Help - how would these NPCs react? (a bit long)

[NewJeffCT]

The six players (level 8 in 3.5) infiltrated a large gathering of pirates gathered on a secretive pirate island (protected by magical means) In a sideplot, a few months back, one of the players' nephews was snatched by a pirate named Gelig that has a reputation as the meanest, biggest & baddest around. (I keep having that old Jim Croce song go through my head "Don't Mess Around with Jim")

The gathering is nearly 1,400 pirates, overcrowded into an area built for 400. Most of them are drunk as part of the free booze being given away for a big celebration ("Fall of Liaven" is the adventure)... the players were disguised as pirates (not a hard disguise, but it involved hiding obvious symbols of good, etc)

Last session, the players thought they were going to ambush Gelig when he was separated from his equally vicious gnoll barbarian first mate. However, Gelig's ship warlock managed to roll a "20" on his spot check and figured out the ambush... and, the PCs got ambushed instead.

However, the PCs managed to use some good strategy and got some great damage rolls, and managed to kill Gelig, his gnoll first mate and about 20 of their shipmates. The badly bleeding warlock fled the scene, as did the nephew who had joined Gelig's crew... while one PC was knocked down below 0hp, he was quickly healed. So, six PCs and one NPC managed to take out the biggest, baddest, meanest pirate in the local waters without losing a single person.

The fight took place out in the open, but was at the break of dawn when most of the drunken pirates were sleeping off hangovers - however, there are obviously witnesses (but no "witnesses") and word travels quickly in such a small crowded area. The PC Paladin of Freedom (a C/G version of the paladin) did call down a smite from his C/G deity during the battle as well.

I had not expected them to go after Gelig so soon on the island, so I'm at a loss as to how the rest of the pirates would react at the news that Gelig just got killed.

1) Would the other pirates - who lived in fear of Gelig - now step forward to challenge the PCs in a king of the hill sort of situation? (i.e., the pirate & crew that was #2 on the list of most feared now challenges the PCs, or at least the PC's "champion"?)
2) Would the PCs have at least a little time for the remaining
pirates taking them in and trying to get to know their strengths & weaknesses first?
3) Would the PCs be the new sheriffs in town, and have the rule of the roost and have the pirates be in fear of them now?
4) Several groups of pirates band together to kill the PCs?
5) Something else altogether that I'm missing completely?

As a side note, at least 3 interested "neutral" parties will quickly get word of the PC's victory. One is the BMOC, a very wealthy & powerful merchant, who may or may not be thankful that the PCs killed the the chaotic & unpredictable Gelig; Two, a smuggler/Han Solo type that will be happy the PCs offed Gelig; and Three, a traveling Neutral-aligned priest and his bodyguard companion, who will be very intrigued.

 

[Oni]

The big dogs dead, depending on how much control he actually had maybe a complete meltdown of the social order (what little pirates have). Some groups will want to get the PC's out of town as quickly as possible without getting their own necks on the block. Some might be greatful enough to not even care or might even be nominally helpful, after all a paladin's not so bad if it's pointed at someone else. Some would probably want to kill them out of fear. There would probably be a few interested in putting them down to make a show and step into a power vacuum. If you've got captains of different crews following all sorts of agendas and the PC's can't leave you've got a lot of room for intrigue and chaos.

So I guess my answer is all of the above would happen and probably more. The biggest question is if I were a wily crafty pirate captain how could I use the situation and the PC's to my advantage.

 

[NewJeffCT]

The big dogs dead, depending on how much control he actually had maybe a complete meltdown of the social order (what little pirates have). Some groups will want to get the PC's out of town as quickly as possible without getting their own necks on the block. Some might be greatful enough to not even care or might even be nominally helpful, after all a paladin's not so bad if it's pointed at someone else. Some would probably want to kill them out of fear. There would probably be a few interested in putting them down to make a show and step into a power vacuum. If you've got captains of different crews following all sorts of agendas and the PC's can't leave you've got a lot of room for intrigue and chaos.

So I guess my answer is all of the above would happen and probably more. The biggest question is if I were a wily crafty pirate captain how could I use the situation and the PC's to my advantage.

Thanks - I kind of imagined a little bit of everything, meaning it will be a pain in the neck to run for me as a DM.

I'm tempted to have the hobgoblin pirates attempt a run at the PCs, with maybe another group trying to help the PCs out.

 

[exile]

I think you have a great opportunity for lots of role-playing here. I think I would open with pirate #2 being aware of the paldin smite and have him challenge said paladin to a duel for control of the pirate "nation". With the death of #2, the PCs could temporarily establish control, but would have to constantly negotiate with various other pirate parties to maintain said control. Some parties might even pretend to work with the PCs while secretly plotting against them, a great role for the warlock. Of course, teh warlock might come around and actually become a staunch supporter of the PCs. The nephew, of course, should be able to be redeemed.

Chad

 

[LostSoul]

Make 3 NPCs. One who wants to work with the party, one who wants to work against the party, and another that's a swing vote. The one who wants to work with the party controls a small faction (maybe 10%), the ones against a large one (50%) and the rest are undecided.

Just play out the NPCs. Whenever there is a conflict between the NPCs and the PCs, roll the dice to determine what happens.

You have a good thing going here! This is a good situation ready to explode.

Here's something: The Red Brotherhood (pirates) have a law: whoever kills the captain becomes captain. But are the PCs part of the Red Brotherhood and thus the lawful rulers? This "law" is just a pretense of legitimacy, whoever can rule will, but it's a decent focal point for maneuvers against the other side.

 

[Ydars]

The points raised about are excellent; extend them as follows;

The pirates will not just accept the PCs as leaders because they are not members of the pirate fraternity. They are also not going to attack the PCs because that would also weaken them and allow someone else to take advantage. Since each pirate survives by bonds of mutual fear and respect, they will also be unlikely to trust one another enough to band together. So present them as arguing and unable to agree and then have someone state the "pirate code".

So they set the PCs are series of challenges; the Pirate Gauntlet. If they run the Gauntlet, they are hailed as pirate chieftains. If not, the Gauntlet either kills them or the other pirates gain an advantage from the parties weakness or discover their achilles heel.

The Gauntlet could be whatever you like; from a sea-battle with a Kraken, to besting the former undead pirate guardian of the island, to surviving a trap filled labyrinth or even finding where Gelig hid his buried treasure and so the key the island's magic!

Good-luck me heartie! Ha Harrr!!

 

[GlaziusF]

Really it depends where you want to go with the story. If you'd rather just have this be the end of it, the pirates are convinced this was a fluke so the new guys will be easy meat and the second guy to realize this puts a dagger in the back of the first guy and the entire town erupts in a giant free-for-all.

 

[roguerouge]

Now's the time to rescue that nephew. Chaos reigns as pirate crews battle for supremacy.

The PCs become leaders when they propose that they serve as privateers, selling their piracy to the nation that bids the highest, serving as a mercenary fleet that preys on a nation's shipping. Obviously, being paid NOT to is an option as well.