DM Immortal's Blood Red Roses: A Skull & Shackles Campaign (Social RP)

Game Master imimrtl

Here is the thread to use for long conversations that do not pertain directly to the current campaign plotlines. Things to discuss here are things like politics, metaphysics, religion, personal history, etc. HAVE FUN!

Okay, thanks again! ;)

ahoy!

Later that night, Dhaavan will likely find me lounging around the lower decks as the “Bloody Hour” continues above. I’m currently working on some notes in my journal when you approach, and I glance up at you as you walk over, motioning to you with my hand.

Below decks there is no one around but us two, so you have a sense that you can speak comfortably, without worrying about drawing too much attention.

”Evening lad, got a moment?” I say briskly, encouraging you to sit down by me as I continue to write.

”You know, I’ve been doing a little thinking lately – about what may be going on in the next couple of days…”

”As we’re tacking course to shipping lanes – and what with that nonsense about practicing grappling… I mean, it’s a sure bet we’re going to be hitting other ships as soon as we see ‘em.”

”Anyhow – I mentioned to you before about maybe having a weapon to back your magic – you know, one of these?” I say jerking my pistol out from under my frockcoat and holding it up, waving it a little absently, than stuff it back into the pocket under the coat.

”But you didn’t seem too keen on it. Oh well – can’t be helped, I suppose.”

”Even still, you’ve been a better mate for me than some on this little voyage – so I reckon I may be able to do something to help you out...”

I hand you my journal, and you see that the page is opened – the inkpen acting like a bookmark. Inside is a spidery scrawl – with various almost unintelligible shorthand. You see a few rough references to various religious beings, as well as strange notes on arcane mysteries, though vague…

You see quickly a heading that says “Giant” – and several notes – what looks like a rough “pedigree chart” of various giants – and you notice that the chart has been scribbled through thoroughly – excepting the part that includes one match – the “Fire Giant” and a Giant called “Taiga” - the line extending from their union is blank, but it has several question marks by it, and a note referencing Varisian cultures.

While you see various generic notes on Marsh Giants, most of them conform to already accepted rumors that are “Fact” for sailors near The Shackles.

However – what is clear is that the merger of the Fire and Taiga giant, though seems to have stumped me, has shown a secondary line sketched on the page to some notes regarding historical references and local nations; including Varisia.

Connected to that are several headers – but the one highlighted and heavily marked on bears the heading ”Lissala” – and you can quickly see several notes under that heading – enough that, if you don’t know – you can quickly see that this “Lissala” is a divine being – believed to be destroyed – and seems to have some connection with Runework…

This work also has a line that stabs across the paper back to the nation of Varisia – as if showing some sort of connection.

Then you see a listing of various spirits, powers, and other such things in my notes. Next to them you see a series of crude sketches, and various runes… with a strange sensation, you recognize next to many of the sketches are various depictions of some of your tattoos, as well as notes on spirits and a strange series of writing which you can’t decipher – but is clearly a language, and one that seems vaguely familiar; clearly the sketches are labeled – and the language is written next to it.

As you have time to take all this in – I give you a moment to examine the notes, but you see that my thumb is pressed against a specific spot.

Near it – you see the following notes penned in detailed, though hurried, "Common" –

”…naturally, of course, this has given me the chance to consider the implications of the various connections. Runes are a fundamental and tangible creation; not just for writing, but depending on the construction of the Rune itself – it may have (either deliberately or accidentally) – “lines of force” woven through the shaping of the rune, not unlike lines of force used for metamagic properties; such as a pentagram – used for summoning.

Of course – this coincides with the various metamagic theories regarding pentagrams as a whole; specifically their absolute precision to the fundamental geometric patterns which act as a focal point to open gateways more effectively to other planes.

Ancient Varisian ruins in general have these fundamental patterns in many various forms and etchings. They also depict a more primitive religious culture, long vanished.

QUESTION: Is their a connection to the more ancient cults or gods which links to the meta-physical bonds of which join science and the arcane?

HYPOTHESIS: If there is indeed a connection between the meta-physical realm (that is, the actual “science” of magical applications) and the ancient religious practices of the former cults to now forgotten gods of old Varisia than it is possible that many of the “gods” where not necessarily “gods” as much as they were physical constructs built to augment the powers of the casters or priests in ancient days.

CONCLUSION: If a pentagram is a literal manifestation of hard science used to augment and allow summoning than it is logical to believe that other symbols and patterns can be used. If such symbols and patterns were carried – like a holy symbol – than it would augment the power of the priests divine magic; which is already seen. But if the “priest” was an arcane caster and he intended to summon creatures to aid him in battle – he would utilize such aid (NOTE: pentagrams already in use for such things – why not other symbols or potential devices to augment this power?).

QUESTION: What if ancient Varisan religious cults to “nature gods” were not dedicated to “gods” – but were in fact “symbols” carved in the likeness of specific scientific “keys” to assist in summoning, even as the precise geometric nature of a perfectly constructed pentagram allows for the ease of greater summoning… If so – than these “idols” were not and were never “idols” to “gods” – but rather, long-lost symbols that were, (more likely) precisely crafted “keys” to help unlock “openings” between Planes for greater summoning potential.

CONCLUSION: If theories are correct – a precisely crafted “idol” to one of these ancient Varisian “gods” could and should (theoretically) allow someone who wanted to open a gateway between Planes to have the chance to do so with a far greater ease. Therefore – if I was able to craft one of these idols to one of the old Varisian “gods” (if they were in fact gods) – than it would help open a greater gateway between Planes and allow someone who summons creatures to call forth more powerful creatures into battle…

When you are done reading the notes, I turn to you.

”Well – now you see my opinions – or at least; some of them. I think I can craft one of these idols for you – with relative ease,” I say seriously.

”From what I am reading – it is not the material that is important, but the geometric shape of the material. Typically stone is used – it lasts longer. But I would suggest this is a fool's idea for our purposes.”

”First – if it fell into the water, you’d lose it on the sea… That’s no good. Second – it won’t be easy to get stone out here…” I add with a wry smile.

”But – if you can get me a block of wood… Well, I’m somewhat of a modest carpenter – I think I can saw down the wood; cut it – shape it – and file it down to the precise measurements I’ve created.”

”Problem is – all I have to do that with is this,” I say, and draw out a long blade, about eight inches in length. While one side of the blade clearly looks like a regular dagger – you see at once that the width of the blade is much broader. Further – the other side of the blade is not a straight edge for slicing or piercing – instead; it is clearly a serrated blade.

You’ve heard of swords that posses this feature, a vicious thing indeed in battle – but on the dagger, it makes it look like some sort of ”Survival Knife” – the kind of thing a ranger or trapper might carry to saw through branches or cut through heavy cord or even boards.

”If I had some more precise tools… they should be able to do the job… But I think that the work – the precision – will likely blunt the tools… But if you can get me these basic kind of woodworking tools,” I say handing you a list ”than I think I may be able to craft it.”

You quickly scan the list and observe that the tools are fairly mundane – hell, they could be nothing more than a sharp knife – but you’d guess that once used – for such precise and deliberate work, they’d blunt the edges to uselessness… Your analytical mind quickly calculates roughly 16-17 gold pieces of materials…

”Now,” I say ”I know enough about religion and history that I think I can make this for you… If I’m right, it will improve your magic when the time comes for you to summon something… But if you get me the materials, I’ll leave how you do up to you… I’ll make one of these, these… well, I guess the best thing to call it is some sort of ”Varisian Idol”… if that name suits you… But anyway – yeah; you get me the materials, I think I can craft you one – hopefully before we see trouble in the water.”

Right – so my Knowledge: Religion here was what got me thinking on this. Plus – I have a “Craft: Carpentry” skill to fashion this out of wood. If you’re willing to pay for the supplies – I’ll make this for you for a fight. I don’t know how long it will take me – I have to roll it. I will be doing it in my “off hours”.

The GM says you can do a normal craft check – than you divide it by 7 to find out how much progress you make per day. I’m guessing that using this skill to fashion this “idol” out of wood is akin to crafting a “Complex Item (i.e. Lock) – DC 20” as it has the capacity to aid you in spell casting. If I succeed the check, I multiply my roll by the DC (in this case, “20”) – and than I divide it by 7 for “daily work”. If I get a 25 or higher – than I’d complete it in a week. I don’t know if that helps – it all depends on if we see a ship in the next week, or not. I have a 40% chance of success if the DC is 20. If you’re willing to furnish me the materials (i.e. 16 GP) – I’m willing to give it a try.

Posting for the dot. We'll see how much use I make of this.

Ahoy Valeros! Glad to see you made it :)

Hopefully this will cut down on some of the clutter on the main thread. I know a lot of people post by Cell Phone/Texting - and 50 posts to scroll through I figured was a lot. Since I post all day - I know I clutter things the most. Meanwhile - if you want to finish out the conversation we were having with PM - we can do that here, if it makes things easier. Also - I figured that others might like to see what we're up to. I know that's kind of a "spoiler" - but I also figured - "Who cares". I mean, if they have a chance to read it, it's kind of like a fun story, right?

Anyway - if you're up for finishing the conversation here, instead of PM, I'm game. If you want to do it in PM only - just let me know.

To Dhaavan

Hey - that reminds me - if the DC to do the above is a 20 - I still have to roll a 13 or higher. Again - that's a total of 40% chance of success. However - your Varisian - you know the culture - you've 'Read my note' and you're handy. Maybe you could "Aid me". The DC to "Aid" is static 10 - and with a "Craft Check" it's raw Intelligence. So if you got a 10 to Aid me - my chances of success are than at 50%.

I'll continue it here, I've no problem with that. Was only doing the PM thing to avoid clutter but as that is what this thread is for, no more need for it. I'll read what you responded with and continue the convo here once I get the chance.

I think it'd be a good idea to try to spoiler the stuff on this thread with the relevant characters and the topic of discussion so folks can follow easily and quickly scroll through to find their names, or track the conversations they are interested in.

Dhaavan - the entire conversation may be moot - I may be executed tonight - if that happens, well... I don't know what to say.

But we'll just have to see...

”Ahoy lass,” I say as I pull myself up next to Rain.

”You got a good eye – thanks for spotting the ship,” I say, as I glance forward, seeking the sails to the vessel.

I say nothing for a moment, enjoying the rocking motion.

”So – how are you fairing?” I ask casually, though my eyes are still hard from the recent battle and almost death.

Flynn, if we assume the conversation about the Idols occurred the night of the Boarding Practice, then we can continue. That said Dhaavan was still enchanted at that time. so the next bits may change slightly. But the ball is in your court, Flynn.

Enchanted? Well, I am rather enchanting....

"Sounds good - first thing I'll need is to get the tools; we may need a few minor bits of gold - to inlay the idol - but I doubt it... but I guess we'll have to see. As soon as you get the gear - I'll do what I can to get this started - if you want to help, that'd be great - the more help I get the faster it'll get done."

”Ahoy lass,” I say as I pull myself up next to Rain.

”You got a good eye – thanks for spotting the ship,” I say, as I glance forward, seeking the sails to the vessel.

I say nothing for a moment, enjoying the rocking motion.

”So – how are you fairing?” I ask casually, though my eyes are still hard from the recent battle and almost death.

"The question isn't so much how I'm faring, but how you are. Should you be climbing tall heights after sweating in the box?"

Rain takes her eyes off the ship on the horizon and takes in the hard edge of his eyes.

"I am relived to see that the gods have bestowed their good favour on you and your life has been spared. Welcome back to the living, my friend."

Horatio Flynn wrote:

”Ahoy lass,” I say as I pull myself up next to Rain.

”You got a good eye – thanks for spotting the ship,” I say, as I glance forward, seeking the sails to the vessel.

I say nothing for a moment, enjoying the rocking motion.

”So – how are you fairing?” I ask casually, though my eyes are still hard from the recent battle and almost death.

"The question isn't so much how I'm faring, but how you are. Should you be climbing tall heights after sweating in the box?"

Rain takes her eyes off the ship on the horizon and takes in the hard edge of his eyes.

"I am relived to see that the gods have bestowed their good favour on you and your life has been spared. Welcome back to the living, my friend."

I glance at the ladder I had fashioned to the fighting top, and shrug.

Remember, the DC to climb rope is 5. If you have more than a 4 in Climb – you’d pretty much auto-succeed.

”It’s not so bad,” I say gruffly, my eyes still hard.

”But up here it’s more private-like, which is good."

I think a moment, considering how to phrase my next statement, but than it comes out in a rush.

”Plugg had me disarmed before sending me below – the men there were going to murder me. That was why there were there; and armed.”

”But I beat them both, which only proves Plugg is doubly a fool.”

”Not only did he send to lackeys to get the job done who didn’t have the balls to carry it off – but when it was over; what was clear is that I had managed to beat two of his men when I was unarmed and they were armed. Whatever his personal grudge with me is… if he wants men on his ship that can fight well – then it would be better to keep me around rather than gleefully try to kill me. That’s a waste – no matter what he thinks of me.”

I spit to the waves below in disgust – pleased that my mouth is still wet enough to spit.

”Look – I got a bit of good news, or least – good news I’m thinking on…”

”If we take this ship – the captain won’t likely sink her – he’ll keep her, or try to sell her… a ship like this is worth roughly 10,000 gold pieces – depending on her condition,” I say confidently.

Price check – correct. Average sailing vessel is worth about that.

”Now – who do you think’ll con the ship, while the Captain is on his own little vessel? Why – if I’m right, he’ll pick his Number One for that – you know; the first officer? And that’s Plugg.”

”If Plugg cons the ship – than that means he’ll run it, and the Captain will be here. And if we’re with Plugg – away from the Captain… and if we decide to take Plugg on… Next thing you know, he’ll be dead and we’ll be conning our own ship… provided any of us can do it. And I think we can,” I add.

”Anyway, for what it’s worth – I thought that might cheer you up a bit,” I say.

"Oh, and uh, thanks. You know, thank you for caring, I guess - that's pretty much what I wanted to say, mainly.”

Rain's mind turned over the idea of Plugg's demise. She had never been a bloodthirsty seafarer -- in fact, she abhorred murder. She fought with her conscience time and again when it came to Plugg. Did she want him gone? Aye. Permanently? She had no idea. Would she be as bad as the murderers she judged if she took the First Mate's life?

Thought after thought assailed her and she was quiet for an inordinate amount of time. When she looked up into Flynn's eyes, her ones were filled with turmoil -- a tossed sea during the rains.

In soft Elven she replies,

"Taking a life does not cheer me, Flynn. Even taking his life", attempting subtlety even up on the lookout. "That he staged the fight and then threw you in the box all for his pleasure and schemes does not sit right with me, either. I can only imagine the depth of your feelings on the matter. What if the Captain appoints Peppery to con the other ship? She is powerful, perhaps too powerful for any of us. But you are right, if we are aboard the other vessel, we may stand a chance of taking it under our command."

Rain chews absently on her full bottom lip. Her eyes are drawn to the horizon and the approaching merchant ship.

Upon hearing Flynn articulate his gratitude at her concern, Rain turns her full gaze on the man. "You sound almost as though my caring for you is an unconscious decision. I never once wanted to see you put to death, Flynn, and I never will." The wind picks up and blows strands of her midnight blue hair about her face. She makes no move to tame it, instead letting it blow in the fresh breeze, cooling her senses and thoughts, for a moment.

”Plugg is an ill mannered sod – he is rude, coarse, and displays no courtesy whatsoever.”

”Mother was never fond of those without good manners,” I say, speaking the last part to myself.

”Oh yes – “Horatio, my son – a man without good manners has something inside him that is growing foul, and dark. A wise man will find this thing, and extract it – and than, if possible, turn even that blackest of things into something more… palatable” – she would say.”

”Of course, even a doctor would have difficulty in removing his foulness to make it more ‘palatable’… but there are ways… I have learned many things on the subject; many strange pieces of lore to assist in that purpose – even from unlikely sources, such as the Koboto…” I add the last, with the distant eyes.

Than, rousing myself from my mutterings, I shrug.

”Ah, well, in any case – certainly the chance for freedom is our primary goal – and if we are afforded such an opportunity – than I think we should attempt it, and we may take it with some high chance of success, eh? I add with a shy smile.

As I wait for Rain's answer - I continue to work.

I am curious to know what she will say next, though...

After talk of mutiny and dangers, Rain draws a deep breath and closes her eyes. So much to think on, so much to consider and act upon. Gozreh, lend me your greater wisdom to do what must be done, she prays to the god of the storm and sky and the goddess of the wave and surf.

She turns in her seat and watches Flynn with vibrant turquoise eyes.

"Interesting talk this evening, my friend. But let us speak of lighter things now before my mind bursts from questions and concerns."

Rain taps her long fingers against her mouth before she speaks again.

"When you were a young boy, a younger man, what did you dream of doing, becoming? Not what path was set for you by those who cared for you, but what dreams beat inside your heart and begged to see the light of day?"

After talk of mutiny and dangers, Rain draws a deep breath and closes her eyes. So much to think on, so much to consider and act upon. Gozreh, lend me your greater wisdom to do what must be done, she prays to the god of the storm and sky and the goddess of the wave and surf.

She turns in her seat and watches Flynn with vibrant turquoise eyes.

"Interesting talk this evening, my friend. But let us speak of lighter things now before my mind bursts from questions and concerns."

Rain taps her long fingers against her mouth before she speaks again.

"When you were a young boy, a younger man, what did you dream of doing, becoming? Not what path was set for you by those who cared for you, but what dreams beat inside your heart and begged to see the light of day?"

I shrug a bit, as I work.

”When I was young boy – I was different.”

”I wanted to be like my mother, I suppose. I dreamed first of helping people. That was always my chief drive – to help others.”

”I wished to be a powerful priest – High Priest even – and told my mother so. But she was reluctant for me to enter the priesthood – suggesting it demanded far too much of its followers. She knew I was intelligent, and recommended that joining an academy would be better. She suggested that with a good education, I could then choose any option I would wish – after the education was finished.”

”I think now that she was reluctant to have me join the priesthood because she knew that in her own faith – her brethren were called on often to make the “ultimate sacrifice” for their goddess.”

”Despite her faith – I think that she would not have this destiny for me – so she would keep me from it.”

”As a boy I did not know this. But I did not mind that she wished me to be somewhere else than the temple she worked at. It was not bad, except I missed her company. But at the temple I felt that her Chief Priest was neither considerate, nor do I feel he was even good. My mother’s heart was given to the goddess – and he was the mouth of the goddess – even so; I believe that his words and orders were less from the goddess, and more often colored by his own private plans.”

”He would order his flock to engage in risky ventures that he himself was “too important to risk”. I think that is why being a ship’s surgeon called to me – in the end. I wanted to follow my mother’s footsteps – but not under the dominion of a manipulative master who used cunning to trick those he commanded.”

”Also – on the deck of a ship is the freedom from such men – but the chance to heal or help – and finally, it provided me with an outlet for the adventures my heart craved, but my mother denied.”

”Tell me then, if you would not mind – what is it that drew you to this course? Port Peril is a dark place for a lady such as yourself, I’d guess. I would imagine you spear hunting fish in blue lagoon’s rather than striding the foul-smelling streets of that rickety town. Yet there you were – I saw you in that tavern, and my heart was moved, though we had not yet spoken.”

”I do not know why – nor what chance – if chance it was – which brought us both together. But, I would like to learn more of you. Besides,” I say with a somewhat embarrassed look ”I have been told I talk overmuch – it would be good for me to listen instead – and hear another’s tale. If you would share it with me, that is…” I say politely, waiting for her response.

Right – just so we’re clear: I’ve been eager to create an equitable way to divide loot in this game. As we aren’t getting coins – but only “special items” – most of which are not tailored to any specific player – we’ll have to debate things like this in the future.

The easiest way I saw to deal with this kind of stuff was basically saying you figure out the net value of an item – then one person gets it, and pays off the rest of his companions equally for the value of the item, until things balance out.

Simply put – there are 7 of us. If we found an item worth 70 gold – and one person claimed it – he would give everyone in the group 10 gold each; this would balance things out. If he didn’t have gold to give – he’d hang onto the item and keep paying out the others with coin later – until things balanced out.

This is already expensive for me – as I currently have a +1 sword – I’d owe you all money for me claiming it. I’ll pay that money, too – for whoever wants to do business equally.

I’ve gamed before – the system is a little cheesy – but it saves a lot of time later, and makes things as fair as possible.

Healing potions would be for the good of the group – first come, first serve – I’d say the same for any potion or scroll we hand out – unless you get to use it multiple times, and it only helps your character (like scribing a scroll into a spellbook) – that’s different. As for things like “raise dead”? If we had two people that die – and had one free “raise dead” and had to pay for another spell like that – bottom line is; those two people would split the cost of the other spell equally, as far as I see it.

Right now I got a couple items worth a few coins on this island. I’m guessing we’ll find more. At the end of the journey – my vote it to tally all the wealth up – then divide it equally. If there is an item someone wants – it comes out of the balance of what they earned equally. Even if all there was to use was stuff for clerics – which none of us are – we could still sell that stuff easily and have money later to share.

I’m open for equal division of treasure – provided we’re all being fair and equal. If people want to play that way – Horatio will do business that way with your characters, if you do that with mine. If you don’t want to do business that way – and it’s “everyone for themselves” – that’s fine, too. I just think that ends up doing more harm than good.

Anyway – that’s my plan with loot I find – split it equally with those who vote to share treasure equally. Those who don’t – that’s fine, too. If you don’t want to share, we don’t have to share; but I’ll share equally with those who want to share with me. Just let me know.

Jack is speaking in Infernal exclusively right now. Flynn doesn't have to tho, so others could catch some insights to the discussion.

"But i don't have coins, Dhaavan does. And that's shiney and I want it. " The bird stamps his feet on Flynn's head.

Pausing a moment he also says, "But what about stuff that's for the group, or stuff somebody gets for themselves? You think Dhaavan needs to split everything what he earns from his work? Sharing loot is one thing, but then some things are personal."

"And what about potions and stuff. Those are expensive and you use 'em on other people, so you spend a lot of your share of stuff!"

"Shouldn't have to pay for helping everybody out like that!"

Jack is speaking in Infernal exclusively right now. Flynn doesn't have to tho, so others could catch some insights to the discussion.

"But i don't have coins, Dhaavan does. And that's shiney and I want it. " The bird stamps his feet on Flynn's head.

Pausing a moment he also says, "But what about stuff that's for the group, or stuff somebody gets for themselves? You think Dhaavan needs to split everything what he earns from his work? Sharing loot is one thing, but then some things are personal."

"And what about potions and stuff. Those are expensive and you use 'em on other people, so you spend a lot of your share of stuff!"

"Shouldn't have to pay for helping everybody out like that!"

Right - I summed up my intentions for how I want to cut loot via the OOC post above.

Potions are one hit wonders - they ought to go to "as needed" basis. A magic sword stays with you - and you can use it pretty much forever, and resell it after using to buy something better for your character.

I say if you resell a potion that was the groups - then the money for that needs to be split equally - otherwise - if you need the potion - from "stealth" to "Cure" - if you need it - drink it. We can share potions and scrolls equally.

Dhaavan can easily do what he wants with the money he earns via making tattoo's. No doubt that is a valuable profession, but it is yours exclusively.

You can Craft stuff - and I can Craft stuff - if you want to keep that separate - that's totally fine with me.

Now - as for stuff you get "for yourself"?

I'm not sure what you mean - as I see it - if you had twenty gold and went into town and did some stiff haggling and somehow managed to buy a +5 sword with it - that's your money to spend, and you got the good deal.

That sword should be yours - as you spent your own money it.

Just like - on the other hand - if you did that and found out it was secretly cursed - that would be your own problem. I'd help you, of course - if you asked.

But I tell you what I'm going to do -

Tomorrow I'll make up a "contract" for you too look over.

You tell me what you think - regarding the division of treasure. If you think it needs to be fixed, or add or subtract anything - we'll hammer it out.

Once that's done - we can show it to anyone who wants in.

If they want in - or have something they want to add or amend, I'm all ears.

Bottom line - the GM isn't handing us a pile of 700 GP each encounter so we all get equal cut.

What am I going to do with a 5 GP silver ring? How do we split that?

Best thing for it is gather all that junk together - sell it at a store - take the earnings and divide them equally. If you see something in the junk you want - keep it - and that portion comes out of your "Cut" when we sell things.

If the junk you want is more than the "cut" you earned - keep it anyway. Next time around - you will not get your "cut" until the balance is paid off.

That means we can keep debates on the board over loot to a minimum and keep things fair.

So, Dhaavan - what do you say?

If you like the plan, I'll send you the contract when I write it up. If you have another plan - let me know.

Unpleasant Dream
Dhaavan stands in a burning red landscape, the sound of screams permeates the air, is part of it. Dhaavan breathes in the agony and pain and breathes out, adding his own anguish to the mix. Every moment like a symphony of suffering.

It takes a moment to realize what is happening, but this is his existence now, one of pain and rage. His body is foreign, alien, every fiber of his essence is is a twisted parody of life, feeling his sense of self fading away until all that is left is the vague remembrance that he used to be more, than he used to have sentience but it fades faster every moment.

Propelling his writhing mass of flesh forward, this new Dhaavan seeks... something... anything... anything but what he is.

A touch. Sensation. Something real... The sensation comes flooding back and a realization of what he was not moments ago brings Dhaavan to consciousness with a start.

His hand flies to what brought him from that wretched existence, and he grips it like it is an anchor, holding him in reality. If he lets go he may slip away. That is what is in store for him, his first taste of the agony of the Nine Hells. Is this really better than the utter annihilation promised him, only time will tell. "I just want something else. I've gotta escape that awful fate. I have to."

Dhaavan takes a moment still getting his bearings, feeling something strange in his eyes as the reality of his situation really dawns upon him. He holds tightly to what he slowly realizes is Rain's arm and he looks up at her, his face still a twisted expression of abject terror, begging nothig in particular for salvation...

After her strange encounter with Dhaavan and his night terror, Rain rubbed the tension from her wrist – the small human certainly had a tight grip on him, and she found a place under the lean-to and drifted to sleep.

Dreams of Plugg came to her as soon as her eyes closed and sleep took hold of her. The hallowed voice of the sky, storms and seas reached her, a combination of male and female, almost an overlapping of voices, answering her unspoken questions, filling her with a desire greater than surviving this island and even her new conscription aboard The Man’s Promise.

For too long, she had relied on her goodness to make do in a world filled with corruption and evildoers. Piracy was one thing but to murder and destroy under the façade of piracy filled her heart and soul with an acrid disgust. Righteousness and purity were not enough – not when faced with dogs like Plugg and Scourge. In her dreams, her face seemed to change, waver and reassemble unlike her usual visage. Her prayers to Gozreh had grown in regularity since boarding the Wormwood and she had been shown visions by the god in order to guide and aid her pressed mates. She could no longer discount their meaning – their purpose. A fire shone from her sea eyes – a determination unlike any other, for a renewed sense of justice found root inside her being and grew like the ancient oak trees she learned about as a child. Men like Plugg could not be brought to justice using ordinary means – nay, trickery and guile would serve her better to chase him down and bring him to heel. Her face changed once more and she seemed older, a honed maturity about her eyes and mouth. She sensed emerging dangers swimming around her head as the dream weaved like web. She was lifted unto the sky, her body limp and the wind grew, and the storms shattered the blue. Lightning struck at her; her screams matching their crescendo, and she felt sundered and then reformed.

She dropped afterward, into the waiting arms of the dark sea, sinking and drinking its salt until she thought she was drowned. But she was alive. Power unfurled as her mission came into focus and spread through her veins. One word seemed to circle her heart like a beacon, Justice. Her body leapt from the depths, arms spread and voice true. She would be the weapon to wrought such justice in this world. In the name of Gozreh, this was her purpose and none would deter her from its path. Rain woke with her heart thundering inside her chest as Variel shook her arm to alert her to her second watch. Her eyes had the spark of the faithful, of those who believed that they could rid the world of the enemies of the faith and restore all that was good and wise.

Ret-con Social RP via getting a crew; and what to do with it.

I listen to Variel’s comments about paying the crew – and his opinion that all targets should be fair game for what actions we take. I ponder them a moment, and offer my own thoughts on the matter.

”While it is a fair thing to encourage harder work by offering a cut of the loot we should find – if we find any – the fact is; we have nothing to offer a crew of good men.”

”For example – let us say that currently we owned the ship, and it was ours alone with no problem, and we sailed into port needing only more men to properly man it.”

”We head to the nearest tavern, and tell those men there that if they sign on with us, they will have the chance to earn plunder and reward – the harder they work, the larger the potential plunder, and the greater chance for their reward.”

”Now, that sounds fair – but I do not think it is a good plan, for several reasons.”

”Firstly, what makes our ship so attractive? In other words, if you were a sailor who wanted to “be a pirate” then our ship is no different than any other ship on the docks. You may as well sign on with any ship if all the captain offers you is a mere “cut of loot”.”

”But what makes a potential crewmember think our ship is so special? A promise of loot does not seem like a very good draw to me. It may attract some folk, but I do not think it will attract the skilled sailor. After all, a good sailor is likely to go to a ship that already has a reputation for obtaining loot – we will not have that benefit, though we may in time.”

”But this leads to the next issue. What type of man will sign on with us at all? His only promise is that he will receive compensation if he is willing to be ruthless and have no qualms about stealing, murdering, assaulting or attacking an innocent person on another ship. In short – he receives better money if he is a better “pirate”, and by that merit alone will he be judged.”

”This means that new crew members that would sign on are only drawn by the chance to be a pirate. The men who do sign on – if at all – even if they are skilled men; their only reason to serve with us is to earn loot. The only way they do that is to distinguish themselves as pirates – and that means they must act like pirates. In short – we’d have a crew of men who were dedicated to robbery, banditry, piracy, murder, arson – and all manner of other things needed to secure loot. None of these are comfortable qualities to have in men that we may sail with. Such terms of success only breed men like Plugg. If we take them on – we may take on a crew of folk who decide to mutiny against us one day – or murder us outright; simply as it is in their nature.”

I offer the counter-suggestion.

”An average sailor could realistically expect to earn about 15 gold pieces a week – I assume a “Take 10” on Profession: Sailor with a total of 5 in that skill – not difficult for a first level sailor; even NPC – if we offer that as a base rate – or perhaps less… say; 10 gold a week for skilled sailors, and a cut of loot for those that distinguish themselves… we’ll have men that sign on with us who already know how to sail – but in addition to that – we’ll have men who are content to earn their bread with honest work – rather then plotting mutiny.”

”Of course – this is only a suggestion; but I simply don’t know how we’ll be able to get a crew of lads together who are trustworthy, skilled, eager to work, and believe that joining with us is better than joining with another ship.”

I wait to see if anyone else has an opinion on the matter, then proceed to my next point.

”I am also somewhat confused at what type of plans you have – should we advance forward as a team.”

”Making money is a good thing – money is the foundation for power; I understand that. But clearly we aren’t going to merely sail around The Shackles – looking for a ship; gauge its relative power – and if it looks weak – assault it out of hand and take anything we want?”

I am not certain if that is actually Variel’s suggestion – it sounds like it is, but I may be wrong.

”Even if we were to do that alone – that seems like a very expensive plan, and not worth our effort.”

”We could save quite a bit of time and work by resorting to mere banditry – robbing the houses of noblemen for quick coin; not bothering with the nuances of gathering a crew at all. If all we are to be are mere robbers, in which our forum for theft and murder happens to be the high seas; that sounds fairly… well… I should say it does seem suited to my personal ethics, but also – it seems fairly illogical.”

”After all – in a world filled with magic – we may espy an easy mark on the water; assail it – and a powerful mage on the enemy ship; unseen and unknown by us – could warp the wood of our ship with a spell to cause it to sink like a stone.”

”There are a million possibilities to deal with, if we saw a potential mark on the water… but rather than continue playing What if? – wouldn’t it be more prudent to do as most folk in this business do? Find a patron – someone skilled and with connections. This patron will be able to gauge our merits and our value. I would think that such a person will know best the target we can handle, and assign us specific "targets" for us to hunt down. Likely we also gain specific details on specific targets; where to find them, what we need to do, how best to fight them, and so on… This is not so unlikely - after all; thieves routinely gain information about a "mark" - and assassins are often given detailed dossiers on the person they will be murdering for loot; also from their guild hall or patron."

"Such things are basic advantages, and yes, these advantages mean we will likely have to pay tribute to this patron – but it is a small thing if we are provided targets we can reasonably expect to handle.”

”Also – many patrons have connections to “fences” – that is, if we find gear we esteem as useless – a patron may pay us good money for it, as he knows already someone who wants this otherwise useless gear. We would have not such good contacts on our own.”

I shrug at the end of these comments.

”The idea of joining such an organization is certainly not a new one… many folk utilize these organizations in their chosen professions. I have heard tales of thieves and their clandestine guild halls – assassins and their secret brotherhoods – dark clerics and necromancers and their mysterious cults… All of these organizations have value – all of them have advantages – and all of them have a price to pay to access these advantages; but in the long run – that price is very often worth it – considering the perks that are earned in the meantime.”

”If we are to take a ship and use it for profit as murdering thieves, or pirates, if you would prefer - it seems that our best course would be, in my opinion – to find a patron to ally with. There are many brotherhoods in the seas – if we find one that agrees with our collective opinion – then we could join them and have access to many advantages – if we are all formally resolved to simply attack ships for profit.”

This squibbing seems unnecessary:

I grin easily around another sip of tea.

”Ah, now you touch it, mister Dhaavan.”

”All of this foolishness on reconstructing the general outline of our ship means little to me, if we ourselves do nothing to change our own appearance. What will mister Harrigan or his lackey’s do when they see us, never mind what our ship looks like?”

”We will have been privy to a betrayal of trust – he ordered us to a point with a specific goal and cargo. Neither the cargo – in this case the pirated ship – nor the goods or crew arrived. When either he, or his mendicants, observe one of us or our crewmates in a town – will they glibly accept our staunch defense of innocence as we gesture at a seemingly new looking ship? Or will they be more inclined to attack us outright no matter what ship we sail on?”

I add some honey to the tea, and continue to sip it.

”Meanwhile, with all the effort to somehow mask the look of a ship, we seem quite uninterested in masking our own features – or that of our crewmates. After all, there are those among us who are likely to draw the attention of mister Harrigan, no matter what the occasion. Mister Owlbear, for example – his features are not easily masked, and his person would certainly be remembered, I should think. Not to mention the features of our goodly cook; or the generous curves of our ship’s cleric miss Sandara.”

”I submit that if mister Harrigan is close enough to identify our ship – then he will be close enough to identify us; and we are the true problem – not the ship.”

I yawn a bit, bored with the dull monotony of the morning; the heat of the day making me feel sluggish and all the more anxious for some sort of action.

Who knows – perhaps this game of ninepins will be an exciting diversion…

and drawing attention foolish,:

”As for the pish-posh nonsense that miss Sandara bandies about regarding us being some sort of “prey” – well then, I say that that title should serve the majority of our company very well,” I add sincerely and with no touch of irony.

”While our companions showed naked disdain for more modest pursuits such as privateering and hungered for the chance of taking up the true gauntlet of “pirate” – it is not an easy task to sail the waters tracking ships.”

”Yet if we are this ‘prey” that you refer to; so much the better! It will draw the interest of ships to us, and we need only wait for them to come and best them as they advance upon us.”

I put up my hand to forestall what I perceive to be an inevitable rebuttal.

”Now, please do not suggest to me that we may not beat off an attack. After all; why should our existence draw the attention of a man-o’war or something more fierce than a cutter or possibly a "Merchantman Class" ship?”

”We have no goods, no gear, and no cargo. Our ship itself does not look like it would tempt the interest or time of a true buccaneer – instead, I fancy that a true and experienced sailor would see our ship and simply laugh at our existence. Attacking us would waste their time when there are bigger and better fish to fry, I should think.”

I glance at the window and attempt the gauge the time by the sun, and take another sip of my tea.

”Only some pale-bellied coddle-fish would pursue us with eagerness, and if they manage to move into range to assail us? Why, I should think that our best bet is to open fire and destroy them.”

I shake my head again, considering Sandara’s advice to take bold actions to improve our reputation.

as throwing around coin makes us a target:

”Meanwhile, I am confused at miss Sandara's recommendation to imrpove our reputation by spending coin. I simply cannot understand the desire to – as you say – throw around coin… It seems to me that throwing coin around merely makes us a target with more wealth then we have. An attractive target, as well.”

”Meanwhile, bragging about our abilities seems odd to me; I would think our actions would speak louder than our words. And we would wish to keep those actions private, so as not to draw the attention of every would up-and coming rogue who wishes to add our elimination to their list of bragging rights.”

I pause again, and look at Dhaavan and speak now directly, without conjecture.

We could just leave these seas:

”If it was me, I would not waste time “squibbing” the ship; I would gamble.”

”I would gamble that with all the leagues between us and our former master that the sea is wide enough that we can avoid him with ease, unless he can guess where we are down to less than two-hundred feet; which I doubt he can do.”

”After all; if our ship was more than a half mile from his vessel we would merely be a blot on the horizon and he could not mark us from any ship, for half a mile is of course over 2,600 feet… Even the chance to perceive us as a ship on the horizon… Well; to put it simply – I would think that the “penalty” for such view would be very high indeed; never mind the subtleties of gauging the lee or our deck or the position of our jib,” I add dryly.

”Meanwhile, if I was Harrigan or any experience captain, I would at least have a large knowledge of the lands around us – after all, if mister Plugg knows of this place, surely Harrigan did as well – and if a ship wished to disguise itself, and mister Plugg showed up late to his rendezvous with mister Harrigan and mister Harrigan suspected treachery – I would think mister Harrigan would already be making all haste for this very port – for that is what I would do, if I were him and I was betrayed and wished revenge.”

"If I was mister Harrigan and mister Plugg never came back, I might say to myself - Where would Plugg go? Surely he knows I shall look for the ship if I cannot find him? Surely he knows I shall follow him quickly. What is his plan, if not to attempt to disguise the ship somehow... yet where could he go to do that, if not old man Rickety Squibbs - which is close to where he is sailing - and if he betrayed me, it is likely Plugg has gone to that port himself - at which point I should think mister Harrigan would be calling for "Action Stations" and making all haste to this very port right now."

"As I said, if I were in command I would repair the ship as best as possible, and than I would tack course to new waters… Perhaps near Sargava, or perhaps around Cheliax – even to stab east as far as Orision or Andoran – there must be fine shipping there for enterprising lads...”

I take another sip of my drink.

and stay under the radar:

”Further, if I held the con I would not waste time broadcasting our skill and talent.”

”Instead, I would do my best to remain innocuous – I would be silent, subtle and operate with some guile.”

”I would welcome the reputation of being a mere nobody on the seas – for only the mighty draw the attention of those who would claim bragging rights – and all the while I would move from target to target; a gentle vessel with no threat or cause for fear – until I slip by blade between the proverbial jugular and tear out the very essence of those who I would call my enemy,” I add with a hungry grin.

”Then I would take my earnings and invest heavily in certain ports, backing certain and specific guild halls so that as they grow with my investment, they would remember who assisted their growth and in time, I could with ease secure excellent prices for importing and exporting rare goods – I would invest and gamble heavily in improving the ports of call I frequent so that when I return I am seen as a powerful patron to be honored and respected, not some miserable scallywag to be hated or feared.”

”I would take rare goods that can be smuggled for high prices – and in so doing, I would do more to keep my ship’s reputation innocent – I would let my agents negotiate the particulars of expensive deals so that when I am approached by those same agents I can take a contract of high price and sail quickly away.”

I wipe my mouth and mop my brow and the damnable heat.

”That is a better way, I think – being a smuggler, rather than a mere pirate.”

”Smaller crews are needed for smuggling. And consider the excitement from the high speed chases, the quick escapes, the fact that a single crate of cargo can earn you a reward more valuable than an entire city – if it is delivered to the right person…”

”We could be smuggling weapons to rebels who are fighting the empire in Cheliax – or we could be smuggling a rare and wonderful artifact from some back alley dig in Orision and rush it back to safety and security where it can be studied by top men at a museum…”

”We could be sailing like a zephyr over the waves, a young princess in the hold of our ship, rushing hard to get her to her home port as an enemy fleet sails hard on our wake – knowing that returning the princess would earn not only the prestige and honor of her people – but more wealth than we can imagine… which is not a small skill – for I can imagine quite a bit!” I add with a wolfish grin.

Than I sigh and the anima seems to drain from my features as I realize i am rambling.

Not that it's necessarily the best plan:

”Of course, I do not have the con; nor am I the captain. I am merely a sailor with some skill as a craftsman – and my ability to craft falls under the purview of both wood in carpentry, and some elixirs to aid the flesh…”

I glance up, somewhat embarrassed.

”When I remember such things as my fine plans I just went over, though I have no regret in speaking my mind to you, I recall a statement my uncle once made to me when I voiced my opinions on the possibility of such adventures on the high seas.”

”He told me that there was the right way to do things; the wrong way to do things – and the way that a buccaneer does things.”

”His implication was that my fine plans and ideas; my thoughts and guesses – my ambitions and dreams were counterproductive to the exactitude of the needs of what must be done.”

”He suggested that I accept my fate for what it was – that being a privateer, or a smuggler, or a gunfighter, or a any of those tasks… while men who stride the decks of ships may aspire to these goals, I should put aside such thoughts, for that is not the path I am meant to tread.”

I look at Dhaavan somewhat helplessly, now feeling completely out of my element.

”For myself, I thought that sailing on the seas as an enterprising sailor with a more colorful title – be that title “Pirate” or “Swashbuckler” or “Smuggler” or “Corsair” or “Buccaneer” or any other such variance – I assumed that they all would have a wide range of flexibility as open as the ship’s tiller let them sail.”

maybe this is how things work here:

”But your words make me doubt myself. Now I believe that I must rather hearken to my uncles words – there is a right way and a wrong way – but neither of them matter in the inevitable face of the “pirate” way.”

I sigh again, and look at Dhaavan, my eyes bespeaking a yearning for answers that I hope he can offer.

”For all my knowledge of lore and adventure, those details must fall aside for what this reality is.”

”I have told you what I would do if I held the con and was captain – but I know that my thoughts and assumptions are wrong. I know also that we must take specific action that I had not guessed on, or have any idea why were bound to pursue these paths, but I am clear that it is the path we must pursue and I accept it.”

”To wit - we must “squib” the ship; we must boast of our skill rather than use subtlety or guile; we must specifically attack other ships and pirate them – and not smuggle goods or attempt to assist rebels from an evil empire; or assist colonists from being attacked by some alien power, or any other pursuit.”

”Meanwhile, we must continue to fear the late mister Harrigan, but despite this gnawing fear we must not leave these waters and sail for Cheliax, Sargova, Rhadoum or Orision, but we must remain here until our task is done.”

I shrug helplessly.

So what do we do?:

”But you see? I am not certain what that task is, specifically. And in the meantime, I fear my efforts to improve my skill as a man versed in lore and other academic pursuits was foolish; and that I should resign myself to being merely a man who kills; a task simple and direct and requiring little thought.”

”However, something tells me you have a clearer understanding of what our goals are and what way I should proceed – one reason among many I nominated your candidacy for an officer,” I say lifting my cup to him in salute.

”Therefore – as you are an officer – what is our next task to be formally? Tell me that, and I shall content myself with raising weapons and killing those who must be killed and helping those who must be helped.”

I finish my tea and place the cup down.

”Simply tell me what I must do, and how I must act; I shall do my best to aid you all as soon as I know specifically what needs to be done.”

I stretch a bit.

”Well, you have heard my discourse for some time. Tell me – what are your plans? What is it that we must do next?” I add amicably, eager to hear mister Dhaavan’s suggestions and advice.
Yay – social RP; and the powerful play goes on and I might contribute another verse ;)
...
I’m eager to hear your response, mister Dhaavan! And I hope that the post was long enough for you (heh heh). Also, it occurred to me that if you’re bringing in Clari to say “Hi” I might want to bring in Qwykee to chat with you a bit… for some reason I think she and Dhaavan would really hit it off ;)

Lemme know if I got the basic jyst of what you were saying, yeah?

Dhaavan listens as Flynn speaks, patiently, making mental notes and cocking his head on a few occasions. "Well, mate lemme start by askin a few questions, alright?"

After hearing Flynn's responce to his opinions about why to Squib the ship and further discussion, Dhaavan will turn the discussion toward the eventual infamy of their crew.

Beyond building a name for the and discussing the value of "brand recognition" Dhaavan admits to the potential value of new looks.

When Seijiro is done with his turn at ninepins, he slips over to where Dhaavan and Flynn are deep in conversation and listens in a bit before chiming in softly.

"I think Dhaavan's got the right of it. Right now we've got no ties to anyone or any cause 'cept our own. I've got no reason to, as Dhaavan put it, 'shackle' myself to any government or country. Right now we're free of outside control, and isn't that what we just fought for? to be free?"

"As for winning friends and influencing people, if it takes spending some of our loot to do it, I see no problem with it. We need to make a name for ourselves or become just another Man's Promise, sailing these waters just to be taken by a bigger, badder pirate. If we've a name and reputation, they'll think twice before trying to take us on."

"You talk about choosing between being a killer or a scholar, maybe you don't really have to make such a choice, Flynn-san. You started your career as a killer with a gun, and took to book-learning and scholarly pursuits it seems as an afterthought, or maybe it was reverting to who you were before you took up the gun, I don't know. But either way, it seems you can be both without compromising either. Why put such a schism between these two aspects of who you are. Embrace them both, as they both have a place on the ship as well as being who you are."

"As for Harrigan recognizing us, I really doubt he paid that much attention to us individually. He didn't even want to talk to or look at us much. Now Plugg and Scourge would have picked us out of a crowd for sure, but they're no longer a worry are they? And Peppery would know Dhaavan, that's for sure, but probably not the rest of us. A little disguise, and maybe some changes to facial hair would go a long way to covering our identities. As for me, they only knew me as Seijiro the human, so I could be anyone I want if we run into them."

At that, Seijiro gives an almost wicked little smile with a gleam in his eye. He shivers slightly and takes on the features of Plugg for a few seconds, with a little laugh and a wink at Flynn and Dhaavan before changing back to his usual human form. I hope the others on the dock were too busy watching the game to notice that... but I was facing Flynn and Dhaavan, with my back to the rest, so they might have missed it.

"Just a little trick I recently picked up, but it could come in handy. Anyway, I've some skill with mundane disguises, so I could help the rest of you too if necessary. But really, I'm not too worried about Harrigan and his lot. If they come looking for us, they'll be hard put to find us with a squibbed ship with a new name and reputations of our own now."

"I think you worry too much, Flynn-san. The world will be as it is, whether we will it or no. To spend so much time and effort brooding over it isn't productive and just makes you miserable. Aye, it's good to be ready for it, and prepared, but I think you take it to heart too much."

Seijiro shrugs slightly, causing Tomo to squawk quietly and shift shoulders, wrapping his tail around Seijiro's neck for stability.

Lapsing into Aquan to speak to Jiro and Flynn, dhaavan agrees [I]"Aye, as for disguises, if yea combine averythin what the Old man an' his ilk knew o' us, we be a sorcerer, priestess, a couple elves, and humans. The only ones what may stick out is his old crew, but that's only an issue if him or one o' his officers recognize em themselves. As for us, there's any a crew what may have an elf blade-mage for a Cap'n, a mage or two, and we can set usselves apart from any what even Peppery may recognize with a scarred Gnome, and a Fox-man since Rain and Sko have gone, and they were particularly recognizable."

He adds, "Jiro, if yea went around in yer true form, and made yer name known as part o our crey, and a deadly assassin, it may help yer shiftin in that if a body is on the look-out for a deadly fox, and yer taken another shape, it may leave em complacent?Whatcha think a that?" just a thought I had, wonderin if ya like it, or would rather keep that secret

"Actually, I was thinking of staying in fox form once we got our new ship ready to go. It's not that I mind looking human mind you. Bein' human is all well and good, but it's not natural for me and it's been rankling on me for a good while, but I didn't want to upset the rest of the crew. I think now that I'm an officer, even if a pretty low one, they've got to accept me no matter what my form. On the other hand, most o' them don't know that I can shift, and changing might scare 'em and put them off me, if you get my drift, so it's a two-edged sword, yanno? I was thinking of talking it over with all the officers in our next meeting whenever that might be and see what you all thought of the idea and what i should do."

Again, he shrugs, as if to say it's not too important, but the little frown between his brows shows it's of import to him at least. He idly passes a date to Tomo and pulls one out and munches on one himself.

"Well, ye are an officer at the end o' the day, so I'd say ye shaoud be able ta trapse 'round however yea like. As for shiftin, yea only needs let em know yea have onke other form what yea can switch betwix, just ta keep yer many masks and mastry o' disguise a suprise fer our enemies. I think I might be up for a new set o threads at the very least. Maybe..." Dhaavan says with some relictance, as he likes this vestage of his homeland.

"True, I suppose I can let the crew know I have an alternate form without letting em know I can shift to be anyone I want. But it'll take some getting used to for 'em, I'm sure. Well, you know how long it was before I let on to you folks that I could shift. I was afraid of how you'd react. Folks are touchy in the West about shifters, fearing lycanthropy and all."

He looks down at his own clothes, now not more than tattered remains of what were once, not fine garments, but at least decent.

"I guess I could use some new clothes myself. Maybe we should do a little shopping for clothes later, eh? I wonder if I give them what's left of my kimono if someone could make me a replica. Flynn seems to think I should get one made of silk, but I'm no noble or anything to be wearing silk, I think."

Horatio Flynn wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

Who knows – perhaps this game of ninepins will be an exciting diversion…
** spoiler omitted **

...

Well done on the “gist”. On retrospect, I think I have played a better pirate type character before. Where is Brett when I need a sword-wielding, guns-blazing, fast-talking, slang-speaking, womanizing, pillage and looting – and with a touch of honor and charm attitude? He’d have done just as good, methinks ;)

Despite the spoilers even my response are a bit long, but if you skip to the end, I try to “restate” my thesis via a last sentence or paragraph for a summary. I’d still be happy you read the whole thing – but if you’re pressed for time, you’ll find it summarized there :)

Seijiro – sorry – I had been working on this last night, and took a break from it for Christmas stuff. I just got back to post it, and saw you’ve been writing, so I reworked my answers a bit to include you in my responses. Sorry for the delay, though - there was a bit of cleaning up to do. Oh yeah, this post is a touch longer than my usual (hope that’s not too scarry, ;) – mainly because there are a lot of little points to address, and I have been working on them one at a time.

My responses –

I ask if Dhaavan and also Seijiro if either would like any more breakfast – than I continue.

I sigh as I take a taste of the stiff and somewhat chewy fried bread that passes as a “biscuit” and long for the fresh buttered croissants that I had as a boy when visiting temple during feast days.

I take another sip of my drink and suddenly wish that I had a proper bit of spice to flavor it with.

I listen to your last comment, and place my cup down, my face paling again for a moment.

You recognize this lack of color in my features – you have seen it before; yet the last time I was afflicted with some strange fever which weakened my body shortly before the mutiny against Plugg.

If that was an effect of the fever than it seems I am having a relapse, or perhaps something else...

Yet before you can draw any other conclusions, I address your last point directly and specifically.

I lean back after this last speech and dab my face again against heat, and wait for his response to my gentle acquiescence to his humble request that I put my desires aside and embrace what it truly means to be a pirate.

My eyes are now kindled with a soft light, but it is clear that if the orders are formally given, I shall obey the command to my utmost – now that we truly understand each other on all that it means.

Seijiro speaks softly so his words are not overheard by any outside the small circle in the discussion. In turn, he tries to address each of Flynn's points as he sees them.

"Harrigan may have it in for us, Flynn-san, but I doubt we are the most important thing on his mind. If we are careful to avoid him, we probably won't cross his path. I doubt he's making us his primary target. As for him finding us, who knows. By the time he turns his attention to us, perhaps we will have found or had built a faster, better ship that he won't recognize."

"As for magic being used to find us, I suppose that could be possible, but I'm not going to fret over it. We have no way to avoid it, so best thing is not to worry. Just be watchful, as we will be, of any source of danger. As for curses, let's hope our determination and force of will are enough to avoid any such things."

He thinks long and hard about Flynn's point about running Cheliax lines or merchanting and comments on the idea.

"If we took up the role of a merchantman or smuggler running the lines, it makes us doubly prey - against those who would see us not succeed in making such deliveries and also against any pirates who would try to plunder us. I'd rather be predator than prey. I've served aboard merchant ships in areas where piracy is uncommon and our wares welcome, but in these waters, I don't think it's such a safe venture."

"And you're right, the Shackles are a dangerous place to be either predator or prey, and the rules for pirates may be foreign to you, but there is a government per se and a set of laws, such as they are, by which even pirates are bound. I'm sure with caution we can navigate both the literal and figurative waters in which we find ourselves. Your scholarly bent and quick absorption of knowledge should help us in that regard if you don't disdain them for other pursuits."

He looks a little sad as Flynn describes his view of pirates in general, a little frown between his brows and a small moue of disappointment.

Flynn-san, your view of pirates and piracy is very narrow and negative, and yet you say you are willing to become one within those very narrow confines. I think you are limiting yourself, and us, too much. There is no reason why pirates have to kill indiscriminately. Taking captives and offering berths to captured sailors is not too soft to fit into the role of being a pirate. I think one can build a reputation of being tough and strong without being a soulless killer. And those who serve on a pirate ship don't have to do so in fear of the lash... they can serve willingly for pay and a share of the plunder and rejoice in their freedom to serve or leave at their own will. None of our current crew are press-ganged and having been so ourselves, I doubt we will ever go that route."

For a moment he looks over at Dhaavan and then sighs softly, tugging at the ties of his obi nervously. Then he continues.

"I don't think Dhaavan, or Variel, mean to order you to be a mindless killer, nor would they do so. You are both scholar and warrior and can do both without being a murderer without conscience. Yet it sounds like you are stating this is the only course you see 'under orders' from our First Mate. Maybe I just see things differently, but it seems to me you are saying you are willing to give up your humanity, but are putting the blame for that on Dhaavan. I dont think that's what he's asking of you."

He looks from Flynn to Dhaavan, and lofts a brow questioningly at Dhaavan, as if to ask if he got it right.

Tomo sits on Seijiro's shoulder and busily grooms his hair as he speaks. The young officer occasionally reaches up and scratches the monkey idly while he alternately listens and talks. When he's done, he pulls one knee up to his chest as he sits quietly, waiting to hear Dhaavan's responses to both Flynn and himself.

specifically regarding Flynn's incorrect understanding of a "Pirate"

Dhaavan shakes raises an eyebrow as Flynn describes what he thinkd Dhaavan means with the term Pirate. At the end of his Horatio's definition, Dhaavan takes a moment, shaking his head and resting it in his hand Face-palm =P "Then don't be one of your kinda pirates. I'd call a pirate... well, someone who practices piracy. Be it smuggling, or swashbuckling. Sure folk do it their own way, some are what yer talking about, but honestly i'll be mightily insulted if yea think I intend ta be a Demon o' the sea."

"What yea described is a particular cur, and if that's what bein a pirate means, then don't. but here's the thing. Words only have value in that they communicate an idea, and any o' us what says the word Pirate don't mean nothin like what yer sayin necessarily. Is Sandara what yer talking about? How bout Jiro here, huh? Nope, I ain't noting like what yer talking about, so if yea want to come to the party an' stop talkin ta yerself, hows about yea try listing ta what i'm tryin ta say cause if i was sayin what you think i'm sayin, then I'd be a damned idiot. and I'm not actually an idiot."

"Sometimes i really think yea don't listen. I thought I told yea I don't mean that sort of person afore, but guess not. I did also plainly say we could use scholarly folk, but yea can't be a cloistered fob what lives in a library and survive on a boat, is all I'm sayin. Don't go ignorin the realities of sailing if yer gonna sail with us for the sake o studying. I'm saying to be moderate and yea keep getting the idea wrong. A librarian aint' necessarily much use on a ship, and ain't no use in a fight if they can't do nothing else. What i meant was that yea got ta be an asset to the crew and the ship."

"We ain't that sort o folks, and we got a kinship wit our crew, save maybe them what was loyal ta Plugg, but I'll win em over in time. So as far as what yea think a Pirate is, that ain't what i'm sayin. So call yerself a Swashbuckler or Buccaneer. We smugglers if we smuggle, and can be subtle, swave, and diplomatic as we need. I ain't interested much in debatin the intricacies of vocabulary or arguing wit' yea. So if yea want ta debate semantics, that's a pity."

Off to work, and i got interruptes several time as i was trying to write, so it took a while. Back tomorrow morning'afternoon, unless i post from my phone throughout the night. cause it's going to be a ong one. =}
SOrry i didn't reply to your post Jiro, BUt i think we kinda talked the same stuff a little.

Seijiro nods at Dhaavan's words, glad he understood the young First Mate and got his own interpretation of his words correct. He smiles and winks at Dhaavan.

"Right-o, Dhaavan-san. Well-said and glad I understood you the first time. Sorry if I spoke out of turn with my own interpretation of your words."

He sighs and mutters something softly to himself in a strange tongue (Minkaian) while he scratches Tomo gently behind one ear.

The paleness recedes from my skin somewhat, as my eyes flick between Dhaavan and Seijiro.

I pause a bit to rub the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger –

I sigh after the speech, my eyes looking bleary, and I look to you both, waiting to hear what you have to say on my thoughts.

Regarding Leaving the Shackles and the Gods
When we really start getting into it, Dhaavan guides Flynn and Jiro away from the civilians so that we may discuss privately, and away from prying ears. We didn't want to let on anything about Harrigan, and as he is a main topic of our discussion, Dhaavan immediately moves the discussion when his name or the Wormwood are mentioned, and continues the talk wiht a casual yet quiet tone, choosing to speak in Aquan, which he has practiced since he first picked it up.

"Again, yer missing what I'm sayin. I dunno bout the rest of the crew, but far as me, myself and only I am concerned, My life's been right havoc for most of it, and those who know signs and such say that it's teh will or at least whimsey of Besmara directing me. Directing me here, from what i can tell, and what signs say. I don't really seem to have been guided elsewhere, as I got onto my first ship, and now am First Mate. Seems I'm on the right track, and if i keep movinn where the lady seems to point me, I figure I'll be better off than if she gets back to meddelin. BUt that's me personally, and something I've looked into."

"I never said that I thought we all had to be here to please Besmara, just me personally, as she guided me here, and yea could say she rewarded me for obeying."

"And on the Law forcing us to wait around a week, where could we go with a stolen ship? You said yourself that Pirates are hanged by any and all nations unless yea buy papers to become a Privateer and then yea only attack enemies of your new state. But there's not that kind of enforcement in these waters, so why would I leave here if I'll only be finding other threats."

when FLynn disagrees wiht Dhaavan, citing the Squibbing being something forced upon them by the laws of the Shackles, Dhaavan Interjects, "And once again, I feel I must disagree with your premise. We don't only worry about Harrigan, but them from whom we pirated our ship in the first place. It's an idiotic idea to sail aobut anywhere in a stolen merchant ship. We'd have folk trying to loot us, or reclaim their property, and of course if we happen upon the Old Man, he'd not take kindly to seein his boat again, especially in our hands. So it's not the "Laws of the Shackles" but common sense what is the reason for this week's vacationing."

and to end this lecture, "And that's what's really keeping us here too? Unless we find some other niche to fit into elsewhere, we'll have to eak out a living. And I like this dangerous place well enough having been around a fair bit already."

Cool - most of that was "in character" - though there did come a point where my own confusion sort of bled into it. Like, for example, as we do things to improve our "infamy" scores, wouldn't being merciful sort of cancel out the "infamous" acts? Wouldn't saving a fishing village from a monster with our ship, just because we're out to do the right thing, profit be damned! - wouldn't that mean we'd become "famous" and not "infamous"? This is now and "in-game/out-of-game" question form - though I did a lot to phrase it specifically through my character's words and speech as you may have noticed above. But it is something I don't get both in and out-of-game. I'd rather be like the cast from Firefly and do their sort of adventures, rather then see a ship - attack it, kill the crew who won't obey us - and then keep the rest. Both me and my character have at least some sort of need to be more decent than a simple guy who robs other ships of their valuables and kills those who protest. I don't always play characters like that - but I am with this guy; and I don't know how to get past that quandary. If you have any "in-game" comments or suggestions to help my guy - I'm totally open to them. And, out of game - if anyone knows how we can do "decent/good" acts without damaging our "Infamy" - I mean, are they opposed like alignment, or what? I got to admit, reading what the abilities do for us makes me think that Fame/Infamy are directly opposed to each other. We can't be "nice" and be "infamous" and we can't be "infamous" if we want to pay the crew members a reasonable fee, or avoid lashings or keel-hauling's - or other punishments like that. Anyhow - good to get the creative writing juices flowing - so, yeah. Looking forward to both of your responses. Great social RP on your parts, by the way, I have really enjoyed it :)

Regarding Leaving the Shackles and the Gods

When we really start getting into it, Dhaavan guides Flynn and Jiro away from the civilians so that we may discuss privately, and away from prying ears. We didn't want to let on anything about Harrigan, and as he is a main topic of our discussion, Dhaavan immediately moves the discussion when his name or the Wormwood are mentioned, and continues the talk wiht a casual yet quiet tone, choosing to speak in Aquan, which he has practiced since he first picked it up.

"Again, yer missing what I'm sayin. I dunno bout the rest of the crew, but far as me, myself and only I am concerned, My life's been right havoc for most of it, and those who know signs and such say that it's teh will or at least whimsey of Besmara directing me. Directing me here, from what i can tell, and what signs say. I don't really seem to have been guided elsewhere, as I got onto my first ship, and now am First Mate. Seems I'm on the right track, and if i keep movinn where the lady seems to point me, I figure I'll be better off than if she gets back to meddelin. BUt that's me personally, and something I've looked into."

"I never said that I thought we all had to be here to please Besmara, just me personally, as she guided me here, and yea could say she rewarded me for obeying."

"And on the Law forcing us to wait around a week, where could we go with a stolen ship? You said yourself that Pirates are hanged by any and all nations unless yea buy papers to become a Privateer and then yea only attack enemies of your new state. But there's not that kind of enforcement in these waters, so why would I leave here if I'll only be finding other threats."

when FLynn disagrees wiht Dhaavan, citing the Squibbing being something forced upon them by the laws of the Shackles, Dhaavan Interjects, "And once again, I feel I must disagree with your premise. We don't only worry about Harrigan, but them from whom we pirated our ship in the first place....

Ret-con Response to this point -

My eyes widen in surprise, then narrow dangerously at Dhaavan's suggestion that my ideas are "idiotic".

"Firstly, sir - I did not insult you, I do not appreciate such suggestions," I say tersely.

"Secondly - your point makes little sense to me. How would anyone know this ship has been pirated, no matter what we did? It was specifically a ship - nothing more. The only need to change its appearance is so that the former masters do not recognize us on it."

"But they cannot recognize us on it if they do not see us on it. And if we want to avoid being seen, than we should not sail where our enemy can look at us."

"You suggest that changing the appearance of a ship recently captured is the thing to do, eh? That is the wise course, you suggest. Very well.'

"If you and your limited experience - and that is no insult, for I stack it against the experience of Harrigan - yet if you know that this is the best recourse for a stolen ship; why doesn't Harrigan know this?"

"Why would he, when the ship is late to meet him - why should he not think "Where would a recently stolen ship even try to sail to - everyone knows it will be recognized if it isn't "Squibbed" - so where could they have possibly gone? After all, they would have to get it squibbed - but where would they go to do that? Ah yes - the only person in these waters for many leagues who can properly "squib" a ship. And, as my former first mate Plugg knew this location, and he knows no more secrets than I do - that means I, too, know of where this Rickety Squibs location is - and therefore I shall sail to that point swiftly while their sip is moored in dry dock.""

"This means that Harrigan will likely be here soon; as we already dallied long that blasted island looking for water, and our ship must wait a week."

I fix Dhaavan with a somewhat steely look now.

"And speaking of folk who choose not to listen - who gives a good gods damn what our ship looks like - if a person wants to find this ship, no matter what her lines are - they need only cast a spell to scry for her location and they will have found us, and know wha tour ship looks like."

"I had already asked you - politely, if you recall - as you are versed well in the ways of magic - what can we do to prevent the ship from being "Scryed" upon. For we have to worry about not only Harrigan, but also the family of the Rhahadoum officer we took. Their culture is steeped in strange evil, yet extremely lawful - means of vendetta. I fear their reciprocity more than Harrigan - yet other than working on the ship, we have no method of protecting ourselves with magic."

"And, if you may also recall, I pointed out my thoughts on travel were moot - as we are moored here for at least a week; yet protecting from sorcery is something we should look into."

"You are the magi - what is your council on those matters?" I add, somewhat frustrated as it seems that only bits and pieces of my points are heard or listened to.

Dhaavan, sorry if that last post seems a bit harsh. Didn't mean it too, I was just trying to edit it down when Paizo crashed on me, and when it came back up, I had missed the window. Sorry about that :(

Seijiro simply listens to Flynn rant on for a bit and quietly absorbs all he has to say. When he is done and Dhaavan has responded, and Flynn again, he sighs and drops his face into his open palms, shaking his head slightly.

"I don't even know where to start, Flynn-san, for you talk at great length about many things. But I will try.

"You don't think the squibbing is necessary, but I have been asea for nigh on five years now, and I can tell you that every ship has her own lines and one ship CAN be told from another, even from afar. While it's true it won't prevent magical means of detection, it will help protect from the mundane and that is its sole intent. You, sir, are a pessimist. You seem to think of the worst possible scenario at every turn and then insist that not only is that scenario possible, but it is the only one to consider and prepare for. I disagree. I doubt anyone will be searching for us magically at any time in the near future, and whether they do or not, why fret over it, because it will happen whether we will it or prepare for it or not."

"As for our being pirates vs simple adventurers, we are not the latter. I don't care what you call us and I disagree that everything must be black or white. We don't need to be vile indiscriminate murderers to be pirates. On the other hand, you want only to attack evil ships. That isn't going to happen either. First of all, ships don't advertise what their intent and cargo is. There is no flag to indicate 'fishermen only' or 'colonists only' and if there were and if it made a difference to most pirates, then every ship would fly such a flag to evade those pirates. Fishing vessels are easy enough to tell by their size and lines, as they tend to be small coastal vessels anyway. But ships that carry wealth may look no different than ships that carry colonists or priests on a pilgrimage. Now, such ships would be wise to surrender to pirates rather than fight, and if they carry no valuable goods, then it is up to the captain to decide their fate, and you could make your petition at the time to spare them if you want."

"But most ships, especially if there is cargo worth protecting, aren't going to simply surrender. And if they don't, then it is likely some of the defenders will be killed, and perhaps some of the attackers as well. The fate of a pirate isn't a secure one, after all. Bad joss happens as often if not more so than good. But ships don't all fly flags advertising their bent towards evil or good. And if they did, and it was heard that only ships with evil flags were being attacked by pirates in the area, they'd all fly good flags, no matter what power they actually serve."

"Personally, I don't think ships or their captains are by nature good or bad. There are evil men who serve under good captains and good men who serve under evil. How would you gauge such a ship and from afar, no less?"

"If we say we won't attack ships from anyone's home country, with such a varied crew, we'd have no targets at all. So your home is no more sacred than anyone else's and to imply otherwise is small-minded of you, to say the least."

"As for Harrigan, I doubt he's looking for us yet. He didn't send Plugg off to meet him later as far as we know, or he would have simply had him follow behind him. He sent Plugg on some other mission, perhaps even to have the ship squibbed for his own uses. So if he does realize Plugg and the ship are no longer his to control, it will probably be some time before that happens. Hopefully a good long time. By then, perhaps we'll have some means of protecting against such magics, if he even has such at his command."

"In the meantime, why brood and worry over what we have no control over, eh?"

"You do not have to become a mindless killer or an evil man to be a pirate, Flynn-san. Your dread pirate with a reputation for leaving no survivors got his reputation somehow... How did word get out that no one survived if no one survived. Either survivors tell the tale, or he spreads the rumor himself, which is all infamy is. Such tales grow in the telling, too, don't forget. Fame... infamy... it is all the same to me. Simply semantics for the same thing."

Seijiro grows quiet again, sure he's not touched on all Flynn's points, but trying to address as many of them as he can.

"But you talk at great length, Flynn-san, often using many words where few will do. Don't say we don't listen to you just because we don't agree with all you say."

Sorry guys long couple of days at work over Christmas has not lead to me being able to have any free time.

Variel notices the withdrawing of Jiro, Flynn and Dhaavan but is too busy in his game of nine-pins to tag along. However their absence does both Variel and it shows in his poor performance in the game.

Seijiro simply listens to Flynn rant on for a bit and quietly absorbs all he has to say. When he is done and Dhaavan has responded, and Flynn again, he sighs and drops his face into his open palms, shaking his head slightly.

"I don't even know where to start, Flynn-san, for you talk at great length about many things. But I will try.

"You don't think the squibbing is necessary, but I have been asea for nigh on five years now, and I can tell you that every ship has her own lines and one ship CAN be told from another, even from afar. While it's true it won't prevent magical means of detection, it will help protect from the mundane and that is its sole intent. You, sir, are a pessimist. You seem to think of the worst possible scenario at every turn and then insist that not only is that scenario possible, but it is the only one to consider and prepare for. I disagree. I doubt anyone will be searching for us magically at any time in the near future, and whether they do or not, why fret over it, because it will happen whether we will it or prepare for it or not."

"As for our being pirates vs simple adventurers, we are not the latter. I don't care what you call us and I disagree that everything must be black or white. We don't need to be vile indiscriminate murderers to be pirates. On the other hand, you want only to attack evil ships. That isn't going to happen either. First of all, ships don't advertise what their intent and cargo is. There is no flag to indicate 'fishermen only' or 'colonists only' and if there were and if it made a difference to most pirates, then every ship would fly such a flag to evade those pirates. Fishing vessels are easy enough to tell by their size and lines, as they tend to be small coastal vessels anyway. But ships that carry wealth may look no different than ships that carry colonists or priests on a pilgrimage. Now, such ships would be wise to surrender to pirates rather than fight, and if they carry no valuable goods, then it is up to...

”You say few words will do better; very well – I shall be brief on your recommendation.”

”Firstly – my personal opinions on squibbing are irrelevant. The matter is being taken care of despite my opinions even now, I merely suggest that I felt the matter was foolish. That is my opinion, and it is only an opinion, but it is mine and I am free to it," I say politely but firmly.

”However – what is relevant is the fact that we have unique opportunities to improve our ship; be it here – or other places. I suggested that one thing we may choose to look into is a way to prevent our ship and its location from being spied upon with magic.”

”Mister Dhaavan is a sorcerer – he can craft magical gear and goods. It is possible – however unnecessary it may seem to some – that if he can craft a magical item to prevent our ship from being spied on with magic, that is a device that might be useful for us in the long run – never mind Harrigan and his lackeys. So when I asked if he knew of a way to create such magical item, it was because I thought such an item would be useful for a ship we sailed on – no matter who or what our enemy may be.”

Yeah, don't know if that exists, but it would be a pretty handy item for Dhaavan to craft - if he can craft it...

”Next, you speak on targets? I already suggested my preferred target was quasi-military targets, not civilian.”

”While any sailor knows the trick of “False Colors” – most military vessels broadcast their colors boldly and directly – with obvious flags to make it clear where they hail from.”

”As many of those military vessels align themselves to a king or noble lord – a person skilled with heraldry can get a better read on the vessel by her colors. So – for example – if we knew the meanings of the heraldic devices on that Rhadoumi flag we would know if their ship was a slaver; or if it was aligned to part of an honorable family of good intent.”

”If we knew if the family was good or honorable, rather than pirating we may have hailed her – pulled alongside her – and traded with her, or asked the captain for news or if they had any points of interest for us.”

I ponder that a moment and consider that point a bit.

”When next you and I are free to improve our studies – we may both benefit from learning the ways of flags and heraldic devices. You have an active mind and a quick wit – you can learn such skills with great ease, I think. If you do so, learning how to read flags and colors would help us – not only to divine intent of a ship, but also its value and possible information about how to deal with her, should we need too…”

Yeah, this post is kind of “Stream of Consciousness” here – but as I am writing it, it occurred to me if we knew how to read flags better, that is probably a good skill to know in the future. Just a thought…

I come back to my point.

”But in any case – if I spill the blood of a military man; be he a soldier committed to die for his cause or a mercenary or a dark priest or acolyte, my conscience is lightened considerably. I have little desire to attack a – for lack of better word – “civilian”.”

I look at Seijiro quizzically.

”Am I wrong to suggest that? Given the choice between attacking a military ship aligned to a king who worships demons – and a neutral merchant who may, or may not, be a good and honest fellow – and no other information – which would you prefer?”

I sigh in frustration, prepared to concede this point to Seijiro.

”For myself, yes – I suspect that the merchant would likely have more wealth and less guards than a military ship, but my heart and soul would feel greater ease if I attacked a warship whose men have given their loyalty to an evil lord rather than an undeclared sailor.”

”I am not sure what you think of that idea, but it was one idea that I had hoped for when I searched for adventure on the high seas. I am curious to know what you think of that.” I ask.

Yeah, that’s kind of what I had assumed we’d do in the game in real life, actually. So that’s kind of the motivation for my character, in a lot of ways. It’s pretty tricky to downshift, but I can do it, it’s just like – yeah, that was my plan when I made the guy. You know, attacking evil ships, helping good guys – that sort of thing. So yeah, trying to RP my confusion on how the game is going. Hope it’s at least interesting to read as I try to explain my confusion with stuff :)

Finally – I am unable to understand your point about the nuances of pirates.”

”A pirate has a task – he sees a piece of property and he steals it for his own. If anyone prevents him from doing it – than he eliminates that prevention – perhaps with assassination, magic, bloodshed, charm, luck, or some combination.”

”But in the end – a pirate has one job; to steal another person’s property. He is – essentially – a thief. But his success generally depends on executing the people who stand in his way. If I wished to rob a house, I could wait for the master of the house to leave and rob it – but I can not wait for the crew of a ship to leave in the middle of the ocean and take it – I must deal with the crew.”

”For myself – I think that is not a good or honorable thing. We are not stealing a gem from a castle – what we steal from another ship demands that we must kill those in the way; for they will not exit the ship for our convenience.”

”As this is neither good nor honorable I fail to see why I should pretend to be other than what my intentions and actions make me - in this case; dark and evil. And in fact, mister Dhaavan suggests that it also our duty to behave with a dark and evil way about us, and I agree with his motivations on that point, if not the outcome.”

”If we do pretend to be evil, we frighten those into surrendering who would otherwise resist, eh? So why not show nothing but brutality near civilians, if our sole purpose is to establish a brutal reputation?” I ask, perplexed at why we would pretend to be “good” after attacking a ship and killing the folk on it – and even more confusing – why, even if we were actually good – we should not simply pretend to be bad so that our “infamous reputation” can frighten folk into submission with greater ease...

”You have seen my worth, and by now you should know that I will help you kill those who stand in our way. I will enlarge our infamy. I will not quibble if we murder men from my country. I will even say that it is a truth that my homeland is filled with men who are good but many more who are barbaric and evil; despite the veneer of civilization that they wear."

"But when it come to naming ourselves “pirate” I simply do not know why we cannot be honest with ourselves on what that truly means,” I add with a shrug.

”I hope that helps clarify things a bit more. Please remember – despite my personal misgivings on our actions, I advocated heavily for money to upgrade the ship, suggesting that the ship receive more wealth rather than less, which would make us better at pirating others," I add dryly.

"Meanwhile, I am using my own personal finances to hire on specialty crewman for the ship – not for my benefit, but for the good of the ship; though I am paying for them personally and out of my own pocket.”

”Naturally, my private opinions aside – I am sincerely going along with the decisions of the cadre of officers on this ship, as my actions should demonstrate. I am not preventing those actions, I am merely trying to express my opinions on these concepts, and hopefully understand your own motivations better.”

”My only issue now – other than discovering a way we can disguise our ship from magical spying – is to discover why you and mister Dhaavan seem opposed to creating a more frightening reputation for our crew, if we are to be pirates. If you could explain that point to me, I would be very much obliged.”

Fame/Infamy – seems like the “alignment” of a ship’s crew – but it’s really a point I don’t understand via mechanics and how we should act; neither I nor my character for that matter – hence this issue. To me it’s like when you took Profession: Navigator – seemed like a good idea to me, until I read the rules and was like “Ah – that skill isn’t used to pilot a ship. Man, that sucks – how many other slips like that have I made myself?” Hence my desire to figure this point out now rather than after it bites us in the butt. Thanks for your patience in this matter, and I look forward to reading your response :)

Sorry guys long couple of days at work over Christmas has not lead to me being able to have any free time.

Variel notices the withdrawing of Jiro, Flynn and Dhaavan but is too busy in his game of nine-pins to tag along. However their absence does both Variel and it shows in his poor performance in the game.

No worries - Paizo has been pretty spotty for me, so I'm lucky to get to post as much as I have. But feel free to jump in, if you'd like :)

"Sometimes, Flynn-san, you bury your intent in too many words. You go on at length about the uselessness of squibbing and how we can just be magically found instead, and never did I hear you actually ask Dhaavan to craft something to prevent such detection. Why not simply say 'changing the lines without protecting us from magical scrying might be useless, Dhaavan, can you craft us such protection'? I think sometimes, my friend, your words get in the way of what you mean to say."

"As for targets, you want to attack military or as you say 'quasi-military' targets, but we are just beginning and barely have the armament and strength to attack soft targets. I think the targets you want to attack would be beyond our means. Besides that, such targets rarely carry such cargo as would profit us greatly, and ultimately, isn't that what piracy is all about... making a profit? We are out to enrich ourselves!"

"Now what you do with that wealth is up to you. Perhaps when you have accumulated enough, you can buy or capture your own ship and use your wealth to hire a crew and prey on military targets and not fret over what profit might or might not result."

"And it's true that what ships we might attack have crew that will try to prevent us from taking that ship, but we don't need to kill all who stand in our way, unless that is the reputation we want to build. Personally, I am willing to accept surrender as an alternative. It is up to them. Whether we take the enemy ship and add her to our 'fleet' or let her go with her remaining crew, sans her cargo, either way, we are the victors with spoils to our credit."

[b]"Yes, I guess that does make us thieves, but not necessarily 'dark and evil' as you put it. Maybe a little dark, but not evil. But it doesn't make us soulless killers with no redeeming qualities. I am by nature acquisitive. I won't apologize for that. But I'm not by nature a murderer. Though I've killed in combat, I'm no assassin. I see a distinct difference, though perhaps you don't."

"As to your final statement, Dhaavan did his best to create a frightening reputation for our crew without painting us as outright assassins, which we have no need to do. Infamy can serve its purpose without lying or painting us blacker than we are."

"Sometimes, Flynn-san, you bury your intent in too many words. You go on at length about the uselessness of squibbing and how we can just be magically found instead, and never did I hear you actually ask Dhaavan to craft something to prevent such detection. Why not simply say 'changing the lines without protecting us from magical scrying might be useless, Dhaavan, can you craft us such protection'? I think sometimes, my friend, your words get in the way of what you mean to say."

"As for targets, you want to attack military or as you say 'quasi-military' targets, but we are just beginning and barely have the armament and strength to attack soft targets. I think the targets you want to attack would be beyond our means. Besides that, such targets rarely carry such cargo as would profit us greatly, and ultimately, isn't that what piracy is all about... making a profit? We are out to enrich ourselves!"

"Now what you do with that wealth is up to you. Perhaps when you have accumulated enough, you can buy or capture your own ship and use your wealth to hire a crew and prey on military targets and not fret over what profit might or might not result."

"And it's true that what ships we might attack have crew that will try to prevent us from taking that ship, but we don't need to kill all who stand in our way, unless that is the reputation we want to build. Personally, I am willing to accept surrender as an alternative. It is up to them. Whether we take the enemy ship and add her to our 'fleet' or let her go with her remaining crew, sans her cargo, either way, we are the victors with spoils to our credit."

[b]"Yes, I guess that does make us thieves, but not necessarily 'dark and evil' as you put it. Maybe a little dark, but not evil. But it doesn't make us soulless killers with no redeeming qualities. I am by nature acquisitive. I won't apologize for that. But I'm not by nature a murderer. Though I've killed in combat, I'm no assassin. I see a distinct[/b]...

”Apologies, sir – I often use too many words because when I say a thing, I feel no one listens unless I repeat myself. An error, I suppose – I shall do what I can to prevent that in the future, perhaps.”

Maybe – but I like to write. That’s why I’m doing a PbP – because it involves writing and reading – otherwise I’d do an MMO. But I do have a tendency to write more than some people like to read. If that is the case, please let me know, and I will make sure to trim my comments down when our characters speak. Sadly, in real life I’m not very good at guessing intentions, and worse in text – so when I read a brief one-liner from someone, I really have difficulty understanding what they are really getting at most of the time.

”As for my personal opinions – it is clear to me that we differ. I see theft as an evil action – you do not. I see killing a person who is simply trying to defend themselves equally abhorrent no matter what method I elect to kill them with. Who cares if I kill a man with a sword to the throat, poison in the cup, or spell cast from a distance – in the end, my actions brought their death. The methods I use to kill a man do not make the killing less evil, or more evil. And killing a man to rob him of his possessions - I do not see that as more noble than cold blooded murder. But I do not begrudge it - wealth is a powerful aphrodisiac and I understand that its draw calls people to take such actions.”

I sip the tea slowly.

”Attacking a military ship is not worth much in profit; I said as much earlier, and I also suspected that because it was not worth as much profit as - for example - a merchant vessel, that it may not seem as tempting. But I say that attacking a military ship that hails from a nation of diabloists, rather then merchants, is more honorable to me."

I watch Seijiro a moment, than shrug.

"In this matter it seems that we differ on the value of such issues; you prefer to satisfy your need for wealth – I prefer to satisfy my own private morals. Shigata ga nai, neh"”

I take another sip of the tea.

”As for the rest? I shall await mister Dhaavan’s opinions on crafting such gear, but truly it did not occur to me that I needed to spell things out so directly and to the point – I assumed he would have understood my meaning without me being so blunt. Yet I shall remedy that if needed in the future.”

My eyes begin to cloud a bit, then I smile and offer a final polite word on the matter of our reputation.

”We are what we are, then – pirates. As I have said more times than I feel like counting – I have not hindered that goal, but attempted to make us successful in the ways that I know how.”

”But now I shall be blunt again: from now on I shall live as a pirate would live. I shall act as a pirate will act. I shall keep that in forefront of my mind. I suppose we have different opinions on that definition, but what is clear to me is that all of you wish me to forgo my former ways and be another sort of man – not a doctor, but a pirate.”

”Very well then – as I said to mister Dhaavan before: as you have ordered, so shall I obey... I shall divorce from myself the man I was and become what you all wish of me; by your command,” I say standing a moment to bow before Seijiro.

Then I return to my seat and enjoy my beverage.