The rumor had blossomed along the Changjiang and its tributaries, spreading like a wildfire that threatened to consume the people who listened to its tantalizing tale. It was said that a great merchant of Yangcheng, Lord Sun Wu, had prepared a massive fleet. A grand flotilla of ships which would sail the Changjiang River and its tributaries, trading with the locals and shipping endless wealth to the great town of Suzhou. It was a grand venture, something almost unheard of within its time. A grand gambit that saw not only Lord Sun Wu's fortune, but, the fortunes of hundreds of merchants put at stake within a desperate gamble that could forever ruin their families or bring them a state of unheard prosperity. In total, it was claimed that a treasury that rivaled the Imperial Chu coffers had been amounted. It was a grand venture, one that could possibly forever change the Changjiang's slow and gentle flow...
Yet, the rumors that brought such a feverish life to that venture saw its possible death born. Countless men who sailed that river and preyed upon the outskirts of society had turned their ears and greed upon that glimmering rumor while countless men saw greed and evil overtake their honest virtues. Yet, it was a mere rumor. A rumor that kept greed afloat within hearts as they kept a ear upon the winds, wondering if this flotilla would ever launch.
It was the late weeks of June when those ships first launched. Four grand boats with deep hulls that contained unimaginable wealth while countless smaller boats stuck to their sides, following along as individual traders brought their wares along. The flotilla of Yangcheng had finally launched with Lord Sun Wu at their head, a grin upon his face as he ignored the dance and entrusted his life within his men and his ships. However, he was hardly a fool. Bolstering the ranks of his sailors and traders stood experienced mercenaries, soldiers from Chu's glorious succession from Qin.
By July, the rumors was reborn as a fiery plague that swept along the Changjiang. Rumors that spoke of the wealth already seen upon those mighty barges. Of the goods they had seen loaded aboard and traded from its depths as it passed along. Rumors of what laid amongst those hulls and what men and women might do if they got their hands upon it. The rumors merely served to give new life to forgotten greed and by the drove the foolish began to stalk that ship while others prepared their raids. Yet, the presence of those mercenaries proved enough to scatter the cowardly. While the experience of those mercenaries proved enough to send many a brave fool to a watery grave. Countless raids were launched upon those massive vessels and time and time again were the raiders smashed and defeated. All to soon the rumors began to proclaim that flotilla untouchable, a foolish dream that would only be pursued by the damned. By the second week of July, the flotilla had nearly sailed halfway along the Changjiang River and by the day they drew closer to their destination, the influential town of Suzhou.
However, Lord Sun Wu soon became marked for death. Perhaps it was a foolish remark considering the fate of the last raids... But, never before had that flotilla's attackers come in such numbers. Never before had the flotilla been threatened by an organized opponent. Yet, as the month of July tapered towards an end, that proclamation was made. A single man, a notorious pirate who had raided the Changjiang for decades past, had dared to mark Lord Sun Wu for death. That man proclaimed that he would lead a coalition of pirates against that boat and any who dared stand by his side would profit as Lord Sun Wu's blood spread across the water. That man was Captain Gan, or Gan the Axe. In that boastful proclamation, Gan the Axe made it clear where he might be found.
"Four days west of Suzhou, you'll find me and my men. We'll be camped along the river where it bends and we'll be ready. We'll accept any who can swing a sword and any crews who might wish to sign on will find equal share. While damned by those who might stand against us."
OOC Quest Summary:
Applying for Membership:
Anyone is allowed to enter this quest, however, certain builds will have a innate advantage in this quest. But, all stats will serve a purpose in this quest and it may possibly effect the course of the roleplay and your results. Likewise, certain skills may give certain advantages towards certain actions. Anyone is allowed to apply but only six players will be accepted. These six players will be randomly selected from those who apply.
Up to two personal followers may accompany an participant and up to ten soldiers from your personal army. Soldiers or NPCs from a kingdom are not illegible for use unless you are that kingdom's ruler.
People who are applying should be aware of the inherit danger of this quest and by applying for this quest you accept that you may die or be injured. Applicants should post using the below format and roleplay their character's approach to the camp. The players, or various "captains" who sign with Gan the Axe, will be briefed by Gan in my introductory post and their various options presented.
Sign Ups end on Friday at 10 PM Central Time Zone.
Application Format:
Name: Blah Blah Blah. Example: Guan Huang
Stats: Your current stats. Example: 99-99-99-99-99
Skills: Your current skills. Example: Awesome III, God Mode III, Leet III, Reading I
Items: Your current items. Example: +10 Bow of Godly Accuracy
Followers: Your current followers. Example: Liu Chen (1-1-1-1-100) Pants on Head Retarded III Items: Pacifier.
RP: Blah Blah Blah
Quest Progression:
Players will be expected to make a roleplayed post every twenty four hours. I will attempt to insure there is one reply for every person per day and possibly more if I have the time. Progression may be a bit slow on turn change days, but, I will attempt to keep the pace. Please insure you can be active before attempting to apply.
Quest Rewards:
To be revealed at the end of the quest.
Quest Danger Level:
MEDIUM to HIGH: You will likely end up fighting against experienced mercenaries and be confronted by other dangers. There is a inherit chance of injury and danger in this quest. However, the rewards for taking this risk is quite high.