A call to all Pirates and Privateers of Erde

[Dragondaddy]

Ok, what follows is the rewrite of the C&C nautical adventure introduction. I'm in the process of writing an adventure for this backstory. If anyone else cares to, I'd like to see any adventure they come up with based on this:

Pirates and Privateers

ACT ONE -- THE GATHERING STORM

BALLOU, SHIP'S MATE
So the story goes...
There is a goddess that wants all the creatures of Airdhe to live and to prosper, and not to suffer in death. One day, seeing the tortured soul in Morgeld, son of Luther, she went to him at Eloria, and stayed for a time. Morgeld was instantly transfixed by both the beauty and the warmth of Aithria, and stricken with desire to be with her, put aside his plans. Enamored with the Goddess, he traveled the length, and breadth, of Erde with her, escorted by a contingent of his best knights, and most fearsome warriors. She showed him the creatures she loved, and showed how she cared for the world, in bringing new life into the world, and in removing the pain of the dying so they could die in peace.
The mighty warriors of the black spear, the children of the Unklar, for a time lay aside their weapons of death and destruction, as they could harm none, nor cause any pain, while they traveled with this Goddess. This vexed them greatly. Any they would slay with malice, she would reincarnate as a creature, or a being, even more beautiful or resplendent than previously. Whenever they attacked a helpless or good creature she would provide succor, and provide the aggrieved survivors with the light of Mordius, that they may forget the troubles, and turmoils of Erde. Without any fear, or pain, or anger to feed on, the children of Unklar were rendered powerless. All but Morgeld was dismayed.

BALLOU, SHIP'S MATE (CONT'D)
As Morgeld was bound in the bonds of love, his loyal great captains devised a clever plan to free him. To celebrate his impending wedding, they offered the Goddess a gift. A carved cypress walking staff, shod with obsidian and with an obsidian headpiece. This was decorated with the most beautiful gems of Unklar, taken from deep in the bowels of the earth. They imbued this cypress staff with new magic. Magic that would heal the earth, and the plants of the earth. Magic that would aid the speedy rebirth of any tainted or dying lands. What they did not tell the Goddess is the sorcerers crafters included a spell that would also draw on the energies of the wielder to accomplish this.

BALLOU, SHIP'S MATE (CONT'D)
Then the mighty captains asked Morgeld to invite Aithria into the domains of Unklar, that she may share her wonders with the children of Unklar. Pleased with his new bride-to-be, and desiring her to see the realms she would become Queen of, Morgeld did indeed invite Aithria into the realms of Unklar, and they traveled there for a time as well. After one particularly challenging night, where she provided a rebirth for an entire underground city, Aithria fell into a deep slumber, from which she could not be awakened.

BALLOU, SHIP'S MATE (CONT'D)
Now it was Morgeld whom was dismayed. He tried all measures of medicines, and brought every wizard, sorcerer, and specialist that he knew, and tricked a few others even, into attempting to awaken the Goddess to no avail. In Eloria, He built a magnificent shrine for her, and lay the Goddess to rest within the halls of the great shrine. Then he returned to his affairs of state, and waited. For a time he would visit her in the shrine every day, seeking some new method to awaken her, all without avail. Eventually he visited the shrine less, and less, often. After a time he went to visit the shrine only once a year, to celebrate the day that they first met. One day after many years, he returned to the shrine, to find his beloved Goddess gone. She had awakened on her own, and Aithria had fled, while the children of the Unklar were busied unleashing suffering, and terror, upon Erde.

BALLOU, SHIP'S MATE (CONT'D)
...This is not the end of this story though, only the beginning, for recently, many sages and princes of the Kingdoms have received reports of a beautiful raven haired woman leading a small band of followers in the bayous of the Bay of Lothian. It is said she carries a most beautiful cypress staff, decorated with many jewels, and shod with obsidian. Some say she is none other than Aithria herself, yet there are others who claim they have spoken with her. They say, she claims her name is Avanna.

SCENE 1 -- NIGHT -- MEDIEVAL CITY OF ETHENAEL

EXT. THE SAILING SHIP -- NIGHT

THE SAILOR LIT HIS PIPE WHILE HIS MATES READIED THE BOAT, AND HE WATCHED AS THEY LOWERED IT INTO THE HARBOR WATERS...

BLACK-CAPPED SAILOR
Your neck will be stretched as long as your memory one of these days...

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
A short drop, and a quick stop? I think not. I'm going out slow... and easy... in bed. With my woman close by.

BLACK-CAPPED SAILOR

(LAUGHING NERVOUSLY) If the guards catch us, that end will seem like a dream.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
Easy now, We're just here on the Captain's errand. We'll be well underway before the dawn.

THE CREW OF EIGHT ROWS IN TO THE PORT OF ETHENAEL FROM THE SHIP, IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT WITH NO MOON, NO LIGHTS, AND THE OARS WRAPPED IN BURLAP TO MUFFLE THE SOUNDS OF THE ROWING. DIRTY HENRI FLINT RE-LIGHTS HIS PIPE AFTER THEY SECURE THE BOAT TO THE DOCK, AND THE MOTLEY GROUP SLIPS INTO THE GREAT CITY, UNNOTICED IN THE COOL MISTY NIGHT.
PAN ACROSS THE HARBOR AND DOCKS INTO THE CITY TO THE SUNRISE GARDEN COVE, A WELL ESTABLISHED INN

EXT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

THE MOTLEY CREW SLIPS TO THE BACK OF THE DARKENED HOTEL, APPROACHES THE KITCHEN DOOR AND KNOCKS ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES, THEN A FOURTH TIME. AFTER A TIME, A CANDLELIGHT FLARES TO LIFE IN THE KITCHEN WINDOW, THE BACK DOOR OPENS, AND THEY ALL FURTIVELY SLIP INSIDE.

INT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN KITCHEN -- NIGHT

ALL IS QUITE IN THE CANDLELIT KITCHEN. A RATHER HANDSOME YOUNG MAN IS STANDING BESIDE THE KITCHEN BUTCHERBLOCK TABLE IN A SILVER BREASTPLATE. HE IS WEARING A SHORTSWORD, AND A LONGSWORD. ON THE TABLE IS A HEAVILY LADEN PACK, AND AN UNSTRUNG LONGBOW. A CRESTED SHIELD RESTS AGAINST THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND BESIDE THE YOUNG MAN, ANOTHER YOUNG MAN, UNARMED, A VALET. THE MOTLEY GROUP OF PIRATES SIZE UP THE WARRIOR, AND HIS MANSERVANT, AND IT IS CLEAR IN THEIR FACES THAT THEY ARE NOT IMPRESSED. THE YOUNG WARRIOR SPEAKS FIRST.

BEREND PIUS
It is a bargain then?

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
Aye, however, the captain would first know whether we will be needing to secure an agreement with Morgern to sail the open seas?

BEREND PIUS
You know, I have never been on a ship before, though I always have desired a life on the unbound seas...

EXT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

A GROUP OF TWO-SCORE HEAVILY-ARMED SOLDIERS STEALTHILY ENCIRCLES THE INN. THEY SUDDENLY HALT AS ONE OF THEIR NUMBER STUMBLES ON THE UNEVEN COBBLESTONE PAVEMENT OF THE ALLEY, AND UPSETS A PARKED TRADERS CART. HE INVOLUNTARILY MAKES A LOUD CURSE, AS THE CONTENTS OF THE PARKED CART SCATTERS ON THE STREET IN A NOISY REVERIE.

INT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

THE MANSERVANT INSTANTLY BEGINS SNUFFING OUT CANDLES AS THE MOTLEY CREW OF SAILORS AND THE YOUNG WARRIOR RUSH TO THE WINDOWS. ONE OF THE SAILORS PUSHES THE TABLE TO THE DOORWAY, BARRING IT, AND DRAWS OUT HIS CUTLASS. THE REST FOLLOW SUITE, TAKING UP POSITIONS BY THE KITCHEN WINDOWS, WHILE ONE GUARDS THE INNER KITCHEN DOORWAY.

BEREND PIUS
It's the city guard! It's a trap! Would you rather feel the hangman's noose, or would you rather feel the breath of the sea, and with loyal service, a royal pardon?

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
If they know we are here, they know the ship is in the harbor, we must warn the captain!

BEREND PIUS
Too late, I think. I hope he is as good as you said.

EXT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

THE GUARDS DRAW THEIR MELEE WEAPONS, ABOUT A THIRD OF THEM c**k THEIR CROSSBOWS AND AIM IT AT DOORWAYS AND WINDOWS OF THE INN. THE GUARD CAPTAIN STEPS FORWARD, LONGSWORD IN HAND. HE CUPS HIS OTHER HAND AND YELLS AT THE INN.

ETHENAEL GUARD CAPTAIN
IN THE NAME OF KING LOUIS THE THIRD, LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS, AND SURRENDER!

INT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

DIRTY HENRY FLINT UNBUCKLES HIS CUTLASS BELT AND DROPS IT TO THE FLOOR. HE MOTIONS FOR THE SAILOR AT THE DOORWAY TO REMOVE THE TABLE BLOCKING THE DOOR, AND WALKS TOWARDS IT.

BEREND PIUS
There's another problem as well. We were betrayed. I didn't tell, and I know he didn't...

(pointing at his manservant with the longsword)
So it was one of your own. I propose a new bargain then...

DIRTY HENRI FLINT STOPS AND TURNS TO FACE THE YOUNG WARRIOR. HE MOTIONS AGAIN TO THE PIRATE AT THE DOOR.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
Bloody Fust, stall them. slow them down if they charge us!

THE SAILOR KNOWN AS BLOODY FUST NODS.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT (CONT'D)
Speak quick lad, we are about out of time here...

BEREND PIUS
You must arrange safe passage for us through the pirate waters of Kayomar.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
I'll be hanged if I do by my own crew.

BEREND PIUS
WE'LL ALL BE HANGED IF YOU DON'T!

EXT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

BLOODY FUST DROPS HIS SWORDBELT AND STEPS SLOWLY OUTSIDE INTO THE LINE OF FIRE. HE RUBS HIS EYES AS IF JUST WAKING UP. THEN STOPS ABRUPTLY WHEN HE SEES ALL THE GUARDSMEN ON THE STREET

BLOODY FUST
Since when did a cook of a reputable INN warrant arrest in the dark of the night, at the hands of our good King?

ETHENAEL GUARD CAPTAIN
Stand aside man! There are pirates in that INN, and we mean to take them alive if possible!

BLOODY FUST TURNS ABRUPTLY, LOOKS HORRIFIED, AND SLOWLY BACKS AWAY FROM THE INN TOWARDS THE LINE OF GUARDS. HE MAKES FOR THE STREETCART THAT WAS UPSET BY THE APPROACH OF THE GUARDS.

ETHENAEL GUARD CAPTAIN (CONT'D)
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SURRENDER!! IN THE NAME OF KING LOUIS THE THIRD. SURRENDER NOW OR WE WILL FORCE YOU OUT!

INT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
What do we get, in return for providing you safe passage?

BEREND PIUS
Your lives, and your freedom now. And, if you stay the course, the royal pardon I spoke of earlier.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
You are not even from the royal family, so how could you come by a royal pardon?

BEREND PIUS
Oh, but I am. Just not the royal family of Louis. I'm wanted here as much as you. Pius the II was my great-great-great-great-great Grandfather. Louis usurped the throne in a bloody civil war. I never said you would get the royal pardon from King Louis III, did I? It is my cousin Eadore, King of Kayomar, that favors me, and you... if you so choose.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
We have an accord then. Safe passage through the isles of the Kayomar pirates in exchange for a Kayomar royal pardon. Any chance of getting a letter of marque from King Eadore?

BEREND PIUS
It is likely, if you would sail against Maine and, of course Eloria, in the name of the King.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
OK, so how do we get out of this?

BEREND PIUS
The same way we came in. (looking at his valet) Through the sewers that run beneath this city. There is an entrance in the wine cellar here.

DIRTY HENRY FLINT WAS ALREADY IN MOTION DIRECTING ONE OF THE SAILORS TO RE-BLOCK THE UNBLOCKED KITCHEN DOORWAY.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
Blackie, sound the conch horn. Warn the captain.

BLACK-CAPPED SAILOR
Aye...

BLACKIE THREW OPEN ONE OF THE KITCHEN WINDOWS AND STEPPED BACK AS THREE OR FOUR CROSSBOW BOLTS ZIPPED INTO THE NOW DARKENED KITCHEN. HE TOOK A HUGE CONCH SHELL OUT OF HIS SHOULDERBAG, AND EMITTED THREE LONG MARINE HONKS THAT ECHOED THROUGH THE MISTY STREETS OF ETHENAEL. THEY ALL THEN QUICKLY FOLLOWED THE YOUNG WARRIOR AND HIS VALET TO THE KITCHEN PANTRY, AND DOWN THE LONG DARK FLIGHT OF STONE STAIRS LEADING TO THE WINE CELLAR.

EXT. SUNRISE GARDEN COVE INN -- NIGHT

ETHENAEL GUARD CAPTAIN
Okay men, move in, in fours... NOW!

A LARGE EXPLOSION RIPS THROUGH THE STREET VENDORS CART, FLYING POTTERY, CUTLERY, AND TABLEWARE IS SCATTERED EVERWHERE ONTO THE STREET, AND SEVERAL WINDOWS IN NEARBY BUILDINGS ARE BLOWN OUT, OR SHATTER WHEN FLYING DEBRIS STRIKES THEM. THE CITY GUARD INTSTINCTIVELY STOP THEIR ATTACK, AND DUCK FOR COVER. WHEN THE SMOKE FROM THE EXPLOSION CLEARS, THE STREET IS QUIET WITH ONLY THE MOANS AND CRIES OF A FEW WOUNDED GUARDSMEN TO BREAK THE SILENCE.

EXT. ETHENAEL DOCKS -- NIGHT

DIRTY HENRI FLINT

(looking dejected) I'll tell you what I know, this voyage is over before it has begun.

There is a crowd now at the docks looking out into the harbor. A ship at anchor, lay burning from stem to stern. The fire so bright, the entire docks are illuminated in the early morning hours, and even though it's more than a quarter of a mile away, the sailors and the young warrior can feel the heat from the conflagration that is so intense, it will be only minutes before the burning vessel slides to the bottom of the harbor. Three sailing vessels are slowly circling the burning wreck, the longboats are out, and fighting can be seen between longboat crews. Cannons roar from the sailing vessels. The light of the burning wreck clearly reveals longboats that are also being destroyed by the cannon fire. Doubtless the crew of the burning ship.

BLOODY FUST
We've got a better prize, in our pocket, there!

A TWENTY-FOUR GUN MAINE SCHOONER IS TIED UP TO A WHARF NOT THREE DOCKS DOWN FROM WHERE THE PIRATES ARE STANDING. TWO GUARDS STAND AT THE FOOT OF THE GANGPLANK LEADING UP TO THE FAST SAILING SHIP GAWKING AT THE FIGHT UNDERWAY OUT IN THE HARBOR.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
We'll need at least four more, just to sail her, forty if we want to run the guns.

BLOODY FUST
We should act now, while the crew of the schooner is distracted...

EXT. SCHOONER NATHLIND, ETHAENAEL DOCKS -- MORNING

Dirty Henri Flint lit his pipe again. Everyone but him, The warrior, and the valet had changed into the sailors livery of the Kingdom of Maine. Two Maine guards were posted at the gangplank leading to the schooner.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
OK, so now we need a crew? Ideas?

BLOODY FUST
What about the dwarves? They make the best gunners?

BLACK-CAPPED SAILOR
What about the survivors?

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
I have already sent Raginwuld to meet up with any survivors at the Salty Wench. He should be back soon.

BEREND PIUS
We should recruit for a crew in town. Announce we have a ship arriving soon, that needs a new crew, ready to sail immediately.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
Aye, who will see to that with me?

BLOODY FUST
I will.

BEREND PIUS
I will.

VALET
I will.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
What are we going to offer our new crew?

BALLOU, SHIP'S MATE
Standard pay, three shillings a month, hazard pay bonus if we go into battle of five shillings a month. One share for each, in any bounty. Captain gets five shares, ships officers three, Firsts, two, marines, gunners, and sailors one share each.

DIRTY HENRI FLINT
Aye, that'll do. Let's go get them. We sail on the night tide tonight.