The Imperious Harbinger of Prosperity

This exploring carrack was converted from a Mangar carrack.

A heavy, stabilized ballista is mounted on the whisp fo'c'sle; four light ballistae are mounted on the bulwarks, ahead of the foremast and mainmast.

The tween deck is where most of the changes have been made. At the bow, a cable tier keeps the damp, smelly anchor cables separate from the crew. The crew quarters are next, with sixteen built-in bunks for the ordinary sailors; hanging tables serve for messing and entertainment. Two of the crew sleep in hammocks here, one at a time. A passage leading aft separates the galley (port side) from the 'petty officers' quarters (starboard side). The tween deck hold is located under the main hatch; this space will hold technomantic equipment, and possibly the bunks and hammocks of up to 18 persons. The 9' wide wardroom is next; six cabin doors open into it from either side. A 10' long central "built in" table, ten chairs, and other items of Cymrillian and Zandiran nautical comfort are located within the wardroom. The door furthest forward on the port side contains two alchemical toilets; the door opposite leads to the washroom.

At the stern is the "cuddy", a quiet, panelled cabin with built-in glass-fronted bookshelves, maps, a couple of comfortable chairs, a nice rug, and a padded bench under the stern windows. The wardroom and cuddy have alchemically-powered lights in metal and glass globes.

The individual sleeping cabins are each about 7.5' long each, and 5' wide, with upper and lower bunks built against the hull of the vessel. Various storage lockers are built under the bunks; glass prisms bring light from above or through the hull during the day. No doubt some Cymrillian conveniences are fitted to some cabins.

Except when cargo items are being loaded, a set of stairs (companionways) is fitted in the hatch leading from the main deck to the tween deck; the main and forward cargo hatches are normally battened down, as are all the hatches down int0 the hold. Often, however, the hatch in the tween deck, leading down to the hold, is opened by the crew for access to repair equipment, supplies, etc.

A wind machine has been placed on the reinforced roof of the deckhouse, somewhat spoiling the appearance of the vessel. Within the deckhouse, the captain has his own head and washroom, plus a built-in bunk. A scuttle now allows the captain to lie in his bunk while observing -- and perhaps giving orders to -- the men at the wheel. The central cabin has no doubt been much improved and civilized, in comparison to its original Mangar barbaric condition. Hourglasses, astromantic globes, weather talismans, etc. might be found here.

In the hold, our vessel carries far more in the way of repair and maintenance supplies than a Mangar vessel; we expect that magical methods will supply much of the need for food and water. Waterproof bulkheads have been raised in the hold, making the vessel somewhat slower to sink (at least).

The ship's wooden decks and hull are PR 30 up to the main deck; the bulwarks (and the deckhouse) are PR 20.

The crew of our vessel will hopefully consiste of eighteen sailors; a cook, bosun, carpenter, and artificer/technomancer (Atto); plus two officers (hopefully ship-oriented mages), a navigator/aeromancer, a master-at-arms (Joeil), steward (Ping) and the captain (Wong tai Chin). Five supercargo/passengers/explorers are carried. Crew names and assignments:

"Casualties" indicates crew who haul the wounded down to the wardroom for treatment, or those who actually perform the treatment. In general when battle is suddenly engaged, the members of the watch on duty remain at the helm or in the tops, and man the light ballistae on the side most threatened; the off-duty watch comes up and mans the heavy ballista and the other two light ballistae.

 

Share Allocation

 

Monies and other Valuables are traditionally divided into Seven Segments, and are allocated in the following proportion:

 

• Owners  -  Three Segments
• Captain  -  One Segment
• Officers  -  One Segment
• Crew  -  One Segment
• Heroes  -  One Segment, divided into seven shares.

 

The traditional Hero shares are allotted by vote of the various groups of shareholders: 

 

• The Captain allots three (3) shares to those who he feels have demonstrated exemplary behavior in gaining value for the enterprise.  It is common to allot shares to groups, i.e. “the topmen”, Ballista Crew No. One, etc.  A prudent Captain will not award himself one of these shares.
• The Officers allot two (2) shares, decided by vote of the officers, and announced by the Chief Mate.  It is sadly common for one of these shares to be voted to “the ships officers”.
• The Crew allot one (1) share, decided by vote of the crew.  This is usually awarded to one member of the crew on the basis of whim, fancy, and who is most likely to stand a round of drinks in port. It is possible, but not common, for this share to be allotted to a person not even a member of the crew -- such as a passenger or hostage.
• The Owners allot one (1) share.  If there is an Owner Aboard, or Owner’s Representative, the share is awarded to whomever’s actions they want to recognize.  If the Owners are not represented on board, the share is commonly quietly pocketed by the owners, on the basis that they have heroically provided opportunity to so many otherwise unemployable mariners.

 

There are various perquisites and exceptions, which provide endless fun and discussion. The "captain's perquisites" are at a minimum considered to be any maps and navigational instruments.

 

The Articles

 

Imprimis, That the said Vidan, as Owner, shall put on board the said carrack "Imperious Harbinger of Prosperity" a sufficient Number of Ballistae, Bolts, Darts, Javelins, Arrows, and all other necessary warlike Stores and Ammunition; as also, suitable Provisions sufficient for the said carrack, during the whole Cruise; which Cruise is to be understood to be from the time of the said carrack's sailing from the Port of Zadian, until the time of her returning thither again, for which there shall be no Deduction made out of the said Company's Segments or shares: And in Consideration thereof, the Owner of the said carrack or his heirs or substitutes, shall have and receive Three Seventh Segments of all Prizes, Goods, Wares, Merchandizes, Monies, Effects, etc. that shall be taken during this cruise; the other Four Seventh Segments shall be divided, and paid to the said carrack's Company, by the Captain aforesaid, according to the Rules hereafter stated.

II That the Captain shall have and receive One Seventh Segment, and shall be granted all Privileges and Freedoms accorded to Captains by the immemorial customs of the sea: That the Lieutenants and Master Navigator, Master at Arms, Bosun, Carpenter, Cook, Technomancers, Steward, and Mages, shall equally share in One Seventh Segment.

III That the Mages of the said carrack shall have and receive for themselves all Scrolls, books and writings of Magick belonging to any Mage that shall be taken.

IV That if any Person spies a Sail, and she proves to be a Prize worth 5000 Gold Lumens, or more, he shall receive Twenty Gold Lumens.

V That all the rest of the said carrack's Company, such as shall be deemed able and sufficient Seamen, or the cook, stewards, and other useful servants, shall divide among each of them equal shares of One Seventh Segment, out of the Effects, Plunder and Prizes, that shall or may be taken by the said carrack during the Cruise, Provided, They are not found guilty of the Faults or Crimes hereafter named.

VI That at the Division of any Money or Effects taken this Cruise, One Seventh Segment shall be alloted, which shall be divided amongst the most Deserving and them that does most for the benefit of the Cruise, according to the customs and traditions usual at Sea.

VII That as to the Proceedings of the Vessel, and undertaking any enterprise at Sea, or on Shore, and into what Port any Prize shall be Carried that shall be taken during the Cruise, shall be left entirely to the Captain's Election.

VIII That all the small Plunder, shall be brought to public Sale, and be delivered to the highest Bidder, for which their Shares shall be accountable, excepting the Captain's Perquisites, which are such as did belong to the Captains of Prizes, and such Clothing as the Captain shall think proper to allow the Prisoners.

IX That if any person belonging to the said carrack, be killed in an Engagement, or die on board, their Share or portion of the Seventh Segments, or of the Heroes' Seventh Segment, of all Prizes taken in their Life-Time, shall be paid to their Executors, if so appointed by Will; but if no Will be made, then their Part of what was got as aforesaid shall go to their Widow or Natural Heirs, if claim'd in Twelve Months, from the Time of said carrack's arrival into her commission'd Port; and on Failure thereof, said Share or Shares shall be and belong to the general Interest of the Whole.

X That if any of the Company do disannul any of the Officers' Commands for the Good of the Cruise, or the general Interest, they shall be fined and punished as the Captain and Officers shall direct, according to the laws and customs in such cases used at sea. And if any of the Company do Assault, Strike, or Insult any Prisoner, they shall be punished as the Captain and Officers shall direct. And if any of the Company begin an Attack, either by launching a Bolt, or Spell, or using any Instrument of War, before Orders be given, by the proper Officers, they shall be punished; but if any of the said Company do refuse to make an Attack on the Enemy, either at Sea or Land, at the Command and in the Manner ordered by the Captain and proper Officers, or do behave with Cowardice in any Engagement, they shall forfeit their Share or Shares for such Refusal or Cowardice; and if any of the Company get drunk, or use blasphemous and prophane Words, they shall be punished as the Captain and Officers shall direct: And likewise if any of the Company do desert the said carrack before her Return to Zadian, they shall forfeit their whole Shares to the Owner and Company, first paying such carrack's Debts as are contracted by the Captain's Knowledge.

XI That whoever of the Company shall breed a Mutiny or Disturbance, or strike their Fellow, or shall Game with Cards or Dice for Money, or any Thing of Value, or shall sell any strong Liquors on board, during the Voyage, they shall be fined as the Captain and Officers shall direct. And if any of the Company be found pilfering or stealing any Money or Goods of what kind soever, belonging to the said carrack or Company, they shall forfeit his or their Share or Shares of the Prize-Money or Effects then and afterwards taken by the said carrack, during the whole Cruise, to the Owner and Company.

XII That if any of the Company in an Engagement with the Enemy, or in the true Service of the Cruise, shall permanently lose a Leg or an Arm, or be so disabled as to be deprived of the Use of either; every such Person shall be allowed out of the effects or Prize first taken, (before any Division be made) the Sum of Three Hundred Gold Lumens; or the Value thereof in Goods, at the Price according to public Sale: But if there be not so much taken at that Time, the vessel and the Company shall keep out till they have enough for that Purpose; Provided no extraordinary Accident happens.

XIII That any Prize or Prizes that shall be taken during the Cruise, shall be with all Speed sent into the Port of Zadian in Zandu, in order that the same may be libelled against in the Sultan's Court for Condemnation, and to no other Place whatsoever, except said Prize shall be so disabled that she could not proceed to said Port, or except if the Perils of the Sea would prevent said Prize from proceeding to said Port: in which instance the Captain shall send said Prize to a Port of his choosing; And any Person or Persons which shall be aiding or assisting, or shall give his or their Consent for sending any Prize or Prizes, into any other Port but the Harbour of Zadian aforesaid, shall forfeit his or their Share to the Owner and Company; and that no Division shall be made till they return to the Port of Zadian.

XIV That in Case any neutral Property, or any Property whatever, be taken and sent into Port, and after Condemnation be had, an Appeal should be entered by the Claimants, then, and in such Case, it shall be Lawful with the full Consent of the Captain and Company of the said Privateer, for the Owner, or the Captain as Owner's Agent, to compromise, compound, and settle, by giving up any Sum or Part of the Prize, as shall seem most advisable to him for the general Interest, that the Captain and Company may receive each and every one of them their just and lawful Right and Prize-Money, and not be kept out of their Money until the Appeal may be determined before the Sultan; and in Case no such Compromisation can be made, then a certain Sum, shall be lodged out of the Prizes before taken, to prosecute the said Appeal: And it shall likewise be lawful for the Owner or Captain of the said Privateer to discharge any Capture that may be made during the said Cruise, without the formality of a Prosecution, in order that all unnecessary Charges may as much as possible be avoided.

XV That it shall not be lawful for the said Officers and Company, or either of them, to demand or sue for the Prize-Money so to become due to them, or any Part thereof, until fourteen Days after the Sale of such Prize or Prizes, the settlement of the Accounts relating to the said Cruise, and the actual Receipt of the Money by the Agent appointed to manage the Affairs of the said Cruise.

XVI That if it should happen, that the said carrack, by Means of any Fight, Attack, or Engagement, be lost, sunk or disabled, so as she may be thereby rendered unfit for any further Service as a private Vessel of War to cruise; that then, and in such Case, the Owner of said carrack, shall be entitled to take to himself, and for his own sole Use and Property, any Ship or Vessel taken during the Cruise, with her Armament, Tackle, Furniture, and Apparel, not exceeding the Value of the carrack at the Time of her Sailing; which Ship or Vessel so taken shall be to the Owner in Lieu of the said carrack.

XVII That in Case of the Death of the Commander, the next in Place shall strictly observe and comply with the Rules, Orders, Restrictions and Agreements, between the owner of the said sarrack and the said Commander.

Gods, Spirits and Saints Save the Sultan, and Success to the Ship, and all her brave Crew!