Keep the harbor safe, find his missing brother, and avoid exposing that he accepted a bribe to delay the boat.

The party can prove the weapons were planted, name the missing dockworker's last known employer, or offer immediate help searching the warehouse district.

• The seized boat has fresh black paint under its cargo hatch.
• A nervous deckhand saw a red-haired stranger leave the boat before dawn.
• The harbor watch ledger has one missing page.
• Venn's brother carried a brass whistle stamped with the river patrol seal.

• Ask direct questions and let Venn answer without interruption.
• Offer a concrete repair, rescue, or payment instead of a vague promise.
• Inspect the boat and present physical evidence.
• Challenge the missing ledger page without accusing Venn of taking it.
• Appeal to Venn's duty as harbormaster, not his grief as a brother.

• A calm, specific answer earns Venn one careful question in return.
• A threat makes him call for the harbor watch.
• An offer to search for his brother softens his voice but raises the stakes.
• Contradicting a deckhand in front of Venn makes him assume the party is hiding something.
• Proof of the planted weapons turns his suspicion toward the harbor watch.