I am going to have to get a name for this adventure/campaign so that I can tag it better.
Our 4 characters are eating at Brown Betty's, a small tavern on Trading Outpost 412. Our cast consists of:
- Captain Richard Penny
- Quarternaster Batrina
- Sail Master Lionel "Leo" Villanueva
- Gun Master Henry Vanlewen
While eating pastries (I actually made some so integrated that into the story, though I'll have to go back to my pumpkin bread as not everyone likes apple fillings. Or chocolate. Or are lactose intolerant. Not only is adulting hard, but feeding people is hard too!) But I again digress.
Smitty, 3rd mate of the Windrazer comes into the pub and whispers in the captain's ear that the Windrider, the ship they have been following, has left the floating island and is making its way back to the Alderin Empire. Taking leave of the tavern, Henry manages to steal 2 of the pastries that Leo took from the tavern. He and Leo have a past and as such, a cursed relationship. But the roll was successful, though I do need to re-read those rules again!
On board the Windrazor, the crew launches from Trading Post 412 and sets sail across the skies to give chase. The first roll was only so-so, but the Captain gave a rousing speech and Leo, the Sail Master, made a much better roll as they catch up to the Windrider and manage to get a broadside of canon fire. Which the Gun Master managed not a single hit, blowing the rolls (in this game, you roll the number of dice based on your stat and skill, and a 4+ is a success. As this is ship to ship, the other ship also makes a sailing roll, and those successes are subtracted from his successes to yield a draft which tells you how well you did. Or in this case, how badly. Henry blamed the seagulls flying and attacking the pastries in his bag).
In the 2nd turn the 1st ship failed its sailing roll, but Henry got off a good broadside, shattering the rudder and one of the lift lugs (which keep the ships floating in the air). They prepare to board, the captain giving another rousing speech and promising a much bigger reward. The crew threw grappling lines and commenced boarding actions. Leo stays on deck to manage the ship, and Henry almost misses the leap, hanging on to the rails as Batrina pulls him aboard. One of the pastries falls out, and Tibs, Leo's dragonette, snatches it midair and returns to Leo's shoulder, dropping crumbs. Leo is not sure where the beast managed to get a pastry. The Quartermaster lets it be known that no one is to pillage the hold without her being there to count the coin. She is stern but fair. Though it may have seemed she was particularly watching Henry as she said this.
While the crews fight (and it went badly for the Windrazor - they lost 13 of the crew and the Windrider did not lost any based on some abstract rolls), the captain, Batrina and Henry make it to Captain Spalding "One-Eye" Blackwood's cabin, a cowering cabin boy hanging on as the ship is listing to port from the missing lift lug. "One-Eye" Blackwood, hands clasped behind his back, wearing the colors of the Trenner Trade Guild of crimson and amber, has a stern visage as the trio burst through the door Captain Penny, sword out, asks him to surrender. Knowing his ship is too damaged to go on without repairs, Spaulding gives his parole. Going out on deck, a few shouts later and the crew of the Windrider stands down.
As the ships surgeons take care of the living, Henry and Batrina head to the holds to assess the booty, There is a good amount of treasure, including a few crates of illegally mined repellium, a case of two of gems, several barrels of varying size of wines and drink. There are also chains and shackles - the ship has been used for transporting slaves as well. He manages to snag a smaller barrel of wine and presents it to Batrina personally, hoping to get on her good side I warrant. The chains and manacles went overboard (and hopefully no one was far below on the surface!). Henry also gets the ship's flag and presents it to the captain (I think it went to the captain. But they now have a crimson and amber flag from the Trenner Trade Guild (and a new enemy, and a +1 to their ship's reputation once word gets out. Which it will once the crew is making the rounds at port)
As the ship is listing badly to port, it's rudder destroyed, Captain Penny asks for any crew who may wish to join the Windrazor. Six decide to change ship (and I'll need to track factions for the 30-odd crew members now as we've a mixed crew. I was being nice (yes, it does happen) and their current crew are all "jaunty" meaning they like the captain and leaders and will attempt to help them when they can). This also leaves the ship about half a dozen short, so they may have to see about recruiting more crew. That may be part of a session, unless more drunken sailors end up as did Leo and his friend and fall asleep on the wrong ship.
Leaving only enough water and bare rations for the Windrider to get to the trading post, the Windrazor takes a more circuitous route to avoid letting the Alderin Empire's ship know where they are heading, though the trading post is well within spyglass site of the ship. Docking, they head to Embassy Row and find the Repencarres Domain embassy. The guard does not let them pass until they show their letter of marque. As that is above his paygrade, he takes them to Henry, the secretary (and yes, we have 3 Henrys - on PC's first name, another's middle name, and n ow the secretary. I must have had Henry on the brain when I blurted that out). A thin, bespectacled man behind a large pile of papers, looks up, and upon closer inspection of the letter, sees if the Factor for the Domain is available. She is, and the enter Lady Adrienne Pennyworth's office. A bookcase on one side, a large map of the nearby islands and empires on the other, and a broad, hardwood desk from which a tall woman stands up.
Offered tea, Henry accepts Alderin brandy. There is some conversation, but no new orders other than a reminder that while the empires are not at war, it is a cold war state of affairs. And as a privateer of the Domain, they are also on the lookout for information that could be useful. While slavery is legal in the Alderil Empire, it is outlawed in most other places. Captain Penny leaves a book with the Domain's agent, and tips Henry the secretary a gold Alderil coin (taken from the Windchaser).
They also store the cargo in a secured warehouse.
At this point we closed the game, with the general plan to revisit that island as among the things taken from the ship were also the maps. They have a good idea of where the mines will be, and they plan on seeing if there are slaves in that illegal mine. And look to see if they can register the mine possibly - the rules of acquisition for mines are yet to be figured out!
Political world
Repencarres Domain
Our characters are part of the Repencarres Domain, a cluster of several dozen large (some as large as New Zealand) floating islands west of the much larger Alderil Empire. It is more a republic, led by an elected council. Though only landed personages can hold a seat on the council.
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| the cerulean and copper of the Repencarres Domain |
Alderil Empire
Controlling the eastern part of the world, the Alderil Empire is ruled by His Royal King Philip D’Orzia the 4th. Havingover 4 million inhabitants, the Alderil Empire is the largest of the local governments and has the largest fleet of ships in the known world. Always wanting to expand his borders, the King often sends out convoys with armed ships to plunder other islands of both people and the repellium that keeps the islands afloat. Many smaller islands at the borders are starting to drop below 500 meters. When that happens, the lower flying creatures have access, and the island gets picked bare from those ferocious creatures. The Alderil Empire is no stranger to slavery and has been known to enslave various people to work in the mines on both islands and the world below.
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| the Blue and Gold of the Alderil Empire |
Roche Empire
Much further to the west, the Roche Empire is what Traveller would call a charismatic dictatorship. While the Roche Empire is centuries old, it is ruled by an ever-shifting set of families. Currently, His Lordship Abdul Waahid el-Saber is ruling the Thousand Island Kingdom. Though no knows if there really are a thousand islands in the Roche Empire, they tend towards romantic phrasing. Great works of literature and architecture are the hallmarks of the Roche Empire.
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| Red and Green of the Roche Empire |
Latnian States
A loose confederation of islands north of the Roche Empire with a neutral zone of almost a hundred miles between the political bodies, The Latnian States are made up of several dozen groups of islands. Rand is based mostly on the number of islands. A forum of 15 makes up the ruling body, each coming from the top 15 groups of islands. There is a 16th Forum of the remaining island groups, some which are mere village on a small island but they do not have voting rights.
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| Silver and Green of the Latnian States |
Free Islands
Many islands are not part of any political group. While some can be quite large, such as Tebou, they remain unaffiliated. Usually too far from one of the empires to be able to maintain any sort of security.
Coinage
Each Kingdom also has its own coin. Trying to keep that straight so that it may be something useful later. The islands that are not associated with political groups tend to take anything. As with most fantasy games, there are the usual 3 categories - copper, silver and gold. I'll have to think if I want to put in currency valuations so that one currency may be more than another. While I like that level of detail it adds a bit too much to deal with at the moment.
Alderil has the one with stars cut out in some of the coins (far right), the Roche Empire has the shiny ones (bottom left), Latnian States (upper left) has the science fiction ones (and there may be a reason!) and the Repencarres Domain uses those forged coins. Coins from 3 different companies via Kickstarter.
Trade Guilds
There are several trade guilds. Most belong to one political group or another and abide by laws of their country. Some may get large enough to ignore some the laws. A large guild, the Trenner Trade Guild has almost 50 ships, including the now wounded
Windrunner.
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| Crimson and Amber of the Trenner Trade Guild |
Spires
So far no Spires have been visited.
Trade Stations
There are many floating trade stations, as well as stations on islands. Unlike the Spires created by the Creators in the last time before, trade stations are much smaller and made by trade guilds or independents. They are in the spaces between empires and often offer a neutral space for trade. Trading Station 412 is owned by Agustus Rosenthal, an "extremely well-off businessman". He has his fingers in a lot of places and owns several trade stations as well as a small militia. He names his trade stations on a military manner: the 4 indicates the size as this is one of the larger stations he has, 12 is the cardinal position in his "map of stations". It is a well-run station, and home of the Brown Betty Tavern. Who does not trust people who do not like her pastries.
Letter of Marque
By Decree of the Sovereign Council of the Repencarres Domain Sanction of the Azure Seal
Let it be known throughout the vaulting skies and upon the windswept currents of the Aetherbound Expanse that:
Captain Richard Penny, commanding officer of the vessel Windrazer, being of sound reputation and possessed of navigational valor, is hereby granted full Letters of Marque and Reprisal under the authority of the High Throne of Repencarres Domain.
This document empowers Captain Virellian and their crew to engage in offensive and defensive action, including boarding, seizure, and repatriation of vessels bearing the flags of hostile or non-recognized nations—chiefly the Corsair States of Mur Thalor and the Celestial Compact of Varn.
In accordance with this grant, the following conditions apply:
- The Windrazer shall fly the indigo and silver pennant of Repencarres at all times during commissioned actions.
- No harm shall befall innocents, non-combatant vessels, or the sacred convoys of the Cloud Monks of Aeyva.
- All seized cargo, relics, and enemy manifests shall be reported and tithed at ten percent to the Royal Air Docks upon return.
Violations of this charter will result in revocation, pursuit by the Winged Watch, and condemnation as sky-born brigands.
Affixed this 17th Day of Skylance, in the Third Cycle of Driftwinds, under seal and flame.
✹ High Chancellor Aeriona Vell By hand of the Scrollkeeper of Rimebarrow Hall
Cast of Characters
Big Betty, owner of the Brown Betty. A large woman who makes pastries, she also has a good selection of meats from a variety of places, including the von Meyer Meat Vattery out of Dulcet Spire. Brown Betty are her sweetcakes - a bread infused with the most tender mutton anyone has ever had.
Smitty, 3rd mate of the Windrazor. A small, quick man, Smitty has been with Captain Penny for almost two years now.
Vendel is the Windrazor's 2nd mate and normally sleeps during the day and runs the night shift. She is a quiet woman that people tend to overlook until she starts giving orders. For a small woman she has quite the penetrating voice.
Henry, secretary at the Repencarres Domain Embassy on Trade Station 412.
Lady Addrienne Pennyworth, Repencarres Domain Factor of Trade Station 412.
