[pnpgm] Game update #3 - File #7 - An army is seen
Scott Adams
longshot at darktech.org
Fri Dec 8 08:30:00 CET 2006
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
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?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
W2 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
R3 Wayne Richardson/Uji..Thig..............Sidh MU.Normal/Faerry Ma
W2 Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard ..Normal/Human Ma
R3 Orion (Paul Broman)...Trembyl...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W4 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
R3 Scott Adams...........Xian..............Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
R4 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Boyzdar [Wolf] (Strie'bog),
Game Web Site - http://www.funport.com/longshot/pbem
Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to longshot at darktech.org
Game Update #3 in sequence (file #7)
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Admin notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Z'leyra: [Re: Riverbank actions]
When we reach the river Z'leyra will spend a bit of time along
the riverbank selecting a dozen stones suitable for being sling
missiles and for later enchantment. She continues to study
Plains Survival with however will teach her.
She will take 2nd watch and cast Watchful Sleep EL0 on herself
each night at the start of 1st watch and again at the start of
3rd watch.
Hopefully when she has recovered some mana she will complete
some ensorcelments and enchantments she has planned.
GM: Ack.
y
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[New Stuff]
GM: Website update:
All links are working now. Files updated. This week
I have added 2 maps (same map). One if the cropped
map of the Adventure area. Here you'll find the plains
and the Ga'fel tribe in the south (bottom). Then at
the time you'll find the Pavassa forest (Top middle).
This is the Adventure Map. The next link is the Trip
map which is the exact same image but with a trip line.
The White line shows the route taken by the party. You
will see at the bottom middle under the Ga'fel title
is a C*. This is where Caladan's Village is. These
maps can be used to keep track of where the party is.
I will try to describe the location as best I can or
I can update the map itself if needed.
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GM: By the time the party gets to the riverbank everyone
is 100% health and energy levels. The only people not
to be at 100% mana is Chion and Z'leyra. All character
sheets are now done and sent.
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Timeline:
Octaqi 30 [Day 60] - Novehas 4 [Day 65] - Caladan's Village
Novehas 5 [Day 66] - Novehas 7 [Day 68] - Travel to River
[As the clouds rush overhead in the cold winds the river bank
laps at the feet of the horses and men who stand nearby.
Beached around the party is the barges that came from the
north. Katarn the leader of the Marentian fur traders goes
back and forth in a frenzy of activity as he shuffles his
goods with the party treasure to ensure weight is divided
equally on the barges. The barges are 150 feet long and 40
feet wide. One of the traders explains they were originally
built to carry timber and so can carry great loads.
The barges themselves, all 3, don't seem too river-worthy but
Katarn ensures Balrog they are. Katarn, Gidwani and the
trio going home talk for over an hour on details. It is
made clear the traders are allowed access to the Zen'da river
only by the Ga'fel and Ser'manda grace. In response the
traders bring up food, spices, drugs, herbs and other supplies
to the various far north tribes in exchange for their river
rights. Gidwani explains the traders can't hunt openly on the
plains but only in designated hills, mountains and river areas
for their furs and traps. In the past lumber would be bought
south but it was not economical to do so. But the distinct
fur of the mid plain mountains is sought after by Cholchara
merchants.
The barges are flat and very few structures. Going up north
by the river they fight going upstream and sometimes have to
row or sail against the stream. But going down south the
stream is with the boats and little is needed to move the
barges even with full loads. For the horses each barge
will take about 20 per barge. Katarn does not like this but
is forced by Gidwani through subtle means. He says the
weight could be bad if a storm comes up. The river can be
as wide as a mile in some places. He knows it will take
some time to get to shore.
Balrog, Katarn and the 10 traders who man the barges get
together and design railing in a quick make shift manner
on the barges so the horses will at least stay in one place.
Kasha recommends putting blinders on most of the horses on
the outside to not scare them that much.
It takes 25 minutes to load the treasure from the wagon onto
the three large wide flat bottomed barges. Tarps cover them
from any possible rain and dampness. The boxes, crates and
other material is roped down and secured. Course if there
is an emergency the barge will go down with the treasure.
But Katarn ensures the trio that risk is low.
By midday the sun is behind thick gray clouds but the
treasure and horses are loaded onto the barges. The
crew have make shift tarps to hide in light rains and
intense winds. To ensure no theft is done by the
traders of treasure and vice versa of furs the traders
have one person is placed on each boat (Balrog, Kasha
and Jordi). This will ensure a mutual feeling of
security for both sides
The traders themselves are on average ages 25-30 and
four are under 22. They seem hardened traders and
trappers. Many don't care about the treasure as they
know they would get the wrath of the party and the
Zen'da in stealing. They mostly seem to just return
home before the hard winter sets in and get back to their
families. Most are exhausted having spent as much as
2 months up north.
The traders have sections of animal products, furs and
some finished furs. Bags full of hair for later making
of caps and stuffed items like pillows. From the looks
the party figures they must've gotten over 100 birds,
few dozen of raccoon/rabbit sized animals and maybe a
half dozen of larger animals from the scan of it but
without looking inside the bags that estimate may be
way off.
Near the end of the loading Unali and Katarn finish their
haggling over clothing. The crew use large rowing and
steering poles to shove the barges out from the river
bank. With the added weight of the horses this takes
a bit more time. But the steering rods are sturdy and
can stand the pressure. Balrog, Jordi, Kasha and Katarn
are the last to board the ships and raise the gangplanks
from shore.
At first the barges don't look like they can hold the weight
as they lower slightly more in the water but then begin
to subside. So far so good. Jordi boards the last one
in the north end of the three barges. He explains he will
use his magic to guide and give faster currents for the
three barges to move south. Though going south the barges
will have the fast current helping them.
with that the trio wave goodbye to the party with the horses
and treasure going home and to various places (Ranch, manor
and homes). The party hopes to see the three again but
no one knows the true fate of the gods. Balrog looks happy
to be leaving but sad to leave Strie'bog in the lurch.
Jordi even gives a slight happy expression but Kasha looks
somber. He knows he could be of better use to the party than
selling but it has to be done this way or there could be
taxes and other problems selling the goods without him.
As the three barges head south and eventually out of sight
the party gathers their stuff. Gidwani will take the
wagon back with him and the other 3 warriors he bought.
Gidwani: "I wish you luck on your trip up north. Don't
forget your Keloms. Use them if there is trouble on
the plains. But once you exit the tribal regions in
the northern mountains they will be useless."
[The party had seen Katarn wear such a feather piece this one
with different feather configuration likely to show he was
a trader than the party versions. The other traders seemed
to have theirs in their tunics. Earlier Trembyl had
looked at the northern continent map Ben'dar got from the
castle treasure. He was studying the trip and had some
questions.]
Trembyl: "The mountains has the river pass through it.
Will there be an area we can cross to the other side?"
Gidwani: "I'm told by those who have gone there and by the
traders there is a hidden ferry boat. It is small and
will take several trips. The Zen'da use it but so do
the traders."
[Gidwani shows the location of the valley where it should be
located and describes likely where it will be hidden.]
Gidwani: "If not there might be spots the river is shallow
and down to a small creek for crossing at the mountains.
Be warned though once you exit those hills you will be
in Humaga territory. They are vicious and will attack
you. Be alert always. I'm sure you will be able to
handle yourselves but that will be 4-5 days of travel
you'll have to be careful. Do not show your Keloms if
they meet up with you on a friendly basis. They will
see it as a Zen'da item and likely attack to take them."
[With that Gidwani and his warriors bid the party farewell.
The Zen'da head back east with some supplies they got
from the traders and the village. The party mounts up
and heads north. They party is much smaller now having
lost 4 members (Balrog, Kasha, Jordi and Caladan). But
with 9 riders and 9 horses the party might be smaller
than 13 to spot. Corona flies high overhead and
Boyzdar walks alongside Strie'bog's horse. The wolf
can catch up to the slowest horse but may need to be
taken on a make shift but easily made sled or onto the
horse itself for 4 miles every day. The slowest horse
is Chions and thus that makes the party speed at 22 miles
per day. The fastest horse in case of a chase or such
are like Tef'wo and Z'leyra's horse.
There was talk of taking one of the barges to go up north
but it was decided it would be slower. Going upstream
against the current and most winter winds the barge might
only make it 15 miles per day. This means the party can
make more time riding their horses and gain at least 7
miles per day more.
Most have some light winter clothing but Unali did buy
some nice winter clothing. The weather has been fair
since leaving Caladan's village.
The party makes it another 10 miles before the sun sets and
twilight falls. This time of year the sun sets sooner so
the party has to gather wood and branches for shelter faster
than in months past. Camp is made that night.]
[Around 1:24am the night air is cold and quiet except for the
crackle of the fire. At this time Unali is on watch. The
party sleeps away from the river about 500 feet to prevent
cold breezes from the water. To the west Unali spots
a torch being carried by a rider on the other side of the
river bank probably a mile or mile and half away. The
river is too wide to cross. She watches the torch and
assumes its some Zen'da inspecting their camp. The torch
seems to circle and move back and forth but never gets
closer. Ten minutes later the torch seems to fade as it
moves further north and north west out of sight. Unali
continues to watch the river bank just in case but nothing
else happens that night.]
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[Novehas 8th, 69 day since left Marentia, 4th day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[today the temperature is cold and doesn't climb above
54 as a high. The day is cloudy and the only weather
to worry about is intense fog for several hours.]
[Around 1:06am Chion has the watch this night and this
hour. Five riders enter camp waking several others.
They've heard of folks in the area and came to investigate.
When the Kelom passes are shown they become quiet friendly
and realize the who they are as rumors have spread quickly
through the plains. Warm drink by the fire is given and
they ride off into the cold night as their own camp is
a few miles east.]
----------------------------------------------------------
[Novehas 9th, 70 day since left Marentia, 5th day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Today the clouds part and it becomes sunny and clear.
The temperatures rise as high as 61. Nothing adverse
takes place.]
[No Encounters this day.]
----------------------------------------------------------
[Novehas 10th, 71 day since left Marentia, 6th day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Clear skies continue today and temperatures rise again
as high this time to 79 around midday. Furs can even
be stripped off for a time. The only problem is a
dust storm that passes over the party shortly after 3pm
and covers the party in light dust.]
[Around 10:30am Corona is flying high as normal slightly
ahead of the party scouting. The party is near the
river always using it as a guide and water source for
the horses. Trembyl notices Corona circle around and
brings it up. When the party watches about 2 miles ahead
of the party and a mile up looks to be a flying figure.
Unali pulls out her spyglass and looks. She describes it
as a flying winged humanoid female with golden air. The
creature or person seems to be circling near Corona as
both dodge and weave but not in combat. Thig takes
a look as with others.]
Thig: "Looks like a vily from the looks of it. May live
in the clouds but today there aren't many so likely
long way from home. They tend to be friendly."
[Z'leyra considers changing to Eagle and flying to check
it out but as she dismounts she sees the Vily fly up
and away from Corona who hovers. It continues to go
west over the river and flying away.]
----------------------------------------------------------
[Novehas 11th, 72 day since left Marentia, 7th day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Today the clouds roll in and it is overcast most of
the day. The temperatures drop to a high of only
54. Near sunset a rain storm comes up and makes it
even colder for the party. It lasts about 7 minutes
but not enough to flood the campsite or enter tents.]
[No encounters.]
----------------------------------------------------------
[Novehas 12th, 73 day since left Marentia, 8th day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Some clouds clear today but it remains cloudy all
day with the same temperatures in the high 50s.
The only weather today is fog at sunrise which is
heavy.]
[Around 10:30am that morning the party encounter a large
beaver like creature scurrying along the river bank.
Thig wakes up when the party stops and looks. He
immediately recognizes it as an Afanc. He tells they
are harmless to humans. The party gives it a wide
berth and passes it.]
----------------------------------------------------------
[Novehas 13th, 74th day since left Marentia, 9th day of
Adventure #3 of the 1633rd year [TH].]
[Even though the clouds remain the temperatures seem to
rise a bit into the 70s today. No big weather
effects today. By this time the party will make
192 miles by sunset.]
[Near 9:25am Corona comes flying toward the party fast.
He lands and speaks to Z'leyra. He explains there is
a large force of men on foot but maybe 30 horses. In
total he lost count but could be 10 times as many as
the party. They are about 5 miles north of the party
and moving South-west. They look Zen'da but its
unclear by him. It sounds like an army?]
Actions? Comments?
Nine days have passed. Let me know if your going to rest
mana wise or such. If you want to practice skills let
me know that information as well. I will keep doing those
skills until you tell me otherwise. This is 6 days since
leaving the trio at the riverbank. Nine days since leaving
the village.
BTW I put a big purple blob on the Trip map as to where
the party is currently in what hex. This will give you
a current location. If you want a zoomed in Hex Map
let me know.
Next update monday.
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