Adventures of Stumpy Pete, Part 2

Characters:

• Mordecai: Human Air Mage Puritan from Earth
• Liam: Human Shipmaster from Earth
• Barchus: Scurillian merchant and Super native
• Crow: Atani sharpshooter native
• Rodrigo: Human priest and water Mage from Earth

Date: 5-2-14
XP: 2
Recap:

The crew wrapped up business in New Madrid and prepared to head out for Petes Mystery Island. The night before they were set to depart, Father Rodrigo had an assassination attempt while he slept. He managed to fend off one assassin but another wounded him and had the upper hand. He was saved by a fire mage and two warriors who identified themselves as with the Torquemada. On the assassin’s body they found the assassination order with the Cardinals seal, implicating him and the church.

Heading out to sea the crew made good time to Pete’s Treasure Island. They found the island peaceful enough and after a long climb up a treacherous cliff face and a few hours hike through thick jungle they finally found the hidden location. It was an old hunting fortification left unguarded. In the treasure chests they found a wealth of Gold, two enhanced firearms, a mysterious golden triangle and a strange locked wooden box.

Upon touching the loot they heard a roar off in jungle and quickly made plans to leave. Before they could do so, they were waylaid by a troupe of zombies who rushed the ruined fortification. They fended off the zombies while a large Zombie Tyrex (T-Rex) stalked in the jungle around the encampment. The Tyrex made his move when Crow exposed himself to a set of double doors and attempted to have a little snack, unsuccessful the Tyrex stalked back into the Jungle and disappeared.

The crew opened the wooden chest and found it had a shrunken skull in it. When Mordecai touched the head he received a vision of a powerful archmage sacrificing his life to defeat the Hags. He put his essence in the head to be used as a weapon against them someday.

After waiting a while and resting, the crew made their escape to the ship but were ambushed by more zombies slowing them down. The Tyrex chose to attack now that his prey were in the open. With a vicious snap of his massive jaw, he went after Liam who was holding the box with the skull. He severely wounded Liam leaving a tooth stuck in his skull. After a deadly fight on open ground with the Tyrex, Brachus finally managed to pierce his thick hide and sever his heart. As the menevolant spirit of the Tyrex left his rotting body, a greenish black smoke filled the air. In this cloud of vapors the crew heard the screams of three women and the rotted and evil faces of the Hags glaring down with pure hatred.

Loaded down with loot and some mysterious artifacts…what will the heroes do next?

Rodrigo

March 29, 1571

Dearest Abuela,

The Epistle of James was our favorite, and I retreat to it in times of need. I am reminded of Chapter 1 verse 22-24

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Abuela, Saint James is always a comfort to me in these days, and I listen. The man in rags is exalted, and the rich man made low. Cardinal Torres in his fine silks should open the Epistle of James every now and then, but he has long since stopped listening. A pity.

Because he is beset by men of energy and deception. The Englishman Hawkins is one of them. You told me that Englishmen were never to be trusted, and I saw that first hand. I was ambushed, nee, nearly assassinated, when luck would have it, Hawkins was there to retrieve my fate. What a coincidence. Unfortunately for Hawkins, it is a trite and well worn tactic of the real Inquisition to set up a false savior, a friend, to try and pull one his way. Hawkins could have warned me of the upcoming attack at any time, except that he wanted it to happen, to “save” me. Again, I am Jesuit, and on my path alone. I will feign trust of this Hawkins, but only to discover his true depravity, to get to the heart of matters.

And Abuela, we fought the undead, including the largest beast I have ever seen out of water. And it was undead. The crab man fought with distinction, as if our Lord walked with him. Perhaps you were right, and more than man has that divine spark. All I know is that the wonders you described are come to pass, and I trust, as you said to me, that there is a way home.

Fr. Rodrigo Salvatore

Liam

Captain’s Log,

Finishing our business in New Madrid, we set out for the yet undisclosed location of Stumpy’s treasure. There was still some obvious trepidation about the whole thing among the crew. Mostly from Daxson, but once we finally got to the island the excitement began to build.

The island was quite interesting. Given it’s geography, I’d say it was an ancient volcano. I’m no expert on such things, though. So take that with a grain of salt. The initial climb proved to be a challenge for a few. If not for Brachus’ willingness to strap old Stumpy to his back, we might have been forced to leave him behind. Good thing we made it work, too. His directions held true and we came to some old ruins where, as promised, rested a buried treasure. Among it all was some shrunken head. According to our magic wielding friends, it’s the head of some ancient master wizard or some such.

Not long after the find, we were in a mess of trouble. Some old undead buggers rushed us. By themselves, they’d be bad enough. But some blasted undead monstrosity was with’em. We fought our way through well enough and made straight for the ship. We didn’t get far before they were back on us. It’s here where my memory gets a little fuzzy. I remember the giant beastie picking me out of the crowd. It was as if he had some personal score to settle. I remember him charging, yelling and spitting all over me, and then the sensation of flying. I had about enough time to note how odd it was he seemed to focus on me and then blacked out when I hit something. Or something hit me. When I came to the fight was over. I’m told Brachus unleashed hell’s furry on the thing and clawed it’s heart right out of it’s chest. All in all it appears the whole crew performed admirably. I’ll be sure to by’em all a round when we next make port. For my part, bravery earned me a fine scar atop my head and one of the blasted beast teeth, which had lodged itself in my skull. I think I’ll make a sword handle or something out of it.

After giving the entire series of events some thought, I believe that bastard of a creature somehow knew I had that bloody shrunken head. The only reason I had it was because I had to take it from Crow. He wouldn’t leave the blasted thing alone and fooling with things like that always leads to trouble. I suppose it’s best I had it. As part of my crew, Crow is my responsibility and I’ll not let his foolishness and lack of discipline kill him before his time. He be a good lad with to much potential to just let him dig his own grave. Though, if I can’t instill some discipline or self control into the lad soon, he’ll be the death of me. Or all of us. Perhaps it’s time I start taking some more stern disciplinary actions with the lad. He’s got to learn the consequences of his actions are more far reaching than he realizes.

Captain McCormic

Adventures of Stumpy Pete, Part 1

Characters:

• Liam: Human Shipmaster from Earth
• Daxson: Doreen treasure diver native
• Rodrigo: Human priest and water Mage from Earth

Date: 4-11-14

XP: 2

Recap:
The crew took some down time at Azy Cay. They revived the unciousous man to find out his name was James Low and just arrived to this world from Earth. He claims his merchant vessel was captured by cruel pirates and they set him adrift in the dingy and somehow he made it over to this side. After some rest and healing and decides to lay low in Azy Cay and offers to pay the crew who refuses. He pledges to return the favor one day.

While relaxing in the Shipwreck Surprise the crew is approached by a dual peg legged older pirate named Stumpy Pete. Old Stumpy tells them a tale of hidden treasure on an isolated islands in the far north in return for half of the booty. His old crew found the treasure years ago but unfortunately wrecked off the coast of Azy Cay leaving poor Stumpy with no means to reclaim it. The crew accepts his offer and set sail. While leaving they discover that Annie Mason wants to stay at Azy Cay under the protection of Azy herself.

The crew heads North hugging the coastline of Perck buying and selling merchandise in Swindon and then heading to Bristo. They don’t stay long in either city, just stopping long enough to buy and sell. With a ship full of lumber they head directly North to New Madrid.

On their voyage they run across an inspection blockade by none other than Admiral Duckworth. While finding their cargo legitimate he chastises Liam for not flying the proper flags nor vessel registration and fines the crew but lets them proceed. The ship makes it to New Madrid with no further delay and sells their cargo for a hefty profit.

Once in town Father Rodrigo attends mass and seeks an audience with the Cardinal Torres. He requests to re-establish his Jesuit Order in this world and the Cardinal declines. He is worried that there will be too much religious fervor which started the dreaded Spanish Inquisition on Earth. He admonished Father Rodrigo to be more open minded and inclusive of the locals and their faith, not something the Father takes happily

Meanwhile, Daxon learns of the New Madrid Fencing Academy lead by a dashing duelist Julio Ramirez. Seeking training he is challenged to a friendly competition by Julio and Daxson manages to best the master and earn his respect. Afterwards while talking with Daxon, Julio is informed that one of his students, Noez, has vowed the death of their rival school’s master Martinez and is heading to his school. Julio requests that the crew try to catch up with Noez while he gathers the rest of his students to help.

The crew takes off in a back alley chase to catch Noez and barely catch him in time before he invades the rival school and starts a deadly fight. Unfortunately Noez does not know any of the crew and immediately begins to attack them with the help of his two friends. After a bitter battle in the streets the crew manages to put down Noez using non-lethal means and stop the violence.
Ramirez is very grateful and offers heavily discounted training to the heros as a reward(one dice type in Fighting).

They must spend a week training so it appears like the crew will be spending more time in New Madrid then they had planned…

Daxson’s Thoughts

Well we have picked up another straggler. Not much came of the last one, but the allegedly retired pirate Stumpy Pete might hold more in store for our crew than we have bargained for. To be sure, he tells a good tale of unimaginable lost treasure, but did we get the whole of it?

Certainly there is plenty of riches to be had out there if you know where to look, and the Whips are a likely place. But he is the only one who knows of this hidden king’s ransom? And he offers half the prize to a crew who just walked in the door if we but take him to it? What more would we find besides treasure?

Liam, of course, is all in. I have done my best to find any corroboration, but how can I go about sussing any details without letting the fish out the net? Needless to say, we have thrown caution to the wind in favor of unimaginable riches. Quite par for the course really – I am pretty sure that means the normal, Liam says it comes from a gentlemen’s game in his homeland. Someday we will play this game and be the gentlemen of Caribdus. Won’t that be the day.

Despite my misgivings, we have had the winds at our back and clear seas ahead. The wind mage has sped our journey and we have had a good run of success in trading legal goods, just right, since we were boarded by the Admiral Nelson Duckworth in all his imminence. We escaped with a small fine, but who gives this visitor the right to tell a Caribdun what flag he should fly? These privateers, they are no better than pirates, as if their precious marque gives them absolute power. Nevertheless we were not hindered in completing our journey to New Madrid.

I am excited to become a pupil of master Julio Ramirez at his renowned fencing academy. I have acquitted myself well in his eyes. My father would be proud of me. Even more he would be proud that Captain Liam has named me First Mate of the Jonas. I have much to learn about running a ship from him. I will do my best to help him navigate this world to which he is a visitor. And I will not set his ship on fire.

Father Rodrigo

Dear Abuela,

This week, I am reminded of the parable of the Faithful Servant:

“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”
Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?”
The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
— Luke 12:35-48

I saw Nueva Madrid. I saw a pretty cathedral. I saw Bishop Iago Torres dressed in silk, while I smelled of fish and hemp. I saw no good works. No sick. No ministry. Just an empty house.

I asked the Bishop to confirm my Order, suspecting the answer. But I did not need his authority or confirmation. When I stood before His Excellency Pope Pius V some 16 years ago, he asked me what I would be if all my Order was slain, and I alone remained. I answered “I would be Jesuit.” And I am.

Fr. Rodrigo Salvatore
March 22, 1571

Liam

Captain’s log,

Things have gone rather well for us these past few weeks.  Azy Cay turned out to be a pleasant stop.  Azy and her crew seem to be making an honest go at building a respectable community on that island.  And it’s a good spot, if you ask me.  Nice weather, a beautiful beech, and it could serve well as a stopping point for trade vessels heading up the coast.  Annie liked it enough she decided to stay.  She was a pretty lass, but she doesn’t hold a candle to my Jane.  Oh, I miss her dearly.  Lord willing, I’ll she her again.  If not this life, then the next for sure.

While it was nice to relax on the beech a bit, it was rather dull.  Till I met a fella calling himself Stumpy Pete.  A bit on the nose with him wobbling about on two peg legs and all, but I’ll not judge the man for it.  He claimed to know the location of a hoard of treasure.  Daxson thinks the man’s off his head, but he’s always been a cautious one.  I took stumpy’s offer to split the treasure, anyway.  I’ve got no doubt we can handle what comes.  Besides, no adventure or true gain was ever had without risk.  Just look to the colonies for proof.

We had clear skies and strong winds all the way to New Madrid.  Some fantastic sailing that was.  If not for being stopped by the Admiral, it would have been a perfect voyage.  He wasn’t nearly as intimidating as rumor would claim.  Plenty pompous, but the admiralty usually is.

New Madrid is pretty much what I expected.  Very Spanish.  Very Catholic.  Our priest didn’t seem to happy about some meetin he had with a church official.  He kept his head, though.  Of all people, Daxson was the one to find us a bit a trouble.  He had us chasing some hot headed youth we didn’t know from Adam through the streets.  Nearly got himself killed in the process.  And this happens shortly after I make him First Mate.  I guess even the cautious of us can be reckless at times.  I didn’t know he had it in him, to be honest.  This little event was a prime example of the no gain without risk, however.  Some sword master is giving us lessons for practically no cost thanks to our efforts.  Hmm.  I’ll have to be sure to point that out to Daxson.

Captain McCormic

Fun at Brigandy Bay

Characters:

• Mordecai: Human Air Mage Puritan from Earth
• Liam: Human Shipmaster from Earth
• Barchus: Scurillian merchant and Super native
• Daxson: Doreen treasure diver native
• Crow: Atani sharpshooter native
• Rodrigo: Human priest and water Mage from Earth

Date: 3-28-14

XP: 2

Recap:

The crew set sail for Brigandy Bay and made good time with only one Razor Wing attack on their journey which was quickly dealt with.

After arrival, the crew set about looking for work and repairing their ship. While looking for work the crew met Sarick the scurillian black market trader and information broker. He took a liking to the crew, particularly Brachus, and managed to get them an opium smuggling job to Azy Cay.

Meanwhile Father Rodrigo set up a soup kitchen and healing center in the middle of town. This surprisingly earned the liking of some of the locals but drew some friction from the local street gang the Brigandy Bay Wharf Snakes.

Crow spent some time scouting the docks for an easy vessel to “acquire” and through his aerial acrobatics earned the trust of a recently arrived pirate crew. He watched their movements and security while pretending to want to join their crew as a sharpshooter and border.

While in the The Black Queen waiting for Sarick; Daxson and Liam ran across a girl named Annie Mason who was forced into working as a prostitute at the Black Queen. She offered money if they could secure her freedom.

Once the smuggling operation was solidified, the ship repaired and stocked with provisions, the crew decided they would help Annie. To create a distraction Annie smashed Father Rodrigo over the head with a mug of ale and accused him of “touching her without paying”. This lead to an altercation with the bouncers and kicked off a bar fight. In the confusion Annie slipped away and the rest of the crew were able to slip out after a few well placed bribes.

While sailing to Azy Cay their ship crossed paths with dingy adrift with an unconscious sailor aboard. The crew took the sailor aboard and delivered their goods to Azy herself and were paid handsomely for their trouble.

Thoughts from the Crew

Brachus :

Saricks. Now that was a name that Brachus hadn’t heard in a long time. Brachus would be lying if he said that he “knew” Saricks, after all, Scurillians don’t really “know” anybody… they more… tolerate them. Even by Scurillian standards, Saricks had a reputation for being unpleasant, even to his own kind. It was unsurprising that Brachus would find Saricks in a place like Brigandy Bay.

Brachus didn’t know much about Saricks, but he knew about the scar. He had seen it once before, and the thought of it made him shudder. A scar that deep, to withstand years… maybe decades… of molting cycles would have almost surely have been fatal. Brachus had heard rumors that it was only through some mix of magic and religious ritual that had kept him alive. Maybe keeping the mysterious water priest around wasn’t such a bad idea. Brachus would make a note to make sure Fr. Rodrigo s shares were paid out in a timely fashion.
What really intrigued Brachus the most about Saricks was that if anybody might have information regarding the lost goods from “FSIE Company’s” final trade run, it would be him. Brachus was very interested in establishing a business relationship with this shady Scurillian.

From Brachus’ travel log:

Crow may be the death of me… Crow may be the death of us all. This rag-tag group of “sailors”, with one 7 day voyage in a crippled skiff, is going commandeer a frigate and sail the high seas? This kid is going to get us all killed.

Fortunately, I was able to convince the rest of the group that we needed to hear out Saricks about his offer. For all of our sakes, I hope this offer is worthwhile, I am not interested in becoming a pirate… even with the goal of obtaining a retroactive letter of marque.
I’m a businesscrab, I believe I can convince at least the water priest and possibly Mordecai that nothing good will come from stealing that frigate.

Saricks came through. $4,000 for a 4 day smuggling run to Azy Cay is better than I hoped for. I was able to convince the rest of the group that this was a best-case scenario for our plans, long-term. Fortunately, most of them seem to be motivated by money… if only to give it away to the poor. These Earth clergy will always be a mystery.
This will hopefully be the start of an ongoing business relationship and Saricks and I can get some word about my missing items. Judging by all of those trinkets, nick-nacks and collectibles in his office, he has to know something about where that crate is… or at least where it went.

 Daxson

We’ve only been together for a little over a week and we’re already on the verge of becoming pirates. I’m not sure how I was even considering that fool’s errand. Why does stuff like this always happen when Liam is in charge?

I’m glad we got in good with Sarick. He’s not a particularly likeable fellow (do you call a crab-man a fellow? maybe I’ll ask Brachus… or maybe not), but he’s powerful and will be a useful ally. I need to remember to bring him something for his collection next time we are headed that way. Smuggling may not be the most respectable work, but it is better than stealing. Brachus says it was a good deal. I hope our involvement in Ms. Mason’s escape doesn’t become known – that could make things interesting on our return to Brigandy Bay – but it was the right thing to do.

Could this ragtag bunch get any more sketchy? It will be interesting to see what comes of the man in the dinghy.

Liam

We made it to Brigandy Bay in one piece an’ nearly got ourselves into a world of trouble. I sent Crow to scout things oot an’ learn woot he could aboot the otha ships. He came back so eaga an’ confident aboot a ship we could take. I got a little sweep’d up in it for a moment, meself. Right as rain, Brachus’ old friend came throogh and we took to smugglin for pirates instead is stealin from’em. I cannae say it be the ideal job. But keepin our heads a bit longa is always good. That bein said, I gotsta reconsida my choice fur first mate. Crows eaganess’ll bring more trouble than help, unfortunately. I’ll keep an eye on Daxson. He’s got a good a heed on those shouldas and we just might be needin such a thing.

I cannae forget to mention the joke that turned inta a rescue. A slave wench I hired for Daxson asked for help gettin ta freedom and we abliged. Oh! I’ve gotsta mention that she was from earth aft the war. We won! Brachus an’ Daxson dannae look to happy with me buyin drinks fur everyone when heard the good news. Not worry. I’ll make it back.

Hmm. I suppose freeing a slave counts as stealin from them pirates after all.

Mordecai

Some things nev’r changeth.

I surveyed the port. Brigandy Bay wast a rat’s nest of scum and villainy. Only the thin veneer of restraint from the local codes kept its seedy populace from unsheathing fell blades in an orgy of blood and treachery. They hath said I’d groweth accustomed to the Pirate ports, but I nev’r didst. Too much Puritan piety ranneth through mine veins.

I wondered. Wast this crew I’d fallen in with worthy of mine cause?

Those gents spake casually about, peradventure, becoming pirates. I’d spent seven years of dread service aboard the The Crimson Squid, a pirate boat. I recalled the bite of the cruel task-masters whip. Recalled the drunken breath of the Pirate Captain Cragtooh Targ who for those seven long years hath kept me a slave while he raped and pillaged his way across Caribdus.

To becometh a Whale Hunter or a Merchant? Aye. To becometh a Privateer with a commission to hunt down these foul Pirates? Gladly.

To betray mine Puritan beliefs and actually becometh a Pirate?

Nev’r.

But there wast some hope of virtue in mine companions. I bethought of this a while wandering the city and happened upon Father Rodrigo. He wast setting up a soup kitchen and healing center in the middle of town. I hath said little, but in mine heart I admired that gent and his works.

And then as we setteth sail after a mission from the creature named Sarick, delivering the poor wench Annie Mason from her woe as a prostitute. Though the lady hadst hath given wage, we ignored it and secured that lady her freedom without charge.

Peradventure thither wast desire of virtue in mine companions. But would it beest enough?

I satteth at the dock and dipped the end of mine boot in the water. I bethought of the revelation that the water wast rising world wide. I was not sure mine companions felt the rising sense of urgency I didst. Evil would not willingly square evil. Only men of virtue would be up for the task. There wast a most wondrous evil in this world, and its unending, rising tide would destroy us all.

Unless we destroyed it first.

Rodrigo

Dearest Abuela,

Sin comes not all at once, but by degree. It comes in the form of best intentions, in exigency, in excuses. I am surrounded by this insidiousness on a daily basis, and no charitable acts seem to be able to correct this downward spiral.

The gang that I have fallen into, for what else can I call it, wishes so desperately to thieve, murder and pillage their way through this accursed land. They visit dens of ill repute, and revel in its dirt and tawdry nature. I tried my best to balance the scales by healing and feeding as many of the sinners who inhabit this purgatory. But like digging a hole in sand, more fill up the hole no matter how hard I dig.

I healed hundreds and they still came. Little children whose mothers worked as prostitutes. Girlfriends of murderers and brigands. Everything seems to be relative here. A common refrain being “at least we didn’t murder them,” as if that was a viable option.

Lastly, we saved one fallen girl, and Irish women by the name of Annie Mason. She tried to pay us for doing what we were bound to do, but I wouldn’t have it. Most of the others in the gang supported me in this. Is that one more tug that the devil pulls at me to keep me in the company of thieves? I use the excuse that I am helping them find the path to the Lord, that I am having a good affect on them. But maybe that is the Devil’s trick to pull me down.

And finally Abuela, Annie Mason had every right to hit me on the head with that bottle. For although I did not do as she said in her ruse to escape, I thought it, God help me.

Fr. Rodrigo Salvatore

Adventures of the Crow: Episode 2

Our ship, the Jonas, if you can call it a ship, we have named to honor the dead Captain. If it’s that last thing I do, at least we honor that great man. Day’s pass as we traveled from that island, I have tied myself atop the mast and find comfort there, since there was no crow’s nest on this vessel. As we approached Brigandy Bay, I was day dreaming about the time on the island when I was 7 years old. I was running from the black wolves, my heart pumping, blood rushing through my veins as I jump to try to go aloft and lift myself above their sharp piercing teeth….

Then snapped back in the present, I look in the distance and see movement coming towards our Ship, the precious Jonas…. O no, it’s Razor Wings… Those foul creatures, they can tear the sails and the crew apart… I call down to Captain Liam, “Alarm, Alarm, Razor Wings off the Bow”. I draw my bow (made from the trees of Torath Ka), I steady my breathing, focus my eyes, almost sensing the blood in the lead Razor Claw and then release. My arrow strikes true right in his eye and kills the largest and lead Razor Wing. The flock splits in two, they now seem to charge even faster. I am deeply concerned for the crew. I must protect them…. No more will die under my protection…

As I dive towards the deck, I see Mordecai, the wind mage, raise his hands and a mighty wind buffets these creatures driving many into the water. Then Rodrigo, the water mage, opens his palms and water pulses out to punish the razor wings. O what power these Wizards bring to our ship, like the power wielded by the Red Men on the Island of Torath Ka. They are mighty, a power I hope to have one day.. I have much to learn, I will watch, I will learn… Then silence fills the air, all the Razor Wings are dead, Magic has killed them all. Their blood no longer pulses in their veins. .. I wonder if these mages can wield the power over life and death? Can they bring back all that have died in my past? That is something to explore indeed.

We gather ourselves and Captain Liam orders us to dock in Brigandy Bay. As we dock, I ask the Captain “Should we get a new ship?” I wink to the Captain. He says to scout for a vessel, but not to act without speaking to him first. I head off in delight, excited to find our prey. Which ship should be ours? Which ship will be named the Jonas to honor the Captain? I will prove myself to this crew, I am a man, not a boy. I can kill, I can conquer, I can destroy and be powerful just like the wind and water mages. I may not wield magic yet, but I am cunning. I can serve the captain. They will see, Crow can be very useful, Crow is a man.

The others have entered the port, while I stalk my prey… I see multiple ships, but then I see our Ship, our prize.. The vessel that WE need, that WE deserve. After all, the law of the jungle if you can take it, it’s yours… This ship is a nice frigate, she has sweet lines. Plus the crew is light, only 10 men on the decks (5 sleeping). The others are drinking.. They don’t know how to protect their prize, these fools will be easily parted from OUR ship. I approach and joke with the crew, they treat me like an animal, “Do a trick” “Can you fly” “How high can you fly bat boy”.. Then one bets me “10 pieces of eight” if I can fly up and around. I take his bet, to make them like me, then fueled with anger and rage, I fly higher than I ever have flown. Maybe that’s the secret, focus on the anger on the cruelty of others. It lifted me up.. It was beautiful…

After that amazing flight, they offered me their ale, they asked if I could fight. I actually started to like my prey.. I shouldn’t do that.. I need to keep my focus.. But I pretend to like them, I join their crew so I can get closer and learn more. They tell me they like their captain, I was hoping they didn’t a mutiny would be easier. They tell me they attacked a fishing boat, they tell me the captain will be drinking and carousing in the port for at least 3 more days… It’s perfect, the plan is in motion, I have the information we need to take OUR ship. Captain Liam will be so proud, we can call this mighty vessel the Jonas, a much more fitting ship to honor the dead Captain. All of the crew will be so proud.. I have found the prey, all I need is word from the captain to kill those on it and capture OUR ship… A warmth fills my beating heart, the blood coursing in my veins. It feels warm and comforting, it feels good. I am worthy, I am a man….

The next day, I find Captain Liam. I tell him of the prize. I am excited, then we tell the rest of the crew. Strange, they are NOT excited that we can take OUR ship from these ruthless men. After all they have killed fishermen, but to my dismay they seem to not want to take this prize. We are the predators not the prey, we are the strong, we should be able to take our ship. They speak of rules for pirates, of money from this port. That we don’t want to break some rules… I don’t understand… They tell me we are NOT taking the prize, instead they want to take a woman and transport some cargo.. Finally, I see the woman, as she strikes one of our crew with a mug. I am confused, but I feel the blood coursing in my veins and I jump in the fray. Swinging my fists and joining in the bar fight, this is fun. Then Captain Liam try’s to grab me, I playfully slip under his arm and kick a drunk sailor.. I think about picking his pocket, but from the glare from Captain Liam, I realize that may not be a good idea and I slip out with my Captain.

We rush to the ship and board, loading this woman and our cargo, we head off for a distance port…

Days pass then I spot from my elevated position, a man on a raft. I cover him with my bow as Daxson, the newest crew member, swims up to the raft. The man seems to have been stranded, he has a gun but no balls or gunpowder. Strange, I am curious, who is he, what did he do, what does he know? The as a crew we decide to bring him on the ship.

We dock in Azy Cay, we trade our goods and decide to drop off the girl. She offered to pay us pieces of eight, and our crew decides NOT to take it. Why? I don’t understand? If we transported a cow for money, we would be paid, if we transported a noble man for pay, we would be paid, if we transported an ugly hag we would have been paid, we just transported cargo and WE WERE PAID. This beautiful woman has ensorcelled these men, they did not take her pieces of eight over my protest. I don’t understand these rules of civilized men. I must learn more… I must learn to read, I must gain power, I must gain knowledge… I think these men can help me…

I can only think what adventure lies next…..

All Images from the book 50 Fathoms