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Is it against "the code" to not squib? I mean, I know "the code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules," but is it going to be frowned on by peers if you do not squib?
Or would such showmanship be looked down upon by the other captains?
I think it largely depends on the situation rather than any type of pirate etiquette. Squibbing is intended to so alter a ship's appearance that she's less likely to be recognized by any interested parties who might come looking for her later. In the case of the Man's Promise Plugg intended to squib her to avoid Harrigan's wrath at Plugg's betrayal and theft of the ship. (Remember what happened to the last First Mate who pulled that trick on Barnabas Harrigan.)
In the case of an easily-recognizable vessel like the Dominator or the Chelish warship that Merril Pegsworthy captured, it's a question of "how much trouble do you want to borrow?" I suspect Cheliax (or any other nation hostile to the Shackles pirates) would want to both wipe away the insult to their navy's prestige and try to make sure no pirate added such a powerful vessel to their fleet, so unless the pirates in question felt strong enough to survive an extensive manhunt and fight off a series of annoyed warships out for his scalp, disguising the ship in question "is just good business". ;D
If there is no major risk in leaving the ship as is, then squibbing is an unnecessary expense. I doubt other pirates would care much one way or the other, although they might consider someone who captured a prize like the Dominator and then didn't squib her to be bold and daring to the point of recklessness. Depending on the campaign, that could greatly work for or against one's reputation as a pirate.
Another of the problems with squibbing. I do wonder where that idea actually came from (besides some WW-I tomfoolery with Q-ships and commerce raiders) ^^
I suspect the idea came from the needs of the plot. Plugg needs to hide his own act of piracy, and the PCs need a sandbox to play in long enough to establish themselves as "Mighty Pirates [tm]" before they go play Shackle politics.
I don't see this in particular as being a problem. The reputation tradeoff has been a standard part of the real world and piracy in particular for a long time. If you're feared as a pirate, ordinary mortals will not mess with you, but HMG is likely to send something badass specifically to take you out. If you want a non-aquatic but still real-world example, look at Al Capone. He had total control of Chicago in 1929, and he reveled in it. His face was on the cover of Time Magazine in 1930. None of the locals dared try to touch him, in part because everyone knew how all-pervasive his control of the Chicago underworld was.
And that's when Hoover decided to make a name for himself by bringing him down.
The Hurricane King is in something of the same position. There's no way to be a head of state, involved in diplomatic dealings with other countries, and still maintain a comfortable anonymity as an ordinary olive oil salesman. But by the same token, no sensible person would try to challenge the Hurricane King. But the Chelish navy might, as a matter of national policy.
Personally, if I-as-PC captured the Dominator, I'd make sure everyone knew I had done it. Think of it as a free bonus to my intimidate checks. The people who would be bothered by it -- my rivals in the Shackles, the Chelish Fleet, et cetera, -- were probably already hostile to me. But now they'll give me a little more breathing space, and I have a better position politically. ("Oh, you're THAT Captain Quest! Of course I'll be glad to let you use my harbor for free.....")
With my players it is more about whether they are selling or keeping the ship. They sold the Truewind in Bloodcove and the Kurstav in Senghor (avoiding the issue). They have just captured the Famished Mane and are squibbing it as a second ship. The captain was more than happy to rescue fellow pirates flying the Shackles flag, but anyone else is considered fair game to her sailing in "their" sea. However, she stranded the crew of the Mane so their fame will spread rather quickly once they are rescued.
The Dowager Queen has thus far eluded them and they have not gotten to the Dominator yet. I am not running all the events in true order as I am trying to limit ship to ship combat to one or two a session. Been using the Sahuagin events to break things up a bit.
My player sold their captured ships as well...true gold bugs to the end!
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My players have been selling a few ships in Bloodcove, unsquibbed. After 3 sales, Bloodcove authorities politely informed them that they had received a complaint from the Cheliax and Andorran consuls regarding the sale of captured vessels. So the Bloodcove authorities asked the PC's to start squibbing ships, and imposed a tax on shipselling untill it was done.
My players have been selling a few ships in Bloodcove, unsquibbed. After 3 sales, Bloodcove authorities politely informed them that they had received a complaint from the Cheliax and Andorran consuls regarding the sale of captured vessels. So the Bloodcove authorities asked the PC's to start squibbing ships, and imposed a tax on shipselling untill it was done.
Now, that's a clever idea. Adds a little political repercussion to the PCs actions (with the likelihood that they are also accumulating a whole bunch of demerits jn the Chelaxian Navy's Little Black Book of Annoying People ), allows the recurrence of Rickety's Squibs as a plot locale, and makes the PCs work that much harder (or smarter) to accumulate that pile of treasure they need to impress the Shackles pirates and the Hurricane King. I like it. :D
Most of the gold my players have gotten has gone into ship improvements or feeding the crew. The captain is like, we can't afford to sit, it is too expensive at 30+ GP/day! She won't raid defenseless villages however being of good alignment and sticks to armed vessels.
The need for squibbing is directly proportional to its lost value to the person it was taken from and what they would spend to get the ship back. Historically reclaiming ships ended in "well we can't chase it across the earth" or "pay someone to sabotage it."
The need for squibbing is directly proportional to its lost value to the person it was taken from and what they would spend to get the ship back. Historically reclaiming ships ended in "well we can't chase it across the earth" or "pay someone to sabotage it."
Actually, historically speaking that is rather the opposite of what happened, for navies loosing ships to piracy or mutinies. navies were pretty sensitive about losing ships to pirates, and went to financially unsound means to recapture or sink them
"HMS- Bounty" - enough said, a frigate was sent around the globe to recapture the ship ( already sunk) and imprison the mutinous crew
"HMS-Hermione" - crew mutinied, cut out of Spanish harbour, mutinous crew imprisoned/hanged
"USS Philadelphia" - Lost to pirates, was attempted to be cut out and finally burned in Tripolis harbour
"HMS Onslow aka Royal Fortune" - captured by Bartholomew Roberts, recaptured (with full imprisonment/hanging or pirate crew in one one of the most concerted pirate hunt of his age ). Some of his crew got hanged a dozen years after actually leaving Roberts' crew, living in London.
"HMS Adventure Galley" - purpose built pirate-hunter turning pirate (under William Kitt). Sunk after having been abandoned by crew. Captain and crew were chased down, charged in court and sentenced as pirates.
Overall, one may consider the Royal Navy being pretty severe about ships being lost (even if only a cheap and superfluous supply ship like HMS Bounty) and hunted down the offending crews with some determination and brutality.
I know less about the French navy, the Spanish Navy seems to have been determined but less successful, but also rarely had the lumbersome galleons pressed into pirate service. It was very determined to get a hold on Drake, Morgan or Hawkins for their proliferate raiding, but never really succeeded (but not for not trying).
So I'd say, the Chelian Navy would feel honour-bound to avenge any greater sleight, especially if someone captured a ship of the line like the Dominator. Nevermind, Divination magics really helping out in actually finding said pirates in the vast realms of the ocean.
btw, looking at the BBEG, Harrigan almost seems mild-mannered and laid back in comparison to Cpt. Hugh Pigot of "HMS Hermione", against who the crew finally mutineed. Wiki Hermione
I would imagine that any admiralty organized enough, and that certainly goes for Cheliax, would have splinters from each and every of their ships. All nicely categorized and sorted.
If they suspected a ship of being captured, they'd find any lvl. 3 Diviner, and have him cast Track Ship (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/t/track-ship).
Unfortunately, squibbing doesn't help against this one...
For non-naval ships, like most of the merchant vessels, I think large, organized groups, like Aspis Consortium, would do the same. But some captains or independent merchants would only own one ship, or can't afford to equip an expedition to reconquer their ship if it's captured, and thus wouldn't bother.
Off course, this doesn't protect against pillaging of ships, only against the actual conquest.
The question would be how quickly they could get a message to the Dominator? They would have to get a caster aboard with the sliver also to do the tracking.
That's as simple as a sending. Sure, that's a lvl. 5 spell (or a cleric 4), but if they're mad enough...
A Chelian Admirality Staff wizard casts two Track Ship, one to get the exact position of the Dominator, one to get the exact position of the target (say, a captured Chelian Naval Cutter).
Once that's done, the wizard will send the following Sending to the Dominators Captain:
"Naval Cutter Foehammer captured by pirates. Held 75 nautical miles South East of your current position. Expect hostile presence. Good hunting."
Repeat daily, and the Dominator would either quickly find a pirate base if the ship is at anchor, or would spent days hunting it down, each day getting closer to its unsuspecting target.
Makes me wonder whether one could manufacture a "non-detection" device (figurehead ?) for a ship. Gues one could/should/would have to, as a pirate... otherwise everyone will quickly know your favourite haunts, your base of operation etc...
Track ship really throws up some problems... what happens after rebuilding the ship ? Or is the non-animate ship suddenly an entity of its own ? What defines a ship ? And could something similar be done for other structure (Track Coach or track standart/army ?). How precise does a map have to be - just create a huge map with a decent sized accurate cheliax in the middle, then cast the spell and extrapolate from there ? Basically a planetary radar for ships ?
Seems a bit harebrained... Especially for second level and without a limit to range.
Something like this?
BOWSPRIT OF NONDETECTION
Aura strong abjuration; CL 20th
Slot none; Price 150,000 gp; Weight 500 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
This exquisitely carved bowsprit requires 4 days for a
shipyard to properly attach to a ship. Once attached, the
ship and all its occupants are more difficult to locate with
divination spells such as scrying and locate object. Any
caster attempting to use such a spell on the ship (or any
of its occupants) must make a caster level check (1d20 +
caster level) against a DC of 35 (as if the creator of the item
had cast nondetection on himself ).
This item is favored by pirates and smugglers who
prefer to remain untraceable to law enforcement or
adventuring parties who might otherwise seek to track
them down.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, nondetection; Cost
75,000.
It is from Fire As She Bears.
That's as simple as a sending. Sure, that's a lvl. 5 spell (or a cleric 4), but if they're mad enough...
A Chelian Admirality Staff wizard casts two Track Ship, one to get the exact position of the Dominator, one to get the exact position of the target (say, a captured Chelian Naval Cutter).
Once that's done, the wizard will send the following Sending to the Dominators Captain:
"Naval Cutter Foehammer captured by pirates. Held 75 nautical miles South East of your current position. Expect hostile presence. Good hunting."Repeat daily, and the Dominator would either quickly find a pirate base if the ship is at anchor, or would spent days hunting it down, each day getting closer to its unsuspecting target.
It is relevant to me as my party has squibbed the Famished Mane as a second ship. So yes, they have a Chelish cutter and have yet to face the Dominator.
It is relevant to me as my party has squibbed the Famished Mane as a second ship. So yes, they have a Chelish cutter and have yet to face the Dominator.That's as simple as a sending. Sure, that's a lvl. 5 spell (or a cleric 4), but if they're mad enough...
A Chelian Admirality Staff wizard casts two Track Ship, one to get the exact position of the Dominator, one to get the exact position of the target (say, a captured Chelian Naval Cutter).
Same for my brother. Had a family barbecue last night and talked things over since he is now GMing the AP for some friends.....
his reaction (as the GM) "sweet jeezus"The Bowsprit... might be a bit a bit overpriced and... yeah, so freaking hard to pull the bowsprit from the ship detaching half the rigging..(it is Bow"sprit"... don't ask me why... or did they attach a spirit to the bow ?) *grins*
FIGUREHEAD OF SURPRISE/ FIGUREHEAD OF LATE TIDINGS
Aura medium abjuration; CL 10th
Slot - Ship, figurehead; Price: relic of Besmara gp; Weight 300 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
The lovely wooden image of an utterly surprised/astounded woman, a hand covering her mouth opened in shock. Ceremonially carved from a Dryad's Tree, and traditionally decorated with a flimsy gown covered with the skulls and bones of Besmara and the Waves of Gozreh. It is one of the more cherished possessions of many pirate captains, since it offers some means of hiding from scrying for a time, as well as faciliating ruses if a ship is covered by illusions or glamers.
If any scrying or divinatory spell is used from the outside to track the ship the figurehead is attached to or anyone physically on it, the relic's magic will result in the spell showing what happened one quarter of a moon(one week) before as the tides of magic suddenly travel slowly, showing an old position, condition or location.
This effect is dependent on a location where there are actual tides and the ship must float in salt water.
A caster level check vs. DC30 can be made to avoid the temporal translocation. Direct telepathy or sending towards the ship will not function. Detection or most other divinatory spells will have to pass the caster level DC30 test, unless cast on site the ship itself.
The figurehead must be attached and formally blessed by a priest of Besmara, and will also serve as the focusing point for a "hallow/unhallow" spell, extending the spell over the entire ship, regardless of its actual dimensions. The ship must be in saltwater for this and been used beforehands to commit piracy
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements : Craft Wondrous Item, nondetection; Cost
25,000 of rare woods CL 10th (Priest of Besmara),
Side effects - ship usually must keep traveling to avoid detection and stay out on the ocean.
Ok, another take on an item. Of course, one might still simply abolish "track ship" ^^
A much less expensive version, although there is the side effects.
"Of course, one might still simply abolish "track ship" ^^"
That would/will probably be my solution to the problem. I sometimes suspect all the in-campaign consequences of a spell or item are not considered before they get added to an adventure.
(My Gawd.... did I just agree with Vikingson?? ;D )
Really like the Figurehead idea. "Carved from a Dryad's tree" really will not go over well in certain quarters, but hey.... "pirates".
A much less expensive version, although there is the side effects.
I honestly HATE items with no side-effects/odd-happenings/wild magic or disadvantages.
That is 99.99% of items and in all fairness it is a CL20 item. I find my players won't deal with an item that HAS side-effects, etc and will get rid of them.
That is 99.99% of items and in all fairness it is a CL20 item. I find my players won't deal with an item that HAS side-effects, etc and will get rid of them.
You have never met the odd-ball glowing rings of invisibility, hipgarters of protection, eyepatches of wizardry or even the leaky crystalballs etc which abound in my campaign, I guess
What's in the GM_part of the CORE is what you order from the catalogue.. what you actually get (in used condition, created by a non-certified spellcaster...) yeah, that would be something else ?
Usually made to the creator's specifics, imagination, local tradition and needs. Some associative rules do apply, but mostly... yeah, keep it very memorable. There used to be some nice "limited costs to item creation" rules back in 3.5. Dagger that only works at full power for those of a certain religion, etc etc.
Nothing quite as nasty as the Belt of Giant Strength and enforced sex-change (while worn) in a friend's campaign. O'Gods above, did the hunky Dwarf Berzerker look piXXed about that one^^
Overall, the more fun, as long as it is not crippling to the players an item is, the better. Just MHO
Back in 2e there was a item in Dragon that was a flaming spear. Tip was always on fire UNLESS submerged in water. So the lucky fighter that received the item also had to have a bucket of water so as to not have it accidentally burning buildings down.