Hogscape
11th level Troll
Stalwart of the Trollbridge
It's not the years, it's the mileage.
Posts: 2,126
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Post by Hogscape on May 27, 2009 22:15:36 GMT -5
The Nightcrest Myth or reality? The Nightcrest is a massive steel-keeled warship crewed entirely by orcs and their kin. The vessel has no sails; instead it sports gigantic port and starboard-mounted water turbines (wooden waterwheels akin to those seen on much smaller riverboats). Inside the ship the turbines are turned by a pair of trolls working tirelessly throughout the night; their great strength and stamina can easily match a fleeing merchantman, even at full sail.
Without the need for masts, rigging and sails, there is room on deck for 4 mighty ballista but the Nightcrest’s true weapon is the sword-edged keel. The stern of the vessel rises to a grim 40 ft. tower capped with a stone counter-weight similar to a bell tower. As the Nightcrest approaches its prey, the tower engineers swing the counter-weight to the stern, raising the prow of the ship right out of the water. The orc-ship looms above it’s target for a few agonizing seconds before the engineers swing the counter-weight forwards. This brings the blade-keel smashing down on the enemy deck – occasionally splitting it in two; in any event, it allows a horde of snarling orcs, goblins and worse to swarm aboard the stricken vessel!
Occasionally, survivors have washed ashore in the Isles to tell their tales but there is no solid evidence of the orc-ship’s existence. But it is entirely possible, given that it only attacks undercover of night, targeting lone vessels.
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