NationStates Jolt Archive

Curacao, 1661

Francis Caster looked up at the boat that had been his transport since he was 15. It was a large War Sloop, with 10 cannons on either side. The ship was boarding in two days, and Caster had just been granted a Letter of Marque from the Dutch government. The Governer of Curacao had a request, to destroy all Spanish merchant shipping. Of course, Caster had no intention to do anything the Dutch had requested. He was a pirate, and lived on impulse, not loyalty. He would attack who he wished, when he wished, where he wished. And to hell with the consequences!

OOC: The ph ship will sail out a while after the Lady Elizabeth. Nations would hire pirate hunters to get rid of a pirate ship that had been a nuisance. The Lady Elizabeth isn't a nuisance. Yet. ;)

It was hot, which is normal for the Carribean islands. People clamored down the streets. Merchants ran their shops and the taverns were filled to the brink with men. The port was busy with ships from all places and cargo being loaded and unloaded. Eli Drake roused from his straw mattress in the basement of the King's Lion Inn. He yawned and scratched his short beard. His vision was a little blurred from all the drinking but it son returned to normal. He looked around Where did she go? He did spend the early morning with a fine lass who seemed to have vanished. He decided not to give it a second thought and he stood up and stretched. Eli walked upstaris, had some bread, paid his dues and left. The sun was bright and he covered his eyes. "Damn sun!" he said to no one in particular "The time for my return to the ship is approaching". He began to walk towards the docks, swaggering a bit.

Eli Drake roused from his straw mattress in the basement of the King's Lion Inn.

OOC: Man, what's your thing with people sleeping in the basements of taverns?

Captain Francis Caster impatiently awaited the arrival of first mate, Eli Drake. Caster was used to him being late. They had been pirating together for 3 years now, and Caster was accustomed to his binges. The sun was excruciating. Caster eyed the horizon and spotted a figure approaching the ship. It was Drake. Caster walked down the ship ramp to greet him.

OOC: Man, what's your thing with people sleeping in the basements of taverns?

I sleep in my basement. Just a habit.

Eli made his way down to the docks. He was a poweful figure when not hung over. The crowd parted for him as his boots clopped on the planks. The ship was in view. It filled him with pride to serve on her. The captain, a far more imposing man than himself walked down the gang plank. Eli waved "What's this then? No trumpets to greet me?" he laughed as he approached the captain "Captain, how many days have I been gone? I don't recall" he said.

hey guys, where the ooc? i asked about something when i was there and now i cant find it.

Miguel Sao had been staying with a local Jewish merchant. He woke, got dressed, washed, and headed to the synagogue. After Shacharit, he headed to the docks.

He soon arrived at the Lady Elizabeth.
"Captain Caster!" he called out.

Philip walked down the street, ready to set sail again. Ever since he hid on the Lady Elizabeth a year ago, he didn't feel at home on land. He loved the open sea, and didn't mind the piracy. Finally, he reached the ship and climbed aboard.
"Hey, fellas"

Caster batted away his first mate's hand, outstreched to shake with him. "You've been drinking. And you've been gone for 3 days." Francis spat angrily. "I forgive you, but only for the sake that you are an old friend, and quarreling with you would be a needless thorn in my side."
Just then, two of the crew members arrived, Miguel Sao and Philip Baki. Caster had always had a soft spot for the young Jew, and he respected Sao's independence and courage. Caster also found quite a few similiarities between him and Sao, notably their hatred of the Spanish.
Baki interested the Captain quite a bit. He was secretive, and also the most loyal of the crew. Caster had never been told the exact background of Baki, but was astonished and interested even further when he watched the seemingly helpless Baki take on his strongest crew member 2 years back with ease.
Caster greeted the two warmly.
Pirates were greedy and lived on impulse, so Caster could certainly bet that the majority of his crew had gambled away their share from the last voyage and been arrested, killed, or otherwise disabled from pirating. The last voyage had been a partial success, for 2 years the Lady Elizabeth terrorized the Northwest Carribean. And then Francois LeBlanc, oh that bast^rd, had come after them, having been hired by the Spanish, and practically destroyed the Lady Elizabeth. Half the crew had been set afloat or dismembered, but luckily the three things that mattered the most survived; the ship, the treasure, and Captain Caster. The Lady Elizabeth and what remained of his crew escaped to Curacao. Now, 7 and a half months later, the Lady Elizabeth could set sail again...

Eli scratched his head "3 days? My how time flies when you are in the intimate embrace of a young lass. However, she swiftly left at some point during my stay wherever I was. Oh well, the Lady Elizabeth is the one woman who's always there for me" he chuckled "Thank you for your fogiveness. I am now of sober mind and am an able seaman again." Eli smiled and began to stagger up the gangway. His legs still heavy from trace amounts of alcohol in his body.

"Where are we headed this time Captain?" Philip always wanted to see new places. His family in Hungary always traveled, but not far. He wanted to see as much of the "New World" as possible. The last year had been a year of experimentation. He tried new foods, encountered new friends, new foes and savages that lived in these lands. He hoped that more of the same lie ahead.

OOC: where will the ph sail out of?

"In 5 days, the Royal Spanish Treasure Fleet is sailing out of Gibraltar." Said Carter. "The Brazilian Northern Coast will be our first destination. Plenty of Rich Spanish Cities along there."

OOC: where will the ph sail out of?
OOC: I expect somewhere like Rio De La Hacha, after the Lady Elizabeth takes on the Treasure Fleet and p^sses of the Spanish Government

Christopher Blair stood idely on the ships deck, staring out over the horizon. He longed to return to his home in Scotland, yet the English bastards had forbade it.

He saw Captain Carter and asked "Sir, any thing you require done?"

Caster enjoyed a wide variety of diversity on his ship, but Blair's heavy accent often annoyed him slightly. "Actually yes, get some imperishable food. Baki, you gather up some firearms and ammunition. And Sao, I need some silverware, and do me a favor: gather up the other crew members, will you?"

Captain Francois LeBlanc paced the deck of his ship, the wolf. He had just returned from a meeting with a rich merchant, where he had negociated a sponsorship contract. He was paid by various governments to hunt pirates, but with his "habits," he often required additional funds. He made deals with merchants and other money-lenders to be paid for a trip out, after which, we would pay with loot stolen from the pirate ship. He made a habit of keeping money off the ship. He told no one of this, though he did have to pay his 1st mate ocationally to get him to keep quiet. He had a hangover from the night before, but he could think well enough. "William! To me!" Cried the captain.

His mate walked up to his side. "captain?"
"we will soon have money. I met with some people earlier who have agreed to double whatever money we can get from the spanish. you go gather the crew. we must be ready!"
"captain, we do not have money now. Should I now wait?"
"Go, or I'll thrash you as harshly as ever!"
william left the ship, and wandered through the city. He could not find any men. He had to find the crew.

Blair loaded the foodstuff Carter asked for onto the ship, and went back to help find weapons and munitions for the crew.

"captain, we do not have money now. Should I now wait?"
"Go, or I'll thrash you as harshly as ever!"
OOC: You know, for the sake of realism, Captains didn't thrash their first mates. Ever. Also, leave the ph alone for now. As far as you're concerned, Caster and the Lady Elizabeth won't be sailing for a while (if ever) and even so, there's no reason to set out and offer your services.

Eli went about his work. There was much to do as he assisted in the loading of supplies and making sure everything was good for sailing. He yelled at some of the men for leaving things lie arpund but was quick to show them the proper ways. The life of a pirate was difficult but rewarding. The alcohol was out of his system by this time and he worked hard. He enjoyed serving under Caster, who was a friend. The crew loved him as well and followed his every order to the mark.

OOC: I'm feeling the need to explain something. I was aiming for this RP to have a "fixed" beginning to some degree. Basically, the Lady Elizabeth will sail out in two days, the equivelant of about twenty posts. Then, they will attack the Treasure Fleet and attempt to escape with the mound of dubloons they have stolen. Francois LeBlanc will then be hired by the governer of a Spanish town, like Rio De La Hacha. This is where the RP actually starts. From then on it is open-ended, with the Lady Elizabeth sailing around and the Wolf right behind it. Yes, I know, the ambush on the Treasure Fleet is the "exciting" part, and we all want to decide how it goes. But to a degree, you still can! Maybe a crew member dies, or is taken captive. You can decide How it happens, just not What happens. And then, when we leave the South American coast, you can take the RP where you wish! Spread your imagination wings, and roam free! Okay, that was a really bad analogy/metaphor but still, you get what I mean. Thank you for listening to my seemingly endless rant. That will be $5.00.

Sao smiled. A Spanish treasure ship? He hoped there was a priest aboard - or better yet, an Inquisitor...
He returned to the merchant whom he had stayed with, David Cohen.
"Mr. Cohen, I need some silverware!"
Cohen rooted around in his storeroom for a minute, then came up with a fine set.
"I'll trade you one of my pistols for it."
"I think it is worth a little more than that. Perhaps two pistols."
"Five guineas and one pistol," Sao offered.
"Throw in a bag of bullets, and it's a deal," said Cohen.
Sao pulled out one of his well-made pistols, and five guineas. He placed them on the counter, along with a small pouch filled with bullets. Cohen handed hime the set of silverware.
"Be careful someone sees you with that," warned Cohen. "It's pretty expensive."
"I'll be OK. I AM a gunsmith, you know. Any ritual items in here?"
"Nope. I don't carry those."
"Good. G-d be with you."
Sao returned the blessing, then headed outside. He kept an eye out for any fellow crewmembers. Finally, he returned to the ship.
"Captain! Got your silverware. Didn't find any crew, though."

Philip went into town to buy ammunition for the cannons aboard the Lady Elizabeth. This happened uneventfully enough and he walked out of the store.

OOC: Hey Kanea, LeBlanc isn't in Curacao. Please edit your post.

OOC: I've deleted my post, and will repost when a price is put out for the pirates

thanks Siap! :)

OOC: You know, for the sake of realism, Captains didn't thrash their first mates. Ever. Also, leave the ph alone for now. As far as you're concerned, Caster and the Lady Elizabeth won't be sailing for a while (if ever) and even so, there's no reason to set out and offer your services.
OOC:
sorry, but Leblanc is slightly drunk right now, and the two just don't get along. (Catholic and protistant) I'll try to keep it more acurate. I was thinking we could try a little anti smuggler opperation while we wait, but I can just stop.

OOC: Thanks for responding Orlia. I realize now that LeBlanc was a bit drunk, and I was a bit harsh. This is my first time starting an RP, and I'm a bit neurotic about the whole thing.

Baki and Sao soon returned with the needed supplies. Caster dismissed them and closed down the ship for the night, returning to a local tavern for the night.

no problem

bump

Bump

OOC: Where's our OOC thread gone? I'll keep an eye here until its time for my char to jump in...

OOC: The OOC thread is here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=484086

A dark figure moved silently along the waters edge, approaching the Lady Elizabeth. He quickly reached the ship and followed the right wall of it until he reached the side. He took a few steps back, and then sprinted to the waters edge, leaping onto the boat. He now calmly walked to the Captain's Cabin and attempted to open the door. It was locked, as he had excpected. He moved his fingers along the splintering wood until he found a hole. he stuck a broad dagger through and cut the wood around the sides, to create a larger hole, well large enough for his arm at least. He stuck his hand through and felt around until he found the doorknob. He turned it and pulled, and made a smug half-smile when he opened it, admiring his cleverness. Reaching the desk, he sifted through the papers until he found the one he was looking for, the Captains Log. He drew a piece of parchement from his coat pocket and copied the ink that was on the log with a small quill. Cartenega...Treasure Fleet...He thought as he took down the script. His heart raced, but it was not fear, he was experienced and unafraid of being caught. It was excitement, because he knew that this paper was pure gold to his employer. Proud of himself, he exited the cabin, leaving a bit of bird poop on the desk.

The next morning, Captain Caster ate breakfast in the tavern and headed for the ship. He reached it and lowered the ramp. As he approached the Captain's Cabin, he was puzzled to see a large hole in the door. He put the key into the door and unlocked it. Upon spotting the bird fisces on his deck, he cursed woodpeckers for putting a hole in his door and pooping on his desk.

Sao awoke, got dressed, and headed to the ship. After climbing aboard, he noticed the big hole in the cabin.

OOC: When was the last time Kulikovo posted? He's the first mate...he can't just stop...

demote him (he might be on vacation)

bump

bump

Philip awoke in the bowels of the Lady Elizabeth, groggy from the past night's sleep. He had that same dream that night. His family was running away from... Police? "No, not police. Something else," he thought aloud. The "police" were wearing the Black, White and Yellow of the Russian flag on their shoulders. His family was about to be caught when he woke up. "What does this mean!"

Red, white and Blue Russian Flag? Was it those colors in the 1600s. It's red and yellow now...

its red white and blue now, since the end of the USSR, but it wasn't then

also, civil police forces began in the 1700s, so they wouldn't have been around then.

is this over? should I bother to even look at this thread?