Sister Mercy
The Sister Mercy is a modest yet infamous single-mast pirate ship, plying the waterways of the Velverdyva River and the Imeryd's Run. Commanded by the harsh and devout Captain Redond, often referred to as “The Cardinal,” the ship operates as a tightly-knit family business where every crew member is a relative of the captain. What sets the Sister Mercy apart is the deadly reputation of Redond’s two sons, Mallandamus and Senyig, who have achieved near-legendary status along the riverways.
The ship serves as both a pirate vessel and a floating shrine to Orcus, Prince of the Undead, as Redond turns from his former god Wastri in his search for greater power. Despite its modest size, the Sister Mercy strikes fear into those who encounter it, thanks to its deadly crew and unyielding discipline.
Ship Description
The Sister Mercy is a single-mast sloop, built for speed and maneuverability on the rivers. Its hull is dark-stained wood, reinforced with iron bands, and the sails bear the faint, faded image of a skeletal hand clutching a shattered chain—an ominous symbol of Redond’s shifting allegiance to Orcus. Below decks, the ship has cramped living quarters for its crew and limited space for storing plunder. The captain’s quarters, however, are spacious and serve as both Redond’s sanctum and shrine.Key Features
- Type: Single-mast sloop.
- Purpose: Smuggling, raiding, and spreading the influence of Orcus.
- Speed and Maneuverability: Built for quick escapes and surprise attacks.
- Decor: Dark, foreboding, and functional, with elements of religious iconography tied to Orcus.
Operations and Strategy
The Sister Mercy excels in swift, surgical strikes on merchant ships and river outposts. Redond’s disciplined leadership ensures that the crew operates with precision, making the ship more formidable than its size would suggest.Tactics
- Ambushes: Uses the ship’s speed to strike quickly and retreat before reinforcements can arrive.
- Family Coordination: Redond’s leadership combined with Mallandamus’ strength, Senyig’s cunning, and Barbary’s divine magic makes the crew a cohesive and deadly unit.
- Psychological Warfare: The ship’s sinister reputation often causes opponents to surrender without a fight.
Reputation and Notoriety
The Sister Mercy is feared along the Velverdyva River and the Imeryds Run. Tales of Mallandamus’ strength and Senyig’s silent assassinations ensure that few dare to challenge the ship openly. The crew’s loyalty to Redond is both their greatest strength and their Achilles’ heel, as family drama occasionally disrupts operations.Key Features of Reputation
- Fearsome Crew: Mallandamus and Senyig are legendary figures.
- Religious Zeal: Barbary’s devotion to adds an unsettling aura to the ship.
- Tactical Superiority: Known for precision strikes and swift retreats.
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Secrets and Hooks
- Redond’s Hidden Treasure: Beneath Redond’s straw mattress lies a compartment holding the treasure of the Sister Mercy: 10,000 gp in assorted gems and coins, and 12 potions of healing.
- Mallandamus’ Fate: Mallandamus is destined to become a Death Knight in service to Orcus unless the party intervenes.
- Family Discord: Tensions between Redond and Maureen could be exploited to sow division.
- Religious Influence: Barbary is growing more fanatical in her worship of Orcus and may attempt to seize control of the crew.
Adventure Hooks
- Treasure Hunt: The adventurers learn of the hidden wealth aboard the Sister Mercy and must infiltrate or capture the ship to claim it.
- Mallandamus’ Transformation: Prevent Mallandamus’ transformation into a Death Knight by disrupting Redond’s pact with Orcus.
- Mutiny: Exploit family tensions to incite a mutiny aboard the ship, weakening its hold on the region.
- Temple Connections: The adventurers uncover a link between Barbary and the Temple of Elemental Evil, leading to larger regional threats.
Crew Pay
All crew members are afforded an allowance as determined by the Cardinal Redond. Maureen, Mallandamus, Senyig, and Barbary have their allowance amounts listed in the item section of their write-up. The other crew members are each given 10 gp and 10 sp. This allowance is expected to last for an entire month.“Family, Faith, and Fear on the High Rivers”
The Sister Merc by 3orcs
The Crew
Every member of the Sister Mercy’s crew is part of Redond’s family. This nepotistic arrangement ensures loyalty but also creates tension as the crew balances familial bonds with Redond’s harsh leadership. Crew Leadership- Captain Cardinal Redond: Patriarch and captain. A cleric of Orcus, he runs the ship with an iron will.
- Maureen: Redond’s wife and the ship’s Sailing Mistress. Keeps the ship running smoothly and serves as the maternal figure for the crew.
- Mallandamus: First Mate and family champion. Incredibly strong and fiercely loyal, he ensures discipline among the crew.
- Senyig: Boatswain and family assassin. Silent and deadly, he handles the ship’s more covert and violent operations.
- Barbary: Quartermaster and priestess of Orcus. Provides spiritual guidance to the crew and ensures the ship’s supplies are managed.
Rank-and-File Crew
- Labingi, Carpenter: Handles repairs and maintenance.
- Pannagan, Sailor: Skilled with crossbow and shortsword.
- Hildagaard, Oakfoot, Tabitha: General deckhands.
- Merovic, Cecil: Young and inexperienced but learning the ropes.
Type
Illicit, Pirate Crew
Leader
Ruling Organization
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