Limitless Seas 2, Chapter 1.

Chapter 1.

“Captain, land ho, Stratwall Harbor off the starboard bow,” Quix called out from the crow’s nest. It only took another minute before Larson, standing on the quarterdeck could see their destination. He had left the harbor to hunt the pirate Fontaine with a single ship, a nearly empty purse, and with an untested crew. He returned with a solid crew who had proven their loyalty, some treasure, and a prize in the form of the pirate ship Lost Soul. More important than the other rewards, was the document inside his storage, a letter of marque allowing him to ply the seas and turn other pirates into his prey. His future path was clear, and it would be the path of the privateer.

“Signal Tarley to bring the Lost Soul in closer, someone may recognize it as a former pirate vessel and we don’t want to cause a panic when we arrive,” Larson ordered. Tarley, his first mate, was at the helm of the Soul, along with nearly half the surviving crew.

Larson wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do with the second ship, it was larger than his vessel, but the Sea Venom had started life as a warship and if he was going to live the life of a privateer, a warship was the better choice. Depending on the market in town, he would either sell the prize off or perhaps look to use it as a merchant vessel, trading and bringing in desirable supplies for the shop he owned in town. There was also the argument that he could use it as a support ship for longer journeys, expanding their reach and allowing for more loot to be carried home.

As they closed in on the harbor, Larson could see the usual bustle of activity, ships coming and going constantly in the port. While he waited, Larson looked over the information the strange system that his new world provided, happy to see the improvements he had gained in the short time he had been here.

Larson, Privateer Captain, Level 3. Water Naga, Constrictor. The privateer class is an evolution of the ship’s captain, potentially unlocking new classes and abilities for officers and crew, while adding a combat bonus to the Command Presence ability.

Magic Affinity: Water.

Experience: 21%.

Class Abilities:

Command Presence. Officers and crew within 100 yards of the vessel receive a 5% bonus to shipboard duties. The bonus extends to combat skills when engaged against threats outlined in the letter of marque. This ability is only active when the crew morale rating is at 50% or higher.

Chart A Course: This ability allows you a small bonus to choosing the best route to take and dangers to avoid in the open ocean. This ability activates when actively looking at a chart, and scales with your level.

Weather Eye: The Weather Eye ability allows the captain to judge weather and sea conditions more accurately. You can eke out extra speed when needed by catching an elusive breeze or a helpful current.

Personal Abilities:

Armor/Weapon Skills: You are proficient with medium armor and shields. All simple and shipboard weapons skills are available to you, including commonly mounted siege equipment.

Shield Bash: Lash out with your shield, damaging and potentially stunning your foe. Shield Bash can be used twice per day.

Racial and Magical Abilities:

Create Water. Conjure up to three gallons of fresh or saltwater each day. This spell can be cast anywhere within your line of sight.

Venomous Bite. Like all variants of the naga race, water naga possess a set of fangs that can deliver venom to their prey. You have been granted the subtype Venom Spit. You can accurately spit venom up to 13 feet. Once you have used this ability, it will take your body up to 6 days to replenish your venom reserves. Your specific venom subtype is a powerful cytotoxin that creates rapid necrosis of any living tissue or organic material it touches. When you are under water, this ability creates a small cloud of venom that will remain in place for up to 11 seconds depending on water conditions before diluting. As you attain higher levels, this power will improve.

Sense Disturbance: When in a large body of water, you can sense the disturbance of creatures moving nearby, even in complete darkness. This ability provides a limited chance to track specific targets.

Command the Currents: You can use your power to control the seas around you and your vessel, speeding your passage and calming dangerous conditions. This ability slowly drains your mana, and some degree of concentration is required.

Imbue Weapon: Enhance your weapon with water magic, adding deadly piercing, bludgeoning, or slashing damage to your next attack.

Ship’s Complement:

Crew: 24/70. The average crew level is 2.

Crew Morale: 88%. The crew is excited to return from a successful and profitable voyage, but there is some concern over the losses they had taken in the battle.

Specialized crew: 5/11. Your specialized crew consists of 5 marines.

Officers: 5/5.

Larson: Privateer Captain, level 3.

Tarley: Level 3 First Mate/unknown second class.

Shada: Level 3 Ship’s Surgeon/Level 2 Shaman/unknown third class.

Ibn Hasma: Level 1 Marine Commander, level 5 dervish.

Bug Bartholomew: Level 1 Ship’s Engineer/unknown second class/unknown third class.

Equipment:

Steelwood enhanced, leather jerkin made from dire shark hide. This medium armor has enhanced protection against slashing damage, average protection against bludgeoning damage, and limited protection against piercing damage. Crafted by a superior-rated armorer, this gear has enhanced durability.

Bronze-covered, round wood shield. This gear is of normal quality, giving a chance to block attacks and provides a minor bonus to ranged defense.

Twin-pronged short spear. This steel-tipped weapon is of above-average quality and generates piercing damage.

Lesser Manastone Amulet of the Elements. This amulet provides a small boost to the wearer's mana pool and regeneration rate. Only useable by elemental mages.

Salt-Stained Map. This map is magically enhanced to record everywhere the owner has visited. Other charts the owner has studied will be copied over to the map, but until the owner views the location in person, much of the detail will be obscured. Hidden dangers, hidden treasures, and places of interest may be revealed on the map. The longer the bearer spends exploring an area, the more likely he is to find a hidden secret. This map is linked to the sea and only functions within one mile of the shore. When the map passes from one owner to another, it will erase any previously held information.

Funds:

Copper Scales: 13,113.

Silver Fins: 2,894.

Landsmen Gold: 1973.

Gold Ducats: 4.

He had come a long way from the chained slave he had been when first arriving on this world, but he wasn’t satisfied with the progress. Larson had to push forward, a deep-seated drive to achieve more was part of his being, and he was sure that same desire had served him well in his past life. Not much of what he was before remained, but occasionally, something he saw or a situation he found himself in, would trigger some new memory. He would take what he could from the memories, and not wallow in remorse or nostalgia for what he had left behind, that wasn’t who he was.

“Oars out, trim the sails,” Larson ordered. They were nearing the harbor mouth and needed the maneuverability the oars provided to dodge all the traffic. The Lost Soul wasn’t as nimble, relying solely on sail, but Tarley seemed to have things well in hand. Normally, he would use his Channel the Current’s ability to aid their passage, but it required concentration and he wanted to keep a careful eye out, without the distraction of casting magic. Lord Mox was corrupt, and Larson might still be considered a loose end that needed tying up.

A fleet of warships didn’t greet them as they entered the harbor, instead, it was the small customs barge that levied fees on nearly every ship entering Stratwall Harbor. It looked like they intended to meet him outside the harbor itself, the same precaution they took when the Sea Venom, then named the Gull Dropping, had first arrived after Larson took control. The small customs ship looked to be packed to the gills with guardsmen, the city taking precautions in case the ships were hostile.

“Oh no, not him again,” Larson muttered under his breath.

“Who, oh, that guy,” Shada said, having joined him on the quarterdeck. They spotted the harbormaster himself, a slimy, corrupt, and pompous human named Willoughby.

“Heave to and set your sea anchors!” One of the guardsmen shouted to the two ships. Tarley had pulled the Lost Soul closer to the Venom once he spotted the customs barge. Larson did as ordered, the sea anchor keeping the ship from drifting too far or too fast in the currents just outside the harbor.

“What have we here, ah, the celebrated Captain Larson returns. I’ve heard of your success in recovering the two young lords who were abducted by the vile pirates. Well done, though I hope you don’t think that excludes you from your tax obligations to the city,” Willoughby said.

“No, we’re prepared to pay a fair amount, but I was sailing on city business, which should exempt my vessels from any docking fees or taxes,” Larson offered. He wasn’t quite sure if it worked that way or not, and none of his officers knew for sure. Tarley had mentioned that there were some exemptions, but those were mostly for the warships or certain nobles that had pre-greased the right palms.

“Let me see your letter of marque,” Willoughby asked. Larson passed over the parchment, the harbormaster scrutinizing it with a sour look on his face. “Fine, it does appear your Sea Venom is exempt, but that vessel isn’t,” Willoughby advised, pointing toward the Lost Soul. The smug look on Willoughby’s face almost made Larson say something back, but it would only cost him more coin if he did.

“I understand, perhaps we can retire to my cabin where we can discuss any prizes I take and how they work within the privateer exemption,” Larson offered. Willoughby nodded and followed Larson into the captain’s cabin.

“You’ve done well for yourself, I see,” Willoughby commented, running his finger across the rather opulent desk and chair that Larson had liberated from Fontaine’s ship, now even happier that he had done that, or the harbormaster might have added them to the Lost Soul’s tax bill. Unfortunately, the sorcerer’s sand and the steel were still aboard the prize ship and thus were probably subject to taxation.

“We had some success, but it was costly. Back to the task at hand, Harbormaster, I’d like to come to an arrangement where my ships aren’t subject to the normal levy based on our status as privateers. I know that only my ship is listed on the letter of marque, but by the nature of my business, we’ll have prizes that should fall under the same umbrella,” Larson offered, opening his inventory to pull out a small purse of coin that he plopped on the table, not offering it to Willoughby, but letting him know it was there.

“I’m sure your business is a difficult one, but I’m sure we can come to some equitable arrangement that benefits both parties. I’m willing to levy a modest one-time fee for port usage, and then further exempt any prize you might bring in from tax. Depending on the cargo, however, some other arrangements must be made as cargo is never exempt,” Willoughby offered.

“I think we can work something out, and since I don’t want to be stopped each time we enter the harbor, perhaps you would be willing to do me a favor and visit me personally after we dock, that way, I can see the proper fees are arranged without delaying my work,” Larson countered, pushing the small purse over to Willoughby, who began to thumb through it. The purse held mostly copper scales, but there was a couple of dozen silver fins in the mix.

“That may work, but the fees would have to be a bit more substantial to cover obtaining the proper tax writs and licenses. Everything must be above board as I cannot abide by even the hint of corruption or special interests,” Willoughby replied, turning his nose up at the offered bribe, but still securely tying the pouch to his belt.

“I would expect nothing less. Let’s say the tax we just paid was proper for a normal arrival with a prize,” Larson said, gesturing toward Willoughby’s belt that his coin pouch. “In addition to the tax already levied, I will offer a one-time pre-payment toward any shortages,” Larson offered, this time dropping a gold ducat on the table. Worth a hundred of the silver fins, or a thousand of the copper scales he had already been paid, Willoughby instantly snatched up the coin, giving Larson a broad and somewhat predatory smile.

A knock sounded at the door, one of the guardsmen was there with the cargo manifest from the Lost Soul. He handed the manifest over and quickly left the room. Larson really hoped that the shakedown was over, but given the greedy gleam in Willoughby’s eye, he figured he was going to have to give another payout. Anger started to build, but Larson wasn’t a hothead when he got angry, instead, he became calm and calculating. Misinterpreting Larson’s look, Willoughby proceeded to try and go for the kill, not realizing how close he was to having his throat slit in an “accident” and getting thrown overboard.

“Quite a large cargo, but without any noble or trade house markings, it appears to be the legitimate spoils of your profession. There appear to be three dozen barrels of magical dust and quite a large cargo of steel. Hmm, I think we’ll need to levy a larger tax than I had thought,” Willoughby said, the irritatingly smug look returning.

“The ‘magic dust’ is merely colored sand used for ballast, and the steel is bulk cargo at best, not really much of a prize given the risks we faced. It is a dangerous profession that I’m in, harbormaster. Why, even here in the calm waters of the harbor, sudden currents can come and knock a man off his feet,” Larson said standing and slithering around the table where his tail wrapped around the chair Willoughby was sitting in. A flick of his tail dumped the man on the floor.

“How dare you!” Willoughby started to call the guardsman back in when Larson looped the end of his tail around the man’s neck and gently squeezed, letting him feel the pressure without actually cutting off his air.

“As I was saying, the roll of the sea can easily knock a man down who’s used to the calm waters of the harbor. We all know a bad fall can be fatal when you land wrong and snap your neck,” Larson said, tightening his hold on the harbormaster, the rough scales of his lower body abrading away the skin. Larson let him gag once or twice before releasing him. Willoughby looked terrified, gasping for breath as Larson picked up the chair and dumped the man back into it.

“I think we understand each other, Captain Larson. I don’t believe there is any reason to levy additional taxes or to delay your journey any further, you can have docks eleven and twelve for your vessels,” Willoughby forced out, his voice sounding raspy from Larson’s attentions. He tried to recover his dignity while pulling up his journal to mark the assigned places for Larson’s vessels.

“Good, I look forward to working with you further, Willoughby, do be careful on deck,” Larson said.

The man counted out some coppers from Larson’s first bribe, placing them into the official purse for the city. Willoughby was sleazy, but Larson figured he was smart enough to know how much he could take from the till without going too far. A city like Stratwall Harbor was the type of place where some modest level of corruption was expected. He didn’t like the guy, but also didn’t want to have him replaced and then go through the same rigmarole with a new harbormaster who might be even worse.

“Good day, sir,” Willoughby croaked out, rubbing his neck as he stood from the chair, still a bit wobbly.

“Hold one moment,” Larson said, opening the cabin door and sending a nearby crewman to fetch Shada.

“Everything all right, sir?” Shada asked as she entered the cabin.

“Fine, except that Harbormaster Willoughby seems to have taken a spill, could you see to his injuries. Willoughby, this is Shada, my ship’s surgeon,” Larson said. Shada channeled her healing magic, gently touching the redness around Willoughby’s neck, the man sighing relief as the spell took hold.

“Thank you Shada, the gesture is appreciated,” Willoughby said, nodding to Larson before scampering back to the customs barge as fast as he could.

“Problems with the harbormaster, sir?” Shada asked.

“No problems, I just had to show Willoughby that I’m willing to play his game, but I won’t be pressed past a certain point. He’s an odd one to work with, proclaiming his need to do everything aboveboard while at the same time pocketing bribes,” Larson replied.

“Likely some geas the city placed on him as a condition of employment. Given a place like Stratwall, I’m sure the harbormaster paid to have very narrow guidelines placed on him. I’d bet that as long as he doesn’t publicly acknowledge his corruption, he’ll get away with just about anything he wants, at least until the city leaders get tired of him and have some crony or relative that they want to replace him with,” Shada advised. Larson figured she was right, but the corrupt harbormaster was no longer a concern, getting his ship in order and finding more work, was.