Thaddeus S.C. Lowe’s Enterprise

Origin
Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe – aspiring chemist, adventurer, military collaborator and aeronaut extraordinaire. Aviation delighted his inquisitive mind, so he took up recreational hot air ballooning in his spare time. His transatlantic race versus the Great Eastern went a bit sideways, as he veered off course into Confederate South Carolina. After Lowe proved he wasn’t a Union spy, Lincoln requested he start.

Under civilian contract, Lowe conducted reconnaissance on the enemy and positioned troops accordingly with telegraphic equipment. His balloons were fast to deploy, made of durable fabric and fueled by his own special blend of water gas, a proprietary carbon monoxide and hydrogen mix. After the war ended, he used his innovations in aeronautic design and water gas production to make himself a fortune and subsequently lost it on stressful business decisions.

Effects
Any cargo excluding the passengers can float aloft in the air when thrown out from the basket. They appear to swell somewhat like they’ve inflated and slowly drift towards the ground and a normal, albeit shriveled size. The balloon itself is resistant to some strain, but still holds the noxious carbon monoxide laced gas for buoyancy. Jostling it through moderate air turbulence or direct damage will summon some violent conflict in the world directly below it. Anything from a mugging to a horrific warzone can appear, oblivious to the change in scenery.