Captain I. & the Inpnaean Glory versus the Flying-Machine

Captain I. and the Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria had once again set out from Nostria on another trading mission, heading for Salterhaven. They were also accompanied by some other merchant ships belonging to members of Captain I.'s White Line association. Whilst in Nostria, Captain I. had met a certain cabinet-maker from Andergast and his companion (whom we met previously in the book Scriptorium Aventuris - The Dark Eye: The Aventurian Cabinet-Maker), whom he had invited to join him on his next voyage, and so they were present on the Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria with some of their cabinets, hoping to be able to sell them. It was another ordinary and uneventful day out at sea, when the crew suddenly noticed something unusual and unexpected appear directly in front of the ship. From a cylindrical pillar of light, a magical portal materialised in their path, and the all of the ships entered it before any of their crews were able to react. The Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria and the White Line treasure ships immediately emerged on the other side of the magical portal. They were faced with a large ship of a very strange design such as none of them had ever seen before. It was made of metal and had no sails, and appeared to be of a very advanced construction. Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and another strange machine appeared to fly into the air from the top of this mysterious ship. Looking up to the sky, Captain I. and the crews of the Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria and the other ships saw this flying-machine gain speed and rapidly begin to move towards them. Quickly, Captain I. and the White Line captains gave the orders to their crew to prepare for battle. In spite of the differences in technological advancement between their craft, the flying-machine appeared to suffer some malfunctions and technical difficulties, and through the skill of Captain I. and the other captains and their loyal and well-trained crews, the flying machine was defeated and went down into the sea, where it floated on the surface of the water. With the flying-machine having been defeated, the Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria was taken into battle against the large metal ship. Skilfully manœuvring into position, the crews of the Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria and the White Line treasure ships were able to board the metal ship. Upon entering, they found a very large vessel with few people on board. Only a couple of engineers, a few maintenance staff were encountered before they arrived on the bridge. Breaking through the locked door to the bridge, they found the captain and officers of the ship, and took them prisoner. After returning to the ships, the flying machine was also secured and its pilot captured. Having done all of this, the fleet headed to a nearby island that had been spotted. Landing on the new island, Captain I. sent out some scouts ahead in order that they might carry out a reconnaissance of the island. Meanwhile, a small camp was established by the beach where they had landed. Returning some time later from their exploration mission, the scouts reported that the island was small and uninhabited, but that the plants and vegetation were unlike any that they had encountered before. Captain I. decided to name the island "Inpnaean Island of the White Line". Later, having returned to the Inpnaean Glory of Aventuria, Captain I. interviewed the prisoners. All of them refused to say about where they were from, why they were there, or for whom they were working, saying only that a master wizard had made them swear an oath not to reveal these things to anyone. However, the engineers were willing to explain the functions of the captured ship and agreed to operate it as part of the fleet of Captain I. and the White Line. The flying-machine was found to have sustained too much damage in battle and to be beyond repair, but the engineers proposed a project to use its parts and the equipment on board the metal ship in order to construct several smaller wheeled vehicles for use on land. Several days later, a new portal suddenly appeared from a cylindrical pillar of light near to the island. Seeing a chance to return home, and not knowing what would await them in this unknown world away from this island, Captain I. quickly gave the order to pack up the camp and prepare the ships, including the captured metal ship, for departure. Several hours later, everyone had embarked and was back on board the ships, and the fleet set sail for the new portal. As they reached it, they were transported to a new expanse of unknown sea. In the distance, they could see a long stretch of coast, and what appeared to be a town, a dock, and a wooden sailing ship. They did not recognise this place either. Captain I. gave the order, and they headed for this location, not knowing what to expect there.

By Jonathan B. I. Marius-Sheridan