Disclaimer: This information is provided as a guide so that you can further enjoy the SS School RPG. This information is subject to changes as more information about the characters is revealed in the story. Also, please remember that some of this information may not be known to your character "IC".
| House Point Totals | |
|---|---|
| Slytherin | 5237 |
| Gryffindor | 4788 |
| Ravenclaw | 2931 |
| Hufflepuff | 2534 |
The Dead Wizard's Trove was a schooner that mysteriously appeared on the Black Lake during the summer before this term.
Daily Prophet Article
by Sectum Scribbles
By now, we are used to bizarre occurrences at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but these things tend to happen while school is in session at the thousand-year-old castle. Just a few days ago, the professors and the Headmaster were in disbelief to find an antiquated ship rocking gently in the dark waters of the Black Lake.
"One moment I was heading up to my office to pack for the summer," Professor Josephina Hadley, Arithmancy, said. "And the next, I was watching something large appear in the lake."
There are various legends and folklore revolving around the Wizarding School. Yet as far as we know, only one ship ever came to Hogwarts via the Black Lake - the one that took the Durmstrang students to and from the Triwizard Tournament in 1994. Upon further investigation of the ship, it was deemed to be deserted and free from any Dark magic.
Headmaster Tate confirmed that the ship and Hogwarts remain safe. "Of course we were surprised by the appearance of the ship. It isn't every day an ancient schooner appears miles from the ocean on a landlocked lake, even in the Wizarding World. But after careful investigation, we have every confidence that the thing is safe."
Wizarding experts are not giving up, they say. Due to the mysterious disappearances of several Hogwarts Professors, they are prepared to link the appearance of the ship to any one number of circumstances. Perhaps it is the real reason behind the disappearance of Charles Mugwort? Or rather, why Sylvie Welton, Hogwarts History of Magic expert, has suddenly vanished from the grounds? History lends itself to an interesting legend of an ancient love story, but as there is no concrete proof of any truth to these stories, experts will be working to uncover more details in the looming months.
Hoist the sails! Here there be pirates!
The inhabitants of Hogwarts have seen many strange things, but this term took odd happenings at the castle to a new level. From the moment the Daily Prophet article appeared, everyone was abuzz with gossip about the mysterious schooner that appeared in the Black Lake at Hogwarts over the summer. After investigation, the ship was discovered to be deserted and determined to be safe for further investigati/volf]on.
Once the students arrived at Hogwarts for the start of term, they wanted to get on the ship and search it. At the first opportunity, students descended upon the ship and began to explore the abandoned belongings and cargo. Those foolish enough to pick up or touch something on board soon found that the ship was not as safe as first imagined. The ghostly crew inhabited the bodies of several Hogwarts students including Stradivarius Salander, Elektra Draven, Ivan Vorpatril, Lexi Denver, Sierra Greingoth, Veronica Sopps, Simon Bennett, Arya Lovegoods, Lola Jones, and Kyle Manning.
The possession manifested itself mildly at first. Those affected suffered from strange symptoms: headaches, nausea, increase of appetite, general clumsiness - all signs of a sailor regaining his landlegs after being so long at sea. In time, the students began to speak and act differently too, with strange bouts of pirate language spewing forth for no reason and odd tensions between students with no prior history of aggression, including a food fight turned sword fight between all of the infected students.
Stranger still was the mysterious and intensely heated fire that began in Professor Lafay’s Potions storeroom. Although a million theories abounded, the staff would realize in time that the fire ignited near Lafay's rarest ingredients and was intended to disguise the theft of polyjuice ingredients. With team work and the assistance of Lafay, the fire was put out, although the Potions Mistress was left with her stores completely decimated.
Another mysterious event, and one that had ominous overtones, was the appearance of enormous words scrawled in red lettering on the corridor wall near the Spirit Room. The words said "X Marks the Spot" with a trailing line pointing down the hallway, and they seemed to be written in something much like blood, although it was nearly impossible to wash from the walls. The Headmaster was on hand to study the writing, although he couldn't pinpoint the origin.
Throughout the term, these infected students were strangely drawn to this hall outside the Spirit Room, although none were able to enter the room. Late in the term, several of these students found themselves in the corridor and got into a heated argument, quickly splitting into two camps: those who supported the former captain of their vessel, who was inhabiting Professor Max Vindictus, and those who supported his mutinous first mate, who was inhabiting Stradivarius Salander. After some minor fisticuffs, Vindictus led the group off to the Great Hall, although their peace accord soon devolved into a brawl. Students and professor alike began to throw food, and eventually -transfigured knives and platters to swords and shields. It was chaos!
From there, tensions quickly came to a head all over the school. Friends turned to enemies, barking at each other about treasure and mutiny, and Professor Vindictus’ Flying final became far more dangerous than normal. The drama culminated with the appearance of Gryffindor Head of House and Librarian Kimber Donovan. In the process of her own investigations into the ship and what was happening to the students at Hogwarts, Madame Donovan was possessed by a spirit of her own, this one the lady love of the pirate captain. Not only did she interrupt the final with her appearance, but she kissed Professor Vindictus!
Once Vindictus and Donovan kissed, a strange mist engulfed the grounds, and all those possessed immediately gained their own minds again. The pirate captain had found his great treasure, and his curse was lifted from Hogwarts and his crew.
Following Madame Donovan and her helpful researchers were a handful of students that were very interested in finding the reported treasure from the pirate ships. These students were soon revealed to be polyjuiced treasure hunters that had lied their way into Hogwarts after rumors of the ship had reached the outside world. They, it seemed, had been responsible for the theft and fire, as well as the mysterious message left on the corridor wall.
As their potion wore off and their subterfuge was revealed, all hell broke loose. Madame Donovan's admirer Mr. Stryker lived up to his name and hit Professor Vindictus, the interlopers were subdued, and the Headmaster was called. In short order, the Ministry was notified and Aurors appeared to escort their new prisoners back to London. Only once they were gone and the now-uninfected students were able to settle back in could peace return to Hogwarts and its environs.
History
In 1780, Captain Barnabas, also known as Barnabas the Bloody and the Pureblood Pirate Mage, was a fierce Scottish pirate known up and down the British and French coastline. It was said there was no fortress he couldn't penetrate, and he was proud of his reputation. When he was told of a castle that was impenetrable, Barnabas knew he had found a challenge worthy of his reputation - Hogwarts. He spent some time working out how to travel magically to the Black Lake on his ship to lay siege to the castle.
In spite of his prowess, Barnabas was unsuccessful. During his seige, however, he fell in love with Headmaster Edwin Rainecourt III's daughter, Charlotte Rainecourt. She returned his affection, but when the captain pressed his suit, the Headmaster forbade their union and endeavored to keep them apart.
Stung to the quick at not being considered a suitable match for Charlotte, Barnabas departed in search of great riches in order to prove his worth as a suitor to the Headmaster. When he returned, he found that his lady love had died of a broken heart and had been buried at Hogwarts. In his grief, Barnabas determined to never leave her again, which understandably angered his treasure-hungry crew. Under the leadership of the first mate, some of the crew tried to mutiny.
With his dying breath, Captain Barnabas cursed the whole crew and ship so that they were all doomed to stay on the ship and guard his greatest treasure - Charlotte. The ship stayed buried in cave under the castle, and the pirate ghosts guarded it undisturbed until Term 28, when the lifting of the wards allowed Muggles on the grounds. The captain and his crew awakened, as his love's grave had been disturbed by the lack of protection spells and the appearance of Muggles.
Over the course of the term, the ghosts took over the body of students unwary enough to touch physical objects onboard the ship. They were only laid to rest once again when the Captain's spirit was reunited with his Charlotte.
The Crew
Barnabas the Bloody was captain of the infamous pirate schooner, the Dead Wizard's Trove. His notable features, aside from his scruffy appearance, is his familiar tricorn hat. Barnabas lived during the late 1700's making several appearances around Hogwarts. He was noted to be in love with Charlotte Rainecourt, the daughter of the Headmaster at the time, Edwin Rainecourt III. The captain was last physically seen at Hogwarts in 1780. However his ghost is suspected of making an appearance along with members of his long-dead crew during Term 28 when Deputy Headmaster and Quidditch Professor Max Vindictus, School Librarian Kimber Donovan and several students were recorded to have acted as pirates under the spell of magic or otherworldly powers for most of the school year.
Jack 'Three Fingers' Paisley (First Mate) - Paisley only had 3 fingers on his right hand, which he lost defending the captain. He spoke with a lisp. Paisley possessed Slytherin Stradivarius Salander.
Sea Dog Foreman (Sailing Master) - Sea Dog resembled a wet rat. He was the captain's cousin, but his loyalty changed like the weather. Sea Dog possessed Slytherin Elektra Draven.
Francois 'Doubloon' White (Boatswain) - Doubloon hated being called Francois. His nickname resulted because his eyes were as big and round as doubloons. Doubloon possessed Ravenclaw Ivan Vorpatril.
Thomas Silverbeard (Carpenter & Surgeon) - At 50, Silverbeard was the oldest pirate on the ship. He wore an eyepatch and the long silver beard that gave him his name. Silverbeard possessed Gryffindor Alexandra Kennedy.
Mad Jasper Glick (Master Gunner) - Mad Jasper was crazy, speaking in riddles and shouting all his replies as he was very deaf. Mad Jasper possessed Slytherin Sierra Greingoth.
'Toothless' Bill MacKenzie (Cannon Master) - Toothless earned his name from his missing front teeth and rotten remaining ones. He loved raunchy jokes and songs. Toothless possessed Hufflepuff Veronica Sopps.
Sherman Buffington (Able Bodied Sailor) - Sherman had a shaved head and a face marred by a jagged scar that runs from his right eye down towards his chin. The big brute claimed he killed a shark just by hugging it, and he spoke in a high pitched voice. Sherman possessed Gryffindor Simon Bennett.
Fishlips Cavenaugh (Rigger) - Fishlips grew up on board the ship, starting as a powder monkey and can't remember what his first name used to be. He had big lips like a fish, hence the nickname. Fishlips possessed Hufflepuff Arya Lovegoods.
Misha Deadwood (Mate) - Raven haired and lovely from a distance, Misha had looked like a hag with buck teeth and a wart on her chin up close. Misha possessed Slytherin Lola Jones.
Nasha Lorenz (Mate) - Nasha was a redheaded beauty who passed herself off as a man because she wanted to live a life of adventure. She was a master swordsman. Nasha possessed Ravenclaw Kyle Manning.