Pride & Joy
Posted by Apostate on 05/07/20
Shortly before the whirlpool sprang up in the Bay of Thrax, the independent trading hulk 'Pride & Joy' limped into Arx's harbour. Her going was slow, due in large part to the complete absence of her crew; the large vessel apparently sailed only by Lord Porter Kennex, Lady Zoey Kennex and Master Ulfric Ravenhelm. Lady Esme Fidante and Mistress Revell supposedly helped, or were at least present.
The vessel was greeted by the harbourmaster, and though its lack of crew went unexplained - as did the injuries the group had suffered - its cargo of iron ore from the Maelstrom was not questioned. Dockhands came aboard to unload and store it as directed by the Lord and Ladies, though they were carefully watched while doing so and weren't allowed to wander. The fact that one dockhand reportedly saw shadows behaving 'right odd' in the hold was not explained, and another worker decided he had better things to do after hearing 'someone messing with the crates,' returning the silver he'd been given and retiring to the pub quickly.
Nevertheless, the ship's hold was emptied quickly, and as soon as the last box of unworked iron was ashore, she was put to sea again. Her destination and purpose were not given, but it's a fair bet that she never reached them - once the ship was clear of the city and approaching the recently-formed whirlpool, she inexplicably caught flame. By the time lifeboats had been launched, the Pride & Joy had burnt to the waterline and sunk, leaving no trace other than some smoking debris.
Whatever happened on that ship is now remembered only by those who returned on her final voyage, and in the stories shared by inebriated sailors in the dockyards of the capital; tall tales of blood magic and hauntings.
The vessel was greeted by the harbourmaster, and though its lack of crew went unexplained - as did the injuries the group had suffered - its cargo of iron ore from the Maelstrom was not questioned. Dockhands came aboard to unload and store it as directed by the Lord and Ladies, though they were carefully watched while doing so and weren't allowed to wander. The fact that one dockhand reportedly saw shadows behaving 'right odd' in the hold was not explained, and another worker decided he had better things to do after hearing 'someone messing with the crates,' returning the silver he'd been given and retiring to the pub quickly.
Nevertheless, the ship's hold was emptied quickly, and as soon as the last box of unworked iron was ashore, she was put to sea again. Her destination and purpose were not given, but it's a fair bet that she never reached them - once the ship was clear of the city and approaching the recently-formed whirlpool, she inexplicably caught flame. By the time lifeboats had been launched, the Pride & Joy had burnt to the waterline and sunk, leaving no trace other than some smoking debris.
Whatever happened on that ship is now remembered only by those who returned on her final voyage, and in the stories shared by inebriated sailors in the dockyards of the capital; tall tales of blood magic and hauntings.