User:Sebestyen/Navy

My Time in the Zoluren Navy

I write this recollection of the Outcast War some years after the fact, penning the tale from my own memories, notes, and papers from the time. I was young and brash then, knowing very little about what was truly going on. As time has passed, I see how epic the struggle was and the far reaching effects it had on people.

Enlistment

It was around the year 371 that I and other young squires and pages were listening to our betters in the Crossing Paladin Guild when a Knight arrived claiming need of people for service in the Navy. I ignored him at first thinking, who am I to believe I am yet ready for something such as that. I hardly know how to be a Paladin after all. Then he spoke directly to me, "You there, join the Navy with me!" I blinked and stared back. "Me?" I said, pointing at myself. I was at once flummoxed and at the same time thrilled that a Knight would take notice of me.

He went on to explain that the Prince had activated the Navy again and needed crews to defend the seas from Pirates and whatever other invaders may come. This sounded to be a good enough cause, but I still had reservations. For one, I could hardly swim, what if the ship sank? Perhaps he wants me for an anchor.

The Knight finally introduced himself as Poetus, a Lieutenant in the Navy serving under Trantris Esselyon. The unit he was forming was to be known as Esselyon's Marines, though there was no ship assigned as yet. After some thought, I agreed and was brought in as a Seaman, one of the first of Poetus' recruits.

Basic Training

I cannot say that my training was any more difficult than that of my guild. Under Lt. Poetus we banded together and fought against various evil denizens of Zoluren of which I was already familiar.

Our Commander, Trantris, was an imposing fellow of a rather pompous air, and I disliked him at first. He taught us how to march, salute, salute with arms, and a special salute for when we were shipboard armed with boarding pikes. We marched (I hated marching) and drilled and otherwise did all those military things. Commander Esselyon also led us once on a combat maneuver, which left most of our group fallen. Because of something I did (I still to this day have no idea what) he made me a Sergeant. Great. I hardly knew how to be a soldier or seaman. Gods, what had I gotten myself into?

Once this period was complete, we were given a generous leave subject to recall once a ship had been assigned to our unit.

Leave

I decided, since I was a military man now, that I should travel a bit. I struck northward to Therengia, visiting Riverhaven, Langenfirth, and Therenborough.

During this time, I happened to be in the Keep, and inadvertently entered the Great Hall, stumbled upon a very important looking man I presumed to be the Baron of these lands with a regal lady in attendance. Flustered at the sight, I quickly took my leave and went to the nearest door, which happened to be the kitchen! I continued on my errand coming across the shrine to Rutilor I sought.

I spent what time I needed there, and upon attempting to find my way out of the Keep, I was confronted by some Guard, out of breath and bewildered, asking me who I was and what I was doing there. After explaining as best I could, she told me that the Baron had just been murdered and to keep my eyes out for anyone looking suspicious. To think, I had just saw him breathing a while ago. I saw nothing of note, but did feel saddened. A ruler should not meet so foul an end. I suddenly had some sense of loss, even though these were not my native lands, nor he my sovereign.

I ultimately learned more of who he was, and what Therengia was, and did attend his memorial service. He was a Noble Paladin and a just ruler by all accounts, and I felt compelled to pay my respect.

The Leaping Dolphin

Not long after, I was recalled, we had been assigned a ship, The Leaping Dolphin Commanded by none other than the Commander of the Fleet Chellene Mondraith. What an honor, to be assigned to the flagship of the Zoluren Fleet, which I had also heard was known as the ZEF or Zoluren Expeditionary Force. We also were finally issued uniforms, and some surplus ZEF equipment. Also in the fleet was the Proud Nissa and Selkies Secret. During my enlistment, I had the honor of serving on all three at one time or another, but the Leaping Dolphin was my ship.

She was a large ship, and took me some time to find my way about it. The waist was wide, and carried six mangonels, with a fore and aft deck, another mangonel on the foredeck. Below, there was a large hold, crew and captain's quarters, a mess, galley and a wardroom. She was a beautiful vessel, especially under sail.>br>

Winds of War

We spent time learning to work the mangonels, a mysterious piece of machinery to me, but after a time, as familiar as my sword and armor. We spent time on watch, even though there was nothing to watch for. This led to boredom, and once, I was gambling with a shipmate. Commander Trantris arrived unexpectedly and was not pleased to say the least. Spent a week swabbing the decks and cleaning the barnacles for that one.

At this time, I first learned the reason the Navy and other military were activated. It seemed that a group of elves had a disagreement long ago with the powers of Ilithi. This resulted in their exile and they traveled to the desert north of Therengia and did not take kindly to being cast out. In fact, they held a 600 year grudge, and wished to do something about it. My thought was, why should we care, just let them come through and settle the score, it is not our fight. I did not care much for Ilithi and Shard anyway, having visited a couple of times. I found it a strange and unfriendly place, and the people there aloof, if not rude. "Let the Outcasts have it," I said.

Well, it got a little more complicated (nothing is ever simple), but the crux of it was, Therengia would not let them pass unimpeded, nor would Zoluren. The Outcasts allied themselves with the Red Sash, Orcs, Ogres, Goblins and the like. So we had no choice in it. Our foes would come from all sides, and we had to stand ready in defense of our home. Forces gathered, things seemed more ominous with each passing day. When would it start? When would our lives be forever changed?

Opening Moves

It was late in the year 375 we heard of the Outcast's march into Therengia. We heard of awesome battles and the relentless advance. Refugees from the north began coming into Zoluren and the Haven's Wind was ferrying more. We had a brief thought of seeing action as her escort, but it was not needed. Hearing of the occupation of Riverhaven saddened me greatly.

The grief could not last long, as soon it was our turn to join the war. While on watch, I awoke to the beat to quarters as a red sail had been spied entering the bay (Busar Saaf) to Arthe Dale. The schooner approached and we put our skills with the mangonels to the test. Alas, we did not shoot well, but as she prepared to board us, we were able to land a lucky shot driving her off for a time. Later, Naarg, the Ogre Chieftain, attacked the West gate, Grishnok and his forces at the north gate, and another schooner had landed some pirates in Arthe Dale. We had our hands full.

The next few days became a blur. When not watching the bay we responded to the gates of Crossings to aid in the hard fought battles there. I had learned of an infantry unit, the Dragoons, and threw in with them whenever I was able. Ogres, Orcs, Goblins, all the foul humanoids were killing and pillaging. All of the death, destruction, but at the same time, duty, honor, devotion to a higher cause. My emotions were and still are muddled. So. This is war.

Setting Sail

We were recalled from the land fighting with an new mission. The Outcasts were sailing out of Riverhaven aboard the pirate vessels Talinak, and Black Star. Our mission was to sink them and put a quick end to their venture south. We entered the open sea hunting our prey. I was on the forward mangonel and expected to see some sharp action. I was not disappointed.

The Black Star was heavily escorted by schooners who moved immediately to engage the ZEF ships. The Talinak drifted back north away from the fray.It was a long engagement with many sharp actions. We fired as well as we could sinking some schooners, and eventually traded shots with the Black Star. It looked as though we might succeed in sinking her, but she turned tail and ran, the schooners going with them. They were last seen heading east, toward the islands, so we turned back home, a partial victory under our belts. It was a proud day for the ZEF, but some of us knew we could do better.

When we made port there was celebration, but it was short lived as Naarg came crashing the west gates with his Ogres, and we reinforced the infantry in driving them back. At this time, Leth was attacked and some of my comrades went there to fight off the pirates with the Zoluren land forces. We were stretched thin with not enough to crew a ship and likely not enough to repel another strong land attack.

Bloody Ogres

The next several days, the seas and harbors were quiet. We learned that we had dealt the Pirates a hard blow and they had retired to their hideout for rest and repairs. We were told to keep watch aboard ship when we were able, but in the case of a land attack, to assist the infantry protecting the gates.

Again, I threw in my lot with the Dragoons at the west gate and there we fought incessant waves of Ogres and the like. I was shot up more than once by the horrendous volleys they loosed. The gates held and the Ogres repeatedly were repulsed.

During one skirmish, I became bold, chasing my foes past the brook to the west of town. I found myself encircled, and the way back to town was blocked. I was stranded and hid out in the brook, bleeding and broken. I was lost, no one knew I was there. I had not yet learned of gwethdesuans yet (the reader may be amazed that I did not have something so taken for granted these days, but it is true, I was ignorant of their existence) and could not call for help. The feeling of futility and despair overcame me. I prayed to Chadatru for guidance, to Rutilor for protection, while from Berengaria, I asked to see a new day once again.

After most of a day, I was saved. It seemed I was not the only one trapped behind the Ogres' lines and was found by woman almost as lost as I was. She was more learned, however, and knew of the magical thought . She also knew of something I was unfamiliar with: moongates. I had no idea what she was babbling about just that she was talking to someone via the stones arranging one. When it flared into existence, I did not even know what to do, and was afraid of where the portal may lead. She finally coaxed me through as a rider goads a reluctant horse, and I found myself where I belonged.

Finally, after thirty-two days of bitter fighting, a respite. The outcasts are in Ratha, Riverhaven and Crossings have withstood relentless assaults, and it seems the enemy is in need of rest. I am glad to have it as well.