Turks and Caicos Islands.
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:55 pm
The listing McGregor's Revenge , whale carcass in tow, navigates her way through isolated Cays, charting a safe passage through the Turk Strait and into the neutral harbour of Cockburn. Once a thriving and prosperous town, built on the back and hard labour of slave trading. Plantation owners and wealthy clients coming to buy 'new stock' in the fancy villa's and hostelries. The slaves kept some distance away in a fortified stockade on Grand Turk, living in squalid grim conditions until 'bought by the pound' and sent in chains to work picking cotton or digging ore. When the slaves successfully rebelled, Cockburn town and harbour were ransacked. Many of the merchants, unable to flee as ships burned, took their lives rather than be sported with, a quick death leaping off the cliff face. The cliff now covered in intricate nests for breeding gulls, a new generation of free birds giving a vibrant and colourfull reflection to the human activity at the cliff foot.
Even from afar though, Cockburn Harbour testifies to the raid. Broken harbour walls, buildings desolate and abandoned, their decrepit façades mourning the loss of revenue.
Along the promenade, several groups of fair and tanned merchants hawk wares from barrow or boat. Hollering for the best price guaranteed, the street scene reminiscent of a backstreet bazaar about to cut and run at the first sight of 'customs'. Of official customs there is no uniformed presence. Twin white sandstone towers, dilapidated and one almost collapsing entirely seem to double as gather places for militia groups, swarthy and unkempt. As the sloop approaches a berth by the quayside, notes are taken and a rider despatched to some interior destination, a bell towered chapel bearing a fluttering flag.
Within the hour a group of mounted riders appear. They are lead by a tall muscular black warrior, dressed in blue turban and silk robes. Gold bling hangs around his neck and wrists and you catch sunlit glistenings of chainmail underneath. A ragtag group of sturdy archers and scholar types follow him.
Djebel Tarik , his name is whispered around by the crew in hushed tones. Djebel rides up to the sloop, gaping at the sight then bellowing a huge laugh. He exchanges greetings with Captain Lazarus before leaving a pair of stewards behind who follow the officers into their quarters.
The captain exits later to address the crew and lay plans for the next days.
"It seems as if we are invited to a few drinks and festivities in his haven, no doubt Tarik has plans in mind. We'll have to make the best of this opportunity, this summoning."
Pocc as a marine druid is tasked with exploring the Ambergris Cays. "We'll have to pay over the odds in sovereigns to the shipwrights, no fear that Djebel Tarik isn't going to cut his cream off the top. So we have to cough up the extra to right the ship, let us see if the whales have coughed up anything in return, these Cays have a renown I am lead to believe."
Rico is tasked with scouring Cockburn's rumour mill and goes below in search of a couple of likely lads who can gather information and the latest news on the politics and truces going on. Trawling the taverns and business hubs for leads and contacts.
Mr Perryman as senior steward will oversee the negotiations with the shipwrights and the whale is trimmed and butchered, courtesy of Vaynes' cleaver skills. Some meat is sold, several rations stored in salted barrels.
Captain Lazarus takes Mr Simonsen, and Cravat to his office. They return, loading a small locked chest in a jolly boat. Flanked by an armed pair of marines and a volunteer corp. They will head for Djebel Tariks' haven.
okay, so this is your opportunity to volunteer for some 'active duty'. You can stay on the sloop or try to slip away for some personal action. The Captain expects the sloop to remain at anchor being repaired for at least a day and half. I will make each group a separate thread.
Even from afar though, Cockburn Harbour testifies to the raid. Broken harbour walls, buildings desolate and abandoned, their decrepit façades mourning the loss of revenue.
Along the promenade, several groups of fair and tanned merchants hawk wares from barrow or boat. Hollering for the best price guaranteed, the street scene reminiscent of a backstreet bazaar about to cut and run at the first sight of 'customs'. Of official customs there is no uniformed presence. Twin white sandstone towers, dilapidated and one almost collapsing entirely seem to double as gather places for militia groups, swarthy and unkempt. As the sloop approaches a berth by the quayside, notes are taken and a rider despatched to some interior destination, a bell towered chapel bearing a fluttering flag.
Within the hour a group of mounted riders appear. They are lead by a tall muscular black warrior, dressed in blue turban and silk robes. Gold bling hangs around his neck and wrists and you catch sunlit glistenings of chainmail underneath. A ragtag group of sturdy archers and scholar types follow him.
Djebel Tarik , his name is whispered around by the crew in hushed tones. Djebel rides up to the sloop, gaping at the sight then bellowing a huge laugh. He exchanges greetings with Captain Lazarus before leaving a pair of stewards behind who follow the officers into their quarters.
The captain exits later to address the crew and lay plans for the next days.
"It seems as if we are invited to a few drinks and festivities in his haven, no doubt Tarik has plans in mind. We'll have to make the best of this opportunity, this summoning."
Pocc as a marine druid is tasked with exploring the Ambergris Cays. "We'll have to pay over the odds in sovereigns to the shipwrights, no fear that Djebel Tarik isn't going to cut his cream off the top. So we have to cough up the extra to right the ship, let us see if the whales have coughed up anything in return, these Cays have a renown I am lead to believe."
Rico is tasked with scouring Cockburn's rumour mill and goes below in search of a couple of likely lads who can gather information and the latest news on the politics and truces going on. Trawling the taverns and business hubs for leads and contacts.
Mr Perryman as senior steward will oversee the negotiations with the shipwrights and the whale is trimmed and butchered, courtesy of Vaynes' cleaver skills. Some meat is sold, several rations stored in salted barrels.
Captain Lazarus takes Mr Simonsen, and Cravat to his office. They return, loading a small locked chest in a jolly boat. Flanked by an armed pair of marines and a volunteer corp. They will head for Djebel Tariks' haven.
okay, so this is your opportunity to volunteer for some 'active duty'. You can stay on the sloop or try to slip away for some personal action. The Captain expects the sloop to remain at anchor being repaired for at least a day and half. I will make each group a separate thread.