Rustleech

"When the toxic mists part and you see that iron beast cutting through the waters, its hull stained with chemical burns and its decks bristling with hidden gun ports, you know one thing for certain - either your cargo's about to move, or you're about to die."

— Vezra Blackbilge, Cargo Mistress

The Rustleech stands as the most notorious vessel plying the poisoned waters between Grizburg and the southern coasts. This massive iron-hulled barge, nearly three hundred feet in length, bears the scars of countless battles and chemical burns across its riveted plates. Modified Brinkburn engines drive its massive paddle wheels, belching steam tinged with strange colors that speak of experimental fuel mixtures and forbidden engineering.
Captain Malista Tinmaw's flagship distinguishes through an array of hidden weapon emplacements concealed behind sliding panels of corroded steel. These adaptations, combined with reinforced hull plating and experimental anti-corrosion treatments, make the vessel particularly suited for navigating the most dangerous stretches of both the Sko and Vo rivers.

Through toxic mists she cuts her path, Where others dare not sail or row, The Rustleech leaves a trail of wrath, In poisoned waters down below.|River Chant of the Vo

The vessel's distinctive profile emerges from numerous modifications to its original cargo hauler design. Multiple observation bubbles of thick glass protrude from its armored sides, allowing the crew to monitor the waters for both natural and supernatural threats. The bridge rises four decks above the main hull, providing commanding views while housing sophisticated navigation equipment salvaged from pre-industrial ruins.
Below the waterline, the Rustleech harbors darker secrets. Its cargo holds have been subdivided into specialized chambers, many lined with warding runes or fitted with containment fields for transporting volatile magical goods. The deepest hold, known as the Whisper Gallery, contains Captain Tinmaw's private collection of preserved river monsters and artifacts recovered from failed expeditions.

"That ship ain't just steel and steam - it's got a mind of her own. I've seen her turn into currents no living pilot could spot, dodge whirlpools that appeared out of nowhere. Sometimes I think the captain's just along for the ride."

— Old Muckfingers, Retired Dockhand

The engine room exemplifies the merger of industrial innovation and forbidden knowledge. Massive Brinkburn-pattern steam engines share space with arcane devices whose purposes remain mysterious to all but the most senior engineers. The chief engineer's logs speak of regular modifications to both machinery and ritual markings, suggesting the power plant serves purposes beyond mere propulsion.
During new moons, Captain Tinmaw performs complex rituals at specific points along the hull, carving symbols that seem to move when viewed directly. These markings correspond to ancient river charts recovered from the Whispering Depths, though their true purpose remains a subject of speculation among the crew.

"Each scar on her hull tells a story - some in languages best left unspoken. The Rustleech doesn't just carry cargo through these waters; she carries secrets that would shatter minds."

— Kurgan Weinrich

The crew quarters reflect the vessel's dual nature as both cargo ship and war machine. Hammocks swing above weapon lockers, while shrine-like alcoves housing river totems occupy corners throughout the living spaces. Most crew members carry both conventional weapons and ritual implements, prepared for threats both material and mystical.
The bridge combines traditional navigation equipment with stranger devices. Star charts showing impossible constellations hang beside depth sounders that sometimes register phantom readings. The helm itself incorporates a crystalline display salvaged from ancient ruins, providing the pilot with information about currents and anomalies that conventional instruments cannot detect.

In waters deep where light fears tread, The Rustleech makes her deadly way, Past horrors both alive and dead, Through channels where the shadows play.|Dockside Verse

Recent years have seen the Rustleech take on increasingly dangerous cargo, from artifacts recovered from the Whispering Depths to experimental weapons developed by the Rust Barons. Each successful delivery has added to both the ship's legend and the mysterious modifications that make it unique among river vessels.
The Rustleech's reputation extends beyond its impressive combat record or cargo capacity. River pilots speak of seeing phantom images of the vessel in places it couldn't possibly be, while some claim the ship appears in dreams before major disasters. Whether these stories reflect supernatural properties or simply the natural mystique surrounding such a notorious vessel remains unknown.

"Some nights, when the mists rise thick and the water glows with that strange light, you can hear her singing. Not the crew, mind you - the ship herself. She calls to things in the deep, and gods help us all when they answer."

— Anonymous Crew Member

References Organizations/River Guild Characters/Captain Malista Tinmaw Locations/Grizburg[/article]

Power Generation

The Dark Heart: Power Systems of the Rustleech

"When the furnace awakens, even the river holds its breath."

— Durlag Steamgrip, Chief Engineer

Forbidden Innovation

Deep within the iron bowels of the Rustleech churns a marvel of dark engineering - the experimental Brinkburn-pattern engines. These machines represent the bleeding edge of House Ironwake's arcane research, where ancient sorcery meshes with industrial might. The engine room thrums with an otherworldly pulse, its brass-bound pistons dancing to rhythms that echo through dreams.

The Deezle Revolution

At the core of this technological heresy lies the refined essence known as Deezle - a substance that blurs the line between fuel and forbidden elixir. Through processes whispered only in shadows, House Valzak's alchemists transform Dead God residue into a potent catalyst that powers both the ship's weapons and its massive paddlewheels.
* Primary Drive: Twin Brinkburn Mark IV engines
* Fuel Source: Modified Deezle with arcane catalysts
* Output: Standard 4mph, burst capacity 6mph
* Auxiliary Systems: Steam-driven weapon loading mechanisms

Engineering Mysteries

The engine room stands as a temple to industrial sorcery. Purple-flamed braziers cast strange shadows across walls inscribed with ward-runes, while crystalline gauges pulse with captured starlight. Here, engineering crews work in synchronized precision, their movements matching the beating heart of their mechanical god.

"The mixture must be precise - too rich and you'll summon more than propulsion. Too lean and the spirits bound within grow hungry."

— From the Chief Engineer's Log

Show spoiler

Rumors persist of failed experiments where Deezle batches achieved consciousness, their burning awareness reaching through dreams to torment the crew. Such tales are, naturally, dismissed as superstition by House Ironwake's officials.

Propulsion

The Iron Dragon's Breath: Propulsion Systems of the Rustleech

"Watch her paddle-wheels churn darkness into motion. Those aren't mere ripples in her wake - those are echoes of forbidden momentum."

— Esra "Star-Eyes" Solwin

Twin Hearts of Motion

Two mammoth paddle-wheels dominate the Rustleech's flanks, each spoke carved with runes that whisper to the water. These masterworks of dark engineering merge bronze, iron, and enchanted woods into wheels that don't simply push through water - they command it to yield.

The Deezle Dance

Each revolution draws power from the ship's experimental Deezle-fed engines. The alchemically-treated fuel flows through channels inscribed with sigils of motion, its strange energies converting dead god essence into raw momentum. When the engines reach full power, the water around the paddle-wheels takes on an otherworldly sheen, glowing with subdued violet light.


* Twin Paddle-wheel Configuration
* Enchanted Bronze-Iron Construction
* Rune-Enhanced Propulsion
* Deezle-Powered Steam Drive
* Emergency Manual Operation Capability

Dark Innovation

House Ironwake's engineers have pioneered a system where excess steam from the Deezle combustion chambers feeds directly into the paddle-wheel housings. This unholy marriage of industrial might and forbidden science allows the Rustleech to achieve speeds that defy conventional maritime physics.

Show spoiler

Some crew members swear the paddle-wheels sometimes turn on their own during the darkest hours, as if the bound energies within the Deezle seek escape through motion. The engineers dismiss such tales while quietly reinforcing the containment runes each dawn.

"In the dead of night, listen close to the wheels' rhythm. That's not mechanical thunder - that's the pulse of something ancient, something we've bound to our will. For now."

— Thrakka Gearfist, Ship's Bosun

Weapons & Armament

Teeth of Iron and Shadow: The Rustleech's Arsenal

"When her gun ports bloom open like night flowers, wise captains remember why the Rustleech haunts their dreams."

— Vezra Blackbilge, Cargo Mistress

Death's Chorus

The Rustleech bristles with hidden weaponry, each piece a dark marriage of industrial might and forbidden science. Behind sliding panels of corroded steel lurk twin ballistas whose bronze-bound limbs drink deep of Deezle-enhanced powder, while mangonels crouch like metal predators, their ammunition blessed with runes of sundering.
* 2 Enhanced Ballistas (+6 to hit, 3d10 piercing)
* 2 Runic Mangonels (+5 to hit, 5d10 bludgeoning)
* Naval Ram (blessed iron, grants advantage on crash saves)
* Concealed weapon ports with quick-deployment mechanisms

The Murderous Heart

Each weapon draws power from the ship's Deezle-fed core, where ancient engineering meets modern savagery. The loading mechanisms pulse with strange energies, while targeting systems incorporate crystals salvaged from pre-industrial ruins. When fully awakened, the weapons sing with an otherworldly hunger that echoes across the poisoned waters.

Show spoiler

Deep in combat, when Deezle fumes fill the air and blood stains the decks, gunners speak of hearing whispers from their weapons - promises of power, if only they'd feed them more frequently.

"Our guns don't just fire - they reach through space with fingers of bronze and spite. What they touch, they claim."

— Lockjaw Ghurak, First Mate

Armor and defense

Forged in Shadow: The Rustleech's Defenses

"Her scars speak of battles won, but her wards whisper of horrors denied entry."

— Old Muckfingers

Iron Scales and Dark Wards

The Rustleech's hull stands as a masterwork of arcane metallurgy, where riveted iron plates merge with runes of warding. Each segment bears both physical reinforcement and mystical protection, creating a barrier against mundane and supernatural threats alike. The experimental anti-corrosion treatments, derived from forbidden Deezle formulations, grant the metal an otherworldly resilience.
* Reinforced Iron Hull (AC 18)
* Damage Threshold 20
* Warding Runes
* Anti-Corrosion Treatment
* Observation Bubbles (enchanted glass)

Occult Safeguards

Beyond mere metal, the Rustleech bristles with protective enchantments. Glass observation bubbles pierce through glamours and illusions, while cargo holds bear containment fields that cage both physical threats and malevolent spirits. The hull's very essence radiates a supernatural menace, causing lesser vessels to give wide berth.

Show spoiler

The anti-corrosion treatments have begun showing signs of awareness. During storms, the hull's surface ripples with patterns that match no known runic language, as if the bound substances yearn to communicate.

"Those who strike our hull learn quickly - some barriers bite back."

— Thrakka Gearfist, while repairing mysteriously dissolved boarding hooks

Communication Tools & Systems

Whispers Through the Void: The Rustleech's Communication Array

"Our messages ride through mist and madness, carried by spirits bound to brass and lightning."

— Navigator Esra "Star-Eyes" Solwin

Voices in the Dark

Through a network of speaking tubes and arcane resonators, the Rustleech maintains constant internal communion. But these mundane channels pale before its true voices - enchanted brass horns that pierce river-fog with unnatural clarity, and crystalline mirrors salvaged from pre-industrial ruins that flash messages in code through the thickest storm.

* Enchanted Speaking Tubes (deck-to-deck)
* Signal Flags (touched with ghost-light)
* Brass Warning Horns (rune-enhanced)
* Crystal Mirror Array (salvaged tech)
* Emergency Flares (Deezle-powered)

Beyond Mortal Voice

At the heart of this network lies the Harmonicon of Eternal Dissonance - Captain Tinmaw's jealously guarded secret. This device, more living entity than machine, drinks deep of Deezle vapors to send messages that bypass physical space entirely, whispering directly into the minds of chosen receivers.

Show spoiler

The night watch speaks of phantom messages echoing through empty tubes, carrying warnings of dangers yet to manifest. The Captain neither confirms nor denies these rumors, though she keeps meticulous records of every such occurrence.

"In times of need, we speak not through air or water, but through the spaces between thought and dream."

— Malista Tinmaw, during a moonless transmission

Sensors

Eyes That Pierce the Void: The Rustleech's Sensory Array

Beneath thick glass domes and through carved crystal lenses, the Rustleech perceives the world through means both mundane and mystical. Her network of observation bubbles, each blessed with enchantments that pierce glamour and shadow, grant her crew vision where mortal eyes would falter.

The Ethereal Compass

At the heart of her detection systems throbs the Ethereal Compass, a device that tracks both physical hazards and supernatural disturbances in the river's flow. Its crystalline display, salvaged from ancient ruins, provides pilots with knowledge of currents and anomalies that conventional instruments cannot detect.

Arcane Detection Grid

* Observation bubbles blessed with true-seeing
* Depth sounders that register phantom readings
* Star charts showing impossible constellations
* Detection crystals harvested from the Whispering Depths
* Mystical wards that pulse when danger approaches

Through the dim hours before dawn, when river-mists part and shadows dance, these systems work in concert. The Ethereal Compass spins with purpose, tracking disturbances both natural and otherworldly. Warning runes flare along the hull when unseen threats draw near, while modified Deezle vapors feed the more... hungry detection devices that Captain Tinmaw keeps locked in her private quarters.

"The river holds secrets in its depths. Our eyes see them all, whether they wish to be seen or not."

— Navigator Esra "Star-Eyes" Solwin

Beyond Mortal Sight

In times of particular danger, when conventional methods fail, the crew activates the Whisper Gallery's preserved specimens. These ancient creatures, though long dead, still react to the presence of their living kin, providing warning of threats that lurk in the poisoned waters below.

Additional & auxiliary systems

Hidden Hearts & Subtle Songs: The Rustleech's Auxiliary Systems

Layers Upon Layers

Beyond her primary functions, the Rustleech harbors countless auxiliary systems, each born from the marriage of forbidden science and dark necessity. These secondary systems pulse with their own rhythms, feeding the greater beast that carries them through poisoned waters.

Life Support

Mechanical purifiers blessed by shadow-priests scrub Deezle fumes from the air, while enchanted ventilation shafts channel clean breath throughout the vessel's iron bones. In the deepest holds, crystal matrices harmonize with the ship's pulse, maintaining precise atmospheric conditions for both crew and corrupted cargo.

Emergency Systems

* Sealed bulkheads with both mechanical and mystical locks
* Self-contained escape boats powered by miniature Deezle engines
* Fire suppression arrays combining water and alchemical retardants
* Emergency ritual circles carved into strategic points of the hull
* Backup steering mechanisms powered by bound water elementals

Comfort and Control

The officers' quarters benefit from excess steam channeled through brass-bound heating vents, while mechanical fans stir stagnant air in the lower decks. The galley houses innovative preservation systems - mechanical refrigeration enhanced by whispered blessings, while alchemical smokers preserve meat for long voyages.

"Every pipe has its purpose, every valve its voice. Learn their songs, or die wondering why the backup systems failed to save you."

— Durlag Steamgrip, Chief Engineer

The Darker Functions

Some auxiliary systems serve purposes known only to Captain Tinmaw and her most trusted officers. Strange devices thrum in sealed chambers, their functions obscured by both lock and legend. These mechanisms draw power from the Deezle-heart but serve ends that even the crew dare not question.

Hangars & docked vessels

Grizburg: Where Iron Dreams Take Flight

Deep in the shadowed heart of the industrial realm, where smoke-wreathed spires pierce poison-green skies, the Rustleech finds sanctuary in the dark splendor of Grizburg. Here, among the thundering foundries and crackling arcane forges of the Rustwater District, House Ironwake maintains their flagship's primary moorings.

The Ironwake Docks

The private docking facilities of House Ironwake loom like the ribs of some ancient leviathan. Massive iron cranes, their joints weeping with strange oils, stand ready to service vessels touched by forbidden science. The air thrums with power as experimental Deezle refineries process their volatile cargo, while teams of shadow-sworn engineers tend to the needs of their dark mistress.

Support Facilities

* Experimental Deezle refineries blessed by machine-priests
* Arcane dry-docks where corrupted hulls undergo ritual cleansing
* Warehouses storing components salvaged from failed expeditions
* Underground vaults housing forbidden technical manuscripts
* Mechanist workshops where apprentices learn to merge magic with metal

"The foundries never sleep, and neither do the dreams they forge into reality."

— Durlag Steamgrip, watching the eternal flames

The Hidden Harbor

Beyond the public façade lies a labyrinth of secret channels and underground waterways. Here, in chambers carved by ancient machines, the Rustleech undergoes her most esoteric modifications. Runes of warding protect these spaces from prying eyes, while bound elementals maintain optimal conditions for the most dangerous technical rituals.
The dock waters run black with industrial runoff and stranger substances, yet possess an unnatural clarity that speaks of powers beyond mortal understanding. In these depths, the Rustleech communes with whatever entities House Ironwake has bound to their service, drawing strength for her next journey into the poisoned waters beyond.

Manufacturer

Ironwake

Crew

• Sherman

Owning Organization

Ironwake

Price

150,000 gold pieces (A king's ransom, reflecting its unique fusion of forbidden technology and dark enchantment)

Rarity

Unique (The only vessel of its kind, born from House Ironwake's mastery of arcane engineering)

Related Technologies

• Deezle

Width

WIDTH: 20 feet (Narrow for its length, designed to pierce through poisoned waters)

Length

300 feet (From ram to stern, riveted iron plates stretching like dragon scales)

Height

40 feet (Four decks from deepest hold to crow's nest, plus observation bubbles)

Weight

450 tons unloaded (Iron hull and reinforced components contribute to exceptional mass)

Speed

SPEED: 4 mph standard (96 miles/day) 6 mph burst speed (Using arcane furnace, 1 hour per day)

Complement / Crew

40 crew members required: 6 officers 12 engineers 8 gunners 14 general crew

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

Cargo: 200 tons (Split between three specialized holds) Passengers: 60 maximum (Currently at capacity) Combined Weight Rating: Designed for 300 tons total displacement

THE RUSTLEECH

Iron River Galley - Pride of House Ironwake

VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS

Classification: Gargantuan Vehicle
Dimensions: 300 ft. x 20 ft.

Core Statistics

Hull: AC 18 (iron-reinforced), 500 HP, Damage Threshold 20
Speed: 20 ft. (paddlewheel)
Initiative: +1 (-3 DEX, +4 crew quality)

Ability Scores

STR: 24 (+7)
DEX: 4 (-3)
CON: 20 (+5)
INT: 0
WIS: 0
CHA: 0

Vessel Components

Control (Helm)
* AC: 16
* HP: 50
* Effect if Disabled: Cannot turn

Movement (Paddlewheel) * AC: 16
* HP: 120
* Speed Penalty: -20 ft. per 25 damage taken

COMBAT SYSTEMS

Weapons

Ballistas (2) * AC: 15
* HP: 50 each
* Attack: +6 to hit
* Range: 120/480 ft.
* Damage: 16 (3d10) piercing

Mangonels (2) * AC: 15
* HP: 100 each
* Attack: +5 to hit
* Range: 200/800 ft. (minimum 60 ft.)
* Damage: 27 (5d10) bludgeoning

Naval Ram * AC: 20
* HP: 100
* Damage Threshold: 10
* Special: Advantage on crash-related saves

CREW AND CAPACITY

Complement: 40 skilled crew (currently full)
Passengers: 60 (at capacity)
Cargo: 200 tons
Quality Score: +5

Required Officers

* Captain
* First Mate
* Bosun
* Navigator
* Quartermaster
* Surgeon
* Cook

VESSEL ACTIONS

Three actions per turn with full crew:
* Move (using helm with paddlewheels)
* Fire Ballistas
* Fire Mangonels
* Full Speed Ahead (recharge 5-6)
* Smokescreen (recharge 5-6)

IMMUNITIES

Condition Immunities: Blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious
Damage Immunities: Poison, psychic

CARGO MANIFEST

Forward Hold (Warded)

* 3 sealed containers of experimental Brinkburn fuel catalysts
* 2 crates of unstable arcane crystals
* 1 preserved juvenile kraken specimen
* 4 containment vessels with bound river spirits
* Collection of cursed artifacts from failed expeditions

Main Hold

* Standard provisions for 100 crew/passengers (3 months)
* Spare parts and repair materials
* Trade goods and conventional cargo
* Emergency supplies
* Weapons and ammunition stores

Restricted Hold (Captain's Private Collection)

* Ancient river charts with moving runes
* Experimental weapons from Rust Barons
* Preserved specimens from the Whispering Depths
* Forbidden texts on river lore
* Emergency escape vessels with independent steam power

UPGRADES AND ENHANCEMENTS

* Reinforced Iron Hull
* Arcane Furnace
* Multiple Observation Bubbles
* Warded Cargo Holds
* Experimental Anti-Corrosion Treatment
* Ancient River Charts Integration System
* Supernatural Reputation (DC 13 WIS save)
* Nightmare Wake (disadvantage on tracking at night)

The Rustleech: Pride of House Ironwake

A behemoth of iron and innovation, the Rustleech stands as House Ironwake's crowning achievement upon the toxic waters of the River Vo. What appears at first glance to be a weathered river barge conceals cutting-edge goblin engineering merged with forbidden magic, creating a vessel as formidable as any that plies the poisoned waters between Grizburg and the distant coasts.

The Bridge

Housed within a towering wheelhouse of brass and iron, the Rustleech's bridge combines traditional river navigation with arcane innovation. Captain Malista's command center features a mechanized helm connected to enchanted gyroscopes, ensuring stability even in the most treacherous waters. Crystalline viewing ports offer enhanced visibility through magical filters that pierce fog and darkness, while an array of speaking tubes and signal bells connects to every deck. The bridge's crowning achievement is the Ethereal Compass, a device that tracks both physical hazards and supernatural disturbances in the river's flow.

Engine Room

Deep within the vessel's iron heart lies an engineering marvel that would make even Grizburg's master artificers weep. Multiple steam boilers merge conventional coal-firing with alchemical catalysts, while enchanted pistons drive both the massive paddlewheel and an array of secondary systems. The engine room's walls bear protection runes that pulse with purple light, and strange crystals harvest excess steam to power various mechanical amenities throughout the ship. Fatch Bronzefist's workshop occupies one corner, filled with spare parts and half-finished inventions.

Cargo Holds

Three massive holds divide the Rustleech's belly, each protected by both mundane and magical locks. The forward hold specializes in volatile cargo, with compartments lined in lead and silver to contain magical emanations. The central hold houses conventional goods but features mechanical lifts and enchanted pulleys for efficient loading. The aft hold remains permanently sealed except for special shipments, its walls inscribed with containment runes that glow an ominous red.

Crew Quarters

The crew quarters occupy the middle deck, a maze of narrow corridors and efficient cabins. Each bunk features a small storage locker and a brass heating vent connected to the engine's steam system. The officers' cabins along the port side offer additional comforts, including mechanical fans and enchanted windows that can turn opaque on command. A common area features tables bolted to the floor and a collection of river maps covering the walls.

Captain's Quarters

Captain Malista's domain occupies the stern quarter of the upper deck, combining luxury with practicality. A mechanical security system protecting the entrance requires both key and code to bypass. Inside, rich wooden panels hide weapon lockers and secret compartments, while a massive desk contains both charts and confidential House Ironwake documents. A private washroom features hot running water, a rare luxury made possible by the engine's excess steam.

The Galley

More than just a kitchen, the Rustleech's galley houses innovative preservations systems developed by House Ironwake's engineers. Mechanical refrigeration units keep perishables fresh, while alchemical smokers cure meat for long voyages. The cooking range burns hot enough to melt metal thanks to focused steam vents from the engine room, and enchanted ventilation prevents smoke from lingering.

The Workshop

Adjacent to the engine room, the Rustleech's workshop serves as both repair bay and innovation center. Lathes and drill presses powered by steam drive through a complex series of belts and pulleys, while an alchemical forge burns with purple flames hot enough to melt enchanted metals. Tools line the walls in precise arrangements, many featuring modifications for specialized repairs to the vessel's unique systems.

The Armory

Concealed behind false panels near the bridge, the armory houses the Rustleech's impressive defensive capabilities. Rapid-fire harpoon launchers mounted on steam-powered turrets can be deployed from hidden ports along the hull. Racks of enchanted weapons stand ready for boarding actions, while crates of specialized ammunition - from chain-shot to alchemical explosives - fill secured lockers.

Medical Bay

House Ironwake spares no expense in protecting its investments, including the crew. The medical bay features both traditional healing supplies and innovative goblin medical technology. Mechanical purifiers clean the air, while enchanted surgical tools assist in complex procedures. A small alchemy lab allows for the production of antidotes to river toxins and magical maladies.

The Shrine

Hidden deep within the vessel, known only to Captain Malista and select officers, lies a shrine to the River Lords. Ancient artifacts line obsidian shelves while eternal flames burn in brass braziers. The chamber serves both religious and practical purposes - many believe these shrines help protect vessels from the Vo's more supernatural hazards.

Observation Deck

The highest point of the Rustleech features an armored observation post equipped with enchanted spyglasses and a complex system of signal flags. This vantage point proves crucial for navigating the river's hazards and spotting potential threats or opportunities.

Crew Recreation Area

Understanding the importance of morale on long voyages, the Rustleech provides a small but well-appointed recreation space. Games of chance share space with exercise equipment, while a small library contains books and maps. A unique feature is the "poison garden" - a collection of carefully maintained toxic plants used for both medicine and defense.

Storage and Miscellaneous

Throughout the vessel, clever design maximizes every available space. Hidden compartments in seemingly solid walls hold emergency supplies or secret cargo. A network of narrow maintenance tunnels allows engineers to access critical systems, while emergency patches and repair materials stand ready in strategic locations.

The Ballast System

Perhaps the Rustleech's most innovative feature is its dynamic ballast system. Multiple tanks filled with treated water can be adjusted through a complex network of pumps and valves, allowing the vessel to adapt to changing river conditions or deliberately alter its profile in combat situations.

External Features

The Rustleech's hull incorporates several unique features, from retractable armor plates to deployable nets for defense against river predators. Enchanted rigging allows for quick adjustments even in dangerous conditions, while multiple anchoring systems help secure the vessel in treacherous waters. Most impressively, the hull's plates are treated with alchemical compounds that actively resist the river's corrosive effects.

Safety Systems

Throughout the vessel, emergency systems stand ready to address various catastrophes. Fire suppression devices combine water and alchemical retardants, while emergency bulkheads can seal off compromised sections. Multiple escape boats feature their own steam engines, ensuring the crew's survival even in worst-case scenarios.