The Smuggler's Falcon and Merchant Writs

Every ship is equipped with a Smuggler's Falcon - a tactical tool used to order resource crates (wood, cannons, food) from a distance. The service is operated via Merchant Writs, a new valuable consumable integrated into the world.
Resource Management & Balancing:
• One Starter Writ per Ship: Every crew starts their session with one single Blank Writ located in a fixed spot on the ship. Individual players do not receive their own writs to prevent crews from spamming the bird multiple times in a row.
• Limited Restock: Blank Writs can be purchased from merchants for a high gold price, but each crew is limited to buying only one additional writ per session. This prevents wealthy players from gaining an unfair advantage.
• Rare World Finds: Additional writs are rare and valuable. They can be found in shipwrecks, messages in a bottle, or forts. There are two types:
• Specific Writs: Pre-determined writs for specific resources (e.g., only Planks, only Cannonballs, or only Throwables).
• Blank Writs: These are the rarest and allow the crew to choose which resource crate the bird should fetch.
The Process & The Counter-Play (Interception):
• Secure Departure: After receiving a writ, the bird ascends into the clouds and disappears. This makes Outpost Camping impossible, as there is no fixed destination for players to ambush.
• Risky Return: After 5 minutes, the falcon returns from the sky with a loud, distinct shriek. For the final 20 seconds before landing, the bird is visible and vulnerable to everyone in the vicinity.
• The Theft: If an enemy crew shoots the falcon during its descent, it drops the crate into the sea. The original crew loses their rare writ and gold, while the attacker can steal the loot.