Port Maria (A Pirate Sandbox RP: OOC/Worldbuilding)

[Kaziimar]

”One hundred days at sea, a wretch away from misery
Rummies and rats and tarry jacks, my only family.
The island of salvation, is still a scream away
As the lungs of night blow out the light, my heart kneels down to pray.- Gaelic Storm, “Lover’s Wreck”

Port Maria, a small yet bustling little port on the island of Isla Sorra...formerly a prison base that housed the most unwanted and notorious criminals of the Irlian Empire, but all that changed when the prisoners revolted and basically took over the town, stealing ships and carving out the seaside port as a new base for themselves...piracy then exploded as an attractive alternative to live freely away from what many see as an oppressive government.
The out of the way island has become home to many drifters from all walks (or sails) of life. Pirates have long used this island and particularly this port as a base and a home settlement while they carried out their illegal activities, in fact this place is quite famous for it. Drinking, wenching, gambling, even setting up a legit business (hard as that may be with the more prominent captains wanting to collect taxes), we have it all here. The pirates who run the place hail it as one of the last bastions of freedom, the “civilized” nations hail it as a dump where the world’s trash congregated. Most people who reside at Port Maria are at one of two extremes, they came here because they jumped at the choice, or came here because they have absolutely zero choice at all. Some people literally just blew in with no inkling of how in the world they ended up there, but one thing’s for certain...it’s home now. You are one of the residents of this town, whether you’re an up and coming pirate, a famous captain, a merchant trying to get by, some wretch trying to get home, a clever prostitute or maybe you’re even a secret naval officer infiltrating the place to try to get some pirate hunting done, you’re literally and figuratively in the same boat as the rest of us. There’ll be some adventures thrown in to keep things interesting, not so much naval battles although there’ll be a couple of those too...but mostly treasure hunts, secret islands and battles with sea monsters in between the sandbox stuff. This is meant to be a fun and relaxed environment, so let’s all try to keep it that way. Also this will be kind of a worldvuolding thread to flesh the setting out a little, with player involvement of course.

Name:
Age:
Appearance:
Gender:
Equipment:
Bio:
Occupation:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Goals:

Ship Application
Name:
Type/Class: (frigate, barque, man o’war, etc)
Number of Guns:
Number of Crew:
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag):
Number of Masts:

[Saralonia]

Name:Andres Francisco
Age: 21
Appearance:a mestizo in median stature and slim with black hair and coffe eyes of latinamerican look
Gender:Male
Equipment:A sword and a musket (stolen)
Occupation: A cooker and captain
Strengths: He is cappable of solving something easily and can cook good food
Weaknesses: Fisically is weak
Likes: Tacos, shiny things and women
Dislikes: Other pirates
Goals: To survive and to conquer a port someday and make a country

Ship Application
Name:Santa Pirata Mestiza
Type/Class: (frigate, barque, man o’war, etc) Frigate
Number of Guns: 6 guns
Number of Crew: 8 members
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag):The standar pirate flag
Number of Masts: 3

[Utceforp]

Tag

The "worldbuilding" in the title implies we can engage in some worldbuilding.

I have an idea for a state known as the "Argusid Empire". It would be a rival to the Irlian Empire - About fifteen years ago, the Argusids declared war on the Irlians for control of the seas. After ten years of fighting, the war ended with a narrow Irlian victory, with little-to-no territory changing hands and the Argusid and Irlian rulers acknowledging each other as "brothers" and equals. Since the peace, the two powers have been engaged in a cold war, with privateers hired as proxies in order to raid each other's territories and capture each other's traders in order to sell them into slavery.

As the name implies, the Argusids would use eyes and peacock feathers as their primary symbols. Will put up some more info if you're interested in the idea.

[Kaziimar]

Tag

The "worldbuilding" in the title implies we can engage in some worldbuilding.

I have an idea for a state known as the "Argusid Empire". It would be a rival to the Irlian Empire - About fifteen years ago, the Argusids declared war on the Irlians for control of the seas. After ten years of fighting, the war ended with a narrow Irlian victory, with little-to-no territory changing hands and the Argusid and Irlian rulers acknowledging each other as "brothers" and equals. Since the peace, the two powers have been engaged in a cold war, with privateers hired as proxies in order to raid each other's territories and capture each other's traders in order to sell them into slavery.

As the name implies, the Argusids would use eyes and peacock feathers as their primary symbols. Will put up some more info if you're interested in the idea.

It IS pretty interesting...we can totally discuss it further.

[Kaziimar]

tag


1600s time period? in terms of tech?

I was thinking more of the piratical Golden Age, so late 1600s early 1700s.

[Kaziimar]

Name:Andres Francisco
Age: 21
Appearance:a mestizo in median stature and slim with black hair and coffe eyes of latinamerican look
Gender:Male
Equipment:A sword and a musket (stolen)
Occupation: A cooker and captain
Strengths: He is cappable of solving something easily and can cook good food
Weaknesses: Fisically is weak
Likes: Tacos, shiny things and women
Dislikes: Other pirates
Goals: To survive and to conquer a port someday and make a country

Ship Application
Name:Santa Pirata Mestiza
Type/Class: (frigate, barque, man o’war, etc) Frigate
Number of Guns: 6 guns
Number of Crew: 8 members
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag):The standar pirate flag
Number of Masts: 3

Accepted. Remind me to put a bio section in the apps.

[Hothnia]

Is it a completely new world or are there nations that existed in real life as well?

[Kaziimar]

Is it a completely new world or are there nations that existed in real life as well?

New world.

[The National Dominion of Hungary]

Other than being new, is it also a fantasy world in some sense? Are there things like magic, strange monsters, sentient beings other than humans etc in some measure?

[Kaziimar]

There are things like mermaids and krakens of course, but it's pretty low fantasy besides from mythical creatures and some light magic existing (ancient civilizations used spells to protect their tombs, but the art of magic has become so rare over time that not many people even know it anymore)

Name: William Bones, known better as Billy Bones
Age: 25
Appearance: Captain Bones is noted to be very handsome and cuts quite the dashing figure, although his short height is a sore point for him. He's 5'4, has thick blond hair that's cut short, shining dark eyes and tan skin.
Gender: Male
Equipment:
Bio: He's an Irlian native and his father ran a wool business that he was supposed to take over one day, his childhood was a quiet but pretty good one. But then his father passed away, and the ones that were supposed to manage his estate until he came of age? Let's just say they did a shit job. So now penniless, Billy started off as a petty thief with a small gang of street thugs and would rob stores and carts just to make ends meet. But he eventually got too ambitious and decided to try to steal from a Duke, which got him both a lashing and sent to Port Maria for exile. He then became a pirate shortly after, first being on the crew of a prominent captain before managing to take a sloop of his own.
Occupation: Pirate
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Likes: Men, women, his gf (he's bi AF), animals, ships, fine hats
Dislikes: The Duke that got him banished here, the people that ran his inheritance into the ground
Goals:

Ship Application
Name: Hooded Crow
Type/Class: Frigate
Number of Guns: 16
Number of Crew: 57
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag):
Number of Masts: 3

[Hothnia]

Name: Valeria Cryuffsten
Age: 19
Appearance: Coming from up north, Valeria has pale skin, and long, shiny, dark hair, although said hair is usually tied up in a braid. She stands at a height to 5’7, which sticks out in a crowd, given her gender.She’s slender, with long limbs and a sharply curved face. Her eyes are a dark brown. She generally wears long dresses, although she will sometimes wear a shorter dress or even breeches, more suitable for battle.
Gender: Female
Equipment:Long rapier, two short daggers, crossbow
Bio: Born in the lands far north, in the Grand Duchy of Hanverson, Valeria was born to a young peasant couple, deep in the countryside of the Grand Duchy. A year after birth, according to National tradition, she was selected, along with 11 other young girls, to be the future of the Duke’s elite, all female guard, the Skörlydia. Sincethat first year, she was raised within the capital city of Hjoelkard’s walls, learning discipline, language, weapons proficiency, and espionage from the age of five. By fifteen, she and the other 11 girls would be sent on routine combat patrols, against bandits, foreign powers, and barbarians hiding in their hovels in forests dotting the landscape of the Duchy.

Now, at 19, the 12 young Skörlydia are established members of the Guard, and trusted members of the Duke’s entourage. After years of the Duke’s few colonies in the world being pillaged by groups of pirates based out of Port Maria, the Duke has ordered the destruction of the pirate haven. Desperate to prove themselves, Valeria and three other girls, along with 8 other women from previous generations of Skörlydia, volunteered to undertake the task. Now, Valeria, at last arrived in Port Maria, parts ways with her companions in order to wreck havoc on the City.
Occupation: Agent for the Grand Duchy of Hanverson
Strengths: Adept fighter, intelligent, well versed in many languages
Weaknesses: No experience with the outside world, alone in a hostile city, prone to mistakes
Likes: , less talk, more action, colder weather, the sea
Dislikes: Slobs, criminals
Goals: Make a name for herself, serve her nation

Ship Application
Name: Princess Alicia
Type/Class: Sloop
Number of Guns: 4
Number of Crew:15
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag): Pirate Flag ( To hide true allegiance of the ship)
Number of Masts: 2

[Kaziimar]

Name: Valeria Cryuffsten
Age: 19
Appearance: Coming from up north, Valeria has pale skin, and long, shiny, dark hair, although said hair is usually tied up in a braid. She’s slender, with long limbs and a sharply curved face. Her eyes are a dark brown. She generally wears long dresses, although she will sometimes wear a shorter dress or even breeches, more suitable for battle.
Gender: Female
Equipment:Long rapier, two short daggers, crossbow
Bio: Born in the lands far north, in the Grand Duchy of Hanverson, Valeria was born to a young peasant couple, deep in the countryside of the Grand Duchy. A year after birth, according to National tradition, she was selected, along with 11 other young girls, to be the future of the Duke’s elite, all female guard, the Skörlydia. Sincethat first year, she was raised within the capital city of Hjoelkard’s walls, learning discipline, language, weapons proficiency, and espionage from the age of five. By fifteen, she and the other 11 girls would be sent on routine combat patrols, against bandits, foreign powers, and barbarians hiding in their hovels in forests dotting the landscape of the Duchy.

Now, at 19, the 12 young Skörlydia are established members of the Guard, and trusted members of the Duke’s entourage. After years of the Duke’s few colonies in the world being pillaged by groups of pirates based out of Port Maria, the Duke has ordered the destruction of the pirate haven. Desperate to prove themselves, Valeria and three other girls volunteered to undertake the task. Now, Valeria, at last arrived in Port Maria, parts ways with her companions in order to wreck havoc on the City.
Occupation: Agent for the Grand Duchy of Hanverson
Strengths: Adept fighter, intelligent, well versed in many languages
Weaknesses: No experience with the outside world, alone in a hostile city, prone to mistakes
Likes: , less talk, more action, colder weather, the sea
Dislikes: Slobs, criminals
Goals: Make a name for herself, serve her nation

Ship Application
Name: Princess Alicia
Type/Class: Sloop
Number of Guns: 4
Number of Crew:15
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag): Pirate Flag ( To hide true allegiance of the ship)
Number of Masts: 2

Accepted!

[Kaziimar]

I think I'll put the IC up Monday.

[Kaziimar]

Another WIP

Name: Sinestra Buchanan, called Ness by close friends
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Appearance: She's 5'3 so she doesn't really cut an imposing figure physically, but she's lean and quick and has always used her small size to her advantage in battle. She has several scars from the battles she's fought, including one across her right cheek. She usually keeps her black hair tied back except when relaxed or on special occasions, it falls just a little past her shoulders. She's also got an oval face, tan skin that's absolutely dusted with freckles, and almond-shaped gray eyes,
Bio: Sinestra was born the only daughter to David and Annabelle Buchanan, a minor noble family well known in she Irlian Empire. She had two older brothers and as she was the only daughter and not the heir, she was encouraged to make an advantageous marriage one day. But that doesn't mean that she was stifled, she showed a brightness from a young age and as the Buchanans wanted all their children to be educated, they encouraged her to learn as much as she could. As her father was a merchant, she spent quite a bit of time around merchant ships and her father allowed her to learn how to sail, because it would be useful to have as many hands around the business as possible at least until she got married. But then when she was thirteen, she announced her decision that she wanted to join the Navy which shocked her parents. It's not that women weren't allowed to join, the Irlian military is pretty co-ed...but what if she died?! It's dangerous! Sinestra being the cocky little shit she is was like "lol, whatev" and convinced her parents to sign her up for North End, the Irlian naval academy where young sailors were drilled and trained in addition to their studies (think West Point for the Navy). Unused to such grueling training, she was slower to pick up combat skills but knew a few things from observing her brothers. Being clever and determined, eventually she caught up to her fellow students and made some dear friends during her time at school (one who would eventually become her best friend)
Occupation: Fleet Admiral of the Irlian Navy
Strengths: Her skill in sailing and leadership, her loyalty to her sailors and to her country. She's also an excellent strategist and her men would follow her anywhere.
Weaknesses: She's prone to black and white thinking, either you're right or you're wrong so it can be hard for her to see shades of grey. And although she's quick in combat, she's not physically the strongest so she has to rely on weaving and striking first. She’s also got a HORRIBLE temper when something pisses her off.
Likes: Wine, sailing, cute guys, winning battles, reading
Dislikes: Sadness, lazy crew, getting in trouble
Goals:

Ship Application
Name:
Type/Class: (frigate, barque, man o’war, etc)
Number of Guns:
Number of Crew:
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag):
Number of Masts:

[Tomia]

Name: Joseph "Black Death" Fisher
Age:30
Appearance: Joesph
Gender:Male
Equipment: Two flint lock pistols, steel cutlass, a large estate on Isla Sorra, golden pocket watch, and an old treasure map
Bio: Joseph Fisher was born of the son of powerful merchant tycoon, James Fisher. His father ran one of the largest trading fleets in the empire and he was a wealthy and powerful man. James two sons Joseph and Edward grew happy, loved and well cared for. Their parents provided them with thorough educations and both sons had bright futures where they were expected to become the heirs to their father's empire. For a long time Joseph dreamed of becoming a trader like his father, exploring new lands and earning a mountain of riches. However one day, at the age of 12, he sneaked out of his room late at night to watch his father to do business, only to see his father killing a business rival with his own hands. That moment changed Joseph forever and he dedicated himself to learning the truth of his fathers deed. Everything that he discovered further destroyed the image he had of his father. Enslavement, bribery, murder, all on the lists of crimes he committed and Joseph was forced to reevaluate his view of the nobility. Now he no longer desired to be a merchant, but a pirate, and when he heard of the rebellion at Port Maria he saw his chance and planned to leave his family forever. He almost managed to stow away on a ship but was sold out by his younger brother, Edward. Joseph had told Edward the truth, but the younger brother had refused to accept it. When Joseph told Edward of his plan Edward immediately went to his father, hoping he could talk some sense into him. However to his horror Joseph was arrested and sent to prison.

Joseph spent five years in prison where his hatred for his family only grew. The fallen noble proved to be a rebellious prisoner and at one point the guards threw him in a cell with victims of a deadly plague that spawned horrible black spots on its victims. The guards expected he would die any day but weeks passed and nothing happened to him. Rumors spread across the prison, as men started calling him the "Black Death". Soon the prison was attacked by pirates and Joseph led a rebellion from the inside, freeing the prisoners and making his escape on a stolen imperial slope. He would then spend the next twelve years amassing fortune, followers, and a fleet of his own, vowing to one day unite all pirate kind under his banner and to finally enact vengeance on his father and brother.
Occupation: Pirate Captain
Strengths: Skilled swordfighter and brawler, naval combat
Weaknesses: Recklessness, navigation, chronic pain
Likes: reading, treasure hunting, fighting
Dislikes: Nobles, Liars, Family
Goals: Become a Pirate King and take vengeance on his brother

Ship Application
Name: The Darkness
Type/Class: Man o' War
Number of Guns: 80
Number of Crew: 550
Flag: A red banner with black skull that dawns a gold crown.
Number of Masts: 5

Name: Edward Fisher
Age: 28
Appearance: Edward
Gender: Male
Equipment: Long Sword, Rifle, standard pistol,
Bio: After his brother was sent to prison Edward fell into a deep depression. He had lost his closest friend, the person he had always looked up in a blink of an eye and he didn't know how to move forward. His parents decided to send him to North End, there he learned discipline, purpose, and brotherhood. He became dedicated to the life of the soldier, determined to spread justice and order to an empire that was now plagued with chaos and cruelty. At the academy he was given a mentor, and up and coming prodigy named Sinestra Buchanan. The two became long friends but when Sinestra graduated they grew apart. However they were reunited when Edward was placed under her command. At some point they entered into a romantic relationship and were even engaged for a time. They are now separated but they remain close friends and Edward continues to serve under her command. While his life has been honorable and filled with joy, Edward feels forever haunted by his brother and feels a conflict between the two is inevitable.
Occupation: Navy Captain
Strengths: Brilliant mind, skilled navigator and sailor, marksmanship
Weaknesses: sword-fighting, stubbornness, depression
Likes: Music, sailing, wine,
Dislikes: Pirates, bullies, bringing up the past
Goals:

Ship Application
Name: HMS Redemption
Type/Class: Frigate
Number of Guns: 60
Number of Crew: 300
Flag: Royal flag
Number of Masts: 3

[Kaziimar]

Name: Joseph "Black Death" Fisher
Age:30
Appearance: Joesph
Gender:Male
Equipment: Two flint lock pistols, steel cutlass, a large estate on Isla Sorra, golden pocket watch, and an old treasure map
Bio: Joseph Fisher was born of the son of powerful merchant tycoon, James Fisher. His father ran one of the largest trading fleets in the empire and he was a wealthy and powerful man. James two sons Joseph and Edward grew happy, loved and well cared for. Their parents provided them with thorough educations and both sons had bright futures where they were expected to become the heirs to their father's empire. For a long time Joseph dreamed of becoming a trader like his father, exploring new lands and earning a mountain of riches. However one day, at the age of 12, he sneaked out of his room late at night to watch his father to do business, only to see his father killing a business rival with his own hands. That moment changed Joseph forever and he dedicated himself to learning the truth of his fathers deed. Everything that he discovered further destroyed the image he had of his father. Enslavement, bribery, murder, all on the lists of crimes he committed and Joseph was forced to reevaluate his view of the nobility. Now he no longer desired to be a merchant, but a pirate, and when he heard of the rebellion at Port Maria he saw his chance and planned to leave his family forever. He almost managed to stow away on a ship but was sold out by his younger brother, Edward. Joseph had told Edward the truth, but the younger brother had refused to accept it. When Joseph told Edward of his plan Edward immediately went to his father, hoping he could talk some sense into him. However to his horror Joseph was arrested and sent to prison.

Joseph spent five years in prison where his hatred for his family only grew. The fallen noble proved to be a rebellious prisoner and at one point the guards threw him in a cell with victims of a deadly plague that spawned horrible black spots on its victims. The guards expected he would die any day but weeks passed and nothing happened to him. Rumors spread across the prison, as men started calling him the "Black Death". Soon the prison was attacked by pirates and Joseph led a rebellion from the inside, freeing the prisoners and making his escape on a stolen imperial slope. He would then spend the next twelve years amassing fortune, followers, and a fleet of his own, vowing to one day unite all pirate kind under his banner and to finally enact vengeance on his father and brother.
Occupation: Pirate Captain
Strengths: Skilled swordfighter and brawler, naval combat
Weaknesses: Recklessness, navigation, chronic pain
Likes: reading, treasure hunting, fighting
Dislikes: Nobles, Liars, Family
Goals: Become a Pirate King and take vengeance on his brother

Ship Application
Name: The Darkness
Type/Class: Man o' War
Number of Guns: 80
Number of Crew: 200
Flag: A red banner with black skull that dawns a gold crown.
Number of Masts: 5

Name: Edward Fisher
Age: 28
Appearance: Edward
Gender: Male
Equipment: Long Sword, Rifle, standard pistol,
Bio: After his brother was sent to prison Edward fell into a deep depression. He had lost his closest friend, the person he had always looked up in a blink of an eye and he didn't know how to move forward. His parents decided to send him to North End, there he learned discipline, purpose, and brotherhood. He became dedicated to the life of the soldier, determined to spread justice and order to an empire that was now plagued with chaos and cruelty. At the academy he was given a mentor, and up and coming prodigy named Sinestra Buchanan. The two became long friends but when Sinestra graduated they grew apart. However they were reunited when Edward was placed under her command. At some point they entered into a romantic relationship and were even engaged for a time. They are now separated but they remain close friends and Edward continues to serve under her command. While his life has been honorable and filled with joy, Edward feels forever haunted by his brother and feels a conflict between the two is inevitable.
Occupation: Navy Captain
Strengths: Brilliant mind, skilled navigator and sailor, marksmanship
Weaknesses: sword-fighting, stubbornness, depression
Likes: Music, sailing, wine,
Dislikes: Pirates, bullies, bringing up the past
Goals:

Ship Application
Name: HMS Redemption
Type/Class: Frigate
Number of Guns: 60
Number of Crew: 120
Flag: Royal flag
Number of Masts: 3

Accepted!

[Tomia]

Here's another quick app

Name: Jenny the Red
Age: 21
Appearance: Jenny
Gender: Female
Equipment: Two knives, a pistol, treasure map,
Bio: Jenny was born the only daughter of a man obsessed with treasure. His name was Robert Tudor and he dedicated his entire life to a search for what he believed was a lost city of gold. An island filled with riches that have been long abandoned. In the last few years of his life he believed he had found a piece of the map to that island, but died in a shipwreck while searching for clues to the rest of it. Only his daughter survived, managing to save the map as she was rescued by a naval vessel. Now Jenny searches for someone else to help her continue her father's life journey and to finally find the island of gold.
Occupation: Adventurer, treasure hunter
Strengths: Smart, well educated, skilled navigator and forager.
Weaknesses: Combat
Likes: The open seas, adventure, animals
Dislikes: Rules, nobles, staying in one place
Goals: To find hidden treasure

[Keruma]

Name: Asher "Black Ash" Urie
Age: 24
Appearance:

His apperance is like this: Though his hair is stark black; that's where his nickname "black ash" came from.
He stands an inch below 6 feet and has a lean but muscular build due to the years spent at sea

Gender: Male
Equipment: 2 pistols and a Cavalry Sabre (both issued to officers in the Irlian army), a locket of his mother and father, a bicorne (also from his father)
Bio: Asher was the son of Alexander Urie, a Cavalry Officer who served in the Irlian Empire. Throughout his military career his father was known for his gallantry and skill in warfare. However, due to political machinations of Urie's rivals and the men he antagonized during the war, Asher's father was wrongfully accused of treason and in order to escape persecution, he and his family tried to escape to Isla Sorra, a known refuge for those wanting to escape the clutches of the empire. Along the way, the ship carrying Asher and his family was ambushed by various ships of the Irlian navy. An intense battle ensued, and Alexander was killed by a stab to the heart. His remaining family, a mother and older sister were taken away by the Irlian soldiers, never to be seen by Asher again. Asher escaped his own capture by jumping overboard to the sea and swimming to the nearest island, fueled by sheer determination and adrenaline. Upon reaching the shore the fatigue finally catches up to and he faints due to exhaustion.

Upon waking he found himself inside the interior of another, unfamiliar ship. There he learned that a passing pirate ship fresh from ravaging a merchant ship found him lying down on the coast and decided to take him in (and also take his belongings for themselves, of course). There he was signed up to become a crew of the ship, doing things such as reaching tight spaces and climbing the ship's tall rigging quickly. A few years passed and through his hard work and mental acuity, he gained the support and patronage of the captain of the ship, a wily old sailor who had a soft spot for orphans (as he was one himself), who taught him the pirate's way and combed him as a captain, hopefully of his own ship. A year ago, a mutiny occurred among the crew; as things always go. A raging battle ensued and near the end the captain died due to a bullet to the head. Asher took charge of the captain's loyalists and won the day due to his strategic planning. He marooned the deserters and the crew decided to name him the captain due to his role. While inspecting the cabin the captain used, he found that the captain kept Asher's belonging before turning pirate in a chest. Inside the chest was 2 pistols and a sword; all owned by his father. Now, Asher sails the high seas with the memory of his two father figures guiding him.
Occupation: Pirate, though Alexander would call himself an "Adventurer"
Strengths: Early on, Asher was known for having a high intellect in comparison to his peers. He is not a genius per se; his mind just processes things faster and can remember things better than an average person would. This skill is also amplified by his work ethic; he is very diligent due to his desire to improve at every single aspect of his life. As a child of a renowned cavalry officer, Asher desired to be part of the army as well. He was trained by his father on basic swordfighting so Asher develops a basic understanding of "proper" strokes with a sword.
Weaknesses: Asher is still very much idealistic, in no small part to his upbringing. It is a miracle that he has naivete even though he was consigned to the life of a pirate crew. Nevertheless, he has an absolute soft spot for those in need and will go out of his way to aid them. He also has a sore spot for his family and gets very aggressive and closed off when someone mentions family. Although muscular in build, he still lacks combat experience and more powerful or more skilled fighters can easily best him in hand-to-hand combat. Asher does not enjoy socializing with others unless absolutely necessary and would prefer to spend his nights alone.
Likes: Helping people. When there is no people to help he likes to put money in his pockets.
Dislikes: Irlians and Traitors
Goals: Help others in need and gain money for himself along the way

Ship Application
Name: Dragoon
Type/Class: (frigate, barque, man o’war, etc) Barque
Number of Guns: 16
Number of Crew: 60
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag): a sabre flanked by two pistols with a crown above it all
Number of Masts: 3

[Ormata]

Permit me to observe that most people seem to be lowballing HARD on their crew numbers. Holy heck, 6 guns on a frigate? A frigate? Six guns and eight crew. That's just wrong to a complete degree; you likely would not be able to man a single gun per that crew number.

Application will come soon.

[Ormata]

Character Application

Name: Oscar Sandberg
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Appearance:

Standing at 7’ even, Oscar is a rather tall man to say the least. To most an intimidating figure, his stocky and strong body is developed from years at sea with line-handling despite whatever ailments age might give him, and both his arms and hands bear many marks from this. Calluses and the like mark the entirety of his palms. A boarding action far before has lead to the loss of one eye, leading to Oscar wearing an eyepatch, while his other grass green eye remains bright and undimmed. Frown and smile lines mark his tanned face, the sun having left it’s own kiss, though he often prefers to wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Occupation: “Independent” Captain
Equipment:

Sledgehammer
2x Dirk
1x Nock Gun
3x Flintlock Pistol
2x Grenada

Biography:

Born in Argumen, Swadia, one of the many port towns along the coastline to the north Oscar’s family was one steeped deep in the shipbuilding industry. He worked hard as an apprentice under a family friend, the idea at that point being that he would continue the family industry and bring new ideas and talents into the same. Of course, this would not go as planned. From even a young age, though he appreciated the work of his hands and the beauty of a vessel, the fine lines of the ribbing and glorious rigging, he most definitely appreciated the command and captaining of such vessels more. It seemed like a vague dream, a glorious vague dream, to captain one’s own vessel, to feel a deck under one’s boots and know that it’s your deck, to command in battle, to order the guns run out and the broadsides done. He had a romantic view of it all to be sure, a completely romantic view of it, but a view nonetheless.

At the age of eleven, far in advance of where most would think one to be at such an age, Oscar became a Ship’s Boy on one of the grand frigates of the fleet of Swadia; the nation held such a navy in high regards. A vast intellect and quick hands proved to be his best talents as, while he did not become a navy child from the age of eight, he did take on the talent quite easily. Knots proved relatively easy, though a tedious task to be sure, and it would be often that he would have to run-off for some minor errand or another. As the years piled on, the young man would eventually gain some little note, considering he was the designated ‘officer's servant’. He would rise to Acting Midshipman at the age of sixteen, taking courses, standing watches, and generally being viewed with some disdain by the others. His family in the meanwhile viewed his career path less than fruitfully, legally disowning him at seventeen after they knew it wasn’t just some childish fantasy.

Over the years, taking part in some minor conflicts here and there, Mr. Sandberg would be a commissioned officer as a Lieutenant. Such a thing was glorious as he would be instated as one of the Vergais’s officers of the watch, though would quickly go south. Three months of no food convoys as well as no pay due to the Swadian Parliament experiencing what could be described as “A minor case of revolt” and the crew was grumbling. The inner areas of the nation had begun a revolution stating that their wealth never went back to their areas, that their gold and silver mines weren’t enriching the people, that the miners died for nothing and, due to this, most of the crew was more than unhappy. They came from the coastal towns, saw themselves as the breadwinners for the nation as the trade and commerce there gave more than enough money in their eyes, and saw that they could do nothing to help stop the revolution.

Unfortunately, the army had gone over to the revolution for the most part; they had gone into such services in order to escape the mines and, seeing the plight of their families, had gone such a route as to go against their King. The armies marched against the capital at Verda, marched there and put the port citadel to siege before storming the gates. The Vergais, the fleet in general, could do nothing but sit idle at anchor, waiting under orders in case the Irlian Empire sensed weakness and began to move their own fleet to engage Swadia’s rear as she attempted to put down the rebellion. Such a thing would happen, though fifteen years later. The vessel would experience it’s own revolution as most felt that they couldn’t really do anything either way, that if the rebels won they would gain nothing and if the crown won they would still not get paid. It was entirely likely that the fleet would be downsized for financial reasons.

And so, the crew of the vessel pre-emptively started their own retirement, exiting the area and taking their first prize along the way to the New World, the land of exploration and resource, the land of colonies and poor laws. Taking on rations from the vessel, admittedly far less than what they could have taken otherwise, they proceeded to prey on Irlian shipping and gold convoys, taking what they could and selling it off at rival nation ports. Spice-carriers were especially joyous, as they often used slower, less maneuverable vessels to carry such things and rarely if ever had cannon. In time, Oscar became the highest ranking and most experienced officer aboard, the other originals having fallen victim to one illness or another or, in other cases, death during a boarding. They’d been replaced with others, officers who had defected once their vessels struck their colors. The crew’s morale has risen exponentially, many able to hold their own against any form of enemy, regardless of their capacities.

Since that first prize, Oscar has gotten a strong reputation as a pirate force in the New World, as a strong and fair hand in a largely murderous world.

Strengths:

Oscar is well and fully capable in running down his enemies, taking them at range if they resist. He has a preference for this action, as it keeps his ship and crew in relative safety in comparison to the other warship and considering that they often have a far greater chance to hit than the enemy due to gunner experience. It’s more than common knowledge that Oscar is skilled at planning and the execution of such plans and that he holds a far greater crew in independent operations and, as such, is able to execute plans where crew might otherwise desert. A Naval Officer’s duty continues to hold when when his ties to the nation are cut. In addition to this, the man continues to have exceptionally lithe and nimble fingers as well as a carpenter’s skill and designer’s eye that has laid dormant and idle for a long age.

Weaknesses:

Boarding his enemies is something far less common an action for the man, though something he himself is mildly capable at save for the fact that his age and injury keeps him from having full advantage in such a fight. As such, he suffers in close combat and compensates for this heavily by, instead of relying on skill, relying instead on a plethora of weaponry to outlast any sort of opponent as well as a retinue of personal guards armed with various rifles and blunderbusses. In addition to this, some have noted that Oscar takes some pains in order to ensure the safety of his vessel and crew and, as such, can be considered careful compared to his more reckless peers. Maneuvering his vessel in for a close kill is something the man would never perform. As a result of this, however, the man has earned the admiration and fathership of some and the ire of others, some seeing him as a father and others as a chicken-hearted man who is cowardly in combat.

Likes:

Oscar has a strong preference towards the alcoholic arts, leaning to whiskey in heavy amounts as it was. Feasts are something the man appreciates, though sadly enough rarely takes part in due to their natures as a remarkable seldom and costly thing. Excess, after all costs. The man loves his crew as a father might love their son, taking great pains in order to keep them safe, and also greatly loves his ship. The pleasure of a fine lady is something he most definitely enjoys, even if he has to pay a little bit for it.

Dislikes:

Oscar hates wine to a massive degree, finding the mere smell of it unbearable and antagonizing, and furthermore has a great disliking towards women being in the midst of combat. His is a more old-fashioned sense that ladies should stay away from front and rear lines and should instead stay in the school and whore houses. Either a lady should be extremely talented in the head or talented in the bed, he might say. Oscar also hates ‘street music’ as he might call it, finding much of it being garbage on a purely qualitative level, and instead has a love of shanties.

Goals:

Oscar’s main goals lie in the enriching of his crew and keeping them safe so they might still spend such wealth well.

Ship Application

Name: St Verlay-Aumay (Formerly HIMS-Vergais)
Type/Class: Polacca
Flag: Red Banner of St Verlay-Aumay
Number of Guns:

16x 36-pounder
10x swivel gun

Number of Crew: 340
Number of Mast: 3
History:

Built first as a warship under the Swadian Navy, the Vergais was assigned to the 4th Squadron under Commander Bergmann who himself was under Admiral Spatz. Multiple anti-pirate operations would dot her early career as the vessel made many voyages out into the colonial territories, securing trade routes to allow for the resources to return to the homeland, though eventually the warship would make her way back to the coastal lands where she was first made. Serving as a guardship for some years for the Verduona Harbor Area, a key area for naval construction and garrisonning, the warship would exit the region as the civil war broke. Staying at anchor off the coast, the 4th Squadron would wait and keep in reserve if an Irlian Navy assault would come.

This would never occur and, as a result, the vessel cut her ties to the Swadian Navy and deserted, taking to the New World as a pirate vessel. She has wreaked havoc there ever since. Several port cities, even, have fallen victim to the renamed St Verlay-Aumay’s guns, having named after the Patron Saint of Revelation under the 4th Calendar of Saints, the raids holding a distinct relation to the long-dead raids of monasteries by northerners.

[Ormata]

Possible format for the OP. Figured I should make one since current lacks a few things.

Btw, for everyone posting "Tag" to tag this thread, should be noted that moderators have determined that to be spamming and, as such, will just put your tags in this really, really annoying thread along with giving-out a warning. So yeah...

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[align=center][size=300][b]Port Maria[/b][/size]

[img]https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/circle-of-sailing-ships-jacob-adriaensz-bellevois.jpg[/img]

[i]”One hundred days at sea, a wretch away from misery
Rummies and rats and tarry jacks, my only family.
The island of salvation, is still a scream away
As the lungs of night blow out the light, my heart kneels down to pray.[/i]
- Gaelic Storm, “Lover’s Wreck”[/align]

Welcome to Port Maria, a small yet bustling little port on the island of Isla Sorra. Formerly a prison base that housed the most unwanted and notorious criminals of the Irlian Empire, but all that changed when the prisoners revolted took over the town, stealing ships and carving out the seaside port as a new base for themselves. Piracy has since then exploded as an attractive alternative to live freely away from what many see as an oppressive government, the majority of the largely poor population seeing easy gold and a fast life, though that’s not to say the less savory types have started up as well. Five whorehouses have opened since then.

The out of the way island has become home to many drifters from all walks or sails of life. Pirates have long used this island and particularly this port as a base and a home settlement while they carried out their illegal activities, in fact this place is quite famous for it. Drinking, wenching, gambling, even setting up a legit business (hard as that may be with the more prominent captains wanting to collect taxes), we have it all here. The pirates who run the place hail it as one of the last bastions of freedom, the “civilized” nations hail it as a dump where the world’s trash congregated. 

Most people who reside at Port Maria are at one of two extremes, they came here because they jumped at the choice, or came here because they have absolutely zero choice at all. Some people literally just blew in with no inkling of how in the world they ended up there, but one thing’s for certain: it’s [i]home[/i] now. You are one of the residents of this town, whether you’re an up and coming pirate, a famous captain, a merchant trying to get by, some wretch trying to get home, a clever prostitute, or maybe you’re even a secret naval officer infiltrating the place to try to get some pirate hunting done, you’re literally and figuratively in the same boat as the rest of us. There’ll be some adventures thrown in to keep things interesting, not so much naval battles although there’ll be a couple of those too but mostly treasure hunts, secret islands and battles with sea monsters in between the sandbox stuff.

This is meant to be a fun and relaxed environment, so let’s all try to keep it that way. Also this will be kind of a worldbuilding thread to flesh the setting out a little, with player involvement of course.

[floatleft][spoiler=Rules][b][size=200]Rules[/size][/b]
[list=1][*] Respect the OP and all Co-OPs
[*] Please read the whole OP
[*] Follow all of the site’s rules, keep things PG-13 and be as kind to others as possible.
[*] Follow standard RP etiquette (no godmodding, metagaming, etc).
[*] Make sure to keep your grammar, writing quality, and effort up to par, if you need help with ideas or writing tips ask any of the Co-ops and they will be more than happy to help.
[*] Five line minimum (from a desktop view); this can be bended in situations where there is little to respond to but try your best to adhere to it.
[*] Stay as active as you can and try not to leave anyone hanging. If you’re going to be gone for a period of time and we can accommodate/work around the issue, as long as we’re informed beforehand.
[*] Obligatory “have fun” rule.
[*] Do your best to make your char’s weaknesses and limitations proportional to your powers, balanced characters make stories more fun and suspenseful.
[*] Remove ALL parentheses from your apps, please.[/list][/spoiler][/floatleft] [floatleft][spoiler=Roster][b][size=200]Roster[/size][/b][list]
[*] [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=35622095#p35622095]William “Billy Bones” Bones[/url] - Pirate Captain - [nation]Kaziimar[/nation]
[*] [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=35618107#p35618107]Andres Francisco[/url] - Pirate Captain - [nation]Saralonia[/nation]
[*] [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=35623588#p35623588]Valeria Cryuffsten[/url] - Agent for the Grand Duchy of Hanverson - [nation]Hothnia[/nation]
[*] [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=35630824#p35630824]Joseph "Black Death" Fisher[/url] - Pirate Captain - [nation]Tomia[/nation]
[*] [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=35630824#p35630824]Edward Fisher[/url] - Navy Captain - [nation]Tomia[/nation][/list][/spoiler][/floatleft] [floatleft][spoiler=Application][b][size=200]Application[/size][/b]

[code]Name:
Age:
Appearance:
Gender:
Equipment:
Bio:
Occupation:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Goals:

Ship Application
Name:
Type/Class: (frigate, barque, man o’war, etc)
Number of Guns:
Number of Crew:
Flag (your Jolly Roger, so to speak. Or if you’re not a pirate, your country’s flag):
Number of Masts:
[/code][/spoiler][/floatleft]

[Ruskland-Preuben]

Name: Karl "Misfortune's Son" Flint
Age: 31
Appearance:

Gender: Male
Equipment: A blunderbuss, a saber, a flintlock pistol, and ten throwing knives
Bio:

Karl was actually born far, far away from the sea, in a dirty rural hovel, which in turn was located in a village by a creek, way up in the mountains of Iven Island, which is about the size of France if compared to something in real life. Dubbed the Unfortunate Son due to the death of his mother at his birth, and his near death experience just a few moments after. Babe or no, that even was what instilled a severe fear of death in him, and he would avoid anything that would bring him close to it. Alas, fate had other ideas. His role as the one who killed the mother, who was practically holding up the dysfunctional family of eight children and a husband, which was now eight children and a widower. Caused him to be constantly beat up to near death by his siblings, and his father, too drunk in both drink and depression, simply ignored his cries of pain and fear, and so he learned the hard way, that death was always hanging close by, ready to take what it needed, and that he needed to be ready for it. Of course, this did not mean that he would be extremely reckless from that point on, why, he was more cautious of death than ever, but he no longer feared it.

Constant beat ups, constant working for food, and constant exercise to use that food had given its benefits to the teen of 16, and he grew up strong. Instead of being the lanky child being taken from, the Unfortunate Son would be the one taking what he needed. Of course, fate decided that this was an unacceptable state of affairs and decided to send in a recruiter into their home. See, a war had broken out, the colonies had risen up, and they were losing the early battles, which they feared would continue and cost them the war and their colonial possessions. So the recruiter, entering the house, told them, at least two have to go. And fingers were pointed at him, the second one, the current weakest, his elder brother of 19, asthmatic and prone to constant coughing fits, would walk up reluctantly to the recruiter after constant glaring from his siblings. Karl always had a soft spot for ol' Timmet, he only "beat" him up with one soft kick to the thigh during those beat up sessions, and he always left it at that.

And so the two brothers went off to war. Heading onto the first ships, they sailed off into new horizons, burning ones to be exact. Of course, being the misfortune riddled lad that he is, his ship was plagued by horrible weather at least once a week. By some miracle, the two brothers survived the ordeal and landed on the shores of Ivenhoe, in the city of Cromsbarg. A few days later, deployment occurred and they were on the front lines in no time at all. From the whorehouses of Cromsbarg where they first threw away their virginity, to the Dried Forests in the south. There, they tasted mud, blood, metal, and sometimes, a mix of the three. Men lived one day and died in the next there. Fucking rebels, with their cooperation with those heathen natives, they gained access to their various strategies of becoming the trees and shooting poisoned blowdarts that gave a long and painful death. The war laated for three years ending with a rebel victory, the brothers' last battles was the Battle of the Blasted Heath, both almost died on that grassy knoll.

And so with the war's end, a choice remained, go home or stay? It was already obvious what the choice was for both of them, screw their home, a virgin land lay before them, it was time the settle down in old Cromsbarg. The two were 19 and 22 respectively at that time. Then fate decided to fuck with them once more, well, she never did stop fucking with their lives, anyway, this happened a few months after Karl got a job as a deckhand on a regular looking frigate, well, it was smaller than most frigates. As the days wore on and he sailed along with the boat, he grew attached to it, knowing each knook and cranny of the ship, why, he could sail it with ease if he could. From there, he plotted. Currying a good relationship with the captain, he managed to get his brother on the ship as another deck hand, and so, they both plotted a takeover. The opportunity came with the captain dying, old sod looked like he would kick the bucket at any moment. This also happened while the ship was dealing with a rather brutal storm, and chaos ensued, and the Flint Brothers took control of the ship in the storm. Sneaky bastards, both of them, tossing men that would take issue with their takeover overboard when others were distracted with the rising water.

Eventually, the storm abated and the crew of 200 had been cut down to about 150 men. These had been carefully selected as they had good relations with the two, and the mutiny was a success, then again, it really wasn't a true mutiny as they had never thrown the captain overboard publicly. Whatever, they were now in charge of a ship and they were going to have some fun. Their first successful raid was also their very first, setting a good precedent. Their next one was bloody, after all, he is the Unfortunate Son, but this time, it was a good thing to happen to him, as it awarded him with another ship, this time, a small sloop, which he gave to his brother to captain. All was well until his 30th birthday. Befpre that, seeds of jealousy were growing in Timmet's heart, and his fellow pirates fed into it, seeing that if the brother was to succeed, they would get a gain. Eventually, mutiny broke out on the eve of his celebration.

It was a bloody affair, inebriated loyal men, outnumbering the mutineers, were too drunk to deal with the mutiny, and many loyalists were slain. Too bad Karl wasn't one for getting drunk, the Heath taught him that being drunk next to potential enemies is a deathwish. He rallied whatever sober men he could find and began fighting back, eventually slaying the instigator, his brother. From there on out, he would be branded as a kinslayer, but at this point, he didn't care anymore. The mutineers were brought to the lower decks and he personally tortured them to death, their screams a blissful song to him. At the end of it all, he was covered in various pieces of flesh and bone... Was that a piece of liver in his mouth? Anyway, he had solidified his grip on the ship, and now with two ships under him he was going to take a trip to various places, visiting them, scouting them, maybe sack them?

He never did the last thing though, ever since piracy skyrocketed, all the ports were defended well, and easy pickings were harder and harder to find. So he devised a plan, he would gather allies, and their ships. After that, he would do a glorious raid upon a convoy, and he would take all the ships for himself. With all those pirates and ships located in one place, he would set off to the nearest port and claim it as his own, and he would go on from there and carve out a land of his own.

He was 31 when he did get off his arse to do it. One year of moping around...

Occupation: Pirate Captain

Strengths:

An accomplished sailor and captain, not to mention a war veteran, he knows the ins and outs of both land and sea warfare, and he has taught this to his fellow pirates, turning them to mere sailors with swords to a good boarding force, why, his strategy of choice is to simply bombard the enemy, then move in for a lightning fast boarding. He also is a good schemer, and a paranoid fucker to boot, you will be hard pressed to find a way to dent his stranglehold he has on his two ships. Will never be found drunk.

Weaknesses:

He is paranoid, and cruel to his fellows. For a small slight you might get flogged on the spot, or killed, this has made him unloved by most of his men, but they keep in line, for they know what happened to the last mutiny. He is also a lazy one, as ambitious as he is, he will take his time to make those ambitions reality. Also quite fond of the whorehouses, if you want to ambush him while he has his pants down, the times while he is enjoying himself are best, as he will have his pants down literally.

Likes:

He has a taste for the fairer sex, and is consistently found in places where he can stick it in. He also is fond of torturing both sexes, and any prisoners he gets usually don't last more than a day. He likes ships in general, and knows the many kinds that exist in the world, from the smallest war canoe to the largest Oriental junk. Also has a fondness for the sea, and can be seen lounging on the edge of his ship, looking at the great blue.

Dislikes:

Are you weak? Well too bad, he despises weakness, and showing any will earn you a trip to the lower decks of the Unfortunate Son, where he'll make you weaker so he can force you to visit them some more. Desipises snakes and traitors, and gives them special attention in the dark depths of his ship. Are you showing others via your actions that you might be better than him? Unfortunate, but Cap'n doesn't like competition, I hope you like the deep blue, you're getting a free trip down there.

Goals:

This is the pinnacle of his ambitions. His goal is to amass as much pirate captains, their ships, and their supplies in one place. After this occurs, he will attack a convoy and acquire what ships and loot are there, with that out of the way, he will then marshal his strength and prepare to lay claim to the nearest port city. From there he will sack as many ports as he can and conquer them. This spree of conquest will conclude with the capture of Port Maria, if it ever happens. Then he will rule a kingdom.

Ships:

Ship Application

Name: Unfortunate Son(formerly the Sparrow)
Type/Class: 5th Rate Frigate
Number of Guns: 32
Number of Crew: 200
Flag:

Number of Masts:

Ship Application
Name: Tiny Levathian(formerly the Adalrich)
Type/Class: Sloop
Number of Guns: 16
Number of Crew: 60
Flag:

Number of Masts:

[Vrijstaat Limburg]

Hey! This looks kind of fun. Mind if I join?

[Kaziimar]

Hey! This looks kind of fun. Mind if I join?

Not at all

[Ruskland-Preuben]

Hey! This looks kind of fun. Mind if I join?

Not at all

Done with my app.