Ships are not merely vessels of wood and sail but entities imbued with essence and character, almost as if the gods of the sea themselves breathed life into their timbers. This mystical quality makes each ship unique, possessing traits and personalities as vivid and varied as the crew that mans them.
Creation and Birth of a Ship
The creation of a ship is a ceremonial process, involving rituals that call upon the sea deities and the spirits of the wind and waves. As a ship is built, its keel laid and hull constructed, a shipwright—often a priest—will perform blessings and chant incantations, asking the spirits to endow the vessel with a spark of life. This ritual culminates in the Naming Ceremony, where the ship is given its name, which is believed to shape its personality and fate.
Traits and Personality
Once a ship is launched, it begins to exhibit traits that reflect its design, its experiences, and the influence of the seas it navigates. For example, a sleek and fast clipper might develop a personality that is eager and adventurous, always longing to chase the horizon, while a sturdy galleon might be more dependable and stoic, capable of braving the fiercest storms.
Interactions with Crew and Environment
Ships develop bonds with their crews. A crew’s treatment of their ship can affect the ship’s behavior and health—neglect or abuse might cause a ship to become sullen and sluggish, while care and respect might see a ship performing beyond its apparent capabilities. Furthermore, ships might also react to the environments they are in; a ship might become skittish and nervous in pirate-infested waters or bold and fearless when sailing through a favored current.
Legends and Lore
Stories and myths about these sentient ships abound in the taverns and ports of the world. Sailors swap tales of ships that saved their crews from certain doom on their own accord, turning sharply away from hidden reefs or suddenly changing course to avoid a pirate ambush. There are also darker tales of ships that turned on their crews, driven mad by mistreatment or the haunting loneliness of the sea.