The colonies in the islands of many oppurtunities. Called anything from a cursed endeavour to the promised land. The coming of civilization from the east bought great political upheaval to this area. The foreigners with their destructive weapons cared nothing for the indeginous peoples. About their old land claims and their culture. They dismissed this outrage with claims of bringing true religion and civilization to the 'savages' standing before them.
It is in this time of change that we will tell this story. A story of nations, large and small, whose actions will forge the future of this region.
A meeting of leaders
Today, the captains of the confederacy of pirate kingdoms have gathered in session to discuss the latest issues. The captains gather on the deck of The admiral's flagship, their demeanor more like old friends meeting than important leaders gathering to discuss the future of their people. Soon, everyone was seated, and Admiral teach opened the meeting officially, standing in front of the attendees in his trademark straightbacked pose.
'Gentlemen, I can waste all our times with pleasantries, or I can get to the point. I think we all prefer the latter rather than the former, so let us begin.' As if on cue, a crewman unrolled a detailed map of the archipelo and sets it up on a standard. 'The first thing to discuss today is the recent incident in the ogre khanate.' The attending captains started talking amongst themselves. The ogres outrage had been a popular subject of conversation recently. 'As you all know, the khanate blames us for allowing a serial killer in their lands without challange. As we all know, we had no way of knowing the identity of this man.'
The admiral calls everyone to attention. 'It is my suggestion that we placate the ogres in their demands for reparations.' The suggestion sparked outrage in some of the attending captains. 'We mustn't show them weakness' some called. 'We cannot afford it' others said. The admiral allowed them to say their mind for just a few moments, long enough to give them the idea they were being lsitened to, yet short enough to make it clear who was still in charge. 'If you'll all excuse me sirs, I'll explain you all my reasoning. Ti s a long-term investment you see.' The admiral allowed his words to sink in for a moment. 'Do any of you remember the time before we had a solid trade agreement with the ogres? Famine and shortages were rampant. Our very comrades were starving to death on the shores of poorly-maintained ports. It is only by the expansive farmlands and herd animals of the ogres that we can feed our people. It is only by their lumber that we can maintain our ports. It has always been an agreement most benificial to us, so I ask that we all do our best to preserve it.'
The attendants all fell silent, in consideration of the admiral's words. 'So, gentlemen, is there any opposition to this decision?' The admiral's intent was clear. There were more than enough other issues to cover today, so the time of debating this sepcific issue was over. Edward's spirited speech had silenced many of the dissenting voices. Some arms still rose in opposition of the decision, but not enough to reach the majority vote required to overturn a decision. 'we are in agreement then. we will concede to the ogres demands of reparations, in the interest of preserving our good relations for the future.
It took a few moments for everyone to regain their composure. It wasn't abnormal for feelings to get somewhat heated during discussions of this sort. Edward briefly lamented the fact they would be even heavier when he would start the next debate. 'Now, the next issue on today's agenda is something you'll all be familiar with. As you might all know, the northern part of our confederation has always... flirted with thoughts of seperatism.' The last few words were more spit out than spoken, immediately, everyone knew what edward was getting at. 'I call forward captain juan garcia. Leader of freebooter retreat and a rather infamous opposer of my policies.'
The crows fell silent. Everyone turned around to look for the man known mostly for never being in support of whatever the admiral suggested. Naturally, he had been amongst the attendees opposing the idea of reparations. The eslean man stood up from his seat and walked forward. his step was ponderous and unfettered. The posture of a man not particularly bothered by the things he did to get what he wanted. He now stood directly before the admiral he had always opposed so. 'Well, Garcia. I would offer to shake your hand again, but you refused the first time. So... tell us of the nature of your relation with the dwarven dominion of Oógurtz.'
It took a while for Garcia to process what his admiral just said, and, by extension, what he was accusing him of. 'Sir, I urge you to know... the initiative came purely from their side. It is not exactly a secret I take some displeasure in your... policies.' Garcia gave the glib smile of a man so slick he could lie as easily as he could breathe. Edward considered his retort for a moment. 'Well, Garcia. Then why is it that your 'response' to this initiative was timestamped as being sent before the dwarves had ever even contacted you? I must say, your ability to see into the future is commendable.' Garcia's breath stopped in his throat. 'Sir, that must have been some kind of administrative error. I would never dream of fraternizing with our enemies.'
Edward turned away from garcia. He knew the man was lying. Everyone in attendance knew. But no one would ever hear the man admitting to it. 'My fellow captains. I hereby ask that captain Garcia's residence and office be subjected to a thorough search. I think we all have sufficient reason to believe him to be a threat to the integrity of our free nation.' Edward sighed. It was a certainty that his decision would be overturned again. Garcia was a powerful man, even after the formation of the confederated pirate kingdoms. How Edward wished more people would realize the eslean agitator only wielded so much power because no one ever bothered to keep him in check.
Again, several hands rose in the sky to signify their opposition, again, his suggestion for inquiry into the eslean's skullduggery had been overturned. The aquilaan admiral wished he could just run the rat through and be done with it. But such would be completely unbecoming of the head of a civilized state that deserved to be recognized in their sovereignty. No doubt garcia would start cleaning out anything incriminating the moment he returned to his port of call. The fish had slipped the net again. And again the little beast had poisoned the confederacy with its wicked bite.
The rest of the meeting consisted of standard fare. A round of hearing for any internal disputes to be resolved. As always, the most complaints came from the area in Garcia's sphere of influence. And as always, it seemed to be disputes drummed up purely to challange the validity of Edward's laws.
backroom skullduggery
After the meeting was over, the attendees dispersed into the port, some went straight back to their personal ships to embark on the journey back home. Others took a trip to one of the many taverns of skarh fin retreat. Mostly old friends catching up over a glass of one of the many fine ales the taverns served. But also those with, darker intentions.
Captain Juan Garcia was one such person with darker intentions. He hadn't a shred of doubt he was being shadowed by edward's cronies again. It wouldn't matter anymore, the next meeting would be several weeks from now, and by that time. His plans would already have come to fruïtion.
He came into one of the more backwater alehouses of the pirate retreat. It was the sort of place even pirates would rather avoid if they had a choice. The smell of cheap ale and stale sweat was the first thing anyone entering noticed, immediately followed by the realization everyone in the bar was akways looking at whatever newcomer decided to make their entrance. Garcia saw a lot of familiar faces, though a few were new. It didn't take him long to realize who the newcomers were, the unrelentingness of their stare said enough. With the nonchalance of a man that considers himself untouchable, he steps deeper into the bowels of the establishment. Few notice the furtive figure slipping in behind him before the door fully closes. The eslean didn't need to look around long to see his contact. It was hard to overlook a hobgoblin after all.
Yes, a hobgoblin, the infamous lapdogs of the dwarven dominions. Integrated in their armies as expendable shock troops and light cavalry over some agreement far in the past. Garcia considered them even more unpleasant to be around than their hotheaded masters. At least the dwarves could appreciate a glass of quality ale.
'The admiral knows what we're doing.' garcia whispered. The hobgoblin just listened. 'I need you all to hurry it up. I don't know how much longer I can keep him off my back.' The hobgoblin simply nodded, as if to communicate he had understood what was being said but considered himself too good to give an answer.
'I want that garisson established in my retreat yesterday, if the admiral finds out just how deep I'm already into this, he'll keelhaul me a hundredfold... are you even listening?” Garcia looked up to the hobgoblin, he had just been silently sitting there, almost as if a statue. 'Am I clear?' The hobgoblin did not respond, but simply pointed at the same furtive figure that had entered the bar behind Garcia. He knew the little man perfectly well. It was the personal spymaster of captain edward. A goblin with considerable talent for incovering plots of intrigue and skullduggery,and equally good at keeping them hidden from prying eyes himself.
'I need to go,I have a ship back home to catch. but remember, I guaranteed a safe passage, don't leave me hanging here. This might just be the little bit of leverage the admiral needs to remove me from my position. And probably from my mortal coil as well.' The man and the goblin nodded to each other, one leaving before the other, pretending not to know the goblin sitting on a table in the corner, conveniently positioned to have listened in on just about everything just said.
In summary
Edward teach sits in his personal cabin on the anchored flagship he calls home. It had been an eventful day. The decision to humor the demans of ogre khans for reparations had been made moslty unanimously, and yet he had also failed yet again to do something about the eslean problem in his government. Again Juan Garcia ould go unpunished for his attempts at sabotaging the confederation, again he would be allowed to agitate matters for another two months.
A more worrying development had also come in from his spymaster. Garcia had met with a hobgoblin, and they had talked about something sounding suspiciously like a military alliance of some kind. It was his honest hope that garcia would fail at reaching his goals like he did. The net was finally closing around the despicable rat. And this time, there would be no escape.
It is in this time of change that we will tell this story. A story of nations, large and small, whose actions will forge the future of this region.
A meeting of leaders
Today, the captains of the confederacy of pirate kingdoms have gathered in session to discuss the latest issues. The captains gather on the deck of The admiral's flagship, their demeanor more like old friends meeting than important leaders gathering to discuss the future of their people. Soon, everyone was seated, and Admiral teach opened the meeting officially, standing in front of the attendees in his trademark straightbacked pose.
'Gentlemen, I can waste all our times with pleasantries, or I can get to the point. I think we all prefer the latter rather than the former, so let us begin.' As if on cue, a crewman unrolled a detailed map of the archipelo and sets it up on a standard. 'The first thing to discuss today is the recent incident in the ogre khanate.' The attending captains started talking amongst themselves. The ogres outrage had been a popular subject of conversation recently. 'As you all know, the khanate blames us for allowing a serial killer in their lands without challange. As we all know, we had no way of knowing the identity of this man.'
The admiral calls everyone to attention. 'It is my suggestion that we placate the ogres in their demands for reparations.' The suggestion sparked outrage in some of the attending captains. 'We mustn't show them weakness' some called. 'We cannot afford it' others said. The admiral allowed them to say their mind for just a few moments, long enough to give them the idea they were being lsitened to, yet short enough to make it clear who was still in charge. 'If you'll all excuse me sirs, I'll explain you all my reasoning. Ti s a long-term investment you see.' The admiral allowed his words to sink in for a moment. 'Do any of you remember the time before we had a solid trade agreement with the ogres? Famine and shortages were rampant. Our very comrades were starving to death on the shores of poorly-maintained ports. It is only by the expansive farmlands and herd animals of the ogres that we can feed our people. It is only by their lumber that we can maintain our ports. It has always been an agreement most benificial to us, so I ask that we all do our best to preserve it.'
The attendants all fell silent, in consideration of the admiral's words. 'So, gentlemen, is there any opposition to this decision?' The admiral's intent was clear. There were more than enough other issues to cover today, so the time of debating this sepcific issue was over. Edward's spirited speech had silenced many of the dissenting voices. Some arms still rose in opposition of the decision, but not enough to reach the majority vote required to overturn a decision. 'we are in agreement then. we will concede to the ogres demands of reparations, in the interest of preserving our good relations for the future.
It took a few moments for everyone to regain their composure. It wasn't abnormal for feelings to get somewhat heated during discussions of this sort. Edward briefly lamented the fact they would be even heavier when he would start the next debate. 'Now, the next issue on today's agenda is something you'll all be familiar with. As you might all know, the northern part of our confederation has always... flirted with thoughts of seperatism.' The last few words were more spit out than spoken, immediately, everyone knew what edward was getting at. 'I call forward captain juan garcia. Leader of freebooter retreat and a rather infamous opposer of my policies.'
The crows fell silent. Everyone turned around to look for the man known mostly for never being in support of whatever the admiral suggested. Naturally, he had been amongst the attendees opposing the idea of reparations. The eslean man stood up from his seat and walked forward. his step was ponderous and unfettered. The posture of a man not particularly bothered by the things he did to get what he wanted. He now stood directly before the admiral he had always opposed so. 'Well, Garcia. I would offer to shake your hand again, but you refused the first time. So... tell us of the nature of your relation with the dwarven dominion of Oógurtz.'
It took a while for Garcia to process what his admiral just said, and, by extension, what he was accusing him of. 'Sir, I urge you to know... the initiative came purely from their side. It is not exactly a secret I take some displeasure in your... policies.' Garcia gave the glib smile of a man so slick he could lie as easily as he could breathe. Edward considered his retort for a moment. 'Well, Garcia. Then why is it that your 'response' to this initiative was timestamped as being sent before the dwarves had ever even contacted you? I must say, your ability to see into the future is commendable.' Garcia's breath stopped in his throat. 'Sir, that must have been some kind of administrative error. I would never dream of fraternizing with our enemies.'
Edward turned away from garcia. He knew the man was lying. Everyone in attendance knew. But no one would ever hear the man admitting to it. 'My fellow captains. I hereby ask that captain Garcia's residence and office be subjected to a thorough search. I think we all have sufficient reason to believe him to be a threat to the integrity of our free nation.' Edward sighed. It was a certainty that his decision would be overturned again. Garcia was a powerful man, even after the formation of the confederated pirate kingdoms. How Edward wished more people would realize the eslean agitator only wielded so much power because no one ever bothered to keep him in check.
Again, several hands rose in the sky to signify their opposition, again, his suggestion for inquiry into the eslean's skullduggery had been overturned. The aquilaan admiral wished he could just run the rat through and be done with it. But such would be completely unbecoming of the head of a civilized state that deserved to be recognized in their sovereignty. No doubt garcia would start cleaning out anything incriminating the moment he returned to his port of call. The fish had slipped the net again. And again the little beast had poisoned the confederacy with its wicked bite.
The rest of the meeting consisted of standard fare. A round of hearing for any internal disputes to be resolved. As always, the most complaints came from the area in Garcia's sphere of influence. And as always, it seemed to be disputes drummed up purely to challange the validity of Edward's laws.
backroom skullduggery
After the meeting was over, the attendees dispersed into the port, some went straight back to their personal ships to embark on the journey back home. Others took a trip to one of the many taverns of skarh fin retreat. Mostly old friends catching up over a glass of one of the many fine ales the taverns served. But also those with, darker intentions.
Captain Juan Garcia was one such person with darker intentions. He hadn't a shred of doubt he was being shadowed by edward's cronies again. It wouldn't matter anymore, the next meeting would be several weeks from now, and by that time. His plans would already have come to fruïtion.
He came into one of the more backwater alehouses of the pirate retreat. It was the sort of place even pirates would rather avoid if they had a choice. The smell of cheap ale and stale sweat was the first thing anyone entering noticed, immediately followed by the realization everyone in the bar was akways looking at whatever newcomer decided to make their entrance. Garcia saw a lot of familiar faces, though a few were new. It didn't take him long to realize who the newcomers were, the unrelentingness of their stare said enough. With the nonchalance of a man that considers himself untouchable, he steps deeper into the bowels of the establishment. Few notice the furtive figure slipping in behind him before the door fully closes. The eslean didn't need to look around long to see his contact. It was hard to overlook a hobgoblin after all.
Yes, a hobgoblin, the infamous lapdogs of the dwarven dominions. Integrated in their armies as expendable shock troops and light cavalry over some agreement far in the past. Garcia considered them even more unpleasant to be around than their hotheaded masters. At least the dwarves could appreciate a glass of quality ale.
'The admiral knows what we're doing.' garcia whispered. The hobgoblin just listened. 'I need you all to hurry it up. I don't know how much longer I can keep him off my back.' The hobgoblin simply nodded, as if to communicate he had understood what was being said but considered himself too good to give an answer.
'I want that garisson established in my retreat yesterday, if the admiral finds out just how deep I'm already into this, he'll keelhaul me a hundredfold... are you even listening?” Garcia looked up to the hobgoblin, he had just been silently sitting there, almost as if a statue. 'Am I clear?' The hobgoblin did not respond, but simply pointed at the same furtive figure that had entered the bar behind Garcia. He knew the little man perfectly well. It was the personal spymaster of captain edward. A goblin with considerable talent for incovering plots of intrigue and skullduggery,and equally good at keeping them hidden from prying eyes himself.
'I need to go,I have a ship back home to catch. but remember, I guaranteed a safe passage, don't leave me hanging here. This might just be the little bit of leverage the admiral needs to remove me from my position. And probably from my mortal coil as well.' The man and the goblin nodded to each other, one leaving before the other, pretending not to know the goblin sitting on a table in the corner, conveniently positioned to have listened in on just about everything just said.
In summary
Edward teach sits in his personal cabin on the anchored flagship he calls home. It had been an eventful day. The decision to humor the demans of ogre khans for reparations had been made moslty unanimously, and yet he had also failed yet again to do something about the eslean problem in his government. Again Juan Garcia ould go unpunished for his attempts at sabotaging the confederation, again he would be allowed to agitate matters for another two months.
A more worrying development had also come in from his spymaster. Garcia had met with a hobgoblin, and they had talked about something sounding suspiciously like a military alliance of some kind. It was his honest hope that garcia would fail at reaching his goals like he did. The net was finally closing around the despicable rat. And this time, there would be no escape.
