Nestled atop the highest peaks of the island stood the grand palace of the Hook family, a beacon of sophistication and opulence. As the reigning royal dynasty, the Hooks hosted lavish parties and held court over their subjects below. Among their ranks was Princess Ailith, daughter of Queen Treasure, who sought to raise her daughter with grace and propriety.

Despite her noble upbringing, Ailith possessed a wild spirit that often led her astray. From a young age, she was drawn to the untamed allure of the Feral Havens, a place forbidden to royalty for its inherent dangers. The pull of the water, influenced by the whims of the moon, dictated her whims and fancies.

One fateful day, at the tender age of six, Ailith’s curiosity led her to witness a ghostly apparition on the horizon—a phantom ship sailing through the mist. Breathless with excitement, she raced back to the castle to share her discovery with her mother, Queen Treasure. However, the queen, preoccupied with the duties of her station, dismissed Ailith’s tale as childish fancy, leaving the young princess to ponder the mysteries of the sea on her own.

Disappointed by her mother’s dismissal, Ailith clung to her mother’s feet, desperately seeking validation for her discovery. But Queen Treasure, consumed by her royal duties, brushed off her daughter’s excitement and ordered the guards to remove her from her presence.

Resisting the guards’ firm grip, Ailith struggled and squirmed, determined to return to the Feral Havens where her curiosity had led her. In a moment of frustration, she resorted to biting one of the guards, shocking him into releasing his hold. With newfound freedom, Ailith darted back through the village, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Breathless and exhilarated, she paused in an alleyway as whispers of a ship’s arrival reached her ears. It was a rare occurrence on the island, and Ailith’s curiosity was instantly piqued. Peering through the shadows, she caught sight of the broken vessel, its deserted appearance sending a shiver down her spine.

Ignoring the ominous silence that enveloped the vessel, Ailith ventured aboard, her curiosity driving her forward. As she explored the ship’s interior, she was startled by the sound of a baby’s cry echoing from below.

Descending into the lower decks, Ailith discovered the source of the cry: a naked infant lying amidst a pile of fabrics. With a mixture of astonishment and compassion, she cradled the child in her arms, noting the amulet adorning its chest and the mischievous glint in its blue eyes.

As the news of the ghost ship’s arrival reached Queen Treasure, she immediately demanded to be taken to the beach where it had been sighted. Despite her urgency, the guards were unable to locate Princess Ailith, much to the queen’s dismay.
Undeterred, Queen Treasure led a search party to the beach, having the feeling that she would find her daughter nearby.

Upon arriving at the scene, they found the ship in disrepair, its eerie presence casting a haunting atmosphere over the shoreline. As Queen Treasure directed her guards in their search efforts, her attention was suddenly drawn to her daughter’s presence on the ship. With a mix of concern and curiosity, she approached Ailith and demanded an explanation.

“You are going home with me,” Queen Treasure declared firmly, leading Ailith off the ship with the baby in her arms. As they moved away from the vessel, Queen Treasure couldn’t contain her astonishment at the sight of the blue-eyed infant.
“How is that possible?” she murmured to herself, her mind racing with questions.

Sensing her mother’s confusion, Ailith turned to face her, revealing the child’s mesmerizing gaze. Before Queen Treasure could fully comprehend the situation, one of the guards intervened, drawing her attention to a slender figure that had been discovered on the ship.
With a sense of urgency, the guard corrected himself, emphasizing that they had found not just something, but someone of significance.

The man, clad in a black armored suit, appeared ghostly with his eyeless visage. Perched on his shoulder was a small fox cub, adorned with a tiny bandanna, fiercely defending its master. Her efforts in clawing one of the guards.

“What are you?” queen Treasure inquired the enigmatic figure. “Tell us quickly”
As the guards tightened their grip on the mysterious figure, Queen Treasure demanded an explanation.
“I would not do that if I were you” His tone, though polite, carried a subtle threat, warning against further aggression.
“What do you say ghost-man?”
“I am not a ghost, I am the reaper” dispelling any notion that he was a mere apparition.

Undeterred, Queen Treasure pressed for more information, prompting Reaper to take decisive action. With surprising agility, he swiftly incapacitated the guards, his small fox companion adding its own ferocity to the fray. Despite their efforts, the guards proved no match for Reaper’s skill and determination.

As Queen Treasure intervened, commanding her guards to halt their assault, she confronted Reaper.
“Do you have any idea where you are, Reaper?” she inquired, her tone laced with authority.
Reaper, unfazed by the queen’s question, offered a simple proposition. “No, but allow Fox and me to pass freely, and we will go away peacefully,” he proposed, his demeanor strangely composed.

Concerned about the fate of the abandoned baby, Queen Treasure pressed further. “What about the baby?” she asked, gesturing towards Aillith and the bundle in her arms.
Reaper’s response was unexpected. “What baby?” he queried, genuinely puzzled.
Perplexed by his apparent ignorance, Queen Treasure clarified the situation. “The baby from the ship,” her voice tinged with suspicion. “Or are you suggesting my daughter kidnapped a random baby from a villager?”

Reaper’s casual response caught the queen off guard. “Oh, that baby,” he acknowledged nonchalantly. “You can keep it.” With a dismissive wave of his hand, he seemed to relinquish any claim to the child.
Aillith, overhearing their exchange, felt a surge of relief. With the prospect of a newfound sibling, her boredom seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

***

As the years passed, Queen Treasure’s reign came to an end, and Ailith ascended to the throne at the tender age of 14. With the weight of the crown on her shoulders, there was little time for frivolous activities like playing with her newfound sibling.

Soon after, Ailith married Dylan Raisin, and their union brought forth a ray of hope in the form of Mala. However, the joy of parenthood was marred by tragedy, as every pregnancy before Mala ended abruptly, leaving the couple bereft of children. Yet, Mala defied the odds and emerged as a beacon of resilience amidst the storm of loss.

However, fate dealt another cruel blow when Dylan met his untimely demise, leaving Ailith to rule alone. Her solitary reign drove her to seek solace in the bottom of a bottle, as she drowned her sorrows in liquor. Despite her grief, Ailith’s charisma and charm attracted admirers from all walks of life, be they men, women, or those who defied conventional labels.

Among her eclectic circle of companions was the exuberant and fearless Poppy Dryden, affectionately known as Poppy the Brave. Their bond was forged over shared mischievous exploits, from gaming shenanigans to indulging in rum spiked with hot chocolate and honey. Together, they carved out moments of joy amidst the tumultuous seas of life.

Poppy thrived on the thrill of confrontation, never shying away from a barroom brawl when accusations of cheating arose. However, once the dust settled and victory was secured, a sense of monotony settled over the pirate queen. Ailith yearned for something more, a stirring of adventure that beckoned beyond the familiar shores of the Savage Isles.

It was Poppy who planted the seed of exploration in Ailith’s mind, suggesting they set sail into the uncharted waters of the Gulf of Isolation. The mere mention of such a daring endeavor sent ripples of excitement through the pirate queen’s veins. For no soul from the Savage Isles had dared to venture into those mysterious waters, and the unknown held a magnetic allure that Ailith couldn’t resist.

A mysterious figure glided silently through the echoing halls of Wild-shire Castle, his presence sending shivers down the spines of those who caught sight of him. Clad in dark attire and wielding a wooden scythe with an air of otherworldly grace, he was known only as the Reaper. Whispers of his origins circulated among the castle’s inhabitants, yet none dared to question him directly, for fear of what they might uncover.

Despite his enigmatic nature, the Reaper played a pivotal role in the affairs of the castle, especially when it came to matters of combat and defense. His expertise in warfare and his uncanny abilities, though not of human origin, were indispensable to the queen and her cause.

Upon Queen Ailith’s request, the Reaper undertook the task of assembling a formidable pirate crew to accompany her on her daring voyages. With a nod of agreement, he vanished from the castle, reappearing amidst the rugged terrain of the Barbarian Villages. There, he employed his unique methods of persuasion, using his imposing presence and the menacing aura of his scythe to compel the villagers to join the ranks of the Queen’s Untameable Pyrates’ crew.

He didn’t intend to frighten them, but it was his sole method of communication. Lacking comprehension of human emotion, he resorted to brandishing his scythe at the people, hoping it would suffice to persuade them.
Though his methods may have been intimidating, the Reaper’s intentions were pure, his loyalty unwavering as he worked tirelessly to fulfill the queen’s commands and ensure the success of their endeavors.

The first to heed the Reaper’s call was Gale Edge, a seasoned sailor whose expertise on the open seas was unmatched. Hailing from a long line of fishermen, Gale had spent his youth mastering the intricacies of maritime life, from the delicate art of handling sails to the rigorous tasks of rigging and anchoring.

Tragedy struck Gale at a young age when the Bubonic plague swept through his coastal village, claiming the lives of his family and leaving him the sole survivor. With the boats of the harbor now his own, Gale found himself burdened with responsibilities that weighed heavily upon his shoulders. Yet, a longing for something more stirred within him—a desire for adventure and freedom beyond the confines of his former life.

When the opportunity arose to join Queen Ailith’s pirate crew, Gale seized it eagerly, casting aside the drudgery of his past existence in favor of a new, daring path. With his skills honed by years of seafaring experience, Gale stood ready to embark on the Queen’s untamed journey across the treacherous seas.

Next to join the crew was Landon Lux, affectionately known as “Twitch” due to his distinct tic of clicking his tongue and twitching one eye as he spoke. Despite this unique trait, Twitch possessed an unparalleled skill in navigation that made him an invaluable asset to the crew.
With a keen eye for the stars, Twitch spent countless nights observing celestial bodies and calculating their positions, allowing him to navigate the vast expanse of the ocean with precision and accuracy. His ability to discern the exact latitude and anticipate ocean currents made him indispensable to the success of their voyages.

Twitch’s close friendship with Gale Edge only further solidified his decision to join the crew. The two comrades shared a bond forged through shared experiences and a mutual love for adventure. Together, they had weathered storms and celebrated victories, their camaraderie strengthened by their shared thirst for the unknown.

The final member to join the crew was Rhoda Thorne, a sharp-eyed and skittish individual whose keen observation skills made her an invaluable asset to the team. With her striking red hair, reminiscent of the fur of a fox, and freckles adorning her pale face, Rhoda possessed a distinct appearance that drew attention wherever she went.
Despite her reserved demeanor, Rhoda was quick to demonstrate her prowess with firearms, wielding her guns with precision and accuracy that few could match. Her keen sense of timing allowed her to fire at exactly the right moment, making her skills much sought after by all who knew her.

As Rhoda embarked on this new adventure with the crew, she brought with her a sense of vigilance and alertness that would prove essential in navigating the dangers that lay ahead. With her keen eyes and steady hand, she would play a vital role in ensuring the safety and success.

As Reaper registered the crew for the queen, who would be dubbed Captain ‘Temptation’ for her knack of charming all sorts of people, back at the castle, our queen grappled with her own dilemma. She couldn’t bear to leave Mala behind. Mala, the kindest and most generous princess, took after her late mother, Queen Treasure. While Queen Ailith reveled in the life of a true pirate, seducing and cheating, Mala was busy feeding the poor. Ailith feared Mala wasn’t ready to fend for herself at the castle, but Mala insisted on staying, feeling a duty to her people and recognizing the need for royal leadership. Yet, she also harbored a fear of the ocean. She had read tales of the treacherous sea, the Gulf of Isolation, named for its ability to swallow ships whole.

“I’m not going!” Mala exclaimed.
“I’m not giving you a choice, my lady,” Ailith responded bluntly. Though not naturally maternal, Ailith preferred ruling and commanding, finding her true calling in the pirate life. She loved her daughter dearly but felt ill-equipped to handle her.
“No!” Mala flung her belongings at her mother’s face, much to Ailith’s amusement. It appealed to her pirate spirit; she liked her child wild.

Poppy, eager to intervene, was halted by the queen. “I can handle my own daughter,” Ailith asserted.
“Doesn’t seem like it,” Poppy the Brave retorted, continuing to pack their belongings.
As Ailith inspected the packed items, she noticed Mala’s absence. “Where did that child run off to?”

The Brave shrugged, but they glimpsed strands of blond hair resembling Dylan’s escaping the room. “Looks like I have to organize a search party for my runaway daughter,” Ailith lamented.
“I told you so,” the Brave’s eyes rolled.
“Shut up, nobody likes a ‘told-you-so’er,” Ailith sighed, craving a drink.
“Here you go!” Poppy served her queen a rum. “Now let’s find that rascal.”

A search was organized, and guards reported a sighting of Mala at the Wild Beach, where a ship, once washed ashore with Reaper years ago, now awaited them in the Feral Havens. However, a new addition had emerged over the years: the Distant Cave.

Unaware of the cave’s dangers, Mala ventured inside, still clad in her white dress. As she explored, she stumbled upon a stand with a large book, its cryptic language entrancing her. She touched the book, causing a map to fall out, which she couldn’t decipher. The Savage Isles had always been her only reality.

Suddenly, Reaper appeared behind her. “Princess,” he addressed her.
Startled, Mala questioned his approach. “Why are you sneaking up on me?”
“I’m not. This cave is dangerous, and now it will be difficult for you to leave without the curse on your back,” Reaper explained.
“A curse?” Mala was bewildered. Reaper sighed, extending his scythe. “Grab onto this,” he instructed. Mala complied, and he guided her out of the cave onto the Wild Beach, where the queen awaited. Ailith embraced her daughter, exchanging a worried glance with Reaper.
“Ellie is waiting for us. We need to leave now,” Ailith declared, urgency in her voice.

In the heart of the Feral Havens awaited ‘The Savage Treasure,’ the queen’s esteemed vessel. Among its crew resided a woman named Ellie, who had been granted sanctuary by the queen herself. Rumors swirled about Ellie’s origins, whispering that she was born aboard a ship, abandoned by her mother, and discovered by the queen. Only the queen and Reaper knew the truth about Ellie’s past – that she had been born male and suffered from night terrors and insomnia when away from the ocean. The ship became her sanctuary, lulling her to sleep with its gentle rocking and soothing waves.

As the crew members assembled, they joined Ellie and the queen at the dock. Poppy eagerly greeted them from the ship, her excitement palpable. Reaper had disappeared into the Captain’s hut, preparing for the grand adventure that awaited them all.