THE DOCKSIDE DO-GOODER: HERO OR MENACE?
by: Lou Pine
In the last six months, there have been a growing number of sightings of a masked vigilante prowling Bowerstone Industrial and Market. All have been at night. All the guards have found upon arriving at the scene are varying numbers of known criminals beaten into submission and evidence of what they had been up to.
This vigilante has been most active in Bowerstone Industrial, earning himself the title “The Dockside Do-gooder” from the local folk, whom he has reportedly saved from harm on multiple occasions. When asked about him some called him a hero, others an avenging angel, and by one elderly fellow: “A barmy bloke who runs across people’s roof tops in the dead of the night in his pyjamas!” When inquiries were made to the guard captain of Bowerstone, his reply was: “Law enforcement should be left to the professionals and not to some lunatic in a mask and cheap costume.”
That response is understandable, but the facts cannot be ignored. Bowerstone Industrial has long been a hot bed of crime and violence. Perhaps the most noteworthy crime to be committed there in living memory occurred fifteen years ago; the robbery and murder of a nobleman and his wife, witnessed by their son who was left an orphan. It certainly drew the most action by the guards and the King himself of any crime in living memory. Despite all efforts the murders remain unsolved to this day. The people of Bowerstone Industrial, by general consensus, have felt safer in their beds since this nocturnal agent of justice began to prowl the nights.
The most recent appearance of the Dockside Do-gooder involved the discovery of contraband aboard the newly arrived ship of importer and businessman Mr. Reaver. When approached to get his opinion on this vigilante he refused to answer and gave me every indication that such business was beneath him. To be fair, he was rather busy with a rather brisk discussion with the local guard captain, who was overseeing the confiscation of the cargo of his ship. A request to King Logan to express his thoughts on this vigilante, to which he replied: “While the crown can appreciate the spirit of this Dockside Do-gooder, and his actions against the criminal element, it does not condone his actions and asks that the people place their trust in the guard rather than a vigilante.” Given the fact the guard has struggled, and by in large failed, to tame the criminal element in Bowerstone Industrial for years, one cannot blame the people for supporting someone who is actually producing results.
Whoever this shadowy cavalier is, he has inspired fear in the criminals active in the Bowerstone area. When asked what he looked like none could give many details and they were never in agreement. Some said he looked like an oversized Hobbe and hit like a troll. Some think he is the former King, The Hero of Bowerstone returned to life to protect his town. All efforts to meet and interview him have failed. This paper does not endorse The Dockside Do-gooder but it does applaud his efforts to tame the roughest area of our fair city.
