You had all booked passage on the Westray IV, a small, but attractive, sailing boat with diesel engine backup out of North Berwick, to the north and east of Edinburgh. Owned and captained by John Cooper, ably assisted by his 14 year old son, Aidan, the Westray IV is capable of carrying ten adults, both John and Aidan included.
Beside the six of you a young newlywed couple from Ireland, Michael and Emily O’Keefe, were taking the trip as part of their honeymoon. A trip which it was hoped would enable you to enjoy the rich variety of wildlife that inhabit the seas around the south coast of Fife near Earlsferry and Pittenweem.
The trip had also been designed to allow one of the passengers, Mr Carruthers, to scatter his father’s ashes in the Firth off the coast between Edinburgh and Dunbar. The intention was to carry out that act on the route out from North Berwick then to briefly head out into the North Sea before curving around Bass Rock and pulling back into North Berwick in the late afternoon.
The Westray IV was, as stated, small but well maintained. Both the Coopers seem efficient and experienced in their business. You estimate that the elder Cooper was somewhere in his mid thirties, tall and, unsurprisingly given his occupation, well muscled. He had thick brown hair which, given the vigour of its growth, appeared unkempt, he also sported a thick reddish brown beard which did little to disguise his welcoming smile that made his eyes sparkle with merriment. He wore an old, much repaired, yet serviceable navy blazer and an aged and battered captain’s cap. Overall he came across as a most likeable fellow who makes little secret of his devotion to his family and Aidan in particular.
Like his father, Aidan Cooper, was a most likeable and jolly chap who certainly favoured his father looks if not his physique. He saw himself as the unofficial first mate of the Westray , taking his duties and responsibilities in deadly earnest.
OOC: could each player please note down any items of their possessions currently with them on the boat. Bearing in mind this is nothing more than a simple day trip.
The trip had started well a typical early June day, bright with a slight offshore breeze. Excellent sailing conditions the breeze just enough to fill the boats small sail. Following expectation John Cooper had set his initial course to allow Mr Carruthers the opportunity to scatter his father’s ashes. The proceedings were carried out with all the dignity and ceremony that Mr Carruthers could effect. Such was the somber mood of the proceedings that all aboard the boat were moved, even the O’Keefe’s despite any Catholic reservations.
Proceedings complete and the late Mr Luther Carruthers’ ashes duly scattered, Captain Cooper had headed the Westray out into the open waters of the North Sea to do a little cruising along the Scottish coast, prior to returning to port via the rocky prominence known as Bass Rock, home to little other than a long ruined castle and a small, but well maintained, lighthouse. It was hoped that the trip around the Rock would allow the passengers a glimpse of the seals which make up the majority of the islands population, if one discounts the large numbers of birdlife.
It was at this stage that the weather conditions had begun to deteriorate. Dark clouds had suddenly appeared to the east and the waves, which prior to this point had been little more than a gentle swell, began to grow in size and severity, quickly turning from a pleasant blue to a white capped steely grey. John Cooper, showing his skill and knowledge, quickly started the boat for home. As Aidan hurried to start the small diesel engine while his father swiftly dropped sail, the O’Keefe’s, amongst others, had become increasingly nervous despite the reassurances of John Cooper.
As Cooper pushed the small boat hard against the rapidly increasing waves in an effort to return to North Berwick before the full might of the oncoming storm hit. It became obvious to all that it was not going to make it. In the lee of Bass Rock a sudden explosion shook the boat violently and thick grey smoke poured out from below the deck. With a curse, its severity covered by the rising wind and crash of waves, he had run towards the covered engine hold carrying a fire bucket of sand. However even through the thick smoke and wind thrown spray you could see that the Westray, still moving at speed, was drawing dangerously close to the rocky shore of Bass Rock.
With his father below in the main engine compartment, Aidan tried desperately to steer the boat away from the rocks, but he has neither the strength nor weight to control the boat, even with aid from several of the passengers, and with an inevitability the Westray was steadily turned by the force of the surf towards the rocks
As the boat began to lurch towards its doom the fourteen year old lad screamed for his father. Cooper appeared from below, face and clothing blackened by smoke, to see the ominous shape of Bass Rock looming above them. Eyes wide with terror, he turned and rushed towards a small cabinet; threw open the doors and began handing out bulky cork life-jackets.
Seconds later, with a scream of breaking timber, the Westray IV lurched sideways as her hull struck the first of the rocks.
OOC: Please roll STRx5 to maintain your places aboard the boat. Failure means you are thrown violently to the deck and suffer 1d4 points of damage.
This presents the moment that the adventure begins, as the doomed boat crashes, violently, onto the rocks. For a moment, little more than that, the Westray IV rights itself. But only momentarily as it is driven onto the next rock.
OOC: Once again all characters please roll STRx5 to avoid 1d4 damage due to be slammed to and fro. This is cumulative to any damage taken earlier.
You are now faced with two options, either to jump from the boat and attempt to swim ashore, or stay with the floundering vessel and trust it to deliver you safely ashore...