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| Rozzy Captain of the Drunken Monkey | Started by: Ruby_The_Beast26 on Oct 28, '26 04:02 |
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Some come to New York seeking fortune. Others come seeking power. I came looking for entertainment, potential recruits, fresh blood and a person who escaped. My old crew is getting comfortable, a few sailors have deserted. I need people with useful skills and fresh blood. Naturally, I would never describe it as recruiting. I call it offering opportunities for advancement. With a chance to live forever. I hear that New York has some very interesting establishments. Casinos where people gamble away fortunes. I had centuries of patience, a ship full of questionable characters, and absolutely no intention of behaving myself. I might win or lose a fortune. Better yet, I might discover that the casino owner is a much more interesting than, any of his games of chance. Something has brought me, Captain Rozzy to New York. I was actually searching for someone who disappeared decades ago. Having already satisfied my bloodlust by defeating the Dark Tower demon and his minions. I bottled all the excess blood for the long voyage. Having been a vampire for hundreds of years I like to move about the world exploring. Hence my ship comes in very handy. As I made my way towards the New York Harbor I recalled how I first happened upon this ship. Lifting a cup of coconut rum to my lips savoring the taste. The moon was high in the sky and I liked the element of surprise. Closing my eyes I reflected back. When I first happened upon this ship it was merely a crashed mess. There was an infestation of sea snakes using the ship as shelter. A lot of extremely venomous yellow-bellied sea snakes. I made a pair of boots from their skins. One of several boots I own. Probably my favorite due to the challenge of acquiring the skins to make the boots. I named this ship after a mischievous monkey named Honey. It always ran off with important things of mine just when I needed them most. I wondered why I kept it around instead of draining it into a cup to drink. Maybe it was Honey's reckless spirit that brought a laugh to me. Few things amused me anymore. But a drunken mischievous monkey had potential. Time it strips bare all things until nothing is new and amusing. I walked into the cabin holding a bottle of whale oil for my lamp. I really should modernize the ship but some things just hold a piece of the past. I placed the bottle down and walked to sit at the desk. Just like the crew,I have work to do. It feels good to do some things by myself, even though any of the sailors would jump to do my requests. On my desk is my trusty sextant, along side a few of my favorite knives, a ledger of the trade routes and hauls obtained. Plus my Captain's Log and a current map. On the small shelf on the wall is one special book among the few reading materials I currently possess. The book contains seafaring spells to enhance any journey. I purchased the book from a witch in exchange for a few oddities I had from various islands I visited. The best spell was the enchantment of rolling fog that shrouds the ship. It makes for an excellent sneak approach to some unsuspecting merchant vessel just waiting to be robbed. My cabin has many interesting things. On the wall display of a variety of hats, taken during various ship raids, located next to the desk. Also, I have a small barrel holding a fine collection of rolled-up flags from a few merchant ships. I used them to fool naval watchmen at a distance. There is even a navy flag among the collection. There's a painting on the far wall of a dragon battling three knights. I like the medieval things I have, but most of them are at my home on land. A giant harpoon hangs from the ceiling with a tapestry used as a makeshift curtain near the bed. The harpoon was taken from a whaler's ship I once helped. It was their way of repaying me. Lastly I was given a clay jug of moonshine and an ornate spyglass. Half a treasure map is hidden in a secret compartment of my desk, still waiting for me to find the other half. I've been searching for it for decades. Sometimes I wonder if it's in my pouch of shredded treasure map pieces from completed quests. I sometimes laugh to myself, about the poor fool who may some day find these. I imagine them trying to piece them together into just one map, they would have no idea these are tattered pieces of various maps. I found myself holding a gift I received once. It usually sits on my desk but I must have absentmindedly picked it up. It's a scrimshaw depiction of a kraken on a walrus tusk. A handsome lad gifted it to me. Sometimes I regret leaving him behind as I chased new adventures. Below deck in the sailors' quarters I had the skeleton of a mermaid hung up on one wall. It's a warning to all what may lurk in wait for anyone that doesn't keep their senses at sea. Some of the older sailors made up a few wild tales about Ruby. They call her Ruby due to someone adding the gems to the sockets where her eyes used to be. No one steals the beautiful jewels in fear of being cursed. I had debated chaining up a live mermaid below deck, but decided I didn't want the competition for my crews attention. In the mess hall, I have the captured flag of a rival pirate ship. It didn't burn with the ship but was floating on debris from the ship. I had one of the sailor's retrieve for me. The odd things I collect are scattered all about the ship with the cannon balls, cannons, crates and barrels galore. The ship has come a long way from when I first set my eyes on its. Now it's the envy of many. By the way the ship has a ghost. He was once a ship cabin boy. On quiet nights I can hear him running about the ship. I've lost a few good crew members over the ghost. I almost dread going ashore because that's when they desert. One fellow abandoned ship after being startled by the ghost in the hallway. Not sure what he actually saw, as apparently the ghost fears me and gives me a wide birth. The most recent ship we raided, we not only plundered their goods, but resupplied my wooden planks and pitch for hull repairs. I never want to see this ship, a heap of junk, again. I laid down on my bed to rest to the gentle swaying of the sea. The crew would be kept in line by my first mate or maybe busy with some new casino game, they learned from our last land adventure. As long as I had some quiet time between the storms and raiding. Walter my first mate brought my attention back to the present. "Captain we will be a port soon." Walter had a peg leg fashioned from a whale's jawbone and helped keep the sailors in line. Some nights I could hear it's unique steps on the ship's deck. "Secure Gus, Walter." Gus was presently milling about the ship. He is a battered one eyed, three legged cat with half its left ear missing. I took pity on the pathetic little creature. Plus it amused me to see him chase after Honey. Even with three legs Gus could climb up any place the monkey slipped away to on the ship. "Aye Captain." Walter said turning to fetch Gus. The ghost cabin boy would not be a problem in this new land. Though I wondered if he would startle at least one sailor into deserting. I had lost crew a few members because of him! But the ghost brought an interesting element to my ship. So I never thought of getting rid of it. The fog rolled into the pier with my ship making berth. I would find it most amusing to run into unsuspecting New York in what year is it now? Yes something in the 1950s. I would note it in my Captain's log. I could smell the sweet call of fresh blood even at this distance mixed with the sea salty taste. Would they even be afraid, meeting me in some back street alley? |
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Sylas watched as a ship emerged that had no business coming anywhere near the town. It certainly wasn’t a cruise liner. Instead, it looked like something from a different time. The ship was made from splintered wood and looked ancient. Tattered sails hung from its masts, and ancient-looking flags blew in the wind. The ship’s captain stood on the deck. Her eyes held a view of life as a joke, and she was growing bored of telling everyone. Sylas didn’t know her name. Or that she had lived centurie. Or that an intense thirst flowed through her. All he knew was that he had seen something that shouldn’t have been possible. As the ship began to settle the fog rolled over the rotting planks, curling around the posts and swallowing the water beneath. A ghostly figure shot past the rigging. A boyish shape flew through the mist, its form only half, with a soft glow surrounding it. The strangest part was that Sylas felt an intense urge to walk across the rotting planks and introduce himself. Maybe it was fate that this ship happened by when it did. Pushing his hands into his pockets, he walked along the pier and into the fog. He had no idea if the captain had been seen him or not. |
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| Reply by: BlakeZ at Oct 29, '26 02:26 | |
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Standing on my deck I noticed various people pass by. My ancient aura seemed to be pulling people close to me. They were not prepared for someone like me. The fashion I wore in comparison I found dated. I would require something more appropriate. For now my vampire speed would have to do. "Deckhand Pete," I called out not even turning to acknowledge him. "Yes Captain." I felt him near. "Go below deck to the mess hall. Tell Sir Bones not to come up on deck until further notice." "Aye Captain," Pete hurried away. I couldn't have Sir Bones on deck. The citizens here would probably be terrified of a walking skeleton. He was great as the on board cook. I never had to worry about him stealing any food supplies. He required nothing but enjoyed the company of my crew. I met Sir Bones on an abandoned island. I had my crew weigh anchor nearby. I was hoping for some materials to repair the ship. What I discovered was a cursed shell of a man. Well bones I should say. When my crew rowed in he already had food prepared. So naturally I gave him a job with zero pay I might add. I acquired my crew in bits and pieces. One fellow here one fellow there. Each were unique and they all worked well together. They learned quickly not to fight in my presence and settled their own grievance privately. They feared my wraith more than whatever petty issues they had among themselves. I allowed the crew to meet out their own punishments when required. As long as it didn't affect the ship or my plans it was permitted. I even allowed for a silly little pygmy goat to be brought on board from a raid as their mascot. Wild Billy the pygmy goat knew to stay clear of my path. Though I did notice it chased after the cabin boy and the ghost cabin boy. At least it was consistent. I decided to continue watching the various people. I would wait until the moon was high. Then when shops closed I would venture out in search of clothing I could plunder. I was a pirate after all. I would also try the tempting blood of a few on land. My crew didn't fear me draining them. They did offer in dire situations a free sample to tide me over from time to time. For some reason my crew would tie up the chubbiest passenger they could find in a raid. As if they had more blood. I didn't bother telling them it was an misconception. The fat ones were known to have richer flavor. And yes I did enjoy playing with my food. |
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| Reply by: Ruby_The_Beast26 at Oct 29, '26 03:36 | |
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The crew was disappointed at first when I didn't allow them to go a shore. I was studying the coming and going of the city. I ventured out for feeding on some people lingering too long in a back alley. There were three men in all, but they were no match for my speed. But their blood told me interesting stories. This was a land of violence and bloodshed. Perfect! I managed to gather up some usable fashion pieces from a Tailor's shop. I lurked in dark corners watching the strangers conduct secret deals in the darkness. They had no idea what could really be lingering in the darkness. I would teach them real fear. Blood ran down my face from my last kill, unnoticed by the ones that thought they were kings of the ruthlessness. Upon returning to the ship, I discovered Honey the monkey had let the cat out of my cabin. Then Honey ran off the ship chased away by Gus the cat. Oh woe to the City left to mischief of a monkey. I gave a full laugh at the thought. While standing at the helm, I could see some of the crew playing cards on deck. They sat on barrels gathered around a large crate, drinking rum. I smiled to myself, happy to see a content crew aboard the ship. Walter was regaling his fellow sailors with another epic whale hunt, his arms flailing wide as he rose up proudly on his legendary peg leg. Coming to join me at the helm was Gus, the ship's tattered alley cat. Gus had rough patches of fur and was missing a leg, one eye, and part of his left ear. Yet he handled the rats with ease, moving with a speed that would never suggest he was missing a limb. One sailor once tried to put an eye patch on Gus, but it lasted less than a minute. He did, however, proudly sport the flashy diamond-and-pearl collar I had given him one night. Glancing back at Walter as he continued telling his whale of a tale, I admired how well he manned the crow's nest. Wiry and lean, he climbed the rigging better than many sailors with two good legs. He wasn't even a pirate when he lost his leg. It ended his whaling career, so I offered him a place among my crew. The core of Walter's peg leg was carved from the jawbone of a great whale. It was overlaid with the brass body of an old trombone that flared into a bell at the bottom. The metal bore countless dents from years of use, its surface tinged green where the sea had claimed it. On windy nights, eerie notes drifted through the air as the wind sang through the brass and the whale bone carried the vibration. The remarkable leg had been crafted by Walter's brother, a patient and gifted shipwright, as a final gift to ease the burden of his loss. The trombone had once belonged to Walter's best friend, Roger. It was the last possession left behind before Roger was lost during the Great Whale Hunt. Walter counted himself fortunate to have lost only part of his leg, while Roger was claimed by the sea forever. It seemed only fitting that his brother transformed the instrument into a one-of-a-kind peg leg, allowing Roger to remain with Walter on every voyage. It gave Walter a uniqueness matched only by the ship's parrot, Blood Beak. But that is a tale for another day. |
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| Reply by: Ruby_The_Beast26 at Oct 31, '26 06:04 | |
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