"The Corsair's Log?" Ackerly Burroughs frowned, struggling to focus on the odd screen.
Looking around, he could see similarly confused looks on the faces of the other rough and tumble men that occupied the Sick Seadog Tavern. They, too, stared down their noses with scrunched eyes. Though Burroughs himself couldn't see what they were looking at, it didn't take a genius to figure out.
He recognized many of these men. Nursing a continuous stream of empty mugs, he and they had spent many a long night chatting over a deck of cards.
The din of conversation that had previously pervaded the atmosphere had died when the screen appeared, leaving the tavern uncharacteristically silent.
Burroughs took a glance at the words in front of him.
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The Corsair's Log
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What do you seek?
Is it wealth? Women? Riches beyond your wildest dreams?
Maybe you seek adventure. To roam the sea uninhibited, discovering for the first time what no other man has laid eyes upon.
Or perhaps power? The strength to lay waste to your opponents and achieve true freedom.
Should you accept the Divine Blessing, all of it and more can be yours.
Journey to the centre of the sea and become the Child of the Heavens.
The only one who may hold you back is yourself.
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[Accept] | [Ignore]
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By the time Burroughs finished reading, the tavern was lively once more. All around him, men chatted excitedly about the strange phenomenon. Many had already accepted.
Burroughs only scowled as he pressed a dirty thumb into the "Ignore" button. The screen disappeared.
He raised his hand to flag down the bartender. "Another!"
When he received no response, he looked up to find the bartender in the corner staring at his own screen with childish glee.
How ridiculous... Burroughs thought as he stumbled over to grab a drink for himself. He didn't bother to leave compensation, and the bartender (who was now dancing a small jig in the corner), didn't seem to notice.
Burroughs continued to ignore the others as he had his drink.
Wealth, women... What use were such things?
Adventure, discovery... Only a weak man would shirk responsibility to chase these dreams.
Power?
He sighed. Perhaps there was a time when he lusted for power, the ability to impose his own will upon the unjust. A time when he'd fancied himself a hero.
But now? Now the only thing he fancied was the mug in his hand. It was relief — an illusion, he knew, but he welcomed it all the same.
"Oi, Burroughs. What are you doing? Put that mug down and take a look at this!" a woman shouted from across the room.
Corrie "The Raider" Leigh was her name. Burroughs was more than familiar with her. In the entire tavern- No, the entire colony, she might be the only one capable of drinking him under the table. She was a true blue pirate. A good one, at that. Many a man had made the mistake of underestimating her before — but few lived long enough to regret it.
Her past was a mystery, and it attracted many rumours. But Burroughs happened to be one of the few people to know the truth. Her real name was Charity Whittaker. She was the daughter of Benedict Whittaker, who owned numerous colonies in The Ring. Unsuited to the lifestyle of a dandy, she'd run away in her teenage years and became a pirate, fighting tooth and nail until she became the captain of her own ship.
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This and more had all been revealed to him when he, Corrie, and one other man had enjoyed a night of merrymaking. Corrie had gotten drunker than intended, and spilled her secret. As it turned out, the other man wasn't the most tight-lipped fellow himself. Now, the only company he had to break bread with were fish.
When Burroughs spoke, his words were slurred. "I'm good, Corrie. This mug is all the excitement I need." He lifted it in the air in mock cheers.
"Tch, you're no fun, you old drunk. You’d even turn down the company of a beautiful woman." She turned back to her screen.
“You’re right about one thing," Burroughs shouted, unaware of how loud he was, “I am an old drunk!”
He laughed as she cast him a withering glance.
A few minutes later, when Burroughs was on a fresh mug, he was interrupted again.
"Burroughs!"
He turned around, annoyed. "What is it now?"
When he saw who it was, his scowl deepened. "Sedgley, what are you doing here? I'm gonna get an earful from your wife about this later."
The new arrival was Sedgley Archer. He and Burroughs had been friends since childhood. When Burroughs mentioned his wife, he was taken aback for a moment, but walked over to sit next to his friend.
"I left her two months ago. I told you about it already. Listen, that's not the point. Ackerly-" He cut off when he saw the other man's glare. "Burroughs. I take it you already saw the Corsair's Log."
"Get to the point."
"Haven't you seen it yet? You should know what I'm saying."
"Money and women? Why bother?"
Sedgley sighed. "Burroughs, I'm leaving town."
"When will you be back?"
"I won't."
"Did you finally find 'the one'?"
"What? No! I'm going to the mists!"
Burroughs put his drink down and looked his friend in the eyes.
"Are you drunk?"
"Who do you think I am? You?"
"Then you've lost your mind."
"My mind is fine, thanks."
"Then why would you go and do something so brainless?"
Sedgley finally lost his patience. "Just take a look at the log!"
"How do I bring it back?"
"Call for it."
"Corsair's Log!" Burroughs shouted, turning a few heads in his direction.
Frustrated, he was about to try again when Sedgley interrupted.
"In your mind! You really are the worst when you're drunk."
"I'm always drunk," Burroughs said indignantly.
Sedgley shrugged in response.
Glaring at the man, Burroughs tried to summon the log again. This time it worked.
When the screen showed up, he pressed "Accept."
The view changed, revealing a host of information.
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The Corsair's Log
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Statistics:
Strength: 13(+0)
Dexterity: 25(+0)
Wisdom: 5(+0)
Constitution: 11(+0)
Vitality: 10(+0)
Agility: 6(+0)
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Majiks:
None
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Storage:
Empty
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Realm:
Fleshly Fortification (0%)
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[Shop] | [Close] | [Help]
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"So? What's this then? I don't know what half these words mean."
"This log allows you to become stronger. It explains it in the help section."
"If you can get stronger, then others can too. Look around. Do you see how many pirates are in here? Are you confident you could fight them?"
Sedgley did as he was asked, surveying the battle-born bruisers that circled the tables. He himself wasn't small by any means, but he would have to think twice before picking a fight with some of these fellows.
A shiver went down his spine when he caught sight of Corrie and imagined having to fight her. Still, he refused to relent.
"I'm tired of living a dull life in this small colony. I need more."
"A dull life is a long life."
"You can't change my mind."
Seeing the steel in Sedgley's eyes, Burroughs took a swig from his mug and slammed it down on the counter.
"Fine. You owe me a drink."
"What? Why?"
"If you're going out there, I'm building your ship."