A Warlock Alone, Island Empire solo game

[Scotley]

Taking the Prize

As the Retribution begins its approach, the men on the other ship stop their work. One shouts, "Where'd you get the new boat Captain?" Nicolas responds, "Two prizes this week, can you believe it?" This seems to make the men suspecious, it would appear that while Nicolas has the look of the captain, something it off in the voice or manner. Nicolas continues, "Back to work lads. I brought you some help." At this point the other men begin to grab weapons, but now it is too late. Chandar and his strike team are starting to appear over the far rail and in an instant Grond is taking the fight to them from this side. The battle is swift and deadly. It seems the pirates are used to attacking with sudden overwhealming force and winning easily. They face the men of the Retribution recklessly with no coordination. While a couple of the men put up a decent fight, all twelve are dead in the first handful of rounds. Chandar goes below and returns quickly to report the ship is secure.

 

[J. Alexander]

The Prize

"Watching the conflict from the quarter deck Michael is stunned by the success..this was to easy "Grond please search the fallen, all the wounded to go below to the ships healer....and Captain Chandar i want the ship throughly searched...this does not feel right?"

 

[Scotley]

The Search

A brief search of the boat reveals no other inhabitants. The boat has been largely stripped of valuables. The rudder chains and every scrap of sail cloth has been removed. The ship's bell and all identifing marks are gone. All the loose furniture has been removed. The galley has been stripped of pots and pans. There is only one small cask of water and perhaps enough rations for one meal to serve the 12 crewmen. A few simple tools and the men's weapons are all that can be recovered from the ship. In addition to the weapons a total of 150 gp worth of coins and modest valuables are found on the fallen pirates. There are no ropes, no wood or tar for repairs and not even any hammocks or bedding. From the work being done it appears that the plan to break the ship for parts, even though the boat appears sound and well maintained up to this point. The mast was being taken down and several windows and door being removed. It is a small single masted scooner about half the size of the retribution. Mangram suggests an answer, "I'd say the pirate lass didn't trust these boys not to run off with her prize. She had all the sail, ropes and rudder pulled to see they couldn't sail away. She didn't even trust them with food and water for a short journey. No honor among theives I guess."

 

[J. Alexander]

The Prize

"How long do you think it will take you to get her ready to sail with a crew "Captain Mangrum"....Michael says with a smile..."We will escourt you as we head back to the rest and you shall turn off and head towards Tergere where you will recruit a crew and refit her"

 

[J. Alexander]

The Prize

Michael will then invite Grond, the prisetes and Captain Chandar to the deck...."Easy enough but it may have been to easy...as soon as Captain Mangrum gets her ready we will sail but i am of a mind to put her in tow and have the repairs,outfitting made as we go...i feel weird about this place..."

 

[Scotley]

Captain Mangram

"It all depends on what I find at Tregere. It shouldn't require a very large crew for a ship of this size, but I don't expect the facilities at Tregere are very advanced as yet. I believe I can have her ready for full duty in a month if I find the right people to hire, six weeks at the outside. The ship seems pretty sound. Rigging her with all new sails and a new set of rudder chains will take a minimum of two weeks. Proper fittings another week and then one to three weeks of sea trials with the new crew."

 

[J. Alexander]

Captain Mangrum

"Then it is settled then, we will tow you back to Terger then come back to Mermaids Rest to pick up our other hulks...Gentlemene let us take her in tow and set course for Tergere"

 

[Scotley]

Return to Tregere

"We'll have a few days to Tregere Captain, could I have say 10 men to start doing a little work on the new boat? We can start putting the doors and such back in place?" Asks Captain Mangram.

Soon lines are carefully attached. The wind is blowing directly into the rocky cove and it takes a heroic effort with many men small boats to get safely away from the rocks and under sail. The once spritely Retribution feels like a tired old ox pulling the other boat. The winds are not particular favorable and considerable tacking is required. The crew has little experience towing and they stuggle to figure out the best methods. Eventually, they start to make some agonizingly slow headway. Willum comes on deck and begins to encourage the men. He even teaches them a few lines of the song of wind.

 

[J. Alexander]

The Prize

"That is fine Captain Mangrum, take a crew over and begin repairs" Michael replies....."We shall sail thru the night making the best speed we can......any questions gentlemen"

 

[Scotley]

Questions

With a nod Mangram begins to gather men with some skills he can use. Imparell asks softly, "Captain do you think we can continue to safely tow in the dark? Perhaps we should practice all day tomorrow in daylight before continuing on. The men are trying their best, but we really don't have experience wih this sort of thing." The ships clock seems to be ticking omionously loud in Michael's ear as he considers the situation. The Retribution waddles in the swells like a pregnant duck as the men stuggle with the sails.