Crew encounters


Skull & Shackles


I'm in the middle of running Raiders and it occurred to me that there doesn't seem to be any encounters dealing with the crew under what's pretty much an group of amateur officers.

Did anyone come up with some interesting encounters mid sail to do with the crew and teething troubles being a new pirate might have? especially with them picking up new crew from vanquished foes and seedy port taverns.


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A mix of encounter ideas and food for thought:

1. If the PCs discontinue the Bloody Hour, Conchobar is a slacker.

2. Conchobar will make a show of losing consistently to other crew in gambling. This is a ruse to cover his studying of the crews' tells. After a couple of weeks of this or after the next awarding of plunder, his luck will devastatingly turn as he makes off with all of his opponents' shares. (Conchobar has ranks in Profession (Gambler). This may lead to some shore leave encounters as well when the local casino goons seek restitution.)

3. How does the new regime address discipline? Do they continue the Bloody Hour tradition or do they have other methods? This will be an issue unless all of the crew can tolerate each other.

4. If Kroop is still the cook or part of the crew and his alcoholism was not addressed before, he will fail to perform until that is addressed.

5. Until the Captain or a sympathetic PC/officer gets Leadership, mutiny remains a very real possibility if the crew is mistreated. Maybe a faction of crew press-ganged from a recently plundered vessel dares a night-time coup.

6. New sleeping quarters: 2 or more crew members or NPC officers are unsatisfied with their sleeping quarters (I deserve an office!)

7. Belly Morale: Are the officers eating significantly better than the crew? Is there a Captain's Table for the elite? Some crew may strike due to disparity of quality of food.

8. A stowaway is discovered and brought before the new officers. The crew is near-violently divided on how they believe it should be handled. Group A says "Turn 'em in and split the Bounty", Group B says "We can't suffer another moment with this cursed figure aboard! Walk the plank!" Group C doesn't care. Someone has a bias:"She's my sister! If she goes, I go!" Vs "If she stays, I'm gone!" How do the PCs handle it?

9. The dinghy disappears overnight, along with some crew and a disproportionate amount of plunder. Remaining crew divided on reaction: Some insist on chase and punish, others would rather cut their losses and raid the seas some more to make up the loss.

10. A romantic interest expects preferential treatment. If he gets it, other crew grumbles.

11. "Crimson" Cogward starts a Fight Club. Participants are consenting but it may affect performance on deck the following day.

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