[pnpgm] Game Update #35 - File #353 - Out of the fog...
Scott Adams
longshot at cybermax.net
Fri Sep 11 07:06:30 CEST 2009
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
R4.Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma
W2.Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3.Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
--.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe
R2.Mark Murtha...........Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human..Ma
Do.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma
R4.J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
W2.Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
R1 NPC...................Shu.Yeoh..........Wizard..Normal/Human..Fe
W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
-..Thomas.Magann.........Whitney...........Scholar.Normal/Human..Ma
R1 John.Stowman..........Will..............Hunter..Normal/Human..Ma
R4.Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
R1 NPC...................Zhou Kiwat........Noble...Normal/Human..Ma
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar, 2 Donkeys
Cover Story Info: [HD- House member, F-Foreigner, N-native non house]
Arawn aka Arawn as Teacher to daughter [F]
Ben'dar aka Bu Da as Horse expert [F]
Caladan aka Ca Lu as Guard/Archer [N]
Chion aka Capt. Chu Mai as Sailor Trustee [HD]
Farseeker aka Fu Sa as Guard [F]
Fremea aka Lin Mong as Noble child [HD] [Disguised]
Kell aka Swan as Trader [F]
Kiet aka Kiet Sunan as Zhou's servant [F]
Raban aka Toban Nu as Entertainer/Guard [F]
Strie'bog aka Sun Zhu as Entertainer [N]
Shu aka Shu as Niece [HD]
Unali aka Tun Au as Zhou's wife [HD]
Will aka Sun Tzu as hunt master [F]
Z'leyra aka Kakita Junami as Healer [F]
Zhou aka Zhou Wa as Noble [HD]
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 cybermax.net
Game Update #35 in sequence (file #353)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Kell: [Re: Actions]
Ha'Kell chimes in with the others about the magical....
If the Captain agrees, Kell asks Chion to take it back to the
High Elder's keep with the other magic items he is teleporting
there.
[OOC - Congrats to Tobie/Fremea!]
GM: Ack.
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
<I cannot think of much to add to RP for Raban right now. If
Raban thought the family more money, he would see about getting
it for them as some point.
<Question relative to dead sailor money: How much do they usually
make? <The talk is already into gold which would buy relatives a
good sized farm?
<The Trident could buy them a square mile of Farm land.
<I have always had problems with relative values in PnP, but
gold goes a long ways in feeding a family.
GM: Ack. Each update doesn't require actions or RPing. So don't
worry about that. Well for a trip like this a sailor would
get as wages 18 SC for the 3 month trip up to the DL and
then 3 months back for 6 months. That would be a basic
wage. But profit sharing would depend. How much he earned
on the cargo trip to the DL isn't known. On the trip back
this ship took on passengers rather than cargo. So based
on the distance 2,800 miles or so each person paid around
14 SC per person roughly. I forget the exact figures
that were paid. With food let's say 2 GC per person.
Now 2 x 13 passengers = 26 gold. Split up by the crew
that's roughly 2 gold per sailor. If all things were
equal. But usually the Captain, First mate gets more
of the share. So each sailor is likely guaranteed at
least 1-2 gold extra when get into Katai. Not a huge
profit but that's about half a year's pay for the
same 6 months so its like being paid twice. So each
sailor would in essence be doing a year's pay in this
one trip. But that's my rough 2am math. :) Now one
can assume a sailor takes home probably 1-2 gold a year
to his family or girl or whatever after expenses. So
selling the gear would pay for his family for a good 7-8
years. Not enough to retire on but enough to survive for
some time. Hope this gives the rough basics of sailor life.
From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
Arawn is deeply saddened by Ki' Lu's and spends time in prayer
near the body in hopes of guiding it safely into the afterlife.
He is unsure what, if any, gods the man worshipped but he gives
his own blessing nevertheless. He knows that being swallowed up
by the sea is the way of sailors but his thoughts drift to the
man's loved ones and how they might miss him. Asking his uncle
Manannan to take pity upon the man and somehow bring his body
home to his family. As he finished he recalled Zu and his child
that had saved them earlier and asked the same of the Immortal
Serpent.
As he finished his prayers he thought that if there was time that
he would see about talking to the captain about crafting a
figurehead to honor both gods and the great sea serpent demi-god
that saved them. Arawn wished that he could cover some of the
cost of such an item but knew that, in this world, he did not
have much to offer. Perhaps over time he would be able to assist
with such endeavors with what little he might gain, having
already decided that the majority of any treasures earned would
go to the party.
As discussion of the finances of the dead sailor and his family
came up Arawn joined in, sitting quietly while others shared
their views. He was in agreement on allowing the items to be
sold for the man's family, though he wasn't sure if the magical
trident was being considered for this or not.
GM: Ack. I mentioned you did some prayers in last update. But good
stuff.
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[New Stuff]
[Junaga 25th, 1634TH]
Before the funeral for the dead sailor, Arawn gathers some of
the scales off the merman. Of course they will simply dry out
and decay in a few days but he wishes to collect for later spells.
Arawn has tried to collect some of Squirt's hairs as he roams
the hall but the animal is jut too fast. Hairs are found in
various places but Arawn isn't sure its human hair, rat hair
or squirts. Could be rough thinking one shape changes into
a animal like squirt only to be chased by a cat as a rat.
Arawn finishes up his prayers for the dead sailor for a good
after life. At the same time he also prays to Zu for thanks in
sending the immortal serpent to help the ship almost three weeks
earlier.
Arawn offers to make some figurehead for the ship but admits he
has no funds to help out. The Captain rubs his chin and looks
at the ship forward section. "Well, some merchant ships do have
such things. They can be expensive in the hundreds of silver to
make and mount. Some of the cheap ones are a few gold and some
of the more elaborate ones could be as much as a small estate.
We just don't have the materials here to create such a thing.
We have wood and tar but that's about it. The best figureheads
are wooden but you would need a decent amount. It is a nice
offer but we visit many lands in the south. Most Katai ships
do not have it since the leaders are intolerant to religion
other than their emperor. So we would stick out more in such
places. I'm open to the idea though if you can obtain the
materials, time and skills?"
Hours after the Merman battle and after the funeral. The party
talks about the magical trident.
Ha'Kell chimes in with the others about the magical trident,
"It would be better to save this for later Captain, and not try
to sell it here. Whatever is done with it, just remember how
powerful it was with that merman. I wouldn't want any of my
enemies having that trident."
The Captain retorts, "again I would not sell it in Katai.
I'm not that stupid. It would be in Lemasa. I know it
is powerful and would not be sold to any merchant. In fact
I would sell it to our leaders to use to rally the people.
It would be more a symbol of power and respect. It would be
used to rally our men to join more of the navy. We simply
are losing folks to more....different things. They believe
it to be a old way of life...so this could show there is
yet adventure out there. Sure it will scare some away but
if a simple merchant crew can gain victory over merman who
can't?" He waves his arm. "Sure I know you helped but they
won't know that. We are a weak nation and need to build our
strength by increasing our naval support." He pauses for
a long few seconds. "But if you insist on taking the item
then it is yours. I can't stop you." He looks to each in
the party. "You had just as much to do with the battle as
we did. I will not stop you from taking it. Just know that
it would help out the sailor's family and our nation."
Kell squints at this. He knows sad stories and how merchants
use them to sway folks. Could he be telling the truth or
a load of dragon dung? In the end Kell realizes that the
Captain must be telling the truth. At least he hopes so.
Arawn listens to discussion on the items for the sailor's family.
After some time quiet he finally joins in. "I would happily hand
over the items so that the Ki' Lu's family will be taken care of.
If I had coin to share I would gladly give it as well but can only
offer prayers and perhaps service in the future when time and
resources permit. As for the magical trident, I agree with Kell
that you might wish to sell that elsewhere. I would suggest getting
rid of it quickly and hopefully placed in the hands of those who
would use it wisely. Unless any here might choose to purchase it
might I suggest having it transported to the Dark Lands to be
picked up later for sale there or some other, friendlier, land."
The Captain ignores the comment on selling it in Katai as he
has answered that previously a few times. "This item from what
I understand it to do is nothing. Our scholars have access to
far more powerful tridents. In one battle with three of our
Coast Guard ships we found a trident that can do a tidal wave
100 feet high for example. So this is nothing strange or
scary to me."
Arawn allowed his eyes to wander over the strange metal and,
like Kell, he found himself interested in the tridents.
"If you are willing I would be interested in trading something for
one of the tridents. Let me know and we can discuss it later."
Kell asks the Captain, "Captain, may I keep one of the tridents
for my own use? The metal intrigues me greatly."
Captain looks at Arawn. "We typically sell them to collectors
for as much as 8 silver to 10 silver on the island. So that
is their value if you wish to take one fine." The captain
considers the loss of 10 silver to be about 3 months sailor's pay
for the family. "I am not here to cheat my men. This is why
they respect me. We will barely break even on this trip and
so this is a bonus for us."
The Captain rubs his chin. "If you must. The metal is nothing
unique. Our best scholars in Lemasa has seen Merman items before.
This isn't the first batch. In fact we have some magical nets
and daggers already. So the magical trident would only add to
the batch we have now. Our best metal miners and crafters have
worked with these scholars on the metal. I have heard stories
of the results. Since humans have to go through entire mountains
we have to strain out the dirt, debris and other metals to get
to our final product and then craft it out. But the merman
simply have direct access to the metals in their long dead
volcano shafts or underground cities. So their process time
is less than ours. But as to the metal it might be more pure
from the heat or pressure we just don't know. Humans can
find the same metals if one looks hard enough. So no there is
nothing unique about the metal. But take if you wish..."
He shakes his head and then walks over to help some sailors
with the secondary rigging.
Arawn grabs one of the tridents to examine the metal. He can't
tell the difference frankly as it looks like any metal he has seen.
Cool and smooth to the touch like most weapons of this style.
--------------------------
[Junaga 25-30th, 1634TH]
Over the next few days, Arawn spends time with Corona talking
in his new eagle tongue by the necklace. Corona is aloof on
his past but Arawn tries to probe and share some of his own
stories of his past. Arawn senses there is far more to this
bird than just the magical eyes.
----------------------------
[Julis 1st, 1634TH]
[Winds: Average, Speed 6]
[Distance this day: 30]
[Weather: Clear/Sunny]
[Temperatures: 50-83]
As the ship docks in Chi'jian, Zhou suggests only a quick
stay of a few hours. Both he and the Captain decide on a 3
hour stay as the city is only 100 miles west of Dzhamou and
would not be good to tempt fate.
Ben'dar and Caladan spend time exercising the horses, grooming
and feeding them outside the dock grounds. The parade of horses
are a sight for many of the fishing boats but not enough to
cause alarm.
Farseeker asks Unali to head into town and show her some of the
things Katai folks do. They visit shops, taverns and watch
street merchants and entertainers. Farseeker treats Unali to
some nice ale. Unali knows it is purely on a friendly basis.
Unali soon relaxed shares the story of Ben'dar falling on her
in the flying castle cave. Farseeker recalls the story and
both have a fun time of it. But all in jest Farseeker knows.
He soon admits that even he had incidents like that where he
had his own great sword fly out of his hands in one battle.
Both act like noble and bodyguard during the time in the city.
Fremea dons her disguise near the last hour and decides to
venture out into the wharf market with Zhou. Fremea is more
interested to see if her disguise goes off well rather than
the sights. In fact little guards are seen. Only two guards
at the dock are seen all day. It is clear the magic detection
rumors are low here. At least from what it seems to be.
Kell and Kiet venture directly to the markets and taverns.
Kell tries to price some of his own personal items and gauge
the price markets for other items. Both men explore the
market district as best they can and soon return to the ship
after a quick tavern meal.
Shu and her sailor boyfriend visits a inn with a decent tavern
below. She knows in less than a week they might not see each
other again. They seem to spend over two hours in this place.
Quickly the three hours pass and the horses are reboarded for
what is likely the very last time. When that is explained to
them they are not as reluctant to enter and more hopeful.
The Captain and Zhou make final supply delivery coin exchanges
and pay the small dock space rental fees. Within a half hour
the ship is set back into the deep ocean.
The first mate announces the course to be south west and only
about 200 miles to the final destination.
----------------------------
[Julis 2nd, 1634TH]
[Winds: Poor, Speed 5]
[Distance this day: 29]
[Weather: Overcast, Storm]
[Temperatures: 63-92]
The storms are easy to avoid today. But as the ship continues
in Katai waters more Katai ships are spotted. During the day
it is common to see at least 1-3 ships of various sizes and shapes.
Most are fishing or merchant ships. As the Blue Moon gets near
the shoreline that increases to 10-15 ships in any given hour.
As a result the Captain only uses the Talisman for speed during
the night to prevent problems.
Whitney sits in his cabin today wondering about his future.
Zhou had gotten with him only two weeks earlier and told him
about their mission. It was clear that he could join them on
this dangerous mission but he could not simply let free to wonder
Katai while the mission was out. This had to be kept secret.
While the threat wasn't there it was implied. Either join
in the with the party or be a prisoner on this ship or worse?
Of course Whitney could take his chances escaping later in
the heavy traffic. but is that wise to avoid a large group
of wizards who could track you magically? These Vong creatures
Zhou speaks of sounds like a big threat but why should he help
the party? What have they done for him? Well other than saving
him from a certain death in Choshai. There is that. But then
again they did almost kill him thinking him a plant or some
such nonsense. Whitney shakes his head as a headache starts
to rake his brain. Decisions are tough at times like this. At
least without breakfast. He leaves his cabin to consider his
future and to eat.
Captain Sung gathers the party again without the sailors
around. "This is my last offer. If you wish to keep items
in my secret hold until Zhou needs us no more after landfall
then the offer stands. We've been searched many times by
Katai and Choshai authorities and the hold has yet to be found.
This includes items deemed illegal in Katai of course. Just
let me know if you wish to hide stuff. But once the ship is
no longer needed we will leave. The items will need to be
picked up or arrangements made otherwise to get them or hide
them in Katai."
Later in the afternoon Farseeker and Zhou calls the party
back together. "Over the next few days," Zhou stars up, "we
should practice some Vong fighting techniques. Farseeker here
will demonstrate. Raban can you join us?"
Raban stands up as he towers over Farseeker by a couple feet.
Zhou just places him next to Farseeker. "Now we know their
armor is strong. While some direct hits do occur and can
penetrate they have to be powerful hits. Farseeker's weapons
could do it and maybe some good dagger hits. But don't expect
all hits to penetrate. This is front, back and sides." He
points to Raban as a demonstration. "Based on what we know
in the Dark Lands and your previous fight at Lake Oca we have
gathered this information. The best areas to hit are the head."
He points up to Raban's head. "Neck though this at times has
some of the armor around it so may vary. Wrists and the best
place Farseeker found was the arm pit."
Farseeker demonstrates with his sword and Raban faking a parry.
Zhou continues, "a quick thrust here will disable the arm and
could kill but likely won't kill right away. It seems to be
without armor. The rest of the body is pretty much protected
by the crab like body armor or leg and boot hard leather."
Farseeker then goes into some fighting stances and thrusts
he found to be useful. "We should practice these over the
next few days." Farseeker adds in.
Zhou nods then speaks up. "We believe the armor can regenerate
in some fashion. but this may not be the case with them all.
Now their spear as most of you know is used in three ways.
It can be a solid spear with a sharp heavy spear head tip.
It can almost soften to be used as a flexible whip. It can
also be used as a poison attack. In this mode we seem to
feel the staff-spear thing becomes alive and stabs forward.
If it bites the poison makes contact. There wasn't enough
material in item or information to come up with a cure. Plus
the poison may vary from a simple knockout to a deadly form.
We just don't know what all the variants are. We know they
have weapons that can shoot out bug like things like missile
weapons. But that information isn't as strong as their staff
weapons. Some bug like projectiles explode, eat through skin
or armor or are acidic that we know of from their past invasion.
I think we should each practice some fighting with a mock Vong
as Farseeker, Unali and Ben'dar were all at Lake Oca. Others
can give suggestions if they can recall their fighting attacks."
In the next few hours and next few days these mock battles
take place as best they can so each person can be prepared.
For those new to the whole Vong situation like Will and Whitney
these things are more harder to grasp. Will seems unnerved by
the events but Whitney wonders what he has gotten himself into.
----------------------------
[Julis 3rd, 1634TH]
[Winds: Low, Speed 2]
[Distance this day: 26]
[Weather: Partly Cloudy, No events]
[Temperatures: 69-91]
Today Zhou reminds the party of the mission details. They
are to meet the contact in Jiuquo. The contact is known by
the High Elder and can give some intelligence on what may be
going on in the Katai nation. There Shu will go and find
a place in town likely the meeting place and perform her spell
to detect the absence of mana. This in theory was used by
a Shaman in Zen'da or so the rumor goes in the first invasion
to track their movements. Since the Vong have no "touch" by
the gods, a mana source reading if you will, this rite should
be able to detect them in general geographic terms. That
might lead to further travel to that area for investigation..
Zhou reminds the party as he did a week ago the cover story
should be in full swing. Especially in the next city. It
will be close to the capital than Chi'jian. He will decide
who should likely head into town for the meeting. But he
will take suggestions or input. His initial plan is to take
Farseeker, Fremea, Kell, Raban, Shu and Unali. Others
will stay nearby and protect or stay at the ship. Some may
be assigned to buy a wagon if that is needed. Zhou will
decide that in the coming days.
----------------------------
[Julis 4th, 1634TH]
[Winds: Average, Speed 6]
[Distance this day: 30]
[Weather: Clear/Sunny, No Event]
[Temperatures: 54-83]
With only some 100 miles to go and should be at the last
destination on Julis 7th the party starts to get excited.
After almost three months on the ship they are clearly eager
to go ashore for the rest of the mission. Some sleep good
but some can't sleep as the excitement builds day by day.
[Time: 6:08am]
As the ship is well over 100 miles from shore the traffic is light.
The last ship seen was a fishing ship an hour ago a few miles
to the east.
With twilight here and the sun to rise in less than half an hour
Fremea and Arawn have gone to their cabin to sleep.
As most mornings the Captain and First Mate and the first shift
of sailors are up and about. Both Captain and First mate are
on top deck looking over navigation charts for reefs in this
area. Caladan is in the forward part of the ship waiting for
the sun to rise to his left. He sits with a sailor who is on
forward observation for water hazards. This area is known to be
shallow than most due to high shelf or something below.
Chion is awake and on the passenger deck roaming the halls
heading toward the nearest ladder.
Kiet having woken up early due to a rather big rat which
he thinks was in the walls about to attack him, but never
did, finds himself up on the top deck. Yawning he helps
a sailor with the ropes.
Strie'bog also finds himself up early and on the top deck
watching a school of flying fish dive in and out the water.
Shu finds herself awake and checking out her gear. Making
sure she is ready for the magic rite in a few days. She sits
alone in her cabin.
Unali also finds herself awake in her cabin. Dressed she
sits putting on her boots ready for a breakfast meal. She
considers that in just days she will be back in her homeland.
She wonders how much it has changed and what she will find once
back there. She has been quiet on her home details but wonders
if she should start talking about her home life. But the odds
of the party going in that area is slim seeing as the empire
is so huge.
Whitney awake sits in the mess hall on the hold deck. He waits
for the cold mush of the porridge like oatmeal to be slightly
warmed by the makeshift small stove in this room. Fire has to
be controlled so no big fires are ever made on ship of this sort.
But the cold mush will at least be warm mush soon. Maybe with
some water he can choke it down yet again.
Zhou is also awake this early and finds himself on the cabin
deck in one of the storerooms. He is looking over some of the
things he has taken from the Dark Lands.
Will, Z'leyra, Raban, Ben'dar and Kell find themselves still
asleep in their cabins.
While the skies are devoid of any clouds the stars soon become
hard to see in the blue twilight sky. The morning fog is typical
for the sea and can last as much as 3 hours after sunrise.
While it mostly happens near coastal shorelines the deep ocean
fog can occur.
This morning is typical of such fog mornings. Which is why
a sailor is below looking to the sea and one in the nest looking
to the forward distance. When the one in the nest suddenly
shouts a ship was briefly seen in the thick fog to the port
about half a mile those on the top deck turn around. The
Blue Moon itself isn't going fast since the talisman isn't
being used yet the winds are low. Without enough warning the
ship can avoid other ships.
The Captain heads forward to look for himself. It takes another
two minutes until the ship is seen again in the thick fog that
seems to allow good viewing at best half a mile at worst only 1000
feet. Suddenly the ship breaks through the fog and is seen better.
Caladan, Captain and sailors stare at the ship. It looks like
a merchant ship with one full rigging with sails unfurled for
sailing. The captain spots the Katai flag flying over the
rigging. The Captain nods and starts to turn to order to head
clear of the ship when the sailor next to him grabs his arm.
"Look! Port side middle." The Sailor quickly says.
The Captain raises his spyglass which is a bit blurred in the
fog but moves it to the side of the ship. By now the other ship
seems to be heading southeast as the Blue Moon is going south
west. Both could collide if not stopped soon. But then the
Captain notices the faint yellow circles painted on the hull.
His eyes bulge and then he turns.
"Yazho Pirates! Turn us away now!" The Captain yells.
As the First mate turns the wheel to avoid the pirate ship
it quickly approaches. On the other ship men are bustling about
as they suddenly see the merchant ship in their sights. Men
on the other ship suddenly head to bins and lockers to grab
gear and weapons.
"Wake the crew. Battle stations!" The First mate yells to
one sailor. The sailors on deck scramble to stations, grab
weapons and some head below.
Oddly Caladan at the forward end of the ship turns to the
Captain. "Just get us close but start to avoid the ship.
I can help here."
The Captain shrugs and then runs aft to issue orders to the
crew. At that point the alarm bell is sounded.
Below the sailor tosses the now warm mush to Whitney and
rushes to the door after dousing the small stove fire.
Whitney looks down to the white mush and hears the alarm.
Danger or eating this mush? Which is more risky?
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Monday....
GM: Since no actions posted for most of the city didn't know where
to put you other than above what I know of your character.
If not stated then you probably stayed on ship.
GM: Kell/Arawn takes 1 Trident it seems. You can take them into
Katai it isn't outlawed. Just fancy pitchfork/spears. Just
not common in Katai why they are hard to sell.
GM: Looks like new TV season. Monday it shouldn't be a issue as
I'm up late. But Thursday looks like right now 2 shows so
will only give me 2.5 hours to work on update in the evening.
Now good news is I'll be off Thursdays for vacation till the
end of the year. Bad news is those last minute posts from
folks (you know who you are) could take that 2.5 hours of
time. So don't be surprised if updates are delayed due to
good tv. :) Suggestion would be to get posts in before night
on Thursdays rather than 10pm on Thursday. :) But just a
suggestion. Since will likely be watching Flashforward and
Fringe.
GM: This is the last rolled random encounter for the trip.
It won't be a long last one like the merman. In fact
it might be over fast. But if you get up in time you
can still do a few actions. I will resolve it in the
next update. Monday I will announce how we will go from
there. It will be important for any who may have wanted
to resolve things they haven't yet. Stay tuned...
GM: I am 2/3rds done with character sheet cleanup. By landfall
should be ready to send them back out.
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