FLUFF: Jammers: Turn 55 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:))

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:

The SILENT STAR rises through the humid, warm clouds of the Isle of 
Dread, leaving its wars and lizards below.

Holland grips his line as he looks over the railing of the ship at 
the retreating ground below.  Once the ship gets closer to leaving 
the atmosphere Holland says, "Tighten things up, we are heading into 
rough air."

Kain checks the surrounding deck for anything knocked loose during 
the battle before looping a rope around his waist and bracing himself 
slightly.

Talus secures a line and ties himself off.

Aglower, Sekeht stands his position at the ballista.

Nilaroo quickly secures the weaponry on deck, then moves towards the 
lines. "All the smaller folk, and Ooquid, should probably get below," 
he suggests to Holland.

Holland nods his head, "That would be best," Holland looks over at 
Freneth and Oquid, "You all had better take cover below decks, just 
in case."

Freneth nods his head in obedience, "As you would have it."  Freneth 
scurries down below decks.

Allagan moves about the sails and tightens down all of the lines, 
securing the sails for the transition.

Ives moves about the deck working to secure the weapons, then the 
lines. Returning to his post by the catapult Ives ties himself off 
with a line.  Only then does Ives start cleaning his pistols, and 
reloading them.

Still looking disgruntled at Dhebun's earlier out burst, Argonui 
moves to the bow and stares quietly into the clouds.

As those going below head toward the hatch Lellyn call out "IF 
someone would be kind enough to store my pack below, I will bear a 
hand with the lines".

-----------

While below decks, Freneth approaches Dhuben his cabin.   Speaking 
the dwarven tongue, Freneth asks, "Friend Dhuben.  Your words to 
Argonui were strong.  Has he somehow offended you?  I am troubled, 
because I did not recall him being
unhonorable to you in our journey here, and thought that perhaps I should be
more aware."

Dhebun runs a trembling hand through his hair as he sits on the bed. 
Taking a swig from his   flask  he turns to regard Freneth.  "No 
Freneth, Mahl's tears no, he hasn't done anything, at least not that 
I know of," he responds in Khuzdul.  Still by the beards of my 
forefathers, he's a dragon, Freneth!  There are no tales I know where 
dragons ever brought anything but woe to the dwarf-sires of old.  I 
know you think I was harsh...but do you realize we've lost two 
comrades since we began this adventure under his guidance?  And I 
nearly lost Oquid too.  Do you think that thrice damned blade was 
worth it?"

Looking directly into Freneth's eyes the dwarf asks.  "Do you trust him?"

Freneth nods, "We have lost companions.  Those I would call friends 
in this place.  But the question isn't do I think gaining possession 
of the blade was worth it, or if I believe that keeping it from our 
enemies was.  I can't say.  I feel that this mystical item will do 
whatever it needs to to survive, and our enemies show little 
redeeming qualities.  However, I can not know them, and must trust to 
the others guidance in the matter of how Cartan and his allies would 
act.  Billy and Italapate I believe, felt the price worth bearing. 
If to them, keeping the blade from their enemies was worth that 
ultimate price, who am I to question them?  They had always acted 
with honor toward me, and it behooves me to respect their decisions."

"We seem to be involved in some war, among the heavens, and sadly 
those who do not deserve death, die in war.  I would wish it on no 
one, but I believe Oquid has made her choice to be among us, and 
stands by that choice with honor," Freneth continues.  "As for the 
dragon, I cannot say that I trust or distrust him.  Ever since the 
nagori demons wrested me from the world, I have been a snowflake in a 
blizzard.  To me, most of these creatures are as alien as anything 
else.  There are no creatures such as Nilaroo in my homelands.  The 
closest thing to what he looks like is the yeti, and they are not 
friendly towards my people.  And yet I have had to extend trust to 
that which seems to be my peoples enemy.  I have yet to be let down 
in that trust.  Mayhap this Argonui is to you, as Nilaroo and Ives 
were to me.  Look past his exterior, and look to his actions.  Until 
he has proven himself dishonorable, should he not be treated with as 
much honor as any?"

Dhebun smiles gently to the halfling.  "I shall consider your words 
my friend, there is wisdom in them I deem."  Clapping Freneth on the 
shoulder, the dwarf grows quiet.

-----------

As the ship ascends above the cloud cover, it is caught in the 
expected massive windstorm but the sails and lines are properly 
stowed, and the crew tethered, so the ship passes through the band 
and out of the Isle of Dread's atmosphere with no difficulty.

Holland says, "Let's head for the sphere shell."  Holland says to 
Ferric, "Please check with Vais and find out if he is tired yet from 
manning the helm.  I'll take over if he is."

Ferric calls down the order to ascend to the shell and queries Vais 
on the automaton's helming stamina.

"I can go until midnight, when the third shift takes over." Vais 
calls up the voice tube.  "That would allow us to ease back into our 
standard watch schedule."

Once the info is passed Holland says, "Sekeht, Grigree, Dhebun-please 
take up your posts.  We'll transition to our shift schedule now. 
That means Raken, Talus, Ives and Freneth-get some rest, you are on 
third shift."

Raken nods and heads down to get some well-deserved rest.

Wordlessly, Dhebun scrambles up on deck to take his watch, slipping 
on his cowled green cloak as he does.  Standing beside the forward 
ballista he pulls out his pipe and stuffs some of his precious 
pipeweed inside, then lights up, looking off  towards the slowly 
drifting clouds.  A cloud of wispy smoke rings float up from his pipe 
as his eyes follow them, his brow furrows and he shakes his head. 
"Ahuzdul," he says to himself.  "Ghimu a ibiru, kha sagarai 
zirumzhath?"

Argonui heads aft to the tiller, "Shall I help plot the course?"

Holland replies, "If you wouldn't mind," then to Ferric, "You should 
get some rest too, you're on 3rd shift."

Holland has a quiet word with Allagan.  Allagan looks at Holland for 
a second and then nods his head, "Okay."  Allagan then heads below 
deck.

Holland then walks over to Lellyn, "So, let's deal with some 
logistics, eh?  For bed-down, you can bunk down on either Italapate's 
or Billy's pallet.  Now as for shift; Italapate was on 1st shift and 
Billy 3rd shift, but please tell me again any specific skills you 
have so we can figure out where best to put you for now.  For 
example, can you fire a ballista or catapult?  Can you man the helm? 
Are you good with the lines?"

"If it is all the same to you," Lelly replies "I'll take Italapate's 
berth. He and I are of a size so at least I know that I shall fit the 
pallet. Might I request however that before I enter that place, one 
of the crew make it known to those who shared Italapate's berth that 
I shall be joining them, and at the same time remove any of his 
personal effects for safe storage? It is better that this be done by 
someone who served with Italapate than to have a "stranger" handling 
his things."

Holland replies, "That is being taken care of."

Lellyn continues, "As to shifts, surely I have no preference and will 
serve as meets the needs of the ship. And for skills, well I have a 
few that may be of use" Lellyn adds with a grin. "I spent a goodly 
amount of time as a crewman on a tradesman and learned the craft to 
the captain's satisfaction. I can chart a course, and keep to it, 
within a sphere that is. As to weapons, I was trained on a heavy 
catapult and can service as well as crew one."

Holland replies, "Then you will assist on the catapult when we are at 
battle positions.  Nilaroo could use an experienced hand."

Lellyn's brows knit and his hand comes up to absently stroke his chin 
as he continues "The helm may be a bit of a sticky subject. The lady 
has indeed recently gifted me with the ability to use what you refer 
to as magic, yet I have had no training at all with it. I don't 
really know how a helm and I would get on." Shrugging slightly Lellyn 
continues "I would be willing to try if you wish... you would know 
better than I what to expect from an untrained magic user so I shall 
be guided by your wisdom."

Holland thinks for a second and then replies, "It never hurts to have 
back-up Helmsmen.  For now you will be on 2nd shift.  I'll ask Vais 
to instruct you on the ins-and-outs of the helm.  Once we get well 
and underway I will be sequestered working on learning the magical 
properties of the new items.  You'll man the helm in my place under 
Vais' supervision.  If nothing else, you will learn a new skill."

Back in space, the three small suns and light blue stars of 
Dreadspace are clearly visible, though the planet is still close 
enough that it fills half the view.  The air is uncomfortably warm, 
the temperature about that of a typical summer day in Waterdeep (OOC: 
80 degrees).  Still, it's more comfortable then the high humidity and 
temperatures of the Isle.

-------------

Talus heads down to the armory and finds a scabbard he can use to 
sheath the Cutlass.  Talus takes the Cutlass to his room and says, 
"This is where I stay.
Kain and the late Italapate are the other occupants."

-------------

A short while later Allagan approaches Raken in his room and says, 
"We should have a service for Italapate.  You knew him longer, would 
you do the honors?"

Raken nods grimly.  "Yes, I'll take care of it."

-------------

Holland after talking with Lellyn, goes belowdecks to the Bridge to 
talk with Vais, "Hey Vais.  How's your charge level?"

"I am getting abit low." Vais replies.

Holland nods, "I'll give you some recharges after I get some rest, 
but the reason I came by was concerning Lellyn.  While we are 
traveling to the sphere's edge, I am going to spend a few days 
attempting to divine the properties of the new items we have and then 
memorize some new spells.  This will take me out of the helm rotation 
for a while.  Lellyn has never sat a helm before, what I would like 
is if you would give him some instruction and then supervise him 
utilizing the helm while I am occupied.  This will give an additional 
person to man the helm in times of crisis."

Holland asks, "Would that be alright with you?"

"Of course." Vais replies, "It is not a problem."

The SILENT STAR continues its journey through Dreadspace, heading for 
the sphere.

Date/Time: 5:00 pm, 12th day of the 11th Month, 5049 OC

-- 
"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