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[url=https://youtu.be/XO1MC0BS3K4?si=2nFMQkrVVrht6CqP][b]♪ ♪[/b][/url][/center]
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[h1][color=aba000][u]Sunny Rain[/u][/color][/h1]
Fierce winds whirled into the fjord accompanied by sunny rain. The verdant cliffs shifted at the mercy of the storm with little show of relief with the dark storm billowing off the coast of Zengali. Rain ran down to the port, tossing the damaged ships and the survivors in their makeshift camp. It was a sorry sight for a fleet that was held as untouchable by pirates or any navy. The protection that the Sant'Agata della Compagnia Rossa held in such high regard, reduced to something truly pitiful.

[color=9e0b0f]“Now that proud fleet is in my port, asking me for repairs for little pay,”[/color] the Marquis sipped from his glass as he looked over his city of Zengali.

Past the Marquis's desk, an injured but well dressed sailor sat on a green settee, [color=aba000]“Marquis Dume, I implore you to look past what we have on our ships and what we can promise-”[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]“Promise what?”[/color] Dume spoke over her, [color=9e0b0f]“Money from a country on the brink of war and their crown vessel at the bottom of Australic Ocean?”[/color] he waved a dismissive hand at her without even turning to her. She bit her tongue, doing her duty to not glare at the man. The room grew tense as a few seconds went by.

[color=0076a3]“Father,”[/color] Dume looked over his shoulder to allow Raimy to speak, [color=0076a3]“I believe that Alberta has claims to stand on. In my time at Ersand’Ernise, the Doge is one of the few people with the kind of credit that we can accept with little worry.”[/color] Raimy endorsed the Doge’s very deep pockets then glanced back at Alberta to spur her to continue.

A small nod back to Raimy, [color=aba000]“Marquis Dume,”[/color] Alberta waited to speak, Dume allowed, [color=aba000]“The Central Alliance believes in paying its dues and respecting the sovereignty of independent nations. The ‘Unification’ of Belzagg was froth with infighting and outright violence at times-”[/color]

She was interrupted again with no visible distaste for her comments, [color=9e0b0f]“Brother Hodari,”[/color] one of the men standing in the back of the room, near the door stepped forward revealing his red vestments. [color=9e0b0f]“How are our own preparations for the White Thresher coming along?”[/color]

A deep voice thick with a Zengali accent spoke as clearly as he could in Avincian, [color=007236]“Our cannons are well maintained however our guns and ammunition outnumber our vessels ready for fighting,”[/color] Hodari said neutrally but a small smirk came to him.

[color=9e0b0f]“Ha!”[/color] the marquis let out a hearty laugh, [color=9e0b0f]“What a fortunate problem to have, you have done well,”[/color] Hodari stepped back knowing that was the end of what the Marquis required of him. Maquis Dume set down his glass, finally turning to the woman that led the remains of her defeated fleet. His smile melted back down to a neutral ruler, [color=9e0b0f]“How many injured do you have?”[/color]

[color=aba000]“One hundred strong and fifty injured but they will recover soon,”[/color] Alberta answered quickly and earnestly. 

Dume glanced at his son for verification, and Raimy carefully recalled what he saw before validating Alberta’s claims. Marquis Dume nodded as he flipped through some further notes and intelligence he had on hand, weighing the outcomes of what he can do in the odd respite they have. He gently set down his glass, [color=9e0b0f]“I will trust that the ruler of the central alliance will pay his dues when the war is done.”[/color] The marquis went to pour a new glass of water for the woman.

Relief fell over Alberta face as she had seemingly achieved the responsibilities laid on her as the highest in command, [color=aba000]“Thank you for your grace, Marquis,”[/color] she accepted the glass with her one good arm but when she tried to drink, she couldn't move it. She up glanced at the Marquis, wondering is she offended him in some way

[color=9e0b0f]“In the meantime, you and your hundred men will take the repaired ships to battle with me,”[/color] Dume declared to everyone in the room leaving no room to argue. Still, he watched how the Revidian would try to squirm out of it. Each sign of hesitation changed his thoughts on her. 

But to Dume's surprise, Alberta let go of the glass and laid her hand over her heart, [color=aba000]“It is only expected for the survivor to seek revenge, we will gladly set sail with you to destroy the white thresher.”[/color] She accepted the Marquis' declaration quickly seeing the opportunity laid in front of her. 

Dume grinned and handed the still glass to Alberta, [color=9e0b0f]“Raimy, tell the craftsman to put other tasks to the side and put the skilled slaves and convicts to work immediately. Tempt them with honey if you need.”[/color]

Raimy stood up at his father's orders, [color=0076a3]“As you say, father,”[/color] Raimy headed out but there was a small glance shared between Alberta and him.

Dume looked back at her, [color=9e0b0f]“Alberta, go with Raimy, he will show your injured to drier quarters than their flooded ones and have some binders visit them,”[/color] adding more to his son’s duties for the day. 

As they left, Marquis Dume was left with old and trusted aides. In these private chambers, Dume took a seat at his desk. Looking at his aides, all of them had something to say but he chose Hodari, the one with the most duties right now, [color=9e0b0f]“Speak Hodari,”[/color] He started to pour him and his other aides some wine. 

Hodari took the glass and drank heavily, [color=007236]“Your son seems quite infatuated with the central alliance,”[/color] only a slip of concern coming through. 

[color=bc8dbf]“Infatuated with a pretty and needy face,”[/color] one of them scowled at Reimy’s behavior in front of them.

Dume raised a hand to put the issue to rest, [color=9e0b0f]“He’s a young man and the war is on the brink. Awar unlike anything in known history. His blood boils but his stomach turns at the sight of the wounded. He needs a side.”[/color] Dume disappointedly sighed but he moved on. [color=9e0b0f]“Be truthful, do we have the forces to put it down this year?”[/color] he looked through the latest reports gathered.

Hodari looked into his glass, [color=007236]“We have the ammunition, we have new cannons for longer combat from a place in Enth. We have the spirit, but we don’t have the people or the ships to load the cannons.”[/color] he answered after finishing his drink.

There was a pause as Hodari’s words stole the bravado they displayed earlier. Before they could continue the discussion, the warning bells rang over the sunny rain. Dume and his aids turned to the window, and they saw another damaged ship. The ship was large with rows upon rows of cannons. The breaks Dume knew. He could never forget what happened to his own ship years ago. 

[color=007236]“Another damaged ship,”[/color] Hodari said, exasperated from another group forced into their port, especially this particular lot. 

Dume only smiled at the ship taking on water. [color=9e0b0f]“Hodari, send a dragon rider to Belzagg, the rest of you will greet the new ship and tell them the cost for entering the port and repairs.”[/color]

Dume looked towards the sky shining through the rain and drank to his fortune, [color=9e0b0f]“Your time is running thin, beast.”[/color]
[hr][hr][center][H1] R E S O U R C E S [/h1][/center][hr][hr][center][hider=Zengali][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/597506252599328805/1226415348123963455/Wa9cWX1.jpg?ex=6624af4c&is=66123a4c&hm=f9f4f17a096dcf8452bf0f613e039e60e3275199e7e64dfd7475195a79498076&[/img][/hider]
[hider=Welcome to Zengali!][hider=A Baker's Dozen]
[center][b]A Baker's Dozen[/b][/center]
A small flash of light and the smell of toasted grain is overtaken by the stench of seawater and mud. You found yourself in a military tent with maps pinned to moving walls, seemingly marking multiple places off the coast of Zengali. Quickly you were greeted by a woman in her mid thirties wearing a patched military uniform, missing her left arm about halfway up the bicep. [color=aba000]"I hope your transport was of ease for you,"[/color] she made her way to each person and shook as you introduced yourself.

Finally she introduced herself, [color=aba000]"My name is Alberta D'Aniello, a survivor from the remnant of the fleet that protected the Sant'Agata della Compagnia Rossa. I thank you for coming here, every hand is needed right now,"[/color] Alberta walked past them to open the tent's entrance. Dozens of people were working in the port, preparing their vessels for the coming fight. [color=aba000]"I know that your contract specifies the fighting of the white thresher but find some place to be useful. In the chest over there are your invitations to a festival tonight, try to attend if you can. Be wary of the people here, not all are friendly,"[/color] Alberta warned them before heading off to her own ship as she was also swamped before the battle. 
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[hider=The Stowaways]
[center][b]The Stowaways[/b][/center]
The light took you and you found yourself in a similar area though the furniture and color theme seem to be different than before. Soon a tall man, roughly six foot, stepped into the cabin you now found yourself in. [color=007236]"It seems you have all made it, we have been expecting your arrival,"[/color] he gave a light bow that leaves his vestments hanging slightly. [color=007236]"My name is Hodari Hamisi Abdalla, though if you prefer, you can call me brother Hodari."[/color] he gave a small smile before having you introduce yourself. 

[color=007236]"We are in the final hours of preparation before we set sail the next day,"[/color] he went over to a chest and handed out a small letter to each of them. [color=007236]"I ask that you keep yourself active and helpful to us while you are here. These are invitations to the festival tonight, the last preparation before we set off tomorrow."[/color] With that he turned to leave them their own devices and get to work himself. 

Stepping out of the cabin, you could see dozens of people working throughout the port and carts running in and out of the city, the more astute would be able to pick out the clashing nationalities at the port and was that... Ersand'Ernise students? It seemed you were not the first group here, better get a move on.
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[hider=Places of Interest]
[b]The Port:[/b] The bustling port of Zengali is quite the exotic location for most with the scenic hills and exotic birds flying over, it would make an excellent memory. Now it seems almost full, and people are moving around quickly to load heavy cannons and even heavier supplies onto the ship. They seem behind and even some mages are stepping in and acting as general labor. They could use a hand. 

[b]The Makeshift Encampment:[/b] Tents set off the ground with boards creating a small encampment inside the city. People are coming to and from here. A younger man draped in the cloth of a nobleman seems to be making his way in and out of quite a few of them carrying more delicate supplies. It stinks of sickness if you get too close to some of the tents. 

[b]The Pirate Ship:[/b] An obvious pirate ship that is filled with quite the eclectic group manning it. They seem busy as well but compared to the others, they might as well be relaxing. The captain isn't immediately found but they have their walkway down along with some bouncers next to it. Maybe you can find a way on? For those in the know, they will recognize it as the St. Elmo's Fyre, a legend among legends to pirates. 

[b]The Marquis's Home:[/b] Found much further into the city but easily spotted amongst the cliff and all the servants running too and from. The Marquis seems to be in front of the house and appears to be ordering things around from his home. Now may be a chance to speak to him. 

[b]A Small Ship Setting Sail:[/b] A small rowboat made of some strong looking men seems to be about to set off down the fjord. They seem equipped with a map and some extra room on board. Just what might they be doing leaving right now?

[b]The House Boats?:[/b] Some random house boats? A few floatmelons and other aquatic vegetation seems to be growing on them at the water level, but it is an odd sight indeed. There seems to be nothing going on there but who knows, you just have to figure out how to get there. 
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