[pnpgm] Game Update #140 - File #996 - Party leaves Pamau

Scott Adams longshotgm at netzero.com
Mon Dec 27 21:11:17 CET 2010


      
  HT Alias/Player          Character Name    Type    Status/Notes  Sex
  -- -----------------------------------------------------------------
  R1.John Haight...........Arawn.............Druid  .Normal/Alfar  Ma
  ??.Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human  Ma
  R4.Tom Corckett..........Caladan...........Wizard  Normal/Human  Ma
  W2.Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human  Ma
  W3.Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human  Ma
  --.Tobie Bonahoom........Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry Fe
  R2.Mark Murtha...........Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human..Ma
  Do.David Sanders.........Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human  Ma
  R4.J H Hooten............Raban.Usherwood...Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
  W2.Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Bard....Normal/Human..Ma
  W4.Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human  Fe
  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, 

  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]
     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 Baron Noble         [HD]

     Game Web Site - http://www.furvert.net/longshotgm/pbem/index.htm
     Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
     Private emails (not public actions) to longshotgm at netzero.com
                                               
     Game Update #140 in sequence (file #996)      
     ----------------------------------------------------------------
              
     Admin Notes: None. 
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     [Recap]

        [None]

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

         [Augado 5th, 1634TH]
         [Location: Middle Katai Plains] 
         [          Pamau Province, Pamau City]

         [Time: 10:53pm]

           Things seem to happen so fast when adrenaline flows.  One
         minute the group is safe at the inn eating dinner with the
         rest of the party and the next they are fleeing from discovery
         by a gang of Katai traitors.  Things happened so fast it was
         a blur of actions and all four members of the recon group try
         to figure out the last hour in their brains.

           To Kell it seemed too easy to befriend some odd man in the
         tavern, then be in combat with him, finally to help him out
         to flee with some person he had no idea about.  Kell only now
         realizes the man has to be military as he refused the drugs or
         the spoils around him.  A common thief or bandit might've tried
         to take some spoil away like the drugs or other items before
         he got his partner.  But he was too efficient almost like that
         of a person long shaped in the military.  Kell was unsure of
         the other man.  He trusts Tor hoping it is indeed a friend or
         partner but he just didn't have time to study the situation.
         So the military is aware of the tavern and their activities but
         may not be aware of their Vong connection.  Kell was unsure if
         he should just speak of that knowledge.  If the military geared
         up to find the Vong it could hinder the party's own mission.  But
         if they learned later after the party was done so be it.  

           Now as the group flees down the streets, Kell tries to take
         a few deep breathes and explains what he found.  He was the
         one to see most of the place.  He describes the first and second
         floors.  He explains that the boss dude, he assumes him to be
         the boss, was killed by Tor.  He explains the drugs, women and
         high stakes area.  Then to Kiet and Will he explains about the
         prisoner being rescued.

           Fremea who flies high above to serve as aerial recon over
         the group listens to the others whisper and speak. She warns
         the group of a few people or city guard patrols.  At one
         point when Kell explains about the abuse of the girls who are
         either serve drugs or pleasure she fumes.  She hates slavery
         intensely and is glad she didn't go too far inside.  She'd have
         killed everyone of the guys if she could have.  But she is happy
         to hear Unali and Kell did handle some of that.  They got what
         they deserved.  

           Will listens to the layout of the building in frustration at
         Kell's boldness to act and just head to the second floor.  There
         was no plan or signal or nothing planned.  What if they got
         caught and killed?  As Will moves fast with the others down the
         dark streets his knee is still in some pain from hitting that
         table with the saw.  At least his groin pain has ebbed by now.

           Kiet has remained quiet for some time as they rush down
         alley and streets.  He wanted to question Zep a bit more
         but the poor sap just had bad luck and stabbed himself with
         a long sharp nail right in the throat.  Kiet has killed before
         in self defense but he wonders if the man deserved to die.  But
         after he hears Zep's own words he wonders how he even lived this
         long without others taking him out.

           Unali after a few minutes of walking down the streets finally
         clips her daggers on her belt.  Unlike Kell and the others
         her black tunic is smeared with some blood.  Another piece of
         clothing that will need to be cleaned.  She is happy Jun Yun,
         the girl she helped to escape, was able to make it out alive.
         But she is sad that others may be enslaved.  If Kell is right
         maybe the military or her friends will have something to say
         about that.  She would ask the party to go and take down the
         tavern now that she has most of the good documents but it
         would delay the other things and their true mission.  The
         Vong are top priority and their allies can be cleaned up later
         on.  There is no telling how quickly before the Vong will surge
         right in the open.  They already just hours earlier took out
         a town somewhere east of here so goes the rumor.  If they did
         that as a show of force to enlist last minute help they likely
         got their way.  But if its a first strike it's a sloppy one.

           Unali only scanned the documents briefly but she hopes it
         gives more information on the Vong themselves.  She figures
         that to mean the Brigade was careful or it was never put into
         a paper trail.  Even the treasure room had no obvious Vong
         weapons, armors or objects.  Maybe even the big boss guy
         was duped as well into not knowing what was truly going on.
         But she knows they made a deal with the new evil in this
         world and they betrayed her people.  They deserve what they
         get in the end.  

           Unali was surprised to find Kell making friends and roaming
         around the tavern.  Of course she didn't say he shouldn't but
         at least he got away with it.  Unali occasionally leaves the
         other two men to ensure the group isn't being followed as they
         move down the streets going east.  The shouts of the people
         near the tavern are long gone.  In total time it took only 45
         minutes to recon the place and then leave it.  For Unali that
         was a bit of a long recon but it rewarded them with good info
         it seems.  But it will be some time before they can study the
         documents.

           Back a half mile away from the tavern in the west, Tor and
         his partner guide the girl through other darkened streets.
         The girl pats her bag of coins the strange woman in black
         gave her.  She ensures the coin bag is secure and it should be
         enough to hide for some time.  Maybe it will even be enough
         to find her family.  It has been three years since she was taken
         from the farm. She wonders if they are still there or had to
         move on from the huge burden from the tax collector.  

           Tor's friend rides the messengers horse a bit weak as the
         adrenaline leaves him.  Tor finally guides the two to his
         horse and another spare one he had secured for is friend.
         Tor helps his friend to his own horse and then mounts the
         other horse.  The girl takes the horse the messenger had
         and heads south into the darkness.

           Unali wasn't sure whether to subdue Tor and his friend to
         give them some distance.  But when she saw how Kell seemed
         to trust him or at least assure he meant well, she decides to
         leave him alone.  In the end it could be problematic if the
         military sent out watches for Kell and Unali's descriptions.
         Unali had a black mask on but basic body features could still
         be gleamed from between the lines if you will.  Unali figures
         Kell and the party won't be around much longer so a watch
         alert for them won't be a problem.  

           The four are led by Fremea's aerial flying through winding dark
         streets.  Occasionally Unali will backtrack to ensure others
         are not following or those on the street do not get their interest
         peeked at the possible appearance of the four.  The path to the
         tavern took a bit less time but at that point the party had nothing
         to worry about going rather than leaving.  

           Finally the four spot the party's Inn in the distance lit up
         by a single lantern over the main door.  The place is much darker
         and quieter.  Strie'bog discovers their approach and leaves the
         wagon hut which he is guarding to greet him.  Chion comes out
         of the shadows around the west side of the inn on patrol as well
         and greets the party.  Once inside the place is empty except
         for Caladan who looks on sentry duty inside.  He sits at a table
         with feet up the table leaning back in his chair and sips a old
         mug of ale.  It seems the others are upstairs in the rooms either
         sleeping or doing other things. 

         [Time: 11:43pm]

           Caladan decides sleep is more important than the news so heads
         up to his room since the party will leave in just 4 or 5 hours.

           Fremea places the documents on the table and brings over some
         candles to inspect them in the dark tavern.  The staff have clearly
         gone to bed themselves.  Caladan has left some bottles of wine,
         ale and beer with some somewhat fresh fruit and nuts for those
         who may be hungry or thirsty.  Unali heads quickly upstairs to
         change and ensure the blood on her black clothing is cleaned.
         She will eventually return to inspect the documents herself.

           Will, Kiet and Kell gather around the table a bit exhausted
         from the whole situation at the peace brigade base.  

           Unali tosses the bag of gold to Kiet to look over and he
         quickly counts 39 Katai gold coins.  It is just pure gold
         ones no silver or brass.  But its a good haul for the party
         to have some spare coins.  The party could've gotten more if
         time was allowed but its at least 2 or 3 gold per person.

           Z'leyra who has been making things in her room hears the
         footsteps and finds Unali.  The healer then inspects Uanli's
         light cut on her chest and finds it superficial.  Unali
         just tells she'll bandage it herself.  Unali tells the others
         are fine but she was the only one to take a minor slice from
         a blade.  Z'leyra heads downstairs to find the others.

           Raban who has to sleep on the floor of one room due to the
         bed being simply too small for him hears the noise and quickly
         also heads downstairs eager to see how Fremea and the others
         made out.

           Arawn being a night person by nature is going over some gear
         in his pack and repacking it more efficiently when he hears
         Raban moving and joins him to head downstairs.

           After Unali changes in Zhou's room she nudges the sleeping
         Zhou awake to inform him they are back.  Zhou quickly gets
         up, dresses and joins the others to hear the news.

           Gathered back downstairs the quiet tavern becomes a bit
         louder from hughed tones and loud whispers.  Unali explains
         all that went on from her point of view then Kell, Fremea
         and finally Kell and Kiet's stories.

           "So Kell killed the big boss leader?"  Zhou asks wiping
         stuff from his eyes.

           Kell explains again it was Tor.

           Zhou exhales deeply and crosses his arms.  He glances down
         at the documents and then taps some of them with a finger. "I
         hope these things are worth the hassle.  They could be looking
         for us and we still have a few hours till we leave.  We'll need
         to ensure sentries are extra careful."


                                        -----------


         [Augado 6th, 1634TH]
         [Location: Middle Katai Plains] 
         [          Pamau Province, Pamau City]
         [          South-East section of City, Noble Tavern/Inn]

         [Time: 12:02am]

           The group who remain up after the stories are told start
         to read the documents.  At least those that can read them.
         Fremea frustrated forgets she can't read them and decides
         to head upstairs to ensure her things are properly packed.
         But it isn't long before she returns to hear what the others
         have found from the documents.

           Zhou suggests to those who do not need sleep or will be
         problematic riding a horse exhausted should get some sleep.
         The party will be leaving in just about 4 hours.

           But Unali is still too intrigued by the documents.  Eventually
         the following is learned from them.

           Indeed at least half a dozen scrolls link other cities to
         other Peace Brigade leaders, secret bases or warehouses.  The
         information alone can help lead to taking them out either in
         one full strike on a planned day or piece by piece.  The dozen
         or so cities that do not have a full base, which usually entails
         a tavern or shop, simply list a home or office.  It seems in
         those places the bases are too early in operation to have large
         numbers of members.

           There are a dozen or so documents that detail shipping routes
         and merchant companies that seem to help these based either
         in direct supplies or helps in other ways.  There is one long
         scroll with marked off entries that takes time to decipher but
         it finally makes some sense based on correlation to other scrolls
         found.  The parchment seems to indicate past coffin related
         shipments and their warehouses.  But when the order was given
         it seems by Nom Amor the coffins weren't needed to travel about
         the warehouses were no longer of use.  The marked entries seem
         to imply they were destroyed or ordered to be destroyed.

           Based on the various documents there is a hint of at least 300
         to 400 coffins were at one point shipped around the Empire in
         the last 3 months.  This may imply there are a few hundred Vong
         around in various other cities that will need to be found
         and killed.  The documents only indicate their final destination
         but if the bases are taken out locally they might lead to clues
         of the Vong hideouts?

           A small notebook indicates names and family info like wives,
         kids and house info.  Arawn suspects these are leaders of
         the brigade in each city they operate from.  This list should
         help the military or others to track them down.  These traitors
         then can be dealt with proper justice.  Of course Arawn
         knows that many might have been simple dupes in the betrayal
         of their Empire.  Those things will have to be determined on
         a case by case basis.

           That same notebook also includes a list of 112 names that
         seem to indicate local Brigade members.  They are only names
         those some have symbols.  Unali suspects the symbols might
         indicate skill sets like some might be better as guards while
         others are henchmen and the like.  Going through the list at
         least 5 are marked off.  She notices based on the ink that
         2 are recent and wonders if those are the ones from the
         fire at the warehouse earlier today.  The other 3 are marked
         off earlier in the list but no reason is given.  So it seems
         the brigade base might have about 100 members minus the ones
         killed in the raid tonight.

           Some of the papers from the messenger's bag seem to inventory
         items found or more likely stolen.  Seems recent acquistion of
         gambler's debts or outright theft improved the gang's treasure.
         But the document isn't much use in the overall operation.  It
         seems many of these documents are missing and likely are somewhere
         else like the boss's private home or something.

           Frustrated there is no diary or notes on interviews or thoughts
         from the leader on the Vong itself.  In fact not one word in
         Katai speaks of the Vong in the papers.  It seems they are only
         called guests, clients, benefactors or NM.  The group figures
         NM in initials has to be Nom Amor.  But that is the only direct
         connection the gang seems to have that can be proven though
         who in Katai knows Nom's name?

           The map found in the office is studied by Fremea and Arawn
         and it seems to indicate places the Vong might have some base
         or Brigade ally place.  At least 18 cities are marked from
         the 20 total in the empire.  This seems to indicate the Vong
         and Brigade threat has penetrated into almost every city by
         now which means the party may be too late to act.  But the
         map also indicates maybe a dozen places outside cities in
         various nearby areas.  All these marks will have to be
         investigated by others likely since the party can't stay too
         long in this nation.

           Kell is sifting through the parchments and finds many which
         are boring items from supply inventory to gambling debts.  He
         notes that Zep seems to have a debt of 47 gold and change.  He
         is amazed the poor sap stayed alive.  Most after 20 gold would
         have been killed in Ba'ru.  Kell finds some minor notes on
         drug shipments from the jungles in the south and who may be
         their connection.  But then Kell comes across a parchment with
         marks, symbols and notes.  He can't read Katai as well as Unali
         but finally after studying it figures what it has to be.  He
         has seen those documents in his gambling days.  It seems to be
         a list of clients, bribes and debts.   Kell doesn't recognize
         the names but Unali does.  Both half-elf and dagger master
         glance at each other in surprise.  Seems the list includes
         rich merchants, minor nobles and even the local Count of Pamau
         himself.  Rumors were that he liked to gamble but it seems his
         debt was if the symbols are figured right at least over 80
         gold in debt.  But the marks seem to also imply that the Count
         took bribes in debt relief for services.  Those services aren't
         noted and the symbols are not clue on their meaning.  But if the
         Brigade were there to help the Vong Infiltrate then the Count
         could've been bribed to help without knowing it.

           Zhou raises a eyebrow in shock.  "That alone will drive the
         gang to come after us.  We should definitely not stay in this
         city long.  That will be a valuable item if sold or traded by
         whoever takes over the leadership of the local Brigade.  Guard
         it with your life or those you trust."

         [Time: 12:57am]

           Yawning the group sits back pleased with their discovery.  So
         in all the raid was successful but now what do they do with
         the information.  Many are frustrated that it doesn't show the
         place the Vong are hiding.  The map does seem to imply places
         but it doesn't give the area Shu's map indicated.  Most of
         those marks on the map are in Upper Katai.

           "We still don't know where this Rising Mount or Vong base
         is.  Maybe the shack will give us a clue. If not we will have
         to start over.  If we must we can do some search of the mountains
         though it will take time.  If I recall from Shu's map it is
         about 100 square miles. But with Fremea, Chion, Arawn and others
         help we might be able to do fast searches.  The problem is now
         what do we do with these documents? Do we turn them over to the
         military in some indirect fashion in a neat box with a bow?"
         The Dark Lander looks around the table then his eyes fall
         upon Unali.  "Do we give them to your friends?"

           The table erupts into a quiet argument of what to do next.
         Eventually Zhou orders everyone to sleep and sentries back to
         their post.  The wagon is unloaded and a messenger will have
         a note sent to Tiehul to be picked up.  In the morning a
         staff member at the tavern will have it fetched to be parked
         in a local wagon park.

         [Time: 3:49am]

           In the wee hours of the morning the group is slowly awaken
         and all get dressed.  Some grumble that Zhou didn't plan for
         the staff to feed them but he says it is safer for them to
         just slip out without notice.

           Horses are mounted and Unali with Arawn in lead on his
         horse directs the party to where she was told to go by her
         friends.  It takes some time to find the place in the dark
         streets.  A party of this size is not stealthy at this
         point so ride is bold and direct down the street.  Only
         one other person likely a beggar is seen on the streets.
         Lucky for the group no city guards are seen.  It is assumed
         by now the four primary gates are well guarded and in alert
         of heretics and possibly Brigade people looking for the
         party themselves.  But the gate is some distance away so
         this is not easy to prove.

         [Time: 4:24am]

           Unali stops the group and looks around.  It is a deserted and
         dark street.  Almost like the brigade's street.  There are
         shops and a restaurant on the street.  All are dark.  Unsure
         of the location Unali dismounts and studies the shop she was
         told should be it.  It should be a pottery shop.  Peering into
         the darkness with Fremea helping there are indeed pots and
         ceramics in the window and on shelves.  The place smells of
         mud and clay.  Unali figures this to be the place but there
         is no sign on the door. She looks up to the second story where
         the merchant has to be.  The shop is slap back up against the
         south wall and has a large tall wall around a courtyard.  the
         party can't see over the wall and Unali doesn't risk Fremea
         checking it out for now.

           Unali finally decides to ask Unali to recon the roof but before
         she does a light appears from upstairs.  The light moves along
         the windows and goes out.  Then it seems to appear down on the
         first floor coming from the back.  Unali places hand on dagger
         and notices a person approaching with a candle holder in hand.
         The man gets to the door and looks out into the dark street.
         Here there are no torches in this area as it seems the city
         doesn't find it a busy place at night.  

           After some long moments the man opens the door and a small
         bell rings as he does when the door is opened.  "We're closed!"

           Unali approaches the gray haired man who must be in his 50s
         or so.  She whispers to the man and seems to do what looks
         like a hand gesture of some kind from Fremea's point of view.
         After more long whispers the man nods.  "You're finally here.
         I thought you'd arrive sooner.  I just work here. " He looks
         at the party and sees their horses.  "Horses? Fine.  Come
         this way."

           Exiting the shop with the candle he walks in sandals around
         the left side of the shop waving the party to follow.  The
         man dressed in a rob and night clothes gets to a section of
         wall.  There a straw and wooden shack is seen.  The shack
         is about 6 feet tall and about 10 feet wide.  It seems to have
         a place for storage of tools or something. But on closer
         inspection the man leans down to one corner and pulls what
         looks like a tent stake from the ground hidden among tall
         grass.  The man then goes to the other three corners and does
         the same.  The shack is laid up against the wall to the courtyard
         itself.  The man then approaches a tree nearby and places
         hand onto the wall where a stone is barely seen in the darkness.
         A click and pop is then heard.  After a few seconds the shack
         begins to shudder and creak just a bit.  With a slow hiss the
         shack simply tilts on its side from left and moves upward with
         the right side still on the ground.  The entire shack then
         moves onto its right side with the left side shooting upwards
         into the sky.  Raban finds it amusing the shack is empty but
         there are what looks like empty pots dangling and clanking
         from the motion.  He wonders how the mechanics are used to
         move the shack but decides not to ask.

           Once the shack is tilted up on its die the fake shack stops
         shuddering.  Another click is heard and a section of the
         white wall 4 feet wide opens like a door inward into the
         courtyard going from its right side on a left side like
         hinge.  The man with the candle yawns and directs the party
         to move quickly through.

           Farseeker is the first to lead his horse but the man directs
         the horses be taken by hand not rode on until outside the
         main wall.  Farseeker dismounts and guides the horse into
         the darkness.  He finds a small stall like area open to
         the sky.  But the courtyard wall to the right is still about
         8 feet tall plenty tall not to be seen.  The left wall is
         about 7 feet tall and has bushes.  On the left side there
         is a small jewelry shop that sits right up against the main
         city wall so likely would not see into this area since the
         other shop has no back area.

           Farseeker finds the stall goes about 10 feet deep and finally
         ends up against another wall.  Placing a hand against the
         wall he hears a grind and click.  The wall section opens in
         the opposite way like the front section of the stall and opens
         outward.  Then Farseeker sees why he has to guide the horse.
         The bushes here cover the wall and a tree is nearby to
         cover the escape area.  The horse is startled briefly but
         Farseeker calms him down and guides him through the tall
         light bush.  Farseeker then emerges out into the plains
         outside the city wall.

           Soon the others follow.  Z'leyra and Arawn speak to the
         horses to calm them down and warns them that for the next
         few hours if they can to be silent not even grunt if they can.
         One by one the group leaves the escape wall section.  Some ask
         about the courtyard.  The man simply says that is where he
         likes to work in the day.  No one even suspects the small
         hidden alcove and fake shack.  But some in the party are
         amazed the shack is fake and in the open for any to see.  But
         then the man explains why he does this at this hour.

           Unali spends time with the old man whispering and asking
         questions of some sort.  Unali looks to be the last to leave
         the city.

           Some are impressed but others are not of the escape wall
         section.  While it is clever it isn't a rare thing.  Many
         cities have such places.  Many palaces have them as well.
         It is a matter of where and how many there are.  Likely
         the story that this was used to smuggle people and items
         in for a minor noble are true.  The best way to avoid
         city guard detection.  Unali even knows the royal palace
         in Maren city has at least 3 such escape routes.  Duke Aren
         would not confirm them but Unali suspects at least one is
         behind the kitchen in case the palace is attacked by angry
         mobs or enemy forces.  Most such escape routes are used to
         prevent sieges or gather supplies like food and water during
         long sieges.  During peace time though such places tend to
         be used for less legal purposes.


         [Time: 4:51am]

           The party is now outside the city walls of Pamau.  In
         the distance to the right or east of the group faint lights
         are seen.  The city wall itself isn't big enough for patrols
         except for about 100 feet near the gates.  Here in these
         areas it is thick enough to take Giant sized rock catapult
         attacks.  But here there are no patrols along the wall.  Down
         east appears to be the South Gate maybe half a mile away.  Some
         torches or lanterns are seen and so the party decides not to
         light their own torches.  Quietly the group sets out heading
         south-east toward the river in the far distance.

           The party aren't sure this shack will be important.  The
         information gleamed from the Baron's house and Nom's own
         papers seem to indicate it might be Nom's place of operation
         or home.  But it has been hours and hours since Nom was killed.
         Could it be too late?  Could the Vong or their allies have
         moved out of the shack if Nom didn't show up?  What are the
         standing orders for those situations?  The party moves with
         those questions on the front of the inner thoughts.  

           The party finally passes the south gate as quietly as they
         can.  The gate is about half a mile away to the right or
         south now just past the road that goes further east and
         west wrapping around the city itself.  From this distance
         there seems to be about 6 guards on duty at the gate and
         a few along the upper walls.  That indeed shows at this
         hour a higher alertness is the procedure.  Moving further
         east the party moves toward the north toward the closest
         point to the river.  The river itself heads deep into
         the mountains to the west and north.  The party knows
         they could get a ferry or barge to take them but they
         aren't sure if they will go the right direction at this
         point.

           The road traffic is empty but once or twice a lone wagon full
         of farm food or buckets is seen going into the city at this
         hour.  The sun is going to rise in just over an hour or
         90 minutes at most but already the local farmers are up and
         half their morning is over with chores.  The wagons ignore
         all signs of the party and move toward the gates.  the river
         traffic is also light once the party nears the river.  In
         fact there is only one small barge with lanterns seen moving
         what might be food as well toward the bridge and dock to unload
         to other wagons.

           Once the river is found the group heads westward.  The party
         knows only vague details of where the shack has to be.  It is
         said to be near the river bank about 3 miles west of the bridge.
         OF course being so close to the city margins it can't be so
         isolated Nom didn't pick it unwisely.


         [Time: 5:39am]

           After three fishing shacks, a dozen small houses, a small
         stock warehouse and a half dozen empty places the party
         finally approaches a wooded area.  The plains still have no
         major forests like Donara but the woods here are plentiful
         due to the river.  It is enough to obscure line of sight for
         most of the dark path in the starlight.  

           Fremea is the first to see light in the distance.  The
         light gets brighter as the group gets closer.  It seem to
         be a bright lantern outside some structure.  It soon becomes
         clear the structure is indeed a wooden squat shack.  

           Dismounting to get near the shack is about 100 feet away.
         The group is hidden by the darkness but the starlight shines
         down upon everyone.  At the shack a humanoid stands near the
         lantern and moves about.  Another humanoid stands nearby and
         waves a arm.  But nothing can be heard at this distance.  The
         shack itself is dark and it is unclear if windows are there
         or not.  The shack's perimeter has bushes and trees but it
         is light and will require stealth to get close.

           As the group parts through the high trees you soon realize
         this is the place.  Behind the tall standing humanoid a Flyer
         is seen.  The first time it was seen was at the carnival
         grounds.  The Vong flying craft is on the ground.  A orange
         light is seen from one side where it seems to be open to the
         night.  The Flyer is facing toward the trees where the party
         is and the shack on the far side of the shack.  The tall
         standing humanoid is now seen clearly by the lantern and is
         definitely Vong.  He seems to be giving orders or telling
         the other man now it looks like a human to do this and that.

           the human carries the lantern this way and back and as if
         inspecting the shack.  Then he approaches the Vong and seems
         to speak fast to the Vong.  But it is unclear what they
         are saying.

           Farseeker waves to Fremea and Arawn.  "If that craft senses
         you all is lost.  We need to be careful."

           The party watches and wonders if others are about.  But
         there seems to be only one human and one Vong.

           Before the party can decide what to do the Vong reaches
         into his belt and pulls something else.  Sparks of some
         kind are seen and bullet like things of fire hit the human
         in the chest.  The man falls back to the ground with what
         looks like specks of fire on his chest.  The Vong then
         twists the object in his hand and points it at the shack.
         The Vong then raises and fires.  This time a large ball of
         fire shoots out and impacts on the shack.  The ball explodes
         and catches the shack on fire.

           The Vong belts the object and turns to head toward the Flyer.

         Actions? Comments?

         Next Update...Friday...

         GM: Wow.  The tavern side trip which wasn't to be honest even
             planned by me took 2 months from Halloween to Xmas.  Didn't
             know it took that long.  But its over now and we can move
             the group forward.  Thanks for those who waited patiently
             for some actions to be done.  

         GM: Folks can put their say on the documents but Unali can decide
             as party leader where they go.  Just let me know.  Some
             suggest sending them to Tor with letter explaining things
             while others just say city guards.  But the problem is
             who do you trust.

         GM: Enough for now.  Ran out of time.  Wanted to do the final
             shack scene a bit more detailed.  In fact originally was
             going to have it different.  But since the Tavern scene
             took time I made some slight changes to speed things up. :)
             Now all can and are expected to react!

         GM: Hope all had a good Xmas/Holiday.  Now everyone have a
             good New Years!  I will still try a Friday update but
             I figure folks might be too drunk to reply right away.
             So we'll see how it goes.  I work. :<  In fact today
             is my last Vacation.  So the next 9 months I have to
             grind and work.  So we go back to the off/on schedule.
             Monday updates should not be a factor.  But depends on
             how things go Thursday night is how well Friday updates
             come out.  But this is a good big update.  We've moved on.
             At this point we are offficially 75% done with this
             adventure.  







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