Black Knife

Biodata

History

For twenty years, the Black Knife operated across the Seven Seas as the vessel of Hawkins and the Blackblade Pirates. Following raids on three settlements on Vitalia Island, Jabus dispatched the Vidalya Glory to pursue it. The ship was ultimately captured after its food and water supplies ran out, with its crew taken prisoner and the vessel towed by iron chains. 1

During Hawkins's escape from the Vidalya Glory, the Black Knife became his refuge. Most of its bound pirates had already died of hunger and cold by the time he boarded it, leaving the ship critically short of sailors and navigators. Hawkins seized control of surviving marines and severed the chains connecting the two ships before setting course for Little Will Island. 4 7

The ship was later sunk after a shape-changing aquatic attacker smashed a large hole through its hull. Hawkins refused to abandon it, modifying barnacles and seaweed to repair and reinforce the wreck. The restored vessel subsequently rose from the sea. 34

Appearance

Originally, the Black Knife was a dark, medium-sized sailboat built from black wood. Its refit transformed it into an uncanny vessel of stone, vines, and concealed tentacles. 1 4 35

• Its original keel resembles a black blade and can be used offensively in collisions. 7
• After reconstruction, grayish-white rock replaced most of the wooden hull; only the keel, masts, and captain's cabin remained substantially unchanged. 35
• Living vines cover the hull, deck, cabins, and masts; its sails are woven from vines. 35
• The vines autonomously open doors, create furniture and hammocks, and cover sleeping crew with blankets. 35
• Numerous massive tentacles propel the ship beneath the water. 35

Capabilities

Biological propulsion

The modified ship can move without wind, using its underwater tentacles to propel itself at high speed. 35 38

• Its tentacles can rapidly change the vessel's direction. 38
• They can wrap around the hull and sink the ship beneath the water to conceal it. 42
• The concealed tentacles devoured the Water Ghost Seven Brothers after they attacked the ship underwater. 43

Autonomous living structure

The ship's modified vines function as an adaptive interior and exterior system. 35

• Vines form doors, chairs, hammocks, blankets, and other furnishings for the crew. 35
• The living growths replaced much of the original hull after Hawkins repaired the ship. 34 35
• Hawkins continues improving the ship's bioenergy-based design and remaining crude hull systems. 50

Namesake Blade

The Black Knife name refers both to the vessel and to a black blade carried by Hawkins. The ship's blade-like keel is one meaning; the physical weapon is the other. 7

• The blade was acquired by Hawkins's grandfather while fishing and has been used by three generations of the family. 7
• It is made from an unknown material, does not absorb heat or conduct electricity, and has never been damaged despite repeated use. 7 10
• The artificial appraisal eye identifies it as the Ancient Black Knife, a Cursed Relic with the ability Eternal Fixation. 16
• Its curse suppresses the wielder's bad luck, then releases it at a fixed time every month. 16

Relationships

• Hawkins — Captain and primary modifier of the ship; he reclaimed it after its sinking and transformed it into a living vessel. 1 34 35
• Mark — Crew member and combatant who witnesses the ship's transformation and regularly operates alongside it. 11 35
• Huo Blackblade — Hawkins's father; during the Ghost Corpse outbreak, he threw the namesake black blade onto the ship before being lost in the sea fog. 12