Draw closer mates and grab yerself a tankard, I have a tale to tell ye. A tale o' pursuit across the seas and darkest revenge. Blood was spilled, aye and battle ensued. This is how it began.
'Twas a fine, clear day with a wind in the East as we set forth to survey some o' the smallest islands across the Shores o' Plenty. We travelled light, supplies for the day and books and journals fer researchin'. We had no desire to fight the skeleton hordes, nor to puzzle out the locations o' treasures - twas a voyage for the pure joy o' geographical exploration.
Spyin' the object for our studies, we moored at our chosen destination. Night and day passed as we clambered o'er the rocks, marvelled at the fine views and examined the local flora and fauna. We sketched, discussed, took samples but noting a high incidence of skeletons risin' from the sands, we returned to the comfort o' our small ship to make notes, catalogue our research an' file away the drawin's we'd taken 'pon that gloriously sun drenched isle. Lulled by the sound o' the waves an' the perfumed breezes @eredhar succumbed at last to Lazybeard and alone on board, I took the opportunity to swim in the crystal waters an' marvel at the abundance o' sea life in all it's forms. A perfect day 'pon the Sea of Thieves.
Twas' while I were on deck, deep in thought, my mind driftin' from the dangers o' these here seas, that I were wrenched back to the present situation by the sound o' splashin' nearby. The thought that skeletons had learned new tricks flashed through me mind as I slowly gathered me thoughts an' prepared to investigate.
Ye gads! The sight that met me eyes demanded immediate attention!
A sloop, dressed in the finest livery, had approached while we were deep in thought an' discussions, an the scallywags on board; rather than seek to hail us with peaceful intent, sought to send us to the Ferry in one fell swoop! An explosive barrel, expertly placed beneath the hull ensured my attention were consumed by placin' planks an' tryin' to keep us afloat. We had neither large stocks o' wood, nor food to maintain health - foolishness, I hear ye say, but twas but an expeditionary voyage! Lulled by the absence o' sails on the horizon we'd set sail with naught to steal and less to plunder. Sad to say, I were dispatched to the Ferry after a short, sharp struggle an' our good ship were lost to the deep.
But let me tell ye what then ensued. With a great yell o' defiance at our rough treatment, we vowed our revenge. @eredhar returned and the gods looked kindly on us. We were now but a short sail from the whereabouts o' our demise. Grabbin' as many resources as we could, for time were of the essence, we set sail, bows pointed sharply to the north east and the wind in our favour and after a short spell, we sighted our quarry.
Employin' the spyglass, we could see they were meanderin' around the self same waters. Their ship ridin' low in the water, sails askew - mayhaps they thought themselves safe? Ours, riding the waves like an arrow, fixed mercilessly on it's target. No quarter, mates and our hearts were filled wi' thoughts o' dire vengeance.
They must ha' caught sight o' us at last, or they fled the oncoming storm. It makes no odds for we pursued them relentlessly across the seas, shadowin' their every move. They sought to lure us into the range o' a fort... they tried to tack across the winds, they took us a merry route around shoals an' rocks. Yet we flew on, gaining slowly til they must ha' understood, finally, our resolve was firm.
The skies darkened and the sea turned to that familar grizzled shade which merely mirrored our grim mood. They paused then, an' raised sail slightly... we spied a body in the water as their vessel bobbed in the waves. A single pirate or two, we cared not a jot, as he grabbed the ladder an' tried to board us. We had no words for his vile endeavor except the sword.
Up towards Daggertooth now, we gave no thought to their course, nor the reason why they circled that Outpost, we desired neither plunder nor loot. We cared not. We matched their every motion, trimmed sails, adjusted course and just beyond that Isle, as they fled on towards the East, we caught them. We maneuvered our ship across their bows an' our intentions were crystal clear.
They must ha' realised how poor their prospects were for they raised sail again, while they sued for parley across the water. On boarding their ship, we uncovered the reason. Mates, they were packed t'the gunwhales wi' chests an' treasures o' all description! A hoard fit fer a dragon!
But. As I mentioned. We were in no mood for parley. They'd chosen the route o' the sword an' sinkin us when they could ha' spent a few pleasant words in conversation an' sailed on about their business.
Lightning crackled and a swift fruitless discussion wi' the pair o' scoundrels ensued. Not one drop o' remorse spilled from their lips. They sought not to save their hides, but their treasure! Dissatisfied, we fired upon 'em then, an' filled their hull wi' lead from the cannons. Shrieks an' the flash o' gunfire filled the salty air as they were boarded again, the cannons roared an' matched the sound o' the thunder. They resisted still an' we battled to and fro, droppin' their anchor when they sought to flee again, again and again....helpin' ourselves to their supplies we restocked our cannons and finally sent their ship to the depths. Both crews had cause to greet the Ferryman more than we were accustomed to, that night. E'en once their ship slipped 'neath the waves, they thrashed through the stormy seas wi' barrels o' gunpowder to put us in peril. @eredhar quickly dispatched any remainin' threat an' we watched in disbelief as more gold than we could imagine in our wildest dreams, floated on the surface o' the sea.
They were loathe to leave. The mermaid nearby, singin' a welcoming song o' respite did nothin' to encourage them to leave that gold. Finally, as shots were fired, words exchanged, we prevailed. The plunder was ours and a fine recompense for the insult heaped upon us that day.
