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« on: August 14, 2023, 02:51:27 pm »
"To the Company Man!" The First Mate and the Purser nod and disembark with you the moment the plank is set.
It doesn't take long to reach the office of the Company Man of Sebastias. Compared to Roberto's in Saint Alonso, this was is elaborate, two-storey building made of brick and wooden roof, with glass windows. When you enter, you immediately notice a painting of Goddess, blessing the Three Orphans, taking most of the wall behind the desk where a short, balding man in black shirt sits.
Seeing you three enter, he puts down the silvery goblet he was drinking from and smiles.
"Aha! Guten tag, Xavier! Your ship's, what was it called, is the one that just anchored, right?"
"Santa Julia, and yes, we've just arrived."
"Greetings." The First Mate lifts his hat, and so do you.
"I remember you, mmm, Herr de Panama, was it? But who is this beside you, your new captain?"
"Yes, Captain Scott Finley, from Albion." The Company Man grimaces only very briefly. "Captain, this is Gunther Krone, our Company's Man in Sebastias."
"Please, be seated." You follow your officers to the desk as Gunther takes another quick sip of whatever it is he has in that goblet of his.
"Now, how can I help you and your crew, Captain Finley?"
"Tell me about the city, the market, what is happening around here - information."
"In the city, everything's alright. Good harvest, good trade. Nothing to complain about. In fact, people are quite in a good mood since yesterday!"
"How so?"
"We've had some Lombard ships come yesterday. Full of alcohols, Lombard glassware and rich textiles." The Purser groans.
"Woe! The market's saturated, then."
"Indeed, I wouldn't expect to sell anything of these goods if you have them onboard. You can of course negotiate with the market's keeper, but do not hold much hope." The First Mate grumbles.
"Curses!" The Company Man steeples his fingers.
"I also have some bad news from the seas, if you are willing to listen."
"Do tell."
"There have been some sort of pirate brothers rising to ill fame and reputation along the Columbian Coast. They've struck four times since Autumn, twice southwards of Costas, and afterwards in the waters between here and Copana, then between Guidea and Las Argentas." The First Mate curses under his breath and smacks his hat against his knee in anger.
"This is bad, we've been planning to go to alongside Columbian Coast."
"Do reconsider. The two brothers, ah, how was the tale? Some renegade Albionese officers of lesser grade. Mutinied against their superiors alongside their crew. Their names elude me. They have two Ships, seventy-fivers load, both of them, decently armed with cannons and with swarms of god-forsaken thieves and murderers on board. Set on to plunder gold, silver and alcohol, their victims say. People say one unfortunate ship they've sunk, others they've decimated leaving only skeleton crews to make it to port and spread the fear amongst merchants." There's some silence and consternation before the Purser presses a question.
"Anything being done about them?"
"Well, I've heard some talk from the Zeelanders from the local fort that they're considering sending a Galleon or two after these scum, but knowing how it goes, it will probably be few weeks and few more plunders before anything comes out of it."
A) "Terrible news. We will be going to the market now."
B) "Terrible news. Do you know anything about... (insert topic here?)"
