FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 54 Chapter 7 pt 2

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:

Continued from part 1

The NIGHTWIND flies over jungle and then ocean for the next hour. 
The clouds remain thick, and the ship is forced to fly through one 
rain squall.  Soon the galley flies above the center of the island 
Holland choose to search first.

Looking over the railing at the island underneath them Holland says, 
"Kain, please try for another reading."

"I will have a look," replies Kain "If they are hidden on the ground 
they will easily see us searching for us and know to be prepared."

Holland adds, "Ferric, let's take 'er up.  Let's get way above the 
cloud cover.  We'll be safer from any local flying creatures up there 
as well as we would be able to see the other ship if it broke cloud 
cover.

Ferric relays the order for ascent to Vais, who quickly complies.

Holland says as the ship slips into the clouds and heads upwards, "If 
we stay up high there is less chance they will detect us."

  "The reverse is also true."  Ferric replies.  "I believe Argonui's 
advice is sound.  We should leave with our spoils and return to Bral 
while our vessel is still unscathed.  With the head start we shall 
have an opportunity to find a larger ship and crew.  The best way to 
face such a powerful foe is to stay out of range of her spells and 
reduce her decks to kindling.  I hate not avenging our comrade but I 
believe Italapate would appreciate us biding our time and waiting for 
a chance to strike more than he would our charging in and 
taking additional casualties."

Talus says, "I've talked with the Cutlass about the properties of the 
magical items.  Some of the stuff would be of help in a battle."

Talus says, "Dhebun or Freneth, you might be interested in the axe. 
It magically teleports back to its wielder after you throw it."

"Master Dhebun has already shown an interest in the blade.  Also, 
this one is not  as comfortable throwing an axe as well as his 
javelins," replies Freneth.

Dhebun's eyes gleam with the kind of desire that only a dwarf can 
know. "Indeed, I would like very much to have the axe, I promise to 
give her a good home."

Talus says, "Ferric, the bow is Angvoncael.  You say its name when 
you fire it; no idea about the properties of the arrows though."

Talus continues, "The dagger is a dagger of Hindsight. When its 
properties are invoked it drains the magic of some other item on your 
person.  The statue will
man a crew-served weapon all by itself, for an hour a day after you 
hold it and say the words, 'Shiver me timbers'.  The potions are as 
they are labelled: ESP,
persuasiveness, and heroics.  The flasks are marked on the bottom. 
The 'X' when rubbed on clubs makes them magical for a time.  The 'Y' 
burns fiercely when the
flask is smashed open.  The shortswords do not have any special 
powers other than they help you hit your opponent more often and 
inflict bigger blows."

Talus says, "I think we would definitely want to use some of this 
stuff if we find the others."

"You're saying, Talus, that that statue can load and fire this 
ballista all by itself during battle?" Sekeht asks.

Talus nods his head, "Yes," and then smirks at Sekeht, "Probably have 
better aim too."

"Ha!" Sekeht replies lightly. "I'm a fair enough shot." But he eyes 
the statue studiously and says, "Insidious."

"What does the dagger do, that it needs the energy of other magic 
items?" Nilaroo asks.

Talus looks at the Cutlass, "Do you know what the Hindsight does?"

"It grants a second chance, lad.  It gives ye a chance to reverse 
fate, take back an action." Cutlass answers. 

Kain looks up from his brief meditation. "Raddick is closer now, less 
than 10 miles away."

Holland says to the others, "They are probably somewhere on the 
island below us.  Some people have expressed doubts on whether to go 
after the ship. This is our last opportunity to change our course. 
Who votes to finish the search and scuttle the DRAG?"

With a nod to Ferric Lellyn adds "Many are the songs and tales that 
speak of the great wisdom of Dragon kind. To be offered such and cast 
it aside in the name of revenge is the height of folly. Apparently 
many objects of arcane power and great wealth have already been won. 
These too are weapons that can be turned against the witch and her 
allies. It will however take time to learn how to best use them. 
Departing this place now and taking that time is not admitting 
defeat, it is an exercise in strategy. The great generals of many 
lands have said that the keys to victory are sound tactics which 
implement a well thought out strategy."

"Um, perhaps we should leave." Kain mutters "We have what we came 
for. Revenge can wait."

Allagan says, "The All-Father hates a coward, but there is something 
to say about fighting on our own terms.  I think we should leave and 
regroup, I am sure
we will have opportunities to even the score in the future."

"This is not about revenge or cowardice," Sekeht says. "This is about 
protecting ourselves from a clear danger. You do not cut the limbs 
from a space troll, then wait for them to grow back before you attack 
a second time. The time to strike is now, before we find their swords 
at our backs!"

"Hoom, I am in agreement with Sekeht.  And we do have the assistance 
of Argouni now.  Can we know that he will be at our side the next 
time we meet them?  For assuredly, they will not be inviting us to 
tea the next we meet."  Nilaroo interjects.

Talus replies, "I agree with Nilaroo.  Best to deal with this now."

Leera smiles and shakes her head. She walks up to Holland and slaps 
him VERY lightly and playfully on the cheek. "Holland dear, I 
understand your need for vengeance.... the teachings of your god are 
well known..... but I do believe we'd be better off tackling Delmaria 
another day when we're more prepared for her. I'd be willing to wager 
that we've as a company cast a bigger fraction of her spells today 
than she has. You saw her at the ball.... She's not one to trifle 
with. Let's leave this sphere before they repair their ship. We can 
plot against Delmaria and her beau the whole way home."

Talus say angrily, "Why are you smacking him?  We already voted to 
hunt down the witch and her crew. Holland is giving those weak of 
heart a second chance to say their piece and maybe sway the group."

Turning to face Talus Ives barks out "Fah!  Talus we were divided 
evenly between retreat and hunting them down. You want us to take on 
a mage known to have defeated a dragon single-handed?  Who's only 
spells slung would have slaughtered an average crew.  I say we take 
our victories here and go back to Bral rather than risk them all on a 
foolhardy venture."

Raken says, " Put me down for "leave" as well."

Freneth shakes his head.  "This one would kill these creatures.  My 
people rarely let those creatures we injure to go.  It isn't safe, 
for they are savage and unpredictable when hurt.  However, they are 
also much more dangerous when cornered.  If we are not likely to 
survive such an attack, then leaving them to struggle here, while we 
recuperate would seem wisdom.  I am torn in my desires, and will 
abide by the will of the group."

Breaking his long silence, Dhebun clears his throat and looks around. 
"I think you've all gone stark raving mad if you trust a dragon for 
any reason!  No matter how nice his words are, no matter how many 
promises he makes Argonui's a dragon and he won't keep a one, mark my 
words."

"Get away from the dwarf!" Cutlass says, sotto voce.

Talus takes a few steps closer to the lines, moving him a little 
further away from Dhebun.

"As for DRAG, I think we are outmatched.  We've lost Billy and 
Italpate..."  The dwarfs hands ball up into fists and he quivers in 
anger.  "I want revenge too, " he says through clenched teeth, "but I 
know we haven't the strength to bring it home now."

Argonui has been watching impassively, but now his face twists with 
anger and he  walks to the dwarf.  "You are rude, dwarf.  You have 
insulted me directly.  My good will has limits.  Do you think I would 
spend hunt that blasted blade through the long years, yet suffer 
insult from such as you?   Apolgize, or we shall have a death duel 
now."

Raken's jaw all but drops at the sudden spat between Dhebun and 
Argonui.  "Great," he mutters "the witch would kill us, if we could 
spare the time between
killing one another to allow her to do so!"

Dhebun glares back at Argonui, meeting the dragon's angry gaze with 
his own. "These folks do not know your kind as I do.  My people have 
had nothing but misery from dragons and not easily will we forget the 
deaths of kith and kin, the loss of  our greatest treasures, or the 
ruin of our homes.  All that remains is our stories, our memory of 
what we have lost, and that we cherish them dearly, dragon!"

Taking a deep breath, the dwarf closes his eyes for a moment, then 
continues. "Still, I owe these folks a life debt.  They rescued me 
from a life of slavery and very likely death, and I'll not forget 
that either. For their sake, and for their sake alone, I give you my 
apology.  I would not leave this worthy company, so I must abide by 
their choice."

Argonui glares at the dwarf, "That is no apology, dwarf. But I will 
also abide.  For your companions sake, I'll leave you alive.  But 
I'll have no more insults from you. Now or ever."

Holland steps forward and with a firm tone says, "Dhebun, you will 
apologize!  I don't know what your previous experience has been but 
Argonui has dealt with us honorably.  He has kept his end of our 
bargain faithfully, and I expect all of us to do the same.  Your 
boorish comments will not be tolerated."

"Boorish?!"  Glowering the dwarf replies fiercely. " You needn't be 
concerned Holland.  If there is anyone here who breaks an oath, it 
will not be Dhebun son of Ghim; by the beards of my long fathers, I 
do swear!  You've my apology, I can see I am of no further use here." 
Turning on his heel the dwarf stomps off loudly.

Taking a deep breath Holland says, "It would appear that the majority 
wish to turn tail and run.  So, that is what we will do."  Holland 
says to Ferric, "Please tell Vais to take us out of this atmosphere, 
we head for the sphere shell."

Ferric relays the order to ascend to Vais while continuing to watch 
above and below for the damaged vessel.

Date/Time: 4:05 pm, 12th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC


-- 
"War is the father of all and king of all, who manifested some as 
gods and some as men, who made some slaves and some freemen."
Heraclitus, Late 6th century, BC (DK22B53)
westermeyer@????????.net