They call it a calamity.

I call it the end of the world. Certainly, it is the end of my life. I spend the last few minutes on the wreckage of our ship as it - and indeed, all of us - continue our slow descent into the blue abyss.

Our ship, dodging flame, fire, famine, bringing supplies to the needy, robbing the Ascian ships of their extra unneeded wealth, restructuring the laws of our area of our sea, is on fire and sinking.

Some have called us pirates, but the crew of the Tuberão, Lalafell one and all, are loyal to our company, to our boss, and to what is right by Lymlaen. Though we may be called pirate, we are all independent souls, relying on the great gifts of the sea and the sky to bear us through this toil and strife.

It has been honest work for honest pay - in that we honestly did the work we were bidden to do. Not sayin’ all the work was honest, mind you, but our blood, sweat, tears, and toil were. We nursed cracks in our hands, our heads, as well as cuts to our souls and soles over mead, ale, and bread. We’d eat like kings and queens onshore, but live on salted dried fish and a handful of grain, boiled in a forge’s light on a ship. Feast or famine, we saw it all. Our coin gold, and good where we landed; never question the source, and it be plentiful.

Calm seas never quite were calm after that day. There was a mighty roar, just as the seers projected, and the wall of water fell upon the village. We were all on board, holdin’ on for dear life as the wave swept us out to Hydaelyn knows where. It took us a few days to get our bearings and we floated in an area that was unfamiliar, but we pressed on.

But tonight, a clear night at dusk, the great Leviathan rose from the depths to smite us down. We managed to go hard to starboard, but lashed up on rocks. In the rising flood, there are no survivors. I write this and cast it into the sea, my home for the last 20 years, in hopes that one day it will be opened. Lord Leviathan claims more victims, and sea has in fact swallowed all.

Lymlaen, be merciful… my body now belongs to you. See me safely home….



Captain Alili Ali, last of her name

(If I win the contest, I’d like the Gaelicap, please.)