Jammers:Chapter 4, Turn 8 Summary

Comments, criticism, and flames always welcome and in fact are requested. I
crave feedback:)

Past turns and further information (such as who's who) can be found at the
Jammer's webpage:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/3001/jammers.htm

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Jammers PBEM game) go to the following URL:
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Spelljammers

There is a list devoted to OOC discussions of the game for lurkers and
players alike.  Here's the information:
Post message: Elrohir@???????.com
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-------------- =storyline break
*************** =time break

IC:

Holland continues to mutter until Kain begins to leave, Holland then says
softly, "Kain, please have the gear we brought from the SWORD -- especially
the navigation equipment--brought here to the helm room."

"Sure thing Holland, I've most of.. ah.. the navigation equipment in my bag
up top," Kain replies.

Holland adds in a sickly-sweet voice as Kain's hand is on the cabin's
hatch, "Oh, and Kain; would you also please ask the others not to mess with
any other books they may find until Talus has a chance to look them over. I
would appreciate it."

Kain grimaces slightly, "I'll do what I can Holland."

Once Kain leaves Holland returns to his mutterings.

-------------------
<in the large cabin>

Talus looks despondent at the book going up in flames, but at Raken's
suggestion of a secret compartment again searches the cabin from top to
bottom looking for any signs of a concealed compartment. He finds no secret
compartments, but does discover that the chest is locked.

Stopping back in the Captain's cabin, Kain waits as Talus searches the
room. "Holland would.. ah.. like you to check out any of the books we find
Talus," Kain reports.  "I'll also tell you if we find any locked chests or
other containers," Kain adds.

Talus sits back on his heels for several minutes staring at the chest
before kneeling down and examining it and searching for any hint of a trap
before trying to pick the lock. He finds it opens with almost no trouble.
Inside he finds a bronze dwarven warmask, a shortsword, a handaxe, a small,
black marble box with a golden rune on the lid, a leather bound book, a
Merchant's scale, 2 plain brooches, sealing wax, small metal mirror, and a
spelljamming sextant.

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

Kain begins to make the rounds of the Company, stopping and telling
everyone that there may be a stowaway on board.  With the spellcasters, he
also asks if they can detect anyone who may be invisible.

********************

Elmaralena, finished with her survey of equipment and items on the top
deck, grabs her bag of belongings and heads below decks. Stopping at the
first empty cabin she finds, she quickly changes into her normal outfit
with armor. She starts to put her prostitute outfit in the bag, then stops
and throws it into a pile of trash instead, muttering "I hope I never have
to do that again. Next time the boys can be the whores; I'm sure there are
some sailors who would love them."

Leaving the room, Elmarelena looks for Kain. She reports her inventory to
him adding that Seguld is set with the ballista.

"Great," Kain smiles broadly.  "Nice to see you back in your normal
outfit.. your other was.. ah.. too.. um.. distracting," Kain laughs as he
blushes slightly.  "Seguld's good with those ballista, he'll make sure
everything's in order up there.  We.. ah.. had a bit of excitement down
here, a spellbook burning up and an open porthole in a room that.. uh..
looked to have a gnomish or halfling woman staying in there until just a
little bit ago."

Upon hearing about the destroyed spellbook, she simply shakes her head and
says "I hate it when that happens." When informed of the open porthole,
Elmarelena frowns and replies, "Do you think someone could be lurking on
the bottom of the hull where the gravity plane is reversed? Perhaps we
should send a party to investigate. Heck, the hull may even be dirty enough
with dust, etc. for the person to have left footprints."

Kain rubs the side of his face as he considers Elmarelena's idea.  "I
hadn't thought of that," he admits weakly.  "I had just thought she'd of
bolted once the ship took off without any warning.  I.. ah.. don't see why
we couldn't check," Kain shrugs. "It's quite a good idea actually," he
nods.

-------------------
<above decks>

When he gets to the main deck, Kain calls out "Italapate!"  but gets no
response.

A visibly disgruntled Dhebun, returns to the galley to wash and tend to his
wounds as best he can.  He shakes his head in frustration, then
determinedly scurries to the stairs and climbs to the top deck. Clearing
the hold, he scans the ship for a sign of his rescuers. "Halloo?  I would
have a word with you."  He calls aloud.

Billy looks up from his newly coiled rope and dusts off his hands. "Hi! How
can I help?" he asks.

Hearing the strange voice, Seguld spins around quickly drawing his pistols
"DropToYourKneesAndRaiseUpYourHandsOrElsePrepareForTheTasteOf YourOwnBlood!"
Seguld cries out, as he hobbles forward.

Dhebun throws himself to the deck, cringing at the angry shout behind him.
Getting to his knees, he places his trembling hands on top of his head, his
eyes to the planks, and yells loudly,  "I am not armed!"

"Aaahoo!! Aaaahoo!! WeHaveAnIntruderOnDeck!NeedHelpOnDeckNeedHelpOnDeck!
WhereDidThatDangBlasted
ElmaralenaGetOffTo?SheWasSupposedToBeWatchingMyBack" Focusing back on the
surprised dwarf. "AndYouThinkYouCouldSneakUpOnMeWell, NotMe,NoYouCan't!"

Dhebun gazes over his shoulder, his eyes blazing with indignation. "I am no
intruder.  Is this the freedom I was promised?"

Billy nearly jumps out of his skin, as he is now inbetween the disgruntled
dwarf and the excited gnome. Billy holds up his hands showing he is
unarmed. "Seguld," says Billy, "This good dwarf came from below decks.
Seeing as he has not been hacked to bits by our compatriots and seeing as
his means of 'attack' is saying 'Halloo' I think he means to have a chat
before sending us to our doom." Billy says the last part with a smile.

Stroking his beard and rising to his feet, Dhebun bows to him. "Dhebun,
Ghim's son, at your service.  I had not thought to find one of your folk in
such a place."  Clearing his throat, Dhebun continues. "I am... most
grateful... for my release, but I would like to know whence we are now
bound?"

"Nice to meet you Dhebun. I am Billy and our kind permates the spheres like
rats on ships. We small enough that most don't really notice us." Billy
points to the bow with his thumb. "Current heading, unless there has been
some change of plan that I don't know about, is Bral."

Seguld's eyes go wide. "SayNoMore!SayNoMore!NotTilTheOthersHave
ConfirmedHimAsAFriend. HeCouldHaveSlippedPast'Em
AndTheLeaderWhenWeBoardedWasADwarfAndHeIsADwarfSo...
QuitePossiblyHeCouldBeOneOfThem.ISayWeTieHimUpUntilSomeoneConfirmsHisStory,
But... IfYouDon'tWantToThenI'llKeepMyAim ReadyUntilTheStoryIsConfirmed."

"Ferric, I will go below to rest so that I can stand watch later," Deigatt
says, and then he does just that, choosing one of the empty cabins to lie
down in.

"Alright Diegatt, See you in a while."  Shaking his head with a small smile
on his face at the antics of the little folk Ferric steps up to the
speakertube.  "Holland,"  He shouts down, "would you perchance know
anything of a dwarf that has come up from below?  I think Seguld means to
use him as target practice or at least make a rope cacoon for him unless
someone knows something about the fellow."

Holland stops grumbling for a moment to reply, "There was a dwarf who
claimed to be a slave.  I told him to remain in the galley while we took
the ship.  He showed signs of physical mistreatment.  I would still
recommend some magical divination to make sure he is telling the truth, but
I don't think he needs to be under armed guard."

"Alright, I will see to him then." Ferric replies into the tube.  "Seguld,
please stop waving those pistols at our guest."  The large grey warrior
studies the dwarf as he approaches.  "I am Ferric Gundson, Agent of House
Moune on the Rock of Bral.  What did you say your name was?"

Seguld nods thoughtfully as he slips his pistols back into the bandoliers.

Date/time: 10:30 am 22nd day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, OSU Dept of History
Adjunct Professor, Columbus State Humanities Dept