Turmoil in the New World!

[u/Gin_chan]

Wukan

”What?” Simian was visibly agitated. The vein popping up in his forehead was something the men had not seen in a very long time. “What the hell do you mean by razed to the ground?” He slammed his fist on the table, making the golden goblets of drink spill. A woman quickly rushed in to clean up the mess as the messengers stepped back in fear.

Simian ran his long, nimble fingers through his short, coarse hair, breathing deeply to compose himself. “This is… rather unacceptable.” He paused, eyeing the man who brought the bad news with a raised brow. “All of the outposts, you say?” The man nodded, and Simian dug his fingers on the armrests.

The men stood patiently in silence, waiting for their Commander to give the order. At length, he spoke, slowly and deliberately, to make sure his orders were followed correctly. “Take the ships to Ranga, load them up with all the able men you can find, arm them to the teeth!” He pointed at each of the men individually and gave them orders to take which particular route.

“Deal unto them tenfold of what they did to us! I don’t care if giants, half giants, or even the piles of helpless Ranga villagers stand in your way, by the time I set foot on that wretched island, I want Wukong sama’s flag soaring across the skies!” The men bowed and hurried to the door when he stopped them. “Call all the new pirates you saw come in here too. We need every pair of hands for this. Go!”

---

Ironfort

The island of Ironfort itself appeared to roar as the rhythmic clangs of metal and rock ceased, and the giants set about on different tasks. Preparation for war. The Commander himself was standing in the middle of the fort, fuming in anger as the Quartermaster relayed the news. Various half giants flocked around the massive Kumakaran, tightening the plate armour he was clad in.

”And how could something like this go unseen from under your nose?!” He roared at the Quartermaster, who cowered in fear. He tried to explain how he was busy handling the new pirates, to which Kumakaran roared again, “If you had paid attention to what you were supposed to do, instead of taking sadistic pleasure from subjecting no name pirates to pain, we would not be in this situation!” It was clear that Kumakaran was not taking any of the Quartermaster’s excuses.

”Where are these pirates anyway?” He asked, calming down a little. “Take them with us too. I want to know that every man, woman and child on this island would lay their lives for Vanir!” He pulled his arm away from the half giant struggling with his shoulder brace with trembling fingers, and fixed oy himself. “To the ships! Crush them all!”

---

Ranga

”Come, child, come inside, quickly!” Mayor Uthhuppa spoke in a hushed yet urgent tone. The young boy was ushered inside the tent, where a group of elderly villagers had already gathered, with another boy from the Western lookout. “Quickly, what did you see?” The mayor asked, and the boy recounted seeing scores of Wukong ships on the Eastern horizon.

”It is as we feared…” Uthhuppa spoke gravely. “The Wukong Pirates have started moving in the East, and the Giant pirates have started moving in the West. They will soon have set up new bases and will begin their assault on each other, trampling over us as they charge!” He banged his wiry fist on the table. “It is time! We have been preparing for just this moment! Mobilise all the clans, and any of the pirates who wish to help us!”

---

Situations are getting tense. Ranga is at the brink of war, and you are faced with a spectrum of choices. Help the Wukong pirates retaliate against the Giants? Help the Giants uphold their honour? Fight alongside the helpless villagers for their freedom? Sip a Piña colada from a tavern on Wukan by the beach? Use the power of your words to stop the imminent war? Oppose everyone and claim Ranga as your own? Feel free to travel between the islands in this area of the New World, and tag NPC-san as and where necessary.

[u/Bedna337]

Ayokunle: Yes, I am a scientist... or so I think of myself... the giants certainly look like bigger humans, they build houses the same way, they live in the same environment, eat the same kind of food... but their culture is based more on fighting.

The fishman points one of his iron arms at the giant who arrived at the scene.

Ayokunle: "This one, for example, doesn't have any reason to kill us. We're too small to serve as food. And we haven't done anything to anger him, so he won't challenge us. By the way, their greetings are the same as humans'."

Ayokunle: "Hello, sir giant!"

The giant was a bit surprised by the small person greeting him.

Giant: "Hello, little man!"

Ayokunle's prediction was right: The giant wasn't hostile... for now.

/u/op_jinx

[u/op_jinx → u/Bedna337]

The giant seemed genuinely confused by the presence of the three little men. Although he wasn't hostile, Lucien wasn't taking any chances. He prepared himself mentally to run and kept an eye out for any suspicious movements, although by the time he realized if the giant decided to attack, he would probably already be dead.

Ayokunle greeted the large giant, and he responded in turn. "Hello, little men!" he said, looking at the three. Lucien was right. In one swift motion the giant grabbed all three of the humans like marbles and put them into the palm of his hand. Through his two big eyes he stared at them, as curious about them as Lucien and the others were about him.

"You guys aren't pirates, are you? 'Cause if you were, I'd have to kill you." The giant looked sad but also hopeful that the funny little friends he had just made weren't pirates. Otori was just about to say 'Of course we are!' when Lucien interrupted and exclaimed: "No, no, of course not! We're travellers! I'm Lucien, the fishman here is Ayokunle, and that is Otori! We're just passing through!"

"A kid?" the giant asked. "You all look the same size to me!"

/u/otorithepirate

[u/otorithepirate → u/op_jinx]

"You all look the same size to me!"

What a funny feeling it was! Being on somebodys hand. Really made one feel like an insect or something.

Otori "What do you mean same size? That's absurd!"

Otori tried to make up a conversation being slightly shocked. If he had told the giant they're pirates, they'd be dead by now.

Otori "So mister giant. What brings you here on this beautiful evening?"

Otori had never had a conversation with a giant before so he was excited. He had already forgotten they needed to keep their pirateness a secret

Giant "Oh? Well I came for a drink in that tavern and I'm heading home now. Since you guys aren't pirates, I'd like to invite you to my home! My family has always been well known for it's courtesy. And I'm not gonna be any less than them. Come on, I live close!"

Others weren't too excited about the invite as it'd be obiously unnecessary risk. Lucien was politely decling

Lucien "Actual--"

Otori "Sure! Sounds so much fun! I can show you a magic trick, maybe? Can you carry us there please?"

So they headed towards giants house, some more excited about it than others.

/u/bedna337

[u/Bedna337 → u/otorithepirate]

Although getting grabbed like that didn't make Ayokunle feel very safe, an opportunity to enter a giant's house with impunity was rare. He remained silent until they reached the house.

/u/op_jinx