Week 21

[scurveydog]

Sorry! I’m very late, I do apologize. It’s been quite a time recovering and I’m not quite used to these things, you see. When Mistress is back on her feet in a few days, she’ll resume her usual duties, but for now it is up to me. Ah, yes, it’s Meep again. You know Marshall Evans etc etc and I do not have my Mistress’ capacity for weather or for news, though I know it usually takes some time for the Navy to get motivated after Death Day. It’s so very hard for them, you know. Sailors are superstitious. In any case I think they’ll come to investigate the place where the witch met her untimely end, so I’d be well away from it since they’re likely to be cannon happy.

Sadly, though, I may not be able to answer your myriad of questions, though I will do my best—Mostly, however, I am here to tell you about the witch. Mistress doesn’t think you need to know, but it’s of important historical and archaeological value, especially considering all that you are up against currently.


Her name was Isabella St. Rouge and she was the daughter of a duke, notorious for hating pirates. The island of her birth is a shattered ruin, long since destroyed by her vengeful power. Fueled by the shard, some say, while others are adamant it was part of her family lineage. The St. Rouges were said to be rather psychic which is how they obtained the ducal office, or so go the scurrilous rumors at the time. Then again, there is also a rumor that the King of that country once slept with a pig, but I am sure that is satire, albeit poor satire, as what happens when you rule a great country.

Ah, at any rate. She was the daughter but detested her life of luxury. She was to be married to improve the family lines, as was common in those days, but the ancestral title would go to her older sister, rather than her—and so in a fit of pique, she freed Davy Jones from the cell in which he’d been held. This was before he’d become the most bloodthirsty pirate on the seas. Or at least, if he was, there was no record of his foul misdeeds.

Isabella used her, not inconsiderable, dowry to furnish him with a ship and weapons and sailed for a time with him, though not considered first mate or, indeed, any position on the crew because that would mean she was under him which was one thing Isabelle could not and would not tolerate. Still, it seems, she enjoyed her position on the crew for she never once thought of leaving, and, indeed, helped him cut a bloody swath through the oceans.

After about twenty years of their unstoppable rage, the Navy, under Vice Admiral Frederick Bates, offered her a pardon and substantial reward if she would but turn on the one whose life she saved so long ago. Then, of course, as the song goes, the first one struck the hammer’s blow, sent the man down below. In other words, it’s said that she’s the one that shattered the Piedra Roja, though I highly doubt it was with a hammer. Another bit of metaphor. I believe they were referring to the hammer of a pistol rather than an actual ‘pound the peg in’ hammer, but it’s possible she used something else.

And, as you may be aware, Vice Admiral Bates had been lying about her pardon and reward when all was said and done, which sent Isabella into a rage and she, utilizing the power of the shard, or using it to channel her own inherent energy since I have a theory that the shards are not powerful in and of themselves but rather are channels through which to project one’s own will and life force which is how my Mistress

Well that’s neither here nor there, is it? Ah, the point is that Isabella used her shard to enslave villages, towns, even whole countries, it is said—to do brutal, violent things. How she was finally defeated the first time…well, it’s a sad mystery and a closely guarded Naval secret. Anyone who knows of it will likely be tortured to their very deaths and beyond. Though Mistress thinks that if one can find it and utilize it they may very well be able to

Well never mind that. So, yes, she was defeated and thought dead and perhaps she was? Who can say? But she is dead now. All parts of her are gone and swept away into the sea, never to return to the waking world. All because of you brave fighters who went in after her. Who saved the day. The Navy may consider you threats to all and beyond, but to me and to anyone who will come to know the truth of your bravery and strength, you are heroes.


I must now attend my Mistress’ bedside. If you have questions I will attempt to answer them throughout the evening, though they may well be intermittent as I am tending her. She is very tired and so very grumpy.

That is my lot in life, alas, but chin up and on we go!

Comments

voice;

[wavesoakedlegs]

So she is gone for good.

[The story is a long and curious one, and Mitsuhide definitely takes note of the comment about the shard. Meep's theory is perhaps something to discuss with Hajime sometime, though not yet.]

[There is still so much healing to do, and everyone on their crew needs time to simply relax.]

[So all Mitsuhide adds is:]

Thank you. You have our deep gratitude for sharing your story and your theory with us.

[scurveydog]

Yes. Gone for good and all. I'm glad if my story can give you some form of succor though there are many pieces still missing from it, I'm afraid. Once this stint is over it's back to research for me and I must say I'm looking forward to it. Talking to people is not my forte. My mistress says I tend to babble.

[Voice]

[grandlineswag]

This might quite possibly be some of the most useful information I've actually seen given in these little messages. Perhaps you should handle these from now on.

[scurveydog]

No, no, not me. I need to be researching, you see, trawling dusty libraries or running from packs of angry wildebeasts! It's quite a tough job uncovering facts that various peoples do not wish to be uncovered and I have quite a lot of adventures. I'd much rather stick to libraries, though. There is this one in Dermavern South City that serves mint tea on the hour. Though if you go there, I wouldn't eat the berries. They are quite delicious but I was talking to my own reflection for about three hours before I realized he was not a long lost twin.

written:

[hostclubshadowking]

I'm glad to hear you and your mistress both came out of the fight.

[All of his questions can wait. He can barely think of them anyway. He'll need a long time to look over those words, to consider the story. Because here... Here, fairy tales and legends may well be what saves them.]

[scurveydog]

Thank you! I'm much surprised myself that we managed to survive it. I thought for sure she'd have died with the blowback surge of energy and it took much swimming after her before I remembered I did indeed have a ship with which to search. Fortunately I found her quite near a sea otter bed and she was a bit livid at me, I'm afraid. She's been blistering my ears every hour on the hour, much deserved, I'll admit, but I do wish she knew how to forgive and forget. A dislocated shoulder will put anyone in a sour mood, I imagine.

voice;

[gokai_red]

Hn. [He'd say "you're welcome," but he won't. The thought's there, at least?]

I still want to know what she was going to gain by bringing the possessed back to her, unless it really was just to lure us there.

[scurveydog]

Well, this requires a bit of an explanation. The volcanic rocks of the fortress were of the type majia roca, which was a substance well known on the island on which she once lived. It is a substance well known for gathering energies, and indeed, in some circles is thought to be a sentient being that feed on said energies. Which was why the black coral, made of a similar eruption and stirred from the ocean floor with the arrival of the fortress, was used in order to feed, focus and channel an equal and opposite force to the witch which caused the whole thing to explode, as you saw, leading to my Mistresses current discomfort.

As for why she pulled you back, my Mistress believes because the destruction of your fellows was going slower than planned and, as Death Day drew nigh, she wished to absorb their energy and use it along with her own to push open the, what my mistress calls somewhat unscientifically, veil between life and death so as to slip in and control the mind of Davey Jones--for if he does indeed wield the power to bring all and sundry here, what else may he be able to do? Or so we think.

[breaks_pots]

[All of that took a bit to process, but Link caught onto something that didn't sound right.

He wrote out that part to keep it in his mind while he gave it some thought.]
the first one struck the hammer’s blow, sent the man down below. In other words, it’s said that she’s the one that shattered the Piedra Roja

[Voice]

Mister Meep. I'm sorry that I have more than one question, but I would like it if you answered them. This part you wrote. That she shattered the jewel we're supposed to be collecting the shards of... Does that mean breaking it made Mister Davey Jones what he is and put him below the sea? He's the one that brought us here and we're gathering the shards to put the jewel together to go home. But if it sent him below, then... wouldn't putting it back together bring him back up?

[scurveydog]

The answer to that isn't known, I'm afraid. Theoretically yes. There is also a theory that they who possess the Piedra Roja will become a vessel for Jones himself to wreak bloody havoc on all the worlds. It is also possible that he is bound to it, and, if indeed he does arise, will be forced to follow the will of those who possess the gemstone. Unfortunately we simply do not have enough information to form concrete theoretical enactments of the probable outcomes.

[Written]

[thetruehistorian]

Thank you for the lesson, Meep. I, for one, enjoyed it.

[scurveydog]

Oh, I wasn't too long winded? I'm glad. My Mistress says I tend to get onto long tangents and write things that probably should not be written given the current circumstances but I find knowledge to be too heady a thing to share, don't you? I want everyone in the world to know what I know and theorize and to open discussion and debate on the things that happen or may happen or even are almost quite impossible to happen because it is only when we share knowledge that we can build the foundations of a more peaceful world!

Not Here;

[hiken]

[Ace listened to this all, but the names and titles hit too close to home.

He suddenly hit an angry streak.]

Voice;

[rosettawall]

[Certainly, there's nothing to thank her for. She was part of the problem, and not even close to part of the solution. Still...]

That she could control us so absolutely, to be brought so far from our own conscious state of mind... Not having to combat that any longer from her is a blessing, but...

Sir, is the other power out there that can do the same?

[scurveydog]

Oh there are many things out there that possess some form of mind control or the other, but none so absolute. Anyway, I believe my Mistress is, or will be, working on something to circumvent that. I'm not entirely sure. She dabbles in things which I do not, and cannot have any inkling of. Though I am confident to say that this will not happen again, for the witch is the only person that I know of to sink in so deeply.

Private; Text

[madeofswords]

Can the broken fragments of that jewel be destroyed?

[scurveydog]

Can you destroy the very foundations from which a thing is made? It is impossible to say for certain but it's the widespread belief that you can only break the jewel down into smaller pieces. That even the very furnace of nature herself, that is to say, lava, will be unable to melt it. That is only theory, however. I've never heard of it being done in practice but I believe that destroying them will destroy your only chances of getting home.

voice

[arcadiasailor]

Now that one hell of a tale. [He's making a note to make sure his friend never really does piss off his own red haired lady pirate from back home.]

Good to hear you'r both still kicking.

[scurveydog]

Thank you very much. We are still kicking. Some of us more than others. My shin is quite bruised, though somewhat deserved, it's still a shame, don't you think? But I am, if not strong, than at least clever and have tied pillows to my legs. It makes it somewhat difficult to put on pants but at least my precious shins are protected from voracious abuse from a wise but grumpy Mistress.

[voice]

[thethundersaid]

Was there a reason you couldn't share this information before?

[scurveydog]

I did not know all this information before. A good deal of it, yes, but I needed to take the time to do research from several varying sources that had differing information. I told you what I could, when I could and when it was relevant to the situation at hand and I apologize that I couldn't do better, but I am just one humble Meep and so only have two hands and two eyes with which to work. Well, I do possess somewhat of a metaphorical third eye, which is not an eye, of course, though some might call it a chakra point--but I only rarely receive visions of the future.

[hearts_beat]

Amplify someone's power...?

[She thinks back to the fight with Xun Yu...]

[scurveydog]

Yes, indeed. That's one of the pervading theories anyway. It's difficult to tell since there has been a lack of experimentation. Though there is some evidence that the Navy is participating in said experimentation but that is, of course, only rumor and it is highly likely that knowing any proof will one way or the other get you killed without hesitation. Or, perhaps in the case of outsiders, imprisoned permanently.

[Voice]

[collagehero]

Tell Dog I hope she feels better and that I said thank you for the birthday present! The pastels are beautiful and I'm gonna draw all sorts of things with them! I hope Miss Margie finds a way to get my present to her.

[scurveydog]

So you got them! I told my Mistress and she is much relieved that you received her gift and hopes you enjoy it. Miss Margaret is scheduled to stop by in the next day or so and I am sure that my Mistress will receive them then. Thank you very much for your kindness in putting up with my dear Mistress's rather abrasive nature.

Voice

[my_lost_heart]

So her name really was Isabella....

[A faint smile tugged at her lips. She wanted to believe the best in people, and the "witch" was no different. Even if she'd used everyone to harm others, at least she hadn't lied about everything. In a way it was some consolation to hear the tale.]

Thank you for sharing this. I hope that now, she'll be able to find some peace.

[scurveydog]

She told you her name? Strange. Very strange. I wonder why? The evils of the world usually aren't so quick to give that part of themselves away. Who knows what she will find on the other side of the metaphorical veil. Though there is a legend from the mysterious lost peoples of Green Breeze Island that says that those that die in evil and torment wander the stars until their soul is purified. I don't know whether that is comforting or not but I, myself, am somewhat comforted by thinking that they are up there where they can hurt no one, specifically not a feeble Meep.

[Voice]

[theartofboom]

Bitch got what she deserved. Nobody should be allowed to take freedom away from other people.

[scurveydog]

Oh, well, yes I quite agree. Unless of course said people are criminals who would hurt other people for gain and, in that case than perhaps their freedom should be curtailed. But as I've said, I am but a humble Meep and not one to decide what is right or wrong when you get to the fine details of morals and ethics. I merely deal in history and research. Do you know that long ago vanished peoples of Marble Tear Island were convinced snails gave you the ability to read minds?

[voice]

[maskedtyrant]

Meep! I'm glad to hear you two made it out okay. Well, relatively.

[That seems to be the extent of the message at first; then Codi comes back after a long pause, surprisingly hesitant.]

...So, uh...hypothetically speaking...if someone came across as big a shard as what the Witch had on her, what would we be expecting in terms of, you know...power output or whatever it is? How does that even work?