Begin a Session
Johnny has a new manager for his fledgling adventurer's guild - Tiffany Swiftblade. She has tasked Johnny with getting a second ship for the guild by capturing one from pirates.
Likely(87)No
"And you're no closer to finding the culprit?"
"No, my lord."
"I really think you ought to give up this vendetta. All this searching is distracting you from your work."
"But my lord, this is my work. If the other gangs see that someone can attack one of our labs without a response, they'll start attacking all of our businesses."
"If that happens, we'll find someone to make an example of."
"My lord, if someone insulted your honor, you'd challenge them to a duel, correct? This is our version of that. Someone has to pay."
"Hmm, very well. I'll give you one more week, two at most. But, Havoc?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"Keep the money flowing, or I'll have your fucking head."
"Of course, my lord."
Momentum:7 → 8
Johnny stands on the deck of the Spearhead with Tiffany by his side. The plan is simple - sail to a known pirate hotspot, find a suitable ship, board it and capture the crew, sail it back to Erast and claim it.
"There's a lot that can go wrong with this plan, you know," says Johnny.
"You chickening out, captain?" asks Tiffany.
"No, just pointing out that we don't even know who we're after, or who their friends are."
"We'll be fine, you'll see."
Face Danger(Wits)—7 vs 10|5 Momentum:8 → 7
It takes them a while to find the right ship - some targets are too small to bother with, some are too big to tangle with, but eventually they find one that's just right. They spot the Cursed Ship Name(31)Dragon's Bite, at anchor and unprepared for battle. The Spearhead moves in to board them before they can get away.
Battle(Edge)—8 vs 10|10match
The pirates are able to escape the Spearhead easily, dealing serious damage to the ship in the process, as well as to the crew's morale.
Flagship / Integrity:5 → 3 Withstand Damage(Flagship / Integrity)—4 vs 8|10 Momentum:7 → 5
"Well, that was a huge balls-up," says Johnny as the crew patch up the ship as best they can.
"Perhaps the guild could be a bit better trained in these matters," says Tiffany. "Let's try again and see if we fare any better."
"I'd really rather head back to port and get patched up."
"We're here now, and the damage wasn't that bad. We can do this," says Tiffany. "We just need the right target."
Face Danger(Wits)—8 vs 2|8 Momentum:5 → 4
Once again it's not easy to spot a likely target, but eventually they spy the Ship Name(81)Stormwatch , and move in to board.
Battle(Edge)—7 vs 4|3 Momentum:4 → 6
The Spearhead performs much better this time and are able to outmaneuver the Stormwatch and perform a boarding action. As his crew swarm onto the enemy deck, Johnny swings over to the pirate vessel on a rope hanging down from the mast and nearly sprains his ankle on the landing. The battle rages around him and he spots the enemy captain. They lock eyes and start approaching each other, cutlasses in hand. They close the distance and begin circling each other.
"If you and your men surrender, we'll let you leave with your lives," says Johnny.
Compel(Heart)—8 vs 4|1
"You're not here for the bounty?" asks the pirate.
"Just the ship. We'll give you provisions and a rowboat, you can make it to shore from here in a day or two."
The pirate throws down his sword. "Better than the hangman's noose," he says. "Surrender, men, they're letting us go free," he yells over the roar of battle. Word gets around and the pirates gradually surrender to the guild members.
Johnny keeps his word and gives the disarmed pirates a rowboat and enough provisions to make it to shore. They start rowing, and the guild members search the Stormwatch.
Cargo(68)Rum or grog
Cargo(79)Tea
The ship is carrying some trade goods which will be sold in Erast and the money reinvested into the guild. A skeleton crew led by Tiffany transfers to the Stormwatch and the convoy of two heads back to Erast.
Set a Course(Supply)—10 vs 3|10 Momentum:6 → 4
Both ships are damaged, so it takes them longer than expected to return to Erast. They head to the shipwright to get the ships repaired, and Tiffany goes into town to get the paperwork dealt with for the ownership of the Stormwatch.
Repair(Supply)—9 vs 1|8 Flagship / Integrity:3 → 5
The Spearhead's repairs are relatively straightforward but the Stormwatch needs a refit that will take a while longer, which gives Tiffany more time to find a crew for it.
Later, Johnny and Tiffany are in the guild hall. "Well, that could have gone better," Johnny says.
"Hey, we did what we set out to do. But you're right, it did highlight the fact that we need better trained crews. I'm going to institute a training regimen for everyone, focusing on combat," says Tiffany.
"What's next then, a third ship?"
"No, we only need two - one for routine jobs and one for Ernesto's special jobs. Next, we wait for Ernesto to contact us, and deal with anyone who walks in the front door in the meantime. And train our men up while we're at it, of course."
Does Ernesto contact them? 50/50(61)No
Johnny is sitting in his guildmaster's office, wishing he were in the Three Lillies. There's a knock at the door, and Dobby, one of the guild's junior members, sticks his head round the door. "There's someone here about a job."
Johnny sits up in his chair. "Show them in," he says. A short, scruffy man enters, and sits down opposite Johnny.
"My name's Moniker(50)Pegleg ," says the man.
"But you have both of your legs," says Johnny.
"Still, that's what they call me. Now listen close and listen good, I have the opportunity of a lifetime for you. I won this in a game of cards." He produces something from his pocket and slides it across Johnny's desk.
"It's a compass," says Johnny.
"Aye, but look closer."
Johnny peers at the compass. "It's a compass," he says.
"Look at the needle! It ain't pointing north!" says Pegleg.
"So, it's a broken compass," says Johnny.
"Lad, haven't you heard of enchanted compasses that don't point north? They point to treasures, or your heart's desire, or somesuch."
"No, I'm sure it's just broken."
"Listen, I know this compass points to something big, but I haven't a ship of my own. You take your ship and follow the compass, and we'll split whatever prize you find fifty-fifty."
"Look, if you're so good at cards perhaps you'll win a ship the next time you play? Then you'll be able to keep the whole prize for yourself," says Johnny.
"You'll regret this when another captain grabs the prize before you," says Pegleg, snatching back his compass and walking to the door. "You're making the biggest mistake of your life." Johnny waves goodbye as Pegleg leaves.