Ichabod Ishmael Ignatius' Introduction
Perplexingly, I am unknown to myself. I have no recollection of my home nor my family. I was found, battered and broken, upon the rocky shoreline of the Laethen Islands. These islands were once a remote archipelago which snaked across the western edge of the known world. They ran ruggedly northwest from the foothills of Giant’s Peak down into the Brass Ocean. Geography aside, I had apparently washed ashore amongst the remains of what seemed to be an ancient ship. Its hull was half rotten by time and strangely weathered by the sea. This led the locals to believe I was cursed or, at the very least, an abomination to be destroyed. Fortunately, a wealthy merchant was able to quell the mob before they could publicly execute me. His name was Iago Ishmael and he lived with his family amongst the crooked streets and decaying wharfs of Thaw. An ancient port town with no claim to fame save for its reputation for collecting the unwanted, broken, and wayward souls of this world. We lived there, amongst those forgotten and rebellious souls, peacefully for many years. Of course, nothing lasts forever.
One day there came a hurricane. It’s savage winds and rains decimated the island. Rogue waves dragged the ancient wharfs and cottages of my new home back into the sea. Almost as if the city of Thaw had never even existed. By nightfall a veritable armada of pirates and sell-swords had arrived seeking refuge from the storm. The looting started soon after as roving bands of villagers took what they could and tried to evacuate. Overrun by refugees, these adventures and buccaneers began killing and plundering everyone trying to flee. Some were taken prisoner, but most died still clutching their frivolous belongings as the mud and gore slowly swallowed them whole. My Lord Ishmael’s family managed to board an escaping merchant’s sloop, however, he and I were not so fortunate. I stayed with Iago until the end. He never faltered in the face of overwhelming odds. Eventually, I was struck by a hail of arrows and collapsed to the ground as my master was taken prisoner. He never even screamed when they set him on fire. He simply laughed and jeered as he broke free of the smoldering ropes and lunged into a crowd of his captors. The last thing I remember was smiling while they screamed and ran for their pitiful lives as Iago chased them down to the sea. I passed out soon after; the conflagration of numerous fires lulling me into the warm embrace of perpetual slumber.
I awoke unceremoniously, surrounded by a field of corpses and charred timbers. My wounds pulsating and steaming in the cold morning air. I found myself once again being accosted by pirates, but this time they seemed to be trying to help me. A kindly doctor and a salty woman attended to my wounds while several other crewmen debated vigorously as how they should cook and eat me. Inevitably, I was reassured by a charming man, carrying an oar, that I would not be eaten today. However, he did stipulate that I was being kidnapped and that all new crew members may be subject to cannibalism if needed. They then carried me past the smoldering ruins of old Thaw, down to the harbor. At anchor was their ship. An enormous vessel, she was painted blood red and showed almost no signs of damage. Her decks were lined with all manner of ballista. While a solitary and monstrous cannon took pride of place near the bow of the ship. Once aboard, another man with luscious sideburns helped to secure me into the hold. He thanked me for joining the crew and I asked him if there were any other survivors. He simply scowled and shook his head, “There never are after the Lady Senegal Arrives”.
I have fond memories of that ship and that crew. The laughter and comradery I garnered from that motley group of misfits was truly inspiring. Despite our vile and abominable deeds, I loved those swarthy men and women with all my heart. We pillaged and plundered all across the known world. At first, we had to contend with the river pirates which plagued the continent. After their assimilation and extermination, we then moved onto plundering richer targets. Very few port towns and coastal villages went unscathed by our actions. The smarter settlements bribed us to go away, but that only stayed our blade for so long. Eventually, we started crossing the Silivren Ocean to raid the unsuspecting eastern continent of its otherworldly riches and natural bounty. Many powerful enemies rose up to oppose us. However, none could stand the might of the Lady Senegal. Regrettably, nothing so splendorous and bombastic could last forever. We had become wealthy beyond comprehension and started to covet castles, estates, titles, and all the other trappings associated with the noble classes. We even began to find new enemies worthy of our skill and admiration; ourselves. Some died, others retired, most held on as long as they could. In the end, I found myself torn apart by this madness.
The price of victory was too high. I could not bring myself to fight my own crewmates. Eventually, I decided to jump ship and found myself stranded in the Eastern Continent. Downhearted and alone, I began working as a mercenary to pass the time. It was here that I found my old crewmate Genz Highwind. He was now a Captain in his own right; privateering under the command of someone named Asashi Sunfire. We sailed and debauched for a time but returned home at the behest of Lord Sunfire. An ancient evil had arisen and was once more attempting to blanket the world in darkness and despair. We had little time. Loans were secured, fortifications were built, fleets were hewn, and armaments were crafted. The fortified town of Henge flourished under Genz’s leadership while the mighty Tower of Ladd rose to completion under my own. In the end, the combined forces of the Imperial Guard had created an empire. Sadly, it was not to withstand the blind indifference and unimaginable horror of Megamarth’s abominable forces. Besieged and outnumbered, we held out as long as we could. However, nothing could save us from the inevitable collision of a falling celestial body. Truly, I have never witnessed something so wondrous and beautiful. Its deadly brilliance and awesome power are etched into my mind forevermore. The last thing I remember is falling from the top of my crumbling tower, down into the vaulted arcades of its ancient foundations. I guess it is true what they say, entropy is the way of all things.
One day there came a hurricane. It’s savage winds and rains decimated the island. Rogue waves dragged the ancient wharfs and cottages of my new home back into the sea. Almost as if the city of Thaw had never even existed. By nightfall a veritable armada of pirates and sell-swords had arrived seeking refuge from the storm. The looting started soon after as roving bands of villagers took what they could and tried to evacuate. Overrun by refugees, these adventures and buccaneers began killing and plundering everyone trying to flee. Some were taken prisoner, but most died still clutching their frivolous belongings as the mud and gore slowly swallowed them whole. My Lord Ishmael’s family managed to board an escaping merchant’s sloop, however, he and I were not so fortunate. I stayed with Iago until the end. He never faltered in the face of overwhelming odds. Eventually, I was struck by a hail of arrows and collapsed to the ground as my master was taken prisoner. He never even screamed when they set him on fire. He simply laughed and jeered as he broke free of the smoldering ropes and lunged into a crowd of his captors. The last thing I remember was smiling while they screamed and ran for their pitiful lives as Iago chased them down to the sea. I passed out soon after; the conflagration of numerous fires lulling me into the warm embrace of perpetual slumber.
I awoke unceremoniously, surrounded by a field of corpses and charred timbers. My wounds pulsating and steaming in the cold morning air. I found myself once again being accosted by pirates, but this time they seemed to be trying to help me. A kindly doctor and a salty woman attended to my wounds while several other crewmen debated vigorously as how they should cook and eat me. Inevitably, I was reassured by a charming man, carrying an oar, that I would not be eaten today. However, he did stipulate that I was being kidnapped and that all new crew members may be subject to cannibalism if needed. They then carried me past the smoldering ruins of old Thaw, down to the harbor. At anchor was their ship. An enormous vessel, she was painted blood red and showed almost no signs of damage. Her decks were lined with all manner of ballista. While a solitary and monstrous cannon took pride of place near the bow of the ship. Once aboard, another man with luscious sideburns helped to secure me into the hold. He thanked me for joining the crew and I asked him if there were any other survivors. He simply scowled and shook his head, “There never are after the Lady Senegal Arrives”.
I have fond memories of that ship and that crew. The laughter and comradery I garnered from that motley group of misfits was truly inspiring. Despite our vile and abominable deeds, I loved those swarthy men and women with all my heart. We pillaged and plundered all across the known world. At first, we had to contend with the river pirates which plagued the continent. After their assimilation and extermination, we then moved onto plundering richer targets. Very few port towns and coastal villages went unscathed by our actions. The smarter settlements bribed us to go away, but that only stayed our blade for so long. Eventually, we started crossing the Silivren Ocean to raid the unsuspecting eastern continent of its otherworldly riches and natural bounty. Many powerful enemies rose up to oppose us. However, none could stand the might of the Lady Senegal. Regrettably, nothing so splendorous and bombastic could last forever. We had become wealthy beyond comprehension and started to covet castles, estates, titles, and all the other trappings associated with the noble classes. We even began to find new enemies worthy of our skill and admiration; ourselves. Some died, others retired, most held on as long as they could. In the end, I found myself torn apart by this madness.
The price of victory was too high. I could not bring myself to fight my own crewmates. Eventually, I decided to jump ship and found myself stranded in the Eastern Continent. Downhearted and alone, I began working as a mercenary to pass the time. It was here that I found my old crewmate Genz Highwind. He was now a Captain in his own right; privateering under the command of someone named Asashi Sunfire. We sailed and debauched for a time but returned home at the behest of Lord Sunfire. An ancient evil had arisen and was once more attempting to blanket the world in darkness and despair. We had little time. Loans were secured, fortifications were built, fleets were hewn, and armaments were crafted. The fortified town of Henge flourished under Genz’s leadership while the mighty Tower of Ladd rose to completion under my own. In the end, the combined forces of the Imperial Guard had created an empire. Sadly, it was not to withstand the blind indifference and unimaginable horror of Megamarth’s abominable forces. Besieged and outnumbered, we held out as long as we could. However, nothing could save us from the inevitable collision of a falling celestial body. Truly, I have never witnessed something so wondrous and beautiful. Its deadly brilliance and awesome power are etched into my mind forevermore. The last thing I remember is falling from the top of my crumbling tower, down into the vaulted arcades of its ancient foundations. I guess it is true what they say, entropy is the way of all things.