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Bio
Opinionated nerd for hire.
Most Recent Posts
Have At You!!!
Premise
It is a time of high adventure, of danger and intrigue, of crashing waves and singing steel. The island colonies on the Antillean Archipelago have become a hotbed of intrigue and opportunity, as the distant kingdoms of the Old World struggle for a grip on the New World, while a rising tide of revolutionaries vie for independence. Commodities like sugar, cotton, and gold have led to huge industries of exploitation in the Archipelago, and artifacts from the Old Empire are irresistible lures for explorers and treasure hunters. And wild rumors of ancient ruins, strange monsters in the waters and jungles, and treasures with supernatural powers draw in the curious, the bold, the ambitious, and the mad.
In the middle of all this is the sprawling city of Free Sail, a haven for spirited adventurers and bloodthirsty pirates. In theory, it is a neutral port of fair trade for all of the Old World kingdoms and their colonies. In practice, it is where political agents go to hire mercenaries, spies, saboteurs, and assassins; where buccaneers and explorers go for rumors of the strange and the valuable; where marauders of the dreaded Black Fleet come to spend the spoils of their plunder and look for their next prey.
In such a time and place, the only true law is the steel at your side. More conflicts are settled by duels than by judges, and master swordsmen can carry the authority of a king or queen, at least until another duelist comes to claim their title. No matter the allegiance, the golden rule of the Archipelago is “it's only yours if you can fight for it,” a rule that applies to everything from treasures, to lovers, to your very life.
The city of Free Sail has no end of opportunities to be found. Wealth. Power. Treasures beyond the imagination…
…but only if you can fight for it.
Overview
Setting: The city of Free Sail, in the heart of the Antillean Archipelago (a fictionalized version of the Caribben Sea).
Time Frame: Roughly the Age of Sail (1600s-1700s), but with anachronisms ranging from the Vikings to the Napoleonic Wars.
Technology Level: Pre-Industrial Revolution; gunpowder is available, but guns are limited to single-shot flintlock pistols and muskets. Far and away, the more common weapons of the day are sabres, rapiers, cutlasses, and daggers.
Starting Season: Late spring, with seas deceptively calm but with the risk of sudden massive storms at any tjme.
Magic Availability: There is no innate spellcasting, but there are artifacts and treasures rumored to have supernatural powers. You can't cast a lightning bolt, for example, but you might find a jewel or a crown that lets you control the weather.
Tone and Vibe: This RP is meant to be focused around dashing heroes, flashing blades, and acts of derring-do. I'm less interested in gritty realism or sneering cynics, and more interested in gallant sailors fighting off cut-throat pirates, colorful masked vigilantes fighting for the oppressed and the downtrodden, scoundrels with hearts of gold. At any given moment, someone should be able to swing from a chandelier without it feeling out of place.
Inspirations:
Classic adventure films like The Sea Hawk and The Crimson Pirate
Treasure Island (any version, pick your favorite)
The Princess Bride
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Three Musketeers
The Mask of Zorro
The 7th Sea role-playing game
Rules
All players are expected to abide by these rules at all times. Breaking these rules can result in expulsion from the game.
- First and foremost, all of the Guild's Fundamental Rules apply.
- This is an open-ended game with no explicitly planned overarching story. Prospective players are allowed to submit a character sheet at any time. Approval or denial of a character sheet is up to the GM's discretion.
- If approved, players are expected to post at least once every two weeks. Posts should be a minimum of 3 paragraphs, and should make some progress in advancing their particular plot.
- Players are allowed to play one character at a time.
- Remember the setting. This is a world in which daring adventure, court intrigue, whirlwind romance, and deadly duels are commonplace. It is not intended to be a slice-of-life game, nor is it a grimdark edge-fest or a shonen battle anime. If you can't imagine your character swinging from a chandelier at any given time, it's probably not appropriate for this game.
- Content is to be kept PG-13 at most. Death and violence, sexual content, profanity, drug and alcohol use, and “heavy” themes like slavery and colonialism are not banned, but graphic depictions of any of the above are not appropriate. When in doubt, “fade to black” when something unsavory is about to happen- it's better to be implicit rather than explicit.
- Colored text or distinct fonts are nice, but not necessary. If you do decide to format your text, please make sure it is easily readable.
- Collaborative PvP is not just allowed, but encouraged. However the operative word there is collaborative. Get the explicit permission and cooperation of any other players you want to fight with, and don't deliberately humiliate or ‘bury’ other people's characters.
- Killing other player's characters- including their supporting NPCs- is not allowed, without express permission from the other player.
- “God-modding” the setting- such as destroying major locations, making your character the king/queen, or otherwise fundamentally altering the setting- is not allowed.
Available Factions
The following factions are active and have vested interests in the Antillean Archipelago. Characters are allowed to be members of any faction, or act independently.
Points of Conflict
The various factions, kingdoms, and enterprising individuals at work in the Antillean Sea often come into conflict, for a number of causes:
Character Sheet
All formatting originates via the work of Lord Wraith
You all good with the image I showed you in my CS?
Looked good to me!
@AndyC, would a written description be acceptable for appearances if one does not want to use western fantasy art?
That's fine; pictures aren't necessary.
So for reference in terms of vibe, this really isn't meant to be an anime game. I don't mind stylized character designs, but giant swords and pointy hair is going to be way out of place.
I've compiled a sort of 'mood board' to set the tone and hopefully provide some inspiration. Also, if any of these pics stand out, feel free to use them.
I've compiled a sort of 'mood board' to set the tone and hopefully provide some inspiration. Also, if any of these pics stand out, feel free to use them.
<Snipped quote by AndyC>
Will there be lore on the native tribes, or will those be mostly open to interpretation?
Mostly open to interpretation. The southern mainland continent likely has some equivalent to the Aztecs or Incas, but I haven't really thought it out yet.
What's the population of the nations?
@AndyC
The colonies in the Antillean Sea are small compared to the major cities in the Old World- Free Sail has maybe a thousand people, tops. The two largest colonies are Santa Carlotta (Castille's main capital, pop 7,000) and Queensport (Albion's main colony, pop 5,000). The smaller islands have towns ranging from a few hundred to a few dozen colonists, and some are home to native islanders with tribes of around 100 to 200. It's estimated that the Black Fleet has somewhere around a dozen ships and around 500 sailors at sea at any given time, with another 700 or so permanent inhabitants of Isla del Miedo.
As for the Old World Kingdoms themselves, their populations are well into the millions, but they're on the other side of the ocean.
Are all factions open to players?
The Black Fleet is probably more of an antagonist faction, but they're not off-limits if it jibes well with a character concept.
Hmm, any minimum and maximum age for OCs?
Gonna say characters will need to be at least young adults, in order to do most of the stuff you'd expect in swashbuckling adventures. I don't plan on being gritty or explicit (more Pirates of the Caribbean, less Black Sails), but there's still the expectation of violence, seduction, and booze.
OOC will likely go up tomorrow or Friday.
Some other bits to consider, which will also be lumped into the world primer:
Points of Contention:
Treasure: The most obvious prize sought after by distant nations, local factions, and ambitious individuals is the fabulous riches found in the Antillean region. Several of the islands have rich veins of gold and precious gemstones in their mountains. There are rumors of even greater wealth in the mainland, even a Golden City deep in the jungles of the southern continent, but the dangerous wildlife and contentious relations with the mainland natives makes seeking these treasures a risky venture.
Artifacts of the Old Empire: A thousand years ago, the Empire of Aeternum spanned the Old World. Its collapse resulted in a centuries-long dark age where volumes of ancient knowledge were tragically lost. Recently, ruins of Aeternian colonies have been found in the New World, including artifacts of lost technology. These ancient mechanisms are not only worth a fortune, but can potentially provide tremendous technological advantages to anyone who can decipher their workings.
Treasure of the Lost World: Aeternian scrolls contain myths of a lost world even more ancient than the Old Empire, people who wielded magical powers beyond understanding. Curiously, the natives of the New World also tell legends of old gods and demons that lived in lost cities in the sea. Some of the more wild rumors suggest that relics from this mythical Lost World still exist, and that they can bestow power to the wielders.
Class and Oppression: Not everyone is interested in hunting long-lost riches, but are instead fighting against the injustices that occur every day in the New World. The aristocracy of the Old World kingdoms all exploit the poor, subjugate the natives, and keep slaves to toil under intolerable conditions. The divide between rich and poor is wide, and while many of noble blood see this as the natural order, many more have begun to fight against this exploitation.
Dueling Schools: In a time and place where so much is settled by the sword, it's only natural that masters of the blade would set up their own schools, and that these schools would develop intense rivalries. These schools adorn their prized students' blades with a Mark to show their excellence and advertise their master's pedigree. The four Dueling Schools in the New World are Flynn (specializing in Albion sabre, Mark of the Hawk), Dumas (specializing in Vallé D'Or epée, Mark of the Lion), Montoya (specializing in Castillian rapier, Mark of the Wolf), and Garibaldi (specializing in the Medician spada de lato, Mark of the Serpent). Swordsmen with a school's Mark are often extremely proud of their school, and will fight other Marked duelists on sight purely as a matter of pride.
Points of Contention:
Treasure: The most obvious prize sought after by distant nations, local factions, and ambitious individuals is the fabulous riches found in the Antillean region. Several of the islands have rich veins of gold and precious gemstones in their mountains. There are rumors of even greater wealth in the mainland, even a Golden City deep in the jungles of the southern continent, but the dangerous wildlife and contentious relations with the mainland natives makes seeking these treasures a risky venture.
Artifacts of the Old Empire: A thousand years ago, the Empire of Aeternum spanned the Old World. Its collapse resulted in a centuries-long dark age where volumes of ancient knowledge were tragically lost. Recently, ruins of Aeternian colonies have been found in the New World, including artifacts of lost technology. These ancient mechanisms are not only worth a fortune, but can potentially provide tremendous technological advantages to anyone who can decipher their workings.
Treasure of the Lost World: Aeternian scrolls contain myths of a lost world even more ancient than the Old Empire, people who wielded magical powers beyond understanding. Curiously, the natives of the New World also tell legends of old gods and demons that lived in lost cities in the sea. Some of the more wild rumors suggest that relics from this mythical Lost World still exist, and that they can bestow power to the wielders.
Class and Oppression: Not everyone is interested in hunting long-lost riches, but are instead fighting against the injustices that occur every day in the New World. The aristocracy of the Old World kingdoms all exploit the poor, subjugate the natives, and keep slaves to toil under intolerable conditions. The divide between rich and poor is wide, and while many of noble blood see this as the natural order, many more have begun to fight against this exploitation.
Dueling Schools: In a time and place where so much is settled by the sword, it's only natural that masters of the blade would set up their own schools, and that these schools would develop intense rivalries. These schools adorn their prized students' blades with a Mark to show their excellence and advertise their master's pedigree. The four Dueling Schools in the New World are Flynn (specializing in Albion sabre, Mark of the Hawk), Dumas (specializing in Vallé D'Or epée, Mark of the Lion), Montoya (specializing in Castillian rapier, Mark of the Wolf), and Garibaldi (specializing in the Medician spada de lato, Mark of the Serpent). Swordsmen with a school's Mark are often extremely proud of their school, and will fight other Marked duelists on sight purely as a matter of pride.
I think that's enough interest to justify moving ahead with the OOC. I'll start working on the world primer, but to get people thinking about character and story ideas, here's a quick outline:
Main Factions in Free Sail:
The Freebooters: A confederation of mercenary crews loyal only to each other. A fledgling democracy without a centralized leader, decisions among the Freebooters are made by a Council of ship captains. All are welcome to join, provided they adhere to the Freebooters' Code. Despite the independent and egalitarian nature of the Freebooters, politicking and treachery is still common, and some of the more ruthless crews pride themselves on finding loopholes in the Code to benefit themselves.
Los Vigilantes: An organization of masked outlaws arising from the tyrannical rule of the Castillian governors, Los Vigilantes hold themselves up as defenders of the oppressed and fighters against injustice. Members of the organization keep their identities a secret even from each other, relying on garish masks and outlandish personalities to cause sensation and inspire the downtrodden. Not every member of Los Vigilantes is as altruistic as they should be, however, as some are more interested merely in causing mayhem than in helping the poor.
The Exchange: Officially the Exchange is a conglomerate of bankers, merchants, and shipping magnates all with a vested interest in developing the Antillean colonies. In practice, however, the Exchange is the largest criminal syndicate in the New World, overseeing the trade of everything from stolen goods to illicit drugs to captive people. All of the Old World kingdoms know what the Exchange really is, but all of them are willing to turn a blind eye to their dealings as long as they make a tidy profit from it.
The Order of the Spyglass: An organization founded by rich scholars, the Order of the Spyglass is dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the New World. Comprised mostly of treasure hunters, explorers, navigators, and pathfinders, members of the Order are notorious for being insatiably curious in their hunt to find lost knowledge and unseen civilizations...provided, of course, that they get their share of the fortune and fame.
Les Fréres de Fer: Formerly the bodyguards of the late king of Vallé D'Or, the musketeers of Les Fréres de Fer are sworn to uphold the virtues of Justice, Honor, and Love. Musketeers are often hired as protectors of small villages and towns, bodyguards for the well-to-do, and bounty hunters to track down criminals and pirates. While Les Fréres are generally well-regarded, their Order is also highly secretive, and many believe their true intent is not merely to inspire the local population, but to build an army in exile and reclaim their homeland.
The Black Fleet: Unapologetic in their brutality and cruelty, the Black Fleet have no pretense about being anything but pirates. While they are often seen in Free Sail spending their plunder, their true home is the dreaded Isla del Miedo somewhere in the maelstrom of the Triangulo de la Muerte. The pirates of the Black Fleet are infamous for their treachery even among their own, with their only uniting quality being their allegiance to the pirate king Edward Wrathbourne. Legends say that in exchange for obedience, Wrathbourne gives his captains treasures and weapons that grant them supernatural power, and that monsters and dead men walk among their crews. How much of that is true, and how much is spread by the Black Fleet themselves to build their fearsome reputation, remains to be seen.
Old World Kingdoms:
Castille: (aka Not Spain) The dominant power in the Antillean Sea, Castillian forts dot many of the islands and ports of the Archipelago. However, recent military losses back on the continent have greatly reduced their presence, allowing other kingdoms and factions to rise. Castillians are famed for having hot tempers, and for placing a great deal on family lineage and bloodlines. Their duelists are some of the most feared in the world, and though they are rare, the massive hulking Castillian galleons can devastate whole fleets by themselves.
Albion: (aka Not England) Once an enchanted island where history and fairy tale were the same, Albion has since become a rising empire at sea, and the main rival of Castille for control of the New World. While most of their colonies are far north on the mainland continent, Albion has taken several islands in the Antillean recently, and the sight of Albion Redcoats has become more and more common in ports and cities. A culture deeply divided between commoners and aristocracy, the Albion nobility have a deep sense of propriety and need for law and order, while the common people rally around tricksters and outlaws. Albion sailors pride themselves on their superiority at sea.
Vallé D'Or: (aka Not France) once the cultural center of the Old World, Vallé D'Or has undergone incredible turmoil in recent years. Revolutionaries deposed their king and slaughtered the aristocracy, and in the ensuing chaos arose the mad conqueror Leon de Corsique, who now wages war across the continent. Vallé D'Or only has a single colony in the New World, the Château de Rêves, where the last surviving nobles and their Musketeers hold out in the hopes of returning some day. Vallé D'Orans are known for being romantics at heart, and for their innate sense of superiority.
Medicia: (aka Not Italy) A collection of city-states rather than a unified nation, Medicia has no land holds in the New World, but still carries tremendous influence. Medician galleys are considered the fastest and best-made ships in the world, and thus Medician merchants wield great power in the shipping industries. While it is rarely mentioned in polite company, it is well known that many prominent Medician families are deeply involved in the Exchange, and are said to have networks of spies and assassins ready at all times. Medicians are often shrewd, suspicious to the point of paranoia, and keen for useful information.
(More to come)
Main Factions in Free Sail:
The Freebooters: A confederation of mercenary crews loyal only to each other. A fledgling democracy without a centralized leader, decisions among the Freebooters are made by a Council of ship captains. All are welcome to join, provided they adhere to the Freebooters' Code. Despite the independent and egalitarian nature of the Freebooters, politicking and treachery is still common, and some of the more ruthless crews pride themselves on finding loopholes in the Code to benefit themselves.
Los Vigilantes: An organization of masked outlaws arising from the tyrannical rule of the Castillian governors, Los Vigilantes hold themselves up as defenders of the oppressed and fighters against injustice. Members of the organization keep their identities a secret even from each other, relying on garish masks and outlandish personalities to cause sensation and inspire the downtrodden. Not every member of Los Vigilantes is as altruistic as they should be, however, as some are more interested merely in causing mayhem than in helping the poor.
The Exchange: Officially the Exchange is a conglomerate of bankers, merchants, and shipping magnates all with a vested interest in developing the Antillean colonies. In practice, however, the Exchange is the largest criminal syndicate in the New World, overseeing the trade of everything from stolen goods to illicit drugs to captive people. All of the Old World kingdoms know what the Exchange really is, but all of them are willing to turn a blind eye to their dealings as long as they make a tidy profit from it.
The Order of the Spyglass: An organization founded by rich scholars, the Order of the Spyglass is dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the New World. Comprised mostly of treasure hunters, explorers, navigators, and pathfinders, members of the Order are notorious for being insatiably curious in their hunt to find lost knowledge and unseen civilizations...provided, of course, that they get their share of the fortune and fame.
Les Fréres de Fer: Formerly the bodyguards of the late king of Vallé D'Or, the musketeers of Les Fréres de Fer are sworn to uphold the virtues of Justice, Honor, and Love. Musketeers are often hired as protectors of small villages and towns, bodyguards for the well-to-do, and bounty hunters to track down criminals and pirates. While Les Fréres are generally well-regarded, their Order is also highly secretive, and many believe their true intent is not merely to inspire the local population, but to build an army in exile and reclaim their homeland.
The Black Fleet: Unapologetic in their brutality and cruelty, the Black Fleet have no pretense about being anything but pirates. While they are often seen in Free Sail spending their plunder, their true home is the dreaded Isla del Miedo somewhere in the maelstrom of the Triangulo de la Muerte. The pirates of the Black Fleet are infamous for their treachery even among their own, with their only uniting quality being their allegiance to the pirate king Edward Wrathbourne. Legends say that in exchange for obedience, Wrathbourne gives his captains treasures and weapons that grant them supernatural power, and that monsters and dead men walk among their crews. How much of that is true, and how much is spread by the Black Fleet themselves to build their fearsome reputation, remains to be seen.
Old World Kingdoms:
Castille: (aka Not Spain) The dominant power in the Antillean Sea, Castillian forts dot many of the islands and ports of the Archipelago. However, recent military losses back on the continent have greatly reduced their presence, allowing other kingdoms and factions to rise. Castillians are famed for having hot tempers, and for placing a great deal on family lineage and bloodlines. Their duelists are some of the most feared in the world, and though they are rare, the massive hulking Castillian galleons can devastate whole fleets by themselves.
Albion: (aka Not England) Once an enchanted island where history and fairy tale were the same, Albion has since become a rising empire at sea, and the main rival of Castille for control of the New World. While most of their colonies are far north on the mainland continent, Albion has taken several islands in the Antillean recently, and the sight of Albion Redcoats has become more and more common in ports and cities. A culture deeply divided between commoners and aristocracy, the Albion nobility have a deep sense of propriety and need for law and order, while the common people rally around tricksters and outlaws. Albion sailors pride themselves on their superiority at sea.
Vallé D'Or: (aka Not France) once the cultural center of the Old World, Vallé D'Or has undergone incredible turmoil in recent years. Revolutionaries deposed their king and slaughtered the aristocracy, and in the ensuing chaos arose the mad conqueror Leon de Corsique, who now wages war across the continent. Vallé D'Or only has a single colony in the New World, the Château de Rêves, where the last surviving nobles and their Musketeers hold out in the hopes of returning some day. Vallé D'Orans are known for being romantics at heart, and for their innate sense of superiority.
Medicia: (aka Not Italy) A collection of city-states rather than a unified nation, Medicia has no land holds in the New World, but still carries tremendous influence. Medician galleys are considered the fastest and best-made ships in the world, and thus Medician merchants wield great power in the shipping industries. While it is rarely mentioned in polite company, it is well known that many prominent Medician families are deeply involved in the Exchange, and are said to have networks of spies and assassins ready at all times. Medicians are often shrewd, suspicious to the point of paranoia, and keen for useful information.
(More to come)
Have At You!!!
Premise
It is a time of high adventure, of danger and intrigue, of crashing waves and singing steel. The island colonies on the Antillean Archipelago have become a hotbed of intrigue and opportunity, as the distant kingdoms of the Old World struggle for a grip on the New World, while a rising tide of revolutionaries vie for independence. Commodities like sugar, cotton, and gold have led to huge industries of exploitation in the Archipelago, and artifacts from the Old Empire are irresistible lures for explorers and treasure hunters. And wild rumors of ancient ruins, strange monsters in the waters and jungles, and treasures with supernatural powers draw in the curious, the bold, the ambitious, and the mad.
In the middle of all this is the sprawling city of Free Sail, a haven for spirited adventurers and bloodthirsty pirates. In theory, it is a neutral port of fair trade for all of the Old World kingdoms and their colonies. In practice, it is where political agents go to hire mercenaries, spies, saboteurs, and assassins; where buccaneers and explorers go for rumors of the strange and the valuable; where marauders of the dreaded Black Fleet come to spend the spoils of their plunder and look for their next prey.
In such a time and place, the only true law is the steel at your side. More conflicts are settled by duels than by judges, and master swordsmen can carry the authority of a king or queen, at least until another duelist comes to claim their title. No matter the allegiance, the golden rule of the Archipelago is “it's only yours if you can fight for it,” a rule that applies to everything from treasures, to lovers, to your very life.
The city of Free Sail has no end of opportunities to be found. Wealth. Power. Treasures beyond the imagination…
…but only if you can fight for it.
Overview
Setting: The city of Free Sail, in the heart of the Antillean Archipelago (a fictionalized version of the Caribben Sea).
Time Frame: Roughly the Age of Sail (1600s-1700s), but with anachronisms ranging from the Vikings to the Napoleonic Wars.
Technology Level: Pre-Industrial Revolution; gunpowder is available, but guns are limited to single-shot flintlock pistols and muskets. Far and away, the more common weapons of the day are sabres, rapiers, cutlasses, and daggers.
Starting Season: Late spring, with seas deceptively calm but with the risk of sudden massive storms at any tjme.
Magic Availability: There is no innate spellcasting, but there are artifacts and treasures rumored to have supernatural powers. You can't cast a lightning bolt, for example, but you might find a jewel or a crown that lets you control the weather.
Tone and Vibe: This RP is meant to be focused around dashing heroes, flashing blades, and acts of derring-do. I'm less interested in gritty realism or sneering cynics, and more interested in gallant sailors fighting off cut-throat pirates, colorful masked vigilantes fighting for the oppressed and the downtrodden, scoundrels with hearts of gold. At any given moment, someone should be able to swing from a chandelier without it feeling out of place.
Inspirations:
Classic adventure films like The Sea Hawk and The Crimson Pirate
Treasure Island (any version, pick your favorite)
The Princess Bride
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Three Musketeers
The Mask of Zorro
The 7th Sea role-playing game
I'll provide a world primer with factions and whatnot if there's sufficient interest.
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