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That whole ordeal served as a great big reminder about why I left this place to begin with. Once again, I was sick of the humid air, the animals, the drunken sailors, and all of these crazy tasks they’ve sent me on. Mistvale Giblets? Snuff? Book Pages? Ringing out my tabard, I decided that getting through these pirates would be the last of my duties in and around Booty Bay.
With the hope of getting out of the area fresh in my mind, I boarded my Mechanostrider and rode down the coastline. The pirates around the area did not like my presence. Camps of Swashbucklers and Warlocks left their posts and drew their rusty swords. I charged the group, easily defeating them in their drunken stupor. Before long I was alone again. The scores of pirates were defeated for now.
In the distance, I saw three large black ships. This must have been where all the pirates were coming from. If my experience dealing with corrupt groups has taught me anything, it’s that in order to take out a group, you need to take down the source of the problem. I decided to take a closer look. I slowly moved toward the first ship, being careful not to attract any attention. Sure enough I saw pirates milling about the ship. I walked up the ramp and readied myself for the inevitable attack.
I fought a small group of pirates, then continued into the hull of the ship. There I was met with even more drunken sailors. I shielded myself from their attacks, then moved backwards into the captain’s quarters. To my surprise, I was confronted by a Gnome. He put on his captain’s hat, then ran towards all the commotion. He had no weapons, instead conjuring up a raging fire. I dodged the fireball as it crackled over my shoulder.
Once again, I was sick of the humid air, the animals, the drunken sailors, and all of these crazy tasks they’ve sent me on.
In all the chaos, the Gnome Captain couldn’t keep the inferno under control. The cramped hull was now engulfed in flames. I knew this would not end well if I stuck around. I turned around and ran straight up the stairs, jumping off the side of the ship into the ocean. As I turned back, I saw the ship bellowing with smoke.
Would the other ships be this.. easy? I swam to the other island, where two ships sat side by side. I ran up to the deck of the first ship, taking down a few pirates in my wake. Once again I was met with extreme opposition as I walked down the stairs. It was a difficult fight, not because the pirates were tough, but because there was so little space to move around in. I knew it would be next to impossible to take on the Captain without a few shipmates at his side. Nevertheless I held my ground, defeating the second Captain, crew and all.
Judging by the sheer number of pirates, I knew that even if I defeated the last Captain, that this would only be a mere skirmish in the ongoing struggle. Just like Stranglethorn Vale itself, the situation was beyond repair. Putting my cynicism behind me, I entered the last ship, taking out it’s crew. This time, the captain was an Orc. He put up the biggest fight of the three, charging and swinging at me with his huge sword bashing clear through the ships wooden walls. I ducked and dodged his attacks. When the Orc raised his sword I chopped down the great Captain with my axe.
I returned to Booty Bay, recollecting my adventure with the folk at The Salty Sailor Tavern. They enjoyed my tale, but seemed more interested in telling their own stories, from infiltrating the Ogre Compound to the north, to collecting pearls in the Vile Reef. Night fell as I stumbled out of the bar feeling sufficiently buzzed. I took rest at the inn. My new friends tried to convince me otherwise, but my mind was made up. Tomorrow I would leave this place for good.
