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Post by The Northman on Feb 14, 2014 20:16:22 GMT -8
I was press-ganged into running one side of our alternating games last week, and in a moment of Black Sails-inspired creativity decided I'll be running Fate for a pirate game.
Early 18th c. based out of Nassau, using historical figures but sprinkling in some fantastical elements as we go.
Any and all ideas beyond 'Yar,' are welcome.
We have one more character to create, and then I'll post the 3 for folks to examine.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2014 11:26:14 GMT -8
OOOH, I love me some Pirates! A few questions: Will it be at sea only, or will you make port a few times? Magic? Key West is a good place to make port. (my dad lives there and there is a lot of pirate history)
What is the overall goal of your pirates? Treasure, Reputation, New land?
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maxinstuff
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Pirates!
Feb 17, 2014 21:52:09 GMT -8
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Post by maxinstuff on Feb 17, 2014 21:52:09 GMT -8
I was going to respond some time ago - but my advice was "YARRRRRR!!".
Still is. A successful pirate game needs plenty of it.
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D.T. Pints
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Post by D.T. Pints on Feb 18, 2014 8:13:01 GMT -8
And don't forget to play it using Savage Worlds...that way you can use (wait for it...wait for it....)
CARRRRRRRRRDS!
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Post by heavymetaljess on Feb 18, 2014 11:25:07 GMT -8
Key West is a good place to make port. (my dad lives there and there is a lot of pirate history) Agreed. And if you use the Keys - in any way - you have to have a pirate Jimmy Buffet. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. He doesn't have to have his name, but seriously, that guy might as well be the god of the Keys. He's probably lived every one of his past lives in that place. Don't forget about the western coast of Florida, either. Jose Gaspar has his own festival now. If they're really adventurous, you could have them make a raid on the fort in St. Augustine... if they don't mind the (relative) cold. Florida is also full of Native American history beyond the Seminoles (who only migrated here in the 1700s). This website has a great map and good basic details to help lead you on a path to deeper investigation. By "sprinkling in" magic do you mean, voodoo workers who may/may not be charlatans, merfolk and dire sharks will show up after awhile, or "D&D on the high seas"? Lovecraftian horror could even work well for a pirate game in the Bahamas, so feel free to go crazy! P.S. How is Black Sails? Haven't had a chance to check it out yet.
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D.T. Pints
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Post by D.T. Pints on Feb 18, 2014 14:57:56 GMT -8
If your in the keys check out Fort Jefferson. That place is made to set an RPG in.
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Post by Grog on Feb 19, 2014 18:56:40 GMT -8
If this is what we're doing...
Campeche is a cool town with a legit coastal fortress. Of course, it was built after the pirate had already pillaged the city for months and after the fort was built they never attacked it again.
And the coast of Texas (including South Padre, our own crappy Key West-ish place) was home to a bountiful array of pirates hiding in that relatively unpopulated section of the Gulf.
Don't forget your scurvy and your cabin fever...shore leave is a critical part of pirating.
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Post by The Northman on Feb 19, 2014 21:23:03 GMT -8
None of the other players get Starz as a channel, so I'm ripping heavily off of Black Sails. Their primary port will be Nassau, set in the years when it was a de facto independent city-state. Proper navies have just begun trying to shut down piracy, so the 'Golden Age,' is on its last legs.
The crew and captain are at odds over feelings that he's pursuing some personal agenda over the crew's benefit, and their ship is literally taking water after being damaged in their last prize-taking at the start of the game.
One player is the Master of the ship, having defected from the British Navy with the captain. His trouble is 'I'm too olde for this shite.' The other is a Spanish Jew whose families assets were taken by the government/church, causing him to live as an urchin until being taken in by the first player.
Still waiting on the third player to figure out what he's doing.
A few NPC's are crafted - Isabella is a former pirate who retired due to injure and works as their fence (player-crafted aspect of 'All out of fucks'), and Old Smitty is the owner of the Inn the players stay at.
I like the show a lot so far - it's definitely a Starz production, so if you saw Spartacus or its offspring you'll know what to expect, with overall better acting and an absence of the stylized CGI. Lots of Brit theater and character-actor vets in the cast. Very solid tier-2 drama.
As far as the magical elements, they'll be subtle if they're included at all. Possible drawing off of legends like the fountain of youth, voodoo, and similar elements without too much blatant flash.
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Post by pigsinspaces on Feb 23, 2014 14:43:21 GMT -8
Read Tim Powers ..."on stranger tides" ... Even if you don't have time before your game, read it anyway. It's a blast and it's got everything you just mentioned and more! Part inspiration (I think) for the Monkey Island adventure games ... Which is recommendation enough in my book.
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Post by pigsinspaces on Feb 23, 2014 14:47:13 GMT -8
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D.T. Pints
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Post by D.T. Pints on Feb 23, 2014 16:41:25 GMT -8
Wow. Now those are some TABLES! I love that shit, its always been great "brain lube" for me (no not something twisted invented by mind flayers). It just helps me get out of a plot rut and take the story in a direction even I wasn't expecting. Thanks for that link pigsinspaces!!! (cue reverb)
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sbloyd
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Post by sbloyd on Feb 24, 2014 4:44:21 GMT -8
I've got an album of pirates on the googles if you want to paw through it for stuff to steal.
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maxinstuff
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Post by maxinstuff on Feb 24, 2014 13:02:09 GMT -8
What about the video game named exactly as per this thread. Exclamation point and all.
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sbloyd
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Post by sbloyd on Feb 24, 2014 15:12:25 GMT -8
I used to play that on my C64 back in the day. Loved it.
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maxinstuff
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Pirates!
Feb 24, 2014 15:20:49 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by maxinstuff on Feb 24, 2014 15:20:49 GMT -8
I used to play that on my C64 back in the day. Loved it. I would always make my character to be an upstanding merchant and planned to spend the game scouring the seas for profitable trade routes. Without fail I would descend into debaucherous and violent piracy within a few short game-months. Those were the days.
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