[now here is a familiar voice. Where have you heard it before? Where, o where, have you felt it. Those who are under her spell may not respond and will not want to but others, well, she will have her way yet]

Oh, la!

New faces. Beautiful faces, all. Here in a strange land, all alone. Well don't worry. Hush, my dears, and meet me by the fountain on the jeweled isle. I will give you what you crave most...

Home...

[Espio has been wandering around Isla Empieza cluelessly, giving the locals dirty looks for giving him dirty looks, trying to fathom out what is going on and, more importantly, what to do about it. As someone familiar with a more... modern (if surreal) environment, this location is kind of weird. It feels straight out of a movie or something.

He found the fountain, but the message there made the same amount of sense as the message left by Scurvey Dog in the journal he'd felt so compelled to pick up and carry around with him.

It was a while before he'd opened it again, and found new messages written inside. Strange...

It was a while longer before he decided to experiment.]

If I write here, will the message reach anyone?

If so, who is it?

Can you tell me what I'm supposed to do on this rock?

EtC

All Spades, Straw Hats, and those invited, we need a full crew meeting immediately, off the ships.

To all other crews, my name is Marco. Do not touch a certain fireball named Ace. If you can avoid him, please do, but consider him extremely temperamental and volatile. That is not a challenge, it's a warning. He's not in his usual state of mind, and if confronted, he will try to kill you. And if you lay a hand on my baby brother, I'll kill you. So just leave him alone, and if you need help dealing with him, contact me here.

Are any other crew's members acting out of sorts?

[Completely sleep-deprived and combating a very, very consistent voice in his head, Ace spoke darkly into his journal--not yelling, but still not hiding even a smidgen of menace from his tone.]

You're all supposed to be givin' it your all to get these ships clean and safe.

One of the back-sails on the Moon was loose. You realize we're at port, right? If that sail drops, the anchor ain't gonna stop it from plowin' into the pier.

So--who forgot to do their job the right way?

[There is the sudden sound of a large quantity of wood breaking after a large impact, then the sound of water breaking as they fall into the sea. For anyone still at Aeolipile Isle, Grell is at the docks, causing a ruckous as she deals with something unknown.

The waves break without interruption for a few moments before there is a dark laugh, growing in volume.]

I EXPECT TO BE PAID IN FULL! [Her laughter continues before she notices her journal is open on the floor and shuts it.]

Good morning everyone!

To the crew of the Shepherds, I have good news! You all probably already know, but we've reached Green Breeze Island! With this, I have to say, my first voyage as your captain has been a great success! We wouldn't have made it this far without all of you!

But we can't take this as an excuse to sit around, no no! This island is just like any other! We have to vigilant! Make sure we take care of each other...

[with her next statement, Mana's voice becomes harsher, more demanding]

So my orders are... no one goes off the ship without Alice or I to accompany them. Furthermore, any requests to explore have to be approved by me, first. This is not up for debate.

Second, I feel I should address any other crews out there...

Any vessel that comes within sight of the Shepherd will be treated as hostile. I'm absolutely done not taking any of you seriously... I will protect my crew at any cost.

Let's all have fun on Green Breeze Island, everyone!

[Immediately after the mayhem on the 3rd.

Very soon, Marvelous is marching across the deck, book out.]

So, Draco, you think that earthquake was just a little strong, too?

Alright, no screwing around! We won't find out anything by just sitting on our asses. And I sure as hell don't want to have something coming for me.

Murderess! We're setting out. If you don't want to, you've got until we're pushed off to jump onto the island.

Frankly, I'm not gonna hold it against you.

We're not going to attack, unless we have to. Someone needs to look into what the hell's going on out there, and I guess that's us for now, unless anyone else is coming along. We look first hand, then we can actually make a choice on what to do besides sitting here and waiting for something to come to us.

So... let's go.

[around noon there is a flash of red light that covers the entire world in the blink of an eye. Afterwards the the sea is like a still mirrored pool, on the islands even the birds have stopped singing.

And then the rumbling starts. On the sea, the waves grow choppy and then huge, threatening to overturn smaller ships completely. On land a large earthquake sends objects shaking off shelves and crashing to the floor. This lasts about five minutes.

In the sea at a certain point in the east, a black cloud, thick and roiling rises up out of the ocean floor, crackling with thin red lightning. It rises a hundred feet into the air before solidifying, looking like volcanic rock. But the smell is sweet. Almost floral. Ships that try to approach the towering object will be pushed back as if by some invisible shield. Cannon balls will be bounced back. Any kind of magical attack will be absorbed by the shield and leave the caster feeling weak.

About half an hour after everything has settled to normal, a whispering angry voice will sound over the journals]

Whooo areee youuu?


[and after the last decibel of the voice fades away, the birds begin to sing again]

So...

That scream.

It came from the east.

Whatever it is, it's probably going to be a hell of a headache.

[Pause, and some probably have an idea of what's coming.]

Anyone thinking about going to poke it with a stick?

I mean, it'd be a pain in the ass to do it, but I'd rather not get caught by surprise, either.

[Link has long been back on his schedule of stirring in the early hours before dawn.

And just when the sun is beginning to creep across the sky, the wind comes. Bustled and nearly knocked off his feet, he stares in awe as the petals it carried float gently onto the deck. There does not seem to be anything special about them...

He tears out his journal, nearly dropping it when he hears laughter lilting from the pages. He waits a moment before speaking.]

This is the Murderess. How farspread was that wind just now? Did it carry black petals as well?

[Link speaks with an uncharacteristic heaviness and uncertainty.]

As of... [There's a pause, as he's ruffling through notes. He didn't properly prepare this announcement... damn...] six days ago, December 11th on the calendar of this world, there has been no indication of the Go- of Hylia's presence. Even her bird is uncertain as to where she has gone.

...Unless you have seen her. Please, [a note of pleading in his voice] let me know if you have.

[Link delivers this message from his cabin on the Murderess. While it is not unusual for him to sleep in, he hasn't emerged from it all day. He had been assuming that she would return, but when days passed.

Damn. She would not have left the bird behind willingly, would she? It is sitting on Link's lap next to the journal, sleeping.]

Calling all able and willing ships.

Since it has been apparent that multiple ships will be raiding Isla Empieza, I find it imperative that we have a proper strategy. Even with all of us, we are outnumbered and, very likely, outgunned.

The strategy I have proposed is using magics and other talents to create a foggy mass, possibly stormlike in appearance, that will disguise our approach and fool the Navy into not firing a single shot until we are already behind them and at the advantage.

Though I am open to other ideas. Anything beyond a full frontal assault has some merit, but if you're going to suggest some suicidal blazing guns routine, I'm going to politely ask you to shove it and let the real strategists talk.

So. Suggestions?

Okay, so here's the thing.

As that Hornblower guy pointed out, every month people arrive at the same time. No reason to think it's gonna be any different now.

Everyone always appears at the same place.

Right now? Anyone who comes in is going to be wading face first into a firing squad.

I don't like it.

If I see something I don't like, I wreck it.

So, I'm going to do something about it.

If enough of you DON'T want to, I'll find some other way of getting on that island and getting people off that's not going to put this ship in the crossfire. If you all DO want to kick around some of these assholes though, then we need to figure out how we do it without getting sunk ourselves.

I might be Captain, but I'm new to this ship. I'm not expecting you to stick your necks out for me, or anyone else, yet.

But we've got a long road ahead, and we won't get very far on it if we spend all of it hiding. Plus, if any potential help we could get gets constantly stuck on an island crawling with those bastards, that's going to put us in a bind eventually anyway.

Whether you want to be or not, we're labeled as pirates. I say we give 'em reason to worry about that label.

To the sailors of Davy Jones,

[there's the sound of distant, muffled panic, though the writer's hand remains steady.]

Due to a certain impulse-renovating incident, Isla Empieza will be heavily monitored by the government until further notice. Pirates are not welcome.

[and one can hear the shouts of a naval officer,

"Everyone remain calm! We, the Navy, are taking this island over! Any pirates are to be captured on sight to be tried - if they resist, they will be killed! Any citizen caught giving aid or refuge to a pirate will be brought to court as well, for conspiring against the government!"

the loud cries cease, quieting suddenly, as a low hum of murmurs and hushed whispers begin to rise - it's impossible to catch anything they're saying, however.]

Any pirate caught will be put to death, as I'm sure you're all aware. If you are still on the island, for your own safety you should leave without haste. Those without a crew or ship, Backwater Brig carries a Naviraimant. Don't crowd, please.

For now, I am loathe to say that Backwater Brig will be inaccessible for quite some time. Never fear, however—for the need of our patrons, we sail the world for the highest quality items.

Until we meet again,

- M. M.

[As of November 19th, Isla Empieza is closed! Everyone is/will be/has been shuffled off the island! Feel free to assume your character was manhandled/booted out by villagers, had a fight with the Navy, and/or fled to Miss Margie's shop and left via Naviraimant. Ultimately, however, your characters have been booted off the island, one way or another.]

[Anyone on the deck of the Charming Murderess is going to see Marvelous standing atop the highest railing he could perch himself on.

Regardless, his journal is open in his hand, broadcasting to anyone on this ship or the Triton's Mistress. All told, he had not been there LONG from the Nav before things started to look sour. But, stuff happens. Better to roll with the punches than sit and worry about them.]

Attention, crew of the Charming Murderess! This is your new Captain speaking! My name is Marvelous.

Introduction's going to have to be short and sweet, though - in case you haven't noticed, thanks to some of our fellow pirates out there on the seas burning an island to the ground we now have this Navy poised to hunt us down and be rid of us.

I did not sign up for this just to get sunk the moment I set foot on here. So, I want to take stock of you guys and this ship.

Just what the hell do we have to work with?

Meanwhile, Triton's Mistress! I've been told this ship has an alliance with you. I'm prepared to keep on with that if you are, but I'm guessing me and your Captain need to have a little chat.

[The roar of the surf! The bang of fireworks! A fanfare of trumpets! These are the sounds that greet (assault?) the pirate who flips to this newly-minted page in their mysterious journal. There's also some dramatic chiaroscuro portrait of Leonmitchelli at the top of the page.

Someone clearly believes that an introduction should make an impression.]

As I don't intend to follow our host's poor example, allow me to introduce myself! I am Leonmitchelli Galette des Rois: supreme ruler of the Galette Lion Dominion, peerless amongst warriors!

[There's a swish as someone clearly forgets that this isn't televised and no one can see her dramatically flinging her cape around. Her voices loses some of its bombast as she moves on to business... though 'some' means there's still plenty to go around.]

I answered the call thinking I'd find a worthy quest, but instead I've been stood up. It's the same for all of you, or so I hear. 'If you want to do anything interesting, you have to go find it yourself. If you want to go back, find the way yourself.' It's an insult, but it's an insult that's better than nothing, so I'll take to the seas too.

So tell me: who among you deserves that the Knight of the King of Beasts sail with you?

Week 0, Day 1

Using this given book as a personal log.

Name: Garrus Vakarian
Rank: Turian Hierarchy Reaper Task Force Leader (as of this entry)

I’ve woken up in plenty of strange places after a night of shore leave, but this is new. Still trying to wrap my head around what’s going on. I’m putting my money on a simulation of some kind. Probably Reaper or Cerberus tech or a weird form of indoctrination. From what I remember, subjects tend to hear some sort of whispering. That’s not creepy at all.

At the risk of sounding like that freaking Prothean, the town’s culture, technology and architecture is primitive and human-centric. I doubt they have any kind of water purification or dextro food, so the environment is obviously not turian-friendly.

Gonna have a look around. Simulation or not, I’m hoping they’re friendly.

And that I can find someone or something familiar.

THIS WORLD SUCKS!!!

[For someone that's been forced to write in a diary for the past seven years, Luke's handwriting sure does look like cheagle scratch. It doesn't help that he's fed up and annoyed, which only serves to make his already crappy handwriting that much worse.]

I used to love the ocean, but I can't stand it any more! All we ever do is sail over here, get attacked by giant moths, sail over here, lose some crew members in a fog, sail over here, pick up some brats. It's so damn boring, and now we're going back to that stupid island we started out from again!? Even though everyone said we should get off of there as soon as possible?!

I hate this! I want something different to do!

[...just be glad this is written, and you don't actually have to hear his bratty ranting.]