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the concord

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

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( 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?

Edited 2022-06-23 00:26 (UTC)

[ 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.

( 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?

[ 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.

( 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?

[ Marcos thinks about the compass Subaru mentioned, but he hides any confusion with a smile of his own. ]

I wouldn't know anything about that. If there's any misunderstanding with Kreil, the captain hasn't discussed it with me, but that doesn't mean I can't bend his ear if there's something he's unaware of.

[ He fully remembers Kreil being merciless to spies, so he tries to avoid insulting him, and he leans forward with a lowered voice. ]

This stretch of sea is dangerous enough on its own without adding more fuel to the fire, and most of us aren't a part of your rivalry. Our only mission is to get to our destination in one piece. If there's a way for us to help accommodate that, I think you'll fine that we can be persuasive.

( This, he should have, but did not anticipate — that a crew could propose the choice and sophisticated manipulation of its leader, for purposes Lattimore sees as valid, and yet somehow... unclean.

There is no honour among pirates. For all their occasional loyalties, he should remember that. All at once, his manner shifts, oilier if still as keen, hands clasped peacefully over the table's spread. )

You're suggesting a partnership to help... steer your captain in his moments of... doubt?

( In the end, what business is it of Lattimore's, if pirates look to sell their king? The Dawn's Reach Trade Company profits. )

[ It's a gamble, but he reads Lattimore's reaction as being open to some form of cooperation. He can tell that he's choosing his words just as carefully, and he only offers a slight tilt of his head to the affirmative. ]

I'm suggesting there's a scenario where we can all get what we want. I'm only one man, but I know our capabilities. I also know revenge will at best only be a waste of your time and more of your resources. [ He leans forward still, not breaking eye contact. ] So what is it? You have to have a better mission than chasing us to the haunted depths of the sea.

We continue on our mission in these 'haunted depths of the sea.' ( He parrots back evenly, at once amused and bemused by the presumption that 'Quicksilver' Sam's settlement of accounts can dictate the course of the great Dawn's Reach Trade Company.

There is more afoot in this strange, vulnerable world, than the fate of one lone pirate. More to explore, more to conquer, more to control. Man has made nothing of himself, if he does not progress. But carefully, after: )

Mr.... Diaz. ( As he recalls, on scarce introduction. ) Revenge is, more often than not, a waste of time. Now, retribution and restitution, the Company understand. It's a financial item. I cannot speak for captain Hawk, but I would imagine him... amenable to a mutually beneficial agreement.

( But there is a price, always a price: ) It won't surprise you that the quickest way to our success is... Samuel Vane. We don't require him, but having him would offer a significant guarantee towards the odds of our success. Can you deliver him?

[ Now it's Marcos' turn for something he should have seen coming. It's not enough to say they can talk the captain into something, they actually want the man himself.

His tone doesn't change, and he only looks down briefly to consider how much he can get away with. So far he hasn't learned anything significant, but there's an opportunity he's not giving up on. With a heavy dose of acknowledgement that talking about this could put a target on his back, he presses on. ]

...You know, you drive a tough bargain. You haven't even opened your gifts. [ He shrugs lightly, neither in agreement or otherwise. ] You need him, specifically. And why is that? Are you after information he has, or something else?

I wouldn't presume to, before Captain Hawk has first right of refusal.

( Then, if the good captain does not deign to inspect these offerings first-hand, Mr. Lattimore will gladly undertake the proceedings.

But he cannot claim these gifts for his own, not with a superior officer present on the vessel, and so he only concedes the point with a wave of his hand. And, frankly: )

I begin to understand the criminal, Samuel Vane, has been... neglectful in the information he has offered you. Let me be clear: two years ago, he sailed with a ship provisioned by the Dawn's Reach Trade Company, with indications of the Dawn's Reach Trade Company, with crew trained by the Dawn's Reach Trade Company, and on the coin and assignment of the Dawn's Reach Trade Company.

( The contempt in which he drenches his words may just as well prove visible. ) He owes money, information, supplies and time that were all wasted, on this objective he was either unable or unwilling to see through.

[ The most interesting part of that story is that they seem to still want Vane alive, and think with him they'll be more successful in their unnamed mission if they have him. ]

Respectfully. If he's failed to pay his debts before, I'm surprised you think that he'll be much of a benefit to you in custody. [ ... ] You're right, I haven't been around long enough to appreciate your history, but I can understand the frustration.

You've been following us for a while now, I'm assuming you know what he's after?

( Samuel Vane in custody is better than Samuel Vane at liberty, alone. He is controllable. Better the dog you know leashed.

As for his meandering objectives — )

As do you. ( A pause, then pensively, tapping his fingers on the table: ) I hope, for your sake, you have not come to ask your adversary what your ally is doing.

( He dances the line, toes the need to laugh. Finally, mercifully — ) I'm afraid you won't find me so compassionate. What you should understand is that, if you are offering to give us Samuel Vane in exchange for safe passage... ( A moment's hesitation. ) I would want to confirm with the Captain Hawk, but on preliminary terms, I would name us amenable.

[ He might have shown too much of his hand, but he keeps his expression schooled, in light of what he may have inadvertently suggested. It hits him that backing out might not be easy, now that he's put it on the table, and the thought of betraying someone who gave them free passage doesn't sit well. Lorna is going to be livid with him.

It's not too late to take full credit for the idea, and at least not get the others involved. He's still thinking of an approach when he asks, for the sake of options: ]

So I have this straight. Are those the only terms you'd accept?

( There is a moment when they seem close to accord, to narrowing down communal interests. Then, like the tide, the man's intentions recede. And Mr. Lattimore finds he has no patience to treat grown men as children or as the incontrollable natural elements. )

Accept... to what end?

( He did not put this motion forward. He lacks, if anything, the preparation and authority that have only been awarded to Captain Hawk on this assignment. He cannot intercede with terms. )

Master Diax, you are the one who is coming with a proposition. You should have your terms clear. ( But then, of course, perhaps he does not only represent himself. ) Would you like an hour to congress with your people?

( ooc: happy to give this a short hold, if you want to do a network post / thread of any kind of feed into Marcos' further steps, btw! And equally happy to just carry on, will follow your lead. )

[ Marcos can't be too surprised he's sticking to his guns once Vane is in play. If he were desperate enough, this is where he'd switch tactics, but threatening the first mate is an even riskier move that he wouldn't enjoy making and he's not there yet. Instead of backpedaling further and destroying any credibility he's built up, he leans back in his chair like this is all part of negotiating and he hasn't just backed himself into a corner. ]

I think I know what they'll say. [ He holds his gaze for a moment more, then nods. ] I'll run it by them, but you have to understand the position we're in. We're outsiders hitching a ride, and Vane isn't without allies. We get safe passage from you, what saves us from them?

( ooc: perfect! he'll break to have his talk and roll with it, super fine )

( He seems, at the very least, to acknowledge this risk without trivialising it, head gently bowed before he serves the nod: )

I imagine it will be a calculation from you and your cohort not on whom you can trust, in particular. ( A glint of teeth, broad: ) Trust no one.

( And then, equally conversational, sinking into a seat and leaning back: ) But on who you believe can guard you safely.

[ He watches him for a long moment as he takes in his meaning, but inclines his head in agreement. Lattimore's advice could be seen as sympathy for their situation, and it might be why he's willing to give him time to decide.

More likely, he's got a vested interest in a deal and wants them to have their best chance. It's a lot to consider. ]

Alright. [ He straightens in his chair and prepares to talk to the others. ] I'll come back with our answer.

( In this, as in everything, patience is of substance — and they are long past the point where they can pretend that violence and fury will negotiate them a desirable outcome.

This, if nothing else, will have to do. )

On your way, then, Mr. Diaz. I wish you every success.

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