The Pirates of the Crimson Depths
Die Piraten des Scharlachmeers
Plot Summary
David terGorden, Claude Farrell, Zandra van Heissig, Rianna Ross, and Thorna continue their journey across Rorqual in a damaged hot-air balloon. They are forced to land in a tulip forest and soon encounter the "Children of the Black Dragon," a group of bandits led by the old and depraved Markham. They are captured and taken to the Scarlet Sea riverbank, where Markham intends to sell them into slavery.
The merchant Marcel d'Guinne arrives to purchase slaves. He recognizes the group as the Terranauten who escaped from Devonary Island and buys them, along with Layla Chalid, a woman who was also captured by Markham. On d'Guinne's ship, the Sea Serpent, they learn that Markham is wanted for kidnapping the nephew of a wealthy merchant. David also recounts his experience with Mark Markham, the feeble-minded son of Markham, and the strange light he encountered. Thorna reveals information about the Green Flyers and the colony where she grew up.
Upon arriving in Aliruth, d'Guinne betrays Markham and his sons to the city watch. In the ensuing chaos, David, Farrell, Zandra, Rianna, Thorna, and Layla escape, but the women are captured by the city watch. David and Farrell meet Kerwin Trogg, who deserted the North Wind and has a supply of metal. They use the metal to charter a ship, the Windsbraut, and hire a crew, intending to rescue the women. They learn that the women have been given to Rogier, the ruler of Aliruth, and are to be taken to his summer palace near Tambourg.
David and Farrell ally with Chalid, the leader of a caravan of Islahami warriors, whose daughter Layla is also held captive by Rogier. They set sail after Rogier's ship, the Dunkle Dame. They encounter the Polaris, captained by Vasik, the wingless Green Flyer, who blames David for the death of Debussy. A battle ensues, and Vasik is defeated. The Windsbraut continues to Tambourg, where David and Farrell learn that Rogier is a powerful merchant who plans to industrialize Rorqual.
David and Farrell attempt to infiltrate Rogier's summer palace but are thwarted. They learn that Rogier has taken the women with him to Skull Island. They follow him to the island, where they find the Dunkle Dame abandoned. They are attacked by the island's inhabitants, and David is captured. He awakens to find himself being carried towards a valley where a massive tree, Yggdrasil, grows.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden and his companions are forced to land their hot-air balloon in a tulip forest.
- 02 They are captured by Markham and his bandits, the "Children of the Black Dragon".
- 03 Marcel d'Guinne purchases the Terranauten and Layla Chalid from Markham.
- 04 The Terranauten learn about Mark Markham's strange condition and the Green Flyers.
- 05 In Aliruth, d'Guinne betrays Markham to the city watch, leading to a chaotic escape.
- 06 The women are captured by the city watch, while David terGorden and Claude Farrell escape.
- 07 David and Farrell charter the Windsbraut and ally with Chalid and his Islahami warriors.
- 08 They encounter the Polaris, captained by Vasik, and defeat him in battle.
- 09 The Windsbraut arrives in Tambourg, where they learn that Rogier has taken the women to Skull Island.
- 10 They follow Rogier to Skull Island and find the Dunkle Dame abandoned.
- 11 They are attacked by the island's inhabitants, and David is captured.
- 12 David awakens to find himself being carried towards a valley where Yggdrasil grows.
Characters
David terGorden — The leader of the Terranauten. He is captured by Markham, sold to d'Guinne, and eventually captured on Skull Island.
Claude Farrell — A Driver and close friend of David. He fights alongside David and helps him escape various dangers.
Zandra van Heissig — A member of the Terranauten. She is captured by Markham, sold to d'Guinne, and eventually captured by Rogier.
Rianna Ross — A member of the Terranauten. She is captured by Markham, sold to d'Guinne, and eventually captured by Rogier.
Thorna — A young woman who arrived on Rorqual six years ago aboard a misdirected Driver ship. She provides information about the Green Flyers and the colony where she grew up.
Layla Chalid — A woman captured by Markham. She is the daughter of Chalid, the leader of the Islahami.
Chalid — The leader of a caravan of Islahami warriors. He allies with David and Farrell to rescue his daughter.
Marcel d'Guinne — A merchant who buys the Terranauten from Markham. He betrays Markham to the city watch and provides information to David about Rogier.
Rogier — The ruler of Aliruth and a powerful merchant. He captures the women and takes them to Skull Island.
Vasik — A Green Flyer whose wings have been clipped. He blames David for the death of Debussy and attacks the Windsbraut.
Markham — The leader of the "Children of the Black Dragon," a group of bandits. He is a slave trader and is eventually betrayed by d'Guinne.
Mark Markham — The feeble-minded son of Markham. He is the subject of David's encounter with the strange light.
Locations
Rorqual — The planet where the story takes place. It is a feudal world with scarce metals and strange phenomena.
Scarlet Sea — A large inland sea on Rorqual.
Aliruth — A city on Rorqual ruled by Alain Rogier.
Tambourg — A city on Rorqual near Rogier's summer palace.
Skull Island — An island in the Scarlet Sea marked with a skull on maps. It is inhabited by mysterious people and is the final location in the story.
Devonary Island — The island where the Terranauten were previously held captive.
Ships & Vehicles
Windsbraut — The two-masted bark chartered by David and Farrell.
Sea Serpent — Marcel d'Guinne's ship.
Dunkle Dame — Rogier's ship.
Polaris — Vasik's ship.
North Wind — The ship that Collyn and the other injured Terranauten are on.
Technology & Concepts
PSI Powers — Parapsychic abilities that are blocked on Rorqual.
Space II — An alternate dimension where Driver ships travel.
Driver Lodge — An organization responsible for interstellar space travel.
Yggdrasil — A mythical tree revered by the Drivers.
Gewyisel — An energetic life form that is capable of taking over a human body.
Islahami - A group of nomadic warriors from the south.
Barries - Large, bear-like dogs used by the Islahami.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of feudalism, slavery, betrayal, and the clash between technology and primitiveness. The tone is adventurous and suspenseful, with elements of mystery and horror. The narrative style is straightforward and action-oriented, with a focus on plot development and character interactions.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 016
Leads into: Die Terranauten 018 (cliffhanger ending)
Related booklets: Booklets featuring the Terranauten crew, Rorqual, Green Flyers, or the concept of Space II.