Your eyes break open, as the shrill cawing of seagulls fills your ears. You're sprawled out on a small cot, tucked against the back wall of a faded green room. The shudders are closed, but rays of light peak out from the corners. You're close to the sea, as the tide's lapping nearby indicates. But you're certainly not on a ship. Sitting up is a bit painful, but at least it doesn't feel like anything is broken. You push open the window with a weary shove, and are greeted with a surprisingly familiar sight.

“What the hell...”

It's Azala. The black rocks of the harbor wait beyond a row of houses and shops below. It seems you've missed a few things. You feel rested enough to walk, but where should you even go first?

> The royal commune. The lord will no doubt want a report on what happened. And....notice of Tharsung's demise.
> The Ambassador might be around here. Considering what we had to do to get her out, it probably is a good idea to check up on her.
> The Harbor, as unlikely as it is, you should see if anyone else made it back. Maybe thank the Hasserns who saved you too.

>>41918969
> The royal commune. The lord will no doubt want a report on what happened. And....notice of Tharsung's demise.

>>41918969
>> The royal commune. The lord will no doubt want a report on what happened. And....notice of Tharsung's demise.

>>41918969
>> The royal commune. The lord will no doubt want a report on what happened. And....notice of Tharsung's demise.

Duty then thanking people, sup Picture glad to see you. (you might want to link the quest in the weekend quest thread and twitter if you haven't)

>>41919054
Oh right! Thanks for the reminder. Good to be back

Off to speak to the City State's lord.

You have a duty to tell Lord Astare about this. A bit of stretching works out the various pains in your extremities. Someone has left you a fresh set of clothes on the only table in the room. It's just a plain white shirt and canvas pants. Your waterlogged boots sit beneath that.

The building is somewhat rustic, will peeling paint and bare wooden stairs. You realize that this is the old hotel that you used to pass by when you were still an apprentice cleric. An aging manager sits at the desk, looking quite bored. He doesn't bother to acknowledge you as you pass by. You have to open the door before he quietly mutters “have a good day sir.”

The streets are not very lively. A few people carry kegs of water and fruits. A few give you looks as you pass by, and start the trek to uptown. You get lost in your own thoughts, when a thick gauntlet claps down on you shoulder. You turn around to a thickly bearded face wearing a tall feathered hat, that gruffly regards you before speaking.

“We were just on our way to get you, Officer Osplitar. It is good that you are well, few would recover as quickly as you did. Our lord has many things he needs to discuss with you.”

“Well, lead on then.” You reply, noting that he does not remove his hand from your shoulder.

>>41919656
The guards bring you to the front gates of the commune. A wall of gray cobblestone reaches up around two ornate, mahogany doors that are a good three meters taller than you. They slide open with a long squeal, revealing your lord's mansion and the surrounding lodging of the royal advisers, and a handful of other city officials. You've been inside this place twice. Once for your promotion, and again for a meeting between the various captains and their seconds.

A new set of guards march beside you to the Mansion, where one of the maids opens the door and welcomes you in. The main hall is enormous, and very empty. The walls are covered in oil paintings of all the previous lords. Some from the current family, and some even earlier depicting the founder's children.

“Right this way, Lord Astare awaits you in the throne chamber.”

She brings you to the door-less portal to the lavish common room. At the end of the room sits the gaunt face of your lord. His white hair drapes across his shoulders, and each hand rests atop the bronze vulture heads adorning his throne.

“Darmund Osplitar.” His voice isn't exactly deep, but it still carries authority.

He raises one of his bony hands, and waves you in with his finger.

“My lord.” You reply, approaching the crimson steps up to his throne.

“There are many things we must speak about. Alas, I do not know where to begin."

>Tell him about Captain Tharsung.
>Tell him one of the diplomats was saved.
>Tell him of the black ship
>Other (specify)

>>41920383
>>Tell him of the black ship

>>41920383
Tell him one of the diplomats was saved, then tell him about the black ship.

>>41920455
“The seas are no longer as safe as they were, it seems.”

“I spoke with the Hassern. She told me some of what happened.”

“The Black Ship hid in the chaos of the storm. It began firing on us before we could react. Their ship was strong, it wasn't some just some marauder's vessel. It was a real warship, fully armed with military weaponry. And these aren't the normal brigands we're used too either: these pirates can use the Kain in ways I've never heard of. They somehow took control of an Elder Kraken, and were using it as a siege engine.”

Lord Astare remains silent. For a moment his eyes widen, but his composure doesn't break.

“The peace we've experienced has been shattered. Even if this is just one ship, think of the havoc they could wreak on traders.”

“I've spoken with the captain of the gunboats. They found only three other survivors. Tharsung was not among them.”

You pause for a moment. That green eyed abomination is still out there, his hollow cackling still plaguing the ocean.

“No. I...saw his body, my lord.”

“No man will truly be able to take his place. I'll ensure a proper funeral is arranged for him. Darmund, do you want revenge?”

"I want to fight. If there are more of these Kain users out there, then the trade is as good as dead."

"I agree. The Empire may send us assistance, seeing as we saved one of their people. But I do not like the idea of occupation, even for our own protection."

>>41921073
I have to step out, sorry pic I'll be back later. Hopefully other anons can pick up some slack and not let the thread die.

Posting to not let the thread die! Sorry I'm late just checked twitter

>>41921073
“You did well against the odds Darmund. You fell a demon, survived the attack, and now stand before me, ready for more. The moment they learn of your captain's death, the other captains of the fleet will begin asking for the title of House-Sword. I need them on the front lines. I need them to protect the merchant routes, and I can't have them going out and playing corsair. The advisers think you are the best candidate to take his place.”

Your heart stops. You hear the words and your whole mind goes blank.

“My lord?”

“I have my doubts, however. You are young for such a position. Beyond that, I fear you'd take this opportunity and use it purely for revenge. But I do not have the luxury of time to contemplate, which is why I've decided.”

He stands, and begins the long stride down to your level. Suddenly, he stands before you, green eyes matching your bewildered gaze, in his hand, a gilded scroll. He offers the paper to you, which you slowly reach to accept.

“Fourty thousand marks. That is all I will spare for this test. I'm giving you a chance; in two months you must return with double that amount. You are not officially the 'Sword of the House', but you possess the position's authority, at least temporarily. Your new duty is to go out and gather funds for the city, which we will use to bolster our navy. The loss of one of our best ships is a severe blow to our fighting force, and this will be the only way to make up the lost money in time. Select one of our other warships as your own. You'll need a new crew. One not associated with the current navy."

>>41921449
Alright, hope to see you later.
>>41921518
Sorry, it's a little slow, I'm getting ship stats ready to select.

>>41921986
No problem that's what I figured you were doing

>>41921614
“Lastly Darmund, you must know the limits of your power. What prey you can, and cannot hunt. What laws you must obey, if you are to take this title. The moment your hand touches this paper, you are bound to these rules.”

Two Hours later

You clutch the scroll in your hand. Your feelings are...mixed. You are a captain, but you cannot use your power to destroy the ones who attacked you. Perhaps you're just to drained to fully appreciate this. Regardless, you are locked in the agreement. Fail, and the punishments will be severe.

Best get to work. There are three vessels available for refitting as hunters. All are in a state of slight disrepair, but you can bring them back to working order within a couple days.

> The Vulture's Talon
A frigate, built during the early stages of second generation Imperial ships. It's the fastest option of the bunch, but only carries 54 guns in total. Light armor to keep the speed up. It needs a crew of at least 70, Approx. 15,000 marks in repairs.

>Windswept
Heavy Galleon. Moderate speed, and carries a 100 guns total. Thoroughly reinforced to trade blows with ships in a higher class. Requires a crew of 150. Carries a fair amount of loot in the hold. Approx. 22,000 marks in repairs.


>The Traveler
Another Galleon, built for the long haul. About on par with the Windswept in terms of speed, but carries only 80 guns. Requires at least 100 for crew. Armor is in the mid range, it can slug it out for a little while. This ship can carry more provisions than the other two, or more loot. 20,000 marks in repairs.

>>41922205
>Windswept
Biggest meanest ship on the list

>>41922205
> The Vulture's Talon

I'm going to go with the light and fast one.

>>41922205
>>Windswept
Hello hello hello

>>41922443
>>41922581
>>41922678
going to give it a bit longer if that's alright, I've got some school things I have to take care of

>>41922205
>>Windswept
I have returned, this ship screams me gusta

>>41923071
>>41922678
>>41922443
The meanest son of a bitch it is. Writing.

>>41923124
Bad leery brown

>>41923124
I overestimated the amount of guns a ship of this size has. It actually would have closer to seventy guns. Still quite a few.

“The Windswept sir?” The Harbormaster asks, “I expect it will cost a good ten thousand to get that many worthy deckhands. I mean, Are you sure you want that?”

“Yes, well, I've learned the dangers of an under-armed vessel already. Get onto repairs as soon as possible.”

“Very well.”

You will, of course, select the officers yourself. You can't draft directly from the navy, which limits where you can find new blood. You could head into the legal gray area of ex-pirates and convicts; both free and imprisoned. You were selected as first mate straight out of the monastery, meaning you could likely find some graduate clerics.

>Investigate the Prisons
>There is a bar on the edge of town that's rumored to house some pirates.
> Return to the Monastery

>>41923769
>You can't draft directly from the navy, which limits where you can find new blood. You could head into the legal gray area of ex-pirates and convicts; both free and imprisoned.

But our only choices are the pirate tavern, the prisons, or the monastery? What about fishing boats or smuggler dens or Navy officers who are currently beached without ships?

>>41923769
>> Return to the Monastery
This first then the illegal options.

>>41923769
Well if the Windswept now carries about 70 what about the Traveler?

>>41923769
>Return to the Monastery
I refuse to allow pirates and other scum on our ship unless we have no other options

>>41923822
It would carry less

>>41923806
>>41923839
I don't trust pirates, but there's gotta be a better choice than clerics with eyes frail from copying manuscripts in the candlelight or drunk from wine.

>>41923914
These are weeaboo fightan clerics anon, they know magic and kung fu

>>41923800
Azala lacks a lot of the smuggling traffic most the other western islands have. You could head out to another island and look for more options there. But first you'll at least need some dregs to sail this thing. It's a big ship. With this being a state of emergency, all captains and officers off duty are returning to their posts.
>>41923822
Probably about 50 guns. You usually have three men per gun, but I'm fudging it for simplicity (we don't want to deal with the headaches of a 300 man crew).
>>41923914
Clerics (those who take it seriously at least) are more of warrior-monks.

>>41923998
>>41923929
In that case, I'd say get a few clerics from the monastery but also check out the pirate bar and see if there are some experienced ship-takers there.

>>41923806
>>41923839
As you exit the Harbormaster's shed, your eyes turn upward. Hidden among the clouds and rocks is the massive stone fortress of the Monastery. Beckoning you back to the snow capped peaks. With a little luck, you might be able to snag some of the adventurous apprentices before they run off to the navy.

End of Tale 3

Sorry I'm cutting this short. I've got some work to do, and I feel like my writing is starting to go downhill as midnight grows nearer.

Till next time mates.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Picturelessque

>>41924651
Thanks for running Picture, just a bit of criticism to help you out.

Try and put cont. or something similar so anons know that you're still writing things out.

Your writing is great, but you do take a while, this makes it harder for people to get into the quest. Maybe a copy-paste post with all the quest relevant information could be put up, like the dice system and how long it takes you to write etc.
Other than that it has been a pleasure, I will try and be here for the next one.

>>41924651
Thanks for running

>>41924709
Appreciated, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for playing everyone.

>>41925077
take it easy, thanks for running boss

I like this quest so far, but sadly I'm on CET and already fast asleep when you start. Still, go on, it makes for enjoyable reads in the morning.