[pnpgm] Game Update #111 - File #790- Ever Shifting Face of Home

pnpgm pnpgm at comcast.net
Sun Feb 26 02:47:25 CET 2017


`        Player        DS    Character Name    Type    Status/Notes  Sex
   -- -----------------------------------------------------------------
   FH.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid  .Normal/Al.. Ma
   ...Kevin Newark..........Dorhak............Warrior.Normal/Dwarf....Ma
   --.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe
   W3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma
   W2.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human  ..Ma
   R4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human  ..Fe
   ...Don.Kerr..............Maelorna..........Dancer..Normal/Human....Fe
   ...Gilbert.Isla..........Mournath..........Sailor..Normal/Human....Ma
   R3 Panthera..............Pyandalgor........Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma
   R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human  ..Fe
   R3.Fukishtu.Newsome......Npc...............Chief...Normal/Human....Ma
   R3.Lucria.Cegra..........Npc...............Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma
      Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra

       Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/
       Public posts/actions to pnpgm at list.powersandperils.org (mailing list)
       Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm at comcast.net

       Game Update #111 sequence (file #790)
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

       Admin Notes: None.
       ----------------------------------------------------------------
       [Recap]

         From Mae: [Re: Actions]
           With Lucria's help, Maelorna stands up and looks....

           ...in a soft voice, "I want to leave now please, this...
         GM: Ack.

         From Bsrt: [Re: Actions]
           [Mournath's player] Sorry for not posting folks.  Been
           extremely ill and hospitalized for a bit.  Still not great.
         GM: Ack. No problem.  You get rest and well.  If need me I'm
             in Skype.  I appreciate the note so many are awol and
             never post like Kell nothing since November.  :<

         From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
           Kiet doesn't really understand what is going on...but, by...
         GM: Ack. OMG!  No he didn't!  Waving hand and shaking hips
             and head.  OMG. :)

         From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
           Z'leyra opens her eyes, looks around and shakes her...
         GM: Ack.

         From Dorhak: [Re: Actions]
           Our good dwarf is getting rather perturbed by all the....

           "What's the matter wit cha laddie?  I haven't ever....
         GM: Ack.

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

           [Febris 9th, 1635TH]
           [Ancient Moss Fortress]

           [Time: 4:58 pm]

             With Lucria's help, Maelorna stands up and looks about to get
           her bearings and her heart skips a beat as she stops and stares
           at an altar.  Something that easily causes every nerve in her
           body to scream out in warning as she can still remember the
           screams of fear from the victim her mother and the cultists she
           belonged to had strapped to it and not understanding the
           significance.  She manages in a soft voice, "I want to leave
           now please, this isn't a safe place." as can't tear her eyes
           away from the altar.

             Mae pulls her gaze away to look at the twin of Z'leyra and
           fights the urge to look back and stare at the altar.  Then
           the world goes white yet again.

             Our good dwarf is getting rather perturbed by all the magical
           games being played.  It's bad enough to be caught in an
           earthquake, Dvallin forbid!, but to be moved around like game
           pieces is hashing Dorhak's mellow.

             The altar room was bad enough, but too near like a cell.
           This cavern is more like home, though a bit too warm for his
           taste.  Still, a dwarf could get to love having a sauna.

             Dorhak will look around to see if there is anything of
           interest in the walls, ceiling or floor.

             But he sees nothing but rock, dust, sand, dirt and more rock.



                                 ****************
           [Time: 5:01 pm]
           [Unknown Location]

             'Home!  Wake up little sister, bask in the glory of what
           home with the family will be like!' the voice sounds almost
           jubilant as Maelorna once again groans from waking up, every
           muscle feels like she's gone several miles of running.  She
           can smell the familiar stench of sulfur and taste it, waking
           up more memories of living in the wasteland.

             The warmth is almost comforting as she finally opens her
           eyes to the scene which makes her wonder just where they are
           at now.  If she's somewhat sound, she'll look for Lucria
           first, then Arawn, then the others, before she stands up
           carefully.

             "Ok, did someone call us here or did we do something to be
           brought here?" she asks, finding that the oppressive heat isn't
           a true bother at all.  She looks at Arawn, "I didn't do
           anything this time, I swear.  No summoning, I swear it."

             Z'layha sits up and looks at the bland stone table.  She shakes
           her head. "No...no..no..no..this can't be.  The Tribute never
           does this.  NEVER!  What have you done!"  She stands and yells
           that last part at Z'leyra.  "You may have doomed us all!  This
           is bad..this is bad..." she begins repeating that last line
           over and over.

             Arawn stands and scans the cavern.  Something is off here.
           Normally even simple rocks have a mana source.  Not magical
           source but a life force of mana.  Everything around him is
           a very dull aura.  As if muted or shielded.  He glances at
           the others.  He is surprised to see Z'leyra the same way.
           Either this area is damperning their powers or their connection
           to the gods is gone.

             Kiet doesn't really understand what is going on...but, by
           Girra's Burning Balls, he'd like to find out.  Come to think
           of it, Kiet is wondering if he was in Girra's Flaming Armpit,
           considering how hot and freakishly smelly this place is.  Kiet
           giggles a bit, then shakes his head and realizes that he's here
           on this side of the lava, and the bridge, but everybody else
           is over there!  Worse yet, it seems he has been chosen as
           everybody's freaking bearer!

             He struggles a bit with all he has hanging off him and leaning
           on him and that stuff he is holding already.  Frickin' shields
           and helmets and swords!  Sheesh!

             The party is confused why some of their gear is over by Kiet.
           How long were they out?  Some are sweating greatly due to wearing
           winter clothing but that could also indicate some time here.
           But there is no reference of time here.

             The party notices behind Kiet is a niche in the wall about
           10 feet behind him.  It seems to curve as if a way out of this
           place.

             "You guys!  Wake up!  Wake up!"  Kiet sees them but moving
           slowly so decides maybe he just needs to go to them.  He shouts
           out "you guys stay over there!  I'm not sure why I am here with
           your stuff, but I'll bring it over.  Let's not take chances with
           more of us than just one."  Little does he realize, until too
           late, that he just committed himself to a rather selfless act.
           And a dangerous one, at that!  Fool!

             Fremea realizes his plan and begins to hover in the air to
           fly to help Kiet.  But something seems to bog her down.  The
           damp humid air seems to be hindering her wings!  She leaps and
           tries to get a updraft but this place is like flying through
           soup.

             Arawn also notices Kiet's intent and starts to stand.  By
           the time he is up Kiet has moved.  Arawn considers helping
           by casting magic.  Maybe a blessing?  Translocate Kiet
           over here?  Maybe teleprting himself to help?

             Kiet reaches donn to pick up swords.  Difficult enough to
           pick up this many, but made doubly hard with all this stuff
           hanging on his arms.  Not just heavy, but bulky and unwieldy.
           He grabs Fuk's sword ok, but has some trouble with Lucria's.
           Then he starts on Z'leyra's Great Sword.  Holy Mother of Zu!
           This thing weighs a ton!  And I still don't have that blasted
           staff ready to go yet.  How does she freaking use this thing!

             Kiet grabs the bow and quiver, but it's almost more than he
           can handle.  Still, he only wants to make one trip in case no
           one is allowed back over to this side.  There is a lot of
           powerful magic being slung about, and who knows how long we will
           be here.

             Fremea realizes Kiet is holding her quiver.  Some of those
           magical arrows are hard to replace.  Why can't she take
           to the air?

             Kiet doesn't have enough hands for the satchel, so he gently
           kicks it toward the bridge.  But doing this unbalances him some,
           and the staff (which was just leaning on him) falls to the
           ground with a clatter...then starts rolling toward the stream
           of lava!  Kiet gets a look of pure horror on his face...half
           due to losing such an item, and half in fear of what Z would do
           to him afterward!  Kiet doesn't have time to drop the things in
           his arms, so he reaches out with his right foot.  Using his
           acrobatic balance, he hops toward the staff, trapping it
           between his foot and the ground...with almost half of it hanging
           over the edge!!!  Kiet just stops there for a second, a look of
           pure terror on his face.  She will kill me if I let this go, he
           thinks.

             Z'leyra hears her sister and turns to face her to ask her some
           questions.  But then others gasp. She turns around just in time
           to see her staff almost on the edge.

             Slowly...carefully...he gingerly rolls the staff back toward
           him.  Whew!!!  That was way too close.  Kiet saw his life, short
           as it has thus been, flash before his eyes.  He gets it back
           from the edge, then moves to pick it up.  When he reaches down,
           however, the swords shift in his arms.  Just before his hand can
           reach the staff, Arawn's little buckler slips from his arm!  It
           bounces one...twice...then over the edge and into the fire!
           Kiet just stops and looks at it as it disappears in fire and
           smoke.

             Arawn watches this with a blank face.  He just tried a spell
           to help Kiet but it seems to fail or maybe the stammer in his
           voice, the first time he's ever done such, was a few letters
           off.  Then he sees his magical sword fall.  Being Alfar not
           much can surprise him and yet this does.

             Fremea decides to drop her bag of gear and hover.  She gets
           a foot off the ground but it is like swimming in water with
           her wings laden down by pressure and dampness.

             Kiet takes a couple of deep breaths, the finishes reaching
           for the staff.  It's not exactly lightweight either!  How does
           Z move with all this stuff?  It's as if she had enough weight
           here to exceed Gaea's own treasure!  Kiet shakes his head an
           moves closer to the satchel and slides it along the ground
           toward the bridge.  Slowly, slowly!  No more accidents.

             Z'leyra recalls the advice from Z'lart.  Why take so much
           gear to a simple statue?  He did warn the party.  Did he
           know or was it just a protocol thing?  She glances at
           Arawn who seems t be struggling and then back at Kiet distracted
           by Z'layha's chant.

             Dorhak stares lying on the edge over the lava river and
           sees the sword fall.  It bubbles and hisses.  It bobs on
           the lava for maybe half a second then sink into it.  He
           hopes that sword wasn't too vital.

             Kiet's almost to the bridge when he suddenly stumbles a
           small rock he didn't see in time.  He stays upright, thank
           Domiel, but one of the swords starts to slip out of his arms!
           He instinctually grabs tight onto the Great Sword, but one of
           the others...Lucria's!...starts sliding out to the side. Kiet
           turns his body to get back under it, trying to entice it to
           come back, but he is just a hair too late, and it falls with a
           clatter.  It lands hilt first, but it's momentum allows it to
           continue falling away from the young Lemasan...and toward the
           lava.  Kiet knows he can't reach it in time...and just cringes
           and watches as it tips over the edge.  It's caught between the
           edge of the ground and the moving river of liquid stone.  The
           hilt immediately bursts into flame and smoke, but the metal of
           the sword seems to survive.  At least until the current drags
           it under.

             Z'leyra opens her eyes, looks around and shakes her head. She
           reaches up and checks to see if her Calcedony is still on her
           necklace. Yes... so this isn't some illusion. Seeing Kiet
           carrying stuff over towards them Z'leyra staggers to her feet.

             Mae stares and then turns to Lucris.  She can't tell if it
           was Fuk's or his.  But it has those Ticasan marks on the
           hilt.  But she notices Lucria is little bothered.  He must
           figure a sword is easy to replace.

             Arawn begins to move toward the bridge as his spells seem
           futile at least in this case.  But then he hears one of
           the villager females moan.  He glances back at Kiet and
           then at the villager who is in pain.  Arawn knows items
           can be replaced but people can't.  The Druid moves to the
           female and finds a dislocated shoulder it seems.  At least
           that is what Z'leyra taught him.  He glances up at Z'leyra.

             But Z'leyra is moving forward to the bridge.  Arawn
           raises a hand to call her but then suddenly another female
           villager blocks her way.  "What is going on?"  Z'leyra
           tries to look over her shoulder and pass her but the female
           blocks her path.  "I want to go back.  Where is my son?"

             Kiet looks up at Lucria, with near panic in his eyes.  The
           sword in and of itself isn't expensive or irreplaceable, but it
           IS his main weapon.  Kiet knows well how he would feel if it was
           his own tulwar that got the same treatment.

             Arawn knows Z'leyra has the panic of the woman to deal with.
           Let's see she taught him to place hands her and there.  Then
           yank and twist to resocket the arm.  A jolt of quick pain and
           then the female stops moaning.  The pain ends.

             Kiet then closes his eyes and tries to calm himself. Deep
           breaths, he says to himself, but the fumes and heat make him
           cough instead. He has to get across now!  Kiet reaches for the
           strap of the satchel with his foot, not trusting himself to not
           drop anything else.  He moves toward the bridge, dragging the
           foot and satchel behind him...step...drag...step....drag.  Yes!,
           he thinks to himself.  This is working!

             Dorhak watches the sword fall and is fascinated by the way
           it boils away.  Then he realizes why is Kiet crossing to this
           side when the way out is behind him?  Does the man not see
           it or did he even look?  Humans with such lack of simple cave
           structures!

             Kiet reaches his side of the bridge, then begins his way
           across.  Unfortunately, the heat and the fumes here are at their
           worst, and poor Kiet doesn't notice the satchel getting
           perilously close to the edge.  He gets over the halfway point
           on the bridge, he begins to move more quickly, just trying to
           get this over with.  He speeds up, only to have the satchel
           catch on the bridge edge just as he began to drag forward.
           His foot slips out of the strap, looses his balance, and the
           satchel slips off the bridge!  Kiet leaps as best he can toward
           the others on their side of the bridge, tossing their things
           toward them.  Swords and staff and bow crash to the ground,
           while all the shields and helms weighing him down make a
           tremendous amount of noise...enough to wake Ymir!  But nothing
           else is lost.

             Z'leyra notices the satchel near the edge and forces the woman
           away almost pushing her.  The woman is pushed into Unali who
           grabs her before stumbling to the edge.  Z'leyra moves toward
           the bridge and the fool on it.

             Kiet just lies there, face down on the ground, trying to catch
           his breath.  He breathes.  He made it!  And nothing else was
           lost.

             Z'leyra rushes to the edge a bit of red in her eyes and its
           not from the heat.

             When Kiet crashes down in front of her she leans over, grabs
           her greatsword and uses the guard to hook her satchel and to
           drag it towards her.  The nice thing about her own sword is it
           is long.  But the second it took to grab the sword was the
           second the satchel impacted on the lava.  Some 10 feet away
           the sword barely only reaches partially.  Grunting and
           groaning she slides further over the edge.  The heat is intense
           and she can feel her eye brows and hair begin to sizzle form
           the heat itself.  There a couple more feet.

             But then the satchel bursts into flames.  Now open to the
           lava it sinks slowly under the fast moving current moving
           eastward.

             Z'leyra stares at the lava.  She realizes her levitate
           must've ended.  No.  The spell at her skill lasts a long time.
           She should've been able to hover over and grab it.  Unless.
           Unless they were here much longer?  That would explain why
           the gear is over there.  Gasping she notices Dorhak only
           a couple feet lying on the edge as well.

             Why is that dwarf grinning?  No it can't be.  It is is
           his beard just smoking looking like grin.  Z'leyra gets to
           her knees and stands holding her sword over Kiet who has
           now rolled over on his back.

             "How ....what happened? How did we get here?"

             Kiet looks up to her face showing clear anger at the loss
           of ..wait?  The Satchel.  It was on his foot.  Kiet sits up
           and looks around.  Its not here.  Oh dear.  He gulps and looks
           up to the woman who has a sword that could lop off his head
           with a quick blow.

             Fuk rushes over to Kiet.  "You fool!  What have you done?  Why
           did you cross.  You didn't see the way out over there?"  He
           points to the far wall.

             Lucria untangles Mae's hair and brushes his hand to the
           back of her neck.  He finds something there and jerks back.
           Startled he reaches back again.  "Mae!  There is something
           on your neck."

             Kiet looks to the far wall.  Oh.  So there was a way out.
           But the damp air he couldn't see it well.  Kiet notices
           Z'leyra turn as well to face that direction and notices
           something on her neck in the very rear of the head.  It
           is so odd to see her without her helmet.  But even odder
           to see whatever that is.

             After that bumbling Kiet gets across the bridge, Dorhak
           makes a complete inventory of his items, weapons, and armor.
           At least none of his stuff ended up in the lava!  So, why was
           he over there in the first place?  Doesn't make any sense.
           Still, Dorhak moves over to him to help him up off the floor.

             "What's the matter wit cha laddie?  I haven't ever seen you
           like this before."

             After helping him up, when there is a chance, Dorhak will
           describe the runes he saw and what at least one of them said.
           "Arawn? One of those runes from your book? the one about mother
           or father?  That same rune was on that altar in the mossy
           fortress.  It started glowing just befor we got sent here."

             Arawn helps the woman up and hears Lucria.  Curious he
           leans back and spots something there.  IT is a crab/spider
           like thing with 8 legs around its torso.  It is at the
           base of the head at the tip of the spinal cord.  The place
           where folks excahange control inputs to and from their
           brain to their body.  He checks his back of his head
           and finds the same thing.  The bumpy structure is the size of
           a large bug size of a human thumb.  Could this be Vong?

             Kiet stands and begins to argue with Fuk when a shadow
           comes from that niche across the way.  The shadow forms
           into a humanoid form.  The damp air in that direction
           is full of a hazy yellow fog.  It blocks a good view of the
           form.

             Finally Fremea gets to the air and begins to hover but
           notices Kiet is now on this side.  She grumbles.

             The form lifts something to his face and begins to blow
           a whistle like device or something.  The cavern is full of
           these strange tones like vibration-chant.

             The party begins to feel odd again.

             Fuk turns and shakes his head.  He quickly moves to the
           bridge.  "No!  Not again you don't!"

             But as the party feels dizzy Z'leyra reaches out to grab
           Fuk and pull him back.  Just in time for the darkness to
           overcome the party once again.  She just hopes she saved
           Fuk since if he fell down he'd die in the lava.






                                 ****************
           [Time: 5:01? pm]
           [Unknown Location]

             Tones. Vibrations.  Whistle.  Tones.

             Darkness.  Bright light.

             The party wakes up and opens their eyes.  This time
           the air is not as humid or hot.  Everyone is facing another
           large cave wall.  But this one is a different cave.  All
           are looking forward and standing.

             Those standing try to turn their heads but it seems to
           be impossible. Each person tries to move or flex fingers
           but again there is nothing.

             Female voices can be heard crying.

             Only folks who see others in front can see them but any
           others behind can't tell what is going on.

             Then group sees a large altar again this time with crude
           very poorly done runes.  Nothing like in the fortress
           room.  These are so bad that Dorhak feels sick seeing them.
           But on top of this stone altar is Arawn lying with head to the
           west and feet to the east (right).  His clothing has been
           removed to reveal his chest.  Arawn's eyes seem to be closed.

             Then a form walks in the field of view.  This humanoid with
           two legs, two arms, hands, feet and a head seem to be
           humanoid.  But there does not seem to be genitals.  The
           skin and body seems smooth as a baby.

             There is no hair on his head. The man looks around at the
           party holding something in his hands. "Welcome!"  He greets
           the party in Marentian.  "It is rare we have guests here."

             He laughs.  "No wait!  We've NEVER had guests here.  This
           is a great day for us."  He stops and looks at the party.
           Then suddenly clothing seems to form around his body.  "Is
           this better?  From your minds it seems you prefer clothing.
           Would you prefer this?"  Suddenly the man changes into
           King Maros with full Regal robes.  "Or this?"  he shifts
           into Duke Aren.  "How about this?"  To Farseeker.  "I actually
           like this form.  That one."  He points to Unali I get from
           her brain is called Farseeker? Such a stupid name."

             "Oh excuse me...that's the term right?"  He places a small
           device that looks like a shell to his mouth and blows.
           More whistles and vibrations.  Suddenly the party can move
           their head and look around but nothing else.

             Could those things on the neck be controlling the party?

             The man begins to move among the party as if some military
           general on inspection.

             He stands in front of Dorhak and reaches out to his forehead.
           A finger seems to extend and reach the dwarvf's head.  "You
           are a Dwarf?  In our time they were around but all in their
           caves and not a threat.  We may just keep you around.  For
           what did that one," he glances to Kell, "call it ...dwarf tossing?"
           But this smell!"

             He moves to Fremea who is in the front row.  Without her
           dress her wings are open.  "Faerry.  You," he says this word
           with a bit of bitterness. "were the threat.  The way you
           colluded with the Sidh and the others.  The way you...collaborated
           wit them.  We will tear those wings one feather a piece and
           hope you live to beg for your life!"

             He moves to Kell and extends his finger to his skull.  It
           seems this man can read the mind?  But can he do it without
           that touch? "Trade is useless.  In our new world trade will
           be nothing.  It is ironic.  The Kamerans tribute us with
           goods..metals...gems...all useless to us.  We just store
           them away bored after burning so much of it."

             The man reaches Kiet.  His mouth seems to twist and turn
           as if trying to form some expression.  Then he nods and
           a grin forms.  "You amuse us!  Was that bag worth something
           to you?  Oh.  To her."  The man looks back toward Z'leyra.
           "Tell you what.  You are free."  He raises the device to his
           lips and blows. This seems to let Kiet move his arms and
           legs. He is indeed free.  "You may flee or whatever you wish
           before that one kills you."

             The man moves to the second row of people.  Then stops.
           Turning back to Kiet. "No way out but our way.  So if you
           do run good tack.  No.  Wait.  Good Fu-.  No.  Ahh.  Good
           luck."

             The second row consists of Unali, Mournath, Lucria, Pyan
           and Fuk.  The stranger moves to Unali.  "We spent much
           time with you.  You are a what do you call it.  A thimble
           in a box within a box within a box?  Something like that.
           Your people.  Katai?  Seven million breeding like bugs.
           When we were around you were only in mud huts.  This can
           not stand this population growth.  Secrets abound this party
           and you hold the most for this."  The man changes into
           Duke Aren again.  "This man?  Secrets abound you like
           hairs on that head.  That one over there."  He points to
           one of the villagers.  Then changes back to Farseeker.  "She
           says secrets kill relationships.  Maybe one can share their
           secrets before we just kill the lot of you?"

             Farseeker moves to Mournath.  The sailor grumbles or tries
           to but his throat is dry.  Again he is frozen!  Sure he can
           move his head but big whoop!  Why does following this group
           make him frozen all the time!  "The seas of your world were
           low and shallow.  You share these new scenes with me.  This
           would mean we have been gone a long time."

             Farseeker moves to Pyan.  "From the others they think you
           simply can't talk.  But one memory....of a kid...and his
           uncle...in the forest...is that why? Is that a valid
           memory or some human bad memory?"  He shrugs.  "Maybe
           so but it doesn't matter much now."

             Farseeker moves to Fuk.  "This land we saw ...in your
           mind.  We may destroy it last. The knowledge might be
           worth having...for a short time."

             The third row has one female villager, the adult male
           villager, Mae and Lucria.

             Farseeker gets to the crying female.  "Your son.  They
           did not tell you?  The boy died.  I feel so sorry.  Let
           me help you."  He reaches out and his right hand become
           a claw.  It slams into the female's chest and he pulls
           out the bleeding heart.  "They say the damaged heart is
           the worst?  But I don't see it?"

             The female dies standing.  Farseeker examines the heart
           as if curious then tosses it aside.  He uses the device
           to force the female to sag to the ground.

             Farseeker reaches the Kameran male and sneers.  "Your
           people are so stupid.  You believed them!"  He raises his
           bloody hand which transforms into a human hand now without
           blood.  "You thought the lies were true!"  This time as he
           speaks to the Kameran he changes to the Kameran tongue.  "You
           send us food which we can't even eat! For what...centuries?
           Why didn't you question them!  You were sheep.  Like you
           are now under my control.  You did help us!  But it is too
           late to refuse them!"  He blows the device again and the
           adult male moves through the ranks to the east.  "You will
           die swiftly as the bag.  Know this that you will not suffer
           long but your people will!"  The adult moves out of the
           view of the party down some side passage.

             Farseeker gets to Mae.  "You intrigue me.  Not like that
           one likes intrigue." He points at Unali.  "You are so
           different.  Are you natural?  Are you normal?  We may
           keep you a bit so we can study you."

             Farseeker moves to Lucria.  "This concept...bounty hunting?
           Seems useless.  But we will show your friends who does
           have value."  He blows the device and Lucria moves his legs
           on his own toward the front so all can see him.  The
           whistles are heard again and Lucira begins to scream.
           Suddenly his head explodes splaying blood and brains all
           over the area onto the front row and Arawn.  Lucria sags
           to the ground.

             The last row Farseeker gets to Z'layha and Z'leyra.  "Oh
           you are wondering about the other villagers?  We are trying
           to see if she can fit inside a rock no bigger than a fist.
           My comrades are trying this experiment."  He moves to
           Z'layha.  "Thanks you.  Thank you.  Did you bring this
           one here?"  He points to Arawn on the Altar.  "I don't want
           to know so I will not read your mind.  But if you did then
           you deserve high praise and will be worthy to remain alive
           for as long as you wish.  Thank you!"

             Farseeker gets to Z'leyra. "The leader of this band?  Sorry
           but we had to demonstrate that our power is absolute.  Why
           not follow me."  He blows again on the device and Z'leyra
           without her own power follows to the front and stands to
           the left of the altar looking down at Arawn's head.

             "So it was you that bought these people to Kameran.
           And this..." He points to Arawn.  "To us?  Was it by
           choice or fate.  Nevermind I know the answer.  I've
           read your mind.  The story of poor daddy.  The theory
           that Z'layha over there killed her?"

             The party knows all of their gear is gone and it seems
           to be in a pile in the far north corner.  Weapons and
           other gear all piled 3 feet high.  But Farseeker draws
           a dagger on from the altar and twists it in his hands.

             Farseeker places the whistle thing on the altar near
           Arawn's legs.  Farseeker then moves to the back of the
           wall.  He waves a hand in front of a stubby rock.  Suddenly
           a portion of wall disappears.  It reveals a volcanic nightmare.
           Maybe a dozen active volcanos in a area that seems to
           go to the horizon.  The sky is pink red and hazy.  Lava
           is all over the place.

             Farseeker waves a hand and the wall comes back.  "Our
           land.  Isn't it nice?" He slams the dagger hilt not
           his other palm in anger.  "No!  His kind and others."
           He glares at Arawn.  "They trapped us here.  We go
           by many names.  Shifters, crafters, shape shifters, shape
           changers, metamorphs and so on.  I'm sure there may
           be some in your world.  But nothing like what we were!
           We ruled your world.  So much that the gods feared us!
           They wanted to stop us.  They were scared we could...and
           DID...walk in their own realms and kill them.  This
           scared them.  They colluded against us."

             Farseeker moves to the side of Arawn who seems still
           sleeping with eyes closed.  "You are worried your sister
           killed daddy?  She did not.  My guess our ally in your
           world did it.  Based on our numbers when we were imprisoned
           here we had all but one.  One of us must've fooled the
           gods and escaped.  My guess he came here ..or there..or
           to the Kameran.  Lived for a long time.  Learned the
           secrets.  Learned of daddy's threat to solve the big
           mystery."

             This time Farseeker changes into his original bland
           form.  He raises the dagger which Unali and Z'leyra
           recognize as the magical dagger Unali uses from the
           Kameran metal.  "Do you realize the true secret?
           That it is some secret mix of metals? No.  The true
           secret to these metals?  They are not metals."

             Over the eons the Tributes come to us.  It seems the
           gods felt sorry for us that we needed food.  The fools.
           They made a deal with the Kameran.  That they'd share
           food/drink to make us live  We'd share our metals.  The
           metals they would make such fine weapons."  he laughs.

             "In fact each metal piece is one of us!  A small
           part of us that can grow as needed to form a full
           version like me.  Imagine it!  Millions of swords,
           daggers and other items.  It is funny!  The Kameran
           like isolation.  But it is folks like Tiren and you
           that share these metals and blades.  Folks like Kell
           who trade.  This causes millions to go world wide."

             "This little guy."  He waves the dagger.  "Is dormant
           now.  But once we return to your world and use the
           Cryx to awaken them all.  This one here calls it
           Apocalypse.  We would use this and our power to
           once again rule.  The enemy within is far dangerous
           than enemies at the gate!"

             Fuk yells, "your insane!"

             The party realizes they can now speak and move
           their heads but their bodies are still blocked.

             The shifter ignores the yell.  "They made this
           world.  A hell in a hell.  We tried to leave this
           place and find a better home.  But it is all like
           that!"  He yells and points to the wall.  "We
           may be powerful enough to kill gods.  But lava can
           even kill us if we are in it long enough."

             "So here is the agenda.  We will remove this head."
           He points to Arawn.  "There are two ways out.  We
           could use the tribute room but it is slow and takes
           time.  Our army would take too long.  So the head
           should ward off the magic that leads up into the
           place they call the Moss Fortress."

             Z'leyra now realizes where they are.  If they are
           in some niche universe or plane then maybe the
           bowls the stairs under the fortress is some portal
           or connection to it.

             "We hope that the Alfar's body will end any powerful
           magic the gods placed on the stairs.  Then we will rise!
           We will overcome!  We will rule once again!"

             "Now where is that great sword."  The man places the
           Kameran dagger on the altar and looks to the pile of
           weapons and gear.

           Actions? Comments?

           Next Update.. Wednesday?

           GM: A bit of plan change.  I did take pc to shop.  But
               they'd have to order a fan as it is 17 years chipset.
               Which I understand.  So came back with pc.  The
               chances of finding the AMD heatsinks and such
               that old would be hard.  Tech then said I do have
               a USB in back for data collection.  But when I got
               home it didn't work  So I need to get drivers for it
               and work on that Tuesday.  So I went ahead and did
               a update today since I was off (a rare Saturday
               since work is doing stuff that bothers my eyes).

               Sorry its weird times.  Its hard to get back to
               Mon/Fri schedules with things offset.  But its better
               than nothing.  :)

           GM: The new cave is about 100 feet by 80 feet.  There seems
               to be one passage likely to the lava area.  There is another
               set of passages (2) on the left.  It is not known if anything
               in rear.  Though Z'leyra can only see rock walls.

               All weapons not destroyed have been removed in  the pile.
               Any subject magical things have been removed.  This
               would include necklaces, bracelets, rings and such.  It
               is assumed in said pile.

               Can move head.  Can speak.  Kiet is free.  Arawn maybe
               dead.

           GM: Necklace Use [Reminder to myself]
               Feb 7 - Fuk  -Kameran
               Feb 8+- ????

               This is last time I'll post this.  For Feb 8/9.
               Course it implies no one dies in the next few moments.

           GM: Tuesday will work on this win98 USB port/driver thing.
               Will try to do some Mana/sheet cleanup and get the
               mana numbers back to par.  Consider this the Monday
               update.  I will try to do some SMALL update Wednesday.
               At this point there will be no more quick scene changes.
               It will go small or large only depending on how you
               post.  So at this point it will slow down to a crawl.
               So I will try to do update Wednesday afternoon if
               all goes well.  If not then it'll be delayed a few
               days.

               I must say I'm proud to see some smart folks here.
               In this last update cycle two of you mentioned a
               deus ex machina.  Just such a odd term that two
               smart players mention it is unique.  Nice to
               see some active good players!

           GM: Language spoken by Shifter is Marentian except
               when talking to Kamerans.  BTW you see the adventure
               title on website? :)  Make sense now? :)

           GM: Lost Items: Sadly this is done.  As we go on this
               will be explained.  As to the deus ex stuff.  Well
               the last 2 scenes needed to push folks here.  Since
               there was no plans to get to the fortress.  I had
               to come up with a new plan.  :)








More information about the pnpgm mailing list