[pnpgm] Game Update #36 - File #359 - Pirates attack...
Scott Adams
longshot at cybermax.net
Tue Sep 15 09:03:47 CEST 2009
HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
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R1.John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar Ma
??.Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
R4.Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard Normal/Human Ma
W2.Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3.Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
--.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe
R2.Mark Murtha...........Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human..Ma
Do.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human Ma
R4.J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
W2.Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
R1 NPC...................Shu.Yeoh..........Wizard..Normal/Human..Fe
W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
-..Thomas.Magann.........Whitney...........Scholar.Normal/Human..Ma
R1 John.Stowman..........Will..............Hunter..Normal/Human..Ma
R4.Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
R1 NPC...................Zhou Kiwat........Noble...Normal/Human..Ma
Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar, 2 Donkeys
Cover Story Info: [HD- House member, F-Foreigner, N-native non house]
Arawn aka Arawn as Teacher to daughter [F]
Ben'dar aka Bu Da as Horse expert [F]
Caladan aka Ca Lu as Guard/Archer [N]
Chion aka Capt. Chu Mai as Sailor Trustee [HD]
Farseeker aka Fu Sa as Guard [F]
Fremea aka Lin Mong as Noble child [HD] [Disguised]
Kell aka Swan as Trader [F]
Kiet aka Kiet Sunan as Zhou's servant [F]
Raban aka Toban Nu as Entertainer/Guard [F]
Strie'bog aka Sun Zhu as Entertainer [N]
Shu aka Shu as Niece [HD]
Unali aka Tun Au as Zhou's wife [HD]
Will aka Sun Tzu as hunt master [F]
Z'leyra aka Kakita Junami as Healer [F]
Zhou aka Zhou Wa as Noble [HD]
Game Web Site - http://www.funport.com/longshot/pbem
Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to longshot at cybermax.net
Game Update #36 in sequence (file #359)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
<So Raban's average of 13 gold a month during previous IBT while
working 3 days a week is like 20 times what the sailors make.
Thus Raban likely thinks he should help out the family in some
manner. But there is little means to raise money during the
mission so that would need to wait. I need to find the right
thing to say in RP sometime.
<New battle- Same methods, grab gauntlets and bow and try to
get on deck quickly. But being so close to Katai, he will try
to minimize magic use.
Or if required then he will once more think about eliminating
witnesses. Raban should talk to someone on the best ways to
scuttle a ship. Of course the pirate could have captives ;(
GM: Ack. You sought out noble audiences with money. If the sailors
worked on a Lemasan government ship for the rulers they would
probably hear 10x as much. Its all relative.
From Will: [Re: Actions]
On hearing the call to battle stations Will grabs his weapons
and wand on rushes up on deck.
GM: Ack.
From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
Z'leyra will spend some moments examining the workmanship and
metallurgy of the mermen's tridents. She wonders if they have
any lessons to be learned that would be helpful to her armorer's
craft.
Presuming Z'leyra wakes up when the pirate warning is given, she
will dress and equip herself for battle (including put on her
armor). After that she will head topside.
GM: Ack. The metal doesn't reveal its secrets. Like the Dwarves
metal secrets the merman trick isn't in the metal but how
they mine and then smith the metal. Those techniques are
secrets known only to their weapon smiths.
From Whitney: [Re: Actions]
God knows what the pirates serve. Whitney will go grab his
woodaxe and shield and seeif he can distract a boarder or two.
GM: Ack. They'll love you! A naked guy fighting pirates. Lonely
all male pirates. That shield better be used effectively!
From Fremeea: [Re: Actions]
Unless someone wants to carry around a Chaotic trident, let
the captain sell it.
(Not sure if Fremea has gone to sleep or she was heading into
her cabin to sleep yet).
If Fremea is asleep, when she wakes, she will quickly throw on
a cloak to hide her wings and cast invisibility (Max EL) on
herself and her daggers at the ready.
if not a alseep, then she would be dressed to make sure no one
can tell she has wings, she will quickly pop out of her cabin a
nd go towards the deck, with daggers drawn.
GM: Ack. Yeah I didn't mention your position well. Sorry.
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[New Stuff]
[Julis 4th, 1634TH]
[Winds: Average, Speed 6]
[Distance this day: 30]
[Weather: Clear/Sunny, No Event]
[Temperatures: 54-83]
[Time: 6:08am]
As the pirate ship breaks through the fog the Captain sets off
the alarm. Sailors and those party members awake scramble.
Caladan stands calmly at the front of the ship studying the
pirate ship as it approaches.
The Blue turns into the wind but the pirate ship has the wind
advantage.
Kiet and Strie'bog head forward and join Caladan. Leaning on
his staff as he often does he glances over and speaks, "pirates."
Then turns back calmly. Kiet glances down to see his dagger
but knows his ropes are below deck. He turns and heads to the
rear to see if the ropes on the deck might be useful.
Strie'bog has no weapons and decides to head below to warn
the others and get some weapons.
Whitney decides facing some danger outside is better than this
so called food. he exits the mess hall in time to see a sailor
alert another of pirates. Fearing a battle he heads to the ladder
to get his weapons and shield from his cabin. But he feels a bit
awkward for this battle as he is dressed this time.
Chion climbing another ladder up hears the same warning and
decides to head top side. He has already a dagger on his belt
and feels ready for battle.
Within another minute Shu and Unali hear the warning after
checking out the muffled alarm bell. They grab daggers and
head up toward the top deck.
Fremea and Arawn just entered their cabin briefly before are
still awake and relaxing for sleeping. Both are already dressed
and going over the events of the past and present days in their
minds. They quickly grab weapons and gear when the alarm and
warnings are given.
Zhou eventually hears the warning and decides to get those
who may be asleep awake. He bangs on each door and warns them.
Soon Will, Z'leyra, Ben'dar and Kell all wake up after Zhou
bangs on their doors. They each grab weapons and head up.
Top side Raban wakes up instantly at the alarm and grabs
his gear fearing some other attack. When he approaches
Caladan he notices the pirate ship and readies his bow.
[Time: 6:11am]
For the last three minutes the pirate ship closes the gap
chasing the Blue Moon. By now most of the party are on the
top deck. Positions are made around the ship. The archers
start to prepare as the ship gets to about 300 feet from the
merchant ship.
Zhou is the only one that stays below. All others are
up, dressed and prepared.
Fearing missile attack, sailors and party members take up
cover as best they can. Archers hide behind lockers and crates
while those who will have to be in melee wait near the ramp
or stairs.
By now the pirate ship is a bustle with activity. But to the
relief of those on the Blue Moon it seems they don't have ship
to ship weapons or missile weapons. Caladan had talked to the
sailors about pirates just 3 weeks go and had heard of these
particular pirates. While most pirates worked the rivers in
Middle Katai these liked the ocean pickings. They only liked
close personal combat. They were known to take prisoners to
sell for ransom or into slavery. Women and children were prized
for them. They rarely sunk ships if they could help it. They
typically attacked on days like this when they could get a
sneak in close attack quickly hidden by weather and fog.
Caladan silently estimates the distance. He hasn't heard orders
not to use magic. This close to Katai he knows it is dangerous
but pirates are the bottom of society. Who would believe them?
They will all likely be dead in less than a half hour. He knows
he could end this battle quickly.
He estimates 300 feet. Then 250 feet. At this speed it
should only take six or so more seconds. One...two...three..
four...five...six. Caladan begins to speak words for a spell.
As the ship gets in range he raises his hand. Just then the
fog rolls in and shrouds the gap between the ships. Six seconds
after he speaks the words a fireball shoots from his hands and
out over the ocean heading around 23 feet per second toward the
pirate ship.
Sailors and party members groan at the sight of magic. Now
the pirates will have to be eliminated. But the party then
notices the fog. It seems to block what is going or rather
coming to the pirate ship. Seconds later the fireball is seen
to erupt a bit as it hits something. Only the orange glow
is seen through the fog.
As Archers raise bows and melee weapons are raised the ship
gets within 100 feet. Suddenly screams and yells are heard
on the pirate ship.
Another two seconds pass when more orange eruptions are seen
and moving about. The party figures this must be sailors on
fire it seems.
Then the fog breaks as the ship gets within 40 feet. The
party notice the one rigging is ablaze. The cloth sails are
now on fire and almost completely engulfed. The wood on the
rigging is starting to also catch fire as ropes burn and the
greased wenches and pulleys help to fuel the fire. Below
on deck at least four pirates are on fire and screaming. They
run about confused and dazed. Two jump over the side of the
ship into the rail but two fall onto the deck smoldering dead
it seems before they can get there.
As the navigator turns the ship again the gap increases slightly.
But the wind can only help the pirates. It is just a matter
of time before they get close enough to board. But in that
few seconds the archers Ben'dar, Will, Raban and Fremea get
off three shots each. Ben'dar hits one pirate and wounds him
but missed the other two times. Will misses also the first
and third shot but hits the second doing a minor wound to one
pirate. Raban also hits once on his second shot but missed
the other two. But his arrow goes deep into the leather clad
pirate massive damage to his chest killing the pirate. Fremea
is the only one to hit with her first two shots but misses her
third shot. Both of her arrows are minor wounds to two pirates.
Suddenly the distance now is back to 50 feet as the sails are
on fire they can't help move the pirate ship. But as the third
shows of arrows which all seem to miss for some reason fly the
rigging suddenly breaks as the mid section burns. The top half
of the heavy rigging falls backwards on the pirate ship and hits
a barrel below. At the same instant a flash of explosive energy
rocks those near the port side of the Blue Moon. A shockwave
throws them back. Those further away notice a secondary
explosion at the barrel. It seems they stored their lantern
or other oil there. The explosion causes a secondary fireball
to rise about 20 feet into the sky.
All around pirates are thrown onto the deck by the shockwave
and shrapnel. Some take wounds but it seems none die in the
secondary explosion. But one does die from the fallen part of
rigging.
On the Blue Moon the Captain sighs. A couple seconds later
the top deck in starting to catch fire as the deck itself
burns. The pirates panic and argue for a second or two. Archers
on the Blue Moon deck hesitate as the smoke blocks good firing
angles. Three seconds later the arguing stops and pirates
are heard to jump over the side. When the smoke clears other
pirates are seen to follow their comrades as they start to
abandon ship.
Captain Sung tells the First mate to turn around. Kiet nearby
glances at this new turn of events. Why would the ship go back
toward them?
As the Blue Moon turns around Captain Sung speaks. "Prepare to
retrieve the pirates!"
Sailors sheath daggers and swords and grab ropes while others
head to the side of the ship.
Confused Farseeker turns to the Captain. "Why help them?"
Captain Sung blows a long breath out, "the code of the sea.
While they meant us harm we can't abandon a crew that goes to
the water. Be it friendly or foe we are obligated to help
rescue them."
Farseeker frowns, "your serious? These people?"
Captain Sung nods, "Even these people. We won't let them
on board without security. We'll take them prisoner rather
than them taking us prisoner. A Captain that abandons sailors
in the water will lose faith from his own crew. If one would
do that to other sailors what would he do to them? The sailors
on my ship understand this."
Speechless Farseeker sheathes his great sword and shakes his
head.
Having heard this battle turn from attack to rescue the archers
lower weapons but keep them ready.
Soon four pirates are rescued from the weapon without their
weapons. The ship continues to burn from top down. Bodies
are seen on the top of the deck and not moving. It is unclear
if any are below decks.
A sailor asks, "should we board to look for other pirates
or their ...", he lowers his voice, "treasure?"
Captain Sung shakes his head. "Too dangerous to risk our
own men for that. They might have a fortune on the ship
but I rather not risk it."
The four prisoners all seem to have no wounds. All four are
quickly restrained by ropes by Kiet and sailors. They are searched
for weapons as they stare at their burning ship. None of them
say a word.
A sailor asks, "how many in your crew?" He repeats this in Katai
and in Lemasan.
The pirate looks to the sailor dazed and then to the Captain
who has rescued them. He lowers his head and speaks softly.
"Only 20."
"Any captives?" The sailor stares at the pirate and asks.
The pirate shakes his head.
The Captain turns around and wonders if he is lying. But
what use would it e now to lie about such a thing? He
calculates in his mind. Four here. He heard at least four
others go over the side. But there is no sign of them in
the water and fog. They must've drowned from their own wounds
or other means. At least 8-10 bodies are estimated on the
deck not moving. "That leaves maybe two or three in the
water we didn't hear or dead below."
Farseeker tears pieces of the pirate clothing to make gags and
blindfolds. With help from another sailor he covers their
mouth and eyes. He then joins the Captain. "What now?" he
asks tersely.
"We take them to Katai to turn over to the authorities."
The captain says while scanning the foggy water.
Farseeker stares in disbelief at the Captain.
The Captain turns briefly to Farseeker and then back to the
water. "By all means kill them if you wish as they are now
defenseless. Our obligation is over. But there is a chance
of a reward. Piracy is common enough it shouldn't arouse
any suspicion. We can simply say the pirate ship attacked
and we defeated them which is true. The local guards are
not smart enough to ask questions further."
Farseeker turns to stare at some in the party and then at the
four prisoners. Being a military man there is honor in the
battlefield as well. Marentian military is treated not to be
barbaric like the noted Fierazi. They take prisoners when
can and even heal the prisoners they take. It is one thing to
kill in battle but another to slaughter a downed warrior on the
battlefield.
The party stares at the burning ship as the Blue Moon circles
it at about a 50 feet diameter. Some wonder if there is treasure
aboard. But there doesn't seem to be a plan to retrieve it by
this crew at least. It looks like there is only one way down
and its relatively free of the fire though some of the rigging
is over the entrance stairs down below.
Some realize that the pirates must have not seen the fireball
as magic due to the weather but maybe as a simple shipboard weapon
like a catapult or a arrow with oil and fire. Maybe their secret
is safe at this point. Of course some know minds can be altered.
Arawn stares at the burning ship. Around his head he wears
an impromptu cloth bandana around his ears. He finds this strange
behavior in humans confusing. Next he wonders if he Captain
would save a sick chaotic dragon in the water?
Fremea in her cloak concentrates and holds her wings tight to
her body. It would do no good for the prisoners to see that
then they would have to die. But when they are blindfolded
she relaxes and let them out a bit enough to breath good. She
is confused by this turn of events as well. Why save some pirates
who might have killed her outright?
Kell stares at the burning ship and wets his lips at the though
of treasure that could just go to the bottom of the sea.
Kiet stares at the prisoners and wonders if he should execute
them now. Why feed them for the next four days and watch them?
Maybe they are worth more dead then alive?
Unali has heard of these band of pirates. A small group based
in a town north of Katai or so rumors say. They like to
prey on merchant ships which are clearly weak. But they simply
underestimated in this case. She checks each prisoner's upper right
arms and indeed the tattoo is there showing their pirate gang
sign. The same sign on the side of the ship the captain first
saw. A sign that indicated the number of ships taken. In
this crew the markings indicated at least 12 ships. But on the
arms the tats are simply a gang membership sign.
Z'leyra glances at the prisoners but sees no wounds for the
four young men in their early 20s.
Zhou begins to pace as he wonders how this will affect the ship.
He isn't sure if he should kill the prisoners or do as the
Captain suggests. This could even work in their favor. Maybe
the guards will see it as a good will sign and leave the Blue
Moon alone? Law abiding citizens are far better than those
who sulk about quietly. He begins to nod to himself as he
considers all the options.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Friday...
GM: Experience
Player MEP CEP Expertise Skill/Notes
Ben'dar - 6 2 Bow
Caladan 8 - 2 fireball EL6
Fremea - 6 4 Bow
Raban - 10 2 Bow
Will - 4 2 Bow
GM: Gear Loss
Player Arrows lost
Ben'dar 1
Fremea 2
Raban 1
Will 1
GM: Yes this battle was short. I sped it up and did it this
way to prevent a 3 week long ordeal. Caladan would've done
simply the above. I ran the numbers and it all worked as
above. So why prolong it? :) Some quick minor experience
for a random encounter.
GM: Character sheets are pretty much all cleaned up and ready to
be soon sent out. Probably this week. But see below on
that matter. Some emails sent out on some minor last minute
questions. Unali I sent one to you but not heard back. I
figured your busy but just wanted to make sure you got it.
No rush though on it.
GM: Just a reminder on the posting schedule. While technically
this is the "Monday" update it actually comes out Tuesday.
I start to work on the update for Monday at around 9pm EST.
So far there aren't shows to distract me (will be taping
Heroes rather than watching it live). I then work on it
from around 9-3am depending on how big it is. But I notice
that some posts come in almost like clock work 10, 11, 12
and even 1am. By 1am I am close to finish and any new
posts could change things and cause rewrites. So my
suggestion is to get actions out if possible by 9pm EST
on Monday. That way I have it all in advance. It helps.
Heck by Sunday night I could even be well in advance and
be done quicker. But 9pm EST is good. Now the "Friday"
update is actually out on Friday. But I start to work
on it around 9pm as well. But I'm not up late on most
nights (sometimes like this week I happen to have Friday
off but not always). So only have 9-1am. So less time
to work. Until the end of the year I should have all
Thursdays off (Vacation). So likely may start the update
as early as Wednesday night depending on how big the update
will be (like a 3-4 hour combat post). So would really
like actions in by 9pm Thursday. Of course I believe
Fringe and Flashforward will be on soon so that will be
a major time drain on the update work. So the updates
could be delayed (blame it on good tv!). But action posts
that are out before the suggested deadline improves the
chances. These are just suggestions folks. Not demands.
As the fall tv season comes about its more distractions for
the GM. :< (and more evil plot points to use!)
GM: Lastly the big announcement. This is a short update but I
wanted to say some folks have wanted to do more actions
over the IBT but failed to do so. So this is the FINAL
chance to do some actions. But I would prefer not to make
this a mini new IBT. This is simply to be for minor
actions and things needing to be done. So here is the
deal. You can do some last minute things from Julis 4th to
Julis 7th (july). Ship will dock sometime on the 7th. So
this gives almost 4 full days. BUT keep in mind your
in Katai waters. Doing high level spells say a EL10
Wisdom or EL7 Summoning of some god could be tracked by
Katai if they have that ability. You've been warned.
Also be warned mana may be needed. Who knows how soon
a battle may come up. So maybe one might not want to
cast magic? I warned folks of this on Clima by the end
of the same day folks went from full mana to tapped out
by the final battle. So my warnings aren't to scare
folks they are simply to alert. Now assuming you want
to do final stuff to end the journey let me know what
spells you wish to do. Let me know what actions you
wish to do that is within the reason of the time frame.
Don't worry about skills as we did that in IBT. Just
magic and stuff like character motivations. I would hope
though the spells were low in scale not 200 spells cast
every day. I'm doing this to simply settle things that
are needing to be done. Deadline on this will be
9/25. This will give you time to post and me time to
work on those details. If you don't want to do anything
that's fine let me know. All folks are at full mana,
energy and health at this point. The only person that
isn't at full is I believe Kiet who is down a bit.
I know I'm probably going to regret this but I know at
least 3 folks wanted to do last minute stuff. This
is for ship stuff not city stuff. The city stuff will
be done once the mission begins. This includes storing
things in the secret hold and such.
If questions ask.
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