captainhornblower | First Dispatch

[The penmanship is formal, letters close together but not connected. Each letter is made of strokes, an almost calligraphy style-- which translates into broken letters with a modern pen.]

Thursday, 10th January, 1805

[A hastily scrawled question mark appears above the date a moment later.]

My precise location is unknown. [A long pause before more words are written.] My general location is unknown. My ship and men are missing. ~~God help me, what has happened?~~

[Notes appear in the margins, wind direction and estimations of its speed. The word 'drift?' and the beginnings of a mathematical formula are etched into a margin.]

I do not know how I came to be where I am. [Another margin note: 'wings???'] I cannot expect this to even be found, but I will record my observations. It is all I can do, and I must do something.

Currently on board vessel. [Another note in the margins:
'unoccupied
single mast
no flags
enemy?
ally?
neutral party?
abandoned?']

~~May the Lord have mercy on me.~~

[The signature is larger, even more carefully penned.]

Hornblower

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I should be most interested to know if you happen to come across them.

[Because, well. He's curious. Extremely curious.]

You'll be the first person I tell. So how do you like the place?

It's exceedingly strange.

That's my favorite part. These wings take some getting used to, though.

One would think that wings would indicate death, joining the ranks of the Heavenly Hosts. But those should be large white wings, if paintings are anything to go by, of course.

And they most certainly should not hurt.

Just what I thought, right to the letter! Apparently it's more like we've left Earth entirely, and wings are just required on this planet.

The tattoos on the back of everyone's neck, I'm not sure what to think of. They're something of an eyesore.

I've read about those. In the guide. I have not yet attempted to see mine, and I can't say I've seen anyone yet to look at theirs.

[But he does not like the idea, not in the slightest.]

It's not hard, if you have a pair of mirrors.

If my hair was longer, I wouldn't mind it so much, but if I'd wanted a bunch of black bars on the back of my neck, I'd have painted them on myself.

I should like to know what power in this place thought such a thing appropriate. I certainly do not approve.

According to that guide they pass around, some group called the Malnosso. I'm still not clear on who they are, but it sounds like you can direct your complaints their way.

I certainly intend to, once I have my bearings.

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