Post by Sir Caelan Munro on Dec 16, 2015 15:22:09 GMT -8
Here is the post-GC XI Global Storyline Update: The Sea Serpent Trap!
Story by Sir Caelan Munro with builds by High General Mythrog
“Sire! Sire!” urged Thecil the Herald as he ran into King Chartres’ court. The room had been peaceful and quiet, as the King sat signing papers, his attendants waiting patiently by, with Queen Emmaline arranging flowers nearby to brighten the otherwise-solemn throne room. The formerly pleasant atmosphere was now shattered by Thecil’s overly-panicky entrance.
The King sighed, “Slow down, take a breath Thecil and give me your report.” How he wished he could fire the flighty man, but he was a distant relative…
“Sire! The Loreesi fleet were attacked by a horrible sea serpent and they have returned to port!”
The King gazed at him steadily, still considering giving him the boot. “I am not interested in old sea-salt superstitions Thecil. What is your report?”
Thecil finally realized he had overplayed his role, collected himself, unfolded a parchment, and read as calmly as he could, “I report…that the Garheim fleet has had a shortage of stores and is delayed setting sail for at least three more weeks.”
“….Yes?” the King waited for the pertinent part.
Thecil checked to see how he was doing and continued, “Our spies in Lenfald report that the ships returning from New Lenfald all report good news, and that their colony, which they now call “Emerald City”, is doing very well…”
“….Yes yes, what about our dear Loreesi?”
Thecil continued, “What’s more, the Lenfels are building a formidable fort on their island to protect…”
“The serpent you dolt!!” Chartres lost all patience, “tell me about the sea serpent!” Even the Queen was a bit taken aback by the King’s sudden interjection, but she attributed it to all the stress he was under and came over him to lay a hand on his shoulder for comfort.
Thecil held out a now-shaking hand and blurted, “I…was getting to that sire!”
————————————————————————————
Aboard the Outlaw master galley The Stranglehold, Captain Timur Gromov stood watching the red-and-gold fleet from afar, confirming for himself what had just been reported to him. “The Loreesi are indeed becalmed. Their sails are now useless. A magnificent opportunity!” They had been following the fleet since the Loreesi had left port, careful not to give away their presence, waiting for such a moment.
Gromov turned to a lackey beside him and growled, “Get me Ivanovich! Let us see if he can do even half of what he claims to do….”
He turned back to watch the mighty sailing fleet, and waited...
—————
A few miles away on the horizon, Admiral Ignacio de Lezo, on board the Loreesi ship Golden Vanguard, looked concerned as much of the fleet disappeared into a sudden dense and murky fog. Although a fog could be expected in such doldrums as they were now in, he had never seen one come up so fast, especially one so thick. The Watch called to him from the foremast that they had lost sight of most of the fleet and could only see two other of their closest ships.
“This is most peculiar, don’t you think Pierre?” he turned to his flagship’s Captain, but before the officer could even respond the admiral watched in horror as he witnessed a terrible giant shape take form in the murk just off the port side. A massive dripping head with long fangs and a snake-like tongue arose out of the mist and lunged forward, snatching a poor seaman off the deck like a child’s toy. The man screamed in terror, and as they were becalmed the sound shattered the quiet air. The Watch called out in horror, “Sea Serpent to port!!” and men began jolting into action, but there was little they could do as the screaming man was swallowed right before them.
The ship suddenly rocked when the creature’s body smashed into the side of the ship, crushing timbers like straw, and the sailors were forced to grab the nearest stationary structure in order to keep to their feet. The Golden Vanguard was a magnificent ship however, sturdy and well-built in the best Loreesi craftsmanship, and she took the blow in her stride.
Admiral de Lezo drew his sword and charged forward while yelling orders to attack the dreadful beast. His men courageously manned a ballista, but before they could get a clean shot off the horrid monster smashed the weapon with the side of it’s great scaly head and snatched another seaman up in its mouth. This one however it did not swallow. The poor man was carried off screaming in terror into the murky air. Long dreadful seconds they heard him cry out, as the beast moved off into the fog but did not submerge, so that any ship nearby could hear him. Then suddenly, a terrible silence.
The Vanguard stood still once more, all eyes desperately searching the fog for any sign of return. Men bravely took up weapons, grabbed hooks, or manned ballistas, and waited.
The Horror did return, this time at another ship off to starboard, likely to be the Wayward Warrior, a proud warship hailing from Dalmanutha. Admiral de Lezo and his crew were forced to listen helplessly as the sounds coming from the men of this ship clearly were suffering the same fate. He ordered the helmsman to come about, but with no significant wind available they would take ages to come to the Warrior's aid. Not long after the Warrior was attacked, a third ship's crew began crying out into the eerie fog, and panic in the fleet spread as ship-after-ship began to ring out cries of “Sea serpent!!”
—————
Aboard the Stranglehold, Captain Gromov nodded at the tall figure of Ivanovich, and grinned evilly, “Impressive work. In spite of my doubts, you have earned your fee.” He turned to his first mate, “They must be totally vulnerable now, lost in the fog, with only their ears to help them. We’ll use ours as well. All galleys forward! Row for the screams, and take whatever you desire from them!!”
————————————————————————————
“…and sire," Thecil continued his report, "Admiral de Lezo states that the fleet fell into confusion and were sitting ducks for these Outlaw galleys which appeared out of the fog. Every time the Loreesi started to rally for support, the serpent returned and scattered them. Three of the admiral's ships have not returned to port. The Loreesi are regrouping under de Lezo, but many of their sailors are now nervous about further voyages, especially in foul weather, sire.”
King Chartres stood in cold shock. These were dark times for Roawia indeed…
"This news aggrieves me greatly,” he stated quietly to his entire court. “With the current struggle within Loreesi's noble class, I fear this will only lead to more tragedy.” He turned back to Thecil, “Find my Garheim envoy and send him to me at once. Their fleet must know what could happen to them, and prepare for it accordingly."
————————————————————————————
The KC hopes to announce another GC soon. In the mean time, "Keep a weather-eye out for that beastie!!"
Story by Sir Caelan Munro with builds by High General Mythrog
“Sire! Sire!” urged Thecil the Herald as he ran into King Chartres’ court. The room had been peaceful and quiet, as the King sat signing papers, his attendants waiting patiently by, with Queen Emmaline arranging flowers nearby to brighten the otherwise-solemn throne room. The formerly pleasant atmosphere was now shattered by Thecil’s overly-panicky entrance.
The King sighed, “Slow down, take a breath Thecil and give me your report.” How he wished he could fire the flighty man, but he was a distant relative…
“Sire! The Loreesi fleet were attacked by a horrible sea serpent and they have returned to port!”
The King gazed at him steadily, still considering giving him the boot. “I am not interested in old sea-salt superstitions Thecil. What is your report?”
Thecil finally realized he had overplayed his role, collected himself, unfolded a parchment, and read as calmly as he could, “I report…that the Garheim fleet has had a shortage of stores and is delayed setting sail for at least three more weeks.”
“….Yes?” the King waited for the pertinent part.
Thecil checked to see how he was doing and continued, “Our spies in Lenfald report that the ships returning from New Lenfald all report good news, and that their colony, which they now call “Emerald City”, is doing very well…”
“….Yes yes, what about our dear Loreesi?”
Thecil continued, “What’s more, the Lenfels are building a formidable fort on their island to protect…”
“The serpent you dolt!!” Chartres lost all patience, “tell me about the sea serpent!” Even the Queen was a bit taken aback by the King’s sudden interjection, but she attributed it to all the stress he was under and came over him to lay a hand on his shoulder for comfort.
Thecil held out a now-shaking hand and blurted, “I…was getting to that sire!”
————————————————————————————
Aboard the Outlaw master galley The Stranglehold, Captain Timur Gromov stood watching the red-and-gold fleet from afar, confirming for himself what had just been reported to him. “The Loreesi are indeed becalmed. Their sails are now useless. A magnificent opportunity!” They had been following the fleet since the Loreesi had left port, careful not to give away their presence, waiting for such a moment.
Gromov turned to a lackey beside him and growled, “Get me Ivanovich! Let us see if he can do even half of what he claims to do….”
He turned back to watch the mighty sailing fleet, and waited...
—————
A few miles away on the horizon, Admiral Ignacio de Lezo, on board the Loreesi ship Golden Vanguard, looked concerned as much of the fleet disappeared into a sudden dense and murky fog. Although a fog could be expected in such doldrums as they were now in, he had never seen one come up so fast, especially one so thick. The Watch called to him from the foremast that they had lost sight of most of the fleet and could only see two other of their closest ships.
“This is most peculiar, don’t you think Pierre?” he turned to his flagship’s Captain, but before the officer could even respond the admiral watched in horror as he witnessed a terrible giant shape take form in the murk just off the port side. A massive dripping head with long fangs and a snake-like tongue arose out of the mist and lunged forward, snatching a poor seaman off the deck like a child’s toy. The man screamed in terror, and as they were becalmed the sound shattered the quiet air. The Watch called out in horror, “Sea Serpent to port!!” and men began jolting into action, but there was little they could do as the screaming man was swallowed right before them.
The ship suddenly rocked when the creature’s body smashed into the side of the ship, crushing timbers like straw, and the sailors were forced to grab the nearest stationary structure in order to keep to their feet. The Golden Vanguard was a magnificent ship however, sturdy and well-built in the best Loreesi craftsmanship, and she took the blow in her stride.
Admiral de Lezo drew his sword and charged forward while yelling orders to attack the dreadful beast. His men courageously manned a ballista, but before they could get a clean shot off the horrid monster smashed the weapon with the side of it’s great scaly head and snatched another seaman up in its mouth. This one however it did not swallow. The poor man was carried off screaming in terror into the murky air. Long dreadful seconds they heard him cry out, as the beast moved off into the fog but did not submerge, so that any ship nearby could hear him. Then suddenly, a terrible silence.
The Vanguard stood still once more, all eyes desperately searching the fog for any sign of return. Men bravely took up weapons, grabbed hooks, or manned ballistas, and waited.
The Horror did return, this time at another ship off to starboard, likely to be the Wayward Warrior, a proud warship hailing from Dalmanutha. Admiral de Lezo and his crew were forced to listen helplessly as the sounds coming from the men of this ship clearly were suffering the same fate. He ordered the helmsman to come about, but with no significant wind available they would take ages to come to the Warrior's aid. Not long after the Warrior was attacked, a third ship's crew began crying out into the eerie fog, and panic in the fleet spread as ship-after-ship began to ring out cries of “Sea serpent!!”
—————
Aboard the Stranglehold, Captain Gromov nodded at the tall figure of Ivanovich, and grinned evilly, “Impressive work. In spite of my doubts, you have earned your fee.” He turned to his first mate, “They must be totally vulnerable now, lost in the fog, with only their ears to help them. We’ll use ours as well. All galleys forward! Row for the screams, and take whatever you desire from them!!”
————————————————————————————
“…and sire," Thecil continued his report, "Admiral de Lezo states that the fleet fell into confusion and were sitting ducks for these Outlaw galleys which appeared out of the fog. Every time the Loreesi started to rally for support, the serpent returned and scattered them. Three of the admiral's ships have not returned to port. The Loreesi are regrouping under de Lezo, but many of their sailors are now nervous about further voyages, especially in foul weather, sire.”
King Chartres stood in cold shock. These were dark times for Roawia indeed…
"This news aggrieves me greatly,” he stated quietly to his entire court. “With the current struggle within Loreesi's noble class, I fear this will only lead to more tragedy.” He turned back to Thecil, “Find my Garheim envoy and send him to me at once. Their fleet must know what could happen to them, and prepare for it accordingly."
————————————————————————————
The KC hopes to announce another GC soon. In the mean time, "Keep a weather-eye out for that beastie!!"
-- and losing a GC 
-- now has consequences in the Global Storyline. 
