Jump 203: The Pirates of Dark Water

Jump 203: The Pirates of Dark Water

Location: Janda Town
Age: 27
Identity: Drop-In, Human
Drawbacks: [+100] Crippled (Left Arm)
Scenario: Extort the World

[200/1100]  Magical Gifts
[Free]      Divers and Fishermen
[Free]      Fate's Favored
[500/1100]  Hidden Heritage Revealed
[750/1100]  Game Player
[800/1100]  Your Crew: Louise
[1100/1100] Compass of Location
[Free]      Local Fashions

Ship Stipend (+1000)
(500/1000)  Dreadnought
(550/1000)  Opulence
(650/1000)  Internal Dock
(700/1000)  Admiral's Quarters
(800/1000)  Secure Cells
(1000/1000) Siege Deck

Of all the things that he might have expected after he'd collected eight of the thirteen Treasures of Rule... the last that came to mind for Ren was to discover, while bringing the ninth of the Treasures back to Octopon once more, that a massive ship had visited the island and somehow taken the previous Treasures away.

Including the treasure that had somehow evolved into a living being.

The description of the ship in question was 'everything Bloth's dread Maelstrom is not' - but equally large in size. Fearsome thundering weapons rather than traditional ballista. No pursuit skiffs, but somehow its sails could propel it nearly as quickly as a clipper even when becalmed. Barely any crew, rather than the small army that manned the Maelstrom. And its captain, or rather self-named commodore? One who challenged anyone that opposed him, offering to fight with but a single arm, while a noblewoman acted as his first mate. Yet while a fearsome combatant, the injuries he left in his wake were shockingly minor - calculated to put one out of the fight or knock them out rather than do permanent damage.

And hours after the Eighth Treasure was left in place, Ren spied the ship leaving the isle of Octopon - having seen no trace of it at the island at all - and on checking, found that treasure gone as well. Thus the plot thickened - between Bloth who sought the treasures for the sake of the Dark Water itself and his own empowerment, the Commodore who seemed to have the goal of enriching himself, and Ren's plucky band who sought to save the world.

They did not come across them for weeks, not until after the Ninth and Tenth Treasures were retrieved and they were returning to Octopon to put them in place. And at that point they found as massive ship bearing down on them, but it was not the Maelstrom, carved of leviathan bone, a fearsome sight. No, this was yet stranger - a ship that looked to have been carved of a single massive dark crystal, seemingly unmanned but for the cheerful one-armed man standing at its rail and the woman standing beside him. Who cheerfully boomed across the water, "Hello, the Wraith! Permission to come aboard?"

Ren, ever-suspicious of this development, queried, "Depends on who's asking!"

Doffing his peaked hat and sketching a respectful bow, the response was, "The Commodore himself, and the Lady de la Valliere."

Bemused, Ren permitted it. The Commodore proceeded to explain - not a matter of mere greed, though it was of course a factor, but he had the Treasures of Rule aboard his ship, the Sphinx of Black Quartz. And rather than keeping them in a single place, he was now travelling from locale to locale, supposedly cleaning up infestations of Black Water... "For a nominal fee, of course," he cheerfully explained, before he invited them aboard the Sphinx for a meal. And so the Wraith was brought into the Sphinx's internal dock; Ren and his companions, Ioz, Tula, and the monkey-bird Nibbler enjoyed what was surely a princely meal. But their only companions were the Commodore, the Lady de la Valliere, and the Living Treasure itself - which, as it turned out, wasn't actually a Treasure. It was just a creature that had swallowed the Eighth Treasure (and had somehow disgorged it without incident once aboard the Sphinx, because the idea of gems becoming creatures was always very stupid).

After dinner of course, things had to go off the rails; the Maelstrom was seen in the distance approaching the Sphinx. The Commodore did not concern himself overmuch, offering safe haven to Ren and his companions. The Maelstrom did not immediately attack, but instead the Commodore offered to have the Sphinx act as neutral ground for all parties to parley. Bloth of course brought plenty of crew aboard as he had no honorable intentions, and things were rather tense before the Commodore mentioned the interrupted meal and stated the crew and captain of the Maelstrom were of course welcome to join them and discuss over dinner; it seemed the Commodore could certainly appreciate the finer things in life, Bloth said, so there was no reason to think him an unreasonable fellow. If Ren, Ioz, and Tula thought it unusual that there was abruptly thrice as much food on the banquet table they'd been sitting at, they remained calmly quiet.

The discussion over the meal went sour rapidly of course, though the Lady de la Valliere did her best to keep Ren and his friends from getting riled up until the meal was nearly complete. Bloth, of course, would not accept no for an answer, and his crew eventually drew steel against the Commodore... who looked amused at the situation. He disclosed exactly what his intentions were - he would get every settlement to agree that he should have a role as a figurehead above them, if only he could clear all the Dark Water across the world. (Why yes, Ren, that would in fact make him an emperor over the world, do try to keep up.) Otherwise, he would simply take a reasonable payment for clearing the Dark Water from assorted locales and keeping it from returning; the Commodore stated he found he had skill at such, but one with a skill should never do it for free.

Speaking of skill, he had a talent for cooking excellent meals, but as he found himself at collective swordpoint he commented that he was not sure that some of the ingredients might be to the liking of Bloth's crew. Who over the several seconds after that statement began turning green and feeling seasick, rushing out and to the rails of the ship. Bloth as such found himself at swordpoint with the Commodore. "I'll not slay you unless you choose to attack me in truth, for you are still technically under guest rite even if you spat on it. But you should scurry along. And ask the Dark Dweller just what light he fears down there, in the dark, when it shines down brightly from above."

Bloth retreated angrily, with his green-faced crew returning to the Maelstrom; when Ren asked if their food had been poisoned as well, the answer was an amused huff. "Of course not," the Commodore answered. "I'd never compromise the food of an honorable man," he nodded to Ren, "A beautiful woman," a quick bow to Tula, "A hungry critter," a nod to Nibbler, and then indicating Ioz, "And a fellow man of culture. Likely now is the time for us to go our separate ways, though, the Maelstrom will be attacking shortly and they shan't find the Sphinx wanting."

"And the eight Treasures of Rule that you have?" Ren asked, slightly irritated that they'd been stolen.

"Oh, that's simple. I intend to take them all into my possession in about six months, ally with you and strike against the Dark Dweller, and then restore your father's sword so you can strike down Bloth himself while I banish the Dark Dweller," he explained.

Ioz, mercenary pirate and realist that he was, stared at the Commodore for several long seconds before uttering a flat, "What." Tula on the other hand, after consideration, asked, "Are you a seer, then? Is that why this has all transpired?"

The Commodore grinned at their skeptical looks. "We may have only met and suffer from a difference of opinion for now, but our paths shall cross thrice more before the end. As for a seer? I am many things... but we haven't the time. Get to your ship and flee, while we keep Bloth distracted."

The Maelstrom chose that moment to begin attacking; ballistae began to launch, catapults began flinging foul concoctions at the Sphinx as Ren and his friends fled to the Wraith to sail it away. The winds carried them away at a rapid pace, and the last thing they saw was the Sphinx seemingly sinking.

But the Commodore hadn't lied. He crossed paths with Ren's crew again as they arrived on a particular island to retrieve the Eleventh Treasure but only a brief and cordial greeting. ("We thought you'd been sunk!" "Rumors of my demise are as frequent as they are inaccurate, alas.") They'd gone their separate ways, retrieved the Treasure, then retired overnight afterward at an Inn as they'd been exceptionally worn out. Once more they crossed paths downstairs but it was even more brief, and they found a meal waiting for them. Along with a note of apology for absconding with the Treasures and a promise to give them a meager payment as compensation; Ren rapidly checked the pouch he wore, finding them gone and wondering just how they'd done that.

When they got back to the Wraith they found a chest of gold and gems awaiting them; it was the "meager payment" alluded to, enough for them to retire as fairly wealthy individuals. But even Ioz, the money-loving sea dog, acknowledged that it wasn't merely about money but about saving the world. Yet Ren wondered whether there was truth to what the Commodore had told them weeks before.

And a few weeks later, once more their paths crossed. Ren had a lead on the Thirteenth Treasure, and though the path was harrowing, he found his way to the underground cavern containing it - and found the Commodore waiting beside the altar it rested above. When he asked why he hadn't simply taken it, the Commodore smiled and explained, "Fate decreed that you find the Thirteen Treasures of Rule, and I am not one to go against fate. However... I believe there is something else I can do for you. You found what was as important as the Treasures at the Sunken Bridge, didn't you?"

"The pieces of my father's sword," Ren realized.

"A dozen shards of steel," came the answer. "With your sword, that makes thirteen. No coincidence, that. If the world is to be saved, you'll need your father's sword. And in exchange for that," he nodded to the Treasure floating above the stone pedestal, "I can restore your father's sword and make it better than new. Without it, when you face Bloth, you'll be grievously wounded. I don't think you'll want to end up as I am," he said, nodding toward his missing arm.

Ren reluctantly agreed, pulling the pieces of the sword from his pouch and setting them before the Commodore before retrieving the final Treasure. Yet in the scant moments between turning away and turning back with the Treasure in hand, he found the sword restored and intact, the blade shimmering faintly with a glow. "How did you..?"

But the Commodore lifted a hand and said, "Shh. Do you hear that?" They both looked to the distance. Faint yelling. "Your friends are in danger, we haven't the time for that right now. Take your sword," he told Ren, offering it to him, pommel first. And when he hesitated, he reiterated, "Go! Save them! The end draws near."

And so they parted ways, the Commodore departing from whatever strange way he'd arrived in the chamber, Ren running with his restored sword (and the Thirteenth Treasure in his pouch) to reach an embattled Ioz and Tula, fleeing with them by the skin of their teeth. And hearing Bloth in the distance yelling, "Forget the boy! We have what we need at last."

Back aboard the Wraith as they sailed away to safety, Ren discussed with them as to what happened and how he came to be in possession of the restored sword. And while they didn't know what Bloth had obtained, Nibbler did say where they were going. Back to where it all began, to Ren's home: the island kingdom of Octopon.

Though they quickly turned the ship around, when they arrived at Octopon they found the Maelstrom anchored off the coast and nearly empty, the isle under siege and Dark Water lapping at its shores. Ren used the Thirteenth Treasure to clear enough of a path for the Wraith to reach the shore, piloting the ship hard enough for it to run aground on the beach to keep it safe from the Dark Water that was already covering where they'd been before.

And then behind it the sea boiled. The Dark Water seemed to recoil as though the water was burning, and Ren watched in astonishment as the massive Sphinx of Black Quartz rose from the ocean, sailing toward the very beach they were on, somehow gliding onto the sand as though it were water before it came to a stop. Moments later, the Commodore and the Lady de la Valliere disembarked, the Commodore with a sword at his waist, and the Lady with a slim rod in her hand and a determined scowl.

"Noy jitat," Ioz breathed. "Now I get it, the both of you have magic. That's why it's only just the pair."

The Commodore gave a terse nod. "We've all got a meeting with destiny to attend. Ren, if you would?" And with great reluctance, Ren willingly parted with the final Treasure, giving it to the Commodore who slipped it into his longcoat, before the group of five began striding toward the sounds of violence with purposeful steps. Behind them, the Dark Water burbled against the shoreline, seemingly uncertainly.

They met pirates, and showed no mercy. Ren showed his proficiency with his father's blade, the Lady de la Valliere seemed to have a mastery over the winds, the Commodore's strange blade kept his opponents at bay, and Tula and Ioz of course did an excellent job of keeping enemies away while Nibbler flew overhead. The troupe carved their way to the neglected throne room where Bloth held Ren's mother at swordpoint and dared them to approach, while his pirates and the Disciples of the Dark Dweller stood around the room; none of them group moved to save her immediately, though Tula glanced about and wiggled fingers where they couldn't be seen.

"It's far too late now," Bloth extorted. "Even if any of the Treasures had been here, the seal has been shattered. The world, the seas all belong to the Dark Water. And all above the seas... shall belong to ME."

The Dark Priest stepped forward. "With the Dweller finally reaching his full potential, nothing shall remain above the sea! By nightfall the Dark Water will cover all Octopon... and soon it will cover all the world," the mad cultist exulted.

Only for Bloth to start, turning his attention toward the cultists. "Treachery!" he roared, swinging his blade. At that cue, his pirates turned on the cultists, who began defending themselves. Our heroes of course were all too willing to take advantage of the confusion, and the three-sided battle began in earnest as soon as Ren's mother had ducked away from Bloth during his moment of distraction.

In almost no time at all, the battle was rapidly won; the cultists and the pirates alike down and groaning on the floor, Tula and Ioz facing off against the Dark Priest while Ren faced off against Bloth. The latter of whom took the coward's path, fleeing... only to find that the weather had become an unholy storm outside, Dark Water slowly inching further up the shores. And so Ren pursued him, chasing him down a rocky outcrop, up the steps of a decrepit lighthouse and outside, the youth's fury coupled with his skill sufficient to disarm the wicked pirate at last.

"You killed my father!" Ren yelled, holding the massive man at swordpoint. "You and your greed, you've brought nothing but destruction!"

Bloth grinned at Ren from the ground, bleeding and bruised, on hands and knees yet refusing to admit defeat; "I've killed dozens of fathers, boy, you're nothing special! Come on, then, do your worst."

Ren visibly struggled with his emotion, the blade shaking for several long moments before he lowered it. "No," he said, shaking his head. "No," he repeated. "You're a monster... but you, you'll go to prison. Where you'll rot for the rest of your days."

"Prison?" And the monster laughed, and laughed. "Prison! No prison can hold me. And you won't take me there!" He'd seen the sword lower; he'd reached into his garment to pull out a long dagger, and abruptly stood to lunge at his opponent as lightning struck in the background.

Unfortunately, the rain-slicked steps and the decrepit stone proved a terrible combination for the man, and his lunge forward ended up slipping, sliding, crumbling stone betraying him much to Ren's surprise as he slipped over the edge of the lighthouse. His fingers grasped at the slick stone that comprised the lighthouse, wide and panicked eyes looking up, but his eyes met his opponent's only for a moment before he slipped and fell the distance from the top of the lighthouse to the Dark Water that had been flooding onto the shore below.

A muted splash sounded his departure from this world, and after a shake of his head, Ren rushed down the lighthouse and back toward the palace so as to find out what had happened during his duel. Only to see that the Commodore had finally seen to the defeat of the Dark Priest, the rest mopping up the remaining pirates and cultists... and then the Commodore gave Ren a wink before he himself strode outside into the storm. And dove off the cliff, into the morass of Dark Water.

He watched the water for minutes on end. As time went by the others joined him, and the three thought all was lost. Was it betrayal? Was it overconfidence? Did whatever his plan was fail?

And then the water began to boil, as they had when the Sphinx had surfaced. A light began to glow from below, piercing the Dark Water. The churning of the seas began to spread across all the Dark Water, before it all started glowing. Shafts of light began to pierce the darkness of the storm as the lashing rain slowed and stopped. And as the Dark Water receded, seemingly evaporating as though it were a slick of soap disappearing, it revealed the waterlogged Commodore on the sand of the shore, unconscious but very much alive.

Their victory had been hard-won, but at last, it was a victory.

As the days turned into weeks and months, reports came across the world that all of the Dark Water had seemingly been banished.

As time went on, the Commodore and his Lady sailed for more distant shores. Ren took the throne of Octopon, with Tula at his side. Ioz left his mercenary days behind... though he certainly had refined tastes, he proved an able admiral of Octopon's navy. And Nibbler, the monkey-bird?

He spent his days enjoying the most choice melons, the reward for his contributions.