Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 18

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

Adrin Willowleaf stands on the scorpion's maindeck with the company (excepting Holland) and looks at the assorted items discovered.

"Not a bad haul in all though it did come at a rather high price for you Captain. At least the price the Scro have paid this day evens the score a bit." Ferric comments looking at the dead piled on the Scorpion and then upon the items and coinage taken from the Scorpion.

"Aye, the scro are better equipped then their mongrel forebears." Adrin says, then he calls over to his own vessel, "Send Zaaia over, I'll need her advice." A quick wave and the message is passed on.

Ferric says "Kain, I believe Captain Willowleaf wanted to see the papers the Scro had with them if they are still legible. Other than that I suppose we can take these things below and be on our way. Plenty of time to apportion our spoils among ourselves on the voyage. By the way, does anyone know anything about that statue and whether or not it will be dangerous to have along?"

Raken reaches down and picks up the idol. "Hmmm...the chief deity of the Euroz has one eye," he says. "The deity that this represents is unknown to me. Perhaps the mysterious patron deity of the scro?" He shrugs and discards it back into the pile.

"Ah.. no idea Ferric," Kain shakes his head in negation. "But it didn't show as magical, so it could've been.. well.. just decorative. Paper, though, you said the Captain was looking for any papers we found." Kain slowly unloads the bundle he's been holding under his arm. "This's all I found in the search of the Scorpion," he explains to the elven Captain. "These star charts for Bralspace, a large book, and 2 rolled, tanned parchment scrolls. There were a few others in the helm room, but the rain ruined the lot of them. Although, we have these three chests that have those.. ah.. what did you call 'em Talus? Firetraps? So we don't know what they hold."

Captain Willowleaf examines the book, a look of distaste on his face, "This is the ship's log. I'm sure the Fleet will want to examine it, and the star charts. If we can decipher their route, we might be able to predict future patrols."

A young looking elven female in silvery chainmail crosses onto the scorpion. Her blond hair is slicked back into a ponytail, and stringy with sweat. She looks haggard and tired. "You sent for me, Captain?"

"Yes, please examine these scrolls, Zaaia." The tired elven lass casts a spell, then carefully unrolls the scrolls. After a few moments she returns them to the pile, "Scro spell scrolls, sir. a priestly helm back up spell and a pair of useful wizard spells."

Looking back at the pile of treasure Kain asks, "Have the freed slaves made mention of any valuables they may have had taken from them by.. ah.. the Scro?"

"They were taken on Spiral, and kept in pens there until placed on this vessel." the captain's voice reveals his anger, "None of their personal possessions are aboard."

Billy looks at the loot that was collected from the scro and eyes the crossbow bolts. "So you say they are magical? Could I have them?"

"We can worry about that later Billy." Ferric says in a professional tone. "First let's get the good Captain here underway and start moving ourselves. The elven forces on Spiral would probably appreciate it if we split up the booty while we travel and get them their supplies that much more quickly."

Billy's gaze lingers on the bolts as he replies, "Whatever you say Ferric..."

"Aside from the log and charts, I would like to take the chalice and sceptre into safe keeping for the elves of Spiral. And the prisoners, of course. The chest might show something of value. Once that's completed, we will need to use some of the smoke powder to help destroy this vessel. Neither of us can tow it and we cannot leave it for pirates or other scro to salvage." Adrin says.

Ferric says, "It would probably be better if we were to fool with these other two chests here instead of on the STAR with all that smoke powder. If no one objects I'll take them back to the bridge and see if my luck holds in those damp surroundings."

Talus looks relieved that Ferric volunteers for the dangerous job of setting off the other two firetrapped chests. The half-elf looks over the gathered loot with interest, but takes none of the items.

"Grigree could you hand them down to me?" Ferric asks. Climbing nimbly down the ladder Ferric receives the chests and carries the first one down to the still wet bridge.

Grigree grunts affirmative and carries the chests down to the Scorpionship's bridge. He grabs some extra blankets on the way, in case of emergency.

While Ferric and Grigree deal with the chests, four hadozee from the SORO'NUME take the scro prisoners, now long awake and staring about them with hate-filled eyes, onto the man-o-war.

Three explosions are heard from below in slow succession, then Ferric (unharmed) and Grigree return with the chests. Each chest holds various personal effects such as clothing and a large tome. Each of the three tomes is covered in black leather and marked with a pair of silver inlay orcish eyes.

Zaaia examines each of the tomes carefully, "This are spell books of the ship's officers. The captain kept other notes in his as well," she motions at larger tome, "The fleet will want to examine this one."

Captain Willowleaf looks at Ferric, "Fair enough, then? We shall take the prisoners, the scepter, the chalice, the logs, charts, and Captain's spell book. The rest for your company?"

"Sounds fair to me though could we perhaps get a note authorizing our mages to have access to any spells they may wish to copy from that book at a later date?" Ferric looks at the others, "Anyone have any objections?"

Before Adrin can answer, Vais says quickly "That sort of thing is awfully hard to arrange, and they are giving us a rather generous portion of the treasure. Considering we are getting two of the three spell books, especially."

Ferric nods in a agreement.

Raken looks over the massive pile of treasure and magic, mostly disinterested. "Celestian's glory, these boys were packing," he mumbles. He steps over to Seguld. "Don't know 'bout you, but I'm leery about carrying that much smoke powder on the Star," he says in a low voice. "Let our gunners take what they want and offer to give the rest to the elvish resistance?" he asks.

Seguld jerks his head back in surprise. "We'reCarryin'NuffPowderTaBurn TheShipAnyways. NoReasonTaBeGivenOurStuffAway. CaseYouForgot, SomeOfUsSeeThat PowderAsProfit."

Raken pauses to let his mind catch up with the fast-talking gnome. "True, but do remember that the elves have a claim to this treasure as well. They bled far more for it than us. Remember what happened the last time we got a haul? It was practically taken away from us; I hardly wish to become such a predator in this situation," he says in a low voice. "Besides, if we show goodwill to the 'fleet, they'll definitely keep us in mind for other, profitable, missions," he ends with a smile.

Adrin smiles, overhearing the exchange, "I only wish some of the smoke powder be used to destroy the scro vessel. I take it from your talk you understand smoke powder, friend gnome? Would you be willing to see to the scuttling of the scorpion then? I'll have a couple barrels of lamp oil sent over to aid you."

"Sure,thatwouldbegreat!" Seguld says.

"Excellent. First, let me pass on your instructions for delivering the cargo. Here is a map of Spiral, and some information on the planet." Adrin hands Ferric a map and several sheets of parchment. "Land on the Tatharsir, there's an island about 30 miles downstream of headwaters. Find it then dock on the west bank, under the willows. Stay for 6 hours, if a party of elves and humans don't appear within that time return to Bral with the cargo."

"Good Luck!" Adrin and his crew then return to their vessel. The man-o-war backs away, hovering about 1000 yards away while watching Seguld scuttle the scorpion.

Seguld directs Nilaroo to place the barrel of oil on the top deck and one on the main deck. For the next 15 minutes Seguld continuously hobbles around the deck as if measuring the space. He then heads below and spends a similar amount of time below. Seguld's head then pops up from the nearest hatch. "INeed50Charges' OfPowderOverHere." Then he is gone in an instant.

Seguld places the bulk of the powder charges into the helm and then applies a thick trail of powder back into the common area of the main deck. He moves the barrel of oil into the main doorway and then analyzes the angles and placement carefully. After an exceedingly long time, Seguld carefully lies atop the barrel and carefully aims for the lowest point on the barrel on the inner side and with a single smash his mace breaks through the wood, quickly he drops to the ground and places a similar break on the close side. As the oil comes pouring free and coats the floor Seguld scampers up through the hatch.

"BeDoneInaMinute." He calls out as he appears on the top deck. Finding the exact center of the top deck, Seguld carefully lays the barrel on its side and smashes a carefully measured hole in the end of the barrel, as the oil begins to drain out slowly, Seguld repeats the act on the other end. With a great effort he spins the barrel letting the oil spill around the deck. Seguld then races, as quickly as possible, and leaps over to the STAR.

"AllSet! AreTheLinesFree?" He asks, and then calls to Ferric. "TimeTaSeparate!" Seguld creates another flaming cocktail, and as the ships slowly separate Seguld lets it fly.

The black powder catches quickly and soon a flaming is racing down into the ship. As the STAR backs out of the shred an explosion is heard from the scorpion and the top deck is engulfed in flames. As the STAR and SORO'NUME hover nearby, the scorpion burns until it's nothing but a mass of scorched and half-melted metal plates, in an air envelope filled with smoke and ashes.

Signaling good luck, the SORO'NUME heads off.

Leera stands, invisible, near the catapult. She watches the space around the docked ships for any signs of company, and watches the progress of the loading operation. She especially watches the elves, alert for treachery. She listens carefully to the exchanges between her comrades and the elven captain.

After the ships separate, she descends to the helm room. There, she makes herself known to Holland, avoiding startling him any more than necessary. She relates the conversations she's overheard, and apprises Holland of the situation.

Holland asks, "Leera, what are the mage spells on the scroll and what are the spells in the two spell books?"

Leera invisibly shakes her head. Realizing her mistake, she laughs, and dispels her invisibility spell. She tells Holland, "The elven mage didn't say. I don't have a spell to let me read the spells memorized today, but perhaps we can check them out together tomorrow."

Holland nods when Leera is finished the list of spells and says, "Excellent, we could use the extra spells," Holland then asks, "Leera, I still have a few hours here on the helm. Could you please gather the rest of the Company here in the helm so we can distribute the treasure?"

Leera nods and heads above deck. She calls out to the sailmaster and those who are preparing to take their place at the rigging. Explaining Holland's request, she gathers the company in the helm room.

"Well, I assume we'll lock up the coinage for now and add whatever we can get for the desk and statue when we get back to Bral. Unless someone want to claim the desk that is." Ferric shrugs, "I have no real interest in anything here other than my share of the liquidated treasures."

Vais says, "I would appreciate a share of the coins."

"Hif the magical heffects hof the table-desk har not harmful, we might make a gift hof hit to hour patroness, Lady Moune," Deigatt suggests.

The wand rises into the air. "I would like to hinvestigate this wand, Holland," Deigatt says. "I've not the components to identify hit, but perhaps I can learn something habout hit hin the mean time."

Italapate studies the assembled loot, then, wordlessly, picks up two star-wheel pistols and a powder horn. He deposits the horn in his medicine bag, and tucks the pistols into his belt. "Now Coyote's bite will have a bark!"

Seguld shakes his head. "NobodyShouldUseTheFirearms'Til They'veB'nCheckedOut. WeDon'tKnowWhatSafeties'veB'nInstalled. An'TheScroPowder ShouldBeKeptSep'rate FromTheCargo. WeC'nStoreItInTheSecondBunkRoom. AnyProblemIfI Bring'EmDownThereNow?"

Galan watches silently from where he leans against the rail as the loot is divided and discussed. He steps closer as the weapons are displayed but leans back again, seeing nothing that catches his interest.

Seguld brings the smoke powder and the firearms (arquebuses and star-wheel pistols) below. The last one he picks up is the single arquebus of apparently excellent quality. "ThisOne'sANicePiece'aWork." He says aloud as his eyes open wide with wonder and amazement. Seguld then returns below and remains in his cabin examining the firearms first to determine which ones are loaded, then for any sign of tampering or safety devices. Fortunately none are loaded, nor do they seem trapped.

Date/time: 2:30 am 7th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC