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It was a wonderfully-sunny day on the South Seas, and the crew of The Stacked Coffer were gathered together in the ship's dining room to go over their new mission. Baelek stood over the table, the others crowded around it to look at the large map of Kalimdor sprawled across it.

"Well men, I know it's been a while since we've been on a big mission like this, but I know you'll all handle yourselves well. As I said we'll be docking on Uldum's southern shore and locating a certain tomb in the area that is said to house a priceless relic," the night elf pointed to a small red 'X' on the map as he spoke, then stepped back and ushered to Blake, "First Mate Lightswood will brief you on all the details before I decide who will be coming along with me, and who'll be staying behind to guard the ship," Captain Mooncrest took a seat himself as Blake got to his feet, walking over to where Baelek had stood and clearing his throat.

"Right then, as many of you may know, Uldum is home to ancient temples and tombs that house artefacts said to be made by the Titans themselves. Naturally they're worth a tremendous amount to the right person, especially as the entire region was sealed off until only a year or so ago. The tomb we'll be going to is apparently one of the oldest, so will likely have the most valuable treasure within. After landing, a team of us will trek through the desert for a few hours before arriving at our target, while being wary of traps, we'll enter the ruins and locate any and all artefacts inside, before scouring the surrounding area. After we're sure all the treasure is in our possession, we'll return to the ship and disembark, any questions?" the overly-muscular human peered around at the other crewmen, all of them seemed rather content. Blake then returned to his seat, Baelek standing before them again.

"Accompanying me on this mission with be Taerik, Rin'ji and Khyed," he looked to each of them as he spoke, "The rest of you will stay aboard and guard the ship while we're gone; as this is unknown territory to us, and we'll be far from any towns or cities, it goes without saying you should have your guard up at all times, that of course goes for my team as well," he looked unusually serious as he gave the orders, but it wasn't long before his trademark smirk emerged again, "Those coming with me, I want you changed into your battle gear and stocked up on supplies before we land, dismissed," The rugged elf nodded to the other men and they gradually dispersed, the captain looking over the map once again.

It was only half-an-hour or so before the large vessel reached the massive, ancient desert of Uldum, the mighty ship docking on a stretch of beach on it's southern coast. After lowering the gangplank, the group of four men headed off, their captain giving a wave to the crew still on the ship, before he led his team into the stretching expanse of sand.

Baelek was now dressed in a tight set of dark-brown leather armour that hugged his considerable bulk perfectly, the rogue equipped with two large, curved daggers. He peered around to admire the other three men.

Taerik was the most different, he wore a heavy set of black plate-armour, which even in this heat was lined with a thin layer of frost; perhaps the only thing that took away from how formidable he looked, was the fact the armour was crafted to have two massive domes jutting out from the chest. In his hands was an enormous mace, even for a man of his immense size it looked like he'd struggle, but he carried it with ease.

Next he looked to Rin'ji, the troll wearing a very skimpy robe. It was more a traditional trollish kilt, with a mantle that hung over his shoulders and chest, only barely covering the priest's mammoth bust. He carried a large staff, the end decorated with a wooden replica of a troll's head.

Lastly was Khyed, he looked very much the same really, understandable considering he never wore a uniform anyway. Along with the dark-green kilt and gold nipple-caps he always wore, he had what looked like two large bushes on his shoulders. The captain never did understand druids all too well, regardless they four men carried on, nothing but send in all directions.

After a couple of hours of trekking, and with them not having seen anything since setting off, Rin'ji piped up, "Ya sure we be goin' da right way? Dis place jus' seems ta be sand, sand and mo' sand," he sighed softly.

Baelek looked to the troll with a wide grin, "I'm sure the tomb's just on the other side of those dunes there," Rin'ji was unconvinced though, and as if right on cue to curb the elf's optimism, the sand around them erupted into the air, swirling around the group violently in a sandstorm.

"Gah! Wha' be 'appenin'?!" the priest shielded his eyes as the sands raged.

"We seem to be caught in a sandstorm, though it doesn't seem like any I've every experienced before!" the tauren explained, trying to look about but having to cover his eyes too.

"Stand your ground everyone! If we can ride it out-!" Baelek was cut off as the sand grew stronger, actually blowing the three men off their feet, Taerik standing his ground well enough.

Just as the captain thought this may have not been such a good idea, the storm ceased. Literally in an instant, everything was silent, and he was peering up at the bright, blue sky. The night elf picked himself up, looking around to find the other men, who seemed just as bewildered, but in good health. They seemed to be standing beside an oasis, the crystal clear water reflecting the sun's light perfectly, shimmering in a way that almost seemed magical. "Everyone alright?" he asked, the other men just nodding.

"I thought I felt a presence", a soft, velvety voice said.

Baelek blinked, peering around once again, certain he hadn't seen anyone else around the small pool, but sure enough, standing on the opposite side of the oasis was a woman. She gracefully walked around it toward them, unburdened by the sand under her feet, as if she was walking over stone. As she came closer, the pirate captain could see she wore a rather revealing dark-pink dress, the top-half consisting solely of little more than a bra that showed off her own very generous endowments well, and the lower half comprised of a long skirt with slits down the sides to show off her smooth legs. Aside from this she wore a veil over much of her face, only her glowing, golden eyes could really be seen well. She had very long, silky light-blonde hair wrapped up in a bushy ponytail. Taerik narrowed his eyes at her as he saw her long, pointed ears that gave away her race as a fellow blood elf.

"More outsiders come to blast your way into our temples and plunder our treasures no doubt. Speak, who are you and why have you come?" despite her appearance she carried a sense of power and authority in her voice, enough for Baelek to know she probably wasn't one to be messed with.

"The name's Baelek Mooncrest, and these are some of my crew, we-," the elf was gently moved out of the way by Khyed.

"We aren't here to cause any damage to your history, but I won't lie, we are treasure hunters, it's how we make our living. We came here to gather a valuable treasure from one of the tombs in the area, but I can assure you we have no intention of 'blasting our way in'," the tauren spoke with a gentle voice, trying to come across less threatening to the woman, whose scowl remained.

"Ever since the seals were broken, and Uldum was uncovered, people from all over Azeroth have come to pillage. I have tried my best to protect this place, but it's clear to me that it isn't something I can stop," her expression fell for a moment as she surveyed the area. She then looks to the pirates, a small smile on her lips, "That doesn't mean I won't give up though, I'm intent on guarding our treasures until the end of my days," she looked over the men, "That said, you seem more amicable than those I usually come across, and I must say I've never seen men so...ample, before," she chuckled softly before continuing, "Khartut's Tomb has been the target of a particular bandit group for quite some time. I've managed to hold them off until now, but they're relentless, and they won't stop until they have the relic housed there. If you'll assist me in fending them off, and you promise to keep it safe, I'll bestow upon the relic," she bowed her head.

Baelek's face lit up as he barged his way in front of his advisor again, "Sounds like a fair deal, and don't worry, we'll get out of your hair after we get the goods," he flashed a toothy grin, the woman sighing softly and shaking her head.

"I suppose your...commitment to your goal is admirable," she brushed some hair from her face and curtseyed, "My name is Phaera by the way, Mistress of the Sands".

The night elf snickered softly, "That's quite the title to give yourself, not a little big-headed?".

Phaera just scowled again, but straightened herself up, raising a hand and snapping her fingers. In an instant the sands around them were blasted upwards, another sandstorm raging. The men were quick to shield their eyes again, but it didn't take them long to realise that the sands weren't reaching them, they seemed to keep their distance.

Before they could really get a good grasp of the situation, the storm subsided, and they group now found themselves standing just outside a large set of ruins, the elven woman smirking smugly, "Big-headed? I think not".

Rin'ji whistled as he looked about, "Dat's some pretteh nifteh magic ya got dere, ah never 'eard' o' someone usin' -sand magic- befo'".

The woman smiled to him warmly, "It isn't something that's well-known about, I doubt it's even possible outside of Uldum," she stepped back, turning to face the whole group now. "This is Khartut's Tomb, hidden amongst the ruins is a priceless artefact that's been here for millennia. It's yours if you aid me in protecting this site from the bandits that are heading here as we speak. You all look like capable fighters, so it shouldn't be too hard a task for you".

"Oh you'll find no fighters better than the men amongst my crew! Now, when can we get into the action?" he grinned.

Phaera turned, pointing to a large dune not too far from them, "Right about now I should expect," and as if on cue, numerous silhouettes passed over the top of it, heading down towards them, "Are you and your men ready?".

"Heh, always, spread out men! Taerik, you and me in the front, Khyed and Rin'ji hang back!" and with that the studly night elf and heavily-armoured sin'dorei sprang into action, running toward the oncoming group as carefully as they could manage on the sand. They could soon see the large group of thieves were all humans, and were clad in simple leather armour, with face-wraps to guard them from the sun. Rin'ji raised his staff into the air, uttering a small chant and casting a protective shield of light around both fighters, a good thing too, because only a few seconds after that the two groups clashed.

The bandits lunged at the pair, one of them aiming a sword-swing at Taerik, but the feeble-blade shattered on his armour, the mighty elf scoffing as he slammed his mace into the man's side, sending him flying. The next two who came though weren't quite so easy, quick and agile, weaving out of the way of his immense weapon, their attacks getting closer and closer to the weak-points in the death knight's armour. "Ngh!" Taerik grunted as a wave of cold erupted from his body, both men being blasted back, frozen solid. The sin'dorei smirked, raised his weapon and brought it down on the pair, shattering them, rather gruesomely, to pieces

Baelek was fairing rather well himself, despite his hulking physique, he was surprisingly agile, dodging the bandits' attacks with ease and aiming precise stabs at their vital organs; in no time three of the thieves lay defeated on the ground, bleeding out. His leather armour though, while allowing him more ease of movement, wasn't nearly as protective as Taerik's plate, and thus he did get a few scrapes and cuts in the process.

Rin'ji was doing a good enough job at healing him though, channelling healing light into the bulky kaldorei, though he wouldn't be able to for long, many of the bandits had a change of plan, figuring those standing in the back would be easier to dispatch, they were now heading toward them while the two main fighters were busy. The priest was ready though, another low chant later, and slamming his staff down into the ground, a huge pillar of burning light descended from the heavens, enveloping one of the raiders, when the light cleared he was dead in the sand. Another managed to get close to him though, the troll having to parry the bandit's swings as best he could with his staff, but he wouldn't last long.

Thankfully, Khyed was watching out for him, the tauren conjuring up a mini-typhoon which blew the foe back, before tossing a crackling ball of nature magics to finish him off. After this, with a clear window as more headed their way, he summoned up a series of bright shard of starlight to rain down in them, while not outright killing them, the powerful magic damaged a good number of them.

Phaera was more-than-happy to get in on the action, the elven maiden raising her arms into the air, the sand around her being carried up to her fingertips, before being condensed and shaped into two, large sandstone lances. She expertly tossed them with great force toward the attackers, two of them being impaled cleanly, falling to the ground as the lances inside them broke back into sand. Two of the thieves reached her though, but she wasn't a weakling in melee combat either, summoning small sandstone shields to block most of their attacks, buying her enough time to blow them off their feet with a powerful gust. She conjured another two lances, finishing them off before they could get back up.

Seeing so many of their comrades fall, the few bandits that remained turned heel and fled, clambering away as quick as they could manage. "And don't come back!" Baelek yelled, beaming proudly to himself, the others all dusting themselves off and looking over their wounds. Most of them got a few nicks and cuts, but nothing too serious, and all were easily healed by the troll medic.

Phaera looked between the group again, a wide, bright smile on her lips as she then turned toward the ruins, her hands glowing with a fierce, sunset-fellow light as he snapped her fingers. After a few moments a patch of sand before her stirred, and a small statuette rose from it. Phaera passed her hand over it, and immediately the sand that coated it fell away, revealing brilliant, gold underneath. The figure seemed to be of an idealised humanoid of some sort, though it was hard to discern what kind. It's eyes were inlaid with diamond, and the staff it held had a brilliant, rainbow-coloured gem socketed in it. She approached Baelek, holding it out to him.

"While I'm reluctant to give away this land's treasures, I trust you well enough that you'll keep it safe. Perhaps some day in the future it will be safe to return it to it's rightful resting place, but for now, I'm content with you holding onto it," She looked a little solemn as she spoke, the captain accepting the relic happily.

"Y'know, you're sure one special lady, Phaera, if you ever wanted to give up the sand mistressing, you'd be welcome aboard my ship anyday," he grinned dumbly as his gaze fell to her oversized bustline, a bead of drool leaving the night elf's mouth.

The blood elf kept her composure though, stepping back and raising a hand, "What's that? You need to go so soon? Such a pity, well, it's been fun," she chuckled softly as she snapped her fingers, sending the pirates away in another sandstorm that brought them all the way back to the southern coast, plonking them down more haphazardly near the ship, Baelek face-first in the sand, Rin'ji and Khyed laughing profusely, even Taerik snickering lightly. The captain picked himself up, pouting as he held his new treasure close to himself, he and his men boarding The Stacked Coffer, happy with a good well done.