The Treasure of Ages: Prologue

Jethro the Bard's Night Trip by MrCrackerpants

Hello, dear listeners! It is I, Jethro the Chronicler, bringing you an exciting tale from the lands of the Wallingwish Islands! Oh, if you cannot handle tales of swashbuckling, stealing, monsters, betrayal, murder, and vengeful gods, turn back now! But for those of you brave enough? I have an exciting tale. The tale of the Treasure of Ages. Oh yes, this is an enjoyable one. May I tell you it? Good good. I had hoped you would. Sit down and relax, for my tale is a long one.
Our tale starts with five unlikely heroes, with two more coming at a later chapter. Let's see, it was the year 56 in the Second Age when this all happened. The Wallingwish Islands had gained independence from the Empire of Lysandus, and now was still getting back up on it's poor feet. It's armies were dwindled from the rebellion they had pulled off, but they managed to win. But now, monsters started to haunt the land and the people of New Wallingwish and Carallinia were begging for heroes.
The five heroes would come. In a ship named The Devestator, a nasty privateer named George Wallingtosh had taken five people as prisoner. Who were these five people? What were their backstories? Frankly, it still eludes me, but that is alright, for they were men of action, not silly chroniclers like me who dwell on the past.
Anyways! It was dark and stormy that night, and the ship rocked fairly hard for them. Some of them were certain why they were there, and others were dumbfounded to find themselves in a ship as a prisoner. It was mysterious! It was eluding! And it was open for them to make their own destinies! Come and keep listening, my friends, for these adventurers would find that destiny!
The tale begins here...