D&D General What's your view on a pirate-driven campaign?

[Paul Farquhar]

Acheron (french ship in M&C) is privateer. It's also a movie about naval warfare between frigate and heavy frigate (Acheron is “ship of the line–like” heavy frigate). It's pirate movie in reverse in a sense, since it's told from the perspective of British hunting French privateer along the coast of South America. Novel series movie is based off are solid read tough as inspiration for anyone into that kind of late Age of Sail nautical campaigns (it does contain privateering aka government sanctioned piracy, since Aubrey both protects British merchants and attacks French and Spanish ones).

I’m aware of this. The novel, which I have read, is also a Balance of Terror rip off. It’s as much a Pirate story as Star Trek is.

I’ve also read all the Hornblower novels. “Age of Sail” is its own genre (which Trek often drew upon), with very different tropes to Pirate stories.

 

[GrimCo]

I’m aware of this. The novel, which I have read, is also a Balance of Terror rip off. It’s as much a Pirate story as Star Trek is.

Novel is quite different then movie cause there is no cat&mouse game in novel it more privateers and anti privateers action in Mediterranean if i recall correctly (it's been long time). Movie M&C rips off Balance of terror which ripped off Enemy below. But never the less, plot aside, M&C movie is more interesting cause of portray of ship to ship combat between large vessels (which are hassle and major PIA to translate into game of D&D).

I’ve also read all the Hornblower novels. “Age of Sail” is its own genre (which Trek often drew upon), with very different tropes to Pirate stories.

Sure, but there is some overlap, specially in terms of naval warfare.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

M&C movie is more interesting cause of portray of ship to ship combat between large vessels (which are hassle and major PIA to translate into game of D&D).

Sure, but Pirates isn’t about ship-to-ship combat, it’s completely unnecessary to include it, which makes it fine for D&D. Just move directly to boarding action. Break it down into a series of small battles (like a dungeon crawl) if there are a lot of crew on the enemy ship.

The only RPG I’ve played that had fun ship to ship combat was FASA Star Trek. It’s generally not something that works well in RPGs.

 

[Lanefan]

Sure, but Pirates isn’t about ship-to-ship combat, it’s completely unnecessary to include it, which makes it fine for D&D. Just move directly to boarding action. Break it down into a series of small battles (like a dungeon crawl) if there are a lot of crew on the enemy ship.

The only RPG I’ve played that had fun ship to ship combat was FASA Star Trek. It’s generally not something that works well in RPGs.

For me, the ship-v-ship combat etc. would be a large part of the point of doing a maritime or pirate campaign in the first place. If I just want hand-to-hand combat I can get my fill of that with a conventional land-based campaign.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

For me, the ship-v-ship combat etc. would be a large part of the point of doing a maritime or pirate campaign in the first place. If I just want hand-to-hand combat I can get my fill of that with a conventional land-based campaign.

The main features of a pirate campaign are hunting treasure, defying authorities (especially colonials), mutinous crews, speaking with a Westcountry accent, and ham night.

 

[Zardnaar]

Some groups may be happy to have a player be captain. Others might decide to run the ship by committee, or take turns. Rule breaking is what pirates are all about, and that includes standard chain of command.

Equally missing out on the essence of a pirate campaign.

The trouble with that is the players become emotionally invested in their ship in the same way that they become invested in their characters. One does not “trade up” the Millennium Falcon or the Enterprise.

I've seen that in Star Wars with ship attachment and Spelljamner.

Sone PCs spend more effort keeping the ship going vs other PCs.

Sometimes the ship gets destroyed. The owner can get a bit salty if another PC caused it or had the idea that got it destroyed.

 

[Zardnaar]

The main features of a pirate campaign are hunting treasure, defying authorities (especially colonials), mutinous crews, speaking with a Westcountry accent, and ham night.

Maybe. Generally PCs want to engage in ship combat imho if its pirates/nautical themed or something like Star Wars/Spelljamer imho.

Gamblers, smugglers are often more appealing than Rebels/Empire or fighting the BBEG as well.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Maybe. Generally PCs want to engage in ship combat imho if its pirates/nautical themed or something like Star Wars/Spelljamer imho.

Gamblers, smugglers are often more appealing than Rebels/Empire or fighting the BBEG as well.

Not my experience.

 

[Zardnaar]

Not my experience.

That's why I sad maybe. Neither my experience or yours are absolute. I'm aware of it though.

 

[Clint_L]

The main features of a pirate campaign are hunting treasure, defying authorities (especially colonials), mutinous crews, speaking with a Westcountry accent, and ham night.

Drinking rum.

Edit: my campaign kicked off one game where the party had to rescue the captain's rum from some harpies.