean resurrection isn't allowed for
         second attempts.  This is a one time deal it seems.]

        [Caladan enters near the ring area and bows to both men. Chion
         and Zing turn to bow toward Caladan.  then bow toward the general
         location of where Ki'ama must be. Lastly in some form of bitter
         but honorable respect they bow to each other.]

        Caladan: "Fighters have been scanned and checked.  When I say
          go you may begin the duel.  It does not end until one is dead"
          [He leans in toward the ring.] "Death is only one end to this
          life from many paths."

        [He winks at Chion and bows.  He steps back and let's Kee
         translates the Marentian words to Katai.]

        Caladan: "Ready."

        [Both men stare at each other and flex their fingers.]

        Caladan: "Set...go!"

        [At the same second Chion begins to speak his words in Marentian
         and waves his hands.  At the same time Zing speaks words that
         Chion doesn't understand and gestures with his hands toward
         his body.]

        Zhou: "Clever using Kll'maun."

        [the party knows Chion doesn't know that language.  Zing has
         one slight advantage in being able to speak his magical
         words without Chion knowing them.  But then again so does
         Zing understanding Marentian.]

        [Seconds later Chion loses his solid mass and becomes insubstantial.
         Fremea notices a blue aura surround Zing but isn't sure of
         what spell he casts.]

        [Zhou studies Zing's gestures and quickly guesses.]

        Zhou: "Protection?"

        [Both men start out it seems with defense magic.  Figuring each
         to attack first.  Which in some circles is just as bad as
         initiating the duel in the first place.  ]

        Chion: "Well, at least you are not as rash as I expected from your
          fuming and ranting about not getting to see the High Elder."

        Zing: "Look at you the coward's spell.  Afraid of me already?"

        [Chion smirks in his ghostly image as both men seem to stare
         down each.  Chion notices that Zing is flexing his fingers
         as if keeping a mental count of a possible spell duration.
         Zing knows if he can get the right second down he can plan
         his move just when Chion becomes solid again.  Chion knows
         this as well and wonders if he made the first wrong spell.]

        Chion: "12, 1, 16, 17, 19, 23, 11, 2, 4, 9, 10... "

        [Chion rattles on more numbers in an attempt to confuse Zing.]

        [The crowd seems to murmur and whisper.  Some laugh and some
         taunt both men. As the seconds roll on...]

        Actions? Comments?

        Next update...Monday...

        GM: Schedule of future Updates
            Marqi 30 - 3pm - 6pm - Travel east
            Marqi 31 - 7am - 7pm - Travel east
            Ma     1 - 7am - 7pm - Travel east

            [Course if Chion dies then plans might change dramatically.]

        GM: Trip plans (as note for myself)

            Ben'dar -   2 days Survival  skill practice
            Fremea  -   2 days Herbalist skill practice and item hunt

        GM: Have to catch up on emails for a few folks like
            Unali, Arawn, Fremea and Kiet on equipment requests and
            other things this weekend.

        MG: Was able to email Chion back and forth on some of the
            duel options.  Will get back with him and maybe resolve
            the full duel before next update. We'll see.  Enough
            for now.  Gotta wait for next spell.  Will email you Chion!
            So its a short update for now.  So will accept actions
            for trip, gear requests, private audiences but won't
            accept any more bets.  Since duel has started.









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