RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Legend of the Black Pearl

23:50, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Encounter in Dechaine.

Posted by Dread Pirate RobertFor group 0
Johann Ravenkamp
player, 13 posts
"Legitimate" Sailor
Tue 7 Nov 2017
at 05:59
  • msg #15

Encounter in Dechaine

"Oui," Han replied grumpily, responding to her playful rebuttal regarding the crew. "Mais tu n'êtes pas d'autres femmes." But you are not other women.

She'd put the question to him in Eisen, but Han had still stubbornly responded in Montaignoise. A majority of the crew were of Eisen decent, but there were only a rare handful aboard that spoke Montaignoise with any fluency, and Han could count them on one hand. The less of his conversation that could be overheard, the better.

He’d known she was going to attract attention on board, but that still hadn’t quite prepared him for the reality of it. She was his sister, for one, and besides, she—

Han grit his teeth and chewed that thought down.

Other than that hiccup, it felt good to step back on deck. To anyone who knew what to look for, die Gespenst was unmistakably Eisen in construction, but there was a sleek elegance to her in her simplicity. No line was wasted. No carving superfluous. Even the door to the Captain’s cabin lacked the usual fluttery carvings that might decorate a Montaignoise or Castillan ship.

Nerves were starting to curl up when they drew to the door, but he couldn’t help but smile to himself at his brother’s customary bark from the other side.

“More or less,” Han replied to Carmen with a grin, before half yelling back in Eisen as he shoved the door open. “Albert, stop being a shut-in, would you?”
Albert Ravenkamp
player, 8 posts
"Legitimate" Captain
Wed 8 Nov 2017
at 16:43
  • msg #16

Encounter in Dechaine

Albert glanced up as the pair enter his cabin.  The irritation at being disturbed that was present on his face quickly faded as he noticed the figure standing next to his brother.  Seconds seemed like minutes as he intently studied the white haired women at Han's side.  When his brother mentioned the fact that their sister would be joining them, he wasn't sure what to expect, as he hadn't seen Carmen since she was just a child.  And yet here she stood, all grown up, and by all appearances, the very definition of womanhood.

Standing quickly, he rounded his table before wordlessly pulling her into a hug.  When the pair did finally break the embrace some moments later, he was smiling "My dear sister, it has been far too long."
Carmen the Jenny
player, 16 posts
Montaigne Jenny
HP: 0
Wed 8 Nov 2017
at 21:33
  • msg #17

Encounter in Dechaine

"Not my fault," she grumbled as she pulled him back into another hug.  It was so weird to hear him.  To smell him.  To see him.  It had been years, and even when she'd seen him last he hadn't been a real man.  Now... look at him.  A fucking ship's captain.  A captain of Eisen men, no less.  Who would've expected this?  And how had it happened?  "How did this happen?" Carmen inquired, finally releasing Albert on her own terms and stepping back to look at him properly.  Poor Han had suffered similar bouts of intense, on-her-terms hugging.  No one decided when to end the hug other than Carmen.  No one.
Johann Ravenkamp
player, 14 posts
"Legitimate" Sailor
Wed 8 Nov 2017
at 22:21
  • msg #18

Encounter in Dechaine

"Time tends to do that, I'm afraid," replied Han with a partial shrug. He'd stepped off to the side, letting Albert and Carmen have their moment, and the ghost of smile was dancing on the edge of his lip.

They'd found her.

God.

Something about finally having her on the ship made it feel a little bit more real. As though, until now, it all might have been snatched from under his fingers at any moment. The nerves were still there, but something about having them finally seeing them all reunited was cracking through even Han's usual over-caution.

After everything...

After so much...

"It's good to have you back, sister."
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 113 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Sat 11 Nov 2017
at 21:01
  • msg #19

Encounter in Dechaine

Just as Carmen and Han entered Albert's cabin, the sound of cannon fire reaches their ears. It is fairly loud and close by! It is followed by the sound of splintering wood. However, there is no jolt to the ship, so it is clear that it didn't hit Albert's ship, but must have hit a nearby one.
Carmen the Jenny
player, 18 posts
Montaigne Jenny
HP: 0
Tue 14 Nov 2017
at 04:58
  • msg #20

Encounter in Dechaine

As if on cue, something terrible was already happening.  Drawing a throwing dagger and crouching down, eyes wide with fear, Carmen looked around the cabin before glancing out the windows.  "You just had to jinx it, didn't you, Han?" she muttered, shooting a good-natured smile up at her brother before returning her gaze to the outside world.  Whatever had made that sound hadn't then made the ship capsize, so the legendary merkrakendragonmaid she'd read about in the penny dreadful wasn't the cause.  Phew.

That was a dodged bullet, no doubt.

"Are we under attack?  Under fire?  Are we being boarded?"  Her complete naivete with respect to the goings-on of sailors might've been adorable, if not for the sound of a ship getting damaged.  That did put a bit of a damper on things.
Albert Ravenkamp
player, 9 posts
"Legitimate" Captain
Wed 15 Nov 2017
at 01:01
  • msg #21

Encounter in Dechaine

At the telltale sound of cannons, Albert immediately broke the hug and flung the cabin door open.  "To your stations men, get our guns loaded!  Johann prepare the marines for action!" he barked.  He doesn't know what's going on, but he refuses to take any chances.  After all, this family had just be reunited, he'll be damned if he'll let anything tear them apart again.  Motioning his sister over from her position in the doorway, he said simply "You are not to leave my side Carmen, not even for a moment, is that understood?"  His words were not harsh, but there was something about the tone of it all that struck Carmen.  It was the tone of a man who knew his words were going to obeyed to the letter, and without a moment's hesitation.

His sister safe, he stood calmly amidst the chaos unfolding all around him as the sailors began scrambling to their posts, scurrying about in a rush to fulfill the orders of the ship's officers.  Eyes scanning the water, Albert looked to make sense of the situation, as obviously a ship had just been attacked, and there was always the chance that they'd be next.
Johann Ravenkamp
player, 16 posts
"Legitimate" Sailor
Thu 16 Nov 2017
at 03:37
  • msg #22

Encounter in Dechaine

Putain de merde y son fils de pute.

Even in the cabin, the sound of the exploding canon fire was deafening. Han ducked his head instinctively, but there was no shudder of impact, or explosion of wood from shot bursting through the Hull.

That wasn't—

Fuck.

With only a spare glance to make sure Carmen had found cover, Han moved quick, onto the deck and sprinting the step to the quarterdeck three at a time. "ALL HANDS," came the roar towards the dock. Men were dropping supplies, rushing aboard, some leaping against the side of the hull to climb the gunwales. There was a flurry as men vanished to the gundeck, others towards the armoury, while heaves of powder passed up from the magazine and the shot locker to the spar deck. The fraps were loosened, guns turned around, and the freshly painted ports on the Gespenst's side pulled open to an all mighty roar and crash as the carronades were pulled into position.

There was a part of Han's brain that was already aware that it wasn't them being shot at. With a jump onto the weather rail, he swung himself around onto the mizzen shroud to gain some elevation on the ratlines for a better view. Han squinted against the sun dancing over the sea, looking in the direction the sound had come from. He couldn't organise the men until he knew the threat.

Brûle en l’enfer. The Gespenst was still moored. If this turned against them, Albert was going to have to pull off a miracle.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Thu 16 Nov 2017.
Jabob Carnavon
player, 2 posts
Avalon Puritan Duelist
Thu 16 Nov 2017
at 15:46
  • msg #23

Encounter in Dechaine

The lean Avalonian had followed the trail of rumors from his homeland across the mouth of the Avalon Straight to DeChain. Two days ago he'd landed at the dock, delivered by an Avalonian "merchant" sloop. Jacob suspected the ship was actually one of Elaine's Sea Dogs. HE was uncertain of the queen but she was not his concern at the moment.

Where the Vaticine clergy and sorcery overlapped only the rankest of evil could ensue. Stories of disappearances and eager hunters after fabled artifacts all focused here, and so Jacob had come.

For two days he had asked quietly and listened to conversations in the pubs, coffee houses and streets. He'd learned little he could act on but a picture was forming.

He had stepped out of the lodging house and into the bustling side street of DeChain and turned toward the docks. He wore his usual black wool, raw linen, sturdy road boots and unadorned rapier at his hip. The simple steel Duellist's pin was displayed on his lapel.

As he made his way to the docks, thunder roared and timber cracked.

Surprised, Jacob fell into a defensive stance, his hand going to his rapier instinctively. Acting ahead of the confused Montaigne civilians, Jacob realized the commotion had come from the docks.

Someone had fired cannon at a docked ship?!

Jacob gathered himself quickly and sprinted to the waterfront.

He drew up at the dock and surveyed the situation, looking for the attacker and the target.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 119 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Fri 17 Nov 2017
at 16:21
  • msg #24

Encounter in Dechaine

Albert and Han, upon reaching deck, quickly spot a ship out to sea that is firing its cannons at another ship that is docked. It's pretty much an unheard of scene, as there are usually shore batteries that will fire on the attacker. Plus, it's hard to approach without being seen. Perhaps it managed to do it under cover of the fog, traces of which still hang in the air above the ships.

When Albert docked, he saw that the other ship was called the Southern Wind, and seemed to be an armed merchantman. No doubt some of its crew was already ashore, and those left not alert or prepared for attack.

You can see that the attacking ship has black sails... not unheard of, but often favored by pirates for the 'stealth factor' when attacking at night.

It's probably got a dozen guns on its port side, which is the side firing at the Southern Wind.

Albert is quickly surprised and then annoyed that the shore batteries aren't firing on the pirates ship.


Jacob, of course, sees pretty much the same thing. Less familiar with ships and the sea, however, he's not quite as astounded at the action.
Albert Ravenkamp
player, 11 posts
"Legitimate" Captain
Fri 17 Nov 2017
at 22:06
  • msg #25

Encounter in Dechaine

Albert's voice cut through the chaos of battle, and he can be heard quite clearly giving orders to the crew "Cast off the moorings, let's get clear of the dock!" Motioning to another group of sailors, he adds "Set the jibs, forward staysails, and spanker to stabilize us!  When that's done, get the topsails up so we're not sitting here dead in the water!"  His next words were cut off by yet another salvo of cannon fire, but the sailors seemed to understand him quite clearly and scramble into action.  With any luck they'd be able to get moving here in a minute.

Flagging his brother over, he adds "I've got a bad feeling about this... That's the Black Talon and Bronson Kreuz, what the hell are they doing here?  This sure isn't the Brotherhood's work." Left unsaid of course was the fact that there are rumors that the man and his crew don't abide by the charter all that much.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Sat 18 Nov 2017.
Johann Ravenkamp
player, 19 posts
"Legitimate" Sailor
Sat 18 Nov 2017
at 12:15
  • msg #26

Encounter in Dechaine

The Black Talon? That made even little and less sense.

Swearing to himself in another angry volley of Montaignoise curses, Han cast a furious look out towards the ship currently ruining what was supposed to be a joyful reunion. With Albert's orders made clear, Han wasted no time, his voice thundering across the deck to see them carried out. "SIFRIT, KEDGE ANCHORS. THOMAN, LONGBOAT. GET US OUT OF THIS SCHEISSE!"

Sifrit shouted an affirmative, the officer taking off towards quarterdeck at a sprint while calling other men to his aid. The moorings were cast off, the unloaded goods still on the quay clean forgotten. The remaining sailors threw themselves at the gunports to latch onto the side of the ship. Around the deck, any sailors not manning the guns made for the capstan, and with practiced efficiency, the ropes to the kedge anchors were tied off around it and secured fast.

Connard de salope!

There was no time to find a tow now. Although it was far from ideal, kedging was the only choice they had. The Gespenst was far too large for oars, but she could still pull herself out by the kedge anchors in an emergency. Thoman's longboat dropped off the side with a heavy splash, the impact shuddering along the small vessel. Behind him, two lightweight anchors were thrown over the side, and Thoman hauled the rope to pull them into the longboat. Another shout, and the men in the boat began to row, powering along the water with deep strokes to drop the anchors into the bay as far away as they could.

Han watched only long enough to see the kedge anchors drop into the long boat, before he was rounding on the next set of men. Half letting go of the shroud, Han dangled over the deck, holding onto the rope with only one hand and foot as support. It wasn't a fight yet, but he sure as hell didn't want the men caught unprepared if it turned into one. "MARINES. READY ARMS."

He knew what Albert was trying to do, and all he could do was pray the man had lost none of his touch. Given their frigate, normally they would have to wait for a vessel to tow them into the bay, and then set their sails once they were well clear of the surrounding ships in the port. As it stood, the only option was to set sails almost immediately once they were far enough from the quay. In the hands of any other captain with a ship this size, it was asking to crash into an anchored ship, or into the quay itself.

Then again, Albert was no ordinary Captain. And thank God for that.

Satisfied the orders were being followed, Han grabbed hold of the shroud again, climbing towards the mizzen top. Below him, there was a roar and a grind as the capstan began to turn, pulling the ship forward. The quay began to separate from the Gespenst, and Han looked down to see the ocean moving underneath him.

"HANDS PREPARE TO SET AND STRIKE THE SPANKER! PREPARE TO HAUL HEADS'L SHEETS. TOPSMEN ALOFT, PREPARE TO SET TOPS'L'S," he roared. It was Albert's job now to man the helm to keep them straight as they hauled themselves free. The sails couldn't be set until they were far enough way, but the millisecond the orders came, Han was going to make damn sure the crew was ready to sheet them home. "LET GO BUNTL'NS, EASE THE CLEWL'NS."

Han was quick, moving through the ropes as though he'd been born to it. Scampering up the futtock shroud on the mizzen mainmast, Han swung past the topmast shrouds and onto the top itself. His feet once again landing on a stable platform with a thud, he cast a quick glance along the deck sprawled out below — at the men rapidly turning the capstan to pull them away from the quay, the men swarming up the shrouds like ants on every mast, rushing to prepare to drop the topsails, and the men on the deck, ferrying up balls and powder and priming the culverins.

There was a click as Han fished at his belt for his telescope. Extending it to his full length, he aimed it square at the Black Talon to keep an eye on her while Albert held them steady, just in case her guns began to turn in their direction. He looked over briefly, throwing a quick glance at the sad fate of the Southern Wind. Getting underway was the most dangerous part, and the last thing they needed was the Black Talon deciding they were a threat and turning on them before they'd braced their sails. The Gespenst was the next largest ship in the bay, and her magnificent black and white paintwork didn't exactly help for subtlety in broad daylight.

The Black Talon.

What were they doing here? And more importantly, why?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:43, Mon 20 Nov 2017.
Carmen the Jenny
player, 19 posts
Montaigne Jenny
HP: 0
Sat 18 Nov 2017
at 21:11
  • msg #27

Encounter in Dechaine

Everything was going mad.

Albert didn't want her leaving his side, but Carmen was nothing if not headstrong.  She headed out with Johann and watched the bevy of action, Everything was... anchors were being tossed, and spankers were being striked, and.... "Sail for the good memory of our homeland!" Carmen chimed in, in an effort to buoy spirits and remind the crew of her presence and vigilance.  People wanted to do well when pretty women were watching them, in Carmen's experience, and if she could give the crew even a little bit of a push, just a little more impetus to do what they needed to do to, uh... kedge anchors and thoman longboats, then that's what she wanted to do!

The alternative was, what, offer them favors?  Neither Han nor Albert would appreciate that.  Carmen was positive there.
Jacob Carnavon
player, 6 posts
Avalon Puritan Duelist
Mon 20 Nov 2017
at 08:33
  • msg #28

Encounter in Dechaine

Panache (2) + Sailing (1) + Flair (1)
03:05, Today: Jacob Carnavon rolled 34 using 4d10 ((10,9,8,7))
3 Raises!


Jacob took a short breath to assess the situation before he sprang aboard the undermanned Southern Wind

"As Theus calls, so must we respond.". It wasn't clear if he was counseling himself, praying or calling to the crew.

He wasn't much of a sailor and only afair soldier. The combined experience told him doing nothing was an awful plan.

"Right, you lot! Time to honor our Creator by saving yourselves! Half of you get us moving and the other half man what guns you can!*

1 Raise there or 2?

Jacob grabbed a confused seaman, "Turn to, lad!" he barked before lowering his voice to ask, "First, where's the duty officer?"

Jacob followed the young man's gesture with his eyes. He clapped the sailor on the back and looked to the open water, "Right we're underway. Now to formulate a plan."

Jacob strode off in the direction the sailor had indicated, calling encouragement to crew as he went.

'That's it men! Put your backs into!" Every ship he'd been on he'd heard that a lot. Couldn't hurt.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:48, Mon 20 Nov 2017.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 120 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Mon 20 Nov 2017
at 23:16
  • msg #29

Encounter in Dechaine

I think the issue here is what you want/expect your Approach to do. Too many things it seems like to me: take command, rally the troops, get the ship under way AND man the guns and fire them.

Jacob can't really take command amid the chaos, regardless of whether he's a stranger or not. The crew is pretty much condition to obey orders of a superior office, which Jacob is at least acting like, but the cannon fire has done a lot of damage to the ship already, including kill some of the crew, so Jacob isn't going to be override the current sense of panic that's set in. It would have taken at least two raises to do that.

One of the masts had been hit about halfway up, and it's hanging down. It would have to be cut away before the rest of the sails could be unfurled.

The sailor Jacob asks about the duty officer points to a crushed body against the starboard rail.

"That's the captain," he says, and only then does the horror of the situation seem to sink in to him.

"ABANDON SHIP! ABANDON SHIP!" he begins yelling out as he heads for the starboard side that's against the dock.

It finally sinks in to Jacob that there are only 8 crew left, even as the pirate cannons fire again. There's no way they can get the ship under way... raise the anchor, cast off the lines, unfurl the sails... (3 Raises! with a skeleton crew.)

As if the remaining crew understands this, they rush to the guns below deck. It takes three crew per gun, so they will only be able to operate 2 of the guns.

Jacob can see the pirate ship about a hundred yards off the port side of the Southern Wind.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 121 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Mon 20 Nov 2017
at 23:26
  • msg #30

Encounter in Dechaine

In order to turn a ship as quickly as possible, there's an old sailor's trick--get up to speed as quickly as you can, then drop the anchor on the side that you want to turn to, then cut the anchor loose.

If you survive the encounter here, though, you can send a diver down to retrieve the anchor.

What is your approach to the Black Talon going to be? Are you going to try to broadside it (3 Raises), come along beside it and board (4 Raises), or fire a broadside at its bow (2 Raises)?
Johann Ravenkamp
player, 25 posts
Gespenst's Quartermaster
Tue 21 Nov 2017
at 06:21
  • msg #31

Encounter in Dechaine

I will leave the orders up to our dear Captain and squeeze this in quickly <3

In a day already full of the unexpected, it seemed the Mistress of Fate wasn't quite done with surprises. Han lowered his spyglass to scowl into the distance, and with a pang of shock, spotted a pale hand reaching up over the mizzen top.

"Carmen!"

She must have climbed up the ratlines after him. Dropping his position immediately, Han reached for her hand, helping to pull his sister up over the last leg of the top to join him. His expression was wrought in shock, and for a moment, he didn't know whether or not to yell at her or laugh. She was either incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid to try and follow, but damn, would he be lying if he said he didn't feel a sudden surge of pride. "Careful, we've nearly got—"

A glance down at the ship showed the kedge anchors had been reached. Cutting himself off with a pang, Han glanced back up at the Southern Wind, then grabbed a hold of Carmen, pulling her in close.

"HOIST THE JIB, HAUL OUT THE SPANKER! BRAIL UP AND STAND OUT!"

There was a flurry of movement as the large sail behind them extended, teams of men on the deck beneath them hauling ropes to send the large square sail to the end of the long boom extending towards the stern. Up ahead, midshipsmen echoed Han's order towards the forecastle, and the triangular frontmost sails at the end of the bowspit unfurled. The reason he'd grabbed Carmen immediately became obvious. The ship heeled, barely a few strakes as the early sails caught the wind, but the effect up in the mast was magnified as the top suddenly pitched beneath them, and the wind pushed the stern of the ship straight, whipping through both their hair.

"SHEET HOME TOPS'LS! HOIST TOPS'L YARDS!"

Wood groaned, echoing up the masts, as in unison the topsails on all three masts were dropped down before them, cracking in the wind with a deafening snap. Men on all sides of the ship began to haul on heavy ropes, and the ends of the sails were pulled down and tied. They billowed forward, and the ship gave a lurch, suddenly springing to life beneath them. Han had anticipated the movement and braced on his heel, holding Carmen tight.

They were away. Not at full sail, but any more would cost them precious manoeuvrability they couldn't afford to lose.

"Looks like your adventure didn't want to wait," Han joked darkly, with a stubborn, lopsided smile.

The sound of the next broadside roared across the bay. Choking white smoke filled the air, the thunder of cannonfire and exploding wood deafening even from here. Han raised the spyglass towards The Southern Wind, catching a quick sight of a man trying and failing to wrest control as the ship exploded to pieces around him, while men threw themselves over the gunwales. A second look over the Black Talon quickly eased suspicions that the ship might turn their guns to them next, and Han passed the spyglass to Carmen. He hadn't let go of her, as though he afraid she might go tumbling off the side if he dared.

"No attempt to hail!" Han shouted down towards Albert, who was on the deck beneath him manning the helm in the chaos. They were both Brotherhood ships. Surely that was unusual? "Gunports closed t'ward us! The brig's lost her main topmast and is taking water! Give us a plan, Captain!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:59, Wed 22 Nov 2017.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 123 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Tue 21 Nov 2017
at 13:40
  • msg #32

Encounter in Dechaine

A crude diagram of how the ships were oriented at the beginning of the scene. All 3 ships were pointing in the same direction, which was west. At this time of day, the wind is coming off the sea and blowing inland.

Not to scale...

    Black Talon >========>


                                                                     |
                                                                     | Wind direction
                                                                     \/
     Southern Wind >=======>         Gestpenst >========>
___________________________________________________________________________________________
   dock           dock         dock             dock                dock          dock



The Gestpenst had to move westward, and tack against the wind in order to clear the dock and move into an upwind position. Kedging would have been too time-consuming and have accomplished little in the way of movement.

While tacking, the Gestpenst would pass in front of the Black Talon's bow before it could move into the upwind position of its port side facing the Black Talon's port side.
Jacob Carnavon
player, 11 posts
Avalon Puritan Duelist
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 14:15
  • msg #33

Encounter in Dechaine

Jacob slowed his pace for a step to survey the situation.

Half the crew had begun to scramble off Southern Wind for the docks at the midshipman's order to abandon ship.

Hate it though he did, Jacob had to admit it was good advice.

He looked toward the gunnel but caught the sound of the powder boys and gun crews shout below decks. Jacob quickly turned to the ladderwell and sprinted the distance, jumping down, one hand on the main deck.

"She's lost, lads - the rest of the crew has abandoned her. Come along now, all of you out and to the dock!" He shouted above the din.

Waving them forward and half throwing some of the younger powder monkies up the ladderwell, Jacob waited for the last of them to make the light before he cast around. HE grabbed the last gunner, "That everyone?"
Albert Ravenkamp
player, 14 posts
"Legitimate" Captain
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 15:21
  • msg #34

Encounter in Dechaine

"Johann, ready about!  We're going to cut her off!" Albert barked.  Trusting his second in command to understand his intent and handle things, he turned his attention back to the situation at hand.  The Southern Wind was dead in the water, another good volley or two and she'd doubtlessly slip beneath the waves.  If the crew had any sense, they'd abandon her to her watery grave, lest they join her.

Despite the severity of the situation, Albert couldn't help but smile.  God above, there was nothing more life affirming than a good naval battle!  There was just something about the smell of the powder, the screech of the timber, and the crash of the waves that just made a man feel alive.  Of course, one misstep on his part and that could all end quite rapidly...
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 125 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 15:57
  • msg #35

Encounter in Dechaine

Jacob's first 'order' had merely served to prompt the remaining crew to move a little faster as they went below decks to man the guns.

They couldn't help notice the condition of the ship, of course, but the full nature of the damage was probably beyond their comprehension at the moment. It also wasn't their responsibility, so they focused on what was their responsibility--firing the cannons!



10:40, Today: Dread Pirate Robert rolled 24,35 using 6d10,6d10 ((1,2,5,8,1,7,5,5,9,6,2,8)). (+1 to each die because they are an experienced and elite crew; +1 die due to Jacob's 'leadership'.)

First crew squad:
1(+1)+7(+1) = 1 Raise
1(+1)+8(+1) = 1 Raise
2(+1)+5(+1) = no Raise

It takes one Raise to roll out the gun, and then the squad fires. It hits the Black Talon and does 1 point of damage.

Second crew squad:
9(+1) = 1 Raise
6(+1)+2(+1) = 1 Raise
5(+1)+5(+1) = 1 Raise
8(+1) = no Raise

It takes one Raise to roll out the gun, and then the squad fires. It hits the Black Talon, and does 2 points of damage.
Johann Ravenkamp
player, 27 posts
Gespenst's Quartermaster
Tue 28 Nov 2017
at 00:00
  • msg #36

Encounter in Dechaine

Albert's return shout came up loud and clear. A complex manoeuvre, given the tight spacing inside the bay, and Han had to quickly mutter a thanks to Theus for his foresight in only making way under their topsails. The plan — in theory — was to tack into the wind, turning their port side to leeward and putting the Black Talon directly off their port beam, opening her up for a potential broadside, or, at least, the very real threat of one. The Gestpenst, in turn, (and if Albert could time it correctly), should sit between one to three points off the Talon's port bow, ideally just out of ideal range of her guns.

Han cupped a hand around his mouth, the other still holding onto Carmen as a precaution. "READY ABOUT!" came the roar, echoing the Captains order in a booming thunder that cut to every inch of the deck. Most of the men were already in position, so the transition was flawless even by the impeccable standards of the Gestpenst. The last few hands returned to the braces, and cries of "Ready!" echoed back to Han's position on the mizzen top.

Albert didn't even need prompting. He knew his job better than most. Han felt the ship start to try and change her heading as Albert applied starboard rudder. "HAUL SPANKER AMIDSHIPS," came the shout, and behind them, the huge gaff supporting the spanker was turned towards the wind, increasing the wind pressure on the stern. The back was pushed away, forcing the Gespenst's bow to come about into the wind.

The creak and groan of wood was alive around them, and Han was alert, listening for the sound of the headsails. Sure enough, one of the sails cracked up ahead, now caught in the disrupted airflow. "SLACK OFF HEADS'L SHEETS," and together, "AFT LET GO! STEADY OUT THE BO'LINES!"

The reaction of the ship was immediate. The men on the main and mizzen masts released their hold on their weather braces. On the other side of the ship, the crew hauled, the wind helping to push the yards on both rear masts around. The wind was now firmly being taken up by the bow, and the ship turned, crossing around in front of the Black Talon and curling through the headwind and out on the other tack. The sails on the two back masts began to fill again, the sailcloth above them stretching tall. "BRACE AROUND FOR'ARD," came Han's shout, and the foremast was braced around to line up with the others, catching the new wind direction, and successfully completing the first part of manoeuvre.

Now they just had to stop in the right place. There were no orders here. No rigid timing, just feel. That was Albert's domain, and the man had a far better knack for it than Han did. Han had barely finished having the thought when Albert's voice rang up, giving the order to take in sail.

Above them, the topsmen were already getting to work. Han had barely gotten out the first word out in "HAUL THE CLEWLINS," before the sails were already being pulled to the yards. The staysails were taken in, and the jibs and spanker drawn back. Free of the wind pushing her forward, the Gespenst's huge bulk began to slow, edging her into position against the Black Talon, with Albert at the helm keeping her from straying as they drifted to a relative halt.

Below him, the men manning the guns held their breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Tue 28 Nov 2017.
Jacob Carnavon
player, 13 posts
Avalon Puritan Duelist
Thu 30 Nov 2017
at 17:27
  • msg #37

Encounter in Dechaine

Jacob roared once the second cannon fired and positioned himself to block the path of one of the powder monkeys as he grabbed a gunner.

"Give it! She's lost lads - abandon ship!"

He pushed the gunner toward the ladderwell and steered the boy to follow.

Urging the rest of them out, Jacob bounded up the ladderwell behind the last of them. Once they reached the main deck the group of men and boys, followed by Jacob, sprinted across the listing deck and jumped to the dock.

Standing on the dock, his chest heaving, Jacob watched Southern Wind tip further abeam and shook his head. He grabbed one of the powder boys by the shoulder, "You - grab one of your mates there and go find you Master or Captain."

Jacob watched the remains of the crew for a moment, their eyes locked on the slow, inevitable demise of their ship, and turned toward DeChaine without additional comment. He had tried, for all the good it did, but he had tried.

He made his way back the central part of town and turned toward a row of shops that had offered some promising leads the previous day.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 129 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Mon 4 Dec 2017
at 17:29
  • msg #38

Encounter in Dechaine

With only two guns manned and even though they'd hit, the Southern Wind's crew saw the futility of continuing the battle, as lopsided as it was.

At Jacob's direction, they quickly abandoned their positions and following Jacob up out of the gun deck and across the main deck. They'd barely reached the docks when another volley of guns from the pirate ship slammed into the Southern Wind. Another mast came crashing down but a solid hull hit shook the whole ship. Within seconds, the ship began listing to port.


As Jacob headed into town, a bit frustrated that he couldn't have done more, he heard the crashing sound coming from the chandlery. It wasn't in town, but along the docks. He'd just passed the alley behind it, and heard the noise coming from the large hole in the back of the shop.

He noticed a woman standing at the edge of the alley, in the shadows, apparently staring at something farther down the alley.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 133 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 7
Sat 23 Dec 2017
at 15:23
  • msg #39

Encounter in Dechaine

The one-sided sea battle continues, but not for long.

Even as Jacob hustles the remaining crew off the beleaguered Southern Wind, another broadside volley from the pirate ship crashes into the ship. At least one cannonball seems to have struck below the waterline, though, for the ship begins to list to port even more.


The pirate captain seems satisfied, for no further cannons are fired. He turns his attention to the Gestpenst. He seems to have no interest in tangling with the other ship, though, and has sails and rudder steer the ship away from it.

For a moment, both ships are broadside to each other--Black Talon's starboard side facing the Gestpenst's starboard side, as both ships are now going in different directions.
Sign In