[fan fic micro-competition] Tall Tales of Bilgewater

RiotBioluminescence·8/3/2015, 12:50:17 AM·46 votes·34,727 views

TIME'S UP! Competition Closed! Winner announcement post here!#

[edit - We reached the deadline for entries and now I have the terribly difficult challenge of choosing one of the winners!]

For fun, I welcome any of you creative writer types to a bit of a game - a flash fiction prompt, if you will!

##The Challenge - ## Gangplank is back from the dead, and everyone and their scurvy dog has a theory on how he managed it. It's the only thing being discussed in the taverns, and the stories are getting more and more outlandish! Can you spin a ripping yarn of how Gangplank spit in the twin faces of death?

Was he swallowed whole by a shark and punched his way out? Did the water part around him in fear and he simply walked back to shore? Did he die and go to hell, but the underworld felt he was overqualified and sent him back?

(Obviously, you and I (and anyone who's read the epilogue) have some insider information - but Gangplank guaranteed that saw-bones silence, remember? So the city is free to speculate wildly.)

##Rules - ##

400 word count limit. This is flash fiction, and the patrons of the bar are looking for wild stories done quick.
There will be two winners. One I pick (and I may soon regret having to choose just one) and the other that is the highest upvoted in this thread.
The deadline is 7pm PST, 3rd of August (tomorrow). (10pm EDT, or 2am on the 4th in GMT)
Prizes??? I'll see if I can wrangle some RP, but I honestly don't know if I'm allowed to do this :)

Anyone interested in taking a shot? Channel your inner Baron Munchausen and go for it.

252 Comments

ModCaptainMårvelous8/3/2015, 2:01:05 AM36 votes

At the bottom of the bay, Gangplank lay against the seabed. Everything ached, blood was rising upward and the only his cutlass lay at his side. Gangplank couldn’t breath, the ocean having filled his lungs. He probably only had half a minute before the lack of air finished him.

From the darkness, two golden eyes peered at him. “Well well, if it ain’t the mighty Gangplank. Boy, your arm looks mighty rough,” spoke the voice, melodic and deep. “Seems like you’re gonna die down here. Course, I could help you out…”

Gangplank, however, had no time for this. Despite the agony he was in, despite his lack of oxygen, he began to push himself up from the seabed. The razorfins swarmed overhead, drinking in the corpses. He’d have to move fast, least they turn their attention to a warm meal. If there was one thing Gangplank didn’t do, it was die.

“Now I could- HEY! Get back here! You know damn well you can’t get past that, I’m your only chance here, son!” the voice spoke. Despite the ocean’s depth, it sounded like the voice was in his mind.”Come back and let’s make a deal, you know you won’t make it…”

As he swam upwards, Gangplank began to choke on sea water. His lungs felt heavy but the surface was so close!

“You know you won’t make it…”

His right arm still working fine, Gangplank held his sword close. A razorfin noticed him swimming upward, baring it’s teeth. Gangplank grimaced, impaling the beast as it sunk it’s teeth into his shoulder

“YOU KNOW YOU WON’T MAKE IT…”

His legs were like iron. His vision was getting blurry. The sky and the burning wreckage were so close. Gangplank kicked with all his might, clutching his sword in his metal teeth as his hand reached for a floating piece of wreckage.

“YOUWON’TMAKEITYOUWON’TMAKEITYOUWON’TMAKEITYOUWON’-”

Silence.

Gangplank burst from the water, clutching a destroyed piece of ship. He spit his sword from his mouth, puking up disgusting sea water as he clutched the raft. Everything hurt and he would need medical attention but, somehow, he had survived. A lone orange floated past, likely from his personal store. Resting his chest on the wood, he reached for it and pulled it to his mouth. He bit down on the orange, chewing it peel and all.

“The captain doesn’t make deals with the devil,” Gangplank rumbled.

Garlyle Wilds8/3/2015, 2:14:43 AM14 votes

Ain't that cute. You think the cap'n's back. You an' I might wan' him back, sure. Ain' been nothin' but blood n' lead flyin' out 'ere since. But 'at who's callin' himself "Gangplank", 'e ain't the cap'n. Cap'n's dead, hear you me? Ain' no man what survives their ship 'splodin' 'neath 'em. 'Specially not just by payin' with one arm. The Cap'n was good, but 'e ain't the only good man what we lost that day. Ain' the only man we lost, ain' the only which we thought ain' ne'er gonna die. But 'ey're 'neat the waves now, the lot o'em. Ain' nobody what survived.

You think I'm playin' him light? Listen, kid. Cap'n, 'e ain' ever backed down t'nothin'. Sailed out with 'im to the Harrowin', I did. Saw so many good men meet 'eir ends, an' many better run screamin' to die a more peaceful death in the waves after. Silas, the 'tender's boy, y'know him? Cleans the place while yer passed drunk? Ain' said a word since 'e was 'ere with us. Was a nightmare. Ain' ever gonna get my leg back an' I ain' gonna go chasin' after it. But Cap'n... Cap'n ne'er backed down. Fought like a right demon. 'M proud t'fight 'longside him.

Eh? Why's it matter? You listen good, boy. Cap'n had enemies. Not jus' thugs an' bounty hunters. Not jus' human enemies. Cap'n was hated by things what ain't got a good understandin' o' what it means t' die. Things what take a man's corpse an' dance it 'round for a jig. He ain' human anymore. Can't be.

Cap'n's dead, kid. Dead 'n gone. Legacy an' life sunk 'neath the waves with The Dead Pool. Don' go chargin' back t'him, 'cause 'ere's fates worse'n death, an' you let those damn lyin' demons get close t'ya an' you'll be livin' 'em. Mark m'words; when th' nex' Harrowin's comin', you'll see Cap'n marchin' dead 'longside 'em.

MrBuffington8/3/2015, 1:48:26 AM12 votes

Psh, 400 words? I'll do it in 4:

Ate Oranges; Was K

(Side note, I don't know if it was good to mention potential RP prizes; I don't think anyone is going to be upvoting any comments lol)

Schenix8/3/2015, 1:47:47 AM9 votes

They say he was blown into the water at the first light, the fire raging around him like the devil himself. And that he didn’t even utter a sound as he went down – his fancy clothes all in tatters and his teeth grimacing in agony , showin’ his wicked teeth, while the wooden splinters of his flagship stuck out of his gullet in 3 different places.

Would kill a man before he hit the water it would. The way he spun out like a rag doll being shaken by a wee baby and thrown into the fireplace.

But someone like Gangplank? Oh no. He lived. There isn’t a place in hell for him yet. Hell don’t want him. Too afraid of what he’ll do.

He’ll be back for ‘em. For everyone that didn’t go alookin’. The one’s that threw away their loyalty.

He’s just biding his time. Went down and hid under the pool of red and piled bodies near the shore, he must’ve. Clawin’ his way out, through the dirt and bones with a vengeance. But some folks say they actually saw his body disappear in front of their eyes, trails of smoke and water just floating up inna the air before just being gone.

Others say he just sunk to the bottom with ‘is ship. Like a true Captain. But that when he’s all done payin’ his respects, he’ll find a way. To storm us and this time, leave nutin’ behind. That he’s almost become a part of the sea itself, and it guides him. Nurtures him. Became his guardian.

His blood was spilled and his ship was broken. The oceans themselves would writhe and twist, burning with his anger and I ‘ant going to be here when he comes walkin’ up that shore with the eyes of a madman, lustin after all our blood. You can stay all you like, but I’m gone by morrow.

Gangplank is alive. And even with his ship broken and him not ere’, I still feel afraid.

I see him around corners, watching me. Feel like he’s torturing us – choking the life out of us slowly and that all this fightin is pointless.

I don’t know... But one of em must be true. And all of em scare me.

All of ‘em tell me to run. This city aint safe no more. This city is still Gangplanks.

NegaDKR8/3/2015, 1:41:52 AM7 votes

I heard Gangplank was rescued by a monster in a metal suit. The behemoth had pulled his body towards an island from the bottom of the ocean and was poking him with an anchor to see if the old pirate was still kicking.

When the old seadog had come to, he shoved an orange from his coat into his mouth and was k. Afterwards, he had thanked the gentle giant by ripping its arm off and attaching it to his stump. Gangplank then made the creatures metal frame into a makeshift boat, using its anchor as an oar.

When the Captain had finally reached shore, he had used the remains of the beast to fashion himself a sturdy suit of armor, damn near unbreakable with convenient orange holding shoulder guards.

Noski78/3/2015, 2:54:07 AM6 votes

So mateys, ya want to hear a lil ol wise tale from Skruffy the Pirate donch ya! Well ill tell you the story of how yer olde Captain Gangplank survived a dastardly attack from the beautiful Miss Fortune!

So their Captain Gangplank was yer see? Right on his ship the, uh... er... theeee? O, The Nagging Maiden! Thats right lassies! Nagging Maiden! And he was about to execute, I think it twas Grevs and Twindy Faraway? Ye matey les go with that RRRRRR.

So these criminals were destroying all of Bildgewater, Just for a pint of black rum, HAR, the damn drunks! Anywho Captain Gangplank has these two criminals round up to teach em a lesson, and all of Bildgewater is rejoicing at the splendid Captain Gangplank, who saved the city from certain destruction, when suddenly, yar paying attention right lassies? Okey dokey mateys. When suddenly Miss fortune jumps on the ship and shoots yer dear Captain overboard!

O, Gangplank's men wallowed so hard that they blew de beautiful Nagging Maiden sky high, and I'm not talking about Miss Fortune lassies, YAR HAR! They blew the ship so she could be with her loving Captain, how sweet rrrrrrrrn't i right mateys?

So everyone calms down, crying for the Captain, and Miss Fortune starts swaying the crowd to her side! The oranges on that one! Trying to gain favor right after the man's death! While this is going on, the water behind her starts to bubble! Who could it be? What could it be? Well it twas none other than your Captain Gangplank!

When Miss Fortune shot Gangplank, she shot him dead in the chest. What she didnt know was that Gangplank saved an orange for later in his coat pocket. She shot the orange! He was k! Did you hear that Mateys! He was K! And thats it... I think.

(Needless to say, Skruffy wasn't actually in Bildgewater that day. He actually isn't even from Bildgewater. He was from a town north of Demacia. Skruffy is a weird fellow.

Electro5228/3/2015, 4:07:29 AM6 votes

Alright, Bio. I'll take a swing at this.

A card.

How on earth did Fate get a card?

I guess the only answer is Graves. I know my men searched every inch of that god damn worm for his pathetic cards..........but we never did search Graves.

What does it matter now, though? Everything I have ever worked for, everything I have ever lived to achieve is just.......gone. The entire damn town watched my ship blow up. No way in hell anyone would believe that a man could survive that explosion. Hell, I can hardly believe it myself.

Not sure if it was luck, or some higher power that made me grab that chain. All I can remember is wanting to grab Fate by the foot, drag him back up to me, and watch as his neck was slowly crushed between my hands. He dove for the chain that Graves was still attached to, and was dragged under with him.

I remember my hand just sliding against his fancy ass boot, and grabbing hold of the chain instead. I'll admit, the jolt from the chain yanking me towards the water actually surprised me, and the explosion that followed. If I hadn't grabbed hold of that chain, I may have lost more than just my arm.

After grabbing the chain, all I remember is a flash, and a sound so loud, I bet you could hear it all the way to the Shadow Iles. Then................darkness.

I don't know how I got out of the water. I don't know how I ended up on shore. All I remember is...AAGH!!!!(Gangplank just about caved the doctor's face in after he supposedly hit a nerve going through his arm with a saw. Thankfully, he stopped himself, since he knew he needed a new arm.)

You better hope you don't do that again. I may not stop myself next time.( The doctor, lying on the floor in sheer terror, slowly got back to his feet, and continued what he was doing.)

As I was saying.......all I remember is some large creature diving into the ocean, followed by some melodic voice saying "You owe me, son." Whatever that creature was, it must not know who I am.

The only thing I owe to anyone........is a bullet in the god damn head of whoever blew up my ship.

I think I'll cut it there. what do you think?

Just so you don't have to count, it sits at 381 words. Although, I'm sure you'll still check it.

Sincarnation8/3/2015, 4:09:57 AM6 votes

Did you hear? Gangplank SURVIVED!

Yeah I heard, and I'm already packing. Whoever said hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, hadn't met Gangplank.

Oh yeah, well where you running to?

I'm not sure, I know there is nowhere to run, but I'll be damned if I just wait here for him to make my bones his next art project.

Dar'vit I know Gangplank is a brutal man, but look at you. Yer shakin in your britches just because he survived an explosion, grow some oranges from that barren branch.

HE BEAT DEATH!

What?!

You heard me, HE BEAT DEATH. He fought Death for his soul and WON!

Yer callin Kraken right?

They say Death demanded a fair fight from him, so Gangplank cut off his arm to even up the playing field. Ole Cotton'Eye claims he saw Gangplank casually walk through flames eating oranges that were skewered on his sword.

...

Cotton saw the fires of hell reflected in his eyes as he whispered "Everything is gonna be ok." He then used the fire from the explosion to heat his sword and burn his wounds shut, all without showing the slightest pain.

Uhhhh

No, I'm headin for the hills. Gangplank is back, and things are looking worse than before. Some fool dared to dethrone him when he was known for his cruelty, just imagine how much worse he is going to have to be now? I'm looking to be gone before his reckoning begins. Besides I heard of some Ionians are looking for smugglers, and Ionia is supposed to be lovely this time of year.

... I'll get the ship ready.

Its too big, we'll be seen and sunk to easily. No if we are doing this, we do this the old fashioned way.

I'll get some supplies, we'll be long gone by dawn.

Not my best work, but not bad imo for something I wrote on the spot. I don't think it is over 400 words. I wrote it all in the post and I dont see a word counter thing. Hope you enjoy biolum

Doctor Ivellius8/3/2015, 4:31:04 AM6 votes

"He's dead! Gangplank's dead! Why else was there so much bloodshed last night?"

"Hooks and Caps at war, Stiny pulled to pieces just outside his home--Bilgewater's in chaos."

"I hear my old mate Rafen's making a play, something about an alliance with a new captain, looking for his corpse--"

"They won't find it, I hear he's not really dead--"

Like every other tavern in Bilgewater, the chatter was incessant. The Foul Owl, luckily, was a piece beyond Butcher's Bridge and avoided much of the chaos around the Slaughter Docks. Elsewhere, the gangs that ran Bilgewater for the deceased Pirate King had immediately gone to fighting, but the small alehouse had so far escaped.

"I know how to settle this. Hey, Elyn! Weren't you on the docks last night?"

Everyone quieted, all eyes on the scarred woman at the corner of the bar. She'd first made her name as a quartermaster in the Slaughter Fleet and endured the terrors of the Harrowing. Her hair had gone blanch white from the experience, but her iron spirit remained. All the patrons of the Owl quieted as the woman spoke.

"No one who sacrifices that much to the Lady will meet his death at sea," she began. "I was there, thrown into the water by the Dead Pool going down. Grabbed a plank as the dead got eaten. I saw the captain sinking, a chain tangled on his arm and his ship's wreckage dropping around him. Not many could even struggle with that much weight, but he fought until he hit the seabed."

"When I dipped under to look at him, he'd picked up a blade from the seafloor and was sawing at his arm. As much as he's dropped to the deeps, you think the Lady's gonna let ol' King Gangplank pass on? I reckon the Boatman was on his way, but as he released that last blood tithe, a shark clamped that arm and pulled him from the wreckage, pushed him towards one of those coffins. Saw the chain snap, and 'e bobbed to the surface. Last I saw he was swimming to shore, sharks too scared to even sniff him."

She leaned back, draining her glass. "'course, that's just how I saw it. Maybe it wasn't him 't all. All I know is I wouldn't want to be the chum that meets the Saltwater Scourge alive."

MythicTwister8/3/2015, 5:27:25 AM4 votes

Meaty digits strike a match that sets the storyteller's gnarled face aglow with the faint light of his smoking pipe. His pint of ale gone and meal finished, the deal is done.

"It were more than a bomb in the powder magazine that tried to claim the life o' Captain Gangplank. There was a trap fer sure, but there's more to be said of that fire an' nothing to do with a red haired girl. A touch... of the supernatural. It started with 'is father.

Vincent the Shadow, 'is heart black as coal and 'is eyes red as blood, killed any man disobey'd 'im and some what did'nt, but instead o' giving their bodies back to the sea, he let the poor sods rot in 'is ship's bilge.

Vincent weren't a man, but a demon what craved death and killed at whim. His son grew faster than normal men, but it were the hardened crew taught him to be a man, not the captain. They raised 'im up while 'is father beat 'em all down and filled the bilge with blood.

Gangplank knew 'twas folly to serve 'is father, knew the Bearded Lady would curse the ship for keeping the dead hostage. So, he stabbed 'is father in the back and took captain, orderin' the blood an bones of the dead be given back to the sea.

The Deadpool paid triple tithe to the Mother Serpent then on for her crimes, but there were another curse on her Captain's head.

Vincent the shadow, sent to hell by his son, had been waiting for a chance at vengeance. When the sabateurs trap was triggered, the demon found 'is chance an stepped through the flames to our world. Formed from hellfire and weilding a bright red sword, father fought son. Gangplank survived the blaze on account of his blood, but it was the Mother Serpent what claimed Vincent and swallowed him whole. Gangplank lost his hand... because it was at The Shadow's throat when she took 'im.

You see, it weren't the black powder. Only a demon can fight a demon. After all thought him dead, Gangplank was carried safe from the razorfins and sharks, an shown mercy by the Mother Serpent herself for the amens he made.

Now he's returned to rule again.

They say he ruled with an iron fist.

Now it's made o' steel."

LambGotTheCakes8/3/2015, 2:35:38 AM4 votes

"Aye, I myself saw the devil spawn be swallowed alive by a Kraken itself. Must have befriended the beast, feeding it oranges, convincing it to spare his life." A burly man with wide shoulders muttered as he gulped down a glass of his favorite Graggy Ice. "Tha can't be, everyone and their mothers knows of tha magical dagger tha Gangplank had, must have been some ancient and powerful magic behind it, summonin' a rouge demon, promising ta save his life in exchange for fowl services." The bartender interrupted. A man, hidden by a cowl, stood. "Fools, the lot of you!" He interjected, his voice rumbling "I have seen many a thing, and this is a problem only simpletons such as yourselves couldn't figure out. As the first canon shell hit the ship, Gangplank, with reflexes honed over the years, did anything someone of his ability would do... He danced. A dance so beautiful, and majestic, that even the famous Taric would cry, dodging canon shell left in right, only to end with a beautiful back flip dive into the waters below... What idiots!" Exhausted from passion, the man sat down as the tavern rang silent. "Get a load of this guy" The bartender whispered to his closest customer, as the room's conversation shifted elsewhere.

Ryugi Kazamaru8/3/2015, 10:39:56 AM3 votes

"Yer all wrong!"

The patrons of the Salty Apple went quiet as a tankard struck the oaken bar, leaving the scent of rum, sweat, and spent gunpowder thick in the air. All eyes sat transfixed on the man with rotten teeth, clouded eyes, bone necklaces and rings, and tattoos of the Bearded Lady, leviathans, and serpents across his form.

"Peh!" The man spat, brown-tainted spittle smacking the floor audibly. "He paid his dues to the Lady, given her more than his fair share. He's kept the beasties fed, the dogs on leashes, and ye all think the Twelve Seas are gonna let him drown like a mortal man?" A dark chuckle emanated from cracked lips. "Ye don't know how hate, an' blood, an' bile poisons a man." He lifted his tankard and took a gulp of the warm swill.

"Ye'all know the stories, when the waters close in, dark an deep, He comes, his eyes like flickering candles, his teeth like a devilfish, and his manner like a gracious gentleman. Mark what I say, the River Demon came to the Captain. He offered a favor, as is the way, with the flavor of sweet revenge. But the Captain, his heart is black as the sails of his blasted ship, and his mind sharp as the edge of his blade. He knows how to deal, bargain, he's been doing it all his life." His faded gaze swept the room, the drunken crowd hanging on the man's words.

"He looked the Demonfish in the eye, and offered him a meal he couldn't resist. The souls of those who crossed him would know suffering and anguish, cruelty to ensure his throne was regained, and sorrows of failure dashed against the seawalls. He'd pay the Lady an' the Demon his due, in exchange for the chance to bring them to their knees." He grinned a rotten grin. "One soul is a paltry offering to a Demon of Greed, but what the Captain offered was a lifetime of feasts, and offered his hand to seal the deal." The tavern murmured as the man downed the rest of the foul brew.

"The Captain swam free, an' now, the Reaver King returns to bathe Bilgewater in the blood of those who'd forget themselves. The Burning Tides only lit the fire of revenge in his belly. Because no one crosses the Saltwater Scourge without paying. No one..."

Gallowgrim8/3/2015, 3:05:11 PM3 votes

"Ye'll all just call me crazy, but I know how Cap'n Gangplank lived. Had nothin' to do with secret rooms or magick oranges. Nay ye dogs, weren't that, and it weren't the explosion that took that arm.

See, there's old, hungry things in this world. Some hunger for war, some for gold...

And some hunger for the hungers of others, and the despair that they bring by them. When Capn' 'Plank hit the water, sent there by the hunger of Miss Fortune for vengeance, it called the hungriest of 'em all - ol' Two-Coats.

Two-Coats had no sooner bit off Cap'n Plank's arm than Cap'n 'Plank spit in his eye and bit him right back, takin' a chunk outta his tendril, then punched him square in those teeth so hard some of 'em broke.

That hunger for life and vengeance was so pure and ruinous that Ol' Two-Coats swallowed him up and spat him back out on the docks to feed it. That taste of Ol' Two-Coats' flesh is why they say the Cap'n looks so paunchy now.... and has so damned hungry a look is in his eyes.

Bearded Lady have mercy, for what would ol' Two-Coats get out of savin' Cap'n Plank with no bargain made?

Sometimes, Ol' Two-Coats knows he'll get more to feast on than one soul's despair by lettin' that one soul free."

RiotBioluminescence8/3/2015, 11:59:00 PM3 votes

Approximately 2hrs until the deadline! 2hrs minus the age of this comment! ##Deadline:##

7pm PST, 3rd Aug
10pm EDT, 3rd Aug
2am GMT, 4th Aug

Get your voting in for your favorite Gangplank tall tale too!

Anuzarg8/4/2015, 12:51:31 PM2 votes

We have so many theories what happened to Gangplank (Tahm kench, GP frees himself, Oranges, etc). But I think we've been looking the wrong way.

Competition may be over, but I think someone has to write a story about this.

Realhrage8/3/2015, 6:07:25 AM2 votes

This is a quick theory, but whatever.

Gangplank fell down the center of the ship. With the entire ship sinking and burning, he got pulled down with it. Razorfish surrounded him, but Gangplank pulled out his sword and decided to be a try hard. He slashed at the Razorfish swimming around him, until he felt a sudden pain in his arm. Gangplank looked around in fury. There, a Razorfish was biting at his shoulder. There was suddenly blood in the water. All the Razorfish in the swarm darted in. A Frenzy soon started around Gangplank. With the Razorfish thrashing around him, Gangplank made a sudden vow that he will personally rip open whoever did this to him. In a sudden roar, he pulled a Powder Keg From his E and blew it. Then everything was black.

On the shore of Bilgewater, a bloody corpse starts to move. It turned over, and groaned. The groan then turned into a growl. Gangplank got up and used a nearby sword to help himself up. Already, clouds of smoke are rising above Bilgewater. Gangplank hobbled into the nearest tavern. "Whoever betrayed me WILL perish," he muttered under his breath. Gangplank is back.

MetaAwesome8/3/2015, 10:47:08 AM2 votes

Nighttime fell upon the island of Bilgewater. Sounds of celebration and cheering could be heard throughout Bilgewater over the death of ruthless Captain Gangplank. The docks were silent. One could see a shadow of a little rowboat only lit by a small lantern paddle a hunched figure towards the debris of the Leviathan. Yorick Mori, the gravedigger of the Shadow Isles came to Bilgewater knowing the outcome of another Champion. He was just doing his job.

Yorick dipped the tip of his shovel into the water and saw Gangplank’s body rise up from the sea. Piece by Piece. The arms floated up a few seconds after, but the rest of the body was somewhat intact. Nothing new for Yorick, most bodies he had buried were never in one piece. Yorick paddled to the Shadow Isles to bury Gangplank and help his soul climb death’s ladder.

Placing the body on the shore of the Isles, Yorick got on his knees and began to chant, setting up a ritual to move the soul forward. He saw Gangplank’s soul, and it was still fighting death. Yorick reached out, souls had to embrace death and accept it. Gangplank’s soul fought Yorick immediately, not literally, but in a way.

Yorick had an immediate vision. Bilgewater being ruled over by an opposing nation. Gangplank’s crew was the only other thing defending Bilgewater, without it, hungry nations begin fighting, beginning war. Gangplank’s time was not now.

Yorick connected Gangplank’s body to his soul. He bandaged the arms with vines from a nearby tree healing them and watched as he calmly reconnected with himself. Gangplank’s body coughed, stood up slowly, and collapsed hard. Next time Gangplank awakes he’ll be normal, but beserk. Yorick left Gangplank on the shore of the Shadow Isles. Gangplank will know what to do next, Yorick thought, if he could survive being who he is for that long, he can surely survive a trip from the Isles to Bilgewater with two broken arms.

Karthus was quite displeased with Yorick with his first unsuccessful soul, but he did know that it would be required for Bilgewater to have a say in Valoran’s next war.

Yorick Gangplank

Etonio8/3/2015, 8:05:09 PM2 votes

Bilgewater was left in chaos after the explosion. Bodies littered the street as no dared make the journey to bring them to the graveyard. Bilgewater was never a safe place but these days you couldn't leave a building without being caught in a gunfight. One inn still open despite all this was one of Gang Planks favorites which was primarily inhabited with what was left of captains most loyal. Bodies were piled outside the door sending a clear message. If you tried to enter the Blood Orange Inn lookong for a fight, you would get one. Since they found out he survived they had been protecting this inn despite the red haired lass' relentless attacks, waiting for his return. Tonight however was a quiet night with only a few bar fights to provide the tranquil atmosphere the crew enjoyed so much.

"I saw him from the docks I did. As the card man dived into the bay cap' had first mate fetch him a powder keg and was abut to light the fuse when the ole ship exploded. I saw the keg blow his arm clean off as he was blown off his ship like a ragdoll. He hit the ocEan ass first and began to sink. Yet he was alive I tell ya. He starred swiming missing an arm when he was swallowed by a sea monster. That monster was huge with teeth as big as a man. Looked lIke a giant catfish. I reckon cap'in stabbed that sucker through the roof of the mouth. Killed it he did but he was stuck on the bottom of the ocean. He pulled open the huge jaws and swam all the way up from the bottom of the damn ocean. They say a metal monster lIves down there. Nothing could stop captain though even down an arm he couldn't be stopped. Our captain would fight his way out of davy jones locker." "Wouldn't surprise me. But from what I heard captain did die and fought with devil himself. Yep our captain did survive. He is strongest man in all the Bilgewater and that is that. And whoever that fortune lass thinks she is, well she has it coming. I wouldn't be surprised if she is dead by the end of the week. This is the first time anyone has crossed him and lived. I reckon it isn't two weeks before the gunslinger and card rat are sacrifices to the bearded lady as well. She is gonna get quite a feast once cap returns." I am not a very good author but I tried. Sorry about any grammar mistakes I did this on my phone. I will fix them as soon as I get on a computer.

Toa of Death8/3/2015, 1:16:26 AM2 votes

The whole ship moved. Gangplank fell to the ground as everyone around him screamed. As he got back up Gangplank looked around to see his precious ship in flames. He felt a sharp pain in his left arm and looked down. From his elbow down Gangplank's entire arm was burnt so bad he couldn't move it. The flames were spreading fast and Gangplank knew he wouldn't be able to escape them now. "Fitting that the captain goes down with his ship" Gangplank thought. He closed his eyes as more explosions rattled the ship. Then the explosions began to be drowned out by......a song? Gangplank opened his eyes and saw a beast with a massive jaw rise out of the water and approach him, humming the song. Gangplank knew who this was. "Tahm Kench" he muttered. "I must say, this predicament you find yourself in does not bode well for you" the River King said smugly. "What do you want ya bloated razorfin?" Gangplank yelled. "Now, now, is that any way to speak to someone trying to help?" Tahm Kench said innocently "If you don't need assistance I'll be on my way then." Gangplank grit his teeth "Wait" he said grimly. Tahm Kench smiled "That's more like it. I do love when people see reason." "What's yer price?" Gangplank asked "I know you don't just help fer free." more explosions rattled the ship. "We can discuss that somewhere more accustomed to my tastes, now we must go." the River King smiled "on the condition that you agree to whatever price I desire." "FINE, LET'S JUST GO" Gangplank yelled. Tahm Kench grinned, snatched up Gangplank, and jumped into the water as the ship burst into one final fiery explosion.

(I know. I'm a terrible writer)

DarkDeamonDragon8/3/2015, 4:01:16 PM1 votes

He landed hard on the water, the sudden jolt from the landing stealing air from his lungs as he sank. Pain tore through his arm as the chain bit into it, mixing his blood with the salt of the sea. The heat of the explosion left his senses as he sank into the cold dark waters. Gangplank looked towards a figure swimming towards him expecting one of the sea creatures come to finish him off, relieved to instead see one of his crew. Either bravery or stupidity guided this crewman in the waters, searching for his captain. Gangplank decided stupidity as the man worked to release his arm from its prison. Everyone knew in Bilgewater it was every man for himself as Gangplank reminded his savior with a cutlass to the gut, stealing the air from his lungs as they escaped his lips. Debris still sinking around him, Gangplank made his way to the surface.

Refueling his lungs with fresh air, Gangplank surveyed the chaos that had erupted. He chuckled at how quickly the situation had spiraled out of control in the few minutes he had been underwater. The remnants of the Dead Pool continued to burn as the waters consumed it. He made his way to the shore slowly as to not attract attention, removing his heavy red coat as he swam. It seemed the Bearded Lady showed him favor this day. The sea creatures too busy feeding on those already dead paid him no notice when he swam by.

Gangplank laid on the shore for a minute to catch his breath. The rioting has become increasingly worse since his initial survey from the water. No doubt someone would come by and finish him if he lay for too long. He dragged himself to his feet, after collapsing once for trying to put weight on his mangled arm. Searching the bodies of the dead on the shore proved fruitful, many had clung to their purses in their final moments. He knew a medic who listened to the jingle of coin, asked no questions, and could be easily silenced.

Keeping to the shadows in the alleyways of what was once his city, he pounded heavily on the door in front of him. Bilgewater will burn he thought as he heard footsteps approaching from inside. When it is nothing but ashes I will have my vengeance.

Narasimha8/3/2015, 4:13:04 PM1 votes

Just to jump in Bio, I don't think giving out RP would be fair at all. An event like that should be something ALL League players should be aware of, not just the handful on the forums, and on the NA forums of that. It wouldn't be right to offer an opportunity merely on the basis that someone visits the Boards. I would think that the best reward would simply be to have the stories of the winners, or a link to them, posted in the client, so that more players can appreciate the tales being told.

But that's just my 2 cents. I'm no writer myself, so good luck to all those working for it!

TurquoiseYoshi8/3/2015, 7:00:58 PM1 votes

Gangplank drowned and died. He knew he had. He knew there was no chance for survival. As his last moments slowed drained away, he felt a hand roughly grab him and yank him up. However, Gangplank knew there was no escape from the depths. It was all over for him.

Stanwick Pididly had moved. He had been driven away by the one place that he had considered home. He had decided to move somewhere that wouldn't know of or care about his past sins. That had led him to Bilgewater, the one place that would let him live the rest of his life in peace. However, he needed to put food on his table, so, within weeks of moving to Bilgewater, he set up a shop. He slowly gained more techmaturgic machines. Some he gave a bounty for, some he bought, some he fixed on his own time. He dealt with some of the most important brigands and pirates in Bilgewater, but he had to make sure he didn't get too well known, or his past would likely catch up to him.

Today, Stanwick's shop was closed. He closed his shop 3 times a week, mostly to work on his machines or to go out to get new machines. However, today he was napping. He heard a knock on his door, which was odd. Whoever it was knocking was either too stupid to be able to read, or too powerful to care. Stanwick decided that, whichever it was, they probably wouldn't stop knocking until he answered the door, so Stanwick got up. At the door, he saw a man holding a dead body. The body of the most important man in Bilgewater.

Gangplank woke up. He didn't expect to ever do that again. He also didn't expect a scientist standing above him. He also didn't expect his arm to hurt. It was burnt. Burnt and mutilated. And generally destroyed. It needed work. But there was time for that later. Now, Gangplank had work to do. His city empire was destroyed, and he needed to build it back up.

348 words, according to Microsoft Word. Look here and here to find out who Pididly is.

lightdragoon888/3/2015, 3:16:02 AM1 votes

Gangplank I'm...alive? How?

**I couldn't let you die. Not yet. **

Gangplank You....

TahmKench Indeed old friend. You are one of the few who has kept their promise to me while giving me "offerings" to sate my hunger and I don't want such a valuable meal ticket to die so soon.

Gangplank So you saved me just to make another deal on my life. Fine. Name your price, nothing is to high for me.

TahmKench This one will cost an arm.

Gangplank Deal.

TahmKench So be it. chomp

Gangplank AGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

TahmKench I look forward to our next meeting, but for now I will send you to the doctor.

Gangplank Wait...I know you to well. I know you have a hidden goal for helping me.

TahmKench Indeed I do...War as already started and with you back it will only grow. Many sides will be forge, many will reach for the top, and many....will make deals with me to reach that top. Me and my friend are looking forward to that day.

Gangplank Friend? What friend?

TahmKench Now now...That will spoil the meal. Until then...good bye.

On the other side of Runeterra

TahmKench Everything is in place.

Aatrox Then it is time for us to have some fun.

baph0maidn8/3/2015, 2:56:23 PM1 votes

“Oh, She caught him, She did,” he whispers into a cupped hand. “But I heard…” He pauses, leans in. “I heard…that in Her mercy, the Reaper threw him back.”

She meets him like a lighthouse where the foam of the tide draws a white line across the sand. Beyond her, the darkness is thick and precious; beyond her, there is nothing.

Over the years, he has recited it; he has prepared what words he’ll offer up to Death in his final moments. But as he looks upon her, his words fail, and he is moved only to chuckle, to reach out to her, to meet the starlight of her gaze, and they contemplate each other as the tide baptizes their ankles.

When he speaks, they are unrehearsed, his heart’s words. “I’ve lived,” he says. “I’ve lived dark as ale, free as air, rich as honey. It’s true…I lived a long time with no regrets. But lately, I’ve lived in me memories. One memory, truth be told,” he says. “That day, 30 years ago. That moment, pulling out of port on me ship’s maiden voyage. The day I fell in love.”

Death smiles, says nothing.

“And now she’s gone. It’s all gone. And it’s time,” he says. “To return to the sea. To join me ship at the bottom of the deep. To leave behind all the pain, all the warnings I didn’t heed, all of it.”

And she smiles a devil’s smile, the angel of death, the beautiful Reaper Soraka; she touches his salt-stained cheek with her warm, warm hand. “I’m afraid it’s not your time, Captain.”

He searches for her eyes inside the light. “Ain’t it?”

“You’ve made a lot of enemies in this life.”

“Don’t we all?”

Her laugh is gentle but sincere. “No. Not all of us.”

“Well, I’m paying my debt,” he says. “With death.”

She nods. “Except that under my sovereignty,” she says, slowly, deliberately, “death is a privilege for those who have corrected their injustices. A destination for the forgiven.” Beyond her, the blackness grays. “And by my count, Gangplank,” she says, meeting his sea-soaked eyes, “_you _ are not owed it.”

Anger shakes him. “Death is a right, Lady.”

But the white light of her is already receding. “Not anymore.”

He wakes to the wildfire of the setting sun, his mouth full of brine, orange rinds scattered across his chest.

Wullf8/3/2015, 9:37:24 AM1 votes

Havoc, that was the situation emerging in the mind of a survivor.

Deep mother of sea, what happened! One time those two sneaky bastards were being pushed into the depths of hell and second later I am swimming in the sea full of blood and sharks.

Gangplank barely holding onto a floating corpse of a dead man belonging to one of his crew, looked around. Only remains of his great ship were floating all around him. It was calm and quite now, only a gurgling sound of a shark pulling his victim under water was heard from time to time.

_Damn, I need a pint of beer. No make it a pint of rum. This ain’t gonna go away so easily. _

Gangplank slowly swam to the shore making his way to the first drinking institution he could find. His tore clothes flapping in the wind and his bloodied arms closed in fists were a spectacle to see for anyone who watched.

They knew him. They knew who did it to him. And now it was time to decide. The door of Brazen Hydra went into the air, knocking up a few drinkers. Gangplank stood in the door way looking like a devil himself emerged from the depths of deepest hell.

Everywhere he looked he saw enemies. He took a deep breath and in deep menacing voice he said: “I have come to chew oranges and kick ass, and I am all out of oranges”