Rising Sun: Issue 5

The Memory of Haakon

21

You motion for the crew to turn the ship around and flee before the storm. Hoping that you can beat the storm out, you race for the Durenese coast. Soon a sheltered bay comes into view only to reveal three Durenese Men of War. Panic strikes the crew's faces, for brave as they may be, they are not suicidal. The Durenese ships have spotted you and begin to move out of the bay in your direction. The crew whips the ship around, attempting to flee before these awesome juggernauts of power.

As the ship turns, several flaming balls of fire are released from catapults attached to the rear of the Durenese boats. These artillery arch high into the air and crash into the deck of the Victor's Spoils, sending shards of burning debris in all directions. A splinter strikes your face, sending a sharp pain down one your cheeks. Lose 3 ENDURANCE Points. If you survive, you determine that you must evade these Durenese at any cost. You have no choice but to head out into the heart of the storm.

Swiftly escaping the Durenese ships, you catch sight of them switching around to seek shelter once again in the bay before the dreaded fury of the storm strikes. Your ship is meanwhile left in the open. Taking a deep breath you give the dreaded command.

You order the ship to be turned into the storm and the hatches to be buckled down. Holding the course straight on, the storm rolls onto you crashing into the hull of the deck as wave after wave strikes the hull in rolling length after rolling swell. The boat heaves left and right, trying to brave the waves, the wind, and the crashing thunder. Lightning flashes around you with streaks of brilliant electric charges.

The crew shouts in fear, wondering if you are a madman as you laugh bravely at the storm, daring it to try to sink you. 'You tempt fate!' Shouts Reld as he valiantly holds onto an anchor rope as another wave breaks over the deck. Soaked through he shouts, 'You will kill this entire crew!'

'Have faith in the strength of Naar.' You shout back and then steer the ship once more into an incoming wave. Unfortunately the hull has been damaged by the previous assault of Durenese Artillery. It seems the only way you will get out of this is if Naar truly is looking out for you. Pick a number from the Random Number Table. If you possess the skill of Tracking and Basic Instinct, add 4 to the number you have chosen.

0-7 Turn to 46.

8+ Turn to 30.

Contact: TheRisingSun@bigfoot.com http://www.crosswinds.net/~therisingsun/August2000/Haakon/21.htm