Sailors are a superstitious bunch, that's for sure. Whether Pagan, or Christian, dabbling with fae magics or staying away from anything supernatural, they defer to Lord Shipwright, more as a force of habit than a sign of true belief. “May Osmund grant you a safe journey” has become a standard farewell among them. It is to him they turn when they wish for their ship to come out of a storm undamaged.

For years to come, Osmund's name is an icebreaker between humans and the merfolk, who also hold him in high regard. The people of the sea remember him well, and they bond over the respect for him.

Lord Shipwright was spared the fate so common to many other gods. His stories were preserved in the songs written by Edithe leBelle. The ingenious plan of selling a faulty fleet to king William of Scotland, so that it sank in the midst of the sea. His faithfulness to Lady Esus. The story of a goddess giving her life for him. Osmund picking up her blue mantle to continue her work.

He will always be remembered as the patron god of sailors, shipwrights and the Mercantile Guild, and the reason the merchants were deterred from using the services of the Order of Gatekeepers. The cause of this may have been his personal dislike of the fae, which has never waned, however not many would dare argue against a god. He indeed would ensure a safe travel for those faithful to him. Additionally, he may or may not have anything to do with the stories of shipwrecks dropped on the heads of those who go against what he stands for.

He has done more than just looking after the merchants. Following the rampage of Dii Cases, he has taken upon himself the duty of filling the empty spaces in the pantheon. Or perhaps it is just another tale told by sailors, who want to have hope when faced with death at sea.

~*~

Commander Sameen Khan watched as the rear section of the shuttle hurtled away from her, tumbling back towards Earth. The voices of her crew crackled over the radio, pleading with her to turn back, to leave this mission to the processes of the onboard computer and the enchantments of the F-AI. No chance. It was her device that had to be deployed, her belief that there was still hope that had gotten them this far. She couldn't turn her back on this now. Not with what was at stake; if this mission was going to fail it wouldn't be for lack of a human being, trying their utmost to the bitter end.

She raised a suited hand and tapped the little iron anchor pendant one of the engineers had left firmly taped to the dashboard.

“Please, if you're listening. Get them home safe. And please, please let my death mean something.”

She felt a weight upon her shoulder, and with a shock saw that a weathered looking man in stained overalls was floating besides her. His hand gave a reassuring squeeze as he stared through the cockpit windows at the guttering sun before them.

“Hello Sameen, dying to save the world are you? Well we've a little time before that and I was hoping you might hear me out about a job opportunity…”