Jammers: Turn 28, 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...
{} = Actions and descriptions within these brackets take place within
the psionic mindscape and are OOC knowledge for all accept the
parties directly involved.

IC:

Holland looks up at the volcano wall and then back down at the group,
"This is going to take hours and it is starting to get dark.  Let's
rest for the night and start the climb first thing in the morning,
armed with fresh spells and a good night's sleep.  Does that sound
okay with everyone?"

Giving an impressive yawn and view of his large molars Ives says
"True, but that leaves us relatively exposed on the climb up what!
But a rest would be for the best.  I'll take the dog watch though."

Holland replies, "We should be able to speed the climb up a bit."

Freneth looks Ives over, and then says, "Perhaps it would be best if
this one took that watch.  You look a little worse for wear, and a
solid nights sleep might be best for your wounds.  This one was
unharmed in the temple."

"Ives is right that we'll be more exposed in the morning, depending
on how the suns rise," Sekeht says. "We might be in shadow for a few
hours after it gets light. But there's also the fact that most
creatures are hungry and out looking for food first thing in the
morning."

Raken chuckles.  "Actually, Sekeht, most predators hunt at dusk,
especially reptiles.  Big lizards are lethargic in the morning; the
sun has not yet warmed their blood.  I would be more worried about
predators that hunt upon two legs..."

Holland replies, stifling his own yawn, "Well, it is going to be dark
soon and I don't fancy climbing this treacherous rock while blind as
a bat.  If you have an alternate suggestion, please voice it so we
can make the best decision."

Freneth mutters to anyone nearby, "What is a bat?"

"A dragon-winged rat," Raken replies.  "The small ones are pests, but
large ones can be dangerous.  They hunt at night, but have poor
eyesight. They squeek a lot."

Freneth nods, though his is the expression of someone not convinced.

Raken thinks for a few minutes.  "I'd suggest we make camp. I can
expend the last of my healing magic, and recover spells tomorrow.
Between myself and Allagan we should be able to tend the worst of the
wounds tonight and in the morn."

Leera chuckles softly, "A good many more creatures like to hunt at
night. Those who don't have spells to learn ought to arrange
themselves into good, strong watches. I'd rather not be eaten in my
sleep." Leera wears the Cutlass in its sheath, slung low around her
waist.

Holland replies with a pointed finger at the Cutlass, "And that
should lay out in the middle of the camp, those on guard can keep an
eye on it."

The Cutlass chuckles, "Arrgh... watch out for me lads. keep me in the
center." the Cutlass laughs some more. "Don't you worry aboyt me,
matey. I want off this gods forsaken rock as much as ye do, more
probably, since I've been marooned here with the damn fishheads for
so long."

After the camp has been made, Raken sets out to heal the party.
Seeing that Dhebun is the worst off of the party, Raken casts two
healing spells over him.  Raken casts healing spells on Ferric and
Ives as well as Talus.

When Raken comes forward Ives hurrumphs and says "No need to use
magic on me what! Giff bounce back quickly from wounds quickly."

Raken chuckles.  "No point in you sitting there half dead when we've
got healing magic to spare.  Tomorrow Allagan and myself will be
fully rested and our prayers recovered.  Besides, don't you want to
be your strongest when you go wrestle that dragon to the ground and
make it give us a ride home, don't you?" Raken finishes with a laugh.

After he is done, Raken comments "That's it, my healing magic is
spent.  All I have left are a few fairly powerful spells that I
cannot recover on this world."

Allagan replies, "I have some healing left, we should be able to fix
everyone up."  Allagan starts healing up the remainder of the
wounded.

The Cutlass begins to sing a song, "Oh, they're never staid, after a
raid, those    Elves of Tarna's Deep, they send off all the women for
they much prefer the sheep!"

Holland frowns, "You might not want to sing, it might attract the
wrong sort of crowd."

"Aye-aye, captain!" the Cutlass answers cheerfully. "Do ya wish to
discuss a deal now? Me position is simple, I just want to sail back
to civilized space, and to be in the hands of good hand with a blade.
I ken tell you quite a bit about the treasure you found, and more
besides."

Holland responds carefully, "As you might guess, the stories about
you are not too flattering.  There are fears that you tend to have
a... negative... influence on your wielder."

"Lies and damn lies." the Cutlass answers hotly, "I be a freedom
loving sea-dog, and there's them that'll damn ye for it. I don't
control me owners, they wield me!"

Leera brings the Cutlass close to her face and speaks loudly enough
for all to hear. "You speak more truth than you may know. If we ever
suspect you have any powers to affect us, you'll find yourself at the
bottom of the Sea of Fallen Stars on Toril, encased in more rock than
you can imagine. I know ships' captains and stone masons alike, so do
not think we could not arrange a very lonely resting place for you."

Leera turns to Holland.  "We may well need the help of this mouthy
cutlery, but I do not want it in the hands of someone who could wield
it well.  I can hold it, and if I fail to resist any evil influence
it may have, I could easily be disarmed." She looks down, indicating
her puny biceps. "I'm very wary of keeping it in the open where one
of our stronger friends," she pauses and gazes meaningfully at
Nilaroo and Ives,  "could be tempted and cause us all much harm. IF
any try to rob me of it, I can hold them off till the rest of you
come to help."

Allagan moves forward and whispers into Holland's ear before
returning to treat the wounded.

Holland looks at Allagan for a second and then back at the Cutlass,
"Hmm, tell me a little about yourself then, if you would.  All you
are known as, now, is 'Blackjammer's Cutlass'.  I am sure your
history is longer than that.."

After done with the healing, while Holland is talking with the
Cutlass, Allagan says, "Raken, can I speak with you?"

Raken nods "Just give me a minute," and quickly finishes his present
task for making camp before heading over to talk to Allagan.

Allagan takes Raken aside and they talk for a few minutes.

The Cutlass answers Holland's question, "Well, lad. I don't have the
rights of it meself, entirely.  Not quite certain when I was forged,
nor how long ago, nor where.  Me earliest memories are of being
wielded in Selune's Tears of Realmspace by a buccaneer. Later I came
to Captain Bral who gave the Rock his own name. And he it was who
left me fer Blackjammer. Learning I'd been, all along, and
Blackjammer and me, we made a fine team.  I taught the seadog all he
knowed of navigation and sailing, fer I'd been learning it for
several hundred years by then. Oh, he was a great one fer rum, or his
dinner, or song or women fer that manner. But like me, he was
happiest sailing the stars."

Holland replies, "That is an interesting history.  Other than a
detailed knowledge of history and navigation, what other skills or
abilities do you possess?"

The Cutlass answers, "Cap'n, I've answered yer questions fair and
straight, but ye keep fishing for more, dragging yer lines without
bait, expecting me to just grab yer hook. I ain't given up all me
secrets, I've been around too long fer that. You think on things, and
come back with an offer. Ye look like a fair man, and I won't hold
nothing back once I 'ave yer affidavee to an agreement."

As the Cutlass speaks, the rest of the group realizes it has been
nearly twelve hours since they last ate, and their stomachs are
rumbling.  Everyone is very thirsty after the long walk, as well.

Talus appears and sits down next to a tree, "I don't know about the
rest of you but I am getting hungry.  I didn't think to bring any
food or water.  Did anyone bring any?"

Allagan speaks up from his conversation with Raken, "By the
All-Father, I didn't bring anything either."

Raken shrugs, "neither did I.  We should forage for food; if anyone
discovers any berries, save them; I'll have a special surprise in the
morning."

"No food, but we can get water easily enough what!" Ives says with a
shrug and points in the direction of the lake "Just have to be
careful getting it."

Holland looks up from his conversation with the Cutlass and asks,
"Ives, could you and maybe one or two others, as you see fit, go and
get us some fresh water?  Raken, could you lead a few others in the
gathering of fruits and edible plants?  We shouldn't start a fire, so
we will be having a cold meal tonight."

"There is still some little light," says Freneth, "This one would
like to see if tracks can be found.  Perhaps small game can be
gathered, or if one is lucky, I can find indication of larger game."

Nodding Ives looks over his fellow crewmates ands says "Sekhet,
Allagan lets go get fresh water.  How many skins do we have
available?"

Holland replies, "I didn't bring any, are there any coconuts around
here you can break open and use as containers?"

Frowning, Sekeht looks down at his damp clothes, then back up at
Ives. Then he shrugs. "Perhaps we should move our camp back to the
lake," he says.

"To risky, but lets first see what everyone has in their packs that's
water tight." Ives booms out.

Talus says, "I can fly and get to the lake pretty quickly if we need
to make multiple trips."

Nilaroo checks the immediate area for any succulents or other
water-bearing vines.

There is no game found, and only four waterskins.  But Nilaroo and
Raken do manage to find some edible plants, a sort of salad from
green leaves with no dressing.

The night passes cool and uncomfortable, but no one attacks in the
night nor does anything obviously untoward occur.

In the morning, after a horrific breakfast of greens, the group is
ready to scale the cliffs...

Date/Time: 7:00 am, 8th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC
--
"...How shall a man judge what to do in such times?!"
"As he has ever judged," said Aragorn "Good and evil have not changed
since yesteryear..."
J.R.R. Tolkien, _The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers_

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