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Incognitia is a long-established nation. Having grown from humble beginnings on the western seaboard of the great continent (RL America) it now covers most of the straight stretch of coast of that continent (the 13 colonies, near enough) and some distance inland.
The long, relatively thin form taken by Incognitia has influenced it substantially. A major maritime focus, until now virtually unquestioned, has led to the development of large ports right along the coast, a large merchant marine to carry all manner of internal and external trade, and a fairly substantial navy to protect this trade from pirates and any other enemies.
By comparison, inland is relatively uncharted territory. Forts in strategic places protect the settlements closer to the coast, and many are content to leave it that way. However, growing population is forcing expansion; and a growing part of popular opinion wants to head inland, rather than overseas.
The government takes the form of the Consilium; one chamber elected by the people, or at least those above a certain threshold of wealth, and one chamber self-selected, comprising the great mercantile magnates. This used to be a chamber of nobles, in the days of the monarchy, but has long since chosen its own.
Within the Consilium one man, or a small cabal, will generally rise to prominence, and while their power will always be disputed and precarious, they will force the direction of debate. At present this position is filled by a man named Jonathan Brand, and unusually he is part of the ‘continental’ faction wanting to expand inland. Events will show whether he can sustain both this viewpoint and his lofty position.
Meanwhile two distant descendants of the great McGrath trading family, Rory and Elara, are each beginning to spread their wings. Rory is headed inland on an expedition up the West River (RL equivalent uncertain) from the great fort of Fort Glenister. Elara’s expedition is charged with going from Nescia, West into the uncharted waters, to discover what they may. Many confess they do not expect her to return; such is the fate of a tomboyish child of a great family. She will either succeed and bring such honour to the family none cares she is a woman, or not return, and remove the embarrassment of a woman who shames the family by trying to be a man. Knowing Elara, it is hard to bet against her, and pity those who stand in her way. Irrepressible and maverick are not entirely strong enough words. Distilled mischief just about covers it.

Summary:
Head of government: Jonathon Brand
Government type: Mercantile Oligarchy, with an elected element to the legislature.
Seat of government: Nescia (RL LA).
Other major settlements: Dunkennen (San Fran), Nesais (Seattle), Atalan (Sacramento), Rikess (no direct RL equivalent).
Major military and naval bases: As above, in addition to Forts McGrath, Brand and Glenister, to be found along the inland border of the state, on major rivers (i.e. I haven’t worked out exactly where yet).
Total population: 15 million souls.
Religion: almost entirely Christian, of a type that would be described as mildly reformed. A few pagans and animists.
Currency: the Pound, coined in reliable quantities of silver and gold.

Fort Glenister. There had long been fortifications here, but the wooden palisade had burnt down a generation or so ago, and a new thing had been built in it's place. Star-shaped, and built of earthen banks rather than stone walls, Fort Glenister, named for the magnate who had pushed hardest for its construction, was an exhibition of the power of the Incognitian state; and gave the Incognitian presence in the hinterland a permanence it had formerly lacked.
Rory McGrath turned aside from his musings. His party had gathered; in two sloops, each carrying trade goods and a few small cannon, and powered by both sails and, at need, long sweeps. Numbering 50 in total, and funded by the Hinterland Company, not the government, they were charged with discovering EITHER useful trading prospects OR colonisable land. Their experiences would heavily affect the stance of the Hinterland Company on which would be more profitable; and a solution of both had already been ruled out.
Rory revelled in the influence, little realising it was probably the peak of his career. He was being packed off on a dangerous mission into the interior, as a liability of a minor cousin, by the next in line for patriarch of the McGraths, his older cousin William. He had had his failures in previous posts covered by loyal underlings, but William had noticed, and given Rory one final chance to do some good for the family.
Rory was only 25, and it was make-or-break time. Those in the know expected him to break; and the McGrath representative watching with the sentry that dawn as the sloops sailed off, away from the rising sun, did not expect to see them again.

Elara McGrath. To those who knew her, depending on how well they liked her, that name meant one of two things. For one party it was purely "trouble". For the other it was "fun". Generally considered an unstoppable force of nature, utterly incorrigible, she was fortunate her father didn't believe in beatings, else she'd have been a bloody pulp by the age of 13.
She was undoubtedly brilliant - that was half the problem. Talentless, she could have been beaten into submission and married off, but the family was always unwilling to waste talent, no matter what problems it caused...

As a result she had been given command of an expedition of three vessels. Elderly frigates, bought up from ordinary by the family, they had had the lower gun deck turned into a cargo hold; they still gave the appearance of frigates, and carried one deck of guns. The McGraths were a very wealthy family, and didn't do things by halves. If there was anything to be found, they would find it. Whether they would return was another question.
As they left the harbour of Nescia, the busiest port in the known world, Elara set her face to the unknown ahead. Her brown hair whipped past her face, but she couldn't be bothered to tie it back. Sensing an admiring glance from behind she turned and snapped at her bo'sun to get to work. The Oak, with her sisters Birch and Elm, was on her way to the uncharted West. Let them find what they may.

McGrath called to his second in command, James Holloway.
"What's that, over there?"
They'd been going for several days now, sailing across the Great Lakes. It had been slow going, against the prevailing current, but they had settled into an easy routine. Rory had - against all expectation - begun winning the respect of his men, by being unafraid to get his hands dirty, and obviously at home on a boat.
"Looks like a boat, Mr McGrath."
"Who'll that be, the savages of the interior?"
"No-one really knows sir, that's why we're trying to find out."
"Hmm. Have the men charge the guns, and break out weapons, in case they aren't very friendly."
"Sir."
"Oh, and set a course to intercept, go and say hello."
"Sir."
Holloway broke into a swift stream of orders, and the sloops became hives of slightly chaotic activity.

OOC: Cortellen, this'd be your cue. Lets see what you got.

The boat was a small sailing vessel. The seven members of the vessel's crew were out fishing when they spotted McGrath's ship. They turned one side of their boat towards the approaching ship and they placed their spears and bows near the gunwhales just incase, while putting their quivers on their backs. When McGrath's ship was close enough they shouted out in their native language (Ojibwe the third most spoken native language of Canada and the fourth most spoken native language of the United States) "Who are you and what do you want?"

OOC: Following a substantial reshaping of my place in this RP, after most participants dropped out, I've edited most of what is here.
I intend to RP as and when I have time from the West Coast of the USA, as opposed to the East. Any internal inconsistencies are to be removed when I have the chance, and when I spot them.

To Angermanland and Newer Kiwiland, contact is welcomed, I've got Elara out causing trouble, let's see what happens :D

Sea-Kommander Tazkook was generally considered to be competent, effective, energetic, intelligent... and more than just a little odd. he was currently hanging by his knees from one of the lower spars of the Vengance class ship Victorade, while talking to it's Capitan.

"well, there's not a lot out in this direction, is there? lots of little rocks, hardly worthy of attention."

"indeed sir" Jakkex replied "almost seems wasteful to come out this way"

"ahh, indeed. but there are rumors of greater lands further on. so, we shall continue. this mission Is important." Tazkook paused, closing his eyes for a moment. then he opened them and continued "the wind is going to shift soon. have the flotilla adjust course north slightly. oh, and make sure the stars get charted properly. there are some new ones this far north."

in a smooth motion, he released his grip on the spar, flipped over, and landed in a slight crouch on the deck, before bouncing back up "there is definitely something to be found, this way. what, i'm not quite sure." he started walking back towards his cabin "i leave things in your capable hands, Jakkex."

"aye, sir."

ooc: not that there's much to respond to here, but these guys are now closer to you than me, and headed in your general direction. i'm not sure what else to add just yet. depends what sort of situation we want them to meet in.

West, and South, and West some more. They had been sailing for some days, following the most advantageous winds, and had long since lost sight of land.

Elara was happy. For once there was no family around, to look disapprovingly as she did something just for the hell of it. The men had been very accepting of her in charge, once they'd seen she was competent, and they hadn't even seen just how competent, or at least so she thought to herself. Lucky for her that she had fitted into the humble sailor's superstitions in a good way, and not been seen as unlucky and thus been unable to achieve any authority at all.

She had already adopted a certain point on the rail of the poop-deck of Oak, her flag-ship, as her place to stand and muse on life, and occasionally tell a man to do something he would have thought of himself a moment later - but of course since he never knew that, or how closely she had been watching him, she got a reputation for knowing all that happened on board. Why that Salk boy was still terrified of her from three days before...

Thus Elara was on deck when the cry came, late in the forenoon watch, "Ship sighted!"
After scaling the mast with her telescope to look for herself, she ordered that the decks be cleared for action, and the guns made ready, in case of trouble. And then she went and got some lunch, because it was that time of day.
A few minutes later, with the decks cleared and her luncheon successfully had, she felt a little guilty and ordered food broken out for the men. A swift meal and they'd be finished shortly before they reached these strangers.

"sir, there, starboard and forward, angle 45. unknown ships, 3 masters."

"thank you, Jakkex" Tazkook looked through his own telescope.

"ready the ships for action, but keep the ports closed. those look like warships, and the last thing we want to do is start a war. and if we do have to fight... well, surprise and the appearance of weakness always help.

once that's done, adjust course to meet them. let's see who they are."

"at once, sir"

"Ma'am, they've clearly seen us, they've turned to meet us. We've been unable to pick up any running out of guns, but that might just mean they're too sensible to make us turn tail."
"Any more ideas on their rig, Mr. Sparks?"
"No ma'am. It looks sort of like a schooner rig, but...on a ship that large? Just odd."
"Very good. Heave us to within shouting distance so they don't think we're trying to board; have the Elm and Birch heave to a little further back, give them more chance to run if needs be."
"Ma'am."
The Oak was soon hove to not all that far from the unknown ships. The realisation that there were six had given Elara a little pause, but not for long. Fleet patrols did come out this far, and there had been no reports of pirates around here for some time.
"Ahoy! Unknown ships! I am Elara McGrath, and this is my ship the Oak of Nescia."

"'know ships, i' i think that was her name, there ' and be ship of' and then another name, i think... and so much random gabble in between, sir."

"about what i heard as well, Jakkex. well, best not keep the lady waiting. response as follows:

Sea-kommander Tazkook, aboard the Victorade and in command of this flotilla, greats you on behalf of the Principality of Angermanland.

relay that, if you please"

"very good sir" Jakkex turned and did just that.

"meanwhile," Tazkook turned to an under-officer "ready a boat and turn out a small compliment of marines. we may well be about to pay these people a visit, i think."

Sea Command Tazkook board Victorade in command flotilla greet princedom Angermanland

"Well, that and a bit of gobbledegook. It's as though these people heard our language from someone and made an imitation, but made it up where they didn't know what was right."

"They're lowering a boat Ma'am!"
"Very well."
She raised her voice - and speaking trumpet - again.
"I'll keep it simple. Peace, exploration, trade." With each word she pointed at one of her ships.
"Please come here so we can talk." now pointing again at her quarterdeck.

"well, that was reasonably clear. I'll be borrowing some of your marines, briefly, Capitan. have the other ships hold position. I'll be back soon."

"aye, sir."

with that, Tazkook and some ten marines, as well as a few sailors to mind the boat, boarded the small craft and set off towards the now not entirely unknown, though still mysterious, ship that had hailed them.

as they approached, Tazkook called out in a friendly and polite manner "permission to come aboard?"

"I'm guessing that was asking permission to come aboard."
"Something like it ma'am."
"Granted!"

The usual side party of two men with bo's'uns calls had been thrown together, and Elara had made her way over to the side.
Meanwhile the other two ships maintained their position. They were waiting patiently, men in their designated positions, with no particular need to move. That wouldn't last forever, to be sure, but it would go well enough. Besides, from the fact they had sent a little boat over, it could safely be assumed that they were not hostile, or at least that was what Elara thought.

half of the marines, then Tazkook himself, followed by the other five marines, boarded the ship. the marines spread out to either side, weapons still slung across their backs.

once they were in place, Tazkook bowed politely, in the manner of one who is unaware of the other party's position or rank. the marines did not follow suit, as they were keeping an eye on things with an eye towards the Kommander's safety.

"greetings. i must say, it is an unusual pleasure to come across such as yourselves so many days from home." Tazkook was being polite, formal, and enunciating as clearly as possible. he took care not to speak unnecessarily loudly, however.

"And we did not expect to encounter strangers so soon. As you say, a pleasure."

Formalities aside, Elara racked her brain for a way to reliably communicate.
Pointing to herself, she said
"Elara McGrath. I command these ships. My family are traders, and sent us to explore."
She hoped that went across, because she couldn't think of a much simpler way to say it.
"Hmm....maybe writing it would help. Bo's'un!"
"Ma'am?"
"My cabin, get some paper and a pen. And have some men drag up a box to write on."
"At once ma'am."
He swiftly returned with paper and pen, which Elara used to write what she had just said, then proffering the pen to Tazkook.

Tazkook took the proffered pen and studied what had been written. it was almost recognizable, and yet not quite. apart from the odd grammar and some words that didn't make any sense, there was no distinction between characters at all.

between the writing and the girl's speech, however, he could make some sense of it all.

'oh well' he thought to himself 'we can but see where this leads'. the pen gave him some bother at first, he was used to writing with a brush, but he figured it out, so long as he wrote slowly and deliberately.

"Tazkook. i command the flotilla you see before you. we are sent by our prince to explore the world, survey various lands for colonization, and contact other nations in the interests of diplomacy and trade."

After writing, he said as much as well, pointing at the words as he spoke, and with his other hand at the relevant things. himself, his ships, and so on.

Ah-ha!
Trade and colonization...that meant they wanted goods, land and knowledge. All things which Incognitia, and particularly the McGrath family, could provide in quantity.
Once again, she wrote, then spoke afterwards.
"I cannot speak for my country, but certainly the family will be very happy to deal with you. We have trade goods, we have land, if you have goods we desire, we can provide all that you need."
At this point she made a snap decision.
"We will return to Nescia, our home port. You will come with us, and then you can deal officially with the government, and less officially with the McGrath family; then perhaps we can come to your home with you."

the process repeated once more. speaking, writing, gesturing. Tazkook only hoped there were not too many errors in the communication.

"if i understand you correctly, then it is a good idea. if we could have copies of the relevant charts, we can commence enacting your plan."

Elara shouted for the bo'sun to get the charts. He reappeared a few seconds later with an armful of them, which she then had to sort through.
Of most relevance was one showing the Western Approaches. Not small enough scale to get you into Nescia harbour, but enough to get you to it.
This showed her current estimate of their position, and the fact that Nescia was only a couple of days away, as they would have more advantageous currents on their return.
"Take this, Commander Tazkook, follow us there as best you can, and you can start the meat of your mission."

"my thanks, and those of the Angerman people."

taking his leave, Tazkook returned to his ship, and preparations to set sail once again began.

soon enough all was in readiness.

Nearly two days of fairly uneventful sailing later - they had nearly lost sight of Tazkook's ships the first night, but had fortunately found them in the morning - and they were at last on final approach into Nescia.

They had been encountering ever more ships of all sorts, from honest short and long-distance traders, by way of fishermen and smugglers, and a few naval patrols. These had been initially wary, but once Elara had used the clout of the McGrath family to vouch for these visitors there was no problem.

And here, before them now, was Nescia. A sprawling, bubbling, ever-lively mess of a place; it ran along the water's edge for several miles here, and exploded inland along the two rivers that met here. A veritable forest of masts could be seen, and beyond them church towers scattered across the city. It was not quite true, but it had long been said that you could walk the length of the city- jumping from ship to ship. Both the level of shipping and the city itself had grown since that phrase was coined, and it was hard to imagine anywhere with a higher level of trade. It was a logistical and organisational nightmare, and the Excise had around a hundred full-time employees working simply to keep track of ships coming and going and their cargo. In this lightly taxed nation, Excise dues were one of the main sources of government revenue.
The McGrath family, obviously, given their prominent and well-established place in Nescian trade, had their own moorings. Word had been sent ahead on a McGrath ship they had met on their way in, and some of these had been cleared for both Elara's three ships and the six Angerman ones.
A hired man James Donne, risen high in the family business and now adviser to William McGrath himself, head of the family, was waiting on the jetty.
"Welcome, Commander Tazkook! We have heard word of your arrival, and Mr. William would be most interested in meeting you."

some effort had been put into the understanding of the Incognitian speech over the last few days, so as long as one spoke enunciated properly and did not speak to fast, Tazkook and a number of his men could understand it. or at least, come close enough to be able to communicate more easily, most of the time.

"it is good." Tazkook responded "the interest is definitely mutual. there is but the question of shore leave for the men. they need some of some sort, but ... ehh, i suppose we shall discuss that among other things. for now they shall stay on the ships."

behind him, 20 marines marched off the ship. they carried halberds rather than ranged weapons, the thought being that they'd be at least as useful in the situations where it'd matter, without being such a great threat to the officialdom of the city. the muskets were thus left on the ship.

"well, except my escort, of course. and I've kept that small."

William McGrath was an unimposing figure, until you put face to name, and realised that this was the head of the biggest trading family and consortium in Incognitia, one to which the Admiralty and Consilium both listened closely, one which would have a large say in the great In-Out debate, as the decision to move inland or out to sea was called, and one which had risen from first among equals to first alone since he had taken charge.
So while dressed smartly, his clothes were not flamboyant. Not tall, he was not noticeably short either. He did not pierce you with his gaze, he was softly spoken, and when he entered a room he did not immediately dominate it by his presence.
His office appeared that of a reasonably prosperous merchant, well furnished and comfortable. As Tazkook entered having left most of his escort at the entrance to the building, and the last two outside this office, William rose from his desk.
"Welcome, welcome. It seems Elara has been successful earlier than we had hoped.
Now I understand your people have a variety of desires, including substantial colonisation abroad, and I was wondering - how substantial? Because this family owns large tracts of land to the north, which are virtually unpopulated but could sustain many thousands of people.
Equally, if you need trade goods, there is very little we cannot provide.

The basic idea is that we will do a deal, here, and then you can do official diplomatic stuff with the government afterwards; obviously I will use my influence with the government to ensure a favourable outcome there."

"i am to make contact, set up friendly relations, and make arrangements for any envoys who wish to meet with the prince. i am not actually empowered to commit to anything that binds the principality to a specific course of action."

Tazkook figured clearing that up first would be a Very good move

"as for numbers... there are several other expeditions like mine headed in different directions, and i do not know what they have and haven't found... but total, the numbers, rough figures you understand, come to between two and four million people needing to be moved.

our land is not, alas, large. and while it Can produce enough food for so many people, water, space, and disease are all issues. not to mention that parts of it are volcanic or uninhabitabley mountainous

all that aside, our merchants would be more than glad to open trade in various things, of that i have no doubt. wool, some silk, various rare metals and gems, sulfa, glass, timber, grain... there are many possibilities there.

of course, i can't actually do anything about Those, either, until i return home."

"Two and four million! There is not so much unclaimed space in all the world. I think you will need to sieze new territories somewhere.
Interestingly we are in much the same position, though fewer of our people need to move. We might be able to co-operate there."

"Now, if you have no power to finalise deals, I would question why you were sent on a diplomatic mission, but no matter. That merely means we must send a mission to your nation as soon as possible.
I think if we turn around Elara's ships as soon as possible and send them back with you when you leave. She knows what we have and do not have, and at what prices, and was prepared for a long voyage in any case."

"So, not wishing to mess you about, while what you have told me is both welcome and interesting, you may as well go to speak with the Consilium now. Elara will take you there. Elara!"

Elara entered through the door. "Yes cousin?"
"You have done well, and will now have to do better. Take Tazkook to the Consilium, then prepare your ships to return to the seas and go with him to his homeland. More precise instructions will meet you on Oak."

"actually, this is not a diplomatic mission, primarily, so much as one of survey and exploration. i was sent because i had the rank and experience required for the task. "

Tazkook nodded to Elara as she appeared.

"shall we be on our way then?"

Elara led him away, collecting his guards along the way.
They passed from the McGrath house, substantial and well-built if unostentatious, and were soon in the Market.
Now, the Market as such covered about half the city. Fortunately for Tazkook's senses the meat district was some distance away, towards the landward entrance to the city, likewise leather and thus tanning. The fishmarket was also some distance away, as this was the 'better' part of town, and gentlefolk didn't wish to smell these things, at least not all the time.
In any case, this area was mainly fine cloths, sold from the ground floors of the buildings on either side of the street. The street was bustling with people, mostly fairly well-to-do, though with a few hawkers crying their wares, and occasionally sight of a watch patrol.
A party of twenty armed men in unfamiliar uniforms attracted a lot of odd glances, but the watch had been informed by a McGrath employee, so there was no trouble - just a lot of somewhat wary glances from passers-by. Being a nice area of town, this was short of the urchins who would normally jeer, taunt and generally abuse any new happening in the streets of Nescia.

Before long they reached the Consiliar Palace. The Palace itself consisted of a large meeting hall for the Consilium; but the name was by extension given to the offices, meeting rooms, apartments, guard quarters and so on all around the Palace itself. The actual Palace was a grand building in hard local stone, pale in colour. The 'compound' was ill-defined, interpenetrating with the city as it did.
Thus Elara was able to take Tazkook right to the Consilar-General's Halls, after leaving most of his escort at a guard-post on the edges of the compound, without further challenge.
"So Miss, what do you want?"
"My name is Elara McGrath, and I bring a representative of the Principality of Angermanland beyond the sea to meet with the Consilar-General."
"Ah, I see. Well, I am sure Mr. Brand will be happy to see..."
"Sea Commander Tazkook, Angerman Navy."
"Commander Tazkook, in due course. For now he is busy."
At this point a voice boomed out from the office within.
"Willas! Stop being an arse and send the man in!"
"Um, yes sir. Of course."
At which point the clerk, presumably named Willas, opened the double doors to reveal the office Jonathon Brand, Consilar-General of Terror Incognitia, a man known for his enthusiasm and boundless energy.
The man himself was rising from behind his desk, and called to Tazkook
"Welcome, welcome, a thousand times welcome! What can I do for you?"

Tazkook entered then bowed politely "for me specifically, lord, very little. for my Prince and home, well, perhaps much, perhaps not. i am to survey, explore, and foster friendly relations with foreign powers, should i find any. which it seems i have.

i am not, however, empowered to sign any binding agreements on behalf of the principality. for those, diplomats are to be sent to the principality.

anything you might be able to do to aid me in these tasks would, of course, be appreciated."

"I can tell you this at once" Jonathon said, while gesturing Tazkook to take a seat, and sitting himself in one facing.
"We know of no foreign powers on this landmass, beyond barbarian tribes; however outside our borders - at least near the coast - the soil grows ever less fertile and the lands less hospitable, too warm to the south and too cold to the north.
If you give us maps of areas you know, I am sure we can provide you with ours. Thus the exploration and surveying.

For friendly relations, if your nation means ours no harm, and is willing to trade, those will come of themselves. Anything more ambitious such as an alliance, or a joint venture, will require negotiations, and I will send an ambassador with suitable powers and instructions to consider such a possibility.

Now, I see you arrive with one of the McGraths, meaning they presumably found you - I have no doubt you will already have spoken with William McGrath before coming here. I would guess" and here he looked to Elara "that he offered you trade, land, and perhaps even a joint venture between the McGraths and Angermanland. Please bear in mind he speaks not for our nation, but for his family. Any deal you do with him will stand while it acts not against Incognitia, but you may end up dealing with the Consilium not the McGraths if he overreaches himself."

"well, as i said, i am unable to commit to anything on behalf of the principality, only myself, and to a lesser extent the ships under my command. i will keep that in mind, however.

we have the maps and charts we made on the way here, as well as those of the principalities coastlines... nothing internal though, for a whole host of reasons.

as for the land... our own south is hardly forgiving in the winter months, but many of our animals will live quite happily in places where food crops don't generally do quite so well. one thing we have learned is that there is always something alive, no matter how inhospitable the area, and there is always something potentially useful around. sometimes these things merely take a while to find. perhaps some of our folk would settle to your north or south, depending what is to be found. who knows" Tazkook shrugged "it would not be my job to decide."

"Well, in that case if I leave my aides to arrange the exchange of maps, and send instructions to the Admiralty and someone who can serve as an envoy, that should cover it.
You may of course stay to trade, or travel on; but if you are heading home I believe both my envoy and the McGraths will be accompanying you."
As he spoke he was racking his brains; there were plenty of naval ships in port that could be sent. As to envoys that was a little more difficult, however there were a few options suggesting themselves...
(OOC: In case you don't get it, what you do now is say you're going home, agree to exchange maps, and leave :P)

"very well. as soon as it is arranged, it is done. we shall leave for home as soon as all is in readiness."

it took less than a week for all preparations to be made. maps exchanged, envoys organized. and, at high tide the day after the completion of said preparations, the Angerman Flotilla, plus an Incognitian ship or two, set sail.

destination: Home.

The McGrath vessels had merely had their stores replenished, given their crew a little shore leave, and occasionally roamed the dives along the waterfront to roust out any missing men.
The navy had come up with two large, fairly new frigates, of 42 guns each, names of Bernoulli and Ernesto. Commanded by Captain Osbourne Reynolds, they were...in a slightly uneasy 'separate-but-accompanying' role with the corporate ships. One reason Reynolds and Ernesto had been chosen was that he was good at handling company-governmental relations.
And so they set off, fully-stocked with provisions, and powder, and in the case of Oak, Elm and Birch with trade goods, and carrying a Mr. Byrne, envoy extraordinary.
They would accompany the Angerman ships all the way to their homeland.
Elara found herself once again heading West, staring into the distance, wondering what lay far beyond the horizon.
"Bo'sun, ever get a feeling of deja vu?"
"Of what ma'am?"
"Oh, never mind."
She returned to her cabin to study further the charts.

it would take perhaps a month to reach the shores of the Principality, following winds and currents and exploring any islands they hadn't seen on the way out. with so many ships, it was pretty much a given that no pirates would dare attack them and slow their voyage.

Tazkook was sitting on one of the higher platforms of the main mast of his flagship.

"Well, Jakkex, all we need to do is get home and it's mission accomplished" he called down. "so, best speed for home! provided our friends can keep up, that is."

"Aye sir!"

'and we'll be able to put the Vengance class ships back on patrol duty. spirits know the Behemoth's are only good for guarding harbor mouths. and we bring the greatest gift of all to our people. Hope.'

ooc: and, at this point, we'll switch back to my thread, i think. I'll probably have the south American flotilla return while you're there.