A Word from the Inkarnator
This map was made to correspond with the third & forth chapters of my novel A Tale of Two Monsters. It is a direct follow up to my last piece, The Resurrection of Kit Marlae.
If you are in need of a dockyard battle map, or have one in mind but want someone else to make it, feel free to reach out!
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Discord: KingKlown13#3904
I would like to offer a particular thank you to Mati for his crash course stream on How to Create Air Ships. I asked him during the stream how he would make a renaissance ship, and his answer was simply time & research, but that it could not be covered on the stream. I must say, he was absolutely right on all counts! Regardless, the stream he made helped me a lot, so if you want to make your own, I recommend you watch it.
The following text was written to pair with the image for those that would like some context, and it is reminiscent of the chapters in my book. A huge special thanks to those that read on!
As always, thank you for viewing!
- KKXIII -
Journal of Nicholas Machevil
A Successful Ritual & Departure for Rouen
Sunday, June 6th, Anno Domini 1593
"I am beyond excited to officially note that my first dark seed ritual on Kit Marlae was a success! I was so afraid he would not wake, as I had to wait a little long to retrieve his body, but he is at full capacity and recalled well the events that transpired, therefore far from feral. Death knights are not generally known for their intelligence, or patience, but that is miles from being among Kit's flaws. Foolhardy? Coarse? Blunt? Certainly, but calm, with a cold intellect. I was absolutely thrilled by our conversation once he was resurrected, I couldn't have made a better choice!
"The lad was indeed as close to shocked as the necroambulant get though. It is not every day one awakens with a vertical, sharp toothed mouth on one's abdomen that devours hearts, as all knights are reborn with. Despite the strangeness of that experience, he has been compliant with me, and has agreed to travel out of his home country to France. As he stated, there is nothing left for him in London. On top of having been murdered by his colleagues from Elizabeth's crumbling spy network, he could not even stage a play as a playwright if he were still alive. The theaters are still closed due to the plague. Surely this is why the docks were so busy; everyone is jumping ship, as it were. Not to mention Robert Cecil's crusade on Atheism.
"This has been a hard year for London, I do not blame them for wanting to leave. Mind you, France is having problems of its own with the Wars of Religion. That having been said, I have a house in Rouen, and I run a safe-house for the Necroambulant Monarchy on the outskirts of town, away from the vampyres that live there. It is not particularly far from where we are, so should not take too long to get to our destination.
"The plan to get on the boat was somewhat risky, but simple. I had already arranged for forged papers. I pretended to be a Frenchman who lost his son while visiting London and was taking the body home for burial. Thankfully they didn't ask too many questions, or check the body, however it took some time for them to load the cargo onto their ship. These merchants were crooked enough to turn a blind eye, but displayed all characteristics of laziness I disliked.
"The night had fallen by around half past eight, and we had gotten to the dockyard two hours prior. I knew the vampyres would be emerging soon, so time and stealth were of the essence. The coffin was one of the last things they loaded. Surely by now Kit has fallen asleep. When the crew finally loaded everything, including the legitimate and clandestine passengers both, we were ready to depart an hour after. I kept my senses perked for any black blood I could smell, or hushed conversations I could intrude upon with my superior hearing, but so far nothing was out of place. All I can hope for is that my pupil is not discovered before the wee hours of night when I can more freely release him from his hiding place unnoticed.
"When comes the time to let him loose, I also hope he will behave discretely. I warned him about it of course, not to use his new found powers visibly, but he is still working on establishing control over them. His senses are greatly heightened, his strength, speed and fortitude unlike anything I've ever seen in such a youth! He has also already learned how to claim clothing, armor, and weapons, rendering them almost indestructible, a characteristic unique to the death knight. Yet, he is still quite green, and surely the Necroambulant Monarchy High Council will demand he perform a deed for them to test his resolve. As to what that will be, his guess would be as good as mine. We will simply have to wait for his trial to find out.
"Finally the boat is moving, and we are almost about to reach the English Channel. Just a few more hours and I will sneak down to the cargo hull where they took the coffin. Still no sign of any black blooded passengers. Fingers crossed that I am missing nothing."
