Sea Faring (1650-1850) (original) (raw)

Tue, Oct. 4th, 2005, 09:25 pm

haldir_fancier: To keep or no?

Oh, I feel so bad doing this.

This has fallen through. I cannot maintain a group, I have no time. It's been two months since there was a hint of activity, and I give major props to ye who did try.

Does anyone want to take over completely?

If not, would anyone be devistated if the group blinked out of existance?

Thu, Aug. 4th, 2005, 05:36 pm

edward_pellew: (no subject)

I stood gazing at the body for a moment or two, going through the possibilities. The body was European, a colonist, not someone native to this area. Her face was bloodied but what was visible of her hair was fair. Her bloodstained clothing was also European in design, but rough and homespun. They were well maintained, however and she looked to have been well fed. There was a wedding ring on her left hand. I knelt beside her, glancing at Hornblower as I did so. Kennedy and Matthews had drawn close as well. There was a shadow of guilt in Hornblower's eyes, though why he should feel that way was a mystery to me. We could pursue that later. I lifted the woman's hand and examined it. Her nails were torn to the quick and there were wounds on here forearms that suggested that she's fought her attacker. The terrible wounds on her body had obviously been made with an axe and it seemed reasonable to assume that the blood on the tree was hers. The thought that the person who had made these wounds was still out there somewhere made my blood run cold. We must be careful to stay together. Even in the heat of battle I had rarely seen such savagery. I stood slowly.

“We must stay together. Whoever did this is still at large and until we apprehend him we are all vulnerable to that axe. I hate to think of the kind of strength and frenzy it would take to commit such a horrible crime.”

Fri, Jul. 29th, 2005, 02:48 pm

edward_pellew: Captain Sir Edward Pellew, HMS Indefatigable, 26th May

Something about this place seems terribly off. I am by no means a superstitious man, and I would certainly never give in to unreasoning fear of the unknown, but there are very obvious physical signs of violence and horror. A dark-skinned or painted person could easily be watching our every move from the shadows without us ever knowing. And, considering the lack of people even though the island is quite naturally fertile and artificially cultivated, that seems very likely. Or perhaps they're all dead...

"Sir, perhaps we should set the marines to searching the island for natives. Wandering about at random doesn't seem to be very effective."

I hesitated for a moment. Hornblower had raised a good point. We needed to know what was going on here as soon as possible but was splitting up the best way to do it? We would be more vulnerable if we split up. Still, sending out a scouting party would be helpful.

“Very well, Mr Hornblower. A good idea. Organise a party and give them their orders.” If the boy wanted to exercise some leadership, let him. The more practice he got, the better.

I gazed out into the forest, looking for movement. Some inkling of what was going on here. Nothing. Not a rustle of leaves that wasn't caused by the breeze, neither sight, nor smell. Or was there?

Did I smell smoke? A long way off carried by the warm breeze? And something else. Blood.

Hornblower had sent the marines off and turned back to me. I saw the astute, focussed expression in his eyes the moment he smelled the blood as well.

“It's coming from over here...” I cried, beating through the undergrowth to our left. It was the body of a woman and she'd been attacked with the same axe that had stuck the tree. Her blood had been splashed yards from her body and soaked into the leaf litter beneath her. Her face was a bloody ruin but it was possible to see her expression of wild fury and terror.

Mon, Jun. 20th, 2005, 05:46 pm

games_master: GM Post 1, The Indefatigables, 26th 0f May

I just want to see if this works...

As you look about you the forest gets thicker as you walk through it. It's lush and dense. The sandy soil crunches under your feet. The trail is marked by the prints of many booted feet. Some of the prints are scuffed and some obviously belonged to people who were running.

Off to your left is a tree that has been damaged by an axe. It doesn't look as if the tree was being felled. The marks are too chaotic for that. It looks like the tree was attacked in anger. There appears to be blood staining the wood in the wounds.

Suddenly you hear a russling off to your left. You have the uncomfortable feeling someone is watching you.

If you have any queries respond to this post, if not respond to it in character.

*Crosses fingers*

Tue, Jun. 14th, 2005, 07:15 pm

edward_pellew: Captain Sir Edward Pellew, HMS Indefatigable, 26th of May, Post 3

The leaves block out the light of the sun as we follow the path back from the beach in the hope of finding a village, or some other habitation. Something rustles in the jungle off to our left. Something large and I start to feel the first intimations of unease. This place is obviously inhabited and yet we have seen nobody. The sea is rich with fish and crustaceans, why is there nobody fishing? Birds wheel in the sky above us but nobody hunts them. The forest is rich but there is nobody gathering food.

I look about, trying to find some sign of life. Although there are the cries of birds there is not a single human voice. The silence is eerie. Then I see the marks of an axe on a tree trunk near the path. There is dried blood in it's wounds.

Tue, Jun. 7th, 2005, 05:24 pm

edward_pellew: Captain Sir Edward Pellew, HMS Indefatigable, 26th of May, post 2

The sea is calm to the point of glassiness and and is bright green in the sunlight. The beach gleams white before us and a small, silver rivulet runs across the sand. The forest crowds close. This place is teeming with life, I can hear the carolling of birds high in the trees as they call to one another. I wonder what else awaits us in the cool shade.

The sand crunches as the jollyboat runs up the beach. This place is idyllic. I glance sideways at my two lieutenants, they're smiling and stealing covert glances at one another.

Ah, to be so young again!

“Well, gentlemen, let's see what this place has to offer!”

Sun, Jun. 5th, 2005, 02:24 pm

theo_groves: Lieutenant Theodore Groves, HMS Dauntless, 26th of May

I'm beginning to regret my request to take the crow's nest when I scan my bored eyes over the supposedly empty horizon for the umpteenth time, only to find that it's not empty at all. I was beginning to doubt we'd see anything again.

Immediately I straighten up and send down the call, thanking the heavens for the island, and that it's an island that most likely has freshwater, by the looks of the plant life and glimpses of fields between trees.

Hopefully, with any further luck, I'll be able to find a few moments alone with Andrew, far from prying eyes and sharp ears.

Tue, May. 31st, 2005, 05:44 pm

turner_lad: William Turner, first mate on the Black Pearl. May 26.

I'm on deck when the call is made. "Land ho!" I peer upwards, shading my eyes against the sun, to look for the lookout, when I hear the clarification, "Two points off the starboard bow."

I'm glad to hear it. We've been followed by the Navy fleet for months now, andthe food and water stores are getting lower and lower. The navy are nowhere in sight, and I'm grateful. All we need right now is to stop for a while, replenish ourselves, and get back out.

I go below to check the map. Island noted, charted, marked "inhabited." Splendid.

"Captain. Land is seen. We're in luck."

Sat, May. 28th, 2005, 10:20 am

edward_pellew: Captain Sir Edward Pellew, HMS Indefatigable, 26th of May, post 1

As fine a day as anyone could wish for and the possibility of refilling our badly-depleted water casks! Everyone seems to be in such high spirits. I feel it myself. The Indefatigable creaks beneath my feet as a brisk breeze fills her sail. She flies through the waves on her huge, white wings.

The island on the horizon grows larger by the minute and I can see dense forest, cultivated fields and a broad, white, shining beach where our jollyboats will be able to land in safety. I would like to go ashore myself, at some point. Feel solid earth again. After months at sea I suspect everyone feels that way.

Wed, May. 25th, 2005, 07:55 pm

turner_lad: (no subject)

An RPG, for all characters. Your fandoms are your ships, with
seperation of navy and pirates, of course.

May 16th: aproximately 40 degrees South, 20 degrees West, far off the
coast of Argentina. There is a small island on the horizon, and your
course is set for it, with the hope that there will be freshwater on
the island. The British Royal Navy has several ships out at the
moment searching for a slippery band of pirates, and has managed to
follow them around for quite a bit, though has not managed to catch
them. There have been a few volleys of fire, but nothing has caused
significant damage. They have kept each other busy for months on end.
However, all ships were not equipped for a long trip, as this has
been so far, and are on the search for water and supplies.

Unbeknownst to all, the Navy are approaching the island from the
northeast, and the pirates from the south.

You will land in a day's time, if the wind keeps up. And it shall.