Jammers:Turn 2, Chapter 7 Summary

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:
The crew is impressed when the spectacular town appears, glowing
softly in it's twilight, hanging amongst the gigantic branches of the
titanic plant which joins the dozen or so large asteroids which make
up the planet together.

Numliador Port is on an extended branch, pushed out from the main
plant at about the level of the equator, if Numliador had an equator.
The size of the town is hard to determine, since the branches obscure
much of it, but there appear to be scores of buildings hanging here
and there on giant platforms, joined together by sturdy rope and
plank bridges. Several docks extend out from what appears to be the
gravity plane. Perhaps a dozen vessels, including two elven men-o-war
are docked at these.

A swan boat sails out to the NIGHTWIND and her crew helps the Company
of the Silent Star find a berth for their vessel. As night begins to
fall on the strange tree town in space the Company and their vessel
is snuggly docked.

Talus debarks the ship and asks an elf on the dock, "Excuse me, do
you know where I might find a priest of the Winged Mother?"

The elf's hair is blond and he resembles Elrohir enough to indicate
they are of the same sub-race. He is polite enough, giving Talus
directions through town to a shrine to Aerdrie. Talus thanks the elf
and moves off through the tree town in search of the shrine.

Holland says as he looks at the other ships in port, "Very
suspicious, these elves. Well, while Talus is finding a priest we can
look about a bit. Anyone care to join me in looking around the port?"

Freneth nods his head in agreement, obviously eager to get off the
ship after the last week. "This one would like to look around. I will
get my things."

Sekeht stays to the far side of the ship, away from the docking.
Playing with Tamit the kitten, he keeps a watch on Talus as he leaves
the ship.

Allagan looks at Holland leaving the ship and says to Sekeht, "No
pirate hunters here, care to join Holland or are you content to play
with your... kitty?"

"I'll stay on board," Sekeht says without looking toward his friend.
"Someone has to guard the ship."

Allagan replies, "I'll pick you up something to eat, I hear elf food
can be good."

Ferric asks Argonui, "Anything or anyone here especially worth the seeing?"

Argonui shrugs, "It's been decades since I've been here. Let's go
find out." The two head into the town in search of excitement or
interest.

Allagan joins Holland in exploring the new port.

Freneth hurries down to his room, and puts on a clean shirt and pair
of shorts.  He keeps his quiver of javelins and atatl, but leaves his
other weapons behind.

Holland stops by his room before heading down the gangplank. Holland
heads towards the center of the town.

Freneth follows along, contentedly looking about. He constantly wipes
sweat from his forehead as they walk.

Watching Holland and Allagan go ashore, Dhebun takes a long draw on
is pipe and turns to Sekeht. "I shall keep you company Sekeht, for
there is nothing in an elf port that I need. Besides, I agree with
you, someone should watch the ship."

Sekeht smiles and pats Dhebun on the shoulder. "I appreciate the
company," he says. "I'm not sure how long we'll be here in this port,
but I'm hoping this blessing thing won't take up too much time."

Shrugging his shoulders, Dhebun replies. "Who can say? I do know that
our time is precious if we mean to claim the cutlass before our
rivals. Still, I do respect the need for a goddess' approval, even if
it is an elven god; just so long as it doesn't take long. Perhaps,
while we await their return, you might tell me something of yourself?
Besides our mutual love of music there is little I know of you."

"There's not much to know," Sekeht says. "After I was liberated from
the MAIDEN'S HEART, well, I pretty much started from scratch, pretty
much. It's like I've had to reinvent myself. Does that make sense? So
much of my life was lost as a slave on that ship. So I have to focus
on the future." In a lowered voice, he adds with a smirk: "A future
away from a planetful of elves, I hope."

"Indeed," replies the dwarf as a ring of smoke floats up from his
pipe. "We have much in common then, my good fellow, for I too, was
enslaved aboard this very vessel, until the C.O.S.S. freed her, and
me, from our bondage." The dwarf's eyes flicker like angry sparks at
the memory. "That wrong has been repaid in full! Oquid was rescued
from the same ship, did you know?  Verily have I no love of slavers
or elves, though one I met and would call friend, but she has
departed."

"Hmm," replies Sekeht. "I didn't know about you and Oquid. But I
understand that Freneth was released from 'bondage' as well. And from
what Allagan has told me, it seems that Holland was enslaved by his
need for vengeance and that's why he lost his hand. Maybe we're all
trying to escape some kind of bondage, trying to reinvent ourselves."

"Reinvent yourself did you say? I daresay that is inevitable, for no
one who has been fettered and enslaved can ever be quite the same
again." Tapping out the remains, Dhebun puts his pipe into his
pocket. "How about a bit of music, I'll get my thunnad from down
below, it won't take but a moment?"

"Yes, of course," Sekeht says. "I'll need to get my lyre. I've been
thinking I would compose a duet for us to entertain the company, but
I need to get a better sense of your instrument."

As the two head below, Sekeht comments softly, "I wonder what
enslaves Italapate. He's an odd character."

Oquid spends most of the time docked at Numeliador perched on the
ship's railing, watching the passersby, and observing the activity on
other ships.

Leera spends much of her time at Numeliador on deck, near the stern,
sitting cross-legged with an illusionary chess board on her lap. She
seems to be playing short games, not to completion, before resetting
the pieces back to their starting positions.

----------

Talus discovers the shrine to Aedrie easily enough, it's on a lone
branch high above the rest of the town. It's an open platform
surrounded by wind chimes of all sorts and lots and lots of birds.
The priestess tending the shrine is happy to bestow the blessing
after Talus makes a small offering at the shrine.

The rest of those who go ashore find the town somewhat dull in
comparison to human ports, with little 'nightlife' where non-elves
feel welcome. There is a great deal of music played, however, and the
town's beauty is simply astounding.

After exploring the town well they all return to the ship.

Date/Time: Evening 18th day of the 8th Month, 5049 OC

***********

The next morning, after feasting on fresh fruits for breakfast
purchased from an elven merchant near the docks, the Company of the
Silent Star slips their moorings and sets sail again.

A few hours after leaving Numliador Ferric tells the group where the
portal needs to be created. "We have to sail directly 'down', to the
exact 'bottom of the sphere and create the portal there. That's the
only chance to find the sphere."

With the new route plotted the NIGHTWIND sails on...

Date/Time: Morning 19th 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