Chapter 197: Dead Man's Chest

Chapter 197: Dead Man's Chest

The Splinter maneuvered over to the fancy chest floating in the smoke, and Ozzy hoisted it up and placed it down in the middle of the raft. It wasn't large, only A couple of feet wide and tall, with a curved lid attached with two hinges. The wood was polished and dark. The fittings, hinges and lock were made of bone. In the keyhole was a key carved of bone with a small grinning skull on one end.

Woodrat whistled and scratched his head. "This is a classic! I've heard of a Dead Man's Chest, but never seen one. I expect there will be some fine items inside. Don't you worry none, I'm a fair Captain. Loot will be divided evenly between Officers and Crew."

Ozzy rolled his eyes. "With of course, the Captain getting first pick?"

Woodrat turned the key of the chest, "Well, of course, that's ship's law. 'The Captain shall have first pick of all loot secured from each battle and shall decide how to fairly divide the loot.' How else would you do it?"

"I have no problem with that, Captain, but I'm a little hazy on Ship's Law and may ask you a few questions from time to time. But for now, let's see what we have."

Woodrat turned the skeleton key in the lock, and the chest popped open.

Captain's Coat and Hat (+2 CHR, +2 PER)

Made of light grey sharkskin, this leather coat and matching Tri-Corn hat have been worn by many since their creation centuries ago. A bit worn and tattered from battle they might be, but that only adds to their charm.

Golden Hoop (+2 Radiance, +1 Charisma)

Made from a rare material not normally found in the Smoke, this large hoop earring has a burnished glow that stirs the lust for treasure in any pirate's heart. Made in the mysterious lands of the Conjunction and crafted under the Sun, this piece of jewelry still holds that ball of fire's radiance.

Veteran's Spyglass (+1 to Perception when used.)

A well-crafted spyglass made by a master glass smith.

Trammelian Chain

Living chains made from the finest of smoke by the Smokewrights of Trammel. This particular enchanted chain was crafted from the smoke of the pyre of the Last Anchor Lord, Chenraj. Some of the Anchor Lord's spirit is still said to lurk in the magical links, granting abilities to it's wearer. Recommended to be worn around the lower arm, but where you put your links is up to you.

Dead Man's Chest

A peculiar chest made from the bones of a navigator. Ideal for storing things that you don't want found. If the chest and key are separated, anyone holding the key will know the direction that the chest lies in. (But not how far.)

This chest contains the Treasures of Captain Blackfetter along with the following mundane items:

3 pair of leather paints, dyed black

2 pair of cloth paints, striped red and black

1 pair of boots, worn

That was when the pain hit Ozzy. The chain was glowing and growing hotter and hotter. Even with torture resistance, it was almost too much to bare. It went on for only a few seconds, then eased off. The chain was gone, and in its place his skin held the tattoo of the chain that had been there a moment ago. Woodrat poked his arm and Ozzy yelped in pain.

"Yeah, it will be a little tender for a couple of days. Don't use it until after that. That's a nice bit of chain. You should be able to summon it with just a little smoke. Good for fishing even, if you can conjure it thin enough. I'll show you have to use it when it's not so tender and we'll see what sort of length it has."

Ozzy rubbed his arm, already getting a feel for what he could do with it. "What are we doing with the chest?"

Woodrat laughed. "Our best treasure is some spare clothing and the metal bits from the wreckage, but maybe someday we can fill it with gems. Still quite useful. I can put it on the ship, and it will stay there and not get knocked overboard. All in all, a fine day's adventure. Scared the hell out of me, I was sure we were dead men."

"And we have another treasure to attend to, Mr. Ozzy. Check your Logbook, the fate's were generous with us."

Capt. Woodrat

You have claimed the sword, Blackfyre, and by doing so gained the quest 'Seven Captains Ablaze'. You may only relinquish either the sword or the quest by your death and someone else claiming the sword. If you die, and the sword is not claimed, you will join the ranks of the Charred and gain the quest 'Seven Blackened Captains'.

You have gained the Captain's Perk: Stout Rigging. All chains in your ship will be of double strength for the normal cost of smoke. This increases both the speed of your ship and the morale of your crew.

You have earned 1000 experience that may be spent on skills used in the battle and 15 core skill points.

Crewman Ozzy

You have claimed a Trammelian Chain, and bound it to your own smoke. Chenraj is pleased.

You have begun to grasp the concept of the chain and begin to meld it with the skills Chain Drag, Meat Hook, Throw the Chain, and Chain Making.

The cost to upgrade Chain Making to Smoke Weaving is decreased from 5 to 2.

The cost to upgrade Throw the Chain to Chain Binding is decreased from 5 to 2.

You have earned 1000 experience that may be spent on skills used in the battle and 15 core skill points.

After a few minutes, Woodrat began looking at the mast, or rather, what was left of it. "Damned if the bastard didn't make a mess of things. That was a lot of heat and smoke the two of us put out to not join his crew, and now we get to fix the ship again. I think if you can hold the top half steady, I can affix the two pieces together and then add some reinforcement to the cut. Very clean cut, no splinters and just a bit of char."

"Once we get the mast up, we'll see if you can't make some chain for the sail, and we'll get some heat into it. I don't won't to be without a sail. Too many unhealthy things in this part of the sea."

Ozzy easily lifted the top half of the mast and held it in place. "I'm guessing once the sail is in place, we go back to fishing?"

Woodrat smiled. "That we will. While I'm happy to be alive, and happy to be able to have another chat about cashing in some more points, it's fishing that will put smoke in our bellies."

Ozzy couldn't argue with that, he just wished the things tasted better.