FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 25 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 36 of Chapter 7. Chapter 1 has 30 turns...

I thought the brawls with gantius and his gang were some of my favorites!

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

IC:
Leera pauses after Kain suggests that Holland's use of 'mind magic' might
provide clues to Gantius's whereabouts. Apparently having thought the
matter through, she speaks "Yes, that would probably work. But even if it
didn't," she grins over at Radick, "I'm sure we'd find other ways of
loosening his tounge."

Continuing, Leera says "The key is that we have to capture one of Gantius's
hoods before we can question one. I say that we head back to the Twisted
Thumb in force and employ the plan I suggested earlier. Who's coming?"

Talus shakes his head in refusal, "I must rest and prepare for my meeting
tonight.  I shall stay here."

Italapate strolls back into the Tankard, smiling to himself.  He plops
himself onto the bed in Holland's room. "So, has our mutual destruction
been plotted yet?" he grins.

Kain listens to Leera, pauses as Italapate returns, then says, "Perhaps
Italapate and Raken could..ah..accompany you inside Leera."  After a moment
of indecision he adds, "If you'd wait a few hours I..ah..could also.  I'm
feeling a bit tired from my demonstration with Estriss," Kain explains with
a frown. "A second group could, well, be made up of just about anyone. They
could wait far enough away not to be noticed, but close enough to come if
there's trouble" he suggests. "Also, how'd you plan on getting him
outside," Kain asks. "If Holland knows about where to expect you, he can
hide himself away beforehand," he explains.

Leera relies, "Hmm, well, that's a different idea. I'd thought that after
I'd identified the thugs, we'd get them out of the tavern the old-fashioned
way-- flung over someone's shoulder. You may be right, though. Perhaps it
would be better to lure them into an alley. Got any suggestions?"

"Well, uh, depending upon what he's doing, and how many are there, maybe.
Though I'm no good at talking people into doing what I want" Kain says with
a slight shrug of his shoulders. "If he's alone and drinking quite a bit,
just waylay'm when he leaves the, ah, Thumb. Or...hmmm..depending on what
disguise you plan to use, just walk right up to him and start up a
conversation.  You could always say you're..ah.. hunting the Axe and that
you heard he was here earlier." Kain shrugs and, shaking his head says, "if
there are a few of the gang there, I think a fight'll be the only way to
get one of 'em, ah, to question."

Billy rubs his hands, "I'll go, of course... I've got to get my hands on a
few things  I'll need though... I'll be back in about an hour. Maybe
sooner... Anyone want to come with me?" Billy gets up and looks around.

"I'll go," Grigree replies.  "My head's still woozy from that spell," he
says with a small smile towards Leera.  "A walk should clear it. I'll be
there when we get back with Billy."

"As will I," Raken says.  "Undoubtedly my services will be needed.  Just
give me time to don my armor,  retrieve my blade, and say a prayer to
Celestrian to forgive this Gantius' soul, because I have a feeling we
won't."

"My swords are yours," Jamila says. "They are one thing I'm  reasonably
good with" holding the hilts in a relaxed grip.

Italapate raises his hand, "Oh!  Yeah, I have some things I gotta get too."

Radick looks around at the others, "Well, I am not going to sit up here in
this room waiting for everyone to come back - Billy, Italapate - if you
don't mind I'll tag along as well. I doubt Leera's plan calls for my
presence at the Twisted Thumb."  As he slips the axe onto his back,
"'Sides, I want to get back out there so anyone who is interested will see
that I heal up really quick, of course they don't need to know about
Raken's part in that." He chuckles to himself.

Billy turns to Radick and says, "Don't get me wrong. I *will* be going with
Leera. It's just that I need to get my armour and weapons..." Billy smiles
beatifically...

Radick responds simply, "Well, I guess then I will be going out alone. I
don't think you want me showing up at the Twisted Thumb, so I'll just
follow up with Gaspar's and see what they might know about that chalice.
I'll meet you all back here for dinner - and don't have any fun without
me."  Radick then smiles and turns to leave.

"Alright then. Let's get going..." Billy whistles a merry tune as he heads
for the door.

Leera agrees... "Sounds good. I need to spend some time with my spellbook
anyway." She heads to her room.

"I will wait here for you Leera, when you are ready."  Nilaroo remains in
his seat, sharpening his long two handed blade.

"If I'm needed," Jamila says  "I'll be out back sharpening my  skills."

Kain nods, then murmurs, "Same for me..ahh..I'll be in my room if anyone's
looking for me."

Jamila collects her stuff and moves it into Leera's room, armour's up and
then heads down to the back yard for a bit of weapon practice until needed.

Italapate leaves, following Billy's lead.  "I need to pick up some
theatrical supplies, so hopefully we can go somewhere that sells them."

Grigree also follows Billy out the door before asking, "Where're you goin'
t' get your stuff?"

Meanwhile....
When Radick descends the stairs Deigatt is waiting for him....

"Comrade Radick," Deigatt says, "I ham glad to see you've recovered
rapidly. You har hoff now to pursue the henemy?"

"Actually big guy, I am in search of some old friends. At this point in
time I expect that the enemy is hiding somewhere, and those fools I battled
with earlier are getting some healing done." Radick smiles as he rubs his
chin. "Three on one that was, and two left with serious wounds and the
third was unconscious after Leera helped out. Too bad he got away though."

Radick then puts his hand on Deigatt's arm. "Come on, I could use some
backup just in case things get ugly.  We're headed for Gaspar's - then
maybe we'll find a nice tavern to settle down and have a drink in."

"When the henemy his wounded hand routed his hoften the best time to
strike, I ham told," Deigatt replies. "But I confess I ham not trained for
combat within the city, only hin the field." The minotaur follows Radick
out the door of the Broken Tankard and into the street. "Perhaps you can
tell me more hof this city has we go to meet these friends hof yours,
comrade?" he asks.

With such minor talk they pass the short walk to Gaspar's Reclamations
(#45), Deigatt frowns as he sees the sign of the Twisted Thumb just two
doors down.
"His that not the Twisted Thumb, Comrade Radick?" Deigatt asks,  pointing
to the bar at the corner of Wasp Street.  "His hit wise to come so close?"

Back to the others.....

Billy leads his friends towards the Burrows. Once there, he stops in front
of a quaint home and stops. "You'll have to wait here while I get my
stuff." He smiles almost apologetically. He opens the door and goes in,
closing it behind him. Some snatches of conversation fade away as Billy
goes deeper in the house. "Hi!" Woman's voice: "Billy, you're home
early..." Billy: "Just stopped by to pick up some things..."

A few minutes later, Billy  opens the door, a middle-aged halfling lady
standing  behind him. "OK. Bye for now... I should be back in time for a
late supper." Billy gives her a quick peck on the cheek and closes the door
behind him. "Where to guys?" He is now dressed in his armour with his
shortsword strapped to his side and his crossbow slung over his shoulder.

"I need to get some cheap clothes so that I can disguise myself," Italapate
says, "I also need some dyes and theatre putty and glue and mustachios and
stuff."

'Pate thus leads Billy and Grigree around town as the others rest or
practice or whatever.  After about an hour an a half 'Pate has gotten what
he needs and returned to the in where everyone again congregates in
Holland's room, at his suggestion.

Italapate carefully looks Grigree and Nilaroo over first, then hands them
both sashes to wrap about their waist.  "they are unlikely to recognize you
with these simple changes, especially if Jamila and Nilaroo stay apart,
folks notice a human women with a Gromman."  'Pate then asks Holland to put
a white streak through Grigree's hair with a cantrip,  which he does.

Italapate then has Holland change Jamila's hair from black to a wheaten
blond. Happy with the results he then fixes the mustache to his own face
and changes into the clothing of Bralian dockworker.

Once he has finished Italapate,  Holland, Grigree,  Nilaroo, Billy, Kain,
Leera, Jamila and Raken all head as a group towards the Twisted Thumb.

Date/time:  2:00 pm  17th 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