FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 1 Chapter 1 Part 2a

The Past Adventures of my Jammers PBEM game.

For me, one of the joys of PBEM gaming is the ability to revisit the
old adventures by reading the turn summaries. I think they make great
fan fiction.

This game has been going on since September, 1997. I thought folks
might enjoy reading the old turns in order, as fluff fiction. I know
I post the current turns as fluff as well, but the past turns were,
well, six years ago and new list members, as well as some old, may
still enjoy getting the old reads in their mailbox once per week. If
not, let me know and I'll stop sending them.

To give folks an idea of how much is still to come, the game is now
in Turn 21 of Chapter 7. Chapter 1 has 30 turns...

The thing that sticks out most to me as I reread these is, this was
before I told the players not to post their PCs thoughts or emotions
to the list. I find that it makes for poor role-playing, since
everyone always knows what the others are thinking with no room for
misunderstanding. The biggest benefit is the amount of over acted
drama it cuts down on, players can be real drama queens:) You still
see 'thoughts' in these early turns, though. I think the steady
increase in readibility as the turns go by shows how effective
eliminating those 'thoughts' are. My advice to players now is write
it as if you were acting it, the audience cannot read an actors mind,
thoughts are portrayed through body language, do the same thing, but
you can describe the body language, rather then actually having to
act it out.:)

Post-Captain Wilhelmina is one of my very favorite npcs to play, she
actually really comes to like the PCs, though Italapate made it
difficult! The player was determined to play him as a native
trickster, but of course the culture on a ship does not tolerate the
sort of ridicule of the captain he was doing. That was really the
first major problem, Italapate and I had some different ideas on
roleplaying. I'm really glad he's stuck it out though, it is hard to
imagine this game without Italapate, one of the most memorable PCs
I've ever GMed.

I also really enjoyed creating the workaday environment of the
_Flowfish_, I think it is a very typical trading spelljammer, where
the crew are just trying to survive, not grow rich on adventure. When
I started the Unique ship challenges I was hoping for more ships like
the _Flowfish_, but mostly of course we got villains and NPC
adventuring types.

Turn 1 was huge, I had to divide it into 3 parts...

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

IC:

IC:(cont from part 1)
      Running a hand through his hair, Kain chuckles and turns to
Talus, "Looks like you were more right than you knew.  All I've yet
to see is a Xixza...Xicha...ah hells, you know what I'm tryin' to
say," he finishes mumbling.  A somewhat surprised looks crosses
his face when Kain opens his mouth again and says, loud enough
for all to hear, "Ah, bottom bunk, anyone object?"
      Unless someone voices their displeasure, Kain moves to one
of the bottom bunks, carefully places his rucksack down, then
takes off his cloak.  Slipping out of his backpack, which must have
been concealed beneath the cloak, Kain quickly stows that beside
his rucksack.  Sitting on the edge of his bunk, Kain watches the
others put their gear away, moving out of the way when required
but always returning to sit on the bunk.

Holland quickly doffs his backpack, cloak and boots and places them on
the top bunk nearest the door.  Holland is all dressed in black from
head to toe, the silver streak through his hair clashing with his black
ensemble.  The only visable weapon is a dagger sheathed at his waist.

Holland passes a hand over his cloak, boots and backpack and mumbles a
few words and then nods his head in satisfaction.  He quickly jumps down
from the bunk and says, "See you all up top," before heading out the
door.

  Billy nearly jumps out of his skin when Post-Captain Wilhemina
made her appearance, clapping his hands over his ears. He shakes
his head in apparent disbelief. When Lt. Sabbagh leads everyone to
the bunk room, Billy follows walking next to Italapate. He stares
appreciatively at Leera and winks. Once in the bunk house, he waits
to see who takes which bunk, and then quickly climbs up the ladder
to the topmost bunk against the aft bulkhead.

He deposits his sack and pouches on the bunks. He takes off his
green vest which he carefully folds and pats it almost affectionately.
Billy then lowers himself down from his bunk landing on the deck
with a soft "thump". He smiles at Fidalie and dashes out the door,
his bare feet slapping softly as he goes.

         Fidalie smiles back, then, after the halfling was gone from sight,
patted himself over the make sure he hadn't had anything pilfered.

With but a moment's hesitation, Leera walks over to a stack of bunks and
tosses her backpack and cloak onto one of the top ones.  She then
gracefully climbs up and sits, her legs dangling over the side.  She
fidgets momentarily, readjusting the two long daggers that hang from her
belt. She swings her legs as she sits gazing out across the room.

Those looking directly at her notice that she looks slightly different
than she did outside.  The light onboard must not be as flattering as
the sunlight outside. Still, she she remains anything but unattractive.

Leera listens intently to the conversations around her. She smiles as the
halfling takes a top bunk near her and then scampers from the room.

Once Holland and Raken have left the room, Leera hops down from her
perch.  She looks for a long moment at Holland's bunk, and then turns to
speak to Radick.

"I thank you for your earlier vote of confidence.  You needn't worry,
though. I'm sure that the captain  keeps a short leash upon grounders."

Leera then turns and walks up to find Holland on the main deck.

Italapate seems unconcerned by the loud speech of the Captain,
Wilhemina.  "'PON MY BONES, DEIGATT!" he mimicks the Captain, "AND I
THOUGHT YOU HAD LUNGS!!"
         He leisurely follows the rest of the group on the tour of the Ship,
pausing and investigating whatever takes his notice, which can be the
smallest of things.  "Do you have rats?" he asks looking at a small
hollow where the wall met the floor.  Shrugging, he continues to follow
the tour.
         He enters the bunk room and frown when he sees that all the top bunks
are taken. Already people are starting to leave.  He exaggeratedly steps
aside to let Billy by.
         He takes a running start toward the back of the room, leaping and
swinging himself into one of the middle bunks on his right side.  He
bounces slightly on the worn mattress, the old bed creaking in protest.
"I claim, in the name of Prince Andru, this bunk, for the official
representative of the Government of the Rock of Bral!"  He rolls over.
"The envoy will now take his midday nap, wake me when its time to eat!"
         Exaggerated snoring ensues.....

Talus looks around the cramped cabin unhappily, "I hope none of you snore
for real"  he comments with a glance at the minotaur.

The half-elf throws his small pack onto the bunk under Leera, then heads
back up to the deck wondering where he will be able to get some earplugs.

As Radick rejoins the others on the deck he walks to Talus. "Hope you don't
mind friend, but Leera said something about wishing to be sleeping on top
of me, being a gentleman I assumed she meant the bunk above so I moved your
stuff down one more bunk.  I hope you don't mind, and I doubt you'll be
hearing much snoring."

He then prepares for the loading of the cargo.  Drawing forth a rope he
quickly fashions it into a crate strap so he can carry boxes on his back.
It appears that he has done this task many times before as his hands seem
to perform the action without any thought on his part.

      About halfway through the twenty minutes, when everyone
begins going back up to the main deck, Kain unbuttons
his sleeveless jerkin, takes it and the shirt underneath off,
and then unstraps the dagger he has sheathed on each
forearm.  Tucking the daggers and sheaths into his
backpack, Kain kicks off his boots and stockings as he
rebuttons his jerkin.
      Making sure all his gear is secure, Kain makes his
way back topside, looking to lend a hand where needed.

         When Raken reaches the crew quarters, he looks around at the crowded
conditions, and tosses his bag (almost as an afterthought) in the last
available bunk.  He removes his deep blue cloak, and also tosses it upon
the bed.  As he passes the minotaur, he speaks.  "You have a lot to
learn, my friend," he says, almost a whisper.  He doesn't wait for the
minotaur's reaction, instead heading for the top deck.

Deigatt claims the three lowest bunks closest to the door and wonders if
the weight of one will support his bulk. He places his great axe as well
as some supplies from his backpack onto the second lowest bunk before
folding it up against the wall of the cabin.

His eyes grow wide with indignanation at the furry-chinned druid's whispered
words worm their way through his thoughts. As quickly he checks his anger
and looks to those left in the cabin, concerned that his brief,
undisciplined reaction has been noticed.

Besides, he thinks, what the young human had said was true despite its
intent: I do have a great deal to learn, and I intend to do so.

Deigatt follows the halfling to the upper deck.

         Grigree follows the group into the room and takes a quick look
around.  Seeing there's only one remaining top bunk, he nimbly climbs
up to it and puts his backpack near the pillow.  He scans the room from
his perch, watching the other people leave back up towards the cargo
hold.  As minotaur leaves, Grigree follows him out.

         The tabaxi lightly padded over to one of the middle bunks, near one
of the small windows in the tradesman's hull.  When he got there he noticed
that the being across and above from his newly chosen bunk was a hadozee,
apparently named Grigree.
         "Well," Fidalie said softly to the deck ape, "I guess this is where
they keep crew members with excessive body hair."

         Grigree gives a short snort and smiles.  "Guess they think we
have fleas."  Before the tabaxi has a chance to move to far away, Grigree
says, "I've never seen one of your kind travelling alone before, especially
as hired help.  What brings you out here?"  With that, he jumps down to
the floor and waits for a response.

         Fidalie quickly looked around the bunk, then stowed his small,
custom made pack into the bunk.  He made certain that the special lock was
firmly clasped.  He didn't want anyone snooping into his personal
belongings.
         He checked his wakizashi for what must have been the fifth time in
as many minutes, and then two small daggers that were strapped to his
thighs.  He didn't think he would need his weapons for the moment, but then
again, why take chances?  Satisfied, he silently padded out of the room.

Upon reaching the deck, Holland walks over to Lt Sabbagh and says, "Sir,
where can I help?"

Lt Sabbagh glances and Holland and says "You're one of them helmsmen,
right?  One of the one's whose helmed before?"  Holland nods.  "Well,  just
pitch in when the cargo arrives.  Captain doesn't like to see idle hands."
Grinning Lt Sabbagh walks away towards the stern,  whistling.

Holland nods his head and says, "Yes Sir," and then leans up against the
railing taking a brief rest while waiting for the cargo to arrive.

Holland motions Leera and Raken over and talks with them for a few
moments while waiting for the cargo to show up.

Waiting on deck with the rest of the group, Talus frowns in thought and
looks around the ship, "I wonder why they needed to hire a whole new crew,
mostly groundlings at that."
The half-elf glances at Raken and grins, "Maybe the captain got upset with
the crew on the last trip and threw them all over the side."

"We're not *all* groundlings", says Billy. "I have been sailing the skies
and oceans for as long as I can remember. My adoptive father, Captain
Mortimer Bingly, raised me  as his own. I don't know who my real parents
are and don't really have a home. I have just  recently been released from
my father's service and am now on my own for the first time."

As he finishes his sentence, the cargo arrives. He scampers down the gang
plank and helps as well as he can, carrying the smaller packages and crates.

As everyone wanders back up to the deck several large carts arrive o the
dock,  pulled by longshoreman.  The Captain steps onto the wharf and begins
speaking with the longshoremen's foreman as a white haired old man with a
pegleg blows four short blasts on a high pitched whistle,  echoing through
the ships.

"That's Lt Sands" Lt Sabbagh says to those nearby "And that signal means
report for work detail.  If he blows a short blast over and over that means
general quarters."  As Lt Sabbagh speaks the veteran crew members begin
filing out onto the deck as well.  In addition to Lt Sands,  Lt Sabbagh,
and the Captain there are eleven veteran hands on board.

The Captain turns towards the ship and calls "'Pon my soul,  Lt Sabbagh,
this cargo will not load itself- let's get a move on!"  With a grin Lt
Sabbagh gets everyone moving,  loading the cargo into the two lower holds.
Cranes are set up to lower the heavy boxes of tools and equipment.  The
loading proceeds relatively quickly,  the Captain urging people on with
the occasional "pon my soul!  If you don't move faster we'll be here a
tenday from now!"  For all her bluster you see the veteran crewmembers take
her admonishments with a good humour,  and she lends her own massive
strength to the task as well.  In fact,  everyone except Lt Sands,  who
stands at the gangplank checking everything off a list as it comes aboard,
carries, lifts,  and secures the cargo.  Within a quick 1/2 hour the cargo of
tools,  wine,  ale,  and textiles,  as well as some weapons and personal
orders have been loaded aboard.

Italapate starts helping with the loading of supplies, whistling softly
to himself.   "Did I ever tell you how Coyote placed the moon in the
sky?" he loudly asks whomever is within earshot.  "It's an interesting
story, in which the trickster caused humans to die a final death."
The young man helps a crewman lift an awkward crate.  "Coyote's wife had
died, mmmph, and he was very sad.  Eagle, who had lost his own wife,
said to him, 'Don't mourn, Coyote,' Eagle said, 'That will not bring
your wife back.  Come walk with me.' "  Italapate skips down the
gangplank after setting the first crate down.  "Pon my soul," he mimicks
the Captain, "This job will be done in no time!"

Continuing his story, Italapate said, "So Coyote follows Eagle to the
land where Old Woman swallows the moon.  Whenever she does so, all of
the dead mill about the cave mouth where the moon was.  Then Old Woman
disgorges the moon, and all the dead return to the spirit cave." He
grabs hold of another crate.  "So Eagle and Coyote come up with a plan.
They kill Old Woman, and Coyote puts on her dress.  Then Eagle gets a
box and fills it with dead leaves.  Coyote swallows the moon and the
dead mill about.  Eagle captures the dead when they emerge, trapping
them in the box.  Then Coyote disgorges the moon and tosses it up in the
sky, where it has remained ever since."
Again, the young man darts down the gangplank, looking to help with
another crate.  "But the story doesn't end there, oh, no, not with
Coyote, it is never easy.  Eagle carries the crate, as the two
travellers try to return to the Middle Earth.  Coyote begs and begs to
carry the box, and finally Eagle tires, both of carrying the crate and
of Coyotes nagging.  'Here', Eagle says, 'But be careful'.  Well, Coyote
gets anxious to see his wife so he opens the crate before they get to
Middle Earth.  All of the dead escape in a cloud, and Eagle becomes
angry.  'If you had waited, then all humans would die then return in the
spring like the leaves I placed in the box.  But now, humans will all
die one death and never return."
Italapate concludes, "So, thanks to Coyote's impatience, men lost the
chance for eternal life..."

"Lt Sabbagh," the Captain calls "Take the helm if you please.  I'll not
have one of these groundlings wrap us around a wharf leaving port!"  She
strides to the quarterdeck calling "Bosun Cudak,  see that the older hands
take the lines.  Have the newer hands watch for now."

Radick shakes his head as he hears the command but immediately moves to aid
one of the veterans. As the old-timer begins to question, he interrupts,
"Don't worry, I've been on these for years now, and if you want to do it
yourself that is fine, but I am not one to collect pay for standing and
watching."

         Before anybody has a chance to start carrying out the captain's
orders, Grigree speaks up.  "Unlike some of the other new crew, I've
got quite a bit of experience with ships, including tradesmen.  I'd
much rather put my skills to use helping out than sitting around watching.
Maybe I could even help train the new people."  He waits for a response.

"You watch until _I've_ a chance to see if you know your hand from your
arse.  Pulling out of the Rock requires a skilled crew who work well
together.  I'll not turn my ship over to you here,  untried!"  the captain
calls "You!  she says to Radick,  "If you're so all fired determined to be
useful go inventory the catapult ammunition!  You can join him,  hadozee."
She turns to Lt Sabbagh ""Pon my soul,  Lt,  but their already questioning
orders!"  Shaking her head the captain returns to watching the veterans
work the ship out.

look to part b...
--
"...And nobody is to be killed at all, if it can be helped. Keep your
tempers and hold your hands until the last possible moment!"
"But if there are many of these ruffians," said Merry, "it will
certainly mean fighting. You won't rescue Lotho, or the Shire, just
by being shocked and sad, my dear Frodo."

Paul Westermeyer,  pwestermeyer@????????.??.com