Jammers:Turn 5, 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:

This time the ship manages to pass through the wind stream with less
danger and trouble, being properly prepared this time. The wind only
lasts for about five minutes, and then the ship has dropped below it.
Another few anxious minutes passing through the cool grey clouds, and
then the NIGHTWIND is beneath the cloud cover looking down on the
green and brown islands of the Isle of Dread...

Holland says, "Argonui, could you please direct us to the isle where
the natives are located?"

Argonui points to the largest land mass. "There, somewhere. It's been
a very long time."

Holland nods and says, "Ferric, there is your destination."

Holland says, "We had better prepare the catapults and ballistas too.
The journal mentioned flying creature and Raken's book describes them
as well. I think we should be ready in case they are hungry and
decide we look tasty."

Watching the skies dubiously, Dhebun loosens his sword in its
scabbard.  "By Mahl's fiery forge, I'll not be food for scavvers
again!" He continues to watch from under his bushy brows as the ship
slowly descends.  As he loyally remains at his post by the catapult,
he peers over the rail at the planet down below.

Allagan moves to the lines to make any adjustments necessary.

After returning the rigging to its atmosphere configuration, Nilaroo
moves to his station at the catapult. His chainmail is noticeably
absent, but his sword and bow hang securely on the catapult fixtures.

Talus moves over to the catapult to help Nilaroo load and aim it.

Sekeht stands ready at his ballista, eyeing the skies for danger.

As the crew moves into positions throughout the ship, Freneth glances
about until he finds Billy. He watches the other halfling for a
moment.

Billy deftly follows any direction he receives and adjusts the lines
accordingly.

Nodding, Freneth hurries up to the lines, helping where he can to
keep the ship on course. His eyes regularly scan the horizon.

Holland says, "Freneth, you and Billy are on the mid ballista."

Allagan adds to Billy and Freneth, indicating Kain and Grigree, "We
can handle the lines, why don't you guys take your positions at the
ballista.  I'd hate to
become bird food without at least putting up a fight."

Grigree climbs higher into the rigging, keeping an eye on the large
birds. The air's warmth doesn't seem to bother him as he moves,
almost lazily, between the lines.

Freneth looks back and forth between Holland, and Billy who is
working the lines, his face showing obvious confusion. Shrugging, he
makes his way over to the midship ballista. Once he arrives, he
doesn't do much with the ballista, but he does start preparing his
personal ropes and his harpoon like javelins.

Billy shrugs and walks over to the mid-ship ballista. "I didn't know
that we were at battle stations..." Billy turns to Freneth and adds,
"I don't even have my armour on..." Billy scratches his head. "Have I
ever fired this thing with you? I used to be assigned on the catapult
but don't remember if I ever used this with you... Need any pointers?
Or do you have any pointers to give me?"

Freneth shrugs, and says, "This one is not very confident with the
ballista. I have been given some lessons, but never shot it in
combat."

Kain keeps an eye on the sky as the NIGHTWIND moves through the
atmosphere, his crossbow slung over his shoulder.

Holland speaks into the voice tube, "Leera keep an eye out for below
us, make sure no flying creatures try to sneak up on us."  Holland
then moves to the rail, where he grasps ahold of a tied off rope, and
watches the skies as the ship heads to the island.

Standing near the speaker tube Ferric strings his mighty bow of elven
make and nocks an arrow keeping alert for trouble in the skies around
the ship.

Oquid move close to Ferric and asks him "What should I do? Should I
go forward and watch for signs of a village?"

Ferric quits scanning the skies a moment and smiles gently at Oquid
and says quietly, "Not knowing the dangers that lie ahead I would be
reluctant to place you at the fore where any attacks would most
likely occur first. Being that far from the rigging would make you
easier prey for those flying lizards Raken spoke of. If you have some
special skills you believe would serve well up here then by all means
stay but keep close to me. Otherwise I would have you go below and
back up Leera should something happen to throw her into jammer shock.
For all my talk I do believe in exercising caution while marching
boldly into the unknown."

Leera continues to sit on the helm, following the sailmaster's  orders.

Raken stays in the bridge, near the helm. He watches the sky pass by
through a window, pacing.

The Isle of Dread is noticeably warmer then wildspace, even as high
as the NIGHTWIND is flying. There seem to be many flying creatures
about, some must be birds, or bird-like in size, but others appear to
be quite large, even from a distance. None appear quite as large as
the NIGHTWIND, and none are closer then a mile, nor or they as high
as the NIGHTWIND (approximately 8000 feet up).

Talus eyes the flying creatures carefully as he strings his shortbow.

As Freneth finishes up with his javelin, he is completely drenched in
sweat. He wipes his brow miserably and flashes an uncomfortable grin
at Billy.  He joins Billy on the midship ballista and the two start
work on setting it up for any combat that may begin. Freneth is
forced to regularly swipe sweat away, though he still isn't even in
his heavier armor.

The main land mass seems to be dominated by mountains, swamps, and a
large lake. The mountains are not particularly high, perhaps half as
high as the NIGHTWIND, but they look very forbidding. This section of
coast offers no reasonable port.

Ferric calls down the tube, "Leera, please make for that inland lake
but keep our current elevation."  Ferric says to Holland and Argonui
"Even if there are no groundlings there it might still be our best
bet for a safe place to set down. There looks to be a nice spot there
to the south west as well but that seems to be part of the sea and
hopefully a smaller body of water will have smaller denizens."

Holland taps his chin and replies, "Why don't we circle the lake
first to get a closer look at the surrounding ocean coastland."
Holland asks Argonui, "Do you remember if the village was inland near
the lake, or on the coastline?"

"I don't recall a lake at all. I believe it was on a peninsula, and
there were several villages. I didn't actually spend a lot of time
with them." Argonui answers, looking over the railing with interest.

Holland says to the group, "Everyone keep on the lookout for any
signs of civilization."

"Well, in that case along the coast we shall go.  Best to get this
over with before Dougal arrives and be waiting for him so I have the
legal right to run him through when he attacks us for the cutlass and
treasure." Ferric says grimly.  "Argonui, does any of this look
familiar or shall we just cruise along the coast to the southwest
until we see something noteworthy?"

"Just assume I've never been here. I'll tell you if I recognize
anything. I promise." Argonui says with a smile.

Ferric relays the change in plans to Leera and has the sailhands
change tact accordingly.

Kain tugs at the collar of his leather armor, and, slinging his
crossbow over his back, returns to his shipboard duties.  "Big
island," he says laconically as he lends a hand to keeping the
NIGHTWIND flying as it should be.

Allagan says, "I'll be right back Kain, I want to put on my armor."

"Ahh... good idea," Kain smiles quickly.  "Never know when something
may... hrmm.. come after us," he chuckles.

"Hmmmph.  I will wait, hoom, until we approach land. I sink like a
rock as it is," Nilaroo comments.

"Thankfully I can.. ahh... breathe while underwater," Kain grins
quickly.  "Eww.. of course, that doesn't.. ahhh.. protect me from
getting eaten by something there though."

Allagan goes down to his room and quickly dons his armor and returns
to his post.

Holland, as he is squinting his eyes looking over the rail, brings
his palm of his hand up and smacks himself in the forehead, "Of
course, why didn't I think of that before?"  Holland unwraps his
safety rope and says to Ferric, "I am going to go and study a spell
that will give me far vision. It might help us discern where the
village is located." Holland proceeds to his cabin and begins
studying his spellbook.

Dhebun stands at his post, feeling the wind in his beard as the
NIGHTWIND flies across the planet's surface.  His eyes follow the
abundant birds soaring aloft and he puffs thoughtfully at his pipe.
"By thunder, there are more of these birds than all the jewels of
Marazinbar! Such a great host..."

Suddenly Dhebun runs below deck and returns with a partial loaf of
bread.  He goes to the fore deck and begins to tear the loaf into
small pieces and scatters them on the deck. Then he reaches pulls out
his thunnad and searches the sky, watching and waiting.

Date/Time: 10:45 am, 5th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC

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

For six hours the ship flies along the coast, heading generally south
and west. More of the large island is mapped and the flying creatures
remain visible the entire time, they seem to be hunting and fishing,
none pay particular attention to the NIGHTWIND. In fact, none seem to
be able to climb to the ship's 8,000 foot altitude.

The coast remains mountainous and rocky with no visible beaches. The
only possible landing spots sighting are some swamps where a river
reaches the sea on the main land mass, and the river itself. In
either case a much closer inspection would have to be made to see if
it was safe to land the vessel there.

The weather remains tropical, small storms sweep across the islands
at least twice during the trip, though the NIGHTWIND easily avoids
them. It looks like rain is very common here.

"Well," says Ferric holding the tillers but with his bow placed
within easy reach, "I guess we'll just keep traveling the coast
looking for Argonui's peninsula and hope that the natives have not
moved on."

Down in the helmroom, Raken wipes sweat from his brow.
"Never...experienced heat like this before.  Quite exhausting."

Date/Time: 4:45 pm, 5th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC

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

The ship continues flying until night falls suddenly. Visibility
drops, but the night this high is not particularly dark. The crew can
no longer continue mapping the coast, but they are in little danger
walking around on deck.

Just before night fell the shore seemed to change. Instead of
mountains now jungle seemed to press up against the ocean. Either
along the swamps or jungles of the main land (or in the river), or
possibly in a cove of one of the smaller islands there might be a
beach or sheltered area to set down for the night.

Of course, none of these possibilities seem more likely then the
others, and all are several hours away.

Vais says, "So, do we land, or wait out the night up here? Leera's
been on the helm a long time. Perhaps I should spell her? Tricky
making the shift in atmosphere, but possible."

Ferric looks at Holland, "What do you think? I would say it would be
better to fend off a few of those lizards down there than risk
running into a storm in the twilight up here.  As rough as those
upper winds were we should probably try to stay in atmosphere until
we have a good reason to leave else we risk severe damage. Shall we
begin descending toward a landing spot?"

Holland frowns and says thoughtfully, "I am not too comfortable with
landing the ship but I am less comfortable with us just sitting in
the air.  Let's go down and look for a deserted cove or the like."
Holland frets, "I am worried about the sea lizards that destroyed
Rory's ship."

Holland says down the speaker-tube, "Leera, are you good until we can reach
a cove or would you like to change out?  It might take several hours.."

Leera replies. "I'm okay for the moment, and Oquid is with me in case
of emergency, but I don't think I could handle another hour, let
alone a couple. We ought to switch.... up here or down there I'll
leave to you folks."

Raken turns to Leera. "We should find safe harbor. Do you wish me to
take over? We could just set down in the middle of the ocean, switch
helmsmen, and then find a place to put in for the night."

Holland asks, "Can Oquid handle the Helm or do we need to send Vais?"

Dhebun quickly grips the gunwales and makes sure every one else has
secured themselves.  "Oquid did spelljam for the pirates, but she was
an apprentice. I do hope she's learned well from Leera.  Please great
Mahl,
let us down on something soft."

The vessel sets down and everyone's stomach begins to churn at the
unfamiliar rolling motion of a ship at sea. Oquid takes over for
Leera, and proves to be a quite capable helmswoman.

A small cove sheltered by the small island is found and the crew
settle in for some sleep.

Date/Time: 9:00 pm, 5th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC

***********

The night passes uneventfully aside from a rainstorm which passes
sometime after midnight. It is hot and humid but the fresh air after
the long trip makes the night reasonably enjoyable.

The next morning the crew gets up and enjoys some breakfast before
again taking to the skies to continue their exploration of the Isle
of Dread.

As the day progresses the coastline of the big island remains rocky
and forbidding, not a sight that encourages casual tourists. After
noon, however, the sights begin to change and some sign of
intelligent life appears.

A large peninsula is attached to the big island by a very narrow
isthmus, only two miles across. The isthmus is cut off from the rest
of the island by a massive wall, as long as the isthmus is wide.

"I do recall this." Argonui says, "I believe the villages are on the
peninsula."

Date/Time: 1:00 pm, 6th day of the 11th 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