“Blutschiff” is the name given by locals to a mysterious vessel seen on the River Breit, generally in the widest navigable stretch between Breitermund on the coast and the rapids at Nassestadt. It generally appears to be an abandoned boat of an oceangoing type, typically used for fishing or sailing, and it generally in poor condition. Nevertheless, as an odd sight in those waters and an expensive vessel besides, it is a tempting target for boaring and salvage.

Those who have been aboard and survived state that Blutschiff appears to have been abandoned hastily, with many objects where they would have been left or dropped by a crew. However, after boarding, those same survivors often note that the ship seems to be improving–dust and grime disappearing, minor repairs being made–while at the same time the boarders began feeling weak or ill. Around this time, Blutschiff usually breaks any tow lines, floats off shoals where it has grounded, and otherwise makes itself difficult to disembark from.

Eventually, those on board will find themselves losing all energy; survivors’ testimony states that they will eventually lie down and die, disappearing along with their effects soon after. Several particularly large parties have been lost in whole or in part this way, and Blutschiff seems to be in magnificent physical condition at the episode’s conclusion.

High Inquisitor’s Note:
Several attempts have been made to mark Blutschiff to ward off would-be salvagers, or to burn it to the waterline. It has successfully resisted all attempts at marking, with the marks fading away soon after, and had in fact been burned to the waterline several times only to recover. It is suspected that birds and fish are subject to the same draining process, allowing Blutschiff to repair itself slowly even without taking human victims.

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