Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Oct 9, 2013 23:09:25 GMT -5
June 15th, 23 CLE
The port of Noxus sprang to life as the black flag of Gangplanks ship was spotted on the horizion. The guards began to make preparations for it's arrival. Shipping lanes were cleared out almost immediately. To make him wait would be seen as an insult to the pirate king and do insult him would not only draw his ore, but that of their general.
The Dead Pool made port a few moments later, its sleek Hextech upgrades made the vessel much look more formidable than it's last visit.
Gangplank would exit quickly after docking, his brisk pace of the ship halted by a patrol of guards.
"Saltwater Scourge." their officer said curtly. 'We welcome you to Noxus. What business are you here for?"
The pirate gave a low growl at the men in front of him. "That's CAPTAIN Gangplank tah' ye'. And I be' havin' buisness with tah' general. Savvy?"
The officer gave a nod. He signalled for a carriage to be bring the pirate to Darkbourne Hold.
Noxus was one of the few cities that would tolerate his presence. Almost all of the other city states despised piracy, sticking to their concepts of "morality" and "honour", which Gangplank found to be a crock of shit. At least Noxus acknowledge pirates, often hiring them for expeditions or military aid.
The carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the great hold of Noxus. Nothing near as fancy as this could be found in Bilgewater, not even the League embassy there. More guards greeted him at the door and let him in.
Guards guards guards, all over the place. They had no guards in Bilgewater, no formal military at all. But it didn't need any. The people of Bilgewater were its guards. Every citizen would pick up arms and fight should anything threaten their home. Which had brought him here.
One last set of guards stood in his way before the generals office. The Raedsel were impeccable in their duties, not moving the slightest unless commanded. His presence was announced and he waited to be invited before he would enter.
Post by The Master Tactician on Oct 13, 2013 16:10:54 GMT -5
"Enter," came the Grand General's imperious command. The moment their leader's instruction met their ears, the Raedsel turned and pushed open the carved double-doors to allow Gangplank entry into the office beyond.
The Master Tactician sat behind his desk, fingers interlaced on the mahogany before him in a familiar pose--only now, his posture was straight, his body toned and imposing, possessed of an aura of intensity palpable from the moment the pirate crossed the threshold. He was no longer the withered, aging mage alongside whom the Saltwater Scourge had fought on the fields. He was no longer a man who depended upon a cane or fought weakness as he went. He was solid, proud and statuesque. Every flick of his eyes and tilt of his head bore purpose and power.
"Welcome, captain," came the Grand General's voice, dark and resolute, "to my nation." The slightest smile, smug, crept up behind his helm. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit."
The Raedsel took up their posts on either side of the door. Artisan mahogany panels clicked closed, casting the room in semi-darkness, so that the gleam of Swain's emerald eyes stood out against the shadows, sharp, piercing, echoed by those six of his hellish bird's. The raven ruffled her feathers in expectation of the pirate's answer.
Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Oct 15, 2013 3:40:13 GMT -5
A sour expression crossed Gangplank as he looked at the young man that greeted him. "Oi, who ta'h bloody hell ye' be'? Where be' tah' at?
Had Swain been deposed? Who was this new person. How did they keep it so secret? The pirates questions were rendered pointless as the six-eyed raven made it's appearance.
The pirate couldn't even try to hide the surprise from his face. "...Be' that you Swain? Wearin' tah' skin of a man twenty years younger?"
A grinned followed Gangplanks look of surprise. "So, how did ye' do it? Magic? Science? Or be this yer' real appearance?" Illusion magic was a very potent thing and Swain happened to have a master of it in his command...and bedroom.
Post by The Master Tactician on Oct 15, 2013 20:02:44 GMT -5
A chuckle met the pirate's inquiry, chilling. Swain rose from his seat with none of the weakness against which he once struggled. He rounded the desk, coming face to face with Gangplank. There was no limp--indeed, with his every step, the air around them seemed to quiver, as though addled by some invisible field of power. On the rug before his salty associate, the Master Tactician clasped his hands behind his back and offered, "You don't recognize me? Why, I ought to be offended." The smirk that narrowed his emerald eyes indicated he was more amused by the sailor's reaction than anything--but still his words rang in the air; though quiet, his voice seemed to reverberate like the clang of a gong.
"It is I." Molten green eyes flashed. The bird upon Swain's shoulders puffed out her chest feathers. "I am me." The aura surrounding Noxus' Grand General was like static electricity, causing Gangplank's plentiful arm hair to stand on end. Swain shifted his weight, folding his arms over his sculpted chest. "And you are you--and necessity has brought you to my humble abode."
Slender fingers drummed upon the Master Tactician's bicep. "To what," he repeated, "do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Oct 17, 2013 4:38:48 GMT -5
It was definitely Swain. His speech, intelligence, the raw power that trickled from him. But he was changed, not in just looks. His eyes weren't their usual cold pits, but alight with fire and energy. This new look had given the old man a new life, and new energy.
The pirate responded to Swain's grin with his own."Aye, it be you alright. Though the new look is surprisin'. Last thin' me ears heard of ye' was that ye' were two feet in tah' Davy Jones locker, and now ye' come out lookin' tah' picture of health." He gave a chuckle. " And I thought me oranges were tah' best cure for anythin'. Seems like ye' found a better one."
"Aye, I be here for a reason." the pirate answered, his tone more serious. "We be livin' in troublein' times. Void in Freljord, tah' undead in Demacia... His voice trailed off. He had put much consideration into his words. And turned to one of the windows, looking down on the harbour, his ship seeming so many from so far away. "We in Bilgewater be' a hardy people, always up for a scrap, but...but we won't survive. There be no strong walls tah' defend, no military to fight, no supplies to hold on, nothing."
He turned to face Swain again. "We be needin' help, allies fer' tah' commin' storm. And I need to know if yer' tah' man for it."
Post by The Master Tactician on Oct 18, 2013 23:35:03 GMT -5
A nod met the pirate's decree and the Grand General rose from his desk. His cape swished behind him as he turned and his hellish bird craned her head to keep her eyes upon their guest. "Yes," he affirmed grimly. "Troubling times indeed." Deft hands sorted through the pile of paper on Swain's desk, his back still turned to Gangplank.
Finally, he seemed to locate the item for which he had been searching: a piece of parchment tattered and torn--worn, as though it had long withstood the assaults of salty sea air. Emerald eyes surveyed the page--a compiled list of Bilgewater's nautical assets--then flicked up to the pirate's face. The Master Tactician's gaze was unwavering, intense as he uttered the words, "I would be glad to extend Noxus' aid to Bilgewater--but you understand, of course, that certain... arrangements will need to be made." He extended the page to his guest. It is astonishing in its precision, containing the names, numbers and ships of all prominent captains, independent and employed, of Bilgewater's pirate core. "A nation divided cannot stand against an enemy united." Still, Swain's emerald gaze bored into the sailor, unblinking. "And the Void, the Shadow Isles... the Institute." He lifted his chin. "They are united indeed."
Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Oct 20, 2013 5:13:29 GMT -5
The pirate snatched this list from Swain, his eyes reading as Swain talked. "Bah!" he scoffed at the mention of the Institute. He hated that whole damn place. A bunch of stuck up magicians that think they could tell him what he could and couldn't do. "Those bloody fools ain't fit tah' run a dingy, let alone this whole damn world."
He turned back to the list, rereading it a second time. He knew every single person on that list. Some where other pirate captains, not as famous as him, others were famous explorers and merchants, with vast fortunes . Some were his, others were independent, and a few served others. "That be a hefty order thar' general. I be ownin' a good portion a Bilgewater. Most of these men I could buy or beat to me side, but that still wouldn't be all of Bilgewater. Thar be some..other parties that oppose me rule thar. That bloody Institute fer' starters, not tah' mention Fortune and her crew."
Post by The Master Tactician on Oct 23, 2013 20:28:25 GMT -5
"The Institute will not interfere in domestic disputes. They'll have.." a smirk narrowed the Grand General's eyes, electric mirth brightening his tone. "Other matters to attend to. As for Madame Fortune." Behind his helm, he ran his tongue over his newly smooth lips. "It's interesting, isn't it, that the two of you share a goal, yet you are forever locked in competition. To unite Bilgewater--would that not be worth cooperation?"
A cold chuckle rang out in the office. "I wonder how long the two of you could sit together at the same table... for your mutual benefit." Again, slender fingers drummed over the Master Tactician's bicep. "Bilgewater, despite its relative chaos, is a nation of resilient people. United, it will stand against its enemies. Divided, it will fall." The hellish bird echoed her master's words in her bizarre avian warble: fall, fall, fall...
"I am no stranger to the need for... unification." Emerald eyes affixed to his guest now, unblinking. "I will help you to ensure Bilgewater's prosperity." The room seemed to darken, while the Grand General's eyes blazed ever-brighter through the gloom. "But for our success, you must do exactly as I say."
Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Oct 28, 2013 2:25:47 GMT -5
Gangplank scoffed at Swain. |Aye, we be both wantin' Bilgewater tah' unite. But that wench be wantin' tah ruin me way of life. Thar be no point tah' workin' with her if I just be destroyin' all I stand fer"
But if he wanted to truly bring Bilgewater together, he had to. She still had a great amount of influence in Bilgewater and with her assets combined with his, they could stand a chance of bringing Bilgewater together.
"If, and this be a big if, she were tah work in gettin' Bilgewater independent again...then I be' willin' tah' sit with her." Together, the two of them and their forces could bring autonomy. And with the Institute out of Bilgewater, she would be his only opponent to control. One obstacle at a time. The pirate grinned to himself.
"I be willing tah' listen to ye', but I need tah' trust ye'. " The last time they co-operated, the General hadn't told him the whole truth. He had found that Swain had sent an agent to spy on Demacia in his group of maids. "No secrets or hidden agenda's between us. Savvy?"
Post by The Master Tactician on Oct 28, 2013 15:50:07 GMT -5
"I am a man of my word, captain." Emerald eyes narrowed briefly, calculating, cold. "Listen closely. In three weeks' time, documentation will be delivered to you concerning Bilgewater's Institute-managed trade routes. The protection summoners provide your state can be granted instead by mine for two thirds of the price--and with fewer cargo restrictions."
The Grand General's calculating gaze assessed the pirate for any indication of his reaction to this offer. "You will present this information to he sailors' guilds--and to Madame Sarah Fortune." The slightest smile lit up the Master Tactician's half-shrouded face. "As the Institute weakens, it will be important for Bilgewater to secure certain... alliances, non?"
The quiet click of the general's tongue sounded against the roof of his mouth. "In the meantime, you will appeal to your fellow sailors' love of freedom--and if the bounty hunter protests... then I will, myself, pay you both a visit. Do you understand?"
Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Nov 5, 2013 1:28:02 GMT -5
It was a good deal. Less money and less restrictions? The merchants and traders would eat it up. Not to mention that most were on much better terms with Noxus than the Institute. But not all would be impressed.
"Aye, I can bring that tah' them. Most will eat it up. A few be needin' a talkin' too. But it be takin' more than just that tah' persuade Fortune." It would take much more to get her on their side. Even if all of Bilgewater was with him, she...
The pirate grinned at his new idea. "We dun' need Fortune to help us. If all of Bilgewater be on me' side, she can' join them er' leave. And if I know her, she gunna join."
She commitment to her home would be her undoing. This would be the edge he needed to win the city. The pirates were already his, soon the merchants and traders would and then the people would flock to him. And she would habe no choice but to join as well.
"HAR HAR!" he laughed. The plan was a good one. It might even work. "Ye' got quite tah' brain thar general. Ye' would make a great pirate. So, we drink to tah' deal?" He pulled a flask from his belt, filled with some of his personal rum. He offered it to Swain.
Post by The Master Tactician on Nov 19, 2013 12:38:26 GMT -5
A quiet chuckle left the Grand General's lips: no longer the wheezing refrain of his days spent in the throes of disease, but a trill of confidence echoed by the fiendish fowl upon his shoulder. Swain took the flask, for their alliance's sake willing to indulge in the pirate's symbol of a deal sealed. "Why, you flatter me, captain," he said, turning to uncap the flask. He poured a sip of the syrup into a tumbler upon his desk, then replaced the bottle's lid and set it down upon his desk.
Muscular, talon-like hands pulled his helm from his head and set it down upon the polished mahogany beside the drinks while raven-black hair fell to his shoulders. He took up the containers of rum and turned, a pleased expression on his hauntingly handsome face, then extended Gangplank's flask back to him. His own tumbler he raised in a gesture of camaraderie and said, "To the deal. To our nations both." Over-sharp incisors glinted in the firelight and emerald eyes gleamed in their sockets. "To Valoran united."
Post by The Saltwater Scourge on Nov 19, 2013 16:54:24 GMT -5
Gangplank stifled a laugh at Swain's new face. It was so strange to see a man that looked so much older than him to appear several years his younger. He certainly didn't spare any expenses on his new appearence.
He retook his flask. "Aye, tah a prosperous partnership." he replied, then took a drink from his flask.
The Institute thought they could control him and his city. He was going to prove how wrong they were.
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