Calan (Cow-lan)

At a Glance

Up close, the first thing you notice is the figurehead of the bow. She is crafted as a buxom nude female of sylvan beauty but with four demonic hands and wings bent back, slicing the wind. Mystic symbols from many disparate origins are tattooed across her entire body. Mouth open in a smile, with hair swept back against the breeze. There are strong hints of demonic Maralith and Succubus heritage.

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Purpose

The Calan serves as headquarters, and a haven of the Phoenix Watch led by the Whispered One. As the Key of Creation calls out to future heroes nudging their threads together, they all tell similar tales. They speak of dreams, portents and prophecies of seeing the ship, the wizard and the bird of fire. The Whispered One uses the Calan to stage members of the Phoenix Watch and dispatch them on missions to defend against evil and darkness.

... your consciousness drifts on the edge of ... blackness ... mists ... dreams ... ... the lapping waves drag you from slumber ... ... your face is wet with rain drizzle and the smell of seawater... ... the faint memory of a battle, a blade, a wound, your life’s blood spilling out ... ... the only thing left is being consumed by the fires, the bird of flame, the fires of rebirth.

A similar story is told by any and all Phoenix Watch members that find their way to the Calan and the Whispered One. Their worlds of birth are different, their stories, like tavern songs and tales, are varied; their deaths each like the end of a unique snow-flake.

Naming

She’s called the Calan by her crew and those who come across her. Most cannot pronounce the ship’s true name, Os-Tirith Calanos. Loosely translated, her name means “haven of the reborn guardians in fire and life”. It is of draconic origin, or perhaps elven; no one can be sure anymore.

Layout

While the Calan at first glance appears much as any galleon or warship might, the truly mystical nature of the ship overshadows its mundane first glance.

Main Deck

The length, height and beam of this three mast ship marks it first a galleon and next a warship, with the size, speed and might of its class. Next, six ballistae are placed across the ship on clock-work swivel mounts, giving a large range of movement and arc of fire . Placements are in pairs at the stern, midships , and bow of the ship. Each of the three masts (fore, main, mizzen) have tops about two-thirds up and crow’s nests at their apex. Lashed on deck are two six-foot launch boats for smaller sea trips or escape. A gnomish-clockwork loading capstan towers over the closed cargo hatch. Minute glasses set in brass and clock-work holders, positioned bow, midship and stern as well.

Forecastle & Aftcastle

The forecastle has bunks, hammocks and sea-chests for the senior members, the ship’s crew and the ship’s chef. A warmth radiates throughout, rolling off of a kitchen sized red-brick cook box. With bricks that are warm to the touch even when not in use. The aftcastle has the captain’s quarters, two mates’ rooms, a chart room, and the sanctum room. The sanctum room has a full-sized wall mirror framed in multi-colored stained glass. This mirror is actually a portal to the Sanctum: however, it is only active for members of the Phoenix Watch.

Gunnery Deck

Aptly named, the gunnery deck houses three Avenger ballista on each the larboard and starboard side. This deck also houses the healer’s room, and the weapons master quarters, which doubles as a repair and project shop.

Cargo Deck

The cargo hold or Orlop deck has stores of backup supplies for maintenance of the ship. The ship’s stores also include crates and barrels of food, water and beverages for the crew.

Sanctum

You step out of a portal, entering the Whispered One’s Sanctum, you realize this room is wrong, being both too large and too tall to fit in the ship. No sense of the ship’s motion or waves can be felt or heard here. The walls, floor and ceiling appear to be made of a translucent solid material, which feels as solid as metal when touched. The alarming factor is through their translucent surface, you can see swirling eddies of somewhere beyond this world. Fading in and out of sight, there are no discernable landmarks or objects beyond . In each of the four corners of the sanctum stand four pedestals, and on each is an intricate hourglass lit with ethereal light. The hourglass frames appear to be some type of clockwork mechanism holding them aloft while sands trickle through each. An arcane language symbol rests on each hourglass identifying one of the 16 foundation worlds. These represent the cosmic axis, which holds the mortal worlds of creation together. One of the 16 hourglasses is dark and its sands do not flow. In the center of this massive room’s floor is an intricate set of arcane circles, each laced with symbols and glyphs. These five distinct pieces form one of the most potent and ancient forms of circle and glyph magic, an arcane power matrix. . While you normally can’t combine multiple arcane circles, the lost art of the power matrix makes this possible by linking all of them, providing a nexus to amplifying magic weaves and reach. On the far side of the room is a massive Sungwood desk and chair set. This set represents the ancient art of elven tree-singing to craft and coax the spirit of wood to become the item desired. They have never been touched by tools of mundane crafting yet remain some of the most intricate pieces ever designed.

Propulsion

The Calan is happy to keep pace with other ships; however, when there is a need, the Calan can easily double its speed using mystical methods involving air and water. Wave & Water There are six large decanters, almost like metallic vases with leather flask spots embedded along both the port and starboard at the waist of the ship. They are covered in black runes, including the cork spout cap chained to their neck. With a command from the captain these caps fall off and each issue forth geysers of water. This alone can provide immense momentum and propulsion. The captain can even activate portions of them, providing superior maneuverability. Rumors run the gambit from water elementals trapped within each to greater decanters of endless water. Sail & Sun The sun shines bright and hot across the Calan’s deck as the sails unfurl guided by unseen mystic hands. The water is calm and lazy, defying the ship to move, and yet the sails fill as if the breath of an unseen god of wind and storm. Maybe the sails are enchanted, or they may be artifacts, perhaps the souls of air elementals have been bound to the rigging and sails. Ports of Call The Calan has docked in some of the most important ports in the worlds. If there is a potential member of the Phoenix Watch working their way through their fate and destiny, then they will always be able to find the Calan docked at the right moment. A few examples of well known ports ... A few examples of well known ports ...

Mirros, Capital of the Kingdom of Karameikos, the World of Mystara

Waterdeep, The Forgotten Realms - Jewel of the North, World of Toril

Greyhawk - the Free City, World of Oerth

Ptolus, City by the Spire, World of Praemal

The method used to traverse the worlds is unclear, but it obviously works. The Calan may be guided between the threads of fate, plane-shifting from world to world. At one moment in this sea and in the next moment another sea. This may be accomplished by the will of the Whispered One or the navigating of the captain, or maybe both. Ruby Shards of Eranath Embedded into the decking of the bow and stern are two rubies the size of mailed fist . They seem to dance and pulse with an inner glow. These are said to be pieces of the control stones used by the lost civilization of Eranath, that kept orbiting continents from colliding. Arcane wielders speculate that by bonding them to the ship, they form a small mobile ley line that is key in the ship’s mystical navigation and supernatural propulsion. It is also believed that the Whispered One's Sanctum is anchored to the stones and the ship.

Armaments

The main deck has multiple ballistae called Avengers. This allows forward and rear facing arcs of fire in addition to port and starboard positions. The gunnery deck has the port and starboard side ballista, creating the bulk of its broadside offensive power. The Avengers are a culmination of several projects combined. Custom clockwork weapons mounts from the Clockwork Dragon shop in Ptolus. The actual ballista e are crafted in Eberron so they can be magically paired and attuned to fire alchemical bolts and arcane elemental bolts. If there is need, the decanters may be angled up and out from the ship to be used as a weapon again another ship or possible boarding parties.

Construction

The framework and hull of the Calan is one solid piece of wood. It is speculated the ship was formed using the lost elven art of tree-singing and layered with true dweamors of a forgotten age. Although the ship can be damaged, it “heals” those injuries over time and it returns to its original state. The Sungwood construction is very durable, being able to withstand the punishments of war and battle. The Calan radiates no magic from usual divination or magesight, while it is possible more powerful dweamors could pierce its veil.

Who's Who

The Whispered One The Whispered One is both mysterious and powerful. It is believed that he is a wizard of a forgotten ancient race, but possibly human, fey born, or even celestial; no one knows for sure. It has been rumored he has ties to Blackmore and the Great Rain of Fire on the world of Mystara. Other say he is the Lady of Pains eyes and ears beyond Sigil, City of Doors. Estra Mate & Commander Estra appears at first glance to be a rather large female warrior, possibly a goliath, shrouded in layers of cloaks. Once the cloaks fall away, her obvious demon heritage is very clear. She has four arms, each covered with a thin sheen of green scales that moves and shifts distorting the eye. Although her given name seems to have no history and little definition in study, in hushed whispers she is called the Daughter of Night. Estra acts as the Whispered One’s left hand, playing a key role in member training, recruiting, special missions and arcane projects. Veros Captain Captain Veros is a male wolfen from the world of Palladium. Commanding and feral features help convey his orders, while skill and acute senses make him an impeccable captain and navigator. Jarim Ordis Healer & Chef Jarim is a gold dragonborn healer and, more importantly, the chef of the Calan. Beware earning his ire by calling him a cook as he has culinary talent to spare. He claims to share the spirits of an ancient gold dragon which has gifted him with his spark of fire focused magic. He is well known for wielding his fire magic in battle, as well as in the kitchen. Tarris Weapons Master & Artificer Tarris, as “he” is known, is far from the most unusual member of the Phoenix Watch and the crew of the Calan. Tarris is a Warforged Artificer from Eberron and serves as weapons master and engineer for all modifications and repairs on the ship. He can be found speaking to the ship regularly, remarking that “her” soul can hear, while oiling and maintaining the various clockwork mechanisms. Sam (Samantha / Samuel) Quartermaster Sam appears as a female halfling most days while she takes inventory of the stores and prepares lists for resupply. The truth is, Sam is an Irda or High Ogre of Krynn with a past she wants no part of. Her shape-shifting and well-honed speechcraft makes her the perfect diplomat and negotiator. Her given name is much longer and more complex than most have the patience for.

Notable Members

Vixen
Vixen is a female Jaka scout from a far distant land known as Talislanta. The wild and primal Jaka appear as an elegant hybrid of human, wolf and panther. She is not a fan of the captain and prefers missions off the ship, also very fascinated with elves. Daed Ssenkrad
Male human Necromancer and Red Wizard of Thay. Sir Kalithain Tindall
Knight of Solamnia blending the Oath and Measure with the Oath of the Phoenix Watch.

Lightning Storm by Breno Machado on Unsplash

Maps

Grid Maps

Round Black Compass by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Class

Galleon

Nickname

Calan

Owner

Whispered One

Owning Organization

Phoenix Watch

Width

30ft

Length

120ft

Height

120ft Rig

Weight

500 tons

Speed

10 mph
9 knots
(240 miles per day)

Complement / Crew

Draft

12ft

Important Articles

Phoenix Watch

Phoenix Prophecy
Key of Creation
Oath & Mark
Artifact Shard

Ship at Sunset by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash