The First Land Herald/437-06-30

Article Number: 49

Dateline: 437-06-30

SRINOJA SABOTAGES NEGOTIATIONS, SETS FIRE TO KYGAR'S PUB Dear reader, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you of the chaos and destruction caused by the Pirate Srinoja. Although the diplomatic team composed of Ayrell, Ezerak, Qiyan, and Saragos were initially hopeful that a deal might be struck between the pirate captain and Commodore Khoheke of House Moglin, the Gnomish woman's staunch refusal was layered with murderous intent, which ultimately exploded, quite literally, into an all-out melee. The meeting began peacefully, under the Banner of Truce. The diplomatic team agreed to speak with Commodore Khoheke before an audience of some few dozen adventurers. Saragos laid out the majority of their proposal, which was largely that, although Srinoja's initial demands were outrageous, perhaps the Commodore might consider a lesser offer: "A pardon for past crimes of the pirates who choose to work for you, and honest pay as privateers working for Moglin. A chance to leave that life behind for a respectable one, if they're up for it. Perhaps if some of their ships are in your hands, those could be returned to service. An exchange of crew to work together and learn each others' ways." Commodore Khoheke was naturally skeptical. He said, "We would obviously prefer not to fight two enemies at the same time. But I do not believe the pirates will stop pointing their swords at us. If anything, they will likely be drawn to the carnage as vultures to the battlefield. Though our priority is the growing power of the lich, House Moglin cannot simply ignore the sharks drawn to its blood in the water." Saragos, to his credit, made a truly impassioned plea. "I want to get every mortal we can possibly get to land on that Isle and assault the Perverse and Demonic, and not waste them dying at sea to other mortals." He likened the pirates to potential wolfhounds, to be "tamed" just enough to use against our enemies. The Commodore remained skeptical, and just then Srinoja showed up, so he offered to hear her out. Saragos laid out the proposal to her. "Think on it for a moment. Real pay. The chance not to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life. Is this a point we can start from?" However, the scoundrel Srinoja had no interest in an honest wage. "My folks are used to getting paid a lot more than her (sic) folks, I'm afraid. We work on share, not for coppers." Ultimately, although Saragos even bent to kneel before her and plead directly for her to give a deal real thought, she refused, sticking to her original shocking demands, including pardons for future crimes. "We aren't liking deadmans, but he don't leave his island much anyway. Way I see it, he's stuck on his island, and the only thing you need from us is not to sink your ships on the way. So, tell you what. Final offer. We get pardons for all past, present, and future crimes you might accuse us of. You keep your fleet out of all independent ports. And we agree to not sink your magic wand ship on the way -- pinkie swear. What do you say? Deal, or do you want to be the one to tell your new friends you're going to choose to risk their lives for yer pride?" Commodore Khoheke, understandably, refused to offer her free reign to attack him and his House without retaliation. It was at this point that I noticed a pale Rakash man, later positively identified as Khearkrash, along with another person still unidentified, fiddling with a lantern nearby. Soon it toppled free from its base, connecting with a cask of brandy brought by Srinoja. Flaming oil trickled everywhere, lighting an enormous blaze! The Gnomish cur took advantage of the chaos, pulling a cloth over her mouth and retreating to one side. She gestured to a rope atop the remains of the cask, shouting, "Commodore's yours, folk. Get him." Suddenly, my head was ringing, and I realized I was knocked clear by an explosive blast. The cask had blown up! Amidst the smoke and commotion, I managed to spot the tiny Srinoja kneeling over Khoheke's prone figure, procuring a key ring from his gamantang. "Aren't personal, to you folk. We be leaving as friends, except me and the Commodore." She spit in Khoheke's face and was gone. Pirates flooded in. And Necromancers, including Nefis, Agalea, Zehira, and the still unidentified Necromancer from the previous diplomatic mission to Srinoja's ship. What followed was an all-out, three-way brawl between those two groups and those following and protecting Khoheke, with Khearkrash joining the Necromancers. Gouts of acid brutalized those shocked by the unprecedented ambush. Eventually, however, the pirates and some of the Necromancers fell, and the adventurers managed to whisk Khoheke away to safety. Later, I was informed that, while on its journey home, Sir Madigan's ship, the Dragon's Slave, was ambushed by a lone S'Kra Mur identified as Cined. This Mur used stealth in an odious and savage attack that ultimately murdered eight of the fourteen present. In particular, the stout Empaths Dantia, Kaelie, and Aislynn survived his assaults, ultimately managing to turn the ship back to Ratha and have the crew eject the butcher. In the end, all adventurer souls were returned to their bodies, and no others were reported injured. It is unfortunate that the senseless Srinoja has spurned all offers, for now we must fight the Lich, may his skin desiccate and slough away, with her pirates at our back. Rest assured, though, dear reader, that we will find a way. As for Srinoja, one wonders at her own lack of foresight. Surely she knows that this Lich's power can only grow, that she and her crew will be as tasty to him as any other mortals? Shall she continue feeding him so willingly from her own men and women? And, sly as she appears, is she instead servile? Perhaps she has bowed to the undead all along. In the mean time, we will continue planning. Reach out to myself, Saragos, Sir Kenamer, or Dantia if you wish to become involved. Fair winds and following seas, Navesi Daerthon True Bard, Zoluren's Herald Editor in Chief of the First Land Herald [At the bottom of the publication, some distance removed from the writing, is a curious illustration. It depicts a beaming, cherubic Gnome with a pointed cap and prominent eyepatch cheerfully proffering up a silver platter on which can only be the head of a pirate crewman, complete with bandana and hoop earrings. Above her looms an enormous, hooded figure, one skeletal hand exposed as it reaches for the head, the other dropping a sack labeled "$L" at the Gnome's feet. In the background, a crooked sign points the way to "The Hangman's Pursuit," and a line of crewmen can be seen following the sign, blissfully unawares, off the edge of a cliff, where they plummet into the gaping maw of a gigantic skull.]

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): House Moglin Jeihrem Khoheke Kygar's Pub Necromancer Perverse Ratha Srinoja

Author(s): Navesi