Caribdus Epilogue
Caribdus will forever be changed by the actions of three young women. Their obsession with Blood Magic flooded an entire world nearly wiping out its population and threatened another: Earth.
The Crew that fought and died to stop them will go down in history as heroes.
The Maiden of the Mists, Mara, knew help would come from Earth and in her ethereal state did the best she could by pulling humans into Caribdus. In the final few months before the Hags defeat, the Maiden was forced to act more directly in order to aid the Crew. This caused the Hags to discover her and her portal. Their lust for power turned to planet Earth, but fortunately they were stopped.
Before her passing on, Mara connected with the Elemental Spirits and asked their help in restoring Caribdus. Water was not willing to relinquish control fully, but did allow Earth to expand itself. Thus balance was restored and the Elements were once again free and at peace.
Dry land rose up all over the flooded world. Where Ograpog once stood, some of its waterlogged cities were risen up. Now a group of large islands stand in its place and green growth has started to rapidly take root. Where the Doreen homeland once stood a new archipelago has risen. All across what was once the Flotsam Sea there is now an opportunity for expansion and life.
The Atani, in a desperate attempt to aid the Crew and end the Hags, devised a clever use of the Elder Trees power to create a flying ship. Some say it was the spirit of Crow that encouraged its use and design, for it was the intelligence of the Elder Tree itself that first suggested it to the Atani people. However, not willing to risk the newly born Elder Tree any more than required, the Atani quickly landed their ship on the newly formed Ograpog archipelago and founded a new Grove. The trees are slow growing but have a firm grip on the earth now and a new Atani settlement is already prospering.
The Doreen, aided by the efforts of Daxson and Gop, claimed the new hunting grounds as their own. Using their prestige and gold, they were able to gather most of the remaining Doreen together to begin rebuilding their civilization. An unexpected ally was found in the Grael who surprisingly decided to join in partnership and stake a small claim in southern Caribdus.
The Kieran empire is an ever present threat, yet after their takeover of New Madrid a more formal negotiation between themselves and the East India Trading Company was established. Duckworth forced his hand and the new Ograpogian land is considered neutral. Neither party is able to stake a direct claim, it’s a land free to all people who wish to settle there. Most know that the Kieran empire they will not let this stand for long, but currently they are stretched too thin trying to cover their home waters and now New Madrid.
Baltimus is still the ever present hub of commerce. Edward Lazenby had a keen mind to capitalized on the Crew success and is financing expeditions and settlements for the new land. The city is also known for being a unify presence in the region against outlaws and pirates. The Crew set the example of cooperation between cultures and cities, proving ultimately it could accomplish what large fleets could not. The standard is being used to draft a new treaty between the Free Towns.
Father Rodrigo’s work has been put to good use. The construction of a new cathedral is under way and Marium Rodrigo (his Abuela) is busying herself feeding the poor and helping those who need it find opportunity in the new land. A flood of Catholic refugees are finding their way to Baltimus and Rodrigo has his work cut out for him. Torquemada’s name has been appearing on whispered lips recently, but it is not know what is plans are or if he is even a threat still. After the destruction of the Hags by the hands of a Catholic Mage however, many left the Inquisition and joined the Jesuit order.
The Kraken Empire is learning to get by without magic with the help of Kaliferous. Research is ongoing to find the reproduction problems of the Scurillians and so far has been positive. A definite link between the seeping of elemental magic and reproduction has been found and that has most likely affected both races. Bracus and Equias have proved to be very valuable test subjects. Admiral Caspian is working to unify the Kraken again and rebuild their homeland. Now that the Sphere has been recovered,utilized and the Hag threat eliminated his people can now focus on long term settlement and research. The Kraken have found a good friend in the Doreen people and mutual cooperation is helping both races expand.
Jomba Town prospers and now holds a new patron, Mordecai, in high honor. His fight against both slavery and the beings of darkness has become legend. The Kaumatua (Eti’s Maori freedom fighters) have dedicated themselves to fighting slavery and the unique threats brought over from Earth- vampires, ghouls and other darker beings. They would follow the tradition of both Mordecai and Solomon Kane and purge the world of lingering darkness. On a lighter note: Captain Liam’s Superior Scotch has become a major export for the town and is proving popular across the sea.
As a tribute to the Crew and their courage a large statue has been erected in Jomba Town.
It depicts a man with a smooth round head and face so it favors no race. He is wearing an early U.S. naval coat (Liam), a dagger in one hand(Daxson), strapped to his side a hooked blade which resembles part of a crab claws (Brachus), elemental depiction of wind and water swirling around it(Mordecai and Father Rodrigo), wings arched high on his back(Crow), and being crushed under its foot is an amorphic shape representing evil. In it’s free hand thrust high in the air is a functional lantern that kept blazing. This lantern represents hope for the hopeless, freedom for the enslaved, peace for the embattled, and stands as a reminder that just as it always burns so shall Jomba remain free of tyranny. On a brass plaque there is written:
“In memory of those few who cared enough to dare to bring hope to the countless. May your names be forever on our hearts. Brachus, Crow, Daxson, Liam, Mordecai, Rodrigo”
Caribdus is changed and new adventures and challenges are over the horizon!
Sea Fever BY JOHN MASEFIELD
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
GM note:
This concludes 50 Fathoms campaign with the Dice Haven group which has run over two years and 35 sessions. When I picked up 50 Fathoms at my local gaming store I never would have imagined where it would take me.
I want to thank my entire group for their excellent roleplaying and years of fun, it’s been a pleasure creating this story with you. Your superior roleplaying and initiative helped shape a very fun world. Also, thank you to Shane Hensley for the most excellent setting and plot point campaign.
I am sad to see the story end, but glad to see it ended mostly well for the Crew. There are some loose plot threads left hanging (I think any sandbox campaign would have a few) and Caribdus is forever changed. There are many more stories to tell in this new world, perhaps someday they will be told?
-Jeff Messina
6-22-17
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