Shipshape!

@clove-pinks

@sailorpants

@stunsls

@rhaill

@linnadhiell

@contemporarypotato

As this is the final report, I will say that partial successes will not be so treated so harshly, and failures will not sting so much - for even if these characters reappear, time will have healed both wounds and reputations, perhaps. 

And I do not think I truly communicated whether passage between the two ships was possible, so some of these responses may assume that there was some passage; I believe in future stories, it will be made more clear when the choice to board separate ships is offered.

–

Jean-Heron the Gallian landsman is eager to help, but after having had a rather bad run of luck at times, he seems rather adamant about, ahem, “only using the skills he's good at”. He offers to try his hand at sewing up some of the unfortunates in the sick bay, or maybe cutting up some bandages, something that the harried surgeon Ms Ibbot does not refuse.

(Expertise: Tailoring of 6 = +3, 2d6+3 = 15, Exceptional Success)

His help is not unwelcomed- and I daresay that some of the Gallian prisoners here might even have appreciated his presence.

And while he is here, he speaks to a certain prisoner, and let me dispense with secrets for the time of shadows has passed-

The Marquis Isengrim, the exiled Gallian noble that was tricked into a scheme, is uncomfortable without their veil- perhaps it is a fashion quirk, or perhaps they have obfuscated their identity for long enough that to exist so openly is strange to them. But they are willing to speak to Jean-Heron, as they recover from their wounds, their words animated, and they speak of their hopes.

They say that perhaps if they had known the true purpose of this journey… they might have gone willingly to their death in this farcical prisoner exchange, if it would mean striking a blow against the Empire.

They speak to Jean-Heron as they would a friend, at least.

And afterwards, when the rum ration is passed around, Jean-Heron would like to start up a round of drinking- in celebration of the capture of the prize! This is welcomed by the other sailors, and perhaps a bit of the trepidation and worry has lifted now that something has occurred. I suppose we did start this voyage with a test of this Gallian’s Iron Stomach, so it does seem quite fitting to test it again-

(Guts of 6 = +3, Iron Stomach = +1,  2d6+3+1 = 12, Exceptional Success)

He succeeds mightily! It is, by all accounts, a wonderful time.

He is interested in speaking to the other Gallian aboard, the ship’s cook Jack, perhaps making a joke “about finding a rat to put under his hat to help Jack out in the kitchen, referencing the famous Gallian children's story, of course. The rats on this ship seem smart enough to know how to cook, and maybe they want a break from racing sometime.”

Speaking of which…

-

The cook, Jack Laplace, also finds himself in the sick bay. He has some skill with first aid, and so he offers this aid to the surgeon of the Pickle.

(First Aid of 5 = +2, 2d6+2 = 8, Normal Success)

He spends some time on the Tempête, ostensibly to ensure her galley is in working order and that her prize crew is fed, but his primary goal- perhaps in both the sick bay and the Tempête, is to see if there are any “true Republicans” among the Gallian prisoners. Perhaps, he thinks, they could be persuaded to defect, or perhaps they could serve the cause in other ways.

(Diplomacy of 2 = +1, Agitator = +1, 2d6+1+1 = 14, Exceptional Success)

Those who do not seem amenable to such firebrand causes show their colours early, and so Jack manages to sound out the Gallians without being overtly shut down by either the Loegrians or the Gallians. There is one who seems to have joined the navy in the thoughts of internal sabotage, but who found little opportunity to do so- or that is what they claim. There are a few who enlisted for the pay, for survival, to feed their families, and bearing mere embers of revolution in their hearts- almost quenched by the Empire, yes, but having seen the Marquis face death rather than to be taken again, and listening to Jack’s words, those sparks stir.

They will be taken as prisoners of war, but perhaps something will become of this. 

And later, Jack sets about preparing “a truly glorious pudding” in celebration of the Pickle’s victory.

-

Attending to the funerals of the fallen is the chaplain James Tillbury. He keeps the sermons short and earnest, to the appreciation of those whose hearts hang heavy. The saints sing them to their rest, their bodies consigned to the deep, to be turned into corruption until that day the sea shall give up her dead…

Many of the sailors have seen so many of these funerals, but they remain solemn for the duration. Later, some could accuse them of acting as if nothing has happened- but is that not life here in this tempestuous fragile world? The work must carry on, the work is not yet done.

That is what one sailor says to Tillbury, almost defensively, in a confession taken in the sick bay. 

(Courtesy of 5 = +2, 2d6+2 = 8, Normal Success)

Not so many seem soothed by his words for the injured and dying, but a few do seem grateful. The captain is not among them, barely even willing to speak of what pains their heart, and their heart is wounded indeed.

But the work goes on, and later, Tillbury suggests another night of playing music, as both entertainment and a way of saying goodbye to the sailors he has come to know and care for.

(Expertise: Music of 5, 2d6+2= 13, Exceptional Success)

There once was a youthful sailor man Who fell in love with a fair merman. The sailor man, his heart so brave Would meet his end in a watery grave.

The chorus is rousing and the tunes are lively! If not the lyrics, but perhaps these lyrics are fitting 

Oh the heart of a sailor beats so true For countryfolk, for me and you! When led astray, that heart shall be A source of woe for you and me!

The verses of this particular song do go on to tell the story of the sailor being captivated by the beauty of the beguiling merman and forsaking his duty for the sake of their love. He has his comeuppance when it becomes clear that humans cannot live underwater, and he tragically drowns.

Perhaps this is the same night of drinking and revelry as mentioned before, and perhaps a glorious pudding was served. 

In any case, the hearts of the crew are lightened and lively, and of note, I will say, is that there is no more talk of ill fortune, brought by any passenger or so.

-

Carpenter Minna Peggram has much on her mind as she thinks of whether her efforts have eased tensions, or whether she could have done more considering the two Marines. “Perhaps it is no one’s fault,” she thinks, “perhaps it is the captain’s, for they act in our interest first and foremost… one would hope.”

But wood is wood, and wood is dependable, and so she sets about to aid in fixing up the Tempête - and her help is quite welcomed, because the Gallian carpenter seems to have been one of their casualties.

(Expertise: Carpentry of 6 = +3, 2d6+3 = 15, Exceptional Success)

The Tempête is fixed up enough to sail evenly. She will be attended to with more care at port, but at least here she is given enough attention to not seem so battered, to at least seem as a worthy prize to sail back home.

But more importantly, Minna wonders-

“Perhaps I can find some trinkets and decor aboard the Tempête that would further elevate the rat course I promised Hanover. Fixing up the Tempête is the priority I have set myself, but, oh, I so would love to see our gun deck breathe a sigh of relief to return to joviality after this entire ordeal.”

(You know what, I will graciously let this happen, for this is the last post of this game - and any future games will be tweaked to ensure this does not, ah, occur again. Expertise: Carpentry of 6 = +3, Rat Check = +1, Gun Deck Reputation = +2 (for making the best possible rat course the gun deck will adore), 2d6+3+1+2 = 13, Exceptional Success) 

From the Tempête, extravagant Gallian furniture is ~~looted~~ claimed as a spoil of war, perhaps as what they call booty. When it comes time to install the course upon the Pickle, after the ships have docked and such things can be transferred, why, at the sight of such an agile course, Rem Hanover starts to weep.

The future of rat racing is certainly bright in the world of the Pickle!

–

Back in the sick bay, Lieutenant David Price stands by the side of Midshipman George Crawford. The young, reckless, brave midshipman reminds him of his own siblings, and now the boy he helped with his sextant and navigation work lies injured.

Perhaps regret and the memories of what had passed runs through his mind-

“In the heat of the moment, Lieutenant Price is guided more by instinct than rational choice… When Price sees him fall he rushes to his aid without a second thought. With his own pistols in hand, Price takes aim at the Gallian who has taken aim at the midshipman, shouting a challenge.”

Let us see if the lieutenant managed to take that vengeance, shall we?

(Combat roll, close range pistol = 2d6+1, Combat Skilled = +1, 2d6+1+1 = 10, Exceptional Success)

The enemy combatant stumbles back, but already the lieutenant is at Crawford’s side.

That was before. Price did take a moment to recognise and greet the old gunnery instructor from HMS Superb, one of the prisoners from the Tempete, but when he can, when he is not on watch or such, he tries to make himself useful in the sickbay.

His concern is not so much for the captain, who has no shortage of worried visitors. He does feel a sense of personal responsibility for Crawford’s fate, after all.

(First Aid of 2 = +1, 2d6+1 = 7, Normal Success)

Despite not being so skilled with the medicinal arts, he manages to make himself useful. And when Crawford is lucid, the midshipman is glad to see a friendly face. He is not so confident as to laugh off the injury and incident that landed him here, but he tries.

Whether he will be well enough to continue his duties is to be seen, but he is likely to survive.

And in the moments between, Price pens a letter for his family to be dispatched when the ship returns to port.

-

And while many have been offering aid to the sickbay, our gunner, Bryn Morgan, is actually making use of these facilities for the intended purposes; that is, recovering from injury.

(Bryn Morgan is now merely Injured in Health as opposed to being Maimed)

After they emerge, perhaps merely scarred as opposed to being on death’s door, they have decided to take a moment to try and catch a certain busy First Lieutenant- or Acting Captain, to snatch a conversation that may be well looked down on by those who know their mutual histories.

Despite so many years apart, Bryn knows Lieutenant Davies well, and they seek a conversation under the guise of speaking about the guns of the ship, or perhaps under the bustle of the sickbay, in the Shadows.

(Shadows of 3 = +1, Personal Reputation with Davies = +4, 2d6+4+1 = 9, Normal Success)

There is not so much time to have a full conversation, not so much opportunity on a ship, but there is enough to speak of some things that sound like idle small talk on the surface, but to two who know each other and who have longed for each other, carry much more resonant meaning. 

The two speak of memories of Cambria, allude to a few moments in those years spent apart- and oh, if only there was more time, or more opportunity to speak more openly, the two could reunite more fully, but this is all they can do. Certainly, there is no room to speak plainly of feelings or tenderness, but the conversation ends in what could be described as “an emotional hug that would say everything they wanted to”.

-

The two Marines, Ezra Lester and Joan Deacon, are punished by the lash. The maximum punishment is 12 lashes per crime, but Davies, after deliberation, cites disobedience of orders, wasting munitions, a lack of discipline, and settles on two dozen lashes each.

Kind, perhaps, for some might have been tempted to put them to death or to order a flogging around the fleet.

Captain Swanmay, though their wounds are severe, they remain alive. Some life comes back into their eyes as time goes by, though it will take more time to mend their heart. They do not speak to the captured Gallian captain, for there are no words left to say.

And as for their reputation, well, let us speak of what occurs after the Pickle returns to port;

The Marquis Isengrim is taken by soldiers who seem gentle and apologetic, accompanied by a naval officer who does not answer questions. The official word is that this was all a miscommunication, this dreadful plan to secretly exchange an exiled Gallian noble for very valuable prisoners of war.

Swanmay was a rogue captain acting on their own accord. Injured in battle, their career prospects are now quite ruined by this scandalous act. Enough in society have spoken positively about Swanmay that they are not completely brought low, but their likelihood of making Admiral is poor, to say the least. And their past dalliance with the Gallian captain seems to have come into the open, adding wood to the fire of the rumour mill.

The Pickle has docked, and so ends the first tale of Shipshape.

-

Thank you all so very much for coming with us! I cannot express my gratitude enough, for I have quite enjoyed the telling of this story, and this experiment of ours has proven to be quite educational! 

To all of our sailors, thank you, oh, thank you for starring in this tale, for you are the sails of this game who have made our Pickle fly!

And to our readers, to our participants in our polls, thank you so for your support! The two shanties in this post were penned by poll participants, and indeed in another post I believe I shall share some of the amusing submissions that have been shared.

Any additional journals or art or work done by sailors or audience, perhaps to conclude their stories or to reflect on this tale, will continued be shared and publicised in this web log.

And do keep an eye on this space, for I will release a poll concerning both feedback on this game and possible future prospects.

But for now, I remain your most humble servant-

@cadmusfly

-

Subscribers:

@clove-pinks

@sailorpants

@stunsls

@rhaill

@linnadhiell

@contemporarypotato

They had been lovers once, and then they had met on the deck of a ship. It had been a lot like this, rain and wind and war, and the way that Captain Swanmay would tell it later would be a dramatic tale of fighting nearly to the death until cornered and pinned, the young Gallian Captain would offer up his sword-

The truth had been that it had been rather less fighting than that, and driven by feelings that ill belonged on a battlefield and between clashes of feinted blades, the two made an agreement. Maupertuis had been the better fighter, but he refused to see the young lieutenant dead by his hand. And so Maupertuis had surrendered his ship and his sword to Swanmay.

Neither of them would tell the truth to their respective nations, and their crews were so involved in the fighting that they would hardly know what happened… well, some of them had a suspicion, and there were a few rumours, but rumours can be discounted. And so as Swanmay was congratulated and promoted-

Maupertuis, when he returned to Gallia, was shamed and accused, court martialled, found not guilty but not in the court of public opinion. So I believe, then, that he came to this rendezvous filled with bitterness and heartbreak and regret, ready to right a past mistake, before it all went wrong.

Blades clashed, no words exchanged- though Swanmay did try, oh, now they tried to speak, but Maupertuis would not hear any of it! And Swanmay pulled their pistol out, but Maupertuis had always been the faster draw and the better fighter, and Swanmay fell.

But even with such heartbreak and grief and fear driving his actions, Maupertuis could not help but to step back and stare at the wounded form of the enn he once loved. And perhaps it did not take so much for him to falter in his sword arm, and for him to surrender his sword to us, when the fighting ceased.

Captain Swanmay is fighting for their life, and I do not know if they will survive. Captain Maupertuis has given us his parole, though we have hardly been so courteous, breaking the truce and the agreement as we have.

Ah, yes. The marines responsible for the initial panicked shots has been identified. Ezra Lester and Joan Deacon, and we do not know which of them fired the one that hit our prisoner and which one hit the Gallian officer. I suspect they’d be punished equally, because someone needs to be punished for this mess.

But we cannot sort that out now, because there are a great many things we must take care of first, such as our new Gallian prize. We have captured La Tempête, and now we must sail her home.

So, what do you do? I’ll allow up to two actions again, for the length of the trip. If you are injured or maimed in health, you may rest in the sick bay to recover one level of health - though I daresay that, so close to the end of our story, this might not be so worth it.

Perhaps you may aid our wounded in the sick bay with First Aid, or perhaps you wish to speak to one of the wounded, such as the Gallian prisoner, or our injured captain? Or perhaps you wish to speak to one of the Loegrian prisoners who we have liberated, who I will sketch a quick picture of shortly? 

Or perhaps you have ended up on the captured Tempête, quite broken and battered by the storm, and are aiding in commanding the prize crew or aiding in sailing her home? Maritime or Seamanship might be appropriate here, or perhaps to those so skilled, some Carpentry might work wonders.

Or something else? Throwing a celebration for the capture of the prize? Hosting a rat race? Perhaps I will edit this post later to have a fuller picture of proper prompts, for your captain’s clerk’s poor brain is rather taxed at the moment, and is only holding on due to stubbornness.

This is a little bit of an epilogue, perhaps, a little bit of a parting dance, and if you’d like, you could tell me of your thoughts and dreams. Do you think you will continue to sail with the Pickle, after this?

Do you think what happened was inevitable, was right, was just?

But you do not have to answer these questions. Just some food for thought from your Captain’s Clerk.

-

And let me quickly speak of who we found on La Tempête-

The officers for which we were to trade the prisoner for, well, they have been returned to us. They have been treated rather well, and were quite surprised to hear of what had occurred, or the circumstances in which we have reunited with them. 

Among the reunited prisoners were two young midshipmen, one of whom asks quite insistently after Swanmay’s wellbeing. A relative, it seems.

One of the other prisoners appears to be quite a well regarded officer, an instructor of the Loegrian Royal Gunnery training vessel, HMS Superb, who taught many in the service before returning to active duty- and then becoming a prisoner of war. Many of their pupils will be quite pleased to hear of their return.

And yet, some of the other prisoners are quite, quite insistent on getting back to Loegris as soon as possible.

-

I do hope you will accept my apology of the lateness of this report. Here is a link to the submission box to tell me of your intentions, and remember, anyone may ask me about NPCs, settings or clarifications.

Do be safe, my guests and sailors,

And I will remain your most obedient but rather ill servant-

@cadmusfly

-

Subscribers:

Last week, we addressed our Gallians and their surreptitious activities considering our prisoner last, and well, I must admit it was all in the service of dramatics. This week, let us attend to those two first-

For a life depends on this.

Jean-Heron, the Royalist landsman, attempts to keep out of the fighting as he makes his way towards the fallen prisoner.

(Shadows of 4 = +2, Agitator (Royalist) = +1, 2d6+2+1 = 11, Exceptional Success)

He manages to do so while avoiding blows and entanglement in the various clashes of the deck, and finds himself with the prisoner- to guard them, or to at least give them company in their final moments. He keeps guard, watching for any of the fighting that threatens to get too close, only his fists at hand.

Some of the fighting does threaten to come a little close.

(Combat Brawl = 2d6-1, Combat Skilled (Brawl) = +1, 2d6 = 10, Exceptional Success)

But Jean-Heron fends them off, as best and as much as he can. The prisoner is choking, coughing up blood, gasping, but they fix an eye on Jean-Heron with a gaze of recognition. There is not so much you can read into a simple look, but I do not believe I would be amiss in saying that there is some amount of thankfulness in that recognition, that they do not have to die in the midst of absolute strangers.

And then…

-

Jack Laplace, our revolutionary cook, was disturbed by the note he had come across and the revelation of the prisoner’s identity; yet “war makes strange bedfellows” and perhaps this person may aid in some way in the overthrow of the tyrant Josephine.

He makes his way through the fray, hoping to duck and weave through the fighting, using his Guts and determined to get through to the prisoner-

(Guts of 6 = +3, Agitator (Revolutionary) = +1, 2d6+3+1 = 8, Partial Success)

And suffers a mild Injury to his Health as he pushes through, perhaps a bruise or a cut or so, but he is not accosted directly, and he manages to get to the prisoner’s side. He knows some measure of first aid, and he attempts to render whatever aid he can.

(First Aid of 5 = +2, 2d6+2 = 13, Exceptional Success)

Some cloth torn from fine clothes to staunch the bleeding, perhaps, and pulling the prisoner into a more comfortable, less awkward position, and while it is not so certain in the moment if these efforts are enough-

But I will say that these efforts mattered, no matter what happens next.

The prisoner attempts to choke out a word, and I do believe that word, in Gallian, is thank you.

-

And what of the rest?

-

First Lieutenant Davies was attempting to establish order, but he has found himself caught up in the fight-

And so Bryn Morgan charges in, throwing themself into the melee to try and protect the man they care so much for. They glance around, trying to see if they may find a weapon-

[Awareness roll without consequence for failing to see if they find a weapon]

(Awareness of 2 = +1, 2d6+1 = 5, Failure)

But they do not. This does not stop them, and so they use their fists, uncaring for the danger.

(Combat: Brawl = 2d6 - 1, 2d6-1= 4, Failure)

It was a valiant attempt, but… hmmm, perhaps it is fitting here to give Bryn something of a devil’s bargain, as they rush into the fray and Davies is driven back by the stabbing desperate motions of a pike.

A choice between being Injured in Health and failing to aid or protect Lawrence Davies, or being Maimed in Health as Bryn steps in the way and takes the blow, yet managing to protect the Lieutenant.

The choice is yours, Bryn.

-

Elsewhere, Carpenter’s Mate Gwilym Parry is feeling quite keenly aware that he is not a fighter, that this is not exactly a setting that he is equipped for; but more so, he is aware that all of this could have been avoided, that all of this was so very unnecessary. But he wishes to protect the ship and her people.

He looks to Carpenter Minna Peggram for guidance, “as he so often does, who has a look in their eye like they, too, would rather look to the ship's safety than risk their own”. 

Gwilym will try to keep the ship from tossing in the wind while Minna will call out, making sure, in their words-

“that those who need to get somewhere get there swiftly; those who shouldn’t follow will need to make their way past me. (If I know where the crowds are, I’ll also know where potential damage to the wood might pop up)

Nonetheless, a patched ship is nothing if the crew needs patching first, so I want to make sure no more harm than necessary befalls our crew mates.”

Gwilym: (Discipline of 4 = +2, 2d6+2= 10, Exceptional Success) Gwilym: (Seamanship of 5 = +2, 2d6+2 = 5, Failure)

Minna: (Guts of 6, spend 1 for automatic pass) Minna: (Command of 3 = +1, I guess Strong as an Ox does apply to the physical side of things so = +2, Gun Deck Reputation of +2, and ah. This is a rather ridiculous +5 modifier. 2d6+1+2+2=11, Exceptional Success, and because of this one roll I will cap additional modifiers in the next iteration of Shipshape.)

Both of our carpenters manage to hold fast in the fracas, with Minna almost as a lighthouse in the storm, standing still and strong and both a great Presence in terms of voice and physical exertion. Certainly, this helps maintain the Ship’s Morale in this trying and tested time.

However, Gwilym, though well versed in the Seamanship from experience, is interrupted in his actions by a wave that crashes over the side of the Pickle, dealing a slight Injury to Health - that would have been worse if he had been accosted by the Gallians earlier, but is still quite unfortunate.

-

But he is not the only one seeking to steady the ship.

Second Lieutenant David Price had carefully loaded his pistols in his cabin, those new pistols that he had bought quite some time ago, preparing for the worst. They are holstered at his sides now, and not just for bravado.

Maintaining his composure with Guts, he barks orders at sailors to steady the ship and to confront the threat upon the deck, but primarily focusing on the Seamanship of the ship’s movement. Yet even as he does so, he tries to keep an eye out for the midshipmen, inexperienced and vulnerable.

(Guts of 6 = +3, 2d6+3 = 13, Exceptional Success) (Seamanship of 5 = +2, 2d6+2 = 7, Partial Success)

Holding fast, holding firm, Price does not fall to the chaos occurring around him. But… how about a hard choice?

Midshipman George Crawford is attempting to be the example of an officer charging into battle, wielding cutlass and encouraging the sailors he has been placed in charge of, but he is not so steady and perhaps it was a moment’s hesitation, but one of his sailors knocks into him, quite by accident, and he falls, and a pistol is levelled at him.

Either the orders to steady the ship are heard and obeyed, or Price is interrupted and must rush to Mr Crawford’s aid. 

Choose one, if you will.

-

The Reverend James Tillbury wishes to stay out of direct combat- but that does not mean that he will shirk his duty. He leaps into action to aid the surgeon however he can, struggling through the melee with his Guts and seeking the wounded with Awareness, helping to get them to the lower deck.

(Guts of 6 = +3, 2d6+3 =13, Exceptional Success) (Awareness of 5 = +2, 2d6+2=11, Exceptional Success)

It does not matter so much if the wounded are Gallian or Loegrian. All that matters is that blood is spilled upon the deck and there are those who are in need to aid, and so Tillbury manages to step through the mess to help in the only holy duty possible in this time.

Sailor Emma Adar is one of those who Tillbury aids, staggering across the deck with a leg bent uncomfortably wrong, any possible words winded out of her lungs, but she is grateful, oh, and so is another sailor who it is far too late to help but who smiles and closes their eyes.

We will not know how the accounting of human life adds up until later, but as I have said before and will likely say again, I believe that this has helped.

-

I do apologise again for the lateness of this Report Response! I believe the Action Report proper will be released on Sunday or Monday, bearing any worsening of your Captain’s Clerk’s condition. It is then that we will hear of the result of the overall battle, and what actions the Pickle shall take next.

For the two choices that I have offered here, I will default to the first option if I do not hear back by two days time. Apologies for the short deadline, but I felt that offering such choices were the most authentic and interesting option.

And so I remain your most quarantined and obedient servant-

@cadmusfly

-

Subscriber List: