Formerly called the Mayfly, the Springfly is the party’s airship.
Background
Commissioned by Sabrina to evolve the shipping capability of the Orion Trading Company (OTC), the Mayfly was an oceangoing vessel that Lolen fitted with a brumestone engine of his own design, allowing it to not only take to the skies, but ostensibly to perform better than other airships while using less brumestone. The vessel was untested, and Sabrina was preparing for its maiden voyage when… well, when we happened. Believing Sabrina and the OTC to be up to no good, the party had decided to infiltrate the airship tower. We were caught investigating her flagship, but in exchange for lenience, we agreed to investigate odd disturbances in the experimental ship. It turned out Arthund Whaney had taken over this ship and was about to steal it. What’s more, Arthund was the captor of Dracarys’ crew. A dire fight ensued, and we emerged victorious and in possession of the ship, now free from its moorings.
Sabrina was able to teleport to us however, so the getaway wasn’t clean. We struck a bargain. We’d “steal” the Mayfly, she’d collect the insurance payout, and we’d test it for her and report back later. She’d even pay us to act as test pilots, even though it was at least the third time we’d appeared to be screwing her over. We of course agreed.
After the events of the The Rifenmist Jungle, Melora imbued the Mayfly with a bit of her divine radiance. This granted it a machine spirit, and thereafter it was called The Springfly.
During the events at Visa Isle, Sylcaryn offered the Staff of Healing to the Springfly, casting Tree Stride and leaving the staff behind in the center of the mast. This pleased the spirit, and it absorbed the staff’s magic, allowing it to deform its structure slightly to navigate the labyrinth of narrow tunnels below the island.
Inspired God Machine
A Machine Spirit is a supernatural, animistic spirit believed by many to inhabit and control technology or machines as part of the divine extension of the celestial plane. The Springfly has been mended by the divine power of Melora, and she has left a bit of her divine radiance within the machines that power it. Those who crew the Springfly will have to learn the particular quirks of the Machine Spirit and how to keep it satisfied. The functioning, or lack thereof, of any machine is believed to be the result of its spirit’s disposition. To keep their Machine Spirit happy and cooperative, operators therefore make numerous ritualized actions to the machinery.
These rituals depend on the machine or technology at issue, but in most cases include various maintenance rituals and prayers of function. They may also occasionally include an offering or libation. The number of rituals or the size of the offering is increased in value if the machine is large and/or important to some specific purpose.
Pushing the Springfly too hard in combat, disrespect to the ship, or going too long without maintenance may awaken the ire of the Machine Spirit. At the DM’s discretion, they may roll to determine the Machine Spirit’s mood.
AWAKENED MACHINE SPIRIT (Roll 1d6)
| Roll | Disposition | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complacent | Satisfied, the Machine Spirit complies. The Springfly obeys the crew fully. |
| 2 | Belligerent | The Machine Spirit isn’t satisfied with its treatment and demands to be treated better. All crew positions must roll at disadvantage on any tasks for the Springfly’s operation. |
| 3 | Angry | The Machine Spirit won’t take this treatment lightly. The Springfly advances towards any hostiles, stopping before collision, and turning at the end of it’s movement range to present the Springfly’s broadside or other most powerful weapon to the target. |
| 4 | Lethargic | The Machine Spirit does not bend to your whims simply because you ask. The Springfly can only travel at half speed. |
| 5 | Haughty | The Machine Spirit is old and shall not be rushed. The Springfly ends it’s current action and refuses to move or fire until the start of it’s next turn. |
| 6 | Stalwart | The Machine Spirit is ancient and strong and it will persevere. The Springfly’s machine spirit repairs any damage to the ship for 5d8 damage. Damage grows over with new wood, just as when Melora’s Avatar regrew the main mast of the ship. Wildflowers grow and blossom on certain areas of the ship and a gentle warmth emboldens all those aboard. |
It is at the DM’s discretion what action the crew must take to soothe the machine spirit. For instance, if the the ship has been underway without maintenance for several weeks, the Machine Spirit may remain Awakened until serviced.