[pnpgm] Game Update # -11 - File #31 - Arawn's IBT

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Tue Jul 21 22:03:26 CEST 2015


   HT Aliaver/Player    DS    Character Name    Type    Status/Notes  Sex
   -- -----------------------------------------------------------------
   R1.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid  .Normal/Alfar .. Ma
   --.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe
   R3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma
   R1.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human  ..Ma
   W4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human  ..Fe
   ...Julian.Draven.........Zabyra............Dancer..Normal/Human....Hu
   R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human  ..Fe
   -- Npc...............YY..Etain.............Teacher.Normal/Elf......Ma
      Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Squirt (Ferret) Kell

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      Game Update #-11 in sequence (file #31)
      ----------------------------------------------------------------

      Admin Notes: Arawn's IBT.
      ----------------------------------------------------------------
      [Recap]

        [None]

      ------------------------------------------------------------
      [New Stuff]

          [Octagi 5th, 1634TH]
          [Sivas, Marentia]

          [Octagi 5]

            Just before leaving Donara City, Arawn approaches Fremea
          for a hasty talk.  The two murmur for some time and Fremea
          waves a hand or two in either excitement or annoyance.  Arawn
          nods and the party then soon leaves.

            Once in Marentia, Arawn watches the group.  In terms of the
          great span of time he has not been with the party that long.
          A mere blink of an eye.  He has seen some come and some leave.
          Chion, Farseeker, Cholan and Ben'dar all gone now.  Now two
          less including a dear friend the bard Raban and the woodsman
          Will.  He wonders at the end of any future great missions if
          it will be new party members or less.   Some human said once
          that human connections are like the sands of a beach.  Each
          are unique but can be so diverse that unless you grow and
          tend to that connection it fades away.

s          In his home far in the Upper World connections were mostly
          political.  Everyone had an agenda or motive.  Those not in
          the godly Courts were either serving those courts or something
          to avoid.  Which makes these new emotions and connections of
          humans and Sidh fascinating and new to him.

            Now as he stands and watches the group he wonders what will
          come next?  They have dealt with a dead human civilization the
          Lymrians who had influence over a flying magical island with
          a castle on it.  There they stopped a threat that threatened
          the Dark Lands.  Then the Vong threat which could have been
          a world wide thing.  In their death dance at the end they
          used that large brain to possibly pull the moon down and
          destroy the world.  Not to even mention the portal they
          may have intentionally or by accident opened to the
          Kotothi throne room in the upper world.  If that portal
          had broken and let him in no one would be standing on
          this cool library roof now.  The great Agreement would
          have been broken and gods would be waging a new eternal
          war in the Middle World.  From regional threats to global
          threats they then go to collect parents and a relic that
          may be a token in some Sidh war.  What will be next?

            Arawn listens to Kiet as he continues to speak on and on
          about the treasure.  Causing the final gems to be divided
          up and taken.  He watches as the timid parents watch the
          group in awe and confusion.  Then Arawn watches the bird
          cages of pigeons that Kaylle keeps.  The Fae started it
          when he was lonely but now he has a bit more human friends.
          One bird is like Corona a solid white snow bird.  To some
          it might be a omen of good or bad things.  He recalls seeing
          the white bird in the Pavassa forest which led to some
          minor understanding with his father.  But to some they would
          just say its a bird nothing more.

            After folks start to depart, Kiet goes over to Arawn and
          begins to speak a few quiet words between the two.  Arawn
          then goes to Corona and asks if he would like special magical
          protection or magical items.  The Eagle replies in his own
          language which Arawn understands well enough that no but
          thank you.  Z'leyra has made a few items for him though
          he does not seem to feel comfortable with more items.  He
          believes in being natural though he is not native to this
          world that is a bit ironic.

            Arawn then finds Kell and asks the merchant if Squirt would
          like the same.  Kell considers this for some time and shakes
          his head.  "I tried to make him a suit of thin armor but he
          hated it.  Thank you though."  Arawn then asks if Kell could
          show him some Smuggling skill practice.  Kell considers this
          as wanted to head out of time.  They talk and dicker on the
          details and Kell will give 4 days in a few weeks.

            Arawn sees Kiet leave with Z'leyra.  He watches Saya, Etain,
          and Anorlic leave with Fremea.  It would not be good to intrude
          at this point.  Plus he needs time to think alone on things
          that are distracting him.  Conflicts in duty and friendship.
          At what point do friends matter more than honor and duty?
          Is the greater good better than a connection in that tapestry
          of life?  He needs to pray and meditate.  So he heads to
          find a inn for the night.

          [Octagi 6]

            Arawn wakes up at 5am after a semi restless night at the
          inn.  No answers came to him after the few hours of sleep.
          He heads downstairs to find it all empty.  But discovers
          a female in the kitchen preparing for breakfast.  She gives
          him some tea and hot biscuits.  Arawn decides to leave before
          breakfast is started and heads to the Library.  He waits at
          the steps to the library and soon Kaylle arrives even before
          the sun rises.

            Entering the library they talk for a couple hours on various
          matters of recent and old things.  He asks Kaylle if he has
          any Salaqi reading tutorials.  Kaylle nods and explains he can
          teach him as well since he can read Salaqi.  He has to get some
          scrolls from Donara and Ticasi so reads that area well.  Arawn
          offers to pay for the tutoring but Kaylle refuses.  "It would
          be like charging a friend for listening to you.  No!"  He smiles
          and shakes his head.  Arawn asks if he has any Ticasi culture
          books on customs and such since Ticasi seems like a good place
          for human learning.  Kaylle grins and says yes he does.  He has
          about 6 or so on the subject.  He shows the Druid the set of
          books.  Arawn asks if he could commission a cop of the best
          two he selected as the others seem to be the same thing.  Kaylle
          says yes a scribe can do that  He could do it in a few weeks
          if that is fine with Arawn.

            Kaylle nods, "he is finishing up a copy of a book for a nearby
          merchant in about a week but could start.  He knows Ticasi
          written form as well and will translate it to Marentian.  He
          recently got a kid to help out and teach.  Actually one of
          Fremea's kids.  The boy was kicked out of his home by his dad
          when his mom died and the boy was blamed.  I just hope the
          scribe guild doesn't get upset.  Do they even have a guild?"
          Arawn agrees and leaves some coins for the scribe.  Arawn leaves
          and drops some silver into the library donation lock chest
          to help Kaylle.  If he can't pay for tutoring then he can at
          least support Kaylle a bit.

            Arawn heads up to the roof to teleport to his next stop.  He
          looks closer at the birds and feeds a few with permission from
          Kaylle  Then he casts Divination and Levitate upon himself.  Then
          he casts translocation to Donara City.  He lands on the roof that
          Saya and Anorlic stayed on the night before.  He levitates to
          the ground and down the street until the spell ends.  Then he
          heads toward Jordi's tavern.

            He enters and awaits for Jordi to leave the back room.  After
          some time he finally arrives.  They head to a booth to talk.  Arawn
          asks him a few questions and they talk quietly.  After that Arawn
          asks if he can do anything for their group.

            "Thank you but no.  Actually your speech may have swayed one
          of the humans they have switched direction to the good.  So
          we are moving fast.  Once we...", he looks around, "get active
          you are free to join us."  Arawn asks about meeting his contacts
          in the Elven Council, villages and that historian.  Jordi sits
          back and drinks his warm tea.  "Well we will not be leaving
          here for a week maybe.  I can send word to them of introductiosn
          but as I said earlier since it is winter time the Council is
          widespread for the season.  It may take a good time to hear back.
          The General and I are heading south near our target to get some
          plans setup.  So will not be heading deep into the forest.  Maybe
          in a few weeks or a month?  But it might be difficult to find me."
          He considers this a bit.  "I suppose...I could leave a note if
          I find anything or news here.  The owner is a Sidh friend why we
          are working here. The humans find it easier."

            "That would be appreciated," Arawn replied, smiling. "And
          perhaps when I'm done with my trip I can find some way to
          assist."

            Arawn knows he can't stay that long as he has plans of his own.
          So he leaves and translocates back to the library late in the
          afternoon.  Arawn does a bit of shopping in town and heads back
          to his Inn for the night.

          [Octagi 7]

            Arawn decides he needs to attend to his old duties.  He heads
          back to the library after breakfast and uses the roof.  He
          translocates to the pre-set Teleport circle Cetric setup in the
          Zen'dali village where Caladan lived.  Arawn enters the village
          as warriors come but recognize him.  Cetric greets him and
          they talk a bit.  Arawn asks about Chion but Cetric explains he
          has been away for a month or so.  Caladan is still either in
          Marentia or at his master's cabin in the south mountains.

            Arawn spends a couple hours seeing the villagers he knows from
          the past and heads to the teleport circle.  He then translocates
          to the Pavassa forest.  Here there are no circles setup but
          he uses Divination and Levitate again.

            Arawn travels to the pond they found the Vong Brain in and finds
          it is in great shape.  The Green Lady must've been hard at work
          restoring it.  He then goes to find the spot where the forest
          was damaged in the final battles.  It also has improved but
          will take time to fully recover just like a forest fire.

            Then with solemn dedication the Alfar heads to find the Sacred
          Forest.  To the tribes around here they could walk right through
          it and never see it.  Only the Sidh can really cross the veil
          and gain entry.  It takes time and Arawn finds the threshold
          and crosses over.  The world around him changes to the same forest
          but is now more vibrant with life and animals.  Arawn enters the
          Sidh village.

            Arawn finds the Forestal and others he met long ago.  He
          hears Thig is around but does not locate him.  The Green
          Lady and her son Strie'bog are in the normal forest away on
          some errands.  Arawn spends time in the village and finds
          a blacksmith.  He asks him if he could repair his damaged sword.
          The smith checks the sword out and finds only minor damage.
          He explains by repairing it Arawn will not be able to improve
          any magic or place new place on it.  Arawn agrees since he
          never made it in the first place.  The smith says it will take
          5 days to repair.  He refuses any payment from the Alfar by
          honor.  But the Elven metal is more scarce due to the winter
          coming so Arawn will need to seek work with the elders for
          payment as service since gold is not taken here.

            Arawn asks if the smith could make a Elven battle horn and
          metal helmet.  But he says it would take time and Arawn only
          plans to be here maybe 10 days.  But the village store might
          have some.  Arawn finds the open air store and does indeed
          find both items.  The helmets are standard basic issue nothing
          fancy.  But the one Elven battle horn is rather nice.  The owner
          takes no gold but says he could part with them for a favor.  If
          Arawn could collect a basket full of Cayenne he would part
          with them.  He hands the basket to Arawn and smiles that
          the stuff can be found on the extreme north side of the normal
          forest.  But he should hurry as the villagers tend to pick it
          fast for their own drinking needs.

            Arawn plans to spend at least 10 days here with the Sidh and
          their allies for various reasons.

          [Octagi 8]

            Arawn heads out pre-dawn leaving the sacred grove borrowing a
          horse from Strie'bog.  He rides to the northern border where the
          plains meet the forest.  By the time he gets there the sun is
          up and bright.

            He searches and finds the Cayenne here and there.  He also sees
          several women and children from the nearby forests collecting
          it as well.  On the edge of the forest he spots some riders
          pass by that might be Humagi?  But they do not seem to enter the
          forest as they sometimes do just riding on.

            Arawn collects his basket full for the shop owner.  Cayenne does
          not tend to sell for much in Marentia but this is a nice treasure
          collection.  He learns these bushes only grow in these amounts every
          two years.  Some ceremony that a long ago druid preforred to let
          this happen.

            Arawn considers picking up some for his own supplies but it
          would dishonor the time here for the shop owner.  So he does not
          get or save any for himself.

            As Arawn rides back south toward the sacred forest he notices
          a lone human shaman from a village.  He is chanting and smoking
          a pipe while sitting on the ground.  Arawn quietly listens and
          watches from horseback.  He understands enough Vassa to learn
          that the shaman is protecting the area from some evil spirit
          that villagers think is in the area.  Arawn considers stopping
          and giving his support even ending the spirit to a better place.
          But disrupting a shaman while he is working can be dangerous
          and disrespectful.  So Arawn continues southward.

            Arawn returns to the sacred grove and collects his new gear
          as barter.

            That afternoon and some evening time Arawn spends time with
          a Elf warrior learning some new Shield techniques.

          [Octagi 9]

            The Druids ask Arawn to speak about the upper world and the
          courts.  To Arawn this is a highly personal thing.  Something
          dear to his heart.  Being lonely in a world of people but not
          with his people.  He relents and really can't say no without
          being rude.

            Since most humans would not understand this is done in the
          northern open field of the grove.  In the human forest which is
          side by side but slightly off-dimension this is still all forest.
          But in the grove it is clear.

            The crowds start early only an hour after sunrise and
          builds and builds.  By 9 there are over 200 maybe 250.  Arawn
          is amazed to see that many in this small enclosure of the grove.
          He figured at most 100.  Where did they all come from?

            Arawn stands on a tree that was blessed as a speaking
          platform with a full stage built on its huge limbs.  The
          audience is captive as he begins to speak.  The Forestal
          uses magic to enhance his volume so those in the back can
          hear him.

            Arawn speaks and speaks.  Time flies.  Only when does
          the Forestal call for lunch does he realize that he has
          been talking for almost three full hours.  Lunches are
          served in picnic style fashion all over the field.  Then
          Arawn stands again and speaks up until 4pm for a total of
          around 6 hours of speaking.

            The audience is appreciative and leaves donations to
          Arawn, the druids and the forest spirits and gods at the
          base of the tree.  Everything form simple patches of
          herbs to golden statues for the open air temple.

            Arawn's voice is dry and he is amazed how much he
          shared.  But it was almost a out of body experience where
          he doesn't seem to recall what he really said.  It was all
          so fast.  The rhetoric just spilled out like water from
          a fountain.

            In order to meditate and frankly get away from those who wish
          him praise or ask questions Arawn leaves the sacred grove to the
          normal forest.  He begins to walk south away from the area and
          listen to the forest.  Suddenly a large male black bear appears
          from a bush and growls.  Arawn conveys love and warm feelings to
          it but it continues to growl.  The weather is getting cool and
          crisp and the bear must be preparing to hibernate looking for
          food.  Arawn could easily flee or handle the situation.  But
          then he recalls from the picnic he has food in his pouch.  Some
          leftover large biscuits, mushrooms and honey sticks that a girl
          elf made for him.  He places the cloth of food on the ground
          and backs away.  The bear takes and enjoys the food then leaves
          to the east.

            Upon entering the grove the druids tell him his barter for
          the blacksmith is complete.

          [Octagi 10]

            While in the Sacred Forest Arawn tries to tend to druidic
          duties.  Ten days out of a full year is not that much but it is
          a start.

            Today Arawn and another Druid oversee a ritual on the new season
          of Ke-ni-a which roughly translates to rebirth or transition.  This
          is a period before the winter solstice where animals start to
          forge, hoard and hibernate for the transition into spring.  The
          ritual is done first in the sacred forest and then in the normal
          human forest.  It is more a mystical ritual than actual spell of
          protection.  They use a ancient tree that is said by the Green Lady
          to be the oldest in this forest.  They burn incense and call for
          wild life to come to be healed.  This is not by magic but by the
          ritual chanting by the two Druids.  It would be bad to force
          wildlife to come so they must come willingly.

            Soon a rabbit with a torn ear comes.  A deer with a very bad
          antler disease approaches.  Three birds with injuries to wings
          are treated.  Finally a timid brown fox approaches with a
          broken leg.  Both druids and their human helpers tend to the
          wounds using natural magical techniques.  There should not be
          any magic be done.  The Green Lady, Strie'bog and the Forestal all
          help as well.  They explain magic will taint the forest as it
          needs to be naturally helped.

            After a few hours the wildlife is tended and the druids are
          exhausted.  The Green Lady explains some years you may have only
          a single bird or a timid raccoon.  One year a bear even came
          but this year due to the Vong damage she believes the forest will
          need natural healing..

          [Octagi 10-11]

            These two days he spends time with the Sidh and Druids to
          learn some more of the metaphysics topics.  From his point
          of view he learned from the upper world.  So he learns pieces
          and tidbits from the lower areas.

          [Octagi 12]

            Arawn learns from a older Sidh Faerry the tongue of Dvalinn
          just a bit more than he already knows.

          [Octagi 13]

            Today Arawn oversees seedling plantings in a section of
          the north east Vassa forest with the help of human villagers.
          Due to a fire many trees were lost.  But the Sidh and Druids
          help to re-plant new trees.

          [Octagi 13-14]

            These two days Arawn learns more on basic Druid/Elder style
          cosmology.  Each night he and the Druid teacher heads into the
          normal forest and watch the stars.  Talking about the various
          groupings of stars and celestial events as well as other
          details on the subject.

          [Octagi 15]

            This day Arawn helps the chief Druid in a temple session with
          new visitors from the far west of the forest.  Acolytes can't
          really do full sessions but they can help. So Arawn helps with
          the materials like candles, incense and burning herbs.  The
          chief druid handles the session normally  but not as most human
          priests give sermons and teach.  For Druids they tend to be more
          informal for an audience.  They talk but do not preach.  They
          talk from everything issues from life to death.  After almost
          three hours there are no more questions so the session ended.

            After helping in the temple Arawn asks help from the Druid
          on learning just a bit more Neutral Tongues.  He asks about
          going from a specific Druid style to a neutral style to honor
          his parents and the neutral court.  The druid explains it is
          a matter of what humans call semantics.  It is what is in one's
          heart that matters.

            Soon after Strie'bog and Thig find Arawn frantic.  They say
          bandits are in the forest and raiding a nearby village.  Arawn
          decides to join them and heads out by wing and horse to find
          them.  With help from the Forestal who asked the forest he
          learned their location.  There are six of them.  They have
          raided pelts and other things from two villages. This deep in
          the forest it is surprising they made it this far without being
          stopped.

            Soon the three lay an ambush.  All three use bows to take down
          three easily.  The last 3 scramble to get cover.  Thig and
          Strie'bog take two more by arrows.  The last man is elusive
          and Arawn uses his forest innate invisibility to track the
          last one and ambush him with ease knocking him out.

            The village they stole from has technical juristiction so
          the elders decide to exile the men.  To remove all their gear
          and leave only light clothing not even their food and horses.
          They will be exiled into the plains into the cold.  If they
          die then they deserve to be. .

          [Octagi 16]

            For the last 10 days Arawn has tried to perform to his ability
          his druidic duties.  He has helped in many ways form simple
          rituals to full ceremonies.  So he asks the elder druids to
          ask with the local head priest to see if could be promoted to
          serve the faithful abroad.  The group of elders find this to
          be a good time to try.  After learning what he was a part of
          in the last 10 months since they last saw them was a great
          accomplishment.  But in the end he has not really done nothing
          but his priest/druid duties.  Because of this and because it
          was only 10 months since he was last here they regret that
          they can not promote him.

            Arawn feels no anger at this and is grateful for the time here.
          Later quietly the Forestal who is not of the direct faith
          explains the elders were wary.  All know of him being an Alfar
          some feel that alone means you deserve promotion others feel
          should not be favored.  It was a hard decision to make but
          since you as Arawn not as the Alfar requested to be treated
          as a normal Elf druid nothing anything special they felt it
          was good to finish the vote.  Then when the serious part is
          over he smiles.  "Plus most druids or priests don't get promoted
          in the same year.  It is very rare.  Takes at LEAST a year.
          Come back later and I'm sure you will breeze past it."

             Arawn laughed in a pleasant manner.

             "I hadn't realized it was so close together. With everything
          that's gone on in the last several months more than a year had
          already passed!" said, cheerfully abashed.

             "And thank you, for your words of wisdom, your time and, most of
          all, your friendship."

          [Octagi 17]

             With his time in the forest at a close Arawn wanted to
          show his appreciation to everyone for their hospitality. He
          knew that coin was near meaningless here but he did what he
          could to offer service to each and everyone who had blessed
          his stay. Knowing that though the forest provided all they
          needed there were certain luxuries that were not easily found
          under the leafy eaves he spoke with the leaders, asking
          if there was anything he could return with on his next trip.

            The forestal and Green Lady consider.  "We rely mostly on
          the forest.  But at times we do have storms and the simple homes
          here fall apart.  So believe it or not a bucket of nails."  The
          forestal says.  "But no rush as these storms do not come back
          till summer time."

            The Green lady nods, "we make our own rope here but at times
          there are beasts that can break them.  So strong cord or rope
          might be for emergency prisoners.  But no rush either.  Usually
          the Helva and such tend to invade the forest for hunting in
          late spring or summer."

            After 10 days in the Vassa forest Arawn says good bye to all
          the people like the Green Lady, Thig, Strie'bog, the Forestal
          and all others.  Leaving the sacred grove he finds a spot in
          the forest and translocates to the Dark Lands.

            Arawn ends up in the teleport circle in the Citadel.  It is
          pre-defined teleport circle.  Once inside a click is heard and
          a field drops around the building blocking future teleports
          inside to prevent disaster.  The door is locked magically
          until a citadel person can see who came.

            The person is only a guard who was alerted by the magic
          ward inside.  Peeking in a peephole he recognizes Arawn
          and magical unlocks the door.

            "The High Elder is away today with Oby Wan.  I can fetch
          someone from his manor to help you."  The guard explains and
          leads Arawn to the High Elder's manor.

            The female some wizard Arawn assumes finds Arawn.  "I'm Go'el
          the Elder is away from the Citadel but should return.  Do you
          wish to stay at the manor or the inn?"

            Arawn decides to use the inn.  After the gifts the Elder gave
          it is not best to intrude.  He finds a room and does a bit
          of exploring since it has been months.  Arawn intends to spend
          10 days at least here before he needs to return to Marentia to
          train with Kaylle and Kell.

            Over the next 10 days Arawn asks the High Elder to let him study
          his Dark Elf armor to see what he might learn.  He also plans to
          study his mystical and Lymrian books as best he can do so.

          [Octagi 18]

            Arawn gets a note under his Inn room door saying to meet about
          2 miles north of the village by the Citadel.  That he has important
          information for him.  It is not signed but shows a Elder rune
          so it must be from a person from the Elder Domain.

            Soon deep in the forest he waits at the spot - a obvious tree
          split in 2 by lightning called simply Split Tree.  A popular lovers
          place.  Arawn waits and paces when he hears movement.  Two humans
          emerge from the trees.

            They get closer but Arawn can sense form his empathic ability
          they do not seem friendly.  Sensing this the men draw their swords.
          "We just want a vial of blood from you.  We won't kill you."

            Arawn sees a flash by and notices a small sphere thrown to the
          ground from the left.  No there are two of them.  One hits the
          ground and explodes blinding Arawn with light and sound.  The
          other is a mana bomb which prevents Arawn from completing his
          Armor spell.

            The men charge and slash the blinded Arawn.  One hits Arawn in
          the left but his armor blocks.  The other sword does 2 points of
          damage drawing first blood.

            But Arawn doesn't need full senses to fight.  He shoulder shoves
          one man and side kicks the other making him fall to the ground.
          Arawn stomps down onto his knee causing damage.

            Arawn can hear two more rushing forward.  The shouldered man
          swings again but misses.  But Arawn draws his own sword and
          skewers the man in the chest killing him.  Then steps onto the
          chest of the downed man before he can get back up.

            The 3rd man swings at Arawn but misses.  The 4th man stabs
          Arawn in the chest doing 6 points of damage.

            Arawn tries to collect the mana for a spell but the bomb seems
          to interfere or maybe his concentration is gone.  Arawn thrusts
          at the 3rd man but misses.

            The third man gets behind Arawn and bashes with his sword hilt
          knocking Arawn out.

            Arawn wakes up to the three men over him.  One is letting
          blood drip from a cut in his arm drip into the vial.  Arawn
          is bound but his hurt arm is not.  Arawn quickly figures giving
          these men Alfar blood may not be good.  "See we just want a bit
          of blood.  We could've killed you.  Now be good."

            Arawn considers flailing the man and maybe taking out two but
          the others could get on him.  He considers a spell since the
          mana bomb seems over.  He begins to open his mouth when he
          hears yelling.

            "Stop!" A tall man on a gray and white horse says.

            "You go away!"

            The man on the horse begins to speak words and casts a spell.
          Suddenly 8 Shadow Warriors appear and attack the 4 men.

            The distraction allows Arawn to grab the vial and dump then
          head butt the man away.

            Arawn starts to untie his bound other arm as the shadow warriors
          slice and dice the men.  Soon only one is left and the 6 remaining
          shadow warriors surround the hapless man who drops his sword in
          surrender.  Arawn watches as the man casts another spell and
          engulfs the man in some weird ultra shadow fog of some sort.  The
          man begins to scream and dissolve right in front of Arawn.

            Arawn stands and empties the vial of blood.  The Shadows warriors
          disappear and the man stares.  "Novas Sha'han.  You should be
          careful.  These outcasts probably want your blood for some reason."
          Then he rides off toward the Citadel.

             After making sure that every remnant of blood had been properly
          disposed Arawn turned to the mounted shadow-weaver and bowed.

             "Arawn and thank you and I will," he said, the latter in
          regards to the man's advice.

             "Your shadow-craft is impressive and an area of fascination.
          Perhaps one day we may be able to discuss such and the nature of
          shadows when leisure and peaceful surrounding permit for it.
          Until then, travel safely."

            The Shadow Master looks at Arawn as if a bug on the trail. "No
          offense.  But I do not trust Elves.  They tend to...over complicate
          matters.  I already have an apprentice though.  Maybe one day if
          I hear more about you I can consider it.  Good day."

            Arawn later realizes that is the Shadow Domain lord.  A person who
          rarely leaves his domain  The heavy dense forest is dark enough
          that it allowed him to cast his shadow magic.  Oby Wan later finds
          finds out the outcasts were from the Law Domain who had heard rumors
          of Elf blood could guarantee love.  So they did it all for love
          it seems.  What a waste.

          [Octagi 19]

            Arawn asks the wizards around the Citadel from various Domains
          if they have suggestions on improving the Energy spell to make it
          better than healing hand.  Some consider Energy to be just too
          cost wasteful.  But some figure if there is a way to give that
          energy to a group it might help.  Some argue that maybe energy
          could convert energy into mana.  Some scholars think mana is
          just a form of energy.  Maybe even as a offensive way to zap
          energy or even mana from a person like a mana bomb.  Still even
          maybe masters of the spell could convert that magical energy
          into other forms of energy?  Say creating a blaze in a fireplace
          or taking energy away from a room snuffing out candles and maybe
          in some cases the air.

          [Octagi 20]

            For a few days here and the 10 in Pavassa Arawn has been looking
          for info on enhancement rites for Ruby and Tourmaline.  He found
          nothing in the Vassa forest which is not too surprising.  But today
          he gets a lead that a law wizard will sell a scroll for the Ruby.

            The wizard will sell it for 6 Gold.  Arawn realizes this is a bit
          high but they haggle for some time.  But the wizard will not go
          below 4 gold.  Finally Arawn decides chances of getting this in
          Sivas is slim.  So he has no choice but to pay the 4 gold.

            Days later he continues looking for tourmaline but only hears
          rumors that the Chaos wizards has those rites.

          [Octagi 22]

            Today Arawn is eating at the nice tavern in the Citadel for guests
          and higher ranked wizards.  He notices 6 men talking at one table.
          He does not understand the language and asks one of the waitresses.
          She explains they were sailors who were attacked by Choshai pirates.
          They lost their ship and were marooned here.  The High Elder allows
          them here as long as they don't get in trouble.  But says no
          ships tend dock at the ocean port until early.  So the sailors are
          debating to just leave by foot, horse or wait.

            Then one mentions that the one called a Sorceress offered to help.
          They are voting on it now.  Arawn decides that might not be wise
          but Oby Wan comes in and tells him the High Elder will meet with
          him.  Oby Wan rushes Arawn out the door before he can say anything
          to the travelers.

            Arawn explains about the Katai events and about them ending
          slavery in Donara.  He mentions meeting up with the HE's contact
          and getting his gifts.

            "I was doing security ward upgrades.  When winter comes we have
          to batten down the defenses from the outside world.  So this is
          why I was away.  I hope that Oby Wan allowed you access to the
          Citadel Library."

            Arawn nods and thanks the so called greatest wizard in the
          middle world.  Too bad Arawn could not see the HE's personal
          library that would be a nice treasure.  But Arawn knows best not
          to speak out of place.

             At some point before heading out Arawn described his
          encounter with Novas Sha'han.

             "The shadow realm intrigues me and I'm considering possibly
          meeting with the lord of the Shadow Domain sometime in the future,"
          he informed HE.

             "But though he's saved my life he's as unknown to me as anything
          hidden in shadow. Would you know of the character of the man? Would
          you have any advice should I pursue a future meeting with the man?"

             The High Elder snorts and nods holding his brandy and sipping it.
          "The man is complex.  While the Sorceress or other Chaos mages here
          may betray you out of habit or some goal.  He will betray anyone
          who does not cater to his whims.  He rarely has an apprentice and
          when he does they tend not to last more than a couple months.  He
          is strict and knowledgeable.  Those who enter his domain are never
          heard from again.  You would have a better chance entering the
          Sorceresses's Doman than his and hope to live. As to him he feels
          himself unique.  Not many in this world know Shadow Magic like
          him.  The few that tend to do so are....overcome by the forces
          they unleash.  I understand there may be be only a few that one
          can count on a single hand in this world.  I hear the Lower World
          may have many more.  He craves knowledge to inspire him more on
          his own studies.  Some say the ancient Ranzani were big on shadow
          magic.  But they have not existed for thousands of years and he
          can not obtain more info on them."  He finishes his drink.  "Be
          wary Alfar for he would not defer to you.  He would smite you
          down just as easy as a house fly."

          [Octagi 25]

            Today Arawn is shopping in the Citadel village and finds
          a vendor that sells pet boosters.  He asks for any that will
          help a wolf's overall constitution.  The man him a thin foot
          bracelet that is for dogs.  In theory it can improve a dog's
          performance by almost 2 times normal.  The man will sell it
          for 5 gold but Arawn talks him down to 35 silver.  So Arawn
          buys the item for Will's wolf.

            Arawn hires a horse tutor to give him 2 days of horse riding
          lessons to improve his skill.

          [Octagi 26]

            Arawn simply does not have time to craft a set of Jeweler tools
          in order to enchant them.  So he decides to buy some magic set
          for 2 gold here in the Dark Lands.  It is better than nothing
          but he wants to practice on that Dark Ruby.

            First step is to make the Gem into a Jewel.  After a bit of time
          he completes the job.  The next part is making the jewel into
          jewelry.  He decides to make a necklace since Ruby like this
          shines up better in necklace form.

            Arawn collects the material from here and Sivas.  He collects
          He wanted Orichalum but could not find it.  Red Gold is also
          scarce this time of year.  But he finds enough White gold to
          make a inset for the ruby and a simple gold chain.  All in all
          he spends 2 gold for the materials. In theory the Gem was at least
          4 times that so hopes it will give a profit.

            He works a few hours on the necklace and then cuts the final jewel
          for the inset.  Arawn has to start over when the inset is 
just slightly
          off center.  Another half an hour and Arawn finishes the necklace.

            The medium flawless with average clarity is now complete into a
          nice necklace.  He will store it for Kell to sell when he returns.
          No good chance selling it here as most wizards want the magical
          jewelry not costume stuff.

            It is now sundown and Arawn has been in the Dark Lands for 10 days.
          He has spent by day in the library doing some research or at the
          Citadel vault inspecting his armor.  By now he has studied or tried
          to his Lymrian books he got from the flying castle and his mystical
          book as well.

            But at sunrise he hands over to the Teleport building.  He bids
          Oby Wan farewell and gratitude for staying.  Arawn then
          translocats to Cetrics village once more.  Since the distance is
          too far to jump at once this is a nice half way point.  Arawn
          spends an hour here and eats some powdery mush stuff which Arawn
          didn't quite enjoy but would be rude to say no to.

            Arawn then teleports to Sivas back at the Library roof.  He had
          told Kaylle to free the roof for the evening to skip any dangers.

          [Octagi 27 - 31]

            Arawn finds Kell in the tavern he planned to meet today.
          Kell starts his 4 days of teaching Arawn how to Smuggle.  It is
          ironic that a trader has such a skill as it is also used to
          find smuggled items.

            After the four days Arawn is tested by one of the city guards.
          To see if he can smuggle a small gem past guards of the city hall.
          Sadly the guards find the gem but it was a quick test.  So Arawn
          has improved just a bit.

          [Novehas 1 - 14]

            Arawn sends these two weeks learning more reading Salaqi with
          the books Kaylle has and his own personal help when he has free
          time at the library.

            At the end of the 2 weeks though Arawn has not learned enough
          to read grade school.  So Arawn asks if he could maybe spend
          two more weeks.  But Kaylle tells him he needs maybe 7 at most
          8 days to learn it on his own.

            Kaylle tells Arawn that Cholan is having a party on the 15th
          for Damon.  He hopes to be there if he gets the time off.

            During the two weeks Arawn spends time with others like Fremea
          and her parents to get to know them better.  He also watches
          as Etain seems to get into his groove with the kid's that Fremea
          has at her converted warehouse/home.  She even asks Etain if he
          would like to meet his own folks or the Wild Forest again.  But
          he says that maybe later but he finally feels suitable for what
          he is as a teacher now.

            Arawn also makes suggestions to Z'leyra, Fremea and Kaylle on
          possible Teleport Circles in Sivas.  To establish one that will
          not be disturbed like Cetric's camp or the Dark Lands.

             "I'm willing to set aside coin for such a location if you're
          willing to look for a place in our absence," Arawn said to Kaylle.
          "Or, better yet, if you know of a spot or a trustworthy seller we
          can work on this before our departure."

             "Planning to leave again?"  Kaylle smiles.  "Never stay in one
          place do you.  I understand some circles exist in the north.  But
          here in Sivas....Aside from here at the library roof we'd have
          to buy some place."

          Actions?  Comments?

          Next update...Soon...

          GM: You may have noticed I did not include the spells cast in
              the text.  I did the spells last and it was already over 900
              lines so figured I'd just sum it up later.  It might've been
              another 300-400 lines.  So shortened it for ease of reading.
              We can now begin.  Next update will be Update #1.  You notice
              i started decreasing the negative update #s.   All but the
              sections below on days are mine John added a bit.  Maybe 3
              days or so of comments.

              The next update will be the start of the Adventure.  I like
              nice round dates like Aug 1.  But we still have 9 days?  So
              guess will start as soon as we can.  New players are you
              still there?  Been quiet.  Please say something so I know
              you are still ready so i can add you to the update.  You
              may have misssed it but you guys were both in a couple IBTs.

              Keep in mind you as characters do not know of the Ticasi thing.
              All you know at this point is another day.  For all any of
              you guys know you will be here till spring in Sivas.
              I plan ahead to organize things a bit and to block out the IBT
              and timelines. In a table game this would be easy but in
              PBEM it has to be done this way.

              Stay tuned!

              New Players - Here is how updates go.  I am off Tue/Wed so
              I work on the Monday Update that Monday night.  I get home
              around 6:30 EST and work till 3am in that range.  So posts
              should be done by 6:30 though would be great to have a day
              or two ahead.  Technically I post them on Tuesdays but
              I consider it a Monday update :).  For the Friday Update
              I tend to work on it Wednesday/Thursday if I can.  Normally
              this isn't much time for replies so in theory i try to do
              Thursday (3 days technically) at the same time as Monday
              though I only stay up till 1am on work nights.  But these
              late week updates maybe erratic if Wed/Thur is a busy day.
              So while Monday Updates are a good chance Friday updates
              tend to be Fair to Average chance of posting.  There are
              days I tend to work on updates on Saturday for Monday.
              In theory this gives Tue early morning to Thursday evening
              to do actions.  Then Friday early morning till Monday night.
              This tends to be the best schedule that works.

              But this is Florida so Summers are storms.  Which means I
              take computers offilne then so delays do happen.

              Also for the new players a reminder if you do not recognize
              a name or character this is why the PCs of campaign link is
              on the website.  This will fill in blanks you do understand.

          GN: Arawn - I added replies to Oct 17 and 22 to your new stuff.
               So you can go back to those days and see.  Also the very
               bottom here just before the Actions line.  I will work
               on yuur character sheet as the adventure moves.  You are
               the last sheet to work on.  So you may have to wait a week
               or two if no rush.

          GM: * Expenses
              * Skills
              * Spells

              These sections Arawn did not want posted here.







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