The discreet boat noses between black rocks into the Scilly Islands Hideout. Arus steps ashore alone, while the pilot remains with the skiff and Bessy, Miller, and the redcoats stay behind at the cove.
Stacked cargo, tarred sheds, and rough shelters crowd the narrow landing. Smugglers and fugitives watch from every shadow, their attention fixed on the coded estate mark concealed beneath Arus’s clothing.
Arrus Gandon
The token is recognized, but not welcomed.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
That mark belongs to Carter’s dealings. Speak your business before the island decides you brought trouble with you.
No one reaches for a pistol, yet several hands rest near belts and knife hilts. Beyond them, a shuttered storehouse bears fresh scratches around its lock.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
The handoff was meant to carry contraband, but the rumor says it carries a surviving piece of Billings’s accounts. Carter’s enemies are listening for whoever comes asking.
Wind combs the rigging behind him, carrying the boat’s quiet creak out toward open water. The islanders leave a narrow path toward the storehouse, waiting to see whether Arus follows it or names his purpose first.
Somewhere beyond the shelters, a single bell gives one dull note, and every watcher turns toward the sound before looking back to Arus.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn who is listening for Carter’s enemies
“Do I have my flintlock pistol properly loaded if not cocked and ready before going into danger?”
NO, AND WORSE (Unlikely, rolled 93)
Inside his coat, the flintlock gives no reassuring weight. The powder horn has leaked into the lining, and the pistol’s pan is packed with damp salt instead of priming powder.
Arrus Gandon
The pan is empty, and the main charge may be fouled as well.
A tiny metal click carries across the landing. The dull bell answers with a second note, and shutters lift around the shelters as silhouettes turn toward the storehouse path.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
Hands where we can see them. The island does not welcome a man who arrives armed, then makes a weapon fail in the dark.
The narrow path closes beneath a spreading ring of wary smugglers and fugitives. Behind Arus, the skiff’s pilot pushes off from the rocks, leaving open water farther away than before.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
The storehouse is sealed now. Name the handoff, or we search you and decide whether Carter sent a messenger or a trap.
“Is my dueling sword ready to draw quickly if I choose to instead leave it in it's scabbard while slowly walk through the crowd...”
YES, BUT (Likely, rolled 60)
Arus leaves the sword in its scabbard and advances at an unhurried pace. His fingers remain near the hilt, and the blade would clear leather swiftly if the crowd turns violent.
The islanders part by inches, watching his hands rather than his face. His scabbard catches briefly against a stacked crate, forcing him to angle his body and costing him the cleanest line toward the storehouse.
Arrus Gandon
The sword is ready, but the crowd has measured the reach of my draw.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
Slowly, then. Keep your hands clear of the hilt, and no one here need mistake caution for an attack.
Arus passes the first ring without drawing steel. The failed pistol has made the islanders bolder, and one fugitive, a young adult man with a lean build, wind-reddened skin, cropped black hair, and a dark wool jacket shadows his shoulder closely enough to seize his sword arm before a full cut could begin.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
The storehouse door is ahead. Reach it without touching that weapon, and we may believe Carter sent you instead of some desperate claimant.
The path opens before him, narrow but passable. The sword remains sheathed and immediately drawable, while the cost of passage is plain: every step now leaves an islander within arm’s reach of his weapon hand.
“I will step slowly through the locals like a man taking a relaxed stroll, but with my sword hand hanging by the thumb from my waist belt buckle, mere fingers' lengths from my sword grip. "Any man here who calls himself a friend of John Carter may call himself a friend of mine. And if there is any man here who is as great a fool as to call himself anything other that John Carter's friend," and then I will stand still and coldly stare death into all of their surrounding eyes, "...then let him speak up, plain and loud, to me!..." And then I will stand as still as a statue and wait for anyone who wants to speak up and accept my challenge, that of being John Carter's enemy means they are my enemy... If anyone moves first without speaking, I will draw my sword with such speed and precision to bring it's deadly tip pointed directly in the path of whoever moved that it will clearly be intended as a display of warning as well as a demonstration of the danger of challenging an obvious master.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -2)
Arrus Gandon
Any man here who calls himself a friend of John Carter may call himself a friend of mine. If any fool claims otherwise, let him speak plainly and loud.
Arus stops like a statue, thumb hooked by the belt buckle, fingers resting mere inches from the sword grip. His stare passes coldly over every watching face.
Arrus Gandon
Speak up, then. Name yourself John Carter’s enemy, and you name yourself mine.
The silence lengthens. His will holds the landing, but the effort draws a dry catch into his throat; the young fugitive notices that instant and sees how tightly the threat is being maintained.
Scilly Hideout Smugglers and Fugitives
No enemy speaks here. Carter’s friend stands among Carter’s friends, and no one is foolish enough to test the point of your blade.
No hand moves toward a weapon. The ring opens fully, granting Arus an unobstructed path to the shuttered storehouse, while the islanders lower their eyes and let his challenge stand answered.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the Scilly hideout’s cooperation
“Once my dominance has been asserted over the suspicious accusations from the locals, I will proceed to the storehouse door and wrap John Carter's secret code on the door with my knuckles before calling his name quietly and waiting patiently for an answer, adding, "Come hear welcome news for once..."”
SUCCESS (Great Intrigue, rolled +0)
The islanders keep their distance as Arus crosses to the storehouse. Their lowered voices follow him, and the young fugitive remains close enough to witness whatever answer comes.
Arus wraps his knuckles against the shutter in John Carter’s secret rhythm. The sound dies into the timber, then returns faintly from within.
Arrus Gandon
John Carter. Come hear welcome news for once.
A bar lifts. John Carter, an elderly, broad-shouldered man with iron-gray hair, a weathered face, and a dark seaman’s coat, opens the door only wide enough to study Arus.
John Carter
Welcome news has a price in these islands. Come inside, but understand that every watcher outside now expects you to answer for my name.
Carter admits Arus and closes the door against the watching refuge. The welcome is secured, but the islanders’ trust has become Carter’s wager, and its debt is plainly public.
“Is he apparently alone inside?”
NO (VeryUnlikely, rolled 57)
The storehouse is not empty. A young adult woman with a narrow face, tawny braid, and a faded blue sailor’s coat stands beside stacked crates, one hand resting near a small knife.
John Carter
Easy, Nan. He is expected, though I had hoped to receive him without an audience inside my own walls.
Scilly Hideout Smuggler or Fugitive 2
Expected by you, perhaps. The refuge heard his challenge, and I was sent to learn whether his courage survived the door.
She leaves the crates but does not approach. Behind her, the storehouse contains bales, salt boxes, and a narrow rear door standing ajar on the sea-facing side.
John Carter
Nan keeps the rear watch. She knows every boat that comes near these rocks, and she knows which questions are safer left unanswered.
Scilly Hideout Smuggler or Fugitive 2
Then ask your questions plainly, Carter. The island has already wagered its patience on this visitor.
“"Relax, John, I bring welcome news for a change. For once again, the balance of forces is changing again across the countryside, only this time neither you nor the locals of Helston or Flushing are cursed to be crushed under the roll of the aristocrats' wagon wheels. Not this time..." I will then keep the documents I carry an unspoken secret, but I will describe the documents, secrets Sir Alfred Billings kept for his own hiding, that I have already seen and know will inevitably be in the Viscount's possession sooner than later, and John Carter's involvement will be mentioned beyond a doubt. I will then offer to parlay with the Viscount for leniency for John in these matters of impending exposure, if John might be willing to consider entering into an agreement with the Viscount...”
SUCCESS (Great Intrigue, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
Relax, John. I bring welcome news for a change. The balance shifts again, and this time neither you nor Helston or Flushing must be crushed beneath the aristocrats’ wagon wheels.
Arrus Gandon
I carry documents describing the secrets Sir Alfred Billings kept hidden. I have seen enough to know they will soon rest in the Viscount’s possession, and your involvement will be named beyond doubt.
Carter’s face tightens at the names, but he does not reach for the papers. Nan watches him, then Arus, measuring whether this is negotiation or a sentence already passed.
Arrus Gandon
I will parlay with the Viscount for leniency in these matters. In return, you might consider an agreement with him, rather than let exposure choose your future for you.
John Carter
He offers a door, not absolution. Still, a door is preferable to the hangman’s rope or a lifetime hunted from cove to cove.
John Carter
I will consider the agreement, Arus. If the Viscount wants my knowledge more than my ruin, you may speak for leniency. But I will choose the terms before I sign anything.
The bargain exists now, fragile but real. Carter gestures Nan toward the rear door, and the storehouse’s salt-stained route becomes a road toward the Viscount rather than an escape from him.
“"Agreed, John. A man who is mostly left to his own devices in exchange for a regular share if his most treasured commodity of value: information... ...is a man with far fewer cares or worries than one who never knows when the nobleman's boots will come stomping to the lantern light... I believe the Viscount would rather have you out of chains and in the wind of words swimming and swirling around Cornwall like a summer breeze for his own best interests, as would I. If you can simply help me assure the Viscount that some small amounts discreet of free trade are preferable to a dark underbelly of completely unknown dangers, then I believe you will be able to preserve a profitable way of life, as long as you make sure that no local man becomes so foolish as to draw too much attention to the opportunities for life under such a benevolent and reasonably firm Sheriff..." I will then smile and let Carter comprehend the full scope of the opportunity for sustainable operation being offered”
SUCCESS (Great Intrigue, rolled +0)
Arrus Gandon
Agreed, John. A man left to his own devices, paid regularly for valuable information, has fewer cares than one forever awaiting a nobleman's boots. I believe the Viscount would prefer you free and spreading useful knowledge through Cornwall. Help me show him that discreet free trade is safer than unknown dangers, and keep your people from drawing foolish attention. Then you may preserve a profitable life beneath a firm, benevolent Sheriff.
Arus smiles and lets the proposal settle. Carter studies him across the salt-stained storehouse, while Nan watches the older smuggler recognize an opportunity broad enough to outlive the present crisis.
John Carter
He offers me wind, not chains, and asks only that I make the wind useful.
John Carter
You have made the bargain plain, Arus. A discreet trade, honest accounts of dangerous movements, and no fool allowed to turn opportunity into spectacle. I can work within those lines.
Carter takes the route from Nan and folds it beside the brass token. His posture eases, not into submission, but into the measured confidence of a man accepting terms he can profitably keep.
John Carter
Tell the Viscount I accept the arrangement in principle. I will trade information for freedom to operate, and I will make certain Cornwall’s smaller ventures remain smaller than the authorities’ appetite for alarm.
Nan
Then I will mark the boats that carry news, not merely cargo. If Carter’s word now travels under the Viscount’s favor, the island can breathe easier.
Quest Complete
Secure the Scilly hideout’s cooperation
Skill Upgrade: Intrigue Great→Superb
“"There is one more small price for your ensured status of preference among local businessmen to expect the Viscount's quiet favor, but first he requires an act of favor himself, a mere gesture of good faith to demonstrate the perfect example of how smooth and efficiently there could be an alliance between Pendennis Castle and Bessy's Cove in all but record, where mutual benefit and understanding serve wiser masters... You must spread the word that foreign spies were trailed covertly to the Billings' estate, where upon caught by Sir Alfred's men, they were taken by a Royal Navy Cutter, summoned to St. Michael's Mont by Sir Alfred himself, who is also personally escorting the traitorous spies and foreign agents to the Kingdom's royal guard leaders in London, to seek to report the learning of some significant plot or secret information of an unknown plot or nature, it is still undetermined. I ask if he can manage spreading that rumor across the coast and free traders are to lay low...”
SUCCESS (Superb Intrigue, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
There is one small price for your favored status. Spread word that foreign spies reached Billings’s estate, were seized by his men, and taken by a Royal Navy cutter at his summons toward St. Michael’s Mount. Say Sir Alfred escorts them to London to report a suspected plot. The truth remains undetermined, and every free trader should lie low.
Carter listens without interruption. At the mention of London, his fingers stop folding the route, while Nan’s guarded expression shifts toward professional approval.
John Carter
A clean tale, and one that makes Billings appear dutiful while keeping every curious boat away from the coast. I can put it into fishermen’s mouths before nightfall.
Nan
I will carry it through the free traders first. They will hide their cargo, quiet their boats, and let the Crown chase shadows toward London.
Carter folds the brass token into the route and gives Nan a precise list of coves, taverns, and boatmen. The rumor acquires enough detail to travel as witnessed fact.
John Carter
It shall be done as your good-faith gesture, Arus. The coast will hear of spies, a cutter, and Billings’s solemn journey to the royal authorities, while my people disappear from notice until the noise passes.
“In the meantime, my old friend, you will have plenty of time to rebuild your organization while all of your competitors are forced to adjust to the widespread caution and lack of availability, the local Regiment of redcoats will be making frequent patrols, indicating increased enforcement, but the Regimental Commander will be told to route all local patrols around and away from your Alehouse from the cliff top down to your porous shores... You can establish yourself as the only active option for at least a little while before all appearances of favoritism must end, lest others begin to suspect anything other than a rash of good fortune. And then, once you are the preferred resource for local, discreet free trade in the South of Cornwall, you will also be a natural channel of local information to share and trade at your own discretion... Just remember to pass on anything of interest to Lord Falmouth's ambitions in Cornwall, and you may reign over local free trade as it's silent guard”
SUCCESS (Superb Intrigue, rolled +0)
Arrus Gandon
You will have time to rebuild while caution empties your competitors’ hands. The Regiment will patrol often, but its commander will route them away from your alehouse and shores.
Arrus Gandon
For a while, you become the only active discreet trader in reach. When appearances must change, your advantage remains. In return, gather local intelligence and pass anything useful to the Viscount’s ambitions.
Carter’s eyes narrow over the folded route. He weighs patrol patterns, empty competitors, and the quiet authority required to make such fortune appear accidental.
John Carter
You offer me a season of clear water, Arus, and ask that I become its sounding line. I accept, provided the favor ends before it becomes a chain.
Nan
I can mark every patrol that turns aside, every boat that vanishes from trade, and every fisherman who hears more than he says.
John Carter
The alehouse will seem blessed by good fortune, not shielded by command. I will rebuild carefully, keep the free traders quiet, and send the Viscount only what merits his attention.
Carter extends his hand across the salt-stained crate. Nan takes up her slate, already turning the promised arrangement into patrol marks, boat names, and discreet accounts.
“I will extend my hand in agreement for John Carter to shake, "A bargain well struck, John. I had hoped to repay you for your trust and assistance before my service with the Viscount began, and it has has led to such good fortune, I have wanted to find just such an opportunity to repay it as we now find at our feet... Keep no grave secrets from our new Sheriff, and I'll arrange that the regular harassment and searches of your stores convince all onlookers of your legitimate claim of managing the street's discreet free business in Cornwall, but the inspector's bite will never sting as much as it merely disspells any suspicions among the proper slippery folk that John Carter somehow operates under constant suscpicion of the Crown, but that they can never quite seem to catch John Carter with anything to condemn him."”
SUCCESS (Superb Intrigue, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
A bargain well struck, John. I had hoped to repay your trust and assistance, and this opportunity has found us both. Keep no grave secrets from our new Sheriff. I will arrange that the searches and inspections make your legitimate discreet trade appear beyond question, while leaving the slippery folk convinced the Crown can never catch you with anything condemnable.
Arus extends his hand across the salt-stained crate. Carter studies the offered bargain, then clasps his hand with deliberate firmness as Nan records each condition on her slate.
John Carter
Then we understand one another. I will keep the Viscount informed of matters that threaten Cornwall’s peace, and accept his inspections as the price of appearing too honest to fear them.
John Carter
Your arrangement gives my rivals nothing solid to whisper and gives the Sheriff a reason to leave my ledgers standing. I will make that advantage serve both sides.
Nan
I will keep two accounts: the respectable one shown to inspectors, and the useful one carried by trusted fishermen. Anything dangerous goes to the Viscount before it reaches Carter’s shelves.
Carter releases Arus’s hand and turns toward the rear door, his agreement settled into practical movement. Nan begins marking routes and names, while the island refuge quietly becomes an information post under the Sheriff’s new order.
“Is Nan ever paused long enough for me to introduce myself?”
NO (Likely, rolled 78)
Nan never pauses to offer a name. Her slate fills beneath a moving hand as she crosses routes, patrol turns, and fishermen’s signals into a working coastal account.
Nan
If you need me addressed, use Nan. If you need me found, ask Carter. I have no spare breath for ceremony.
She says it without looking up, immediately adding three marks beside the western coves. The introduction becomes another entry on her slate rather than a social exchange.
John Carter
That is Nan’s way. She will learn your measure while appearing to ignore you, and finish the work before most men finish their greetings.
Nan shifts to the rear door, calling a fisherman’s route to Carter while her pencil keeps moving. Not once does she clear a space for introductions.
Nan
The eastern boats will hear by moonrise. Carter, send the westward message before supper. And do not let either of you mistake speed for trust.