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Last session the ship's first mate lured the captain into an abandoned alley at Rickety Squib's', threw him up against a wall, and antagonized him. He then used bardic spells to strip him the dexterity required to properly use his guns and the two fought. It ended with the captain unconscious and the port town's doctor (a pc) confused as to what was going on. After waking back up, the captain brooded in his quarters,charting out the crew's next destination and deciding what to do about the first mate. What do YOU guys think he should do? What should the punishment be for something like this? The first mate claims to have done what he did for the good of the crew and the captain (he feels that the captain isn't taking his job seriously enough and that he makes rash decisions without thinking things through). Also, the crew plans on naming the ship "Harrigan's Folly". How do you think this is going to go over with other pirates in the Shackles? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
As for the captain : That's as close to mutiny as it comes. Let them have a duel over it, which basially they did already. Or the captain steps down. He could have his first mate keelhauled/hung from the yardarm, but it does not look like those things will fly over well.Not with the crew either. Even with pirates there is a Chain of Command, because otherwise : no "captain". It's not a honorific. It denotes the (wo)man-in-charge
"Harrigan's Folly" ? They must be pretty co**sure of themselves. That guy is supposedly a Pirate Lord and Free Captain. Guess many lesser pirates will blanch, and either take cheap shots (currying favour) or staying away from the guys as not to antagonize Harrigan. Who... will probably go the extra length to chop off their heads. Simply out of self-respect. To quote "Game of Thrones" : Kingslayer, not your average nickname
"Harrigan's Folly"
I love that name! Hat's off to your players for their bravado. Should make the race in Part 3 very interesting.
As for what to do ... I agree for the most part what vikingson suggested. This is darn close to mutiny. In fact, if the crew hears about it maybe they'll begin to divide into two groups: those loyal to the captain and those who side with the 1st mate. Regardless, the captain and 1st mate will need to settle this before it tears their ship apart.
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As for the captain : That's as close to mutiny as it comes. Let them have a duel over it, which basially they did already. Or the captain steps down. He could have his first mate keelhauled/hung from the yardarm, but it does not look like those things will fly over well.Not with the crew either. Even with pirates there is a Chain of Command, because otherwise : no "captain". It's not a honorific. It denotes the (wo)man-in-charge
"Harrigan's Folly" ? They must be pretty co**sure of themselves. That guy is supposedly a Pirate Lord and Free Captain. Guess many lesser pirates will blanch, and either take cheap shots (currying favour) or staying away from the guys as not to antagonize Harrigan. Who... will probably go the extra length to chop off their heads. Simply out of self-respect. To quote "Game of Thrones" : Kingslayer, not your average nickname
Well, from what he's told me, he plans on giving the first mate a month in the bilges as punishment for the attack. We've all talked it over OOC and we kind of like the tenuous relationship between the first mate and captain, how he, at times, acts like a jerk to him and questions his orders just to keep him on his toes. All of the characters have a past connection, too, as everyone is playing the offspring of their characters from Serpent Skull, so we're all trying to avoid killing one another. At any rate, I'm still a little unsure about the name of the ship. I've told them I'm completely on-board (pun intended) with it, but I've also informed them that I don't plan on going easy on them.
"Harrigan's Folly"I love that name! Hat's off to your players for their bravado. Should make the race in Part 3 very interesting.
As for what to do ... I agree for the most part what vikingson suggested. This is darn close to mutiny. In fact, if the crew hears about it maybe they'll begin to divide into two groups: those loyal to the captain and those who side with the 1st mate. Regardless, the captain and 1st mate will need to settle this before it tears their ship apart.
This is very key though. He did not contradict the captain in front of the crew, did not defy him publically. Nor did he try to usurp his position nor encourage others to do so... He pulled him aside to handle their differences man-to-man and privately. That's the way things have to be done, should be done sometimes.
Very, very different from a mutiny and some might even argue the job of the first mate, unless the captain just wants a bunch of 'yes-men' around him.
"Harrigan's Folly"I love that name! Hat's off to your players for their bravado. Should make the race in Part 3 very interesting.
As for what to do ... I agree for the most part what vikingson suggested. This is darn close to mutiny. In fact, if the crew hears about it maybe they'll begin to divide into two groups: those loyal to the captain and those who side with the 1st mate. Regardless, the captain and 1st mate will need to settle this before it tears their ship apart.
This is very key though. He did not contradict the captain in front of the crew, did not defy him publically. Nor did he try to usurp his position nor encourage others to do so... He pulled him aside to handle their differences man-to-man and privately. That's the way things have to be done, should be done sometimes.
Very, very different from a mutiny and some might even argue the job of the first mate, unless the captain just wants a bunch of 'yes-men' around him.
Mutiny is mutiny, whether one-on-one or en-masse. He could resign his "commission" (e.g. hire on elsewhere) or one could arrange for a "commissar + commander" situation if the group wanted a shared command.
Instead he attacks ("lured" into abbey - hence no intent by the captain to agree to the forced-upon-him-duel - drained him of his strength etc. ) a superior officer, forcing him into a duel. And a duel is not fought through magical manipulation, but through fair means provided to both sides - unless it is an all out mageduel.
Nevermind that a mutiny does neither have to be successful, nor does it have to replace the captain, but only to intentionally lessen or slighten his image in the public eye.
As evidence by the GM shows, this was done the doctor and other onlookers. Possibly setting the stage for a later take-over.
Mutiny, fair and square.
BTW, the tactics are those shown by a thuggish bully, using superior physical prowess to "chastise" the captain. Do as I say or I beat you up. You consider that defensible ?
I'd take note that as far as the GM is concerned, the advice he "gives" does not seem to be better, just a difference of opinion.
Overall this appears more an inter-group problem between players. one player consciously sabotaging another without being able to takeover himself, or offer reasonable advice, only ingame chicanery (my character is better than yours) to get his way.
Personally ingame I'd tie him (character and player, if opportunity presents^^) to the anchor and drop the self-same to the bottom of the next trench.