Aboard A Tramp Steamer

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One fun method to get to Polythreme besides using your own vessel is to buy a ticket at Wolfstack Docks. This will allow you experience stories and romances.

Wolfstack Docks

A Ticket to Polythreme

This Tramp Steamer is older than the Fall, and bears the scars of the Unterzee's more exuberant dangers. But the captain says she'll take you to Polythreme, for a stiff price.

A ticket for one?

The price is stiff, and this is a one-way ticket. But the captain insists that she knows the way to far and exotic Polythreme. This is more expensive than using your own ship. You may be away for some time, but you'll be able to purchase a return ticket in Polythreme. You can get Map Scraps by using Glim in your inventory. You will lose your opportunity cards and any progress qualities.
Unlocked with Map Scrap x 150

Rewards spoiler

Bon voyage!

The steamer is cramped, packed with travellers, mail bags and unmarked crates. There are no customs officers waving you aboard - the captain must be well connected or lavish with bribes. A blast from the steam-whistle and you're away into the oily black waters. The docks shrink behind you as you head down the Stolen River and out to the Unterzee proper. To Polythreme!
You've moved to a new area: Aboard a Tramp Steamer
Lose: 150 x Map Scrap

Polythreme Streets

Zail Away on the Tramp Steamer

The Tramp Steamer is back in port. Or perhaps it's a different one. They all look like one battered, sad old ship after a while.

Buy a ticket to London

Time to go home. This is more expensive than using your own ship, and the steamer only goes to London. You can gain Surface-Silk scraps by seeing the sights in Polythreme.
Unlocked with Surface-Silk Scrap x 80

Reward spoiler 

Going home

Enough of clothes-legions and singing coal and your clothing becoming opinionated. Back to the fog and crowds and civilisation. Back to London, even if it's a long trip.
Lose: 80 x Surface-Silk Scrap
You've moved to a new area: Aboard a Tramp Steamer (Note you will lose many of your polythreme or progress qualities)

A Steamer-Voyage Begins

Wave your handkerchief from the ship's rail! To reach your destination, raise Approaching Journey's End to 9. You don't need to choose your destination until then.

Approaching Journey's End shows your progress in the Venture.
'Running Battle…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Investigating…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Casing…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Seeking…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Inspired…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Fascinating…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Term Passing…' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Dramatic Tension' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)
'Unnatural Exuberance' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning? (If you have this Quality.)

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There is no opportunity deck aboard the Tramp Steamer. The following are the available storylets.

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A Journey Quickly Ended

Sometimes a journey is so enjoyable, so sweet, that it flashes past in a moment.

Get me where I'm going

Perhaps the steamer will be unusually speedy. If you are in a hurry, this will allow you to arrive in Polythreme or London immediately.

Requires 12 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

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Approaching Journey's End 1-5

A Chance Encounter at the Ship's Rail

The Unterzee can be a lonely place. The deck is crowded, but is there someone here on the steamer that catches your eye?

The Intemperate Archaeologist

Polythreme's vital charms have drawn her to this steamer. But what eyes she has, behind those steel-framed spectacles!

_ challenge

Success spoiler

Well, hello

The Intemperate Archaeologist notes your glances and strides over to you. 'Sea travel is such a waste of a month. But there's no avoiding it in my field. So, what do you do? Perhaps we can have a drink after dinner and talk about it.' Shockingly forward for a young lady, but still…

Persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your 'A Shipboard Encounter' Quality is now 1!

Failure spoiler (unknown)

The Decorous Baronet

What distressing circumstance forced the man, noble of birth and appearance, to this tramp steamer?

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A meeting, or perhaps a beginning.

'Yes, well you see that my own vessel is being repaired after an attack by Iron Republic corsairs. A terrible business, but what can one do? I know we've not formally been introduced, but, well, I think we can be forgiven for a tiny impropriety just this once. Tell me, would you care to take a little snuff?'

Persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your 'A Shipboard Encounter' Quality is now 2!

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Pass Your Time: Heading Out

The steamer is crowded and your 'cabin' is more of a shelf in the hold. You're going to be at zee for some time. How will you stay occupied?
[Unlocked with Approaching Journey's End 1

A little exercise

Tennis and cricket are obviously out. The deck's too crowded even for a short run. But you might be able to organise some quoits or skittles.

_ challenge

[This storylet will cost you 5 actions!]

Success spoiler

'Go on, Tarquin, show them how it's done!'

The Wild-Eyed Journalist isn't a natural, but you convince her to throw a few quoits. The coterie of exiled rakes are more interested in gambling on the skittles than playing, but one of them joins in at the insistence of his fellows. It's not much, but perhaps it's enough to keep your fine physique from sliding into mediocrity.Shockingly forward for a young lady, but still…

Dangerous increase
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Speak to the other travellers

You're going to be with these people for some time. You may as well get to know them.

_ challenge

[This storylet will cost you 5 actions!]

Success spoiler 

A chat at the rail

Travellers to and from Polythreme are a queer lot. Many are lonely. Those travelling to Polythreme are looking for comfort. Those travelling away didn't find it, or found too much of it. The waves pass swiftly as you chat and ponder.

Persuasive increase
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]
Persuasive increase [Yes, twice]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

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Approaching Journey's End 5-7

A Second Encounter

Will you attempt to extend your acquaintance?
[Unlocked with A Shipboard Encounter 1]
[Unlocked with Approaching Journey's End 5]

A quiet drink with the Intemperate Archaeologist

You, the lady and a bottle of eye-watering rum.
[Unlocked with A Shipboard Encounter 1]

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A cosy chat in the hold

You find a quiet corner in the steamer's hold. It's chilly, but the rum goes down easy and keeps the pair of you warm. You talk about plans and travels and Polythreme. She tells you about how she was rudely removed from the University over a matter of petty academic politics. Is that her hand on your shoulder? Just how intemperate is this young lady?

Persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your 'A Shipboard Encounter' Quality is now 3!

Failure spoiler (unknown)

An evening's confidential conversation with the Decorous Baronet

Two seats near a warm chimney. You, a man of impeccable breeding and a silver snuff-box.
[Unlocked with A Shipboard Encounter 2]

_ challenge

Success spoiler

Blue eyes and confessions

After a wad of snuff and a few glasses of mushroom madeira, the Decorous Baronet has something of a confession. 'You see, I'm not really a Baronet at all. But the Foreign Office won't look at you unless you have a title, or you're in on their intrigues, and I was never one for that sort of skullduggery. The awful thing is that they don't even check! Here I am, striving to the good of Empress and Country, and I could be anyone! It's a terrible shame.' The Decorous Pseudo-Baronet's hand strays to your shoulder. 'You're no doubt a fine patriot,' he says. 'I'm certain you wouldn't give me away.'

Persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your 'A Shipboard Encounter' Quality is now 4!

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Pass Your Time: No Sight of Land

The journey has settled you into a routine of sleeping in a cramped bed, eating ship's rations and conversing with the other passengers. How will you keep your mind busy?
[Unlocked with Approaching Journey's End 5]

Games of the mind

When the weather's calm, you can set up a table on deck with a chess board.

_ challenge

[This storylet will cost you 5 actions!]

Success spoiler

'Best of five, then?'

Three wins and a loss. There are some decent players on the ship, especially the stubbornly defensive purser. The ship surges ever forwards as you play.

Watchful increase
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]
Watchful increase [Yes, twice]

Rare Success spoiler

'..and all that saved me was my oilskin. Your move.'

Three wins and a loss. There are some decent players on the ship, especially the stubbornly defensive purser. The ship surges ever forwards as you play.

Watchful increase
Gain: 2 x Vision of the Surface
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Games of cards

The scourge of the upper classes is alive and well aboard the battered steamer. By now, the portable stakes have gravitated to the best players. Games are played for matchsticks and promissory notes.

_ challenge

[This storylet will cost you 5 actions!]

Success spoiler

Not worth the paper they're scrawled on

You spread your cards on the rickety, spray-washed table. You win again. You now have an admirable collection of matchsticks and hold promissory notes from a trio of penniless rakes. Still, it passes the time.

Shadowy increase
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

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Approaching Journey's End 7-9

The End of a Shipboard Encounter

You'll be ashore soon. But will this acquaintance become a treasured memory?
[Unlocked with A Shipboard Encounter 3]
[Unlocked with Approaching Journey's End 7]

An assignation before making port

A shipboard acquaintanceship that turns into a brief romance? How delightful.

Reward spoiler

A night not soon forgotten

Do the other passengers know what happened that night? All you had was a curtain to give some semblance of privacy. But that night, the world was that little curtained-off cabin, and the two of you.

The next day, of course, things are a little awkward. You'll disembark soon. You may never see one another again. But that's probably for the best. You both have positions, status, reputations. But you won't forget.

Gain: 1 x Stolen Kiss
Your 'A Shipboard Encounter' Quality has gone!
Hedonist increase [no greater than 9] [1 or 2 change points]
Gain: 5 x Romantic Notion

A handshake and a goodbye

This relationship has gone as far as it should. Perhaps you'll exchange addresses, but nothing more.

Reward spoiler

A quiet goodbye

As you near port, the propriety and formality of decent society falls upon the steamer like a heavy fog. You exchange cards. You'll have a story to tell, but little else - which is as it should be. There are no whispers of regret - are there?

Gain: 5 x Zee-Ztory
Gain: 5 x Inkling of Identity
Your 'A Shipboard Encounter' Quality has gone!
Austere increase [1 change point]

Pass Your Time: Nearing Journey's End

Is the horizon ahead starting to bump and crinkle? Is that land you can see? You'll be there soon, but what to do now?
[Unlocked with Approaching Journey's End 7]

Zailors' tales

Perhaps you're getting sick of the other passengers. The crew know you well enough now to be willing to share their stories.

_ challenge

[This storylet will cost you 5 actions!]

Success spoiler

'And then she flipped her tails and swam away!'

The one about the mermaid twins. The one about the fiddler's fluke. The one about the wax wind and the deckhand. These tales are told over and over in a hundred ports. They're not new to you, but they pass the time.

Persuasive increase
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]
Persuasive increase [Yes, twice]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Read a book

You've read the books you brought with you as much as you can bear. Perhaps one of the other travellers will lend you something.

_ challenge

[This storylet will cost you 5 actions!]

Success spoiler

A decent read

You arrange to borrow a couple of passable novels. Gothic of course, but people write little else these days. There must be something in the air. You also find a copy of Musings in Purple, which will keep you occupied for a while.

Watchful increase
Approaching Journey's End increase [5 change points]
Watchful increase [Yes, twice]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

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Approaching Journey's End 9

There at last!

The journey is over! A safe harbour awaits! And at last you can get off this cramped, smoky steamer.
Unlocked with Approaching Journey's End 9

London

The fog, the gaslights, the crowds.

Reward spoiler

Back home, as if you had never left

The steamer gently thumps against the jetty. You're home.
You've moved to a new area: Wolfstack Docks
Approaching Journey's End has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?

Polythreme

You can hear the screaming of the beacons guiding the steamer into the groaning harbour. Are you ready for this?

Reward spoiler

Stepping to shore

The harbour statues eye your ship as you dock. Low marble buildings. Copper railings. The shouts, calls and screams are like those of any big city. Is this place so different?
You've moved to a new area: Polythreme Streets
Approaching Journey's End has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?

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