FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 18 Chapter 1

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 33 of Chapter 7. Chapter 1 has 30 turns...

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

IC:
The newcomer is dressed in fashionable attire comprising a white shirt and
black
pants, it's the electric blue riding boots that stand out.  That and  the
two cutlasses. Noticing the looks that she is receiving, she makes her way
towards the bar nodding and smiling to those that catch her  attention.
Catching a passing waitress, "I'll have a Hot Rum, thanks." while  making
her way through the tables.

Ignoring the newcomer for the moment, Holland says, "The Lady does not have
any employment for us at this time.  However, she does intend to be present
when we take control of the _Silent Star_ after its repairs.  Probably some
ceremony or the like."

Taking a sip of his light ale Holland continues, "However, Leera and I,
mostly Leera," he adds with a smile, "found out about a bounty being
offered by," his voice lowers, "the Prince Aric," his voice returns to a
normal level, "the bounty is 5000 gp for the return of the _Chalice of
Storms_ that he had the priests of Ptah on Shipwrecker make for the big
founding day festivities. There is a 2000 gp bonus if the chalice is
returned by founding day."

Holland says with a wink towards Leera, "Apparently, a Wasp ship was
supposed to ferry the Chalice to a chartered Sindiath Line Man-o-war
waiting in orbit, but never reached the rendevous. People seem to think
that pirates were involved.  The Wasp ship itself was later found smashed
on the rocks near Wrighters."

Holland concludes, "If we accept a commission that takes us to that area, I
would recommend that we look into the matter.  An extra 7000 gp is nothing
to sneeze at."

As Holland finishes, Leera speaks up "Today is the 17th of the fourth
month. Founder's day, as I have come to understand, is the first day of the
sixth month. That gives us nearly a month and a half to find the chalice
and get the 2000gp bonus. Of course, the 5000gp base isn't bad either!" Her
eyes twinkle as she mentions these large sums of money.

As Holland finishes talking, Raken finally snaps back into reality.
"What..., oh ya, how we did.  Seems that you did better than we did.  Our
ship is too small to haul any cargo worth our time.  No one seems
interested in hiring us.  However, the guild said that their branch office
on Shipwrecker might have some smaller shipments that we might be
interested in.  So it would seem that our best bet is Shipwrecker at this
time.  If we manage to get this bounty and some extra cash from hauling
cargo, we should seriously look into purchasing some Letters of Marque so
that if we encounter some pirates, we can haul them in for the price on
their head.  Cleaning the spaceways of their scum would be a pleasure, but
I realize the human drive for money."  He then sits back and his eyes again
glazes over, again lost in though.

Leera continues "As you know, I'm not very familiar with life outside of
Realmspace. I know nothing of these priests of Ptah or of their faith.
Are they good aligned? The name of their creation 'The Chalice of Storms'
sounds forboding."

Grigree's eyebrow slowely raises up.  "Good aligned?" he asks.  You're
starting to sound like a priest yourself."  He takes a look at the others
around the table before asking, "You don't really believe in all that 'good
and evil' stuff, do you you Leera?"

Italapate looks toward Grigree a moment, a puzzled, incredulous look on his
face.  "Of course there is good and evil... there is good and bad.  That is
simply the nature of the world." He shrugs. Then looks back at his drink.

Deigatt snorts unapologetically, adding, "Each world has a nature of its own."

"Yes, yes.  You're right," Grigree responds to the pair.  "Leera's question
just seemed odd at the time."

"As for the priests of Ptah," Grigree continues, "well... they're priests.
I guess they're good.  Never done anything bad to me."  He finishes with a
shrug.

Italapate leans back in his chair, putting his feet up on the table where
his plate had just been. "I went to see an elf friend of mine," he smiles
picking at his teeth. "He says that the elves don't have any jobs for us,
but he would pass
the word.  If they have anything for us, they would look us up.  Seems like
a good time to take a stab at this bounty..."

Holland interjects, "It would probably be for the best if we found a
definate commission and looked into the _Chalice_ as a secondary.  That
way, if we don't find the _Chalice_ we will still receive some funds from
our primary job.  The problem is finding a job that will take us near
Shipwrecker.."

Holland adds as an afterthought, "Oh..  The little pug-fellow Standish, you
remember, the fellow who explained the contacts to us..  He mentioned that
we might check the temples for employment.."

Leera interjects, "We could just head for Wrighters and see if we can find
someone there to pay us to haul cargo. While we're there we can investigate
the chalice's disappearance. Of course, there's no guarantee that it's
anywhere near Shipwrecker anymore. Pirates *do* move around." Leera looks
up and down the table "Did anyone else find any leads?"

Talus speaks up, "I agree with Holland there.  A ship travelling empty
makes no profit." The young half-elf continues, "I did not have any luck
finding leads for  work either.  I did find out some information about
Laocoon.  He has
something of a reputation here.  He is a member of the Shipwrecker's
Fellows,  a loose pirate brotherhood with a secret base somewhere on that
planet in Bralspace.  The Captain's Council of Bral has placed a 5,bounty
on his head, dead or alive.  So keep that in mind people, his body is worth
5,000gp to us if we catch him.  If we are really lucky Laocoon is also
involved in the Chalice that could get us 12,000gp."  Talus looks sombre
for a minute, "Or dead for that matter.  Laocoon is probably a bit unhappy
about us taking one of his ships."

      Kain's eyes follow the black-haired woman through her first few steps
into the inn, then he shifts his view back to his companions and takes a
drink of his water.  He coughs lightly, and puts his mug down. "Well,
we..ah..heard much o' the same," Kain begins.  "The Chalice seems..to
be..well, the talk of the Rock.  That and some..hmm..festival of games that
the Pantheon of the Olympians'll be hosting at the Arena beginnin' the
first of the fifth. Not to ah, change the subject, but I had a thought
today when we passed Gaspar's Reclamations(#45).  Oh..is that the same
Gaspar of whom you spoke Radick?" Kain asks. "But anyway ...well, it seems
that this place deals in magic items." Kain smiles and shakes his head at
the thought, then continues. "And well, ah, I thought that if we weren't
going to ah, use the..ah.. items we got from the pirates, we could..
ah..sell them."  Kain blanches as he finishes, but then adds, "Well, if
I..ah.. remember correctly, we found, a pair of black leather bracers with
silver buckles, a bandolier with slots for 8 darts, but it only..ah.. has
seven darts
now." Kain grins and looks at Italapate.  "There's also a spellbook, which
I don't know if we'd want to sell," Kain continues, looking to Holland and
Leera.  "Then we've the longsword and a..ah..cutlass. It might help if we
had a bit o' spare..ah..coin in case we come across trouble," Kain says as
he looks back down to his bowl and goes back to his soup.

Radick chimes in as he sips gently from his mug of mead. "As for where we
go next, the Chalice seems to be the only hot topic on this rock, so we can
expect some competition for it. Odds are Gaspar's got a team already on it,
as he certainly needs to improve his rep on this rock.  Why don't we see if
we can pick up a cargo job, and I'll check out what Gaspar's boy Nolan
knows about the deal.  At the same time I can check and see if they have
any interest in the darts, spellbook, long sword and cutlass.  I have no
intention of passing on these bracers.  But before I check with them, I
would suggest we review if any of our company would desire the items.  Once
you sell an item to Gaspar, you can expect to pay quite a bit more to get
it back." After a quick sip from his mug he adds, "Yes Kain, that is the
same Gaspar. Although he probably isn't in town at this time, his local boy
is Nolan DeVries. Keep on his good side and give him a profit and he's a
good enough guy - but from what I have heard say - his temper resembles his
stature - short and explosive. I'll see what he can tell me."

Kain looks up from his soup, shrugs and says, "Whatever."

Holland says, "It would behoove us to determine the properties of these
items before we determine what to do with them; whether we are going to let
individuals use them or if we are going to sell them.  As for the
spell-book.  I would like to keep that for the Company as a whole, it is
worth more with us than can be made by selling it."

Kain cocks his head to the side as he listens to Holland.  "That's a..uh..
fine idea Holland.  Does anyone, well, know of someone we can trust to do
the examinations?"

Taking advantage of a lull in the discussion, Billy states, "I may or may
not have some work for us... I'll have to see and wait for now. I'd rather
not leave the Rock for the next couple of days if possible until I hear
some  more news. Kain and I also have something to consider, there may be a
certain Illithid that we may want to talk too... Deigatt, you are welcome
to come  along if we do decide to go." Billy looks towards Kain for a
reaction before continuing.

Kain nods when Billy looks over.  "I was hoping to go search for him in the
morning" he states.

When Billy Two-Thumbs suggests a meeting with an illithid, Deigatt says,
"Comrade Two-Thumbs, I would very much like to meet this fearsome hillithid
has you suggest. I'm confident hit would be more hinteresting than touring
temples hor searching for drinking cups hon distant planets!"

"The _Chalice_ does seem to be a profitable hunt, but I agree with Holland,
unless we get any definite leads, it should remain secondary." Billy turns
to Nilaroo and asks, "Any idea when the 'Star will be ready?"

"It will be a few days yet, I believe."  Nilaroo answers between sips of ale.

"I think we should go after the chalice," Grigree adds.  "Havn't gone had
any adventures on the ground since I was a kid.  It would be a good break."

Talus watches the human woman with two cutlasses who entered the tavern and
comments, "We should also think about hiring a few for hands, especially
if we are going pirate hunting."

Billy listens to everyone as he gulps down his supper. He doesn't notice
the newcomer initially as his back is turned to the door. But noticicing
everyone's quick glances in her direction, Billy turns around, a fork in
his right hand, his flagon in his left and looks at the newcomer. After a
few seconds of staring, he takes a sip and, if noticed by the human, he
salutes her with his flagon and then turns back to the conversation.

Radick sees that the newcomer is still alone, so he sits up straight and
lets one of his best smiles shine forth as his eyes admire her lovely pair
of..... cutlasses...

Italapate grins, as he puts his feet down and leans closer.  "She's way
outta your class, Radick.  A gold piece says she won't even give you the
time of day!" He leans back with his firewater to study Radick's reaction.

Grigree looks around at everybody as they turn to look towards the bar.  He
looks over, and not noticing anything out of the ordinary, looks back.  He
thinks a moment before asking, "What's everybo--" Looking once more towards
the bar, Grigree's eyes light up in understanding.  "Aha," he finishes with
smile.

Feeling several sets of eyes staring at her, the new comer turns and notices
the halfling in  the corner.  Making eye contact, She flashes a big grin
and makes  a comment in a foreign language. While not being close enough to
hear what Italapate says, she does notice Radick's smile and look.  She
heads over to the parties table, "Excuse  me gentlepersons, and horned
one."  to the Company, and then  directly to Radick, with a big grin in
reply, "Hi smiley, so are you  going to introduce me to your friend."
Turning to Italapate with the  biggest cheesy grin possible, " I just adore
bald men! Don't you?"

It seems that Jamila's timing was perfect. For just as she said that Billy
was taking a pull of his drink. The end result of trying to laugh and
swallow at the same time was obvious: most of his ale ended up in his lap
instead of down his throat. Billy coughs for a few seconds, wiping his
mouth on his sleeve and then in a choked voice, orders a replacement for
his spilt drink. Looking closely at him, you can't tell if it is more ale
on his face or if they are tears....

Italapate matches the grin in goofiness.  "Well, I certainly would! If I
were interested in bald men that is.... Hello, my name is Italapate, and we
are the Company of the Silent Star. The _woge_ wearing his ale is Billy,
and 'grins' there is Radick.  The only bright spot at the table is the
lady-in-red, Leera.  Horns there is Deigatt.  Holland. Raken. Kain. Talus.
Nilaroo and Grigree (can't miss them. Though, if your like bald, they ain't
it).  And you are?"

As her name is called, Leera looks up and smiles at the newcomer. She then
lowers her head into her hands and chuckles softly. She looks up, glances
at Radick and Italipate, shakes her head, and again chuckles softly.

When Italapate mentions his name, Kain looks up slightly from his bowl.
With a polite "Hello", he quickly delves back into his soup.

"Jamila bint Setara, sailor and adventurer.  Pleased to meet you  all,
specially you baldy!" wink wink.

Holland rubs his chin for a moment as he hears her name but quickly returns
to his passive observation.

Italapate stands, bowing slightly at the waist in a fair approximation of a
Shou-Town greeting.  "You're charmed, I'm sure," he grins.  "Where are you
from?  Some desert on Toril perhaps?  Sorry, that planet seems to be a
theme here..."

Before Jamila can answer,  Radick settles back in his seat shaking his head
from side to side. He reaches into his pocket and tosses a gold coin to
Italapate commenting, "There is no accounting for taste."  Radick then
stands up and stretches his arms letting his jerkin of leather strips slap
lightly against his tight abs, and then he stretches the legs of his black
leather pants. "I'm going for a refill, anyone else interested?"

Radick waves off the waitress as she comes to take his request, "I'll get
it myself - thanks anyway." As he starts to move to the bar he turns back,
"That was a hot rum, right? Use my chair if you'd like, no reason to stand
there waving your... uh... cutlasses in everyone's face." Radick then moves
to the bar and picks up the drink order (including a refill for Billy).

Jamila smiles thanks and takes Radick's seat.

Returning to the table Radick stands off to the side against the wall, allowing
Jamila to remain seated, he leans against the wall with his axe at his
side, and his eyes scanning the other guests of the inn.

As the humans stare attentively at the newcomer and Billy Two-Thumbs wipes
the ale off his face, Deigatt looks to the halfling and asks, "Can you tell
me more habout this hillithid fellow we will meet hon the morrow?"

Billy turns to Deigatt, replying to his query. "There isn't much to know,
really. Kain and I are looking for a tutor so that we may learn a little
more about  our... umm... habilities." Billy winks. "We heard that an
illithid called Estriss  is  currently staying at the Seeker's Library of
the Spheres (#16),  where he  is  conducting research of some sort.
Stories of the Illithid's powers seem in  some ways similar to the sort of
training Kain and I seek. Some people say that none in their right mind
would seek out an illithid for such.  But  Estriss is  said to be
different. He sails on non-illithid vessels by preference and is  a  member
of the Seekers, the only illithid member on Bral in fact.  We think that he
might be a potential teacher."

"Great," Grigree comments.  "Not only a mind flayer, but a crazy one too.
It's been nice knowing you..." he says to the pair.

Leera turns her attention away from the distraction and says "Deigatt! Be
careful that tentacle-head doesn't decide that your horns would make good
straws for sucking out your brains.  We'd miss you!"

She then addresses the group as a whole, glancing once or twice at Holland.
"Well... Billy and Deigatt are going to feed themselves to that Illithid
tomorrow. What about the rest of you? Any ideas on how to drum up more
work? If not, are any of you interested in attending a play? I've heard
that two good ones are being performed on alternate nights. The lead actor
in one of them has supposedly been getting really friendly," Leera grins
wickedly, "with Prince Frun's widow." She looks at Italipate and Jamila, "I
don't think he's bald, but he's supposed to be very good, AND very
attractive."

Leera looks around the table "So, what say you? What'll it be on the
'morrow: work, play, or some combination of the two?"

Holland listens to Leera and a small smile comes across his face.  Once
Leera is finished he says, "Leera, I had hoped that you would join me in
visiting the Mages' Guild for information and a few of the local Temples in
a search for employment tomorrow; however, we could do that earlier in the
day, if the play is not till later I would be happy to accompany you.."

Italapate looks at Leera for a moment.  "I have a meeting in the afternoon,
but if the play is in the evening, perhaps a little culture will be a
pleasant change of pace..."

Not looking up from his bowl, Kain says, "Well, if you're speaking of the
Royal Theatrical Company's play, that's..ah..where I'd planned on going
later tomorrow.  That is, well, after we'd spoken with Estriss."

Deigatt is silent following Billy's description of what he knows about the
illithid. Then he grunts and turns his head toward the conversation between
Leera and Holland. "What exactly is a 'play'?" he asks.

Still smiling Holland says, "A 'play' is an event where people, called
'actors', assume a role and re-enact an old event or create a fictious
event from the past, present or even the future.  For example, someone
somewhere could write a play where the actors were dressed up to look like
us and the pirates and then the 'play' would be the re-enactment of our
initial voyage and battle.  The audience needs to have a sense of
imagination to fully appreciate the play.  Every land has their own
favorite plays of historical and fictional events.  It is official called,
'theather' and is considered in some lands to be a form of art. In some
lands groups of actors travel around from town to town putting
on their plays and spreading news similiar to bards.  A comon theme of
plays is a parody of the local ruler, something that sometimes doesn't sit
very well with the ruling class." Stopping to take a drink of ale to whet
his throat Holland says, "Hmm.. Sorry about that, I tend to ramble from
time to time.  Why don't you come tomorrow evening Deigatt?  You might
enjoy it."

"Hin my land," Deigatt replies, "but perhaps I should say 'hon my world...'
those hof the clerical horder perform henactments hof the great hexodus hof
my kind from far Krynn to Geb. These rituals remind hus hof hour history,
but more hoften than not they halso serve to further the political aims hof
the horder providing the show. They halso serve to convince their watchers
to believe hin the horder's religious nonsenses." Deigatt pauses briefly,
as if he's suddenly remembered something that he doesn't want to, then his
eyes focus again on Holland. "Hit seems this play must be similar,
halthough I cannot fathom how such a thing would be hentertaining without
hinvolving some measure hof competition."

Holland nods and says, "I see what you are saying," shrugging his shoulders
Holland says, "You can always leave if you don't like it, perhaps it would
be good to see how other cultures practice their religious and political
indoctrination."

"Yes," Deigatt agrees. "I ham hinterested hin seeing this masquerade. I'm
finding humans' preoccupation with nonrealities to be confusing but halso
hintriguing. I will plan to come to this play hif we have returned from
visiting this hillithid hin sufficient time."

Holland nods to Deigatt.  Holland signals the barmaid and orders some
more stew.

"Hmm, I haven't seen a street play since..." Raken says with a shrug.
"Anyways, Deigatt, I'll join you to meet this Illithid.  I too seek
knowledge.  However, my interest in going is not in knowledge; someone's
got to watch your back," Raken says darkly.

Holland says softly, "Did anyone learn of any solid job opportunities?"

Kain rubs the back of his neck as he mumbles, "Well, no, it really doesn't
sound like it."

Billy turns from his staring and rejoins the discussion. "As I mentioned, I
may or may not have something... I don't know what it may be yet, but if
you give me a couple of days, I'm sure that I can provide you with more
information."

"If anyone cares I will be hitting Gaspar's place tomorrow," Radick smiles and
chuckles, "actually I will be visiting that establishment inquiring as to
work opportunities and values for some of our extraneous magic. Let me know
what no one wants in the morning so I can take it with me. I'll catch up
with you guys outside the playhouse after the show."

"I'll take another one of these," Grigree points to the barmaid, and tosses
some silver pieces to her.  "I'll join you tomorrow too, if you don't mind.
Plays aren't my thing," he adds to the rest of the group.

Leera looks at Jamila,  whose been following the conversation with
interest, and asks "So... what's your business on Bral?"

Date/time:  6:30 pm  16th day of the 4th 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