To the Open Sea

[Baron Mordo]

The world of Oceteris is largely water, with many islands and archipelagos scattered across its watery surface. There are many things that are unknown about this place, for much of it remains unexplored and possibly unpopulated. But, there is one region of it which does have life and it teems with many races and creeds.

At the center of this place lies a massive island which from the sea appears to be mostly cliff. Here lies the Kingdom of Rockwall, a place of rolling farms, moutains criss-crossed with mines, and massive orchards. Only in three points do the cliffs subside and there can be found ports. Last Rest: Home of the King, Port Tyre: A small port more famous for the abundant fishing shoals nearby, and Figgin's Lament: A fortified town, it is the favored path to the island proper for Pirate raiders.

The King of Rockwall, Gorgas the III rules from Last Rest and he keeps the sea-lanes around his island home safe through the loyal services of the Pirate Hunters. These brave men and women sail the ocean protecting the kingdom and the Freesailors of Rockwall from the depredations of the Pirate's Cabal.

To west of Rockwall lies the archipelago of the Pirate's Cabal. This band of islands loops back in on itself and seems to form the shape of a skull from the air. There are six major islands here, five of them ruled by a pirate Chieftan. The sixth, which lies in the center is the home of the Hall of Blood. Here the pirate chieftans meet and discuss their plans for Rockwall as well as plan bloody war on each other.

The northern main island is held by Kragom, an Orc both mean and cruel. To the west of the hall lies Derk Bloodfist's island, a human known for the treachery in his heart. To the southwest, lies Paulina's realm, an elven woman known for her beauty and her savagery. To the east lies the land of Gunthor, oldest and wealthiest of the chieftans, he was the last pirate to land and sack the city of Last Rest, his days are believed to be numbered due to his age. Finally, to the southeast lies the island of Pork the Worrisome, the only goblin to have ever achieved the standing of a chieftan of pirates, said to be both cunning and cowardly.

To the southest of Rockwall lies a chain of variously sized islands. Here lies the realm of the Freebooters, a place where ones word stands for all they are and own. The people here are seen as free spirited and somewhat anarchic. At the closest point to Rockwall lies the island of Cloos, where the Freebooter clans will meet when there is business to be done on a grand scale or action must be taken by all. Their goverment is run by the ship captains, a captains vote based on the number of vessels sworn to their name.

And finally, The Lost, those hearty souls and desperate peoples whose exsistence is seen as a bane to all who live under a proper goverment. Their islands are numerous and scattered all over the area. They have no central goverment, no power beyond what an island or a captain can seize for themselves. And yet, the majority of these people would not give up what little they had to be no longer independent on their own. A nation of those who wish that none will have dominion over them.

It is a land of many races, Orcs, Goblins, Mermen and Mermaids, Ogres, Humans, Elves, Gnomes, and Dwarves. It is land where science and magic live side by side every day. Where it is not unusual to see a person use magic to light a fire, or to see a company of sailors testing out a new cannon on their vessel. A place where the gods are feared and respected, and can take an active role in the lives of those that they favor.

Most importantly, it is a place where a person can go forth from their home, see new horizons, and make their own destiny by their wits and skills.

 

[Baron Mordo]

Rufus Ironoak

He stands at the rear of his ship, near the helmsman Crattax, who guides the ship with the ease born of long practice. He watches his crew, his people, go about their tasks with an air of vague uneasiness. And he understands why, for the same feeling sits like a ball of lead in his own guts. But all aboard understood why they have gone forth for this duty. Their island has fallen on hard times and the harvest was very bad this time around due to the large volumes of rain that had lashed the island. So as the one person with a vessel that could make the long voyage with a crew handpicked from the island, they had gone forth looking for gold to buy their loved ones food.

He is not a tall man, his visage weathered from years in the sun and spray of the sea. He is missing his left eye, the socket covered by patch of black leather. The livid scar bearing not so mute attestment to his encounter with a pirate corsair back in his past. He sports a green overcoat, underwhich he wears a rough cotton shirt and a sash of blue over his once white pants which are shoved into boots of cracked brown leather. Laslty, his hair black hair is streaked with silver as are his mustache and goatee. His name is Rufus Ironoak, and he is captain of the Blood Anne, and they are sailing southeast towards the islands of the Freebooters.

Looking over his crew he spotted his First Mate talking with the ships cook and called out to her, "Oy! Tori, I will be needing your advice here in a moment".

 

[AmenRa]

Commander Ian Cain stepped upon the planks of The Dauntless's helm. He looked around and placed his hands on hips, cocking his head back to look up towards the ship's masts. There was a light wind blowing across the harbor that carried the sounds of his crew across the foredeck. The crew had rigged both masts, the sails rolled well. Commander Cain, Captain of The Dauntless, was nodding his head in approval.

"All provisioned, Cap'n," the first mate said. Commander Cain turned to the old sea dog. As was tradition in His Majesty's Navy, the First Mate of a vessel was the senior enlisted man. It was said that although the captain ran the ship, it was the first mate's ship. Rahlly was indeed a senior chief, and had sailed under many captains. He was a short, stout man, with grayed hair and kind eyes. The other junior officers aboard Dauntless had already heard the sea stories of Rahlly, and looked to him for wisdom. Cain knew his crew was in good hands.

Cain took the offerred parchment from Rahlly. He scanned it quickly.

"What of the orc?" Cain asked.

"Aye," Rahlly replied, "took him to the Quatermaster as you ordered, sir. Seems the fellow tied a few knots, and the Shipmaster snatched him up. Reckon he's on the foredeck."

Cain nodded his head. He took one long look around his ship. "Single up, Chief."

"Aye, Cap'n," Rahlly replied. He then cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Single up all lines!" The crew moved swiftly, untying the heavy ropes that moored Dauntless to the wooden dock. Rahlly watched them finish, and then turned to Cain.

"Moorings cleared, sir," he stated.

A slight smile came to Cain's mouth as he gave the next order: "Make sail!"

"You heard him you scurvy bastards!" Rahlly yelled. "Raise the foresail!"

Cain was pleased. The crew moved quickly. The sound of the foresail unfurling and raising cut sharply across the clear morning. The sail hung smartly with a 'pop'.

Commander Cain spoke to the helmsman next. "Take us out," he said to the crewmate.

Dauntless moved away from the dock, making her way slowly from the harbor of the port of Last Rest.

"Where we headed, sir?" Rahlly asked.

"To the islands of the Freebooters," Cain answered. "We've no whereabouts for any pirates as of yet. So, we look for those that do know."

 

[Vixandra]

Tori Orion

I looked up from speaking with the Cook, a rather short man, about what we were going to do with that half a cow we just "aquired" when my captain called for me. After settling down a final few notes with the cook, like well done is not a proper way to prepair a steak, I wandered over to my captain.

Barefeet were silent across the decks as I walked, feeling the ship as she took one wave after another on this beautifully calm day. Rolled up around mid calf, my sun faded cotton pants were once a vibrant blue, now they're a sky blue much like my billowy shirt, held in place by a formfitting vest made of the same black leather the belts that criss-cross my hips is crafted from. Those belts hold both my short swords and have attatchments to hold my pistols as well. Sadly, the pistols don't weather the water well, so I don't wear them constantly.

Deep crimson hair tried to escape my braids as I came to stand beside the captian, blue eyes inquisitive. "What do you need, Ironoak?"

 

[Allyriane]

Allie emerged from the Great Cabin, looking greener than the island waters beneath the Amarante. She had been drinking with the officers till the wee hours of the morning until finally, someone had the sense to knock her over the head and drag her to bed. Captain Devaux swayed as she looked around at the deserted quarterdeck. Farther along the ship, sailors who had received the worst shift of the day (early in the morning, that was) polished and scrubbed the deck, repaired sails or…she could already tell that a couple sailors had made the most out of their watch time – they were sleeping spread-eagled on the deck. One had a mop on his face.

“Ugh.” She rearranged the tricorn hat on her head so that the silly tricolore cockade, the symbol of revolutionary France, displayed the last of all its faded splendour. “Get up, boys, or go for a swim.” The waters around them were, in fact, home to quite a few creatures. Allie was completely sure that more than half those species were carnivorous. She also made sure that her crew was aware of that fact.

The Amarante had been spending the last month and a half around the Freebooter islands. A trade here and there…drill, general refurbishing of the ship, rebuilding stock, et cetera had occupied the crew. And the meeting at Cloos had taken little more than a week, where Allie had successfully created alliances and trade deals with eleven other vessels and renewed relationships with two others. The meeting was attended by more than a hundred captains. Coconut meat was the popular refreshment – and that was what Allie missed most. A member of twenty-six pirate trading rings, the Amarante was now quite fit for its true purpose – not simply robbing ships, but taking them as prizes back to the islands.

Allie attempted to ignore the awful pounding in her head that reminded her exactly of how the Royal Navy beat their men to quarters. With drums. How awfully uncreative…

Allie Devaux stumbled back to the quarterdeck, fiddling with her silver pistol – attempting to remove dirty fingerprints, but only succeeding in putting more on the thing. As she replaced the weapon back in her belt, she looked up to notice a couple of specks on the horizon. Rubbing her eyes again to check, and then taking off her hat and shielding her face against the glare from the rising sun, Allie then yelled, “YOU AWAKE UP THERE?”, whereby she turned her eyes to the Crow’s Nest, where a bit of commotion resulted, as the sailor on watch at the top awoke and then, dropped his hat. Allie followed its fall with her eyes. As it landed in the emerald ocean, Allie wrinkled her nose. “GOOD MORNING TO YEH.” She added with more than a small hint of annoyance.

A feeble, “’Morning, Ma’am.” Was the reply.

She pointed out at the speck on the horizon. “See that?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Know what it is?”

“No, Ma’am.”

“Find out for me, eh?” She glanced at the navigator. “Two points South. We’re going to meet ‘im. Or…” She pulled out a spyglass and smirked. A second ship. “Them.”

Allie dallied on deck for a moment longer before disappearing down into her cabin again. “In Avena’s name, what luck...”, she shook her head before stopping abruptly. The pulsing in her head grew in intensity and she groaned, putting a hand on her forehead. She opened a locked cabinet with shaking hands, attempted to measure a small amount of laudanum to shut the drum in her head up, and took the ceremonial sword from the stand.

“JAMES!” She shouted from the cabin, and then rose to the deck again. “James! Get them up. Everyone has to be ready! How many are ill? Two? Three?” She asked even as she made her way towards where the pirates all lay half-asleep in their hammocks. Lazy little…

”RISE AND SHINE, CUPCAKES!” There was no humour in Allie’s voice. To ensure that her orders carried through, she began cutting the hammock strings (the strings used to hold a hammock up) so that they hit the ground like sacks of potatoes. “LAST ONE UP’LL SEW THESE UP PROPER!” She continued slicing through the hammocks before striding back up the stairs and sliding the dagger back into its place under her shirt.

“Here we go.” She murmured, taking the spyglass again to check the two nearing ships.

 

[Baron Mordo]

Ironoak

He looked at his First Mate as she came over after finishing her business with Cook. She was good at he work and one day would have her own ship, soon too if he was a good judge of people. We she drew even with him and said "What do you need, Ironoak?" he nodded his head and replied "Were probably only a day or twos sail from Cloos, I was considering pressing on instead of landing on an island to top up the water casks. What are your thoughts on that?"

Ironoak was not a man to ignore the advice or wisdom of others if they had proved themselves capable and Tori had many a time including saving his life a few of those. Of course, most of the crew had saved one anothers lives at some point, but he always repaid a debt of honor like that.

 

[Miguelito Breathstealer]

All thumbs on deck

"What of the orc?" Cain asked.

"Aye," Rahlly replied, "took him to the Quatermaster as you ordered, sir. Seems the fellow tied a few knots, and the Shipmaster snatched him up. Reckon he's on the foredeck."

Cain nodded his head. He took one long look around his ship. "Single up, Chief."

Tobi had not lied when he said he'd worked on a ship before. But he had never been on a vessel of this size, and the two times he had traveled on open ocean before he was accompanied by those close enough to know him, people who didn't trust him to handle the sailing for fear he would intentionally sink and drown them all. The closest he had come to the rigging was when the captain threatened to hang him from it and then put a brawny bow to his ear.

The fortunate thing about a new place was a new first impression. He had resolved his ambitions in his own world and had no intention of taking on new baggage. He just had to blend in. So he decided to go back to his old time fall back possition, quiet humble obedience. When the Shipmaster directed him to tie a few knots, he silently thanked his time childhood among the elves for their thoroughness in his hunters training. Apparently there were uses after all for all those seemingly useless knots and they all had to do with being aboard ship.

His bunk was little more than a shelf lined with canvas, and he had to lean on his locker to force all his gear within, but it was clean, and that's what Tobi favored most, a clean place. He weighed only a moment before deciding to leave his mace below deck. The old spirit within hadn't spoken to him since they left its homeworld, but instead had been sending a steady feeling of disapproval. The weapon was obviously nervously anticipating Tobi's next betrayal, and fearing the consequences to itself. The thought put a giddy smile on his face.

After a few handshakes and introductions, Tobi was already had a count of who was ready to accept an orc, who would just glare from afar, and who would start something later. He tightened his black belt and stretched to casually show his might to those who cared to notice. He was no weak man to begin with, but he knew his belt made him twice the match of anyone here. As he fell in step with the sailors, he tried to hold back enough to just keep up with the average hand, and not break to much of a sweat, but while he had strength, he lacked the endurance that his fellows had repetition after repetition, and soon found himself exerting more and more to compensate.

He seemed to have attracted the attention of one seasoned sailor named Gerrod. Not a kind man, but clearly sensible enough to know that an untrained hand is a danger to everyone, he occationally shouted guidance at Tobi and helped him more then once from getting himself tied up and pulled into the rigging. Tobi would have to thank this man when the time came, perhaps with a little secret magic. For now a grateful smile and nod would have to suffice.

When they had cleared the harbor and raised the sail in place, Tobi stole a moment to catch his breath and watch the water cut before the ship. The perfect blue of the ocean reflected in the color of his eyes. He let a grin grace his face once more as he thought about what Gurzak, his mace would be telling him. "Tobi, no, it is not right for our kind to cross the water. It is the role of our people to be the eaters, not be eaten. Do you not understand that the waters will swallow us whole?" He could feel the sentiment confeirmed through their tenuous connection.

His laughter apparently startled several of the crew as he returned to his post and fell back into step.

 

[Vixandra]

Tori

"I think we'll be fine, but let me check the stores first," I said, mentally sighing. If we weren't stopping to restock on water, I couldn't go swimming. There was no way I could swim as fast as the boat under winds as nifty as these.

I darted below decks to the water stores and started thumping the great barrels we used for holding drinkable water. We had enough to make it to Cloos, barely. With a shrug I darted back above decks, weaving between my fellow sailors with a good morning or a you look like hell, its an improvement, as warrented.

Back on the helm once more, I said, "We'll make Cloos if we're careful with water stores and don't get delayed. Though I feel a storm coming up and we'll be able to take on some water then if we set out the raincatchers."

 

[AmenRa]

The Dauntless sailed under full sails into the evening, when the winds picked up at sunset, and she cut back to half, lest she sway in a current over a shoal.

Dinner had been eaten at the captain's table, and the officers and a few senior enlisted men sat filled as the steward cleared the dishware.

Rahlly looked to Cain, then produced an amber colored jug from beneath the table. "After dinner drink, Cap'n?" he asked.

Commander Cain eyed the jug suspiciously. "Chief, please tell me you did not bring contraband rum aboard my vessel?" he inquired with a half smile.

"Aye, sir," Rahlly said, pulling the cork. "Freebooter's rum indeed." The Shipmaster passed out glasses, and Rahlly poured. Commander Cain raised his glass towards the ceiling, and everyone followed suit.

"To the sea!" Cain toasted. The toast was echoed, and the glasses were drained. Cain grimaced as he sat his glass back upon the linen tablecloth.

"Stuff would make a man swim like a merman," the Shipmaster remarked.

"Aye," Rahlly agreed, "or a mermaid!"

They all laughed at the remark, and then the ship's clerk, a young leutinent on his first cruise got a curious look on his face. "The rum too much for you, lad?" Rahlly asked.

"No," the clerk replied, "it's just that I've never seen a mermaid."

Commander Cain looked solemnly at his empty glass.

"The Cap'n there has a mermaid story for you," Rahlly stated.

Commander Cain looked at Rahlly and raised an eyebrow. Most of the men, who had sailed with him before, knew of this already.

"You've seen one, sir?" the clerk eagerly asked.

Cain nodded his head. "Once," he answered. "Long ago." Cain looked at Rahlly, who only smiled back. The ship's captain then sighed and he began the tale.

"I was navigator aboard the Intrepid, a man o' war commanded by then captain, and now admiral, Rook. We had chased Von Schlocke for three days...."

"The pirate you killed at Thorn Island???" the wide-eyed clerk asked.

Cain nodded. "...until we caught him. As luck, or the intervention of Lagrem would have it, Von Schloke sailed into the Serpent's Current, and it changed, and Von Schloke's ship came to a dead stop. We tacked port, and fired a chain from the starboard foredeck cannon. The shot took out a mast, and then we turned to starboard and let go a broadside. Well, the current changed again, as it does, and our two vessels closed upon each other about dusk. The clouds had been forming that day, and they deemed it appropriate at this time to loose themselves upon us.

"In the smoke of the ensuing boarding, I spotted Von Schloke with a bundle of oil cloth in his arms. He was going over the starboard side of his ship, away from the fight. I took up my rapier and followed. When I reached the rail of the ship, I saw Von Schloke rowing away in a launch. I could just see the bundled oil cloth in the bow of the small boat. I reckoned it was pirated goods, gold, or what have you. I jumped in the water and swam after him.

"See, being a navigator and all, I knew the current had taken us into the shoals and reefs around Thorn Island. I knew Von Schloke was rowing straight into them.

"So, I swam after him. And Von Schloke promptly ran aground on a reef, and I suddenly found I could stand in waist deep water. It was dark, save but the stars, but I climbed onto the reef, produced my rapier, and ordered his surrender in the name of the king. Von Schloke, see, was a dueller, and he carried two small dueling pistols in his belt. He took both of them in hand, aimed them at me, and I heard the hammers fall with loud snaps. But that was all."

"The powder was wet?" the ship's clerk wondered.

"The powder had gotten wet," Cain answered, nodding. "And so, with no further tarry, I thrust my rapier into his heart and Von Schloke fell. And then, I turned to the launch, and thought it best to check the oil cloth. Unwrapping it, I found not gold or jewels, but a mermaid, naked from the waist up, with eyes as blue as sapphire, and hair of spun gold. Her fish scales were dry, and she was weak, without water, and she was dying I knew. So, I took her into my arms and gently layed her in the sea. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw me, she put her arms around me and gave me a kiss. And then she swam away."

"She swam away?!?!" gasped the clerk.

"Like a fish," Cain replied.

 

[Baron Mordo]

Ironaok

Looking at Tori he gave a few moments careful thought and replied "If you feel a storm brewing than it would better for us to make good time to a sheltered cove and lay in for the duration, plus we can replenish stocks then. Roust the crew."

Turning from her he looked at Crattax and said "Head the Anne on a more Easterly course, theres a good island over that way we can make use of for the night."

 

[Vixandra]

Tori

"Aye, aye, Capt'n," I said with a jaunty salute. Turning away, I started yelling as I walked the length of the ship, voice carrying through the timbers as I went. "Look lively, my fellows, we've a storm to weather! Tighten that uprigging, Mister Bira and secure those scrub brushes Miss Duvoi. We've a lovely blow to hit by nightfall and I'll not loose a man nor mast to it!"

Putting actions to words, I climbed up into the riggings, double checking the auxillary ties on some of sails as well as the ropes and grommeting on the ones we were using to catch a wind that grew ever stronger.

With the ease of years of practice, I seemed to slide up the rigging to the main mast's top reef sail and glared at what I saw.
"Capt'n," I shouted down. "Top reef's got a couple of loose grommets and we've not got time to hang a spare. I'll do what I can but shaky grommets loose us sails. Mister Bira- have that monkey of a cabin boy bring me my rigging kit. Move with a purpose, cabin boy, we've got work to do!"

 

[Miguelito Breathstealer]

The First Long Night

He had worked harder in his life, but he was hard pressed to remember when. And to be pressed in so closely with so many other bodies in the shared cabin space was of no rest after having spent so long in the comfort of private suites and neglected catacombs. Tobi hurt all over. He hated to admit it, but he had met his match in the work of a sailor.

Now that the work of the day was over, he was given one hour to himself before he would be attending to the night watch. It was a natural post for him, as his vision was much keener under starlight than during the glare of the day, and would serve much better than human eyes in such conditions. He decided the best way was to repack his locker and take the time to shave. With care he disassembled his pack and adjusted it in place. He moved in practiced silence, both out of repect of the sleeping sailors around him and out of privacy. It would be hard to explain to the crew why a hard up traveler owned such an ornate set of plate armor, nevermind why he was taking such great pains to compact it and hide it. The bulk took up most of the compartment. Fortunately he owned little else of value. Just weapons, a few small charms and his shaving kit.

He gently carressed the light emblem on the side of his canteen and pressed his order into the water sprite bound within. Cool fresh water bubbled forth and filled the small basin set before him. There was no place suitable to prop his mirror -- he would have to hang it when he had more time -- so he closed his eyes and feeled his way smoothing lather accross his face and then gently sweeping it away with his old razor. He silently thanked the rocking of the ship for its help in waking him twice before he splashed and rubbed his face clean.

He decided to be armed for duty this evening. After all, from what he had gathered, they were headed in course to intercept pirates. If he did see anything of note, it wasn't likely to allow him the time to come down here to retrieve a blade. He carefully strapped his sword sheath to hang over his right hip, trying to forget the sequence of events that had brought it into his possession, and trying not to think of the consequences should he be required to use it. He then unpacked his bow and assebled it, placing it in its quiver with the roughly dozen arrows left in his possession. This he placed upon his back. On his left hip, he unceremoniously slipped Gurzak, his old mace into the loop of his belt. With a final inspection of his leathers, he secured locker and made to escape the stale air of the cabin.

A few sidelong glances told him he was making an impression again. He quietly scolded himself while trying to ignore the told-you-so sensation coming from his mace. He found his way before the duty officer and anounced himself ready for watch.

"You hunting pheasant, sailor?"

"Excuse me, sir" Tobi tried to feign misunderstanding. And when the officer repeated his question, he simply replied, "No, sir."

"You sure looky like you're ready to go a huntin'. We're on the ocean, boy. When d'you expect to have to use all that?" He seemed to be waving at Tobi's weaponry.

"I thought it wise to be prepared, sir" He could tell by the look on the man's face, he was taking more than some pleasure from singling out the orc. Tobi guessed he had lost a drow for the night duty and was itching to take it out. Despite the fact that it had been almost a week since his last murder, he decided it was the more prudent course just to take it. "What would you like me to do, sir?"

"No more than one weapon on deck until we reach more dangerous waters." Report back when you are more suitably equiped. Dismissed" Tobi gave a slight nod and a bow as he turned to leave.

The night went went peacefully as Tobi and Gurzak prowled the railing and inspected the decks. Tobi helped more than one drunkard to a bunk, mayhaps the right ones, mayhaps to one anothers. A game of dice had taken over the aft deck.
The soft soulds of the waves against the sides of the ship played tricks in his ears and he kept feeling the need to glance over the sides and down. Nothing presented itself, but that was little comfort.

He occationally caught a glipse of the duty officer sharing a laugh with one or more of his sycophants, and had pressence of mind not to point out the sword and daggers on their belts. It was a small ship. Things were bound to even out eventually.

 

[AmenRa]

The Dauntless

"So the Shipmaster tells me there is rain about," Commander Cain said to Rahlly as he stepped onto the quarterdeck.

"Aye," Rahlly, the first mate and senior enlisted man replied, "we'll prolly sail into it in the wee hours, Cap'n. Nothing the Dauntless and her crew can't handle."

Cain nodded his head. He looked beyond the helm wheel, and saw the watch standers moving about the deck. The orc, the newest addition to his crew, stood strong among them.

"The mate there, Tobi" Cain said, nodding his black tricorn hat in Tobi's direction, "looks to have fitted in. We'll be glad to have him if there's a fight."

" 'If', sir?" Rahlly answered.

Cain smiled and shook his head. The air was cool, and it was tinted with the wetness of the sea. The spray kicked up by the ship's prow reached even into the aft decks. Cain absent-mindedly smoothed the placket of his white coat.

Just then, the Shipmaster, Lt. Commander Darens, walked up to them, faced Commander Cain, and saluted smartly.

"Night watch reports all is well, sir. The last of the provisions are stowed. All crew accounted for. All cannon and arms accounted for. Powder stores are unchanged. Our current course is two-one-zero, steering for Cloos."

Cain returned the salute. "Very well, Mr. Darens, you have the ship," he said. He turned to go to his cabin, then stopped and was about to turn to Rahlly and Darens again when Rahlly chuckled.

"Of course he'll wake you if anything happens, Cap'n," Rahlly said. "Good night, sir," he added.

Cain smiled with his back to them. A fine crew they were. "Good night," he said.

 

[Baron Mordo]

Ironoak

He watched Tori roust the crew and prepare the ship. Looking back to the northwest he saw the clouds continue to thicken. Grunting unhappily he turned back and looking up to Tori shouted "After your done up there Tori, we'll need to make sure we found a good cove for the night, this is going to be a rough one!"

Turning to Crattax he said "We'll head east for another 2 leagues, then we'll see an island, she ain't large but mostly rock and theres a cove on the eastern side that should hold us."

Finishing with the instructions he turned back to watch the crew hop to their tasks under the flaying tongue of Tori.

 

[Baron Mordo]

To the West....

Far to the west, among the islands of the Pirate's Cabal, there is motion. There is a gathering of the Chiefs, and every ship captain in their fleets were nervous. The last time they had met, there was blood filling the sea for weeks, and the world had trembled....

 

[Vixandra]

Tori

The rain began to fall, gently then with growing force, as we finished the preperations on the riggings and I dropped to the rolling decks lightly.
"Capt'n, we're set," I said before turing to the helmsmen. "Turn us north a degree or two, we'll hit a shoal otherwise! There we go!"

Turning back to the captain, I smiled. "We going to take time in the morning to bring on fresh water? If so I can chase something tasty into our nets for lunch."

 

[Miguelito Breathstealer]

Early to bed . . .

Tobi was already unfastening his clothing as he descended into the crew quarters. Twenty-seven Hours adrift in No-Space had been a challenge, but at least he'd been allowed to sit most of the time, and there was the satifaction of the occational killing. His first full day aboard the Dauntless had left him almost as soar as his honeymoon.

He thought briefly of the wife and children he would never see again.
He absently rubbed the armlet his wife had made for him. Wealthy and powerful in her temple, she had given it to him as a symbol of her possesion of him. The small healing spirit trapped within its design went to work on his soar muscles. No more obligation there. When he told her he had to leave for a while, she had all but ordered him to never come back. Not out of malice, but it was clear she understood the grave nature of his obligations, and knew that his return would only bring greater trouble.

He dropped his leathers in front of his locker and carefully drew out a clean set of undergarments. He should probably wash the ones he had on before he laid down, but by the swagger of his tired legs, that was probably an impractical solution. He would just have to do with laundry in the evening before he reported. He could wash his blanket as well.
He laid down the rest of his gear, and carefully stripped so as not to strain his already tired legs and back. Dressed in his fine orc-skin and strapped with only his long-knife. He drew out his washbasin once more and gradually sponged himself clean with his old shirt. He then patted himself down with his cloak and allowed himslef to finish drying in the air, leaning gently upon a nearby support. It wouldn't do to sully his bedcloths with the days sweat.

"Are you waitin' for service?" A particularily meaty brute was addressing him. Tobi realized suddenly that his traveling companions probably had never seen a "fully equiped" orc warrior and probably were assuming a state of arousal on his part for the sake of their egos. He recognized the trio of thugs from on deck the day before and knew instantly that they would have no regard for his explanations of hygene. Well he knew they'd be coming eventually. Might as well get it over with while he was buck nekid and sleep dreprived. He might not need to hold back in this condition.

Tobi smiled his sharpest grin and tried for casual. "About time too, I sent the ship's boy to fetch ye an hour ago. I'll be assuming yer shy, so its good to see you've got big ears for the job." He caught and squeezed the fist that flew with a satifying crunch, promptly followed by tell tale bellows.
"Sure, I'll hold yers hand first. I'm a gentleman after all."

The rest of the scene was a clear demonstration of the difference between bar room brawlers and trained professional killers. Tobi prayed they would be broken up before he had to really hurt one of them.