RuneScape Forum Archive | Into the Ashlands (RP)

NotFishing

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Then there was the Captain himself. Charismatic, fair, and level-headed, he seemed a good leader. His crew spoke highly of him, respected him, and most were clearly loyal. Between him and the Commanders, it seemed the Mages Guild had chosen good leaders for their expedition.

Lastly, there were the four mages. Unfortunately, they mainly kept to themselves. Every now and then they would walk the decks. Darius would ignore all attempts at conversation, and the rest would politely rebuff any attempts at communication. A few crewmembers were visibly wary of them, but others just dismissed the mages' behavior - wizards were supposed to be eccentric, were they not?

Anyway, for two fulls days the expedition carried onward without incident.

It was early in the morning of the third day that they saw the sails.

They had seen other ships on their journey, of course, but not like this.

There were two vessels, both of them somewhat smaller than The Sea Drake , and by their closeness they were clearly traveling together. They were both making a beeline toward the Expedition's vessel. The Captain frowned, then pulled out and unfolded some sort of enchanted pole, and placed it over his eye, staring out toward them for a few long moments.

Then, calmly, he closed the device and put it back into his pocket, before shouting: "Sea Drake, prepare for battle!"

A few moments later, a horn sounded, and the mercenaries along with several other crewmembers came rushing above deck... Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

14-Oct-2018 21:03:18 - Last edited on 19-Oct-2018 17:05:03 by NotFishing

Azi Demonica

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When she had the chance, Caspara spoke with the captain, and eventually managed to reduce the offenders’ punishment. It did not seem to have done much to improve relations, but at least she did something. It was not long until the twins started bickering about nothing, though.

Griselda kept to herself past two days, alone in her thoughts. She resorted to ignoring the annoying centurion. Octavius didn’t do much, but at times was a bit of an adult child, but he seemed to enjoy board games and cards.

The two contrasting mercenary companies rushed to the deck when the horn sounded. The other mercs did likewise.

“Maybe there will be some humans who actually fight me!” Xavakuun stated eagerly.

“They may not even be human, dummy,” Caspara remarked.

“Oh!” Octavius exclaimed.

Upon reaching the deck, Griselda ran to the railings, placing her hands on them and looking at the incoming vessels.

“Ooo! Two!” Octavius unsheathed his gladius and brandished it, as if beckoning or teasing the enemy. “Vis etiam? Paratus sum!”

15-Oct-2018 02:09:55

Jul

2011

Annie1227

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Annie was enjoying the sea air on the deck of the boat. She also watched the crew working trying to understand how this boat works by watching. She was lucky that she wasn't sea sick for the last two days.

Then on the thrid day at sea, she was sleeping on her bed that was below deck because it was early morning. She woke up with fright when she heard the horn that ment to prepare for battle. She got out of her bed and got dress quickly. She got her weapons and ran up to the deck ready to fight. She got to the deck, she took her bow from her back and notched an arrow ready to fight. -Dances-

18-Oct-2018 00:58:30 - Last edited on 18-Oct-2018 04:33:55 by Annie1227

George Rozas

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Wulvash hated ships. Always too small, cramped, constantly rocking with the waves that crashed against the sides, the constant risk of being thrown overboard where his hefty bulk would sink like a stone... It was never a pleasant experience, but he suffered through without complaint, rarely letting any displeasure show.

Two days of wary looks was nothing new to him, but the close quarters and constant requirement to be in proximity of those who held a grudge and others who simply had no trust in his kind put the lizard somewhat on edge, which really didn't help his hatred for ships already. Still, he maintained his promise to Vanick and stirred up not a bit of trouble - pointedly ignoring the unpleasant looks of the crewmen who felt wronged. He received pleny of those considering how much he was on deck.

But simply because he ignored them didn't mean the drakonian kept entirely to himself. With tensions already strained from the unpleasantness of the first day he made an active decision to try and bring at least a thin layer of ease to the perceptions of himself and Zensira. Thus, he began to attempt interaction with the two other mercenary companies where possible. With the Red Rangers being the ones who had lost a man it made sense to him to steer clear of them for at least the first day, letting tempers cool while instead he spoke with what few members of the Black Rose seemed interested.

Conversations were stilted at first, one-sided even at times, but Wulvash managed to breach common ground with a few of the band once the topic of drakonian culture came up. While he had long since distanced himself from his homeland and its practices he had forgotten nothing of his country, and corrected the falsehoods and rumours with the patience of one who had done so many times before. Once interest was peaked, conversation flowed a little more freely and after a time there even seemed to be a vague sense of camaraderie. He attempted to get Zensira to join the talks I am Inferi.

19-Oct-2018 01:39:28

George Rozas

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as well, to... Mixed success.

On the second day he approached a group of the Red Rangers who had been going about their jolly ways, still feeling that underlying tension that was mixed into their warm and accepting demeanors. In truth Wulvash didn't know if the company held a grudge against him or his charge even after his continued interactions, but after a time he felt as though at least a little of that tension had been lessened - having spent time sharing stories of jobs and fights.

But now came the morning of the third day, where already Wulvash stood above deck - his sleep having been difficult in the cramped quarters - looking out across the open ocean as the sun steadily rose higher. He was here when the call rose up from the captain to prepare for battle, and here the bulky drakonian returned to with the rest of his armaments in hand - already sporting his heavy armour. He gazed across at the approaching vessel, the base of his massive shield resting upon the deck just a short space from the planted base of his poleaxe. He glanced at the slight figure of Zensira, as always the Drow stuck to him like tree sap.

" Remain close, " He told her, needing to say nothing more - they had been through many fights already, she knew how best to stay close so he could both protect her and fight. I am Inferi.

19-Oct-2018 01:39:35

NotFishing

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Unfamiliar Sails

"Captain!" came the voice of Darius, the expedition's official leader, frowning as he came up from below deck. "How do you know they are hostile?"

"They're heading straight for us and they have black flags," the Captain answered back. "Does that answer your question?"

Darius's frown deepened. "So why are you not taking evasive maneuvers?" He demanded.

"Because," the Captain shot back, "we can't hope to outrun them!" Several crewmembers nodded in agreement. The smaller, lighter ships were faster, and the wind was not in the Sea Drake's favour.

Darius's frown turned into a scowl. Without saying anything more, he retreated below deck, apparently content to sit the action out. And none of the other Academy wizards had made an appearance.

Now it was the Captain's turn to frown, but only for a moment. He would not let the mages' refusal to help phase him in anyway. He reverted back to his confident, professional demeanor. "Now listen up, each one of you is worth five of any sea raider, never forget that! So double the rum for anyone who can kill more than five!"

Some of the crewmembers let out a cheer at that, and a few of the mercenaries as well. The Sea Drake and the two hostile ships continued to sail closer. The Captain said a few words to his helmsman, who stepped aside, and then the Captain took personal control of the wheel, setting a course straight for the ship on the right.

"Commander Vendal, get your archers up on the quarterdeck! Everyone else, form a line and prepare to receive boarders!" The Captain shouted. The crewmembers immediately raced to comply, picking up axes, spears, and cutlasses.

As for the mercenaries, all they had to do was draw their own weapons, but many appeared uncertain - few of them had actually fought onboard a ship before, and many had yet to gain their sea legs. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

24-Oct-2018 04:46:25 - Last edited on 24-Oct-2018 05:25:05 by NotFishing

NotFishing

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Still, a line was formed nonetheless - they stood almost shoulder to shoulder, two rows, with the second row standing back a few feet. Each row was made up of a mercenary and then a sailor, continuing on like that from start to finish. Vanick had command of the front row, while Alba had command of the second row. For some reason, Robert had insisted that the rows face the left, despite the fact that the ship they appeared to be gunning for was on the right.

As for Zensira, the Captain had decided that the drow girl would stand by his side. She'd be safer there than on the front lines, he had told Wulvash, and if a single crewmember or mercenary was cowering down below deck he reckoned it would be too great a risk to leave her down there alone with them.

Soon the Sea Drake was almost in contact with the starboard ship. The starboard ship immediately began turning to avoid the Sea Drake's ram, but they had never been Captain Robert's true target.

"Brace!" The Captain yelled, before spinning the wheel like mad. The Seadrake veered to the left suddenly, the ram flying straight into the hull of the port ship with a loud crash! Several mercenaries and crewmembers alike nearly lost their balance. The port ship however had it even worse - the ram had clearly breached the hull, several of the pirates had been knocked off their feet, and one or two had even gone overboard.

But the starboard ship had noticed and, as it was about to pass the Sea Drake, it changed its course, suddenly turning and pulling up along the port side of the Sea Drake. A group of perhaps a few dozen corsairs stood on deck with vicious grins. Grappling hooks flew out, connecting with railings and rigging, and they began to pull the two ships together. Soon, the hulls were almost close enough to touch.

"I wonder how we got roped into this?" Lieutenant asked aloud. Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

24-Oct-2018 05:02:11 - Last edited on 30-Oct-2018 22:59:41 by NotFishing

NotFishing

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The first foe to set foot on the deck was a giant of a man, clad head to toe in steel plate, with a thick wooden shield and a one-handed axe. He was either brave or stupid to wear such heavy equipment at sea. He vaulted over the rail like it was nothing. "Come!" he taunted, setting his gaze on Wulvash, "kill me if you can!"

The rest of his pirate crew was not far behind, vaulting and leaping over the railing to follow their Captain's example.

"Vendal, now!" Robert shouted. A volley of arrows shot forth, and several of the enemy boarders fell dead. One arrow thudded harmlessly into the enemy captain's shield.

Though outnumbered and set upon by arrows, the pirates were nonetheless confident and ferocious. One of them was a a short lithe man with long blond hair who was clad in boiled leather and wielded only a longsword, pointed a finger at a crewmember between Griselda and Octavius. A bolt of fire shot forward. The crewmember's clothes were suddenly set alight, so the man ran to the opposite edge of the ship, and screamed as he hurled himself overboard.

Meanwhile, a rather large, bulky, and cruel looking man set his gaze upon Annie. Armed with whip and sword, he lashed the whip forward, going straight for the face.

As for Caspara and Xavakuun, no foes of particular interest stood out, however they would soon find themselves hard pressed, as many of the enemy crew decided it would be prudent to get the most intimidating opponent out of the way first.

Then an arrow volley came from the enemy ship, striking a number of Royce's archers. The Captain and Zensira were unharmed, but he ordered her to stand further back behind the group of bowmen.

---

((Discount Victarion Greyjoy, the Spellsword, and the Whip Guy are not allowed to be autohit. Fight them as if you are fighting another player.)) Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

24-Oct-2018 05:12:31 - Last edited on 24-Oct-2018 10:20:51 by NotFishing

George Rozas

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With Zensira under the watch of the Captain - by the man's insistence - Wulvash had more ability to move in a fight than he had for a while, despite the fact he was on board a ship. Thus the drakonian joined the shield wall between two sailors - one of which, notably, was one of those who saw punishment during the first day's events. Animosity or not now was not the time to start something, Wulvash readying his hefty shield that easily dwarfed all others within the wall, his halberd raised high to strike from over the top.

It was interesting then, that the first to board was a man in armour nearly as thick as his own - one who singled Wulvash out with a defiant challenge. The drakonian's eyes narrowed slightly, considering whether or not he would 'take the bait' and return the challenge - well aware that the rest of the pirates would almost certainly not be so kind as to avoid interfering in what might otherwise count as a duel. However, a confident swell rose in him and he stepped forwards out of the shield wall - which of course would close up behind him - striding to meet with the second most heavily armoured individual taking part in this battle.

He was right before. The pirates didn't see fit to ignore him, two coming in to intercept him with that vicious fervour he had seen in the past. Their cutlasses failed to stand out to him as a true threat, and with a devastating sweep from his weapon the two lightly armoured - if armoured at all - miscreants were cut down decisively. The first's head rolled across the deck as his neck fountained blood, while the second had attempted to block the swing only for his weapon to be knocked aside and the spike of the halberd cleaving a gaping wound across his chest. Almost dismissively Wulvash smashed the front of his shield against the wounded pirate as he continued forwards, an audible crack resounding as the man's body was flung across the deck and crashed over the railings to fall into the blue abyss below. I am Inferi.

24-Oct-2018 22:26:52

George Rozas

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Whether it was because of this display of force or because they realized he was squaring up to their captain the pirates didn't harass him any further, and thus Wulvash was able to meet his foe upon a relatively open space.

" I can, and I shall - human, " He rumbled, sweeping his halberd's bladed head at the legs of his opponent - keeping his shield raised and facing his foe at all times. The intent was to trip as much as it was to maim, Wulvash's weapons of course being larger and heavier than non-drakonian armaments, making them decidedly more deadly as they carried more force and ability to penetrate.

Regardless of the outcome he would not sit idly by and allow the armoured man to retaliate effectively, utilizing his massive shield to its full capabilities of completely rebuffing any attacks against him - and should he thrust his shield to meet the man's weapon, the force behind it would be doubled due to the enchanted effects placed upon the bulwark. Short of his halberd being somehow trapped or pinned Wulvash would perform thrusts and swipes with his reach advantage, again utilizing his shield to maintain that advantage. I am Inferi.

24-Oct-2018 22:26:58 - Last edited on 24-Oct-2018 22:32:32 by George Rozas

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Into the Ashlands (RP)