Helorondur arrives from the Stern.
Helorondur has arrived.
Rinkair smiles and looks at Ithilir, "Ahh, let us hope that your feeling was wrong m'lord.. And that you were not needed at home. But we now return home and hopefully find out what we may. This voyage has not proved well."
Ithilir turns and says, "Aye, such I do hope, but I knew not that we had finished our quest? Or have you some word that has caused this retreat?"
Rinkair shakes his head, "More that we have spent too much time a searching for something upon the open sea. As Pelagir is the closest port that we can safely land in to receive the fruits we need.. Well we head for home to us.. But it is merely a short stop over."
The sun flashes brightly on the horizon. Night gives way to morning.
Helorondur hears a conversation on the maindeck over the bright hiss of the wind..... He sheaths his blade, with which he had been practicing, and approaches two figures talking of grim news.... He bows to Lord Ithilir and Captain rinkair on one knee. "My lords."
Ithilir nods, and says, "Ah, I see, then we do not quit, merely replenish our stores?" He turns as Helorondur approaches, and nodding, motions for him to rise. "How goes your practice Helorondur?"
Rinkair looks at Helorondur and then at Ithilir with a bit of surprise, "Stand man, it is not safe to kneel aboard a ship when on may need his hands at any moment."
Ithilir smiles, and says,"I see now why so few Knights ever become sailors, it is a hard habit to break."
Rinkair looks at Ithilir and smiles, "indeed, And those few who do break themselves have a worse habit of wearing their death in steel about themselves."
Helorondur raises, wiping a bit of perspiration off of his brow. "Aye, Your Grace." He nods to Ithilir. "I remembered our recent bout of this past week, and I did not want to repeat my encounter with the timbers of the deck inquite the same way, my liege." He smiles at the recollection.
Ithilir smiles, and runs a hand over his finely crafted Chain Mail. "That is true Captain, it is a hard choice, and one I may live to regret, but I fear the black arrows of the Corsairs more than a watery grave. And I think that I have practiced enough that I can manage to keep my feet beneath me. But I do appreciate your concern, and advice." He turns to Helorondur, "Good, have you come up with a counter for that attack then?"
Ithilir takes his shield from his back, and looking at it concernedly, hands it to Helorondur. "Take this belowdeck, and place it in my berth, Squire." He says to Rinkair, "In the matter of the shield though, I think I will take your advice, Good Captain, for I have not found that I could use it well on this ship anyway. But I will miss it, no doubt.
Helorondur nods again. "Aye, milord, it is all a question of maintaining balance, obtaining a long reach without over-extending. But I feel I've gotten a bit more consoled to the absence of a trusty shield."
Ithilir says, "Doesn't seem so:)"
Rinkair smiles and says, "Indeed. the ship will shield you from the worst of our enemies arrows. Worry not.. But in battle trust in yourselves. Our foes are sailors not knights and will not be expecting such resistance even from this ship."
Helorondur grasps the Swan-adorned shield with obvious reverence in
his eyes. He bows perfunctorily to Ithilir, and walks to the hatch without
another word.
Helorondur heads to the fore deck of the vessel.
Helorondur has left.
Ithilir Turns to the Captain, and an aspect of formality enters his carriage. He extends his right hand, and says,"
Rinkair smiles and says, "A good man your squire there.. "
Rinkair looks at Ithilir and frowns slightly at the others formality, but awaiting it with grace.
Helorondur arrives from the fore deck.
Helorondur has arrived.
Ithilir says, "Thank you Rinkair, I have been very pleased in him, and am glad that the Prince intrusted his training to my care. But I wish to thank you for the care and advice you have shown to me, and to my men. I have a strange forboding, and would not allow such deeds to go unthanked."
Helorondur returns from the bow, staring at the sea, and at the red, rising sun.
Rinkair smiles sadly and says, "no thanks are needed for I expect you would have done no less if you found me amongst you upon a horse and looking at the shield and chain that you so casually wear. No thanks, for thanks are only needed where men are not friends and I wouldst call you friend, come what may."
Ithilir smiles, and says, "Be not alarmed Rinkair, I have no forboding for this voyage, but I fear that when we return, other matters will weigh heavily upon my mind, and I may be distant."
Rinkair smiles, "Worry not.. Events are such that they will move as they may."
Rinkair looks out over the oceans as the Alcarondas makes way rapidly for home.
Ithilir nods, and says, "And only the Valar know how that will be, or so it is said."
The Alcarondas is off to Bay of Belfalas!
From overboard > You sail off to the southeast.
Bay of Belfalas
High, foamy white waves smack against the hull as you enter the Bay
of Belfalas. A driving wind from the southwest makes the ship unwieldly
but manageable. The great Anduin River to the east cuts deep into the continent
while to the northeast the Blackroot and Ringlo Rivers merge to form the
sheltered Bay of Edhellond. To the north lies the trading and refitting
port city of Haerlond along the Cape of Andrast. The City of the Corsairs,
greatest trading port of Middle-Earth lies to the southeast. The mighty,
tumultuous waves of the open sea, the Belegaer, enter the bay from the
northwest.
Contents:
The Torath
Obvious exits:
North leads to Haerlond: The Docks.
East leads to Mouth of the Anduin.
NorthEast leads to Bay of Edhellond.
NorthWest leads to Belegaer (The Open Sea).
SouthEast leads to Bay of Umbar.
Helorondur ends his revery of the sea and approaches Ithilir and Rinkair. "May I attend to any errand or want of your bidding?" He turns his gae from one man to the other.
Rinkair chuckles and shakes his head, "I must attend to the wheel and our progress, take your time about the air here my friends."
Rinkair turns and heads to the stern walking quickly, moving without difficulty in the light sea swells rocking.
From overboard > On The Torath, Halebeort leans on the railing, a mug of the thick (stolen) ale clenched in his stout, dark fingers. His eyes trace the horizon more out of long habit than suspicion... still, the ship's watch appears to be largely dozing at their positions in the rigging, so it is well that he does so.
You shout "Tighten the sails, Crowsnest. do we have anything on the
horizen?"
From overboard > From on the very horizon a light colored sail that is not Corsair can be sighted running for Pelagir. In front of it also heading for the port the darker sail of a Corsair vessel. The gondorians sail without knowing yet though.
You shout "Helorondur, Climb the crowsnest and see what you can see, your eyes are sharper than my mens at times."
From overboard > A long sleek vessel of darken sails cruises northerly, its dark sales appear as shadows of the ship onto the sky. Dark skinned men can be seen about the ship.
From overboard > On The Torath, Rycar walks over to stand beneathe Halebeort, catching the scent of the brew even over his own scent. "What ya be looking for, man? Naught to be seen, I'd wager." The large man chuckles, wiping a filthy hand through what remains of his hair.
To those overboard: You shout, "Have we any sightings to north or south between us and Pelagir? Or behind us?"
To those overboard: From the Main Mast > Helorondur ascends the Mainmast slowly in his horse-warrior's chainmail. He raises a hand to his eyes, looking all about the sea.
To those overboard: From the Main Mast > Helorondur shouts, ""Master Rinkair, I espy a dark, triangular sail in the farther reaches of the sea, like to which I have heretofore not seen."
To those overboard: From the Main Mast > Helorondur shouts, "It lies well to our South, several leagues at present."
To those overboard: You shout, "A triangular sail? Point out the way! Helm, follow his lead. We have Corsairs in the waters and we wouldst not let them stay long as the unwelcome guests they are."
To those overboard: You shout, "Lord Ithilir, prepare your men and the sand. We will be needing it soon."
To those overboard: From the Main Mast > Helorondur raises a gauntletted arm, aiming it due South. "There, there course our erstwhile companions in these waters."
From overboard > On The Torath, Halebeort squints at the perhaps-sail in the distance, his alcohol impaired vision blurred slightly as he watches what could be a trick of the light, or could be a large and ugly ship, bobbing on the waves.
From overboard > The gondorian ship gracefully turns, heading towards it's as yet unknowning prey. It's tall masts now showing against the bright sky and it's bright sails respendent in the evening sun.
Imrahil arrives from the main deck.
Imrahil has arrived.
Imrahil walks over to Rinkair, "What news Captain? Corsairs?"
From Maindeck, Ithilir +shouts, "stern My Men stand ready, Captain."
Rinkair nods and says, "Aye m'lord. Hopefully we can catch them unawares and show them how men of gondor fight. If not it could go either way as yet."
Ithilir arrives from the main deck.
Ithilir has arrived.
Imrahil nods and looks over the waters, "How many?"
Rinkair shakes his head, "Hard to say, one.. most likely.. Maybe more. I can but hope only one."
From overboard > The ship bearing the sons of Castamir suddenly wheels to port as its sails unfurl and catch the wind, it slices through the water on a direct coarse towards the large ship.
Ithilir joins the Prince and the Captain on the Stern.
To those overboard: From the Main Mast > Helorondur descends quickly, taking care not to snag his scabbard in the riggings.
Rinkair looks up and the shouts a warning
Helorondur arrives from the main deck.
Helorondur has arrived.
From overboard > From the Gondorian ship rises cries as men swarm the riggings, longbows visible from the distance even as archers prepare to battle with the corsairs. The larger ship, nimble for it's size, heels to port and turns so that the two ships are heading straight towards each other.
Helorondur progresses towars the stern, not quite at a run, but clearly not a walk, either. Despite the spectacle of the approach of the oncoming vessel, Loro bows deeply to Imrahil.
Imrahil nods and rubs his chin, "Then we shall engage?"
Rinkair smiles and says, "Think I wouldst turn them down even if I could.. Nay we have no choice for they be faster though we can put on more sail."
Imrahil nods, "This is wise counsel, for they must not escape and bring their friends."
Rinkair turns and draws his bow, smiling, "M'lord, don't get in the way of any arrows, I would suggest staying behind the wheel if you could."
Ithilir +shouts "To the Men on the Main Deck>Stand ready, no shields! Use your bows if you have them, but wait for the command to fire first!"
Ithilir says, "The Men stand ready, My Lord, at your command."
Imrahil nods and ascents, "Aye Captain, but when the fighting grows thick I shall take my place with my Men."
Helorondur rises from the deck, taking his place in battle at the Knight-Captain's side. He scans the deck for a spot to wait while the archers of the Alcarondas perform their warlike duties.
Rinkair looks at Imrahil and smiles, "If you didn't you wouldst not be called Prince m'lord.. But until then I wouldst not have to tell your people that the Corsairs are luckier than they deserve."
From overboard > On The Torath, Halebeort scowls over the edge of the ship, climbing back down from the quarterdeck to move towards the fore. Behind him join in grim aray a band of Corsairs, fingering grappling hooks and vicious scimitars.
From overboard > The Gondorian ship seems to still as the two approach, as they pass a young mans shout can be heard coming from the stern, "ARCHERS FIRE!" As a flight of arrows flies from the gondorian masts and decks to fly at the Corsair ship.
Imrahil nods and draws his sword - light glittering on the jeweled scabbard, "Gondor! Then let us assume warlike pose and let those who are our foes feel the wrath of the Captains of the West!"
From overboard > The sleak black ship heads directly and to the side of the ship, passing alongside it on the port.. As they near, the dark sailed ship unleashes a furry of burning arrows, large spears, and what appear to be half empty liqiour bottles. The droves of projectiles pearce few of the sailors aboard the other ship, and mostly end up lodged in the upper hull and deck.
Helorondur draws Anlach from its scabbard
Ithilir nods, and draws Durlach, shouting, "Gondor, and the Prince!" He returns to the Main Deck with the rest of his men.
To those overboard: You shout, "Sandbaggers, Put out the fires. Archers, fire again!, helm to port. Bring her around again!"
Ithilir steps from the stern and onto the main deck of The Alcarondas.
Ithilir has left.
Helorondur Raises his voice in a wordless cry, waving his blade in defiance
of the Umbarian foe.
Helorondur steps from the stern and onto the main deck of The Alcarondas.
Helorondur has left.
Imrahil looks upon the black sails of the Corsairs heedless of the darts for a moment, waiting silently for the carnage that is sure to come.
From overboard > The dark skinned men of The Torath raise shield and take cover from the arrows, only to rebound with return fire. But soon the two ships pass eachother, and just as quickly the dark ship begins circling around to meet the ship of Gondor once again.
To those overboard: From the Main Deck > Helorondur paces the deck of the Alcarondas deliberately, paying scant attention to the darts and missiles of the enemy. At the first volley, he ducks quickly, calmly behind the Ship's railing, but continues to proceed towards the bow.
From overboard > The gondorian ship, smoking slightly from flames that are smothered even as they start, turns and comes back around. The gondorian ship though doesn't turn quite as fast it seems and the Corsairs for a moment have a clean opening at the side hull of the great vessel.
To those overboard: You shout, "Prepare to repell boarders!! Axes to the side.. My lords Prepare for the onslaught."
From overboard > On The Torath, Halebeortsnarls and readies his men. "Hooks!" he calls, and a score of grappling hooks are amassed and raised high for the coming storm!"
From overboard > The men of the Torath begins to mass about the main deck as the ship comes around to bear on the starboard of the Gondorian ship, its sleak ram barely visible underneath the bow. The Torath strikes the Gondorian vessel in a glancing blow and comes up along side it, with which all the dark skinned men begin to leap across and swing on ropes to the other vessel. Shouts of the men are heard with a haradaic accent, "Take no prisoners!" can be heard above all the ruckus.
From overboard > On The Torath, Abenar reluctantly leaves the ballista and grabs a grappling hook, and kneels next to the railing.
From overboard > On The Torath, Magius shouts deeply, "Attack! Burn her to the sea bottom!" as his men flow across the two ships and battle ensues.
From overboard > A lone arrow rises from the stern and strikes a man upon the Corsair ship piercing him through the throat as the cry of, "Repell boards! FOR THE TREE!" is heard by all.
Imrahil mutters, "Mangonels." With this the Prince dashes down to the main deck sword ready.
Imrahil steps from the stern and onto the main deck of The Alcarondas.
Imrahil has left.
You step from the stern and onto the main deck of The Alcarondas.
From overboard > Halebeort has arrived.
From overboard > On The Torath, Abenar climbs back to his feet after
falling on his back from the collision, with a Haradaic oath, he throws
the hook to the Gondo vessels, snares the railing, andties the rope onto
the Torath's rail.
From overboard > On The Torath, Magius bellows out again, "For Castamir
the Usurper! For Castamir the founder!"
Ithilir hacks at a rope attached to a hook, and then tosses the hook
into the sea.
From overboard > On The Torath, Abenar draws his scimitar, screams the
name "Castamir!", and leaps onto the Gondo vessel.
From overboard > Abenar has arrived.
From overboard > On The Torath, Rycar tosses his hook and follows his
fellows over to the gondoran ship as fast his heavier form allows.
From overboard > Diving over the side, scimitar in hand, Halbeort swims
to the side of the nearby Gondorian vessel, scaling the aft decks hand
over hand in an attempt to board quietly while the majority of the fighting
is done by the main boarding party.
Helorondur swings his blade downward, severing several grappling cables
in as many blows. He is caught almost unawares by a newcomer successful
in the boarding attempt.
From overboard > Halebeort has left.
From overboard > After several moments, and much of the swarthy men
of Umbar board the ship, then long haired and apparent captain of the vessel
leaps across to the other ship in a single bound, cutlass drawn before
he hits the deck.
From overboard > Magius has arrived.
Abenar lands hard, rolls over his shoulder and comes back to his feet
in a smooth motion.
The Alcarondas - Main Deck
Bright shines the light of day upon the Main Deck of the Alcarondas,
mighty ship of war. And at this time her decks are abustle with working
sailors climbing high into the riggings or working diligently upon deck,
and yet others can be seen lounging here and there in quiet pleasure. The
wood of which this ship has been crafted has been stained a light shade
of brown, and the immaculate cleaniness of the planking gives testiment
to the time and care given to this vessel. In places here and there one
may lay sight of various piles of rope and binding coiled in an orderly
fashion and spare sails folded neatly and set aside should they be called
for, and yet despite the many obstacles which may hinder the deck, all
is set in it's proper place so as to remain inconspicuously out of sight.
A sturdy railing lines the perimeter of the ship to prevent the lurching
seas from pitching a man overboard, and they too are stained with the same
light brown as the rest of the ship, and yet in one place the railing is
opened and unenclosed, and nearby lays a long wooden plank which may be
set in place upon disembarking from the vessel.
Ithilir slashes at the hands of one attempted boarder. A cry is heard,
and then a splash. He turns to help with those who have already successfully
boarded.
Rinkair calls out from near a ladder to the stern, "Repell boarders.
Push'm into the ocean where they belong men!"
Rycar heads to the fore deck of the vessel.
Helorondur heads to the fore deck of the vessel.
Magius lands on the deck and barely manages not to roll to the otherside..
He quickly regains his composure and steps into the fray, his cutlass singing
as it comes in contact with Gondorian blood.
Halebeort heads from the main deck towards the stern of the ship.
Rinkair stands back, his bow in hand as he searches for targets and
expertly puts arrows into the haradrim that show themselves to him. His
bow sings as he calls out to his men and encourages them, as the tide surges
and pulls back and forth.
Magius quickly slides a glistening blade of Haradaic steel from its
scabbard.
Abenar looks around for a Gondo to strike at, he moves toward the mainmast,
trying to give room for more boarders to arrive.
Ithilir spies one of the Harad wearing a green bandana and red sash.
He shouts, "Dol Amroth, and charges him.
Abenar notices the tall man's charge at the last second, and barely
manages to get his scimitar up in time to prevent himself from being cut
in half, but the force of the blow knocks him backwards off his feet.
Imrahil heads from the main deck towards the stern of the ship.
Magius slices a Gondorian down quickly, and as he moves through the
fray, he swing madly at any he does not recognize as his own.
Rinkair sights on the officer and attempts to find a shot on him, most
of his shots though are foiled by his own sailors movements. He moves down
the ladder, slaying one haradrim that managed to break the the ranks before
turning back to find the officer.
Ithilir nearly slips on the deck, as he swings at Abenar. He turns quickly,
and raises his sword to parry a riposte. He gains his balance, and crouches
slightly, nearly equaling the height of his opponent. He kicks at a nearby
bucket, hoping to distract the man, but it skitters away to the side, harmlessly.
Abenar quickly regains his feet and smiles. "Now, pretty man, we see
how red your blood is!" He then makes a quick cut at Ithilir's leading
leg.
Ithilir dodges the low slash. He moves to the side, setting the mast
neatly behind himself, to cover his back, and returns with a high cut,
aimed at the man's unarmored head.
To those overboard: From the Fore Deck > Helorondur cries in cold defiance
"Amroth for the Tree!" as he and a knot of Dol Amroth guardsmen charge
into a mass of corsair pirates.
Magius makes his way through the fray, fighting side by side with his
second officer, he quickly dispatches several of the lowly sailors before
his eyes begin to search the further reaches of the gigantic ship.
Rinkair spots the officer again and draws a bead on him, waiting for
a brief break in the fighting as the officers blade clears the lightly
armored sailors from in front of him. Rinkair sees such a break and lets
fly with naught a word as several of his sailors fall dead at the mans
feet.
You fire off an arrow at Magius...
Your arrow hits Magius, mildly wounding him!
Abenar ducks under Ithilir's slash, and from his crouching position,
makes a weak stab at Ithilir's groin, trying to find a joint in the Gondo's
armor.
Rinkair scowls as his shot is not as clean as he would have liked, the
arrow not the killing wound he would have wished.
A Gondorian arrow strikes the Corsair Captain just above his shoulder
and digs into his armor before glancing off the side. The large man side
steps from the force of the shot, and immediately throws his hand to his
shoulder while his other hand quicly works the blade as he duels a sailor
of the ship.
Ithilir is caught unprepared, missing his shield. He parries the cut
barely with his longsword. A passing Umbarean nearly falls unto him, as
he is cut down by a Dol Amroth Man at Arms, and using the dead man briefly
as a shield, he thrusts him at Abenar.
Magius quickly kicks the Gondorian sailor above the knee cap, breaking
his leg before his head is severed clean off by the giant mans blood red
cutlass. Twice the mans body hits the deck, his head following just behind
his torso.
Magius rears up, his cold eyes cast ice on the fray as he searches for
a man with a bow such as he who shot him.
Rinkair scowls as he sees one of his crew cut down and draws another
arrow, his movements unhurried but speedy for all of that.
Abenar curses, and lauches a two-handed swing at the dead corsair, cutting
him in half just below the ribcage. He shouts out at the Gondo. "Coward!
Hiding behind the dead!"
Rinkair swears as the Corsair officer looks his way, the perfect shot
before him Rinkair hesitates not a moment so that the opening is not lost,
knowing full well that he has revealed his location to the Corsair and
trusting to luck and skill to get him through the next moments.
Ithilir smiles grimly, and says, "I will use your body as a warning
Corsair! It shall be set on the lanyard, for all Raiders to see how Gondor
treats those who would rape her land!" He grabs his longsword twohanded,
and advances a pace on the smaller man.
Magius's eyes lock on the man who's gaze matches his, he sneers and
raises his sword as he makes his way through the brawl to the man.
Halebeort arrives from the Stern.
You fire off an arrow at Magius...
Your arrow hits Magius, mildly wounding him!
Halebeort leaps off of the quarterdeck, landing amidst the battle flowing
on the maindeck. Above him, the Prince's guards yell and wave their swords
angrily.
Magius raises his shield quickly as the arrow loosens towards him. Not
quick enough, he deflects the arrow but it knicks his unprotected sword
arm as it glances off the shield.
Magius makes a mad dash at the man, not wanting to give up another shot.
He charges forward, his cutlass raised high and his shield held low over
his chest.
Abenar spits at Ithilir, "Brave talk, pretty man! My body is here, come
and get it!" But Abenar does give ground to defend against Ithilir's charge.
Rinkair scowls as the haradrim officer proves faster than most men,
he grabs another arrow and says, "Ulmo and the valar speed my shaft.."
He sights along the line and fires at the advancing Haradrim as the other
sneers at his attacks so far.
You fire off an arrow at Magius...
Your arrow flies wide of Magius, doing no harm.
Ithilir laughs cruelly at Abenar's taunt, and with a swift lunge, swings
hard at his chest, trying to cut him in half.
Magius continues unaltered by the misfired arrow.. He reaches the other
captain and brings his sword down quickly, all defense and strategy lost
in his mad charge and heavy swing.
Magius attacks you with his Scimitar!...
Halebeort pulls himself to his feet, looking for damage to do. A thought
occurs to him, and he turns and kicks in the door to the Captain's quarters,
which are right below the quarterdeck, and thus right behind him. He disappears
within.
Abenar manages to block Ithilir's cut, but is again knocked off balance
by the heavier man's swings.
Rinkair drops his bow as he pulls his dagger and evades the Corsairs
blow, scowling, as his shorter blade and lighter armor are of scant protection
to the larger mans blade and strength.
Magius grunts as his swing goes wide and unconnected, he retracts his
blade quickly as the man raises his dagger. His studded shield goes up
to block.
Rinkair attempts to duck under the others shield and slow his oppenent
down, even a scratch to the leg can be tiring to one carrying chain. Rinkair
moves with a great deal of speed, but his eyes betray a bit of annoyance
and fear.
You attack Magius with your Dagger...
Magius dodges your attack.
Magius spits at Rinkair's feet, " Ithilir steps forward again and swings another heavy blow, this one
aimed at the fallen man's head. He misses his target, as an arrow bounces
off his heavily armored chest, and his sword digs a deep furrow into the
wood beside Abenar's head.
Magius quickly sidesteps and brings his cutlass around in a short less
powerful slice to the mans hip. His shield goes wide, loosing all its protectiveness.
Magius attacks you with his Scimitar!...
Some time passes...
And then Halebeort charges back out of the Captain's cabin! A brand-new
looking Gondorian hat leans at a crazy angle on his head, and several pouches
of valuables are stuffed down his pants, making the bare-and-barrel-chested
man look ever more comical. Smoke and a hint of fire jumps in the quarters
as he leaves it. The chambers though Halebeort realizes were the cooks,
and the spiffy hat is no more than an ornamental pot of the cooks.
Rinkair smiles and dodges the blow, "Fool! you think me one of your
fat women from home?"
You attack Magius with your Dagger...
Magius dodges your attack.
Abenar face betrays a looks of fear as the Gondo blade barely misses
his head, he throws a wild swing at Ithilir's right leg as he scrambles
away, trying to gain a little room.
Magius laughs in a deep westron, accented by haradaic.. "My slaves were
fat, when I took them from such as ship as this.. But I have beat and whipped
them into shape, you would not recognize them as your kin now, Swine!"
as he steps back quickly then forward again as the dagger swings by, his
scimitar sweeping down to the mans thigh this time.
Magius attacks you with his Scimitar!...
Rinkair jumps back, barely saving himself from falling over a rope.
He circles his opponent and says, "Oh? Have you been going through your
own family tree again and enslaving the fish to wipe your behind with?"
Ithilir raises his right foot, lazily allowing the sword to pass under
it, and then steps on it quickly. He smiles grimly, and leans heavily on
the trapped weapon. He looks coldly at Abenar, and says, "How will you
die this day, Coward?"
Rinkair steps in as he speaks and lashes a foot out at Magius as his
dagger slides out to strike at the larger man's beefy shoulder.
You attack Magius with your Dagger...
Your attack against Magius mildly wounds him!
Magius's shoulders swing out, but to slow is the large man as the Gondorian
steel strikes the mesh on his shoulder, though no apparent injury.
Halebeort wanders below decks in search of more valuables, the swirl
of battle moving behind him, and men in desparation for their lives seemingly
ignorant of his passage as they fight for their own necks against other,
determined opponents. A cry of surprise comes from below as he discovers
that the -real- Captain's quarters lie elsewhere.
Abenar curses as he realizes that he missed an opportunity to attack
while the Gondo's weapon was stuck. "Perhaps I'll choke to death while
eating your heart, pretty man." He makes a quick cut at Ithilir's right
chest.
Magius grunts and swings his cutlass in a wide arc in the same motion
as his shoulders swing and were hit by the dagger. The blade goes wide
and towards the smaller mans studded leather chest.
Magius attacks Rinkair with his Scimitar!...
Ithilir parries the sword cut easily, and slashes at Abenar's face,
forcing him back towards the railing.
Rinkair grunts as the blade bites deeply, turned as it was it still
strikes his leg open almost to the bone.
Magius cackles deeply in his haradaic tongue as his blade strikes the
man square on his armor. But he wastes no time and recoils his blade, bringing
his shield infront again.
Rinkair steps in, limping now, as blood drips from his leg, his teeth
gritted in pain, "You'll pay for that you blackard." Rinkair's step increases
and instead of moving as he has before the dagger reverses it'self in his
grip as he attempts to slice at the corsairs throat with the blade.
Abenar ducks under the Gondo's swing, and looks desperately about for
something to trip him with, but has to settle for a cut at Ithilir's leg.
You attack Magius with your Dagger...
Your attack against Magius mildly wounds him!
Abenar glances at you.
Magius chuckles but is cut short as the dagger swings for his throat..
The very tip of the sharp blade barely misses his throat and strikes his
other shoulder, drawing a drop of blood to seep from the link of the chain.
He echos in a deep haradaic accent, "My fat old women can fight better
than you, Cabin boy!"
Halebeort moves belowdecks only a short way, before the man is repulsed
by the forces who stand ready to man the long oars. Still, he makes it
far enough to chop loose one of the lanterns from the wall, sending it
to the floor where it explodes into oil and glass shards that make pursuit
of him difficult. Escaping to the main deck, he slams down the hatch and
secures it, trapping the oarmen below where they can be of little use in
the fight.
Ithilir scowls as the cut connects with his armored leg. The armor gives
somewhat, but does not separate. Ithilir steps back a pace, and stands
uncertainly, his weight on his other leg. He raises his sword in a slight
salute, and says, "First blood, but the last will be your own, and it shall
flow as the rivers do. What name shall I give the prisoners to take back
to Umbar?" He feints slightly then, and aims a quick thrust at Abenar's
poorly protected chest.
A cry arises from below as the pounding of sand bags can be heard. The
smoke does not last long. Halebeort though finds himself face to face with
a small squad of Dol Amrothian knights who have repulsed the corsairs,
hearing the cry they turns toward him in their chain and long swords raised.
Magius darts forward, his shield clad fist swing into an uppercut on
the smaller man, as his blade follows behind in a flimsy stab.
Magius attacks you with his Scimitar!...
Rinkair attempts to avoid the larger weapon and man, long enough to
recover his bow as he cries, "To me! "
Rinkair ducks under the strike and past the man, attempts to cut the
Corsair around the knee, hoping to keep him occupied for a moment if nothing
else.
Halebeort blinks, and turns to run headlong towards the nearest rigging.
Leaping as hard as his waggling beer-gut will permit, he tries to haul
himself up and out of the reach of the more-encumbered men. Climbing the
ropes is difficult with his scimitar in his hand, but he has long years
of skill built up in it, and as he moves higher, he slashes at the ropes
that hold the mainsail aloft.
You attack Magius with your Dagger...
Magius dodges your attack.
Magius lifts his leg quickly as the man ducks under and to the side,
and then brings it down on the mans face in a fat footed kick.
Magius attacks you with his Bare Hands!...
Abenar jumps back to avoid the lunge, but hits the railing, and the
since he lacks the Gondo's armor, the sword cuts along his ribs. He gasps
in pain as his blood starts to stain his shirt, but he still manages to
say, "I am Abenar, of the Seaward tower. If I fall, remeber that name,
pretty man."
As the Corsair climbs the rigging cries from above can be heard, "Enemy
on the mast. Fire at will!" The archers left there to harass the boarders
take aim on this plump target with glee as several begin firing.
Rinkair avoids the kick but is forced to drop his dagger in pain as
his leg nearly lets go from ducking, he rises up though and grabs his larger
opponent in both hands as he tries to knee him in the groin.
You attack Magius with your Bare Hands...
Your attack against Magius mildly wounds him!
Abenar glances at you.
Ithilir nods, and says, "Aye, that I will, and the women and children
you have killed, or enslaved. They too I will remember, and their deaths
will be avenged in small part with your death." He presses towards the
Corsair, stepping over the fallen bucket, and with another heavy two handed
slash, cuts sideways at his chest.
Magius grunts as the mans fist connects to his cheek, he growls and
leaps ontop of the man like a falling boulder from a mountain. "I'll smuther
you with my shield, foul sea rat"
Magius attacks you with his Bare Hands!...
Rinkair rolls out from under the corsair in time to try and grab the
mans head. He attempts to grab the corsairs hair and slam his head into
the deck below, "Smuther yourself in your own crotch rot you mean.."
You attack Magius with your Bare Hands...
Your attack against Magius mildly wounds him!
Halebeort is saved from the archers by the archers; the first arrow
whips by, and the second catches his left hand full on. As his right was
busy slashing through one of the central lines to the mainsail at the time,
he falls... as does part of the sail. The other arrows miss him only because
of his path downwards. Halebeort prays for a soft landing....
But it is not to be. He smashes down upon a Gondorian sailor fighting
another Corsair. Both he and the Gondorian moan unhappily.
Magius grunts as the man disappears from where he leaped, and stumbles
on the deck, losing his shield. He grabs his cutlass and wheels around
to face the man
Magius puts down Studded Leather Shield.
Magius growls, "You fight like a monkey, little man.. But you appear
an officer, For that, I lose what respect I did have of any of you!" he
whales as he grabs his cutlass with both hands and brings it down hard
from high above his head.
Magius quickly slides a glistening blade of Haradaic steel from its
scabbard.
Rinkair scowls and scrambles for a weapon, he finds his dagger barely
in time to try and ward off the Haradrim's blow.
Magius attacks you with his Scimitar!...
ARB: You've been injured for 10 hp's by Magius's attack...
Magius steps back as his blade connects, almost stumbling over his fallen
shield, it is heard cracking underneath his large weight.
Rinkair avoids the worst of the blow but feels the cut slide across
his side opening a hot wound on his side. He winces but it is nothing compared
to that which he already contends with.
Rinkair scowls and says, "At least I only fight like a monkey instead
of smelling of one and reeking as if I had one for a bed mate!"
Magius smiles a toothy grin, with all his teeth that are moderately
white. "You curse like a Caldurian school girl.. And you fight like one
aswell"
Rinkair moves in and with one hand pressed to his side smiles and with
a light whistle of a ball room dance, does a flourish before trying to
score upon the pirates sword arm.
You attack Magius with your Dagger...
Your attack against Magius mildly wounds him!
Magius glances at you.
From the Fore Deck > Rycar jumps into the water!..
She dives deep, and you wonder when her head would resurface...
Ithilir falls to the deck as Halebeort lands heavily on him. He squirms
briefly, and getting his sword arm free, clubs the fallen Corsair soundly
on the head.
Magius growls and almove slaps the man away from him, though catching
the dagger on his leather clad forarm.. He swears as it draws a line of
blood.
To those overboard: From the Fore Deck > Helorondur nearly follows Rycar
over the railing, but catches himself just in time, loosing his left hand's
grip on Anlach and steadying himself on the rail. He stops for just a brief
moment, satisfied that he has dispatched his opponent, and moves back towards
the sterns of the vessel.
Abenar raises his scimitar in a desperate defense against the coming
Gondo blade, when, suddenly, salvation arrives from the sky as a fat corsair
falls on the Gondo. Abenar is still knocked over the railing, but by dropping
his scimitar, he is able to grab one of the lines tying the two ships together,
and avoids falling in the water.
The curses of the captains has brought attention from above decks. The
two's battle is now being watched by the archers as the watch out for their
captainst safety.
From overboard > Rycar +shouts "Arrrgg!" rings out the cry of the rather
heavy-set man who has plummeted into the sea from the foredeck. He founders
in the water for a moment, shouting back, "Ye shall pay, ya cursed son
of a Magius's dark face almost turns as red as the blood shot eye itself,
he bellows in his deep voice and leaps before Rinkair, his blade swinging
from the far left all the way across in a wide arch to split the man in
two. "Your not fit to desecrate such trees to build this floating garbage
barge! Im surprised it made it outof the Anduin!"
From overboard > Rycar has left.
Magius attacks you with his Scimitar!...
Abenar decides descretion is the better part of valor, and begins crawling
along the rope back to the Torath.
Halebeort blinks as some measure of consciousness returns to his eyes,
but it is hardly a gift he is pleased to recieve. "Oooh...." he moans sadly,
reaching to hold his head... but finds that his arm won't quite move the
way he wants it to. A horrible pain shoots up it, and he screams.
Ithilir pushes Halebeort off of himself with a curse, and kicks the
fallen man, before turning to see Abenar fall over the side. He runs to
the Railing, and seeing Abenar hanging from a line, laughs heartily.
Rinkair staggers as the pirates blow cuts him across the ribs, striking
of his badge of rank and severing it with a clatter. He staggers backwards,
tripping over the ropes he so early avoided with easy and falls, his blood
staining his shirt.
Halebeort's scream turns into a pained cough as his ribs are slammed
by a booted foot.
To those overboard: From the Fore Deck > Helorondur raises his blade
in mock salute to his soggy foe. "Ware the Jellyfish, thou Flounder! I
hear they Sting fiercely this time of year!" Without further ado, he rejoins
the melee on the maindeck.
Helorondur arrives from the fore deck.
Abenar glances at you.
Ithilir turns as he hears Halebeort cry, and then with a heavily blow,
brings his mailed left fist down hard on the Corsair's head, with a dull
thud.
From the rigging the archers turn with a cry of rage and suddenly the
air is filled with arrows that rain at the Corsair captain. "To the captain!"
can be heard from the gondorian crew. "To the captain!"
Abenar jumps into the water!..
He dives deep, and you wonder when his head would resurface...
Halebeort stops moaning. Instead, his rather bulky body sags to the
deck.
Ithilir sees Helorondur arrive, and pointing to the fallen man, says,
"Secure this one, while I see to a rat leaving our ship.
From overboard > Abenar has left.
Ithilir returns to the railing, just in time to see Abenar drop into
the water. He watches him, and then shouts,"Fare well, my foul friend.
Take care not to harm that head of yours, for our lanyard still awaits
it!"
Magius leaps over the ropes as his blade clatters to the floor.. He
reaches down with his thick leather gloves and places them around the fallen
captains throught, to squeeze the very life out of him.
Rinkair feebly struggles with the larger man, his leg and side paining
him so he can only try and gouge out his opponents eyes as he hears the
whsss of arrows wizzing throught he air the corsair left.
Several of the archers cease fire, seeing the corsair so close to the
captain. Two though, wearing the ranks given to those in command of the
archer groups, take careful aim and continue firing, their shots much more
deadly and surer than any others, careful not to hit thier injured captain.
Helorondur Nods to Ithilir while running sternwards. He sheaths his
blade,
Magius pays almost no attention to them, his eyes glazed over in the
heat of battle. He only becomes aware of his situation when one clangs
off of his back side chain mail. He stands up and retreaves his cutlass.
Standing over the captain, he looks to end it in one fatal blow to severe
the mans head, before an arrow strikes him in the shoulder, digging in
farely deeply.
Halebeort is not uncomfortable at all for the moment, being off in another
land... but he will be when he awakens, due to the broken arm that has
been wrenched about.
Ithilir turns from the railing, and seeing the two Captains in combat,
moves towards them, hewing at the poorly armored Corsairs that stand between
them.
Helorondur joins Ithilir's side, wielding Anlach almost mechanically
in the ongoing melee.
Magius stumbles as the arrow digs in, he reaches back and breaks it
at the tip, instead of pulling it lose and starting the blood flow. He
looks down at the fallen Captain and gives him a real good kick in the
head to the unconscious man, before looking up to plan the outcome of his
stay on the ship.
The Archers hurry the corsair captain on his way as he finds it hard
to stay in one place when the arrows begin raining down upon him, several
striking near his feet.
The strange sound of yawning arises over the ship's deck!
Ithilir jumps over a fallen Corsair, and stops just short of the Corsair
Captain. He shouts, "Gondor!", and swings heavily with a twohanded grip
on his longsword at Magius.
Magius swings his blade to block the rushing Gondorian, stumbling slightly
from the arrow lodged in his shoulder.
You forego your chance to attack.
Magius quickly glances around the deck, and seeing all the fallen corsairs
and Gondorian sailors on the deck, and the vast majority of his crew still
fighting near on both ships, he sweeps up his broken shield along with
the fallen captains badge and raises his sword to defend his retreat from
the ship.
Ithilir knocks Magius' sword aside, and presses him towards the far
railing, away from Rinkair. He steps over the fallen Captain carefully,
and continues to slash at the retreating Magius.
Helorondur scrambles over the fallen bodies of sailors from more than
one ship. He skewers a skinny Umbarian marine with an almost casual thrust
of his blade, but has to react quickly to avoid the blow of the fallen
man's comrade.
Magius grunts as he tosses the shield onto the deck of his ship still
alongside the starboard of the Alcarondas, he grabs his blade with both
hands and makes a wicked swing at the onpressing Gondorian.
Magius attacks Ithilir with his Scimitar, but he misses by a mile.
Other Corsairs about the mighty ship begin to pull back, stealing everything
they can carry as they move across the battlefield towards their home.
Gondorians who have fallen are picked clearn in the manner of a field of
grass touched by locusts.
Ithilir parries the scimitar, and feinting at Magius' face, swings low
at his upper thigh.
Ithilir attacks Magius with his Longsword and moderately wounds him!
The Gondorian dead though number equally with the corsairs. And many
pay a heavy price for their booty as arrows fly from the rigging cutting
down some Corsairs as they jump between ships, several falling between
the mighty ships and being crushed between their hulls.
Magius grunts as the blade sings into his leather clad thigh.. But before
the man retracts his blade, Magius's large shield free fist swings out
and knocks Ithilir a shiner on the chin.
Helorondur reverses directions, chasig down the fleeing Corairs with
a vengeance. "Thou shalt purchase our goods with wages of BLOOD!" He deals
quick death to two of the enemy, more concerned with plunder than common
sense.
Magius bellows out in a deep voice, " Ithilir's visor, up for once, fails to protect him from Magius' swing,
and he steps back a pace, before advancing again, lashing with his longsword
in a crisscross pattern, forcing Magius back further. He shouts to Helorondur,
"See to the Captain, and clear this rabble from our Ship!"
Corsairs are by no means fools... though they do make their living scouring
the dead, they know a good bet from a bad one. The retreat is quick and
done with practiced ease; the Corsair's few archers cover the last retreating
men, who defend a foothold for their Captain's escape.
Magius quickly steps up onto the railing and with a quick dive, grabs
a piece of the hanging rigging and swings to his ship, landing heavily
though gracefully. "This is not over, Gondorian Swine! We have left your
ship crippled, we shall return to finish the job!"
Magius picks up Studded Leather Shield.
Helorondur Hears Ithilir's voice throught the din and reacts immediately.
He withdraws towards the Captain, and kneels upon the deck to ascertain
his condition.
The last Corsairs follow Magius' lead, under cover of their archers,
who fire the shorter bows found among the desert tribes of the Harandor.
The short, black-feathered arrows are less powerful and less accurate,
but still a deterrent to over enthusiastic pursuit.
With the exit of their Captain, the remaining Corsairs return to the
black sailed ship.. Leaving the Alcarondas is quite a different condition
then it was when arrived. Slain Corsairs and Gondorian sailors line the
deck, almost equal in numbers.
Ithilir runs forward, trying to cut at Magius, but is a step behind
as the Captain swings across to the waiting Corsair Ship. He stands, sword
in hand, and watches the last Corsairs escape. He turns slowly, and returns
to Rinkair's side. He looks at Helorondur, and says, "How fares the Captain?"
The Alcarondas - Main Deck
Contents:
Imrahil
Helorondur
Ithilir
Obvious exits:
Foredeck leads to The Alcarondas - Fore Deck.
Mainmast leads to The Alcarondas - Mainmast.
Stern leads to The Alcarondas - Stern.
Overboard
Rinkair calls out to the archers to shower the boarders from the masts.
Many reply giving the haradrim a hard time of it.
Halebeort boards The Alcarondas by the gangplank.
Halebeort has arrived.
From overboard > Abenar has left.
Abenar boards The Alcarondas by the gangplank.
Abenar has arrived.
From overboard > Magius has left.
Magius boards The Alcarondas by the gangplank.
Magius has arrived.
The early morning sun casts its rays over the waters of the Bay of
Belfalas. The bright colors of dawn are slowly giving way to the brightness
of the morning sky.
Contents:
Magius
Rycar
Abenar
Halebeort
Imrahil
Helorondur
Ithilir
Obvious exits:
Foredeck leads to The Alcarondas - Fore Deck.
Mainmast leads to The Alcarondas - Mainmast.
Stern leads to The Alcarondas - Stern.
Overboard
Rycar has left.
Helorondur has left.
Halebeort has left.
Imrahil has left.
Rinkair looks around and catches sight of a man better groomed then
most.
You paged Magius with 'I'll shoot this one and then we'll close with
hand to hand weapons..'.
Halebeort has arrived.
...and he misses!
...and he misses!
Rinkair moves in and strikes with a serpents lethality at the Corsairs'
unprotected shield arm with a cry, "For the tree." He moves with more speed
and less caution than he might have otherwise.
...and he misses!
...and he hits! Ouch!
...and he misses!
Magius slides the blade back into its scabbard.
...and he misses!
...and he misses!
Magius removes Studded Leather Shield.
...and he hits! Ouch!
...you have 41 left. Please RP this injury accordingly.
From overboard > Rycar has arrived.
From overboard > Rycar is OOC
From overboard > Rycar walks up the gangplank and boards The Torath.
...and he hits! Ouch!
Helorondur has arrived.
Abenar has left.
From overboard > Abenar has arrived.
From overboard > Abenar walks up the gangplank and boards The Torath.
motioning for two men at arms to assist him. Grabbing a roll of hempen
rope, he binds Halebeort, ankle and wrist, to the mainmast. "I trust thou
art not too uncomfortable, forgive me, as I have business to attend to."
He smiles, re-draws his blade, and joins the fray once more.