Normally, St. John's port authority would have refused to trade with someone like Nicholson, but he had gone above and beyond to rescue one of their own and the people of St. John had close to a month of Lily Swift and her husband singing his praise. In their minds, he was a hero, and the fact that no English Naval presence was nearby, they decided to bend the rules for him. The sight of him dragging a war-ravaged Manowar into port only heightened their love for him, especially when they found out he wanted nothing to do with the Spanish vessel.

It was nice to have friends, and while Lily and her husband were too busy (and withchild) to visit for long, they did give them their blessings and wishes for their safe travels at sea. They had also expedited things with the Shipwright's office. In very short measure, the modifications were completed and the armaments restocked while the crew enjoyed some R&R, even if no shore leave was technically available other than catching up with the lovely Lily Swift.

OOC: I’ll try to post again, but short on time. You can move us along if I can’t think of anything.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Wed 22 June 2022.

With the repairs to one of her gun ports, rearmaments and the small amount time spent with friends had done wonders for the crew, the Empress was ready to set out to sea with the tide, just as her captain had planned to do. The Empress shoved off and her sails took in the St. John breeze, with the Swifts standing by the wharf waving happily as the ship made its way out to sea.

A chill runs down Nicholson’s spine, and he turns his trusty spy glass seaward to see if he can put his finger on what is amiss.

11:04, Today: Joseph Bruce Nicholson rolled 2 successes using 4d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 5 with rolls of 3,3,5,5.  Scouting.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Sun 26 June 2022.

As the Empress’ crew wave their final goodbyes to the Swifts, you get the sense that you are being observed. There, in the distance is a brigantine, flying English colours, whose crew has was eagerly waiting for their captain to decide their next move. From where you stand, you can make up the ship’s name: Norwich, making this Captain Hunt’s vessel.

Nicholson smiled, and tipped his tricorn with a flourish when he noticed the Norwich’s captain scoping them from sea. "Master Combes! Dip the Ensign please, we'll be sure to give them a wide berth, though I dare say I think his men are eager to leave us be. Steady as she goes..!"

Monday, March 2nd, year of our Lord 1671 - St. Maartens

The Empress soon left St. John and the crew of the Norwich in her wake, setting sail for St. Maartens, which they raised quickly and without incident. Very soon the lads had started unloading the crates that a very greedy dock merchant couldn’t seem to wait for the textiles to be on the ground before opening the lids to see what he could use.

“Goodness heavens! Five crates of the finest silk and cottons, I have ever seen,” said the man, rubbing his hands together.

“They are all yours,” said the ship’s purser, “as soon as you’ve arranged for 10 gold.”

Someone behind them objected: “You ain’t selling that lot to that fat cat! I’ll pay 15 gold for the lot.”

Very soon, the two were outbidding one another. Life was good in the Caribbean.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:06, Wed 06 July 2022.

Nicholson had to laugh. The two merchants eventually drove the price up to six times what he had paid for the textiles, and the winner still left happy at having paid a pretty sum to his purser. Of course, that meant he was now carrying far too much gold; he’d be the envy of any sailor on the sea. He quickly asked for half a dozen of his men to escort him into town, where he deposited his gold into the bank’s safe keeping.

Business done for the day, he debated whether he should spend some gold on his crew, but quickly decided against it. The crew was happy and in good spirits, and there were other corsairs who would love to tangle with the lads, so he made his way back to the Empress and ordered her to sea. “Off to Santo Domingo, Master Combes,” he said as he passed by his first mate and disappeared into his cabin.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Wed 06 July 2022.

Combes doesn't get the chance to respond, and blinks a few times in surprise. Not wanting to know what got into the captain's bonnet, he orders the men to shove off and sets the cap for Santo Domingo. Hopefully that English vessel will steer clear of them in the process.

Ending your turn in the St. Maartens sea zone; let me know if you wish to change tack.

Monday, March 9th, year of our Lord 1671 - Turn 3 - Game 2

Nicholson’s gamble paid off, and the weather kept as he had expected. Soon the Empress was under way, though reports of the English patrolling French Saint Jean might prove troublesome, despite having promised to appear in court by the end of the month. “Your orders, Cap?” Asked Master Combes after the news reached them, “Sail south by west from Basse Terre, then?”

Nicholson consulted the map and the last sightings, and nodded. “I’ve no wish to tangle with the English at present,” he grumbled as he stroked his chin. “Seems we have some contraband to deliver to Old Providence and Port Royal proper, so having to detour, let’s make it worth our while, shall we? Plot a course as recommended, avoiding the South American coast until we get to Cartagena’s waters, we’ll sail due west from there.” He looked outside and consulted the barometer, “Let’s hope the weather holds, Combes.”

Take three move actions, will be RP light this time. LOL

Monday, March 16th, year of our Lord 1671 - Turn 4 - Game 2

The weather did hold, even if the news from certain ports was troublesome. Disease closing nearly half the ports across the Caribbean was almost unheard of, but there it was. Luckily, the Empress wasn't heading to one of those ports, raising Old Providence in the early morning.

"At least Old Providence isn't affected by pestilence," Nicholson said, though he ordered Mr. Van Dyke to look for any signs that it might have reached its shores. The answer had been, no, and that it seemed to be doing business as usual so the Captain ordered the Empress to port.

Old Providence is bursting with traders, probably due to the fact that Port Royal and Petit Goave have been closed to any visitors.


Shipwrights have extra hammocks for sale.

2 gp for a crate of Lumber
2 gp for a crate of Lumber or 3gp for Contraband destined for Caracas
1 gp for a crate of Tobacco
1 gp for a crate of Tobacco
3 gp for a crate of Sugar Cane
1 gp for a crate of Tobacco or 3gp for contraband destined for Port Royal

"Too bad our holds are full of Tobacco already," grumbled Nicholson who knew they were expected in Nassau before the end of the month. Given the current situation with the potential plague baring it's ugly head in Nassau, he'd have a good reason to drag his feet... but for how long? "Combes, can you go meet our contact in port and discretely pawn off that piece of jewellery piece we were asked to spirit away..?"

OOC: Will sell the contraband for 10GP (or is it 12?); we'll leave the tobacco... though it pains me to do so.

Combes nods and discretely heads into the cabin and comes back out a few minutes later, then skitters off when the crew look over the ship to see if it is missing any armaments, or might need a bit of elbow grease. Roughly two bells later, Combes is back and hands over a heavy purse back to Nicholson. “Easiest 10 gold in a while,” he says with a smile.

Nicholson nodded and considered the sum, and decided to give Combes a few gold pieces. "While we're here, we might as well have our ears to the ground. Here's a bit of gold to treat the boys and get some rumours out of the locals while the men enjoy some well deserved R&R," he himself, wasn't in the mood for pleasantries, so after giving Combes the required gold he headed back to his cabin.


-3 gp for Rumour
-3 gp for Plying the men with grog. ;)

Both Combes and the men seemed pleased, quickly organizing themselves and leaving a few volunteers behind to tend and guard the ship. Nicholson knew they wouldn't be back til very late, and so he curled up with a good book, making sure that one of the hands got him some local fare to eat.

A steward entered the Captain’s cabin as Nicholson looked over documents he had accumulated in case he needed to mount a legal defense. The young man quietly placed a plate of food on the table, leaving a piece sealed letter next to the carafe. Nicholson looked up and thanked him, but waited for steward to close the door before reaching for the letter.

Nicholson immediately recognized Lily’s handwriting, the letter was dated a few months ago, roughly about the time a certain Botanist had started his queries about getting some plants out to Basse Terre. Apparently the Botanist was more desperate than expect, seeing as there might be a summit of researchers in Basse Terre that could assess the plants, and he could win a prize..! “Now that’s interesting,” thought Nicholson out loud. “He could win a 10 gp prize, and I might just force him to share half of the prize at the very least!” He pocketed the letter and continued his research until fatigue took over. He finally decided to turn in, and slept well into the night when the men finally made it back from their outing.

Monday, March 23th, year of our Lord 1671 - Turn 5 - Game 2

The Empress' crew make their way back late that same night, leaving their captain to rest. Some wake up the next morning, sporting headaches, but generally happy of their evening about.

We sail for Port Royal!

The trip to Port Royal was a quick and uneventful one, the Empress soon made her way to the docks, which immediately saw one of the port inspectors to walk up the plank and demand you pay a two gold docking fee.

You can do an influence roll, or pay the two gold. Here is what is available at port:

Chasers from the shipwrights, and

1gp for a crate of Lumber Or 3gp illicit goods destined for Nassau
1gp for a crate of  Lumber
1gp for a crate of  Lumber Or 3gp for weapons to Basse Terre
2gp for a crate of Tobacco
2gp for a crate of Tobacco Or 3gp sensitive documents for Old Providence
3gp for a crate of Rum

"Master Combes! Time to offload our special cargo, yes..?" Nicholson touched his nose knowingly, and Combes got the message, winking and touching his nose as well. "Let's be quick about it..! I believe we're expected in Nassau shortly."


OOC: Selling off that tedious contraband in Port Royal; no point in selling tobacco at 2gp, we'll try to keep it and the bananas for Nassau

Monday, March 30th, year of our Lord 1671 - Turn 6 - Game 2

After a well merited rest, the crew of the Empress of the Wave are ready to set sail again.

Nicholson was reading the paper, very attentively, “Oh ho, Combes! Look here! We’re as good as pardoned, mark my words! I dare not change our plans to attend our summons in Nassau, but this gives me hope at finally clearing our names with the English,” Nicholson said as he passed the information to his first mate. “Let’s make sail for Nassau,” he ordered.

Will pay 5gold to get rid of our English bounty

Ooc: English bounty pardoned, just RP it once you get to Nassau. Have adjusted your sheet and gold.

Speaking of which, by my count, you’ll get there next turn.