Ahoy Birdlings!

Raise the anchor, stow the cables, raise the canvas and heave away!!

🎼

Now we are ready to sail for the Shore

Weigh hey, roll and go!

Our feathers and our beaks, CROWS, are all in the pawn

To be rollicking randy dandy-oh!

🎼

BLACK FEATHERS

The sun slowly sets behind the wooden gables of the port city of Watopia and bathes the streets in a golden light. But this picturesque image is deceptive… as the pirates are in town! The mighty Black Feathers, also known as The Herd of Crows, were reading their swords and pistols, foreseeing their greatest adventure to date: the search for the L’Urca del Watopia! Aboard the Flying Crowman, our feathered sailors took their fair share of grog anticipating the departure. Stephen “SteadyPace” Gage, Ben “TheMachine” Taylor and Michael “Strongman” Harrison chatted enthusiastically while stowing the cables and preparing the aft sails for departure. Close to them were George “HateClimbs” Evans and Jelleke “Lightweight” de Vries on their usual argument as to the use of one or two grommets per sail to reduce climbing fatigue. They were later joined by Jonathan “LovePulls” Winn and Clayton “PullingMenace” McNeil, fresh from the taverns. Above them, at the helm, was Captain Pedro “NoClue” Senna, trying to figure out if the rudder was supposed to be aligned with the helm or not (and what is the purpose of a keel again?). They were due for a spectacular adventure that would bring forth companionship, trust, laughter and quite a bit of pain as they followed the Black Feathers’ rules: have fun and don’t die.

The journey begins very quietly in Watopia shorelines. Pirates and nasty drunkards were raging around here just hours earlier. Half-empty and overturned beer mugs stand on the dark wooden tables, a chandelier hangs from the ceiling. It smells of schnapps, grog and sweat. Empty beer barrels, overturned tables and chairs testify to a wild binge which saw the pirates knocking quite a few back. A quaint brewery sits right behind the bar. This is where the pack stocks up with supplies. The beer barrels tower up to the roof.

As the two-minute mark approached and the sun settled, shouts from the helm came: “Raise the anchor, stow the cables!! I want all canvas out from the gun! Heave away Crows!”. Naturally, no one understood a thing, so the Crows departed aboard the Flying Crowman as steadily as they could, bringing the ship’s bow to starboard in a jibe, and off they went along the coastlines of Watopia. Their prize: the L’Urca del Watopia – a 5 million galleons stowed away as cargo on a brutal 120 guns Man O’War. Our ship, a 36 guns Frigate, was no match on a broadside battle with the mighty L’Urca, so the Crows tactic was to perform sweep attacks on three different occasions.

As the Flying Crowman founds its pace, the Black Feathers prepared for the first encounter. Taken up by Ben “The Machine” and Michael “Strongman” and steered by Pedro “NoClue”, the Crows engaged in a silence that premeditated the storm ahead! As the L’Urca sails were sighted upon reaching the Italian Villas, a few excitement shouts could be heard from Jelleke “Lightweight”, while snarls of complaints were soon upon the Crowly ears, courtesy of George “HateClimbs”. Battle soon ensued, with the Black Feathers firing their cannons at the stern of the L’Urca, driven by Jelleke “Lightweight” and Clayton “PullingMenace”. Upon reaching the upper echelons, with a mild victory and many signs of pain, the murky Crows performed a tacking maneuver and swiftly run through the shorelines of Watopia. The second attack was much like the first one, with the exception that Stephen “SteadyPace” and Jonathan “LovePulls” aided Jelleke “Leightweight” both during the attack and on the aftermath, consolidating an outstanding victory for the Black Feathers. L’Urca was beached, and had little to offer, but there was a catch: Her broadside was completely exposed and the stern was concealed, meaning that the last attack would dictate a commending Black Feathered victory or a very harsh defeat.

Luckily, the Captain had a moment of clarity, and gave the call:

“All hands to stations! Michael “Strongman” and Ben “TheMachine” take initiative! Clayton “PullingMenace” and Jonathan “LovePulls”, you’ll second the first round of attacks! Jelleke “Leightweight”, be ready with those ropes, we’ll need every inch of sail if we are to make this work! Stephen “SteadyPace”, keep her steady and make quick work of those 12-pounders, we’ll only have one chance at this! George “HateClimbs”, make sure all sails are raised, and join the attack at the very latest for a final blow! We’ll take her up on the broadside for a brief moment, then turn to port and finish her off at the exposed bow! Let’s make this count Crows!”

With cheering cries, the Black Feathers took their chance! At first it would seem that defeat was upon them, as the guns from L’Urca rocketed the Italian Villas and the Flying Crowman port side. Yet, as soon as their guns went silent, the captain ordered the quick jibe, and a swift blow of 36 guns let a brazing fire and the sounds of defeat take aloft the beached Man O’War. Victory was close at hand for the Crows! They took their spoils and hastily made their way across the Watopia coastline for a sprinting finish.

Now, as it is common in the pirate world, no one knows how and if the Crows spent their prize. Or if they buried it somewhere, perhaps at the steps of the Volcano? All we know is that they came to an outstanding victory, achieved at an amazing time of 58m04s, and conquered through companionship, trust, laughter and quite a bit of pain. Stick around to find out what the next adventures of the Flying Crowman and the Black Feathers will take! Being Captain of such a great team is not only an immense honor, but also very easy. However, I cannot finish this without mentioning that the post of Captain is, and will always be, better suited for its real occupant, our beloved @Paul. This week I had the captain armband, but hopefully it will pass along to its rightful owner in the future Crowly endeavors. Thank you all, Crows, for this amazing ride!

HERD: The Herd of Crows
Date: 30.06.2022
Event: WTRL Team Time Trial #167
Course: Volcano Flat Reverse (3 Laps – 37.19Km – 150m)
Finish Time: 58m04s

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/twtXBv4IPl0

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