You can see it approaching quickly from over the horizon, another ship, moving very quickly. Its bow cuts through the wake, sending sea foam everywhere, and it’s easy to see that it’s heading in your direction. Directly at you even. A number of thoughts rush through your head, most of them concerning the prisoners who you sent down below and their tale of being a boarding party sent by another pirate in order to scout out the ship. Maybe their captain did indeed come back for them, which could be a bit of a problem.

You turn to look at your crew, most of them have halted their training to join you in looking, a mix of different expressions adorning their faces. Curiosity, fear, astonishment. But one thing’s for sure, they are unaware of what to do in this situation. And you aren’t particularly well versed in the scenario either. You take a deep breath.

What do?
>Send some men below, secure the prisoners
>Try to get a better look at the ship, there should be a telescope somewhere
>All hands prepare for combat
>Try to pass yourself off as a merchant vessel
>Other (write in)

>>36646247

>Send some men below, secure the prisoners
>Try to get a better look at the ship, there should be a telescope somewhere
>All hands prepare for combat

>Try to keep it out of gun range.

What flag is it flying?

>>36646247
>>Try to get a better look at the ship, there should be a telescope somewhere
>>All hands prepare for combat

File: enemyflag.png (32 KB, 1160x744)

32 KB PNG

“Anyone have a telescope!?” You call out to your crew, to the answer of a few murmurs and one tossed up to you, from Pierre you think.

Quickly you use it to get a better look at the other ship, it’s by no means a big ship, and it’s definitely moving too fast to be a merchant. You try to look around it for any sort of marking or flag, and then you see it. Hoisted on the ship is a black flag, a red fist planted dead centre, that right there is a pirate vessel. You push the telescope away from your eye, and turn to your crew, an uneasy calm washing over you.

“Pirates,” You say, “Probably the crew of our guests below.”

The atmosphere changes near instantly, fear and the sense of oncoming danger overcoming the crew. Dammit, Santiago, you have to get this place together. Most likely, this won’t end well for you.

“Marie,” You tell the young thief, “Go down below and ensure the prisoners are secured and the cargo hold is locked.” She nods in response. “Everyone else… prepare for battle. Arm yourselves, and get your fucking war faces on people.”

There’s no great cheer as an answer, instead a sort of grim determination as your crew rally together their weapons, a few moving to the cannons above and below deck, all looking out at the other ship. You move towards the ship’s helm and prepare to move the ship through combat.

What do?
>As soon as they come close order a fire
>Wait to fire, possibly they want to parlay

>>36646794

>As soon as they come close order a fire

>>36646794
>>As soon as they come close order a fire

we should have asked the prisoners more about the pirates. Could we still? Basic questions like, how many pirates there were, what were they armed with, ect.

You realise now that you probably should’ve asked how many pirates are on the other ship, your prisoners could have given you valuable information. You quickly get Jean over, “Go below and tell those at the cannons to fire when they hear the ones above deck go off, and if you have time ask the prisoners how many of their crew there are. Threaten to chop something off if you have to.” The thief nods and rushes down below.

The ship approaches quickly, and your hands grip the wheel with white knuckles. You take a deep breath and centre yourself. It’s about to begin. The ship gets in, and you can begin to see the outlines of those aboard. With that you force the ship hard to starboard, moving to meet them, your port broadside towards them. Your ship moves fast, and couple with the other ship’s oncoming movement you are soon aligned.

Before the other crew have time to react you let out the order, “Fire all cannons!”

>roll d20

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>36647120

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36647120

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>36647120
lets do this

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>36647120

With a booming thunder, the cannons on the top deck go off. Followed shortly after by those below. A few of the shots make contact, and with a deafening boom and crunch you can see splinters and smoke erupt from some newly formed holes in the enemy ship. However, you can’t immediately assess the damage that’s been done, that would require you to get closer than you’d really like to. You pull away from the enemy ship before they have the chance to fire, creating a distance between your two ships and buying your crew time to reload the cannons. As you move the ship, Jean comes rushing up to you.

“They have about twenty men,” He says to you, “Most of them are fairly hardened sailors.”

“Hardened sailors, but not hardened combatants,” You grin, the madness of battle overtaking you.

What do?
>Realign yourself and fire again, however you risk cannon fire yourself
>Try to get in close enough to board them, however your risk cannon fire and the enemy crew
>Other (write in)

>>36647347
To be perfectly honest, I think a tactical retreat might be in order.
Our ship has rotten wood making it very vulnerable to cannon fire, and they outnumber us (also, a lot of our guys aren't hardened fighters either).
Maybe we can launch a surprise nighttime boarding action against them later on?

>>36647347
>>Try to get in close enough to board them, however your risk cannon fire and the enemy crew

>>36647347
>>36647437
Agreed.

>>36647446
Also I assume sven isn't behind a cannon.
Have him start sniping.
Have our merchant fag try doing the same.

>>36647347
>Other (write in)
Aim for their sails and leg it

As much as you’d love to fight and teach them a thing or two for trying to attack your ship, and your crew. You don’t really have that much of an opportunity to do so. Your ship is not in spectacular condition, and your crew are not exactly trained in boarding and the like. Time to make a tactical retreat, you can’t be fighting everyone who tries to start something with you after all.

“Sven, Andre!” You call out to the two riflemen, “Fire off some volleys if they try chasing us. We’re making a tactical retreat.”

“We’re running away!?” Comes Tomas’s incredulous voice from behind one of the cannons.

“Aye,” You answer, “I’d rather not fight a trained crew of pirates when my ship is falling apart. All hands move to the sails, we’re moving fast.”

The crew assembles themselves to attempt to escape, as you manoeuvre it away from the enemy ship who seem to understand what you’re attempting to do and are beginning to mobilise themselves to chase you. You have the head start though, and your ship should be able to outrun them.

>roll d20

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>36647640

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>36647640

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>36647640
lets try and not die

>>36647731
Gotta go fast

>>36647750
>>36647731
Holy hell a nat 20 I feel so proud of myself

>>36647731
vroom vroom!
do we have red lightening bolts on the side of our ship?

Your crew move into place like a well-oiled machine, moving quickly and effectively as you steer the ship away from danger. The ship begins to pick up speed quickly cutting through the waves as if they were nothing. Your crew working together and applying themselves to the best of their ability, making the ship glide over the water. In your peripherals you can see the enemy pirate ship begin to gain speed but it’s far from enough and it almost seems instantly that you lose the enemy ship to distance, and they disappear out of the back of your vision. It was a close one to be sure, but at least it all turned out for the best. You fire off a volley and crippled their ship slightly without taking any damage yourself, a successful fight.

Now there’s just a matter of what to do after it. You may want to question your prisoners some more, or you may want to avoid it all together and just pull into the nearest major port.

What do?
>Question prisoners
>Pull into port
>Other (write in)

>>36647841
>Pull into port
FUCK YEAH, PIRATE QUEST! How you doing BB?

>>36647841
>Pull into port
We have all the silks there were on board when we stole the ship as well as the loot from the fishing village.
sell it, pay people their share. hopefully we will have enough cash to pay for some ship maintenance and regardless, a chance to recruit some more.

>>36647841
>>Pull into port

>>36647825
I sincerely hope so
>>36647841
>Pull into port

Sorry, internet cut off for a second, I need to switch providers.

You figure your best course of action is to pull into port and try to sell your wares, ill-gotten as they may be, and to avoid the other ship through getting into a place where he’d have to be daft to attempt to open fire or attack you. Setting course for a large nearby port, you begin mulling over what you should do in the meantime.

What do?
>Question Sven on the pirate lords
>See what your crew knows about international politics
>Interrogation again
>Other (write in)

>>36648360
>>See what your crew knows about international politics
Also ask andre, what he think the value is for these items getting them sold fast.He will be doing the selling

>>36648360
>See what your crew knows about international politics
>Talk to the merchant's son. See how good he is at selling shit.
>take inventory if we have not done so already.

>>36648360
>Question Sven on the pirate lords
>See what your crew knows about international politics

You decide that it’s best to know the world you’re dealing with. Especially considering wars mean more opportunity to plunder and allows you to know which trade routes to avoid. You have time before you arrive in port, time you can use to question the crew on what they know of the goings on of the continent.

The first one you ask is Andre, the boy is the son of a merchant, a successful one you assume. So he should know something about dealings between nations, your experience with merchants giving you the knowledge that A) they like making money from war profiteering, and B) they like making sure their sons have expensive tutors.

You approach the boy with a wave.

“Hello, captain,” Is his reply.

“I have a few questions,” You begin, “What do you know of the nations of the continent?”

He pauses for a moment, “I’m sorry.”

“What can you tell me of the nations of the continent?”

The boy ponders for a moment, “Well my father and tutor,” You fucking knew it, “taught me about each nation and its relations with the others. Most of it was about trade though.”

“Perfect, can you explain?” You ask.

>cont

>>36648360
>>Interrogation again
>>Talk to the merchant's son. See how good he is at selling shit.

>>36648695
“I can try to give you a summary,” He thinks for a moment, “The Glorious Empire was originally an alliance of a series of states bordering the great inland ocean, but it eventually unified under the rule of the King of Preussen. Since then, they control the inland sea and have pretty much ended piracy there. They also tend to create large amounts of inland trade through their expansive borders. But they have issues exporting their power north due to Boheim, who left the alliance as it began to become more centralised and are pretty much curtailing their every step. Helias and Illyros seem to be at near constant war over religion, Illyros adopted the eastern cult of the one, Helias is the fatherland of the northern gods. But their trade is valued by those on the west so no one interferes. Avergnon lost control of its provinces in Albia to revolt, and Bristol to the pirate lord there. Some guy stylising himself Despot of Bristol. The Gaels and Iberios have always had an odd relationship, war and then peace and bountiful trade followed by war again. The Svaeki are a nation of big burly men who like war, and drink. While the Ruthen just like drink. Poljak was a mighty empire once but is in decline. Tristanto conquered much of the Umbrian peninsula, resulting in the other states unifying. Most of the wealth you’ll find is on the west coast, the inland sea used to be a good place for trade and piracy but the Empire stopped all foreign competition,” He finally finishes.

You nod politely as he speaks, “Thanks, Andre, I have another question though. How good are you at bartering?”

>cont

File: pirate.jpg (129 KB, 969x600)

129 KB JPG

>>36648832
“Fairly good,” The boy says, “I was trained in how to get the best deal.”

You nod, “With our current cargo, do you think you could sell it for a premium?”

“Of course, overplaying the value of foreign goods is basically what my father did. Bought from the east and sold to the west at a ridiculous surcharge,” He answers, his tone somewhat arrogant.

“Good,” You answer, “Because that’s your job. Find someone who wants this, and sell it to them to make sure that we make a tidy profit.”

“Yes, captain.”

What do?
>Question Sven on pirate lords
>Interrogation
>Other (write in)

>>36648878
>Question Sven on pirate lords

>>36648878
>Interrogation
for this do we have certain questions in mind?
or should we do a write in?
Cause im at a loss of questions for them now. But if you have a few ask away.
if not.
>Question sven on pirate lords

>>36648878
>Interrogation
Grab someone else this time. We should try to get to know that pirate group, numbers, weapons and ship. Hell maybe they even have a hideout.

>>36648878
>Interrogation

>>36648878
>Question Sven on pirate lords

>>36648938
>I have nothing I can think of to ask them
>Lets ask them stuff anyways

...wot?
mate, we already asked them everything we could think of.

>>36649038
So far we know they are pirates and three guys short. Not exactly useful. They have a decent pirate ship, that makes them lootworthy in my book.

You decide that you need to know some more about the other pirates in case something like that happens again. You head down to the cargo hold and open up, finding the three pirates all looking somewhat tired and bored with their surroundings. The boy’s probably told you everything, knowing this you grab the hairy pirate and drag him out to the mess. It’s probably smart to question him, he seemed stressed when you caught him.

“A few quick questions,” You say, “I need to know everything about your captain and his crew.”

The man pauses for a moment.

“Look, I know you may have loyalty. But I really don’t want to go through the whole process again. Talk or you get cut,” You say.

He looks at you, “There are twenty-one men, of which most are sailors. He specialises in sneaking aboard ships at night and prefers to not go into one on one combat. The crew have lots of weapons but few guns. He doesn't have anywhere particular to go, and tends to just go to port immediately after robbing someone, sells the loot then heads back out to find another ship.”

“See was that so hard?” You smile, “And will he follow us?”

He shrugs, “Probably, he’s a hard man.”

You nod your thanks, deciding not to be as rough with taking him back as you were with pulling him out and lead him back to the cargo hold. Resignation is planted on all three of their faces, it seems they’ve given up on being rescued or fighting you, that seems good. With that settled, you figure he’s a threat if he finds you, but you doubt he’ll find you yet. Besides, if you got a few more crew members and fixed your ship, he’d be no issue at all. With your rather arrogant assumption out of the way you head to ask Sven some questions.

>cont

posting ship songs for the crew to sing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2jzDa3p-JE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgVWJkc5gXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fVQwzv5Qfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhIPW2KDkVg

>>36649199
>He will follow us
ambush?

You find Sven above deck, the old man is looking back in the direction you came from. Probably paranoid about being followed by the other ship. As you approach he turns to you.

“More questions?” He asks.

“Of course,” Is your response, “You mentioned pirate lords.”

To that he nods grimly, “The Dread Pirate Lords. The nine kings of the waves.”

“What can you tell me of them?” You ask him.

“Not much other than their names,” He replies solemnly, “And their flags.”

“So,” You say, “What do you know then?”

He sighs in response, “A curious captain is a living captain I suppose. They control the nine most powerful pirate fleets on the seas and are in many cases very powerful. They also have an unofficial ranking system, kept in place by other pirates, mostly out of fear and respect. The strongest of them is Peter Gelt, the Despot of Bristol, when the Albian independence wars raged he took the port city of Bristol and offered his services to the rebels in exchange for gold and the city in the peace deal. His flag is a crowned skull. The second most powerful is Harald Longtooth, a Svaeki viking, who may or may not be a distant relative of their king. It’s rumoured he never goes into battle sober or sane. The third of them is the Red Queen, Christina Tallerio, an Umbrian and a sadist. Not at all reasonable, and is known for slaving and torture. Next you have Lorak the Loyal, the name is ironic. He is the one who lead the revolt against the Black Maiden. Following him is Michel Garret the Silver Tongue, a pretty boy with charisma through the roof. Small fleet but there’s rumours he’s got funding from the king of the gaels himself.”

>Cont

>>36649345
You nod as he lists them off, listening intently.
“Then you have The Eunuch, another pretty boy, but this one has a serious rape fantasy issue. Took another part of the Black Maiden’s fleet, it’s rumoured he’s the one who killed her eldest son, your brother. No one know his actual name. Henrietta van Walen the Boheim Bitch is next, brutal in battle but not unreasonable. Of course, she also drinks heavily and is rumoured to have killed a man with nothing but her wit. Wang Liu the Dragon is next, he came from the red continent to the west and as such is an abnormality. An odd fellow, uses a red flag instead of a black one. Finally you have Rita Kovacs the Jester, she’s actually from Poljak believe it or not, but bases her operations out of Illyros. She’s known to laugh madly in every battle, and her crews are all mad men,” He finishes

You nod in response, “So they’re all a bunch of hard motherfuckers and half of them are crazy?”

Your older crewmember nods, “Aye, and that laddie, is why pirates dun like talking about the dread lords.”

What do?
>Grab something to eat
>Talk to someone (Write in)
>Just sail into port
>Other (write in)

>>36649434
>Just sail into port

>>36649434
>Sail into port

>>36649434
>Just sail into port

>>36649434
>Just sail into port

With all the information you need gathered and questions having been asked you decide to sail into port. The city of Barcel, is an interesting one alright, heavy anti-unification sentiment for years before it was quashed by the new king. They speak Iber and the Merchant Tongue of course, they just don’t like doing so. Well, you’ll just let Andre handle the selling of the goods, you have other things to worry about. You pull into the dock without any flair. As your crew ties down the boat you hop off board and look out for the port authorities. A couple of official looking men approach, and show you the king’s seal. They hand you some paperwork to sign and you sign it, before paying them a silver for docking rights. Making a mental note of where they keep said silver. As you prepare to lay down in port there are a couple of things you should most likely do, inquire into getting your ship fixed up, see if you can get some more hands, get Andre to sell your stuff, and tell the prisoners your deal.

What do you do first?
>Explore town
>Explain to Andre what you want him to do
>Go find someone to repair the boat and buy new sails
>Talk to the prisoners about the port deal

>>36649635
>Go find someone to repair the boat and buy new sails

>>36649635
>Explain to Andre what you want him to do
And send a couple crewmen with him to keep an eye on him

>>36649635
>Go find someone to repair the boat and buy new sails
>Or look for a new ship to steal.

>>36649635
>Go find someone to repair the boat and buy new sails

The first thing you need to do is make sure your ship is in working order, and that means finding someone to repair the rotten wood and buying new sails. Leaving the crew to manage docking and the prisoners you inquire to the two men where you can find a repairman. One of them indicates you in the direction of a small shop on the shore. You wander towards it, and are greeted by a short man with the most magnificent moustache your eyes have ever laid upon. Obviously a local and obviously short tempered.

“What can I getcha?” He asks.

“Well, my ship is in poor condition, I’m looking for someone to repair it…” You begin but are cut off.

“That your’s there?” He asks and points towards your ship, “Tell you what, friendo, I’ll replace all the wood and even throw in the sails for a single gold. No worries at all, consider it a discount between friends.”

You can’t even begin to think before he’s talking again.

“But it will take two days and you shouldn’t be aboard the shiperoo at the time, friend o’ friend. You’ll need to find a place to lodge for abooooout… two nights. I recommend somewhere with attractive serving girls, if you understand my drifting, oh buddy oh pal.”

What? What is he even saying?

What do?
>Sure one gold sounds reasonable
>Try to negotiate price
>I’ll go elsewhere

>>36649853
>Try to negotiate price.
If we can't, come back later after we've sold the goods.

>>36649853
>I’ll go elsewhere
This guy gives me the willies.

>>36649853

>Sure one gold sounds reasonable

>>36649853
>I’ll go elsewhere

>>36649853
>Sure one gold sounds reasonable

>>36649853
>I’ll go elsewhere
Hes gonna jack our ship and leave us with heat

“Thank you but I’ll go elsewhere,” You tell the little man who seems only somewhat annoyed by you.

You wander the dock for a bit, before finding a merchant far more to your tastes. He’s normal looking and normal spoken, as opposed to that odd man from before.

“How much to repair a ship?” You ask, before indicating to yours.

“For that?” He asks himself, “I’d say a gold to repair the wood, you have issues with the sails as well though. I can sell you those for a couple of silver.”

“And how long would it take?” You ask him

He shrugs, “About a day and a half, don’t have any other jobs at the moment. You’d only be stuck in shore for a single night.”

What do?
>Haggle
>Sounds good

Bloody trips

>>36650160
>Sounds good

>>36650160
>sounds good

>>36650160
>Sounds good
>Ask what the deal is with the other guy.

>>36650160
>Sounds Good

“Works for me,” You smile and shake his hand, “I’ll give you some silver now as a deposit and exchange it for a gold piece when it’s done. That work?”

“Works fine,” He shrugs.

“By the way what’s the deal with the other guy?” You gesture towards the small man.

“Him? Oh he’s a nutter, a nutter who works well but insane all the same,” Is the tradesman’s response.

With that settled, and your purse feeling somewhat lighter you head back to the ship, seeing the crew have just about settled docking. You hoist yourself aboard and let them know.

“I’ve just organised to have the ship repaired, we’ll need to find an inn to stay at for the night. We cast off tomorrow evening. You’ll get paid later tonight, after we offload some of our cargo.”

With that settled, you head down to where the prisoners are and go to explain the deal. The three bored looking pirates look at you, each of them having their own way of expressing their lack of interest.

“Okay, here’s the deal,” You tell them, “We’re in port. You can get off, and make your own way from here. But your captain is probably nowhere in sight. If you want you can join my crew, no hard feelings. Just come to the ship tomorrow evening.”

The three look at each other for a bit, as you open the door for them. Allowing your former prisoners to exit the cargo hold and then get off your ship.

What do?
>Go find an inn
>Have Andre sell your goods
>Other (write in)

>>36650160
we need to see how much the goods we have sells for first.

Archive reader here to tell OP that I like the quest and want him to keep running it.

>>36650309
>Have Andre sell your goods

>>36650360
Much appreciated, glad people are enjoying it

>>36650309
>Have Andre sell your goods

Send Gerry and Lew with him.

>>36650309
>Have Andre sell your goods

>>36650309
>Have Andre sell your goods

“Andre,” You say to the merchant’s son, “I need you to sell our cargo, the silk and the stuff we looted. Make sure that you find a merchant who’ll pay top dollar for it.”

Andre smiles, “I can do that for the fines Heliatic silk and jewellery crafted by the old masters themselves.” Maybe the kid isn’t so useless.

“Gerry, Llewellyn,” You notion to the Albian brigands, “Go with him and keep him out of trouble.”

With that sorted, you should probably begin arranging stuff for yourself. Your crew should be right to take care of themselves in so far as inns go, and you don’t particularly need them for anything more tonight. Although you may want someone guarding the ship

“Crew, feel free to go enjoy the port,” You say, “Just organise a roster amongst yourselves of who gets to stay and watch the boat. I have captain stuff to do.” With that you give them a wave before jumping on to the dock and giving the harbor a brief look around.

What do?
>Go book a room at an inn tonight
>To the tavern! Let’s see if anyone wants a job on the open seas or see how the rumour mill spins
>Other (write in)

>>36650494
>To the tavern! Let’s see if anyone wants a job on the open seas or see how the rumour mill spins

>>36650494
>To the tavern! Let’s see if anyone wants a job on the open seas or see how the rumour mill spins

>>36650494

>To the tavern!

Of course the most important thing when you come into port is the tavern, how else can you discover if there are any seamen looking for work, or if there are any major rumours. Getting sloshed is just a convenient secondary effect. With that settled you head out to the tavern on the dock The Sea Shanty is a relatively large pub. And from the inside you can hear singing, you’re starting to see how it got its name. Singing means drink, and drink means drink. You smile to yourself as you open the tavern door and enter. All around there are sailors on shore leave, drinking and trying to hit up the serving girls. You approach the bar with a smile, order a rum and wait for the young barkeep to come back, the man handing you the drink.

“Say, I have some questions,” You tell him.

“What do you want to know?” He sighs.

What say?
>”Is there anyone with experience on a boat looking for a job?”
>”What are the latest rumours?”
>Other (write in)

>>36650826
Forgot trip again, posting in other threads, sorry about that

>>36650826
>”Is there anyone with experience on a boat looking for a job?”
>”What are the latest rumours?”
>Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?

>>36650826
>”What are the latest rumours?”

>>36650826
>”Is there anyone with experience on a boat looking for a job?”
>”What are the latest rumours?”
>Know any good whorehouses?

“So is there anyone with experience on a boat looking for a job?” You ask him.

The man ponders for a moment before pointing over your shoulder, “A couple of good for nothing sailors over there are. But they’re drunkards and got dumped here by their old captain. If you could take them that would be grand, the fuckers are stinking the place up.”

As if on cue one of them comes up to the bar, and he’s a big man, and obviously drunk. He’s carrying his ale in one handed and rubbing his belly with another. You’re pretty sure you can see the distaste irradiating off of the barkeep. What happens next seems to occur in slow motion. The man trips and drops his ale, the mug flying and hitting you, drenching you in the alcohol. Next thing you know the man’s grabbed you by the collar and dragged you off of your chair.

“Wha’ diya do da’ fo’ ya git?” He slurs before throwing his other arm out into a lazy punch.

>End Part Six

Thanks for playing everyone, see you next thread

Archived: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36646241/

>>36651056
thanks for running

>>36651056
Thanks for the thread. See ya next time.