[pnpgm] Game Update #152 - File #1056 - Skinny Dipping fun
Scott Adams
longshotgm at netzero.com
Mon Feb 21 20:55:38 CET 2011
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
R1.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,
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 #152 in sequence (file #1056)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Raban: [Re: Actions]
<Raban should still be working on his riding skill, cant think of
much else that fits> <I will be gone again mon-wed unless the
weather shifts it, sorry for the trouble>
Raban thinks for a while, "Those fliers are very tough, one...
<Sorry, needs a lot more post yet but I am very tired and still
have lots of email yet to process>
GM: Ack. No trouble folks travel all the time on the list. Some
weekly. So its a part of normal life. No trouble. Don't
fret the post was good just as. better than nothing.
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[New Stuff]
[Augado 7th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Mountains west of Pamau]
[Time: 7:18pm]
Discussion returns a day later to the methods to take down the
Vong and their tech including their mighty flyers.
Raban thinks for a while, "Those fliers are very tough, one ran
into me and was not hurt much by it. I think their weapons would
smash easier, maybe if I could grab onto one I could bust it.
Otherwise with a lot of luck I could get inside one and make it
crash, but it was a bit cramped so I would not fight the beast. I
think I would just need to smash the weird hat and it would not
operate? Then maybe it would he best to escape it and let everyone
else on it crash."
Caladan nods in agreement, "I agree. If you take out the pilot
and that control helmet they seem to wear it might be too blind
and stupid to fly on its own. But that's only a theory."
"The tough thing will be their Crab Armor. It seems to be
quite thick and as strong as our plate in some cases. But we
know the Shamed Ones and Shapers do not wear them so only the
Warrior caste seem to be a factor there. But if one can snip
off their crab "heads" the top center chest where the eye
stalks are then maybe that affects them. We've not had enough
experience to test that out. It is also hidden well by their
thick leather clothing. So it makes it hard to pinpoint their
location on their chest." Farseeker paces a few feet back
and forth close to the campfire.
Farseeker then adds, "their bugs are a wild card. We know
some explode causing fire type damage. Some bore into the
body which can be devastating. The fire bugs might be easy
to deflect with armor but those bore ones will be tough to defend
against. Then those bugs that sense magic as well as those
12 or how many legs those dog like beasts had. The Vong aren't
stupid and they will have their base surrounded by their beasts
and a flyer on patrol. Of course they may have to be well
hidden if they aren't ready to launch their true invasion."
Caladan grips his staff and examines it, "their staff weapons
can be difficult to grab. If they change into snake form then
its like holding a rope in the wind. We know they can piece,
stab, bite and spit acid of some sort. The poison or acid seems
to be less frequent though so that is a good thing for us."
Zhou sighs, "the true problem is what we've not seen. Since
their last invasion centuries ago their new toys might be
quite difficult if we don't know how to handle it."
--------------------------------
[Augado 6th - 10th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Mountains west of Pamau]
Since leaving Pamau the party has spent the last five days
in tense and nervous moments of down time. The party knows
they have a major challenge ahead. But the party decides to
use this time wisely.
Ben'dar spends time reading and preparing his weapons. He
continues to remain quite during the trip like he has for
the last few weeks. Farseeker tries to tease him about missing
Pasha and worrying about the ranch but Ben'dar continues to
remain quite as if he knows his destiny is coming to an end.
Chion does little during these few days as well other than
practicing using his Sai weapons. He spars with his own shadow
to hone in on Vong attacking techniques.
Strie'bog ever since leaving Pamau has been quiet. Not so much
as Ben'dar but it becomes close that his fate in this group is
more than just a new ally. It becomes clear from talking to
him and hearing stories of his people that he is here not just
for the middle world but for his people. After all Lake Oca
was one of the first places the Vong were encountered by the
party as a whole. He saw and with help dealt with that first
wave of attack by the Vong. Strie'bog becomes a bit closer to
Will as both go over use of the axe and bow. It seems both
know a few tricks the other doesn't.
Arawn does his normal quiet down time away from the party,
either praying or worrying about things. After that first night
a gleam is seen on his face. Some wonder if his prayers might
have even been replied to but none ask. Some of the warriors
quietly worry about the Druid in hopes he doesn't try to broach
a peace with the Vong. It would be dangerous to do so as well
as distracting and risky to the group as a whole. But to Arawn
he knows peace might work as not all Vong are as bad as they
are said to described.
Arawn spends the five days practicing with his light sword.
It is clear his skill improves just a bit. He spars with
Z'leyra and Chion who help to train him in some new methods of
sword fighting.
Caladan sticks with Farseeker on patrol to learn some mountain
survival tips. While both men are used to Marentian mountains here
they tend to be much higher. While the group hasn't seen the
highest range Katai can offer, Farseeker gives tips on how to
survive the high attitude. Caladan also learns how best to
track down mountain slopes with only the eyes to find the best
trees and areas for foraging. Soon Caladan learns a a bit more
than he started and gets good experience from it.
Farseeker spends time with Unali learning the final aspects
of the Katai language. He soon becomes fluent and appears to
learn enough and can't learn much more. He is happy to finally
get some of the best slur and cuss words down pat. He should
be able to have some fun in a Katai bar fight. Of course he
is sad now that the party will leave Katai soon and that chance
will decrease. But the last aspects of the language training
also includes some of the lower dialects that separate Upper,
Middle and Lower Katai. Unali explains the most difficult
dialects come from Lower Katai due to the multiple nations that
border the area.
Farseeker then asks Fremea to teach him a bit more Donaran
reading and writing. Years ago while in Donara he learns
some of it then but it never hurts to learn more. To those
around him it seems the tough warrior is a bit nervous learning
from this female Faerry but soon becomes relaxed. Caladan even
comments on this to Unali knowing that the warrior can't be all
that unusual to work with Faerry people before. After all the
military man worked with Thig closely. Caladan wonders if the
strong handsome guy is just nervous being around a female one?
Kiet finds the five days a bit more frustrating. It becomes
clear he misses the wagon. It was so much easier to sit
and ride. Now he has to work on it and concentrate. It
is clear like Raban he is learning to ride a horse. He is
taught by most of the party on how best to ride. But it soon
seems clear he is even a bit less skilled than Raban is on
riding the horse. As others help him along they ensure with
help from Arawn and Z'leyra the horse will not harm him but
the acrobat can't help but grumble. For the first couple days
he complains about sores in certain lower regions. Z'leyra offers
to help treat them but the acrobat declines. By the third day
though he isn't walking so bow legged anymore.
The first day in the plains, Farseeker gives Unali some tips
on hand to hand. But it is funny to watch as it is not clear
who is teaching other. Both are clearly well skilled in the
unarmed combat area. Unali knows the warrior is afraid to fight
females as most men are. But Unali shows him that she can do
just about anything guys can when she flips the heavy warrior
over her back with a quick and sudden hip toss.
For the next few days Unali spends time learning with Caladan
mountain survival from others. Her area of interest mainly
is in the areas of food and animals that might attack humans.
While her experience was limited during the few days she
learns the skill from scratch and has enough knowledge now to
survive in a desperate situation.
Will uses the days to learn the Tulwar skill with some help
from Arawn. The woodsman clearly shows he isn't quite skilled
and looks to be learning still the blade. But he appreciates
the few days of experience.
Zhou also spends the time learning with Arawn how best to
use the sword skill. Arawn soon finds that he is quite good
but no expert in it. Arawn notices the man still uses his
cape to parry blows to his advantage. As others watch they
soon become more evident that he might be able to handle himself
in a fight if not up against tough or multiple foes.
Fremea spends the days exploring the wilderness. Being a scout
and alone she can easily use the time to explore the plants and
trees of the area. She improves her herbalism skill slightly
during this time. Finding interesting plants, though common,
she asks the native Unali and Chion to explain what they are.
She also leans on Z'leyra to answer some herbalism questions she
might still have about the area.
Raban unlike Kiet has been trying to ride his horse for some
time. From conversations with Arawn and Z'leyra the horse does
get tired from the giant's weight. Raban uses a lot of time to
walk and allow the horse to rest. But Raban knows he has to
also get the experience. He spends the five days riding the
horse in the tiny saddle. He vows to get a specially made
saddle when he gets home. Maybe Ben'dar can finally find that
large horse for him as well. Raban wobbles back and forth
the saddle like a baby learning to walk. Once the plains
and hills are left behind the terrain becomes random and awkward
causing Raban to grip the reigns tighter. No one dares laugh
at the giant for fear they find their face caved in. But some
do give pointers and suggestions on how to ride.
By the end of the 4th day though a sudden shift is seen. It
is as if the Raban grasps the concept of music notes for the
first time. Instead of playing random chords on the mandolin
he plays beautiful music. But in this case it is the saddle he
rides well. The sight gets the attention of the skilled riders
who grin in excitement. It becomes clear the giant bard has
learned finally how to ride his horse. With the basic skill
and nervous tension gone Raban sits up in the saddle with a
strong back and new confidence. The horse even comments on the
change in weight distribution as his spine isn't pinned down
as much as it was when he shifted his body back and forth.
Farseeker comments that the giant can now fight on a mule,
donkey and maybe a cheap riding horse in combat and likely
not fall off.
The Half-Elf sluffs off his spears and decided to spend his
down time learning with Farseeker hand to hand fighting along
with Unali. Unalike Unali though Kell can't do any fancy
hip tosses of the large man yet. But by the end of the five
days he soon becomes very skilled in the unarmed arts. It is
as if he suddenly learns half of what is possible. to learn.
Z'leyra - [Woodcarving - Full days]
--------------------------------
[Augado 8th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Mountains west of Pamau]
As the others talk in the farm house with the nervous family
the other group members ride toward the thicket of trees and
the stream. After some time the group can hear the stream
and approach it.
As the group dismount to move through the now thicker bushes
and growth, the first to break the bushes is Z'leyra. She
notices a winding stream a dozen or so feet wide winding through
the light forest from east to west. To the right and about 50
feet away she hears voices. She raises a hand to stop others
but most have broken through the bushes as well. When
the attention is put to the voices the group notices a group
of boys all swimming, playing and jumping.
Fremea blushes slightly when she notices the boys are all
skinny dipping. There are three boys in the water each are
well fit and healthy looking. They range from age about 9,
13 and what might be 18 or 19. The middle teenager is standing
on the shore berating another boy. This other boy is dressed
in underwear but looking down. The teenager points a finger
at the boy and shoves him a bit.
As the group approaches slowly they can hear the voices
more clearly. The middle teenager seems to be yelling at the
boy in underwear about getting his clothing wet. The way
he is treated it soon becomes clear the boy must either be
a friend or a slave rather than a brother like the other two
nude boys are.
Suddenly the boys notice the group and all exit the water
to scamper to bushes. The boy in underwear tosses clothing
to the boys and tries desperately to put his own pants on.
Soon the older teenager yells out, "who are you?"
Fremea now in her dress form to hide her wings stands near
Caladan who explains. "Friends. We are here only to water
the horses. We did not mean to interfere."
The older teen turns to the others and waves a hand. "We
must return to the farm. We have chores. " Turning quickly
he orders the others to move and shoves the smaller boy who
has to be a slave.
Fremea flexes her hand in disgust she knows slaves are common
in the empire. But she was hoping to see such treatment
by children to another child. Before she can react, Caladan
calls out.
"We saw the farm. Our patron is there now. Can we ask a
few questions?" Caladan asks with pleading eyes.
The older boy turns and stops but orders the others to
move on which soon disappear in the thick bushes. "What
do you want mister? We don't get strangers here too often."
"Have you seen anything strange like animals or things
recently in the area?" Caladan asks.
"Strange? I did see riders up the slope there a few days ago.
They had big horses. Probably hunters but was too far to
see clearly. But we do get some hunters every so often. Pa
has to run them off if not friendly. But that's it. Now
I must go we have plowing to do."
Before Caladan can protest the older boy rushes into the bushes
and is out of sight heading back to the farm it seems.
[Time: 1:12pm]
Finally with lunch finished, the farmer offers Zhou a small
rabbit and raccoon they have for meat. Zhou refuses to take
the food if it drains them but he knows it will be rude to
refuse as well. In exchange, Zhou offers coins but the farmer
refuses since coins mean little to them. Instead, Zhou leaves
a small necklace. Unali and the other two wonder how he got
it or where he stored it. But the farmer takes it and plans
to give it to his wife as a present. Grateful the farmer
sees the group to their horses.
Mounting up it soon becomes clear the intelligence gathering
didn't pan out much. As the group rides along the semi plowed
field the girl seen inside suddenly exits a few bushes nearby.
She looks to the farmhouse to see if being watched. Relived
she looks up at Unali. "I really like your dress. It is
pretty. I wish I could go with you guys."
Zhou looks down and gives his best stern look but it seems
more like he is having a bad gas situation. "You know you
can't. Now run along."
Unali dismounts and realizes the girl wants to say more. She
knows how girls act. She thanks the girl for her comment and
asks her if she had something else to say. The girl just shifts
her feet back and forth and looks to the house. Unali decides
that a girl like her might do better with a gift. Realizing
this she pulls out her fur hat from one of her bags and gives it
to the girl. She knows the winter is gone and she can buy
hundreds of such things. It isn't anything special. The girl
beams at the present and finely made hat. She dons it even in
this heat.
"Thank you! It is so nice." The girl says and hugs the
hardened dagger maiden. Unali softens a bit and realizes
that she is doing this mission for these people not just her
adult friends. Unali asks again about anything she might
have to add.
"Well....one day I was playing...with the dog..I saw these
three rock things flying in the sky. They were funny looking.
I told pa but he just whipped me for making up stories. The
boys teased me about it. This was a week or so ago. The
other day I saw this creature thing flying on something.
He was as if standing on a piece of wood or leather. He
landed in the forest while me and Ma were cleaning clothes
in the stream. I followed him for some time and he just
sorta walked around looking. He had this funny gray head
and looked silly. He saw the farm. He saw Pa and my brothers
and looked like he was going to do something but then decided
not to or something. He suddenly turned and ran back into
the woods." The girl explains.
"Did something scare it?" Farseeker asks.
"I dunno. The dog started to bark and kind of ran to the
woods but stopped then I saw it run away." The girl shrugs
in confusion. "Can..I keep..this?" She taps her fur hat
looking at Unali.
Suddenly a group of boys emerge from some woods to the west
and run toward the farm. Zhou figures this might be the best
time to leave. Clearly the boys are excited and seem to be
talking about strangers. Zhou decides it isn't time to answer
odd questions by the farmers.
Twenty minutes later the group all back together heads to
the other side of the valley. So the Vong were here or at least
doing recon. The Flyers if they were Flyers were going east
and was about the time the small town to the east was burnt down.
So maybe the Vong know of this place but see it as no threat
or see it as a future place to attack? Zhou knows that one
could stay to keep the group safe but in that time the Vong
could get their invasion force moving. Sometimes the need
of the many outweighs the need of the one or in this case this
one family. He hoeps they will be safe and maybe as long as the
Vong are distracted by the party they will be safe?
--------------------------------
[Augado 9th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Mountains west of Pamau]
Another day begins as the group breaks camp again. By now
two sentries are posted nightly for security. Campfire and
other lights are kept as hidden as possible. The day turns
out to e mostly partly cloudy all day. But the temperatures
decrease a bit ranging from 63-82 so it isn't too hot. Mid
morning a small hail storm and light rain soaks the party.
The hail stones clearly from low mountain clouds are the size
of small marbles. Some minor bruises come about as the stones
hit some of the party members but no serious injury is done.
[10:59am]
As the group travels between two tall mountains the forest
hides them from even Fremea's flying. The first to break
through to a clearing is Ben'dar who suddenly yells to the
others. Moving forward, Fremea spots it from the air finally.
The group comes upon a group of four human adult males. They
are all dead. Flies and signs of animal abuse is clear. Some
have been even eaten slightly in various places by smaller
prey animals. So far the large animals like wolf and bear have
yet to find the bodies. Z'leyra determines the bodies must have
been killed 2-3 days ago.
There is sign of horse tracks and footprints all over the
place. But the animal tracks obscure them as they enter into
the deep woods. If the men had horses they are long gone by
now. The men are all dressed in familiar gray clothing which
are uniforms. It soon becomes clear these four were not hunters
but the military itself. The party scans the area looking for
others in case it is a trap but none are found from the quick
scans.
Rolling over the bodies it becomes clear they were killed by
piercing weapons. The wounds have been seen before that of
Amphistaves. The Vong must've killed these men who had to be
on some hunt or patrol. There are swords and daggers lying
about the humans had to have used. Some dry black blood is
seen so the humans must've got in their own licks before they
were slaughtered. Inspecting the bodies there are no papers
but some have a few copper coins. But somehow it feels just
wrong to take the coins.
There is no sign of magic on them so the men must've not
been carrying magic detectors but why they are here is
not clear. Quickly some arguments are made to leave the
bodies or bury them. In the end Strie'bog and Arawn use
their shovels to bury the bodies with help. Their family
may never know of their death but at least they will be able
to rest before their corpses are shredded by animals.
Moving quickly away the party moves out of the area.
Zhou asks Unali where the nearest fortress or outpost might
be. She isn't sure but there is one on the edge of the north
mountains near the Shantou-to-Pamau highway. But that must
be a few hundred miles away. Chion mentions the patrol might
be in the area to help the mines to protect against bandits and
such. It could just have been as simple as that. But Zhou
doubts that knowing the luck of the party.
"It does concern me though. If the military are out here.
If they are looking for us or other heretics after the attack
at Pamau we could be at risk. If Chion does his jump and
these patrols have detectors they could track us down much
faster than if they were at their forts. It makes the
teleport a bigger risk now." Farseeker sighs but then
adds. "Of course it also helps us. If the Vong are too
much we can attract the military if there is an army out here
to help deal with things?"
[Time: 7:40pm]
Chion gets up and decides it might be best to do the
teleport back to the dark lands. Camp has just been set
up even though it is still a bit light out. He looks to the
others to see who might wish to join him and if any info should
be returned to the people there. Of course he looks to Unali and
Zhou to see if he should even do the teleport after the sight
of the dead military hours earlier.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update...Friday...
GM: Mana reference goes back to Aug 5. This is just a note
for me in case I have to backtrack with some sudden use
of magic.
GM: Kell - +2 EL in Unarmed combat.
GM: I rolled a Int check on the fur hat. Could've waited and
asked but I figure it is something you might do. Heck
if you want to give her a dress it would be good in
place of the fur hat. I just saw the hat on the sheet
and decided it might jut work? Let me know if need to change.
GM: Magic/Energy/Health Status - By Aug 10th unless magic used
Energy Mana Health
Arawn - 100% 100% 100%
Ben'dar - 100% -- 100%
Caladan - 100% 100% 100%
Chion - 100% 100% 100%
Farseeker - 100% -- 100%
Kell - 100% 100% 100%
Kiet - 100% 100% 100%
Strie'bog - 100% 100% 100%
Unali - 100% -- 100%
Will - 100% 100% 100%
Zhou - 100% -- 100%
Fremea - 100% 100% 100%
Z'leyra - 100% 100% 100%
Raban - 100% 100% 100%
GM: Everyone is at full strength by end of the trip. This
is a big update to finish for now. I was going to do
the next event but wanted to go ahead and wait for now.
There is one more thing before the trip begins. So here
is the agenda. Friday's update will have the next
event with time to respond to that event over the weekend.
Then next week likely Monday's the destination to the
suspected base will likely end. Then the final stuff
can begin. At that point the updates might be smaller and
slower as folks plan and organize.
GM: Last chance for the teleport. It will be done unless
enough protest or leader Unali denies it. Of course
that could affect others who have things in the Dark
Lands. But now with the prospect of military in the
immediate area the decision is more at risk. If none
protest greatly then for the next update the teleport
will be done if I have time if not then the next one
after it. Either way it won't affect the next event.
So going and coming back can be done in Friday or Monday's
update. I may wait till Monday for the teleport to give
more discussion/argument time if needed. But I can extend
it further if the debate is heavy.
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