Chapter 3: Pacific Ocean I – Encounters

Chapter 3. Pacific Ocean I Encounters
Pacific Ocean, March 1845—June 1845.

Overview
After rounding the Horn, the Quiddity plans to sail up the “Flaming Coast,” or western South America. After calling at St. Mary’s Island and reprovisioning at Valparaíso, they’ll cruise the Chilean Grounds before reprovisioning at the Galápagos Islands and sailing for the Offshore Grounds. There, Joab and Pynchon will search for Kith Kohr, where they plan to meet Ezra Coffin and reestablish contact with the Kát. After obtaining the Head and Hands of Dagon, they’ll offload their oil in Maui and commence searching for the Black Island.

Or that’s the plan. But the Covenant has not reckoned on Joab’s madness, his all-consuming vengeance on Mocha Dick…

Chapter 3, Pacific Ocean: Background & History

Chapter 3, Pacific Ocean I: Encounters/TOC [You are here]

Pacific Ocean I
1. St. Mary’s Island
2. The Strange Case of the Manuxet
3. Up the Flaming Coast
4. Valparaíso
5. O Corvo Branco
6. The Chilean Grounds
7. Chango Tom & John Shark
8. Walpurgis Nacht
9. The Ghost Ship
10. The Fruitless Search
11. Atacames
12. Whipple’s Excursion
13. El Mar de los Sueños
14. Gam with the Julia

Unscheduled Player Character Events
The Keeper should be sensitive to certain plot-based events focused on various player characters.

A) Lowell’s Dreams
This chapter is where Lowell experiences the “Sarah dreams” that dispel his Lacuna and bring back his repressed memories of what happened on Albemarle Island. While the chapter offers a rough schedule for these dreams, the Keeper should review Lowell’s entry in “Player Character Secrets and Developments.”

B) Shadow over Quiddity
The Quiddity will spend two years in the Pacific, during which Leland Chappell Morgan’s transformation into a Deep One accelerates. While this chapter contains no significant changes for Morgan, the Keeper should be familiar with his general character arc as described in “Player Character Secrets and Developments.”

C) Rachel’s Pregnancy
By the time the Quiddity rounds the Horn, Rachel’s pregnancy becomes increasingly more obvious. It’s important the Keeper does not unduly burden Rachel’s character with her gravid condition. A –1D10 penalty die may be added to the occasional physical roll—she’s not climbing the rigging during her third trimester!—but Rachel is young and healthy, and may freely partake in most activities. While her refusal to “lie abed” may disturb some men and stir feelings of paternal gallantry, Rachel is accustomed to confounding men and doing what she wants. Her son will be born on the summer solstice, just in time for Rachel to enjoy the Galápagos Islands in Chapter 4.

D) Snooping Around
As events become stranger, certain player characters may want to investigate the Quiddity more thoroughly. This might involve breaking into Pynchon’s stateroom or Joab’s cabin. Such actions should be roleplayed, and take place with the understanding that discovery brings severe consequences. Still, it’s up to the Keeper to decide when player characters discover which clues. Just because Joab’s bookshelf has a secret compartment doesn’t mean the Keeper must unveil the Coffin Papers the moment a Spot Hidden roll is made! White Leviathan is a long campaign, and the Keeper must build trust between the officers and crew.

White Leviathan, Chapter 3—Pacific Ocean I
[Back to Chapter 3: Background | White Leviathan TOC | Forward to Encounter 1, St. Mary’s Island]

Author: A. Buell Ruch
Last Modified: 18 August 2023
Email: quail (at) shipwrecklibrary (dot) com
White Leviathan PDF: [TBD]