<div class="floatright">(http://img.wallpaperfolder.com/f/4F90CDC64E08/bateaux-tableaux-relief-co.jpg)</div>The journey across the Great Western Ocean had been an risky endeavor, but also the only one available to the refugees.  Two weeks at sea had seen a grim shadow cast over the Glorious Endeavour (as the retreat had been called) when clear skies turned into squall and then tempest with frightening suddenness.  In less than half the turn of an hour glass, the skies had gone from blue to dark, as sinister clouds blanketed the skies from horizon to horizon and lightning struck and stabbed like the anger of a god.  Ships floundered as they were lifted on mountains of water and came racing down the opposing side as they surged over the crest.  Whilst winds howled, blinding sheets of rain filled the space between the raging ocean and sullen skies to complete the perfect storm.  It was a time of great confusion, and men claimed that shadowy shapes could be seen swirling just beneath the benighted clouds, whilst men cried out in alarm at strange forms (http://www.lily.fi/sites/lily/files/user/28440/2015/10/myrsky.jpg) beneath the ocean's dark waters.<br/><br/>When most next regained consciousness, their recollection of what had happened over the past couple of weeks were hazy at best, but the most immediate thing to be noticed was the storm.  Or rather, its absence.  With the exception of creaking timbers, there was little to be heard except for gentle waters lapping against the hull of the ship.  The boat itself was no longer rolling on the water, but level and untroubled by violence.  Light filtered dimly through sullen clouds, yet it was more light than any seen in a week.<br/><br/>The sound of men calling to one another in that bellowing voice sailors often used to carry over the wind could be heard.  It seemed there were survivors after all, though it was still a far cry from the hubbub that the ship was generally accustomed to.  The ship is a mess, except for the exposed decks where mostly everything that was there had been thrown off deck during the storm.  Everywhere else was chaos, except for the bulkheads where cargo had been tightly secured.<br/><br/>All around, it can be seen that the<em>Argent Maiden</em>has settled itself in the mouth of a large bay, the beach stretched in front of the ship in the distance like a enormous half-moon, probably close to a mile at its widest point.  Beyond the beach, the verdant chaos of a forest lies, and even further beyond, misty mountains can be seen.  The sky is cloudy, though not dark, and, occasionally, the sun makes a valiant effort to shine through with golden rays caught in the humid air that lends a bit of warmth to what is otherwise a chill morning.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="floatright">(http://bravelegacygames.com/images/carrack3.png)</div>Everyone can decide more or less what they're doing in general at this point.  Whatever else, it is quite apparent that the large crew of the ship is now vastly depleted, what remains little more than a skeleton crew, though enough to run the ship.<br/><br/>The <em>Argent Maiden</em> is a ship of three decks.  The lowest is the cargo hold; middle deck is the common crew quarters and cannon station; above is the sail deck.  There are officer living quarters and munitions on the ship's a forecastle, and the captain's quarters are on the quarterdeck, with the ship's steering located above it.<br/><br/>The ship once housed an water elemental, but the storm caused it to break loose, upon which it went berserk, carrying several crew members overboard into the stormy ocean and is responsible for the a large hole on the port (left) side of the ship (fortunately above the waterline, but still dangerous either way).<br/><br/>Several of the sails have been slightly torn and will need repair.<br/><br/>Despite any damage to the ship, it can still sail if needed, though only at half-speed.</div></div>