A Clash with Pirates ~ Amaranthine: 9:46 Dragon (in progress)

Arianne Race Human Gender Female Faction/role Pirate bsn.boards.net/post/193169

Arianne had to fight through the fleeing people to see what was going on. It's very unusual, people near the docks normally would gather whenever a brawl is going, cheering on the winning person and taking bets. Arianne herself had either gambled or partook in these spontaneous brawls near the docks. Something big must be going on. She finally reached the place and saw a dark skinned Dalish Elf single handedly taking three pirates. "What the hell did she do to piss them off?" Arianne thought with amusement. She didn't want to interfere , out of respect of her fellow pirates and the fact that they're on the run at the moment and a pirate gathering may draw unwanted attention but then Arianne recognized one of the Pirates. A bald, scarred up man known as Brandon: Julius' first mate.



Arianne remembered seeing Brandon dominating drinking contests. He could really hold his drink and he also had a fondness for Kirkwall made cigars, judging from the stench permeating from him as she drew closer. What the hell were they doing here so close to the docks? Especially with Julius and his crew being wanted for a lot of money. "It's time to get some answers from this prick!" Arianne muttered to herself as she drew out her cutlass and charged in.



Arianne yelled at the brawlers attacking the Elf "Oy!" The man turned around with his knife at the ready Arianne moved quickly stabbing the crewmate in the groin with her saber. The man went down screaming agony as the Savage Minx crossed blades with Brandon. After a few parries, Arianne struck Brandon in the leg and knocked him out with the butt of her cutlass. She then put an end to the balless man by stabbing him in the head ending his life. Arianne sighed and turned to the Elf.



The third man ignored the distraction, and engaged the Elf fully. Ashara spared no attention to red haired woman after realizing she was not joining the fight against her. The third man ignored the distraction as well and her golden eyes locked with his brown ones as they sized each other up. Suddenly, but awkwardly, he jumped towards her with his sword raised high in his right hand. Ashara made as if to meet that blade with her long dagger. At the last second, she spun to her left, his right, and forward. The momentum forced her dagger deep into his flank near his spine and stuck there. No weapons left for the unstrung long bow on her back, Ashara raced for her crossbow on the ground in case this was not the final blow.



The man shouted in pain, dropping his sword, and trying to twist to try to remove the blade, only doing more damage as the blade tore through his working back muscles. He couldn't reach it to pull it out, but this gave Ashara time to ready her cross bow. The man, likely dizzy from loss of blood and pain, fell to his knees and stared half lidded at Ashara as she approached. His breathing was one heave after another; perhaps she'd pierced a lung as well. Raising her crossbow from five feet away, she pulled the trigger and a bolt planted itself firmly in his forehead, putting him out of his misery. His body slumped to the side and she strode with purpose to pull the dagger from his flesh with a yank. Wiping the blade on the man's clothing, she re sheathed it, taking in the scene.



The man she'd shot earlier in the groin had tried crawling away but hadn't made it very far. To her right, the woman approached. Ashara's eyes narrowed. But it did not seem that the smiling woman meant her any harm.



"Impressive skills you got there!" Arianne smiled "The name's Arianne, I'm looking for crewmembers for my ship." Thumbing over her shoulder at the injured man, "And help to interrogate my friend over there."



Ashara considered the woman, assessing her appearance, body language. After that pause, she spoke up. "I am Ashara."



Another pause as she took a few steps closer, so as to not continue speaking so loudly. "I seek a bounty listed on the Chantry Board in the city. I am looking for information or associates of the Pirate, Julius."



Tilting her head towards the man that remained alive. "I believe your...friend is such an associate. I have great interest in interrogating him myself."



She hooked the crossbow in it's place over her left shoulder. "And if that information necessitates the use of a boat, then I am willing to play sail hand as payment for the travel."



She raised one brow, a hint of humor sparking across her features. "But the Dalish aren't known for their great boat skills, and I am no exception. Also, it would very much be temporary. My affinity for the sea does not go much further than the sand the waves crash up against."

Arianne Race Human Gender Female Faction/role Pirate bsn.boards.net/post/193169

Arianne listened to the Dalish Elf's life story with great interest. "Hmmmm fascinating." She smiled. "Never got a chance to talk to a Dalish Elf one on one. Just like you never talked to a pirate before." As she spoke Arianne nearly dropped Brandon, cursing herself she managed lift the pirate up chuckling while she did it.

"So if you do mind me by asking." Arianne asked "You mentioned, you are not associated with any clan. May I ask why? I mean you have the facial tattoos, I've always assumed that Dalish tattoos are a symbol of their allegiance to their clan.

There was a long silence as they neared Arianne's ship. Finally, Ashara replied, a bit cooly. "The tattoos represent the the gods of the Dalish and has little to do with which clan you hail from. Perhaps some artistic differences in the shape associated with each god may be more likely in one clan versus another. My clan did not fare well during the Blight, not well at all." And she said nothing more.

Seeing that they were nearing The 'Fearful Whore' a wave of despair spread through Arianne's body as she looked at the sad, sorry state of the ship. Arianne spent almost all of her coin repairing the ship after their escape from The Rio Grande and it still looked the worse for wear. The hull still covered with holes, the foredeck still a mess and the sails had holes that were even now being repaired by her crew.

"There she is." Arianne sighed. "My ship, we were attacked five months ago by a Qunari fleet. Nearly killed all of us. My crew and I were celebrating my "uncle's" birthday at the Pirate Republic: The Rio Grande." Arianne said with sadness in her voice.

The two women reached the Fearful, as soon as Arianne was seen. Her first mate: "Scar" shouted to Arianne's crew: "The captain has arrived!" Scar is Arianne's first mate. He is a bald man in his sixties with a seemingly permanent scowl on his face and a big scar that ran from his forehead past his right eye to his neck. Hence the nickname. A pair of sail hands appeared in reaction to Scar's news of their arrival and, unsurprised by their cargo, lifted the body of the man from them and started hauling him onto the boat. This left Ahara and Arianne at the end of the gang plank alone.

"Scar!" Arianne shouted up at her first mate. "I've found Brandon! Julius' first mate, he was near a pub in the docks. Knocked the bastard out!"

"The docks?!" Scar questioned as the two crewmembers reached him with the tied up Pirate. "What's he doing so close to Amaranthine with a price on his head?"

"I'm going to find out." Arianne answered grimly "Put him in the prison deck inside the cage. Gonna ask him some questions."

"Aye captain." Scar said and motioned followed the two other crew members below.

"The Qunari?" Ashara asked, still surprised. "I hadn't heard that they had come so far south." Ashara crinkled her brows in an attempt at recall. "I thought they mostly did battle with the mages of Tevinter." Her tone when saying Tevinter was sharp. "And what is a Pirate Republic?"

"I'm sure they do." Arianne gritted her teeth. "But they've been patrolling the waters lately much to our surprise and about out Pirate Republic." 

Arianne smiled, then her expression quickly became sad.

"The Rio Grande was a place where Pirates could be free from laws of the land." Arianne gulped trying not to cry. "Slaves, disgruntled sailors and pretty much anyone who's screwed over by authorities. We can trade secrets, form laws and even vote for our leaders, rather than leave to heredity." Arianne finished with a hint of nostalgia.

Ashara folded her arms and assumed a relaxed pose as they continued their discussion. "I see no issue with either method of leadership continuity. Our Keepers are mostly by blood line, but not always."

"I guess it depends on the leader." Arianne replied. "Under monarchy, if a king or queen is acting like an asshole then the people can't hold them liable because it's a sin against the Maker or some shit."

Afterwards Arianne continued.

"It was all and good, until the Qunari destroyed our home and scattered us throughout the Waking Sea. My ship has been hit badly and I haven't had contact with the other Pirate Captains until just recently."

Ashara was to the point about questions on most occasions, but Arianne seemed reticent about sharing further details. Besides, what did it matter that the Qunari had attacked so long as Arianne held up her payment of a ride and Ashara reached her destination?

Probably after securing Brandon below decks, Scar, Arianne's first mate, joined them.

Arianne never knew Scar's real name, he always kept that secret. Scar served the Fearful Whore as the first mate since her father was captain of the ship. When he was killed and Arianne was named heir, Scar was one of the few crewmembers who served Arianne faithfully. He was serious man, but Scar is fiercely loyal and Arianne couldn't think anyone else to be by her side as she sailed 'The Fearful Whore'.

Scar eventually rejoin them and their mutual silence as they kept their own thoughts. Scar looked at Ashara. "Excuse me, Captain, who is your companion?"

"This is our new crewmember, Ashara." Arianne grinned "A Dalish Elf, who fought Brandon and his mates singled handedly. She didn't need my help, but I decided to assist anyway."

"Well in anycase." Scar said "Welcome aboard, Ashara, I trust the Captain's good judgement that you'll be a valuable addition to the 'Fearful Whore'."

Ashara tilted her head slightly, looking up at the man with her golden eyes. "I wouldn't know about good judgement. I have little experience on the sea, "Scar." But I will do my best in exchange for passage."

The two women went up the plank, followed by Scar. When Arianne arrived on deck, she was instantly greeted by weary cheers from the crew. They've been working all day repairing the ship as best they can. "Right then." Arianne said putting her hands on her hips "Ashara, let's get some answers shall we?"

Ashara's expression darkened some. "Very well. However, I do suspect he will not last much longer without medical attention. Unless you intend for him to die?"


(OOC: End of part 2)

Arianne Race Human Gender Female Faction/role Pirate bsn.boards.net/post/193169

Arianne followed Darius closely. The mage looked jumpy and sweaty, his hands were shaking and constantly looked at Arianne. Arianne face twitched in amusement at Darius' distress. She's been hyping herself up since the interrogation trying to forget what she did to her friend. It's been working so far judging by Ashara's reaction and her excitement.

But the guilt still lingered.

Trying to brush those thoughts off, Arianne walked faster making Darius even more nervous. "Get away from me!" He shouted his pace quickening.

Arianne ignored him and took out her vial that was labeled "lightning vial." Arianne is a Tempest, having learned the ways of being one from a seer during her time spent in Rivain 10 years. It served her well in combat or to chase anyone who double crossed her. Arianne took a quick gulp and immediately felt a jolt of energy. Darius began to sprint, and Arianne ran after him tackling the Tevinter mage a split second later. Darius tried to get up but Arianne pinned him down and punched Darius. Arianne then put her arm around Darius neck and waited for Ashara. "What kind of speed do you possess pirate?" Darius cried already in tears.

"Shut up mage." Arianne said "Ashara do me a favor and tie up this man."

"P-Please don't kill me." Darius begged.

"It depends." Arianne said slyly. "I know you arranged a meeting with Brandon: Julius' first mate. Now I'm not other pirates, Darius I'm understanding and merciful but If you lie to me. I'll leave you at the mercy at Ashara, and Ashara is not as understanding or forgiving as I am in fact why don't you give our friend a demonstration eh Ashara?"

"Stop it please I understand!" Darus blubbered.

"All right then." Arianne said "what was this meeting about Darius?"

"We were discussing terms of an agreement." Darius answered. "My master is trying establish an alliance between Tevinter and the Pirates to fight against the Qunari."

"This confirms Brandon's claim." Arianne thought. "Okay what's in it for the pirates who join Tevinter?"

"A new island where they can rebuild their republic." Darius replied "Also they have access to our weapons, in which we've made strides over the years. And free rein to pirate ships under our name."

Arianne remained stone faced. "Where is Julius?"

"There 's a map in my pocket." Darius slowly reached his pocket and tossed Arianne the map. "I'm not good at describing directions, b-but the map will lead you to Julius!"

Just then Darius used a flash spell, blinding both Arianne and Ashara. By the time Arianne recovered. Darius disappeared.

"Damn escaped." Arianne muttered "I actually believe him on reasons behind the Alliance Ashara. It's little too good for Julius to pass up. An island where he can rule, more advance weaponry powered by Tevinter magic, and raiding but under their name. Except this map....." Arianne opened the contents of the map Darius gave her. The location seems familiar...... "I think Darius is full of shit. Come on though Oudart is waiting for us in the Tavern, he needs me for the briefing."

phoray