Arrus stands outside the Admiralty offices with the silver forget-me-not brooch wrapped securely in one hand and the broad-shouldered court woman’s annotated proposals beneath his arm. The broad-shouldered court woman has gone ahead or remains within, while no companion now walks beside him.
Near the quay, a knot of agitated sailors blocks part of the approach. Salt wind snaps a black pennant above them, and a dead gull lies conspicuously on the stones.
Agitated Sailors
Black pennant off the patrol waters! The gull fell dead beneath it! No honest ship should sail that course today.
Their warning spreads through the waiting crowd, threatening to turn practical testimony about patrols, yards, and provisions into quay-side superstition just as the restricted review is due to begin.
Agitated Sailors
Ask the Admiralty what omen they need before sending more men to drown. The sea has marked those waters, and wise sailors listen.
Behind Arrus, the Admiralty doors open for arriving officials. Ahead, the sailors’ alarm draws sharper attention, leaving him one moment to decide whether the review begins with evidence, interruption, or both.
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve whether the black-pennant waters pose a genuine hazard
“I will tuck the silver broach safe in it's wrapping gently into a coat pocket and approach the group of angry sailors with the tall stiff walk of a ship's captain, a demeanor I've studied more than most who have not yet attained the rank, but for the sake of the success of my presentation, I must disband this quarrelsome demonstration of the sailors' protest, which my projection of naval authority should help me avoid drawing my dueling sword. As I approach the sailors close enough for my voice to carry the volume of a boatswain, I will yell in my loudest, most intimidating disciplinarian's tone, "You there, stand fast! What's the meaning of this?!" I will continue directly into the midst of them to the one that was doing most of the shouting. "Explain yourself NOW, sailor!"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Arrus tucks the wrapped silver brooch safely into his coat pocket, then advances with a tall, stiff captain’s stride. The sailors’ muttering falters as his authority fills the quay.
Arrus Gandon
You there, stand fast! What’s the meaning of this?!
He pushes directly into the knot of sailors, his voice carrying like a boatswain’s command. The black pennant snaps overhead while the crowd gives him room.
Arrus Gandon
Explain yourself NOW, sailor!
Agitated Sailor 1
Aye, sir! We saw that black pennant off the patrol waters, and a gull dropped dead beneath it. We thought some cursed ship was marking the channel.
The shouting sailor, a young adult man with a lean build, weather-browned skin, a narrow face, and cropped black hair beneath a tarred cap, wearing a rough blue wool jacket and brown breeches lowers his voice under Arrus’s stern gaze. His companions glance from the dead bird to the Admiralty doors, their protest collapsing into uneasy obedience.
Agitated Sailor 1
We’ll stand aside, sir. Ask the Admiralty what flew that pennant, and we’ll hear their answer before making another noise.
The sailors clear the approach. Behind Arrus, officials gather at the doors, and the way to the restricted review lies open, carrying both their fear and their warning inside.
“I will stand at the top of the stairs and look back down at the malcontents, "I have just come all this way from Cornwall, CORNWALL, to make my own recommendations to the Admiralty about how to improve these conditions myself!" I will lean slightly down towards the sailors and glare at them with furious eyes and raise my fist as if it were holding navy officers lash as is often held to warn sailors at sea as I continue, "And if I am forced to do so by yelling over this noise, I will personally come back outside here and drub every single one of you senseless before demanding the name of your ships and commanding officers! One of you is coming with me!" I will point at the one who spoke, "You there, sailor, get up here and stand fast!" I will then stand tall, projecting grave seriousness and pointing a commanding index finger towards the landing at the top of the steps directly before my feet. "The rest of you, disperse now or wait here in silence, or you will be silenced!..."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Arrus Gandon
I have come all this way from Cornwall, CORNWALL, to make my own recommendations to the Admiralty about improving these conditions myself! If I must yell over this noise, I will return and drub every one of you senseless before demanding your ships and commanding officers. You there, sailor, stand fast and come up here! The rest of you disperse or wait in silence, or be silenced!
Arrus raises his fist in the unmistakable warning of a shipboard lash and points to the landing above. His fury commands the quay, though the effort leaves a brief raw hesitation in his voice that the nearest officials notice.
Agitated Sailor 1
Aye, sir! I am coming up. The rest of us will hold our tongues and clear the approach.
The shouting sailor climbs the steps with his hands visible, while the other sailors break apart from the doors and gather silently along the quay. The Admiralty entrance stands clear.
At the landing, the sailor stops where Arrus pointed and faces him beneath the snapping black pennant. Below, the malcontents remain dispersed and quiet, their earlier superstition reduced to watchful unease.
Agitated Sailor 1
Here I stand, sir. Ask what you need about the pennant, the dead gull, or the patrol waters.
The sailor’s obedience is complete, but Arrus’s spent composure leaves a hard dryness in his throat. Behind him, the arriving officials have witnessed both the command and the cost of enforcing it.
“I will maintain the tone of strict maritime discipline at a lower, closer volume. "What is your name and rank, sailor?" After he answers, I will introduce myself in the most impressive yet truthful description of my rank and status as the Sheriff of Cornwall, Viscount Falmouth's envoy and summarize my purpose there today, and then I will ask him to repeat his concerns to me clearly, which I will listen to sternly but patiently. When he is finished, I will ask him the name of his ship, and about the treatment of himself and his crew, the quality of the victuals, and their medical conditions. Then I will thank him, confiscate the black pennant, and point at the dead gull. "Thank you sailor, now get that dead thing away from the Admiralty offices, and never show such disrespect here again..." I will then soften my tone and give him a small handful of copper coins and say, "Here. When the bird has vanished, go have a few drinks with the lads, and tell them who bought them, and why..."”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Arrus Gandon
What is your name and rank, sailor?
Agitated Sailor 1
Thomas Redd, able seaman aboard His Majesty’s cutter Seawren, sir.
Arrus Gandon
I am Arrus Gandon, Sheriff of Cornwall’s authorized envoy to Viscount Falmouth, here to present recommendations on coastal defense. Repeat your concerns clearly, then answer about your ship, your crew’s treatment, victuals, and medical condition.
Agitated Sailor 1
The black pennant flew off the patrol waters, sir. The men take poor pay and rough treatment, the victuals are wormy and thin, and two hands have fever while the surgeon lacks proper supplies. We fear those waters, but more than that, we fear being sent there unready.
Arrus Gandon
Thank you, Redd. I confiscate this pennant. Clerk, lend me a handful of copper against my Admiralty account.
The clerk reluctantly advances the coins, creating a small favor that will be remembered. Arrus takes the pennant, points to the dead gull, and places the money in Redd’s palm.
Arrus Gandon
Get that dead thing away from the Admiralty, and never show such disrespect here again. Then have drinks with the lads. Tell them who bought them, and why.
+ New Item Acquired
Black pennant
“Once the trouble has been dispersed, I will turn to the Courtier, "Thank you, now please go and tell the Admiralty staff gathered inside that I apologize for the disturbance and for keeping them waiting, but also that I will be inside to join them momentarily." I will then begin to sooth and clear my throat and see if an attendant inside could find me a small beverage or drink to help me do so.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Arrus Gandon
Thank you, Mr. Ainsley. Please tell the Admiralty staff inside that I apologize for the disturbance and for keeping them waiting, but I will join them momentarily.
Arrus eases his stance, soothing his throat and clearing it carefully. Thomas Ainsley accepts the request, though the waiting officials’ patience now rests visibly upon his courtesy.
The Distinguished Courtier
I shall deliver your apology and assure them you will enter shortly. They will hear that your interruption served to clarify the sailors’ concerns, though you now owe them a punctual hearing.
Thomas turns toward the Admiralty doors, carrying the apology inside. The gesture preserves Arrus’s standing, but makes his delayed entrance a favor personally vouched for by a distinguished courtier.
Courtier 1
Master Gandon, I can bring you a small cup of cordial or water before you enter. Which would better soothe your throat?
The clerk returns with a small cup of warm cordial and places it in Arrus’s hand. Its sweetness eases the rawness in his throat, while the Admiralty staff waits inside for his promised appearance.
✓ Quest Accepted
Present the sailors’ concerns at the Admiralty review
+ New Item Acquired
Warm cordial
− Scene Quest Removed
Resolve whether the black-pennant waters pose a genuine hazard
“Once I have managed to sooth my throat as well as I can, I will carry the black pennant with me into the presentation hall awaiting me with Beatrice's written proposals und my other arm. As I walk in, as a prologue to my presentation itself, I will gather all eyes on the pennant held high as I walk conspicuously slowly to the center of the room without words until the uneasiness of the spectacle brings the room to silence, knowing my words will follow. Then I will recount every detail of my encounter with the sailors outside, Able Seaman Redd's story about his crew fearing the "omens" and his account of his crew's treatment, including the poor victuals and the shipmates with untreated fever. And especially the part where the sailor confessed that the superstitious omens frightened him less than going into danger with his crew's current readiness for battle, should they find themselves in one... I will then I will let a moment seal the story, and say, "I brought recommendations..."”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -2)
After the cordial soothes his throat, Arrus enters the presentation hall carrying the black pennant high and the broad-shouldered court woman’s proposals beneath his other arm. He advances conspicuously slowly toward the center, drawing every eye from the broad-shouldered court woman, the senior examiner, Thomas Ainsley, and the waiting Admiralty officials until silence settles.
The pennant hangs starkly above the polished table. Arrus lets the uneasiness mature into attention, then lowers it only when the room has become completely still.
Arrus Gandon
Outside, I found sailors gathered beneath this black pennant, alarmed by a dead gull falling near the patrol waters. Able Seaman Thomas Redd spoke plainly of their fear.
Arrus Gandon
His crew receives poor pay and rough treatment, their victuals are wormy and thin, and two shipmates lie fevered while the surgeon lacks proper supplies. The men fear being sent into danger unready.
Arrus Gandon
Redd confessed that the omen frightened him less than entering peril with his crew’s present readiness for battle, should battle find them. That is the testimony I bring from the quay.
The silence after his account is heavier than the first. The broad-shouldered court woman’s attention sharpens, while the senior examiner’s clerk pauses over the page, recording not only the sailors’ condition but the authority with which Arrus forced the hall to listen.
Arrus Gandon
I brought recommendations: practical measures for sound patrols, reliable yards, proper victuals, and crews prepared to defend the coast rather than merely be sent toward danger.
Quest Complete
Present the sailors’ concerns at the Admiralty review
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether the black pennant marks a genuine hazard
“If I subtly steal a glance at Beatrice, does she look like shares my appreciation of the value of my plan to recount the strange incident outside as I arrived, before leading directly into the recommendations in her proposals, as I prepare to deliver them with verve?”
YES, AND MORE (Likely, rolled 11)
At Arrus’s sidelong glance, Beatrice’s expression answers at once: approval, amusement, and a sharper recognition that the strange quay incident gives his recommendations an undeniable human beginning.
The Broad-Shouldered Court Woman
Precisely. Let them hear the sailors before they hear the figures. You have given the proposals a living witness, and no clerk can dismiss that as arithmetic alone.
Beatrice shifts the annotated papers slightly toward the senior examiner, marking the opening sequence without interrupting Arrus’s preparation. Her quiet gesture makes clear that she wants the testimony preserved as the proposals’ foundation.
The Senior Examiner
Continue from the sailors’ condition into your remedies, Master Gandon. The Court will hear the recommendations as a response to observed failure, not as an envoy’s private preference.
The senior examiner’s clerk begins a fresh heading for the sailors’ testimony and its proposed remedies. Thomas Ainsley’s approving glance confirms that Arrus has gained more than attention: the hall now expects his plan to answer an official record.
The Distinguished Courtier
You have chosen the right order, Master Gandon. Now give them the remedy with the same force, and let Beatrice’s figures show that Cornwall’s answer is ready.