Author: Jeff Messina (Page 5 of 7)

Captain Abdullah and the Unmentionable Wound

Characters:

• Liam
• Bracus
• Daxson

Date: 11-07-15

XP: 2

Recap:

The Crew secured a new ship(Brigantine), named it the Liberators Wrath and set sail southward. The plan was to buy, sell and find crew along the way south towards Brigandy Bay and then from there set off for The Teeth and to find Tressa the Red.

Along the way they stopped off in Swindon to pick up crew and cargo. Liam and Daxson were in the bar recruiting sailors when Liam was approached by downtrodden looking Kehana named Winston. Winston offered to sell Liam a treasure map and a golden triangle he stole from his former captain, Abdullah.

Unfortunately before Liam could get more details Captain Abdullah showed up with two of his top lieutenants and a gang of his pirates. Abdullah proceeded to attack, which lead to a frenzied alleyway fight. Daxon squared off with a one armed Grual named Longarm Hunk Bosun who had a Battleball attached to his nub. Liam fought a French pirate named Rene the Blade and Bracus decided to kill Winston, pick up the loot and head back to the ship to take a nap. Liam was wounded in the thigh and “unmentionables” during his spar with Rene which certainly left some scars…

A long bloody battle raged in the alleyway and the group managed to dispatch Abdullah’s lieutenants but not before he managed to slip out of the alley and flee. Unfortunately for him the pair was faster and managed to catch up and slay Abdullah as he ran.  Swindon isn’t the safest town and the locals and lack of city watch allowed the Crew to leave the city unmolested.

The map they aquired show the location of an island in the Flotsam Sea and was labeled “Rufus’ Island…need all six triangles”, that along with another triangle to add to their collection. Armed with this new information the Crew sailed for Brigandy Bay for the final leg of their journey before they headed southwest to The Teeth.

Captain Liam

Captain’s Log,

 

It’s been a long haul, but we’ve finally replaced Liberator.  We’ve given the new girl a right proper name;  Liberator’s Wrath.    With a name like that and our growing reputation, we’ll soon be striking fear into the hearts of any who would dare oppose us.  I would also like to make note of the promise I’ve made to myself.  For the sake of posterity.  I’ll never again let some nobody pirate scum take our ship like that.  Even it cost my life.  I haven’t said as much to the crew, but I think they know.  I’ve overheard bits of their whispers.  Apparently, I’ve become a vengeful man.  Enough so that some of the men are more afraid than usual of crossing me.  As long as it serves as motivation for hard work, it’s acceptable.

 

About this alley fight we found ourselves in.  It really all boils down to a simple thing.  One pirate tried to sell us something he had stolen from his pirate captain.  When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we stood victorious, and in possession of a another piece of the triangle and a map that might lead us to Redbeard’s treasure.  Not a bad night really.  Even given my two new scars, which gave me a bit of a fright.  Plus, any fight that shrinks this world’s pirate population is always a good one.

 

Captain McCormic

Battle at the Devil’s Spires

Characters:

• Mordecai
• Liam
• Bracus
• Rodrigo

Date: 10-24-15

XP: 2

Recap:

The Crew maintained their cover as a gold salvage team in the Devil’s Spires and stayed on alert for Admiral Duckworth. After two days of waiting they were contacted by Crow informing them that Duckworth was making a surprise attack under the cover of the dark moonless night.

Timing his departure towards the Cortez’s ship perfectly, Liam arranged to have a powerful “Crossing the T” volley arranged before Duckworth was able to fire. This damaged Cortez’s ship and allowed Duckworth to further hammer on the unsuspecting Frigate.

After a long ship battle the Crew finished disabling Cortez’s ship, managed to capture a fleeing gold recovery Sloop and rescue the crew of another that wrecked while attempting to leave the Devils Spires.

Duckworth and the Crew sailed to Baltimus to discuss the events that happened and request compensation from Edward Lazenby(Chairman of the British East India Company). Duckworth relayed the betrayal and piracy of of the Spanish Guild and also informed his superiors of the heroic actions of the Crew.

During a meeting with Mr Lazenby the crew negotiated a fair deal on spoils from their actions and recovery of the lost gold. Lazenby awarded them with a Letter of Marque in addition to the promised pieces of eight payment. Duckworth also pledged his support financially to get the Crew back on their feet as believed their reports that the world was flooding and felt the quest was a noble and worthwhile one.

Lazenby also informed them that the BEIC, in one weeks time, would be formally backing out of the Great Port Treaty and marking all Spanish Guild ships as pirates. This allowed anyone carrying a Letter of Marque from the BEIC to seize any assets not properly marked by their company. This will essentially kicked off a Trade War between the two trading companies. Lazenby is unsure on how long it will last but warned the Crew to be carefull when this announcement went into effect.

The Crew is now able to purchase a new ship with their earned spoils and after much hardship they are back on their feet. Where will they go next? Further explore the flooding world? Smuggle firearms to a mysterious contact in the Kieran Empire?

Captain Liam

Captain’s Log,

That nightmare has stopped.  I sleep as soundly as I ever did.  Possibly more so.  The cause for this change is obvious.  We killed those pirates and ruined their plans to profit off the misfortune of others.  Specifically, misfortune they brought on.  We even walked away with enough gold to replace our ship.  To do so, we’ve had to make a decision to become a privateer for the BEITC but I believe it was worth it.  Though, it wasn’t a decision we came to lightly.  Several of my friends were less certain about it but with the coming war between the BEITC and the Spanish Trade Guild, we had to pick a side or risk constant harassment from both parties.  Hopefully, we made the right choice.

I know this is counter to what people always say, but the unleashing of my furry on those scum seems to have satisfied that vengeful hate I felt for them.  I’m willing to bet people who claim vengeance doesn’t bring closure have never truly suffered great loss or sought absolute restitution for such a loss.  Or maybe something is wrong with me.  It doesn’t really matter, though.  Justice has been executed and my soul finds rest in it.

Captain McCormic

The Admirals Proposal

Characters:

• Mordecai
• Liam
• Bracus
• Rodrigo

Date: 9-26-15

XP: 2

Recap:

The Crew found themselves “guests” of Admiral Duckworth while they discussed the events that occurred. Duckworth informed them that because they did not have a Letter of Marque they were technically illegal in capturing any ships but he would not press that matter. He valued their bravery and offered a letter of recommendation to his superiors at the British East India Company to help their cause. The Crew requested that the Pirate Brig be handed over to them as compensation for their loss, but the Admiral did not have the authority to hand over spoils in that manner. He sympathized but stood firm that his Company would have to decide what to do. Their future was very uncertain until Duckworth realized that this was the same Crew that helped liberate Jomba Town from the Slavers. Being an honest and noble soul, he very much appreciated their actions against the Slavers there.

With this news and hearing their story the Admiral decided to seek their help in order for the Crew to gain the trust and debt of the BEIC. He told them that two weeks ago the Immortal (a frigate) was due to rendezvous with Duckworth but never showed. It was delivering a large quantity of gold from the Kieran Empire. Duckworth had been in New Madrid trying to find out news but found the Spanish Guild oddly quiet about the matter but could get no further information. He asked the crew to investigate the matter and use his spy in Marsales to find out what happened. Duckworth spoke plainly that he needed their help. The pay was good and this would definitely garner trust with the BEIC and it never hurted to have a strong ally…

Agreeing to take the job, the Crew headed to Marsales and discovers through Duckworth’s agent that some shady smugglers were recruiting for discrete crews over the past week. The smugglers were looking for small, light ships and specifically seeking those with water mages or aquatic divers. The Crew sought out the contact, won the respect of the smuggler in charge via combat and got hired for this job. They were hiring small light ships to recover the gold off the seafloor and deliver it to a waiting ship, but no questions asked. They were told to meet at a certain location near the Kehana Flumes and would be told more once they arrived.

The Crew set off to location provided for the job and on the way found some of the Immortals crew and captain marooned on a small island. They rescued this crew, Father Rodrigo healed them and then they found out the whole story:

The Immortal was attacked by the Frederico Cortez, nephew of the Spanish Guild’s  chairman Roderico Pires.  The Immortal and its escort were stopped by Cortez who then suddenly betrayed them, attacked their escorts and  and caused the Immortal to become wrecked inside of the “Devils Spires.

With this information the Crew sent Crow to tell Duckworth of this news and they continued on to their recovery job as to not arouse suspicion. They arrived to find Cortez leading the recovery operation for the gold and started to get to work themselves all the while remaining vigilant for them Admiral Duckworth would arrive…

Captain Liam

Captain’s Log,

That blasted dream again.  I’m flying and all is silent.  A clear blue sky is before me only a moment.  Then all is dark.  I can’t see, hear, or breath.  A faint ringing grows in the distance as it strikes me that I’m sinking.  Refusing to drown I break the surface just before losing consciousness.  Fire is everywhere!  A plank floats by and I remember.  All around me is the burning sinking remains of my ship.  The ringing is at a maddening level now and it’s all I hear.  Barely able to stay a float, I reach for the plank with a blood drenched hand.  It’s not my blood, though.  It belongs to the pirate pinned to the mast by my sword.  There are pirates everywhere on this ship.  Many dead behind me.  More charging from all directions.  I kill them.  Everyone who dares approach, I send to the grave.  They begin to hesitate, so I bring my furious vengeance to them.  Soon I’m covered in blood, but I can’t stop.  No.  My insides are aflame and the only thing keeping it from consuming me is these pirates’ blood.  So, I lay waste to all of them and they keep coming.  An endless tide.  All the while I can hear the fire within whispering to me, “They’ve taken to much!  Friends!  The ship!  My wife!”  I begin yelling as I kill.  Then I jerk awake in a cold sweat.

(The writing grows increasingly sloppy from here on)Now I’m sitting here drinking in the middle of the night hoping it will help me sleep or stop dwelling on those men we rescued.  It seems everywhere I turn, asleep or awake, I’m constantly reminded of what these pirates are.  A blight that tears at the edges of society.  A plague that roots rots it to the core.  Rnuii Ruining the lives of [Illegible drunken scribble].   I will blusted kiil them all evf if giben the channce.

Cacapt

Caapt

L

The Liberator No More

Characters:

• Mordecai
• Liam
• Daxon
• Crow
• Bracus
• Rodrigo

Date: 9-19-15

XP: 2

Recap:

The Crew flush from the victory at Jomba town and with new found treasure earned, sped away to New Madrid to purchase a new ship. Bracus managed to find a good deal on a Brigantine which they named the Liberator. Spending a several days hauling cargo trying to earn some spending money the Crew decided  their last haul would be to New Madrid and then they would head South to find Tressa the Red to discover what is happening with the flooding of Caribdus.

A day out of New Madrid they spotted a Sloop sneaking up on them and decided to engage it. The Sloop was not flying any flags and soon opened fired, confirming it was a pirate ship after all.  After several cannon exchanged they spotted another Brig sailing in to support the Sloop. Being out numbed the Crew found themselves getting heavily damage. Suddenly they spotted a massive Man of War coming into to join the battle and it was none other than Admiral Duckworth with the  HMS Justice coming to their aid.

Unfortunately before the Justice could bear down on the pirates, the Brig fired off a well placed shot and managed to hit the gunpowder magazine causing the ship to explode into a mess of fire, cargo and debris. The Crew was left injured and floating on wreckage. Crow  and Daxson flew/swam over to the injured Sloop(which was close) and managed to take it over and rescue what remained of the Crew out of the ocean with it.

Rather than run, the Crew sped to assist Duckworth in taking over the Pirate Brig and arrived just in time to assist with the boarding action. Clearing off the ship with Duckworth and his Marines the Crew was safe but their future unsure.

They lost four crew members during the explosion, their ship and most of their cargo was presumed lost..what was next?

Crow- This log covers the events of Session 8 and 11:

As Death surrounds us, we fly up and define the moment, as it DOES not define us.

– Through the Eyes of a Crow

These past few weeks with my people in Maroa have been amazing. I am filled with energy and passion to live and change the world for the better. I found out my true name, uncovered the knowledge of my parents, realized my purpose and find there is more to life than just survival it’s just Irie. (Jamacian word for excellent).

My friends can still call me Crow, but my name (and I swell with pride when I say it) is Kadian of the Noble house Letia. I am a proud Atani, part of a great people, not this strange bat creature that children whisper about when they see in the alleyways. I am Shiani, a keeper of the Hearwood (a Druid of sorts), a rare magical being who will serve my people and the forests we must preserve. My hair and skin color have slightly altered as these new powers of the Shiani present themselves. I now have a greenish/gold tint in my hair and on my wings, it’s amazing. I can also shift into creatures of the sky and summon winds around my body for protection. I am deeply blessed by the sprits of the Carroway.

During my time in Maroa, I discovered my parents were amazing Diplomats or so I am told. The story of their disappearance started with them, brining me at age 4, to the Kieran empire. They were petitioning “The Great Whale” to create a protective grove of Carroway trees. This mighty grove existed before the great flood. It was on that mission, that my parents went missing some 13 years ago. It is said “The Great Whale” locked them away, a complete breach of diplomatic protocol. And only days later my people petitioned for my freedom, I was taken back on a boat and when the flood hit. And this is how I was lost on the Island of “Torath-Ka”, my home for many years, until Captain Abram Jones found me.

Anyway, I realized that my friends who have cared for me and guided me are my true family. As much as I care for my people, the Atani, these men on the ship of the Jonas are my true family. So in my new found purpose to protect the forests and this planet, I make way for Jomba town, I flew and glided a long way transformed by my new powers as a Shiani into a Carroway Screecher (it looks like a falcon but with a greenish gold hue). Heading to see my great friends who may have saved my very soul, the two great men Captain Liam and Father Rodrigo and of course the rest of the crew.

As I arrived over Jomba town and saw the Jonas, our study ship, I thought I would make a grand entrance. I was still transformed into a Carroway Screacher, so I landed on the crow’s nest of our ship as this greenish/gold falcon of sorts. Then before the very eyes of the crew, I transformed into the Crow, the friend they had known for some time. Captain Liam, the Father Rodrigo, Brachus and Mordecai all welcomed me. Daxon seemed busy working below decks.

I discussed my new purpose saving the forest and the world from the great flood and pleaded with my friends to help aid the forests and the planet. They agreed… I also gave a precious Carroway fruit to Father Rodrigo who had healed me at a critical moment as a gift and thanked Liam and the father both for their role in my salvation.

So we were off, it was great to be rigging the ship and latter sitting in MY crow’s nest. Brachus claimed they have enough money to buy a brand new Brigandine, they will call her the Liberator and mount a bust of that woman who they said was beautiful on the front of our ship.

We set sail in this new vessel with some cargo, after the captain calmed the crew over matters of money. We delivered our first cargo and then picked up lumber. Ah the smell of the sea is such a mighty thing, it was wonderful to be back.

We then, set sail again, I thought it was beautiful travelling with the Captain at the helm, expertly steering and Mordecai using his wind magic to accelerate the ship, we were making amazing time.

Then I saw a Sloop and called to the captain. He readied us to battle stations as another ship broke the horizon it was another Brigantine. Two pirates were upon us.

The Captain spun to broadside. Mordecai fired the first 8 pounder and hit the sloop hard, damaging the rudder

I then fired at the Brigantine and hit some powder on the deck it must have started a fire.

Then it happened, a lucky Shot by the Pirate Brigantine and BOOM…

As my sense returned, amazingly I was blown clear of the wreckage. I saw dead bodies in the water, I scanned to see my family.

Then I exclaimed in my soul. THIS MOMENT WILL NOT KILL MY FRIENDS; IT WILL NOT BE THE END. WE WILL CLAIM VENGENCE UPON THOSE THAT HURT US, WE WILL AVENGE THE LIBERATOR AND HER LOST CREW. WE WILL SAVE THIS PLANET AND THE FORESTS OF CARROWAY.

My purpose is NOT complete and this MOMENT will NOT define us, the luckly accident we will shape into our destiny.

I quickly convert to a Carroway Screecher, and hear from Brachus going in and out of consciousness breath, get the Sloop. So I fly with intense speed as I see Daxon dive into the water to follow me. I make it to the sloop, it’s crew already decimated by Mordecia’s expert 8 pound cannon shots and I quickly as a Carroway Screecher Peck eyes from the Captain of Sloop. Then mustering all the training that Captain Liam has given me, I turn the Sloop and head to get my family.

Once they board this Sloop, Captain Liam takes the helm and I am off again flying to the Brigantine. I then see the MASSIVE ship in the distance. It’s engaging the other Pirate Brigantine. It’s Admiral Duckworth’s ship.

I see Duckworth on the Brigantine, leading the fight engaged with the Pirate captain. I hit the pirate captain hard with my talons and begin to peck at his eyes. He is stunned by my attackes and seems to go off balance, attempting to fend me off. I also see the Pirate Captain before I arrive had wounded Duckworth, so I will try to protect the Admiral.

Then I am there pecking and clawing and suddenly Daxon, my good friend Daxon jumps from our Sloop that is beside the pirate Ship and stabs the Pirate captain twice with his daggers and flings the body overboard. There is a great hurrah. The Admiral ask us to help fight the rest of the crew, which my family has already defeated to the Admirals surprise.

I then land on the deck in front of the admiral and transform kneeling before Admiral Duckwoth, and introduce myself as Kadian of the Noble house Letia. At his service.

Next our family starts to discuss with the Admiral the fineries of the laws of maritime salvage and the unique situation that has just occurred. I beam with pride to realize my family will NOT be defined by a Moment, but it’s US who defined that Moment not random chance.

Legend of the crew who lost their ship and captured not just one but, with the help of the Admiral TWO will live on!

Father Rodrigo

April 10, 1571

Dearest Abuela,

Agua is everywhere, and not just on this Purgatorio of a land.   It is in everything, including me.  God Almighty has given me the power to heal through water.  It is a gift beyond imagination.  I try to heal as many as He allows, day and night.  I am compelled.  I will not falter.  As to Agua, I am reminded:

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him:  “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.  I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
   And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:  I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Abuela, our Brigantine was destroyed, as if by providence.  I fear not, however, for we still live.  I can still heal. And just like our mighty ship was returned to the water and one day I will be returned to the water, I remember that this covenant must be earned.   Fought for.  Sacrificed for.  Like Noah.  So that eventually we all reach shore and dry land.

Fr. Rodrigo Salvatore

Captain Liam

Captain’s Log,

 

It’s gone.  All of it.  The ship, most of the crew, and our cargo.  Even the small memento of my wife’s is at the bottom of the sea or destroyed.  Lost forever.  I alone am responsible.  Some may argue it was just a lucky shot, but no matter.  I was captain and it was my decision to engage the pirates.  It was my poor judgement that cost us everything.  Most of my men, who trusted me enough to accept a delay in their wages, are dead because of me.  I have failed them all as their captain.

 

Now my heart is overburdened with regret, hate, and fury.   Regret for my decision.  Hate for my overconfidence.  Fury for the scum pirates that came for us.  Amends must be made.  So I will do everything in my power to secure the pirate brig from Admiral Duckworth and his superiors.  That will, at least, allow me to return the lost investment of my friends.  If I fail at even that, how can I continue as their captain?  What will be left for me but a heart full of  hate and fury.

 

One way or another, I will make amends.

A Free Jomba Town

Characters:

• Mordecai
• Liam
• Daxon
• Bracus
• Rodrigo

Date: 8-29-15

XP: 2

Recap:

After the defeat of Ian and the freeing of the slaves the Crew discovered that he had been working on a cage to capture a Yellowback for bounty from New Madrid. The city was offering a tidy sum for a live specimen..

Mourning the loss of his four warriors Eti was anxious to present Ian’s body to the spirit of his father Jomba and free him from his torment. Waiting till twilight the Crew and Eti laid Ian’s body on the road and when the sun set Jomba appeared. This time he was in a more corporeal form, of his own mind, and able to talk. Jomba was grateful that Ian was killed but unfortunately his curse was for him to slay Ian on the Ghost Trail…not for others to do it. While Jomba retained his mind he was bound forever to the Ghost Trail. He vowed to protect the Trail from those who sought to bring harm, but could not linger in one place too long and drifted off.

The Crew decided to help Eti take over Jomba Town from the Council and started their march back up the trail towards Jomba Town. On the way back they remember Ol’ Owens tail of the “Money Pit” and Bracus convinced the Crew to spend some time digging it up. They found digging in the pit to be a dangerous and futile endeavor but also discovered that the pit was somehow leaking sea water. Daxon, Eti and Liam explored the flooded cave systems under the island and while fending off schools of BloodFish found the underside of the Pit and the Treasure! Through some heroic underwater work the Crew was able to gather the treasure intact and be on their way.

Far richer than before (to Bracus’s delight) the Crew made it to Jomba town.

Liam used his buddy that worked for the council to arrange a meeting to discuss their payment for solving the Ghost Problem. Liam was also warned to keep his priest friend from stirring up trouble with his soup kitchen.Of course Rodrigo would hear nothing of the sort and set up shop next to the Council favorite tavern, the Shackle.

In response, the Council sent a heavily armed group to attack the priest but the Crew was able the turn the tide, kill the thugs, and get the locals to take up arms against the Council. In full riot mode the Crew lead 200+ locals and Eti’s people against the armed fortifications of the Council. Through bravery and some bloodshed, the mob was able to overrun the city and capture all but one council member (Crimson Sparrow- Kehana). The Crew set up a court to judge the Council members but at this point are unsure how “fair” the trial will be. While the rest of the Crew were mopping up resistance and capturing Council members, Bracus found his way to the town’s money vault and made sure to secure the promised bounty payment (with a bonus) before turning it over to the people. Eti provided guards to protect the wealth while a government was formed and things settled down.

Captain Liam

Captain’s Log,

Jamba town has shaken off the shackles of tyranny.  For many of our group, slavery was the issue.  It even changed Mordecai a little.  He’s crossed a line very few men come back from in his pursuit of ending slavery.  I always found the tyranny to be the real evil corrupting Jumba.  A council that wasn’t elected by the people ruling over its subjects like some puppet master, who’s only concern is growing his own wealth at the expense of others.  Not any more.  Jumba’s citizens now rule themselves.  I only hope they do it well.

 

As soon as we finish our business here, we’ll be off to New Madrid.  We’ve finally managed to save up the needed funds for a new ship, and there are plenty of options in that port.  While this skiff has been good to us, it barely qualifies as a ship.  The brig we’ve had our hearts set on does, however.  It may not be a ship of the line but they’re fine vessels, and can accomplish a great deal with the right captain and crew.

 

It’s safe to say this is one of those rare times where everything seems to be going our way.

-Captian McCormic