Ghosts of Saltmarsh

(Nancy Kaufman) #1
height of 8 feet except for the bilge (area 16). which is 4
feet high. The cargo hold hatch in area 1 is closed but
not fastened. The bilge hatch in area 11 is closed and
bolted from the hold side only.

SHIP LOCATIONS
The following a reas are identified on map 2.3.

l. MAIN DECK


Though the light is dim at best, you can see details of the
ship's main deck. In the center, forward of the mast. a
jolly boat is lashed to the deck with ropes.
Aft of the mast is a hatch to the belowdecks area and a
rope ladder climbing to a crow's nest above.
Two human figures lean against the rail mid-deck, star·
ing toward the coast. Between them at deck level is a roll
of canvas o r rope.
To fore and aft, below the upper decks. stand vague
outlines of doors. You can also see ladders that lead to
the upper decks, the aft one on the port side. the forward
one on the starboard.


The hatch leads to the hold (area 11 ) below. Between the
two figures waits a 25-foot-long rope ladder, ready to be
thrown over the side. Two 25-foot lengths of rope a lso
lie neatly coiled at opposite edges of the deck.
The two figures are Bloody Bjorn (pirate first mate:
see appendix C) and a crew member (bandit).


  1. FORECASTLE


A massive shape in the center of the deck area must be
the ship's capstan. From 1t, the anchor chain runs down
the chain vent to port of the prow.
Standing near the bowsprit is a human figure. He a p-
pears to be scanning to starboard.

The capstan arms can be removed and used as clubs.
They have been left in the capstan by express orders of
the captain. who wants to be able to make a quick get-
away if such proves necessary.
The figure is a single crew member (bandit) watching
for any signals from shore.


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    1. POOP DECK




The tiller is the most prominent feature of this area, ris-
ing from the deck about six feet from the stern and hav-
ing a horizontal arm some six feet long. Against this arm,
on the starboard side and looking coastward. stands a
human figure.
Leaning on the starboard rail and looking toward the
coast are three human figures. The one nearest the stern
holds something in his hand at shoulder level; occasion-
ally he adjusts it in some way.

The figure leaning against the tiller is a crew member
(band it). The others. from fore to aft, are Punketah (pi-
rate deck wizard; see appendix C), the ship's captain
Sigurd "Snake Eyes'' (pira te captain; see appendix C)
and another crew member (b andit). The last holds a
bullseye lantern that has a shutter over its lens; from
lime to time the crew member moves the shutter and
sends out the prearranged signal.


  1. GALLEY STORES


From iron hooks set into the ceiling hang three long
s trings of sausages, a large ham, and a hunk of meat.
Against the hull are three sacks. Set against the bu lkhead
beside the door are a cask and a ceramic jar. Against
the other bulkhead are set a large and a small cask and
another ceramic jar. There is an opening in the latter
bulkhead about three feet square and with its lower edge
about three feet above the deck.

The area is unoccupied.
The meat is salt beef: the sacks contain dried beans;
the casks contain Aour. salt, and ale; and the jars con-
tain honey and olive oil. The ship's food stores a re rela-
tively fresh, though nothing is particularly appetizing.


  1. SHIP'S STORES


Two coiled lengths of rope and three rolls of sailcloth lie
on the deck alongside a large box. A large wooden cask
stands next to six lengths of wood planking. Set into a
wooden rack, fastened to the bulkhead by the door, are
two metal-headed hammers, two wooden mallets, two
saws, and an adze. There is an opening. about three feet
square and with its lower edge about seven feet above
the deck, in the other bulkhead.

The area is unoccupied.
Each rope is 100 feet long. The box contains copper
nails, and the cask is three-quarters full of hard. dry
tar. These supplies are used to make regular repairs
about the ship.





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