Jammers:Turn 13

They try to choose a captain and return to Bral....
IC:
Kain lends a hand as the _Whilrwind_ pulls away from the dock, though he
lets those with more experience do most of the work. "First time I've ever,
ah, been able to aid with a ship leavin' port," he smiles.  With Talus on
the helm, Kain takes to his bunk, so he can get some rest before his shift
is to begin.

As the WHIRLWIND leaves Finagle, Deigatt takes up position at the catapult,
giving the weapon a quick readiness inspection, and then standing stiffly
and staring vigilantly out into the stars.

A few hours later,now rested from the taxing spell, Holland heads up the to
the top deck and returns the darts to Leera, "I was unable to determine
their usage, I apologize." She smiles and says "That's alright..."
Everyone slowly returns to the routinue of shipboard life underway.
Holland finds the pantry now stocked with plenty of fresh scavver meat,
night scavver being considered a wildspace delicacy. The galley becomes the
gathering point for those wishing to socialize.

During the third shift on the first day, Deigatt approaches Raken in the
galley (rather crowded at the moment). "Mate Raken," the minotaur says in
his deep voice. "Have the humans selected a captain yet, helse his this
vessel still a body with no head?"

        "Not to my knowledge, my friend," Raken replies without turning
from the stars he is watching.  "Nor has battlestations been choosen.  The
only thing that has been decided is a shift rotation."  He turns to looks
at the large minotaur.  "Let's hope that we don't run into trouble."  He
lets out a chuckle.  "First voyage as a unit, and we already have powerful
enemies.  Not a good beginning.  Lets hope that Celestrian smiles upon us
and grants a safe voyage.  So, where do you think we should head after we
leave Bral?  I hear Spiral is lovely this time of year, though I also hear
Ironpiece is a friendly port."

        "Since we're all here," Grigree says as he steps into the
conversation, "why don't we figure it out now?"  The hadozee looks around
at everybody during his pause.

        "Radick and Billy," he looks over at the two, "are both experienced
with our catapult.  Unless they complain, and until we get someone else
trained, they should be by it when we hit trouble." Grigee moves over to
the spellcasters.  "You wizards, and priests, should be on deck to help out
with whatever is needed.  Before we board, help take out their crew in any
way you can."  He steps back to address everyone.  "Once we're engaged, we
do whatever is necassary to win. How's that for a start?"

Talus nods in agreement from where he sits enjoying Holland's cooking.
After swallowing that mouthful he comments, "If we come to a battle I may
be on the helm.  If not, the chances are that I won't have any spells =
ready, but if I do they will only be short range, suitable for boarding
actions." The half-elf continues with a slight grin, "Otherwise I will be
left to  defending the ship with my dagger," patting the ruby hilted dagger
sheathed  on his belt.  "I am not much of a warrior, and I have no
experience  ballista or catapults, so I don't know what else I could do."

Billy listens to Grigree's plan and agrees.

Holland looks a bit unsure but hesitantly speaks up, "I have thought
about battle-tactics and have come up with some basic positions, not
unlike what Grigee has already mentioned but it puts names to places"

"What I have thought about is:

Upon alert of a ship or some other nasty:
Ballista: Billy/Kain
Catapult: Nilaroo/Grigree/Radick
Forecastle: Holland/Leera
Deck: Deigatt/Talus/Italpate/Raken

Upon boarding:
Ballista: Billy/Kain
Forecastle: Leera/Holland
Missile Support: Nilaroo
Boarding Party: Deigatt/Italpate/Talus/Raken/Radick/Grigree"

Holland says, "I thought that it would be good to have another person
stay with Nilaroo as missile support but I don't know which of you have
and can use a bow.  The locations of the Helmsmen are if they are not on
the helm at the time."

Looking a little red around his collar Holland finishes, "That is my
suggestion, I would also suggest that, once we decide upon positions, we
have battle-drills over the next few days on our return trip to the
Rock.  We need to work together smoothly.  What do you all think?"

Italapate finally speaks up... "I think that I would just be killed if I
joined a standard boarding party.  I can use a bow, I will join missle
support.  I can also check out the battle from a distance and can think of
some way to disrupt the bad guys...."

Holland replies, "Having at least two people using bows would be
preferable.  That is not a problem.  That would change the baording
party to be:  Deigatt, Talus, Raken, Radick, Grigee, though I am not
sure if Talus would like to be on the boarding party either."

        "Maybe Talus could watch the boarders backs, to make sure we
don't get jumped,"  Grigree adds.  "The wizards may be lost in their
art and not see everything around them. Or maybe he could throw knives, or
we could teach him to use a crossbow."

Radick: "Why don't you move Italapate..."

Deigatt's big brown eyes roll back in his furry head as he roars in
frustration: "I don't know how you humans could even start a civilization,
much less travel through space! Hall you do his bicker! Just select a
captain hand let him make the decisions!"

Grigree looks over at Deigatt and says, "Okay, you're the captain. If we
don't like the plan you come up with, we throw you overboard."  He finishes
with a smile.

Holland looks at Deigatt and shakes his head, "No one apparently wants to
be Captain, but to insure we don't offend your sensibilities lets make this
short."

"I propose the following positions:

Initial Battle Positions:
Ballista: Billy/Kain
Catapult: Nilaroo/Grigree/Radick
Forecastle: Holland/Leera
Deck: Deigatt/Talus/Italpate/Raken

Battle Positions upon boarding:
Ballista: Billy/Kain
Forecastle: Leera/Holland
Missile Support: Nilaroo, Italpate
Deck: Talus
Boarding Party: Deigatt/Raken/Radick/Grigree"

Holland looks around the group, "Is this acceptable?"

Billy looks up at the arguement and says, "What Holland suggests is all
right, otherwise, I'm stumped!" He crosses his arms on his chest and sets
his feet shoulder width apart, and to your amazement starts turning into a
tree stump!

"Sheesh," Grigree mumbles as he stares wide-eyed at the spot where a
halfling used to be.  "Everybody's doin' tricks these days."

"So it seems," Kain laughs quietly, peeking his head into the galley
doorway as Billy undergoes his change.  "Was ah, wondering where everyone
disappeared to...just stopped in to get a drink of water, nothing much
going on topside."  Quickly apprised of the situation, Kain says, "Ah,
though I don't really know much about that ballista, I'll do hmm...my best.
I'm..well, a fairly quick study."  Finishing his water, Kain takes leave of
everyone and returns to his watch on the main deck.

"Why does everybody want me on the catapult crew?" Grigree asks."I barely
know which way  the stones come out!  Since I've spent most of my life in
the ratlines,  I think I'd be of more use on deck."  He pauses a bit to
take a breath, and continues more slowely.  "Deigatt, our storng warrior,
could take
my place by the catapult.  Radick has offered to teach me the ways of  our
heavy weapons, so I'll be able replace one of the crew after I've  had
practice.  Until then, I'm worth more on deck."  The hint of a smile comes
back to his face as he says, "Hope our *captain* takes that into account."

Holland rubs his temples, an action that he has been doing frequently as
of late, and says, "You would only be on duty at the catapult while we
were a distance from approaching ships.  The catapult needs three to
operate and as far as I know, no one else knows how to use it either,
though I may be wrong.  Once we closed the distance you would be on
deck, because the catapult would be useless.  Of course, the best way to
learn something is by doing it."

"This is what teamwork is all about, compromise and doing what is good
for the team.  But if you really feel strongly about being on deck
instead of the catapult..." Holland's voice trails off.

 "If we're all to do our part, *to the best of our abilities*," Grigree
emphasises, "for the benefit of the team, then I belong on the  ropes."  He
looks around again.  "I'm all for everybody being cross-trained, but until
we're all good at everything we should stick to  what we're good at or help
out where there's room.  Is that okay,  Cap'n?" Grigree asks Holland.

Holland jerks back as if he had been burned and hurriedly says, "I am
just making suggestions, in no way, shape or form am I trying to assert
myself as Captain.."  Holland looks over to the Post-Captain for support,
but seeing her grinning and whittling away at a scaaver bone he looks back
at Grigree and while rubbing his temples says, "You, of course, are right,"
Holland
looks at Deigatt and Raken and asks, "Would one of you be willing to
initially man the catapult?  If so, we can have resolution on this
subject."

"Mate Holland's suggestion happears sufficient," Deigatt bellows in his
softest voice. "Hit will lessen some hof the chaos that characterized hour
last battle, hat least. My only concern his that he hand the human woman
har halone hon the forecastle during the battle. Given their emotional
hinvolvement, I would be more comfortable with someone more hobjective hon
the forecastle to watch over her hand make sure she does not try hagain to
deceive hus with her magicks."

Holland gives Deigatt a very confused and puzzled look, "Perhaps I did not
understand you correctly.  You said, 'Given their emotional involvement'?
You must know something that I don't, because I did not know that we were
emotionally involved other than, of course, the comradeship that everyone
onboard shares.  As for Leera deceiving us, you probably should stop
beating that horse...it is quite dead."

"But Mate Holland," Deigatt replies, clearly confused. "Did you
not come to hapologize hon her behalf hafter her great deceit? Hand did
you not without hesitation hargue hon her behalf hafter Mate Two-Thumbs
hand I suggested haccomodations for her hillusions? Hand do you not now
compare her to a noble steed to deflect my concerns habout her potential
for future treachery? Hit his very clear that you have claimed this human
woman for your own, even though you refuse to take responsibility for her
actions has a honorable husband would."

Italapate grins.  "Hi don't think hi hunderstood ha single word hof that...."

Grigree smiles and lets out a long sigh, shaking his head.

Holland shakes his head, a wry smirk coming to his lips and says, "Deigatt,
it is times like these that reinforce to me how different your culture is
from mine.  Think what you will..everyone is entitiled to an opinion..no
matter how false it is."  Holland's eyes unfocus as he stares at the wall
recalling something that was told to him years ago.  His lips move slightly
and faint sounds can be heard of his recollection, "'Error of opinion may
be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it'."

        "You har speaking hin hidioms that I do not hunderstand, Mate
Holland," Deigatt replies. "There his much habout humans that I still do
not hunderstand, this his happarent. Hand there his much habout humans
that I don't believe I want to hunderstand. However, hit happears that you
do not want the human woman. Hin light hof her behavior, I call such a
decision wise. I remain convinced that she his a danger to hus hall, but I
ham just a minotaur from a distant sphere where humans har more... hum...
useful. I will resume my post hat the catapult hand study hits workings."

Holland stands, stretches for a moment and says, "It appears that we
have the positions agreed upon:

Initial Battle Positions:
Ballista: Talus/Deigatt
Catapult: Nilaroo/Italpate/Raken
Forecastle: Holland/Leera (taking the place of the current helmsman if needed)
Deck: Kain/Billy/Grigree/Radick

"Boarding will have to be a by the seat of our pants thing,  but in general
spellcasters should remain on the forecastle or sterncastle, where we can
throw ourspells the best.  Nilaroo, Deigatt, and Radick would seem the best
equipped for boarding, supported by the rest of us as best we can." Holland
concludes, "I need to go study my spells but I suggest that during our
return trip we have drills just like we did aboard the _Flowfish_, in order
to get things running smoothly." Holland then still working kinks out of
his muscles from sitting so long leaves the room headed to the Helmsmen
room.

When everyone seems to come to a consensus, the tree stump quickly retakes
shape into Billy. "At the rate the arguments were going, I thought I would
end up a permanent fixture of the galley!" Billy smiles at all, "Well, off
to my duties!" He turns and, whistling a merry tune, returns topside.  Once
topside he goes up to Kain  "Kain, why don't you walk with me?", they are
soon engrossed in conversation.

Back in the galley...
"I ham not haccustomed to the disorganization that his running this
vessel," Deigatt says to Raken and Grigree after the discussion. "For many
long years hon Geb I lived the strict regimen hof military training, hand
now I find myself floating hin the sea hof night with none to rely hon.
This his not a way hof living to my liking."

 "This isn't the military, Deigatt.  You should rely on all off us, just
like we rely on you." Grigree says.

        Deigatt's heavy sigh sounds like a bear's growl. "My mentor
Parthan," he continues as he looks from Raken to the stars around, "he told
me hof a race hof powerful creatures called 'Hillithids.' Perhaps hif I ham
relieved hof my duties in Bral, then I should seek hout these creatures
hand learn from them what I ham wanting to know."

        Grigree stares in shock for a few moments.  "You want to look for
illithid?"  Another pause as he composes himself.  "They'll suck your
brains out before you can take a breath!"  The hadozee's black eye glance
up to Deigatt's horns.  "Well, maybe several breaths. What kind of
information could you possibly be looking for that will make you seek out
the illithid?"

Italapate merely looks at the minotaur, his eyes wide for a moment.  He
says, simply, "Yikes...." then looks away again, shaking his head.

        Deigatt turns to Grigree with interest. "You have met these hillithids?
Hand they har dangerous to you? I certainly mean no threat to them, has hit
his only knowledge that I seek."

        "Not just to me," Grigree replies.  "They have the power to take
over your mind, and they eat brains for food.  I hear rumors of illithid
that actually deal with others without trying to eat them, but I've
never seen one being social-like. It's not whether you're a threat to them.
It's whether you're a good meal."

"Oh, they can be social.  Dealing with them is like playing with scavvar;
they probe your defenses, then go in for the kill, literal or figuatively.
Worst part is that they're far more intelligent than most archwizards, and
twice as deadly.  I don't trust them, even the very few that work along
side of humans rather than behind the whip they use to herd their slaves,"
Raken says with a grim look on his face, indicating his seriousness in the
subject.  "If you don't want to wind up as a mindless slave, give them a
wide berth; if that's not possible, put a pike in their chest.  Its safer
that way."

Deigatt looks upset, "Perhaps suggesting I look to them was some kind hof
joke my mentor had with me. I'm beginning to see that deceit hand
humiliation har primary components hof human hinteraction. But this his not
the kind hof knowledge I want to find."

"Aye, humans can be a quirky lot," Grigree says with a smile, looking at
those present to show that he was kidding.

        "Parthan told me halso hof the Harcane. Do you know hof these? Do you
think them halso dangerous?" Deigatt says.

        "Arcane are blue humanoids that would sell their homeworld for the
right price.  Some say they already have...  They're not dangerous, and
easy to deal with if you've got the gold.  Well, easier than illithid at
least.  I've seen a few, but never had any dealings with them.  Maybe one
you," he looks around at the gathered crowd, "can tell him more?" Grigree says.

"Bloody arms dealers," Raken responds.  "They have a lot for sale, most of
which is likely stolen.  As far as I know, they won't deal in slaves, but
that doesn't mean they won't deal with slave traders.  Money is all they
care for, nothing else.  I've heard of them selling to both sides of a war,
even escallating it just to sell more blasted helms and magical items.
'Bout the only people they DON'T deal with are the neogi, and that's only
because they, somehow, have their own supply of helms.  No one really knows
how they get them..." He lets the words trail off, gives a shudder, and
returns to watching the stars through the porthole.

With that everyone again returns to the standard shipboard routine.  During
the next five days at random times a bell rings incessantly,  indicating
the standard spelljamming signal for battle-positions, throughout the ship.

The first time the signal is sounded things do not run very uniformly but
that is to be expected for the first time.  Things improve with each drill,
though not dramatically.

At the fourth drill Talus gives Holland a sour look as he takes his
position, noting that there is no enemy in sight.  The half-elf is plainly
unhappy at leaving his warm bed for little.

For the fifth drill the half-elf is the last on deck.  Taking a long look
around to find it is another drill, Talus walks over to Holland.
"Holland, let me tell you a story.  There was once a village deep in orc
territory, they survived the constant attacks by having a strong wall
around the town, and by having someone in a lookout tower to call the
alarm.  A lazy human boy named Tom ended up as a watchman, mainly because
no one else wanted anything to do with him.  After a couple of days Tom
became bored and sounded the alarm.  He then watched with glee as the
villages outside dropped whatever they were doing and ran for the safety of
the walls.  They were most upset when they found it was a prank, but they
let Tom off with a warning.  When Tom did it a couple of days later they
beat him.  And a couple of days later when the alarm sounded, they
generally ignored it, figuring that it was Tom up to his tricks.  Instead
the attacking orcs destroyed the town and Tom ended up in an orcs cookpot."

Talus gives Holland a penetrating look, "Do you get the message?"  The
half-elf then turns and heads back to his half eaten dinner.

Holland shakes his head and says, "Remind me to tell you the story about
the village who were not prepared for an orc attack sometime.  Perhaps
after that you will understand."

Each crew member spends their freetime during the rest of the trip to Bral
differently.

Holland spends a majority of his time, when not on the helm, learning new
spells.  He finds the time each day to make sure that something is cooking
in the galley for everyone to savor and spends a little time alternating
between the helm-room, supervising the Helmsman and giving advice, and the
main deck, either watching the stars or lending a hand.

Italapate is unusually quiet for the entire voyage.  At one point, in
the middle of the trip, he tells Radick and Holland he will miss his
turn on the helm for personal reasons.

Finding a quiet area of the ship, out of the way from traffic as much as is
possible on such a smallish vessel, Italapate begins to set up a ceremony.
He paints his face with dyes from his pouch. He sets, in a kitchen pot, a
small, contained fire, Coyote's gift to his people. He chants, and rocks in
rhythm, gesturing over a greenish mash, obviously a plant substance.
Finally, he eats the mash, and slips mentally into another world.....after
30 minutes or so he gets up and walks below decks, an uncharecteristicly
pensive look on his face.

As the six days progress, Kain follows a fairly set routine.  A while
before the beginning of the third shift, Kain wakes, and goes to bother
Talus on the helm.  His time on duty is spent either working on the lines,
or looking for trouble.  Before sleeping again, Kain is careful to set
aside some time for quiet thought, making more sketches in his tome.

Leera spends most of her time on the way back to Bral studying her spellbook.

Billy spends his time on duty working quickly, but efficiently, humming all
the while. (Learning from his mistakes, his crossbow is always within
reach.) When not on duty, he spends his time eating the good food that
Holland prepares, loitering on deck or relaxing in his bunk.

During his shifts Radick spends a good deal of time hanging out with
Grigree and speaking of various journeys prior to this one.  When it comes
time to work, Radick is very diligent about his tasks and performs them
without complaint or issue.  Radick is very hesitant to deal with Kain too
closely, although he himself can not explain why, even when Grigree
questions him on it.

When off duty Radick takes some time to enjoy Holland's cooking, and takes
it upon himself to see that the bed pans are emptied. Radick makes sure to
sleep during Holland's shift at the helm, so that he can speak with him
during part of the next shift.  The entire crew notices that ever since the
repairs were beinig performed and Radick had spoken to Grigree, his entire
attitude has changed back to his earlier one. He is more friendly and not
so distant in his encounters
with the members of the crew.

New IC:
And so the journey continues uneventfully,  the WHIRLWIND following the
FLOWFISH about 15,000 yards back.  The stars go by,  the planets continue
to orbit, and after six days the huge, building covered potatoe-like
astroid that is the Rock heaves into view.  The pickets are crossed with a
minimum of fuss,  and its not long before the WHIRLWIND is docked behind
the FLOWFISH on the docks.

Captain Wilhelmina watches the FLOWFISH dock with all the anxiety of an
anxious mother, then watches your own procedure with a critical eye.
Italapate is on the helm,  and he manages to slide the eelship into her
berth with only a slight dip or three.

"Gather up all your gear and come with me to the House Moune offices,"  the
captain says, shouldering her rucksack, "Those who choose to leave will get
their pay there, those interested in Lady Moune's offer will have a chance
to speak with her." She turns to Nilaroo, "You are more then welcome to
come along as well.  House Moune can certainly use a shipwright as skilled
as you."

Stopping only to give a series of short instructions to Lt Sabbagh
(including posting several sailors from the FLOWFISH as guards for the
WHIRLWIND) Capt Wilhelmina leads you up the winding, steep stairs from the
dock level and through the mercurial, crowded streets of the Rock. The
group passes down Low Street then cut across Dock Street to get on Grand
Street, one of the larger and more crowded thoroughfares of the city.  It's
still several blocks  then until the corner of Traders' Way,  where the
Moune offices stand.

Once inside the large building Captain Wilhelmina motions the party to a
guards waiting room.  As everyone sets their gear to the floor one of the
guards announces that it will be a few moments before Lady Tarilia Moune
will be ready to see them.  It is, in fact, nearly a full hour before a
guard inchain and a tabard with the house colors leads the party back
towards Lady Tarilia's office.




"We look on the same stars,  the sky is common,  the same world surrounds
us.  What difference does it make by what pains each seeks the truth?  We
can not attain to so great a secret by one road..."
Symmachus,  "Memorial on the Occasion of the Removal of the Altar of
Victory from the Senate House" (392 AD)

westermeyer.3@???.edu
Paul William Westermeyer