Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WCH 02-23-07, 07:24 PM	I'm running a sandbox world, and have been throwing in a bunch of random rumours whenever the PCs gather information... basically I just throw stuff out there that I wouldn't mind running, and only actually prepare the stuff they've expressed interest in during a previous session. Today I said there'd been increased instances of piracy along the trading route between the island city and the mainland, and one of my PCs got excited by this, wants me to run it for a few sessions. So... what to do? I'm thinking something a little different than the stereotype... basically, I'm thinking of running it in character in the world... so how would people in this fantasy environment rob from ships, rather than just using the stereotypical "yarr, matey" bit. Any ideas? I'm thinking a mix of hobgoblins, humans and the occasional other race wearing masks sneaking aboard using stealth, subduing the crew without resorting to violence and disappearing into the night with the loot. Give them levels in rogue and maybe ninja, the occasional bard or sorceror... not the fighters and swashbucklers typical of the profession. Very low level at the moment, don't want to push ELs up much for a while, so maybe starting with theives not used to actually facing resistance and work up from there as the PCs level.
Dei 02-23-07, 09:31 PM	A good start can be lizardmen. They use their underwater movement abilities to sneak up on ships at anchor and climb up the anchor chains. They then if possible slip below decks and retrieve the cargo without alerting anyone or simply kill the crew in their beds if they look like causing trouble. The PCs can be hired by a Captain whose ship is at anchor and is looking for a party of brave souls to look after the thing since there's been a rash of recent robberies/murders. The PCs must defend the ship from the lizardmen then perhaps give it an extra hook that once X number of their own have died the lizardfolk dive over the side. The PCs, rushing to the sides of the boat see them clmabering onto longboats and nursing their wounds as the sleek, black shapes disappear into the night to the creak of oars. Then a group of captains/merchants get together and ask them to investigate. There's a local tribe of lizardfolk but these are routinely bribed with leather, tools and other materials to leave the ships alone. If the PCs contact them they learn that a number of them have recently been banished from the tribe. These were seen heading towards *insert appropriate place* which can give the PCs the next step until eventually they can have a nice dungeon crawl through the Pirate's cave network lair.
Amon_WinterfallIV 02-23-07, 09:32 PM	The fun way I do it is to use aquatic creatures, such as tritons, merfolk, sahugin or others. They're in their own element, so this is who has the serious edge. The CRs of these creatures are low enough to create interesting situations and a definitely variant way of piracy. My PCs are still spooked about the Sahugin Prince who single-handedly routed the entire crew of a ship, minus themselves. More conventional pirates are could still do fun things, like operate from a submarine, or have a aquatic companion, or use things such as water breathing to really attack from all angles. Sounds like fun, remember though, that the pirates need to be able to take the merchant ships, so they probably are going to be a hard fight for the PCs (perhaps a TPK if the PCs mess with the wrong people)
Thubby 02-23-07, 09:52 PM	i made an aircraft carrier for a water dominant campaigne once. basicaly, one or more psions,druids, or wizards use telekinesis (druids use control winds) to launch gliders to bomb the victim ship (their range was pretty impressive) this can work with psions at level 5. it worked out well, and my pcs ended up using a simular tactic to act as an advance team. crews of undead, they use no ship, the lich (or modestly leveled cleric ghoul) and his solid minions just walk the ocean floors, and the incorporeals come up from the bottom to kill all below deck, crippling the ship's fighting ability, then the solids come up and collect the booty (and bodies). even a living cleric can do this, he just needs a ship (which works perfectly with ghost ship tales).
Rerecros 02-24-07, 12:27 AM	For a really bad Idea, just use the bad guys from One Piece :P
CharlieRock 02-24-07, 09:02 AM	For a really bad Idea, just use the bad guys from One Piece :P Doing my DM-Homewrok is the reason why I applied for the job. I get to watch all kinds of shows and movies to 'get ideas' then completely rip-off about a hundred dozen or so. :D "Charlie, it's late." "I have to watch this pirate movie, hon. It's preparational."
revnk 02-24-07, 10:00 AM	It's really an old take, but often overlooked: have you considered borrowing an idea from Verne and putting your pirates in a submersible? It might fit with Dei and Amon_WinterfallIV's suggestions to use lizardmen or other submarine creatures. I'm thinking, perhaps, of a gnomish "Captain Nemo" type who uses his Miraculous Underwater Contraption as a staging area for lizardmen, humanoid pirates, sahuagin, etc.: they get to keep the loot, he [exacts his revenge, takes another step towards world conquest, obtains even more underpants for profit, insert other motive here]. Hope that helps!