Boris Mondragon

Boris awoke to an empty tavern.  As his vision cleared he found a plate of food and drink had been left for him,  a blanket thrown over him and the fireplace had been left burning.  He slowly got up and realized there were no visible injuries so he ate the food left for him which though cold was just what his ravenous appetite needed.  The ale or what seemed like ale tasted horrible yet he was thirsty and drank it quickly.  He also located his backpack and upon opening it saw that fresh provisions consisting of fruits, dry cooked meat, a knife and a bottle of what he assumed was more ale had been placed there.  He also noticed a small piece of parchment with some handwriting which he took over to the fireplace in order to read it and it said:"We do not know who you are or how you stumbled into our private event last night yet inspected you and found you had no life threatening injuries so we have left you to recuperate in the warmth of the inn and have prepared provisions for you as we assume that you must be passing through.  We wish you safe travels in your future endeavors".  Boris smiled to himself as he could envision the image of a salt-water drenched man falling into an inn and dropping unconcious in the middle of a private event was not what these folks expected nor wanted therefore he knew his first impression would not warrant any further hospitality here at this town.  He found a quill and some ink near the bar and wrote slowly a reply of gratitude;  "I apologize for interrupting your event last night and appreciate the meal, provisions and warm fire that kept me alive.  For this you will have my eternal gratitude as I was thrust into this world and this town by fate.  Mayhaps one day in the future I may return to repay you yet there is a purpose to my visit here in this unknown land that I must complete.  Fair winds and Following Seas to all.  Boris Mondragon.
 
OOC; Time to move on to leave my mark on this new land and soon form a pirate guild.  Thanks for the hospitality.

Boris awoke to an empty tavern.  As his vision cleared he found a plate of food and drink had been left for him,  a blanket thrown over him and the fireplace had been left burning.  He slowly got up and realized there were no visible injuries so he ate the food left for him which though cold was just what his ravenous appetite needed.  The ale or what seemed like ale tasted horrible yet he was thirsty and drank it quickly.  He also located his backpack and upon opening it saw that fresh provisions consisting of fruits, dry cooked meat, a knife and a bottle of what he assumed was more ale had been placed there.  He also noticed a small piece of parchment with some handwriting which he took over to the fireplace in order to read it and it said:"We do not know who you are or how you stumbled into our private event last night yet inspected you and found you had no life threatening injuries so we have left you to recuperate in the warmth of the inn and have prepared provisions for you as we assume that you must be passing through.  We wish you safe travels in your future endeavors".  Boris smiled to himself as he could envision the image of a salt-water drenched man falling into an inn and dropping unconcious in the middle of a private event was not what these folks expected nor wanted therefore he knew his first impression would not warrant any further hospitality here at this town.  He found a quill and some ink near the bar and wrote slowly a reply of gratitude;  "I apologize for interrupting your event last night and appreciate the meal, provisions and warm fire that kept me alive.  For this you will have my eternal gratitude as I was thrust into this world and this town by fate.  Mayhaps one day in the future I may return to repay you yet there is a purpose to my visit here in this unknown land that I must complete.  Fair winds and Following Seas to all.  Boris Mondragon.
 
OOC; Time to move on to leave my mark on this new land and soon form a pirate guild.  Thanks for the hospitality.

There was a loud knock on the door and the two guards who entered approached Boris who had been waiting for the sun to set.  "Captain Mondragon, please come with us as Lady Laura awaits by the beach".  It had been a short walk from the village shack were Boris was resting to a large crop of brush that hid an entrance to a cave where all three men entered and from which they exited into a secluded beach area.  The area was quite large and several small huts were visible along with plenty of activity.  One thing that caught Boris' eye was a small ship that was docked there well camouflaged from eyesight.  There was also a large hut were Boris was being led and yet this place looked somewhat familiar as if from a distant time that Boris could not piece together.  He knocked on the door of the large hut and the voice of a woman called from within with soft words "Lord Mondragon come in and welcome back home".  Those words "welcome back home" did confuse him a bit as he studied the layout of the hut.  It was simple and a large cauldron with sticks and a large skull was in the back of the hut.  Next to it were two straw mats where Laura sat and motioned Boris to sit in front of her.  There were four braziers that were lit and on which Laura sprinkled some herbs that she produced from a small pouch.  The smell of these burning herbs was peculiar yet familiar as well and the hut was filled with this fragrance that Boris found intoxicating yet producing a feeling of euphoria.
Laura saw the look on his face and smiled at Boris uttering a few initial words to set him at ease: "Lord Mondragon do not fear the sensations produced by the sacred plant.  We used this at your birth in this same hut 30 years ago today to allow your mother ease in childbirth.  Today you will know many things about your present and future and what the great spirit has prepared for you".Laura produced another pouch with cowry shells she used for divination and approached the cauldron to speak a few words of incantation as part of the preparations.  As both Boris and Laura faced each other sitting in the straw mats, she gathered the shells in her cupped hands and placed them on Boris' forehead speaking out loud "May the blessings of the great spirit, our forefathers and the sea goddess bless us with clarity and give us the insight to understand the messages".  She dropped the cowry shells several times and noticed the number that had the open end in the up position taking notes on the number combinations then she moved them to the side and began to speak:
"Lord Mondragon, your fate is confirmed now as it was set when I read these shells to your mother on the day of your birth.  It was the reason she had you taken to the great city and that orphanage for you to be safe from danger and to learn skills that now make you able to set things right as we are all facing a grave danger that you and others like you must destroy in a far away land or it will consume us all slowly.  You see that cauldron to our right? this is great older magic of which few are allowed to learn and use and it chooses who will wield it.  Your father Camilo Mondragon was one of those chosen to battle this evil and unfortunately from what my shells tell me he is held captive by one whose name I do not know yet that evil being has taken the magic to animate the dead for his wishes and for his goal of ultimate domination using those departed to do his bidding. You must stop this being from succeeding and hopefully bring your father out of there alive.  You must learn to use more than just your wits and blades to prepare for this mission and it is the elements of Earth, Wind and Fire that will help you succeed.  You must also learn to move along the shadows as that evil being knows of you and our plans, fortunately he cannot reach us here.  Your mother Alana has sacrificed in many ways from your childbirth as she made a pact with the Sea Goddess and the Great Spirit in order to keep us safe here and to ensure you could make it back here this day to learn your future.  She will appear to you tonight and give you her blessing and that of the Sea Goddess.  I will expect your return in the future so you can instruct me on locking the magic so we may never have another one like the evil one use it again.  Take these herbs with you as these may save you and many others you will meet if used at the right moments with this coconut paste.  Simmer both together and either ingest them or place them as a salve to any serious injuries.  May the great spirit guide you always Boris".  Laura stood and helped Boris to his feet guiding him to the beach as nightfall had falled completely yet the moonlight cast a luminous eerieness there.
Boris tried to remember all that was told to him by Laura yet felt himself still engulfed by the euphoria of the herbs and slowly focused on the ripple in the sea not more than 10 feet from shore.  That is when he saw her coming towards him.  Alana was a beautiful woman with solid white hair, caramel skin and large green eyes yet the one thing that stood out was the warm smile on her face as she approached him and held her hands out to him.  "Son, I am sure you know your heritage now and what the great spirit has in store for you.  I can only remain in this form for a few hours before I must change again to the form that allows me to keep this island safe from Pirates and other beings that would have destroyed us all shortly after your birth".  Come with me into the sea so I may bless you in front of the Sea Goddess".  As both Boris and Alana stepped into waist deep water they were joined by several female creatures that the pirates had called "Sirenes"  who sprinkled water upon Boris chanting words in an unknown language.  Boris thought this was all a dream until Alana laughingly shooed the playful Sirenes away.  She looked at Boris again and spoke once more: "Son you have my blessings and the blessing of the Sea Goddess as she has sent these young "Ladies" on her behalf.  They will guide you to the vortex tomorrow night for you to enter the realm where you fate guides you. I will await your return and hopefully that of your father as well."  There was a final hug and just like she appeared Alana dove under the water to re-emerge as a silver dragon circling Boris twice before disappearing into the night.

It took over a month to arrive at Buc's Den after a stopover in Skara Brae where Boris had his ship renamed to what was now called "The Dragon" and painted all black as well as its sails.  The crew had also had new uniforms in black leather with the silver dragon outline sown on the chest piece.  They had also undergone intensive training in archery to add a new dimension to ship warfare and all was going along with the plan to make this ship a fast moving lethal fortress.  The ship arrived at nightfall in Buc's den and only two ships were visible in the harbor at the time of arrival, A quick glance through the spyglass revealed neither ship was ready for battle nor would pose much of a problem yet a small welcoming committee approached the "Dragon" on a small rowboat asking to see the Captain immediately.  A very fat and scruffy individual was allowed to board the ship and talk to Boris and he introduced himself as Treasurer Smythe, assistant to Lord Savarth who was the self-proclaimed ruler of Buc's Den.  With a smile on his face this scruffy so called "Treasurer" asked Boris to pay 1000 gold pieces to allow his ship to dock.  Laughter erupted from Carlos Bane the first officer of the "Dragon" as Boris looked at the "Treasurer" with amusement.  Boris clapped his hands at which point twenty of his crew pointed bows at the "Treasurer and his small entourage.  He then had that annoying group strip naked and get back aboard their small rowboat with a message for Lord Savarth to leave the island before sunrise and leave all belongings and gold behind.
Boris knew there would be resistance and the battle did not last long as many men ran towards the two moored ships in the harbor yet it was to no avail as the "Dragon" was already in position by the time the two ships raised their anchors and the first one took direct cannon fire rendering it useless.  Boris allowed the other one to leave guessing Lord Savarth and his retinue would be on it.  He allowed that second ship to pass near the "Dragon" before ordering his men to light arrows and spray their sails with them.  That ship would not go anywhere very fast which had also been calculated to allow Boris and his crew to dock and install themselves as the new rulers of Buc's Den.  His plan was to take whatever gold was there and distribute it amongst the island residents.  Boris sensed something else was in the plans as he felt that whisper in the wind call to him "Prepare quickly as we move on to Isle of Fire"  In two days the "Dragon was re-stocked with provisions and the crew had been allowed to entertain themselves in the local tavern.  Boris noticed that Feluccan moon full and knew it was time to set sail.
It was on the second day of the full moon that Boris had the dream of what was to happen on Isle of FIre and though vague in nature he knew there was a woman he would seek there named Laura who would give him further advice.  The seas had been relatively calm and the travel to Fire Island had been uneventful.  They had docked and saw a small village where a woman approached them. She looked at him and spoke softly: "Captain Mondragon, I saw you in my dreams and must speak to you at nightfall by the beach.  It will be then that your future will be told".
s

I got a couple of more updates for Boris before he washes up in Pax Lair and will leave it open there for anyone else who wants to be part of the group that sees him washed up.  They can use his story to introduce themselves or be part of the Boris Saga as I plan to do a weekly story update.
 

Several years of hard work aboard the Phantom helped Boris grow physically and helped heal the psychological wounds suffered in Britain at the hands of the academy.  On his free time he would practice with his swords incessantly and he quickly obtained the respect from his shipmates and Captain Roca who taught Boris all he knew about these seas and mainly how to avoid pirates on their travels between Cove, Vesper and Trinsic.  The Phantom mainly transported reagents, ore and a few discreet passengers who did not want their travel destinations known, it also provided relative safety to its passengers due to its design that would allow for maximum speed.  This particular day would be different as a storm ensued which left the main mast and sail damaged and caused the phantom to list along at a dangerously low speed, this did not help as a much bigger ship was seen gaining ground on the phantom as repairs were being made at a frantic pace.and Boris was asked to climb up to the crow's nest to look for the flag of the approaching vessel.  Boris looked bewildered as he noticed a black flag with a silver lich outlined was waving in the wind and when he yelled the description of the flag heard the reply "The Lich" at which point all abled seamen took their positions on deck awaiting the worst.  Repairs had been made yet the Phantom would have to engage the Lich and they were outmanned and outgunned.  What the Phantom lacked in cannons and manpower they would make up with speed, discipline, and war maneuvers as Boris had taught the crew all these traits in this last year when he had been named first mate of the Phantom.  The game of cat and mouse played itself with the Phantom maneuvering out of the Lich's cannon fire until they positioned themselves and fired their four port-side cannons towards the back of the Lich.   Their aim was true and the first cannon fire impact hit the Lich's captain's quarters while the second broke their main mast.  Captain Roca looked at Boris with a smile knowing their cunning had paid off and it was time to make a decision to leave the listing pirate ship to flounder or board it.  Suddenly, Boris had his first encounter with what his fellow sailors had called the "Sea Goddess".  It was nightfall and the full moon shined brilliantly when the silver dragon swooped over the deck of the Phantom and continued onto the Lich setting a plume of fire to the pirates on its deck.  Just as quickly as the dragon appeared she disappeared into the moonlight yet Boris could hear her whisper "Boris take that ship and make her yours.  I have always looked out for you since you were left at the orphanage and one day will tell you your true heritage.  For now let them fear you for they will know the Sea Goddess protects you".  The image of a Black Flag with a silver dragon in its middle formed in his mind and Boris knew a pirate had been born this night.

Boris Mondragon grew up in the main Orphanage in Britain, a town in a far away land called Brittania.  In his earliest recollection from his childhood he remembered learning carpentry and tailoring as the orphanage trained all their children to prepare for their sixteenth birthday when they would go out into the world.  The orphanage allowed those over age 12 to help the City in different manners and Boris took the opportunity to help in the docks repairing sails and decks of various ships.  It was a small sleek ship called a sloop that caught Boris' attention and where he spent several years working as a volunteer.  He gathered much knowledge of ships and the crew taught him of the ways of sailors which helped Boris in obtaining a scholarship to the Brittain Shipping academy.  At age sixteen he entered the academy and spent the next two years learning all sciences required to become an officer.  Boris was a serious student who earned many accolades from the staff at the academy and also much envy from the other academy candidates.  This is where his problems began as his fellow candidates who for the most part came from rich families with known pedigrees could not fathom an orphan who was the top candidate in academics, leadership and swordfighting.  It did not help either than Boris caught the eye of the Commanding Officer's daughter named Erica who took every opportunity to visit the academy and start conversations with him. It was on graduation day that the scandal erupted and Boris was not allowed to graduate for "integrity issues" as the Commanding Officer assumed that unallowed fraternization had occured between Boris and a his daughter.  Boris was escorted out of the academy in the middle of laughs and jeers from his fellow candidates and thrown out in the middle of Britain.  He looked at that academy vowing they would pay for their wrongdoing and the dark label placed on the orphanage he came from.  Boris was fortunate to land a job as crewmember on that sleek sloop called the "Phantom" he first fell in love with and worked on prior to the academy and this is where the adventure begins.
 

Boris Mondragon grew up in the main Orphanage in Britain, a town in a far away land called Brittania.  In his earliest recollection from his childhood he remembered learning carpentry and tailoring as the orphanage trained all their children to prepare for their sixteenth birthday when they would go out into the world.  The orphanage allowed those over age 12 to help the City in different manners and Boris took the opportunity to help in the docks repairing sails and decks of various ships.  It was a small sleek ship called a sloop that caught Boris' attention and where he spent several years working as a volunteer.  He gathered much knowledge of ships and the crew taught him of the ways of sailors which helped Boris in obtaining a scholarship to the Brittain Shipping academy.  At age sixteen he entered the academy and spent the next two years learning all sciences required to become an officer.  Boris was a serious student who earned many accolades from the staff at the academy and also much envy from the other academy candidates.  This is where his problems began as his fellow candidates who for the most part came from rich families with known pedigrees could not fathom an orphan who was the top candidate in academics, leadership and swordfighting.  It did not help either than Boris caught the eye of the Commanding Officer's daughter named Erica who took every opportunity to visit the academy and start conversations with him. It was on graduation day that the scandal erupted and Boris was not allowed to graduate for "integrity issues" as the Commanding Officer assumed that unallowed fraternization had occured between Boris and a his daughter.  Boris was escorted out of the academy in the middle of laughs and jeers from his fellow candidates and thrown out in the middle of Britain.  He looked at that academy vowing they would pay for their wrongdoing and the dark label placed on the orphanage he came from.  Boris was fortunate to land a job as crewmember on that sleek sloop called the "Phantom" he first fell in love with and worked on prior to the academy and this is where the adventure begins.
 

*sneaks his head and looks around*  Do we have a forum to post rp stories and introductions? *smiles as he fades into the shadows*