Boundless Isles IC

[Zemalac]

It's sink or swim
When the devil plays the hymn
There's blood in the water
And the sharks are coming in

http://i.imgur.com/z0CqeFi.png
___________________________________________


In golden Arypso, Gateway to the Continent, an archmage in a silver mask walks along the docks looking for a ship, while under his feet men in immaculate white suits move quietly through tunnels that none but they know exist.

On Dwyr Mountain airships come and go in perfect safety, any bandits that might have been so bold as to make an attempt on them scared off by the armored figures on the slopes below.

In Buron-on-the-Water, a creditor loses patience and sells the debt of an unlucky man to the Labor Company. Even as he is being bound by chain and contract, a man with worse luck surveys the empty museum he is expected to fill, and down at the docks a pair of laborers carries a triple-locked chest onto a ship, trying to ignore its whispers.

In Uplands, near the mine that will soon be the unfortunate debtor’s new home, a new style of emberlock pistol mechanism is checked against standards set by mage-tinkers in Veras, half a world away. It is found wanting; the next version, perhaps, won’t be.

In Lomar, the city that lives in the shadow of Scrivener's book, an angel who cast himself down discovers the taste of a new opiate, just recently refined from plants that grow wild in the marshes.

In the village of Breakvale, the president writes a speech, vowing that this incarnation of democracy in the Water will not lead to another failure. In the sky far above her, hidden by clouds, something watches.

In the lee of the House of the Unknown Gods rides a fleet of ships no sailor ever wants to see, not even themselves.

In Sunken Baskor arcane intelligence moves through clockwork towers built on the only solid ground for miles, while in the waves below masked divers sink their cargo where they think the webbed children of the darkhouse will not find it.

On the island of Tock the new lord of Bonse surveys his workers as they rebuild another ruin of the old city, while off the coast fishermen sail under the protection of their Queen.

In Tyb the companies gather their soldiers, musketeers and halberdiers filing onto escort ships bound for the Far Isles. Clippers cut away from the docks at a pace that no other ship can match, even as a dwarven enchanter working at a dock of white stone begins the process of making them all obsolete. It is a busy town, and everyone that comes and goes is watched and marked by a man too clever by half.

Far from the city a simple man who runs a simple tavern hears of the war between the Kingdom and the Empire and sets a course for the path he knows the explorers from the Water will take, ready to offer the hospitality of his house.

In the Carpish Isles a fortress ringed by cannons commences firing drills for the third time today, just in case the Ascension should come looking for them. To the south, in the Vreskelli Isles, a pirate queen moves in on easy prey, fire snapping at her heels.

In the Far Isles, druids study the ancient magic that the elves left on their verdant island, while in a land unknown even to himself a dragon older than history finally wakes. In the dry city of Ollam the news is brought on the wind to the ziggurat at its center, where a man with no name whispers his gathered secrets to the creature that rules there.

Far from those places, far from any place, an ancient machine of war stirs, hearing something coming through the water towards it.

And in Arypso a duke puts his finger on a map and with the gesture launches a fleet of ships. In Lomar a man called Scrivener writes the name of another dead soul in his book, and a craftsman dips a bolt in a poison as black and thick as tar. In Buron the minters stamp out the links that bind the world together in trade, and in Tyb the hidden queen of a forgotten god tells the fortune of a woman who will be dead by the end of the week. In Port Noire the King in Iron cannot sate his hunger for the wealth of others, in Ollam the spiders once again refuse to open their doors, and in Zan an unfortunate scavenger slips and breaks the surface of the lake of glass. On a forgotten island sits a monolith that cannot be named, on another rests a city that cannot move on, and on yet another lies a sword so caked in blood that water cannot cleanse it. All this and more, in the blinking of an eye, as the world rests on the edge of something new.

Welcome to the Boundless Isles.
Turn 1 begins.



___________________________________________

Laugh at death
And when the reaper man smiles
You're the only one left
In the boundless isles

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Breakvale [3]

Lady President Larsson,

I am a captain with several ships to my name, recently arrived to these waters to seek fortune in exploration and trade. I have heard of your colony and couldn’t help, but think that you would need allies, if you were to hold your ground against the more established powers in the region and grow your community. I in turn am in need of reliable trading partners. I’ll be waiting to hear, if you have interest in mutually useful arrangements.

Respectfully, Captain John C. Smith


Bonse [3]

Your honor, Lord Belgrave,

I am a fleet captain with considerable naval power behind me, yet I lack certain resources, that the land can provide and my current base of operation is of limited use. Your own investments have invigorated the city of Bonse, but should your aim is its continued rise, you must realize that other powers may respond. An ally, who can hold power at sea would be highly advantageous to you. If you are of the like mind, we can continue this correspondence.

Respectfully, Captain John C. Smith


Diver’s Guild [3]

Two ships have been sighted near the eastern part of the Sunken Baskor - one, large and powerful, with many sails, had a Flag of Chain & Skull, the other, smaller vessel, though only in comparison to the first, sailed under Chain & Jaws flag. They have passed quickly and only the sun reflecting off the spyglasses betrayed the ships interest in the sunken city.


Darkhouse [3]

Two ships have been sighted near the eastern part of the Sunken Baskor - one, large and powerful, with many sails, had a Flag of Chain & Skull, the other, smaller vessel, though only in comparison to the first, sailed under Chain & Jaws flag. They have passed quickly and only the sun reflecting off the spyglasses betrayed the ships interest in the sunken city.


Rothschild's Labor Company [3]

Dear Mr. Rothschild,

I am a Captain of a fleet of ships, and in my travels, I have regrettably often encountered a situation, when disease, drunkenness or desertion cost me the crew, I require for my next voyage. I was hoping we would be able to come to an arrangement, that would allow me to acquire reliable men to fill my needs.

Captain, John C. Smith


Arcana Expeditions [3]

A ship with a Lightning and Chain has been observed near Buron-On-The-Water. The sailors of the ship have made a few inquiries of the passing merchantmen and fishing boats, the center of their inquiries being Arcana Expeditions. By the time the sun touched the sea, the ship departed, never entering the port proper.

[Bromate]

Crow Syndicate D-ESP 5


Upon the shining Arcadia Dock's treads a young man in a white suit marking him as a Cleaner. He comes bearing a message.

"To the most eminent Silver Mage,

It has come to the attention of the Crow Syndicate. Your most humble and diligent waste removal experts. We come calling, because the presence of a mage as powerful and noteworthy as yourself deserves a welcome. If needed we will see to it that you will have anything that you need during your stay in Arypso. Otherwise we look forward to handling your trash during your temporary stay in Arypso.We do hope you find time to enjoy the sights our city has to offer. We do suggest that you do stay away from the paved district at this juncture. The lower classes are beginning to get restless again.

Signed,

Quillian Nygus, Master Nightsoiler



A crow lights atop the parapet of the Ordo Libra's fortress. It is wearing a harness engraved with a golden filigree. It bears a message with the Crow Syndicate's seal in green wax.

To the famed Ordo Libra,

The Crow Syndicate represents a substantial portion of Arypso's infrastructure. An infrastructure that is expanding to include it's outer territories. Which will most likely include the Dwyr Mountain. We of the Syndicate will be sending our Cleaners to being surveying the area so as to better set up our operation. This will lead to us having to pass by your fortress which has proved to be problematic for other groups in the past. So we are put into the position of having to ask for your permission. Please respond as soon as is convenient.

Signed,

Quillian Nygus, Master Nightsoiler

[Eldan]

Arcana Expeditions 5

The letter arrives by courier. The parchment is heavy, slightly stained by salt and seawater, with a seal of snow-white wax showing what seems to be a candleflame.

Lady Fortuna, Mr. Court

You come with the highest recommendations for your skills and it is in your capacities as both a diviner that few can equal and the Water's greatest archaeologist that I contact you.
Perhaps you have heard that I have had a ship constructed for myself, a vessel that, as of yet, has no equal among the isles. It is, in fact, a submersible, a craft able to explore the ocean floors. Which is exactly what I intend to do.
While I have my own means to secure information, I thought it would not at all be amiss to contact living experts in addition to my own contacts. Would you be interested in a mutually beneficial partnership? There must be dozens or hundreds of wrecked ships still on the bottom of the Waters and the seas surrounding the Isles.

Hopefully
Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey

New Verdan 5

The letter arrives by courier. The parchment is heavy, slightly stained by salt and seawater, with a seal of snow-white wax showing what seems to be a candleflame.

Mr. Vol Ru:

It is quite obvious that you have created a bountiful outpust of true Verdan culture here in the isles. It is in your capacity as engineers that I am contacting you.
As you will no doubt have heard, I have commissioned and outfitted a submersible vessel of Verdan design on which I currently reside. While I am quite happy with the craft on general principle, there are still some additions and modifications, some of them quite extensive, that I wish to be performed on the vessel.
It is for this reason that I am contacting you, my wish being to enter into mutually beneficial trade agreements. My currency, as you should be well informed, is that most valuable coin of all: knowledge, while yours, in trade, would be your expertise and raw materials. I would additionally like to stress that I will require the utmost secrecy and discretion ,as I do not wish to make the designs public knowledge.

Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey

Blackmoor 5

The letter arrives by courier. The parchment is heavy, slightly stained by salt and seawater, with a seal of snow-white wax showing what seems to be a candleflame.

Mr. Kervos

Your company comes with the highest recommendations. I am therefore contacting you regarding the matter of possible business between us.
As you will no doubt have heard, I have commissioned and outfitted a submersible vessel of Verdan design on which I currently reside. While I am quite happy with the craft on general principle, there are still some additions and modifications, some of them quite extensive, that I wish to be performed on the vessel.
It is for this reason that I am contacting you, my wish being to enter into mutually beneficial trade agreements. My currency, as you should be well informed, is that most valuable coin of all: knowledge, while yours, in trade, would be your expertise and raw materials. I would additionally like to stress that I will require the utmost secrecy and discretion ,as I do not wish to make the designs public knowledge.

Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey

[Jaerug XI]

The Baskor Darkhouse

A wide array deskside today. Or rather, the tower had many messages to address. Rather, they were addressed and sent but needed answering. Or rather, some would be answered and sod it all.
The office was topside inside, moved after enough drenched letters were enough. No windows to betray identity to the other side. It was all "side" with these people, and all "these people" with the world and all the world to endeavor and all paperwork as far as the eye could see.
The Facilitator had a day job, they all did, but sleep was second to the joyous rigors of diplomatic correspondence. Streetside, he was the sort of man whose elbow patches had elbow patches and whose pockets had pockets. Here he deferred to a sort of stylized group delusion held up nearly unto comedy. They wore shorter jackets made of or to look like scales, high pants, and the sort of frilly collar familiar to patrons of the theater or gilled aristocrats with a keen sense of self derision. Never you mind that the pants rode up and the shirts soaked through and your life became a litany of unwiped spectacles. It gave unity. It gave, insisted the mad fringes of their disordered order, fashion.
He had brought the idea to certain circles that perhaps they should invest in the suits used by the other ones, the Diver's Guild. Were they not more practical? No salvage team had he observed ceasing all forward movement to adjust their finely outfitted nethers, but the order of the Baskor Darkhouse was determined to misspell and subsequently put the anguished in distinguished. Paying homage to Steniaries Sr., that particular idea died in the water.
Enough, he thought. To work.
Gilliam had made contact from his inadvertent, self-imposed exile. Once past the obvious tide of concern, his writing was always a source of amusement for the order, the facilitator at least. For many, it was their only modern insight into the kingdoms across the Merchant's Water. They were exactly the sort of people who became wealthy enough to travel expansively and then spent it all on exotic trinkets to make it look like they already had.
His hand was strange, even coming from a man with a greenish flap between his thumb and fingers that unfurled like a sail when immersed in water. The facilitator broke slowly through the scrawl to glimpse Aldren's Asylum through bulging eyes half a world away.

To whom it may console,

A breakthrough has occurred kingside these last few days! In all discourse with my observers, I had been unaware of the barrier dividing our comprehension and good will. All that was necessary was to use my second language, in this case my inheritance.
I have been moved to a comfortable room with access to the gardens and a commons I share with four other residents. The season is turning well here, the air is crisp. While I appreciate their attempt, the white pads of my former quarters could not properly represent the wideness of the sky. Oh, to have you see through my eyes rather than my words and to feel the waves of my home in my feet rather than just my heart.
Granted, though it has not lessened my optimism for the world at large, wishing my stay in Aldren's upon you is likely selfish of me. My apologies.
As to my room mates, as it were, with whom I share my dinner and the occasional game of cards, the first is quiet. She sleeps from breakfast to sundown without interruption or else lays awake, rasping and trying not to blink. To my understanding, the blame can be placed with a children's tale. In it, a princess slept prodigally until such time as a prince claimed her and could provide economic stability. The lady, who I believe goes by Ms. Seltz, was aiming for a coma, but was tragically shortchanged by fortune. She hopes with her inert vigil she might finally find financial fulfillment. Supposedly. The lengths which maidens are made to go for their future in this day and age are scandalous beyond belief.
The second is a "cat fish". When I say this, I mean that he has the form of a worn down, elderly man, but admits to feeling more like a fish in his heart of hearts. You would be so proud of the progressive thought shown in Aldren's Asylum around Mr. Occasu. They keep up the act that "cat fish" are real, on some occasions even when the man, sorry, fish, is out of earshot. Still, I see that underneath his internal exterior desires, he is a kindred spirit. We have no quarrel.
To the left of my room is Lenderly of whom you already know. If you will remember, on the day I was first carried to confinement, he had stolen the uniform of the man assigned to lunch distribution. Inquiries only yielded the explanation "feminine wiles". I am still indebted for my first "cup cake". He told me everything I now know about Aldren's and the people in it.
Last but not least is a matron by the name of Corel. Her eldest son, the brute, has much authority of some sort having to do with the roads in a nearby town. He placed Corel, his own mother, in an asylum as retribution for "that trick she done pulled at me birthday when I was but six winters, right?" She has other children, old enough to breed young in turn, and we live for the days when they come to visit. The trade of innocent laughter for inexhaustible hard candy is prosperous for both parties.
Some of the "doctors" needed my abnormal composition explained more than once and still did not seem entirely at ease with it, but the young were quick to accept. The sound of air passing through my gills when I exhale in humidity brings them much glee. Can any there imagine why this would be? That is all this side, hopefully the tower is firm, the water dark. I await your reply.


Gilliam Steniaries
Had the wind swung them westward, no such ray would have given their location. Around Wavelost is a shadow dawn moves not an inch, no further flag is necessary. The spires of old Baskor lay in wait below the pitch surface, tempting the hardest craft to dare.

[Murska]

Horizon - Blackmoor

Greetings,

I hear your expertise in the matters of artifacts both 'scientific' and arcane is substantial. I was hoping we could arrange a meeting to discuss some items that I believe would be of interest to both of us, regarding such things.

Lisa Aerie, Horizon

Horizon - Divers

Hey. Remember Liz from the Double Eagles times? Well, I'm moving on to some different sort of business, and I think we could share some stories and talk about how both of us could benefit. If you find the time to drop for a chat in Buron some time soon?

Lisa Aerie, Horizon

Horizon - Arcana Expeditions

Greetings,

We've heard of you, and maybe you've heard of us, being neighbours as we are. We seem to be rather similar outfits as such, and I would expect both of us to be in the process of outfitting an expedition to the Far Isles right now, in fact. Perhaps you could find the time for a short meeting regarding our respective aims and how to help each other achieve them?

Lisa Aerie, Horizon

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Silver Mage (5)
Welcome to the Merchant's Water, Silver Mage.

I am Kervos Morgan, founder of Blackmoor Goods and Services, a firm of artificers devoted to pursuing the cutting edge of science and magic. May I inquire as to what your goals are here?

To New Verdan (5)
Greetings,

As a former resident of Veras, I quite understand your motivation in escaping from that continent. Fellow magewrights are a welcome sight here, and I look forward to seeing your developments. If I may, what are your current goals in the area? Since I believe both of our groups seek to research and improve the Waters, I suspect it may be possible for us to cooperate in some matters in the future.

-Kervos

To the Magnum Opus (5)
Salutations,

It is pleasant to find a fellow group of artificers in the Waters. Though I admit I know very little of your organization. May I ask what your objectives in the region are?

-Kervos Morgan

To Arcana Expeditions (5)
Salutations,

I have heard that your charter seeks to find the relics and artifacts of the Far Isles. What exactly do you intend to do with them? Preserve them so that the deeds of the past go unforgotten?

-Kervos Morgan

To Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey (5)
Lady d'Ombrey,

I would be delighted to work on upgrading your vessel. It has been a long while since I've seen something of Veras-make, and it is quite pleasant to have a reminder of home. However, at this current time, I do not have direct access to the lumber or ore that would likely be required to do so. It is my immediate intention to remedy this issue, but it may mean my artificers are occupied with establishing said infrastructure instead of having the capability of working on outside contracts.

For certain, I have an interest in the knowledge you could provide concerning Zanchar, the Merchant's Water, and whatever else you may have that could be of interest to me, but the price would be dependent on the complexity of project you had in mind. What exactly would these upgrades entail?

-Kervos Morgan

To the Uplands Mines (5)
[OOC: I am not entirely certain if the clans own this, or if they're small enough factions so as to not be listed. Or both, I guess is possible. Send it to all of them.]

Greetings,

While I have been a resident of the Uplands for a few years now, I haven't ever needed the quantity of shipments to invest in my own infrastructure. At this point in time, that has changed. While I have lands I could dig for my own veins, it feels foolish to not take advantage of those who came here before me. I would like to discuss possible arrangements to guarantee a constant supply of iron for my firm. What would the costs involved be for [1 Iron] a month?

To the Oldgrowth Logging Company (5)
Greetings,

With the recent expansion of the Whitestone Docks, I feel it may be prudent for my firm to secure a source of lumber to build my own line of ships. Since you are a well established company, I was wondering if we could discuss a possible arrangement for acquiring such a supply. What rates would I be looking at for what amount of the resource?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor 5

The modifications wouldn't be too substantial, I hope. I have a fine vessel with many interesting and unique traits, but what I am missing, alas, is weaponry. Your reputation in that direction is well-known and I was wondering if you could outfit me with such. I would be especially interested if you could provide any that could be fired underwater.

[Jormengand]

That can be arranged. If you need to enter our walls for whatever reason, that can also be arranged, though you will have to disarm.

The brief letter is unsigned, though it bears the Libra seal. You get the feeling the knights aren't very sociable.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan DESP 6

Issan had seen himself change over the past few years. He had started as an inventor who saw his city slowly getting destroyed, then became a leader for an exidous from that city. Now he was quickly becoming an explorer. If only he could find a way to get more manpower and ships, his planned expedition might have a chance as success. Thats when he got the idea. The quickly began writting up a poster, and called in his secretary.

"Edit this, then distribute it to the large cities."



For all, Read read read!

Posters that are being posted in many of the cities. It shows a fleet of ships sailing toward a rising sun, and underneath it reads:

"New Verdan is putting together an exploration expedition to the Far Isles. Our goal is to eventually found a colony in the Far Isles and establish a shipping lane for safer travels to the Far Isles. All are welcome, even if you only wish to make the journey with us then go your own way when we reach the Isles. Please contact Regus Opati if you are interested."


To Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey (DESP 5)

Lady Etalienne

New Verdan welcomes trade from the outside, and your ships are welcome to dock here. I must ask what kind of modifications are you looking for? While we might not have what you need right now, I'm sure our men would jump on the oppertunity to develop new devices

~Issan Vol-ru

To Blackmoor (DESP 5)

Kervos

It would appear we do have similar interests. Currently we are going to try to set up a colony in the Far Isles and then create a shipping lane for safer trade. This will probably happen side by side with the technological development that Verdan is known for. How about yourself, what is the Blackmoor striving for?

~Issan Vol-ru


To the Silver Mage

Silver Mage,

As I'm sure you've seen the posters, New Verdan is going to be gathering an expedition fleet to the New Isles. I would like to personally invite you on the journey to explore the islands and see what is out there.

~Issan Vol-ru

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to New Verdan [5]

The modifications wouldn't be all that complicated for now. Hydropsyche the basic mechanisms for locomotion, diving &c. What I find myself in need of is defensive measures. Plating, reinforcements, bulkheads, wards. I am sure you can come up with some creative ideas of your own.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. Esp: 10

"Now, this ain't no ****!"

The grey-mustached, grey-bearded old sailor proclaimed to the entire tavern, stamping a booted foot on the table and hollering in a rough yet sonorous voice. He gestured at the salty, scurvy crowd that had gathered here this night, with the hand still clutching a frothy mug of grog that sloshed half its contents to the floor from the sudden jerk.

"So ye lubbers want t' be hearin' how'd ol' Joe 'ere sent tha' worm-riddled 'Butcher' t' Davy Jones' locker, do ye? Well arright, ye got yer stinkin' wish! Ol' Joe be tellin' ye all 'bout it!"

And a great big cheer went up with a good portion of the men patronizing that particular tavern, rivalled by not a small amount of jeers and jibes thrown around by the salty sea dogs that made up its regular clientele. Still, they gave the old sailor the floor to recount his latest exploits.

"So, there I be wit' out on 'e sea, wit' mah trusty crew 'n me three poor excuses fer boats, ey? We be cruisin' along all peaceful-like, 'n then tha' scurvy ol' bugger, tha' cheeky young 'Butcher' fella, he come outta nowhere in his nasty lookin' brig, 'n done gone gunnin' fer my boats. Right pickle my men 'n I be in, aye?"

"But ol' Joe, he ain't not goin' down to some stinkin' bilge sweller, no sirree! So I lead my boats, 'n we sail away right quick 'fore tha' scurvy pirate scum. Led him on a right merry chase down the coast, 'n then all of a sudden, WHAM!"

The old sailor slammed his mug down on the table, making a ruckus as the cheers and jeers continued.

"Went flyin' fit fer the birds, ol' Joe's boats did! 'N tha' treacherous scoundrel's brig, why, it ran aground 'fore he be knowin' wha' happened! See, ol' Joe knew there be a reef in the waters 'round these parts, right? Tight fit fer Joe's pathetic little excuses for boats, see? Not tryin' tha' again anytime soon, tha' be fer sure! But tha' scoundrel's brig? Why, it be heavier 'n sit lower in 'e water, 'n jus' like tha' it be stuck! Sittin' pretty, waitin' to be slaughtered like a hog, ha!"

"So I sailed right 'round, boarded tha' brig, 'n a terrific scrap we had right there, oh yea! Crossed swords wit' 'e 'Butcher' meself, 'n a rabid dog of a pirate he be. Roaring fer ol' Joe's blood, right cranky ol' fella he be. But ol' Joe's not dying tha' day, oh no! Locked blades we did, 'n when he not be lookin', I pulled me pistol on his eye, and BANG!"

"'N tha' be how ol' Joe sent 'Butcher' Jones t' join his great grand-pappy down in tha' accursed locker o' his!"

The old sailor finished with a flourish, gathering a crescendo of whooping cheers and jeers from his audience that went on for a long time. Eventually, it quieted down enough that the old sailor was able to cut in, and to begin his next tale.

"Arright, arright! So ol' Joe 'ere got summat else to tell... Ooowowowowow!"

He exclaimed, as he leaned in the direction his ear was being pulled, by a young woman with unusually elegant features for the area. Her other hand clutching what looked to be a simple walking staff, she had the old sailor quite secured by the ear with a firm grip.

"Finally found you, you drunken old bastard! Come with me, we've got talking to do!"

"Oh c'mon, me darling little girl, I still got... owowow, okay okay, quit pullin'...!"

The old sailor could only protest, as he was literally led by the ear out of the tavern, with jeers and boos following him the whole way.



"Gah... ow. Tha' was a tad rough of ye, lassie."

The old sailor groused, rubbing his ear as he stood beside the young woman, both looking out in the direction of the sea.

"Must be important if ye be wantin' me outta there so right quick, aye?"

"Well, actually, I've been wanting to do that for a while anyway, just because."

The young woman said with an impish grin, eliciting a groan from the older man. Then, her face turned serious.

"But, yes. It's done, Joe. I've heard back from the wenches."

At that, the old sailor dropped his suffering act, and the narrowing of his eyes paralleled the serious expression on the young woman's face.

"Hooo... so ye have, eh? So, what do they say?"



Greetings,

I have recently been made aware of your intent to send an exploration expedition to the Far Isles, and the West Trading Company would like to register an interest in this endeavour. May I know where this expedition is intended to be heading, and who else would be accompanying us?

Isabelle Winterbourne

Greetings, Lord Protector of Tyb.

I represent the West Trading Company, a small trading concern which has recently set up shop in the Edge Docks. On behalf of my company, allow me to wish you many good and fortunate days ahead.

As a relative newcomer to the market in these parts, I would like to seek a small boon from yourself, great sir. To be specific, I would like to enquire if there are any particular dangers in these waters, that a small company like ours should be aware of? Being a recently-established business venture, our assets at hand are limited, and we would prefer not to risk what little we have for no good reason. I am sure you would understand my concerns in this regard.

On another note, would the West Trading Company perhaps be able to take on any task for your own benefit, great sir?

Isabelle Winterbourne

1. Given that my 'Agents' are [Tavern Wenches], can I get them to collect rumors and snippets of what is going on around the Merchant's Water? Who's said to be doing what, who's said to be going where, where known pirates and other folk have been known to show up, that sort of thing.

2. Using Joe's Trait, how can I proceed to disguise the [I]Mirabelle as a Q-Ship? What would I need?

3. Using Joe's [Innovative Shipwright] Trait, how can I research a means by which all ships I have will carry cargo loads of cork (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_%28material%29) in what remains of their cargo hold? The idea is to keep the ships buoyant even after suffering damage that would otherwise sink it. Maybe just long enough to fire a final salvo against an enemy, or something to that effect.

4. How does [Black Powder III] work for the Fleet stat? Does it mean I can build things like, say, carronades to be equipped on my Fleet?

[thekazooist]

Breakvale

To Fleet of Chains (5)
Breakvale would be interested in some sort of trade agreement or alliance, but what were the terms you were thinking of?

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Old man Kyle pours over the map his men had managed to put together. He snorts in frustration. The map is incomplete. Shamefully so. How can he be expected to work with this? As he had found the Sea Queen, he had been elected the leader of the Sea Queen Trading Company, the collection of fisher folk attempting to claim a higher place in life. He's not sure it was worth it, even now. His home on the shore of Tock was a beautiful affair -the new office headquarters rivals that of any of the other trading companies; It has to, to be taken seriously- but he sorely misses the gentle rocking beneath his feet that came with his time on the ocean. Life was so much... simpler before, even if it was harder.

Distracted now, he walks to the window and throws it open. A spray of salty sea air meets him and he sighs with relief. He leans out the window towards the waves and he thinks he sees the bulk of the Sea Queen resting below the surface just off shore. The depth drops off quickly, so he supposes it might be her- or perhaps just the shadow of a cloud. Either way, he is reassured, and returns to his work.

The reports on his desk are piling up. He's collected what little information the fisher-folk brought with them when they started the company and gathered it together, and paid out some good cash to be informed on the price of bread in one city or another, and finally he can feel their grand plan starting to come together. They have three shining new ships docked in the harbor he can see- he is to name them later today, once he's figured out where they're going. He's told they usually name them first, but his philosophy is that a purpose should come first. What is a name without a purpose? It's just a pretty word. No power to it.

He looks at the charts on the official Sea Queen Trading Company map board -just like they'd always imagined the big companies used- and feels small. He feels small, but he has a plan, and soon, they won't be one of the little fish anymore.

Maphoor
Men of the Maphoor Mountain Clan, I am curious to know exactly what it is you mine- if you have anything of interest, me may be able to discuss selling your wares in markets more profitable than those immediately nearby.

Deillnc
Men of the Deillnc Mountain Clan, I am curious to know exactly what it is you mine- if you have anything of interest, me may be able to discuss selling your wares in markets more profitable than those immediately nearby.

Mellisson and Berklade
I'd like to purchase [1 capacity] of stone for the building of our new headquarters.

Whitestone [PM, Old Man Kyle]
Old Man Kyle makes a personal appearance in Tyb to speak to whoever's in charge of Whitestone at the moment.
"I have a project that might interest you," he says, after introducing himself. "Well, first I suppose I should say I'd like to purchase some ships in the near future, though if I just wanted ships I could talk to any shipwright, as you well know. No, an idea occurred to me while I was looking over the prices of beef in various markets. In Sunken Baskor, there is almost no cattle, and what cattle there is sells for absurd prices. Unfortunately, there's no way to get meat to the city before it spoils in the sun without pickling it in salt or vinegar or some other preserving agent, which (I am told) ruins the taste. I think there's nothing wrong with a little salt-beef, but there's no accounting for taste."

"If there was some way to ship goods that could spoil while keeping them in their original state, it would make it possible to transport fresh steak into Baskor, it would be possible to preserve rare medicines during transportation, in short, it could make us a lot of money. Naturally, I wouldn't want the other shipping companies to get their hands on this capacity, and I suppose coming to you first wouldn't be enough to get you to keep it a secret.


Old man Kyle also makes a note to contact:
Guild of Medicinal Apothecaries
Old Growth Logging Company
Some ropemakers (maybe?)

[Eldan]

Étalienne d'Ombrey to New Verdan, continued [5]

I was told about your expedition to the far isles and it occured to me that this would be an obvious way for me to employ my services in exchange for yours. There are many opportunities here. I could summon up the spirits of failed explorers of the same areas and ask them to tell me of the dangers they encountered. Or I could find the successful ones who died content at home, to ask their routes. Or, of course, the natives.

I am sure you can see the possibilities yourself.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To New Verdan (5)
On a personal level, my goal is to further science, magic, and the combination of said fields. Blackmoor is a means to give me and my people greater resources and reach so that we may pursue development. As for more specific goals, my immediate concerns are attaining steady supplies of core materials to fuel our research.

A open trade port in the Far Isles is a quite interesting objective. Is there some way I could aid this endeavor? I am unsure what exactly I can offer at the moment, but if you have a place for me to aid, I'd be happy to.

To Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey (5)
Heh. Yes, weapons are our specialty. As for ones that could fire underwater... That is certainly possible, however I am unsure how difficult it would be. What are you looking to use it against? If you just want to fend off the odd diver, then that's a much different matter than the various beasts of the Isles.

To Horizon (5)
We are always eager to meet with potential customers or partners. Stop by our facilities in Uplands anytime, I will be there to discuss whatever you wish.

To the Diver's Guild (5)
I have heard your people know the Merchant's Water quite well. Would you be interested in an exchange in information?

To the Lewis Company (5)
Greetings,

As what appears to be the most knowledgeable faction as to matters concerning the world outside the Water, I was wondering if you would be interested in an exchange of information? My firm is one of the most adept with technology and magic, so I believe an arrangement can be mutually beneficial.

Internal (GM)
Highest Lores:
Trading and Markets - Lewis Company (4)
Foreign Policy - Lewis Company (4)
Zanchar - d'Ombrey / Unspoken (2)
Far Isles - New Verdan / Horizon (2)
Merchant's Water - Diver's Guild (allegedly) (4?)

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor [5]

"Well. The simple fact is that the ocean floor of the Far Isles is absolutely unexplored. But even if one discards the wildest tales, it seems obvious that even the surface is teeming with strange beasts, so there is no saying what might lurk beneath the waves. I want to be prepared. Apart from that, there is always the matter of pirates.

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild

A sharp knock on the wooden door, and then the divesman entered.

The Guildmaster's office was one of the few rooms in their headquarters that could still pass as "stately." Sitting three comfortable stories above water level, one could at least study books and ledgers here without fear of soiling the paper. And, compared to the other ruins that made up the Fallen District, this building was veritably regal. It had been an embassy before the hurricane, but when the sunken city was abandoned by the ambassadors, the Guild had claimed the empty shell they left behind.

The divesman gave a very slight bow - he knew the Guildmaster was never one for formalities - and produced a stack of letters. "Messages for you," he announced. He then presented a sealed tube, with a much thicker stack of papers within its glass sides. "And new intelligence."

The Guildmaster nodded, taking the offered documents. "Thank you, Isaak." There was a quick flash of metal as a knife glinted in the office's lantern light, and the first of the letters was opened. Nodding, the divesman quietly closed the door.

Greetings, keepers of the Darkhouse. I trust all is well in Wavelost?

We write to check with you on a number of topics that you may be aware of. Firstly, you surely noticed the ships that passed to the east just recently. There are stories in the taverns that the infamous Fleet of Chains is nearby. I don't place much weight in such tales, but the fact remains that those ships were watching Baskor.

Secondly, there are more immediate dangers. I have heard of two murders that recently occurred in the Canals district. That number is not out of the ordinary, but the closeness of the killings in time, location, and technique seems to indicate either one killer still on the loose, or a larger ring of killers working together. Either scenario is a threat to the people of Baskor. Even more concerning, the Canal Runners may be involved. We're not sure; don't spread that information just yet.

As fellow residents of this city, we hope you share our sentiments that Baskor should be protected. What we suggest is something of an alliance. Should one of these threats grow to the point where they are a serious danger, we would offer our services in defending the city if you are willing to do the same.

Greetings,

We hope that all is well in the Landed District. Regrettably, not all in Baskor are lucky enough to have dry soil beneath their homes, and we've heard some troubling rumors surrounding those less fortunate parts of the city. As fellow residents of Baskor, we thought we might check to see how your own neighborhood is faring.

What's more, I admit we are curious as to your upcoming plans, what with your singular skill in paving the way for the future. After all, if our goals are compatible, there's no reason we shouldn't help one another out, yes?

It's very good to hear from you, Liz. Or Lisa, is it now? Whatever this new ambition of yours is, I'm sure the last thing it will be is boring.

I have some business I've been meaning to take care of in Buron. Perfect opportunity to catch up, don't you think? I should be there in the next few days, as soon as I wrap up some things here in Baskor. I'll find you when I'm there, Liz...a. Lisa.

That might take some getting used to.

- Vara Brinn

I'd say we know the Water more than most, if I were the bragging sort. And from what I've heard, your company is equally knowledgeable in engineering. We've been looking to branch out somewhat, so I think an exchange of information would be good for all parties.

How much are you interested in exchanging? Basics for basics, or were you looking for... deeper knowledge?

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Lady d'Ombrey (5)
A valid precaution. If you have specifications for said upgrades, I may be able to provide more specific costs, otherwise I will speak with my artificers to see what we can do.

To the Diver's Guild (5)
Engineering and the arcane are our domains of expertise, yes.

I have no interest in stifling progress by hoarding what I know, so I will match whatever level of depth you are willing to offer.

[Jaerug XI]

The Baskor Darkhouse (8)

To my brethren and sistren,

Oh the week that I have had. It began soon after I sent my last letter; the dread new policy, the double lunch. This may seem innocent enough to you towerside, but of course you spend your days swimming and moving and doing things. That option is no longer afforded to me.
After a few days of this calamity I imagined my stomach was nearly in view. (significant for a man with a fish head) I resolved to exercise.
The staff did not take kindly to my running about and I was politely confined to my rooms. There I initiated calisthenics. I was being watched by Lenderly and Mme. Corel when a lunge brought my leg out rather too far and the seam of my pants was rendered indecent.
As a friend, I trusted in the wisdom of Lenderly. He told me to stick a fake tail in the opening and take it in stride, as it were. Sensing a project, Corel set aside her afternoon transforming a bolster into what I proclaimed a magnificent tail while I remained carefully seated.
I fastened my new appendage, felt no more silly then I had since before second lunch, and thanked all powers for the absence of Mr. Occasu. He seems to stay fairly thin with a regimen of landswimming, laying down and sort of flopping vertically. I'm sorry, I am being informed these are involuntary spasms and not intended to provide exercise.
Back to the initial events. I had just put on the tail and thought these things when a worker passing through the gardens looked into our common room. Needless to say I was brought tragically back to the larger compound with grimy windows, very nearly where I started. Well the first doctor wanted to "examine and elucidate the simultaneous progression and deterioration of your malformation, nay your miraculous corruption of physicality and divine intention". As to that, I insist it takes one to know one and that sentence seemed to know corruption of divine intention fairly well.
His academically useless tirade having parched his throat, the main doctor went for a drink while his main assistant, a petty and volatile man of middle age, began the perusal. In short shift, and unfortunately in my shorts, it was deemed unlikely that the limp velvet tail was an extension of my body. Faced with this, the flock of assistants was helpless and elected to wait until the main doctor returned.
He was furious, as much for the brandy he lost spraying it over their faces as anything. I was strapped to a roller for lack of other useful employment and rattled down several hallways to the perversion unit. Perversions! Many hours past in a dim room, strapped to a chaise lounge and asked to feel comfortable in supreme irony. A woman with the mandatory untraceable accent pried far past what was her business, inquiring after male relatives, school acquaintances, and my dreams. At one point she dared to question my friendship with Lenderly!
I refused to get lathered up, or even think the phrase lathered up; it would be all the "proof" they needed.
Returned to my room with a new pair of trousers and forewarned against exercising, the commons greeted my story with wholly inappropriate mirth. Even Ms. Seltz let out a brief chuckle, still in her room.
The paintings in my quarters were all changed from the traditional calming floral to scenes of ancient battle. The worker from the garden stops in regularly now. It is a debacle, but I can never quite refuse that second lunch.


Expanding but much diminished,
Gilliam Steniaries

The response is found next day from no hand that can be traced. No one saw the messenger.

Greetings, the other ones, you are well.

As we say in the house, all here is lost, but waive that for the present. Now to civics. Seeing them, we sent back message in kind. The success rate of docking ships in recent years has been unkind. We have other measures in place. Even a parrot would decline those odds for a swampy fruit market.
To the second topic's third part, you need not worry. We are not of habit the main source of city gossip, at least not through distribution. These murders are troubling. We will keep watch in the night.
Your conditional cooperation is touching but we do not require the good will of the public to exert decency. Much good that policy has done us. Your support will not be refused in a time of need.

Postscript: Do your men experience chafing in the trousers? Please answer honestly, for the love of truth and your fellow men (or close extrapolations)

If you wanted to turn the regal past the wind, you needed only to stick them lowside. Ancient beauties like them shouldn't even be bothering with common tongue, and here they were with poetry. Although, it could be that that preference stemmed instead from one of the order long ago. Limited contact had been made since the founding.
Sadly for the facilitator, the possibility of the tree-jewelry-elf-bird toting pirate ships off coastside warranted any flowery phrase called upon.

The dead ones come
So leaden from
Their get in on the lip
To those of woe
The foe of foe
Now far below may slip
In past of man
No caste no clan
This union they forbade
Against their rote
With sense to float
We call upon your aid

*OOC: I understand that this could be complicated because the merfolk are not listed as our units and may be fictitious, but assuming they aren't, I will probably be using them on rare occasion throughout the game in an allied sense. I do provide them with protection and darkness.

[Lost Demiurge]

ARCANA EXPEDITIONS

Masked King's Court
Buron on the Water
Arkanos Museum of Oddities and Odesseys

The sound of construction echoes throughout the edifice... Once a small manor fallen to disrepair, the price was quite affordable for a man of Mister Mundi's means.

And so he strode the halls of the offices above, worn shoes clicking on cracked tile floors. The downstairs was going to take full attention first, after all, can't have customers thinking your museum's SHABBY, dammitall. Simply not done.

He harrumphed a few times, and rubbed his scalp. A bad habit, that, and to blame for the bald top of his pate, he was quite sure.

The flip and shuffle of cards broke his reverie, and he made his way to one of the smaller offices. The door was open, a soft breeze blowing through it, and the scent of jasmine incense tickled his nose as he knocked anyway.

"Arkanos," the soft contralto voice acknowledged him, and he offered a rare smile as he stepped through. In the space of a few days, Dame Fortuna had turned this previous cramped clerk's office into her own sanctum. Tapestries covered the walls, curtains partitioned it off, and strange statues and crystals adorned stands and small tables. As usual, she was seated cross-legged on a divan, fancy robes forsaken for a simple utilitarian dress.

Were I twenty years younger... He thought, as usual.

She shifted her legs, flashing tan skin as she frowned at a particular configuration.

No, make that ten. Ah well...

"Mister Court just sent word back," he rumbled, his deep voice seeming out of place in this rather fanciful den. "The ships are being loaded at the harbor."

He pulled out a handful of papers, as well. "And it seems the couriers have finally realized our new address. Some of these are out of date, but our attainment of an exploration charter has attracted attention. Still not quite sure what we did to earn such goodwill."

She glanced up, hair hiding one eye, and smiled. "Always the skeptic, Mister Mundi."

"Well, one of us should be!" He frowned. "All these people wishing us well, cutting us deals... Bah, I say. Something's up!"

"You were renowned in your field, Arkanos, whether you admit it or not. Hard but fair, a rare honest trader who prospered. And I'm no slouch in my own way... Though I cannot discuss some of my clients, their approval has filtered down, and works to our benefit, here." Flip, flip, flip went the cards. "Also, I... May have nudged a few things." She grinned. "Don't tell, will you? Fate gets cranky."

Mollified, he rubbed his scalp again. "Well, if it keeps things on keel, keep at it."

She continued on, looking to the window. "Though as skeptics go, I assure you that Maximus quite has you beat. He's spent the last week here looking over his shoulder for rogue artifact-looting mages, blood-cults, and old girlfriends. I've been holding back his twisted fate for a little while, but it's starting to strain. Best he depart soon."

Arkanos Mundi nodded. "Well, that's doable. Just have to pick a direction, to start with. Get the boats-"

"Ships."

"-Ships checked out, tested, and the crews seasoned a bit. As long as we avoid pirates and dragons and whatnot, we should be able to get the hang of this over the next few weeks. Once that's done, I can get to work on the REAL business. The logistics of it. Of course, before we get down to that, there's the mail."

They sorted through the packets and reports, reading and looking things over. Fortuna frowned. "The Fleet of Chains? Hm..." She read the report, and flipped a card, studying it carefully.

"I've heard so many stories about them," mused Mundi. "Most of them horrible. Still, I suppose that unravelling that mystery and finding a souveneir would make for a good exhibit at the museum. What's that card you've got there?" She flipped it, showed him.


"The World, Reversed. They are out of balance, and it pulls at them." She frowned. "Not the card I was expecting. We must tread with caution, here."

Mundi nodded. "So proceed with caution. Let's move on. Here's one from the spiritualist, D'ombrey."

"Ah, her! I look forward to meeting her. Hm..." She drew, considered. An eyebrow arched. "Not the one I expected."
She turned and showed him the Hanged Man, reversed. "She's wasting time with trivialities... Hm. Come to think of it..."

"Could be to our benefit, given the context of her letter. Well, I don't mind being a triviality, if it helps us dodge the Leviathan for a few months. Right, I'll do up a proper response, there. So. Next up are those urchins at Horizon. Let me guess, this one will be... The Fool?"

"Not always a bad one. Good for them if it is. But no, it's..." She drew, considered. Her eyes opened wide, as she put the card back into the deck.

"What?"

"...Tread with caution, here. All may not be what it seems."

"Hmph. Well, all right. Was going to anyway. So, that leaves... Blackmoor."

A flip. She put it on the table, nodding. "The Sun, reversed. Someone is not content at all, with their current circumstances."

"Can't say I'm surprised, there. Well, I'll answer them honestly. We've nothing to hide."

She leaned back in her chair. "Not yet, true. But we may wish caution. Four reversed cards is a disturbing trend."

"So the one for Horizon was reversed as well?"

She nodded, scooped up the remaining cards, and shuffled. "Mm. Unusual for a cold read. No power behind this one, just fate, and four reversed tells me that they're singing loudly enough to stand out from the rest of the weave. I'd wager if you went down to any two-bit crystal gazer in the markets, they'd see the same signs. Loud, like I said."

"Well. I think I've got an idea of how to proceed. But now let's talk about routes, and for that I won't need a two-bit crystal gazer. Can you muster the real deal?"

She smiled, and the light from the window dimmed, as the tapestries seemed to almost grow subtly, and fill the room. Images danced and colors glistened, as she shuffled, and drew the first card...

[A_Dinosaur]

The Quick Keel Trading Company [Morale 6]

Some distance from the ruckus of Tybish market mornings a shot rings through the air with a flinty crack. Overhead seagulls scream in annoyance as one of their number tumble to the calm sea.

"A fine shot Mister Willows! Midshipman, the long net! Quick before the waves or worse take it."

The dead gull is quickly snared and brought aboard the Slippery Eel, a large pickle jar becoming its impromptu home. The crowded press of a deck undergoing refitting and port maintenance causing the ship to rock even more than usual, and the jar is nearly dropped while being handed to a man in an off white great coat.

"Ah! Ah! Careful there my good man, no reason to waste a good shot, now where did I put my spot glass?"
"Whot'r you want'n this f'r anyway capn'? You cannae be intend'n to build wings f'r a man can yea?" The Midshipman glanced nervously at the other gulls wheeling about in the clear sky, neatly side stepping a gull that had decided to avenge its fallen brethren with a well aimed shot of its own.
"Wings? WINGS? Heavens above no, if man were meant to fly he would have an entirely different skeletal structure! But look at the eyes! The eyes are where magic lies, and the eyes of a gull can penetrate a rolling ocean from dozens of feet above to see a wriggling snack coming to close to surface. Also, fix your accent, I find it difficult to pierce."
"You wot?"
"And grab that gull stool, it is a useful ingredient. Ahh! I found my spot glass, now what secrets do you hide my lovely? How do you see with such clarity?"

Finn, a man who talks far faster than is normal (and occasionally intellegible), trotted to the captains cabin where an impromptu lab had been set up for his research. The jar was set up on a mage light that shone clear through the skin to reveal the bones and veins hidden beneath, a million and more tiny connections to every part of the body tracing out its life, and painfully bruised and torn around the lead ball that had been its death. All wrapped in the small form of feathers and flesh that was what most called a simple gull.

Finn brought out a writing set and began drawing out a more detailed map of what lay behind the eyes as work on the ship continued outside. Once completed, his rough sketches were labeled and colour coded, and he turned his writing tools to a notebook full of tight, messy scrawlings. Hours could have passed by without his notice, so engrossed was he in the study, but something grabbed his attention suddenly, causing him to stiffen in surprise. With a sudden clatter, he stood up and scurried to the deck.

"You there! Get the long boat ready. Miss Jigs I require the services of your rowers, I am urgently needed at the Windchimes. Please bid them haste."

To The Lewis Company
Greetings from Quick Keel,
The Lewis Company is famed for its clever foreign relations and cool grasp on local markets. My company is somewhat more famed for acquiring goods from distant locales. Given this, would your company be interested in a partner ship of sorts? My thoughts trend towards using your market connections in exchange for a small fee, and beyond that engaging in buisness as usual, but if your establishment has interest in closer relations or perhaps joining in convoys for the far Isles we are open to suggestions.
-Regards
Company Director Morris,
Quick Keel Limited

To West Trading Company
Greetings From Quick Keel,
I have a guess that you and your company are leaving for the Far Isle in the coming months Would you be interested in arranging in a mutual return date that we might form a convoy for the likely far more dangerous return trip?
-Regards
Company Director Morris,
Quick Keel Limited

To Blackmoor
Greetings from Quick Keel,
I have two things to discuss with your organization, first and foremost is the the request of a loan for my coming expedition. A total of 6 coin to pay for supplies for my travels. In exchange I will return the sum of 8 coin upon my return and sale of goods collected.
The second piece of discussion is the development of certain weapons and ships, do you have anything you are working on at the moment or are you just taking commissions?
-Regards
Company Director Morris,
Quick Keel Limited

To Whitestone
I have need to expand the supply capacity of clipper ships, or perhaps the cargo hold. Do you think such a project is possible and would you be willing to undertake it given Finacial backing?
-Regards
Company Director Morris,
Quick Keel Limited

To Dread Pirate Constance
Found in a message in a bottle, etched with runes for magical guidance.
Greetings from Quick Keel,
While I find your kin and kind less than pleasant to deal with, I understand your chosen profession and the concequences of myself suffering from its depredations, as such, I am curious as to whether you have any sort of (and I do hate the term) protection racket to pay into?
-Regards
Company Director Morris,
Quick Keel Limited

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Captain John C. Smith sat at a table, covered with pristine white cloth at the quarterdeck of the Ship of Chains. The food from the Buke’s stores was arrayed before him as well as several bottles of fairly good wine. The sky was half-clouded sparing the ship from full force of summer heat and light wind felt cool and refreshing. The parrot was gorging himself on the fruit, while three of the guests barely touched the dishes before them. The fourth was eating enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to the mood at the table. The quiet annoyed Captain. And yet I shall grow to miss it soon enough. He would have chalked their subdued presence to the fact, that they could see the chains, but those were yet unused. No, they were still recovering... Perhaps it would be better to do something to shake the lethargy off. Or perhaps it would better to cherish it, while it lasted.

''The Arcana Expeditions are preparing to sail.'' The fourth man managed to tear himself away from food long enough to mumble. Captain was unsurprised that this one would be most lively. ''There are many rumors about their Diviner. They say she sees all.'' He tossed a grape from his plate to the Parrot and continued. ''I also heard another rumor, from a Buronian ship. They say some young land grubber upstart came into the money and will be sailing off. But money isn’t all he gots. Something shiny and magical as well.'' The Captain considered the information and its source. This one had a bit of knack and a bit of luck of discerning useful things. ''Very well. I think we should investigate.'' His eyes stopped at the scared man. The blood was trickling from his gums as he bit into the bone. He caught the Captain’s meaning and nodded.

They discussed the course that the Fleet would take, when the seasonal winds turn favorable. Some spoke for blood, some for ink. They left, sour and resentful, yet none has voiced their odium yet. The Captain observed sailors, sluggish and aimless, meandering on the deck, before returning to his cabin - to the maps, charts and unfinished letters.

Breakvale 3

Dear Lady Mayor,

I believe that you can benefit from the flow of commerce from the islands that my fleet would discover, while I would require supplies and honest partners to conduct business. I must also observe, that there are a number of new towns, growing fast at this new wave of exploration and each will seek to secure resources and prospects for growth.

Respectfully,
Captain John C. Smith

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To the West Trading Company DESP 5

We are not heading anywhere specific right now, we are looking for a site for a colony for further exploration. You seem to be the only other person showing interest in going currently. The offer hasn't closed yet, so there may be more wanting to join.


To D'Ombrey DESP 5

If you can find us a good destination we would be very grateful. We are looking for an island that has few natives to relocate and hopefully can sustain a small population for a colony.


To the Blackmoor DESP 5

We are hoping to gather others who wish to join in the expedition. If you don't want to take the trip yourselves then we are looking for funds for ships and personnel.

[Lost Demiurge]

ARCANA EXPEDITIONSMr. Mundi pays the couriers, and sends the letters to their destinations...

DESP: 5

Lady d'Ombrey
Milady, we are glad to hear that many speak well of us. Your offer is accepted, and we look forward to working with you for mutual benefit.

We plan to set sail soon... If you'd care to come to Buron-on-the-water for a quiet discussion, we would love to hear your opinion on our potential routes and areas to explore. Though we must admit to an ulterior motive there, as joining your vessel to our fleet at the start, at least for a little while, would surely ward off piracy and other hooliganism.

At any rate, be well and we shall doubtless see you in the future.

-Mr. Mundi,
-Ms Fortuna
-Court


Horizon
Hello Lisa! We do indeed seem to be in the same line of business. Fortunately, it's a big ocean out there... No need to compete against each other, not at this stage of things anyway. Mr. Mundi has time for a quiet meeting, if you would care to visit him at the museum. Please don't mind his grumbling, he's a good man at heart.

Yrs,
Ms Fortuna


Blackmoor
Good afternoon, Mister Morgan. As of the minute, Arcana expeditions has no firm set policy upon the proper disposal of unique artifacts. Many belong in a museum, and we aim to see that done. Others still are more problematic, and are best delivered to responsible mages who won't use them for nefarious purposes. Still others are best left where they lie.

You'd need a world-class diviner to figure out the proper procedures for each, really. Fortunately, we've got one on the payroll. And with her help, we'll fill our museum with the mysteries of the boundless east!

May I ask as to your own interests in the artifacts and relics of the far isles?

Mr. Mundi

[Zemalac]

Uplands Mines to Blackmoor (3)

Clan Maphoor: We deal in copper. If it's iron you're after and you ain't adverse to a risk, I'd suggest the Resgard Mine. It's run by some city fellow who don't know his arse from his mouth, so his prices are pretty damn low, and he's got financing from the golden man, so you know he's solid. For a little while, at least, until Kempthorne figures out that he don't know half of what he ought to run a business and comes asking round about that loan. But, you know, until then you got cheap raw iron.

Whatever you do, don't deal with Deillnc. They're pretty much all goat rapists, and you can tell them I said that.


Clan Deillnc: If it's iron you want, it's iron we got. [1 Iron] normally costs [6 Coin], but I think we could come to an arrangement of some kind for a long-term contract for more, yeah? Let's say, [4 Coin per turn] for the next [4 turns] will see you with iron for that long, and then after that we can revisit the contract and renegotiate if either of us decides that didn't work out. How's that sound?


Resgard Mine: Iron? Orsag's Bloody Eye, have I got iron! Drop me [2 Coin] every [turn] and I'll set you up with as much iron as you need for the rest of your life! That's a Resgard guarantee!


Old Growth Logging Company to Blackmoor (7)

[6 Coin] per, plus two for special requests.


Lord Protector of Tyb to West Trading Company (5)

Ms. Winterborne,

There's more dangers in the waters around here than there are beggars in Lowtown. There's the pirates, obviously, and the Tamm, but more than that, as a small company just starting out, I would be wary of privateers. I have no doubt this message is being read by certain parties so I will not name names, but the larger trading concerns like to cut down on the competition in a very direct fashion, as it were. None of that is legal, of course, but how are you going to prove something that happened a hundred miles away in the open sea? It is a deplorable practice, but one I can do nothing about.

Good luck, Ms. Winterborne. You will need it.

Signed, with honor,
Adis Reuld
Lord Protector


Ascaloth (PM)

1. Certainly. That would start accumulating points towards Merchant's Water Lore as well.

2. You would need a dry dock (you can rent or buy one in Edge Docks where you are now), some money to hire workers (or have engineer units to task with it), and then probably some more money to get the workers to keep their mouths shut.

3. Hm. Buoyancy systems like that do exist IRL, so it's certainly possible. As to how you would research that, I'd imagine in the same way that you research anything. Assign your researchers, give them resources if you think they need them, and then hope the dice roll your way.

4. Yes.


Maphoor to Sea Queen Trading Company (3)

Copper, mainly. Occasionally we strike gold, but not that often, alas.


Deillnc to Sea Queen Trading Company (3)

Iron first and foremost. Everything else is secondary: people always need iron.


Mellisson and Berklade to Sea Queen Trading Company (4)

Certainly, sir! Will you be arranging for shipping, or will you require us to set something up? We can ship anywhere in the Water for an additional [2 Coin].


Jaerug XI (PM)

The merfolk are a faction (or many factions) separate from the hybrids of the Darkhouse. They might help you, they might not.

[Pahvimato]

The Lewis Company
(def esp 5)

Blackmoor
I believe this could, indeed, be beneficial to us both. While the company has no need for schematics, if you could construct advanced weapons or ships for us, I could provide you with information about the outside world.

Does this sound, as an idea, good to you?

Signed, Henry Lewis

The Quick Keel Trading Company
Sounds reasonable. Currently, we have reliable information about the prices in all of the known world. On top of that, if you do have a large amount of commodities you are going to sell, using the Company's contacts, you could also get a prediction of the prices in the future.

And if ever the need to transport any of your goods to either Arypso or further to the continent, we can help you with that as well. For a price, of course.

As for the Far Isles, I do not believe sending exploration teams would be truly beneficial for the company right now. Although, in the near future that might change. Then again, if you do find something, and need help in either securing it or transporting it back to the civilised world, please contact us again.

Signed, Henry Lewis

Arcana Expeditions
Your company is known for exploration, the Lewis Company not so much. We do, on the other hand, have better trade contacts in both the waters and on the continent than anyone else.

We also have an interest in making a presence in the Far Isles. If you do happen to find something interesting, in exchange we could provide you with information about current markets, or simply gold if you so wish.

Horizon
Mr. Strome,

I have received word you are planning an expedition to the Far Isles. While, for now, I have no interest in sending my men to explore the unknown, if you do happen to find something, I'd like you to inform me of it. This could be beneficial for us both.

If it's something you'd like to keep for yourself, for a small fee I can provide you with detailed information where to sell it, and unlike our competitors, when to sell it.

If it's something you need help in securing or keeping hold of, the Lewis Company does have it's own specialised force to do just that for you. Of course, we'd need to take a cut of the profits then as well.

If it's something that you don't really need for yourself, but could be of value to someone, I'd like to have a look at it in order to, perhaps, buy it for the Company. We do, after all, have better contacts than you do in finding a potential buyer.

Signed, Henry Lewis

New Verdan
While we hold no interest in participating in the expedition itself for now due to other urging business, I'd like to hear of the results. Consider us a potential future partner in your expedition.

What we can offer to you if you reach success, you ask? We could provide you with men to guard whatever it is you find. As you might know, we have more than enough guards for our own needs. Or, if you wish, we could simply provide information about where and when to sell your goods.

To everyone
Have goods to sell but don't know where or when to sell it? Aspiring trader, but lack knowledge of the markets of the world?

Contact the Lewis Company. We can, for a price, tell you the prices of goods you are interested in, or business opportunities you should take advantage of right now. Or, perhaps, you wish to know how the price of a certain good is about to change? We can do that as well.

We also offer our expertise in transporting your goods to the west, wherever the final destination might be.

If you'd like to discuss details, please contact Henry Lewis, the director of the Lewis Company.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Arcana Expeditions

"Good. I will arrive in a few day's time, then we can discuss details."

She smiled, somewhere in the absolute darkness of the cold metal room, d'Ombrey smiles. Light would be a waste, she remembers everything around herself perfectly. The metal of a bulkhead groans under the pressure of half a mile of cold water, but that is no reason for concern either.
She is also relaxing under a tree overlooking a small lake, its leaves red and gold with an autumn that ended six hundred years ago. Gently, she calls out and the presences form around her.
She greets the dead at a round table, two of her mage-friends at her shoulders. Or a metaphor for a round table, it matters little, in these realms that are not quite in her mind and not quite the Netherworld.
With a friendly gesture, she bids them to sit.
"I bid you welcome, everyone."
Her voice is warmer than her appearance - stern, her her short and greying, the body a bit too thin under a conservative grey gown - would suggest.
"This is probably the first time here for many of you. You are free to enjoy this realm for the next few hours. Remember food and drink and music and whatever other earthly pleasures you desire. That is not the real price, however. I offer memories and emotions. Would you feel the love of your child, as you hold them close? The rush of victory as you crush your enemies? The embrace of a beautiful lover? I can offer all these and more.
And in exchange, you will talk to me. I have called for explorers and sailors and natives of the far isles and you have answered me. Tell me all you have. What you remember of charts and currents, ports and pirates. Anything you have. Then we will trade. But first, be my guests"
The spirit of an elven singer, millennia dead now, begins an ethereal tune and Merdallan wine, one of the finest vintages as remembered by one of history's greatest cooks, fills the glasses.

***

Days later, she stepped on the docks of Buron-on-the-Water, then dismissed the two ship-kobolds who had rowed her here. Her ship, of course, was some distance of the coast. No reason to give everyone a free view. She was clothed in a more utilitarian fashion, this time, leather boots, trousers and tunic, a sturdy satchel with the most necessary ingredients around her shoulder.
For a moment, she frowned, looking along the pier. There was something here, something strange. Maybe she would have a look later. Business first.

Arcana Expeditions [PM]

She stepped in, her boots clacking on the floor. "Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey, she introduces herself to the first person to pay attention. "I'm expected."

[Lost Demiurge]

ARCANA EXPEDITIONS
(DESP 5)

Lewis Company

Ah, I remember you folks. I met Mr. Lewis personally, years ago. Your contacts are definitely sound... We'll keep your offer in mind, thank you.

Mr. Mundi



Horizon & D'Ombrey

Actually, if you're looking for a talk, we've got another potential explorer in town at the same time. Assuming the lady doesn't mind turning our discussion into a three-way chat.

If you do, Lady, then no worries. I'll just schedule you in before they arrive.

-Mundi


Arcana Parley [PM]

And at the docks, Lady D'Ombrey finds a carriage waiting for her, that swiftly takes her to a manor, covered in new construction.

In what was once a marble-floored ballroom, she finds a short, plump, balding man waiting for her. He's wearing a fine Buronian suit, and working through several ledgers at once. His face looks unused to smiling, but he stands and offers her a handclasp, as he pulls out a chair.

"Ah, Lady D'Ombrey. You're earlier than expected. I'm Arkanos Mundi. I handle all the little things that my colleagues can't."

He takes a seat, pulls out a bottle of wine, frowns... And grudgingly replaces it with a better bottle of wine. Watching his face as he calculates the expenses and painstakingly finds it worth a few more gold sovereigns for his visitor, is almost humorous.

"So. Let's talk routes. You want to explore the Far Isles, we want to explore the Far Isles... How do you think we should get there?"

[UntrainedMonkey]

The Unspoken

Open message to the city of Ollam
By order of the Lord Regent:
There is no island by the name Catterly. Such an island does not exist. Any mention of an island by the name of Catterly is a criminal offence. Catterly does not exist.

Due to increased necromancer activity corpses are now illegal. Any individual caught with a corpse will be fined and the corpse will be confiscated. To avoid any unnecessary corpses The Unspoken urge citizens to not die.

Government mandated crematoriums will be built to aid in the proper disposal of corpses.

The Hopsha Cartel [11]
Words have been spoken in Ollam detailing illegal activities within your organization. These will stop. Any member of your organization caught breaking the law will be dealt with accordingly.

The Blackcoin Resurgency [11]
The Lord Regent reminds you that Ollam is perfect the way it is. You are safe. You are protected. Nothing has ever been better then how Ollam is today.

Soldat Infernum [11]
Your beliefs are illegal. Desist in any belief that the Lord Regent here for anything other then your protection and well being. Noncompliance will result in severe punishment.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Quick Keel Trading Company (5)
At the moment, my focus is on securing resources to ensure my development can continue without interference of the markets. Iron and Lumber are my immediate concerns, with Stone as a lesser priority. Reagents as well, but I don't actually have the knowledge of markets well enough to know where to look for those. As such, any investments in matters not pertaining to Blackmoor's infrastructure have to be more profitable than that. 2 Coin return on an investment of 6 is not very promising. However, if you could offer me information, and increase my rate of return, then we may be getting closer to a deal.

[OOC: Resources are really, really expensive. I did not know that. Let me see how other negotiations go before I agree to anything.]

To the Magnum Opus (5)
In addition to my general inquiry as to the intentions of your organization, I am also curious as to how you feel with sharing of technologies. I have heard your coastal guard has electrical weapons capable of operating underwater, a matter I'm interested in.

To Arcana Expeditions (5)
I wish to understand the enchantments and mechanisms of time past. Much has been lost in our day and age, and I hope to reclaim at least some knowledge of those who came before. A part of my motivation to settle here was specifically for the promise of such relics in the Far Isles. I was hoping that if you had items slated for display in your museum, my people could get the opportunity to non-destructively reverse engineer the mystical ones. In exchange for a fair offering of my own services, of course.

That objective, as well as a growing need for resources, is why I have built my own expedition. Admittedly, I am somewhat wary of sending out the fleet on its own... Would you be interested in sailing to the Far Isles together? My magewrights could offer their help with whatever mystical or technical matters you encounter along the way.

[OOC: I feel you're probably already talking to Murska about this, but eh. No harm in offering.]

To New Verdan (5)
I have a fleet ready to sail into the Far Isles, however I believe my intent is to aim it towards acquiring steady streams of resources from whatever claims we make in the region. Once that is established, I will see what I can do to aid your colony.

Though if you'd be interested, our expeditions could travel in force to the Isles, so as to ward off the odd pirate?

To the Lewis Company (5)
Actually, upon further consideration, knowledge of the markets are a higher priority than the politics of the realm. I need to be able to secure supplies of resources in order to go about my research. However, it seems your business model treats such data as proprietary information. Is that the case? If it's not an option, then I am still interested in information about foreign governments, but I don't think I have the people to spare pursuing goals that don't immediately improve my ability to develop new technologies as of this moment.

To Ambassador Kempthorne (5)
Greetings Ambassador,

As a resident corporation in the Buronian Territories, I was wondering if you offer assistance to entities such as myself, outside the limits but within the domain of our great city? I am not positive how a corporation like Blackmoor would classify.

Whatever the matter, I feel developing an internal source of Iron is of utmost importance to my firm. I am either looking to buy out a pre-existing mine, or dig my own, ideally with a loan to allow me to invest in the proper materials and equipment. I know you have invested in the Resgard Mine, and I was hoping something similar could be arranged for myself, or I could buy the claim to Resgard myself. I don't believe the current miners are utilizing the land to its full capabilities, and my technical knowledge would allow me to remedy that.

[OOC: Not sure whether to call it claim or shares or whatever. My aim is to acquire the Resgard Mine, and ideally the owner, as parts of my faction, so we'll see if the Ambassador is interested. I'm trying not to blatantly say the guy is incompetent, because if Kempthorne isn't looking to sell, I'll take advantage of the low costs.]

To Uplands Mines (5)
Clan Maphoor: While not currently looking for copper, I will keep you in mind if I pursue a project necessitating the metal. And thank you for the information.

Clan Deillnc: To clarify, this would be [1 Iron] per turn, correct? If I was looking for greater quantities, would you have that capacity?

Resgard Mine: The rest of my life? Well, that does sound rather promising. What I want is a constant supply of ore as it is rather core to the functionality of my corporation and a partner I can count on. Do you think you are up for it?

To the Old Growth Logging Company (5)
Would you be willing to hear a counteroffer? My artificers are some of the best in the Water, if not the world. They can offer consultations on how to better optimize the yield of your lumberyard. What would that service be worth to you?

And what would a special request look like?

[Thelonius]

Buron-on-Water: Affair Of The Gem

Scarman
The ship with Jaws & Chain sailed closer to the Buron-On-The-Water. The men entertained themselves by shooting the local birds. A few carcasses tossed around the deck were the result of particularly good shots. It was ill luck to kill the birds of the sea - the belief which varied from port to port. But lucky people didn’t sail on the Blood Shark. The ship came as close to the shore as it could, in a small bay far enough to remain hidden from the city, but close enough to make a journey on foot. Two dozen men embarked - they hesitated at the border between the sea and the land, until one of them got pushed, face down into the sand. The others followed, as he spat it out and spun around with a knife, swearing to cut the offenders. They leader, a man largest and with an ugliest face, even whores had trouble ignoring, whipped them into action. The man they wanted was in the city and they had to get to him, before the reports and rumors of their activities stirred the pot.

Lisa
Things had grown hectic around the building newly christened as the Office of the Horizon Company. Various more-or-less upright citizens had come and gone through the front, and a number of less savoury folk tread through the back entrance. Lisa herself had suffered through the endless meetings, and come out with a fair share of both knowledge and rumour to fuel the coming expeditions. Jonathan spent most of his time 'being a lazy bum', keeping up appearances and preparing to set sail. A quiet triple-knock on the back door interrupted her break from the paperwork. One of the Eagles had something to tell her. She rose with a sigh and crossed the room, cracking open the door to see the young, ragged streetrat behind it. "News, from the port."
"Port? All right, I'm alone right now. Come on in, Ty. I'll fix you something to drink."

Scarman
They have avoided the gangs of the city, that stirred catching the smell of intruding predators and made their way to the Masked King’s Court. There, the gang of savage sailors hesitated. The districted looked rich and rich could afford to have big guard dogs. There were elegant solutions to this problem, but they required men of at least some sophistication. Blood Shark crew were as base as they came. But direct approach combined with luck did work, or they wouldn’t have plundered as many ships as they had, before their run in with the Fleet of Chains. It was their fortune to stumble into a clerk of the lawyer, who executed the will of the late Gawyne Strome. It was clerks fortune, that a patrol of watchmen passed close enough to spook the sailors, before they could get to real work. Still they’ve got the confirmation they wanted - a mysterious chest, that contained neither gems nor coin was indeed bequeathed and now was in possession of Jonathan Strome. The leader urged his crew forward, with curses and threats. Their presence was growing more and more noticeable, so they had less and less opportunity to catch their target unawares and extract the prize, with a bit of time spared for bloodletting.

Lisa
"You sure? Damn, I wasn't expecting this yet. I guess he's got a point about raising the anchor quickly..." Lisa handed Ty a small pouch. "If any of you see Jon, warn him about it. I'll come after you with some people who can fight, okay? Now go." The door opened and closed, and she turned around to shout to the yard. "Pike! Rem! In here, now! We've got something to do!"

Scarman
The sailors observed the Horizon offices, that bustled with activity as supplies were brought in and out in a constant stream of people and carts. They’ve also noticed a number of tough looking men with crossbows. Food for sharks in the sea, but here on land they actually looked like trouble. Their leader considered the situation and then gave an order. It took his men a bit of time to drag a couple of the local brats, cursing and struggling to him. Street urchins, hoping to carry away anything that fell to the ground in the confusion of preparations. The two he got were of course the weakest and slow witted - as a proper street rat could smell danger a block away. Cutting them would be doing city a favor. But that wasn’t the plan. They were put to quick question - and with scant description of Jonathan Strome, the urchins blabbered of the man, going to the Exodus Markets. In the Horizon Offices the crossbowmen and a few robed figures, that had smell of sorcery on them were gathering in the yard. It didn’t bode well, so the sailors rushed to the market, leaving the kids bruised, but breathing.
''How’s we gonna find em?'' one of the sailors asked. The description they had wasn’t that good - and at the Exodus Markets there were a lot of people. By pure numbers some of them would fit the description.
''Just find one who looks like him and start chatting. If he runs, that’s our man.''

Jonathan
Ugh. Outfitting an expedition was frustrating work. Most people here looked down on him because he wasn't a sailor and didn't know the words and the attitudes. The rest hid it behind a smile and tried to scam him. Well, he might not know the sea, but he did know people, and he learned fast. Things would be ready soon enough. But exhausting was the word - he'd had to resort to his old noble's countenance more often in the past few days just to bull through the obstructions people placed in his way as an outsider.

Yeah. He deserved the break, and the drink. Okay, maybe not the second and third drinks, but you had to indulge yourself every once in a while. And the markets were always interesting to pass through, especially while suitably drunk to be able to look at things from a fresh point of view.

A group of shockingly ugly people, seamen according to what he could tell after learning the signs in the past few months, were stopping people in the street to ask them something. Not uncommon, maybe looking for crew that were missing on leave. At least, that's what he thought until they stopped in front of him…

Scarman
The man in front of them look a bit like the description. He was supposed to be a noble of some sort, all glittery and reeking of stuff, they put in the bottles, so you don’t smell like ****. This one wasn’t quite like that, which made them hesitate. ‘’You are Jonathan Storm?’’ asked the sailor in the middle, while his fellows stepped aside, to circle the man, in case they finally found the right one.

Jonathan
Jonathan blinked, casting a short, almost imperceptible glance at the people stepping around his sides. The sea of people crowding the street had suddenly receded, giving them space. The drunken haze immediately cleared - this was a situation he recognized, and not a welcome one. "Hunh? Who?"

He swayed a little, with a small side-step, placing his right foot just so. There was a cart with some fabrics to one side, and some stalls to the other - instinct had already chosen the latter. Turning around would take too long, especially if these people had something with range. The Traveller would protect, as always, according to his whims.

He placed his hands on his waist in an imitation of drunken swagger. "And what's it to you?"

Scarman
''We were looking for him, cause we are... working for a collector, who wanted to buy a… rare item from his uncle’s collection. Ready to pay real good coin for it. A good deal.'' The sailor’s attempt at smile impossibly made his face look even more thuggish. ''You’d have it on you?''

The nearby agent of the Buron Foreign Office, disguised as a simpleton market laborer, almost rolled his eyes, breaking his character. The were amateurs and then there were idiots. Perhaps a report on the matter wasn’t that urgent.

Jonathan
Jonathan answers the smile with his own, spreading his hands disarmingly and letting out a laugh. "A g… item?'' He changed the word gem, in the last moment. ''Oh man, if I'd had it. I'd-a pawned it months ago. The rents here, man..." Another quick glance, more risky this time. The other men were still moving around. Couldn't afford to get stuck here. "But I do have- these."

With a flick of his wrists, two small daggers that had appeared from the folds of his sleeve flew towards the sailor to his left, followed by Jonathan himself dashing inbetween two fish stalls, counting on the distraction to let him pass. If he remembered right, which he was definitely not sure of, somewhere in this direction would be the Aiden Drum and past that the sea, so he'd need to double back, but first he needed to shake these thugs. And for that, the best way was... people. "Thief! THIEF!"

Scarman
The dagger embedded itself into the flesh of the sailor, who yelled a curse. He didn’t bother to pull it out as they rushed after their prey. His yells of thief drew attention of the market guard and some of the local sellers. By the looks alone the sailors would be easily convicted, but at the same time nobody was quite that eager to chase after the group of brutes. So avoiding the braver guards and tougher merchants, stepping into merchandise and causing a small disruption, they chased after him.

Jonathan
Right here. Then left. Or was it right again? Damn this place was such a maze... The thugs behind him seemed to be adept at forcing their way through crowds without slowing down too much, while he had trouble finding suitable gaps to slip through. The lead he'd gained with the daggers was slowly but surely shrinking. And if he read the streets right, he had indeed taken one left too many - instead of the compounds of the City Watch, the current route would take him right to the sea.

Muttering sharp words to the Traveller as he bumped into yet another gawking passer-by, Jonathan finally caught a glimpse of good fortune. At the mouth of a small alleyway to his side, a street kid waved an arm and, once he noticed he'd gotten his attention, pointed to the next street over.

A small smile formed on Jonathan's face, as he rounded the corner. His pursuers crashed through soon afterwards, to see him standing in the middle of the empty street, holding a longer, curved knife. And behind him stood a half-dozen crossbowmen guarded by a similar number of pikes and halberds, and flanked by two individuals in reddish-brown robes. The latter, especially, were men no sailor wished to see - the Flares hired out to various companies as literal firepower for their vessels, and were well-capable of shredding an unprotected ship and leaving it a flaming wreck.

"What was it that you men wished to discuss with me?"

Scarman
To their credit, the sailors stared back, refusing to be intimidated. A combination of stupidity and savagery made a potent combination and were their numbers greater, they might have rushed, disregarding their losses, a tactic that has seen them victory more often than not. But there wasn’t that many of them and here on land, they weren’t as steady on their feet as at sea, during the storm and rocking of the boats, dragged by the hooks for the cutting. Their leader called.
''The item. I didn’t quite lie that it’s what we need. And be you strong here in this dust filled hive, your ship will be going to the sea. Should spare yourself the trouble and give it to us. Captain might get you the coin for it, once we get it from some fat merchantmen plowing the waters.''

Jonathan
"I don't think you really want that thing. Unfortunately, I can't dump it on you either. So if you wish to try you luck, find me on the water."

He shrugged and took a step back, as the line of pikemen advanced to hide him from sight.

"...but you'd better bring more men."

Scarman
''We may want for things, that nobody else would… Well, we’ll meet again then. Won’t take long for you to meet Fleet of Chains, I reckon.'' The sailors melted away into the small alleyways of the city. They left the city before sunset and returned to the Bloody Shark, that rushed to the House of Unknown Gods, to catch the departing Fleet.

Fleet of Chains

Landed, Baskor [3]

To the first citizens of Baskor,

I am a captain of a few ships, that has known their share of struggle at sea and I feel confident there are few that could match my crews in ferocity. Your city is greatly dependent on trade, more so than other cities of Merchant’s Water I would say. I expect a surge in piracy to follow the wave of exploration and a few ships bearing grain disappearing under the waves can be a great inconvenience. I can ensure such incidents would, if not end, then become much rarer. I should also point to the fact, that most traders and explorers are rumored to be located south and whatever riches they discover are likely to flow, as usual, through Tyb. My fleet is one of the few major factions, that's due to our geographic position, would be more interested in the exploration in your area, if it is given a due consideration.

If you are interested in this proposal, we can discuss it further.

Respectfully,
Captain John C. Smith


Viscount Yorlen, Buron Foreign Office, Tyb City Council [3]

Dear Sirs,

I am captain of the Fleet of Chains, soon to sail the Merchant Waters once more. While there are some vile and groundless rumors, circulating, I hope you do not put too much stock in them. I am but an honest captain, plying his trade. In my voyages I expect to see many ships from merchants of your cities in peril, whether from piracy, native savages or whims of weather. My heart always goes to people, but I must consider my own first and as such I do not believe, I would be able to come to assistance of all. As such I’ve considered that an agreement of support with one of your cities, would be a proper incentive for compassion. As no matter how far one sails, a sailor is warmed on cold night, by a thought of a friendly port waiting for him back home.

I beg you to consider, that such arrangement may well be difference between survival of your shipping, should Fleet of Chains run into them in the open waters. Whilst they are in trouble.

Yours Respectfully,
Captain John C. Smith.


GM Note 1 [PM]

I'm counting on being 2nd most Feared (tied with Blackmoor) faction in game with rather strong Navy to be a considerable argument for certain factions to make agreements, that would preclude me from sinking their ships and may lead to sinking of the ships of their opponents.


GM Note 2[PM]

Does Baskor count as an Island or Port for the purposes of Supply rules?
Since the area is adjacent to Breakvale - does it count as Island space from it?

Will my Trait Cursed Magic work to revive old wrecks, that came from the earlier incarnations of the Fleet of Chains, should I manage to recover them?

Can I explore my starting territory for interesting stuff or is it considered fully known to me?

[Forum Explorer]

1. Valos visits the humans that inhabit the Lota deo Mantes islands. Hear, me and obey! I, Valos, am claiming this range of islands as my rightful territory, and every single object residing in them or the waters around them as my possession. Still, I am not unreasonable. If you do not wish to be one of my slaves, I will grant you and your tribes a period of (1 turn) to leave my territory unharmed.

2. Exploration to get a general feel for the land.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

We have received and reviewed your proposal, Mr. Morris, and it seems to be a sound one as proposals go. We would be happy to take it into serious consideration.

However, if I may enquire, what manner of escort would you have in mind to secure the safety of our returning convoy?

Isabelle Winterbourne

I see. Incidentally, I may know of at least one other party who might be interested in an expedition to the Far Isles. If you are interested, perhaps I may be able to arrange mutual communications between yourself and this third party, on your behalf.

Isabelle Winterbourne

To Lord Reuld,

Thank you very much for your advice, sir. It is very much appreciated, and we will keep it in mind.

On behalf of my Company, I would like to extend my gratitude for the hospitality you have extended to us while we have taken up residence in your lands, as well as the benefit of your sage advice. If there is any task you would like a humble outfit like ourselves to carry out on your behalf, please, feel free to ask.

Isabelle Winterbourne

Thanks for the answers.

Mid-Turn

[1 Tavern Wenches] will be tasked to "counterintelligence duties" aka spreading misleading gossip about my faction's intentions, to boost my D. Esp to 11. Because D. Esp 11 makes me impervious to anyone poking into my affairs, apparently...

[4 Tavern Wenches] will be tasked to obtaining interesting snippets 'off the grapevine' so to say, trawling for general rumors going around and also building towards my Merchant's Water lore.

Apart from deploying Agents, what else can we do in the Mid-Turn?

Questions

If I use Joe's [Old Sea Dog] in conjunction with his [Innovative Shipwright] to claim the possibility that he already knows the 'cargo load of cork' trick, is that going to fly? Is this something I can roll for now, or am I going to have to put resources into it nonetheless?

Also, about the need for workers. This is one of those things I can trade Morale to get the necessary workers for, right? Do I need to spend any other resources to modify a ship into a Q-ship?

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
(DESP: 5)

Mundi frowned. How the devil WAS one supposed to address a letter to an old ghost story? Blast and botheration. Well, he'd send it out anyway, perhaps the courier service knew where it would end up.

At least the other letter was a simpler affair.

To the Fleet of Chains

Dear sir or madam or spectre.
To whomever it may concern;

It's come to my attention that men purporting to be associated with your fleet seem to be asking questions about Arcana Expeditions at local ports. And as it seems, rumor has placed some of your men as those who caused a ruckus not far from my window. I begin to wonder if some twist of fate is pushing us into proximity... As my advisor councils caution, I thought it best to offer to answer any questions you've got about us at this juncture. Right now we've got little to hide.

To your health
I wish you well,

-Arkanos Mundi


To Blackmoor

Ah, I see. Yes, that's quite acceptable, for the non-malevolent artifacts we plan to display, at any rate.

I'll discuss travel arrangements with my other colleagues, before I answer you on joining our fleets for the first leg of the expedition. Can't give you an answer right now, but expect one as soon as negotiations are done.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi

[thekazooist]

Breakvale

Fleet of Chains (5)
Captain,
Such an agreement would be favorable to us. But what sort of supplies do you need exactly?

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To the Lewis Company (DESP 5)

Guards would be very helpful, and we are more than happy to share our findings. If you can spare us some guards for the journey we are willing to equip them with Black Powder weaponry which they can take home with them upon their return. We may have need to ask about prices at a later date, but currently we are going to try to establish a settlement in the Isles to help us secure the territory for further trade.


To the Blackmoor (DESP 5)

Yes, joint travel would be benificial to both of us. Since we do not have a specific destination currently we would be honored to join you on the journey across.


To the West Trading Company (DESP 6)

We would be grateful if you could introduce us.

[Pahvimato]

Lewis Company, def esp 5

Blackmoor
Hmm, I think some of our information could be shared with others. Since it seems the both of us could benefit from working together, I'd like to suggest the following.

You send a representative over to Arypso to share some of the fabled scientific knowledge of yours, and in return I'll teach you some basic things about the markets in the waters.

I hope we can expand our cooperation in the future in some way.


Henry Lewis

New Verdan
We already have all the black powder weapons we currently need. If, on the other hand, you could provide us with some advanced armour for our troops that would be much appreciated.

How much trouble are you expecting? Do you need ships and boots on the ground or just one of them?

Dwyr
At the moment trading with your city is quite a hassle. Would you give us permission to build a mountain trail in order to ease the flow of commodities in and out of your city? Of course, I'm not talking about anything major here. Perhaps only to cover our own needs.

Maphoor&Deillnc

[This message is sent to both of the clans, separately, without informing them about the other clan receiving it as well.]

The Company has several upcoming endeavours where we could use your expertise. Would you be willing to share information with us on how to safely travel in the mountains, and how to to easily transport goods as well?

Also, please excuse our lack of knowledge, but what is it you exactly do? Mining, I take it?

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Mellisson and Berklade
Oh we can arrange for shipping. We have these shiny new ships we don't have a use for quite yet. I'll send one over.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

I will do that. The Quick Keel Trading Company has recently contacted us about the subject of an expedition to the Far Isles, as well. I will inform them of your interest in such an endeavor.

Isabelle Winterbourne

I have recently been informed that New Verdan is also interested in an expedition to the Far Isles, and they have asked me to introduce them to any other parties which are interested in this endeavor. I have used your company as a reference, and may I suggest that you may find common cause with them, if you would care to get into contact with them.

Isabelle Winterbourne

[notoriousVT]

Quick Keel Trading Company (4)
We can do that, and support, monetary or otherwise would be welcome. Depending on the avenue of expansion, it shouldn't take long at all. Do you have any specific requests? It'd be a shame to bring ships into our yard for only a single change.

Sea Queen Trading Company [PM Kirk]
Kyle is accepted into Kirk's drafting room, where the dwarf is kneeled on a large drafting table.
Kirk winces at Kyle's first comment. "First off, we're hardly any old shipyard. Even compared to the other magical firms, like Blackmoor. But we understand the point."

Stepping onto a stool, then the floor, Kirk thinks momentarily. "So, you want ice without ice, and presumably, without a mage? We can do that. Soon, too. Generally, for custom work like this, we tithe a few trade runs, or go with a lump sum up front. Is that agreeable to you? Obviously we hold off from selling to competition on the same route."

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Arcana Expeditions (5)
If you ever have need for someone to disarm the more malevolent ones or identify something, keep us in mind as well.

To New Verdan (5)
Wonderful. I'm not certain if I will have the [Coin] available to actually supply my ships well enough to reach the Isles at the moment, so I will talk to you again once some negotiations settle.

To the Lewis Company (5)
Hm. How basic are we talking here? My main interest in acquiring [Trade and Markets] is to have the knowledge necessary to be able to pursue the resources I need to fuel my research projects. I feel that, by the quality of my craft, I'm looking for some high end materials, which I don't think would be covered by [Lore 1]. Is that all that is being offered?

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver Mage D-ESP 0

The Silver Mage covered the docks in a long ground eating stride which had served him well in his travels across the continent. Standing taller than most of the crowds of city dwellers and covered in long blue robes and a strange silver mask he was certainly a sight to see. Anywhere else but Arypso that is. Here in the gateway between the continent and the exotic lands of Merchant's Water and beyond he was simply a curiosity, and not a very interesting one at that.

At the moment the mage was methodically checking the docks for a ship to carry him further in his journey. It was starting to strain his patience a bit to be rejected time and again. Either the ships were cargo vessels bound for other ports and not interested in the Far Islands or their captains quoted hefty sums to charter a course into the unexplored regions. Honestly the Silver Mage could not blame them. Such places were dangerous and the captains needed assurance that they would be paid for such a risky venture.

In other places his mere name would have been enough to charter any ship. But centuries had passed since his last visit to Merchant's Water and his presence had faded into myth and unlikely stories. It was times like these that made him consider taking a few decades off to accumulate vast supplies of wealth like some of his colleagues did. But even if he did that wouldn't help him now.

The mage was standing on a pier watching the sea and contemplating summoning an elemental to carry him further when his thoughts were interrupted by not one, but three separate messengers. Taking the letters he read them over. They each had something interesting to say, but it was the third that caught his attention. That could very well solve his ship problem.

Taking three sheets of parchment out of apparently thin air he considered them for a moment. A simple incantation and letters began to form on the pages as he dictated his own letters.

The appropriate one was sent back with each messenger to deliver his responses.

To the Crow Syndicate
Master Nybus,

I thank you for your offer and your warning. Although currently I am more interested in a ship than any more mundane needs I will remember if I ever need anything in Arypso.

To Blackmoor
Mr. Morgan,

I too am an artificer and it is refreshing to learn of a company that seeks the same goals of science and learning. As it happens my goals are no secret. I am on something of an expedition. I haven't been to the Far Isles in some time, and wish to see what they have to offer in terms of new knowledge and mysteries to unravel.

To New Verdan
Mr. Vol-ru,

An excellent suggestion. I have been looking for a ship to do precisely that. So your offer is most fortuitous. I am inclined to accept, but first I would like to know what the intended route of your expedition is.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Silver Mage (5)
My hopes for the Isles are much the same, though I have the added goal of acquiring resources to fuel my research. If you'd like come along with my expedition, I'd be happy to host a mage such as yourself.

To New Verdan (5)
On second thought, I can sail with you without trouble. Are you intending to settle the first island you find, or will you be searching the Isles for a proper site of your colony?

[OOC: Since I don't think Fleet takes supply, only trade ships do, I have no costs involved with moving my people. So I can head out alongside you. Sorry for my rules confusion.]

Internal (GM)
Notes:

Let's see...

I can acquire [Merchant's Water 3] from the Diver's Guild in exchange for [Scientific Theory 3].

I can acquire [Foreign Policy 3] from the Lewis Company for weapons (probably a lot of them).

I can acquire [Zanchar 1] from d'Ombrey in exchange for adding weapons to her ship.

I can probably acquire [Trade and Markets 1] from Quick Keel in exchange for funding their expedition.

I can probably acquire [Far Isles 1] from Horizon, though I should talk to them about that.

[Murska]

Horizon - Blackmoor

All right.

Some of our Windspeakers will be arriving to discuss the exchange of some of your information on magical theory for some data on our more practical experiments as well as lore on what's out there in the Far Isles.

Horizon - Diver's Guild

Eh, you can call me Liz if you want, Vara. Come by any time, to catch up on things. Maybe we can handle some business, too. We've had some trouble lately from the wide road, and I might want some more ears on the ground. And, well, we're moving up in the world on our part of things, of course. Those contacts can also help.

Horizon - Arcana Expeditions, D'Ombrey [PM]

Lisa Aerie made her way through the streets and into the halls with the air of one at ease with everything around her. She was wearing a colourful dress that went well with her blonde hair. Flashing a smile at the people already present, she nodded politely and introduced herself to the other guest.

"Lisa Aerie, of the Horizon. I feel it is good fortune that I meet you here, milady, hopefully for both of us."

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Whitestone [PM]
"Well that's good then. We, ah, don't have much to spare at the moment, since we're only now getting our company started, though next month we will be able to afford much more if what you ask should exceed what we currently have available." Kyle makes a strange face and curses. "Ahm tired a' talkin' like one of them company nobs. I'm sittin' pretty on the biggest fortune I have ever seen, but when I look at th'other companies, god damn! We got to show 'em something, you know? We're little, so we gotta be clever."

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey - Horizon, Arcana Expeditions

There is a ghost of a smile on D'Ombrey's face as she nods her head curtly.
"Delighted. By the way. If you need to know magical theory, you could have asked me instead of Blackmoor. I'm one of the, oh, five greatest mages out here in Merchant's water, certainly in theory. And selling knowledge is my business."

[Murska]

Horizon - D'Ombrey, Arcana Expeditions [PM]

Hm. Insofar as she knows, the woman hadn't had any contact with Horizon before this. So why'd she be keeping tabs on their mail... let alone admit it like that. Magical knowledge, huh. Must be the artifact - word's spreading too fast. Maybe D'Ombrey has a contact with the Fleet of Chains.

Outwardly, Lisa didn't miss a beat, instead smiling all the more brightly. "Ah, of course that was something I considered, but we do not have much to offer someone of your capabilities that you would find worth a trade. What little we know that you might not, we would rather sell for your knowledge on Zanchar which, while less immediately practical, is less commonly available right now. Blackmoor, on the other hand, knows plenty of their specializations, but has gaps in their knowledge on other matters that we can more easily fill.

I prefer sharing information for information, over any other assets, as you do not lose knowledge when you give it away."

[Pahvimato]

To Blackmoor
As I'm currently busy with other projects, I can only offer [trade 1] as of now, and even that only if you visit Arypso. In the future I can shed light on some finer details [trade 2], which should cover your needs, although you might not always find the best prices on the items you are looking for. The rest of our secrets I'd like to keep for ourselves.

Henry Lewis

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey - Horizon, Arcane [PM]

"Zanchar, hmm?"
This time, there is a bit more spirit in the smile.
"Not a place many would consider for an expedition. You must understand I do not have first hand knowledge myself, but I can share."

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
D'Ombrey, Horizon[pm]
Mr. Mundi gives the new arrival a nod, though he slips the more expensive wine bottle away when it comes time to pour her glass.

"Zanchar..." He muses, as he sips from his own.

"Our paths will lead there eventually, I'm quite certain. Going to need to practice and lay in a hell of a lot more firepower first, that's what my gut tells me. There's a reason that place is fallen."

"But if you're selling knowledge, we may be able to spare a bit of coin. Speaking of which..."
Shifting from matters magical and fanciful, the pragmatist takes center stage again.

"Our plan is to assay the passage to the nearest known isle. That's [four territories]. We wouldn't be adverse to sailing with you lot, if you agree to keep our route secret. Blackmoor's also interested in joining in, though I told them I had others to speak to, first."

"So my plan's simple. Run a load of cargo to Sunken Baskor, trade it for coin and a hold full of supplies, and head off from there southeasterly. Our main cargo ship will make the voyage, no troubles. Our clipper will require a bit more care, taking [1 coin] to see it through. Do your ships have enough cargo to double up on supplies, or will you need to dip into [coins]? We might be able to help, if you're short, there..."

[Murska]

Horizon - Lewis Company

Thank you. We will be sure to keep your offer in mind.

Horizon - D'Ombrey, Arcana Expeditions [PM]

"Ah, yes. We've considered that route, but I believe our first expedition will be in a slightly different direction. This is for the reason that we have some direction and protection from our own preparations that we can only bestow on our own main exploration vessel, the Audacity. And, of course, because the most interesting finds are probably going to be on paths less travelled.

However, we could send some of our lesser ships to assist you in your journey, in case you run into trouble."

((OOC: Exploration doesn't require paying coin for supplies.))

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Lewis Company (5)
[OOC: Trading a level 1 or 2 Lore only takes one action, and I don't think there is any need for the receiver to do anything. So both cost the same for you, if that's the factor in not offering 2 this turn.]

And what would you be wanting in exchange for [Trade and Markets 2] again? [Scientific Theory 2], right?

Internal (GM)
Generally I have a good recall of what I'm doing with various groups, but the factions haven't really sunk into my brain yet. So summary of my negotiations to try to compile it in one place so I don't keep getting confused:

PCs:
Diver's Guild: Offered [Scientific Theory 3] for [Merchant's Water 3].
d'Ombrey: Upgrades to ship in exchange for unspecified price (Certainly containing [Zanchar 1], possibly favors or Coin).
Horizon: Offered [Magic Theory 2] for [Far Isles 1] and [Trade and Markets 1]. Last may not be needed if Pahvi comes through.
Lewis Company: Willing to offer [Foreign Policy 3] and [Trade and Markets 2]. I believe price for latter is [Scientific Theory 2], and former is a huge weapons shipment.

Quick Keel: Asked for loan to get to Far Isles, counter offered unspecified higher return and [Trade and Markets 1].
New Verdan: Agreed to sail my expedition with them at least to the Far Isles, for safety. Have nothing to offer for their Lore, unfortunately.
Magnum Opus: Basic opening of relations and specific questions about their underwater weaponry. No response.
Silver Mage: Opening of relations, offered a place on my expedition ships. Hoping for a little precaution against Mabn just sinking my guys.
Arcana Expeditions: Offered services as an artificer, requested access to artifacts to reverse engineer, and offered to sail with.

NPCs:
Uplands Mines: Shopping around for Iron.
Ambassador Kempthorne: Trying to buy out the business inept Resgard Mine.
Oldgrowth Logging: Offered consulting services for cheaper lumber.

I should probably contact Whitestone, because I've already talked to all of the other technical folk I know of, but I kinda like being antagonistic to Bovine...

[thekazooist]

Breakvale

Silver Mage
We'd like to inquire about the possibility of you, the great Silver Mage, teaching my mages more advanced levels of magic than they already know. They focus in elementalism. I'm unaware of your specialties, but I'm sure you'd be able to help.

[Zemalac]

Hopsha Cartel to the Unspoken (6)

No idea what you're talking about, m'lord. We're just honest businessfolk trying to make an honest living.


Blackcoin Resurgency to the Unspoken (10)

SPEAK NOT YOUR LIES
WE REMEMBER WHEN THE ANOINTED DRAGON CLAIMED THIS ISLAND
WE REMEMBER THE WROUGHT-IRON COINS WITH WHICH HE MARKED HIS DEBTS
WE REMEMBER WHEN HE LEFT HIS REGENT, AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE
WE WILL NOT AGAIN BE BOUGHT FOR SUCH TRIFLES
NOT BY WORD OR BY IRON BOUND ARE WE


Soldat Infernum to the Unspoken (5)

The demons speak! Truly the tools of the lord of Hell are devious in their workings!


Buron Foreign Office to Blackmoor (7)

Dear Sir,

The Buron Foregin Office is, of course, interested in investing in up-and-coming enterprises in the greater Buronian area that we feel will help mercantile enterprise in the city. The owner of the Resgard Mine, for example, is I understand a relative of Mr. Dinwall, who is currently serving as Organizatori of the Minter's Guild, and as such his success in the field serves to further strengthen the supremacy of the Buronian guild over competing industries in, say, Arypso. I could certainly see us investing in a group based in Uplands for similar reasons. Blackmoor is a weapons manufactory, yes? If you like I could send a few calculators over to get an impression of your operation and how we might help you serve the city.

Bear in mind that any investment we offer will hinge on you extending certain benefits to Buronian companies and merchants--local discounts and the like. I'm sure you understand.

Your humble servant,
Kempthorne


Uplands Mines to Blackmoor (3)

Clan Deillnc: Yes, that is correct on both counts. We have additional discounts on bulk orders as well, though we may not be able to offer more than [3 Iron per turn] without running into difficulties.

Resgard Mine: Absolutely! To be perfectly honest, we haven't had many customers as of yet, but I imagine landing a solid contract with a reputable company such as yourselves should let others know we're doing serious business over here!


Old Growth Logging Company to Blackmoor (7)

No counteroffers, sorry. [6 Coin] per. We're not interested in contracting outside artificers at this time.

Special requests are things like cork wood or ebony.


Denta Family to Fleet of Chains (4)

We are, unfortunately, not interested in your proposal at this time, as we do not really employ our own ships that might be threatened on the waves.

OOC: This and the following message are in reply to your general message to Landed in Sunken Baskor


Fe Nasr Family to Fleet of Chains (5)

What, exactly, are you proposing? We already have respectably safe shipping lanes to the rest of the Water, I'm not sure we need to hire explorers. That sounds like a Tybish thing, to me.


Viscount Yorlen to Fleet of Chains (6)

Kempthorne, is that you? Nice try, *******. I'm not going to be made a laughingstock in front of my own men by chasing another sailor's myth. Not after you and your ****ing kelpies.

Go die in a fire.


Buron Foreign Office to Fleet of Chains (7)

Dear Sir,

The Buron Foreign Office is always on the lookout for opportunities to give Buronian mercantile concerns an advantage in the field. What is it you had in mind? Privateering contracts? Safe harbor? Salvage rights? There's a whole host of different pieces of paper I can grant you, my friend.

Your humble servant,
Kempthorne


Tybish City Council (2)

The Council has agreed by a 73:25:2 vote to withhold a decision on this matter until next session.


Lord Protector of Tyb to Fleet of Chains (5)

Ignore the message from the Council, please.

What are you counting as "Tybish" ships? All vessels whose home port is Tyb, just those who have lobbyists in the Council, or some other definition?

Regards,
Adis Reuld
Lord Protector, Tyb


Thelonius (PM)

Baskor is a port.

I don't see why not.

Yes, you can.


Great Dragon Valos: Explorin' and Roarin' (PM)

1. There are few locals, mostly clustered around the farther ends of the volcanic island chain. The ones to the south immediately begin preparations to flee, while the ones on the northern few islands begin performing some sort of ritual around what appears to be a massive obsidian statue in the vague shape of a dragon.

2.

http://i.imgur.com/6uoT6EG.png

To the north is the edge of a continent, or large island, or something. What Valos can see of it in his flight is nothing but vast, dark plateaus, beyond which is visible a dark sea that looks like it was carved out of the continental interior by a force vaster than anything even the great dragon has ever seen.

To the west is water, pure and simple, a massive amount of it. Same to the south. To the east, however, Valos can see islands. A large northern one protected by a vast reef, and a southern chain of tropical paradises.


Ascaloth (PM)

Everything except assigning Agents to temporarily raise your Intelligence against another faction is done at EoT. There is no Mid-Turn.

Answers
Cork: Sure, why not. You'd have to buy the cork, though, bear in mind.

Workers: You can, yes. Or you can hire them with Coin, but in your case you can certainly use volunteers. The sort of changes that turn a normal ship into a q-ship aren't really major unless you want to hide some absurd kind of weaponry on it, so at that point you'd probably be set.


Dwyr to Lewis Company (5)

We see no issue with this, though we will of course require you to pass through our contaminant checkpoints before entering the city from any land route. You may want to speak with the Ordo Libra as well as us, as we do not presume to speak for them.


Uplands Clans to Lewis Company (3)

Clan Maphoor: Aye, we could do that. As for what we do, we mostly mine copper. Gold, too, when we can find it, which between you and me ain't too often these days.

Clan Deillnc: Just put **** on logs and roll it down, you'll be fine. Or use a river, if you've got one handy.

If you want iron, we got iron for you. Everyone always needs iron. Good, steady business.

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver mage

To Blackmoor
You are the second to approach me about such an expedition. Which puts me in the position of having to choose for as much as I would like to I cannot be in two places at once.

At least not without using Modrecai's Ritual of Duplication, which is an annoying spell to cast.

So what route are you planning to take your expedition on?

To Breakvale
When I take apprentices I usually do so long term, however I could give a quick course for your mages.

(What exactly are you looking for here. We both have Magic Lore 4 so we can't do much trading there.)

GM
How does teleportation work?

[oblivion6]

Bosne

Lord Harwyn Belgrave watched the deployment of the final ship in his new naval fleet from a recently reconstructed bell tower from the original Bosne proper.. It wasn't much but was going to have to be good enough for now - enough to protect the coast at least. Time enough to build a bigger fleet later. From his high perch he could see the parade grounds where his militia was once again drilling.

"I thought I'd find you here," a voice said from behind him. He turned around, already knowing who it was. Standing before him was a young woman who couldn't have been older than her early twenties - he never could remember her exact age. She wore a simple, turquoise blue robe but oddly enough lacked the staff most practitioners of magic often seemed to drool over. In one hand she carried a sealed envelope.

Lord Harwyn shrugged. "It's quiet up here and such a nice view. What you got there?" he asked, gesturing to the paper.

Victoria shuddered, holding out the envelope. "A missive from the Fleet of Chains - you hear such terrible stories."

He unsealed the message with great curiosity. "Stories are all they really are, I suspect." he said as he scrolled the contents of the message. "Well. Well now. I will be in my study."

Bosne - Fleet of Chains
Captain Smith,

Well. I can safely say you have caught my interest. It just so happens that my own fleet is rather pitiful so what you say has a good deal of merit and definitely warrants due consideration from myself. What do you propose?

-Harwyn Belgrave

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Silver Mage (5)
I actually don't think there is a conflict. I am intending to set sail with New Verdan, which is your other contender, correct? At the least, up to the start of the Far Isles. I don't believe either of us have a set route at the moment.

To Uplands Mines (5)
Resgard Mine: Indeed. What is your current total output capacity? I'd be interested in purchasing everything you produce. I have a lot of weapons to make, in order to arm all of the groups heading off the map.

So I propose this. We'll sign a contract where I get [Resgard's Total Iron Output] per [Turn], for [4 Turns], at a price of [2 Coin] each and Blackmoor will pay a lump sum of [4 Coin] additionally right now for the exclusivity rights. If your production grows in this time period, we get the rights to buy the Iron at the set cost.

You secure a constant source of income to build your business, an immediate lump sum to invest in expansion, a resume of providing for a high quality firm such as my own, and I will serve as a reference for any customers that seek your product after the contract ends, though I do hope we can remain as one of your buyers. On my end, I get steady supply of [Iron] to use in my developments, something I desperately need.

What do you think?

[OOC: I would expect a new venture here led by an incompetent businessman to have low output, but if he has above 4 per turn, I can't afford it from my Wealth. So I'll have to make a different offer if that's the case.

Otherwise, I'm offering what amounts to a free investment worth twice the value of two times his current price, without any cost to him, aside from a guaranteed customer.]

To the Buron Foreign Office (5)
Mr. Kempthorne,

My doors are always open to your men. I will have some of my Blackcoats give you the proper rundown of how my business operates this month. And I would gladly aid my adopted home in the ways I can.

-Kervos Morgan,
Blackmoor

Internal (GM)
I am fine with making the contract shorter and/or the lump fee higher.

My hope with Resgard is still to buy it out and put the owner in charge of my lobbyists. Because, I mean, if he convinced the golden man to back him, he's got connections and charisma, at the least.

Guaranteeing exclusive access to his [Iron] for 4 months should be enough time for Kempthorne's calculators to swing by and check in to realize he has no idea what he's doing. And since I'm letting them see my operations, he'll find the current costs in my books to prompt such an investigation, though I'll distract them until the contract is signed.

Include some absurd penalties that practically guarantee bankruptcy if I don't get Iron (like 20 Coins in payment for breach of contract), whatever the circumstances, so Kempthorne would be forced to pay up if the Mine can't (which I'm rather certain is the case). I cut a deal where I acquire the mine completely, and put Resgard to work as a Blackcoat. I get to look like a good guy for letting them out of the contract, I get a business VIP and an iron mine, and Kempthorne can make a abysmal investment look profitable.

And, if by some miracle, everything works out fine, I get absurdly cheap Iron for four turns. The only danger is the Ambassador or Resgard getting angry over manipulations, but the latter is too incompetent to realize it, and the former hopefully would rather appease me than punish me.

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Arcana Expeditions [3]

Mr. Arkanos Mundi

I am unsurprised that it is you who, who is writing to me. A merchant would seek understanding of another person, so as to prevent violence and establish common interests. As to your offer to answer any questions about your expedition, there’s only one of interest to me and I fear, even with your lady friend you may find it difficult to answer. I shall not be offended, if you fail to respond to this one.

Mr. Mundi, what awaits you in the Far Islands - Destiny or Doom?

Respectfully,
Captain John C. Smith.


Bosne [3]

Well, your Lordship. I think for a start, if you could guarantee a friendly port in the Darringer sea for my sailors to whet their throats, I could promise, that your fleets and merchants trading with you shall be assisted by my fleet.

And I would like to request a favor. Your city has some militia and as it happens I am in need of some men with steady feet on land. My mages require an escort for an investigation of a place with a troublesome reputation. Now it could be nay but drunken talk, but in case there’s something to it, I wanted to take precautions.

I’ll owe you a favor, repaid in naval assistance, should you ever require it.


Lord Protector of Tyb

To Lord Reuld, Protector of Tyb

The merchants based in Tyb and ships on the official business of the city. The ships that aren’t engaged in trade are usually those sailing for adventure or less decent practices, and keeping them afloat, when they rush into danger would be too much of a hassle.


Ambassador Kempthorne [3]

A man at the sea might often find considerable use for the papers.

I would like to clarify, against which ships would the privateer contracts be valid?


Breakvale [3]

The supplies any explorer would need setting out for the long journey - food, materials to enact repairs at the sea, navigational tools and cartographers, perhaps some beads to trade to whatever savages we encounter.

I would like to propose to join our naval forces and sail to the Far Islands - safety in number.

[Zemalac]

ArcaneStomper (PM)

You've got points in Sorcery, so the Silver Mage has some knowledge of this. Teleporting to a spot you can see isn't all that difficult if you know the trick, though it does take a moment. To teleport to somewhere you can't see, you need a piece of something from that area (some dirt, wood shavings, that sort of thing). You have to keep your link to the place you want to teleport sealed off (a glass vial will do), to get around the tendency of dirt, when moved to another place, to now be part of that other place rather than where you got it from.

In general, teleportation at a distance is a lot easier if you've managed to set up the area that you're teleporting to ahead of time, like if you built a floor of some rare or unique substance and covered it with symbols that you repeat on the fragment of that floor that you carry with you. So teleporting to a lair you've built yourself is easier than teleporting to a spot on the docks or in a forest that might have changed in the time since you collected your sample. If the area has changed too much since you've taken your sample, some weird things can happen when you try to teleport there.


Resgard Mine to Blackmoor (3)

Ah...exclusivity? For [4 turns]? I, uh, don't think we can manage that, at that price. Maybe [2 turns]? Our current capacity is, I think, [2 Iron per turn], so we should be able to manage that I think...


Redgard Mine to Rothschild Labor Company (3)

Dear Sir,

It has become apparent that I am going to need a source of cheap labor very quickly in the near future. May I inquire as to your prices?


Buron Foreign Office to Blackmoor (7)

Glad to hear it. The calculators will arrive [at EoT].


Lord Protector of Tyb to Fleet of Chains (5)

Right, here's the deal. I've been looking for a way to cut down on the larger companies in my city shutting out independent merchants with company-paid privateers. If you were to be given a contract to protect Tybish shipping interests, would that extend to protecting them against themselves in this manner?

Regards,
Agis Reuld
Lord Protector, Tyb


Buron Foreign Office to Fleet of Chains (7)

The privateering contract is valid against pirates, of course, but also against ships belonging to foreign powers. I will not specify that this includes Duke Likeay of Arypso, the Ko Essing Trade Concern in Lomar or the DEEC in Tyb, as I am sure those august parties have people going through my mail.

Your humble servant,
Kempthorne

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Lord Protector of Tyb [3]

Certainly. Let’s consider a short-term contract, under which I would be able to resolve the issues you speak of. I would request information about Merchant Water as compensation - and certain directions in pursuing the objective, to save on time.


Buron Foreign Office [3]

Now that sounds like a very nice piece of paper to have indeed.

[Forum Explorer]

Valos promised them the turn in peace, but he didn't say he wouldn't try and listen in.

3. Valos will listen in on the prayers to hear what they are saying (using magic for this instead of physically being there to listen) In fact, Valos will summon a small harmless wind elemental to listen in and report the prayers.

4. Valos will investigate the northern island with the reef.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To d'Ombrey (5)
After some deliberation, I believe I have a fair arrangement for our deal. I myself will spend all of the month upgrading your vessel, in exchange for [Zanchar 1], intelligence you intercept for the next 3 months, this one being the first and acting retroactively, and you allow me to reverse engineer the workings of the ship. Does that sound agreeable to you?

[OOC: 4 actions of a level 3 artificer Lore this turn if you could, access to all non-d'Ombrey messages she can intercept for all of turns 1, 2, and 3, and I get to learn how the thing works. However, I sign an agreement saying I won't sell the design or produce similar vessels for anyone, without explicit permission from d'Ombrey.

So what we talked about on Skype.]

To Resgard Mine (5)
[2 Iron] at [2 Coin] apiece for [2 Turns] is fine with me. Though I will have to reduce the additional payment to [2 Coin] due to the shorter period. How does this contract sound?

To the Lewis Company (5)
In addition to our requested trade for [Trade and Markets 2], I was also wondering what it would cost to acquire [2 Reagents] this month? Since we don't have the requisite contacts, we would of course pay you an appropriate consultant fee.

[OOC: I likely don't have enough to afford this right now, but I'd like to check.]

[Exthalion]

Magnum Opus

To Blackmore (5)
Greetings and well wishes,

Our plans are to begin a project of reclamation to restore the island to its original size and prosperity.

As for any aquatic operations, we would be interested to know how you came to believe this. Espionage is generally considered poor form even if it is unsuccessful.

Even so, we are not unwilling to pursue closer relations.

To the Divers Guild (8)
Our long term goal for the area is to restore the island to its original size, if not to increase it beyond that. While the technologies are still nascent, feasibility calculations indicate that a great deal of resources will be required to fully enact this plan.

We would greatly appreciate partnership in this effort.

[oblivion6]

Bosne - Fleet of Chains
I think you have yourself a deal, Captain. It just so happens I have been looking for a workaround to my lack of a real naval fleet so you came along at precisely the right time. Bosne shall be made open to your fleet.

As for the favor... I could certainly supply some men to escort your mages. Might be a welcome break from the monotony of constant drills and patrols

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Lewis Company (DESP 6)

We can provide them with some upgraded armor. We are wanting some troops to help us secure some island territory. We have ships. Would you be able to supply the men this turn?


To the Silver Mage (DESP 6)

We will be traveling east. We will probably start at the tip of the island chain and we will continue west until we find a suitable spot.


To the Blackmoor (DESP 6)

We will be looking for a suitable spot in the islands. We need to make sure the area can be easily secured from pirates and other demons. The colonists could be on their own for a while after all.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor [5]

"Agreed. A steep price, but one I can agree to. Attached to this letter, you will find a small trinket. It has an advisor spirit bound to it, which is in contact with me. It can recite all correspondence I intercept if asked.

Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey"

Attached is a ball of silver, about the size of a walnut, carved with exceedingly fine filligree and icy cold to the touch.

OOC: just fluff for the message-sharing.

[Pahvimato]

Lewis Company


Blackmoor
Right now that would cost around 12 coins, although that is likely going to change in the future.

Uplands Clans
What are the prices for the goods you offer?

New Verdan
Some of our men will be joining you shortly.

GM
Apart from the Uplands Clans (and Dwyr, I assume they produce some), are there any other suppliers of copper or iron in the Arypso/Buron area?

And shouldn't I be receiving something about the prices on the next turn around now thanks to my Trade and Markets lore, or do you want me to specifically ask for them? If so, I'd like to hear about copper, iron and furs.

[thekazooist]

Breakvale (5)

Fleet of Chains
This would be acceptable to us, but we are only willing to donate half of our ships to your cause. However I have one final question to pose sir. Why do you call yourself a captain? You have a large array of ships no? Wouldn't Admiral be a more... fitting title?

Silver Mage
What would be the pricing for such an arrangement?
(It wouldn't be so much lore trading, but more you helping train more mages and correcting forms)

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

Greetings and salutations to Your Puissance,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Isabelle Winterbourne, and I am a mage-in-training, currently seconded to the service of the West Trading Company. I must admit that I cannot help but be privy to the latest on your comings and goings.

After a discussion with the founder, I have been authorized to offer you a deal between yourself and the West Trading Company. I would like to know if you would care to sit down and hear the details at some point in the near future.

Yours,
Isabelle Winterbourne

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver Mage

To Blackmoor
That sounds suitable. However have you taken into account that your fleet will need stop by Arypso first.

To New Verdan
Are you planning to set sail in convoy with the Blackmoor Company's ships?

To Breakvale
I would normally ask to see any local knowledge you might have gathered and your libraries. However since I am planning an expedition I would also be willing to accept supplies.

To West Trading Company
I would be interested in hearing such details.

GM
So how many actions would it take to set up a teleportation circle at a destination? How many to activate the teleportation spell?

Could I mark off some symbols on a ship and then teleport to it after it moves?

I ask all this because I've got a bunch of different people asking for my time, and moving between them all normally is going to cut heavily into my available actions. If I can set up a teleportation network, even if it takes me a turn or two to do it. It would help a lot.

What school do communication spells fall under?

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Breakvale [3]

Lady Mayor,

I am not an admiral. The Fleet follows the strongest Ship, of which I am the captain. My command is through personal respect, rather than official authority. You could say I am the first among equals and limits of my power are set by the tolerance of my fellow brothers.

I’ve heard rumors that your position is elective, and by masses rather than nobility. If that’s true, I am surprised - ship democracy is practiced among the free spirited crews, but for people of land to pursue such practices is rare. The sea naturally entices men to freedom, while land chains men to plow and machine. To see it reversed is unusual.

Captain John C. Smith


Breakvale & Bonse [3]

I would like to offer your townships services of my Galleon ‘’Buke’’ for transportation of the goods in the Merchant Water. You must know the local markets and possess coin to purchase goods, while my Galleon can deliver up to 3 [Goods] and my ships can sink any enterprising pirate.

[OOC: You have Lores that should tell you what goods are produced in Merchant Water and where they can be sold. Profits probably not as good as for goods in Far Islands, but it would be a way to boost your profits, before the exotic treasures of faraway are uncovered. I think you are among the few factions with cash flow to do this.]

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

My thanks for your prompt and timely response, Your Puissance.

The West Trading Company would like to extend you an offer, which goes as thus; the ships of our fleet will be ready at your disposal, to take you to wherever in the Merchant's Water you might fancy, at any point in time. In addition, as our people are well-versed in delivering messages through subtle means, we would also be glad to relay any confidential communiques you may wish to send to any other third party on your behalf.

In return, I would like to ask that you become my mentor in the magical arts, Your Puissance. Opportunities to further develop upon my grasp of the art are scarce in this corner of the world, and I would sincerely like to learn from a distinguished practitioner such as yourself. I hope you will consider my proposal in earnest.

Yours truly,
Isabelle Winterbourne

(OOC: Basically, I'm proposing to ferry you anywhere you might want. Plus, I have the second highest D. ESP of all the PCs, so I can pass messages on your behalf if you really don't want them to be seen. On your part, perhaps you can teach my mage VIP some of the Magic Theory Lore, or work to increase her VIP level.)

[A_Dinosaur]

Quick Keel [Morale 6]

West Trading
Thank you for putting out the contact. We were simply intending to use our respective fleets to discourage enemies with sheer numbers.

To Twin Loops
First and formost, Geetings, I am Finn Morris. Second, however, I happen to have a trio of the fastest cargo ships in the world moored in the harbour here, and I'm looking to fill my holds with something that needs moving to somewhere else. We are experts on moving goods unnoticed and thought you may have something in need of... delicate transport. For a small fee of course. [5 coin] per [cargo space]. So, anything you need moved?

To Madame Vontri
First and formost, Geetings, I am Finn Morris. Second, however, I happen to have a trio of the fastest cargo ships in the world moored in the harbour here, and I'm looking to fill my holds with something that needs moving to somewhere else. We are experts on moving goods unnoticed and thought you may have something in need of... delicate transport. For a small fee of course. [5 coin] per [cargo space]. So, anything you need moved?

To Merchants of the Spicer Markets
While spice may be easy to sell here in Tyb it has become so saturated in spice that one can make far more vast quantities of coin in other cities. For a small fee Quick Keel can get you to those other cities, and far faster than any of the competition. The fee is [2 coin per 1 cargo space]. And easy profit if one were to go to nearby ports or to near markets such as Baskor.

To Blackmoor
I am interested in weapons development but cannot pursue it for lack of coin, perhaps another time.

To Whitestone
At present I have little coin, but soon I may be able to provide it in bounty. While my main concern is refitting my ships with extended supply caches I would also treasure more cargo space and upgrades for strength and durability.

[Zemalac]

Lord Protector of Tyb to Fleet of Chains (5)

I will see what I can do for you in that regard. My hands are unfortunately somewhat tied in certain related matters, due to the influence of certain parties in the City Council, but whatever assistance I can render you under those restrictions I shall certainly provide.

Regards,
Agis Reuld
Lord Protector, Tyb


Buron Foreign Office to Fleet of Chains (7)

Isn't it just? If you would like further details, we can arrange a visit at my offices in Buron. We're on the north side of Silverlaid Square in the Masked King's Court.


Great Dragon Valos: What Manner of Man Is This (PM)

3. The Lota deo Mantes are the Isles of the Devil's Back. The day has finally come when the great devil has shaken off the rock that entrapped it and arisen once again in flight and fire. Others fear it! But we know the truth!

Raise up! Raise up the great dragon! The Beast that burns hotter than the Worldbreaker's flames! The scales of black stone that shielded our ancestors when the time of ash came upon them! The fire that accepted our sacrifice when we threw the knife-eared tyrants down into its burning heart! The breath that has carried us home time and time again! We are of the ash, and now the ash returns to us!

4. The reef does not seem at all natural. There's something magical about it, leylines burning beneath the waves, distorting Valos' vision of the place. He flies past the island by accident twice before he realizes that something is making the reef and island seem to be in a different place than it is.

Valos: 1 action
Reef of Ages: ???

Rolls: 6 vs ??
Action fails


Resgard Mine to Blackmoor (3)

Certainly, certainly! I'll send the first shipment your way as soon as I get word from my countinghouse that they've received your first payment.


Uplands Clans to Lewis Company (3)

Clan Maphoor: We offer competitive market prices. [8 Coin] for copper, twelve for gold when we have some. Which we don't, at the moment, though if you think you've got an opportunity there we could spend some time looking for a new vein.

Clan Deillnc: Usually [6 Coin], but we offer bulk discounts if you're buying two or more shipments. In your case, if you want [2 Iron] at once, we can give that to you for [4 Coin] apiece.


Pahvimato (PM)

Copper and Iron: There are some other mines in Uplands aside from the ones owned by the clans (Resgard Mine, for example, mines iron, but you've heard it's run by an idiot), and the Drakesson Penal Company uses criminals to mine whatever they can get their hands on (so they'll have different metals each turn), but that's about it. There's also a lot of silver mining in the mountains around Shackleton's Passage, which gives Buron's Silver District its name.

Trade and Market Predictions

With the war looming, the knightly orders of Merdallan are looking to refresh and improve the enchantments on their armor. As such, cunning speculators are anticipating a spike in the price of magical reagents in Merdallan, and also iron, as the forges that produce the legendary Merdal steel expand their operations.

The Whitestone Dock's practice of sheathing the undersides of their hulls in copper has attracted the attention of other shipwrights in the Tybish area, who are purchasing more of the metal for their own experiments. The price of copper in the city isn't exactly spiking, but it may rise for a short time as demand in this small market segment increases.

Demand for furs in warmer areas such as Tyb is expected to take its usual seasonal dive as the calendar moves fully into summer.


ArcaneStomper (PM)

One action to build a basic teleportation circle, though you'd also need to acquire the resources to do so (Rare Wood or Rare Stone is usually what is used, though you don't have enough Trade and Markets Lore for me to tell you how to get either of those). Once built, it takes just a single action to teleport to that area, though you'd still have to spend the usual actions to move back to the place you teleported from.

You can certainly set up a circle on a ship and teleport to it after it moves, but that sort of thing has been known to cause weird side-effects--nausea and the like--that may provide penalties to any actions taken immediately afterwards.

"Communication spells" is kind of a broad category. Like, you could use Ego to imprint what you want onto the mind of a bird and have it carry messages for you, or you could summon an imp to do the same, or you could reach into your visions and talk to people with Divination, or you could carry messages through the spirit world with Necromancy...what exactly did you have in mind?


Twin Loops Gang to Quick Keel Trading Company (5)

Hey, uh, no offense mate, but we don't know you. We like to keep things among friends, you know? And not to put too fine a point on it, but we ain't never heard of no Finn Morris beyond this past message. So you might see how we'd be a little leery of you coming right out of the blue with this here offer, yeah?


Madam Vontri to Quick Keel Trading Company (8)

Thank you for the offer, dear, but I'm fine right here for the moment. I do appreciate the thought.


Spicer Merchants to Quick Keel Trading Company (1)

Good day, sir. I represent a consortium that might be interested in employing your offered services. We are willing to indulge in a test case of [1 Spices] carried from here to a factor in Baskor, at the price you set. If this single case goes well, we will be willing to move two additional shipments through your company this [turn], if you have resources enough to transport such.

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild
D-ESP: 8

If you won't be holding back your knowledge, then we see no reason to do so either. We can send representatives to deliver a collection of files on the city, and they'll be able to answer any further questions you may have. I expect we'll be welcoming a similar envoy of your scientists to Baskor?

Vara Brinn arrives at the Horizon offices, asking for Lisa. Even when she hasn't gone diving in days, her skin and auburn hair seem permanently damp.

"Sorry I'm a bit later than I planned," she says. "It's been a busy week. For you too, looks like. Business never stops booming, does it?"

"Oh, and before I forget, I think we talked about a trade of intel. I hate to jump to business, but the guys are chomping at the bit for some of that info. I brought our dossiers covering [Merchant's Water 2]; you said you could get us started on [Trade and Markets] and [Far Isles], right?"

[ArcaneStomper]

Silver Mage to the West Trading Company
Miss Winterbourne

Both of your offers are of interest.

Are you familiar with teleportation circles. If you can construct one then it will both facilitate my training of you and be something of an apprenticeship test.

If you can't then I can show you how. Although it would be helpful if you could acquire the necessary materials ahead of time.

(OOC: If you can make a teleportation circle in Tyb then I'll trade you magic lore 3 for it. If you can't then I'll build one, but I won't have the actions to do much else this turn.

I need rare wood or rare stone to make a teleportation circle. Unfortunately it looks like you don't have Trade or Markets lore either.)

Open Message to Any Interested Party
The Silver Mage is looking for supplies of rare wood and rare stone, and is open to dealing with anyone who can supply them.

GM
Honestly teleporting seems a lot easier than I expected it to be.

As for communication spells I mostly just wanted a way to talk with people at a distance so that if they needed me quickly they could give me a call and the Silver Mage could hop through a teleportation circle.



Would summoning an air elemental work?

[Murska]

Horizon - Diver's Guild [PM]

Lisa laughs at the sight of her old friend in her 'professional' capacity, shaking her head lightly. With some sleight of hand, she quickly produces a number of bound sheets of paper and one rather larger book, placing them on the small table between them.
"Ah, but of course, dear. Here's the files - I'm glad I managed to get this thing copied, the texts on Far Isles are hard to come by.

Now forget work for a second. Tell me, what are you up to nowadays? Still up to no good, I trust?"

Horizon - Silver Mage

If you want, we can list the markets for rare stone and wood and the prices involved. We'll do this if you, in turn, instruct some of our personnel in the basic arts of this Verdan craft, 'science'.
(I have no actions to give you Trade and Markets 1 with, but I can tell you the relevant parts of Trade and Markets 2 lore for rare stone and rare wood, if you spend an action in Buron to give me Science 1.)

[Zemalac]

ArcaneStomper (PM)

It's mainly easy for you because the Silver Mage is such an absurdly powerful wizard.

Summoning an air elemental would work. Just bear in mind that because you didn't put any points into Morale, any communication you do that isn't PM is going to have a defensive espionage of 0. So I'm going to assume that your air elementals are really chatty and don't know how to lie.

[Cognimancer]

"Forgetting about work is kinda hard when you're the boss." Vara gives a sly grin, letting it sink in. "It really has been a while, hasn't it? I was still just a lowly footpad last time we had a chance to sit down like this. Yeah, I had my eye on Guildmaster back then too, but I never knew being in charge would be this much work!"

"Things are... alright, though. A lot's happened lately, not all of it good. But it's been better after the, um, mysterious disappearance of the old Guildmaster." She muttered a curse, poorly veiled under a cough, then smiled. "What's important is that I'm sharp as I've ever been, the Divers have my back, and I get to have my own little adventures with nobody above me to say no!"

"Speaking of adventures, you've got some big plans again, don't you? You don't get an office building like this by playing rich half-wits." She dropped her smile, faking a serious manner. "Or do you? Maybe I should have my people invest in half-wit playing."

[Gentleman]

The Grove

DESP = 6

Hello inhabitants of Keyllacha!

Good News, The Grove is expanding to an island near you!

The Grove is doing such in order to PURIFY and PRESERVE the islands in their natural state. Furthermore the Grove seeks to bring ORGANIC and UNALTERED islands products to other people of the Far Isles, the Merchants water, etc. to spread the wonders of these natural islands!

We are seeking those who would join us in our quest, who would help us with their ships and knowledge of the waters to bring this quest to fruition. Traders of all kinds and walks of life are welcome, and will be generously compensated!

You shall be seeing us shortly!

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Diver's Guild (5)
My artificers will head over.

It's been a pleasure doing business with you. I hope we have opportunities to do so again in the future.

To the Silver Mage, New Verdan (5)
So, as for our route, the following is my plan:

[Darrigan Strait North, Water Proper, Arypso (picking up Silver Mage), Water Proper, Darrigan Straight South, Darrigan Sea, Carpish Isles sea (meet up with New Verdan fleet and sail with them to the Far Isles)]

Blackmoor's banner should keep any raiders away at least until we reach the Carpish Isles, at which point we'll join with the New Verdan fleet and be one of the more powerful armadas on the sea. My ships will only be sailing to the edge of the Far Isles, as I don't want to overcommit to going too far off the map. Silver Mage, you can transfer over to New Verdan's ships before that point.

Our route afterwards should just be a straight shot east, and I will break off once we find land.

To the Silver Mage (5)
The Oldgrowth Logging Company in Heuphasn has lumber for sale, and is able to satisfy special requests. I suspect it would cost [8 Coin] for the resources you are looking for.

To Quick Keel Trading Company (5)
Do you still require a loan of [6 Coin]? Our matters have been dealt with, at least for this month.

[12 Coin] paid upon your return and Mr. Morris contributes [4 Actions] to projects for Blackmoor, based upon his availability. What do you say to that?

[OOC: Not necessarily at the same time, but just floating favors owed. I have some explosive weapons in mind your help would be of great benefit to.]

To the Lewis Trading Company (5)
Are you intending to trade us [Trade and Markets 2] for [Scientific Theory 2] this month? I do not believe if I ever got confirmation.

And unfortunately I don't have the [Coin] to purchase the Reagents at this point in time. I'm hoping to have the funds next month, but it depends on some deals. I will contact you once I have a better idea of my assets.

[Pahvimato]

Lewis Company

Clan Deillnc
I'll keep your offer in mind.

Silver Mage
While we currently don't have the transportation capacity to actually get the goods you need, we could provide you with details of where to get the commodities for cheap.

In return, we only ask for a few coins for ourselves, which most likely means the overall price will be around the same as it would be if you bought the items from someone else and didn't pay them any kind of compensation for their infromation.

Blackmoor
If you can get to Arypso, yes.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions - Horizon and D'Ombrey [pm]

Mr. Mundi harrumphs a bit and frowns at Lisa. Then he gets over it.

"No, no we shan't need to borrow fleet, thanks anyway. Just tell us where you're going to be exploring, so we can explore elsewhere."

"I think we'll start around east/northeast, if you have no preferences..."

He looks over to the Lady D'Ombrey. "We're ready to leave when you are, madame."

Arcana Expeditions
to Fleet of Chains (DESP 5)
Ah, Captain Smith.

I must admit, I was only half expecting to hear back from you. It's rare one has the opportunity to exchange correspondance with one of the great legends of the oceans.

But your discourse obliges me to answer you. What awaits us in the Far Islands?

My colleagues would give different answers. I'll give you mine. I don't bloody well know, yet. That's why we're going there, to find out if it's Destiny, Doom, or something else entirely.

Now if it IS Doom, I'm hoping you're not a part of it. So if you happen to find a common interest with us, we're more than amenable to discourse.

With respect,
Arkanos Mundi


Arcana Expeditions
to Blackmoor (DESP 5)
Sir, after discussion with my shipmates, we have figured a path to the east.

It'll be a long trip. We'll be dedicating (4 coin) to supplies, for the exploration. You are more than welcome to make the journey with us, and need not stick with us for our full exploration. We can accompany you to the known land, at any rate.

If you are interested, then rendezvous with our fleet at Sunken Baskor. We should be there shortly.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Murska]

Horizon - Arcana Expeditions, D'Ombrey [PM]

"The Audacity shall be heading East-Southeast. Once the initial charting of the closest islands is done, which I expect won't take very long with so many interested parties, is when we should begin truly cooperating. Both to handle any specific problems we find out there, and to outfit larger, longer expeditions through the Boundless Isles."

Horizon - Divers' Guild [PM]

Lisa grins. "Ah, congratulations. I'm going to be watching carefully where you'll steer the ship.

As for my plans, well. Playing rich half-wits is probably the best source of funding available, with no effort needed and high returns. But once you have money, steady living, all that. Well, it's kind of dull, you know? A girl's got to have something to aim for."

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Expeditions, Horizon

"Yes, that suits me fine. As long as there is the time for the occasional trip to the ocean floor or inland. I am, however, getting some, hmm, upgrades first from the Blackmoor people. That might take some time."

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To the Lewis Company (5)
I will send my artificers to Arypso then. Pleasure doing business with you.

To Magnum Opus (5)
My apologies. I must have gotten your group confused with another. Nonetheless, I am hoping to further the progress of magic and technology in the Water, and I suspect you have similar objectives. While I don't have a particular idea for cooperation, nor the available people, I'd like you to know I would be eager to work alongside fellow artificers.

Best of luck in Sunken Baskor,
-Kervos Morgan

To Arcana Expeditions (5)
Since you are based out of Buron, would you like to just meet with my Galleon in the Water Proper and then sail for Sunken Baskor? I have some business in Arypso and Buron that I need to send some people over to conduct, and this way, we can sail together all the way to Baskor. And thank you for the offer. I feel a bit safer traveling in greater numbers.

[ArcaneStomper]

Silver Mage

To Horizon
Your offer is appreciated, but I have already received assistance in this matter.

To Lewis Company
Your offer is appreciated, but I have already received assistance in this matter.

To Blackmoor and New Verdan
The proposed route seems sound. I agree with Blackmoor that a stop at the edge of the Far Islands should be the first stop. As much as we all wish to explore the unknown establishing a base camp first is a priority.

Regardless I look forward to the coming expedition.

To Blackmoor
Thank you for your assistance.

To Oldgrowth Logging Company
I have been informed that your company offers [Rare Woods]. Is this the case.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To the Silver Mage and Blackmoor

We agree with that plan as well. We have been gathering rumors about the Isles for a while now, so we believe we can find a good location to land. To you grand mage, if searching for the colony site is successful we will build a building for you to stay in if you wish to explore the Isles more.

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild

"That she does..."

Vara idly flipped through the pages offered to her. "Say, you're heading out to the Isles soon, aren't you? That's no walk down the street. As fun as this has been, I hope it isn't the last time I get to see you face to face."

"Although... fate does take us to strange places, doesn't it? And right now, it seems to be taking everyone east. Silver Mage just showed up, and he's already shipping out with Blackmoor and New Verdan crews, you know. And you too. Something tells me the Divers will be drawn there soon enough. I've got some... unfinished business that I ought to see to, out there."

"If, by chance, we run into one another on those distant shores, I hope you'll have another story or two, yeah? And in the meantime, if you need a friendly port during your travels, there's always room at the Baskor docks for your ships." She pauses. "The good docks, I mean. Not the... oh, you know not to sail into Wavelost."

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To New Verdan, Silver Mage (5)
My intention for breaking off was to lay claim to an island and build a resupply port to service the various trading companies and explorers heading from to and from the Water, for a suitable charge. If either of you wish to assist me in this endeavor, either with exploring and pacifying the site or the actual construction, you can use it free for life. New Verdan, if you have a good idea of where you want to sail, then we can part ways there. If you want to scout out potential sites for a few months, then helping me establish a base camp could be prudent. Up to you.

[A_Dinosaur]

Quick Keel Trading Company [Morale 6]

To Merchants of Tyb
We accept these terms and will move out presently. Thank you for your patronage.

To Twin Loops
It was an offer and not a threat or demand, and the offer stands. I apologize if it came across as rude.

To Blackmoor
I appreciate your further consideration but I cannot accept such terms for my company, if you wish for my assistance in research projects I would be happy to provide if given payment.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Quick Keel Trading Company (5)
A shame.

What rates would I be looking at for your assistance? I do not know when I will be starting the project, but hopefully soon.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

Your Puissance,

I regret that the study of teleportation circles have not been part of my curriculum, and thus, I am not familiar with its workings. I am afraid it would be necessary for yourself to demonstrate to me how this should be done.

However, if you would be so kind as to do me the boon of demonstrating the art of creating teleportation circles, and to school me in the creation and use of such, I would be happy to create new circles in any locale visited by the West Trading Company in the near future. I hope this proposal is to your liking.

Yours,
Isabelle Winterbourne

[ArcaneStomper]

Silver Mage

To Blackmoor
I will be creating some golems at our destination to act as workers. Once they are done with my own accommodations I will assign them to aid in your construction.

To West Trading Company
I will show you how to cast the basic ritual. It is a simple trick.

(Unfortunately I don't have a lot of actions to spare for teaching this turn, and I don't have the necessary materials to actually make a teleportation circle. But I'll be able to do more next turn.)

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

Such would be most appreciated, Your Puissance. I am glad to have the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the art at your feet.

Isabelle Winterbourne

(OOC: Oh, that's fine. I've got plans of my own this Turn anyway.)

[Zemalac]

Oh Isabella
Your ship's run aground
Kneel at the sword
Scream at the clouds

TURN TWO BEGINS

Good weather this season keeps trade flowing smoothly and lets many exploratory expeditions travel further than expected, though a large storm in the southern Sharkspine may have thrown a few off-course.

Many expeditions were launched into the Far Isles this season, mostly into the Sharkspine. A fleet led by Arcana Expeditions travelled through the northern Sharkspine and then north, to Orsag’s Eyes, while a similar venture led by New Verdan travelled through the southern Sharkspine and was attacked by pirates. Horizon’s fleet went further south still, and was almost lost in a storm before finding itself at an island not on any maps. A Breakvale village fleet, meanwhile, along with ships from the Fleet of Chains, went north, and was turned back by elves at Vederfroun. Behind them all travels a fleet from Duke Likeay of Arypso, travelling no one knows where.

There is unrest in Baskor this season as a string of serial murders ends with the Diver’s Guild accusing the Canal Runners of being tied to the killers. The Guild has seized Canals with its divesmen, who patrol the streets.

Similar unrest is arising in Bokerbread, as Ordo Libra preachers declaim the oppression of the sharecroppers by the landowners. Many disaffected are flocking to their banner.

Those who watch the markets carefully say that the Lewis Company and the Sea Queen Trading Company have both made large profits this month. Very large, in the case of Lewis.

Ships and soldiers from Bonse were seen near the House of the Unknown Gods, along with ships that no one could identify.

The Caravanserai has been spotted just east of the Carpish Isles.

A ship from the Ko Essing Trade Concern was captured when passing through the Vreskelli Isles. Some rumors say it was islander rebels, others say pirates.

The Unburdened are moving throughout Lomar, aiding those who cannot help themselves.

Both the Magnum Opus and the Whitestone Dock have been publically trying to attract artificers, engineers and enchanters to join their ranks.

The Bonsean militia has seen a serious buildup over the course of the past season.

Zanchar Lore 2 Or Above

The Nosun district of Ollam is under Unspoken lockdown, for undisclosed reasons.


Far Isles Lore 3 Or Above

The group of druids known as the Grove has begun expanding their influence to the surrounding islands--Keyllacha and Kaliso, especially.


Merchant’s Water Lore 3 Or Above

The Sea Queen Company shipped stone from Arypso to Baskor, while the Lewis Company shipped iron from Arypso to the Kingdom of Merdallan. Both made large profits.

The citizens of Canals do not really believe that the Canal Runners were connected to the murders, as the Diver’s Guild claims.



Oh Isabella
There's smoke on the wind
Jaguar and fever
Have taken your men.

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Diver’s Guild [PM]

A large parrot arrives, bearing a parchment, bound by a thin, brass chain. The bird waits expectantly, cleary waiting to receive a reply.

To Diver’s Guildmaster,

In the light of the recent events, I would like to present you with the following proposal. Sunken Baskor depends on the trade to survive and it’s whole within my power to affect that flow. I believe you can see the possibilities, that shortages of food can provide you with, especially if you yourself would arrange to +have reserves. Or the possibilities of having a single safe trading route for the Baskor’s pearls.

If you wish to continue this discussion, please send a reply with the parrot.

Respectfully,
John C. Smith


Breakvale [3]

Tis unfortunate that our expedition run in this trouble, but perhaps we should be grateful having lost no man or ship. I would refund the Coin you supplied, as we had no opportunity to use it, and I believe it would be fair to split the Cartographer’s Guild reward equally.

If you wish, we can smash the Elsinir - with a contingent of your Mages to counter their ice magic, it wouldn’t be too difficult a proposition. But I defer whether to act to you. We may also try to sail more to the south, in hope that more welcoming land would be found there.

I would like to request a consultation. In my travels I found a skull of a strange animal. I fear it may bring ill luck, but I’m reluctant to depart with it, should my fears be simple superstition. You have many learned man, and if they could take a look, I would be most grateful.

Respectfully,
John C. Smith


Breakvale/GM [PM]

If Breakvale agrees, the skull of the animal I've found will be shown to their expert.


Bosne [3]

I thank you for your assistance and if you need a favor in return, feel free to ask it. If you wish to help us locate the wounded Mage, I would be doubly grateful, but I shall not insist on continuation of pursuit, as the atmosphere on the Island doesn’t lend to men staying there for long.

Respectfully,
John C. Smith

[thekazooist]

Breakvale

to Fleet of Chains
We will agree to that issue on the coinage. We'd prefer not to divert our mages from their task. And just because someone is a skilled mage doesn't mean they are a learned man. However, I can see what we can do.

[UntrainedMonkey]

The Unspoken

Open message to the city of Ollam
By order of the Lord Regent:
There is no island by the name Catterly. Such an island does not exist. Any mention of an island by the name of Catterly is a criminal offence. Catterly does not exist.

Due to increased necromancer activity corpses are now illegal. Any individual caught with a corpse will be fined and the corpse will be confiscated. Once again, to avoid any unnecessary corpses The Unspoken urge citizens to not die. All corpses are to be transported immediately upon their creation to mandated crematoriums.

Knowledge of the the Day/Night cycle is now mandatory. Those unaware of whether it is currently day or night will be fined.

Teleportation within city limits is now strictly regulated. Those caught teleporting in an unregulated manner will be punished.

The Unwary Wizards [11]
It has come to the attention of The Unspoken that you have entered Ollam by use of unregulated teleportation. Please turn yourselves over to The Unspoken at your earliest convenience so that you might be issued a teleportation license.

[Eldan]

Lady D'Ombrey to the Diver's Guild [5]

I heard that you have a certain murder problem. I happen to be in the area and such cases are a bit of a specialty of mine. Would you like me to talk to some of te unfortunates, in exchange for a nominal fee?

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild
D-ESP: 8

Greetings, children of the Darkhouse. You must forgive me for the somber tone of this message; we did succeed in tracking down the killers that plagued our city, but much blood was spilled in the process and I am not inclined to let my guard down until I am sure this thing is finished. The murders have stopped, and my divesmen patrol the canals making sure they are safe once again. However, we did notice that some of your followers were present when these events took place - doing your best to assist the investigation, I'm sure. I would be very interested to know if they saw anything that we may have missed while apprehending the ring of killers.

Lady D'Ombrey, it is a pleasure. There has indeed been an unfortunate spot of murder lately, but we believe those responsible have been apprehended. Your offer is most appreciated, but I imagine the "unfortunates" would only point to more corpses in a grim ouroboros. We will remember that proposal if we think it will be useful in the future. May we ask what the typical fee would be for such a service?

Vara Brinn personally receives the parrot, reads the note, and pens a response to give the bird.

Captain Smith,

I can indeed see the benefits of these actions. I expect you would have equivalent services to ask of the Divers Guild, for our cooperation? And I must admit, I am curious as to how you plan to achieve the things you describe. You may consider me interested. Perhaps a more personal meeting is in order, to discuss details.

No offense to this lovely bird, of course.

Vara Brinn, Guildmaster of the Divers Guild

Passive information gathering with my newly upgraded Intelligence:

How many Canal Runners remain, and where did they go now that the Divers control the Canals?

What are the Reputations of the other NPCs in Baskor?

Have I heard anything about what the Darkhouse and Magnum Opus were up to this past turn?

I'd like a commodities list for the Baskor market.

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Diver’s Guild [PM]

I fear I am currently unable to visit you in Baskor, though should you set to the sea, you would be welcome to dine on my flagship - Ship of Chains.

As for my proposition, it’s simple. My fleet would blockade Baskor, sinking any ship that attempts to sail in or out. I’ll make it known, that something of the Fleet of Chains is located in the Sunken Baskor and only if it is returned, would the Fleet retreat.

As Diver’s Guild, you would announce to the people of the Baskor, that you shall save them from their plight, by finding what the Fleet of Chains desires. Your success would create public support for your organization and allow you to take over. You can also use the knowledge of the upcoming blockade to stock on goods to sell or distribute as a gesture of goodwill.

Now as for what I wish, the truth is there might be something in the Sunken Baskor, that belongs to the Fleet. Our property would be marked by Skull and Chain and it’s possible, that remnants of the ship, that once belonged to the Fleet now reside beneath the waves of your fine city. I shall supply you with the description. You could use your men to check the Canals, to see if any of the items are among the curiosities the merchants peddle or reside on the bottom of the Fallen. As far as locations go, it’s also possible that my prize could be in the Wavelost, though I realize that territory is controled by fishman. A somewhat inconvenient situation.

Now, if you do not manage to find my property, we can settle on a monetary compensation - I’m certain the people of Baskor would be willing to pay for their salvation and you’d be able to collect enough for both of us.

Respectfully,
Captain John C. Smith

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild

It certainly sounds like such a plan would be worth our while. With our new position of control over the central Canals, and our propensity for underwater activities, we're certainly equipped to find your missing property. I do have one concern, however - you say your sunken ship may be present in Baskor's depths. You are not certain? If it is here, my men can find it, but I would not look forward to mobilizing my divers on a fool's errand.

Still, even if there is no cargo in the city to hand over, we should be able to capitalize on this knowledge to make some profits - profits enough to cover the job. If this is your wish, we can start making preparations.

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Diver's Guild [PM]

Ah, but great many things have sunk in Baskor. Even if you do not find my prize, you are certain to locate other lost treasures. It would be fortuitous for you to find me Chain & Skull treasure as I would be satisfied with it and leave the rest to you. Otherwise I would ask for an honest 50/50 split of profits.

If ye need a ship to carry supplies in or prepare a shipment of pearls to sell - as I expect the prices would go up, once the rumors of blockade reach Arypso, I have me a Galleon, though you’d be wise to disguise the fact, that it belongs to my Fleet.

I hope to have us an honest deal - there’ll be ships sunk in the future, around the Fleet of Chains. I’d be glad to know reliable men to retrieve the gold from their bellies, even from below the sea.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To the Silver Mage and Blackmoor

We did not know Lewis company was going to be joining us with ships. Were they hired as mercinaries or joining on their own accord? We feel the answer to that will help with the splitting of the coin we got from the Cartographers. We are going to attempt to set up our colony on Baruna.

~Issan Vol-ru


To the Baruna Sugary

We come from New Verdan, and are looking for another location to establish a colony. Would you allow us to join you on Baruna? We would be bringing in more weapons and ships to help fight off pirate attacks.

~Issan Vol-ru


To Lewis Company

We have developed a new type of armor that is as effective as plate mail, but a lot lighter and a man would be able to swim in for a little while. While currently we have just a prototype set, we would be willing to give Lewis Company 3 sets if they would allow 3 swords units to be used on Baruna while we set up our colony and get defenses in order. We currently think this would be a 3 turn deployment.


To the GM

I put a lot of my resources into establishing the colony this past turn. Am I able to make any headway already, or will that progress be added to next turn?

[Jaerug XI]

The Baskor Darkhouse

Greetings, the other ones,

Your measures were rather more effective than ours. We did have agents, not to name names, watching the night, but we were constricted in our ability. You see, our work is generally more, not to put too fine a point on it, political and some civilians, not to point any fingers, got it into their heads that one supposedly murderous group of the nocturnal differently aquatic in the city must be related to another.
Needless to say it is a farce and an affront to the dignity of our brotherhood, but such is the burden of stewardship. Thank the depths for the reduced strain of carrying weight underwater.

Postscript: the interested parties were counseled against further investigation of your trousers, you need fear no further inquiry on that front.

Dear All,

I could write a thousand odes comparing my morning and Aldren's tapioca, themselves both bittersweet. I do not have time before my boat, but I hope to send them later when we reach Buron.

You need not reread, you read correctly. Yesternight I secured my freedom!

In a turn and twist so strange that both could bewilder a bass... well, it turns out they didn't want me. Not for my smile, not for my punctuality, not even for my piscine visage.

I enjoyed my time here. Not the needles or the peculiar tingles of magic prying at my mind, but the people. They're all quite mad, but I doubt that Buron will yield better.

Mr. Occasu had an appointment in the Severe Confusions ward a few days back. He was away for quite a while, causing Madame Corel no small sum of worry. In some ways he came back, in some ways he never will. They talked to him, you see. Told him he was neither a fish nor a cat nor both, not really. I wonder what they used. Was it soothing music? Carefully vague cards? The horrid invasive eye?

He believed them. He is no longer what he should be.

To Ms. Seltz I gifted the paintings of glory placed in my room last time I wrote. One in particular, some Heuphasn prince in victory over probably undeserving barbarians or savages or some such, I placed in front of her bed.

I never saw her move or stir from slumber but as I left I saw her smiling with the prince she earned ages ago.

I wished to see Madame Corel's grandchildren before I left, I had some hard candies stowed away, but the time did not come. She did not understand me, I think, and I am certain I did not understand her, but I will miss her nonetheless.

I have little grasp of economics, no experience with trade, but today I learned a surprising lesson about the rate of exchange. As I left my room with only the clothes on my back, a handful of hard candy, and the stuffed tail that, to my shame, I sometimes snuggle to help me sleep, walked through a commons that had already said three goodbyes, passed the garden, and wound my way to the dock to await my ship, I thought of Lenderly. I have a life to live and a world to see and I have gained my freedom, but I considered forsaking them rather than parting with this man, my friend. Were it not for the less than receptive attendants with me, I might have.

Some day, with the blessing of fate and a strong back wind, I may repay his "cup cake."

I must go now to Buron. I shall send message when I arrive.

Departing,
Gill

Postscript: Should you ever sojourn in Aldren and have any choice in the matter, I would not recommend the tapioca.

[Lost Demiurge]

A broadsheet being circulated around Buron on the Water, and nearby ports... (All may read)

To all brave souls who explored in the east this last month...

Greetings! I'm Arkanos Mundi, financier of Arcane Expeditions!

We've explored a bit and then some, but we're highly interested in YOUR own discoveries!

To that end, we'll happily trade information on the islands we discovered, in exchange for information of your own. We have information on the following islands...

-Funeral Eyre
-Vonissi
-Garotte Atoll
-Islands of the Standard

Let's work together and maximize our chartage!

Sincerely,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Arcana Expeditions
If I may ask, have you come across any sources of commodities that might be traded on the markets back in the Merchant's Water? If you could point us towards some we would be happy to pay you a commission- a finder's fee, so to speak.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Loyalty: 5

To New Verdan and the Silver Mage (5)
Joined of their own accord, so far as I'm aware. I imagine they planned to just clump up with whatever expedition they ran into. Does that make them less deserving of the mapmakers' coin, as they took advantage of our protection without offering anything for it?

And, as for Baruna, I was hoping to build my resupply port there as well. However, this doesn't necessarily conflict with your plans to build a colony. I can take care of constructing the dock and vicinity, while you focus on your settlement. After all, to get a trading port up and running we need more than one faction selling there.

To Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)
Overall a successful endeavor, I would say. Or, at least, not a failure. If you would please keep me informed as to whether you'd be interested in having me along for another outing, I would be grateful.

To d'Ombrey (5)
Your ship has been upgraded to your specifications, however I was unable to grasp the mechanisms involved with the submersible. Since I do not wish to keep you bound in the Water any longer, I instead ask that Blackmoor gets the opportunity to reverse engineer the technology at some point that is convenient for you.

To Breakvale (5)
In similar spirit to Arcana's offer, I was wondering if you would be interesting in talking about your own expedition to Vederfraun? Did you find anything of interest before the elves attacked?

To Horizon (5)
Greetings once more,

I was wondering what the status of your expedition was at this moment? I heard you've been blown off course. Anything you know about the island? I've got a pretty good grasp of the Isles seen so far, so I could exchange such information on other places?

To Viscount Adea (5)
Greetings Viscount,

I was wondering if I could inquire about the possibility of purchasing your mill in Heuphasn? Blackmoor is looking to start some construction, and an in-house supply of materials would be very beneficial.

Thank you for your time,
-Kervos Morgan

To Ambassador Kempthorne (5)
Greetings Ambassador,

I was wondering if I could trouble you for any information on the Blue Waters Trading Company or their ship, the Osprey?

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Blackmoor and Silver Mage (DESP 5)

I was thinking if they were hired mercinaries they would be less deserving, since they would be getting paid through other means. If they came on their own accord than 2 coins for each of us sounds like a fair deal.


To the Arcane Expeditions (DESP 5)

We are willing to share our information on the islands to the East. We have knowledge on Baruna, Massau, Kastos Freeport, and the Osprey's nest. We are looking for information on Funeral Eyre, Vonissi, and Garotte Atoll.

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver Mage

To Blackmoor and New Verdan (DESP 0)
I would point out that the Lewis Company did not simply take advantage of our expedition. Their soldiers and gunboats fought well against the pirates. I am in favor of giving them an even share of the coin.

I have no issues with setting up on Baruna. I plan to set up my own cottage and then offer my assistance on the rest of the colony. We should also consider how we plan on defending the island. The pirates will almost certainly attempt to plunder us when they realize a significant settlement is being established.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To New Verdan and the Silver Mage (5)
A valid point. Should we include them in these talks about that fate of Baruna, or at least inquire as to their intention here?

As for mapmakers, straight cut of [2 Coin] to each of us?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Divers Guild [5]

"Oh, what can be spared. One or two coin, if you have it, or knowledge. Whatever is available."

D'Ombrey to Arcana Expeditions, Blackmoor [5]

"If we went on another expedition, I would gladly join. Otherwise, I would see what secrets the ocean floor of the Merchant Waters can yield.

Oh, and I may have another task for the Artificers of Blackmoor. Do you know much about wards? I have some diagrams drawn up that I'd like realized on my ship."

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
The day is warm, and the Arkanos Museaum of Oddities and Odesseys has got the windows open. In the main lobby, a stream of workmen and porters bring up crates from the Dockside, watched over by halberd-bearing guards with fancy uniforms.

The first artifacts are in from the east. Small items, easily scavenged. Tools, weapons, a few items of clothing made from less-perishable materials. Some sort of holy symbol, carved from a seashell and studded with semiprecious stones. A wooden carving of a weeping woman.

Beaming, Mundi watches over each crate as they're opened, and gently withdraws the more choice artifacts. One by one, they go into glass cases, to be checked and labelled later by the clerks. The more puzzling ones will be checked over via divination, when Mme. Fortuna is free.

The little man is happy, for the first time in years.

"An entire lost civilization. Or maybe two or three! Well, maybe more of a tribe. Harrumph, you know what I mean. If we can get more of these, and maybe a few centerpiece items, our grand opening will draw in one hell of a crowd!"

"Lost civilizations are usually lost for a reason, Arkanos." The gravelly voice emanates from a man in brown, with a wide-brimmed hat shading his handsome, stubbled face. His greatcoat contains scorchmarks from a close call with a group of fire-eating assassins this morning, and unnoticed, a poisoned needle juts from the rise of his hat from the sniper he didn't see. "We might do better to set up a base camp elsewhere and sailing over. That place gives me the willies." Maximus Court throws a sign against evil over his shoulder.

"A divination might be able to unravel the past," muses Fortuna, who's studying a series of stone jars speckled with cowries. "At least far enough to determine if there's any danger. Although, the friendly natives are only an island over."

"It'd cut into our exploration, too. On the other hand, we could probably search the place thoroughly before anyone comes to rob it or awaken the ancient evil."

Mundi frowns. "Ancient evil? What ancient evil?"

Court sighs. "There's always an ancient evil."

Fortuna smiles. "It might be an ancient amoral. Those are sometimes fun."

"Fun with a capital F-U", Court grouses.

Mundi shakes his head. "Enough. Let's talk about something more in my realm of experience. Let's talk funds."

Court nods. "How are we doing there? Good return from the mapmakers?"

Mundi smiles. "Oh yes. We covered good distance, even if most of it was empty. And the Clipper's going to come in very handy for minor trade runs as we go. We could use another though..."

Fortuna smiles. "But a good ship is nothing without a good captain. And while we have some worthy men in our fleet, they're... Well, green."

"Green's not bad, everyone starts somewhere." says Court. "They'll learn soon enough, you put'em in charge."

"Aye, but if it's at the cost of the ship, then I don't know if we can recover." Mundi frowns over his spectacles. "We're doing well enough, but we can't afford a significant hit right now. Maybe if we did some exploring alone..."

"Safety in numbers or risking fate..." Fortuna flips a card from nowhere, and considers it. She frowns. "Judgement. Anyone feeling guilty?"

Mundi and Maximus shake their heads. She smiles. "Well, we'll probably be good either way so long as we keep our hands clean."

"Not a problem," chuffs Mundi. "We're a respectable, chartered business!"

"Probably means we should stay clear of those religious fanatics," mutters Court. "I get the feeling things might get violent if we push too hard in that direction. And I know, I know..."

"...Violence costs money," Mundi snaps. Then his face relaxes, as he looks around.

The museum's less than 5% full, but you can almost sense the magic of the place... The light glinting off of strange masks, broken tools used by people long dead... The stories are here, whispering unheard, yearning to be told...

He smiles, and pulls over a chair. "Well. At any rate, if it DOES come to violence, you can expect more help, soon. Best way to avoid being pirate bait is to spend that money wisely, lower your liquidity and raise your actionable assets."

Court frowns. "What?"

Fortuna pats his shoulder. "He means that he's hiring more violence-capable people."
"Not just that," Mundi muses, looking around at the artifacts. "You're a powerful mage, but there's only one of you and we need you in the field. I think we maybe could use a few curator-mages."

"I don't know that branch..." Fortuna frowns.

Court grins, and pats HER on the shoulder. "Relax sister, I get where he's going." He ignores her narrowed eyes, and continues. "Like retired mages, folks who don't do the boom and the zombies, but are more about drawing a steady paycheck and avoiding danger. Enchanters and the like, who can identify dangerous or unstable artifacts, and find ways to contain them. Stuff like that, yeah?"

Mundi nods. "In a word, yes. In three words... You know anyone?"
Court rubs his chin. Stubble grinds against his fingers. "I might. They might try to kill me, though."
"So what else is new?"

"Point. Alright, give me time to work. As for the rest..."

"I think we've a way ahead," says Mundi. "We'll finalize plans upstairs, away from open windows and the eavesdroppers. After that I've got a few letters to write, that I've been putting off..."

ARCANA EXPEDITIONS
DESP: 5

To Sea Queen Trading Company
To whom it may concern

Good afternoon! To date we have focused on speed, rather than investigating the in-depth resources of the islands we've found. But if we do in fact find some tradeable items, we'll happily inform you of them.

yrs in good faith,
-Arkanos Mundi


To Blackmoor and D'Ombrey
More than a success, this was a rousing triumph! We avoided danger, explored four new islands, two of which are suitable for ports or base camps, and found a good dig site.

The coin was a bit less than we would have made alone, but the company made up for it.

Right now we're considering doing minor exploration while setting up a dig on the island of abandoned temples. If you've nothing much at the minute, Lady D'Ombrey, it's possible that the area around the shores might hold underwater secrets, though you'd probably have better luck with wrecks in the Merchant's Waters. And if you're inclined to build a small port for resupply, Ser Blackmoor, then either the abandoned island or the one with friendly natives seems like a good place for that.

PS: As agreed upon during the trip, a 4-2-2 coin split in our favor is agreeable to us. Concur?


To New Verdan

We'll happily trade you our knowledge for yours! Full disclosure on both sides, or would you prefer to trade on a one-for-one basis?


To Buron Foreign Office

To Mssrs Snadely, Crope, and Gyren (Officials that Mundi's probably done business with, being a Buronite and a merchant.)

Greetings, my friends! You've probably heard of my new venture, and the commerce it promises to bring to Buron-on-the-Water. As such, I was hoping to ask your advice on a couple of related matters...

As business goes well, we're expanding to meet the market's demand. As such, we're looking for more people... Specifically, specialists.

We could use mages, both for field work and the care and containment of foreign artifacts. We've no objection to hiring those on the older end of the spectrum, agewise, if that's a factor. Who should we talk to, or where should we look for the best potential recruits?

We're also potentially in need of another Clipper, and a good sea captain. Doesn't have to be the best, but needs be good enough to trust a newly-made (or refurbished) vessel to. Do any names come to mind, or who should we be talking to for such hirings?

The ship's of consideration, too. How much does a clipper tend to run, in current markets? Better to commission construction, or purchase from respectable dealers? Can you recommend any dealers?

I remain your friend and associate,
-Glorio Arkanos Mundi

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)
Wards are certainly within our repertoire. I've been intending to look into protective armaments to pair with our smokepowder weaponry, doing high level work on your vessel could give us foundational knowledge of the enchantments involved.

Coin split is agreed. It was a pleasure sailing with all of you.

As for resupply port, I also sent a ship along with New Verdan's expedition, and I found a few suitable locations for a base there. On Baruna specifically. However, I need to negotiate with them as they seek to colonize the site as well... So we shall see. Vonissi or Garotte's Atoll both seem promising locations as well.

[ArcaneStomper]

To GM
So now that I have the plans what would I need to actually build my golem ship?

Also I'm kind of thinking of building a whole fleet of them if this works out. In three variants. One warship, one cargo ship, and one fast ship like a clipper. I figure if I've got Scientific Theory 4 I might as well take advantage of the ship building knowledge.

Would building golem ships have any advantages over just building a regular clipper, caravel, and galleon. I figure they'd probably need less supplies.

I'm probably going to need to build a golem shipyard with golem workers before I can build a whole fleet in any case.

Yes, the Silver Mage really likes golems. :smallbiggrin:

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Lord Reuld, Protector of Tyb

My Fleet - or rather 1/3 of my Fleet, had turned away the privateers in the Carpish Isles sea, allowing Tybian traders - Lewis Company and Sea Queen Trading Company to return, having made vast fortunes from trade.

I ask you to honor our agreement and send me information on the Far Isles (Far Isles Lore).

Respectfully,
John C. Smith


Divers Guild/GM [PM]

[This is the stuff I plan to put in EoT]

Divers Guild Secret Agreement

Divers should scour the Sunken Baskor - from merchant shops, private collections to sunken wrecks for the following (the descriptions will be provided via letter delivered by Tiny Mu):

Anything with Emblem of Skull & Chains
Anything that resembles parts of Fleet of Chains
Anything with reference to ''Stonefather''.
Anything with connection to Old Gods.

I believe that they should be able to give access to locations and private collections as well as requisition the treasures, by pointing out, it’s the only way to banish the Fleet of Chains.

Now if they manage to locate this stuff, the Fleet shall receive it and depart, loudly proclaiming that Divers Guild satisfied us and as long as they exist, Sunken Baskor shall not be besieged by Fleet of Chains again. Basically play in for their political ambitions, as saviors of Baskor.

If Divers Guild fails to procure any item satisfying the above, then we shall expect enough treasure of pearls and other riches of the Sunken Baskor to fill Buke Galleon to the brim. We shall play it out with Divers Guild negotiating a respite for the Sunken Baskor - they as locals would be able to convince the Island inhabitants to pay. Anything above Fleet’s share will go in Guild’s pocket, plus political favor of having negotiating salvation of the Island.

If everything works out, the location of the ships sunken during the blockade will be provided to the Divers Guild.

====

[If you plan to have access though blockade or do some commodities speculation, we need to work it out, as I plan on sinking almost any ship out there.]


Arcana Expeditions [3]

I'm prepared to trade information on Vederfroun for information on the Islands of Standards.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
DESP: 5

to Fleet of Chains

Greetings, Captain. Your bargain is accepted.

Here's the excerpt from Court's log on the Islands of the Standard:


"...Grey islands thrusting out of the ocean, with graven faces carved on their cliffs, eroded and made featureless by time and constant waves. The ships of the fleet were met by catamarans lined by fur-clad warriors with faces as stony as the rock facades that line their islands. They are the Mechod Daglorus, the Warriors of the Hard Code. If you serve Orsag the Guardian, they explained, you must also serve the Mechod Daglorus in all things, for they are his voices on earth; and if you do not serve the Guardian God, then they will have no choice but to begin the Rites of Extreme Vindication."

That's about the point the exploration team turned around and left.

Now, what can you tell us about Vederfroun?

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
DESP: 5

to Blackmoor and D'ombrey


Baruna, you say? What's over there? If you're going to set up a base there, we could use part of it as an expedition camp... We might be willing to chip in if that's so. Maybe. Depends on who else you're working with.


To New Verdan
Well, we've found another source on Baruna, so let's make it an even three for three. We'll tell you of Funeral Eyre, Vonissi, and Garotte Atoll, in exchange for Massau, Kastos Freeport, and the Osprey's Nest.

We'll start!

Funeral Eyre... A fire burns atop the highest peak, here. The inhabitants of the place are not quite human, and wear thick robes when dealing with outsiders. They don't speak the common tongue, but fortunately Mr. Court knew a few smatterings that allowed basic communication. They had no food or water available for resupply, saying that the stuff here was tainted and dangerous to us. We rather believed them.

Vonissi... White beaches and ruins, and not a soul on the island. An eerie feeling, too, even beyond the standard one you get in an abandoned place. Quite possibly cursed. Good point for resupply, though.

Garotte Atoll... Inhabited, by pleasant people who happily helped us resupply. Little else of note here, at least from a swift glance.

Your turn, sir.

Sincerely,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Zemalac]

Wizards to Unspoken (11)

Sure! Yeah. We'll get right on that.

OOC: Sources say they're trying to find a boat to leave the city.


Divers Guild (PM)

Few Canal Runners remain--they were basically a courier service, so they're not exactly fighters. A lot of them fled the city. Those who are left are those with fresh grudges. If you knew where they'd gone, the divesmen would have already gotten them.

Bente Vos Calloum: 5 Feared, 3 Loved
Denta: 1 Feared, 2 Loved
Fe Nasr: 1 Loved

Darkhouse was trying to find the serial killers, not realizing that they were you.

The only visible Magnum Opus action was them trying to recruit artificers.


Spices: 18.2
Lumber: 9.2
Rare Lumber: 12
Stone: 10.4
Rare Stone: 11.8
Gold: 14.4
Silver: 12
Copper: 10.6
Iron: 9.2
Corpses: 1.4
Gemstones: 14.4
Medicinal Drugs: 12
Recreational Drugs: 14.4
Reagents: 10.8
Zancharian Relics: 9.6
Food: 8.8
Sugar: 12
Coffee: 12
Tobacco: 12
Furs: 9.6
Slave Labor: 4.2



Baruna Sugary to New Verdan (4)

Sure, we don't mind, so long as you don't try to tell us what to do. We're done with that sort of thing.


New Verdan (PM)

Those resources will be used to establish a colony wherever you choose to settle your expedition. From the way things are looking, that seems like it's going to be Baruna.


Viscount Adea to Blackmoor (3)

Well, that would depend on the price being offered, I suppose. That mill certainly isn't one of my primary businesses, so I think I could let it go easily enough if a reasonable offer were made.


Buron Foreign Office to Blackmoor (7)

The Blue Waters Trading Company was a trading concern that folded five years ago, after a series of disastrous ventures into the Far Isles. Most of their ships are now, I have been given to understand, part of various other fleets, having been sold at auction.

As for the Osprey, we have three active ships on record by that name. None of them used to be owned by Blue Waters, so far as I can tell.

Your humble servant,
Kempthorne


Buron Foreign Office to Arcana Expeditions (7)

The usual place to look for mages is the University at Ver Arcana. I think they have a recruiting office in the city, if you want to submit a job posting to them.

Clippers, now, those generally go for [8 Coin], though of course that does vary depending on availability and the quality of the ship. The harbormaster keeps a list of ones being put to sale at the moment, or you could commission one from one of the drydocks. We've invested in Hawser & Sons recently, so they'd likely give you decent prices--one of the requirements of the Office's support is providing discounts and favorable agreements to other Buron mercantile concerns.

We at the Office don't keep track of all the captains in port or currently lacking a ship, unfortunately. Best of luck in that endeavor.


ArcaneStomper (PM)

Some source of materials--lumber or clay or whatever you're planning on building it out of--and reagents (which is basically an abstraction for any weird magical materials you might need). Golem ships do not require supplies, but aren't as smart as normal ships, and you'll likely need a human you trust on the other end to unload and load things for you.


Lord Protector of Tyb to Fleet of Chains (5)

Yes, I heard about that. I'll collect some information for you and send it your way [at EoT].

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To the Arcane Expeditions

Massau, and Kastos Freeport - These are a bastion for pirates, and Freeport is a large pirate city. Freeport itself seems to be building something.

Osprey's Nest - A heavily forested volcanic island with a sunken carvel half way up the mountain called "Osprey".

Do the Arcane Expeditions have trade ships at their disposal? We may start having some resources to trade from Baruma, but with such a small navy and no trade ships to speak of we woudl be looking to sell the goods for coin and letting others transport it back to Merchants water and make the coin.


To GM (PM)

Yes, I'll be setting up in Baruma. Do I know roughly how much wealth (I'm assuming wealth is used for production, since there is no production stat) it would take to create a galleon, or another fireing fortress?

Edit: I'd also like to ask about the prices on your pricing sheet. Are the values in coin?


To Blackmoor and Silver Mage

That is fair. 2 Coin for all 4 of us. I am planing on hiring a small band of their men to help defend Baruma, if they accept. As far as more involvement we wouldn't be opposed.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 11

Your Puissance, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the previous offer from our Company, and to confirm at the same time that it still stands. I would like to hear from you soon regarding your intention as to our offer, whether to accept it or otherwise.

Isabelle Winterbourne

I know it's common knowledge OOC, but IC, how likely would it be for Joe to have heard of either the Dread Pirate Constance and/or the Fleet of Chains?

Also, would Joe's Traits give him an insight into where he can find people who'd buy contraband off him, no questions asked? Or is this something the Tavern Wenches can clue him into?

[Pahvimato]

Lewis Company, D-ESP 3


To New Verdan
That highly depends on the effectiveness of the armour you have developed. I'm willing to give the order to one of our musketeer companies to stay at your colony if that is what you wish, if the armor is of a high enough quality. If not, we might need to find some way for additional payment. I believe our men have already shown their competence against the pirates of Baruna, and our musketeers are among the finest soldiers in the waters.

Henry Lewis

To New Verdan, Blackmoor, Silver Mage
The 8 Links from the cartographers could easily be split even between us, 2 Links to the each of us. This sound fair to you?

What are your plans on colonisation here? I'll have to admit this was originally an expedition of the three of you and we came along as guards, but I do hold an interest about the Osprey's Nest if you have no use for it.

To GM
I'm going to assume I'm in need of more guards for my convoys soon. How much stuff like that costs? I was thinking of having the guards as low level swords with no traits. On the seas, I'd like to get more Interceptors and am wondering on the costs. Can those be bought outright or do I need to get them built for me? Can I build them myself with my scientific theory 2 if I get the resources needed? Also, what's the cost of galleons?

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
DESP: 5


to Buron Foreign Office

Ver Arcana, hm? That works.

We'll sound out Hawser and Sons, see if we can commission one. Thanks for the notice!


to New Verdan

Pirates, you say? We'll tread with caution, thanks. Osprey's Nest sounds like there's a hell of a story there...

We have a couple of trade ships, though they typically get used for other purposes. Running cargo would help our bottom line, and fund more expeditions... What kind of goods can you offer from Baruma?


to Ver Arcana

Good evening. My name is Arkanos Mundi, and I'm building a museum. The Buron Foreign office suggested I run a posting by you...

Arcana Expeditions is hiring curators right now, and people with an interest in archaelogical matters. We could use skilled mages who can identify artifacts either at home or in the field, and know the proper care and maintenance of any magical items we gather. We could also use mages who know their way around wards, alarms, and protections.

We offer either an exciting career of excavation and travel in the field, or a quiet career of research and maintenance in the museum curator field. All employment is of the long-term kind.

Benefits, medical care, a steady wage, and the chance to unravel the mysteries of long-lost lands... See what the Arcana have in store for you!

Applicants welcome at 502 Gaudy street, Masked King's Court, Buron-on-the-Water.

-Arkanos Mundi


to Hawser & Sons

Good day! The Buron Foreign Office pointed me your way, told me that you provide the sturdiest, swiftest vessels around! We might be interested in purchasing a clipper...

We're currently looking around for someone worthy of captaining such a purchased vessel, as well. You being in the business, can you recommend any captains who are between jobs, or know any good place to look for veteran officers?

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Arcana Expeditions [3]

Any expedition to approach the Vederfroun Isles would be met by white-and-silver cutters crewed by pale-skinned elves. The islands are claimed by Elsinier and are not open to outlanders.

The Elves have 5 Cutters, fast, but unsuited for venturing far from land. Their main strength are [3] Elementalists, experts in the ice magic and knowledgeable in arcane matters from their Elsinir heritage

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Arcana Expeditions

"Tsk. I don't normally write out sounds like that, but really now. Tsk.

Why do you need more mages to identify artefacts for you when I'm already here, on your expedition, and me and my advisors are perfectly capable to have a look at your artefacts?"

[ArcaneStomper]

Silver Mage

To New Verdan, Blackmoor, and Lewis Company
2 Coins for each of us is a fair and amicable split.

Currently the consensus seems to be establishing a port on Baruna. Plans should be made for dealing with the pirates of Massau.

To the West Trading Company
Miss Winterbourne,

You will need to pay more attention if you wish to progress in the magical arts. You may note the runic circle of Ravenoak I carved into a teleportation circle at your headquarters, and the lessons I gave you while doing so.

I will need to build another teleportation circle here before I can return to give you more lessons, but I do not foresee that being a major issue.

(OOC: My EoT response says that I taught Isabelle Winterbourne the basics of teleportation circle. I don't know what yours says.)

To the GM
I don't foresee a problem getting regular lumber or clay, but how do I go about getting reagents. Can I just gather them. Or do I need to find an island that produces reagent resources?

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Lewis Company (DESP 6)

It is a rather thick armor that does not have all the negatives of wearing heavy armor. We understand the skill of your men, but we are looking for numbers right now as there is a significant chance the colony will not be attacked. We may come back, but for the current moment our resources are tied up in building our colony and we cannot divert more resources than 3 units of armor to defense.

(OOC: The armor gives the units the "Tough" trait and reduces the penelties for wearing heavy armor. )


To Lewis Company, Blackmoor, and Silver Mage (DESP 6)

I agree with the 2 Coins each, and the current objective is to establish defenses on Baruna. I cannot speak for my friends, but I am not planning on any construction on the Osprey's nest.

The Pirates are going to be a major problem. When we passed by their city, they were constructing something. Whatever it was I imagine it will be headed to Baruna once it is complete.


To the Arcane Expeditions (DESP 6)

We aren't looking to sell anything yet, as our colony is under construction. Right now we are just guaging any interested buyers. Once the colony is complete it should produce some sugar and perhaps some recreational drugs depending on quantity.

Are you making any plans to revist Vonissi or Garotte Atoll? With almost our first colony being so close to pirates we may be looking for another island to fall back to. As you found the islands we do not wish to step on your toes.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
DESP 5 for all

to Fleet of Chains

Ah, that's helpful, Captain! My thanks for the news. We'll know not to plan to resupply there, for future voyages.

That's two islands in the area that have unsympathetic natives. I'm starting to wonder if that's a trend for the seas north of the Sharkspines.

I wonder... Given your exploration and interest in the Isles of the Standard, you seem to have your eyes on the north. We had planned to explore some of that area, as well. Given that, would you and yours be interested in a mutual non-aggression pact? With an eye to aid each other's survival if we're nearby, and help out in case of disaster? Nothing major, just basic traveller's code.


to Lady D'Ombrey
Apologies, Lady, we meant no offense. Honestly, I'm more interested in having staff at home to help run the museum, and set up some proper wards. We don't have any artifacts that seem to be worth a damn at the minute, but that will probably change. And I'd hate to lose guards or visitors because we didn't know that the Seven-Headed-Serpent-Statue-of-Selek needs lamb's blood every two months or it animates and becomes peckish. Stuff like that.

And while you and Dame Fortuna are damn good at what you do, there's a ton of trivial things that would be wastes of your time. Hell, just having some apprentices along to help reflavor the food or keep it fresh aboard our ships would be worth its weight in mutiny prevention.

Since you're reading our mail, you've probably also noticed we're looking to hire more than just mages. Don't suppose you've got any recommendations as to where we can hire a good sea captain?

Regards and Respect,
-Arkanos Mundi



to New Verdan
Sugar and recreational pharmaceuticals, hm? We can probably fill a few holds. If you don't mind, we're going to tell a few traders we know about this, so the sooner you get that port going, the better.

Vonissi we're definitely revisiting, and soon, but as Mr. Court likes to grumble, "Deserted islands are deserted for a REASON." That's why we're interested in you setting up the base camp on Baruna so we have a safe fallback point in the event that the place is haunted by hungry ghosts or conceals a threat that only comes out at night, or that sort of thing. Still, it's got a ton of ruins and secrets, and that's what we're out here to explore.

Garotte Atoll might be viable for an alternative for you... But we only know the natives from brief experience, so we can't vouch for them 100 percent. We were going to learn more about them once we could spare the anthropologists to go and live among them for a while. You'd probably have to talk to them about that. If you do, we'd love to hear anything you learn about them, would owe you a favor in the future if it's something we can use.

As far as stepping on our toes, don't worry about it. By our charter, we can't legally claim territory. We're restricted to temporary camps, lease negotiations, and whatever lodging arrangements we make with existing natives. Which suits us fine, we're explorers, not conquistadors.

Besides, anyone going after Vonissi has a good chance at having to deal with whatever drove people out... We're professionals at that sort of thing, it'd probably be a bit costly to anyone else...



to Sea Queen Trading Co.
We may have located some trade goods. New Verdan's looking to set up a colony on Baruna, once it's up and running it should be a steady source of Sugar and Recreational Drugs.

[Eldan]

Lady D'Ombrey to Arcana Expeditions


I have never really thought about that question, but I will see what I can think of. Have you considered people of a... less legal nature? They could have many advantages. Secrecy, boldness, a knowledge of routes rarely taken by more open sailors...

And I do not read your mail. The exact process is difficult to explain, but think of it like this:
Messges are not just a physical thing. The shape of the letters, how the ink is spead on the paper, transports a meaning between a mind who knows to write and another mind who knows to read.
In that, letters are like spells. Correctly woven, they are more than gestures, words and rare materials, just as letters are not just randomly spread ink on paper. They are a message written on the medium of the world.
One of the first principles of magic is As Above, so Below. Things that are alike resonate. Magic is like letters, so letters are like spells.
What I read is not the paper. It is the connect the message on them forms between two minds, separated by time and distance. It is much easier and more direct than intercepting so much paper. Of course, it doesn't always work, but the more hands a letter passes through, the more likely the message lands in an unprotected mind.
Ask Fortuna. She might understand.

[Eldan]

Lady D'Ombrey to the Dread Pirate Constance


Somewhere on Constance's ship, a quill begins to move over a paper, seemingly by itself...

"Captain Constance

We are looking to hire experienced sea officers, with or without ships. It is my long-held believe to only ever go with the best quality around. Your reputation seems sound for what I need and I trust you have heard of mine. How much of a share do I need to promise you for the expedition you will accompany me and some colleagues on?

Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey"

[Imperial Psycho]

The Dread Pirate Constance
Port Noire

“Well, that was profitable.” The Dread Pirate Constance smiled and put her feet up on the table.

“Oh? It seemed like a waste of our time to me.” The voice of her companion was calm and deep. The pair drew strange looks from the outlaws, pirates and other scum that frequented the tavern. Not because of the Dread Pirate, that was their main clientele. But because she seemed to talking to a flame in her hand. And the flame seemed to be talking back.

Constance laughed. “You think everything is a waste of time. Wasn’t it fun, watching Davvy Kastos turn that little expedition into matchsticks? ”

“Hmm. Fun? Maybe. But what did we gain from the expedition?”

“Well, other than the show, more than you’d think. Information can be valuable as gold, if you spend it wisely.”

“I see. And what are we going to do with what we know?” The flame danced and flickered in Constance’s hand. Constance merely grinned. “You’ll just have to wait and see!” She closed her palm, and the flame flickered and died.

She jumped to her feet and marched over to the tarvernkeep. The man was a tough old buzzard who knew how to keep his mouth shut. Constance slammed her tankard down on the bar. “This swill is the foulest concoction I’ve ever drank.” The man simply gave her a stony stare. “I’ll take a dozen barrels. Have them loaded onto my ship.” The tavernkeep gave her a toothy grin. “Aye. I'll do that.”

To Lady d'Ombrey
The Dread Pirate looked with surprise as the quill began to dance, then watched it with interest. A tiny flame danced from finger to finger, as if she was considering burning the thing before it completed it's task. She doesn't seem to have seriously considered it though. "Begone, spectre. I shall read your little note."

Eventually, a response arrives.

My dear Lady,

I suppose I should be flattered by the offer. Unfortunately, my response depends on any number of things. Especially where pay is concerned. I think I should be able to help you out, but first. I think I'll need to meet with the head of your little Expedition. Get the measure of the man. And sort out exactly what you guys want.

Captain Admiral Queen Constance

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Arcana Expeditions
Beautiful! This is exactly what we've been looking for.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to The Dread Pirate Constance [5]

"Well. Perhaps you should contact Arcane expeditions yourself. I haven't exactly told them yet that I am contacting you.

As for your role, allow me to elaborate. Considering the fate of another recent expedition, I began listing common dangers facing expeditions and what would have to be done to eliminate some or all of them. To wit: piracy, dangerous natives both humanoid and bestial, the weather, a lack of nautical and geographical knowledge of the area. It seems that, save for weather, most of these could be solved by directly entering into a business relationship with an established pirate and, as it were, purchasing insurance. A kind of reverse letter of marque, if you will, whereby we would ensure a measure of safety of our own ships from piracy, that being a distinct advantage.

I may also have, in time, a more private offer to you, Constance-without-titles, if you were inclined to meet in person to discuss it.

Lady d'Ombrey

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To The Arcane Expeditions (DESP 6)

I wouldn't call them pharmaceuticals, there is a large distillary on the island, and if there is a market for the rum it could be profitable. We still need to do a little research into the quality and competition in the market.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To Viscount Adea (5)
That would depend on a few things. What is the current output of the mill?

[OOC: Consult my Lore, primarily [Trade and Markets 2] and [Merchant's Water 3] for a fair amount to buy the claim. Lumber is generally worth 6 Coin each, so assuming it has an output of 1 per turn, based on it being struggling, something like... I dunno, [10-12ish Coin]? The Viscount doesn't seem particularly interested in keeping it, and I imagine he doesn't want to keep having to manage it. I don't know if he's looking to make a profit, or just break even over all.]

To the Buron Foreign Office (5)
Thank you for your information.

To Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)
Are either of you up for a bit of mystery solving? Osprey's Nest doesn't really add up, after consulting with the Buron Foreign Office. Or are you heading off the map again?

To New Verdan, Silver Mage, and the Lewis Company (5)
New Verdan, are you ok with me building the trade port on Baruna? I'm deliberating locations.

To New Verdan, Silver Mage, the Lewis Company, Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)
I believe I have informed all of you prior about my intentions to establish a resupply port in the Far Isles, and I wished to keep you updated. As of this moment, Baruna, Vossini, the Osprey's Nest or Garotte Atoll seem like potential locations. Each have some issues, so since I see this group as a relatively decent slice of potential users of the port, what are your opinions?

To d'Ombrey (5)
So were you going to commission us in arming your craft with wards this [Turn]? Or were you going to venture out?

To Garotte Atoll Natives (5)
Greetings to the residents of the Atoll,

I was wondering if you would be willing for me to build a resupply port on the island. I'm currently scouting locations, and I'd rather not anger any potential neighbors by not consulting them.

Kervos Morgan,
Blackmoor Founder

Internal (GM)
Now that I have Lore, I've got some questions:
With [Trade and Markets 2], what are Reagents?

And, using [Merchant's Water 3], is there anywhere within the Water that I could obtain them?

Unrelated to Lore, am I correct in assuming that I would need a Trade Ship to move Lumber from Heuphasn to the Uplands?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor

"I wasn't going to venture out alone. If Arcane Expeditions goes on another journey this month, I would like to accompany them this time. If not, I will stay for upgrades. In any case, I think I should have time for some preparatory work, laying out diagrams and spells.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Blackmoor, Silver Mage, the Lewis Company, Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)

We would be happy having the port on Baruma. I believe the only better location would be if we can attack and conquer the pirate nations in the Far Isles, and use their city as a port of our own.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
(DESP: 5 to all)

to Lady D'Ombrey

Don't take this the wrong way, but I find your explanation of how you're not reading my mail to be more worrisome than if you were simply reading my mail. Fortuna says she quite understands and trusts your discretion, though, so I'll refrain from obsessing over it.

Not like we have any secrets anyway, at least at this stage of things.

As far as less legal people go... Well, we're willing to hire whoever can get the job done, so long as they aren't horrible gits, and don't get us into hot water with the authorities. Of course the main reason we're looking for a person with naval experience is to captain a new clipper ship that we're going to commission for our fleet either next month or the one after. We don't want to hire a pirate who'll decide to betray us and just go "Oh hey, thanks for the ship," and steal it away to go rob vessels and suchlike. There's exploration to do, dash it all!

Though it's looking like we'll have to promote from within. The recent push east has snapped up most of the down-on-their-luck sailors who are worth their salt...

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi



to Sea Queen Trading Co.

Good, we're glad! Well, if you want to toss a bit of coin at us for a commission, we won't say no. But for more trading details, you'll probably want to talk to New Verdan. They did mention recently, that they're considering rum as a good byline, given the sugar's right THERE.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi


to New Verdan
A market for rum? A MARKET FOR RUM?

...

Ah, sorry. I was struck by paroxysms of laughter for a minute there. You're talking to a veteran merchant who's been involved in the naval trade for decades, and I'll tell you now, most ships run off of rum. It keeps a crew placid and quiet during long voyages, and helps them sleep at night. It's a reward for the faithful, and withholding the rum ration is an alternative to the lash. There's always a market for rum, save when it gets glutted. And it's been a long, long time since I've heard word of a glut.

Hell, a well defended distillery on the island would probably be enough to draw peace and/or concessions from the local pirates... They love the stuff too, and having a good source of it right THERE, would be a boon to them, as well as the more legitimate ships that pass through. Right now I'm not aware of any major competition for the stuff in the Far Isles, too...

Of all the trade goods man makes, alcohol's one of the safest. Keeps well, almost universally enjoyed, and it's a fundamental building block of civilization. Go with Rum, and though it might fluctuate now and again, I doubt you'll be sorry.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi



to Blackmoor and D'Ombrey
Got to admit Osprey's Nest is tempting, but we've got two projects cooking right now. Exploring Vonissi's ruins, and heading northeast to see what's there, but if they're amenable then it's an option. If Vonissi goes well we might be up for Osprey's Nest next month or so. Either of you are welcome to join in on either of these projects, of course. Since our attention will be split it'll probably be slower going than the last expedition, and more hands wouldn't go amiss.

Half split for us, the other half split between all allies on any profits, of course, same as last time. Rates adjustable in the event that unexpected problems need handling, of course.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi



to New Verdan, Silver Mage, Lewis Company, D'ombrey, Blackmoor
Anyone setting up in Garotte would have to negotiate with the locals. Right now they're nice, and it's in our best interests to keep'em that way. Baruna's a prime location, but it's up to New Verdan how to approach that, since they've got the biggest plans there. Vonissi... Vonissi's deserted for a reason. Give us a month or two to poke at it, work our archaeology, and see what happened there before it goes into the running as an option. Osprey's nest is a little far off.

So our vote is for Baruna.

Since our goal isn't violent and our strengths are defensive, we'll abstain from any discussion about attacking pirates. We have no real enemies yet, and it'd be nice to keep it that way.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Eldan]

Lady D'Ombrey to arcana Expeditions

"Oh, don't worry, I'm not singling you out specifically. I don't read your messages specifically. I read everything that goes on in the Waters and quite some area around it. It just happens. I have to concentrate on not noticing the messages flying around the local Aether, and it's not worth the effort.

I have taken the liberty of contacting Constance, on the grounds that she seems to be moer or less the most noteable pirate around and less disagreeable than some. Seems receptive to a deal. She won't captain your ships, of course, but she can be hired as an escort."

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan
I understand that you've found a source of sugar in a place where you are considering constructing a colony? Having both the transportation and knowledge of the markets, we would be willing to invest in the construction and defense of the colony in exchange for access to the sugar supply.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. Esp: 11

The Captain of the Scent of Mirabelle stood with arms crossed at the bow of the imposing frigate, as all around him his crew are busying themselves dealing with the aftermath of the recent violence, doing quick repair work and tending to the wounded. Though the West fleet had come out of that incident all right, Ol' Cunning Joe was obviously ruminating on the recent turn of events, and the implications of that turn of events.

The scent of the sea breeze had finally reasserted itself over the smells of smoke and bloodshed, when Isabelle walked up to join her old man in staring over the horizon. She too crossed her arms, though hers was an involuntary gesture in response to the cold that wafted up to the decks, despite her being dressed as practically as she could for the sea voyage.

"So, you said you'll tell me what you were aiming to achieve after all this was done?"

The young lady stated evenly, still staring off into the distance. Beside her, Joe finally stirred from his reverie, and nodded slowly. The smirk creeping up on his weathered, leathery face suggested that Ol' Cunning Joe wasn't quite as disappointed with what had transpired, as he might have initially seemed.

"Nuthin' much to tell, lassie. This was jus' to get 'e measure o' those fat cats, see how cutthroat they be willin' to go. And I got me answer, din't I?"

"That you did. I didn't expect them to take a leaf from your playbook though, did you?"

At that, Joe shrugged nonchalantly.

"Always a matter o' time. If it ain't some fella heard 'n learned from me exploits, some other schmuck's gonna hit on 'e same idea by hisself sooner or later. Dun mean they can pull it off jus' as good, as we jus' saw. Much less figure out wha' else ol' Joe's got up his sleeve, especially not now ye be 'ere."

That reference to herself caught Isabelle's attention all right, and she turned to regard the old sea dog with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Whatever sort of scheme could the old codger be concocting right now?

"Oh? Do tell."

He turned back to her, a wide smirk on his grizzled face. It was the face of Ol' Cunning Joe, with yet another idea born of inspiration.

"Oh, yea. How'd you like to be her, lassie?"

Inside her own mind, Isabelle gulped. She wasn't sure what it was, but it didn't sound good. At least, not personally, where her health was concerned.

"Her?"

(OOC: My EoT said nothing of the sort. Huh. So what is Isabelle supposed to be capable of at this point, as far as teleportation circles go?

Also, any plans to go anywhere you might need a ship to reach?)

Even if Joe is a relative newcomer to the Merchant's Water, his depth and breath of experience must give him an insight on how things work in the high seas. Does he know, or at least have a strong hunch where in the Merchant's Water he can dispose of an entire ship and its cargo for money, no questions asked?

Also, would it be possible for my Tavern Wenches to get word of when DEEC's trade ships are scheduled to set sail, as well as where their destinations supposedly are?

[Lost Demiurge]

SOMEWHERE IN THE MERCHANT'S WATER

Maximus Court's eyes flick around, straining to see by starlight.

The sloop is small, fast, and won't be missed. Twice he's dodged patrol ships that thought him a smuggler, but running dark has its merits, and running with an empty hold means speed.

Heaving a sigh, he looks to the navigator, a native of Garotte island who expressed a desire to see the world. Their method of starcharting comparable to Arcana's own, it seemed like a good match, and Fortuna merely smiled.

"Fate works in mysterious ways..."

The native, Esteban by name, smiled back at him. "We are there," he said, adjusting the scarf he always wore at his neck.

Court looked to the stars, looked again at the letter in his fist...

...And dove behind a barrel as fires flared up in the night. The lights of a ship, lit by magic. A large ship. A known ship.

The Black Dread.

Poking his head up from the barrel, Court sighed. With a motion, he beckoned to the sailors, who maneuvered the sloop in closer.

"Permission to come aboard?" He called, his voice low and gritty, as always.

A rope ladder spooling down was his reply, and past the line of sailors along the starboard rail, he made out a feminine figure, backlit by the flames burning on the aftcastle.

As he grabbed the ladder, Esteban offered him a sword. Court shook his head, and pushed it away. "If she wants me dead, that won't make a difference."

The navigator shrugged, and Court resumed his climb. And soon he was standing face-to-face with HER, and doing his damnedest to keep his emotions off his face.

"Lady Constance. Or do you prefer Dread Pirate Constance? I honestly don't know..."

PM
Dread Pirate Constance

"Sorry for the confusion earlier. Looks like Lady D'ombrey feels we need more security along for an expedition we're planning to explore the ruins of Vonissi. Won't deny, you'd be a hell of some good backup in the event of trouble..."

[Imperial Psycho]

The Dread Pirate Constance

At night, the Black Dread was almost impossible to see in the water. With a smoky black hull and crimson sail, she was a flamboyant beast in the day.. but at night, she was a ghost. The Dread Pirate known as Constance had to keep herself from laughing when she saw the fear etched into the man's face. It was so rare she got to see it so close.

Instead of laughing, she smiled slightly. "... Maximus, wasn't it? Something like that anyway." She looked him up and down, as if studying him. "You're the one leading the expedition. The one who wants my... protection."

"Constance is fine. Come." She nods to her left. "We can talk business inside."

Arcana Expeditions [PM]
The cabin is warm, almost stuffy. There is a simple wooden table, and two chairs. Constance motions for Maximus to sit, before he begins to speak. She, however, simply leans on the wall, and produces a bottle of Merdallan Red. She pours a generous portion into a tin cup, and lays it on the table. Then another, which she keeps for herself. Only then, does she allow him to break the silence.

"Vonissi, hmm? So that's the destination. Your necromancer friend was awfully tight-lipped about the details. " She swirls her cup, watching the dark wine settle. "Well, I can't say I'm not curious. What kind of protection are you looking for? I'd assumed you wanted a ship or two to help you along but... You want me to come along personally?" She seems somewhat amused by the prospect.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions

Midnight Meeting...

Dread Pirate Constance [PM]


Once inside the cabin, Court relaxes a bit as he takes in the surroundings. He places his hat on the table, then sits, taking a few sips of the wine.

The fear's gone from his face now, but his voice is as respectful and polite as it was out on the deck.

"Yep, Vonissi. Something happened there, something big enough that an entire populace up and left... Or worse. Something bad enough that no one's come along since, to re-settle the place."

"To my instincts, that suggests something bad down in those ruins somewhere. And probably a hell of a lot of rare artifacts, that'll make my employers happy. And if it's something that needs containment... Well, better that Fortuna and myself go in. I'm cautious, she reads the future, between the two of us and our trained archaeologists we should be able to figure out what's going on without getting fed to some squamous forgotten god."

"If we just let it alone, then someone who's a hell of a lot more careless or greedy will go in and probably screw things up. So better we do it. And it has to be done now, or someone will come in before we can get back to it. Thing is... Whatever's down there could be big enough that we can't handle it ourselves, or even safely retreat without losing people. That's where you could come in."

"With your firepower added to ours, and whatever of your fleet you cared to commit readied for naval defense and transport between Baruna and Vonissi, we could probably handle the situation. Or at the very least, ensure that our people make it out alive."

"Think that you'd be interested in that?"

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
DESP: 5

To New Verdan and Sea Queen Trading Company


Apologies, sirs, I think this mail got sent to us incorrectly.



I understand that you've found a source of sugar in a place where you are considering constructing a colony? Having both the transportation and knowledge of the markets, we would be willing to invest in the construction and defense of the colony in exchange for access to the sugar supply.


I believe you meant for New Verdan's representative to receive this mail, yes?

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Imperial Psycho]

The Dread Pirate Constance

Midnight Meeting[PM]
"Reads the future, hmm?" Constance takes a gulp of wine, and lays the cup on the table. Finally, she shrugs and takes a seat. "Sure, that's something I can do. If the pay is right." She leans forward. "Scient'fic curiosity and protectin' the world from greedy idiots is all nice n'all. But I have to have.. assurances." Her eyes flashed violet in the candlelight. "Men have to be paid.. have to know they're gonna get their rum. "

"So here's what I'm thinking. You hire out my services. We take a flat rate for each turn, a little cash to keep the ships afloat and the men paid. End of the expedition, when the cash comes in, we get paid either our rate due, or our fair share of the loot. Whichever is more."

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcane Expeditions

Midnight Meeting [pm]

"Not just the future. The past too, if we can get her enough objects with..." He furrows his brows, "Resonance, she calls it."
He gulps more wine, reaches for a refill, offers her one as well.

"As to the pay being right... Well, we can do that. Mr. Mundi pays well. And we were picking common artifacts off the ground, a quarter of the hold filled after a single day's stay. If we don't find enough for everyone to share, I'd be surprised."

"I'm authorized to go up to [2 coin] for flat rate for the Vonissi job.. With an option to expand to [3] in the event that you suffer a disaster as a result of this, or we run into something truly horrific and you save our bacon."

[Imperial Psycho]

The Dread Pirate Constance

Midnight Meeting [PM]
"Hmm. That's a fair rate. Though if we get into any action where I have to go repairing ships, and replacing more than a couple men.. I'll be asking for the higher rate to cover that."

She seems a little offput by the refill, but accepts it all the same. She grabs the bottle and puts it to one side, though.

Taking a sip from her cup, she leans forward again. "So... this Vonissi business. Any idea what kinda stuff you'd expect to see in there? From the way you guys talk about it, I'm guessing this isn't a case of just walking in and taking everything that looks shiny."

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions

Midnight Meeting [pm]

Court smiles as she yanks the bottle away.

"No worries. Next time we meet drinks are on me."

At her points, he nods.

"Sure, no problem. Like I said, Mundi pays well. And if things go that bad... Better our gold given, than our bones on the beach."

"As to what we'll find..."

The levity fades away, and eyes way too old for his face look into the darkness outside the window of the cabin.

"The place felt wrong. White beaches, plenty of food, and all the abandoned ruins were temples. I'm expecting either monsters or the supernatural. I hope I'm wrong."

He rubs his chin.

"One thing we haven't told anyone else... While we were there, we found tracks. Human tracks. But no other signs of people. No villages, no signs of cultivation, no remains, no waste... Granted we weren't there for long, but we should have seen SOMETHING. We didn't."

"That's all I know."

He finishes the wine, and looks at her, entirely sober.

"Let's hope my misgivings are misplaced."

[Imperial Psycho]

The Dread Pirate Constance

Midnight Meeting [PM]
Constance listens intently, nursing her wine. When Maximus finishes, she rises to her feet, and offers him a handshake. "Alright, I'm in. I'm based out of Port Noire right now, so I can meet you in Vonissi fairly easy. This whole business sounds too interesting to pass up on."

"Now, I think it's time we get you back to your ship. Wouldn't want your Fortuna getting jealous." She offers him a smile.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions

Midnight Meeting [pm]

"Works for me." He shakes her hand, firmly.

At the thought of Fortuna getting jealous, he barks a laugh. "No danger there, nothing to be jealous about. Though it's probably safer for you if I leave."

At her look, he raises his hands, placating. "Whoa, lady. No disrespect meant. It's just... I'm cursed. Some piddly god or the other, some Lost Demiurge, wants me to lead an interesting life. It's kind of hard on my friends."
An old shadow passes over his face.

"Before Dame Fortuna found me, told me how to keep it in check, it was pretty bad..."

He shakes his head. "Well. That's a story for another time. Off I go, and thanks for the wine."

[Imperial Psycho]

The Dread Pirate Constance

Constance watches from the door to the cabin as Maximus leaves, clambering down the ladder to his compatriots. She allows a flame to dance from fingertip to fingertip as he disappears into the dark. She mutters to herself. "Down half a bottle of good Merdallan red... Might have almost been worth it.."

The crew watch the little sloop sail off with a mix of amusement and disappointment. Some had hoped they'd be robbing those folk. A couple wondered if entertaining handsome adventurers in her cabin was really the best reason for Constance to sail them close to the Merchants Water. None of them were stupid enough to say anything to her face.

"We're done here! No use hanging about! Come on you useless louts, get this thing moving. I want to us all to be tearing up Port Noire in a couple days. "

And so, with no theatrics, No dramatic displays of fire and wind, the Black Dread disappeared into the night.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions

As the sloop sails away, Court slumps down onto the deck, leaning against the lip of the railing. He deflates, mopping sweat from his brow.

Esteban squatted down next to him. "So what do you think?"

"I think Merdallen white is rarer than Merdallen Red."

"What?"

"Wine. I'm going to have to find some Merdallen white or gods help me the burgundy, before we meet Constance next or I'm going to find out how flammable I am."

Esteban chuckled, slid down next to him. "Come now, she wasn't that bad. You were in that cabin a while, and she's pleasant looking. I imagine you... Came to terms..."

Solemnly, Court pulled out a small bag, runed with minor magic, and offered it to him. Esteban blinked. "What is that?"

"Fireproofed bag."

"Why do you have that?"

"So if she immolated me she could return my ashes home. But if you keep making jokes like that and she gets wind of it, you'll have more need of it than I..."

[Zemalac]

HerbieRAI (PM)

Values on the pricing sheet are in Coin, yes. The stat most commonly used for production is Coin, but since Wealth's main purpose is to give you Coin it amounts to the same thing. So yes, you can use Wealth to produce things. Coin mainly exists because I got tired of writing "Temporary Wealth" in Broken City when people decided to save money for the next turn.

Acquiring things like fortresses and galleons is based on rolls of the dice rather than set numbers, mainly so I have an excuse for being inconsistant if necessary, but on average a galleon bought outright is 20 Coin. Or you can commission one for 14 Coin, but it'll take a few turns to build. Alternatively, if you have Scientific Theory 4 and 3 units of Lumber, you can assign your workers to build one yourself.

With a firing fortress, it depends on how good you want the defenses to be.


Ascaloth (PM)

Both the Fleet of Chains and Constance have fairly high Reputation stats, so yes, you've probably heard of them.

From your second question and second message: you do not, alas, have enough Lore to know of such a place. Your Wenches might be able to find out for you, however, along with poking into the DEEC's business.


ArcaneStomper and Ascaloth (PM)

Something I just noticed in your conversations--I forgot to put the Silver Mage teaching Isabella some teleportation stuff in Ascaloth's EoT. I've gone and done that now. Sorry about any confusion that might have caused.


Pahvimato (PM)

Buying, building, recruiting, etc is abstracted out into one roll of the dice. In general, one unit stat without traits will be an average of 8 investment, while ones with traits (such as your Interceptors) would cost more. Any amount rolled that didn't turn into a unit during the EoT is saved as progress towards the next stat point.

Galleons, meanwhile, are generally an average of 20 Coin. Or you can build them yourself with Scientific Theory 4.


University at Ver Arcana to Arcana Expeditions (3)

I'll post your missive in the Commons.

-Aaron Hendale
Dean


Hawser & Sons to Arcana Expeditions (2)

Aye, we do make clippers. Generally sell for 8 Coin, depending on the specific ship. If you like we can arrange a captain for you as well.


ArcaneStomper (PM)

To get reagents, you can:

1) Buy them.

2) Find a source of them.

3) Gather them with actions (though this will be less efficient in areas that don't produce them naturally).


Jhamo Tribe to Blackmoor (Garotte Atoll) (5)

And sure, so long as you respect the tribe and the spirit of the Long Wave.


Hoydre Tribe to Blackmoor (Garotte Atoll) (4)

Eyha, what is this you say, "resupply port?" I do not recognize this idea.


Nemesis67 (PM)

1) "Reagents" is a general term for random stuff used in magic. Eye of newt, wavy daggers, rare incense or ink, that sort of thing.

2) You can obtain them at market pretty much anywhere in the Water. It's called the Merchant's Water for a reason--people come here to sell things.

3) Yes. Either one you own yourself or one you've contracted for the shipment.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To d'Ombrey (5)
Well, Blackmoor still has [2 Turns] of message access from our last exchange, and the right to reverse engineer your craft.

What do you have to offer for the warding?

To the Jhamo Tribe (5)
And what would be needed to pay proper respect to the Long Wave?

To the Hoydre Tribe (5)
A settlement to house traders and sailors, and provide them food or equipment to allow them to go further into the Isles. I would need land along the sea in order to do that.

To the Sea Queen Trading Company (5)
What rate would you charge for shipping some Lumber and Stone out to Baruna in the Far Isles?

To the Quick Keel Trading Company (5)
What rate would you charge for shipping some Lumber and Stone out to Baruna in the Far Isles?

To the West Trading Company (5)
What rate would you charge for shipping some Lumber and Stone out to Baruna in the Far Isles?

To New Verdan, the Silver Mage, and the Lewis Company (5)
I'm looking to get Lumber and Stone along with a number of my artificers to start construction on Baruna.

To Viscount Adea (5)
[OOC: I think you missed this last batch, so I'll repost it. If this works out, then I can get Lumber for the port and a permanent supply. Though with added shipping difficulties...]

That would depend on a few things. What is the current output of the mill?

[OOC: Consult my Lore, primarily [Trade and Markets 2] and [Merchant's Water 3] for a fair amount to buy the claim. Lumber is generally worth 6 Coin each, so assuming it has an output of 1 per turn, based on it being struggling, something like... I dunno, [10-12ish Coin]? The Viscount doesn't seem particularly interested in keeping it, and I imagine he doesn't want to keep having to manage it. I don't know if he's looking to make a profit, or just break even over all.]

Internal (GM)
Hm... Is there any way to construct a facility to harvest Reagents in-house? Or do I have to buy them from the market?

[Pahvimato]

Lewis Company to New Verdan, the Silver Mage, Blackmoor
The Company men will be stationed on Baruna for now. I don't think we should even consider attacking the pirates before we know more of them - they might be a lot stronger than what we have seen for now. Until we have more information on them, being on the defensive is most likely the better course of action.

Lewis Company to Blackmoor
While I can't share any ships for your use as of now, I do know where you can get lumber and stone for as little coin as possible. And as you might know, I have better contacts in the markets of the Merchant's Water than anyone else. When you find someone to ship those goods to you, if you could kindly ask them to contact me? I know a few people who can get you the goods you need for prices even lower than the current prices on the market there. The Company's cut of the deal would be only the difference between those prices. Does this sound acceptable to you?

Henry Lewis

GM
Is there a way I can start keeping my coin in Arypso/Merdallan instead of Tyb? As in, do I need to build some kind of a vault for myself or is there a trusted bank already?

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Arcane Expeditions (DESP 5)

Yes, there will always be a demand for Rum in this part of the world. The question is which is worth more money, the rum or the materials required to make said rum.

OOC: Also Zem's trade chart doesn't have "Booze" listed, only Recreational Drugs. I need to make sure Rum is in this category.


To Blackmoor, Silver Mage, and Lewis Company (DESP 5)

We would like to thank the Lewis Company for helping defend New Verdan. If we can get some trade going it might be prudent of us to also create a small resource point on Osprey's Nest. It looks like that island is rich with lumber, which is required for about all construction. We have already put a large amount of coin in Baruma, and we will see how far that gets up in the setup.

Blackmoor - I am unsure of your market knowledge, but the best prices for those items are currently in Arypso, with stone costing 5 and lumber costing 6. Lumber is the same price in all cities, while the other cities outside of have a stone price of 7, and Lomar has a price of 8.

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan [5]
Did you receive the message we sent you earlier this month? It seems to have been misplaced. (OOC: I accidentally addressed it to the wrong faction)

Blackmoor [5]
Well, that depends very much on how quickly you want it transported, and the quantity. I assume you have already purchased the goods, and just need transportation? I will consult my maps and get back to you.

Ah, Burana. This is for the colony, I assume? If we are able, we will transport it for free, in exchange for a permanent share of the sugar production, until such a point as we are willing to sell it. This is an investment on our part, so if you agree, we would also be willing to aid in the defense of the colony.

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver Mage

To the West Trading Company
In the event that I can establish a teleportation circle on Baruna I will come and teach you further material on the practice of magic. Either more on sorcery or some other school if you wish to diversify.

There are two things, which you can do for me in return, although neither is very urgent. The first is to find a source of reagents. Not only do I require them for myself, but you will find yourself needing them for your own spells in the future.

The second is that at some point I plan to begin sending ships to carry supplies to and from the Far Isles, and I will need someone to unload them at your end.

To Lewis Company, Blackmoor, and New Verdan
I may set up camp on Osprey's Nest. I find myself in need of a large supply of lumber.

To GM
How do I tell if an island can supply reagents. Do I know what resources are available on Baruna or Osprey's Nest.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor

"Well, for one, you'd get a good look at my personal ward designs. What else would you want, if that is not enough?"

[Zemalac]

Horizon: The Sound of Drums (PM)

Grappling hooks are thrown up to the stone arc in preparation for the ascent, swung by sailors clinging to the rigging. It's a difficult throw, to be sure, but fortunately the wind is there to assist.

A sizable party of explorers and crew are able to make the bridge before there is any reaction from the forests on the twin islands. It comes as before, with a flicker of green-tinged bodies through the trees followed by a hail of arrows. Most fall short: the rest are scattered by the winds that move with the hands of company mages. Despite this setback, the arrows continue to fly for quite a while longer, petering off as the archers realize that they aren't getting anything done. All of the arrows seem to be coming from the westernmost island, so it's easy for the windcallers to intercept them all.

Stage two of the plan involves, of course, flutes. Piping melodies float on the wind to the hidden archers, who do not respond. They seem very unwilling to leave their trees.

When the drums begin to pound from the eastern island, though, the green-skinned archers make no attempt to hide themselves as they flee screaming into the jungle. The beat sounds from the east, hollow and enormous, coming closer with every pulse.


Jhamo Tribe to Blackmoor (5)

Cast nothing into the sea that you have not taken from it.
Ride the wave; do not let it break upon you, or you will suffer its curse.
Do not hide your face from the light of the stars, for they alone can judge you.
Beware the serpent of bone, and do not accept its sacrifices.


Hoydre Tribe to Blackmoor (4)

These traders, who bring things to trade with the Hoydre? Not a bad plan, eyha. Pay more respect than the woman with the fire by her side and we will have no problems; and if we do, there is no problem the wiretree cannot solve.


Viscount Adea to Blackmoor (3)

I think it's [1 Lumber] per turn at the moment. It's a small concern, you understand, that I mostly use to repair ships in my fleet. Thought that having my own lumber supply would be cheaper than just buying it, and then I could sell the excess, but the damn thing has never quite broken even. It's yours for [15 Coin]; at least then I'll have finally made a bit of a profit.


Nemesis67 (PM)

Reagents tend to be rare (otherwise everyone would be doing magic). Technically, however, some of them can be farmed, depending on the specific reagent (some of them are weird things like a hanged man's toenails or whatnot, but some of them are just plants, or derived from plants, like golden mandrake ink or nightshade). You'd likely need greenhouses with very specific conditions inside for the ones that can be farmed, though.


Pahvimato (PM)

Sure, you can do either of those things. If you go with the bank (or countinghouse, or goldsmith, or moneylender, or whatever the specific one you choose calls themselves in this era of nonregulated names) you'll be relying on someone else's security, which might be an issue if you're paranoid, but otherwise it's probably a better deal since you won't have to set everything up yourself.


ArcaneStomper (PM)

Baruna obviously has Sugar, Osprey's Nest obviously has lumber. Beyond that, you'll have to explore. Of the two, the Osprey's Nest might be more likely to have them, due to the explicitly volcanic nature of the island.

Basically, the more weird stuff evident on the island, the more likely the chance of there being Reagents.

[oblivion6]

Bosne - Fleet of Chains(3)
Captain,

My men shall assist in the search for the wounded mage. Might as well see it through to the end, am I right?

[Murska]

Horizon - Drums in the Deep [PM]

Hmm. Looks like something else is about to pay us a visit.

Have the Flares get ready looking to the East, just in case. The Windspeakers continue to be ready to deflect any surprise-attacks or projectiles, and the non-magical folk form up and prepare to meet whatever's coming head on.

[Zemalac]

Horizon: Voices of Hell (PM)

What steps from the forest on the eastern island does not exactly look threatening. It's a single man, with what appears to be red paint of some kind covering every exposed inch of skin. His hair is long and dark, streaked with grey. In his hands is a simple drum, a tanned skin stretched over a small wooden frame, with a circle painted on the skin in red. It does not look nearly large enough to have made the sound that you heard.

He taps the drum three times, quickly, and the air shakes with a basso rumble dredged up from the island's bones, so loud it drives all thought out of the head.

The man studies the Horizon crew as the overlarge echoes of the small drum die away. His pupils are so small that from this distance his eyes resemble solid green discs on a field of white.

"Key loum te'Iowcha?" he says, finally. His voice, like the sound of the drum, seems louder than it should be, sounding like it's coming up out of the ground. "Key te'Grevo, so indefail? Detoma, oul Metoma?"

[Murska]

Horizon: Hell's Bells [PM]

Jonathan steps past the other people to face the drummer, without approaching too close. In between trying to communicate, he speaks more softly to his companions so they can follow his thought process and contribute if they have ideas.

"I do not understand. Let's see."

He points at himself. "Jonathan."

"If I understood you correctly, you are asking which island's group or god or traditions I subscribe to, or whatever these Detoma and Metoma are. If so, then the answer is neither. That 'key' word might be a question, like 'who' or 'where'... The two groups seem to be enemies, so the flutes probably called this guy in because he thought it was a challenge? Maybe."

He gestures towards the ships below, then points westwards. "I come from over the sea."

Finally he indicates the drummer himself. "Who are you? Key?"

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Bosne [3]

I thank you for your assistance. The voyages of may Fleet have revealed a number of islands in the East with less then friendly locals. Perhaps once this business is over and Mage is in our custody we can work together to secure a base in the Far Islands and start directing their riches to your city.

[Zemalac]

Horizon: The Music Maker (PM)

The man stares at Jonathan for a moment, his face unreadable behind its red paint. He taps a finger against the drum, and an echoing rumble rolls out across the bridge, stone humming and vibrating for a moment to the tune of his hand.

"Jahalo leyas," he mutters. Louder: "Ji ka te'Detomasprache." He looks at Jonathan for a moment, tense, as though he's expecting some sort of violent reaction. When none is forthcoming he sighs, and points at his chest. "Sivail," he says. "Sivail, hakolen te'Detomasprache. Voul, so maidead ke sprachen, belo."

He slings the drum from a cord hung around his neck, and scratches his head. "Voul, key te'Iowcha? Te'Ios?"

[Murska]

Horizon - We Come in Peace? [PM]

"Hm."

Jonathan takes a moment.

"You are Detomapeople, or something. Your name is Sivail. Something about your people, or language? Iowcha would be one of the islands, and Grevo the other, maybe? Ios might be sea, in which case 'te' would mean something like 'of' or 'from' or 'belonging to'..."

Well, this calls for empirical testing.

Jonathan points at himself. "Jonathan."

Then at the drummer. "Sivail?"

Towards the ocean. "Ios?"

Towards the island behind the drummer, where he arrived from. "Detoma? Grevo?"

And finally, the other island. "Metoma? Iowcha?"

[Zemalac]

Horizon: Echoes (PM)

"Heo, Sivail," the drummer says, pointing at himself. He carefully points at Jonathan. "Yonathen." He points at the other island, and mimes pulling back a bowstring. "Metoma. Iowcha...seil kaloum?" He waves a hand off in a southeasterly direction, dismissively. "Te'Iowcha, den halous...moide san verdes," he says, pointing from the Horizon fleet to the southeast. "Te'Grevo, alons. Den halous moide verrimas, belo!" He laughs suddenly, stopping when he realizes that no one else understood the joke.

He pauses for a moment, studying the Horizon fleet. Crew members who stayed behind to watch over the ships play dice on deck. "Detoma, maius." He puts his hands up by the sides of his head, awkwardly, two fingers pointing straight up and the rest curled, before pointing due east. "Detoma." He spits off the side of the bridge and watches, fascinated, as a sailor below starts cursing.

[Murska]

Horizon - Linguistics Aside [PM]

Right. Plenty of new stuff here.

"So, the people who shot arrows at us would be Metoma, and Iowcha is somewhere to the south-east. Grevo... no idea. I thought that his people would be Detoma, but he seems to be indicating elves or something to the east with it, instead... wait. Maybe the greenskins are some type of Painted elves? And the Detoma would be a different group of them? Wait, maybe he has been trying to speak to us in two separate languages? Detoma-speak and his own? Ugh..."

Jonathan nods at the drummer, then points to the west-northwest. "Buron. I come from Buron."

He turns to some of the crew. "Someone bring me some paper and ink."

Then he digs out an orange from his pocket, peels it, cuts it in half and offers half of it to the drummer, taking a bite from his own half. If it is accepted, he makes a small bow and then gestures towards the drummer's end of the bridge, taking some steps that way, before pointing at the other island and mimicking a bow being drawn again.

"Can we go somewhere less exposed?"

[Zemalac]

Horizon: Orange Ink (PM)

The man regards the orange suspiciously, and does not eat. "Hao, Detoma," he mutters to himself, "ji ka eavunce detoil." He taps his drum again, watching the orange as the echoes die down, then shrugs and starts walking back towards the eastern island. "Malo, Yonathen," he says. "Detomasprache, avod Buronsprache. Voul, so ke sprachen."

He walks towards the jungle, poking at the orange and looking back over his shoulder expectantly.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To Viscount Adea (5)
Provided that includes rights to the materials produced this [Turn] by the mill, agreed.

To Hawser and Sons (5)
Greetings,

I was hoping to purchase a Clipper from you for transporting some internal resources for Blackmoor. What prices would I be looking at? And when would it be available for use?

Thank you,
-Kervos Morgan

To Lewis Company (5)
Thank you for the offer. I think I'm going to establish my own mill to have in house production, so thankfully I am not dependent on the whims of the markets.

To d'Ombrey (5)
Let's say the ward designs and one additional [Turn] of our previous message access agreement added to my current total?

To Sea Queen Trading Company (5)
New Verdan is the one building a colony. My intent is to construct a resupply and trade port on the island in addition to it. So I would not have any say in the sugar production, I don't think.

However, I don't have the trade ships to move resources to the island to break ground. What rates would you charge for moving [1 Cargo Unit] of materials to Baruna?

To New Verdan, Silver Mage, and Lewis Company [GM Question] (5)
I'll be acquiring [Lumber] to begin construction of the dock. Do any of you have a trade ship you can loan me the service of to transport it from Hapheusn this [Turn]?

[OOC: Quick question Zemalac. After reading the rules a bit, I'm now wondering what happens with Coin from the Cartographer's Guild with us. We've been operating under the assumption we get a bounty of 2 Coin per territory as a whole (8 Coin split between all of us), but the way the rules are set up it says multiple discoverers each get 1 coin per territory. Which would mean each of us get [4 Coin] directly?]


Speaking of the cartographers’ guilds, they will pay good money for latitude, longitude and sketches for their maps, so make sure to take notes while you’re out exploring. If you choose to keep your discoveries to yourself, then obviously you can’t cash in on this bounty, but otherwise every new discovered territory or city is worth 2 Coin from the people who make the maps. If multiple people discover a territory in the same turn (which might happen), the bounty is dropped to 1 Coin per faction, as you unfortunately can’t sell information to the same cartographer’s guild twice.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor

"Agreed. So far, the sketches and plans are all in my head, but I will get to writing them down soon, expect a few substantial packages soon."

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
to Hawser and Sons
(DESP 5)

That would be good. We'd like you to start production on that clipper next month. (Turn 3). We'll have the coin ready for you then. If you could line up a brave captain as well, we'll be happy to take him onto the company pay.

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To d'Ombrey (5)
Me and a few of my artificers will be working with you on the wards. I will again try to understand the mechanisms of your vessel, but the protections will come first.

[OOC: To clarify, this now means that through Turn 4, I have message access to all things you can read that d'Ombrey is not included in.]

To Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey [GM Question] (5)
[OOC: Same question as the other expedition, Zemalac. How does the Cartographer's Guild bounty work for this outing? [4 Coin each] or [8 Coin total] divided among us?]


Speaking of the cartographers’ guilds, they will pay good money for latitude, longitude and sketches for their maps, so make sure to take notes while you’re out exploring. If you choose to keep your discoveries to yourself, then obviously you can’t cash in on this bounty, but otherwise every new discovered territory or city is worth 2 Coin from the people who make the maps. If multiple people discover a territory in the same turn (which might happen), the bounty is dropped to 1 Coin per faction, as you unfortunately can’t sell information to the same cartographer’s guild twice.

Were you planning on heading out exploring again this [Turn], or were you going to investigate Vonissi?

To Breakvale and Fleet of Chains (5)
Greetings,

I've heard you ran afoul of some Elsinier mages. As someone with an interest in the various magicks and mysticism of the world, I ask you look out for any spell books, reagents, or relics. Or if you could capture one of the mages, alive or dead, I will provide suitable reimbursement for your efforts.

-Kervos Morgan

To Bonse (5)
Salutations,

I've heard you are expanding your martial forces. Would you be interested in purchasing some [Smokepowder Weapons 1]? Blackmoor constructed a batch this past month, and I'd prefer they not simply sit in storage.

Internal (GM)
Using [Merchant's Water 3], I'd like to check the legality and stipulations of slavery and arms dealing in the Water as a whole, and Buron specifically. Mainly just want to confirm either are legal so I don't accidentally run afoul of authorities.

If, for example, selling weapons to pirates is illegal, I'll have to have some plausibly deniable mechanisms to do so. Or if I'm barred from selling weapons to Arypsonian groups, I'll need similar things.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Sea Queen Trading Company (DESP 6)

Let me appologize for the delayed response, the setup is taking more and more of my time lately. What portion are you looking for? We are not opposed to you assisting with the setup for some of the production but we would need to iron out the details beforehand. How much supplies do you have available and do you have any trade ships on hand?

~Issan Vol-ru

[Murska]

Orange You Glad [PM]

"All right. Lead the way. You four, come with me. The rest of you head back to the ships and circle around this island. If you see a signal, land. Two blasts is hostiles, one is friendly."

Jonathan, two of the Flares, a Windspeaker and one of the stronger crewmen head after the drummer.

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan
We do indeed have cargo ships available, and we would be willing even to carry cargo to Burana for you at no cost in exchange for an equal amount of sugar for the return trip. This way, your supplies are shipped at no cost to you, and we can make the trip without making a substantial loss.

Blackmoor
Ah, I understand. It looks as if [7 coin] is the least we could charge you, factoring in costs such as trader escort and security and anti-weather enchantments to ensure the cargo is secure. If you like, we can put our other orders on hold and have the Sea Queen escort the ship the whole way [ergo more actions], though that would incur an additional cost. This would mean it would be delivered this turn. (meaning you could use the materials this turn- no shipping time.) Alternatively, we could deliver it next turn for slightly less, as our faster trading vessels are in higher demand.

Kyle closes the thesaurus and sighs.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To New Verdan (5)
I think both of us are talking to the Sea Queen Trading Company to hire their services, so I was hoping we could discuss it for a moment. I want to bring a unit of [Lumber] to Baruna to establish basic docks and have a functioning port, which should assist you with shipping in other resources. I've secured a source, so that shouldn't be a problem, but I have no trade ships to transport it, or navy to protect it. Hiring their Clipper to deliver it would be beneficial, as I can break ground and get to work immediately. However, I don't want to interfere with your own plans. So what would you suggest?

To the Silver Mage (5)
So I've been hearing you're making teleportation circles for some folks here in the Water? Would it be possible for you to work with me in developing a network connecting Baruna and various points in the Water? Primarily for internal use by Blackmoor, but you would have free access for your assistance.

In addition, you mentioned wanting to settle at the Osprey's Nest. I would like to go there with you to investigate the island. I know some things about the company that sent it out that puzzle me, and I'm curious if there is something more to the expedition.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
to Blackmoor [DESP 5]
We're doing both... An exploration of Vonissi, and if all goes well and great N'gthurgmurgmorgl' or whatever doesn't eat us, we'll chart some more territory.

If you want in on some of that, go ahead. We're sailing to Vonissi now, possibly by way of a camp at Baruna if the divinations indicate that'd be better...

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Arcana Expeditions (5)
If I can find someone to ship and escort [Lumber] to Baruna, my Exploratory fleet will be free, so I may sail along with you. It depends on the fate of Baruna, I think.

Unless the Silver Mage decides to investigate Osprey's Nest immediately, because I'm curious as to the truth of the expedition.

To New Verdan, Silver Mage, and Lewis Company (5)
Are all of us except the Lewis Company intending to stay on Baruna to get things running before heading deeper into the Isles?

And Lewis Company, if you are intending to set sail, would you be alright with me sending my own ship along with you? I'd like to get a feel for the surrounding area.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Blackmoor (DESP 5)

Yes, we are in disscussions with them. We are going to see if we can get their trade vessel for some future resources instead of immediate cash. I'm not sure how long it will take the colony to get set up, but once it does we can begin paying them back.


To Sea Queen Trading Company, Blackmoor (DESP 5)

We can accept that deal, but it will take a little while for our colony to become productive. I believe Blackmoor has purchased 1 Lumber for transport, we will owe you one sugar once our colony becomes productive.

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver Mage

To Blackmoor
My teleportation circles are for my own use. Which sounds as if it is a dismissal, but literally they are for my own use and have no intrinsic magic of their own. They are not portals between distant places, but rather markers which a skilled mage, such as myself, can use to navigate themselves through the intervening space.

If you have such a mage in your employ, then I would be happy to teach them the theory behind long distance teleportation, but it seems to me that you wish to build such a network for more general use. And a portal that allows anyone to use it is an altogether more difficult matter with components that are correspondingly difficult to gather. Are you prepared to embark on such an endeavor.

As for Osprey's Nest you are free to send agents to investigate it with me. I am merely going to be exploring the island for my own curiosity.

To New Verdan, Lewis Company, and Blackmoor
I intend to first visit Osprey's Nest and explore it before returning to Baruna.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Silver Mage (5)
Ah. I see. Portals would be of interest, but I don't think I have the resources at the moment to attempt it. Thank you for the information.

I will send along my Marines and Magewrights with you to investigate. I hope I can assist you in discovering things.

[Pahvimato]

Lewis Company to New Verdan, Silver Mage, Blackmoor
The Company ships are leaving Baruna, but they are heading west, not further east. The Lewis Company is still a trading company first and foremost, exploring the isles comes later. If we do get to exploring the isles before you do, I'll make sure that all our findings are shared with you.

But yes, the plan is to head to the Osprey's Nest in the future. Next month? Depends on how our planned trading convoys fare this month. Of course, when we do that we are still very close to Baruna, and we could form an effective defence against the pirates together.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Lewis Company, New Verdan, and the Silver Mage (5)
Thank you. I believe I will be sending my people to accompany the Silver Mage to Osprey's Nest in order to learn what we can, while hopefully some of my artificers start work on the dock. My hope is to eventually grow this into a trading post to rival the city states of the Water, but that will take time and a joint effort. Anyone opposed to that goal?

To Arcana Expeditions, New Verdan, Silver Mage, Lewis Company, and d'Ombrey (5)
Just to mention, if any of you come upon any mystical or technological artifacts in the Far Isles, I will pay good money for them. Especially weapons or armor. It would be a shame to allow the breakthroughs of ages past to be lost to time.

[Zemalac]

Viscount Adea to Blackmoor (3)

Deal. I'll have my man draw up the papers for you.


Hawser and Sons to Blackmoor (2)

[8 Coin] to buy one of the ships we've got at auction, sir. Alternatively, if you would like to commission one for [6], we could have that ready for you in [2 turns].


Hawser and Sons to Arcana Expeditions (2)

Thankee for the business, sir. We'll have one reserved for you.


Nemesis67 (PM)

Slavery is illegal. However, indentured servitude is not, and it amounts to the same thing in many places. Arms dealing is perfectly acceptable unless you are dealing with someone's enemies right in front of them. It is generally accepted that shipments meant to be sold to enemies may be intercepted or attacked, as well, and while this sort of disruption of commerce is frowned upon it is also commonplace.

Selling weapons to known pirates, bandits or other such marauders who aren't intending on using them to lawfully defend themselves is, of course, illegal in most municipalities.


Horizon: Speak (PM)

Sivail, as it turns out, seems to be alone on the island. There's birds, small deer, and some wild boar tracks that are spotted on the winding route he takes through the forest, but no other people.

His home, when it is reached, gives Jonathan and the others pause. A giant stone hand rises from the ground, hanging out of the side of a hill, two fingers broken off but otherwise in remarkably good shape. Beneath its outstretched palm is a small, tightly-built cabin, using the hand as a roof.

Sivail turns when he reaches the cleared space in front of the hand cabin, and sits cross legged in front of Jonathan and the others. " Voul, so ke sprachen," he says. "Pouan, Yonathen."

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan
Ah, so you have not yet worked out a deal with the Burana Sugary? Well, that changes things. I had assumed that you would have access to the sugar supply. Or am I mistaken?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor, New Verdan, Silver Mage, Lewis Company, Arcana Expeditions

"Very well. I will, myself gladly purchase any writings, locations of graves, tombs or crypts or any mortal remains older than about a century."

D'Ombrey to Arcana

"As an aside, do we have a definite expedition schedule yet?"

[Lost Demiurge]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor, New Verdan, Silver Mage, Lewis Company, Arcana Expeditions

"Very well. I will, myself gladly purchase any writings, locations of graves, tombs or crypts or any mortal remains older than about a century."

D'Ombrey to Arcana

"As an aside, do we have a definite expedition schedule yet?"


Arcana Expeditions
to D'Ombrey [DESP 5]

Yes. We're going to be exploring and figuring out Vonissi until [this time], roughly. Then we're going to go exploring. You're welcome on either part of the task or both, milady. Constance will be along for the Vonissi part of things.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Arcana Expeditions [5]

"Very good, I'll be along for both."

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor [5]

"Just finalized my expedition schedule, I'll be gone for the near future. I'll be working on some ward designs in my off-time and sending them to you as they develop, but the actual implementation will have to wait until [next turn]."

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Sea Queen Trading (DESP 6)

The Surgary is the distillery the locals have set up. Taking their brew wouldn't be wise since they seem to enjoy the drink. They themselves own only a small portion of the island and do not have sugar to give away. We will have sugar to give you for the shipment, but you must give us some faith and time to get the place functioning.

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan
That is not consistent with our reports, but I will trust you to take care of the situation over there. We will consider you in our debt until your side of the deal is fulfilled.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To New Verdan (5)
I've heard you've got a new type of armor developed. Would you be willing to share the design with us, provided we offer something in exchange?

To Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)
Would you be willing to have my expeditionary force sail along with you both on your outing?

To Silver Mage (5)
I think I may be unable to travel to Osprey's Nest this month. I have too few ships to maneuver everything I need to. If you need any assistance in coming months, though, keep me in mind.

To Hawser and Sons (5)
For [8 Coin], would it be delivered in time to be used this month?

And similarly for [6 Coin], would the Clipper be available for use by the end of next month?

To Sea Queen Trading Company (5)
Would it be possible for my galleon to sail with your ships to the Far Isles? I'm a little wary of sending it alone out into the sea, considering the number of pirates and outlaws in the Water. My Reputation should help alleviate any issues for your convoy as well.

[OOC: Nevermind that. Galleon is staying in the Water for now.]

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
to Blackmoor and D'ombrey
DESP: 5


Sure, whatever floats your boat. Literally.

[oblivion6]

Bosne - Blackmoor
Hmm. How much? Smokepowder Weapons sounds like a wonderful idea.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To Bonse (5)
[4 Coin] for 1 unit of [Smokepowder Weapons 1]. As I currently have 4 units in excess, I'll can give you a discount if you buy in bulk.

We can also work on custom jobs, if you have a need for one.

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Blackmoor
Will you be using our service? We never received a definite answer. And if so, where are we transporting the lumber from?

New Verdan
Blackmoor informed us that your colony and their outpost were separate endeavors. Are they not? We need to know if we are transporting 2 ships worth of cargo or 1.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To Sea Queen Trading Company, New Verdan (5)
Considering the benefits of a dockyard for Verdan's colony, they are cooperating with us. Therefore, the Lumber will be for Blackmoor's uses but paid by sugar from New Verdan. And it will be from a mill in Hephausan.

[Zemalac]

Hawser and Sons to Blackmoor (2)

Yes, it would be delivered in time to be used this season, though you might want to take her on a shakedown cruise before doing anything particularly strenuous. For six, the clipper would certainly not be ready next month. Be at least a season. We don't usually start construction until we receive payment, but if you paid us now, then it would be ready [end of next turn], I reckon.

[oblivion6]

Bosne - Blackmoor(5)
Sounds like a plan for now. Let's stick to a single unit until I get more in the way of coin.

As for custom orders... I'll keep that in mind.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To Bonse (5)
1 Unit of [Smokepowder Weapons 1] delivered to Bonse for [4 Coin]. Sounds good.

To Hawser and Sons (5)
[OOC: Right. Season per turn, not month. Whoops...]

Then I will order a Clipper to be completed by the end of next season for [6 Coin].

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan, Blackmoor
Oh yes, that clarifies things. I had been under the impression that we were to be carrying 1 cargo of supplies for Blackmoor and 1 cargo for New Verdan.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To New Verdan and Sea Queen Trading Company (5)
Apologies for the confusing instructions. The two of us weren't coordinating our efforts well in the beginning of the season.

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Blackmoor (DESP 5)

What would you be willing to offer for the Tech? We are currently working on producing the armor on a mass scale, but with the colony work as well it may take a couple of turns to complete. I think we should currently focus our efforts on Baruma and once that is in a functional state we can disscuss how to treat this and other New Verdan Technology.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor

To New Verdan (5)
I've got a few research projects I'm starting this season that may be of interest to you. A light armor kit, a hydrokinetic device, and basic armoring wards. But you are right. We can return to discussing this once they are completed, and Baruna is in a more stable state.

[Zemalac]

You stood high out of reach
There at the top of the tower
You blew out the clouds, blocked out the sun
No end to the pull and the power

TURN THREE BEGINS

The biggest news this season is about the sudden and total blockade of Sunken Baskor by the Fleet of Chains, which appeared surrounding the city and began destroying all traffic going to or from it, including a Blackmoor frigate, a clockwork vessel from the Magnum Opus, and a fleet hired by the Fe Nasr family to attempt to break the blockade. Word from the few smugglers who have been able to get out of the city is that the Fleet is demanding "their property" from the city, which has set Baskor on a frantic search for whatever that might be, hoping to find something to appease the legendary armada before the Sunken City runs out of food completely.

Late in the season, observers watching from beyond the blockade lines note quite a lot more smoke than usual rising from Baskor.

Factions in Baskor or Merchant's Water Lore 3+ Only

A riot started around warehouses where the Diver's Guild was storing food resulted in about half of the Canals district catching fire. Unfortunately for everyone involved, that was the half with the food in it.


Chaos spreads in Bokerbread as the rebellion of the sharecroppers vs the landowners picks up steam, spurred onward by the Ordo Libra.

An expedition headed by Arcana Expeditions, accompanied by Blackmoor, the necromancer d'Ombrey and (rumor has it) a bunch of pirates, has discovered further islands in Orsag's Eyes, as has an expedition apparently launched by the Fleet of Chains.

Baruna, in the Sharkspine, is being developed as a colony by New Verdan and Blackmoor.

Fleet of Chains and Bonsean troops are operating on the House of the Unknown Gods once again, though with the nearby blockade no one has wanted to venture forth and ask what they're doing.

Cessily Sirena, up-and-coming opera star in Arypso, has accepted the patronage of the Crow Syndicate, much to the disgust of some of her high society admirers.

Pirate attacks are up this season. Reports of the pirate Constance attacking both Sea Queen Company and Darrigan East Exports Company shipping have come in, as well as some minor piracy around Lomar that no one seems to have any details on. The DEEC has posted a public reward of [5 Coin] for the confirmed destruction of Constance's fleet, and an additional 10 for the pirate queen herself.

The Silver Mage is building something on the Osprey's Nest, according to the latest rumors.

Trade and Markets Lore 1+

The chaos in Bokerbread and the blockade of Baskor are combining to make the price of food spike across the Water.


Trade and Markets Lore 2+ or Intelligence 6+

Reports say the Lewis Company lost an extremely large amount of money to bandits on a convoy run to the Illarym Empire.


Foreign Relations 2+

Skirmishes between border lords in Brekelind spark rumors of civil war.



A rope tied over the land
Suddenly frayed and unwinding
Eyes sharp as a warrior's blade
But in your own smoke you were blinded

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

Issan sailed back into what soon would be the harbor at Baruma, and his fledgling colony had grown up significantly. At least that bet had worked, his sailing adventure had left him with nothing but some tree branches. When he landed, he was flooded with the news of Baskor and the rise of pirates. None of this boaded well for the new colony.

To Blackmoor (DESP 6)

Was the Queen Sea Trading company able to get the lumber to Baruma? We heard of the attacks around the islands, and we aren't sure if that was one of the vessels hit

~Issan Vol-ru


To GM (PM)

Is the rum the Baruma Sugary is making considered a recreational drug, and if so is it made on a 1 sugar -> 1 recreational drug conversion. Also, are the trees considered rare lumber, or do I need to think of a use for them before I can use them?

Edit: Also, is one unit of micro armor plating enough to armor a ship (or unit of Navy), or would I have to research that separately?
Am I able to use the first unit of sugar this turn, or do I have to spend a turn producing it before I can move it off the island?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Arcana, Blackmoor, Constance [5]

"Well, that was fascinating. I should like to return to Vonissi, such a bountiful font of spirits, even if I tend not to befriend too many of the sorrowful moaning type.

It seems that with careful preparation and timing, there is a window of a few hours that could be abused. If resonance factors and ghost traps were prepared ahead of time, one could conceivably move in, gather up some of those spirits and move out again before catastrophe descends."

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

To Sunken Baskor:
WHY
''IT APPEARS THE FEAST OF SUFFERING AND SLAUGHTER SHALL BE ENDED PREMATURELY, OUR HUNGER EASED, BUT NOT SATED. AGAINST MY EXPECTATIONS OUR CHARGE WAS FULFILLED AND OUR TREASURE RESTORED TO US. AND HERE I THOUGHT THE STARVED DEAD WOULD COMPLETE THE SEARCH.''
WON'T
''BASKOR SHALL BE SPARED BY ACTIONS OF THE DIVERS GUILD. THEY HAVE EARNED THIS REPRIEVE AND AS LONG AS THE GUILD PROTECTS BASKOR, THE FLEET OF CHAINS SHALL NOT APPROACH IT FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS, EXCEPT BY THEIR INVITATION. REJOICE PEOPLE OF THE SUNKEN ISLE, BLESSED BY THIS WORLD, YOU, UNLIKE ANY OTHER MORTAL SOUL IN THE FAR ISLES, ARE SAFE.''
IT
''THE BLOCKADE ENDS. PRAY TO YOUR WEAK GODS THAT YOU SHALL NOT SEE OUR SAILS IN YOUR LIFETIME.''
OPEN

[Exthalion]

Magnum Opus to factions of Sunken Baskor
Put delicately, this current situation is unacceptable. Three difficulties make this the case:
1. The sudden loss of edible food in the city
2. Our vulnerability to future troubles of this kind
3. Continued ignorance as to the actual motivation for the fleet of chains

re 1: Currently the only sources of food available are on the mainland or larger isles and given the situation the price of food has increased dramatically. While there is almost certainly profit to be made by running food, it would come at the expense of our people. However, the only option that appears viable short of each of us making a significant investment in purchasing food is theft, via shore raiding or piracy.

re 2: There is very little we can do at the current time to make such activities by militarily powerful factions undesirable. The total military assets of Baskor are less than that of certain consolidated parties. Treaties of mutual defense or commitment to the security of the Isle appear to be a useful but insufficient step. Furthermore, the costs associated with a military buildup are prodigious and require materials not found on the Isle. Our recommendations are twofold:
1. Establish a joint financial venture for the sole purpose of increasing our factional revenue. Given the current state of the world the best source of new markets would appear to be the Far Isle, but we do not discount the possibility of great wealth to be made closer to home.
2. In some fashion manufacture a commodity of sufficient value so as to make our Isle capable of generating income without our active involvement. If no other options are available, we have two potential avenues of revenue currently in development.

re 3: We are not personally inclined to credit the statement by the fleet that a vaguely defined treasure was responsible for their actions. Given the reference to the Diver's Guild in their message we invite the honorable representatives of the Guild to explain the situation to the best of their ability.



We expectantly wait your replies.
-Magnum Opus

[Jaerug XI]

Baskor Darkhouse
individually untraceable, but spread liberally

Troubled though we are by the disruptive racket off our unsure shores, we are glad that the Fleet of Chain was reunited with its foul odor. After scholastic inquiry, the wretched stink was determined to be the only property which the Fleet of Chains had brought to Baskor.
For our return to peace, we thank the Diver's Guild and their rapid acquisition, and for every nose in the city, we thank the Fleet of Chains and their departure.

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild
D-ESP: 8

You're right to be suspicious of the Fleet's announcement. The abrupt and generous end to the blockade leads us to conclude that Captain Smith has further plans, though we don't know their extent. There was truth to his claim that the city held Fleet treasure, however. When the Guild established control of the Canals district, we discovered several hidden caches of stolen goods. It seems the Canal Runners had been siphoning valuables away from Baskor citizens who used their services to send packages of gold and jewelry. Some of these trinkets matched the description of the Fleet of Chains' property. We wanted to put an end to the blockade as quickly as possible, so we brought these items to the Fleet immediately. Captain Smith did seem intrigued by the "loot", but I was still surprised when he lifted the siege.

In my discussions with the Captain, I learned a fair amount about what it was he was looking for. It's a long shot, but please look out for any items bearing the skull and chains, or anything mentioning something called the "Stonefather," or anything related to old and forgotten gods like the Seven Tragic Days. If any of you find something like that, we ask that you bring it to us. It feels like we've made a deal with a devil, but the Divers Guild seems to have the respect of the Fleet, and we're going to log and stockpile anything we could use as a potential bargaining chip if the Fleet ever returns to Baskor.

Now. The present danger is over, but we are agreed that this situation never should have been allowed to happen in the first place, and steps must be taken to ensure it does not happen again. As you mention in your first point, Baskor is completely dependent on trade to feed its population, leaving us vulnerable to blockades such as this season's. I see two options to address that: either we investigate ways to achieve self-sufficiency and produce enough food within the city to feed the people, or we amass some naval strength to dissuade future attempts to cut us off. The Guild is better suited to the latter.

Of course, building military strength requires a sizable investment, and even pooling our funds it would be difficult to rival some of the larger pirate fleets in the Water. We would need to create some source of revenue, which itself would need to be protected. It's a cycle of demands that has no end, but we have no choice but to pursue it. It can be done - other groups have started to explore the Far Isles and found great bounties of wealth there. One such colony could substantially benefit all of Baskor.

Ladies, gentlemen, and aquatic humanoids who self-identify differently, this is what I propose. There are riches in the Isles that still lay unclaimed, and with them we could not only improve Baskor, but build it into something far greater. A joint effort from all the local factions could raise some ships, launch an expedition to the Isles, and establish a Baskoran colony. Maybe even a full sister port. With resources flowing into our docks, Baskor could be reborn.

- Guildmaster Vara Brinn

I trust our gift is safe aboard the Fleet by now. We also found a relevant old folk poem, which my men should have passed along. Is this what you were looking for? I don't really enjoy poetry, myself, but maybe it means more to you.

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

Deillnc
I have a business proposition for you. We are willing to buy iron from you for slightly higher than the market price, which we can transport and sell for you in other markets. This would be a partnership, and I would expect that you would respect the contract and not accept similar deals from other shipping companies. They would try to cheat you out of your profit by buying your goods at market price and reselling them somewhere else and keeping all of the profit for themselves. This way, you could make a profit off the arrangement as well.

Mellison and Berklade
Having worked with you in the past, -you provided the stone we used to construct our new headquarters,- I trust you enough to offer you a business proposition. We are willing to buy stone from you for slightly higher than the market price, which we can transport and sell for you in other markets. This would be a partnership, and I would expect that you would respect the contract and not accept similar deals from other shipping companies. They would try to cheat you out of your profit by buying your goods at market price and reselling them somewhere else and keeping all of the profit for themselves. This way, you could make a profit off the arrangement as well.

Guild of Medicinal Apothecaries
We would be willing to help you transport your medicines to those who need them across the water and beyond, if you are interested.

New Verdan
How long, may I ask, will it take before you become productive? We are waiting repayment for our services, and are eager to offer you a shipping contract for the sugar you produce.

Whitestone
If I may ask, how is that project coming along?

[Lost Demiurge]

The museum's coming together now. The bulk of the renovation is done inside, now the outer facade is being developed. It's lower-priority work, but it's currently paused due to the weather. It rains for days solid in Buron this time of the year, usually, and this year is no exception.

Inside, Mundi sighs at the stack of ledgers. So hard to get a simple answer, dammit. How much money do we have for our projects? To Court or Fortuna it's a simple question. To Mundi, it's a lengthy calculation of hard and soft assets with some guesswork thrown in for good measure, and right now it's taking more time than usual.

Probably enough for that new ship, though. Now that security's bulked up a bit, he feels more confident about commissioning one. But enough for a new ship AND the equipment they'll need for the next expedition? Now that's a question.

Factor in the food situation in the west, and well...

"So we're agreed?" Court asks. Mundi snaps his gaze back to his colleagues, and nods. "Sorry, woolgathering. Yes, I think you're right. They're definitely playing with fire, and they vastly overplayed their hand. Starving people are a hell of a lot harder to scare, and if you're the cause of their hunger, well..." He closes the book with a SNAP. "Makes me glad we stick to open dealings. Well, mostly." He frowns at the broadsheet on the corner of his desk, and the announcement of the bounty on Constance.

"Having met the lady, that bounty's too low by a factor of four. At least. I'm just happy she accepted my replacement bottle of wine with good grace."

"She was pleasant to work with," Fortuna concurs, "but our paths will likely not intersect again in the near future."
"Speaking of other dangerous things," Mundi leans forward... "How shall we proceed with phase 2?"

Court shakes his head. "Arkanos? When I got back in port, I went to a tavern. You know what happened?"

"Can't say that I do."

"I had a beer."

The office is silent for a while. Mundi coughs. "And?"

"And nothing! I had a beer! That was it! It was a nice time, I chatted with the folks around me, and I came here!"

"I don't see what the problem is, sounds like a perfectly... Ordinary.... Oh."

Enlightenment came. Fortuna smiled as his eyes grew wide. Court continued, waving his arms.

"Precisely! It was boring! Which tells me that something seriously dangerous ALMOST took us out. Fate only lets me have a beer in peace when something like that happens. If D'ombrey's ghosts hadn't been on the spot, if Fortuna's spells had been less accurate... Well."

They chat details for a while, and Mundi nods. "All right. Well, we leave it be for a bit. Now that we know what kind of protection the place has, we can safely leave it for another day without worry about someone horning in. Which brings us to the alternative...""Can we afford it?" Fortuna asks. Mundi sighs.

"Artifacts from the isles, native crafts picked up here and there, but no great deed. No huge discovery, nothing to make people sit up and NOTICE. We're ready to open, but we're thin on the ground as far as attractions go, and a weak start is worse than no start at all. No, we need a centerpiece, and we're going to have to take risks to do it. I think it's not a matter of can we afford it, but can we afford to wait on it? And the answer is a resounding no. Especially if we want to recoup the cost of that third ship, and the new hires."

"Mm. Think the usual suspects would be up for it?"

"Maybe. I don't know if we want to share credit, though. Still, if they're willing to let us have top billing..."

Mundi nods. "Then we're of accord. I'll start the letters going, after I finish sorting out the ledgers. Shouldn't take more than a couple of days."

And they go their separate ways once more...

[Thelonius]

Fleet of Chains

Divers Guild

''You have indeed recovered our treasure. Should you need your enemies slaughtered, just send us a message.''

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To New Verdan (5)
The docks were built up. Though we're probably going to need some stone soon to lay foundations.

To d'Ombrey, Arcana Expeditions, and Constance (5)
Certainly possible. Though I would defer to others, as I am not much of an explorer.

To d'Ombrey (5)
So we will be working on the warding this season? While you're bringing your vessel back, any chance you could pick up my artificers? I've got two teams in Sunken Baskor, one in Buron, and one in Arypso. And since the Fleet of Chains sank my frigate, I don't have the ability to ship them myself, as my other ship is designed for exploration and not transportation.

To the Silver Mage (5)
I would guess you're constructing a teleportation circle on the Osprey's Nest? As well, did you find anything about the island? Namely what the ship was carrying? Because officially, it doesn't seem to exist. Unless either the residents are lying about the company that owned it, or Buron's records are incomplete.

To the West Trading Company (5)
I've heard some tales of your talents with designing ships. Any chance you would be interested in working together on a new design at some point in the next few seasons?

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

"How'd ye feelin', lassie?"

Said Ol' Cunning Joe as he came in by the door, his rough and sonorous voice filling the cabin as he entered. The 'lassie' Isabelle laid in the bed, still nursing the hurt that she had sustained in their latest adventure, and looking rather dissatisfied as she turned a stink-eye to the man who had begat her, and who she saw as being largely responsible for her present predicament.

"Oh, as well as *koff* could be expected, I suppose. How many times did you have to deal with this?"

Shrugging, Joe walked leisurely over to her bedside, pulled up a stool, and sat down heavily. He reached over to take a bottle and glass from the dresser, and poured himself a drink.

"Well I sure plain lost count, lassie. Goes with the life, y'know. Thought you said ye were prepared for it, 'n I figured the same. What, ol' Joe be wrong 'bout that this time?"

"No, it's just..."

Isabelle winced momentarily, as she felt a stabbing pain in her abdomen where she had been wounded. That, of course, did not improve her sour disposition any.

"Urgh... I knew it was always going to happen, but actually painting a bull's-eye right on me... oh, forget it. I suppose I'd have to expect this sort of thing when I'm with you. So, how do you handle it?"

Halfway through the first gulp of his drink, Joe held up the bottle.

"Here. Helps wit' most aches 'n pains. How 'bout it?"

"... I guess it's as good as anything else. Give that here."

Without waiting, she snatched the bottle right out of her father's hand, and poured herself a drink, gulping it down in one go. A blush suffused her cheeks, and she sighed as the burning brew went down.

"...ho, that does feel better. So, what exactly are we going to do with our prize, old man? Have you figured out how to cash it in yet?"

"Don't ye worry your little head off 'bout that, lassie. Ol' Joe's still got an idea or two left for the stuff."

"And after that? We going to do that again?"

"Heh. Those fat cats be havin' their guard up after that, but it's no matter. There's still a trick or two to play yet."

Isabelle tossed the bottle hard at Joe, almost as if aiming for his face. However, Joe was quick to react, and snatched it out of the air, still grinning at Isabelle's irritation.

"Fine. But next time, you be the star of the show. I don't care for that anymore."

"Fine, fine."



Ah, commissioning a design and shipbuilding project, are we? It all depends on what's in it for me, so it'll cost you. But if ponying up is no problem for you, I don't see why not!

Talking about money, I heard you're working with the New Verdan group to build a new port somewhere around Baruna. Well, Joe's got something that might interest the two of you; I'll send another letter to both you and them to talk about it, kay?

Captain Joe West

Holla there! So, I heard you two been building up a new port around Baruna. Pouring a load of resources into it, no doubt. So here's the deal; Joe's got a carrack-load of marble on his hands, and he just might sell this stuff to you cheap if you throw in permanent docking privileges for me West fleet.

You not going to find such low asking prices for marble now or mayhaps ever, so it's a hella good deal, don't you think? Might be useful in your whole building-a-port thing, or if not, selling it on should net y'all some big profits. Sounds good, eh?

Captain Joe West

Your Puissance,

It has come to my attention that you are currently engaged in a building project on the Osprey's Nest. I would like to ask if you would happen to have a need for marble in the course of this endeavour?

Isabelle Winterbourne

Will Isabelle's Wound heal itself by next Turn, or do I have to find some way to heal it?

Also, what would it take for me to repaint the Eldwer's Iron, and disguise its origins?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor

"Hmm, yes. I can make a detour to pick them up. I'll send you the plans by courier, maybe you can have a look at it. It would be appreciated if the work could be done this season, in any case."

[ArcaneStomper]

To GM
There are a few things I need to know so that I can answer to other people. And a few things I am simply curious about.

What resources does Osprey's Nest produce?

Did I get a chance to check the Osprey and see what was going on with it?

How active is the volcano?

Is marble useful as a reagent?

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions to Blackmoor, D'Ombrey
[DESP: 5]

Vonissi is... Troublesome. It's quite clear that there's either someone around who's damn good at staying hidden, or old enchantments on the place to keep it well-kept, and defend itself against possible antagonists. Either way, the manuver with the waterspouts seems to be indicative of a desire for privacy.

The fact that they didn't strike until we'd been there a week, makes Court think the latter. He's of the opinion that someone set it up as a sort of memorial and automated it to keep people from trashing the place or settling there... In which case, simply going and studying it might not bear too much fruit. We need to think up a different approach, simply going and hanging out for a few days, exploring already-trod ground, isn't likely to work.

Also, the fact that it's got such overwhelming defenses means that our concern about other people getting to it isn't a problem. No one's likely to dive on this and steal the good bits away from us, if we turn away from it for a minute. Hells, if we hadn't had the defenses going that we had, the subject of this letter and the tone would be very, very different...

Anyway, with that in mind we're thinking of turning our attention to something of more immediate value, equipping the next expedition for a trip north, to fully examine that glacier that we saw. You're welcome to come along if you will, but you'll have to provide your own cold-weather gear. We'd foot the bill, but, well, we're buying a new clipper this month and those things are pricey...

Yrs truly,
-Arkanos Mundi



Arcana Expeditions
to New Verdan and Blackmoor
[DESP 5]

So, how's the new port going?

In a possibly-related matter, how's the harvest on Baruna? Enough to provide [1-3 cargo] worth of food?


Arcana Expeditions
to Hawser and Sons
[DESP 5]

Good day, sir! We think we're ready to order that Clipper, now. Payment's ready, When can we expect delivery of ship and captain?

Regards,
-Arkanos Mundi


TO GM

So, what would I have to do to outfit my ships and crews for cold-weather exploration? I assume this can be done within a turn, so I can do other things if need be, yes?

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To Queen Sea Trading Company (DESP 6)

Our colony is starting production, and we are currenlty invesitigating if we will have enough harvested for your payment this month

(ooc: I have production(1), question is if I can sell the production this turn, or if I have to wait a turn for it to produce the unit)


To West Trading Company and Blackmoor(DESP 6)

The Blackmoor are the ones currently building the docks, we have a basic colony running now. With luck we can do some decent trading in the near future.


To Arcane Expeditions (DESP 6)

The colony has begun minor produciton. Once the location is a bit safer we will invest some more to increase the production. This turn's production is going to the Sea Queen trading as payment for their lumber delievery. After that payment is made we will begin selling the goods to the shipping companies.


To the Baruma Sugary (DESP 6)

With the colony up and running we'd like to host a party between our colonists and your disillers. It should be a great party and hopefully bring our two groups closer together.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To Arcana Expeditions and d'Ombrey (5)
From what I know of the ice, the metal is brittle and not useful for our purposes. However, it's possible it has properties I am unaware of.

But as I have said, my sloop will follow wherever you wish, so I have no complaint.

To Arcana Expeditions and New Verdan (5)
The wooden foundations of the port are laid, but it will take some time for it to be functional.

To d'Ombrey (5)
I'll have everyone available work on it. I have my own interests in potent wardings, as well as discovering the secrets behind your vessel.

To the West Trading Company (5)
Yes, I seem to have a need for a proper navy to deal with the various threats of the Water. I want to build a frame for a warship that I can mass produce, and it would be helpful to have the insight of a clever shipwright assisting me. Blackmoor would of course appropriately compensate you for your time and efforts.

As of this moment, I have another project to work on, so this will be in the coming seasons, I just wanted to see if you would be available.

To the West Trading Company and New Verdan (5)
Interesting. So you're asking for lifetime access for the West Trading Company to my port in exchange for your delivery of [1 Unit] of marble to Baruna, correct?

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor, Arcana Expeditions [5]

"Oh, exploration is one thing, of course, but not quite what I was thinking of. I was thinking of... recruitment. There are ghosts there. We saw what were probably hundreds. And they have strong emotions.

I prefer to work with calmer, more mature spirits, if I have the chance. Those that spent a significant amount of time in a reasonably fulfilling larval stage. But there's no denying that more emotional spirits have a power of their own that is easily exploitable.

I think I will sit this one out, if you are going North and will instead try to set up a ritual around the island. A larger project, probably."

To Blackmoor: [5]

"So, this is a strange request, and I'd most likely be buying on credit but, just theoretically... could you make a chain or wire of silver long and strong enough to surround an entire island, and how expensive would such an undertaking be?"

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

Yeh, that sounds good. Count me in!

Captain West

Eh, read that again, sonny; carrack-load. That means [2 Units] of this fine marble stone, y'know?

And ol' Joe not be giving this away for free either, just for real cheap for what it's worth. Even if you don't use it, you can sell it on for some good profits, eh? And as for giving me 'n my company lifetime docking privileges... well son, if ye be wanting ol' Joe to help ye out with the whole ship thing, you be needing to let Joe come and go with his fleet as he pleases, no?

The quote of 'more than 10, less than 20 Wealth' you gave for my load of marble. Is that for 1 Unit, or the entire carrack's worth of 2 Units?

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To New Verdan, West Trading Company (5)
Ah. That does change things.

[OOC: Is marble Stone or Rare Stone?]

To d'Ombrey (5)
I could certainly build it. The cost I'm less sure of. Depends on the size or quantity of metal required.

[Ascaloth]

ooc: It's Rare Stone.

[Exthalion]

Magnum Opus to Baskor Darkhouse and Diver's Guild
We agree with the proposed joint venture to the Far Isle. Based on reports it appears that more adventurous factions who have capitalized on exploration are currently benefiting greatly from their adventures in the region, possibly to our future detriment should our advantageous position ever appear more desirable than the effort of compelling our acceptance of their exploitation of it.

Regarding future self-sufficiency; that is the primary goal of all our current efforts in development.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor

"Long enough to encircle Vonissi. It would not have to be massive. Strong enough to withstand currents for a while, but then, not even for that long, if all goes well. Silver would be best. If that is not available, I could potentially make do with lead or even iron."

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To d'Ombrey (5)
I've got a good deal of Iron in my stores right now. Silver may be a bit more difficult to acquire. However, neither will be particularly cheap.

[OOC: From what it sounds, would I need a full shipload (1 Cargo Unit) of Silver/Iron for this job, or could I get by with less, Zem?]

[Zemalac]

HerbieRAI (PM)

The Baruna Sugary produces the Quality Rum trade good, which sells for Sugar+2 Coin. Which, in most places, puts it at the same level as Recreational Drugs, yes.

The wiretrees are indeed considered Rare Lumber for trade good purposes. I provided the description mainly in case you or someone else came up with a more specific use for them (I didn't have anything in mind, particularly, but I feel that if I provide enough little details about the world people will be better able to immerse themselves in it and come up with cool plans).

Your armor right now is infantry armor.

It is produced this turn, and then you can ship it if you want. Wherever it is received can't do anything with it until next turn, so you won't get the money from its sale until then (if that's what you're going for).


Fe Nasr Shipping to Magnum Opus (5)

Sir;

In regards to your recent message to the city of Baskor in general, I believe I speak for my family and my company when I say that we agree wholeheartedly that something must be done to prevent such a blockade as recently occurred from happening again. Militarily, our forces are in disarray at the moment after we attempted to break the blockade, which is unfortunate as we also feel that any attempt to create a joint financial venture or expand the capabilities of the city as a whole could be destroyed or co-opted by the untimely intervention of such a force as the one that just surrounded our city. The Fleet of Chains has proven to the world how vulnerable Baskor is. Do you really think that other parties--the Darrigan East Exports Company and Duke Likeay of Arypso both spring immediately to mind--have overlooked the advantage that our collective weakness might give them? The Fleet, even if they had not cast the city into starvation, riot and ruin, has proven that anything we build can be taken, and I do not believe that any project this city undertakes to change that situation will bear fruit for us unless we show that weakness to be a lie. As such, while I agree that something must be done, I vehemently disagree with your assertion that the way out of this hole we have been cast into is financial rather than military endeavor.

The world believes Baskor to be dead, a rotting carcass to be stripped of its flesh and marrow at the whim of creatures like those bound in chains on the cursed ships that until recently stalked our horizon. It is with great regret that I must say that, until such time as we show that we can fight off these scavengers that circle about us, I cannot honestly say that they are wholly wrong.

Respectfully yours,

Avonte Fe Nasr


Denta Family to Magnum Opus (4)

Blockade was actually pretty good business for us. We are, of course, deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction of property that occurred during the riots and such, but we feel that speaks more to a lack of civil order among the poor in the collapsed parts of the city, rather than any vulnerability inherent in our own position.


Bente Vos Calloum to Magnum Opus (7)

If you want food, sir, you may always purchase it from me. My farms in First Hope have not suffered from any recent calamity, and nor will they any future ones.


Clan Deillnc to Sea Queen Trading Company (3)

So you pay us more in exchange for an exclusivity contract? Not a bad gig, depending on how much you're offering. How much are you considering?


Mellisson and Berklade to Sea Queen Trading Company (4)

We're actually out of quarried stone at the moment, though rest assured our quarries are ramping up production in order to meet the sudden demand.


Guild of Medicinal Apothecaries to Sea Queen Trading Company (5)

We already have an arrangement with the Ko Essing Trade Concern. We will keep your offer under consideration, however, should things change on that front.


Ascaloth (PM)

That's what the missing action(s) are. Time taken off to heal.

With Joe West's shipbuilding trait, changing the appearance of the DEEC's carrack wouldn't be too difficult at all, actually. You would need at least a makeshift shipyard in order to make the changes, but just changing some superficial, appearance-level stuff wouldn't take a full drydock I would think.

Also, the quote was for the entire cargo.


ArcaneStomper (PM)

1)
The Osprey's Nest can be used to acquire Reagents, and also Rare Stone in the form of obsidian and other volcanic minerals.

2)
Many of the people who were living in and around the wreck of the Osprey left the island with the expedition that found them, heading back to civilization for the first time in almost ten years, but a surprising number of them stuck around, including the former first mate of the ship, who runs what is essentially a tavern built into the shattered underbelly of the old vessel. Him and his friends have lived here well enough for eight years, after all, and they've got their little encampment built up just how they like it. All that's back for them in the Water is a trading company that hasn't existed for half a decade and a labor market over-saturated with sailors due to every Waterman kid growing up with tales of adventure on the high seas. These men and women have had their adventure at sea, and at this point would rather spend time in their hammocks or fermenting coconuts in their homemade still.

They show you the contract the ship (or at least it's late captain) had with the Blue Waters Trading Company. It's old and extremely faded at this point, but it seems legitimate enough.

3)
The volcano provides earthquakes occasionally, but not much else. The folks living around the Osprey mention that it was much more active when they first landed, with smoke coming from the caldera upon occasion. At the moment, the caldera is hosting a rather pleasant lake, though it does smell faintly of sulfur.

4)
Marble can be used as a reagent for some things--summoning circles, certain geomantic wards, particularly ornate stone golems--but it isn't usually as magically useful as other stones. Looks nice, though.


Hawser & Sons to Arcana Expeditions (3)

We should be finished it midway through next month, sir, and she'll be yours as soon as she hits the water. We've arranged a selection of potential captains for you to review as well, and it is our professional recommendation that the finished vessel be taken on a shakedown cruise by her new crew before venturing into unknown waters.


Lost Demiurge (PM)

A coin or two, nothing major. It's mostly a fluff thing--you launched the expedition from a semi-tropical clime, and went all the way to the Icemont. The weather is somewhat different (partially due to the change in latitude, partially due to weather mages ****ing with things so often in and around the Water).


Baruna Sugary to New Verdan (4)

Knew ya couldn't be all bad. Let's see how well all your ac-ay-demmic types can hold yer drink.


Blackmoor and d'Ombrey Internal (PM)


[OOC: From what it sounds, would I need a full shipload (1 Cargo Unit) of Silver/Iron for this job, or could I get by with less, Zem?]

You're trying to encircle an entire island--specifically, Vonissi, which if you'll look at the map is kind of large. You're making a chain, which takes less material, but it would still likely take closer to 3 full cargoes.


Blackmoor Internal (PM)

Merchant's Water Lore 3: One of your blackcoats has been poking around in his spare time while posted in Buron, and has found that the registration office at the port doesn't keep records of ships presumed lost at sea for longer than two years. Which might explain why there is no mention of the Blue Waters Trading Company having a ship called the Osprey. Or that might be the cover story for something else. Either way, you have more information about the situation now.

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Fe Nasr Shipping, Magnum Opus, Blackmoor [5]

"Greetings.

I could not help but feel your last message regarding the recent blockade.

Have you thought about investing your finance in a solution with finesse, rather than one of brute force?

You will notice that the fleet of chain's blockade was mostly confined to the areas that lie above the waves. I, on the other hand, am in mpossession of a ship that travels below them. I think you can see where this is going. We should talk. You should also talk to Blackmoor, who have studied my ship and may, at some point, be able to create similar designs of their own.

-Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey, Tearer of Shrouds, Queen of Ghosts

[HerbieRAI]

New Verdan

To GM (PM)

Nice, I'm sure I'll think of a good use of the trees before I am able to settle on the isle.


To Lady Étalienne d'Ombrey(DESP 6)


Lady d'Ombrey

Our researches have developed a lightweight heavy armor that may be of some use for your ships defenses. Currently it is moulded for infantry, but we are confidenant we reshape the designs for ships by the end of the month. Once we have the designs we will contact you again with a cost estimate.

~Issan Vol-ru

To Queen Sea Trading Company (DESP 6)

We will have the sugar supply we promised you ready for pickup in Baruna this [turn].

If you are unable to pick up please let us know so we can arrange another method of transporting the goods to market, and we will give you a later [turn]'s supply of sugar instead of this [turn]s.

[Exthalion]

Magnum Opus to Zemalac(GM)
What sort of options are there for magically binding pacts? Similarly, what kind of mechanical difficulties if any arise from breaking mundane pacts? If Alice and Bob swear some pact before the thousand gods of A and the thousand gods of B and then Bob breaks it do Bob's people turn against him for fear of divine retribution? Have any studies been done on if the gods appear to actually do anything about this?

What is the general status of international diplomacy? Is it a mexican standoff where you better take them out with your betrayal or else it grounds for war?

[Nyrt]

Sea Queen Trading Company

New Verdan
Good. We will pick up the sugar as soon as it is available.

Deillnc
[not enough time to reply now; will do later.]

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To Bonse (5)
Unfortunately, due to the Fleet of Chains sinking my frigate, I no longer have a vessel capable of delivering the [Smokepowder Weapons 1] you ordered. If you're still interested, send your own ship with [4 Coin] to the Uplands, and we can make the exchange here.

To Uplands Clans (5)
[OOC: Sent individually to the different families, and not to Resgard.]

Greetings once more,

Blackmoor finds itself with an inventory of [Smokepowder Weapons 1]. Would you be interested in purchasing any of these?

[ArcaneStomper]

Silver Mage

The tall being in blue robes stood on a ledge looking out over the ocean. In it's hand it had two missives that had someone found their way to him. Both referred to its building project. The mage didn't even know how anyone had found out it was building something on a remote recently discovered island in the far seas.

Obviously there were people out there with extremely good scrying skills. But what amused him was that the rumors seemed to paint him as building some eldritch structure. He supposed he had the other archmages to blame for that. Them and their fancy wizard towers.

Chuckling the silver mage turned and followed the path to where the foundations of his actual project lay. A simple floor of wood set into the mountain side was the only indicator at the moment. The Silver Mage had spent most of his time hiking through the forests on the island these last few weeks, but he could see it in his mind.

A cozy one story cottage with a shingled roof and little round windows with enough space inside to house his most used books and himself comfortably. He supposed that the idea of powerful mages and vacation cottages didn't go together for most people, but really when you spend a century or two fighting demons sometimes you just needed to relax.

It was a pretty little island. A good view, friendly neighbors, and an excellent source of peace and quiet. A decade or two here would be splendid. And if anything truly world shaking came up well people apparently knew how to get in touch.

The Silver Mage gestured and his golems quickly put together a chair and desk for him off to the side. Sitting down he wrote out two responses to the letters he had received.

To Blackmoor
The island is peaceful enough. No strange ruins or eldritch mysteries if that is what your asking. I do not know exactly what the Osprey was carrying, but I have spoken with those crew who remained and it certainly seems to have been a legimate ship of exploration. I suspect that Buron's archivists have simply misplaced the documents after it spent so many years lost at sea.

To the West Trading Company
Miss Winterbourne,

I do not have an immediate need for marble, but I am sure I could always find some use for it. What would you like in exchange?

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To the West Trading Company (5)
[OOC: Bartered over Skype.]

Final Deal:

[10 Coin] and permanent docking access to our facilities for your fleet in Baruna or the Uplands, shipyards and resupply. Any future ports will be subject to independent negotiations.

In exchange for [2 Rare Stone] delivered to Baruna, with Blackmoor paying for the necessary Supply to ship it to the Isles. And Joe will serve as a consulting shipwright on projects pertaining to his skillset for my company.

In addition, as a condition of the lifetime access, you agree to provide military support if conflict ever comes to these locations, to the best of your capabilities.

Any hostile actions against Blackmoor, or our neighbors New Verdan, will invalidate this agreement, and terms must be renegotiated, if both parties still wish to continue their associations.

[OOC: I think that's everything. Effectively, this is an alliance between two corporations.]

To New Verdan (5)
I have negotiated a contract with the West Trading Company that grants them permanent access to Baruna, provided they don't take hostile actions against either of us. In exchange, they have offered military assistance if the port comes under threat. As all of us will be spending significant amount of time on the island, I feel it would be prudent to ensure we keep each other informed of developments that may involve or effect the others ability to continue current operations. And I hope this message serves as the first of many in service to that objective.

To the Silver Mage (5)
I was wondering if you were looking to construct a teleportation circle in Baruna or elsewhere. I am unsure if you would prefer one on your own territory or within a eventual trade port.

And, yes, apparently Buron discards ship records for vessels lost at sea for longer than two years. So that is a possible explanation. Or it could be something else, but I don't really expect that to be the case anymore.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

Your Puissance,

Unfortunately, our company has received a tempting offer since our last communication, and we are currently in the final stages of making a deal with this particular client. I am afraid it is out of my hands at present, unless you can offer an appealing bid which I can take back to my boss.

Isabelle Winterbourne.

Deal, sonny! Joe be moving the stuff to your main port now, as agreed. Trust you'll let Joe carry out some fixing work there while we're docked?

[ArcaneStomper]

The Silver Mage

To Blackmoor
Do you need my presence on Baruna? I can easily set up a teleportation circle there, but I will need transport back from Osprey's Nest for the first trip.

To West Trading Company
Miss Winterbourne

It is of no concern. As I said I am not in any particularly need of marble. Merely curious as to what you might be asking for it.

On another matter what subject do you wish to study next. I believe you have grasped the basics of teleportation, but we can continue to examine the theory behind it. Or we can study something else if you feel another aspect of your skills needs improvement.

[Ascaloth]

West Trading Company
D. ESP: 10

It has recently come to my attention that weather magic is a particularly valuable commodity in the Merchant's Water. Taking that into account, I would like to learn more about the subtle art of controlling the weather, or otherwise a means of countering those mages which have specialized in that field of study would also be ideal.

On another note, Your Puissance has yet to make any requests of myself or my company. Is there anything which we can do on your behalf?

Isabelle Winterbourne

[ArcaneStomper]

To GM
What school would weather magic be? It kind of seems like sorcery, but not quite.

[Forum Explorer]

Valos

To GM
Valos flies over the main tower pyramid, roaring out a message for all to hear.

I have taken your measure, and know that you are helpless before me! So I give you this chance to surrender and to live as my slaves! But I have no need for a new high priest! Signal your surrender by sacrificing one of your priests on the top of the pyramid at noon tomorrow and place his head on a spike and mount it outside the city. Refuse and I will reduce you all to ash and bone. I will be watching to see your decision.

[Nemesis67]

Blackmoor
Morale: 5

To West Trading Company (5)
We have another project to utilize our shipyards for, but that will not take up all our facilities.

To the Silver Mage (5)
It would certainly be helpful for you to have easy access to the island, partly because I hope to begin moving project teams over and having a local mystical consult could be of use, and partly your reputation may ward off some raiders.

However, it is completely up to you. I am attempting to build up the dock into a proper trading port, and the more people I can get supporting that goal, the better.

[Lost Demiurge]

Arcana Expeditions
to Blackmoor and D'ombrey [DESP 5]

The metal? Eh, we'll get samples, but it's not high on priorities. We'd just like to be the first to launch a successful polar expedition, that's all. Confirm whether or not the fabled top of the world exists...

That said, if you've got something new to try with Vonissi that we can assist with, let us know. We're just temporarily out of ideas. Perhaps if we had more clues...

Well, if you're going to remain for now, Lady D'ombrey, then we'll leave it in your hands. Do let us know how it goes!

Yrs,
-Arkanos Mundi

[Eldan]

D'Ombrey to Blackmoor, Arcana Expeditions [5]

The plan was, quite simply, to bind the entire island in a circle. Estimates seem to show that this would need far more resources than I currently have or can get my hands on. I will need a great amount of coin, first, so I'll come along for another few expeditions, if nothing else presents itself."

[Cognimancer]

Divers Guild
D-ESP: 8

Alright, formalities aside. If we're going to be working together, I'd like to know a bit more about your people. I imagine you might have a couple of questions for me as well, so I guess now'd be the time to get them off your chest.

Everyone knows the name of Magnum Opus, but not really the specifics. We know you're very skilled inventors - what kind of projects do you work on, exactly? We heard about the clockwork ship - tragic, that - but do you have any other technologies that might assist the Baskoran colony? Any past inventions to speak of, or notable resources to contribute to the cause? Just trying to figure out what your skills are so we can plan accordingly.

Hey Liz - how's things? Had any fantastic adventures on the open seas?

It may come as a surprise (or maybe not, after... well, last season), but I've been thinking about branching out. Putting out some eyes and ears in other places beyond this waterlogged town. You've spent some time out there on expeditions by now, haven't you? I was kind of... well, I was hoping you might be able to give some friendly advice. You know, friends don't let friends launch expeditions to the island of murderous cannibals, that kind of thing. What've you seen, and what islands have the best food? The important questions.

- Vara

To Avonte Fe Nasr,

In the wake of the Fleet of Chains' blockade, many of Baskor's great powers have suffered greatly. We couldn't help but notice that your shipping business suffered more than many - your fleet is in disarray, and I'm sure your trade prospects are just as damaged. The Divers Guild offers its sympathies; you've surely heard about the riots in the Canals district, so we understand how rough this past season has been.

However, we'd also like to offer more. We have some funds at our disposal - there wasn't exactly much opportunity to spend them during the blockade - and with an up-front investment, perhaps we could help Fe Nasr Shipping get back on its feet. Understand that we aren't talking about a buyout. Your business would still be operating by your own personnel, but the Guild would hold a stake in its fortunes, taking a share of the profits in exchange for... well, for saving the company in this time of turmoil. Would you be interested in such an arrangement?

What have we heard about the islands called North and South Legion? Who does the Cartographer's Guild credit with their discovery?

[Zemalac]

Fe Nasr Shipping to d'Ombrey (5)

That sounds like an excellent solution to this specific problem, actually. We will inquire with Blackmoor as to pricing. Thank you for getting in touch, Lady d'Ombrey.


Fe Nasr Shipping to Blackmoor (5)

Sir:

We were informed recently that you might be able to construct ships that travel underneath the water rather than above it. Is there any credence to this assertion?


Clan Maphoor to Blackmoor (3)

Yeah, we could do with some, actually. How much?


Clan Deillnc to Blackmoor (3)

Matchlocks don't tend to do well in the weather up here. So, no.


Exthalion (PM)

This is the Merchant's Water. On the one hand, a person's good word is important for doing business; on the other hand, if there's sufficient profit at stake, betrayal is, while not exactly praised, understood. Oaths are taken far more seriously in Merdallan and, to a lesser extent, in Buron-on-the-Water, the former because of the local honor code and the latter because Buronians have a tendency for holding serious and bloody grudges.

There are various forms of magically or divinely binding oaths available, but no studies have been done as to whether or not any of them work, mostly because commissioning studies isn't exactly the sort of thing anyone would think to do in this day and age.

International diplomacy is complicated and fragmentary, with no clear rules. Or at least that's what your Foreign Relations Lore tells you.


ArcaneStomper (PM)

That would likely fall under elementalism.


Valos' Threat Delivery Service (PM)

There's not much of a reaction for a while. When it comes, it's sudden, like someone kicked a hornet's nest--some sort of fight going on around the main pyramid, between the soldiers of the shark priests and some other faction.


Fe Nasr Shipping to Divers Guild (5)

Normally I would say no, but this is an extreme situation at present. What sort of investment are we discussing, here, and what sort of return are you expecting?


Divers Guild Internal (PM)

The North and South Legion Islands are said to be the tombs of great heroes who died in the service of Orsag the Guardian, and are an occasional destination for religious pilgrims from the Water. Your contacts in the cartographers guilds say they were discovered by the captain of a ship called the Ms. Shelly.