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

[soloritur]

[ 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?

[sansdoute]

( 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. )

[soloritur]

[ 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 )

[sansdoute]

( 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.

[soloritur]

[ 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.

[sansdoute]

( 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.