78 replies to this topic

[Redcoat]

OOC: Everyone--

Spoiler

I'd like to apologize most sincerely for my absence. The new semester has just started, and something frankly tragic has recently happened in my hometown; I have a lot on my plate right now. This said, I should be returning to normal levels of activity quite soon. Again, I'm terribly sorry.

Vithar, you have standing permission in the event of my being absent for two days or longer to move this RP along if it really needs moved along, but if I'm gone for an extended period of time (as unlikely as this seems in the near future), please mothball it. In the event that you no longer wish to run Wyrm for whatever reason, you may pass GM abilities along to the player of your choosing, who will, upon acceptance, then be bound by these same instructions.

Also: Takeshi, Sakura, Devron, Telchi, Kaethe, Alec, Ria and the prisoners from the brig are on board the Arrow. Anikus, Tri'tas, Grimlain and Thalmir are on board the Duncan. We're just gonna roll with it.

Macro time to get the RP moving. Defend the Arrow!

---

As the Arrow and Duncan were boarded by the party, they cast off; only for their stern to be assailed by the entire emerging horde of livid, drunken Corsairs. They could do little, however, as another serendipitous tailwind expedited the escape of the Arrow and her smaller companion. As the pirates boarded their vessels to attempt to give chase, they were hopelessly behind if their goal was a quick end to the engagement. Nothing, however, would stop them from trying, and they would catch up in due time--Anikus' eye, as he was hoisted into the submarine, gave them a few minutes until battle commenced.

The Duncan, the most combat ready of the vessels, was manned by Tri'Tas, Grimlain, Thalmir, and the incapacitated Anikus. As she pushed off, her ram bow prepared for her first use in years; its steel, spring-loaded tip was armed by Grimlain, as Thalmir took duties abaft and Tri'Tas took the helm. The captives, as well as the rest of the party, took the Arrow and headed for home. The submarine, however, had another mission--the ships in chase had to be sunk, or there was no doubt that the Arrow would be sunk, along with all of its precious cargo.

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Takeshi looked back, over the Arrow's stern. He bit his lip as he saw the corsairs following up behind them.

:Takeshi, I think this just got slightly worse!:

:I know, I know! There is very little for us to actually do here, though.:

Takeshi did another look over of the ship, noting a large ballista and several smaller ballistae on the ship.

He yelled out with a voice that spoke of some experience on the seas, Sakura also did the same.

"Everyone, arm those ballistae, and aim for the corsairs! If this comes to a fight, we aren't going to go willingly!"

Takeshi looked over port after yelling the orders., noting a storm that could very well hit them, hard. Sakura noted this as well, and gave orders to some of those with sailing experience to be ready to deal with the storm. It was quickly evident that the duo did have notable skill when it came to sailing and dealing with naval combat.

[Chef]

Grimlain inspected the ram-bow with great interest.  It seemed a little rusty after being neglected for so long, but it looked like it would be a reliable weapon against those angry brigands.  He was excited to put this thing to use!  Those Corsairs would be shaking in their boots once they see the full power of this vessel.  

"The Arrow is in good hands," Grimlain said, partly to himself, but out loud.  "It looks like they are in good hands with those ballistae as well, though."

[King Calamity]

Tri'tas stepped onto the Duncan.  It had been a while since he'd manned a ship, especially one as strange as this.  He inspected the ship, and then grabbed Anikus, shaking him a bit.

"Hate to bother you in this state," he said, "but how exactly do I run this thing?"

[Redcoat]

Anikus spoke immediately. "The front station, with the wheel--it's steering." Grimmacing, he continued. "The crank next to it loads the spring-loaded ram bow... and you'll need people to manipulate the fins further back."

Anikus' arms still worked, and he hobbled to the very back of the submarine, next to a stack of meagre supplies; he would row, as it were, it being the only job he could perform with his crippled leg.

[Lyon]

Kaethe sprang up the gangplak of the Arrow with a happy air. "I've never stolen anything as big as a ship," she trilled, looking like an excited youngster. "I wonder how it's going to be."

As they sailed forward, Kaethe grew ever more excited. Maybe this whole heist thing would work out fine, and then--

A flaming arrow shot from one of the corsair ships coming up behind them and sank hissing into the sea several yards from the Arrow's stern. "Ummmm, guys, I think we might be about to have company," said Kaethe anxiously.

[King Calamity]

"Alright," Tri'tas said, stepping to the wheel, "I'll steer, then, Grim will handle the ram, and the ranger will man the crank to load it.  Ready when you are."

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Sakura rolled her eyes.

:This is not going to end well...:

:You think, Sakura? Ah well. We'll have to keep one step ahead of those Corsairs then...:

Takeshi looked up. The sails were only partially unfurled. Enough to move the ship, but not give it any considerable speed. He ran to the rigging.

:This would be why I hate ships of this style...I much prefer the Junks. Next to none of this rigging garbage.:

"People, let's go! Help me get these sails unfurled! We can't stand to fight those Corsairs!" Takeshi looked at the rigging. Like most of the ship, it had seen better days. "Well, not with a ship in this state, in any case..."

Several of the smaller freed prisoners started to climb the rigging, one going as far as to stop Takeshi, although for good reason. The tallest of the people now climbing the rigging was notably shorter than Takeshi. The latter looked back, only to see a flight of several flaming arrows heading toward the ship. Most missed, one hit, two feet from Takeshi, who immediately put it out. He looked back again, seeing the Corsair ships that were catching up, quickly.

:Hope that the Duncan is ready to help us out...:

---

((Lyon, just so you know, we are quite far into the channel between Otavia and the Corsair base. In fact, the Corsairs are probably in our wake by now.))

[Chef]

"I really hate these nicknames you are all giving me," Grimlain said with a sigh after being called Grim. "Nevertheless, I am ready."

Grimlain stepped up to the ram's controls and prepared for battle.  The controls seemed quite simple, and this ram looked like it would be a deadly weapon against these brigands.  He just hoped that he wouldn't miss a shot.  It would be quite humiliating and it could endanger the others.  Mistakes were not possible now.  Grimlain grimaced and got ready for the coming storm.

He looked out the window to see a bunch of Corsair ships speeding after them.  Grimlain tightened his grip on the ram controls, aiming as well as he could at a pirate ship.

"Goodbye," Grimlain said to himself as he pulled the trigger, sending a bolt flying towards a Corsair ship.

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Come on guys! Let's get this naval combat rollin'!

---

Takeshi looked back, only to see three harpoons and tow cables, fired from the Corsair Ships' ballistae. The two smaller ones, fired from smaller ballistae, assumably for control purposes, hit the Arrow and ripped out, tearing chucks of planking away from the hull. The third one, fired form the larger ballista, dug into the hull only feet from the railing. And it was in deep enough that no amount of maneuvering would shake it loose.

:This is not what I call the best of circumstances...:

The cable was attached to the harpoon via a set of knots and locks, forming a link that would not easily be broken. However, it could be untied very easily by someone agile and clever.

Takeshi and Sakura thought quickly, both reaching the same conclusion. Sakura voiced it first.

"Kaethe, you are the lightest and most agile of us! Do you think that you can untie that tow cable? We'll see about keeping you safe!"

---

((Leave this to Lyon, guys. If anyone posts before him, do us a favor and don't take out that Corsair ship. The harpoon and tow cable will only take the Arrow down as well.

Lyon, make this a Crowning Moment of Awesome for Kaethe. ))

[Kamikaze_X]

Thalmir stood on the main deck of the ship. His feet wobbled to and fro with the coming waves on the ships hull. His was very pale, and felt sick to his stomach, but knew it was not the time to give up. He would have to fight with everyone else. He strapped his bow to his back, as he knew that with their position on the sea, the wind and currents would make it nigh impossible to get any good shot out. Instead, he would have to use his elemental manipulation.

Aiming at those who could think to hit aboard the Corsair, Thalmir shot fireballs from his palms at them. Some fell overboard from the impact, leaving a steaming splash in the water by the ships side.

[Lyon]

"Heh... don't you worry, I'll take care of it," said Kaethe nervously, eying the corsair ship. The rails were swarming with tattooed pirates, waving all manner of unpleasant-looking instruments of war. She took a deep breath and ran to the rails.

An archer on the stern of the corsair ship spotted her heading for the cable and took aim. Kaethe threw herself into a forward roll, and the arrow whizzed past her harmlessly. A second arrow missed her narrowly as she cartwheeled aside, letting the mast take the blow instead.

"Who knew that pointless acrobatics would be so applicable?" she muttered to herself, ducking behind a barrel as a third arrow was sent her way. "That pirate guy is really starting to annoy me," she said, pouting slightly. She stuck her head around the edge of the barrel and, taking heart that she had not suddenly sprouted a stick in the middle of her forehead, made a dash for the edge of the ship.

An arrow seemed to appear out of midair in front of her. It was too late to dodge, too late for anything. Kaethe's left hand flailed across her face, closing far too slowly into a fist to knock the arrow out of the air. She felt a burning sensation in her hand and a trickle of blood. Kaethe winced, closing her eyes.

The arrow probably went all the way through my hand, she thought, keeping her eyes tightly shut. I'm not going to look. I'm not going to look. I'm not going to-

She looked anyway. The arrow, its barbed head two inches from her face, was clenched tightly in her fist.

"I caught an arrow!" said Kaethe disbelievingly, then happily. I caught an arrow!

She opened her fist and examined the hand. Most of the palm had been rubbed raw by the passage of the arrow, and a large splinter was embedded just under the base of her ring finger. She gingerly extracted it.

"Ouch," she said rather weakly.

"Kaethe, look out!" came Telchi's voice from the foremast. She looked up just in time to see the corsair sharpshooter, recovered from his astonishment, nocking another arrow to his bow.

Oh no you don't, you dirty pirate bastard, she thought fiercely. You're never going to fire another arrow again. Drawing her wrist knife with her uninjured hand, she took it by the point and threw it overhand with all of her might. The corsair toppled backward with the knife in his throat, his arrow clattering harmlessly to the deck as he dropped it.

Kaethe swung over the rail and began doggedly working at the knot. A few seconds made her realize that actually untying the knot would not be an option: it would take too long, and by the time she untangled the ropes, the corsairs would be swarming all over the Arrow. Bolder action was needed. She stood and, taking a deep breath, began running along the top of the cable. A corsair heaved a knife at her, and she leapt off the cable. One hand caught onto it, sending her swinging underneath it and back onto the top. She drew her knife, muttering a quick spell to weaken the cable, and began slashing wildly. Five swings of her arm, and the cable flopped limply away from the corsair ship, with Kaethe swinging from it. She thrust her feet out to break the impact against the side of the Arrow and, sheathing her knife, climbed up hand over hand.

"I'll untie the knot later," she told Takeshi breathlessly, giving him a smile.

[Redcoat]

The Corsair's attempt at boarding had failed, and they had begun to take several casualties fro mthe efforts of the Arrow and its renegade crew. Below the waves, the Duncan made its way around to the starboard side of one of the pursuing vessels.

Anikus, mechanically assisted by the mechanisms of the vessel, rowed with all of his might. Suddenly, an incredible lurch was felt as Grimlain pulled the trigger on the ship's spring-powered ram. It pierced the other ship's hull in one clean stab, like some sort of industrial-strength rapier; as it withdrew, water rushed in to fill the hole.

"Grimlain! Let's take this ship down!" the wounded scholar shouted from the back of the submarine. "I reckon three pokes and this ship'll be toast!"

[Chef]

Grimlain watched in satisfaction as the ram dealt a heavy blow on the ship they were trying to destroy.  Those Corsairs would stand no chance against this submarine.  Grimlain nodded at Anikus' orders and loaded the spring loaded ram.  He aimed at another spot on the ship and fired, sending the ram flying into the side of the ship.  Wood flew everywhere as it crashed through the ship, causing water to go inside the ship.  

"That'll give those bilge rats something to think of," Grimlain said as he loaded the ram again.  This process was almost getting too easy for him.  To think a weapon of such power could be loaded so easily.  He pulled the trigger once more and sent another destructive bolt at the ship, smashing through another part on the ship.  It could be easily seen that the ship was going down.  There would be no way to repair it in time before it sunk to the bottom of the sea.

"Well, looks like it only took two more," Grimlain observed. "That ship was weaker than I thought."

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Takeshi turned, grimacing at the sickening crunches as the large steel javelin punctured the relatively thin sides of the corsair ship. That one sunk, swift as the wind. Out of nowhere, chunks of planking flew, as if hit with an arrow of steel.

"What...the...hell...?"

Takeshi looked back, moving slowly, as if recovering from a heavy blow. His eyes went wide. He couldn't seem him, but he could tell, simply by the strange...emptiness...that a Valdich mage just took to the field. He turned to Sakura. She bore the same look. Yep. He wasn't hallucinating. It was time to act, and act quick.

"Bring the rain! Fire that balista! Do not let up! Sakura, now's the time to use those archery skills of yours!"

"Indeed!"

The balista fired, a loud snap, sending the bolt careening off into the waves. Sakura quickly let off a shot, which skittered across the deck of the corsair ship.

Suddenly, the skies darkened, and the waves grew more unruly, giving Takeshi much more difficulty with the wheel. Kaethe, despite her occupation, showed considerable strength, helping the warrior keep the wheel straight, despite the waves insistence on them doing otherwise. Eventually, rain lashed the deck, lightning tearing the sky. Several more blasts shook the ship, several were misses, but some still hit, tearing out chunks of planking.

"Sakura! Deal with him, quick! It's hard enough to keep this--!" Takeshi stopped as he and Kaethe once again struggled with the wheel, which never ceased in trying to kill them. "Pox on this blasted storm! As if Valdich, Corsairs and violent spells weren't enough!"

Sakura nodded, all this motion would make a shot incredibly hard, the fact that the Mage hit the Arrow more than once did not help, either. She waited, timing her shot with the waves. She loosed. The arrow, guided by a simple cast of wind, letting it ignore the wind and speed to it's target, flew true, despite the storm, hitting the Mage, who was in the process of shooting "Iron Wind" into the water. He fell, the emptiness leaving the field.

Both Sakura and Takeshi sighed visibly, only for Takeshi to instantly return attention to the wheel, which again tried to throw both Takeshi and Kaethe off.

:This situation improves only slightly...: Takeshi frowned, both from the grim though and from the effort of holding the wheel.

[Redcoat]

Anikus gasped as the Mage emerged. His aura--the aura! An emptiness engulfed the vessel ahead. The whole operation had just become much, much more difficult.

"Tri'tas!" Anikus cried out from his station. "We must dive! Right now!"

As the ad hoc helmsman nodded and carried on, Anikus rowed like he never had before. The ship began to go down as a rumble was heard, then another, and another. The patches of oceas around the Duncan began to flash-boil as shockwaves pushed the submarine about. Outside the miniature portholes, the flashes of white seared the eyes, as the thunderous cracked numbed the ears.

Anikus had seen enough. You're not sinking us today! he thought as he raised his arm. A meagre barrier would serve to redirect some of the bolts, preventing a one-hit wonder on the Duncan. The weakened scholar could only hold for so long, however.

[King Calamity]

Tri'tas pulled back the dive lever as quick as he could, and the Duncan descended, water cascading over its surface.  With swiftness and skill that suggested a great familiarity with the wheel of a ship, Tri'tas whirled the Duncan around to face one of the corsair ships.  Suddenly, a large piece of steel came hurdling toward them, and Tri'tas whirled the wheel around as the ship just barely avoided the projectile.  Another came at the ship, and again Tri'tas gave the wheel a great turn, and this one came closer than the last.

"Alright," Tri'tas yelled, "We've got to stop that mage.  We're going to ram it!"

Tri'tas turned the wheel toward the corsair ship and headed straight in at it.  The Duncan crashed into the ship, and Tri'tas turned the wheel.  Splinters of wood flew about as the Duncan pushed out.

"That should be it for them," Tri'tas said, "what next?"

[Kamikaze_X]

Thalmir officially hates himself. He felt helpless to do anything, and all because he hated the sea... although in this case he seriously considered the possibility that the sea in turn, hated him. He hung over the bulwark with a face as pale as a ghosts. He had been there for around ten minutes, hurling into the rampaging waters below him. On his face was plastered a complex expression that could only say: "I hate the sea", or "Why did I ever decide to join this group." He was very livid indeed.

Thalmir slumped against the bulwark and waited for the next time a wave came so maybe he could be swept out to sea and it would end this suffering he chose to endure. As a battle raged around him, ballistae shots firing and arrows snapping against the bulkheads of the shit, he wondered when they would reach solid land again. As he thought this, he started to zone out, into a wonderfully stationary solid world, filled with earth like ground and no free moving articles. Outwardly, he started to smile slightly, his eyes stared dumbly up into the sky. When he snapped out, he was surprised he didn't find a thread of drool hanging from his mouth, he had probably been daydreaming of what was impossible at the moment for a good fifteen minutes.

"When I get off this ship, I think I will pledge my life to staying on land forever more..." Thalmir thought dismally and he glanced over his shoulders to the blue waters below.

As he knew he should be helping, he sat up where he was, as he had been slumped against the bulwark for some time. Without really caring where he aimed, he launched continuous fireballs into the air. Most landed in the sea, causing nothing but spouts of steam to rise for a few moments from the water, but some did indeed hit enemy ships, in turn causing some panic aboard the vessels.

[Redcoat]

Two Corsair ships listed over in the water, burning, with their crews devastated. Panic reigned aboard them, as their hulls filled with water; over the next few minutes, the sea reclaimed the vessels and one hundred Corsair lives. Their screams were scarcely heeded as the Duncan and Arrow, victorious in their struggle, sailed onwards to Otavia and its welcoming port.

In the east, a storm was brewing, throwing great waves every which way. The wind picked up immensely; Anikus hobbled on deck to make some observations. The storm was not heading to Otavia; the party could safely dock at the Merchant's City to plan their next move. Voyaging, however, was miserable, especially for Thalmir, as the ship was tossed about like a giant's football. Regardless, the ship made its way towards port and safety; the Duncan was hoisted aboard with a crane, and its crew, their escape from claustrophobia now visible, took the opportunity to rejoin their comrades aboard the Arrow.

They docked at Otavia about an hour later. The escapade had been enormously taxing; Anikus, in particular, was only able to control the pains from his injured leg with a supply of a green, stringy herb, marked "April"; out of mercy, Thalmir was also offered it, as the plant also settled the stomach. At the sight of land, the cheers were deafening.

The ship docked with the last available pier; the moorings secured her adamantly to it, and its passengers were able to descend into the city. For the prisoners, it was over.

Date: 24th November 801 AE
Weather: Threatening storm
Mood: Ship-Shape

We have returned from the accursed Corsairs' fortress, along with Alec's significant other and a great deal of other prisoners. The plan I had originally did not work as planned; though we retrieved some minor gains and the information we required, we were unable to truly loot the collection. Next time we find some dastardly horde's collection of riches, it's all mine ours.

I don't believe I've ever heard of a more bizarre expedition. Midway through our infiltration we were discovered by the Corsairs, through a curious and scum-sucking character whom I believe to be known as Faust. In the ensuing melee, most of us suffered wounds--I myself now walk with a slight theatrical limp from a failed attempt on my life. Suffice to say I regret letting him go; my conscience, next time, will shape up or ship out.

Regardless, even if we did fail to raid the treasure hoard of these rogues, we did rescue fifteen Otavian citizens, all of which have been returned to their homes in the hopes of some sort of reward. It was, of course, also a good deed, but let us be practical--who doesn't expect something  for this kind of work?

Our next target is the first in a series of shrines containing the Shards. I only hope we can charter a sailor either brave or stupid enough to oblige our request, but I have no doubt that our newfound social clout as heroes will aid us.

Limping Lethargically,
Anikus Barrka