>>2077111
>>Kick towards the whale bone ship

>>2077111
>Kick towards the british in the lifeboat
Probably what would seem the most sensible choice at the time.

>>2077111
>Kick towards the frenchman on the rock
>check self for injuries
>check fellow frog's injuries

>>2077126
>>2077135
>>2077136

The sea water laps at your chest, the salt stinging your cuts. You can feel a bit of mast imbedded in your arm. You remember the fight. No more than ten minutes. That's all it took for thirty cannons on a white ship to destroy you and everyone you'd grown close to over the last four months.

You notice the lifeboat is rowing towards the rock. You kick towards it, to join your fellow frenchman and the british survivors.

"Hail!" You call out. The british notice you, raising their oars to wait for you. They pull you up into the boat.

"Speak english?" One of the men says.

"A little," You answer, trying to catch your breath. An englishman hands you an oar.

"Let's go grab your countryman,"

Together you row the boat, bumping up against the rock. You stand up, shakily getting off the boat and stumbling onto the rock. You recognize the man, it's Perrie.

"Perrie!" You say, falling to your knees next to him.

"Nicholas," He says, gasping. "You survived."

"I did," You say, helping him up. The british get on to the rock and help you carry Perrie into the lifeboat.

You help them row, biting your lip and straining against the sea. The whale bone ship disappears into the fog.

You row for what seems hours. The fog starts to thin. You know in your heart you've lost whatever monster of a ship you're chasing.

"Ho!" A voice cries out.

"Ho!" You and the others answer.

A small, single mast ship pokes its stern from the fog. Lanterns drap every rope and bit of timber. It looks like the church in Lyon on christmas mass.

"What are you lads doing in the sea?" A man says from the ship.

"I am Nicholas, of the ship King's Retribution," You say.

"And we are men of the crown," The british officer says. "Of the HMS Challenger"

"Aye, ran afoul of the bone ship didja?"

"The ship made of whale bone?" You say.

"Aye,"

"It killed everyone on my ship, as well as the British vessel,"

"Aye," The man says. "They'll do that,"

Your ship bumps up against the ship, and the man pulls you all up out of the water. He is surprisingly strong. You collapse on the deck, pressing your hands against the wet wood to reassure yourself you're safe.

"My name is Marlow," The man says. "And I am hunting the bone ship,"

"Marlow," The english officer says, catching his breath. "Are you the only one on this ship?"

"I am," Marlow says, smiling. "And have been these past forty years."

"Forty years?" You say, picking yourself up from the deck. "You lie, you look no more than forty years,"

Marlow's smile grows larger. "I made a promise fore God that I would avenge myself on the Bone ship and its captain. And I will not die nor falter till I do. What say you boy, I have no qualms dropping you off at the next ship we find. You can hunt him on your own if you like, gather a crew as best you can. Or you can join me, and we can hunt the beast together,"

>Go with Marlow
>Try and gather your own crew at the next port

>>2077162
>Try and gather your own crew at the next port
Seeking out that ship with anything less than half a squadron feels like a fool's errand. Nor would any crew sign on with us just to hunt it down, unless they bear a personal grudge themselves.

>>2077162


>Try and gather your own crew at the next port

this desu, we just watched it destroy 2 warships easily. get dropped off with our new mates and figure this shit out slowly.

>>2077199
>>2077210

"Marlow," The officer says. "You seem of good english descent and blood. I beg you return to port with us and we'll gather a proper vessel."

"Nay sir," Marlow says. He shuffles to the side of the deck and retrieves two bottles, one in each hand. "I have me oath, just as you have yours. I trust you'll gather many to you back at port,"

"No," The officer says. "I have a wife and child back home in Brixton."

"I will," You say. You accept one of the bottles from Marlow, taking a long, greedy drink of the swill. You finish, wiping your mouth. "I will go to port and hunt the ship." You nod at Marlow. "I mean no disrespect, but I cannot join you in your oath with God,"

"Fair enough," Marlow says, saluting you with the bottle. "What about you three?"

"I must join Nicholas," Perrie says. The other two british look at each other.

"Well Will?" One says.

"Dunno Cadman," The other says. "I don't much fancy following a frenchman,"

"Aye," Cadman says. "But I can't seem to shake this burning desire to kill everyone on the bone ship."

"True enough," Will says. They both look at you. "If you're a captaining type, we'll sail with you,"

"Good luck to you all," Marlow says, saluting you all and taking a drink. "The next port is port harmony,"

"An english port," The officer says.

"Aye," Marlow says. "You all should be satisfied,"

Strangely enough, Marlow's ship arrives at the port in what seems only an hour. You, Perrie and the englishmen share looks, but say nothing. Once on the dock, Marlow waves at you as his ship disappears into the fog.

"Be seeing you Nicholas of Lyon," Marlow calls. "Best hunting to you,"

The officer turns to you all and reaches in his jacket. "I cannot join you," He says, pulling out a coin purse. "For I have a family I must return to, alive by the grace of god," He hands you the coin purse. "But I wish vengeance just as much as you. Take this money, and get yourself a crew."

You take the money. "Thank you, I never got your name,"

"No need," The officer says, smiling. "Lord willing you'll never see me again,"

He walks off into the distance. Perrie turns to you. "Well? What now?"

You look at the coin purse. You could go to the english barracks and try and get a royal ship. It would be the most powerful, but you would not be in command, and might even be jailed if they ask too many questions.

Or you could go to the taverns and find men there. They would not be the most reputable, but sailors they would be, and experienced.

Lastly would be the docks. Most men would already be employed there, so they would cost more to hire. But they'd be trustworthy, and capable.

>Barracks
>Taverns
>Docks

>>2077264
>Docks
Tough choice not knowing how much coin we have.

>>2077264
>>Docks

>>2077333
>>2077362

You weigh the coin purse in your hands. "To the docks," You say.

The four of you walk a ways along the island until you reach a network of houses, taverns, stables and docks. The docks crisscross each other like a drunk spider's web. You reach the first one, walking onto.

The dock bobs slightly in the water. The four of you trek across it. The first two men you come across are black as night, with scarves, hatches and pistols tuck in the folds of their tunics.

"Berbers," Peirre says to you. "Scourges of the mediterranean,"

"And yet we are in the caribbean," You say. "How curious," You nod at the Berbers, who stare back at you hard.

"Work?" You motion towards yourself, speaking in Spanish.

The berbers look at each other, than back at you. One of them nods.

The next group you find is a trio of englishmen hauling barrels onto a ship. "Oy!" Will calls to one of them. "Barnal, that you?"

The man Barnal straightens up from his barrel. "Bloody hell," Barnal says. "Will? I thought you was with his majesty's navy."

"I'm what you might call a bit of a in-deependent contractor" Will says. "You want work?"

Barnal looks from Will, to the Berbers, to you. "Is it honest work?"

Will and Cadman start to nod, than shake their heads. They share a look, then nod. "Sure," Will says. "I'd say it's honest,"

"Well sure," Barnal says. "I'll join,"

Over the next two hours you recruit eight more englishman, ten frenchmen, three spaniards, and an eccentric dutchman the rest claim is the best navigator in the caribbean. You'll have to see for yourself once he sobers up.

Counting yourself, that's a crew of 28, and the last of your coin. You now have the problem of acquiring a ship.

"Ah, Nicholas, a word," Peirre says as you all stand on the dock. "This being an english port and all, I have no problem stealing a ship," He crosses his arms and leans in. "But the type of ship we steal is very important."

"There's royal british war vessels docked here," You say. "As well as merchant ships. They're all heavily armed."

"I've been keeping an eye open," Pierre says. "There's three good candidates. A british man o' war, a spanish merchant vessel, and a fast looking vessel I can't tell the country of origin. The man o war is the best obviously, but we'll have to be clever or brave when we steal it, and they'll come after us sure as God's in heaven."

You nod. "And the others?"

"The spanish ship is good. Big, lots of cannons, but old. It'd be hard to crew with just 28, but we could do it. The fast ship is an unknown, it's got some men on it so there'd be a fight, and I don't know who owns it, but hell if it doesn't sail quickly,"

>British Man'o War
>Spanish Heavy Merchant Ship
>Fast-looking ship

>>2077403
>>Fast-looking ship
Gotta go fast

>>2077403
>British Man'o War
That whale bone ship isn't going down easy.

>>2077488
We're in a British port, we dont need someone hunting us while we hunt

>>2077419
>>2077488

"I like the man o' war, but I'm not interested in fighting the british anymore," You say, glancing at the englishman in your crew. "And the spanish galleon is too big,"

"The fast ship then," Peirre says.

"Excuse me," Will says, coming up to you. "But I couldn't help but overhear your french discussion. I made out a couple words, and I see you're glancing between the man o war and the vessel," Will takes a step towards you, near your ear. "See, Cadman here used to be an actor, shakespeare and all that. Till he got tricked into joining the navy. But he's the best he is,"

"What are you suggesting," You say, eyeing him.

"Well, if you got the balls, you and yours could take the speedy ship, where as me and Cadman here could try and impersonate some officers and steal the man o war, british crew included,"

"And if your ruse was found out?" Peirre says.

Will shrugs, smiling. "It's a right gamble it is, like I said, balls as heavy as boulders is what you'd need,"

Pierre looks at you. "You can't be seriously considering this,"

You rub your chin. The speedy ship would help, but it probably couldn't go toe to toe with the bone ship.

>Try and bluff the man o war into your fleet
>Just take the fast vessel

>>2077560
>Try and bluff the man o war into your fleet
Although >>2077519 would normally be right, I can see advantages in being pursued. (Dragging the Royal Navy into a fight with the whale bone ship would be delicious.)

>>2077876

You think a moment, then smile. "Go on then," You say. "You have a half hour,"

Will nods at Cadman, and the two english survivors take off.

You turn to the crew. "Alright," You say, speaking broken italian. It's the one language everyone can grasp. "We take ship," You say, pointing at the fast sloop moored to the docks. "No noise, quick," You say, drawing your finger across your throat.

Some of the crew look uncomfortable. The rest finger the silver pieces you gave them. "Any questions?" You say. The crew shakes their head. "Let's go!"

You take off as a small crowd, treading quickly across the bobbing docks. "Dammit," You say, feeling at your belt.

"Eh?" Peirre says.

"Do you have a weapon?"

"Yes, got this hatchet one of the berbers gave me."

"Well it would be nice if I had a weapon," You say.

"Here you go captain," One of the frenchmen says, handing you a cutlass. "It's too big for me, and your arms look thick from being in the navy,"

The cutlass is too heavy by far, but you slide it into your belt for show and lead the crowd.

The first two men near the sloop you shove off the dock into the water. The rest, on the ship, look up and spot you.

"This is a robbery," You call out. "Fight or run,"

One man draws his sword, but the rest look uncertain. "No need to fight," You say, tapping the hilt of your saber. "No need to die,"

They slowly file off the sloop. The last man pauses next to you. "You're stealing from a very powerful man," he says.

You lean in close to him and whisper in his ear. "Tell your master he can find his ship chasing the devil himself, should he be brave enough to join,"

The man stares at you, then leaves. Your crew boards the sloop. "We haven't much time!" You yell. "Quickly now!"

--------------------------------
Will and Cadman exit from the shop dressed in finery. Will has on an officer's coat and hat, were as Cadman looks like a noble.

"You know Cadman," Will says, walking alongside him. "When I told that fierce looking french captain of ours that you could act, I think I was just caught up in the moment,"

"I can act," Cadman says.

"Sure," Will says, shrugging. "But can you Act?"

"I can,"

The pair reach the Man o War. "Well then," Will says, padding Cadman on the shoulder. "Don't get us hanged,"

Cadman takes a breath, murmurs under his breath, than straightens his shoulders. "Remember your line," Cadman says, then walks up the gangplank.

Will runs past Cadman onto the deck of the ship. English sailors, marines, and officers all turn around and stare at him. "Presentinggggg," Will calls. "His royal personage, the earl of Lancaster, Duke and anointed knight, Sir Edmond Faltrow!"

The captain and his officers immediately approach Will. Cadman comes onto the ship, leaning on a cane and sticking out his lower lip.

"Hm yes yes," Cadman says, fanning himself with a fan. "This will do,"

"Excuse me," The captain comes up, eyes narrowed. "This is a naval vessel, off limits,"

"Oh?" Cadman says, closing his fan and pocketing it. "Well I need it, as well as its crew,"

"Sir Faltrow was it?" The captain says, squinting. "Never heard of you,"

"Captain that says far more about you than it does me," Cadman says. He taps his cane once. "I have with me a royal letter from the King. I will be using this vessel, as well as a private one of my own, to hunt pirates of the worst kind, who have absconded with my daughter."

The officers look down at their feet. The captain raises an eyebrow, then nods. "Well uh.. of course sir Faltrow, if I could just see the letter,"

"And make me wait on the deck like a commoner? You forget yourself captain. Show me to your quarters. We shall set sail, you shall host me as you would any proper englishman, and then we will talk the contents of the letter,"

"Of course," The captain says. "This way."

-----------------------------
You spot the Man of War following you out of the port, and smile. Cadman was successful, at least for the moment.

"Uh captain," Peirrie says. "How exactly are we going to find the bone ship?"

"The way I see it, we've got three ways." You say. "We hunt for Marlow. Find him, find the bone ship. Or I hear there's dark magic in Jamaica. We could find us a witch who might lead us. Failing that, we could go port to port, looking for tales and clues.

>Start looking for Marlow
>Head to Port Royal Jamaica
>Go port to port, looking for clues and other survivors

>>2078000
Looking for Marlow just raises the question of how we find him. Port Royal is a British possession. So...

>Go port to port, looking for clues and other survivors

>>2078013

"We go port to port," You say. "We'll root rumors of the bone ship sooner or later,"

Your sloop, newly christened "Vengeance of Man", takes the lead in front of the Man o War. Come sundown, the Man o War signals you to come aboard. You do, along with Peirrei and one of the fiercer looking spainards.

"Here he is captain," Cadman, dressed in finery, says as you board. "My other captain, Captain Corine."

You nod at the english captain, who gives you and your companions a poorly disguised look of disgust. "Come then," The english captain says. "Let us go to the cabin and strategize."

You, Cadman and the Captain go into the captain's quarters. One wall has a map tacked to it, and there is a fine desk and table as well. You all sit at the table, where another map of the caribbean rests.

"Well then," The captain says. "I think it's obvious that I'll be doing most of the planning."

"No," You say. "We already have a plan. Port to port, looking for information."

"French?" The captain says, incredulous. He turns to Cadman. "You've hired a frenchman?"

Cadman raises his nose. "I do as I please captain, as does every god-fearing englishman. I will have my daughter back,"

You shoot Cadman a look at the mention of a daughter, and he gives a look back that you should play along.

"This is unseemly," The captain says. "I will barely tolerate it,"

"Ships!" A voice cries. "Ships off the port bow!"

The three of you spring up, and go out of the cabin. The deck of the Man o War is filled with sailors running to and fro. An officer hands the captain a spyglass, and Peirrie hands you his. You and the captain train your spyglasses.

The two ships approaching are triple mast and brimming with guns. Both fly a red flag with a skull and an hour glass.

"Pirates," The captain says, lowering his spyglass. He turns to Cadman. "Well, it would be a close battle, I think I should take charge,"

Cadman turns to you.

>Engage the ships in battle
>Try and outrun them
>Try and parley with them

I hope you keep at this quest, AnonQM. One of qst's more interesting ones for sure. Like PotC, but original and shit.

>>2078243
>Try and outrun them.

Fighting this early in the quest? Even with two ships, we have a job to do. Ain't nobody got time for that!

>>2079133

"No captain," you say, drawing your jacket about you. "We have a job to do,"

"I will not take orders from an enemy of the crown," the captain says. "Sir Faltrow, I am willing to lend my ship to rescuing your daughter, but I cannot forsake my oath to rid the seas of pirates,"

"Captain," Cadlaw says, sniffing. "I am an earl and a duke, to cross me is to spit in the face of the king,"

"Those are..." the captain says, his face clearly struggling. "Harsh words sir,"

"If captain Corine says we shouldn't tarry," Cadman says. "Than I am inclined to agree. We flee Captain, follow the sloop,"

The English captain's face grows red, his anger rising.

"My daughter captain," Cadlaw reminds him. "Do you have children?"

"I do not," the captain says.

"Pray you never open yourself to such things as familial love," Cadlaw says. "Perhaps when you have a daughter you'll understand,"

You mentally remind yourself to richly reward this Shakespearean actor.

"Very well than," the captain says finally. He turns to his first mate. "Full sail,"

You return to the "Vengeance of Man" and instruct your crew. The sloop makes a hard starboard and the man o war follows. The pirate ships continue on to port harmony, ignoring your ships.

Three days later, and several tense moments between yourself and the English captain, you arrive at port Calico off the coast of Trinidad. You spend three days there, and between you, Will and Peirrie you scour the port for information.

The morning of the third day you finally find someone. An old Portuguese man who was the sole survivor of one of the bone ship's attacks. According to him, the bone ship is known as the "Blood Fox", captained by a captain Bonesaw. The spawn of Satan follows a pattern, one the Portuguese man explains to you well. This time of year he is heading north, to raid the English colonies along the north American coast.

After learning this, you convene back on the ship. Yourself, Pierre and the English captain stand around your navigation table.

"His first strike will be against Burgandian Florida," Peirre says, pointing at the map. "Nicholas, we saw the Blood Fox destroy two ships of the line. Are we really prepared to fight him?"

Using Cadman, you dismiss the English captain. You turn to Pierre. "If we need more ships," you say. "Than we'll need more money. Which means we'll need to turn to piracy. That's a hard sell for our royal English comrades."

>Head to Florida to pursue the Blood Fox
>Try and take over the man o war and pursue open piracy
>Try and convince the English captain to pirate with you

>>2079361
Either take over the ship or if we do tr to convince him, we start him off on Spanish ships so he doesn't see that it's pirating

>>2080752

"Aye, that it may be," Peirre says. "But what if we convinced the other captain it was all part of the mission?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Peirre says. "I've been keeping an eye on our english captain. He's new, this is his first time at sea."

"Aye," Cadman says, dropping his noble accent. "He was easy enough to trick,"

"So since we've been at Port Calico," Peirre says. "I've counted five ships bearing the flag of the African Trading Company. We head out to sea, find another and either take it or plunder it,"

"The African Trading company sells to english colonists," Cadman says. "The company is allied with the crown."

"Yes," Peirre says. "But I have a feeling the captain doesn't know that. The African Trading Company's flag doesn't have a single english color to it, it's yellow and black."

You smile. "They were idiots to put black on their flags, it'll be an easy sell for the english captain,"

You instruct Cadman to follow in the man o war, then you return to the Vengeance of Man. Both ships slip from their moorings, leaving Port Calico.

Once in open waters you lead the man o war for a night and day. You pass three ships. The first two are Spanish, and heavily armed. But the third reveals itself to be a frigate of the African Trading Company.

>Send in the Man O' War to engage at range, support with your ship
>Send in the Man O' War to engage and eventually board, support with your ship
>Sail your ship to engage at range, have the Man O' War support
>Sail your ship to engage and eventually board, Man O' War supports
>Other

>>2081137
>>Sail your ship to engage and eventually board, Man O' War supports
Do continue writing, QM. Your writing style is nice. It's got great flow to it.

>>2081191

You signal the Man O' War with flags to hang back and circle around. The Vengeance of Man plows forth towards the African Company frigate.

It fires a warning shot as you near. You reply with a hail of mast-shot from four separate cannons. You cripple the ship, the masts splintering and breaking. They plummet towards the deck, tangling up in the many lines. But the Company frigate gets off a full broadside as you near.

"Take cover!" Someone screams.

You dive to the deck as the Vengeance of Man rocks violently. You hear screams and the sound of snapping timber. You get to your feet.

"Boarding parties ready!" You scream, trying to remain upright. "Boarding parties ready!"

Your men shakily get to their feet. You grab a rope and hook and jump on the side of your ship. You throw it across, entangling it in the enemy's lines. The men see you, and follow your example.

You grip the rope in one hand, discharging your pistol and then jumping. You swing to the other deck. Your men follow behind you.

The company men have no fight in them. They drop their weapons as you land on their deck, then they fall to their knees. Your men laugh at the sight of the company crew.

After a quick search of the ship Peirre comes up to you. "Nicholas, we've got some issues,"

"What is wrong?" You say, surveying the deck of the captured ship.

"We have to decide what to do with the survivors." Peirre says.

>Spare them, lock them in the brig
>Set them adrift with a lifeboat and oars
>What survivors?

"There's more," Peirre says. "There are two hundred negro slaves below deck, not gold like I thought there would be,"

"Slaves?" You say.

"Yes," Peirrie says. "We've got a choice to make. We sell the slaves, we get the money,"

"Slavers," You say.

"On the other hand, we free them, repair the Company frigate, voila, the slaves crew our new ship as freeman,"

"We'd have to teach them," You say, rubbing your chin.

Peirre shrugs. "Up to you, Captain Corine"

>Sell the slaves for a chest of silver
>Free them, repair the frigate, add them and it to your fleet

>>2081249

>What survivors?

We do not succour slavers! For no man should be cursed to live in chains!

>Free them, repair the frigate, add them and it into your fleet.

Aye. We're trying to build a fine fleet to take on the Bone Ship. These slaves will make a fine crew, loyal to a fault.

>>2081441

The slaves are released. They slowly walk up from the lower deck, shielding their eyes from the sunlight. Men, women and children gather. Some carry the bodies of those who died en-route.

You and Peirre stand on the balcony of the company frigate, as does Cadman and the English Captain, who you've finally bothered to learn the name of; Captain Tober.

The company crew is still kneeling on the deck. They watch anxiously as the freed slaves stand around them, watching them.

"Who were these men again?" Captain Tober says, scanning the ship. "They do not look like rogues to me, but merchants,"

"They're rouge merchants," You say.

"What are we doing with these rogues?" Captain Tober says. "If what you say is true, they'll hang for crimes back in Port Harmony."

"No," You say. You work a hatchet from your belt and toss it on the deck. It lands with a heavy thump at the feet of one of the freed slaves. You nod at Peirre, and he tosses a knife on the deck next to your hatchet.

One of the freedmen walks over to the hatchet. He slowly bends down and picks it up. Another freedman joins him, grabbing the knife. The free'd people close in on the company survivors.

"Sir Faltrow!" Captain Tober says. "You cannot let your french mercenary captain do this!"

"Rather poetic if you ask me captain," Cadman says, turning away. "I'll be in my quarters,"

The free people execute the company men with little ceremony, and then toss their bodies overboard.

"Who here speaks a european tongue!" You shout. The slaves stare back at you. You hear the sound of boots, then turn to see one of the Berbers approaching.

"I can speak to them," The Berber says. He yells something out to the africans. They don't answer. The Berber tries another language, and then another. Finally the africans perk up, quickly speaking to the Berber. Your sailor turns back to you.

"What are your orders for them?" The Berber says.

"What is your name?" You say to the Berber.

"Raq,"

"How would you like to captain a ship Raq? Teach these Africans to sail, and the ship is yours under my command,"

Raq nods. "Very well captain, I will do it,"

Peirrie turns to you. "What now captain?"

>Head north to Florida and to confront the Blood Fox
>Continue pirating
>Find a place to drop anchor and train the Africans further in a cove

It's like Treasure Island meets PoTC meets Moby Dick meets . . . something else.

>>2081671
>Find a place to drop anchor and train the Africans further in a cove.

If we're taking this thing on, we need a polished crew!

>>2081841

Captain Tober paces back and forth in the cabin of the Vengeance of Man, while you, Peirre and Cadman sit around the table.

"Come captain," Cadman says, pouring himself a glass of wine. "Sit, we are trying to strategize,"

Captain Tober continues pacing, then stops, turning on you. "I don't like the way this endeavour is going. I don't approve of your frenchman's methods, and I don't think what I can only describe as privateering is going to help us find your daughter sir!"

"Sit captain," Cadman says. His voice is soft, but carries an subtle edge to it. Captain Tober picks up on it, and slowly lets himself down into a chair.

"Captain Tober," You say, leaning towards him across the table. "I must apologize, I do not think we have been completely honest with you,"

"Oh?" Captain Tober says, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, you see, the man we wish to rescue Lord Faltrow's daughter from is a devil, a man who, how do you say, takes baths in the blood of his enemies."

"A pirate," Captain Tober says, his lip curling in disgust.

You lunge across the table, dangerously close to the captain's face.

"Not a pirate, captain," You say, your voice almost a whisper. "A monster, sailing a ship made of whale bone,"

"What nonsense is this," Captain Tober says.

"It's true," Cadman says, taking a sip of his wine. "I've seen it myself. The ship of whale bone destroyed two Man o war in mere minutes,"

"So a pirate sailing a ghost ship," Captain Tober says. He crosses his arms. "I believe I've participated in this farce long enough gentlemen,"

"Do not mock the devil," You say, pounding your fist on the table. Your breathing is ragged, your head full of anger. You don't understand where it came from. You slowly sit back down in your chair. Captain Tober looks at you, shocked. He then looks to Cadman and Peirrie, who both look very serious.

"I," Captain Tober says. "I see...very well then. If this madman has absconded with your daughter, then we shall do what we can to prepare to meet him. Though surely I could call for additional ships back at port Harmony,"

"That won't be necessary captain," Cadman says. He spears a piece of meat with his fork and places it in his mouth. "Captain Corine and yourself are more than capable,"

You pour Captain Tober a glass of wine and slide it to him, then take your own and hold it in the air. "Are you with us captain?"

Captain Tober stares at you for a moment, then raises his glass to yours. "In service of the king, of course,"

Two days later you pull into a cove on an abandoned stretch of beach. Captain Req has the African sailors working hard on drills and sailing techniques. The British sailors and marines do the same. You and Peirre watch the two groups practice on the beach while your crew repairs the new company ship, newly named "Prester John,"

>>2082442

"Quite a site, eh captain?" Peirrie says. You look to where he's pointing. The british line drills are taking place next to the African's sailing drills. "If you had told me a year ago I'd be here on this beach watching englishmen and Africans train for the same objective, I might have called you a son of the devil and a liar,"

"Peirrie," You say, your thoughts heavy. "Remember when we were first attacked by the bone ship?"

"Barely," Peirre says, taking a plug of rum. "I was hit by something pretty early into the battle."

"I remember every moment." You say. "I've never seen so much power in my life. So much fire and death, and so quickly,"

"What are you saying Nicholas?"

"I'm saying I think the Blood Fox did something to me that night," You say. "I have a burning desire within me, to hunt him down and kill him. At any cost,"

"Sounds a lot like someone else we've met," Pierrie says.

"Marlow," You say.

"Hm,"

"Well," You say, taking a drink. "Perhaps I'll get to be immortal too,"

"Doubt it," Peirre says, smiling. "The way you're commanding we're headed straight for the gates of hell,"

You're interrupted by a man running from the treeline of the island. He sprints into the beach, among the British marines and Africans.

"Help!" The man screams. "Demons, monsters, help!"

You sprint down to the beach, Peirrie in tow. Captain Tober is already by the man, as is Captain Raq.

"What's going on?" You say, coming to the stop before the man.

"Monsters!" The man says, lunging at you and gripping your lapels. His eyes are wide and full of terror. "Monsters in the jungle! We went hunting for food, as you ordered, and demons killed everyone! Everyone but me!"

"The man's delusional," Captain Tober says. "Too much of the drink if you ask me,"

"No," You say, staring at the man. "He's seen something,"

"Should we investigate?" Peirrie says.

>Send the Marines into the jungle
>Send some of the crew into the jungle
>Set up a guard on the beach to watch the treeline
>Set sail, leave the cove

>>2082480
>>Send the Marines into the jungle
>>2082480

>>2082654

You straighten up and gaze at the treelines. Whereas when you arrived the trees seemed welcoming, now they seem foreboding, dangerous.

"Captain Tober," You say. "I know we haven't seen, how do you say, eye and eye, but I have a task that only your men can perform,"

"What is it Captain Corine," Captain Tober says, sniffing.

You point at the treeline. "I need your redcoats to search the jungle. We need food, and we need to able to hunt. We cannot do that with a beast in the jungle,"

"Beast or no," Captain Tober says, signaling the marine sergeant. "Nothing is immune to english lead,"

The marines line up in two rows at the treeline, rifles held out in front of them. Captain Tober draws his saber and leads the marines into the treeline. You, Peirrie, Will, Cadman and Captain Raq watch, as do the crews of the three ships.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Will murmurs.

"Rare as it is, I agree with the englishman," Peirrie says. "Perhaps one of us should go with?"

>Go yourself
>Send Peirrie

>>2082722
>>Go yourself

>>2082654
>Go your damn self!

>>2082744
>>2082793

"Captain Raq," You say. "Peirrie, you are both in charge," You adjust the heavy saber in your belt and trudge towards the jungle.

The trees rise up before you. You feel the darkness within the thicket, but you have no fear. How could you, after witnessing the devil himself?

Once in the trees the sunlight disappears. You continually check the canopy, but it is thick and intertwining. You can see though.

After ten minutes of walking you hear gunshots. Then another round of gunshots. You draw the cumbersome saber and plunge through the trees. Branches hit you and clouds of bugs slam into your face.

You emerge into a large clearing. The ground is lined with fallen stone columns and boulders carved with faces. The redcoats lie on the ground, convulsing. Strange creatures stand in a circle around their bodies, chanting.

Captain Tober lies on an altar in the center of the clearing. A creature holds his heart in its hand, chanting loudly.

You grip your pistol, then nearly fire when you feel a hand on your shoulder. You turn and see Captain Raq, as well as a score of english and african sailors armed with axes and pistols.

"Mr. Peirrie said you might need some help," Captain Raq says. "Something about his bad feeling,"

You turn back to the clearing, narrowing your eyes.

>Charge!
>Retreat, leave this hellpit
>Pistol volley, retreat

>>2082878

>>Pistol volley, retreat
Light 'em up.

>>2083829

The creatures chant. You stare at the heart of Captain Tober, gripped in the fist of the fiercest demon. You know you're in hell.

"Fire and retreat!" You yell. Your crew takes aim, discharging their pistols from the treeline. The lead balls whip through the clearing, knocking down four of the creatures. The chanting grows louder.

Your crew drops to their knees convulsing. Your vision grows cloudy, then red.

Then darkness.

You open your eyes to stars. Thousands of stars, millions of stars. You feel yourself floating in an endless ocean. The ocean stretches out to the night sky, calm, sparkling with the reflection of the stars. It's peaceful, you wouldn't mind staying here, floating in this endless, starry sea.

"What are you doing here, Nicholas of Lyon?"

You shift your head, sending ripples through the water. Marlow stands on the surface of the water, as if he were a saint.

"Marlow," You say, turning your head back and staring at the endless night.

"Forgive my forwardness," Marlow says, standing over you and looking up at the stars. "But I don't think you're supposed to be here,"

"Don't have much of a choice," You say. "I believe myself to be dead,"

"Not yet," Marlow says, looking at you. A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Not yet, Captain Corine,"

"If not dead, then nearly," You say. "There is great evil afoot, my crew is at the mercy of devils, witches and the like,"

"Hm. That's the problem with encountering otherness. You've seen what lies below. This business, this magic, is something you'll have to get used to. The dark things will be drawn to you now, and everyone around you,"

"You're saying my crew is dead because of me? The Blood Fox's cursed me?"

"Not a curse," Marlow says. "Not to me. And noone's is dead yet, not even your Captain Tober. Wake up, Nicholas of Lyon, you've seen the ship of bone. What power do these tawdry creatures have on you?"

Your eyes snap open. You're hanging from a rope over a pit. It's another clearing, but this one is take up by a stone temple, and the pit you hang over.

And you are not the only one.

The rest of your crew, and the marines, hang over the pit. Their eyes are closed, though their lips move.

You take a moment to collect yourself and weigh your options. You can feel your boot-pistol. It's a small thing, and firing it wouldn't do much good. But maybe you could fire at the rope and risk the fall.

>Grab your boot pistol and fire at the rope
>Grab your boot pistol and fire to signal for help
>Swing yourself on the end of the rope, try and knock into the others hanging with you

>>2083890
>Swing yourself on the end of the rope, try and knock into the others hanging with you

>>2083890
>>Grab your boot pistol and fire to signal for help

I'm positive we have more marines, crewmen and slaves back at shore. Have them show up and help us out of this shitshow. Bring every single handcannon.

Everyone?

EVERYONE!

>>2084043
>>2084068

You work quickly. Your hands are near your waist, but as you twist and bend you finally manage to lodge your fingers in your boot. It only takes a couple seconds from there to maneuver the pistol from the leather. You struggle just a moment longer to cock it, then point the pistol as best you can in the air.

It fires, the shot echoing through the surrounding jungle. Birds take off. You listen for it to die out.

A moment passes, and the creatures emerge from the stone temple. You start swinging back and forth. It takes several swings to finally gain momentum. Finally you slam into the sailor next to. He doesn't react, simply mumbling with his eyes closed.

You continuing rocking. The creatures gather around the pit, looking at you.

"Come on you bastards!" You shout, swinging harder. "Come on then! Untie me and let's have a real go at it!"

The creatures begin climbing up the wooden structure you and your crew hang from.

"Yeah that's it!" You yell. "Come on! I'll fuck your mothers!"

You slam into the sailor next to you again, and a crack like thunder sounds. The wooden structure buckles, and you, the crew, and the creatures who had started climbing all plunge into the pit.

You land with a splash, the dark water enveloping you. You burst to the surface gasping for air. The edge of the pit has jagged rocks, which you swim towards. You can hear the creatures splashing around in the pit as well.

You reach the walls and bash your hands against the stone. It only takes three viscous scrapes for the ropes to fall away. You tear them off and stand.

Your crew are simply floating face up in the pit, as if they had been perfectly placed by the hand of God. They still close their eyes and mumble. The six creatures who landed in the water gather around you.

"Yeah, that's right," You say, beckoning them forward with a hand. "I've wrestled mad dogs, I can take you mangy mutts,"

The water suddenly bubbles. The creatures pause. A giant set of teeth bursts from the water, snapping shut on one of the creatures and dragging it back down.

"Fuck," You say, and the creatures start screaming.

You look at the walls, as well as your crew, desperately trying to form a plan. The sudden sound of gunfire draws your attention.

You look up at the circle of light that marks the pit's edge. Creatures are falling into the pit, splashing and sending streaks of blood into the water. It churns again, and the giant maw bursts forth from the water and takes another creature.

"HEEYYY!" You yell up at the pit edge. "HEEEYYY!!!"

Suddenly Peirrie's face appears at the edge. "Captain!" He yells.

"Get me some rope!" You shout. "Now!"

"We're still fighting the demons captain!" Peirrie says. "They're the devils spawn and sons of turks they are!"

"Then throw me a fucking sword!"

Peirrie dissapears for a moment, then a sword flies over the edge. It lands in the water and you scramble over to it.

Just as your fingers curl around the handle the beast lurches from the depths again. This time it chooses a sailor, closing its jaws around the rope.

"Oh no you fucking don't," You say, leaping from the edge of the pit with your sword raised.

You land on the creatures back and it plunges into the depths. You drive your sword into its scaly hide. You pull it out and stab again. The beast slams you against the side of the pit, sending all the air from your lungs. With your last breath your drive the sword in again, pressing it until it imbeds deep in the creature.

You feel yourself float away from the monster. You break the surface, gasping. You drag yourself to the side, and wait.

The gunfire dies down, as does the shouting. Ropes fly over the side, and you and the crew bring everyone who was captured out of the pit.

After some water and slapping, the captured crewmen wake up.

"Jesus and Mary," Peirrie says, poking one of the creatures with his saber. "What the hell are these things?"

"God only knows," You say, surveying the clearing. But they're dead now. You look back at the newly freed crewmen, who are drinking water and rubbing their faces. "Is everyone accounted for?"

"Except Captain Tober. Figure he's in the temple or the belly of one of the creatures by now."

You gaze at the foreboding temple. "No, Marlow told me he was still alive,"

"Marlow?" Peirrie says, raising an eyebrow.

"Aye," You say. "I've got a lot of questions for that man the next time I see him.

>Gather everyone and leave, immediately.
>Take a small crew and explore the temple for Captain Tober, send the rest to raise anchor
>Send everyone else back, take you and only two others

>>2084288
>>Send everyone else back, take you and only two others
We're going for Tober. Leave no man behind, and I shall whip the first of you who retreats!

>>2084288
>Take a small crew and explore the temple for Captain Tober, send the rest to raise anchor

No man left behind

>>2084311
>>2084315

You gaze at the temple. It rises up, looming over the clearing. The darkness of its entrance seems to grow, beckoning you.

"Monsieur Pierre," You say, turning towards them. "Captain Raq. Take everyone and go to the ships. Raise anchor and make ready to sail." You turn to the marines. "Any of you who wish to come with me to save your commanding officer, step forth,"

Every single marine takes a step forward. "That's too many," You say. "Let me correct myself. I need the five surest shots with me,"

The marines only take a moment to murmur among themselves, then five men step forward.

"Alright you lot," Pierre says. "Back to the beach, double time, we're leaving this island!"

"Any man who tarries for Mister Pierre," Captain Raq booms. "Will feel the hilt of my scimitar,"

The crews pick themselves up and start moving. You gesture with your head towards the temple, and the marines nod. Together you trot towards the stone structure.

The front entrance is dark, with no light emitting. You all pause at the entrance. "Flint and tinder," You say. Two of the marines get out the flint, breaking it against the tinder till it lights. They fix the flaming tinder to the ends of their breach-rifles. "Alons-y," You say, and lead them into the darkness.

A long, winding stone hallway leads you into the depths. You bang your saber on the stone, and it echoes on down. The hallway sounds like a long one.

After several bends and turns you reach a staircase, which you ascend. At the top is a chamber.

Light fills into the chamber through several large rectangular holes. In the center of the chamber sits Captain Tober. He's surrounded by dead creatures, their blood smearing the floor and walls.

"Captain Tober!" You yell, running over to him. He doesn't respond. He's staring at the hole in his chest where his heart used to be. "Captain Tober," You say again upon reaching him.

Finally Captain Tober looks up at you. "Captain Corine," He says, his voice low. "Tell me, would you know a damned man if you saw one?"

"I would," You say, slowly.

"Tell me then, captain," Tober looks around at the bodies surrounding him. "What am I?"

"A lost man who has been found," You grip his arm and pull him to his feet. You motion at one of the marines, who takes off his jacket. You throw the jacket around Captain Tober's shoulders, covering the gaping hole in his chest.

"Come on then," You say. "Let's get back to the ship,"

Once back on the ship, the three ships leave the cove. No-one dares look back. There is only one doctor in your fleet, and he belongs to the Man O War. He checks over the newly freed crew, declaring them in good health.

You, Pierre, Captain Raq, Will, Cadman and Captain Tober all gather in your captain's quarters that evening. Everyone sits at the table, drinking in silence, save Captain Tober who sits in the corner by himself.

"Well," Pierre says, draining his cup. "I think I speak for everyone when I say good riddance to that island and everything on it,"

"What's next?" Captain Raq says.

>Continue pirating
>Sail north, gather more information on the Blood Fox
>Sail north, look for a place to run drills

>>2084386
Collect intel, the men have been bloddied and need some rest

>>2084688
Support

>>2084688
>>2084745

"We head north," You say. "I need more information on the Blood Fox,"

The orders are belayed and the ships set a course. The first two days sailing are windy, and the crew are better for it. The choppy seas require constant work to navigate, and work means less time dwelling on encountered devilry.

The third day though the fleet is stalled. The winds die as the sun rises. The three crews wait as the sun slowly arcs, then begins its descent.

No wind.

As night falls you turn into your cabin aboard the Vengeance of Man. You sit at the map table, sipping silently from a cask of wine.

The sound of music reaches your ears. You furrow your brow, stashing the cask. Standing, you cross the cabin and walk out onto the deck.

The Vengeance of Man, the Prestor John and the HMS Arbiter are lashed together, deck to deck. Lanterns hang from the ropes, and below them the crewmen dance. Several have fiddles, and they play them atop overturned barrels of rum. You spy Pierrie.

"Monsieur Pierre," You call. He turns and spots you, coming over.

"Well?" He says, gesturing at the makeshift docks. "What do you think?"

"May I ask why you decided to do this?" You say, watching as an African couple laugh and dance around with their child. The englishman fiddling next to them bobs and weaves his fiddle in the air as he strums away at the strings.

"It's the still wind sir," Pierre says. "Had people starting to talk of demons and damnation," Pierre pauses for a moment. "And curses,"

"Well, I assume you've broken out all the rum then?"

"Fraid so captain," Pierre says.

You smile. "Gather the captains and those close to us on the stern deck,"

Ten minutes later you, Pierre, Cadman, Captain Raq, Will and Captain Tober are sitting on chairs on the deck. The night air smells crisp with the sting of salt. You laugh as Will recounts the time he and Cadman were chased through London by a gaggle of whores.

The laughing dies. "So," Captain Tober says, the first words he's said all night. "Sir Faltrow, is it? Not quite the man I thought you were?"

Cadman looks to you. You shrug. Cadman tugs his wig off his head. "I'm afraid I may have let my acting get the better of me captain," Cadman says. "Never really did leave the stage,"

Captain Tober doesn't say anything, staring at something far off.

"Does that displease you captain?" You say. You accept a pipe from Captain Raq, taking a few puffs.

"I don't know what displeases me anymore," Captain Tober says, his hand moving towards his chest.

"There's no daughter captain," You say. "But there is a devil, and we aim to find him."

Below on the decks the fiddles break into stamping music. The crews clap along, laughing and yelling.

"I fear I'm among the devils now," Captain Tober says. "If you're letter wasn't real, they'll think I deserted,"

"Damned if you stay," Perrie says, raising his mug.

"Damned if you go," You say, raising yours. Captain Raq, Will and Cadman do the same.

"Never thought I'd throw my lot in with pirates," Captain Tober says, raising his glass.

"Not pirates captain," You say, slamming the others mugs and taking a drink. You wipe your mouth. "Hunters, men of vengeance through and through,"

That night the wind picks up, and the fleet sails north. The first harbor they come to is the abbey at St. Martinique. You dock, resupply, and hire a few new crew members. There is no information however.

When you set sail again you decide to set course for Havana. You peer at your telescope, when suddenly a commotion draws your attention.

Two sailors are dragged up by Your crew. They're thrown on the deck in front of you.

"Women!" One of your crewman says, pointing at the sailors. "Them's is women!"

You bend down, lifting the hats of one of the sailors. Sure enough, a young woman stares back at you. You straighten back up.

"What's all this about girls," You say, your voice stern.

"We are from St. Martinique," One of them says. "I am Anna, the other is Caroline. We tried to work as sailors to book passage to a better life,"

"No decent life to be found here I'm afraid," You say. "Only death and horror,"

"Bad luck to have girls on the ship," Pierre says, siding up next to you. "Can't have them mucking things up for us,"

"But I saw women and even children on the other ship!" Anna says, gesturing at the Prestor John.

"Well yeah," Pierre says. "But them's is Africans, they probably have different rules of luck,"

You look at Pierre with a skeptical expression. Pierre shrugs. "They gots different gods is all I'm saying,"

>Let the women stay, but they must work as sailors to earn their keep
>Overboard, and may their bad luck go with them

>>2084954
>Overboard, and may their bad luck go with them
Give em a dingy and some supplies and send them on their way

>>2085122

"Sorry lasses," You say, nodding to Pierre. "But you don't want to join us on this race to hell. We'll give you a dingy and supplies, you're a days row from Barbuda,"

"But you'll happily condemn those women over there!" Anna shouts, pointing at the Prestor John.

"If I'm perfectly honest my dear," You say, watching the African sailors work the ropes. "They were dead the moment they left Africa,"

Ten days later, and plenty of good wind, you near Havana. It being a spainish port, you do your best to disguise the HMS Arbiter and the redcoats aboard.

Once in port you send out the crews for information. You find yourself staying on the ship. The lights and sounds of Havana beckon to you, but you feel more at home on the Vengeance of Man. You are not the only one. Captain Tober has decided to stay on his ship as well.

The next morning the crews return to their ships. You have three leads.

Pierre's group heard tale of the Blood Fox raiding the Yucatan coast. Captain Raq's crew heard from the plantation workers that a ship made of bone was docked in secret on the isle of Saint Bartholomew. And Will's group heard tales of the bone ship sailing for Port O Prince.

>Split the fleet up, find the Blood Fox
>Head together to the Yukaton coast in the Gulf of Mexico
>Head together to Saint Bartholomew
>Head together to Port O' Prince
>Other

>>2085163
>Head together to Saint Bartholomew
If possible resupply and ask for a little more info from the market

>>2085316

"A base of operations," You say, rubbing your chin as you stare at the map. Your captains and officers stand around you.

"I suppose even ghost ships need to resupply," Will says.

"Hm," You tap St. Bartholomew on the map. "If the devil has a base, I want to tear it apart. No nest nor burrow for him to flee too once I find him,"

"Sensible," Pierre says. "Attacking a fortress is tricky though, lots of, eh," Pierre says, gesturing in the air. "Cannons and walls,"

"Perhaps," You say. "Or may it's just a cove draped in skulls. Whatever the case, I'm going to bring it down to the sound of two hundred cannons,"

One of the british officers brings over a map and spreads it out on the table. It shows the isle of St. Bartholomew.

"Not many places to hide," Pierre says, cocking his head at the map. "The island doesn't look like much,"

"I think three ships will more than cover it," You say. "Any fortress will have to be built here, if any," You point out a stretch of beach. "This is a siege gentlemen, a rain of fire on the devil's nest. I won't be sending anyone assure that isn't a cannonball,"

"Ships ahoy!" A voice cries out.

You look up from your map. The voice cries again.

"Ships ahoyyyyy!" You and the others run out of your captain's cabin. In the distance, against the rising sun, you see two large Man O War and a small sloop approaching. Your periscope reveals a red flag with a skull and hour glass.

"That's twice now we've seen that flag Mister Pierre," You say, handing him the periscope. "I wonder if it be coincidence, or providence,"

"Either way," Captain Tober says, peering through his periscope. "They're lining up to make a run past us,"

>Try and avoid them, flee with the wind
>Line up, Your ship, HMS Arbiter, Prestor John
>Line up, HMS Arbiter, Your ship, Prestor John
>Advanced/Risky Tactics

>>2085489
>Line up, HMS Arbiter, Your ship, Prestor John
No mere coincendence for them to find us here. Hail them down once in formation and see if they would like to take down the devils vessel

>>2085489
>>Advanced/Risky Tactics

I'd advise a parley. I'd find out what they want first before any combat is executed. Of course, have all hands ready for a fight.

>>2077111
Got a discord? I'd like to chat when you have time.

>>2096193
Hutchins#8419

>>2105492
Added. If it doesn't show, tweak your privacy settings a bit.