Open Chronicles Blood In the Sea

[Ademar Acero]

The Dreadlord of the Royal Family was unique and odd to see, though it was disappointing and frowned upon to have a warrior of such talents devoting themselves to the King. Politics was not Ademar’s forte, but he could piece together some reasoning behind it from his lessons by the wisdoms of the Academy and his own mentor, even though no one truly knew how the Monarchy was stripped and its king a simple figurehead.

But that didn’t unsettle him.

No, it was the strange man that was a member of this fine vessel. Ademar, being close to Elise, noticed how some of the men were concerned and gave looks to the man as if he were crazy. He didn’t doubt it, but that insanity could lead to to potential harm to Elise and the crew; however, his concern was with Lady Elise and not the crew or anyone else.

Hopefully the captain would have the man in the brig if he began to make the crew uncomfortable with his presence.

“Is this city the pirate revealed to us far away from Coraliv, my Lady,” he merely asked to Elise, simply to pass by the time as they sailed and to truly know how far this holdout was from their borders. Perhaps they could use Coraliv as a checkpoint if anything happened for them to flee to safety.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise sat comfortably in her throne like chair at the very aft of the ship, her gaze sweeping out over the rest of the vessels in the fleet as she quietly observed everyone and everything around her.

The discontent running through the crew was not lost on her, but it was something which would have to be ignored until it something could be done about it. The journey would be a short one after all, and there was no point in really pushing things.

"Not too far." She told the Apprentice absently.

Proper respect was something that most people adopted around her very carefully. Her reputation for lashing out was a well earned one, and most knew to be cautious.

"I doubt we'll have reason to visit there." She mused. "These pirates won't present much of a problem."

The fleet was moving quickly now, the wind driving them faster than one might expect.

(Timeskip to the pirate base?)

 

[X Name]

X had kept his eyes on the horizon for most of the trip. It had helped him keep his mind clear, which was rare. He noticed how wary the sailors were around him everytime he came down from the crow's nest for food. The unease around him was not lost on him. Most of the time it actually made him happy. It would be far worse if he kept it bottled up inside. His eyes suddenly lit up and a broad grin came to his lips.

It's time.

Time to kill?

"Yes." Then he spoke up for the whole ship to hear, "Enemy in sight!"

He started to bounce on his feet a bit and even grabbed hold of the sailor next to him before he could protest. Pure joy was all he could feel and every part of him was in agreement. After a short naval battle, he would finally see some action.

 

[Ania]

The crazed cloaked foreigner was practically bounding out of his skin as he declared that the enemy was in sight. Ania enjoyed snuffing the life out of the dredges of society as much as anyone but she conducted herself with a modicum of dignity. Unsurprising though that someone who hadn't gone through the vigorous training regimen of an Anirian dreadlord would be incapable of showing a bit of restraint.

She maintained her current position to ensure this rabid murdered would have to go through her before he could get near the captain or Lady Virak. Her vision fixated on his merriment, not even wavering to look at the enemy.

"Settle down. We are here to carry out a task not hold a celebration," she muttered in his general direction.

As the pirate base came closer into view her gaze did shift towards it. It looked like some lunatic had cobbled together dozens of wooden shacks in a random array. Stakes, flagpoles, and arches were decorated in bloody trophies and skulls. Perhaps to common brutes it would've been frightening or served as a deterrent. To Ania it looked like child's play. These criminals would prove no match for the onslaught that awaited them.

 

[Yrael]

Yrael was below deck when the call of land was made. Stepping back into salty air he could see the fortress in the distance.

Disordered, clumsy, frail. These were the adjectives that came to mind. It seemed almost cowardly that they had brought so many vessels to fight a force so far beneath them, but appearances could be deceiving.

Yrael saw several vessels in the water before the base. It would not have been difficult to see the Anirian armada approaching, even if by some miracle the pirates had not been forewarned of their attack. The opposing ships were not as impressive as the warships that he and the other commanders now stood on, but they were more numerous. Some were small and shabby, others decorated with garish gold and bristling with weapons. They had not gained such wealth by being incompetent seafarers, but then again they had likely not faced a ship with a Dreadlord.

"Prepare for battle," he said to the first mate, and his command was echoed in shouts across the deck. Supplies were tied down tighter, arrows were checked and rechecked. Ballistas cranked into position, and soldiers donned their helmets and armor, sharpening blades.

It would not be long before they were in range, and then Ania would get her wish of a red sea.

 

[Ademar Acero]

What a damn lunatic.

Maybe this was here where Ademar pushed him off from the sea as the state of mind on the strange man started to concern him. It concerned him more than the pirate vessels that was protecting their land operations and now set sail to intercept them. Only difference was between the hooded man and the pirates was that the latter were criminals that could easily be predictable. The mysterious peasant wasn’t and it was unknown if this creature was adept in magic or not.

Though he’d refrain from doing so as it would undermine the authority of Elise.

At least they’d have blood after a boring voyage. This was better than the siege of Coraliv.

The wind favored their sails as they increased velocity, nearing themselves to the island and the fleet that awaited them. They were outnumbered, but he suspect their quality wasn’t as refined as the war ships of Vel Anir. Any pirate would even prize a longship of Anirian build as their flagship. Sailors and couriers prepared themselves as it seemed they would have company from port and broadside. Ademar’s place was here near Elise and wouldn’t make a move of distancing himself from her until ordered so.

 

[Elise Virak]

More ships meant more dead pirates, at least that was how she saw it.

Her head slowly turned towards the Admiral standing nearby, golden eyes watching him for any sign of fear or doubt. When she observed none, she quietly asked. "Any cause for concern, Admiral?"

The man glanced at her, then at the arrayed enemies before slowly shaking his head.

"No, My Lady. Fighting will be brutal, but there is no doubt of victory."

A slight nod of her head, and Elise slowly turned her gaze back towards the distant ships. There were many of them, though none as large as her own flagship. After a few moments she took in a deep breath and raised her hand.

"Begin the attack." The command was all that was needed.

Flags were raised, quickly waving in signal. A second later a massive fireball erupted from the head of her ship, one of the Dreadlords launching an attack of maic directly into the enemies armada.

 

[X Name]

As the attack started, X was jumping with joy again. He watched as the first pirate ship was engulfed in flames, then a few more after that. The mages aboard their ships were powerful indeed. He would want to have a talk with them about magic after this was over. The ships continued to sail on toward the pirate fleet and it didn't take long before there were ships both to port and starboard. He was happy about that, because his next move would likely not surprise everyone that had gotten wary of his presence over the voyage.

Grabbing a rope, he jumped from the crow's nest and swung himself over to the starboard side, landing on the upper deck with a quiet thud. The pirates around him turned to look at him in confusion. "Hi there. Care to dance?" He gave them a grin from under his hood as he unclasped his cloak, revealing the arsenal of blades strapped to his chest and belt. Two blades suddenly went flying into the necks of the two closest to the stairs, sending them careening down to the first level.

The rest of the pirates reacted, drawing their swords and charging at the assassin wildly. The assassin was waiting for that. He reached into the back of his cloak and pulled out two curved daggers, instantly parrying swords with ease as they clashed with the daggers only to slip off the tip and pass their mark. They were all met with a swift counter to the neck or stomach, each pirate dying quickly after engaging the deceptively agile man. X's head was clearest in the heat of battle. There were no voices, no disturbing thoughts, and no crazy banter with beings that weren't actually there. All he could feel was the rush of adrenaline as he cut down pirates left and right.

 

[Ania]

Naval combat was not something that Ania excelled at. Her magic was much less obvious than that of many of her fellow dreadlords. She couldn't create some giant explosion as the pyromancers were nor could she fling an invisible force to knock their foes overboard.

Thus it made sense for Ania to remain aboard the flag ship. At least until a solid boarding opportunity presented itself to her. She saw the crazed hooded renegade swing over to an enemy vessel and felt a sense of relief. Would be a good thing to not have to worry about his sudden movements, if only for a brief bit of time.

Ania made her way to the side of the ship so that she could look out onto one of their foe's transports that had not yet been assaulted by the dreadlord firestarters. They were much smaller than the proudly crafted Anirian vessel and the pirates onboard were far enough to look like the rodents she knew them to be. Not wanting to let an opportunity to serve Vel Anir go to waste she caught glimpse of as many of the scum as possible.

She showed them their ship on fire, slowly sinking. Panic ensued as some of those under her spell made their way towards the bow of the ship in order to plunge into the ocean below. Others attempted to put out flames that were not there. Still more ran around in a state of distress, uncertain what to do. Dreadlords and servants of Vel Anir boarding the ship found several lambs for slaughter.

 

[Yrael]

The din of battle had begun, and it would be some time before it ceased. The deep, rippling explosions of magic flame and the crackling of burning ships. Splintering beams, sails drumming in the wind, and endless waves through it all.

He saw a black speck fly through the air from one ship to another. They didn't look like a Vel Anirian soldier, yet they had come from one of the Virak ships. Odd.

The royal ship had engaged the pirates in full now, and the heavy chunk of the ballista set a slow rhythm. The archers fired as one, blanketing unboarded ships in a hail of arrows.

It would be most efficient to destroy ships from afar, they could not board all of them. The smaller vessels, although fast, were destroyed quickly. One or two hits from a lower Dreadlord would sink them. Standing on the bow, Yrael severed the mast of one of the passing skiffs. Dead in the water, someone else would clean them up in no time.

His goal was ahead. One of the largest pirate ships, triple mast and ornately decorated. "Straight ahead," he told the helmsman. The royal ship was equipped with a formidable battering ram, and Yrael would see it used.

They picked up speed, pushing smaller crafts out of their way as they tore through the waves. "Brace yourselves!" the command rang out and sailors grabbed whatever sturdy object they could find.

As they zeroed in Yrael focused on the aft of his ship, and moved both of his arms forwards. The craft lurched suddenly, pushed forward by his magic. Almost flying out of the water, it smashed into the pirate vessel.

The bow of the royal ship made it halfway through the deck. Knights lept up to defend against pirates attempting to board, seeing the doom of their own craft. Yrael reached back and pushed forwards again, using his ship like a hammer.

One. Two. Three. The ram broke through the opposite side and cleaved the pirates' ship in half. As they passed through a few pirate clambered aboard, but the knights would deal with them. Yrael was already looking for his next target.

 

[Ademar Acero]

They made their first strike against the Pirates with a fireball launched at them. Slightly outnumbered they were, but that didn’t bother them at all. The sea would be the graveyard for these miserable scum and their ships their coffin. Blood would be spilled, but it would never be enough to color it red unfortunately.

And already the pirates suffered a barrage of coordinated attacks that dwindled their numbers and sank their precious vessels. They would know they weren’t up against any ordinary navy thanks to its prestigious personnel. Hell even a pirate cruiser was torn in half when rammed by the ship belonging to the Royal Family. That was most likely the best highlight of this battle, and if that wasn’t enough to cause these scurvy fiends to retreat then what else could.

Fortunately, however, they did not retreat and believed with sheer number would favor them. They couldn’t be more wrong. They were like an unyielding storm, eating any vessel with a pirate flag and sinking it to the sea.

One of the vessels managed to station themselves to board Elise’s ship while the other one was taken care by Ania’s magic. Ademar stayed at his, however, he did touch the steel plated armor of a Virak guard to absorb its properties and apply it on his body. Pirates rushed on to deck, causing a fight on the deck which allowed others daring to head for the level of the ship’s wheel. It would be hell for them as they’d come across Ademar and truly know what invincibility was in reality. They would die on the stairs before ever reaching the wheel and Elise.

 

[Elise Virak]

Blood and chaos.

Elise savored them both as she closed her eyes and focused on the power swirling within her. Every drop of blood, every life spent, all of it fueled her.

It was a subtle leeching of power, a slow funnel of strength that ebbed from the vast battlefield on this sea and into her. She gathered the strength to herself, hoarding it, grasping and pulling it away from the connection that fed the power of her family.

This was why she was here.

Pirates didn't matter. Shipping, trade? Who cared but the Banick's and Weiroons.

Elise would see all of them burn in time, but for now she needed power. That power came with the death of these men, that power came with wholesale slaughter. Like a Queen she sat, drinking in the entropy of those around her.

"Not one of them escapes, Admiral." She spoke softly, feeling a wave of death as one of the Pirate ships was shattered by the touch of a Dreadlord. "No prisoners."

The words echoed out from her as a splatter of blood cast over the floor nearby.

 

[X Name]

The thrill of battle around him brought ideas to X's head. He worked his way down to the main deck, cutting down more pirates along the way. A few of the pirates had made their way onto the Baroness's ship and were locked in combat with his allies. As soon as the pirates around him were finished off, the remaining few were met with thrown daggers in their backs.

They needed to keep moving. X grinned as he turned one of the pirates' cannons inward and down towards the deck. He lit a fuse and stuck it in, running back to his ship and kicking the boarding planks off. He turned toward the Baroness and bowed just as the cannon went off, the explosion behind him bringing a wicked grin to his lips. "This carnage has been done for you, milady. More awaits you on the shore."

 

[Ania]

Somehow, the exact source of their arrival unclear, several of the pirates had stormed the ship of Lady Virak. This development spurred Ania to action as a sly smile creeped across her face. The slaughter of criminals, foreigners, and the enemies of Vel Anir was something she reviled in and while using her magic from afar had seen several of the scum perish she preferred to get her hands dirty.

With a loud scrape of metal she pulled her sword from its scabbard. Her feet pounded upon the planks of wood from the ship as she charged forward towards the group of pirates making their way up towards the admiral and Elise. In a flurry of motions she drove her blade through the chest of the lead man then backed away and slashed the throat of the second renegade.

Her smile had now cracked into a full on open mouthed grin as the elation of battle set in.

She concentrated and focused on the last three before her. Their vision had met hers and she now knew they were fully under her control. She cast an illusion on them, disorienting their senses and confusing their direction. All three of them appeared to be Anirian to one another and they began cutting at each other, tearing one another limb from limb. Hopefully this little show was enjoyable for the admiral and Elise Virak.

Once only one man was still standing Ania walked up to him, appearing as one of his allies. She pulled a knife from her belt, sliced it across his neck, and ended his life as he fell onto the deck.

 

[Yrael]

The pirate fleet was falling with remarkable speed. Ships splintered, burned, exploded. It truly was a one-sided battle, Yrael couldn't be certain with the smoke the in air, but he had not seen a single Anirian ship sink.

A explosion rocked the deck of the royal ship. A fireball had been tossed from a nearby pirate ship. A figure was hurling them out across the waves, striking anything within range. So the pirates had mages now? Yrael ordered the ship around. "Direct your fire to that ship," he commanded his archers, and arrows soon whistled through the air.

Another fireball came, and Yrael batted it aside with a grunt of effort. They were coming fast, and fire was not easy to push. A second fireball came and was deflected into a nearby lifeboat. "Get me in range," he called to the helmsman.

The fireballs were coming with more intensity as they drew closer, and counter-fire from the pirates struck their masts and felled some of his men. Still the ship moved closer, the helmsman knew better than to disobey an order. A second fireball struck the ship, and Yrael struggled to stay afoot.

Finally close enough, he lock down a field of pressure around the mage. They reached back to hurl another fireball, but it exploded as soon as it left their hand, striking the invisible barrier. The scream was only audible for a moment as they were turned to ash.

Yrael had expended more energy that he had wished. He signaled the helmsman to bring them to land. That ship was no threat without its mage, and the real prize would be ashore.

 

[Ademar Acero]

Truly it was a massacre disguised as a naval battle. It nearly took the flavor of victory from it...just nearly. As much as Ademar enjoyed the carnage, he also welcomed challenges that questioned his prowess. These pirates failed to do that, even with their great numbers. Perhaps a bit of discipline and intelligence would improve their chances of victory, but that chance was no more. They were livestock and they, at will, gave themselves up to their slaughterers.

It wasn’t long until the Anirian fleet, after entertaining the nuisances of the pirates, were they able to close the distance between them and the island they were after.

More pirate scum hid behind the walls of their base, a healthy number of them still remained. The base looked almost like a military naval installment, but some aspects of its design gave it away that its structure wasn’t as professionally built. Naturally it had some sort of artillery for countering invading hostile vessels. A critical threat? Possibly, Ademar doubted they could aim at all.

 

[Elise Virak]

Things were going well, better than she could have hoped in fact.

The Pirates were dying, the power she was feeling was invigorating, and on top of it all she'd had to do almost nothing at all. Delight sailed within her heart, her fingers flittering slowly over the edges of her armchair as the ship sailed into the natural harbor.

Then it came.

Elise's eyes bulged, her lips thinned. "UP THERE!"

Her voice broke over the command of the deck, and suddenly from the right of the vessel came a massive ball of fire. It surged through the air, seemingly thrown from a spot hidden within the isles thick jungle. Before anyone could stop it, the ball crashed into the side of Elise's ship.

Fire and wood exploded outward, sundering the dick and sending men screaming as an inferno caught.

 

[X Name]

X heard the urgency in the Baroness's voice and looked up. Then his eyes went wide as he realized he was directly in the path of the fireball. Without another thought, he ran to the other side of the deck, attempted to grab Ania, and jumped.

He stayed underwater for a few moments as he watched the ship engulf in flames and debris fly around from the explosion. As soon as he reached the surface again, he looked up at the flaming ship and hoped that the surly guard actually did his job and protected the Baroness. He shook his head, knowing there was nothing he could do. The only thing he knew he could do was swim for the nearest ship.

 

[Ania]

One moment Ania was slaughtering pirates and the next she heard the baroness cry out. Alarmed her head spun towards the noblewoman of Great House Virak, preparing to run at her and defend her from whatever was preparing to assault her. Instead, however, someone was grabbing at her. She tried to twist around, stop whoever was pulling her towards the railing of the ship, but it was no use.

The sudden momentum shift was unavoidable for her and sent her body over the side of the vessel. Luckily, a hand grasped at the edge of the ship while her opposite arm struggled loose from her attacker. As she dangled over the side of the ship she glanced down to see, and hear, a crash in the waves. It was the odd foreigner who had vowed to help them. Having narrowly avoided being pulled into the ocean by the man she briefly contemplated all of the ways she'd kill him once they were back ashore in Anirian lands.

That was, until, the great rupturing of the fireball into the side of their ship. It exploded so violently that Ania had to swing her other arm upwards to secure her grasp as she dangled overboard. She couldn't assess the damage done but she knew she had to bring herself back aboard to ensure the admiral and Lady Virak remained unharmed.

 

[Yrael]

The explosion had been deafening, even over the cacophony of the rest of the battle. Yrael's head whipped back to see the remains of Elise Virak's ship. Smoldering, breaking apart. Men feel into the sea while others burned. He wondered where the baroness had been. He held no affection for her but her death would send ripples through the houses, ripples that would agitate and complicate.

It was too late to turn back, the royal ship was nearly at the shore and was too large to turn about with any hope of arriving soon enough to assist the Virak forces. The best they could do was clear the beach for the oncoming assault.

They weighed anchor as close to shore as possible, and rowboats were lowered, packed to bursting with armored soldiers. They were vulnerable here, and needed to move quickly. Arrows took knights in the neck, and a handful of small fireballs and lightning bursts came from the shore. Nothing near the scope of what had hit that ship, however.

Yrael did not have time for this, and propelled himself with a great leap from the ship to the shore, landing with a splash in shin-deep water. Immediately he set about throwing enemies aside. Walls of water shot up alongside his force blasts and deep trenches were carved in the sands. Perhaps the ground forces could use those for cover.