The Founding of Ember Shoals

Although we were ensconced in Wyvernwatch, we had another fear – the pirates of Ember Shoals. How would they react to our arrival?

You see, I've had strained relations with the freebooters of the islands. In the early days of Dragon Coast, they liked to raid our shores. Early in our second year, Morekai, a barbarian chieftain from our northern marches, rebelled against good Queen Selina. He acquired the assistance of a warrior named Black Wolf and a pirate horde under the command of Kell. They descended upon Dragon Coast and ravaged our settlements.

Morekai the Mighty
Lord of the Barbarians

Fortunately, the mercenaries showed their true spirit (and their love of spirits). For a cask of rum, Kell switched allegiance and joined the royal forces. I don't know Wolf's price but he also joined us. We inflicted a severe defeat upon Morekai. Alas, Kell's allegiance proved temporary and soon he rejoined Morekai. Now the royal forces suffered a defeat and were forced to retreat. A little diplomacy saved Dragon Coast. Morekai agreed to pledge his loyalty to Selina in exchange for a title - Lord of the Northern Marches. The pirate raids ceased when Kell was made Admiral of Dragon Coast. Some pirates refused to follow Kell into royal service, but he ruthlessly pursued them. They retreated to the haunts of Ember Shoals and bothered us no more.

Kell
Former pirate and later Admiral of Dragon Coast

Now I was on the pirates' turf and in a vulnerable position. We braced for an attack, but instead we received a friendly welcome from one Kettlebaun Thistleswyfte. He was an ambitious merchant who saw our band of refugees as a means to his own personal ends. In exchange for permission to settle on the western shore, my retinue would assist him in forging a united government over the anarchic crews of the Shoals. With the assistance of a renowned warrior, Baronet Keldric Lenarus, we formally established the Freehold of Ember Shoals and exerted control over the island.

Heraldry of Ember Shoals

OOC Notes

• The story of Kell's double defection comes from a Dragon Coast event. Morekai lost the crown tournament so we turned it into a story line - a rebellion against Selina. I indeed bribed Kell with liquor - a bottle of rum. When the rebels won the day, we "bought" them off with titles.
• Formally, Ember Shoals was founded in July of 2014. Our first gathering was August 1, 2014.
• Kettlebaun (aka Robb Rodgers) and I were former Dragon Coast members who decided to split from our former realm. Kettlebaun convinced me that Amtgard was the way to go. It was a good decision.
• Keldric (aka Evan Mason) was an experienced Amtgard player who joined us and provided crucial advice.