Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: ac169@Freenet.carleton.ca (Darryl Farr) Subject: [JOI] [Storm] A CHANGE in Tack Message-ID: <1993Apr7.040132.14308@freenet.carleton.ca> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1993 04:01:32 GMT Ildamar whirled, bringing his sword around in a tight circle and neatly decapitating one of the mysterious undead creatures. To his continued dismay, the creature continued to claw madly at him, flailing wildly as its disembodied head snapped at his feet. The tall Irda kicked the annoying cranium, and was momentarily heartened as the screeching head flew over the railing and plopped loudly into the frothing waters below. He struck the torso of the creature with the flat of his blade, and with repeated blows, forced the wraith to the side of the ship, and thence over the restraing barrier. He glanced around to see how the others were faring. Kyar was nowhere to be seen, and Quaeros was rapidly dismantling those wraiths foolish enough to attack him with what looked to be magic. His eyes set upon Elanon, who was standing lightly on the railing, just before bellowing loudly and jumping over the side. He made a loud splash as he struck the water forcefully, and swore just before turning feet up and diving downwards. By Paladine, the old fellow must be out of his mind! thought Ildamar as he ran to the edge and peered down at the spot where Elanon had disappeared. He needed rescuing again. So what else was new. Ildamar sheathed his weapons and took a deep breath. He climbed up on the lurching rail and executed a graceful swan dive, striking the water with nary a ripple. Under water, he concentrated on altering his form. The outlines of the ranger's body blurred, and took a more streamlined form. His skin turned a deep grey, and his clothing seemed to melt into his hide. He swam to the surface and exhaled forcefully through the newly formed blowhole on top of his head, then headed down, away for the surface. Listening carefully, he detected a loud thumping sound, seeming to emanate from outside the attacking ship, close to the stern. Ildamar let out a high pitched squeal, far above the hearing range of humanoid life. Listening carefully to the echoes, he "saw" a man sized form, about 10 metres away, but almost invisible in the cloudy water. He seemed to be attacking the ship! Swimming nearer, Ildamar could see that the form was, in fact, Elanon, who was attempting to burrow his way through the hull of the vessel. Seeing no other recourse, Ildamar nudged Elanon away from the hull, then pulled back to about 20 metres, and charged at the now-damaged hull. Just before hitting, he turned slightly, and struck the vessel soundly with his side. There was a loud crack, and thin fractures started to appear in the rotted wood of the hull. Elanon started to attack the wood once more, and shortly had opened a large crack in the wall. The current of the water rushing into the hull of the ghost ship was now quite strong, and was dislodging fragments of wood as it filled the empty space. Suddenly, claws latched on to the jagged edge, from inside the vessel! Large chunks of wood were pulled loose, and soon the forms of several more undead warriors became visible, struggling to stand upright against the force of the water. They appeared to have small fins on their arms and legs, and were treading water easily, waiting for the bulkhead to fill. Ildamar and Elanon looked at each other, and headed for the surface. [Admin: Can we say "lacedon"?!?!] -- -- }{}{ When I was a little boy, I had but little Wit, Darryl Farr (}{) 'Tis a long time ago, And I have no more yet; The Grey Man }{}{ Nor ever, ever shall, Until that I die, ac169@freenet.carleton.ca (}{) For the longer I live, The more Fool am I.