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Incautious Driver
Incautious Driver
Category Officers
Position Chief Engineer
Effects

Hearts icon +2 Hearts
Iron icon +6 Iron
Affiliationestablishment icon +1 Affiliation: Establishment

Promotions Incautiousdriver icon Judicious Driver

Incautiousdriver icon Reckless Driver

Data ID 132923
Interaction ID 289574

The Incautious Driver is an officer who increases Iron by 6, Hearts by 2, and Affiliation: Establishment by 1.

It is impressive that their engine lasted as long as it did. They must have good reflexes, at least.

Obtaining[ | ]

The Incautious Driver can be recruited at New Winchester as early after finishing the tutorial segment of the game.

The Incautious Driver[ | ]

The Driver has no tolerance for uneventful voyages. When not on duty, they stare through the stained glass windows as if willing excitement to ride in on a wave of disaster. When they take the wheel, the rest of the crew grip the nearest available supports and whisper quiet prayers to various gods.

Trigger conditions

Incautiousdriver icon Incautious Driver ≥ 1


Interactions


Actions Requirements Effects Notes
Gamble with the Incautious Driver
Rumours not intended for your ears suggest the Driver is running an illicit poker game in the hold.
Caught in the act
You enter the hold and find the game well underway. The Driver sits crosslegged in front of a pile of freshly-won sovereigns and three newly-impoverished members of the crew. A stoker angrily throws an expensive looking watch onto the pile of winnings and departs in a fury. The Driver looks up. "Addressed As(CapitalFormal)! Care to make a wager?"
Converse with the Incautious Driver
They keep scratching their ears, even while driving. A nervous tic? Or perhaps a sickness that might spread amongst the crew?
A growing concern
"What? Oh. Yes, yes, yes!" The Driver scratches again. "It's nothing. Just a little ear-ache, I'm sure. It comes and goes." Their knee trembles with the frustration of being pulled away from the wheel for even this short conversation. "See? All fine now."
Recommend visiting a doctor
The health of the crew is paramount.
"Not necessary," the Driver protests, scratching at their ear with renewed force. A look of pain flashes over their face for a moment. "Perhaps... hmm. My family knows of a specialist in New Winchester. I think Father owns the building. I think I can call in a favour."
Order a visit to a doctor
The efficiency of your crew cannot be allowed to slide.
"Not necessary," the Driver protests, scratching at their ear with renewed force. A look of pain flashes over their face for a moment. "Perhaps... hmm. My family knows of a specialist in New Winchester. I think Father owns the building. I think I can call in a favour."
Leave it for now
As long as it doesn't affect their work, it is none of your concern.
The Driver smiles slightly, almost jumping to their feet. "Good. Must get back to the wheel. We'll never get anywhere at this speed. Too slow. Still so much to see."
Converse with the Incautious Driver
They've only been more restless since their appointment.
A communion with Verdancy
The Incautious Driver paces back and forth, clicking their tongue. "It must have been the crash. In the Nature Reserve. My father sent me there to take up a nice quiet job. I always did love botany. But when they pulled me from the wreckage, I had new dreams to follow. I thought they were mine. Now, how can I be sure?"

A new resolve washes over their face when they turn back, eyes sharp and sparkling with a flicker of emerald. "Either way, I know where I have to go. Old Tom's Well. Give me the wheel, Captain. I have an appointment to keep."

The Well[Directions are given here]
Ask the Driver some pointed questions
Your locomotive has suffered significant damage. Has your Driver been even more incautious than usual, of late?
An encounter
You find them in the cargo hold, listening to the groans of the straining hull. The Driver's scar crooks around an intrigued half-smile; their eyes are blue and bright. Taking your hand, they place it on the plating, and you feel the steel shiver. "That's the sky," they say. "Just an inch away." You recognise the look in their eyes: it's the same appraising, resolute look you've seen when they know a manoeuvre is risky, but they've decided to do it anyway,
Send them back to work
And encourage them to be more careful in future.
The Driver salutes with a smile. "I'll do my best, Addressed As(SpeechFormal), but it's a busy sky."
Advanced query needs investigation
Engage in a passionate assignation
In the sky, you are only ever one bad choice from death. You should all make the most of the moments you're given.
Your encounter is hurried and illicit, concealed behind crates of cargo. When a crewman enters the hold, you pause, fingers on one another's lips. You adjust your balance, and the Driver stifles a gasp. The instant the intruder departs, they're forgotten. The Driver is fearless and inquisitive. Afterwards, while their breath is still ragged and their arms are fierce on your back, they whisper: "You don't ever have to worry. I wouldn't let anything happen to you."
Check on the Driver
How is their Verdancy developing?
Driven to distraction
The Incautious Driver greets you with a pained expression. "The voice in my head is getting louder. Whistling, burbling, growing. It wants me to go to the Nature Reserve, Captain. That's where this started. It's where I know it has to end."


Check on the Driver
Have they recovered from their ordeal in the Nature Reserve?
A final test
The Driver picks irritably at their ear. "I was meant to be off this train by now. Just go into the Well and everything would be fine. Instead... it's unsatisfied, Addressed As(SpeechFormal). It needs an answer to something that I can't give it. There's a piece of itself missing, somewhere in Albion. Another of its spores, sent out many years ago to find the truth. I can feel it out there somewhere, refusing to return. It enjoys its freedom too much. Perhaps if we look to the major ports. They must have left a trace. We have to find it, Captain."

Game note: Search for evidence of the Verdant Fragment in London, Perdurance, Worlebury-Juxta-Mare, Brabazon and The Floating Parliament.

Check on the Driver
How are they coping with their Verdancy?
Driven to madness
Sweat beads on the Driver's brow. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on. The voices are so loud. They want to fly. I want to fly. If I don't get the Fragment to the Nature Reserve soon, I think I might finally lose myself."
Speak with the Driver
They have tried to put their desires behind them.
An ongoing struggle
The Driver barely talks to anybody now. They spend all their free time asleep, or trying to avoid the gaze of the stars outside the windows.
Help the Driver make a decision
They have a decision to make about their Verdancy.
A mental crossroads
The Driver scratches at their ear. "I thought it was facing death that gave me courage. Maybe it was the Verdant all along. Now what? If I do what it wants, it should leave me alone, but without it, would I ever have learned to fly? Without that fire in my mind, will I still be able to?"
Advise the Driver to face the Verdant
With your help, they should be able to find a way.
The Driver looks little comforted, but nods. "Back to the Verdant Fragment then. This time, we won't take no for an answer."
Advise the Driver to ignore the Verdant
They can ignore the desire in their head. At least for now.
The Driver nods. "Very well. I will try to put it out of mind." But they don't sound convinced.
Help the Driver make a decision
The funeral has left them conflicted about their future.
A second chance to consider
"What do I want, Captain?" The Driver smiles awkwardly. "How can I even tell any more? Everything in my head says I should go to the Nature Reserve. End this already. But the Verdant Fragment... is it fair to condemn it so that I can go on?"
Recommend they finish the journey
If this will free them, that is all that matters.
"You are right, of course. I spent too many years worrying about consequences. We must finish this. To the Nature Reserve then."
Recommend freeing the Verdant Fragment
A life for a life is never a fair trade.
The Driver looks relieved, if apprehensive. "We can free the Fragment, I think. Come on. It can make its own way back to its homestead, or find a new one. As for me, at least I know this was my choice to make."

Game note: The Driver has released the Verdant Fragment. It will make its own way from here.

Remain neutral
This is their business, not yours.
"Of course, of course." The Driver is silent, lost in thought. "Then I must do what is right. Damn the consequences. I will not let another suffer in my place."

Game note: The Driver has released the Verdant Fragment. It will make its own way from here.

A Secondment: Listen to the Driver's suggestion
Recently, they've been roaming the corridors of your engine, whistling and getting in the way. Is there something they want?
An idle fancy
The Driver blinks. "Can't keep anything from you, I see. I've been feeling a bit on edge. Would like to make myself useful, if I can. There's races at the Royal Society. Maybe we could go there, and you could drop me off for a bit? I could make us both a bit of money."

He takes out a coin and flips it in the air. It comes down on heads. "Just a thought, anyway."

Game note: The Driver will join the Rochester Club to take part in races and generate winnings for you while on Secondment.


Quality status[ | ]

Incautious Driver has different statuses according to your actions, defined by the comment in front of the quality.

Interaction description[ | ]

These desciptions appear specifically when the value changes.

  • [1] You have recruited the Incautious Driver.

Interactions[ | ]

Interactions in Brief[ | ]

Click Expand on the right for more.

Interaction Action Result Type Change
Explore the City 'Escort the Incautious Driver to their family doctor' Requirement ≥ 1
Explore the City 'Escort the Incautious Driver home' Requirement ≥ 1
The Parting Glade 'Recruit an Incautious Driver' Requirement ≤ 0
The Parting Glade 'Recruit an Incautious Driver' Default / Challenge Fail = 1
Hybras 'Search for your Driver' Default / Challenge Fail + [q:139810]
Hybras Deserted 'Search for your Driver' Default / Challenge Fail + [q:139810]
Hybras Deserted 'Search for your Driver' Default / Challenge Fail = [q:139810]
Old Tom's Well 'Escort the Incautious Driver to the Well' Requirement ≥ 1
Into the Reserve 'Follow the Incautious Driver into the Reserve' Requirement ≥ 1
Into the Reserve 'Escort the Incautious Driver to the Verdant' Requirement ≥ 1
Into the Reserve 'Escort the Incautious Driver to the Verdant' Default / Challenge Fail = 0
Explore London 'Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment' Requirement ≥ 1
Worlebury-juxta-Mare 'Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment' Requirement ≥ 1
Palace of Highminster 'Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment' Requirement ≥ 1
On the Quiet Sea 'Search for your Driver' Default / Challenge Fail + [q:139810]
The Parlour 'Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment' Requirement ≥ 1
The Bit Between 'Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment' Requirement ≥ 1
The Chief Mourner 'The Incautious Driver' Requirement ≥ 1
The Place of the Rose 'Search for your Driver' Default / Challenge Fail + [q:139810]
The Clubhouse 'Drop off the Driver' Default / Challenge Fail = 0
The Albion Transit Relay to the Reach 'Collect a telegram for the Incautious Driver' Requirement ≥ 1
The Driver Turns 'Check on the Driver' Default / Challenge Fail = 0
Recruit the Incautious Driver 'Allow the Driver to join your crew' Default / Challenge Fail = 1
Recruit the Incautious Driver 'Allow the Driver to join your crew' Default / Challenge Fail = 1
The Driver at the Royal Society 'Pick the Driver up' Default / Challenge Fail + [q:139810]

Interactions in Detail[ | ]

Click Expand on the right for more.

Story Action Required Effect
Explore the City Escort the Incautious Driver to their family doctor Default:
Escort the Incautious Driver home Default:


The Parting Glade Recruit an Incautious Driver Default:
    • Incautiousdriver icon Incautious Driver = 1 [You have recruited the Incautious Driver.]


Hybras Search for your Driver Default:


Hybras Deserted Search for your Driver Default:


Hybras Deserted Search for your Driver Default:


Old Tom's Well Escort the Incautious Driver to the Well Default:


Into the Reserve Follow the Incautious Driver into the Reserve Default:
Escort the Incautious Driver to the Verdant Default:


Explore London Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment Default:


Worlebury-juxta-Mare Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment Default:


Palace of Highminster Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment Default:


On the Quiet Sea Search for your Driver Default:


The Parlour Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment Default:


The Bit Between Help the Incautious Driver hunt for the Verdant Fragment Default:


The Chief Mourner The Incautious Driver
    • Incautiousdriver icon Incautious Driver ≥ 1
Default:


The Place of the Rose Search for your Driver Default:


The Clubhouse Drop off the Driver Default:


The Albion Transit Relay to the Reach Collect a telegram for the Incautious Driver Default:


The Driver Turns Check on the Driver None Default:


Recruit the Incautious Driver Allow the Driver to join your crew Default:
Allow the Driver to join your crew Default:



The Driver at the Royal Society Pick the Driver up Default:


Triggered Events[ | ]

Click Expand on the right for more.

Story Requirements Type Location
The Incautious Driver
    • Incautious Driver ≥ 1
Story Event (Always :100%) Limbo
The Driver Turns
    • Incautious Driver ≥ 1
Story Event (Always :100%) Anywhere
Recruit the Incautious Driver
    • Incautious Driver ≤ 0
Story Event (Always :100%) Queen's Cross Station
Recruit the Judicious Driver
    • Incautious Driver ≤ 0
Story Event (Always :100%) Queen's Cross Station
Recruit the Reckless Driver
    • Incautious Driver ≤ 0
Story Event (Always :100%) Queen's Cross Station



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