1 YEAR AGO
For many weeks now the fleet had slipped thru the mists of the ether, there seemingly short journey had taken a lot longer than expected. Supplies were running short and stress was showing through out the crew. They had plundered many a world but always seemed to struggle to quench their desires. The ships' priest, a Seer of Barnabas, had been telling of lands of plentiful bounty, a lush paradise compared to realms since visited. It was this that kept the crew together.
The fleet were traveling at a slower speed whilst navigation calculations were double checked. Visibility in the ether was very limited, and it was only reliance on magic that avoided collision with the odd piece of debris that floated about the Ethereal plane.
Aboard the lead galleon, the "Poseidon's Strumpet", upon the forecastle stood Captain Gili. His back arched as he lent over a table examining a map.
“Darn piece o' shit”, the Captain curses as he shakes the map orb in his hand. The image in it fuzzes over and as Gili focuses his concentration on it again, the image slowly begins to take form again.
“Ah, aye looks like we be very near. Send message t' t' rest o' t' fleet that we will reach voidspace within t' hour.”, Gili drops the crystal orb onto the table which begins to roll off until is caught by a close by officer.
The Captain barks some orders at various crew members as he makes his way to the aft of the vessel and finally to his room. Laying on his bed, lies his hat...big bright and blue. The Captain pauses briefly as he picks up his hat, and composes himself before leaving the cabin once again this time adorning his hat.
He stands proudly watching his men work the sails. The glowing form of the sails billowing in the wisps of the ether, were a spectacle to be seen. But if you'd been working aboard this ship for as long as this crew had they were just another piece of furniture.
"I do hope that darn seer was correct, else its goin' t' get ugly around here pretty quick", The Captain spoken softly to his first officer.
Sometime later the ethereal wisps grew more transparent and less widespread till finally they part in their entirety. A crackling sound spreads thru the ship as it slips fully into the prime.
Gili rushed to the front of the ship and peered out thru the voidspace to the planet below. In the background several similar vessels pulled along side.
Within minutes there was hearty cheers from aboard all the vessels as the crew realized there trek for more plunder had come to an end.
The crew of "Poseidon's Strumpet" quietened down as their captain stared down at them.
“Men, it has been a several months perhaps over a year since our feet did touch t' land o' a world so abundant with wealth and resources. Before we strike out against t' forces below we must gather information o' t' potential opposition we might face, and o' course t' loot that we might liberate",the Captain chuckles loudly,
“So patience be all i ask, we will all land and approach via sea as t' not raise suspicions. Mix with t' locals, discover thar strength and o' thar weaknesses. Then in one years time we will reconvene and begin our plundering of this here rock."
* * * * * * *
A year had passed. Resting in the skies, above the clouds the majority of the vessels had reconvened. The Captains of the ships had been in a private discussion aboard "Poseidon's Strumpet", the crews eagerly awaited their appearance. Finally McClydes cabin door opened, out stepped Gili following behind him were some of the senior and more trusted captains of the fleet.
Gili coughed to clear his throat before addressing those within earshot.
"'tis clear, mi`lads, that this world be a wee more complicated than we`ve previously encountered. 't seems they ben trapped in a holy war fer most o' the'r documented history. An' that a wee portion o' th' world e'en follows our mighty lord Barnabas. 'tis surely a sign that we`ve been guided here t' add our skills in combat t' aid Barnabas`s flock ."
"This effects us in two ways, we will seek allies amongst them o' our faith. An' secondly our allies will provide us a safe base t' work from whilst we plunder th' lands o' Leto an' Angelique."
The crew didn't look too impressed and a stunned silence had fallen over them. Gili looked back at the other Captains for support, whom just looked back blankly. Gili turned back to the assembled crew.
"Oh, an' th' world be awash wi' gold an' wenches!"
There was a thunderous applause as the crew broke out into celebration.