Patchwork Universe

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 100 Location: HMS Justice

For players entering the forum who want to get caught up on events, I give you - the Captain's Log.

From the Personal Log of Captain Isobel Anne DeRainault, January 1, 17--:

The great and undiscovered oceans of the world are our last and final frontier. In these pages, I document the voyages of the HMS Justice, on its numerous missions to explore new and foreign lands, to defend and protect Her Majesty’s colonies and people, and to boldly and unhesitatingly engage the enemy wherever, and whenever required. In truth, though, there is more - as one of the few females of my rank in the Navy, and the first to command a ship of this class, I hope that I may prove women worthy of an equal place in the Service, and go farther than any man - where none have gone before...

Captain’s Log, HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – January 25, 17--

Having weathered a heavy storm that caused damage to the mizzenmast, we anchored just of the Island of Moahu for repairs at two bells in middle watch. According to reports, the island is uninhabited, but should provide ample provision of fresh water and green stuff. Estimate three days to complete repairs and continue with the next leg of our journey.

Captain’s Log, HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – January 29, 17--

Repairs on the mizzenmast have been completed, as of three bells in the afternoon watch. Re-watering and provision of green stuff is scheduled to occur following dinner. Some concern that heavy fog and mist in the vicinity may make navigation difficult upon departure. Sailing Master Henry Baker has been consulted as to the likely duration of these weather conditions.

From the Personal Log of Captain Isobel Anne DeRainault, January 29, 17--

I am much disturbed by the mysterious fog bank that has settled around the ship. Its presence amidst the sunny and mild weather of the island itself is uncanny, and has caused concern amongst the crew. Naturally, sailors are a suspicious lot, but my consultation with Master Baker has left me troubled, as this phenomenon is unlike anything he has seen or heard. Extending across the entire horizon, from sea to sky, the bank obscures everything beyond it. I have allotted a further day to provisioning, and we will then rest on Sunday, in the hope that it will lift. If there is no change, I am contemplating sending out a boat to investigate further, as I mislike the idea of proceeding blind.

Captain’s Log, HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – January 31, 17--

Weather conditions unchanged. Following consultation with officers, I have decided to lead a boat containing Second Lieutenant Staves, Doctor Domenova and various crew members to observe the phenomenon at close range. Bearing in mind that this may be some enemy gambit or pirate’s trick, I have left First Lieutenant Stafford with orders of how to proceed in the event of our death, capture or extended absence.

Captain’s Log (Supplemental), HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – January 31, 17--

We have encountered an uncharted landmass of unknown size. Investigation continues, but appears to have a landscape and climate similar to England or other parts of Northern Europe. Needless to say, this is unusual given our known longitude and latitude. I have dispatched a portion of the boat crew to report and consult with Sailing Master Henry Baker.

Captain's Log (Supplemental) HMS Justice - Moahu, South Pacific -February 1, 17--. First Lieutenant William Stafford reporting.

Shortly following the departure of the Captain and the launch at six bells in the morning watch, an individual was seen struggling ashore on the island of Moahu. As the island was believed uninhabited, this caused considerable concern - however, due to the fact he was unaccompanied and appeared unarmed, we resolved to take no action until the Captain's return, while maintaining a close watch via spyglass. The quick return of Lieutenant Staves and the launch allowed us to send word to the Captain immediately. Just prior to her return however, a second individual was spied walking up the beach, at four bells in the forenoon watch. He was armed, and appeared to be lying in wait for the other.

Captain’s Log, HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – February 2, 17--

Upon return to Justice from uncharted landmass to the north, received report of two individuals of foreign origin washing up on the beach. Nationality of either is unclear, and the places they cite are unfamiliar, but further questioning should clarify the matter. As Moahu has no known or encountered native peoples, this has proved an unusual development, especially as both have indicated in their speech and presence that there are further landmasses to the east and south – less than a league in either direction, likely just beyond our mysterious fogbank. Further investigation is, in any case, warranted.

From the Personal Log of Captain Isobel Anne DeRainault, February 2, 17--

Events grow stranger and stranger. After encountering a mysterious landmass not even a league north of here, in what should have been empty sea, my morning has been further complicated by the arrival of two strangers, both washed up on the beach. Moahu is, or was an uninhabited island, so this appearance is all the more puzzling, as is the fact that both are strangely dressed and clearly foreign, although neither claims to be from any known nation or peoples. I am concerned that we have entered some kind of haunted zone of the kind sailors speak of, although I can hardly believe such – or perhaps more feasibly, that the crew have consumed some sort of intoxicating substance in the water or fruit from the Island of Moahu. In any case, the Doctor is due to return from the northern landmass shortly, and I will be speaking further with our two visitors.

Captain’s Log (Supplemental), HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – February 2, 17--

Have interviewed both foreigners, and confirmed that they are citizens of unknown nations, both unfamiliar to these waters. As neither was judged to present an immediate threat to the ship or to British interests in this sector, both have been both provided with a meal and either assisted towards further travels or returned to their point of origin. Doctor Domenova and First Lieutenant Stafford, along with a party of marines and sailors, have elected to accompany one of the visitors; a man named Liason, to his home in order to gain more information about the unusual weather phenomena and related events. I also intend to lead a second expedition in the forenoon, which will return to the northern landmass, again in pursuit of further information and insight regarding our current situation.