Spelljammer: Starfarers (at last!)

gamecat

gamecat

Explorer
There have been many changes for the Elegant Interlude in it's 15th journey from Neer to Faerûn. Many new crewmembers: Elisia Wildwood, a spunky halfling with a predisposition for music and archery; Rhamyr Kottlo, a serious gnome with a score to settle; Manabu, a psionic human from the mysterious east, and Caelano Wigley, a Kalamaran human with a background of travel...

*flash foward to the deck of the EI*

Captain Gospo Struvin paces past the lined-up recruits on the main deck. He looks over all of them, a sneer on his face. "You're all new here, eh? You'll catch on quick. I pay well, because I expect you to work well. 6 silvers a day, plus food for your trouble. If you need anything, bother Westenberger and he'll see to your problems.
 

log in or register to remove this ad

{Nice to have you back, gamecat!}

Elisia looks at the captain. She thought there would be guests to entertain. 6 silvers seemed meager, but she would take it for an opportunity to journey the stars. She looked at Gospo and wondered how long he had been flying. It must be like taking a walk down a road to him.

Elisia replied "Yes... sir!" hesitatingly. She was curious about the other companions, particularly the gnome. She hoped they would all get along.
 

Caelano can barely keep still, he is so brimful of anticipation. Gnolam was an interesting place. But it was *so* small. And the delays before the EI could depart had been quite wearisome...

The Captain was acting like an irritating buffoon. Hopefully the Westenberger fellow would be less obnoxious. Remembering his manners, Caelano carefully keeps a neutral but agreeable expression on his face.

"Captain, Sir? Is Westenberger to assign us our duties?" he inquires politely.
 

Captain Struvin looks beyond the new recruits, scowls and walks away.

A chimera tarot card is thrown from behind and lands on the deck in front of the new recruits. Westenberger walks up, and picks up the card. Shrugging, he stuffs it in a pocket. "Yeh, I'm kinda in charge... sorry about the captain, he was just, well, born that way. So, d'ya lady and gents have any questions? We're nearly done negotiating a deal with those Gnolams. They trade like bastards!"
 

Of the new recruits, it seems to the gnome Kottlo as if he is the only one with experience. He stands easily on the deck, sailor's duffel at his feet, looking over the others. When the captain lumps him in with these groundsiders, he opens his mouth as if to protest, but then seems to remember his place.

Crossing his arms, he looks up at Westenberger. "Rhamyr Kottlo," he says by way of introduction. "Cap'n Tyrdin on the West of Dawn rated me able voidsman last time I shipped out, but it seems like Cap'n Struvin wants a little more proof. I c'n get these'uns settled in if y'want." A nod indicates the other three.
 


"Yeah, actually some general background might be a good idea." added Caelano. "If you have the time, of course."

"The Captain told me that the elegant interlude goes from Neer to Faerûn. What are those places? What are we trading? "

"And, " he continued seriously, "what are the hazards of the journey? Pirates? Sea- err, 'void-monsters'? Storms? Sickness? What do we do when we encounter a hazard?"

"I know it's a lot of questions, but I'm an ignorant groundling. And until I know better, I won't be much help."

And with an apologetic shrug he looks from Kottlo to Westenberger and back.
 

Westenberger adjusts the collar of his cloak, and makes sure the tassels on it stand properly, runs his fingers through his hair, and begins: "Would you all please not address me as sir? It kinda makes me, well, uncomfortable. Gnolams? Gnolams are a short race of greedy little buggers. They'll would sell their own families for the proper price. But then again, I guess Men are just flighty folk who can't stay focused on anything." Westenberger turns to Caelano. "Faerûn is a large continent on the planet Toril in the Realmspace system. Neer is a large planet within a system of the same name, and the birthplace of well, Me, Myself, and I, also home to one of the most disturbingly tyrannical nations in known space, the Imperium of Greater Axis. Sadly, we run Axis luxury goods to Thay in Faerûn, cash those in for minor magic items, and then run them back to Axis, ad nauseum. *pats his sword* I want to lay Queen Asura low. In all of her greed, Axis became the dark evil empire that it is. I'm glad my folks weren't indoctrinated into her schemes..." *shakes his head, and stops the rant* "Dangers of spelljamming, eh? Most of EI's crew are pretty good, so we don't have much to worry about. But those who take the helm have a risk all their own. To achieve so much speed through magic, well, takes its toll. It is emotionally draining to do so. My uncle can barely engage in a conversation because he spent so much time in the helm. It hasn't taken my edge yet, and I'm thankful. As to getting lost, Arani is our navigator, and she hasn't miscalculated once. And Caelano, don't call yourself that. I was once a neophyte, and look where I've gone in 3 voyages."

"Rhamyr, come close" *beckons, and speaks in the gnome's ear*

"I appreciate the offer, and if you would show them the ropes I would be most appreciative. But be easy on them. I don't wan't another Struvin around here."
 
Last edited:

Kottlo nods at the mage's words. "Aye aye...Mister Westenberger." With a salute to the sometime helmsman, he bends and grabs his duffle, then turns to the others. "Right, lads - and lass - grab y'r kit and we'll find ourselves some space to sling our hammocks. Hope none of y're that attached t'y'r privacy." He grins, and heads for the hatch that leads belowdecks, pausing at the top of the steep stair to make sure everyone's with him.

As Elisia approaches, the gnome leans over and mutters in a low voice. "Y'll want t'be keepin' low. After a few months in th'void, the tallfolk get a bit, ah, less choosy 'bout their affections...an' they won't care what size y'are long's y'r a woman." He grins, revealing tobacco-stained teeth. "Sometimes they ain't too choosy about that either. One'f'm ast me t'shave, hey?"

With that, he starts down to the gun deck.
 
Last edited:

Elisia only understood less than a quarter of what was said.

Gnolams must be like gnomes, she thought. She wondered what her duties would be on the ship. She looked at her mandolin. It would seem appropiate to sing a tune to start their journey. Who in the shire would believe this?
 

Remove ads

Top