New T20 PBEM Campaign Seeks Players

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Avast, ye scurrilous spawn of a scurvy space dog! This notice is posted to announce a new T20 campaign, “Corsairs of the Ebon Main”, set in the year 1100. It is a Space Pirate campaign, unfolded in a distinct cinematic style. I be looking for six persons of stout heart and sharp mind to fill the ranks of the dastardliest, double-dealingest, low- down Pirate cruiser that ever plied the spaceways. Characters should be dynamic and have a well developed background, and by developed, I mean Criminal.
Character backgrounds and prior histories should reflect a solid reason for falling into bad company. But beware, ye swabs! Navvies (former Navy Personnel) are looked upon with suspicion and scorn above all others.
This campaign is about criminality at work in the Imperium. There will be violence, sex, swearing, and plenty of action. Though this be the flavor of it, there is still the Pirate Code at work, so its not just Hack and Slash. If it were a film, it would be R to NC-17. So no pantywaists allowed, Arrr…
So buckle on yer Swash, me hearties, and prepare to shove off, for this will be a bumpy ride indeed…
Drop a line to the Baron at the link below, or email his lackey at chuckshaw2000@hotmail.com with a brief character outline/synopsis.

PS: Don’t any of you swabs presuppose one of ye is going to be the Captain. That position is filled. Which isn’t to say you couldn’t be Captain, it’ll only take some slick moves, and some mighty large brass ones to pull it off, Har!

 

[Jame]

I'm up for this, with the restriction that I'm reffing (tentatively) three once-a-month gaming sessions (three sessions are what I'm reffing so far).

Arr! Let's rob them groundlubbers blind!

(Edit) Oh yeah, my email is lesleychef @ aol.com (edit the spaces out).

(Second Edit) First, I have a character who can be used as a boarder. He's CT and needs to be converted. Second, I need to be taught the D20 rules and mechanic.

 

[Aramond]

I am interested also, I sent an email with short character syonopsis of my favorite old CT char that I would love to remake for t20.

How much of the D20 modern rules are we using by the way.

And my chacter hopes that there are some fat merchants plying the Ebon Main that recently stopped in Solomani space and have some of his beloved "Terran Souther Comfort" floating around in the holds, galley, staterooms, where ever

Aramond (Scout at heart since '80)

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

I m not sure if I Savvy what ye mean by "How Much" but the basic core mechanic. Ye wont be seeing any Umber Hulks waving cutlasses at ye, if that be your meanin...

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

So thats it? Four sorry space dogs out of this whole Forum? Is there no one else that seeks high adventure and the rich bounty that the Tradeships and Plunder-Rich Systems of the Hinterworlds hold? Perhaps I expect too much.

 

[Mythmere]

Let them quake in their boots and scrabble their treasures close in fear. Mad Llewin hears the stars a-calling to him . . .

 

[Nightshade]

Okay, Baron, you have me interested what do I need to do?

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Sir,

Come up with a t20 Character concept that would explain his/her willingness to join a pirate crew. It would seem that desperation is a good place to start.

Email me at chuckshaw2000@hotmail.com about it, and we go from there.

The Campaign is starts in subsector N in the Hinterworlds Sector. Specifically on planet "Base 45" You can be any class, but if your a military type, you should probably be a bad apple/screw up.
Criminal skills are good, spacehand skills are good, low social class is good.

The first post on this thread sums it up pretty good.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Heres a few more details, Lord Nightshade...


House Rules

Limit split classing as much as possible. It can happen, but the characters background must reflect the career change. Even in that case, no more than two classes per character.

Experience reward is commensurate with excellent role-playing.

Characters start with basic possessions and some money, high- ticket items such as combat armor and starships are unavailable to the characters, or are long gone. Referee has final say on Equipment lists.

For simplicity, the standard economic unit is the Credit.

The Starting Year is 1100 by the Imperial calendar.

Characters may be of any race, or any class, but must explain why they are signing on with a Pirate Vessel.

Poor Gamesmanship or Power Gaming incurs Experience Penalties.


The Freebooter’s Charter

The Captain is to have two full Shares. The Master is to have one share and a half. The Doctor, Head Gunner, and Chief Engineer, get one share and a quarter.

He that shall be found guilty if taking up any weapon on board the Privateer or any other prize by us taken, so as to strike or abuse one another in any regard, shall suffer what punishment the Captain and Majority of the company shall think fit.

He that be found guilty of cowardice in the time of engagement shall suffer what punishment the Captain and Majority of the company shall think fit.

If any loot be found on board of any prize or prizes to the value of a Credit, and the finder do not deliver it to the Quarter Master in the space of 24 hours, shall suffer what punishment the Captain and Majority of the company shall think fit.

He that is found guilty of Gaming, or defrauding one another to the value of a Credit, shall suffer what punishment the Captain and Majority of the company shall think fit.

He that shall have the Misfortune to lose a limb in time of engagment shall have the sum of six thousand credits, and remain aboard as long as he shall think fit.

He that sees a contact first, shall have the best pistol or small arm aboard her.

He that shall be guilty of drunkeness in time of engagement shall suffer what punishment the Captain and Majority of the company shall think fit.

NO SNAPPING OF ARMS IN THE HOLD

The Captain’s word in crisis or in an engagement is law.
All crew shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity makes it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
All crew shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. but if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any crew should rob another, he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be marooned where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
The lights shall be put out at ten at night on station, and if any crew should care to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the deck without lights.
All crew shall keep their weapons clean and ready for action at all times.
No affairs with outsiders to be allowed amongst the crew. If any crew be found seducing an outsider and carrying them to space in disguise, they shall suffer death.
None shall strike another aboard the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner: at the word of command from the Quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If both miss their aim, they shall take to their hand-to-hand weapons, and he that draws first blood shall be declared the victor.

 

[Mythmere]

No affairs with outsiders to be allowed amongst the crew. If any crew be found seducing an outsider and carrying them to space in disguise, they shall suffer death.

What is this, the HMS Pinafore? No seducing? No carrying off into space? Are we to clean up after ourselves when we raid a station, too? Fold any remaining laundry? Feed pets? Pay interest on stolen loot?

Grumble...might as well take up arrrgriculture.

 

[lightsenshi]

Originally posted by Mythmere:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> No affairs with outsiders to be allowed amongst the crew. If any crew be found seducing an outsider and carrying them to space in disguise, they shall suffer death.

What is this, the HMS Pinafore? No seducing? No carrying off into space? Are we to clean up after ourselves when we raid a station, too? Fold any remaining laundry? Feed pets? Pay interest on stolen loot?

Grumble...might as well take up arrrgriculture. </font>[/QUOTE]You missed the words: "in disguise". It doesn't say anything about bringing naked women over.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

This is starting to sound tempting...

Eek! I've just realised that it's about 15 years since I last actually *played* Traveller! I seem to be jammed in GM mode...

 

[clementk]

So...a Pirate ship with:

no fighting allowed onboard; with weapons or unarmed
no gambling (gaming?) or cheating
no fighting while drunk
lights out at ten!
no seducing of outsiders?!
duels on "shore"

ummm...this sounds more like British Royal Navy in Nelson's time but worse;
at least they usually just flogged people.

And just who is going to enforce all these rules and regulations? The Royal Marines?

Pirate Asu taking the keyboard off to other ports

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Most of the Charter is while aboard ship underway. There are reasons for all of them. The Crew enforces the charter on each other, and failing that, the Captain will. (you're better off with the Crew)

Most of the charter is designed to keep the ship running smoothly. These rules are of course broken , and if caught, the offenders must stand tall before the man.

The Seducing rule is not as constrictive as you think. note the line "And Bringing them into Space"

The Gambling rule is to cut back on fights and cut back on screwing up the shares system. One must consider that one share of a Mcr is over Cr15,000! there are planty of gegaws and starport hags to blow that kind of scratch on, so it is often unecessary to gamble with a brother (or sister) pirate.

One can always try to get away with breaking the rules, but then you run the risk of facing...

Majority Punishment.

 

[Mythmere]

Originally posted by Baron Saarthuran:
Most of the Charter is while aboard ship underway. There are reasons for all of them. The Crew enforces the charter on each other, and failing that, the Captain will. (you're better off with the Crew)

Most of the charter is designed to keep the ship running smoothly. These rules are of course broken , and if caught, the offenders must stand tall before the man.

The Seducing rule is not as constrictive as you think. note the line "And Bringing them into Space"

The Gambling rule is to cut back on fights and cut back on screwing up the shares system. One must consider that one share of a Mcr is over Cr15,000! there are planty of gegaws and starport hags to blow that kind of scratch on, so it is often unecessary to gamble with a brother (or sister) pirate.

One can always try to get away with breaking the rules, but then you run the risk of facing...

Majority Punishment.

Okay, but I also think the ship would run more smoothly with a 401K plan, regulations against hate speech and profanity, and a really spiffy dress code. I also think swinging from ropes violates union regulations, and these cutlasses aren't OSHA compliant.

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Baron Saarthuran:
Avast, ye scurrilous spawn of a scurvy space dog! I be looking for six persons of stout heart and sharp mind to fill the ranks of the dastardliest, double-dealingest, low- down Pirate cruiser that ever plied the spaceways.

Ignoring the ongoing (everlasting?) flame war on the viability of piracy, let me offer to volunteer my services if the crew needs a Quisling (a spy/inside-man for the forces of truth, justice and the Imperial Marine Corps!).

Much as I like the idea of involving myself in an on-line game, unfortunately piracy and high-crime go against my grit. In the old days, I'd have been flying the White Ensign and blowing Pirate cogs into Davey Jones' Locker.....

Have fun guys!

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

hmmm, would you be interested in perhaps guest starring as an authority figure? That may be interesting.... Where is this post on the infeasibility of piracy?

 

[clementk]

Originally posted by Baron Saarthuran:
Where is this post on the infeasibility of piracy?

Take a look at the TML FAQ and the TML archives. It still seemed to creep back every other year or so from what I remember.

Casey

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Casey:
Take a look at the TML FAQ and the TML archives. It still seemed to creep back every other year or so from what I remember.

Casey

Bingo. It just krept back again in the last few days with some arguments about the viability of gas giant skimming (some maintained, with some math, that this was utterly a cost-losing venture). They also pointed out the issues with having to match vectors, ambush the ship, close from behind space cover such as moons, etc.

Orbital mechanics/flight trajectories (in a newtonian universe.... not applying if you have ST like non-newtonian drives) seem to indicate piracy is a *very* difficult prospect.

If you need a hangin' judge once the PCs have been caught, let me know

(Or was that 'a spacin' judge'? Since I'd be tossing them out an airlock without the superflous vacc suit....)

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Anyway, the campaign has started... so I guess we'll soon find out how viable it is...