ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

In the late 1770s (none in the Traditions or Technocracy can be more precise) this vessel sailed through the Gauntlet and into the Near Umbra. That it has been possessed by a spirit is a rather obvious conclusion but that doesn't make the schooner's movements any more predictable. Whatever the the spirit, it has possessed the schooner and melded so closely to the vessel that the two are now probably inseparable.

The boat itself has the clean lines and proper freeboard of an ocean going vessel, though obviously not one intended to be at sea for any great length of time. At about twenty five feet in length it would be a major chore, but not impossible, for one person to steer and sail the vessel. On first inspection, a general condition of well-tended and cared for use is evident throughout the schooner. Many stepping on board for the first time wrinkle their noses, as if expecting to smell the scent of fish, though none do.

The schooner sails the seas of both the Umbra and this side of the Gauntlet. It seems to delight in having Sleepers sail it for a day and with them is a very forgiving and handy vessel. However, if the Sleepers on the schooner damage the vessel purposefully, are possessed of dark or powerful emotions or even if the schooner is in the mood, the wilder and more dangerous side of the schooner emerges.

I first encountered the schooner at a local marina, being chased by a trio of Men in Black. I had no idea what my magick was summoning, I was so panicked. In any case, I turned a corner of the dock and there the schooner waited. It was simplicity itself to untie the schooner and haul up a single sail to take advantage of the light breeze, swiftly tacking away from the dock — much to the frustration of the Men in Black.

When they discovered an available powerboat the schooner tacked directly into the Near Umbra confounding the Technocrats and making me wince at the Paradox. The schooner gently sailed me towards the opposite end of Chesapeake Bay and deposited me on a marina dock. The price of the voyage was very reasonable as well: all of my accumulated Paradox and a bit of Quintessence.

Since that first encounter I have spoken to other mages who have encountered the schooner and ran across the vessel again myself. It seems the range of the schooner is extremely varied. A Euthanatos once told me that it had taken her to the Shadowlands of the Dark Umbra to find and speak to an ancient wraith. A werewolf shaman I encountered knew legends of the schooner and related to me, later in our acquaintance, that the schooner is considered an allied spirit by many of his kind.

In the legends surrounding it and my encounters with the schooner I have observed the following things tend to be true. First, the schooner respects those that respect it, but it is also forgiving of a true novice. Second, while a Sleeper may journey where ever the schooner goes without care, to carry the Awakened anywhere the schooner demands a payment of sorts. Third, the schooner is extremely powerful to those assaulting it, but strangely weak to those carried within its hull. Perhaps most interestingly, they say the schooner favors mages of older traditions over technomancers.

Mechanics

The Umbral Schooner is a plot device, pure and simple. It should have whatever powers, counter magick and personality the Storyteller deems appropriate. Remember that the schooner is a fickle creation, playful one encounter, nasty the second, reluctant the third, curious the fourth and so on. Whatever suits the needs of the Storyteller using the Umbral Schooner

One of the things I try to do in my Chronicles is have "throwaway" mysteries that just exist. Stuff that isn't connected to the Technocracy, Nine Traditions, Nephandi or Marauders but just adds some color. After all, the world for mages is supposed to be filled with strange stuff.