[pnpgm] Update #152 - Kiet and Kell have a conversation

[Wout Broere]

When the discussion on using magic for the teleport comes up, probably 
when camp has been made for the evening.

Unali "I do not oppose the idea of a teleport mission to get more gear. 
At least for some members of this group, such an outfitting jump has 
always been in their mind. Sure, the magic spike may alert Katai and 
Vong to our presence. Both will be alerted in a day or two anyways.

As for the Vong, I am not so sure they don't know we are coming. When 
Nom died, they must have known someone was closing in. And having - the 
cavalry - the Katai army charging towards here might help with any clean up.

On the other hand, I'm not going to push for such a jump either, and if 
there are opposing voices, I suggest we take a vote.

But with that vote, I think goes a discussion on magic detection. How 
does it work, what do we know and can we benefit from it.

As far as using magic goes, from what I have seen and heard, it is 
active use that is detected by both sides. Items, if not exposed, are 
not often detected by magic seekers. The Vong bugs do not seem to react 
to them, even if exposed. Spells cast trigger Katai magic seekers only 
in some cases. Certain spells escape notice always, others are detected 
at long range.  The Vong bugs detect mana use, and can focus on that, 
especially if the effect is prolonged. Might it be that they have 
problems focussing on instant effects.

In the end we are taking a risk. A huge risk. We are jumping into a 
fight with creatures we know are dangerous, but besides that we know 
hardly anything. How many are they, how ready to fight, how prepared. We 
know some soft spots in their armor, but not in their organisation. We 
are just going in through the front door. Not so much as a plan. if we 
do indeed proceed as we are, we need every help we can muster. And those 
items might give the edge we need. ... Or put up the flare the Vong need 
to crush us. ... We just don't know."


On 02/24/2011 09:13 PM, Murtha, Mark wrote:
> [Augado 8th, 1634TH]
> [ Late in the afternoon, after leaving the farm]
> Riding together for a bit, the two Elder Mages of the group are
> discussing the upcoming confrontation with the Vong. Implications and
> ideas are bounced back and forth between them, sometimes in one language
> and sometimes in other languages.
> Kiet, swaying stiffly in the saddle, remarks, "We should consider making
> sure that whoever teleports, has enough mana left to teleport us all out
> of there. The other thing to think of is to simply unleash our most
> powerful magics all at once. That should set off every detector in the
> land!"
> Kell gives an appreciative look, "Ha! Very good point! Finding and
> enlisting the military's help may be a good plan. Better to do it not by
> a huge mana spike detectable all over the place. Better to find them and
> ask them to help rather than try to talk them into helping after they
> detect us and send several dozen men to arrest us. With luck, it may
> even be the officer Unali and I helped at the tavern on our way out of
> town."
> Kiet's mount jumps a bit as a small snake slithers in front of it,
> making the acrobat hang on for dear life. His skills prevent him from
> falling easily, although getting his horse calmed takes nearly a minute.
> Swatting his horse's neck, the acrobat swears at it. "By Odin's Jewel!
> Filthy beast!" Kell hides his amused smile behind a hand and doesn't say
> anything after the horse is calm again, looking rather pointedly at the
> sky and making some off-hand comment on the weather.
> Kiet continues, "Maybe we can send them some message that there ar
> demons in the hills, and the proof is the massive magic use?"
> "Oh very nice. Tricky. I like it!" The half-elf declares. Thinking of
> all the ways the military can be alerted and hopefully enlisted to
> attack the Vong. "Now to figure out how to make it work."
> Changing the subject slightly Kiet says, "I don't want anyone to get our
> stuff. The teleport is too dangerous, the idea is to fight without them.
> The High Elder was very clear on this over and over."
> Patting his horse's neck the halfbreed responds, "I think I agree with
> you. The teleport is too dangerous just to get some gear. There are so
> many options here." Heaving a big sigh that slumps his shoulders for a
> moment, "I'd like our better gear, but we've come this far. Will that
> make a real difference? I don't know. I don't think so. Better to save
> our all for whatever is at the Rising Mount. With any available help for
> us."
> At this the two stare off into the direction of the Mount, thinking
> again on what might be there. Could it be another deserted fairground? A
> complex of buildings? Perhaps a tunnel leading to some underground base?
> A well hidden fortress? Maybe a non-descript run-down looking farm? Or a
> mountain top castle? The party is so blind going into this
> confrontation. Would two hundred mercenary lancers be good, or better to
> have a hundred swordsmen and a hundred bowmen?
> "What about that gateway? The one we learned about from the High Elder?
> Can we close that if we can't stop the World Brain?" asks the half-elf
> of his friend.
> "I dunno... doors can be opened and closed. I just hope there is a
> lock!" finishes Kiet.
>
>
>
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