Chapter Five – To Guard a Ship – Spelljamming and the Batship

Hammer 21 – Alturiak 18, 1371 D.R.

            On Hammer 21 we reported to Master Wu’s Monastery as we were instructed to do by Gunnery Sergeant Potulous.  Master Wu instructed us to return later that evening just before midnight.  We went on our way and returned later as instructed. 

            Master “Embassador” Wu took us through the monastery and to a small, frozen lake where he had a boat waiting.  We were instructed to paddle the boat out onto the lake.  Trying to paddle in cold weather gear was difficult and could make one worry about falling into the water.  I still did not see how this little boat on this little lake was going to get us to a ship needing protection.

            Just as I was thinking that, winter cold was replaced with summer warmth and the stars swirled about us and were…different.  It was like Master Wu sensed my doubt and looked at me the instance the weather changed.  I’ll have to remember to be careful of my thoughts around him.  It’s no wonder Shane is so well trained.  We paddled to a dock where there were robed warriors on the walls all with slanted eyes and curved blades.  There was a reference to “outlanders” but I can’t remember if they meant them or us.  My guess is that it was meant to describe the robed warriors, as this was all way out there.

            Master Wu directed a servant or low-level study to take us to the ship where we would find Sergeant Potulous.  After disembarking the boat, I took my first look at the sky above…or was it below.  We were on one of the Tears of Selune and were looking back at our planet (called Torril).  There were all the realms like a map out of a book.  We were actually amongst the stars!!!

            The guide started taking us through the complex where they spoke an odd language we didn’t understand.  Then we hit the city streets.  There was all manner of creature beyond imagination.  There was a reptilian centaur, an ape-like priest, a figure in white robes whom had pitch black eyes that had stars in them (it blessed us on our way by), and all the docks lead to space – no water anywhere for a boat.  They said this place was called the Rock of Bral.  Who would have ever known this place existed?

            We arrived at a huge, red ship shaped like a sea faring vessel with an additional pair of oval rooms on either side of the front giving it an odd appearance.  It had sails and rudders but was not sitting in the water at all.  Sergeant Potulous was standing on board getting the crew straightened around and did he ever command the respect of the crew – he must treat them well and expect a lot.  Gunnery Sergeant Potulous was what they call a Giff up here – I just know he was big.  Without breaking form at all he welcomed us aboard, introduced us to Kora, the Grey Elf Shipwright and engineer, asked her to show us around, and returned about his duties in preparing for departure.  He told us our job was to protect the ship from boarders, which sounded simple enough.

            Kora took us to our quarters and then proceeded to take us on a tour of the ship.  The crew was primarily made up of monkey-like beings with glide flaps under their arms like one would find on a flying squirrel.  They moved about the ship with ease gliding from the masts to the deck and scurrying back up another mast.  Kora then started to pour out the information for us.  She told us about the Major Helm, which is what ran the ship.  She also told us how it disrupts all the spells of a spell caster if they sit in, or even touch, the helm.  She told us we were considered “groundlings” as we were from Torril (which is located in Realms Space – which is the name of this Crystal Sphere).

            Kora told us we were going to Garden – a world comprised of rocks held together by a giant tree with huge leaves.  It would take us about 10-14 days to travel there and the same amount back but did not mention how long we would be there.  She mentioned that our time there would be dangerous as it was a pirate haven.  She said there could be trouble on the way there or back as well.  Kora told us about the “Air Envelope” and “Gravity Plane” and how they worked in relation to the ship.  She explained the Crystal Sphere idea and how a thing called the “Flo” connected all the spheres.  She said it is the one place you do not want to use fire as the Flo is flammable and all fire spells go off at point blank.  That could hurt a bunch!! 

She told us about Bralian’s Best, the home brew ale of the Rock of Bral.  I look forward to trying it while we are up here.  She also introduced us to Krik, the ship’s artisan/surgeon.  He looks like a Preying Mantis on the humanoid size.  She mentioned that he likes doing modifications to people to enhance their abilities but to say no to all of his recommendations.

Before we left, I took some time in Dagger Falls to do some checking into Potulous and Kora.  They are both listed as heroes of the Dale as friends and servants of the adventuring group known as the Eight-and-a-Half.  The Eight-and-a-Half went missing after something blew the top off the Flaming Tower releasing the giant chain that was attached at one time.  I recall passing by it before that occurred and it was quite a scary site to see.  Potulous and Kora have been looking for information on the group since then along with the Harpers and the Lord Morn of Dagger Falls.

The Eight-and-a-Half was comprised of a variety of characters, to say the least.  First, there was Talon.  He was a former pirate of the Moon Sea, current Captain of this ship, Swordlord of great skill, and newly ordained Priest of Selune.  It was said he was a human who could control swords with just his sheer will.  Next there was Mik.  He was a human Ranger/Priest of Shaundekul.  He, like Xan, was rumored to be unbelievable with his bow.  He also survived a solo adventure into Mith Dranor and returned with treasure and to tell his story.  Next was Beldin.  Beldin was a human Halruin Mage with white skin and silver eyes.  Most say he looked undead or like a litch.  Beldin founded and funded the Library in Dagger Falls.  His spell casting was very powerful and different due to his chosen route of study.  He was to have possibly even studied with Mazarale whomever that was.  Next was Ted.  Ted was a Half-Ogar fighter who enjoyed the bastard sword.  He lost his brother at the Serpent Bridge to the fast moving water.  Next was Egwene.  She was a Drow Priestess of Illustrae.  His priestly magics were very powerful as well and she contributed to the building of the Paladin’s Guild Hall.  She fought against evil regardless of what people thought of the fact she was drow.  Then there was Troy the Builder.  He was a human fighter who mastered axes as well as the dwarves.  A loyal friend to the Bladebright Clan, he fought for Daggerdale with his group.  He was also very loyal to Cormyr and it’s King as that is where he was from originally.  Sounds like a very impressive group of adventurers and a great asset to DaggerDale if they can be found.

We set sail the next day and traveled to Garden, the 7^th planet in the system.  Our trip there met no trouble in space as I tried to learn everything I could about Realms Space from anyone who would talk to me.  Garden has twelve moons orbiting around and through it.  The Plant World is also called Yggdrasil’s Child and the area smells like a greenhouse due to all the vegetation.  It is a haven for pirates to hide out and attack ships.  One of the moons named Sun Son is a fire body and is very warm.  Acting Captain Potulous found a safe place for us to put down.  He was here to see someone named Seggurah, a seer in this port town.  We spent nine days there as Potulous looked for and met with the Seer who can see and tell the future.  We found out he was looking for information as to what happened to the other group.  It was confirmed that the group was alive but their whereabouts was unknown.  After our nine-day stay, we headed back towards the Rock of Bral. 

On the Alteriak 13, a skeletal ship emerged from a dense fog to attack us.  It launched a ball from its catapult that landed on our deck and became 6 skeletons once they unfolded.  Primula made short work of them as the rest of us concentrated on attacking the ship and it’s driver at the helm.  Oskar had been working on learning the Ballista during our trip and launched a steel-tipped bolt hitting the Vampire in the helm dead on.  Unfortunately, it did nothing, as it wasn’t magical or wood.  Thinking quickly, Oskar took and cut the bolt head off of a bolt with his Ergosh and loaded for another shot.  Another dead on strike right to the heart.  It was a killing blow to the creature and the ship slowly began to fall apart and fade away.  Oskar definitely saved the day with that incredible shot.

On Alteriak 18 just outside the Rock of Bral, the call of battle went out again.  We were under attack by the Batship – a very feared ship that eluded well, was very tough, and could tear a ship apart and leave you floating in space.  The Batship screeched as it slammed its claws into us causing substantial damage.  After it had latched on, we saw figures getting ready to attack and board our vessel.  It was time to act.  Cedar cast a Flaming Sphere in the midst of them sending them scattering and Xan took as many as he could by bow.  Just as we determined they had spellcasters aboard, Cedar’s Sphere went out and a Lightning Bolt ripped through one of the Glass windows on the observation deck.  The Batship began it’s Rake and Spin on our ship damaging it further.  Then Primula, using her Sling, launched a Thunderstone at it hitting the ship dead on.  The Batship reared up in visible and audible pain from the attack and let us go.  Around the bend, Three Man o war ships had arrived to our rescue scaring off the Batship.  We had a couple people thrown overboard during the attack and we rushed to pull everyone back on deck.  The elves, although arrogant, towed us without incident to the Rock of Bral for repairs with the two not towing acting as an escort. 

Upon setting down at the Rock of Bral, Sergeant Potulous paid us each our generous sum of 750 gold and gave us a writ to take back to the Shou embassy to get us back to Dagger Falls.  I took one last look at Torril before heading into the embassy just in case I never made it back.  So this is what it was like to play amongst the stars.  We were transported back via a magic circle in a secure room – it was much easier than paddling.

The Song and Stories of My Life,

Kerith of the Dalelands