RADIO ROCK

Well my friends, we’re getting closer and closer to the conclusion of our story. As a disclaimer, you will notice we are running one track shorter than I had originally planned for us; however, I noticed that two tracks I had planned were very similar and have just condescend them into one. Once again, I want to thank you guys for coming on this journey with me. It is my first attempt at this type of group so I appreciate you guys taking that risk with me, and I think there’s been a good number of things I’ve learned running this!

Speaking of endings... the end of this group is something that I had in mind since the inception of this group. It is going to be something a little bittersweet at best, but I don’t want it to feel unsatisfying either. For this reason, I would like this time to check in with everyone and see if there are things they would like to occur before we wrap up. We have one plot drop before our finale, and I’ve left it generally open ( save for a few things I had in mind based on the original plot ideas I was given by members ). Additionally there will be an epilogue set a few months after our finale and I cannot wait to see what you guys come up for your characters. That being said, so I can tie everything together, I do have a bit of a request!

The crew are given only a few days to decide what they are feeling now, or what they plan to do about it. In that time more information comes out about the accident, a few details that seem to lay some of the blame on the missteps of the responders and the fishing boat itself, but the whole situation is tangled, confusing, and the government sees it as an opportunity to make a further move against the pirates. While a good amount of public support seems to be on the pirates side, not all of it is and parliament was able to pass the newly proposed Marine Offenses Act, adding endangerment to their reasoning for doing so. Their other claims included misappropriate of World War II military installations and wavelengths, and the unauthorised playing of recorded music. 

The pirates are now faced with a choice. While previously it was only their advertisements that were technically toeing the line of legality, any broadcast made from the ship will be unlawful. This, this thing they have worked for, is in danger, and their next steps will decide the fate of Radio Rock and even themselves. The on air sign sits unlit, waiting for the crew to make their choice. Will they continue to broadcast? And if they do… how will they evade the authorities?

                                                tw.  boating accident

If the goal of the outing the previous night was to distract the crew members from the conflict with the government, it could be argued that it was an overwhelming success. However, not all distractions are created equal. Geo returned to his usual way of dealing with things, which is to say avoiding them entirely. He and Leo truly enjoyed the night, though ever watchful Maggie was the real hero for getting them both back to the ship. Tensions between the two founders of Radio Rock began to grow, but have not boiled over quite yet… which might simply be due to the fact that both Julian and Juliet had other things on their mind the previous night. 

Julian was able to track down Laurey and, after learning her intent was to leave, was somehow able to get her back on board. Juliet, on the other hand, was faced with the question of the letters. After finding a box containing letters (both professional and personal) that never reached her, Jules is reeling from learning about the condition of her mother, and left the party with Artie to go visit her. 

Yet, personal tangles would not be able to hold their attention alone for long. Even though it seems as if they would be able to avoid the trouble with advertising, a news bulletin arrives that will certainly weigh heavily on each of the pirates. At the same time they were on the mainland the previous night, reveling in their distractions, a fishing boat sent out a distress signal; the signal was overpowered by that of Radio Rock. The crew of the vessel are currently in critical condition.

It was certainly a rough week, but the pirates slogged through their broadcasts, some trying their best to keep a positive outlook and others… less so. The news had hung over their heads like a dark cloud, to the point they almost forgot that someone had planned a stag night for Alfie. It might have been neglected completely, Alfie never completely on board with the idea, had St. John not pushed going forward with it. He played up that it was really something they should do for Alfie when, in actuality, he was just certain that everyone needed a night to think about anything else. Through his insistence, the night remains as stands, and the pirates make their way to the mainland.

However, maybe it is possible that the crew has more to celebrate. Over a round of drinks, Julian breaks the good news: the loophole in their problem. The government is not quite so clever as they think, nor as powerful. They can only restrict ad revenue coming from British banks, so if the pirates can convince a few bigger companies, ones who can pay internationally, they’ll be in clearer waters. It seems like great news; at least, to everyone but Juliet. She had been the one to find this answer and now, once again, everyone is praising Julian. This frustration is only made worse that, just before leaving, Juliet found a box of letters addressed to her, fan mail she hasn’t been receiving for weeks. 

Juliet is not the only one dealing with personal issues amid the celebration either; Laurey still does not feel as if she belongs with the crew, and the failed broadcast from the previous week did not help. As the night drew on, the crew saw less and less of her, though everyone’s sure she must just be with someone else. Maggie, ever aware, realized how late it was getting and began to encourage the crew to start wrapping up and heading home, and that’s when it became clear that Laurey had left on her own. The pre - recorded shows that Maureen has only give them until 5:30 AM. It should be easy enough… well, should be if the tension between the two fearless leaders of Pirate Radio hadn’t begun to boil and all members were accounted for. At least the hosts of the Chart Show seem to be enjoying themselves, at least for the time being. 

Although he was unhappy upon learning what the crew had done, Alfie moved the boat away from the scene of the crime upon request. As Silver Linings Radio faded into the distance, the crew enjoyed the spoils with a night of listening to their stolen records and drinking their stolen alcohol, while anticipating the chaos the morning would bring when they would tune in to hear their revenge live on air. And chaos it was. Records skipped, or weren’t what was announced. Some poor DJ clearly was feeling unwell. And to cap it off, a few of the ads recorded by Leo and Maggie were played almost to completion before someone realized something was off. 

The crew sat around the table over breakfast and enjoyed the failure of the competition’s broadcast. Things seemed to be looking up for the pirates who were now, in some sense, actually pirates. The irony of that idea would strike them soon.

Two things came to spoil their morning. Firstly was Liza Derry, who wandered in to grab herself a plate of what St. John had made for their breakfast, and casually dropped the knowledge that Laurey ( who had remained behind to keep the music playing while the DJs were gone ) had screwed up the broadcast. Little explanation was given before she moved quickly out of the kitchen and back towards her own cabin. The crew had little time to process that before Maureen came in holding an official looking bulletin along with a few opened letters, and broke the news.

In an effort to rid the waters of what they were labeling pirate radio stations, the government had placed a ban on companies buying advertising from stations not controlled by the BBC. The letters were from companies who were alerting the radio that they would no longer be paying. If the pirates don’t figure out a new source of income, they’ll quickly be unable to fund their project. 

Radio Rock was one of a kind. It still is, many of the crew members and true fans will argue; even as competitors and copycats begin to invade the airwaves, they were the original and they have the spirit people are hoping to find.  That’s why everyone listens to Radio Rock more than any other station. Or, at least, that was the case a few weeks ago. Numbers on certain shows have been stagnant or even regressing. The crew wasn’t entirely sure why, though there was some suspicion around the possibility of the government trying to screw them over in someway. Governments seems to love to do that kind of thing.

It was Liza who figured out what it was. A combination of talking to fans the day before and remembering the time St. John accidentally found a different radio frequency while making dinner. Always one to stir the pot, she dropped the knowledge she had gained at dinner on Saturday: there’s a new pirate radio station, and it’s pulling listeners. Silver Linings Radio is the name of the station and they’re the ones screwing over the pirates this time. For once, the government is off the hook. 

With encouragement from Leo and Geo, Maureen and Laurey were able to use the signals to find the general location of the other boat. Julian convinced Alfie to adjust the course of theirs just enough to get them close, without ( of course ) giving away their plan; he already seems to object to the pirates doing anything too illegal, and this certainly is something that would be frowned upon.  Maggie was woken up early, Jules was pulled along without much explanation, and Artie collected a few tools to help them. Tonight, the crew would be pirates. For real this time. 

They just have to figure out how to get off of their boat without Alfie noticing first.

LENGTH: Night on Saturday, July 30th, 1967

The public debate on the topic of pirate radios has become heated enough in recent months to boil the sea their ships reside in. Those against them have strong moral objections: the pirates are breaking laws and for what? Music which seems to be just as objectionable, corrupting the youth as it does. Yet, those who side with the pirates feel just as strongly. The crew of Radio Rock have become celebrities to their listeners, nearly twenty five million people, not quite rockstars but something similar; the rebels who allow them to listen to the music they want, twenty four hours a day.

It is this dedication that made today possible. Pre-recorded shows have given the pirates the day off, so they can entertain their guests: fifty contest winners from the mainland who are over the moon to meet their favorite radio personalities. Among the crowd are Jack Perry (a hopeful musician who seeks to pass off a cassette tape of his own music), Nancy Merton (a university student who listens to the pirates before her nights out), Gareth Cockburn (a somewhat strange fellow who seems fascinated with the boat itself), and Emma Lynn (president of one of the few Radio Rock fan clubs that have cropped up).

While the pirates are used to entertaining, they usually do so from behind a microphone. They’ve had these contests before, but even still, it’s always an adjustment when the boat is overrun with people once again. It’s an opportunity to interact with fans, socialize with people besides their crew mates, ignore how much the government hates them, and have a bit of fun. It’s a party after all.

Hello crew members !   I wanted to reiterate here how thankful I am to have each of you along for this project. The characters and plots I have received so far are beyond compelling and are, I believe, going to be what makes this story a memorable one. I’m also certain that the characters who are still being built will do the same. We have a great group of writers here and I can’t wait for us to get started !

A few things before we begin. Firstly, we have a complete broadcast schedule now, which can be found here. However, I would encourage members to think about what kind of show your character has, and maybe come up with a name for it! If you come up with anything, please let me know and I’ll update the page accordingly. Secondly, let’s make sure we’re all following those on the blogroll. If I do not have an account from you yet, I would encourage you to get that in before 7 PM EST tomorrow, which is when our first plot drop will be posted and interactions will begin. Finally, please make sure you are tracking the following tags: #piratefm:admin, #piratefm:intro, #piratefm:plot, #piratefm:start, #piratefm:task. The discord channels will also be used, but it’s helpful to have both !

And thus begins our plotting period !   Feel free to post introductions in whatever format makes sense to you, and tag them with #piratefm:intro as well as linking them in the information channel in our discord. The calls channel may also be used for plotting calls. Additionally, I would like to state that if you have any additional plot ideas for your character, beyond what was included in your application, at this time or any time throughout the game, please reach out to me! I cannot make any promises, but I will do my absolute best to include as much as I can into the story.

SIDE A .

You’ve got the night shift, but you don’t really mind it. You like the quiet and the rock of the boat as you broadcast whatever you want into the night, without anyone giving their unwanted opinion. Not that you dislike your fellow pirates, quite the opposite really, but you enjoy the freedom your time of night gives you. Besides, it gives you time to take care of the little things that people forget about. Others always seem to forget about the little things, but you never do. You fix things, cook things to reheat later, do laundry (acts of service that often go unnoticed once you’re asleep and the sun is up), but it keeps you busy. You’re good with your hands, and it clears your head. A thank you would be appreciated, but you won’t force the matter. It’s probably just because of schedules, right?

SIDE B .

VICTORIA :   You don’t mind caring for others, and you know they’ve been through quite a bit, but they in particular seem to act like there’s a maid aboard. They must have had a very cushy life before all of this. It’s also easier to point out fault with those you don’t know, and they’re new. You have no loyalty to them. Why should you?

AIRLINE :   You thought their godparent would have done a little more to take them in, put them under their wing, but instead it was you. They were up late enough to catch you and you’ve tried to be kind to them, teach them a few things, show them what’s worthwhile about this place.

HAGSTORM :   Your relationship with Hagstorm is complicated. Clearly they don’t care about much, you included. When things are broken, they’re often the culprit; no remorse is shown to the way they leave the kitchen after they’ve been in it. You want to write them off, but there’s something inside of you that won’t let you. For better or worse, your nature gets the best of you. What you see is a soul that needs help.

BONUS TRACK .

You’ve never actually had a place to call home, but that hasn’t stopped you from trying.  Wherever you end up, you try to make one for yourself, for the people around you.  It surprises you, how many of them you find adrift in the same lonely current.  So you nest, like a migratory bird, setting up little corners of warmth and care as best you can whenever you land, hoping that one of these days, it’ll stick, that they’ll stay, that, maybe then, you will.

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

Once a hopeless romantic, now a bit more cautious but still hopeful. Divorce papers and the feeling that your old apartment, the one you once shared, was crushing you. You tried repainting it. You tried renting out the spare room. It was still the same apartment. Verdict was it didn’t change anything, and that’s how you found yourself here. A visit to an old friend and you discovered it wasn’t just the apartment, but the heaviness of the air in the city. Open air and sky has made you feel alive. However, even if you have fallen for this little boat, you’re unsure if you want to stay here forever. You miss certain aspects of your previous arrangement, of your previous life.

SIDE B .

MONTCLAIR :   You’ve known them for what seems like an age, and you’re so thankful for the rescue that they offered you. They’ve always been a good friend, and you hope they think the same of you. You know you grew a bit distant after you got married, only to reappear asking for help once it had ended. You hope you can make it up to them.

REGENT :   They’re so different than anything you’ve known before, and you find it fascinating. You’re unsure exactly how to act around them, but enjoy the way they talk about things, with passion, instead of the polite distance you are used to. 

SUPRO :   You don’t have anything against Supro, but you don’t have anything for them either. They seem bland, boring in comparison to all the other characters on the boat. You were looking for something different than your old life, and they remind you of it in glimpses. 

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

A duffel bag in a small cabin, they swear wasn’t a storage closet before you got here. You haven’t even unpacked all the way, unsure if this is where you’re supposed to be. It’s just somewhere you’ve been sent so someone else doesn’t have to deal with you. A godparent this time, before it was a distant cousin. At first you would throw yourself into these new places and new people, but you’ve grown more jaded and more guarded since then. This wasn’t the worst place to be, certainly different, but then someone told you about all the trouble with the government. You never signed on to be a criminal. Worried looks and careful sighs escape you as you wonder where you’ll go next. An itch at the back of your neck tells you the boat is more enjoyable than you want to admit.

SIDE B .

WELSON :   They’re the closest in age to you, so everyone assumed you would be fast friends. It seemed like they pushed you together, and maybe that’s why you’ve grown a distaste for them. Whatever the reason, you just wish they would be quiet sometimes. The way they flaunt their knowledge grates you, and you’re not sure how much you can take before you try swimming to shore.

TEISCO :   They knew their mother in your younger days. You think maybe she used to be wild then, like they are now. She cares about them, but clearly they don’t know what to do with you. If your mother was hoping for something godly or parental when she named them your godparent, she made the wrong call. They’ve made it clear, the best way to learn how to swim is to be thrown into the water without ceremony.

STAFFORD :   You hope you don’t end up like them; someone who had potential but burned out too quick. You’ve heard the way their music sounds, and clearly they had something... you wonder what they did to screw it all up. Maybe if you know you can avoid ever making that mistake if you get something good.

BONUS TRACK .

You are always so used to being the one to fix things. If it wasn’t your mother’s problems, it was a machine at your cousins or the car of your new neighbor. You always have tried to fix things without seeing the real problem ahead of you. Where do you belong? And if it isn’t on this ship then where are you going to go? How can you possibly fix that?

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

Never the smartest, never the most talented, but you know how to make people laugh. When you were younger, you were often the odd one out (a lack of practice of connecting with others), but now you’ve learned a trick: fitting in is just about making someone smile. You paint one on yourself. It’s surface level perhaps, and sometimes it feels like everyone else is laughing at you instead of with you, but it is better than being alone. Being alone has wounded you in ways you don’t even realize. Don’t think about that. Critics have said you try too hard when on the air, but with no feedback, you’re never sure what is enough. You’re just trying to make an impression.

SIDE B .

TEISCO :   You look up to Teisco, in all their glory. They have all you want. They capture an audience the way you want to, and the laugh they give you seems to be genuine. They still poke fun at you sometimes, but you mind it less when it comes from them. Plus, you’ve seen a side of them many others don’t. You’ve confided in them before, and they kept that trust.

FENDER :   They remind you a bit of a vampire, keeping strange hours like they do, even if it isn’t their fault they got the night shift. They seem nice enough, but you can’t help but find them a bit odd, if not a bit creepy. While around others you're always on, putting out your best self, around them you go a bit quiet. 

VICTORIA :   They seem kind, and they humor your jokes. However, they seem like they’re missing something, like the laughter they offer is only surface level. You think maybe they just need to find something new, something to really smile about. Maybe you can help.

BONUS TRACK .

But loneliness has scarred you, marred the shine that you once held; perhaps it was always marred from the start, and with it the fear of being tossed out, alone once again. There is nothing you know that makes people stay with you. Maybe you will learn to find it here in the open seas.

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

This was your idea. It’s your name on the deed to the boat. You had a dream and it has finally come to fruition. You pictured both a paradise for those who loved music, and a way to share that love despite the stiffness of the government. You’re bold and animated, and apparently it has translated well to performing over the airwaves; people call in just to talk to you, the one who keeps the music they love playing at all hours. A polarizing figure that stands on the edge of the ship, looking out over the horizon. What will you do to keep your kingdom, your utopia, protecting it both from the outside world and itself?

SIDE B .

STAFFORD :   You saved them, and you’re not humble enough to put it any other way. They would have lost all the progress they had made, their access to their passion, returned to some family business or what have you. But you saw their potential when the record company didn’t. Sure, it’s not the stardom they hoped for, but it’s better than going home.

WELSON :   Welson is just Montclair’s mini me as far as you’re concerned. They feel the need to be right about everything, and don’t know when to be quiet. They take something that is supposed to be fun and make it academic. cold. They’re really missing the point. 

VICTORIA :   They really shouldn’t be here. You can tell just by looking at them. They don’t have it and they won’t last much longer. You’re not being mean or cruel when you tell them this, you’re just telling the truth. Maybe if they realize that they would stop wasting their time and yours.

BONUS TRACK .

You are trailblazing your way through the unknown. A rebel, unafraid of the consequences that they like to threaten you with. You've never cared for something more than you care about this. You've never fought for the survival of something harder, never felt so much passion for a cause, never felt so damn much before. You will keep the records playing, because that is how you share the dreams of millions.

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

You’re in this for the fight. You promise a freedom, a liberation, to your listeners, with lips practically pressed against the microphone, whispering love letters and assuring the fall of the state. All you want is to inspire a rebellious spirit. Bureaucracy leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and the way they limit freedoms, especially ones that aren’t harming anyone, gives you a headache. You play your music in defiance, turning it up and hoping those in power will hear it. Let them come knock on your door, let them try and sink your ship. You’ve lit a beacon in the vastness of the open ocean, and it will not be extinguished. 

SIDE B .

HAGSTORM :   You can see through them like a clean window. For you, who cares so much, seeing someone care so little is almost physically distressing. They don’t seem to realize the importance of what you’re all doing, and see this as just another joyride. It’s not just music, or just pointless rebellion. You’re taking a stand, and you aren’t sure you want their name besides your when this is all over.

WELSON :   They care about this ship in a different way than you do, but you can tell that they care, and that’s enough for you. They’re young, but passionate, and the in depth discussions about which guitarist had the greatest impact, or whatever else they find interesting at the time, doesn’t bother you as it does some of the others. They’ve grown on you, and you see them almost as a younger sibling.

MONTCLAIR :   Despite the fact that they’re one of the founders of the ship, they don’t seem to get it. This is about freedom, not about micromanaging. You prefer to do your own thing, guide yourself in a direction that makes sense, but they seem like they have a plan for everything.

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

This was your idea. You’re the one who gathered the funds to start this all in the first place. As much as this started as a love for rock and roll, you’ve come to realize that there’s a certain structure that needs to be kept for this to work. Others might see it as counterproductive, your attempts to guide this band of misfits, when all they wanted was a life of rebelion, sex, drugs, and music, but you recognize music has rules too. There’s a structure to every song, there are rules that guide the way the best ones are written.  You may not be the most popular DJ, on or off the boat, but you know that you’re what keeps everything afloat. You’ve told yourself you’re content with that, but some days you wish they would realize all you’ve done for them.

SIDE B .

TEISCO :   You met them at a concert. They questioned your presence, but you surprised them. Once you might have admitted that they surprised you too. However, things have changed since you started this project, and unlikely friends have become irritating and over the top. Maybe it’s the close quarters, or maybe it’s that you never realized how cocksure of themselves someone could be. Maybe it’s a slight resentment that they get all the attention, but you usually push that thought out of your head.

SUPRO :   They’re older than you, yet you often feel like you’re the one looking out for them. You didn’t grow up in this world, but at least you understand it. They seem to have fallen in by accident, but you don’t mind guiding if it is needed.

HAGSTORM :   Hagstorm is an unpredictability you’d rather not have. They’re unreliable and you’re never sure when they’ll decide to disappear. Even without having to worry about that, they cause you issues on a more daily basis as well. They misfile records, curse on air, sometimes they show up late to broadcast. They’re a headache and you think your ship would be fine without them.

BONUS TRACK .

And because you feel that this whole expedition was your idea, you feel as if you are owed some additional respect from the other crew members. You don’t expect to be the leader or call the shots, but when you voice your opinion you intend to be heard and not talked over. You enjoy order and routine and like to keep a schedule on your clipboard. You are the reason everyone starts their shows vaguely on time. You are the alarm clock, the money manager, and the liaison between the DJs and the other crew.

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

Rumor has it you can tell which record you’re holding by touch alone. At the very least, you know where to find every record on this ship in under five minutes. The entire boat refuses to play trivia with you because you’re the type to consume liner notes like they’re a good novel, and you always know the new songs before anyone else. It’s a mark of pride for you, to always be the most well versed person in the room.You find comfort in it, the music and the words keep you company. The idea that they’re trying to take this all away concerns you. You’re a protector of knowledge and culture. This music is about life and dreams and love and to keep it from the people would be more of a crime than playing it illegally would ever be. 

SIDE B .

MONTCLAIR :   You feel like you can talk to them in a way you can’t with some of the others. They have interesting and informed things to say, and talking to them about the music is always something you enjoy. All of the pirates love music, but they’re someone who understands it in the same way as you.

GIBSON :   You would prefer not to make judgement about people, but after a certain amount of time it cannot be helped: Gibson doesn’t know what they’re doing. They like music, but they don’t really know it. As far as you can tell, they’re just here to crack jokes. You think that cheapens what you’re trying to achieve here. 

FENDER :   You wonder who Fender pissed off to get the night shift. They must have done something, right? Otherwise, why would they be regulated to the most ridiculous hours of the day... still, you can’t really picture them pissing anyone off either. They’re kind, they don’t seem to mind your rambling, and there’s something comforting about their presence. Sometimes you’ll wake up early to catch them as they’re going to bed.

LINER NOTES .

SIDE A .

You love the music, you always have, but to some extent it’s secondary to you. All of this means more because of the adventure, and you just happen to know how to soundtrack it perfectly. If this job had left you on land, with a commute and an apartment to serve as your cell, you never would have taken it. It was the promise of something different that caught your attention. Still, something different is only different for so long. You feel the need to go ashore more regularly than some of the others, seeking out novelty whenever you can. This threat is what brought you back to the boat; becoming a criminal, a martyr for music, is the newest exploit to capture your imagination.

SIDE B .

STAFFORD :   Likely the only person on this boat who can keep up with you. While some of their wildness has faded over the years, you can still see it in their eyes, and you’re exactly the right person to bring it out of them. Whenever you two are left alone, trouble is sure to arise. They’ll cover for you though, just like you’d cover for them. There are moments when you can’t reach them, when they’ve returned to their notebooks and their guitar, but you always know they’ll reemerge, usually wanting a drink.

AIRLINE :   You see a lot of your younger self in them, though maybe not quite as rebellious as you. You’ve decided, though whether you’ve consulted them on the details is unclear, that you’ll make them your protege; show them the world and all the exciting aspects of it. 

GIBSON :   Gibson is funny. Sure, they’re a little odd, but so are you. You’re both over the top and instead of that becoming too much, you think they’re pretty alright. Maybe it’s too much for others, but you don’t really care about that. You ignore the bit of guilt you feel about why you’re okay with them, you try to ignore that you’re sure of it too, but you’re confident that between the two of you, you’ll always be the main act.

LINER NOTES .

Nothing ever stuck to you, and you never stuck to anything in return - for survival, for adventure, for curiosity, for fun. You learned to drift through the world with no place in it, content to move on and start anew any chance you got. You’re a rebel without a cause, but maybe it’s time you let yourself find one?

LINER NOTES .