Editing Pirates and Palms

{{TErow| 1 | Day 1| {{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: I could hear the crashing waves as I sat on the sand, gazing at my left leg. It was bare, unlike the right one--my left boot had drowned in the shipwreck. This would not do! I'd have to find some sandals or something. My pistol was to the right of me, full of water, and therefore useless. Should any threat appear on the horizon, my sabre would be my only hope. Fortunately, it was one mighty fine blade, all the way from Regna. It had tasted plenty of enemy blood.<p>A nearby voice broke the silence:<p>[[Patris]]: "We managed to hunt down everything the sea didn't wash away!"<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: I turned to see my first mate Patris. Though he was in his forties, that old salt still possessed great skill and clarity of thought. Patris sat down beside me and gazed sorrowfully at the debris of the Black Unicorn, which drifted in pieces on the ocean tides. Soon it would wash away entirely, leaving no trace of its existence.<p>"Are we full on grub?" I asked, hoping to get clear on our situation.<p>[[Patris]]: "Enough for a week, maybe. Hell, it may be for the best that not so many lads survived the crash," grumbled my first mate.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Where are we?" I asked as I got up, brushing sand from my tattered jacket.<p>[[Patris]]: "I think we are on the islands somewhere between Nighon and Eeofol," Patris replied. "And I have a strong feeling we are stuck, Cap'n."<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Why do you say that?" I inquired.<p>[[Patris]]: "There are no human settlements over here, only barbarians and damn bloody beasts. If we don't find a place to settle within a week, we'll be overcome by famine, ammunition shortage, disease...."<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Oh come on, there's never been a situation Jeremy Albatross couldn't overcome!" I interrupted as I turned to look at the jungle.<p>It was a dense, dark-green living mass, within which large bright flowers bloomed. In those forest depths lurked snakes, giant mosquitos, and other dangers. I felt like dozens of predatory eyes were staring at us from the jungle, waiting to lure us into a trap. Would Jeremy Albatross face his last days on this damn island?<p>"Hey you rogues!" I called out. "Hurry up and grab all you can carry! Let's see what surprises this cursed island has prepared for us."|effect= -20000 {{Gold}} [[Gold]], -20 {{Wood}} [[Wood]], -20 {{Ore}} [[Ore]], -10 {{Mercury}} [[Mercury]], -10 {{Sulfur}} [[Sulfur]], -10 {{Crystal}} [[Crystal]], -10 {{Gem}} [[Gems]]}}

{{TErow| 2 | A History Lesson| {{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: We were fighting out way through the dense, boggy jungle. I stepped carefully, trying not to cut my left foot. Damn it, when will I find myself some footwear? I could, of course, demand someone in the crew to lend me on of their boots--who's the captain here anyway? But I didn't want to test the battered morale of our small squad for no reason. I have to be an example to the lads. I have to show them that I, their bold captain, don't feel a thing stepping on these accursed thorny lianas.<p>"Listen, Patris. Why the hell would Erathians build an outpost here?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the pain in my feet, and from worries about whether that last spike had been poisonous.<p>[[Patris]]: "They were exploring actively once, roaming across the seas, searching for new lands. Then the war with Eeofol and Nighon broke out. Gryphonheart urgently called back many of the garrisons. Anyone left behind was forgotten. Then after the war, everyone was busy restoring the kingdom and dealing with the elves and necromancers...." 'Twas obvious that my first mate was about to give me another history lesson.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Why do you know all of that so well?"<p>[[Patris]]: "I wasn't always a pirate, Cap'n!" answered Patris with a grin. "By the way, there's another spike where you're about to step."<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Thanks, but I saw it already," I grumbled, barely avoiding the spike and placing my foot in a safe spot at the last moment. "Do you mean to say that there may be Erathian soldiers over here?"<p>[[Patris]]: Feigning optimism, Patris replied, "If they weren't killed by the local barbarians, they may have become pirates or smugglers. This strait is a lively place after all."</p>}}

{{TErow| 8 | Fortress| {{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: I was standing on the overgrown walls of the Erathian fort, observing my surroundings with my spyglass. Such an invaluable tool--I'm damn lucky it didn't sink with the ship. The island was much larger than I had originally assumed. It stretched far to the east, fading off in the distant haze. This place would be great for raids! We'd just have to set everything up nice and tidy, repair the outpost, build some roads, and tame the local cannibals and other Abrrghs. I also found a new pair of high boots! No idea where those brainless gnolls found them, but they fit me perfectly.<p>[[Patris]]: "Hey Jeremy, how are you findin' the place?" yelled Patris from below. "We went through the gnolls' supplies and found some food and drinking water! There's even a well over here!"<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "It's a nice place," I replied. "My ship is on the bottom of the sea, so I was going to have to become a land rat anyway. What do you think about that?"<p>[[Patris]]: "Yep, I was about to suggest we drop anchor here," laughed Patris, scratching his chin. "But look, this whole place is unprepared. If the gnolls attacked, we'd be slaughtered."<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "That's why we need a real fortress with impregnable walls, traps and strategically placed turrets," I replied, stowing my spyglass in its leather case. "The problem is finding the stone and wood to do all that. I doubt there's much trade here."<p>[[Patris]]: "Cap'n, I suggest we scout the surroundings. If there are smugglers in the area, then surely they lose some of their goods once in a while. And some goblins may very well use those goods to build shelters and such. There's plenty of material here, you just have to look sharp."<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: Feeling inspired, I descended down the old, cracked stone ladder. I was afraid it would reduce to dust under my new boots, to be honest. Patris came down too, startling me with a question:<p>[[Patris]]: "Cap'n, what are we gonna call out fortress?"<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Utopia," I said with a smile.</p>}}

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | '''Lady''': "Hey Cap'n, take a look!" a lady yelled. beckoning to us.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: A waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff, surrounded by stone statues of women. I'm no mage, but I sensed a magical presence here. It didn't take long before I remembered the magical creatures from the Plane of Water known as nymphs. Regnan mages summoned them frequently for their own purposes.<p>"We might have allies in this god forsaken place," I said, smiling.<p>[[Patris]]: "What do you mean?" Patris asked.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Did you ever see those Regnan mages, walking around in the company of female water spirits? It wasn't their good looks that got them all those beautiful women; those little darlings are nymphs. Somebody told me that they came into this world from the Plane of Water, when Regnan mages opened a portal there," I said, hopping on one leg. I desperately needed to find some footwear.<p>[[Patris]]: "What makes you think they're going to help us? You don't look like a mage to me," Patris said skeptically.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Patris, just calm down," I grinned. "Even if my charming smile doesn't convince them, a few coins will do the trick."<p>[[Patris]]: "We've got coins?" asked Patris in surprise.</p>

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | {{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: We walked through the jungle slowly but steadily. We sent an agile sea dog in front to warn us of any ambushes. The local folk had already shown us their hospitality.<p>'''Sea Dog''': "Cap'n, Cap'n!" The sea dog was running towards us, his hands and legs bloody.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Report immediately! Is there an ambush up there?"<p>'''Sea Dog''': "A fort!" announced the pirate, catching his breath. "There's a fort to the north, Cap'n, with some of them bloody gnolls inside!"<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "A fort? Here, in these god-forsaken lands?" I said, astounded.<p>[[Patris]]: "Probably the old Erathian outpost," surmised Patris. "In the days of old king Gryphonheart, such outposts were built on pretty much any habitable island."<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Interesting," I said aloud. I put my hand on the sea dog's shoulder: "You, wrap those wounds and rest awhile; you've done well. We'll continue toward the fort and kindly ask the gnolls to find another place to settle."</p>

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | [[Patris]]: "Cap'n, come here, quick!" Patris called excitedly.<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: I approached my mate and found him on his knees examining something on the wet ground. He was positively beaming, which was very odd--Patris is not the type who greets you with a wide smile on his face.<p>[[Patris]]: "There are wagon traces here, Cap'n!" he explained. "Somewhere on this island, there are people or creatures smart enough to use wagons!"<p>{{Hn|Jeremy|0=}}: "Good news indeed," I agreed. "We'll have to carefully scout the island once we're set up here. Something tells me we have plenty of adventures ahead."<p><center> +2 {{Morale|+2}}</p>

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{{SorQrow|seer=1|loc=2, 10, 0|quest=Defeat:<br>{{Cn|Wolf Rider}}s at (19, 7, 0)</br>|rew={{An|Stoic Watchman}}|prop=Wolf Riders are menacing the northern region of this land.  If you could be so bold as to defeat them, I would reward you richly.|comp=At last, you defeated the Wolf Riders, and the countryside is safe again!  Are you ready to accept the reward?}}

{{SorQrow|seer=2|loc=30, 3, 0|quest=Return with:<br>{{Cn|Iron Golem}}s at (9, 11, 0)</br>|rew={{An|Bird of Perception}}|prop=Iron Golems are menacing the northwestern region of this land.  If you could be so bold as to defeat them, I would reward you richly.|comp=At last, you defeated the Iron Golems, and the countryside is safe again!  Are you ready to accept the reward?}}

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{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=2, 12, 0|quest=Return with:<br>{{An|Stoic Watchman}}</br>|prop=A powerful wizard owns this tower.  He refuses to let you pass unless you bring him the Stoic Watchman.|prog=The wizard is adamant.  Without the Stoic Watchman, none will pass.|comp=The wizard agrees to let you by in exchange for the Stoic Watchman.  Do wish to pass at this time?}}

{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=32, 2, 0|quest=Return with:<br>{{An|Bird of Perception}}</br>|prop=A powerful wizard owns this tower.  He refuses to let you pass unless you bring him the Bird of Perception.|prog=The wizard is adamant.  Without the Bird of Perception, none will pass.|comp=The wizard agrees to let you by in exchange for the Bird of Perception.  Do wish to pass at this time?}}