The Grinning Skull
One of the most notorious pirate vessels to ply the waters around Vallanna, The Grinning Skull has earned its fearsome reputation through many years of violent action, under the command of its' Captain, Pettigrew "Pete" Smiles.
The Grinning Skull's current crew complement includes Mr Hausenfaffer - Dwarven engineer and helmsman, Mr Elevenses - First mate and attendant to the Captain, Drakar - Drow lookout, and Jimby - Cabin boy, among others.
The Grinning Skull was constructed with three decks, and a lower hold. It features a quarter-deck which serves as the captain's cabin, as well as a forecastle. The ship is built to a three-masted design. Considered a Galleon, this style of design has fallen out of favour with the shipwrights of Vallanna, superseded by the more modern Ship-Of-The-Line class.
The age of the ship, as well as its original name are unknown, but it is rumoured among the crew that the ship was once the flagship of an expedition to cross the Sea of Vallar, prior to The Demon War. The ultimate fate of this expedition is unknown, but this rumour as to the ship's history is backed up by the remains of Royal Seals on certain bulkheads within the ship.
Propulsion
Like most seagoing vessels, the Grinning Skull is propelled through the use of sails. Uniquely, however, the ship has been enhanced with the ability to fly, by means of an iron superstructure encasing the hull, into which a large, energised crystal has been fitted. When charged by the powers of a wizard, the ship may lift from the water, suspended in the superstructure, although forward propulsion is still dependent on the ship's sails.
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