Governor Stanfield indeed! It was all Preach could do not to scoff, the governor was an important man and unless this docker had something amazing to say the chance of passing a message on was exceedingly remote. Still he might have information the RHC needed so Preach decided to humour him.
Showing his warrant card, Preach solemnly introduced himself, "Sir I am agent Buchannon with the RHC and this is agent Alsah. If there's a threat Governor Stanfield needs to know about we'll be happy to pass it on. Please tell us what you know."
Alsah smiles and says. Of course. Agreeing with Adam.
We are always interested in potential threats
+2 if he likes girls (racial trait)
After Juliet had the man subdued she continued through the crowd watching and looking for dangers and she can see that her fellow Constables are again doing well enough without another cook in the kitchen, as it were.
North side? Check. East side? Check... maybe I'd have better luck working the crowd. Handing out those leaflets could get me closer to folks...
The docker at the checkpoint turns to Alsah and Preach, "RHC constables? You'll do and I'll hold you to your word. My name's Thames Grimsley, I'm a bit of an organizer down at the dockyards. I've been told that a couple of the lads have come down here to cause a scene. I don't think they've planned anything too serious, but I don't think you'll want them ruining your party. Their hearts are in the right place, but this will do more harm than good, so you need to stop them before they do anything stupid. There's four of them: Coulton, Mercliffe, Iscalio, and Dafton, who I believe is behind this harebrained scheme. I can give you a rough description, but it might be easier for me to help you pick them out."
Before you can follow up, he points a finger at you, emphasizing each sentence with a jab.
"Now for your part. Governor Stanfield will be here tonight and I need you to pass on a message on behalf of the Docker's Guild. My people are tired of the local police harassing them just because a few of the city’s nobles don’t like being made fun of in tavern songs. Worse than that, some of the boys have been arrested in the past few weeks simply because they refused to work sixteen hour shifts loading and unloading cargo. We're tired and people are getting restless. They’re raring for a riot. I'm trying my best to keep them calm, but if Stanfield can’t take some of the pressure off, I fear that there’ll be blood in the streets before too long."
He lowers his hand. "That's not a threat, just the truth. Please let the Governor know."
Juliet shrugs off the docker's insult. There was little time for nuance - she'd have to let the police sort out if he was a threat or not. Handing the man off at the checkpoint, Juliet pulls one of the detaining cops aside. "Keep him until after this is over. He's likely not a serious threat - just a worker wants to let off some steam. Be friendly, no roughing him up. Get him some tea, try and get his name for me if you can."
Turning, Juliet makes her way towards the check point, her mind turning over the threat profiles, her attention focused on the crowd.
Alsah thinks about the situation. Stopping a problem before it starts is the best solution. She replies to Grimsley
Look, if you can help stop trouble today, then that would be a great help. I can't guarantee that we can deliver the message you have, as we don't tend to hobnob with the governer as a rule. But we...I will attempt to do so in exchange for this. She pauses. and if you contact me in the next day or so I will tell you how that went.
She holds her hand out for the letter. On receiving it, she says Now, come with us and we will find your friends before they get themselves in trouble. Alsah nods at the police to let him in.
The Investigator moves slowly and deliberate through the crowd, watching... listening... to those around her as well making her way towards the now open checkpoint. She attempts to keep tabs on her colleagues but is more concerned with the possibilities that she was to search for.
After listening to Thames' descriptions, Bryn instructs him to follow, "Let's get you somewhere up higher so that you can help pick them out of the crowd. Come with me. Once we find one, I'll signal with the whistle so that we can direct folks to the suspect."
Thames nods in approval at the work you've done so far, "Looks like the RHC is more that just a bunch of pretty faces with fancy badges. Looks like you've found out most of the lads, but Dafton is the savviest of the lot. I doubt he was wearing his allegiances on his shoulder like the others were. Probably still wearing that hat of his though."
He climbs up to get a better look at the river of people. After a few minutes, he gives out a cry of triumph and points. "I knew it! There he is. He's the one in that checkered hat!'
Following Thames pointing, you see a big man in nondescript clothing with a black and yellow checkered cap walking across the bridge. Having made it through the checkpoint, Dafton walks towards the launch site staging area with confidence.
Preach considered Thames's words, the man in the chequered cap was about to get a rude surprise, it would be embarrassing if he turned out to be innocent.
"Thank you sir, we'll take it from here." replied Preach softly before adjusting his leather duster. To the other RHC and any law enforcement he reminded them, "Remember as far as we know Dafton hasn't done anything yet. Let's see if we can do this without making a scene..."
With that he started working his way closer but not too close to Dafton. The actual arrest would likely be done by Alexandra and the constables but he wanted to be near enough to act if things got out of hand.
Suddenly he was hurrying after Dafton with his best look of well meaning concern. Waving his own wallet as he approached he called out, "Sir! Wait up sir I think you dropped your wallet!"
Alex watches her colleagues as she is closer to the checkpoint and see that they are looking beyond it. She moves with crowd of people and motions to the constables that they follow.
As she passed through the portal she gives a mod to those at the checkpoint and continues through as she attempts to discern who or what they are looking for beyond.
Catching sight of the larger man with a checkered hat that is being pointed out she moves in closer, carefully, slowly, but steady as not to draw any undo attention.
Again, do not change what has worked thus far...she motions to the man on her left to be ready to give the larger man an extra hard 'nudge' and than right to be ready to bring him down. She than marches right up with a tap on the shoulder, "Pardon me Sir, you do not look so well..." bracing a leg behind his as the one constable on the right calls out to a woman on the far side and rushes over and as he passes in front of the man gives him a hard push with his shoulder. There is a quick apology and offer to help as they constable on her left just yanks the man to the ground.
"Sir... are you alright." As one of the constables uses yet another handkerchief within his mouth to keep him quiet. Any on lookers she distracts, "Give him some room, we need to get him some help... as the two constables start to take him back in the direction of the check point.
Pushing through the checkpoint with a nod to the officers working there, Juliet lets a sigh loose once on the other side; the crush of personanity trying to get through the gate was, psychically speaking, wearing. On the other side, the Mystic can move a little more freely, and she drifts like a leaf caught in a stream's slow-moving current.
Spying Alexandra and her snatch team, Juliet follows along, at a distance that shouldn't associate her with the team, if anyone was watching. What if the snatch team's prey is a decoy? With that worrying though bouncing around her head, Juliet turns as if a tourist taking in the city, and looks for any threats to the snatch team within the crowd.
Thames nods, "You go be about your business then, but don't forget your promise." He takes his leave, but stays close by to see what you do.
The party works like a well oiled machine, isolating, distracting and removing Dafton with pin-point precision. The other citizens barely notice your actions and the whole operation goes off without a hitch. Dafton struggles a bit a the beginning, but settles down quickly once he grasps the situation. At the check point, you can him off to the police to be processed along with the other Dockers.
You spend a little more time surveying the crowd as it files through the check point before making your own way across the bridge. You watch volunteers herd the crowd into their designated area, getting everyone in place for the arrival of the dignitaries.
Soon there after, the first of the noble carriages begin to approach the royal shipyard, and already the crowd on the bridge is doing its job: cheering, throwing flowers, and performing folk songs and dances to show their support.
Before things get too busy, your direct superior, Assistant Chief Inspector Stover Delft, asked you to come to a last-minute meeting to give you your marching orders. You find him chewing a bit of tobacco and eyeing a halfling chef who is carrying a tray of chocolate confections toward the docked Coaltongue.
His attention turns to you, and he smiles. “Only the finest for our king, right?“
"Now then,” he says, “we’re about to earn our pay. Lots of nobles about, so first, don’t make a scene, and definitely don’t talk to any of the nobility unless they address you first.
“Second, if something does go wrong, try to handle it yourselves, would you? I’m going to be busy applying my not-inconsiderable charms to very important people. The Constabulary doesn’t get by with just good will and pretty faces, you know."
“And third, you did good work earlier, so I’ve got a surprise for you.” He grabs his cane and leads you to the gangplank of the Coaltongue. But he’s not pursuing the halfling chef. Rather, ahead of you waits Principal Minister Harkover Lee, the king’s chief advisor and personal bodyguard.
After introductions, in which Delft cheerily refers to Lee as “the old man,” the Principal Minister addresses the team, "I'm confident that the security is all in order. Still, I think it would be prudent to have some representatives of the RHC aboard this evening. After the fireworks and banquet, the king is planning a major announcement. I'd like you present to be my extra eyes and ears to help gauge our honoured guests' reactions. Plus," he adds, "there are a few recalcitrant guests who might need corralling."
When he makes this last point, he looks in the direction of one of the checkpoints, where a guest and her handmaiden are disembarking from a horse-drawn carriage. Though this is the first time you have seen her, from your briefings and preparation you easily recognize the person who has elicited such distaste from Minister Lee. This is the king’s sister, Duchess Ethelyn of Shale, escorted by her elven handmaiden, Sokana Rell.
Turning his attention back to you, Minister Lee says, "I must prepare for the king’s arrival. If you have any further questions, Assistant Chief Inspector Delft would be happy to answer them, I'm sure." And with that, he takes his leave.
Alsah has no questions but eyes the big ship. She was never fond of sea travel. On her journey from the islands to the mainland, several years ago, the ship she was on passed through a storm. Not a good time. Still, the sky was clear.
Juliet watches the chocolate confections, and their attached chef, amble up the ramp and out of her life. A small sigh escapes the woman as the disappear from view - she was fairly certain she'd not tasted anything like that in all of her past lives, that she could remember at any rate. Oh well - the king, and Assistant Chief Inspector Delft for that matter would likely not be amused if she snatched one off the tray.
Refocusing her attention on the Chief Inspector, and then the Principle Minister, Juliet nods at the request to stay aboard. How could she turn down such a request. "An honor," is all she says, though a small grin betrays her enthusiasm at the prospect.
Once the Principle Minister is gone, Juliet turns to Delft, aware of his penchant for grousing behind peoples' backs. "What's the deal with the Principle Minister and the Duchess of Shale? He's obviously got some distaste for her."
Magical rivalry? She follows the old ways and is rumoured to be magically gifted Alsah interjects. The minister is more...progressive and is also magically inclined. Maybe that's it.
Duchess Ethelyn... this could get interesting. I wonder if the rest know...
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"So, it looks like the rewards for doing a job well done is more work. Typical," quips Bryn wryly once the Minister leaves.
As the small group of Constables approach the Coaltounge Alex takes a moment to admire the ship. She served on a few sailing vessels but none were steam powered. 'A true marvel for sure.'
The woman returns her attention to the matters at hand. She says little and nods a greeting to Minister Lee. And it is not to much longer before she witnesses the exchange as it were between the Duchess and the Minister.
It seemed almost as soon as the introductions began the Minister, the Duchess were gone and aboard the ship. She looked the Assistant Chief Inspector Delft, "Sir. We are to..." she chooses her words wisely, "watch over the nobility and not cause any incidents that would put the RHC and negative light? Is there anything of note that we should be watching for? Anything that we might want to intercede before they becomes, problematic?"
Preach thought about sharing Dafton's warning with the the Principal Minister but he wasn't at all sure how that would go down. Part of him intended to warn Governor Stanfield but the opportunity to do so seemed remote. Besides he soon had other worries, the nobility. They would be walking on eggshells all evening.
Preach wanted to know more about what they were walking into but he felt Juliet and Alexandra had covered the initial questions well.
To Juliet's question, Delft just shrugs, "Who knows. The Duchess hasn't been particularly enthused with direction that the Kingdom has being moving in and I imagine that has led to some rather heated discussions in the halls of power. Or maybe the Old Man just doesn't like the woman."
To Alexandra he says, "That's the general gist of it. Be polite, be circumspect and if there are any problems, be discrete. There's nothing I've been briefed on in terms of concerns for the evening, so just keep your eyes open and try to enjoy the party."
If there are no more questions, he leaves you be and goes to mingle.
Over the next half hour, more people arrive. All told, the hundred-person crowd consists of about one-quarter dignitaries (nobles, wealthy merchants, and prestigious military folks), one-half retinues and person-al servants, and one-quarter local staff, some of whom are plains-clothes police.
The person who stands out the most is Geoff Massarde, the Danoran tiefling who helped Risur design the Coaltongue. A few industrialists and military officers hang near him, asking questions about how the ship will hold up under actual combat.
Also in attendance is Captain Rutger Smith, commander of the distinguished R.N.S. Impossible, a swift clipper ship which occasionally assists the RHC on missions. WIth a little polite eave's dropping you hear him discussing philosophy and political theory with a black-bearded dwarf. Smith endorses the post-Malice writings of the old monk William Miller, who said all conflicts could be avoided by sufficient understanding between opposing groups. The dwarf counters with standard Heid Eschatol theory that any ordered system will inevitably be ruined by some random accident, so a single misunderstanding would doom Millerite theories of peace. Pretty standard stuff in academic circles these days.
No one is allowed aboard the ship just yet. A gangplank leads to main deck, guarded by sailors. Stairs lead up from a pier to a scaffolding beside the ship’s bow; it is here that the king will smash a bottle of champagne on the ship’s iron hull to officially name it and enter it into the Risuri navy.
While the ship seemed quite fascinating Messer had some idea how it worked. He'd seen the Danor versions during the war, often at a much closer proximity than was comfortable for anyone involved, and while the Coaltongue was Risur's answer, not a meager copy, he would board the vessel soon.
The philosophy conversation seemed quite interesting, and unlikely to quite so simple as finding out about the ship, and so he approached to listen.
Moving along the the long dock/pier the woman takes in the smells and sounds of being so close to the sea. She takes up and meanders through the crowd of dignitaries and nobles, watching and listening to little bits of conversation. Alexandra does stops aside Messer near Captain Smith. She overhears the debate and attempts to put it together to understand.
With instructions to not talk to the nobles unless spoken to, Juliet sets about looking for the chocolate pastries she'd seen earlier. Along the way, she flits among the wait staff, trying what they are offering, and engaging them with small talk. The interactions all follow a similar line of dialogue. If there was a threat coming, it was likely not coming from the nobility.
"Oi. I'd love to try one of those... Fantastic. Who's the chef? What's it like, working these fancy shindigs? Ever seen one of these rich folk behaving badly? Me? Just working logistics for the christening. It is a nice jacket, thank you! I heard some dockers were up to some trouble earlier. Think we're in for another disruption? Well, I bet the RHC has everything in hand! Ta!"
Preach wondered where he'd be most useful, he considered trying to board the Coaltongue but being honest with himself he knew that'd be just to satisfy his own curiosity. Instead he decided to discretely inspect the scaffold where the king was going to name the ship. So he wandered over there, showing his warrant card if questioned by anyone. He wasn't really expecting to find anything out of order but he thought he'd look just the same.
Bryn grabs himself a drink and some items from the charcuterie board before meandering towards the Coaltongue discussion. Listening intently, Bryn focuses on the capabilities of the ship as well as personal biases that may be deduced from those involved.
I should probably tell the others to get some of this manchego cheese... it pairs perfectly with the Calabrese...
William Miller works describe an ideal world, where gods would hold no sway over mortals. People would be respected for their knowledge, and enlightened self interest would drive the progress of civilization, not pettiness and tribalism. Even the poorest and weakest would be educated and uplifted. He was eventually tried as a heretic by the clergy and burned at the stake. A number of his writing survived and have become quite popular among modern poets and thinkers.
Heid Eschatol is a Dwarven philosophical movement concerned with the endings of things, from how best to order one’s affairs at the end of life, to how to break up with a lover, or in what manner to confront the imminent end of the world. It started in Drakr and has migrated to universities throughout Lanjyr.
While Preach inspects the the christening area, he hears a polite cough behind him. Turning, he finds Duchess Evelyn and her handmaiden standing a respectful distance behind him.
"Hello young man. I am the Duchess Evelyn of Shale. It is my understanding that you have some sway over the arrangements of this event. If you could do an old lady a kindness, the air here is already leaving me winded, and the company is already giving me a headache. I know my brother’s party is going to run late, so I will need a room in this metal monstrosity I can nap in. I’d be very grateful if you’d arrange this for me once we are aboard.”
Preach acknowledges the request, but is interrupted by a blare of horns, as trumpeters announce the arrival of the king’s carriage. The Duchess thanks Preach and excuses herself to attend her brother.
Elite guards line the thoroughfare and open the door to the ornate carriage that rolls up, and the city governor Roland Stanfield emerges, followed by King Aodhan himself.
The king offers a one-sided smile to the crowd and is greeted by Principal Minister Lee and his sister. Children, gathered in advance by royal aides, cheer and sing the traditional crown anthem as the group makes its way to the ship.
Thanks in no small part to your earlier efforts, the ceremony goes off without a hitch. The king takes a champagne bottle, announces that the ship shall be formally known as the Royal Naval Ship Coaltongue, then smashes the bottle across the bow. At that precise moment a steam whistle sounds, and black smoke begins to roil out of the ship’s stacks. Lead by the King, the gathered dignitaries make their way onto the ship.
Once everyone is aboard and enjoying light refreshments on the main deck, it sweeps toward the center of the harbor, where eight traditional four-masted ships enter formation with it. Against their white sails, the black clouds from the Coaltongue’s smokestacks makes for a dramatic image, and though you catch a few guests glowering at the contrast, you can also see crowds along the shore cheering as the small fleet sets a course out of the harbor, towards the open sea.
Alsah will circulate, listening and mingling.
Happy that the staff appear competent and loyal, Juliet moves about the crowd, trying a bit of this and that, and takes in the ceremony. It was a fine day, and the ship proves to be fine as well. Juliet smiles as the ship picks up steam (pun intended!) and moves towards the open sea, and her eyes widen as she studies the Coaltongue's belching smokestacks. "Simply marvelous," she says to the dignitary beside her, lost in the moment.
Bryn takes his leave from the interrogation of the ship's capabilities and returns to his peers to recommend the charcuterie before it runs out. As the ceremony starts, he breaks away again to meld into the crowd to keep a wary eye.
...
As the Coaltongue demonstrates the technological capabilities of Risur, Bryn casually makes the rounds while patrolling the crowd.
Alex notice that the Duchess approached Preach but could not make anything out. She would have to ask him latter as her attention turned to the King and the ship before them.
Coming aboard the Coaltongue she cane feel the difference from the many ships that she had served aboard during the war. But the knowing feeling of the see beneath her was almost, reassuring. She moved to the bow and watched the sight before her unfold. The woman smiled.
Pulling his attention away from the fascinating conversation beside him, Messer noted the arrival of the duchess. Interesting. He hasn't thought the lady would hold much tolerance for a ship of iron and steam, but what you heard and what the reality was were sometimes quite different. Having her on board as well made it even more important that this all go off without a hitch.
While the ship steams out of the harbor, the crowd mingles and enjoys some light refreshments. Attendants also provide tours of the ship to small groups of interested guest, while they wait for the main event to begin.
Taking the opportunity in the lull, you go about surveying the ship. The R.N.S. Coaltongue has a wooden hull sheathed with 5-inch thick iron armor plating, engraved with subtle magical icons of defense and power. Measuring 220 ft. long with a beam of 45 ft. and a draft of 20 ft., the warship has three lower decks and a two-story command bridge amidships the main deck. The steam engine, powered by heating a boiler with burning firegems, gives the vessel a top speed of 15 knots (roughly 17 miles per hour).
Twelve cannons line each side of the gundeck, which is capped on the fore by the ship’s mage’s quarters, and on the aft by observation rooms. Both of these rooms can be converted to firing platforms when in pursuit or flight.
Below that is the berth deck, capped by the ship’s magazine at the fore and sickbay at the aft. Finally, the bottom deck contains the engine, fuel bins, and various cargo.
The bridge’s main level contains quarters for captain and officers, while the second story command deck has speaking tubes to various sections of the ship, and is where the captain must stand to direct the ship.
You make note of a couple of technicians down in the engine room attending the massive metal boiler that assure you that everything is running perfectly and you nod approvingly at the guard stationed at the ship's magazine. You briefly eavesdrop on her as she tells a small group about the fire wards placed in the magazine rooms that prevent the ammunition from exploding in case the ship ever catches fire during combat. Everything seems to be order.
When the Dutchess of Shale prevailed upon him, Preach's heart sank as he thought, 'Crikey how am I going to do that?!'
He managed to croak a reply, "I'm not sure I do have much sway your Highness, but I shall certainly try." He bowed and made a hasty retreat as soon as he felt he could get away with it.
Preach didn't want to bother the captain with this but he felt that perhaps the second in command could hopefully deal with it, wasn't that the mate? So he set off to try and find them by asking the closest sailor discreetly, "Excuses me while the Captain is busy with tonight's celebrations, who is in command of the ship? I'm with the RHC and need to pass on a message to somebody who has the authority to organise things..."
Alex does make her way back to the ongoing celebration as she spots Preacher approaching one of the crew. She moves in to assist. "Excuse my friend here." She says as she moves beside him and removes her badge and discreetly shows it to the crew member before putting it away again, "Perhaps you could direct us to the Bosun, I am sure they will be able to help us with our needs."
She looks to Preacher, "I served in the navy during the last Yerasol War. I know my around a ship," she peers around the new vessel, "For the most part, they are pretty much the same. I am sure that we can get our VIP squared away."
She returns her gaze to the crew member for directions or assistance.
Juliet marvels at the ship wandering from level to level, echoing murmers of awe from the other guests. Back topside, she runs into Preach and Alexandra, and listens to the request unfolding. "I can help talk with the bosun," she whispers, once the sailor has gone to fetch them.
At Alexandra's request, the crew member tells you to wait where you are and they will track down the bosun. A short time later, a half-elf woman in an sharp officer's uniform arrives. "Yes Constables? Is there a problem?"
Juliet gives the bosun her winningnest smile, as full of warmth as possible. Matilde, her phantom, buzzes in the back of Juliet's mind, a feeling not dissimilar to the social lubication a couple of glasses of wine can provide.
"Bosun, there's no problem per se. My colleague has received a request from Duchess Evelyn of Shale herself. She'd like a room to rest for a bit. Would it be possible if you could arrange such a thing? Surely there's a spare room or two available for a person in need?"
Preach smiled but said nothing, Juliet had put it far better than he could. Hopefully the situation was now in hand...
Alsah will arrange to deliver the message she has to be given to the Governor. If she has to explain she will say it is a message from a concerned citizen who was most helpful in preventing problems at the launch.
Alex nods and smiles at the Bosum as Juliet speaks with half-elf. It made her smile as she knows that there was not the need to try and convince the sailor to find the Duchess accommodations, after all, who would turn down the King's Sister. She nods to Preach as the matter was well in hand.
The Bosun thinks on it for a minute, and then nods. "This is a military ship, so we aren't really outfitted for hosting nobility, but we do have an observation room that might serve. I'll make that it is presentable and see that the Duchess is escorted there." If there is nothing else, the Bosun takes her leave and sees about setting up the room for the Duchess.
Alsah moves over to the governor and speaks
Excuse me, Governor Stanfield. I am Alsah Brightmoon of the RHC. I have a message for you from Mr Thames Grimsley. He gave us some most useful information in exchange for a delivery of a message he says is of great importance.
She shrugged He apparently wants to warn of a growing problem. His information did help remove some problems, and I promised to deliver the message if I could. I hope this isn't an inconvenience.
With the task of the Duchess complete, Alex lets her colleagues know that she is interested in getting a 'lay of the land' as she wants to look about the ship... to make sure that everything is alright if anything else. She will make her way to the lowest deck and return more slowly to the upper decks.
With the task of the Duchess complete, Alex lets her colleagues know that she is interested in getting a 'lay of the land' as she wants to look about the ship... to make sure that everything is alright if anything else. She will make her way to the lowest deck and return more slowly to the upper decks.
Grimsley held up his end of the bargain and helped identify his folks... time to make sure we hold up our end.
Bryn joins Alsah to find the governor. Bureaucracy can be more than burdensome to navigate and maybe he can lend a hand.
Governor Stanfield raises an eyebrow. "Thames Grimsley is a name known to me. He's been making some noise amongst the docker workers, I'm told. Alright Constable, you have my attention. What did Mr. Grimsley so pressingly need for me to know?"