30 - The Water Merchants [Redrobes]

[Straf]

Pulley systems and cranes and that were commonly known as derricks at one time. Nowadays it's mainly oil pumps that are still called derricks.

That the word is also a name is not coincidental. In the 16th century a certain 'wrong'un' named Thomas Derrick, who'd been convicted of various crimes including rape, was pardoned by the Earl of Essex, a certain Robert Devereux on condition that he'd become executioner. The role of executioner was not a popular occupation, the families and friends of those executed sometimes retaliated against the executioners. However this particular Mr Derrick accepted the role, probably with too much enthusiasm which should have been a warning in itself. Over his career it's estimated he executed 3000 people. An executive executor if ever there was one. He wasn't that happy with the rope over a beam method though, so he came up with a much more efficient system involving pulleys and levers. That particular configuration became known as a derrick from then on.

What will you call your crane and why?

EDIT: Oh I forgot to mention, Thomas Derrick became the executioner of the man who pardoned him but the Earl of Essex being a noble was given the privilege of being executed by beheading. It's not known whether Derrick built a device for that.

[Redrobes]

Well I guess its ok for you to use a few of my orphans to run in the treadmill, but I want them well fed and properly paid, mind - and only half hour turns at most

Hah yes I think the several highest water merchants - whome I really neeed to name at some point - would have no qualms about having some cheap labour to run the crane under the supervision of one of his lackeys.

Pulley systems and cranes and that were commonly known as derricks at one time... What will you call your crane and why?

Thats an interesting story there. I didn't know about that one. Some of the big seige engines and some particularly famous capital punishment items have been named. I am guessing that this will be a particularly, if not the, biggest crane in the city or in fact for a large distance around. I think these names get generated from the people rather than from the owners. So I think it best if other people name it.

I have some pictures now that I have made it in 3D and got an icon image for you all as well - should you want to have a top down crane icon... I have put it into my sector but I think ill need a new post for it because of the tag.