Robert Smalls’ Codebook

Origin
Robert Smalls was born into slavery, but learned trade skills such as rigging and navigation while working around the Charleston harbor. When nearby Fort Sumter was bombarded, Smalls was appointed as acting captain of the steamer CSS Planter. With the federal blockade located miles away from his delivery route, Smalls slowly hatched an escape plan with the other slaves. Their commanding officers left for shore one night, where Smalls slipped the craft into Union waters and surrendered to the Navy.

Along with her stock of artillery, Smalls had taken the Captain’s codebook, detailing Confederate tactics and depth charges spread throughout Charleston wharves. Smalls also filled them in on the area’s defense, which were much weaker than what generals initially believed. They captured the nearby Coles Island and used it as an bordering tactical base for the rest of the war.

In gratitude, the Navy paid the crew for their services and convinced Smalls to serve as a model for black men to admire when enlisting. He participated in several maneuvers around the Chesapeake area and was promoted to captain, although he still faced racism during his time in the North. The commission Congress paid him as a decorated veteran fluctuated wildly over the years due to his race and lack of standard military processing.

Smalls entered politics afterwards, fighting for equality under the Republican banner. Serving as a South Carolina House Representative, he instituted the first public school system in the United States. In 1877, federal troops were removed from the south, leaving white conservatives to intimidate their way back into power. Smalls became the last Republican to represent South Carolina's 5th congressional district until 2010.

Effects
Opening to any page will cause the drawings to shiver and reform. They will show somewhere the wielder’s enemies or antagonists are currently located, tracking their every turn. Subjects become darker when they descend while only their outline remains when they travel upwards. Those in powerful positions will appear larger than the other figures, like a big ink splotch.

Usage will result in financial or political troubles, causing them to be dealt with sudden changes in wages and blacklisting from certain activities in the local community.

Currently stored offsite high in the Arctic Circle as part of the enemy detection grid in the deactivated Distant Early Warning Line.