.: Broken Empires :.: THE ESCARLATA LANZA*

A Ghost of a Ship

A model carrack resembling the Escarlata Lanza III

The E S C A R L A T A L A N Z A III

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RECENT EVENTS:

The Lanza III was smashed apart by a sudden tidal wave created by the Moonfae Liege Isilrana the Wandering Moon, in an act of provocation against the Tyrson Company. The ship was moored on a small island near Magoa at the time. Half the crew was lost in the attack, including its captain, Juanico. This is a signifcant setback for the Grey Stripes, who were founded upon the principle of coastal defense and anti-piracy action, and now find themselves without a ship.

The original Escarlata Lanza was a whaling vessel built over 100 years ago, and belonging to the first Capitan Ballenero, one of the founding members of the Order of the Grey Stripes. With the growing militant role of the Grey Stripes in Ladroa, subsequent versions of the ship became sleeker and more specialized to coastal patrol duties. As the Stripes became more involved in criminal pursuits, the Lanza II and Lanza III were also outfitted for the purposes of smuggling and light piracy.

The last ship to bear the name, the Escarlata Lanza III was a surprisingly agile medium-sized carrack some 70' long, with a beam of 25', two upper decks, plus a small forecastle and aftcastle. She was helmed by a whipstaff on the quarterdeck. The mainmast carried square sails, with lateen sails on the two submasts. All sails wore a field of grey and brown stripes with a simple red harpoon motif at the center.

She crewed 30, but possessed a large draft for ample cargo, and could probably carry 100 passengers when needed. The decks and gunnels of the Lanza III were low, making her ill-suited for close combat and boarding scenarios. Even so, she carried:

2 light cannon
4 swivels
1 large ballista mounted on her prow - an homage to her whaling antecedents.

Since the death of Capitan Jorge Ballenero, his longtime first mate Juanico had taken over duties as captain of the Lanza. When Belasca De Cinza first returned to Ladroa, she took up residence aboard the Escarlata Lanza, using it as a portable safehouse to keep her enemies guessing as to her true whereabouts.

Most recently, the Lanza was instrumental in the capture of the marauding slave ship El Tiburon, and the defeat of its Captain, the notorious Goran di Frezzi. This deed won great renown in Ladroa for the Grey Stripes and the Tyrson Company.

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