Guild Wars 2

Dragged away from Two-Ters, I was unable to ask anyone there about the mermaid. That’s okay; it’s not like I was expecting a letter from someone about her to be waiting for me there, anyway.

Midnight (Arikyali) – Pfft, mercenaries like you are usually more talk than stalk. You wanna get paid for keeping the city safe? Take it up with the Captain’s Council. My crew and I are too busy trying to protect the harbor at the moment.

Runeblade - See the trouble your musical antics have gotten me into? Blast you. Blast and bilgewater.

Noir - While the missus was shrieking at the waterfront, I happened upon the letter you left for me at the pier. Your help was less than useful. Only music can express how terrible an experience I had with your “gift.” At least I managed to escape my dear princess bri— I mean, the old hag. Twine-haired harpy. Yarr. Nine-foot troll with a lump of coal instead of a heart.

You’re not buying it, are you? Blastblightandbilgewater, I’m getting soft in my old age.

After my adventures as a skale (see above,) I’m going to have to rest for a while. And throw up a few more times. What in the name of the great, glistening snot of Zhaitan was in that potion? Ugh.

Much more of this and I might even end up sober. Thrice-blasted bilgewater!!

((Edit: Three pages! Thank you everyone who’s reading, extra thanks to everyone who’s been egging us on, and a big cheer for everyone who’s been brave enough to join in the fun.))

Thalador.4218:

The dear lady who went to the designated spot accordingly (Samuli),

I cannot tell how ashamed I am of myself for not being there docks that night. I took care of a few things that afternoon, and before I knew it, I found myself in one of the havens of ill-fated Kessex Hills. I’m at a loss how I got there; I could’ve “teleported” in the usual, intoxicated way, or maybe it was Scarlett (double T!) – or was it Giselle from Crow’s Nest? In any case, I may have deserved that. (A life-saving tip, folks; never cheat on a mesmer lass…)

My heart is soaring with joy to know you are safe and sound. I can guarantee that such insidious villainy will not be tolerated; Captain Storyteller and his thugs will pay dearly for the attempt on your life, mark my words. I’d feel better if you accepted my blades to protect you while traversing the city. I could stay for the night even, if that is what you wish.

Dear Thalador,

Thank you for you concern, but really I am the only one to blame for my… incident.
I should’ve been more careful and I’m actually a bit ashamed for being so incautious.

I also want to thank you for your offer of protection, but I have decided it’s better for me to keep a low profile for a while. I have found a perfect place to stay not too far from Lion’s Arch, so if something unusual happens, I’ll be sure to come.

Best regards
Lady Annbelle

((What happened for the need for a buoy to protect ships?))

…..

((You know, that is why Lion’s Arch has a lighthouse…..oh wait))

……

Time for another season of FISHING.

((Chances of inserting plot twist: 0%. Man, I’ve lost my skills….))

Dossier

Clearance: Primus rank and above

Legion: Ash
Cohort: The Gladia
Agent: Kraag Deadsoul

Mission: Surveillance

Subject: Bubbles Powderpuff (aka. Bubbles, Hamfast.8719)
Physical Description: See preliminary report.

Known Contacts: Quaggans, Peacemaker Chief Gliptr (Asura – Rata Sum)
Known Associations: First In Sending Help [FISH]
Known Locations: Lion’s Arch, Quaggan villages, Rata Sum, Divinity’s Reach, unspecified aquatic habitats, The Black Citadel

Authorization:
See preliminary report. Request for retroactive authorization addendum in support of time-sensitive field agent actions as detailed in this update’s Report section.

Report:
Subject’s predicament has grown tenuous. Factions arrayed against subject have grown to include:

• Arikyali (profession: bounty hunter; affiliation: unknown; motive: profit)
• Laura Joy (aka. Adorabelle; affiliation: Captain Storyteller, spouse; motive: jealousy)
• Noir (profession: potion vendor (Kraitt); affiliation: Captain Storyteller, supporter; motive: unknown)

Factions allied with subject include:

• House Draxynnus (affiliation: subject; motive: support in spirit only; no offer of material assistance to date)
• Saturn (profession: unknown; affiliation: subject; motive: romantic infatuation)
• Thalador (profession: adventurer/detective; affiliation: subject; motive: romantic infatuation)

Until such time as any potential threat to the shipping lanes of Lion’s Arch is resolved to our satisfaction, subject is of greater value to the Legions alive than…not. Consequently, this agent took the initiative to make contact with EG in an effort to indirectly assist the subject in eluding her pursuers (retroactive authorization request applies here).

EG’s suggestion of a BLTC disguise kit was spot on; time away from the Legions has not dulled his skills. It would permit subject to evade her antagonists without revealing our hand in the matter. Unfortunately, subject rejected the offer on grounds of having insufficient funds for the transaction. EG’s attempt to salvage the situation failed when subject refused to accept the disguise kit in return for a future “favor”. EG is not to be faulted as an offer of the kit for free would have raised even greater suspicions. At least inception has been planted; time will reveal if it takes root in the subject’s psyche.

Subject left BLTC only to have Captain Storyteller enter shortly thereafter. EG covered well but apparently a spot of water on the floor was not caught by the Skritt janitor fast enough. Uncertain if Captain Storyteller noticed. Surveillance has begun on Captain Storyteller with agent interception at the BLTC.

Unsolicited contact with Captain Storyteller was initiated by a potion vendor named Noir. Motive unknown at the present time. Of note; Noir deals in Kraitt transformation potions, among others.

Captain Storyteller’s assigned agent lost contact after having to quickly blend in with the crowd when target performed an unexpected about-face in response to a loud screeching noise. Using her high-ears, agent was able to discern the shriek belonged to Captain Storyteller’s wife, Laura Joy (aka. Adorabelle; pet name?). To avoid reveal, agent had no choice but to break tail. However, she was able to discern through the shrill howling the following:

• Laura Joy: “… swanning off after…fish-scaled hussy!”
• Captain Storyteller: “…back to your lair, … crone! "
• Laura Joy: “…I must get…mermaid…”
• Captain Storyteller: “…chasing…girl…public good!"
• Captain Storyteller: “…BUBBLES…SWIM…FOR…LIFE”

Contact with loyalists among the Harbor Pilots Union reveals another ship sank at the rock outcropping in question three nights ago. It is unknown if subject was present at the scene of the wreckage. All hands lost and accounted for but one; disposition unknown. Some harbor pilots rumor of renewed pirate activity while others whisper of something dark and sinuous in the water.

Subject’s efforts at recruiting supporters to her cause appears to have stalled for the time being. Status of First In Sending Help [FISH]: inactive.

(Analysis and Recommendations to follow)

(Dossier report filing – continued)

Analysis and Recommendations:

• Maintain low-visibility surveillance of subject.

• EG, despite his past “indiscretion”, remains loyal to Ash. That, or he knows his continued good health depends on at least maintaining the appearance of cooperation. Regardless of his true loyalties, all that matters is the success of the mission. It was wise to spare him; EG is serving our purposes better as a renegade than as a soldier. (Cross file under “Archives > Legions > Ash > Missions > Retired > Sabotage > Economic Extortion > Lion’s Arch > Agents > Field > EG”)

• In light of Captain Storyteller’s public outburst with his wife, Laura Joy, he appears to be genuinely motivated out of concern for the public good where subject is concerned. A simple sailor, it’s unlikely the argument with his wife was staged as part of a sophisticated disinformation campaign. Our agent had only just made contact shortly before at the BLTC; even if aware of our presence, there would not have been time for Captain Storyteller to devise a subterfuge on such short notice and without rehearsal with his wife. Reestablish surveillance ASAP.

• Laura Joy (affiliation: Captain Storyteller, spouse) appears to be a wife experiencing a jealous rage. Exercise proximity precautions, high-ear protection. Apparently intends to do physical harm to subject. Indirect misdirection recommended only if Laura Joy presents a clear and present danger to subject. I’ve heard a bushel of spilled apples is quite effective.

• Subject’s flagging efforts to form a support network through the First In Sending Help [FISH] coalition may result in low morale and sense of isolation, leading to increased probability of capture due to impaired mental function and distraught emotional state. Recommend public relations campaign to increase support for the coalition. Rationale: the more associates subject has, the easier she will be to track as well as the more assets she will have at her disposal to ensure her continued safety.

• Subject’s motive for recent visit to the Black Citadel remains unknown. Tier 1 indirect interrogation and surveillance are inconclusive. Possible escalation to tier 2 direct interrogation of Charr residents only may be warranted. Do not expose our mission outside of our own kind.

• In light of the recent wreck of another vessel in Lion’s Arch Harbor, continue heightened security protocols aboard all Legion vessels entering and exiting Lion’s Arch harbor per previous recommendation. Suggest the Kalla submersible squadron patrol the mouth of Lion’s Arch harbor and provide escort to our merchant fleet.

• Maintain contacts among Harbor Pilots Union. Request authorization for disbursement of additional Blood Whiskey inhibition inhibitors. Press for more information regarding the dark shapes in the harbor; physical evidence preferred.

~ Ash Legion, The Gladia Cohort, Kraag Deadsoul (Primus)

Redenaz.8631:

Pfft, mercenaries like you are usually more talk than stalk. You wanna get paid for keeping the city safe? Take it up with the Captain’s Council. My crew and I are too busy trying to protect the harbor at the moment.

Suit yourself, Mr. ‘think-he-knows-best’ captain. Don’t come back crying to me later on. The Captain’s Council wouldn’t like me. My methods are a bit…eh….let’s just say I like to work alone anyway.

Regardless, a siren is bound to be worth the pursuit, so I begin my work. First and foremost, I needed information. Taverns and local gossip were never reliable. Sailors enjoyed stretching the tale. Instead, I contacted an old colleague of mine. He owed me a favor anyway. I always had the sneaking suspicion he was part of the infamous ‘Order of Whispers’ but he never confirmed nor denied it….but the information he shared (when willing) only made my suspicions stronger.

I met him by the old Gangplank, asking him what he knew about this elusive aquatic lady. He shrugged, asking in turn why I wanted to go after her in the first place. I gave him the same answer I always gave…she could be worth the coin.

He told me there were mixed messages about my target. Some saying she was responsible for the shipwrecks, others thinking she was innocent. She may not even be a siren.

Not the least bit helpful. “You must have something,” I said.

“You really want to go after a creature that might not be responsible in the first place?” he asked.

I frowned, hesitant, but he didn’t see it behind my mask. Or did he? I think his brow twitched. Ugh, If he didn’t possess such reliable information, I wouldn’t be risking this much to be associated with him. “Whether she’s a threat or not isn’t my concern,” I replied. “I’ll let politicians deal with politics. I just want to catch her. I’m bringing her alive anyway….dead fish don’t talk.”

He shook his head, saying he didn’t know anything about mermaids or sirens. The least he could do was introduce me to an acquaintance of his in the Priory (Priory? I swear, he has to have some connection to the Order…)

So I went out of my way to visit the Priory. I have visited the public library a few times before, so I knew my way around well enough. I met this acquaintance, and after a tour, (and my desperate attempt to not sneeze – by the Six, that place could use a bit of dusting) he showed me where to get the books on aquatic creatures.

It was all the information I’d need to hunt down that siren! He even lent me a book on poisons and venoms that could work exquisitely well against aquatic creatures. I could mix the concoctions with my own recipes. I thanked him for his help and returned to my home, and began my preparations.

Don’t worry too much, mermaid. My tranq poison won’t hurt that much…all you’ll feel is a sharp jab, a tingling sensation, and then you’re out.

Soon, I was ready. I sharpened my daggers, loaded my speargun, and readied my poisons. Take a good look at me, because you might not see me again.

Now you see me….

-stealths-

and now you don’t.

Dossier

Clearance: Primus rank and above.

Legion: Ash
Warband: Night
Agent: Kyra Nightspark

Mission: Surveillance, cultural exchange, technological exchange (as cover)

Primary Subject: House Draxynnus
Profile: Krytan noble house founded in the aftermath of the Krytan civil war in 1079AE. See prior reports for more details.

Known Associations: Queen Jennah, Ebon Vanguard, Pact, Pale Tree, Quaggans, Hylek, Archivist’s Sanctum
Known Locations: Kryta, Fort Trinity, Ebonhawke

Secondary Subject: Bubbles Powderpuff (aka. Bubbles, Hamfast.8719)
See related reports for more information on secondary subject.

Authorisation:
See prior reports. Agent was requested to seek additional information regarding House Draxynnus involvement regarding secondary subject in response to a report by another agent.

Report
Along with the primary subject’s Master of Stables (Freyja Drakeskotare, norn: see previous reports), agent was called to a meeting by Aeron Draxynnus (suspected to be in charge of primary subject’s covert operations – see previous reports) in order to discuss means of detecting a range of krait- and Nightmare Court- affiliated contraband in sealed containers, intended for use on the Lion’s Arch docks. Possible identities of the contraband included, but were not limited to, krait stowaways, aggressive plants, toxic aerosols, explosives, and magical tracking devices.

The Master of Stables recommended issuing a fern hound to primary subject’s agent in Lion’s Arch, on the basis that the agent would find a fern hound easier to handle. In recognition of the Legion’s shared interest in this matter, agent volunteered to jury-rig a device combining magical scanners pioneered by Magister Tassi and Marjory Delaqua (already in primary subject’s possession) with chem-sniffer devices employing technology classified as non-sensitive by the Legion. Agent has, of course, included a hidden recording device so that recordings from this device can be passed on to the Legion.

Combining this information with other observations, this agent has made the following conclusions regarding the primary subject’s involvement in the secondary subject:

• Primary subject suspects Toxic Alliance or unaffiliated krait of being responsible for the wreckings outside of Lion’s Arch through planting something aboard ships.
• Primary subject’s agent in Lion’s Arch investigating the matter is likely sylvari.

~ Ash Legion, Night warband (detached duty), Kyra Nightspark (Centurion)

I got a tip of where our aquatic friend might be hiding. And with that, I set off. It was worth scouting around, even if she might not be there. Who knows? Maybe I could set a trap for when she returns…

It’s a completely different world underneath the waves. the grand beauty of it is stunning. If this mermaid turns out to just be an ordinary girl (who can breathe underwater, as I’ve heard) then I can understand why she’d make her home here. But I’d wonder if she’d get waterlogged-

A krait suddenly leaps out from behind the rocks and swipes me at my blindspot! I yelped as its blades sliced my shins. I gritted my teeth, quietly berated myself for being so careless. I took my speargun and aimed at my attacker. Stupid krait…and soon it was to be stupid dead krait.

Another suddenly appeared, sweeping for me. I quickly dove out of the way. Then another, and another. My eyes widened. In seconds, I was surrounded by krait. I had swum right into a trap.

I dodged another attack, desperately firing my speargun at my attackers. If this assault was the doing of that sea witch, she was going to get one heck of a beating before I dragged her back to Lion’s Arch.

A sharp pain stabbed my shoulder, making me yell in pain. Suddenly I felt dizzy. My grip loosened on my speargun, as my eyes became unfocused…I staggered, crying for help….the krait were closing in…

No! I had to fight to stay awake! If I go down, they’d kill me….or worse! I desperately clawed at them, throwing flimsy kicks and punches. I don’t know what happened to my speargun….I must have dropped it. they draped a heavy net over me…long claws gripping my arms and forcing me still….I felt thick ropes weighing me down, pulling me away from the surface…….

……the last thing I remembered seeing was the sun filtering through the waves above……..

…….krait got me……

…

…

…

….stupid krait…….

When I finally came to, I was in one of the last places anyone wanted to be in. I stared out from behind the bars of a krait cell. My weapons were gone, and my armor were replaced with rags. This had not gone as I had planned.

Redenaz.8631:

Your help was less than useful. Only music can express how terrible an experience I had with your “gift.”

((Awesome video, Red! I don’t know where this thread is going, but I’m having the most RPG fun I’ve had in years! Thanks for the ah-HA’s and chuckles everyone! 10,000 views!))

Hamfast.8719:

Redenaz.8631:

Your help was less than useful. Only music can express how terrible an experience I had with your “gift.”

((Awesome video, Red! I don’t know where this thread is going, but I’m having the most RPG fun I’ve had in years! Thanks for the ah-HA’s and chuckles everyone!))

This video is really gold. The syncs, “up the stairs” the scream “monster!” from the little girl. the music. Wow.

Just wow. Great job to everyone in this thread. Please keep this up!~

My surveillance continues. I am watching ships at night, and hiding out during the day. The Quaggan are on high alert and preparing for evacuation if it becomes necessary. Hoomoohoomoo explains that their kind do this all the time, and have become quite good at it. They have been at peace here in Lion’s Arch harbor for many years, but the protection of the young comes first for the community.

I have learned to alter my hair as much as possible, or just wear a large, concealing hood to protect my anonymity whenever I make a foray onto land. I am surprised at how inflamed and polarized this town has become over the discovery of my presence in the harbor. (They would be shocked to know how long I have been living here!) There are some very official-looking flyers posted all around praising me for calling attention to that very first rock which precipitated everything. But there are also many ugly scrawls in bright letters painted on the sides of buildings proclaiming me a “Sea-Hag” or worse. I even heard a woman down at the docks screeching out to sea about me in a voice worthy of a Harpy (although I won’t repeat what she said).

And still there is no indication in the city that anyone suspects there may be Krait lurking nearby. I don’t know if my warning to the bold Captain fell upon deaf ears or not. He may be investigating its validity, or he may have discounted it as an attempt to throw suspicion from myself. If my Quaggan friends are correct, I can only hope that someone takes heed before something terrible happens.

And why is this lighthouse not in operation?

((I just read through this entire thing in one go. Every post. I’m gonna keep watching this thread as it continues, for sure! Kudos to you guys. <3
Kinda wish the RP on Piken Square (EU RP server) was more like this and less social life-based. Not that there isn’t anything other than that, but y’know, improv casual meta drop-in drop-out storylines like this, if that makes sense. It’s certainly inspiring me to try and get something like this going one day, sooner or later!))

Hamfast.8719:

Redenaz.8631:

Your help was less than useful. Only music can express how terrible an experience I had with your “gift.”

((Awesome video, Red! I don’t know where this thread is going, but I’m having the most RPG fun I’ve had in years! Thanks for the ah-HA’s and chuckles everyone! 10,000 views!))

((Amazing, let’s just hope this continues to run with as much creativity and openness as it has. Everyone try to remember not to paint (role-play) yourself, nor anyone else into a corner, and have fun! ))

Mermaid Legend: Checked
Vengeful Pirate: Checked
Jealous Wife: Checked
Cute Quaggans: Checked
Fake Potion Vendor: Checked
Charr Surveillance Investigation (CSI): Checked
‘Fun’ Priory Intelligence (FPI): Checked

Totally more fun that Scarlet’s cheap funhouse editions.

( eats fish and chips )

I feel like I’m teetering on the very edge of chaos. (Or just light-headed from the Elonian Firewater my friend at >redacted< was kind enough to give a taste of.)

My shoulders ache from the burden of responsibility; the fate of Lion’s Arch rests on my shoulders. (Or I did strain them phyisically a couple of hours ago… who knew that sweet >redacted< acquaintance of mine with Vabbian ancestry is so incredibly flexible.)
__________________

Those are not krait!

The revelation rocked me to the very core of my soul. I had to find some emotional support in the company of a trusted friend… as well as a sip of “cordial” to calm my shaking hands. Now I can relay the grave tidings to the rest of you:

In the shallows of Laughing Gull Island, a familiar wreck caught my eyes. Before I delved into the dark mysteries of undead-infested Covington Keep, I felt compelled to examine the wreckage close. Imagine my surprise when I saw the tarnished paintwork on her stern: Adorabelle, The Harpy Queen of the Seas (I see you’re very popular with women, Cap’n.)

Lost in thoughts, I paid no attention as I wandered through the cannon-blasted fortifactions of the keep, venturing deeper and deeper in the makeshift ship-fort. At the very heart of the complex, the resonations of intense, magical memories coursed through my skin. The hair on the back of my neck rose as I coursed through the ice-cold puddle, straight towards the source of the impulses. My heart was beating faster and faster as I reached out to commune with the ethereal glimpse of the past. An unusal form of magic I have no memories of how I learned (only glimpses of someone kind and wonderful), but I know how to evoke echoes of history long burned into the physical world. The wisp was of Taidha Covington killing her own pirate father in cold blood, then dragging the body towards the southern wing of the keep. The echo faded away as soon as it reached the boundaries of the spiritual impact the murder had left in Tyria, but I strode on, braving the dank, decaying halls overtaken by risen monstrosities.

The struggles against the rotting beasts strained my nose more than my body, but at least I fought my way to the Covingtons’ private “library.” Ghost tales from Orr to the Isles of Janthir, the memoirs of Lady Glaive, moth-eaten parchment documents on the Corsair Wars, the history of the Canthan naitahlen from Kaineng Tah to Emperor Usoku… log books, records, trade contracts. That is exactly what I was looking for.

The foundation of the villainy we see today was Ol’ Covington’s plan as it turns out: embedding someone deep in the Lion’s Arch navy, sinking ships “the natural way” just outside Sanctum Harbor to make it look all accident, then scavanging the flotsam and the sunken cargo, while killing off or enslaving the survivors. However, it all got buried along with its conceiver when the little girl had enough of parental control. Until Taidha realized just what a genius her sire was…

The worst of all: the Hydra Queen not only made her father’s dream come true, but greatly advanced the strategy. She struck a deal with the other pirate factions just to ensure that no one would turn on the other or inform the Lionguard about the “accidents” – she knew the moment a left-out party had learned about their plot, they would ruin the business for all out of hurt ego (and less booty). Wiley was to provide the cloaked scavenger vessel, Killshot the muscle, Jayne’s Jackdaws were hired to get rid of wtinesses and make a shared profit on slaves and hostages, the infiltrator is someone from Jetsam’s team, while the mastermind volunteered to keep the Lionguard occupied with assaults on the high seas. Everything would’ve gone according to the plan if not for a furious Magnus the Bloody-Handed who had grown so tired of Covington’s attacks that he’d sent an entire fleet to dispatch her.

One of the last dates in the journal is dated on the night when they spotted the Lionguard armada off the coast of the island. Taidha was as smug as ever; she was confident they’d be able to beat them back, to the point that she even dropped a hint on the procurement of the final ingredient to their unending wealth; “a Nightmare Court alchemist with the skills necessary to blame it all on those filthy snakes.”

Filthy snakes… has to be the krait. They are preying on everyone, not just innocent quaggans and land-dwellers, and that includes notorious pirates and corsairs, too. But what could a Nightmare Court alchemist create to put the blame on… ah! A visit to the abandoned store rooms (very disgusting… all that rotten food, undead stench, squirming maggots) proved my suspicions: they were hoarding ingredients for transformation tonics!

It seems the surviving pirate factions were gutsy enough to pull off the plan on their own…

Now I must return to Lion’s Arch, for I hear that Ms Bubbles and her lady friends are in grave danger, still harrowed by that narrow-minded fisherman and his mob, his fuming wife, and now an exiled Priory madman. Someone has to make order, but I fear with each moment I spend elsewhere, the infiltator in the navy and this Courtier wench codenamed >redacted< will bring ruin to the city, and many more will die at the hands of transmuted pirates in krait-skin preying on all ships entering the docks.

Strange… it seems the Priory is taking anyone these days…

Well, in that case I’ll have to intervene before you get yourself exiled for atrocious crimes committed against a harmless, innocent specimen of a “new,” sentient and benevolent aquatic race.

Crusader Armin found the Warmaster in a Priory camp, after a short hike up the ridge.

“Message, Sir. From Lion’s Arch. Marked ‘Urgent’.”

The Warmaster snatched the sealed letter away and quickly tore it open. After a
moment of reading he let out a long sigh.

“Armin, was it?” He asked. The Crusader nodded.

“Make sure to read all correspondence from Lion’s Arch from now on.”

He continued to read, becoming more and more agitated with every word.

“Stern?” “Gilled?!” “TWO-TERS?” “Why even write this garbage down? Oddly explicit, too.”

After reaching the end he looked back up. “Oh, is that why they sent this?”

For a moment he moved the letter toward the campfire, then held it out to Armin.

“Ignore it. Doubtless we’ll have to put it on file, though."

Armin presumed the Warmaster was scowling, but it was barely perceptible through his respirator.

“Are we sending anything in response, Sir?”

“Don’t they have a Lionguard? I was thinking the spores had finally been blown into the city!” He pointed a thumb over his shoulder back at the tower. “Nightmare tower or blasted theatrics! Choose. Just remember what organization you’re in.”

Twoflower.7031:

Hello! Explorer Victor here, of the Priory. As I’m sure you can imagine, the Priory has a vested interest in performing an autopsy dissection fun question time on a new species. While it would be best if you were able to capture her alive, in cases where capture is not possible, please follow this handy guide. Using my crayon kit new, realistic mesmer magic, I was able to add images and words that were not actually there! If you have any questions, please contact me via raven.

Are you sure Steward Gixx approves this? As a magister of the Priory I am concered of what you might do to Ms. Bubbles…

(I am loving this thread. My hat is off to everyone.)

I’m sick of eating raw barracuda and seaweed…..someone get me out of here! A human can’t survive underwater like this for long! The krait are working me to death, and when I’m too weak to work anymore, they’ll either eat me or sacrifice me in their ghastly rituals. They already took a poor Sylvari yesterday.

I found an old clamshell and made two pieces of shapnel. They’re not small enough to pick the lock of my cage (not like the slaves are under surveillance 24/7 anyway) but if I can just get a chance, it might be enough to throw my slave driver off guard when no one is looking, and get the chance to escape. But if I fail, I’m a dead fish. I can’t swim fast in these chains, and I’m already weak with fatigue.

I don’t know what they’re making us build or what’s in those boxes and barrels we’re moving. Their krait priestess likes to come over and gloat, showing off the daggers she took from me. Those daggers were hand-crafted and passed down to me from my father…. At least I know where my daggers are; my armor and other weapons are probably long gone. I’m trying not to think too much of the poor soul who last wore these rags….there’s a nasty bloody smudge right over the abdomen. If I survive this, I’m killing the -ugly swear- that tipped me off to get ambushed by krait!

I don’t want to live the last few days of my life being prodded by krait slavers…I can’t die like this. I promised my little sister I’d come home one day…how I miss seeing the sun above the waves!

Is there no one who can help me?

Feeble minded… simply manipulated… world-shattering egomaniac pawns…

All of them!

However, I must make note and send word to the Court, else the Nightmare itself envelope me and these fools in one fell swoop and leave all of our hard work, loyal devotion, and resources to waste. The few not so easily led are piecing together parts of the puzzle yet left unraveled, and that shall not come to pass.

Twoflower.7031:

Thalador.4218:

Strange… it seems the Priory is taking anyone these days…

Well, in that case I’ll have to intervene before you get yourself exiled for atrocious crimes committed against a harmless, innocent specimen of a “new,” sentient and benevolent aquatic race.

Harmless? Innocent?! Benevolent? She sinks ships as a hobby! No one complains if I kill Courtiers, but since she’s pretty and topless she’s suddenly Dwayna incarnate.

Samuli.7852:

Are you sure Steward Gixx approves this? As a magister of the Priory I am concered of what you might do to Ms. Bubbles…

There is nothing wrong about performing an autopsy on an evil, sadistic creature.

There is no evidence that Ms. Bubbles is the one behind the ship accidents! The Priory does not jump to conclusions, we have built our order on research. I hope you seriously consider before you do anything… foolish.

Miss Bubbles, Arikyali need your help to save him from the dastardly depths! Maybe then you can prove to Lion’s Arch you’re not a meat-loving siren.

(And have you considered hiding in my hometown, the Grove?)

Sophiera.1209:

Miss Bubbles, Arikyali need your help to save him from the dastardly depths! Maybe then you can prove to Lion’s Arch you’re not a meat-loving siren.

(And have you considered hiding in my hometown, the Grove?)

-shakes fist- She! I’m a she! Just because I prefer REAL clothes over what some some scantily dressed salty wenches wear, doesn’t mean my gender should be mistaken!

…I can’t believe the Lionguard makes such a big fuss of me beating whatever sailor senseless when he makes a move on me when I’m trying to work. By the Six, hands off….or I’ll make them come off! Literally!

(All things said, if Miss Bubbles manages to save me from these dreadful krait, my life is indebted to her. I may be a sneaky, greedy, bounty-hunting-mercenary, but I got a sense of honor.)

Arikyali.5804:

Sophiera.1209:

Miss Bubbles, Arikyali need your help to save him from the dastardly depths! Maybe then you can prove to Lion’s Arch you’re not a meat-loving siren.

(And have you considered hiding in my hometown, the Grove?)

-shakes fist- She! I’m a she! Just because I prefer REAL clothes over what some some scantily dressed salty wenches wear, doesn’t mean my gender should be mistaken!

…I can’t believe the Lionguard makes such a big fuss of me beating whatever sailor senseless when he makes a move on me when I’m trying to work. By the Six, hands off….or I’ll make them come off!

Aye, I’m sorry that you’ve become the latest victim of ‘Classic Sophie’ airheadedness. Us salads (yes I’m proud of being called a salad) are technically genderless, so sometimes I still get confused.

….Though I think you’d get help faster if you describe the surroundings. Pictures will be ideal (hint hint)

Nononononono I’m not hitting on you. Don’t take it the wrong way

Arikyali.5804:

Sophiera.1209:

Miss Bubbles, Arikyali need your help to save him from the dastardly depths! Maybe then you can prove to Lion’s Arch you’re not a meat-loving siren.

(And have you considered hiding in my hometown, the Grove?)

-shakes fist- She! I’m a she! Just because I prefer REAL clothes over what some some scantily dressed salty wenches wear, doesn’t mean my gender should be mistaken!

…I can’t believe the Lionguard makes such a big fuss of me beating whatever sailor senseless when he makes a move on me when I’m trying to work. By the Six, hands off….or I’ll make them come off! Literally!

(All things said, if Miss Bubbles manages to save me from these dreadful krait, my life is indebted to her. I may be a sneaky, greedy, bounty-hunting-mercenary, but I got a sense of honor.)

Aaaand if the owner of a wandering but marveling hand belonged to your savior?

I haven’t left >redacted< yet, so I could make a detour to get you out of your tight spot – if you have any clue on where you are. I’m hoping the “krait” there are just our transformed pirate friends, and not real ones. It could potentially provide more pieces to this puzzle… as well as save you from excruciating pain that only those serpents can cause.

((Also, I wanted to thank everyone for this awesomesauce thread. I’m having lots of fun. I’ve been getting really embittered about the road ANet is taking the Guild Wars universe down on (doesn’t really feel like GW anymore with all the sci-fi and Scarlet), but you guys and gals have revived my affection for this world, reminding me of how much I still care about it as a whole. It’s an enormous pleasure being here with you, goofing around. And without you, I possibly would have never tried RPing out this seriously…

All in all:

Thanks y’all! [Bows, then hugs you all]))

Thalador.4218:

Aaaand if the owner of a wandering but marveling hand belonged to your savior?

I haven’t left >redacted< yet, so I could make a detour to get you out of your tight spot – if you have any clue on where you are. I’m hoping the “krait” there are just our transformed pirate friends, and not real ones. It could potentially provide more pieces to this puzzle… as well as save you from excruciating pain that only those serpents can cause.

Psh, with your kind? I’d rather take my chances with the krait. Hands…off….or else I’ll be cutting off more than just the hands.

As to where I am, I haven’t the faintest idea. I was ambushed by krait just outside Lion’s Arch…but there’s no saying how long I was unconscious before I woke up in that cell. It’s so dark and stank, I can’t get my bearings right I could be anywhere. This krait structure and underwater sea-cliffs all look the same to me. However, my cage is conveniently close to the edge of the encampment, just enough for a timid mermaid to sneak in and try to help me…

(I took the screenshots in Caledon Forest. Best place to find a mob of krait and not die immediately. You have any idea how difficult it is to fight off 4-6 kraits without an interface, and not die? And not kill off the krait you’re fighting?)

When I recovered from my transformation, I opened the door before me and found myself once more, as luck should have it, having come up by the back entrance to Two-T—

Er.

A fine…eating…establishment. Imagine my surprise when the bartender passed me not only my drinks (I’d just been through a harrowing experience as a skale, shush,) but a stack of letters. Ignoring for a moment the personal implications of people sending letters to a tavern instead of my house, I began to read…

Several days of watchfulness finally paid off, as my supporters’ letters laid out the heightened presence of krait around Lion’s Arch, and even a few skulking around the waters of the city itself! I also received, much to my surprise, a letter from the mermaid, Bubbles, attesting to the same observations my crews had made. Well then!

In light of these new developments, I’ve called off the search for the mermaid; all crews are to be on the lookout for krait instead, and all cargo will be double-checked in case of tampering. Now that we know what we’re up against, the krait are going to find their plans not going nearly so smoothly, by thunder! Could this whole crisis be coming to an end soon?

The mermaid’s letter smelled like an ocean breeze and water flowers. I burned it after reading, then left through the sewer exit, running my hands along the tunnel walls as I went. It would be a shame for the missus to kill me right after I call off the search for the pretty young lass.

Hrm. The lighthouse out by the Lion’s Gate appears to have gone out. With most of my people on watch for krait, I should probably take a look at it myself…

Those kai sang pirates were waiting for me…

They’ve learned of my discoveries, and now… I’m the main course on this corsair coalition’s menu.

At least I was, for they’re certain that I couldn’t have survived the simultaneous barrage of two frigates and the inevitable sinking of my cruiser – they know nothing of just how many times I slipped out of Grenth’s grasping hand.

But gracious Lyssa, these shrapnels really hurt! I managed to remove a few, but I’ll need a medic to fully patch me up. However, that’ll have to wait, since I’m stranded on some Balthazar-cursed islet southwest of Laughing Gull Island!

Still, I spend the imperceptible passing of time cussing myself: slight carelessness and overconfidence are acceptable. But by the bloody Realm of Torment, how could I have been such a fool?

The letter I wrote and all the Covington missives and contracts which unveil this terrible plot are lost to sea. I wanted to hand them over to the authorities personally – so they would be convinced I wasn’t drunk (I’m never drunk when on a mission… well, sometimes, but then the situation really demands it) and I definitely didn’t make any of this up. I put them in the inner pocket of my leather jacket… the very coat I had to throw away to make my flight quicker.

Just who will believe me now?

On a more grievous note; I’m certain I saw Nightmare Courtiers aboard one of the frigates. The alchemist may be requesting back-up? But just what is their plot? Pirates get richer from ill-earned properties… there are many people suffering as a consquence, mostly the victims and their acquaintances. Is that their goal in all this? Or they are in for a more sinister end?

P.S.: I wish the Lionguard would install rum stockpiles on every island in the Sea of Sorrows. I’m thirsty…

This is so full of WIN…..

I’m going for more popcorn…anybody need anything from the kitchen?

Greetings and salutations,
I am Laru of the Asuran College of Dynamics. It has recently come to my attention, while coincidentally loitering around Rata Sums prison area, that Pacemaker Chief Gliptr had gotten a hold of some sort of half fish, half bookah.
Knowing how thick headed Gliptr is with such opportunities, I knew he had dropped the subject and gone back to his usual sub-productive work.

As any half-minded Asuran would, I decided to jump at the opportunity of a chance for knowledge and recognition. I therefore contacted my colleagues and formed a crew with the strict propose of capturing and studying this new kind of sea creature. We have few details on the subject as of yet, but from what we do know, it appears that all her actions are to the intentions of luring in and eating innocent sailors. Chances are that she is not even sentient, and does everything on instinct.
The simple minds of other major races tend to overlook the obvious.

We decided to begin our search at the very start of the sea-bookahs discovery. The rock on which she was first sighted. If everything goes according to plan, our specially designed waterproof hazmat suits should be completed and ready for deployment to said rock before the end of the week. My colleague, crewmate and expert of the four elements, Skepp Emberstone, is expecting to find clues of her origins there. With his expertise on water and rocks, and our specially designed suits, no leads will be ignored.

Expect to hear more from us shortly…

Laru

My struggle below the waves continue. I have no idea what’s going on outside of this krait city. I don’t know if anyone’s even looking for me…. What I wouldn’t give for a breath of fresh air again! I’m so hungry…and thirsty. The krait give us drinking water, but it’s difficult to drink it when you’re already submerged in seawater. I’ve lost all sense of time down here. How long have I been here? And where in Tyria was I!?

The least I could do was observe my surroundings and listen in on my captive’s conversations. I can’t help but notice a lot of the building material seems to come from ship parts. They even had a few slaves build makeshift turrets out of cannons. Maybe this is where all the sunken ships went to? Was that mermaid working with the krait? I wasn’t sure if she was guilty or not. But if she was, then she was certainly dangerous.

A few of the krait let us out, ushering us down deeper into the depths, a slight ways out of their city. My ears popped from the pressure of the water. There was a Lionguard in our group – I must still be close to Lion’s Arch. I wanted to talk to her, but not with the krait watching us.

They led us to a undersea valley with several plants. They ordered us to gather seaweed from the sea floor (guess I know what’s for dinner tonight…or breakfast….or maybe lunch. Yech). I couldn’t slip away here, not with the krait watching us so very closely.

After the food was gathered, they led us to patches of red seaweed. A slight bit of hope lifted my spirits. I knew what these were! They were poisonous underwater plants that often grew south of Lion’s Arch. These must have been transplanted, but that meant I was still close to the harbor! I knew better than to gather them with my bare hands, so I folded my sleeves and used them as makeshift gloves. The other slaves noticed it and followed my lead. Good thing the krait didn’t seem to care. At least they made us gather the food before gathering poison. I guess they don’t want us to contaminate what little nourishment they give us.

I was able to slip a small piece of the red seaweed into my pocket. Perhaps I can use it on my seashell sharpnels later. Once we had harvested enough, they led us back to the city, and locked us in our cells. I overheard them talking about setting us to work on building again. And something about a lighthouse? I wasn’t sure. My hands still itched from gathering the red seaweed (it’s impossible to keep it entirely off your hands, but at least it’s only dangerous if you ingest it).

I prayed to the Six that some kind soul would find me and save me. I don’t know how much longer I can survive down here, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever get the chance to slip away from the krait.

Dossier

Clearance: Primus rank and above

Legion: Ash
Cohort: The Gladia
Agent: Kraag Deadsoul

Mission: Surveillance

Primary Subject: Bubbles Powderpuff (aka. Bubbles, Hamfast.8719)
Secondary Subject: Captain Storyteller (aka. The Cap’n, Redenaz.8631)
Physical Description: See preliminary report.

Known Contacts: Quaggans, Peacemaker Chief Gliptr (Asura – Rata Sum)
Known Associations: First In Sending Help [FISH]
Known Locations: Lion’s Arch, Quaggan villages, Rata Sum, Divinity’s Reach, unspecified aquatic habitats, The Black Citadel

Authorization:
See preliminary report.

Report:
Last night one of our agents, posing as a bartender at the eating establishment Two-Ters, intercepted a letter left by primary subject for Captain Storyteller. It reads:

My Dear Captain Storyteller,
I leave this message with my old employer, as I know you are still watching for me at Two-Ters. I have urgent news that I beg you to listen to with an open mind. We are all in terrible danger!
Have you ever heard of the “Krait”? …

Captain Storyteller, on his nightly “stake-out” in search of primary subject, entered Two-Ters a few hours after our agent had confiscated the communique. Agent withheld delivery of the message while awaiting further orders; by which time Captain Storyteller had left the establishment empty-handed.

After review of the letter’s contents, it was decided to pass it on to Captain Storyteller upon his next visit to Two-Ters; our agent there has completed this assignment with the recipient none the wiser. Captain Storyteller then burned the letter and is apparently calling off his search for primary subject.

The additional allotment of Blood Whiskey has served its purpose; the harbor pilots have been most forthcoming. One – while walking home from the docks after a particularly late shift – reports having seen two dark shapes in the water engaged in what appeared to be a struggle of some sort. It’s unclear who the antagonists were (if indeed there were any at all) and the harbor pilot did not linger to discover more, beating a hasty retreat home. However, he was noted to remark:

“Sail me ta Orr an’ (* hic*) bahk ag’in, one o ‘em ha’ no legs. NO LEGS!!! I swears it! (* burp*) No legssssss….”

“Tha’ remin’s me o’ an ol’ sea sha…shan..shant…an ol’. (* hic*) Ahh, bilge and brine! An ol’ sea song is wha’ I sayin’:”

Ohhh…don’cha ya worry, ma saucy wench,
Me still gots me one good leg,
I can dance tha dance and jig tha jig,
tho’ the ot’er be a wooden peg!

Ohhh…I’m off ta sea, ma bonny lass,
Look no’ for me in tha morn’,
I be a sail’r, salt wat’r in ma veins,
Since tha day tha’ I was born!

Ohhh…tha waves grew high, tha storm she blew,
With a win’ born outta Hell,
Twas thrown o’erboard an’ cri’d “Oh Lord!”
As I sank into tha swell!

Ohhh…tha shark circl’d round,
Then it struck…sharp, strai’t, an’ true,
Ma one good leg, go’n in a snap!
I now ow’d Grenth ’is due.

Ohhh…alas ma time ha’ no’ yet come,
As I bobb’d ta tha surface o’ tha waves.
While sharks below feast on chum,
By ma wooden leg I’d been sav’d!

Ohhh…don’cha ya worry, ma sweet girl,
Tis true are gon’ me legs,
But I still dance tha dance and jig tha jig,
upon ma wooden pegs!

I ‘ave no legs!
I ’ave no legs!
I ’ave no legs, tis true!
But I’ll dance tha dance and jig tha jig,
Until ma life is through!!!"

Field agents report the lighthouse at Lion’s Gate is not currently illuminated.

Analysis and Recommendations:

• Captain Storyteller’s abandonment of his search for primary subject is unfortunate. We’ve now lost him as an unsuspecting accomplice in tracking her.

• With Captain Storyteller’s shift in focus, it appears his spouse, Laura Joy (aka. Adorabelle), will no longer present a threat to subject. Assets allocated to surveillance of Laura Joy to be re-assigned to searching for primary subject.

• Efforts at direct surveillance of primary subject to continue until further notice.

• Continue heightened security protocols aboard all Legion vessels entering and exiting Lion’s Arch harbor with ongoing escort and patrol provided by the Kalla submersible squadron.

• The harbor pilot’s tale could be easily dismissed as too much Blood Whiskey and not enough light to see clearly. Coupled with the murky waters of the bay, it could have been anything beneath the surface; waving fronds of seaweed, a school of fish, etc. When seen in the larger context of primary subject’s letter to Captain Storyteller warning him of Kraitt; Noir, the Kraitt potion vendor; the machinations of the Toxic Alliance; the sinking of ships in Lion’s Arch harbor; and the general aquatic nature of these events, then the harbor pilot’s assertion of, “No legs!” begins to take on more significance.

(report continues on next page)

(continuation of report)

• Recommend an investigation of the darkened lighthouse at Lion’s Gate.

• We must learn more about the Kraitt. The Priory will be of little use to us in this matter. Despite the depth and breadth of their vast archive, they only know what they already know. For this mission, we must know what can not be known.

Requisition:

• Permission to travel to Kessex Hills to question those battling the Toxic Alliance to gain insight into the Kraitt’s motives and recent activities.

• Clearance to contact undercover operatives within the OoW to assist us in our investigation.

Redenaz.8631:

In light of these new developments, I’ve called off the search for the mermaid; all crews are to be on the lookout for krait instead, and all cargo will be double-checked in case of tampering. Now that we know what we’re up against, the krait are going to find their plans not going nearly so smoothly, by thunder! Could this whole crisis be coming to an end soon?

Kraits!?!

“A krait there was,”
“A krait, A KRAIT!
“All blue and gray,”
“And covered with scales!
“Oh come they said,”
“Oh come to the tower!”
“The tower? said he,
“But I’m a krait!”
“All blue and gray,”
“And covered in scale!”
“And down the road,”
“From here to there,”
“From here!To there!”
“Three krytans, a karka,”
“And a dancing krait!”
“They danced and spun,”
“All the way to the tower!”
“Oh! sweet she was,”
“And pure and fair,”
“The mermaid with honey,”
“In her hair! Her hair,”
“The mermaid with honey,”
“in her hair!”
The krait smelled the scent,
“On the summer air!”
“The krait! The Krait!”
“All blue and gray,”
“And covered with scales!”
“He smelled the scent,”
“On the summer air,”
“He sniffed and hissed,”
“And smelled it there!”
“Honey on the summer air!”
“Oh I’m a mermaid,”
“And I’m pure and fair,”
“I’ll never dance,”
“With a scaley krait,”
“A krait! A krait!”
“I’ll never dance,”
“With a scaley krait!”
“The krait,the krait!”
“Lifted her high,”
into the air!"
The krait, the krait!"
“I called for a captain!”
“But you’re a krait!”
“A krait! A krait,”
“All blue and gray,”
“And cover in scales!”
“She kicked and wailed,”
“The mermaid so fair,”
“But he licked the honey,”
“From her hair!”
“Her hair! Her hair!”
“He licked the honey,”
“From her hair!”
“Then she sighed and squealed,”
“And kicked the air,”
“She sang: My krait so fair,”
“And off they went,”
“The krait! The krait!”
“And the mermaid fair!”

House Draxynnus Records
Report by Aluriel Thistlebane, Scion 81, 1326 AE

I received delivery of a scanner and fern hound from the Mistress of Stables this morning, before she returned to Divinity’s Reach. I think I’ll call him Ferndo.

It appears that word may have gone out regarding the threat to the cargo waiting on the docks, as come the evening, I noticed a heightened level of vigilance that made it impossible to get close enough to the crates with Ferndo to investigate them myself. Just as I was beginning to think this was a wasted effort, I noticed Ferndo beginning to sniff at an asura who had also been attempting to avoid notice near the docks. As Ferndo grew more excited, the asura grew more agitated, and bolted in the direction of the Undermarket as I approached. Abandoning subtlety, Ferndo and I dogged his heels in hot pursuit.

While I almost lost my quarry several times in the twisting streets of Lion’s Arch, Ferndo always seemed to know which direction to take, following some scent on the air that my own nose was not sensitive enough to detect. Despite this, the fugitive nearly made it to the Undermarket, where her fellow criminals would no doubt have hidden her from my pursuit. Fortunately, I had made inroads with the local hylek population in the past few days as part of my investigations, and as luck would have it, one of those hylek had been passing by the Undermarket just as I was fearing my quarry would reach sanctuary. With a shouted request in the hylek language, my associate leaped onto my quarry and knocked her off her feet, granting me the opportunity to call up vines from the earth beneath to hold her in place long enough for me to catch up.

Realising she was cornered, my quarry blustered that we were not going to be able to get her to tell any tales. Knowing what that likely meant, I immediately jumped her and held her mouth open, injecting her with a broad-spectrum antidote before removing no less than three false teeth containing poison capsules. Sure enough, after ensuring that she would not end her own life, with Ferndo’s assistance I found a variety of Nightmare Court-produced abominations on her person which, if they were to be mature aboard ship, would surely be harmful to the ship and its crew. I then poured a concoction of my own down her throat.

The Lionguard is unlikely to look twice at a sylvari adventurer passing through the gate to Divinity’s Reach with her cat and dog, and the House Draxynnus mesmers will get what this pirate knows out of her head soon enough.

[[OOC note: Getting minipets and summoned fern hounds to pose appropriately is a PITA…]]

All right, -puts down writing pen- I am truly loving where this community-wide ‘sea-tail’ is heading. Bad pun, I know.

I have next to no idea how this should progress, and I don’t want to add something that would infringe on someone else’s idea. I’ve never really partaken in something like this before. :p Anakysha is swimming in unknown waters. (Another bad pun!)

Whoever wishes to discover this underwater base and save me, don’t hesitate! Whether it be the Asuran Krewe, the Ash Legion, Captain Storyteller, Miss Bubbles, or anyone else, go for it. Just remember Ana’s rule of ‘hands off’ or else. Seashell sharpnels tainted with poison can hurt a lot.

If you need info just message me and I’ll try my best to fill you in on the details.

runeblade.7514:

-snip-

Can we have this guy as Lion Arch’s new minstrel?

There are great things about being high up. You can see for ages, and look over the people below who almost never look up. I love that dizzy feeling of vertigo as I sit on a ledge, peering down at the mingling citizens of Lion’s Arch. One of my favourite places away from the crowds, I can let my mind freely sift through what information I have gathered without distraction.

Except for that messenger bird. Honestly. No matter where I go, it finds me, and the interruption was always inconvenient. Muttering to myself, I opened the message, skimming the contents for anything really worthwhile. My eyes stopped at a familiar name. ‘Midnight’.

The Whispers had been keeping their eye on Midnight for a while now. While she undoubtedly had the ability and professionalism to succeed in the Order, they had held off recruitment based on her having more personal agendas. At this time she seemed too much like a mercenary for hire, but had shown a desire to do what was right on a few occasions. The Order had decided she worth keeping an eye on in case things changed.

Now, however, she had disappeared. The message informed me that the last time she had been seen was shortly after speaking with one of our semi-trusted informants near Gangplank. This informant had been a reasonable source of information, but lately had shown signs of increasing self-importance and a tendancy to hint towards ties with the Order. Neither of which were acceptable. I don’t know what kind of luck plays in this, but this meeting happened at what may be a fortunate time for Midnight. Recently the informant had been put under closer supervision by one of our top surveillance agents, due to an unexpected change in behaviour. Part of the conversation was overheard, where Midnight had been directed towards a member of the Priory.

I was tasked with finding Midnight. Whether she knew it or not, she had done a couple of services for the Order and it appeared the higher ups wanted her whereabouts known.

It was time to get to work.

Arikyali.5804:

-snip-

He is a krait, she is a girl
Can I make it anymore obvious?
He is a slaver, she did spying
What more can I say?

He wanted seaweed, she’d always know
Secretly she wanted to get out
But all of the slavers, stuck up their nose
They had a problem with a karka’s singing voice.

He was a singing karka, he said, “See ya later boy”
The krait wasn’t good for her, she had a pretty face
And slaver’s head was up in space
The kraits needed to come back down to Earth.

Five seconds from now, she sits applaud
Staring the space, she’s all alone
She gets back home, guess who she sees
Singing Karka rocking up Lion Arch music.

runeblade.7514:

Arikyali.5804:

-snip-

He is a krait, she is a girl
Can I make it anymore obvious?
He is a slaver, she did spying
What more can I say?

He wanted seaweed, she’d always know
Secretly she wanted to get out
But all of the slavers, stuck up their nose
They had a problem with a karka’s singing voice.

He was a singing karka, he said, “See ya later boy”
The krait wasn’t good for her, she had a pretty face
And slaver’s head was up in space
The kraits needed to come back down to Earth.

Five seconds from now, she sits applaud
Staring the space, she’s all alone
She gets back home, guess who she sees
Singing Karka rocking up Lion Arch music.

(( Let’s see… F11. Click Sound Options tab. There it is… Player Instrument Volume slider! So glad they added that! ))

(( Why are we not doing this for every LS ?))

A week has passed with no mysterious shipwrecks. I have learned through my growing [FISH] league that my intrepid Captain Storyteller has dropped his hunt for me. In a way, this saddens me. The open search kept me wary yet excited. The noise about the harbor, though, suggests that the unofficial search continues even stronger than before. And where my pursuit by the Captain had some sense of adventure, I now feel apprehension of the unknown threats.

There are also many obvious “threats” that I take with a grain of salt. A group of Asura, for instance, have staked out the rock that got this whole affair started. I have not seen them, but they blunder about making enough noise to scare off every fish in the bay. Fishing nets abound, but most are obviously being deployed by amateurs. No intelligent piscine would ever blunder into one.

I am far more comfortable under the waves, but I need to be able to operate on land eventually if I am to be able to make [FISH] an effective organization. My chief assistant in terrestrial matters is a Sylvari named Cerise who says she belongs to an information gathering organization known as the “Order of Whispers”. She seemed a little disappointed that I had never heard of it, as if being associated with them would enhance her job qualifications in my eyes. But her work is indeed excellent, bringing me more information than I could ever hope to gather skulking around the city at night by myself.

Today, Cerise brought me some grave news about the Krait. It seems they had abducted one of my pursuers as he was blundering about the bay looking for me. (Honestly, why do all Terrestrials think they are capable of stealth and/or speed underwater? It’s no wonder the Krait were able to ambush the unfortunate fellow). The information Cerise had uncovered gave a pretty good indication of where he might be incarcerated. Even though he had been up to no good, I can’t stand to think of anyone being imprisoned by the Krait. I myself had felt their malevolence having just been in their presence.

I told Cerise she needed to let the Order of Whispers know what she had discovered, so that a rescue might be attempted. She told me that she wanted to tell the Order that [FISH] had supplied her with her information, so that we could be seen to help even those who would seek to harm us. But I don’t want Cerise to be a known accomplice until I am finally considered free of all wrongdoing. I wouldn’t have the sweet thing subjected to the same anger and hatred that I have had to face. So I put my fluke down, and told her not to mention us.

Let us hope the rescue goes well.

Twoflower.7031:

I was able (after a number of dead, irrelevant ravens and a lucky shot at the right time) to intercept a message to the Order of Whispers. Reading over it, I grinned. Rescuing an innocent woman and a chance at bagging the sea-witch at the same time? It was killing two moas with one earth elemental! The gate fee would be an issue, sure, but I knew I could find some money somehow. After a few hours spent in the gutters with a shovel and a keen eye, I paid the operator in a pile of dirty coins. Hands on my daggers, I set off towards Caledon to save not just a woman, but countless sailors.

-scratches head- How did he decode the Order’s messages? o.o

Twoflower.7031:

Arikyali.5804:

Twoflower.7031:

I was able (after a number of dead, irrelevant ravens and a lucky shot at the right time) to intercept a message to the Order of Whispers. Reading over it, I grinned. Rescuing an innocent woman and a chance at bagging the sea-witch at the same time? It was killing two moas with one earth elemental! The gate fee would be an issue, sure, but I knew I could find some money somehow. After a few hours spent in the gutters with a shovel and a keen eye, I paid the operator in a pile of dirty coins. Hands on my daggers, I set off towards Caledon to save not just a woman, but countless sailors.

-scratches head- How did he decode the Order’s messages? o.o

Hey, the Whispers always nick our stuff, so I kiiiinda found a codebook on a dead Whispers agent, and since he wouldn’t be needing it, I took it with me. Fair’s fair.

YOU DID WHAT?! This is unacceptable! I am seriously going to have a chat with Steward Gixx about your working methods…

Still, this is not how the Priory works! We do not steal anything, even from the dead.

I went to the Priory to see Gixx and all he did was complain how our resources are tied up at the Tower of Nightmares…
He said he’d have a word with you once the Toxic Alliance situation clears up.

Twoflower.7031:

Samuli.7852:

Still, this is not how the Priory works! We do not steal anything, even from the dead.

I went to the Priory to see Gixx and all he did was complain how our resources are tied up at the Tower of Nightmares…
He said he’d have a word with you once the Toxic Alliance situation clears up.

We don’t steal things from the dead? What, do you think the people who built all those ruins are still alive?

Recovering an artefact is… different… uhmm… I’m sure Gixx will explain this to you – or… or maybe you could attend a lecture about… well… the difference between recovering and stealing.

While I was there, I decided to have a look at the Priory Library to see if any books about mermaids or sirens were there. I saw none! Quite strange…

No, I’m sure there just have been no sightings of mermaids before. Which is why it is very important not to harm Ms. Bubbles!

Twoflower.7031:

Samuli.7852:

No, I’m sure there just have been no sightings of mermaids before. Which is why it is very important not to harm Ms. Bubbles!

But it’s fine when she kills people?

Again, there’s no evidence for that! For Dwayna’s sake, it could be a rainbow-colored flying unicorn karka that’s sinking those ships!