Nemo

> *"My Nautilus"*
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## Storyline

The captain appears to be writing a love letter when he is interrupted by knocking . Though disgruntled at first he is pleased to see that the Listener, a stowaway, has finally been captured. He orders his men to unhand them and leave the two of them alone with their belongings. They were caught because they were eating rations from the ship's stores, which are more carefully counted than they thought. The captain didn't like the idea of a deck hand hoarding food but he likes stowaways even less, despite their becoming physical features. He speculates that they might have gotten away with much on land and even he might have been charmed into giving them a trip for free if they'd met before. The ship, which has been groaning and creaking throughout the conversation, sounds much deeper at this confession and he responds trying to placate it.

The Listener says something and the captain snaps for them to speak up. They seem to comment that they've never seen a captain talk to his ship before. He explains that the Nautilus is more than a mere ship. She's the fastest ship in the Western seas and carved from elven wood with a fiery will of her own, a will aligned with his. Despite the praise, the Nautilus doesn't "speak" when he pauses dramatically and the pirate grouses that it's so typical for them to sulk when she feels like it. It seems that the ship has a habit of keeping quiet when there are guests or compliments others, which contributes to his reputation as "Mad Captain Nemo".

The Listener seems to ask for a minute to collect themselves but Nemo refuses it. Instead, he tells them that they're not going to get away the crime of stowing away on his ship, whatever they thought, and orders his men to prepare the plank. The Listener tries to protest that it is a crime to condemn them to the waters but Nemo is the captain of a corsair ship and a privateer sponsored by the regent of Runika and his royal seal. He has full authority to punish anyone he sees fit, even beautiful, uninvited, thieving guests. The Nautilus growls angrily at the intimate manner he speaks to them and Nemo calms her down, saying she's the only that matters to him.

Captain Nemo orders the Listener to get to the plank and laughs at their response. Since he is a privateer and not a barbaric pirate he invites them to see more of the Nautilus for themselves. The two of them walk outside his quarters and he heaps praise on the ship before pointing out the prow. The figurehead carved there is one of the souls of the ship and bids them to look closer at what she holds in her arms. The Listener identifies a chair and the captain corrects them, calling it a throne. The crew has their name for it but he prefers to call it "The Embrace of Nautilus." He calls for his men to sit and bind the stowaway to the Embrace of Nautilus and they appear to do so. Though he speaks gently, promising that they'll be comfortable with no fear of falling, it's clear that the exposure to the wind and seas from the figurehead is a dire punishment especially with the sun setting now. He explains his plan to leave them out there all night and asks if they'll be comfortable with it. The Listener agrees, saying that it's a merciful punishment compared to the plank. Captain Nemo, pleased by their understanding of the situation, tells them the crew's name for the throne, "The Seat of the Drowned," so-called because the Nautilus is more than a mere ship. She has the finest engines built in Runika and transforms into a submarine at his command. He uses it in battle and to travel faster at night, meaning the Listener has about seven minutes before the Nautilus sinks into the water.

The Captain orders the crew to prepare for full immersion for the night and leaves the Listener to their fate. They start crying and he reassures them that he will stay by their side until the water reaches up to their neck. He'll be back in the morning to consign them to the final embrace of the depths. The Listener appears to beg for their life and gives some information that shocks him regarding an important mission. Nemo doesn't want to believe them but they reveal that they have the Crimson Medallion, an important artifact that's been lost for decades. The captain declares that they're lying to save their skin but the Listener insists it's true and the jewel is sewn into the lining of their sleeve. Nemo cuts it open and finds the Medallion as promised. He puts together their true identity (without explaining it to the audience) and that their mission is related to Saren Tragen, a name he recognizes. His mood changes and now he'll be happy to deliver them to their destination. He even offers to write them an introduction for Jackal, a friend of his. The captain helps them out of the chair and tells them to be brave for the sake of their mission. They can explain more over dinner and he'll even give them a bunk of their own but they will work with the rest of the crew come the morning to pay for their passage and the food they stole. He orders his first mate and Mister Ironchops to take them to get new clothes, their bunk, and to arm the cook with a cat o' nine tails "just in case." The Listener seems to talk back, saying they have a name, but Nemo won't use it until they've proved themselves to him by working hard.

The Nautilus speaks up, angry that there will be a stranger at her dining table, but the captain says they owe the Crimson One for her new body so they will spare "her minion" for now. Nemo announces to the crew that they will be changing destination based on news he received from his spies and the appearance of the stowaway. Instead of landing in the Southern port they will be heading for the Crimson Sands to drop off the Listener. Their mission involves Saren Tragen, a common enemy and implied to be a betrayer. He promises to destroy the man and his fleet once and for all. The Nautilus shifts hard to port only when Captain Nemo calls her his "love" in a tender whisper.

## Personality

Captain Nemo is a charming, ruthless man who runs the Nautilus across the seas surrounding Sarrus. He takes pride in his work and station as a privateer and takes offense at being labelled a pirate. Unlike them he has a literal seal of approval from Runika to plunder enemy ships and the Nautilus is one of the most advanced pieces of technology we've seen in Sarrus, suggesting that a lot was invested into her creation. He has a flair for the theatrical and proves to have a dark sense of humor, especially when it comes to capital punishment. He toys with the Listener for his own amusement like a cat with a mouse, only taking them seriously once they reveal they have the Crimson Medallion and a mission that aligns with his vengeance.

The Nautilus is a feat of magic and engineering. She can understand what Nemo says and seems to be listening at all times. She communicates with him in creaks and groans of her hull and can convey emotions with the pitch and volume of the sounds she makes. Whether this is a property of her elven making or one of the blessing of the Crimson Mother is unknown. Nemo is singularly devoted to her, though that doesn't stop him from flirting with others, something she definitely doesn't appreciate. Nemo's dialogue suggests that they are two beings bound to each other in their roles, captain and ship, in return for a life-saving miracle.

## Trivia

### Captain Nemo

* The Nautilus is referred to as "she" for simplicity, but the gender is never specified.
* The script was written by The Finis Terrae Lighthouse Keeper.
* As a privateer he is authorized to "relieve the goods" from Sarcillan and Rapturian ships as authorized by the Regent of Runika and his seal of the roaring sun.
* Is considered madder than another pirate, The Flying Dutchman, who is "crazy like a bat out of hell" searching for his true love outside his ship.
* The figurehead is a "fine figure" with celestial wings.
* Admires Shakespeare and can quote from "The Tempest".
* Likes to dine at "The Captain's Table".
* Refers the Listener exclusively by "stowaway"

### The Listener

* Knows something of the laws that govern seafaring and punishment on the sea
* Is not as blind as a mole.
* Nemo's dialogue suggests they work for the Crimson Mother, though it's unknown if they are merely an unprepared cleric or an unlucky spy.

### Fan Theories

* The Listener could the Greenlander Mage from the ***Strange lands, stranger people*** series.
* The Nautilus was once a living, mortal soul restored as a ship.
* The elven wood of the Nautilus comes from the Forest of Zetria or the continent of Domeras.