FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 37 Chapter 7

The Adventures of my Jammers PBEM game.

I hope folks are enjoying these, if there is a consensus that they
suck I will be happy to stop posting them. Let me know what you folks
think. (My players should feel free to comment as well:))

----------- = 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:

Kain stands slightly outside the circle of planners. He is quiet but
obviously attentive, at one point he stutters quietly, "I could
protect the helmsman's mind, perhaps."

Talus returns in around 20 minutes, "We cannot approach from the
land, it has to be from the river. There are several guards posted on
both the ship and in the camp."

Talus sketches a quick picture in the dirt of the small village,
"Here is what it looks like, there are guards in the village and 6
guards on the ship.  2
fore, 2 midship and 2 aft.  I did not see anyone in the cabins
through the port holes."

Talus says, "The guards seem very alert.  Due to the number of huts
there could be anywhere from 50-100 warriors here, I did not see any
evidence of women and
children.  The guards were armed just like the natives we fought at
the Temple.  There is a big rock cave on the edge of the camp, inside
of their wooden wall.  If I had to wager, I would say that those
fish-creatures live in that cave.  Kain's presence on the strike team
would be beneficial because he can protect the strike team from being
possessed in the event that the fishies attack."

Talus says, "Sending in a small invisible strike team seems to be the
best bet.  We can take out the guards above-decks easily enough, but
I don't know who if
anyone is in the helm room, the deck hatches were closed so I
couldn't scout it out."

Allagan looks at the drawing and says, "Here is a plan.  Tell me what
you all think:  Kain and Talus can fly.  If I borrowed the magical
ring of falling, they
could fly me out over the ship's mast and drop me.  I would float
down to the mast and position myself there.  Kain could take up a
position near the aft of
the ship, while Talus returns to carry Freneth to the ship to take a
position near Freneth and Kain."

Allagan says, "The signal will be when Talus casts his spell on the
guards.  Hopefully it will take out the mid and aft guards.  I'll
jump from the mast while Freneth and Kain move to the aft hatch and
open it up. Speed will be of the essence at this point.  While
Freneth, Kain and I, still invisible, move down the hatch to the
bridge, Talus will cast another spell to take out the fore guards."

Allagan says, "I will use my spells and brawn to subdue anyone in the
bridge and then man the helm. Freneth and Kain will remain invisible,
Kain can give
me support against any mind attacks and Freneth can guard the hatch.
Meanwhile Talus can be dispatching the guards he subdued above decks.
Once I am on the
helm, I'll lift the ship and fly directly to where the rest of the
party is located.  Talus can drop a rope and we can get the rest of
the crew and equipment aboard whereafter we can fly to some alcove
and secure the rest of the ship."

Allagan asks, "What do you all think?"

Ferric shakes his head, "I think it foolish to rely so strongly on
luck. We know they have some skilled warriors not to mention the
possibility of mind control.  If one of the three of you were
controlled the chances of success are almost nil.  I think we must
all participate in the assault to ensure success."

Kain replies still stuttering badly, "I have been thinking about the
battle in the cave. I am not sure any minds were actually controlled.
Maybe some of us were just driven so mad that they attacked the
closest person, and others made so fearful they could no longer
fight. That would be much easier to archive than total control."

"Perhaps it would be better to use distraction.  Master Talus could
perhaps set fire to one of the huts on the far side, or even middle,
of the village.  It is the nature of people to rush to see, or put
out, a fire.  This might allow more of us to approach unseen.  As
well, though it is uncomfortable, perhaps it might be wiser to unlash
the raft, and have those that do not require components
approach underwater," inputs Freneth.  "Staying mostly below the
water, and hanging onto a log, would keep those that are approaching
less noticeable than all bunched on such a large... object.  Perhaps
using Master Allegan's trick will allow someone to get into the helm
room unnoticed, perhaps Master Kain and someone who can lift the
ship.  If they wait until a signal from those boarding before
lifting, we could perhaps be away before anyone is the wiser, while
giving those boarding nearby support if things do not go so smoothly."

Holland says, "I will help provide this.  I can grow wings of my own,
though for a short time.  I will fly over to the camp.  I will lob
two fire balls into the rock structure to give the fish creatures
something to think about.  I'll cast a third on the camp and then I
will create a wall of fog between the camp and the ship.  I'll land
on the ship after that point."

Kain looks doubtful, "Would that not just announce to everything that
we are inside the compound and attacking them." He continues
haltingly, "We do not want a hundred warriors rushing to defend the
ship. A smaller fire might be more of a distraction, and less of a
call to arms."

"They shouldn't expect us to be here this quickly," Sekeht says.
"They may not attribute the attack to us right away. And they
certainly deserve no quarter for
betraying us the way they did. Let them burn."

Talus relays that he has some Color Spray and Sleep spells available
for the attack. Then, Talus asks the Cutlass, "Can you provide any
help?"

"Aye, lads." the Cutlass answers, "Me darkness would make it tough on
'em, if one of ye were to wield me.  But be wary of the river. The
kopru be more at home in water than on land, ye know. And they often
mind-control beasts for work and battle. I'd be afeared of some water
beastie in hiding, watching. They be smart."

Date/Time: 1:30 am, 11th 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