Jammers Summary: Chapter 2, Turn 8

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

"OK, lastonebacktotheshipisarottencabbageweed!" Seguld goes running ahead to try to beat the others back to the ship. As he runs it appears his mace is about to get caught in his legs a number of times, but he never stumbles. Just as his competitors are catching up Seguld runs along under some timbers as they are carried along the dock and as he continues he looks back at his taller competitors and chuckles, "I'mgonnawin! I'mgonnawin!" he calls out as he trips on one of the tow lines on the dock and he goes sprawling head over heels to land at the gangplank at Holland's feet.

Kain laughs between his gasps for breath after the race. Waving the map held in his right hand he manages, "Map", followed by "Book" as he holds up the ledger.

Looking up from the ground he says, "Seguld reporting in!" he says in a slow clear tone. "All gear has been sold or bought, as requested." slowly his voice picks up speed as he rises. "But asIsaid before, won'tbe readyfor a fewdays, butwe didgeta neatmap of thesurrounding area. WithallthetimeIspentinWrighters neverbeenoutinthewoods, isthatwherewe'regoingnext?"

Seguld stops speaking for a moment as he realizes Holland isn't listening, following the mage's gaze upward he sees towering black clouds bearing down from the sea at an incredible rate, within moments the star-studded night sky is blocked from sight as huge bolts of lightening leap from the clouds and shatter out to sea. The wind begins to increase at a steady rate... a powerful storm is blowing into Wrighters.

Italapate steps to the edge of the deck, watching the storm roll in. He twirls his tomahawk in his hand, without paying much attention to the weapon. "Thunderbird is angry," he says sagely. He sits cross legged on the deck, facing the storm. He pulls several stones from his bag, tossing then lightly on the deck. He studies the pattern they make, as he chants in his father's native language. He closes his eyes, raising his hands over his head. "Coyote," he calls, "tell your faithful servant what angers the powerful Thunder, your brother spirit? What can we do to appease him?"

Holland ignores Italapate and turns to Nilaroo urgently, "Can we stow the sails? The winds will wreck them. You take charge, tell us what we need to do!"

Nilaroo turns to him quietly. "Already taken care of. Hoom, as soon as we saw those clouds come up, Grigree and I started working. Just make sure everything below decks is secure, I'll double check the lines."

Holland gives a short laugh and gives Nilaroo a friendly slap on the back, "Bully for you! I'll go check the galley," Holland says to the rest of the group, "You all might want to get below deck for your own safety."

"Thanks Nilaroo, Grigree" Kain says with a smile. After watching the storm develop for a few more moments, Kain retreats belowdecks, stowing away his gear.

After spending a few minutes watching the storm, Raken turns to Holland. "One of us should remain in the bridge to take the helm if necessary. We could use the helm to stabilize us if the water becomes too choppy. And I doubt the seaworthiness of this craft."

Holland nods and says, "That is a good precaution. Would you please take care of that?"

Holland heads below deck to make sure that the galley is secure, putting away any loose dishes and making sure the door to the pantry is tightly shut.

Deigatt and Talus notice the approaching storm as they walk back to the ship, having chosen not to compete in Seguld's race. Deigatt strides past the galleon but doesn't look at it. Once on board the Silent Star, he asks about Holland, and Nilaroo tells him that Holland has gone below deck. "His heveryone helse haccounted for," Deigatt asks, looking around the deck. "His there hanyone helse still hin the city?"

Talus looks up into the storm with a look of surprise on his face, "Well, that is a good enough reason for me to not go flying around this place! Look how fast it approaches!" The young half-elf helps the others secure the ship, but stands up on the deck to experience the fury of the elements for as long as he can.

"Hawa and matar." Jamila exclaims standing beside Talus, "The genii are powerful here."

"Ajami Holland," Jamila calls to the wizard, "If the seas get to rough with the storm, being tied up to the dock here, could be dangerous to the ship if large waves come down the harbour from this direction." Jamila points to starboard with an out stretched arm, "The waves could batter us into the dock. Moving the Star into the harbor and pointed into the waves, and held there by using the helm, could be safer."

Nilaroo shakes his shaggy head at the comment, "Hoom, this harbor was made for storms, the waves hit over there." Nilaroo points eastward, beyond Guild town.

Nilaroo returns below to make sure his simple gear is tied into his hammock, and then returns to the deck to watch for damage. A coil of rope lies beside him, one end secured to the ship, the other knotted around his waist.

Once the storm hits, Raken remains in the bridge. He stands at one of the windows, watching the fury of the storm.

Seeing the storm front rolling in, Billy promptly excuses himself and disappears belowdecks. Those walking past the bunkroom see him in his bunk with his eyes tightly shut and his fingers in his ears.

Leera and Jamila bring the drawing of the Chalice onto the bridge, where many of the crew have gathered to watch the storm through the ship's large, "eye" portholes.

Speaking loudly to make herself heard over the wind, Leera explains "We managed to buy a drawing of the Chalice, along with some information. As I understand it, the Shipwrecker's fellows occupy a structure known as 'Shipwrecker's Shrine'. It's not far from here... actually, I think we could see it from above decks." She points. "Over behind the old docks... Maybe a few of us should pay them a visit before we decide anything further?" A gust of wind makes Leera stagger. She smiles, "Of course, maybe we SHOULD wait until the storm blows over."

Holland smiles, "I think I will memorize a few ESP spells and pay the place a visit. I will need a few boisterous individuals to go as well and talk loudly about the Chalice, the possibility of pirates and pirate bases. I will use ESP on whomever starts paying closer attention."

The storm blows for well over two hours, pelting sheets of rain, gale force winds and explosive lightening keep it spectacular. Even when it finally calms down the rain continues for another few hours.

Nilaroo and Grigree's seamanship pays off, the Silent STAR weathers the storm well, with no more banging against the docks then should have been expected. Everyone eventually is able to get some sleep.

In the morning, its clear much of the rest of the town weathered the storm reasonably enough as well, though the mud looks even deeper.

Standing on deck, Deigatt shakes his big, furry head, trying to get the water off him. He looks down the dock to the nearby galleon and sees it weathered the storm well, apparently. A few crewmen are bustling about on her deck, swabbing the decks and generally straightening up.

Holland looks relieved when he sees that there is no damage to the STAR and then heads down to the galley to prepare some food for everyone.

He finds Billy in the galley, preparing a little breakfast (for a halfling) with enough leftover for the rest of the crew. The smell of vegetable omelet wafts throughout the ship. As the crew start to pile into the galley, they notice that Billy is drinking out of the Chalice of Storms (though having seen the temple's picture, the "chalice" is revealed to have virtually no resemblance to the original).

Over breakfast Holland asks, "So, what do you all think about my idea to try and learn if the local pirates are involved in the theft of the Chalice and to find out where their base is," for those that didn't hear Holland's plan the prior evening, he quickly explains it again.

Kain nods after taking another spoonful of breakfast. "I think it'll work out well," he says quietly. "Ah.. can't take too many, though, that'd be just as bad as too few. Maybe four or five of the company should go, without counting you Holland?"

Holland muses, "I was thinking maybe two or three, but considering what happened the last time we went into a tavern," Holland says with a grin, "perhaps four or five would be proper." Holland adds, "I am going to alter my appearance as well, just to warn everyone."

"There is little that can be done to alter my appearance," Nilaroo sighs, "so I will bow out on this one, being the only grommam on Shipwrecker."

"I'll go," Billy interjects.

Holland stops for a moment and mutters to himself, "What am I missing..." After a few seconds he nods his head and says, "I just thought of something. I believe that the 'Shipwrecker Shrine' is just that... A shrine to the Goddess Shipwrecker.."

Holland continues, "If that is the case then the group that follows me in should instead seek 'divine guidance' at the Shrine, asking Shipwrecker to bless their endeavors to find the Chalice and those who have stolen it."

"I have no desire to henter this shrine," Deigatt grunts. "But I will do so hif hit his required."

Holland asks, "Deigatt, can you think of another way to get the information that we seek? I too am leery of this plan but I can't think of an easier one."

"I did not mean to suggest, Comrade Holland, that no one henter the shrine," Deigatt replies quickly. "I meant only that I did not wish to. However, has hit happears the company his set hon this mission, I ham willing to go hif I ham needed."

Holland nods and smiles, "Oh, I understand what you meant, I wasn't being defensive. I am just wondering if you have any alternate plans," Holland breaks eye-contact with Deigatt to take in the entire group, "Or if anyone has an alternate plan for that matter. We have another two days before our cargo is gathered and stored, right Seguld?" Holland asks the little merchant.

After Seguld's confirmation, Holland continues, "We don't have to rush into things. If someone has an idea, bring it up.."

Date/time: 8:00 am 1st day of the 5th Month, 5049 OC