Tarsakh 1, 1387 Year of the Emerald Ermine - Marsember

[DM Sauron]

The Liberator Flotilla

After completing training and swearing the Freesails Oath, new members and new ships officially join the Alliance of Freesailors. The new ships added to the fleet are the Ashen Gargoyle of the Four Winds Trading Company and the Wandering Scholar, personal vessel of Stramantle Admiral Vennis Haler. Dispatched to investigate the heavy presence in the Lone Rock Island, the Freesails squadron and Marsember’s 4th naval Blue Dragon Squadron begin their final preparations to leave.

- Narration

At the first light of the day, the rousing sound of military horns, drums and religious chants echoes throughout the streets, alleys and waterways of the City of Canals. In the naval docks, movement of sailors, Blue Dragons and deckhands alike, is an organized choreography of chaos, with each group making haste to begin its respective duties in time. Today is finally the day. Today, a large group of ships is leaving Cormyr, conquering the vile and most importantly, liberating lands and waters far beyond the Forest Kingdom shores. The sense of urgency among those that leave and those that assist them is only surpassed by a another feeling; one that could probably be described as reassurance in that the destination of this aptly-named Liberator Flotilla, matters not as much as the personal journey of those numerous daring individuals that due to duty or personal choice, embark on this voyage.

The first ship to set sail is the peculiar looking Pike, captained by the veteran and feisty treasure hunter known as Bensbane. Upon leaving the docks, the Pike slows down her speed and waits for the other two freesail vessels. Second to leave after the Pike, is the Drake's Tooth, an aged carrack renovated and heavily modified for freesail use. The third of the freesails vessels to leave is also the latest addition to the Freesail Alliance: the Ashen Gargoyle of the Four Winds Trading Company of Valkur's Roar. Once each of the three ships is out of the bay, The Drake's Tooth takes the center of the formation, with the Pike forming to her right and the Ashen Gargoyle to her left.

As the three freesailor vessels complete their exit of Marsember's harbor, the 4th Naval Squadron of Blue Dragons, commanded by Commodore Sir Hector Dauntinghorn, prepares to follow the Freesails and act as their support during their entire mission. The first to leave among these navy ships is the Helm of Marsember, a speedy and agile coastal runner. Second to leave is the Sword of Arabel, a bomb ketch captained by the efficient pirate hunter and Blue Dragon Commander Seria Dall. Third to leave is the Thomdor's Fist, a war caravel recently outfitted with cannon. Finally, the last ship of the commodore's squadron is none other than his own flagship, the Rhigaerd's Gauntlet. A war galleon 160 ft long and 45 ft wide, which carries enough heavy firepower to end victorious against almost any odds by herself alone.

With nearly one third of current Cormyr's naval might in the rear and the three privateer ships spearheading the naval operation, the presence alone of the Liberator Flotilla is as much a sight to behold, as a theme of speculation among local commoners and nobles alike. What are they exactly after, where and why? This is yet to be known.

Leaving Marsember, then Dawngleam and lastly continental Cormyr behind, the Freesail's squadron, followed by the Blue Dragons 4th, depart to their distant objective in the Dragon's Reach waters, several leagues away. Ahead of them, an endless dark blue ocean of possibilities and perils awaits them. What stories will them bring back home and what tales of glory are to be shared in the future among their friends and peers?