REFERENCE
The Harbormaster's Word
Draft — Draft: checked against the game source, not yet read through end to endLevel 5 · Naval CombatSail between ports, deliver a cargo contract, and force a ship to surrender through the sea introduction.
This page is further along your path. Read ahead if you’re curious; you can return when you reach this stage.
Checked against e4f093166; this guide describes DFO Online.
Line facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Giver | A harbormaster; local tavern contacts for first and final reports |
| Opens | Character level 5; no separate account gate in the line |
| Steps | Three: QLIS01–QLIS03 |
| Tier | 2 throughout |
| Start | Courier note; first contact generated at a local tavern |
| Feature needs | Naval Combat and Come Sail Away enabled for the sea check |
| Unlocks | Next sea lesson, then completion; no exclusive ship-access unlock |
How the line starts
Wait outdoors in town by day. Check Quests for a hold or retry. Naval Combat is enabled online; the runner also checks Come Sail Away. Another undelivered first letter can delay yours. Use a tavern town for setup retries.
Step table
| Step | Quest | Objective | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Under Sail | Reach another port under sail; report | Payment; cargo lesson |
| 2 | A Hold Full | Finish a board delivery contract | Bonus at delivery; combat lesson |
| 3 | Strike Your Colors | Force a ship's surrender; report | Payment; line complete |
Walkthrough
1. Under Sail
Record the harbormaster's name, tavern and town for your return. Take a ship from a port and sail into a different harbor. Walking between coastal towns and buying passenger travel do not perform the sailing action. Use your own vessel or arrange one through a Shipyard; the invitation does not grant a free hull. Consult the ship guide before leaving.
The arrival must register as a voyage, with enough distance sailed between ports. Follow the journal's distance instruction rather than shuttling around the same quay. Watch for progress after berthing. If unfinished, check that you sailed from another port and the harbor recognized your arrival. Return to the named tavern contact once the report opens. That conversation pays and advances the line.
2. A Hold Full
At the helm beside a quay, open the harbormaster's board and accept a delivery contract. Choose a reachable destination, transport the assigned cargo and complete delivery. Carrying ordinary trade goods does not finish a board contract. The objective listens for the contract system to confirm success. Read the next note before choosing work so you know the quest is running.
This step has no final tavern conversation. The quest bonus arrives when delivery completes, in addition to the contract's payment. Check Quests before travelling back to the original giver. If the step remains active, inspect the contract status rather than assuming that arriving at any port is sufficient. A sailing arrival and a completed cargo contract are separate events. Finish the contract while this step runs.
3. Strike Your Colors
Read the final note for its new harbormaster, tavern and town; the first giver's address may differ. Prepare for a naval fight and seek the hostile ships described by the assignment. Make a ship strike its colors through your own ship's guns. Being present when someone else wins is not the required action. Check your vessel and supplies before sailing.
Watch for the surrender objective to complete. Cargo runs and land battles cannot substitute. The script does not require a trophy, prize or wreck boarding for the report. Once surrender is recorded, return to this step's named harbormaster and speak to them. The conversation pays and completes the line. Use the ship guide for wider naval risks and preparation beyond this introduction.
Choices and outcomes
No quest branch is scripted. Success advances the sequence; expiry pays nothing.
Rewards and unlocks
Sheets specify tier 2 and standard payment; scripts award gold. The final Storm-Captain's Coat Cuirass option is subject to fitting. Keep one item per gear offer; online success can earn capped Renown XP. See quest rewards. Completion grants no ship.
Recovery ladder
Read the journal's current objective and return address.
Check Quests; confirm Naval Combat and Come Sail Away.
Use a tavern town for setup and daytime outdoor mail.
Check arrival, delivery or surrender progress; no private dungeon is involved.
Success normally waits one character hour; failure/setup retries after one character day. Online deadlines charge played time.
Report quest ID and objective. Reload/abandon repair is unverified.
Next
Sources & checked facts
handbook/quests/quests.json:introSea. Snapshot root:upstream/snapshot-e4f093166/.Snapshot
src/systems/questlines/:qlLines.jsgates/needs;sheets/questlines.jsonQLIS01–QLIS03;quests/QLIS01.txt–QLIS03.txtaction/payment tasks;qlLineRunner.jsNEED_CHECKS, retries;qlActs.js,qlLayer.jscounts.Snapshot
src/scenes/harbourOffice.js:berthed,event;src/scenes/naval/navalHost.js:struckToMe;src/systems/features.js.handbook/content/gear/owning-a-ship.md; referencequest-rewards.md,questline-ladder.md;docs/23-playing-online.md;docs/research/quest-research.md.