FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 30 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 39 of Chapter 7. Chapter 1 has 30 turns...

This is the last turn of Chapter 1, and some serious internal party
conflict began here.  As GM, figuring out which PCs will get along
with which players is always hard.  Radick was interesting, as the
player role played him as a tough guy, yet he was actually one of the
weakest PCs in the group at the time. I think they all could have
taken him.  Since they had witnessed him in battle several times by
this point, his bluster wasn't appreciated.  He actually had a rather
cool background, and his player participated very well.  Now he makes
a great NPC antagonist for the Company:)


Jammers is host by Beyond the Moons at
<http://www.spelljammer.org/www/jammers/>http://www.spelljammer.org/www/jammers/

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

IC:

Deigatt eyes Holland curiously but makes no comment regarding him. Rather,
he turns to the others, particularly Billy, and asks, "You were not long
hin the tavern; did you capture your prey?"

Billy grins from ear to ear, gets up and kicks the air where their
invisible captive lies. Hearing a comforting grunt Billy simply says,
"Yyyyyyyyyyup."

The minotaur's eyes grow wide. "This Gantius was hinivisible hand you still
captured him?" he says. "I ham himpressed, comrades. Very himpressed."

Kain glances up from his search through his rucksack. "Oh, no, Deigatt,
he.. umm.. wasn't invisible when we found him.  Holland made him invisible
before we.. ah.. left the Thumb.  The guards would have had to say
something if we were carrying a bound and gagged man through the streets of
Bral." After extracting a fresh sheet of paper from one case, Kain sets up
his inkstand and well, making notations on what the company recovered
during the fight.  "Has.. ah.. anyone seen Talus since we've been back?" he
asks without looking up from his work.

Radick looks to Holland and then to the area on the floor where Billy
kicked. "How do you know this is Gantius? Did he identify himself? How did
it go down?"  Radick's face appears very business-like as he listens to the
others tell of their altercation at the Twisted Thumb.

After kicking the bound and gagged scoundrel, Billy says, "I think that as
soon as Holland comes to he should cancel his spell... What better way to
loosen your bonds and escape than when you are invisible..."

"And perhaps no one should mention any more of our names in front of him,
heya?"  Nilaroo rumbles.

Italapate takes a blanket from the foot of the bed, tossing it over the
invisible body of the prisoner on the floor.  Sitting lightly on the edge
of the bed, he puts his feet on the lump thus revealed.  "Why, Paco?  Do
you think he
is going to recognize any of us later?  Do you really think there will be a
later for him?"

Once he's done listing all of the treasures, Kain rubs the ink from his
fingertips.  "Well, no one's seen him..hmm.  I'll go see if Talus is in his
room."  Getting up and leaving Leera and Jamilia's room, Kain knocks on
Talus' door to see if Talus is within.

A grumpy "What!" echoes from inside the room.

Kain opens the door slowly, peeking around it before slipping into the room
and closing the door behind him.

Inside Talus is sitting on his rumpled bed holding a dagger reading to
throw at the person coming through the door.  With a yawn and a sour look
the half-elf asks, "Back already?  How did it go?"

"Well.. ah.. we got him.  At least we think it's him," Kain shrugs.  Then
sitting on the footstool at the foot of the bed, he relates the rest of the
story.

Talus frowns, "From what you say there could be considerably risk in my
going on with the meeting tonight.  If they know I am part of the group,
they may take revenge.  On the other hand, this will be the only chance I
have of penetrating the Red Masks, and as we will be operating off the rock
for a time to come, that could be invaluable.  What do you think?"

"I wouldn't go," Kain says after a pause.  "But if you don't go tonight,
Talus, would the guild look to cause problems for you?  Saying you'd like
to join their ranks and then.. ah.. not showing would tend to lead to
problems I think." Shifting in his seat, he adds, "Everybody's in Leera's
room now, and Billy's contact told us to wait here."

Talus sighs, "Both choices present problems.  But I suspect going ahead
with the meeting will result in the Red Masks taking revenge by attacking
of capturing me." Thinking a moment, he continues, 'Lets go talk to the
others."

Kain and Talus return to leera's room, Talus says "Well done.  It certainly
looks like the commission has been well earned.  But it does pose certain
problems for me."

"As I mentioned earlier, I have arranged a meeting with the Red Masks
looking to gain entrance into their guild.  With your actions against
Gantius, I fear that they may have linked me with this attack and seek to
take revenge if I turn up tonight.  On the other hand, if they know nothing
and I do not turn up, they may want to take revenge for slighting the
guild." Talus looks depressed, "What think you all?  Maybe the halfling
would pay if we used this meeting to draw out more Red Masks.  Or I could
chance that they don't know my link with you all, or use that link as a
double agent."

"I do not think that would be wise, Talus.  They will be paranoid enough
after today; best not give them the chance to lay hands on one of us.
Besides, I do not think we will be on the Rock long enough for you to gain
their confidence."  Nilaroo replies.

Turning to Talus, Billy advises, "I really think you should stay. I must
agree with Nilaroo. After tonight they will be looking for revenge and will
go after
anyone who presents themselves..."

Talus nods, appearing thankful for the support, "I shall keep my distance
then, but I will need to be very careful when we get back here.  Thieves
are notorious for keeping grudges."

About an hour after the Company returned from its barfight, there is a
knock on the door.  An older halfling,  is standing there after the door is
opened, two large humans, legbreakers by their look, stand behind him. The
halfling looks very nondescript with close-cropped brown hair and is
wearing the plain brown tunic and trousers of a native Bralian workman with
no visible weapons.  This is the same halfling Kain and Radick saw Billy
speaking with a few days earlier after the visit to the mercers, the one
who spoke of the strange halfling myth.  They walk carefully into the room,
so the door closes behind them, the legbreakers' hands kept far from their
broadswords but looking dangerous nonetheless.

The older halfing says to Billy, "Are ye Squirrely, Billy?"

Billy smiles and replies, "Very squirrely indeed, friend."

The halfling nods,  "You folks did a right nice job, quiet like and all.
You got all the gang near as we can tell, and since Gantius was the only
body missing, I'm hoping you got him here."

"Sure do," Billy kicks the blanket covered lump with a satisfying thud.
"We've even wrapped him up for safe transport!"

A smile creases the halflings face.  "A good job indeed.  May I?" The
halfling steps forward and feels around under the blanket where Gantius is
lying.  "Aye, that's him." he motions to the two legbreakers who come over,
discard the blanket and pick up Gantius as the halfling hands a pouch to
Billy, it clinks heavily.  A grin, "130 platinum pieces there for you, gold
was just too heavy.  And here's a bonus, some good advice: Gantius wasn't
popular in his guild but they can't let this pass and your the only obvious
targets. 'specially since they know he's alive and spilling secrets they'll
wonder who you sold him to. If I were you folks I'd leave town for a while,
let things simmer.  A few tendays, perhaps."

Billy catches the pouch. "My thanks. This will come in handy..."

With that the halfling and legbreakers leave carrying Gantius, still
invisible, with them.

Nilaroo stretches after the payoff.  "Now that that is overwith, I think we
should make plans about moving to the ship entirely tomorrow, when it
becomes ready.  In addition, we need to provide House Moune with their
share of the profits."

"Hindeed," Deigatt agrees. "Hour remaining here would only hendanger hour
host. The ship will be easier to defend should we find defending necessary.
Hand I'm eager for hus to find more honest hemployment."

Italapate stands.  "Well, I know _I_ cannot afford to stay here any longer,
friend."

Kain makes two equal piles of the platinum coins pushing one towards the
slightly larger pile of assorted ones.  Taking a small bag from his
rucksack,
Kain then adds the company's first payment, closing the drawstrings and
handing the bag to Nilaroo.  "Tell Standish there could be more, once we
decide what to do with the remainder of the stuff we've obtained.  That
is.. ah.. if you would please. "But as for the.. ah.. Star.  I don't think
we can claim her just yet. The Lady wants to see us at ten tomorrow morning
at the ship," Kain says looking
intently at his inventory list.  "Though it can't hurt to check I guess."

Putting the remaining company funds into the pouch the Halflings' used for
payment, Kain clears his throat.  "And if we're..hmm..planning on leaving
tomorrow, we'll need to get a few things.  Provisions, mainly, though some
other goods to outfit the ship wouldn't hurt" he says with a shrug.  "We've
only enough stores for about four days aboard the Star now, and from the
sound of it we'll be gone quite a bit longer than that.  I'd suggest
keeping two months of provisions and goods on the Silent Star for now,
until we can.. ahem.. afford to keep more.

"We'll need a strongbox also, something we can keep our valuables in.  That
way when we come to port we don't have to worry as much as we would
otherwise.  Is there anything else?" Kain asks, looking at his list again.

Radick steps forward towards Kain. "The way I see it, the company should
get nearly half, and the rest be divided up among all of us. So, before you
go putting all of that into some purchases that we may or may not need,
I'll be taking my share. The way I see it, you have about 65 of those
platinums, and odd change in the rest. If we each take 3 platinums, or the
equivalent, then that is almost half the total. The rest can be used for
supplies. I'll take mine in straight platinum."  Radick holds out his open
hand and awaits his coins.

Kain waits, chewing his bottom lip in thought.  "If that is what the
majority of the company wishes, that is what we shall do.  I may have
assumed too much when I thought that we should outfit the Star first, I'll
grant you that," Kain says slowly.  "But as there is a.. ah.. dispute on
how to divide the payment, can we at least wait until Holland is awake and
aware to decide?  I hope that it should only be a few hours more."  Kain
clasps his hands together behind his back as he finishes speaking.

Billy says. "I think that I must agree with Kain, Radick. We should supply
our ship first so that we don't get caught by surprise... If you are really
short on funds, then I'm not against you having a little bit o' cash, but
otherwise I think that all monies earned should be kept together. Each of
us can dip into to pot when needed."

"And what supplies will cost us nearly 350 gold?" responds Radick to the
rest of the group as well as Billy. "We need food and ammunition. Beyond
that I believe everything else is pretty much personal. If you spend more
than 50 gold on the lot you are throwing our money away. " Radick then
leans towards Billy, "As far as my personal finances go, they are none of
your business."

Radick then turns and looks at the rest of the items. "Seeing that only
Deigatt and I are trained with battle axes, I guess I will take this one."
Radick picks up the weapon and tests its weight. "Leera, let me know when
you will have some time to examine this baby for any enchantments."

"Perhaps I was too hasty in my placing the ship before the individuals of
the company," Kain says levelly, "but I think that you also make claims too
quickly Radick."  Taking a steadying breath, Kain continues, "After a
moments more thought, I propose that we pay House Moune what is due it
today, and lay off all other business until after we have claimed the
Silent Star as our own.  That will.. ah.. give everyone time to rest, maybe
learn if any of these newest items bear enchantment."

Radick listens to Kain calmly. "There is no doubt that House Moune gets
paid today, but if we are thinking about getting off the Rock tomorrow, as
I believe we are, then I will be having my coins now. As for the axe,
examine it all you  wish, but my claim has still been put forth and if it
does not go to me, I will expect a full explanation with just reasoning."

Leera speaks up, "Indeed, I plan on determining that early tommorrow." She
pauses and then turns to Radick, "And friend Radick, Kain speaks rightly
when he calls you quick to make claims. You contributed very little to this
success." She pauses, as if to think, "Hmm, let's see... Oh, that's right!
You did manage to almost get Grigree and me killed with your performance in
the bar! That is of course worthy of great reward! And the wonderful way
you handled yourself in the battle where we captured Gantius... no wait,
that's right... you were off burying your head in a pint of ale! A truly
heroic service to the group! We might have been poisoned if you hadn't
tested the ale in that bar! Again, obviously worthy of great reward.!"

Leera is a bit flushed and obviously angry. She pauses, and then finishes
by saying "Radick, you'll get your money and a chance at the items when
we've taken care of the group's needs. Until then, be quiet!"

Radick moves to draw his axe, but thinks better of it. He storms towards
the door.

When Radick attempts to leave, Leera says, "Radick, I'll be needing those
bracers. I'll examine them in the morning, too." She holds out her hand.

"Get lost bitch!" responds Radick as he walks right out of the room his
hands are still dangerously close to his axes. His face and stride suggest
that any attempt to delay him will be met with violence as the anger is
clearly bubbling up in him.

Italapate walks down the stairs as Radick blows his top in Leera and Kain's
direction. "I'm going to the docks," he calls to anyone who might care. He
steps up to the inn-keeper, tossing him his key and the last of his coins.
"Won't be needing these tonight, good sir," he says.  "Thanks for your
exceptional hospitality... I know some of us are a little hard to bear at
times." Then he exits the inn and walks down the Rock's quaint roads to the
docks. Having little else to do, he stakes out to the Silent Star.

Back in Leera and Jamila's room...
"Oh, no," Kain says dejectedly as he rubs his hands together.  "I never..
ah.. meant to.. ah.. start all of this."  He massages his temples with a
tired hand.  "If I'm to try and help Holland at all, I need to relax and
cleanse my mind."  Carrying his rucksack in his right hand as he leaves the
room Kain mumbles, "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me.  And if I'm not
out in three or four hours, could.. ah.. somebody come get me.  I don't
intend on sleeping, but you never know."

"Be at ease, Kain.  It was time that Radick learned that we are all here
together as equals."  Nilaroo softly rumbles.

"You guys go ahead.  I'll stay here, cleaning up everyone's wounds.  I'll
pack up in an hour or two.  Everyone that took injuries, let me look them
over to make sure that none of that accursed poison will come back to haunt
us," Raken says as he cleans the blood off his hands.  "In the morning,
when Celestrian has renewed his blessing, I'll try to get Holland on his
feet."

"So, do you want to help me with my armour?" Jamila asks Raken with a grin,
"My shoulder still feels a bit sore from that thug."

"Of course, Jamila," Raken replies with a smile, "I'll help you peal off
your heavy armor and examine your shoulder."  He gently helps her out of
her armor and spends the next several minutes examing the injuries on her
shoulder.  "Hmmm, I don't believe that you have been poisoned.  You show no
signs of poisoning.  However, I'll cast a cure spell on your shoulder in
the morning."

"So who's interested in a nice warm bath to wash away the grime of
battle?" Jamila asks those that are still in her and Leera's room.   "If
your planning on leaving this Rock soon, you might not find  another place
for bathing for many days."

"I'll join you," Raken says.  "It'll give me a chance to wash the dust of
this rock off and take a look at that shoulder of yours.  After that
battle, I could use a bath."

"To tired now, but thanks," Grigree replies to Jamila from his spot by the
wall.  He continues to sit there for only a bit more time, his shoulders
sagging and eyes half open, before getting Nodding a "'night" to the rest
of the group and heading up to his room.  He falls asleep as soon as his
head hits the pillow.

Before Deigatt retires, he politely asks to borrow the spellbook the
company seized on the eelship so that he might study one of its spells.

Leera informs humble Deigatt that "Sleeping beauty over there has the book.
Come, let's see if we can find it among his things."

"I don't think it would be wise for me to walk the streets tonight. Could
anyone spare a little bit of floor that I may stay the night?" asks Billy
with a pitiful look on his face.

Deigatt looks up from watching Leera search through Holland's  belongings
and says, "I believe Comrade Holland's bed will be  hotherwise hempty
tonight, Comrade Billy. You should sleep there."  Deigatt takes the company
spell book when Leera offers it to  him: "Thank you, Comrade Leera."

"That's right... I'm sure he won't mind..." Billy walks over to where
Holland is lying and pats him on the hand. "Hope you get better soon...
Somehow I feel a little responsible..." Billy turns and goes to Holland's
room, retiring for the rest of the day.

After a few hours, Kain comes back out of his room. Knocking before
entering Leera and Jamilia's, he walks over to Holland.  Placing the
fingertips of his
hands on the unconscious mage's forehead, Kain closes his eyes in
concentration.

As the hour draws late and Holland still lies unconscious on her bed, Leera
mutters in exasperation, "I'm NOT going to let him forget about this!" She
then unrolls her pack and curls up to sleep on the floor.

The afternoon and evening passes uneventfully.  Everyone sleeps or rests,
leaving their bedrooms to bring up small trays of food from the common room
below.  Wizards study books while priests pray, psioncists meditate, and
warriors exercise.  Sleep comes easily after the days exertions,  and the
hours slip by.

Early the next morning, Leera seeks out Kain and asks him, "Kain! Ah, there
you are!  I'm going to examine the items we recovered from Gantius and his
gang... I'd appreciate your help."

"Sure," Kain agrees with a smile.  "Just..ah..let me get my list and my ink
and I'll be right with you."  After a few moments, Kain returns to Leera
and Jamila's room, his rucksack slung over his shoulder.

He finds Raken already there,  casting a series of healing spells on
Holland which get the mage back to full health.

Leera meditates for a moment, and slowly speaking the syllables of a
magical incantation, casts a spell. She examines the items, and as she does
so tells Kain, "Hmm... only one of these newest items shows any evidence of
enchantment ..." She picks up a dagger and sets it aside. "This daggers
bears enchantment magic." She then examines the other items in the
company's inventory. "These darts ARE interesting, and not all the same
either..." She borrows Kain's quill and makes a small mark on one of the
darts. "This longsword and this cutlass show evidence of alteration
magics."

"Enchantment for the dagger, okay, alteration on longsword and cutlass,
fine," Kain nods as he makes the correct notation beside the weapons on the
list.

While going through the items, Leera remarks upon seeing the darts "Hmm,
why don't I take these..."

"I..ah..don't see why not," Kain nods in agreement.  "No one else seems to
want them.  I'm sure once we tell everyone what we've got, they'll accept
your claim on the darts."

As they examine the stuff.... "Well, I suppose it will be interesting to
see how we divide up these items... What do you suppose would be fairest?
Should we draw lots to see who has first pick?"

"Well..hmm..I think we're all rational, well-reasoned individuals. If
somebody wants something, maybe they could just say so," Kain thinks out
loud.  "If two or more want the same item, let them work it out between
themselves, maybe." Kain's words end sounding half statement and half
question.

After casting the spell and telling Kain which of the items are magical
Leera sits back on her heels and asks "So, Kain, which of these do you
want?"

Kain shrugs as he stays kneeling on the floor.  "Nothing really, I don't
need anymore weapons.  That vial's probably the poison that thug was using,
and that seems a..ah..decidedly evil thing to use on someone."

Leera shakes her head. "No, the poison was yellow. Maybe this is the
antidote? Or perhaps another poison?"

"Oh, I thought it just might look different in the bottle," Kain says as he
holds the vial up to the light.  "It isn't magical, so it could be the
antidote to the poison, or another poison as you..ah..said Leera."

After spending some time with Kain, Leera gathers the rest of the company
her and Jamila's room. Leera speaks, "I've managed to determine which of
the items we've recovered are magical. We seem to own a magical dagger, a
magical longsword, and a magical cutlass.  The dagger is imbued with
enchantment magic, the two longer weapons show signs of alteration magic.
Perhaps one of our priests could add to this knowledge... you see things in
different ways than we mages. In any case, we should decide who will use
these items. Jamila seems to be the only one of us to wield a cutlass, and
Grigree would seem to be the resident expert on longswords. That leaves the
dagger. Who wants it?"

"Not I," Kain shrugs. "I.. ah.. agree that Jamilia and Grigree look to be
the.. well.. sensible choices for those weapons."

Grigree slowly eats an apple.

Date/time:  9:00 am  18th 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