[pnpgm] Game Update #242 - File #1472 - Z'leyra's deah scene...

pnpgm pnpgm at comcast.net
Fri Aug 10 07:01:27 CEST 2012


   HT Aliaver/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
      NPC...................Captain.Lin.......Warrior.Normal/Human..Ma
      Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar,

      Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/
      Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
      Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm at comcast.net

      Game Update #242 in sequence (file #1477)
      ----------------------------------------------------------------

      Admin Notes: None.
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
      [Recap]

         From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
           Z'leyra will use her levitation spell to keep from splatting
           into the floor. She will try to land near Raban and mentally
           tell folks what she experienced. If she can she will recast
           levitaion at max EL and then Cast Insubstantiability.
         GM: Ack.  Raban is in the air (see map) and if you missed it
             your in a forcefield that makes you not even able to
             move a finger.  So your under the whim of the Brain.

         From Will: [Re: Actions]
           Will thinks "not dead yet... good sign"

           Will thinks "Well shes a big girl... I hope she has a
           plan." Will does remain open to suggestions if she decides
           to send any.

           Will original plan was to scout and then to try to communicate
           if nothing else try the Smaug approach.

           "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear
           the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not
           the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a
           defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will
           succumb in every battle"

           ? Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Special Edition
         GM: Ack.

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

          [Augado 10th, 1634TH]
          [Location: Middle Katai Plains]
          [          Mountains west of Pamau]

          [Time: 2:59:10pm - Turn 5: Phase 1]

            Z'leyra feels so hopeless being confined in the magnetic
          field and she can only think to herself that this may be
          the end.  In seconds she could land on the ground like a sack
          of flour.  The field seems to accelerate and she is now 50
          feet from the ground...40..30...20...100 and she impacts
          onto the ground with enough force to knock a house off its
          foundation.  The last thing she can feel is the pain isn't
          that bad at all.  Then blackness....


          [Time: 2:59:14pm - Turn 5: Phase 2]

            Z'leyra wakes up from her mind playing tricks on her again.
          The dream of her death is real but still fleeting.  She still
          has maybe 5 more seconds before she lives.  Maybe she can
          do something before then?

            The poltergeist finds the target of his misbehavior leave
          the cave suddenly.  It chases after the female as the duty
          to punish her is paramount.  Whipping over the railing it dives
          towards the falling female.  It finds a large rock and using
          its powers throws the rock from the wall toward the falling
          female.  It hits her in the right arm but does nothing.

            The swarm of insects swarm around Z'leyra again all 15 biting
          exposed flesh doing 1 point of more damage to her.  Z'leyra can
          feel the effects of being tapped out physically in just a few
          seconds.

            The Brain quickly determines the person inside him is some
          magic person Nom Amor mentioned.   The Intendant had mentioned
          about 5 spells that could harm him.  After months of secret
          study of the humans, the Vong executor has determined what can
          kill it.  One of those spells is using a spell enter to go
          through him.  So the Brain determines in a 3rd of a second that
          the human is a threat.  It will soon be forced solid and then
          he'll have to act.  It can feel the electromagnetic field that
          has to be the human.  Though not there and there at the same
          time the human gives off a distinct feel to the brain's senses.
          Estimating the size of the human the Brain conveys a magnetic
          field around the human to protect himself.

            In the last half of the second the Brain determines the other
          human is less a threat now.  He could bash her brains in by
          slamming her against the stairs. But a fall would just do as good.
          The Brain releases the field in order to grab onto the other
          human inside him.  The other human is just standing there with
          a stick in his hand and his threat assessment is low.

            In the span of a second the mass of Will returns to himself
          as the spell ends.  He can feel gravity fall upon himself once
          more inside the brain.  Then Will can feel a tingle around
          him that pulls hair up from his arms and head.  Will wonders
          then why he isn't smeared of brain goo and stuff?  Then he
          realizes he can't move his arms or anything.

            Fremea can hear the panic inside Z'leyra and yells toward Raban
          to try to stop her.  But the giant is over 200 feet from the stairs
          and even if he flies fast she realizes he can't catch up.

                                 ------------------

          [Time: 2:59:14pm - 3:30:00pm]


            In the next 45 seconds the following events take place.

            Z'leyra can feel her life draining. Being a trained Healer
          she can tell she is in critical shape.  Less than 3% of her
          life remains if that.  She realizes if a rock gets lucky
          and hits her head she will be dead.  As the Brain releases
          his field around her she can move again.  Immediately she
          halts her descent some 250 feet from the ground.  She can
          see hhe lava pooling at the center hole the party came from.
          She can see the airfield below is devoid of lava but is still
          rock hard.  She decides to ascend back up to find the others.
          She relays through her Sending she is good for now though
          badly wounded by the insects.  In fact she realizes if the
          bugs bite again she will be dead.  She brings up her hands
          to try to bat them away but realizes the bugs are gone.  The
          bugs may be gone but the poltergeist is not.  It hurls random
          objects that it can find at Z'leyra 15 times  in this 45 seconds
          period.  Rocks, pieces of stair cement and even a coufee found
          from one of the dead Vong Fremea shot.  Of the 15 objects 5
          hit her.  But the last 10 hits aren't the bad ones.  The four
          that hit her armor protects her.  But the 5th one 15 seconds
          after she is released a rock beams her squarely in the cheek.
          Even though her magical heavy armored helm protects the bulk of
          the blow she takes 2 points of damage from the impact.  The
          last instant she can recall before being knocked out is that
          she has maybe 15 more seconds before her spell runs out and she
          falls.  Her body goes limp in mid-air invisible but being
          levitated by the spell of her magic.  the spell itself without
          mental control halts and she is motionless.

            Fremea flies as fast as she can toward the stairs. in that
          span before Z'leyra is knocked out she reaches 350 feet
          further east and now only about 30 feet to the stairs.  But
          she has no clear idea where the Shaman is.  When contact is
          lost she yells for Raban to speed up.

            Raban flies eastward in a leisurely pace hoping the Vong
          don't send more flyers. Then he can hear the faint voice
          of a female.  Then he discovers it was Fremea.  Somewhere
          behind and to the west  Looking over his shoulder he can't
          see her but figures she is invisible.  Something about
          Z'leyra falling.  But the Bard looks around but can't see
          the Shaman.  Fremea yells basic information like how fast
          she is falling and Raban uses this to plot a course.  But
          without exact info he knows he has no hope of finding her.
          Raban reaches the stairs soon enough.  Fremea is still
          yelling about Z'leyra.  But looking down he can't find her
          at all in his vision.  Then he soon realizes things are
          moving from one place to another as if another quake.
          Z'leyra tells Fremea Raban is above her maybe 100 feet.  So
          Raban dives downward to chase the objects.  Maybe the
          brain or some foul magic is afoot.  Then Z'leyra is knocked
          out and Fremea yells to speed up.  Pausing briefly the Bard
          loses sight of the random objects.  But decides to pinpoint
          the evil by casting a spell.  The bard casts Detect Evil and
          reaches out with the spell.  After a few seconds of descending
          he can find the glow of the poltergeist in his mind's eye.
          This has to be where Z'leyra is.   But she is about 100 feet
          away below now.  Can he get to her before she falls?

            Inside the cave Will is suddenly grasped by the field.  Suddenly
          he feels his body being lifted up and out of the Brain.  He then
          realizes he is being pushed away from the Brain.  He hopes he
          isn't going to be bashed to the ceiling.  But he feels that
          might just knock him out. If he is going outside like Z'leyra
          and he has no levitate spell going he'll die.  A man weighed
          down by armor will fall even faster.  He even hopes he would
          just be bashed into the ceiling.  but his luck is gone and
          he soon is shot out the cave entrance just like Z'leyra.  The
          Brain through his mental control takes the paralyzed man
          over the railing and holds him down some 300 feet from the
          ground.  The brain quickly determines if he releases him just
          a second to the ground he'll fall and impact in less than 3.4
          seconds.  But the Brain has a better idea.  He lifts the human
          upwards.  Will dreads not knowing what is going on and has
          no way to warn any of the others.

            Back in the cave Kiet is oblivious to all around him.  Holding
          the Gnarish staff he tries to recall what Chion did in the past.
          Chion said it was mental connection from distance.  Something
          about the Elder using a higher plane of existence to contact
          him through that distance.  Kiet has heard of the astral planes
          but never seen them.  Kiet shakes the staff and starts to mentally
          relay the message through the staff.  After a few seconds the
          steaming Kiet growls.  He then gives a very stern threat to the
          staff verbally, "GET THEE HENSE!!!  We have found your source
          of problems.  Now YOU do what we all know you can do and finish
          this!  We are done, here!"

            Up above the brain cave some 80 feet or so on the stairs the
          group forms around Lin.  Lin then turns to Unali to explain.
          "A Outcast contacted me.   Some thing ...he used to make
          contact with my mind.  Said it to be done since no time
          to speak.  In that time he relayed these...mental images
          of things and places.  He said the Brain was far beyond
          what the Shaper Mother was telling their leader.  The
          Shapers feared losing control.  He gave me one big warning."

            Kiet stands ready to kick the staff away in disgust.  But as
          he does his hands suddenly become very warm.  Kell now besides
          him turns to the crazed man for fleeing back here.  Kell looks
          over to the Brain and raises his shield what little that will
          do against the power of the Brain.  He worries if he set off
          some ward that could fry him.  It would be fitting end to be
          friend by a person who does the same to others.  Maybe only
          Chion can use the stafF?

                                 -----------------

          [Time: 3:00:00pm - 3:01:00pm]

            Z'leyra's unconscious body falls toward the ground as her
          spell ends.

            Fremea follows Raban and Raban dives down like a speeding
          eagle on some helpless rabbit.  Z'leyra is now only about 160
          feet from the ground and Raban is about 100 feet above her.
          Raban uses all his great powers to close the distance making
          it 80 feet in a few seconds.  But Z'leyra continues to fall
          another 78 or so feet.  Raban dives further again making it
          another 80 feet now only 10 feet from her but she falls again.
          Now she is only 10 feet from the ground about to splat.  But
          with Raban giving a yell to his goddess he gains a feat of
          speed and makings the next 80 feet toward her.  Just in time
          to scoop her up in his arms just a few feet from the ground.
          Rather he tries to scoop her up.  Being invisible he only
          flails about trying to grab her.  In doing so he grabs one leg
          and her waist holding her upside down.  Reaching down he
          pulls the Healer up into his arms and twists her around to
          upright as he dives and gains new ground in the air.

            Kiet tries to release the staff but realizes he can't!  He
          looks to Kell worried the staff is cursed.  In seconds the
          warmth through his hand seems to climb up his arm and into
          his shoulders and then head.  Then Kiet can hear a bit
          of amused laughter.  "You called oh nimble one?"

            Kiet quickly conveys the situation.  When he is done he
          realizes the voice isn't the high elder.  In fact it is
          a voice he heard before but can't place it.  Then the
          voice says, "stand by."

            Raban checks the pulse of Z'leyra and finds her alive
          but knocked out.  As he ascends he tells Fremea he has
          her but she's knocked out.  Raban begins the ascent back up
          toward where the party should be located.  To Fremea it seems
          weird seeing Raban hug thin air like a invisible baby.  But
          then she realizes it must be Z'leyra.

            For the next 30 seconds Raban flies up toward the party this
          time a bit more slowly.  During this time the poltergeist tries
          to pelt Raban and Z'leyra with objects.  The target is the
          bad wizard who fouled up the spell but the large thing holding
          her is just in the way.  Of the various 10 items thrown at her
          4 make contact with Z'leyra.  All four are protected by her
          armor however and she takes no damage.

            Will continues through the cave entrance fast through the
          field holding him tight. Then he is thrown over the railing
          but doesn't fall.  In fact he ascends up past the stairs
          going to the ceiling.  In the next 30 seconds he is slowly
          lifted up and then level with the party about 80 feet above
          the brain cave.  Will is positioned over the railing and
          moved toward the party.  Being invisible though they can't
          see him at all.  Will wonders if this is how he'll die to
          bowl down a group of allies with a 260 plus mass hitting them
          from the blue.  He might kill 3 or 4 before they could react
          and kill him.  But fortunately he stops about 10 feet from
          Unali and Lin.

            "You will surrender or leave me alone. This will be your
          last warning." Will speaks out in a very stern voice.  Then
          the woodsman realizes he didn't say that!  Yet his mouth
          moves and words leave his lips.  The Brian must be controlling
          him from below!

            Back in the cave Kiet finally feels the staff seem to ebb
          from its heat and cool down.  After a few seconds a red blur
          seems to form about 10 feet away from Kiet in front of him
          and Kell.  Both stare at the form and wonder what is going on.
          Normally teleport magics is a blue like color.  The red form
          seems to take about 3 seconds to form then a humanoid shape
          becomes active.  It grows a bit in width and height.  Then
          Kiet grumbles when he recognizes the form.  The familiar
          of the High Elder.  The strange almost demon like creature
          that never spoke but just stood in the corner while the party
          was briefed.  To some the creature gave the creeps.  Kiet
          just stares waiting for it to kill the Brain.  But it
          simply looks around the cave.  The humanoid stands about 5
          feet tall, has this red/brown fur that shows no body other
          than some patches of skin on the arms.  It seems to be
          wearing no clothes or armor as in the citadel.  Kiet and
          Kell notices though this time it is wearing a bright yellow
          necklace that seems to glow a bit from a central stone of
          some sort.  The creature raises it's right palm and reveals
          a small object of some sort.  It looks like a coin or maybe
          a gem.

            Suddenly the object seems to dissolve as if going invisible
          or losing mass.  A new form begins to make shape in the air
          about 4 feet above the ground and 2 feet to the left of the
          creature.  This one a yellowish form into a new humanoid shape.
          Kiet also seems to recognize the form when it forms, that of
          Oby the aide to the High Elder.  The illusion seems to speak
          quickly, "Congratulations.  The High Elder is involved in
          a very important task.  However we bring help."  The small
          mini illusionary hand of the aid points to the creature.  "It
          will generate the Thalos field around this area.  It will
          block the power of the Brain.  You must find it's control
          and then kill it.  The Brain will not be able to react past
          the field or communicate outside it."  Oby raises another
          hand and points upwards. "But this field will only last 30
          minutes.  Act quickly before the Brain does!"  Then the
          illusion fades from existence.

            Kiet's face grows as red as the lava below.  Kell reaches
          over to stop the acrobat from exploding.  Kiet throws the
          staff down in disgust.  So the High Elder is too busy to
          come here.  Maybe he can't without Chion to get him?  Maybe
          he can only transport the creature through the Astral Planes
          here rather than his physical form.

            Before Kiet can protest the creature taps the necklace.
           A faint white glow shines and then seems to explode all
           around the cave in seconds.  This new field must be
           the same magic the High Elder blocked teleports from
           his teleport pad.  The same magic that allowed him
           to brief the party without the eyes and ears of the
           gods.  A very powerful field.  That would mean the
           Brain can not talk to other Vong or kill those outside
           the field.


          [Time: 3:01:30pm - 3:02:00pm]

            Kiet realizes then if the Brain can't kill out the field
          he could kill within the field.  Kiet turns and pushes
          Kell outside the cave toward the cave entrance.  As both
          men run toward the entrance, Kell can feel the field directly
          ahead of him.  Not sure if the field will fry his brain
          he doesn't have time to act under Kiet's urging.

            Suddenly a cloud of energy shoots out from the Brain toward
          the fleeing humans.  Just as the two cross the barrier at
          the cave entrance the energy wave slams into the Thalos
          field and splashes harmlessly away.

            Up above Will is dropped like a rock onto the floor of
          the stairs just as he was saying, "If you-."  Will has to
          use the side of the stairwell inner wall to prevent him
          from falling down the steps.  Will begins to give out various
          curses of various lands he visited recently.  He soon
          realizes the Brain has lost connection and control over
          him.  What does a possessed guy do when realizes he
          checks his body limbs and private area to ensure it wasn't
          snapped off.  Then he turns to the others when he finds
          he has full control once again.

            Farseeker with his raised great sword at the voice realizes
          it was Will. "Will?"

            That is the time when Raban, Z'leyra and Fremea end up at
          the same level and land at the stairs with the group.  Raban
          tells the others, "Z'leyra is here."  He then places her
          gently on the ground.

            Unali looks a bit relieved at that Z'leyra is here though
          but is unsure if still alive.

            A few moments later Kiet and Kell run up the stairs to join
          the group.  This finally gets everyone back in one place.


          [Time: 3:02:00pm]

            Lin seems to ignore the distraction of the others.  He
          continues his tale to the group.  "The Brain needs to be
          controlled.  The Outcast advised me that it can communicate
          to some creatures below and outside.  Those below can increase
          the volcanic activity and destroy this mountain.  The thing
          outside ..whatever creature it is...can use gravity..whatever
          that is...to pull the moon itself down onto this world.  It
          will destroy this planet.  It will destroy if it feels
          threatened.  The outcast was so scared of this he left
          this world using the portal thing."  He pauses for a few
          seconds.  "It gave me images of other worlds.  One world
          the Brain did this and it destroyed that world with over
          3 billion people.  I don't understand this...other worlds?
          It makes no sense to me.  But if the Vong wish to do this
          they will do it.  Once the moon is dragged to a certain
          point even the gods can't stop it."  He then tries to
          consider the images.  "The leader has a device that can
          control the Brain.  The shapers called it a safeguard.  The
          Brain will be helpless at that point."

            Caladan leaning on his staff as usual asks, "so where is this
          leader at?"

            Lin shrugs, "he didn't give that info but I suspect it is
          in one of the other caves."

            Farseeker frowns, "convenient that is."

            Lin then realizes the voice of Will was not his own.  He turns
          to Will finding the man to be controlled.  "It can hear us! Kill
          him before he tells the Brain!"

            Kell listens to Lin and suddenly realizes he has lost control
          over the elemental.  He was so distracted by the creature
          below and now this.  He can hear the elemental above and noise
          of rocks being crushed.


          [Time: 3:02:30pm - Current]

          Actions? Comments?

          Next Update....Monday....

          GM: A fun update but I forgot Kell's lapse of control.  I only
              noticed it on the timeline for the spells that ended.  A full
              minute has passed.  Kell if you wish to dispel him you can
              do so now.  I'll consider that a good action since I goofed
              and forgot that.  I would reedit the update but a lot has
              happened so hard to redo it without some effort.  I ran
              out of time last time for Monday.  But since the list came
              back online Monday with my Friday update showing up Monday
              I figure the delay would be good in case new actions were done.
              Now that the party is together we can skip the phasal stuff
              and going with a faster pace.

              The following spells ended:
                2:59:48 will invisibility
                3:00:54 Z'leyra inviso ends
                3:01:12 Kell elemental powers

              I made some quick changes from invisible to visible for
              Will.  But I may have mentioned Z'leyra in the text
              as being invisible in some form.  If so sorry.  Too
              lazy and tired to edit the text and find it again.

              If you have questions for Lin ask them.  But he may not
              know much.  The clock has started.  Right now Arawn will
              have to do the healing?

              Brain cave removed since not needed.  If need to know
              the field the creature placed on it covers the full
              entrance and all the walls.

              Mana report updated with 2 spells, new wounds.  Note
              if healing is done see the healings report.

          GM: Chion - Still knocked out and damaged

              Arawn - If you wish to Heal Z'leyra you can or just wake
                 her up with a Restore? (think that's the spell) spell.
                 Maybe restoration?  Then Z'leyra can heal others and
                 Chion?

              Kell - Sorry lost control.  My fault.  I'll give you a bonus
                 since it was my mistake if need to dispel him or just
                 wait and Z'leyra can do it if you wish as she is more
                 powerful I think in dispel?  Switch emails yet?  My
                 bad was not including your name in the spell chart.
                 So you weren't aware of when spells might end. My fault.

              Kiet - If you wish to pickup the Staff again let me know.
                I figure your character personality would be so disgruntled
                you'd shuck it.  But at least you got half your wish. :)

              Unali - If you wish to move the party alone you can normally
                I'll assume this for the next cave unless you have other
                plans. Will assume at least the healing is done first.  Unless
                due to time you wish to go right away.

              Z'leyra - Darn so close!  Dang the math!  I had at first thought
                Raban couldn't catch up.  But at flying 8 pmr.  :<  Oh
                well a GM can plan a better death next time.  Better luck
                (for me not for you) next time huh? :)  But you are close
                to death.  In fact I've not rolled the attacks by the
                poltergeist yet for the time of talking.  I'll do that
                next update.  Ran out of time.  But you are at negative
                hit points now.  (15+15 from bugs and a few from the
                objects).

              Will - Your insub ended almost right away and you were
                captured.  Sorry wasn't much you could do.  Since the
                Brain couldn't penetrate Z'leyra's shield you were
                easy to control.  But you were released quickly.
                The insub attack was planned long ago so he was aware of
                such possible attacks.

              Kiet/Kell - Either can inform the group what happened below.

          GM: Spells active

              Will      - Armor Transmutation, Mind Shield
              Raban     - Bless (OCV)
              Farseeker - Bless (OCV)
              Arawn     - Bless (OCV)
              Unali     - Mind Shield, Sending
              Fremea    - Mind Shield, Sending
              Z'leyra   - Mind Shield, Sending

              * = Soon to end (next update?].  I may NOT post this
              info unless I remember to do so. :)

          GM: Maps

              ----------------------------
              Mount Side View -
                Scale - 1 Column = 15 feet
                        1 Row = 50 feet  North=wall facing screen
              [Looking from one wall to the other wall.  Toward North
               wall with back to south wall.  Looking east/west.]

                             1         2         3         4         5
                    12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
                   ____________________________________________________
                   I###              Fake Vong ceiling             ###IA
                   I#                                                #IB
                   I#                                                #IC
                   I#                                                #ID
                   I#                                                #IE
                   I#                                                #IFCave
          Cave 1-> `#                                                #`G<-#4
                   I#                                                #IH
          Cave 2-> `#                              Party Location -> #`I<-#5
                   I#                                                #IJ
          Cave 3-> `#                      Cave #6 World Brian ----> #`K<-#6
                   I#                                                #IL
                   I#                                                #IM
                   I#                 @ <-Portal (Kotohi)            #IN
         Mount     I#T                                              T#IO
         Ground --?I#]A_A_A_A_A_A_A_A____......._______V__V__V__V__V[#IP
                   I                       Y<X \                      IQ
                   I                      Z     Lava (. points)       IR



              I = Rock wall, #=Vong ladder structure
              ` = Entrance to cave [open mostly]
              _ = Rock floor (Row P) ground floor
              A = Vong Bowl Home (10' high)
              V = Vong flyer
              T = Vong Tower (30' high)
              ],[=Base of Vong tower (wooden)
              X = Rabbit Hole opening 30' wide below cavern to tunnels
              Y = Tunnel of Treasure/Sentry cave (under ground floor)
              Z = Pit/Lake caves below elevation of Treasure cave tunnel
             1-6= Side caves on east/west walls

      Party is located Row I50.  To be more precise 20 feet below the level
      of the Cave #5 Entrance.  About 80 feet above Brain cave


   HT Aliaver/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
      NPC...................Captain.Lin.......Warrior.Normal/Human..Ma
      Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar,

      Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/
      Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
      Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm at comcast.net

      Game Update #242 in sequence (file #1477)
      ----------------------------------------------------------------

      Admin Notes: None.
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
      [Recap]

         From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
           Z'leyra will use her levitation spell to keep from splatting
           into the floor. She will try to land near Raban and mentally
           tell folks what she experienced. If she can she will recast
           levitaion at max EL and then Cast Insubstantiability.
         GM: Ack.  Raban is in the air (see map) and if you missed it
             your in a forcefield that makes you not even able to
             move a finger.  So your under the whim of the Brain.

         From Will: [Re: Actions]
           Will thinks "not dead yet... good sign"

           Will thinks "Well shes a big girl... I hope she has a
           plan." Will does remain open to suggestions if she decides
           to send any.

           Will original plan was to scout and then to try to communicate
           if nothing else try the Smaug approach.

           "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear
           the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not
           the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a
           defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will
           succumb in every battle"

           ? Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Special Edition
         GM: Ack.

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

          [Augado 10th, 1634TH]
          [Location: Middle Katai Plains]
          [          Mountains west of Pamau]

          [Time: 2:59:10pm - Turn 5: Phase 1]

            Z'leyra feels so hopeless being confined in the magnetic
          field and she can only think to herself that this may be
          the end.  In seconds she could land on the ground like a sack
          of flour.  The field seems to accelerate and she is now 50
          feet from the ground...40..30...20...100 and she impacts
          onto the ground with enough force to knock a house off its
          foundation.  The last thing she can feel is the paint isn't
          that bad at all.  Then blackness....


          [Time: 2:59:14pm - Turn 5: Phase 2]

            Z'leyra wakes up from her mind playing tricks on her again.
          The dream of her death is real but still fleeting.  She still
          has maybe 5 more seconds before she lives.  Maybe she can
          do something before then?

            The poltergeist finds the target of his misbehavior leave
          the cave suddenly.  It chases after the female as the duty
          to punish her is paramount.  Whipping over the railing it dives
          towards the falling female.  It finds a large rock and using
          its powers throws the rock from the wall toward the falling
          female.  It hits her in the right arm but does nothing.

            The swarm of insects swarm around Z'leyra again all 15 biting
          exposed flesh doing 1 point of more damage to her.  Z'leyra can
          feel the effects of being tapped out physically in just a few
          seconds.

            The Brain quickly determines the person inside him is some
          magic person Nom Amor mentioned.   The Intendant had mentioned
          about 5 spells that could harm him.  After months of secret
          study of the humans, the Vong executor has determined what can
          kill it.  One of those spells is using a spell enter to and
          through him.  So the Brain determines in a 3rd of a second that
          the human is a threat.  It will soon be forced solid and then
          he'll have to act.  It can feel the electromagnetic field that
          has to be the human.  Though not there and there at the same
          time the human gives off a distinct feel to the brain's senses.
          Estimating the size of the human the Brain conveys a magnetic
          field around the human to protect himself.

            In the last half of the second the Brain determines the other
          human is less a threat now.  He could bash her brains in by
          slamming her against the stairs. But a fall would just do as good.
          The Brain releases the field in order to grab onto the other
          human among him.  The other human is just standing there with
          a stick in his hand and his threat assessment is low.

            In the span of a second the mass of Will returns to himself
          as the spell ends.  He can feel gravity fall upon himself once
          more inside the brain.  Then Will can feel a tingle around
          him that pulls hair up from his arms and head.  Will wonders
          then why he isn't smeared of brain goo and stuff?  Then he
          realizes he can't move his arms or anything.

            Fremea can hear the panic inside Z'leyra and yells toward Raban
          to try to stop her.  But the giant is over 200 feet from the stairs
          and even if he flies fast she realizes he can't catch up.

                                 ------------------

          [Time: 2:59:14pm - 3:30:00pm]


            In the next 45 seconds the following events take place.

            Z'leyra can feel her life draining. Being a trained Healer
          she can tell she is in critical shape.  Less than 3% of her
          life remains if that.  She realizes if a rock gets lucky
          and hits her head she will be dead.  As the Brain releases
          his field around her she can move again.  Immediately she
          halts her descent some 250 feet from the ground.  She can
          see he lava pooling at the center hole the party came from.
          She can see the airfield below is devoid of lava but is still
          rock hard.  She decides to ascend back up to find the others.
          She relays through her Sending she is good for now though
          badly wounded by the insects.  In fact she realizes if the
          bugs bite again she will be dead.  She brings up her hands
          to try to bat them away but realizes the bugs are gone.  The
          bugs may be gone but the poltergeist is not.  It hurls random
          objects that it can find at Z'leyra 15 times  in this 45 seconds
          period.  Rocks, pieces of stair cement and even a coufee found
          from one of the dead Vong Fremea shot.  Of the 15 objects 5
          hit her.  But the last 10 hits aren't the bad ones.  The four
          that hit her armor protects her.  But the 5th one 15 seconds
          after she is released a rock beams her squarely in the cheek.
          Even though her magical heavy armored helm protects the bulk of
          the blow she takes 2 points of damage from the impact.  The
          last instant she can recall before being knocked out is that
          she has maybe 15 more seconds before her spell runs out and she
          falls.  Her body goes limp in mid-air invisible but being
          levitated by the spell of her magic.  the spell itself without
          mental control halts and she is motionless.

            Fremea flies as fast as she can toward the stairs. in that
          span before Z'leyra is knocked out she reaches 350 feet
          further east and now only about 30 feet to the stairs.  But
          she has no clear idea where the Shaman is.  When contact is
          lost she yells for Raban to speed up.

            Raban flies eastward in a leisurely pace hoping the Vong
          don't send more flyers. Then he can hear the faint voice
          of a female.  Then he discovers it was Fremea.  Somewhere
          behind and to the west  Looking over his shoulder he can't
          see her but figures she is invisible.  Something about
          Z'leyra falling.  But the Bard looks around but can't see
          the Shaman.  Fremea yells basic information like how fast
          she is falling and Raban uses this to plot a course.  But
          without exact info he knows he has no hope of finding her.
          Raban reaches the stairs soon enough.  Fremea is still
          yelling about Z'leyra.  But looking down he can't find her
          at all in his vision.  Then he soon realizes things are
          moving from one place to another as if another quake.
          Z'leyra tells Fremea Raban is above her maybe 100 feet.  So
          Raban dives downward to chase the objects.  Maybe the
          brain or some foul magic is afoot.  Then Z'leyra is knocked
          out and Fremea yells to speed up.  Pausing briefly the Bard
          loses sight of the random objects.  But decides to pinpoint
          the evil by casting a spell.  The bard casts Detect Evil and
          reaches out with the spell.  After a few seconds of descending
          he can find the glow of the poltergeist in his mind's eye.
          This has to be where Z'leyra is.   But she is about 100 feet
          away below now.  Can he get to her before she falls?

            Inside the cave Will is suddenly grasped by the field.  Suddenly
          he feels his body being lifted up and out of he Brain.  He then
          realizes he is being pushed away from the Brain.  He hopes he
          isn't going to be bashed to the ceiling.  But he feels that
          might just knock him out. If he is going outside like Z'leyra
          and he has no levitate spell going he'll die.  A man weighed
          down by armor will fall even faster.  He even hopes he would
          just be bashed into the ceiling.  but his luck is gone and
          he soon is hot out the cave entrance just like Z'leyra.  The
          Brain through his mental control takes the paralyzed man
          over the railing and holds him down some 300 feet from the
          ground.  The brain quickly determines if he releases him just
          a second to the ground he'll fall and impact in less than 3.4
          seconds.  But the Brain has a better idea.  He lifts the human
          upwards.  Will dreads not knowing what is going on and has
          no way to warn any of the others.

            Back in the cave Kiet is oblivious to all around him.  Holding
          the Gnarish staff he tries to recall what Chion did in the past.
          Chion said it was mental connection from distance.  Something
          about the Elder using a higher plane of existence to contact
          him through that distance.  Kiet has heard of the astral planes
          but never seen them.  Kiet shakes the staff and starts to mentally
          relay the message through the staff.  After a few seconds the
          steaming Kiet growls.  He then gives a very stern threat to the
          staff verbally, "GET THEE HENSE!!!  We have found your source
          of problems.  Now YOU do what we all know you can do and finish
          this!  We are done, here!"

            Up above the brain cave some 80 feet or so on the stairs the
          group forms around Lin.  Lin then turns to Unali to explain.
          "A Outcast contacted me.   Some thing ...he used to make
          contact with my mind.  Said it to be done since no time
          to speak.  In that time he relayed these...mental images
          of things and places.  He said the Brain was far beyond
          what the Shaper Mother was telling their leader.  The
          Shapers feared losing control.  He gave me one big warning."

            Kiet stands ready to kick the staff away in disgust.  But as
          he does his hands suddenly become very warm.  Kell now besides
          him turns to the crazed man for fleeing back here.  Kell looks
          over to the Brain and raises his shield what little that will
          do against the power of the Brain.  He worries if he set off
          some ward that could fry him.  It would be fitting end to be
          friend by a person who does the same to others.  Maybe only
          Chion can use the stafF?

                                 -----------------

          [Time: 3:00:00pm - 3:01:00pm]

            Z'leyra's unconscious body falls toward the ground as her
          spell ends.

            Fremea follows Raban and Raban dives down like a speeding
          eagle on some helpless rabbit.  Z'leyra is now only about 160
          feet from the ground and Raban is about 100 feet above her.
          Raban uses all his great powers to close the distance making
          it 80 feet in a few seconds.  But Z'leyra continues to fall
          another 78 or so feet.  Raban dives further again making it
          another 80 feet now only 10 feet from her but she falls again.
          Now she is only 10 feet from the ground about to splat.  But
          with Raban giving a yell to his goddess he gains a feat of
          speed and makings the next 80 feet toward her.  Just in time
          to scoop her up in his arms just a few feet from the ground.
          Rather he tries to scoop her up.  Being invisible he only
          flails about trying to grab her.  In doing so he grabs one leg
          and her waist holding her upside down.  Reaching down he
          pulls the Healer up into his arms and twists her around to
          upright as he dives and gains new ground in the air.

            Kiet tries to release the staff but realizes he can't!  He
          looks to Kell worried the staff is cursed.  In seconds the
          warmth through his hand seems to climb up his arm and into
          his shoulders and then head.  Then Kiet can hear a bit
          of amused laughter.  "You called oh nimble one?"

            Kiet quickly conveys the situation.  When he is done he
          realizes the voice isn't the high elder.  In fact it is
          a voice he heard before but can't place it.  Then the
          voice says, "stand by."

            Raban checks the pulse of Z'leyra and finds her alive
          but knocked out.  As he ascends he tells Fremea he has
          her but she's knocked out.  Raban begins the ascent back up
          toward where the party should be located.  To Fremea it seems
          weird seeing Raban hug thin air like a invisible baby.  But
          then she realizes it must be Z'leyra.

            For the next 30 seconds Raban flies up toward the party this
          time a bit more slowly.  During this time the poltergeist tries
          to pelt Raban and Z'leyra with objects.  The target is the
          bad wizard who fouled up the spell but the large thing holding
          her is just in the way.  Of the various 10 items thrown at her
          4 make contact with Z'leyra.  All four are protected by her
          armor however and she takes no damage.

            Will continues through the cave entrance fast through the
          field holding him tight. Then he is thrown over the railing
          but doesn't fall.  In fact he ascends up past the stairs
          going to the ceiling.  In the next 30 seconds he is slowly
          lifted up and then level with the party about 80 feet above
          the brain cave.  Will is positioned over the railing and
          moved toward the party.  Being invisible though they can't
          see him at all.  Will wonders if this is how he'll die to
          bowl down a group of allies with a 260 plus mass hitting them
          from the blue.  He might kill 3 or 4 before they could react
          and kill him.  But fortunately he stops about 10 feet from
          Unali and Lin.

            "You will surrender or leave me alone. This will be your
          last warning." Will speaks out in a very stern voice.  Then
          the woodsman realizes he didn't say that!  Yet his mouth
          moves and words leave his lips.  The Brian must be controlling
          him from below!

            Back in the cave Kiet finally feels the staff seem to ebb
          from its heat and cool down.  After a few seconds a red blur
          seems to form about 10 feet away from Kiet in front of him
          and Kell.  Both stare at the form and wonder what is going on.
          Normally teleport magics is a blue like color.  The red form
          seems to take about 3 seconds to form then a humanoid shape
          becomes active.  It grows a bit in width and height.  Then
          Kiet grumbles when he recognizes the form.  The familiar
          of the High Elder.  The strange almost demon like creature
          that never spoke but just stood in the corner while the party
          was briefed.  To some the creature gave the creeps.  Kiet
          just stares waiting for it to kill the Brain.  But it
          simply looks around the cave.  The humanoid stands about 5
          feet tall, has this red/brown fur that shows no body other
          than some patches of skin on the arms.  It seems to be
          wearing no clothes or armor as in the citadel.  Kiet and
          Kell notices though this time it is wearing a bright yellow
          necklace that seems to glow a bit from a central stone of
          some sort.  The creature raises it's right palm and reveals
          a small object of some sort.  It looks like a coin or maybe
          a gem.

            Suddenly the object seems to dissolve as if going invisible
          or losing mass.  A new form begins to make shape in the air
          about 4 feet above the ground and 2 feet to the left of the
          creature.  This one a yellowish form into a new humanoid shape.
          Kiet also seems to recognize the form when it forms, that of
          Oby the aide to the High Elder.  The illusion seems to speak
          quickly, "Congratulations.  The High Elder is involved in
          a very important task.  However we bring help."  The small
          mini illusionary hand of the aid points to the creature.  "It
          will generate the Thalos field around this area.  It will
          block the power of the Brain.  You must find it's control
          and then kill it.  The Brain will not be able to react past
          the field or communicate outside it."  Oby raises another
          hand and points upwards. "But this field will only last 30
          minutes.  Act quickly before the Brain does!"  Then the
          illusion fades from existence.

            Kiet's face grows as red as the lava below.  Kell reaches
          over to stop the acrobat from exploding.  Kiet throws the
          staff down in disgust.  So the High Elder is too busy to
          come here.  Maybe he can't without Chion to get him?  Maybe
          he can only transport the creature through the Astral Planes
          here rather than his physical form.

            Before Kiet can protest the creature taps the necklace.
           A faint white glow shines and then seems to explode all
           around the cave in seconds.  This new field must be
           the same magic the High Elder blocked teleports from
           his teleport pad.  The same magic that allowed him
           to brief the party without the eyes and ears of the
           gods.  A very powerful field.  That would mean the
           Brain can not talk to other Vong or kill those outside
           the field.


          [Time: 3:01:30pm - 3:02:00pm]

            Kiet realizes then if the Brain can't kill out the field
          he could kill within the field.  Kiet turns and pushes
          Kell outside the cave toward the cave entrance.  As both
          men run toward the entrance, Kell can feel the field directly
          ahead of him.  Not sure if the field will fry his brain
          he doesn't have time to act under Kiet's urging.

            Suddenly a cloud of energy shoots out from the Brain toward
          the fleeing humans.  Just as the two cross the barrier at
          the cave entrance the energy wave slams into the Thalos
          field and splashes harmlessly away.

            Up above Will is dropped like a rock onto the floor of
          the stairs just as he was saying, "If you-."  Will has to
          use the side of the stairwell inner wall to prevent him
          from falling down the steps.  Will begins to give out various
          curses of various lands he visited recently.  He soon
          realizes the Brain has lost connection and control over
          him.  What does a possessed guy does when realizes he
          checks his body limbs and private area to ensure it wasn't
          snapped off.  Then he turns to the others when he finds
          he has full control once again.

            Farseeker with his raised great sword at the voice realizes
          it was Will. "Will?"

            That is the time when Raban, Z'leyra and Fremea end up at
          the same level and land at the stairs with the group.  Raban
          tells the others, "Z'leyra is here."  He then places her
          gently on the ground.

            Unali looks a bit relieved at that Z'leyra is here though
          but is unsure if still alive.

            A few moments later Kiet and Kell run up the stairs to join
          the group.  This finally gets everyone back in one place.


          [Time: 3:02:00pm]

            Lin seems to ignore the distraction of the others.  He
          continues his tale to the group.  "The Brain needs to be
          controlled.  The Outcast advised me that it can communicate
          to some creatures below and outside.  Those below can increase
          the volcanic activity and destroy this mountain.  The thing
          outside ..whatever creature it is...can use gravity..whatever
          that is...to pull the moon itself down onto this world.  It
          will destroy this planet.  It will destroy if it feels
          threatened.  The outcast was so scared of this he left
          this world using the portal thing."  He pauses for a few
          seconds.  "It gave me images of other worlds.  One world
          the Brain did this and it destroyed that world with over
          3 billion people.  I don't understand this...other worlds?
          It makes no sense to me.  But if the Vong wish to do this
          they will do it.  Once the moon is dragged to a certain
          point even the gods can't stop it."  He then tries to
          consider the images.  "The leader has a device that can
          control the Brain.  The shapers called it a safeguard.  The
          Brain will be helpless at that point."

            Caladan leaning on his staff as usual asks, "so where is this
          leader at?"

            Lin shrugs, "he didn't give that info but I suspect it is
          in one of the other caves."

            Farseeker frowns, "convenient that is."

            Lin then realizes the voice of Will was not his own.  He turns
          to Will finding the man to be controlled.  "It can hear us! Kill
          him before he tells the Brain!"

            Kell listens to Lin and suddenly realizes he has lost control
          over the elemental.  He was so distracted by the creature
          below and now this.  He can hear the elemental above and noise
          of rocks being crushed.


          [Time: 3:02:30pm - Current]

          Actions? Comments?

          Next Update....Monday....

          GM: A fun update but I forgot Kell's lapse of control.  I only
              noticed it on the timeline for the spells that ended.  A full
              minute has passed.  Kell if you wish to dispel him you can
              do so now.  I'll consider that a good action since I goofed
              and forgot that.  I would reedit the update but a lot has
              happened so hard to redo it without some effort.  I ran
              out of time last time for Monday.  But since the list came
              back online Monday with my Friday update showing up Monday
              I figure the delay would be good in case new actions were done.
              Now that the party is together we can skip the phasal stuff
              and going with a faster pace.

              The following spells ended:
                2:59:48 will invisibility
                3:00:54 Z'leyra inviso ends
                3:01:12 Kell elemental powers

              I made some quick changes from invisible to visible for
              Will.  But I may have mentioned Z'leyra in the text
              as being invisible in some form.  If so sorry.  Too
              lazy and tired to edit the text and find it again.

              If you have questions for Lin ask them.  But he may not
              know much.  The clock has started.  Right now Arawn will
              have to do the healing?

              Brain cave removed since not needed.  If need to know
              the field the creature placed on it covers the full
              entrance and all the walls.

              Mana report updated with 2 spells, new wounds.  Note
              if healing is done see the healings report.

          GM: Chion - Still knocked out and damaged

              Arawn - If you wish to Heal Z'leyra you can or just wake
                 her up with a Restore? (think that's the spell) spell.
                 Maybe restoration?  Then Z'leyra can heal others and
                 Chion?

              Kell - Sorry lost control.  My fault.  I'll give you a bonus
                 since it was my mistake if need to dispel him or just
                 wait and Z'leyra can do it if you wish as she is more
                 powerful I think in dispel?  Switch emails yet?  My
                 bad was not including your name in the spell chart.
                 So you weren't aware of when spells might end. My fault.

              Kiet - If you wish to pickup the Staff again let me know.
                I figure your character personality would be so disgruntled
                you'd shuck it.  But at least you got half your wish. :)

              Unali - If you wish to move the party alone you can normally
                I'll assume this for the next cave unless you have other
                plans. Will assume at least the healing is done first.  Unless
                due to time you wish to go right away.

              Z'leyra - Darn so close!  Dang the math!  I had at first thought
                Raban couldn't catch up.  But at flying 8 pmr.  :<  Oh
                well a GM can plan a better death next time.  Better luck
                (for me not for you) next time huh? :)  But you are close
                to death.  In fact I've not rolled the attacks by the
                poltergeist yet for the time of talking.  I'll do that
                next update.  Ran out of time.  But you are at negative
                hit points now.  (15+15 from bugs and a few from the
                objects).

              Will - Your insub ended almost right away and you were
                captured.  Sorry wasn't much you could do.  Since the
                Brain couldn't penetrate Z'leyra's shield you were
                easy to control.  But you were released quickly.
                The insub attack was planned long ago so he was aware of
                such possible attacks.

              Kiet/Kell - Either can inform the group what happened below.

          GM: Spells active

              Will      - Armor Transmutation, Mind Shield
              Raban     - Bless (OCV)
              Farseeker - Bless (OCV)
              Arawn     - Bless (OCV)
              Unali     - Mind Shield, Sending
              Fremea    - Mind Shield, Sending
              Z'leyra   - Mind Shield, Sending

              * = Soon to end (next update?].  I may NOT post this
              info unless I remember to do so. :)

          GM: Maps

              ----------------------------
              Mount Side View -
                Scale - 1 Column = 15 feet
                        1 Row = 50 feet  North=wall facing screen
              [Looking from one wall to the other wall.  Toward North
               wall with back to south wall.  Looking east/west.]

                             1         2         3         4         5
                    12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
                   ____________________________________________________
                   I###              Fake Vong ceiling             ###IA
                   I#                                                #IB
                   I#                                                #IC
                   I#                                                #ID
                   I#                                                #IE
                   I#                                                #IFCave
          Cave 1-> `#                                                #`G<-#4
                   I#                                                #IH
          Cave 2-> `#                              Party Location -> #`I<-#5
                   I#                                                #IJ
          Cave 3-> `#                      Cave #6 World Brian ----> #`K<-#6
                   I#                                                #IL
                   I#                                                #IM
                   I#                 @ <-Portal (Kotohi)            #IN
         Mount     I#T                                              T#IO
         Ground --?I#]A_A_A_A_A_A_A_A____......._______V__V__V__V__V[#IP
                   I                       Y<X \                      IQ
                   I                      Z     Lava (. points)       IR



              I = Rock wall, #=Vong ladder structure
              ` = Entrance to cave [open mostly]
              _ = Rock floor (Row P) ground floor
              A = Vong Bowl Home (10' high)
              V = Vong flyer
              T = Vong Tower (30' high)
              ],[=Base of Vong tower (wooden)
              X = Rabbit Hole opening 30' wide below cavern to tunnels
              Y = Tunnel of Treasure/Sentry cave (under ground floor)
              Z = Pit/Lake caves below elevation of Treasure cave tunnel
             1-6= Side caves on east/west walls

      Party is located Row I50.  To be more precise 20 feet below the level
      of the Cave #5 Entrance.  About 80 feet above Brain cave


   HT Aliaver/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
      NPC...................Captain.Lin.......Warrior.Normal/Human..Ma
      Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra, Tef'wo (Horse) Ben'dar,

      Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/
      Public posts/actions to pnpgm at abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
      Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm at comcast.net

      Game Update #242 in sequence (file #1477)
      ----------------------------------------------------------------

      Admin Notes: None.
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
      [Recap]

         From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions]
           Z'leyra will use her levitation spell to keep from splatting
           into the floor. She will try to land near Raban and mentally
           tell folks what she experienced. If she can she will recast
           levitaion at max EL and then Cast Insubstantiability.
         GM: Ack.  Raban is in the air (see map) and if you missed it
             your in a forcefield that makes you not even able to
             move a finger.  So your under the whim of the Brain.

         From Will: [Re: Actions]
           Will thinks "not dead yet... good sign"

           Will thinks "Well shes a big girl... I hope she has a
           plan." Will does remain open to suggestions if she decides
           to send any.

           Will original plan was to scout and then to try to communicate
           if nothing else try the Smaug approach.

           "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear
           the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not
           the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a
           defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will
           succumb in every battle"

           ? Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Special Edition
         GM: Ack.

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

          [Augado 10th, 1634TH]
          [Location: Middle Katai Plains]
          [          Mountains west of Pamau]

          [Time: 2:59:10pm - Turn 5: Phase 1]

            Z'leyra feels so hopeless being confined in the magnetic
          field and she can only think to herself that this may be
          the end.  In seconds she could land on the ground like a sack
          of flour.  The field seems to accelerate and she is now 50
          feet from the ground...40..30...20...100 and she impacts
          onto the ground with enough force to knock a house off its
          foundation.  The last thing she can feel is the paint isn't
          that bad at all.  Then blackness....


          [Time: 2:59:14pm - Turn 5: Phase 2]

            Z'leyra wakes up from her mind playing tricks on her again.
          The dream of her death is real but still fleeting.  She still
          has maybe 5 more seconds before she lives.  Maybe she can
          do something before then?

            The poltergeist finds the target of his misbehavior leave
          the cave suddenly.  It chases after the female as the duty
          to punish her is paramount.  Whipping over the railing it dives
          towards the falling female.  It finds a large rock and using
          its powers throws the rock from the wall toward the falling
          female.  It hits her in the right arm but does nothing.

            The swarm of insects swarm around Z'leyra again all 15 biting
          exposed flesh doing 1 point of more damage to her.  Z'leyra can
          feel the effects of being tapped out physically in just a few
          seconds.

            The Brain quickly determines the person inside him is some
          magic person Nom Amor mentioned.   The Intendant had mentioned
          about 5 spells that could harm him.  After months of secret
          study of the humans, the Vong executor has determined what can
          kill it.  One of those spells is using a spell enter to and
          through him.  So the Brain determines in a 3rd of a second that
          the human is a threat.  It will soon be forced solid and then
          he'll have to act.  It can feel the electromagnetic field that
          has to be the human.  Though not there and there at the same
          time the human gives off a distinct feel to the brain's senses.
          Estimating the size of the human the Brain conveys a magnetic
          field around the human to protect himself.

            In the last half of the second the Brain determines the other
          human is less a threat now.  He could bash her brains in by
          slamming her against the stairs. But a fall would just do as good.
          The Brain releases the field in order to grab onto the other
          human among him.  The other human is just standing there with
          a stick in his hand and his threat assessment is low.

            In the span of a second the mass of Will returns to himself
          as the spell ends.  He can feel gravity fall upon himself once
          more inside the brain.  Then Will can feel a tingle around
          him that pulls hair up from his arms and head.  Will wonders
          then why he isn't smeared of brain goo and stuff?  Then he
          realizes he can't move his arms or anything.

            Fremea can hear the panic inside Z'leyra and yells toward Raban
          to try to stop her.  But the giant is over 200 feet from the stairs
          and even if he flies fast she realizes he can't catch up.

                                 ------------------

          [Time: 2:59:14pm - 3:30:00pm]


            In the next 45 seconds the following events take place.

            Z'leyra can feel her life draining. Being a trained Healer
          she can tell she is in critical shape.  Less than 3% of her
          life remains if that.  She realizes if a rock gets lucky
          and hits her head she will be dead.  As the Brain releases
          his field around her she can move again.  Immediately she
          halts her descent some 250 feet from the ground.  She can
          see he lava pooling at the center hole the party came from.
          She can see the airfield below is devoid of lava but is still
          rock hard.  She decides to ascend back up to find the others.
          She relays through her Sending she is good for now though
          badly wounded by the insects.  In fact she realizes if the
          bugs bite again she will be dead.  She brings up her hands
          to try to bat them away but realizes the bugs are gone.  The
          bugs may be gone but the poltergeist is not.  It hurls random
          objects that it can find at Z'leyra 15 times  in this 45 seconds
          period.  Rocks, pieces of stair cement and even a coufee found
          from one of the dead Vong Fremea shot.  Of the 15 objects 5
          hit her.  But the last 10 hits aren't the bad ones.  The four
          that hit her armor protects her.  But the 5th one 15 seconds
          after she is released a rock beams her squarely in the cheek.
          Even though her magical heavy armored helm protects the bulk of
          the blow she takes 2 points of damage from the impact.  The
          last instant she can recall before being knocked out is that
          she has maybe 15 more seconds before her spell runs out and she
          falls.  Her body goes limp in mid-air invisible but being
          levitated by the spell of her magic.  the spell itself without
          mental control halts and she is motionless.

            Fremea flies as fast as she can toward the stairs. in that
          span before Z'leyra is knocked out she reaches 350 feet
          further east and now only about 30 feet to the stairs.  But
          she has no clear idea where the Shaman is.  When contact is
          lost she yells for Raban to speed up.

            Raban flies eastward in a leisurely pace hoping the Vong
          don't send more flyers. Then he can hear the faint voice
          of a female.  Then he discovers it was Fremea.  Somewhere
          behind and to the west  Looking over his shoulder he can't
          see her but figures she is invisible.  Something about
          Z'leyra falling.  But the Bard looks around but can't see
          the Shaman.  Fremea yells basic information like how fast
          she is falling and Raban uses this to plot a course.  But
          without exact info he knows he has no hope of finding her.
          Raban reaches the stairs soon enough.  Fremea is still
          yelling about Z'leyra.  But looking down he can't find her
          at all in his vision.  Then he soon realizes things are
          moving from one place to another as if another quake.
          Z'leyra tells Fremea Raban is above her maybe 100 feet.  So
          Raban dives downward to chase the objects.  Maybe the
          brain or some foul magic is afoot.  Then Z'leyra is knocked
          out and Fremea yells to speed up.  Pausing briefly the Bard
          loses sight of the random objects.  But decides to pinpoint
          the evil by casting a spell.  The bard casts Detect Evil and
          reaches out with the spell.  After a few seconds of descending
          he can find the glow of the poltergeist in his mind's eye.
          This has to be where Z'leyra is.   But she is about 100 feet
          away below now.  Can he get to her before she falls?

            Inside the cave Will is suddenly grasped by the field.  Suddenly
          he feels his body being lifted up and out of he Brain.  He then
          realizes he is being pushed away from the Brain.  He hopes he
          isn't going to be bashed to the ceiling.  But he feels that
          might just knock him out. If he is going outside like Z'leyra
          and he has no levitate spell going he'll die.  A man weighed
          down by armor will fall even faster.  He even hopes he would
          just be bashed into the ceiling.  but his luck is gone and
          he soon is hot out the cave entrance just like Z'leyra.  The
          Brain through his mental control takes the paralyzed man
          over the railing and holds him down some 300 feet from the
          ground.  The brain quickly determines if he releases him just
          a second to the ground he'll fall and impact in less than 3.4
          seconds.  But the Brain has a better idea.  He lifts the human
          upwards.  Will dreads not knowing what is going on and has
          no way to warn any of the others.

            Back in the cave Kiet is oblivious to all around him.  Holding
          the Gnarish staff he tries to recall what Chion did in the past.
          Chion said it was mental connection from distance.  Something
          about the Elder using a higher plane of existence to contact
          him through that distance.  Kiet has heard of the astral planes
          but never seen them.  Kiet shakes the staff and starts to mentally
          relay the message through the staff.  After a few seconds the
          steaming Kiet growls.  He then gives a very stern threat to the
          staff verbally, "GET THEE HENSE!!!  We have found your source
          of problems.  Now YOU do what we all know you can do and finish
          this!  We are done, here!"

            Up above the brain cave some 80 feet or so on the stairs the
          group forms around Lin.  Lin then turns to Unali to explain.
          "A Outcast contacted me.   Some thing ...he used to make
          contact with my mind.  Said it to be done since no time
          to speak.  In that time he relayed these...mental images
          of things and places.  He said the Brain was far beyond
          what the Shaper Mother was telling their leader.  The
          Shapers feared losing control.  He gave me one big warning."

            Kiet stands ready to kick the staff away in disgust.  But as
          he does his hands suddenly become very warm.  Kell now besides
          him turns to the crazed man for fleeing back here.  Kell looks
          over to the Brain and raises his shield what little that will
          do against the power of the Brain.  He worries if he set off
          some ward that could fry him.  It would be fitting end to be
          friend by a person who does the same to others.  Maybe only
          Chion can use the stafF?

                                 -----------------

          [Time: 3:00:00pm - 3:01:00pm]

            Z'leyra's unconscious body falls toward the ground as her
          spell ends.

            Fremea follows Raban and Raban dives down like a speeding
          eagle on some helpless rabbit.  Z'leyra is now only about 160
          feet from the ground and Raban is about 100 feet above her.
          Raban uses all his great powers to close the distance making
          it 80 feet in a few seconds.  But Z'leyra continues to fall
          another 78 or so feet.  Raban dives further again making it
          another 80 feet now only 10 feet from her but she falls again.
          Now she is only 10 feet from the ground about to splat.  But
          with Raban giving a yell to his goddess he gains a feat of
          speed and makings the next 80 feet toward her.  Just in time
          to scoop her up in his arms just a few feet from the ground.
          Rather he tries to scoop her up.  Being invisible he only
          flails about trying to grab her.  In doing so he grabs one leg
          and her waist holding her upside down.  Reaching down he
          pulls the Healer up into his arms and twists her around to
          upright as he dives and gains new ground in the air.

            Kiet tries to release the staff but realizes he can't!  He
          looks to Kell worried the staff is cursed.  In seconds the
          warmth through his hand seems to climb up his arm and into
          his shoulders and then head.  Then Kiet can hear a bit
          of amused laughter.  "You called oh nimble one?"

            Kiet quickly conveys the situation.  When he is done he
          realizes the voice isn't the high elder.  In fact it is
          a voice he heard before but can't place it.  Then the
          voice says, "stand by."

            Raban checks the pulse of Z'leyra and finds her alive
          but knocked out.  As he ascends he tells Fremea he has
          her but she's knocked out.  Raban begins the ascent back up
          toward where the party should be located.  To Fremea it seems
          weird seeing Raban hug thin air like a invisible baby.  But
          then she realizes it must be Z'leyra.

            For the next 30 seconds Raban flies up toward the party this
          time a bit more slowly.  During this time the poltergeist tries
          to pelt Raban and Z'leyra with objects.  The target is the
          bad wizard who fouled up the spell but the large thing holding
          her is just in the way.  Of the various 10 items thrown at her
          4 make contact with Z'leyra.  All four are protected by her
          armor however and she takes no damage.

            Will continues through the cave entrance fast through the
          field holding him tight. Then he is thrown over the railing
          but doesn't fall.  In fact he ascends up past the stairs
          going to the ceiling.  In the next 30 seconds he is slowly
          lifted up and then level with the party about 80 feet above
          the brain cave.  Will is positioned over the railing and
          moved toward the party.  Being invisible though they can't
          see him at all.  Will wonders if this is how he'll die to
          bowl down a group of allies with a 260 plus mass hitting them
          from the blue.  He might kill 3 or 4 before they could react
          and kill him.  But fortunately he stops about 10 feet from
          Unali and Lin.

            "You will surrender or leave me alone. This will be your
          last warning." Will speaks out in a very stern voice.  Then
          the woodsman realizes he didn't say that!  Yet his mouth
          moves and words leave his lips.  The Brian must be controlling
          him from below!

            Back in the cave Kiet finally feels the staff seem to ebb
          from its heat and cool down.  After a few seconds a red blur
          seems to form about 10 feet away from Kiet in front of him
          and Kell.  Both stare at the form and wonder what is going on.
          Normally teleport magics is a blue like color.  The red form
          seems to take about 3 seconds to form then a humanoid shape
          becomes active.  It grows a bit in width and height.  Then
          Kiet grumbles when he recognizes the form.  The familiar
          of the High Elder.  The strange almost demon like creature
          that never spoke but just stood in the corner while the party
          was briefed.  To some the creature gave the creeps.  Kiet
          just stares waiting for it to kill the Brain.  But it
          simply looks around the cave.  The humanoid stands about 5
          feet tall, has this red/brown fur that shows no body other
          than some patches of skin on the arms.  It seems to be
          wearing no clothes or armor as in the citadel.  Kiet and
          Kell notices though this time it is wearing a bright yellow
          necklace that seems to glow a bit from a central stone of
          some sort.  The creature raises it's right palm and reveals
          a small object of some sort.  It looks like a coin or maybe
          a gem.

            Suddenly the object seems to dissolve as if going invisible
          or losing mass.  A new form begins to make shape in the air
          about 4 feet above the ground and 2 feet to the left of the
          creature.  This one a yellowish form into a new humanoid shape.
          Kiet also seems to recognize the form when it forms, that of
          Oby the aide to the High Elder.  The illusion seems to speak
          quickly, "Congratulations.  The High Elder is involved in
          a very important task.  However we bring help."  The small
          mini illusionary hand of the aid points to the creature.  "It
          will generate the Thalos field around this area.  It will
          block the power of the Brain.  You must find it's control
          and then kill it.  The Brain will not be able to react past
          the field or communicate outside it."  Oby raises another
          hand and points upwards. "But this field will only last 30
          minutes.  Act quickly before the Brain does!"  Then the
          illusion fades from existence.

            Kiet's face grows as red as the lava below.  Kell reaches
          over to stop the acrobat from exploding.  Kiet throws the
          staff down in disgust.  So the High Elder is too busy to
          come here.  Maybe he can't without Chion to get him?  Maybe
          he can only transport the creature through the Astral Planes
          here rather than his physical form.

            Before Kiet can protest the creature taps the necklace.
           A faint white glow shines and then seems to explode all
           around the cave in seconds.  This new field must be
           the same magic the High Elder blocked teleports from
           his teleport pad.  The same magic that allowed him
           to brief the party without the eyes and ears of the
           gods.  A very powerful field.  That would mean the
           Brain can not talk to other Vong or kill those outside
           the field.


          [Time: 3:01:30pm - 3:02:00pm]

            Kiet realizes then if the Brain can't kill out the field
          he could kill within the field.  Kiet turns and pushes
          Kell outside the cave toward the cave entrance.  As both
          men run toward the entrance, Kell can feel the field directly
          ahead of him.  Not sure if the field will fry his brain
          he doesn't have time to act under Kiet's urging.

            Suddenly a cloud of energy shoots out from the Brain toward
          the fleeing humans.  Just as the two cross the barrier at
          the cave entrance the energy wave slams into the Thalos
          field and splashes harmlessly away.

            Up above Will is dropped like a rock onto the floor of
          the stairs just as he was saying, "If you-."  Will has to
          use the side of the stairwell inner wall to prevent him
          from falling down the steps.  Will begins to give out various
          curses of various lands he visited recently.  He soon
          realizes the Brain has lost connection and control over
          him.  What does a possessed guy does when realizes he
          checks his body limbs and private area to ensure it wasn't
          snapped off.  Then he turns to the others when he finds
          he has full control once again.

            Farseeker with his raised great sword at the voice realizes
          it was Will. "Will?"

            That is the time when Raban, Z'leyra and Fremea end up at
          the same level and land at the stairs with the group.  Raban
          tells the others, "Z'leyra is here."  He then places her
          gently on the ground.

            Unali looks a bit relieved at that Z'leyra is here though
          but is unsure if still alive.

            A few moments later Kiet and Kell run up the stairs to join
          the group.  This finally gets everyone back in one place.


          [Time: 3:02:00pm]

            Lin seems to ignore the distraction of the others.  He
          continues his tale to the group.  "The Brain needs to be
          controlled.  The Outcast advised me that it can communicate
          to some creatures below and outside.  Those below can increase
          the volcanic activity and destroy this mountain.  The thing
          outside ..whatever creature it is...can use gravity..whatever
          that is...to pull the moon itself down onto this world.  It
          will destroy this planet.  It will destroy if it feels
          threatened.  The outcast was so scared of this he left
          this world using the portal thing."  He pauses for a few
          seconds.  "It gave me images of other worlds.  One world
          the Brain did this and it destroyed that world with over
          3 billion people.  I don't understand this...other worlds?
          It makes no sense to me.  But if the Vong wish to do this
          they will do it.  Once the moon is dragged to a certain
          point even the gods can't stop it."  He then tries to
          consider the images.  "The leader has a device that can
          control the Brain.  The shapers called it a safeguard.  The
          Brain will be helpless at that point."

            Caladan leaning on his staff as usual asks, "so where is this
          leader at?"

            Lin shrugs, "he didn't give that info but I suspect it is
          in one of the other caves."

            Farseeker frowns, "convenient that is."

            Lin then realizes the voice of Will was not his own.  He turns
          to Will finding the man to be controlled.  "It can hear us! Kill
          him before he tells the Brain!"

            Kell listens to Lin and suddenly realizes he has lost control
          over the elemental.  He was so distracted by the creature
          below and now this.  He can hear the elemental above and noise
          of rocks being crushed.


          [Time: 3:02:30pm - Current]

          Actions? Comments?

          Next Update....Monday....

          GM: A fun update but I forgot Kell's lapse of control.  I only
              noticed it on the timeline for the spells that ended.  A full
              minute has passed.  Kell if you wish to dispel him you can
              do so now.  I'll consider that a good action since I goofed
              and forgot that.  I would reedit the update but a lot has
              happened so hard to redo it without some effort.  I ran
              out of time last time for Monday.  But since the list came
              back online Monday with my Friday update showing up Monday
              I figure the delay would be good in case new actions were done.
              Now that the party is together we can skip the phasal stuff
              and going with a faster pace.

              The following spells ended:
                2:59:48 will invisibility
                3:00:54 Z'leyra inviso ends
                3:01:12 Kell elemental powers

              I made some quick changes from invisible to visible for
              Will.  But I may have mentioned Z'leyra in the text
              as being invisible in some form.  If so sorry.  Too
              lazy and tired to edit the text and find it again.

              If you have questions for Lin ask them.  But he may not
              know much.  The clock has started.  Right now Arawn will
              have to do the healing?

              Brain cave removed since not needed.  If need to know
              the field the creature placed on it covers the full
              entrance and all the walls.

              Mana report updated with 2 spells, new wounds.  Note
              if healing is done see the healings report.

          GM: Chion - Still knocked out and damaged

              Arawn - If you wish to Heal Z'leyra you can or just wake
                 her up with a Restore? (think that's the spell) spell.
                 Maybe restoration?  Then Z'leyra can heal others and
                 Chion?

              Kell - Sorry lost control.  My fault.  I'll give you a bonus
                 since it was my mistake if need to dispel him or just
                 wait and Z'leyra can do it if you wish as she is more
                 powerful I think in dispel?  Switch emails yet?  My
                 bad was not including your name in the spell chart.
                 So you weren't aware of when spells might end. My fault.

              Kiet - If you wish to pickup the Staff again let me know.
                I figure your character personality would be so disgruntled
                you'd shuck it.  But at least you got half your wish. :)

              Unali - If you wish to move the party alone you can normally
                I'll assume this for the next cave unless you have other
                plans. Will assume at least the healing is done first.  Unless
                due to time you wish to go right away.

              Z'leyra - Darn so close!  Dang the math!  I had at first thought
                Raban couldn't catch up.  But at flying 8 pmr.  :<  Oh
                well a GM can plan a better death next time.  Better luck
                (for me not for you) next time huh? :)  But you are close
                to death.  In fact I've not rolled the attacks by the
                poltergeist yet for the time of talking.  I'll do that
                next update.  Ran out of time.  But you are at negative
                hit points now.  (15+15 from bugs and a few from the
                objects).

              Will - Your insub ended almost right away and you were
                captured.  Sorry wasn't much you could do.  Since the
                Brain couldn't penetrate Z'leyra's shield you were
                easy to control.  But you were released quickly.
                The insub attack was planned long ago so he was aware of
                such possible attacks.

              Kiet/Kell - Either can inform the group what happened below.

          GM: Spells active

              Will      - Armor Transmutation, Mind Shield
              Raban     - Bless (OCV)
              Farseeker - Bless (OCV)
              Arawn     - Bless (OCV)
              Unali     - Mind Shield, Sending
              Fremea    - Mind Shield, Sending
              Z'leyra   - Mind Shield, Sending

              * = Soon to end (next update?].  I may NOT post this
              info unless I remember to do so. :)

          GM: Maps

              ----------------------------
              Mount Side View -
                Scale - 1 Column = 15 feet
                        1 Row = 50 feet  North=wall facing screen
              [Looking from one wall to the other wall.  Toward North
               wall with back to south wall.  Looking east/west.]

                             1         2         3         4         5
                    12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
                   ____________________________________________________
                   I###              Fake Vong ceiling             ###IA
                   I#                                                #IB
                   I#                                                #IC
                   I#                                                #ID
                   I#                                                #IE
                   I#                                                #IFCave
          Cave 1-> `#                                                #`G<-#4
                   I#                                                #IH
          Cave 2-> `#                              Party Location -> #`I<-#5
                   I#                                                #IJ
          Cave 3-> `#                      Cave #6 World Brian ----> #`K<-#6
                   I#                                                #IL
                   I#                                                #IM
                   I#                 @ <-Portal (Kotohi)            #IN
         Mount     I#T                                              T#IO
         Ground --?I#]A_A_A_A_A_A_A_A____......._______V__V__V__V__V[#IP
                   I                       Y<X \                      IQ
                   I                      Z     Lava (. points)       IR



              I = Rock wall, #=Vong ladder structure
              ` = Entrance to cave [open mostly]
              _ = Rock floor (Row P) ground floor
              A = Vong Bowl Home (10' high)
              V = Vong flyer
              T = Vong Tower (30' high)
              ],[=Base of Vong tower (wooden)
              X = Rabbit Hole opening 30' wide below cavern to tunnels
              Y = Tunnel of Treasure/Sentry cave (under ground floor)
              Z = Pit/Lake caves below elevation of Treasure cave tunnel
             1-6= Side caves on east/west walls

      Party is located Row I50.  To be more precise 20 feet below the level
      of the Cave #5 Entrance.  About 80 feet above Brain cave







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