FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 54 Chapter 7 pt 1

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:))

Website: http://lost.spelljammer.org/Jammers/

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

As Kain meditates Argonui says, "I'll help search for this ship, if 
you wish.  But what will you gain from finding her?  Does it matter 
to your success if you destroy her?"

Holland replies, "If we destroy her then we deal with a threat in the 
here and now instead of waiting for them to strike at us again. 
Also, their mage has cast some of her most powerful magics; by 
finding them now and dealing with them, we don't give her a chance to 
renew her magics."

Argonui looks about the ship, "A mage of her caliber cast her most 
powerful magics at you, yet your ships look like this?" Argonui looks 
profoundly skeptical.  "She has quite a reputation, you know.  She's 
slain at least one dragon, I'm aware of.  And several pirate vessels."

Allagan asks from the lines, "It wasn't a metal dragon was it?"

Argonui shakes his head,  "A comet dragon, actually.  A legendary 
raider, a very evil beast."

Raken says from his post, "A comet dragon, you say? I've heard of 
such creatures.  Their curses are said to have laid low many a mighty 
empire, if the tales be true!"

"Aye." Argonui answers, "Few creatures besides another dragon could face one."

Raken contemplates for a moment, "Would you not say that is true for 
all dragons," he chuckles.  "Afterall, I would think you not want us 
to think any dragon be easily defeated!"

"He seems to be suggesting that this mage is also a dragon," Sekeht 
says. "Can all dragons hide themselves in humanoid guise? A wyvern is 
a sort of dragon, isn't it?"

"I am not suggesting that at all." Argonui says, "And a wyvern is 
simply a beast. They cannot speak, let alone change shapes."

Holland replies, "She summoned some wyverns, lizard creatures like we 
saw on this sphere, and giant vultures against us.  I believe these 
to be powerful magicks.  Talus hampered them to begin with by placing 
an invisible wall in their path.  They crashed into it, causing a lot 
of damage to their ship.  Then he lit a fire in their wardroom.  They 
escaped away as we were slaying the summoned creatures, but not 
before I was able to hit them with one fireball."

"You are saying she has cast three spells, and you think she is 
weakened?"  Argonui says, "It sounds as if you damaged her ship, but 
not her.  I will still help, but it sounds as if she is still a very 
dangerous foe."

Holland replies, "She is more weakened than if she were to come at us 
another day after she has had time to plot and set up events to her 
advantage."

Argonui shrugs, "Where do you wish me to look?"

Holland lays them out the planet's chart and points, "This island 
here, between the two villages.  It is in the direction that they 
were headed after the battle.  It might be the best place to start 
our search."

Eventually Kain opens his eyes again, "They have a good start on us" 
He reports, "They are already more than ten miles away, but not yet a 
hundred."

Holland looks at the charts, "There is the small island in the 
direction they were headed.  Once we get over the middle of the the 
island, Kain please try for another reading.  The island's radius 
looks less than 10 miles, so we should find out if they are on that 
island or not.  If they are, then Argonui, we could use your help in 
scouting the island looking for them."

Argonui says, "Very well."

Holland says, "Ferric, please ask Vais to go as fast as possible."

Ferric relays the order to Vais and continues to man the rudder.

Vais calls back up the tube, "How fast, exactly?  If we go any 
faster, we risk the ships tearing itself apart."

Ferric instructs him to make maximum safe speed.

As the Nightwind makes way toward the east Kain asks, "Should I 
return to the lines or try and rest? Who will take my place if I 
rest?"

"Master Kain, this one will take your turn at the lines," replies 
Freneth.  "If troubles arise, I will make sure you are awoken." 
Freneth scampers away from his ballista, and up into the lines, not 
quite as agilely as Nilaroo, but close.

Nilaroo waits patiently by the catapult, cleaning his sword and 
examining the blade critically for nicks.

Date/Time: 2:55 pm, 12th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC

-----------

As the ship flies through the cloudy sky, Argonui stands near Ferric. 
"So, Master Gundson, you know who I am now.  Surely you must have 
suspected, however, eh?"

"Indeed I did."  Ferric says as he continues to keep the ship on 
course.  "Had I someone with which to wager I would have gone all in 
on that bet."

Argonui chuckles, "I wasn't trying to keep my identity much of a secret."

Argonui nods, "You must promise me to be careful if we battle this 
Cartan vessel.  Fate is powerful, but so is chance, and the most 
powerful of fates may be turned aside by a stray sling stone, or 
random blast of magic."

"I have found in battle it is often safest to be in the thick of 
things where steel and fire rage.  The quicker I cut down my enemies 
the less chance they have to harm me or mine.  I have no intention of 
leaving Lady Moune to protect the interests of the House by herself." 
Ferric replies.  "Being the one who took the pains to raise me I owe 
a great debt of loyalty to her.  A debt I will not be so 
inconsiderate as to shirk off by meeting my end here or disappearing 
for a score of years." Ferric takes his eyes from the course ahead at 
this last to glance at Argonui.

"That is good. But I would not ask you to shirk battle.  But Delmaria 
is a dangerous foe, and clever.  She generally stays at a distance, 
you have noticed her use of summoned creatures? " Argonui asks.

"Yes, not as immediately devastating as a fireball but they make it 
decidedly more difficult to close with her."  Ferric answers.

-----------

Also during the flight, Talus heads down to the Helmroom and gets a 
piece of parchment, ink and quill and heads back above deck. Then 
Talus goes over to Leera and sits down on the deck.

In low tones as to not disturb the rest of the group Talus says, 
"Okay Cutlass, while the others are talking, why don't you describe 
the properties of the
items we found with you.  If they are battle magic, then they might 
be of use against the other ship. I'll record the properties here for 
when we divy the
items up."

Talus dips the quill in ink and poises to write.

Leera turns to Talus, who's near her, speaking to the Cutlass.  "So 
Cutlass, you doubt my ability to swing you in battle, eh?  I'll admit 
I'm not a skilled at knife play as my friend the elf here, but I can 
handle an object of Art as well as the next one, I'd wager. Still, 
perhaps you would be better off in another's hands. Here, Talus, take 
a practice cut or two and see if you can manage the awful balance of 
this poor excuse for a weapon..."

"I like ye, lass. I want to stay with ye." Cutlass' voice is filled 
with warmth, "But I need to be wielded.  I be best with cut and 
thrust."

Talus carefully sets his ink and quill out of the way and gets to his 
feet.  Taking the Cutlass from Leera he stands clear from the others 
and goes through some practice forms with the blade to get a feel for 
it, "It is a bit different from what I am used to but seems to feel 
okay."

The Cutlass sounds less then enthusiastic, "Ye be not skilled with a 
cutlass, eh lad? And I'm thinking a sword is not where yer fingers 
first twitch when the boarders be comin'.  I ken teach ye...but 
methinks we'd not be the best match.  But let us go over the treasure 
now, eh?"

Talus replies, "I daresay I cut and thrust more than Leera, and it 
doesn't look like anyone else is willing to wield you."

Cutlass says, "That be true enough."

The Cutlass begins discussing the items discovered as Talus writes 
down the properties:

A large black pearl.  The pearl does not radiate magic.

"This was not from Blackjammer, the fish kept it there.  'Twas the 
treasure they most regarded, coming ag'in an ag'in to touch it and 
stare at it for hours."

A large scroll case
The scroll case contains half a dozen or so charts to the flow and 
spheres. none radiate magic.

"Charts be more valuable then magic or gold, lads."

Talus asks, "Any of Blackjammer's other hordes listed on these 
charts?  Or do you personally know of any others?  Legend is that he 
has an elvish ship secreted somewhere."

"Aye, I've heard that tale meself." Cutlass answers, "But 'tis false. 
Men-o-war aren't safe, the elves ken always track 'em down. 
Blackjammer left 'em burning when he took 'em."

A small wooden box (3"x6"x2")
The box holds three crystal vials filled with liquid.
Each is marked in common: ESP, Persuasiveness, Heroics.  The first 
vial radiates divination magic, the second enchantment, and the third 
alteration.

"These potions be what they say.  Blackjammer had 'em from a witch 
Grinder of Greyspace, renowned for her potions at that time."

An ivory statue of a sailor, radiates enchantment and conjuration magic

"Say, 'Shiver me timbers!' and the Old Salt'll come alive lad.  All 
hisself he'll crew yer weapons for one turn of the sandglass, firing 
where ye order 'em."

Talus smiles, "He will come in handy, how often can we use him?  Once a day?"

"Aye, once a day." Cutlass replies before continuing.

Two ceramic flasks (both very carefully stoppered and sealed with 
wax), radiate evocation magic.

"Each has a rune, see. On the bottom.  the X rune marks oil fer 
clubs, or belaying pins. It makes 'em magic for a while. The Y rune 
marks an oil that burns fiercely when ye smash the jar open."

A magnificent looking hand ax with a mithril head, radiates alteration magic.

"That be dwarven, lad.  Blackjammer never did learn all the dark of 
it.  But when ye throw it it will teleport back to ye after the 
strike."

An ovoid cut emerald with silvery runes dancing within, radiates much 
magic, alteration, divination, and evocation

"'Tis a Faerie Stone.  Elves wouldn't talk to Blackjammer,  too much 
blood between 'em. So he learned little of this."

Four elven blade shortswords, radiate alteration magic

"Nice blades, but not so keen as I be."

A dagger with an intricately carved hilt, radiates a great deal of 
alteration magic

"Ah... 'Tis a Dagger of Hindsight. Second chances, my lads, second 
chances! Just keep it from me, lads!"

Talus asks, "Why don't you want it near you?"

"It drains magicks, lad.  When used, it draws the power from another 
item of magic its wielder wears." Cutlass answers.

A black hooded cloak carefully folded. radiates conjuration magic

"Generates air, lads.  Ye can breath twice as long on yer own in 
space with this. And it will let ye walk through foul airs, when the 
hood be up."

The long wooden case contains a longbow of obviously elven design 
made from some sort of white wood and carved with a design depicting 
an evergreen forest.
Radiates alteration and conjuration magic.

"Angvoncael, it means 'Glittering Ice Arrow.' Say its name when ye 
fire.  A weapon of renown."

Three arrows carved of the same wood, fletched with snowy white 
feathers, radiate alteration magic

"We never found what these could do. Blackjammer didna want to waste 'em"

A ship's figurehead carved from wood. It depicts a warrior with a 
large, round hoplon shield and breastplate of the style favored in 
Greatspace. radiates alteration and abjuration magic.

"If ye mount this on yer prow, yer ship will be warded against blows 
and damage."

A wooden case (12"x4"x4")
The case contains one dozen translucent egg-shaped crystals 
approximately 3" in diameter that fit comfortably in the palm of an 
average-size humanoid
hand. Each Orb glows with its own inner light: White, Dull Green, 
Bright Red, Bright red with swirling yellow sparks, yellow with white 
sparks, Deep blue
with white swirls, swirling rainbow, glowing with bright light, deep 
purple with white electric sparks, Deep red with yellow swirls, 
yellow gray swirling
cloud. The twelfth crystal appears to have been broken, and it 
doesn't glow at all but looks cracked and dull.

"Mage weapons of old.  They have different effects, by color. Ye hurl 
them at foes.  Blackjammer never bothered to find out what each did, 
he liked surprises, that one."

end part 1

-- 
"I've hired you to help me start a war. It's a prestigious line of 
work with a long and glorious tradition."
The Princess Bride

Paul Westermeyer, westermeyer@????????.net