Chapter 1 - Summer

Sans sighs and looks at the wounded companion.

"I'm afraid the logbook Elaine found back at the Inn, speaks clearly. Our Captain Alarie was on the payroll of the conspirators. The designation the marked Cap, refers to her pretty scar, no doubt. This is tough for us all to digest, Mathis. But she is a traitor," he says gravely.

"The Baron was on a mission to pay in gold a list of collaborators, among which our Capitaine. He also mentioned a woman, the leader of a laborers' guild. From the initials on the logbook, this could be Nicole Moreau of the Dyers' Guild. The Baron visited her in a town called Wichop Crossroads. They had an appointment at an inn, the Sweet Witch."

"So I think our options are... following the Guild trail in Wichop Crossroads..." he looks a Elaine, "...or going in the enemy's very lair... to Count Dimont's lands, where he least expects some Gold Coats to go..."

"It seems that our luck in women continues to be foul, my friend." Aloys says with a weak smile, gently nudging Mathis with his good arm. His shoulder still ached from the wound he had taken from the guard's blade; not nearly as serious of a wound but one that would impact his swordplay the best.

"My choice is following the Guild's trail. I do not think we have enough to abscond with a Count. The aristocracy will be in an uproar in regards to the calls of treason. If we take him, we must make sure it sticks or it shall be our heads." Aloys adds, knowing very well how the court system and the court of the public could be used for them and against them. "We also need to learn if we are considered traitors across the entirety of the Queen's land or just there. If they keep it quiet, that means they do not have the influence to rally the true weight of the bureaucratic force against us. If they can, that does not bode well."

"We do have a lead. A tip from a good man will lead us to a woman by the name of Julia Sardou. We tell her that 'a broken clock is right twice a day, except on Faire Days' and she'll know that her cousin sent us. She has her fingers in the guilds and can give us our first leads. Aloys said, remember Jean-Pierre's words of wisdom. "We may need to disguise ourselves again; not sure how quickly information will spread. Maybe masks or something to conceal our identities as we work against our hidden foes? I read about someone doing that once in a book!"

Hearing the options available, Issac smiles and shouts "Cry chaos!, and let loose the coats of gold!". With a more somber tone, looking at Sans "I like your clandestine approach, but we need more information. If we're going to hang, let's make sure to take the traitors, and all involved, down with us.

Looking over to Aloys, "In regards to altering our appearance, I may be able to call in some favors with various theatre troupes."

He nods slowly at their words.
"You are both right, and are both wiser than I... I need to keep my outrage in check, lest we make some grave mistake. We need to face the Count when we're good and ready. When we can nail him with irrefutable evidence of his treason. Then... he will pay for all this." he says, somber.

He sighs at the mention of changing appearances, "You will need some powder and a wig, my friends... me.... I will need a mask. No theatrical miracle can conceal... this."

"I made another ally during my escape... an ingenious woman: Lise Delafose, Tinkerer of the Academy. Temporarily to be found at the Royal Observatory. Perhaps she could help us... her talent with mechanical things was most impressing."

The Golden Fortune's Galley | The Party ~
Pushing through the small crowd of sailors huddled about the room, the ship's first mate approaches your table, places her fists on the table and says, "Captain is lookin' to have a chat, in his quarters. Somethin' about payment due."

She stands up straight, turns and says over her shoulder. "Don't keep him waiting; eh?"

She's one of the few on the crew who seems annoyed by your presence.

Sans looks at the others, whispering "well, I can understand she dislikes my face... but you pretty boys and girls?"

He gestures to lead the way, "after you, Cloaks"

Issac nods at Sans, then looks at the first mate, "Mind if I ask my dear, why you seem so annoyed by us? Not a fan of the colors?"

Stomping Down the Deck Toward the Captain's Cabin | The Party~
She sneers at Issac's question as you all walk past bustling crew tying of lines and singing in rhythm.

She answers him. "I dont care a whit one way or another about you and your allegiances. But I do care about bringing trouble aboard. And you lot are trouble."

She knocks on the Captain's door and you hear a heavy...

..."Enter," shouted in response.

She looks at the party. She sneers, "any other questions?" Otherwise she steps aside to allow you to enter.

"Trouble? We will try our best not to be..." he murmurs to the First Mate, entering the Captain's room with the others.

Once inside, Sans stands on the side, nodding a greeting to the Merchant Captain. He leaves room for the others, letting Aloys (who secured their passage) do the talking.

The Captain's Quarters | The Party ~

The captain leans on a heavy, built in table, ostensibly study maps of The Duchies. Behind him, the landscape rolls by below and big, fluffy clouds sail past overhead.



He looks up when you enter. "I'm Nico Garafalo. Captain of this lovely ship."

"Now I believe we talked payment on 'delivery.' And where might that be exactly?"

He takes up a pipe, thumbs it full of tobac' and lights it off a taper while he waits for the answer.

Sans looks around after the awkward pause. He was expecting his companions to say something.

He clears his throat, "ahem... Captain, we first and foremost would like to thank you for welcoming us on this handsome ship. She is a true marvel, and it is clear that you pride yourself on keeping Her in top shape," he says, pausing to let the compliments sink in.

"My fellow companions and I were just discussing this matter, this audience comes at a most convenient time. What is the current destination of the Golden Fortune, may I ask?"

The Captain's Cabin ~

He watches Sans with hooded eyes--tobacco crinkling as he slowly sucks.

He responds. "We were set to continue south, to the capital. But that was before," he looks from Gold Coat to Gold Coat with hunger in his eyes, "opportunity arrived at the dock."

*Puff*, *crinkle*, *puff*.

"Look, I'm an honest fellow. I set sail for the coin you flashed, aye. But, favor is what I prefer to trade in. And what my cost is for my continued help."

"So where do you need to go?"

Aloys smiled at the man as they entered in, though the thief was not used to being the one talking to folks. When Sans speaks up, Aloys clears his throat and joins in stepping alongside the man. The captain seemed to be a more trustworthy sort than his first mate and when he asked for a favor in return for his help, the smaller man would nod softly.

"We appreciate your loyalty then, captain. I believe that we are looking to make our dropoff at Wichop Crossroads. Maybe even somewhere outside of town so we are not thought to be heading there." He reaches down and puts down the bag of coin that he had collected from the driver, nodding to the man. "I do wonder though, your first mate seems to dislike us greatly. Is she trustworthy to not talk about us?"

Issac nods at the mention by Aloys of Wichop Crossroads being their next location our best bet at getting the next piece to this puzzle

At Aloy's question to the Captain about the first mate, "Be honest Captain, is it about the Gold Coat colors?" with a slight smile on his face.

Sans observes the Captain's reaction to his companions' candid questions, to try and glean some clues to gain some measure of the man.

Captain's Cabin / Aloys & Issac ~

He strokes his beard as he listens, blue smoke swirling round his face.

He nods when you both conclude and answers. "I know a place we can tie down, far enough away from any town centers that no one will see you disembark." He puffs his pipe and answers Aloys' other question. "As to my first mate... I trust her with my life. She sometimes bristles at my penchant to smuggle and skirt the law." He shrugs.

And to Issac, "But I don't know her to be a political person. I think she just fears you lot will get us in hot water."

Sans (Success)~
You're absolutely certain that the captain speaks the truth. The twinkle in his eye speaks, perhaps, to a bit of excitement at this cloak and dagger mission.

He pops his pipe stem back in his mouth. "So! I'll tie down in an old smugglers clearing in a woodland a few hours walk from The Crossroads."

"And I assume you'd prefer me to remain handy, should you need to make a quick escape? Your coin certainly buys it, but your friendship is the real profit! Tell me... do I want to know what you lot are about? Or is it best I don't know details?"

Sans is surprised seeing that Captain Nico is so earnestly offering his help, to the point of changing the destination of his ship and offering to hang around in return for a nebulous reward.

In normal circumstances, he would explain this as respect for their golden coats and their royal mandate. But with a major conspiracy seeming to stem from the very royal ranks they are sworn to protect, he is not sure.
There is a twinkle in the man's eye that tells of an adventurous spirit, someone who enjoys the thrill of the unknown. Adventure for adventure's sake. Could that be sufficient motivation for the air veteran?

Better play it safe, he thinks.

"Tyeing down near the Crossroads would suit us perfectly, Captain. As to what you might want to know about the nature of our mission... there are dangerous implications, for now. We do not want to expose you and your crew to further trouble. Your kindness and availability are certainly much appreciated, Sir."

He looks around at his companions, then adds, "we also do not want to force your ship to a halt, although your offer is very tempting. Perhaps we could ask you to wait at the landing spot for two days, and sail off after that, should we fail to show?"

Captain's Cabin, The Golden Fortune ~

Captain Nico nods in satisfaction. "Aye. We'll wait 2 days, and set sail if you've not returned."

His twinkle again. "Just remeber who helped you, one day in the future, should a request for a favor reach your ear." He shrugs pleasantly. "Tis all I ask."

Early Evening, a Few Miles South East of the Crossroads ~

It's not long before The Golden Fortune sails over a small wooded valley. Crew members scramble about, tying off lines, and cranking levers.

The ship lowers to just above the forest, where brave sailors swing on hemp ropes from ship to swaying trees below. They hurriedly tie off and the vessel is cranked lower and lower into a clearing.



The Gold Coats are given a rope ladder to climb down, and soon enough you find yourselves walking away from the hidden ship, through the trees, toward the town of Witchop Crossroads.

What do we see as the party makes their way forward? How do they approach the next scene, and what is the setup?!

Once on the ground, after the exhilarating ladder descent, Sans waves at the airship, and quickly moves into cover.

The Musketeers regroup within a sheltered area of these woods, and start moving forward, walking in the direction of the town.

"So, fellow Coats, it sounds like we regrettably have to conceal our allegiance, from now on. I am the worst offender, with this cloak. Best not be seen in our beloved colours?"

As he walks, he starts removing parts of the uniform, tucking folded garments in his satchel bag.