the concord

[groundrules]

Image source.

THE CONCORD

The vessel Concord of the Dawn’s Reach Trade Company once more appears in the horizon. She has learned her lesson from the previous scuffle and the minor charring her sails took at the hands of Sumeragi Subaru: she remains at a cautious distance from the pirate ships. Quicksilver Sam concludes the Concord’s reticence is unlikely to persist long term and asks a delegation of characters to deliver two gifts to captain Maximilian Hawk, in hopes of deterring further aggressions.

He entrusts the peace-bearing party with two items: an especially small scroll, rolled to the length and width of a thumb, and a modest, worn and a heavily locked wooden box to the size of a man’s palm. The scroll, if unravelled, only shows, 39.42116 N. The box cannot be opened, but weighs very little.

✘ OBJECTIVE: deliver the gift to Maximilian Hawk and retrieve his answer.

■ Travel by rowboats to the Concord, bearing large white flags. The Concord will not attack the incomers, but beware hungering, long-clawed mermaids and sharks within the Crossing seas.

■ Once within reach of the Concord, characters are welcomed by a small armed escort that insists all weapons must remain on the rowboats. They check that this instruction has been carried out. Those who refuse to give up their weapons are not allowed on the Concord.

■ The Concord is large, magnificently well attended, clean and armed with the most modern cannons and navigational instruments. The crew comprises trained sailors and graduates of a navy school — the Dawn’s Reach Trade Company’s own academy. Deck patrols and sails and cannon inspections are diligently undertaken every few hours.

■ You reach the Concord by noon. Marcos Diaz is received by first mate John Lattimore for an initial parlay (please wait for NPC thread). Lattimore introduces the newcomers as refugees from the Pariah to the crew.

■ Captain Maximilian Hawk is in deep strategic congress with his employers at the Dawn’s Reach Trade Company until evening. During this time, you remain under escort but can chat with sailors, enjoy a canteen meal, or take a tour of the ship’s deck. Characters also have supervised access to a guest cabin, the captain’s library or the medical bay, as needed. Use your time wisely to learn the lay of the land.

■ Noteworthy on deck: two sailors laundering uniforms and restitching membrane-thin diving suits that allow breathing underwater for two hours; a brawl that leads to four disgruntled men being taken down for jailing in the brig; several sailors carrying or taking tally of small boxes containing delicate, thin white powders (if they are inspected: opiates); two sailors drawing up a perfectly serviceable small steampunk boat to repair its rudimentary engine. Note: no further information or clues are forthcoming on any of these items — they exist as props for your getaway.

■ Come evening, Jim Kirk is finally received to present Maximilian Hawk with Quicksilver Sam’s gifts. (NPC thread link forthcoming!).

■ Discretion seems to have lost some value as everyone waits out the outcome of Jim’s talk in the captain’s cabin. It appears lips have loosened, and the crew has learned that the newcomers aren’t refugees, but representatives of the pirate ships, when a sailor recognises one of them from the Concord's previous altercation at sea. Several sailors spark a brawl, flinging accusations and demanding retaliation for the injuries they sustained when the Concord was singed. They progress from verbal to physical blows, which their superiors try but ultimately fail to calm down.

■ Smooth talk your way into being allowed a clean exit, or better yet, SOS Jim and run. Grab any weapon or valuable you can find, and jump either on the boat you came in, or on the partially fixed steampunk tanker that’s been set at sea. Row and shield to bide Viktor time and cover, if he’s up for tackling the last of the boat's engine repairs.

■ Beware cannons! And head back to the Pariah and Queen Zanyra, you delinquents. Marcos and Jim Kirk can share any learnings.

QUESTIONS

PLOTTING

Comments

marcos

[sansdoute]

( They've disappeared the sun so it need not behold this abomination. Master Lattimore had begun the day's service with thoughts of efficiency — of how to bring the beauty, the Dawn Reach Trade Company's good Concord to a fine and noble steer. How to retain her on her course until the captain Hawk can re-emerge to take her in his custody.

Instead, Master Lattimore has been graced with the complication of... company. A white flag flown draws the inevitable cooperation. Despite their... disagreeable interlude days prior, these visitors present themselves as messengers, delivering a proposition. For all that, the men cannot know — there is a start and an end to their fine disposition that the Crossing has already begun to erode.

So, he meets a representative of the contingent under confined conditions, drawing Master Marcos within the most sophisticated guest's cabin, where Master Lattimore instructs him to one table seat, before assuming its counterpart. )

The captain will, of course, see you. As we have discussed, and I have pledged. ( He has not, after all, received this man and his cohort under false pretences. ) But... it would be good to glean under what omens I should be introducing your pursuit with him. I understand there is a gift. Is Master Samuel Vane finally prepared to reimburse his debts?

[soloritur]

[ It's been since Taravast that Marcos felt particularly useful to the group, so as soon as he hears about a diplomatic mission, he offers to go along without a lot of questions. He understands, in principle, what they're here to do, and he's made deals with less savory people before. There's a chance he can learn something while he's deescalating the situation, and if worse comes to worse, he doesn't need a weapon to protect himself.

So it's luck that he's the one picked out of the group to talk to the first mate. He barely scans the room he's brought to before taking the seat across from him. The man is making this all seem pretty formal, and so Marcos adjusts his posture and nods. ]

We appreciate your hospitality. [ No trace of sarcasm. How they've been treated upon boarding is really no different from what he's used to. ] The captain wishes to avoid further conflict. The gifts we bring are a promise of good faith.

[sansdoute]

( Gifts of good faith, presented under the omens of Samuel Vane. He thinks — shows, mouth souring — that perhaps there's an element of contradiction here, and this young man remains ignorant of the company he keeps.

Thinks, too, that no good will come of Lattimore's own open disapproval, and that the Captain Hawk would prefer him strategically circumspect and mindful of his tongue. He guards it, nodding along with the man's courtesies, neither dismissive nor invigorated. )

I can assure you Captain Hawk is a sensible man, possessed of every faculty. We have been, as you are... aware, pushed to pursue. And we will give you chase until the ends of the good earth, if we are required.

( A delicate smile, breaking. ) At least, that is the provision of our mandate. In truth, I don't expect we will mutually inconvenience each other more than a handful of days, if we simply go back to respecting the old arrangements. I was there, when Captain Vane first brokered it. I understand he's been... less civil since?

[soloritur]

[ He's operating at a disadvantage, being a newcomer on the ship while there's obviously a long history here, but so were the others who Captain Vane sent to deliver the gifts. While Marcos hasn't spoken to him directly, the rumors that he's lost his mind are fairly widespread. Very possibly onto the Concord, but he doesn't see a benefit in perpetuating them. ]

I'd imagine if Captain Vane was been put in a position to defend his ship, he would. [ And has. The Concord seemed to be the aggressor the last time, not that he'll to mention it. ] I think we'd both rather avoid that. If he violated any arrangements, I'm sure it was unintentional or he wouldn't have sent us.

[sansdoute]

( Ah, they're to be gentlemen adversaries about it. Mr. Lattimore can manage that task, for all his patience thins. He assumes the pleasant mien of a man who negotiates the latest going rate of silks and cattle at the marketplace, or a particularly indifferent but intellectually stimulating point of abstract legislation.

He will not give this conversation the privilege of ruining his composure. Bad enough they waste tame, energy and Captain Hawk's limited availability on this course. )

There was nothing unintentional about fleeing a task he didn't complete, losing precious artefacts related to it and squandering every resource supplied to him for this undertaking. Without reimbursement.

( A smile, choice, gentle and free. ) But that's behind us now. You would like to end our little disagreement. And we would like to recoup our investment. We're all... agreeable individuals. Of course, minus the rogue Kreil. Has your captain decided how to tackle that particular loose end?

kirk

[sansdoute]

( He is flustered, surfacing from his encounter with the masters of the Dawn's Reach Trade Company, cheeks ripe and eyes wild-white, gaze diffuse. There is always a softening of a man when he is flayed, vividly and unmistakably, in the company of his peers and his betters. That his vivisection takes place in a communicator array, rather than in the physical presence of his employers does little to preserve his dignity.

Hours of discourse, of reprimand, of scrutiny. An afternoon of spiteful anger. How he has born this, without losing control of himself and his senses, he cannot say — only that he deeply and wholeheartedly depends on his composure to close the day without ordering the next man who crosses his path whipped to the bone.

And then, first mate Lattimore delivers the news: messengers, from the Pariah. Under a white banner, carrying gifts. A chance to prove, if not necessarily the success of his action, then at least its indubitable and apparent finality.

He receives Master Kirk in the full, recently cleansed, spartan splendour of his captain's cabin, knowing full well that the luxury of order will awe far more sweetly after however many days this wretched man has spent at sea with pirates. Then, reaching out a hand to clasp Master Kirk's, when he enters: )

Come. Come, you honour us. If your companions haven't skinned you of the concept of honour yet, I suppose you might even understand what I mean. ( Laughter, shrill. His own joke. Delightful. ) No matter. No matter. What's this, you've come from Vane? Quicksilver himself? Surprised he could muster the wit. Is he well? They say he's taken ill.

[winscenario]

[ The anticipation of their meeting has grown exponentially with the hours passing, at least in their group. Jim isn't the sort to get nervous, and he is used to diplomatic scenarios such as this, but that makes this task no easier to handle, especially when he's unsure of what, or rather, who he is about to face.

At the very least the man seems pleasant and polite, if a bit flustered, but the approach draws an easy smile from him, as charming as his voice when he speaks to answer the man's greeting. ]

Thankfully honor isn't a thing so easily stripped from a man, [ he says as he takes Hawk's hand in a firm shake. ] James Kirk. And yes, I have. He's... recovering. Being out at sea so long tends to affect a man's mind considerably, don't you think?

[sansdoute]

I think, Mister Kirk. I do think.

( An agreeably man may broker peaceful negotiations with another. Charm over cruelty, this, every graduate of the academy knows. Better, when dealing with the unknown or the unexpected, to cut your losses before they begin. Not all wars need be won with a cannon.

Some begin with the gentle pour of fresh whiskey in the Captain's glass, then the cordial preparation of a second cup, raised towards Kirk to show its cleanliness of poison, and tipped once in silent invitation. )

But you'll forgive me for noticing Vane has been absent of all the senses I would have thought common and widely spread. He does not do as is reasonable, he does not do as he commits, he does not honour his word, in fact, he does not even violate it as often as a pirate might. He defies logic.

( A cough, light. ) But he has sent you here, so I imagine there has been a turning of his tides. I expect you have something for me.

[winscenario]

[ He takes the cup offered to him without saying anything, letting his meet the Captain's before taking a small sip. He can't really say anything, neither agree nor disagree, but Hawk is right in that Vane doesn't seem to be acting like himself. For how little time he's spent here, he has seen how the crews react to his behavior. Suspecting, weary, distrustful, even his own men don't seem to follow or respect him as they once likely did. That in itself is a sign that he's not well.

But for now, he says none of that. In a moment, he'll try to poke at that topic, but for now he responds to the mention of gifts to set his cup down and procure both the scroll and the small box, handing them to the Captain. ]

I expect you'll know what they are better than I do?

[ The words are left with an open tone to it, a question he'd like to see answered. What are they? ]

on the way over, and on board the ship (not an exit tl, that'll be later)

[bravelyrunsaway]

1.

Licyn reversed his hold on his make-shift spear and stabbed at the eye of the shark surfacing alongside their boat, making a side pass before a charge, if the pattern held. The blood that follows is thick and black-red, left behind in their wake even as another shark and two mermaids turn and lay into the shark now thrashing and frothing as it struggles to escape its equally hungry compatriots.

He smiles in a twitchy way, grim.

"Really, that's the problem with predators, isn't it? Always on the searing hunt. Never for anything nice, either, though I suppose from their perspective, a full stomach is one day longer away from starvation."

2.

He nudges one of his fellows, nodding his head toward where two sailors are mending some odd looking material shaped like... he's not sure what it's like. Not body bags, that much he knows, formed to be something like a close-fitting gown, only with legs?

"Are you considering what I'm considering?" He doubts it, but if they can focus on getting some information on whatever those are, maybe they'll learn some about whatever the Concord likewise plans to do.

2

[winscenario]

Jim's own observation has been quieter, more discreet, not quite staring or watching any of the sailors as not to raise too much suspicion. He's been mostly thinking about what to say when he meets Hawk later anyway, exactly what kind of information he could try to get from the man that could prove useful to them.

Still, he looks up when nudged, glancing from Licyn to the sailors, then back to him. "Depends on what you're thinking. But if you're thinking of stealing that from them, then probably not."

[bravelyrunsaway]

He snorts, chuckling under his breath and quirking a brow.

"Mercenary, love, not bandit."

Wrong line of work, and he's not going to fondly reminisce over a time where he'd been lightfingered, as a boy and young-not-quite-man. Today, he's all business!

In the business of nosiness.

"Do you know what it is they're mending? Large as they are, it's certainly no long undergarment that I'm familiar with."

[winscenario]

"Ah, right. Sorry for the confusion."

He shoots an eyebrow up, smile quirking in amusement at the corner of his lips as he glances sideways at Licyn. Briefly, because he's just as interested in what those sailors are doing.

"I'm not familiar with this particular model, but it looks like a diving suit of some kind. Wouldn't surprise me if it's got some unique properties I'm not familiar with."

He turns a little to face Licyn pointedly. "You're friendly. I've noticed. Have you tried chatting them up and just asking?"

Beitang Moran

[beitangmoran]

A - PRETTY BLUES

[Moran is never one to refuse the exploration of something new - exciting, things to learn ! Either he will find somethings out on his own, or if not be a sufficient distraction so that people with more skills can do so. He is, after all, quite good in drawing gazes to himself when he wishes too.

So he wears his royal blue robes with the flashy silver flower embroidery. he's not wearing a weapon but the person frisking him doesn't try to take his hairpin, so there is that.

And of course once on board, it's hard not to notice this ship is in much better shape indeed, and of course, certain recent conversations come to mind.]

... Someone mentioned one of the ships we are on is carrying opiate drugs. They are too. I wonder if maybe, our pirate companions might not have stolen some of that cargo for themselves.


B - BOOKS!

[I'm sorry, did you say library? As soon as that is mentioned, Moran will make a beeline for it and just... disappear in there.

You can find him sitting at a table with about as many books as it will support while groaning slightly, trying to make sense of what he is deciphering. The constant traveling is making it hard to keep up with the language studies, but some of the contents can be inferred from previous learnings...

If he feels a presence nearby, he won't even look up.]

Would you mind seeing about bringing some tea in here? Thank you.


C - ROMANCE IN TIMES OF PIRACY

[So if you've been around you probably know that Moran and Xunxian are as well as married. They did come on the ship together. but right now, just as Moran is engrossed in his readings, Xunxian is ... busy slutting it up with some of the sailors on deck, in plain view of everyone and without any shame whatsoever.

Do you want to be the person who goes tell Moran his husband is... well, maybe not being very faithful right at this moment? Gently, of course, you wouldn't want to make him too sad, would you?]

b

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor is also incredibly interested in the library. Sure, they can't really go anywhere unsupervised, but that doesn't mean poking around won't be worth it. He'll think of it as reconnaissance, and then try and find an opportunity to re-visit, hopefully without the crew breathing down his neck.

It doesn't surprise him that others from their group might be having similar thoughts. It is surprising that he makes such a request, and Viktor raises an eyebrow, even if Moran doesn't turn to look at who he's talking to.]

Yes, I mind. [What does he look like? He will not be doing this.] What are you reading?

[beitangmoran]

[Moran blinks, and then finally looks up from the book he is holding, and, realizing he is talking to one of their little group, has the good grace of giving him a small smile and nod - although he's not going to apologize either because you know, if you ever get into the mood of getting him that tea, he won't mind.

Instead he just answers the question.]

I'm not quite sure yet. These [he holds up the crystal] don't translate text, and we've been traveling enough that this dialect is slightly different from the one I have learned to decipher.

Some kind of travel journal, I think.

[techmaturgy]

[He is not in the mood to get tea. But he is in the mood to hear about the book, even if actually reading it is a challenge. He knows by now that their communicators don't translate text, and that the written language is slightly different in each place they go to.

It seems Moran has some knowledge, however, which is better than nothing. Viktor invites himself to come into the room, leaning over his shoulder, as if he'll be able to help.]

Can you determine the author?

for Kirk (tl may come later!)

[soloritur]

The meeting with the first mate didn't go entirely in the direction Marcos had expected. In the moment, he couldn't think of anything that he might be able to offer for safe passage that would satisfy them more than Vane himself. Actually going through with those terms is almost unthinkable, both logistically and morally, but he's the one who put it on the table without talking to the others.

He was given a reprieve before he was backed into agreeing to a kidnapping, and the moment he returns to their group he immediately seeks out the man slated to meet with the captain. He doesn't know much about Kirk other than his name, but he's very aware that what he did might make his conversation more complicated.

"Hey." He talks in a lowered voice the moment he's in earshot, while trying not to alarm the rest of the group, who must be expecting news for how long he was gone. And he'll give it to them, but first he needs to let Kirk know what he could be walking into. "Can we find somewhere to talk?"

[winscenario]

They haven't been here long and things are tense, but then Jim suspects that more time spent here probably won't help much with that. They've been looked at sideways by most of the sailors here, which frankly Jim can't blame them much for. They're strangers here, come from pirate ships, whether or not they belong to those crews doesn't really seem to matter much here.

But at least no fight has broken out, and Jim has kept quiet to hopefully keep the peace until he gets to meet the Captain. So far, he's seen their group being calm and pondered, so hopefully this will go a little more smoothly than expected. Optimism hurts no one.

He glances up the moment he sees Marcos emerge from his talk with the First Mate, standing a little more upright when he's directly addressed. The question, of course, gets an immediate response, and he nods as he gestures to a spot that's more deserted on deck, so they can talk. He waits until they're away from any prying ears to ask. "How did it go?"

[soloritur]

From the look on Marcos' face, it's pretty easy to tell that he doesn't come with great news. They'll either have to agree to do something none of them will be happy about, or refuse and open themselves up for another attack, if they even let them leave. There are no good options, and that's at least partially his fault.

"In theory, it could have gone worse." He's alive to tell him about it, so that's something. It was a surprise that he was given a chance to talk it over, but he's fairly sure it's only the illusion of a choice. He's implicating their entire group by telling them, but they deserve to know what they're up against.

"We might have a problem." He hesitates and looks behind them, double checking that no one is near enough to overhear. All of this is going to sound bad, but he doesn't want to beat around the bush. He knows he overplayed his hand and now he'll have to deal with the consequences. "I wanted to find out what we could do to get them off our backs, and they set their terms. They want Vane."

[winscenario]

Jim wasn't exactly expecting good news, at least, so what comes isn't much of a shock, to him. At least, it allows him to keep a straight face as Marcos tells him their terms, offering only a small nod like he's considering it.

"We're not giving them Vane," he states plainly. It goes against everything he believes in, and it would mean getting involved in something he doesn't even know half the story of. But then, Marcos did say it was a problem, so he's guessing he too sees that there's a real problem with doing something like that. "Granted, we can't trust these pirates, but we can't trust the Company either. We don't know what kind of organization they are or what they're after." Could be they're both in the wrong here, but in that case they certainly shouldn't be siding with either, or working for either. "However, the Captain doesn't need to know we're unwilling to do that. This could be a good chance to get information, as well as safe passage back to the pirate ships."

Su Xunxian | Oh! My Emperor

[topoiran]

i. Charms

During the time to mingle, Su Xunxian does not hesitate to chat up as many of the sailors as are even remotely interested in the arrivals. He turns on the charm, and soon enough there are several of the sailors who keep watching his every move, both the ones who observe from afar, and the more pushy ones that he juggles with a smile, whetting their appetites to the best of his abilities.

And he can also be spotted extending a hand to any birds who might be on board... his moments of communication with rodents and insects is more shielded from the sailors, but others he arrived with can catch him at it.

He does keep an eye on when Moran will end up being ejected from the library, but mostly does his best to gather information in his own ways.

ii. Negotiation

Ah, this is not good. Aside from the fact that they have a job to do, their group is majorly outnumbered, and a fight will only result in at least some injuries, if not worse.

So he steps forward, letting his sheer robe flutter in the wind just so.

"Ah, but we surely can consider an option other than this... ah, look, isn't that little rat carrying something shiny?"

There may be some lost little times suddenly showing up on deck, distracting their owners.

Hopefully.

iii. Charms 2

"Let me go!" The usual smooth tones suddenly ring out in alarm as one of the sailors who... may have been watching him very attentively earlier decides he doesn't want to risk Su Xunxian either getting hurt or leaving.

Perhaps he may have done the charming a bit too well...?

iv. Wildcard

Find him around the deck in another situation, if you wish.

iii

[beitangmoran]

"Su Xunxian!"

The tone suffers no misunderstanding, and even the sailor trying to hold onto Xunxian's robes freezes when he hears it, almost on reflex, before looking a bit surprised at himself for doing it.

"We're leaving."

And that is a very pointed look towards said sailor.

"Unhand my companion, sir, if you please."

WEH

[topoiran]

"Moran!"

It's an exclamation, but not a shout - for one thing, he doesn't need to get Moran's attention, he already has it; for another, the mere presence of the man stifled the surprised shoots of panic threatening to take root.

"Ya partner, is he now? I reckon I'd like ta change that."

"No." Su Xunxian shifts a little, to place a palm against the man's chest, and pushes - not to harm, but to distract... as a few rats start crawling up the man's bare feet, nibbling.

"Bloody 'ell!"

[beitangmoran]

Of course, Xunxian, would be good at bringing a distraction, but the man still isn't letting go of Xunxian's sleeve.

"You're opinion is neither wanted nor required, sir. Now unhand him. I asked once already. This is twice. I won't ask a third time."