[pnpgm] Game Update #178 - File #1235 - The Abyss
Scott Adams
longshotgm at netzero.com
Tue Jul 26 09:05:31 CEST 2011
HT Aliaver/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
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
NPC...................Captain.Lin.......Warrior.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 #178 in sequence (file #1235)
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Admin Notes: None.
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[Recap]
From Kell: [Re: Actions]
[ OOC - Sweet! Kell finally gained a CEL. About time. Only
took nearly loosing his arm 3 times.
Scott - I like the new experience/health page. Very handy.
Great job on it! ]
GM: Ack. Thanks.
From Arawn: [Re: Actions]
At the man's words Arawn gently pulled his hand back, respectful
of his wishes. He remained silent as the man spoke, though
compassion shone in his eyes when the man dismissed his own
worth. He understood the sacrifice the man was making and his
desire to live or die with dignity. Looking to Farseeker and
Unali he nodded, letting it be known that he was willing to allow
the man the peace of death should they be willing to strike the
blow. Arawn knew that he could do it but guessed that the human
would find more dignity in passing from the hand of one of his
own. In the precious few moments the man had left Arawn turned
back to him and asked in a soft and calm voice,
"We will save them but we need to know, how do we get to the...
OOC: Scott, I'm up for having Adventures #1 onwards listed
somewhere. I've been speculating on the Vong but think that the
clues (or big clues) probably predated my time and I'd love to
dig into their mystery:)
GM: Ack. Good actions/role playing. As to adventure so far you
are the only interested one. As to Vong I'll probably post
on that soon.
From Kiet: [Re: Actions]
All, How do you think the executioner skill should be used?
Executioner
An Executioner is skilled in killing bound or helpless...
[*Deleted for now*]
...Thanks
GM: Ack. I'm working on this response. Stay tuned. I don't
mind folks talking about it here. Surprised so far only
a couple posted about in the PNP list figured bunch more.
Post from Kell: [Re: Actions]
Hi Dave,
My opinion. These are only my opinions and should in no way
be construed as legally binding.
------------------------
...[**Deleted for space**]
That's my $0.015
GM: Ack. Thanks for opinion.
From David: [Re: Opps]
Sorry...this wasn't meant fo this group....but for the 'big'
PnP group....
Yes, I am an idiot.
GM: Ack. I meant to suggest the pnp list due to it had more
GMs. I didn't mean to scare you away from this list. I
don't mind either one. But I think you'd get more coverage
in the other list since only a few read this list and much
more the other list.
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[New Stuff]
[Augado 10th, 1634TH]
[Location: Middle Katai Plains]
[ Mountains west of Pamau]
[Time: 12:58 pm]
Z'leyra finishes her work on healing the wound with the typical
water, herbs and balms. But the best isn't the warm water that
soothes the burning wound but the gentle touch of her rough
hands, Kell figures. He wonders how such a girl can kill a man
with that great sword on her hip and wield her staff in those
taunt coarse hands yet still gently caress like a brothel girl
who knows a good tip is due.
Z'leyra figures the wound isn't critical though she knows the
arm is useless. With quick thinking the main artery on the arm
can be closed up from bleeding too much. She quietly figures
that so many more wounds to this arm could be impossible to
fix. Even with great healing and regeneration techniques she
has seen some body parts only deal so much of healing arts.
Then the body fails to get healthy. She doesn't tell the young
spear-thrower this but keeps it to herself.
Z'leyra determines it will require a high level spell to heal
it. Already the man will require it but so early in the fight
he needs healing already. Z'leyra softly begins to beat the
shamnic drum to get into her quick trance for healing. A few
long seconds later she casts her healing spell. The green hue
of healing magic springs from her finger onto Kell's wounded
arm and spreads out in all directions covering the bulk of his
wound. Tissue begins to mend and pink up with new life of
blood and energy. Z'leyra removes the tie that binds the
arm's main artery from the core body. This allows the arm
to quickly gain blood and vigor.
Kell grins from ear to ear as he flexes his newly recrafted
arm and looks up to Z'leyra in thanks. Z'leyra isn't sure
if that is his normal grin or that he is about to sell her
magical beans to cover all her problems. Z'leyra wipes the
remains of the blood that formed from the healing and ensures
the arm is fully recovered. At this point there is not a bit
of physical wound as he is fully healed.
Z'leyra gathers up her things and watches the others wait
who seem to be impatient to move on.
Zhou glances down at Kell and smiles. "With help like that
you will never die. OF course maybe you should dodge next
time."
Up in the north end of the cave the others form around the
dying man. Soon Strie'bog and the others catch up. Ben'dar
doesn't look happy that he missed out on the fun.
At the man's words Arawn gently pulled his hand back, respectful
of his wishes. He remained silent as the man spoke, though
compassion shone in his eyes when the man dismissed his own
worth. He understood the sacrifice the man was making and
his desire to live or die with dignity. Looking to Farseeker and
Unali he nodded, letting it be known that he was willing to allow
the man the peace of death should they be willing to strike the
blow. Arawn knew that he could do it but guessed that the human
would find more dignity in passing from the hand of one of his
own.
In the precious few moments the man had left Arawn turned
back to him and asked in a soft and calm voice,
"We will save them but we need to know, how do we get to the
others? And do you know what these beings great plan is? Where
their leader is or where they are coming from? And, odd as it
sounds, have you seen any sign of a great brain?"
Arawn paused for a moment before adding,
"Time is short but whatever you share may make all the
difference."
AS Arawn speaks Raban hauls the dead Vong from the hallway
back into the cave. He throws him down onto the ground and
begins to move toward the others. From the south the others
are rounding the corner to rally up near the Vong door.
"..I think we should wait for the others before we move
on." Captain Lin looks down at Fremea as they walk through
the door. Only a bit absently she hears the words as he
continues walking and talking. She realizes for the first
time she has walked more in the last month then her entire
life. How can humans walk like this all the time? The
legs get tired for sure.
The dying man looks around him at the strange assortment of
people. As he picks at one chunk of coral implant on his
arm he looks back at Arawn to consider his fate. Arawn
can tell his eyes are empty with pain, regret and hopelessness.
"You will find the others shortly. Down the hall. You
can't miss them. No one can miss them.." His eyes drift
away in thought then back at Arawn. "Most are beyond hope
but some can be saved. You are brave folks to go against
these creatures. Their great plan? Simple nothing less
than conquest of the Empire and likely the world. We
can't hope to defeat them. At the least maybe you can
save a few before they kill everyone...The mists of time
fade fast through the memories of one's past..." Arawn
figures the man must be in shock is rambling a bit.
Z'leyra runs up to inspect the man as Strie'bog holds the
man's wrist. Arawn shakes his head to Z'leyra and gives
a quiet nod that the man doesn't want to be saved.
"Their leader is a tower of a man...like that one there.." He
points at Raban. "He is Supreme Commander Shimara. One hand
is nothing but this huge ball of coral. It can smash a man's
skull like butter. Most of the beings are up there." He
points to the ceiling. "Where do they come from? That I
do not know. I am a simple farmer such wisdom is ..beyond
my reasoning...Great brain?"
"Some say this..thing..like a brain is up there...but folks
are so scared of it they do not dare speak of it." The dying
man then breathes out a few puffs.
Farseeker looks down to Arawn and considers ending it now
but he can see the man seems to still speak. He looks at
his large sword and wonders if it would be fast enough and
less painful. He glances at Kiet and thinks the Lemasan might
be best to end it.
The man closes his eyes and places a free hand on his chest.
Strie'bog holds his other wrist while Arawn watches the face
very closely.
A few long moments pass then the man suddenly jerks his eyes
open and looks right at Arawn. "Sacrifice is a universal cause.
Harmony is a privilege. Life ever lasting is a bonus. One
must seek the wisdom of the great sphere. One must leave while
others seek shelter. To mark the point the protection of the
heavens can only support." Then the man's eyes close up for
good.
Arawn checks the man's neck and finds no pulse. He glances
around at the others and wonder what that all means. For
a simple farmer he must be a poet or philospoher.
"We need to move on." Farseeker sheathes his sword and heads
toward the door. "We may not have much time."
As the group heads to the Vong entry way the smell of the
outside area begins to overtake the senses.
Strie'bog trails behind as Arawn is one of the last to leave
the area. Arawn wanted to ensure the Orb was destroyed and
the other Orbs weren't affected in the lake. But at the quick
glance nothing seems to have changed.
Strie'bog glances at Arawn quietly and looks around. His
face is even more green and pale even for his half breed
green coloring it's unnatural. "That last bit of words?"
He pauses and glances back at the body. "The guy was dead."
Arawn stops and stares at the bard. Strie'bog nods, "There
was no pulse. I'm confused how he could speak?"
Arawn is intrigued. Could there be Vong brain implants that
stirred up some mental process or was there something else
entirely about the situation. Zhou urges the two to hurry
up and the Alfar realizes there is no time to figure out for now.
The group heads down the twisting hallway. As they move the
edges are searched for other hidden Vong now since that lesson
has been learned. It seems like the cave tunnel doesn't seem
to be natural but as if eaten away by a large worm. Likely
some Vong animal the party figures out.
It goes north then west and turns around a corner. At this
point the hallway is about 6 feet wide and 8 tall. It opens
into a caved in zone that can't be entered on the right. But
to the left light is seen. Lin and Fremea creep slowly forward.
It opens to a cave about 12 feet tall and 20 feet wide. There
is a single torch on the right side. There is some dark opening
to the far opposite end. But to the left structures are seen.
For those at the carnival ground the structures are noticed
right away. The baroness called it the Embrace of Pain. The
torture device is like a hog spit or complex stock where bodies
are hung down or stand and lean into the Embrace like a stock.
The first one closest a human female is facing to the right
with head hanging down and dressed in remains of rags of clothing.
To the side of her on the left side of the wall a human male
is seen this one is leaning back to the floor hanging upside
down. His feet and hands are tied in a figure 8 formation along
the single stick that he dangles from.
On the right side a Vong Warrior is facing away and looking at
the dark opening on the other side. Lin squints in the dim
light and looks at the humans. Then his eyes see the man
and he becomes alert. "Slin?" He waves to the Vong for the
others to take care of and then before anyone reacts he rushes
forward.
Farseeker, being the fastest of the group always acts first
due to his supernatural agility, pushes his way past the
others and enters the small cave. He rushes the Vong and
thrusts his great sword. The blade impales the warrior just
as he swings to realize he is being attacked. The blade
digs in deep and does massive damage. The Vong warrior falls
to the ground with a thud.
But Lin ignores this and rushes to the male. "Slin!"
He reaches for the leather-animal material ropes to help
him out. The man seems to look up and look dazed.
"Lin? You are a prisoner as well?" Slin replies weakly.
"No. We are here to take the creatures out." He quickly
tried to take the ropes off. But as with the barnoness it
seems the more the person struggle the tighter the bonds
come making ita futile torture.
"I'm too far gone. They've poisoned me with some foul thing.
They wanted to see how long I would live in this pain. They
thought I would enjoy the death as it would honor their gods.
Just end it quickly."
"No! these people can help you." Lin urges him.
"No good. The poison has affected my mind too much. Even
that can't be helped. End it now ..as my friend. Please!"
Lin looks to the others as they enter the room. With some
pleading eyes he gives up on the ropes as the pain seems to
increase as he tries to cut them away. The vile device seems
to make it more painful just to move. He isn't sure how the
device works but it looks like a simple stock. Yet the rope
and stick seem to work in some odd Vong fashion to as if they
are alive.
"Do it! Then leave this place. Tell my mother..." His
eyes close in pain as his feet begin to cramp from the odd
angle of his toes.
Lin draws a blade and hesitates. Then he thrusts his dagger
into the heart with one great plunge. "I'm sorry." He whispers
softly as the man quickly dies. He pulls his dagger out and
drops it to the ground for a moment.
Arawn and Z'leyra are mortified by the act but by the time
they got to the place it all happened too fast.
Fremea finds the human woman of 30s or so age dead in the
stock already from bloody bruises and other things.
Captain Lin stands up after he grabs the dagger and cleans
it a bit. His voice seems to change in a odd way. "No more
playing around. We kill everyone of these creatures. This
is personal now. No more games. I know who you are and
what you are." He wipes his dagger off and looks at the floor.
"The enemy is a friend if there is a new common foe. The
Vong are our enemy. I give you my word till this is over
I will not care what you do. " He places the dagger in his
belt sheath. Then he turns around to look at the others.
"You are wizards and other things." He glances at Fremea.
"It doesn't take a scholar with those special detectors to
find this out. I'm no fool. I'm the elite of my people.
Hide no more. Use what you must to get this job done."
Then he walks to the dark hole.
Zhou looks a bit shocked to find this out and looks to the
others. He was sure this fake cover would've worked out.
But some seem to be confused but many do not seem to be
shocked at all. When did he realize all this Zhou wonders
why he didn't act further.
At the dark opening it turns out to be a opening to a larger
cave. As eyes adjust the stench seems to make folks gag as
they get closer. Unali and Will are the first to see past
the area but others soon get closer.
"He was one of my fellow warriors captured by the Vong. I
thought he was dead." Lin tells Kell who looks curious. "He
was a good friend."
Through the cave opening a huge cavern is fount. It seems to
be 50-60 feet tall. The single most area is a large pit. Around
the pit is a rim of natural formation ledge about 10-15 feet
in some areas. From this opening there seems to be a path left
and right going down below about 30 feet to the ledge itself.
It takes a bit of time then Vong are noticed in various places
along the ledge. There are clumps of humans as well. It is
too distant to get details at this pint and the light is a bit
dim. The cave stretches from the opening to the other side
about 150 feet. It is about 100 feet left to right.
"Oh my god." Farseeker points to the pit.
There it is very dark but forms are seen. The pit itself
must be 50 feet by 50 feet and maybe 50 deep. As the party
tries to peer and adjust eyes they notice bodies. In fact
it seems body parts and full bodies. The stench is finally
realized as it seems to be dead bodies. There must be at
least 40-50 in the pit. There are many arms or legs or head
tossed about like a orgy of rage.
The pit of stomachs of each person sinks as the horror
unfolds before them. Down below humans are led about or
ushered. It is unclear if the humans are to be killed or
as slaves. But it is clear the dead in the pit are beyond
hope.
Actions? Comments?
Next Update....Friday...
GM: Some might be surprised by the experience in this encounter.
It was well earned. These are not npc character class folks.
They are full class pc style characters thus with full hpv
thus they will be CDF 3 at the least for both warriors and
shapers. One kill could earn easily 90 experience per. So
this is why the experience stacks up.
GM: Crud! Ran out of time. I wanted to go over more details
of the cave. Then work on a map and pinpoint things. I'll
try to do that in the next couple days. It might not be
enough to work on a plan but some things can be figured out
if needed. Stay tuned for more info.
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