The Crystal Maiden

Overview

The Crystal Maiden is a heavily modified stock Bashen-class racing skiff, a racer of some renown. She's a just shy of 1-ton light racing skiff, with a storied past and several "owners".

Activities

The Crystal Maiden has been involved in several activities, during the story:

• She was displayed during 📖Book 1 - Friends in High Places, under various magical and mundane protections, as a tourist attraction on the Randall Estate on the outskirts of Brightwood.
• She was stolen during 📖Book 1 - Friends in High Places, by 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧our heroes from the Ludain estate in the month of Harvestfall in the year 3898 PR.
• She was flown to 🏢Orhaz during 📖Book 2- The Lost Fleet, under hidden illusion and tender to ⚓The Doubtless Drake and piloted by both 🚹Lyra du Vectari and 🚹ChoTaan Gathakanathi.
• She was nearly lost in a dangerous jetstream passage, but saved by the quick wits and spellcasting ability of 🚹ChoTaan Gathakanathi.
• She was present in 🏢Orhaz during 📖Book 2- The Lost Fleet, where she was hidden by 🚹Zalith on the outskirts of the town in the Caskbow winery.
• She was flown to 🏢Orhaz during 📖Book 3 - The Lead Zeppelin, under hidden illusion and tender to ⚓The Doubtless Drake and piloted by both 🚹Lyra du Vectari
• She was present in 🏢Ezdin during 📖Book 3 - The Lead Zeppelin, stored under guard in a warehouse in the Dregs.

Crew

• Captain / Pilot : Randall Ludain, during the 56th 🏅Ezdin Jubilee Cup 68 years ago in 3830 PR.
• Captain / Pilot : 🚹Lyra du Vectari, at various times during the story.
• Captain / Pilot : 🚹Zalith, at various times during the story.
• Captain / Pilot : 🚹ChoTaan Gathakanathi, during 📖Book 2- The Lost Fleet.
• Other Known Crew
  • [Proposed] 🚹Zeke "Spanners" Bilgewright (Human - Engineer)
  • [Proposed] 🚹Kramram (Orc - Muscle)
  • [Proposed] 🚹ChoTaan Gathakanathi (Titarian - Utility Caster)
  • [Proposed] 🚹Gunter Shortreach (Dwarf - Healer)

Capabilities

The ship has been heavily modified from its original stock Bashen-class chassis, modifications include:

• Originally constructed (by Randall Ludain and Corros Molbu) from magical wood hewn form the crystal trees native to Brightwood. Shaded with light purple and blue hues, the wood gives off a faint but alluring radiant glow. Infused with 💎soralite, this wood makes the skiff lighter (this is flu).
• Thrust boosters constructed by 🚹Zeke "Spanners" Bilgewright from technology discovered on the 🗺️The Lost Island, which provides a boos to speed, +30’ per turn for 4 rounds, then needs 1 turn to recharge.
• Rear ailerons constructed by 🚹Zeke "Spanners" Bilgewright, which are independent ailerons that can be used to alter pitch on the vessel. This represents the first time a skyship is capable of rolling or translating forward speed to vertical speed (positive or negative). These were well theorised by 🚹Lyra du Vectari in advance, but took some experimentation to figure out how big they should be, how to make them dependable, etc.
• Rolling turns, the ship can now turn much, much tighter. A normal skiff has one 90’ turn per round. The maiden can now turn 120 degrees plus be able to alter its height at twice the speed of its forward speed. So move 20’ forward and 40’ upward in a single round (a normal ship can change its vertical by only 50% of its forward speed).

History

• She was owned by Randall Ludain, a minor noble from the town of Brightwood in 🗺️Sh'Reet.
• She won the final race of the 56th 🏅Ezdin Jubilee Cup 68 years ago in 3830 PR. Piloted by Randall Ludain. One of his competitors was Meras, an Umbriel Elf Arrodan syndicate lieutenant, who flew the Crimson Vanguard racing skiff. Randall used illusion magic to cause Meras to crash, subsequently winning the cup, with his cheating remaining undiscovered to this day.
• She was inherited by Ren Ludain, Randall's grandson.

Rumours and Legends

The Crystal Maiden is a legend in its own right - having won the Ezdin cup.

• Rumour amongst the Arrodan syndicate is that Meras Unweil threw the race on purpose.
• Legend amongst race enthusiasts is that Randall Ludain is one of the finest skiff pilots to ever compete.
• Rumour amongst race enthusiasts is that Randall Ludain cheated during the 56th cup race.
• Rumour amongst the people of Brightwood is that Ren Ludain murdered his grandfather to expedite receiving the Crystal Maiden as an inheritance.
• Rumour amongst the people of Brightwood is that Ren Ludain flew the ship only once, and damaged it so badly he was too frightened to fly it again.

Other Notes

• The racing skiff ship class is outlined on page 66 of Arcane Minis Skyship Campaigns Rulebook (PDF)
• The Crystal Maiden actual is drawn from the pages of the Arcane Minis published adventure "Friends in High Places".

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