novelblue
Seraphis stood at the highest point of Raven Island's shipyard, the wind whipping through her white hair as she overlooked the construction site. The land was now filled with skilled artisans, shipwrights, and enchanters, all gathered for a single purpose: to bring the Moonlit Reaper to life.
Her blueprints had been studied meticulously, and today, the first phase of actual construction would begin.
She rolled up her sleeves.
This ship would not just be built. It would be crafted—piece by piece, spell by spell—into a legend.
1. Laying the Keel – The Spine of the Reaper
The keel, the ship’s foundation, was to be crafted from a combination of dark ebony wood and magical alloy plating.
This was no ordinary shipbuilding.
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The ebony wood had been harvested under a full moon, enhancing its natural magical conductivity.
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The metal alloy was painstakingly forged in enchanted furnaces, blending mithril, black iron, and arcane silver.
Each material was tested before it was approved.
Seraphis personally oversaw the fusion process, using fire magic to weld the metal plates into the keel’s wooden structure.
It took three days of uninterrupted work, with engineers and enchanters carving binding runes into the metal to ensure strength and flexibility.
When completed, the keel pulsed faintly with power, its surface resistant to mundane and magical attacks alike.
2. Constructing the Framework – The Skeleton of the Ship
Next came the ribbing, the wooden supports that would give the Moonlit Reaper its shape.
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Ashwood and reinforced oak were chosen for their tensile strength.
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Each beam was enchanted to withstand both harsh ocean conditions and battle damage.
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The ribs were spaced strategically, allowing the ship to be sleek but sturdy.
This stage required master carpenters, working under Seraphis’s guidance, as each section was magically bonded for enhanced resilience.
By the end of week two, the basic frame of the Moonlit Reaper stood tall, looming over the shipyard like a sleeping beast.
3. Building the Hull – Crafting the Reaper’s Skin
With the skeleton in place, the next step was the hull, crafted from a special combination of enchanted blackwood and metal plating.
Seraphis personally led the fitting of each plank, ensuring that:
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No gaps remained between sections.
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The seams were sealed with waterproofing spells.
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The hull’s surface was treated with an alchemical solution, making it both lightweight and impervious to corrosion.
This stage took weeks of labor, with shipwrights and enchanters working together, hammering and weaving spells into the very fibers of the ship.
4. Carving the Prow – The Scythe of the Reaper
The prow, a massive scythe-shaped figurehead, was crafted separately before being affixed to the hull.
The process was delicate:
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A single massive slab of darkwood was shaped and smoothed by expert woodworkers.
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The edges were reinforced with mithril filaments, ensuring the prow could cut through enemy ships like a blade.
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An engraved core of runic magic was embedded, allowing the prow to absorb and release magical energy.
Seraphis herself tested the prow’s sharpness, slicing through a solid iron beam in one swing.
Perfect.
5. Raising the Masts – The Ship’s Towers
The three towering masts were made from seasoned ashwood, chosen for its immense durability.
Each mast was:
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80 feet tall, ensuring unmatched sail control.
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Reinforced with hidden runes, preventing them from snapping under high winds or attacks.
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Topped with enchanted copper fittings, helping to disperse magical energy efficiently.
The rigging system was also designed for maximum maneuverability, ensuring rapid turns and acceleration.
6. Crafting the Black Sails – Wings of the Raven
No ordinary fabric could handle the force of the ocean winds while also serving as a battle-ready defense.
Seraphis commissioned a rare weave:
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Gossamer-threaded black silk, imbued with wind-binding enchantments.
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Stitched with silver-threaded runes, allowing the sails to absorb and redirect magical attacks.
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A white raven emblem woven into the central mast’s sail, a mark of defiance against the seas.
Each sail was fitted into place, secured with reinforced pulleys and rigging that allowed for instant sail adjustments in battle.
7. Installing the Weapons – The Reaper’s Arsenal
Seraphis supervised the installation of every ballista and catapult.
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20 ballistae, each with customized ammunition ranging from explosive bolts to piercing harpoons.
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10 catapults, loaded with alchemical firebombs designed to set enemy ships ablaze.
Each weapon was:
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Strategically placed for optimal firing arcs.
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Enchanted to enhance their range and precision.
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Designed for quick reloading, ensuring maximum efficiency in battle.
8. Enchanting the Ship – Weaving Magic into Wood and Metal
The Moonlit Reaper wasn’t just a ship—it was a living, magical entity.
The final month of construction was dedicated to enchanting every part of the vessel, with teams of 20 mages and 10 engineers working in tandem.
The enchantments included:
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Wards against enemy magic, preventing hexes and illusions from affecting the ship.
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Self-repairing spells, allowing the hull to mend itself after damage.
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Speed enhancements, ensuring the Moonlit Reaper could outrun nearly any adversary.
Seraphis stood at the helm, conducting the final blessing ritual, watching as glowing runes pulsed across the ship’s surface.
It was complete.
9. The Moonlit Reaper is Born
As the final ceremonial hammer blow was struck, the shipyard fell silent.
Then, with a loud creak and a groan, the Moonlit Reaper was pulled toward the ocean, its massive frame sliding effortlessly into the water.
The moment it touched the sea, magic surged through its hull, and the ship seemed to come alive.
Seraphis stepped onto the deck, feeling the power beneath her feet.
She turned to her crew.
"The Reaper is ready."
And with that, the Moonlit Reaper set sail for the first time, cutting through the waves like a phantom of the deep.