The Cerberus
From BelegarthWiki
The Cerberus is a pirate ship operating out of Galahad and captained by Calico. Her mission statement is unknown at this time.
Contents |
Statistics
Type: Race-Built Galleon
Masts:3
Length: 180 ft
Weight: 190 Tons
Speed: 10 Knots
Armament: 82 Guns
Upper Deck: 12 X 24lb Long Guns
Main Deck: 18 X 36lb Long Guns
Gun Deck: 20 X 36lb Long Guns
Lower Deck: 24 X 36lb Long Guns
Bow: 2 X 24lb Bow Chasers
Stern: 2 X 24lb Stern Chasers
Aft Deck: 2 Swivel Guns
Forecastle: 2 Swivel Guns
Appearance
The Cerberus, faster and more heavily armed than most ships of its size, casts an imposing figure across the ocean. Her figurehead is an ebony carved statue of her namesake, the three-headed dog Cerberus. On her mainmast, she flies the flag of Calico, a skull with crossed cutlasses flanked by a trinacria and a harp, the symbols of Sicily and Ireland respectively, and 4 red stars across the top.
History
Many stories and tales (and a series of bawdy limericks and shanties) exist to explain the Cerberus' origin and acquisition by Calico and his crew. One tale claims that it was bought off of a Spanish sugar merchant for (literally) a song. Another marks the ship a former rum runner, captured single-handed after Calico challenged the entire crew to a drinking contest, leaving them all asleep on a desert isle. The most popular and most repeated tale, however, goes something like this.
The Cerberus was formerly a ship-of-the-line in the Royal Navy. As it sailed toward Cuba one fateful night, the ship came under siege by Sirens who seduced the crew with their song and shape, and promptly drowned them (as is their way). Below, locked in the brig, sat Calico (the reason for his captivity varies from tale to tale. Some claim he was arrested for any number of elicit dealings including fraternizing with a Governor's daughter, while others make Calico the mutinous Lieutenant, bound for disobedience.)listening, but unmoved by the sirens' song. Once the rest of the crew was disposed of, they descended on his cell to finish the job. The sirens sang their song, and Calico sang his (as is his way). A few wayward glances, a smirk or two, and a well placed wink later and Calico was in command of the ship with the sirens helping him bring it to port, their bosoms heaving and their knees weak.
This tale is most often repeated in The Ballad of Calico
Crew
Captain: Calico
Quartermaster: Tossk
First Officer: Das Bear
Bosun: Boketto
Cook: Lost Boy
Navigator: Welshie
Lookout: Moon Moon
Master Rigger: Æsa
Ship's Ghost: Xarl