Jammers:Chapter 4, Turn 21 Summary pt 1

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:
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There is a list devoted to OOC discussions of the game for lurkers and
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----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

IC:

Billy guards the ship on his shift. Stopping in the galley for a quick
snack 3 hours before sunrise. Everything is exceptionally quite tonight.
There hardly is any activity at the port.

Holland gathers everyone together for breakfast, "I have identified the
magical items. The two potions are of Longevity and Growth, respectively;
and," saying to Ferric, "the platemail is just magically enhanced to
provide better protection, no other more exotic special functions."

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

Leera tries to gather all those interested in a trip to the market. If she
can get a shipmate or two to accompany her, she browses the market, looking
for a new robe, and for anything else of special note.

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

Seguld gathers up the remaining items and recruits a couple of crew members
to help him carry the items to the market. Starting with the statuette and
working his way down in size Seguld quickly sells off the items for a good
price and then returns to the ship.

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

On the morning of the 2nd, Grigree wakes up early and starts preparing some
chairs and table for the interviews.

Robert grabs some chairs from below deck for the interviews to come, and
sets them out where asked to by Kain.  He continues to look up at the city
with a sad look every now and then. "What's keeping you Rhu?" he asks the
sky.  "Akadi please bring him back safe soon."

Kain rises early, donning some of the new clothing he'd bought after making
sure he's washed all the paint from his body.  Nibbling at a bit of cheese
and bread from the galley, Kain helps Robert and Grigree prepare the chairs
for the interviews after the short breakfast.

The dozen or so interested adventurers arrive at the ship this morning,
looking like a motley group indeed. They run the gamut from a giant giff to
a rather barbaric looking halfling. Kain, Raken, and Grigree drag some
chairs and a table up from below, and start the long process of
interviewing the prospective new members.

Continuing to look up the city while on deck, Robert makes small talk about
the various possible recruits.  "I really don't see why you don't think an
ogre wearing a pink tutu would make a bad member." shaking his head as he
moves about the deck, "I thought he had potential as one of us."

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

"Uh... let me begin by making introductions on our part. The two gentlemen
with me are Grigree and Robert of Akadi," the youngish looking human says
with a gesture to each of his companions as the interview begins. "And..
ah.. my name is Kain," he adds. Looking down at a small piece of paper he's
been holding, Kain says, "First of all, names are important. So what's
yours?"

Allagan leans his spear up against mast behind him and sits down in the
chair.  He begins, "My name is Allagan Bohan. I am a Priest of Zeus and
native of Bral.  I have completed my ecclesiastic duties for a time and
wish to expand my horizons."

Kain looks up at Allagan and back to his paper a number of times before
finally seeming to find what he's looking for. "Ah, okay, name yes,
profession, yes, reason, yes," Kain mumbles.  Looking to Allagan, Kain
asks, "I've but a few questions to ask, then perhaps.. ah.. my companions
might have a number of inquires also," he says slowly.

Robert looks the man up and down intently, studying his features, and
observing his holy symbol. Allagan is an extrememly devestatingly handsome
man with bright piercing green eyes. His holy symbol, a fist filled with
lightning bolts, lays against his chest.

"We've a number of helmsmen, navigators, sailors, and experienced wildspace
fighters," Kain explains. "Have you similar abilities that you feel..
well.. distinguish yourself from another applicant?"

Allagan responds, "I am a trained spelljammer sailor. I am also skilled in
null gravity combat and ship to ship signaling.  I have not been trained on
how to operate a spelljammer helm, but I am willing to learn."

"Aside from ship related skills, what else might you bring to the Company?"
Kain asks as a second question.

Allagan replies, "I will bring the power and might of Zeus the All-Father."

"Does the all father grant healing prayers?" Robert also asks, looking at
Kain "Raken could use some help occassionally." he says with a shrug
pushing his hair back from his eyes.

Allagan replies, "Yes, Zeus allows me to heal."

"And.. ah.. my final question," Kain says looking slightly uncomfortable.
"We need fairly open-minded persons on our ship. Do you have any
overwhelming.. uhh.. prejudices that would make it impossible for you to
journey and associate with.. with.. uncommon or unnatural peoples?" Sensing
that perhaps he hasn't expressed himself properly, Kain hurriedly adds,
"I'm not.. uh.. speaking of hobnobbing with Scro or pirates or anything
like that."

Allagan replies, "As a son of Zeus and a native Bralian, I am
understandably very tolerant of 'uncommon or unnatural' peoples.  However,
I am not very tolerant of those who belittle my beliefs or religion."

"Fair enough," Kain smiles.

Robert speaks up from his seat. "Will you have any problems working with
those of other faiths?"

Allagan replies, "No, as long as they respect my beliefs and not mock them."

Allagan asks, "May I ask some questions?"

"Certainly, feel free," Kain nods.

Allagan asks, "Who is your Captain?"

"That would be Holland Wellhouse," Kain responds. "He's our strongest magi,
and fell into the leadership role."

"That would be Captain 'Fireball' Holland." Robert says with a smirk to Kain.

Allagan asks, "Why do you call him 'Fireball'?  Is that his name? It seems odd."

"He's.. ah.. well, tough to put into words," Kain says as he runs his free
hand over the leather headband he wears. "Holland's an Invoker, I believe
that's what Leera said, and uses all those flashy destructive spells."

Allagan asks, "Does this company have any enemies that I should know of
before joining?"

"Pirates.  Lots of them!" Robert offers with a smile.

"uh.. uh.. uh.." Kain stammers as he looks to Robert and Grigree. Dropping
his voice down, even though there's no one about, Kain says, "We've
acquired two ships from the Shipwrecker Fellows, and.. uhh... nabbed one
right from the Barre Sinister, so we're no friend of the.. ah.. pirates
around Bral. Also did.. uhh.. some work for the elves 'gainst the Scro,
though I do not know that.. ah.. the Scro would know who were are," Kain
finishes with a shrug.

Allagan shifts in his chair and says, "You might not want to tell everyone
you interview that story, unless you plan to jettison everyone that you do
not hire," Allagan's eyes glance briefly over to his spear, which is within
arm's reach. Allagan asks, "When do you ship out?"

"That is as yet unknown," Kain says in reply to Allagan.  "We are.. ah..
currently exploring our options for employment."

"In a hurry to get away from Bral for a reason?" Robert asks.

Allagan replies, "No. I reaffirm my desire to join your numbers. It would
seem that I will have many chances for combat with you all."

"Are you, lrr, looking for a fight?" Grigree asks. "That's the one thing we
can promise."

Allagan responds, "I do not actively look for fights. But I will not run
from them."

Grigree nods approvingly.

Allagan asks, "Do you have any more questions for me?"

"I've none," Kain shakes his head.

Allagan stands and picks up his spear, "Where and when will you be posting
the results of the interview?"

"Just wait on the docks, shortly after the interviews have been completed,"
Kain says as he rises and nods to Allagan.

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

Standing at attention before Kain, Raken and Grigree is a strapping young
specimen of Giffhood, wearing the blue Giff Navy uniform, with the pair of
small silver circles pinned to his collar designating his rank. His hippo
head has a light dusting of short black hairs, that have been cut to
conform to the shape of the regulation Giff haircut. The large liquid brown
eyes sparkle with more intelligience than the average giff, but the empty
holsters for two pistols re-affirm the Giff's love for smokepowder weapons.
He is not unarmed though as a large sword is sheathed in a copper scabbard
on his left side. His thick leathery grey skin has a auburn undertone, that
has a colour reministant of the autumn leaves. Tucked under his left arm is
a blue hat as the giff presents his case to the board for employment.

"Uh... let me begin by making introductions on our part. The two gentlemen
with me are Grigree and Robert of Akadi," the youngish looking human says
with a gesture to each of his companions as the interview begins. "And..
ah.. my name is Kain," he adds.  Looking down at a small piece of paper
he's been holding, Kain says, "First of all, names are important. So what's
yours?"

"Good day sirs, I am Ives Opomba, Midshipman 2nd Class of the Giff Navy.
I'm seeking employment on board the great galley "Nightwind" as posted in
your ad.  I am sirs, rated as a E1 navigator, a M2 seaman, a M2 bombadier,
and as a M1 marine in the Giff Navy.  I have with me the certificates and
logs of my experience for the board to review my capabilities for
employment."  Bringing out a folder, Ives presents it to the board, filled
with certificates and logs bearing offical looking stamps and signatures,
but unfortantly all written in Giff.  "If the board has any questions, sirs
I shall be glad to answer them, including any on my past deployments."

Looking up from where he's seating, Robert rubs his neck straining to look
up so far. "Tall lad." he comments quietly to Grigree.

Grigree gives a small nod without turning his head. "And good in a fight by
the look," he adds.

Kain blinks a number of times as he fingers the proferred package.
Remembering his slip, Kain looks through his list of questions.

"Ah, I am unfamiliar with the Giff Navy Ives," Kain says.  "But from your
presentation, you are skilled as a navigator, seaman, large weapons expert,
and in boarding techniques. Ah.. have I understood you correctly Ives?"

"Why sir, you are right, and in the large weapons sirs, I have been trained
in the proper use and care of bombards in combat. I have learnt wildspace
navigation, along with how to actualy sail a spelljamming vessel. As well I
am  skilled in boarding techinques and how to defend against them."

"Bombards" Robert utters quietly to Kain, "Seguld will love this one." he
adds with a smile.

"A kindred spirit," Kain smiles in return.

"Past deployments, yes, that would be quite helpful," Kain nods. "If you
please, Ives, what are the more recent stations you have held, from most
recent going on back," Kain adds as he looks up at the Giff. "You seem to
be quite knowledgeable of ships and warfare. Why seek employment with a
fairly unknown group such as ours?" Kain asks.

"Well Sirs, for my first fourteen years I was the ships boy on the GS
LIONS' THUNDER, a Great Bombard under the command of Flag Captain Wilhiem
Boompada, my father, Leuitenant Commander Mikael, was his second in command
and my mother Serjant Ivanava was the head Marine on board. My parents
transfered to the Clipper GS ROOKES DRIFT, and I was made a Midshipman 3rd
Class. I sailed under Flag Captain Wilhiem and 2 months ago he stopped on
Bral where I along with most of the crew got transfered off and I was
promoted to Midshipman 2nd Class. I have sirs spent the past two months
seeking work, but apperantly there is no call for a Midshipman 2nd Class on
any of the vessels docked thus far. As to working with a unknown group like
yours, well Sirs a Midshipman 2nd Class wouldn't be hired on with one of
the more renowed groups. That sirs, and Bral is a frightfully expensive
place to live, what."  Taking back his folder Ives nods to the board and
waits for any further questions.

"It's a bit cramped down below," Robert says to the hulking giff, "Do you
have any problems working or sleeping in confined spaces?"

Turning to face Robert the Giff says with a deadpan face "Why no, just as
long I can take my gnome
'Supportandexpansionofatocrampedspacewithleverspoweredbysteamproducedfromcom
bustionofcoalandwithagianthamsteroverdrive' " Taking a deep breath after
imiting a tinker gnome he says "device with me."  Pausing a moment Ives
continues, but with a small grin twitching at the corners of his mouth
"Just as long I can stretch my neck on deck sirs, I'll have no problem
dealing with the confined spaces.

"I like this fellow."  Robert says to the Kain and Grigree. "Humour with a
punch. Woohoo!"

"Indeed," Kain grins. "Shortly after we have completed the.. ah..
interviews Ives, we will have a list of the four on the docks."

"In that case I thank the board for hearing my case for employment, and I
shall be eagerly waiting its decision." Giving a smart salute Ives turns
about and disembarks from the NIGHTWIND.

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

A thin, scraggly looking human that stands about 5 and a half feet tall
boards the ship, quickly glancing around before taking a seat. He sits on
the front
edge of the seat and looks ready to bolt at any moment. He runs his hand
through his hair and his skin looks red and raw. A shortsword in its
scabbard hangs from a baldric belted around his waist and it's not certain
if he's grimacing or smiling, though the somewhat rotten teeth that can be
seen do not really make anyone want to guess either. It is easy to deduce
his age at less than a score of years. Finally he speaks, "I'm Jax. A man
at the docks told me your sign said you were looking for able-bodied crew.
I'm here to sign up." Jax's words are almost garbled by his thick,
lower-class accent and his diction and grammar are attrocious, though he's
intelligible.

"Uh... let me begin by making introductions on our part. The two gentlemen
with me are Grigree and Robert of Akadi," the youngish looking human says
with a gesture to each of his companions as the interview begins. "And..
ah.. my name is Kain," he adds.

Kain nods, "Indeed, we are looking for crew. Have you had any previous..
ah... experience on a ship?  We've sailors, navigators, and the like
aboard, so if you've the mind to learn, the Company should be able to..
err... help you pick it up."

After a long moment Jax replies. "No, no ship work. Been around them and
spacers all my life", he jerks a thumb over his shoulder toward Bral's busy
streets, "but this's my first opportunity to do a little spacing.  I'll
learn fast."

Kain nods approvingly.  "Ah..you have been around them though, that's quite
good.  Plenty of people in the Company who are skilled in spacing."

Working his way through the interviews, Kain rarely looks at his list of
questions by now, instead going from memory. "Apart from any shipbound
skills and.. ah.. duties, what else might you bring to the Company that
another cannot?"

He scratches at scraggly patches of facial hair, opening an nasty but small
cut on his jaw in the process. "I don't have any skills. Just a good back
and need for pay. There aren't many jobs that'll get but I was told your
sign didn't say anything about skills, just desire." Jax pauses, "Unless
you mean something more substantial. I don't have much but maybe we can
arrange something."  He flashes his left hand (the one that hasn't been
scratching his face) showing he's palmed three gold coins.  "If you need
more to think about I might be able to add to it."

Grigree raises a questioning eyebrow at the human's offer.

"One more question following this one, and I'll be done Jax," Kain says.
"What reasons have you for seeking a berth on the NIGHTWIND?"

Jax knuckles his forehead.  "I want to get away from the gutters. I've
lived there all my life and there's no future there. I've seen enough
adventurers to know you all live the good life.  I want to live that life,
not scrabble for food and break my back for coppers. And at least I won't
have to be spit on by those...", he doesn't finish the thought and
continues after a moment, "I'm not afraid to fight or to work hard so I'm
thinking I got what you need -- and you've definitely got what I need, a
chance to leave."

"Well, we haven't quite..ah..made it to the good life yet Jax," Kain grins,
"but that is our intention.  And we've a good.. umm.. start on it also, I
think," Kain adds.

"My last question's coming up Jax," Kain continues. "We are a diverse group
of travelers," he explains.  "Do you have any difficulties in working
alongside or encountering peoples who aren't human or demihuman?"

"Been living alongside every rat's dog all my life. It doesn't matter what
your friends are so long as they're guarding your back not looking to put a
knife
in it or scrabbling with you for bread. No, I don't have time for race
hates.  That's upper class stuff." He gets ready to spit, thinks better of
it, and
swallows, all quite obviously.

Kain nods again with a smile. "It is good to have someone to watch your
back," he says with agreement evident in his tone. "We'll be posting the
results of our interviews shortly after they're finished," Kain adds.  "At
the..ah..Master of
the Docks, and hope to meet those who are chosen there," he finishes.

Continued in Part 2