Jammers:Turn 26, Chapter 6 Summary pt 2

The Ongoing adventures of my Spelljammer PBEM game.

Here's the Jammers web address:

http://jammers.s5.com/

Comments, questions always welcome:)

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

IC:

[Continued from Part 1]

That evening everyone gathers back aboard the ship.

With all present, Talus relates what he and Italapate saw and heard
concerning the shrikeship.

Raken face darkens at the news of the shrikeship. "Great, a footrace.
This is going to get...bloody," he mutters.

Holland taps his chin in thought for a second and then asks, "Talus, please
describe the woman you saw."

"A petite, black haired woman in a black cloak.' Talus answers.

Holland responds, "That sounds like Delmaria, a mage, she works for
Cartan and has a reputation."

Leera nods. "And a lovely sort she is, too." She grimaces. "I'd
sooner face a hungry scavver. She strikes me as being trouble... I'll
see what we can find out about her at the guild. Lady Moune described
her as dangerous, and she seems to have quite a reputation..."

Then Ferric relates Argonui's proposal.

Ferric concludes, "Argonui is apparently someone Lady Moune knows and
trusts from her younger days as an adventurer. By her reactions I am
inclined to trust him as well and I propose we accept his offer of
guidance to the sphere in exchange for giving him the cutlass when we
find Blackjammer's horde.  It is a powerful pirate weapon and
sentient from the accounts so would likely be a danger not only to us
but to the sphere as well should it fall into the hands of others. I
believe we need to move quickly to beat Dougal and his lot there.
That being said, does anyone here have reason why we should refuse
Argonui's guidance?"

Holland asks, "What specifically is his 'guidance'?  Does he have an
actual map to the hidden sphere?  That is the only thing I think
would warrant us handing an artifact over to him. We already have
generalities, we need specifics."

"He claims to know the location of the sphere so I would imagine he
will either accompany us and do the navigation or he will show us
where we need to go on our charts." Ferric answers.

Holland frowns and says, "I would like more details before we come to
a decision. Where is he staying?  Can we get him here quickly?"

Ferric shakes his head "Holland, this is not complicated. We agree to
give Argonui the cutlass so that he may destroy it. In exchange for
the pledge of the cutlass Argonui will guide us to the sphere.
Whether personally or with coordinates I do not know and it really
does not matter for our purposes as long as we get there before
Dougal. Lady Moune trusts him and from speaking with him, I trust
him. She does not go for all the frippery and trappings of the
affluent not to mention retainers at her side unless someone is
important. Though he seems a tad roguish I see in him something that
deserves respect and I strongly suggest that he be treated with the
honor due a gentleman. I shall take it as an affront should you try
to haggle with him as though you were a merchant at a bazaar.  He and
Lady Moune are currently out reacquainting themselves and are
expected back any time now. I have already secured provisions for the
journey as I have said so if you require anything from the Rock
before you leave I suggest you make arrangements immediately so that
we may depart at his earliest
convenience."

Leera's face darkens at Ferric's words. "At his convenience?! He
needs us more than we need him. If his information is so good and so
unique, we needn't hurry, right? I need another two or three days to
finish up my research. I'm sure Holland does as well."

"I would disagree with you on that count Leera but I do apologize as
I was unaware that your research would be finished so soon."  Ferric
says apologetically. "I suppose it's the excitement of a chance to
beat Cartan again, and the fear of what happens if we do not."

"From what I've heard," Sekeht interjects, "Lady Moune has done right
by this Company in the past. If she and Ferric vouch for this
Argonui, then he should be trustworthy. And we don't seem to have any
better leads, right?"

"This Argonui is the same man which claimed to be a story teller at
the alley?"  asks Freneth. "This one does not know Lady Moune, and if
Ferric vouches, then the Lady can be trusted. However, Argonui has
proven that he," a look of ill-ease crosses Freneth's face," is not
above falsehood to gain possession of this Blackjammer's Cutlass. Is
Lady Moune infallible? Perhaps Argonui has mislead the Lady also?"

"What I wish to know is if Argonui actually knows how to destroy the
Cutlass. I fear placing such a weapon in the hands of anyone, even
any one of us, without a means of destroying it. If even half the
rumors are true, that it is so powerful to as to have a mind of its
own, then it may corrupt and any who touches it. Our intentions of
its destruction may instead give birth to a new Blackjammer, a pirate
so fearful that the spheres tremble." Raken says grimly. "Maybe we
should just toss the damned thing into a volcano or something," he
mutters afterwards.

"This Blackjammer's Cutlass holds no value to this one, so using it
to purchase information is acceptable to me. However, Holland is
right to request to meet Argonui before accepting a trade." says
Freneth

"Holland would you like the short history I have on Blackjammer what!
The Cutlass should be destroyed, and besides we may find a few very
interesting items indeed!" Ives rumbles out to Holland's question.

Holland responds, "Sure Ives, hearing about Blackjammer would be good
and it'll fill the time."

"Ahem right," Ives said as he rummaged in his jacket before pulling
out several sheets filled with his heavy writing "A Short History of
Blackjammer the Pirate, What!" he then reads his report.

[OOC: Please see the post "A Short History of BlackJammer the Pirate"]

Towards the end of Ive's recitation Ferric's face turns hard.  When
Ives is done Ferric says quietly, "If Argonui does not destroy this
cutlass then I shall pledge myself to its destruction."

Holland shakes his head in response to Ferric's comments and asks
Ives, "Ives, were you able to find anything specifically about the
Cutlass?  Your history shows that Blackjammer was able to forge a
pirate alliance, is that due to the Cutlass or are people just
overreacting concerning the Cutlass and its supposed mystical powers?"

Ives shrugs his shoulders and says "Look at what Bral did. I haven't
looked at any other wielders of the Cutlass though. From the logbook
we found I can say that the Cutlass is certainly an intelligent
talking weapon what! How powerful a mage do you have to be to create
something like that Holland, extremely powerful is my guess what!"

Holland frowns and admits, "I am hesitant to destroy anything magical
before getting a chance to examine it."

"Do not be tempted by this thing Holland." Ferric says. "It is an
abomination just like its master and as such must be destroyed before
it does create another menace to the spheres."

Holland replies, "If it is what you say it is.  I think it would be
wise to save judgement until we actually have it in our possession."

"Holland's right!" Sekeht says. "He didn't say he'd use it, but it
seems to me that we're going to an awful lot of trouble to find
something and then destroy it. We could probably learn something
useful if we can find out what it does."

Holland grins a wry grin, "Thanks Sekeht."

"It is a weapon," Raken replies. "Devices of death and destruction
rarely have beneficial purposes, other than to kill your foes
quickly."

"Sekeht just because you've discovered a new neogi ship doesn't mean
you blow out of the void what! Besides look at the log book of the
Thor's Hammer, it seduces sailors into pirates. I learnt my lesson
from the encounter with Bosil and I shan't see a blade of such chaos
get into the hands of pirates in Bralspace, what!" Ives replies as
his ears raise up straight.

Sekeht looks at the giff quizzically. "Well, um, we don't need to
decide what we're going to do with it now, I guess. We can wait until
it's closer to being in our possession."

Holland agrees, "Yes, I think we are, how does the saying go? 'Counting our
chickens'..  Let's burn that bridge when we come to it."

"Ummm, you mean 'Burn that bridge after we cross it'. Cuz if you burn
it when you get to it you can't cross over, but of course if you burn
it when you cross it, you can't..." Billy shuts his mouth with a
quick snap after receiving many sharp glances from his crew mates.

"Yeah, probably a..mmmm.. goodly voyage ahead. Plenty of time to
bicker and argue," Kain grimaces and tries to hide a quick grin.

Holland taps his gloved hand against his chin and adds to his
previous comments, "Does anyone happen to know off the top of their
head how many days it is to Bucca's Deep from here?"

"Five," Pate sighs.

Holland nods and continues, "If this Argonui fellow can take us
directly to the sphere then we can afford to stay in port for a few
more days. I need two more days to complete my research. I think
Leera needs approximately the same amount of time. Billy, if we have
the funds, after buying the foodstuffs and portal scrolls, and your
friend can get the information quickly, we might be able to conclude
that little piece of business before we depart. Though, Billy, you
need to exercise a little more restraint in the future when you are
promising COSS funds." Holland asks, "What do you all think about
that?"

"We hear and obey, Captain Holland." Vais says sardonically.

Leera nods. "It sounds like a good plan. Oquid and I will finish our
research soon."

"The story is interesting friend Ives. Perhaps this one could be of
assistance at some time. Many rumors of Blackjammer must be known
among the Black Brotherhood," injects Freneth.

"What of the 200 pirate ships that Blackjammer commanded?  Anything
on their fates?  Many are undoubtedly still alive, and may become
rivals if they learn that Blackjammer's horde has been discovered,"
Raken asks.

Vais says, "I think we really only have the descendents of his own
personal fleet of three to five ships to contend with. And his
numerous supposed scions. The fleet of 200 seems quite legendary to
me, I suspect a more realistic number of vessels would be around
fifty vessels, ranging from mosquitoes to octopus-class ships. Even
then, what he achieved was a temporary merging of a variety of
different pirate groups. Indeed, the coalition didn't even survive
the sack of Dragon Rock as by all accounts they started fighting over
the loot during the assault."

Holland asks Vais, "Do you know anything further about Blackjammer
than Ives has already told us?"

Vais gives a tinny snort, "Yes, Holland. In fact, I know all of its secrets and
I'm keeping them to myself just to annoy you." Vais relents, "No,
nothing really, I helped a little with his work was all."

Holland adds, "We also are going to need two more scrolls of creating
portals."  Holland asks Ferric, "Is that something we can purchase
from House Moune?"

Ferric nods affirmative. "We should have little trouble acquiring them."

Holland asks, "We will need them before we depart. Can you find out
how much they would cost?"

Ferric answers, "I'm sure Lady Moune can tell us at dinner."

Raken considers for a moment. "Harpoons. We may wish to purchase some
harpoons as well. From the description of the place, there are many
large, dangerous creatures, and harpoons are designed to kill such
beasts."

Ferric nods, "Knowing the dangers we will be facing will likely, at
the very least, include a fight against Dougal's shrikeship not to
mention whatever monsters guard the treasure perhaps we should invest
in some more ballista bolts as well as few ballista sized harpoons.
If we survive you know we'll use them eventually and I would hate to
run out and need to rely soley on our ram.  We should also make sure
we have an adequate supply of normal catapult shot.  Seguld said his
were only effective against metal and we haven't really had much
chance to ensure they are going to be useful despite his claims."

Holland nods, "Ives, Kain; could you two please look into that?
Ballista bolts, catapult shots and harpoons or spears are on the
shopping list."

Freneth glances around, and then steps forward slightly. "Master
Billy, Dhebun and oneself met with a gentlemen who said that the
location of Bosil could be found. Master Goffer requested 1000 gold
coins in exchange for the knowledge."

Billy nods, "That's right. A member of my brotherhood says he can
find Bosil for us. Seeing that it seems important to get him out of
our hair, I gave him the go-ahead without consulting the COSS..."
Billy looks around. "We do have money in our coffers..."

Holland sputters, "1000 gold pieces?" Turning to Kain Holland asks,
"After purchasing food stuffs and the necessary portal spells, would
we even have that much left?"

"Umm... we've got two diamonds and a couple hundred gold or there
'bouts," Kain mutters as he looks at the floor.  "That's after paying
for our.. ermm.. provisions, but not for the scrolls. So we may have
enough, what with... ahhh.. leaving the Rock soon.

"We've got a little over five months of.. ahh.. foodstuffs, with the
sixteen of us on board and all. Even if it's decided to accept that
Argonui fellow's offer, that will still leave us with about five
months of... ahhh... food," Kain adds, after a bit of mental math.

Holland says, "I thought the idea was to find out Bosil's location by
snooping around, not by paying someone to do the snooping." Holland
says to Billy, "We probably are going to be leaving Bral in the next
day or two. I don't think we have the resources or the time to deal
with Bosil right now. Can you contact this Goffer fellow and explain
that we won't need the information and null the agreement?"

Billy presses his lips together tightly. "I don't like reneging a
contract like this..." Billy scratches his head, "What if he accepts
to defer payment?"

Holland replies, "Well, see if he has a problem with cancelling the
contract. If that isn't possible, then see if he would be willing to
defer the contract until we return from off-planet. I mean, it would
be a waste of information to know where Bosil will be tomorrow if we
are off-planet tomorrow."

Shaking his head Ferric says, "Billy may have acted in haste but how
can you ask him to cancel on a deal like that? Gold comes and gold
goes Holland but honor, once lost is hard to regain. I'm not sure how
much I have Billy but what I do have is yours should the company not
have funds enough for this. If your contact can find Bosil quickly
I'll go with those others who wish to end his menace and see that he
makes no more worry for us. This would be best since we are about to
leave for a period of months and things would, pardon the pun, die
down in the mean time. If it takes too long for them to find him try
to work it out so that they will point him out again when we return."

"Hoom, I too have some funds. The halflings have done well by us
before - I would not like to lose an ally. Although, hoom, you may
have acted in haste, Billy." Nilaroo notes gently.

"Okay... I feel chastised." Billy indicates Ferric. "But as he says,
money comes and money goes, but Bosil will always be a pain in the
backside. If Goffer hasn't started anything I can cancel the
contract, but he will probably insist on receiving 10% payment for
his trouble... I think we should let him do the leg work and keep
tabs on Bosil. If he doesn't find him before we leave, then he
doesn't receive payment until we return. I'll go back this evening
and update him on the new developments."

Holland nods, "Thank you, Billy."

"Frankly it would take a miracle of navigation to arrive at Bucca's
Deep before Cartan's fop. Somehow I doubt our lead will still be
talking when we arrive. But," Ives perks up and his ears waggle in
the ear "We could get there just in time to smash them, give them a
good bloody nose what!"

Holland arches an eyebrow and asks, "Ives, are you suggesting we
attack Cartan without provocation? Isn't that piracy? He hasn't done
anything that would allow us to use our Letter of Marque." Holland
adds, "Besides, I wasn't talking about going to Bucca's Deep. Since
Cartan has to spend five days traveling to Bucca's Deep, if Argonui
can lead us directly to the hidden sphere we gain at least five days
on him."

Ives sighs heavily and says "You humans make it so complicated what!
You have an enemy, you go in and give him a good one two and thats
the end of the matter.  Its gotten all complicated with your politics
and rot."

Vais chuckles metallically, "best not let a Giff officer hear you sat
that about letters of marque, Ives, or you'll never get promoted!"

"I agree," Pate says. "I mean, what in the Nine Hells does all your
little word tricks matter? Dougal Cartan is the last person in the
Spheres that should have that sabre. And _"Captain"_ you were the one
all Hells Bent to get that stupid thing, and now that someone is
going to beat us to a major clue and/or the cutlass itself, you want
to hang out, "just a few more days" to finish your spell research?
Its a long voyage. Do it on the damned ship!" Pate bolts to his feet,
throws up his arms, and stomps out of the room. As he leaves, he
mutters "Why do I stay here?"

Allagan chimes in, "I agree with Holland. We cannot attack Cartan
without provocation. And, if staying a few extra days means we can
take care of Bosil, then I say we stick it out a few more days.
Cartan has five days to reach Bucca's Deep and then Zeus knows how
many more to reach the flow. If Ferric's friend can lead us straight
to the sphere we save those days. If you would stop acting like a
child and think for a minute you would understand."

"Allagan we know of only man still breathing who has been to that
sphere and we're leaving him to Dougal what! If Dougal is able to get
a hold of the charts for the sphere he can easily make up lost days.
Blind navigation is risky. Bosil will no doubt emerge from hiding
once we leave, he'll be that much easier to find when we get back.
Pate lets us know how he truly feels, much better than men who hide
behind mealy words, barristers and other such rot!" Ives rumbles out
as his ears slant forward at a rakish angle.

Holland disagrees, "That is not exactly true Ives. Argonui knew about
the Isle of Dread, the place where Rory went to find the Cutlass. The
name of the Isle was listed in the logbook but no where else as far
as I have been able to tell. That means that Argonui knows something
whether firsthand or not. Maybe we should table this conversation
until we talk with Argonui and learn all of the facts."

"That's a good idea," Sekeht says. "We're not getting anywhere
without knowing exactly what Argonui can tell us. Once we have a
better idea what he can give us, we'll be able to make a better
decision."

Allagan says, "I agree. When is Argonui arriving?"

As if on cue Lady Moune and Argonui hail the ship from the docks and
come onboard for the late dinner...

Date/Time: Evening, 9th day of the 8th Month, 5049 OC
--
"We sleep safely in our beds, only because rough men stand guard in
the night, ready to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."
H.G. Wells.

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, History, Ohio State University
Instructor, Humanities, Columbus State Community College