Keepships

Keepships are unique, magical seafaring vessels of immense size. The carry small cities on their back, and seem to have a consciousness of their own. By all known magic, a keepship should not be able to stay afloat, let alone sail. The magic behind Keepships are a complete mystery to academia, and many hunt the secret to their creation. The three Keepships that were discovered were found shortly after The Awakening. Each hosts a few thousand inhabitants, and a unique culture. The ships set a course of their own, meaning the consciousness held within the ship dictates its path. The ships are known to spend their time within The Vast Sea, and occasionally swing by cities so their inhabitants can conduct trade. Often when a keepship does this, many merchant boats will pull up alongside it like some strange form of a pop up market.

The ships each have their own form of governance. A Keep Captain rules the people, but no one can command the ships themselves. Some who hail from the keepship’s claim to hear the ships voice, they talk about the ships almost as if they were small Gods. These accounts, which are shared on all of the ships, are the origin for each of their names. The ships Inhabitants claim to have heard it spoken to them. Laws are not formally placed on the ships, but the governing bodies do impose unwritten rules that the citizens are very familiar with. These rules echo what would be seen in most foreign cities. Things like murder, fraud, and thievery are outlawed. Though overall the ships rules are typically seen as very liberal.

Beyond their amazing ability to sail, Keepships also posses a few other wonderous features. The first of which is a magical defense system. The consciousness of the ship can sense threats, and its cannons will fire on any hostility. They require no loading or ammunition. The ships are remarkably adept at combat too, so most threats steer clear of them. The vessels also provide accommodations like plumbing, and magical lighting. The final trait they posses is the ability to repair/grow portions of the ship in a matter of days. The Keepships will grow almost like a closing wound, or expand its size to accommodate a growing population. The latter occurs rarely, and is usually on a small scale.

The most populated of the Keepships. The Aubrican is known for its eclectic, scrappy citizens. The ship is packed with small makeshift coffin-homes to accommodate its overgrown population. It has a loose governing power, headed by Keep Captain Sharn Swallow. Keep Captain Swallow is an old, portly human man who was able to make himself the ships leading power due to his vast economic resources as a previous life spent as a merchant. However many do not like the Keep Captain, and crime and disorder is a common occurrence on the ship. Though not all is grim on The Aubrican. Its inhabitants are known for their music and celebration. The Aubrican has a lot of parallels with The Isles of Al’Kehtal.

Those who claim to have heard the soul of The Aubrican describe its personality as care-free, and fun loving.

The smallest, and most orderly of the Keepships. The Eebezan is a marvel to Artificers as it is completely made of stone, yet floats as if it were of a much lighter material. Its Keep Captain, Relza Ghonne is a young and sharp minded half elven woman. She managed to strike relative order on a keepship (a thing few have achieved), and garnered the respect of many for it. The Eebezan has the most strict rules of the trio. To board the ship one must be invited, or cleared by the ships guard. Gaining citizenship is fathoms more difficult. The whole ship operates like a healthy inner-city district.

Those who claim to have heard the soul of The Eebezan describe its personality as powerful, and authoritative.

The cursed Keepship. The Khal Netresser is thought by many to be haunted, or cursed. It lives under the tyrannical rule of Keep Captain Arth K’vett, an intimidating aarakocra woman. Strange things occur on this vessel. Many wonder why its inhabitants do not flee the ship, however sociology dictates that most people fear leaving the life they know. Though some think their inability to leave is caused by something more sinister. The other Keepships fear it as when they pass each other (a rare occurrence), the other Keepships fire on The Khal Netresser.

Those who claim to have heard the soul of The Khal Netresser describe its personality as haunting, eldritch, knowing, and other-worldly.