Realistic Pirate CYOA

"You could've asked, you know." I hand him the notes.

He looks over them, holds it up to the sun. The words, "Here lies the Archangel."

"This is interesting. It seems to be some sort of code. If I figure it out, will you tell me if I'm right?"

The turtle by him starts eating pellets out of a bowl. The man doesn't seem to notice.

The other turtle fishers come and start to set the boat out to sail.

"We're casting off," a sailor says. "You coming or not?"

You could stay here at the turtle fisher, or go to the tavern and meet the Kircher's crew.

"Sorry! My job's with another ship! Look me up sometime when you get back." You give them my contact information, and leave to meet the crew.

You walk away, leaving the turtle fishers to their business.

As you leave earshot, one of them exclaims. "Daniel Coulson.. isn't that-"

~

The Hearty Parrot is in full swing.

Sailors and topless Spanish harlots flood the bar.

Captains dine with their wives on a VIP loft.

In the corner, Anna - dressed as a harlot - talks to a rich looking British Captain.

You sidle [sic] up to Anna and ask casually, "How're things, Anna?"

She looks to you, eyes frozen open with fear or surprise. You can't tell.

The officer looks at you, taking off his hat. His face is scarred, yet handsome.

He extends his hand to you.

"Evening, Daniel. It's been a long time."

Towns.

"Indeed it has. What brings you here, Towns?"

He smiles.

"That's Commander Towns, now. Funny you should ask. After I was rescued by her majesty's Marines from a watery grave, I found myself at the mercy of an explosion. My face did not survive well. Luckily, some harlot," Towns gestured. "Left a dingy, which I happily requisitioned and used to rescue a few Marines. Sure, some fell to sharks. But I rescued one particularly important one. You might now him. He was recently promoted to Admiral - before disappearing mysteriously." He leans over to whisper. "Michael."

You notice the noise in the Hearty Parrot has dimmed to a current of whispers.

The building is being surrounded by Marines. They are having trouble making their way to you in the harsh crowds. They brandish cutlasses.

Your fellow Kircher sailors are here, some recognizing you from the docks. A few pull out pistols at the approaching Marines.

Above, a hooded man watches the scene from a private booth. He tosses a taffy to you when you look up to him.

You pick it up. There is a coin inside. A signal?

Towns is reaching for a pistol.

What do you do?

You make a short hop, unsheathing your leg without Towns' knowledge.

"What's going on, Towns?"

"I'm bringing in a wanted pirate of course."

"Who's that?"

"You."

He raises his pistol to your head, but on instinct you duck, roll, and slice his hand clean off at the wrist with your peg leg. His severed hand pulls the trigger, sending a bullet into the swelled crowd. An innocent harlot is struck in the skull, the bullet embedding itself in the back of her head. (+1 pegleg)

The first shot leads to a succession of shots from Kircher's men on the marines. The marines outside think they're being ambushed, and run to their armory. Sailors and harlots pour out of the Hearty Parrot, not waiting for those marines to come back. Anna is among them, her uncovered bosom bouncing freely as she runs.

Soon the first floor is empty save for you, the bartender, and Towns. The Doc has gone upstairs, and is sitting next to the hooded man, who is watching from above. They speak briefly, then leave togther - the bartender sprinting with them.

Towns is bleeding heavily from the wrist. He looks up to you with pure hatred. There is no one else around.

"Are you going to kill me, pirate?" His right hand holds a dagger.

"You know, I never really wanted to. But since you're still giving me trouble after I've saved your life twice, why not?"

You stab him through the heart with your pegleg.

He spouts blood and falls to the floor, arms scratching at your leg.

You have killed Captain Towns, your old friend and twice-saved buddy. A rich British Captain.

Hooded figures enter the Hearty Parrot. Your Doc is among them.

One steps close to you.

"Hail the glorious war dead."

"No," the Doc replies. "Friend of yours."

The hooded figure reveals his head. Bearded and tattooed, Gildas stands before you.

"My friend. Do you not recognize your savior?" He looks at the dead body by your boot. "I see you've kept busy. But calm yourself. We must leave before his marines arrive. Commander Towns was the master of the nearby fortress. Let's go!"