Tarsakh 7 & 8, 1387 Year of the Emerald Ermine - At Sea

[DM Sauron]

Enchanter I

On the 7th and 8th of Tarsakh, 1387, Year of the Emerald Ermine, the attack on the Long Rock Island was carried out by the Freesails and Marsember’s 4th naval squadron.

Carrying the landing crew meant to occupy the island and its fortifications, the Pike, captained by Bensbane, left the formation first. Using the cover provided by the island’s vegetation and the decoy role that the Drake’s Tooth and Ashen Gargoyle played out to lure the pirate ships away, The Pike transported several of the Freesailor combatants successfully the south eastern sector of the Lone Rock.

Upon disembarking, the Freesailors entered an estuary, where they were soon attacked by the local marine fauna. As the Freesailors made their way through the mangrove forest and estuary, pirate sentries were neutralized. At some point, the Freesails reached one of the pirate fortifications, where they took the pirates that had not left to pursue the ships by surprise.

Among the pirate defenders, heavily armored warriors wielding halberds and fire bombs were present. Disorganized pirates struggled to arrange an effective defense when the Freesailors attacked, until the elite halberdiers in bright red armors regrouped and charged to engage the Freesailors. Although momentarily stopped by the halberdier’s counter attack, the Freesailors endured.

Pushing the armored pirate allies back to the fortified Long Rock docks, the Freesailors prepared for their final assault. Kicking the gates open, tearing down fortifications and fighting with valor the halberdiers and the remaining pirates were soon overwhelmed.

Suddenly, as the last of the elite halberdiers fell in battle, a new enemy revealed itself. Raining down fire and setting the pirate docks, wooden buildings and remaining fortifications ablaze, a large war galleon forced the Freesails to take cover.

Fleeing the battlefield and escorted with three or four surviving pirate ships, this new enemy would later be identified as the Enchanter, a ship of Thay’s navy.

Enchanter II

While the Pike transported undetected the Freesailors meant to capture the island, the Drake’s Tooth carrack and Ashen Gargoyle caravel left the formation, with the four Blue Dragon ships turning north.

As part of Commodore Sir Hector strategy and left alone to fend off a large and chaotic group of pirate ships, the two Freesails vessels stayed in close proximity of one another. The crew of the Ashen Gargoyle, assisted by Blue Dragon marines left on board the Drake’s Tooth to reinforce her crew of warriors, built an improvised bridge with a large wooden plank to keep both ships connected and accessible during the imminent combat.

Several pirate ships cut distance swiftly, with those manning the ballistae of the Freesail ships barely having a chance to fire a round or two before pirates were already attempting to board them.

On board the Gargoyle, Ru defended herself while keeping the ship steady as best as she could, with Kalien, Erork and the rest of the crew defeating group after group of pirates that were trying to capture their ship.

On board the Drake’s Tooth, the fight was just as hectic, with Admiral Vennis Haler, Captain Neckan Blake and Vincent Dalaras fighting bravely alongside the Blue Dragons.

More pirate ships soon arrived, and more pirates soon began to board the freesail ships. As the battle raged on, a dragon flied by and dropped reinforcements, with other Freesails soon joining after one of them successfully cast a teleportation spell.

With the reinforcements joining, and at long last, the Ansiber’s Wrath, the Cormyrian large war galleon, opened fire with her cannons. Striking down and sinking one pirate ship after another with accurate fire, the tides of battle began to turn in favor of the Freesails and their allies.

Once the battle was over and while the ships left the debris field caused by the battle, a captured leader of the pirates was soon interrogated. Revealing the halberdiers to be fanatics of Kossuth, the Firelord and the enemy war galleon named as the Enchanter,

Later that day, Hector explains to the Freesails that three of his ships are pursuing the enemy galleon, and after some discussion, he gives the order to return to Cormyr directly.

To be continued soon…

//Ahoy Freesails!

This is an intermission of the story, but much more is yet to come.

For now, the Freesail ships and Sir Hector’s galleon, the Ansiber’s Wrath, are making their way back to the mainland, with the other three Blue Dragon ships pursing the Enchanter, keeping safe distance from the hellish weapon she carries, and making sure she does not escape.

You all can play your Freesailors in Cormyr Tomorrow (Tuesday)

I hope that you all are having fun so far, and I know some are eager to resume the sea adventures. Bear with me and use the time back in Cormyr to prepare for what comes next.

The hunt for the Enchanter is on!