Black Sails on the Horizon

[DiasEesha]

The fear that most had somewhere tucked away in the back of their minds after the cataclysm that befell the empire was all too wise to keep. It wasn't much yet, or at least, not much had made it yet thanks to the disruptions in communication. Needless to say, the distractions aplenty that remained to be delt with. However, a little outpost on the islands that use to harbor pirate fleets sent one, haunting message.

Black Sails on the horizon, numerous. Send help.

Thats all that was sent, and it's the last and only message that made it. Elsewhere along the empires western shores it seemed to be much of the same though their current direction was curious for those that normally delt with the underbelly of sea life. They seemed intent to amass at the ill-fated outpost. Perhaps, to pay back for previous transgressions, or perhaps, just to try and pick the bones.

[DiasEesha]

OOC Clarification: https://www.belariath.com/empire/geog/EmpireMap.pdf The Pirate Isles have been re-taken. Due to their close proximity to the mainland and the amassing of ships from various directions they may be spotted within reason off the coastline as shown. The Empire is now at least aware of the trouble brewing as is with most things news normally doesn't stay quiet for long.

[DiasEesha]

It was inevitable, as it was clear, the building up of the black sails in the pirate isles certainly could only mean one thing. While word was passed around the empire by a few to attempt to bring attention, and hopefully aid to deal with the decent of the opportunistic vultures, those very vultures were busy planning their first moves.

In the wee hours of the morning the first of such moves occurred, reports of small skirmishes with trade ships, especially those without an escort pop up near Virelith and Thallis, Dethsiris perhaps by way of its remote location has been spared these so far.

Additionally, caravans are reporting that there have been what seems to be scouting groups, so far, they haven't engaged anyone and seem to be quick to get off of any path when an encounter does occur. This brings rumors spreading through the taverns and inns throughout the empire, from the smallest roadside, to the largest such as the Lonely Inn itself.

[OOC Notes} Players are of course encouraged to interact with such things and to continue to operate in progression with this opening, when I am around, I will of course be more than happy to run mini events, in build up to the next stage. Players of course may post operations if they have command influence of a specific area as a response or, to post individual reactions/actions as they see fit.

[Dante_Ambrogio]

Fheindara Ingolfr while hauling relief supplies south to Dethsiris ran across a small skirmish of Black Sailed ships and caravan ships and though she knew her own vessel was not meant for deeper waters than skimming the coast she turned the Sessrumnir out to assist; the Skirmish itself keeping the pirates distracted long enough for her to collapse her sail and come alongside the largest and then climb up a dangling rope.

She peeked above the railing when she reached an appropriate height and noted with satisfaction that the Caravaneers were at the least putting up a decent fight and so she climbed the remainder of the way up and drew axe and shield, leaping onto the pirate captains aft-deck and bashing the first mates face in with her shield while sweeping the captains own feet from under him, causing him to collide with the railing and fall unconscious though she was far from charitable with these types and so she took his head with a single cleaving blow and then leapt down into the fray, slowly turning the tide of the battle from the favor of the pirates and back around to the favor of the Caravaneers, blow by blow, and kill by kill. She did not escape unscathed but her god’s demanded death with honor and in glory, so she showed no fear and she fought ‘til the bitter end; be it her own or that of the pirates.

When all was said and done the pirates were felled, and she sent the Caravaneers on their way and picked through the cargoholds of the black sailed ships, taking what goods could be used to aid those in need and loading it into her own small vessel and then lighting the ships themselves, leaving them as smoking pillars of warning to any others who would dare to attack the innocent, whether that warning would be heeded or not did not matter to her in the slightest; if she found more she would fall upon them just as she had here for that was what her morals and what her way of life had always demanded.

[Wadeywade]

The Sinking of the Rambunctious

Wade had deployed his improvised weapon, using rum he had exploded a set of sailboats lashed together against the ship, setting it ablaze. it has lost its pilot and crashed into rocks, breaking apart and sinking. Wade concluded it would cost too much to use again despite its effectiveness, a fact he conveys when he sends Ray and Stormwind a message he had engaged the enemy and had successfully scored a single kill despite it not being him, directly.
He also sends the measage he has one remaining sailboat, and would do his best to evade detection and capture until reinfocements come, if they were being sent.

[Wadeywade]

The sabotage of the Salicious

Wade had managed to sabotage the Salicious as it left the islands to attack merchant ships, he set a fire as a diatraction then cut the rudder chain. they got the fire out, but were forced to return for repairs. Wade aent word to Ray and then Stormwind informing them of the details and location, and that he -could- stymy the enemy pirate ships with a doldrum, although even with his skills he could only get it to last half an hour to an hour and a half before he was too tired to sustain it. he reckons with enough air and water mages perhaps they could stem the tide but it was a patch of clay on a broken dam, not enough with out more concerted effort and so, again he sends a Message this time calling to anyone who could hear to join him on this asaault against the pirates and Pirate Isles.

[Wadeywade]

the beaching of the Indignant

Wades' next sabotage attack was a bit more coordinated, Wade waited until the pirate ship Indigant sailed down to attack the merchants, cutting their sails and jamming the rudder, as he did before. Managing to unjam the rudder and put out the fire Wade had started as a distraction, too late they realized they were headed into a series of sand bars. Turning too late, the ship careens and smashes its way into the beach. the damage was minimal, but at least they'd be out of commision for a few days, a week tops. attacking them piecemeal was taking too long but, it was the best he could manage.
Wade flew north, then up far out of sight then looping back south. Still, that was three down: one sank, two damaged and needing repairs.

[DiasEesha]

Thanks to the actions of a few, the pirate fleet has changed tactics deciding to mimic fleet tactics often used by more professional navies such as the empire. Though their version is crude it now focuses firepower into groups with faster ships providing harassment and guarding the larger ships from interlopers. The fleets have also changed from skirmishes to steal supplies to a raze and recover strategy, fire and sink first, ask questions later. These tactics have been extended to the nearby ports as well though so far no landing on a port has been made, they seem intent on trying to bleed a apparently weakened and distracted empire before going for the potential kill.

[DiasEesha]

Rumors are swirling again with the winter months and seas calming back down to the prime months for sail and plunder the black sails have been spotted returning to shipways of the empire, though they continue with trying to adapt and coordinate their efforts currently it hasn't really amounted to too much in total. The only thing that is quite clear is that they have returned, and it seems at least for the moment there is some level of cohesion between rival groups. Perhaps out of necessity, perhaps out of desperation as various forces within the empire certainly over the last year or so have made inroads into their business, and by extension their survival. The empire as a whole may have been spared worse thanks simply to timing, in the wake of the big whomp. Or perhaps, its starting to roll into a far more upfront face to face confrontation with the endless scourge that has always plagued the seas.

[DiasEesha]

Rumors Persist on the Horizon

As the winter months gradually loosen their icy grip and the seas once again embrace the allure of adventure, rumors continue to swirl like the capricious winds. Whispers of the black sails reappearing on the horizon have reached our ears, casting a shadow over the shipways of the empire.

It appears that the seafaring marauders, having weathered the stormy seas of adversity, are returning to their notorious ways. Despite their attempts at coordination and adaptation, their efforts have yet to yield substantial results. However, a peculiar sense of unity has emerged among the once-rival groups, a cohesion born of necessity or, perhaps, desperation.

In the wake of the relentless inroads made by various forces within the empire over the past year, the seafaring brethren find themselves at a critical juncture. The tides of fortune may have spared the empire from worse fates, thanks in part to the aftermath of the enigmatic "whomp." Yet, the looming specter of a more direct confrontation with the relentless scourge that has haunted the seas persists.

The empire, it seems, stands at the crossroads of uncertainty, where the clash between survival and ambition unfolds on the vast canvas of the open sea. As the black sails silhouette against the setting sun, the question lingers in the salty air: Will the empire endure the rising tide of challenges, or shall it succumb to the unyielding forces that have forever plagued the seas?

Adventurers, traders, and denizens of the coast, remain vigilant, for the saga of the black sails continues to unfold on the ever-shifting waves of destiny.

Yours in the Winds of Fate

The Eye of the Storm
Chronicler of Maritime Tales