Curse of the Terror

There are many dangers one might face while sailing the Naitan Sea, from ruthless pirates, to fearsome sea beasts, to devastating storms. However, among seafarers, there are fewer tales that inspire more fear than that of the ghost ship known as the Terror. While most would dismiss the tales surrounding this ship as mere superstition, many sailors nonetheless remain fearful of encountering the Terror on their voyages, with some claiming to have seen the ghostly vessel from a distance on dark and stormy nights at sea.

Summary

Around 200 years ago, there was once a pirate ship known as the Terror, captained by Hans Radler, better known as "Red Hans" for the carnage he'd leave in the wake of his raids. Among pirates, Red Hans was particularly infamous for his brutality and his ruthlessness in pursuing wealth, traits which contributed immensely to the fearsome reputation he still holds to this day. It's this pursuit of wealth that would lead to Hans comming across a rumour of a sunken Ithyrian ship somewhere in the Naitan Sea between Vraelia and Xuria supposedly laden with treasure, sending him on what would be his final voyage.

At some point, while searching the region where the ship was said to have sunken, a storm blew in, though Hans remained stubbornly determined to claim his prize, refusing to leave no matter what may come. This stubborness would prove to be his undoing, as the storm proved to be powerful enough to sink the Terror, sending it and all hands on board to a watery grave. According to the stories that folled, however, this would not be the end for Red Hans and his crew. Hans' obsession with finding the treasure that lead to his demise was so overpowering, it resulted in him, his crew, and his ship rising up as Wraiths, their restless spirits now roaming the region where they met their end until the day their captain claims what he believes to be his rightful prize. It's said that the Terror and its crew only appears during stormy weather in this one region of the Naitan Sea, and to this day, even the bravest of mariners refuse to venture there for fear of drawing the ire of its ghostly captain.

Historical Basis

There was indeed a pirate named Hans Radler, and it is true that he set sail for the part of the Naitan Sea where he and his ship would be lost. Any other details, including that of his demise, are pure speculation.

Spread

The tale of the Terror and its crew is told throughout ports all along the coast of the Naitan Sea.

Variations & Mutation

While the most common tellings of the tale say that the Terror was sunk by a storm, some of the more fantastical versions claim that a Sea Wyrm was responsible for it. Additionally, some versions of the story claim that those who perish at the hands of the Terror are forcibly "recruited" to its crew.

Cultural Reception

The story surrounding the Terror and its hauntings is one of the most widely circulated tales among seafarers, most taking the story as fact, others treating it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of the sea.

Related Locations

• Naitan Sea