The Spectral Fleet

Summary

Oceanspire had long been the home of raiders. The jutting mountain island holds few natural resources and was an outpost for navies in the old world. After the Cataclysm, and the death of the old world, they turned to pillaging the coast lands where the Cataclysm was not really felt and fought the monsters beyond the sea. One day, the earth quaked and a tsunami ensued that destroyed the mighty fleet. But the spirits did not go easily. They occupied their destroyed ships, the broken husks held together by spectral energy. They continued to raid, no longer needing the plunder, they only spread terror. For centuries it is said that these luminescent ships travelled the waters and filled the night air with their deathly moans. But all relics of the old world would fade in time, and the ghosts of the fleet did as well. Either finding contentment in some manner, or by being exorcised, or maybe moving on to other waters, they vanishished.

Historical Basis

There was a fleet based in the island that would become Oceanspire and they did go on Vikings after the old world fell, as the old god of the island willed. Ghost ships are common myths among sailors, most likely an optical illusion of some kind. But there are haunted wrecks washed ashore that are old enough to have been in a ghost fleet.

Spread

The myth is most well known along the coast cities where seafaring is common. Especially up north where the victims of the raids were most commong. The myth is spread mostly from sailor to sailor, although the natives of Oceanspire have channelled the legend in their popular identity though their days of pirating have largely fallen behind them.

Variations & Mutation

Some interpretations say the pirates were all ghosts, even their ships, and faded once they landed. Others say their ships moved on their own with the ghosts merely riding them. The most consistent telling speaks of ruined ships kept afloat and together solely by the will of their vindictive ghost operators, who lent their ghoulish glow to the vessels.

Cultural Reception

Mostly a children's tale. Although the people of Oceanspire seek to emulate it and other Viking stories in their art and culture.