Across The Concord, there are likely more than a hundred taverns. Some are little more than roadside lean-tos, while others are settlements in their own right. Some have great legends, some are barely known to the people who live nearby. Some of these reputations are deserved, while others are bought with gold. The Edge of the World is all of these and more. It is barely known, as one must be a sailor who frequents Legend City to know how to find it. It is quite small, as it only caters to those crew who have completed ‘The Three Rigs’. But its legend is great, perhaps it settles as the greatest seaside tavern in The Concord, if not all of Esterra.
Quidano Porenza is a sailor through and through. The son of an Andashi Corsair and a Lerona Mere shipwright, for tonight he is your drinking partner, and as long as the spirits are flowing and the music is just quiet enough that he can still be heard, he’ll tell you every rumour that has fled to his ears across the sea. Now drink up, because the waves rarely bring good news.
News from the East
“Someone best be getting to renaming the Explorers Sea sometime soon I think. A few years back I would’ve called it ‘The Blackgold Sea’ or ‘The Pirate’s Purse’ for all the wealth those swine were pulling from it. But no longer. That damned mad duke Rottmour and his fleet have sailed out of Manacle Harbour and joined up with Adimeas they have, sailed down the coast and kicked The Seaknight and all his Golden Goons all the way south. Now I ain’t heard the particulars of it, but Bulsker couldn’t have gone out east with more’n six thousand sailors, which isn’t a great number against either o’ those fleets, let alone both of the bastards. Frankly, I’m surprised that Dendarri prick is still alive, particularly when the Stormqueen ain’t been seen sail nor tail in a year to come pull him out of this shitsquall.”
Porenzo knocks back a tumbler of dark red wine like its a shot of rum, grinning with stained teeth.
“But kick the shit out of him they did. I’m sure Rottmour and Haves are sitting pretty good back home right about now. Won’t be another Crownsport that’s for sure, let that Duke Rayleigh moulder in his keep like an old throwline.”
“That Bulsker though, he’s not nothing. Sure he’s as angry as a drowned cat and half as likeable, but he’ll do a lot to stay out of his peoples heathen death. So I’m not too surprised that his bastard fleet, or what’s left of it, is docked off of Ushal Vakkan getting fixed up. I’m not sure if these new Bailites have a thought on how to mend a keel, but they’ve got the timbers for it. Considering how many ships Bulsker’s got left, I’d wager he’s just looking to mend up and sail home. No more heroics for that fool.”
Porenzo lets this thought germinate for a moment, swishing his wine back and forth like a river-rock he’s trying to smooth over.
“But that bein’ said, plenty of crews have seen his own ship around the eastern children, Tartassini, Legassini, and the like. Maybe he’s not done with adventures yet.”
His glance carries around the room for a moment, before conspiratorially returning to yours.
“Not if we’ve got something to say about it though? You’ve heard what everyone’s talkin’ about? Twenty doors to the Captains who can tell the Senate to shove their heads up their ass, sail down to the Bailes and finish what those madmen out east started. Now I’m not sure about you, but a cut on twenty doors sounds pretty good to me.”
His eyes take on a far away wistful look, as if imagining all that wealth.
Game Information
Rumours from the east have it that a combined force of Drummondite ships under the command of Duke Alswin Rottmour, and a fleet out of Kameiros lead by Axos Lokhagos Adimeas Haves has routed half of the Golden Fleet under the command of Ottandios Bulsker, also known as ‘The Seaknight’. Bulsker has fled south, limping back in the direction of Banathea, with his fleet anchored some distance off of Baile Lochra in the Cape of the Bailes. The Fleet has a current strength of 1500 and is likely being repaired for payment at Ushal Vakkan.
There will be additional information and decisions relating to the Golden Fleet for the Ambassador to Drummond and the Ambassador to Dendarr.
Ottandios Bulsker’s personal ship, ‘Havek’s Halberd’ has been seen numerous times in and around the Outer Isle’s East and the Cape of the Bailes.
Someone unknown has put forward a bounty on Ottandios Bulsker and his fleet, valued at twenty Concordian vaults, paid out to all those who take part in his death. Given the fact that part of his fleet is still intact, that Bulsker is a member of a neutral nation to The Concord, and that his fleet is at least partially docked at a second neutral nation, this proposition is complex. However, Naval investments may undertake the ‘Raid the Ottandios’ special action this downtime in an attempt to claim this bounty. At least 2000 strength is required, but more is certainly advised. This is an illegal action prior to any Senate involvement. A fleet could also move into The Cape of the Bailes sea territory and take a hostile action, but this hostile action would need to be marked as targeting the Golden Fleet, and would also be illegal unless any changes to the Concordian diplomatic circumstances with the Golden Fleet are made by the Senate.
The same ports in Drummond remain open to Concordian ships this season, including:
- Crownsport (Tier 1 Required)
- Bleakstarbe (Tier 2 Required due to summer storms)
- Manacle Harbour (Tier 3 Required due to increased militarisation)
The same port in the Dendarri nations remains open to Concordian ships this season:
- Kameiros (Tier 1 Required)
News from the West
Porenzo sighs, glances down the neck of the bottle of wine and sighs again. He waves a hand at the bartender who pretends not to see it and then looks at you emploringly. When you return to the table, this time with a short clay pitcher of ‘Crabfever’ (which turns out to be some Andashi spiced liquor as thick as glue), your companion has a dour expression.
“Aye, but I’d rather be chasing Golden’s out east rather’n getting chased by them out west.”
He shakes his head, like an old timer watching a storm roll in, despite his age being somewhere between seventeen and twenty five.
“Now look, I ain’t sayin’ that the Fist or the Gift couldn’t roll up any damned fleet this side of Port Gargant, but they’re busy, they’ve got wars to win. But it’s a certain sight less safe in the Guardian Strait and further west now that the Senate sent the Corsair’s treaty to the bottom of Big Bev’s Bay. I’m not sure if the Concord has the burnin’ desire to go and take back the Guardian, maybe it’ll make the Andashi feel less burned about Nazafeza.”
He shrugs with a noncommittal apathy.
“I’d just be happy to have somewhere to dock out west without careening.”
He takes a thick gulp.
“Bad news about that headmaster and that Al’Jadis. The Incendio was a damn pretty boat.”
A rueful shake of the head, another slurp.
“And now Majeed’s angry girl is back, and with more Adanji ships than I can even bother to count. Which to be fair isn’t that high, when it comes to Adanji ships that is, my ‘rithmetic is as good as anyone elses. But between Carine’s fleet sitting in the strait, the Ar’ebazzani in the north, and the Golden bastards doing whatever they can to turn The Guardian into the least fun place this side of Parliament House…”
He shakes his head again, this time with a defiant energy.
“And what's the point in sailing out west anyway? You want to go to Ar’ebazzan? Fuckin’ muss around in the Beastlands? Unlikely.”
He tips his head to one side with a curl of his lips as something does recall into his mind.
“All that bein’ said, no one’s made a run off to Odrigan lately. I mean, we owe a lot to those mad swamp people for throwin’ off their oppressors and being the biggest pain in Ar’ebazzani ass since…well, us”
“Someone should really head over there and make sure they’re alright.”
Game Information
While not particularly hostile, the forces of the Golden Fleet have made it clear in this past season that the Guardian Strait is no longer friendly territory for Concordian ships. The Guardian Strait has gained the ‘Corsair Predators’ trait.
| Name | Casualties Inflicted Mod | Casualties Suffered Mod | Special |
| Corsair Predators | - | +10% | This trait only affects fleets that do not belong to the Golden Fleet.
Fleets that move into this territory have their upkeep increased by 50%. Fleets that campaign in this territory have their upkeep doubled instead. Fleets that start their season in this territory do not automatically incur this traits effect, but will if they return or remain in it. |
Following predations in the Guardian Strait, an expedition from the Shardcircle has gone missing. Keeper of Coin Omaira Al’Jadis and Headmaster Azime Rais Del’Elysium have not been seen since. These characters should not attend sanctioned events from this point onwards and should report to the hub two hours before game-in at Summit to resolve their characters' danger. More information will be provided in a handout to these characters, which is encouraged to be read before reporting to the hub.
Concordian ships cannot trade with The Golden Fleet at Banathea any longer.
A large fleet flying Carine El’Majeeds banner has docked in Nazafeza, but information on this circumstance is thin on the waves for Concordian sailors.
There has been no news from Free Odrigan far to the west this season. Concordian ships are welcome to sail to this far flung friend of the Concord who may very well need Concordian help. Ships wishing to do so can trade with foreign ports as below:
- Free Odrigan (Tier 3 Required)
Artebazzani and Adanji ports remain closed to Concordian ships.
News from the South
At this point in the night, Porenzo is nearly horizontal as is his right arm, jaw, and the right side of his face splayed out on the rickety table. Strangely enough, The Edge of the World has only gotten busier, and there is standing room only all around you as a dozen accents fill the air as thick as the smoke from pipes. Porenzo grips the neck of a bottle of rum like the wheel of a ship, subconsciously leaning it back and forth, feeling for the sea that only he can sense.
“Maybee thats the problem. We keep lookin’ for sailin’ places in other people. Places where there’s already people. We should dooo what those Jarls doo, and just fuck off! Go places where there ain’t nobody.”
He points at you with his prone right hand, his face makes you second guess whether or not you owe him money. You don’t, but Porenzo has an energy that seems like people owe him money.
“You hear about all those Valleyfolk who sailed off south? They got to Vulpossa and Tartassini they did. Found all them goats, all that treasure of whatever the damn. I heard that they’re getting paid by some Lerona Mere scumbag to do it, going to start a prison on the islands to take all the people who disagree with the-” He releases a wet burp “- church.”
The sailor allows his indigestion to settle for a moment, fights off the lingering hand of a Valleyfolk longshipman who was reaching for his rum, and then rubs his face aggressively, trying to work life back into his stumbling brain through his cheeks.
“But more folk’re havin’ luck south. Those Cabal lads are a good hand to trade with. Crystal mana ain’t ‘eavy and they’ve got plenty of it. Folks’re saying the ice flows are meek and they’ll stay meek if they know whats good for ‘em!”
His sentence and energy trails off, you’re not sure if he has a particular bone to pick with frozen water or if his ire is being transplanted from one source of misfortune to another. You let him settle for a moment, but quickly realise that Porenzo is asleep. You consider trying to wake him for the third time, but your coinpurse is empty and your mind is full. As you stand, someone unceremoniously dumps your one-time companion onto the floor, and your table becomes the sight of a lively game of body and soul before you’re out of the tavern.
Tide comes in, tide comes out, so they say.
Game Information
Valleyfolk ships have successfully made landfall on Hraksol and Bloodsnaudr, returning from both isles without being smashed against them. There will be information and decisions to be made for the captains of these Naval Investments following their landfall, about what they wish to do with their new knowledge and islands. There will be decisions for the Senate regarding the ownership of these isles in the Bay of Promised Gold.
Concordian ships have also returned from explorations into the Icereach Sea, reporting that the way still remains open for future travels into this space, although are unlikely to remain so beyond Summer.
Concordian ships wishing to travel into the Icereach can trade with the Idrian Cabal at Rakham’s Cove, easier than normal this season.
- Rakham’s Cove (Tier 1 Required)
Thanks to the intervention of the Senator of Lerona Mere, Concordian ships that travelled to Ushal Vakkan have returned without being much worse for wear, bringing with them supplies of Bailite crafts, herbs, and thunder oak. Travelling to Ushal Vakkan remains a complex uncertainty which can be attempted by Concordian ships this season, but your safety cannot be guaranteed until a more permanent arrangement can be found.
- Ushal Vakkan (Tier 1 Required)
