the-storms-wake

[the-storms-wake]

It is a dark and stormy night.

The rains are crashing down to the seas of Fiora, hard enough to block out the city of Paliano, hard enough that every single person aboard the Storm’s Wake has taken refuge below decks.

But for some reason, I can’t keep myself away from the door onto the deck proper.

I never really liked the water. There was never all that much in one place back home, outside of a few raised canals and some really fucked up parts of the undercity, so most of my experience has been here or back on Ixalan. The fact of ships isolating their people someplace they can’t really run or hide… has proven fun in the past. The fact of being trapped on a constantly shaking and shifting vessel as it carries us across an endless expanse of water is much less fun. But now, with this storm raging, the water soaking the rigging and flooding the deck… well, it’s rain. Just like back home. So, somehow, I’m pressed against the door, even when everyone is asleep, gazing out into the storm.

Gazing out, at least, until I open the door and step through.

The rain is cold as it beats down on my face. Cold as it flows over my wings. Cold as the sky growls and cries and I begin my journey up and up and up. The world has been thrown into darkness, aside from the screaming crackles of light that cast everything into sharp relief for split seconds at a time.

When the bolt comes to hit me, I don’t see it coming, I just see the storm and sea lighting up again.

When it hits me, I feel it. Light enveloping me, every explosion I’ve ever seen echoing in my skull, every drop of rain burning off of me in an instant.

I feel myself fall, down and down and down, limp and ragged.

I barely feel myself hit the deck. I almost feel the wood bow and splinter under the force of it. I don’t feel myself pass out.

[the-storms-wake]

[the-storms-wake]

Captain's Log - Day 20

(tw: violence)

Shooting the Messenger

The Captain preferred to take most visitors, invited or other, in their quarters. She had been analyzing the proposed course for their upcoming voyage when Garzek delivered the human to her. He seemed.. unimpressed, as he lay there bound and gagged on her rug (Sun Empire make, expensive and hard to come by). The Captain felt a twinge of disappointment at the lack of fear in his eyes. She set her quill down, capping her bottle of ink. They had time. Biilzie was away, participating in the search for his Angel, and Sameia had left to assist in the binding of another powerful foe. She stood, stretching, and looked at Garzek, ignoring their company.

"I think I'd like to take this visitor on the Lower deck, Garzek. I have an inkling on why he is here, and I think there's a set of manacles in the Cooper's cabin that should fit him."

The ship had not needed a cooper for a long time. Thieves and vandals have no use for making barrels. But The Captain had found use for the extra space regardless. And none of their guests ever found it in them to complain.

The Captain grabbed the rag from the table, wiping their bloodied knuckles. She could hear the human panting through his gag, still in place from when Garzek had delivered him to The Captain to pass judgement. She had finally found the fear in his eyes, at the small cost of some broken and bruised ribs. She hadn't even needed to use anything sharp.

Seeking to confirm her suspicions, Adelaide removed the gag. "Go on then. Be a good dog and deliver your message. See if it will save you."

The man coughed, blood trickling from his mouth. Oops. Must have damaged something more serious in there. "The.... The Visconte Muraro bids the Contessa Crescenzo return to him at once, on pain of-" A sharp kick to the ribs sent the man back into a coughing fit. Viscount? That was new. She had always known Muraro to be a weasel of a man. It was no surprise he found some way to gain prestige without her title.

She puzzled over the development, grabbing her glass of wine from the table, as the man continued to gasp and wheeze behind her. "And the weapons? Did he expect you to threaten me?"

A wheeze of affirmation came from the man. "He wishes your return. I was told to hurt whoever I had to to return you to him. Including you, Contessa Crescenzo."

"When were you dispatched? I wish to know how quickly news travels here." She glares at him, and is pleased to see him try and shrink away from her golden gaze.

"T-two days ago, Contessa. You are very... distinctive to those who know of you."

"How many did the Viscount dispatch?" She demands, crouching near the man. She grabs his hair, tilting his face up to look at her.

"I- I don't know.." The Captain scowls, tightening her grip, as he starts to panic. "I do not know! Contessa, please, have mercy!"

She drops him in a huff of frustration, standing. Ultimately the question did not matter. Muraro knew. And that meant more would be coming. She had gotten too complacent, too comfortable in this port. It was time to move.

The messenger flinched as she approached, and she returned the gag to it's place over his mouth. It barely muffled the man's terror as she ripped the manacles holding him from the wall. Fortunately, the crew knows better than to ask questions while their Captain is at work. The sounds had begun to go hoarse once they made it to the railing. She worked in silence, as she grabbed the chain shot from a nearby cannon, and wrapped the weights around the man's bindings. He was still begging when she heaved him overboard.

Bliss returned to her cabin, and collapsed into her chair. She felt exhaustion over take her, as the vicious part of her that lived for the violence loosened it's grip. She pulled down a bottle of little used rum from her shelf, (the strong stuff, for special occasions), and took a swig. It did little to the twisting feelings of guilt and anxiety in her gut. She was happy Sam and Biilzie weren't here for this, but she knew she couldn't hide her past from them forever. Especially not when it seemed determined to catch up to her.

She pulled out a map, readying to plot a new course for Paliano. Muraro would have to be dealt with. And soon.

[the-storms-wake]

Captain's Log - Day 17

It seems I truly am turning in to Gallardo. The ship has collected another start under my care, a mage I have become very fond of, Sameia. She is another half-devil, of a sort. Recently she has experienced a shock, losing control of her powers and her mind, which has deeply unsettled her. I care for her, and I have offered the ship as a place to stay while she is recovering. I know she worried about hurting us. I also am aware that I could not stop her if she wished to. But pirates are tougher than the average commoner, and I was able to convince her that she would be safer here than wasting to nothing in the cave she had hidden in.

It eases my mind to have her here. I care for her deeply, and being able to keep an eye on her to help cutail her more self destructive impulses is of great importance to me. Over the past few weeks, before this journey to Fiora when we were introduced, we have been carrying on a small courtship. I'll admit to my hesitancy, as I have had many whirlwind relations with many of my fellow pirates in my life time. But I wanted this to be different. I wanted to connect with her, in a way I haven't with others. It seemed she had mistaken my hesitancy for disinterest. It was an... awkward discussion between us, but I believe the matter has been cleared up. An accord has been reached between us, and I am thankful to have her onboard. I hope this courtship will last, as at this point, I think I would loathe having to sleep alone again.

The prince's training proceeds well. He is still distressed about the absence of his friend, the angel, but he does his best to hide it or remain distracted. I wish there was more assistance I could provide, but I think the role best suited for me is to continue to be a steady force on his life. Providing a place where he will be accepted as he is, a member of the crew, rather than shunned or worshipped. And I think giving him a constructive outlet for his feelings is good. Lords know it helped me when I was younger, to have something to do with my hands to tire me out. He has taken to the work with a fervor that leads me to believe there is much he needs to work through, and the tasks of keeping a ship afloat are hopefully a good way to do so.

However I do wish he would stop telling others that I "Kiss the ship with tongue". To set the record straight, It happened once, while I was very drunk, and Garzek and Seó have never let me live it down. I fear that story will haunt me until I find myself under the Grim Captain's care. I just hope that I am able to leave a legacy more worth remembering before then.

[the-storms-wake]

Captain's Log, Day 7

Our hunt today was a resounding success! No casualties on our side, only a handful of injuries, and we only had to put down a few fools on the ship we attacked. The take was good, though a lot of the shipment is goods we'll have to fence to get our take. The crew should hopefully be satisfied with this. Proof of our success and time to spend the money will be good for them. The break from the coalition has been stressful for all.

In personal news, I have felt disquieted after leaving Ixalan. The plane which had been my home for many years, I now find myself exiled from. I do not wish to share my past often, though the people I have met recently through the communication devices seem determined to prove me incorrect. It has been on my mind, as I have once again found myself falling back to the tactics I was taught in my youth, and I wonder how things would have changed if I had listened to my mentor after becoming a captain. I was often scolded during my training for being too brutal, or picking fights that I won at a high cost. Ironically, I find myself getting onto Biilzie's case for many of the same things. Perhaps Gallardo had some sense after all. Perhaps when I join him in the seas below, I will tell him so he may comiserate with me.

Additionally, I find myself concerned about the possibility of my existence making it back to the High City. I know that there is slim chance that he would come all the way out here to get me himself, but it doesn't mean that I won't have to deal with his agents if he finds out. I am unfortunately deeply aware of his attachment to his collection, and his willingness to acquire the things he believes should belong to him. These fears haven't even begun to touch on my concerns regarding my mother, and what she would do to protect the reputation she has built for herself. If she knew what her daughter had become, she would be horrified. At least, I certainly hope she would be.

[the-storms-wake]

Glitter, more glitter!!!

(@obscura-omenseeker @the-storms-wake)

Huehue, Moenas gnome, was busy with drilling holes in Moenas boots. When it heard, an slow and sorry door`s chirps. When it turned to face the visitor, he saw an exhasperated Moena. It bringed an great joy to the machine.

"OH OH. WHAT HAPPENED THIS TIME. AN ACCIDENTAL EXPLOSION IN ONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. AN FISH DEVOURED ONE OF YOUR SHIPS!!" Huehue recalled the past incidents, hoping that a new misfortune fell over its hated owner.

"No" Sighed Broenze. "Just an childish prank to my bank. An few vandals throwed rotten eggs to my building. The stench was horrible, so I had to return home earlier. I contracted a few kids to clean the mess"

"AND I WASN`T HERE TO WITNESS YOUR DISGUST. WHAT A SHAME. WELL, AT LEAST YOU CAN SEE THE SUPRISE" Anounced the gnome, as he spinned an coind.

"...Suprise? What did you do?" Asked Moena, concerned about what kind of prank did the underwold`s imp, come up during his absence.

"ME" It asked, fainting an hurt tone. " I DID NOTHING. TWO VISITORS CAME. MR. NORM ALM AND THE horned bottom."

Moena starrred at Huehue in disbelief. That the obscura cephalid, and Captain Bliss, the exiled pirate, invaded to his home?

"DON NOT WORRY. THEY ONLY VISITED YOUR ROOM". He pointed at the embellized wood`s door, with depiction of sinking ships and the Grim Captain at the bottom.

Slowly, Moena walked to the door. As he pecked trought it, it saw an pinky brilliance, inside. An diamond?

When it opened, he was welcomed by an bizzare copy of his room. An landscape of glitterind roses and purples, covering his bed, walls, mirrors, and shelves. When he pressed an finger over the painted wall, an bunch of glitter got stuck. It, looked like tiny pieces of sand, yet, it was weak.

"What is this?" Asked Moena, disturbed at this glittering sand.

"GLITTER. TINY PIECES OF PLASTICS, SUPER STICKY." Moena took one of his pillow. He tried to shake off the glitter from it. Yet it didnt matte how violent was his shakes, the glitter didn`t fall.

"This will be an inconvenient, well at least my creams are safe." Sighed Moena, hoping that the hammock of his ship was clean for the night.

Yet, he hear the cold and metalic laughter of Huehue.

"OH MOENA. I DID TELL THEMS ABOUT YOUR BEAUTY CREAMS." It gestured with its hand, rotating triunfanlty with an empty container of the face`s cream.

"No." Moena tried to deny, as he opened the shelves. As he took an opened the pink dust for his eyelids, he witnessed the truth. It was filled with glitter. He opened the cream`s face, mixed with glitter. He cheked his cologne, chocked with glitter.

"No. NO. NO!!!" He repeated, as he opened each container of his make ups, each one mixed witht he diabolic glitter. While Huehue, could only laugh at his disfortune.

HUE HUE HUE HUE HUE. It laughed, as the captain screamed in desperation and pain.

"NOOOOOOO!!"

[the-storms-wake]

Captain's Log, Day 4

It has been rough going for these past few days. We traded away many of our rations of fresh fruit for services in the port we found, and I have had to dip into my own treasury to resupply. The crew is restless, but there have been no whispers of mutiny yet, and we've picked up a couple of crew members in port.

The good news is that scouting the nearby trade routes has showed many prime targets. Ships travelling this area are slow moving, and have few guns, if any. There must not be many attacks in this area, as they're not looking for pirates, and seem to think this area safe. We will show them the error of their ways, and hopefully make a nice payday to tide over the crew.

[the-storms-wake]

Captain's Log, Day 1

Typically, I would have continued my previous log book, but given all of the recent events, I figured it would be best to start a new record.

So, to recapitulate:

- This is the log of the galleon Storm's Wake. Formerly a vessel of the Legion of Dusk, the ship sailed under the banner of the Fathom Fleet and the Dire Fleet of the Brazen Coalition, before becoming an independent vessel recently. As in it occurred this week.

- I, Captain Bliss Crescenzo, have been the captain of this vessel for 8 years, Ixalan time. This vessel was given to me by my mentor, Captain Gallardo of the Fathom Fleet (gods rest his soul) when he deemed me fit to take control of my own ship.

- Recently, the ship acquired a new crew member, The half-demon Rakdos Prince, Biilziebub. Presented to me by Rune (an odd fortune teller from a plane I am unfamiliar with) as in need of assistance, I agreed to take him on as my own apprentice (I have not told him that yet. Currently he is just a member of the crew. Once he shows more responsibility, we'll see about giving him an officer's position.).

- The idiot then proceeded, in a tantrum to rival a dreadmaw's, to completely destroy a ship full of refugees from Torrezon. He has been punished. And my lessons will hopefully begin to make it through his thick skull. We had already recently been toeing the line of the treaty, but the sinking of an entire ship, with all hands lost, brought the Coalition down on to us hard. I do not know if the Legion is aware yet, but I'm sure they will be soon.

- As a result, we have been labeled enemies of the "New" Coalition by Sussana (The bastard. Who does she think she is? Brass herself?), for continuing to pursue piracy, and for sheltering the Prince (Which I am guilty of, but she didn't know that at the time.). The woman frustrates me to no end. She is lucky we did not meet in High and Dry after her comments on my nature. I would not have hesitated.

- Also we were attacked by angels from another plane I had not heard of. They were looking to take the Prince, to use him as bait against a dear friend, as I understand it. I have come to wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew in taking him on, but I trust the judgement of the fortune teller. They are wise beyond their years.

These are the events which have brought us to today. After crossing through the Omenpath onto the seas of Fiora, we were fortunate enough to find a friendly port before we found any naval vessels or privateers. The repairs are much needed after our recent combats with the angels, and a group of the bat demon's followers. I have been getting the lay of the land, acquiring maps, learning the nearby shipping routes, and the local pirates (our soon to be competition.). The locals are distrusting of outsiders, but they have proven easy to win over, with goods taken from Torrezon and Ixalan. They're very fond of the fruits we brought with us, and we have been able to trade them for more shelf-stable rations. (Note to self: Investigate the equipment other Planeswalkers use to transport food goods between planes. Maintaining access to fresh food will be beneficial for morale, and staving off disease.)

I am not eager to be forced to start from the beginning. It will take months, if not years of violence to rebuild the reputation we appreciated on Ixalan. Hunting will be hard until then, and I will have to be tactical with my targets and use of my crew. We'll return to the classic approach: Search for ships without weapons, terrify the sailors aboard, leave enough alive to escape and spread our names. With some luck, we'll be able to make a profit in no time. Or at least, we'll make enough of a profit to keep the crew paid, and the privateers bribed.

[the-storms-wake]

Captain's Log, day 0

When the Omenpath had opened, The Captain knew the time had come. It felt like a sign, from some cosmic force. Temporary Omenpaths were frequent, but ones large enough to sail a ship through, and ones connecting to another ocean? It had to be something. It certainly wasn't nothing. Her plans which had been forming crystalized in an instant. She gathered the crew, and gave her speech. The cacophony of the crew didn't help her frayed nerves, still recovering after the angels' attack.

She has spent days agonizing over her choices, trying to find answers at the bottom of a bottle or from weeping into Garzek's shoulder. She had never wished to split with the Coalition, but she knew it was something that had to be done, for the sake of her crew, and their future. They weren't explorers, or naval officers, or miners, or colonists. They were pirates. The lived for the hunt, the freedom, the treasure and the battles. They would be heading to High and Dry to drop off anyone who didn't wish to join them, pick up anyone they could, and then would be leaving the plane.

Scouts sent through the portal revealed details she recognized from a lifetime ago. Flags of the Black Rose, and ships distinctly Fioran in make. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had hoped never to return here. But fate is cruel and mysterious that way. They had connected with a few like minded souls at port, several also exiled from the Coalition, be it for crimes or disagreement. Normally she would vet them more carefully, but she couldn't afford the time or the risk of losing any more able bodies. By the time their course was set towards the Omenpath, her crew had dwindled to a measly 55. Difficult to operate the ship, but not impossible. They would survive. The seas of Fiora would not be prepared for the ferocity of the Dire Fleet. These oceans and their treasure would be theirs, by right of conquest.

[the-storms-wake]

⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆ The Storm's Wake ⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆

≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺ THE SHIP ≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺

The Storm's Wake is the Captain's first and primary ship, a Galleon from the Legion of Dusk, given as a gift by Bliss's mentor. Currently, it is operated by a skeleton crew of only around 50 crew members, Not including the officers.

≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺ THE CREW ≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺

⚙ Captain - Captain Bliss Crescenzo, Half-Demon, She/They ⚙

⚙ Quartermaster - Garzek, Orc, He/Him ⚙

⚙ Navigator - Seó, Siren, They/Them ⚙

⚙ Boatswain - Whitlock, Human, Any pronouns ⚙

⚙ Master Gunner - Ke-Ke, Goblin, She/They ⚙

⚙ Carpenter - Marc, Human, He/Him ⚙

⚙ Head Cook - Ruel, Orc, He/Him ⚙

⚙ Sail-master - Inkid, Goblin, He/They ⚙

⚙ Surgeon - Nicté Ha, Merfolk, She/Her ⚙

⚙ Master at Arms - Tim, Human(?), He/Him ⚙

Other Notable Crew Members -

Prince Biilziebub - Half-Demon, He/Him (for more see #pirakdos)

Ahua - Malamet (Jaguarfolk), He/Him

"Dirt" - Deep Goblin, They/them

⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆

[the-storms-wake]

Name: Adelaide "Bliss" Crescenzo

Species: Half Demon Planeswalker

Gender & Pronouns: Nonbinary, She/They

Color Identity: RB

Height: 5'9"

Weight: That's a bit rude to ask, isn't it?

Age: That's also rude to ask.

≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺

Plane(s) of residence: Ixalan

Plane of Origin: Fiora

Affiliations: Brazen Coalition, Fathom Fleet, Dire Fleet (all formerly)

Titles/Ranks/Positions: Captain of the Storm's Wake Companions/

Associates: Séo (Sailing Master) Likes: Storms, Piracy, Her war hammer, Embroidery, Dinosaurs Dislikes: Nobility, Zoos, biting insects, sunburns

≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖≻─── ⋆✩⋆ ───≺

Bio: Born as a consequence of a deal struck by her mother for more power within the nobility of Fiora, Bliss grew up hidden away due to her demonic heritage, existing as her family's shameful secret. Once her mother's bargain came to fruition, and she found herself the matriarch of the family, she attempted to find a use for her monstrous child, attempting to marry her off to anyone who could take her. Eventually, a suitor was found, who was willing to overlook her appearance, in exchange for a profitable business deal for both parties. Married at 17 with no say in the matter, Adelaide and her demonic form became a new oddity in her Husband's collection.

After years of abuses at his hand, Adelaide broke, and attacked her husband. He survived, but she ran, terrified of the consequences her action would have. Reaching the edge of High City, and with guards chasing her, she jumped. This is when she sparked, and found herself falling into the Stormwreck sea on Ixalan.

She washed ashore, where she was picked up by a Coalition captain and crew, who took her in and taught her their craft. Finding herself free at last, she chose a new name for herself: Bliss. She had very little contact with other Planeswalkers, so was generally unaware of the fact she could not Planeswalk away from Ixalan. By the time the Immortal Sun had left the plane, she was already an accomplished captain, and had no real wish to leave her new life.

During the Phyrexian invasion, Captain Bliss and her crew stayed in High and Dry, doing their best to assist the refugees, and helping to hold off the Phyrexian invaders when they arrived. Many of her crew were lost in the battles. After the war, Bliss elected to remain a Pirate, even if it put her in opposition to some of the same people she used to sail with. Taking up smuggling to get by, she eventually began to expand her operations outside of Ixalan with the appearance of the Omenpaths. After an incident which could break the fragile treaty with the Legion of Dusk in Torrezon, the ship and crew have taken an Omenpath off plane, to escape the consequences.