Interest in a Universal Pirates Story Setting?

[Sean]

Thanks for clearing that up Admiral. You did answer my third question by the way. I wouldn't mind taking part, and if you need someone to play as a pirate, I really wouldn't mind that. X-D

[Berry Syedow]

I would love to participate in a pirate roleplaying game! Vahkimetru pursued a similar idea recently, but it was poorly executed and ultimately abandoned. I wish you luck in your quest.

As for maps, I would have to say that we should keep the map reliativly vague to allow maximum origionality on the part of the players. Basically, I see it as a world where players could, essentially, conquer an island and then fill in all the details themselves. Only places like Port Cochraine and the iron mines of Cortimer would have that level of detail to begin with.

How fantastical can the islands be? Will we be allowed to build structures on them?

To further this end, I am already thinking on a post to put up that would cite how real historical ships were built, looked, were run, etc etc.

Excellent idea! I

[Mister Phes]

I have a question with an answer might be useful to others (and for the sake of contributing to the discussion) I'd like to know what the "Isle of Mist" is...

[Berry Syedow]

I have a question with an answer might be useful to others (and for the sake of contributing to the discussion) I'd like to know what the "Isle of Mist" is...

The best explanation I could find: Linky

"Ah, that is a can of worms now, isn't it. Wink

Once upon a time there was a site known as Castle World:

http://www.ozbricks.net/castle/

which was meant to be a gathering place for all castlehead AFOLs. In the last couple of years there has been little added to the site. The site changed hands, and there was some debate on what, if anything should happen to it. The current owners of the site say it will soon rise from the ashes, and I hope they're right--more castle sites will only help the community, not hurt it. Others had doubts, or perhaps had a different vision of what a general Castle LEGO site would be, and classic-castle.com was created out of this discussion, just over a month ago.

The Isle of Mist (or Mists, I never knew which was right) was part of Castleworld. It was supposed to be an open-ended experiment in joint roleplaying/storytelling. There was this island, shrouded in mist, that anyone could travel to if they had a ship or some sort of airship. People would construct their teams and have them travel to the island and build colonies (people would photograph these themselves and the photos would be gathered on the Castleworld website). The mist receded very slowly, so the colonists could not travel into the island interior (or meet eachother). As far as I recall, this is where things ended. The map never got updated with the mist receding, so colonists never created more stories about their travel to the interior, nor did they meet eachother. After months with no updates, enthusiasm for the project died, some accusations were hurled about, and people moved on to other collaborative projects (like the joint town created for Brickfest 2002, the Medieval Marketplace standard, and now the Classic Castle City standard).

Bruce"

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

How fantastical can the islands be? Will we be allowed to build structures on them?

I would probably have to say they would get the same rule of thumb as the seas, the PotC rule of thumb: Cursed treasure chests, sure! Caves housing ancient dragons who will rise and rule the Archipalego? No.

[Mister Phes]

Exactly which period of time is this story going to be set?

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

I already thought about that, and I am not quite sure. Basically, I was thinking about 30 years before the rise of Napoleon. All the major naval powers were established, but there was no big war between them yet.

[Mister Phes]

The Seven Year's War springs to mind as it occurred around that time (1754 and 1756

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Why you ask?

Because I forgot about them :P

I'll be sure to include them ^_^

So, back to buisness. I have finially sent a PM to Ska to begin setting down some initial groundwork, such as basic campaign play and some idea how the battles will be run. We may need to request the addition of a subforum, Mister Phes.

Basically, the idea is to keep this *fun*. Pirates of the Caribbean fun (anyone who has seen the movies should know what I am talking about ;) ).

I would like the emphasis to be on a narrative driven kind of game promoting the creation of storys and mocs - not based around blowing up other players.

There are, of course, some snags, mainly in the area of ship MoCs. Using my ranking system (that we spent 2 pages arguing about :P) would limit creativity. On the other hand, it IS stable, and would go a great deal toward streamlining the battle system.

I will post something more "official" soon.

It'll be rough sailin, but with enough loyal hands before the mast, we should be able to sail her true!'

- Helden

[Berry Syedow]

Basically, the idea is to keep this *fun*. Pirates of the Caribbean fun (anyone who has seen the movies should know what I am talking about ;) ).

Absolutely. Pirates are all about fun and anything less is a disservice to the theme. Speaking of POTC, have you seen the sequel yet?

I would like the emphasis to be on a narrative driven kind of game promoting the creation of storys and mocs - not based around blowing up other players.

How about extravagant plots involving blowing other players up? :-D But yes, we need some meat to go with the potatoes. Another reason why POTC is such a great film! It's not just mindless action, there's a series of interwoven plots behind everything.

There are, of course, some snags, mainly in the area of ship MoCs. Using my ranking system (that we spent 2 pages arguing about :P) would limit creativity. On the other hand, it IS stable, and would go a great deal toward streamlining the battle system.

Yarr, the pirate in me says that four cannons ain't enough! The sloop I'm working on has at least six cannons. X-D Four of them are brick built because my hull is too narrow for the system type. Where do you stand on brick built cannons?

[Mister Phes]

There are, of course, some snags, mainly in the area of ship MoCs.

I haven't read all the posts here in great detail so I don't know if this has been covered, but can players use standard LEGO ships if they don't have any suitable MOC ships?

Using my ranking system (that we spent 2 pages arguing about :P) would limit creativity. On the other hand, it IS stable, and would go a great deal toward streamlining the battle system.

How do you know its stable? Once other user begin playing you're going to encounter all kinds of things you'd never have expected.

[JackDagger]

I've been interested in this idea since it was first posted. I have a few questions i'd like to add

1. are players actually going to have to have the ships and MOCs?

2. if players are going to be required to have the ships what about forts and islands? will we have to have those as well?

3. How would it work a play be email thing, through treads here in thus forum, or a seprate and new website?

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

OK, heres the basic set of guidelines for the project overall that I have figured out:

Archipalego theme setting, for people to use in game or if they just want a world to place their adventures in

One big storyline involving all 9 Factions. Point being to inspire MoCs (Both of ships and islands) and get people to write storys (with or without pics)

9 factions, each with their own overall objective in the story

Each player would have control over his own ships and men to do with as he likes, and this would play into that factions overall storyline in the Archipalego

Battle system will be worked out so as to realisticly but easily fight ship battles over the cyber sea.

A thread will be written by SkaForHire and myself with all the neccesitys anyone needs to know about the ships and people of the Napoleonic Era.

What do you think?

Now, to answer some questions:

I've been interested in this idea since it was first posted. I have a few questions i'd like to add

1. are players actually going to have to have the ships and MOCs?

No. It will simply be promoted.

2. if players are going to be required to have the ships what about forts and islands? will we have to have those as well?

If you wish

3. How would it work a play be email thing, through treads here in thus forum, or a seprate and new website?

Prefferably in a subforum of the Pirate section of the Eurobricks forum we are on ;)

- Helden

[john cleese]

temporarly deleted post, sorry

[Basiliscus]

Helden,

I must commend you on the undertaking of this vast project! I am very interested in it, and have a few questions:

Firstly, I am planning an Aztec-esque style culture, based on Islanders and a few unique surprises. Although your start date is the mid-1700's, would they still be eligible for entry (considering their dominance was gone by almost 200 years)? Also, considering they would probably not have guns and cannon, how would combat for them be defined? Would 'canoes' be a new ship class? LoL I may try a few things, such as cataraman (sp?) based catapults, but I'm just curious of its implementation...

Also, I do like pirates but would like to create a few unconventional designs, for example Korean turtle ships (I know these would be around 150 years old by your start date!) or Barbary corsairs (this is at early development stage so no promises! LoL), so would they be able to join the Pirate or Freelancer faction? Or is more conventional designs preffered?

Apologies if this has been covered, but I'm just new here! :-D

[Mister Phes]

How is the planning progressing gentlemen? I notice its been almost two weeks since the masterminds behind this project have posted here. Are you having a break or planning outside the forum? If you're planning outside the forum it would be good to give us frequent updates so we know what's going on.

[SkaForHire]

How is the planning progressing gentlemen? I notice its been almost two weeks since the masterminds behind this project have posted here. Are you having a break or planning outside the forum? If you're planning outside the forum it would be good to give us frequent updates so we know what's going on.

i am bogged down with real life right now. my summer classes end the 18th so i have a window between then and the 28th that i can commit more time to thinking about game mechanics, i think helden is under similar circumstances with real life also. but we have been in contact.

[Mister Phes]

Fair enough then laddies, but if you come up with anything of interest be sure to let us know!

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Hm... I suppose you could say i've been bogged, though when it comes to this project here its mostly other computer tasks interfereing - For example, doing pixel art commisions that bite into my "free time" (See: 11 PM to 1 AM) for doing most of my own projects like this :)

Ah well, 'nuff ranting about my own problems. Onto the battle!

Simply because I have been busy does not mean I have not been thinking. So, here are my thoughts:

A stand-alone website hosted by me with all the background info. This is so anyone can just use the PotA setting for their own Pirate adventures without having to sign up on the project here on Eurobricks.

The Eurobricks part of it would require a sub-forum WITH a sub-forum. What im thinking here is that the subforumed subforum would contain all the rules, updates, etc. The main subforum would have actual GAMEPLAY. MoCs would, of course, go in the MoC forum, prefferably with something about being a part of the project in the subject title.

Basically, there would be 9 factions, and players could sign up under as many as they like. The players storys and MoCs would affect each faction in the PotA, and I or someone else good at that sort of thing would publish a bi-weekly update on matters in the Archipalego.

The point here is to make a setting to inspire people to make storys and build stuff and know that their contributions are effecting the fantasy world as a whole.

----

@ Basiliscus: Well, those would probably go under the "Islanders"... and if you think you can make them blend in some way, go ahead ^_^ This is meant to spark creativity. As for the Barbary corsairs, if memory serves, one or more of the american superfrigates was despatched to quash them. Not sure if it was John Paul Jones or Decatur... i'll have to re-read it :P So yes, Barbary corsairs are fine, ad would have to sign up under the Pirate faction.

Good day, gentlemen *sweet*

- The Lord Admiral

[Aaron Morse]

How about fellas with really big MOC's for example...me. 38-44 guns is abit of an overkill. one of my auxillaries I'm working on will be as big as some MOC's i've seen. Does taht mean I can't come out and play? :(

[SkaForHire]

Hm... I suppose you could say i've been bogged, though when it comes to this project here its mostly other computer tasks interfereing - For example, doing pixel art commisions that bite into my "free time" (See: 11 PM to 1 AM) for doing most of my own projects like this :)

Ah well, 'nuff ranting about my own problems. Onto the battle!

Simply because I have been busy does not mean I have not been thinking. So, here are my thoughts:

A stand-alone website hosted by me with all the background info. This is so anyone can just use the PotA setting for their own Pirate adventures without having to sign up on the project here on Eurobricks.

The Eurobricks part of it would require a sub-forum WITH a sub-forum. What im thinking here is that the subforumed subforum would contain all the rules, updates, etc. The main subforum would have actual GAMEPLAY. MoCs would, of course, go in the MoC forum, prefferably with something about being a part of the project in the subject title.

Basically, there would be 9 factions, and players could sign up under as many as they like. The players storys and MoCs would affect each faction in the PotA, and I or someone else good at that sort of thing would publish a bi-weekly update on matters in the Archipalego.

The point here is to make a setting to inspire people to make storys and build stuff and know that their contributions are effecting the fantasy world as a whole.

----

@ Basiliscus: Well, those would probably go under the "Islanders"... and if you think you can make them blend in some way, go ahead ^_^ This is meant to spark creativity. As for the Barbary corsairs, if memory serves, one or more of the american superfrigates was despatched to quash them. Not sure if it was John Paul Jones or Decatur... i'll have to re-read it :P So yes, Barbary corsairs are fine, ad would have to sign up under the Pirate faction.

Good day, gentlemen *sweet*

- The Lord Admiral

decatur, lawrence, and porter i believe... i should know, but i havent really done much work for an asignment i have on this right now! lol due in 3 days too doh...

as for the large MOCs, i think the key will be finding a way to let them come out and play. we will figure something out....

[Mister Phes]

Damn those assignments! I have one which needs to be done right after StarGate!

What about people with NOOOOOOO MOCs whatsoever but they have official sets? Is it possible to use official sets? Since this is a universial setting I think its imperative that the official Pirate LEGO continum play a strong part of universe too.

[SkaForHire]

Damn those assignments! I have one which needs to be done right after StarGate!

What about people with NOOOOOOO MOCs whatsoever but they have official sets? Is it possible to use official sets? Since this is a universial setting I think its imperative that the official Pirate LEGO continum play a strong part of universe too.

well of course official sets will be used! lol that would be a very bad idea not to include them LOL.

Yeah i need to do more work... but i must watch stargate since they cancelled it and all.

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Seeing as my first and only ship IS an official set, yes :P The Armada Flagship would be categorized as 'Spanish".

Anyhow, I am still typing up information on the Archipalego itself. I hope to have it ready for release soon. As for the UPSS, I am still thinking and planning. Trust me, just because you dont SEE anything getting done doesnt mean it ISNT getting done ;)

As I said, I am determined to finish this project :)

[Mister Phes]

Well laddies there is no rush because I'm not going to make any major forum changes until November because I've just got that many other projects that need to be completed in the interim.