[RP] Sir Henry's Last Battle

[Sir Henry Morgan]

The icy rain pelts against me face as I man the helm of the Abbadon, me Man of War and flagship. It be the price of the curse Kawi used to move me ships as fast as possible between ports. Making a new play, one of a bit more daring, I push me traders hard to trade more often, where profits will be the reward from a gambit well played. While the danger increases on each fleet as their speed draws attention, I now watch me fleets personally, all captains at the ready for any sight of the buccaneers of Avonmora.

Me mind drifts to the tavern days, where it be warm, comfortable and the company more charming and hospitable. Those days the safety and profits of me fleets could be delegated to others, me admirals and captains. The simple rule of keepin' a low profile be the best defense. Fleets were cheap and profits consistent - but no longer. Large trader after large trader are being plundered daily. The very voodoo makers who now push the Brass Fleets with a gale have brought pirates a new power to take a trader to the waterline in an instant with nary a worry. If I wish to profit from trade, it means a change from the old ways.

The seas roil and batter the crews of the Brass Trade Fleets, all set to full sail bound for Regis. Escorted and armed, they race to make time from Vaasburg. Just as I be taking a slug from me flask, me favorite admiral,, Amos Fibbs, sights the Spanish Flag of Boot's Whip, the flag ship of one Joe Boot. I feel the grin on me face crack the ice in me beard...the game be afoot!

I been lookin' for Joe Boot for several days, as his fleets be busting me Brass Traders, then slipping into the swells of the horizon with nary a trace. Now I will serve up a bit of fair play.... after all, it be better to give than receive - especially cannon fire.

I watched as Boot's fleet ran the line of me trade fleets, takin' out the escorts, then demandin' the bounty to be let to continue. Already, me Fleet of Perdition be moving to intercept and engage.

The Abaddon led as the Fleet of Perdition fired upon the Spanish fleet. We ran down the line, battering Boot's Whip helpless in the waves. I was confident that we would take the battle, yet as the crews prepared for a second volley, the hair on me neck begin to stand. We passed Boot's crippled Man of War only to face the second - Boot's Pearl - a second man of war waiting for a now damaged Abaddon.

Grittin' me teeth I spun the helm, pulling the Abaddon wide to extend our gun range in hopes it would hamper our enemy's efforts. We fired, and fire was returned, with cannon raking the deck clean, ripping rigging, shredding sail and splintering timbers. The Abaddon moaned as the rudder chains broke, and the sails became useless. She became a ghost in storm as , the wind, the cannon fire and fodder cut of me sight of Boot's second man of war.

As me flag ship went dead in the water, I watched Fibbs take his ship of the line, the Morrígu, to continue the battle, followed by the rest of the fleet. Smoke and flames were exchanged as I watched the Morrígu disable Boot's Pearl, and move on. The rain, wind, smoke and duties of the Abaddon shrouded my view of the rest of the battle.

As the smoke cleared, it was clear that Fibbs had taken the rest of Boot's Fleet - but I knew we be lucky, and neither Joe Boot nor I were finished with this engagement.

Disaster, it was. Boot's fleets turned and ran down our lines again, this time, the victor. My blood ran cold - I had waited too long for this chance to settle a score with Boot, and be damned if I would lose again!

Signaling the Iago, the Ship of the Line left its Brass Trader fleet and took the place of the cutter we always have for the rear. After a blessing from Kawi, I gave the order to engage, and engage, we did...

The Abaddon took down Boot's first MoW and crippled his second, Boot's Pearl, before she herself be disabled. Iago followed in and took out the Pearl, and proceeded through the line. Cannons roared in the swells, as the rain and blood made the decks slick and dangerous. When the smoke cleared, sails and riggin' be smolderin' and flailing in the wind. As we cleared the line, Boot's battle fleet be disabled... and the bounty hard won.

Boot took advantage of our situation and made his escape. The swells hid the Spanish fleet, and with Kawi's devilry our battle fleets were hidden to fight another day. After a time, I sent dispatch to Joe Boot, to commend him on a battle well played. He does what he sees right, and me Brass Traders were there for the mark. I simply noted he be worth an attempt from me own battle fleets.

I realized at this time, the old ways are over - and it's time for traders to put their mothballed cannon to work, as to protect their fleets and profit, and perhaps gain a coin or two with the gambit of such. No longer could an enterprise be governed from a tavern, unless it would be to perish.

It be a new day dawning upon Avonmora, as risk presents higher rewards for those who take part. While traders still dominate, pirates have a better claim to fame, glory and profit, and have worked hard to create strategies that are successful and profitable. It is time for the traders to learn from pirates, and work as hard as they have to succeed in Avonmora.

No longer to be known as Sir Henry Morgan, a moniker that dwells from the old ways of operating. The fine silk and brocade clothes have been exchanged for a great coat, and cutlass and brace of pistol. I shan't set down me rum, as I find it quite portable, which is truly of no matter. The time has come for a different style of trader, one who doesn't only have a cannon on board, but isn't afraid to trade cannon fire, as long as there be profit involved. That, mate, be a new way of trade in Avonmora.

- Captain Redbone
The Infamous Rumlord