Jump to content
Existing user? Sign In

Sign In



Sign Up

Recommended Posts

I'm trying something different with this interactive story, compared to my previous ones. Unlike them, I intend for this story to track only the minimum of details - Primarily any needs, with the exact percentile values replaced by a 'level' IE, Thirsty or Parched, Full Bladder or Bursting. It'll mean less bookkeeping and more writing from me. The Captain's name and core personality will be one of the few things not selected by players, though any important crew taken on, as well as the current First Mate, will be chosen via decisions, or by suggestions that will be voted on. Now, let us begin...

-----

Captain was not a title that one would expect a boisterous, lecherous firebrand of a young woman to end up holding, but somehow, Valerie Miller had managed to inspire dockworkers, shipwrights, cooks and maids to sign on with her after she had received her Letter of Marque.

How did she manage to gain both the Sloop-of-War River and her 'privateer permit', anyway?

1. Acquisition of the River (While a richer start may allow more options for customization of the ship before setting sail, a poorer start, while potentially harder in the beginning, will also grant some unique special abilities)

A) Her aristocratic background allowed her convince (in actuality, plead to) her mother to cover the purchase. (Valerie is a Human, and is Exceptionally Wealthy)

B) During hard times, she gambled against her own personal freedom, and through a mix of incredible luck and a dash of cunning, kept her freedom... And won an entire sailing vessel. (Valerie is a Half-elf, is Poor, and can successfully Bluff to a degree few others can, In addition, she tends to Get Lucky in various situations.)

 ((In game terms, one great success in combat and one great success in interaction, before a long rest.))

C) Once held as a bedchamber slave by a cruel human captain, Valerie freed other slaves aboard the River and slaughtered their abusers to the last man, leaving her former master strapped across the figurehead to let him die of exposure. (Valerie is a Cat Beastkin, is Penniless, and holds a true Hatred for Men, and a Hatred for Slavers/Slaveowners driving her to fight more effectively against them, as well as making her eager to Make an Example of them, something that boosts the morale of her Loyal Crew.)

D) As a talented student, Valerie earned her Doctorate of Magicks at Oxford University. With this success, the University has granted her a vessel for her own use, on the agreement that the maiden voyage be undertaken with a mage crew. (Valerie is an Elf, has a University Grant to provide funds for her first voyage, and a Crew of Mages, allowing the ship to function in combat via Combat SpellsBend the Wind to speed the River up or guide it out of doldrums, and Scry for Artifacts of value.)

Votes will be tallied June 2nd, early morning. Once that's done, we'll see how she secured her Letter, and once that vote has concluded, we will determine who her First Mate is, and then finally begin the voyage.

Link to comment

Voting is now closed. Tally is 4 for A, 2 for B, 5 for C and 2 for D.

---

As a former slave, most would not expect the Catgirl Captain to stumble upon privateering opportunities very easily. She does have a letter of marque, right?

A) In actuality, the supposed letter is no better than fuel for the ship's galley. (The River is a Pirate Vessel. It is not bound to the laws of any nation. Not the greatest way to make money, but River will be afforded with much freedom. Pirate Hunters will pursue the vessel as it and the crew gain fame.)

B) By a technicality, Valerie inherited the previous captain's letter of marque. (The HM Sloop River is an English Privateer, in service to the Crown. Seized vessels must fly an enemy or pirate flag. If they are valid, they may be returned to English ports for a bounty. If they are not, there is risk of piracy charges.

C) Soon after the mutiny successfully fed the fish the slaver crew, Valerie and her crew intercepted a corsair vessel, taking a  lettre de course amongst the spoils. (The River is a French Corsair, in service to the Crown. Seized vessels must fly an enemy or pirate flag. If they are valid, they may be returned to French ports for a bounty. If they are not, there is risk of piracy charges.)

---

Further options for Dutch, Spanish, and other commissions will appear under certain circumstances, and further backstory choices will be available as the thread goes on. (So no, I'm not using rape as backstory... Can reveal that Valerie is a virgin anyhow, and hasn't been touched.)

Link to comment

Votes for A: 5, for B: 2 Seems pretty clear to me!

----

The first time Valerie's crew encountered a merchant vessel, they hoisted the black flag. It was no Jolly Roger, not yet, but the merchants were wise to avoid resisting as the women of the River boarded and seized dearly-needed food supplies, rum and sugar for the rest of the journey to Port Royal. Their lack of reputation proved rather beneficial upon their mooring - With some quick thinking and the captain changing into some loose, but 'high class' clothing left behind by the previous captain (Who they, of course, had cut free from the figurehead before approaching port), convinced the port authority that they were simply a merchant vessel, even handing over documentation to prove it.

With the official business out of the way, there was still much to do before they could set sail once more.

---

Pick two of the following options to pursue first. The rest will be addressed, but without the Captain's direct attention.

A) The hold is full of seized goods, and food supplies are still limited. A trip to the market now would provide enough coin for supplies, as well as a healthy buffer of coin to keep them from running out in the future, perhaps even enough to recruit a mage-sailor afterwards.

B) While not exactly swimming in coin, the old captain's reserves on-ship are enough to let all the girls have a night on the town, something that would go over quite well, and likely endear the already loyal pirates further to Valerie. Additionally, the Cap'n might be able to overhear some profitable discussions between sloshed patrons at the bar.

C) Right now, Valerie has a choice of ill-fitting clothing once used by her repulsive former master, or itchy, threadbare rags... Neither of which are likely to give a positive impression to anyone she meets. A stop at the tailor is in order!

D) Truthfully, the River just barely made it to Port Royal, due to the inexperience of the crew in regards to navigation. Hiring on a navigator is imperative if they wish to do any long-distance sailing.

E) There's almost no grog left aboard the River. Without the stuff, or pickled cabbage or the like, Scurvy will set in rapidly while out-of-port.

F) The crew has so far only needed to intimidate their prey post-mutiny, and aside from a few experienced brawlers, most of them have never even learned to throw a punch, let alone swing a blade or operate a pistol or cannon. A Master-At-Arms is required, post-haste!

---

Apologies for the later update than intended, unexpected events yesterday forced my absence. If sufficient votes are made today (Five, minimum), I will update a second time before tomorrow.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...