Maelstrom

Captain Maelstrom is an old sailor and former herald of the late Lord Caspian and His Order. For a time, he lounged in retirement under the hospitality and protection of the Order of Neraeos in the Temple of the Sea. Recently, however, he has been spotted directing the flow of workers through the construction site in a hidden cove beneath the cliffs of Tasur'ke village, alongside Pytheos, the Architect. Within time, their objective was brought to light: Tasur'ke now boasts the first port in Sapience, complete with pier, shipyard, and harbour, from which adventurers and organisations may commission the construction of ships. He currently offers one design (that of the Thalassian seastrider), the prototype of which received the blessing of Himalia, one of the seven Offspring, herself. He has twin sons, Nolan and Nate, and a daughter, Natalie.

Captain Maelstrom's place in Achaean gaming history is sealed with a Seafaring-themed battle figurine.

Maelstrom's Wares

In addition to the wares below, Maelstrom also stocks the Harbour shop, situated nearby the harbour of Tasur'ke.

Token of Charybdis for the harbour of Tasur'ke - 5000gp

Cut from dark walnut, this large, circular token is marked with a wave-like pattern across the thin band of its circumference. One face of the coin bears an engraved whirlpool, the lines of the vortex moving in swirls over the wood as the decorative maelstrom churns threateningly. Smooth and unpolished, the other side is unmarked but for the grain of the rich wood. A drawing resembling The harbour of Tasur'ke has been etched upon it.

Token of Charybdis - 100gp

Cut from dark walnut, this large, circular token is marked with a wave-like pattern across the thin band of its circumference. One face of the coin bears an engraved whirlpool, the lines of the vortex moving in swirls over the wood as the decorative maelstrom churns threateningly. Smooth and unpolished, the other side is unmarked but for the grain of the rich wood.

Marque of unquestioned seaworthiness - 5000gp

This beautiful scroll is a Marque of Seaworthiness, sometimes also referred to as a Marque of Unquestioned Seaworthiness. When unrolled it displays a beautifully-illustrated space across which seven names of harbours are meticulously scribed. Attestations may also be found thereon, depending on the nature and activity of the owner.

Nautical spyglass - 500gp

This small spyglass is the perfect size for carrying in a pocket. Composed of three slender wooden tubes which extend and retract, one from the other, the instrument is less than six inches long when fully retracted. A glass optical lens sparkles upon either end of the spyglass. The black-stained wood is etched with a design of waves and leaping fish.

Nautical map - 2000gp

Bordered by a thick edge of dark maroon paint, this square of vellum is illustrated with a careful sketch of a portion of a vast sea. Spidery thin lines intersect and cross with thicker, darker coloured lines, indicating observed latitudes and magnetic directions plotted directly into the plane across a constant distance scale. Unusual markings outline specific landmarks along the way, in a variety of colours and shapes. A compass rose displays the orientation of the cardinal directions on the lower left-hand corner of the map, showing both true and magnetic north.

Leadline - 1789gp

Constructed from a line of fine, sturdy cotton, this leadline is intended for sounding the deep ocean waters. Markers are lashed along its length, each one specifying a particular depth. Each marker is unique in shape or texture, including strips of leather, calico, bunting, serge, and light line, to allow the leadsman to distinguish the mark by touch alone. An eight pound weight with a hollow heel is attached at the lead end, spliced securely to the line.

Coloured flares - 222gp

Constructed mostly out of hardened clay and shaped like a tapered teardrop, this flare is ready for use. Fixed to the bottom of the flare, a rounded cup of steel is fitted with balancing fins and vents painted <colour>. Diamond dust coats the clay surface, making it glitter and sparkle. A pointed top made of crystal caps the device, holding an ever-burning cloud of roaring elemental fire that glows incandescently with energy. Moulded into the sides of the flare are two indentations, allowing for easy transport.

These come in a large variety of colours: green, red, maroon, gold, dark blue, purple, white, teal, bright green, yellow, blue, pink, cyan, and silver flares.