The Golden Age(IC)(OPEN)

[Bolslania]

1813;

Some say the sea is a beautiful and caressing force. Anyone who has been on it for months at a time knows differently, it's the ship that is freedom. The ship that is beautiful, and its the ship that's going to protect you and see you to the other side while the sea does its best to kill you at every turn.

During the mid-16th to mid 19th centuries sailing was at an all time high, not only for frequency, but for complexity of routes and the ships themselves, from the 4 gun-deck Man-o'-War's to the 7 masted clipper ships, all face the fears, dangers, and freedoms of the open ocean. Where one slip up can dump you into the cold, unforgiving ocean. The life of a sailor is paycheck to paycheck, get paid, get drunk and spend a night with the women, repeat. This life is not for everyone, but for those brave, or stupid, enough to face the open ocean, a life of adventure and experience awaits.

The HMS Sprite was constructed in 1800 as a Ship-of-the-Line . She has 80 guns and was built in a very common fashion for the time. She has gun decks, she has 37 guns on her broadsides, 2 guns in an aft position, and 4 guns in the bow positions. She has three masts, the Foremast having three sails, the Mainmast having 4, and the Mizzenmast has 3 sails and the Spanker sail. She fought alongside the HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar and sailed in formation right behind the Victory. After the battle, she saw more action fighting the French Fleet, in the raging turmoil of the Napoleonic War the Sprite has fired her cannons in anger. She still resides in her old battle fleet, sailing the seas on the hunt for French ships.

Captain(0/1): Responsible for daily operation of the ship, the captain does not usually own the ship he is aboard. His job is to make sure that the ship gets to where it needs to be when it needs to be there. On merchant or transport ships, he is responsible for the deliverance of the cargo and/or passengers.

First, Second, and Third mates(0/3): Most ships have just a first and second mate, but larger ships might have a third or even fourth mate. The Mates act as an extension of the Captain's authority, and will often command specific decks and crew.

Captain of Marines(1/1): On board a Warship, or sometimes East India Company ships, the Captain of Marines is tasked with commanding the ship's compliment on Naval infantry.

Lieutenant of Marines(0/1): Extension and Assistant of the Captain of Marines

Marine(2/5: On a warship or some East Empire Company ships, a Marine is responsible for the armed defense of the ship and crew, and is responsible for making any boarding actions necessary

Master(0/1): A Warrant Officer in charge of the navigation of the ship. He, like other Warrant Officers, is allowed to bunk and eat with the Officers of the ship.

Surgeon(0/1): A Warrant Officer with medical training who was responsible for the health of the crew and to perform operations on injured sailors.

Purser(0/1): A Warrant Officer responsible for the handling of accounts and money aboard the ship, and was also responsible for handing out the wages of the crewmen

Chaplain(0/1): A Warrant Officer responsible for religious services aboard the ship

Midshipman(0/3): An Officer Candidate who is getting some "Sea-Time" before actually getting any command. Usually an experienced seaman

Officer's Mate(0/4): Responsible as a steward to the officer he is assigned to

Surgeon's Mate(0/1): Responsible for assisting the Surgeon in his tasks:

Master's Mate(0/1): Assist the Master of the ship in his duties and take over if the Master was injured or killed.

Captain's Clerk(0/1): Hired personally by the Captain to keep the Captain's records and accounts

Schoolteacher(0/1): Responsible for the education of the Captain's children if they were aboard. The teacher was personally hired by the Captain

Steward(0/1): A senior Crewman responsible for managing ship affairs and operations and was often the Officers cook

Cook(1/1): Usually an injured or old seaman, responsible for meal preparation for the Ships crew

Gunner(1/1): Standing officer in charge of all ship's armaments (ie. Cannons)

Boatswain(0/1): Most senior crew member aboard, tasked with making sure that the crew were fully performing their duties to a satisfactory level.

Carpenter, Rope-maker, Caulker, Sail-maker and their Mates or in the case of the Carpenter, crew(0/12): Responsible for repairs to the ship

Armorer(0/1): Responsible for maintenance of small arms and melee weapons aboard the ship.

Yeoman(0/1): Ship's clerk. Responsible for keeping the accounts and log of the ship

Yeoman of the Powder(0/1): On a warship, was responsible for magazine and ammunition.

Coxswain(0/1): Responsible for the steering and navigation of the ship

Quartermaster(0/1): Responsible for steering and navigation of the ship along with the Coxswain

Cooper(0/1): Responsible for making barrels, crates, and the like on the ship. Worked for the Purser

Master-At-Arms(0/1): Senior seaman responsible for maintaining Law & Order on the ship

Ship's Corporal(0/1): Assistant to the Master-At-Arms

Watch captain(0/4): Responsible for a watch team, 4 per ship

Armorer's Mate(0/1): Assisted the Armorer in his duties

Gunner's Mate(0/3): Assisted the Gunner in his duties, usually multiple.

Quartermaster's Mate(0/1): Assistated the Quartermaster in his duties

Gunsmith(0/1): Is responsible for repairing damaged weapons and ensuring they are fit to use, also assists the Armorer

Quarter-Gunner2/15): Part of the gun-crews, multiple

Able-Seaman(0/30): A seaman with at least 3 years of sailing experience.

Topman(0/6): A seaman responsible for being in the rigging of the ship, as in letting down or unfurling the sails, and manning the Crow's Nest, receives more pay for the hazardous job

Ordinary Seaman(0/45): Somewhat experienced Seaman. Usually at least a year of experience.

Landsman(0/15): New to sailing, under a year of experience

Boy(0/2): Servant, usually 12 years or younger.

RULES:
1. OP is the law. Any Co-ops are also the law
2. Be realistic, this was a dangerous and tough time
3. Good grammar please, unless your character is speaking
4. Dont be inactive without prior notice
5. Remember, there is a hierarchy on board a ship, a very, very strict hierarchy
6. Don't get to attached to the character, these guys lived with death right below their feet, so be prepared to maybe go through a few characters



Start Situation: September 7th, 1813, English Channel. The HMS Sprite is on patrol duty with another 2nd rate ship of the line, the Bloodhound.

[Mathuvan Union]

Milos O'Carps looks out on the deck
"God" he says "looks very gloomy out there I hope we don't run into any ships!"

[Bolslania]

Christian looked up from his logbook at the Marine.

"We're out here to find Frenchies Marine." He, along with the Gunsmith, is checking the ships compliment of cannon. So far, so good.

[Mathuvan Union]

Christian looked up from his logbook at the Marine.

"We're out here to find Frenchies Marine." He, along with the Gunsmith, is checking the ships compliment of cannon. So far, so good.

“Well this French is are about to be fired!” Says Milos “we’ll knock them back!”

[Bolslania]

Christian looked up from his logbook at the Marine.

"We're out here to find Frenchies Marine." He, along with the Gunsmith, is checking the ships compliment of cannon. So far, so good.

“Well this French is are about to be fired!” Says Milos “we’ll knock them back!”

Christian chuckled at the Marine's Gung Ho.
He's going to get killed first boarding action we get

Christian continued and found a dirty gun.

"James! John! Get over here and clean this blasted gun!" Christian yelled at the two quarter-gunners.

[Mathuvan Union]

“Well this French is are about to be fired!” Says Milos “we’ll knock them back!”

Christian chuckled at the Marine's Gung Ho.
He's going to get killed first boarding action we get

Christian continued and found a dirty gun.

"James! John! Get over here and clean this blasted gun!" Christian yelled at the two quarter-gunners.

Milos knee the risk he was taking - but he had confidence in his tactics “GODDAMNIT marines get over here!” He shouted

[Somerania]

Christian chuckled at the Marine's Gung Ho.
He's going to get killed first boarding action we get

Christian continued and found a dirty gun.

"James! John! Get over here and clean this blasted gun!" Christian yelled at the two quarter-gunners.

Milos knee the risk he was taking - but he had confidence in his tactics “GODDAMNIT marines get over here!” He shouted

William and the marines quickly load their guns and run to captain carps, after arriving to captain carps William gave him a salute and readied his musket.

[Bolslania]

Christian looked up.

"Are we under attack!? What's going on?"

[Mathuvan Union]

Christian looked up.

"Are we under attack!? What's going on?"

We spotted the marines off the coast; we are going to Alan and attack those fries

[Mathuvan Union]

Milos knee the risk he was taking - but he had confidence in his tactics “GODDAMNIT marines get over here!” He shouted

William and the marines quickly load their guns and run to captain carps, after arriving to captain carps William gave him a salute and readied his musket.

Milos saluted William. Attention, Marines! We are going to land and fight back the French! Load muskets and fix bayonets!

[Somerania]

William and the marines quickly load their guns and run to captain carps, after arriving to captain carps William gave him a salute and readied his musket.

Milos saluted William. Attention, Marines! We are going to land and fight back the French! Load muskets and fix bayonets!

William with stern face says YES SIR! as he loads his musket and fixes his bayonets along with the rest of the Marines.

[Bolslania]

"Shit. Gun Crews! To your guns!" Christian cries out. Men begin to scramble to get to their cannons. Ramrods clink and rattle as the gunners search for targets.

"Where did you see them?" Christian asks of the Captain.

[Mathuvan Union]

"Shit. Gun Crews! To your guns!" Christian cries out. Men begin to scramble to get to their cannons. Ramrods clink and rattle as the gunners search for targets.

"Where did you see them?" Christian asks of the Captain.

Captain Unamé say “one of the boys in the crows nest was sent up and he saw some of the French marines landing”

[Bolslania]

OOC: We're not fighting Marines. We fight ships here, any boarding action would happen after several hours of intense ship-to-ship combat.


IC:

Christian fetches a spyglass and scans the horizon. He finds the ship that the others see and sees a Union Jack fluttering.

"That's the Minotaur She's accompanying us remember." Christian says. He turns back as the gun crews relax. Suddenly from above

"Ship Ahoy! Bearing North West! I see a French Flag!"

Christian, the Captain, and the First Mate look where the Crow's Nest identify, and indeed, 2 French Naval ships are sailing towards them, full canvas in the wind.


The Captain begins yelling

"Battle Stations! Battle Stations!"

Men scramble to their guns as topmen climb up to adjust the sails.


"Marines! Ready for action! We might need you ready, but stay on standby." The Captain says.

Christian runs belowdecks to make sure all the guns are being properly loaded and readied.

"Top Cannons! Load chainshot! Everyone else! Load Ball!" He yells.

[Mathuvan Union]

OOC: We're not fighting Marines. We fight ships here, any boarding action would happen after several hours of intense ship-to-ship combat.


IC:

Christian fetches a spyglass and scans the horizon. He finds the ship that the others see and sees a Union Jack fluttering.

"That's the Minotaur She's accompanying us remember." Christian says. He turns back as the gun crews relax. Suddenly from above

"Ship Ahoy! Bearing North West! I see a French Flag!"

Christian, the Captain, and the First Mate look where the Crow's Nest identify, and indeed, 2 French Naval ships are sailing towards them, full canvas in the wind.


The Captain begins yelling

"Battle Stations! Battle Stations!"

Men scramble to their guns as topmen climb up to adjust the sails.


"Marines! Ready for action! We might need you ready, but stay on standby." The Captain says.

Christian runs belowdecks to make sure all the guns are being properly loaded and readied.

"Top Cannons! Load chainshot! Everyone else! Load Ball!" He yells.

'Yes, Sir!' Shouts Milos 'Marines, Standby! Have your muskets ready!'

OOC: can we go up and snipe the French like the French did when they killed Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar?

[Stalins backhair]

James heard the order from the Gunner and picked up a heavy ball. He dropped it down the barrel of the cannon, as another gunman rammed it down. He cut the rope for the fuse and slid it into the cannon as it was pushed forward. He was on the second gun deck. He could slightly see the enemy vessels. The ship rolled in the waves. Men had to shout to be heard over the tromping bootsteps as men ran to their battlestations.

James proceeded to elevate the cannon to its max elevation, his target was the mainmast of the French 74 gun ship.

[Bolslania]

Christian saw that all of the Port cannons were ready, he watched the Marines crouching down to be ready to repel boarders or board themselves

OOC: No. The man who shot Nelson was a trained marksman, you guys are just Marines. Plus, you'd be getting in the way of the Topmen, and we need all the Marines ready to repel or board the enemy

[Mathuvan Union]

OOC: We're not fighting Marines. We fight ships here, any boarding action would happen after several hours of intense ship-to-ship combat.


IC:

Christian fetches a spyglass and scans the horizon. He finds the ship that the others see and sees a Union Jack fluttering.

"That's the Minotaur She's accompanying us remember." Christian says. He turns back as the gun crews relax. Suddenly from above

"Ship Ahoy! Bearing North West! I see a French Flag!"

Christian, the Captain, and the First Mate look where the Crow's Nest identify, and indeed, 2 French Naval ships are sailing towards them, full canvas in the wind.


The Captain begins yelling

"Battle Stations! Battle Stations!"

Men scramble to their guns as topmen climb up to adjust the sails.


"Marines! Ready for action! We might need you ready, but stay on standby." The Captain says.

Christian runs belowdecks to make sure all the guns are being properly loaded and readied.

"Top Cannons! Load chainshot! Everyone else! Load Ball!" He yells.

Captain, Sir! Get the Minotaur over here! We're outnumbered! Our ship has only 64 guns

[Bolslania]

The French ships had fallen into line, and the Minotaur had fallen into line behind the Sprite Christian and his mates brought out powder bags for the gun-crews, the Captain gave the order to fire-at-will. Soon, the air was filled with fire and smoke as the cannons belched out their rounds. The French returned fire, shells falling into the water, slamming into the ship, or whistling overhead.

One ball slammed into the 3rd gun deck, slamming through 3 of the crew, one was blown completely in half, one had his arm taken off in a messy pulp, and one got crushed into the other side of the hull. Blood ran like water through the deck. Screams of dying and wounded men filled the air.

The French ships were about 400 yards away, just about maximum effective range for the cannons. As the topmen were scrambling down the rigging, some got chewed up by French chainshot rounds. Christian filled in for one of the quarter-gunners who had been hit by shrapnel.

The Surgeon and Surgeon's mate, along with the maintenance crew, were hauling wounded men to the Surgeons room, where the Surgeon would ry to save them.

[Mathuvan Union]

Christian saw that all of the Port cannons were ready, he watched the Marines crouching down to be ready to repel boarders or board themselves

OOC: No. The man who shot Nelson was a trained marksman, you guys are just Marines. Plus, you'd be getting in the way of the Topmen, and we need all the Marines ready to repel or board the enemy

OOC: Ok. It would've been called but tbh it's hard to be a sniper marine

[Mathuvan Union]

The French ships had fallen into line, and the Minotaur had fallen into line behind the Sprite Christian and his mates brought out powder bags for the gun-crews, the Captain gave the order to fire-at-will. Soon, the air was filled with fire and smoke as the cannons belched out their rounds. The French returned fire, shells falling into the water, slamming into the ship, or whistling overhead.

One ball slammed into the 3rd gun deck, slamming through 3 of the crew, one was blown completely in half, one had his arm taken off in a messy pulp, and one got crushed into the other side of the hull. Blood ran like water through the deck. Screams of dying and wounded men filled the air.

The French ships were about 400 yards away, just about maximum effective range for the cannons. As the topmen were scrambling down the rigging, some got chewed up by French chainshot rounds. Christian filled in for one of the quarter-gunners who had been hit by shrapnel.

The Surgeon and Surgeon's mate, along with the maintenance crew, were hauling wounded men to the Surgeons room, where the Surgeon would ry to save them.

Milos looked around with desperation "We must do something!" He shouted "Marines! Prepare arms!" Milos wanted to tell them to fire but he knew he would almost certainly be demoted "Hold Fire! Hold Fire!" He shouted

[Hospitiliars]

As the Marines crowded against the side of the Weatherdeck(Top deck) John's cannon went off, nearly hitting one of the Marines with it's recoil. John and his crew physically shoved the marines back swearing at them

"Back up you stupid sons-a-bitches!" They yelled. After the Marines had been moved out of the way of the gunners, his team began the reloading process. The cannon belched fire and smoke, and the chainshot sailed at the lead French ship, slamming into the rigging, cutting away the rigging, the mast of the enemy ship bent away at a strange angle.

[Mathuvan Union]

As the Marines crowded against the side of the Weatherdeck(Top deck) John's cannon went off, nearly hitting one of the Marines with it's recoil. John and his crew physically shoved the marines back swearing at them

"Back up you stupid sons-a-bitches!" They yelled. After the Marines had been moved out of the way of the gunners, his team began the reloading process. The cannon belched fire and smoke, and the chainshot sailed at the lead French ship, slamming into the rigging, cutting away the rigging, the mast of the enemy ship bent away at a strange angle.

OOC: It's against the rules to decide what someone else does; I never ordered my marines to move up to the guns. I told them to prepare arms

The marines fired back saying "Watch it, you bloody idiots! we're the ones with the muskets here! and we are the higher ranking officers!" "Marines!" Shouted milos "Move back! Away from the guns! Captain, sir, we would like to know the range to the French ships"

[Bolslania]

The French ships had fallen into line, and the Minotaur had fallen into line behind the Sprite Christian and his mates brought out powder bags for the gun-crews, the Captain gave the order to fire-at-will. Soon, the air was filled with fire and smoke as the cannons belched out their rounds. The French returned fire, shells falling into the water, slamming into the ship, or whistling overhead.

One ball slammed into the 3rd gun deck, slamming through 3 of the crew, one was blown completely in half, one had his arm taken off in a messy pulp, and one got crushed into the other side of the hull. Blood ran like water through the deck. Screams of dying and wounded men filled the air.

The French ships were about 400 yards away, just about maximum effective range for the cannons. As the topmen were scrambling down the rigging, some got chewed up by French chainshot rounds. Christian filled in for one of the quarter-gunners who had been hit by shrapnel.

The Surgeon and Surgeon's mate, along with the maintenance crew, were hauling wounded men to the Surgeons room, where the Surgeon would ry to save them.

Milos looked around with desperation "We must do something!" He shouted "Marines! Prepare arms!" Milos wanted to tell them to fire but he knew he would almost certainly be demoted "Hold Fire! Hold Fire!" He shouted

Christian saw the Marines getting in the way of the gunners

"Stay outta the way lads! Your time will come!" He shouted over the roaring of cannons. A chainshot round slammed into the side of the ship, sending shrapnel flying. Christian ducked to avoid it, and as he looked up he saw that one of the cannons' ropes had been cut by shrapnel

"Loose cannon!" He shouted, men jumped away as an Able Seaman came up with a spare rope to resecure it.

OOC: If your guys were readying arms they had to move to the sides of the walls. He also said "The Marines" who are NPCs


The captain heard the Captain of Marines ask for range

"400 meters! Hold your fire!"

[Mathuvan Union]

Milos looked around with desperation "We must do something!" He shouted "Marines! Prepare arms!" Milos wanted to tell them to fire but he knew he would almost certainly be demoted "Hold Fire! Hold Fire!" He shouted

Christian saw the Marines getting in the way of the gunners

"Stay outta the way lads! Your time will come!" He shouted over the roaring of cannons. A chainshot round slammed into the side of the ship, sending shrapnel flying. Christian ducked to avoid it, and as he looked up he saw that one of the cannons' ropes had been cut by shrapnel

"Loose cannon!" He shouted, men jumped away as an Able Seaman came up with a spare rope to resecure it.

OOC: If your guys were readying arms they had to move to the sides of the walls. He also said "The Marines" who are NPCs


The captain heard the Captain of Marines ask for range

"400 meters! Hold your fire!"

OOC: Noted, we will fall back and isn't there a marine? other than me?

"Milos heard the captain "Roger that! Marines Fall back! Hold Fire! Fix Bayonets and get away from the guns!"

Milos looked over at the French ships, as soon as he did, a bullet wizzed passed his ear. "GODDAMNIT" He shouted "Those Frenchies have marksmen! William, Get your ass over to the captain! Tell him they have marksmen!"