The Dragon's Gale - The Dragon's Gale : Path of the gunslinger

[Northern Sea, Dragon's Gale Cabin]

The night came, and after receiving a harsh talk from the ship's boatswain, Ariana, for killing a crew member, even if he had stolen loot, he returned to his cabin.

Three months.

This was the time he had spent on the Dragon's Gale, a pirate ship of roughly 120 to 150 pirates depending on the expedition. When he had first joined, they were barely 100. However, after multiple successful raids, they were gaining strength, funds and influence in the local region.

Although the ship's name was ominous, his status page assessment and assessment were kind reminders that he was not anyone...yet.

[Name: Lewis "Deadeye" Steel | HP - 18 / 18

Template: Level 3 Gunslinger (1 270 / 1 800 EXP) | NPC Pirate Officer

Category: Medium humanoid (Human Imperial), Lawful Evil

Attributes: STR 14 | DEX 18 (+1) | CON 12 | INT 10 | WIS 10 | CHA 11 (+3)

Active Skills: Lightning Reload [35/100] ★★☆☆☆ | Piercing Shot [80/100] ★☆☆☆☆ | Bullying Shot [52/100] ★☆☆☆☆ | Piercing Rapier Thrust [14 / 100] ★☆☆☆☆

Languages: Common, Thieves' Cant

Feats: Sharpshooter IV (+1 DEX), Criminal III (+1 CHA), Murderer III (+1 WIS), Pirate Officer (+2 CHA)

Challenge Rating: 3/2 (300 XP)

Equipment: Flintlock Pistols, Pirate Officer Uniform, Iron Rapier

Assessment: "A level 3 thug with a pistol, a title on a ship and delusions of grandeur. The sea remembers...mostly his failures"]

NPCs and players followed the same standards of class, attributes and levels, even if the player's system was more granular.

NPCs spoke of "professions" to refer to "classes". For example, Lewis, initially a fighter class, unlocked the gunslinger class after killing five foes with a flintlock.

NPCs referred to "circles" when speaking of levels. So a 3rd-circle fighter was actually just a level 3 fighter. Also they had no concept of levelling up, and instead they felt stronger and qualified as such, usually by fighting and being a match with one recognised as such. Usually the difference between levels was such that there was no room for mistakes, especially at lower levels. According to the guide there were also magical artefacts and spells that allowed for more granular analysis, but the former was too expensive and rare, the second needing a mage, which was even rarer to encounter in the northern seas.

As for attributes or health points, they had no direct equivalent.

Vigorous knocking interrupted his thoughts.

*Knock knock*

"It's Kurk"

"Enter"

[Kurk - Lv. 3 Fighter]

Kurk was one of the 3 pirate officers on the Dragon's gale. He was an adult imperial male, a level 3 fighter. He was using a rapier, and he used to be Lewis' mentor, before becoming his equal. He was also the one who vouched for him at the tavern bar of Port Royal, when he begged for a position on the Dragon's Gale.

After all, even three months later, the fact remained that Lewis was still in a fifteen-years-old body, like every new player. Him being a 3rd circle gunslinger, essentially the highest ranged member of the ship, and one with a bounty of 200 silver coins on his head, did not change anything.

If not for Kurk, he would not have been on this ship.

Kurk was also the one who vouched for him becoming the third officer of the ship. Though...the main reason why he got promoted was related to the captain discovering he could read and possessed the rare "Loot Valuation" skill. That meant they no longer needed to take guesses and get ripped off merchants.

"I heard you put a bullet in Eric's head", he spoke after a minute of silence

Lewis nodded: "He stole from the crew. I do not care much about him bullying the newcomers, or cheating when gambling. Breaking the code is where I draw the limits"

The Dragon's Gale's code of piracy. Just like the Swadian Kingdom had laws, each pirate ship had some sort of code. This is why pirates were considered lawful evil, even if they were killing and stealing from the innocent.

Lewis chose the path of piracy because it was a shortcut to grow stronger. Opportunities to kill were plenty, and it was particularly lucrative. Unlike banditry, where bounty hunters were plentiful, pirates lived on the sea, and there, there was no need to worry about assassins.

Kurk sighed: "You are always like that...fiery. That makes you scary, you know? Where is the trembling boy I picked up in the bar three months ago?"

Lewis smirked: "Are you not supposed to scream at me? I already got scolded by Ariana"

"That bitch is always so full of emotions, huh...Well, I can't really blame her. You did kill a profession after all. They are hard to recruit, and he had some served as part of the Dragon's Gale for nearly five years"

Professions were individuals with a class. In a world where the law of the strongest was everywhere, they were highly valued individuals, even if they were level one. Eric was tormenting cabin boys, sea men, but he had the right to do so because he was simply stronger.

The Dragon's Gale was a medium-sized ship, known for its speed and resilience. In recent expeditions, they were usually raiding with crews of 120 to 150 individuals. However, the number of professions amounted to 30, and this number had not changed much over the past three months.

The rest, even if they could wield swords to some extent, was mainly tasked with sailing tasks and chores, and occasionally acting as canon fodder when meeting well-organised militia in the villages they were raiding.

He continued: "That was stupid still"

"So you are scolding me too at the end of the day"

"You are the reason why I will never settle down and marry. I don't want a kid like you", Kurk retorted

"And I do not want a father like you. I already got punished, if you want to know everything. Don't get me wrong, I know you are a gossipy pirate and you came here to get tea. I need to come along her to evaluate and sell the loot in Port Royal's black market"

"Humph...Right..."

As Lewis closed the door, he heard a mutter

"I was worrying about you though..."

The drunk fighter truly was a fatherly figure.

Chapter 2 - The Dragon's Gale